{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/1370524/-/124gern/-/index.html","content":" Climate to cost $2 trillion year in damage to oceans: study - Greenhouse gases are on track for inflicting costs of nearly $2 trillion annually in damage to the oceans by 2100, according to a Swedish study published on Wednesday. The estimate by the Stockholm Environment Institute is based on the assumption that climate-altering carbon emissions continue their upward spiral without a pause. Warmer seas will lead to greater acidification and oxygen loss, hitting fisheries and coral reefs, it warns. Rising sea levels and storms will boost the risk of flood damage, especially around the coastlines of Africa and Asia, it adds. On a business-as-usual scenario, Earth's global temperature will rise by some four degrees Celsius (7.2 degrees Fahrenheit) by century's end, says the report, \"Valuing the Ocean.\" On this basis, the cost in 2050 will be $428 billion annually, or 0.25 percent of global domestic product (GDP). By 2100, it would rise to $1,979 billion, or 0.37 percent of output. If emissions take a lower track, and warming is limited to 2.2 C (4 F), the cost in 2050 would be $105 billion, or 0.06 percent of worldwide GDP, rising to $612 billion, or 0.11 percent, by 2100. \"This is not a scaremongering forecast,\" says the report. It cautions that these figures do not take into account the bill for small island states swamped by rising seas. Nor do they include the impact of warming on the ocean's basic processes, such as nutrient recycling, which are essential to life. \"The ocean has always been thought of as the epitome of unconquerable, inexhaustible vastness and variety, but this ‘plenty more fish in the sea' image may be its worst enemy,\" notes the report. \"The immense scale of the ocean, and its remoteness from most of our daily lives, has contributed to its chronic neglect.\""}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/797488/-/h03nv2/-/index.html","content":"National Insurance Corp aids floods victims with Shs10m - KAMPALA National Insurance Corporation (NIC), has donated Shs10 million to support flood victims in Eastern Uganda. NIC Chief Marketing Manager Jocelyn Ucanda said the move was part of its corporate social responsibility to the community. \"NIC is still 40 per cent government owned and there would be no better time for NIC to the government than this time of need,\" she said at the handover to the Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Prof Tarsis Kabwegyere.NIC joins more than a dozen other firms that have come to the aid of the flood victims."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/633514-fake-diapers-flood-ugandan-market.html","content":" - Does your baby show discomfort every time they wear a diaper? Have you had a situation where the baby’s clothes get soaked in urine despite the fact that they are wearing a diaper? Well, the problem could be with the quality of the diaper, writes Carol Kasujja. CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/639828-floods-ravage-kampala-suburbs.html","content":" - The Wednesday afternoon heavy rains have destroyed property in most low-land suburbs."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1390322/-/11gmvsl/-/index.html","content":"When will problem of city floods be fixed? - Regarding the story, ‘When will flood problem be fixed? I want to say disaster preparedness, early warnings on rainfall patterns and rehabilitation of Nakivubo drainage channel cannot be solutions to flooding in the city. Why is there no flooding in lower Kololo or Nakasero? I have requested Nema, the National Forestry Authority, and KCCA to use simple methods - paleo-ecology (ecological history of Kampala) to reclaim forested areas in the city and all river streams in Natete, Nsoba, and Lugibi wetland. Bwaise was a wetland extending as far as Nsoba, which is currently just a stream - and over built. The same applies to Kyambogo wetland. Nakivubo Channel starts at Wandegeya, which was surrounded by football pitches and open green spaces now heavily built (Bat Valley is no more). Lugogo was planned to take up all water from Nakawa, Kololo and the adjacent hills. But now the road acts as a drainage channel since all open green spaces were sold off to so-called investors. They built modern supermarkets, which according to the urban planing regulations, should have been built in a 10-kilometer radius away from the city centre. What will happen in future following the encroachment of Luzira wetland will surprise many. City drainage channels should be turned into suds. However, with over building on the city hills, this may be impossible to achieve. Bwanika Nakyesawa, Luweero"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1287246/-/bg58j9z/-/index.html","content":"Luweero Electoral Commission chiefs suspended - Kampala The Electoral Commission has suspended Luweero District returning officer and his assistant following chaos and controversy that marred the recent by-election won by the opposition Democratic Party candidate. Mr Peter Kasozi and Ms Flavia Nakasi were recently each charged with three counts of omitting to act in breach of official duty and two counts of interfering with election materials. They are out on bail. This followed a failed vote recount of last month’s Luweero Woman MP by-election results. The two were then arrested together with 14 others by police and detained at the Central Police Station in Kampala. DP’s Brenda Nabukenya won the seat with a difference of 30 votes after the garnered 14,945 votes against the 14,915 votes attained by NRM’s Rebecca Nalwanga Lukwago. The loser protested and demanded a recount of the votes but Mr Kasozi declined, saying some of the ballot boxes had been tampered with. He maintained DP’s Nabukenya as the winner and urged NRM to seek court redress if they are not satisfied with the results. Chaos erupted as Ms Nabukenya’s supporters fought any attempt at a recount, while Nalwanga’s supporters pushed for it. But Commission Secretary Sam Rwakoojo yesterday said the officials had been suspended and that reports of sacking were perhaps attempts at forcing EC not to take administrative measures as per the human resource manual. “They have been suspended until their case is disposed of. The personnel manual says once you are charged, you step aside,” he said. Mr Rwakoojo also dismissed reports that EC was planning to transfer officials in areas where there are by-elections coming. “There are no transfers and even those once suspended will either be reinstated or discontinued depending on the court outcome. That is a procedural matter,” he said. The now controversial Luweero Woman parliamentary seat fell vacant after court nullified the election of Ms Nalwanga following a petition filed by Ms Elizabeth Lugudde, one of the candidates in the February election, who cited voter bribery. cobore@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Religion/-/689744/1286796/-/gkason/-/index.html","content":"FOURTH DIMENSION:Adamic nature is disastrous - It is increasingly becoming sad and predictable for the answers given to the investigating committees into corruption and abuse of office. In the days of Justice Julia Sebutinde, the answers were ‘it was an over sight my lord’. The police officers then turned it to ‘it was orders from above”. The current escape word now is “the president ordered me to act in the way that I did”. Of course there are letters in some of the instances to verify the claim. The question that arises now, is are all these letters from the president himself or computer generated? The wording though in some of these presidential orders would soon require the constitutional court to interpret as to whether the letters were commands or suggestions expressing the desired position of the president. Shifting the blame for decisions that have caused losses and pain to the beloved people of Uganda is very sad. Sad because of the unnecessary pain caused and the breach of trust in the offices held by these precious leaders. The oath of service taken to hold these offices implied the trust placed on these persons to serve with due diligence and for the betterment of the nation. To think that these persons served with no personal conviction as to what is right, is heart breaking. The reason we refer to the office holders as honourable is because they have been trusted to do the honourable thing. And the honourable thing sometimes would involve standing in a position contrary to the order given. We may blame the actions of these servants to the Adamic nature, but we must also be willing to face the consequences of this nature. Adam, the first man in the bible blamed his wife for causing him to act contrary to the known and given laws of existence in the Garden of Eden. He was heard, but he did not survive the eternal consequences of his actions. There is no excuse for the honourable to serve dishonourably. And why wait for the committee to speak out the truth if it is the truth? And if these bad decisions were acts of submission, then we need to appeal to the precedence of the American president who at his desk had the placard reading “the buck stops here”. He accepted the responsibility to be held accountable for his decisions without blaming others or circumstances. This American president admitted his errors and sought to move forward on the foundation of truth. Most likely, he had read the account in the bible of King David and his commander Joab. Are the people claiming to have acted on presidential orders plotting to hold him hostage to his demands or are they simple sinners who need to be saved?"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1285976/-/bg6glqz/-/index.html","content":"UBC, firm asked to settle case out of court - Kampala Court has asked lawyers to amicably resolve a case in which a limited liability company sued Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) over ownership of a 23.1-acre piece of land in Bugolobi in Nakawa Division, a Kampala suburb. Justice Joseph Murangira of the Land Division at the High Court asked UBC and DEO and Sons Property Ltd to meet on December 12 and report to court on December 15. DEO and Sons Property Limited, a real estate company said to have bought the land from HABA Group of Companies, dragged UBC to court following a letter which revoked the sale of the land to businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba, the owner of Haba Group of Companies. Breach of rulesThe company claiming damages and declarations for wrongful and unlawful pronouncements ordering for cancellation of its names from the property, contends that it bought the land at Shs11.5 billion. However, UBC insists that Mr Basajjabalaba breached the essential clauses of the sale contract prompting termination of the contract. Court heard yesterday that the transactions that involved HABA Group of Companies acquiring and selling the land to DEO and Sons were illegal because it had a purpose to defraud government through tax evasion. “The stamp duties paid for the transactions are less than the value indicated on the documents and that fraud nullifies the transaction between HABA and DEO. And transactions of UBC are governed by a statutory instrument that provides that three directors independent of a witness must sign on an agreement,” said UBC lawyer, Mr Kiryowa. DEO and Sons Property Ltd contends it has taken financial obligation and committed to development of structures through construction of facilities. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/1285208/-/11l3m52/-/index.html","content":"34 killed in Afghan twin blasts - Twin blasts at Afghan shrines on the Shiite holy day of Ashura have left at least 34 people dead in Kabul and the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif yesterday, according to police. A massive blast at the entrance to a shrine in central Kabul where Shiite Muslims had gathered to mark Ashura left at least 30 people dead including children. “A suicide bomber detonated his explosives in the Abu-Ul Fazil shrine,” Kabul police said in a statement.A security official speaking on condition of anonymity told AFP that it was believed the bomber arrived with a group of Shiite pilgrims from Logar province, south of Kabul. Separately, four people were killed in Mazar-i-Sharif when another blast struck a shrine in the northern city. It was not immediately clear whether Shiites were targeted in that attack. “It was an explosion not a suicide bombing. It was some explosives hidden in a bicycle,” said Lal Mohammad Ahmadzai, a police spokesman for northern Afghanistan, adding that four other people had also been injured. Breach of rulesShiites were banned from marking Ashura in public under the Taliban who ruled Afghanistan until 2001. This year, there are more Ashura monuments around the city than usual, including black shrines and flags.There was no immediate claim of responsibility for either of the blasts from the Taliban or other insurgent groups operating in Afghanistan. The attacks came shortly after a major conference on Afghanistan’s future, held in the German city of Bonn, 10 years after talks there which put in place an interim government after US-led troops ousted the Taliban. However, Pakistan and the Taliban -- both seen as pivotal to any end to the bloody strife in Afghanistan -- decided to stay away from the talks, undermining already modest hopes for real progress. The 10-day Ashura ceremonies, which began on November 27 and peaked yesterday, mark the slaughter of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, near Karbala by armies of the caliph Yazid in 680 AD.Tradition holds that the revered imam was decapitated and his body mutilated. His death was a formative event in Shiite Islam. The violenceSectarian violence periodically flares between Shiites, who beat and whip themselves in religious fervour during Ashura, and Sunnis, who oppose the public display of grief. On Monday, at least 28 people were killed and 78 wounded in a wave of bomb attacks in central Iraq against Shiite pilgrims making their way to Karbala. No comment from the Afghan President Hamid Karzai had been got by press time."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1284868/-/bg76q7z/-/index.html","content":"Mafabi promises not to sing anthem - Leader of Opposition in Parliament Nandala Mafabi has said he will never sing the Uganda National Anthem until President Museveni leaves power, adding that it is only then that freedom and liberty for the citizens can be restored. “Whenever they sing the anthem, I do not sing because it has no meaning. For instance when we talk about liberty, do Ugandans have any liberty? When we talk about freedom, are we really free?’’ Mr Mafabi said while speaking as chief guest at the thanksgiving celebrations for Tororo County MP Geoffrey Ekanya in Mukuju on Saturday. “Mr Museveni talks about zero tolerance to corruption yet when he was delivering the State of the Nation address in Parliament and we walked out, he blamed us. Later when he went to Rwanda, he declared that his government was surrounded by thieves,” said Mr Mafabi. Citing the award of Shs146b to businessman Basajjabalaba as compensation for breach of contract regarding Kampala city markets, Mr Mafabi said the money could instead have been used to construct a 2,000 km road. Selfish interestsHe condemned what he called Mr Museveni’s attitude of trying to destroy the rest of the country in favour of his personal and family interests. FDC Secretary General Alice Alaso said FDC was now rejuvenating its organs right from the grassroots so as to uproot the NRM and its leaders who she described as the “biggest thieves of all time in Uganda’s history.” “When President Museveni went to Rwanda and said his government has thieves, he was speaking for us. Even the Bible says there is no peace for sinners,” Ms Alaso said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/1280860/-/b6lsn1/-/index.html","content":"Dora's Diary: Treat customers in a manner that builds loyalty - Treat customers in a manner that builds loyalty LOSERSDo you shift goal posts after sealing a deal? I am in the process of publishing a book and it has been quite the experience. Given the rocky negotiations with the printer I selected, I should have known a nightmare lay ahead. In spite of the warning signs however, I selected this particular printer for their superior equipment and rock bottom prices. The prices should have been another red flag but, I ignored it. No sooner had the printer received my 50 percent deposit, than their sales representative asked me to choose between changing my paper grade, lowering my order size or paying a higher unit price because paper costs had gone up. I had paid against a six day old proforma, well within the document’s 30 day validity period. So feeling cheated, I asked for a refund and simultaneously called my bank to stop cheque payment. Unfortunately however, the cheque had already been banked and in the absence of a national Consumer Protection Policy, it will probably be impossible for me to obtain a refund following this blatant attempt to breach our contract. I feel stuck and at best, can only insist on the original contract terms, much as I would prefer to go elsewhere. What makes that printer and all goal-post-shifters losers? The customers you cheat will tell every listening ear and will certainly not return.Moral: Fulfil contractual obligations WINNERS Do you entice customers back? Driving on the Northern By-pass last week, I noticed that the Food Court at the Metroplex Shopping Mall was open so I decided to sample the available cuisine. Not wanting to buy food off the Huo Guo menu just because it was the first menu presented to me, I walked towards the other two vendors. The waitress at Mama Africa looked me over and turned away, effectively crossing Mama Africa off my list. So I walked on to Nawab where Esther the cashier smiled as soon as our eyes met. She handed me a menu and started a conversation. As I scanned the menu, it was as though Esther could sense that I did not plan to buy anything. When she informed me of their free delivery service to locations close by, I had to confess that I had already committed to buying something from Hou Guo. Esther the consummate professional took this information in stride, handed me a menu to take home and announced that she would be happy to either deliver a meal to my home or serve me on my next visit. There was absolutely no pressure to buy and clearly, Esther was doing something she enjoys. That alone has me looking forward to returning. What makes Esther a winner? Her sunny disposition has this customer planning a return visit. Moral: Demonstrate hospitality and entice customers back E-mail:dorasdiary@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1281170/-/bg9f69z/-/index.html","content":"Luweero EC officials out on bail - The two Electoral Commission officials arrested after they halted a ballot recount in a hotly-contested District Woman parliamentary poll have been granted bail. Mr Peter Kasozi, the district returning officer, and Ms Flavia Nakasi, the assistant returning officer, yesterday appeared before Luweero Chief Magistrate Jesse Byaruhanga following their arrest over the aborted vote re-count. The duo was arrested by police after they indefinitely suspended the vote re-count exercise after it was discovered that 21 ballot boxes had their security seals tampered with. The duo is charged with breach of the Parliamentary Elections Act 2005 for their alleged failure to examine the seals affixed on the ballot boxes. They were each granted cash bail of Shs100,000 after they both denied the eight counts they are charged with. Mr Kasozi is also accused of interfering with Electoral Commission property when he supplied a total of 348 ballot boxes instead of the 340 for the by-election. Mr Kasozi, who announced the indefinite suspension of the vote re-count at Luweero District Council Hall last week, said the electoral guidelines call for an immediate halting of a recount exercise once it is discoverd that a ballot box seal has been tampered with. He maintained that the earlier result stands and Democratic Party’s Brenda Nabukenya is the Luweero District Woman MP-elect until courts of law pronounce otherwise.The vote re-count exercise, according to the Electoral Commission officials, had been secured under the Parliamentary Electoral Guidelines through Section 54 that gives the Electoral Commission powers to conduct a re-count in cases where the votes under contest are less than 50. Ms Nabukeya won the election last week, polling 14,945 votes to beat her bitter rival, Ms Rebecca Nalwanga (NRM), with only 30 votes. The two rivals faced off in the February general elections when Ms Nalwanga emerged victor. However, Ms Elizabeth Nabatanzi, one of the contestants, was not satisfied with the results and she successfully petitioned, citing voter bribery. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1280562/-/bga1dfz/-/index.html","content":"Police block Lukyamuzi power blackout protest - The police have written to Rubaga South MP John Ken Lukyamuzi halting a peaceful demonstration the lawmaker is organising against the current power blackouts that have engulfed the country. In a November 26 letter this newspaper has seen, Assistant Inspector General of Police Andrew Kaweesi said Mr Lukyamuzi’s planned protest would cause violence and chaos in the city. “Whereas it is your constitutional right to hold a demonstration, which by all means must be peaceful,” wrote Mr Kaweesi, “the subject matter of planned demonstration is to oppose which connotes a protest and ultimately could lead to breach of peace and general orderliness in the city.” A day after receiving the letter, Mr Lukyamuzi wrote back to the police stating he would defy the directive and proceed with his planned demonstration which is scheduled to start this morning. The stage is set for a showdown. Citing Article 29 of the Constitution on freedoms, Mr Lukyamuzi wrote that he had played his part in giving the police due notice for his peaceful demonstration and insisted the Force had no right to stop him. “Police does not have the locus standi to determine the merits of the planned demo. Whether my opposition to the ongoing load-shedding connotes a protest element is none of your business as police,” wrote the MP in a November 27 letter. “The Constitution demands that you act without partisan inclinations,” Mr Lukyamuzi added. The country has been facing power outages for the past few months as electricity distributor Umeme initially deployed a 12-hour load-shedding schedule before introducing a 24-hour total blackout schedule. Riot police were called into action last week to quell a violent demonstration staged by city traders protesting the blackouts. In blocking Mr Lukyamuzi, however, Mr Kaweesi said the country had recently experienced politically inspired “riots” and violence, and argued that some unscrupulous individuals may “hijack” the MPs “would be peaceful” demonstration “like it was during the July 2007 Mabira incident.” Mr Lukyamuzi also cited a 2008 Constitutional Court petition: Muwanga Kivumbi Vs Attorney General 2008), stating that court “over-ruled the contents of section 32(2) of the Police Act and held that the said provision is unconstitutional. Police, pursuant to that ruling, no longer has powers to stop a procession or demonstration in anticipation because it has the ability to intervene in any situation where it senses breach of peace.” The MP said patients were dying in hospital due to power cuts while businesses have come to a standstill. mnalugo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/632970-why-don-t-poll-offenders-go-to-jail.html","content":" - By vision reporters In modern democracies, when people breach electoral laws, they are expected to bow out of office voluntarily. CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/874554/-/2tux1cz/-/index.html","content":"Why carry AK47 to the mudslide scene? - Daily Monitor of Thursday carried a picture of an AK47 wielding President Museveni consoling Bududa landslide victims. There are people who usually go overboard when the President is criticised. However, when did guns ever stop landslides? I cannot figure out why the Head of State went to Bududa with a gun. James Taylor Mwesigwa,Kampala"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1275944/-/bgs0krz/-/index.html","content":"Tourism probe wants Rukundo punished - Kampala Prof. George Kanyeihamba recommended action against ex-minister of state for Tourism Serapio Rukundo as one of the officials implicated in the findings of the mismanagement of funds in the protected areas. Released early this month by the Protected Areas Management and Sustainable Use (PAMSU) Commission chairperson, Justice Kanyeihamba, the report details investigations on how money was allegedly misused between 2002 and 2008. Uganda borrowed $38m (Shs108b) from the World Bank, repayable with interest and spent another Shs17 billion of taxpayers’ money on the project. According to the report, most of the money was stolen by Tourism officials, accounting officers, managers, operators, consultants and supervisors. Tourism officials are also accused of neglecting their supervisory role of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). The report has since called for the prosecution of former Permanent Secretary Julius Onen, former UWA Executive Director Moses Mapesa and its current head, Dr Andrew Seguya. In the latest development, Prof. Kanyeihamba on Friday said Mr Rukundo’s name was inadvertently omitted from the commission’s recommendations on individuals who are suspected of having committed offences. “The omission is regretted. Please insert this correction in the appropriate slot of the copy of the report you possess,” reads a notice titled “Erratum.” Mr Rukundo was named under group ‘D’ jointly with Mr Kalanguka Kayondo and Presidential Adviser on Media John Nagenda on caution for inefficiency, disregard of rules of engagement and lack of such a sense of responsibility. However, Mr Rukundo dismissed the report, saying he was not directly involved in the tourism sector. “There were a number of departments in one ministry but each worked independently and I was exclusively in industry.” The PAMSU also implicates the current sector minister, Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu, in alleged economic crimes and breach of the Leadership Code. However, Prof. Kamuntu and Dr Seguya dismissed the report findings accusing the committee of failing to follow the legal procedure. The minister and the UWA boss said the committee did not give them a hearing as required by law. Prof. Kanyeihamba told the media in Kampala that the two officials lied to the public because they are not supposed to possess their current offices after the recommendations. Recorded evidence“We have the recordings where Prof. Kamuntu is testifying but he is abusing the courtesy we gave him to testify in camera. Can you imagine Dr Seguya who voluntarily appeared before the probe and forged is also denying?” said the retired Justice. But Prof. Kamuntu denied appearing before the commission. The Commission has, however, been riddled with accusations and counter accusations since its mandate expired in July, with officials at the Tourism ministry and UWA vowing to challenge the findings and recommendations of the PAMSU commission of inquiry report. Former Trade and Tourism Minister Kahinda Otafiire instituted the probe to investigate allegations of misuse of funds and the quality and cost of infrastructure development concerning the funds managed by UWA in the billions’ PAMSU project. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1275168/-/bgs6sjz/-/index.html","content":"Minister dismisses Kanyeihamba report - Tourism and Wildlife Minister Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu yesterday dismissed the report findings by a probe committee on the mismanagement of funds in the protected areas, saying it did not follow the legal procedure during inquiry. Rtd Supreme Court Judge Prof. George Kanyeihamba released the report in which he called for the prosecution of former Permanent Secretary Julius Onen, among others. Prof. Kamuntu was implicated over economic crimes and breach of Leadership Code, which could land him into trouble with the Inspector General of Government. “How can you implicate me without giving me chance to explain my side of the story? What was the basis for implicating and recommending for prosecution against me without a hearing?” the minister asked.Prof. Kamuntu said Justice Kanyeihamba has never submitted the report officially to the ministry. “This is violation of my human rights. Prof. Kanyeihamba should apologise to me publicly for failing to perform,” he said after addressing journalists in Kampala about the country’s participation in the concluded World Travel Market in the UK recently. The private sector, civil society and government participated in the world’s biggest tourism exhibition on November 7 to 10, a move which stakeholders said would increase tourist arrivals in the country. Dr Andrew Seguya, the Ag executive director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, who denied receiving the report, said he was surprised by the report implicating him in a project he was not party too. The report called for prosecution Dr Seguya. “I have all the respect to the commission and Justice Kanyeihamba but I find the report strange because it was compiled in total disregard of the terms of reference. I was not there when the controversial project was being implemented,” he added. The report says millions of dollars in the UWA project were stealthily removed from their offices and tempered with. Prof. Kamuntu said the country’s representatives have agreed to mount an advertising campaign to promote Uganda as a preferred tourist destination focusing on the mountain gorillas, 1,000 bird species and the snow caped ranges of the Rwenzori. “But the issue of electricity is more crucial in determining the income from tourism. Without electricity in the parks, tourists will be scared by darkness,” the minister said.ekasozi@ug.natonmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Make-stringent-laws-against-counterfeits/-/806314/1401280/-/exavtlz/-/index.html","content":"Make stringent laws against counterfeits - Regarding the story, ‘Weak laws aiding growth of counterfeits’ in the Saturday Monitor of May 5 raises many questions. For instance, if Uganda is the ‘dumping ground of counterfeits and substandard goods’, which are the sources of these commodities that flood the market? There are insinuations that counterfeit and substandard goods could be coming from some Asian countries. This is the view which is dominant among Ugandans. However, to solve this very big problem, there is need for Parliament to legislate punitive fines and other forms of stringent punishments that should be meted on the culprits. Customs and other relevant agencies should be empowered to maintain strict border checks and controls. Besides, UNBS should make regular checks on the market and arrest errant suspects to limit such items. Online reader,qujinwei@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1371298/-/aws7hdz/-/index.html","content":"MPs demand report on undelivered bicycles - Members of parliament have tasked government to table a situational report on the steps taken to recover the money in the botched bicycle deal and the fate of the named players. Mbarara municipality member of parliament Medard Bitekyerezo wondered why government has taken long to prosecute the people implicated in the scandal and why no report on how far the House resolutions on the matter have been implemented has ever been brought to parliament. “The minister of local government promised to come back here to tell the House how far they have gone but this has not been done. He just told us that the Director CID finalized the investigation but now what has happened to the implicated people,” Bitekyerezo said. “For us to keep coming here and indict people and a few days later we see them putting on white in town is really bad! That’s why they call us a rumbling parliament.” In 2010 government advertised a tender for the supply and distribution of over 70000 bicycles, meant for LC1 chairmen all over the country, worth shs5 billion. The tender was later awarded to Aitel limited, a company which was registered only seven days after the advertisement. The bicycles were never delivered. While considering the report on the ministerial policy statement of the Ministry of Local Government, parliament ordered the line committee to investigate the matter. In its report, the committee recommended that government seeks legal redress from courts of law to recover the USD1.719m plus damages, costs and interest from Aitel for breach of contract. It also recommended that officials and others involved in brokering the deal be prosecuted for abuse of taxpayers’ money. The named include Local Government Permanent Secretary Kashaka Muhanguzi, Bank of Uganda senior officials and businessman Patrick Bagarukayo. The PS and a number of officials have since been interdicted. But in his defense before Parliament, Adolf Mwesigye, the minister for Local Government, said prosecution of the indicted people should be done by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Attorney General. “ Mwesigye said: “I have asked for a report from the CID and I have never seen it. So the minister of internal affairs should come and be given a chance to comment. I do not have any power to decide whether or not to prosecute any one in this country.” The Internal Affairs minister was not in Parliament to comment. The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, directed the ministers responsible to bring an extensive situational report to Parliament. iimaka@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1369664/-/ax93r9z/-/index.html","content":"Final court allows NSSF to amend Alcon appeal - Kampala The National Social Security Fund yesterday recorded a major breakthrough after the Supreme Court allowed the Fund to amend the pleadings in the appeal that seeks to overturn the award of $8.9 million (about Shs22 billion) to Alcon International Ltd in connection with the construction of Workers House. A panel of five judges led by Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki allowed the NSSF application to incorporate information to indicate that the fund signed the contract with Alcon International, incorporated in Kenya and not a Ugandan firm that was awarded Shs22b, including interest over the construction of Workers House. Other Justices on the panel are Christine Kitumba, John Wilson Tsekooko, Bart Katureebe and Esther Mayambala Kisaakye. “Applicant is allowed to amend pleadings. Hearing of the appeal is adjourned,” held Justice Odoki prompting an objection by Alcon lawyers led by Enos Tumusiime. Court has set April 12 and 13 for the hearing the case in which workers are struggling to defend the award of the pending $8.9m, with 6 per cent interest. The court decision was prompted by the arguments of State Attorney Patricia Mutesi, saying the proposed amendments would necessitate court to properly determine the 14-year-old case before the country’s highest appellate court. “The respondent asserted a cause of action for breach of contract by describing itself as a company with which the applicant (NSSF) had entered contract and co-financing agreement for erection of a building. But its directors while registering their company engaged in acts which are considered criminal under the Ugandan law,” argued Ms Mutesi. She asked: “What are the implications of the findings and validity of the award? Did the complaining party have the right to sue? And the arbitral award was fraudulently procured hence the need to seek court determination.” However, Mr Tumusiime had objected to the amendment, saying the issues were being raised in a wrong place. “This is an old case where the applicant (NSSF) is smuggling in new evidence at the late hour, ” he said. AmendmentAccording to the amended appeal, NSSF contends that the justices of the appeal court erred in law in upholding an arbitral award of damages for breach of contract to the construction firm in the absence of the cause of action against them. Ms Mutesi explained that the amendment provides a concise and accurate reading for the court to easily determine the matter. NSSF contracted Alcon International, a firm incorporated in Kenya, to build the Workers House. In May 1998, NSSF cancelled Alcon’s contract, accusing it of stalling work, escalating the project’s cost from its original $21m to $35m and sub-contracting a third party without its knowledge. Alcon sued NSSF for breach of contract and was awarded $8.9m in 2001. But the Fund later protested and lost at the High Court, giving rise to the appeal which was dismissed with costs in 2010. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/1369280/-/bomksp/-/index.html","content":"Uganda’s meat export market under threat - Uganda’s hopes of developing the country’s meat industry now hang in balance following the breach of a key export deadline. If appropriate measures had been taken, Uganda would started exporting its meat to the European Union and Middle East by 2011. In 2007, Uganda partnered with the Norwegian government with an aim of developing the industry as it sought to venture into the lucrative overseas market the country’s dreams have been hurt by bureaucracy. Nortura BA, a Norwegian meat- company, which was to assist Ugandan meat dealers to develop the industry with the hope of exporting. Mr Sam Kizito in an interview with Prosper said: “There were misunderstandings within the ministry regarding, which region to start with, which is why we do not have disease control centres till now. This negatively impacted on the country’s livestock.” In the partnership, Nortura BA was among other things supposed establish cooperatives amongst the farmers to boost production of quality meat; control disease spreading which is a major challenge to the industry and also set-up modern abattoirs in the different districts in the cattle corridor.Currently the most worrying issue about the industry is the dwindling number of livestock due to the high mortality rate, which has seen many animals die at a tender age mainly from various diseases. He says, out of the close to 13 million heads of cattle in the country, 10 per cent of them die before maturity stage. “This leaves many ranches cleared of animals, thus hindering our would be export potential,” Mr Kizito said. Experts say, the meat consumed within the country and the little exported comes from a small fraction of farmers who are committed to producing animals for meat. The remaining 92 per cent are cattle keepers who want to either keep their cattle for other domestic use, prestige or for milk. It is believed between the years 2000-2007, the meat market was attractive as it was growing, faster than production which is not the case today. “The market is no longer big and it is not growing as fast, yet the cost of maintaining these animals is very expensive,” Mr Kizito told Prosper. In 2008, in a census by Uganda National Bureau of Statistics recorded about 13 million heads of cattle but out of them, less than a quarter is put out for sale. This too has had its negative effect the development of the industry. This is why even in the East African region, Uganda’s meat production is rated lowest, at 8 per cent.What is more disturbing is that government has not conducted any research and there are inadequate efforts going towards improvement of the local breeds. Mr Kizito said: “Even the few animals we have today that can be proudly talked about are the imported breeds like the Burans and Friesians. All our local breeds are almost extinct”. He attributes this to lack of incentives which has denied the country demonstration farms, breeding ranches, pesticides and disease control measures. However, hope is not all lost as the private companies like Top Cuts, Fresh Cuts and Ugachic have managed to penetrate the regional export market with some modest exports. The low export rate compared to other regions is also blamed on the poor state of the abattoirs. Ugandan abattoirs have been rated among the poorest in hygiene and the slaughter houses’ conditions leave a lot to be desired."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1368292/-/11ext2r/-/index.html","content":"The fight against corruption should move beyond demand for evidence - I applaud the 9th Parliament for its zeal to fight corruption and restore sanity in public institutions. We have seen MPs struggle to expose and eliminate corruption in the country. Their initiation of a process to impeach the President is the latest move in that direction. After analysing carefully circumstances surrounding corruption scandals and the public officials who have been cleared of any wrongdoing, these questions arise: When is a person deemed to be corrupt? When does one abuse office? What is the most convincing definition of abuse of office? The fight against corruption should move beyond demand for evidence. It should include demanding for accountability (even where one has not fulfilled their contractual obligations). It obvious that a person who engages in corruption do not do so openly. If your employer entrusted you to look after his 100 cattle and some are discovered to be missing years later, it should not matter whether you sold them or they were stolen. All you should do is to be held to account. Regarding the plot to impeach the President, the movers say “the President has dishonestly done acts and omissions prejudicial to the economy and security of Uganda.” But do the reasons given tantamount to a breach of oath of allegiance, misbehaviour or misconduct? How do we define misbehavior and misconduct? If the judicial system has failed to define abuse of office to convict the corrupt, will the tribunal define misconduct and misbehaviour? The tribunal might fail to justify that the President has misbehaved or committed acts of misconduct. In this case, Article 107 will make it difficult for MPs to impeach the even if they get the required signatures. Still, not all will be lost. The anti-corruption crusaders should continue to play their role of exposing corruption, bad governance and poor leadership to the citizens and the world. The anti-corruption MPs will in future, when the country fails its citizens, stand out from the crowd and say “we warned you.” What is most interesting but not surprising about the impeachment plot is the near total silence by the ruling NRM party MPs, Amidst all the public outcry against corruption, poor service delivery, mismanagement of public resources, and the huge expenditure on public administration, among others, one wonders what rings in the minds of NRM legislators. Both NRM and opposition legislators should not lose focus. They should demand that public officials account for their individual actions. They should not be allowed to hide behind the ‘no evidence’ curtains. This is the only sure way to end corruption in this country. Annet Murungi Waabo,Fort Portal"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1368268/-/am3lw6/-/index.html","content":"Government silence on NSSF woes is bad - Somehow the woes plaguing the National Social Security Fund don’t seem to have a cure and every something new seems to pop up even before the old scars are healed. A city lawyer who has represented the Fund for over a decade in its case against construction firm Alcon Uganda wants to be paid Shs30b, including interest. His claim is based on legal services rendered over the years that were abruptly terminated in 2010. But while that is on the cards, The Supreme Court is set to hear an application tomorrow by NSSF seeking permission to insert new information in its appeal over the case with Alcon, the company that claims to have constructed Workers House. NSSF claims it signed a contract with Alcon International incorporated in Kenya and not Alcon International incorporate in Uganda even though for the last 14 years, it has been embroiled in a legal battle with the latter, which was also awarded $8.9m against NSSF for breach of contract. When a new managing director was appointed to the Fund in 2010, it was received with a sigh of relief following serious financial and management scandals that characterised the previous management. The government has been conspicuously silent on the problems facing NSSF, especially the Alcon case, which has raised public concern that some bureaucrats and technocrats within government could be part of a stealth scheme to defraud workers of their money. The government must find within itself the authority to protect its citizen’s resources by exposing any possible fraudsters. The current two cases of Alcon and that of Dr Joseph Byamugisha, the former NSSF legal representative, have the potential to seriously deplete the Fund’s accounts. While both Alcon and Byamugisha could have genuine arguments, the government must see itself as the bigger loser as well if the cases go against NSSF. More than 250,000 Ugandans have their life-savings held up in NSSF and the government has a greater responsibility to these than two entities seeking compensation."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1367396/-/axajo9z/-/index.html","content":"City lawyer wants Shs30b from NSSF - In a move that is likely to risk workers’ savings, city advocate Joseph Byamugisha has handed the National Social Security Fund a whooping Shs30 billion bill for legal services he rendered for a case that now spans more than a decade. Dr Byamugisha has made a formal demand for payment for representing NSSF in its protracted 14-year legal battle against Alcon International, including interest accrued over the years, but NSSF lawyers have dismissed the bill as “exorbitant”. Various courtsThrough his lawyers MMAKS Advocates, Dr Byamugisha has filed client bills before various courts, demanding a total of Shs31.2 billion as bills for instruction fees for leading counsel in the highly-charged and complex NSSF versus Alcon appeal case. The development may not come as a welcome surprise to the bulk of Uganda’s working citizens whose monthly contributions of about Shs40b inform NSSF’s net portfolio, now in excess of Shs2 trillion. On Wednesday, the worker’s Fund through attorneys Ms Kasirye, Byaruhanga and Co. Advocates, formally told the Supreme Court, which is currently assessing a Shs 9 billion bill of costs Dr Byamugisha filed for services executed at the court, that the advocate’s bill is downright “exorbitant.” The lawyers also argued that the Supreme Court does not have the necessary jurisdiction to handle Advocate-client bills, as the practice has rendered that function to the High Court. However, Court set March 29 as the date to determine Dr Byamugisha’s payment demands. In May 2010, Dr Byamugisha was unceremoniously withdrawn as the Fund’s external lawyer handling the Alcon case and replaced by Kenyan lawyer Prof. Githu Muigai who also withdrew from the case after he was appointed Attorney General of Kenya. The NSSF management did not give any reasons for Dr Byamugisha’s withdrawal but it is understood the current Board and management were not happy with the pleadings he filed in the appeal. It is understood that the apparent unavailability of Prof. Muigai allegedly caused a friction between top managers at the Fund over which lawyer should be hired, leaving Mr Godfrey Lule as the last man standing of three lawyers who had been assembled to represent NSSF. The court case dates as far back as 1998, after Alcon International, a construction firm, sued NSSF for wrongful termination of a contract to build the multibillion shillings Workers House in Kampala and demanded $28 million (about Shs67 billion) in compensation. An arbitration process ensued, reducing the compensation claims to $8.8million (about Shs19 billion) although NSSF still disputes the figures. On Monday, the Supreme Court will hear an application by NSSF seeking to amend their appeal pleadings to incorporate the argument that the contract to construct Workers House had been handed to a subsidiary of Alcon International in Kenya, and not its Ugandan entity, which eventually sued the fund and claimed compensation for breach of contract. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1367400/-/axaj4xz/-/index.html","content":"Firm sues UBC over breach of contract for Bugolobi estate - A real estate company has sued the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation for allegedly breaching a contract to develop a residential and commercial estate on a 46-acre land in Bugolobi, a Kampala suburb. Palmcroft Limited, a Middle East-based real estate developer, reportedly signed a joint venture deal with UBC for construction of the estate worth over $100 million (about Shs250b) in 2006. Through his attorneys Muwema & Mugerwa Advocates, the developer is seeking cancellation of the leasing of 22 acres of the land in question to six other developers. The developer claims he was tasked to prepare a feasibility study, provide the idea, concept, design study for constructing and marketing the project. The company was reportedly also charged with arranging financing and managing the project according to plan. Palmcroft Ltd alleges that UBC breached the agreement when they refused to provide the information needed by the architect, thereby stubbornly failing to perform its obligations under the memorandum of understanding. Allegation“The defendant (UBC) has over the years in total disregard of the memorandum, entered into agreements to lease parts of the suit land and attempted to dispose it of through public sale,” reads part of the complaint filed yesterday before the Commercial Division of the High Court. The plaintiff is seeking a permanent injunction restraining UBC from dealing with and or disposing of the suit land. The developer seeks to retain the land to develop the estate or alternatively be compensated $500m (about Shs120b) for loss of business. Court has summoned UBC to file their defence within 15 days. This is the second case filed against UBC in less than two weeks seeking compensation in connection with the Bugolobi land. Last week, UBC was summoned to file defence against a claim by a city advocate over the outstanding payment of legal fees amounting to over Shs529m it allegedly owes to the law firm. Paul Muhimbura of Muhimbura and Co Advocates is accusing the State broadcaster of engaging his legal services to secure and convey into its names several plots of land that had been taken over by private developers and encroachers but did not pay him. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1366036/-/axbbi4z/-/index.html","content":"Govt drafts new media Bill - The government has drafted a new Bill aimed at regulating broadcasters and telecommunication service providers in the country. The new Bill titled: “The Uganda Communications Regulatory Authority Bill, 2012” further tightens licence procedures for radio and television and prohibits any broadcasting which infringes upon the privacy of any individual or which contains false information. New laws The Bill, a copy Daily Monitor has seen, seeks among others, to consolidate the laws regulating communications in the country into one single body— the Uganda Communications Regulatory Authority. The Authority, under the leadership of the Minister in-charge of Information and Communications Technology, reserves the right to modify the licences at will, including limiting the area of reach. A person aggrieved by a decision of the Authority may appeal to the minister. “The Authority may suspend or revoke a licence issued under (the proposed legislation) in case there is serious and repeated breach of the licence conditions; any fraud or international misrepresentation by the operator applying for a licence; where the operator is engaged in or is supporting activities amounting to treasonable offence under the Penal Code Act or where the operator has ceases to be an eligible person,” the Bill reads in part. Junior Information and Communications Technology Minister Nyombi Thembo tried to table the Bill but was blocked due to the absence of the certificate of financial implication. If approved by Parliament, the authority headed by a director general, will become the official regulator of Uganda’s communications, broadcasting and postal services sector. The Bill is expected to dissolve Uganda Communications Commission and merge Electronic Media Act and the Broadcasting Council. Section 33 of the draft Bill makes it compulsory for every person with a television set to register it with the Authority. Under the provision for licensing of TVs, a person who contravenes this section commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding two and half currency points (Shs50,000) or imprisonment of not less than one month or both. A person licensed by the Authority to install or operate a television station, radio station or communications apparatus shall, within 14 days after obtaining the licence, register the station or apparatus with the Media Council established under the Press and Journalist Act. Other legislations This is not the only legislation seen to curtail media freedoms in the country. The newspapers have not been spared either. Cabinet is also fine-tuning the Press and Journalist (Amendment) Bill, 2010, which contains several provisions that would further erode press freedom and free expression in Uganda. For instance, the proposal to expand the powers of the Media Council to include registering and licensing newspapers (on annual basis) has been criticised as uncalled for. There is also a proposal to change the composition of the Media Council and have the minister of information appointing six of the 12 members without consultation. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1360998/-/axfa7nz/-/index.html","content":"Museveni to meet PAC again over compensation scam - The Public Accounts Committee is expected to question President Museveni on his role in the loss of about Shs40 billion in taxpayers’ money paid to anonymous company directors in another compensation scandal. Sources told Daily Monitor that President Museveni called PAC chairman Kassiano Wadri on Sunday and wanted to meet the committee yesterday to discuss Dura Cement compensation scandal and other accountability issues.However, Mr Wadri reportedly told the President that the committee can only meet him today. “We are not going to take tea at State House,” Mr Wadri said. “We are going for business. I cannot give you details but what you should take from me is that we are going to discuss issues of national importance.” Important issuesHe added: “When issues of accountability come up, I trust my members they will tell the President the truth.”Today’s meeting at State House Entebbe is a follow-up to another meeting the President had last week with a group of ruling party members on the committee in which he reportedly asked the legislators to go slow on Dura Cement Ltd. Information before PAC indicates that Mr Museveni cancelled the contract in a May 7, 2007 letter to the then Energy and Mineral Development Minister Daudi Migereko. PAC, in its draft report wants Mr Migereko to take political responsibility for the loss incurred and President Museveni pinned. “The President wants to meet PAC members to discuss issues of Dura Cement Ltd where we lost billions of shillings,” a source said.“He does not wish to see another minister asked to resign because of corruption. I am also told that he wants to clarify on some things before we take our report to Parliament. We have already discussed and agreed to go to State House tomorrow at 9am,” the source added. Sources told Daily Monitor that the President wants to defend himself from the accusations that he authorised the payments. Mr Migereko, who is now in charge of the Lands docket, and other technocrats in the Solicitor General’s office, told PAC that the President had a hand in the loss. Information before PAC shows that UPDF trading arm and National Enterprises Corporation, signed a mining contract with Dura Cement Limited in 2007 but was cancelled on orders of President Museveni, citing national interest. The contract was later given to Hima Cement Ltd, which owns a factory at Hima in Kasese District. “We don’t want the President to say we did not give him the opportunity to be heard,” MP Theodore Ssekikubo said. When government cancelled the deal, the company first demanded $103 million (about Shs268 billion) before it was reduced to $14.6 million (about Shs40 billion) and eventually paid Shs37.7 billion through unclear circumstances. The outcome of today’s meeting with the President, will only serve to question the President’s involvement in endless compensation scandals. In one of the letters tabled before PAC, Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi received a letter from former State Minister for Finance, Mr Mathew Rukikaire, in which they discussed the matter. 1 | 2 Next Page»The compensation originMr Rukikaire told Mr Mbabazi, who was the State Minister for Defence then, that the raw materials in the area be used to sustain Hima Cement factory. It was this intervention that led to the cancellation of Dura contract for limestone mining and the deal was awarded to Hima Cement. Dura sued the government for breach of contract and took away $16 million (about Shs40 billion) in disputed compensation claims. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1356694/-/axwpjfz/-/index.html","content":"Ministry pulls down website after hackers post Besigye photo - KAMPALA The website of the Ministry of Works has been pulled down after a hacker posted a picture of FDC leader Kizza Besigye seated on a stool in a rather pensive mood. The image stayed superimposed on the site for several hours yesterday until authorities shut down the website at about 5pm. It is the second time in as many months that the website has been hacked into and pulled down as a result. Web visitors had been greeted by a post on the site’s front page that read: “Welcome to Ministry of Hackers and Jobless Ugandans Republic of Uganda.” Works ministry’s Senior Information Scientist Isaac Ojok admitted in an interview that he was dumbfounded by the hack job. “I really don’t understand this. I have just seen this,” he said. “I have escalated the issue and contacted the people who host us.” It is understood that local firm, Uganda Home Pages, manages the ministry’s website, as well as several other government sites. The Ministry of Works website was redesigned in August 2011 after being hacked into a few months earlier. A hacker going by name Kaka Argentine posted a photo of Adolf Hitler with a Nazi party symbol on his chest on the State House website in May 2010. A year earlier, hackers calling themselves “the Ayyildiz team” posted pro-Palestine items on the website of the Ministry of Defence, accusing Israel of killing innocent Palestinians. No one has since claimed responsibility for the Works site hacking. “It is beyond our responsibility,” said Mr Ojok, when asked how the hackers were able to breach the website. “The database is not with us. It is with our service providers.” “They called us and we are sorting this out,” said an official at Uganda Home Pages who could only identify himself as Ernest. Officials at the National Information and Communication Technology Authority (NITA) admitted that it would be difficult to apprehend the hackers. “That is one of the biggest challenges,” said NITA spokesperson Charlotte Ampaire. “The hackers may not even be in Uganda.” egyezaho@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1333236/-/b07yknz/-/index.html","content":"Pioneer Easy Bus officials to harmonise Contractual obligations with KCCA - Proprietors of Pioneer Easy Bus Limited (PEB) Wednesday agreed to meet Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) officials and come up with a harmonized position regarding their contractual obligations with the authority. The officials while appearing before the Parliamentary Public Service and Local government committee probing into the validity of PEB contract said they will meet KCCA, with whom they entered a concessionaire agreement and sort out the current predicaments before the scheduled Friday meeting of all the stakeholders. Their reaction was provoked by calls from the legislators to review the contract they signed with KCCA as per the contractual terms and bring on board concerns raised by other stakeholders before they can roll out the buses. “We shall engage our partners in KCCA and come up with a harmonized position come this Friday. In the meantime we shall not operate in any area before we consult the leaders there,” said Mr Fred Senoga, the buses’ Executive director. The officials had earlier insisted they have a valid contract with KCCA and that come first March, buses will be rolled out to the designated lanes.The private company’s legal advisor Mr John Baptist Kakooza said PEB had not received a notification from KCCA that they had breached any contract.“There is a requirement in the law for the other party to review and serve us with a notice but they have not and we are continuing with our planned activities,” said Mr Kakooza. There is a requirement in the agreement for KCCA to assess the performance of Pioneer Easy Bus and review their contract incase of breach.PEB contract expired in December last year but is subject to a renewal term of 5 years by KCCA. Last week, Parliament questioned the rollout of the services in Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono districts following inquiries into whether its contract was valid. The parliamentary investigations followed a petition by the Kiira, Nansana, Mukono and Entebbe local councils, who were led by the Mukono Municipality MP, Ms Betty Nambooze. KCCA admitted before the committee on Tuesday that the contract they signed with PEB needs to be reviewed urgently before the buses can carry out operations in the city. The Executive Director, Ms Jennifer Musisi said on Tuesday that the authority and PEB management are willing to make amendments to the contract.The legislators insisted Wednesday that PEB should have the routes gazzeted to ensure that the required infrastructure is put in place. “When you said you have a valid contract, it means you will operate in other areas without negotiating with the authorities there and also run on an un-reviewed contract. Its unreasonable,” said Mr Raphael Magezi, the committee vice chairperson. Mr Roland Mugume,(Rukungiri Municipality) said PEB must allow authorities carry out sensitization on implementation of the services to be rendered before they can roll out. Nambooze said all the stakeholders must be consulted before the buses can begin work. Meanwhile PEB management said Wednesday that they shall not phase out commuter taxis (Kamunye) but will compete with them. They dismissed allegations that they were fronted by some ministers to carry out the bus services. “The issue of playing around with people’s names isn’t right. This company was founded by me who looked for partners,” Mr Senoga clarified on Wednesday."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/1332258/-/1221kk5/-/index.html","content":"Tanzania power company loses $66m appeal case - The High Court has rejected a petition by Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (Tanesco), seeking permission to appeal against an order to pay $65.8 million (about TShs105.3b) to Dowans Tanzania Ltd. Justice Fauz Twaib on Monday said Tanesco did not use the right law in applying for permission to challenge the original order. Tanesco got a lifeline, however, when the judge ruled that it was free to use other sections of the law to challenge the payment order. The application that was struck out springs from a judgment delivered in September last year by the High Court, which dismissed Tanesco’s first effort to get out of paying the $65.8 million. The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Arbitral Tribunal of November 2010 ordered Tanesco to pay Dowans Holdings SA (Costa Rica) and Dowans Tanzania Limited $65.8 million for breach of a contract for emergency power generation. The judge ordered that the ICC’s award be formally registered and be a decree of the court. Tanesco responded in October last year by filing an application to go on to the Court of Appeal in its appeal. But on Monday, Justice Twaib said: “The application is superfluous and I need not to consider it. The remedy is to strike it out.” According to the judge, Tanesco did not need permission to appeal against the decision. Monday’s decision must have come as a great relief for Tanesco, which has vigorously attempted to block the order for many months now. Tanesco’s lawyer Alex Nguluma, said they were happy with the decision as it indirectly gave them what they were seeking. The firm will soon be filing the case in the Court of Appeal. At the hearing of the application, Dowans’ lawyer Kennedy Fungamtama asked the court to dismiss the application, arguing it could not be maintained since the judgment against which the appeal was being sought was not open to appeal, with or without leave of the court. According to Mr Fungamtama, Tanesco would be entitled to appeal if it could at least claim that the decree was in excess of the award or was not in accordance with the award. He further argued that Tanesco only intended to seek a further opportunity to challenge the ICC award and to permit the appeal would be tantamount to creating a right of appeal by implication. Justice Twaib nevertheless agreed with Tanesco that some sections of the law could be applied to appeal against the decision."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/-/690266/1328562/-/n9n90j/-/index.html","content":"Cranes defender Kizito officially calls time on international football career - KAMPALA After allowing his mind to wonder back and forth, Uganda Cranes left back Nisteroy Kizito has officially retired from international football. A statement from Fufa indicates the former Partzan Belgrade player wrote to the local soccer body on February 9 informing them of his decision. “I am very happy for the last ten years I have played for the Cranes and I wish to inform you that I shall keep supporting this national team,” Kizito, who has been a Cranes international since 2001, is quoted on the Fufa website. “I wish to thank the federation, my fellow players and the team officials for the support towards my career in football,” he added. Kizito, 29, featured in all but one of the six 2012 Nations Cup qualifying matches, forming a formidable backline that conceded just two goals in the entire campaign. He hinted on retirement after the October 8 disappointment in which Uganda failed to breach the Kenya Harambee Stars defence. The scoreless stalemate ensured Uganda failed to secure a slot at the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations despite leading Group J going into the last round of qualification matches. Stylish surgesKizito featured for SC Villa from 2000–2004 with whom he won four league titles before playing for Serbian side; FK Srem between 2004 and 2005 where he scored two goals in 21 appearances. He later played for Vojvodina from 2005–2010 scoring once in 112 appearances. He fell out with his last club Serbia Partizan Belgrade late last year and is now a free agent. Known for his stylish surges forward and calm defending, he first appeared in national colours in 2000 for Uganda B side when the country hosted the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup. He has no goals for the Cranes. Kizito has left behind under studies in Habib Kavuma, Alex Kakuba and Godfrey Walusimbi. ckyazze@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Markets/-/688606/1327936/-/t4nuje/-/index.html","content":"Proposed Building Control Bill to rid industry of quacks - Builders and contractors who breach the law shall be subjected to stringent penalties if the government goes ahead to pass the newly proposed Building Control Bill into law. While luanching the Alps Group offices in Kajjansi, Wakiso District, Eng Abraham Byandala, the minister of Works, said with a draft bill now in place, it was up to the Parliament to debate it and pass it into law. Alps Group was founded in 2005 as an engineering works and construction firm. Eng Byandala said the Bill would help to assess the performance of contractors and control unprofessional conduct, which has seen a number of buildings collapse. The Bill will require that companies employ professionals instead of employing people with little or no knowledge in the construction business. The building industry has for years struggled to rid itself of unprofessional and quack contractors, blamed for the rot in the construction sector. Several buildings have collapsed due to unprofessional conduct and have claimed a number of lives and property. Just last year seven people were injured and several property, including three cars, destroyed when a building under construction but partly occupied by tenants collapsed in Bukoto, a Kampala suburb. Mr Twaha Ssonko, the Alps managing director asked the government to speedily pass the Bill into law in order to protect the construction industry from quacks. The approved Bill demands that a person whose negligence causes or results into an accident on a construction site resulting into death of people and destruction of property commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment of up to 12 years. mnalugo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1324722/-/b0sp9iz/-/index.html","content":"Investment authority in the spotlight over land giveaway - The Uganda Investment Authority is in the spotlight after reportedly illegally giving away five acres of land in Kasese District to a Cabinet minister and failing to recruit a new executive director. According to documents, Bukonjo Mixed Farmers, a company that belongs to Defence Minister Crispus Kiyonga, wrote to UIA on September 24, 2010, asking for land in Kasese Industrial Park to set up a fruit processing factory.“We are desirous of quickly moving on to construct the civil works for the factory. Accordingly, we would like to request you to cut out a five acre plot so that we start construction works,” reads the letter. However, former UIA boss Maggie Kigozi, replied that environment impact assessment studies of the park had started; therefore, Bukonjo Mixed Farmers would be notified when plot allocation starts. She, however, left office before the allocation started. It has, however, now emerged that the acting Executive Director, Mr Tom Buringuriza, gave the land to Bukonjo Mixed Farmers without consulting the UIA contracts committee. According to the committee’s minutes for a October 18, 2011 meeting, the giveaway of land to Dr Kiyonga did not adhere to procurement and disposal procedures because there was no board of directors’ resolution. There was also no bid notice, no bidding document, no evaluation team and no approval by the contracts committee among other anomalies. “This is a breach of both the PPDA regulations 2003 and the UIA manual for procurement and disposal of investment land under PPDA regulations… The contracts committee will not be liable for this mis-procurement and disposal of land,” reads the minute. Mr Buringuriza defended himself against the allegations. “The board resolution is there and the land department originated a paper which passed through the board audit committee,” he told Sunday Monitor yesterday. Sunday Monitor has seen a copy of the board minute that directed Mr Buringuriza to give the land to Kiyonga. Mr Buringuriza added: “I did not do anything without the contracts committee and it is strange that they behaved like that. They blocked it and we have stopped there. Kiyonga has no land and we have agreed to follow procedure.”This, however, raises question why, if procedure was followed in the first instance, should the process be taken through the same procedure again. He also disclosed that he was facing problems because he insists on transparency at UIA. “When I came in, UIA had nine bank accounts without reconciliation. People used to carry money for workshops in their bags,” Mr Buringuriza said. Sunday Monitor has seen internal memos that show some investment authority staff claiming money for suppliers who include themselves. cobore@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1318472/-/b1cj43z/-/index.html","content":"MPs want UMI bosses sacked - Members of the African Parliamentarians Network against Corruption- Uganda Chapter (APNAC) have petitioned Education Minister Jessica Alupo over allegations of corruption at Uganda Management Institute (UMI). In a January 31 letter signed by their chairperson Gerald Karuhanga, APNAC members have demanded that the institute’s directors be relieved of their duties for abetting irregularities which include lopsided appointments, abuse of office and corruption at the institute. Mr Karuhanga said in September 2008, the board of UMI Council illegally appointed Mr Kasozi Mulindwa as the director of programmes and student affairs. The same council reportedly renewed his contract for five years without following the legal procedures, in breach of the University and Other Tertiary Institutions Act. While Mr Mulindwa does not have a PhD, it is a requirement for a director of a higher institution under the Act. The Solicitor General had earlier advised the council to have the position advertised and follow the law to avoid legal implications. “This advice was ignored and the council proceeded to appoint Mr Lukonji Bbosa and Mr Kasozi to the positions of Director Finance and Student Affairs respectively,” Mr Karuhanga said. “Besides the appointment of the two directors, the chairman of the council, Mr Kiwanuka, also appointed Mr Christopher Kayima (his son) as an accountant through illegal means in connivance with Dr James Nkata, the Director General and Mr Lukonji,” reads the petition. Dr Nkata yesterday refused to comment on the accusations before reading the petition: “Call me after I have received the petition.” In 2006, then director general, Dr Kiyaga Nsubuga, had made a submission to the council on cost-cutting and budget improvement measures to be adopted by UMI. One of the issues discussed was a vehicle scheme for directors, which was not implemented due to inherent defects. But when Mr Mulindwa took office, he reportedly used his office to resurrect the car scheme. “Mr Mulindwa’s structured guidelines contain hidden implications of fraud, causing loss of public funds amounting to over Shs778m under the Monetized Car Benefits Scheme,” Mr Karuhanga said. Education Minister Jessica Alupo said she has not yet received the petition from Mr Karuhanga: “I received an anonymous petition and I have written to UMI managers to explain what is going on but UMI agreed with the issues in the petition. People must follow the law and as government we don’t compromise issues of integrity and accountability in public institutions.” ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/-/690266/1313640/-/n8x990/-/index.html","content":"Court to determine fate of Fufa bosses - Court will on February 3 determine whether Federation of Uganda Football Association President Lawrence Mulindwa should be charged with forgery in connection with amendment of the Constitution without approval of the general assembly. Ms Silvia Nabaggala, the Chief Magistrate at Buganda Road set the date after defence lawyers led by Mr Alex Lugamba objected to the charges arguing that it was not clear on who drafted the charge sheet. “Court proceeding based on such a charge sheet tamper with my clients’ rights since it is not clear on who accorded private advocates the authority to sign on the charge sheet,” insisted Mr Lugamba while Mr Mulindwa’s co-accused persons, Edgar Watson Suubi the federation Chief Executive Officer and Mr Muhamadi Bazirengedde, the Fufa chairman in charge Legal Standing Committee were appearing for plea taking. Mr Mulindwa, Mr Watson and Mr Bazirengedde were summoned by the court early this month saying there was sufficient evidence against them. The trio is facing three charges of making documents without authority, forgery and making false documents as well as fraud and breach of trust, a case brought by private prosecution by advocates Mulema Mukasa and David Ssempala representing football activists through their body- Save Our Soccer (SOS). It is alleged that the trio made and executed a false document to wit the amended Constitution of Fufa 2010 by adding matters and clauses that were never approved by the federation general assembly. According to the charge sheet, Mr Mulindwa and the two administrators in discharge of their respective offices committed acts of fraud and breach of trust when they included extra contents in the amended constitution of Fufa. It is alleged that the suspected officials prepared or caused to prepare, signed a purported amended constitution of Fufa 2010 and presented it for registration and thereafter presented it to the public as the authentic amended constitution of Fufa 2010. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1312936/-/b1gl79z/-/index.html","content":"Shell sues Otafiire over breach of contract - KAMPALA Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Kahinda Otafiire has been sued for allegedly breaching a land lease agreement in which he acted as an agent of another company to seal a deal with Shell Uganda Ltd. Gen. Otafiire, through Benzina (U) Ltd allegedly negotiated a land lease deal with Shell (U) but later failed to honour it. The petroleum company now wants a Shs1.2 billion refund for refusal to deliver land to it which it says resulted in loss of business. “Shell Uganda claim against Otafiire and Benzina company jointly is for an order of specific performance of the lease agreement entered into and in alternative damages for breach of contract and return of Shs1.287b being money he had received, ” reads part of the complaint filed in the Commercial Court on January 18. Benzina (U) Ltd is a private company involved in natural gas and petrochemicals manufacture, supply and distribution in Central and East Africa. The agreementCourt documents show that Shell Uganda entered into a lease agreement with Benzina on November 1, 2011, in respect to land located on Plot 174 in Kawempe Division.The fuel station that was to be run by Shell on the leased plot was meant to have a subsidiary shop, a restaurant, tyre clinic and Select Shop. According to the court documents, under the terms of the lease, the parties agreed that a total consideration of Shs1.37 billion would be payable as ground rent for the full 10-year lease period granted to Shell by Benzina whose agent is named as Gen. Otafiire. In a special resolution of October 24 last year, Benzina is recorded to have appointed Gen. Otafiire as the lead negotiator and also designated him as the person who was mandated to receive the agreed ground rent less withholding tax of Shs1.287 billion. Documents indicate that Shell paid the Shs1.287 billion to Gen. Otafiire’s designated bank account by way of electronic funds transfer through Cairo International Bank on November 9 last year. It is alleged that after Shell effected all the payments, Benzina refused to comply with its obligations under the lease agreement to deliver the land to them. AllegationShell through its attorney alleges that Benzina is responsible for the lost business due to non-use of the fuel station from the date of agreed operation from which they are seeking damages. “Shell Uganda shall claim that Benzina’s refusal to perform its obligations under the lease agreement amounts to a breach of contract for which it holds it responsible,” reads the suit. Court has summoned the minister and the company to defend themselves against the allegations within 20 days from the date Shell’s attorneys filed the suit. awesaka@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1305094/-/b2191wz/-/index.html","content":"UK-based radio denies breach of contract - Kampala The British Broadcasting Corporation has denied any breach in its standing agreement with Uganda’s national broadcaster, saying it is “investigating reports” that its relay transmissions in Kampala, Mbale and Mbarara have been switched off. “The BBC has adhered to the terms of the contract it has with the Ugandan Broadcasting Corporation to broadcast impartial news and current affairs,” said an email statement from Mr Peter Connors, the BBC corporate communications manager. The statement followed investigations from this newspaper in which high-ranking UBC sources said the action against the world’s biggest broadcaster was taken as a result of unpaid dues totaling more than Shs2.4 billion. Police have shut down at least 10 stations so far in the central and western regions, as they continue their countrywide sweep of UBC’s clients. Police Spokesperson Asuman Mugenyi said this week the BBC is among at least two others found to have been using UBC electricity without authorisation to power their private transmitters. UBC spokesperson Jane Kasumba was unable to comment on whether the use of electricity was a breach of contract, but said the national broadcaster is in the process of reviewing its client agreements in the face of the ongoing investigations. The UBC scandal began last month after former Minister for Presidency Kabakumba Masiko bowed to parliamentary pressure and resigned after her private radio station, Kings FM in Masindi, was found to have been illegally using state broadcaster equipment. Although Ms Masiko was accused of abuse of office, the station has since been restored on the airwaves. pcroome@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/-/690266/1303384/-/n8bn3y/-/index.html","content":"Court summons Fufa’s Mulindwa over forgery - Like his predecessor Denis Obua, Fufa president Lawrence Mulindwa has been summoned over fraud in connection with alleged amendment of the constitution without approval of the federation’s general assembly. The summons issued by Buganda Road Court yesterday will definitely draw comparisons with November 2004 when the late Obua was dragged to court, and later jailed for a fortnight, over embezzlement. Obua resigned in February, 2005 but seven years on, the administrative wrangles in local football continue to explode, unabated. Private prosecuting advocates; Mulema Mukasa and David Ssempala are representing football activists, Save Our Soccer (SOS), a pressure group that also led to Obua’s fall. Football pundit Aldrine Nsubuga and SC Villa fans’ coordinator Dennis Mbidde are the known public figures behind SOS. Mulindwa is jointly charged with Fufa Chief Executive Officer Edgar Watson Suubi and Muhamadi Bazirengedde, the Fufa vice-chairman in charge of the Legal Standing Committee. The trio are facing three charges of making documents without authority, forgery and making false documents as well as fraud and breach of trust. “There is a prima facie case against the accused persons (Mulindwa, Watson and Bazirengedde) and they may be charged,” said Magistrate Silvia Nabaggala while directing the trio to appear before court on January 24. Prosecution alleges that on or about August 2010, Mulindwa, Watson and Bazirengedde, with intent to defraud or to deceive and without the lawful authority of the Fufa general assembly or excuse made, signed an amended Constitution of the body and included Articles that were never approved and excluded articles that were not a subject of amendment. Rogers Mulindwa, the Fufa publicist, confirmed receiving the court documents. “But I am surprised that we have delegates in the assembly who cannot recall some of the developments that transpired at the federation,” Mulindwa said. While accusing Uganda Super League (USL) chairman Kavuma Kabenge, who is not a known a public member of SOS but definitely a thorn to Fufa, Mulindwa said: “We are used to the Kabenge style and our lawyers are ready to handle the situation as it comes but the case will not stop him from appearing before the disciplinary committee on Friday.” According to the charge sheet, Mulindwa and the two administrators in discharge of their respective offices committed acts of fraud and breach of trust when they included extra contents in the amended constitution of Fufa. It is alleged that the suspected officials prepared or caused to prepare a false document, signed a purported amended constitution, presented it for registration and to the public as the authentic amended Fufa constitution. According to documents in court, the controversial amended constitution contains provisions that members and the public were never notified of in the proposed amendments. “That the three persons are abusing their powers and acting outside their authority by their actions and omissions committed acts of fraud so as to mislead the public for their personal benefit contrary to what is expected of them under the law,” reads part of the document. This is the second time in less than a year that court is summoning Fufa officials over alleged mismanagement of football operations in the country. The same court last year summoned Mulindwa jointly with then competitions committee secretary Moses Magogo and Sam Lwere (Fufa head of security) to appear for plea taking. 1 | 2 Next Page»The trio was facing three charges of neglect of duty, disobedience of statutory duty and common nuisance. The case was, however, settled out of court. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1300982/-/b24illz/-/index.html","content":"Free secondary education has yielded mixed results - Headteacher David Wanyama sums up his assessment of the country’s five-year-old free universal secondary education as “three major achievements and five grave challenges”. Speaking from eastern Uganda, Wanyama praises the initiative for increasing enrolment, especially of poor students. His own student population has swollen from a few hundred in 2006 to almost 3,000 today, 45 per cent of whom are girls. The scheme has also created jobs and resulted in more schools being built. But it is not all good news. The grave challenges to which Wanyama refers include poor quality of education and insufficient teachers and equipment to meet the growing classroom population. In 2007, Uganda became the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to introduce universal secondary education. Coming 10 years after it introduced universal primary education; it represented a bold step by President Museveni’s government. At the time, a UN report said Africa had the worst secondary school enrolment rates in the world. Only 34 per cent of secondary school-age children were enrolled in class. Girls and poorer young people comprised the bulk of those locked out of school by financial and cultural constraints. Under the secondary scheme, students who get specific grades in each of the four primary school-leaving exams study free in public schools and participating private schools. The government pays the schools an annual grant of up to UShs141,000 per student, spread over three school terms. Parents, though, have to provide the students’ uniform, stationery and meals. Change in numbersAccording to Dr Yusuf Nsubuga, the director of basic and secondary education at the ministry of education, before the secondary scheme barely 50 per cent of primary school-leavers went on to secondary education annually. Within a year of the scheme being introduced, that figure rose to 69 per cent. Similarly, the number of O-level candidates in the country rose from 172,000 in 2006 to almost 265,000 2010, an increase of 54 per cent. Nsubuga says the government has increased funding for secondary schooling, which has meant more teachers being recruited, more classrooms and labs being built, and more textbooks. The government policy is to build at least one public secondary school in each sub-county. There is a gender dynamic, too. A recent study found that the secondary school scheme had particularly increased public school enrolment for girls from poorer households. The proportion of girls in the sample area attending public schools increased from 10.6 per cent in 2005 to nearly 15 per cent in 2009. At the same time, the scheme appears to have increased the migration of students from village schools to better-performing urban ones, which has resulted in some rural schools barely being able to find enough students. Grave challengesHowever, the scheme faces the same difficulties as primary and tertiary education: there may be increased access, but education standards have not improved, something acknowledged in a 2010 Overseas Development Institute report.Because of inadequate infrastructure – schools, classrooms, laboratories, libraries – the government has partnered with about 640 private schools. But the system is fraught with problems: inadequate teaching space and materials, a shortage of teachers, and inadequate and late disbursement of government funds. “Academic performance standards are deteriorating, and the education being universal, students are just pushed through,” Wanyama says. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/1300904/-/8g2uq/-/index.html","content":"Homeland;  will definitely get  you hooked! - Showtime brings us yet another mouth-watering drama/thriller series called Homeland adapted from an Israeli series called, Hatufin [translated as kidnapped in English]. Claire Daniels stars as Carrie Mathieson, a CIA intelligence officer who is currently on probation following an un authorised operation she conducted while in Afghanistan. On this mission she discovers from an asset about to be executed that an American prisoner of war captured by al Qaeda has been turned and is working for the terrorist organisation. So when an American soldier sergeant Nicholas Brody rescued during a delta force attack on a compound belonging to al Qaeda terrorist head Abu Nazir, returns home following eight years in captivity. She is definitely not as joyous to see him as the rest of the country which considers him a war hero. Knowing no one will believe her especially her boss with whom she had a disastrous steamy affair that cost him his marriage a few years ago. She takes matters into her own hands and decides to put him under surveillance in breach of the all privacy laws hence, risking her job and looking at possible prison time. Brody also returns home to find that a lot has changed over the past eight years. His family is in debt, a rift has developed between his daughter and wife. While, his best friend and fellow marine, Mike Faber is sleeping with his wife. And to add fire to the already visible smoke, he has become a devout Muslim. As the show builds on and the plot unravels, you only left in awe at the complexity and magnetism of all the characters. Having received much critical acclaim with a met critic average of over 91/ 100, the show has already been nominated for several award this year including best drama series at the golden globes and writer’s guild awards. The show has already been approved for a second season and season 1 is complete with 12 mind blowing episodes each with about an hour’s running time. The series is definitely worth all the hype surrounding it. It is undoubtedly a showcase masterpiece that will have you passing several hours with reckless abandon."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1299426/-/bfh9hgz/-/index.html","content":"NRM party dragged to court over rent dues - KAMPALA The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has been dragged to court over allegations of failing to pay rent arrears amounting to Shs22 million for its party headquarters located on plot 10 Kyadondo Road in Kampala. The suit against the ruling party was instituted by Nile Travel Agencies Ltd on December 29 last year before the High Court Land Division. The agreementCourt records show that the tenancy contract between Nile Travel Agency and the NRM party demanded that upon elapsing, it was to be renewed after negotiations and also be determined by the current market rate. In furtherance of the above tenancy agreement, the lawyers of the complainant gave a notice of rent increment from $2,500 (about Shs6.1m) to $4,000(about Shs9.8m) monthly commencing July 1, last year. However, the NRM party allegedly refused to comply and remit the new rent of Shs9.8m but instead continued to pay the old rent of Shs6.1m up to date, which period is now six months. Loss of businessThe agency claims to have suffered as a result of NRM’s breach of contract with them and they now want court to hold them liable and pay the damages. The agency also accuses the party of refusing to vacate its building and allow the construction of the state of the art structure, which has led to loss of business. The NRM party spokesperson, Ms Mary Karooro Okurut, last evening in a telephone interview said she was not aware of the court case since she had not seen the court summons to that effect but promised to respond today. The court is yet to summon the NRM party to file in its defence on the allegations before a hearing date can be fixed. This suit comes barely five days after the Iganga NRM party offices were also closed and their property thrown out for reportedly failing to pay one year rent arrears amounting to Shs2.4m. The offices were located on Saza Road in Iganga District. awesaka@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1296884/-/bfj95vz/-/index.html","content":"MPs turn hit on Attorney General over Marriage Bill - Members of Parliament on the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee have written to the Attorney General, Mr Peter Nyombi, demanding to know when government will make its final input into the controversial Marriage and Divorce Bill. The Bill was due for second reading during the Eighth Parliament but the then Attorney General, Mr Khiddu Makubuya, blocked it, saying government was still consulting on the matter, forcing women activists to storm out of Parliament in protest as they accused government of frustrating the Bill. The Bill has stalled for over 40 years now. AG was not ready“The above mentioned Bill came up for second reading on May 11, 2011 but the then Attorney General informed Parliament that he was not ready for second reading since he was still making some consultations with those for and those against the passing of the Bill,” the December 19 letter, signed by committee chairperson Stephen Tashobya, reads in part. “The committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs would like to know how far the consultations have gone so that it can conclude the Bill and proceed for second reading,” Mr Tashobya said last week. Committee members demanded that the AG brings to Parliament the proposed amendments or else they go ahead and table their report to the House again. Ninth Parliament works“During the second meeting of the first session of the Ninth Parliament, a motion was passed to save and retain Bills which were tabled in the Eighth Parliament. The AG upon the Bill’s second reading promised to bring to Parliament the amendments but up to now it has not,” Mr Tashobya said as he vowed to table the report if the AG does not respond immediately. The Bill is among the 23 pending Bills that were shelved by the Eighth Parliament and re-introduced in the Ninth Parliament. Whereas the Ninth Parliament passed a resolution that the 23 Bills be retained, they have, however, not been debated. Women organisations like the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association, the Forum for Women in Democracy, Centre for Domestic Violence Prevention are pushing for the passing of the Bill. The main contention, especially among the religious leaders, has been the clause that permits cohabitation. They say the Bill will recognise cohabitation as a form of marriage in breach of their religious beliefs. The Christians are also opposed to another clause that legalises divorce and the tittle of the Bill. mnalugo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1293320/-/bflg74z/-/index.html","content":"Former Museveni aide queries accounts committee powers - A former legal aide to President Museveni has questioned the Public Accounts Committee’s (Pac) powers to summon him as a witness over Shs3.6 billion, that a firm the aide is associated with received in an out-of-court settlement. Through a Kampala-based law firm, Birungyi Barata & Associates, Mr Fox Odoi, claimed Pac does not have the authority to investigate matters that court has pronounced itself on or those that are still pending. The committee is investigating the circumstances under which Beachside Development Services Ltd, where Mr Odoi is a director, is accused of attempting to defraud National Forestry Authority. “The matter for which my client is being sought, albeit irregularly, has been investigated and litigated upon before the High Court and the Court of Appeal,” Enoch Birungi, Mr Odoi’s lawyer said. Mr Birungi said if Pac went ahead to question Mr Odoi, it would be contravening Article 128 of the Constitution, which talks about the independence of the Judiciary. Incensed Pac members, however, said it is only court that could stop the committee from summoning a witness and ordered the duo (Mr Odoi and Mr Birungi) to leave. “I ask you to take leave of this committee,” the committee chairperson, Mr Kassiano Wadri said, before adding that the committee was operating within the paradigm of the law. In 2005, Beachside Development Ltd offered to rehabilitate and develop 209 hectares of Kyewagga Forest Reserve in Wakiso District as an ecology and eco-tourism facility. NFA then reportedly granted the company a 25-year licence to manage the area. But in June 2006, some people claimed ownership of the land, hence the legal battle. Beachside Development Services Ltd went to court accusing NFA of breach of contract, which the former said caused it management losses and damages including money spent on the project and future business. President steps inThe company was awarded damages, although President Museveni last year directed the Attorney General ‘to do whatever it takes and ensure the fraudsters do not succeed’. “It is astonishing that some senior NFA officials and judicial officers connived and corruptly imposed a consent judgement against the authority to pay Charles Twagira and Fox Odoi, the two owners of the claimant company, about Shs3 billion,” President Museveni wrote in January 2010. He directed the NFA board and the Environment Minister to investigate the officials who unjustifiably allowed an out-of-court settlement. nwesonga@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/-/688322/1289504/-/4g1tkm/-/index.html","content":"Mobile phone subscribers to register sim cards by March - Kampala You will not be able to use your sim card to make or receive any phone calls as well as text messages if your card is not registered by 2013. Uganda Communications Commission passed the order on Monday in a statement issued to Daily Monitor in which they announced a sim card registration exercise for all nationals set to begin March 1, next year. The exercise seeks to check the use of mobile phone numbers for illegal activities, phone theft, unsolicited/hate and threat messages among others. “Failure to register is breach of the law and the service provider shall not provide any communication service to whoever fails or refuses to register,” UCC Manager communications Fred Otunnu said in a phone interview. He said that all unregistered sim cards will be deactivated by the start of 2013; a year after the registration process is complete. In a statement to Daily monitor on Monday, UCC said the exercise will be carried out alongside the communication service providers who will establish registration centres to assist customers in accomplishing the registration process. Requirements for registration will be personal identification that shall be provided through a valid passport or employee ID, student ID, voter’s card, valid driver’s license, local council letter or letter from employee. This too applies to foreigners leaving in the country. Mobile phone users will be expected to register all their sim cards regardless of how many an individual owns. Welcome moveCommunication companies have welcomed the move although they have been disappointed by the delay in the implementation of this law. Utl boss Donald Nyakairu said in a phone interview yesterday that firm was ready to take on the task so as to deal with the many cases of misuse of telecommunication services. “We will be part of this exercise and since it is just one year of implementation, we surely believe it will hardly affect our customers if all is being done for better service provision.” Mr Joseph Kanyamunyu, Airtel Uganda public relations officer said the rapid growth in the telecommunication sector had seen fraudsters take advantage of the cut-throat competition to fleece clients, a vice that the new regulation will help to curb. He added the the exercise will ease investigations into crimes that are committed through the use of mobile phones. fnalubega@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/315632-rastoon.html","content":" - MINISTER Abraham Byandala has blamed the current floods in the city on delays by KCCA in implementing Kampala drainage master plan."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/875758/-/wj7ic4/-/index.html","content":"Nsibambi injured in helicopter crash - Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi was injured yesterday after a Police helicopter he was travelling in crashed in Bugiri District. Prof. Nsibambi was flying back to Kampala after receiving 150 tonnes of food aid from the Kenyan government to the victims of last week’s landslide in Bududa.Bizarrely, Kenyan Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, who was supposed to hand over the food to Prof. Nsibambi, did not make it after his helicopter developed a mechanical fault and had to make an emergency landing. Six injuredSix people who were travelling with Prof. Nsibambi were also injured in yesterday’s incident, which occurred at Bugiri Hospital.They include the Permanent Secretary in Nsibambi’s office, Mr Pius Bigirimana and three aides to the premier identified as Rose Oyella, Apollo Munghinda and Peter Isabirye. Pilots Emmanuel Busuulwa, and Elijah Matovu, were also injured. The victims were taken into the hospital and were later airlifted to Kampala in an army helicopter for further medical attention.Mr Isaac Malinga, the Bugiri District medical officer, said many on board, including Prof. Nsibambi, had sustained serious injuries. “I think the prime minister, the pilot and the permanent secretary had spinal problems whose extent can only be ascertained after an X-ray is done,” Mr Malinga said. Prof Nsibambi, 72, reportedly complained of back pain and of aching ribs and could neither walk nor stand unaided. The Hospital Medical Superintendent, Ms Sarah Nambooze, said her team had given pain relief to the victims before they were transferred. “They left this place in stable condition and I think they will be okay,” she said. “We had the capacity to manage these victims, but this being a smaller hospital, they preferred Mulago.” The cause of the crash, which occurred just before 3p.m., had not been made public by press time last night. Information Minister Kabakumba Masiko later issued a statement and said the Civil Aviation Authority would investigate the matter and issue a full report. Samson Lubega, a Police spokesman, said the helicopter first struck a tree before hitting the ground. This is the second incident involving this helicopter following an earlier incident last April in Arua which eye-witnesses described as a crash-landing but which the Police described as a scheduled refuelling stop. Police sources said the chopper was bought in 2008 at a cost of Shs6 billion. Meanwhile, Kenya’s Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka’s charity mission to Uganda failed when the helicopter he was travelling in developed mechanical problems. Mr Musyoka, who was with three ministers, returned to Nairobi in a different plane after the one he was in made an emergency landing in Kabarak. A passenger said the helicopter ride started being bumpy as they overflew the escarpment. As they approached Nakuru, the helicopter started swaying and a steward approached the VIPs to inform them that they would have to make an emergency landing at the Kabarak airstrip as the helicopter had encountered mechanical problems. Other Kenyan officials on board were Special Programmes Minister Naomi Shaban and her assistant Mohamed Mahmoud. At least 83 people were confirmed dead and hundreds of others are missing after the tragedy. Many more have been displaced from their hillside homes. Defence spokesman Bogita Ongeri said the Kenya Air Force chopper landed at an airstrip at former Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi’s Kabarak home.Another chopper was sent to ferry Mr Musyoka with his entourage back to Nairobi, Mr Ongeri said. The delivery of the food donations went on in Uganda overseen by Prof. Nsibambi and Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda. Additional reporting by Ephraim Kasozi, Asuman Musobya and Lucas Baraza in Nairobi"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/872860/-/wj5g6p/-/index.html","content":"BUDUDA LANSLIDES: Two more bodies found - Bududa Two more bodies have been recovered in Bududa, bringing the number of people confirmed dead in the Monday’s landslide to 83. Lt. Col. William Kabeera, head of the UPDF rescue effort in Bududa, says the two bodies recovered Thursday morning in Nametsi village were of a middle-aged man and woman. He says the names of the two are unknown because they were disfigured and had no personal items from which they could be identified.  Volunteers say they expect to pull out at least six more from the same location. District authorities, relief agencies and the army are holding a meeting to synchronise statistics of the dead as conflicting figures continue to be released by various authorities. Lt. Col. Kabeera adds that rescue and recovery efforts continue to be slow and laborious because Nametsi village, the epicenter of the disaster, was hit by another powerful rainstorm Wednesday night, setting back the rescue effort.  He says it is now impossible for vehicles to reach the site and rescue teams continue working with rudimentary tools like hoes and spades.  Several Red Cross volunteers and workers from the International Caritas Federation have joined the crowd of 300-plus civilians searching desperately to find anyone alive under the mud.  Edith Peke, one of the people in the rescue team, says villagers are digging through eight feet of mud to find the bodies.  She says this is extremely hard, considering that they also have to plough through the rubble of collapsed structures and thick vegetation.  Rescue efforts are also continuing in the villages of Kubewho and Namangasa. The UN office is working with the Office of the Prime Minister to coordinate the delivery of relief aid to affected families.  UNICEF has delivered 400 non-food item kits that contain a blanket, tarpaulin, soap, crockery, water purification tablets, tents and ropes.  The Office of the Prime Minister has dispatched a trailer with 26 metric tonnes of relief food to Bududa.  A statement from Antonio Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for refugees, says UNHCR will distribute tents and plastic sheeting to 5,000 people left homeless by the mudslide. The UN says it is particularly concerned about the protection of children who may have lost their parents or who are separated from their families. It says extra measures are being taken to ensure the protection of children, the sick and the elderly. The Uganda Red Cross Society is also registering survivors in an effort to ease their resettlement as private organizations begin to pledge help. The program Officer for Disaster Risk Reduction Shaban Mawanda says that much needed food, shelter and water cannot be easily distributed without an estimation of the affected number of people. During his visit to Bududa, President Yoweri Museveni directed that all people in the landslide prone neighbouring villages of Tunwatsi, Mulwere and Kubewo be relocated to Bulecheke, Bubiita and Bududa district headquarters. The humanitarian organization has also set up mobile clinics to counter any possible disease outbreak in the affected areas. The clinics are being run in collaboration with the office of the prime minister. The organization has already launched a shs2 billion appeal for the survivors. are feared to have claimed an estimated 300 people. 1 | 2 Next Page»Meanwhile, two oil companies, Tullow Oil and CNOOC International Limited have each made a contribution of shs100 million towards the emergency fund for the victims. The prime minister, Prof Apolo Nsibambi while receiving the money said the government is now putting more effort on saving more lives and ensure the survivors get all the required help.Nsibambi says a meeting will be held today to decide on how best to utilize the emergency fund. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Floods-displace-500-in-Ntoroko-/-/688334/2507416/-/10odvtxz/-/index.html","content":"Floods displace 500 in Ntoroko  - NTOTOKO- At least 500 people in Ntoroko District have been rendered homeless by floods caused by heavy rains. According to Mr Bakari Muga Bashir, the Rwenzori Regional police spokesperson, River Semliki burst its banks due to the heavy rains, submerging homes, damaging roads and people’s property. Bakari identified the worst hit areas as Rwebisengo Town Council, Kiranga, Budiba and Bweramule sub-county. He said most of the people in the affected villages have been advised to move to Rwebisengo Sub-county headquarters and Rwebisengo church as the district administration sought assistance from the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness under the Office of the Prime Minister. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/642528-the-aftermaths-of-kasese-floods.html","content":" - Floods claimed lives and destroyed property in Kasese district."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/742382/-/10fkbvm/-/index.html","content":"Selling change for a living - Kampala Between heavily stocked stalls, besides refrigerators and phone-charging stools they sit on benches with coins of varying denominations and some times Ushs1000 notes, strategically placed in view of potential clients. A few metres next to the steps into the old taxi park, just opposite the Ndeeba, Nateete taxis, Sam Mukwaya (not real name) rests behind a popcorn making machine absorbedly listening to his radio but with eyes focused on the merchandise on the bench. His dark-skin complexion reinforced by a seemingly permanent frown on his face painted a façade of an unapproachable person. After the introductions --as if he is being forced to breach an oath of remaining mute when asked about the business-- he hesitantly obliged to delve into the nitty-gritty of the business but let it be known that he is not the owner of the business. “The owner has gone to look for change and am simply helping out but business is not so good,â€Â� Sam stated; a statement that reverberated through all the interviewees. But the clandestine nature of the dealers in a business carried out in the glare of the public, defeated any conventional reasoning. It is like a pact most who partake in this industry sign upon entry in spite of a few who openly discuss it. “Most of the people in this business are secretive because they fear someone may go and tell KCC that it is very profitable and they end up being taxed,â€Â� reasoned Mohammad Tamale, 52. Sensing my hushed shock at his explanation, Mr Tamale painted a better picture. “If they can tax the grasshopper traders, what of us?â€Â� Mr Tamale asked. “All KCC may need to know is how profitable the job is.â€Â� 1 | 2 Next Page»By this time the query of how profitable the business is was lingering. “These days it’s no longer profitable. Back in 1998 when I had just joined this business I used to make up to about Ushs200, 000 per day,â€Â� he recalls. “These days the business has been infiltrated by so many young people who perhaps have fewer responsibilities hence have pushed our rates down. The competition has increased and the profits have dropped.â€Â� While he could charge Ushs800-1000 from a Ushs10,000 note sometime back, Tamale noted that it is impossible now. “You can’t charge that now when others will take Ushs200-300 off a Ushs20,000 note,â€Â� lamented Tamale who prides himself in the house he built in his village, Masaka out of the profits from this business. But there’s more than the cutthroat competition to contend with, said Hilda Nakato who was sitting in for the owner who was in search of change. “Like any other business, there are losses in this business too. At times people give us fake money which we only realise hours after they have left.â€Â� Theft is another vice that was echoed by all that were interviewed though Ms Nakato’s solution to the problem suggested that God owes her a favour. “Mungu yakuuma. (It’s God who protects),â€Â� she nonchalantly said. “Thieves are everywhere you just can’t say that you have fully guarded yourself against them.â€Â� As the money changers put aside their daily tribulations to serve their large clientele that ranges from hotels, bars, shops and even industries, they will hope that KCC continues looking the other way so they may one day get out of their cocoons between heavily stocked stalls, refrigerators and phone-charging stools to freely talk about their business. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/920498/-/x040ql/-/index.html","content":"New landslides deaths rise to eight - Mbale/Kabale Humanitarian agencies were by yesterday still trying to cope with multiple centres of urgent need as a new wave of landslides and floods in various districts rendered at least 1,500 people homeless. The quest for help ran from Mbale, Sironko and Tororo in eastern Uganda to Kabale and Kanungu in western Uganda. At least eight people were confirmed killed by landslides in Mbale, Sironko and Kabale. The Uganda Red Cross said at least 721 people were camped at Nawire Primary School in Tororo after being forced out of their homes by floods while 630 were camped at Bumatanda Primary School in Sironko District. “We are expecting another 120 families in Bumatanda,” said Ms Catherine Ntabadde, a spokesperson for the Uganda Red Cross, a charity that is helping coordinate humanitarian assistance to the victims. “As the rains continue, more people continue coming,” she told Daily Monitor by telephone from Kampala yesterday. Ms Ntabadde said the floods and landslides were escalating the danger of water-borne and other sanitation related diseases. She said three case of cholera had been confirmed in Tororo. The latest landslides come barely two months after another devastating landslide struck Nametsi in Bududa burying an entire trading centre of about 350 people. Three children, two of them from one family, were killed after torrential rains accompanied by hailstorms hit their homes in Bubyangu Sub-county in Mbale District on Saturday night. Amina Nandudu, 13, Juma Kikumi 12 and Siana Namusiru, 4, all residents of Makyese village were discovered two kilometers away from the scene of the landslide after they tried to run away when the torrential rains tore through their house.The area LCI chairman, Mr Abdu Masokoyi, said the rain started at around 10pm and by midnight, River Makyese had flooded rolling down heavy stones from uphill and knocked the house in which the children were sleeping.The Red Cross eastern field coordinator, Ms Kevin Nabutuwa, said the mudslides swept through villages of Makyese, Bumadanda, Bunandudu, Bunabuloli, Bukwaga and Makyese trading centre displacing about 320 people. In Sironko, three people were buried by another devastating landslide that struck Bugiboni parish in Bugitimwa Sub-county on the slopes of Mt Elgon.Kenneth Nasasa, 39, Akisoferi Nabende and David Masoboni, 27, who were walking home after shopping in the nearby trading centre, were buried by the landslide and only discovered later when somebody looking for banana stems saw a torch and a hand of a human being. “Immediately I saw a hand of a human being, I made an alarm. People came and we started digging. We retrieved the bodies that had broken limbs and shattered heads,” said Mr Atanas Walimbwa, a resident. The Wednesday tragedy that occurred at about 7pm followed by a heavy downpour accompanied by hailstorms in Namawugulu village. Student killedMeanwhile in Kabale, Regan Kwarijuka, 20, a second year student at Kabale University breathed his last after a landslide crushed the side of the house he was sleeping in Bukinda Sub-county, Kabale. Charles Mugarura died after running water swept him away as he tried to cross Mukoki Bridge in Kahondo-Maziba Sub-countyState Minister for Disaster Preparedness Musa Ecweru said the heavy rains in the Mt Elgon region signaled greater danger to come. “We have moved around with the local leaders and we have discovered that there are huge cracks along the Elgon Mountain in Manafwa, Bududa, Sironko and parts of Mbale,” said Mr Ecweru. “We have advised people to relocate from these dangerous areas prone to landslides and the response has been poor. “People seem not to have learnt anything from the Bududa tragedy but our appeal is that people must move away from these areas,” added the junior minister."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/898778/-/agbqtjz/-/index.html","content":"Forest conservation will check climate change in Uganda - The scientific debate, whether climate change is occurring or not, is over. Climate change is now a scientifically established fact. Climate change is growing every day, every hour and every minute of inaction. The world and Uganda in particular, have faced the challenge of adjusting to the continuously changing climatic. This can be evidenced by the recent tragic events in Bududa, Kabale, and Butaleja districts. Deforestation and forest degradation are some of the major environmental concerns in Uganda today. The UN and FAO estimated that in 1890, approximately 45 per cent of Uganda was covered by forests and woodlands, representing about 10.8 million hectares (108.000km2). This forestry estate had declined to only 20 per cent of the land area in 1900 and to about 3 per cent by 2000. FAO further estimates that Uganda is losing about 50,000 ha (0.8 per cent) of its forestland each year through deforestation. Official estimates of conversion of forestland in 1994 ranged from 70,000 ha to 200,000 ha (Nema, 2007). The deforestation rate is very high in Uganda and if no measures are taken, then we are doomed. According to Mr Xavier Mugumya, Uganda’s forest management specialist at the National Forestry Authority, Uganda is likely to have very low, if not completely no forest cover in the next 50 years, if nothing is done to reverse the trend, Reuters on July 9th 2009. Forests play a great role of mitigating and adapting climate change. They act as carbon sinks; serve as catchment for water bodies, control floods, and help in formation of rainfall. Today, more than 90 per cent of Ugandans do not to have access to electricity and other clean sources of energy and heavily depend on fuel wood for energy. Only about 1 per cent of Uganda’s rural population can access and utilise electricity. The majority of those who access electricity, can only use it for lighting and radio sets due to the high electricity tariffs. The impacts of limited access to electricity coupled with the high power tariffs directly reflect on the pressure experienced by forests as a source of energy and as a resource. On the other hand, poverty coupled with inadequate policies, poor policy implementation, high population, lack of awareness as well as isolating management of forest resources from community participation are leading factors that have led to their unsustainable use. In addition, reclamation of forested land for agricultural activities and the use poor farming methods as a result of lack of awareness about modern farming greatly contribute to forest degradation. There is need to sensitise people to modernise agriculture in order to reduce extensive cultivation associated with low-in put agriculture. This will reduce clearing of forests for agriculture. Rural people also use a lot of firewood; therefore, there is need to sensitise them to use the method that does not consume a lot of firewood like the use of improved cooking stoves and tree planting among others. Rural financing should be extended to rural farmers in order to reduce the cutting down of trees to expand land for cultivation. Farmers should participate in other activities like trade other than agriculture. Promoting the use of clean energy like geothermal, or wind and biogas will stop reliance on wood fuel and charcoal and this will lead to forest conservation.Rural electrification should be extended to the villages and the tariffs reduced in order to enable people access and afford electricity. Conserving forests and tree planting will help mitigate the effects of climate change by increasing carbon storage and cutting green house gases responsible for climate change. Ms Akankwasa is the programme assistant, Africa Institute For Energy Governance"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/876042/-/ahldtjz/-/index.html","content":"Women deserve more than the tokens they are given - On Saturday afternoon (March 6), I suffered a technological disaster. Someone hacked into my yahoo e-mail address and accessed all my e-mail correspondents and immediately wrote to them using my e-mail and name begging for 2,700 pounds to rescue me from London. I had received such letters begging for other people but now my turn had come. I was alerted by calls from concerned people who had received those letters and when I tried to open my e-mail address, I could not because it now belonged to a certain omoyeleswagg@yahoo.com. It took me some time to reclaim my e-mail address and send information that I was not stranded in London and needed no urgent financial contributions. Technology has its advantages, but it can also be disastrous. The Bududa landslides have been a very serious calamity that has exposed the country’s lack of preparedness. Such natural disasters can happen anywhere, but countries prepare themselves to respond rapidly when they occur. Others have instituted early warning systems.The commander of the Navy in Chile has been dismissed for failure to give an early warning about the tsunami which resulted from the recent devastating earthquake in parts of Chile. The army in Chile deployed 14,000 troops with appropriate equipment to manage the consequences of the earthquake. Well, the Uganda government has also sent some UPDF personnel but they did not have any better equipment than other volunteers and the numbers were not adequate. It is the Red Cross and other volunteers that have played a prominent role, not the government. It is in such a time of need that governments show their value to the ordinary people and the Ugandan government found itself as helpless as the ordinary people. Where is the evidence of effectiveness in Bududa after 25 years of continuous rule? Where is the so-called Rapid Response….? Didn’t the floods in Soroti indicate an urgent need for preparedness for such natural disasters? Now in addition to Bududa, there are landslides in Kabale/Kisoro, Kabarole and floods in Butaleja and other places may yet suffer since the rains are still continuing. Some Kampala areas had also suffered because the government has allowed people to build in water channels and wetlands. Incidentally this government has spawned so many ‘prophets’, some of them in-house; why don’t they give warning before these disasters take place or do they only ‘prophesy’ for money? As I write, it is Women’s Day. When I asked why there is no Men’s Day, I was told that the remaining days of the year are Men’s Days. Now if you know the plight of men in Uganda then indeed the women are in a very sorry state. Every day you read about women beaten up, raped, murdered, thrown out of their matrimonial homes by their husbands, or their relatives after the death of their husbands, girl-children removed from school for all types of reasons, sex workers arrested, mothers begging on streets together with their children. In the countryside it is women, or girls you see carrying water or firewood with a hoe on the shoulder and a child on the back. Look at how (universally) women dress up in sports or on stage; they are just objects to feast on by the eyes of men. Their sports, or singing qualities are subordinated to their shapeliness as women. Their economic status will remain low so long as their right to own property is largely questionable and their status as human beings is considered a rang lower than men no matter how capable they may be. For example, consider their electability even if they are up against a man of lower capabilities and exposure. Women deserve better than the tokens they are given. Mr Ruzindana is the FDC deputy secretary general for policy and research a_ruzindana@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/873954/-/ahn9p0z/-/index.html","content":"Bududa disaster: Why govt doesn’t give a hoot - When disaster strikes, as journalists we are trained to be completely dispassionate. The rule is: just take the pictures and write a good story. If you feel like crying, you can do that when you get home. But quite often, even when you think you’ve seen it all, you come across some particularly tricky patches that crack you. And it is usually not the gruesome pictures that break you – somehow the mind is trained to face the worst. That’s why nothing in the conflicts in Rwanda, DR Congo, Sudan or Northern Uganda made me cry when I got there. The deadly ones are usually plain, simple, read-between-the-lines scenes that touch soft spots in you and send a knife through your heart. The first time I broke down was just four years ago when the [poorly constructed] City of the Lord Church in Kalerwe, Kampala, crashed, killing dozens. I was okay enough with the mangled bodies and crying victims at the scene of disaster – until I came across five or six bodies of pastors’ wives who were lying in Mulago Hospital; dead but bodies intact and looking serene as though they were just sleeping and would wake up in the morning. That is when I choked on tears as I faced the television camera to file a report. For the Bududa landslide, the hundreds dead notwithstanding, the sight of three sweet little children lying peacefully on the burial mat, faces uncovered and eyes closed will never leave my mind. It is scenes like this that make us angry when we realise these people need not have died, had they been in a country where systems work and service delivery is consistently placed above political expediency. Almost every disaster that has struck has to do with the government not playing its rightful role; failing to exercise its mandate. Landslides have been with us since time immemorial and in recent years, especially since 1997, particular areas – in the mountainous areas of eastern and western Uganda - have distinguished themselves as vulnerable to landslides.The last disastrous landslide was just six months ago (October 2009) in Kabale, western Uganda, with six dead. The whole country was put on notice in July 2009 that there would be heavy rains. As a media we endeavoured to make clarion calls for people to beware of floods and landslides. We called on government to take matters in its hands and prevent disaster in the vulnerable areas. The Bududa disaster is evidence that while this government will be all ears when a radio station broadcasts stuff that threatens its existence, it doesn’t give a hoot when journalists make noble clarion calls for action in matters that touch the day to day lives of ordinary people. On my daily early morning show on 98.5 Impact FM, whenever I discuss anything to do with the military, the Army Spokesman Lt. Col. Felix Kulayigye, will without fail (or warning), call in, or walk in and defend the Army. He never waits for invitation to do that. That means two things. One, Bwana Kulayigye is very efficient and always on the alert. But two, the State pays attention to anything to do with the military because that touches the very core of its existence. On the contrary whenever we discuss service delivery of non-military nature, everybody calls in – except the concerned government officials. And when you invite them, they tell you the show is too early and they cannot make it – unless they were caught in a scandal that they are trying to explain away. Natural disasters do not amount to existential threats to the State, so nothing is ever done to prevent them. And if the State is to do anything for the small people, it will only be because it is in enlightened self interest to do so. Mr Tegulle is a political/social commentatorwww.objectiontegulle.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/815652/-/alb6ryz/-/index.html","content":"REGIONAL UNITY: EAC Common Market Protocol is a remarkable step - The signing of the East African Community (EAC) Common Market Protocol by leaders of the EAC partner states on November 20 in Arusha was a significant step towards achievement of total integration of East Africa. We must commend previous and current EAC leaders for their commitment and resilience. It is laudable that EAC leaders have been at the forefront in the integration of East Africa since early 1990s. It is expected that the Common Market will accelerate economic growth and development in EAC through realisation of free movement of East Africans, goods, services, labour and capital once the partner states have ratified the protocol by July 1, 2010. Obviously, a single market should lead to considerable benefits in terms of increased trade, economies of scale, efficiency and cost reductions. However, these prospective benefits could be actualised when there are effective and people-centred policies and legislation on labour, employment, investment, trade, infrastructure and industrial development. At international level, a united East Africa will have a substantial voice in diplomacy. One of the objectives of EAC is “the strengthening and consolidation of co-operation in the agreed fields that…lead to equitable economic development within the partner states and which would in turn, raise the standard of living and improve the quality of life of their populations” (Article 5(3c) of the EAC Treaty). To achieve this, an enabling environment is necessary so that East Africans can begin reaping the benefits of having a single market by engaging in productive activities that empower them. Further, there should be effective policies, laws and strategies at national and regional levels to deal with perennial problems such as food insecurity, famine, drought, cattle rustling, floods and displacement of people. It is unfortunate that East Africans are still dying of starvation in a region that has potential for food production. During last week’s Summit, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda rightly observed that the regional bloc should confront new threats to security such as climate change that is already affecting water resources, agriculture and pasture with devastating consequences on the people, food availability and livestock sector. Other challenges that should draw our attention in the region are poverty, proliferation of slums in urban areas and widespread unemployment. These challenges can also be a threat to security and have the potential to undermine stability and development. Establishment of programmes for addressing these challenges is vital. While EAC leaders have offered impressive leadership at the regional level, it is important that they equally pay attention to governance challenges in their respective countries. The governance concerns cannot be swept under the carpet. Kenyan leadership should ensure that constitutional and institutional reforms are realised this time round. The Ugandan government ought to come up with more inclusive process for land and electoral reforms where various stakeholders including opposition political parties could participate actively. Tanzania should continue to strengthen its democratisation processes and avert controversial polls in Zanzibar. Further, Rwanda and Burundi should be encouraged to manage their transition successfully by establishing credible institutions. All EAC states must fight corruption courageously so that the available resources are utilised for the common good of East Africans. Strong institutions in each country will be critical pillars for a united and a prosperous East Africa. Finally, Kiswahili should be encouraged in the partner states so that it truly becomes the lingua franca in the Community. Mr Odhiambo is a visiting researcher, Institute of Policy Analysis and Research, Nairobi- Kenya"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Insurance-body-in-public-awareness-drive/-/688322/2542602/-/ao9u4cz/-/index.html","content":"Insurance body in public awareness drive - KAMPALA As the local insurance industry struggles to attain significant penetration levels, the Insurance Institute of Uganda (IIU) has kicked off a countrywide public awareness campaign. According to the institute, the campaign which involves meeting people at their places of work is a move meant for demystifying insurance.Insurance takes the responsibility of compensating policy holders in case of losses due to incidents such as fire, floods, fraud, political instability, death, accidents, among many others; however, compensation is effected upon compliance in paying annual premiums to the insurers.According to IIU Chief Executive Officer Elvis Khisa, the biggest challenge is not about telling people about the existence of insurance because most of them know it exists, but they have a wrong belief that insurers don’t pay (compensate) in case of risks.“We are conducting a series of meetings with people, trying to understand the myths they have about insurance, a basis upon which we prevail to fully explain to them the relevancy of insurance and the way it works,” he said.Mr Khisa was speaking to the media on the sidelines of traders’ awareness meeting in Kampala recently. Training leviesMeanwhile, Insurance companies in the financial year 2013/14 remitted Sh2billion in training levy although some remain non-compliant.Mr Khisa said a few companies (he did not name) did not comply with the set 0.5 per cent of gross premium contribution to the institution.Insurance Regulatory Authority chief executive officer, Ibrahim Kaddunabi Lubega called on non-compliant companies to expedite their contribution before the authority takes action.Uganda has more than 25 insurance companies offering different products and services. ptajuba@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Poor-nations-to-be-paid-for-losses-from-natural/-/688334/2073514/-/4ipg6nz/-/index.html","content":"Poor nations to be paid for losses from natural disasters - POLAND- For the first time since climate change negotiations began, developing countries also known as the G77 and China, have agreed to establish an international mechanism to address loss and damage associated with the impacts of climate change. This is to be called the International Mechanism on Loss and Damage (IMLD). With these plans, poor countries can assess better the immediate impact of climate change like drought and floods, and what they need as support to become more resilient to them. The idea, which was debated in the last climate talks in Doha, Qatar was opposed by most developed countries who said it could impose large financial implications on developed countries, yet typhoons and floods are already wrecking them like it has happened in the Philippines. “The Group of 77 and China agrees that the international mechanism is established to address loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change from extreme and slow onset events in developing country parties,” the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat submission read in part. The agreement is yet to be endorsed. Reports also indicate that Africa, which has a number of least Developed Countries, is the worst hit by climate change moreover it has the least capacity to cope with the effects of Climate Change. Dr Tom Okurut, the executive director National Environment Management Authority (Nema), said addressing loss and damage is a matter of urgency for Uganda.Dr Okurut said that currently, the burden of climate change lies on small holder farmers who suffer losses from crop failure albeit silently. He added that carbon levels as a result of gases emitted from rich nations industries have increased so raising global warming. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/We-knew-mudslides-would-happen-in-Bududa/-/689364/1947926/-/12aajjm/-/index.html","content":"We knew mudslides would happen in Bududa, why didn’t we prepare? - New mudslides in Bududa have exposed the heart-rending lack of preparedness when such disasters appear. Four villages destroyed and it was something we knew might happen. The existence of a Minister of Disaster Preparedness shows that the powers that be recognise the possibilities of natural or man-made disasters in the country. In October 2010, the Directorate of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees – Office of the Prime Minister, issued a wonderful 89-page document called The National Policy for Disaster Preparedness and Management. This document contains facts, good observations as well as brilliant ideas and outlines a policy that would have made the impact of occurrences like those we have seen recently in many parts of the country in terms of floods, drought, mud- and landslides more bearable than has been and is the case now. Implementation of suggestions from the policy document might even have prevented some of the incidents from developing into disasters. Three years after the previous Bududa landslide, the surviving victims are not yet finally resettled and given opportunities to resume their lives. First, they were offered a place in Kyankwanzi, where they did not want to go and where they were not welcome. Then somebody got the idea that Kiryandongo is a sparsely populated area with available land so let us try to resettle the Bududa victims there. A greater contrast than that between the fertile and humid slopes of Mount Elgon and the flat, almost semi-arid Kiryandongo can hardly be found within Uganda. Consequently, those few who resettled are trekking eastwards again, to their ancestral homes. Preparedness in this case would have been to anticipate what might happen and make sure immediate relief was at hand as a first aid in terms of food and temporary shelter, but the substantial preparedness would be to have plans set up for resettlement within the same district as the disaster occurred in. The catastrophe of losing relatives, home and property should not be followed by the tragedy of being uprooted completely. It might even be possible to develop resettlement schemes whereby people could continue to cultivate at least parts of the same land as their forefathers. To develop such plans, the authorities in charge of disaster preparedness need to be pro-active and not wait for an incident to occur and then go to the site and make contradicting statements as has been the case now. We have been told that there exist plans to resettle a large number of people “mainly in urban areas”, to do what? That sounds like a plan to deliberately create slums, not much better than trying to shift Bagisu to Buganda or Bunyoro; those ideas are dead on arrival. Disasters are a fact of life and they can happen anywhere on the globe. They are not unique to Uganda, but disaster types and patterns can vary from one country to the other and even within the same country. To prepare for them, it is necessary to identify what kind of calamity is most likely to appear in what locality and devise plans accordingly. Meteorological, geographical and geological data must be collected from areas where experience shows that natural catastrophes may happen, to ascertain the seriousness and probability of re-occurrences. Man-made disasters are a different matter altogether... When the type and probability of devastation has been ascertained, corresponding plans to avert or mitigate the consequences must be devised and means whereby they can be implemented can be mobilised without delay when the need arises. This would be preparedness in line with the stated national policy, dated October 2010. Mr Lund is a visiting senior lecturer, Department of Architecture and Physical Planning- Makerere University. catonlund@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Mudslides-kill-three-as-floods-displace-900/-/688334/1850270/-/ycys78/-/index.html","content":"Mudslides kill three as floods displace 900 - Kaabong Mudslides triggered by heavy rains have killed three people in Kaabong District. The mudslides on Thursday struck Piire, Puta, Kalapata and Kurubo villages located on the slopes of Morungole and Lwakaramoi hills in Kamion Sub-county, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The Piire Village LC1 chairperson, Mr Lokol Lochap, said the incident occurred at around 1.40pm after a five-hour downpour. He said most people were at home when the incident occurred. “We have lost a lot of crops, huts, animals and house property,” Mr Lochap said. Local leaders identified the dead as Machu Engatuny, Adupa Lomeri and Natuko Locham. The Kaabong District chairperson, Mr Joseph Komol Midi, told the Daily Monitor that district officials would travel to the affected villages to assess the situation and organise aid for the affected families. Elsewhere, in Nakapiripirit District, 900 families in Namalu Sub-county have been displaced when a dam burst its banks after heavy rains on Thursday, causing flooding. The Namalu Sub-county chairperson, Mr Simon Peter Lemukol, said no deaths had been registered but the floods destroyed several houses and acres of crops. Mr Lemukol said the most affected villages are Kokwam, Lopedot, Lomorimor and Namalu trading centre. “People are just squatting at the trading centre in Namalu but even the trading centre is flooded,” he said. Mr Lemukol said the dam could have burst its banks due to government’s reported failure to renovate it.“This dam is too old but if it had been rehabilitated it would not burst,” he said. The Nakapiripirit chairperson, Ms Hellen Pulkol, described the development as unfortunate, saying: “The affected areas are the only places that the district has been relying on for food production.” editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Floods-displace-Buliisa-residents/-/688334/1849256/-/p5jnwhz/-/index.html","content":"Floods displace Buliisa residents - Floods have displaced more than 30 families in Piida, Kawebanda and Booma Villages in Butyaba Sub-county, Buliisa District. The affected families have reportedly sought refuge in homes of other residents. The floods have also blocked the road to Butyaba health centre. “Over 30 families were displaced but we are trying to create drainages (in the flooded areas) through which the water can flow,” the Butyaba Sub-county chairperson, Mr Seremosi Mulimba, said. The affected area, situated in the Albertine Graben, is flat and adjacent to Lake Albert.The displaced residents have called on the government and charity organisations to give them food and other relief items. Water purifier leavesMeanwhile, Water Purification Systems, an NGO that has been involved in purification of water for people displaced by floods in Kasese, has withdrawn from the exercise due to logistical constraints. Officials of the organisation on Wednesday said the district had failed to provide them with storage tanks for purified water. “We managed to come with our two small tanks of 60 litres each but it is not enough. Our big systems produces 1,800 litres per hour and the small one purifies 150 litres which need a big storage unit. We are taking away our services since we have not been able to produce to our expectations ” Ms Marriam Kiiza, an official of the organisation, told this newspaper. She added: “We were asked by the camp captain to leave behind the small system since our water is chemical free but we can’t, because there is no commitment from government officials to have all the water purified.”The camp captain, Mr Justus Baluku, said the number of people in the camp had reduced from 620 -435. “It is true people have left the camp to go to other places while others have escaped due to harsh conditions,” Mr Baluku said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Using-seasonal-weather-forecast-and/-/689364/1717436/-/s4h2pez/-/index.html","content":"Using seasonal weather forecast and climate information to minimise risk - Weather and climate variability and change have become topical discussions across the globe and in Uganda, experiences of extreme weather events are quite common. The outlook of our rainfall seasonal extremes as normally characterised by frequent floods witnessed mostly in lowland areas of Teso and landslides in mountainous areas have drawn our attention to the challenges of climate change. In recent times, the drought conditions across the country, especially in 2005 and 2010, will always remind us of devastation that may result from suppressed rainfall conditions. Therefore, the seasonal forecast for March to May, which constitutes the first major rainfall season in Uganda, released on February 28, by the Department of Meteorology (DoM) provides an insight into expected rainfall performance and should be used for planning and decision making at all levels. The results of the released forecast indicate that a near normal to above normal rainfall is very likely in different areas:• Central, parts of western and the Lake Victoria basin – near normal to above normal rains.• North eastern and northern parts of eastern Uganda – near normal to above normal• Northern region – near normal to below normal• Western region – near normal to above normalThis forecast is likely to impact on highly vulnerable ecosystems, infrastructure, agriculture, energy, water resources, among others. The forecasts also point to below normal rains, which is likely to have enormous impact on different sectors. These figures from DoM give probable indications for a 50 per cent chance of above-normal activity, 35 per cent chance of near-normal activity and a 15 per cent chance for below-normal activity. Put in simpler terms, this means the chance of having near normal/above-normal rains is more than three times the chance of having a below-normal one. Although the forecast calls for a relatively active rainfall season, in some areas around the Lake Victoria basin, this doesn’t guarantee that devastation due to heavy rains will occur. However, the forecast provides an early warning as to which of the regions are at greatest risk and where the impacts are of paramount importance. There is plenty of scope highlighted in the forecast and we, therefore, need to brace ourselves for the climate change related risks the vulnerable communities are likely to face due to the changes in weather and climate. During this period of near normal to above normal rains, households are advised to undertake rain water harvesting where applicable – this does not only guarantee your household water for domestic use but also reduces the amount of runoff that is likely to increase the intensity of floods in the areas of above normal rainfall. Farmers are also advised to make use of meteorological seasonal forecasts to select appropriate crop variety to grow within the season, Land degradation management, better practices for managing soil (terracing, mulching and crop rotation). All these interventions are clearly highlighted in the National Adaptation Programmes of Action. But to make these measures as effective as possible, they must be targeted in advance and with a reasonable degree of precision to the places where they will be most needed and are most likely to work. We need win-win approaches to better manage current climate risks and to build capability to cope with the climate of the future, especially the immediate ones that may come with the just-released forecast. My hope is that the population embraces these actions in response to the just-released seasonal forecast and other types of climate information so as to feed into emergency networks and early-warning systems currently operating in the Uganda. Mr Khalid Muwembe, a senior meteorologist, contributed to this article."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/City-works-on-snail-pace---survey/-/688334/1620288/-/92ld6cz/-/index.html","content":"City works on snail pace - survey - KAMPALA Kampalans will have to suffer flooding longer than expected as drainage black spots under construction are far from completion. A survey done by the Daily Monitor has found that little work has been done on a number of waterway channels and drainage under construction by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). The construction works are behind schedule. The project that started in March this year is set to end far from its timeline of early next year. The city authority in response to the frequent flooding within the city, early this year, embarked on implementation of the city drainage master plan, where trenches on Jinja Road, Ben Kiwanuka, Dastur and Channel streets were to undergo immediate infrastructure improvement. Other key floods black spots included the Shs8b Nakivubo channel, Luthuli Avenue, Queen’s way, Wampewo round-about and Mambule road in Kawempe division. Contractors are to blameHowever, nearly all the projects are far from completion and the city authority is blaming the contractors for “taking the work unserious” in the wake of torrential rains that have sparked off a series of floods in the city and traffic disruptions. According to officials in KCCA, the contractors, Omega Constructors and Prime Construction Company, “are doing the work at their own pace”, Floods in the city have become habitual, affecting business and transport after roads become inaccessible when they become submerged in water. Deaths have also been recorded after motorists fail to identify demarcations of drainage systems. It is estimated that the construction work requires more than $100b to implement the proposed Kampala District drainage plan. However, even the few existing projects are far from being completed in the spelt out time span. fmusisi@ug,nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Zambia--Angola--border-conflict--Africa--former-colonies/-/688340/1609770/-/i2rwec/-/index.html","content":"Zambia set for talks with Angola - The Zambian government says it will soon engage its northwestern neighbour Angola on a bilateral level regarding a \"brewing border discomfort\".Zambia Deputy Minister of Lands, Mr Elijah Muchima told that country's Parliament Thursday that Zambia and Angola inherited border marking left by the government of Rhodesia that governed Zambia and that of the Portuguese that controlled Angola before Northern Rhodesia's independence in 1964.\"The government will consider looking at the issues in detail while bearing in mind AU guidelines on these matters. We shall engage our counterparts on a bilateral level,\" he said.Zambia parliamentarians hailing from Western Province of Zambia on the border with Angola claim that the oil-rich country has been making claims that a river called Kuando-entirely- and some property including a school belong to it.\"The river is on the Angolan side, but during floods where the water stretches is on that Zambians side.\"The government will only move when there reports of \"discomfort\", he said.President Michael Sata, on assuming office,sent first Republican president Kenneth Kaunda in October to Angola to apologise to that government over the previous regime's (Movement for MultipartyDemocracy) treacherous conduct during that country's civil war led by the late rebel leader Jonas Savimbi.Savimbi was the founder of the UNITA movement in March 1966, that first waged a guerrilla war against Portuguese colonial rule between 1966-1974, then confronted the rival Movement for the Liberation of the People of Angola (MPLA) during the decolonisation conflict between 1974 and 1975. After independence in 1975, Savimbi fought the ruling MPLA in the Angolan civil war until his death in a clash with government troops in 2002.Zambian government officials say since then, relations between the countries have normalised."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kasese-landslides-claim-four/-/688334/1409270/-/vo5qh5z/-/index.html","content":"Kasese landslides claim four - Four people have died after torrential rains triggered landslides in Butalimuli village, Mahango Sub-county in Kasese District on Thursday night. Three of the dead -- Belivin Mbwambale, 9, Winnie Biira, 5, and Constance Mbindule, 7 -- died after a rock hit the house they were sleeping in, according to a relative, Mr Mathias Masereka. He said the children were sleeping when one side of their bedroom wall collapsed due to pressure that was exerted by the heaps of mud following a heavy downpour that started at 9pm and lasted for more than four hours.Their mother, Fridina Baluku Kyamukagha, and two other children survived narrowly as they were sleeping in another room. In another family, a seven-year-old girl died after the upper wall of their house collapsed while she was sleeping in Nyakabingo Village, Rukoki Sub-county. The deceased is a daughter to Mr Zironi Masanduku who was not at home by the time the tragedy befell his family.The district environment officer, Mr Augustine Koli, warned that rains are likely to cause a lot more disasters in the district because of the poor cultivation methods that have left the ground bare hence weakening the soils. The disaster comes barely eight months after five children were killed in Mahango by another mudslide at the home of Kambale Mulemba. Previous casesMay 2001. About four people were killed in landslides and floods in various parts of Kasese district. The landslide and wide spread floods followed heavy rains in the district. May 2010. More than 300 people in Kisinga Sub-county left their houses due to landslides. It was the second time the parish was hit by landslides and floods in two months.October 2011. Five members of a same family perished following a landslide that hit their house in Mahango village. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1332400/-/b08meqz/-/index.html","content":"Weekend storm ravages Lira schools - Learners at Canon Lawrence Demonstration Primary School and Canon Lawrence Primary Teachers College, both in Adekokwok Sub-county in Lira District, are stranded after hailstorms ravaged their buildings at the weekend. Canon Lawrence Demonstration Primary School head teacher Lilly Omara said: “The situation calls for immediate action because basic requirements, including teaching materials, were destroyed.” Poor situationThis is the second time in about six months that storms have ravaged the two schools. Ms Omara said their school’s situation has been worsened by the low Parents and Teachers’ Association contribution of only Shs5,000 per pupil that is not enough to respond to emergency situations, adding that the school could be crippled if such calamities continue. Meanwhile, Mr Patrick Okada Opito, a senior tutor at Canon Lawrence PTC, said lack of cost-sharing at PTCs across the country has left them in a fix after the destruction as they entirely rely on government funding. Mr Okada added that the school grant does not support all the development programmes because “the grants normally come late and end up in pockets of suppliers”. The most affected buildings in the two institutions are those constructed in the early 1920s. The Assistant District Inspector of Schools, Mr Denis J. Omara, however, said efforts are under way to have the schools surveyed by the office of the district engineer to get rehabilitation grants from the Office of the Prime Minister under the ongoing rehabilitation programme of Northern Uganda. Judith Anyango, 19, a second year Grade III student, said students have been gripped by fear of a repeat of the storm as the rains return. The primary section has 900 pupils whereas the teachers’ college enrolls at least 400 student teachers. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Boxing/-/690270/1273942/-/6c8k5y/-/index.html","content":"Golola camps in Kabale ahead of fight - KAMPALA Moses Golola has set camp in Kabale ahead of his intercontinental fight against Hungarian Andras Nagy on December 9. The Africa Kickboxing champion was initially supposed to camp in Thailand but the floods that affected the Asian country prompted his promoters to find another suitable alternative within a short time. “There was need to help Golola work on his endurance, hence the decision to have intense high altitude training in Kabale,” Golola’s coach Fazil Biku said. The Ugandan kickboxing sensation is to spend 20 days in Kabale before returning to Kampala for the highly-anticipated fight at Hotel Africana. Because of its high altitude, Kabale is an ideal place for athletes seeking to build endurance. John Akii-Bua camped in the area before winning Uganda’s only Olympic gold medal in 1972. Western Athletics, a voluntary organisation, is now planning to construct a permanent camp in the area to help sportsmen across the country. Speaking to Daily Monitor on phone from his base, Golola in his usual bravado style, said his presence has already been felt in Kabale although he has been there for a few days. “People are wondering why all of a sudden Kabale has become hot yet it’s always very cold,” Golola said. “My training methods have already changed the weather.” “So that Hungarian should really get worried.” He added: “Kipsiro (Moses) should not think of coming to Kabale for training because by the time he gets here, all the hills will have turned into slopes.” The Hot Temper, as he is popularly known, is training under coaches Biku and Abdu Nasser. He is also having sparring sessions with two professional boxers; Achilles Ssemwogerere and Musa Batantu. Kickboxer Shakur Bwete is helping him with the kicking sessions. ckyazze@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1404566/-/ahy3rnz/-/index.html","content":"Flood victims living on porridge - Kween/Nakapiripirit At least 900 families, who were displaced by floods in Kween and Nakapiripirit districts have been living on porridge, an official has said. Residents of Kaptelet Village in Kween District and Lokududu Village in Nakapiripirit District, were left homeless last Friday when floods hit the area. At least 20 goats and 200 chicken were killed by he floods, while several houses were also destroyed. The chairperson of Kaptelet Village, Mr Sadik Chepteke, said they have been surviving on porridge provided by Charity Sisters of the Catholic faith. He said 400 households lack food, beddings, such as mosquito nets and blankets, among other household items. Kween Woman MP Lydia Chekwel pledged to submit a report to the Ministry of Relief and Disaster Preparedness for assistance. Meanwhile, some of the 500 flood victims in Lokududu Village have since Friday been eating wild fruits. The chairperson of Namalu Sub-county, Mr Simon Peter Lemukol, said the situation is bad compared to the previous floods of last year. “We have all the data of the people affected and it has been sent to the district. We are waiting for the feedback,” he said. The Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr Pius Bigirimana, said they have not received details of the affected families from the district for action.“Normally when disaster strikes in the district, the district disaster team is supposed to submit the report to us so that we take action but as per now, we have not received their report about the current floods,” he said. Karamoja and Sebei region are currently receiving heavy rains that have displaced families and washed away gardens. holukx@ug.nxtionmzdix.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Court-Martial-convicts-two-for-deserting-army/-/688334/1907160/-/4udr0o/-/index.html","content":"Court Martial convicts two for deserting army - KAMPALA. The Second Division Court Martial has convicted two UPDF soldiers for alleged desertion. They are Pte Emmy Arinaitwe and Lance Corporal Wilberforce Kato, both attached to the Second Division army headquarters in Makenke, Mbarara Municipality. The Second Division Court Martial chaired by Col. Geoffrey Mujuni heard on Friday that Arinaitwe was attached to the 2nd Division before he was deployed under the African Union Peace keeping Mission in Somalia-AMISOM. Prosecution alleges that on his return in the country in 2011, Arinaitwe deserted the Force.He allegedly absconded from work after he was given one month official leave, prompting the UPDF to declare him Absentee without Leave-AWOL. According to prosecution, Arinaitwe got involved in criminal offences in Mbarara such as fighting civilians in bars, which tainted the image of the Force in breach of Section 146(1) and (3) of the UPDF Act. Col. Mujuni, found Arinaitwe guilty and therefore convicted him to seven years in jail so as to deter other soldiers from desertion. He, however, advised Arinaitwe to appeal the ruling in a higher court within 14 days if he is dissatisfied with the sentence.The same court also convicted Lance Corporal Wilberforce Kato to dismissal from the Force for alleged desertion. Court heard that Kato, who was serving under the 37th Battalion during Operation Lightening Thunder in Central African Republic, asked for leave in 2001 but did not go back. He was picked up and detained at Makenke Army Barracks. Reading out his judgment, Col Mujuni noted that desertion had become a very serious concern to the army. He said some of the soldiers were involved in criminal and subversive activities, which jeopardise the country’s security. Colonel therefore convicted Kato to dismissal from the army with disgrace.As a result of the ruling, Kato, who has served in the army for more than 10 years, will not receive any benefits. The ruling comes in the wake of the illegal recruitment of Ugandans from western region into the M23 rebel ranks in the Democratic Republic of Congo. At least more than seven Ugandans were recruited last month by M23 rebels from Kiruhura District. Mr Martin Abilu, the Rwizi Regional Police Commander, said they had got intelligence, indicating that M23 rebels and other armed groups involved in subversive activities in the neighboring countries were targeting Ugandan deserters mainly from the UPDF, Police and private security groups. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Mubs-boss-Balunywa-gets-more-five-years-in-office/-/688334/1895782/-/1175wbsz/-/index.html","content":"Mubs boss Balunywa gets more five years in office - Kampala The government has renewed the contract of Makerere University Business School (Mubs) Principal Waswa Balunywa for another five years. Mubs spokesperson Peter Odoki confirmed to the Daily Monitor yesterday that Prof. Balunywa had already received his instrument of appointment from the Education Service Commission. The Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, 2001, tasks the Education Service Commission to appoint principals and deputy principals for public tertiary institutions like Mubs. “I can authoritatively confirm that Prof Balunywa’s contract has been renewed for five more years and as staff, we congratulate him on his renewed mandate and we are ready to support him,” Mr Odoki said by telephone yesterday Promise of supportEducation Minister Jessica Alupo also confirmed Prof. Balunywa’s reappointment, promising that government would give him full support to transform the institution.This is the third time Prof Balunywa, whose contract expired on May 28, 2013, is retaining this coveted top position. He was first appointed principal of Mubs in 2003 and re-appointed on May 28, 2008. His reappointment seems to water down allegations that he has mismanaged the institution. A whistleblower recently sent a dossier to Parliament, accusing Prof Balunywa of using the school’s money to treat his mother, supplying goods to the institution in breach of procurement regulations and mismanaging a computer project, allegations he vehemently denies. When contacted, Prof Balunywa was upbeat about his reappointment, saying he was ready to continue serving Mubs. “Yes, it is true . I received my appointment instrument yesterday (Tuesday) and the fact that I have retained my position shows the confidence the appointing authority has in me and I am ready to continue serving,” he said. Prof Balunywa promised to focus on improving quality of programmes offered at the school as well as training staff to improve efficiency and productivity. assenkabirwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Balunywa-explains-self-to-staff/-/688334/1891298/-/gx5mi9/-/index.html","content":"Balunywa explains self to staff - KAMPALA- Makerere University Business School Principal Waswa Balunywa has written to the staff of the business school about the controversy caused by a whistle-blowers’ dossier to Parliament, accusing him of mismanaging the institution. In an emailed response under the title “Information on Issues Appearing in the New Vision”, Prof. Balunywa responded to the accusations raised in the dossier, including using the school’s money to treat his mother, supplying goods to the institution in breach of procurement regulations and mismanaging a computer project. Regarding the more than Shs40 million he received to treat his mother for heart complications, Prof Balunywa wrote: “It is unfortunate that whoever is making these accusations goes to this level. Nonetheless, I would like to thank my colleagues who took the decision to support my mother. I think our mothers should be spared our politics”. His farmProf Balunywa said he owns a farm, “Maya Farm, which I have every year declared publicly as required by PPDA.” This farm, he said, “supplies pineapples and eggs to the school and sometimes potatoes.” “The rest of the allegations are untrue and those making the allegations must have ulterior motives,” read the email. The Principal added that the Socket Works Computer Project, for which students were charged money but never took off, “has been investigated several times and it is clear that the intention of bringing this up is to get people to see me in bad light.” The professor also said all his travels are documented and “those of you who read my Facebook, I post stories of my journeys and benefits from them.” Regarding the accusation that he influenced the appointment of former Makerere University vice chancellor Venansius Baryamureeba as chairperson of the Mubs Council, Prof Balunywa said he was not “competent enough to mention anything about this.”He added, however, that “Prof. Baryamureeba was identified through a legitimate system and elected by Council (and) to make such remarks is to demean Council.” The complainants asked the parliamentary committee that investigated the accusations of mismanagement at Kyambogo University to also take interest in what they called a “suffocating” environment at Mubs. They also wanted Prof Balunywa, who has led the school since its founding in 1997, to leave office since his last five-year contract expired on May 28, 2013. Five more yearsBut the Mubs Council has since recommended to the Ministry of Education that Prof. Balunywa is given another five years. This was after the Principal wrote to the council, arguing that he had “served diligently” as Principal, managing “to achieve modest growth of the institution.” He asked for a chance “to serve my last term as head of this institution to see this transition (to a degree awarding institution or fully fledged university).” Overstayed?But Dr Collin Sentongo, who was replaced as chairman of Mubs Council by Prof Baryamureeba last year, thinks the problem is that Prof Balunywa has been in the job for too long. “He has been in charge of that institution for more than 15 years now; isn’t that enough? When people get tired of you they start digging up everything.” When he was chairman of the Mubs Council, Dr Ssentongo says he received a number of such petitions, from as far back as 2007. emukiibi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/How-Kazinda-lost-OPM-case/-/689364/1891126/-/140qu4u/-/index.html","content":"How Kazinda lost OPM case - On Wednesday June 19, the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala found the interdicted Principal Accountant in the Office of the Prime Minister, Geoffrey Kazinda, guilty of 29 counts of fraud and illegal possession of government documents. The trial has been ongoing since late last year when the scandal was unearthed. Sunday Monitor’s Anthony Wesaka brings you how the case was handled and ruled. It is 4pm on a Wednesday evening. Out-going Anti-Corruption Court Judge David Wangutusi delivers his verdict by pronouncing interdicted Principal Accountant in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Mr Geoffrey Kazinda, guilty of 29 counts of fraud. Mr Kazinda, who now awaits his sentence this week on Wednesday, was found guilty of one count of abuse of office, one count of making a document without authority, 26 counts of forgery and two of unlawful possession of government documents. He denied all the above charges, prompting the prosecution, led by the police to conduct a search at the OPM and at his mother’s home in Bukoto, a city suburb. Vital documents including Security Papers and Withdraw Forms that are used in transferring huge sums of money, were found which formed the basis of this trial that ended up in conviction on Wednesday. So how did Kazinda lose? On the charge of being in possession of government stores Prosecution’s takeSince there was no witness who saw Kazinda carry the documents to his mother’s house, the prosecution had to link the recovered documents to Kazinda. The prosecution did this by bringing to court Kazinda’s brother, Mr Fredrick Wamala, who told court that in March 2008, after the death of their father, they decided to move their mother near Kazinda’s home in Bukoto, Kampala. She was in a rented home paid for by Mr Kazinda. His brother further answered court’s question that it was only Kazinda from their family who worked with the OPM.The prosecution also took photographs of the exterior and interior, as well as the room from which the documents were recovered. There was no objection from the defence either through cross-examination or by Kazinda during his unsworn statement denying the photos that revealed that the documents were recovered from the home of Kazinda’s mother and not from OPM. Kazinda’s takeKazinda’s lawyers argued that the documents that were brought to court might have been those that were recovered from their client’s office since it was also searched. Judge’s takeThe duty of the prosecution is to link the accused to the documents by showing that although he was not in actual possession of OPM documents, he knew about them, exercised dominion and control over them. The accused was a bread winner, the provider of shelter and medical care for his sick mother. His nephew, Peter Lubulwa, stayed therefore under his care and direction.Mr Lubulwa was not there and could not be found, the person with access to the house and the only one who had access to the OPM documents was the accused (Kazinda).Before I leave the issue of documents, the judge said, my view is that by keeping such important documents such as those exhibited away from his office, even after taking them home, away from his immediate contact and away from his house, the accused can only be said to have hidden them from whoever might come across looking for them. On the charge of forgery Prosecution’s takeThe prosecution charged Kazinda with 26 counts of forgery. The particulars are that Kazinda with intent to defraud or deceive, forged the signature of Mr Bigirimana contained in cash withdraw forms purporting to show that the same was signed by Mr Bigirimana whereas not. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Tennis/Nadal-crowned-clay-court-king-for-eighth-time/-/690280/1877888/-/10gx5j7z/-/index.html","content":"Nadal crowned clay court king for eighth time - Rafael Nadal defied David Ferrer as well as a worrying security breach to become the first man to capture the same Grand Slam title eight times with victory in the French Open final. Nadal claimed his 12th major with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 win over his Spanish compatriot who was playing in his first Grand Slam final at the age of 31 and at the 42nd time of asking. It also gave Nadal his 59th win out of 60 matches played in Paris.However, the 27-year-old’s push to victory suffered a heart-stopping moment when a protestor, naked from the waist up, leapt from the stands on Court Philippe Chatrier, carrying a flare and protesting France’s controversial same sex marriage law. The protestor, who was wrestled away by security staff, came within just a few feet of the Spaniard as he prepared to serve at 5-1 in the second set. A burly security official immediately came to Nadal’s aid in front of the VIP box where Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt and Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio were watching.Ferrer vowed to keep fighting to break the Grand Slam stranglehold of Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. Nadal’s eight titles2005- Rafael Nadal (Spain)2006- Nadal 2007- Nadal2008- Nadal 2010- Nadal 2011- Nadal2012- Nadal2013- Nadal"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/EC-gives-guidelines-for-Butebo-election/-/688334/1872444/-/nyfw7p/-/index.html","content":"EC gives guidelines for Butebo election - Kampala The Electoral Commission (EC) has issued guidelines to be adhered to by candidates and election observers ahead of the Butebo County by-election slated for tomorrow (Thursday).The seat fell vacant in April this year following the death of former MP and Disaster Preparedness and Refugees minister, Stephen Mallinga. EC chairperson Badru Kiggundu told journalists yesterday that in order to avoid congestion at the polling stations, each candidate will be restricted to only two agents at a polling station.“Each political party or candidate is advised to appoint a maximum of two agents, who shall be required to present appointment letters to the presiding officer before being allowed at a polling station,” Eng. Kiggundu stressed. The Commission has gazetted Pallisa Local Government Council Hall, where the tallying and declaration of final election results will be made. Eng. Kiggundu said parties have been asked to designate two officials to observe the tallying process. The agents have also been warned against interfering with the polling process and restrict themselves to representing the interests of their candidates. “The same advisory will apply to the accredited election observers, who should take address any concerns through supervisors or the complaints desk,” he said. A Query/Complaints’ Desk has been set up at Kararaka Primary School in Butebo Sub-county where election officials will receive and handle complaints that may arise from the by-election between 7am and 5pm on polling day. A total of 52,835 voters are expected to cast their ballot. Mbabazi warns independents The National Resistance Movement party general secretary has described those contesting in Butebo by-election after failing in the party primaries as indisciplined, spoilers and rebel candidates bent on destroying the party. Mr Amama Mbabazi, who is also the Prime Minister, said to contest against the NRM party decision as independents was a breach of the party agreement, indiscipline and betrayal and asked the voters to shun him. This comes after Mr Martin Osekeu, an NRM-leaning independent candidate, accused the party of rigging him out in favour of Dr Patrick Mutono, the flag bearer. Mr Oseku has reportedly split many party votes as a result. The party secretary general, who was representing President Museveni in the campaigns for the party flag bearer at Kathocha Primary School on Petete Sub-county, said the NRM is considering amending the party constitution to make sure that whoever loses party primaries does not contest as an independent to divide the party. He also said district leaders supporting the independent will face party disciplinary committee. [Additonal reporting by Mudangha Kolyanga, Monitor] editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/NRM-warns-Butebo-County-contestant-/-/688334/1854040/-/9c2r5hz/-/index.html","content":"NRM warns Butebo County contestant  - The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has threatening to take action against one of the candidates in the Butebo County MP by-election. Mr Richard Oseku, who contested and lost the NRM primary elections last weekend to Dr Patrick Lodoi Mutono, went ahead and got nominated as an independent candidate. Mr Oseku came third in the election that had six candidates. His decision has drawn angry reactions from the party leadership who accuse him of breach of agreement, indiscipline and betrayal. Prof Elijah Mushemeza, the NRM electoral commission vice chairperson, described the move as indiscipline and betrayal of the highest level, which he said the party would not sit back and watch.Seven candidates are contesting for the Butebo seat. The contestants are FDC’s Samuel Khalwa, DP’s Zaidi Ziwa, NRM’s Patrick Mutono Lodoi. Independent hopefuls are Elisabeth Aisu, Kachio Eria, Richard Oseku and Sajjabi Yothia. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Shs100-000-for-driving-while-on-phone/-/688334/1853032/-/khvajx/-/index.html","content":"Shs100,000 for driving while on phone - Kampala If you are one of those drivers fond of making or receiving phone calls while driving, you may want to reconsider the habit or have Shs100,000 in your pocket. And if your seatbelts are faulty, it is time to fix them or else you will be made to part with a Shs80,000 fine when caught. In the new statutory instrument issued by the Minister of Transport and Works, traffic offenders given Express Penalty Scheme tickets but fail to pay within 28 days will pay a surcharge of 50 per cent to Uganda Revenue Authority. According to the deputy police spokesperson, Mr Patrick Onyango, enforcement of the new traffic regulations published in the Uganda Gazette will go on as announced by the head of traffic police two weeks ago. “Our work is to enforce what the minister approved. So we are starting on Wednesday,” Mr Onyango said yesterday. In the new regulations, drunk-drivers will be fined Shs200,000 but police said the fine does not rule out detention for up to 12 hours until the driver sobers up. Before the new instrument, drunk-drivers were arrested and arraigned in court where they were fined between Shs400,000 and Shs1.2 million or sentenced to imprisonment for not less than six months but not exceeding two years or both. While drivers found not wearing seatbelt will pay Shs80,000, passengers who do not wear seatbelts will also be given EPS tickets of Shs20,000. Senior Traffic Commissioner Steven Kasiima said the new rules are meant to reduce inconveniences caused to errant motorists when they have committed minor traffic offences. The second regulation on driving tests and special provisions expects drivers of public service vehicles and vehicles carrying goods, including boda boda riders, to have badges. In the process of acquiring badges, the drivers will be tested by police officers to ascertain their driving competence and criminal record. The badge, which will be issued free of charge may be withdrawn in case of an accident. By yesterday, several drivers had not submitted their driving permits for verification for badges. The new driving penalties Offences Fines Old FinesDriving uninsured vehicle Shs40,000 Shs40,000Car with obscure registration numbers Shs40,000 Shs40,000Driving without valid permit Shs100,000 Shs40,000Permitting driving without valid permit Shs100,000 Shs60,000Using a goods vehicle in dangerous manner Shs200,000 Shs40,000Carrying passengers when not licensed Shs100,000 Shs40,000Using licence in breach of that issued Shs200,000 Shs60,000Using vehicle in bad condition Shs60,000 Shs50,000Driving under the influence of alcohol Shs200,000 Nil Careless or inconsiderate driving Shs100,000 Shs40,000Driving in excess speed Shs200,000 Shs100,000Denying right of way to authorised vehicles Shs100,000 Shs100,000Failing to stop at a railway crossing Shs40,000 Shs50,000Carrying more than one on motorcycle Shs100,000 Shs20,000Obstructing a road or waiting Shs100,000 NilRiding motorcycle without a valid permit Shs40,000 NilRiding motorcycle without a crash helmet Shs40,000 NilDriver not wearing a safety belt Shs80,000 NilPassenger not wearing a safety belt Shs20,000 NilUsing a mobile phone while driving Shs100,000 NilUse of vehicle without reflectors Shs100,000 NilDriving a PSV without a badge Shs200,000 NilInstructing without a valid certificate Shs200,000 Nil abagala@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Police-interrogate-Monitor-journalists/-/688334/1853038/-/84npfr/-/index.html","content":"Police interrogate Monitor journalists - Kampala Police yesterday charged three Monitor journalists with refusal to cooperate and divulge information in relation to the Gen. David Sejusa affair. Managing Editor Don Wanyama and reporters Risdel Kasasira and Richard Wanambwa endured a full day’s interrogation. At one point, the police suddenly changed their status from potential witnesses to potential suspects when it asked them late in the afternoon to sign charge-and-caution statements. Mr James Nangwala, the Daily Monitor lawyer, said his clients were also charged with refusal to avail a document contrary to the Police Act. “My clients gave them all possible information and explained why they could not name their source. We were, however, surprised that they were later charged contrary to the summon which called them to give light and help in investigations,” Mr Nangwala said. The journalists were questioned by a group of 10 detectives led by Mr Fred Mulondo of the Media and Political Crimes unit. Police wanted to establish the source of Gen. Sejusa’s letter to the Director General of ISO. Mr Wanyama later said naming sources of information contravenes journalists’ ethical obligations. “The police largely wanted to know the source of the letter. We politely told them we could not divulge such information since it would be a breach of our trust with the public and our sources. We also made it clear that the law protects us,” he said. Police ordered the trio to re-appear today (Wednesday) at 11am. The letter was instructing the Internal Security Organisation boss to investigate claims of an alleged plot to assassinate top government officials who are perceived to be opposed to the so-called ‘Muhoozi project.’ editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Syria-accused-of-seeking-to-pull-Turkey-into-a--quagmire-/-/688340/1851116/-/ciko1cz/-/index.html","content":"Syria accused of seeking to pull Turkey into a ‘quagmire' - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused Damascus of trying to drag his country into the Syrian \"quagmire\" after twin bomb attacks killed 46 people in a town on the border. Turkey said Sunday it had arrested nine people over the twin car bombings that sowed death in Reyhanli the previous day, but the Syrian government denied any involvement. Ankara said it was holding suspects who had confessed and accused Damascus of trying to drag Turkey into its civil war. \"They want to drag us down a vile path,\" Erdogan said at a rally in Istanbul, urging Turks to be \"level-headed in the face of each provocation aimed at drawing Turkey into the Syrian quagmire\". The attacks were the deadliest incident in what observers see as an increasing regionalisation of the conflict that started in March 2011 and came as key brokers Washington and Moscow made an unprecedented joint push for peace talks. Speaking during a visit to Berlin, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu called the attacks a breach of Turkey's \"red line\" and warned that Ankara reserved the right to \"take any kind of measure\" in response. Cranes were seen lifting debris from buildings destroyed by Saturday's blasts in Reyhanli, a major Turkish hub for Syrian refugees and rebels. The attacks provoked a backlash against Syrian refugees as rampaging crowds wrecked dozens of cars, according to witnesses. \"I heard the first blast, walked out, thinking it was a missile being fired from Syria. Then I found myself on the ground, my arms and right leg hurting, my ears ringing. It must have been the second bomb,\" said Hikmet Haydut, a 46-year-old coffee shop owner who had minor injuries to his head and body. \"I am alive, but all I have is gone.\" Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay told a news conference that nine people -- all Turks -- were detained for questioning and that some had confessed involvement in the attacks, which also left dozens wounded. Interior Minister Muammer Guler said the explosives were smuggled into the area, then placed into Turkish vehicles with special compartments to conceal their deadly cargo. \"A spark transforms into a fire\" The suspects were said to belong to a Turkish Marxist organisation with direct links to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime. Damascus rejected the allegations that it masterminded the attacks. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Turkey-blames-world-for-inaction-on-Syrian-attacks/-/688340/1851400/-/1537k1jz/-/index.html","content":"Turkey blames world for inaction on Syrian attacks - Berlin Turkey’s Foreign minister has blamed the world’s inaction on the Syrian war for the “barbarian act of terrorism” that claimed dozens of lives near the border. Ahmet Davutoglu’s comments in Berlin came a day after a twin bombing in the small town of Reyhanli, in the southern Turkish province of Hatay bordering Syria, that left at least 46 people dead and 100 others wounded. They also followed a vigorous denial by Syria of any links to Saturday’s blasts - the deadliest incident on Turkish soil since the Syrian conflict began. Holding Turkey indirectly responsible for the blasts, which took place just a few miles from the main border crossing into Syria, Omran al-Zoubi said: “Syria did not commit and would never commit such an act because our values would not allow that.” Turkey has taken in more than 400,000 Syrian refugees, many of whom have settled in Hatay, and has thrown its full weight behind the armed opposition fighting to overthrow president Bashar al-Assad, although it denies supplying weapons. Davutoglu had earlier told Turkey’s TRT television that he did not believe the attacks were linked to the Syrian refugees in his country, but that they had “everything to do with the Syrian regime”. Besir Atalay, Turkey’s deputy prime minister, said authorities had arrested nine people, all Turkish citizens and including the alleged mastermind of the attacks. The developments came as hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Antakya, about 50km from the Syrian frontier, on Sunday. Several hundred people, mostly leftist and nationalist demonstrators, marched through the centre of the city, carrying banners and shouting anti-government slogans while onlookers cheered.In a speech in Istanbul later broadcast on state TV, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish prime minister, said: “Whoever targets Turkey will sooner or later pay the price.” Davutoglu, for his part, called the blasts a breach of Turkey’s “red line” and said that “it’s time for the international community to display a common stance against the regime ... immediately and without delay”.He called for an “urgent, result-oriented diplomatic initiative” to find a solution to the Syrian crisis and said that “Turkey has the right to take any kind of measure” in response to the killings. During his talks with Davutoglu, Guido Westerwelle, the German foreign minister, expressed his condolences for the victims of the “barbaric act of terrorism” and pledged his country’s support for Turkey.Muammer Guler, Turkey’s interior minister, said the bombings were carried out by a group with direct links to Syria’s intelligence agency."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Court-orders-attachment-of-NRM-accounts/-/688334/1841366/-/amwl54z/-/index.html","content":"Court orders attachment of NRM accounts - KAMPALA Court has ordered the attachment of bank accounts for the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) to recover Shs177 million, for purchase of laptop computers for the party’s biometrics programme. “It is hereby ordered that all debts owing or accruing due from the garnishee (Housing Finance Bank) to the mentioned judgement debtor (NRM) be attached to answer a decree recovered against the judgment debtor by the named decree holder in the High Court,” held Mr Isaac Muwata, the registrar of the Execution Division of the High Court Registrar on Thursday. The court order comes hardly a month after Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire of the Commercial Division ordered the ruling party to pay technology firm, Mobile Computers Limited the money on April 4 this year. Mobile Computers through their attorneys; Tumwebaze, Atugonza, Kobusingye Advocates dragged NRM to court last year for breach of contract arising from non-payment for the supply of 203 Toshiba Lap-tops in 2010. However, NRM did not file a defence within the prescribed time leading to a judgement in October 2012. OrderedJustice Kiryabwire ordered NRM to pay Shs129 million with 21 per cent interest per annum from date of filing the case till payment in full. “Counsel has prayed for Shs300 million and damages for anguish, stress and medical challenges suffered. This is far in excess of the contract sum,” held Justice Kiryabwire in last year’s decision. “I will, however, award the plaintiff company general damages of Shs15 million with interest of 8 per cent per annum from date of this judgment till payment in full. I will also award the plaintiff company the costs of the suit.” editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Rugby/Rugby-league-refereeing-needs-improvement/-/690276/1754460/-/3sse49z/-/index.html","content":"Rugby league refereeing needs improvement - The Nile Special Super Rugby League is now water under the bridge following MTN Heathens’ 20-6 victory over Toyota Buffaloes at Kyadondo ground last Saturday. That’s now a record 11 titles for Heathens and five in a row. On the whole, the league was a success as it all went on smoothly, albeit some areas that need revisiting. It’s those areas that Sunday Monitor tackles this week. The standard of refereeing has become a routine complaint as all clubs have had their fair share either through confrontation or the media. The refereeing body should come up with punitive measures like demotions, fines and bans for match officials who display unacceptable levels of refereeing.No one wants a repeat of the 2008 saga when DMark Kobs players got into an altercation with Collin Mulindwa, accusing him of double standards.Controversial calls change games as teams lose unconvincingly. Kicking The inability of teams to get points from the boot has haunted many at the end of the 80 minutes. This can be supported by the fact that clubs change kickers during one game. The best kicker this campaign with no doubt has been Heathens’ Phillip Wokorach with no clear second. The boot will always salvage victory especially when the opposition’s defense becomes hard to breach. All clubs should groom kickers to fade away memories of the blunt kicking we have witnessed through the just concluded campaign. FansOnly hardcore fans have kept on showing up to support their teams this season. Imagine how big and fun local rugby would be if all games had that mammoth crowd that shows up when Kobs and Heathens are clashing! The game should be marketed because fans always provide the financial success of any professional organization. A great number of fans attracts more sponsors and the incentives that come along. ExpansionThe Super 8 should have teams outside the central region. At least each region like the east and north should have a representative. This will play a vital role in developing of talent country wide. Rugby teams and fans in the north and east are pushing for league structures that allow them to compete with central clubs. TransfersThe union should regulate transfer of players between different teams to protect the smaller teams from exploitation. On various occasions, the modest clubs have complained about having their players tapped and taken with little if any rewards. Small teams groom young talent before the big sides lure them to their franchises without offering decent compensation. It is also clear that record-keeping is somewhat lacking. Yet, without statistics, it is hard to keep track of the growth of the game. Penalties given away or converted, scrum downs lost/won, line outs won/lost, balls turned over, need to be recorded for future analysis. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/Chinese-firm-drags-UTL-to-court-over-Shs17-billion/-/688610/1751398/-/12clildz/-/index.html","content":"Chinese firm drags UTL to court over Shs17 billion - Kampala Uganda Telecom Limited (UTL) has been dragged to court over alleged failure to pay more than $6.7 million for designing, planning, integration, operation and maintenance of the backbone Link project over five years ago. A Chinese firm, ZTE Corporation, has sued the telecommunication firm seeking to recover the value of the contract involving supply and installation of specific components and hardware. It is alleged that the complainant firm executed the contract on October 29, 2007 at the value of $3,4m, which subsequently varied as parties made local purchase orders that exceeded the contract sum. Through their lawyers, the technology firm alleges that UTL defaulted on the payments to the contract price as payments were intermittent and inconsistent leading to signing of a repayment agreement on the mode of payment. “The sum due to the plaintiff (ZTE Corporation) as stated in the repayment agreement was/is $6,738,272.38 and the parties agreed to have the said sum paid over a period of time with the last installment falling due on April 30 2012,” read part of the complaint filed before the commercial division of the High Court. According to the documents, despite numerous demands from the complainant, UTL that has since admitted signing the repayment agreement, failed to settle the amount constituting to a breach of contract. Meanwhile, UTL is yet to file its defence. The Chinese firm is seeking to recover $6.7 million owed on the contract, general damages and interest at 23 per cent from the date of the cause of action till payment in full.ZTE Corporation is the second firm to sue UTL in less than a year over alleged failure to pay for supplies and services offered by technology firms. Two other firms, Huawei Technologies Limited Company and Huawei International PTE Limited incorporated in China and Singapore, respectively, have since sued the telecom operator on two separate files seeking to recover $10,247,501 and $2,777,290 as outstanding on the cost of telecommunications equipment and services supplied between 2005 and 2009. However, UTL manager in-charge of brand and communications, Mr Sultan Jamal, declined to give an immediate comment on the matter, promising that the company would pronounce itself on the allegations in due course.“At the moment, we have no comment,” he said in a telephone interview yesterday. It is alleged that failure to settle the amount led to a breach of contract. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/EU-envoy-wants-open-tender-for-Karuma-dam/-/688334/1751430/-/11qtnkfz/-/index.html","content":"EU envoy wants open tender for Karuma dam - Kampala The government should re-open up the tender for construction of the 600-megawatt Karuma hydro-dam to all interested “competent” firms irrespective of which country finances the project, the Head of the European Union Delegation in Uganda has said. Ambassador Roberto Ridolfi told the Daily Monitor on Tuesday that handpicking a firm from a country offering a $2.2 billion loan for the construction works, would amount to “breach of the public procurement rules”.“Public procurement rules are very simple and are at the core of good governance: transparency, free and open access to everybody to the tendering and no discrimination,” he said. Government urged“I hope the government will abide by the court ruling and the (Inspectorate of Government’s) recommendations without breaching the public procurement laws because a loan, even if it’s a very soft loan or concession loan, will have to be paid back by Ugandans.” The considerations, he said, would however be different if Uganda received a grant. The envoy’s comments come weeks after the largely state-owned New Vision reported that China has agreed to deploy resources and firms to build Karuma dam. President Museveni and his new Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping reportedly sealed the deal during the recent BRICS summit in South Africa, the newspaper reported, quoting unnamed sources.In the Tuesday interview, Mr Ridolfi made no mention of China but said it would be unfair for the Ugandan government to exclude other “competent” companies and only favour firms from country bankrolling the project. Call for respect of the law“The laws of public procurement must be respected. If we are talking about loans, Ugandan tax payers have to pay it back, which means ultimately that the infrastructure will be paid for by Ugandans tax payers, he said, “Therefore, Uganda has the right to get the best value for money. The laws of public procurement were not invented to delay projects, they were invented to give value-for-money to the tax payers, avoid corruption and collusion.” The process of procuring a contractor for the already delayed Karuma dam has been rife with allegations of corruption, bidders falsifying work records and violation of procurement rules, prompting a plethora of lawsuits and investigations by police, the statutory public procurement entity and Ombudsman. The Inspectorate of Government cancelled the initial process that placed China International Water and Electric Corporation (CWE) in pole position to win the $2.2 billion tender, and advised government to restart the process but through restricted international bidding. Salini, an Italian company, has fought hardest, including through the courts, over the Karuma dam deal. tbutagira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Bashir-to-skip-Kenya-president-inauguration/-/688340/1743350/-/bhr6sc/-/index.html","content":"Bashir to skip Kenya president inauguration - Sudan President Omar al-Bashir will skip Tuesday’s inauguration of Uhuru Kenyatta as Kenya's fourth Head of State. This comes as a section of lawyers petitioned Attorney-General Githu Muigai to arrest and hand over President Bashir to The Hague in case he comes to Nairobi Government spokesman Muthui Kariuki said the Sudan President had indicated that he would not attend the occasion in spite of being among the 54 Heads of State who were invited. “President Bashir, like all other African presidents, was invited. However, I can confirm that he will not be attending,” he said. The Kenya Chapter of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya) warned that the country would be failing in its duties as a member state of the treaty establishing the International Criminal Court (ICC) if it allowed President Bashir, an indictee of The Hague, safe entry and exit. In addition to the two warrants issued by the ICC, lawyers Wilfred Nderitu and Elias Mwenda reminded Prof Muigai that the High Court issued a provisional warrant compelling the government to arrest the Sudan President any time he sets foot on Kenya’s soil. “As a State Party to the Rome Statute establishing the ICC,  Kenya is under an obligation to enforce the warrants by arresting and surrendering President Bashir to the ICC if he enters Kenyan territory,” they said in their petition. The ceremony Warning of serious consequences to the country, they asked the AG to advise both incoming president Kenyatta and his predecessor Mwai Kibaki that it would be in breach of the Constitution and the Rome Statute to entertain President Bashir to the Kasarani Stadium ceremony Tuesday. “We request you as the principal adviser to the government and as a member of the Committee to the Assumption to the Office of President, to advise both the incoming and outgoing president that President Bashir’s invitation and subsequent presence on the territory of Kenya amounts to a breach of the Constitution, the International Crimes Act, and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. In addition, we request you to enforce the provisional warrant in keeping with the decision of the High Court to the effect that any legal person may enforce the provisional warrant,” they stated. Mr Nderitu and Mr Mwenda petitioned the AG following reports by Sudanese newspapers stating that President Bashir would fly in today to attended the ceremony for the swearing in of Kenya’s fourth President. A total of 54 heads of states have been invited to the ceremony during which President Kibaki will hand over power to Mr Kenyatta. President Bashir is wanted by the ICC to answer charges of war crimes committed in  the Darfur region that broke out in 2003. The Hague issued the warrants in March 2009 and July 2010. The High Court issued the provisional warrant in November 2011."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/WikiLeaks-to-release-more-US-diplomatic-records/-/688340/1742444/-/14osap3/-/index.html","content":"WikiLeaks to release more US diplomatic records - Whistleblowing website WikiLeaks was on Monday to publish more than 1.7 million US diplomatic and intelligence documents from the 1970s, founder Julian Assange revealed. The website has collated a variety of records including cables, intelligence reports and congressional correspondence and is releasing them in a searchable form. Assange has carried out much of the work from his refuge in Ecuador's embassy in London and told the domestic Press Association that the records highlighted the \"vast range and scope\" of US influence around the world. Assange has been holed up in the tiny diplomatic mission for nine months as he seeks to avoid extradition to Sweden over allegations of rape and sexual assault, which he denies. WikiLeaks sent shockwaves around the diplomatic world in 2010 when it released a set of more than 250,000 leaked US cables. The new records, dating from the beginning of 1973 to the end of 1976, have not been leaked and are available to view at the US national archives. They include many communications which were sent by or to then US secretary of state Henry Kissinger. Many of the documents, which WikiLeaks has called the Public Library of US Diplomacy (PlusD), are marked NODIS (no distribution) or Eyes Only, while others were originally marked as secret. Assange fled to the Ecuadorian embassy in June after losing his battle in the British courts against extradition to Sweden. Ecuador granted him asylum in August but Britain has refused to allow him safe passage out of the country, sparking a diplomatic stalemate. Assange founded the WikiLeaks website that enraged Washington by releasing cables and war logs relating to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in one of the biggest security breach in US history.  AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Heritage-Oil-case--What-London-court-decision-means-for-Uganda/-/688334/1740218/-/1148hlrz/-/index.html","content":"Heritage Oil case: What London court decision means for Uganda - Uganda is revelling in the delight of a favourable decision on Wednesday by an arbitration hearing in London dismissing objections filed by Heritage Oil and Gas against a much drawn-out multibillion shilling tax dispute. While it is easy to understand why glasses will be raised in toast to the news, the decision to dismiss the British Oil explorer’s objections against paying a $434million (Shs1.2 trillion) capital gains tax bill will come to vindicate Uganda’s decision to marshal international expertise by hiring US-based law firm Curtis, Mallet-Provost, Colt & Mosle LLP to bolster its defence at the London hearing. “This ruling means a lot to the government,” Mr Robert Kasande, the assistant commissioner Petroleum Exploration and Production Department, said on Thursday. “It sends a message that if you come to do business, you must pay your dues and that the country will always ensure that what is due to it is paid in order to realise the benefits of the oil and gas industry.” Mr Kasande said any criticism against the government’s expenditure on this arbitration is unwarranted because “you need to realise that the oil industry is a high expense business because it can be high returns also, in this case, a few billions for Shs1.1 trillion.” The London tribunal, led by three eminent personalities—Australian, Prof. Campbell Maclachlan (chairperson), Egyptian, Ahmed Kosheri (for Uganda), and Briton (Julian Lew, for Heritage Oil), are reported to have agreed to Uganda’s jurisdictional arguments against Heritage’s fight to keep more than a trillion shillings in capital gains tax following its 2010 $1.45billion sale of stakes in two oil blocks to Tullow Oil. Court battleUganda argued that tax matters were not an issue for arbitration because they were never part of production sharing agreements with Heritage Oil, while the oil explorer argued, just as it did in a previous legal case heard by the Tax Appeals Tribunal in Uganda, which it lost, that no tax was due from the deal.Uganda also argued, and won, that the London tribunal did not have jurisdiction to handle the tax matters. In a statement on Thursday, Heritage Oil expressed displeasure at what it said was Uganda’s breach of confidentiality imposed upon both parties to the proceedings and noted that Wednesday’s decision only marked the end to a “preliminary” phase of the international arbitration process. The company said it looked forward to the Tribunal dealing with “the merits phase” of Heritage’s contractual claims against the government. “As far as it relates to tax, this matter is closed,” said Uganda Revenue Authority’s Ali Ssekatawa, the assistant commissioner for litigation. “For all we know, whatever quarrel we have had with them for the last three years has all been related to tax. Nothing else!”. egyezaho@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Salini-loses-Shs60b-London-appeal-over/-/688334/1739786/-/v9ysrd/-/index.html","content":"Salini loses Shs60b London appeal over Northern Bypass - A London arbitration panel has ordered Italian construction firm Salini Costruttori to complete defects on the Northern Bypass, after dismissing their application for a further Shs60 billion for the delays in completing the hitherto controversial project. The panel of three arbiters – John Beechy, Paul B. Hanoon and Robert Gaitskell in a March 20 ruling, said Salini had breached their contract and therefore was not eligible for compensation because the firm had “failed to justify its inability to meet the specification and to justify its decision to stop work on January 2, 2008”, adding that the government had “successfully rebutted” Salini’s arguments. Salini had dragged Uganda to court, seeking an additional Shs60 billion pay, following its work on the Northern By-pass that cost Shs98 billion. The European Union provided funding to the tune of Shs84 billion at the time. The project delayed for more than three years (from November 2006 to October 2009) after Salini suspended works on the final layer of the road, disputing designs provided by BCEOM of Guyancourt, France. Acting Uganda National Roads Authority executive director Ssebuuza Kimeeze could not be reached for comment by press time. However, UNRA legal counsel Marvin Baryaruha said the ruling is a warning to contractors to take the roads agencies enforcement role seriously. “No contractor will take UNRA for a ride using fictitious claims because we shall not accept such claims again. We have the capacity to defend our decisions,” he said by telephone. In their ruling, the London arbiters dismissed Salini’s technical arguments that the designs for the road were flawed. “Nor, on the basis of the evidence before it, does the Tribunal accept Salini’s contention that its workmanship was not in any way a factor in its inability to achieve compaction. The BCEOM Asphalt Specification was plainly not impossible to achieve,” they added. BCEOM had also been hired as a Works ministry consultants. “Accordingly, the Tribunal finds that Salini’s decision to suspend the works on January 2 2008 was not justified under the terms of the contract,” the Tribunal concluded. Road to crackSalini had argued that “the road would crack in less than two years”, although it was expected to last between 15-20 years. Salini engineers told the government that they opted to seal the road “with an additional layer of asphalt or have the design changed.” According to Salini engineers, the BCEOM designs were “so open textured that the bitumen oxidizes quickly”. The required complexion could not be achieved “because the mix design was wrong”. “The Tribunal has determined that the relevant delays to the project arose from delays caused by both Salini and by Uganda. It concludes that Salini is entitled to an extension of time to the extent claimed. However, Salini was nevertheless in breach of its contractual obligations, as detailed above, and so it is not entitled to additional payments under GC Artilce 55, nor is it entitled to damages under GC Article 63,” the abettors ruled. The arbiters attributed their decision on the basis of “the documentary record and the evidence before it”. jnjoroge@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Tax-dispute-not-yet-over--Heritage-Oil-says/-/688334/1739380/-/w4iwj8z/-/index.html","content":"Tax dispute not yet over, Heritage Oil says - British oil and gas exploration company Heritage Oil PLC has dismissed press reports that it lost a $434m tax arbitration case against the Ugandan government currently ongoing in a London Court. The government-owned New Vision newspaper on Thursday reported that the tax arbitration tribunal ruled in favour of the Uganda government. The paper quoted Ali Ssekatawa, Assistant Commissioner for litigation at the Uganda Revenue Authority, who said the London tribunal was satisfied with the ruling made by a tax appeals tribunal in Kampala against the oil company. However, Heritage has called the remarks “speculation” and premature. In a statement released today the company said the “press comments attributed to the Ugandan authorities regarding the arbitral decision are inaccurate as well as being breaches of the requirement of confidentiality imposed upon both parties to the proceedings.” The case arises from a $434m capital gains tax dispute between the Uganda government and Heritage Oil URA asked Heritage to pay after Heritage sold its oil licenses to Tullow for $1.45 billion. Below is the full statement: HERITAGE OIL UPDATE IN RELATION TO ARBITRATION PROCEEDINGS AGAINST UGANDAN GOVERNMENT Heritage Oil Plc (LSE: HOIL), an independent upstream exploration and production company, responds to recent press speculation and statements attributed to Ugandan officials in relation to confidential international arbitration proceedings which are ongoing between the Government of the Republic of Uganda (the “Ugandan Government”) and Heritage Oil & Gas Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of Heritage) (“HOGL”) following HOGL’s sale of its interests in Blocks 1 and 3A in Uganda on 26 July 2010. Heritage can confirm that a determination on jurisdictional challenges raised by the Ugandan Government was issued last night by the arbitration tribunal. Heritage is still reviewing the decision but the recent press comments attributed to the Ugandan Government and/or the Uganda Revenue Authority are a misleading representation of a detailed decision. While the arbitral tribunal concluded that it does not have jurisdiction to hear arguments relating to the underlying substantive Ugandan tax matters, Heritage is delighted that the tribunal has rejected the Ugandan Government's challenge to jurisdiction to determine the central question as to the propriety of the alleged imposition of tax with reference to contractual stabilisation clause protection invoked by Heritage together with the breach of other contractual obligations. The determination by the arbitral tribunal is supposed to be confidential and marks the end to the preliminary phase of the international arbitration proceedings. The international arbitration will now continue and move to deal with the merits phase of Heritage’s contractual claims against the Ugandan Government and the underlying substantive Ugandan tax matters remain under appeal in the Ugandan courts. Heritage is concerned to note that press comments attributed to the Ugandan authorities regarding the arbitral decision are inaccurate as well as being breaches of the requirement of confidentiality imposed upon both parties to the proceedings. The $283.4 million placed in escrow in July 2010 by Heritage in relation to any potential Ugandan tax liability remains in escrow in London held by Standard Chartered Bank. -ENDS- editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/UYD-elections-hang-in-balance-as-police-deploy-at-Namboole/-/688334/1738728/-/13otyknz/-/index.html","content":"UYD elections hang in balance as police deploy at Namboole - Kampala Police have blocked the Uganda Young Democrats (UYD) elections slated for today after detecting “potential breach of peace” by warring youth. Kampala Metropolitan Spokesperson Ibin Ssenkumbi said DP president Norbert Mao had written to them denouncing the organisers of the elections and that their defiant stance to hold the elections could provoke rival groups into disruptive conduct. “We are there to keep law and order and we cannot hear groups planning to fight and we sit back. Let them first put their house to order,” Mr Ssenkumbi said. In his letter, Mr Mao said the party does not recognise the conference and could not take responsibility for it. The latest internal disagreements within DP started weeks ago when the party secretary general, Mr Mathias Nsubuga, issued a statement stopping the youth elections on grounds that the organisers faulted the normal procedures of holding such elections. This was after the party’s national executive committee failed to agree on the matter and members chose to take individual positions. Some upcountry delegates, who started arriving yesterday, were denied access to the stadium. The intervention of Mr Kenneth Paul Kakande, the suspended party spokesperson, did not save the situation. He said they expected police to provide them with security rather than blocking them.“We actually don’t know whose instructions they are enforcing because we informed their superiors about the conference and the management of Namboole also says they are disturbed by their presence,” he said. Mr Sulaiman Kidandala, the UYD organising secretary, said: “When did our president become a state operative to know who is likely to cause chaos and who cannot?” By press time yesterday, a group of UYD leaders were reportedly meeting Lt. General Kayihura to try and keep the conference on, while a number of delegates were stranded with their luggage at the stadium. Mr Christopher Okidi, a delegate from Agago District, who is aspiring for the UYD vice presidency, said the conference would take place at all costs, even if it means converging under trees. assenkabirwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Police-block-DP-youth-from-accessing-Namboole/-/688334/1738262/-/2r4epv/-/index.html","content":"Police block DP youth from accessing Namboole - Police have deployed at Mandela National Stadium blocking delegates who had turned up for tomorrow's delegates conference of the Uganda Young Democrats (UYD). Members of the UYD subscribe to the opposition Democratic Party(DP) which is Uganda's oldest political organisation. Some delegates from upcountry who had started arriving at the stadium were denied access by police officers manning the stadium gates. A police officer , Mr David Epedu ,who is in charge of security at the stadium ,told journalists that he had instructions from his ‘superiors’ not to allow the Democratic Party (DP) youth into the stadium . “As of now , we cannot allow you in until you get clearance from the Kampala Extra Police Spokesperson Ibin Ssenkumbi . We are simply here to ensure that there is no breach of peace and nothing else,” he said. Mr Kenneth Paul Kakande , the suspended party spokesperson, who is also among the organisers said they expect police to provide them security not to block the conference . “We actually don’t know whose orders they are enforcing because we informed their superiors about the conference and the management of Namboole also says they are disturbed by their presence,” he said. But Mr Ssenkumbi said the conference had been blocked after getting conflicting statements from DP leaders, and feared there could be breach of peace. “We received a letter from DP president(Norbert Mao) yesterday(Tuesday ) denouncing the group organising the conference yet we had already got another letter from UYD secretary general Samuel Muyizi asking for protection . So, as police, we cannot protect people the party president says doesn’t know ,” Mr Ssenkumbi said, adding; “Let them first put their house to order and then organise the conference.” By midday about 20 delegates were seated at the gate, stranded with their luggage. Mr Christopher Okidi ,a delegate from Agago District and aspiring to become UYD vice president said the conference would take place at all costs, even if it means converging under tree shades. The UYD , has not held elections for almost a decade due to internal bickering. assenkabirwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/KCCA--city-musicians-plan-meeting/-/688334/1736462/-/kb77ip/-/index.html","content":"KCCA, city musicians plan meeting - Kampala Following the Easter Sunday scuffles between Kampala Capital City Authority and event organisers over breach of city order laws, in which Ggaba Beach Hotel and Monalisa Bar concerts were affected, KCCA has said it will meet all the artistes in Kampala at City Hall in two-week’s time to iron out ignorance of the law. “We want to sensitise them from A to Z about what the authority’s law on city events entails,” Mr Robert Kalumba, the KCCA deputy spokesperson, said. He noted that many artistes do not want to seek permission from the Authority and keep littering the city with promotional items, which is against the city by-laws. “Nobody is above the law,” he said. “Since they (organisers and artistes) are at the peak of their supporters, they should act exemplary and abide by the law.” Mr Robert Ssemakula Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine, said it was a good move for both sides. “They didn’t do first things first,” Bobi Wine said. “We appreciate KCCA’s job in the city but its officials should draw clear lines between ego and duty and we operate in harmony. We need each other to promote this city,” he added in a telephone interview. ‘Disobeying laws’Last week, KCCA listed a number of shows that would not take place after it accused the organisers of littering the city with promotional items. On Sunday the Authority enforcement team went around the city and temporarily intercepted two big events by prominent singers Bebe Cool and Chameleone. Yesterday, the Authority had scheduled to close Ngoma Bar show by Kato Lubwama, but Mr Kalumba said they reached a compromise with him. Elsewhere, the authority has banned a taxi park from the newly constructed Usafi Market, saying it is illegal.In February, Safinet, who are the proprietors of the market land, had asked the city authority to establish a taxi park to ease the transportation of goods to and from the market as well as aiding transport to traders and consumers but KCCA remained silent. Since the market officially opened on March 1, there has been an established commuter taxi park for vehicles plying the Entebbe route in the second part of the market that is still under construction. On if KCCA had permitted the proprietors of the market to operate a park, Mr Kalumba said: “It is illegal. They are doing it illegally because that place was designated for a market not a taxi park.” editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bishop-in-Arua-bans-offering-gifts-to-priests/-/688334/1734188/-/1fo5b9/-/index.html","content":"Bishop in Arua bans offering gifts to priests - Arua The Rt. Rev. Sabino Odoki, the bishop of Arua Catholic Diocese, has banned Christians from donating alcohol and other gifts to priests and other church leaders without notifying his office. Bishop Odoki announced the ban during the celebrations of the chrism mass for the church leaders on Wednesday. The ban follows reports that some leaders were soliciting for support from catholic faithfuls without the knowledge of the Bishop, which he said “turned them into a public nuisance”. Why no alcoholAccording to Bishop Odoki, offering alcoholic drinks and other gifts to priests can make them indulge in evil acts, in breach of their celibacy vows. At least three Catholic priests in West Nile region have been implicated in sex scandals. One of the priests has already been sentenced to jail for defilement, while two others are waiting their judgement on similar offenses. Apart from the sexual scandals, the Bishop also clashed with Rev. Fredrick Drandua, the Bishop Emeritus of Arua diocese, after it emerged that some Christians were collecting money to buy him tyres for his vehicle after they found him stranded. ChallengedThe ban on the donation of gifts has not gone unchallenged by some priests who have asked Christians to ignore the directive. Fr. Ceaser Dralega, the head of priests in Arua Diocese, said Christians offer gifts to priests out of love, “which the Bishop should embrace”. Mr Martin Andama, the chairperson of the Laity in the diocese, said the Bishop should encourage Christians to be more generous to priests instead of discouraging them. Mr Andama urged the priests to accept the gifts presented to them by Christians, saying it is a sign of their love for the church. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Makerere-sets-date-for-pre-entry-Law-exams/-/688334/1719488/-/jyj230z/-/index.html","content":"Makerere sets date for pre-entry Law exams - Kampala Makerere University has set April 13 as the date on which students wishing to offer Bachelors of Laws degree in the 2013/2014 academic year will sit for pre-entry examinations. According to a communication from the Academic Registrar, Mr Alfred Masikye Namoah, eligible candidates for this set of examinations are A-Level leavers with at least 15 points (males) or 14 points (females). Others are second class credit diploma holders, mature age applicants who have passed mature entry exams in the discipline of Bachelors of Laws for the academic years 2012/2013 and 2013/2014. Last year, the university examined 1,600 prospective students of which 721 managed to obtain the 50 per cent pass mark. “All applicants wishing to be admitted to the bachelors of laws programme offered by Makerere University are required to take this pre-entry examination,” Mr Namoah said in a statement. Taken to courtLast year, a group led by Ntenjeru South legislator Patrick Nsanja, dragged the university to court, saying it acted in breach of Article 21 of the Constitution when it subjected prospective students to an examination whose mode of setting, grading and marking is unknown. They also reasoned that pre-entry examinations would exclude many students who would have qualified for the course. The university, however, reasoned that the examination was aimed at giving a chance to students who would have failed the exams set by the Uganda National Examinations Board, but rather have a high degree of comprehension and analysing situations as required by the law field. The introduction of the examinations means that there is no more automatic admission of students with 25 or 24 points in the law programme. However, names of students who pass the Bachelors of Laws pre-entry exams are forwarded to the Public Universities Joint Admissions Board for consideration for government sponsorship. akiyaga@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Mbuya-raid--3-charged--remanded/-/688334/1718542/-/e0euxvz/-/index.html","content":"Mbuya raid: 3 charged, remanded - KAMPALAThree people, including two soldiers who were arrested in connection with the March 4 attack at Mbuya military barracks have been charged before the Military Court. They were all remanded. Lt. Augustine Moro and Private Kenneth Kalokwera Okello were charged before the Makindye-based General Court Martial over alleged offences relating to security, treachery and those relating to guard duties contrary to the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Act. They were charged jointly with a guard, Ivan Ebong attached, to private security company- Damocles who has pleaded guilty to the two offences relating to security and treachery. Mr Ebong, however, denied the alleged offence relating to guard duties while Lt. Moro and Private Okello denied all the charges. Driven to the court by plain clothed armed operatives, the trio appeared before the court for plea taking.Court chairman, Brig. Fred Tolit remanded Lt Moro and Private Okello to Makindye Military Police Barracks while Mr Ebong was remanded to Kigo government prison pending investigations. They are slated to appear in court on April 11 for mention and reading of brief facts in cases where Mr Ebong pleaded guilty to the offences. The offence comes hardly a fortnight since the security breach at Mbuya barracks amid reports that the foiled intrusion most likely involved subversive elements and some insider accomplices. But the army has since downplayed the daring attack as nothing more than an attempted gun grab by some “thugs”. AccusationsProsecution led by Capt. Fred Kangwamu alleges that on March 4 this year, Lt Moro, Pt. Okello, Mr Ebong and others still at large at Lower Mbuya Military Barracks in Nakawa Division near Kampala while armed with a firearm attacked the guards with the aim of acquiring guns; an act that was intended to prejudice the security of the defence forces. It is alleged that Lt. Moro and Pt. Okello, both persons subject to military law and others at Kataza on the Railway Line in Nakawa without authority gave out confidential information regarding the location of weapons in the barracks to persons not entitled to receive the same. Prosecution alleges that the trio also assaulted Cpl Stephen John Ojakol who was on guard duties at the barracks. Capt. Kangwamu asked court for time to allow the prosecution conclude the inquiries and submit the brief facts regarding Mr Ebong. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Museveni-has-forgotten-me--says-Nadduli/-/688334/1717316/-/u97mvpz/-/index.html","content":"Museveni has forgotten me, says Nadduli - The Luweero LC5 chairperson and liberation war veteran has accused President Museveni and other NRM party officials of failing to recognise his contribution and love for the party. Addressing a press conference in Luweero Town at the weekend, Hajj Abdul Nadduli accused the President of failing to respond to his appeals for intervention in some matters, including issues regarding his personal property allegedly grabbed by some people. According to Hajj Nadduli, he has risked his life by standing with the President and the NRM party in good and trying times but his efforts were ignored. “I have problems with my property now being grabbed by Kampala University but the matter, which came to the attention of the President two years ago has never been resolved. I was promised that the issue would be handled after the presidential elections but nothing has been done, not to mention the unfulfilled pledges for Luweero,” Hajj Nadduli said. Contacted for comment, Information Minister Mary Karooro Okurut referred us to the minister for Luweero Triangle, Ms Rose Namayanja. “I have 17 districts and Luweero is one of them. I don’t know the specific pledges Hajj Nadduli was referring to. I also think the university project was an undertaking between him and the university professor,” Ms Namayanja said. Hajj Nadduli claims that the university has refused to pay him Shs240 million for two years, in breach of a memorandum of understanding he signed in 2008. Prof. Badru Katerega, the proprietor of Kampala University, however, said Hajj Nadduli was being dishonest as the matter was before court. “We are surprised that Hajj Nadduli as an individual is claiming that the university owes him about Shs240m,” Prof. Katerega said through the university’s lawyer, Mr John Kabagambe. He added that the LC5 boss could have failed to interprete some of the clauses in the MoU signed in 2008 between the university and Luweero University Project. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/The-national-ID-scandal/-/688342/1714690/-/mccfcwz/-/index.html","content":"The national ID scandal - It all started as a noble idea. Every Ugandan holding a National Identity Card (NIC) that would be acceptable for elections, to financial institutions, travel within East Africa and more. A decade down the road, with about Shs240 billion spent, only 401 identity cards have been issued. Uganda is a country of about 33 million people. Muhlbauer Technology Company Ltd was reportedly procured under dubious circumstances in March 2010 on the orders of President Museveni after his meeting with the German ambassador at State House. The company was given over Shs200b to make IDs for Ugandans but to-date, it has only reportedly produced only 400 Ids, among which is one for the president and the other for Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi. Several government bodies such as the IGG have investigated the project and last year, Parliament also joined in. Investigations and the inquiry reports into the procurement of equipment for the national ID project indicate that there was outright breach of procurement laws in the procurement of the firm. The IGG investigations in 2005 established that the procurement process of the vendor, who would implement the project, was riddled with illegalities. The probe also found that the process was characterised by patronage and in-fighting by public servants who had vested and even competing interests in the outcome. Parliament, in its report, advised that former Attorney General KhidduMakubuya should take full responsibility for the irregular clearance of the procurement agreement in disregard of the Procurement Authority objection, the former State Minister for ICT, Alintuma Nsambi’s, alleged trip to Germany be investigated, that the business interests of Igara East MP Michael Mawanda in Contec Global, another company that had interest in the project also be investigated. Also of concern is the fact that the ID cards yet to be issued is will use barcode technology instead of the smartcard technology that uses a chip. A chip can accommodate a lot more information, such as medical records, criminal records, educational data, driving permits and social security data. It can also authenticate fingerprints and photographs, which are additional safeguards against forgery. Blank ID cards using the barcode technology will cost the government 22.5 million euros (Shs63 billion) for 15 million cards, amounting to $2 per card."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bad-Black-sued-over-non-payment-of-legal-fees/-/688334/1705172/-/g2ikaj/-/index.html","content":"Bad Black sued over non-payment of legal fees - Embattled city socialite Shanita Namuyimbwa, also known as Bad Black, has been sued for allegedly failing to pay legal fees amounting to over Shs162 million. Bad Black was sued by HM Onoria Advocates, a law firm that claims to have offered her legal services before the Court of Appeal and claims she never honoured her contract with them. The suit was filed on Tuesday before the High Court in Kampala. The law suit is in connection legal fees she allegedly defaulted to pay after being represented to secure bail to enable her fly to Dubai to have her breast implants removed. The Anti-Corruption Court in July 2012 convicted and sentenced Black to four years in jail for embezzling over 11 billion shillings from Daveshan Development Company Ltd, a real estate company belonging to her lover. She has since appealed against the judgment. On October 17 last year, Black entered into an agreement with the law firm to help her secure bail, pending the hearing of her appeal. Late last year, court released her on bail so she could fly to Dubai. She has apparently not returned to the country since, and the Court of Appeal has since cancelled her bail and ordered for her rearrest. The court says she deceptively secured bail after she changed sureties without its knowledge. Court documents show that Black and the law firm agreed to have the legal fees in question paid two weeks upon her release on bail. But the law firm claims that despite several reminders and promises by Black to pay the legal fees, nothing has come forth, hence this suit against her for breach of contract. The law firm now wants the court to compel Black to pay the said legal fees and also the costs of the suit. The Court registrar, John Eudes Keitirima, has summoned Black to file in her defense within 15 days from the date of receiving the summons before a hearing date can be fixed. online@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Businesswoman-battles-insurance--courier-firms-over-compensation/-/688322/1698954/-/9j7jwsz/-/index.html","content":"Businesswoman battles insurance, courier firms over compensation - Mukono A businesswoman who lost her goods in transit has dragged insurance firm and courier firms to court seeking for compensation worth of $600,000 of her goods. Ms Irene Muteteri, the proprietor of Keen Services Limited, sued the Insurance Company of East Africa Uganda (ICEA) Limited and the East African Courier (Uganda) limited, a licensee of FedEx Express Corporation, for recovery of the sale price of four artworks that were destined to Haifa, Israel. Through her attorneys, Ms Muteteri dragged the two firms to the Commercial Division of the High Court, citing breach of contract and negligence for allegedly failing to ensure proper labeling and handling of her package that led to the loss and misplacement of the paperwork. It is alleged that in October 2009, the complainant contracted the courier firm to safely transport the package of pieces of artwork weighing 30 Kilogrammes to Israel and insured them with the ICEA for the value of $600,000. “On November 10, 2009, the plaintiff (Muteteri) was informed by the first defendant (Fedex) about the delay of the package caused by the misplacement of the paperwork and poor handling of the package. The first defendant also informed the plaintiff that the package weight had changed to 33 Kilogrammes,” reads part of the complaint. Ms Muteteri alleges that she received a copy of an e-mail of the intended buyer of the artwork by an official of FedEx Israel informing him that the package had arrived in Israel on November 12, 2009 but when it was opened, it contained shreds of newspapers, corrugated cardboards, five floppy discs and empty FedEx bags. However, the insurance firm has since denied liability on grounds that the complainant allegedly violated the insurance agreement by not reporting the loss immediately. Meanwhile, Justice Hellen Obura has set April 29 to May 2 for the hearing of the case. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Markets/Employers--body-faults-SMEs-on-labour-laws/-/688606/1698960/-/12nclw4/-/index.html","content":"Employers’ body faults SMEs on labour laws - Kampala Despite being the biggest employers in the country, majority of small and medium enterprises either do not or partially comply with laws governing employee-employer relations, costing them heavily.Presenting findings of a study commissioned by Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Mr Douglas Opion, a consultant said non-compliance to labour related regulations has forced many SMEs to pay. Out of the 120 SMEs that were interviewed between July and October last year in Kampala, 53 said they were partially aware of the laws, 26 were not aware, one felt such laws are not relevant while only 40 of them were aware of the laws. Although all the enterprises that took part in the survey are in Kampala, 55 of the 120 SMEs were not aware of FUE’s existence while 98 were not even aware of services offered. Of about 400 members of FUE, SMEs account for only 35 per cent. Mr Hezron Njuguna, the International Labour Organisation specialist, employers’ activities, said FUE can help SMEs comply with labour laws by creating a guide which would contain the model letters of appointment, warning letter, dismissal, and setting up a grievance procedure, among others. “All enterprises have to comply with labour regulations to avoid repercussion that may arise for breach of laws,” Mr Njuguna said. Ms Rosemary Ssenabulya, the FUE executive director, said the organisation plans to follow up with interest SMEs to join the federation. fkulabako@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Parliament-rejects-PAC-report/-/688334/1696986/-/5xeioyz/-/index.html","content":"Parliament rejects PAC report - Parliament has dismissed the Public Accounts Committee report on the loss of Shs46.1billion to a French company irregularly contracted to work on the Jinja-Bugiri Road, saying the committee recommendations are not clear on who should be held responsible. The report, which revealed gross abuse of public funds in yet another compensation scandal, was said to have been compiled in haste, a claim the PAC leadership yesterday contested as “unfair” and “in bad faith.” But some committee members who requested not to be named supported the House’s decision. Last week, Sembabule Woman MP Anifa Bangirana Kawooya with support from the majority in the House, proposed a motion suggesting the report be sent back to the PAC for review. In the report, PAC had recommended that the Ministry of Works be held responsible and that the government synchronises its policies without pointing at specific individuals. Speaker Rebecca Kadaga agreed with Ms Kawooya and other members who criticised the report as “general”, and told the committee sit again and come up with clear recommendations on the officials responsible for the loss of public funds. During the debate, members rejected “blanket culpability” in the report even as Mr Wadri pleaded with the House to improve on the PAC recommendations without necessarily referring the report back to the Committee. MPs ‘obsessed’“As PAC, we never went wrong on the Jinja-Bugiri Road report, the members are so obsessed, they want to axe people but for us to mention names, we must have evidence,” PAC chairman Kassiano Wadri said. “I must be sure of evidence; I don’t want people to lose jobs on wrong evidence, I will be haunted by my conscience. We could not name individuals because the recommendations are of a policy nature.” Mr Wadri told Daily Monitor yesterday that the committee would photocopy the AG report for members to appreciate why PAC failed to name individuals in the report. An investigation by PAC shows that although Basil Engineering did not have a successful bid, it was given the deal, which, however, went bad and the company directors, whose details remain unclear, sued government in a Euro 39m claim.The claim was eventually reduced to Euro 18m before settling for Euro 13m (about Shs46 billion) for breach of contract."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Ingrid-slaps-police-with-Shs500m-suit/-/688334/1696606/-/w1fv20/-/index.html","content":"Ingrid slaps police with Shs500m suit - Ms Ingrid Turinawe, the chairperson for Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Women League, has sued the police for allegedly squeezing her breast while she went to attend a political rally in Nansana, Wakiso District last year. Those sued by Ms Turinawe include Mr Felix Andrew Kaweesi, the commander Kampala Metropolitan Police and the Attorney General, Mr Peter Nyombi. Mr Kaweesi has been sued in his capacity as an individual for being the most senior officer on that fateful day of April 20, 2012, who commanded others and squeezed her breasts in the process. The matter has been filed before the High Court in Kampala through her lawyers, Rwakafuuzi and Co. Advocates. Breaking it downIn her complaint, the FDC iron lady is demanding for more than Shs560 million in damages, saying the brutal action by the police embarrassed her before many people in Nansana who watched her being harassed, and also her five children and husband. She further says the rude act by the police was viewed on television stations, and internet among others. Breaking the damages down, she is seeking for Shs300 million as punitive damages and compensation for her vandalised car, Shs200 million as general damages, Shs30 million as breach of her right to liberty and another Shs30 million as punitive damages. She is also seeking court directing that the male police officer who continuously pulled and squeezed her breast be brought to court.She is also further asking court to make orders for the male police officer who seized her arms and legs in an attempt to undress her to be brought to court plus being dismissed from the Force. This act by the police caused a public outcry with some two women members of Concerned Citizens pressure group, storming CPS half-naked in protest. According to court records, Ms Turinawe’s woes on that fateful day began when she drove to Nansana Town Council to join other opposition politicians for a rally. She claims that when she was about to reach the venue for the rally (about a kilometre away), she was approached by a group of about 40 police officers. She says when she confronted them; they explained to her that she would not be allowed to attend the rally as it was unlawful. She says in the process of arguing, a male police officer grabbed her in an attempt to forcefully get her out of her car and grabbed her left breast with all bitterness and hostility that he could gather. Court records further show that another male police officer grabbed her legs and arms in an attempt to undress her. She was finally overpowered and pulled out of her car, bundled on a police van and driven to Kawempe Police Station where she was asked to make a statement. She was only released after Kampala Mayor Erias Lukwago and Kyadondo East MP Ibrahim Semujju intervened. Court is yet to summon the Attorney General and Mr Kaweesi."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/NRM-Caucus-to-debate-controversial-PAC-reports/-/688334/1691630/-/mpfl9i/-/index.html","content":"NRM Caucus to debate controversial PAC reports - President Museveni has summoned NRM MPs to a meeting to take a position on a report by the Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC), exposing the controversial cancellation of a mining lease that cost taxpayers Shs43.5 billion. The impromptu meeting was called ahead of the PAC report debate by the House, which begins today. “Kindly carry your reports on Dura Cement, Jinja-Bugiri Road compensation and the adhoc committee on the electricity sector,” reads the message from chief whip’s office sent to all the MPs. The reportThe report, which was tabled by the Public Accounts Committee vice chairperson, Mr Maxwell Akora, on Thursday, implicates senior government officials, including the President, Nyabushozi MP Fred Mwesigye, who was then head of National Enterprises Corporation (NEC), Justice Billy Kainamura, the former Solicitor General and former Attorney General Khiddu Makubuya among others for their role regarding a decision by the government in 2007 to cancel a mining lease that had been awarded to Dura Cement Ltd. According to the report, President Museveni ordered the termination of the contract and instead asked that it goes to Lafarge/Hima Cement. In the resultant suit for breach of contract by Dura, the government forked out Shs43.5 billion. MPs dividedBy press time yesterday, details of the MPs’ meeting remained scanty but according to sources that attended the meeting and are not authorised to speak on behalf of the caucus, the lawmakers were divided over the matter. The legislators that Daily Monitor talked to before yesterday’s caucus meeting said the caucus will listen to the President and make an informed decision. Mr Steven Tashobya (Kajara County) said the caucus would take a decisive measure not to exonerate thieves.Dr Chris Baryomunsi (Kinkizi East) said yesterday that if investigations were carried out and incriminating evidence tabled before Parliament then, “we shall move as Parliament to condemn corruption irrespective of our parties. We must look at corruption without partisan lenses.” Mr Akora (Maruzi County) said yesterday they came up with the report based on evidence and appended all the necessary documents which indicate the roles played by those implicated. “The report will be open for debate .But each time PAC comes out with a report implicating the corrupt, NRM rushes to caucus to influence the debate,” he said. editorial@ug.nationmdia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Government-told-to-pay-800-retrenched-employees/-/688334/1691524/-/12sh40l/-/index.html","content":"Government told to pay 800 retrenched employees - Kampala A court has ordered the government to pay terminal benefits and pension packages to 825 former employees of the defunct Uganda Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (UPTC). The group was retrenched 10 years ago, when UPTC underwent structural re-organisation on March 15, 1998.Several companies, including Uganda Telecommunications Ltd, Uganda Posts Ltd, Uganda Communications Ltd and Post Bank Ltd, were created out of this re-organisation of the UPTC. Uganda Telecommunications Ltd, took on most of the workers from the defunct UPTC. Between 1998 and 2001, the services of the claimants were terminated by the successor companies, who subsequently paid them only gratuity. PaymentsThis caused the group to sue the companies along with the Attorney General, claiming that they were entitled to pension.Last week, judgment was delivered in their favour. Justice Kibuku Musoke said: “The denial to pay pension to the plaintiffs and the purported change in terms and conditions of service, clearly constituted to breach of plaintiffs contract service.” He ordered that each of the former workers be paid his pension calculated basing on the emoluments they received from the each successor company at the time. Justice Kibuuka awarded Shs5 million to each of the former workers as general damages for breach of contract of service.The court further awarded an 18 per cent interest per annum to the yet-to -be paid pension to the former workers from the date of termination till payment in full. The judge regretted that the case had dragged on for so long with four different judges handling it. awesaka@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Accuracy-is-paramount/-/689364/1690374/-/11p3ru8z/-/index.html","content":"Accuracy is paramount - For the last two months, I’ve been having an email discussion with a reader who wants to understand the process of producing this newspaper. He is particularly keen on knowing more about our story choices, angling and placement on different pages. This reader is resilient, critical and gives brilliant insights to help us improve. He is one of those people I like to call genuine friends of Monitor Publications. Not all correspondences, however, go smoothly. Some readers have their own perceptions about this newspaper, which we may disagree with but respect all the same. As we seek to promote transparency and a continued conversation with readers about, say, our story choices, we always defend our decisions when we know we’re right and eat humble pie when we breach core journalism tenets. I have disagreed with some readers on a number of issues. One such involved a “Letter to the Editor” in which the reader made grave allegations against a company that, if we published, would have serious legal implications for this publication. The letter, for instance, accuses the company in question of grabbing the complainant’s land five years before the said company came to Uganda. When I called this reader for clarification, he insisted that his letter must be published in that form to “expose those people”. While we are happy to expose wrongdoers, we cannot be used to tarnish the image of companies and individuals using baseless accusations. Readers should appreciate that all sections of this newspaper must carry factual information as proof. We are open to critical views but malicious letters that accuse companies or individuals without backing evidence do not deserve space, precisely because they add no value to informed debate. Let’s all strive to be fair, honest and informative. Most importantly, let’s keep this conversation going, even if we disagree on some issues. As a social institution, our role is to offer a platform for news, debates and critical but responsible viewpoints. Our policy is clear: We encourage objective and constructive criticism of any group or person, action or policy where such criticism is considered to be well founded, based on a full and accurate assessment of the factual realities, and offered in the interests of the public. Ms Vuchiri is the Public Affairs Editor.E-mail: mvuchiri@ug.nationmedia.com Twitter: @MVuchiri and @DailyMonitor"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Tooro-clan-council-seeks-meeting-with-king-over-mismanagement/-/688334/1684572/-/l4047nz/-/index.html","content":"Tooro clan council seeks meeting with king over mismanagement - Several members of the Tooro Kingdom Clan Council are seeking a meeting with King Oyo Nyimba over alleged breach of the kingdom’s constitution and mismanagement.The clan council members claim a consent judgement made in April 2012 after four people sued the king over alleged mismanagement, had been breached. Mr John Baranga, the assistant minister of culture and also a member of the clan council, told journalists in Fort Portal on Monday: “One of the grounds in the consent judgment was to build harmony in the kingdom, but not using the police and other institutions to solve kingdom affairs.”In 2010, King Oyo and three others were taken to the High court in Fort Portal for alleged “unconstitutional decisions” that the plaintiffs said had messed up the kingdom administration. The plaintiffs, Mr John Baranga, Mr John Kusemererwa, Mr Mordecai Kakorwa and Mr Lawrence Kawamara sued King Oyo, the head of the ruling Babiito clan, Mr Charles Kamurasi, Mr Francis Mugenyi, the king’s principal private secretary, and Mr Augustine Kayonga. The court later advised the parties to settle the matter outside court, which they did in April 2012.Mr Baranga told the Daily Monitor on Monday that they want King Oyo to explain the alleged mismanagement and fraudulent sale of the kingdom property. “The Tamteco land, which is about 650 hectares, is an official property of Tooro Kingdom but we were all ‘amused’ about its disappearance from the office of the prime minister. We heard from the squatters on the land that some strangers came and surveyed the land. The land was supposed to be leased but instead we heard that some Tooro kingdom officials, who are based in Kampala, sold it off,” he said.The outgoing prime minister, Mr Amos Mugisa, who resigned two weeks ago, was arrested by police on Friday on allegations of financial impropriety.Mr Mugisa later accused the Queen Mother, Ms Best Kemigisa, and Mr Mugenyi of alleged interference with administration of the kingdom.The queen mother and Mr Mugenyi denied the allegations.When contacted, the Tooro Kingdom information minister, Mr Fredrick Nyakabwa, said: “We are waiting for the Supreme Council (Orukurato) to suggest names to the king to replace Amos Mugisa”.Article 2 (7) of the Tooro constitution grants the clan council powers to “advise the king on administrative issues for the smooth running of the kingdom”. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/OPM-scam--BoU-director-named-in-theft/-/688334/1681130/-/5syd25z/-/index.html","content":"OPM scam: BoU director named in theft - The House Committee investigating misuse and suspected theft of foreign aid in the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday accused a director at the Central Bank of aiding fraud. The Public Accounts Committee said Mr Milton Opio connived with the suspended Principal Accountant, Mr Geoffrey Kazinda, to withdraw billions of shillings meant for post-war recovery efforts in northern Uganda and Karamoja sub-regions using forged signatures. Mr Opio, who is currently suspended from his position as director banking, pleaded his innocence. Committee lead counsel Maxwell Akora noted that more than Shs38.9 billion was transferred to different project accounts without the knowledge of the accounting officer, violating agreements with the donors. “One individual cannot execute this fraud. That’s why I was asking you [Mr Opio] whether you knew Amon Takwenda, Boniface Obbo and Isaiah Oonyu,” Mr Akora said. The committee agreed with the Auditor General that 61 payments worth Shs10.9 billion were not confirmed as required by BoU regulations, a breach the MPs said facilitated fraud. Although BoU said they were not confirming inter account transfers since they regarded them “low risk”, Auditor General John Muwanga said this contravened banking guidelines. Mr Opio, it emerged, on several occasions did not call the OPM PS, Mr Pius Bigirimana, to confirm signatures. He instead dealt with Mr Kazinda, who is in prison. Thus, 131 transactions reportedly went without the knowledge of the PS. “We had a tendency of dealing with principal accountants because they are accessible and cooperative,” Mr Opio said. “The PS was always busy. He wouldn’t pick calls and sometimes he tells you he is in a meeting, call the principal accountant.” The director pleaded that BoU thought these phone conversations had been recorded. “But this was not the case. We are sorry; this was a weakness in our system,” he said. Mr Bigirimana still described Mr Opio as a “liar” yesterday: “The BoU authorised these payments behind my back, they had mupango (collusion) with Kazinda to forge my signature.” The Auditor General said: “It can be concluded that negligence on the part of the bank is apparent and collusion with OPM staff cannot be ruled out. The responsible officers should be held accountable.” The PAC vice chairperson, Mr Paul Mwiru, also noted that Shs14.8 billion was disguised as salary using a forged security paper. That there was a plan to cover up the fraud and Mr Opio was involved. Takwenda, who took the forged document to BoU has since died. But Mr Opio denied knowledge of the security paper even after Dr Nsamba, who worked on the report, said he recovered the document from Mr Opio during the auditing process. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Fairland-goes-against-NCHE-order-on-varsity-admissions/-/688334/1680168/-/10ijovwz/-/index.html","content":"Fairland goes against NCHE order on varsity admissions - Fairland University has defied a warning by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) not to admit students to unaccredited courses. The university Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Wakabi, yesterday said the NCHE had not been fair to the institution since its establishment 12 years ago. He asked those interested in pursuing their studies at the institution to go ahead and apply. The university is about 500 students. “The new semester begins on February 4. We are licensed. When they (NCHE) tell the public to consult them before they apply to our university, they are wrong. They are not the university. We are the university,” Prof Wakabi told the Daily Monitor. But the NCHE insists that the university continues to breach the Universities and other Tertiary institutions Act, which does not permit any institution to offer courses they do not recognise. Also, the NCHE states that the university, besides opening illegal study centres, has been awarding postgraduate degrees, and honorary degrees and yet it is not chartered. “Fairland University continues to breach several provisions of the law. They are running academic programmes including distance programmes that haven’t been accredited by NCHE. They are awarding postgraduate degrees which the university is not permitted to do,” Ms Faridah Shamilah Bukirwa, the NCHE senior legal officer said in a January 15 press release. Licence troublesFairland University has been battling in court with the NCHE after the latter issued a notice to revoke a provisional licence in 2009 if the former failed to comply with the body’s standards. Three years later, the High Court in Jinja ruled in favour of the NCHE. In the ruling, Judge Irene Mulyagonja Kakooza said: “The applicant (Fairland University) cannot continue to sustain its operations by court orders for there is due process under which she can obtain the necessary licence and finally a charter to operate lawfully.” But Prof. Wakabi said the university appealed against the ruling in February last year. However, Ms Bukirwa said they had not been served with the notice. “Members of the public are advised to seek guidance from the NCHE before seeking any admission to any programme at Fairland University,” Ms Bikirwa said. She added that the council was by yesterday at the premises to verify whether the university had rectified the weaknesses stated in 2009 in a notice intended to revoke their licence if they failed to comply with the standards. pahimbisibwe@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/4-officers-held-over-negligence/-/688334/1674574/-/1abf0f/-/index.html","content":"4 officers held over negligence - Four officers of Old Kampala Police Station have been arrested for allegedly looking on as a mob lynched several people in Kisenyi, a Kampala suburb. Another nine people suspected to have participated in the same mob action have also been arrested on charges of murder and causing grievous harm.The officers, all below the rank of Inspector of Police, are currently detained at Old Kampala Police Station for negligence. On Wednesday, the officers allegedly failed to act as a mob attacked several Kisenyi dwellers suspected to be behind the stabbing of one Siraje Kaweesa to death. The mob killed one person and left others with severe injuries.The Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander, Mr Andrew Felix Kaweesi, said the officers acted contrary to the Police Act, which requires them to protect lives and property of citizens regardless whether they are suspects or not. Breach of law“How can a police officer just look on when a citizen is being beaten to death? This is unacceptable. Police Professional Standards Unit is investigating the arrested officers and their superiors,” Mr Kaweesi said.The incident started on Tuesday night when Kaweesa was stabbed by unknown thugs in Kisenyi and died later on his way to hospital. His death sparked outrage among the mourners, who had gathered at his home in Lungujja, a city suburb. They picked sticks and stones and marched on to the scene of crime in Kisenyi. “When they reached Kisenyi, they jumped off their vehicles and started beating people they suspected to be behind the stabbing of their colleague,” police said. Mob action is on the rise in the country and police are looking at charging even journalists, who witness the killing without reporting to the police ,with charges of compounding a felony. At least 466 people are killed in mob action annually, according to police reports. abagala@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Buyende-district-sued-over-pay/-/688334/1670998/-/fv46s6z/-/index.html","content":"Buyende district sued over pay - A construction firm that won a tender to construct a three classroom block, an office and a store at Kirimwa Primary School has sued Buyende District Council to court for breach of contract. Bisca Uganda Limited won the Shs57.2 million contract in November 2011 under the School Facilitation Grant of the Ministry of Education. It is demanding that the district council meets the terms of the contract and also pays general and special damages for breach of contract. According to the executive director of the firm, Mr Ismail Mufumbiro, the company was advanced Shs24 million with a promise that the balance of Shs28 million would be paid upon completion, but that this has not happened despite the fact that the building was handed over and is in use. ‘’The district recognised that we had completed 100 per cent satisfactorily and the second and final certificate for the balance of Shs28 million was dully prepared and signed but it was blocked by the CAO,” Mr Mufumbiro said. He claimed that he had on several occasions visited the CAO’s office about the delayed payment, but had not received any plausible explanation. However, the CAO, Mr David Kyeyago Maleka, told the Daily Monitor that Bisca Uganda Limited does not have any documentation to prove that they had done the work satisfactorily. Mr Maleka said the documents the firm is carrying around showing the completion of work is suspect. Buyende District in October came under the spotlight after several of its top administrators were handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department operatives attached to Local Government Public Accounts Committee of Parliament for investigations over alleged forgery of accountability receipts. The officials were tasked to explain the queries raised by the Auditor General in the expenditure of Shs20 million for fuel with no proper receipts. editorial@ug,nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/The-private-prosecution-against-city-businessman/-/688334/1669058/-/1qe53jz/-/index.html","content":"The private prosecution against city businessman - On January 9, after Mr Hassan Basajjabalaba had snubbed police summons twice, Mr Allan Mulindwa, a private prosecutor, and his client Mr Bernard Kakande, filed a complaint at Buganda Road Court through the Chief Magistrate, a case that was majorly based on media reports and documents whose sources remain unknown. Though police had failed to trace Mr Basajjabalaba, on January 11, the private prosecutor issued court summons to his lawyers to appear on January 14 and the city businessman and his brother, Mr Muzamiru Basajjabalaba, appeared and pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail. The chargeMr Basajjabalaba was jointly charged with Muzamiru before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Eleanor Khainza, in a matter brought to court by way of private prosecution. Through Mr Mulindwa, the duo was charged with three cases of conspiracy to defeat tax laws, forgery of a court document and uttering a false document. According to records, Mr Kakande, through his attorney (Mulindwa) lodged the complaint on oath to have formal charges drawn against the two brothers and that criminal summons be issued immediately. Documents indicate that Mr Kakande, described as a male adult of sound mind and businessman, resident of Kategula Zone LC I, Kibuye Parish in Makindye Division made the complaint on January 9. The complainant, who upon learning that a case where public property and breach of the law had occurred, informed his attorney, who advised him that the alleged actions of the accused persons were in connection to a consent agreement in a case against the Attorney General. “That I have accessed a letter from Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) written by the Commissioner General to the registrar of the High Court to verify the consent judgment, which registrar signed at the right hand corner stating that this document does not originate from the civil registry,” reads part of the complaint. DPP takes overThe case has, however, been taken over by the DPP, a move that has solicited unkind words from the private prosecutor.Mr Mulindwa describes the takeover of the case by the DPP as ‘hijacking’ his case. “We maintain that the court competent jurisdiction is still Buganda Road Court because the procedure applied by DPP was irregular since the private prosecutor was not informed of the application for take over as required by law,” said Mr Mulindwa, who has since petitioned the DPP and judicial officers and the police, challenging the takeover. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1668948/-/13276mx/-/index.html","content":"Govt has no right to give away Mabira - The Mabira give away is not a new song on Ugandan airwaves; the first attempt in 2007 had bitter consequences. Giving away Mabira should be justified and endorsed by the citizens and not the President alone since no one owns the forest. The principle of Public Trust Doctrine enjoins government ( and not the president) to protect and preserve natural resources on behalf of the citizens ( Part 13 of the National Objectives and Principles: 1995 Constitution). Whatever decisions the government makes should be people powered and should lead to protection of natural resources. There is no provision to the contrary that the government should give away natural resources for sugar, even if it invokes sustainable development, it is in breach of inter-generational equity. Michael Aboneka, abonex2007@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/DRC-talks--Facilitator-reports-progress/-/688334/1667672/-/dwptxlz/-/index.html","content":"DRC talks: Facilitator reports progress - The facilitator at the ongoing peace talks between the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the main rebel group, M23, Dr Crispus Kiyonga has announced some progress at the talks after the two groups agreed to sign the agenda, a key step to moving to substantive negotiations. In a statement issued at the talks’ venue yesterday, Dr Kiyonga said the talks would now move to discuss the March 23, 2009 agreement whose alleged breach by Kinshasa sparked off the latest round of fighting.“The dialogue has so far approved two documents; the rules of procedure and the agenda,” Dr Kiyonga said in a statement. “The parties henceforth begin negotiations of the substantive issues of the agenda,” the statement added. Delegates told the Daily Monitor that the M23 had dropped their insistence on Kinshasa first signing a formal ceasefire as a precondition to the talks. “Since we already declared a unilateral ceasefire, we thought it is not necessary to insist on the ceasefire,” an M23 delegate said. “We have also agreed (to ignore the ceasefire) because the ICGLR is the guarantor of the subsisting ceasefire and they are the ones who asked us to withdraw from the positions we had captured, if Kinshasa violets it then we shall see,” he added. cmwangusya@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1664884/-/9b4bj7z/-/index.html","content":"Nzeyi, business partner in legal battle over Nando’s restaurant  - Businessman Amos Nzeyi is battling a multi-million shilling lawsuit in the High Court following a fallout with former business associate, Mr Menna Tewahade. Mr Tewahade accuses the city tycoon of defaulting on payments for shares in Nando’s restaurant, a city food joint the two owned. At stake is a claim for more than Shs800 million which Mr Tewahade wants court to compel Mr Nzeyi to pay for shares in Innscor Uganda Limited, a company the two men co-owned which operated a franchise of the celebrated Dutch chain of Nando’s restaurants in Uganda. Innscor and Nando’s Resorce B.V, the parent company that owns the brand and chain of Nando’s fast food restaurants, signed a Master Franchise Agreement (MFA) in December 2004, in which the Netherlands-based outfit granted the company the Nando’s Franchise to operate restaurants under the name and style of Nando’s. According to documents filed at the Commercial Court Division of the High Court, the two businessmen entered into an agreement on August 31, 2009 with Mr Tewahade agreeing to sell his 29.5 per cent equity in the company to Mr Nzeyi, a majority shareholder with a 51 per cent stake at Innscor (U) Ltd, for $400,000 (about Shs 1 billion). Mr Nzeyi had agreed to pay for Mr Tewahade’s equity; $50,000 (Shs132 million) on execution of the agreement, two separate instalments of $100,000 payable on or before March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2010 and a last instalment of $150,000 payable on or before March 31, 2011. However, Mr Nzeyi, the documents show, made only one down payment of $50,000 and declined to issue any further payments, a matter that severed a business relationship spanning several years and one that prompted Mr Tewahade to seek legal redress two years after the botched sale of shares. The case is now being mediated by a High Court judge in effort to strike a compromise over the row.In declining to issue any more payments for the shares, Mr Nzeyi, according to a written statement of defence, cited a January 2010 decision by Nando’s Resource B.V to terminate the franchise agreement with Innscor on grounds that Mr Tewahade’s sale of equity had breached the MFA which required any shareholder selling shares to offer first right of purchase to Nando’s Resources B.V.The MFA, Mr Nzeyi said, had also outlawed any change in control of Innscor without prior written consent from Nando’s Resource B.V. Frustrates business“The plaintiff [Mr Tewahade] did not make such offer to the said Nando’s Resources B.V thus the purported agreement to sell to defendant [Mr Nzeyi] constituted a breach of the Master Franchise Agreement leading to the cancellation of the Franchise thus frustrating the company’s business interests and hence continued payment for shares,” wrote Mr Nzeyi’s lawyers KGN Advocates.Mr Nzeyi proceeded to file a counterclaim in court and is now demanding a refund of the $50,000 (Shs 132m) he paid to Mr Tewahade with interest at 21 per cent per annum from August 31, 2009 “till payment in full.” However, Mr Tewahade’s lawyers said Mr Nzeyi “was at all times” in control of the company by virtue of his majority shareholding and accordingly his acquisition of his partner’s equity could not “by any measure amount to a change in control of the Company to constitute a breach of the Franchise Agreement.” “Accordingly, the defendant [Mr Nzeyi] has no basis both on law and fact for not effecting payment for the share purchase in accordance with the agreements,” wrote Mr Tewahade’s lawyers, MMAKS Advocates."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Court-orders-clearing-firm-to-pay-client-Shs25m/-/688334/1651224/-/3plfxlz/-/index.html","content":"Court orders clearing firm to pay client Shs25m - KAMPALA Court has ordered a Kampala clearing firm to pay its client Shs25 million as costs for breach of contract. The firm reportedly failed to deliver the car nor compensate the client when the vehicle was involved in an accident in Namanve, just outside Kampala, about 18 years ago. The company was transporting the car from Mombasa to Kampala. Kampala High Court Judge Benjamin Kabiito ordered MS All Port Freight (APF) Limited to pay its former customer, Dr George Otim Nape, saying the company refused to promptly bear the cost of repairing the vehicle. “The defendant (APF)’s agent had a duty to take reasonable care of both the plaintiff’s vehicle from Mombasa to Kampala and his personal effects after the accident, but he did not do so,” held Justice Kabiito. “As a result, the complainant’s personal effects packed in the vehicle and under the defendant’s agent custody were stolen,” he added before ordering APF to pay a 20 per cent interest of the costs from the date of judgment until the amount is fully cleared. Dr Otim, an agricultural researcher, sued the clearing firm in December 1996, seeking to recover costs of the purchase of spare parts, freight charges for spares, repair charges worth Shs3.7 million and British Pounds 2,736.10 and interest. Abandoned carCourt heard that Dr Otim imported a saloon motor vehicle from the United Kingdom for his family while studying and contracted the clearing firm to clear and transport it to Kampala. “The vehicle was abandoned at the accident scene. The complainant’s personal belongings such as books, scientific data and clothes that had been packed in it were stolen,” reads the judgment in part.“He (Otim) was not immediately notified of the accident and it was only when the expected delivery of the vehicle had been delayed that he learnt of the accident and loss of his personal effects.” Court also heard that Dr Otim and APF had agreed that the clearing firm would be responsible for any damages on the vehicle. Justice Kabito said he considered the inconvenience, emotional trauma that Dr Otim and his family went through with the loss of a dedicated vehicle meant to transport their young children to school for a period of about three years. “This case should not have come to court at all. It is a needless case. It is the case that accidents do happen and they will happen. What is important, however, is how the parties react to the causation of such an accident,” Justice Kabiito held. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Two-real-estate-heads-arrested-over-services/-/688334/1648682/-/29bytcz/-/index.html","content":"Two real estate heads arrested over services - Kampala Police and security agencies yesterday raided the offices of a real estate firm, Shumkho Construction Company, and arrested two top managers for allegedly failing to pay suppliers and services. The officers also confiscated documents and local purchasing orders allegedly issued by the two suspects on behalf of the company. Led by Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander Andrew Felix Kaweesi flanked by the deputy Resident City Commissioner in-charge of Nakawa Division, Ms Faridah Kimbowa, they stormed Shumkho offices following a complaint about alleged non-payment of hundreds of millions of shillings. In a dramatic event that attracted angry proprietors of enterprises to a company said to have started in June, some suppliers shed tears and others accused the company of breach of contract. It is alleged that a total 13 companies and individuals provided services and construction materials to the company based in Ntinda since August and are now demanding more than Shs1 billion. The companies include Ajit Motors, which is demanding at least Shs150 million for supply of six vehicles, Khalid Motors (Shs162 million) for another six motor vehicles and Seroma Limited (Shs197 million) for supply of cement. “We are seeking to recover our motor vehicles because with these complaints, there is no confidence that we shall be paid,” Mr Godwin Murungi, a lawyer for Ajit, said despite a promise to be paid in January next year. Ms Margaret Ssekidde, the proprietor of Seroma, told Mr Kaweesi that the company had not paid for the cement despite an agreement to pay every 30 days. “We supplied the cement and each truck delivering would come with a tax invoice,” she added. Mr Kaweesi, who ordered for the arrest of the duo holding positions of company chairperson and procurement manager, described the incident as an eye opener. “There could be other companies of this nature. I have realised that these suspects were just used as workers fronted by other people.” “We need to know where the suspects got the powers to act on behalf of the company and also the liquidity of the company. In case of any settlement we need to know the owners,” said Mr Kaweesi before ordering for seizure of the property until the company owners are got. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Tullow-sues-government-in-new-tax-dispute/-/688334/1645452/-/10bijel/-/index.html","content":"Tullow sues government in new tax dispute - Kampala Tullow has sued the government in an international court based in the United States, challenging imposition of value added tax on goods and services it buys for its oil exploration work in Uganda. The London-listed oil company, represented by UK’s Ashurst and Kampala Associated Advocates law firms, filed the case at the World Bank-created International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) on October 31. The case is under seal, meaning its specifics are not public. However, the subject matter up for determination relates to “petroleum exploration, development and production agreement”, according to information on the ICSID website. Tullow confirmed the lawsuit, which is separate from the on-going arbitration in a London court over the recovery of $404 million capital gains tax arising from its $1.45 billion buy-out of Heritage Oil’s Uganda assets. Determination of the arbitration case is pending. In an email to the Daily Monitor, Tullow Uganda’s General Manager Jimmy Mugerwa said “the [new] dispute relates to the assessment of Value Added Tax on Tullow Uganda on the importation of certain goods and services.” Energy Minister, Ms Irene Muloni, yesterday said she did not have details and would only be able to provide “credible information” today. This newspaper understands that proceedings of the latest arbitration sought by Tullow have not commenced because ICSID secretary-general, Ms Meg Kinnear, is yet to appoint members to constitute the tribunal to handle it. Mr Karoli Ssemogerere, an attorney at Law in New York, told the Daily Monitor that Tullow’s new case against the Uganda government could have serious ramifications because “multi-lateral investment treaties and associated guarantees are a pre-condition to membership of the World Bank.” This would mean that the Britton Woods institution could sanction Uganda if found in breach of trade and investment agreement signed bilaterally with the United Kingdom, where Tullow originates, or under other multilateral arrangements. To be accepted by the international community after years of isolation, Uganda was in 1982 forced to pass a legislation reversing expropriation of assets owned by British Asians, which Idi Amin’s government seized in 1972. Kampala Associated Advocates partner Peter Kabatsi, who was Uganda’s Solicitor General from 1990 to 2002, said his colleague Oscar Kambona is representing the firm in the case to be heard in Washington D.C. Mr Kabatsi said he did not, in his tenure as Solicitor General negotiate agreements with foreign oil firms, and the case of possible conflict of interest raised by other quarters would not arise. “Not at all,” he said. KAA law firm founder, Mr Elly Karuhanga, is the President of Tullow Uganda. tbutagira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Police-fights-protestors-outside-Egypt-presidential-palace/-/688340/1636942/-/1421ene/-/index.html","content":"Police fights protestors outside Egypt presidential palace - Police clashes protestors outside Egypt presidential palace Police in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, have clashed with protesters angry at what they say is the rushed drafting of a new constitution and by President Morsy's recent extension of his powers. Tens of thousands of people had gathered outside the presidential palace. The police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, some of whom managed to cut through barbed wire around the palace. Mr Morsy was in the palace but left as the crowds grew, sources there said.  Many of those gathered outside the palace, in the suburb of Heliopolis, chanted slogans similar to those directed against the regime of former President Hosni Mubarak during the uprising in February 2011. Tear gas was fired after protesters managed to breach a barbed wire cordon surrounding the palace, correspondents say. But the police quickly retreated, allowing protesters to get closer to the palace walls. Eighteen people were injured in the brief burst of violence but none seriously, the official Mena news agency reported. Large crowds remained outside as night fell, while thousands of demonstrators also gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square. \"We won't be able to speak - there won't be a court that we can go talk to,\" one protester, Israa Wafid, told Reuters. \"He has made himself a fort and he says it is a temporary fort - this is something we cannot believe. \"We've spent 30 years being betrayed - we won't believe Morsy, he will remain seated in the chair and not leave it.\" In a statement read out on television, Egyptian security forces called for calm among the protesters. A sizeable crowd has also turned out in Egypt's second city Alexandria."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Donors--cut--all-direct-aid--government--until-2015/-/688334/1635792/-/tc4u1pz/-/index.html","content":"Donors cut all direct aid to government until 2013 - KAMPALA Government will have to tighten its financial belt significantly after donors announced deeper and longer aid cuts yesterday in response to massive public corruption. The European Union ambassador to Uganda announced yesterday that the EU, United Kingdom, the World Bank, Austria and other countries had suspended up to $300 million promised in budget support each year, up to 2013. Other countries that have cut budget support include Belgium, Germany, Ireland and Sweden. “Ugandan citizens are going to lose close to $300 million in budget support from all the eight development partners,” Ambassador Roberto Ridolfi said yesterday. “Though the suspension is not going to affect running programmes, it will impact highly on the lives of the citizens.” The Shs750 billion in aid cuts is about as much as government planned to spend on agriculture, water and environment in the current financial year. Sweden and Ireland had earlier suspended their project support and thus the new agreement suspends all their funds to Uganda while Norway withdrew all its support in 2011. Speaking at an anti-corruption convention in Kampala, Ambassador Ridolfi said yesterday that although corruption in Uganda was nothing new, the extent of the problem discovered in the Office of the Prime Minister revealed a disappointing absence of financial controls. “How can I now go back to Europe and ask for aid for Uganda?” Mr Ridolfi asked. “The recent corruption scandals are a breach of trust between the country and its development partners.” This newspaper has learnt that more than eight development partners met last week and agreed in their assessment that government lacks the ability to fight public corruption. It informed the decision to suspend aid until 2013. “I believe this will give government enough time to lay down frameworks to control financial resources. It is upon government to now move to re-allocate the budget without making the situation worse for the common man,” Mr Ridolfi said. In October, Sweden and Ireland suspended project support aid to Uganda over alleged corruption in the OPM and sent a team to investigate the matter. The move followed a draft report by Auditor General John Muwanga, which found that at least Shs50 billion in aid from Ireland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark had been misused. The Auditor General’s inquiry was prompted by investigations by this newspaper, which broke the story of the graft in the OPM. The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament is currently investigating the matter based on the findings in the Auditor General’s report. A separate investigation by the Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Directorate of police is also underway. Meanwhile, a day after Germany’s Envoy to Uganda Ambassador Klaus Dieter Düxmann said his country had not suspended Aid to Uganda, his embassy yesterday sent communication to the contrary, officially announcing the suspension of three million Euros in budget support to Uganda.Between 2010 and 2013, Germany had committed 120 million Euros to Uganda, 24 million Euros of which had been allocated to budget support. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/-/688322/1632794/-/6j59lp/-/index.html","content":"Airtel wins battle for ownership - Nairobi. Airtel Kenya has won a fresh waiver on the shareholding rule that required it to sell a 15 per cent stake to local investors by April next year, leaving India’s Bharti Airtel firmly in control of the second largest telecoms operator.Finance minister Njeru Githae told the Business Daily the waiver was granted after Airtel reported it was having difficulties finding Kenyan buyers of the 15 per cent stake worth more than Ksh5 billion. The law requires telecom firms to have at least 20 per cent local ownership but Airtel is 15 per cent in breach of the rule because businessman Naushad Merali has a 5 per cent stake in the company. Bharti Airtel owns 95 per cent.Unlike in the past when exemption to the local shareholding rule was limited to a determined period, Mr Githae said the fresh exemption would be open-ended.That means Airtel can now do business in Kenya unconstrained by pressure to find local buyers of the stake. “The exemption of Airtel from the local shareholding rules is now open-ended,” Mr Githae said adding that the shares will remain available for interested locals to buy.editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Top-ministers-caught-on-film-in-House-chaos/-/688334/1633018/-/iqqkfz/-/index.html","content":"Top ministers caught on film in House chaos - The Rules and Privileges committee has so far identified five ministers among the MPs who took part in the chaotic scenes that broke out in Parliament during Tuesday’s heated debate on the oil Bill. Those identified during the first day of the investigation into the matter yesterday are Attorney General Peter Nyombi, Defence Minister Crispus Kiyonga, Junior Foreign Affairs Minister Okello Oryem, Government Chief Whip Kasule Lumumba, Youth Minister Ronald Kibuule and Primary Health Care Minister Sarah Opendi. Other legislators named include: Aruu County MP Odonga Otto, Kitgum Woman MP Beatrice Anywar, Opposition chief Whip Winnie Kizza, Wafula Oguttu (Bukhooli Central), Odo Tayebwa (Ishaka), David Bahati (Ndorwa), Harriet Ntabazi (Bundibugyo), Vincent Kyamadidi (Rwampara) and Florence Namayanja (Bukoto).Those cited will be asked to appear before the Rules committee. Following the Tuesday chaos Speaker Rebecca Kadaga on Wednesday ordered the Rules and Privileges Committee to investigate the matter and propose disciplinary actions by Monday next week. The Speaker asked for the identification of MPs who attempted to grab the Mace from the Sergeant-at-Arms and those could have exhibited gross disorderly behaviour (rowdy conduct and heckling). However, committee members yesterday resolved to ask Ms Kadaga for more time and to also lift the suspension on parliamentary proceedings. “Let’s ask the Speaker and plead with her to resume House business which isn’t as explosive as the oil debate because there is a practical difficulty on our hands since it seems everyone in the House was unruly,” said Mr Medard Sseggona (Busiro East). The Rules committee was also split on the legality of the Speaker’s directive. Some MPs said she didn’t respect Rule 163(1a) of the House Rules of Procedure which provides that: “it shall be the duty of the committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline by the order of the House to inquire into any complaint of contempt of Parliament or breach of privilege….” MPs’ takeThe MPs say the Speaker’s order was not an order of the whole House. Others, however, felt that Ms Kadaga was in order in respect to Rule 163(1b) which says: “it shall be the duty of the committee to consider any matter of discipline referred to it by the Speaker or the House …” The MPs agreed to refer the matter to the Parliament legal team. Maj. Gen. (rtd) Jim Muhwezi (Rujumbura) observed that “going by what happened, this could be just symptoms of more serious underlying problems between Parliament and the Executive so we need to take our time and make a good report.” During the review of video footage of the chaotic scenes, MPs disagreed on whether there was an attempt to grab the Mace, which is a symbol of the Speaker’s authority. Although the videos recordings provided by the Hansard Department and the Public relations Office show the Sergeant-at-Arms and the Parliament door men standing around the Mace it does not clearly show any MP attempting to grab it. “May be the Sergeant was acting on anticipation that someone may grab the Mace and so he was doing his job by standing there,” said Committee Chairman Fox Odoi (West Budama North). “The Hansard department says the rules only mandate them to capture the Speaker, the members on the floor debating and never to capture any scandalous moments of the House.” editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Markets/Addax-seals-deals-to-take-over-Engen/-/688606/1632244/-/ek2fm0z/-/index.html","content":"Addax seals deals to take over Engen - Addax, a Kenyan oil company, has closed a deal to take over Engen Uganda, which early this year announced its exit from the Ugandan market. The deal comes after protracted negotiations, which gives the new owners the power to manage Engen’s 11 service stations spread in different parts of Kampala. However, Daily Monitor understands the employees who had sued the South African oil company - Engen Uganda, early this year for wrongfully sacking are now planning to enjoin Addax as a defendant.The employees had dragged Engen Uganda to court seeking for a court pronouncement challenging the unlawful termination of their contracts. The 11 had asked court to force Engen to pay each of them about Shs500 million for statutory breach, illegal employment practices, breach of contract, and slavery among others. Engen’s Group communication manager, Tania Landsberg recently declined to comment on the matter saying it was an issue before courts of law. Mid this year, Engen Petroleum Limited, secretly took a decision to close shop in Uganda on claims that the company was sharpening its business focus in Sub Saharan Africa and as a result has decided to cease its Ugandan operations. Mr Landsberg said in an email recently: “Engen’s business here is no longer viable in the current economic and trading environment.”He added: “Engen will, however, remain poised for any future investment that may allow its business to acquire the necessary critical mass.”iladu@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Proper-nutrition-for-girl-child-can-decrease-obstetric-fistula/-/806314/1630400/-/11h9lke/-/index.html","content":"Proper nutrition for the girl-child can decrease obstetric fistula occurrences - It is good to know that government is to set up a fistula unit at Kibuli Hospital, this will provide more support for fistula surgical repairs. However, prevention strategies need to be strengthened since most fistula incontinence patients remain unnoticed. Poor feeding habits need to be addressed. In a situation where the body is not fed with the right micronutrients- iron, zinc, vitamin and calcium, iodine among others, obstetric fistula easily occurs. Poor feeding habits among the girl- child, inadequate calcium and iron affects the physical growth of the pelvis system. When the pelvis system is retarded, then the pelvic bones will be narrow. Underdeveloped pelvic bones may not be able to handle normal virginal birth in the future. Narrow pelvic bones contribute to natal death and obstetric fistula incontinence. During birth, the baby will have very little room for passage, and eventually that little room could cause the baby to suffocate thus leading to natal death. According to health records, a narrow pelvis as a result of poor feeding causes more natal deaths than the other cases of awkward positioning of the baby like breach or transversal position of the baby in the womb. For the mother, because of the underdeveloped pelvic bones, during birth, there will be prolonged impaction of the baby’s head compressing the mother’s soft tissue against her pelvic bone that is already small. This results into ischemia, tissue death and the development of a fistula either vaginal vesco fistula or rectum vesco fistula with its incontinence. From the earliest times, people have advanced only as far as their nutritional resources have allowed and conventional knowledge tells us that those with inadequate nutrition suffer a form of immune deficiency, making them far more vulnerable to all microbial pathogens. Globally, poor feeding causes more immunodeficiency than other external factors by a wide range. improved basic nutrition arms the immune system to fight off illness, comprising the best protection against diseases, far better than any public health or medical intervention. Advance in nutrition comes through better understanding of nutritional cause of poor health for example, knowing how calcium can cause bone retardation. As the government and other bodies go ahead to treat obstetric fistula surgically, there is need to improve the nutrition standards of the girl-child as a prevention strategy. Mothers attending antenatal care are encouraged to eat vegetables. NGOs and VHTs should expound on the benefits of growing resources- efficient kitchen gardens, to increase the consumption of greens like Dodo, Sukuma wiki and other leafy greens that might lower the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency, and calcium and improve bone formation and better maternal health. Julius Ntalo,ntljulius@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Take-interest-in-border-disputes/-/689360/1628882/-/11ca580/-/index.html","content":"Take interest in border disputes - On Friday, this newspaper reported that tension was mounting at the Elegu border post in Atiak Sub-county after authorities in South Sudan ordered a stop to developments, claiming the area belongs to them. This is the latest of a series of claims by South Sudan that Ugandans in different border towns are in South Sudanese territory. Whether there is legitimacy in these assertions can be ascertained by a competent border assessment and verification team, informed by historical factors. What is of concern is that the trend of these claims and the manner in which they are made, are unbecoming. In the latest incident, for instance, South Sudan authorities claim the construction of a border market and permanent structures on “their land” is a breach of “bi-lateral understanding” between the two countries. While no one can at this point state with certainty who owns the disputed land, it is only proper to handle the matter without causing unnecessary tension and unsettling the residents who have lived in the disputed areas for ages! We encourage the government to urgently take interest in this matter, more so because this particular case is just one of similar incidents where Ugandans have been ordered by elements from South Sudan to vacate villages they have called home for generations. Two years ago, leaders of Magwi County in South Sudan claimed their territory extends about seven kilometres into Uganda. In the West Nile town of Moyo, errant soldiers from the South Sudan have for many years carried out attacks on Ugandan citizens, going as far as abducting and holding them hostage inside South Sudan. One such incident involved some MPs who were on a fact-finding mission at the Uganda-South Sudan border point. That foreign forces can easily cross into a neighbouring country and go as far as burning huts in villages inside Uganda; and firing indiscriminately to compel villagers to abandon their homes, as has happened a number of times, is unlawful and provocative. It is positive that authorities in Moyo District and their counterparts from South Sudan last week agreed to resolve the border dispute following a series of attacks by South Sudan soldiers on farmers in Moyo. The same step of dialogue should be vigorously pursued to resolve the tension at the Atiak border point. More crucial is the need to seek a lasting solution to these border disputes that have gone on for too long."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Plagiarism-in-newsrooms/-/689364/1628892/-/3ugsojz/-/index.html","content":"Plagiarism in newsrooms - After our first public affairs column was published last week, I have received overwhelming feedback from the public. Predictably, 99 per cent of them are about the quality of our journalism. Below is an email that deserves immediate response. “That the Daily Monitor, by all standards a respectable newspaper, takes such a lazy turn is surely a cause of concern. “Why Goma is a point of interest” in today’s (Wednesday) paper is basically a rewrite of the Wikipedia entry of Goma. Heads should be hung in shame that the most respectable newspaper in Uganda is plagiarising. We, your readers, deserve an apology. It’s enough that such laziness is a national problem without a newspaper, which should be showing the right way, engaging itself in such!” This newspaper, like any other media house, has a strict policy on plagiarism as stated in our editorial guidelines. It states in part: “Using someone else’s work without attribution - whether deliberately or thoughtlessly - is a serious ethical breach...Words directly quoted from sources other than the writer’s own should be attributed.”This policy places obligations on every member of our editorial staff. We have read and compared our story with the Wikipedia entry and there is no difference in phrasing. The concern raised by the reader above is therefore valid. The article in question did not meet our set standards of crediting work from other sources and in that regard, it fell far short of our code of conduct and compromised the newspaper’s integrity. We unreservedly apologise to our readers and we will endeavour to tighten our gate keeping to ensure that we live up to our own standards and minimise such lapses. As the NMG editorial policy clearly spells out, our journalists are free to borrow ideas --and it is fair journalistic practice to do so -- but they must always acknowledged their sources. There are disciplinary measures in case a section of our guidelines is breached and appropriate action will be taken against the reporter who compiled the Goma story. This column is here to answer your questions about our journalism. I would like to hear from you because your feedback sets the agenda for our discussion. Ms Vuchiri is the Public Affairs Editor and can be contacted at: P.O. Box 12141 Kampala. E-mail: mvuchiri@ug.nationmedia.com and editorial@ug.nationmedia.com. Twitter: @MVuchiri and @DailyMonitor"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Pioneer-Easy-Bus-should-reconsider-its-initial-operational-terms/-/806314/1627464/-/2vkgpr/-/index.html","content":"Pioneer Easy Bus should reconsider its initial operational terms - The persistent threats of Pioneer Easy Bus Company to pull out of the transport business or else raise transport fares could be the ‘last kicks of a dying horse’. The company is giving excuses of breach of contract by government through Kampala Capital City Authourity (KCCA), for instance failure to provide bus lanes as deterrent issues to their success. Kampala is full of narrow roads, made worse by lack of road reserves, all this resulting from poor structural urban planning. How does Pioneer bus company expect KCCA to establish bus lanes to meet their demands? Could this be a plot by the company to evade paying taxes and other dues? Could this be the reason why they included the ‘impossible’ clause in the contract? Perhaps, they could have chosen to ignore or cancel operations before the implementation of the required demands. What caused the hurry? Did the company carry out a feasibility study to verify whether their demands would be met? Instead of being defensive and pointing fingers at KCCA, they should settle the matter amicably. Threatening to pull out creates a negative image of incompetence and dishonesty. Ivan ssegamwenge,ssegamwengeivo@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Tension-looms-at-border-point/-/688334/1627118/-/11tuw3gz/-/index.html","content":"Tension looms at border point - Tensions is mounting at the Elegu border post in Atiak Sub-county after authorities in South Sudan ordered a stop to developments, claiming that the area belongs to their country. The South Sudanese claim that the construction of a border market and other permanent structures on “their land” is a breach of “bi-lateral understanding” between the two countries. In an October 17 letter to the Atiak LC3 chairperson copied to other local area officials, Mr George Livio Ajuga, the head chief of Nimule Payam, expressed shock over developments on the land, which they claim still has ‘issues’. “I would like to bring to your attention that the entire village of Elegu lies within South Sudan territory and therefore, the current construction of permanent and intended demarcation of Elegu Village should be stopped or altered,” the letter reads in part. The Atiak LC3 chairperson, Mr John Bosco Ochan, said he would forward the complaint to the central government because it involves an international boundary. Business continuesMr Ochan, however, encouraged traders already investing in the disputed area to continue with their projects as they engage in dialogue with Magwi County authorities. The concern follows demarcation and surveying of the prime area by members of the sub-county lands committee for possible establishment of commercial structures. About two years ago, leaders of Magwi County claimed that their territory extends about seven kilometres into Uganda, where they used to graze their animals, make bricks and extract building materials. The border currently boasts of high-level trade between the two countries. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/UN-boss-vows-peacekeepers-will-stay-in-threatened-Goma/-/688340/1623902/-/l2ad5m/-/index.html","content":"UN boss vows peacekeepers will stay in threatened Goma - UN leader Ban Ki-moon vowed Sunday that peacekeepers will stay in the DR Congo city of Goma after UN combat helicopters and government troops failed to stop a rebel advance amid growing international alarm. Government troops and local officials were already fleeing the city, said several sources. The M23 rebels, army mutineers whose uprising in April has unleashed fresh unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo's chronically unstable east, are now near the airport of Goma, the main city in the mineral-rich region. The UN warned there was a \"real threat\" that Goma would fall. Rebels had already warned that they would seize the city if they came under attack from the army. But Ban said the UN troops \"will remain present in Goma and will continue all efforts to robustly implement its mandate to the fullest of its capabilities with regard to the protection of civilians.\" The UN chief \"emphasises that any actions to undermine or target MONUSCO (the UN mission) will not be tolerated,\" according to a statement released by his office. The United Nations has about 6,700 troops in Nord Kivu province, backing government forces against rebels who have moved to the edge of Goma in recent days. About 1,500 of them are in Goma. UN attack helicopters have staged cannon and rocket strikes against the rebels but have not been able to stop the steady advance towards the capital of Nord Kivu, a key mineral producing region. Innocent Kayina, M23 operations commander for the area, told AFP: \"If the FARDC (government forces) attack us, we will take the city.\" Government troops said they were trying to avoid a \"bloodbath\" in the area. In New York, UN peacekeeping spokesman Kieran Dwyer told AFP that UN forces were supporting government troops in the region by firing cannon and rockets at the rebels, after similar action on Saturday. \"The situation in Goma is extremely tense. There is a real threat that the city could fall into the M23's hands,\" said Dwyer. About 625 UN expatriate workers had gathered at special protection points across the city, he added. UN peacekeepers in 17 \"quick reaction units\" had been deployed across Goma. After a three-month truce, fighting in the region resumed on Thursday, just two days after the United Nations and the United States imposed sanctions on the leader of the M23 group. The rebels are ethnic Tutsi former soldiers who mutinied in April after the failure of a 2009 peace deal that integrated them into the regular army. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Did-Pioneer-Easy-Bus-carry-out-study-before-starting-operations-/-/806314/1623442/-/2f6pvkz/-/index.html","content":"Did Pioneer Easy Bus carry out study before starting operations? - I find the threats by Pioneer Easy Bus Company to pull out of the transport business or else raise transport fares rather strange. The company is citing breach of contract by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), including not providing bus lanes as deterrent issues to their success. Over the years due to the swelling population in Kampala, residents have been complaining of narrow roads, made worse by lack of road reserves, all resulting from poor structural urban planning. Where does Pioneer bus company expect KCCA to establish bus lanes in Kampala, to meet their demands? Why was the “impossible” clause included in the contract? Perhaps, they could have chosen to ignore or cancel operations before the implementation of the required demands. What caused the hurry? Did the company carry out a feasibility study to verify whether their demands would be met? Ivan Ssegamwenge,ssegamwengeivo@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Religion/FOURTH-DIMENSION---The-acceptable-mourning/-/689744/1622488/-/qff6px/-/index.html","content":"FOURTH DIMENSION : The acceptable mourning - The call for a season of mourning is very appropriate. It rhymes with Prophet Isaiah’s words: “Shout loudly! Don’t be quiet! Yell as loud as a trumpet! Confront my people with their rebellious deeds! ( Isaiah 58) It’s appropriate for the constituents to let their leaders know that they are aware of the breach of trust. Leaders need to remember it will take more than mere political rhetoric to rebuild that trust. It demands deep commitment to doing what is right and respect to the laws of God. We cannot act unjustly on all fronts of life and expect to reap a beautiful harvest.The unfortunate side to the call to mourning is that it comes from illegitimate leaders. These are self-appointed leaders filling in a vacuum created by the lethargy of the legitimate leaders. We may have a cause, but we need to have the right order of operation if we are going to see the blessing of God on our endeavors. When it became obvious that Idi Amin was destroying the nation, the rallying call for change came from legitimate leaders in the nation. Though it cost the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda his life, the Church remained with the burden to call on the God to sort out the nation. This is part of our history of bringing change to the nation. We must all reach consensus that the nation is systematically undergoing destruction. The daily reports of abuse of office and scandals of financial misconduct should not numb our feelings instead of stirring them to true mourning that leads to God’s intervention. When Uganda stops applauding the chaos and seeks deliverance, then the rescue from above will happen. It’s also necessary for the legitimate leaders to stand against every form of corrupting laws and lead people in the right direction. The corrupting laws are hidden in what we have been made to believe are the privileges of the leaders. For certain, the leaders must be well facilitated. But when they accept exorbitant privileges, they open the door to abuse in other offices. Whereas the Mayor needs a decent vehicle for his services, I want to think that his new official car is a snare that drains his capacity to demand for truth and justice in government ministries. Coupled with this snare is the Mayor’s angry and abusive reference to the Executive Director of the city. This animosity does not help the people, but rather wounds them further. The prophet Isaiah explained why God stayed away from the cries of the people: “At the same time you fast, you satisfy your selfish desires, you oppress your workers. Your fasting is accompanied by arguments, brawls, and fistfights.” He clearly indicates that such behaviour is retrogressive. His recommendations included the “removal of the sinful chains, and the burdensome yoke of oppression.” I suppose this calls for a national commitment of all people to cease from words and deeds of injustice. We cannot be perpetrators of injustice and expect others to act contrary to our very ways of life."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/Kenyan-firm-to-take-over-Engen/-/688610/1611490/-/j6lxg7/-/index.html","content":"Kenyan firm to take over Engen - Kampala An arrangement to pass over the operations of Engen petrol stations to a Kenyan company is in the offing, six months after the South African based fuel dealer announced its exit from Ugandan. Daily Monitor reported early this year that the South African company would exit Uganda due to low returns from its operations here. Mr Tania Landsberg, the Engen Group communications manager, told this newspaper recently that one of its reasons for exit was that the firm was rethinking its focus in Africa. Although the process to exchange ownership had stalled, this newspaper understands that a deal has been reached with Addax Kenya to take over Engen Uganda as a “going concern”. “Going concern” is an option that protects the value of a company’s assets and stocks from being easily traded off. Engen Uganda opened shop in January 2003, with operations in retail and commercial fuel distribution, lubricants and bitumen. It has 10 service stations spread across Kampala and has a presence in 18 other African countries. In an email last week, Mr Landsberg said Engen Petroleum position to cease operation in Uganda had not changed, although the firm’s status quo still remained as is. “We are still proceeding with our plans,” reads an email from Landsberg. However, contrary to the law, Engen Uganda had by last week, not terminated storage contracts with other petroleum companies as well as property lease and transportation contracts. Under the Employment Act 2006, the law requires that where a business is transferred in whole or in part, contracts of service of employees shall automatically be transferred to the transferee. Asked about the legal issues with employees, Mr Landsberg declined to comment saying the matter was sub judicial and would only wait for a court pronouncement. Mr Christian Callede, the Addax Kenya managing director, had by press time not responded to our emails seeking clarification on the deal. Addax deals in the distribution of petroleum and crude oil products. However, the deal has to wait a little longer pending the settlement of a case against the South African company. Early this year 11 employees from Engen dragged the fuel company to court seeking for a court pronouncement challenging the unlawful termination of their contracts. The 11 asked court to force Engen pay each of them about Shs500 million for statutory breach, illegal employment practices, breach of contract, and slavery. iladu@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Junior-minister-Nantaba-vows-to-take-on-land-title-thieves-/-/688334/1610744/-/fxiyk6z/-/index.html","content":"Junior minister Nantaba vows to take on land title thieves  - Kayunga Woman MP Idah Nantaba was on Friday handed over the instruments of power for her new office as the state minister of lands. Ms Nantaba finally takes over office from Ms Sara Opendi, the new state minister for Primary Health care, after a series of failed attempts by a section of MPs to block her from swearing in, alleging that her approval by the deputy speaker, Mr Jacob Oulanyah, was in breach of the parliamentary rules of procedure. During the ceremony presided over by Lands Minister Daudi Migereko, Ms Nantaba vowed to fight land scams in the ministry. “Iam aware of connivance between some individuals and staff in the ministry to grab people’s land tittles but this will not be tolerated in anyway. I am already investigating a scenario where some ministry staff connived with the chairperson to grab orphans’ land in my district,” Ms Nantaba said. She said the ongoing fraud is more in the lands titles’ office. “In my capacity, I am going to ensure that the computerisation of titles takes effect to fight this gross scam that is tarnishing the ministry,” she added. Ms Nantaba promised to unveil a strategic plan for land distribution in the country.At the same function, the State Minister for Urban Development, Ms Rosemary Najjemba Muyinda, officially assumed office after taking over from Ms Kasule Lumumba, now government Chief Whip. The two are among other ministers who were sworn in on Tuesday."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Wavamunno-got-no-car-deal-from-us---Works/-/688334/1593612/-/1vcn8n/-/index.html","content":"Wavamunno got no car deal from us - Works - Kampala The Commercial Court yesterday heard that Spear Motors, which sells Mercedes Benz, lost the Chogm car deal because they lacked a confirmation letter and declaration. The Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Works and Transport, Mr Charles Muganzi, during the re-cross examination, told court yesterday that the notification of the award had been prepared, signed and stamped but not issued out pending confirmation of availability of funds. “Giving a notification of an award by a contracts committee does not mean an award itself because there are a lot of things involved. And being an evaluated bidder does not mean you can count yourself as the best evaluated bidder if you do not have the confirmation letter and declaration,” Mr Muganzi said. He said the tender was cancelled before issuance of the letter of bid acceptance and without signing of the supply contract by the parties. Spear Motors was also informed of the absence of a binding contract between the ministry and themselves.Spear Motors, owned by businessman Gordon Wavamunno, sued the government, MotorCare and Intercar, the agents for BMW that won the deal, for alleged breach of contract and interference in contractual relations. Spear Motors argues that in March 2007, the Works ministry solicited for the supply of executive vehicles for Chogm and they want compensation amounting to more than Shs5.33 billion plus general damages and interest. According to the suit, on May 2, 2007, the contracts committee awarded Spears Motors the tender for the supply of 204 executive saloon cars at a total cost of 8.3 million euros (about Shs28.3b). Mr Wavamunno further argues that he agreed to the terms of the contract and in light of the tight CHOGM timelines, immediately placed an order for the 204 cars.However, Mr Wavamunno says, he received a letter from the ministry in June 2007 cancelling the tender due to insufficient funds. He alleges that MotorCare and Intercar interfered with the procuring process to cancel the contract and award it to the two companies (Motor Care and Intercar). The Attorney General denies allegations that the ministry awarded Spear Motors the contract. Of the 23 firms that had submitted bids, only two – Spear Motors and MotoCare – reportedly had the capacity to lease and sell some vehicles to the government. The two companies were therefore asked to submit bids for the supply of the 240 vehicles.When the bids were opened, Mr Wavamunno had the better proposal. He was selling cars at a lower price and leasing at a slightly higher price than MotorCare.The case resumes today. jkigongo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/MPs-reject-proposal-to-transfer-ID-project-to-EC/-/688334/1535172/-/nc12o3/-/index.html","content":"MPs reject proposal to transfer ID project to EC - The Parliamentary Committee on Internal Affairs and Defence on Tuesday rejected a proposal to transfer the Shs200 billion National Identity Card Project from the Immigration Department to the Electoral Commission. Members of the committee also rejected a proposal to sanction the appropriation of Sh125 million from the Immigration Department’s Sh25 billion budget to steer the ID project. The MPs said acceptance of the proposals would lead to bad blood between or among the various government departments with an input in the project. Mr Godfrey Sseruwagi Mitchinger, a consultant on large population registration, had petitioned the committee to boost the EC in order to clean the voters’ register ahead of the 2016 general elections.“Our fear is that if we agree to that, it could spark another inter-agency rivalry, which would further delay the project,” Kapelebyong MP, Mr Peter Emmanuel Eriaku, said. “I do not agree that the EC should take the lead. The only experience we could capture from the EC is the elaborate structure that it has to capture people,” said Mr Mathias Kasamba, (Kakuuto). Mr Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga ) added: “Sinking more money into a bottomless pit will not help Uganda.” Mr Eriaku said squabbles involving the EC and the ministries of Internal Affairs and Information and Communication Technology had delayed the project. Mr Sseruwagi said during the initial stages of the project, EC staff were involved in collecting the necessary information, and, therefore, the commission has the capacity to execute it. “Some of the people who were involved in the first phase of the project were EC personnel. So, it would be easier if this is agreed upon since these people have the skills,” said Mr Sseruwagi. In June 2010, the government promised to issue national IDs to at least 5.2 million Ugandans whose bio-data the EC had captured. Since then, it is only President Museveni, and the Speaker of Parliament, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, whose details have been publicly captured. Mr Sseruwagi, who at some point consulted for Muhlbauer, claimed that plastic sheets, enough to make 10 million IDs are stored at Bank of Uganda. Meanwhile, equipment that was imported to process the cards remains “idle” at the Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation in Entebbe. Mr Sseruwagi warned that Muhlbauer, a German company that had been contracted to undertake the project, might sue the government for breach of contract. The committee, mid this year, recommended that three public officials who were involved in the deal should be held accountable."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/MPs-reject-proposal-to-transfer-ID-project-to-EC/-/688334/1534980/-/nc0jne/-/index.html","content":"MPs reject proposal to transfer ID project to EC - The Parliamentary Committee on Internal Affairs and Defence on Tuesday rejected a proposal to transfer the Shs200 billion National Identity Card Project from the Immigration Department to the Electoral Commission. Members of the committee also rejected a proposal to sanction the appropriation of Sh125 million from the Immigration Department’s Sh25 billion budget to steer the ID project. The MPs said acceptance of the proposals would lead to bad blood between or among the various government departments with an input in the project. Mr Godfrey Sseruwagi Mitchinger, a consultant on large population registration, had petitioned the committee to boost the EC in order to clean the voters’ register ahead of the 2016 general elections. “Our fear is that if we agree to that, it could spark another inter-agency rivalry, which would further delay the project,” Kapelebyong MP, Mr Peter Emmanuel Eriaku, said. “I do not agree that the EC should take the lead. The only experience we could capture from the EC is the elaborate structure that it has to capture people,” said Mr Mathias Kasamba, (Kakuuto). Mr Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga ) added: “Sinking more money into a bottomless pit will not help Uganda.” Mr Eriaku said squabbles involving the EC and the ministries of Internal Affairs and Information and Communication Technology had delayed the project. Mr Sseruwagi said during the initial stages of the project, EC staff were involved in collecting the necessary information, and, therefore, the commission has the capacity to execute it. “Some of the people who were involved in the first phase of the project were EC personnel. So, it would be easier if this is agreed upon since these people have the skills,” said Mr Sseruwagi. In June 2010, the government promised to issue national IDs to at least 5.2 million Ugandans whose bio- data the EC had captured. Since then, it is only President Museveni, and the Speaker of Parliament, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, whose details have been publicly captured. Mr Sseruwagi, who at some point consulted for Muhlbauer, claimed that plastic sheets, enough to make 10 million IDs are stored at Bank of Uganda. Meanwhile, equipment that was imported to process the cards remains “idle” at the Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation in Entebbe. Mr Sseruwagi warned that Muhlbauer, a German company that had been contracted to undertake the project, might sue the government for breach of contract. The committee, mid this year, recommended that three public officials who were involved in the deal should be held accountable."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Farmers-demand-pay-from-tobacco-company/-/688334/1533130/-/puo5lcz/-/index.html","content":"Farmers demand pay from tobacco company - Several farmers in Hoima District, who reportedly supplied tobacco to Continental Tobacco Uganda Ltd last year, have accused the company of not paying them. However, the company has dismissed the claims, saying all farmers had received full payment for their produce by June this year. The chairman of Continental Tobacco Farmers Association, Mr Anthony Byaruhanga, said he received hundreds of complaints from farmers, with some saying they had not been paid while others claimed that they received partial payment. At least 4,000 farmers supplied more than 1.2 million kilogrammes of tobacco to the company in 2011. Ms Emily Nagawa, 28, a farmer from Bugambe Sub-county, said she received partial payment for her tobacco in August, 2011. She said she expected to earn Shs3 million but got only Shs2 million. “The company paid me Shs2 million in June this year and when I presented receipts for the remaining Shs1 million, cashiers claimed my claims were forged,” Ms Nagawa, a mother of three, said. Ms Nagawa said she needs the money to pay her children’s school fees and cater for her family. Mr Herbert Busobozi, also from Bugambe, who reportedly supplied 800 kilogrammes of tobacco to the company, said according to his sale receipts, he expected to earn Shs1.5 million. “I went ahead to secure a loan of Shs1.5 million in anticipation that when the company pays me, I would pay back the loan. Up to now the company has not paid me. I had to sale my two cows to pay up the loan,” he said.However the company officials said they do not owe the farmers any money. “By June, we had paid over Shs2.7 billion to all the farmers who supplied tobacco to us. We have gone ahead to ease payments to our farmers this season because they now receive their money after three days (after selling tobacco to the company),” the Continental Tobacco Area Manager in Hoima, Mr Ali Sumuni, said in an interview yesterday. He said evidence of farmers’ payments was availed to the Hoima tobacco task force in July and the task force recommended the company to obtain a tobacco buying licence for this season. However, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Mr Abdu Swamadu Wantimba, said his office had received complaints from some farmers who claimed not to have been paid by the company. “We shall verify these claims. Crosscheck with us next week,” Mr Wantimba told this newspaper yesterday by telephone. Tobacco industry players are expected to meet the minister of trade today over farmers claims and alleged breach of agreement. fmugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com ======================================== Recommendation On December 7, 2011, on behalf of tobacco farmers in Kibaale, the Bungangaizi west county MP Dr Kasirivu Atwooki presented a report to Parliament seeking parliamentary intervention on allegations that Continental Tobacco Uganda Ltd had failed to pay for the tobacco it obtained from farmers in the buying season of July to November 2011.The matter was referred to the parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries which investigated the company’s operations in Bunyoro. According to the report, as of October 2011, the company had not paid more than Shs600 million to Kibaale farmers. The committee recommended that the trade ministry should not issue tobacco buying licences to the company until it has ascertained that all farmers who supplied tobacco leaf to the company are fully paid."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Oil-officials--companies-deny-inking-new-licences/-/688334/1531164/-/qf1s0k/-/index.html","content":"Oil officials, companies deny inking new licences - The Petroleum Exploration and Development Department has denied it signed off new licences to Tullow Oil as alleged by MPs. Led by their chairman, Mr Theodore Ssekikubo, members of the Parliamentary Forum on Oil and Gas yesterday said the government had issued new exploration licences for Mputa and Nzizi oil wells in the Albertine Graben. They said this was contrary to a decision by Parliament in October last year that no new licences should be given out until the oil laws are passed and assented by the President.“Those two wells were never part of the initial Exploration Area 2,” Mr Ssekikubo said. “They are just using that as their first line of defence. It is a serious breach of the moratorium which was agreed upon by Parliament and even the President.” However, PEPD Commissioner Ernest Rubondo said Tullow had been granted licences for the two wells even before the farm down process and that his department has never given out any new licences to any oil company, not even production licences. “They are the ones who explored and discovered those areas. They completed the appraisals and they applied for the production licences and government has not given them any production licences yet,” he said. Tullow Oil’s Corporate Affairs Manager Cathy Adengo also said the company has not received any new licences. “Maybe they are talking about extension of exploration licence for approval … but we have not been issued with any new licenses, not even production licenses,” she said. iimaka@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/UBC-sues-UCC-over-breach-of-contract/-/688334/1530462/-/igqk6l/-/index.html","content":"UBC sues UCC over breach of contract - State broadcaster Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) has sued the regulator of the communications sector, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), for allegedly dishonoring the contract they had earlier signed, making the former the sole signal provider as the country migrates to digital broadcasting from analogue. In a suit filed on October 4 before the High Court, the state broadcaster accuses UCC of terminating a memorandum of understanding signed this year on May 29 bybringing on board new service providers. The case file has been allocated to Justice Vincent Zehurikize who is yet to set the date for the hearing. awesaka@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Police-cordons-off-Mayor-Lukwago-s-home/-/688334/1528240/-/4w5ok7z/-/index.html","content":"Police cordons off Mayor Lukwago’s home - Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago was on Monday forced to cancel three invitations after Police surrounded his Rubaga home. Mr Lukwago, who returned to the country on Sunday from official duty in Sweden, was not allowed by Police to get out of his home for the rest of the day. “I slept at 11pm [Sunday] and Police were not around my house. But my guard told me at around 4am that Police had surrounded my home,” Mr Lukwago, who we spoke to inside his home, told this paper. “They told me that it is suspected that I am going to breach public peace and that I only have two options; to stay in the house or to be kept at Police.” Several police personnel were still surrounding Mr Lukwago’s home by press time, with a patrol car parked right in front of the mayor’s gate. “This is so reminiscent of the colonial rule because as we celebrate 50 years of independence, our brothers are putting us under house arrest,” Mr Lukwago said. Kampala Metropolitan spokesperson Ibn Ssenkumbi earlier said he is not aware of the action. However, he later denied that Mr Lukwago was under house arrest. “He is not under house arrest. We got information that there was a plan to disrupt peace in the city and torching police stations so we had to guard places of people who we suspect to be behind the attacks until the threat is out,” Mr Ssenkumbi said. akiyaga@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Make-jubilee-more-than-a-celebration/-/689360/1526438/-/14u1jh2z/-/index.html","content":"Make jubilee more than a celebration - In the run up to Uganda’s Independence golden Jubilee, the government has been launching several initiatives aimed at showing a country on the move. That is one side of the coin. The other side has a clear breakdown of plans the government has to take the country to the promised land. Clarity of that promise is important. Ugandans should expect that the President and a host of officers, political and technical, will continue to spell out that clear vision, which fortunately now, the President and his cohorts are beginning to agree cannot be a one-man vision but a shared one. However, a major blight still stands in the way of these efforts to a greater extent. The whole idea of struggle for independence was premised on winning back our freedoms and the right to direct the course of our development in dignity. The events over much of last week suggest dignity, freedom and the independence of thought and opinion, is not something this government is ready to entertain, especially from sections of Ugandans who disagree with its policies, or leadership generally. A week to Independence, the road between the Constitution Square, the biggest symbol of an independent country, has been closed with police occupying the grounds as if the government is the old colonial establishment afraid that it will be overthrown. It is wrong for the police to continue defining movements and activities for some Ugandans. The police should be up to the task of containing a breach of the peace without unnecessarily infringing on others’ peace and freedoms. It is every Ugandans hope that on Tuesday, President Museveni and all peace loving Ugandans, will proclaim a new chapter on how we deal with our politics. We are a young democracy and a clearly spelt out steps on political transitions as had been proclaimed in the 1995 Constitution, are critical if we to aspire for real independence."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Government-finally-accepts-bids-for-Karuma/-/688334/1524238/-/8rvs11/-/index.html","content":"Government finally accepts bids for Karuma - Officials in the Ministry of Energy have accepted bids for the delayed and controversy-hit Karuma hydropower deal, which were reportedly smuggled to the Contracts Committee. On Tuesday, the junior Energy minister, Mr Simon D’Ujanga, told MPs on the House Energy Committee investigating allegations of corruption in the $2 billion Karuma deal, that bids from companies which were not pre-qualified found their way to the evaluation committee, in breach of procurement procedures. Pre-qualification is the process of screening potential contractors to develop a list of qualified bidders who would then be invited to bid. The procurement breach, contained in the minister’s confidential document to the committee, was singled out by Aswa MP Reagan Okumu, who demanded an explanation from the minister. ‘Abuse of procedure’Confirming what legislators have called “open” abuse of procedures, the minister said the Contracts Committee, on March 15 last year, approved the pre-qualification of Salini Construttori SpA but the bids they received were from Salini S.p.A. Another pre-qualified company was SinoHydro C.M.C but the bids belonged to Sinohydro-CMC Karuma JV. The minister’s statement also shows that instead of Perlite Construction, it was Perlite Construction Company that submitted the bids. Salini S.p.A is one of the companies which have petitioned the public procurements authority for an administrative review of the evaluation. But before the outcome of the review Salini S.p.A secured a High Court injunction stopping the process. Energy PS Kabagambe Kaliisa, the accounting officer, did not answer our calls. Parliament’s investigation comes after a Kampala court last week issued fresh orders directing the government and all authorities to stop considering a bid to build the dam. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Officials-smuggle-bids-in--2b-Karuma-deal/-/688334/1523790/-/i49kdt/-/index.html","content":"Officials smuggle bids in $2b Karuma deal - Officials in the Ministry of Energy accepted bids for the long-delayed and controversy-hit Karuma hydropower deal which were reportedly smuggled to the contracts committee, it emerged Tuesday evening. Junior Energy minister Simon D'Ujanga told MPs on the House Energy Committee investigating allegations of corruption in the $2 billion Karuma deal that bids from companies which were not pre-qualified found their way to the evaluation committee in breach of procurement procedures. Pre-qualification is the process of screening of potential contractors to develop a list of qualified bidders who would then be invited tobid. The procurement breach, contained in the minister’s confidential document, to the committee was singled out by Aswa MP Reagan Okumu who demanded an explanation from the minister. “From your statement we are seeing ghost companies being smuggled into the contracts committee. Can the minister explain the circumstances under which Salini S.p.A and Sinohydro-CMC Karuma JV submitted bids for consideration,” Mr Okumu asked. Confirming what legislators have called, “open” abuse of procedures the minister said contracts committee, sitting March 15, 2011, approved the pre-qualification of Salini Construttori SpA but the bids they received were from Salini S.p.A. Another company pre-qualified company was SinoHydro C.M.C but the bids belonged to Sinohydro-CMC Karuma JV. The minister’s statement also shows that instead of Perlite Construction, it was Perlite Construction Company that submitted the bids. Salini S.p.A is one of the companies which have petitioned the public procurements authority for an administrative review of the evaluation process. But before the outcome of the review Salini S.p.A secured a High Court injunction stopping the process. “There is something fishy about the procurement for this Karuma project. For instance, why did the contracts committee open the bids which were not pre-qualified? The accounting officer even went ahead to waste taxpayers money in a hopeless administrative review,” Alex Ruhunda (Fort Portal Municipality) said. PS Kabagambe Kaliisa, the accounting officer, didn’t answer calls. Parliament’s investigation comes after a Kampala court last week issued fresh orders directing the government and all authorities to stop considering a bid to build the Karuma Hydro Power Dam. The orders followed a petition filed by a private citizen, Mr Twine Muganga, on September 10 in which the government was asked to withhold the feared award of the contract a Chinese company, China International Water and Electric Corporation, which stands accused of having falsified bid documents. There was some drama when Mr D’Ujanga and Eng. Paul Mubiru, the director for energy and mineral development, could not remember Mr Muganga’s particulars, prompting the committee to kick him out with instructions to return on Thursday with a full explanation about the apparent breach of in procurement procedures. Energy committee chair Michael Werikhe yesterday said: “We are not going to injure the legal process in any way. Our view is that as a committee, we cannot keep quiet on the Karuma project when we read in the papers that all is not right. The consequences will be dire if we don’t get it right.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/KCCA-seeks-court-guidance-on-Centenary-Park-injunction/-/688334/1522678/-/12byo6e/-/index.html","content":"KCCA seeks court guidance on Centenary Park injunction - Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has sought “indulgence and guidance” from the commercial division of the High Court in Kampala on an interim order the latter issued to them blocking termination of Centenary park contract and eviction of tenants. KCCA’s legal department claims that the status quo remains as the issues highlighted in the court restraint had already been over taken by events. “We are writing to seek court’s indulgence and guidance on how to implement the interim order issued by the court on September 28, 2012,” the letter by Mike Okua, the authority’s director of legal affairs, reads in part. A day after KCCA moved in and cleared part of the park claiming it must be a public open space, Ms Kizito through her company Nalongo Estates Ltd, asked court to temporarily halt this process. An interim order was subsequently granted on Friday to halt the breach of management agreement and eviction of tenants. KCCA had earmarked yesterday October 1 as the date for demolition of the park.However, this newspaper understands that the agreement Nalongo Estate’s contract was terminated in April. Acts already in placeTo this case Mr Okua noted that, “It is abundantly clear that from the foregoing, the interim order that you granted requires rectification to the extent that it seeks to restrain acts that have already taken place; that is, termination of the management agreement and taking possession of the premises.” KCCA deputy spokesperson Robert Kalumba said the Authority will now wait for a response from the commercial division of high court and as such the status quo remains as no statutory notice was served upon KCCA as per the Civil Procedure and limitations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act.The Judicairy Spokesperson, Erias Kisawuzi, however, said the order was in “clear sentences” and therefore KCCA should act according as instructed. “It is not a matter of defying court orders every time they are issued. If KCCA goes on to defy that, then that will be another case,” Mr Kisawuzi said in an interview with Daily Monitor yesterday. akiyaga@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Accountants-urged-to-take-professional-liability-cover-/-/688322/1517318/-/37ek22/-/index.html","content":"Accountants urged to take professional liability cover  - Accountants have been urged to take up professional liability insurance cover to guard against financial shortcomings that may affect them in the course of executing their duties. Mr Alex Wanjohi, the managing director, Chartis Uganda, observed that the accountancy profession is more vulnerable to risks, given the nature of their daily executions. “Dealings with money matters means that accountants do some of the most critical tasks in facilitating the running of enterprises, yet complex duties are equally more susceptible to shortcomings. This calls for professional liability cover for the good of the establishments,” Mr Wanjohi said at a recent Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda annual seminar in Entebbe. Professional liability insurance cover or professional indemnity insurance caters for legal defence costs or any damage awards for claims made against professionals for losses that may arise due to breach of confidentiality, professional errors or negligence, copyright breaches and loss of data among others. “You ought to be aware that a single claim can ruin a business financially because it comes with legal costs, it’s time-consuming and resource hungry. In such events, the insurance will provide protection against such claims so that business continues,” he said. Ms Mariam Nalunkuuma, the Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda’s publicist, said although there are no readily available statistics regarding the number of professionals who have taken up the cover, she noted that it is imperative for every professional to take it up to safe guard from any liability. She noted that the cover is priced depending on the profession and level of risk.“Different professionals have different levels of risks and even different professions have different risks they are exposed to,” she said. The cover is available for all professionals ranging from doctors, engineers, accountants, lawyers, architects and journalists among others. fkulabako@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Google-blocks-anti-Islam-film-in-Malaysia/-/688340/1509502/-/c4hknfz/-/index.html","content":"Google blocks anti-Islam film in Malaysia - Google has begun barring access in Malaysia to an anti-Islamic film that has sparked fury across the Muslim world after the country's Internet regulator lodged an official complaint. The low-budget movie, entitled \"Innocence of Muslims\", has angered followers of Islam for its mocking of the Prophet Mohammed, and for portraying Muslims as immoral and gratuitously violent. A spokesman for video-sharing site YouTube, owned by internet giant Google, told AFP on Monday that it began restricting access to clips of the privately-produced film Sunday, in line with its community guidelines. \"When videos breach those rules, we remove them. Where we have launched YouTube locally and we are notified that a video is illegal in that country, we will restrict access to it after a thorough review,\" he said. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) was reported to have asked Google Saturday to remove clips of the controversial film, believed to have been produced by a small group of extremist Christians in the United States, from YouTube. Some extracts of it were still available on the video-sharing website on Monday but several other clips had been blocked to users in the Muslim-majority country. Google has also denied access to the videos in Indonesia, Libya, Egypt and India. In cities across the Muslim world protesters have vented their fury at the amateur film by targeting symbols of US influence ranging from embassies and schools to fast food chains. The US ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, and three other US officials were killed last week in an attack by suspected Islamic militants on the US consulate in Benghazi in protest against the film. A total of 17 people have died in violence so far. Muslims held demonstrations across Malaysia on Friday, calling for the United States to prevent distribution of the film they said was part of a plot by \"Christian extremists\". Cabinet ministers have reportedly also demanded the film be taken offline and condemned YouTube for being \"insensitive\" and \"oblivious to the tumult it has caused\". editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/MPs-summon-Ssekandi-over-illegal-city-building/-/688334/1504578/-/9lvgrhz/-/index.html","content":"MPs summon Ssekandi over illegal city building - A House committee yesterday said it will today ask Vice President Edward Ssekandi to explain his actions in stopping the police from assisting Kampala Capital City Authority from enforcing the demolition of a building being constructed on part of a key road reserve. The Presidential Affairs Committee also said they would write to police chief, Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura, directing that he ensures the Force backs KCCA in its efforts to tear down the incomplete structure on Plot 42, Nile Avenue. The said plot is opposite Garden City and Nakumatt Oasis shopping malls. Committee chairperson Barnabas Tinkasimire said Lt. Gen. Kayihura, who they also plan to meet today, must ensure that the structure is razed by tomorrow. The building is registered under Foton East Africa, a Chinese firm which KCCA said had only been permitted to put up a semi-permanent motor vehicle showroom. Mr Tinkasimire received a complaint from KCCA boss Jennifer Musisi to the effect that she has faced hurdles while executing her mandate “because of some powerful shots in the country.” The committee wrote to Lt. Gen. Kayihura upon learning from Ms Musisi that police had developed cold feet when she sought manpower from them. The committee said Mr Ssekandi and President’s younger brother, only known as Toyota, were behind the Chinese investors who are constructing the structure in the road reserve. Although the committee has invited the Vice President for a meeting today on the matter, his press secretary James Mututa yesterday told Daily Monitor that although the VP halted the demolition, he “was an arbiter when KCCA and the proprietor failed to agree.” This newspaper has learnt that the investors complained to VP Ssekandi upon learning that Ms Musisi had called upon police to demolish their building. The President’s brother, however, said he has nothing to do with the building, although he is an employee of the company. He also denied that he personally supervises the building with armed officers. Foton East Africa was on July 18 given a permit to commence construction but declined to follow the guidelines put in the permit and extended construction into the road. SetbacksOn August 15, KCCA revoked the permit because the developer was in breach of one of the conditions which was to the effect that the front setback along Nile Avenue and Kitante Road should be a minimum of 15 metres from the road reserve. KCCA also ordered the developer to demolish the structure within two days or else the authority would demolish it- that is when the developers reportedly sought refuge in the VP’s office. Police Deputy Spokesperson Vincent Ssekate said they were ready to proceed but KCCA did not inform them of the outcome of the meeting with the VP. In her August 29 letter to Kampala Metropolitan Police, Ms Musisi indicated that she was given officers under the command of the DPC, Central Police Station but on the day of demolition, KCCA was notified by police of a letter from the VP’s office calling for stay of action. snaturinda@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Advertisers-drag-KCCA-to-court/-/688334/1503820/-/39oawm/-/index.html","content":"Advertisers drag KCCA to court - The National Outdoor advertising Contractors Association Limited has sued Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) for destruction of their billboards. The advertising association in a case filed through their lawyers, alleges that on September 1, officials of KCCA in bad faith started destroying their lawfully placed billboard sites in Ntinda-Bukoto, a Kampala suburb. DamagesThe lawyers are seeking a court declaration that the destruction of the outdoor advertising tools is in disregard to the city advertising policies and breach of contract. According to Mr Umar Kakonge Ssali, the managing director Contact Graphics, a member of the plaintiff association, in his affidavit, said the conduct of KCCA has caused them losses in business to which they seek damages. Mr Ssali added that they held a meeting on July 17 with KCCA which informed them they are going to issue new guidelines within four days on the advertising tools. “We agreed in the meeting that all existing tools would remain intact and development of any new sites would not be permitted,” Mr Ssali said. He added that they also agreed that the exercise of removing any illegal structures had to start after new guidelines are issued by KCCA which they have not done. The deputy registrar of Commercial Court, Mr John Alutu, has ordered KCCA to file its defence in two weeks from now in respect to the allegations. It is alleged that sometime in 2007 Kampala City Council recognised the plaintiff by writing to them to warn all its members of impending crackdown of illegitimate advertising tools. bndagire@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Isn-t-it-time-for-the-govt-to-let-the-media-regulate-itself-/-/689364/1501370/-/66l1oez/-/index.html","content":"Isn’t it time for the govt to let the media regulate itself? - In the past few days, there have been media reports that the government is once again on the brink of re-tabling the controversial Press and Journalists Amendment Bill (2010) to Parliament for consideration. The Bill seeks to among other things, amend the Press and Journalist Act in order to provide for registration and licensing of newspapers; and impose excessively vague and broad restrictions on the content of what may be published. If passed, this Bill would bring to 10 the number of laws that govern or have a direct impact on media freedom and freedom of expression. The others, enacted or amended within the last 15 years include: The Press and Journalist Act (2000) (formerly Statute 1995); The Electronic Media Act (2000); The Penal Code Act (1950) as (Amended in 2007); The Uganda Broadcasting Corporation Act (2005); The Uganda Communications Commission Act (2000); The Access to Information Act (2005); The Anti-Terrorism Act (2002); The Police Act (1994) (Amended in 2005); The Regulation of Interception of Communications Act (2010). The other two proposed Bills include The Public Order Management Bill (2010); and the Uganda Communications Regulatory Authority Bill (2012). Without going into the specific provisions of each of these laws and Bills, the fact that all these legal instruments are dedicated to regulating the media begs question: are they really necessary, have they been effective, but more importantly, do they espouse media freedom, professionalism and freedom of expression? The answer to the last two is a no! Twenty years ago, it was perfectly understandable for some form of government media regulation. The air waves had just been liberalised, and indeed, there were just a handful of media outlets, and few “professional” media practitioners – if the definition of a journalist in the Press and Journalist Act is anything to go by. A law to regulate the media was may be necessary – then. For the past few years now, the media fraternity has taken significant efforts to establish mechanisms of self-regulation, resulting in the establishment of the Independent Media Council of Uganda (IMCU), launched in 2009 by veteran journalist and former premier Kintu Musoke. The IMCU raised a lot of hope mainly because it was organic, and an initiative by the media themselves. It developed a code of conduct which was endorsed by media practitioners after nationwide consultations. There have and will always be questions on the ability and capacity of the media not only to put their houses in order, but also to develop a functional peer review mechanisms. This is because the mechanism assumes the existence of and seeks to promote a certain level of maturity in the professional ranks as well as a culture of civility and respect for both media peers and the society in general. There is no doubt today that the media are more professional and principled than ever before – of course with some exceptions – and capable of regulating itself. Instead of seeking to amend the Press and Journalists Act, giving more powers to the statutory Media Council and the disciplinary committee or the Minister of Information, the government should seek to support the initiatives and structures of the IMCU. In as much as it is easier for the government to legislate and spell out punitive measures against those who breach the laid down standards, this has not always resulted in the desired goal, unless if that goal has been to stifle media freedom and freedom of expression. If the government is genuinely concerned about promoting media professionalism and freedom of expression, now is the time to let the media to regulate itself. Mr Kimumwe is senior programme officer, ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africapaul@article19.org"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Apparent-neglect-of-children-by-schools-becoming-a-growing-trend/-/806314/1500340/-/yqlgkgz/-/index.html","content":"Apparent neglect of children by schools becoming a growing trend - For the past three days, the newspapers have been awash with reports of a two and a half year old who drowned in a swimming pool at Acorn International School. Initial reports state that Sunshine Barasa drowned during the morning break and her body was discovered floating in the pool with the school’s swimming pool attendant nowhere in sight. According to news reports, the child’s parents warned the school administration twice about the potential danger this swimming pool (which apparently was still under construction and not gazetted) could be to the children. Police have attributed the incident to negligence by the school administration who failed to monitor one of their pupils causing her death. The Uganda Law Society whose mandate it is to assist the public in all matters touching, ancillary or incidental to the law, will not sit back but speak out just like it always has, against such unacceptable conduct by the authorities we entrust our children with. What went wrong and issues of liability. This incident no doubt screams negligence and is essentially a breach of trust whereby the school that was entrusted with the care and safety of this child failed to ensure her safety nor heed the warnings of her parents; resulting in her death. Schools are placed with a duty of care and owe it to children in their custody. In the premises, the school in question is liable for negligence and breach of trust. It is also liable under occupier’s liability as it opened and allowed onto its premises, children of a tender age; one of whom unfortunately lost her life. Vicarious liability falls on the school administration for the action of its employee (the swimming pool attendant), who was not at his duty station when this unfortunate incident happened. Increasing negligence of children: The above incident is one of a myriad of cases in the recent past of child neglect. This is not the first time cases of abuse and neglect have been reported concerning children. There have been reports of children not having lunch that is meant to be provided by the school, involved and perishing in school fires, burning in school porridge, unstable and unsafe school structures, uncontrolled traffic on the school premises, to mention but a few. The ULS is concerned about these occurrences and will no doubt defend the rights of children to a safe and healthy environment. Children like all other citizens of this nation enjoy human and children’s rights as stipulated in the Constitution and the Children Act of Uganda and these must be promoted, preserved, observed and defended at all times. In conclusion, we recommend that: The long arm of the law brings all those responsible for negligible acts against children, to justice. That full and prompt compensation be given for all children who have been injured and whose lives have been lost as a result of such negligence. That the government through the Ministry of Education should ensure introduction of safety measures or precautions in schools. That schools should ensure that their premises and facilities are safe for children so that such incidents do not happen again. James Mukasa Sebugenyi,President - Uganda Law Society"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Ministry-tasked-to-act-on-school-negligence/-/688334/1498410/-/12eka7z/-/index.html","content":"Ministry tasked to act on school negligence - The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has asked Ministry of Education and Sports to take action against neglect of children in schools. The ULS warning comes at the time when two-and-a half year old Sunshine Mitchelle Barasa drowned in a swimming pool at Acorn International School on her first day in school. Warning issuedThe incident has been attributed to the school administration’s negligence as the parents of the deceased said they warned the school twice about the potential danger posed by the swimming pool that is still under construction. In a press statement to Daily Monitor, Mr James Mukasa Sebugenyi, the president ULS, said Sunshine’s death was a breach of trust where the school that was entrusted with the care and safety of this child, failed in its role. “The school’s administration should know that they are placed with a duty of care and owe it to children in their custody,” Mr Sebugenyi said. He said liability falls on the school administration for the action of its employee (the swimming pool attendant) who was not at his duty station when this unfortunate incident happened. Compensation callHe added that government should cause full and prompt compensation for all children who have been injured and died as a result of negligence. mdagire@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Woman-sues-fianc--over-wedding/-/688334/1485784/-/fgff4p/-/index.html","content":"Woman sues fiancé over wedding - When Catherine Kalembe introduced Emma Mutaka to her parents in Kisozi Village, Kamuli District in 2010 as her fiancé, she was sure a wedding would follow shortly to cement their relationship. However, two years later and without a wedding ring, Ms Kalembe has decided to seek legal recourse, dragging her fiancé to court for allegedly failing to wed her. In what many in Iganga have described as a “strange” case, Ms Kalembe, a resident of Nkono Zone in the municipality, says Mr Mutaka, who is the National Agricultural Advisory Services, (Naads) coordinator for Bukanga Sub-county in Luuka District, should pay for failing to marry her. In the suit, Ms Kalembe says she went an extra mile to facilitate their introduction ceremony and make it “colourful” with a Shs2 million cash injection—and it is just proper that her fiancé—who “had a small income” then, reciprocates a good turn. In her submission to the Iganga Chief Magistrate, Ms Kalembe laments that Saturday December 17, 2011, should have been her lucky day—when she should have walked down the aisle with her heartthrob. Instead, Ms Kalembe says, she nearly dropped dead when Pastor Kasakya of Iganga Deliverance Church, who was to preside over the function, told her Mr Mutaka had halted the wedding “until further notice”. Ms Kalembe told court her misery is further compounded by the fact that her house in Nkono Zone in Iganga town is where the couple had co-habited in “tough” times and that she had contributed Shs2 million to help her fiancé get a job. Ms Kalembe’s lawyer told court: “Since then my client has suffered mental anguish and torture, lost chances to marry and suffered injured feelings and shame in community.” The lawyer says court should compel Mr Mutaka to pay Ms Kalembe Shs20 million in costs and general damages, noting that the former’s conduct was “unlawful” and tantamounts to “breach of promise”. Mr Mutaka in his defence, however, states that he is still in love with Ms Kalembe and is surprised by the suit.Chief magistrate Susan Kanyange has given the pair up to November 19 to organise a wedding or have the case resume."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Nakaseke-officials-verify-60-suspected-illegal-immigrants/-/688334/1483146/-/i5u9cj/-/index.html","content":"Nakaseke officials verify 60 suspected illegal immigrants - NAKASEKE. Authorities in Nakaseke District have embarked on a verification exercise of documents for suspected 60 Congolese immigrants who have settled in the district. The exercise is geared at ensuring that their stay and settlement is not in breach of the law.According to the Resident District Commissioner, Mr Geoffrey Kyomukama, the District Security Committee has been receiving information from officials at Kapeeka and Kito sub-counties concerning Congolese immigrants in their respective areas who do not have documents indicating their respective areas of origin and purpose for which they are settling in the area. “We have advised them to present documents detailing their respective particulars and possibly letters from authorities where they came from.It is a normal practice that anybody settling in an area is introduced to the area local councils,” Mr Kyomukama said on Friday. Kito Sub-county Chairman Abel Lubowa told Daily Monitor on Friday that his area has more than 50 Congolese who have settled at Katalekamese and Bulamazi villages. He, however, said some of the congolese have settled in these areas for more than five years while about 20 of them arrived recently and could be part of the many displaced by the insurgency in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. “We do not have problems with these people but we want their respective stay in the area to be in line with the law.They have to register with the authorities in the areas where they are staying,” Mr Lubowa said. A Congolese woman, who identified her self as Janet Farah Winny, who claims to have been forced to flee her home town of Bunagana in June this year, said many of her relatives were abducted by the rebels and that those who crossed to Uganda are in Kisoro District. “I left some of my relatives at Kisoro refugee camp. I have a relative who has settled and is married here in Kapeeka Sub-county. We were forced to live our home town after the rebels abducted several youths at Bunagana Town,” Ms Farah Winny said, adding: “We are many here and working on farms. I do not hope to go back to Congo.” Kapeeka Sub-county Chairman Moses Ssenfuma said registration for all residents at their respective local council offices is now mandatory with all residents directed to register their respective visitors at their respective LCs since many of the congolese claim that they came to visit their relatives in the area. According to Kapeeka LC3 Chairman, the Congolese in his area are law abiding but need to register with the LCs in their respective areas for security purpose. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Patients-stuck-as-Jinja-Hospital-suspends-senior-gynaecologist/-/688334/1475572/-/2cfgspz/-/index.html","content":"Patients stuck as Jinja Hospital suspends senior gynaecologist - The suspension of a doctor, who allegedly neglected a patient that later died at Jinja Referral Hospital, has left a human resource gap at hospital. Dr Michael Osinde, the hospital director, said the suspended doctor is a senior gynaecologist, whose absence has left the hospital stranded. “He cannot go back to the ward under the circumstances. I am also stranded, my hands are tied,” Dr Osinde said in an interview with this newspaper on Wednesday.Jinja Regional Referral Hospital has four gynaecologists, the suspended doctor being the most experienced among them. The accusationThe development follows the death of 20-year-old Shanita Nakato Namubiru, last Friday, whose relatives claimed had been neglected as the medic allegedly demanded for a bribe of Shs700,000. The deceased died during a caesarian operation, leaving behind a baby girl. The death sparked mayhem at the hospital as relatives attacked health workers.The doctor was later evacuated and kept under detention until Monday, when his colleagues went on strike, protesting his arrest. It was only after the intervention of Lands minister Daudi Migereko that the health workers at the hospital agreed to return to work. Mr Migereko assured the health workers that their security was guaranteed and that their colleague would be released. Investigations dueDr Osinde said the Uganda Dental and Medical Practitioners Council has been given a week to conclude the investigations into the cause of death. “We are currently doing a maternal mortality audit which we have to complete by Friday (today) morning. The Uganda Dental and Medical Practitioners’ Council have also been told to do theirs,” he said. Keeping the doctor under probe out of the ward, he said, was in line with Public Service standing regulations which he could not breach, despite the service gap.As the medical authorities do their investigations, the police are also continuing to probe the bribery allegations. This means even if the medical probe is concluded, the doctor will remain suspended until the police case is also put to rest. Meanwhile, Dr Osinde said the hospital is still taking care of the deceased mother’s baby and a sister to the father had come in to supplement the hospital’s efforts ."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kagame-has-questions-to-answer---Britain/-/688334/1471084/-/ho6s2hz/-/index.html","content":"Kagame has questions to answer - Britain - The British government has accused President Paul Kagame’s government of fueling violence in Congo and endorsed a UN report- linking Rwanda to a bloody regional conflict that has so far left over 260,000 people displaced and others dead. A senior government official also told Sunday Monitor on Wednesday that this year, Britain would not release an estimated £16 million (Shs56 billion) in aid for Rwanda, adding that “UK is taking the UN report seriously and “Rwanda government must explain what is going on.” “Rwanda has questions to answer,” a government official said. “We (British government) understand (s) that there is a UN report and it’s very clear on who is behind the conflict in Congo. Our position is that whoever is involved must work to promote peace not conflicts.”The UN Group of Experts (GoE) on the Congo report accuses President Kagame of funding and arming the rebel group M23 in violation of UN sanctions. This rebel group is led by renegade Gen. Bosco Ntaganda, who is wanted by the ICC for war crimes. M23 rebels have, over the last two months, seized parts of eastern DRC- creating a refugee crisis in the region. Ntaganda had been a Tutsi rebel warlord operating in eastern DRC until 2009 when he was integrated into the Congolese army as part of an undisclosed peace deal.This high-ranking official in British government said the British government and other development partners are closely following the developments in Congo. The US has suspended £127,198 (about Shs445m) in military aid to Rwanda over the allegations. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was in Kampala this week to meet President Museveni over regional security, including DR Congo and Somalia. The two held closed door meetings. Kagame denies allegationsBut President Kagame has reacted furiously and blamed the conflict in Congo on the international community. Rwanda also dismissed UN claims that the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) trained and provided rebel commanders with 75mm canons and other ammunitions. Britain is the latest country to blame Rwanda for the mutiny in DR Congo, that has seen M23 rebel group taking up arms to fight the elected government in Kinshasa over an alleged breach of a deal that had been signed between the DRC government and another political armed militia— the National Congress for the Defence of the People. During the inauguration of a military college last week, President Kagame said the ongoing problems in DRC were a creation of the international community, and not Rwanda. “Rwanda has not supplied one bullet to DRC conflict if we had I would say we did because we would have done it with a reason,” he said. Rwanda’s Foreign Office said the UN report on Congo conflict was hypocritical, adding that it was intended to make Rwanda a scapegoat for its neighbour’s problems. Earlier, Mr Kagame complained at a public function in Kigali that although the money donors withheld was insignificant, the allegations were damaging his reputation. Meanwhile, although RDC President Joseph Kabila said he questioned Uganda over allegations that Kampala was also aiding rebels fighting his government, and that he also sent an envoy to Kampala to rally diplomatic support, Britain remains silent on Uganda’s fate. Uganda government however, denies reports that it is also supporting the rebels. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/US-warns-Kagame-could-face-charges-of-aiding-war-in-DRC/-/688334/1463480/-/hi5cfx/-/index.html","content":"US warns Kagame could face charges of aiding war in DRC - The head of the US war crimes office has warned Rwanda’s leaders, including President Paul Kagame, that they could face prosecution at the International Criminal Court for arming groups responsible for atrocities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Stephen Rapp, who leads the US Office of Global Criminal Justice, told the Guardian that the Rwandan leadership may be open to charges of “aiding and abetting” crimes against humanity in a neighbouring country – actions similar to those for which the former Liberian president Charles Taylor was jailed for 50 years by an international court in May. Rapp’s warning follows a damning United Nations report on recent Rwandan military support for M23, an insurgent group that has driven hundreds of thousands of people from their homes since April as it seized territory in the eastern DR Congo. The group is led by Bosco Ntaganda, known as the Terminator, who was indicted by the international criminal court six years ago for war crimes including the forced recruitment of child soldiers. The UN report accuses Rwanda of shielding Ntaganda from justice. On Saturday, Washington said it would halt some military aid to Rwanda after the UN report. The aid freeze and Rapp’s public intervention mark a significant shift away from once solid US support for Mr. Kagame, which was rooted in lingering guilt over international inaction during the 1994 genocide. Rapp, who previously served as chief prosecutor at the Rwanda genocide tribunal and later initiated the prosecution of Taylor over his crimes as president of Liberia in supporting rebels in neighbouring Sierra Leone, said Rwandan support for M23 and other armed groups “has to stop” because it “maintains the lawlessness and at the end of the day enables the ongoing commission of atrocities”. “There is a line that one can cross under international law where you can be held responsible for aiding a group in a way that makes possible their commission of atrocities,” he said. Rapp said the evidence by the UN group of experts of Rwandan government support for M23 and other armed groups, including sending weapons and troops into the DR Congo, exposed Kagame and other senior officials to investigation for war crimes. The UN report by a group of experts appointed by the security council said it had “found substantial evidence attesting to support from Rwandan officials to armed groups operating in the eastern DR Congo”, including shipping weapons and money to M23 in breach of a UN arms embargo and other sanctions. It also offers evidence of “direct Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) interventions into Congolese territory to reinforce M23” and “support to several other armed groups”. Rwanda’s foreign minister, Louise Mushikiwabo, described the UN report as “bad information”. “As we have made clear from the outset, Rwanda is neither the cause nor the enabler of instability in the eastern DRC,” she said. Rwandan officials are expected to meet the UN group of experts in Kigali this week. “We will go through each allegation contained in the interim report and debunk them line by line,” she said. Rwanda’s invasion of what was then Zaire in 1996 to clear out refugee camps sheltering armed groups responsible for the genocide two years earlier was quietly backed by Washington and London, which did not challenge a second invasion two years later and Kigali’s attempt to create a proxy administration in eastern DR Congo using loyal armed groups."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Markets/Ugandan-traders-sue-South-Sudan-over-Shs100-billion/-/688606/1456684/-/2luwil/-/index.html","content":"Ugandan traders sue South Sudan over Shs100 billion - The government of South Sudan has been dragged to court over failure to pay for grains worth about Shs101 billion to Ugandan traders.A group of 24 Ugandan companies under their umbrella organisation; Uganda South Sudan Grain Traders and Suppliers Association have lodged a case at the Commercial Division of the High Court, seeking for a declaration that the refusal of the South Sudan government to pay them as per the Memorandum of Understanding with Uganda is unlawful. The traders through their lawyers allege that they supplied the South Sudan government with grain comprising of sorghum and maize between 2009 and 2010 worth about Shs137 billion ($56 million) but have not paid. Government interventionThis prompted the Ugandan government to intervene on behalf of the traders leading to the signing of MoU with South Sudan in November 2010.According to court documents, the government of South Sudan allegedly signed a MoU with the Ugandan government committing itself to pay the said monies in installments starting with an advance payment of Shs36.7 billion ($15 million) as partial payment. However, the traders allege: “The respondent (South Sudan) has in breach of its commitments under the MoU neglected to settle all the applicants’ claims as set out in the said MoU.” It is alleged that the traders have continuously been deprived and denied access to their financial assets in contravention of their right to property under the Ugandan law. Meanwhile, court has summoned the government of South Sudan to file its defence in the matter within 15 days. Kampala High Court Judge Hellen Obura has set July 30 this year to hear the maiden case against South Sudan government in the Ugandan courts. The traders are seeking for a court order for the government of South Sudan execute or perform its commitments under the November 21, 2010 agreement. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/EU-threatens-Microsoft-with-antitrust-fine/-/688340/1456560/-/imcc4yz/-/index.html","content":"EU threatens Microsoft with antitrust fine - The European Commission threatened Microsoft with another big fine on Tuesday after the US software giant failed to give 28 million European customers the ability to choose their web browser. Microsoft immediately apologised for the \"technical error\" after 28 million users of the Windows 7 operating system were unable to choose between the company's default Internet Explorer and other browsers. \"While we have taken immediate steps to remedy this problem, we deeply regret that this error occurred and we apologise for it,\" the US company said in a statement. In order to ease European Union competition concerns in 2009, the US software giant committed to provide Windows users in Europe a \"choice screen\" enabling them to choose an alternative web browser until 2014. But the screen has been missing from a service pack 1 update to Windows 7 since February 2011. \"We have fallen short in our responsibility to do this,\" Microsoft said. The European Union's executive arm announced an antitrust probe against Microsoft, which has already been fined hundreds of millions of euros in a separate case. \"We are now opening formal proceedings against the company,\" European Union Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia told a news conference. \"If following our investigation this breach is confirmed, and Microsoft seems to acknowledge the facts here, this could have severe consequences,\" he said. \"If infringements are confirmed, there will be sanctions.\" A company that is found to have breached legally-binding commitments can face fines of up to 10 percent of total annual turnover. Microsoft had stated in a report to Brussels on December 2011 that it was complying with the 2009 commitments, but \"market players\" later revealed that the company was breaking its pledge, Almunia said. \"I consider that commitments by companies themselves are a good way to solve competition problems... as an alternative to lengthy proceedings,\" he said. \"But this can only work if companies implement these decisions fully.\" Microsoft indicated that it believed it was complying with its commitment when it issued the December report, but the company said it later learned that the screen choice was missing from Windows. The company said it developed software to fix the problem on July 2, one business day after it was discovered. \"We expect to substantially complete distribution of the BCS (browser choice screen) software to the PCs we initially missed by the end of the week,\" the statement said. 1 | 2 Next Page»Microsoft also opened its own outside investigation to determine how the mistake happened and offered to extend the time during which the browser choice screen will be available by 15 months. \"We understand that the Commission will review this matter and determine whether this is an appropriate step for Microsoft to take. We understand that the Commission may decide to impose other sanctions,\" it said. The commission already fined Microsoft 899 million euros in 2008 for failing to comply with an order to share product information with rivals so that their software can work with Windows. Last month the General Court, the EU's second highest tribunal, dismissed Microsoft's bid to annul the penalty but cut the US software giant's fine by 39 million euros to 860 million. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Sue-government-over-breach-of-Maputo-Protocol/-/806314/1451398/-/hu39ofz/-/index.html","content":"Sue government over breach of Maputo Protocol - Farmers in Uganda have a case against the government for failure to fund adequately the agriculture sector. The sector has been getting a token budget allocation of between only 3 per cent and 5 per cent a year. While in the FY 2011/12 it got 4 per cent, it got only 3 per cent in the FY2012/13. During a meeting in Maputo, Mozambique in 2003, the ‘Maputo Protocol’ requiring all African governments to allocate 15 per cent of their annual budget to agriculture sector was signed. The intention was to boost the sector, which is considered as the backbone of African economies. Sadly, despite being a signatory, the government of Uganda has failed to abide by this protocol. This is criminal and farmers have a duty to sue the government for the breach of the protocol. In 2001, an agreement that gives health sector 15 per cent of budget was signed in Abuja, Nigeria. Yet even here, the government is not abiding by the agreement.Dan Okello, Lira"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Hold-former-ministers-accountable-for-IDs--MPs-tell-govt/-/688334/1445766/-/13okims/-/index.html","content":"Hold former ministers accountable for IDs, MPs tell govt - Legislators across the political divide have demanded that the three former ministers implicated in the messy Shs200 billion national identity cards scandal, refund tax payers’ money or else have their properties attached. Former minister Kirunda Kivejinja, former Attorney General Kiddhu Makubuya and former State Minister for ICT, Alintuma Nsambu were recommended for sanction following a House investigation into the tendering of the National Identity Cards’ project to M/s Muhlbauer of Germany. Debating the report yesterday, the MPs said those indicted must be brought to book to scare away those that intend to occasion loss of tax payers’ money. The MPs led by Mr Gilbert Oulanyah (Kilak County), Benson Obua Ogwal (Moroto), Rona Ninsiima (Woman, Kabale) and Mr Vincent Kyamadidi (Rwampara County) demanded that all those implicated be prosecuted and made to refund the money. Mr Vincent Kyamadidi (Rwampara County) said the Inspectorate of Government must attach properties of those thieves he said are a disgrace to the country. Anite Evelyn (Youth, northern) said they shall move across the country telling people not to pay money for identity cards until the ministers return the money. The legislators observed in the report that there was outright breach of the procurement laws, dishonesty on the part of some senior officials, both political and technical, whose roles are highly questionable. They observed that the project was procured in a haste and there was no adequate time allowed for ascertaining the company’s ability to deliver the required service and ensire value for money. They recommended that those found responsible for occasioning loss regarding procurement and implementation should take full responsibility for their role in mismanaging a project of that magnitude. Since the inception of the project, only 4,000 out of the expected 3.5 million identity cards have been personalised, of which only 218 have been issued. mnalugo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Dismiss-part-timing-teachers---official/-/688334/1443686/-/bl9cn6/-/index.html","content":"Dismiss part-timing teachers - official - Head teachers of government-aided secondary schools have been directed to sack all teachers taking extra duties outside their designated schools. “As the commission entrusted with the recruitment of teachers, we are saying that there should be no more tolerance to the part-time teachers because they do not only lead to the poor performance but they also breach their terms they have with us. Therefore they must be sacked,” Education Service Commissioner, Mr Abdallatif Wangubo said on Sunday at a science fair organised by Pilkington College-Muguluka. Mr Wangubo urged school inspectors and head teachers to intensify their supervision and smoke out the teachers engaged in the act and forward their names to the Education Service Commission for action. The commission, he said would not offer any other opportunity to any teacher who will lose his/her job over the malpractice. Mr Wangubo downplayed the excuses of meager payment to the teachers by government, which some teachers claim forces them to take on extra duty in private schools to make extra income. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1443806/-/afikbiz/-/index.html","content":"Former ministers Kivenjinja, Makubuya face sanction over ID deals - Three former ministers were yesterday recommended for sanction following a House investigation into the tendering of the controversy-wracked Shs200 billion national Identity Cards project to M/s Muhlbauer of Germany. MPs want Mr Kirunda Kivejinja (Internal Affairs), former Attorney General Kiddhu Makubuya and former State Minister for ICT, Mr Alintuma Nsambu, punished for their role in the disputed deal. In a report presented the House Defence Committee chairperson, Mr Simon Mulongo (Bubulo East), Mr Kivejinja, Mr Makubuya and the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Internal Affairs, Mr Stephen Kagoda, reportedly flouted procurement laws. The report calls for an investigation into Mr Nsambu’s trip to Germany. Mr Kivejinja is implicated as having deliberately avoided and ignored the laid down procurement procedures under the law. The committee also recommended that Makubuya should take full responsibility for the irregular clearance of the National Security Information Systems procurement agreement in total disregard of Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority. “He (Kivejinja) therefore failed to provide correct political guidance to the ministry which failed to follow the established procedures for classified procurements under PPDA. Despite the technical and professional guidance provided by PPDA, the minister ignored this advice and went ahead to single source the Germany company, to which he dared to take full responsibility as warned by PPDA,” the report to be debated today, notes. The Defence committee inquiry into the procurement of the Shs200 billion ID project set out to, among others, ascertain the mode of procurement of the equipment, examine the parties involved in the procurement process and review the contractual dimension of the procurementThe report further notes that: “There was outright breach of the procurement of the procurement laws, dishonesty on the part of some senior officials, both political and technical whose roles are highly questionable.” It adds: “Those found responsible for occasioning loss regarding the procurement and implementation should take full responsibility and the committee prays that Parliament resolves to have clear and deserving penalties against them by the relevant authorities for mismanaging a project of a magnitude of about Shs200 billion,”. The committee said whereas the ID project was conceived with good intentions, it had critical shortfalls in its procurement. “Although the ministry presented letters from the President dated April, 2, 2009 and February 13, as their justification for selecting Muhlbauer as the sole company of choice without any competitive bidding, the committee did not [see] evidence of a presidential directive for single sourcing in any of the two letters specifically directing them to proceed as such.” They insisted that the President’s role was advisory. “In any case the guidance in the letters did not amount to restricting to single sourcing let alone circumventing the PPDA regulatory framework, which effectively provides for classified procurement but which was eluded.” editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Basajja-loses-land-in-judgement/-/688334/1439636/-/7vgblc/-/index.html","content":"Basajja loses land in judgement - City businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba on Thursday lost 300 acres of land worth billions of shillings in Lubowa, Wakiso District following a court judgement that cancelled the transfer of the land to him by Kikonyogo Investments Ltd, saying the transfer was illegal. The businessman trading as Haba Group (U) Limited was in 2010 sued by Lakeside City Ltd jointly with junior Lands minister Sam Engola, Lakeside Township Ltd, Kikonyogo Investments Ltd, and the Attorney General, for breach of contract, fraudulent sale and transfer of the suit land. While cancelling the transfer, Justice Joseph Murangira of the High Court, Land Division, noted that at the time of the said transfer, there was a court injunction barring the same but the two companies ignored the order. “The transfer of the suit land by the 3rd defendant (Kikonyogo Investments Ltd) to the 5th defendant (Haba Group (U) Ltd) when there was a court order to maintain the status quo was null and void.” Justice Murangira ruled. The judge ordered the Commissioner for Land Registration, whom he also faulted for ignoring earlier court orders, to register Lakeside City as the lawful owners of the land. This is the very civil case that had technically barred the IGG from prosecuting Ms Sarah Kulata, the then land commissioner over the same alleged charges before the Anti-Corruption Court acquitted and discharged her early this year. “The transfers from the 1st defendant (Mr Engola) to the plaintiff (Lakeside City) that were rejected by the Commissioner for Land Registration are good in law and should be effected” ruled the judge. The judge ordered the defendants to meet all the costs incurred by Lakeside City in pursuing the case. But on the contrary, defence lawyers led by Geoffrey Mutaawe of Kikonyogo, who unsuccessfully sought court orders to set aside its orders, vowed to appeal against the judgement. The matter arose in 2009 when Lakeside City bought the land from Lakeside Township but put in Minister Engola’s names. Later on, Mr Engola withdrew from the deal citing pressure from his party, NRM as the 2011 polls were drawing near. However, at the time of his withdraw, the land title that was still in his names had not been formally transferred into the names of Lakeside City. It is alleged that Ms Kulata in her capacity as the then Commissioner Land Registry, illegally cancelled Lakeside City as the lawful owners before registering Lakeside Township. It is also alleged that Ms Kulata again transferred the said land title from Lakeside Township to Kikonyogo before transferring again transferring it to Haba Group, hence the legal battle. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Kenya-seeks-to-eliminate-fraud-in-financial-markets/-/688340/1437304/-/14bmlgjz/-/index.html","content":"Kenya seeks to eliminate fraud in financial markets - Kenya's financial markets regulator on Wednesday lanced an advanced industry's surveillance system as part of measures aimed at protecting investor interests in the East African nation. The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) Capizar Market Surveillance will enable it to maintain an orderly, fair and efficient market as it stepped up its oversight role to ensure real time surveillance and any irregularities in trading are identified and curbed early enough. \"The Authority reaffirms its commitment to create, maintain and regulate a market in which securities can be traded in an orderly, fair and efficient manner,\" CMA Chief Executive Officer Stella Kilonzo told journalists in Nairobi. The development follows a public procurement process that commenced in June 2011 with the release of an international expression of interest subsequently followed by a request for proposal and finally the identification of a competitive bidder with the best market fit. Kilonzo said the new surveillance system will enable CMA to monitor trading activities in the market on real time basis by providing early warning signs through the use of alerts. The investment in the new market surveillance system is part of efforts of the regulator to proactively step up its oversight role to ensure real time surveillance and any irregularities in trading are identified and curbed early enough. CMA previously conducted surveillance through a market control system that was provided by the trading platform vendors. This system has been found to be inadequate due to increased market sophistication and innovation. The new market surveillance system has been rolled out successfully for capital market regulators in Pakistan, Ghana and Butan. The enhanced surveillance system is provided by the premier IT system and e-infrastructure provider InfoTech Middle East FZ-LLC. The new Surveillance system is also capable of undertaking multiple analyses by rapidly identifying abnormal trading behavior which will be saved in the system to assist in investigations and to gather further evidence for prosecution in cases of breach of Capital Markets Acts and Regulations. \"This will enable replay of an earlier market activity at a convenient time. The system will be able to print exception reports,\" Kilonzo said. She added that the surveillance function of the Authority plays a key role in ensuring that trading of securities at the Nairobi Securities Exchange is carried out in a manner consistent with the laws, regulations and guidelines governing securities. \"The decision to set up an advanced and enhanced surveillance system is informed by evolving sophistication in the market and that this will enhance the Authority's investor protection initiatives through its ability to identify and prevent market manipulation,\" she said. Kilonzo said that for the Authority to keep abreast with the changing market environment, it is essential that its functions are continuously strengthened thus the new robust system will enhance oversight role and efficiency. Implementation of the robust surveillance system is expected to increase the depth and numbers of investors while attracting new issuers to the market due to improved market integrity and investor confidence. The system has pre-configured rules to determine common trading patterns that constitute market abuse, including front running and insider trading. The Authority will spend 570,000 U.S. dollars in total towards implementation of the advanced market surveillance system which is expected to be fully functional by October."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Free-education-probe-team-in-central-region/-/688334/1434824/-/feah6k/-/index.html","content":"Free education probe team in central region - After completing public hearings in the north, west and east, the commission set up to investigate alleged mismanagement of free education scheme has shifted to central region. The commission secretary, Ms Keturah Katunguuka, told Daily Monitor yesterday that public hearings for central region start today at Grand Imperial Hotel in Kampala and will run up to July 2 . “We are through with other regions and we are optimistic that this last segment of public hearings will give us a clear picture of what we want,” Ms Katunguka said by telephone. Those to appear before the commission, according to Ms Katunguka, include; school heads, chief administrative officers and district education officers from all districts in the central region. The process of disbursing UPE and USE funds to districts and schools is being investigated, as well as how the money meant for the construction of new classrooms is spent. Breach of rules“Come July 9, we shall meet officials from ministries of Education, Finance, Local Government and Public Service,” she addedDuring recent public hearings in the western region, the commission discovered that some head teachers in some schools implementing USE had acted contrary to the guidelines of scheme and diverted funds to pay teachers’ salaries. President Museveni commissioned the five –member commission on December 11, 2009, headed by Justice Ezekiel Muhanguzi and gave it a six-month deadline to produce a report. This followed reports that government was losing billions of shillings to corrupt officials since the UPE programme started in 1997.However, its tenure was twice extended on request of the commission with the last extension having expired in June 2011. The inquiry has so far spent Shs7 billion. The delay and huge expenditure of the commissioners caused an uproar among stakeholders, forcing Parliament to suspend its operations for two months early this year. The body was, however, given a green light later by the President, extending its deadline to August 14 this year. HopeDespite all delays to complete its work on time, Ms Katunguka said she is optimistic they will beat the August 14 deadline. “Notwithstanding the two –months we lost when parliament suspended our operations, we shall beat the set deadline this time round and deliver a report,” She added. Donor countries have threatened to slash funds meant for the scheme citing corruption. The government in the 2012/2013 budget that was read two weeks ago allocated Shs1.6 billion to the education sector. assenkabirwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Baryamureeba-takes-to-the-dock-over-Shs500m/-/688334/1429998/-/4d7n8x/-/index.html","content":"Baryamureeba takes to the dock over Shs500m - Makerere University Acting Vice Chancellor, Venansius Baryamureeba is slated to take to the dock over allegations of fraud. Early this month Buganda Road Chief Magistrate, Ms Sylvia Nabagala summoned Prof. Baryamureeba to appear before Court on Tuesday (19 June) over allegations of fraud and breach of contract. The magistrate noted that Prof. Baryamureeba’s attendance is “necessary to answer charges of fraud and breach of trust, contrary to Section 113 of the Penal Code Act”. Section 113 of the Penal Code Act provides that Any person employed in the public service who, in the discharge of the duties of his or her office, commits any fraud or breach of trust affecting the public, whether such fraud or breach of trust would have been criminal or not if committed against a private person, commits a misdemeanour. The case against Prof. Baryamureeba arises from a private prosecution filed by Makerere University Academic Staff Association chairman, Mr Fredrick Tanga Odoi, through his attorneys Ms Katuntu & Company Advocates. Mr Odoi accuses Prof. Baryamureeba of mismanaging Euros 170,000 (Shs518 million) that the Dutch government donated for the payment of tuition fees for 20 PhD students under the Netherlands Organisation for International Cooperation in Higher Education project. It is alleged that Prof. Baryamureeba committed the offence in 2009 during his tenure as the Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology. Mr Baryamureeba was the overall coordinator of the project that formally wound up on May 31, last year. Mr Odoi alleges in his affidavit that whereas the Dutch government disbursed the scholarship funds, the money was never used to pay tuition as required under the project since at least a dozen of the would-be beneficiaries had been granted fees waivers by a March 4, 2008 CIT faculty meeting that Prof. Baryamureeba reportedly chaired. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Barya-wanted-over-Shs500m/-/688334/1423076/-/ogsubg/-/index.html","content":"Barya wanted over Shs500m - Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Sylvia Nabagala has ordered Makerere University acting Vice Chancellor Venansius Baryamureeba to present himself in court on June 19, 2012 over allegations of fraud. In the summons which the VC’s office received on Wednesday, the magistrate noted that Prof. Baryamureeba’s attendance is “necessary to answer charges of fraud and breach of trust, contrary to Section 113 of the Penal Code Act”. The university spokesperson, Ms Ritah Namisango, yesterday said they would not comment on the case. The court summons follows a private prosecution that Makerere University Academic Staff Association chairman, Mr Fredrick Tanga Odoi, initiated against the VC through MP Abdu Katuntu’s law firm, Katuntu & Co. Advocates. In a May 31, 2012 affidavit, Mr Odoi accused Prof. Baryamureeba of mismanaging Euros 170,000 (Shs518m) that the Dutch government offered for payment of tuition fees for 20 PhD students under the Netherlands Organisation for International Cooperation in Higher Education project. Prof. Baryamureeba, then dean of the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology in 2009, was the overall coordinator of the project that formally wound up on May 31, last year. Makerere, Mbarara, Kyambogo and Gulu universities were the southern partners of the total Euro5.7m (Shs17.4b) project while Groningen, Radbpound and Einhoven universities in Netherlands were co-implementers as the northern consortium. Court documents show that the four-year PhD programme tenable at Makerere, was designed to build capacity of academic staff at the four Ugandan public universities in ICT training. Mr Odoi avers in his affidavit that whereas the Dutch government disbursed the scholarship funds, it was never used to pay tuition as required under the project since at least a dozen of the would-be beneficiaries had been granted fees waivers by a March 4, 2008 CIT faculty meeting that Prof. Baryamureeba reportedly chaired. Barya reactsWhen this newspaper broke the story of the suspected use of the NUFFIC finances in January, Prof. Baryamureeba denied any wrongdoing and accused his detractors of hounding him unfairly over the VC job - which the university this month put up for grabs. tbutagira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Markets/Engen-closes-operations--employees-run-to-court/-/688606/1421812/-/p0ohfq/-/index.html","content":"Engen closes operations, employees run to court - Engen Petroleum Limited has closed its operations in Uganda, leaving employees not only stunned but stranded. In an email yesterday, Tania Landsberg the Group communications manager, said Engen Petroleum was sharpening its business focus in Sub Saharan Africa and as a result had decided to cease the operations of Engen Uganda Limited. Although the major reason for the abrupt closure is yet to be known, it is understood that the decision was reached by the firm’s shareholders, pending other operational details. In an May 11 email seen by Daily Monitor, Mr Andre de Wet, the acting general manager, informed Mr Duncan Murashiki, the East Africa regional manager of the pending closure, saying the decision had been premised on the failure by the Uganda operations to attain desired profit levels. Different strategy “It is with regret that we announce the closure of our Engen Uganda operations, as the size of the business has over time proved to be too small to be viable,” reads the email in part. “A decision has been made to withdraw from the country, with a view to re-enter the market if a reasonably sized business can be acquired.” Sources privy to the matter but could not speak freely due to fear of retribution, told Daily Monitor the matter had been unprofessionally handled by managers in South Africa where decisions are often taken. So far a number of companies including: Puma Energy, Gulf Energy, City Oil, Petro Uganda, Gallana and Addax have expressed interest in acquiring Engen’s assets. According to a source, when the news of the closure was passed on to the management in Uganda under Mr Sifiso Nzimande, no updates were relayed to the employees until on June 3, when they were given 10 minutes to decide on the terms of the termination. This has prompted 11 local managers to seek court intervention, saying the company should pay each of them about Shs500 million for among others terminating their contracts without following due process. According to a court document, seen by Daily Monitor, the employees want the service station to be held culpable for statutory breach, illegal employment practices, breach of contract, and slavery. Other demands against the fuel company include; discriminatory treatment and violation of privacy and dignity. Seeking justice According to court documents filed on May 3 employees were given only 10 minutes to consider and respond to the management’s proposals—the termination package. It included among others on termination an offer of one week’s severance pay for every year worked, one month pay in lieu of notice, accrued leave earned but not taken and months of May 2012 salary in full. They declined to take the offer demanding more time, in which they were granted until May 4. But in the meantime, security was already deployed and they were cut off from all company communication and barred from accessing company’s premises. By press time Engen had not addressed the issue of filing a defense, given that all the email communication to senior managers who are based outside Uganda, mostly in South Africa, had not addressed the matter. Efforts to reach the new director appointed on May 9, Mr Patrick Bukenya and the company secretary Ms Rehema Khalisa were futile. It is alleged that the company put the two on the board dominated by foreigner directors in preparation for any eventuality. Engen Uganda began operations in January 2003. Before its closure, the firm has been operating in retail and commercial fuel distribution, lubricants and bitumen. It had 10 service stations within and around Kampala. It also has presence in 18 African countries. iladu@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Understanding-Police-ranks/-/691232/1409616/-/fftkva/-/index.html","content":"Understanding Police ranks - When Assistant Inspector of Police John Michael Ariong died after sustaining serious injuries on the head, the biggest debate was not only on the cause of his death but also whether he was a senior or junior officer. Given the fact that he had served for more than 26 years in the force, some people argued that that was enough to bestow on him “seniority”. Some wondered how an officer with 26 years of policing experience could be at the rank of an Inspector while those who have recently joined the force have quickly graduated to Superintendents or Commissioners. The debate of who is who in the police ranks, promotions and postings, has widely spread among senior officers. However, Police spokesman Commissioner Asuman Mugenyi says ranks are given to officers basing on the police structure. “The lowest rank in the force is Special Police Constable and the highest is the Inspector General of Police. The police structure stipulates what every officer does basing on the rank,” Mugenyi said. The force also classifies those ranks into four other categories. In the first category, there are senior officers, who are at or above the rank of an Assistant Superintendent. They are also known as gazetted officers. The next category is of the Inspectorate which covers Inspectors and Assistant Inspectors. Sergeant and Corporals are tied in the third group and are referred to as Non-Commissioned Officers. The rest are in the fourth category and they are the Constables and Special Police Constables, who are regarded as “officers of other ranks”. The higher the rank the bigger the salaryAt the top of the police structure is the Inspector General, who is the chief executive and the chief in command. He or she is assisted by the Deputy Inspector General (DIGP), according to Article 213 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. It is this Article of the Constitution that the Inspector General of Police, Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura, invokes whenever people question why he is always at scenes of crime other than delegating to his subordinates. “I am here because my primary duty as the Inspector General of Police is to inspect. So I am here to do my constitutional obligations,” he often says. Below the IG is the DIG whom many people believe gets most of his assignments from the IG which is not wholesomely the case. A 2009 police structure report of the Public Service indicates that the DIG handles the Inspectorate department and Finance and Office Support Services. Special unitsThese two departments carry out monitoring and evaluation, general and special inspection. In other words, he is in charge of the finances of the police and the procurement committee. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Otafiire-shuns-Shell-case-mediation/-/688334/1408208/-/tjpr6m/-/index.html","content":"Otafiire shuns Shell case mediation - Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Kahinda Otafiire yesterday failed to show up in court to explain his side of the story in a case in which petroleum giant Shell (U) Ltd sued him over alleged breach of contract. The minister together with his legal team were expected to appear before the Commercial Court for mediation and see whether the matter can be solved through an out-of-court-settlement, but the group did not show up. Gen. Otafiire, through Benzina (U) Ltd, allegedly negotiated a land lease deal with Shell (U) but later failed to honour it. The petroleum company now wants a Shs1.2 billion refund for refusal to deliver land to it, which it says resulted in loss of business. However when the matter came up before Shane Michael, a mediator, for further mediation, only lawyers of Shell showed up. The two parties met at Shane’s chambers but stopped the press from covering the proceedings, saying mediation matters are heard in camera. After their brief meeting, one of the Shell lawyers, who preferred anonymity in order to speak freely, said the mediator was forced to adjourn the mediation to June 5. When contacted, Gen. Otafiire’s known telephone number was unavailable. awesaka@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1407382/-/ahw2cez/-/index.html","content":"Lira vendors sue micro-finance agency over breach of contract - Lira Vendors in Lira District have sued the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC) after a contract they signed for a Shs176.4 million loan, was cancelled. The 4,800 vendors now want the High Court in Lira to compel the government-owned centre to pay them Shs41 million for breach of a contract they signed through a Memorandum of Understanding. According to the MoU signed on August 12, 2011 by the vendors headed by James Okello of Barogole Dongo Saccos and the zonal manager of the Centre, Ms Jessica Nanongo, the soft loan was meant to boost the business of the vendors in line with the presidential initiative to reduce poverty at grass roots. Loan cancellationThe MoU also indicates that upon receipt of the loan, the vendors under their different groupings, would get five per cent from the centre as management fee. Mr Peter Olwoch, the chairperson Lira Municipal Saccos, said they expected the loan within two weeks after signing the agreement but were shocked to learn that the transaction was cancelled under unclear circumstances. He said the cancellation affected their business plans. Efforts to get Ms Nanongo’s comment on the matter were futile yesterday, but an official at MSC who preferred anonymity, said it is upon the Centre to either advance loans or not to certain Saccos. An August 22 letter signed by the State Minister for Micro Finance, Ms Caroline Okao Amali, directing the cancellation of the agreement, says the move follows an investigation by the office of the Inspector General of Government that many Saccos in the district were abusing the money they receive from the government. Ms Amali recently said money cannot just be dished out to any Sacco to be mismanaged by some officials for their selfish motives, but only genuine ones would benefit from government funding. Mr Bob Opio, the deputy resident district commissioner, said the operations of some Saccos in Lira were improper. “We are still investigating some Sacco officials after they failed to return the money they received,” said Mr Opio, adding that some of the officials used the money for their campaigns during the 2011 polls. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Govt-firm-evicts-Libyan-investors-from-city-land/-/688334/1405252/-/10vnxbgz/-/index.html","content":"Govt firm evicts Libyan investors from city land - Government has evicted Libyan textile investors from the Bugolobi land formerly owned by Coffee Marketing Board despite an interim court order halting the takeover. Uganda Property Holdings Ltd (UPHL), a government real estate company, using private security guards, last week evicted LAP Textiles Limited managers off the land. But the Libyans and their lawyers sought the intervention of police officers at Jinja Road Police Station, who halted the takeover. However, on Friday, the same police officers returned with the security guards and ordered Property Holdings to take over the land. UPHL had earlier written to the Managing Director LAP Textiles Ltd, terminating the 49-year lease on grounds that the firm had breached terms of the sub-lease agreements. “UPHL has for over the one year noted that the top managers of LAP Textiles left the premises and that the company hasn’t been carrying out business for over a period of three years in total breach of the above mentioned sub lease,” UPHL letter reads in part. LAP Textiles Ltd lawyer David Ssempala replied, accusing the government, which had 35 per cent shares in LAP Textiles, of delays in its departments to register a sub-lease. “A case in point is the sub lease registration for plots 29A-41A which required the controlling authority’s consent to change user from coffee storage to textile manufacturing. The consent has not been granted in spite of several reminders,” Mr Ssempala said. The land and property was first offered to Tristar Apparels to make garments destined for US under the African Growth Opportunity Act, but the project failed. Government later handed the land to the Libyan investors, whose management reportedly failed to produce any tangible results. Contentious issues in the Bugolobi land lease Court order: The High Court land division registrar, Mr Festo Nsenga, on May 9 ordered UPHL to desist from any activity that could affect the status quo. “This order shall be in force until May 21, 2012, where the application for an interim of a temporary injunction shall be heard inter-parties,” he wrote. Contention: The land under dispute is Plot 1-7 on Kalitunsi Road, Plot29A-41A on Spring Road in Bugolobi, Kampala. Employment: LAP Textiles Ltd allegedly employed 200 workers and reportedly had a potential of employing up to 600 workers to manufacture garments from Uganda’s cotton. abagala@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Residents-invade-cooperative-land/-/688334/1405142/-/kj286y/-/index.html","content":"Residents invade cooperative land - Farmers in Sebei have invaded land belonging to Sebei Elgon Cooperative Union, claiming they paid money to some of the cooperatives’ officials. Capt. Juma Seiko, the chairperson of the union, during an interview with this newspaper last week said residents, who were evicted from Mt. Elgon Forest Reserve last year, invaded the farm, arguing that even Kenyans were being given land yet they had nowhere to cultivate. He said others claimed they paid money to hire land but are not reflected in the union’s books. “We appeal to the government to resettle these people (about 400) because they have encroached on ccoperative’s land which has led to shortage and Nile Breweries, which had been allocated land in the farm, has threatened to so us over breach of contract,” Capt. Seiko said. He added that he had ordered his managers to advertise the available land such that farmers would apply for it but he was defied and land was given away irregularly. Crafty collections“The collection of money from farmers was crafty. We need to verify those who entered the land illegally and those who deserve land,” he said. The chairperson said the cooperative had given at least 750 acres of land to Nile Breweries to plant barley but farmers encroached on it, leaving a paltry 450 acres for the beer company. This forced the Jinja-based brewers to threaten a suit. Capt. Seiko, with the union’s secretary general, Mr Basil Mangusho, told this newspaper that some of their managers pocketed farmers’ cash and did not register them in the company’s books. The duo added that there are those who genuinely paid money for land but did not get it. While meeting farmers in Bukwo last week, Capt. Seiko appealed to them to be calm as the issue is settled.“We ask all those who did not pay to the union to do so such that we compensate those who paid but did not get land,” he said, adding that farmers should not take the law into their own hands. Capt. Seiko indicated that they had written a letter of apology to Nile Breweries and a meeting would be held this week in Jinja over the issue. Mr George Mbogo, the local material sourcing manager at Nile Breweries, represented the company in the meeting with farmers. The farmers said they would wait for the matter to be settled and called for transparency on the part of the cooperative. They said because they do not have elsewhere to cultivate, the farm is their only hope. Nile Breweries Corporate Affairs Manager Onapito Ekomoloit was not available for comment yesterday as he was reported to be out of the country. Kapyoyon farm has about 1,766 acres but only 1,350 acres are arable. Of these, 750 were given to Nile Breweries, 300 to 400 were to go to local farmers, and 200 would be cultivated by the cooperative. The union had hired out the land to Nile Breweries for two years at a cost of Shs140,000 per acre. Each farmer was also expected to pay the same amount to the cooperative. 1 | 2 Next Page»The cooperative was established in the 80s by the government but was privatised in 2003. It is located in Kapchorwa Town but no longer processes coffee and maize. achekwech@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Company-sues-electoral-body-over-alleged-contract-breach/-/688334/1400826/-/tkfkm0z/-/index.html","content":"Company sues electoral body over alleged contract breach - Entebbe Handling Services (ENHAS), which is the leading ground handling company at Entebbe International Airport, has sued the Electoral Commission (EC) for alleged breach of contract.ENHAS alleges that the EC hired it to deliver election materials for last year’s general poll but did not pay all the delivery fees. The company is seeking to recover an alleged debt of Shs65.6 million from EC. ENHAS filed the suit before the Commercial Court on April 30. The debt reportedly follows a part payment of Shs171 million from the total sum of Shs236.6 million that the EC allegedly owed the handling service for the work done. The company’s services include: passenger baggage handling, cargo handling, courier, quality control, and training. AllegationsIn its complaint, the company claims that Mr Sam Rwakoojo, the EC secretary, on January 23 last year, formally engaged its services to dispatch the election materials to different parts of the country. “The Commission through its secretary Sam Rwakoojo, engaged the plaintiff’s (ENHAS) services to handle, clear and deliver electoral consignments including ballot papers to the designated places which was diligently executed,” the plaint states. ENHAS contends that three months later after the delivery of the election consignment, it demanded for its fees but it was partly paid and that EC has remained nonresponsive to clear the outstanding debt of Shs65.6 million. The company says EC is liable for the financial loss it allegedly suffered for its purported failure to clear the outstanding debt. When Daily Monitor contacted the Commission’s spokesperson, Mr Paul Bukenya, about this allegation, he said he did not have the facts of the case before referring this paper to his boss Mr Rwakoojo. Mr Rwakoojo on being contacted, could not pick our repeated calls. Meanwhile, the Commercial Court Registrar, Ms Margaret Tibulya, has ordered the EC to file its defence in light of the allegations, within 15 days from the date they receive the summons. In the May 2, 2012 summons, the EC has been ordered to heed to the summons, failure of which could lead to passing judgement in their absence. The case file has been allocated to Justice Helen Obura, though the hearing date has not yet been fixed. awesaka@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Investors-lose-bid-to-block-ministers-from-selling-bank-shares/-/688334/1399922/-/ikmj2x/-/index.html","content":"Investors lose bid to block ministers from selling bank shares - United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based investors who sued the ICT minister, Prime Minister and business associates over breach of contract have lost a bid to block the sale of National Bank of Commerce (NBC) shares. Kampala High Court Judge Christopher Madrama dismissed the application that sought to block ICT Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, Premier Amama Mbabazi and businessman Amos Nzeyi from interfering in the management of the bank, saying the matter was stayed pending arbitration in London. “The injunction applied for arising out of the main suit was already stayed. All applications under this suit are also stayed,” held Justice Madrama, who also quashed an interim injunction earlier obtained from the registrar. The judge argued that the interim injunction obtained before the registrar was illegal because the matter was already stayed. The investors sued the trio for allegedly failing to hand over 76 per cent shares in National Bank of Commerce they paid for. Arbitration in LondonHowever, last month the court referred the matter for arbitration in London as per the agreement between the accused parties and the complainants. Mr Noah Mwesigwa, the lawyer representing the investors, had sought court orders restraining the trio from selling shares and to force them to handover the paid up shares. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1395714/-/avh8oyz/-/index.html","content":"KCCA terminates Centenary Park management contract - Kampala Capital City Authority has terminated the contract for the management of Centenary Park citing several breaches of the agreement. A leaked document signed on April 26 by Mr Mike Okua, the director legal affairs at KCCA, indicates that Centenary Park does not conform to the management contract to run and reserve the land as a public open space. “And the developments thereon do not conform to the design guidelines; the area is being occupied illegally due to the fact that there is no evidence of an occupation permit.” “Therefore, notice of termination of management agreement for fundamental breach of the provisions of the agreement is hereby given to Nalongo Estates Limited. The management and control of the Centenary Park shall revert to KCCA,” reads part of the letter to the Managing Director of Nalongo Estates. The cancellation of the contract in respect of plots 34E -38E comes hardly six years since the developer signed a deal with the defunct Kampala City Council (KCC). In May 2006, KCC entered into a management agreement with the proprietors of Nalongo Estates Limited to develop, utilise and maintain Centenary Park as a recreational park and bridal garden. The proprietors include Sarah Kizito, Babirye Kizito and Aisher Kizito. According to the 10-year agreement, the developer had to ensure that no other permanent structure is constructed in the park other than those components which are a subject to the environment impact assessment like a swimming pool, store, office facility, flush toilet, walkways and tennis court. Ms Sarah Kizito, one of the directors, yesterday confirmed receiving the letter describing it as irrelevant saying it was authored without information. “It is because Centenary Park is the only free land around the city and everyone is getting interested, that is why such letters are coming in now. There is a varied memorandum of understanding and I will provide you with all the necessary documents regarding the same,” Ms Sarah Kizito, who promised to reveal the details after her busy schedule, said. Kampala Central Division Chairman Godfrey Nyakaana, husband to Ms Sarah Kizito, confirmed knowledge of the letter but declined to be drawn into the matter. “Land issues are handled by KCCA and the land board. But the letter is unfortunate because there is already an agreement which has never been cancelled,” he said in a telephone interview. Next move awaitedKCCA spokesperson Peter Kaujju confirmed the development, adding, “That was a management decision and the next move will be communicated soon.” This is the second disagreement in the Centenary Park management contract since it was signed. In 2007, the three proprietors were charged before City Hall Magistrates Court for allegedly altering the approved plans to erect a permanent structure on the park without KCC approval. The court had earlier directed that construction of an office block, store, gymnasium, sauna and a changing room on the park be halted but the matter was rectified. 1 | 2 Next Page»Alleged breach of dealCommencing works on the property without the prior approval by council contrary to Clause 2 of the management agreement. Erection of structures on the Centenary Park without the express permission of council contrary to Clause 7 of the management agreement. Failure to keep the Centenary Park at all times free from obstruction and failure to maintain the green free and open for public use in violation of Clause 8 of the management agreement. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1387942/-/aw2cbfz/-/index.html","content":"Buganda riots: Judge storms out of court - Kampala A High Court judge yesterday walked out of court after a State witness failed to answer some questions during cross-examination. Mr John Stephen Okello, a police officer at Katwe Police Station, was being cross-examined in regard to the trial of 18 suspects of the September 2009 Buganda riots. Mr Okello angered Judge Ralph Ochan when he said he did breach the Constitution by locking suspects for two weeks which is beyond the mandatory 48 hours. Mr Okello, the 11th witness, who identified himself as the investigating officer, said he presented his statement after the suspects were charged because he was busy. “I first handed over the file to the Director of Public Prosecutions before fixing my statement and the procedure of getting back the file was not easy,” he said. However, when asked when the suspects were charged, Mr Okello gave no response. Justice Ochan said he was fed up of junior police witnesses. “I think the terrorism offence should be pursued by senior police officers but not detective constables who always work under orders. I am fed up with such witnesses,” he said, before walking out of court. Other witnesses were Isaac Nyamanza (detective sergeant) and Joseph Otim, a constable at Kira Road Police Station. Mr Apolo Mugabi, a junior police officer, last week said his former boss and former DPC at Nateete Police Station, Mr Reuben Wasiima, lied to court when he said he released all suspects from the cells due to smoke, following the torching of the station by rioters.“Mr Wasiima opened the police cell for only Nsubuga, locking the others in (the) cells,” Mr Mugabi said. Other witnesses who appeared on the second day of the trial are Boaz Muhairwe, Meddie Dumba, Edward Mukholi and Loy Nambozo. FDC treason suspectsProsecution alleges that on September 10, 2009, at Nateete, Kampala District, the group set fire on buildings housing Nateete Police Station and other property, including motor vehicles and motor cycles. Meanwhile, the trial of three FDC officials and three others accused of treason, was yesterday extended after the Nakawa Court Chief Magistrate Esta Nambayo was absent. The suspects are Ms Ingrid Turinawe, the FDC Women League leader, Mr Sam Mugumya, an aide to FDC leader Kizza Besigye, and Mr Francis Mwijukye. Others are Mr Tony Ssempebwa, the Nangabo Sub-county chairperson, Mr Mathew Walakira and Mr Robert Mayanja. The case was deferred to May 14. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1387098/-/aw2j8xz/-/index.html","content":"MV Kalangala suspends operations - KAMPALA MV Kalangala ferry, which travels from Nakiwogo landing site in Entebbe to Lutoboka, Buggala Islands in Kalangala District, yesterday temporarily suspended operations to allow it undergo servicing. Ms Suzan Kataike, the Ministry of Works and Transport spokesperson, said the exercise, which is aimed at checking the vessel’s operational safety status, will last for a week. “We urge our people to remain patient because this exercise is for their own safety,” Ms Kataike said by telephone yesterday. Every year, the vessel undergoes servicing. “This exercise doesn’t take long and the surveyor from UK is already in the country to do the work and the vessel will resume operations hopefully by next Saturday,” Ms Kataike added. She said the exercise will be carried out at Nakiwogo pier where the vessel is currently docked. The vessel can carry 150 passengers. It plies only two routes from Kalangala, starting at 8:30am to Nakiwogo in Entebbe where it docks at 11am. At around 2pm it leaves Entebbe for Kalangala which it reaches at 5pm. Passengers who use the vessel to connect to Kalangala had difficulty in travelling yesterday. They were forced to hire boats that charge exorbitant fares to travel.However, with the coming of a new vessel, MV Amani, which plies the Port Bell- Kalangala route, passengers, mostly those from Kampala, now have an alternative means of transport to the islands. Unfortunately, this vessel which is run by Earth Wise Ferries only takes passengers.In the meantime, Ms Kataike advised people with cars and heavy loads like timber to use the ferry from Bukakata landing site in Masaka as they sort out the problem. However, the distance from Kalangala through Bukataka to Kampala is longer compared to Kalangala –Entebbe route and travellers have to incur more expenses. MV Kalangala, which was the only active Ugandan vessel on Lake Victoria, was built in 2005, in fulfillment of President Museveni’s 2001 campaign pledge to the islanders. Early this year, government took over management of the vessel which was initially run by Muloowoza and Brothers Ltd, a local company. The company was accused of gross mismanagement and breach of contractual obligations. Uganda’s marine transport has over the years had a number of challenges, with travellers spending more time in transit than required. assenkabirwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1387204/-/aw2hw4z/-/index.html","content":"Mbabazi, Rugunda bank case pushed to London - Kampala Court has stayed proceedings of the case in which ICT Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, his business partners Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi and Mr Amos Nzeyi were sued over breach of contract in connection with shareholding of the National Bank of Commerce. Kampala High Court Judge Christopher Madrama referred the matter for arbitration in London last week as per agreement between the accused and complainants. “It is hereby ordered that civil suit No. 73 of 2012 be stayed and the dispute be and is hereby referred for arbitration in London to be conducted in accordance with the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce,” Justice Madrama ruled. The United Arab Emirates-based investors dragged Dr Rugunda and his business associates to court in February over failure to hand over 76 per cent of shares at the bank they had reportedly paid for through their companies International Investment House LLC and Emirates Africa Link for Strategic Alliance. The investors claimed Dr Rugunda and partners fleeced them of $6m (Shs 14b) in the process. The investors wanted court to restrain Dr Rugunda, Mr Mbabazi and Mr Nzeyi, the banks top three shareholders, from issuing, re-issuing, allocating, transferring, selling, disposing of or dealing with the shares they acquired. They also wanted court to force Dr Rugunda and his partners to hand over the paid shares. However, in raising objection to the suit, the trio cited contractual obligations in agreements signed with the Arab investors, which stated that any dispute arising out of the agreement be referred to arbitration as per rules of the International Chamber of Commerce. They stated that the High Court in Kampala did not have the jurisdiction to try the case matter. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1384012/-/aw4mepz/-/index.html","content":"Hold Mafabi liable for BCU funds misuse, report says - Leader of Opposition in Parliament Nandala Mafabi should be held liable for financial mismanagement and taking illegal decisions that impacted negatively on Bugisu Cooperative Union (BCU), a report of an inquiry into the union has said. The report, handed over to the Minister of Trade, Industries and Cooperatives, Ms Amelia Kyambadde, also recommended the dissolution of the Mafabi-led board that government suspended in December 2010 over “corruption and mismanagement complaints” from some union members. “The board chairman institutionalized an elder’s forum as an alternate member’s channel of communication. This group was given allowances to the tune of Shs11.5 million in 2010, yet this constituted an illegal payment, and the Chairman is accountable,” reads the report in part. But Mr Mafabi said for each zonal meeting, delegates were given Shs5,000—therefore it is wrong for it to be referred to as elder’s meeting. Mr Emojong Odeke, a member of the two-man committee that carried out the probe, said Mr Mafabi contravened the union by-law when he signed a sublease on behalf of the union and Adonai investments, a role that does not fall under his docket. However, Mr Mafabi yesterday said it is his responsibility to sign for purchases among other things, and that he didn’t breach any law when subleasing to Adonai investments. The report also faults the board for failing to deduct and remit PAYE tax on sitting allowances worth Shs4.3b between 2005-2010. But Mr Mafabi said he inherited the tax arrears from the previous board before his tenure at the country’s lone surviving union in 2008. The investigation, covering 1996 to 2010, also faulted the previous board, for mismanaging Shs773m on a waiver on the UDB loan and granting Shs666m to members and individuals. Mr Mafabi said he was not invited to respond to the allegations against him and his board. “Before writing a report, you must give opportunities to people being accused to respond. This didn’t happen,” he said, calling the report a “malice”. He added: “I turned the fortune of BCU from Shs1.7 billion deficit to Shs2.5 billion cash. I also oversaw the price of coffee per kilogramme rising from Shs800 to 12,000 per kg.” Mr Mafabi said he will take the matter to court and walk away with a lot of money in damages. iladu@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1381526/-/aw6lexz/-/index.html","content":"Mukono company sues Pioneer Bus over land lease agreement - A month after Pioneer Easy Bus Company (PEB) turned the keys in the ignition after legal battles before Parliament, a Mukono-based company has dragged it to court over breach of contract. According to the complaint, Kasenge Dairy Farm Ltd, through their attorneys Katongole, Iga & Masane Advocates, PEB in 2005 after negotiations signed a 49 -year land lease with the firm for Plot 76 totalling about 5.710 hectares. The civil suit has been filed before the Commercial Court Land Division of the High Court in Kampala. Mr Timothy Njakasi, one of the directors of the dairy farm, alleges that PEB was meant to use the land to construct a bus terminal at Mbalala on the Jinja-Kampala highway. “Pioneer Easy Bus was to pay a ground rent of Shs36 million annually for the 49 years but the company only paid an initial deposit of Shs15 million only in four years until 2009 when a reminder was made to them to pay the arrears but they failed,” Mr Njakasi said in an affidavit. Selling off landIt is further alleged that in 2009, PEB issued two cheques; one of Shs20 million and another of Shs16 million, but both cheques were dishonoured. The complainant argue that PEB, in breach of contract and without their consent, sold off the land it had leased to Tredinnik (U) Ltd despite a provision in the lease agreement for non-transfer or sub-lease of the land. It is not clear how a land title on which a caveat had been lodged was transferred to Tredinnik by Pioneer Easy Bus Company. “Owing to grounds of breach of contract, Kasenge Dairy Farm Ltd is asking court to order the registrar of titles to cancel the leasehold for the said land that was obtained by Pioneer Easy Bus and later transferred to Trediinnik (U) Ltd,” reads the complaint that is also seeking for a declaration that the defendants are trespassers. Pioneer head of marketing Herbert Odanki said he was aware of the court case against the company but said the 2007, tan agreement with Tredinnik whereby Pioneer Easy bus was to bring the bus while Tredinnik would purchase land for the bus terminal, was affected by delays to import buses, leading to PEB loss of interest in the land. “We shall defend ourselves in court but Pioneer Easy bus absolutely has no interest in that land because the time frame in which we wanted to use the expired before the buses were brought in,” Mr Odanki said on phone. He, however, refused to explain why they breached the contract agreement by selling the land in suit to Tredinnik without the consent of Kasenge Dairy Farm Ltd as stipulated in the lease agreement."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1380818/-/11g1gsu/-/index.html","content":"Investigate the national ID project to restore sanity in our country - The country will continue to be robbed by self-seeking persons as government looks on with hands folded, especially if established processes are not adhered to. The national ID project was surrounded by controversy since inception. One is left wondering how equipment of such magnitude can go missing from a government office and with such theft, no arrests or investigations were done! The number of equipment missing is sizable for it not to be noticed, which clearly portrays the levels of connivance, theft and impunity that characterise certain government offices. The ID project is an example of a bad precedent that the government has systematically over time set regarding its dismal action against the thieves. MP Micheal Mawanda (Igara East, NRM), who is one of the lead investigators into the project, allegedly stated that the President was duped in regard to the project. However, if that were true, then the rate at which our President is being duped is startling because this is one of the many projects where the government has lost billions of money, over allegations of duping the President. Is the President aware of separation of roles and delegation and why we have the various institutions of government? It is alleged that the ID project did not follow established procedure as the contract was awarded to Mühlbauer Technology Group in March 2010 on the orders of President Museveni, it is alleged that the German ambassador to Uganda lobbied for the contract. It is not in dispute any more that in some contracts where the President has directly given orders, there has hardly been any value for money as the contractors have on numerous occasions, palpably, if not deliberately, breached contracts. This leaves one pondering as to why the President does not give room for his officers to perform their duties. It is frustrating to even think that despite the breach of contract by the German firm, another 5.1 million euro is still outstanding in contractual obligations. This clearly shows that in Uganda, one can go against the contract, but still get paid. We request that our Members of Parliament interest themselves in this matter in order to restore sanity in our country. The levels of theft are exacerbating and there is need to demonstrate political will in the anti-graft fight by taking action against all those involved in this theft. Lastly, it is also important for the German Embassy to clear the air on the undue influence they exerted on the government, which has cost the taxpayers huge sums of money. Cissy Kagaba, Executive Director, Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda, gladysn@accu.or.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1380454/-/aw7bfyz/-/index.html","content":"Alcon proprietor dies before NSSF dispute court verdict - KAMPALA The proprietor of Alcon International, the construction firm which sued the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) for breach of contract, has died of stroke. Kultar Singh Hanspal, a Kenyan of Indian orgin, was a director in Alcon International Kenya and Allied Contractors (Kenya)- which companies, reportedly through a series of name-swapping, fraudulently won the NSSF tender before transferring it to Alcon Uganda, where Kultar was the Managing Director and majority shareholder. On March 19, Alcon’s attorney Enos Tumusiime, while appearing before the Supreme Court, said his client had succumbed to stroke, two weeks before the Supreme Court allowed NSSF to amend its pleadings. The death of Kultar, who was said to be the key figure in the signing and execution of the Workers House contract, is likely to pose a number of challenges to the Alcon defence, which was already suffering from infighting by the directors of the two Alcons. The Supreme Court is set to hear fresh evidence from NSSF, that Alcon, which sued and was awarded a sum of $8.9m (about Shs22 billion) with 6 per cent interest in damages for breach of contract, was in fact a stranger to the contract and therefore not entitled to any claims whatsoever. NSSF will also be arguing that it is instead Alcon Kenya, which breached the contract by assigning it to a third party (Alcon Uganda) without the express consent of NSSF as stipulated in the contract.This set of evidence, is contained in an earlier Court of Appeal ruling in which Justices Leticia Mukasa-Kikonyogo, G.M. Okello and Amos Twinomujuni faulted Kultar and his fellow directors in the two Alcons for manipulating the names of their companies in a “manner calculated to confuse any tax authorities and those individuals and entities they deal with and the manner in which they contrived to fraudulently win the Workers House construction tender bid.” “Under the laws of Uganda, these practices would be considered criminal. The worst culprits of them all are Kultar and Davinder Hanspal... we hold the view that these men are not credible at all and they can only tell some truths by accident,” ruled the judges. A panel of five judges led by Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki is hearing NSSF’s appeal in a case that has attracted a lot of public attention. Other Justices on the panel are Christine Kitumba, John Wilson Tsekooko, Bart Katureebe and Esther Mayambala Kisaakye. There has been outcry from a number of stakeholders who have called for a speedy conclusion of the case that has now spanned for over 14 years. There are concerns over the spiralling costs of the case that have now grown from the original $8.8m to now about $ 16m. The case has also had a significant impact on the performance of the Fund and interest paid to its members as moneys have to be set aside every year to cater for the award, should the Fund lose the case. There are also huge legal costs associated with the case that have led to an increase in the cost structure of the Fund. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Markets/-/688606/1379752/-/t7rw52/-/index.html","content":"Tamoil pipeline deal expires - Seven years after failing to deliver, Tamoil East Africa Limited is yet to know its fate over its expired agreement to construct a Shs756 billion fuel pipeline from Eldoret to Uganda. A source in the ministry of Energy told Daily Monitor that although Tamoil’s agreement with government expired in November last year, officials in the ministry of energy could be planning to extend the contract without following the due process of advertising the offer and opening it up for bidding. In 2007, Tamoil, a Libyan company, won the contract to construct an oil pipe line to transport refined oil from Eldoret to Uganda- but the company has not done anything and it has been asking the two governments to extend the deadlines. Uganda has continued to struggle with insufficient fuel supplies due to supply chain problems that are partly occasioned by the challenges of accessing refined oil. Mr Habib Kagimu, the chairman of Tamoil could not be reached to explain why the company has failed to honor the agreement but the spokesperson of the ministry of Energy, Mr Bukenya Matovu said the agreement has not officially expired and the situation is being studied by the two countries, pending a conclusive decision. Mr Matovu said Tamoil had applied for the contract to be extended but the Joint Coordinating Commission [JCC] didn’t respond to the request. JCC is a body set up by the governments of Kenya and Uganda in October 2000 under the memorandum of understanding with the objective of implementing the project on behalf of the governments. “The final investment decision date was not extended and therefore the Joint Coordinating Commission between Uganda and Kenya didn’t terminate the agreement,” Mr Matovu said. “What is important to note is that Tamoil East Africa had requested for an extension of the joint investment decision date and JCC accepted with conditions. The deadline was pushed to 30 November 2011 then later Tamoil requested JCC to extend it to March 31 2012 but JCC didn’t respond to the request and the deadline expired.” The issues at stake Yet to negotiate. According to Mr Matovu the two countries will be meeting later this month with officials from Tamoil to consider the situation and agree on a way forwardDenying claims. Mr Matovu also denied claims from a whistleblower in the ministry that officials were planning to extend Tamoil’s contract without following due process.Paying for damages. In the event of failure by the company to deliver the services it was contracted to do, the government is protected by a clause in the agreement that failure by Tamoil to deliver the project is a breach of contract and Uganda can sue and compel Tamoil to pay for damagesiimaka@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1379306/-/awmmdkz/-/index.html","content":"MP Bihande Pleads guilty to Stealing Parliament Money - The Anti -Corruption court on Tuesday convicted Bukonzo East legislator, Mr Yokasi Bihande of embezzling Shs10m and uttering false documents. He was convicted on his own plea of guilt by Justice Catherine Bamugemereire and ordered to pay a fine of Shs1m or be jailed for two years on the count of uttering false documents and paying a fine of Shs2m for the charge of embezzlement or be jailed for three years in default of the fine. “This court takes into account the nature of breach of trust, the money involved, the sophistication involved and the impact on the institution. This case was committed by an MP against parliament. It was unsophisticated and done without pre-mediation I therefore sentence and order you (Bihande) to refund Shs10m to parliament with interest at court rate,” Justice Bamugereire ordered. Justifying the sentence the judge noted that the sum of money involved was little. His lawyer Ivan Engoru had pleaded that he be cautioned or given a fine in the alternative because he had offered to take both personal and political responsibility for the charges. “The prosecution had lined up 20 witnesses, but only one had testified and the accused decided to plead guilty because of his need to be truthful and take responsibility. This court should put it into consider the fact that the accused had employed a one Robert Baruku as a personal assistant to link him to his constituents and it is Baruku who disappeared with the money. The accused takes responsibility of his political assistant’s conduct,” Mr Engoru said. On the other two counts Bihande was sentenced to a suspended 2-year imprisonment term whereby should he commit any offense within the next two years, he will have to serve the two years in jail. “So since you are an honourable, you need to remain honourable within the next 2 years,” Justice Bamugereire said. Bihande was dragged to court by the Inspector General of Government (IGG), for uttering false documents and embezzling CDF money amounting to over Shs20m. Bihande, who is the first MP to face and be convicted of falsely accounting for CDF, was last year sent to prison after he was committed to the high court for trial. Patrick Henry Kunobwa the chief accountant to parliament was the first and only witness to testify. Kunobwa said he was asked by the IGG to hand over documents that Bihande tendered in to his office as accountability for CDF which he did. He added that guidelines are given to MPs as to how to utilise this money before giving it to them. Kunobwa testified that indeed Bihande received this money and all these documents were tendered into court as prosecution evidence. In all Bihande has been convicted of four counts all stemming from uttering false documents and embezzlement. BackgroundIn 2005, the Government of Uganda introduced the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to tackle poverty at the grassroots through financing development at constituency level through the elected Members of Parliament.The current annual amount disbursed per constituency was Shs10 million which is, unconventionally, paid directly to the MPs accounts. As a result of lack of a regulatory framework and accountability by the MPs, CDF has since been scrapped off in the 9th Parliament. jkigongo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1378148/-/awnd62z/-/index.html","content":"Heavy police deployment in Kasangati after Besigye release - Police were by yesterday still heavily deployed in Kasangati, home to opposition Forum for Democratic Change leader Kizza Besigye, with at least three roadblocks mounted on Gayaza Road. Dr Besigye was on Saturday placed under preventive arrest after a confrontation with the police turned into a comical act. The car and its occupatns were towed by a breakdown truck to Kasangati Police Station. However, Activists for Change officials say Dr Besigye is in good condition. “Dr Besigye is fine as usual, but the police are hovering around. Many of our colleagues have been released but we are still negotiating the bail of two other colleagues (Francis Mwijukye and driver Kato) and see how everything goes on,” A4C coordinator Mathias Mpuuga told this newspaper by telephone yesterday. Police to charge driverDr Besigye was arrested together with the Kampala Woman MP Nabila Ssempala, and FDC women league leader Ingrid Turinawe, whose cars were also towed to Central Police Station. Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Ibin Senkumbi, however, said Dr Besigye’s driver will have to be charged for breach of traffic law. “We will definitely charge them with disobedience of law and order. They decided not to drive away, which caused a lot of chaos in town. About the deployment, we are making sure that the area is peaceful enough for everyone but it is not aimed at Besigye,” Mr Ssenkumbi said. Police fear the opposition is bent on disrupting the ongoing Inter-Parliamentary Union assembly, the world’s largest meeting of all the parliaments, that started at the weekend in Kampala. Last week, Activists for Change leadership promised at a press conference that they would disrupt the IPU proceedings so that their defiance campaign is given audience. Dr Besigye’s aide, Francis Mwijukye, was released yesterday. akiyaga@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/658478-kampala-floods.html","content":" - Kampala's low-lying areas Thursday afternoon turned into a big lake following a downpour that lasted for over two hours. Slums and wetlands in Kampala and its suburbs were most affected.  RELATED STORIES  Floods paralyse Kampala traffic"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/327636-janet-museveni-wins-ruhama-seat.html","content":" - THE First Lady, Janet Museveni, has won a landslide victory to retain her seat as Ruhaama county MP with 85.86% of the votes. Janet Museveni led in all the 176 polling stations in the seven sub-counties of Ruhaama, getting 57,318 votes out of the total 66,967 votes cast. She trounced FDC‘s Augustine Ruzindana, who polled 8,035 votes (12.14%), Uganda Federal Alliance’s Musasizi Hannington with 984 votes (1.4%) and independent Ellias Abaine with 630 votes (0.57%)."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1377564/-/11fjpwo/-/index.html","content":"The campaign for term limits is timely - Every peace-loving Ugandan should get behind project restoration of term limits that was recently launched in Masindi and is spearheaded by the Rev. Dr David Zac Niringiye. If we love our country Uganda, if we want a stable future, there is no alternative but to rise up as a nation and demand an open, free and accountable democratic system. Any sensible Ugandan reading the signs and the writing on the wall, should know that political stability still eludes the country. Ugandans, especially those who have born the brunt of the political chaos in the country should know better. Remember the blood we have spilled in this country due to political turbulence and you will shudder to imagine that we could go back to the same. What Uganda needs is a system that ensures freedoms and stability. A system where people make a contributions and leave the stage and space when they should in an orderly manner. It is so shameful to keep seeing citizens beaten and roughed-up on the streets sections of security forces. Uganda belongs to all of us and we should not allow it to the dogs. Currently, the country’s leadership is more pre-occupied with how entrenching themselves in power rather than ensuring development. There will be no genuine development or investments in Uganda until we put in place a predictable political dispensation. Richard P. OkiriaWaterbury, Ct. The agitation by many Ugandans for the restoration of presidential term limits has been on for long. Proponents of term limits believe that removing term limits was a gross breach of democracy. The rationale for including Article 105 (2) in the Constitution by the Constituent Assembly envisaged a situation of arbitrariness at some point hence the need to put a limit for a president to rule for two five-year terms at the maximum. The scraping of this constitutional provision is evidence of a few individuals’ selfish interests. The presidential term limits was meant to act as a deterrence against arbitrary rule and the scrapping it from the Constitution simply points to ultra motives by people behind the move. Therefore, the push to restore term-limits is a move in the right direction. I appeal to the 9th Parliament to move quickly and correct the big mistake of removing the term limits the 7th Parliament and restore the term limits. I want to thank Bishop David Zac Niringiye, CCEDU, and other stakeholders, who recently launched the restoration of term limits campaign in Masindi. As citizens, we should join the campaign because we have the power. Power belongs to the people as prescribed by Article 1 of the Constitution. For good governance, time for action is now. Michael Aboneka, abonex2007@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Dining---Recipes/-/691226/1377140/-/yrud5z/-/index.html","content":"SUNDAY CUISINE: Great food, lousy ambience - Late last year saw the demise of two well known and respected eating joints, the first to close down was Reed Fields Catering limited that was located in Laburnum Courts in that sprawling apartment complex on Aki Bua Road. Another casualty of the times is Afdal Restaurant that opened with much acclaim on Buganda Road and closed shop within less than six months. In the case of the former, apparently, the landlady’s tenants in her apartments were not very happy with the idea of a restaurant in their midst and viewed it as some form of security breach. That being the case, they had no choice but to find alternate premises. As for Afdal, when the land lord hikes the rent by 50 per cent, clearly this is an indication that he wants you out. Nowadays, the least amount of money that one will pay for acceptably good local food is around a tenner, give or take, and at that there are not many places that reliably serve decent caliber of food. Mind you I am referring to such places as St. Anthony’s over on Lumumba Avenue, but our latest foray to the newly opened Nalongos Restaurant in Mengo left us agape, when the bill for three chicken items and some soft drinks came to over shs35,000 and some change. The point here is not so much the price as the generally shabby surroundings and the disheveled looking waitresses. Nalongo’s recently moved and used to be some sort of member’s club and they have now decided to test the waters and go public. A members club is different from a public restaurant and in my view what could have very well worked in the case of the former would never fly where one is open to the general public. In other words, once one exposes oneself to the public at large, expect great scrutiny and criticism. What can one say about a place that has no written menu, no uniforms, sourly workers, and a few tables and chairs arranged in a seemingly topsy turvy manner; frankly you need to do a lot of improvement or else you are in for a rude surprise and doomed for failure. They need to spruce up the place and work on the interior décor, find uniforms for the staff, get a menu in place and then think about being in business. Mind you, there are different levels of “dining out” so to speak and my impression of Nalongos is that they are more suited to be in the lower ranks, where the dinners would be lot less fussy and less sophisticated. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1377308/-/awo10uz/-/index.html","content":"Police arrest Besigye - KAMPALA Opposition Forum for Democratic Change leader Kizza Besigye was yesterday placed under “preventive arrest” after confrontation with the police turned into a comical act even as a journalist was critically injured reportedly by a police tow vehicle. A journalist, Ivan Kabbale, of the Nile Broadcasting Services, was according to eyewitnesses knocked down by a police breakdown vehicle that was towing Dr Besigye’s car from the city centre to Kasangati Police Station with Besigye and his political assistant Sam Mugumya seated inside. At Kasangati, Dr Besigye was placed under “preventive arrest”, according to Police Deputy Spokesperson Judith Nabakooba. Dr Besigye was arrested together with the Kampala Central Woman MP, Ms Naggayi Nabila SSempala, and the FDC chairperson, women’s league, Ms Ingrid Turinawe, whose cars were also towed to Central Police Station. Ms Nabakooba told Sunday Monitor at CPS yesterday that police had to act fast because they suspected there was a likelihood of breach of peace. Citing Section 24 of the Police Act, Ms Nabakooba said it is the duty of the police to prevent a crime from occurring and people from being injured. “If you suspect danger, definitely you have to move very fast and arrest the situation. We have arrested them and taken them to a lawful place but we shall let them go home if we find no case against them,” said Ms Nabakooba. Police fear that the Opposition is bent on disrupting the ongoing Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly, the world’s largest meeting of all the parliaments, that officially opened yesterday (Saturday) at the Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo. Earlier plansLast week, Activists for Change leadership promised at a press conference that they would disrupt the IPU proceedings so that their defiance campaign is given audience.Dr Besigye was detained at Kasangati Police Station while Nabila and Turinawe were briefly held at CPS and later taken to Jinja Road Police Station to record statements. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1376378/-/11fj02l/-/index.html","content":"Investigate the national ID project  to restore sanity in our country - The country will continue to be robbed by self-seeking persons as government looks on with hands folded, especially if established processes are not adhered to. The national ID project was surrounded by controversy since inception. One is left wondering how equipment of such magnitude can go missing from a government office and with such theft, no arrests or investigations were done! The number of equipment missing is sizable for it not to be noticed, which clearly portrays the levels of connivance, theft and impunity that characterise certain government offices. The ID project is an example of a bad precedent that the government has systematically over time set regarding its dismal action against the thieves. MP Micheal Mawanda (Igara East, NRM), who is one of the lead investigators into the project, allegedly stated that the President was duped in regard to the project. However, if that were true, then the rate at which our President is being duped is startling because this is one of the many projects where the government has lost billions of money, over allegations of duping the President. Is the President aware of separation of roles and delegation and why we have the various institutions of government? It is alleged that the ID project did not follow established procedure as the contract was awarded to Mühlbauer Technology Group in March 2010 on the orders of President Museveni, it is alleged that the German ambassador to Uganda lobbied for the contract. It is not in dispute any more that in some contracts where the President has directly given orders, there has hardly been any value for money as the contractors have on numerous occasions, palpably, if not deliberately, breached contracts. This leaves one pondering as to why the President does not give room for his officers to perform their duties. It is frustrating to even think that despite the breach of contract by the German firm, another 5.1 million euro is still outstanding in contractual obligations. This clearly shows that in Uganda, one can go against the contract, but still get paid. We request that our Members of Parliament interest themselves in this matter in order to restore sanity in our country. The levels of theft are exacerbating and there is need to demonstrate political will in the anti-graft fight by taking action against all those involved in this theft. Lastly, it is also important for the German Embassy to clear the air on the undue influence they exerted on the government, which has cost the taxpayers huge sums of money. Cissy Kagaba, Executive Director, Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda, gladysn@accu.or.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1374296/-/awq4iwz/-/index.html","content":"RDC wants rioters blacklisted - Francis MugerwaThe district service commission should file names and photos of people who participate in riots so that they are not considered for employment, the Masindi Resident District Commissioner has said. Maj. (Rtd) David Matovu said riots are unnecessary. “The district service commission should file photos of those who participate in riots and when they come to seek vacancies, do not consider them because they are a nuisance,” Maj. Matovu said. Maj. Matovu’s remarks come a few days after Stephen Akol, a resident of Kumi District, was killed after police fired live bullets to disperse a crowd that had stormed a police station. DeathsA police officer Michael Ariong, was also on Wednesday killed by a blunt object after an inspection of roads by Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and FDC leader Kizza Besigye, turned into running battles between the police and youth. Maj. Matovu hailed the media for exposing photos of riots which he said can be used by the criminal investigations officers and the district internal security officers to follow up suspected criminals. He wondered why, despite the existence of various institutions and offices that can resolve conflicts, people are resorting to strikes and demonstrations, which he said cause breach of public order. Maj. Matovu made the remarks during the pass out of 650 students of Kabalega SS at Masindi Boma grounds who underwent a three-week training in patriotism. The chairman of the Bunyoro parliamentary caucus, Mr Ernest Kiiza, said the patriotism lessons are well intentioned and explains the visionary, people-centred leadership of the NRM government. The students, who were instructed by the police, army and government officials, acquired skills in field craft, personal camouflage and concealment, how to use a gun, self defence and martial arts. Patriotism lessonsThey were taught topics which included the significance of the 1981-86 bush war, the dangers of HIV/Aids and basics in crime prevention. Mr Kiiza said all leaders in the country should promote the patriotism crusade, arguing that it promotes unity and makes the country secure. Mr Matovu urged all schools in Bunyoro to emulate Kabalega SS by organising patriotism trainings and also appealed to school girls to learn martial arts to protect themselves against men who would want to sexually harass them. “Such skills are good for school girls to deal with lousy men who want to defile them,” he said. The opposition has, however, often argued that patriotism cannot be taught in schools. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Markets/-/688606/1371966/-/t7me6l/-/index.html","content":"Kenya telecom regulator to spy internet for safety - Kenya telecommunications industry regulator, CCK, is setting up a system to spy on private emails, citing a rise in cyber security threats since Kenya entered the global superhighway with the landing of the undersea fibre optic cable in Mombasa three years ago. Plans to install the spyware kicked off on Monday after the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) sent letters to telecoms service providers demanding their co-operation in the installation of the Internet traffic monitoring equipment known as the Network Early Warning System (NEWS). CCK said in the letter seen by the Business Daily that the system will monitor both incoming and outgoing traffic on Kenyan networks to detect and facilitate response to possible cyber threats. “The NEWS tool will need to interface with your systems, mainly to access data that goes through your network, and we will therefore require your assistance on this,” the letter said without stating what types of threats would be monitored and what use would be made of the information gathered. The system, which acting CCK director-general Francis Wangusi said will be operational by July, has already run into opposition from Internet Service Providers (ISPs) who say it is in breach of the Constitution. CCK is banking on the Kenya Information and Communications Act, which gives it power to develop a national cyber security management framework as the legal basis for its latest action. Kenya has in the past year had at least 2,000 local Web sites hacked or defaced, including government portals. Mr Wangusi insisted that the system will not be in breach of the constitution as it will only target potential cyber threats but critics said it was possible for government spies to infiltrate it and use the information for political purposes. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/327572-tragedy-as-two-die-in-gulu-landslide.html","content":" - By Cornes Lubangakene TRAGEDY befell two families in Gulu municipality when a landslide at a murram quarry killed their sons. The 10:00am incident on Sunday happened at Te-dam sub-ward in Kasubi parish, Bardege division while the boys were excavating murram for sale at the quarry site. The deceased, identified as Innocent Ouma, 15 and Solomon Olweny, 19, died instantly when they were hit by a lump of earth. Ouma’s sister, Janet Apiyo, said there were seven boys who were loading the murram onto a tipper and excavating more to fill the lorry, but one sustained injuries on his leg while four others escaped unhurt. The injured boy was rushed to Gulu hospital, but was later discharged after receiving stitches on the injured leg. Relatives said Ouma was a primary six pupil at Laliya primary School, while Olweny had dropped out of school and was trying to raise fees from the quarry works so that he could resume studies. The area LC1 chairperson, Sofia Laker, said it was the third time the quarry was causing problems to people in her area. Last year, a seven-year-old boy narrowly escaped death when he was buried by a landslide, while an old woman had her leg broken. Laker said he had advised people to abandon the site, but they declined because it was their source of income. Alex Otim, the Gulu district secretary for works, said an alternative income-generating project should be extended to the youths in such areas so that they can abandon such activities. He said there was biting poverty among the youth leading them to engage in such risky ventures."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/327832-museveni-predicts-landslide-victory.html","content":" - By Milton Olupot PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has said he will have a landslide victory in the presidential elections slated for tomorrow. “Elections are a few hours away, and you will know what the people of Uganda want,” a jovial Museveni told the over 50 local and foreign-based journalists during a press conference at State House, Entebbe yesterday. The country goes to the polls tomorrow to elect a new president and members of Parliament. “We have been winning elections when we had wars within the country. Now the whole country is peaceful. We shall win with a big majority,” he added. Museveni dismissed claims from the opposition political parties that the NRM was dishing out money to bribe voters. “Unless they are worried about our programmes to modernise agriculture, we have been giving revolving funds to groups. If that is what they are talking about, yes, it is called the Prosperity-for-All Programme. “How can we bribe voters? To give money to voters is sacrilege. We don’t do that, it is actually the opposition who do that,” he said. About the trend set in the North African Arab countries like Tunisia and Egypt, where the masses deposed their governments through demonstrations, Museveni said he was not worried. “I am the biggest enemy of dictators, so I am not worried,” the President said. Museveni noted that the Egyptian scenario would not occur in Uganda because the government here was in touch with the people, and that there were transparent democratic practices. “There is no way you can use unconstitutional means to take over power here. We shall arrest them in the most humane way and bundle them up in prison,” he said. The President explained that in the next five years, Uganda would be transformed into a middle class economy. “By the end of the next five years, Uganda will be a middle class economy and I will not allow Besigye and his crowd to mess up that plan,” he said. Asked about the legacy he would want to leave behind, Museveni said he did not go to the bush to fight for a legacy. Likening politics to a relay, the President said when you were expected to run for 400 meters before handing over the baton to the next runner and you only run for 300 meters, then the relay will not succeed. “The economy is now doing well why should you be so agitated with continuity. I also want to go and look after my cattle but the transition must be planned. “I like my cows slightly more than State House, I will gladly go to Rwakitura, but this State House will destabilise my cows if it is not occupied by the right people,” he stated. Museveni also said his other aspiration was the launching of the East African federation."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/328054-relocated-bududa-idps-may-not-vote.html","content":" - By FRANCIS KAGOLO OVER 1,000 Bududa landslide survivors resettled in Kiryadongo are worried that they may not be able to vote in the general elections because the Electoral Commission (EC) has neither set up a polling centre there nor registered them. The IDPs said they expressed their concern to the Office of Prime the Minister and to Bududa local leaders but received no response. They also said they lost their voting cards during the March 1 tragedy. They said the commission had neither conducted civil education nor recruited polling officials in their area. When contacted yesterday, EC spokesperson Charles Ochola confirmed that the IDPs were registered in Bududa and they would have to either go back there to vote or miss out. Ochola said the commission had written to the disaster preparedness ministry, asking them to provide the list of relocated IDPs so that they organise elections in Kiryandongo, but nothing was done. Catherine Mutonyi, an IDP and a social worker, said on Friday that a resettlement officer in the Office of the Prime Minister conducted emergency registration on December 9, of about 1,000 eligible voters at Panyadholi IDP camp in Kiryandongo, but had not yet got back to them. She said some of the IDPs lacked an alternative place to vote from after their villages were destroyed by the landslides, adding that some of them wanted to travel to Bududa in order to vote, but lacked money for transport."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/328312-salva-kiir-leads-region-to-nationhood.html","content":" - WITH his cowboy hat and thick charcoal beard, Salva Kiir is a respected former rebel commander and devout Christian who has led South Sudan to a landslide vote for secession. The towering 60-year-old president of the autonomous south, with its 8.5 million inhabitants, has led the region since the death of veteran rebel leader, John Garang in 2005. “Salva,” as he is known in the south, has made no secret of his ambition to lead the vast, underdeveloped region to nationhood in the recently concluded referendum, breaking with Garang’s longstanding campaign for a new, federal and democratic Sudan. Hailing from Bahr al-Ghazal, near the flashpoint Abyei border district, Kiir belongs to the Dinka tribe, south Sudan’s largest ethnic group, and preaches at mass every Sunday at the main Roman Catholic cathedral in Juba. He took over from the charismatic Garang, with whom he co-founded the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in 1983, after the latter was killed in a helicopter crash in Uganda shortly after signing the 2005 peace agreement that ended the resulting civil war with the north. Kiir at once became the group’s political and military leader, president of the south and vice president of Sudan, which led to him working for six years alongside civil-war foe, President Omar al-Bashir, in a government of national unity. A career military man who is more comfortable speaking in Juba Arabic dialect than in English, Kiir has failed to shake off the shadow of his predecessor, whose legacy is honoured by both southerners and northerners. “Salva Kiir is not flamboyant. He is not very communicative but he has nevertheless managed to steer the boat successfully to the referendum. He has also to a certain extent managed to rally some of his opponents in the south,” says one political observer. Over the past year, Kiir has made peace with his main rivals in order not to let the internal politics of south Sudan undermine the referendum, in which partial preliminary results released this week show an almost unanimous vote in favour of secession. But Kiir faces the daunting task of building a country that still lacks basic infrastructure after a devastating 22-year war with Khartoum, and which is divided by historical ethnic rivalries and struggling to reintegrate those displaced by the fighting, which killed an estimated two million people. If Garang made history as pioneer of the southern rebellion and architect of peace, Kiir is set to become an iconic figure as father of a newly independent south Sudan. AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/606696-bududa-idps-to-vote-in-kiryandongo.html","content":" - By Samuel Balagadde THE Electoral Commission has finished capturing data of displaced Buduuda landslide victims to enable them to vote from Pandadori internally displaced peoples’ camp in Kiryandongo district. Information minister Kabakumba Matsiko said the election results would be forwarded to their respective polling stations in Buduuda. Matsiko, who was accompanied MPs and Bunyoro kingdom officials who visited Panyadori camp on Friday, said transporting the voters back to their former polling stations would be expensive. The Government allocated each of the 485 families resettled in Kiryandongo 2.5 acres of land. About 200 more landslide victims from Buduuda are expected in this camp next week. Julius Wereka, the chairman of Buduuda’s displaced community, applauded the Government for rescuing them from their plight."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/606950-bududa-idps-to-vote-in-kiryandongo.html","content":" - By Samuel Balagadde THE Electoral Commission has finished capturing data of displaced Buduuda landslide victims to enable them to vote from Pandadori internally displaced peoples’ camp in Kiryandongo district. Information minister Kabakumba Matsiko said the election results would be forwarded to their respective polling stations in Buduuda. Matsiko, who was accompanied MPs and Bunyoro kingdom officials who visited Panyadori camp on Friday, said transporting the voters back to their former polling stations would be expensive. The Government allocated each of the 485 families resettled in Kiryandongo 2.5 acres of land. About 200 more landslide victims from Buduuda are expected in this camp next week. Julius Wereka, the chairman of Buduuda’s displaced community, applauded the Government for rescuing them from their plight."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/607855-bududa-idps-complain-of-mishandled-relocation.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu RESIDENTS of Bukalasi sub-county in Bududa district have accused the Government of relocating people who were not affected by the landslides in March. They said most people who were being ferried to Kiryandongo from Bulucheke were masqueraders seeking to get land, those who fled Mt. Elgon cracks in Manafwa district and people from areas that suffered the subsequent mini-landslides in Bududa, but not the priority areas. “When the landslide occurred, most people fled to Bukalasi trading centre where the first camp was established. But when the Government gazetted Bulucheke camp and disbanded Bukalasi, a few survivors opted to return to here (Nametsi village) to tend their gardens. “The Red Cross turned us away when we went to register later, saying the camp was full and lacked additional space to set up tents,” Job Wetaya, a coffee farmer, said. The Office of the Prime Minister has relocated 1,323 persons to Kiryandongo since the exercise started on October 6. First priority was given to survivors of the landslide and displaced persons from the 14 villages of Nametsi, Kubeho, Tunuwasi, Murerwe, Masakhanu and Nakoyonzo, Subisi in Bukasi sub-county. Others are Matuwa, Tiila, Bunabilabi, Nambere, Rukulu, Nafunani and Tsalitsali in Bumayoka sub-county. However, continuous heavy rains in the Mt. Elgon region in April displaced more people from Bushika sub-county in Bududa. In Manafwa, the rains created cracks stretching over 40km in the sub-counties of Mukhoto, Bupoto, Bumbo and Bukhoko. During the assessment tour in April, the general duties state minister, Janat Mukwaya, told affected residents to relocate to Bulucheke camp. Except for a few, most houses that were abandoned in Bukalasi sub-county in the wake of the landslides have been reoccupied. However, Agatha Namee of Tunuwasi village noted that some residents were hesitant to leave the area due to the fertile soils, the cultural attachment to the land and uncertainty about the new place. Pamela Komujuni, the disaster management officer in the Prime Minister’s office, explained that after the closure of Bulucheke camp, the Government would register people at Bukalasi sub-county and relocate them to Kiryandongo. “Thereafter, we will end social services such as schools and health centres in the area. Some people have asked us to allow them to finish harvesting food crops and coffee from the fields which will help them start new life in Kiryandongo,” Komujuni said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/609776-bududa-survivors-sue-over-relocation.html","content":" - By Andante Okanya A group of Bududa landslide survivors, currently living in the Bulucheke internally displaced persons camp, have filed a suit at the Kampala High Court against the Government, challenging their continued stay there. The devastating landslide that occurred on March 1 claimed hundreds of human lives plus those of animals and left thousands displaced. Houses and property were also buried under the mud. Over 5,000 survivors live in the camp. The survivors argue that the delay by the Government to relocate them to a decent place has worsened their living conditions. Their camp is situated in Bududa. The suit was filed on Friday against the Attorney General on behalf of the survivors by the Centre for Public Interest Law Limited, a local non-governmental organisation (NGO), which provides free legal services to the people. The NGO accuses the Government of failure to protect the constitutional rights of the survivors, arguing that they are being denied privacy. The survivors further contend that being housed in makeshift tents, have exposed them to diseases, starvation, and even death. The suit is supported by an affidavit sworn by Michael Makayi, who claims to be one of the survivors."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/609800-government-relocates-bududa-idps.html","content":" - By Paul Watala THE Government has started registering people who were displaced by landslides in Bududa district and are living in Bulucheke camp. The registration is in preparation for their relocation to Kiryandongo district. The relocation exercise is expected to begin on October 6. Officials from the Prime minister’s office, in partnership with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency Uganda, are in charge of the exercise. Pamela Komujuni, the disaster management officer in the prime minister’s office, said the registration was aimed at ascertaining the number of households for purposes of planning. “We are overwhelmed with the number of people turning up for registration. We have registered 130 households since we started the exercise on September 30,” Komujuni said. She explained that the exercise involves the registration of households, property and taking photos that will be attached to the lists for easy recognition. Komujuni added that each of the displaced persons will be given a card that will allow them to travel to Kiryandongo. She said they would relocate the people in batches of 50 households each, adding that each household will be allocated one-and-half acres of land. Komujuni explained that the landslide victims could not be relocated to Kayunga because there were squatters already living there. “The Government could not buy expensive land in Kayunga yet it owns big chunks of land in Kiryandongo and Kyankwanzi where they can be settled. The land is as fertile as that in Bugisu. Perhaps the only thing the people will miss is the hilly terrain,” Komujuni said. She said each household would receive relief food for the first six months, seedlings and farm implements so they can cultivate to sustain themselves. Komujuni said the Government would also construct houses for each household. She said the relocation would be voluntary and urged camp leaders to encourage those hesitant to do so."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/610586-bududa-survivors-eye-kayunga.html","content":" - By Madinah Tebajjukira and Brian Mayanja SURVIVORS of the Bududa landslides have demanded for the expeditious procurement of land in Kayunga district for their resettlement. In a petition to the Speaker of Parliament, Edward Ssekandi yesterday, the survivors said they wanted to be resettled in Kayunga, particularly in Bbaale and Galilaya, instead of Kiryandongo, which was proposed by the Government. Michael Macky, who led a group of eight other members, noted that they visited Bbaale and Galiliya and discovered that the area is suitable for their resettlement. According to the petitioners, Kayunga is nearer to Bududa, which will keep them in touch with their ancestral homes: “Kayunga is much nearer than any other place. Since our communities are still poor, keeping in touch and addressing issues at our ancestral homes will be difficult if we are taken to other places,” Macky said. They rejected the suggestion to resettle them in Kihuura forest in Kayunga so as to avoid an incident similar to the 2007 Mabira forest demonstration. The group also demanded to be consulted from time to time on the issue of re-location. They told Ssekandi that they were not ready to re-settle in Kiryandongo for fear of being attacked. “Banyoro are known to be very protective of their land. By resettling in Kiryandongo, we might be exposed to situations similar to the ones the Bakiga had with the Banyoro, which is dangerous to our lives and property,” Macky said. The Speaker promised to communicate their suggestions to the relevant authority."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/610644-bududa-displaced-pupils-use-floor.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu OVER 600 pupils at Bulucheke internally displaced people’s camp in Bududa district sit on the bare floor during lessons.The camp was established after the March landslides in which over 300 people died. The pupils were enrolled in Hope Education Centre and Bumwalye Primary School. Ezra Nebute, the Hope headteacher, said the two schools have over 1,400 pupils, but there are only 265 desks, which can cater for 795 pupils. “We decided to distribute the existing desks in all the classes to avoid projecting a picture of bias among the community. So some pupils sit on the desks while the rest are on the floor or stones. At times, pupils squeeze on the existing desks,” he explained. Nebute said the dusty classroom floors have led to jiggers among the pupils. He added that during heavy rains, the classrooms flood. Hope enrolls pupils from nursery to Primary Five. Worn-out tents and make-shift structures serve as classrooms. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) yesterday gave the two schools 50 three-seater desks. The authority also donated 125 dozens of exercise books, 20 boxes of pens, 50 dozens of pencils and mathematical sets to the 73 PLE candidates. “The choice of desks was done after a priority assessment in the schools. Though we are a wildlife management institution, we do not tolerate wildlife (jiggers) thriving in people’s bodies,” observed Fred Kizza, the Mt. Elgon deputy area conservation manager. According to him, an educated population would ease the pressure on the park as they would seek alternative means of livelihoods other than solely relying on agriculture."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/612051-makubuya-in-landslide.html","content":" - By Frederick Kiwanuka ATTORNEY General Kiddu Makubuya won a landslide victory over his two rivals in the Katikamu South NRM race, beating them in all the sub-counties. Makubuya, who has been the area MP since the NRM came to power in 1986, beat his former campaign managers Habib Suleiman, a teacher from Bombo, and Erasmus Musisi, a district councillor from Nyimbwa sub-county. According to the provisional results declared in Luwero on Wednesday, Makubuya scored 12,288 votes against 5,502 for his closest rival, Musisi. Makubuya led in almost all the 202 polling centers. Musisi led in his home sub-county of Nyimbwa, while Suleiman led at a few polling centers in the predominantly Nubian community of Bombo. Musisi, who accepted the defeat, said he lost ‘honourably’"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/612136-bravo-govt-on-bududa-victims-resettlement.html","content":" - THIS is a critical moment for both the Government and the landslide survivors. The Government’s decision to move people to Kiryandongo and not Kayunga, Sironko, Buikwe and Bunambutye as earlier suggested, could be the best move as long as the affected party adjusts to these new changes. The Government and the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness is in a better position to make a consultative decision which will have a positive impact on the landslide victims. The issue should not be losing potential voters to another region, as noted by one councillor. “Many of these people are our voters. When you relocate them now, we are going to suffer. As a council, we made recommendations and these must be followed.” Our concern at this critical moment should be getting the people out of the unfavourable camp conditions to a favourable place in Uganda where they will be free to recollect and reconstruct their lives. What the victims need now is the freedom and a place they can call home. They need a place where they can commercialise, socialise, freely absorb in the decentralised labour industry, access education and health services, dig, rear goats, cows, poultry, piggery, and other petty activities for their livelihood instead of being confined in camps. The relocation exercise will be hampered if people insist that they should be shifted to places where their relatives are. I strongly believe the Government is doing their best to quicken the phased relocation and settlement process as noted by the Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Musa Ecweru. The exercise will essentially help families to reunite and begin to interact in a conducive atmosphere where security and freedom to make rightful communal choices are constitutionally guaranteed. It is the Government’s prerogative to protect and provide for all her citizens especially under such disastrous circumstances."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/612407-relocating-bududa-victims-requires-time.html","content":" - Ezra Mbonye IN March this year Bududa in eastern Uganda suffered a major landslide in which hundreds of people died. Landslides are nothing new in Bududa, but never before has the death toll or damage been as high as the one that happened in March. Generally, landslides occur when masses of rocks, earth and debris move down a slope. Mudslides are different. They are fast-moving landslides that move in a channel and carry debris as it happened in Bududa. Landslides do not occur only during heavy rains. They can occur during the dry season, volcanic eruption, or earthquake. Last week on August 14, another landslide happened in Bududa and this time registered a few deaths. However, it prompted the Government to relocate the people of Bududa to various places countrywide. The relocation of the victims as reported in media on August 20 leaves a lot to be desired. It was reported that the Government, through the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, has finally come up with a bold decision to relocate the landslide victims to Kiryandongo in Masindi, Nshaka in Kiruhura, Nkyankwanzi in Kiboga and Sembabule districts. While this seems like a sigh of relief to the victims, it leaves one pondering more questions than answers. How did the Government come up with a plan to relocate these people to the identified places? Given that land is a major factor of production in Uganda from which most people derive their livelihood, are we not going to see resentment from the ‘host’ communities? What will happen to the much cherished social-cultural fabric of the Bududa people when they are moved elsewhere? The climate in most of the areas where the victims are going to be settled is harsh to agriculture. Most of these areas are semi-arid and the major economic activity is pastoralism. This is in sharp contrast to the economic activity that most Bududa residents were used to, which is crop farming. To make matters worse, the likelihood of clashes between the old settlers and the Bududa victims in their new areas of resettlement are high. There will also be a danger of depletion of resources because of the over utilisation of land for both animal rearing and crop farming. It is also a known fact that the Bamasaba community from the areas of Mbale and Bududa practise circumcision, a practice that is alien to some of the communities where they are going to be relocated. Such practices are intolerable in some communities in Uganda, and this is likely to spur confusion which may ignite violence in a few years to come. The relocation has also been given a very limited time frame. To say that these people relocate by September 2, is quite unrealistic. Perhaps the time frame has been arrived at considering that more rains are yet to come, thus fear of more landslides. But for a person who has been living in an area for a number of years moving hastily to a completely new setting requires more time, resources and planning, which seems to have skipped the policy makers in the disaster preparedness ministry. Before the exercise commences, there is need for community involvement because the community has their own expectations. This way the Government would be able to handle the concerns of the victims of the landslides and the host communities. In today’s planning process, it is being argued that if any intervention is to be sustainable, consultations should be made at all levels right from grassroots levels up to the highest level of leadership. Although it has been reported that a technical team which comprises elders from Bududa will visit the new sites to ascertain the levels of preparedness in terms of social services and climatic conditions among others, its doubtable whether this will have any meaningful change on the people’s lives. The Government decision to relocate the landslide victims is commendable, but such decisions require more time, resources and a number of stakeholders if a sustainable solution to such calamities is to be provided. The disaster preparedness ministry has to sufficiently plan in order to avoid creating more disasters in the process of providing solutions. A masters student of governance and development at Makerere University"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/612900-bududa-resettlement-starts.html","content":" - By Conan Businge and Taddeo Bwambale The Government will next week start relocating people from Bududa district, who were affected by the landslides early this year. Disaster preparedness state minister Musa Ecweru said: “The Government is finalising plans to resettle the landslide victims. About 3,000 people will be moved at first.” The minister said the Government had identified land to resettle the victims in Kyankwanzi, Kiryandongo and Kiruhura in western Uganda. He added that the Government was also considering land in Ssembabule district. “For the start, we need to zero in on a particular area and move the people,” Ecweru said. UN resident coordinator Theophane Nikyema on Tuesday urged the Government to quickly the relocate people from landslide-prone areas. Over 90 people died and more than 350 are still missing, following a landslide that hit Bududa on March 2. As a result, about 9,000 people are currently living in camps. Red Cross vice-chairperson Robert Ssebunya said only 471 households living in camps have family tents, adding that the rest live in communal tents and shacks. Bududa sits on the edge of Mount Elgon in the east. The displacement of people was worsened last week when continued rains caused more mudslides in the district that killed five children."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/615305-bududa-victims-want-to-be-relocated.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu LEADERS in Bududa district have expressed concern over the delayed relocation of the victims of the March 1 landslides from Bulucheke camp. “This was meant to be a temporal camp to last a month. But until now, we haven’t received communication from the Government on the scheduled date for relocation. The stores have run out of relief food. If the situation is not urgently addressed, displaced persons may be prompted to start stealing food in the neighbourhood to survive,” Geoffrey Natubu, the district vice-chairman, stressed. He explained that the pit latrines in the camp had almost filled up and there was no more space to dig new ones. Natubu noted that diseases were likely to break out. He said some displaced pupils at the Hope Education Centre and Bumwalye Primary School had abandoned school due to inadequate food in the camp. Natubu was speaking during celebrations to mark the Day of the African Child at Bulucheke camp on Friday. Whereas the number of displaced persons in the camp has shot to 8,177 from 5,000 in March, relief items have considerably reduced, save for the occasional deliveries from the office of the prime minister. During a meeting with leaders from Bugisu in April, the Government pledged to relocate the displaced persons to Bunambutye sub-county in Sironko district at the end of May. Kayunga district was also cited as one the places where the victims would be relocated. However, the resettlement bid has been shrouded by differences among political leaders in Bududa district. Whereas some politicians argue that the displaced persons must be resettled in Bunambutye so they would not be alienated from relatives, others are in support of resettlement in Kayunga on grounds that the land is fertile and not prone to flooding."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/615819-un-warns-of-more-landslides.html","content":" - By Joe Nam and Sebidde Kiryowa UGANDA will experience more devastating landslides soon and should be prepared for the disaster, experts have warned. Speaking at a climate symposium convened by the United Nations in Bonn, Germany, recently, Dr. Manavva Sivakumar, the director for climate prediction and adaptation at the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) in Geneva, Switzerland, said: “Landslides will become more frequent. They occur mainly due to above average rainfall which we are experiencing now as a result of global warming and climate change. This is worsened by unplanned human settlement which in Uganda’s case is on the hillsides.” Sivakumar said the double tragedy of deforestation, especially on hills and dwindling land available for productive agriculture meant that governments, especially in developing countries, have to quickly find solutions to assist their populations adapt to the effects of climate change. “Authorities must bring about change in the way they do things, to be able to adapt to new climate challenges, surveys must be carried out to find the most climate disaster-prone areas and human settlements should be evacuated from such areas,” he said. He added that WMO is committed to its role in helping countries adapt to climate change through partnerships with government and civil society organisations. More than 100 people were buried alive and over 2000 people were displaced from their homes."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/616359-bududa-children-shun-camp-schools.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu OVER 600 displaced pupils in Bulucheke camp, who enrolled for primary education in the aftermath of the March 1 Bududa landslides, have dropped out of school. Last term, the Government partnered with civil society organisations in the camp to enroll pupils at Hope Education Centre, located within the camp and Bumwalye Primary School, about a kilometre away. The schools took on pupils from Tunuwasi, Nametsi and Kitsatsa primary schools in the neighbouring Bumayoka sub-county that were closed after the landslides. According to the pupil’s attendance register, enrollment has dropped from 2001 in the first term to 1,401 this term. The lower classes, apart from Primary Two, suffered the highest dropout rate. Only seven pupils dropped out of Primary Two, out of 302. Out of the 348 pupils enrolled for Primary One, 117 dropped out, while 71 pupils dropped out of Primary Three, out of the 355 that were registered. A total of 139 pupils dropped out of Primary Four, out of the 350 registered. The figure fell to 160, from 198 registered in Primary Five. Betty Nabwala, the senior woman teacher at Hope Education Centre, attributed the dropout to the discontinuation of meals at the two schools. “In first term, pupils used to get biscuits and juice during break and lunch time. This attracted many pupils, but the programme was stopped in May. Some pupils walked 7km from Bukalasi sub-county to school, they could not cope without food. The majority are now redundant at home, while others opted to join nearby schools,” Nabwala explained. She said some parents withdrew their children from school when Save the Children, a child advocacy agency, stopped providing pupils with scholastic materials in May. Save the Children, which focused on the education programme in the camp, wound up its activities last month. However, Michael Wanyama, the organisation’s operations coordinator, argued that the current enrollment reflects the exact number of children who were displaced by the landslides. Wanyama said those who dropped out of school were from unaffected families, which had been attracted to the emergency schools by the food rations. “The biggest challenge we had during the emergency operations is that parents removed their children from other schools and took them to the camp, where they were being provided with free food. Those remaining now are the genuine ones. The rest may have rejoined their former schools,” Wanyama said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/616783-tourists-shun-mt-elgon-over-bududa-landslides.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu TOURISTS have shunned Mt. Elgon Forest National Park over the March 1 landslides that ravaged Bududa. The park indicated in a report that out of 410 tourists that visited Mt. Elgon from January to May, only 144 were registered in March. Of the 144 visitors, 122 were local students. This was a drop from the 152 tourists that were registered during the same period last year. The figure dipped further to only 40 tourists in April although it rose to 92 in May. But this was still lower than the 98 to 190 tourists who visited the park during the same period last year. The report noted that most of the foreign tourists who comprise nearly 90% of the park’s visitors, kept away. Regular foreign tourists at the park include Britons, Germans, Americans, Dutch, Israelites and Canadians. March and April each registered only 27 foreign tourists. However, the figure slightly rose to 37 in May. Save for the 13 German tourists, one Dutch and an American who visited the park in March, the Israelites, British, and Canadian visitors kept away during the tragic month. Similarly, no tourists from the neighbouring Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania of Burundi, Tanzania and Kenya visited the park in March. “Heavy rains characterised with landslides were occurring on various parts of the mountain. The Bududa landslide scared away many tourists,” Stephen Nyadros, the Budadiri entry point information officer, said. “About 15 foreign tourists expected to hike on Mt. Elgon through the Budadiri trail cancelled their bookings with us in March. “Fortunately, the trend is steadily picking up again,” Nyadros pointed out. He disclosed that most of the cancelled bookings had been rescheduled for May to September. The park experiences peak periods from June to September, and December to March, statistics show. Other prominent visitors to the park comprise scouts and students on holiday from Europe and North America. A total of 2,903 tourists visited the park in 2009, down from 3,844 the previous year. The main tourist attractions for hikers on the mountain include the wildlife, hotsprings, caves, waterfalls and the Wagagai peak that stands at 4,321 metres above sea level. However, after the Bududa tragedy that claimed over 350 people at the Nametsi trading centre, the Government declared Mt. Elgon prone to more landslides and warned residents to evacuate to the temporal camp at Bulucheke. To allay fears among tourists, a 16-member-team from The Uganda Tourism Board took a four-day hike on Mt. Elgon through the Budadiri trail in Sironko district from June 15 to 18. Molly Mpiriirwe, the board’s senior information officer, narrated that there was no imminent danger to tourists on the mountain. “We had a thrilling experience on the mountain. “Throughout our journey, we neither saw cracks nor mini-landslides. “We call on more people to come and tour the park to explore its beauty,” Mpiriirwe said. Tourism, agriculture and forestry are top on the list of the national primary growth areas of the newly-released National Development Plan. In 2008, tourism contributed 9.2% or $1.2b to the gross domestic product (GDP), while in Kenya, it brought in $3.5b or 10.8% to GDP according to the World tourism and Travel Council. This variation maybe directly linked to the massive investment that Kenya puts into the sector. According to the draft corporate strategy plan 2009-2012, Kenya spends sh27b in marketing. Tourism arrivals surged from 512,000 in 2004 to 844,000 in 2008; an increase of 65% boosted by the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2007."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/617498-unicef-donates-to-kabarole.html","content":" - Kabarole district chairperson Michael Mugisa (left) addressing residents of Katebwa sub-county in Bunyangabu county during the distribution of 30 hoes, 30 wheel-barrows, 32 rakes and 30 pick axes donated by UNICEF on Sunday. The items were given to people whose roads were blocked by landslides"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/617925-news-in-brief.html","content":" - ‘Penalise encroachers’ KABALE-The agriculture minister, Hope Mwesigye, has urged leaders to penalise wetland encroachers. Handing over food relief to victims of the recent landslide, Mwesigye, who is also the district Woman MP, said the landslides in the region were a result of farmers destroying swamps. She urged the locals to protect the environment in order to prevent such calamities. Councillors blame chiefs KABAROLE-District councillors have complained about the parish chiefs’ poor performance, which they said has affected revenue collection and the implementation of government programmes. During a meeting at Mucwa Toro Kingdom chambers last week, the district chairperson, Michael Mugisa, said he was aware of the chiefs’ poor performance and pledged to intervene."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/618075-nambooze-win-does-not-predict-nrm-loss-in-2010.html","content":" - WATCHING a broadcast on the Mukono North parliamentary by-election recently on TV, I heard the newscaster say that Democratic Party’s Betty Nambooze had won by a landslide! Granted, DP and Nambooze won the seat; but the margin was not big by any means. The difference between 16,142 and 14,302 is a mere 1,840 which is a small margin. It is at times like this that one wonders what the intention of some media houses could be; excelling at hyperbole (exaggerated exaggeration for the sake of sheer sensationalism) and wishing things into existence. The victory of Nambooze is not in dispute; but what is equally not in dispute is the fact that the NRM performed very well given that the vote was almost equally divided. This means that far from being a landslide, this was a very tightly contested by-election that went beyond the individual candidates and extended to the credibility and strength of the institutions that they represent. This therefore suggests that when the time comes for the main election – just a few months now – the race will be tighter. This should be sufficient cause to dispel the myths that continue to surround the Mukono North by-election that the next election is done and dusted from the opposition point of view and that this by-election is a test case of how Buganda will vote in February 2011. I want us to analyse this issue without fear or prejudice. The problem with our people is that they do not bother to analyse. On the whole, the dynamics in a by-election are far removed from the dynamics in a general election. In a by-election, all the attention of the country (barring some extraordinary event) is focused on that small plebiscite. Many of the bigwigs from the political parties concerned will want to come in and intercede for their candidates. The political rivalry at such elections is at its highest; and often reaches a magnitude that is often unseen even in the general elections. On the contrary in a general election, the atmosphere is usually more relaxed because every area in the country is having an election. Each place therefore focuses on its own concerns; with everyone minding their business. Because of all this, the mentality of the voter is different, depending on the pressure that is subsisting at the time. It is therefore inaccurate to jump on a by-election and claim it will influence the outcome of the main election. Furthermore, whereas Nambooze had almost all opposition parties uniting behind her, it will be different in the general elections, as parties like DP will be spinning their own yarn. In a press interview recently, Nambooze admitted herself that she won because of the Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC). She cannot therefore count on a block opposition vote if we go by her analysis and admission. Let us now turn to the claim that this by-election shows that the majority of Baganda will not vote NRM come 2011. It should be noted that Mukono being in Buganda means that the majority of those who voted NRM and Peter Bakaluba were also Baganda and as already said, were a sizeable number. When you have more than 30,000 people voting and equally divided among two candidates you cannot use the tribal factor as an excuse for the victory when all those concerned (at least 95 per cent) are all from the same tribe. As matter of fact, it is in Mukono Town Council (which is very cosmopolitan) that the victory was decided. Cosmopolitan means that it is an area with all kinds of people; every tribe, every race more or less. One distinguishing feature in cosmopolitan areas is that the voting patterns are seldom determined by tribal allegiances, as the urban mentality is often removed from the rural one. But having said this, we should not think the people of Buganda are too dumb to understand where their vote should, once again, go. They recall only too well where they have come from over the years. They recall the days when they yearned for the restoration of their beloved kingdom and the fact that no leader was willing to do that until President Museveni entered the picture. And lest it be forgotten, let us bear in mind that the voter turn-up was just 50 percent maximum. Usually, Uganda registers an average of 70 percent voter turn-up; which means there was another 20 to 30 percent of voters (that falls within the bounds of ‘sizeable minority’) who stayed away. If the election was swayed by just 1,800 odd votes, and yet there was another sizeable minority that did not show up, you want to ask what they were saying or what they will say when the moment of decision comes, in February 2011. One also needs to understand how the low voter turn-up affected the results in the rural areas which as we all know is the traditional stronghold of the Museveni administration. Since the bush war days, the NRM has always been a party with a passion for the rural populace and that is the one domain that the opposition has failed to beat the NRM in, in most parts of the country. And let us not forget that that is where the majority of the population lives. The low voter turn-up was attributed to the intense rain that made some of the newly dug-up roads impassable in the rural areas. That is why it is clear that whereas in the urban centres which had good roads, people were not unduly troubled by the rain and the impassability of the roads, in the rural bit it was a nightmare. Lastly, you suspect that when we are talking about a by-election whose winner will be in office for just four months, then come back to seek fresh mandate in the general election, the mentality of the voter is tentative. There are many more who reserved their vote for the big time – election 2011 where the winner will take the real big thing—a five-year term. So those who say that this election shows what will take place in Buganda in 2011 should think again. The Baganda in Mukono voted massively for NRM and we can count on them to do the same in February 2011."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/618494-bududa-gets-kigezi-relief.html","content":" - By Caleb Bahikaho North Kigezi Christians have donated relief to Bududa landslide victims. The aid, consisting of 153 sacks of clothes and 14 of maize, was passed over by Bishop Edward Muhima. He appealed to Christians to pray for the weather. “As we help Bududa, many other areas have similar problems.” Last week, mudslides hit Enengo in Nyakagyeme in Kabale. “God rescue us,” Muhima said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/618804-kanungu-asks-for-new-road.html","content":" - By Abdulkarim Ssengendo and Caleb Bahikaho Residents of Rukungiri and Kanungu districts have asked the Government to construct a road connecting the two districts. On Saturday, landslides struck the area after heavy rains, blocking the road that links the districts. Passengers have been stranded. The Rev. Silas Tushabomwe of the Charismatic Church in Kihihi said the road is dangerous. “The Government should intervene quickly and construct a new road for us,” he said. Tushabomwe and his wife were among the passengers who were stranded at Omunengo (rift valley escarpment), where two buses and other small vehicles got stuck. A trader, Loyce Turyahebwa, who was heading to Rukungiri, said traders in Kanungu were most affected by the incident. The blockage is between Kamujegye and Nyankumba in Nyakagyeme sub-county. Passengers walk for over five kilometres to board vehicles. Those bound for Kanungu board from Nyankumba, while the Rukungiri stage is at Kamujegye."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/618910-corridors-of-power.html","content":" - Fungaro’s dream If you think ending the problem of landslides which has affected parts of eastern and western Uganda is complicated, appoint Opposition MP Hassan Kaps Fungaro as minister for disaster preparedness. The MP believes he has the skills to solve the problem immediately after his appointment. During debate in Parliament on Tuesday, he amused his colleagues when he said he has a lasting solution to the problem. “If you think grading the highlands is impossible, give me the chance to be in Government. I will do it in a few days and landslides will be no more,” he said. Most of his colleagues booed him. Eriyo in the mud State minister for environment Jessica Eriyo is known by works minister John Nasasira for the bad road to her constituency, because she is always stuck in the mud. Debating a loan for the upgrading of the Atiak-Nimule road on Tuesday, Eriyo heaved a sigh of relief, saying she will be saved from having to call Nasasira whenever she is stuck in the mud. “Every time I call minister Nasasira, even if it is on other issues, his first question is, ‘Honourable Eriyo, are you stuck in the mud?’” Eriyo said, throwing the House into laughter. Power of the pen Politicians have started pleading with journalists to cover their functions as 2011 draws near. Last week, Rubanda West MP Henry Banyenzaki pleaded with journalists to cover him when he wanted to correct what he called “wrong information” published by a local tabloid alleging that he mobilised his colleagues to undress the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga. He even resorted to Luganda to convince the journalists to stay around. “Bannange, mbegayiridde, temuvawo leero mbetaga… ” (Please don’t go, I need you today). Women’s unity Women, especially politicians, will always find reason to link issues related to gender even when they are not related. Last week, the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) condemned the manner in which deputy speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, was demeaned. The women found time to show their solidarity. However, they totally failed to answer some of the questions put to them by journalists."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/619150-mudslides-ravage-mbale-and-kanungu.html","content":" - By Vision Reporters LANDSLIDES over the weekend ravaged the districts of Mbale in eastern Uganda and Rukungiri in the west, causing human deaths and destruction of infrastructure, food crops and household property. Three children, two of them from the same family, were killed after torrential rains caused a mudslide that struck their homes in the newly-created Bubyangu sub-county in Mbale district on Saturday night. The dead, whose bodies were recovered about two kilometres away from their homes, were Amina Nandudu, 12, Juma Kikumi, 12, and Siana Namusiru, 4, all residents of Makyese village. Twelve people have been reported missing. Residents narrated that heavy rains pounded the area from 10:00pm for three hours, offsetting big stones and soil to roll downhill, destroying about 30 homes. The victims reportedly ran out of their houses but were overtaken by the fast-rolling mud. Eastern region Police commander Joel Aguma, who visited the area, advised the survivors to leave the dangerous slopes. Kevin Nabutuwa, the Uganda Red Cross field coordinator for the eastern region, yesterday said the landslide swept through nine villages, displacing 320 people. She explained that 35 households were water-logged, while 150 households were at risk. The survivors are camped at Bumadanda Primary School. In Rukungiri district, motor traffic stalled after landslides blocked the road at Kamujegye in Rwerere, Nyakagyeme sub-county, cutting off Kanungu district. Over 300 people who were travelling to and from Kanungu are stuck in the enengo (gorge) at Nyakagyeme. The alternative route to Kanungu via Queen Elizabeth National Park was also cut off after the Ishasha Bridge was submerged. Residents used the calamity to make money by selling food, beer, waragi and local brew to the trapped travellers. The LCI chairperson for Kamujegye village, Domiano Kasigwa, said the landslides started at around 10:30pm on Saturday during a heavy downpour that lasted for over eight hours. A Uganda Red Cross official, Edson Turyatemba, reported that people in a radius of 10km have been affected. Rukungiri district secretary for social services Emmy Ngabirano described the incident as “a disaster which needs the attention of the Government.” Ngabirabo said several acres of banana, cassava, beans, potatoes, coffee and maize crops were destroyed. Last Monday, four people were killed by mudslides at Bugipawa in Sironko district. On March 1, a massive landslide swept the slopes of Mt. Elgon in Bududa district, killing about 350 people. The landslide erased Kubehwo, Namakansa and Nametsi villages located in Bukalasi sub-county. Meanwhile, in low-lying Tororo district where most Mbale water drains, Paya sub-county has been hit by floods, leaving 721 people affected, according to the Uganda Red Cross. By Joseph Wanzusi in Mbale, Caleb Bahikaho in Rukungiri and Henry Mukasa in Kampala"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/619117-nine-more-bodies-recovered-in-bududa.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu NINE more bodies have been excavated from the Bududa landslide site two months after the tragedy. This raises the number of bodies recovered to 105. Over 350 were reported missing after the landslides that were triggered off by heavy rains in the mountaineous district. Last month, graders were airlifted to Nametsi, the epicentre of the landslide, to assist in the recovery of the more than 250 bodies believed to be buried in the rubble. Lt. Col. Wilson Kabeera, the commandant of the rescue force at Nametsi, explained that the fresh recoveries included remains of four children, two women, two men and a head smashed beyond recognition. “Save for the head, all the eight bodies have been claimed by the relatives. “The bodies had turned white. Relatives have been identifying them by the clothes the deceased wore before the tragedy. The remains that cannot be identified will be set aside for mass burial,” Kabeera explained. The excavation operation is jointly being carried out by the UPDF infantry forces, the engineering brigade and the residents. Kabeera said the operation had covered about 15% of the area that is supposed to be excavated. “We do not expect to get more than 240 bodies suspected to still be buried under the soil,” he said. Kabeera lamented that the incessant heavy rains in the area had caused the excavators to break down frequently, slowing down the operation."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/619596-bukenya-urges-landslide-survivors-to-relocate.html","content":" - By Paul Watala THE Vice-President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, has supported the relocation of the Bududa landslide survivors in Bulucheke camp to Kayunga district. He appealed to those still in the area to move, saying the Government has the capacity to relocate them anywhere they wish. “More disaster is expected in the hills. I, therefore, request you to move. The Government is working around the clock to relocate you by May 31,” Bukenya said. He asked local leaders not to politicise the process but think of how to restore hope among the victims. The vice-president was addressing survivors at Bulucheke camp last week. He planted a tree and handed over relief items from both his family and office. He also appealed to the relief and disaster preparedness ministry to teach residents the warning signs of landslides to avert loss of more lives. Bukenya encouraged the residents to start massive planting of trees to avoid future calamities. He hailed President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya and his government for the support they extended to the victims, adding that the East African Community was a reality. The Bududa district chairperson, Wilson Watira, said sanitation at the camp was becoming poor because the pit-latrines are full, posing a danger of disease outbreak."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/619707-land-disputes-disrupt-bududa-resettlement.html","content":" - By Frederick Womakuyu A piece of land where the Government intends to resettle people displaced by the Bududa landslide is at the centre of a dispute between Sironko and Kapchorwa districts. The Sabiny of Kapchorwa say the land in Bunambutye sub-county, which currently falls in Sironko belongs to them. They want the land to be under Kapchorwa. The residents, who are mostly Sabiny, identify more with their kinsmen in Kapchorwa. They are now accusing the Government of trying to grab their land and give it to landslide victims, who are mostly Bagisu. Accordingly, they have threatened to cause trouble if the Government goes ahead with plans to resettle the displaced people there. “This is declaration of war. As soon as they are resettled in Bunambutye, our people will also go there to defend our land. The uncoordinated activities by the Government are a recipe for violent confrontation,” says Nelson Chelimo, LC5 chairman Kapchorwa. “While the President has ordered people in Sironko and Kapchorwa to stop any activities on the land until the issue is resolved, the same government wants to resettle Bududa people in ‘hot soup.’” Gyabi Bukeni, the chairman of the Bugisu Parliamentary Group, says the Government has identified over 25,000 acres of land in Bunambutye to resettle over 5,000 people displaced. Bukeni says the Ministry of Lands is in the last stages of verifying the land. According Geoffrey Khaukha, the Bunambutye chairman LC3, the leaders of the IDPs also visited the area last month. After inspecting the land, about 200 IDPs were not happy with what they saw. The land is flat with clay soil and it floods when it rains. It may be unsuitable for settlement but good for crops like maize and rice. “They visited 26,000 acres of land. It is true that some Sabiny own part of this land but this is not the disputed part. They have all agreed to sell the land to Bududa IDPs,” Khaukha explains. Chelimo says: “All the land in Bunambutye is contested.” He says it covers over 300,000 acres stretching from Atari River on the Karamoja-Sironko boundary to Sipi river on the Kapchorwa-Sironko boundary. It is located in Bunambutye and Bwikhonge sub-counties of Sironko. In late 2009, there was almost a violent confrontation between the two tribes when the Sabiny, armed with machetes, hoes and suspected fire arms, occupied Bunambutye land to confront suspected land grabbers. Dismayed, the Bagisu responded by arming themselves with machetes, bows and arrows. It took the intervention of the Police to calm them and to convince the Sabiny to withdraw from the region. The Government promised to solve the dispute. On September 1, 2009, President Yoweri Museveni wrote to lands minister Omara Atubo, directing him to demarcate the boundary between Sironko and Kapchorwa. According to the letter seen by Saturday Vision, the President also directed Atubo to suspend surveys for three months, caveat, investigate and cancel titles of land, which was irregularly sold or bought in the mentioned areas. The President expected the report within three months. Atubo says the ministry set up a verification committee and they are on the ground. Francis Mugizi, the secretary general of the verification committee, says: “We have told all stakeholders to remain calm as we solve the issue. Some activities may have taken place illegally and this is what we are investigating. We shall stop the activities.” Chelimo says the committee was set up five months ago but they have done nothing. “Instead, they are provoking us by planning to take Bududa IDPs there.” Stephen Musobo, the LC5 councillor for Kawowo sub-county in Kapchorwa says: “We calmed down the Sabiny. But it is like the Government is grabbing our land. We are going to have a war of land owners against land grabbers,” he says. Wambi Kibaale, the chairman LC5 Sironko, says: “I do not advocate violence. There are legal ways and the Government is settling the boundary dispute. Let’s wait for the outcome,” he says. Illegal activities have been taking place on the land. Several individuals claiming to own land in the disputed area, through Sironko district land board leased out land to several agencies. In his letter to Atubo, the President noted that over 12,000 acres had been sold to Nileply. The Sabiny Land Lobby Group also claimed that the land grabbers in Sironko have also sold over 1,358 acres to Mbale Municipal Council to resettle persons to be displaced by the expansion of the Municipality. David Kapcherono, the chairman National Resistance Movement Kapchorwa elders league, accused Sironko and Bugisu politicians of leading the land grabbing. “Some fraudulent people spearheaded by the LC5 chairman Sironko and Member of Parliament Bulambuli county, Mudimi Womakuyu, have grabbed the land. They have gone ahead to sell some of it to a timber logging company, NilePly Limited,” he explained. However, the MP denies this, saying he bought 84 acres of land from a Sabiny man in 2002. On his part, Wambi said he owns land in Bunambutye but says he got it legally. “ I am a leader of all the people in the area and I cannot grab land,” he said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/619726-uganda-needs-useful-solutions-for-disasters.html","content":" - Milcha Busingye THE role of the Government is to protect its people and their property. Therefore, the Government should be in a position to resettle the victims of the Bududa landslides. Uganda cannot afford to lose more people in similar disasters. Bududa victims are reluctant to leave their ancestral homes because the Government has not allocated them a specific area to settle in. The Government should issue the victims with land titles as security to avoid future land conflicts. In addition, each family should be given a reasonable amount of money and the necessities that a person needs to begin a new life. Resettlements are not new to the country. The People’s Development Party (PDP) advises the Government to borrow a leaf from the resettlement of the 1940s and 1950s of the then Kigezi district. In these resettlements, the excess Bakiga were resettled in some parts of Ankole and Ruhinda county. A few years back, the Government undertook to resettle people on the slopes of Mt Elgon but nobody knows what befell the venture. With the rains expected to continue until June, the Government should embark on classification of soil and identify which strata of rocks and layers are prone to landslides. This will help them to manage future landslides. Urgent attention for more disastrous landslides need to be focused in other regions like Kisoro district. The ranges of Mt Muhabura in the district are made of volcanic ashes, which can be disastrous in case of a volcanic eruption. The PDP baseline survey demands that the Government conducts a demographic implementation agenda for current and future landslide victims. The current concentration of people in Bududa camps is not only dehumanising, but also not a permanent solution. The disaster preparedness minister said: “The Government will continue warning the public to be on the look out for signs of landslides and move swiftly”, but this is practically impossible. What we need are practical solutions to disasters. The writer is the deputy president of the People’s Development Party"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/619973-kinyara-sugar-sweetens-bududa.html","content":" - Representatives of the Masindi-based Kinyara Sugar led by board director, Cyprian Batala (checkered shirt) and the general manager P.V. Ramadasan on his immediate left, recently surprised the Bududa landslide victims at their makeshift camp at Buluchekke by donating five metric tonnes of sugar. Batala said Kinyara deemed it necessary to offer sympathy and encouragement to the affected people. Ramadasan, speaking on behalf of the Kinyara employees, delivered a message of hope, saying the suffering would end and residents must stay positive even though their circumstances were dire"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/620236-2-more-landslide-victims-recovered.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu Excavators on Wednesday recovered two bodies from Nametsi trading centre, the picentre of the landslides in Bududa district last month. This brings the number of bodies to 98 out of the 350 suspected to be buried under the earth. The UPDF 3rd Division spokesman, Capt. Henry Obbo, said the graders dug out the bodies while testing the efficiency of the equipment. The skins of the one-and-a-half-year-old male child identified as Titus Wambedde and his mother, Ida Nauta, had reportedly peeled off, though they were recognisable. “They were claimed by Jack Walisiba. He identified them by the clothes on their bodies. We could not set aside the bodies for mass burial, yet their relatives were available. The UPDF is there to remove the bodies for a decent burial,” Obbo said. He noted that though the residents are impatient with the delay in excavation, the necessary items to run the operation were still inadequate. “We have got most of the equipment needed for the operation. But the protective gear is still not enough. “These bodies have stayed underneath for long and are bound to be in bad condition. This will pose a health risk to our soldiers if they are not protected,” Obbo said. Maj. Gen. Julius Oketta, the national emergency co-ordinator in the Prime Minister’s office, said the excavation process would take about three months. During a meeting with the leaders from Bugisu region at Mbale Resort Hotel on April 14, the Government announced that all the subsequent bodies excavated from Nametsi would be collected for mass burial as they were likely to be in pieces or beyond recognition. “We are going to identify a place within Bududa where we shall construct the grave. Thereafter, we shall construct a monument and inscribe the names of all those who perished in the catastrophe,” the general duties state minister, Janat Mukwaya, said. The UN M-26 choppers early this month airlifted two graders and water bowsers to Nametsi to start the excavation."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/620238-gang-held-over-theft-of-bududa-relief-items.html","content":" - By Steven Candia The Police have netted a gang suspected to be part of a racket behind the theft of relief items meant for the Bududa landslide victims. Three of the 36 suspects, who were arrested in a recent nation-wide operation, are private security guards. The guards were identified as Lawrence Drate, Robert Wabwire and Isaac Musabe, who had been deployed at the Uganda Red Cross stores in Nakawa where the relief items were stolen. The Police yesterday also said it had broken up a car and motorcycle theft syndicate. The key players in the car thefts were identified as Musa Kalule and Hasan Kisembo. The Police also said 20 suspects connected to motorcycle thefts have been arrested and 17 motorcycles recovered. Most of the suspects are boda boda cyclists. Addressing the journalists at the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) headquarters in Kireka, the spokesperson, Judith Nabakooba, said two rifles, 10 bullets, two grenades and three motorvehicles were also recovered in the swoop."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/620276-more-landslides-hit-bududa.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu FOUR separate landslides on Saturday occurred at Namasheti parish in Bukalasi sub-county near the spot where other landslides buried over 350 people in Bududa district in March. The incident occurred at a cliff inside Mt. Elgon National Park in Murerwe village while the others happened in Nametsi and Maika villages. Elisaphani Wafutseyo, 57, a resident of Namesti said the landslides happened after heavy rains that lasted four hours.“The rain was so heavy that most of us feared the same disaster at Nametsi trading centre would happen again,” Wafutseyo narrated. A team from the Uganda Red Cross Society visited the affected villages to acess the damage. The landslide left wide cracks at the slopes of the mountain. The cracks stretched about 2km from the spot of last month’s landslides. “If the rains continue, these rocks will overcome tree trunks and cause another disaster. We have advised the leaders to evacuate the people residing at the slopes beneath the cracks,” the Red Cross team leader, Tumwa Wanambwa, said. The landslides destroyed gardens and the rains flooded rivers. However, no deaths were reported."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/620570-80-families-flee-sipi-over-landslide-threat.html","content":" - By Rashid Muzungyo OVER eighty families in Gamatui, Sipi sub-county in Kapchorwa district, have been requested to relocate following reports of a pending landslide. The sub-county chief, Vincent Kipsiwa, said: “We have asked families living near a cliff to relocate. We have visited the homes to assess the situation because we do not want a situation similar to that of Bududa.” “We have informed the office of the chief administrative officer, the LC5 chairman and the resident district commissioner,” Kipsiwa said in an interview with Saturday Vision on Wednesday. The Sipi LC3 chairman, Patrick Murtamai, said the situation was worrying. He said councillors had been urged to monitor it and inform technical authorities about mudslides. Other areas under threat are Kamoko and Benet sub-counties where people live near huge boulders and steep areas. Kawowo LC3 chief Stephen Sabila said families residing at the foothills of Tewei hill had resisted warnings to move, arguing that they had lived there all their lives."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/620857-zain-donates-to-bududa-schools.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu Zain Uganda and two other organisations recently donated relief items worth sh45m to the survivors of the Bududa landslides at Bulucheke camp. The assortment of scholastic materials included text books, chalkboards, pens, exercise books, phones and Zain mobile Internet modems to the staff and pupils of Hope Education Centre and Bumwalye Primary School. The Indian Community Association and Britannia Allied Industries gave glucose biscuits, Splash juice, Tilda rice, soap and three bicycles. The items were handed over to Robert Okilla, a Red Cross Society official. Yesse Achoki Oyenga, the Zain managing director, said the items were meant to step up the education standards of the pupils in the camp. “Education is core to Zain’s corporate social responsibility. This manifests a step further in the dedication of both Zain and the Indian community to help the people who suffered effects of the landslides,” Oyenga said. He noted that the scholastic items were channeled through the ‘Build Our Nation’ programme, whose focus is to avail scholastic materials to schools in all African countries where Zain operates. A total of 2,001 children from the former primary schools of Nametsi, Tunuwasi and Katsatsa have enrolled at Hope education Centre and Bumalye Primary School. About 23 teachers have been recruited to teach the pupils. Ezra Nabute, the headteacher of Hope Education Centre, said the schools were faced with a shortage of infrastructure to accommodate the learners. “The classrooms are makeshift tents that leak. Whenever it rains, we have to send the pupils back home because the classrooms become flooded,” Nabute said. He added that the pupils were at risk of contracting diseases because the number of pit-latrines in the camp was insufficient. Okila said the food donation was a timely intervention that would replenish the stock to sustain the camp in the next three months."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/620955-fresh-landslides-hit-bududa-district.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu TORRENTIAL rains in Bududa district have triggered fresh landslides in Bumboi and Bunanda villages in Bushika sub-county in Bududa district. On March 1, a disastrous landslide buried over 350 people at Nametsi trading centre in Bukalasi sub-county, while another five were buried in Bumayoka sub-county. Over 5,000 survivors are currently sheltering at Bulucheke and Bukalsi camps awaiting permanent resettlement. In the latest disaster that took place on Sunday, rains that were coupled with hailstones pounded the two villages for three hours, destroying over 400 acres of maize, banana, coffee, cassava and bean gardens. There are about 120 families in the two villages affected, according to Michael Wanditi, the councillor for Bushika sub-county. In Bunanda village, a huge mass of land broke loose along the steep mountain slopes and covered about 50 square meters of gardens. At Bumboi village, the landslide uprooted trees and crops on the banks of River Kibisi that were swept downstream by the floods. Gaping cracks developed on the mountain slopes. In some areas, the faults weighed in large chunks of land. The hailstorm also destroyed ten houses in Bunanda village. Desolate houses were a common sight in the affected villages, as residents fled the area for fear of more landslides. Some abandoned livestock but no injuries or deaths of humans or animals were reported. Stephen Mumboji, 35, a resident of Bumboi village explained that the rains started at midday and lasted up 3:30pm. “The whole ground was covered with hailstones. The floods swept all the crops planted at the slopes of the mountain,” Mumboji said. The floods also destroyed the Bushika gravitational flow scheme that had been supplying the sub-county with piped water. A total of six wooden bridges that had been built over the river to connect villages and schools in Bushika sub-county were swept away. Wanditi yesterday said the floods affected over 1,000 pupils in Lwakha, Busauza and Bumukoyuya primary schools. “Pupils were using the bridges to access the schools. Some of the pupils in the upper primary were doing end of term examinations,” Wanditi said. An assessment team from the Uganda Red Cross Society yesterday visited the affected villages to ascertain the extent of the damage."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/621090-excavation-of-the-soil-begins.html","content":" - By vision reporter The long-awaited excavation of the remaining bodies that were buried by landslides in Nametsi is expected to start this week. The UN M-26 choppers arrived on Wednesday with the first batch of earth equipment. Brig. Timothy Sabiiti of the UPDF engineering brigade said work would commence as soon as all the equipment is airlifted to the scene. He said a team from the UPDF and the ministry of works would carry out the excavation. “Where there’s a lot of water, we shall be using the water bowsers to siphon it out before work. The duration of the exercise will be determined by the task at hand. We cannot predict what challenges may come. The health ministry will provide the protective gear such as gloves and masks for the people who will be retrieving the bodies,” Sabiiti said. Since the tragic landslides that claimed over 350 people, the UPDF and residents have dug out 96 bodies using hand tools. More than 200 bodies are still feared buried. Every morning, some of the bereaved people go to the site with hopes that their loved ones will be recovered. Dr. Charles Okot of the World Health Organisation (WHO) explained that such behaviour manifested early symptoms of mental disorder caused by the loss of loved ones. “Such people start hallucinating and their behaviour becomes strange. We had a case of a lady who denied her child,” Okot said. Whereas the new development comes as relief to the survivors who had lost hope of recovering their relatives, an immense task of managing the recovered bodies is apparent. With 49 days under the ground, the identification poses greater challenge. Recently, a limb of a victim was recovered and reburied by the army because no one claimed it. The limb had turned pink after the skin peeled off. “It is now becoming apparent that more bodies will be recovered in pieces,” says Lt. Col. Wilson Kabeera, the UPDF officer in charge of the rescue team. The Bududa LC 5 chairman, Wilson Watira, said bodies that cannot be identified will be set aside for mass burial. “Then we hope to have a day of national prayers for all those who died,” Watira said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/621240-no-contraceptives-for-bududa-idps.html","content":" - By Frederick Womakuyu Before the devastating Bududa landslide struck on March 1, 2010, Irene Sambura was using Injectaplan to space her births. By then, the 26-year-old mother had seven children. After the landslide displaced over 5,000 people, Sambura found herself among 800 women who have been settled temporarily at Bulucheke Internally Displaced Peoples (IDP) Camp. The only available family planning methods in the camp are pills and condoms. Sambura is pregnant again. She cannot use pills because they make her sick, while her husband dislikes condoms because they are a married couple. Zipola Wamoto, the midwife at Bulucheke IDP Health Centre, fears that many women may become pregnant against their will because of insufficient family planning services. Since the IDPs came to the camp a month ago, over 50 babies have been born. But what is worrying is that more women are getting pregnant. When The New Vision visited, the health centre only had pills and condoms. Wamoto says mothers who have been using contraceptives like Injectaplan are being referred to Bukigai Health Centre III or Bududa Hospital. However, these centres also lack long-term family planning methods like tubaligation, Intera Uterine Device (IUD) or injections. Dr. Peter Wakoba, the Bududa district health officer, confirms that Injectaplan has been out of stock for about a month now. Wakoba says the need for family planning in Bududa district is at 38% and each woman produces about eight children. Twenty-five-year-old Anne Nabumaale is pregnant with her eighth child. She is already feeling the burden of caring for the seven children. “My husband is a peasant. We can hardly cope,” she says. Apart from the small tent she shares with her husband and children, Nabumaale says they receive food meant for about five people to feed a family of nine. Nabumaale and her husband would like to use Injectaplan to stop giving birth but cannot find it. Fifteen-year-old Junik Nabugo, pregnant with a second child, says she has never heard of family planning before. Hailing from Tunuwasi village, she says the nearest health centre is about 10km away. “Nobody had come to educate us about family planning. I thought family planning means having no children at all,” she says. Her 45-year-old husband, Muses Gubi, does not want her to use family planning methods. “Whenever women use the injection, they vomit and lose interest in sex,” he says. Zipolo says people in Bududa produce many children due to ignorance, for prestige or security, even when they cannot take care of them. She says polygamy is very high, with some men marrying over five wives and producing over 10 to 30 children. The polygamy there stands at 35% compared to the national rate of 10%, says the 2002 Population census by Uganda Bureau of Statistics. Wakoba says the infant mortality in the district is 70 deaths per 1,000 live births compared to the national rate of 76 deaths per 1,000 live deaths, according to the 2006 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey. Access to decent healthcare services remains a major problem for women. Hamis Kaheru, the spokesperson of National Medical Stores (NMS), says Uganda’s health sector depends on donor funding because the Government does not have enough money to buy contraceptives and other drugs. No one wants to be displaced. But imagine a situation of a displaced mother with an unwanted pregnancy."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/621337-who-trains-emergency-team-for-bududa-landslide-victims.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu THE World Health Organisation (WHO) has trained an emergency team of 508 health workers in the eastern districts hit by landslides and torrential rains. Dr. Charles Okot, the focal person for epidemic preparedness and response, said 128 workers in Bududa, Butaleja and Manafwa districts had been trained to handle cholera, dysentry and measles. He added that WHO had also trained 380 village health teams on basic health care. Okot said they would be deployed in the rural areas and Bulucheke camp to strengthen disease surveillance. Village health teams are community volunteers used in health supervision, distribution of drugs and provision of first aid in the rural areas before referral to health centres. Okot said some of the health teams would be deployed to serve at Bukalasi. “We have trained 200 teams in Bududa and 180 in Butaleja. Our emphasis is on how to detect and treat the disease,” he said. “The team members will identify cases at community level and refer them to health centres. In case of a disease outbreak in the camp, we shall use them to search from tent to tent,” Okot said. “Our biggest fear is an infectious disease outbreak. The congestion will fuel the spread of the disease. This is why we have technical people suppress any outbreak,” he said. Recently, we recorded a suspected case of cholera in the camp. We sent the stool to Mbale for a test and found that it was diarrhoea, he said. Okot noted that poor sanitation, coupled with heavy rains, might scale up cases of water-borne diseases and malaria. He said the situation was still under control. Okot added that WHO had supplied two cholera kits of drugs, intravenous fluids, gloves and oral rehydration salts. A total of 3,746 people displaced by the disastrous March 1 landslides are currently sheltered at Bulucheke camp, according to the Uganda Red Cross Society. There are 2,467 children, 2,078 males and 1,668 females. The camp has 271 giant and family-size tents to cater for 932 households. Heavy rains in the eastern region are expected to last until the end of next month, according to the meteorological department."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/621338-news-in-brief.html","content":" - Salini donates to Bududa BUDUDA - The management of Salini Construttori, the company constructing the Bujagali hydro power dam, has donated relief items to the landslide victims. The items that included two huge tents that accommodate 50 people each and 100 mattresses worth sh19m were handed over by Salini’s finance and administration manager Biancon Tommaso. Children start campaign BUSIA - A campaign by school children using drama to create bilharzia awareness has been launched. The vector division of the health ministry and the schistosomiasis control initiative based at the Imperial College London, are supporting the programme. It is carried out in Lunyo and Lumino sub-counties where bilharzia is rampant. Police receive new vehicle JINJA - The south-eastern regional Police have received a new patrol vehicle for the traffic officers. Their boss, Hellen Apolot, said the regional Police did not have any vehicle to carry out patrols, especially on highways. She said they received the car from the Police headquarters in Kampala. Volunteers get bicycles BUGIRI - A total of 24 volunteers in Bulesa sub-county have received bicycles to enable them reach out to people infected with HIV/AIDS. The programme officer of the Uganda Community Based Association for Child Welfare, Francis Birungi, handed over the bicycles to the volunteers at St. Jude Primary School on Saturday. He said the volunteers also received 65 boxes of septrin tablets."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/621495-minister-pleads-for-teachers.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu THE Minister for General Duties, Janat Mukwaya, has directed Bududa district authorities and relief agencies to consider teachers and health workers affected by the landslides. Addressing district leaders and civil organisations at Bulucheke camp last Friday, Mukwaya stressed that teachers who relocated from their former schools to teach at the camp should be facilitated. “I was not impressed when I learnt that teachers in Bulucheke camp were not well-facilitated. Just because they earn a salary does not mean they did not suffer the effects of the landslide. These people have been displaced from their former schools,” she said. About 23 teachers from Tunuwasi, Nametsi and Kitsatsa Primary School have been enrolled to teach over 2,000 displaced pupils at Hope Education Centre in Bulucheke camp and Bumalye Primary School near the camp. The teachers have to travel 10km to work. “It’s a tedious routine. By the time the teachers arrive at school, they are too exhausted to conduct lessons. We tried to agitate for sleeping tents from the camp authorities to no avail,” Benedict Nasasa, a teacher at Hope Education centre, said. Mukwaya noted that denying teachers privileges would demoralise them and affect academic performance. A month ago, over 250 people were buried by landslides at Nametsi village in Bududa district."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/621483-why-we-need-to-be-disaster-prepared.html","content":" - By Felix Kulayigye MARCH 16, 2010 will go down in Uganda’s history as a day of misfortune that one wishes had never happened. The events of that day saw the country lose an entire parish to landslides, due to heavy rains in the East. Although rain in Africa is considered a blessing, it contributed to the Bududa landslides and the floods in Butaleja district. There have been debate as to whether the landslides could have been avoided. Another debate that arose was whether it was a disaster, an emergency or a crisis. The first debate is for another day because in Africa it is rude to debates over disaster when people are still moaning and burying their loved ones. To understand disaster management, we need to dissect the three concepts of disaster, emergency and crisis. What constitutes a disaster? Is it the number of deaths? Or is it the property damaged? Are there other elements for consideration to qualify an event as a disaster? A disaster is a serious disruption of the functioning of a society or community, causing major human, property, socio-economic or environmental losses which exceed the ability of the affected society to cope. On the other hand, a crisis is created by lack of governance, rules, regulations or policy guidelines. It is a state of confusion. One can say emergency is more often used synonymously with disaster, which is misleading. There are two correct usages: If it is an embryonic disaster, which if not well managed will grow into full-scale disaster. Or it is a phase immediately following a disaster (state of emergency issued by the Government). Then there is the term hazard. This is a threatening event or circumstance that has a potential to lead to an emergency or disaster. Examples include earthquakes, heavy rains and active volcanic mountains. Then lastly risk which is the likelihood of a population to suffer disruption of a disaster. Disaster preparedness, response and management There are six disaster management elements which constitute a holistic approach to disaster management. These are preparedness, mitigation, prevention, development, recovery, and response. Prevention includes measures designed to delay the occurrence of a disaster and prevent harmful effects on the community, for example, building dams and dykes to prevent floods, strong infrastructure, vaccination and immunisation programmes and planting trees. Disaster prevention refers to activities aimed at minimising the disruptive effects of a disaster. They include physical measures such as: strong construction and engineering works, proper land zoning, reducing population density from prone areas and regulating land use. There are also economic measures like diversifying business and agricultural activities, insurance cover, diversity in sources of income and economic incentives. Prevention can also be effected administratively, via management policies such as public awareness to communities, research and development, encourage relevant technical expertise, strengthen the capacity of responders and decision-makers, conflict resolution, early warning systems and resettlement plans. Disaster preparedness includes activities aimed at reducing the impacts of a future disaster. Examples are: Having an integrated plan to handle disaster and building a team of trained personnel to handle victims. Disaster response are the measures taken immediately after, during and following a disaster. Such measures are directed towards saving lives and protecting property. Disaster recovery embodies activities undertaken to restore the community or nation’s life. This process involves, relief supply, rehabilitation, restoration, reconstruction (full restoration of all services). Management of disaster involves meticulous employment of the existing administrative structures; from the individual to village and national level. In conclusion, disaster management is unity of purpose, as that should be the time when all the leaders and managers speak the same language. In case of insufficiency, corrective ideas should be contributed. We are better off working towards prevention, so as to minimise the impact of natural calamities. The writer is the UPDF spokesman"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/621646-news-in-brief.html","content":" - Residents aid Bududa victims JINJA - Residents of Jinja town have donated relief items worth over sh50m to the landslide victims in Bududa district. The items were collected at Nile Broadcasting Service (NBS) 89.4 FM radio station following a campaign launched by the Uganda Red Cross Society in Busoga region. The items included sacks of posho and beans, shoes, hoes, clothes, mugs, plates and jerrycans. Others were basins, washing soap, salt and sugar. 2 people get electrocuted MAYUGE - Two people were recently electrocuted as they tried to reconnect power lines. Yolamu Mukembo, 30, and his younger brother Ronald Kawuta, 22, both residents of Bufulubi trading centre, were reportedly trying to tap power from high voltage power lines. The south eastern regional Police commander, Christopher Kubai, said Mukembo died instantly, while Kawuta died as he was being rushed to Mayuge Health Centre. 50 miss army over ring worms KAMULI - At least 50 youth in Kamuli, Buyende and Kaliro districts missed recruitment into the Uganda People’s Defence Forces for having ringworms and lack of authentic academic papers. Some women who claimed to be 18 years were also disqualified after it emerged that they were mothers. The two-day exercise, headed by Lt. Col. Lugeni, was held at Kamuli Works Yard. 2 charged over theft of turkeys TORORO - Hatena Obonyo and martin Owor were last week charged in court over stealing turkeys. They allegedly stole six birds from Vincent Wafula’s home on the night of March 20 in Peta Peta sub-county. Court remanded them to Morukatipe Prison until April 17 when their case will be heard again."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/621643-bududa-lc5-chief-warns-politicians-on-camp-issues.html","content":" - By Paul Watala POLITICIANS in Bududa district have been told to stop politicising issues in Bulucheke camps for the landslide victims, but work towards restoring hope among survivors. “I am not happy with politicians within and outside the district who are inciting the residents to burn the stores in Bulucheke,” the district chairperson, Wilson Watira, said. Receiving relief items from the Uganda Police at the Mbale regional block, Watira said some politicians had turned the camp issues a subject for a politicking in the run-up to the 20011 polls. He said it was bad for leaders to cause problems instead of looking for ways to assist the victims. “They have several times organised the residents to beat up the Uganda Red Cross Society staff. “We suspect they are behind the bad acts happening during the distribution of relief items where some of the items are stolen,” Watira said. He appealed to the leaders to deal with human challenges in the camp other than fronting their selfish interests which may jeopardise the programme.  Watira hailed the Police for the donation and the security they provide in the camp. He requested for more security to protect the stores of the relief items. Joel Aguma, the eastern regional Police commander, handing over the relief items, said the gesture was meant to rebuild the homes and dignity of the victims, besides their duty of keeping law and order. The Police donated clothing, maize flour, spoons, saucepans, plates, blankets and cups. Aguma added that they established a child protection unit at the camp to deal with offences against the girl-child. However, Aguma revealed that one local defence unit guard, Nabende Kyamalo, was prosecuted and sentenced to a one-year imprisonment for stealing relief items."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/621893-landslide-victims-get-easter-treat.html","content":" - DISPLACED persons at Bulucheke and Bukalasi camps in Bududa district got an Easter treat from Kimse Yokmu, a Turkish-based civil organisation. The NGO gave a tonne of fresh meat and seven tonnes of rice, bread, sugar and 100 blankets to the persons displaced by the March landslides. The Finish Red Cross Society also donated clothes to the displaced persons as an Easter gift. A total of 932 households from both camps received the items."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/621945-muyenga-tank-hill-faces-landslide-say-experts.html","content":" - By Andante Okanya PARTS of Muyenga Tank Hill suburb are threatened by a landslide, experts from National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) have warned. The persistent rains have weakened the soil in Monkey Zone below Kampala’s main water reservoirs. Mary Kitutu, a NEMA official, who led a team of geological experts on an inspection tour on Saturday, said: “Indicators show the slope is slowly failing. The rocks are being pushed down. The rock is completely weathered.” She said the five permanent houses on the slope are built on a weak foundation. Dr. Andrew Muwanga, an environmental geologist, said rain water is washing away the soil, exposing the residents to danger. He explained that marram has low resistance to erosion and that the owners of the houses should have removed it and remained with the rocky soils before embarking on construction. The hill also houses five massive water tanks owned by National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) with a capacity of 4,000,000 litres of water. A two-storey building that doubles as a church and home for destitutes is facing the biggest risk. The experts also said an apartment block under construction is slanting after the foundation got exposed due to the extensive excavation on the slopes of the hill without stabilising it. The experts pointed out evident signs like the weakening soils, buildings which have developed cracks and trees that are slanting. The experts also noted five others mansions at a lower level risk being submerged if the soils give away. Police chief Maj Gen. Kale Kayihura on Friday visited the area. According to local authorities, Kayihura who quoted a report from geological experts, ordered suspension of the construction activities until the slopes are stabilised. He also advised the residents to vacate but they have, however, declined. NWSC experts have also made frequent visits to the area, as the water tanks are also at risk. Yasin Omari, the LC1 chairman, blamed Kampala City Council (KCC) engineers for failing to guide the development of structures in the area."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/621894-indians-boost-bududa-landslide-victims.html","content":" - By David Ssempijja THE Indian Association of Uganda (IAU) has donated food and non-food relief items worth over sh100m to the landslide victims of Bududa. The items were contributed by individuals, community associations and Indian-owned companies. The body also offered an ambulance with doctors and nurses to tackle health challenges through offering free medical assistance to residents for 30 days. “Our association has been helping and continues to assist the less fortunate and needy among the local community at large. “It has always been our primary goal to be a part of every noble cause and our mission is to help, in whatever way we can,” the association chairman, Naren Mehta, said in a statement. He explained that the Indian community had always considered the social obligation element as an important giveback in response to the existing support rendered by Ugandans. “This great country has given us numerous opportunities and the vision of the Indian association is to make it a better place for each and everyone of us,” he said. Metha noted that the partnership that exists between India and Uganda had created a conducive atmosphere for investment, giving rise to employment opportunities and enhanced domestic revenues. Last December, the IAU offered sh200m to 11 heart patients to undergo surgery at the famous Narayana Hrudalaya, Bangalore, a five-star hospital in India. Several individuals and organisations, including Pope Benedict XVI have sympathised with the Bududa victims since the disaster struck early last month. of the landslide that buried three villages and displaced hundreds in bududa district earlier this month."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/621928-britania-donates-to-bududa-victims.html","content":" - By Patrick Jaramogi THE Indian Association of Uganda, in collaboration with Britania Allied Industries, has donated food items worth sh10m to the Bududa landslide victims. The relief items in form of processed juice, mineral water and confectionaries were delivered to the Uganda Red Cross in Bududa last week. “We felt the same pain like any other person and decided to share our grief with the people of Bududa by donating to them at this time of need,” the Britania Allied Industries general marketing manager, K.R Sridharan said. He said Britania also provided transport for other relief items donated by the Indian Association in Uganda. “We shall continue to offer support until the situation normalises,” he added. The items were delivered by the chairperson of the Indian Association of Uganda, Naresh Mehta. The Bududa landslides that occurred in early March left over 500,000 people homeless and killed at least 300 people."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/622036-250-remain-buried-under-bududa-landslides.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu and Henry Mukasa OVER 250 people are still missing in Bududa district one month after a landslide buried three villages on the slopes of Mountain Elgon. The landslide, caused by torrential rains, is said to have killed over 300 people. A total of 94 bodies have been recovered. The terrain of the area, lack of proper tools and the incessant heavy rains have complicated the recovery efforts. The rains have also hampered the speedy completion of the landing field at Nametsi where the UN helicopters carrying earth moving equipment are expected to land. Maj. Gen. Julius Oketta, the officer in charge of emergency coordination in the Prime Minister’s Office, said the rains have reduced the working hours the UPDF soldiers spend clearing the field to about three per day. UN officials and the UPDF airforce recommended that the field be expanded from 30 by 50 meters to 50 by 70 meters. “The biggest hindrance to our operation has been the continuous torrential rains. The rains normally start at 11:00am just three hours after we have started work. We then have to call off the exercise. We would have already completed the field and exhumed the remaining bodies for descent burial,” Oketta said. He said the soldiers had reached rocky ground, adding that this has also slowed down the clearing of the field. “We are now using explosives to clear the ground. We set the explosives on the rock, blow it up and soldiers fall in with hand tools to level the ground,” Oketta said. He added that the Office of the Prime Minister had given the Government four months to discuss the way forward on the remaining bodies and the resettlement of the displaced people currently camped at Bulucheke sub-county headquarters. “During the four months, the Government should be able to identify land and purchase it. We are screening the displaced persons at Bulucheke to ascertain their identities. The process involves getting their names, ages and where they come from. Bulucheke camp has been infiltrated by people who did not suffer any effects of the landslides,” Oketta said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/622129-posta-donates-to-bududa.html","content":" - By Emojong Osere SURVIVORS of the recent calamity in Eastern Uganda’s district of Bududa, where a landslide killed more than 100 people have reason to smile as humanitarian assistance continues to trickle in. Posta Uganda has donated an assortment of goods to be handed over to the victims, by the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS). The goods which included 30 bags of clothes, two bags of stationery items and nine bags of beans and maize, were handed over to Michel Nataka, the URCS secretary general, by James Arinaitwe, the Posta Uganda’s managing director. “Nobody expected the landslide to happen. We have to mobilise communities to handle the response mechanisms,” Arinaitwe said during the hand-over which took place at the firm’s head office in Kampala recently. Arinaitwe added that the disaster also affected Posta Uganda because they dealt directly with the residents. Many firms have come up to help the Bududa victims."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/622244-bugembe-babirye-support-bududa.html","content":" - By Mathias Mazinga THE Bududa landslide tragedy continues to pierce hearts. As a result, many people are still coming out to help the victims. Gospel artistes: Wilson Bugembe and Judith Babirye also supported this noble cause with a concert at Theatre La Bonita last week. The fairly attended fundraising show dubbed ‘Help Buduuda’ was organised by the Watoto Church affiliate-radio, Power FM and supported by novida. The proceeds from the sell of the tickets will be sent to the Bududa victims. Besides buying entry tickets, some people donated cash/cheques to further their sympathy and solidarity with the Bududa victims."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/622303-expert-tips-govt-on-landslides.html","content":" - By Andante Okanya and Justus Akampa AN expert on landslide management has advised the Government on ways to avoid a repeat of the Bududa disaster. Mary Goretti Kitutu, the environmental information systems specialist at the National Environment Management Authority, said the Government has to compel people in the landslide- prone areas to plant forests. The landslide swept away the slopes of Mount Elgon and erased three villages of Kubehwo, Namakansa, and Nametsi in Bukalasi sub-county in Manjiya county. In a presentation at a public dialogue held last week on landslides in Bududa, Kitutu said forest cover could avert a landslide. “Forests should be planted in Bududa. Seasons are now erratic and you cannot tell when the landslides will occur,” she said. The dialogue, held at the Uganda Museum, was organised by Nature Uganda, an environmental non-governmental organisation. It was aimed at raising awareness on the causes of landslides and mitigation measures to avoid disaster."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/622325-tororo-archdiocese-prays-for-bududa-residents.html","content":" - By Paul Watala The Tororo Archdiocese has held prayers for the victims and survivors of the Bududa landslide. The Apostolic Nuncio, Paul Tschang In-Nam, the representative of the Pope, led the prayers at St. Joseph Church in Bududa district on Friday. “Today, we celebrate this holy mass for the victims who were killed, for those who lost their dear ones and all those who are suffering the consequences of the disastrous landslides,” Tschang said. “The Pope has expressed his spiritual closeness and sympathy towards the suffering population of Bududa, manifesting his fatherly concern for each of you,” he remarked. Tschang said the Ugandan community in Rome was deeply moved by the landslides, which hit three villages. He urged the residents not to turn away from God and counselled them not to relate the incident to superstition. “Jesus refutes the traditional belief of the people who consider a disaster, as punishment from God. Misfortunes must not awaken curiosity in us or the quest for presumed sins. They must be an opportunity for reflection to overcome illusion,” Tschang advised. He handed over a contribution of $30,000 (sh62m) from the Pope to the victims. Other parish churches brought donations, including foodstuffs and clothes for the victims. Tschang toured Bulucheke camp after a heavy downpour and encouraged the victims to vacate the hills. The resident district commissioner, Wanzusi Wasieba, said the Government had secured 40 square miles of land to relocate the locals. Present were Dennis Kiwanuka Lote, the archbishop of Tororo diocese, Charles Martin Wamika, the bishop-elect of Jinja diocese and Bishop Emeritus Joseph Oyang of Lira diocese."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/622463-pope-donates-sh62m-to-bududa.html","content":" - By Juliet Lukwago POPE Benedict XVI has donated sh62m to help victims of the landslide that buried three villages and displaced hundreds in Bududa district earlier this month. The Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, Cyprian Lwanga, said the Pope sent the aid through the Apostolic Nuncio, Paul Tschang In-Nam. Speaking during Palm Sunday mass at Rubaga cathedral, Lwanga said: “The Pope sympathises with the victims of the tragedy that occurred in Bududa. He has sent help worth $30,000.” The archbishop said the donation was part of the Pope’s efforts to help the less privileged during the lent period. He urged Christians to emulate the pontiff. He added that the church would continue to support relief efforts through organisations like Caritas Uganda. He warned Christians against donating worn-out or torn clothing. “Give out something that even you want to be given, not just items that are worth discarding. It gives happiness and builds a good relationship between you who gives and those who receive.” Over 300,000 people have been displaced in eastern Uganda following the landslides that hit Nametse, Kubweho and Namanga villages on March 1. According to the Uganda Red Cross, 94 bodies were recovered and over 300 people are still missing. Meanwhile, the archbishop dismissed reports that the statue of Mother Mary outside Rubaga cathedral is a curse to Buganda. He said people have been alleging that the events in Buganda are a result of a curse by the Catholic Church since the statue faces Mengo. He explained that the statue was constructed to symbolise the church’s devotion to the mother of Jesus. “I appeal to you to leave the statue alone because it has nothing to do with the Mengo establishment. It has existed since the missionaries set foot in Uganda in 1879,” he said. He also urged Christians to desist from violence during the Holy Week. Christians all over the world celebrated Palm Sunday yesterday to mark the beginning of the Holy Week before Easter. The day symbolises the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem about 2,000 years ago."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/622623-helfen-aid-gives-bududa-victims.html","content":" - BUDUDA - Helfen Aid, a German Muslim relief agency, has donated items worth sh81m to the victims of the Bududa landslide. The organisation gave 250 bags of maize flour, 100 bags of beans, 71 bales of blankets and six cartons of water-purifying tablets. Receiving the items, a Red Cross official, Stephen Wamukota, said the aid would ease the shortages they had been facing. Mutwalibi Kafo, the Helfen Aid coordinator in Uganda, said the organisation is active in 70 countries and it assists people in need as a result of natural disasters, epidemics, armed conflict or civil unrest, as a way of sharing Allah’s love."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/622582-bududa-troops-to-get-therapy.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu THE UPDF troops that were deployed to recover bodies of the landslide victims at Nametsi trading centre in Bududa district have been pulled out to undergo psychological therapy and attend to their domestic obligations. The UPDF 3rd Division spokesman, Capt. Henry Obbo, said the soldiers would be taken to Bugema Army Garrison in Mbale district for the therapy. “These soldiers are human too. They have been working in shifts at the tragic scene digging out and touching dead bodies for the last three weeks. About 100 would be at the top of the mountain, while another 100 would rest at the bottom,” he said. Obbo disclosed that the soldiers used to sleep very close to where the landslide victims were buried. “This can cause severe psychological effects. So we are going to bring psychiatrists to counsel them before they are redeployed to other areas,” he added. Since the landslides that buried over 350 people in Nametsi about a month ago, a team of UPDF soldiers and residents have recovered about 94 bodies. Obbo noted that within the last two weeks, over 30 soldiers deployed to work at the sight suffered skin allergies due to contaminated water from the streams, while others were admitted at Bududa Hospital with diarrhoea. The national director for emergency coordination, Maj. Gen Julius Oketta, explained that the therapy would be done by experts from the health ministry and civil organisations working in Bududa. “UPDF is a people’s army. As we concentrate on recovery, other partners should be able to render alternative services. \"Counselling is a routine exercise done in form of briefing and debriefing before and after the soldiers are from a mission. These soldiers will also undergo medical checkup for any other ailments,” he said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/622705-anglican-church-aids-bududa-victims.html","content":" - MBALE - The Church of Uganda has donated relief items worth sh118m to victims of the Bududa landslides and people displaced by floods in Butaleja district. The items were handed over by Mbale diocesan bishop, the Rt. Rev. Patrick Gidudu, to Kevin Nabutuwa, the Red Cross eastern regional disaster programme manager, at the organisation's offices in Industrial division. Amanda Onapito, the church’s spokesperson, explained that the items were collected from Action for Churches Together, an alliance of over 100 churches and church-based organisations that provide relief to the world’s poorest countries."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/622650-a-moment-of-silence-for-bududa.html","content":" - By Emmanuel Buufu IN a move to support victims of the recent Bududa landslides, young musicians under their umbrella organisation, Young Talent Uganda, in conjunction with 94.8 Vision Voice FM and Go Lotto, executed a campaign dubbed, “Moment of Silence Bududa” on Monday. Ninety two bodies were recovered while 350 were feared dead after the devastating landslide swallowed three villages on the slopes of Mt. Elgon. Paddy Masembe, director of the group, said the campaign is an addition to the national response to aid the affected communities.“This should be a challenge to the rest of us that it is our responsibility as Ugandans to respond to such challenges in our community,” he said. The campaign started with a press conference, a fundraising drive at the National Theatre and was followed by a charity walk from the theatre to KCC Grounds in Lugogo, where different artistes performed. Among these were Mowzey Radio and Weasle, Rabadaba, Aziz Azion, Michael Ross, Cindy and GNL. Items like clothes, shoes, blankets and money were collected. Ernest Wasake, the promotions manager of Vision Voice, appreciated the musicians for supporting a good cause."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/622741-tree-plantings-should-be-for-dual-purpose.html","content":" - THE Government is to embark on an aggressive tree-planting programme in the degraded mountainous areas to prevent future landslides. Reforestation is one of the major solutions to landslides and other effects of deforestation, especially on hilly areas. Many communities in Uganda do not yet know the dangers inherent in unfriendly human activities like cutting trees without replacing them. Few people understand issues like environment conservation, climate change and tourism. However, the reforestation plan should also focus on improving the livelihoods of the people surrounding these areas. One of the major reasons why many forests have been depleted is the lack of visible benefit from the resource yet alternatives like charcoal, timber and farming are more visible and provide direct benefit to the people. The country is facing a challenge of unemployment, which has affected many, and tree planting could be one of the areas where people, especially the youth, can generate some income through provision of labour. Tree planting is a business which has costs like any other business. At the same time, planting any type of tree just for the sake of creating a forest will not be a solution as the same reasons given above for deforestation will be repeated in future. Tree planting should be for environment conservation and business in one package. Perhaps the selected areas on which trees are to be planted should be leased out to private individuals who can establish commercial tree plantations. These plantations will provide employment for the rural communities and reduce Government expenditure. To boost the implementation of the project, the Government can provide free seedlings to farmers upon agreeing with them on the species of trees to plant, the season for planting and sources of the seedlings. The Government should also ensure that the areas designated for tree planting are free from conflict over land, otherwise, the trees could be burnt down as revenge for forceful eviction."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/622872-news-in-brief.html","content":" - Expert tips on landslide control KAMPALA - Landslides in hilly areas can be alleviated by promoting appropriate soil conservation technologies, Prof. Abwooli Banana of Makerere University has said. This follows the recent landslide that buried three villages in Bududa district, killing hundreds of people. In an interview, Banana attributed the lack of trees on hills to the increased occurrence of landslides in the country. Refugee gender violence study on KAMPALA - A survey to ascertain the level of gender-based violence among refugee communities in Uganda has started. The three-month exercise that is being conducted by the Pan African Development Education Advocacy Programme, was recently launched in Kisenyi, a Kampala slum area, heavily populated with Somali refuges. “A lot of research on gender-based violence has been conducted in Uganda but nothing has been done regarding the refugee community yet their rights are also violated,’ said Irunga Kibakhs, the programme officer."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/623004-300-manafwa-families-flee-imminent-landslides.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu OVER 300 families residing on the mountainous parts of Manafwa district have fled their homes due to the emergence of cracks in the ground, signaling an imminent recurrence of landslides. The gaping cracks that slither through gardens, compounds and under rock are visible in the seven sub-counties of Mukhoto, Bupoto, Bumbo, Bwabwala, Mukhoho, Tsekhululu and Kaato. In some areas, mini landslides that occurred about two weeks ago, have destroyed banana crops. Rose Wangaya, 38, of Nabirara village in Mukhoto, narrated that she abandoned her home on a steep slope with her five children after narrowly surviving a mini-landslide. “We were getting shelter from the evening drizzle when the landslide occurred. The ground faulted and carried down the poultry house located about three metres from our house. This frightened us. I decided to rent a house in the village to avoid danger,” Wagaya said. Moses Masabasi, 56, from Maalo village, said the mini-landslide buried about two acres of his coffee plantation that was inter-cropped with cassava, potatoes and bananas. “I have eight children who are all at school. That is the only piece of land that I have been tilling to earn money to cater for their education and feeding. My family now lacks food and I’m relying on handouts from relatives,” he said. Solomon Nagimolo, a local council official of Nabirara village, explained that much as the landslide did not kill people, it would result into hunger, as most people lost crops. “What saved us was that the landslides occurred during the day so people who saw cracks on the ground fled to safety before they could be carried off. Displaced people are living with relatives, while some have opted to rent houses in the local trading centres at ranging between sh5,000 and sh7,000 per month,” Nagimolo said. George Wanakina, the Manafwa natural resource’s officer explained that the fresh cracks were signs of a looming landslide and urged the residents to stay away from such spots. Wanakina said the faults were created due to the poor farming methods and population pressure. Following a directive from the office of the prime minister, the Manafwa disaster management committee led by the district chief administrative officer, Juma Nkunyinji, visited the sub-counties to analyse the extent of the disaster and determine appropriate intervention. Nkunyinji stated that the district was planning to evacuate most of the residents who were residing on the faulted slopes. “We plan to temporarily put them up in schools and churches. What we need urgently is food, tarpaulins and toilets. This disaster has come in the wake of a cholera outbreak in the district. We have to find measures to mitigate the spread of the disease,” Nkunyinji said. He lamented that only 50 bags of sugar and 200 of maize had been delivered by charity organisations to the victims. Manafwa neighbours Bududa district, which was hit by a devastating landslide three weeks ago. The Government declared that the whole of Mt. Elgon was prone to more landslides, after they swept away three entire villages and claimed over 300 lives in Bududa on March 2. In the aftermath of the Bududa landslide, search teams consisting of UN Agencies, the Red Cross and the UPDF have recovered 95 bodies. over 350 people are still missing. According to the ministry of disaster preparedness, over 3,000 people from 800 families have been resettled in Bulucheke camp. However, the number of displaced families is projected to climb to 900. Also, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that more than 300,000 people near the mountain and the neighbouring lowlands had been displaced by floods. Of these, more than 33,000 people have been affected in Butaleja district, mainly due to crop loss. Among the displaced are over 800 school-going children from the three affected sub-counties. The children have been transferred from Tunuwasi, Nametsi and Kitsatsa primary schools, located within Bulucheke camp."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/623106-cmc-supports-tombs-re-building.html","content":" - By Johnson Were THE Central Motor Club (CMC) has dedicated next weekend’s motor sprint in Lubiri to the Bududa landslide victims in Mbale and Kasubi Tombs razed down by fire. CMC secretary Leone Ssennyange announced at the launch of the Race to Race Sprint in Lubiri yesterday. “We are going to give part of the proceeds to our brothers and sisters in Bududa, and aid the reconstruction of Kasubi Tombs as part of our social responsibility,” Ssennyange stated. The motor rally fraternity joins several firms and individuals that have assisted the Bududa victims. The rallying group is also keen to play a part in re-building the Kasubi tombs. On Tuesday, fire gutted the over 130-year old structure where remains of four Buganda Kings are buried. The Katikkiro of Buganda John Baptist Walusimbi said on Wednesday that the tombs will be rebuilt. The tombs are an example of traditional Ganda architecture and a testimony of the living Ganda traditions. For Uganda, the site represents an important symbol of its history and culture. The tombs were listed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2001. The Race to Race Sprint organisers said 40 drivers are expected to compete with the registration expected to start soon."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/623200-wangari-maathai-warns-on-deforestation.html","content":" - By Cyprian Musoke A HIGH deforestation rate leaves the soils exposed, increasing the population’s vulnerability to the negative impacts of climate change like landslides, Wangari Maathai, an environment activist and nobel Prize winner, has said. Addressing the 15th African water and sanitation congress at Speke Resort Munyonyo on Tuesday, Maathai stressed that governments must curb deforestation. “One of the destructive initiatives introduced into the East African region during the colonial era is the clearing of indigenous forests and replacing them with commercial plantations of exotic species,” she said. Sacrificing the welfare of future generations to please big business interests is short-term, Maathai added. Life, she stressed, can go on without sugar, paper and furniture, but people will die if the ecosystem is tampered with."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/623255-kampala-teens-donate-to-bududa.html","content":" - By Pidson Kareire IF you thought our teenagers were good for nothing, you should have been at Garden City last Saturday. Teens residing in Kampala showcased their various talents in a charity campaign to donate items to Bududa landslide survivors and other needy people. The event kicked off in the morning at Watoto Church in Kampala, where participants gave out various items. A charity walk, along Parliament Avenue, to Oasis Mall and Garden City followed from 10:00am to 11:00am. The event climaxed into a random spelling competition for all charity walkers. There was also voluntary car wash, dance competitions and blood donation with the Uganda Red Cross."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/623275-bududa-tragedy.html","content":" - By Fredrick Womakuyu Schools on rough road to recovery The pain of the landslide tragedy that hit Bududa district will stay on for long. The education sector was severely affected. About 100 pupils perished. As seventy-eight-year-old Dison Kuloba remembers the sight of helpless children who could not run to safety, he is overcome with grief. On the day of the tragedy, over 100 children who took shelter at Nametsi Health Centre perished. At Nametsi Primary School, Ezra Obed, the head teacher confirmed that 37 pupils died. “We had the highest number of the pupils that were killed. We have recovered only 17 bodies,” he says. He recalls that after realising the rain was not stopping, the teachers sent the pupils back home, advising them against crossing flooded rivers. The children took the teachers’ advice and took shelter at Nametsi trading centre. However, at about 8:00pm, at Nametsi trading centre, an estimated 400 people were buried alive. To date, about 300 are still missing. Enock Makobi, a teacher at Bukalasi Secondary School says most of the missing are children who had taken shelter at the health centre. “We have recovered only 10 bodies. About 26 pupils from Tunuwasi Primary School are still missing. Over 40 students of Bukalasi Secondary School are also still missing, after only about 23 bodies were recovered,” he says. Amosi Mulahama, a teacher at Nametsi Primary School says: “If the landslide had reached the schools, the teachers would probably have died. Thankfully, no teacher was hurt or killed,” he says. He says many children died because they walked several kilometres to and from school. “The community of over 5,000 people has only three primary schools and the nearest secondary school is 21km away. The rain trapped them at the trading centre,” Mulahama says. Parents tell sad stories Parents and teachers at Namashet parish have sad stories to tell. John Musumba, a parent at Nametsi lost 12 children and two wives. “Six of my children were studying at Tunuwasi Primary school. I had a house in the trading centre, where some of my other children were staying. I was away in Mbale district when tragedy struck,” says Musumba. Fred Wangwe, a teacher at Nametsi Primary School says since the river next to their school was flooded, he had to use a wooden door as a bridge. He believes pupils and students in Namashet had been living dangerously. “This place has steep hills and valleys — crisscrossed by water sources. The water sources flood whenever it rains heavily, which hinders students from crossing,” he says. In fact, sometimes the rain would be so heavy that many would not attend school. This gradually affected the school’s performance. In last year’s national examination results, Nametsi Primary School had no pupils in first division. Only three out of 40 pupils who sat the 2009 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), passed in second grade. Of the 2,206 candidates who sat PLE from Bududa district, only 16 passed in division one. This was the second worst performing district in Uganda after Manafwa. Since it was founded in 1989, Nametsi Primary School has had only one pupil passing in the first grade. “Over 70% of the pupils drop out by P.6. The few pupils who continue to S.1 drop out due to lack of school fees and morale. Most parents engage their children in farming and marry the girls off early,” Wangwe says. Way forward Ezra Nabute, the headteacher of Nametsi Primary School requests the Government to transfer the schools from Namashet parish to a flat ground. “There are no role models for the children to emulate in this village. People don’t value education and depend on farming for survival. Maybe this could have contributed to the disaster due to over cultivation and poor farming methods,” he says. Schools to be relocated Bududa district chief accounting officer, Vitalis Oswan, says classes had been suspended in the affected area indefinitely while residents are urged to relocate. “We are convincing them to leave. We have set up temporary classes in the camp and some of the children are learning,” he says. The two primary schools in Namashet — Tunuwasi and Nametsi primary schools, were not affected by the floods and the residents think they can still use the schools. “However, the area is prone to landslides and if we neglect our children, they will perish. That is why we are trying to get them out,” Oswan says. Over 1,500 pupils are to be relocated to new schools. Seven temporary tent classrooms with about 150 pupils have been set up. These have about 150 pupils already studying. “We need to sensitise and counsel the affected. With time, they will go back to school,” he says."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/623276-bududa-tragedy.html","content":" - By Fredrick Womakuyu Schools on rough road to recovery The pain of the landslide tragedy that hit Bududa district will stay on for long. The education sector was severely affected. About 100 pupils perished. As seventy-eight-year-old Dison Kuloba remembers the sight of helpless children who could not run to safety, he is overcome with grief. On the day of the tragedy, over 100 children who took shelter at Nametsi Health Centre perished. At Nametsi Primary School, Ezra Obed, the head teacher confirmed that 37 pupils died. “We had the highest number of the pupils that were killed. We have recovered only 17 bodies,” he says. He recalls that after realising the rain was not stopping, the teachers sent the pupils back home, advising them against crossing flooded rivers. The children took the teachers’ advice and took shelter at Nametsi trading centre. However, at about 8:00pm, at Nametsi trading centre, an estimated 400 people were buried alive. To date, about 300 are still missing. Enock Makobi, a teacher at Bukalasi Secondary School says most of the missing are children who had taken shelter at the health centre. “We have recovered only 10 bodies. About 26 pupils from Tunuwasi Primary School are still missing. Over 40 students of Bukalasi Secondary School are also still missing, after only about 23 bodies were recovered,” he says. Amosi Mulahama, a teacher at Nametsi Primary School says: “If the landslide had reached the schools, the teachers would probably have died. Thankfully, no teacher was hurt or killed,” he says. He says many children died because they walked several kilometres to and from school. “The community of over 5,000 people has only three primary schools and the nearest secondary school is 21km away. The rain trapped them at the trading centre,” Mulahama says. Parents tell sad stories Parents and teachers at Namashet parish have sad stories to tell. John Musumba, a parent at Nametsi lost 12 children and two wives. “Six of my children were studying at Tunuwasi Primary school. I had a house in the trading centre, where some of my other children were staying. I was away in Mbale district when tragedy struck,” says Musumba. Fred Wangwe, a teacher at Nametsi Primary School says since the river next to their school was flooded, he had to use a wooden door as a bridge. He believes pupils and students in Namashet had been living dangerously. “This place has steep hills and valleys — crisscrossed by water sources. The water sources flood whenever it rains heavily, which hinders students from crossing,” he says. In fact, sometimes the rain would be so heavy that many would not attend school. This gradually affected the school’s performance. In last year’s national examination results, Nametsi Primary School had no pupils in first division. Only three out of 40 pupils who sat the 2009 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), passed in second grade. Of the 2,206 candidates who sat PLE from Bududa district, only 16 passed in division one. This was the second worst performing district in Uganda after Manafwa. Since it was founded in 1989, Nametsi Primary School has had only one pupil passing in the first grade. “Over 70% of the pupils drop out by P.6. The few pupils who continue to S.1 drop out due to lack of school fees and morale. Most parents engage their children in farming and marry the girls off early,” Wangwe says. Way forward Ezra Nabute, the headteacher of Nametsi Primary School requests the Government to transfer the schools from Namashet parish to a flat ground. “There are no role models for the children to emulate in this village. People don’t value education and depend on farming for survival. Maybe this could have contributed to the disaster due to over cultivation and poor farming methods,” he says. Schools to be relocated Bududa district chief accounting officer, Vitalis Oswan, says classes had been suspended in the affected area indefinitely while residents are urged to relocate. “We are convincing them to leave. We have set up temporary classes in the camp and some of the children are learning,” he says. The two primary schools in Namashet — Tunuwasi and Nametsi primary schools, were not affected by the floods and the residents think they can still use the schools. “However, the area is prone to landslides and if we neglect our children, they will perish. That is why we are trying to get them out,” Oswan says. Over 1,500 pupils are to be relocated to new schools. Seven temporary tent classrooms with about 150 pupils have been set up. These have about 150 pupils already studying. “We need to sensitise and counsel the affected. With time, they will go back to school,” he says."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/470398-why-we-wrote-to-wb-on-bujagali.html","content":" - By Geoffrey Ekanya SOME people are alleging that the letter Salaam Musumba, Ken Lukyamuzi, Nathan Mafabi, Frank Nabwiso, Nsubuga Nsambu, Daniel Kiwalabye and myself wrote to the World Bank (WB) is what the reason Bujagali dam failed to take off and that we are the cause of loadshedding. This is misrepresentation of the facts. The letter we wrote to WB was part of the Bank’s request to the public that anybody with information relating to the project that is relevant to the improvement as regard to designing, funding and implementation should avail the bank with such information. Under the WB’s policy, for any project the bank intends to fund, there is a department of investigation that it deploys to verify any anomalies that might arise. Ugandans should remember that the power purchase agreement that was negotiated between the government of Uganda and AES Nile Power, the company that was to build the dam, had so many anomalies and most of them were leading to government’s refusal to avail documents to the public for scrutiny. When the committee of parliament on National Economy, then chaired by Isaac Musumba, realised this it summoned the Minister of Energy and caused reviews and adjustments to be made. Some of these reviews were related to the issue of unit cost of power at generation. Whereas government had signed an agreement to buy power at generation at a cost of $10 cents per unit generated, when some of us intervened, through a committee, the company accepted to adjust the cost to $4 cents per unit at generation. That meant that if we had not intervened, $10 cents at generation plus the cost of distribution and cost of power loss, which is now sh216, plus tax and profits, the consumer would pay over sh450 per unit. This would have been unaffordable to many Ugandans. With this, people should appreciate our intervention. Secondly the government and the company had guaranteed the level of Lake Victoria. The clause in the agreement stated that in case the level receded, as is the case today, and the company is unable to generate power the government would pay as if the company would be generating 250mega watts. If we had not written, today we would be paying because the level of the water has gone down. Ugandans must be grateful and appreciate our intervention. The money government would be paying the company generating nothing is now being injected into the diesel tax exemption. It was amazing that two months after we wrote to WB, the company collapsed. This was because in our letter we had indicated that the company was involved in financial scandal and corruption. It ran bankrupt, its leaders were even charged in US courts for several financial illegalities. It was de-registered from the US financial markets. If it were not for our letter, the company would have used the license and the rights on Bujagali to borrow money whose liability would be a burden of Ugandans. From that time we continued to advocate that the best option was the construction of Karuma dam which is environmentally friendly, less costly and requires less water. The WB is a worldwide institution with offices all over the world. It has mechanisms to verify information it receives. It’s unlikely the Bank took information from a group of MPs as the gospel truth. The Bank took the position because of its own findings on this project besides our letter, which was in the best interest of all Ugandans. The writer is MP for Tororo As told to Mary Karugaba"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/672756--i-stopped-counting-doctor-on-discovering-migrant-boat-dead.html","content":" - Stiff lifeless bodies submerged in water -- it's a sight Canadian doctor Simon Bryant won't soon forget after he found dozens of dead migrants in the hold of a boat off Libya. \"Yesterday was a difficult day,\" Bryant said in a Skype interview with AFP on Thursday. The 56-year-old doctor was on a mission Wednesday with Doctors Without Borders on the Phoenix, a vessel dedicated to rescuing migrants, when he was asked to help the Swedish coast guard during their rescue of a wooden boat with over 450 people on board. \"I went over there, with one of our nurses...We quickly saw that there were three or four people who were improving on the deck, so I went back on to the wooden boat and below deck, and I discovered many dead bodies.\" Fifty-two dead bodies to be precise. People that left lives of poverty and countries wrenched by conflict in hopes of reaching Europe and a better life. Bryant said that when he began examining the bodies, many of them were already stiff. Equipped with a headlight, and an air hose for air supply below deck, Bryant continued to look for possible survivors. \"I started checking people for signs of life, and I stopped counting after 24...\" The doctor said there were fumes from petrol in the hold. \"I just quickly checked for signs of life and moved on. There was water in the boat, some people were half in the water, face down...\" \"When I came back up on top, there was a little more space and there were four bodies lying, but one of them was actually just barely breathing,\" Bryant said. The man was quickly taken to a hospital on the Italian island of Lampedusa via helicopter. Bryant's work was not over yet, however. He then examined the other migrants on the boat, as well hundreds more rescued in the same area Wednesday. Reflecting on the macabre scene in the boat, he said: \"It's not something that I want to do again. \"I didn't sleep last night, afterwards. Actually, many of our staff just rested but didn't sleep.\" According to the Italian coast guard, which coordinates rescue operations between Libya and Italy, around 3,000 migrants were rescued Wednesday, with another 1,400 rescued Thursday.  \"When they come on board, we have the opportunity to speak with them. On the first day, most of them are exhausted, they sleep a lot.\" But soon, many of the migrants begin opening up about their journeys. \"After that you get to hear their stories, and it can be a very sad time, a very anxious time,\" Bryant said. Bryant calls the situation \"avoidable\" if there is enough of a global response. But more deaths are inevitable, the medic said. \"Unfortunately, there will be deaths, there will be many deaths...\" \"These aren't just numbers, these are people who have stories that we will never get a chance to hear.\" Related to the story 40 dead in new migrant tragedy in Med, 2,000 in danger 700 feared dead in migrant shipwreck 29 African migrants die off Italian coast"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/656132-diver-dies-at-s-korea-ferry-disaster-site.html","content":" - SEOUL - A South Korean diver died Friday during efforts to cut a new access hole into a submerged ferry that sank last month with the loss of around 300 lives, the coastguard said. The 46-year-old diver, identified only as Kim, was pulled from the water unconscious and bleeding from his face, a coastguard official said. He was later pronounced dead in hospital, but the precise cause of death was not immediately clear, the official said. He was the second diver killed in the operation to retrieve hundreds of bodies from the 6,825-tonne Sewol ferry, which sank on April 16 off the southern coast. Most of the people on the sunken ferry were schoolchildren. PHOTO/AFP   Relatives of those on the ill-fated vessel hoped for any news from the rescue operation. PHOTO/AFP/Getty Images The Sewol was carrying 476 people -- most of them schoolchildren. No bodies have been recovered since May 21, leaving the confirmed death toll at 288, with 16 still unaccounted for. Divers have had to battle strong currents and work in near-zero visibility. Two dozen have been treated for injuries and decompression sickness. AFP Also related to this story Students on ill-fated ferry joked about 'the Titanic' S. Korean PM resigns over ferry disaster President apologises for ferry disaster Ferry crew could face murder charges"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/654841-body-of-first-caller-from-s-korean-ferry-found.html","content":" - SEOUL - The body of a high school student who made the first distress call from a sinking South Korean ferry was recovered from the submerged vessel on Thursday, news reports said. The student, identified by his surname Choi, had called the emergency 119 number at 8:52am on Wednesday last week, three minutes before the crew of the 6,825 tonne Sewol sent their first distress signal. The timing of his terrified message -- \"Save us. The ship is sinking\" -- has fuelled anger over the slow response of the Sewol's captain and crew as the disaster unfolded. The confirmed death toll stood at 162 on Thursday, with 140 still unaccounted for -- their bodies believed trapped in the ship that capsized in circumstances that have yet to be fully explained. Yonhap news agency said divers had retrieved the boy's body from inside the ferry on Thursday morning and it had been identified by his parents. A DNA test was being carried out to formally confirm his identity, Yonhap said. The boy was one of 325 students from the same high school who were on the ferry, bound for the southern resort island of Jeju, when it capsized. During his 119 call, Choi was bombarded with questions about the ferry's coordinates and the number of people on board. A coastguard official later told reporters that emergency services had mistaken him for a crew member. The captain and 11 crew members have either been arrested or taken into police custody awaiting charges. AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/654713-first-bodies-pulled-from-submerged-korean-ferry.html","content":" - JINDO  - Divers began retrieving bodies Sunday from inside the submerged South Korean ferry that capsized four days ago with hundreds of children on board, as families angered by the pace of the rescue efforts scuffled with police. Coastguard officials said 16 bodies had been removed from the ship which sank on Wednesday morning, pushing operations further along the painful transition from rescue to recovery and identification. The retrieval of the first bodies from the interior came after prosecutors revealed that the officer at the helm of the 6,825-tonne Sewol when it capsized was not familiar with those particular waters. The confirmed death toll from the disaster stood at 56 with 246 people still unaccounted for. Three bodies were pulled out of the fully submerged ferry just before midnight and another 13 were recovered later Sunday morning, a coastguard spokesman said. The breakthrough followed days of fruitless efforts by more than 500 divers to access the capsized ship, while battling powerful currents and near-zero visibility. It was a watershed moment for distraught relatives who have clung desperately to the idea that some passengers may have survived in air pockets in the upturned vessel. The bodies were placed in tents at the harbour on Jindo island -- not far from the disaster site -- where the relatives have been camped out in a gymnasium since the ferry went down. In a process that looks set to be repeated with tragic frequency in the coming days, they were checked for IDs and other particulars, after which their relatives were informed and asked to make an official identification. - Trauma of identification - Some of the policemen standing guard at the tents were openly weeping, while the cries of the family members could be heard from inside. Of the 476 people on board the Sewol, 350 were high school students headed for the holiday island of Jeju. The devastated relatives have repeatedly denounced what they feel has been a botched, delayed and incompetent emergency response to the disaster. Nearly 200 family members set off Sunday on a hike from Jindo to Seoul -- 420 kilometres (260 miles) to the north -- where they planned to march on the presidential Blue House in protest. Scuffles broke out when they were prevented from crossing the bridge to the mainland by a large police detachment, and eventually they were forced to turn back. One of the marchers, Chung Hye-Sook, a mother of one of the missing students, said she was appalled that the authorities had begun taking DNA samples to facilitate identification of the bodies before the entire ferry had been searched. \"What are those people thinking?!,\" Chung shouted. \"We are asking them to save our children's lives. We can't even think about DNA testing. I want to save my child first,\" she said. Three giant floating cranes have been at the disaster site off the southern coast of South Korea for days, but the coastguard has promised it will not begin lifting the ferry until it is clear there is nobody left alive. Investigators have arrested the ferry's captain, Lee Joon-Seok who has been bitterly criticised for abandoning hundreds of passengers still trapped in the ferry as he made his own escape. Also detained were a 55-year-old helmsman and the ship's young and relatively inexperienced third officer, identified by her surname Park, who was in charge of the bridge when the disaster occurred. Tracking data shows the ship took a radical right turn while navigating through a group of islets off the southern coast. Such a sharp turn could have dislodged the heavy cargo manifest -- including more than 150 vehicles -- and destabilised the vessel, causing it to list heavily and then capsize. - Inexperience at the helm? - While Park, 26, had been sailing the Incheon-Jeju for six months, \"it was the first time for her to navigate this particular route,\" a senior prosecutor told reporters Saturday. The captain said he was returning to the bridge from his cabin when the ship ran into trouble. Questioned as to why passengers had been ordered not to move for more than 40 minutes after the ship first foundered, the captain insisted he had acted in their best interests. \"The currents were very strong ... I thought that passengers would be swept far away and fall into trouble if they evacuated thoughtlessly,\" Lee said. The ferry tragedy looks set to become one of South Korea's worst peacetime disasters. A Seoul department store collapsed in 1995, killing more than 500 people, while nearly 300 people died when a ferry capsized off the west coast in 1993. Around 30 percent of South Koreans are practising Christians and special prayers were said across the country on Easter Sunday for the ferry victims. AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/654692-korea-ferry-captain-arrested-divers-enter-ship.html","content":" - JINDO, April  - The captain of a South Korean ferry that capsized three days ago was reportedly arrested early Saturday, as divers overcame strong currents and near zero visibility to enter the submerged vessel for the first time.   A team of police and prosecutors had sought on Friday arrest warrants for Lee Joon-Seok, 52, and two of his crew without specifying charges, the coastguard had said, after the incident that left 28 people confirmed dead and another 268 still missing.   On Saturday the Yonhap news agency reported that Lee was in custody and faced five charges, including negligence of duty and violation of maritime law.   Yonhap said a local court in Mokpo had issued arrest warrants for him and two other crew members, citing the possibility that they may flee or destroy evidence.   Earlier, prosecutors said Lee had handed the helm to his third officer before the ferry capsized.   Three days after the sinking, relatives were clinging to increasingly slim hopes that some may have survived in air pockets.   The unfolding tragedy was compounded by the apparent suicide of a high school vice principal who had been rescued from the 6,825-tonne Sewol that sank Wednesday morning with hundreds of his students trapped inside.   The breakthrough by dive teams in finally accessing the ship came more than 48 hours after the 6,825-tonne Sewol went down -- a delay that has incensed the relatives of those still unaccounted for.   After several attempts, two divers managed to pry open a door and enter the cargo section on Friday afternoon, a senior coastguard official said.   Hours later another two-man team accessed one of the cabins, but found nothing.   \"The search operation will continue through the night,\" the official said.   \"Visibility is almost non-existent. You can hardly see your hand in front of you face,\" said one diver when he returned to the harbour at nearby Jindo island.   Of the 475 people on board the Sewol, only 179 were rescued and no new survivors have been found since Wednesday.     AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/654673-captain-not-at-helm-of-capsized-s-korean-ferry.html","content":" - JINDO - The captain was not at the helm of the South Korean ferry that capsized two days ago, investigators said Friday, as anger spread over stalled rescue efforts for hundreds of missing passengers trapped by the submerged vessel.   More than 48 hours after the 6,825-tonne Sewol suddenly listed and then sank, a small army of more than 500 exhausted divers -- battling powerful currents -- have yet to obtain any real access to the ferry's interior.   Two divers managed to partially pry open a door on the side of the ship, but did not swim inside, the coastguard said.   \"Visibility is almost non-existent. You can hardly see your hand in front of you face,\" said one diver when he returned to the harbour at nearby Jindo island.   The confirmed death toll stood at 28, but the focus of concern remained the 268 people still unaccounted for -- hundreds of them children on a high school outing to the southern resort island of Jeju.   As the dive teams worked on accessing the ferry, two divers bored holes in the hull and began injecting oxygen into the ship.   The weather conditions were challenging, with rain and fog, and strong sea swells that covered the small keel section of the Sewol that had previously poked above the surface.   Of the 475 people on board when the Sewol capsized, 179 were rescued, but no new survivors have been found since Wednesday.   Three giant, floating cranes reached the disaster site, but regional coastguard commander Kim Soo-Hyun stressed they would not begin lifting the multi-deck ferry until they were sure there were no survivors inside.   No salvage before rescue    \"I want to be clear: There won't be any salvage work done against the will of the families,\" he said.   There were 352 students on board and for the parents of those who were not rescued there was bitter resentment at what they saw as the inadequacy of the official response.   \"It's been two days but no one has been brought out alive,\" complained Lee Yong-Gi, whose son was among the missing students.   \"I firmly believe that the kids are alive. We need to rescue them as soon as possible. But officials are dragging their feet,\" Lee told AFP.   Another father accused the authorities of indifference and deception in an appeal broadcast live on television.   \"The government lied yesterday,\" he said, speaking from a podium in a Jindo gymnasium where hundreds of blanket-wrapped relatives have been sleeping on the floor since the tragedy unfolded.   Disputing the official figures of hundreds of divers, vessels and aircraft being deployed, he said he and other relatives had visited the rescue site and seen only a dozen ships and helicopters.   \"Everyone, is this the reality of South Korea? We plead once more, please save our children,\" he said.   A coastguard official trying to brief the relatives was pushed and slapped around the face.   The initial public backlash has centred on the captain, Lee Joon-Seok, and his 28 crew, most of whom survived the disaster.   State prosecutors said preliminary investigations showed the third officer was at the helm of the ferry.   Captain not in command    \"The captain was not in command when the accident took place,\" prosecutor Park Jae-Eok told a press briefing.   The captain was \"in the back\" he added, without elaborating.   The captain apologised Thursday to the victims and their relatives, but offered no clear explanation for what caused the Sewol to capsize.   \"I feel really sorry for the passengers, victims and families,\" Lee said. \"I feel ashamed.\"   Tracking data from the Maritime Ministry showed that the ferry made a sharp turn just before sending its first distress signal.   Some experts believe a tight turn could have dislodged the heavy cargo manifest -- including more than 150 vehicles -- and destabilised the vessel, causing it to list heavily and then capsize.   But others suggested the turn might have been caused by a collision with a rock or other submerged object.   Chief prosecutor Lee Seong-Yoon stressed there was \"no limit\" to the range of the investigation.   \"We will make sure... those responsible are sternly held accountable,\" Lee said.   As well as the cause of the disaster, investigators will be looking at why passengers were ordered to stay in their cabins and seats for up to 40 minutes after the ferry ran into trouble.   Furious relatives believe many more people would have escaped if they had reached evacuation points before the ship listed sharply and water started flooding in.   Newspaper editorials were scathing with the Dong-A Ilbo daily calling the rescue response \"ludicrous\".   \"We have the world's finest shipbuilding industry in the 21st century, but our mindset is in the 19th century,\" the newspaper said.   AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/636607-pioneer-bus-sacks-chief-executive-officer.html","content":" - By Brian Mayanja and Taddeo Bwambale After only seven months in the city transport business, Pioneer Easy Bus may be closing business. The bus company seems to be submerged in a chain of endless problems. New Vision online has learnt that the company has fired its chief executive officer, Seyi Osiyemi. The move came after a drivers’ sit-down strike that paralysed city transport recently. Fred Senoga, the managing director of the company, said they fired Osiyemi due to incompetence. Another director, David Baingana, said: “He was hired to meet certain targets, which he failed. We are in business to excel,” Baigana explained. Efforts to talk Osiyemi were futile as he is reportedly out of the country. The bus company has phased-out some routes formerly plied by the buses, like Kampala-Luzira and Kampala-Kajjansi is also to follow suit. The bus owners say they cut down the operations to pave way for the introduction of an automated fare collection system, following reports that some stewards were collecting money without issuing tickets. The drivers said they had never received their daily allowances since the company started operating in March. The drivers are entitled to a daily allowance of sh15, 000 and a sh300, 000 monthly salary. They added that even the free medical services they used to get at Naguru Hospital stopped. Senoga said delays in paying salaries were due to management problems. “Some sectors had been neglected. But we have started making reforms,” he said. Other sources within the company attributed the financial crisis to a $10m loan they secured from Standard Chartered Bank to procure the 100 buses. “We serve that loan at 15%. We secured another sh6b loan to pay URA. This why we are facing a lot of problems,” a source said. Another issue they highlighted was that the buses are ever facing mechanical problems. Senoga accused KCCA of failing to play its part in the contract, which had made it hard for the company to fulfill their side of the deal. “KCCA wants us to pay the dues on time, yet we are competing with taxis. How shall we raise the funds,” he said. Since the firm phased-out some routes, a fleet of about 20 buses were parked and the drivers are reportedly working in shifts. The company had also promised to import about 500 buses in one year, but there have been no new arrivals since 100 came in February. New Vision has also learnt that since the bus company started operating in the city, it has also never remitted dues agreed on with KCCA. According to the agreement, the firm was to pay sh300,000 per month for every bus operating in the city. Each bus reportedly makes about sh500, 000 per day. City Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago said the company owes KCCA approximately sh2.4b in uncollected taxes."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/628395-14-still-missing-from-italian-ship-disaster.html","content":" - GIGLIO, Italy - Rescue workers searched the half submerged hulk of a capsized Italian cruise ship for 14 people still missing on Monday, more than 48 hours after the huge vessel capsized, killing at least six and injuring more than 60. Three people, a South Korean honeymoon couple and a member of the ship's crew, were rescued on Sunday and police divers also recovered the bodies of two elderly men, still wearing emergency life jackets. A sixth body, that of an adult male passenger, was found just before dawn on Monday, according to Italian television. Nine passengers, one of them a young child according to Italian media, and five crew members were still unaccounted for from the disaster off Italy's west coast. The captain of the 114,500 tonne Costa Concordia was arrested on Saturday, accused of manslaughter and abandoning his ship before all of the more than 4,200 passengers and crew had been evacuated. Francesco Schettino's employers, Costa Crociere, said in a statement on Sunday that he appeared to have made \"serious errors of judgment\" and had brought the ship too close to shore, where it struck a rock that tore a large hole in the hull. The disaster occurred when the ship struck a rock as dinner was being served on Friday night, triggering scenes of panic that witnesses said were like the film \"Titanic\" with passengers jostling to get on lifeboats and some leaping into the icy sea. Passengers say there were unexplained delays in organising the evacuation of those on board and this had resulted in chaos. The vast hulk of the 290-metre-long ship, half submerged and lying on its side, loomed over the little port of Giglio, an island in a maritime nature reserve off the Tuscan coast. A large gash could be seen in its hull but salvage experts said its fuel tanks did not appear to have been damaged, lessening the danger of an oil spill in the pristine waters. Paolo Tronca, a local fire department official, said the search would go on \"for 24 hours a day as long as we have to\". Investigators were working through evidence from the equivalent of the \"black boxes\" carried on aircraft to try to establish the precise sequence of events behind the disaster, which occurred in calm seas and clear weather. \"Serious human error\" Defence Minister Giampaolo Di Paola, a naval admiral, said the disaster did not appear to have been caused by natural or technical factors. \"In my estimation there was a serious human error, which had dramatic and tragic consequences,\" he told RAI state television. Operators Costa Crociere said Schettino appeared to have failed to follow standard emergency procedures. \"The route followed by the ship was too close to the coast and it seems that his decisions on the management of the emergency did not follow the procedures of Costa Crociere,\" said the company. Prosecutors accused Schettino, who has worked for Costa Crociere since 2002 and who was promoted to captain in 2006, of leaving the ship before the evacuation was complete. Coastguard officials said he had refused to return to the vessel when asked to. Schettino has told Italian television that the ship hit rocks that were not marked on maps and were not detected by navigation systems. He said the accident occurred some 300 metres from shore. Costa Crociere expressed \"deep sorrow\" for the disaster. It said all crew had been properly trained in safety procedures and that the ship was fully equipped with life jackets, medical supplies and other safety equipment. (Writing by James Mackenzie; Editing by Ralph Gowling) Source: Reuters"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/545173-floods-destroy-tororo-mbale-bridge.html","content":" - By Moses Nampala THE Tororo-Mbale highway might be closed after floods damaged a bridge built over Manafwa stream, eight miles from Tororo town. On Thursday, hundreds of motorists had to wait for over eight hours for the water that had submerged the bridge to receede. Uganda National Road Authority Tororo branch engineer Stephen Seninde on Friday said: “Because the narrow canals cannot hold the enormous water volume, it has made the stream to swell, causing water to submerge part of the road.” He said he had made a report to the roads authority and was waiting for approval and logistical support. The route is also used by cargo trucks going to Sudan from Mombasa port in Kenya Tororo deputy resident district commissioner Richard Gulume said: “The country is bound to lose revenue and at the same time it may interrupt the flow of cargo to Sudan, particularly trucks from Mombasa using the border route of Malaba in Tororo which is said to be the shortest way to Sudan.” When the New vision visited the bridge, the floods had washed away a layer of the tarmac and part of the bridge canal."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/570113-floods-destroy-tororo-mbale-bridge.html","content":" - By Moses Nampala THE Tororo-Mbale highway might be closed after floods damaged a bridge built over Manafwa stream, eight miles from Tororo town. On Thursday, hundreds of motorists had to wait for over eight hours for the water that had submerged the bridge to receede. Uganda National Road Authority Tororo branch engineer Stephen Seninde on Friday said: “Because the narrow canals cannot hold the enormous water volume, it has made the stream to swell, causing water to submerge part of the road.” He said he had made a report to the roads authority and was waiting for approval and logistical support. The route is also used by cargo trucks going to Sudan from Mombasa port in Kenya Tororo deputy resident district commissioner Richard Gulume said: “The country is bound to lose revenue and at the same time it may interrupt the flow of cargo to Sudan, particularly trucks from Mombasa using the border route of Malaba in Tororo which is said to be the shortest way to Sudan.” When the New vision visited the bridge, the floods had washed away a layer of the tarmac and part of the bridge canal."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/547064-what-of-the-presidentâ-s-health.html","content":" - BY JOHN NAGENDA Sometimes the real import of a piece of news comes hidden, or partly submerged! What is its significance, and what lies behind it? In the case of the question raised in the House this week by Hon Okello Okello MP regarding President Museveni’s health, was I wrong to smell a rat? True, citizens have a right, a duty even, to worry about the person of their Leader. Mr Okello (is it allowed to address him in the singular?) might even expect to be thanked by a grateful nation. But the tone was, if not deliberately gleeful, certainly not over-full of the milk of human kindness. He seemed far more interested in putting the President on the reserve bench, while employing someone else to do his duties. And all this on the evidence, which the President had freely given previously, that he was suffering from an injured finger on his greeting right hand! This had caused him to shake hands with his left, including with your humble columnist in London. (Interestingly enough, the thumb on my left hand has this week given me jip through entunuka - poisoned finger - but I doubt anyone, including the parliamentarian, would want me put aside for a while!) In the dim recesses of histories learnt at Budo, I remember a war, between the English and the Spaniards, referred to as the War of Jenkins’s Ear. Are we now to start a Skirmish, based on the President’s Ring Finger? Perish the thought! Is this finger ailment so grievous that it can impair a president’s ability to a point where, as Mr O O seems to imply, he cannot adequately carry out his duties? In which case as, demanded by the Constitution, someone else, usually his Vice, must take over for the duration? Obviously that is nonsense, passing off as sense, affording the lack-lustre Opposition a rare chance to scoff at Government. (Enjoy while you may!) But for a second my heart gave a lurch, not because of Okello Okello’s fancies but at the thought that Y.K.Museveni was after all nothing but human and what a hole his absence, if it came, would create. Most of all I thought of the Security, with the Barbarians from the far corners moving in to break down the gates. Let the bugle blow. It is high time the very same people he is now visiting round the clock in order to re-stock on their patriotism, came to the protection of their National Treasure. We must all implore the President to cut down on his workload; though it is inconceivable that he will ever relinquish his sacrifice to the nation. It is time to come to his aid, as we shall illustrate from next week. ***************** Meantime elsewhere in the world time rushed along as always. To London the wealthiest 20 nations on the globe, the G20, came to debate the best way forward to beat the worldwide Recession. It was also a good chance to take a look together at the “new kid on the block”: President Obama, (and, as it happened, on his First Lady. Years ago John F Kennedy took his to Paris on a State Visit, and announced: “I am the one accompanying Mrs Jackie Kennedy…!”). In less than a couple of days Obama grasped with both hands the chance of discoursing with the world’s biggest leaders; what a chance on both sides! What’s more he looked fully the part, regardless of shouldering all the cares of the world. It was a mighty feat, especially in one so comparatively young and untried. Some had questioned what realistic gain could possibly come from this G20 meeting, with the globe covered in ash. Obama was one gain, and was a catalyst in the reaching of the Agreement. More than $1.1 trillion was pledged by the Summit, as well as tougher financial regulations worldwide. Each leader went away saying it was their ideas which had won the day! **************** Let me briefly retrace my steps to my gentle piece on the Holy Father last week, or, the Vicar of Christ, as a Mr Deo Ryamugema called him, giving me weak slaps on the wrist, of which I will only counter three. First, there have been studies on why the birth rate of those devout Catholics, the Italians, has dropped well below two kids per family. It is not via abstaining or following that ridiculous “monthly circle” approach perhaps beloved of Deo R and his ilk; it is the pill and the rubber, sometimes together. As for being rude in bringing up the universally known fact of Abstaining Priests, proudly preached by themselves from pulpit and street, I was merely questioning the efficacy of their role in matters sexual. For this, Brother Deo would have me excommunicated from his church (I would first have to be “communicated” there: no chance!), next to cut off my head, and probably to boil me in oil. What a nice man! He must surely be joking to aver “the Catholic doctrine is time-tested and the surest way of avoiding (Aids).” Go look into hospitals and graves! Let me end on a tastier note: singing the praises of our famous Ugandan cricketers down in South Africa, striving to make the Cricket One Day World Series. First they beat Namibia, no mean feat, and then lost narrowly to Canada. Keep your fingers crossed for the next games, and think what our people in all Sport would do if better funded by the nation!"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/572004-what-of-the-presidentâ-s-health.html","content":" - BY JOHN NAGENDA Sometimes the real import of a piece of news comes hidden, or partly submerged! What is its significance, and what lies behind it? In the case of the question raised in the House this week by Hon Okello Okello MP regarding President Museveni’s health, was I wrong to smell a rat? True, citizens have a right, a duty even, to worry about the person of their Leader. Mr Okello (is it allowed to address him in the singular?) might even expect to be thanked by a grateful nation. But the tone was, if not deliberately gleeful, certainly not over-full of the milk of human kindness. He seemed far more interested in putting the President on the reserve bench, while employing someone else to do his duties. And all this on the evidence, which the President had freely given previously, that he was suffering from an injured finger on his greeting right hand! This had caused him to shake hands with his left, including with your humble columnist in London. (Interestingly enough, the thumb on my left hand has this week given me jip through entunuka - poisoned finger - but I doubt anyone, including the parliamentarian, would want me put aside for a while!) In the dim recesses of histories learnt at Budo, I remember a war, between the English and the Spaniards, referred to as the War of Jenkins’s Ear. Are we now to start a Skirmish, based on the President’s Ring Finger? Perish the thought! Is this finger ailment so grievous that it can impair a president’s ability to a point where, as Mr O O seems to imply, he cannot adequately carry out his duties? In which case as, demanded by the Constitution, someone else, usually his Vice, must take over for the duration? Obviously that is nonsense, passing off as sense, affording the lack-lustre Opposition a rare chance to scoff at Government. (Enjoy while you may!) But for a second my heart gave a lurch, not because of Okello Okello’s fancies but at the thought that Y.K.Museveni was after all nothing but human and what a hole his absence, if it came, would create. Most of all I thought of the Security, with the Barbarians from the far corners moving in to break down the gates. Let the bugle blow. It is high time the very same people he is now visiting round the clock in order to re-stock on their patriotism, came to the protection of their National Treasure. We must all implore the President to cut down on his workload; though it is inconceivable that he will ever relinquish his sacrifice to the nation. It is time to come to his aid, as we shall illustrate from next week. ***************** Meantime elsewhere in the world time rushed along as always. To London the wealthiest 20 nations on the globe, the G20, came to debate the best way forward to beat the worldwide Recession. It was also a good chance to take a look together at the “new kid on the block”: President Obama, (and, as it happened, on his First Lady. Years ago John F Kennedy took his to Paris on a State Visit, and announced: “I am the one accompanying Mrs Jackie Kennedy…!”). In less than a couple of days Obama grasped with both hands the chance of discoursing with the world’s biggest leaders; what a chance on both sides! What’s more he looked fully the part, regardless of shouldering all the cares of the world. It was a mighty feat, especially in one so comparatively young and untried. Some had questioned what realistic gain could possibly come from this G20 meeting, with the globe covered in ash. Obama was one gain, and was a catalyst in the reaching of the Agreement. More than $1.1 trillion was pledged by the Summit, as well as tougher financial regulations worldwide. Each leader went away saying it was their ideas which had won the day! **************** Let me briefly retrace my steps to my gentle piece on the Holy Father last week, or, the Vicar of Christ, as a Mr Deo Ryamugema called him, giving me weak slaps on the wrist, of which I will only counter three. First, there have been studies on why the birth rate of those devout Catholics, the Italians, has dropped well below two kids per family. It is not via abstaining or following that ridiculous “monthly circle” approach perhaps beloved of Deo R and his ilk; it is the pill and the rubber, sometimes together. As for being rude in bringing up the universally known fact of Abstaining Priests, proudly preached by themselves from pulpit and street, I was merely questioning the efficacy of their role in matters sexual. For this, Brother Deo would have me excommunicated from his church (I would first have to be “communicated” there: no chance!), next to cut off my head, and probably to boil me in oil. What a nice man! He must surely be joking to aver “the Catholic doctrine is time-tested and the surest way of avoiding (Aids).” Go look into hospitals and graves! Let me end on a tastier note: singing the praises of our famous Ugandan cricketers down in South Africa, striving to make the Cricket One Day World Series. First they beat Namibia, no mean feat, and then lost narrowly to Canada. Keep your fingers crossed for the next games, and think what our people in all Sport would do if better funded by the nation!"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/523264-kampala-flooded-by-overnight-rains.html","content":" - By Conan Businge, Gerald Tenywa and Madinah Tebajjukira FOR the third day running yesterday, heavy rains battered Kampala residents. Business in the city came to a halt as the early morning downpour flooded markets, submerged shops and blocked roads in the city centre and suburbs of Bwaise, Kalerwe and Nateete. Accompanied by strong winds and hail stones, the rains pounded the city, sweeping away houses, billboard and trees. The whole day, Kampala and the areas around the Lake Victoria basin were covered in a thick nimbus cloud, thunder and lightning. The rains, which started on Easter Sunday, are expected to go on for the next two months, according to meteorologists. Inside Royal Complex building on Market Street, the flood waters were at the waist-high level of the workers. The building’s electronic gadgets were also buried in water. Some of them could be seen floating on water. “This is not the first time this building has flooded. Today, it is just worse. The management is aware, but is negligent,” said a worker. Most shop owners fought the floods, to save their merchandise. Buckets, basins and two generators were hurriedly procured to clear the building that had a sewage stench. Most vendors, shopkeepers, and hawkers in the city suburbs, yesterday deserted their work stations, as the water swept into their buildings. Some of the residential houses in slums were almost submerged, by the floods. At Kalerwe, the Nsooba channel was completely flooded. “I have lost all I had in my shop. I had several maize flour sacks and they are destroyed,” explained Muhammed Kiyemba, a shopkeeper in Nsooba. Several temporary houses on the Northern By-pass between Bukoto and Kalerwe were reduced to floating debris. In Nateete, latrine slabs were swallowed-up. Human waste could be seen floating away. Dr. Aryamanya Mugisha, the executive director of the National Environment Management Authority blamed the floods on the poor drainage system. He added that the poor construction of the by-pass in a belt of wetlands was also responsible for floods."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/482360-cheptui-awoja-bridges-closed.html","content":" - By Herbert Ssempogo WORKS minister John Nasasira has ordered for the closure of two bridges in eastern Uganda. He said the bridges were death traps. Cheptui, which links Mbale to Kaphorwa and Awoja, which connects Soroti to Kumi, cracked and were submerged during the recent floods that displaced several people. “People should stop using these bridges or they will die,” he told Policemen stationed at the bridge. He advised the people to use alternative routes. Daring residents and businessmen still cross the bridges despite their precarious state. Enterprising residents use boats to ferry people from one side to the other at sh500 per person. “It is our responsibility to ensure that people move from one place to another easily and safely. The brides are not safe,” Nasasira said. Awoja, Nasasira said, would be repaired when the water level reduces, while a new bridge would be erected at Cheptui, but he did not disclose when it would be done. Nasasira was on a three-day tour of eastern Uganda to assess the damage onto the road network and the bridges. According to Nasasira, the ministry could not respond immediately due to the strict procedures supposed to be followed while awarding tenders. “Even during disasters, the laws demand that we go through the tendering process, which is often slow. People caught in floods cannot wait,” he argued. Nasasira said the laws and policies should sometimes be “bent” so as order to assist people during disasters. The ministry engineer-in-chief, Samson Bagonza, added: “We are told that there should be some form of competition before arriving at a price. A firm that loses can even appeal, leading to more delay.” Nasasira hailed Mulowoza Construction officials for successfully re-connecting Soroti to Katakwi via a new road built through Komolo swamp. Earlier, while meeting the Mbale district leaders, Nasasira said the Uganda National Road Authority boss would be appointed next month. He was optimistic that the authority would change the state of roads in the country. District leaders led by the chief administrative officer, Steven Ouma, demanded that the Government takes over the maintenance of some roads."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/484222-marines-at-aswa-bridge.html","content":" - By Dennis Ojwee THE Police has deployed marines to transport travellers across Aswa Bridge in northern Uganda. The 30-metre bridge, situated 40km on the Gulu-Pader-Kitgum highway, has been submerged for over three weeks by the flooded Aswa River. Hundreds of people have on several occasions been stranded at Aswa Bridge. Three people, including a woman and her baby, last week drowned as they tried to cross the bridge. Gulu district Police commander, Yasin Ndimwibo, said the team of marines from the Police headquarters in Kampala arrived in Gulu town last Saturday and were taken to the bridge the following day. Ndimwibo said the experts were camped at the bridge awaiting motorised boats from Kampala to start ferrying people."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/454697-kampala-flooded-after-downpour.html","content":" - By Chris Kiwawulo, Patrick Jaramogi and Conan Businge BUILDINGS flooded, roads submerged and bridges were washed away in several parts of the capital yesterday as a result of heavy rain fall. The downpour in Kampala, which lasted for eight hours, caused damage worth millions of shillings, brought business and traffic to a standstill and increased the risk of epidemics. At least 50 families were rendered homeless in Naguru, Banda, Kinawataka, Namuwongo, Kibuli, Kamwokya and Bwaise suburbs. Hundreds of shops were forced to close and at least one school, Aga Khan Nursery School in Old Kampala, was relocated. The Police said nobody died. “Despite the heavy downpour, no deaths were registered,” said Joseph Mugisa, chief officer of the Police Fire Brigade. Some people narrowly survived. In Mosque Zone, Kibuli, resident Jacinta Olum had just left her house when it collapsed. “I had just taken my daughter to school. When I returned, I found my roof had collapsed and all my belongings had been washed away.” Kawempe Division was hit particularly hard. Over 300 houses in the slum areas of Bwaise and Kalerwe were submerged by the water, forcing residents to flee. Others were trapped inside their houses, trying to battle the floods with basins and buckets. The heavy rains also submerged schools, markets and roads in Bwaise and Kalerwe, and washed away construction material for the Northern By-pass, forcing works to stop. Several cars were stuck in the water, which reached knee-high levels. Business in Bwaise came to a standstill as water entered shops and destroyed merchandise worth millions of shillings. A shop attendant in Buzana Hardware looked on helplessly as his bags of cement got soaked and plastic containers were swept away. The compounds of Happy Hours Nursery and Bilal Islamic schools looked like lakes, forcing teachers and pupils to stay indoors. Kampala City Council has on several occasions blamed residents for increasing the risk of floods by dumping garbage into the Bwaise Lubigi channel. In an attempt to reduce the risk of floods, Kawempe Division chairman, Nasser Takuba, said KCC was planning to enlarge the channel, at a cost of sh15b, with funding from the World Bank. Bugolobi suburb was also affected. Factories like Uganda Baati, Aquba International Limited and Unilever Uganda were flooded, destroying property and stalling operations. “The area has flooded before but today is the worst,” executive director of Uganda Baati, Rakesh Bhatnagar, said. “On days like this, we lose business worth sh5m. \"We have appealed to the Kampala City Council over the issue. People are blocking the Bugolobi water channel by putting up structures on top of it.” At Unilever premises where the water was waist-high, the Fire Brigade rushed in to rescue trapped workers. The floods are increasing the risk of cholera and other waterborne diseases. “The floods have not only displaced people but they have also worsened the cholera problem in Kampala,” Takuba said. Unlike in the past when most of the affected areas were wetlands, the water was running down from the hilly areas of Mpererwe, Kanyanya, Kisaasi and Kawempe. Experts predict the rains will last until February. Only the boda-boda cyclists were happy. They took advantage of the disaster, charging up to sh1,000 to ferry passengers across submerged areas. Related stories under the NATIONAL category on the left menu."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/467377-egypt-to-excavate-submerged-roman-city.html","content":" - The Egyptian authorities have given the go-ahead for the underwater exploration of what appears to be a Roman city submerged in the Mediterranean, Egypt’s top archaeologist said on Monday. Zahi Hawass said in a statement that an excavation team had found the ruins of the Roman city 35km (20 miles) east of the Suez Canal on Egypt’s north coast. Archaeologists had found buildings, bathrooms, ruins of a Roman fortress, ancient coins, bronze vases and pieces of pottery that all date back to the Roman era, the statement said. Egypt’s Roman era lasted from 30 BC to 337 AD. The excavation team also found four bridges that belonged to a submerged castle, part of which had been discovered on the Mediterranean coastline in 1910. The statement said evidence indicated that part of the site was on the coast and part of it submerged in the sea. The area marked Egypt’s eastern border during the Roman era. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/587845-floods-wash-kapchorwa-â-cleanâ.html","content":" - By Gerald Businge HELL has broken loose for the people of Chepskunya and Seretiyo villages in Ngenge sub-county, Kapchorwa district because of the floods that has submerged the area. For William Bukose, 54, a resident of Chepskunya, the saying that water is life couldn’t have been more wrong! Yes, he has been drinking water to live, but for the last three years, it is the same water that has chased him away, four times from a new house. Although Bukose was among the few courageous people to stay out of the camps in Ngenge where his villagemates are taking refugee from the Karimojong cattle rustlers, water has come with heavier punishments than the gun-wielding Karimojong. “The situation started getting worse about 15 months ago. The river here flooded and water filled our house. I built another one a 100 metres away. After two months, the water had come. I built another and another until I could no longer stay on that land. I had to move here to the trading centre, and the water has still followed me,” says Bukose. Every night, the not so religious Bukose has to go down on his knees to pray to God that the marauding floods don’t reach him here at the trading centre. His prayers bore fruit for him and his extended family for only a short time. In May this year, when it started raining heavily, the water invaded the trading centre forcing people out of their houses. After four weeks, Bukose lost one of his houses and all the family have now moved to the main house when they can still fight the water. “All our houses are now full of water. Sometimes we have to shift at night when the water becomes unbearable and move to our neighbours’ houses, which are less affected. The people here have learnt to share. But we need help,” Bukose says. Bukose attributes the floods to flooding rivers, which have been filled with soil. The problem originates from Benet sub-country, almost 30km away, where improper farming methods have caused soil erosion. Officials here say this is because the land tenure insecurity that the Benet community faces as many await official government resettlement. And for this, the rivers are spreading mayhem and destroying plants Ngenge plains. David Mukwana, an official with Actionaid Kapchorwa, who took The New Vision around the places says there are no more fish in the rivers and that people near the rivers are being threatened with eviction and loss of life daily. Soil erosion has resulted in siltation, where water in different rivers has diverted into different directions as it carries soils from the slopes, causing destruction in its wake. At Atari River, on the Mabale-Moroto road, the muddy water has flooded the environs. The water, which used to flow 12 feet under the bridge has started flowing on top of the bridge. On the road to Moroto, new rivers of water are now flowing on both sides of the road, at some points making intersecting. This is the same scenario with Ngenge River on the same road. Many residents at Seretiyo village have abandoned their homes due to the waters. “The water is attracting lots of mosquitoes and we fear this may result into a cholera outbreak,” says a lady who was drawing the muddy water from the river. She says the residents can no longer access the two boreholes, which have been submerged in the waters. The dirty water has become the only resolve for the over 300 families at Seretiyo camp. “All the latrines have been taken over by the water and we can’t dig new ones since there is too much water underground,” Bukose says. Other residents are complaining that the water has interfered with their burial grounds and their daily ways of life, making survival difficult. “People can no longer go to the forests to cut logs for making charcoal which is their main source of income here. They can’t even go to the fields to look for food. We may soon die of hunger,” Bukose who is also the area LC2 Councillor says. When we go to Siiti River, which borders Kapchorwa and Nakapiripiti districts, the situation is different as the water is flowing in the main stream river only, far below the bridge. Mukwana says Siiti river, unlike other rivers which are flooding, pass through Benet, and unless the land problem in Benet is solved and more environmentally friendly methods are adopted, the problem could become a disaster. “Actionaid wanted to undertake a conservation programme on the other side (Benet), but we can’t do it unless the land question is resolved,” Mukwana says. The problem is always worse when it rains as normally happens in this tropical area. It is feared that soon, the beautiful green perched Kapchorwa could become bare rocks. Also, due to the silting, all the soils may soon come down here to the plains. “This is due to the fact that Benet is about 99% steep slope and nobody is paying attention to ensure proper land use due to uncertainty of land tenure. The brown water streams flowing from this region tell the story,” reads a Benet memorandum. Even the Benet Resettlement consultative Committee acknowledges that land degradation through soil erosion in Benet is the worst in the country. Locals claim that as a result of tenure uncertainty and restrictions by laws governing management of National parks, civil society organisations and the local government have been reluctant to help out or sensitisation in this area. “Since the area hadn’t been gazetted until 1993, people here continued to plough the land undeterred. Now there is too much degradation and given the terrain, erosion has been the order of the day,” says William Cheptegei, a Benet leader. Moses Mwanga, the Benet councillor, says this is ironical because when the people were brought together in a confined area it was to stop the wanton destruction of the environment, but due to tenure insecurity, and lack of sensitisation, this did not work."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/382303-lake-kyoga-rising.html","content":" - THE Lake Kyoga water level has risen a metre in the past three years and has submerged 375 square kilometres of surrounding land due to the blockage of its outlet, a senior directorate of Water Development (DWD) official has said. The rise has been caused by the floating islands which were loosened by the 1997/98 El-Nino rains that blocked the lake outlet near Masindi port. Senior DWD hydrologist Jackson Twinomujuni over the weekend told a workshop on the lake Kyoga floods awareness in Luweero district, that the four year lake blockage is likely to cause another flood disaster if the current El-Nino rains persist. The two-day workshop was aimed at creating awareness and boosting exchange of ideas among local leaders and technical persons from Luweero, Apac, Nakasongola and Lira districts which surround Lake Kyoga. Twinomujuni advised people living on the lake flood plains to find alternative homes, saying they were facing a possible flood disaster worse than that of 1997/98. He said government interventions including dredging the lake to ease the water flow and regulating the inflow from Lake Victoria, had received minimal results. He, however, said a machine that will effectively dredge the water outlet to ease the water flow has arrived. He criticised local leaders for their failure to advise residents."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/356722-lake-kyoga-rising.html","content":" - THE Lake Kyoga water level has risen a metre in the past three years and has submerged 375 square kilometres of surrounding land due to the blockage of its outlet, a senior directorate of Water Development (DWD) official has said. The rise has been caused by the floating islands which were loosened by the 1997/98 El-Nino rains that blocked the lake outlet near Masindi port. Senior DWD hydrologist Jackson Twinomujuni over the weekend told a workshop on the lake Kyoga floods awareness in Luweero district, that the four year lake blockage is likely to cause another flood disaster if the current El-Nino rains persist. The two-day workshop was aimed at creating awareness and boosting exchange of ideas among local leaders and technical persons from Luweero, Apac, Nakasongola and Lira districts which surround Lake Kyoga. Twinomujuni advised people living on the lake flood plains to find alternative homes, saying they were facing a possible flood disaster worse than that of 1997/98. He said government interventions including dredging the lake to ease the water flow and regulating the inflow from Lake Victoria, had received minimal results. He, however, said a machine that will effectively dredge the water outlet to ease the water flow has arrived. He criticised local leaders for their failure to advise residents."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/383777-norpak-engineer-found-dead-in-ditch.html","content":" - SUBMERGED in sewage and rainwater in a trench next to the Police Vehicle Inspectorate on Nakawa-Ntinda Road, an engineer and consultant with Norpak International, was found dead yesterday morning, reports Simon Mugenyi. The police said Quinto Ouma Amooli, 58, left office in his car at 5:30pm on Tuesday. Quoting Norpak officials, police said Ouma’s son went to the office looking for his father but did not find him. His body was found in a ditch with a big wound on his head and bruises on one of the ears. Norpak employees said Ouma was a resident of Ntinda near the Department of information flats. Police took the body to Mulago Hospital. Police spokesman Asuman Mugenyi said Ouma’s body was swollen, “indicating that he was hit or strangled.” “We shall get the postmortem report soon,” he added. His phone was intact in his pocket but switched off. He had his glasses and identification documents. Norpak is a Norwegian company planning to construct a power dam to generate hydro electricity at Karuma Falls. By press time, police had not yet found out whether Ouma reached home on Tuesday or whether he was driving himself. On the fateful night, however, the police said Ouma left office at Portal Avenue on Crusader House in his old Mercedes Benz. The whereabouts of the car were not clear. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/358196-norpak-engineer-found-dead-in-ditch.html","content":" - SUBMERGED in sewage and rainwater in a trench next to the Police Vehicle Inspectorate on Nakawa-Ntinda Road, an engineer and consultant with Norpak International, was found dead yesterday morning, reports Simon Mugenyi. The police said Quinto Ouma Amooli, 58, left office in his car at 5:30pm on Tuesday. Quoting Norpak officials, police said Ouma’s son went to the office looking for his father but did not find him. His body was found in a ditch with a big wound on his head and bruises on one of the ears. Norpak employees said Ouma was a resident of Ntinda near the Department of information flats. Police took the body to Mulago Hospital. Police spokesman Asuman Mugenyi said Ouma’s body was swollen, “indicating that he was hit or strangled.” “We shall get the postmortem report soon,” he added. His phone was intact in his pocket but switched off. He had his glasses and identification documents. Norpak is a Norwegian company planning to construct a power dam to generate hydro electricity at Karuma Falls. By press time, police had not yet found out whether Ouma reached home on Tuesday or whether he was driving himself. On the fateful night, however, the police said Ouma left office at Portal Avenue on Crusader House in his old Mercedes Benz. The whereabouts of the car were not clear. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/396340-rakai-leaders-appeal-over-kasensero-road.html","content":" - RAKAI district leaders have appealed to the Government to work on the road to Kasensero landing site in Kakuuto, after heavy rains submerged two swamps making it impossible for vehicles to ferry fish from the fishing site, reports Eddie Ssejjoba. The LC5 chairman, Vincent Ssemakula, told The New Vision at the weekend that the district was making efforts to contact the Ministry of Works, Housing and Communications to work on the swampy area. He said Nzizi and Kamulindwa swamps had been submerged by water and vehicles could not cross over to Kasensero. He said fish from Kasensero provided one of the biggest sources of local revenue and many fishermen were stranded with fish, forcing them to drop the prices. “Its only heavy duty vehicles that can cross through these flooded swamps. But still very few of them were willing to risk and the whole of Kyebe sub-county has become an island,” he said. However, he said Bukoola bridge was safe and secure. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/370760-rakai-leaders-appeal-over-kasensero-road.html","content":" - RAKAI district leaders have appealed to the Government to work on the road to Kasensero landing site in Kakuuto, after heavy rains submerged two swamps making it impossible for vehicles to ferry fish from the fishing site, reports Eddie Ssejjoba. The LC5 chairman, Vincent Ssemakula, told The New Vision at the weekend that the district was making efforts to contact the Ministry of Works, Housing and Communications to work on the swampy area. He said Nzizi and Kamulindwa swamps had been submerged by water and vehicles could not cross over to Kasensero. He said fish from Kasensero provided one of the biggest sources of local revenue and many fishermen were stranded with fish, forcing them to drop the prices. “Its only heavy duty vehicles that can cross through these flooded swamps. But still very few of them were willing to risk and the whole of Kyebe sub-county has become an island,” he said. However, he said Bukoola bridge was safe and secure. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/332866-kabale-floods-sink-100-farms.html","content":" - - Over 20 families displaced By Darious Magara OVER 100 farms in Kabale district have been submerged by floods following two days of heavy downpour at the weekend. Residents of Rubaya and Kamugaguzi sub-counties have been forced to relocate their cattle"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/619470-tororo-floods-displace-over-700.html","content":" - By Moses Nampala FLOODS have displaced over 700 residents of Paya sub-county in Tororo district. Payanga swamp, which neighbours the sub-county, overflowed due to heavy rains. The swamp starts from Manafwa district and meanders into Tororo, Butaleja and Namutumba districts. The rains, which started on Thursday, had submerged several homes by Saturday. They also destroyed household property and roads, including the Tororo-Butaleja highway. The victims have camped at Nawire Primary School in Paya. The affected villages are Sikwala, Paya West, Kabosan and Sengo. Others are Atapara A and B, Popon, Payede, Pasule and Ramogi. The Paya LC3 chairperson, Joseph Sule Okong, asked the Government for relief items. The Tororo resident district commissioner, Samuel Hashaka, said the district sent 20 bags of maize flour and five of beans to assist the victims. He also said they had appealed for assistance from the disaster preparedness ministry."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/419300-seven-die-in-moroto-rain.html","content":" - By Joseph Orisa Seven people on Wednesday drowned when two seasonal rivers overflowed after a three-hour heavy down pour in Moroto district. The district Police commander, Charles Musana identified three of the dead as Noor Kaiza, a businesswoman from Mbale, her one-year-old child, Quassim Wakholi and Lochole, a 20-year-old casual labourer. Musana said they drowned as they tried to cross the bridge. He said others drowned in a river popularly known as Nangolol at Rupa as they were returning from work. Musana said two of the dead were Karimajong warriors armed with guns. He said some of the victims were carried off as far as 5km by the running water, which flowed from Mt Moroto and destroyed a lot of property. Musana advised the residents not to move when it rained, saying the bridges were dangerous to use. Most of the residents, including district officials, spent the night in Campswahili because the only bridge, which could take them out of the town had over flowed."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/424135-big-5-deishovida-thrill-crowds.html","content":" - By Patience Atuhaire and Raphael Okello THE sudden twinge of anticipation that crept from the anxious crowd that overflowed the rim of Ndere Centre’s amphitheatre was understandable. The audience had been served with the same diet of traditional African music by over 30 groups from different districts. Never mind that it had been well served. The coalition of Deishovida band from Austria and the Big 5 band from Uganda promised to serve a unique Afro-Western music cuisine. The evening concert was a harmonious combination of African and western music instruments. The African drums and xylophone played by Albert Bisaso and the enthusiastic Godfrey Lubuulwa respectively fused with Kurt Baver’s honeyed violin fluctuations, Mathias Loibner’s thrilling Hurdy Gurdy, Lothar Lasser’s accordeon and Sasa Prolic’s E-bass to back-up Juliet Ssesanga’s slithery vocal in the songs Tweyanze, Ssemusajja and After Midnight. The cheesy jazz Ewaffe and African Child, the brainchild of Lubuulwa, left the audience intrigued. The two songs were a hybrid of Afro-Western sounds. It was almost an hour-long concert but an engaging one for both the audience and the artistes. However, the ease with which the two different bands merged was not only a remarkable feat but also a symbol of unity between Austria and Uganda. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/672858-police-hunt-for-maj-mutale-lukwago-militias.html","content":" - By Simon Masaba The Police have embarked on a hunt of militias who appear in two separate video footage in which the Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs, Maj. Kakooza Mutale, and Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago aimed to breach the law as they embark on political mobilization ahead of the 2016 general elections. The police said they (Militias) tend to unleash and cause violence to those that don't belong nor subscribe to their political groups. They must be stopped and foil their plans. \"We managed to analyse the footage to help identify them and a team has been dispatched to ensure arrests,\" Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga said, while addressing journalists Monday, at the Police headquarters in Naguru, a city suburb. He said police was in search of the militias from various city suburbs. By press time no arrests had been made. \"Among the politicians (Mutale and Lukwago) none has the mandate to recruit and train. The mandate regarding the exercise is granted by the police, Army or prisons and have not done so,\" Enanga said.  Subsequently, Enanga said Mutale and Lukwago had been summoned to record a statement over the self-styled militias at the police's Political crime desk attached to the Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Directorate (CIID) in Kibuli, a city suburb. When asked on when the duo would appear, Enanga said he would cross check and get back, however by press time he had not. Efforts to get comment from CIID chief, Grace Akullo, were futile as calls to her known official line went unanswered by press time. Last week, Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi, the minister of information and national guidance, warned that Government would deal with actors, including Mutale if they cross the line. \"The position of Government is that there must be respect of law and order. We don't expect anybody to break the law because we have enough security personnel. If anybody infringes any law, he or she will be brought to book but every political party has a right to mobilise within the law,\" he said. Muhwezi was replying to questions from journalists over the ongoing moblisation of militias by various political actors within the country. \"Kakooza Mutale's group is for mobilization. Political parties are free to mobilise according to the law. However, law and order must be respected at all times—during elections and after elections. Anybody who crosses the line we shall deal with them,\" he said. Previously, Mutale had told journalists that he is training various NRM cadres to ensure that President Yoweri Museveni wins the 2016 elections. Mutale warned that whoever will stand in the way of his candidate for 2016 would be quashed. To counter Mutale's group, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, an opposition activist also launched a youth group dubbed: Trust and Justice Solida. Muhwezi said that such groups should not over-step the mobilization role to engage in violence and other unlawful related activities. Also related to this story Lukwago forms vigilante group"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/671554-putin-orders-destruction-of-smuggled-western-food.html","content":" - MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed a decree ordering the destruction of Western food smuggled into the country in breach of an official embargo. Moscow last year banned a slew of food products from the West in retaliation for biting economic sanctions over the Ukraine crisis. The decree says that banned food products that are smuggled into the country must be destroyed from August 6 this year. The embargo has seen truckloads of delicacies, from cheese to pate, stopped at the border, with allegations swirling that products are being re-labelled in neighbouring ex-Soviet countries and imported illegally.   Up until now, any smuggled produce being caught has been turned around and sent back. The decree did not make it clear whether the food would be destroyed immediately at the border. It calls for the government to decide on a procedure for destruction. At a meeting with Putin last week, agriculture minister Alexander Tkachev called for produce to be destroyed by customs officers. The decree still allows people to bring in banned foods for personal consumption. Yevgeny Bobrov, a member of the Kremlin rights council, an advisory body, last week called the proposal to destroy food \"high-handedness,\" saying smuggled food should be given to the less well-off. AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/670681-fifa-bans-ex-world-cup-bid-inspection-chief-for-seven-years.html","content":" - Football's world governing body FIFA on Monday banned the former head of their bid evaluation committee for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups for seven years for \"confidentiality\" breaches. Harold Mayne-Nicholls, a former Chilean FA president, wrote the report that gave Qatar the worst ranking of the candidates for the 2022 World Cup finals which the wealthy Gulf state went on to win. FIFA's Ethics Committee adjudicatory chamber banned Mayne-Nicholls, 54, \"from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at national and international level for a period of seven years\", a statement said. The world governing body did not give details of the charges against Mayne-Nicholls, but said it was for a breach of a confidentiality rule in FIFA's code of ethics. Mayne-Nicholls took to Twitter to confirm he would appeal the suspension, and question the decision to announce the ban before he has gone through that process. \"Concerning FIFA Ethics Committee ruling before the first instance, I will appeal to higher courts established in FIFA statutes and TAS (the Court of Arbitration for Sport),\" he said. \"I wonder why @FIFAcom publishes a sanction that has outstanding resources, as this may be modified by higher courts. \"I ask for understanding. I can not comment because there is express prohibition to inform by the Ethics Committee.\" Mayne-Nicholls revealed in November that he was under investigation over emails he sent to the Aspire Academy in Qatar seeking internships for his son and a nephew. He also sought tennis coaching opportunities for a brother-in-law. He was at the time considering running against Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency. The Chilean said the internships were \"unpaid\", British media said. Aspire Acedemy turned down Mayne-Nicholls' requests. The reports quoted an email sent to Mayne-Nicholls by a FIFA Ethics Committee deputy chairman, Cornel Borbely, which said the approaches were made \"shortly after the inspection tour and prior to the issuance of the evaluation report on Qatar.\" \"Furthermore, said behaviour seems to be a cause enough to doubt the integrity of the inspection process and your evaluations.\" Mayne-Nicholls denied at the time he had done anything wrong. FIFA said that Mayne-Nicholls was present at a hearing where the ban was decided and that more detailed information would be given after the final decision becomes effective. The FIFA evaluation committee gave Qatar its worst ranking, mainly because of the summer heat in the Gulf state. FIFA has since held an inquiry into the bid process for the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 tournament, and has changed the date of the Qatar tournament to November-December because of concerns about the heat. RELATED STORIES: Qatar World Cup should be played in winter - FIFA boss Sepp Blatter re-elected as Fifa president Blatter resigns as FIFA president AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/670162-trial-of-zambian-singer-accused-of-defaming-president-postponed.html","content":" - The trial of a Zambian musician charged with conduct likely to breach the peace over his song which accuses President Edgar Lungu of drinking too much, was on Wednesday postponed to July 13.   Chama Fumba was arrested early this month over the song which some government officials allege was defamatory to the head of state because it accused Lungu of being incompetent.   In an interview with AFP on Tuesday, Fumba -- whose stage name is Pilato -- denied allegations that his song was either defamatory or likely to have disturbed the peace.   \"I don't think that (it) is defamatory in any way. I don't think it is causing any breach to our beloved peace,\" said Fumba. \"I don't think it's a controversial song.\"   But he warned that freedom of speech was under threat in Zambia.   \"As it is now, I can assure you that it's under very serious threat,\" said the musician. \"I feel that the powerful who happen to be the politicians who originally were supposed to be our servants have become our masters.\"    \"They don't want us to exchange ideas through expression, they don't want us to talk about them.\"     The song's lyrics tell the story of a character named Lungu who grows up in a slum and becomes president.   The Lungu in the song is described as carrying a suitcase filled with bottles of Jameson Irish whiskey and having no idea how to govern.   President Lungu, 58, who took office in January, is a former defence minister.   He suffers from recurring achalasia, a condition caused by narrowing of the oesophagus, and has been regularly hospitalised for treatment.   His election victory followed the death of predecessor Michael Sata.   Fumba's trial failed to commence on Wednesday due to the non-availability of state witnesses.   If convicted, Fumba, 31, faces a maximum sentence of six months in prison or a fine.   The case has attracted the interest of opposition politicians, civil society organisations as well as US and German diplomats in Zambia, some of whom were in court on Wednesday.   AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/669046-rcc-boss-summoned-over-breach-of-contract.html","content":" - By Fred Turyakira   THE Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) managing director Yaron Bunsky has been summoned to appear in Mbarara High Court in a case the company management constructing Mbarara-Ntungamo- Katuna Road was sued for breach of contract.   Peter Twongyeirwe, the managing director CEDA Uganda through his lawyer Moses Kimuli of Kimuli & Sozi advocates, dragged RCC to court seeking to recover over sh3b arrears owed to his client when they hired his structures and used them as their campsite at Rubaare in Ntungamo district.   Appearing before Justice Duncan Gaswaga on Wednesday, court heard on March 10, 2011 RCC signed a lease for 48 months to use Twongyeirwe’s premises in the suit as the station for the campsite. However the lease expired on March 10, 2015 and RCC has refused to vacate the premises.   “My client is also seeking an order to evict RCC and repossess his structures because the current occupants are arrogant and don’t want to vacate the premises and Twongyeirwe is not renewing it. In March 2015 we raised the matter of lease expiry before this court and you advised us to come to terms but they have not agreed on the settlement,” Kimuli added.   However, RCC’s lawyer, Raymond Ndyagambaki of Verma Jivram & Associates, disagreed with Kimuli’s submission seeking for the order of eviction, saying the lease has not yet expired.   “We don’t agree the lease expired. We signed for the lease and a memorandum of understanding and agreed to lease to start running in December 2011 because there were a few structures and plaintiff was sub contracted to construct other buildings. Therefore we started counting in December 2011 and our lease ends in December 2015,” Ndyagambaki explained.   But his explanation raised more questions and the judge asked him to explain what RCC signed on March 10, 2011; whether it was a lease or a memorandum of understanding.   “Counsel explain to us what you were signing on March 10, 2011 and why did you sign for the lease before it starts running?” Justice Gaswaga asked.   The  Judge  issued  summon  to  RCC directors through their lawyer to appear in court  after plaintiff’s lawyer complained of the defendants  failure to attend court session and answer some  questions put direct to them for clear explanation.   Gaswaga advised  both parties to look for mediation and settle the case after RCC’s lawyer told court that his client were willing to pay.  He adjourned the case to June 10, 2015.   Twongyeirwe told New Vision that he will continue to push for an eviction order if RCC don’t pays him his arrears and vacate the premises.   “I have invested a lot of money in the construction of the campsite. It is a big project sitting on 70 acre of land.  I have accommodation for 60 expatriates, Police and UPDF Soldiers protecting explosives, there administration offices, it has two fuel filling stations, a parking yard, conference halls among others. I therefore need my money or they vacate,” Twongyeirwe added.   If the two parties don’t come to terms of payment and court issues an eviction order, it would affect and delay the completion for construction of the road in time.   President Yoweri Museveni in 2011 commissioned the construction of 124km-stretch from Mbarara to Katuna in western Uganda   The construction work funded by European Union at a cost of €117m commenced in August 2011 and is expected to be completed in August 2014.   However, Wilber Mugyenyi, the RCC spokesperson when contacted on phone, he  laid off the fears that the court case would affect their work, saying the RCC management was in the process of coming to terms with the complainant (Twongyeirwe)."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/668766-adult-dating-website-hack-exposes-personal-data.html","content":" - A data breach at a website billed as \"the world's largest sex and swinger\" community may expose personal and sexual information on millions of users worldwide, a report said Friday. Stolen data from some 3.9 million members of Adult FriendFinder was leaked by hackers, according to an investigation by Britain's Channel 4. The report said the leaked data included the sexual orientations and preferences of users, and whether they are seeking extramarital affairs. Also exposed were email addresses, user names, dates of birth, postal codes and Internet addresses of the users' computers, according to Channel 4. In a statement on its corporate website, the parent company FriendFinder Networks said it \"has just been made aware of a potential data security issue and understands and fully appreciates the seriousness of the issue.\" \"We have already begun working closely with law enforcement and have launched a comprehensive investigation with the help of leading third-party forensics expert.\" The data breach was first reported a month ago by security researcher Bev Robb who discovered the data on a \"dark Web\" site. But the name of the dating site was not disclosed before Friday's report. \"There is a ton of personally identifiable information sitting in a forum on the Darknet,\" Robb noted last month. \"Though the files were stripped of credit card data, it is still relatively easy to connect the dots and identify thousands upon thousands of users who subscribe to this adult site.\" Security experts say such stolen data can be used for various email scams and potentially for blackmail. Security researcher Graham Cluley said in a blog post Friday that the website has an obligation to inform its 63 million members worldwide. \"How about posting a warning on your website so your members can look out for phishing emails, or malware which might be sent to them?\" Cluley said. \"What about some advice about the type of threats that users could be exposed to -- including, potentially, blackmail -- if their membership of the site is uncovered?\""}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/666290-dp-members-disagree-on-2016-roadmap.html","content":" - By Nicholas Wassajja   A fresh row has emerged within leadership ranks of the Democratic Party (DP) over their internal political roadmap to the 2016 general elections.    A group led by DP national organizing secretary Charles Sserunjoji said that the DP national executive committee meeting in Masaka which drafted the roadmap breached the party constitutional provisions.    “In addition to not being invited for the meeting as a NEC member, article 33 gives me the mandate to organize issues related to electoral processes but rather my duties were seized by my deputy Kidandala,” Sserunjoji lamented.   On March 13, 2015, DP held a NEC meeting in Masaka where a draft roadmap to 2016 polls was presented by the deputy Organizing Secretary Suleiman Kidandala.   The meeting which was also open to factions opposed to Norbert Mao’s leadership adopted that the national delegate’s conference will be held from July 18-20 and that all positions were open for contest in a campaign to bolster reconciliation.   Addressing journalists at a weekly news conference, Sserunjoji urged that, “the internal electoral process indicated in the proposed roadmap be halted and a new draft roadmap presented by 27th March 24, 2015 and the process handed over to my office immediately.”   He also outlined that for DP to recover from internal divisions, a process management committee be established, a balanced independent electoral commission including warring factions be set up and a reconciliation summit organized within one week.   Factions within the party emerged after the 2010, delegate’s conference held in Mbale that was sharply contested by sections of the members especially from the central region with some pointing at the process as flawed and others accusing Mao of being an NRM mole.   However the party spokesperson Kenneth Kakande said that much as the issues raised were pertinent, the process for reconciliation was ongoing on the same and condemned the forum at which they were presented.   “Our friend did not attend the meeting yet everyone was invited including independents. But what he is saying are some of the issues that were tackled but most importantly the media is not the right platform to address internal bickering because we have organs like the National Council,” Kakande explained.   Kakande who disputed allegations that they had factions within accused Sserunjoji of having justified arguments but wrong expressions and abandoning party activities for over four years.   Kawempe south MP Sebuliba Mutumba and former presidential aspirant Samuel Lubega who are also opposed to Mao’s leadership both agreed that, “strides are being made to reconcile the party and resolve internal bickering thus going publically parallel against the efforts will add slat to injury.”"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/664646-samsung-and-microsoft-end-patent-dispute.html","content":" - Samsung and Microsoft said Tuesday they had ended a patent dispute that had seen the US software giant sue the South Korean conglomerate for breaching a 2011 licensing contract. Microsoft had filed its complaint in a court in the US in August, accusing Samsung of withholding payments for the use of patented Microsoft technology in its smartphones and tablets. Two months later, Samsung filed a petition for arbitration with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). In a joint statement issued Tuesday, the two companies said a resolution had been reached. \"Samsung and Microsoft are pleased to announce that they have ended their contract dispute in US court as well as the ICC arbitration,\" said the statement, attributed to Jaewan Chi, Samsung executive vice president, and David Howard, corporate vice president of Microsoft.  The statement did not elaborate on the terms of the agreement, describing them as confidential. Samsung has been embroiled in a series of patent disputes in recent years, most notably with US archrival Apple. Related Microsoft sues Samsung over 'breach of contract' Samsung seeks state probe of LG executives for vandalism Apple ties with Samsung as world's top smartphone vendor"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/663833-us-penetrated-n-korea-computer-systems-in-2010-report.html","content":" - The United States secretly penetrated North Korea's computer systems four years ago -- a breach that allowed Washington to insist Pyongyang was to blame for the recent cyberattack on Sony Pictures, the New York Times reported Monday. Citing former US officials and a newly released National Security Agency (NSA) document, the Times detailed how the US spy agency in 2010 \"penetrated directly\" into the North's systems via Chinese networks and connections in Malaysia favored by North Korean hackers. Primarily aimed at gathering information on the reclusive nation's nuclear program, the NSA's clandestine operation switched focus to the growing threat posed by North Korea's hacking capabilities following a destructive cyberattack on South Korean banks in 2013. Hidden US software provided an \"early warning radar\" for North Korean activities, and provided the evidence that persuaded President Barack Obama that Pyongyang was behind the Sony hack, the Times said, citing an anonymous official familiar with the NSA mission. US investigators concluded that North Korean hackers spent two months mapping Sony's computer systems in preparation for what became the biggest cyberattack in US corporate history. North Korea denies any involvement, although it had publicly threatened Sony if it released the comedy film \"The Interview\" about a CIA plot to assassinate leader Kim Jong-Un. Given that threat and the reported level of US penetration, the Times report raised the question of why the NSA was unable to warn Sony in advance. According to one US official cited by the newspaper, the intelligence agencies \"couldn't really understand the severity\" of the attack that was coming. While North Korea's conventional military hardware is largely outdated and unsophisticated, its cyberwarfare capabilities have long been considered a significant threat. South Korean intelligence believes North Korea runs an elite cyberwarfare unit with at least 6,000 personnel, trained in secret government and military programs. A number of experts suggest the North's cybercapacity is heavily reliant on China, in terms of both training and the necessary software and hardware. They say telecommunications giant China Unicom provides and maintains all Internet links with the North, and some estimate that thousands of North Korean hackers operate on Chinese soil. According to South Korea's National Intelligence Service, more than 75,000 hacking attempts were made against South Korean government agencies between 2010 and September 2014 -- many of them believed to be from Pyongyang. The Times interviewed a former North Korean army programmer who said the North began training computer \"warriors\" in earnest in 1996, despatching many to undergo two years' training in China and Russia. AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/659155-gulu-bus-impounded-in-lira-passengers-stranded.html","content":" - By Hudson Apunyo Over 40 passengers from Mbale to Gulu were left stranded when a bus they were travelling in was impounded by traffic police in Lira for breaching operators’ license. The Rock Express bus, registration number UAK 935T, was supposed to arrive in Lira at 3.00pm but by midday it was already in town prompting police to act. Lira traffic boss John Maikula said when the bus was stopped by police, the driver instead sped off. He said the bus was followed and the driver identified only as Sentongo fled.   The bus was driven to Lira Central Police Station and the conductor ordered to refund passengers’ money. The transport licensing board has become strict on measures regulating the operation of buses following a recent rise in road carnages involving buses. The traffic boss said the driver breached operator’s license when they arrived in Lira by midday instead of 3.00pm Also related to this story Traffic police limits bus drivers' distances to 300km a day"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/658611-audi-says-will-accept-penalty-in-china-anti-monopoly-probe.html","content":" - SHANGHAI- German luxury car brand Audi will accept punishment from Chinese authorities for breaching anti-monopoly laws in the world's largest auto market, it said Monday. An investigation by Chinese authorities found that an Audi dealer network had \"violated national anti-monopoly laws\", the brand's China arm said in a statement, adding the Audi joint venture involved had \"closely cooperated with the investigation and will accept a penalty\". China has recently launched probes into alleged wrongdoings by a host of foreign firms in multiple different fields, among them pharmaceuticals, technology and baby milk. The statement came after China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), which polices violations of \"anti-monopoly\" law, said it had been investigating the auto sector -- dominated by foreign companies and their joint ventures -- for more than two years. Last week it pledged to punish Audi, and Chrysler of the US, now part of Italy's Fiat group, without stating what penalties they would receive. China considers using a dominant market position to set prices as a form of monopoly. Violators' \"illegal gains\" can be confiscated, and they can be fined up to 10 percent of their sales revenue in the previous year. Audi is owned by the German car firm Volkswagen, which set up a joint venture with Chinese auto giant FAW to manufacture Audis and other models. \"Management processes in the sales and dealership structure are getting improved to prevent similar incidents in the future,\" the Audi China statement sent to AFP added. It did not explicitly state that Audi acknowledged any wrongdoing. But it added: \"Audi and FAW-Volkswagen attach great importance that all applicable antitrust and competition laws are adhered to.\" China has become critically important to foreign carmakers, given the size of the market and weak sales elsewhere in the world. China's full-year auto sales hit 21.98 million vehicles last year, when a recovery in Japanese brands offset the impact of slowing economic growth. The inquiry into carmarkers comes as the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC), which also enforces the anti-monopoly law, investigates US software giant Microsoft for allegedly operating a monopoly. In another chill for US tech firms, state media have said China is planning to announce chip maker Qualcomm has monopoly status in the mobile phone chip market. Foreign pharmaceutical companies including Britain's GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) have also been the target of wide-ranging investigations. Others businesses, such as Apple and Starbucks, meanwhile, have sometimes received unfavourable coverage in state media over issues regarding service and pricing. The moves have prompted fears from investors that overseas companies are being especially targeted, but China said Saturday that its anti-monopoly law does not discriminate between domestic and overseas companies. AFP Related Stories Apple never on China government procurement list China's biggest mobile firm launches Apple iPhone sales"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/658315-microsoft-sues-samsung-over-breach-of-contract.html","content":" - NEW YORK - Microsoft on Friday fired a legal salvo at longtime partner Samsung, accusing the South Korean giant of breaching a contract over licensing of technology used in the competitive smartphone market. \"After becoming the leading player in the worldwide smartphone market, Samsung decided late last year to stop complying with its agreement with Microsoft,\" the US technology firm's deputy counsel said in an online post. The complaint filed in federal court in New York alleges Samsung is balking at making payments for patented Microsoft technology used in smartphones and tablets. \"We will review the complaint in detail and determine appropriate measures in response,\" Samsung told AFP. Microsoft contends the South Korean consumer electronics colossus is not adhering to a contract from 2011, and said it filed the court action after months of \"painstaking negotiation.\" The legal pact involved Samsung paying to use Microsoft intellectual property, according to the post by deputy counsel David Howard. Samsung's smartphone sales have quadrupled since the contract was signed as the company grew from shipping 82 million Android-powered handsets in 2011 to shipping 314 million three years later, Microsoft maintained. Samsung a smartphone star Samsung has become a smartphone Goliath, and the biggest maker of handsets powered by Google's free Android software. \"Samsung predicted it would be successful, but no one imagined their Android smartphone sales would increase this much,\" Howard said. After Microsoft made a deal last year to buy Nokia's smartphone business, Samsung stopped abiding by the cross-licensing contract, the US company says. Microsoft said in the filing that Samsung used the Nokia business acquisition as grounds to step away from the licensing deal. Microsoft closed the deal for Nokia's smartphone business in April with some adjustments from the announced price of $7.52 billion (5.44 billion euros). Samsung's smartwatch. (AFP) Nokia was the world leader in mobile phones before the introduction of Apple's iPhone in 2007 and the onslaught of Android phones, mainly from Samsung. Microsoft in June opted for the Android operating system from arch-rival Google for its new Nokia smartphone, in a move aimed at regaining momentum in the competitive mobile sector. Microsoft said the Nokia X2 was \"designed to introduce the 'next billion' people to the mobile Internet and cloud services.\" The device is an updated version of a phone unveiled by Nokia before Microsoft acquired the handset division of the Finnish giant. Samsung baffles Microsoft said that Android software incorporates some of its patented technology and the company's practice is to license the intellectual property to handset makers. Samsung has been a longtime Microsoft partner, making an array of computing devices powered by the US company's software, including a version of Windows for mobile devices. \"Microsoft values and respects our partnership with Samsung and expects it to continue,\" Howard said. \"We are simply asking the court to settle our disagreement, and we are confident the contract will be enforced.\" Microsoft said this was the first time it has sued Samsung and that its intent is to keep getting royalty money due under terms of the contract, along with interest charges for late payments. \"Unless one side or the other screwed up in writing the contract, I don't know what Samsung is thinking,\" said Silicon Valley analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group. \"I am at a loss to understand why Samsung stopped paying the money.\" Microsoft's track record leaves little doubt it would fight to enforce a legal contract, according to the analyst. If anything, buying Nokia's smartphone business would strengthen Microsoft's intellectual property portfolio not weaken its position, Enderle reasoned. AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/657417-no-likely-data-breach-from-reported-chinese-hacking-us.html","content":" - WASHINGTON- The personal data of thousands of US government workers was not compromised in a recently reported cyber attack, officials said Thursday amid fresh allegations that Chinese hackers accessed computers housing employee information.   The Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Homeland Security too steps to mitigate the possible breach as soon as they learned of it, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said after The New York Times reported that Chinese perpetrators had penetrated computer networks containing personal information on all federal employees in March.   \"We have no reason to believe that any personally identifiable information was compromised,\" she said, declining to directly confirm the account detailed in the Times.   The White House offered a similar message.   \"We have systems in place to deal with these kinds of threats and intrusions, and I know that those systems responded to this incident,\" White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters.   The paper quoted senior US officials as saying the hackers appeared to be targeting the files of people who had applied for top-security clearances.   It is not yet clear how far the hackers got into the agency's systems. In the databases, people seeking a security clearance list their foreign contacts, previous jobs and personal data such as past drug use.   The attack was reportedly traced to China, but it’s unclear if the hackers were connected to the Chinese government.   The report came just as US Secretary of State, John Kerry concluded two days of high-stakes talks with Chinese officials in Beijing, where he warned that cyber theft was having a \"chilling effect\" on US businesses innovation and competitiveness.   China insists that it too is a victim of hacking, and accuses Washington of hypocrisy since it conducts sweeping surveillance around the world.   Washington and Beijing launched a cyber-security working group last year to help manage and tamp down the rising international threat from cyber espionage.   But Beijing suspended the dialogue in May after the United States accused China of commercial spying and indicted five Chinese military officers for hacking into US companies.   The United States wants the dialogue jump-started.   \"We are eager to re-engage through the cyber working group that we have recently established with the Chinese, and that's been long the case before today,\" Psaki told reporters.   \"We hope that that is something that we can reconvene in the near future.\"   Related Stories   Govt sets up internet monitoring center New cyber attack targets chemical firms - Symantec   Hackers hit Jordan PM website over prices"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/657147-kanyeihamba-chinese-man-in-sh300m-property-row.html","content":" - By Andante Okanya Former justice of the Supreme Court of Uganda, George Kanyeihamba and a Chinese businessman are locked in a sh300m feud over breach of contract on a residential property located in Entebbe. On  June 25, Kanyeihamba  filed a civil suit at the Land division of the High Court in Kampala against Yue Kong. Kanyeihamba, now a practicising advocate, accuses the Chinese national of damaging the property located on Plot 30, Lugard Road, Entebbe Municipality. Through the firm G.W Kanyeihamba and Company Advocates, he states that this year on February 18, he signed a tenancy agreement with Kong. He contends that the terms of the agreement stipulated that the house was to be used  for hotel business. However, Kanyeihamba laments that Kong, without his authorisation, converted the premises from a residential to a commercial property. “The plaintiff shall contend that by reason of the acts of the defendant, the plaintiff  has  lost the value of his property to the tune of sh300mand will pray  to court to grant him compensation that sum,” the plaint states. Kanyeihamba also alleges that he has not been paid rent since May this year. Court has ordered Kong to file his defence within 15 days from the date of receipt of the court summons. Kong has been cautioned to heed, lest judgement is passed in his absence. The case file has been allocated to Justice Monica Mugenyi. However, a hearing date is yet to be scheduled. RELATED ARTICLES Kanyeihamba sues lawyer over defamation Kanyeihamba sued over defamation"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/656825-investor-sues-kampala-district-land-board-over-sh5-3b.html","content":" - By Andante Okanya An investor has dragged Kampala district land board (KDLB) to court, demanding sh5.3b for breach of contract and special damages over failure to access a piece of land located in the upscale suburb  of Kololo. On June 18, the investor Zhang’s Group Company Limited filed a civil suit at the High Court in Kampala through Kiwanuka and Karugire Advocates. The claim arises from alleged failure to hand over vacant possession of land comprised in LRV 4452 Folio 15 Plot 29 Hill Lane. “The plaintiff shall at the trial contend and prove that  as a result of defendant’s breach, the plaintiff has suffered loss and damages for which it holds the defendant liable,” the plaint states in part. The investor laments that despite frequent appeals, KDLB has failed to hand over vacant possession of the land. The board has powers to acquire, sell and lease land. It also has the authority to improve or demolish any building in Kampala. Court documents show that on the investor submitted  to KDLB a lease application for the unsurveyed piece of land. Subsequently in a letter dated February 16, 2009, the Kampala central division land committee recommended to KDLB that a lease be granted to the investor. The letter stated that land was free of any encumbrances. Documents further indicate that on May 4, 2011, KDLB made a formal lease offer to the company, and asked for a sh173.6m premium, and sh13.8m ground rent. On June 6, 2012, the chairman and secretary of KDLB executed a lease agreement in favour of the investor. But the investor states that no vacant possession was effected. The investor has attached  a Uganda Revenue Authority payment receipt dated June 14, 2011, showing payment of sh3.8m stamp duty. Court documents further indicate that last year on August 2, the investor paid a premium of sh173.6m , plus sh13.8m ground rent. Documents show that last year on August 6, the investor was registered as the proprietor of the land and a title was issued under LRV 4452 Folio 15. Attached among the court documents are deed prints issued by the commissioner land surveys dated July 30, 2013. Efforts by New Vision to seek a comment from KLDB Yusuf Nsibambi,  on whether he was aware of the case, were futile. Despite repeated phone calls, his known mobile number was not reachable. Court is yet to schedule a hearing date RELATED ARTICLES Court stops KCCA from disbanding Kampala Land Board Kampala land board to expose land grabbers City land board gets secretary Kampala land board not recognised-Mbabazi"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/656756-liberia-s-taylor-applies-to-serve-jail-term-in-rwanda.html","content":" - LONDON - Former Liberian president Charles Taylor says his imprisonment in Britain breaches his human rights and has applied to serve the rest of his jail term for war crimes in Rwanda, his lawyer said Thursday. Taylor was jailed for 50 years in 2012 on 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity over acts committed by Sierra Leonean rebels he aided and abetted during the brutal 1991-2001 civil war. He was the first former head of state to be jailed by an international court -- the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague -- since the Nazi trials at Nuremberg in Germany after World War II. Taylor's lawyer John Jones told the BBC: \"What he has applied for is for the revocation of the sentence to be served in the UK so that he can serve his sentence in Rwanda where all the other prisoners convicted by the special court for Sierra Leone are.\" Jones added: \"The UK has a duty to ensure family life, not just for him but for his family. It's a clear duty under international law and English domestic law. \"If the UK is unable to make these family visits possible, no matter what he has been convicted of, he is going to serve a 50-year sentence, he has got a right to see his wife and children.\" Taylor's family, which reportedly includes 15 children, has previously complained about conditions at HMP Frankland in northeast England, the maximum security prison where he is being held. \"They took him to this prison where high (-risk) criminals, terrorists and other common British criminals are kept and he is being classified as a high-risk prisoner,\" his wife Victoria Addison Taylor told AFP last year. \"He is going through humiliation and you cannot treat a former head of state that way.\" Britain's Foreign Office said Taylor was treated in the same way as any other prisoner and the court in The Hague would decide on his application. \"In terms of him being mistreated, the answer is no. As with any other prisoner in the UK, he's being held in decent conditions,\" a spokesman told AFP. \"He and his family have the same conditions and visiting rights as any other UK prisoner.\" AFP Also related to this story Ex-Liberian President gets 50 years in jail Charles Taylor asks to be jailed in Rwanda Taylor faces final war crimes verdict Taylor’s verdict a big lesson to leaders hanging in the similar boat"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/656045-iran-court-summons-facebook-s-founder-over-privacy.html","content":" - TEHRAN - An Iranian judge has summoned Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg to answer allegations that his company's apps have breached people's privacy, it was reported Tuesday. In a case that underscores the gulf between Iranian moderates, who seek fewer Internet restrictions, and conservatives who want more, the Silicon Valley leader has been dubbed the \"Zionist manager\" of Facebook, on account of his Jewish heritage. The court in Fars province ordered that Zuckerberg address unspecified \"violation of privacy\" claims made by Iranians over the reach of Facebook-owned apps, ISNA news agency reported. Access to social networks, including Twitter and Facebook, are routinely blocked by Iranian authorities, as are other websites considered un-Islamic or detrimental to the regime. \"Based on the judge's verdict, the Zionist manager of Facebook... should report to the prosecutor's office to defend himself and make compensation for damages,\" Rouhollah Momen-Nasab, a senior Iranian Internet security official, told ISNA. \"Following a complaint lodged by some of our fellow countrymen over the violation of their privacy and problems ensuing from WhatsApp and Instagram, the judiciary official has ordered a ban on these two software devices,\" he said. Facebook owns Instagram and WhatsApp. The report did not say what violations of privacy are alleged to have occurred. President Hassan Rouhani, a self-declared moderate, has promised greater tolerance on social, cultural and media issues -- a vow that helped him defeat conservatives in last year's election. But his fledgling push has been opposed by traditionalists and ultra-conservatives that hold sway in the establishment and key institutions. Officials have voiced support for lifting the wider ban on social media, with some of them having Facebook or Twitter accounts. Rouhani earlier this month vetoed a plan to ban WhatsApp, preventing implementation of curbs sought by Iran's Committee for Determining Criminal Web Content. AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/655893-145-million-ebay-users-at-risk-from-breach.html","content":" - NEW YORK - US online giant eBay said Thursday the number of users potentially affected by a massive data breach could be as many as 145 million. \"All eBay users are being asked to change their password,\" a spokeswoman said in an email on Thursday. \"At the end of the first quarter, we had 145 million active buyers.\" The number is higher than the 128 million active users cited on the eBay website. The company disclosed Wednesday that cyberattackers broke into its database containing customer passwords and other personal data in what could be one of the biggest breaches of its kind. An eBay statement said the database was compromised between late February and early March and \"included eBay customers' name, encrypted password, email address, physical address, phone number and date of birth.\" But it added that it \"did not contain financial information or other confidential personal information.\" The attack did not affect data from PayPal, the finance and payments unit of the company. AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/655445-s-sudan-government-rebels-trade-blame-as-ceasefire-broken.html","content":" - JUBA - South Sudan's government and rebels accused each other Sunday of breaching a ceasefire just hours after it came into effect, dealing an early blow to hopes for an end to the five-month civil war. The rebels accused government soldiers loyal to President Salva Kiir of launching ground attacks and artillery barrages against their positions in two oil-rich northern states, including near the key hub of Bentiu. The government insisted the rebels attacked first and that it killed around 27 fighters in the morning fighting. President Kiir also accused rebel leader Riek Machar of having been opposed to the peace deal signed in Addis Ababa on Friday. \"The violations... shows that Kiir is either insincere or not in control of his forces,\" rebel military spokesman Lul Ruai Koang said of the president. Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar met in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Friday and agreed to halt fighting within 24 hours -- or by late Saturday evening. Independent witnesses said fighting broke out by dawn Sunday around Bentiu -- the Unity state capital which has changed hands several times in recent weeks -- but that was impossible to say which side fired first. The rebels said government troops also attacked in neighbouring Upper Nile State, and that they reserved \"the right to fight in self-defence\". But South Sudan's defence minister, Kuol Manyang, told AFP that it was the rebels who attacked first in Bentiu and that the opposition suffered heavy casualties. \"They attacked first thing this morning. They attacked our position and 27 of them were killed. They have a policy of attacking then going to the media,\" he said. Kiir also insisted he wanted peace, telling a crowd in Juba that \"we have ordered our forces not to lift a foot from where they are to attack rebels\". He said, however, that Machar only signed the deal \"under pressure\". Salva Kiir (L), President of South Sudan, and Riek Machar (R), SPLM Opposition leader, hand over the Cessation of Hostilities treaty over the war in South Sudan on May 9, 2014 in Addis Ababa. AFP PHOTO The two sides had agreed to a ceasefire in January, but that deal quickly fell apart and unleashed a new round of fierce fighting. - International pressure - Observers have said both side will face challenges in implementing a truce, with the rebels made up of a loose coalition of army defectors, ethnic rebels and, allegedly, mercenaries from Sudan. On the government side, the command structure under Kiir is also seen as weak. The peace deal signed on Friday came after massive international pressure on both sides to stop a war marked by widespread human rights abuses, a major humanitarian crisis and fears the world's youngest nation was on the brink of a genocide and Africa's worst famine since the 1980s. The war in the world's youngest nation has claimed thousands -- and possibly tens of thousands -- of lives, with more than 1.2 million people forced to flee their homes. The conflict, which started as a personal rivalry between Kiir and Machar, has seen the army and communities divide along ethnic lines, pitting members of Kiir's Dinka tribe against Machar's Nuer. UN rights chief Navi Pillay, a former head of the UN genocide court for Rwanda, said she recognised \"many of the precursors of genocide\" listed in a UN report on atrocities that was released during the week. These included broadcasts urging rape and \"attacks on civilians in hospitals, churches and mosques, even attacks on people sheltering in UN compounds -- all on the basis of the victims' ethnicity\". Testimonies in a report this week by Amnesty International describe civilians, including children, executed by the side of the road \"like sheep\" and other victims \"grotesquely mutilated\" with their lips sliced off. The war erupted on December 15 with Kiir accusing Machar of attempting a coup. Machar then fled to the bush to launch a rebellion, insisting that the president had attempted to carry out a bloody purge of his rivals. RELATED ARTICLES South Sudan peace talks resume EAC leaders to convene over South Sudan South Sudan army claims capture of rebel base South Sudan rebel chief vows to take key oil fields, capital UN rights chief arrives in South Sudan AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/654220-uk-holds-china-s-cheng-over-iran-exports-ban-breach.html","content":" - LONDON  - Britain is holding a Chinese national who is wanted in the United States on suspicion of conspiring to evade a goods export ban, London police said Saturday. Cheng Sihai, 34, was arrested in February at London Heathrow Airport. The BBC said he faces allegations of conspiracy to export devices to Iran that could be used in uranium enrichment. London's Metropolitan Police force said Cheng had already appeared at a court in the capital and was awaiting his next appearance. \"On February 7, Cheng Sihai, aged 34, was arrested by Met Police officers at Heathrow Airport in connection with alleged offences in the United States of conspiracy to evade the prohibition on the export of goods,\" a spokesman told AFP. \"Cheng Sihai, a Chinese national, was arrested on a provisional arrest warrant issued at Westminster Magistrates Court on February 7. \"He was taken into police custody and later appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court where he was remanded in custody. We await the date of his next court appearance.\" The BBC said Shanghai-based Cheng is suspected of conspiring with an Iranian figure to supply US-made pressure transducers to Iran illegally via China. Western powers and Israel suspect Iran is covertly pursuing a nuclear weapons capability alongside its civilian programme, charges adamantly denied by Tehran. Iran's oil-reliant economy has struggled under US-led sanctions aimed at curtailing its nuclear ambitions. The so-called P5 plus 1 group -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany -- hopes to reach a final accord with Iran by July 20 which would lift all sanctions in exchange for Iran scaling back its programme to the point where it would be difficult if not impossible to develop nuclear weapons. AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/653640-rapper-chris-brown-ordered-to-remain-in-jail.html","content":" - LOS ANGELES - A US judge ordered US rapper Chris Brown on Monday to remain behind bars for allegedly breaching his probation stemming from his notorious 2009 assault of then-girlfriend Rihanna. The 24-year-old, arrested Friday after being booted out of a rehab facility in Malibu, will have to stay in custody until a probation violation hearing on April 23. Judge James Brandlin said he found it troubling that Brown had told a group therapy session there: \"I am good at using guns and knives,\" prompting his ejection from the center for drug and anger management. Brown also violated the center's internal rules by \"touching elbows or standing very close to a female client,\" the singer's attorney Mark Geragos acknowledged. Geragos asked for Brown to be allowed to begin another rehab program immediately, but prosecutor Mary Murray opposed this, saying the court had given him \"repeated opportunities. \"He's put himself in custody,\" Murray told the Los Angeles Superior Court judge. Attorney Mark Geragos speaks during a news conference after his client R&B singer Chris Brown was ordered to remain in jail without bail for allegedly violating his probation. PHOTO/AFP Brown was arrested in February 2009 after getting involved in a physical confrontation with Barbadian superstar Rihanna that left her with a bruised and battered face. He pleaded guilty to the assault and was sentenced to five years' probation and community service, as well as being required to take part in domestic violence counseling. California authorities filed probation violation charges against Brown last year, giving him an additional 1,000 hours of community service work on his sentence for beating the pop star. In October, Brown checked into the rehab facility two days after being charged over an altercation in the US capital Washington, in which he allegedly hit a man trying to take a picture of him outside a hotel. In February, judge Brandlin said Brown was doing well with the court-ordered treatment program, but ordered him to remain at the rehab facility. The judge warned him at the time that any negative change in behavior \"could dramatically change your custodial status.\" AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/652670-digital-migration-ucc-sued.html","content":" - By Vision Reporter MOTV Africa Ltd has sued Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) for breach of contract in relation to digital migration process. The aggrieved company claims to have pioneered investment in digital broadcasting services in the country.It contends that it was licensed to that effect. MOTV Africa Ltd DVB-T, a cheaper technology solution that could allow even the poor access digital broadcast services. MOTV contends that the Government instead adopted DVB-T2 technology without notifying it and branded the earlier technology as outdated. As result, MOTV says it lost market and other damages for which it demands over sh14b in compensation. Government had set July 2011 as a switch-on date for digital TV services and December 2012 as a switch-off date for analogue TV broadcasting. Government will roll out digital migration by December 2014 to replace analogue Television transmission, the executive director of Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) Godfrey Mutabazi has revealed. This means that the broadcasters will shut down their analogue TV transmitters and only digital TV signal will be available thereafter. The transition or switch from analogue television to digital television is referred to as digital migration. TV set owners have been advised to purchase central box equipment also known as set- top-box to connect to analogue TV or buy new set of digital TV in order to receive television services."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/650116-insurer-forwarding-firm-in-sh500m-lost-goods-battle.html","content":" - By Andante Okanya Trans Africa Assurance Company and SDV Transami Uganda Limited are locked in a $199,812(about sh500m) breach of contract battle over purportedly lost goods. On November 28, distribution company Translink Uganda Limited filed a suit at the High Court in Kampala on behalf of Trans Africa Assurance Company Limited. It was filed through Sebalu and Lule Advocates. The items,549 Samsung Television pieces, purportedly disappeared in transit under the custody of SDV Transami from  Mombasa Port, Kenya to Kampala. “In so far as the defendant failed to safely and securely transport and deliver the said goods to the plaintiff, the plaintiff contends that the defendant fundamentally  breached the contract and is liable to pay general damages,” the plaint states. On July 15, 2011, Translink obtained a deed of subrogation from Trans Africa to pursue SDV Transami. Subrogation refers to substitution of one person in the place of another with reference to a lawful claim, demand, or right. The defendant is listed as SDV Transami, although it rebranded last year and now trades as Bolloré Africa Logistics Uganda Limited. Bolloré Africa Logistics is a subsidiary of Bolloré group in France. It is one of the leading logistics networks in Africa with 250 subsidiaries. With a global presence in 55 countries, 45 of them are in Africa. The company’s foot print is visible in freight forwarding, customs brokerage, supply chain support, and purchase order management. Court documents show that on February 14, 2011, Translink purchased 549 pieces of Samsung colour televisions from Thai Samsung Electronics Company Limited, Thailand. The total invoice value of the goods was $182,311(about sh460m). Documents also show that the items were dispatched from Thailand on February 27, 2011 aboard ocean vessel S055 Nanta Bhum. They arrived at Mombasa Port, Kenya on March 27, 2011. However, prior to the arrival of the consignment at Mombasa, SDV Transami was contracted to handle the clearing, forwarding, and transportation of the container. On April 10, 2011, the items were transported by road from Mombasa to Translink’s office on Plot 4, Muwesi Road, Kampala. Court documents further show that Translink had taken a goods on transit policy from Trans Africa Assurance, and claimed compensation of $199,812(about sh500m). SDV Transami is yet to file is yet to file its defence. A hearing date is yet to be scheduled."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/647990-hostel-bank-row-over-sh950m.html","content":" - By Andante Okanya Lodging facilities company Yolanda Hostels Limited and Uganda Development Bank (UDB) are rowing over sh950m, with former accusing the latter of breach of contract. On September 11, Yolanda filed a civil suit at the High Court in Kampala, contending that UDB’s unprofessional actions caused it loss. It was filed through Bwambale, Musede and Company Advocates. Court documents show that in July 2011, the company managing director Piro Santos acting on its behalf, sought financing from UDB to refinance a loan from Centenary Bank. The company also intended to finance the completion of two floors comprising 46 rooms at a hostel. After five months, the bank made an offer to finance the company’s projects. Subsequently the parties struck a mortgage deed where the UDB advanced sh950m secured by land comprised as Kibuga Block 9 Plot 701, near Makerere University. The loan agreement was then executed on March 14, 2012. But the company alleges that the bank delayed the transmission of the first installment, for “such unreasonably long period of time” which caused the project setbacks. “The prices of the building materials escalated due to the inflation crisis making it hard for the plaintiff(Yolanda) to complete the proposed project within the specified period of time,” the plaint states. The plaint does indicate neither  the amount of money, nor the period in which the funds would be disbursed. Santos asserts that the entire project stalled, yet its completion was intended to service the loan. The company accuses UDB of dishonesty, saying despite the central bank’s reduction of commercial bank’s lending rates, it has continuously charged a higher interest rate. The company also cites a clause in the agreement “to vary the interest rates depending on the circumstances”. Yolanda wants court to permanently restrain UDB from taking over its management, putting the company on receivership, and attaching its property for sale. Court summons to file a defence within 15 days, dated September 13, 2013, have since been issued by registrar Tadeo Asiimwe. It has been cautioned to heed, lest judgement is delivered without its input. However, the bank is yet to file its defence. The case  file has been allocated to Justice Yasin Nyanzi. However, a hearing date is yet to be fixed."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/647718-hostel-development-bank-row-over-sh950m.html","content":" - By Andante Okanya Lodging facilities company Yolanda Hostels Limited and Uganda Development Bank (UDB) are rowing over sh950m, with former accusing the latter of breach of contract. On September 11, Yolanda filed a civil suit at the High Court in Kampala, contending that UDB's unprofessional actions caused it loss. It was filed through Bwambale, Musede and Company Advocates. Court documents show that in July 2011, the company’s managing director, Piro Santos acting on its behalf, sought financing from UDB to refinance a loan from Centenary Bank. The company also intended to finance the completion of two floors comprising 46 rooms at a hostel. After five months, the bank made an offer to finance the company's projects. Subsequently the parties struck a mortgage deed where the UDB advanced sh950m secured by land comprised as Kibuga Block 9 Plot 701, near Makerere University. The loan agreement was then executed on March 14, 2012. But the company alleges that the bank delayed the transmission of the first installment, for \"such unreasonably long period of time\" which caused the project setbacks. \"The prices of the building materials escalated due to the inflation crisis making it hard for the plaintiff (Yolanda) to complete the proposed project within the specified period of time,\" the plaint states. The plaint does indicate neither the amount of money, nor the period in which the funds would be disbursed. Santos asserts that the entire project stalled, yet its completion was intended to service the loan. The company accuses UDB of dishonesty, saying despite the central bank's reduction of commercial bank's lending rates, it has continuously charged a higher interest rate. The company also cites a clause in the agreement \"to vary the interest rates depending on the circumstances\". Yolanda wants court to permanently restrain UDB from taking over its management, putting the company on receivership, and attaching its property for sale. The case  file has been allocated to Justice Yasin Nyanzi. However, a hearing date is yet to be fixed."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/647465-mukula-defeats-aviation-firm-in-contract-breach-suit.html","content":" - By Andante Okanya   The Commercial Court in Kampala has dismissed allegations that Soroti Municipality MP, Flight Captain Mike Mukula, breached a contract in a rental agreement he signed with South Sudan aviation firm Nanam Aviation Limited. In the judgment of Justice Christopher Madrama, delivered on September 13, he ruled that the firm failed to adduce evidence that it incurred losses. The parties had been locked in an acrimonious six-year legal battle. Mukula was jointly sued with his aviation company, Sun Air (U) Limited. “The plaintiff (Nanam) did not prove any loss it suffered for which it was entitled to compensation by way of an award of either special or general damages,” Madrama stated. The firm was seeking $303,437 damages (about sh576m, then), alleging Mukula dishonoured the rental agreement in which he was supposed to provide two air crafts. Nanam claimed he provided one which only operated for 22 days instead of the two months paid for in advance. Prior, the lease was for two years. Court documents show that sometime in May, 2008, the firm’s officials struck a business deal with Mukula. In his defence, Mukula launched a counter claim, saying the firm failed to operate the planes on proper, safe and internationally accepted runways. He stated that on August 8 2008, the firm forced the crew to land  the plane in a wet and muddy runway at Boma, South Sudan. He adduced photographs taken by the pilots. According to court papers, Mukula offered Nanam two other planes but the firm declined, and instead demanded refund of its money. Nanam explained that one of the planes, was barred from flying more than five hours. It insisted that the agreement was to fly 65 hours per month. The judge declined to grant Mukula general damages in his counterclaim. He explained that no loss was indicated, as evidenced in the testimonies of his witnesses, who included his  former flight operations manager Joram Kakooza. Each party was ordered to foot its own bill of costs."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/644646-govt-says-police-right-to-stop-mumbere.html","content":" - By Moses Walubiri and Joyce Namutebi Police acted to prevent breach of security and possible attack on Rwenzururu king, Charles Wesley Mumbere during his planned visit to Bundibugyo late last month, Internal Affairs State Minister James Baba told parliament on Tuesday. The National Council for Security advised Mumbere, a Mukonzo, to stay his planned visit to Bundibugyo as part of festivities for his coronation anniversary on account of antipathy the Baamba - who are the majority in Bundibugyo - nurse against his kingdom. Since then, the government’s decision has spawned considerable disquiet among Mumbere’s supporters, especially in his stronghold of Kasese, with many seeking an explanation from government. During yesterday plenary sitting, it was Kasese Woman MP Winnie Kiiza who tasked the Internal Affairs minister to explain why “government was restricting Mumbere’s movement in his own kingdom yet it had okayed his coronation as a traditional leader.” Supported by Busongora North MP William Nzogou, Kiiza also decried what she described as the “high handed manner” in which Assistant Inspector of Police Grace Turyagumanawe handled the operation to stop Mumbere’s visit. Kiiza asked the minister to cause the suspension of Turyagumanawe for allegedly roughing up fellow police officers under his command during the operation. However, Baba defended the police saying Mumbere would have been in mortal danger if he had gone ahead with his visit to Bundibugyo. The minister revealed that futile marathon mediation meetings between Baamba and Mumbere’s representatives took place, and it was after failure to strike a middle ground by the warring parties that government deemed it prudent to cancel the Rwenzururu monarch’s Bundibugyo visit. “We wanted to make sure that Mumbere was not attacked or even killed by those opposed to his visit,” Baba said, adding, “This country must be ruled by law and stopping the visit was meant to prevent unnecessary bloodshed.” Baba also defended Turyagumanawe’s conduct during the operation telling raucous legislators that he (Turyagumanawe) was “trying to stop reckless officers from shooting.” “If he acted in a manner that is in breach of his code of conduct as a police officer, that is a matter for police to sort out,” Baba said. Mumbere has since accused government of “betraying the Bakonzo” by stopping him from visiting his people who had invited him to Bundibugyo. The latest flare up in Bundibugyo over Mumbere’s planned visit comes hot on the heels of protests by Bakonzo in July 2012 over attempts by the Rwenzururu monarch to visit the district."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/642891-railway-workers-demand-sh2b-from-rvr.html","content":" - By Andante Okanya A group of 492 railway workers under the umbrella trade union Uganda Railway Workers' Union has sued Rift Valley Railways(RVR) demanding sh2b for salary and damages, claiming the latter cheated them by breaching agreements signed that spelt out the mode of payment. In the suit filed on May 9 at the High Court in Kampala, the plaintiffs including both serving and laid off workers. They allege that RVR reneged on an undertaking to honour the Interim Partial Collective Bargaining Agreement(CBA) dated  April 3, 2013, and the Agreement  for Redundancy Pay for RVR Uganda staff dated  November 27, 2012. Through Barya, Byamugisha and Company Advocates, they are demanding that the company be restrained from laying off staff until the agreements are implemented.  Court documents show that on December 3, 2008, RVR signed  a recognition agreement with the union identifying the union as representatives of the workers. \"The defendant has since issued new  redundancy notices dated April 30, 2013, and May 1, 2013 to lay off employees by the end of May 2013. Plaintiffs demand that proper redundancy procedures are followed ,\" the plaint states. The workers purport that  the agreements have not been adhered to, and that  RVR has violated it, as it does not pay  all its employees  in accordance with CBA. The workers further  state that when they complained, the company issued a notice of redundancy dated  November 15, 2012, stating that it intended to automate various manual  systems  and other process improvement projects. The notice indicated that 200 employees were to be laid off. Court documents also show that last year between November 19 to 21, meetings were held between representatives of the warring parties  to  negotiate terms of the proposed redundancy. Proposals and counter proposals were made. The complainants  purport that before conclusion of the negotiations, RVR  issued  termination letters to 108 workers, dated November 27, 2012, that was to take immediate  effect. The plaintiffs further state that the workers still in service have since last year March 1 been paid wrong and lower slaries. The complainants state that details of the actual mode of payments for each of the complainants will be adduced during the trial. Court has asked RVR to file its defence within 15 days. In the summons signed by registrar Eudes Keitirima dated May 9, 2013, the company has been cautioned to heed, lest judgement is issued in its absence. The case file has been allocated  to Justice Benjamin Kabiito. However, a hearing date is yet to be scheduled."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/642867-kitende-face-zana-in-copa-final.html","content":" - By Samson Opus Final Kitende vs Zana 4PM Results St Juliana 1 Zana 2 Kitende 4 St Leo’s 1 DEFENDING champions St. Mary’s Kitende’s defence was breached for the first time in the COPA Coca-Cola yesterday but St. Leo’s Kyegobe could not stop their march into the final. Henry Bwambale scored in the 8th minute to hand St. Leo’s a shock lead but Kitende replied with a quick fire brace either side of half time through Yunus Ssentamu. Farook Miya and Shafik Bukenya scored late in the second half to see Kitende through. In the second semi-final, Standard High Zana’s Shaffa Kafeero struck a brace against St. Juliana High School Gayaza to book his team a place in the final. Zana took the lead from the penalty spot when Kafeero sent St. Julian’s keeper the wrong way after the referee pointed to the spot for a foul in the penalty box. Jerry Jakisa scored a fantastic equaliser in the second half but Zana were not to be denied and Kafeero popped up late on to score a dramatic winner. Investment drives giants No team can win the COPA Coca-Cola without massive investment, team work and patience. Perhaps this explains why only schools that offer bursaries to players like defending champions St. Mary’s Kitende, Standard High Zana and St. Julian High School Gayaza and St. Leo’s Kyegobe made it to the penultimate stage of the coveted tournament. To Kitende tactician Joseph Kasana besides massive investment, team work and discipline is what gives the Wakiso giants an edge over the rest. “We offer bursaries to over 40 players in football alone, besides other sports. So there is a lot of competition for a place in the team. Sometimes we are spoilt for choice. We have a good stadium that enables us to do any drill,” says Kasana. “I cannot say how much but it is definitely costs a lot of money. If a school does not have a director who loves sport, it is quite impossible to achieve success” says Kasana. According to Kasana, besides recruiting the best talent, Kitende invests in players from early as Senior One. Among the Kitende players who made it from Senior One include team captain Dan Birikwalira, Bob Olwoch and Miya Farouk. It is such investment that has made St. Juliana High School Gayanza stand out after only four years of its existence. St. Juliana has assembly the best school going children from northern Uganda according to the school director Jeff Serunjogi. “I treat my players like my children. Because most of them come from disadvantaged families, I stay with most of them during holidays,” he says. Kitende who have also dominated the East Africa Secondary Schools Games boasts of a five-man technical team led by coach Edward Golola. “We do not wait for COPA Coca-Cola. We work around the clock all year to maintain the team. We compete in various tournaments,” said Kasana who attributed Kitende’s success to the support of the school director and FUFA president Lawrence Mulindwa. The show the pedigree, Kitende has conceded only one goal as they march into today's final-seeking a seventh title in the event. A technical team led by coach Matia Lule has picked a cream of 23 Under-16 players for a one week training camp. The team captained by Kololo SS Emmanuel Oringa for a tour of Kenya. Thereafter, the squad will have an international camp in South Africa."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/641344-mukulu-sued-over-sh141m-land.html","content":" - By Andante Okanya  Renowned playwright Alex Mukulu has been sued for purported breach of contract over city land located in Namirembe a Kampala suburb valued at sh141m. A one Arnold Muwonge  has filed a civil suit at the High Court in Kampala, lamenting that despite signing a sale agreement in January last year, Mukulu has declined to vacate the premises located at Kibuga Block 4 Plot number 160, Namirembe. Through Kimuli and Sozi Advocates, Muwonge is demanding that Mukulu refunds the sh141m plus a 26% annual interest from January 11 last year till full payment. Court documents indicate that the land has a residential house. Muwonge asserts that at the time of the sale, the land was encumbered with a mortgage by one Moses Kibirige in favour of FINA bank.  Muwonge states that there was a debt due from Mukulu to the same Kibirige on account of redemption of the land by Kibirige from National Bank of Commerce. Additionally, court documents show that the purchase price was to be paid by Muwonge in installments, of which the first installment was to be paid to offset the liabilities encumbered on the land. The subsequent installments were to be paid directly to Mukulu. Under the agreement, Mukulu was to vacate the land in six days after payment of the initial installment, at Muwonge's cost. Muwonge asserts that after paying the first installment, the certificate of title was released by FINA bank, and given to his (Muwonge’s) lawyers. \"As result of the defendant's said breach of contract, the plaintiff suffered enormous  loss as his money  remained in the hands of the defendant for over a year  without him having ever received  possession of the land whilst the defendant continues to benefit,\" Muwonge states. He also states that despite several reminders from his lawyers, Mukulu has ignored demand for payment, and also ignored the notice of intention to sue. Mukulu is yet to respond to the allegations."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/641156-playwright-mukulu-sued-over-sh141m-land.html","content":" - By Andante Okanya Renowned playwright Alex Mukulu has been sued for purported breach of contract over a plot of land located in the suburb of Namirembe valued, at sh141m. On Wednesday, a one Arnold Muwonge filed a civil suit at the High Court in Kampala, lamenting that despite signing a sale agreement in January last year, Mukulu has declined to vacate the premises comprised in Kibuga Block 4 Plot number 160, Namirembe. Through Kimuli and Sozi Advocates, Muwonge is demanding that Mukulu refunds the sh141m plus a 26% annual interest from January 11 last year till full payment. Court documents indicate that the land has a residential house. Muwonge asserts that at the time of the sale, the land was encumbered with a mortgage by one Moses Kibirige in favour of FINA bank.  Muwonge states that there was a debt due from Mukulu to the same Kibirige on account of a redemption of the land by Kibirige from National Bank of Commerce. Additionally, court documents show that the purchase price was to be paid by Muwonge in installments, of which the first installment was  to be paid to offset the liabilities encumbered on the land. The subsequent installments were to be paid directly to Mukulu. Under the agreement, Mukulu was to vacate the land in six days after payment of the initial installment, at Muwonge's cost. Muwonge asserts that after paying the first installment, the certificate of title was released by FINA bank, and given to his(Muwonge’s) lawyers. \"As result of the defendant's said breach of contract, the plaintifff suffered enormous  loss as his money  remained in the hands of the defendant for over a year  without him having ever received  possession of the land whilst the defendant continues to benefit,\" Muwonge states. He also states that  despite several reminders from his lawyers, Mukulu has ignored demand for payment, and also ignored the notice of intention to sue. Mukulu is yet to respond to the allegations. A hearing date it yet to be scheduled."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/637303-ugandan-shilling-falls-as-banks-energy-firms-seek-dollars.html","content":" - THE Ugandan shilling slipped against the dollar on Wednesday, breaching a key support level, as commercial banks and energy companies sought dollars aggressively to meet end-year obligations. A decline in dollar selling by commodity exporters also helped push the shilling firmly beyond the key 2,600 level with commercial banks quoting the currency of east Africa's third largest economy at 2,605/2,615 by 1244 GMT, weaker than Tuesday's close of 2,595/2,605. The shilling has been under escalating pressure this week, fuelled by strong greenback demand from energy firms and offshore investors closing their local currency positions ahead of year-end. \"There's a marked decline in (dollar) inflows from commodities like coffee and fish because export volumes have been declining,\" said David Bagambe, trader at Diamond Trust Bank. \"And now that we have firmly broken the key level of 2,600, the shilling is likely to drop at a much faster pace.\" Uganda's coffee exports last month fell by 17 percent from a year earlier, as heavy rains disrupted the beans' transportation from growing areas to processing centres. Uganda is Africa's largest coffee exporter and earnings from crop are a key source of hard currency that helps prop the shilling. The Ugandan currency has lost nearly five percent against the greenback in the year to date, partly undermined by the central bank's policy loosening run although the pace of that easing has now been slowed down. Bank of Uganda (BoU) this month cut 50 basis points off its key lending rate to 12.5 percent after a run of much bigger cuts. \"The market is very short on dollars while on the other hand demand in the interbank market and from oil companies is still very strong,\" said Faisal Bukenya, head of market making at Barclays Bank. Analysts say the shilling is likely to remain relatively weak for the rest of the year, undermined by Christmas-related import demand, but could rebound in the medium term. Reuters"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/636864-ubc-withdraws-case-against-ucc.html","content":" - By Andante Okanya KAMPALA - State broadcaster Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) has dropped the digital migration breach of contract case it filed against the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) at the High Court in Kampala. According to court records, acting UBC managing director Paul Kihika in a letter addressed to the broadcaster’s lawyer, Henry Rwaganika, dated October 17, 2012, instructed him to withdraw the case. The letter filed at the court on Wednesday explains that the dropping of the suit was based on advice of Justice Vincent Zehurikize who had earlier asked the two government bodies to reconcile, rather than clash. “UBC management has unconditionally decided to discontinue the proceedings in the above suit and all attendant miscellaneous applications. This is, therefore, to instruct you to ensure that proceedings in the aforementioned suit are properly discontinued,” the letter states. Rwaganika was further instructed to ensure that a withdrawal consent order is signed and unconditionally endorsed by all the parties. The letter is copied to UCC executive director Godfrey Mutabazi, UCC lawyer Joseph Matsiko and the deputy registrar of High Court Civil division, Eudes Keitirima. Justice Zehurikize had earlier on advised the warring parties to settle the dispute amicably by engaging the relevant government authorities like ministers. He said it is illogical for government bodies to get muddled in a bitter rift, yet they are expected to function harmoniously. In the suit filed on October 4 at the High Court in Kampala, UBC accused UCC of terminating a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on May 29. According to the Digital Migration Policy for Uganda 2011, UBC was appointed sole signal provider for a five-year period. UBC contended that the MoU stated that the broadcaster was tasked with installing equipment for the Digital Terrestrial Television Project for Greater Kampala. This was in line with the transition from analogue broadcasting format.The MoU was terminated on August 21."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/636798-ubc-drops-digital-migration-case-against-ucc.html","content":" - By Andante Okanya State broadcaster Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) has dropped the digital migration breach of contract case it filed against the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) at the High Court in Kampala. According to court records, acting UBC managing director Paul Kihika in a letter addressed to the broadcaster's lawyer Henry Rwaganika dated October 17, 2012, instructed him to withdraw the case. The letter filed at the court on Wednesday, explains that the dropping of the suit was based on advice of Justice Vincent Zehurikize who had earlier asked the two government bodies to reconcile, rather than clash.      \"UBC management has unconditionally decided to discontinue the proceedings in the above suit and all attendant miscellaneous applications. This is therefore to instruct you to ensure that proceedings in the aforementioned suit is properly discontinued,\" the letter states. Rwaganika was further instructed to ensure that a withdrawal consent order is signed and unconditionally endorsed by all the parties. The letter is copied to the UCC executive director Godfrey Mutabazi, UCC lawyer Joseph Matsiko of Kampala Associated Advocates, and the deputy registrar High Court civil division Eudes Keitirima. Prior, Justice Zehurikize had advised the warring parties to settle the dispute amicably by engaging the relevant government authorities like ministers. He said it is illogical for government bodies to get muddled in a bitter rift, yet they are expected to function harmoniously. In the suit filed on October 4 at the High Court in Kampala, UBC accused UCC of terminating a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed this year on May 29. The MoU was terminated this year on August 21. According to the Digital Migration Policy for Uganda 2011, UBC was appointed sole signal provider for a five-year period. UBC contended that the MoU stated that the broadcaster was tasked with installing equipment for the Digital Terrestrial Television Project for Greater Kampala. This was in line with the transition from analogue broadcasting format. UBC also contended that UCC was to provide funding for the project, and that the two entities were to work jointly to ensure that the supplier responds to the project proposal requirements, and to procure the turnkey solution."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/636336-ubc-sues-ucc-over-digital-migration.html","content":" - By Andante Okanya   State broadcaster Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) has sued the regulator of the communications sector Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) over alleged breach of contract. In the suit filed on October 4 at the High Court in Kampala, UBC accuses UCC of terminating a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed this year on May 29. The MoU was terminated this year on August 21. According to the Digital Migration Policy for Uganda 2011, UBC was appointed sole signal provider for a five-year period. \"In violation of the spirit of the MoU, the defendant(UCC) run adverts in the print media for purchase of equipment  without consulting the plaintiff(UCC), yet the  plaintiff was the ultimate owner of the equipment,\"  the plaint states. Through Rwaganika and Company Advocates, UBC contends that the MoU stated that the broadcaster was tasked with installing equipment for the Digital Terrestrial Television Project for Greater Kampala. This was in line with the transition from analogue broadcasting format. Additionally, UBC contends that UCC was to provide funding for the project, and that the two entities were to work jointly and ensure that the supplier responds to the project proposal requirements, and to procure the turnkey solution. The broadcaster wants UCC permanently restrained, and is demanding damages plus costs of the suit. The amount of money demanded in damages is however not specified. According to court documents, prior to the MoU and with full knowledge of UCC, UBC as the signal distributor had already started building a new countrywide coverage digital television terrestrial distribution network. Kololo was the nucleus for transmission with radius coverage of 80 kilometres. UBC asserts that UCC violated the MoU by appointing a consultant, and licenced other signalers without consulting its partner (UBC). The broadcaster alleges that the regulator is planning to hijack its mandate by building a new transmission site at Migadde located 25 kilometres north of Kampala. \"The licencing by the defendant of other signal distributors will contradict the Digital Migration Policy 2011 that gave the plaintiff exclusive right to provide signal distribution for five years,\" UBC asserts. The broadcaster is seeking a court declaration that UCC's conduct is illegal, and that the termination of the MoU was in bad faith. UBC also wants court to declare that UCC's actions will lead to conflict of interest, as it will cease being a regulator and turn into a competitor. The case file has been allocated to Justice Vincent Zehurikize. UCC is yet to respond to the allegations. A hearing date is yet to be fixed."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/636288-sacked-officials-sue-women-parliamentary-association.html","content":" - By Andante Okanya   Three officials sacked by a Women MPs lobby group Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA), have sued it over breach of contract. The trio that was sacked on May 24 this year are Rita Atukwasa (Chief executive officer and coordinator), Sylvia Omolo Kyomuhendo (ex-advocacy and communications officer), and Maria Goretti Kabasomi (administrative assistant). In the suit filed at the High Court in Kampala on October 5, they contend that they had running contracts of service fixed for six years, expiring in December 2016. Through Kwari-Kyerere and Company Advocates, they are demanding damages and salary arrears. \"Plaintiffs aver that by reason of defendants’ wrongfully terminating their contracts, they suffered loss of anticipated income, other attendant privileges and benefits for the terminated period,\" the trio contends. The aggrieved assert that in a letter dated May 24, 2012, the association executives, without giving the mandatory three notices, instructed them to handover duties, vacate by the end of the month, and give way for fresh recruits. The trio states that effective this year on July 1, new staff have since been hired, which in effect means they have been removed from their jobs. For special damages, Atukwasa whose monthly salary was sh3.5m, multiplied by three months, wants sh10.5m. Kyomuhendo whose salary was sh2.1m wants sh6.3m, while Kabasomi whose salary was sh900, 000 wants sh2.7m. For salary arrears, Atukwasa is demanding sh49.5m for 14 months, Kyomuhendo sh25.2m for 12 months, while Kabasomi's is sh12.6m. The trio is also claiming work expenses, with Atukwasa demanding sh550, 000, sh650, 000 medical expenses, and sh3.5m annual leave not taken. Kyomuhendo wants sh590, 000 expenses refund, and sh2.1m annual leave not taken. Kabasomi wants sh300, 000 expenses refund plus sh900, 000 annual leave not taken. For loss of anticipated income for the remaining 54 months, Atukwasa is demanding sh189m; Kyomuhendo wants sh113.4m, while Kabasomi wants sh48.6m The trio further state that by virtue of part of the Employment Act Laws of Uganda, they are entitled to severance pay, which is a retrenchment benefit. Court has ordered the UWOPA executive to file its defence within 15 days. In the summons dated October 5, 2012, issued by the civil division registrar Eudes Keitirima, they have been asked to comply, lest judgement is given in their absence. The case file has been allocated to Justice Elizabeth Musoke. However, a hearing date is yet to be fixed."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/635088-court-orders-microcare-to-pay-kadic-sh80m.html","content":" - By Hillary Nsambu                          THE Commercial Court has ordered a health insurance company, Microcare Health Limited, to pay over sh80m to Kadic Hospital Limited for breach of contract. However, Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire, the head of the court, rejected a counter claim in which Microcare Health Ltd had sought to recover sh30m as an overpayment against the hospital. The judge strongly agreed with John Mary Kiwuuwa, the lawyer representing Kadic Hospital that the claim that Microcare Health Ltd made a year after the hospital had presented its demands for payment was an afterthought that cannot be accepted by the court. “I am satisfied with the evidence by the auditor, Masereka Nsibasi, of Toptech Consults that proved that a total of sh78, 197,715 as the outstanding amounts due to the plaintiff against the defendant and I order that they be paid with interest at 21% pa from the date of filing until payment in full,” the judge ordered. He also ordered that given the circumstances in which both sides managed their agreement, he would also grant nominal general damages of sh2m with 8% pa against Microcare Health Ltd from the date of judgment till payment in full. Kiwuuwa had told the court that following a signed agreement, Kadic Hospital provided services to Mircocare Health's clients between 2005 and 2007 to the tune of over sh87m as unpaid medical bills; but the defendant defaulted all the time. The plaintiff terminated the contract after the defendant issued two bouncing cheques of over sh17m, hence the law suit for breach of contract. However, Microcare Health Ltd, represented by Allan Nshimye, had vehemently denied the allegations, claiming overpayment of sh30m that it sought to recover from the plaintiff, belatedly though. The judge, however, observed that there was nothing to show that Microcare Health rejected the bills when they all bore stamp with words “processed”; without anything to show that they were rejected. “To my mind, therefore, the attempt to impeach the said claims by the plaintiff is an afterthought by the defendant in some cases being one year old. This is clearly dilatory conduct on the part of the defendant company,” the judge agreed with Kiwuuwa."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/632405-musicians-are-not-tax-exempt.html","content":" - By Herbert Ssempogo DAYS after musician Joseph Mayanja a.k.a. Jose Chameleon received a sh14m tax invoice from Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), he was enraged. The invoices were in respect of the performances he held from December 2011 to March 2012. Chameleone wondered how the revenue collectors computed them. “My voice is a natural gift from God, why do you want me to pay for my voice?” a vexed Chameleone wondered. However, all citizens worldwide have obligations to the state. One of them is paying taxes from which revenue is generated for provision of infrastructure and social services. A person, who earns an income and fails to pay taxes, breaches a constitutional obligation. Taxes could be direct, that is, pegged on income like Pay As You Earn or indirect like Value Added Tax (VAT) paid whenever an item is purchased. Like any citizen with an income, musicians are not exempt from taxes. Ideally, musicians should file their income tax returns at the end of the year. From the total income, a sh30% tax is levied. However, because musicians’ income is largely seasonal, there are two friendly options for them. One of them is that once a promoter hires them, that person withholds 6% of the total amount, which is handed over to URA as tax. That person must be a withholding tax agent. While filing returns at the end of the year, a musician has to indicate how much tax was withheld by promoters. Alternatively, 18% of VAT could be levied on the total gate collections. Under this arrangement, a URA official is supposed to be at the entrance to scrutinise receipts. Taxing musicians is not a reserve of the Ugandan Government. Worldwide, this group has to fulfil obligations to the state. And there are repercussions for evasion. The Daily Mail reported last week that the US artiste, R. Kelly, owes the state $4.8m in back taxes after ‘not paying anything’ on his superstar earnings for almost seven years. The ‘I Believe I Can Fly’ singer stopped paying taxes in 2005, according to documents fi led by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In July 2011, Jeffrey Atkins (Ja Rule) was handed a 28-month prison sentence for failing to pay taxes on more than $3m in earnings between 2004–2006. Therefore, instead of complaining, Chameleone, who has a huge following, should comply. The writer is a public and corporate affairs offcer, Uganda Revenue Authority"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/632190-gov-t-sues-lc-bikes-insurer-wants-sh1-1b.html","content":" - By Andante Okanya Government has sued insurance firm NIKO Insurance Company, demanding sh1.1b for breach of contract when the company acted as guarantor to the firm that was supposed to supply the 70,000 local council bicycles. Amman Industrial Tools and Equipment Limited was contracted to supply the bicycles worth sh4.2b meant for chairpersons of parish and village councils countrywide. The insurance firm undertook a Performance Guarantee Bond of sh1.1b in favour of Amman on November 25, 2010, to be paid in the event of breach of contract. In the suit filed on Tuesday at the Commercial Court  in Kampala by Government's chief legal advisor -the Attorney General(AG) Peter Nyombi - he contends that the insurance company has deliberately declined to make good its obligation. \"The plaintiff [AG] contends that the defendant[insurance firm] has no plausible defence to the claim  of $489,650 after the plaintiff demanded for the same pursuant to the terms of the performance bond furnished by the defendant on behalf of Amman Industrial Tools and Equipment Limited,\" the AG contends. Government is also demanding general damages with a 28% annual interest from the date of judgement till payment in full. It also wants costs for the suit in addition to a 28% annual interest on the $489,650 from May 24, 2011 till full payment. In the plaint, the AG asserts that on November 26, 2010, the local government ministry on behalf of government awarded Amman the contract to supply the bicycles. The Performance Bond was to be valid from November 25, 2010 to May 24, 2011. However, the AG states that on May 10, 2011, the local government ministry permanent secretary John MuhanguziKashaka (now suspended) wrote to the managing director of the insurance firm, informing him that Amman had failed to deliver the bicycles. The AG notes that Amman had agreed to deliver the bicycles by February 25, 2011. He claims that although the deadline was extended to May 25, 2011, the company still failed to comply. The AG subsequently wrote to the company on May 23, 2011, informing it that the bond's expiry date was two days away. A bank payment advice form was attached to the letter. Subsequently, in a letter dated August 4, 2011, the insurance firm's claims manager wrote to the AG, and informed him that the firm had started the process of paying the bond. But the AG asserts that in a letter dated September 11, 2011, the firm drew his attention to a parliamentary probe when the subject of the LC bicycles became a stormy topic of debate. The firm stated that Government officials had been implicated in the purported fraud. The AG states that on October 4 last year, he expressed discontent when the firm introduced new conditions like the parliamentary probe, which were not part of the agreed terms. Court documents indicate that the AG in a letter to the firm dated January 3 this year, threatened to sue within 14 days. The court's registrar Margaret Tibulya in summons dated June 19, 2012, has ordered the firm to file its defence within 10 days, from the day it received the summons. The case has been allocated Justice Christopher Madrama. However, a hearing date is yet to be fixed."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/632067-lap-textiles-thrown-out-of-bugolobi-facility.html","content":" - By Felix Osike The Government has repossessed  the Bugolobi  apparel  complex that had been  sub-leased  to  LAP Textiles, a Libyan  company,  over  breach  of  contract. The land and buildings belonged to the defunct Coffee Marketing Board. The complex was repossessed on May 7. An inspection of the premises revealed that the company had closed business.  On June 25, 2007, Cotton & LAP Textiles Industries of Libya, signed a deal with the Government to partner in the development of the textile sector and in particular, to enable the Government benefit from concessions and benefits arising out of the US Africa Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA). However,  LAP Textiles  failed to honour  the conditions  to export textiles to the US,  Martin Kihembo,  the  Uganda  Property  Holdings chief, the company  managing  government  property, said. LAP is also said to have abused the tax incentive scheme. “The complex has been under LAP on a 49 -year sublease. “But we terminated the sub-lease because we thought they would not achieve what we wanted. When they took over, they were supposed to export textiles to the American market. Unfortunately, they have not been able to do it,” Kihembo explained. He said the war in Libya could not have hampered the company’s activities because, the rebellion started in February 2011, four years after the deal was sealed.  Under the agreement, the Government was to offer LAP incentives available to the textile industry. This included payment of Value Added Tax and import duty on raw materials imported for manufacturing textiles and VAT on the supply of manufactured textiles. Uganda Revenue Authority said the tax incentive was to add value to the local products based on the assumption that these companies would source raw materials from Uganda. However, it turned out that almost all the materials used were imported and taxes not paid. “In disregard of the agreement, a total of sh209, 449,343 was refunded to LAP Textiles in respect of PAYE for expatriate staff for the period November 2007 to February 2009. “Included were fees for work permits for the same expatriates. Both PAYE and work permit fees were not provided for in the incentives as communicated to URA,” stated a recent Auditor General’s report.  The Auditor General (AG) John Muwanga said the payment of PAYE for expatriates by the finance ministry was irregular. The AG had also warned of a risk of government losing the title of the land on which the Libyans were operating since they had the land title. But Kihembo confirmed that the titles were safe."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/314993-ex-minister-wasieba-sues-airline.html","content":" - By Hillary Nsambu       FORMER State Minister for Works Sylvester Wanjusi Wasieba has dragged South African Airways to court for breach  of contract seeking to recover over US$100,000 plus general damages. Wasieba, who is also a former Constituent Assembly (CA) member and MP for Bubulo and Mbale Municipality respectively, filed his law suit in Kampala.   Meanwhile, the High Court has issued summons requiring the South African Airways to file a defence within 15 days.    “Whereas the plaintiff has sued you upon the claims, particulars of which are contained in the plaint, you are hereby required to file a defence in the suit within 15 days. Should you fail to enter an appearance within the prescribed period, the plaintiff may proceed with the law suit and judgment may be given in your absence,” the summons reads.   He contends that on May 10, 2011 he travelled by South African Airways from Entebbe destined for Australia via Johannesburg (SA) on a business trip. Upon arrival at Johannesburg International Airport, he alleges, the airways officials stopped him from proceeding to Australia, claiming that he did not have valid Australian visa.   Suing through Sserwanga, Maiteki & Company Advocates, Wasieba alleges that despite his documentary proof and his frantic efforts to explain that he had a valid Australian visa, the Airways agents cancelled his travel to his destination.   Wasieba further contends in his plaint that although the South African Airways apologized and regretted the unfortunate events, through its Kampala agents, he had already suffered great loss and damages that arose out of the cancellation of his travel to Australia, for which he would ask the court to award him special damages.   According to the plaint, Wasieba lost business contract Australia and cost of the return air ticket to Australia. He also incurred living expenses in South Africa after cancellation of his travel to his destination and a return air ticket from South Africa to Entebbe International Airport plus the visa fees.   Wasieba contends that he was duly checked in by the South African Airways officials at Entebbe International Airport and was allowed to board their plane to Australia via Johannesburg. However for reasons best known to the airways officials at Johannesburg the defendant’s agents simply blocked him from travelling any further."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/314885-central-bank-owed-sh5b-in-benefits.html","content":" - By Andante Okanya   A GROUP of 20 ex-employees have sued the central bank over unlawful dismissal, plus breach of the bank's retirement agreement, and are demanding over sh5b in benefits.   The group claims to have served the bank in various capacities for over 15 years.They filed their civil suit on Tuesday at the High Court in Kampala, through Barugarahe and Company Advocates.They were  dismissed and retired between July and August  last year, and their letters were signed by the  executive  director administration Johnson Mubangizi.   They contend that they made monthly contributions to the  banks staff savings scheme.   The complainants were categorised into  three groups of termination, retirement and early retirement.10 of them contend that  they were sacked without  being given a chance to defend themselves.They state that their fate was decided after a resolution by the bank's disciplinary committee meeting of June of last year.   \"The plaintiffs will contend that the disciplinary action taken against them violated the principles of natural  justice by failing to accord them an opportunity to prepare their adequate defences,\"  the plaint states.   The other 10 contend that prior to their forced retirement, the  bank had set parameters for early retirement, which was agreed upon in its  Resolution of  Board Meeting number 300.   \"The plaintiffs will contend  that the defendant involuntarily retired them and acted unjustly  and deprived them  of benefits they were  entitled to  in not following the  manner  of retiring employees as communicated.   Additionally, they want court to quash the bank's Administration Manual, arguing that it conflicts with provisions in the Employment Act.   Court records show that a notice  of intention to sue dated October 19,2011, was sent to the bank. However.the complainants contend that the bank ignored.   They further claim that at the time of their sacking and retirement, they had loan obligations with the  bank, and that the  pay received was  insufficient  to service the loans.They claim it has  caused them mental anguish.   The complainants want general damages plus costs of the suit.They also want to be  paid a 30% annual interest  on the pension benefits and  compensatory awards  from  the time of  the  sacking  and early retirement, till  payment  in full. The central bank is yet to file its defence to the allegations."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1592-ubc-cancels-basajja-land-deal.html","content":" - By Steven Candia THE Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) has revoked the sale of the controversial plot of land in a city suburb to renowned entrepreneur Hassan Basajjabala, citing breach of contract and strategic interests of the corporation. In a letter dated August 31 and addressed to HABA Group chairman, the UBC acting managing director, Paul Kihika, cited breach of essential clauses of the sale contract by Basajjabalaba, as the main reason for termination of the contract. Haba Group is owned by Basajjabalaba. In the letter, Kihika accused Bassajjabalaba of breaching clause 2.5 of the sales agreement which empowered UBC (vendor) to repossess the land upon Haba’s failure to pay the outstanding balance on the due date. Clause 3.3 also provided that the purchaser shall not transfer or part with possession of the property until the full purchase price is received by the vendor on its accounts. Clause 3.3 of the same agreement, according to the letter also gave the corporation powers to lodge a caveat on the land which shall be vacated upon payment of the full purchase price. “In view of the foregoing, it is the position of UBC caretaker management that Haba Group blatantly breached paragraph D of the recitals in the sale agreement by failing to pay the purchase price upfront as proposed in the foregoing recital D. HABA Group also failed to honour Clause 2.5 of the sale agreement of paying the full purchase price and the said clause arms UBC with power to repossess the said property,” the letter signed by Kihika reads. In the letter, Kihika accused Bassajjabalaba of fraudulently selling the land, despite an outstanding balance of sh4.9b. “It was also a condition under Clause 3.3 of the agreement that HABA Group shall not sell, transfer or part with the property before the full purchase price was paid. However, without due consideration to the foregoing clause, Haba Group on June, 1 fraudulently and without any notice to UBC and even without paying the outstanding balance of sh4.9b, transferred the said demised property."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/316357-ubc-cancels-basajja-land-deal.html","content":" - By Steven Candia THE Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) has revoked the sale of the controversial plot of land in a city suburb to renowned entrepreneur Hassan Basajjabala, citing breach of contract and strategic interests of the corporation. In a letter dated August 31 and addressed to HABA Group chairman, the UBC acting managing director, Paul Kihika, cited breach of essential clauses of the sale contract by Basajjabalaba, as the main reason for termination of the contract. Haba Group is owned by Basajjabalaba. In the letter, Kihika accused Bassajjabalaba of breaching clause 2.5 of the sales agreement which empowered UBC (vendor) to repossess the land upon Haba’s failure to pay the outstanding balance on the due date. Clause 3.3 also provided that the purchaser shall not transfer or part with possession of the property until the full purchase price is received by the vendor on its accounts. Clause 3.3 of the same agreement, according to the letter also gave the corporation powers to lodge a caveat on the land which shall be vacated upon payment of the full purchase price. “In view of the foregoing, it is the position of UBC caretaker management that Haba Group blatantly breached paragraph D of the recitals in the sale agreement by failing to pay the purchase price upfront as proposed in the foregoing recital D. HABA Group also failed to honour Clause 2.5 of the sale agreement of paying the full purchase price and the said clause arms UBC with power to repossess the said property,” the letter signed by Kihika reads. In the letter, Kihika accused Bassajjabalaba of fraudulently selling the land, despite an outstanding balance of sh4.9b. “It was also a condition under Clause 3.3 of the agreement that HABA Group shall not sell, transfer or part with the property before the full purchase price was paid. However, without due consideration to the foregoing clause, Haba Group on June, 1 fraudulently and without any notice to UBC and even without paying the outstanding balance of sh4.9b, transferred the said demised property."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/320916-gulu-mayor-warns-workers-against-delays.html","content":" - BY CORNES LUBANGAKENE Gulu mayor George Labeja has warned construction firms against breaching timeframes set by the contracts committee. Labeja said the municipal council executive committee and technocrats had inspected several construction works in schools last week and found that out of the eight projects started in December last year, only one was ready for commissioning. “In Obiya West Primary School, construction of a teachers’ house has not reached the ring beam, while only the foundation has been constructed at Police Primary School. This will make it difficult for the technocrats to account for the money. We shall not entertain incompetent contractors,” Labeja, who is also the municipal secretary for works and technical services, warned. He said he had asked the town clerk to write to the ministry, saying the money had already been used so that it is not returned as required at the end of the financial year."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/322574-besigye-denies-breaching-peace.html","content":" - By Herbert Ssempogo OPPOSITION Forum for Democratic Change president Kizza Besigye has denied fresh charges of breaching peace. Besigye, who faces several court cases, appeared before the Kasangati Magistrates’ Court in Wakiso district yesterday. According to prosecutor Gladys Nyanzi, Besigye on April 28 between Kasangati and Mulago roundabout in Kampala, assembled with other people in a manner which could have breached peace. Nyanzi also alleged that their presence would have incited people to breach peace. Another co-accused, Aaron Kaijja, denied similar charges. Grade One Migistrate James Ereemye released them on bail after lawyer David Mpanga presented FDC chairman Sam Kalega Njuba, Tororo municipality MP Geoffrey Ekanya and Besigye’s sister Dr. Olive Kobusingye Kifefe, as sureties. Ereemye asked the state to expedite investigations. The case will return for mention on June 13. The other suspects, Fred Kato, Robert Kavuma, Sam Mugumya, Geoffrey Kalanzi, Francis Mwijukye and Martin Byomuhanji, got bail on May 9. They also denied the allegations. Earlier, court had handled three cases against Besigye. They included failing to comply with a Police officer’s instructions allegedly committed on April 11 and unlawful assembly reportedly on April 18. Before the court session, Besigye vowed to continue with the walk-to-work protests (on Mondays and Thursdays) against inflation and high fuel prices. “We shall continue to express our rights and to show our displeasure over the manner in which affairs of this country have been handled. We shall continue to show solidarity with fellow citizens in this crisis caused by the Government’s actions,” he said. He added that the demo was being used to “shine a torch” on the problems. Besigye stressed that the demos were not being used to overthrow the Government. However, he added that if there was a steady degeneration, the people would be compelled to ask the Government to “step aside”."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/323031-kampala-rugby-club-in-trouble.html","content":" - By Johnson Were KAMPALA Rugby Union Football Club (KRUFC) are at risk of losing millions of shillings if they fail to successfully defend a case filed against them by Capital Ventures Limited for breach of contract. In suit No.139 of 2011 filed in the High Court Commercial Division, Capital Ventures accuse KRUFC for breach of contract in which the company wanted to buy club property. The plaintiff wants a sh214m refund that had already been advanced, on top of costs for the suit. The complainant alleges that KRUFC illegally terminated a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with them and sold the 3.5 acres of land housing both the club house and the rugby pitch on Plot 11 Naguru Road and Plot 1 Sports Lane to another buyer. KRUFC sold the said property to Solution and Conveyors Company Limited at $1.6m (sh3.8bn) from which the sellers then acquired an 11-acre private land in Luzira. In defence KRUFC, through their attorneys Ahamya Associates, aver that the plaintiff deposited the sh214m after the MOU had been terminated. They want court to dismiss the case with costs. “We terminated the contract, informed them and they acknowledged but went ahead and deposited money on the account which I consider negligence on their part,” KRUFC treasurer Henry Musoke stated."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/323162-palestine-is-ripe-for-a-revolution.html","content":" - By Gwynne Dyer PALESTINE is ripe for a revolution. How do we know that? Because the two rival governments that have so spectacularly failed that hypothetical country are finally ending their four-year-old breach and getting back together. Or at least that is what they say they are doing. The reconciliation took place in Cairo on Wednesday, when Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority (which controls the West Bank), and Khaled Meshaal, the leader of Hamas (which controls the Gaza Strip), signed an agreement to form an interim government to rule both parts of the would-be country. “We forever turn the black page of division,” said Abbas in his opening remarks. The two men went further than that. They agreed that no member either of Hamas or of Fatah (the movement that is Mahmoud Abbas’s political base) could be part of the interim government. That government would pave the way for free elections next year in both parts of the disjointed proto-state that would really restore Palestinian national unity. Or so the deal says. But Fatah and Hamas still hate each other, and they have not actually made a single compromise on the key areas where they disagree, like the question of whether to make peace with Israel. Most observers still doubt that the gulf between the two sides can ever be bridged. So why would they even bother to sign such a “unity” accord? Because they are both running scared. They have seen what happened to other oppressive and/or corrupt regimes in the Arab world as the “Arab spring” has unfolded and they are afraid that a comparable revolution could drive them from power too. Fatah, after all, is very corrupt and quite authoritarian, while Hamas is less corrupt but extremely repressive and economically incompetent to boot. There have already been large popular demonstrations in the Palestinian territories, although they have not been widely reported. The protesters’ main demand is “national unity”, but there is good reason to suspect that many of them actually have a broader agenda. Like the Syrian demonstrators demanding the repeal of the 48-year-old “state of emergency” in that country, when what they really want is the end of the regime, many of the Palestinian protesters are using “national unity” as a popular mobilising call when what they really want is the end of both Fatah and Hamas. So Fatah and Hamas are giving them what they say they want, in order to avoid having to give them what they really want. But it is a shotgun marriage at best, and most unlikely to last. This is mere gesture politics, since it will not force Israel to remove its troops or make any other concessions, but Abbas hopes that it will strengthen his standing with his own people. Besides, he can hardly ask the UN members to recognise Palestinian sovereignty so long as different parts of its territory are ruled by rival and indeed hostile regimes. A cosmetic reconciliation with Hamas is necessary, at least for a while. The probable price of this Fatah-Hamas deal is a complete shutdown of peace negotiations with Israel, because Israel, the EU and the US define Hamas as a “terrorist movement”. Therefore, they will have nothing to do with a Palestinian government that includes Hamas (or so they say). Israel’s hard-line prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, said the accord was a \"tremendous blow to peace and a great victory for terrorism\". But Netanyahu is widely and probably correctly seen as a man who is not interested in a peace agreement anyway, so Abbas does not think anything important will be lost if he cozies up to Hamas for a while. The real question is whether the Palestinians will ignore all this window-dressing, and rise up like their Egyptian neighbours to rid themselves of the arbitrary and corrupt governments that now rule them. The answer is probably no, because the felt need for “unity” in the face of the Israelis usually cripples Palestinian attempts to address the failings of their own institutions. Indeed, the biggest short-term consequence of the “Arab spring” for the Palestinians may be another Israeli military assault on the Gaza Strip, or even a full-scale re-occupation of that territory, because the new Egyptian government plans to reopen its border with Gaza very soon. Under Hosni Mubarak, Egypt’s recently deposed dictator, Cairo fully cooperated with Israel in enforcing a tight blockade of the Gaza Strip. Once the border with Egypt is re-opened, Israel fears, the extremists who regularly fire rockets into Israel from the territory will have access to an endless flow of weapons. Trying to shut that border down again would immediately embroil Israel in a conflict not only with Hamas but with newly democratic Egypt. That would certainly not be to Israel’s long-term advantage, but that does not mean they will not do it. The writer is a London-based independent journalist"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/323714-col-kizza-besigye-faces-sh50m-fine.html","content":" - By Edward Anyoli and Frederick Kiwanuka FDC party president Col. Kizza Besigye has been granted bail and cautioned against demonstrating or engaging in activities that would breach peace. Nabweru Court Chief Magistrate Justine Atukwasa, sitting at the Nakasongola Chief Magistrates’ Court, granted Besigye bail. She told him that he would pay sh50m if he engaged in unlawful activities in the next seven months. However, minutes after leaving the courtroom, Besigye told journalists that he intended to continue demonstrating. He said he would meet with other “activists for change” to plan more walk-to-work demonstrations. Besigye, who was led to court by prison warders, personally applied for bail because his lawyers were absent. He was granted bail and bonded at sh10m (not cash). His two sureties, Chapaa Karuhanga and Joseph Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogerere, were both bonded at sh50m, also not cash. Kampala businessmen Francis Tumwijukye, Harold Kaija and Jethro Nuwagaba, Besigye’s co-accused, were also granted bail. Lino Anguzu and Gladys Nyanzi, who led the prosecution, did not oppose the bail applications, but asked court to impose stringent terms to deter the four from acts that would cause violence. Earlier, Besigye who was clad in a blue Kitenge shirt, a grey pair of trousers and black shoes, had been charged with taking part in an unlawful assembly. He allegedly committed the offence on April 21. He, however, denied the offence. He is expected to reappear at the Nabweru Magistrates’ Court on May 13. Security was tight at the court premises by both the Police and the army. Besigye was taken to Nakasongola last week after he was arrested on April 21. A few kilometres from Kampala, there was heavy deployment of traffic Police officers, checking every vehicle that was coming to the city. Besigye left court in a convoy with his supporters shortly after signing his bond papers. Several FDC members were present at the court."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/324591-peace-security-vital-to-ugandans.html","content":" - By Dora Byamukama THE walk-to-work demonstration by opposition leaders in protest of escalating commodity prices has raised several arguments. Were the ensuing arrests in breach of the walkers’ rights to freedom to demonstrate together with others peacefully and unarmed as provided for under Article 29(1) (d) of the Uganda Constitution. There are counter arguments on the basis that human rights are not absolute as provided for under Article 43 of the Constitution. This Article states that no person shall prejudice the fundamental or other human rights and freedoms of others or the public interest. Enjoyment of human rights and freedoms, therefore, calls for a delicate balance. For example, one cannot kill and eat a person on the basis that their religion allows them to do so. When the right to practise a religion prejudices the right to life and is against public interest then law and order steps in. Arguments on human rights and freedoms were interspersed with debates on whether the manner and force used were appropriate in the circumstances. This debate will go on for a while. Apart from the action of walking to work to demonstrate escalating prices, my persistent question is so what? Frankly, the walkers could have walked to work for a week, a month and maybe a year… but to what avail? Escalating commodity prices is a matter of national interest; it is about the wellbeing of all Ugandans regardless of party affiliation and status. It, therefore, provides an avenue for all peace-loving Ugandans to put their best foot forward. Politicians could have, for example, used the Inter- Party Dialogue to address this issue because questions will be put to leaders on what action was taken to address it. The Inter Party Dialogue could, for example, have invited key stakeholders such as farmers, the business community and Government officials to ascertain the causes and to discuss possible action to address the issue. Possible solutions to avert escalating commodity prices could include: Government intervention in form of subsidies which could have the effect of reducing prices of fuel and staple foods; Food storage and increased value addition to food in order to increase its shelf life; Creation of awareness on ways Ugandans can adopt and mitigate in order to maintain their ideal lifestyles even amidst escalating commodity prices such as tightening budgets and more efficient utilisation of available supplies; Increase of fuel reserves and efficient and effective utilization of fuel, which could include cycling or walking to work! These are some practical examples which could assist in averting escalation of food prices because much as we have rights; we also have a duty as citizens to find solutions to issues such as escalating commodity prices brought about by several factors that include seasonal factors, a weaker shilling and uncertainty brought about by the recently concluded elections. Facilitation of uncertainty by demonstrations and chaos has potential to perpetuate the issue of escalating commodity prices and therefore may not serve us well. Actions taken, therefore, need to be carefully weighed as to whether they provide solutions or aggravate the situation. One good lesson I have learnt in advocacy for human rights is to use positive images in order to get the desired outcome. One of the hardest challenges is to change beliefs. For example, the Chinese believed that a woman had to have small feet in order for her to be considered beautiful. The Chinese therefore, dutifully bound women’s feet from an early age in order to attain this. Successful advocacy to change this belief focused on a beautiful foot, which is allowed to develop fully and thus become strong. Over time, this positive marketing, coupled with other strategies, paid off. Now foot binding is a thing of the past in China. Mother Theresa reaffirmed the principle that positive action has potential to yield more positive results. Post-elections, the Inter Party Dialogue is one mechanism that can be used by all political actors to focus on working towards a positive vision that serves our national interests of peace, security and development. Whereas the walk-to-work demonstration was in itself not negative, the intent and context had the potential to cause disruption. The duty to maintain peace and order which nipped it in the bud was a stitch in time which saved nine. Peace and security are of paramount interest to all Ugandans as we search for solutions to this passing phase of escalating commodity prices."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/324722-bujagali-hydro-power-works-on-track.html","content":" - WORKERS breaching the up-stream coffer dam to allow River Nile to revert to its original western channel and flow through the powerhouse and the newly-constructed concrete spillway. The coffer dam was removed at 3am on Sunday."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/325416-accounts-committee-investigates-sh97b-loss.html","content":" - By Mary Karugaba MPs are investigating circumstances under which the Government lost over sh97b paid to two companies as compensation for breach of contract. Appearing before the public accounts committee yesterday, the acting Solicitor General, Harriet Lwabi, said the compensation was paid out to Dura Cement (sh60b) and a French firm, Basir Read Bouygues, (sh37b). Lwabi said the Government entered into a mining contract with Dura Cement in 2006. According to the contract, Dura was to mine and set up a cement factory in Kamwenge district for 19 years. In 2007, the Government, through the Ministry of Defence, cancelled the contract and awarded it to Hima Cement. “The Government realised that a new proposal submitted by Hima was in the best investment interest of Uganda and that the agreement between Dura and theGovernment be terminated,” Lwabi said. Dura, however, sued the Government in the Commercial Court seeking to recover compensation for allegedly cancelling their contract without notice. The company demanded compensation for the loss incurred due to breach of the contract and the earnings it would have made for the agreed 21-year period."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/326308-company-sued-over-breach-of-contract.html","content":" - By CHRIS KIWAWULO WHEN Godfrey Korinako Atuheire heard about an entrepreneurial competition with a sh50m grand prize in 2007, he thought of how to recycle used paper. Then in his last year at Makerere University where he was pursuing a Bachelors of science in wood science and technology degree, Atuheire took part in the Commonwealth Finance Solutions (CFS) “Show Me the Money” challenge. He submitted a proposal on paper recycling and competed with over 8,000 people. At the end of the challenge, all the judges were convinced with Atuheire’s paper recycling presentation and duly announced him as the overall winner. However, Atuhaire has never got the sh50m. Feeling cheated, the 28-year-old has taken the matter to court where he is suing CFS for breach of contract. Atuheire said he had used at least three lawyers whom he suspects were compromised. He has hired yet another lawyer who has assured him that he would pursue the case to its logical conclusion. In his current civil suit filed through Mpeirwe and company advocates at Mengo magistrate court, Atuheire wants damages amounting to sh50m and any other relief that court deems fit. Daily Monitor newspaper in partnership with Ezra Track Team Board (ETTB) and CFS organised the challenge which was aired live on Nation Television. The organisers premised the challenge on harnessing entrepreneurial energy by offering startup capital to anyone who would conceive an original business idea. At the end of the challenge, a total of sh140m was to be won by seven people. The overall winner, (Atuheire) was to get sh50m, and six other people would get sh15m each. New Vision has, however, learnt that the six other young entrepreneurs who qualified to get sh15m each have also never received the money. Asked why he did not include Daily monitor, NTV and ETTB in the suit, Atuheire said Daily Monitor and NTV did publicity for the competition, while ETTB owned by embattled Mike Ezra paid for supplying papers to university students country-wide to vote for the winners. “All the partners referred me to CFS for my money,” said Atuhaire."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/327635-shilling-may-breach-2-400-level.html","content":" - By Vision Reporter THE shilling fell against the dollar for the third day running on Thursday and it was expected to slide further ahead of presidential elections on Friday, traders said. The shilling was quoted at 2,383/88 per dollar, down from 2,376/2,381 at Wednesday’s close. The currency touched a record low of 2,395/40 on January 18. Some traders said the shilling could breach the psychological level of 2,400 if the Central Bank stays out of the market and if concerns about potential post-election violence persist. The Bank of Uganda injected dollars into the market on Tuesday but it failed to stop the shilling ending the session lower. “I think we will touch 2,400,” said Lucas Ochieng, a trader at Orient Bank. “We should have expected a quiet day but one or two corporates might want dollars because next week marks the end of the month and they may think demand will build up so now could be a good opportunity,” he said. When the shilling tumbled to its fifth record low of the year on January 18, the Bank of Uganda said it would take an aggressive stance on the exchange rate. It has pumped tens of millions of dollars into the market to halt the downward spiral. Some traders, however, said business could be flat as people wait for the elections to finish. “I think most people are out of the market until the elections are finished,” Phillip Ssali of Standard Chartered Bank, said. “As long as it’s not depreciating too much I think the Central Bank can stay out until afterwards, too.”"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/328641-mp-apiliga-wanted-by-moyo-police.html","content":" - By FRANCIS APILIGA Dr. Moses Apiliga, the incumbent MP for West Moyo County is wanted by Police in Moyo for breach of electoral law. The district Police commander Ahmed Kimera said Apiliga on Thursday campaigned up to 10:00pm in Metu quarters. According to Moyo’s electoral commission office records, there were about 80 people who attended Apiliga’s night rally. On Saturday, Apiliga again campaigned up to 11:00pm in Logoba parish. The Electoral Commission campaign guidelines requires that candidates end rallies by 6:00pm."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/604487-resolve-dispute-through-dialogue.html","content":" - THE tenants of the Nakawa and Naguru housing estate have sued the Government alleging breach of agreement. The tenants are seeking to block their eviction by January 8, 2011 to pave way for the redevelopment of the estates. The ministry of local government issued an eviction notice on December 15, 2010 and it was expected that the fencing of the estate will start on January 9, 2011. But the tenants argue that the eviction was in breach of the memorandum of understanding they signed with the Government. The tenants are demanding that they be resettled elsewhere. The tenants are also insisting that their interest in the land must be guaranteed before they are evicted. However, the local government minister Adolf Mwesige says the memorandum tenants signed withr the Government does not include provision of alternative accommodation. In August this year, the Government set up a tribunal to handle the tenants’ complaints. Subsequently the tenants and the Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding under which, among other things, the Government offered the tenants first opportunity to buy and own the new flats at a subsidised price. It is unfortunate that the dispute over the redevelopment of the Nakawa and Naguru estate has dragged on since 2007 and rendered it quite impossible for the developer, Opec Prime Properties Ltd, a UK-based construction firm, to carry out the project. The Government has demonstrated its readiness to engage the tenants in dialogue. The tenants, therefore, should revisit their decision to go to court. The two parties should, instead, resolve their outstanding disagreements through dialogue."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/604535-naguru-nakawa-estate-tenants-sue-govt.html","content":" - By Andante Okanya TENANTS of the Nakawa-Naguru housing estate have sued the Government for breach of agreement. The tenants filed a suit on Tuesday at the High Court in Kampala against an eviction notice to leave the estate on January 8, 2011 to pave way for its redevelopment. The eviction notice dated December 15, 2010 was issued by the local government ministry. The fencing of the estate is set to start on January 9, 2011. But the aggrieved tenants said the eviction was in “contravention of the memorandum of understanding” signed with the Government between 2007 and January 2008. They say evicting them “without guaranteeing their interest in the land” will breach the memorandum of understanding. The tenants say under the agreement, each registered tenant was given “first priority to purchase” a house. The also say evicting them without resettling them first will breach their right to shelter. But local government minister Adolf Mwesige said the memorandum does not include provision of alternative accommodation. “They should trust the Government and leave. We will give them flats after completion as agreed,” Mwesige said. Alongside the Attorney General, also sued are the Uganda Land Commission and the developer, Opec Prime Properties Limited, a UK-based construction firm. According to official figures, there are 1,747 tenants. Both estates were condemned in 1994 by the health ministry as unfit for human habitation. In 2007, the Government contracted Opec to redevelop the estate into two satellite towns, with residential, commercial, and recreational facilities. The redevelopment had been scheduled to start in February 2008 but was delayed due to the queries. The tenants insist that Opec won the contract without following the public procurement and disposal of public assets procedures. Naguru housing estate has 753 housing units on 37 hectares, while Nakawa has 932 units on 29 hectares. They were all built in the 1950s."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/608226-govt-loses-sh1b-in-botched-deal.html","content":" - By Mary Karugaba THE Government has lost sh1.3b in legal costs to a private firm for breach of contract to develop and manage Namanve Industrial Park. According to documents presented to the public accounts committee yesterday by the accounting officer of the finance ministry, the Government paid the money to Xpectrade 245 (PTY) Limited, a South African company. The money was advanced to Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) in 2007 by the finance ministry, but it was never accounted for. According to the Finance and Accountability Act, advances are supposed to be accounted for within 60 days. Documents showed that payments were done by July 30, 2008, but UIA books of account for the year 2008 indicated that the money was still on the account. According to Dr. Maggie Kigozi, the UIA executive director, the Government signed a contract with the firm in 2006 to develop and manage the park. However, the plan was later changed to a private-public partnership agreement. Kigozi and officials from the finance ministry, led by the undersecretary, Betty Kasimbazi, were appearing before the committee to answer queries raised by the Auditor General in a report for the year 2008. The MPs accused the investment officials of rushing to make an agreement with the firm without plans for the park. The committee demanded that the officials who signed the contract be brought to book. The officials were also grilled over sh3b that was spent to purchase 619 acres of land in Mbale. The land was allegedly purchased from Bugisu Cooperative Union without following the PPDA Act. The auditor said although the title has been transferred to UIA, the Government may not obtain possession of the land because almost 80% of the land is occupied by over 250 squatters. “These have since taken UIA and Bugisu Cooperative Union (BCU) to court for trespass,” the report stated. “The law says you are not supposed to evict people from their land, why did you purchase land that was encumbered? Why did you also sign an agreement with a board whose members’ term had expired?” MP Tom Kazibwe asked as BCU chairman Nandala Mafabi looked on. “I will not chair the meeting,” Mafabi said. Kigozi asked for more time to offer an explanation. The committee also queried advances amounting to sh5.9b to settle teachers’ salary arrears. The MPs wondered how the arrears arose given that teachers are on the payroll."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/612199-aya-investments-loses-court-suit.html","content":" - By Hillary Nsambu Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire of the Commercial Court has ordered Aya Investments to pay Hansa and Lloyds, a consultancy firm, over sh13.4m as consultancy fees. The judge also awarded Hansa and Lloyds sh2m as nominal damages against Aya Investments for breach of contract. Aya Investments had denied any business dealings with Hansa and Lloyds. Its lawyer, Godfrey Lule, had said another firm, Knick Waks Certified Public Accounts, provided the services for which Hansa and Lloyds claimed payment. Hansa and Lloyds had originally sought over sh600m as consultancy services fees, but the court said there was no evidence that the firm had an agreement for that amount."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/616026-nssf-officials-admit-breaching-procedures.html","content":" - By Milton Olupot THE former chairman of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) procurement committee yesterday said procurement procedures were flouted due to pressure to deliver. Sam Mpiima, who was also the fund’s chief operations officer, told the Parliament committee probing the mismanagement of the fund that he eventually became uncomfortable with the procurement methods and resigned. “I was under pressure to deliver, just like everybody else. Clients were not getting their monthly statements and people were not being paid their money because machines were down,” he said. Mpiima admitted that there was conflict of interest in the hiring of Comtel Integrators Africa, an IT company, to support the Fund’s Integrated Management Information System. He, however, added that they could not see the conflict of interest due to pressure. Comtel was paid $5.4m (over sh11b), but the system continued failing. Asked who was responsible for flouting the procurement systems, Mpiima said the embattled former MD David Chandi Jamwa was to blame. The committee is investigating the officials on the basis of queries raised in the Auditor General report on the Fund’s operations between February 2005 and November 2009. Jamwa was on June 22 remanded to Luzira Prison by the Anti-Corruption Court. He faces charges of corruption and abuse of office brought against him by the Inspector General of Government. He is accused of causing a financial loss of sh2.7b to NSSF. The pension fund’s head of procurement, Alex Muhoozi, and procurement officer Josephine Kaheru were grilled over several suspicious procurements, including the procurement of only 60 cars, instead of the 67 which had been approved. They also failed to explain why they did not follow procedures in procuring private legal services and a private investigator, Freddie Egesa, who was paid sh82m for a three-month contract. Kaheru accepted responsibility for failure to get the profiles of the lawyers and law firms that were given contracts to run the Fund’s legal matters. Kaheru laboured to convince the committee that she did her part to sensitise and guide the management on procurement issues in vain. “What was your role as the procurement department, were you just a conduit taking water from Muyenga to Ntinda? You acted as sewers taking in everything that was brought to you. You did not advise,” committee chairman Reagan Okumu said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/617608-agent-wants-sh13b-for-national-id-deal.html","content":" - By Hillary Nsambu A city commission agent, John Katto, has dragged a German firm, Muhlbauer High Tech International, to court alleging a breach of contract, seeking to recover over euros6m (about sh13b). Muhlbauer High Tech International was contracted by the Government to update the voters’ register for 2011 general elections and to produce the national identity cards for Ugandans. Katto also sued Muehlbauer Uganda Limited, together with the Muhlbauer High Tech International. According to the complaint, which Katto filed in the Commercial Court on May 24 through Okello-Oryem and Company Advocates, the company instructed him, as a commission agent, to procure the contract for it and that it had been agreed upon that he would be paid 10% of the total amount for the deal. Katto alleges that in 2009, he received instruction from the company representative, Dietmar Ernemann, upon whose instruction he secured for the company the deal to update the voters’ register and the national ID project. The job of updating the voters’ register that is estimated to be worth euros 64m (about sh185b) and is in progress throughout the country, is slated to be concluded on June 14. However, Muhlbauer High Tech International, which is represented by Muwema, Mugerwa Advocates and Solicitors, denies dealing with Katto in respect to the deals. According to the statement of defence, Muhlbauer High Tech International is just a brand logo, which has no corporate personality and is thus not capable of suing or being sued. The statement also says Muehlbauer Uganda Limited is a Ugandan registered company, and not a German corporate entity, as Katto’s complaint seems to imply. Muhlbauer High Tech International and Muehlbauer Uganda limited have, therefore, also asked the court to reject Katto’s claim on the grounds that they have never had any contractual relationship with Katto. The defendants say they would demand proof from Katto to show the alleged bid for the voter registration and biometric identification system in 2009. They also demand proof of Katto’s alleged appointment to play a role in helping them (companies) to secure the deals."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/618222-establish-leadership-code-tribunal.html","content":" - THE Inspector General of Government has again lost another landmark case involving the removal of a public servant from office and seizure of his assets for alleged breach of the Leadership Code of Conduct. The High Court ruled that it was improper for the IGG to cause dismissal of Nestor Gasasira as the Ministry of Health principal accountant and seize his wealth for breach of the code. Gasasira, according to the IGG, has wealth that is beyond his income. He also allegedly did not declare some of the wealth as required by the Leadership Code. After investigations, the IGG ordered Gasasira’s dismissal and seizure of his wealth. But Gasasira went to the Court challenging the IGG’s decision. The Court reasoned that the IGG never gave Gasasira a fair hearing. Above all, the removal of Gasasira was a matter that should have been decided on by a Leadership Code Tribunal and not the IGG. Article 235 (a) of the Constitution provides for a Leadership Code Tribunal whose composition and functions are to be prescribed by Parliament by law. The tribunal is intended to adjudicate in cases involving breaches of the Leadership Code. Gasasira’s case is the third that the IGG has lost relating to the removal from office over issues relating to the Leadership Code. Recently, the IGG also lost a case against former legislator Ken Lukyamuzi who was removed from Parliament in 2005 for not declaring his wealth. The IGG had also lost a case against Maj. Roland Kakooza Mutale who had also been dismissed as presidential advisor again over wealth declarations. The absence of the Leadership Code Tribunal has been cited as a fundamental flaw in all these cases. While the Constitution gives the Inspectorate of Government powers to enforce the Leadership Code, it also provides for a tribunal to hear cases involving breaches of the Leadership Code and mete out punishment against those guilty. The absence of the tribunal has frustrated efforts to enforce the Code. It is, therefore, important that the establishment of the tribunal is expedited."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/618394-igg-loses-case-on-gasasira-assets.html","content":" - By Edward Anyoli THE Inspectorate of Government (IGG), Raphael Baku, has lost a case in which he was seeking dismissal of Nestor Gasasaira as principal accountant in the Ministry of Health and to seize his wealth for breach of the Leadership Code. High Court Justice Yorokamu Bamwine yesterday ruled that the IGG had not offered Gasasira an opportunity to defend himself against the accusation brought against him. The court also ordered the Government to pay costs to Gasasira and that the caveats, which were placed on his properties be lifted. The IGG had accused Gasasira of not declaring his wealth and failing to explain its source. He argued that Gasasira’s wealth did not correspond with his income. Gasasira, through his lawyer, Geoffrey Kandeebe, dragged the IGG to court challenging his move, saying he had worked for 31 years to acquire the wealth, jointly owned by his wife, who also works as an accountant. According to the IGG, Gasasira owns a residential house at Nyakabande in Kisoro district and flats on two plots in Banda, Kyambogo worth sh548m. He is also said to own a plot on Lake Drive Luzira valued at sh330m, a plot on Luthuli Avenue in Bugolobi worth sh200m, a plot on Bukoto Crescent valued at sh30m, a Land Cruiser worth sh31m and a block- making machine worth sh17m. In his report, the IGG said Gasasira deposited sh102m into his Sagimex bank account in 2003, sh162.5m in 2004 and sh60m in 2005. He further deposited sh57m, sh130m in 2004 and sh52.3m in 2005 but “failed to explain the sources of the money.” Giving his ruling, Justice Bamwine, citing the recent Supreme Court judgement in John Ken Lukyamuzi’s case against the Inspectorate of Government, said it was improper for the IGG to act as a tribunal that would hear the case and at the same time order for Gasasira’s dismissal and seizure of his assets. He said it was also wrong not to give Gasasira fair hearing. “I have no doubt that the investigation into this case was conducted behind the appellant’s back,” Bamwine said. He added that although the Constitution gives the IGG powers to enforce the leadership code, it should also act within other laws. Gasasira’s lawyer argued that the IGG should not have acted without properly investigating the matter."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/621608-heritage-could-drag-tullow-to-court-over-breach-of-agreement.html","content":" - By Ibrahim Kasita A DEAL to buy $1.5b oil fields owned by Heritage Oil has hit a snag, threatening investment in Uganda’s nascent oil and gas industry.Tullow Oil and Heritage are joint partners in two oil fields, blocks 1 and 3A. Tullow wants to buy out Heritage and the process is ongoing after the two entered into a sales and purchase agreement. This was after Tullow pre-empted Italian firm, Eni’s earlier bid to buy the assets and the consent to transfer them signed on January 26, subject to the Government approval. Heritage has, however, raised concern over Tullow’s delay in approving the transactions, lack of disclosure, transparency and information sharing. In a March 23 letter to Hilary Onek, the energy minister and the permanent secretary, Fred Kabagambe-Kaliisa, wants an explanation for the delay. “Any delay in the approval process puts at risk the needed investment in infrastructure that, once made, will benefit the entire country,” Heritage stated through their lawyer, Robert Brant. The firm indicated that the approval process and transfer of the oil fields would have been finalised by the end of last month. “This is the timetable that both Tullow and heritage have communicated to the shareholders and other stakeholders,” Heritage pointed out. It said since the deadline had not been met, Heritage needed to know the cause of the delay to explain to shareholders why the process was taking longer that expected. It added that this would help the firm to decide whether the delay was justified or not. Brian Glover, the Tullow managing director for Uganda operations, admitted there were delays in the process. But he pointed out that Tullow was about to complete its pre-emption and farm-down process. “While getting the Government consent letter may have taken longer than originally anticipatated, we are confident that all required due diligence has been followed and outcome will stand the test of time,” he stated in an e-mail to The New Vision. He added that creating partnership with strong international players, they would accelerate the development and production of Uganda’s oil. Glover claimed that the process was in the best national interests of Uganda and, therefore, the Government should not be hurried by any party. He added that it was unreasonable to expect such a process to take a few months to be completed, saying they have to follow regulations. Under the sales and purchase agreement of blocks 1 and 3A, Tullow is obliged to keep Heritage informed of the progress about the Government’s written consent, according to the lawyers. Tullow is also expected to give Heritage the opportunity to comment on any submissions, notifications or filings made to the Government in relations to the Blocks 1 and 3A transactions. “Tullow has failed to do so, thus, breaching its contractual obligations to Heritage,” Heritage’s lawyer explained. “Apart from the legal consequences of this, we would like to understand the nature of the submissions, notifications that Tullow has made and their impact on the Government’s lack of consent, thus far, to the proposed transfer of the Heritage interests to Tullow.” Heritage wonders whether such consent has been withheld or delayed unreasonably. Kabagambe-Kaliisa told The New Vision in an interview that the transaction has strong implications on Uganda’s economy. “We don’t want to have a monopolistic situation. The Government also has to evaluate the transaction in a transparent manner,” he said, adding that he was not allowed to divulge any information he gets from Heritage, Tullow or any other key player in the industry. According to Heritage, Tullow said it had a written a confirmation from the Government supporting its takeover of Heritage’s interests in the two blocks. The firm said it relied on this warranty and representation when it signed the takeover deal with Tullow on January 26 because “we were assured any delays that may occur in getting the Government’s consent to the deal would be minimal. “We are particularly keen to discover whether the above representation was false when Tullow announced the pre-emption deal on January 17. “This explains the reasons for the delays and would imply that the terms of the agreement were procured by wrongly in breach of the warranty.” If found to be true, it entitles Heritage to apply for an order to rescind the agreement and/or damages.” However, Heritage stated that it was committed to the transaction with Tullow. It cautioned that if Tullow misled them to sign the agreement when it was aware it had no written confirmation from the Government supporting the transaction, Heritage will call its cancellation, and/or seek damages. The firm said there were willing investors now and it would like to assist the Government to do everything possible to secure the investment quickly. It added that further delays in approval the deal may taint Uganda’s image as an investment destination. “We know the Government will be concerned that if the process is slow there is a risk that the investment may not remain committed to the country,” Heritage said. “Further delays will also put the assets themselves at risk because while the proposed sale to Tullow is effectively in limbo, the Government cannot expect significant investments or activity to be pursued in the blocks.” However, in a dramatic move, Heritage yesterday announced that it had received a letter from the Government supporting the sell and transfer of its assets to Tullow. The Government, it added, would conclude reviewing the transaction within eight weeks. This means that Heritage will get the formal consent and conclude the transaction."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/624405-govt-to-pay-37b-penalty-to-french-firm.html","content":" - By Mary Karugaba and Milton Olupot THE Government has been forced to pay sh37b to a French firm, Basir Read Bouygues, for breach of contract. The company in February 2004 won the sh85b contract to rehabilitate the 73km Jinja-Bugiri road, funded by the European Union. Justice minister Khiddu Makubuya said the money was awarded to the firm after the arbitration tribunal in France and South Africa ruled that it was wrong for the Government not to modify the contract after a change in the Value Added Tax law. The arbitrators also ruled that the Government failed to notify the changes in asphalt specification to the firm within reasonable time. Makubuya explained that after negotiations conducted in Paris in June 2009, the Government agreed to pay the firm 13m euros by October 31, 2009. “On October 21, the Attorney General approved that the Government pays euro 13m as its best option and accordingly a settlement agreement was concluded,” he said. He was responding to questions raised by the legal and parliamentary affairs committee on supplementary expenditure. Makubuya wants the funds through a supplementary budget. In February 2005, the contractors terminated the contract on grounds that the Government had delayed to make payments of VAT and to make a decision regarding modification of asphalt specifications. Other reasons were that the Government did not amend the contract to provide for compensation to the firm for changes in VAT law. The firm said the Government did not take appropriate measures to mitigate the effects of unexpected cables and utilities on the project site and did not supply original project drawings and design data within the prescribed time. But the Government regarded the termination as invalid and argued that issues raised by the contractor were being addressed with a view of giving the firm compensation and extension of time. Makubuya explained that when the two parties failed to reach an amicable resolution, the firm took the matter for arbitration in London, seeking euros 18m (about sh48b). “We called on the advance payment guarantees that had been issued by banks in France and South Africa but again the firm challenged the calls in the courts of law in both countries.” Makubuya said out of the five grounds presented by the firm, the tribunal upheld only two, saving the Government sh2.3b and euro 9.7 million. “The implication of this ruling was that although the Government succeeded in challenging the other three grounds, the two grounds won by the firm meant that their termination was valid,” he said. Scrutinising the supplementary budget yesterday, MPs were shocked to find that despite the minister’s assurance that the Government would win the case, the ministry is looking for funds to compensate the firm. “The minister lied to us that this was a good case. He never came back to inform us that we had lost the case,” Geoffrey Ekanya (FDC) complained. Nathan Byanyima (NRM) wondered why the ministry waited to pay and included the money in the supplementary budget."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/625612-makubuya-should-know-better.html","content":" - MENGO remains adamant on the issue of CBS. Buganda’s attorney general, Apollo Makubuya, does not see any wrong committed by the Buganda-kingdom owned radio station. Instead, he wants the Government to apologise for what he calls breach of the Constitution and the loss of lives. Makubuya is old enough to know the key role played by Radio Mille Collines in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, for which its founder received life imprisonment by the UN tribunal. General Romeo Dallaire, the then commander of the UN peacekeeping operation, testified that jamming its broadcasts would have had a significant impact on the course of events. Makubuya is also intelligent enough to see the similarities between the messages disseminated by CBS and Mille Collines’ racist propaganda. CBS told its listeners that the enemy, identified as “people with long noses”, was invading their territory, threatening to kill them and take away the source of their wealth — land —; and called upon the Baganda to take action. The radio accused the Government of a hidden agenda of killing Baganda and grabbing their land. “People are sliced to death in Buganda.” It called for a boycott against millet porridge and matooke from Western Uganda, and supermarkets owned by people from the west. “When you engage in a battle, you have to engage in it conclusively,” said Evelyn Nakiryowa in one of the talkshows. “If we realise that the battle is not progressing, we will blacklist all the Baganda who got married to those people (Banyankole), and those who married them, and also work on them.” Three days before the riots, CBS told the Baganda to “chase away people who they think betray Buganda; such people should not go back and be safe in their homes.” And on September 10, the day the riots broke out, the radio called upon Baganda to escort the Kabaka “prepared to engage the enemy”. Makubuya must also have noticed how CBS broadcasts mobilised the youth to erect road blocks within hours in different parts of Buganda, where people who looked like westerners or could not sing the Buganda anthem were beaten up. Mengo should recognise these facts, which are on record, and learn from history."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/532957-suspended-official-accuses-miria-of-constitution-breach.html","content":" - By Jeff Lule A SUSPENDED Uganda People’s Congress senior official has accused the party president of violating the party constitution for her own interests. The former party chairman, Patrick Rubaihayo, said Miria Kalule Obote bypassed the proper procedures in suspending him and three others. “The constitution is very clear. She has no right to suspend any official without the consent of the National Council,” Rubaihayo said on Tuesday while appearing on the Talk of the Nation, a weekday talkshow on Vision Voice FM radio hosted by Paul Busharizi. Rubaihayo and colleagues, Livingstone Okello Okello, Peter Walubiri and Chris Opio were suspended for allegedly attempting to usurp the executive powers of the party. However, they have gone to court to challenge the descision. “It is true the party president has the powers but the constitution states that after any reshuffle, the National Council must approve. But this was not followed,” Rubaihayo argued."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/557897-suspended-official-accuses-miria-of-constitution-breach.html","content":" - By Jeff Lule A SUSPENDED Uganda People’s Congress senior official has accused the party president of violating the party constitution for her own interests. The former party chairman, Patrick Rubaihayo, said Miria Kalule Obote bypassed the proper procedures in suspending him and three others. “The constitution is very clear. She has no right to suspend any official without the consent of the National Council,” Rubaihayo said on Tuesday while appearing on the Talk of the Nation, a weekday talkshow on Vision Voice FM radio hosted by Paul Busharizi. Rubaihayo and colleagues, Livingstone Okello Okello, Peter Walubiri and Chris Opio were suspended for allegedly attempting to usurp the executive powers of the party. However, they have gone to court to challenge the descision. “It is true the party president has the powers but the constitution states that after any reshuffle, the National Council must approve. But this was not followed,” Rubaihayo argued."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/534498-upc-suspends-four-senior-officials.html","content":" - By Josephine Maseruka THE Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) has suspended four long-time senior members for “breaching the party constitution”. The four are also accused of attempting to “usurp the executive powers of the party”, party president Miria Kalule Obote said in a statement yesterday. Among the suspended was Livingstone Okello Okello, the MP for Chwa. He was the vice-president until June when he was replaced by Al-haji Badru Wegulo. Also affected is Peter Walubiri, who had been the secretary general until June when he was replaced by Chris Opoka. Former national chairman Patrick Rubaihayo and former vice-chairman Chris Opio were also asked to step aside. The party diehards are accused of attending a secret meeting in Lugogo, Kampala on October 3, where they discussed party matters. In a statement read by Wegulo at the party’s weekly press briefing at Uganda House, Obote accused the officials of being the brain behind the meeting which was organised by the East Africa Law Watch, an advocacy group. She said the group was neither an organ nor a committee of the party. As such, she said, it had no business discussing party matters and taking decisions on elections and establishment of party structures. Miria Obote said the meeting was organised by eminent UPC members, which was tantamount to “a rebellion against the constitution and party leadership”. She argued that whatever transpired at the meeting was null and void and must be ignored by the UPC membership. Contacted for a comment, Okello Okello feigned ignorance of his sacking as did the other three officials. Okello Okello, however, said they did nothing wrong and were being victimised. He said as the head of the party’s constitutional making body, he knew that such meetings are allowed and that many of them had taken place in the past. “How many such meetings has the party organised and have been sponsored by bodies or organs like the East Africa Law Watch?” he asked. The suspension comes at a time when the party has announced a roadmap to the 2011 general elections. The national treasurer, Patrick Mwondha, yesterday said any person who wanted to contest for the presidential seat must submit a written request to the party secretariat by October 31. Registration of party members from village level across the country will end by the same date, he said. Mwondha added that UPC had divided the country into Groups A and B. Group A covers Bukedi, Elgon, Teso, Lango, Acholi, West Nile, and Karamoja. Branch (village) elections take place on November 2, parish and sub-county elections on November 4 and 6 respectively. Group B covers Buganda, Busoga, Bunyoro, Rwenzori, Ankole and south-western Uganda. They are slated to hold their branch meetings on November 8, parish and sub-county elections on November 10 and 14 respectively, Wegulo explained. Wegulo said dates for the national and district elections would be announced later. Miria Obote stood for president in 2006 and lost. Her son, Jimmy Akena, is interested in standing in 2011."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/559438-upc-suspends-four-senior-officials.html","content":" - By Josephine Maseruka THE Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) has suspended four long-time senior members for “breaching the party constitution”. The four are also accused of attempting to “usurp the executive powers of the party”, party president Miria Kalule Obote said in a statement yesterday. Among the suspended was Livingstone Okello Okello, the MP for Chwa. He was the vice-president until June when he was replaced by Al-haji Badru Wegulo. Also affected is Peter Walubiri, who had been the secretary general until June when he was replaced by Chris Opoka. Former national chairman Patrick Rubaihayo and former vice-chairman Chris Opio were also asked to step aside. The party diehards are accused of attending a secret meeting in Lugogo, Kampala on October 3, where they discussed party matters. In a statement read by Wegulo at the party’s weekly press briefing at Uganda House, Obote accused the officials of being the brain behind the meeting which was organised by the East Africa Law Watch, an advocacy group. She said the group was neither an organ nor a committee of the party. As such, she said, it had no business discussing party matters and taking decisions on elections and establishment of party structures. Miria Obote said the meeting was organised by eminent UPC members, which was tantamount to “a rebellion against the constitution and party leadership”. She argued that whatever transpired at the meeting was null and void and must be ignored by the UPC membership. Contacted for a comment, Okello Okello feigned ignorance of his sacking as did the other three officials. Okello Okello, however, said they did nothing wrong and were being victimised. He said as the head of the party’s constitutional making body, he knew that such meetings are allowed and that many of them had taken place in the past. “How many such meetings has the party organised and have been sponsored by bodies or organs like the East Africa Law Watch?” he asked. The suspension comes at a time when the party has announced a roadmap to the 2011 general elections. The national treasurer, Patrick Mwondha, yesterday said any person who wanted to contest for the presidential seat must submit a written request to the party secretariat by October 31. Registration of party members from village level across the country will end by the same date, he said. Mwondha added that UPC had divided the country into Groups A and B. Group A covers Bukedi, Elgon, Teso, Lango, Acholi, West Nile, and Karamoja. Branch (village) elections take place on November 2, parish and sub-county elections on November 4 and 6 respectively. Group B covers Buganda, Busoga, Bunyoro, Rwenzori, Ankole and south-western Uganda. They are slated to hold their branch meetings on November 8, parish and sub-county elections on November 10 and 14 respectively, Wegulo explained. Wegulo said dates for the national and district elections would be announced later. Miria Obote stood for president in 2006 and lost. Her son, Jimmy Akena, is interested in standing in 2011."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/560783-court-orders-damages-for-kanta-breach.html","content":" - THE Commercial Court in Kampala has ordered Hawa Focus Enterprises to pay sh30m to Nanoomal Issardas Motiwalla (NIM) for illegally using its trademark of Kanta hair dye. Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire made the order on Thursday following consent between the two parties. The judge agreed with Matthias Ssekatawa representing NIM, who argued that by packaging and marketing products of Hawa hair dye, which resembled Kanta hair dye since 2007, the sale of NIM products was affected and financial loss caused. He added that by this action, Hawa Focus Enterprises derived unfair advantage basing on the reputation of NIM’s original and genuine products."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/535843-court-orders-damages-for-kanta-breach.html","content":" - THE Commercial Court in Kampala has ordered Hawa Focus Enterprises to pay sh30m to Nanoomal Issardas Motiwalla (NIM) for illegally using its trademark of Kanta hair dye. Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire made the order on Thursday following consent between the two parties. The judge agreed with Matthias Ssekatawa representing NIM, who argued that by packaging and marketing products of Hawa hair dye, which resembled Kanta hair dye since 2007, the sale of NIM products was affected and financial loss caused. He added that by this action, Hawa Focus Enterprises derived unfair advantage basing on the reputation of NIM’s original and genuine products."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/537857-was-the-protocol-intentionally-breached.html","content":" - EDITOR—I wish to congratulate the kingdom and the people of Buganda upon the successful commemoration of the 16th coronation anniversary of the Kabaka and the restoration of monarchs in Uganda. I am, however, dismayed by the serious breach of Uganda’s protocol when, during the celebrations, the Buganda anthem was sung before the Uganda National Anthem! This was done in the presence of Uganda’s Vice- President Gilbert Bukenya! I hope this happened by mere oversight rather than design. Buganda is known for its good morals and any form of disrespect is often seen with utmost contempt followed by the statement, “yeyisa nga'atali Muganda” (he doesn’t portray the character of a Muganda) towards anyone who behaves thus. I do not wish this statement to be directed towards the master of ceremonies of the day and the organisers in general for disrespecting the sovereignty of Uganda. Long live the Kabaka. Francis Wasagami Mbale"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/562797-was-the-protocol-intentionally-breached.html","content":" - EDITOR—I wish to congratulate the kingdom and the people of Buganda upon the successful commemoration of the 16th coronation anniversary of the Kabaka and the restoration of monarchs in Uganda. I am, however, dismayed by the serious breach of Uganda’s protocol when, during the celebrations, the Buganda anthem was sung before the Uganda National Anthem! This was done in the presence of Uganda’s Vice- President Gilbert Bukenya! I hope this happened by mere oversight rather than design. Buganda is known for its good morals and any form of disrespect is often seen with utmost contempt followed by the statement, “yeyisa nga'atali Muganda” (he doesn’t portray the character of a Muganda) towards anyone who behaves thus. I do not wish this statement to be directed towards the master of ceremonies of the day and the organisers in general for disrespecting the sovereignty of Uganda. Long live the Kabaka. Francis Wasagami Mbale"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/564237-teachers-post-bank-lock-horns-over-loans.html","content":" - By Lydia Namubiru TWENTY primary school headteachers in Masindi are locked in a disagreement with Post Bank Uganda over alleged breach of contract by the bank. The teachers have petitioned the Masindi chief administrative officer, saying Post Bank is making excessive deductions from their salaries to recover loans extended to them in 2006. In April 2006, the teachers took loans of sh2.5m from Post Bank, to be paid in monthly installments of sh107,000 over three years ending April 2009. Both parties agreed that the money would be deducted from the teachers’ salaries by the Bank of Uganda, through which public servants are paid. The central bank would then remit the money to Post Bank. The teachers claim that since November 2008, Post Bank started deducting the money directly from their personal accounts. This has resulted into double deductions, since the central bank is still deducting the repayment amounts as earlier agreed. “The bank has been using my salary balance to recover the loan, leaving me with nothing to run my family,” said one teacher. “Headteachers are no longer executing their duties properly. There are out there looking for money to feed their families,” said Kasimu Ssembuga, the chairman of the Masindi Headteachers Association. A primary school headteacher earns shs300,000 a month. With double deductions, the affected teachers are taking home sh86,000 for a month’s work. To compound the issue, the bank allegedly continued to deduct loan repayments three months after the agreed repayment period expired."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/539297-teachers-post-bank-lock-horns-over-loans.html","content":" - By Lydia Namubiru TWENTY primary school headteachers in Masindi are locked in a disagreement with Post Bank Uganda over alleged breach of contract by the bank. The teachers have petitioned the Masindi chief administrative officer, saying Post Bank is making excessive deductions from their salaries to recover loans extended to them in 2006. In April 2006, the teachers took loans of sh2.5m from Post Bank, to be paid in monthly installments of sh107,000 over three years ending April 2009. Both parties agreed that the money would be deducted from the teachers’ salaries by the Bank of Uganda, through which public servants are paid. The central bank would then remit the money to Post Bank. The teachers claim that since November 2008, Post Bank started deducting the money directly from their personal accounts. This has resulted into double deductions, since the central bank is still deducting the repayment amounts as earlier agreed. “The bank has been using my salary balance to recover the loan, leaving me with nothing to run my family,” said one teacher. “Headteachers are no longer executing their duties properly. There are out there looking for money to feed their families,” said Kasimu Ssembuga, the chairman of the Masindi Headteachers Association. A primary school headteacher earns shs300,000 a month. With double deductions, the affected teachers are taking home sh86,000 for a month’s work. To compound the issue, the bank allegedly continued to deduct loan repayments three months after the agreed repayment period expired."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/564852-police-accuses-dp-of-breaching-law.html","content":" - By Steven Candia and Winniefred Nanteza THE Police have accused the Democratic Party (DP) of breaching the law on rallies and processions so as to win political sympathy. The Police also warned that they would deal with anybody who held rallies without informing them. Speaking at the weekly Police press briefing recently, the deputy Police spokesperson, Samson Lubega, dismissed allegations that the Police only arrested DP supporters. “The Police does not only arrest DP supporters. They arrest people who violate laws,” Lubega said at the Kampala Central Police Station. He added that the law required anyone intending to hold a rally to inform the Police seven days in advance. Lubega noted that this was aimed at enabling the Police to provide the necessary logistics and manpower to ensure security. He warned that the law also applied to MPs planning to hold rallies in the constituencies. The Police last week stopped several rallies by DP, which were organised to oppose the proposed take-over of Kampala. Lubega explained that the rallies were stopped because the organisers had not informed the Police about them, which made them illegal. Meanwhile, the Police have arrested a man for allegedly masquerading as an official of Umeme, an electricity distribution company. Lubega said Steven Bagumya was arrested last Friday after he asked for money from Pradeep Thadani, the proprietor of Man About Town, a boutique in the city centre. Bagumya had promised to clear Thadani’s electricity bills, but Thadani called the Police."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/539912-police-accuses-dp-of-breaching-law.html","content":" - By Steven Candia and Winniefred Nanteza THE Police have accused the Democratic Party (DP) of breaching the law on rallies and processions so as to win political sympathy. The Police also warned that they would deal with anybody who held rallies without informing them. Speaking at the weekly Police press briefing recently, the deputy Police spokesperson, Samson Lubega, dismissed allegations that the Police only arrested DP supporters. “The Police does not only arrest DP supporters. They arrest people who violate laws,” Lubega said at the Kampala Central Police Station. He added that the law required anyone intending to hold a rally to inform the Police seven days in advance. Lubega noted that this was aimed at enabling the Police to provide the necessary logistics and manpower to ensure security. He warned that the law also applied to MPs planning to hold rallies in the constituencies. The Police last week stopped several rallies by DP, which were organised to oppose the proposed take-over of Kampala. Lubega explained that the rallies were stopped because the organisers had not informed the Police about them, which made them illegal. Meanwhile, the Police have arrested a man for allegedly masquerading as an official of Umeme, an electricity distribution company. Lubega said Steven Bagumya was arrested last Friday after he asked for money from Pradeep Thadani, the proprietor of Man About Town, a boutique in the city centre. Bagumya had promised to clear Thadani’s electricity bills, but Thadani called the Police."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/543283-dp-man-sworn-in-as-gomba-chief.html","content":" - By Alex Bukumunhe Anyone convicted of breaching electoral laws should be banned from contesting again, Democratic Party (DP) president John Sebaana Kizito has said. “The person who wins such a case in the court should just assume office instead of holding byelections,” Sebaana said. Sebaana was on Friday officiating at the swearing in of Elisa Mukasa Nkoyooyo (DP) who worn the Goma sub-county LC3 chairperson byelection in Mukono district. Nkoyooyo was sworn in by the assistant chief administrative officer for Mukono county, Hadijah Sebyala. Nkoyooyo was earlier removed from office on grounds of incompetence because he failed to elect his vice-chairperson. At the swearing in, Nkoyoyo announced his executive that included one member from the ruling National Resistance Movement. Nkoyoyo was, however, enraged when he realised that none of the sub-county councillors from the NRM had attended the ceremony."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/568223-dp-man-sworn-in-as-gomba-chief.html","content":" - By Alex Bukumunhe Anyone convicted of breaching electoral laws should be banned from contesting again, Democratic Party (DP) president John Sebaana Kizito has said. “The person who wins such a case in the court should just assume office instead of holding byelections,” Sebaana said. Sebaana was on Friday officiating at the swearing in of Elisa Mukasa Nkoyooyo (DP) who worn the Goma sub-county LC3 chairperson byelection in Mukono district. Nkoyooyo was sworn in by the assistant chief administrative officer for Mukono county, Hadijah Sebyala. Nkoyooyo was earlier removed from office on grounds of incompetence because he failed to elect his vice-chairperson. At the swearing in, Nkoyoyo announced his executive that included one member from the ruling National Resistance Movement. Nkoyoyo was, however, enraged when he realised that none of the sub-county councillors from the NRM had attended the ceremony."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/543911-india-to-launch-india-africa-website.html","content":" - By Jovita Ajuna in New Delhi, India IN an attempt to strengthen the relations and to breach information gaps between Africa and India, the Indian government has concluded plans to launch a website: “India-Africa Connect”. The Secretary in the Indian external affairs ministry, Vushnul Prakash, disclosed on Thursday that the website would enhance bilateral relationship, as well as cultural and economic ties between India and Africa. Prakash said India had spent over $5.4 billion (about sh11 trillion) in the last five years on capacity building, infrastructural development, agricultural and media relations in Africa The official was addressing participants at the Ministry of External Affairs in India during the on-going workshop for African journalists on writing and reporting for TV and newspapers. “We want to tell our own stories on the relationship existing between us and Africa. We don’t want the western media to do it for us any more,” Prakash said. “India-Africa Connect will deepen the understanding of media relations between Africa and India and intensify programmes on relationship between the two as independent entities. He also asked the heads of missions to co-operate with the external affairs ministry to have useful content on the website. The Ugandan High Commissioner to India, Nimisha Madhvani welcomed the idea and is optimistic that Uganda’s image will be widely sold in India. “Even our rural farmers and peasants will get the opportunity to be read about globally,” she said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/568851-india-to-launch-india-africa-website.html","content":" - By Jovita Ajuna in New Delhi, India IN an attempt to strengthen the relations and to breach information gaps between Africa and India, the Indian government has concluded plans to launch a website: “India-Africa Connect”. The Secretary in the Indian external affairs ministry, Vushnul Prakash, disclosed on Thursday that the website would enhance bilateral relationship, as well as cultural and economic ties between India and Africa. Prakash said India had spent over $5.4 billion (about sh11 trillion) in the last five years on capacity building, infrastructural development, agricultural and media relations in Africa The official was addressing participants at the Ministry of External Affairs in India during the on-going workshop for African journalists on writing and reporting for TV and newspapers. “We want to tell our own stories on the relationship existing between us and Africa. We don’t want the western media to do it for us any more,” Prakash said. “India-Africa Connect will deepen the understanding of media relations between Africa and India and intensify programmes on relationship between the two as independent entities. He also asked the heads of missions to co-operate with the external affairs ministry to have useful content on the website. The Ugandan High Commissioner to India, Nimisha Madhvani welcomed the idea and is optimistic that Uganda’s image will be widely sold in India. “Even our rural farmers and peasants will get the opportunity to be read about globally,” she said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/545730-gulu-hospital-sues-microcare.html","content":" - By Hillary Nsambu GULU Hospital has sued Microcare Health Limited and Microcare Insurance Limited, seeking to recover over sh100m for breach of contract. The Commercial Court has subsequently asked the two companies to file their defence within 15 days. Paragon Hospital and 10 other medical centres in Kampala recently petitioned the High Court seeking to wind up the Microcare companies over accusations that they failed to pay sh2b for services provided to them. Gulu Hospital, which is represented by M.B. Gimara Advocates, said it entered into a contract with the two companies in May 2005 to provide medical services to their members. However, the hospital adds that after it had fulfiled its obligations, the companies neglected or refused to pay the money amounting to over sh133m despite several reminders. The Gulu Hospital management said this caused the hospital grave financial loss and great inconvenience."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/570670-gulu-hospital-sues-microcare.html","content":" - By Hillary Nsambu GULU Hospital has sued Microcare Health Limited and Microcare Insurance Limited, seeking to recover over sh100m for breach of contract. The Commercial Court has subsequently asked the two companies to file their defence within 15 days. Paragon Hospital and 10 other medical centres in Kampala recently petitioned the High Court seeking to wind up the Microcare companies over accusations that they failed to pay sh2b for services provided to them. Gulu Hospital, which is represented by M.B. Gimara Advocates, said it entered into a contract with the two companies in May 2005 to provide medical services to their members. However, the hospital adds that after it had fulfiled its obligations, the companies neglected or refused to pay the money amounting to over sh133m despite several reminders. The Gulu Hospital management said this caused the hospital grave financial loss and great inconvenience."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/573564-two-firms-drag-warid-telecom-to-court-over-breach-of-contract.html","content":" - By Hillary Nsambu PUNCH Telecom (U) Ltd and Millennium Telecom Ltd have sued Warid Telecom for breach of contract. The two local companies filed their cases separately in the Commercial Court. They are accusing Warid of unlawfully and illegally terminating agreements in which it had allegedly given them rights to sell its products in Nateete and Wandegeya in Kampala and in the Lira sub-region, respectively. According to court records, Warid’s Lira sub-region network encompasses Lira, Oyam, Apac, Amolatar, Pader and Kitgum districts. Punch represented by Nsibambi and Nsibambi Advocates seeks to recover sh1,004,228,318 as special damages with interest of 25% plus general damages with a 6% interest, while Millennium represented by Ausi Twijukye and Company Advocates seeks to recover as special damages sh391,800, 000 plus general and punitive damages with a 30% interest. Both companies also seek to be awarded costs of the suits. However, Warid Telecom has denied the allegations and has asked court to dismiss the suits with costs. The Millennium case is before Justice Anup Singh Choudry. Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire will hear the Punch case on March 23."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/548624-two-firms-drag-warid-telecom-to-court-over-breach-of-contract.html","content":" - By Hillary Nsambu PUNCH Telecom (U) Ltd and Millennium Telecom Ltd have sued Warid Telecom for breach of contract. The two local companies filed their cases separately in the Commercial Court. They are accusing Warid of unlawfully and illegally terminating agreements in which it had allegedly given them rights to sell its products in Nateete and Wandegeya in Kampala and in the Lira sub-region, respectively. According to court records, Warid’s Lira sub-region network encompasses Lira, Oyam, Apac, Amolatar, Pader and Kitgum districts. Punch represented by Nsibambi and Nsibambi Advocates seeks to recover sh1,004,228,318 as special damages with interest of 25% plus general damages with a 6% interest, while Millennium represented by Ausi Twijukye and Company Advocates seeks to recover as special damages sh391,800, 000 plus general and punitive damages with a 30% interest. Both companies also seek to be awarded costs of the suits. However, Warid Telecom has denied the allegations and has asked court to dismiss the suits with costs. The Millennium case is before Justice Anup Singh Choudry. Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire will hear the Punch case on March 23."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/575383-nakawa-naguru-developer-sues-govt-for-sh950b.html","content":" - By Barbara Among The Nakawa-Naguru property developers, Luke and Brian Comer, have served the Government with a notice to sue for breach of contract. Opec Prime Properties Ltd, a company controlled by the brothers, is taking the action following a series of delays to a $300m (sh570b) redevelopment project on 160 acres of land in the Kampala suburbs. The company issued the formal notice of its intention to sue the Government and recover $500m (sh960b) resulting from the halt of the controversial Nakawa-Naguru project and subsequent land deals. In its notice served to the attorney general last week, Opec said it would ‘‘seek special and general damages and interest thereon together amounting to $500 million plus costs, of the suit for breach of the public-private partnership agreement entered into the Government of Uganda’’. The company is represented by David Mpanga of Kampala Associated Advocates. Government signed a public-private partnership agreement with Opec in 2006, a company set up by the Comer Homes Group to redevelop the dilapidated Naguru-Nakawa estates into a modern satellite town. The project involves the construction of 1,700 flats and related amenities for low-income earners. The redevelopment of the estates was initiated by Kampala City Council in 1997, but the Government took over the project in 2005 following a row between the council and tenants over rights. However, a row between the former local government minister , Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire and the Inspector General of Government (IGG) has stalled the project. The IGG, Justice Faith Mwondha, halted the redevelopment in 2005. However, her investigation into the procurement process of the redeveloper went on until late last year when she handed over her report to President Yoweri Museveni, who is yet to responded. Mwondha said the contract was awarded ‘‘because of massive collusion, gross irregularities and illegalities, corruption and abuse of authority of public office’’. The ombudsman accused the redeveloper of submitting an illegal bid for a contract, which would have seen the businessmen build 5,000 houses in the area. Comer Homes has strenuously disputed the findings in the report, saying the IGG was dishonest in some of her findings. The redeveloper has been backed by Museveni when he asked: “Why should an investor suffer for mistakes of an official?” at a press conference on December 21 last year. The deal with the Government also involved the construction of several modern residential, commercial, institutional and hospitality units. The project is expected to take about 10 years and will create 15,000 jobs. Comer Homes is estimated to have assets worth more than £1b (sh2800b). Many of the group’s companies are owned by a Channel Islands firm, Project Developments Consulting. In 2005, the Comers were linked to a bid to buy Aston Villa football club in the UK."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/550443-nakawa-naguru-developer-sues-govt-for-sh950b.html","content":" - By Barbara Among The Nakawa-Naguru property developers, Luke and Brian Comer, have served the Government with a notice to sue for breach of contract. Opec Prime Properties Ltd, a company controlled by the brothers, is taking the action following a series of delays to a $300m (sh570b) redevelopment project on 160 acres of land in the Kampala suburbs. The company issued the formal notice of its intention to sue the Government and recover $500m (sh960b) resulting from the halt of the controversial Nakawa-Naguru project and subsequent land deals. In its notice served to the attorney general last week, Opec said it would ‘‘seek special and general damages and interest thereon together amounting to $500 million plus costs, of the suit for breach of the public-private partnership agreement entered into the Government of Uganda’’. The company is represented by David Mpanga of Kampala Associated Advocates. Government signed a public-private partnership agreement with Opec in 2006, a company set up by the Comer Homes Group to redevelop the dilapidated Naguru-Nakawa estates into a modern satellite town. The project involves the construction of 1,700 flats and related amenities for low-income earners. The redevelopment of the estates was initiated by Kampala City Council in 1997, but the Government took over the project in 2005 following a row between the council and tenants over rights. However, a row between the former local government minister , Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire and the Inspector General of Government (IGG) has stalled the project. The IGG, Justice Faith Mwondha, halted the redevelopment in 2005. However, her investigation into the procurement process of the redeveloper went on until late last year when she handed over her report to President Yoweri Museveni, who is yet to responded. Mwondha said the contract was awarded ‘‘because of massive collusion, gross irregularities and illegalities, corruption and abuse of authority of public office’’. The ombudsman accused the redeveloper of submitting an illegal bid for a contract, which would have seen the businessmen build 5,000 houses in the area. Comer Homes has strenuously disputed the findings in the report, saying the IGG was dishonest in some of her findings. The redeveloper has been backed by Museveni when he asked: “Why should an investor suffer for mistakes of an official?” at a press conference on December 21 last year. The deal with the Government also involved the construction of several modern residential, commercial, institutional and hospitality units. The project is expected to take about 10 years and will create 15,000 jobs. Comer Homes is estimated to have assets worth more than £1b (sh2800b). Many of the group’s companies are owned by a Channel Islands firm, Project Developments Consulting. In 2005, the Comers were linked to a bid to buy Aston Villa football club in the UK."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/578202-akright-in-dispute-with-us-based-client.html","content":" - By Raymond Baguma AKRIGHT Projects, a real estates firm, is embroiled in a dispute with a client who accuses the company of doing sub-standard work and breach of contract. Elaine Matama, a Ugandan living in Minnesota, US also complained that when she telephones the management of Akright to raise her concerns, they hang up on her. “My house is not yet ready yet I want to use the property as an investment. I am tired of the Minnesota coldness and want to return home, but I feel Akright management is taking me for granted,” she said. Records show that Matama entered into an agreement with Akright in April 2006, under which the firm was supposed to construct for her a three-bedroom house at sh59m in Namanve and have it completed by April 2008. The house stands on a 0.12 acre piece of land. Matama said she completed payment in less than two years, with the final installment made in February 2007, as per the agreement. However, completion has taken more than two years and the house is still incomplete. “They have taken long to complete the house and I feel I have not got my money’s worth,” she said. Matama also complained of the poor workmanship at the house with use of sub-standard building materials that include cracked plywood doors and cracked walls. When The New Vision visited the site on Friday, construction workers were painting, covering up cracks in the walls, paving the driveway, landscaping and working on the drainage system. Akright construction manager Anita Kusiima said construction stalled between September and December 2008, due to disruption by area residents who accused the company of blocking the road that passes next to the house. Kusiima said residents had threatened to harm whoever would occupy the house and would fill the manholes with soil, until the dispute was resolved. But Matama disputed the claims saying: “That is none of my business and it is simply an excuse they are creating. They never explained to me about the land wrangles before.” “It has been a loss because I could have made money from the property by renting it out. I also want to return home. And in the economic recession in US, bills keep coming and there are risks of job loss.” According to their agreement, Akright Projects is supposed to get their client alternative accommodation if there are delays in completing the house. However, Akright managing director Anatoli Kamugisha said: “She is not genuine and she has underlooked the good intentions of the company. She wanted a garage at the house, which we could not construct.” Speaking on phone on Monday, Kamugisha said he was out of town (Kampala) and promised to give more details about the case when he returned to office on Wednesday."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/553262-akright-in-dispute-with-us-based-client.html","content":" - By Raymond Baguma AKRIGHT Projects, a real estates firm, is embroiled in a dispute with a client who accuses the company of doing sub-standard work and breach of contract. Elaine Matama, a Ugandan living in Minnesota, US also complained that when she telephones the management of Akright to raise her concerns, they hang up on her. “My house is not yet ready yet I want to use the property as an investment. I am tired of the Minnesota coldness and want to return home, but I feel Akright management is taking me for granted,” she said. Records show that Matama entered into an agreement with Akright in April 2006, under which the firm was supposed to construct for her a three-bedroom house at sh59m in Namanve and have it completed by April 2008. The house stands on a 0.12 acre piece of land. Matama said she completed payment in less than two years, with the final installment made in February 2007, as per the agreement. However, completion has taken more than two years and the house is still incomplete. “They have taken long to complete the house and I feel I have not got my money’s worth,” she said. Matama also complained of the poor workmanship at the house with use of sub-standard building materials that include cracked plywood doors and cracked walls. When The New Vision visited the site on Friday, construction workers were painting, covering up cracks in the walls, paving the driveway, landscaping and working on the drainage system. Akright construction manager Anita Kusiima said construction stalled between September and December 2008, due to disruption by area residents who accused the company of blocking the road that passes next to the house. Kusiima said residents had threatened to harm whoever would occupy the house and would fill the manholes with soil, until the dispute was resolved. But Matama disputed the claims saying: “That is none of my business and it is simply an excuse they are creating. They never explained to me about the land wrangles before.” “It has been a loss because I could have made money from the property by renting it out. I also want to return home. And in the economic recession in US, bills keep coming and there are risks of job loss.” According to their agreement, Akright Projects is supposed to get their client alternative accommodation if there are delays in completing the house. However, Akright managing director Anatoli Kamugisha said: “She is not genuine and she has underlooked the good intentions of the company. She wanted a garage at the house, which we could not construct.” Speaking on phone on Monday, Kamugisha said he was out of town (Kampala) and promised to give more details about the case when he returned to office on Wednesday."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/506350-former-president-s-son-in-court-over-sh450m.html","content":" - A CITY businessman Eng. Pius Mugerwa Mugalaasi has dragged former President Yusuf Lule's son Dr. Lule Ntwatwa, to the Commercial Court over sh450m for breach of contract, reports saac Baligema. Mugalaasi alleged that Dr. Ntwatwa who had powers of attorney for the Lule family estate sold him land in 2007, but cancelled the transaction after he had paid sh450m of the agreed sum of sh820m. The land is located at Block 12 Plot 206, 207, 208, and 209 at Kisenyi, Kampala. Mugalaasi alleged that he wanted to ascertain that the land titles were in order to pay the whole amount. However, Dr. Ntwatwa through his lawyers said the transaction was cancelled because Mugerwa failed to pay the balance in 14 days as agreed."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/506593-mbarara-defies-iggâ-s-directive-on-mayor.html","content":" - By Felix Basiime MBARARA municipal council has defied the Inspector General of Government (IGG)’s directive to take disciplinary action against the mayor, Wilson Tumwine over breach of the Leadership Code. The councilors said they could not implement the directive because they were not the complainants in the matter. The IGG received a complaint that Tumwine entered a contract to rent his premises to Kakoba division, an area in the municipality he heads. The IGG’s investigations revealed that on July 8, 2005, Kakoba division entered a tenancy agreement with Tumwine to rent his premises on Plot No. 2123 on Buchunku Road at sh600,000 per month. The division rented Tumwine’s premises for one year before they shifted to their premises, the report indicated. Tumwine blamed his actions on ignorance of the law and lack of guidance from his advisers. The IGG’s report to the council’s speaker, Eunice Mugabi, pins Tumwine on breaching section 12 of the Leadership Code Act, 2002, whose penalty, in sub section 2, states that a leader found guilty should ‘vacate office or be dismissed from the office’. However, Mwondha also stated that it was not mandatory to take such action. When Mugabi presented the matter to the council, the members discarded the directive. Town Clerk David Kigenyi’s advice to the council to heed to the IGG’s directive fell on deaf ears. Mugabi is still awaiting the IGG’s response to the October 20 letter she wrote seeking guidance on how to implement the directive, which she argued was illegal. RDC Clement Kandole advised them to wait for the response."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/507242-shilling-to-remain-weak-â-experts.html","content":" - By Sylvia Juuko THE shilling that has breached the 2,000 mark against the dollar in recent weeks will remain weak despite the central bank’s assurance that the trend is short-lived, market players have warned. The local unit traded slightly below 2,000 last week as the global financial market turmoil began to be felt closer home. Dealers said the last time the shilling traded at these rates was in May-August 2003. On Monday, it was trading at 2,000/2,020 to the dollar in the inter-bank market compared to 1,795/1,810 the previous week. Central bank governor, Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile, last week said the depreciation trend, occasioned by the exiting of offshore investors in the government securities market, was short-lived. “Over the last three-four days, the exchange rate of the shilling to the dollar has depreciated at a faster rate. This has been caused largely by offshore investors from Europe and America in government Treasury bills and bonds who decided to sell, get dollars and take them back.” “This is the only impact we have seen from the crisis from advanced countries. We believe it is temporary and should not cause alarm,” he stressed. The central bank said the shilling has been depreciating at a rate of 13.4% per day during the month of October. “I’m not losing sleep over the fact that the exchange rate has moved. The depreciation of the exchange rate will not impact on the economy as long as the macro-economic targets are not affected,” Mutebile stressed. But market players said the outlook is for a weak local unit in the next three months with a risk of inflation. “I see the current rates holding for some time. There is demand piling up from the corporates. Importers also need dollars at this time of the year to bring in goods for the festive season,” Denis Mushabe Mashanyu, a dealer at Standard Chartered Bank, explained. He said the offshore investors who sell dollars to buy Treasury securities decided not to roll over their investments beginning late July and August, pushing the local unit to slightly below 2,000 from 1,640. Mashanyu noted that despite the plunge in global oil prices to $61.72 per barrel, the weak shilling resulted into an upward movement in pump prices to sh2,750 from sh2,490. “Oil firms are taking a hit because fuel products are imported using a strong dollar. This cost has to be passed on to consumers and since fuel affects transport, it will play into increased prices, fuelling inflation,” Mashanyu said. Mashanyu said the central bank was cautious regarding intervention with a market tight in shilling liquidity. He predicted that the traditional end-month inflows would be more than outmatched by the piling demand for dollars. “The dollar is resurgent. People are taking long dollar positions.” The dollar has generally strengthened against other currencies due to adjustments in the global economy as a result of various rescue operations of financial institutions in America and Europe. Economists, however, say the Ugandan shilling has been overvalued in recent times and the current trend was a market correction. “When you look at the nominal exchange rate curve and the real effective rate, the two were tracking each other until 2004. Over time, while the nominal exchange rate has been appreciating, we have had a divergence with depreciation in the real effective exchange rate,” explained the economist. “This growing divergence has resulted into a market correction and the central bank intervenes to smoothen volatility,” said the economist. The nominal exchange rate is the price of one unit of foreign currency in local currency terms. The real effective exchange rate is an index of the economy’s nominal exchange rate versus its major trading partners adjusted by the economy’s inflation and that of the trading partners. The economist said the divergence was a result of central bank’s action of resorting to the forex market for sterilisation, which distorted the foreign exchange market at the expense of the money market. The market has also been characterised by speculative tendencies, which the central bank governor re-affirmed he would stamp out. Going forward, economists predict tougher times for individuals as a weak the shilling is coming against the backdrop of global financial market turmoil that will impact on remittances, exports and donor flows in the second half of this financial year. “The cost of inputs is expected to rise. This cost will be transferred to consumers. If the exchange rate movements become inflationary, income will take a hit and people will have less disposable income.”"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/509223-recall-nrm-â-rebelsâ.html","content":" - EDITOR—The NRM MPs who have always opposed the NRM in the wrong forum should be recalled. This is because they have breached a contract they made with their electorate. The voters voted them as NRM representatives thinking they were going to air NRM’s interests but instead front their personal objectives. These MPS keep saying they support the NRM yet their hearts are not in the NRM. They are either NRM or not. since they have not satisfied their electorate, they should be recalled because they are masquaraders. Kennedy Kainamura Kampala"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/509441-kezaala-accused-of-abuse-of-office.html","content":" - By Charles Kakamwa JINJA mayor Muhammed Baswale Kezaala has been accused of abuse of office and breach of the Leadership Code Act. Three members of the executive committee were also pinned in a report released by the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Justice Faith Mwondha. The members are finance secretary Robinah Kazahura, the secretary for investments, Jim Kabeho Mwine and Abubaker Maganda, the secretary for works and housing. The report said Kezaala on August 23, 2006 chaired a meeting which recommended the allocation of land to the Muslim fraternity to construct offices and shopping malls. “This allocation was done in contravention of Section 26 of the Local Governments Act. The allocation was, therefore, illegally done and the executive committee hijacked the role of the District Land Board,” Mwondha wrote. The report added that after allocating the land to the Muslims, Kezaala joined their association as one of the subscribers. The report also accused Kezaala of ‘presiding’ over the misuse and abuse of public funds and violating the Local Government Act, by hijacking the management of the mayor’s Charity Fund and using it to do personal work. The report directed Kezaala and the three councillors to show cause within 30 days why they should not vacate their offices in accordance with the Leadership Code Act. “You should also show cause why you should not be prosecuted for abuse of office and causing financial loss,” the report read. However, Kazahura and Maganda are no longer members of the executive. They were dropped in a reshuffle by Kezaala early this year. Kezaala said he was still studying the report, adding that he would react accordingly."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/510678-spear-motors-sues-barclays-bank.html","content":" - SPEAR House has taken Barclays Bank to the Commercial Court demanding sh203.072m for alleged breach of contract, reports Edward Anyoli. Through Bwanika, Kamuli, and Company Advocates, Spear House is seeking damages, costs, and compensation for unpaid rent. The company claims that in 2000, Barclays rented its premises on Jinja Road to conduct banking business but later shifted, contrary to the agreement. The bank also reportedly removed its biometric locks, air conditioners, fire alarms and immovable tables and sold them to United Bank of Africa. “The plaintiff (Spear House), has suffered loss and damages,” the suit reads in part. The company is also seeking to recover sh3,072,000 incurred in legal fees and costs to pursue outstanding payment. “Despite several remainders, the defendant (Barclays Bank) has failed, neglected and refused to compensate Spear House,” the suit added. Henry Haduli, the Commercial Court Registrar, has given Barclays Bank 15 days to file its defence. Justice Anup Singh Choudry will hear the case"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/511336-nssf-breached-ruless-in-buying-temangalo-land.html","content":" - By Mary Karugaba and Milton Olupot The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) breached standing regulations while procuring the land at Temangalo, the executive director of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets (PPDA), Edgar Agaba, said yesterday. Agaba was appearing before the parliamentary probe committee on commission and state enterprises to clarify whether NSSF consulted them over the purchase of the land at sh11b from a company linked to security minister Amama Mbabazi and Amos Nzeyi, a city businessman. According to the procurement rules, any procurement between sh30m and sh70m is supposed to go through competitive bidding. However, Agaba told the committee that he learnt about the deal through the press. “The rules were breached right from the start. I was never consulted. I knew of the project from the press.” Appearing before the same committee last week, NSSF managing director David Chandi Jamwa said the land was not advertised since they used direct procurement. However, Agaba argued that NSSF breached the regulations for using such a method to procure land worth billions of shillings. “We have established that there were no adverts or notice for the deal. This was also contrary to the law. They used information from their data bank, which I am also investigating,” he said. Agaba also told the committee, chaired by Elijah Okupa (Kasilo) that investigations show that the fund’s contracts committee was not involved in the procurement process. “Instead, the accounting officer used the investment committee. We are also investigating why he did that. This was a breach of the rules,” he said. Committee lead counsel Abdul Katuntu (Bugweri) and Fred Gyabi (Bubulo west) asked whether the contract could be cancelled if they discovered that it was drawn up through wrong procedures. But Agaba explained that the law does not provide for PPDA to cancel signed contracts. “Right now we can only recommend to the appointing authority in case of ministers and the public service in case of public officers.” Asked whether NSSF had been submitting monthly procurement plans and whether the issue of land was included in the reports, Agaba said: “We received the reports but with an omission on land.” Even the Government valuer, Jonah Bwiragura, revealed that he learnt of the deal through the press. He said valuing the land at sh24m per acre was out of range considering that three other valuers had valued it at sh14m, sh16.5m and sh18m.” Jamwa earlier explained that he did not involve the Government valuer because he had disappointed them on several occasions. Bwiragura admitted his office failed to do work for NSSF due to lack of staff."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/511421-fufa-drags-csaba-to-court.html","content":" - THE dispute between FUFA and former national coach Laszlo Csaba has deepened, with FUFA demanding sh324m from the coach for breach of contract, reports Edward Anyoli. Fufa through Kiwanuka, Karugire and Company Advocates has sued Csaba claiming he terminated his four-year contract prematurely. Csaba, who resigned in July, was appointed in July 2006. According to the contract signed on July 10, 2006, Csaba would pay US$200,000 (about sh324m) if he did not complete the contract. Fufa claims that since July 11, when Csaba terminated his contract he has refused to pay the money as required. “The defendant (Csaba) has despite repeated demands failed, neglected, to pay .... US$200,000 as agreed between the parties.” Fufa further claims it has suffered greatly having lost the services of Csaba under the agreement. They want him to pay damages, interests, compensation, and the costs of the suit. Csaba in his resignation letter countered that Fufa breached the contract when they failed to provide him a driver and items like a pay TV decoder. Csaba, who is now with Hearts in Scotland further claims Fufa delayed paying his salary and that there were inconsistencies in paying fees for his child, water, power and medical bills. High Court registrar Roy Byaruhanga has given Csaba 15 days to file his defence."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/513250-sudanâ-s-bashir-puts-african-leaders-in-ethical-dilemma.html","content":" - By Christopher Kibanzanga The proposed indictment of President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir of Sudan has put African leaders in an ethical dilemma. Ethical dilemma refers to the situation where the alternative available to resolve a conflict breaches an ethical rule. Africans want to protect the so-called sovereignty of Sudan and Africa as whole by prevailing over the International Criminal Court (ICC) to stay the indictment. During the reign of President Julius Nyerere, Tanzania stood out as a country that would not tolerate dictatorship and impunity by engaging in liberation struggles on the continent. The dilemma is that the current leaders, led by Nyerere’s successor in Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete, as chairman of the African Union (AU), is the love for sovereignty at the expense of checking impunity on the continent. The struggle against colonialism and imperialism was premised on the desire for freedom, justice, security and protection of fundamental human rights of the African peoples. This was the essence of the struggle for independence. The only justifiable way to protect African independence and sovereignty is by upholding these goals. Fifty years down the road, the African continent is almost trapped in the cobweb of failed states, abuse of human rights, poverty, disease and ignorance as result of senseless wars and state-inspired violence presided over by bad leaders posing as liberators. It is common knowledge that Bashir has exported his war theatres to other countries. The people of northern Uganda were raped, killed, maimed and forced into camps for internally displaced people by agents of Bashir. He held southern Sudanese in a state of war for two decades because they were blacks and non-Muslim. His guns were captured in western Uganda during the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) insurgence. He has also been accused by Chad of sponsoring rebels against their government. Therefore, the violence in Darfur is not the only reason why Bashir should face the law. The war in Darfur is mainly over resource exploitation and distribution. What crime have the women and children of Darfur committed apart from being born in an area rich in natural resources? Now that the African Union is a paper tiger. How do we ensure freedom and justice for our people? Protecting leaders who export war and violence to innocent people in the name of sovereignty is the same as harbouring criminals. Is the sovereignty and independence of Africa the same as killing each other at will? The consequences of indicting one leader should be weighed against those of allowing continued killing, raping, maiming and displacing millions of nationals. It does not matter who comes to your rescue when you are drowning. Much as we want to protect the independence and sovereignty of Africa, it cannot be a sound reason for allowing impunity on the continent. Under normal circumstances, one would expect the African Union to be an alternative to the ICC in the protection of our people. However, African leaders are using the AU as a means to achieve their quest for power. On January 26, 1986, when President Museveni was being sworn in as President after a bloody war in the jungles of Luweero, he posed a question: “Where were they when we were killing each other, where was the organisation of African Unity, where was the international community and how can the principle of non-interference in the internal matters of sovereign states be the basis of the world to looking on when people are killing each other?” The international community is in Darfur trying to stop the madness of an African leader. Let us support them and pray that they act with impartiality. The writer is the shadow minister, anti-corruption and presidency"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/513964-halting-nakawa-estates-to-cost-billions.html","content":" - By Raymond Baguma UGANDA stands to lose a lot of money if the developers of the delayed Naguru and Nakawa housing estates proceed with a court case to seek compensation for breach of contract, the local government minister, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, has said. “The Government is going to lose billions,” Otaffire said, adding that the Inspector General of Government (IGG) should explain how she will save the situation. Opec Prime Properties, the company contracted to redevelop the estates, recently filed an intention to sue the Government, seeking $500m resulting from halting the project. Last year, the firm signed a public-private partnership agreement with the Government to redevelop Naguru and Nakawa into a modern satellite town with 5,000 storeyed modern residential, commercial, institution and hospitality units. However, the IGG, Justice Faith Mwondha, blocked the project, citing irregularities in the award of the tender to redevelop the two housing estates. This sparked off an exchange with Otafiire who wants the tenants to vacate the dilapidated structures and give way for the redevelopment project to start. While addressing journalists separately, Godfrey Kaganda, the chairman of Naguru/Nakawa Estates Tenants Association, said the delay by the IGG was affecting them. He denied misappropriating sh200m from the tenants. “The people who matter know that ours is the true association,” he added. Two rival associations have come up to defend the tenants."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/514484-fufa-await-csabaâ-s-lawyers.html","content":" - By Norman Katende CLAIMS by former Uganda Cranes coach Laszlo Csaba that his lawyers are in Kampala to settle the dispute over his ‘breached contract’ have been dismissed by soccer governing body FUFA. Csaba’s reaction stems from a letter written by the FUFA legal officer Geoffrey Nsamba for what they called a breach of contract. Csaba has not responded to the letter. “What we are going to do is to follow up the letter we wrote (to Scotland and FIFA). We will announce our next move soon,” Nsamba said. FUFA president Lawrence Mulindwa said that they have had received no communication from Csaba or his lawyers. “I think there should be something wrong. Why is he telling many lies these days? If his lawyer was to meet us, he should communicate,” said Mulindwa yesterday. Csaba insists that he rightfully walked away from the Cranes job early this month.“I quit my contract with Uganda and I know it’s not easy for a team who had a very successful coach to lose him. “I have all the evidence (of breach of contract by FUFA) and we have the lawyers involved. I wish the Ugandan FA all the best and Hearts haven’t closed the door. We are available at anytime to talk and to make negotiations. We’ve even taken a player here from Uganda (David Obua).”"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/514674-fufa-should-seek-negotiated-payment.html","content":" - OPINION By Paul Mbuga SPORTS WRITER THE national football governing body’s, FUFA, threat to report former Uganda Cranes coach Csaba Laszlo to world governing body FIFA for an alleged breach of contract is an ill-advised move. FUFA were driven into a fit of pique after Hearts refused to remit shs396m as compensation to the federation for the remaining two years of Laszlo’s contract. This was after Laszlo had brazenly informed Hearts that they possess no obligation to pay for FUFA had breached provisions of the two parties’ contract during his tenure. There is little need for FUFA to throw the toys out of the pram. It is easy to find fault with Laszlo statements, but then again, FUFA do not bring clean hands to the table. For this reason, a referral to FIFA arbitration would be dead in the water. On several occasions during Laszlo’s reign, the FUFA administration made statements that severely undermined the coach’s position, and which a generous arbiter can construe as constructive dismissal. There are also other incidents with could feasibly amount to interference with or impediment of Laszlo’s work. Rather than burn bridges, FUFA should seek a negotiated settlement with Hearts. In any case, it is uncommon in the football industry for the full value of a ‘breached’ contract — shs396m in this case — to be paid. By dispatching a deft negotiator to Scotland, FUFA can secure a considerable fraction of that amount. By pursuing the matter with FIFA, they may end up with nothing."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/514933-csaba-fufa-pay-case-goes-to-fifa.html","content":" - By Norman Katende And Fred Kaweesi FOOTBALL governing body FUFA has threatened to take legal action against former national coach Laszlo Csaba “for absconding from duty and for breach of contract”. FUFA has also notified world body FIFA and the coaches association of Scotland about the conduct of Hungarian coach Csaba, who last week signed to join Hearts. Csaba, who quit the Cranes job last week and moved to Scottish side Hearts, has been given three days to reply to the intention to be sued. “That is the first step we have taken, we know we are not wrong and have done everything on our part,” an official Rogers Mulindwa said at the FUFA weekly press conference yesterday. Hearts have been quiet since they signed Csaba. “I spoke to Hearts and they say there is no compensation due. They have said that Csaba has told them Uganda owed him money and that is why he tore up his contract,” a Scottish journalist told The New Vision.. He added, “Hearts have a bad habit of not paying.” FUFA media committee chief Mulindwa blasted the coach’s conduct in the run up to the hearts deal. “He absconded from duty and only sent a fax message informing us that the vehicle he was using is parked in the yard,” Mulindwa said. FUFA told FIFA that they are yet to get any official communication from Hearts and that Csaba still had two more years on his contract. FUFA would have had to pay £173,000 to sack Laszlo, while the coach was due to pay £60,000 if he broke his contract. Meanwhile, 12 coaches, including a Brazilian have already applied to replace Csaba. “They have done it before we advertise and I think we will not even advertise for the job, if we get the best coach from these,” Mulindwa added. “We have already instructed the technical committee to start studying the applicants.” +Marin Dorian said yesterday that he will carry on with his contract at Nalubaale FC contrary to recent speculation linking him to a move to Malta. “It was my friend Marian Mihairi. He is also Romanian and not me. He was the one supposed to be in Malta and not me,” the Romanian coach said. Nalubaale spent over sh118m, inclusive of his one-year long wages, to lure the Romanian coach, who had been out of contract with the Eritrean national team. “When I came here I had four offers, I am disappointed with my self. I am not happy that what we are doing is not being followed,” he added. “People don’t know how to respect foreign coaches here that is the problem. I don’t come from the streets,” he warned. +CRANES star David Obua will have his first trial match at Premiership side West Ham today against non-league club Richmond and Borough."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/521793-multitech-that-is-a-breach-of-contract.html","content":" - EDITOR— The students of the internal programme at Multitech Business School are concerned about the way the school authorities have decided to change the study programme. On admission we were to study for two semesters but in the middle of the course, the director has imposed a third semester! This has affected our cash flow and day-to-day programmes. it is a breach of contract! Now, we appeal to the minister in charge of higher education to intervene. This situation has also affected our lecturers, most of whom are against the idea but fear to say so, for fear of reprisals. We are confused about the whole issue of Multitech as an institute. Students are never given a chance to discuss what they consider vital for their wellbeing. Why introduce a third semester without considering the implications of time and finance? Is this the way students should be treated? We planned to study for two years which consist of four semesters. We are old enough to decide on our own. The director should consider the students as part of the school’s success. name withheld"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/522258-buganda-urges-mps-to-reject-land-bill.html","content":" - By Barbara Among and Josephine Maseruka THE Buganda kingdom has urged Parliament to reject the Land Amendment Bill, saying it is rushed, unnecessary, discriminative and will breach the Constitution if it becomes law. The 14-man delegation, led by Prince David Wassajja and Buganda’s attorney general Apollo Makubuya, said they needed a more comprehensive land law and policy. “A piecemeal approach at land reform has not worked in the past and will not do so by way of the Bill,” said Makubuya, who presented the kingdom’s position on the Bill. He was addressing the parliamentary committees of physical infrastructure and legal affairs which are gathering views on the Bill. The kingdom said the cause of the evictions was not lack of laws but the dual ownership of the same land by tenants and landlords. It proposed that the problem might be solved by using the Land Fund to get land for tenants. They added that the Constitution, Penal Code and the Land Act of 1998 could address the evictions. Mengo said a law passed by threats, blackmail or intimidation would not be supported by the public and its implementation would be problematic. Asuman Kiyingi (NRM) and Florence Ekwau (FDC) said the kingdom’s position proved that there were illegal evictions and wondered why it was opposed to the Bill. The Government argues that the Bill will improve the relations between the tenants and landlords but Buganda say it is meant to deprive them of their land."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/523532-tanzania-outlaws-ugandan-pastoralists.html","content":" - By Anthony Bugembe and Elvis Basudde THE Tanzanian government has banned Ugandan cattle-keepers from its territory. A directive from the Tanzanian presidency said there was an influx of Ugandan pastoralists into the neighbouring country, which breached immigration, veterinary and customs regulations. “A person importing livestock should have the permission from Tanzania and from his respective country of origin,” the directive stated. Three weeks ago, Tanzanian authorities confiscated about 1,500 head of cattle from Uganda. This prompted leaders of Rakai, Isingiro and Mbarara districts to hold a cross-border meeting with their Tanzanian counterparts in Karagwe. “The Tanzanians gave illegal Ugandans pastoralists two weeks to quit,” said Alice Kaggwa, the Rakai deputy resident district commissioner. Kaggwa called upon Ugandans at the border to respect the directive and avoid crossing illegally into Tanzania. “Tanzanians are very friendly and for that reason we have been sensitising our people to stop grazing illegally on their territory because it is causing us trouble at the border. “Those who want to cross over should do it in a formal way,” Kaggwa advised. The Tanzania Animal Diseases Act, 2003, says: “No person shall move an animal or animal product or animal wastes from outside of the country or introduce animals into any area without a permit.” According to Kaggwa, Ugandan illegal grazers were fined sh50,000 each before regaining their animals. But many were reluctant to pay the fine, the deputy resident district commissioner added."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/524308-ura-honour-the-promise.html","content":" - EDITOR—On February 18, The New Vision reported that someone called Dickens had sued the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) for breach of contract. URA claims that when you give it information on tax evaders, they pay you a commission of 10% of the amount recovered. Dickens sued URA for failure to pay him a commission of sh34m but after helping them recover over sh410m he was only paid sh7m! The same thing happened to me. I was only paid half the amount I had been promised. URA should know that it is very risky giving such information and should honour its promise. Name withheld"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/526462-lra-breaching-pact-minister-rugunda.html","content":" - By Alfred Wasike THE leader of the Uganda government team to the peace talks, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, has protested the recent killings of civilians in South Sudan by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). “The Government of Uganda condemns the killing of mainly innocent people by the LRA”, Rugunda told The New Vision last night. “It is a gross violation of the cessation of hostilities agreement. The culprits shall be brought to account for these atrocities.” More attacks on civilians in South Sudan have been reported in the past days. Two separate incidents occured on Sunday, according to SPLA sources. A Hino truck was ambushed on the Juba-Yei Road, between Mile 55 and Mile 58, in which the driver got killed and two people were injured. On Sunday night, a Ugandan Gateway bus was entirely looted four kilometer from Yei, on the road to the Ugandan border, but nobody was reported killed. Earlier, around February 4, an unspecified number of people were killed in an attack in Kansuk near Kajo-Keji. The death toll varies between 136 according to the French press agency AFP, 36 according to Ugandan intelligence sources, and four according to the SPLA. Some sources suspect the SPLA of covering up atrocities by the LRA. The ceasefire monitoring team was supposed to investigate the Kansuk incident but by last night it had still not left for the scene. The team is composed of representatives of the Ugandan army, the LRA and the SPLA but since it was set up, it has failed to carry out its mandate. The Juba talks were suspended last week, shortly after they had resumed, because the LRA asked for a break to attend a workshop in Nairobi. Earlier, both sides had disagreed on power-sharing. The LRA had demanded 35% of cabinet positions for people from northern and north-eastern Uganda. “That proposal for power sharing was rejected by the Government before. The issue of power sharing does not arise at all,” Rugunda reiterated yesterday. On the LRA demand for 35% of jobs in government departments, Rugunda said: “Uganda is governed in accordance with the Constitution. Whoever wants a job should compete like other Ugandans. Then let the public service chose the best.”"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/482892-court-halts-sh4b-payment-to-audit-firm.html","content":" - By Milton Olupot THE High Court has overturned the order for government to pay American Procurement Company Ltd. (AMPROC) sh4.1b for breach of contract. AMPROC, a private company, had been contracted to audit government procurement but its contract was terminated. The Commercial Court had awarded the penalty after the Attorney General failed to defend the Government. But the IGG protested the payment and asked the court to allow her to join the attorney general to defend the government. The IGG said the payment was based on an illegal contract between the works ministry and AMPROC. The commercial court accordingly allowed the IGG to jointly defend the Government with the Attorney General. AMPROC was then asked to serve the Inspector General of Government and the Attorney General all the papers to do with the case but they refused. Despite the IGG’s involvement, the Registrar of the Commercial Court awarded AMPROC sh4b on February 8, 2007. But just before the payment, the IGG once again asked the court to stop the process. Granting the Inspector General of Government’s request, Justice Kiryabwire said it was wrong for the Commercial Court to ignore the IGG’s defence, saying the IGG and the Attorney General were both organs of the Government."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/486373-respect-the-unwritten-rules-of-your-job.html","content":" - By Anthony Bugembe EVERY job has unwritten rules employees should follow. Breaching them means discomfort, which often leads to quitting the job voluntarily or forcefully. They vary according to the company and profession. The most common ones include: No one is a monopoly of ideas and skills In a bid to create job security, some people create a situation where it is only them who can perform a particular task. This sabotages and frustrates workmates and bosses. For example, putting a complicated code in software that you only know or having a special relationship with customers such that someone else cannot serve them. When discovered, this will be your first ticket to the streets. Follow and respect hierarchy Follow the right procedures when raising an issue. If there is a problem with your salary, the first contact person should be the accountant and not the managing director. Donna Cardillo in her article, With office politics, it’s smart to be savvy, notes that ‘going over someone’s head’ is committing career suicide. Don’t be a workaholic Come in early and don’t stay late unless asked by your boss. “Initially it would appear as though employers want you to be at work all the time but the truth is, employers and workmates don’t like employees who seem to be at their desk all the time. “More disturbing is the fact that most people who work late often do personal work which, employers don’t like,” says Julius Kateega, a human resource trainer. Do not carry your home to office Having lots of personal items like photos of family and friends turns your desk into a home not a place of work. An organised desk with job-related materials creates a positive impression on your bosses. Own your actions “If something goes wrong, own the fault. Don’t blame other people or the world around you,” says Kateega. Regardless of the task, you should do it to the best of your ability. Employees are noticed because they are either poor or exceptional performers. Be the latter. Take communal responsibility You are expected to be part of a team. If there is a problem, don’t distance yourself. Have some cherished personal attributes Being an outstanding employee calls for an outstanding character. Good employers know that such a character cannot be learned in any school or on the job. You may not drink coffee, but if the other people in the office take coffee and the pot is empty, be good on some days and make more. Avoid gossiping You are never expected to spend valuable work time gossiping or listening to gossip. Cardillo observes that although it is hard to resist, gossiping erodes the bonds of trust and integrity. Keep your job search secret No boss wants to learn that an employee is looking for another job even when they are treating you poorly. If you are doing so, do it secretly. Not even your workmates should know."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/490540-terrible-drivers.html","content":" - SIR — I strongly protest the increasingly indisciplined and arrogant behaviour of taxi drivers on the Port Bell route! I am extremely irritated by the flagrant breaches of traffic regulations such as parking in the road for passengers to get on or off taxis. This practice is common at the Kitintale stage and Luzira stage 7. It is not uncommon to find jams in these places simply because a taxi driver has seen it fit to either stop in the middle of the road or to make a u-turn without any consideration for other road users! Efforts to try to correct these drivers are frequently met with insults and rude gestures. On Tuesday I was almost involved in a head-on collision with a taxi driver attempting to overtake three vehicles at a go in a corner! When I flashed my lights to warn him of the impending collision he merely dismissed me with an arrogant wave of his arm! What is most irritating is that this happens under the very noses of traffic officers! David L. Makumbi Kampala"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/500632-opposition-mps-to-meet-over-boycott.html","content":" - KAMPALA - OPPOSITION MPs will meet today to discuss parliament’s continued debates on national issues without their presence. They argue that it is a breach of the House’s rules and procedures to conduct business in the absence of the opposition. Aswa county MP Okumu Reagan told The New Vision: “They are turning the House into an NRM caucus. We shall see what to do.” On Tuesday, opposition MPs walked out of Parliament, protesting the continued detention of the People’s Redemption Army suspects and what they called abuse of human rights."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/502055-tumukunde-trial-back-in-court.html","content":" - By Charles Ariko THE trial of Brig. Henry Tumukunde resumed yesterday, with one witness giving his testimony. Tumukunde is on trial for breaching army rules and spreading harmful propaganda. The witness, Ronald Kabugo, gave court a 16-page transcript of what transpired when Tumukunde was hosted on Radio One’s Spectrum talk-show. Tumukunde is alleged to have spread harmful propaganda on that show, reportedly accusing the army’s leadership of blocking his retirement, among other things. Kabugo, a lecturer at the Institute of Languages at Makerere University, told court that it took him one week to transcribe the tape. He said his head of department certified the transcript, which was tendered to court yesterday. Tumukunde challenged Kabugo’s competence in carrying out the task. Tumukunde’s lawyers, Oscar Kambona and McDusman Kabega, had earlier queried the accuracy of the transcript, saying it seemed some words were missing. They told court that Kabugo was not an expert on audio-translations. Prosecution yesterday said they would call another witness to testify, and asked court if the witness could give his testimony in camera. This prompted Tumukunde’s lawyers to protest. The Judge Advocate, Maj. Wilson Mwesigwa, said there was no way the court could grant the prosecution’s prayer when the witness was not in court. The General Court Martial chairman, Lt. Gen. Ivan Koreta, adjourned the hearing to Wednesday, January 17."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/454949-get-reliable-contractors.html","content":" - SIR — The Minister of Roads, Transport and Works should be held responsible especially for the Jinja–Bugiri Highway. They use contractors who breach their contract anytime. We hope the new contractor will complete the highway. As for the pot-holes, I suggest the roads be checked regularly and any repairs made before the damage becomes worse. Secondly, a law should be enacted that bars trailers and night tractors from carrying sugarcane through Mabira forest to stop moving after 7:00pm and resume at 7:00am the following day as is the case in Tanzania. With traffic police stationed on the Jinja–Busia highway, trailers will abide by this law. Diana Elondha Kampala"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/456229-in-brief.html","content":" - KAMPALA: Ken case on The Inspector General of Government breached the Constitution when she made herself a tribunal and removed John Lukyamuzi from Parliament, the Constitutional Court heard yesterday. Muzamiru Kibeedi was submitting in a petition seeking to declare Lukyamuzi’s removal unconstitutional. MKAMPALA: P challenge It is a challenge for MPs to express their constituencies’ problems through their party chief whips, Deputy Parliament Speaker Rebecca Kadaga has said. She was yesterday briefing German MPs on challenges of multiparty politics at her office in Kampala. Kadaga said most people were still ignorant about the system. KAMPALA: CAO to pay chief administrative officer Giles Kahira is to refund sh19m meant for purchase of vehicle tyres for the district, MPs on the local government accounts committee said on Wednesday. The committee quizzed Kahira and finance chief Fenancio Kambale on the stores ledger, receipts and the purchase order for tyres. KAMPALA: Trial flops The hearing of a case in which Kyamuswa MP Moses Kabuusu is charged with illegal procurement of a voters’ register, flopped yesterday due to lack of witnesses. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/465283-kenya-mp-rapped-on-museveni-posters.html","content":" - By Reuben Olita in Nairobi KENYA Parliament Speaker Francis Ole Kaparo on Thursday warned Tigania East MP Peter Munya for taking President Yoweri Museveni’s campaign posters into the chamber, which was in breach of the rules. This was after Parliament was told that a Kenyan printer, Joshua Muchungi Ncebere, who designed and produced Museveni’s 1996 presidential campaign posters, had yet to receive Ksh5M (about sh122m) which Museveni owes him. But Kenya’s assistant minister for foreign affairs, Moses Wetangula, responding to a question on the matter, said he was aware of Ncebere’s alleged contract, but maintained that the Kenya government did not have enough information to compel Uganda to settle the arrears. But Munya, irritated by the minister’s answer, displayed a poster of a smiling President Museveni as an exhibit of Ncebere’s work. Speaker Kaparo warned Munya that he had breached the standing orders by sneaking the poster into the Chamber. In clearing the air on the matter, Wetangula said the Uganda High Commission put the record straight that a secretary of the task force set up to handle Museveni’s campaign had established that the government did not enter into a contract with Ncebere. He said the ministry had asked Ncebere for details to pursue the matter. Munya, while demanding action from Kenya on the matter, alleged that his constituent had run bankrupt after failing to pay a bank loan arising from the posters and that he had made several trips to Kampala to no avail."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/467801-translink-sues-for-sh1b.html","content":" - By Hillary Nsambu TRANSLINK has sued Sofitra Cargo Services for breach of contract and is seeking to recover over $900,000 (sh1b) in damages. Translink’s plaint says Sofitra failed to deliver three of its 18 containers, which it had been contracted to clear and transport from Mombasa two years ago. Sofitra is a clearing and transporting firm, while Translink are importers of assorted foods and other merchandise. Translink says due to the breach of contract, it has lost profits worth $900,000, which is equivalent to the costs and the undelivered goods. Sofitra disputed the claim and made a counter-claim for sh38,644,634, as monies owed to it for services rendered. According to a statement of defence, Sofitra claims it is only a clearing company and never undertook to transport the consignments as alleged by Translink. Sofitra, which is represented by Nangwala, Rezida and Company Advocates, says it handled other containers of the claimant, but had no dealing with Translink on the three containers. However, Translink, represented by Virma Jivram and Associates, wants court to dismiss the counter-claim, insisting Sofitra was privy to the contract to clear and deliver all the 18 containers."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/468171-kq-sued.html","content":" - By Reuben Olita in Nairobi AFRICAN International Airline (AIA) is demanding Ksh148m from Kenya Airways for alleged breach of contract. AIA, now in receivership, on Tuesday filed the suit in a Nairobi court seeking payment of a 13-year-old debt that included maintenance of KQ’s fleet of airplanes. The airline claimed the debt resulted from a breach of contract by KQ to service and maintain the airline’s aircraft. AIA said it entered into agreement to lease its aircraft to KQ at various rates which were to be determined by the routes and destinations of each aircraft. It was also agreed that during the period under agreement, AIA facilitates repairs and maintenance of the aircraft to meet international standards, while KQ would offset the bills, including those incurred in buying spare parts."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/469746-oil-the-party-is-over.html","content":" - WELCOME to the world of $70-per-barrel oil. That is if there is no crisis in the Gulf over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. If there is, then get ready for $140 a barrel. Oil briefly breached the $70 barrier eight months ago, but this time it is going up for good. Exactly one year ago the investment bank Goldman Sachs put out a paper suggesting that the “new range” within which oil prices will fluctuate is $50-$105 per barrel. (The old range, still used by most of the oil industry when deciding if a given investment will be profitable, was $20-$30.) The price could surge well past the upper end of the Goldman Sachs range if the United States actually does launch military strikes against Iran, but it's going up permanently anyway. Whatever his longer-term plans, President Bush is unlikely to attack Iran before the mid-term Congressional elections in November, for three of the last four global recessions were triggered by a sharp rise in the oil price. But even without a Gulf crisis, the oil price will only stabilise at a price a good deal higher than now, because the major players in the market understand the long-term trends. Transient events like the Iran crisis and the political unrest in Nigeria (which has cut that country’s exports by a quarter) drive the daily movements in the oil price, but the underlying supply situation is so tight that oil would stay high even if Nigeria turned into Switzerland and Iran opted for unilateral disarmament. “On production, there is nothing we can do. (OPEC, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, is) already producing at maximum output,” said Abdullah al-Attiyah, Qatar’s Oil Minister. This is not about “peak oil,” the notion that we are already at or near the point where total global oil production reaches its maximum and begins a long decline. That may well be true, but the present price rise is just about rising demand for oil as the big developing countries, especially the Asian ones, lift large parts of their populations into the middle class. Middle-class people buy cars. They also run their air conditioners all summer, and take holidays abroad, and do other things that have big implications for total energy consumption, but above all they buy cars. For the foreseeable future most of the cars they buy will run on some form of refined oil. The rising demand that drives the oil price up does not just come from the middle-class Americans (and, increasingly, Europeans) who insist on driving enormous SUVs with macho names like ‘Raider’, ‘Devastator’, and ‘Genocidal Exterminator’. It also comes from the new middle class of unassuming Chinese, Indian, Russian and Brazilian families who only want a modest family car for the school run and the weekend. There are just so many of them. This is the first big price rise that has been caused by rising demand rather than some temporary interruption of supply. Goldman Sachs also predicted last year that in twenty years’ time there will be more cars in China than in the United States —about 200 million of them. Ten years after that, India’s car population will also overtake America’s. Within 20 years Russia and Brazil will each have more cars than Japan. We are headed for a billion-car world (unless all the wheels fall off first), and that means permanently high oil prices. Good. If the oil price rises gradually from $70 to $100 over the next five years, people and governments will start paying serious attention to energy conservation and alternate energy sources (including nuclear energy). The sooner that happens, the less extreme the global warming that we will have to contend with as the century progresses. But if the oil price leaps to $100 or more in one swift jump we will have the mother of all recessions, and then there will be a desperate shortage of funding for developing alternative sources of energy. A US attack on Iran is not the only threat to oil prices. If the markets should ever collectively decide that “peak oil” is upon us and that the supply of oil is heading for actual decline, the price would soar out of sight overnight. The oil companies and the governments of OPEC reassure us that oil reserves are ample to cover consumption at the current rate of world economic growth for decades to come, but they would be saying that whether it was true or not, and there is reason to suspect that it is not. Never mind the geology. Just consider the fact that in the years 1985-1990, when OPEC's declared reserves grew by a massive 300 billion barrels, no major new oilfields were brought into production. The “growth” was achieved by recalculating existing reserves, and the incentive for exaggeration was provided by OPEC's decision to set production quotas in proportion to the total size of each member's reserves. So over a quarter of the world’s total \"proven\" oil reserves of 1.1 trillion barrels may be no more than an accounting fiction. The best we can hope for in the coming years, therefore, is a relatively slow and steady rise in the oil price, rather than a steep, fast rise that upsets everybody's applecarts. The party is definitely over."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/470107-in-brief.html","content":" - Mityana out soccer NTUNGAMO and Mityana districts have been ruled out of the Coca-Cola schools football championship. The two failed to pass the first hurdle after breaching regulations in the qualifiers. Mityana was barred after two parallel organising committees presented different qualifiers to the organisers, contrary to the rules and regulations that recognise only one committee. Kenya here NEIGHBOURS Kenya and Tanzania have confirmed participation in the fourth edition of the East and Central African Handball championship that gets underway on April 23 at Hanna SS, Nsangi. UAHF acting secretary Annet Namutebi revealed that all is set for the regional tournament. “Already Kenya and Tanzania have confirmed that they are coming, with Kenya sending 15 teams” Namutebi said. Beijing tour UGANDA will be represented by five stars and two officials in the World Table Tennis Championship in Beijing. The team leaves Saturday for the action that is due to start April 23. Jackson Migaddewill be joined by Kevin Mafabi, Paul Bagarukayo, Monica Kisakye and Rosette Nanyonjo. Officer calls IN a bid to promote the game of pool in Gulu, the district sports officer Aldo Okot Otto has urged hotel and bar owners in the district to form pool clubs and a team to represent the district at regional and national levels. He said this while handing prizes to the winners at a two-day tournament organised by Transa Rock Hotel."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/470181-ken-attacks-igg-over-party-post.html","content":" - By Jude Etyang FORMER Rubaga South MP Ken Lukyamuzi has protested to the Inspector General of Government (IGG)’s declaration that he cannot lead the Conservative Party (CP) for the next five years over alleged breach of the Leadership Code Act. Lukyamuzi (right) slammed Faith Mwondha, saying she was prejudicing a pending court case challenging his alleged breach of the public officials wealth law. “First of all, why should the IGG want to die with me with due respect to the IGG. I think she should be the last person to comment on a matter before court. It’s a very sensitive matter,” he told The New Vision on Saturday. Lukyamuzi was thrown out of parliament last December after Mwondha declared that he had failed to declare his wealth as required by the Leadership Code Act. Lukyamuzi challenged the IGG’s decision in the High court. Last week, Mwondha said Lukyamuzi was barred from holding any leadership position in CP. According to the IGG, Lukyamuzi is prohibited from holding any public appointive or elective position for five years starting December 5, 2005 when he lost his seat. Lukyamuzi attributed the IGG’s actions to a conspiracy by rival CP leaders Mayanja Nkangi and Nsubuga Nsambu, who he beat to take the party leadership. He said his rivals had not made any contribution to the progress of the party. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/470701-abbas-goes-to-fifa.html","content":" - By James Bakama, Geoffrey Ndugga & William Muwonge AXED Cranes coach Muhammad Abbas (right) has threatened to seek FIFA intervention in his row with Ugandan football authorities, whom he accuses of breach of contract. The Egyptian said on Friday that unless FUFA pays him arrears for three years, the duration of the contract he had signed with the federation, he would take his case to Zurich. Abbas insists that FUFA have defaulted on his monthly pay amounting to $21,600 (sh39.6m), sh1m bonus for Uganda’s performance in the LG Cup in Egypt last year, $1000 (sh1.83m)for an airticket to Cairo and a $30(sh0.055m) visa fee. But on Wednesday, FUFA legal chief Fred Muwema sai that the federation would clear Abbas’ dues and purchase a return air ticket for him to his homeland. Muwema maintained that Abbas would only receive arrears for the previous four months he was not paid as a result of termination of his contract. This adds up to seven months, which represents $3500 (Shs 6.3 m). But Abbas has said that he will not take the seven months’ money. He is insisting on section 7 of the contract. Meanwhile FUFA is in advanced in talks with six top corporate bodies in a bid to get a league sponsor. “We have moved on well but there are still a number of issues to sort out,” FUFA PRO Aldrine Nsubuga revealed. Nsubuga declined to name the firms but explained they wanted certain guarantees. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/472385-was-lambert-fairly-treated.html","content":" - SIR — Canadian journalist Blake Lambert’s deportation from Uganda is yet another vivid demonstration of how easily and casually mere individuals continue to abuse and breach established institutional guidelines, overrule, coerce and prevail over state institutions. Twenty years down the road, the notion of the rule of law in Uganda in many people’s minds remains more of a rhetoric than a reality. The current regime in its early days took the moral high ground with regard to human rights and the rule of law, incessantly and, rightly so at the time, lambasting its predecessors for their excesses. Many would contend now that such moral authority has since evaporated. The country must now grapple with the appalling prevalence of official arbitrariness and the pervasive impotence of state institutions. If Lambert’s presence in Uganda was a threat to national security as chorused by Media Centre boss Robert Kabushenga and Interior Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, why was Lambert allowed to stay on in Uganda for months considering the level of the alleged threat to the country, at large, with no charges brought against him? Why did the Media Council, in whose remit falls Lambert’s case, take a different view from the Media Centre, preferring not to impose sanctions against him? How come it was the Media Centre that was acting as the complainant and intent on justifying the type of sanction to be applied against Lambert? Why and how was the Media Council coerced into succumbing to pressure from the Media Centre? Why were proper guidelines in deportation cases not followed in Lambert’s case? Will Parliament directly or through relevant committees be briefed in due course? The other reason — biased reporting offered for excluding Lambert from Uganda is frankly very disappointing, coming from a government which regularly lays claims to being the freest press in the region. If any of Lambert’s reporting aggrieved government, a rebuttal would have been in order, or if they really wanted to prove a point, litigation was another open option. In a pluralistic society, which Uganda should now be, there must no longer be monopoly on views about the situation in Uganda. If Lambert was echoing a legitimate opposition view on anything he reported on, it is his considered professional judgement as a trained journalist to pass this view on to the rest of the world, and must not be vilified and victimised for it, just like the opposition in Uganda is being treated. The regime has been mostly engaged in damage control exercises in their aftermath, needlessly wasting both time and resources. Whether this is caused by incompetence, miscalculation, panic or a combination of the three, it is obvious the government has got to put its act together and do something about it. Stephen J. Lwetutte slwetutte@aol.com"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/474528-upbc-petitions-wbc-over-lusambya-fight.html","content":" - By James Bakama UGANDA has sought World Boxing Council intervention in a case where Mexican fighter Omar Vazquez breached a contract to fight Badru Lusambya. Vazquez was scheduled to fight Lusambya in December but failed to make it to Kampala after his manager got seriously sick in London enroute to Kampala. Promises by Vazquez’s agent Luis Medina to either get a substitute manager or fighter have since December not been fulfiled prompting Uganda Professional Boxing Commission to seek WBC’s attention on the matter. Local organisers Big Strikers had not only paid the Mexicans’ travel, but also advanced Medina a portion of the purse. This was part of sh40m expenses that included the fight’s advertisement and travel and accommodation expenses for foreign under card fighters. “I presented the case to WBC and also gave Medina a reminder,” said UPBC president Celestino Mindra shortly after arrival from Cancun, Mexico where he attended WBC’s night of champions. Mindra is on WBC’s board of governors and also secretary of Africa’s professional boxing body. Big Strikers’ directors said they sought the attention of the supreme world prize fighting body before going for the legal option. Vazquez’s failure to make it to Kampala stifled Big Strikers with more losses as an effort to secure Tanzanian Francis Cheka as a last minute replacement for the December 24 fight also flopped. It wasn’t until January 26 that Lusambya, who had last fought in July 2005, finally got another opponent. The disappointed fighter nevertheless went on to knock out Zimbabwe’s Farai Musiwa in the eighth round at Nakivubo."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/476781-sematimba-grilled-over-global-fund-scam.html","content":" - By Jude Etyang KAMPALA City mayoral candidate and media mogul Peter Sematimba yesterday admitted breaching the Global Fund contract by getting money for an AIDS campaign through one of his companies and running the campaign on his Super FM radio station. Sematimba was facing the commission probing mismanagement of the Global Fund, to account for sh65m he obtained for an AIDS campaign. Sematimba obtained the contract in March last year through his Semat Production and gave Super FM advertising business worth sh19m. The business to Super FM included sh10,000,000 for the 15-minute Youth Corner talk-show, sh3,930,000 for Give Away prizes for a family planning promotion and sh4.9m for radio adverts. “This situation is pure and unadulterated conflict of interest. I even have a feeling that this is not professionally ethical,” Ogoola said. On the gravity of the conflict of interest, the commission was appalled by the revelations that Semat Production accountant Jane Namugerwa was the same accountant of Super FM, so she would pay for Global Fund adverts with one hand and receive the money with the other. “We have acknowledged the conflict of interest, my Lord,” Sematimba said. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/434171-atubo-wants-bill-to-block-rigging.html","content":" - By Joyce Namutebi THE code of conduct proposed in the new political parties Bill should prescribe the manner of holding party elections and impose heavy sanctions on rigging and other breaches that may occur, the Otuke MP has said. Omara Atubo said party internal elections should with necessary modifications and adaptations be conducted on the principles and laws governing general elections and that potential mischief should be addressed by national laws. He called for stringency on the formation of political parties and organisations. Atubo was addressing the committee on legal and parliamentary affairs on The Political Parties and Organisations Bill, 2005 yesterday. He described as an important innovation in the Bill, a clause which empowers the justice minister, the Electoral Commission and Parliament to prescribe a code of conduct for political parties and organisations. He said the code should “operationalise democratic principles and the rules of natural justice and prescribe the manner of holding party elections.” Jacob Oulanyah (Omoro) chaired the committee."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/435972-sack-busia-speaker-â-igg.html","content":" - THE Inspector General of government (IGG) has recommended that the Busia district council speaker John Mulimba, vacates office after he was implicated for breach of the leadership code and abuse of office, reports Richard Komakech. The ombudsman, in a June 6 letter signed by the deputy IGG, Raphael Baku Obudra, said Mulimba, through two companies in which he is a director, had carried out business transactions with the district contrary to legal sanction. The letter is addressed to the district chairperson. The two companies, Adande Enterprises and Nawa Multi Services, were contracted by the district council in the financial years 2002/3 and 2003/4. “In doing business with the district, the Speaker contravened section 8 (1) and (2) (a) of the leadership code act,” the IGG said. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/437573-monitor-s-kfm-radio-closed.html","content":" - By Emmy Allio and Steven Candia THE Broadcasting Council (BC) yesterday indefinitely closed Kampala’s K-FM radio station, a subsidiary of the Monitor Publications, saying it breached sections of the electronic media law. At 4:18pm, K-FM, formerly Monitor FM, was closed. The last item to be aired was a song, Ndiku Digi by Ngoni. The radio was taken off air as the programme, The Edge, was running. Before the song, Conrad Nkutu, the Managing Director of The Monitor Publications, read on air the letter from BC secretary Okullu-Mura. The letter, titled ‘Suspension of broadcasting license’, said, “Following receipt of numerous complaints and listening to the recording of your programme, Andrew Mwenda live of August 10, 2005 aired between 7:00pm and 8:00pm, the Broadcasting Council has discovered that the programme offends the minimum broadcasting standards enshrined in the first Schedule of the Electronic Media Cap 104/2000. “The Broadcasting Council has decided to accordingly and with immediate effect suspend your broadcasting licence in order to carry out further investigations into the matter.” The letter, served by two BC officials, was copied to the minister of state for information and the Inspector General of Police, Katumba Wamala. “As a law-abiding company, we have chosen to comply and we shall proceed to take KFM off air as we pursue the matter with government authori ties,” Nkutu said after reading the letter and then apologised to advertisers. He said the closure was unexplained and lacked legal authority. “We shall do everything possible to return to air,” he said, adding that he was surprised by the closure because Mwenda was yesterday due to host the state minister for information, Dr. Nsaba Buturo. Earlier on, Buturo told The New Vision that the BC had visited K-fm station to collect the recorded programme where on Wednesday Mwenda hosted presidential assistant on political affairs Moses Byaruhanga and Aswa MP Reagan Okumu. The topic that night was, “Can government justify today’s public holiday?” Wednesday was a public holiday in honour of seven Ugandans who died alongside Sudanese First Vice-President Dr. John Garang in a helicopter crash on July 30. During the national prayers at Kololo Airstrip, President Yoweri Museveni referred to Mwenda as a small boy and blasted him for reportedly publishing stories prejudicial to regional security and ordered him to stop henceforth lest he clamps down on The Monitor newspaper. The BC action triggered a mixed reaction from the staff at the Monitor headquarters in Namuwongo, a Kampala city suburb. While some looked pensive, contemplating their next move, many just laughed off the move, saying it was expected. Others mingled with journalists from other media houses who had gone there to pick the news. While all this was going on, an apparently disturbed Mwenda was swaying in a black leather swivel chair on the fourth floor that houses Nkutu’s office. Sources said he was under strict orders not to talk to the press. Sources said the Government was angered by Mwenda’s statements that were interpreted as demeaning the person of the President and the presidency. During the prayers at Kololo on Wednesday, Museveni threatened to close newspapers for meddling in security issues. On the talk-show, Mwenda said, “We shall be playing the voice of Mr. Yoweri Museveni in his attack on me and I am going to launch a counter-attack on him.” He then played a sound bite from Museveni’s speech: “I am the elected leader of Uganda, I therefore have the ultimate mandate to run its affairs. Now, I will not tolerate a newspaper which is like a vulture. When people are crying, the vultures are happy. Any newspaper which plays about with regional security, I will not tolerate. “I have been seeing this young boy, Mwenda, writing about Rwanda, writing about Sudan, writing about the UPDF, he must stop. And this other paper called The Observer, (writing) what has been said in the army. ... this is not how a country is run. Red Pepper also, I thought those were young boys busy with naked girls, now if they have gone into regional security, they must stop. These newspapers must stop or we shall stop them from writing. If they want to continue doing business in Uganda, they must stop interfering in security matters.” Mwenda then shot back, “First of all, no one is going to stop, at least me, I am not going to stop. If he closes the newspaper and I am out of the job, I will seek his job. I will get him out of Nakasero (State House), take him to Rwakitura (Museveni’s country home)...If the man wants me to vie for his job, let him come and close the Monitor,” Mwenda said as he chuckled away. Byaruhanga tried to interrupt him, “Fine, you continue doing what you are doing and wait and see.” But Mwenda retorted, “Does your president know that he has no power to close a newspaper for even one day? Does he know that he has no legal power? I think Museveni’s problem is, he is seated in State House where all of you in the movement, he says jump and you ask ‘how high?’, shout and you ask ‘how loud?’” In a spirited defence, which turned out to be a shouting contest, Byaruhanga said the President would not close the papers personally but had asked the Attorney General to look into the matter. Moments later, Mwenda moved onto the demise of Garang. Pinned by Byaruhanga that some of his articles posed a security threat, Mwenda replied: “Are you saying it is The Monitor which caused the death of Garang? Or it’s your own mismanagement. Garang’s security was put in danger by your own government. Putting him, first of all, on a junk helicopter. Second, at night, third, passing through Imatong hills, and you know that Kony has stinger missiles, surface-to-air missiles, five, when there was bad weather. “But are you aware that Garang died on the Imatong hills where you have always complained Kony is? Are you aware that your government killed Garang through incompetence? You caused the death of the man out of incompetence,” Mwenda charged, prompting Byaruhanga to interject, “I would rather you withdraw that.” “I can never withdraw that. If the Police call me, I will say the government of Uganda, out of incompetence, led or caused the death of John Garang. They put him on the plane when it was already late. The President said that plane has the capacity to detect bad weather 100km away. Why couldn’t they detect the bad weather...?” Mwenda asked."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/438771-businessman-wants-bou-case-revived.html","content":" - By Abraham Odeke A Busia businessman who sued Bank of Uganda (BoU) over alleged breach of contract has applied for reinstatement of the case by the High Court in Mbale after it was disposed of without his knowledge. Osman Mohamed said he sued BoU as liquidators for the defunct International Credit Bank (ICB) for failure to give him sh500m, which he had kept at ICB. BoU took over operations of ICB about five years ago. Mohamed said his lawyers had applied for reinstatement of the case in which Patrick Kato, the ICB chief, had not been given adequate time to testify. Muziranza Wangoola, Mohamed’s lawyer, said, “The court’s decision to fix the case without notifying us is legally unacceptable. The case had been partly heard.” BoU officials said the High Court was right to dispose of the case."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/440432-â-ekisanja-protesters-violated-guidelinesâ.html","content":" - By Alfred Wasike THE anti-third term demonstration on Tuesday was dispersed because the organisers breached guidelines and planned deliberate confrontation with security personnel to draw sympathy and disrupt public order in the city, the Government has said. The Government has also announced that preparations for the July 28 referendum on change of political system were on time and that it was not manipulating Ugandans to pave way for a third term for President Yoweri Museveni. The Attorney General, Dr. Khiddu Makubuya and information state minister Dr. Nsaba Buturo made the announcements yesterday at the Government’s weekly press briefing at Nakasero in Kampala. Buturo said a “group of people organised by the FDC” sought to demonstrate against what they claimed was an impending vote by MPs to amend the Constitution to pave way for the third term. Buturo said the Government authorised them to demonstrate near Parliament and not by walking through the streets of Kampala “where a danger of disrupting business was assessed to be high, judging from what happened before when a demonstration was allowed to take place in Kampala.” “The Government read planned deliberate confrontation in the demonstration. This is a tactic its critics are using to lure Government into acting tough and thus earn sympathy from various quarters. Government opted to act decisively since its mandate with the people includes providing security,” he said. Makubuya said he was not worried by threats from “certain people” that the Government would be sued for organising a referendum without civic education. “If there is a government that respects the Constitution, it is the Movement Government. Why don’t these fellows want the referendum? What do they fear? I am not going to piss in my trousers because they are threatening to sue,” he said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/440919-uganda-telecom-wins-million-dollar-case.html","content":" - By Emmy Olaki UGANDA telecom has won two Supreme Court cases, one against Tanzanite Corporation, which claimed $1.049,755 plus interests for alleged breach of contract and another against MTN Uganda over interest on interconnection charges.Tanzanite sued uganda telecom together with its predecessor Uganda Posts and Telecommunications Company (UP&TC) for alleged breach of contract to supply 30,000 telephone sets, loss of profits, loss of unused materials and an unpaid bank loan.The company claimed that as a result of the breach of contract, they were left with raw materials and an unpaid bank loan.“Management of the former UP&TC changed. We are now uganda telecom and we do not have to pay Tanzanite any money,” Hansen Paulsen (above), the uganda telecom marketing director, said on Thursday.The case moved from the High Court to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court overturned the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which had initially awarded Tanzanite all the claims sought. The Supreme Court also overturned the High Court decision which had ordered uganda telecom to pay Tanzanite $260,000 being the cost of the unused materials but had also ordered Tanzanite to pay uganda telecom costs of the appeal and cross appeal in the Supreme Court and all courts below. In another judgment, the Supreme Court also dismissed an MTN appeal against uganda telecom for unpaid interest on interconnection charges. MTN last year sued uganda telecom for interconnection charges amounting to sh5.8b.“This amount was confirmed and paid by uganda telecom within the agreed terms. However, MTN claimed for interest on the amount with effect from the date of contract to which uganda telecom objected,” Paulsen said.The High Court had initially ordered uganda telecom to pay MTN interest amounting to sh518, 455,167.“On appeal in the Court of Appeal, it was held that uganda telecom could not be charged interest on an amount that had not been ascertained,” Paulsen said.MTN was unsatisfied with this decision and appealed to the Supreme Court, which dismissed the appeal and ordered MTN to pay costs of the appeal in the Supreme Court and all courts below.“Justice has prevailed. We did not say that we were not going to pay MTN, but we did not want to pay interest on amounts that had not been ascertained. We just wanted to ascertain the amounts and pay in good time,” Paulsen said.Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/442519-pap-denies-links-with-tumukunde.html","content":" - THE Progressive Alliance Party (PAP) has denied links with Brig. Henry Tumukunde, now on remand for breaching army rules, reports Cyprian Musoke.In a hastily-called press conference at Christ the King conference hall in Kampala yesterday, the party’s interim chairman, Dr. Kaddu Mulindwa, said Tumukunde was only a sympathiser of the party.“Many people have been asking themselves questions as to who is behind this party. One thing we would like to clearly do is to de-link Brig. Henry Tumukunde from the Progressive Alliance Party,” Mulindwa said.He said Tumukunde’s recent appearance on two radio talks shows and his reference to PAP were only an expression of his sympathy with the party that did not necessarily make him the founder.“He is only our sympathiser. Several other military officers have expressed sympathy with other parties but why have they never been arrested? We would like to condemn his arrest and assure our supporters to continue trusting in our modus operandi,” Mulindwa said.The party’s secretary general, Bernard Kibirige, said soldiers intending to leave the army to join active politics should be accorded similar chances to retire to fulfil their aspirations.“Persons suspected to be intending to provide alternative leadership should not be held in the army against their will if government is committed to ushering in genuine democracy,” read a signed statement."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/444444-in-brief.html","content":" - Court orderBy Peninah KayagaMwanga 11 Court has issued a warrant of arrest to the managing director of Tusabira women’s group for breach of contract. Maria Thereza is charged with failure to pay sh1.8m to Rosemary Nanono, her employer.Muntu blastsBy Isaac Kalembe FORUM for Democratic Change (FDC) national mobiliser Maj. Gen mugisha Muntu has said Museveni’s insistence on a referendum is a prelude to banning political parties.He said this at the opening of an FDC office at Wakiso on Wednesday. He said a referendum was a waste of resources and an attempt to hoodwink the public.Sale stopped By Fred Ouma ENTEBBE deputy resident district commissioner Alice Kaggwa has halted the sale of a disputed piece of land at Bwebajja on Entebbe Road.The land is in Kabulamuliro-Sekiwunga and Mawanyi villages.Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/448503-parties-rules-for-2006-polls-issued.html","content":" - By Cyprian Musoke and Felix Osike By Cyprian Musoke and Felix Osike POLITICAL parties that breach the code of conduct for the 2006 general elections should be disqualified, stakeholders recommended last week. The stakeholders were attending a workshop in Munyonyo last week at which the Electoral commission (EC) unveiled a draft code of conduct. EC chairman Badru Kiggundu released the guidelines at the workshop, which was opened by Parliament Speaker Edward Ssekandi. Political parties and civil society organisations representatives, and diplomats attended. In a report before the deliberations, they said, “This is the time for a code to stem barbaric and anarchic behaviour.” Ghana’s electoral commission chief Dr. Kwadwu Afari-Gyan said, “A code of conduct seeks to regulate the activities and behaviour of political parties and candidates, particularly during campaigns. The aim is to create conditions favourable for competitive party politics.” Kiggundu’s guidelines ban weapons at campaign meetings, party headquarters, registration, polling stations and ballot counting stations. Only security personnel on duty may carry weapons. Intimidation, armed pressure and the use of cruel language is banned. The use of bribes or traditional leaders to gain support is illegal. The removal or damage of other parties’ posters will attract penalties. Parties must remove their posters from public 15 days after the elections. The use of state vehicles and media, such as radio and TV, for parties or their candidates is banned. Rumours that may scare voters, and the use of alcohol will be penalised."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/451791-fufa-to-sue-top-radio.html","content":" - By Norman Katende and Sabiiti Muwanga FUFA will seek redress in court because they claim league sponsors Top Radio breached the contract with them by not giving sufficient notice before pulling out. This week’s 2005 Super League kick-off has subsequently been postponed. FUFA assistant treasurer Ahmed Wadrif (inset) said that the fact that the sponsors pulled out in the middle of the season, left them with no option. “The papers are with the lawyers on how best we will handle the case,” Wadrif said. Wadrif explained why they intended to go to court after a FUFA emergency meeting in Kampala on Monday. “Well, these people (Top TV) were telling us that they were with us throughout the season. We never bothered to look anywhere and suddenly they pull out.” They should have given us a month’s notice and it looks like the last option has remained in court,” Wadrif added. According to Wadrif, Top Radio are yet to clear several bills left over from last season. Top Radio yesterday decided it would pay the referees sh2.8m in cash after a cheque they issued earlier bounced. The Super Division Club Association, the league committee and referees associations also met FUFA on Monday and agreed the league kick-off be delayed by a week. KCC was to have hosted Express in the league opener at Nakivubo this Saturday. “There are so many things that are required. We do not have stationery, we need to print licenses and tickets and all these need money. We have to look for funds to do all these,” said Wadrif, who is also the vice chairman of the National Football League Committee (NFLC). After the meeting, club officials expressed their displeasure with the situation. Express FC secretary Kavuma Kabenge said they would not miss Top Radio. “These people have never put any money in the league but were just deceiving and getting free publicity. I think their departure was timely,” Kabenge said. KCC’s secretary Deo Kijjambu said this should be a wake-up call for the local soccer federation, FUFA, who he said go in for deals that they know will not hold. He claimed the kit the sponsors brought were of poor quality and came late. “It was not surprising that they pulled out. We were aware from the onset that they were giving a raw deal,” Kijjambu said. But Kabenge’s counterpart in SC Villa Edward Luyimbazi Mugalu said, a beggar had no choice. “It is unfortunate these people pulled out. We just pray that we get another sponsor.”"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/408673-news-briefs.html","content":" - AG wants more time KAMPALA — The Attorney General has said he needs more time to study a case in which Tahar Fourati Hotels international Limited is seeking compensation of US$1.5m (over sh2b) for breach of contract. The head of civil litigation told court on Thursday that Amama Mbabazi needed two weeks to study the case. The Tunisia-based hotel sued the state, saying it prematurely terminated its contract to run the Nile Hotel International Limited in 1997, causing it financial loss. Egyptian envoy hails KAMPALA — Egyptian ambassador Maasoum Mostafa Marzouk has hailed the cordial relationship between his country and Uganda. He was meeting the state minister for regional cooperation, Augustine Nshimye, at the foreign affairs ministry headquarters yesterday. Marzouk said the Egyptian foreign affairs minister would soon visit Uganda to deliver a message from President Hosni Mubarak. 3 lawyers to defend KAMPALA — Three lawyers are to defend Dr. Kiiza Besigye’s brother, Joseph Musasizi Kifefe, who is facing treason charges. The lawyers are Yusuf Nsibambi, Sam Njuba of the Forum for Democratic Change and Uganda People’s Congress lawyer Peter Walubiri. Nsibambi on Thursday said Musasizi was forced to sign a false confession statement while in military custody. Mufti off to Libya KAMPALA — The Mufti, Sheikh Shaban Mubajje, has left for Tripoli, Libya. He left on Wednesday to attend a one-week international Islamic conference. Mubajje was accompanied by Prince Kassim Nakibinge Kakungulu."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/409703-in-brief.html","content":" - AG in court KAMPALA — The Central Purchasing Corporation limited recently sued the Attorney General (AG) for breach of contract and failure to pay sh292m. The corporation allegedly purchased 48 vehicles on request from the President’s Office during the 1998/99 financial year. The corporation was refunded sh40m out of sh333m. The court has given the AG 30 days to file a defence. Mwiri sued JINJA — Businessman Imatiyaz Parbatan has sued Busoga College, Mwiri for failure to pay sh21m for food supplies. He said he supplied food to the school on December 20, 2002, July 31, 2003 and February 8, 2004 but was paid only sh7.3m. The school has 10 days to file a defence. Boss denies MBARARA — The district Democratic Party (DP) chairperson, Emmanuel Kashaija, has denied supporting Alhaj Nasser Sebaggala’s bid to register the party. He said Sebaggala was not on the DP national executive. Kashaija said this on a Radio West talk-show recently. Car crashes LUWEERO — The district inspector of vehicles, Richard Kakaire, recently crashed a car into a wall. He was testing the newly-acquired speed detecting gadget. The Totoya Saloon car swerved off the road, entered a nursery school and hit a wall. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/411617-tunisians-still-in-court-over-nile-hotel.html","content":" - COURT has given more time to the Tunisian hotelier, Tahar Fourati and the Government to resolve the dispute of breach of contract over the management of Nile Hotel. Fourati seeks sh2.5m from government for the terminating the deal. Principal Judge James Ogoola last week gave the parties up to November 1 to talk, with the view of reaching an amicable settlement. This was after the Tunisians lawyers, Nester Byamugisha and Masembe Kanyerezi, said they planned to reach an understanding. Talks are said to be in top gear. Tahar Fourati accuses the Government of illegally terminating its Nile Hotel management contract. But the Government says the case was time barred."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/413696-news-briefs.html","content":" - Judge to get KAMPALA — The Government yesterday agreed to settle a suit of about sh100m, demanded by Supreme Court Judge J. N. Mulenga in rent arrears. Mulenga sued the Government for breach of contract after it failed to pay for his building on plot 34c Kyadondo Road, which he rented out to the President’s Office. Government lawyer Mike Chibita told court that they had cleared part of the debt. Cop killed PADER — A police constable died and four others sustained bullet injuries on Monday, when their vehicle was ambushed by rebels. The vehicle, which was travelling from the district headquarters to Patongo, was ambushed at Labongo-Dero village Lira-Palwo sub-county at around noon. Deputy regional Police commander Egesa Oduli identified the deceased as Joseph Owkera, who was attached to the district. Police collect KAMPALA — About sh53m was collected by the Police from fines from the express penalty scheme last month, a monthly traffic report released yesterday said. City deputy traffic chief Sarah Kibwiika said 1,287 tickets were issued. She said in the last month 725 accidents were registered, leaving 27 people dead and 230 seriously injured. Govt owes KAMPALA — The Government owes former public servants over sh313.4b in pension arrears, the ministerial policy statement for the ministry of public service for 2004/05 financial year has indicated. In his statement to the parliamentary committee on public service and local governments, the minister, Henry Kajura, reiterated the government’s commitment to settle the present pension arrears."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/415329-ex-worker-sues-dairo.html","content":" - By Florence Nakaayi An ex-worker with Dairo Air Services Uganda Ltd, has dragged the company to court seeking recovery of over sh6m in damages for breach of contract. Through his lawyers, Patrick Tandrupasi, filed the suit at the High Court in Nakawa claiming that on December 21, 2001, the company dismissed him over theft allegations. Tandrupasi who was working at the company’s warehouse, ROKA Bonds Ltd in Entebbe. He claims the firm maliciously prosecuted him on three theft counts but was later acquitted and set free in January 2004. He claims he was earning sh180,000 every month. Deputy registrar E. Kisawuzi has summoned the firm to file a defence."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/417836-rwanda-accuses-dr-congo-of-backing-hutu-rebels.html","content":" - Rwanda accused the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday of continuing to provide military and political support to Rwandan Hutu rebels in breach of peace accords between the two neighbours. The remarks by Richard Sezibera, President Paul Kagame's special envoy to Central Africa's Great Lakes region, are likely to further strain ties between Kigali and former foe Kinshasa, already taut over an upsurge in militia violence near their common border. Sezibera said ethnic Hutu militias instrumental in Rwanda's 1994 genocide had regrouped in eastern Congo. “These extremist forces have reorganised with support from some people in the Kinshasa government, especially the ruling (group)\" Sezibera told Reuters. “If the supply of arms and ammunition were effectively cut off and political support ceased, then these 'genocidaire' forces would merely turn into bandits. They would not cause a military threat to Rwanda.\" The Kinshasa government rejected the claims and accused the Rwandan army of carrying out its operations in the resource-rich eastern regions of the former Zaire. \"How can we be arming them (militias) when our army is attacking them? The Interahamwe (Hutu militia) are no different to the Rwandan army. They steal, rape and kill and are both unwanted here in Congo,\" Congolese Communications Minister Vital Kamerhe told Reuters. The Hutu rebels have been fighting the Tutsi-led Rwandan government from bases in eastern Congo since fleeing to the country following the 1994 massacres. They also fought for Kinshasa against occupying Rwandan troops in a many-sided war, which began in 1998, when Rwanda and Uganda invaded for the second time in two years to back rebels. The conflict gradually subsided in 2003 after an estimated three million people were killed, mainly by war-related disease and hunger. The latest fighting in the impoverished region of hills and lakes follows a spate of thinly veiled threats by Rwanda to send troops back into eastern Congo if the Kinshasa government and the United Nations failed to stop rebels attacking Rwandan territory. Sezibera's comments came after the first reported raid on Rwandan territory for several years by Hutu rebels on April 8. A U.N. peacekeeping force reported Rwandan troops entered Congo in violation of the U.N.-monitored peace process last month, but Rwanda denied the accusation. Along with most other combatants in the war, Rwanda withdrew its troops in 2002. But the Kigali government has said it would send them back if it felt threatened by Hutu rebels and has called on the U.N peacekeepers to forcibly disarm them. Congo's army says it has been trying to drive the Hutu rebels off its land. Fighting in the last week of April alone killed at least 77 rebels, soldiers and villagers and displaced thousands of civilians, U.N officials say. Sezibera accused Congolese President Joseph Kabila of shunning initiatives to promote dialogue with Kigali. “We have reached out to (Congo), we have expressed our interest in collaborating with that government in any way they deem appropriate, but they never respond,\" he said. Before the latest fighting, relations between Kagame and Kabila had appeared to be warming. Under a 2003 postwar political settlement, rival Congolese leaders, including Kabila, agreed to create a unity government and form a new national army out of their guerrilla forces and Kabila's troops. But all sides acknowledge it has been hard to rebuild trust between rival rebel groups with longstanding alliances to neighbouring countries or powerful Congolese warlords. Reuters"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/419871-museveni-wonâ-t-breach-term-limit-law-â-rugunda.html","content":" - By Darious Magara President Yoweri Museveni will not breach the law to allow himself the third term, internal affairs minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda has said. Rugunda on Monday told Kabale leaders at Rukiiko hall that, “Museveni will not and is not planning to break the law to allow or create for himself a third term.” He added, “There is no possibility that Museveni can break the law. he will follow the law as we go through the political transition.” He was speaking at a meeting aimed at creating political harmony in the district. It was called by the Kabale parliamentary group chairman, Steven Bamwanga and district speaker Fr. Geitano Batanyenda. The meeting was a follow-up to one convened by National Political commissar Dr. Crispus Kiyonga in September last year to defuse political tension in the district. Rugunda said Museveni started the liberation struggle for the people of Uganda to return constitutionalism and the rule of law and could not contravene it. He was allaying fears expressed by a Kabale municipality councillor, Can. David Kanabahita that if Museveni broke the law to allow himself a third term he would not be any better than past presidents Dr. Milton Obote and Idi Amin Dada. Commenting on labelling some people anti-government, Rugunda called upon movement mobilisers to use persuasive language to woo people. Opinion leaders expressed concerns which revolved around marginalisation of Catholics in the distribution of resources. The meeting resolved to write to the President thanking him for honouring their proposal by appointing Dr. Francis Runumi. Runumi was last year appointed commissioner of planning in the health ministry and gave way to Adison Kakuru to run for the district chair. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/420570-in-brief.html","content":" - UK bank case starts KAMPALA – Litigations in a suit where a UK-based bank, HSBC Equator Bank Plc, is seeking recovery of over sh17.7b from SGS (Uganda) Limited, a pre-shipment inspection firm, for breach of contract started on Monday. Commercial Court’s Justice James Ogoola presided over the hearing. More loans at STANhope KAMPALA – STANhope Finance Company will this month begin offering loans for salary earners, Kannanpulakkal Nandanan, the company’s general manager said. He said this at a press conference recently. PTA Bank quits Sembule KAMPALA – PTA Bank has handed over Sembule Group of Companies to the owners. The bank, which has been running the firms since 1998, signed the cancellation of management services of the firm recently."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/421258-church-sues-uedcl-over-sh55m.html","content":" - By Stephen Muwambi THE Church of Uganda (COU) is suing Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) over an unfulfilled power bill exemption It seeks a sh55m compensation, for unspecified damages, breach of contract and inconveniences. The church says it paid UEB to extend power to its Gomba Headquarters but UEDCL breached the agreement when it disconnected the church in 1999. According to the case before High Court, UEDCL undertook to exempt the church from paying monthly bills. The Church says it suffered a financial loss after power was disconnected. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/421474-ag-sued-over-sh164m.html","content":" - By Hillary Kiirya THE Attorney General has been sued by Baliruno Investments Limited, a construction firm, for failure to pay over sh164m as special damages for breach of contract. Baliruno, through Sewankaambo, Mawanda, Mubiru & Co. Advocates claims that in 1998 they agreed with the Ministry of Health to construct classroom blocks and pit latrines at Bulera Primary School Kisozi for sh87.3m but it has since failed to clear the debt. The Attorney General has been sued pursuant to the provisions of the Government Proceeding Act. “In April 2002, the defendant acknowledged indebtedness and made part payment on the same and balance still stands,” the plaintiffs claimed. The also claimed that as per the contract, they paid a retention bond of sh8m and completed the work in July 1998. The plaintiffs said the work was accepted by the defendants as ready for habitation and was immediately taken over but full payment was not effected. Baliruno claims that the Ministry issued the first and second payments in 1997 in denominations of sh36m and sh33.6m respectively leaving a balance of sh6m. “The plaintiff has refused to issue a final completion certificate of about sh14.5m which remains unpaid,” read the claim. They further claimed that the defendant had to pay sh100m being value of his house sold in liquidation. They said the house was a reality of foreclosure of mortgage by Greenland bank as per closure of the amendments to the contract."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/422167-agoa-adviser-whitaker-defends-business-deal-with-uganda.html","content":" - FORMER US assistant trade representative for Africa, Rosa Whitaker, has denied that her business dealings with Uganda were in breach of US government ethical rules, reports John Kakande. She also denied discussing her private consulting business with Ugandan officials while she held the US government job. An American newspaper, Los Angeles Times, last Wednesday said “the case of Rosa Whitaker stands out as an example of why Washington officials are increasingly debating what constitutes a conflict of interest in such comings and goings.” Whitaker left the US government on December 20, 2002, to form the Whitaker Group, a private consulting firm. “I was fully conscious of my legal and ethical obligations, and have been scrupulous in my compliance with both the letter and the spirit of the law,” Whitaker told the Times. The paper said “six days after she left the trade office, she received a free round-trip ticket from Uganda. Her consulting firm soon landed a $300,000-a-year contract to advise Uganda on how to benefit from (the African Growth and Opportunity Act or AGOA) trade law she helped write.” “By March, she had signed a contract with Ghana, also for $300,000 a year, to consult on the law,” the Times said. Whitaker told the paper that she did not discuss future work for any African country while at the trade representative’s office. “I did not solicit clients or business, nor did I discuss my career plans with the officials or representatives of any African country while in government. It’s not a conflict to work in government and then come out and work on similar initiatives,” she said. The paper said Whitaker had developed a close friendship with President Yoweri Museveni while at her US government job. It also quoted MP Aggrey Awori as saying that Uganda’s Parliament was probing Uganda’s participation in AGOA, and how Whitaker got her contract with the government. “Her relationship to the president has enhanced her business prospects here,” Awori said. Awori said yesterday he had been interviewed by the Times and that the parliamentary finance committee was investigating Whitaker’s contract. The Los Angeles Times said Whitaker blamed the controversy about her support for Uganda “on long-standing political and personal vendetta” against Museveni. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/422791-uk-bank-to-deposit-sh173m-in-court.html","content":" - By Hillary Kiirya A UK-based merchant bank, HSBC Equator Bank Plc, has been ordered to deposit sh173m as security for costs before its suit against the pre-shipment inspection company, SGS for breach of contract can be heard. The High Court’s commercial division registrar, Henrietta Wolayo, passed the order after SGS’s lawyers applied for the same because the plaintiff is a non-resident foreigner and has no assets here. The registrar gave HSBC 30 days from March 3 to deposit the money in court otherwise the suit may not stand. HSBC’s lawyers contested the application for costs saying the bank had lent money to people in Uganda but the registrar could not agree with them. HSBC sued the pre-shipment company to recover over $7.9m, (about sh17.7b) lost in alleged false declaration. The bank is also requesting court to order SGS to pay $900,000 (about sh1.8b) as legal costs it incurred while investigating the breach. The court heard that SGS breached the contract by falsely stating that there were sufficient coffee stocks held by HSBC’s borrower, H.M. Nsamba and Sons Limited, a coffee dealer. HSBC claims it appointed SGS in 1999 to verify and determine the volume, grade, value and status of Nsamba’s coffee stocks in the warehouse at Kawempe but it did not."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/581551-uk-bank-sues-sgs-for-sh17b.html","content":" - By Hillary Nsambu A UK-based merchant bank, HSBC Equator Bank Plc, has sued the pre-shipment inspection company, SGS (Uganda) Limited for breach of contract. The suit seeks to recover over $7.9m, (about sh17.7b) lost in false declaration. The bank’s attorneys, Mugerwa and Masembe Advocates told Justice James Ogoola, the head of the Commercial Court on Friday that HSBC Bank was also seeking interest on the whole amount at the variable rate of London Interbank Offering Rate for one month and 3% per annum from June 2000 todate. The bank also asked the court to order SGS to pay $900,000 (about sh1.8b) as legal costs it (bank) incurred in investigating the breach. The court heard that SGS breached the contract by falsely stating that there were sufficient coffee stocks held by its (bank’s) borrower, H.M.Nsamba and Sons Limited, a Kampala-based coffee dealer. Court heard that the bank appointed SGS in 1999 to verify and determine the volume, grades, values and status of Nsamba’s coffee stocks held in the warehouse at Kawempe. Court was told that this followed a short term financing agreement entered between HSBC Bank and Nsamba for a loan $8m, depending on proof the existing coffee sales contracts between him and international coffee buyers, acceptable to the bank. SGS was also required to confirm the existence of coffee sales contracts between Nsamba and foreign buyers and the value of those contracts, availability of the coffee stocks and its loading. Court heard that SGS certified to it that there were sufficient coffee stocks, security and the loading in relation to the products’ export. Socadec SA, Switzerland, Nsamba’s primary international coffee buyers, certified by SGS, allegedly pre-financed unprocessed purchases by Nsamba and Sons."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/583082-aes-sued-for-sh90m.html","content":" - By Hillary Kiirya A KAMPALA law firm has sued AES Nile Power, seeking to recover over sh90m in special and general damages for breach of contract. Sewankambo, Mawanda, Mubiru & Company Advocates, say on July 7, 2001, they signed a six-month service agreement with AES for provision of legal services but their contract was terminated pre-maturely. Under the agreement, they were entitled to a monthly retainer fee of US$5,000 and US$30,000 upon completion of the task. They want court to order AES pay arrears of US$15,000 and contract balance of US $30,000 and costs of the suit."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/584252-in-brief.html","content":" - Reuters sues KAMPALA — Reuters, a British news agency, has sued VR Promotions, a Kampala-based entertainment and advertisement agency, for breach of contract. Reuters is seeking to recover at least £10,000 (about sh30m). The Commercial Court in Kampala heard yesterday that Reuters installed communication equipment at VR Promotions in Kampala on April 1999. Inmate dead MUBENDE — Kaweri Prison authorities have confirmed the recent death of Philip Sentamu, 69. He was due to appear in court for allegedly defiling a girl in 2000. Sentamu was one of 41 inmates transferred from Luzira Prison recently. A post-mortem report said he died of respiratory failure. One jailed MAYUGE — Grade Two Magistrate Cyprian Adipa recently sentenced Grace Lubaale, 25, to two years imprisonment for exhuming a dead body. Lubaale and a 14-year-old boy, recently committed the crime in Ntinkalu village in Baitambogwe sub-county. The boy was forwarded to a probation office. Man charged MAKINDYE — Grade Two Magistrate Esther Nasambu recently charged Peter Matovu with robbery. Prosecution said that Matove and others still at large, stole Dr. Joy Kyazike’s Toyota Corona, a mobile phone, cheque book, coat, an ATM card and keys, all valued at sh8,950,000. The suspects are said to have been armed with a gun."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/584464-greenboat-sues-kcc-over-sh3b.html","content":" - By Hillary Nsambu GREENBOAT Entertain-ment Limited has sued Kampala City Council (KCC) for breach of contract, seeking to recover over sh3b. Greenboat recently lost the management and control of traffic parking in the city to Multiplex Limited, following the re-tendering of the business by KCC. Through Muwanguzi, Zziwa and Musisi Advocates, Greenboat Entertainment contends that by terminating its contract without notice, KCC breached the contract between them for which it must pay total damages amounting to sh3,879,378,758. Greenboat contends that in their agreement signed on July 17, 1998, the agency would terminate, in case of breach of contract, the aggrieved party giving the other a notice of six months. It is also alleged that the original contract expired on August 31, 2002 and since then, Greenboat Entertainment remained in business until February 2003 when the Town Clerk stopped their operations on March 1, 2003. Greenboat contends that due to the abrupt termination of the agreement, it was unable to pursue defaulters and recover sh2,740,027,200."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/586395-farmers-breach-nile-deal.html","content":" - OVER 100 tonnes of epuripur sorghum, a raw material used by Nile Breweries in the making of its Eagle beer brand, has been bought up by unknown produce dealers, reports By Richard Otim in Soroti. Charles Aben, the district National Agricultural Advisory Services coordinator, said last week the farmers had sold the sorghum to the dealers contrary to what had been agreed with Nile Breweries. He said a group of the dealers suspected to be from Sudan had gone to Serere where a big portion of epuripur seeds had been distributed. They convinced the farmers to sell after offering a price higher than sh300 a kilogramme NBL had set. “These scavengers came in and lured the farmers to sell out the sorghum that we have found out to be more than 100 tonnes. We are told they could be from Sudan where the crop is on high demand,\" Aben said. According to the NBL agreement with Soroti farmers, any harvest of the crop would be sold only to the company. Aben said it was not proper for the farmers to go against what they had agreed on, because this would block opportunities for farmers from other parts of the district."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/587007-firm-sues-national-conference-over-sh46m.html","content":" - AN Engineering company, United Diesel Engineers Limited has sued the Movement’s National Conference seeking to recover over sh46m for breach of contract, reports Hillary Kiirya. The company (plaintiffs) through Katende, Sempebwa and Company advocates have sued the National Comference (defendant) in its corporate capacity as a Movement organ established under the Movement Act 1997. President Yoweri Museveni is the chairman of the National Executive Committee and the National Conference of the Movement. The suit is to recover payment of sh46,717,000 as money owing from the defendant together with interest, general damages for breach of contract and costs of the suit. According to the documents available at court, the National Conference was fully served by Hans Peter Kabanda from the law firm of Katende, Sempebwa & Company on August 15, but no response has been put to file. Following this, the plaintiffs have applied to the commercial court registrar for judgement to be entered against the defendant."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/587102-ex-utl-chief-sued.html","content":" - By Florence Nakaayi FORMER Uganda Telecom Ltd (UTL) chief of international operations, Justus Ampaire, has been sued over allegations that he diverted the company sh2bn to his accounts in breach of trust. UTL, through Kiwanuka & Karugire Advocates, is seeking damages of US$ 960,036 (sh1,920,072,000), interest and cost of the suit. UTL claims that Ampaire on behalf of the company, signed an agreement with two Germany Companies, Iam Communication AG, now IMC Telecom AG, and Global Network Telephone (GNT) Gmbn, for provision of interconnection telecommunication services. It is alleged that he did not disclosed the existence of the agreement to the company. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/592130-the-road-map-is-truce-real.html","content":" - --The sudden U-turn between Israel and the Islamists doesn’t move the writer Around The World With Gwynne Dyer A CEASE-FIRE has rarely been breached faster than the one announced by Palestinian militant groups on Sunday. The two biggest I"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/593090-state-house-to-sue-spear-motors.html","content":" - By Yunusu Abbey STATE House has directed the Attorney General, Francis Ayume, to institute legal proceedings against Spear Motors for breach of contract. The instructions follow Spear Motors’ failure to supply a modern caravan for the President, as previously agreed in a contract. Museveni was supposed to use the self-contained vehicle fitted with various facilities, including a working room, while on up-country trips. The directive was contained in a June 6 letter to Ayume from Mike Chibita, a legal assistant to Museveni, which The New Vision saw. The modern caravan, the type which Libyan leader Col. Muammar Gaddafi airlifted to Uganda during his May 2001 official visit, has a working room, a kitchen, bedroom and other facilities. But sources said the Mercedes Benz caravan for which the Government paid Spear Motors over US$140,000 in 1995, was “substandard and had completely different specifications contrary to what was required.” Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/595117-in-brief.html","content":" - Man jailed for child sex KAMPALA — Nakawa Court Chief Magistrate Margaret Mafabi on Friday sentenced Fred Odongo alias Obayo, 26, of Naguru Go-down to six years in jail. The prosecution said Obayo placed his finger in the private parts of his four-year-old niece on February 7 at Naguru. Obayo was found lying sideways on his bed with the victim with her knickers pulled to the knees. He had removed his shirt and positioned his private part on the back of the victim. Mafabi said Obayo deserved a deterrent sentence for abusing the child's rights and for failing to protect her as a relative and an elder. Houses face demolition KAMPALA — The Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) will on May 21 demolish all buildings under or close to the high voltage transmission lines. Sources in UETCL on Friday said the demolition would start from Mulimira zone in Bukoto. Structures within a radius of 15 metres of the high voltage transmission lines will also be razed. Areas to be affected include Bukoto, Ntinda, Seeta, Kabowa, Banda, Rubaga and Ndeeba. Schools breach order KAMPALA — Children left school on Friday for a two-week holiday that should see them return for the second term on June 4, 2003. But some schools flouted the school calendar issued by the Ministry of Education and broke off two weeks earlier. Aggrey Kibenge, the spokesperson for the ministry, said all schools are required to follow the calendar. “The heads could face a disciplinary committee. Some unscrupulous schools save a lot of money on the time robbed of both parents and their children,” Kibenge said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/595362-matembe-father-granted-bail.html","content":" - By Ebenezer Bifubyeka in Mbarara MBARARA court has granted bail to Mzee Samuel Rukoza, the father of ethics and integrity state minister Miria Matembe, after he was charged with breach of an agreement. Eliab Nuwagaba, one of the two shareholders of Rukoza’s building at Bwizibwera trading centre, Kashari in Mbarara, sued him, saying he had failed to abide by the agreement and pay him his share of sh2,627,500 as he pulled out of the enterprise. Rukoza was also ordered to pay Nuwagaba’s court costs of sh2,037,100. Rukoza built the house with Nuwagaba and Herbert Bitariho. They later signed an agreement to pull out and let Rukoza retain the entire commercial building. Rukoza agreed in December 1999 to pay off the two shareholders. After failing to pay, his 26 indigenous cows and the building in question were attached by court broker, Lawrence Beyanga. Nekemia Matembe (Miria’s husband) bailed Rukoza out of court by paying the costs on condition that he took charge of collecting rent from the building to recover his money. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/602602-nuns-sue-priest-over-deal.html","content":" - By Vision Reporter MARIANUM Press Limited, a printing press situated at Kisubi near Entebbe and owned by Catholic nuns, has sued Kisayire Ninda Limited, a business company, under the directorship of a Catholic priest, for breach of contract. The nuns are seeking the recovery of sh14.16 million against Kisayire Ninda Ltd, whose director is Fr. F.X Mbaziira. Marianum Press is also claiming interest on its money and costs of the suit. It is alleged that on various dates from August 8, 2000 to January 15, 2001, the defendant requested the plaintiff to print various educational materials and books worth sh14.16m. The money was to be paid on delivery. But it is alleged that in a letter dated June 14, 2002, addressed to Capital Auctioneers and Bailiffs, Dr Mbaziira acknowledged his company’s indebtedness and promised to clear the debt in four months installments of sh3,894,000, starting at end of June 2002, but to no avail. Marianum Press wants damages paid."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/603121-saleh-aide-in-500-000-legal-battle.html","content":" - DRAGADOS International is engaged in a legal battle with Juma Seiko in a US$500,000 (over sh930m) suit where the latter’s private firm accuses the Spanish company of breach of contract. Yunusu Abbey writes that in civil suit No.502 of 2002, Seiko’s company, J.S. International Ltd, accused Dragados of failure to pay commission for professional services rendered under an agreement signed on January 23, 1998. Dragados was renovating Mulago Hospital. Jaime Onega, a Dragados official, told the Commercial Court in Kampala yesterday that they were ready to pay US$150,000. But Seiko said he would accept US$280,000 in “good faith.” Seiko, an aide to Lt.Gen. Salim Saleh, is the managing director J.S. International. On January 23,1998, the late Enrique Salvador, the then Dragados country representative in Uganda, signed an agreement with Seiko under which J.S. International was to provide professional services to the Spanish company. Justice James Ogoola heard the case. David Nambale who represented Seiko’s company said the sum they demanded included general damages, interest and costs. But Onega, the Dragados country representative, said the firm’s board of directors in Madrid would consider whether to raise the amount from US$150,000 to US$200,000. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/382737-judge-sues-makindye.html","content":" - SUPREME Court Justice Dr George William Kanyeihamba has sued Makindye division LC3 council for breach of statutory duties and obligations, reports Hillary Nsambu. He is seeking demolition of illegal structures by a developer on Buziga Hill Road. Kanyeihamba, who is a resident in the neighborhood, feels inconvenienced and says he would not enjoy quiet atmosphere, for which he is seeking damages. Following the suit, High Court has given the defendants 15 days from November 22 to file their written statement of defence or else court will give judgment. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/357156-judge-sues-makindye.html","content":" - SUPREME Court Justice Dr George William Kanyeihamba has sued Makindye division LC3 council for breach of statutory duties and obligations, reports Hillary Nsambu. He is seeking demolition of illegal structures by a developer on Buziga Hill Road. Kanyeihamba, who is a resident in the neighborhood, feels inconvenienced and says he would not enjoy quiet atmosphere, for which he is seeking damages. Following the suit, High Court has given the defendants 15 days from November 22 to file their written statement of defence or else court will give judgment. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/382871-in-brief-tata-rejected.html","content":" - SOROTI – The Municipality has rejected a Tata dumper placer truck for collecting garbage in the town supplied by TATA Uganda Limited, for breach of contract. The councillors in a meeting quizzed the town clerk, Mackay Opolot, over a second-hand truck which was delivered to the municipality. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/357290-in-brief-tata-rejected.html","content":" - SOROTI – The Municipality has rejected a Tata dumper placer truck for collecting garbage in the town supplied by TATA Uganda Limited, for breach of contract. The councillors in a meeting quizzed the town clerk, Mackay Opolot, over a second-hand truck which was delivered to the municipality. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/383198-iguru-dragged-to-court-over-breach-of-contract.html","content":" - By Fred Kyobe THE hearing of a civil case involving the Omukama of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom started in the High Court, before Justice Rubby Aweri Opio on Monday. Florence Kahwa, a pit-sawyer, is suing Omukama Solomon Gafabusa for breach of contract. The complainant states that she was authorised to cut and saw 23.3 cubic metres of timber from Wampanga Forest Reserve belonging to the Kingdom of Bunyoro. Kahwa said she deposited sh910, 000 as payment and was authorised to operate in the forest. The complainant further said pitswayers and saw-millers including her were allowed to saw all the trees, cut and remove them from the forest, by October 13, 2001. However the contract was terminated before the agreed date expired. Kahwa, through her lawyers Muhimbura and Company advocate, is seeking for special damages amounting to sh8.24m."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/357617-iguru-dragged-to-court-over-breach-of-contract.html","content":" - By Fred Kyobe THE hearing of a civil case involving the Omukama of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom started in the High Court, before Justice Rubby Aweri Opio on Monday. Florence Kahwa, a pit-sawyer, is suing Omukama Solomon Gafabusa for breach of contract. The complainant states that she was authorised to cut and saw 23.3 cubic metres of timber from Wampanga Forest Reserve belonging to the Kingdom of Bunyoro. Kahwa said she deposited sh910, 000 as payment and was authorised to operate in the forest. The complainant further said pitswayers and saw-millers including her were allowed to saw all the trees, cut and remove them from the forest, by October 13, 2001. However the contract was terminated before the agreed date expired. Kahwa, through her lawyers Muhimbura and Company advocate, is seeking for special damages amounting to sh8.24m."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/384931-in-brief-7-charged.html","content":" - KAMPALA — Seven of the boda-boda cyclists who attacked Nakulabye Police post demanding for the four suspects were on Friday charged with breach of public peace, obstructing Police and destruction of property. The cyclists wanted to lynch Rhino Kankyi, Kanyankole, Kafuba and Mbire who allegedly murdered their colleague. Those charged were Juma Nabiryebu, Umar Lutaya and Ismail Ssebaggala. Others were Peter Mugume, 20 and Jackson Luwafu, 28, from Luweero. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/359350-in-brief-7-charged.html","content":" - KAMPALA — Seven of the boda-boda cyclists who attacked Nakulabye Police post demanding for the four suspects were on Friday charged with breach of public peace, obstructing Police and destruction of property. The cyclists wanted to lynch Rhino Kankyi, Kanyankole, Kafuba and Mbire who allegedly murdered their colleague. Those charged were Juma Nabiryebu, Umar Lutaya and Ismail Ssebaggala. Others were Peter Mugume, 20 and Jackson Luwafu, 28, from Luweero. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/360452-centenary-bank-sued-in-stakeholder-wrangle.html","content":" - By Hillary Nsambu THIRTEEN people, including three minors, have sued Centenary Rural Development Bank Limited, for breaching law, by denying them shareholder rights. The deputy High Court registrar has since directed the bank to file a written statement of defence against the suit within 15 days from September 25. By press time, however, the bank had not filed any papers in rebuttal. All the 13 shareholders, who claim to be holding 35,135 shares, through Niwagaba, Mwebesa and Company Advocates, claim the bank altered the Memorandum and Articles of Association, leaving them out of the register. They want court to order the bank to rectify the records, which should reflect them (claimants) as shareholders in the bank and order it to pay them their dividends apart from general and punitive damages, They are Michael Ssemyalo, Deo Sennyonga, David Kibuuka Mateega, Francis Mukasa, John Ssendaula, B.Mugenyi, David Mpagi (minor), V. Sennyonga, Benigwa Consolata Nnantume, Juliana Nnamuyanja, Immaculate Nannyonjo, Stella Nnamyalo and Francisca Nakisige (both minors). They claim that between 1984 and 1997, they subscribed shares to capitalise the bank and were issued with receipts. But, ever since then they have been denied participation in its meetings and other activities. Their names are not reflected in the shareholders’ register and have been denied access to bank records."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/386033-centenary-bank-sued-in-stakeholder-wrangle.html","content":" - By Hillary Nsambu THIRTEEN people, including three minors, have sued Centenary Rural Development Bank Limited, for breaching law, by denying them shareholder rights. The deputy High Court registrar has since directed the bank to file a written statement of defence against the suit within 15 days from September 25. By press time, however, the bank had not filed any papers in rebuttal. All the 13 shareholders, who claim to be holding 35,135 shares, through Niwagaba, Mwebesa and Company Advocates, claim the bank altered the Memorandum and Articles of Association, leaving them out of the register. They want court to order the bank to rectify the records, which should reflect them (claimants) as shareholders in the bank and order it to pay them their dividends apart from general and punitive damages, They are Michael Ssemyalo, Deo Sennyonga, David Kibuuka Mateega, Francis Mukasa, John Ssendaula, B.Mugenyi, David Mpagi (minor), V. Sennyonga, Benigwa Consolata Nnantume, Juliana Nnamuyanja, Immaculate Nannyonjo, Stella Nnamyalo and Francisca Nakisige (both minors). They claim that between 1984 and 1997, they subscribed shares to capitalise the bank and were issued with receipts. But, ever since then they have been denied participation in its meetings and other activities. Their names are not reflected in the shareholders’ register and have been denied access to bank records."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/391079-let-the-girls-wear-the-way-they-want.html","content":" - SIR— I read in the paper with consternation that Dr J.B. Nyakaana of the Geography department at Makerere University reportedly saying university girls “breach public peace by dressing indecently”. Such bizarre reasoning has been going on for sometime. My interpretation is this: there is now a moral decay among many men with similar reasoning. There is no prescribed dress code at Makerere, neither for students nor for their teachers. Medi Kawuma Makerere University"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/365499-let-the-girls-wear-the-way-they-want.html","content":" - SIR— I read in the paper with consternation that Dr J.B. Nyakaana of the Geography department at Makerere University reportedly saying university girls “breach public peace by dressing indecently”. Such bizarre reasoning has been going on for sometime. My interpretation is this: there is now a moral decay among many men with similar reasoning. There is no prescribed dress code at Makerere, neither for students nor for their teachers. Medi Kawuma Makerere University"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/366622-government-disowns-kazibwe-sh100m-deal.html","content":" - THE Attorney General (AG) has said the Government is not liable for Vice-President (VP) Dr. Speciosa Kazibwe’s personal dealings with a construction firm, demanding over sh100m for breach of contract, report Felix Osike and Hillary Nsambu. Hydrahomes (U) Ltd, a subsidiary of the South African-based Hydraforms Africa (Pty) Ltd, sued the AG in his representative capacity, for breach of contract, claiming US$30,300 (54m) and the return of a M5 Mark III Hydraform block making machine, held by the VP’s office. It also claimed an additional US$100 per day from November 12, 2001 to-date (sh47m), general damages, 22% interest from judgment date until payment in full and another order for the release of the equipment. But the AG said in his written statement of defence that whatever the dealings concerning the Hydrahome equipment, they were between it and the VP in her personal capacity or Waka International Ltd. He denied entering into an agreement with Hydrahomes, saying the company gave out its equipment for demonstration at no charge. The AG has asked the High Court to dismiss the suit. One of the company’s executive yesterday said they were awaiting the VP’s reaction. “The Vice-President knows she dealt with this company. If court discovers she is liable, she will be put to task. She has heard about it, let her react,” he said. Hydrahomes markets, leases its equipment and builds with blocks made of soil and cement. Through Mulenga and Karemera Advocates, Hydrahomes claims that in January 2000, it entered into an agreement with the Uganda Government, through the VP’s office, requiring it to conduct a demonstration of the use of Hydraform equipment at Dduundu in Mukono district. The demonstration was to last two weeks for the benefit of the national initiative to empower the youth. It alleged it was agreed that after the two weeks demonstration, every extra day the equipment was used would attract a rental fee of US$100 for the M5 Mark III Hydraform machine and US$50 for M7 Hydraform. It claimed the VP’s office hired and used the equipment for 204 days in respect of the M5 Mark III machine and 198 days in respect of the M7 machine for US$30,300. Hydrahomes said the M5 Mark III machine remained in the VP’s possession to-date. But the AG said the equipment was never hired by the Government and Hydrahomes kept the M7 machine’s keys. Hydrahomes said their numerous demands to the VP for payment were referred to State House which refused to pay them. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/392202-government-disowns-kazibwe-sh100m-deal.html","content":" - THE Attorney General (AG) has said the Government is not liable for Vice-President (VP) Dr. Speciosa Kazibwe’s personal dealings with a construction firm, demanding over sh100m for breach of contract, report Felix Osike and Hillary Nsambu. Hydrahomes (U) Ltd, a subsidiary of the South African-based Hydraforms Africa (Pty) Ltd, sued the AG in his representative capacity, for breach of contract, claiming US$30,300 (54m) and the return of a M5 Mark III Hydraform block making machine, held by the VP’s office. It also claimed an additional US$100 per day from November 12, 2001 to-date (sh47m), general damages, 22% interest from judgment date until payment in full and another order for the release of the equipment. But the AG said in his written statement of defence that whatever the dealings concerning the Hydrahome equipment, they were between it and the VP in her personal capacity or Waka International Ltd. He denied entering into an agreement with Hydrahomes, saying the company gave out its equipment for demonstration at no charge. The AG has asked the High Court to dismiss the suit. One of the company’s executive yesterday said they were awaiting the VP’s reaction. “The Vice-President knows she dealt with this company. If court discovers she is liable, she will be put to task. She has heard about it, let her react,” he said. Hydrahomes markets, leases its equipment and builds with blocks made of soil and cement. Through Mulenga and Karemera Advocates, Hydrahomes claims that in January 2000, it entered into an agreement with the Uganda Government, through the VP’s office, requiring it to conduct a demonstration of the use of Hydraform equipment at Dduundu in Mukono district. The demonstration was to last two weeks for the benefit of the national initiative to empower the youth. It alleged it was agreed that after the two weeks demonstration, every extra day the equipment was used would attract a rental fee of US$100 for the M5 Mark III Hydraform machine and US$50 for M7 Hydraform. It claimed the VP’s office hired and used the equipment for 204 days in respect of the M5 Mark III machine and 198 days in respect of the M7 machine for US$30,300. Hydrahomes said the M5 Mark III machine remained in the VP’s possession to-date. But the AG said the equipment was never hired by the Government and Hydrahomes kept the M7 machine’s keys. Hydrahomes said their numerous demands to the VP for payment were referred to State House which refused to pay them. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/393805-muruli-warns.html","content":" - KAMPALA — State minister for security Muruli Mukasa has warned F.M. radio stations in Teso against airing programmes that breach peace and promote ethnic tension. Muruli, who is holding the Portfolio of the Minister of State for Information, singled out Voice of Teso and Kioga Veritus F.M. “This is in connection with the wrangle in Teso between the mainly Banyankole pastoralists and the Teso community,” Muruli said in a press release issued yesterday. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/368225-muruli-warns.html","content":" - KAMPALA — State minister for security Muruli Mukasa has warned F.M. radio stations in Teso against airing programmes that breach peace and promote ethnic tension. Muruli, who is holding the Portfolio of the Minister of State for Information, singled out Voice of Teso and Kioga Veritus F.M. “This is in connection with the wrangle in Teso between the mainly Banyankole pastoralists and the Teso community,” Muruli said in a press release issued yesterday. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/368365-district-sued.html","content":" - MASAKA — A tax collector for Kabonera sub-county has sued the district administration for breach of contract. Haji Haruna Nkambwe complained that during the course of the contract, the secretary of the district tender board, Martin Sentongo stopped him without a genuine reason. He said it cost him sh2.9m. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/393945-district-sued.html","content":" - MASAKA — A tax collector for Kabonera sub-county has sued the district administration for breach of contract. Haji Haruna Nkambwe complained that during the course of the contract, the secretary of the district tender board, Martin Sentongo stopped him without a genuine reason. He said it cost him sh2.9m. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/372192-celtel-sues-utl-for-recovery-of-sh290m-debt.html","content":" - By Hillary Nsambu CELTEL Uganda has sued Uganda Telecommunications Limited (UTL) for the recovery of over sh290m as a contractual amount, arising out of a breach of agreement. Celtel, through Odere, Nalyanya and Company Advocates, wanted judgment in a summary suit, which did not need UTL to present its case in court, saying the facts giving rise to the cause of action, were foregone conclusions that needed no reply from the defendant. But UTL, through Mulenga and Kalemera Advocates, are denying that the company is under any legal liability to pay. Celtel seeks sh297.2m plus 11% interest that allegedly arose out of an interconnection agreement between it and UTL. UTL filed a notice of motion in which it was seeking unconditional permission to defend the suit. In an affidavit supporting the request to be heard, UTL’s acting managing director Aimable Mpore said the case was wrongly filed because Celtel was not entitled to a summary judgment. UTL said it would be just and equitable to have the issues adjudicated upon after the court had heard evidence of both parties. Mpore said the content of the case was also the subject of an arbitration agreement. He said the entry of a summary judgment would derogate from UTL’s statutory right under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 7 of 2000 to apply for the matter to be referred back to arbitration. Celtel said under an inter connection agreement dated January 20, 2000, UTL agreed to connect their respective telecommunication systems to enable exchange of telecommunications traffic across the network."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/397772-celtel-sues-utl-for-recovery-of-sh290m-debt.html","content":" - By Hillary Nsambu CELTEL Uganda has sued Uganda Telecommunications Limited (UTL) for the recovery of over sh290m as a contractual amount, arising out of a breach of agreement. Celtel, through Odere, Nalyanya and Company Advocates, wanted judgment in a summary suit, which did not need UTL to present its case in court, saying the facts giving rise to the cause of action, were foregone conclusions that needed no reply from the defendant. But UTL, through Mulenga and Kalemera Advocates, are denying that the company is under any legal liability to pay. Celtel seeks sh297.2m plus 11% interest that allegedly arose out of an interconnection agreement between it and UTL. UTL filed a notice of motion in which it was seeking unconditional permission to defend the suit. In an affidavit supporting the request to be heard, UTL’s acting managing director Aimable Mpore said the case was wrongly filed because Celtel was not entitled to a summary judgment. UTL said it would be just and equitable to have the issues adjudicated upon after the court had heard evidence of both parties. Mpore said the content of the case was also the subject of an arbitration agreement. He said the entry of a summary judgment would derogate from UTL’s statutory right under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 7 of 2000 to apply for the matter to be referred back to arbitration. Celtel said under an inter connection agreement dated January 20, 2000, UTL agreed to connect their respective telecommunication systems to enable exchange of telecommunications traffic across the network."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/373930-human-rights.html","content":" - FORT PORTAL — Human rights breaches do not belong only to the past, a counsellor from the Danish Embassy has said. “There is indeed still room for better performance by Uganda,” Katharine Jensen said on Wednesday while opening The Uganda Human Rights Commission regional office. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/623309-over-800-bududa-landslide-victims-register-for-school.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu A total of 814 children displaced by landslides in Namashate parish and the neighbouring Bumayoka sub-county in Bududa district have registered for nursery and primary school education in Bulucheke camp. Ezra Nabute, the head teacher of Nametsi Primary School, explained that the children were mainly former pupils of Tunuwasi, Nametsi and Kitsatsa primary schools that were closed following the tragic landslides that killed over 350 people. “Initially, the education department had closed these schools for two weeks with the hope that the situation will normalise. Now that the whole of Mt. Elgon has been declared prone to more landslides, we can’t keep the children just seated inside the camp,” Nabute said. He added that the pupils in the lower classes will study at Hope Education Centre within the camp, while those in primary five to seven will go to Bumwale Primary School, located about 1,000 metres from the camp. Nabute will head the centre at the camp. The classroom blocks at the centre are semi-permanent structures made of mud and wattle walls. By Monday afternoon, casual labourers had started nailing tarpaulins to create the roofs. Nabute said 17 teachers, most of whom were from the closed schools, had registered to serve at the two centres. He added that the decision to have the education centres was taken to avoid leaving the teachers redundant, adding that the teachers would be trained to deal with the traumatised children before they commence duty. “Whereas these teachers are used to carrying on normal classes, most of the pupils they are going to handle lost their parents, classmates and close relatives. “The children need special attention to avoid causing them more psychological torture. Later, we may prefer to bring all these children to the centre for close supervision,” Nabute said. He added that a 12-member school management committee had already been formed and explained that the teachers were waiting for scholastic materials and completion of the structures at the centre to start teaching. However, Nabute noted that most of the pupils whose parents stayed in Bukalasi and Bumayoka sub-counties would be prompted to trek long distances to attend classes in the camp. Justine Abenaitwe, the Save the Children child protection officer, said her organisation would provide the pupils with scholastic materials. Shiru Bogere, the Bumayoka community development officer, said authorities within the camp were still screening children to ascertain their vulnerability. “When relief came, people exploited the situation and sent children to get the items. We are using LC1 chairpersons, guardians and close relatives to identify the genuine vulnerable children,” Bogere said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/399510-human-rights.html","content":" - FORT PORTAL — Human rights breaches do not belong only to the past, a counsellor from the Danish Embassy has said. “There is indeed still room for better performance by Uganda,” Katharine Jensen said on Wednesday while opening The Uganda Human Rights Commission regional office. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/636313-floods-destroy-crops-roads-in-apac-district.html","content":" - By BONNEY ODONGO The stench of rotting crops like cassava and beans is what hits you as you walk in most of the villages in Apac district. CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/634089-in-today-s-paper-fake-sausages-flood-market.html","content":" - By Prossy Nandudu Substandard sausages that have flooded the market are threatening the growth of the beef processing industry.   CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/622735-haphazard-tree-cutting-is-very-risky.html","content":" - EDITOR—Press reports that the Government is to embark on an aggressive tree-planting programme in the degraded mountainous areas to prevent future landslides is a very good idea. When trees are planted in such areas, their roots help to bind soil together, and if the soil is sufficiently shallow they act to keep the soil in place by also binding with the underlying bedrock. When trees are removed on the steep slopes with shallow soil, the risk of landslides also increases, which in the end threatens the lives of people living nearby. The trees planted in such areas will not only prevent future landslides but also act as water catchment areas and absorb carbon which traps heat. Letting people wantonly cut trees in these landslide- prone areas in the name of farming or simply looking for new habitat due to population pressure, is equal to committing environment suicide. Patrick Abigaba Makerere University"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/623217-mukwano-group-grieves-with-bududa.html","content":" - A Mukwano Group of Companies channel partner based in Mbale, Mohammed Khaja (right), handing over Kyekyo food drinks to Sylvester Wacheka, the Bududa resident district commissioner, at the district headquarters last week. Mukwano Group donated food and goods worth sh10m to the landslide victims. Over 90 people were confirmed to have died in the disaster, while over 360 are unaccounted for. Thousands more were made homeless"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/761920/-/10grtwg/-/index.html","content":"Breaking bones on stones for a living - Gulu She gnashed her teeth as blood oozed out of her palm. As soon as her colleagues saw her holding out her hand, some of them ran out to a nearby bush to search for herbs while others came over to help stop the bleeding. Ms Betty Abur, who crushes stones into gravel to earn a living at Laroo Stone Quarry in Aswa County, Gulu District, had just hit her right hand palm with a three-kilogramme hammer – bringing work at the quarry to a standstill. For her pains, Ms Abur, like her colleagues, gets meagre wages. “You leave this place and you will feel the pain all over the body yet here we only work for food,â€Â� said Ms Pauline Opio. Asked how much they earn, Ms Abur said: “The price for a [truck full] of the aggregate stones is low. They pay us Shs180,000 per trip and sometimes even the buyers are not there or the price drops to Shs160,000.â€Â� To make enough aggregate to fill a truck takes about 10 days and this is after a combined effort by other members of the group, usually about 10. It starts with the cutting of huge rocks into smaller portable pieces that are carried on the head from the inaccessible areas to a place from where they are manually crushed into smaller pieces that can be used in the construction of buildings. Because of the painstaking nature of the job, which has been a source of livelihood for many people in this area for the last 20 years, Ms Abur says the people who work at the quarry have devised means of spreading the burden around. “What we do is to crush the stones in turns. If we went to her place today, the next they will come to mine,â€Â� Ms Abur said. Yet the challenges at the quarry are enormous. While accidents like those suffered by Ms Abur are a routine, there is no first aid kit. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/654147-climate-change-affecting-food-security.html","content":" - By Phionah Sanyu Uganda’s economy is largely agricultural. This means that agriculture being the core sector has, for a long time, significantly contributed to the country’s GDP and employment. The Uganda Statistical Abstract (2013) sites the agricultural sector as the major source of employment, engaging about 66% of the country’s population which derives its livelihood from it.  On the one hand the National Development Plan (NDP) (2010/11-2014/15) recognises agriculture sector as having the potential to significantly increase it contribution to economic growth and poverty reduction agenda. On the other hand, despite the many reforms that have been implemented in the agriculture sector, growth in the sector there remains slow, largely because the sector receives less than 4% of the national budget. Furthermore, while Uganda’s population predominantly survives on agriculture, there have been changes in the climatic patterns that have affected food production. The 2nd Chronic Poverty Report notes that the poor people have been vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change because of their fragile resilience and limited ability to adapt, their dependence on natural resources and their limited capacity to adapt, which is heightened by weak national systems that make many people who are currently vulnerable or are in transitory poverty are at risk of staying in chronic poverty. Uganda, like the other East African Countries, has ratified the United National Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) and Kyoto Protocol that guided the development of the East African Community (EAC) Climate Change Master Plan. The EAC countries have also used Climate Risk Management (CRM) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) approaches to reduce the degree of vulnerability and increase capacity of communities. The DRR approaches offer options for prevention, mitigation and preparedness to adverse impacts of natural hazards in some of its interventions. For instance, strengthening regional meteorological and hydrological services and improving climate early warning systems to promote efficient management and utilisation of natural resources, including protection of vulnerable ecosystems. Despite this, most of the countries don’t have long term responses to disasters. In Uganda, the National Disaster Preparedness and Management Policy has not effectively been responsive to managing disaster hence increased vulnerability of the affected population. It is, therefore, worth noting that while agriculture remains critical to Uganda’s economy, the climatic changes’ effect on temperatures and precipitationhave remained a threat to the economy. The threats include; change in seasons which have not only affected agriculture production, but also the weather patterns. These in turn have been manifested in form of floods and droughts, affecting the poor, who tend to be the ones that live on land that is prone to flooding. They have been forced to live in temporary shelters during storms and landslides as is the case of people living around Mt Elgon in Eastern Uganda, who have been victims to mudslides, specifically in Bududa.  The communities prone to these threats have continually become poorer as most of them have been displaced and resettled in internally displaced camps. This has not only affected their productivity but has meant that drought and floods have greatly contributed to food insecurity which has resulted into severe malnutrition among the population especially the children less than five years. The Government of Uganda and the East African Community are called upon to urgently ensure that their early warning systems and disaster preparedness and management policies are effectively responsive to predict and manage disasters and increased vulnerability of their affected people. The writer is a social analyst RELATED STORIES Climate change 'boosts conflict risk, hunger' MDGs ‘fail on climate change’"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/634599-makerere-to-study-causes-of-landslides.html","content":" - By PAUL WATALA Scientists from Makerere University intend to carry out research on the causes of landslides in the Mount Elgon area.   CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/857800/-/g1vtswz/-/index.html","content":"Costa Rica elects Chinchilla first woman president - Laura Chinchilla, a protege of Nobel peace laureate President Oscar Arias, won a landslide election victory in Costa Rica on Sunday to become the country's first woman elected president. Chinchilla, formerly Arias' vice president, has vowed to continue his pro-business policies in the Central American nation, expanding free trade pacts and courting investment. The center-leftist won 47 percent of the vote, around double the scores of her two closest rivals, who quickly conceded defeat. She will join a small camp of women leaders in typically male-dominated Latin America that currently includes Chile's Michelle Bachelet and Argentina's Cristina Fernandez. \"I am thankful for the good work of the outgoing government and thankful our country is again moving forward and refuses to allow this advance to stop,\" Chinchilla said after declaring victory to cheers from her supporters. Famed for its political stability in a turbulent region, Costa Rica is an economic success story in Central America, with an economy based around tourism, manufactured products like microchips, and exports of coffee, pineapples and bananas. Popular with eco-tourists, surfers and U.S. and Canadian retirees for its lush jungles, volcanoes and relaxed lifestyle, Costa Rica is proud of its six decades of democratic elections and status as one of Latin America's most stable countries. \"This election ... is an affirmation of the development model that has been employed,\" said professor Alberto Cortes of the University of Costa Rica. However he noted environmentalists and labor groups may prove stubborn if Chinchilla pushes ahead with unpopular projects begun by Arias, such as allowing open-pit mining to resume after removing a moratorium or an expansion of the Caribbean port of Limon. FREE TRADE DIVISIVE Married with a teenage son, Chinchilla is a social conservative who opposes gay marriage and abortion but is also seen as a flagbearer for women in her country. \"It's time,\" said Chinchilla voter Maria Luz Calderon. \"I like her ideas.\" Chinchilla saw her lead in recent opinion polls narrow as her opponents tried to portray her as a placeholder for Arias. But the much-decorated peacemaker told Reuters he will bow out of politics when his term ends in May. Chinchilla's vote total was well above the 40 percent needed to avoid a runoff, but her National Liberation Party fell short of a majority in the legislative assembly, meaning she will have to seek alliances with opposition parties. Chinchilla was aided by Costa Rica's relatively smooth passage through the global economic crisis. The country dipped last year into its first recession in 27 years but is seen recovering this year. Many Costa Ricans oppose the free trade pacts she and Arias champion, however. Voters only narrowly approved the region's CAFTA free trade deal with the United States in 2007 and dislike of the pact drew many voters to center-left candidate Otton Solis, a staunch opponent of free trade. 1 | 2 Next Page»Solis had 25 percent of the vote and conservative candidate Otto Guevara had 21 percent against Chinchilla's 47 percent with 84 percent of ballots counted. Guevara had gained support after pushing his hard line on crime, promising stiffer jail terms and softer restrictions on law-abiding citizens owning guns. Costa Rica, which has no army and avoided the Cold War-era civil wars that ravaged its neighbors, is known for its low crime but is increasingly a transit route for drug gangs. Arias is the country's best-known citizen after being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize during his 1986-90 term for helping to end Central America's bloody guerrilla conflicts. He was elected to a second term in 2006 but now plans to retire and dedicate his time to his family and reading. (Writing by Catherine Bremer and Robert Campbell; Editing by Eric Beech) « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/930958/-/a13rhwz/-/index.html","content":"Isn’t parliamentary privilege subject to judicial review? - Recently, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament suspended Members of Parliament on account of “misconduct” within the precincts of Parliament. She relied on powers vested upon her by the Rules of Procedure passed by Parliament. Uganda is a constitutional democracy and this simply means that the Constitution is supreme. All power and authority are subject to it and any law or decision inconsistent with it is void (Article 2). Whereas Article 94 of the Constitution empowers Parliament to make rules to regulate its own procedure, and whereas Parliament actually made those rules and adopted them, such rules must, however, not be in conflict with the Constitution. The crucial question, therefore, is; did the Deputy Speaker act constitutionally? The spirit of democracy is that all citizens are duly represented at all levels and at all times in all decision-making processes that affect their lives politically, socially and economically. In pursuit of this, democracies provide for the periodical free and fair elections of representatives of the people to (for example) Parliament. Henceforth, the electorate expect to be represented by the MP at all times as provided by the relevant laws. Articles 63 and 78 of our Constitution bring out this democratic requirement of representation. Secondly, Article 42 guarantees the right to just administrative decisions. This right requires that any person subject to an administrative decision must be given due notice to prepare his/her response; must be given a fair hearing; must be given written reasons for the administrative decision taken against him/her; and may take legal action if not satisfied with the decision. In De Lille v Speaker of the National Assembly 1998 (7) BCLR 916 (C) the Cape High Court (South Africa) held that exercises of parliamentary privileges are subject to the Constitution. The Supreme Court of Appeal upheld this decision.Briefly, the facts of the case quoted above were that Patricia De Lille was suspended from Parliament for 15 days for making allegations that certain ANC officials had been “spies for the apartheid regime”. She was a member of opposition PAC party and was suspended for contempt. Although these facts are not identical with those of our parliamentarians, the crucial issue is the determination of the constitutionality of the decisions in the two incidences. De Lille opposed the suspension and went to court. Her lawyers argued that she had not had a fair hearing, and that several of her constitutional rights had been infringed. Counsel for the Speaker of the National Assembly argued that the Assembly had exercised its parliamentary privileges to control its own affairs, and that exercises of parliamentary privileges are not subject to the review power of the courts. In his judgment, Hlope stated “… suspension of a member of the Assembly from Parliament for contempt is not consistent with the requirements of representative democracy.” He concluded that “The nature and exercise of parliamentary privileges must be consonant with the Constitution … If a parliamentary privilege is exercised in breach of the constitutional provisions, redress may be sought by an aggrieved party from law Courts…” The Judge found that Ms De Lille’s suspension constituted an unjustified infringement of her constitutional rights to freedom of speech, just administrative action and access to court. In view of the looming precedent, is it not only appropriate that the question be put to our own Constitutional Court for determination? The mere ipse dixit assumption that parliamentary privileges are not subject to court review, and that decisions taken under the parliamentary rules are res judicata may after all be unconstitutional! Mr Wasula is the general secretary, Uganda Performing Right Society"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1184784/-/c09x7qz/-/index.html","content":"Government releases list of Nimule accident victims - Police have released a list of 17 Ugandans who have been identified among the 29 people killed in the Nimule bus accident in Southern Sudan on Friday. The bodies of the 17 Ugandans were transported from Southern Sudan to the Uganda Peoples Defence Force Fourth Brigade in Uganda yesterday night. At least 50 other Ugandans were injured when two buses belonging to two Ugandan bus companies were involved in a head-on collision at Arapi village, Pageri in Payam, 28 kilometres from the Uganda border in southern Sudan.Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said most of the victim accidents hail from Kampala suburbs. “Four Ugandans bodies haven’t yet been identified. Nevertheless they have been transported to Uganda for their relatives to identify them,” Ms Nabakooba said. “Right now, the rescue team has gone back to Nimule Hospital to airlift 17 injured Ugandans to Mulago Hospital.” She said 21 of the 29 people who were hospitalised have been discharged while another 15 victims, who were in critical condition, have been flown to Mulago Hospital for further treatment. Among the injured people still hospitalised include Southern Sudan MP Mary Kida and her son Lodi Ogole admitted to Gulu Independent Hospital. Lt. Col. Badwa Dada Tito attached to Southern Sudan Wildlife Authority is also admitted to Lacor Hospital.A number of Ugandan businesspeople trade in Southern Sudan and use buses as the means of transport. In May, more than 10 people died after a vehicle they were travelling in was swept away by floods after it got stuck in sand on River Kaya in Southern Sudan. And in 2009, at least 20 Ugandan traders were killed in an accident in Southern Sudan. Motor accidents kill at least 3,000 people per year in Uganda minus those who die abroad. The number of people who die in road accidents has increased from 2,734 in 2009 to 2,954 in 2010. A total of 14,148 people were hospitalised after they suffered serious injuries after they were involved in road accidents while 1,742 suffered minor injuries. ========================================== Survivors say driver was speeding, never respected traffic regulations Cissy Makumbi & James ErikuGulu Survivors of Friday’s fatal accident at Pageri in Southern Sudan have said the drivers of the ill-fated Bakulu and Baby coaches would have avoided the crash if they had observed traffic rules. By Friday evening, the death toll had risen to 53 while more than 60 people have been injured, according to unconfirmed reports. 1 | 2 Next Page»Ms Judith Namutosi, 24, a pregnant mother, who was evacuated to Gulu Referral Hospital for treatment, said although she was asleep at the time of the accident, she knew the speed of their bus was terrible. “I was asleep at the time of the accident. I only realised that I was out of the bus with both legs broken” Ms Namutosi said. Ms Namutosi, a resident of Namungoona in Kampala but operating a restaurant in Juba, however, said she is pleased that her six-months pregnancy has not been affected by the incident. Ms Zaina Namusoke, 29, a resident of Ssembule in Kampala who works in a super market in Juba, now admitted to Gulu Referral Hospital, said “Baby Coach that entered the side of Bakulu was full because there were many passengers who were even standing by the time of the crash”. An official from the Office of the Prime Minister, Maj. Gen Julius Oketta, said at least 21 of the injured have already been referred to Kampala. The injured- Ibrahim Mubiru - Zainah Namuso- John Habakurama- Abu Fahad- Rose Among- James Bagambe- Paul Muyomba - Flavia Babirye- Godfrey Lukoba- Joseph Nsubuga- Micheal Were- Sula BIaka- Charles Ntuhalush- Siminyu Nakaju- Hellen Nabagenyi- Yudah Ssebana- Diana Kimbo- Cissy Nampala- Joseph Jingo- George Mawadri- Augustine Kibalama- James Bagame List of dead- Joseph Kabanda Nyanzi, a driver of Baby Coach- Kamya Ssekatte- Habib Mugoya- Tom Ndawula- Eric Kiiza- Bright Moses- Isma Katongole- Jimmy, a conductor - Gabreoi Murram- Tony Mulumba- Sam Kasirivu- Godfrey Yiga- Godfrey Mukiibi, driver of Bakulu Coach- Fred Muteesa- Yanga- Isma- Andrew ** Four bodies have been identified yet « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/UPDF-is-a-disciplined--non-partisan-force/-/689364/2548072/-/qex4y1/-/index.html","content":"UPDF is a disciplined, non-partisan force - Political temperatures have started to rising as the country heads for the 2016 general elections. Those not sure of their fate are making up stories about UPDF involvement in an election that is still months away. This is to justify in advance to their supporters their failures by finding a scapegoat. Others, meanwhile, are organising huge conferences and reaping big from donors all in the disguise of ‘Keeping UPDF out of politics’. Unfortunately, some Ugandans are not aware that these ‘political’ donors are only geared toward destroying the UPDF image and the immense respect that the Force commands across the region. Here is another perspective. A few decades ago, Uganda soldiers routinely intimidated people with impunity, taking the law into their hands. The neocolonial army of the time was synonymous with extra judicial killings, violence and many other atrocities against the very people they were supposed to defend and protect. So poor was the image of the soldiers of the time that no bad story was ever complete without the mention of the hand of a soldier in it. This bitter past the country went through was addressed with the birth of the National Resistance Army (NRA) that later evolved into Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF). The UPDF institution that we see now emphasises quality of personnel right from the recruitment level, desiring to create soldiers who outthink their opponents in the field even in the absence of commanders. Yet, it’s unfortunate that unscrupulous individuals have continued to package the current disciplined UPDF with the wrappers from past dreadful armies. They deliberately attempt to overturn reality pertaining to the character of the UPDF. Often, they are driven by selfish motives, using defence forces as scapegoats for their failures. I mean failure to positively exercise their duties in society, failure in politics and many others. Take, for instance, the most recent case where Mr Paul Mafabi, a director at the Water and Environment ministry, alleged that on November 21, soldiers were deployed against environment police at Kinawataka. The incident occurred when Nema was alleged to have given away wetland to developers against his directives. Now this does not make sense, for the UPDF roles are clearly spelt out in the Ugandan Constitution. The UPDF could not have acted against police but in support of it, on call and were not called. And if truly there were any soldiers at the scene acting against the environment police as alleged, then the director, as a responsible leader, should have immediately called on the military leadership for a remedy. Soldiers are never obstacles to the law and every soldier has a unit and a name tag to be mentioned in case of such allegations. The UPDF institution has publicly charged and tried soldiers who try to subvert the law, regardless of rank or title. Besides, the UPDF will be involved in railway construction which passes through Kinawataka swamp and could , therefore, not participate in an activity that would promote flooding of the area. Whereas it is said in some African traditions that “for every misfortune, there is a witch”, the Ugandan Military lost that ‘witch title’ way back in 1986. The UPDF, therefore, cannot be linked to failures or chaos. This is a winning army. It is disciplined and subordinate to civilian authority as established under the constitution. The UPDF positive image at home and in international arena is already afloat; we cannot afford to lose our place to unscrupulous interests. 1 | 2 Next Page»Temperate Ugandans should, therefore, not get tired of reiterating to such groups that the UPDF is a nonpartisan force, national in character, patriotic, professional and not a scapegoat. Obbo is the deputy defence/UPDF spokesman « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/692098/-/bjljnhz/-/index.html","content":"What can $5 credit do for Ugandan peasants? - Peasants form the bulk of Uganda’s productive population and no genuine efforts to develop country can afford to ignore them. From the mid ‘80s, several attempts have been made to raise the incomes of peasants but it is distressing to note that, after two decades, the income per capita of the country has only doubled from $264 to $504; implying an increase of below one tenth annually. The reasons for this poor performance came to the fore when public officials openly admitted failure of previous interventions like the poverty eradication action plan (PEAP). What explains the failure? Should we say it was a case of prescription of a wrong drug? Was the doctor or the drug aunthetic? To these and other questions, certainly answers may be as varied as possible depending on analysts’ point of view. Despite past poor performance, all Ugandans should strongly debate as well as suggest alternative interventions to reduce poverty among peasants. My opinions to the debate focus on the effectiveness of recent Shs60 billion credit support to the agricultural sector. The adequacy of this credit is in question in case we do some simple mathematics. If it is understood that about three quarters of Uganda’s labour force is employed in agriculture, with most being subsistence farmers, how much credit is effectively available to each farmer? My rough estimates indicate that about $5 is available for each of the 10 million peasants in Uganda - only 4.5 per cent of Millennium Villages Project estimate! This raises a couple of more questions, the cardinal one being; how many decades will it take an average peasant to double their income and escape poverty trap? In health settings, issuing a suboptimal dosage is considered drug abuse! If Shs60 billion is a suboptimal credit facility and there are no additional funds, how best can we utilise this money to improve peasants’ welfare? In my view, this fund should be used to open more seed multiplication centres and ensure timely delivery of sufficient crop varieties. This will prevent scenarios as recently witnessed in Teso region where just a fraction of cassava cuttings was available to farmers. Besides multiplication centres, the government should, in the near future, consider proposals of agricultural products’ price regulation to ensure peasants plan better and gain confidence from price predictability. Price regulation reduces uncertainty among the peasants and enhances profitability of farming since middlemen and processors’ bargaining power is reduced. Price regulation has proved useful in improving welfare of peasants in the Sri Lankan tea sector. Although a number of authorities may argue against price regulation, for reasons of social justice and equity, the peasants in Uganda need fair pricing of their agricultural products. It is only through the sale of agro-produce that the peasants generate income. With the seasonality of production well known to all, there are times of large agro-produce supply and it is at these times that prices nosedive! If fair prices at times of abundant supply were offered, this would greatly improve the average income peasants receive from agriculture. Moreover, in the absence of price regulation, even with land reforms, emerging climate change challenges are likely to worsen peasants’ economic and food security. Lastly, borrowing from Julius Caesar Act IV, I ask who will recognise the tide in the affairs of peasants and take it at flood to lead to fortune? So far, it appears, all the voyage of peasants’ life has been bound in miseries and shallows! 0782498502"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/611666-news-in-brief.html","content":" - One killed in Kween landslide One person was killed recently in a landslide at Kamawo village in Kitawoi sub-county in Kween district. Chebet Kuminy had visited his brother, Christopher Siire, when he was killed. “Kuminy wanted to go back home, but Siire convinced him to spend a night at his home because of the bad weather,” said Shaban Ayeba, the Kasumbata clan chairman. John Mella, the aspiring LC5 councillor for Kitawoi, said Kuminy was buried on Thursday. Karamoja to benefit from trees Over 500 households of the Jie and Dodoth in Karamoja who were recently resettled at Moruita peace camp on the Kotido-Kaabong road are to benefit from a tree planting project. “It’s the women who build huts, fortresses and burn charcoal for sale,” observed Petero Ayen, a resident of Sidok sub-county. The 3,000 seedlings, donated by Mercy-cops, include Mvule, pine, mangoes and oranges."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/1-000-traders-face-eviction/-/688334/2722510/-/ht2qtfz/-/index.html","content":"1,000 traders face eviction - Entebbe. About 1, 000 traders who currently operate roadside kiosks on Entebbe Road have been given until May 30 to relocate elsewhere.The Wakiso District local government accuses the traders of having established their kiosks on a road reserve, in breach of urban planning regulations.Mr David Naluwayiro, the Wakiso District chief administrative officer, in a notice said if the traders do not heed the notice to relocate, the authority would demolish their structures.“It has been noticed you have built structures on a road reserve and are operating your businesses on a road reserve, which is an ungazetted market place and with no sanitary/toilet facility,” Mr Naluwayiro said.He added: “You are given up to May 30, 2015 to comply with this notice. If you do not, your illegal structures shall be demolished at your own cost.”However, one of the traders, Mr George Ndawula, on Tuesday called on the district to extend the deadline.He said the two parties – traders and the district officials – should meet to resolve the matter.“If the district officials refuse to meet us, we shall wait for them and we will engage them as they try to destroy our business,” Mr Ndawula said.“It is from here that we earn a living to provide for our families, pay school fees for our children. Why would the district want us to relocate well knowing it does not have money to develop the places?” Mr Ndawula asked.Mr Jumba Haruna Saleh, who claimed he was representing the CAO, told the traders to use this time to locate areas they could move to.“I know the district currently does not have money to develop the area, but even if you stayed put, when the district gets the money it will evict you. So you better plan now and you don’t wait to be evicted without any plan,” Mr Haruna said. jkiggundu@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Rosebud-case-on-wetland-set-for-hearing/-/688334/2289304/-/bk85x5/-/index.html","content":"Rosebud case on wetland set for hearing - Kampala- The High Court Civil Division has finally set a date to start hearing the case filed by four environment civil society organisations against Rosebud Limited, a flower farm for encroaching on the Lutembe Bay wetland in Namulanda on Entebbe Road. The organisations, National Association for Professional Environmentalists (NAPE), Green Watch, Nature Uganda and Advocates for Natural Resources Governance (ANARDE) sued the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) and Rosebud Limited for breaching articles 50, and 22 of the 1995 Constitution on the right to a clean and healthy environment. “The actions of Nema and activities of Rosebud are in breach of international environmental law. In 2006, Lutembe wetland was designated as a wetland of international importance (Ramsar site). NEMA however went ahead to approve Rosebud’s illegal activities of pouring soils into this wetland,” the complaint reads in part. The High Court Civil Division has set October 1 to start hearing the case by Justice Benjamin Kabito. Police last year engaged in running battles with Namulanda residents led by Wakiso District chairman Matia Bwanika who staged demonstrations protesting pouring soils into Lutembe wetland. Mr Sudhir Ruparelia, the director Rosebud, however, in an interview said he was cleared by Nema and was working within the law. Lutembe Bay wetland was designated a Ramsar site on September 15, 2006 making it a wetland of international importance. It has globally threatened bird species, bio-medical species and category species. It has always been threatened by real estate developers and a family who have been selling it off and lately Rosebud flower farm. However, residents have on all occassions been running to various offices to ensure its safety. mssebuyira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Easter-musical--shows-on-as-singers-solve-row/-/688334/2282528/-/bu9k6t/-/index.html","content":"Easter musical  shows on as singers solve row - KAMPALA- A dispute between singers of the defunct Eagles Productions, and promoter Balaam, have been resolved, a move that gives the green light to the Easter music shows involving the two principals. Both parties withdrew cases before Nakawa High Court and agreed to perform four shows for the promoter in May this year. According to the consent entered before deputy registrar, Ms Gladys Nakibuule, Balaam will pay Shs20 million to the singers, including Mesach Semakula, Ronald Mayinja and Fred Seruga but they would also facilitate the promotion of the shows dubbed ‘Bye bye Eagles’. Balaam had sued Eagles Productions and the singers including Geofrey Lutaaya, seeking to block their Easter music shows organised under New Eagles owned by Mr Lutaaya and Golden Band under the proprietorship of Mr Semakula and Mr Mayinja, among others. The promotion agency was seeking for orders to direct them (singers) to honour a number of performance contracts. Breach of contract The case also sought for orders restraining the singers from breach of contracts by performing anywhere else on the contracted dates or risk refunding Shs108 million with interest of 20 per cent per year. However, Ms Nakibule advised the parties to settle the case with a view of protecting the industry. A host of singers had stormed court premises to hear the fate of Easter performances organised by rival groups of artistes formerly under the defunct Eagles Production. The case arises out of various alleged contracts between Balaam and Mr Lutaaya as the managing director and shareholder of Eagles Production dated December 2013 to January. It is alleged that Eagles Productions was partially paid to perform during Easter festivities slated for April 20 and 21 as well as at Lutaaya’s album launch on May 16 and 18. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/UPDF-soldier-arrested-with-Kagame-guard-held-without-trial/-/688334/2094338/-/7y55ag/-/index.html","content":"UPDF soldier arrested with Kagame guard held without trial - A UPDF soldier continues to be detained at Kira Division Police Station in Wakiso District, a month after his arrest. Cpl Abdukarim Mulindwa, has never recorded a statement and no charge has been brought against him, during his 34 days in detention. Cpl Mulindwa was arrested in Kampala with Lt Joel Mutabazi, the former escort of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who was deported to Kigali last month and is now in jail on charges of terrorism and treason. When this reporter visited Kira Division Police Station seeking to speak to the accused, the Divisional Commander, Mr Peter Nkulega, denied knowledge of the whereabouts of the suspect. “We don’t have that case. I have to verify, but I don’t think we have that case,” Mr Nkulega said, and ordered: “Leave the station immediately and don’t talk to any junior officer about things they don’t know and cannot speak about.” When Sunday Monitor called Mr Nkulega the following day after the time for verification had passed, he declined to comment on the subject. “I have briefed Ibin Ssenkumbi and he told me he saw your calls but he is also not picking them. I am not ready to give you information on that subject. I am not even allowed to talk to the press.” Indeed, Sunday Monitor’s repeated calls to Mr Ssenkumbi were not answered. Police Spokesperson Judith Nabakooba too declined to comment on the matter and referred this reporter back to Mr Ssenkumbi. However, some staff at Kira Division Police Station, who preferred to remain anonymous for fear of reprimand since they are not allowed to speak to the press, admitted Cpl that Cpl Mulindwa was in detention at the station. His lawyer, Mr Ladislas Rwakafuzi, confirmed he had seen his client at the station. “He is still there. I got the affidavit and he signed it in the cell. I personally spoke to him in the cell,” the lawyer said. A family member also said Cpl Mulindwa was still in custody after visiting him at the station earlier. “When Besigye was brought here, he was in the same cell with Cpl Mulindwa, they even talked. He is still there but these things are difficult,” a junior police officer said, in reference to the detention of former FDC president Kizza Besigye. The Deputy Army Spokesman, Mr Robert Ngabirano, said Cpl Mulindwa is attached to Bombo barracks and a diploma student of computer studies in Kampala. 1 | 2 Next Page»“He was last seen in October when he came to renew his movement order. If he was arrested driving a fugitive, then he was in self-deployment,” he said, adding: “Let him swallow [pay the price) or tell the world what he was up to. As UPDF, we know he is a soldier upgrading his education and at school and the director of education is waiting for his report.” Mr Rwakafuzi has applied to Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court for orders to release Cpl Mulindwa. What the lawyer wantsMr Rwakafuzi wants the court to declare that the Kira Division Police Commander Mr Nkulega’s refusal to release Cpl Mulindwa within 48 hours after his arrest is in breach of the constitutional guarantees of liberty. In a sworn affidavit signed by the soldier on November 28, in support of his application, Cpl Mulindwa states: “I was arrested by police on Friday October 25 at Kamengo on Masaka Road on my way to Masaka. They tortured me and inflicted bruises on my body.” In the affidavit, Cpl Mulindwa accuses police officers ACP Joel Aguma and IP Awawu for torturing him after arrest and driving him at night to various police stations in Kampala, till they dumped him at Kira Police Division in Namugongo in the morning. “No charge has been preferred against me and no statement has ever been recorded from me,” he testifies. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/642132-special-report-fake-waragi-floods-the-country.html","content":" - Special Report. Fake Waragi Floods the Country.    BY CAROL KASUJJA. Ugandans are becoming craftier and niftier every other day. Some unscru¬pulous individuals are taking advantage of the colourless state of waragi (gin) by substituting it with water and selling to unsuspecting buyers.  Information from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) indicates that the men and women who want to make easy money have pounced on several popular spirit brands like Leading waragi, Ras, Afande, Arsenal, London and Beck¬ham gin, Coffee spirit, Zed pineapple and Tyson Waragi. Even one of Uganda’s most recognised premium brands — Uganda Waragi — has not been spared.  “We carried out an operation and took different samples of waragi from different parts of the country and found out that conmen have started packing adulterated water in plastic bottles and supplying it to busy centres like Wandegeya, claiming it is alcohol. They normally sell such alcohol at night near busy bars,” says Barbara Kamusiime, the UNBS spokesperson. One of the most affected brands is Leading Waragi. It is not clear why the authorities, including UNBS and the alcohol industry, have not come down hard on this illegal and dangerous trade.  A consumer we talked to says his concern is not to be told that there are fake spirits on the market, but know that he is protected. The fake waragi is not limited to only the processed and packaged products but even the unprocessed.  In 2010, contaminated waragi killed 30 people in Kabale district and left many others hospitalise and blind. We are working closely with Uganda Alcohol Industries Association, which monitors all alcohol manufacturing companies, to stamp out the vice. We have also encouraged members who pack waragi to join that association so that it becomes easy for us to monitor them and identify those who operate without a license, so we can do away with counterfeits. Right now, there are so many brands on the market that are not licensed with UNBS,” says Ben Manyido, the UNBS executive director.  He warns that anyone caught selling fake waragi will be charged in the courts of law.  “We have received complaints about some unscrupulous individu¬als wanting to make quick money by counterfeiting our waragi, but we are calling upon the public to take note of our brand before consuming it. Ours is well packaged and labelled. A consumer can easily tell even when the seal is tampered with,” says Rich¬ard Wabwire, the Uganda Breweries corporate relations director. Uganda Breweries are the distributors of Uganda Waragi. WHAT TO LOOK FOR •     Counterfeited waragi has fake labelling and tastes different. Conmen find a way of going around the UNBS logo. •     Usually, there is no batch number. •     If they indicate the manufacturing date, they do not indicate the expiry date. •     The label colour of counterfeit ones never quite match the genuine ones. •     It is not waragi it is some sort of concoction mixed with water. Some even buy methylated spirit and mix it with hot water; they never measure the quantities. •   The contacts indicated are made up. If you call the number on the bottle, it is always off or does not exist on that particular telecommunication network. •    They never indicate on the bottles where it is packaged. •     Some of the wordings on the bottles are written in different fonts. For example, the genuine Leading Waragi has its  batch number on top, but the fake one has it at the bottom. •    The word ‘Gin’ on the genuine Leading Waragi is in black, but the fake one has it in red.  Genuine Leading Waragi has two stars up, but the fake one has nothing. •    On the seal, the fake one says security seal while the genuine one says ‘Leading’."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/628744-kampala-upe-school-prone-to-floods-closed.html","content":" - By Juliet Waisswa Over 200 pupils are affected following the closure of St. James Church of Uganda Primary School in Bwaise a Kampala suburb. On 30th January, as other parents were taking their children back to school, parents of St. James Church of Uganda Primary School woke up to a shock when they found the school closed with a few teachers around. Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) temporarily suspended the School operation as a result of frequent flooding of Lubigi channel into the classrooms rendering them unsafe. Parents of the affected School pondering the next move. Photo by Abu Mwesigwa. KCCA in a notice which appeared in the media advised parents and pupils to seek vacancies in the neighbouring Schools as they renovate the School. When New Vision visited the two-storeyed classroom School, the lower classrooms on the ground floor were still flooded with water and some of the pupils were loitering around the premises.   St. James is the only Universal Primary Education School in Bwaise with a total of 240 pupils. It is a Church of Uganda founded school which was started in 1999 and was taken over by the then Kampala City Council in 2001.   Pupils playing in water. Photo by Abou Mwesigwa. Some of the pupils New Vision spoke to said their parents cannot afford to pay fees in the nearby schools. “My parents cannot afford the fees that schools in this area are charging,” Sam Bukenya a pupil meant to join primary six said. Victor Nankanja, a concerned parent said: “Government should come out and help us because this school has been giving education to our children preventing them from becoming rogues,” she added. The head teacher of the school Godfrey Wasswa Kijjambu said that government should speed up renovation of the school as it is going to affect the performance of the pupils. A flooded classroom. Photo by Abu Mwesigwa"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/612643-stern-action-needed-to-end-city-floods.html","content":" - Property worth millions of shillings was destroyed following the Sunday afternoon downpour in Kampala. The worst hit areas were Busaabala suburb and the areas around the Electoral Commission offices on Jinja Road, Mukwano Industries in the Industrial Area and Fire Bridgade offices on Entebbe Road. Although there were no recorded deaths or injuries, this should serve as a wake-up call for Kampala City Council (KCC) and other stakeholders to fix the city’s perennial flood problem before it gets out of hand. In the case of Busaabala, for instance, a proper drainage system would have saved about 100 homes from flooding. Every year there are reports of flooding in and around the city. In fact city suburbs like Bwaise and Kalerwe have become synonymous with floods. The situation in these areas has degenerated so much so that several houses have been abandoned. It does not help matters that most drainage systems around the city are clogged with plastic bottles and plastic bags. As a stop-gap measure KCC should embark on a serious campaign to unblock these drainage channels, widen others and create them where none exist. In the long run the city body may have to consider instituting heavy penalties as a deterrent to poor garbage disposal which is partly to blame for the floods. There is no doubt that better garbage disposal management will translate into clearer drainage channels and a cleaner city. Incidentally, the flooding problem is further compounded by developers who have reclaimed wetlands around the city oblivious of the negative environmental impact on surrounding areas. While the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) has on occasion, stopped some developers who flout the rules, there is need for more vigilance. Only then shall we save the wetlands and avert the consequences of being complacent."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/479756-news-in-brief.html","content":" - Muzizi bridge cleared KIBAALE-The Ministry of Works has cleared the papyrus that had covered River Muzizi Bridge, resulting into flooding. Inspecting the bridge recently, Eng. Godfrey Magara said: “When the water recedes, we shall ensure that the drainage system is periodically maintained to prevent a repeat of the flooding.” Meanwhile, security authorities have banned people from crossing the river at night. The Muhorro Police chief, John Bigabwa, advised passengers travelling from Kyenjojo or Kibaale districts to cross the river before 7:00pm. He said the measure was to prevent people from drowning. Journalists get condoms MASAKA-The health department has donated LifeGuard condoms to journalists in Masaka, Sembabule, Rakai and Lyantonde districts. The condoms were given out by the chairperson of the health secretarial committee, David Bbaale, at the district headquarters last week. Bbaale said the district got over one million LifeGuard condoms as a replacement of the Engabu condoms, which were rejected by the locals. Police stuck with baby ENTEBBE-A six-month-old baby was abandoned by her parents during a scuffle with the Police as they tried to arrest them over robbery. Edson Kalangwa and Scovia Namiyingo of Abaita-Ababiri village had been accused of stealing a neighbour’s blanket and clothes. “When the Police went to arrest them, the woman went through the back door and abandoned the baby. We arrested the man,” said Hilary Kulaigye, the Entebbe Police chief. As residents tracked them down with the aid of the Police, they found the couple packing their belongings and moving to another area. However, a search around the house revealed nothing but residents insisted that both of them participated in the theft. But Kalangwa claimed he had already planned to shift before the theft. He was detained by the Police."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/804-kisoro-kirundo-road-cleared.html","content":" - By Goodluck Musinguzi The Kisoro-Kirundo road which had been cut off by a landslide was on Tuesday afternoon re-opened to traffic. The area was last week devastated by landslides following a heavy downpour. The landslides left three people dead, houses destroyed and about 100 families displaced. The road was yesterday cleared by engineers from the Uganda National Roads Authority and SBI - the firm tarmacking the Kabale-Kisoro road. The landslides had left huge boulders in the road and motorists, plying the route to hilly areas of Gisharu, Bugina, Rugendabare, Kirundo and Kirwa, were stuck. John Kamara, the Bufumbira North MP, led a team of district leaders to visit the affected area and assess the damage. The officials included Kisoro LC5 chairperson Milton Mutabazi and deputy resident district commissioner Gideon Ahebwa. Kamara said he had alerted the relief and disaster preparedness ministry."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/315569-kisoro-kirundo-road-cleared.html","content":" - By Goodluck Musinguzi The Kisoro-Kirundo road which had been cut off by a landslide was on Tuesday afternoon re-opened to traffic. The area was last week devastated by landslides following a heavy downpour. The landslides left three people dead, houses destroyed and about 100 families displaced. The road was yesterday cleared by engineers from the Uganda National Roads Authority and SBI - the firm tarmacking the Kabale-Kisoro road. The landslides had left huge boulders in the road and motorists, plying the route to hilly areas of Gisharu, Bugina, Rugendabare, Kirundo and Kirwa, were stuck. John Kamara, the Bufumbira North MP, led a team of district leaders to visit the affected area and assess the damage. The officials included Kisoro LC5 chairperson Milton Mutabazi and deputy resident district commissioner Gideon Ahebwa. Kamara said he had alerted the relief and disaster preparedness ministry."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/-/688612/1140066/-/9figuyz/-/index.html","content":"Bujagali power project to spur growth - government - Kampala The government is optimistic that the commissioning of the Bujagali hydro power project in October this year will improve power availability, reduce cost and increase economic activity in Uganda. The power deficit, continues to cripple Uganda’s economic development due to low electricity coverage and supply with consumers constantly faced with severe and prolonged power outage. Speaking to Daily Monitor in a telephone interview on Monday, Mr Fred Kaliisa Kabagambe, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Energy, said that the operationalisation of the first phase of the Bujagali hydropower station will lead to adequate energy supply, which will effectively reduce on the widespread load shedding, that has negatively impacted on various economic activities. He said: “By increasing the availability of electricity, the Bujagali power project will not only support the government’s economic growth and poverty alleviation efforts, but will also facilitate the conditions for private sector development. As the government casts serious focus on industrialisation, it is important that there is enough energy supply to power new and old investments. The recent African Infrastructure Diagnostic Study conducted by the World Bank indicates that load shedding and emergency generator costs are extremely expensive while at the same time inadequate electricity supply cuts economic growth by 2 per cent annually. Mr Kabagambe, said in 2005 and 2006 due to electricity shortage, the rate of economic growth in Uganda reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent. Recently, the project contractors said the process of diverting River Nile, which marks the start of the final phase of the construction of the 250MW power project had kicked off with partial flooding of the western channel to allow the river flow through the newly constructed concrete spillway."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Why-Lord-Mayor-s-court-battles-may-not-end-until-August-2015/-/689364/2433704/-/4gdibfz/-/index.html","content":"Why Lord Mayor’s court battles may not end until August 2015 - I have come to the conclusion that the running court-based contestations around the Kampala Lord Mayor and his legitimacy (or the lack of it) to occupy the mayor’s office are neither issues of a legal nor an administrative nature but simply political machinations with clearly calculated moves that are well designed to deliver a certain premeditated outcome. Over the last one year, the Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, has strove to hold onto his mayoral turf amidst various waves of political and legal turbulence. Between being removed from the office on disputed administrative grounds on November 25, 2013, the mayor has regained and lost the same office through unrelenting court battles a number of times – including regaining the office for barely three hours sometime late last year. The most recent court manoeuvres involved a panel of five judges of the Supreme Court, ruling that Lukwago waits to return to KCCA until the Court of Appeal hears the matter involving himself on one-hand, KCCA and the Attorney General on the other.Because of these legal run-arounds, sections of society have developed the impression that no definitive position is about to be taken on this issue. Without seeming to be presumptuous, these current legal machinations seem to be well deigned moves to keep the Lord Mayor out of office but without necessarily ‘officially’ declaring the position vacant. I am moved to believe that the tacticians working on “the Lukwago Project” have done some political cost-benefit analysis and realised that if they keep the mayor out of office through employing any sorts of legalese, then they probably will succeed at keeping the situation at KCCA ‘controlled’. However, if the due processes of the courts make their conclusive judgements at this material time and reinstate the mayor, this could be ‘politically disruptive’ to the so-called ‘calm’ that the KCCA technocrats might (claim to) be enjoying. On the flip side, if court determines that Lukwago loses the mayoral seat, a by-election will have to be organised. With the strong historical anti-NRM voting patterns in Kampala City, a by-election less than 15 months to a general election would probably be very suicidal to the ruling NRM. First, because, this would consolidate/galvanise the opposition around a specific candidate on one hand against the NRM on the other. Secondly, the number of voters that would use such a by-election to protest certain schemes would be so significant and would definitely offer a landslide victory to any force that stands against the establishment. The nature and results of such an election would generate strong impressions about the strength and weak points of the two contesting blocks. These impressions could be carried over and could influence voting patterns not just in or around Kampala but also in areas beyond during the 2016 elections - tactically, that’s not what the establishment would want to risk going into. The statutory deadline for conducting by-elections is six months to a general election – this deadline is less than a year away. I am, therefore, inclined to buy into the conspiracy theory that views the current legal gymnastics around the Lord Mayor’s issues as mere delaying tactics to ease government out of a sticky situation that it currently finds itself in. In whichever way the verdict plays out, this experience has had a lot to say about how government perceives issues of elective democracy. But also, and most importantly, this actually tells a full-page story about the nature of relationship between the justice and political systems in this country.Did someone say, justice delayed is justice denied? Mr Kaheru is coordinator, Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda. kaheruc@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Landslides-block-Ntungamo-travellers-for-over-10-hours/-/688334/1653818/-/13manedz/-/index.html","content":"Landslides block Ntungamo travellers for over 10 hours - Over 300 vehicles were on Friday stuck for more than 10 hours at Nyamukana Trading Centre in Ntungamo District after a landslide blocked the highway in the aftermath of a heavy downpour that lasted about four hours. The District Police Commander, Mr Francis Kabera, was on the scene and said a fuel tanker got stuck in the landslide as it headed to Kampala from Kigali. Shortly after, a bus from Kigali also got stuck in the same mud as it tried to overtake the stuck tanker, thus blocking the whole road at around 11pm. Over 5,000 passengers were also stuck at this point as they travelled from different parts of the country to celebrate New Year’s Day with their loved ones while others were on business trips to Kampala. Others were returning from upcountry after Christmas celebrations. Majority of the Congolese and Rwandan traders were “cursing” the government for failure to have in place equipment to handle such emergencies, without causing unnecessary traffic jam for 10 hours on a trans-African highway. Why not respond quickly?“We must blame the government of Uganda for failure to have in place standby road equipment to handle such emergencies. It’s a big shame,” a Rwandan business woman said on condition of anonymity for fear of being victimised by the Uganda customs officials. But the area Uganda National Roads Authority Engineer, Asaph Abenaitwe, said the affected section of the road was handed over to RCC Contractors and it was their duty to respond to such emergencies. “After getting information over the blocked road section, we called the RCC contractor to come and rectify it. I am happy they responded and the traffic flow became normal after pulling out the stuck vehicles and removing the mud and stones,” Mr Abenaitwe said. iladu@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/710358/-/b5hggrz/-/index.html","content":"Museveni is not trapped by failures - Kabakumba - Kampala The June 14 Sunday Monitor article and interview headlined Museveni trapped by failures, says Gen. Muntu yet again reveals the debauchery of people like the erstwhile army commander, who deceptively want to appear that the Ugandan nation is awry, because ‘President Museveni has refused to vacate power …(being – my word)… trapped by his own failures’! It is apparent that General Muntu has deliberately chosen to see Uganda in ‘political’ spectacles that have deliberately squinted his ‘political’ sight, for one who has witnessed where Uganda has come from in the past decades, much longer than those who may be younger and may be excused for not knowing the state of affairs that prevailed in the past. Clearly, his motive is to distort not only history but to misrepresent what he knows about the law of the land. Since when was a duly elected president required to vacate office before the end of term? Is there any constitutional provision that has been flouted for which President Museveni needs to vacate office? It is evident to all and sundry that because of Gen. Muntu and his political friends’ failure to beat President Museveni and the NRM at the elections, they can now only holler in the free press, an environment that the NRM and President Museveni have fostered as a right. I need to remind Gen. Muntu how far Uganda had sunk before 1986; when the size of its economy was 75 per cent of its 1970 value, and GDP per capita was only 54 per cent of its 1970 value. While economic data, even that published by international organisations such as the IMF and World Bank, may be dismissed by Gen. Muntu and people of his ilk, who can dispute the deprivation we faced in the 1970s and ‘80s with scarcity of what we called basic ‘essential’ commodities be it sugar, salt, soap, cement and iron sheets e.t.c. that are easily available today and are taken for granted by almost all of us. The road to transformation had to be through the path of initial stabilisation of the economy. A minimum economic recovery programme was launched, and it managed to successfully achieve the following: Controlling inflation, stopping magendo (smuggling), kibanda (black market in foreign exchange), and kusamula (speculation in trading). Only a doubting Thomas with misty ‘political’ spectacles like Gen. Muntu can dispute that the current size of the economy at Shs29.8 trillion is far bigger, by whatever measure! Even the GDP per capita now stands at $440, notwithstanding population growth and the trials and tribulations that Uganda has gone through. Gen. Muntu makes three allegations against the NRM and President Museveni that cannot go unchallenged – the lack of popularity, bad governance and economic mismanagement. NRM popularity First, he alleges that the ‘…regime is losing popularity day by day…’ ostensibly because of the ‘…state of hopelessness in the population…. a lot of frustration… even at the leadership level… in the opposition as well as the government circles.’ Clearly, he lives in the world where the opposition is frustrated and feels hopeless, simply because the Ugandan people have clearly shown them how irrelevant they are: • 79.2 per cent of all seats contested at the recently concluded local elections were won by the NRM, while the FDC of which Muntu is in charge, got a paltry 9.3 per cent! 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1116074/-/c4jhcoz/-/index.html","content":"Tough rules as court recounts Lubaga North poll results - The police have issued tough guidelines to follow during the recount of votes for Lubaga North constituency this morning. The recount takes place at 10am before Mengo Magistrates Court after loser and NRM flag bearer Singh Katongole petitioned, putting independent candidate Moses Kasibante’s victory in balance. Both parties have been sternly prohibited from bringing supporters to court, save for a lawyer, an agent and the petitioners themselves. Mr Ibin Ssenkumbi, the spokesman of Kampala Metropolitan police, said yesterday the measure is aimed at ensuring there is no breach of order and security. Mr Erias Lukwago, who is Mr Kasibante’s lawyer, said yesterday afternoon: “They have just served us now. They brought court summons with a covering letter from the returning officer, Ms Molly Mutazindwa, indicating that the recount will be there at 10am at Mengo court.” Kasibante, Singh speakHe said they will be seeking a complete throw-out of the petition and block the recount. “Everything they are doing is unlawful. They have just served us now. The man who served us said he is chairman LCI Busega Central C. Not even from the candidate’s village. He is not a process server of court. This is not allowed in law,” Mr Lukwago said in brief comments on phone. Mr Singh said he petitioned for a recount after noticing several irregularities in the results declaration sheets. “All the declaration sheets were tampered with. Many of them had figures changed. This was unacceptable,” Mr Singh said in a brief telephone interview last evening. The constituency currently held by Uganda Federal Alliance president Olive Beti Namisango Kamya was during the February 18 general election hotly contested between Mr Singh and Mr Kasibante, an independent, but who leans towards the Mengo establishment."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1098594/-/cinebiz/-/index.html","content":"Government takes over MV Kalangala - Kampala The government has taken over full control of the operations of MV Kalangala from Muloowoza and Brothers Ltd, a local ship operating company. According to information obtained by Daily Monitor, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Mr Charles Muganzi, on January 25 wrote to the proprietors of the company informing them that the ministry had suspended their operations over gross mismanagement and breach of contractual obligations. Financial lossesThe ministry accuses the former operators of the ship of obtaining fuel and lubricants at pump price but irregularly charging VAT on all supplies which were already VAT inclusive, causing financial loss of Shs1.5 billion since 2007 with the tax payers losing Shs500 million annually. The irregular charges would accordingly push the operation costs high leaving the business community and passengers to feel the pinch. “The management contract with Muloowoza and Brothers Ltd had many aspects that were grossly unfair to the government,” said a source that declined to be quoted because he is not authorised to speak on behalf of the ministry. “These terms resulted in high costs and made the ship operations fail to break even. After the expiry of the contract, negotiations have had to be carried out to review the terms and bring the operating costs for the ship to a fair and commercial level.” Muloowoza Brothers are also accused of failure to remit monthly contributions to the National Social Security Fund and Pay as You Earn taxes for the crew as is required by the law, leading to loss of tax payers’ money. The ministry also queried the supply of sundry spare parts for the scheduled maintenance of the vessel under the old contract saying they were not obtained from the authorised suppliers. The operator is also accused of failure to pay the crew the right salary as per the contract since they had no appointment letters. The ship resumed operations on Friday and the government will be using new tickets with seals for travellers to strengthen the inter-control system which the former operator had violated, according to documents seen by this newspaper. Five months absenceOfficials from Muloowoza and Brothers Ltd said the Managing Director, Mr David Kibuuka Mulowoza, was not available for comment yesterday, promising a comment about the unfolding today. MV Kalangala ship that plies the waterways between Nakiwogo landing site in Entebbe and Lutoboka, Buggala Islands in Kalangala District, resumed operations after being grounded for close to five months, undergoing repairs in Tanzania. Muloowoza and Brothers Limited was awarded a contract by the Ministry of Works in 2007 to operate the ship for a period of three years. Upon expiry of their contract, they applied for the extension of the contract for six months as the government finalises with the bidding process. But the Ministry of Works has decided to take over the management of the ship until a new operator through another tendering process is contracted. Under the new arrangement, the ministry will now obtain fuel directly from the suppliers in a bid to lower the operating costs of the vessel and realise an annual saving of Shs500 million on fuel. Works Ministry spokesperson Susan Kataike confirmed the development to Daily Monitor. “Last week eight firms, including Muloowoza, submitted their bids to the ministry,” Ms Kataike said. The ship usually carries over 150 passengers with light vehicles. It plies only two routes between Kalangala, starting 8:30am to Nakiwogo in Entebbe where it docks at 11am. At around 2pm it leaves Entebbe for Kalangala where it reaches at 5pm. The vessel, which was the only active Ugandan vessel on Lake Victoria, was built in 2005 to fulfill President Museveni 2001 campaign pledge to the islanders."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/-/690266/1062042/-/loqwhh/-/index.html","content":"Express tours plunge league into disarray - Express’ increasing list of foreign tournaments is generating as much revenue for the club as confusion for the Ecobank Super League. Initially, it wasn’t as harmful as the club, with Fufa and ESL’s blessings, left for Vietnam at a time Uganda Cranes were also on tour of the Middle East. ESL manager Paul Kabaikaramu told Daily Monitor they expected Express to return last Friday from the BTV Tournament in Vietnam but the latest is that the Red Eagles could be away for at least three more weeks. “The team was invited for another tournament called Inter-Cities here in Vietnam,” said the club’s team manager, Muhamood Katerega, when asked of Express’ return at the weekend. “They will play their first game on December 2, then 4th and 6th if they qualify for semis, and 8th and 10th they make the final. Board to sit“The team will be back by December 13 before they go for the Airtel tournament in Kenya,” added Katerega. The tournament takes place on December 18 and 19 in Nairobi. If all goes as scheduled, Express, who have thus far played six games, may not feature in another match until next year. Two games – against Proline and Gulu - have already been affected and three more – against KCC tomorrow, Utoda and Simba could be impeded. And with the Airtel tournament ending on December 19, the first round’s last match against Villa on December 21 is also in doubt, meaning the next time Express may kick a league ball could be next year, January 3, against Masaka. “The board sits this week to chart the way forward,” said ESL secretary Mujib Kasule. Ironically, Express patron Kabenge Kavuma is the board chairman. “Clearly, they are in breach of rules and it’s inconveniencing both the league and clubs. We shall also propose regulations regards clubs going for tournaments abroad,” added Kasule."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/953512/-/x20py9/-/index.html","content":"Akankwasa’s case halted - Kampala The Anti-Corruption Court has halted a case against the suspended executive director of the forestry body, Mr Damian Akankwansa. Mr Damian Akankwansa is accused of abusing his office to enter into a consent judgment to award Shs3.2 billion to a company in damages.Mr Akankwansa, together with the National Forestry Association officials Molly Kyepaka Karuhanga, Leuben Arinaitwe and Charles Twagira, a shareholder in Beachside Development Services, are accused of conspiring to defraud the forestry authority. Mr Akankwansa allegedly permitted the company to carry out economic activities in Kyewaga Forest Reserve without lawful authority. The organisation sued the forestry authority for breach of contract after it was stopped from constructing an eco-lodge and tourism site at the forest reserve in Entebbe. After the suit, the organisation and the forestry authority went into a consent judgement in which Justice Joseph Mulangira awarded Shs3.2 billion in damages to the company. However, the Inspector General of Government appealed against the judgement, saying the payment was not transparent and filed a criminal suit at the Anti-Corruption Court. But Mr Twagira applied for an injunction at High Court staying the proceedings of the criminal suit at the Anti-Corruption Court, arguing it was against his constitutional right to be tried for criminal charges when the same charges were being tried as civil in the High Court. High Court has not pronounced itself on the matter and yesterday Anti-Corruption Court Grade One Magistrate Esther Nasambu said she could not proceed with the case when it was still pending before a superior court. Mr Akankwasa is currently on suspension pending investigations into the source of Shs900 million which he said was stolen by his wife, Juliet, from their home in Naguru in October last year."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/830576/-/wgmtms/-/index.html","content":"Govt in legal battle with Imperial Royale Hotel - KampalaGovernment has issued the management of Imperial Royal Ltd over breach of contract resulting into non-payment of $1.4 million (Shs2.7 billion) the hotel owes it. The Attorney General, has sued the hotel seeking recovery of the money, damages and costs.In the case filed at the High Court’s Commercial Division, the government claims on June 15, 2007, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs entered into an agreement with the hotel for provision of conference facilities and accommodation and to use the hotel as a media centre for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Under the agreement, the government was to pay different rates for the rooms depending on the classes of the delegates. According to the Attorney General, the government paid $2.5 million including taxes for block booking of the hotel facilities and the two parties agreed that the hotel should be ready to accommodate the delegates by October 26, 2007. The ministry contracted services of an audit firm, M/S Johnson & Nyendo to monitor the funds received but the firm established that the hotel was not ready for occupation by November 18, 2007. The government contends it was therefore entitled $1.6 million (Shs3.1 billion) paid for the period when the hotel was not ready for accommodation. Money adjustedHowever, according to the Attorney General, the government later effected some payments to the Internal Affairs Ministry to the tune of $152,525 (Shs300,000) thereby adjusting the figure claimed from the hotel to Shs2.7 billion. It is the contention of the Attorney General that the hotel management breached the contract by failing to complete the hotel in time. The Court’s Registrar, Ms Gladys Nakibule, has summoned the managing director of the hotel to respond to the matter within 15 days from the date he receives a copy of the summons."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1223834/-/bjw4i1z/-/index.html","content":"Five starve to death in Kumi District - KAMPALA Just how ready is the government to handle hunger is a question that has no immediate answer for the moment. Five people, who reportedly included four elderly people and a three-year-old child have died in Agaria parish Mukongoro Sub-county in Kumi District due to what authorities suspect to have been starvation. The District Health Officer, Dr Julius Mugweri, said he suspects the five died of starvation because they did not have access to food, adding that the child had severe malaria and anemia and due to delayed access to medical assistance, died. Dr Mugweri denied earlier reports which claimed that the deaths resulted from eating poisonous cassava and malnutrition, adding that when he dispatched teams to various health centres near the affected areas, “they did not find clear cases of malnutrition as it is in Namutumba.” Minister’s takeDisaster Preparedness State Minister Musa Ecweru said he had not heard about the deaths but was aware that Agaria Parish was one of the places which needed attention basing on the research his ministry conducted on hunger, dispelling fears that the situation could be going out of hand. “My only fear is that the second planting season may be affected because some places like Acowa and Obalanga have become water-logged,” said Mr Ecweru Meanwhile, reports from Katakwi indicate that some parts of the district such as Palam, Ongongoja and Ngariam, have already started experiencing water logging. According to the district Commercial Officer, Mr Todi Patrick the water logging which started last week is threatening to culminate in floods like it was in 2007. In a telephone interview on Monday, he said the district is also worried of food security should the rains continue. In 2007, Katakwi, Amuria and Kumi were among districts which were affected by floods which swept across the North Eastern region of Uganda."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1203752/-/bl581ez/-/index.html","content":"Lubigi wetland restored - Kampala The once besieged Lubigi swamp is regenerating with young papyrus shoots and grass growing back to shape, although patches of bare ground are still evident. The swamp estimated to be six acres, located on the Kampala-Hoima highway, was in May a bare ground decorated with fresh market stalls after hundreds of salesmen and women under their umbrella Uganda Patriotic Volunteers Association reclaimed it, saying the President had given them a directive to occupy the wetland. Exactly two months and a week since the wetland was rescued from the encroachers, less environmentally damaging activities like flower growing are now taking place on the wetland banks. The havocThe National Environment Management Authority Public Relations Officer Ms Naomi Karekaho, said the one-week siege cost the city a drainage and filtering system that will take quite some time before it can to perform its natural duties. She, however, said that the body is to start a massive sensitisation of communities so that they can appreciate the wetlands and desist from clearing them. Lubigi Swamp is just one in many wetlands across the country that has been rescued from human encroachment while many others are still under siege by communities. According to the Wetlands Commissioner of the Ministry of Water and Environment, urban areas and developing towns are the most prone to degradation due to an exploding population and unregulated activities on wetlands. Districts facing serious wetland degradation are Kampala, Mbale, Jinja, Wakiso, and Pallisa with parts of Lira and Gulu facing new attacks. The Commissioner for Wetlands, Mr Paul Mafabi, said in the last 15 years, Uganda has lost about 4,000 square kilometres of wetlands to degradation according to a recent study they undertook. This he said posed a risk of water shortage, floods and extinction of aquatic life and biodiversity."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1131980/-/c3eo31z/-/index.html","content":"Kabale market to get face-lift - Kabale Municipality’s Garage Street Market, which was recently destroyed by torrential rains will soon be refurbished, the mayor has said. Dr Pius Ruhemurana said the renovation will have the facility expanded, hygiene and sanitation facilities improved and security tightened. About 50 people operate in the market and they deal in second-hand items and fresh food, according to the mayor. However, the traders are often faced with very poor working conditions due to the poorly set up stalls whenever it rains. The floods also prevent many would-be-customers from going to the market, making them go to mainly Kabale Central Market because it has better facilities.Ms Florence Kyomukama, who sells second-hand clothes, said poor sanitation in the market is a recipe for diseases. “Unless management improves the sanitation of this market by constructing toilets, chances of outbreak of diseases like cholera are very high,” said Kyomukama. Dr Ruhemurana admitted that some traders lose their property during heavy rains since they do not have proper stalls. Handling matter“To avert this, we are going to construct a concrete floor that will eliminate the flooding problem,” he said. The mayor also refuted reports that the market was constructed on a sewerage line. He said before its establishment, they consulted the National Water and Sewerage Corporation to ensure the market does not interfere with their system. He said individuals behind such rumours are ill-intentioned and could only be aiming at discouraging people from transacting businesses. However, such pledges for the improvement of the market have been made before to no avail and some residents are pessimistic that the market will be improved.Mr Kenneth Byabandimu, a resident of Kekuubo, said he has heard such promises for long but nothing much has come of them."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/874564/-/wj6rgs/-/index.html","content":"Pope grieves for Bududa dead - Pope Benedict XVI has expressed condolences to the victims of the landslides and floods that struck eastern Uganda. According to a statement from the Vatican, there will be special prayers for the souls of the victims. In a meeting with a group of bishops from Uganda, the pope is quoted to have said: “I offer prayers to the Almighty God, the Father of all mercies, that He may grant eternal rest to the souls of the deceased [of the Bududa landslide], and give strength and hope to all who are suffering the consequences of this tragic event.” Early last week the country woke up to a devastating disaster, following a heavy downpour in Bududa that led to over 100 confirmed deaths and left well over 300 people unaccounted for. 5,000 displacedMeanwhile in Butaleja at least 5,000 people are believed to have been displaced following devastating floods. It has also emerged that other parts of the country, particularly Kabale-Kisoro area in southwestern Uganda are experiencing flooding. According to the local leaders in Kabale, over 1,000 people have been rendered homeless. The Pope’s message came on the heels of announcement from the Kenyan government that it was sending humanitarian relief to Uganda. The presidential press service said in a statement that President Mwai Kibaki had directed an initial contribution of 700 bags of maize, 600 bags of rice, 400 bags of beans and 556 cartons of vegetable oil would be sent to aid the victims of the landslide victims. The total consignment of 123 metric tonnes is worth KShs 13.5 million. Mr Kibaki directed that the foodstuff be channelled through the Western Provincial Commissioner, whose area of supervise borders eastern Uganda, who will liaise with his Ugandan counterpart in handing over the consignment for distribution to the landslide victims. Additional reporting by Eric Shimoli"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-25m-on-a-parking-lot--Can-someone-please/-/689364/2299130/-/np1ai2z/-/index.html","content":"$25m on a parking lot? Can someone please return Uganda’s conscience? - There is a word in Luganda that is complete in its simplicity, austere in its seriousness, and ruthlessly damning: Tuswaleeko. The English equivalent would probably be a mouthful: “Let us be ashamed of ourselves”. Some of the events that go on around us are so out of this world that we have to go native, dig through our innate primal moorings, to try and contextualise them. And while we can then see and believe them, we can never really understand them. I am talking about this business of the parking lot at the House of Parliament. There is nothing exciting about parking lots. They are either empty and unnerving, or full and frustrating but this particular lot is mired in plots of towering injustice. Those who drive in Kampala know how hard it is to find parking. Most cities try to ameliorate this problem by building towering parking lots. The first of its kind in the city, to the best of my knowledge, this lot cost Shs36 billion to create space for 510 cars. That, according to my rough mathematics, is about $28,300 per parking spot. Feel free to localise that figure to number of tractors that could have been bought, mosquito nets bought, valley dams sunk, teachers’ salaries paid, or kidney dialysis machines that could have gone to Mulago hospital. At its opening, presided over by no less a personality than H.E. The President, the lot was described as “state-of-the-art” with lifts, fire-fighting equipment and an air extractor – I suppose to separate Honourable Members from the flatulent, inflated airs of self importance. The lot was so state-of-the-art in fact, that when the first heavy downpour came down, we discovered that it could also harvest rainwater, until someone realised it was just flooding and hurriedly called in the cleaners. The lot is back in the news because someone – the police or Parliament, no one will take responsibility – has asked for Shs28 billion to buy “modern security gadgets” for the parking lot. A contract has already been signed with a Chinese firm, we are told, but no details shall be provided, as this is a “classified” expenditure. My fellow Ugandans, Tuswaleeko! What kind of security gadgets are these? Are we installing mini nuclear reactors to power Parliament? Power stands to charge electric cars? Robots to park MPs’ SUVs and make them cappuccinos while they wait? How can a country spend an inflated $14.5 million to build a five-storey parking lot and then spend $11.2 million to buy CCTV cameras and entry barriers? In a city where KCCA recently borrowed $200 million to fix a few kilometres of road, we spend $25 million (about Shs62b)to create parking for 501 cars we bought for MPs? And the National Referral Hospital at Mulago goes 10 days without water over an unpaid bill of Shs3.2 billion while we build empty monuments? What should worry us most is not that we are corrupt; it is that we have lost any sense of shame or remorse. Well-known conmen are serenaded and welcomed in droves from prison; accomplished thieves bravely and brazenly bounce around declaring themselves whistleblowers and cadres, walking cadavers in a country of ghosts. Will this obvious scam be investigated? Will the responsible people be nailed? Will the conniving firm be blacklisted from future contracts in the country? Don’t hold your breath! We go after real criminals, like detectives we suspect of leaking secret recordings of the police boss meeting low-level political informers. It will join the long list of forgotten scandals: different actors, different scripts, same ending – impunity. This is no country for good men; we are a country of shameless people. dkalinaki@ke.nationmedia.com Twitter: @Kalinaki"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/DanielKalinaki/-25m-on-a-parking-lot--Can-someone-please/-/878782/2299126/-/entu9l/-/index.html","content":"$25m on a parking lot? Can someone please return Uganda’s conscience? - There is a word in Luganda that is complete in its simplicity, austere in its seriousness, and ruthlessly damning: Tuswaleeko. The English equivalent would probably be a mouthful: “Let us be ashamed of ourselves”. Some of the events that go on around us are so out of this world that we have to go native, dig through our innate primal moorings, to try and contextualise them. And while we can then see and believe them, we can never really understand them. I am talking about this business of the parking lot at the House of Parliament. There is nothing exciting about parking lots. They are either empty and unnerving, or full and frustrating but this particular lot is mired in plots of towering injustice. Those who drive in Kampala know how hard it is to find parking. Most cities try to ameliorate this problem by building towering parking lots. The first of its kind in the city, to the best of my knowledge, this lot cost Shs36 billion to create space for 510 cars. That, according to my rough mathematics, is about $28,300 per parking spot. Feel free to localise that figure to number of tractors that could have been bought, mosquito nets bought, valley dams sunk, teachers’ salaries paid, or kidney dialysis machines that could have gone to Mulago hospital. At its opening, presided over by no less a personality than H.E. The President, the lot was described as “state-of-the-art” with lifts, fire-fighting equipment and an air extractor – I suppose to separate Honourable Members from the flatulent, inflated airs of self importance. The lot was so state-of-the-art in fact, that when the first heavy downpour came down, we discovered that it could also harvest rainwater, until someone realised it was just flooding and hurriedly called in the cleaners. The lot is back in the news because someone – the police or Parliament, no one will take responsibility – has asked for Shs28 billion to buy “modern security gadgets” for the parking lot. A contract has already been signed with a Chinese firm, we are told, but no details shall be provided, as this is a “classified” expenditure. My fellow Ugandans, Tuswaleeko! What kind of security gadgets are these? Are we installing mini nuclear reactors to power Parliament? Power stands to charge electric cars? Robots to park MPs’ SUVs and make them cappuccinos while they wait? How can a country spend an inflated $14.5 million to build a five-storey parking lot and then spend $11.2 million to buy CCTV cameras and entry barriers? In a city where KCCA recently borrowed $200 million to fix a few kilometres of road, we spend $25 million (about Shs62b)to create parking for 501 cars we bought for MPs? And the National Referral Hospital at Mulago goes 10 days without water over an unpaid bill of Shs3.2 billion while we build empty monuments? What should worry us most is not that we are corrupt; it is that we have lost any sense of shame or remorse. Well-known conmen are serenaded and welcomed in droves from prison; accomplished thieves bravely and brazenly bounce around declaring themselves whistleblowers and cadres, walking cadavers in a country of ghosts. Will this obvious scam be investigated? Will the responsible people be nailed? Will the conniving firm be blacklisted from future contracts in the country? Don’t hold your breath! We go after real criminals, like detectives we suspect of leaking secret recordings of the police boss meeting low-level political informers. It will join the long list of forgotten scandals: different actors, different scripts, same ending – impunity. This is no country for good men; we are a country of shameless people. dkalinaki@ke.nationmedia.com Twitter: @Kalinaki"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Museveni-grants-new-MP-slot-to-Ntoroko/-/688334/2075130/-/15bgf11z/-/index.html","content":"Museveni grants new MP slot to Ntoroko - NTOROKO- President Museveni has granted Ntoroko district a second parliamentary constituency to cater for interests of different ethnic groups. The new constituency, tentatively called Karugutu, was announced on Wednesday after the president met district leaders at State House in Entebbe. When contacted on Thursday, Ntoroko District Woman MP Jennifer Mujungu confirmed the development. Fulfilling promise“Yes, the President granted our request yesterday [Wednesday] at Entebbe. The President was responding to my October 15 request when he officiated at my thanksgiving ceremony,” Ms Mujungu said. Ntoroko District is comprised of six Sub-counties of Karugutu, Rwebisengo, Kanara, Nombe, Bwerangule and Butungama and three town councils of Karugutu, Kanara and Rwebisengo. It was carved out of Bundibugyo District in 2010 and became operational on July 1, 2011. It has a population of about 51, 000 people according to the 2002 national census.It has since 2011 been having one constituency amidst persistent requests for a second one to cater for interests of the different local ethnic groups.The district is mainly inhabited by the Batuku, Bakonzo and Baamba. Presidential cautionThe Batuku are cattle keepers mainly settled in the flat lands of Rwebisengo while the Bakonzo are mainly settled in Karugutu.Among other things, the President warned the people to stop tribal and clan conflicts. The major economic activities in Ntoroko are fishing and farming. Cattle and goat rearing is in Rwebisengo and Nombe, crop farming in Karugutu, Butungama and Bweramule while fishing is in Kanara. It is usually hit by seasonal floods that cut off different parts of the district. The district has a new tarmack road and is connected to Hydro electric power but has no hospital. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Lessons-on-climate-change-kick-off/-/688334/2005648/-/119a74f/-/index.html","content":"Lessons on climate change kick off - Katakwi In bid to reduce the impact of storms, floods and droughts in north eastern Uganda due to climate change, the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) has started climate mitigation lessons in communities. The Climate Change Adaption (CCA) project is using residents to gather data on disasters, period of occurrence, local factors affecting farming and use them to implement the project for the benefit of the entire country. The project intends to support the long-term reduction of disaster-risk based on climate change projections such as elevating houses to reduce water logging from heavy rainfall, starting agro-forestry to mitigate climate change and making use of locally available forecasts and actions to reduce disaster-risks and draw resilience amongst the people. URCS is leading the project funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development in the districts of Abim, Kotido, Katakwi, Amuria and Soroti. SensitisationAccording to the project manager, Ms Sophart Walimbwa, the project is engaging the communities in disaster response, identification of the risks, the type of risks and how to avoid them besides hygiene and sanitation through disaster mitigation sensitisation through community meetings. She said the project intends to use a new approach to design a complex and unprecedented disaster preparedness system in Uganda to help mitigate the disasters being caused by climate change and provide an innovative way of managing disaster risk by using scientific forecasts for extreme-weather events. She revealed that a baseline survey and a vulnerability and capacity assessment has already gathered detailed information at community level on frequent disasters, traditional early warning systems and other questions needed to design the early-warning system. dmafabi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1247072/-/bilflvz/-/index.html","content":"Western police units receive emergency equipment - The south western region police command have been equipped with a new ambulance and fire brigade trucks to enhance their capabilities to respond to emergencies. While handing over the equipment to the south-western region police officials in Mbarara last week, the the Commissioner of Traffic and Road Safety, Mr Bazil Mugisha, said: “It is a nationwide exercise. Each region has been given an ambulance to carry the injured to the hospital.” He said the ambulance should be used to offer free services to people in any emergency cases like floods, fire outbreaks and accidents. “We are handing it over to the traffic office and it is for free. You (public) should not pay for these services because you already paid for them using taxes, not even fuel. There are offices to take care of this,” Mr Mugisha said.He expressed concern over overloading of vehicles, saying it has led to accidents and loss of lives. “People should stop over loading because it can lead to loss of lives and property. It’s a shame that such cars pass by police officers and they are ignored. You should report such cases and we deal with them,” Mr Mugisha said. The south-western region police spokesperson, Ms Polly Namaye, said the ambulance will also be used to transport pregnant women in labour pain to health facilities and sick people in remote areas to hospitals. “We have trained personal to man the ambulance which is equipped with oxygen and other essential tools,” Ms Namaye said. Ms Namaye added: “We have been experiencing deaths at the scenes of accident due to lack of quick intervention measures. We are relieved.” The Mbarara Deputy Mayor, Hajj Issa Barias, said: “I ask you people to make good use of the facility and services.” The police also displayed new patrol cars acquired to enhance their capacity."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1234696/-/12rggarz/-/index.html","content":"Poor natural resource management impacts negatively on the economy - The impact of climate change that is causing heavy destructive rain that has seen the people of Bulambali, Teso, Mpigi and Kampala suffer from floods is directly rooted in natural resource management by both citizens and government. The pending economic crisis is also reflective of the above situation. Natural resource management is one of the issues that should be addressed in settling this turmoil that is also not about to end soon. The areas affected by climate change – experiencing heavy rain and floods - are agricultural areas. No wonder that food prices are increasingly soaring. This has caused unrest and affected the economy. The walk-to-work demonstrations, for instance, have been pointed out as having affected the tourism industry and hence contributing to the dollar crisis. However, we cannot dispute the fact that our government has failed to exercise fiscal discipline in trying to manage the existing forex reserves as the Governor Bank of Uganda was reported to have said. This year alone, coffee prices, especially the hot-selling Arabica premium, rose by 12.5 per cent in the first quarter of the year. However, due to poor land use that resulted in the landslide, the people of Bugisu cannot meet the increase in demand and benefit from the coffee price increase. Moreover, our economy is agriculture-based and depends mainly on coffee as a major export. Some of the coffee producers have become a problem to the government – they are resettled in Kiryandongo District. This, perhaps, helps to explain the low levels of foreign exchange in the country in general and the increasing dollar rate in particular. The forest resources have also been increasingly depleted. It is said since the 1990s, nearly a third of Uganda’s forest cover has been lost due to settlement and farmland. The proposal to give away 7,100 hectares (17,537 acres) of Mabira Forest land for sugarcane growing is further evidence of the threat forests in the country face. At such a time when the impact of climate change is at its peak and people across the country are losing their lives and property due to floods and heavy rain, it should be obvious to all that it is dangerous to tamper with Mabira Forest. There is no way you can compare the value of Mabira Forest and sugarcane plantation or even sugar itself. Besides, Mabira Forest is important for the existence of Lake Victoria, the river system, the wildlife and the entire ecosystem it supports. Besides, the forest is a source of rain for agriculture, which is a dominant activity in its neighbourhood. Uganda’s wetland management has also remained lacking over the years. Lake Victoria, for instance, is slowly but surely losing its status as the biggest fresh water lake in the region. According to the Ministry of Water and Environment, the cost of treating water has become more expensive than ever before. Treatment now requires more sophisticated technology hence the diversion of funds that would have been used for increasing clean water supply to urban centres. At one time, it was reported that the urban dwellers were consuming faeces in their water, something which is a threat to their health and lives. Poor natural resource management has worsened the impact of climate change and this has led to loss of lives and property. It also increases the dependence ratio and undermines the production capacity of the country. The results are soaring food prices, declining exports - hence low forex remittances - leading to the dollar crisis. The government should critically protect natural resources through policy and enforcement as it is constitutionally obligated to do. Corruption and double standards by government officials should be checked. Mr Mabirizi is MP for Ntenjeru Southnsanja4001@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/British-newspapers-warned-over-Prince-Harry-nude-photos/-/688340/1485404/-/t77wg0z/-/index.html","content":"British newspapers warned over Prince Harry nude photos - The British royal family on Wednesday warned the country's newspapers not to publish nude photographs of Prince Harry cavorting with friends on holiday in Las Vegas. The photographs, published in the United States by celebrity news website TMZ.com, showed the third-in-line to the throne naked in a hotel suite. In one of the two photographs, the 27-year-old is pictured, apparently wearing only a watch and a necklace, covering his genitals with his hands while another person, who also appears to be nude, stands close behind him. In the other, he is bent over bear-hugging a second person, who also appears to be naked. It is not clear if the person is a man or a woman. Clarence House confirmed to AFP on Wednesday that the images were genuine. \"At this time we don't have a comment,\" a spokesman told AFP, adding: \"We may do later.\" It is rare for Clarence House to confirm the validity of such images, which raise questions about security surrounding the British royal. A royal spokesman later confirmed the family had contacted the Press Complaints Commission to request that British newspapers did not print the images, arguing it would be a breach of privacy. The two images were taken at a private suite in the Wynn Resort after a game of strip billiards last weekend, according to TMZ. Newspapers on Thursday adhered to the palace's request, although The Sun's front-page carried a mock-up of the infamous photograph with a journalist taking Harry's role next to the headline \"Harry grabs the crown jewels\". The Mirror had \"Harry naked romp\" splashed across its front page while the Daily Mail ran with \"Palace fury at Harry naked photos\" as its main headline. A royal source told the UK's Press Association news agency that Harry had been \"letting off steam before the next phase of his military career\". Video has also been released from the same trip that purports to show the prince racing US Olympic swimming gold medallist Ryan Lochte in the pool of a nightclub in the hotel. Lochte, who was in Las Vegas belatedly celebrating his 28th birthday, told Britain's Daily Mail newspaper that he was \"surprised\" Harry had challenged him to the race, which the swimming star won. \"He's a great guy, and it was a huge honour to meet him,\" Lochte was quoted as saying, adding: \"I definitely wasn't going to take it easy on him!\" It is not the first time Harry has taken on one of the world's top sportsmen -- during a Caribbean tour in March, he managed to beat the world's fastest man Usain Bolt in a joke race. 1 | 2 Next Page»Harry was in Las Vegas after hosting a charity event in San Diego. Known for his playboy reputation, the prince has tried to distance himself from that lifestyle. He caused outrage in 2005 when photographs of him attending a fancy-dress party wearing a swastika armband appeared in the press, and was forced to apologise in 2009 when video footage emerged of him calling an Asian colleague \"our little Paki friend\". The prince has also been pictured scuffling with a photographer and admitted to drinking under-age and smoking cannabis aged 17, but has recently presented a more grown-up image and stood in for the queen at the Olympics closing ceremony. A trained army helicopter pilot, he has expressed a strong interest in returning to serve in Afghanistan. His first stint there had to be cut short in 2008 when a media blackout was breached. It is not the first time British royalty has been embarrassed by leaked photographs with a topless picture of the Countess of Wessex, taken before she married Prince Edward, hitting the papers in 1999. Sarah, Duchess of York, was also pictured having her feet kissed by US businessman John Bryan shortly after separating from her husband the Duke of York. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/480980-muzizi-bridge-to-be-renovated.html","content":" - By Ismael Kasooha THE Ministry of Works plans to reconstruct the Muzizi River Bridge in Fort Portal to prevent it from being submerged. The ministry engineer, Godfrey Magala, on Tuesday said they will clear the papyrus that had blocked the water channel, causing the bridge to flood. River Muzizi burst its banks in September, cutting off the Hoima-Fort Portal Road."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/488427-july-unusually-cold-wet-experts.html","content":" - By Gerald Tenywa PARTS of Kampala flooded yesterday afternoon after a heavy down-pour hit the city for almost one hour. Cars on Old Port Bell Road waded through ‘lakes’ of water, at some point reaching up to the windscreens. Kalerwe and Bwaise slums were also partly submerged. The rains, that have been pounding Kampala and the eastern shores of Lake Victoria, are part of a changing weather pattern, according to the Meteorology Department. “Although July is not supposed to be completely dry, the down-pours have been unusually heavy and frequent this month,” said Aloysius Kagoro, a principal meteorologist at the environment ministry. “The eastern part of the country in particular got an exceptionally high rainfall.” The heavy rain is likely to interfere with the harvesting of seasonal crops in eastern Uganda, where maize is both a food and cash crop, Kagoro predicted. He said the western parts of the country had been mostly dry. A detailed report, containing a review of this month and a weather forecast for next month, is to be released soon. Kagoro also noted that the temperatures of July have been exceptionally low compared to previous years. He attributed this to climate variability, which refers to change in weather patterns in a short period of time. Environment minister Maria Mutagamba believes the current rains are a result of climate change. “Climate change is hard to reverse. The only thing we can do is adapt to the changes. It is important to take advantage of the rains through harvesting the water,” she said. Other sources said the prevailing winter conditions in southern Africa were to blame for the cold weather in eastern Africa. They are reportedly also responsible for the formation of mist, that has been observed more frequently in the recent past."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/331895-the-impassable-kyenjojo-road.html","content":" - Part of the Mubende-Kyenjojo road submerged by water at Kyakatara, about three kilometres to Kyegewa trading centre."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/639189-state-wants-brig-tumukunde-convicted.html","content":" - By Jeff Andrew Lule & Arithea Nakiwala The State has asked the General Court Martial (GCM) to convict Brig. Henry Tumukunde for breaching the code of conduct of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF). Tumukunde is facing two counts of conduct – prejudicial to good order and discipline and spreading harmful propaganda. Prosecution alleges that the army man made offensive remarks on a talk-show called Spectrum on a local radio station on May 27, 2005 without authorization and contrary to sections 66(1),(2) and (5) of the UPDF Act. The show was discussing the role of military in the political transition. In their final submission they presented to court at Makindye on Thursday, prosecution noted that they had proved beyond reasonable doubt that Tumukunde made the statements and should be convicted. The prosecutor Capt. Frederick Kangwamu said his conduct violated the regulations of the UPDF Act. He said according to Rule 2 (J), a soldier must get authorization from the chief of staff to speak out on any matter to the media, which he argued Tumukunde never respected as a serving senior army officer and a lawyer. “It was proved beyond reasonable doubt that it was him in the recordings. A senior officer at his level of education can’t claim not knowing the rules and regulations,” Kangwamu told court. He added that during his submission of no-case-to-answer, Tumukunde never tendered when the tape was being played in court. Last week, Tumukunde told court that he would not defend himself against charges. Kangwamu also noted that the host of the radio show was brought three times to court but declined to testify against the accused because he [Tumukunde] was a relative and that “they had exchanged cows”. “But what is important was to prove whether Tumukunde appeared on radio. Tumukunde is subject to military laws. Discipline must be adhered to. We pray that he is convicted,” he said. The defense lawyers Emmanuel Twarebireho and Oscar Kambona asked for more time to study the submission to make a reply which Tumukunde did not object. The GCM chairman, Brig. Fred Tolit adjourned the hearing to February 13, where he expects to make his final ruling on the matter. The case has been going since May 30, 2005. Drama in court Earlier Tolit was forced to send Tumukunde out of court. It started when Tolit found Tumukunde in the dock and questioned who had called him there without permission. “Who called him here without my presence? Gen. Tumukunde who called you here?” he asked. Tumukunde said: “I was told that court was proceeding and someone in a red uniform told me to come in.”  However, all the guards and officials denied having allowed him in. The furious Tolit told Tumukunde that him that he as a chairman calls court to order and makes a cause list for those to appear in the dock. “I ask you to respect the law and procedures of court. I don’t know what emotion you want to provoke. This is not a school of dance and drama. Respect yourself and others,” the chairman said. He told the accused that he is the last person he expects to defy the law.  “Nobody called you in the dock. You can’t set pace for court. I order you now to go back to the cell to cool down until I call you back,” he said. “I am a psychologist and you are a lawyer and I expect you to know that. You are my friend and you will remain so. I have no grudges on you but we have to respect the law,” Tolit added. Tumukunde immediately marched to the cell and was called back in court half an hour later. According to section 137 of the UPDF Act, the charge of spreading harmful propaganda carries a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment. Related Court martial to decide Tumukunde case in November Brig. Tumukunde has case to answer says court"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/632398-ura-wins-sh2-6b-dispute.html","content":" - By Edward Anyoli    THE commercial court has ruled that Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) is not liable to pay sh2.6b to Hima Cement after it was compelled to breach contract with Kampala international University.  The Commercial Court ruled  in favour of Uganda Revenue Authority in a tax dispute of over sh2.6b involving KIU Ltd and Hima Cement Limited .  Justice Hellen Obura Tuesday overturned an earlier ruling by Justice Anup Singh Choudry, who had  directed that  URA pays sh2.6b to  Hima Cement Limited in compensation. Justice Obura in her ruling agreed with George Okello the lawyer who represented  URA,  that Justice Choudry had misdirected himself in making an order of indemnity against  URA, in favour of Hima Cement Ltd because URA was not sued in respect of the dispute between KIU Ltd and Hima Cement Ltd.  Obura said in her ruling  that  Justice, Choudry made the order of compensation in violation of the Constitutional right of URA to be heard.  The case arose out of the dispute between KIU Ltd and Hima Cement Ltd in which, KIU sued  Hima Cement for breach of contract  to supply  50,000 tons of cement to KIU teaching hospital at Ishaka in Bushenyi.  Kampala  International University  had been given Value Added Tax(VAT) exemption to supply   cement by Hima Cement Ltd, to enable KIU finish the building project in Ishaka. However, when URA discovered that the cement was being diverted by KIU and sold in  open market in    in Kampala, the supply was stopped. The tax body said  act caused  loss of VAT revenue which prompted the government to later withdraw the facility from KIU Ltd. KIU sued Hima Cement Ltd in 2006 and Justice Anuph Singh Choudry ruled in favour of KIU in 2011, ordering Hima Cement Ltd and URA to pay compensation. URA appealed against the ruling  to compensate Hima Cement."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/508187-face-technologies-sues-govt.html","content":" - By Isaac Baligema FACE Technologies has dragged the Government to the Commercial Court demanding $23m (about sh37b) as compensation and damages for alleged breach of contract. The company, contracted to make national identity cards in 2005, accuses the Government of wrongfully terminating its contract. Last week, the internal affairs minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, said all Ugandans above 18 years would be have national IDs by 2010. The South African company, through Nangwala & Rezida Advocates, has also filed for a temporary injunction on the National ID project pending the Commercial Court’s decision. According to the suit documents, the firm claims it spent a lot of funds before the project was suspended in February 2006 by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) on orders of the Inspector General of Government (IGG).The firm claims it had started rolling out the project after carrying out a feasibility study . The project was suspended following a complaint from one of the bidders, Contec Global, which accused UBOS of flouting the laws in awarding the deal to Face Technologies. It claims it had already invested a lot of time and resources in developing structure for the physical, intellectual and technological progress of the project. “We have developed an ICT knowledge-based solution whose solution software design, development methodology and architecture was customised to Uganda’s specific needs and cannot be used elsewhere,” the company said. The company alleges it had also completed the country surveillance in terms of infrastructure and logistics. The Attorney General is expected to file a defence within 14 days. In the September 22 suit, the company alleges it was the best bidder for the project according to the Government’s specifications. Face Technologies beat 42 other international companies."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/474589-shilling-succumbs-to-dollar-pressure.html","content":" - By Paul Busharizi THE shilling started last week strongly, breaching the sh1,800 barrier for the first time in more than a year before retracing its gains on low corporate demand and a double central bank intervention, dealers said on Friday. The shilling closed the week at 1,810/20 to the dollar after opening at 1,795/1,805. “Most banks were selling dollars as corporate demand reduced. “The shilling attempted to trade below 1,800. That is 1,788/1,798,” Standard Chartered Bank’s chief dealer, Joram Ssozi said. “Bank of Uganda interviened twice to rescue the situation. The central bank bought dollars from as low as sh1,792 to as high as sh1.810. This limited the appreciation of the shilling,” Ssozi said. Market sentiment indicates that the shilling will lose further value this week as corporate demand returns to the market."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/421653-sh200m-case-over-kasenyi.html","content":" - A transport firm which lost a tender to manage Kasenyi Landing Site is seeking sh200m compensation from Wakiso district authority for breach of contract. Jude Etyang reports that Wakiso Cargo Transporters Company Ltd. (WCTC), lost the tender after a protracted wrangle with the Government, which favoured an investor for the tender. WCTC Ltd’s tender was cancelled in October."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/-/688342/1286600/-/vf8kp3/-/index.html","content":"Anger over power brews in West Nile - GULU West Nile Rural Electrification Company Ltd (WENRECo) has been the sole power provider and distributor for Arua, Nebbi and Paidha towns since it took over from the Uganda Electricity Board (UEB) in 2003. In lighter moments, residents jokingly call it the “disco light provider” or “WAS RECo”.WENRECo’s heavy-fuel thermal plant in Ewuata five kilometers away from Arua town is running on borrowed time. The generator there originally intended to last three years broke down at the end of September. District chairman Sam Wadri says: “They were fitting spare parts on that old machine, it is just like patching an old dress with new pieces – it doesn’t work.” WENRECo Manager Frank Becker refused repeated requests from Saturday Monitor for an interview. Though smaller generators have been brought in, it is offering residents only two hours of power a day. The Ministry of Energy has focused the future power supply of West Nile on the completion of the Nyagak dam. The project is also being overseen by WENRECo and is expected to generate 3.5MW, more than doubling its previous 1.7MW capacity. Though construction began in December 2006, residents have heard a myriad of reasons for its continued delay. Ms Irene Muloni, the energy minister, pegged the five-year stretch on the “technical complexities” of building a hydropower dam at a press conference in the region last month. “It does not help us to rush, and at the end of the day the dam collapses” Ms Muloni said. Her deputy Simon D’Ujanga said WENRECo is assured that Nyagak will be completed early next year. But residents say they have lost faith that it will ever happen. Even councillor Wadri says he cannot trust that deadline. “I don’t want to be quoted with their lies of giving new dates every time,” he said. However, the power to be generated from Nyagak dam will only address the first level of the crisis. “Nyagak being a 3.5MW station will not suffice for long,” said D’ Ujanga. “If we want to industrialise the West Nile region, we will need to extend the grid from Karuma.” Ms Muloni at last month’s press conference warned that government “would not hesitate” to terminate the company’s 25-year concession contract with WENRECo in the face of continued blackouts. Shoddy Nyagak contractors have been sacked before, such as when the Czech firm Skoda Export failed to deliver when the project first began, Ms Muloni said. WENRECO say Nyagak will be the solution to what he says has become an overwhelming demand in the region, and have about 10,000 new customers within the next five years.The struggle to extend electricity to West Nile region dates back to the early 90s, when Emeritus Bishop Fredrick Drandrua successfully lobbied donors to fund the construction of Nyagak dam, which residents bitterly remember could have solved their power problem then. They insist government reneged on its commitment to co-fund and the work stalled, but Mr D’ujanga responded, saying the legal requirements for private power production were not yet in place, as the energy policy was only made into law in 1999. Mr D’ujanga argues that the demand then was not enough and load had to be stimulated first in Arua, Nebbi and Paidha before extending a 217km line from Lira to Arua would be possible. Regardless of the past, West Nile remains the only region not connected to the national power grid and since the last West Nile power demonstration in 2009 after a three-month-long blackout, people here have remained resigned. “The problem is the West Nile voice is a dichotomy. The people of West Nile are basically fatalistic. They say, ‘maybe God wanted us to suffer’,” says Mr Dick Nyai, former Ayivu MP. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/713098/-/b5ffr3z/-/index.html","content":"Tell people about the looming energy crisis? - Two on-going developments in the environment and energy sectors need to be treated as national priorities and they are actually related. First, we have the National Forestry Authority (NFA) crying to Parliament over 360,000 encroachers who have occupied protected forest land and NFA has so far failed to secure government’s cooperation to have them evicted. Secondly, there is the ongoing probe over high tariffs that Umeme customers have to pay, which we are told include the cost of power losses occasioned by an old distribution grid (technical losses) and sheer theft of power (commercial losses) by maize millers and welders, among others. The forest encroachers have doubled from 180,000 since the beginning of the year and so we can safely expect their number to swell to 720,000 by Christmas, 1.4 million by mid next year and 3 million by election time early 2011. While forest encroachers are mostly seen as a long-term threat to the environment as they recklessly cut down trees for settlement and timber sales, the medium term effect of their activities which we shall feel in the next few years is exhaustion of firewood and charcoal supplies. Before the next presidential term expires in 2016, we shall wake up to the scary reality when firewood shall be one of the most expensive commodities in the Ugandan market. We will then panic, with 80 per cent of the population unable to cook their food or boil their water. Then the search for alternative cooking energy shall become a national emergency, yet this is something we should be addressing now or actually should have addressed yesterday. Uganda’s energy deficit is not about to be reduced anytime soon, unless we start looking seriously beyond hydro-electricity to meet all our power needs. True, the hydro-electric sector should be fixed as energetically as the new energy minister is doing, but even if Eng. Hilary Onek achieved 100 per cent efficiency in electricity generation, distribution and billing, he cannot even double the present supply that reaches less than 10 per cent of the population. In our situation where the creation of a mere 250 MW dam at Bujagali takes a decade of parliamentary debates, international financial negotiations and construction, you have to be very optimistic to expect putting another 50 per cent of Ugandans on the grid in the next 20 years, when the absolute population itself will have doubled. So this hydro-electricity business that requires a billion dollars to build a dam and a million tonnes of metal conductors to transmit it nationwide is not the way forward. Fix it so the industries can use it. But for domestic consumption, office, hotel and institutional use, we have to look elsewhere for other power sources like solar and wind. 1 | 2 Next Page»Next year, campaigns for the 2011 elections will start. Leaders should desist from promising people electricity from the national grid as that cannot be achieved for all by the time they finish their term in 2016. They should instead sensitise people to the energy alternatives in their areas. Wherever there is cattle for instance, every home should make a digester that converts the dung from one cow into enough clean gas to light and cook. Schools and local workshops should start making simple solar dishes (not sophisticated panels) that can cook dry beans in a matter of hours for sell in their communities. In short, people should be told the truth that there will be no locally available firewood for the villages and no charcoal for the towns in 10 years time. The nearest trees which are not privately planted and owned will be in Congo, and to import them here for cooking posho and matoke may not be viable. Someone will have to take the honest decision and tell the people the truth. buwembo@gmail.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/668801-thousands-flee-after-landslide-blocks-nepal-river.html","content":" - KATH MANDU - Thousands of panic-stricken villagers fled their homes fearing flash floods after an overnight landslide blocked a river in quake-hit Nepal's mountainous north-west, officials said Sunday. The landslide, which occurred at around midnight, sent mud and rocks surging into the Kali Gandaki river in Myagdi district, causing water levels to rise by 150 metres (490 feet), local official Yam Bahadur Chokhal said. \"We have evacuated about 100 people from the affected area, people in other villages don't need immediate rescue but thousands have left on their own,\" Chokhal told AFP. The region has witnessed several small landslides in recent days, according to local official Trivikram Sharma, based in the district headquarters of Beni, 185 kilometres (115 miles) west of Kathmandu. \"After the two quakes, villagers have reported several minor landslides and late last night, they said the hill just came down,\" Sharma told AFP. \"We cannot immediately assess the risk of flash floods but people are obviously scared that the artificial dam will burst suddenly and submerge their homes,\" Sharma said.   A Nepalese resident bathes at a relief camp for earthquake survivors in Kathmandu No one was hurt or killed in the landslide, according to officials. An army helicopter carrying soldiers and experts was on its way to help open the blockage and drain the artificial lake created by the landslide. Police have issued an alert for villagers living along the river, which begins near the Nepal-China border and flows into northern India, eventually joining the Ganges. The snow-fed waters are also the site of Nepal's largest hydroelectric project that generates 144 megawatts of power, located south of the landslide-blocked area. Twin quakes have devastated Nepal in recent weeks, killing more than 8,600 people, while leaving thousands in desperate need of food, clean water and shelter. AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/642811-somali-community-supports-kasese-flood-victims.html","content":" - By Patrick Jaramogi Urgent aid is needed to address the ravaging floods that have left hundreds displaced and dozen dead so far in Kasese, Disaster Preparedness and Relief acting Minister Musa Ecweru disclosed. Ecweru who just returned from Kasese with a team of development partners disclosed that the floods had left five people dead in Ntoroko district. “The whole world needs to know that the floods have not only caused havoc in Kasese but has spread to Ntoroko district where I was told five people died yesterday. We need urgent emergency relief,” he said. Ecweru who was receiving a consignment of 365 bags of posho from the Somali Community in Uganda said what is urgently needed now is food, blankets, mosquito nets and medicines since all hospitals were washed away. “I thank the Somali Community in Uganda for being the first to respond to this calamity with a relief donation of food. I am so touched by this gesture that despite their suffering that have donated. I hope this donation will tickle other communities to respond,” he said. Ecweru said he would do what it takes to ensure that the food reaches the displaced persons. “As Government we have an urgent task of rebuilding the roads and bridges that have been washed away by the devastating rains,” he said. The Chairman Somali Community in Uganda Hassan Hussein Hariri said the community would continue to support in times of emergency. “We share the sorrow and agony of the people of Kasese and take our gratitude to government for the support to the suffering families,” said Hassan. Kasese and its suburbs have been hit by torrential rains that have pounded the mountainous district for weeks now sending river banks open. Last week River Nyamwamba burst its banks leading to death of eight people and displacement of hundreds of families"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/867-rastoon.html","content":" - MINISTER Abraham Byandala has blamed the current floods in the city on delays by KCCA in implementing Kampala drainage master plan."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/315976-plan-for-the-floods.html","content":" - There have been consistent reports of floods in various parts of the country. Last Friday, one person died and property worth millions of shillings was destroyed when a storm hit Rukiri subcounty in Ibanda district. Six villages were affected. Two days later on Sunday, six villages in Kyankwanzi district were also cut off after River Mpongo flooded at Kigambajege. Then yesterday, Uganda Prison authorities ordered the immediate evacuation of inmates in Ragem Prison in Wadelai subcounty in Nebbi district after floods destroyed the prison’s toilets and food. The story is similar in other regions of the country; however, there is no communication from relevant government organs of their preparedness to address the problem. The biggest challenge is the rising temperatures in the last two years as a result of climate change. The temperatures are likely to cause floods leading to soil degradation, expansion of deserts and therefore, food insecurity. Health problems are also likely to be witnessed as health facilities will be washed away by floods as in the case of Nebbi prison. The disaster management department of the Government should come out and assure the public how they intend to mitigate the impending problem. The ministries of health and water and environment should equally outline their level of preparedness. The Government should be proactive and avoid a ‘firefighting’ approach to situations. Immediate actions need to be put in place to mitigate climate change threats. Uganda should adopt a deliberate programme to massively invest in tree planting. Restoration of environment is very important for the future generations and food security. With Uganda’s population growing at 3.6%, agricultural production at only 2.3%, drought and disease resistant crops should be developed as a matter of urgency."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1211-plan-for-the-floods.html","content":" - There have been consistent reports of floods in various parts of the country. Last Friday, one person died and property worth millions of shillings was destroyed when a storm hit Rukiri subcounty in Ibanda district. Six villages were affected. Two days later on Sunday, six villages in Kyankwanzi district were also cut off after River Mpongo flooded at Kigambajege. Then yesterday, Uganda Prison authorities ordered the immediate evacuation of inmates in Ragem Prison in Wadelai subcounty in Nebbi district after floods destroyed the prison’s toilets and food. The story is similar in other regions of the country; however, there is no communication from relevant government organs of their preparedness to address the problem. The biggest challenge is the rising temperatures in the last two years as a result of climate change. The temperatures are likely to cause floods leading to soil degradation, expansion of deserts and therefore, food insecurity. Health problems are also likely to be witnessed as health facilities will be washed away by floods as in the case of Nebbi prison. The disaster management department of the Government should come out and assure the public how they intend to mitigate the impending problem. The ministries of health and water and environment should equally outline their level of preparedness. The Government should be proactive and avoid a ‘firefighting’ approach to situations. Immediate actions need to be put in place to mitigate climate change threats. Uganda should adopt a deliberate programme to massively invest in tree planting. Restoration of environment is very important for the future generations and food security. With Uganda’s population growing at 3.6%, agricultural production at only 2.3%, drought and disease resistant crops should be developed as a matter of urgency."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/619112-kabale-landslide-kills-university-student.html","content":" - By Darious Magara, Caleb Bahikaho and Goodluck Musinguzi THREE people, one of them a university student, were killed by a landslide and floods, which struck Kabale district on Sunday following a downpour. Reagan Kwarijuka of Kabale University was crushed dead by debris when boulders from the hilltops crushed his family house. Many family members were seriously injured and rushed to a health centre. Also dead is Charles Mugaga of Kahondo in Bukinda, whom the floods swept away at a stream near his home. The other victim was a baby, who was sleeping when the landslides hit their house in Karorwa parish, also in Bukinda sub-county. Local authorities said about 500 families were displaced. Adison Kakuru, the MP for Rukiga, said his constituency was “devastated”. The affected families are camped at churches and health centres for shelter. The Kabale resident district commissioner, Cox Nyakairu, said most roads in the district had been blocked by the landslides, while gardens and property had been destroyed. The most affected are Bukinda, Maziba in Ndorwa and Muko in Rubanda county. In Nyabirerema parish of Bukinda, residents were thrown into panic when the mudslides flushed out five caskets from graves. The bodies were re-buried yesterday. “We are working hard to control the situation. Most roads have been blocked. We are repairing mainly those roads which connect to the highways,” Nyakairu said. He appealed to people near landslide-prone areas such as hilltops to relocate until the torrential rains stop. The Ndorwa East MP, Wilfred Niwagaba, yesterday visited the areas and appealed to the Government to clear the road that had been blocked by landslides. He said the bridge, which connects to Bukinda health centre III, had also been destroyed. Kandago trading centre in Bukinda was severely hit, prompting residents to flee to Kirimbe and Kabimbiri churches. Johnson Nkensi’s house at Kazindiro cell was flattened by landslides, which blocked the Kabale-Rukungiri road. Hassan Kamugisha, the Kandago trading centre defence secretary, said the people do not have food, shelter and medicine. Annet Kyomuhendo and her three children were stranded with no food and shelter after their house was submerged by the floods. Edison Hillman, the Bukinda National Agricultural Advisory Services co-ordinator, said about 5,000 people were affected. He said several hectares of crops were destroyed. Joseph Maira Mukasa, the Kabale Chief Administrative Officer, explained that the district urgently needed help. Meanwhile, in Rukungiri, most passengers were stranded after the road in Nyakagyeme sub-county, which connects Rukungiri to Kanungu district, was destroyed. Passengers were stuck after two buses and a few trucks got stuck in the mud at Kamujegye at Omunengo (rift valley escarpment) in Rwerere, Nyakagyeme sub-county. “Things are bad. Most passengers are still trapped,” said James Rukuma, a conductor of Perfect Coaches. According to Rukuma, some passengers abandoned the buses and walked for about 5km to the drier part of Rwerere where motorists set up a new taxi terminal. Efforts to clear the road had stalled after the tyre of a tractor excavator sent to the area burst. Gateway and Muhabura coaches suspended the Kampala-Butogota route until the road is cleared, officials said yesterday. Pascal Rwakahanda, a businessman, was stranded with his merchandise at Swift Bus Park in Kisenyi in Kampala. “Most buses are reluctant to travel to Kanungu after the road was cut off by landslides on Sunday,” Rwakahanda said. However, the regional Police commander, Olive Wawaire, said the Government had dispatched road equipment from Kabale to Rukungiri to clear the blocked road."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/482629-rastoon.html","content":" - Recent flooding of valleys on the Jinja-Iganga road has delayed the completion of the installation of piped water to Iganga town"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/632561-bududa-is-a-perception-problem.html","content":" - By Isaac Wanasolo LANDSLIDES around Mt. Elgon will continue to claim lives if people are not helped to change their perceptions of risk to landslides.   “The landslide will not happen again in my lifetime…God will not let this happen again…it will happen again in 20 years, by then I will be dead already…Womaniala, the rain maker is not here anymore, we are safe” are some of the responses I received from Bududa during a study I carried out in July 2011 for my master thesis.   The study was aimed at understanding how people perceive vulnerability or call it ‘risk of death’ given that the Government had declared Nametsi and the surrounding areas around Mt. Elgon to be risk prone and unsafe for human settlement yet people continued to settle in these areas.   How do people in Bududa perceive their vulnerability to landslides? How do their perceptions influence their response? It is generally believed that in light of a looming disaster, those who promote and regulate health and safety need to understand how people think about and respond to risk.   This study communicates people’s perceptions through 3D GIS maps.   People in Bududa are classifi ed to have either high risk perception, medium risk perception or low risk perception based on their perceived knowledge of causes of landslides, level of risk fear, perceived household safety and willingness to move to safer locations.   In my univariate indicators for derived levels of risk perception, I considered people with high risk perception to be those who are aware of landslides and inherent dangers having witnessed a catastrophic landslide disaster less than two years in the past; are afraid of landslide threats; consider their household to be at risk given the fact that they are living in an area declared to be risk prone and unsafe; and are willing to move to a safer location.   Those considered to have low risk perception were people who are aware of the causes of landslides and the associated dangers but express no fear for landslide threats; continue to believe that their household is safe from future landslides in spite of the Government warnings and declaration of risk prone and unsafe areas; and are not willing to move to safe locations.   Of those interviewed in Bukalasi and Bumayoka sub-counties, 85% were found to have a low risk perception but most important to note was the disconnect between sensitisation efforts and provision of social services to affected communities.   Reviewed reports showed that the 2010 Nametsi landslide buried a government health centre with all its occupants at the time of the disaster, (may their souls rest in peace).   This leads me to ask the question, ‘why was this health centre built in that location in the first place?’ I think there is need for the Government to lead by example as they warn people about unsafe areas for human settlement.    No social service or facility should be provided in such areas, as this only encourages people to stay. Such services, if located in locations far enough from the risk prone areas, can serve as pull factors to attract people to the safe zones. The other pitfall was the fact that the disaster management committee in Bududa was found to be inactive at the time of the research.   Officials at the district cited lack of resources as the reason why the committee could not be active on fulltime basis, thus they could only be sanctioned whenever a disaster occurred.   I believe these committees are very important if sensitisation efforts are to be fruitful especially before landslides happen.  The Government needs to commit resources to enable the disaster management committees in all affected districts carryout routine preventative activities at least until majority of the affected populations have been relocated to safer areas. The writer is a Physical planner and GIS instructor"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/1041804/-/120s4tsz/-/index.html","content":"How home builders waste money - Constructing your dream house without prior planning or having a sufficient budget may end up putting your efforts to waste, writes Sheila Naturinda Most of the local home builders appreciate the work of consultants, hence getting shoddy structures at the end of the day. Buildings have collapsed, leaving some people dead and scores injured. At the end of it all, the loser in financial terms is the owner of the building. It is said 90 per cent of such occurrences are due to home owners’ negligence, use of cheap poor quality building materials and failure to follow architectural plans. It also happens when building a domestic home, and like in commercial buildings, it also leads to wastage of money in repairs, replacements and trashing what could otherwise be useful had they consulted professionals earlier.Mr Eddy Lwanga, an engineer with EBCON, a construction company in Lubaga says, blame should be put on most home owners on their own fate of such buildings. Spending less Some people who want to build better structures want to spend less on them. Their aim of achieving a long lasting structure therefore vanishes in their desire to be stingy. “It is ironic because everything good must be costly in the field of construction,” he says. He adds that you cannot buy cheap building materials because at the end of the day, they will give you substandard buildings. Failure to consult Sometimes home owners don’t trust their consultants but choose to trust suppliers. Mr Lwanga says some suppliers could be genuine, but they also need supervision, “because when he becomes close, then chances are that what his supplies could be insufficient.” Such materials supplied could end up being the cheap ones on the market and later cost you your property. No self-supervision In other cases, home owners pretend to be very busy and don’t visit their sites, leaving all the work to builders and sometimes manual labourers. “Whatever goes wrong may not be seen until it’s too late and can’t be reversed. Visit your developments at least once a week,” Mr Lwanga says. Substandard materials Buying poor quality products may also affect the home builder. Building has many products that need testing to establish their genuineness. Such failure to consider quality will always affect you financially. Some materials like cement may not conform to the standards of the part of building you want it on. When building the foundation of the structure, the amount of cement put in differs from the amount of cement one puts in the rest of the structure. “Some steel products also bring home owners problems because they appear genuine yet they are fake. Other suppliers don’t tell the truth to buyers because they want money,” Mr Lwanga says. Low estimation Mr Ishmael Kamugisha, a builder on a local site in Namugongo, says he has been constructing houses for several people and he finds most of them uninformed of what they want. “They do lazy estimates because they think little money will save them. But we always advise them,” he says. He also gives an example of poor roofing materials. In case a home owner chooses to buy what he feels is in his financial means, it is a matter of a few rain drops and his house will be flooding. However, some of them choose to take advice and hire technical persons to always work for them on estimates. Mr Lwanga says as a construction consultant, some suppliers will feel bad when you tell them that what they have supplied isn’t adequate. “Home owners should always sit with the architects, plan well and also seek advice from consultants who will do the right estimates for the whole project,” Mr Lwanga says. Therefore, for good results, you must go for what might seem the longer and harder route. In the end though, you will have a better house."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/876474/-/an2msf/-/index.html","content":"The value of a vers atile exterior finish - With a perfect finish, the exterior of the house creates an illumination about one’s interior, writes Lydia Namono Aesthetic appearance is the beauty one’s house exhibits. The exterior of one’s house includes the door, external wall, roofs and balconies or verandas.“A perfect finish is one that combines aesthetic appearance, durability, cost compliance and ease of maintenance,” says Ms Patricia Rutiba, an architect with Dream Architects. Although the exterior of one’s house contributes significantly to the beauty of one’s home, some home owners hardly pay special attention to it. According to Mr Namara Brian, a Civil Engineer majoring in Structural Works at Roko Construction Limited, one should initially aim at having a strong structure when planning for a perfect finish. He adds that the majority only pay keen interest if their budget allows. “It is vital for one to decide what the house should look like; thereby making it attractive to others,” says Mr Jared Nangai Wanyama of El-Archs Partnership. Why finish?“A good exterior finish enables one to derive satisfaction because it encourages other people to feel comfortable in one’s home,” Mr Wanyama explains. Also, a perfect finish protects one from external factors such as heat and cold. “It withstands weather effects, fungal growth and insects such as termites. If there is too much sunshine, the paint fades due to poor maintenance,” Ms Rutiba cautions. Having a great finish is also cost-effective in terms of maintenance. This requires one to analyse the materials chosen in terms of performance before applying them onto one’s house. “One should be able to gauge the extent to which the selected material works to one’s choice,” Mr Wanyama says. He adds that durability works in conjunction with the performance of that particular material selected. Basic factorsWhen selecting a finish, there are various factors that one should consider in determining the material to use. Durable finish: Mr Wanyama explains that weather is one of the things that determine the performance of different materials. Therefore, the finish should be resistant to weather conditions. “When rain water penetrates into the product, either directly or indirectly, the finish is eventually weakened, making that material fail to withstand such conditions,” he says. Ms Rutiba says a good finish withstands the wearing away effect of the rain and the fading effect of the sun, making the building last long. The fading effect is usually caused by the penetration of ultra-violet rays which make the material crack or peel off. For instance, outside floors and verandas need a water proof finish so that water does not leak through the floor and enter the actual building, which could be the case with flat roofs. Fungal and insect attacks: The material selected should be resistant to fungal growth and insects. “When purchasing the material, it is important for a client to ask for information which shows that the material is resistant to insects and fungus,” Ms Rutiba advises. Additionally, if water enters the cement for a binding material, it will lose its grip on the wall surface, making it liable to develop algae, moisture and other vegetation types. User’s taste: Different people have different tastes but the owner/user of a house should be able to determine the beauty desired. Ms Rutiba says, most people are attracted to what their colleagues find trendy; so this could enable one to select that perfect finish. The weight: Although this is hardly thought of, it particularly applies to roofing. “The weight of the finish can be affected by the structure. For instance, clay/concrete tiles are heavier than iron sheets; thus, requiring a heavier structure,” she says. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Two-years-to-the-ballot--A-scorecard-on-the-Opposition/-/689844/2490578/-/jjmt0hz/-/index.html","content":"Two years to the ballot: How prepared is the Opposition?  - With the 2016 polls less than two years away, Opposition political parties appear to be blowing hot and cold – unsettled on which strategy to employ, passing the baton to the incumbent President Museveni who seems to have taken the initiative by launching early campaign jaunts in the countryside. In 2014, the major activity within the Opposition has been the countrywide working tours, ostensibly to drum up support for a raft of electoral reforms they insist are a prerequisite if the 2016 elections are to be free and fair. There are also still making baby steps towards on-and-off plan for a coalition. The by-election in Luweero District where they coalesced around the Democratic Party (DP) candidate Brenda Nabukenya to secure victory was an example of how well things could turn out if they really put their minds to it. Mr Museveni has, however, been in overdrive; gallivanting in the countryside; launching power dams, opening markets, attending weddings and other parties, doling out cash to all manner of groups and making grand statements -- all hallmarks of his habitual campaign tactics in the past. DP secretary general Mathias Nsubuga, one of the architects of the Opposition strategy, admits that they are behind Mr Museveni. “By this time, we should have had electoral reforms ready because nominations begin next year. But they have not even been tabled in Parliament and yet President Museveni is already campaigning in the countryside,” Mr Nsubuga warns.In its bid to set the agenda, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) very early in February came up with a controversial resolution endorsing Mr Museveni as their sole candidate in the 2016 elections. That matter is not yet fully resolved in light of the situation secretary general Amama Mbabazi and his suspected designs are on the high office. All the major Opposition parties, however, are yet to decide on whether they will participate in the polls, who they will front or whether to front a joint candidate. In the meantime, the NRM resolution on a sole candidate by its parliamentary caucus is facing opposition by some senior members who insist the decision has to be made by party organs. With the NRM caught up in a power play, queries remain over whether the Opposition can exploit the emerging schism in the party to give whoever will be its candidate a run for his or her money in 2016. Three-time presidential contestant and former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader, Dr Kizza Besigye, argues that though the fortunes of the ruling party have taken a dip, Opposition parties are not faring any better because of a constraining political environment. “Nothing has happened to improve their [NRM] fortunes. If anything, the political environment has been worsening for the regime on account of rising unemployment, economic hardships met by everybody and the near total collapse of [social services]. There is nothing dramatic that has improved the fortunes of NRM,” Dr Besigye says. Political environmentBut the Opposition, Dr Besigye states, has also been dealt a blow by a political environment which hampers attempts to mobilise grassroots or any support and funds with repressive laws like the Public Order Management Act (POMA) and a system that cannot ensure an impartial electoral process. “With that kind of environment, no amount of preparation by the Opposition parties can translate into victory despite the overwhelming discontent with the regime. There is no way you can have credible elections [in this environment],”Dr Besigye argues. The POMA, controversially passed by Parliament last year, imposed stringent restrictions on gatherings, crippling the ability of the Opposition to organise principally in their urban strongholds. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1161158/-/c1k8q6z/-/index.html","content":"Museveni first speech as a 4th term president - President Museveni’s inaugural speech, delivered hours after he was sworn in for another five year term in office ended minutes before 3pm on Thursday at Kololo Independence Grounds. The speech dwelt on strides made by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party over the last 25 years on Uganda’s economy, education, road networks and the delivery of social services. President Museveni spoke against what he described as reactionary ideology (in reference to the opposition) and echoed his stated commitment to progressive ideas. He said the development of electricity, roads and the railways had been poorly handled in Uganda and most African countries, a problem he said the 6th Parliament should be blamed for. President Museveni urged Ugandans and the rest of Africa to reject “puppetry and stand for the genuine independence.” But was silent on the ongoing strife in the country triggered by government’s brutal handling of opposition walk-to-work campaigners protesting escalating fuel and food prices. Find below the speech in full. Speech by H.E. Yoweri Kaguta MuseveniPresident-Elect of the Republic of UgandaAt the SWEARING-IN CEREMONYAt Kololo, KampalaKololo-12th May 2011 Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government who have come to be with us today; Your Excellency the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda; Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda; Your Lordship, The Hon. The Chief Justice of the Republic of Uganda; Rt. Hon. Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly; Your Excellencies Heads of Delegations; Rt. Hon. Deputy Speaker of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda; Your Ladyship, the Deputy Chief Justice of the Republic of Uganda; Rt. Hon. Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda; 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/996684/-/9wafhtz/-/index.html","content":"Making sense of Kagame’s 93 per cent landslide win - On September 6, Paul Kagame will be sworn-in for a second and last term of office as President of Rwanda. As was expected, he easily won the August 9 presidential poll; the talking point though has been the 93 per cent victory. At one of the radio talk shows on which I am a regular, the show host said it was not a landslide but a tsunami. Does the 93 per cent over-kill represent Kagame’s level of popularity in Rwanda? No, please no! In the first place, the question of Kagame’s popularity should not arise because an electoral process, whether won by 100 per cent or slightly less, would not do justice to his larger-than-life national profile. Mr Kagame’s participation in the leadership of Rwanda is out of legitimacy, not tangible electoral popularity. His people’s attempt to portray the 93 per cent as a measure of popularity is actually misplaced. After the genocide, the victorious Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) made what they called the RPF Declaration of 1994. This declaration overwrote (was supreme over) the Constitution and the 1993 Arusha Peace Accords, the two documents on which Rwanda was to be ruled in a power-sharing deal. The essence of the RPF Declaration of 1994 was that all political players in Rwanda are sort of co-opted to the RPF. So, for one to participate in elections in Rwanda, it is has to be on the terms of the RPF. And since Paul Kagame, the ultimate ‘Mr Kigali’ is still in the electoral mix, he deserves all the votes. Don’t mind that the figure has parallels with elections in Mobutu’s Zaire (now DR Congo) and Iraq under Saddam Hussein. Kagame’s 93 per cent score should be viewed in this light: President Museveni holding elections in 1990 at a time all the political elite had been co-opted into the National Resistance Movement. Would anyone be surprised if Museveni won with 95 per cent then? As I have said elsewhere, the national civics in Rwanda must fit in the thinking of Gutahuka (return of Rwandan refugee), Gubohoza (the RPF liberation or the hegemony it created) and Itsemba Bwoko (Genocide). Needless to say, the custodian of these ideals is the RPF led by Kagame. He led the Tutsi refugees back home in 1994, he organised the return of Hutu refugees in 1997 (this meant a lot to the Hutus as it did to the Tutsi in 1994) and he led the forces that stopped the genocide. So, is Kagame stifling the opposition or the country lacks a credible opposition? In a recent interview, President Kagame said, and rightly so, that it is not his duty to create the so-called credible opposition. It was a good quote yes, but he was merely politicking.A credible opposition can only exist where there is open debate. In Rwanda, one such issue is the call for the restructuring of state power and authority by returning the former king as a titular head of state. It sounds crazy, but I lived in Rwanda long enough to know better. I had my own verbal brawls with President Kagame over Omwami Kigeli, Rwanda’s last king. If Kagame is ‘Mr Kigali’, Omwami Kigeli is the only counter-hero to Kagame’s super hero status. The other option is to wait Kagame out until 2017 when his last constitutional term of office expires. The assumption is that if he stays in power, he will have to come up with some ‘political bargain’ that will result into ceding of some political space. If he leaves power, his absence would involuntarily create some political space as the new leader would lack Kagame’s appeal. So, those threatening war like the exiled former Security Chief Patrick Karegeya, may end up playing into Kagame’s hands. Bwana Karegeya, revolutions are no longer sexy. Mr Bisiika is a socio-political analyst with keen interest on the Great Lakes region. He was the founding editor of The Rwanda Herald."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/951528/-/9yu3llz/-/index.html","content":"Is Muyenga another Bududa in the making? - I begin this article with a question, are we likely to see another Bududa catastrophe here in Kampala. Well this could be the case if the disturbing trend of putting social status before safety does not stop when building. This vice which has bitten deeply overtime amongst society is especially attacking high class neighbourhoods on the slopes of strategically located hills in the city of Kampala. To narrow it down, we can comfortably say that all the original seven hills of Kampala are affected by this probable catastrophe. There was an article in Sunday Monitor about two months ago highlighting the seriousness of this problem in Muyenga where imposing and pricey residences are not likely to survive toppling. Toppling is when a mass of earth debris or rock rotates outwards from a steep slope. This action can trigger a landslide. Residents, most of whom are upper class folks, want to use each available piece of land to build fancy houses and don’t leave any room for even drainage or road wide enough to accommodate the traffic that accesses these houses. So when the rains come and there is no way for the water to pass, small chunks of soil start getting eaten away in form of erosion and that is when we see foundations of houses getting exposed and threat of houses crumbling becoming a reality. There is a lot of finger pointing going on and no one seems to want to shoulder the blame for these careless excavations and unplanned houses affecting the foundation of the soil. This is repeated all over Kampala’s hills like Naguru, Kololo, Bunga, Mbuya and some parts of Kireka hill. Kampala City Council shamelessly continues to approve plans for these establishments and they attribute this to political pressures considering that most of the owners of these structures are influential individuals. As one drives towards Ntinda just opposite the Kabira Country Club entrance across the road, you cannot help but look down at posh houses down below. But the location of these houses for example leaves one wondering who and what exactly was in the minds of the authorities who approved their building plans. Are we now targeting to encroach on the underground or what? Examples are endless and it does not help just talking about it. But since no major disasters have been reported, some counter measures can be suggested. The tendency of influence peddling and political interference in the implementation and maintenance of building and planning standards should be put to an end. Let the responsible authorities do their work without being intimidated or threatened. Most planners will tell you that most of the building plans for these posh houses were approved due to outside influence not due to planning criteria and that is why we are seeing what is on the ground today. This might sound like a shrewd method to apply but in Kabale District in order for the locals to farm the hill slopes, terracing is one of the methods used. This is where wide steps are cut into the hill to reduce on the water speed incase of heavy rain and more so give a firmer foundation to the houses to be built on these hills. One may wonder what is going to happen to the houses that are already in existence and are in the line of fire. Much as these posh houses are high class and rather expensive, some will have to be demolished for the good and survival of other homes. This might be a bitter pill to swallow but there is no provision for compensation in such cases. There is commercial excavation going on the fringes of most of these hills. For example in Muyenga around Bukasa, there is a stone quarry. It is such activities that at the end of the day have gradual effects on the neighbourhoods they are in. And an end to this can do a lot of good. foreverandre@yahoo.co.uk"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1102062/-/c58sjmz/-/index.html","content":"URA says it will not pay the Shs2.7 billion to KIU - The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has said it will not be bound by a recent judgment by former Commercial Court Judge Anup Singh Choundry which ordered Hima Cement to pay Kampala International University (KIU) Shs2.7 billion in damages. Justice Choundry granted Hima the right to demand the said total sum of the award from the URA on the basis that it unlawfully procured a breach of agreement between KIU and Hima Cement. URA says this is an attempt to steal tax payers’ money. KIU had received a tax waver on 50,000 tonnes of cement to build its Western Campus in Ishaka. Investigations by URA later revealed that part of the cement was being diverted into the Kampala market. URA’s Assistant Commissioner Litigation Ali Ssekatawa said URA was never party to the suit and thus cannot be dragged into it in the last minute. “URA never received any physical money from government for KIU’s taxes. It received a tax cheque which was a mere book entry,” Mr Ssekatawa said. It is now emerging that KIU in 2005 tried to obtain compensation from URA in similar circumstances but failed. In a matter between KIU and Steel Rolling Mills, KIU demanded over Shs8 billion being the VAT component apparently paid to Steel Rolling by government. URA urged that it had not received money thus could not give KIU money. Justice Egonda-Ntende ruled that what KIU was trying to do was illegal and could only be ‘an illegal raid on the consolidated fund.’ URA asked court to summon the Attorney General over the matter. It was later revealed that the government did not pay physical money to URA. “We have no money to pay KIU because we do not owe them money. This scheme was tried earlier and failed. We have nothing to do with that suit,” Mr Ssekatawa said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/USL-season-kicks-off-in-a-cloud/-/690266/1508328/-/b6eqv/-/index.html","content":"USL season kicks off in a cloud - KAMPALA A day earlier, sports minister Charles Bakkabulindi made it clear that only a league recognized and sanctioned by Lawrence Mulindwa-led Fufa – the Fufa Super League (FSL) – was legitimate. But like the beginning of last season, the standoff stage was well set as the USL adamantly kicked off the 2012/13 Super League on Friday, insisting they were playing it under Fifa, Caf and Fufa regulations. It is 4pm and ‘champions’ Express - three quarters of the players new some having remained with the Bbaale Mugera faction and a star-cast moved to URA and KCC - were on the Namboole turf for ready for action against Maroons. With referees arraigned by USL, the game kicked off, Express – coached by Ibrahim Buwembo, Moses Basena having taken a sabbatical until the two factions sort themselves, taking a 33rd minute lead through Francis Aloh. But Asaph Mwebaze’s side’s pulled one back through Peter Otai when he stole behind Express’ backline before Patrick Kaddu stroked home a late penalty for a winner. By now, well over 200 fans were in the stands, most hurling about political jibes as SC Villa and Masaka started an off and on flood light game. Villa triumphed 3-2 in a game characterised by poor floodlights. Anxiety hung in the air with half time approaching as it became increasingly difficult for fans and players to see clearly with no signs of floodlights, forcing the referee to stop the game with a minute to recess. Power returned, then went off. Then returned. amwanguhya@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Saving-city-residents-from-the-imminent-floods-is-/-/806314/1506984/-/mifamkz/-/index.html","content":"Saving city residents from the imminent floods is a big challenge but work must start now  - Another rain season is here and the government has been quick to outline the precautions Ugandans should take to overcome the wet season. The precautions suggested by the Water and Environment ministry include resettling people from low-lying areas such as Bwaise, Kalerwe, and Kisenyi, among others to higher grounds. Constructing flood-proof houses; and building proper drainage systems around houses. But the call to construct them is coming rather too late. How many houses in Kampala are flood-proof, or have good drainage systems around them? The task of saving Ugandans from the imminent floods and diseases is a very big challenge, but at least let us start in the Kampala City! Indeed the task of resettling people from the low-lying areas of Bwaise, Kisenyi, Industrial Area, and Katanga, among others, to higher grounds wherever it is, may take our government up to the next dry season and beyond. Under such circumstances, the rural folks, will understandably be left at the mercy of nature since our government is neither God, nor the United Nations.Watiti Masokoyih, masokoyihw@yahoo.co.uk"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/-/689838/798482/-/qa8kja/-/index.html","content":"Buyala school donates to flood victims - Gilbert Ssettuuma is 7 years old. He is in Primary 2 at Buyala Junior School in Mityana. The intelligent boy is the class monitor and he is so bright in class. He has maintained 1st position ever since he started school. He like Science mostly but hates Art and craft. He wants to be a doctor when he grows up. Gilbert advise children to have good morals if they want to succeed in life. Gilbert is a son of John Bosco and Carolyn Musoke of Masaka."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/IGG-okays-Shs1-trillion-for-Karuma-dam-project/-/688610/1890184/-/nyhe8bz/-/index.html","content":"IGG okays Shs1 trillion for Karuma dam project - The Inspector General of Government (IGG) has said the 600-megawatt Karuma Hydro Power Project dam project can take off anytime. Speaking to this newspaper, Lady Justice Irene Mulyagonja, said her work was to investigate the disputes that mired the procurement of the contractor; and the eventual back and forth denunciations. “Our work was to investigate; which we did and thereafter released a report whose recommendations we suggested were implemented,” Justice Mulyagonja said.She added: “The project can be kick started at any time because our recommendation of re-tendering a new contractor was implemented by the ministry before the High Court blocked the report’s findings.” The IGG, in her report, revealed that, procuring a contractor to construct the power station involved corrupt practices and abuse of the process. “Uganda faced a huge risk of failed execution and consequent losses to the taxpayer if the contract for construction of the power station had been awarded to China Water and Electric Corporation (CWE) as fronted by the Ministry of Energy officials,” the report found out. The IGG’s publicist, Ms Ali Munira, in a separate correspondence, added that the ombudsman: “has no problem with the Sh1 trillion” rendered to the construction of Karuma in the next financial year-2013/2014. CWE was also accused of inflating the out-put capacity of the dam in connivance with some officials from the energy ministry tasked to carry out due diligence of the contractor. This called for the revision of the entire process. The ministry’s evaluation had ranked CWE highest, giving it an 82.99 per cent, of the six that were in the process. The second-best was Sinohydro and CMC Karuma JV [Joint Venture], rated at 80.43 per cent. As for the third-best, Perlite Construction, which got 76.22 per cent, the IGG’s report said the Energy ministry did not do effective due diligence.The development of Karuma was in last week’s budget awarded Shs1 trillion from the total Shs1.7 trillion. ABOUT KARUMA The 600MW Karuma dam is crucial to help meet Uganda’s unmet demand for electricity, which the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Ltd, says has shot from 10 per cent annually to 15 per cent annually. musisif@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Museveni-address-deceptive---Muntu/-/688334/1878564/-/n6ost3/-/index.html","content":"Museveni address deceptive - Muntu - Kampala The forum for Democratic Change president, Maj Gen (rtd) Mugisha Muntu, yesterday said President Museveni’s State-of-the-Nation address, given last Thursday, was deceptive and fell short of reporting about the issues that matter to Ugandans. The opposition leader noted that socio-economic transformation of the country, which has again become Mr Museveni pet subject, will not be achieved through telling lies, corruption and oppression. Gen Muntu, who leads the country’s largest opposition party, was briefing journalists in Kampala when he said the rosy picture of the economy that the President painted is not reflected in the number of ordinary Ugandans who are grappling with unemployment. He said an inflation rate of 3.6 per cent translates into high interest rates for businesses and blamed the President for pursuing fiscal policies that are “killing the private sector” while work on projects like the Karuma Power Dam have stalled. Gen Muntu said the 10 strategic bottlenecks that the President identified in his address point to a “clear manifestation of his failed leadership.” “If he has not succeeded in building the pillars of State after 27 years in power, it means that all along he has pursued a wrong strategy. After 27 years at the helm of leadership, he cannot be talking about promoting the private sector or modernising human resources as if he started leading yesterday. That is disingenuous,” the FDC president said. A compatriot of President Museveni dating back to the days of the 1981-86 bush war, but who later fell out with the regime, Gen Muntu suggested that the President could be having a “problem” by suggesting that Uganda will be a middle income country by 2017. “Let me remind him that deception, corruption, oppression and intolerance that have become a hallmark of his rule are not a winning formula for achieving socio-economic transformation. Unemployed youth, under-resourced public sector workers cannot be teargassed into productivity,” Gen Muntu said. The former army commander said the President’s address was silent on the country’s democratic situation as it did not address the recent attacks on the media, harassment of civil society and the attempts to contain legislators in Parliament. Mr Ofwono Opondo, the executive director of the government’s Media Centre, yesterday said the FDC leader was not “competent” to respond to the President’s address, saying he does not know political ideology.“Let him give viable alternatives that the President left out so that people can judge who has a better grasp of national issues. The President outlined that the economy is stable, inflation is down, GDP is moving up-those are the things that affect everybody,” he said. sarinaitwe@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Search-for-Jinja-bridge-contractor-on/-/688334/1839992/-/jo8lonz/-/index.html","content":"Search for Jinja bridge contractor on - The Uganda National Roads Authority yesterday announced that it was in the advanced stages of acquiring a contractor for a new bridge on River Nile. In a statement, the spokesperson of the Uganda National Roads Authority (Unra), Mr Dan Alinange, said contrary to an earlier story in this newspaper which indicated that they had failed to get a contractor for the Jinja bridge, their contracts committee was in the process of evaluating bidders. “We expect works to start during the second half of this year,” the statement read in part. The Shs120 billion project will be funded by a loan from the government of Japan through the Japan Technical Cooperation Agency. According to Unra, the proposed 80-metre high and 525-metre long bridge will carry dual lane approach with three junctions, built between the Owens Falls Dam bridge and the railway south of the dam.A feasibility study of the bridge was completed in 2009. musisif@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/UNRA-fails-to-get-contractor-for-Jinja-bridge/-/688334/1762970/-/bpw9qw/-/index.html","content":"UNRA fails to get contractor for Jinja bridge - JINJA The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has failed to get a contractor for the new Nile Bridge in Jinja, pushing the construction to August instead of April. The UNRA regional station engineer, Mr Stephen Kisubi, told this newspaper on Monday that the delay to get a contractor was as a result of some hitches. “We have until now failed to come up with a contractor although there were plans that work would commence this April. There is nothing much that can be done now until procurement picks one (contractor),” Mr Kisubi said. Early this year, Mr Kisubi had indicated that four companies had been selected to bid for the construction. He then said UNRA was waiting for the companies to submit their tender bids so that a competent firm could be got to start the work in the next three to four months. The Shs120 billion project, which is to be funded by the government of Japan, was meant to commence early this year to relieve pressure on the 59-year-old Owen Falls bridge, which has developed cracks and an uneven surface. Mr Kisubi said the designs, compensation of affected people and procurement of a consultant to monitor the work have all been done. He, however, did not disclose how much money was given for compensation. Mr Kisubi also allayed fears that the old bridge, which has been described by experts as outdated, cannot continue serving the public, adding that the bridge was undergoing major repairs. “Spencon has been working underground on this bridge and work is in its final stages. This will help the bridge remain relevant for at least another 20 years,” the engineer said. He added that the repairs had cost the government Shs7 billion. According to Mr Kisubi, the bridge will be a double carriage with two lanes for vehicles from both directions. Between the carriages will be an Island-like structure where flowers can be planted. It will be 20 metres wide and 500 meters long, making it three times bigger than the old bridge at Owen Falls Dam. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Military-men-ordered-out-of-police-barracks/-/688334/1678090/-/he923j/-/index.html","content":"Military men ordered out of police barracks - Police in Jinja have ordered four Military Police personnel and their families to vacate Nalufenya Police Barracks amidst claims that they are causing insecurity at the premises. The police barracks accommodates most of the police’s top brass in south-eastern region. They include the regional police commander, the district police commander, the public relations officer and the regional traffic police officer. A copy of the eviction notice dated January 25, gives the soldiers two weeks to vacate the barracks, lest they are forcefully evicted. The letter says the soldiers are expected to have quit by February 8. The notice “This serves to inform you and your families, who are not part of police staff in Jinja District, to vacate the premises of Nalufenya Police Barracks with immediate effect. Otherwise, legal action shall be taken against whoever would have failed to comply with this instruction within two weeks,” the letter reads in part. The affected soldiers include Sgt Moses Kiria, Sgt. Wilberforce Mulamuzi, Sgt. Charles Ojara and Sgt. Moses Ojuko. They have, together, with their families been occupying a structure that had served as a store during the construction of the barracks in the late 1990s. Mr Madira, who told the Daily Monitor that the police is not certain of the deployment status of the four soldiers, said they had asked to be accommodated for only one month following their deployment at the Owen Falls Dam Bridge, but they have now stayed for more than five years. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Attract-investors-to-promote-growth--Alur-king-tells-subjects/-/688334/1608760/-/qlhm75z/-/index.html","content":"Attract investors to promote growth, Alur king tells subjects - NEBBI Alur King Phillip Olarker Rauni III has called upon his subjects to create conditions needed to attract investors to develop the kingdom. Speaking during his second coronation anniversary in Nebbi District on Tuesday, King Rauni said: “Investment opportunities have to be harnessed in agriculture where we can have quality tea growing both in Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda for export, food processing, livestock and fish farming and beef processing.” King Rauni said investors would provide better skills and technology to increase production in agriculture and other sectors. Noting the high rate of illiteracy among his subjects both in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, King Rauni said the kingdom should prioritise education to supplement current government programmes such as the universal primary and secondary programmes. “We should also utilise the Nyagak power dam to trigger industrialisation and ask for more investors to come and industrialise the area under the liberalised economy of the country,” he added. In a speech read on his behalf by the State Minister for Northern Uganda, Ms Rebecca Otengo, President Museveni said the government would continue supporting the kingdom. “NRM government deliberately restored cultural institutions because they cherish cultural values. People of Uganda have a right to preserve their culture, especially in the view of the fact that modern governments have failed to address some particular aspects of culture,” Mr Museveni said. The President called upon people in the kingdom to engage in commercial agriculture."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/W--Nile-plunges-into-darkness-after-Nyagak-switch-on/-/688334/1520984/-/ac2xeu/-/index.html","content":"West Nile plunges into darkness after Nyagak switch on - WEST NILE West Nile region has in the last five days experienced 24-hour load-shedding, just two weeks after the commissioning of the Nyagak 3.5 megawatt power plant. Since the commissioning of the dam, power supply has been unstable, sometime lasting only a few hours. The noticeable silence from the company running the dam has enraged residents.Upon the dam’s commissioning two weeks ago, company and government officials had assured consumers of 24-hour power supply. Mr Wilfred Saka, a resident, said: “It is shameful for the whole head of state to come and commission something which has become unreliable like this. We should stop being fooled by this government and we cannot for sure develop without stable power.” In the three towns of Arua, Nebbi and Paidha, businessmen have expressed frustration with the intermittent power supply from the dam. They have now turned to generators. Another power consumer in Nebbi, Mr Geofrey Ogen, said if the power dam has failed to work, then people should be told to use generator permanently. “I can’t continue running my secretarial bureau on this power because it is on and off,” he said. Efforts to get comments from the West Nile Rural Electrification Company in Arua failed as the General Manager, Mr Frank Becker, declined to comment. “I have no comment go and talk to Fabian to give you details,” Mr Becker said. Mr Fabian Ahimbisibwe, the regional manager, also declined to comment. Mr Niazali Hirani, the general manager for Industrial Promotion Services, the parent company of the local power supplier, said there could be a technical problem. “This could be some technical problem just like in any other power supply. But I will call you back if I find out the problem [resulting in the] unstable power,” he said. State Energy Minister Simon D’Ujanga said he would provide an explanation, but did not say when. He was yet to respond to our queries by press time. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Do-not-let-radio-stations-off--the-hook---Museveni/-/688334/1471944/-/v1c4k0/-/index.html","content":"Do not let radio stations off  the hook - Museveni - Kampala President Museveni has ordered the police to deal with media organisations that are inciting the public to commit crimes. President Museveni, who was passing out 538 police cadets at the weekend at Masindi Police Training School at Kabalye, said police must ensure that there is social discipline if there peace is to prevail. “If you go on the radio and incite people and then someone listens to that radio and commits a crime and you only arrest the one who has committed it without bringing the radio station that incited him you are not doing your work. I am afraid,” President Museveni said. The President has on several times accused the people he describe as opportunists and some media organisations of inciting violence. Several radio stations were closed during the Buganda riots in 2009 over allegations of inciting people to riot. Mr Museveni said there will be peace in Uganda if crime prevention, effective investigations, apprehending suspects, prosecution, conviction and social discipline are enforced. Force challenged“Police must not concentrate on narrow crime committed at a particular moment. But how about the radio which incited violence that resulted in this crime?” President Museveni asked. The passed out officers, who have been undergoing training for 19 months, will be the middle managers in the police to implement the President’s ideas. The Inspector General of Police, Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura, said they are planning to establish a police university, counter terrorism centre and garment factory that will help them in training and clothing respectively. “The police university will have a range of colleges including Criminal Investigations College, Staff Officer’s College. We contacted Salini Construction Company, (a company constructing Bujagali hydro electricity dam) to give us their camping site [in Jinja District] and they have accepted,” Gen. Kayihura said. The police university will help in training officers in specialised units since the Force has failed to attract scientists. Police were able to only recruit one medical doctor and 50 lawyers yet they needed more in the last intake. Gen. Kayihura said they now need more 23,000 police officers to meet the UN standards. abagala@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1395050/-/avhe3qz/-/index.html","content":"Chinese firm in Karuma project scandal ‘deletes’ disputed information - A Chinese company suspected to have bribed the team evaluating bids for the construction of the multimillion shilling 600MW Karuma Dam has dropped some of the ‘controversial’ information from its Website. It is not clear if it is the publication of the discrepancies or the desire to throw off tract nosing investigators who might want to compare the information with the set of figures the company submitted when bidding for the project, that prompted the company to drop the information. China International Water and Electric Corporation (CWE) had, until recently indicated that it had constructed Moinak Hydro Power Station in Kazakhstan, with an intake tunnel of 9.2 kilometres, though this information has since been dropped. CWE did not respond to our telephone calls and an e-mail sent by this paper. However, Mr Simon D’Ujanga, the State Minister for Energy, said the change would not affect the evaluation of bids.“The ministry does not go by what is on the websites; company profiles keep changing. Besides, I cannot talk about one company since that would be unfair because the evaluation process is still on-going,” he told Saturday Monitor. According to Citizens Coalition against Corruption, an NGO, CWE might have ‘tweaked’ the figures to correspond with the experience requirements for the Karuma Hydro Power Station Project. The procurement process of a company to construct the Karuma hydropower station has been marred by allegations of corruption and bribery. The construction of the dam is expected to start in June. President Museveni a fortnight ago instituted a team to investigate bribery allegations. At the centre of the current investigations is a whistle-blower’s allegation that members of a government 12-person bid evaluation committee accepted bribes to allow a bid by a Chinese firm to proceed to the pre-qualification stage – just a step away from winning the contract for construction of the dam. This, the whistlebowers say, were against queries about its ability to execute the works. Investigations onThe investigations will also establish how the evaluation committee, mainly composed of government officials, could have failed to uncover discrepancies in the facts reported by the firm. Karuma is one of the critical hydropower projects aimed at solving Uganda’s protracted power crisis that has had operations of several industries, business and homes affected or slowed. Power demand, that currently stands at 455MW against a supply of 350MW, is growing at nine per cent annually.Sector experts say the completion of the 250MW Bujagali plant will easy the situation for three years. Mr Hilary Onek, the former minister of Energy, while appearing before an Ad hoc Committee of Parliament on energy, had warned that the Karuma could turn out to be as poorly executed as the Bujagali hydro power project. nwesonga@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1386474/-/aw35h6z/-/index.html","content":"Museveni orders probe into Karuma project - KAMPALA President Museveni has ordered for an investigation into bribery allegations in the procurement process of the 660MW multi-billion Karuma hydropower project. This comes just a month after the Ministry of Energy asked the Criminal Investigations Director to investigate the tendering process that has been marred in allegations of bribery. The President’s Press secretary, Mr. Tamale Mirundi, said his boss is taking seriously the bribery and influence peddling allegations raised against the evaluation committee handling the procurement process. “The President is very much interested in the project and has “ordered for an investigation into certain allegations made about the (procurement) process,” said Mr Mirundi. At the centre of the current investigations is a whistle-blower’s allegation that members of a government 12-person bid evaluation committee accepted bribes to allow a bid by a Chinese firm to proceed to the pre-qualification stage – just a step away from winning the contract for construction of the dam despite queries about its ability to execute the works. Security agencies come inSources now say the President wants the process investigated by a team drawn from the intelligence agencies. Sunday Monitor sister paper, the East African, last week quoted industry sources who did not wish to be named admitting that members of the bid evaluation committee drawn from the ministries of Energy, Finance, Water and Environment had been quizzed by the police over accusations that they received about $1.2 million (Shs2.3b) from agents of the firm. State Minister for Energy Simon D’Ujanga said yesterday that the ministry was not aware of the new team constituted by the President but was awaiting a report from CID on the matter. The investigations will also establish how the evaluation committee manly composed of government officials could have failed to do due diligence which could easily have uncovered discrepancies in the facts reported by the firm. However, Mr D’Ujanga said despite the investigations, the evaluation process is ongoing. Sources said the evaluation committee completed its work this week but could not release their conclusion due to the investigations. The same allegations had earlier been investigated by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority, which confirmed anomalies, in a report sent to Eng. Kabagambe Kaliisa, the Energy Ministry permanent secretary, who in turn forwarded them to the police. Although the firm in question has been involved in a number of projects around the world, including Sudan where it won a contract for the 1250mw Merowe Hydropower Project, it is understood that its Ugandan bid raised suspicion after it was found that it varied figures related to output and cost of some of these projects, to suit conditions set for qualification to bid for Karuma. nwesonga@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1314764/-/b1f928z/-/index.html","content":"Opposition dismiss Museveni speech - President Museveni should stop ‘recycling the same old template of empty promises to Ugandans,’ the opposition leaders said yesterday while reacting to a speech the President delivered in Kapchorwa District during celebrations to mark the NRM Day. The President in his speech outlined what he called key NRM achievements in the last 26 years, including the discovery of huge oil deposits, infrastructural development, free education and placing Uganda’s economy to a speedy recovery path. But opposition leaders said the day is not worth celebrating. UPC party vice president Joseph Bossa said the NRM government has failed to deliver on its promises yet Mr Museveni even continues to make more. “The President is a wishful thinker and his NRM government has destroyed the little that was put in place by the colonialists and the UPC government. It has been a period of destruction and the current trends indicate that corruption is growing by the day,” said Mr Bossa. The President said his government will embark on fixing the infrastructure, raise pay for scientists to match international levels and ensure political discipline. Like in the previous speeches, the President also hinted on the NRM’s commitment to fight corruption and promised to end load-shedding with the functioning of the Bujagali Dam. DP’s deputy secretary general Vincent Mayanja, said Uganda needs good governance. Accountability needed“We need accountable people who are committed to the will to fight corruption. The President said the country will not experience blackouts after the commissioning of Bujagali but the solution is to remove all utility services from the private sector.” The FDC vice president for Eastern Uganda, Ms Salaamu Musumba, said there was nothing new the President delivered in his speech. “He was reading from the same old template. It is a recycled speech that belongs to the recycle bin. I watched the way the vice president was dossing and all his ministers looked tired and the demeanor of a tired lot being addressed by a tired general,” Ms Musumba said. Conservative Party president John Ken Lukyamuzi told Daily Monitor yesterday that the NRM Day is no longer worth celebrating. “The President should not deceive people about the oil production as there is still a lot of environmental hindrances. And for as long as the President is thinking in terms of endless administration, he will never take the country forward. He has failed to control the current economic crisis,” Mr Lukyamuzi said. mnalugo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1282166/-/bg8pusz/-/index.html","content":"Car plunges into dam, kills two - The officer in–charge of Sironko Police Station, Mr Henry Kalulu, narrowly survived death following a fatal accident in which two people were killed when their vehicle plunged into a dam in Luuka District. The duo died on the spot yesterday after the driver of the vehicle lost control forcing the car Namadope Dam drowning the passengers. Rescuers only managed to get Kalulu out of the wreckage. He was taken to Iganga Hospital in critical condition. “I was swimming when I saw a vehicle dipping into the dam. I think the brakes failed. Those who died were seated in front and the survivor was behind,” Mr Nicholas Weitani, a 15-year-old, said. With the help of residents, police retrieved the bodies from the water. The deceased were identified as Juma Masaba and James Mugaya, both residents of Sironko District. By press time, the police had not established the cause of the accident. “We are still investigating the cause. It is still confusing; we do not know who was driving but we shall find out with time,” one of the traffic officers, who did not want to be named because he is junior, said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1257294/-/bhyu3tz/-/index.html","content":"Museveni vows to purge NRM of dissenting voices - Kyankwanzi President Museveni yesterday made clear his intention to re-impose his authority over his party by vowing to purge the NRM of dissent by Members of Parliament whom he accused of contributing to the current economic hardships in the country. “We must overcome the sabotage by some NRM elements in Parliament,” Mr Museveni said at the start of a week-long retreat by the ruling party at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi. Although earlier scheduled, the retreat comes days after NRM MPs openly defied their party to summon Parliament from recess and force through a resolution to investigate the oil sector and ministers accused of receiving bribes. The President accused some opposition party members of contributing to the imbalance between the country’s exports and imports, and some party MPs of complicity. “This is a result of endless sabotage by some NRM elements in Parliament of many projects I initiate and also, to some extent, the resistance by some civil servants.” The President appeared keen to end the bi-partisanship in Parliament that saw NRM MPs work with their opposition counterparts to sanction the Executive and call for the stepping-aside of the accused ministers – a move the President publicly criticised a few days later. Failed walkoutSources attending the meeting told this newspaper there was a botched attempt by some MPs to walk out on the President as soon as he began delivering his speech, in protest at his criticism of their oil resolutions. While this newspaper could not independently verify this claim because the meeting was held in camera, it is said a lawmaker from Buganda region sent out a note to colleagues asking them to walk out on the President on grounds that his speech had been crafted by Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi whom they want to step aside while he is investigated for his alleged role in the oil bribery allegations. All officials accused in Parliament, including Mr Mbabazi, have rejected the allegations and the Prime Minister has rejected calls to step down.A press statement from State House said Mr Museveni had noted the urgent need for “focus” and cohesion within the ruling party so as to develop infrastructure in order to create a base for cheaper manufacturing “at a time when we have not started exploiting our oil”. Noting that “the oil discovered so far will only last for 30years”, Mr Museveni asked: “What will happen after that? My answer is that we should start straight away and suppress some of the other expenditures for a while. There is also the other crucial question: What would we have done if we had not discovered the oil?” He added: “Should we continue with lack of focus until we start extracting our oil? Or should we tighten our focus on priorities that will give us aspects of the modern infrastructure that we need to ensure cheaper manufacturing and lower business costs, even before we start exploiting our oil?” Many in the ruling party and the opposition agree with the need for infrastructure and government has promised to spend oil money on a new hydropower dam at Karuma but critics accuse the government of spending its first oil windfall on fighter jets for the army. But Mr Museveni said the oil revenues will accelerate the pace of building infrastructure in Uganda. “Mine is the excitement of a baby who starts to walk on its own for the first time,” he said of government using taxpayer’s money to construct roads. egyezaho@ug.nationmedia.com & mnalugo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1229188/-/bjs3xnz/-/index.html","content":"W. Nile suffers blackout, grinds to halt - West Nile has for the last five days been plunged into darkness. According to a local radio announcement by the sole distributor of the thermal electricity, West Nile Rural Electrification Company, the blackout is due to shortage of fuel at the station. This has subsequently led to closure of business premises like secretarial bureaus, West Nile 7 hills factory, that produces Adriko’s spirits, hotels and metal fabrication sectors. However, all efforts by locals and leaders to woo government to connect them to the national power grid have reportedly fallen on deaf ears. One of the owners of a metal fabrication entity, Mr Saidi Sebi, said he has lost income in the past five days due to the blackout. “I cannot use generators because fuel price is even higher. A litre costs Shs4,000 and I do not know how I will get fees for my children,” he said. Activities at the only mattress factory, Arua Foam, have also been affected. The company spokesperson, Mr Swaleh Buga, said it has become expensive to use generators to run the factory. “Even output has been affected because you cannot produce more without adequate power,” Mr Buga said. However, during National Youth Day celebrations in Arua, President Yoweri Museveni said the region has low capacity to consume power, and so could not be connected to the national grid. “If you transmit electricity from Lira to Arua, you are likely to be in a dilemma because the demand in West Nile is low. If you use high voltage power, it would be uneconomical,” Mr Museveni said.“We opted for Nyagak because by the time power reaches Arua, it would have leaked on the way if we use low voltage power,” he added. For close to five years now, the government has failed to complete the 3.5 MW power dam at Nyagak in Zombo District over technicalities in the design. The region would have had power but in the early 1990s, when Emeritus Bishop Fredrick Drandrua single-handedly lobbied some Italian friends to construct Nyagak power dam, the government reportedly reneged on its commitment to co-fund and the work stalled. And months later, the Bishop survived an alleged assassination attempt purportedly orchestrated by a special presidential adviser on religious affairs using a student of Mvara SS as the sniper. The matter later went to court and the verdict was passed in favour of Bishop Drandua who was then represented by Tabu, Ayume & Jogo Company Advocates. The Bishop, who forgave the sniper, abandoned the project and government took over in 2007.Currently West Nile Rural Electrification Company generates 1.7 Mega watt power for Nebbi and Arua districts. fwarom@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1199288/-/byk1mqz/-/index.html","content":"MPs throw ministers out of Parliament - A joint meeting that sought to end the current power crisis in the country yesterday ended without any solution after lawmakers on the Budget Committee threw out government officials, including ministers, over accountability concerns. Four ministers were in Parliament pleading for the approval of Shs207.5 billion needed to pay for the outstanding thermal power subsidy bills but without success. Ms Irene Muloni (Energy) Aston Kajara (junior Finance) Caroline Okao (junior Finance) and Peter Lokeris (junior Energy) failed to convince MPs to authorise the government to settle the disputed outstanding obligations to private power companies. “As a committee, we cannot approve what we don’t know,” Tim Lwanga, the Budget Committee chairperson, said. “We want you to bring the invoices, power purchasing agreements and the accountability of the Shs92 billion you received in April.” He added: “As you leave this committee, we are asking you to tell those companies to switch on power because the documents we have indicate that they were paid up to June.” The ministers are expected back in the House today. Lawmakers led by former Budget Committee Chairperson Rose Akol (Bukedea) demanded that the government accounts for the Shs92 billion meant to settle of power bills up to June 2011. “These are domestic arrears and they should go to the Ministry of Finance not Parliament,” Ms Akol said. “Domestic arrears are a direct charge on the Consolidated Fund, the Shs92 billion in the 2010/11 budget shouldn’t be used to pay for the outstanding bills. We also want to know the source of funding for the Shs207.5 billion debt and why this money was not put in the budget for proper planning.” Although some lawmakers accused the government of conniving with the power companies to switch off power, Ms Muloni denied such a conspiracy. She unsuccessfully pleaded with the MPs to approve at least Shs92 billion to allow the private companies fuel the thermal power generators. Ms Muloni said the projected subsidy required for 2011/12 financial year is Shs455.96 billion. She added that when the outstanding bill of Shs207.5 billion is taken into consideration, the bill goes to Shs663.4 billion. “This is unsuitable by any standards. We hope to close some thermal power generators as Bujagali Hydro-power dam comes on line in November this year to cut on the costs,” she said. The minister indicated that the Kiira 50MW diesel power plant whose contract expired on June 30 will not be extended. “The companies are pressurising us to pay them but we don’t have the money. We went to Ministry of Finance but there is no response yet. We have been pleading with these companies. Even if I communicate to them now I doubt whether they will comply since 75 per cent of their expenditures go to oil which generates power.” To mitigate the power crisis, Ms Muloni told the Committee that her ministry has managed to convince the Ministry of Water to authorise additional water use at Jinja Dam from the current 800m3/sec to 1,000m3/sec for four months ending November 2011 which will result in additional 40MW of hydropower generated. Meanwhile, Mr Kajara, said the government expects to get budget support from the World Bank under the Poverty Reduction Credit, part of which will be used to subsidise power tariffs. The country’s sole electricity power supplier Umeme last week announced the resumption of a 24-hour load-shedding after three private independent power producers switched off their units over what they said was non-payment of outstanding arrears by the government."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Rugby/-/690276/1044390/-/10fo6jf/-/index.html","content":"utl Kobs savour Uganda Cup win  - Winning just like losing is a habit and utl Kobs were quickly sliding into the latter prior to Saturday’s 14-10 Nile Special Uganda Cup victory over MTN Heathens at Dam Waters ground in Jinja. Wing Richard Lumu’s try and a hat trick of penalties from fullback Simon Wakabi ensured that Kobs’ won their first major trophy in almost two years. The last time the Kampala RFC side had won anything significant was the 2008 Uganda Cup and Arthur Mugweri, the club’s secretary, was resigned to tough times. “We have lost 11 starters over the past two years. Even if we don’t win now, I am pleased with the direction the team is taking as we have so many young talented players coming into the side,” Mugweri told Daily Monitor before the final. “Next season may also be hard but in two years time, we should be as competitive as we have always been.” Massive returnsHe must be feeling very different now as the return of centre Tony Luggya, eighth man Adrian Bukenya, lock Victor Wadia and flanker Steven Ogwete, the latter two having completed bans, has galvanised the four-time Cup champions. Brian Tabaruka, the Heathens coach, must have noticed the revival as forward Arthur Mukama’s try in addition to a conversion and penalty from Robert Seguya proved insufficient for the league champions as they failed to clinch an eighth title. “I think they wanted it more than we did,” Tabaruka said. The bold question thereafter was: is this a successful season for Heathens under the circumstances coming off last year when they won all five competitions they entered locally? “Coming of last year’s success, it’s not at all a good season,” Tabaruka added. However, he lamented the importance of beating Kobs in the Super Cup this Saturday."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/993696/-/x4gwj6/-/index.html","content":"You suffer because you vote unwisely, says Museveni - In what could appear as an early bird picking up the worm ahead of next year’s presidential elections, President Museveni has said Ugandans are suffering from poor infrastructure and electricity shortages because they did not vote wisely in the last general elections. Mr Museveni who was speaking on a local FM radio station in Bugiri District, said people were experiencing frequent power cuts because they had voted for uncooperative Members of Parliament. This was after listeners called during the talk show complaining that their businesses had stagnated due to lack of reliable electricity. “You don’t have power because mwa’londa bubi (you didn’t vote wisely). Especially you the Basoga, you send people like Nabwiso, Salaamu Musumba and John Kazoora to Parliament,” he said. It is not the first time the President has pointed an accusing finger to opposition members, for allegedly frustrating government programmes meant to serve the public.In March 2008, the President, while in Bukomansimbi, in Masaka District, cautioned against voting for candidates opposed to development. He cited politicians who, he said, frustrated plans to build a 250MW hydro-power dam at Bujagali. “They paralysed our Bujagali project. They wasted a lot of time arguing, yet Uganda’s economy is growing at a high rate. We needed a lot of power,” Mr Museveni said. ‘Power project sabotaged’When the Bujagali Hydro power Project was mooted in 2000, it faced serious opposition from several opposition politicians and civil society organisations over its likely environmental impact and tendering irregularities. It eventually failed to take off as donors and other funders withdrew. Mr Museveni advised voters “not to make such mistakes” if they want development of infrastructure in their area. “Don’t vote badly this time. You vote for a bad president or Member of Parliament, you will reap what you sow. I advise you to vote wisely,” he said. The President, while on his fourth day of a 10-day tour in Busoga region, had earlier visited several farmers in Nabukalu Sub- county, Bugiri District.He rewarded 48-year-old Hamudan Nandhubu with a Pickup truck for his good work. Mr Nandhubu has heeded to the President’s call for diversification by dealing in several produce like groundnuts, maize, cassava and rice. He earns Shs25 million annually. Reaping from farming“I am married with two wives and eight children who I manage to look after and educate because of agro-production. Even this house came out of farming,” Mr Nandhubu said. To play safe with climatic changes, the President said: “Start growing some perennial crops since most of what you grow is seasonal. Any time these can disappoint you but survive on the resistant ones.” Several listeners called in complaining about National Agriculture Advisory Services (NAADS) officials who they accused of subverting the programme. “Your Excellency, you must be disappointed considering the money and time invested in NAADS, but it is those officials. The middle men who have sabotaged your endeavour to improve people’s life style,” a caller, who identified himself as Fred from Butalejja, said. The President said this has been catered for under the new NAADS phase in which farmers will directly access funds and inputs at parish and village levels."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/883556/-/wjrm14/-/index.html","content":"Museveni promises Rukiga candidate job - Kabale President Museveni on Friday told the people of Rukiga County in Kabale District that he does not want any more opposition members in Parliament because they derail government plans. Addressing rallies across the constituency, the President also promised Mr Amos Mugisha a job if the people voted for Mr Adison Kakuru, the NRM flag bearer. Mr Mugisha is running on the independent ticket after he was defeated in the NRM primaries, which he alleges was rigged. By press time, there was no indication yet whether Mr Mugisha will accept Museveniseveni offer and stand down. The President was in the county to rally support for Mr Kakuru ahead of the Monday by-elections. The seat is also being contested by the Forum for Democratic Change’s (FDC) Jack Sabiiti, Mr Mugisha and Mr Medard Gumisiriza (also independent). As Museveni campaigned for Mr Kakuru, Dr Kizza Besigye, the FDC president, was also in the area campaigning for Mr Sabiiti. Museveni urged NRM supporters not to divide the votes when during the voting so as to avoid a repeat of what happened in Mbale Municipality by-elections recently. “I know NRM has majority votes in Rukiga, but when we split it between Kakuru and Mugisha, the opposition led by Jack Sabiiti will beat us. I would not have bothered coming to Rukiga if there were two NRM candidates. But there is a third person from FDC in the race and that is why I have come. I know Kakuru has issues with the people, but we should not look at individuals at this point in time because the party is the most important thing.” The president criticised the opposition saying it was Sabiiti and others who failed the government plan to build the Bujagali Power Dam. Sabiiti deniesHowever, while appearing on a local FM radio station, Voice of Kigezi, on Thursday, Mr Sabiiti denied that he was among the MPs who blocked the Bujagali power project. He said it was Mr Manzi Tumubweine who represented Rukiga in the 6th Parliament responsible. Sabiiti said he lost the Rukiga seat in 2006 to the late Samuel Byanagwa after the President allegedly directed the electorate not to vote him."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/711632/-/b5gou6z/-/index.html","content":"Broaden probe in power sector - Police has opened investigations into possible collusion in the power sector with a view of unearthing the truth about what energy minister Hillary Onek has said were “claims of heavy losses and subjecting government under unfair contracts to pay the power companies, in addition to their revenue, enormous amount of money as subsidy.� The investigation so far focuses on the generator and distributor of power in the country, Eskom and Umeme- both from South Africa. The minister has asked for restrictions to be put on the former Umeme Managing Director Paul Mare until, after a “thorough investigation is done on his activities at Umeme and the energy sector.� Eng. Onek says he is seeking justification for the high power tariffs. The action being taken in the power sector couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time; while power supply has remained unstable for a long time as Ugandans were given excuses, power tariffs and user fees have seen a consistent raise. Yet, we are told that they are heavily subsidised by the government. A recent World Bank report said the country loses at least $50million (about a billion shillings per year in power losses). This would amount to at least $350million in four years, enough to build a completely new hydro-power plant. All these losses and hefty pay packages for the utility sector managers, yet connections to the national grid remain at a miserable 10 per cent of Uganda’s 30 million people. However, it is not enough that the investigation stops only at Mr Mare and his activities. It should be broadened to unearth mistakes, if any, made during the unbundling of former Uganda Electricity Board and how it has impacted positively or negatively on power distribution in the country. It is also important that the truth about what initially failed the Bujagali project is known, the second dam at Nalubaale and its contribution to the current crisis, the decision and insistence to go for the more expensive thermo power plants for emergency power supply and of course these alleged losses."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/756682/-/10g9pf0/-/index.html","content":"Museveni has failed on corruption - poll - Kampala President Museveni has performed poorly in his current term of office compared to previous terms, with many Ugandans critical of his government’s failure to fight corruption, a new poll commissioned by Daily Monitor reveals. Conducted by Steadman Group, a respected research firm, the poll shows that 36 per cent of Ugandans rate President Museveni’s current term in office as “worse than earlier termsâ€Â�. Some 32 per cent think the President, who came to power in 1986 after a five-year war and changed the constitution to allow him run for his third election in 2006, has performed better than before while 27 per cent see no change. The poll was conducted in May this year, two years into President Museveni’s current five-year term. Respondents across the country were asked for their opinions about how well the President had done in fulfilling pledges he made during the campaigns. More than half (56 per cent) of the respondents aligned to President Museveni’s ruling National Re sistance Movement party felt that the President performance in the current term is better than that of the previous terms while 25 per cent saw no change. However, 16 per cent of respondents who belong to NRM said Mr Museveni’s performance was worse than in previous terms – and it is this unsatisfied category that the opposition will hope to attract ahead of the 2011 election. An almost equal 56 per cent from the opposition Democratic Party and the Forum for Democratic Change said President Museveni’s current term is worse than previous terms. About 25 per cent from the two opposition parties and Uganda Peoples’ Congress saw no change while about 14 per cent said it was better. It is this category that the NRM will try to woo. Of concern to NRM are the 46 per cent of independent respondents who said this term was worse than previous ones, compared to 18 per cent who said it was better. ***image1*** 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/753906/-/vxuclt/-/index.html","content":"Residents vow to block power project over compensation - Mukono/Wakiso The construction of the multi-billion electricity power transmission line from Bujagali Dam to Mutundwe sub-station hangs in balance after the people to be affected by the project threatened to halt its commencement unless they are adequately compensated. The power line project, undertaken by  the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited, is scheduled to start in January next year. It will stretch from Bujagali hydro-power dam in Jinja through Mukono, Wakiso and Mutundwe in Kampala. But Wakiso and Mukono residents have resolved to block the project, saying the values for compensation are “far below the market price for both land and cropsâ€Â�.   According to some assessment forms seen by Daily Monitor, the compensation rates for a plot comprising of a house ranges from Shs30,000 to Shs9 million. Several residents told Daily Monitor that the compensation was not enough to resettle them elsewhere. “The company (UETCL) acted contrary to its promises by awarding very low rates that completely differ from the government values promised,â€Â� said Mr Yusuf Asimiire, the leader of Nansana-Nabweru affected communities. “This is unacceptable. We shall protest in courts as well as strike against the project,â€Â� he added. Mr Asimiire said the company had also failed to give the residents “disturbance allowanceâ€Â� yet most of the property to be destroyed is in prime areas. Ms Prossy Namaalwa, a resident of Nansana, a Kampala suburb, said the company was paying her only Shs9 million for her plot comprising a house valued at Shs70 million. Another resident, Ms Tereza Namuddu of Nabweru North, said she was offered only Shs100,000 for her house on a plot measuring 52ft by 47ft. But the UETCL Project Implementation Manager, Mr Dennis Makuba, said the compensation process was transparent and fair. “One of the principles of the project was to offer those to be affected by the line a much better life. We have been sticking to that,â€Â� Mr Makuba said. He added that UECTL was also paying the affected residents a 30 per cent disturbance allowance. “We have been compensating for crops using rates determined by districts,â€Â� Mr Makuba said. “But we have registered challenges with compensating properties, such as houses and land.â€Â� Mr Makuba said UETCL had constituted grievance committees comprising local leaders, NGOs and religious leaders in the affected communities to handle all complaints. “Grievance committees have brought to us reports and we have started reviewing them,â€Â� Mr Makuba said. “We are responding by sending back our valuers in some places like Nansana, Nabweru and some urban areas of Mukono, to carry out new evaluation,â€Â� he added."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/796578/-/w1di71/-/index.html","content":"Kololo High  teacher commits suicide - Kayunga POLICE in Kayunga on Monday  evening  retrieved  the  body of a Kololo High  School  teacher, who allegedly   committed  suicide by drowning. Divers and the police  retrieved the  body from River Ssezibwa after two days  of  searching .  The District  CID  official, Mr Grant Tabo  on  Monday  identified the teacher as Salim Sempa.  He was  teaching  Economics and Commerce at Kololo High in Kampala. Mr  Tabo said Sempa on Saturday boarded a taxi from Kampala and disembarked from River Ssezibwa bridge, about 2km from Bukolooto trading center. \"When  he  disembarked   he  went on the left side of the bridge and removed all his identifications and  money from  his pocket and put them near the bridge and later  made  a  call,\" Mr Tabo ,  an  eyewitness  was  quoted as saying. He said Mr Sempa later jumped  into the river  and drowned. An  eyewitness identified  as  Mr  John Lutalo  of  Ntooke  village,  told this reporter that the deceased, who was wearing a blue shirt, first sat in deep thought  before  jumping  in  the water. \"I was  about 100 metres  away but  when I saw him  disembark  from the taxi I thought he  was  one  of  the usual visitors.  I was surprised when I saw him jump in the water,\" Mr Lutalo  said. The  CID  boss  said  the police and relatives of the deceased had  failed to  retrieve the body, and they  had to  call in  divers from Jinja Owen  falls  dam to  help."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/792520/-/b0ip6vz/-/index.html","content":"The opposition will support govt to carry out needed political reforms - On June 8 June 2006, His Excellence Yoweri Museveni, delivered the first \"State of the Nation Address\" to the first bi-cameral Parliament of Uganda since the promulgation of our 1995 Constitution. Coincidentally, the 8th of June was also the opening of the 8th Parliament. As leader of the opposition in Parliament, I am greatly honoured and humbled to be opening the Parliamentary Debate on the “State of the Nation Address with this “statement in replyâ€Â�. After so many years of demonising multiparty politics in Uganda by the NRM, the whole country is now watching us. Against the negative propaganda, it is so easy for Ugandans to misunderstand the role of the opposition in Parliament and to even treat the opposition as enemies of the State. It is therefore most important for Ugandans to understand and appreciate the role of the opposition in Parliament, and what we all must do to entrench freedom and multiparty democracy in our country. We in the opposition would like to assure Ugandans and the international community, in spite of unjustifiable court actions against our leaders and members and portrayal of the opposition and our leaders in bad light, that we in this August House and as parties in the public domain, are peace loving, patriotic and faithful to our country and the Constitution. I now turn to the President’s address to Parliament. The first State of the Nation Address in the life of any government is an important indication of how it intends to govern. In ordinary circumstances, it attracts public interest and maximum response from the media and the general public. We, therefore, were most alarmed at the response of the newspapers, the following day to the President’s address. As you all may have seen, both the government-owned The New Vision and the independent Daily Monitor newspapers carried World Cup news on their front pages, and made very small references to the President’s speech deep inside their pages. What message did this give the people, we ask? Was this ignorance on the part of the media? Has the World Cup become more important than the affairs of our country? Was this a case of familiarity breeding the usual contempt? Or was this not a most damning manifestation of how the country now views President Museveni and his explanations and promises? Having reached this far with our people and media, we the opposition feel roundly vindicated on our well-intentioned argument during the last presidential election that both the country and the President were tired, and that Yoweri Museveni's earliest honourable retirement was in his own best interest and the best interest of the country. We hope that the President will seize the next opportunity in 2011 to honourably retire and to free the country to move on. Election rigging The President in his introductory remarks also made important references to the last general elections and the growth of democracy in the country. Significantly, the President had this to say: “This is the first time that we have had both the Presidential and Parliamentary elections held on the same day. Elections have also been held for the local governments at the various levels, and the exercise has been well-conducted.â€Â� 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/779590/-/10hjuei/-/index.html","content":"Make energy priority, Museveni urges G8 - KAMPALA AFRICA needs support from the world most industrialised nations to help produce energy cheaply, President Yoweri Museveni has said. A statement from State House yesterday said that while speaking at a meeting in London to hammer out solutions to the continent's problems ahead of this year's Summit of the world's eight leading industrial nations (G8) in Heiligendamm, Germany, Mr Museveni said there would be an influx of investors to Africa if there was cheap electricity. \"Where we need assistance now, or at least no obstruction on cheap electricity - hydro, geothermal and nuclear power,\" he said. Mr Museveni said the production of cheap hydroelectric power was the biggest challenge facing Africa in general and Uganda in particular and that cheap electricity would lower the cost of production and spur investment. He reportedly said the way forward was to go for nuclear energy and appealed for support in this venture. Uganda is currently facing an electricity deficit of 150 MW, which has retarded economic growth over the past three years by not only frustrating old investors but deterring new ones also. A new $750m power dam, which has been cleared for construction at Bujagali in Jinja, is expected to be completed earliest by 2011. Other smaller projects have failed to take off due to lack of financers. Mr Museveni appealed to the G8 industrialised nations to woo investors in their respective countries to come to Africa in general and Uganda in particular to invest. Additionally, he said Uganda and other parts of East Africa also urgently needed railway infrastructure. However, he cautioned G8 leaders against “political interferenceâ€Â� in Africa. \"Some of the G8 countries seem to think they should have a supervising role over Africa,\" he said, in a veiled reference to Britain, which has in the recent past hit at Mr Museveni’s government and cut aid over democracy and human rights concerns. “Mr Museveni observed that too much aid is not good for a growing economy because it causes artificial appreciation of the local currency and undermines exports,â€Â� the press release said. 1 | 2 Next Page»He said bottlenecks such as economic stagnation and fragmentation of the African market, lack of infrastructure and unnecessary delays by bureaucrats when handling new business ventures had been addressed in Uganda.             « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/767276/-/10gvugv/-/index.html","content":"Bujagali must go on, says Bbumba - The Energy minister, Ms Syda Bbumba, was in a bullish mood yesterday, despite the withdrawal of AES Corporation from the Bujagali Power Dam Project. “As the President indicated two years ago, Bujagali will be developed. I think Bujagali will be developed with or without AES. I think you had better be patient,â€Â� Bbumba said. AES, which is based in the United States, said in its quarterly report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday that it was pulling out of the Bujagali project. The company announced that it was going to write-off $75 million (Shs 150 billion) it had invested in the failed venture. Meanwhile, a California-based NGO, the International Rivers Network revealed that South African power company, Eskom, might want to take over the project. IRN, which campaigns against damming rivers, has been a vocal critic of the Bujagali project on environmental grounds. In a statement signed by Ms Lori Pottinger, IRN said, \"AES has lost $75 million in the Bujagali adventure. We hope this sends a message of caution to other power companies, such as South Africa's Eskom, which might consider investing in this uneconomic project.â€Â� The state minister for Energy, Mr Daudi Migereko, had earlier said, “We are working with our development partners to see how to proceed.â€Â� 1 | 2 Next Page»In its report, AES said it was working with the government of Uganda and the World Bank to see to it that the project proceeds without them. But plans to go ahead with the power project will have to go back to the drawing board, according to Rubaga South MP Ken Lukyamuzi. “The Power Purchase Agreement was approved through Parliament, so any fresh agreement must come back to Parliament,â€Â� said the MP who is a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources. The departure of AES should pave the way for Norpak, the Norwegian power company interested in the Karuma Power Project. Migereko said, “Norpak has been working on its financial restructuring. Even when we have been working with AES, we were in contact with Norpak. They are developing their proposal.â€Â� The impact of AES' withdrawal had not yet been determined by yesterday, although sources said up to 20 jobs are likely to be lost. The chairman of its local subsidiary, the AES Nile Power, Mr George Kihuguru, said, \"You will have to talk to our officials in Washington.â€Â�     « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Museveni-angry-at-Shs500b-dam-bribe/-/688334/1747590/-/119h97mz/-/index.html","content":"Museveni angry at Shs500b dam bribe - Kampala President Museveni has accused some of his ministers of soliciting for a $200 million (Shs500b) bribes from a Chinese contractor that was destined to win a deal to construct the Karuma hydropower dam. At a special Cabinet sitting at State House, Entebbe on Friday that resolved to uphold the recommendations of the Inspector General of Government on Karuma power project, Mr Museveni is reported to have strongly, without mentioning names, pointed fingers at some ministers to desist from failing government work by soliciting for bribes from contractors. “My officials demanded for a bribe of $200million from a contractor but how do you expect him to build a dam? He will do shoddy work or inflate cost of the project,” President Museveni is quoted by a source that attended the meeting.He added: “You remember when I was in Parliament, I talked about green flies that follow corpses but Anywar [Beatrice, Kitgum Woman MP] commenting, said that the flies were yellow. It looks like she was right; the flies seem to be yellow.” The meeting discussed the fact that two clear groups had emerged within Cabinet, one defending China International and Electric Corp (CWE) and those against. But at the end of the day, Mr Museveni insisted that the matter should be left to the Chinese government to recommend another contractor to do the work.The meeting also resolved that another Chinese contractor be sourced to construct the 600-megawatt Karuma hydropower project and work should start in July. “Cabinet agreed that construction starts in July, but the work should not be done by CWE to avoid litigation,” a Cabinet source told this newspaper yesterday. The government has already approached the Chinese government to either fully or partially fund the Shs6 trillion projects. The Inspector General of Government, Justice Irene Mulyagonja, had in a March report recommended that fresh procurement for a contractor be carried out by restricted international bidding. The procurement process for a constructor for the Karuma hydropower plant that started in 2010 has been marred with allegations of corruption and influence peddling by politicians and powerful businessmen.A series of court injunctions, investigation, court cancellations and a repetition of the technical evaluation processes have already led to a two-year procurement delay for the project. In an interview with the Sunday Monitor, Attorney General Peter Nyombi yesterday confirmed the Cabinet resolution but said CWE had not been eliminated but just a victim of officials in Kampala “who want to use it to eat money.” “The recommendation is to enter a bilateral arrangement with China. That means we leave it to China to endorse a company for Karuma construction,” Mr Nyombi said. The President reportedly accused the Energy minister Irene Muloni and her junior Simon D’ujanga of failing to supervise the procurement process. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/Umeme-betraying-public-trust--says-private-sector-chairman/-/688610/1620102/-/it8elfz/-/index.html","content":"Umeme betraying public trust, says private sector chairman - Kampala The chairman of the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), and former Finance minister, Mr Gerald Ssendaula has said Umeme has betrayed the trust the government and the people of Uganda put in the company while signing a 20 year concession to supply power in the country. In a call to Daily Monitor yesterday, Mr Ssendaula said Umeme is failing to meet its responsibilities as a power distributor and should come clean on the latest power blackouts that have hit the country. “The government has done its part (Bujagali) but Umeme lacks the capacity to ensure sustainable power supply.”“If Umeme says it has more power than what is demanded (580MW against 487MW), then why do we still have these power blackouts spread across the country?” Mr Ssendaula wondered. The complaint comes at a time when parts of Uganda are experiencing power blackouts just a month after the government added 250MW (Bujagali Hydropower Dam) on the national grid.Bujagali increased the supply capacity to 580MW against demand of 487MW according to details obtained from Umeme. Much of the central region and beyond including Kampala, Mukono, Entebbe, Masaka, Mityana, and Hoima among others have been experiencing intermittent power supply for at least two months. However, the outages have in the last two weeks peaked with many areas going for about 24 hours without power. Mr Ssenduala said: “This is unfair to the people of Uganda. Umeme should act more seriously and committed to customers.” However, in an email on Tuesday, Ms Charlotte Kemigyisha, the Umeme public relations officer, said the blackouts were a result of system upgrades and faults on the Namanve and Mutundwe substations. She said: “The current supply is sufficient however stability is determined by a number of factors including vandalism and the current weather patterns (heavy storms) that irrespective of the age of the network are disrupting supply.” According to Mr Ssendaula, whereas Umeme can claim for its losses, Ugandans continue to lose capital on investments due to electricity interruptions. Many stakeholders have come out strongly criticising Umeme for the lack of capacity to efficiently supply power as well as bringing down losses. Mr Ssendaula’s call followed a story published by this newspaper yesterday indicating that several areas in Uganda had continued to experience power outages barely a month after switching on Bujagali. nkalungi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Govt-postpones-Karuma-project-amid-graft-talk/-/688334/1454838/-/13s44mqz/-/index.html","content":"Government postpones Karuma project amid graft talk - The government has postponed construction of the 600megawatts Karuma Dam to December. State Minister for Energy Engineer Simon D’Ujanga said the extension has been occasioned by delays in evaluating the proposals by six firms that bid for the work. “We do not have a contractor on site yet because we are still evaluating the bids. We hope to have a contractor on site by December,” Mr D’Ujanga told Daily Monitor yesterday. “Our plan had been to start in June. But procurement is a lengthy process,” added Ms Irene Muloni, the minister of Energy, on telephone. Ms Muloni urged electricity consumers to “be patient” because procurements take long. Although electricity consumers are no longer experiencing excruciating power rationing because Bujagali is now “fully” on board, the about $2 billion Karuma Dam is touted as the immediate medium term solution to Uganda’s clean energy needs. Demand for electricity is growing at 10 per cent – 45 MW- annually. This, the sector’s analysts, said means within two years, demand would outpace the 250MW generated by Bujagali. The government in the past blamed the political opposition for “delaying” projects such as the Bujagali Hydroelectricity Project. However, the National Resistance Movement government-leaning members were the majority in the Eighth Parliament, accounting for about two-thirds of the House. In the case of Karuma, it is the government that is failing to beat its deadlines.For example, though it has said it would have communicated the best-evaluated bidder by April 13, it is yet to do this. It is also yet to sign off the contract to allow work to start. In the meantime, the team evaluating the bids has been accused of allegedly accepting bribes from one of the companies competing for the contract.Investigations into the claims were launched in the first quarter of the year though the ministry is yet to make the findings public. Eng. D’Ujanga said they got the report last week but they are still studying it before they can make a formal statement. Last week, a group of about 338 villagers in Karuma and Awoo villages of Kiryandongo District, said they would not sign off their land to the dam because the ministry of Energy was only compensating them for their crops and not the land, which ranges from 0.5 to 11 acres each. nwesonga@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1329064/-/b0pe29z/-/index.html","content":"West Nile dam opening extended - They have been counting days to the commissioning of the 3.5-Megawatt Nyagak Power Dam, but now the people of West Nile will have to wait until March, meaning the region will suffer more days of darkness. The work on the dam has remained incomplete despite earlier pronouncement by government to have it switched on in mid-February. According to Arua Municipality MP Gabriel Aridru, who has been tasked to follow the progress of the project after every two weeks, the dam is complete. “What the engineers are doing now is water proofing to ensure that there is no leakage,” Mr Aridru said. He noted that one of the turbines has been installed and the second one is underway, along with the electrical installations to the distribution line. However, uncertainty still looms about the official power switch on date in a region that has an increasing power demand. “People should be patient and know that power is coming either at the end of this month, or March. It is true we have been in darkness for quite a long time,” Mr Aridru said. Since the project kicked-off in December, 2006, several deadlines were set for the start of the power generator but to date, the region suffers from acute load-shedding. The initial plan was to complete the works by the end of January this year. There is still enormous work to connect the grid lines but this has not even started since the contractor has not yet been identified. According to Eng. Simon D’ujanga, the State Minister for Energy, funds for the extension of power lines from Koboko via Maracha to Oraba are in place. “The funds are available for the network but some areas need to be rehabilitated, we are already procuring the contractor,” Eng. D’ujanga said. Deliberately delay?Ms Josephine Adiru, a resident in Arua town, said: “While we are part of the NRM regime, the government has kept us at bay by failing to deliberately connect us to the national grid as if we are still part of DR Congo,” she said. With the development in the region, the 3.5-megawatt will not even be enough. Each turbine procured produces 1750 kilowatts and is connected to two flywheels to keep constant water flow. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Rugby/-/690276/1105876/-/10wbjvr/-/index.html","content":"Defining moment as giants face off - RUGBY Kampala Today – Premier LeaguePiratesv Kobs (5p.m, Kampala)Mongersv Heathens (5 p.m, Entebbe) Buffaloesv Nile (5 p.m, Kyadondo)Rhinos v Impis (3 p.m, Kampala)Nile Reserve League Boks v Stallions (1 p.m, Kampala)Buffaloes II v Pirates II(1 p.m, Kyadondo)Nile Shield League Gulu v Mbale (3 p.m, Gulu)Rams v Lira Bulls (3 p.m, Makerere) At the close of business today, the rugby fraternity will have a faint picture of who the 2011 Nile Special Premier Rugby League champions elect will be. The top sides codenamed the ‘fabulous four’ exchange friendly fire with G4S Pirates hosting utl Kobs in a Kampala Rugby Football Club (KRFC) derby whereas Entebbe Mongers entertain champions MTN Heathens at the ‘House of Pain’ in what promises to be a determinant weekend. The quartet haven’t lost a match but today’s face-offs dictate that the winning streaks will come to a halt and the two victors will ungrudgingly be branded pace setters. Pirates, perennial underachievers on the local scene, have won just three out of the last 25 meetings with Kobs and know they will have a mountain to climb with the latter poised to line-up well-rested and experienced stars like Allan Musoke, who skipped the 59-3 victory over Nile RFC at the Dam Waters Grounds in Jinja last weekend. “It’s going to be second (Kobs) versus third (Pirates). We have to plan ahead. We have two tough weekends ahead and it was inevitable that our young guys got some playing time in my absence,” said jet-heeled Musoke in the wake of his no-show last week. But Brian Makalama’s Pirates on 19 points, one behind Heathens and Kobs after failing to get a bonus point against Toyota Buffaloes, know they have the ammunition to stop Kobs. “Slow starts have been our undoing. But it is time to step up,” said Pirates wing Dennis Etuket. “Our squad is fresh with some new quality faces and we will be looking to seize the momentum. And if we do the basics right, then victory will be ours,” added the inspirational player. Another epic battle will be in Entebbe when Mongers relish the prospect of inflicting the first defeat on Heathens. The champions, despite averaging 65 points per game this term, have always struggled to win in Entebbe and have never picked up a bonus point against Mongers. “Preparation for this game is like any other but are more focused on ending Heathens’ dominance over us this time round. “We might not have beaten them before but the feeling in our camp is that our time to topple them has finally come,” said coach player Kigongo Ssebalamu."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/742822/-/3ftlspz/-/index.html","content":"NRM messing up health sector - It was recently reported by Saturday Monitor that President Yoweri Museveni is grilling his health ministers for failing to manage the country’s health sector. President Museveni was reportedly incensed that each time he visited up country areas people there complain to him of lack of drugs and absentee medical staff in government health centres. This is strange. Either the President is feigning ignorance about what goes on under his NRM regime or he does not know the truth, never mind he is our President, the visionary one, I must add. In his recent column run in the Saturday Monitor Timothy Kalyegira said Uganda is without government, I tend to think like him. So many things are going wrong even when this government has more intelligence operatives than any other previous regimes ever had. I feel sorry and happy at the same time that he lambasted his ministers. I feel sorry because the poor ministers cannot do anything to change the status quo and happy because the ministers know the problem and accept to be used. The ministers should do the most honourable thing - resign. The Ugandan public should stop complaining to the President about non-functioning hospitals because they are not sure whether or not the hospitals really have the staff. Recently a friend asked me to collect for him some data on the staffing at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital but I was taken aback to discover that several departments in the hospital lacked staff. Some such departments include the gynaecology and obstetrics, orthopaedic, ear, nose and throat, among others. These departments lack staff at almost all levels and those who are there are either volunteering or medical students. A referral hospital must have a senior consultant, a medical officer special grade and a medical officer. But the above units in Mbale hospital are not occupied. Budgeting for hospitals also has its own surprises. Now for the President to claim that medical officers dodge work sounds strange because the truth is that these people simply do not exist. I remember visiting a health centre in Manafwa district with a top government official only to find the theatre closed. On asking why it was locked we were told the hospital lacked an anaesthetist yet many qualified people are languishing on the streets. During my visit to the Mbale regional referral hospital I joked with one of the senior officers, asking what happens if I got a fracture. “Our surgeon helps you out but if we can not handle it we send you to clinics in town, because we do not have the specialist,â€Â� he said.   I feel the biggest problem is that the President is relying on wrong data provided mostly by his political friends who choose to tell him what he wants to hear. Through the Japanese International Cooperation [Jica] the government of Japan put up a modern maternity wing and operating theatre for Mbale hospital, but will all this technology help Ugandans if government does not see the necessity in recruiting and adequately facilitating the people working there? Mr President the problem is not the minister nor the medical staff but government funding. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/-/691192/734660/-/fbvvdlz/-/index.html","content":"Is Uganda ready to move on after 2011? - Kampala Riots in Kenya, testimony of the failure of the political system there, say volumes about the mess in Kampala. Uganda’s leaders were caught napping despite several warnings before the Kenyan election [one by this paper as early as May 2007] that instability in Kenya would disrupt supplies especially fuel. The government’s proven inability to satisfy as basic a function as keeping strategic fuel reserves to last even a few weeks is just one of the signs that Ugandans need to get more interested in the way their country is to be managed in future.   Now a second riot is upon us and the only public evidence of an attempt to secure fuel reserves has been an attempt to illegally award the supply contract to a company run among others by the son in law of Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa and President Yoweri Museveni’s in-law. As a landlocked country, we are yet to catch up with the preparedness for fuel supply disruption that Idi Amin had built 32 years ago. As we mark Idi Amin’s overthrow 29 years ago, today, little has been done to chart a second route to the sea, even if Uganda’s re-export trade is the fourth fastest growing area of investment in the country. Even as oil discovery in the west of the country is exciting some, others are concerned that instead of becoming a Norway, Uganda might end up into a Nigeria as a result of striking oil. Daily Monitor will publish a new series titled “Life after Museveniâ€Â� which focuses on why Uganda should move on. We also hope to tackle the psychological obstacle that stands in the way of our preparedness to move on. While Ugandans may have grown indifferent to the level of graft in their country, the growing incompetence of the state in serving them is something that cannot be ignored. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/-/691192/762628/-/fa3nfbz/-/index.html","content":"The accomodative Miyingo - Dr. Miyingo's love for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) was 100  percent but he had respect for other parties. He was constructive, keen,  a gentleman and nationalist who was never partisan. He had the  qualities that many other leaders are lacking. We should emulate him,\" the State Minister for Information Dr. Nsaba  Buturo said as he described his fallen colleague Dr. Emmanuel Kezimbira  Miyingo. Buturo made the remarks on Monday in the central lobby of  Parliament where MPs, Ministers and members of the public had gathered to  view the fallen minister's body. Miyingo died of kidney failureat Mulago referral hospital on Saturday  11. Born on August 18, 1949, Miyingo studied in Namilyango College before  proceeding to Nairobi University to pursue a Bachelor of Veterinary  Medicine degree. He later returned to Makerere University for a master's degree. He also  attended university at Upsalla in Sweden. He was a part time lecturer  at Makerere University Veterinary school from 1984 to 1990 and a  private veterinary practitioner from 1990-1992. Miyingo was also an accomplished politician. He started his political  career as a Constituent Assembly delegate between 1994-1995. He has also  represented the Bukoto West constituency as MP until he lost the seat  in the just concluded February 23 Parliamentary elections. Isaac Ssejjoba, an independent candidate won the seat. Miyingo also held several ministerial positions - as State Minister for  Animal Health from 1994-95, then State Minister for Environment from  1999-2001, and later State Minister for Internal Affairs - a position he  held until his death. Miyingo's death came as shocking news to many Ugandans who knew him. Though he had lost his Parliamentary seat that would probably qualify  him to be re-appointed as minister in next cabinet, President Yoweri  Museveni said Miyingo had left at a time when the country needed his  contribution in the new political dispensation. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/767112/-/10gvtj0/-/index.html","content":"I was ready to quit - Kazibwe - The former Vice President Dr Speciosa Kazibwe, has said she was ready to quit at the height of the valley dam crisis. She said Lira Municipality MP Cecilia Ogwal talked her out of it. \"She [Ogwal] is one among the few who told me that if I resigned my president [Museveni] would be in trouble too because he was the next target,\" Kazibwe said at the weekend. She was chief guest at a dinner dance organised in her honour by Uganda Women Parliamentarians at Speke Resort Munyonyo. She said Ogwal is a staunch supporter of the women's cause. MPs wanted to censure Kazibwe for failing to supervise the $ 2.1 million meant for the construction of valley dams countrywide. Kazibwe said President Museveni is a good teacher. Museveni said Kazibwe made mistakes because politicians did not advise her. 1 | 2 Next Page»\"Kazibwe had no intrigue at all, she was ready to learn and I used to give her books to read. She was a good leader and a very good doctor but she wasn't helped by you people,\" Museveni said. \"If she makes a mistake, instead of helping her, people are just celebrating,\" he said. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Uganda-is-flirting-with-State-failure/-/689360/1925330/-/14bjcimz/-/index.html","content":"Uganda is flirting with State failure - Is there any use for the Ugandan Constitution now that its provisions are routinely ignored or twisted to validate the contestable urgings of the men in power? Within two months, President Museveni and his willing Attorney General have either ignored the Constitution or pretended to be adhering to the supreme law yet against the backdrop of a convenient misinterpretation of the Articles. In their wake, lies the detritus of what used to be fledgling institutions of State.Their efforts have delivered to Uganda a military minister whose appointment was forced through a captive Parliament. It is instructive that this minister was then hastily sworn-in over a weekend. To all intents, Gen Aronda Nyakairima’s appointment symbolises the final fusing of State and ruling party. The remaining visible barrier to that illegal marriage had been the constitutional stipulation that the Army must remain non-partisan but which has since been overwhelmed.We are on the verge of receiving a retired former chief justice, Benjamin Odoki, a man over the constitutional age limit, back in the job. General consensus is that these regrettable things are happening to formalise what has long been de facto; the undisguised ascendency of the military. If true, then Uganda is going through a slow-motion coup d’état. Either way, in the Gen Nyakairima appointment, the mythical subordination of the army to civilian authority as envisaged in Article 208(2) of the Constitution has been exposed to be wafer thin. To regime critics who see creeping anarchism in these developments, none of this is surprising because Uganda never really returned to democracy, constitutionalism and respect for the rule of law – not even after the 1986 violent change of government which ushered in Mr Museveni’s fundamental change proclamation. Now, Uganda faces all the dangers lurking in the unchecked law of rulers. Directions are issued to override legal safeguards, be it to achieve a political end (as in the Odoki oddity) or to ram through a multi-billion shilling contract (the Karuma Dam). In a funny way, historians will record this as the time when Uganda again flirted with State failure. There is hardly another way to describe the country’s spectacular reversals and moral decay epitomised by, among others, widespread theft of public resources."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Prince-Aga-Khan-marks-55-years-as-Ismailia-head/-/688334/1460182/-/b2jp74/-/index.html","content":"Prince Aga Khan marks 55 years as Ismailia head - The Aga Khan Development Network on Thursday celebrated 55 years of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan as head of the Ismailia Muslims. The Aga Khan is the 49th hereditary Imam of the Ismailia after succeeding his grandfather Shah Aga Khan on July 11, 1957. The Imamat Day is marked every July 11 but different communities organise celebrations on different days. Speaking at celebrations held at the Serena Hotel, Kampala, Mr Mahmoud Ahmed, the Aga Khan diplomatic representative, said the Aga Khan Development Network would engage more in social development of Uganda. He, however, warned that failure to eliminate infrastructural deficits in power and transport was affecting investor confidence in Uganda. He said the Aga Khan will grace the opening of the 250 MW Bujagali dam later this year, which is expected to solve the load shedding problem. The Aga Khan Development Network runs a variety of upscale businesses in Uganda in health, education, culture and rural development sectors. The State Minister for Investment, Mr Aston Kajara, said the Aga Khan investments in Uganda were a testimony that doing business in Uganda is not risky. He added that businesses that connect Uganda to her regional partners in Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda were aiding the integration efforts of markets in the East African region. The Minister said that the Aga Khan was investing in Uganda “at a time when we are very vulnerable”. Monitor Publications Ltd and NTV under the Nation Media Group, are a subsidiary of the Aga Khan Development Network. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1316400/-/b1dwwoz/-/index.html","content":"Water crisis in Mbarara worsens - Severe water shortage in Mbarara Municipality and the neighbouring areas entered the fourth week yesterday following constant load-shedding and failure by the National Water Sewerage Corporation to adjust accordingly in pumping water. “I have been having less hours of sleep for three weeks now. I set an alarm between 2am and 4 am to wake up and fetch water at a nearby tap because it is around this time that water pumped by NWSC flows,” Ms Aisha Nakimuli, a resident of Kakoba Division, said. When she checks at 2am and there is no water flowing, she sets her alarm again to wake up after an hour or she keeps awake. When it comes, it flows for only an hour until the next day. Several people in the area have resorted to trek long kilometres to River Rwizi to fetch unclean water. Hotels and other enterprises are counting heavy losses because of expenses incurred in fetching water using vans daily. Customers also shun the hotel rooms because water for showering is provided in jerrycans and basins. Mr Joseph Mugenyi, the acting manager of NWSC in Mbarara, said: “Load-shedding has intensified, diesel is expensive and we have one generator which must run for only eight hours because that is the condition for its use. But to maintain constant water supply we need to run the generator for 22 hours, or have Umeme power supply full-time.” Following the crisis, NWSC officials and local leaders convened a meeting at Mbarara Municipal Council (MMC) hall last week and resolved to write to Umeme to provide power lines that are not subject to load-shedding to water works in Ruharo and Rwebikoona. “NWSC Mbarara has faced tremendous challenges in water production and supply to the extent that our clients have threatened to protest,” reads the January 25 letter to Umeme signed, by Mr Mugyenyi. It further reads: “We request Umeme to consider our request for provision of power lines to the two water works that are not subject to load-shedding or consider load shedding regimes for the water works to durations of at least 20 hours per day.” Mayor Wilson Tumwiine told Daily Monitor that the council has solicited three vehicles to dispense water in areas that are very far from Rwizi throughout the day beginning this weekend. But the Umeme manager in Mbarara, Mr Richard Lubega, said it could not be possible provide a non-load shedded line. “I have seen the letter but it’s not going to be possible. Load-shedding is everywhere, every town will request the same. People should be patient and wait for the completion of Bujagali power dam,” Mr Lubega said. Mr Mugyenyi said NWSC has about 10,364 connections in Mbarara town, Biharwe, Bwizibwera and Kaberebere trading centres. Each connection on average serves nine people. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1304512/-/b21tmxz/-/index.html","content":"Museveni to meet all Kampala traders after fruitless talks with Kacita leaders - The planned Saturday meeting at Serena Hotel follows failure by the traders’ leaders to wring concession from government and banks to lower interest rates on particularly old loans. It is emerging that Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) officials came out empty-handed from a Thursday meeting with President Museveni that has just ended at State House, Nakasero. Bank of Uganda Governor, Tumusiime-Mutebile, reportedly told the meeting that he could not push commercial banks to vary interest rates on loans. Traders in the capital closed shop on Wednesday and say the strike will run for three days because banks are exploiting them by imposing hiked interest rates on monies their members borrowed on different terms, and at lower interest rates. The shop closures have affected the entire country and beyond because traders in those areas largely buy their merchandise from the city. Presidential Spokesman Mirundi Tamale says the central bank chief at the Thursday meeting asks for a week to respond substantively to the concerns raised by the disgruntled traders and “President Museveni said Mutebile is protected by the law and should be given ample time to consult with other technocrats”. Mr Mutebile earlier said the inflation rate, presently hovering around 27 per cent, is likely to lower further which he contends will subsequently bring down the interest rates. The President, says Mr Tamale, criticised the traders’ practice of closing shop whenever aggrieved yet their complaints could better be addressed through dialogue. He says whereas the strike is not as violent like last year’s opposition-engineered walk-to-work demonstrations, it still sends the wrong signal to the international community; alarming potential tourists and worsening the economic slump. Museveni reportedly repeated accusations he has previously made that the political class – in this case the 6th Parliament – is to blame for the country’s economic woes because MPs at the time allegedly blocked construction of Bujagali dam.This newspaper understands Mr Museveni agreed to meet all Kampala traders this week after Kacita leaders expressed fears their members could turn against them if they return empty-handed. The President, it is expected, will leave midway the ruling NRM party’s retreat in Kyankwanzi to meet the businessmen and women in Kampala this weekend. Leaders of the entrepreneurs insisted they needed to get back to their members with something tangible out of the negotiation so that they are not seen to have betrayed them by capitulating to the executive --- hence the proposed meeting with the head of state. At the Thursday meeting, Mr Museveni urges bankers to develop a schedule, especially for salaried people, to allow for longer loan repayment period. tbutagira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1281162/-/bg9f73z/-/index.html","content":"Museveni attacks Constitution for empowering MPs - President Museveni has attacked the 1995 Constitution, saying the oversight powers it gives Parliament over the Executive undermines development. The President made the comments on Sunday in relation to what he claims are legislative blockades of energy and commercial agricultural plans at Bujagali and Mabira Forest respectively. “I am the President now sharing power with Parliament that is equally responsible for the failures,” Mr Museveni said during celebrations to mark the golden jubilee of the Anglican Church in Teso at Bethany Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School in Soroti.“Museveni brings an idea, Parliament blocks it and in short term you get problems of sugar and electricity,” he added, pointing out that during the Bush War that brought him to power, no one could dare to sabotage his projects. It is not the first time the President accuses Parliament of blocking the initial attempt to develop a hydropower dam at Bujagali or turn over part of Mabira Forest to sugarcane growing. However, it is the President’s strongest comments yet on the principle of separation of powers and checks and balances laid down by the Constitution, and comes amidst growing parliamentary outspokenness, particularly on governance and transparency in the country’s oil sector. The comments also come amidst growing attempts by the government to silence critical media, restrict political activities, and introduce longer pre-trial detention for real and perceived enemies of the state. However, critics yesterday described the President’s position as escapist. Blame gameMs Alice Alaso, the secretary general of the opposition FDC party and also Serere MP, said President Museveni has always blamed failure on “anybody except himself” and accused the President of “desperately trying to change the Constitution in 2005 to have an upper hand over Parliament.” MPs, some of whom received a Shs5 million inducement, then amended the Constitution to remove term limits to allow Mr Museveni run again in 2006 but plans to allow for a dissolution of Parliament if it disagreed with the President fell flat. Theodore Ssekikubo (NRM MP, Lwemiyaga) said yesterday that the President should not look at Parliament as an enemy but as partner in nation building. “He would be wrong to put the individual above institutions,” he said. Anglican Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi, who was the lead celebrant in Soroti, said multiparty politics should be used to help people achieve development, not to be looked at as enemies. For instance, Archbishop Orombi said, a football match only attracts spectators if there is an opponent. Archbishop Orombi also castigated politicians for being corrupt, saying instead of serving the people they have been taken up by the quest to amass personal wealth.The Archbishop warned the clergy to desist from mixing church fundraisings with politics. The Church, he said, was above politics. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1268502/-/bhcjr0z/-/index.html","content":"West Nile frustrated by Nyagak dam failure - The extension of the deadline for switching on the 3.5MW Nyagak power dam announced by of Energy minister Irene Muloni has attracted angry response from West Nile, with residents accusing government of wasting taxpayers’ money. The dam on which government has already injected about Shs22 billion will not be switched on this month due to incomplete work on the tunnels to the power house. Ms Muloni, while addressing the press on Saturday, said: “People should be patient and wait a little longer until January 2012 when we shall officially switch it on. We are committed to avert the power crisis the region has been facing.” West Nile, with eight districts and a population of about 2.8 million people, does not have sufficient power supply. This has left the region without industries and cannot compete economically with other regions that have adequate power supply. Ms Muloni acknowledged that several businesses have been bogged down due to power crisis. Both political, religious and civic leaders have been pressing government to connect the region to a national grid. But according to State minister for Energy Simon D’ujanga, it would not be viable because of the long stretch from Lira to Arua (217 kilometres). West Nile is not connected to the national power grid though districts such as Arua have indulged in trade with neighbouring DR Congo and South Sudan to improve their economy. Arua, Nebbi and Zombo are currently in darkness after a generator breakdown. Several individuals and businesses have been dependant on thermo generators for power supply, a situation that has negatively affected growth and development in the sub-region. wokello@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/1260912/-/b5dqih/-/index.html","content":"Agriculture and manufacturing hold high job creating potential - Prior to the volatile economic situation in the country, Uganda was progressing with impressive growth rates. The economy, for instance, grew by 6.3 per cent last financial year. It had been projected to grow by 6.7 per cent this financial year before it was revised down to 5.5 per cent due to a troubled economy characterised by record high inflation and the depreciating shilling. Inflation currently stands at 28.3 per cent while the shilling has fallen by 25 per cent since the beginning of the year. Never the less, Uganda remains one of the fastest growing economies on the continent. Despite the impressive growth rates, however, the country’s unemployment levels are alarming. The Population Reference Bureau recently indicated that youth unemployment hit 83 per cent. It is estimated that over 400,000 students graduate from tertiary institutions annually but about 80,000 are employed in both government and private sectors. The Uganda Bureau of Statistics 2009/2010 Uganda National Household Survey indicates that in 2010, the working age population was 14.6 million last year while the labour force was 11.5 million. Analysts blame the high unemployment levels to rural-urban migration and services industry driven economic growth, which only creates minimal white collar jobs for the skilled people. The services industry includes telecommunication, education and financial services among others. The services industry for instance accounted for 52.4 per cent to Uganda’s real GDP in the 2010/2011 financial year, while agriculture and industry accounted for 13.9 per cent and 25.3 per cent respectively during the period. Economists are of view that if appropriately harnessed, agriculture, manufacturing and tourism have huge potential to create the much needed jobs for the population. Mr Thomas Mwebaze, an economist from Makerere University boosting agricultural production through mechanisation and promoting agro-processing holds great potential to create employment opportunities for skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled Ugandans. “The agricultural sector has multiplier effects; if you mechanise and boost agricultural production, you create jobs for framers, engineers, transporters, traders and processors along the value chain,” Mr Mwebaze told Prosper last week. With about 5.5 million hectares of arable land, fertile soils and plenty of rainfall, Uganda’s agricultural sector employs about 80 per cent of the population but the sector’s full potential is yet to be fully exploited. Uganda Safety Council technical director, Dr David Ongaram, urged the government to promote group farms where farmers are encouraged to grow similar crops at the same time to make it easier to extend support services. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/DanielKalinaki/-/878782/1216736/-/sibs7uz/-/index.html","content":"Time to stop the blame-game, Mr President - I have spent the last six weeks speaking to various people – from entrepreneurs to employers, bankers to politicians – about the current economic crisis in the country. I set out to try and find a simple explanation for the underlying problems and hear what kind of solutions we ought to consider. There have been several theories and observations, many of them insightful, but the consensus appears to be that there is something fundamentally wrong and we need to have a candid chat about it. While the symptoms, such as rising inflation and the depreciation of the Shilling are economic, it appears that the underlying infection is political and revolves around our priorities and allocation of resources. The President, in keeping to form, has handled the truth like political dynamite, lobbing responsibility to the opposition which he accuses of blocking the Bujagali Dam, the give-away of part of Mabira Forest, and scaring away tourists by holding protests (against economic hardships, mind). In fact, so much is blamed on the opposition, one would think they run the country! This kind of politicking will not cut it. Mr Museveni needs to stop acting like a campaign candidate and act like the President he is. The opposition, too, needs to present alternatives (how would they deal with macro-economic stability in these times, for instance) beyond the populist manoeuvres they are very good at. This country desperately needs leadership that is not afraid to admit mistakes but is quick to learn lessons and improve.Yes, we have made several strides since 1986 as we are often reminded, but we need to stop living in the past, look at our current reality, and chart a course for an uncertain future.We have some fundamental questions to pose to ourselves. Here are five of many that quickly come to mind. One, what is our competitive and comparative advantage in the region and how do we plan to seize it? Two, how do we retool our education system to help us achieve a dividend from our young and growing population? Three, free market policies have given us growth but distributed the spoils very unevenly. Should we continue our blind faith in the markets or look at hybrid models that allow some level of government participation or regulation to spread the wealth? Four, how do we go beyond the rhetoric and actually increase mechanisation, productivity and processing in agriculture?Five, how can we increase our overall allocative efficiency, both in the choices we make and in the money we spend? These and other questions cannot be answered within the confines of political partisanship. Neither should they be discussed privately in dark, smoke-filled rooms. Friends in the ruling NRM have privately expressed their frustration at the party’s failure to convene a single meeting to find solutions to the crisis. Others, like my friend Ofwono Opondo, are slowly breaking ranks and publicly acknowledging that something is terribly amiss and needs to be sorted. It is refreshing to see the Opposition indicate its willingness to participate in a national dialogue over the economy. There are a few quick solutions, such as a smaller government and better management of the country’s resources. The self-interested ministers and MPs cannot, on their own, be expected to push through such austerity measures. You will hold a million special cabinet meetings before those ministers vote to cut down the number of districts or foreign trips they make. President Museveni spends a lot of time listening to his praise singers. He needs to stop the blame-game and start listening to some of his critics. It is not just a good sign of leadership – in this case it just might help Mr Museveni save his presidency. dkalinaki@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/-/859108/1058690/-/jlitbn/-/index.html","content":"President Museveni to punish corrupt Karamoja officials - President Museveni yesterday began a four-day sweep through Karamoja’s six districts warning that he will ‘behead’ top officials who frustrate his development programmes in the semi-arid sub-region. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential flag bearer singled out districts chief administrative officers among those he will deal with for failure to implement his well-intentioned programmes in the region. “I have been giving you money for development but I don’t know why it has not been used. When I come around and I find there is no work on the ground, I will cut off somebody’s neck,” President Museveni said while addressing a rally in Abim. ‘Speaking figuratively’In an interview with the Daily Monitor yesterday, the NRM deputy spokesperson, Mr Ofwono Opondo, however, said the President was speaking figuratively and therefore his statement should not be understood literally. “The President meant that he will not have mercy with those who misappropriate money meant for development of Karamoja people no matter what,” Mr Opondo said. “He was simply saying he will either suspend or sack or even jail government officials who have stolen tax payers’ money meant for development of the area,” he added. According to Mr Opondo, though corruption is being tackled in Karamoja area, the President’s tone was aimed at ensuring the previous scandals such as the valley dam saga, issues of ghost health centres and lacklustre performance of the Prosperity-for-All Programme does not ever feature again in Karamoja region. City lawyer James Nangwala, yesterday told Daily Monitor that if the President went ahead to literary implement his threat, he would be out of order even though he has the powers to sanction the killing of any person that has been handed that kind of punishment by a competent court in the land. The lawyer argued that cases that attract the death penalty are well documented and frustration or misappropriation of money meant for government project is not among them. Meanwhile, people claiming to be opposition supporters have said that NRM campaign machine in Northern Uganda bribed them to mobilise supporters to attend the President’s first rally in Abim. One man who only identified himself as Okello, told Daily Monitor yesterday that he was among a number of opposition supporters in Pader who were paid to mobilise people to attend the rally the President addressed in Abim.“I was paid Shs70,000 and the rest of the people I mobilised to attend were given Shs30,000 each,” Mr Okello said. “I know I will not vote for him but all the same I cannot refuse free money,” he added. However, when contacted, NRM spokesperson Mary Karoro Okurut said she doubts whether anybody was bribed to attend the President’s rally, given his popularity across the country. “I doubt that he is talking the truth. However, there is nothing wrong if you have been given some money for buying airtime and for using boda-boda here and there as you do the mobilisation,” Ms Okurut said. PlotShe adds that, this is part of a wider plot by those who are scared of the crowds that the President pulls to his rallies to malign her candidate. The President also promised to construct roads that will connect Karamoja region to the neighbouring districts of northern Uganda."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/909334/-/wy25vm/-/index.html","content":"Lack of cash grounds Karuma project - A minister has rubbed members of Parliament the wrong way, when he revealed that the proposed Karuma Power Project may not take off next year as promised, because of lack of money. The State Minister for Energy, Simon D’Ujanga told the Natural Resources Committee that the Ministry of Finance has not deposited the money on the Energy Fund account to kick start the project. “We want about Shs2.8 trillion ($1.4 billion) for the Karuma project but the Ministry of Finance has not given it to us in the budget, yet we had planned this project to start next year,” Mr D’Ujanga said on Tuesday. He said the failure to have the project would worsen load shedding.He said the Energy Fund account has about Shs500 billion which is not adequate to start the project. “ The contractor will demand a 50 per cent down payment and we don’t have this money. We don’t want to start construction and then we start running around looking for money,” he said. This will be the second time the 700 megawatt power project is being suspended after a Norwegian company, Norpak Power, which had been selected to build the dam, pulled out of the deal last year, reportedly because of the effects of the global financial crunch. MPs angryThe Deputy Secretary to the Treasury, Keith Muhakanizi, however, refused to take any responsibility saying: “We cannot be blamed for not putting money in the Energy Fund, this was a Cabinet decision and the minister (D’Ujanga) should go and present his case in Cabinet because he sits there.” The revelation angered lawmakers on the committee especially those from the war-ravaged northern Uganda led by Ishaa Otto (Oyam South) and Kitgum Woman MP, Beatrice Anywar, who accused the government of telling lies. “President Museveni was in my constituency two weeks ago where he assured the people that there is money for Karuma Dam and that the construction would begin next year. This means he told them lies” Mr Otto said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/902204/-/j20yrez/-/index.html","content":"When oil begins to sip through our thoughts - When oil exploration in western Uganda took a more ‘serious’ turn, it was always going to be a matter of time before a war erupts between environmentalists and natural conservationists on one side and those who now believe oil is the item to protect in Uganda than any natural resource the country has had before.And the apparent enthusiasm of the latter group is unfortunately decked in utter greed and blindness to the contribution of other sectors to the economy. The latest of these contraries in the pursuit of oil is last week’s altercation between environmental expert Edgar Buhanga and Energy Minister Hilary Onek.Mr Buhanga of the Uganda Wildlife Authority warned, while appearing before a Parliament committee on trade and tourism, that toxic wastes emitted from oil exploration and the presence of human settlements at Murchison Falls National Park is directly in the path of wildlife and raising a serious concern to the natural habitat of hundreds of species of wild animals and plants. Energy Minister Hilary Onek refuted the claim as “wild accusations”. How times can change! Mr Onek is a professional hydrologist who a few years back was working behind the scenes – and not many people may know that - in agitating against the construction of Bujagali Dam; and his reason was ‘to protect the environment’. The debate of preserving the environment always crops up every time human activity, especially economic, is seen to interfere with the natural habitat of wild animals and plants. And this debate cannot be any dear to Uganda after the discovery of oil – a major polluter of the environment. Unfortunately, for a country like ours where many of us are still engaged in the basics of life, protecting the environment is not a priority, not many understand the bigger picture of its impact and the long term consequences of abusing it now. The ‘small’ story of the buvera has persisted and the failure to enforce a ban against its use is testimony how both the state and Ugandans are trying to live their lives in a hurry forgetting they are the same ones who have one of the highest population growth rate in the world. That future needs to be protected! National Environment Management Authority and Environment minister Maria Mutagamba are on different pages on the buvera ban where ironically the minister is lukewarm about the ban. Mutagamba can be forgiven since she has never professed in the name of a good environment but Mr Onek has proved the saying that “environmentalists are diehards” wrong. One would expect him to put his neck on the line on this one and die for what he once stood for before he became a minister. He wrote an independent critical report on Bujagali for a global environmentalist group – International Rivers - that gave local environmentalists the fodder to lobby against the construction of the dam. Obviously, a good man or woman is one who knows the buttered side of their bread but a better one would thrive in the principles that make them stand above and beyond the currents of human folly. Most politicians do not appreciate that fact. The discovery oil in Uganda could become the worst pill ever prescribed to a country’s economic and socio-political illnesses yet it is fidgeting with the most basic environmental, human rights and governance ailments. The dream of earning over $2 billion annually from oil has had a numbing effect on our thinking process and with the same talking heads in town for the last two decades and still running, the dream of a less misty vision is unlikely let alone a good environment.fmasiga@monitor.co.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/883888/-/ah1qidz/-/index.html","content":"NRM will perform better in Teso in 2011 polls - On Wednesday, I visited some of the nine sub-counties of Katakwi to check on the progress on valley dams being constructed in each of the sub-counties in fulfillment of the President’s pledge to the people of the district. When I visited Teso region including Katakwi in October and December last year, I was reminded about the President’s pledge. Katakwi is one of the districts that experiences water scarcity in the country. With people restocking their herds, there is a serious water problem in the drier parts of the year as the swamps from which cattle get water dry up. So far, valley dams in Kapujan, Toroma, Omodoi, and Magoro sub-counties have been completed. The one in Ngariam was started on Wednesday and it’s expected that by mid April, all the nine dams will have been completed. Each of the dams has a capacity of seven million litres of water and each will have a filtration channel that feeds into a well through which residents will collect clean water using a hand pump. From the wells, water will also be pumped to a cattle trough located near the dams. The dams have been constructed at a modest cost. Compared with Karamoja region where construction of dams costs millions of shillings, dams in Katakwi have been constructed at a cost of Shs20 million, thanks to the hard working Katakwi chief administrative officer (CAO) with whom the Office of the President has coordinated this project. I also thank the minister and officials in the Ministry of Finance who provided a supplementary budget for the construction of the dams. Next financial year, more dams will be constructed in the semi-arid parishes. The project may also be extended to Malera and Kolir sub-counties in Bukedea. When we were at Ngariam dam, pupils came in large numbers. When we asked why they were not at school, they said they had been sent away by their head teacher for failure to pay Shs5,000 for tests. I went to Olupe Primary School to inquire. The head teacher admitted that he had sent away the pupils in contravention of the Education Act, which criminalises the sending a way from a UPE school of pupils who have not paid extra charges. I reported the case to the DPC Katakwi. The head teacher was arrested the following day. I call upon the police to be on the alert the weed out such cases. Katakwi residents have welcomed the dams. I was told in Omodoi Sub-county that during the registration of NRM members, three quarters of the sub-counties population, in appreciation, registered as NRM members. In Magoro Sub-county, the chairperson, an FDC member, told me that with the coming of development projects in his area, he will soon make up his mind. In October, when I visited this sub-county, the youth whose project I had gone to check, told the sub-county chairperson that since they are the ones who mobilised for him to become the only FDC sub-county boss in the district, he now has to cross to NRM if he wants to retain his seat. The youth said they voted the opposition in 2006 in protest against the government over the then Karimojong continued cattle raids. Besides, the LRA had caused mayhem in Teso in 2002/3, and as a result, people abandoned their homes and went to IDPs camps. Now that security has returned in Teso following the defeat of LRA and the disarmaming of the Karimojong, the political terrain in Teso has changed. NRM will definitely perform better in Teso in 2011 elections. I can assure Ugandans of that. Mr Byaruhanga is a special presidential assistant on political affairspolitical@infocom.co.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/786780/-/4qkhku/-/index.html","content":"Will gov’t nationalise power sector? - KAMPALA Put on your dancing shoes and step up to the flat beat of Uganda's  perennial power shortages. Last week, electricity distributor Umeme again  announced increased daily load shedding. This is not good news but it is  not new news either. Indeed the situation with power is one of the  most embarrassing for the NRM run government of President Yoweri Museveni.   At the heart of Movement's vision is the ambition to industrialise  Uganda. Now in its 21st year in power that vision, articulated by Museveni  himself is opaque at best; thanks to a crisis of management in the key  sectors of public works and energy. Still the lullabies Museveni once accused his Minister of Energy, Syda  Bbumba of singing, are bound to remain a soundtrack for the  administration's response to electricity shortages for much longer. They also  represent significant political problems. So far the NRM has simply  promised to fix the energy problems and has not succeeded by any measure. One way to look at this economic and political quagmire is to ask if  the privatisation policy of the government, which led to the unbundling  of Uganda Electricity Board, has succeeded. It would appear not and such  is the view expressed by Hon Syda Bbumba, the long term Minister of  Energy. Speaking to Inside Politics on Monday, State Minister for Energy, Simon  D'Ujanga (pictured) said the policy of privatisation had succeeded in  so far as attracting private capital to the sector was concerned.\"  Fewer subsidies are offered to the sector,\" he said. The devil is in the  details. Government still pays billions every year in subsidies. We can return  to this later. The burning question is whether if the current problems  continue, the NRM government will reconsider its position on a private  sector led response to electricity shortages or throw its weight behind  stronger interventions by the state. Will government buy back some of  its interests in generation and transmission? This certainly appears to  be the direction if one follows the sorrows that have plagued the  sector. When it first emerged that a massive shortage of electricity would  cause daily blackouts at the start of 2005, the NRM argued that it was  caused primarily by drought conditions that had reduced the water levels at  Lake Victoria. This argument must now be revisited, for the sake of the doubting  public, since last week's announcement comes in the wake of increased  rainfall. Earlier the failure for the Bujagali Hydro-power project was to  take off was similarly blamed on environmentalists even if graft in  government was one of the grounds the World Bank withheld its initial support  for the project. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/783646/-/10i2920/-/index.html","content":"Share oil equally- opposition - PARLIAMENT LEADER of the opposition Morris Latigo had harsh words for President Museveni’s state of the nation address yesterday demanded equitable distribution of new found petroleum reserves and ridiculed the government’s unrealistic development goals. His statement, the official opposition response to Mr Museveni’s June 7 address to the Nation, marks the beginning of a four day parliamentary scrutiny of the president’s speech, delivered at the opening of the second session of the 8th Parliament. The leader of the opposition focused much of his energy at the afternoon sitting of Parliament chaired by deputy Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, lecturing the President to approach development issues more cautiously, especially oil. He congratulated Mr Museveni for the discovery of petroleum in the north-western part of the country, but added that the “blessingâ€Â� of oil has often turned out to be “a real curse.â€Â� Prof Latigo cited the fuel, electricity and food shortages that have rocked oil-rich countries like Nigeria and Iran. “What could become of us with our weak institutions, cronyism, high-level corruption, and grave neglect of agriculture?â€Â� he asked. Prof Latigo argued that before drilling begins, the government should create a plan for a “fair sharing of the benefits.â€Â� Prof Latigo also warned that the Chogm summit due in November is on track for a traffic and housing nightmare. He questioned Mr Museveni’s assertion that 2,800 new beds had been added, saying that he had not seen enough new hotels built to justify that figure. He also pointed to the recent East African Community Summit, which caused a one-hour long traffic gridlock around the Conference Centre, as evidence that the city’s roads are not prepared to host delegates from 53 countries. “We raise these matters because we know that failure will bring collective national shame to all of us,â€Â� he said. 1 | 2 Next Page»He criticised the President’s timetables for the construction of Bujagali and Karuma dams as overly optimistic, citing rising cement prices and continuing corruption. The Agago County MP argued that the government should abandon two low-capacity dams in favour of a larger dam may be at Murchison Falls in order to “buy us time to better prepare to build the smaller dams in a more cost-effective manner.â€Â� He however commended Mr Museveni’s efforts in restoring peace in northern Uganda.   « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1287224/-/bg58l3z/-/index.html","content":"Bujagali power delayed again - Kampala The Bujagli hydropower project, seen as crucial in solving the acute power shortage in the country, will not come on board this Thursday, as earlier planned.Technical hitches in the completed unit of the project now require engineers to disassemble the unit and fix it afresh to avoid possible “permanent damage”. A source familiar with the Jinja-based project — which is at the heart of major efforts to end the power shortage — says the unit, which should have been on board Thursday December 15, can only come on board end of February following a leak inside the unit. The leak requires that the whole unit is broken down; the leak is stopped and then rebuilt. “The plant is complete, but the commissioning of the first unit has been delayed due to technical challenges. We discovered that there is a damage and must be rectified as it could cause a bigger damage to the machines,” said the source. This means that the crippling energy crisis will continue probably until February 2012, at the earliest following information that the rebuilding of the unit could last at least another two months. Already a team of electro-mechanical installation officials from Alstom Hydro, of France are in the country to work through the Christmas period. Alstom Hydro was sub-contracted under the Italian contractor Salini Hydo Ltd back in 2008 to provide electrical and mechanical components for the project. To ascertain the extent of the damage and progress in the other units, a team from the ministry of Energy, led by State Minister Simon D’Ujanga and developers visited the dam on Thursday. After the visit, the French Minister for International Co-operation, Mr Henri de Raincourt, held a closed-door meeting with President Museveni in which he reportedly assured him that the team of engineers from Alstom Hydro would fix the problem within two months. Government ministers are tight-lipped about the matter but State House said in a statement on Friday that President Museveni told the visiting French Minister that “Uganda is currently faced with problems in the power sector adding that any support in the sector was very welcome.” When asked about the technical hitch, Mr D’Ujanga said: “There should be no worry. What is happening there is normal. You can see calibration of all the parts of the machine.” Mr D’Ujanga said the reservoirs have been filled to capacity and functional tests are being undertaken. He was, however, non committal on the commissioning date of the first 50MW. “As soon as the functional test is done; we are testing the first 50MW and it could come on board in January,” he said. The dam construction has already faced delays and the commissioning date for the first 50MW unit has been postponed thrice, with “technical hitches” being given as reason for the postponements. Bujagali is seen as a medium-term effort to stem the power crisis that has knocked more than two percentage points off economic growth. The country is currently experiencing a power crisis with demand standing at 450MW against a total supply of 345MW. The country is currently relying on expensive thermal power to meet the energy demands. However, its supply has been unreliable. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/740000/-/3fv6rjz/-/index.html","content":"Kayihura setting own trap - I intend to bring this advice to the immediate attention of the Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura that his persistence on usurping the constitutional rights of Ugandans to assemble with the draconian Police Act will haunt him. Kayihura, in real life there is a saying that what goes round comes around. Let me give you just few examples. Many years ago, Col. Kizza Besigye, as National Political Commissar and Minister of Internal Affairs, would have supported such draconian law. However, it would have caught up with him after 2001 because, what goes round comes around. Mr Bidandi Ssali, as Minister of Local Government, would have equally voted for such a law, but after falling out with his boss, the same law would have equally stifled activities of his party because what goes round comes around. There are many live examples I could give to show you that the law that you are now advancing, especially which curtails the fundamental human liberty must be considered a bad law. The best option to this law is by the government respecting the rule of law and setting a level playing field for everyone. Demonstrations or public rallies cannot be subject to such limitations because they are significant means of communication through which those people whom your government has pushed into a tight corner or shoved to the periphery of the state, can reach out to the world and to that very regime in a civil way. Maj. Gen. Kaiyura, one day that very law will be a humongous burden for you to carry on your shoulders and only few of your lieutenants will lend you their shoulders. Let it be known today that Ugandans will no longer fall into the trap of deception so as to provide support to any NRM splinter group which comprises people who have been trampling on people’s rights and freedoms, should the current system continue with its totalitarianism. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/771222/-/b1rjn0z/-/index.html","content":"Leave Bujagali debate to the next govt - AES Nile Power eventually have packed their bags and written off a $ 75 million project. The Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed with the government of Uganda is dead. All figures associated with the $ 550 million Bujagali dam are a post-mortem fact. The PPA was never published in the press; the source of primary information, and possibly some of it could legitimately be covered by legitimate business interest confidentiality. Some matters however, never really caught on in Uganda’s long-term economic strategy and are more pertinent today as we re-evaluate the efficacy of the donor-driven economy after 15 years of donor-driven economic growth, structural re-adjustment, and open-ended liberalisation of the economy. The first is the domestic component financing to reduce the level of debt eventually taken on as “sovereign debtâ€Â� by the Republic of Uganda or “floating guaranteesâ€Â� that would crystallize into “sovereign debtâ€Â� upon the occurrence of any trigger event. This is often the meat of drafting of several contracts. Risk investment guarantees are often shared with multi-lateral institutions as well as insurance companies, which often offer a performance bond once the contract starts. Risk is measured in several terms; the political risk associated with investing in politically volatile countries is a material fact when you start arming new paramilitaries without enabling legislation less than two hundred miles away in Teso. Political risk also computes the ability of organised political institutions, including environmentalists to scuttle, or increase the costs of a contract. In Uganda, unless proven otherwise, we have a pliant Parliament to rubberstamp the executive’s bidding. Economic risk covers a variety of areas, principally currency risk normally associated with depreciation of the value of domestic currency, inflation that would affect the overall value of the investment and its product. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1042614/-/clu94qz/-/index.html","content":"Uganda to build first cable-stayed bridge in EA - Jinja A monumental cable-stayed bridge with a length of 525 metres will replace the 56-year-old one at the Owen Falls Dam over the River Nile in Jinja, officials have said. It will be the first cable-stayed traffic bridge constructed in the region. A cable-stayed bridge consists of one or more columns, normally referred to as pylons, with cables supporting the bridge deck. The Bridges Engineer at Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), Mr Jonathan Tugume, on Tuesday said the planned bridge will cost $125 million. The old one that sits atop the Owen Falls Dam-completed in 1954, is said to have exceeded its designed lifespan and is set to collapse if not relieved in time. Despite numerous emergency repairs, it is still said to be in suspect structural condition.Furthermore, its interconnectivity with the dam has been identified to be increasing its risk exposure. The bridge is a major link between the Northern Corridor Route and Uganda’s landlocked East African neighbours like Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo. “The project will be funded using a $100 million loan from the Japanese government at an interest of 0.01 per cent while the government of Uganda will fund the remaining $25 million,” Mr Tugume said.“The construction works have been appraised for financing by the Japan Government Development Loan and construction is expected to commence in mid-2012 and will be completed in 2016,” he said. Mr Tugume was on Tuesday taking the 6th joint transport sector review team through the progress status of the second Nile Bridge project at the site in Jinja. The decision on this type of bridge was reached following studies on the geological features of the different proposed sites of the project, the engineer said. The bridgeHe said taking into consideration the width of the river (300 metres), the geological conditions of the area and the implications of building in the river’s waters, this type of bridge is the most technically feasible option. The bridge to be located to the south of the old bridge will have two major pylons and a dual (2-lane) carriageway bridge deck (road surface) projected to serve for 120 years. The bridge will be constructed using concrete, and coated with an asphalt layer. In appearance it will seem to be hanging in the air, supported by two 70 metre high pylons connected to the deck by heavy-duty steel cable stays. One pylon will be set on a small island in the river."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1034882/-/cmfcmnz/-/index.html","content":" Jinja residents demand pay over dam problems - At least 486 families in Budondo Sub-county in Jinja District are demanding compensation from Salini, a company that is undertaking the construction of Bujagali hydropower dam. The residents, who say their houses have been rendered inhabitable due to cracks which have allegedly developed as a result of vibrations caused by quarrying at Bujagali dam site, held a demonstration against the company last week. ComplaintMr Yona Omukada, the chairperson of the affected families, said: “We now have nowhere to stay. We live in constant fear that houses may collapse. Those still occupying the houses just don’t have an option but it is a risk they are taking.” Mr Omukada added: “ The damaged houses are assets and we demand compensation from those responsible for the harm.” The residents also accuse the company of polluting River Nile water which they need for domestic use. They claim rock blasting at the dam site has led to respiratory diseases due to dust created during the process.Mr Moses Owino, the group secretary, said: “In the beginning we agreed they would pay for everything damaged but they now deny responsibility.” However, Salini public relations officer, Mr Fredrick Ngobi Gume, said: “We have visited the affected homes and carried out a scientific research. This has proved that we are not responsible for any damages.” In the letters seen by Daily Monitor, the company insists, residents’ houses have cracked because of poor quality construction materials and poor structural designs. The residents say after exploiting all avenues - environmental officers, local leaders, ministers and the President in vain, they have sought legal redress."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/11-feared-dead--many-trapped-in-wreckage-of-Taiwan-plane/-/688340/2612536/-/ptn7v3z/-/index.html","content":"11 feared dead, many trapped in wreckage of Taiwan plane - Rescuers scrambled to reach around 30 people trapped in the wreckage of a passenger plane which clipped a road bridge and plunged into a river outside Taiwan's capital Wednesday, leaving at least 11 feared dead. It was the second serious incident involving a TransAsia Airways plane in a few months after another flight operated by the domestic airline crashed in July during a storm, killing 48 people. Dramatic amateur video footage from Wednesday's accident showed the TransAsia ATR 72-600 turboprop plane hit the road bridge as it banked side-long towards the water, leaving a trail of debris including a smashed taxi. The accident happened just before 11:00 am (0300 GMT), shortly after Flight GE235 left Songshan airport in northern Taipei en route to the island of Kinmen, with 58 people on board including five crew members. Lin Kuan-cheng, an official at the national fire agency, told AFP that one person was confirmed dead and another 10 were showing \"no signs of life\". Unconfirmed TV reports said 12 people had been killed. A senior rescuer at the site said that 27 of the 58 people aboard -- many of them Chinese tourists -- had been retrieved from the wreckage. The remaining 31 people are thought to be trapped inside the submerged front section of the plane. \"The focus of our work is to try to use cranes to lift the front part of the wreckage, which is submerged under the water and is where most of the other passengers are feared trapped,\" the rescue official told reporters at the scene. China's Xiamen Daily said on a verified social media account that there were 31 mainlanders on board, part of two tour groups from the eastern Chinese city. \"All their phones were powered off because they were on board a plane, so we haven't been able to contact them,\" the daily quoted an unnamed representative of one of the tour agencies as saying. Xiamen is in Fujian province, which lies across the Taiwan Strait from the island.An employee of one of the tour agencies, surnamed Wen, told AFP that it had 15 clients, including three children under 10, and a tour leader on board. \"It's an emergency,\" she said. \"We're working with different work teams. We’re trying to arrange for the relatives to go to Taiwan.\" Race against time Rescuers standing on large sections of broken wreckage tried to pull passengers out of the plane with ropes. Those who were rescued -- including two children -- were put in dinghies and taken to the shore. Some were then loaded on stretchers. Aviation officials said the plane crashed minutes after taking off Songshan airport, after losing contact with the control tower. 1 | 2 Next Page»Eight rescue boats and more than 15 ambulances as well as around 100 soldiers were working on the rescue operation, an AFP reporter at the scene said. The plane wreckage remained in the middle of the river, surrounded by dinghies. Lin Chih-ming, head of Taiwan's Civil Aeronautics Administration, said the ATR 72-600 was less than a year old and was last serviced just over a week ago. The pilot had 14,000 flying hours and the co-pilot 4,000 hours, Lin said. In last July's crash, the 48 people were killed when another domestic TransAsia flight crashed onto houses during a storm on the Taiwanese island of Penghu. The ATR 72-500 turboprop plane deviated off course before plunging into the houses after an aborted landing during thunder and heavy rain as Typhoon Matmo pounded Taiwan at the time.The flight's pilots could not see the runway but had continued to descend anyway, Taiwanese authorities said in December. Two French nationals were among the dead. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Three-Year--old-girl-electrocuted-in-Gulu-Police-Barracks/-/688334/2426262/-/1cbym4z/-/index.html","content":"Three Year- old girl electrocuted in Gulu Police Barracks - Grief engulfed residents of police Barracks in Pece Division Gulu Municipality on Wednesday morning, when a three year-old girl Dorothy Acayo, was found dead at Gulu Police Barracks quarters. Acayo, who had gone to ease herself in the morning hours, after the heavy night down pour, is believed to have been electrocuted when she accidentally touched an electric wire that had been wrongly connected and flowing with high electric current. According to Acayo’s father Mr Robert Engola, a police constable attached to Gulu Central Police Station, the deceased had gone out to ease herself at around 6:51 am, but took long to return to the house and this prompted a search for her. “I waited for long for her return, but in vain. When I went out to check, I found her lying helpless near a house that was submerged with rain water,” says Mr Engola. “I believe that she could have been electrocuted, when she touched the house that had since been lectrocuting people, whenever one touches it due to its bad wire connections,” added Mr Engola. Aswa Regional Police Spokesperson, Jimmy Patrick Okema , confirmed the incident and admitted it was due to bad electric wirings that was allegedly done way back in the colonial times. Mr Okema, added that, the house had been wired with worn out naked cables that were installed during the British colonial era.Mr Okema, noted that some of the old naked electric wires at the moment are putting the lives of police officers in the barracks at high risk, since they have taken long without repair. “We have houses most especially the Uniports, that are build with zinc metals , they are posing threats to many lives in the barracks since they are good conductors of electricity ,” added Mr Okema. Mr Okema further explained, that most of the houses occupied by police have been wired by either by the officers themselves or unqualified electricians at subsidized charges, thus increasing risks. Umeme engineer who visited the scene and spoke on conditions of anonymity, warned that similar incident is likely to occur in future if new cables are not installed. Gulu Police Barracks houses were built during the British colonial era and most of them at moment have never been rehabilitated living them unfit for settlement."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/Let-s-mind-the-environment/-/689856/2398204/-/ywahke/-/index.html","content":"Let’s mind the environment - While our world is totally submerged in crisis, we must not forget that Mother Nature is still suffering from the harm we have inflicted upon its resources. Unfortunately, not much will change if we don’t truly understand the relationship between us and nature. If you make any kind of research about how fast deteriorating our environment is, you will know the causes and hear about proposed solutions, but when it is time for action, everyone turns their head away following what suits their interests. I will look at this issue from another angle, one that is often ignored because we sometimes forget that we have a Creator. My approach is stemming from the writings of the Baha’i that has a very remarkable view on this matter. I read this interesting quotation from Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Baha’i Faith: “We cannot segregate the human heart from the environment outside us and say that once one of these is reformed everything will be improved. Man is organic with the world. His inner life moulds the environment and is itself also deeply affected by it. The one acts upon the other and every abiding change in the life of man is the result of these mutual reactions.” Science vs faithIt is also important to note that one of the principal teachings of the Baha’is is the fact that science and religion should work hand in hand. This means that science should serve a divine purpose, without which the world would be only materialistic, serving whoever lives today and oblivious of the future generations. If the same divine purpose is applied to our relationship with the environment, we will understand that in creating nature, God has given it his own attributes and in turn we will respect this creation and keep it out of harm’s way. Baha’i take on environment The Baha’i International Community, that represents the Baha’is of the world, issued a statement called, “The Earth Charter”, and I have picked the paragraph below to illustrate some of the solutions proposed to help us deal with these catastrophic developments: “It is our conviction that any call to global action for environment and development must be rooted in universally accepted values and principles. Similarly, the search for solutions to the world’s grave environmental and developmental problems must go beyond technical-utilitarian proposals and address the underlying causes of the crisis. Genuine solutions, in the Bahá’í view, will require a globally accepted vision for the future, based on unity and cooperation among the nations, races, creeds, and classes of the human family. Commitment to a higher moral standard, equality between the sexes, and the development of consultative skills for the effective functioning of groups at all levels of society will be essential.”With the worsening state of affairs in the world today, the above statement brings a glimmer of hope to a humanity that is in so much need for it. lifemagazine@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/What-happens-when-you-hit-that-pothole/-/688614/2138888/-/ly4tef/-/index.html","content":"What happens when you hit that pothole - Have you ever considered how much money is spent on repairing your car as a result of it regularly hitting potholes? For starters, your car leaking problems could be attributed to that. It could also lead to your oil sumps getting broken, which will cost you some when it comes to repairs. What is an oil sump?The website wisegeek.com describes an oil pan or sump as a component that typically seals the bottom side of four-stroke, internal combustion engines in automotive and other similar applications. Its main purpose is to form the bottommost part of the crankcase and to contain the engine oil before and after it has been circulated through the engine. The website goes on to state that during normal engine operation, an oil pump will draw oil from the pan and circulate it through the engine, where it is used to lubricate all the various components. After the oil has passed through the engine, it is allowed to return to the oil pan. In a wet sump system like this, the amount of oil that an engine can hold is directly related to the size of the oil pan. An engine can hold no more oil than can fit in the pan without reaching the crankshaft, since a submerged crankshaft will tend to aerate the oil, making it difficult or impossible for the oil pump to circulate it through the engine. Potholes to blameBecause it is at the bottom end of the engine, the oil sump is exposed to being rubbed against humps and is also affected when cars hit potholes. Unfortunately, problems caused by potholes may be neglected because they may not affect the car’s movement. Bob Rubaniza, a consultant engineer at the Bukasa automotive garage, says for every 10 vehicles at their garage, eight usually have defects caused by potholes. “With many cars frequenting garages, this translates into profits. With vehicles subjected to hitting potholes, motorists end up paying a double price for the damages,” Rubaniza explains. He adds, “You find that a car that would visit a garage after every four months ends up visiting a garage every month because of potholes,” he observed. Most affected partsChristopher Obol, a mechanical engineering instructor at Nakawa Vocational Training Institute, says the suspension system is the most susceptible part, whenever a car hits a pothole. ¬The suspension of a car is actually part of the chassis, which comprises all of the important systems located beneath the car’s body. How people are affectedObol says that many owners of commercial vehicles such as commuter taxis that make frequent routes care less about the condition of their vehicles’ suspension systems. “But when these vans hit potholes, passengers tend to feel the impact, which means that the suspension systems of such taxis are either broken or damaged, hence they cannot reduce the discomfort that is associated with hitting potholes, combined with equally poor shock absorbers,” he notes. Obol says that owners of passenger cars such as Subaru Legacy among others whose oil sumps are really low, are prone to getting cracks in the oil sumps, upon hitting potholes, which will create leakages. Advice to motoristsRubaniza says that whenever driving on a potholed road, it is advisable to slow down to almost 0km/hr. fmukisa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Biden-in-China-amid-Asia-tensions-over-air-zone/-/688340/2098420/-/y2psz/-/index.html","content":"Biden in China amid Asia tensions over air zone - Joe Biden should not repeat \"erroneous remarks\" on China's new air zone, Chinese state media warned, as the US vice-president arrived in Beijing. Mr Biden is in Beijing for meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. His visit to Asia has been dominated by a row over China's newly-declared air zone, which covers islands controlled by Japan. Mr Biden arrived from Tokyo, where he reaffirmed the US alliance with Japan. Mr Biden attended an official welcome ceremony in Beijing's Great Hall of the People where he met China's Vice-President Li Yuanchao, and said China and the US should expand practical co-operation and deliver results. On Thursday he will visit China's leadership compound, known as Zhongnanhai. While in Tokyo, Mr Biden said he would raise concerns over China's new air zone \"in great specificity\" during meetings with China's leaders. Mr Biden and Mr Xi are said to enjoy a relatively close relationship. China announced a new Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) last month, and said aircraft flying through the zone must follow its rules, including filing flight plans. The ADIZ covers islands claimed and controlled by Japan, and a submerged rock claimed by South Korea. The US, Japan and South Korea have rejected China's zone, and flown undeclared military aircraft through the ADIZ. On Friday, China scrambled fighter jets to monitor US and Japanese planes flying in the area. Tokyo has told its national carriers not to file flight plans with the Chinese side when transiting the zone, but on Friday the US said it expected its carriers to \"operate consistent with Notams [Notices to Airmen] issued by foreign countries\". This did not indicate \"US government acceptance of China's requirements for operating in the newly-declared ADIZ\", the state department said. Speaking in Tokyo on Tuesday, Mr Biden said the US was \"deeply concerned by the attempt to unilaterally change the status quo in the East China Sea.\" 1 | 2 Next Page»On Wednesday, Chinese state media criticised Mr Biden's comments. \"Washington has obviously taken Japan's side,\" state-run newspaper China Daily said in an editorial. \"If the US is truly committed to lowering tensions in the region, it must first stop acquiescing to Tokyo's dangerous brinkmanship,\" it said, adding that Mr Biden should not simply repeat the US's \"previous erroneous and one-sided remarks. Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said this week that the zone \"is not aimed at any specific country or target, and it certainly does not constitute a threat towards any country or region.\" China's military is \"fully capable of exercising effective control\" over the zone, Mr Geng added. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/And-here-come-Africans-with-their-rain/-/689856/2085010/-/4e1a5t/-/index.html","content":"And here come Africans with their rain - I was on a family visit to Kuwait, my place of birth a few days ago. This coincided with the preparations for the third Africa-Arab Summit taking place on November 19-20, 2013. According to press reports, “The Summit, organised under the theme, Partners in Development and Investment” will focus on the role of economic cooperation for sustainable development as well as discuss the activity report of the African Union Commission and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States”. Hotels were all booked, roads to airport streamlined and even a public holiday was announced. And just before the arrival of the Heads of States for the main event, a number of cultural activities from different countries participating in this forum took place. One activity was held in one of the oldest malls in Kuwait City. Dancing groups from Egypt and South Africa did magic with the audience that cheered on the performers who rocked the stage with African drums. I cannot help but notice how close some of these dances are with the Kuwaiti traditional dances. In fact cultural dances are deeply ingrained in this society but most of them are performed by men. These men are donned in their traditional costumes, holding a sword as they dance to drums and folk songs. It is even a custom for the rulers of the country to join in such dances on big occasions such as Independence Day. One of the most famous traditional dances are ones that used to be performed when the pearl divers used to go out looking for oysters in the sea. Before the discovery of oil, diving and fishing were the only means of income in the country- the movements of the waist are so similar to African movements. Interestingly, were the headlines in newspapers warning people of serious rain and winds that were expected in the Gulf region and Saudi Arabia. For Africans, rain and thunderstorms are almost daily affairs, but for people who grew up in the desert, this has two outcomes. The first is a pleasant one, a cool breeze that ends the heat of the summer, and with it that good feeling one gets when seeing clouds after a long spell of sunshine. The second is not as attractive; the consequences of heavy rains are usually very drastic on roads that are not equipped with proper drainage to accommodate such huge rainfalls. Floating cars that are submerged in water, damage to property and businesses are a few results of only one day of heavy rain. Still, rains are considered a blessing in this part of the world where natural water resources are so scarce. Sometimes special prayers are held asking for just a few drops to revive the parched desert. Kuwait is a tiny country, with a small population of 2.6 million that includes many expats who work in the small monarchy. Kuwait’s main economy is oil industry, and from that it ranks among the ten richest countries in the world. Of course money does not grow on trees there, but the privileges given to Kuwait nationals that include, housing, free education, free medical care, high salaries and huge subsidies on main food items such as rice, cooking oil, sugar and other food stuff, make life quite rosy. One should not forget that taxes are almost non-existent there; this is a great break for a population that loves spending money on luxury items. I remember whenever we visited a village in Kenya or Uganda, and it rained at the same time, our hosts would say that we brought blessings with us. I guess it was opportune time for Africans to take blessings to their host country. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Africa-s-first-underwater-hotel-in-Tanzania-to-boost-tourism/-/688324/2080296/-/p05qqjz/-/index.html","content":"Africa’s first underwater hotel in Tanzania to boost tourism - Dar es Salaam - As billionaire Richard Branson invests millions of dollars in the undersea adventure, while other global millionaires buy luxury submarines to sit on the decks of their yachts, Tanzania’s Pemba Island has become the first in Africa to host underwater hotel rooms. The move comes as Tanzania, touted as East Africa region’s sleeping giant, overtakes Kenya in tourism revenues. A stakeholder in Pemba Island is taking offering leisure beneath the sea in a bid to cash in more millions of shillings from the rich. Some call it underwater tourism, while others term it adventure in the sea, but it is now here in Pemba, thanks to Manta Resort that finally opened its plush hotel room beneath the Indian Ocean. At the cost of $900 (Shs2.3million) per night, you can share your world with sea creatures, including fish. But, if your spouse has come along, the cost rises to $1,500(Shs3.7 million) per night, according to details gathered by The Citizen, the Daily Monitor’s sister paper. The Mantra Tourist Resort Pemba becomes the first in Africa to build a hotel room beneath the sea The facility has become an important attraction to tourists, especially divers, even as Pemba and Zanzibar islands seek to boost tourism after a series of attacks on foreigners and clerics in recent months. Located about 250 meters offshore, the room is submerged 13 feet below the Indian Ocean. The bathroom and a lounge area are at sea level and finally the bedroom downstairs underwater, where guests can see fish swimming around their room. At night, spotlights under the windows attract and illuminate squid and octopus, a more reclusive crowd than the daytime sea life. Undersea tourism has garnered attention lately, with plans for underwater hotels popping up in countries like the United Arab Emirates and Fiji. The unique experience lures travellers looking for a totally new type of vacation. Room already in useEfforts to reach the Manta Resort yesterday proved futile but news.com website quoted the management as saying six people have already slept in the room since it was opened on November 1. Manta Resort opened on August 2008 with 16 rooms. The underwater room adds the number to 17. Underwater rooms do exist in places such as the Maldives and Stockholm but the Pemba is renowned for being a great diving spot with a plethora of sealife found in the surroundings waters, according to observers. Tourism is the largest foreign exchange earner in Zanzibar and Pemba islands. Last year, about 168,223 tourists visited the two islands, a decline from 175,067 tourists who visited the islands in 2011. The entire hotel can also be raised above the water in event of an evacuation or for repairs, and should tourism go south in Dubai, it can be towed somewhere else. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Pupils--teachers-flee-as-school-is-closed/-/688334/1756478/-/pmvk40/-/index.html","content":"Pupils, teachers flee as school is closed - More than 150 pupils of Mercy Nursery and Prime Academy Primary School are stranded after their school was closed over illegal operations. Tororo Municipal Council officials shut the school last week, forcing teachers and pupils to take to their heels for fear of arrest. The municipal education officer, Ms Robina Jassa, and the inspector of schools, Mr Patrick Ereboi, were shocked to discover that the school operating in a commercial building, had its pit-latrines submerged in a lagoon and had only a single classroom. Poor facilities“This school is not ideal for the learning and teaching process because of lack of adequate facilities, poor hygiene and sanitation. A number of pupils just sit on the floor... we, therefore, as education leaders, have closed this school immediately,” said Ms Jassa.The school reportedly charges Shs30,000 per term. Meanwhile, residents in Budaka District have expressed worry about the increasing rate of private schools which do not meet the required standards. “We are deeply concerned that more private schools - majority being primary - don’t meet the required education standards despite guidelines being in place. The set-up schools are being operated in a mat-structures and old dilapidated buildings putting our children at risk,” said Mr Thomas Kirya, a concerned parent. The district education officer, Mr Baker Wilson Lyadda, said the regulations and guidelines for starting a school were clear and proprietors ought to abide by them. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Hoima-river-back-to-life--destroys-bridge--gardens/-/688334/1611516/-/147jcnt/-/index.html","content":"Hoima river back to life, destroys bridge, gardens - Hoima River Wambabya and its Kahindi tributary in Bugambe Sub-county in Hoima District have kicked back into life following a heavy downpour that began at 2am last Friday. The river was last restored in 1961 when Hoima District experienced perhaps the worst downpour in Bunyoro’s history. Most parts of the district were flooded with houses being submerged and communication systems cut off. The river, across which a 9.0 Mega Watts Buseruka Power Station is being constructed, starts it course from Kihomboza Village in Bujumbura Division. With rumbling that sent many residents panicking, the river destroyed several gardens, papyrus reeds and trees, especially those around its banks. “We heard the river rumble at 10am only to see that it was rejuvenating. Although some people, especially children panicked, for us who had heard it from our parents and Geography studies knew what it was,” Mr Hillary Bisoborwa, a primary school teacher, said. Wambabya Bridge that was constructed by Daurich Construction Company in July has also been swept away cutting off transport between the residents and Hoima Town. Passengers crossing to Kyamulyanga, Kiryamba and Kihombya villages had to pay Shs1,000 to be carried across. The district engineer, Mr Julius Sentamu, who visited the river late Friday promised to work on the broken Wambabya Bridge. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1384680/-/aw4hitz/-/index.html","content":"Body stays trapped in mines due to lack of rescue tools - Kilembe Mines Limited (KML) has for the second time in seven years failed to retrieve a dead worker from the mines due to lack of adequate rescue and safety equipment. Simon Bwambale Munduwaghe, a Bell attendant at KML, was on Sunday trapped in the mines on his routine work of maintaining the tunnel, several metres down the copper mines after rocks collapsed on him. KML general manager Fred Kyakonye on Tuesday said: “It is true some of our workers have been dying from here and we retrieve them but this is the second similar incident in the last seven years for us to fail to retrieve the body within three days.” “Bwambale was on duty with his colleagues and certainly the water levels accidentally increased due to a fault in the pump that we have been using to reduce the pressure. Three of his co-workers escaped but he failed. His body has not yet been retrieved,” Mr Kyakonye said. He added: “Unless we get a water pump from Bujagali falls to pump out this water, there is no way we shall retrieve this body,” Mr Kyakonye told a meeting of police divers who found it difficult to retrieve the body. Mr Kyakonye said the area where the body is expected to be is estimated at more than 70 metres where the lift can stop underground before rescuers can use ladders to go under the water. Mr Kyakonye said KML had been using water pumps since 1950. “We managed to buy six others but they have all been submerged in water under the tunnel. For the last two years we have got similar problems of water pump breakdown which has made our work very difficult,” he said. The western regional police commander, Mr Wilson Kwanya, Kasese District Police Commander Isaac Amanya, the Resident District Commissioner, Capt. James Mwesigye, led the team of police experts from Police Fire Brigade and the management of KML in a failed attempt to retrieve Bwambale’s body. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1383868/-/aw55bmz/-/index.html","content":"One dies, others injured as mine caves in - A staff of Kilembe Mines Ltd (KML) has died and others injured after a wall collapsed on them at the mines.Simon Kachayi Munduwayi, in his 50s, had, on Sunday evening with colleagues, gone underground to pump out water in an effort to avoid a massive overflow. “We left for work at 6pm as usual for the night duty but at about 11pm, something strange happened when the wall collapsed,” said John Bwambale, the deceased’s colleague, on Monday. He added: “Munduwayi was a few metres below us and he could not survive the volume of the water that was surging upwards. By the time the three of us ran away, the water was waist-high.” Bwambale , however, said chances of finding Munduwayi’s body are very minimal because of the water.The KML general manager, Mr Fred Kyakonye, said the major water pump had a mechanical breakdown a few months ago and they were waiting for a new one from South Africa. Mr Kyakonye, who described Munduwayi’s death as tragic, said the small pumps that have been improvised have submerged in the water. He said a team of technicians had been deployed underground to establish the mechanisms of retrieving the body for a decent burial. The mines manager also said the team is working on the electricity lines underground to avoid any contact with the water that might cause more disaster. Meanwhile, relatives of the deceased from Buwatha Village in Kilembe Sub-county, have camped at KML premises saying they will not leave until the body is retrieved. The mines management is catering for their welfare. Mr Kyakonye said there are only two options to recover the body from the underground; the deployment of divers or wait for the bigger pump to be imported from South Africa. But Mr Richard Bwambale, 23, the deceased’s son, told Daily Monitor that his father has died due to the negligence of the mining company whom he said reluctantly failed to correct the poor state of the equipment underground. Mr Bwambale said his father was the bread winner for 20 children and two widows and appealed to KML to support their family. The deputy Resident District commissioner, Mr Aminabu Muhindo, said government will investigate reports of the dangerous working conditions in the underground sites as many reports suggest there are many damages. Disaster loomsAn environment expert, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, has warned that if something is not done quickly to check the surging water, there is a likelihood of a bust. “Most of the settlement hills in Kilembe area are just sitting on the water that was reached during the active mining period in the 1960s. The water has always been blocked down by the concrete surface build. These surfaces must have weakened by now and there is a likely disaster in the near future” the expert warned. 1 | 2 Next Page»This source said that the mines were dug underground as far as the sea level of Mombasa on the Indian Ocean as the tunnels stretch deep as far as four kilometres. Mr Peter Nzukwa, a Uganda Red cross worker, said: “We tried to move for about four kilometres underground but we failed to find the deceased. The area was full of water.” editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1287234/-/bg58k7z/-/index.html","content":"Conservationists to raise funds for baby elephant - Kampala Conservationists under the Pearl of Africa Tours and Travel Limited in conjunction with the Uganda Wildlife Educational Centre (Uwec) have launched a drive to raise money for the six-month-old orphaned baby elephant recently rescued from Queen Elizabeth National Park. The new scheme dubbed ‘Smile for Conservation’ would see people take a photo with gorillas at a fee to aid the baby elephant named Charles Hamukungu. Picture for cash“For a donation of Shs5,000, visitors to Oasis Mall can have their photo taken with Pearl of Africa gorilla. This is a great fun incentive to keep children quiet while you are out shopping,” Ms Kelley Mac Tavish-Munger said at the launch of the campaign at Nakumatt on Friday. She said all proceeds from the gorilla photos will go into supporting the baby elephant. The photos will also be posted on Facebook. Ms Tavish-Munger urged people to raise funds for this generous cause or purchase a 900-gramme tin of SMA infant formula and drop it at Pearl of Africa reservations offices on the lower ground of Nakumatt, Oasis Mall, in Kampala. Ms Belinda Atim, the Uwec spokesperson and marketing manager, said the baby elephant drinks up to 15 litres of milk a day, a mixture of human baby formula milk (SMA) and fresh diary UHT milk. “He loves human companion and drinks 10 litres of water when thirsty,” she said. Brilliant animalThe Uwec Executive Director, Mr James Musinguzi, said the baby elephant has become an additional brilliant animal ‘behind the scenes’ tour at the centre for $50 (about Shs125,000). The elephant, Hamukungu, was brought to Uwec at the tender age of one week. According to Uwec, fishermen of Hamukungu fishing village found him abandoned on the shores of an island on Lake George trying to swim. Since there were no other elephants nearby, and the baby was about to drown, the rescuers decided to load him on their canoe and paddle him to Hamukungu. According to Ms Atim, two days after the dramatic marine rescue, the carcass of an adult male elephant with six bullet wounds to the head and thoracic regions, was found submerged in the vicinity of the same island. Uwec officials said ivory poachers may have scared the elephant family away leaving behind the newborn baby. mssebuyira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1219030/-/bkenr3z/-/index.html","content":"Movement affected as rains cut off Karamoja roads - Ongoing torrential rains in Karamoja sub-region have washed away key access roads and bridges, preventing many people from accessing or leaving the region. The development has had devastating consequences for the business community who have been stuck with their merchandise for several days, worsening the already dire economic situation being felt across the country. The torrential rains which have been occurring for two months now, have led to the collapse of the Lorengedwat Bridge, cutting off the road that connects Moroto to Mbale via Nakapiripirit. The road that connect Moroto and Kotido districts has also been cut off following the collapse of Lopei Bridge. The rains have also washed away the Obalanga Bridge, cutting off the road that connects Kotido to Soroti via Abim and Amuria districts. The only road which is still fairly usable is the one connecting Moroto to Soroti via Katakwi District. However, Karamoja residents fear Kangole Bridge in Napak District might collapse anytime. EffectsThe Abim District Chairperson, Mr Naman Ocero, said the cost of living in Karamoja will rise further. He said the roads that have been submerged by rains have been a lifeline for the people of Karamoja where they received food. “We are now cut off. Our source of food comes from Teso, Mbale, Lira and other districts. It is going to be hard for our people to get food due to this rains,” Mr Ocero said. Nakapiripirit Resident District Commissioner Godfrey Aluma urged the Uganda National Roads Authority to repair the damaged bridges and roads. Mr Aluma said monitoring government programmes in the region has become hard because most roads have become impassable."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/-/688342/1136952/-/us37ym/-/index.html","content":"What goes on in the mind of a mob - Mob action is a socio-psychological issue because psychological and social factors come into play. The word mob describes a hostile crowd; a group of people emotionally charged with anger. Mobs tend to form when some negative event, such as a crime, a catastrophe, or a controversial action draws a group of people together. As the individuals discuss the event and swap stories with different versions, they become more and more angry (the emotion is infectious), and they become more certain that some corrective action must be taken. Alcohol can be a facilitating factor since it disinhibits people and gives them the so-called Dutch courage. And if they have also lost faith in the relevant authorities like the police, they are likely to take matters into their own hands. This is common in the rural communities where the long arm of the law may not reach. Unless the situation is diffused, the mob becomes more volatile, unpredictable and capable of violent action. At this point impulse replaces reason. People become so submerged in the process that they forget to evaluate their behaviour, nor do they consider the consequences of their actions. There will always be a number of individuals who desire action and would like to try out their violence skills. While in this volatile group, individuals enjoy anonymity, as it is unlikely that they will be singled out and punished by authorities. The individual also feels less responsible for the anti-social behaviour. They attribute it to the group. The person is excited and aroused to the point that they are so submerged in the group, to the extent that they no longer feel that they stand out as separate individuals. This state of excitement and altered perception is similar to that experienced when under the influence of stimulant drugs like cocaine. No doubt cocaine is strongly associated with violence. Lynching can be a possibility if authorities do not diffuse the situation. This occurs when suspected robbers are netted by citizens or they suspect that one is responsible for death of community members due to witchcraft. This phenomenon is not unique to Uganda; the concept of ”witch hunting” comes from Europe. Many centuries ago it was believed that witches brought misery to many Europeans and hence they were hunted and executed. This begs the question: are we living many centuries behind Europe? The police force must build confidence in the general population so that they are prepared to swing into action and deal with reported cases instantly and appropriately. The citizens then feel protected and will leave the police force to deal with criminals. The writer is a lecturer at the Dept. of Mental Health and Community Psychology, Makerere University School of Psychology"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1095736/-/13qvyg2z/-/index.html","content":"Let’s celebrate NRM Day and the birth of a new state - Today, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the NRM government. There is no doubt that the NRM has made achieved in many sectors - education, health, infrastructure, security, human rights, and democracy and good governance. However, as we celebrate the NRM anniversary this year, as pan-Africanism and international relations, it’s great to celebrate the birth of a new state. There is nothing quite as sweet as freedom. Watching close to four million Sudanese cast their ballots and choose their own destiny warms the hearts of everyone who loves freedom. In a land that was ravaged by oppression and war, how miraculous it is to see simple and decent people make the profound gesture of thumb-printing a ballot paper to throw off the shackles of oppression, discrimination and war. As Africans, exercising our dignity and choosing our destiny are our most basic of rights. Democracy may not always give us the leaders we need or deserve, but it certainly allows us to reject and discard systems and individuals who crush us. The idealist may mourn the failure of two world faiths- Islam and Christianity and the rich African black and Arab brown cultures to live in harmony. However, history and reality reveal that this forced marriage, designed and imposed by the colonial power was oppressive and unworkable from its onset in 1956. As Frantz Fanon once said: “Every generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover their own destiny and either betray it or full fill it.” Thanks to the Sudanese for having fulfilled the dream of their own destiny, the challenges ahead notwithstanding. I remember the words of the late Gen. John Garang after he signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) on May 25, 2005. He said, “I and those who joined me in the bush and fought for more than 20 years have brought to you CPA (on) golden plate. Our mission is accomplished. It is now your turn, especially those who did not have a chance to experience bush life. When the time comes to vote in the referendum, it is your golden choice to determine your fate, would you like to vote to be second class citizens in your own country, it’s absolutely your choice.” The voters in southern Sudan did not betray their own leader. What now remains is greater solidarity Sudan from the region to stabilise the new child on the continent. The NRM that has continued its vision of regional integration and Pan-Africanism, has now opened another door for Africans to interact. I am sure this was not only victory of southern Sudanese, but of all the Africans. As we celebrate the of NRM anniversary and as we wait for election results after polls on February 18, can we also be peaceful in our campaigns and on the day of voting as we continue to ponder South Sudan victory? The lessons learned everywhere is that you can achieve self-determination after a long and bloody fight? The right to self-determination is sub-merged in other issues. Experience shows that the right depends on the geo-politics, economics and state practice. The peaceful birth of South Sudan as a sovereign state is a lesson to the undemocratic and ethical jingoistic states in Africa. When governments become autocratic and suppress ethnic groups; the state is put in a trajectory that in the long run, ends up destroying it. In order to create viable states, governments in Africa must be run democratically. As we celebrate the NRM anniversary, let us put efforts and focus on helping the new Sudan. As Martin Luther once said: “Free at last, free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, we are free at last.” Mr Asiimwe is a pan-Africanist"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/917310/-/wymb3p/-/index.html","content":"40 Kampala nightclubs face closure over noise - The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and Kampala City Council have jointly dragged at least 40 bars and nightclub owners to court over emitting noise in excess of permissible levels. According to court criminal summons signed by Magistrate Richard Ndangwa, several clubs and bars have continued to violate the noise standards and control regulation. The National Environment (Noise Standards And Control) Regulations, 2003 puts permitted noise levels at 35 decibels in the night. Different letters were written to different bars and clubs requiring them to appear before court. Once proven guilty, KCC will de-licence their operations until they have been inspected and found satisfactory in conformity with the NEMA and city council regulations. KCC Enforcement Officer Joseph Katungi said the culprits must change their behaviour or risk permanent closure of their businesses. “We earlier warned all the victims but they proved to be adamant. We have received complaints from several citizens of Kampala including the Netherlands Embassy and we think it’s time to take action,” Mr Katungi told journalists yesterday. The affected bars include; Al’s Bar and Feather’s Club in Kansanga, AY Club, Hard Rock Bar, Chogm Pub, Club X, Jamaica, After Six, Technology Pub in Makindye Division, Tickles and Giggles in Kansanga and Iguana Bar in Kamwokya. Most failedAccording to a letter signed by NEMA Executive Director Aryamanya-Mugisha, most bars, churches and nightclubs had failed to limit their excess noise. “Most of these facilities emit noise in excess of permissible levels and play loud music without soundproof facilities contrary to the law,” the February, 1 letter addressed to Kampala Town Clerk Ruth Kijjambu reads in part. The letter is also copied to the Ministry of Water and Environment, the Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura and City Mayor Nasser Sebaggala. According to Kampala entertainment ordinance, night clubs are not supposed to operate in residential areas. Approved clubs must install sound proof facilities and should not be open beyond midnight. Bars and clubs are also out of bounds for students and pupils below 18 years of age. To the contrary, several residential areas have steadily been submerged by bars and nightclubs especially in Makindye, Nakawa and Rubaga divisions."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/912934/-/a2agp3z/-/index.html","content":"When Prof. Mahogany plunged below sea level - While appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Vice President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, is quoted in the media asking MPs: “If I tell you jump into the lake, do you want to tell me that you can go ahead and jump?” That question, your Excellency, is subjective. But let us start with your sterling mahogany performance before Pac. Using the analogy of the lake, you seemed to have asked your detractors; how low, below sea level, do you want me to plunge? And splasssh, you plunged! Let us look at your below-sea-level moments during PAC: Calling journalists ‘uneducated, uninformed fools’. You have rightly observed before that for some strange reason, many people have developed a penchant for singling you out of any deal. During the Pac meeting, for instance, we got to know that there are many public servants, including ministers, who give directives to have roads to their palatial residences made. Curiously, you asserted, no mention of them had been made. Score A+. However, you plunged below sea level when you insulted the media, because in so doing you have joined a long list of politicians who have cultivated a reputation for disdaining the fourth estate. If you care to remember it was those uneducated fools’ soft power or smart power, as such influence is known in diplomacy, that was responsible for wading off mafias who were photographing your mango trees. It is their goodwill that is responsible for harnessing your national mahogany and upland rice brands, which have endeared you to NRM’s rural peasants. I don’t think you want to play mindless verbal war games with the media when you are still sub-merged in the muddled Chogm waters. Score O. Another instance where I thought you were not your mahogany self was picking on the Auditor General. You rightly asked the Auditor General why he didn’t point out other big people who own property on your ‘Chogm’ road. Score B. This was before you went on the offensive: “You are being picky and I don’t want pickies,” the VP accused the Auditor General. Then, you degenerated into careless banter: “But so what if I asked him (Nasasira) to do it (the road)? Aren’t I the Vice President of Uganda? Isn’t this our government and party?” Bukenya asked. Your Excellency, this is not exactly the way one clears their name before an ‘image-denting, psychologically torturing’ committee backed by a public mood that has grown skeptical of government’s capacity to deliver. Score F. For the Vice President who showed profound humility by defying the Attorney General’s advice that number two can’t be ‘summoned’ and subsequently walked up to PAC, I thought there was stacks of patience and durability where that came from to withstand pokes from ‘small boys’ like MP Odonga Otto. That is the kind of stuff that mahogany is made of. Lastly, I share in your pride for chairing the sub-committee that organised the ‘most successful Chogm in Sub-Saharan Africa’ except that when you said that rules were flouted because “I was obsessed with time management. This was a specific event of time-bound nature,” you plunged to comedy heights. You made it seem like time management and adherence are mutually exclusive. Score F++. meddieme@yahoo.co.uk"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/905400/-/wxyebm/-/index.html","content":"Heavy rains block road in Mpigi - Mpigi Torrential rains have cut off the road connecting Bunjako Island to the main land in Mpigi District, paralysing transport for three days. Residents said water submerged the road in Lukolo swamp in Buwama sub-county on Wednesday night making the 14 kilometer road impassable. “Heavy rains that have been falling for the last three weeks flooded the road, thus weakening the surface,” Mowokota South MP John Bosco Lubyayi, told Saturday Monitor yesterday. Mr Lubyayi said the road was in a sorry state since it had spent a year without being repaired. Bad roadThe district Engineer, Mr Joseph Lukwago, admitted that the road was in bad shape but denied the district’s responsibility to maintain it. “It’s true the road was damaged due to lack of periodic maintenance but we are not responsible,” Mr Lukwago said. “When the road was worked on by Ministry of Works and Transport in 2005, responsibility of maintaining it was neither handed over to the District nor to Buwama sub-county.” However, Mr Lubyayi, Buwama sub-county and district officials met yesterday at the district headquarters and agreed to repair the road. Mr Lukwago said the district accepted to take over the responsibility of repairing the road starting from the sub-county and Shs30 million had been earmarked for the exercise. Residents had threatened not to pay taxes to the sub-county and the district if the road is not repaired. NeglectThey allege that the district has neglected them for years and they see no reason why they pay taxes. “We have the worst road network and it seems both the district and the sub-county don’t bother,” Humuza Mukasa, a resident said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/-/688612/887416/-/u0i5xy/-/index.html","content":"Every car’s heart; the fuel pump - Along with the freedom that comes with owning a car is the responsibility to keep the engine and other components in good working order. Unfortunately, even with the best of care, some engine parts will eventually require replacement. The fuel pump is a prime example. Ask yourself, as a car owner, when you last thought about the fuel pump. Fuel pump problems are usually characteristic of older cars, but then again what’s an old car as most people consider the number plate range of a car to determine its freshness? A 1996 year-of-manufacture car with a UAN series plate shall be way newer than a 2001 year-of-manufacture car with a UAE plate. Why do fuel pumps fail? There are a number of reasons, top being contamination, overheating and the gears in the fuel pump wearing out over time. Rust, debris and dirt are three common particles that can somehow enter the fuel tank and get fed towards or through the in-tank fuel filter and possibly into the fuel pump. These particles clog up your fuel pumps filter, making it work harder to pump fuel. This causes stress and accelerated wear on the several small components inside the fuel pump, eventually leading to fuel pump failure. Your car’s fuel pump relies on fuel running through it to cool and lubricate it. Starving your fuel pump of fuel can cause it to fail prematurely. Fuel pumps serve the same purpose in a car as the heart in a human body. It facilitates the supply of fuel to the required sections in a car and is one of the integral parts of a car assembly. Symptoms of a bad fuel pump are an immediate cause of concern, as it can adversely affect the working and long-term efficiency of your car. One of the early warning signs of a bad fuel pump is the development of a high-pitched sound when the engine is first engaged. Different types of fuel pumps will make slightly different sounds. Regardless of the exact sound emitted, it is important to get your car to a mechanic quickly. The fuel pump is not likely to keep functioning much longer. Sudden trouble accelerating or delayed acceleration can also be a sign that you have a bad fuel pump. Because the fuel pump is not supplying an even flow of fuel, the rest of the engine cannot perform at peak level. As you press down the accelerator, the car begins to take off and then shortly loses power before regaining it and taking off. While it is possible that the problem is with the filter, your best bet is to have the fuel pump checked as soon as possible, so the uneven acceleration does not have a chance to progress on to shutting off while on the road. If the fuel pump has completely failed, the car will crank but will not start. Sometimes the car runs intermittently and unpredictably turns off, but restarts later. Trouble going uphill is another indicator of a failing pump. The car loses power when climbing hills or when needing additional power, such as during acceleration. One way to prolong the life of your fuel pump is to make sure you never run out of fuel, well, at least not very often. Always keep enough fuel in the tank for the pump to be submerged in fuel. It is also a good idea to make sure the filter is replaced on a regular basis. Failure to replace a bad fuel pump in a timely manner may cause other car parts to work harder. This will only lead to even more costly repairs that must be made as well as increase the chances of a breakdown at the worst possible moment."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/698140/-/yyoeuy/-/index.html","content":"Kenya now concedes control of disputed island - Kampala The Kenyan government has conceded interim control of the disputed Migingo Island to Uganda as talks to resolve the bilateral tiff continue. Kenyan Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula was quoted in the Daily Nation newspaper of Monday saying, “The status quo at Migingo Island will remain, to await the resolution of pending issues between the two countries.�***image1*** It added, “The decision was reached in telephone conversations between President Kibaki and his Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Museveni, who are in talks over the disputed island in Lake Victoria.� Both countries had made an agreement that the island remains under Uganda’s control until the East African Community decides on its ownership. Uganda maintains that the island is under Bugiri District in its territory, while Kenya claims it is under Nyatike District. The Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, who visited the island for three days, told Daily Monitor that there was no need of confrontation but added, “We are prepared to defend our territorial integrity.� Gen. Kayihura said, “These people use the island as point to carryout illegal fishing in our area and this is a violation of our territorial integrity,� “Settlement on the island started in 2004 but before that the rock was submerged in water and it couldn’t have been used as a boundary.�"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/-/689856/695504/-/11bxkhwz/-/index.html","content":"Jaja Jane’s fried fillet of tilapia - Tilapia is one of those lean firm white fish that is commonly found throughout Uganda. If you cannot find it, then I would suggest that you use any white fish such as red snapper or such. Years ago, during the 1960s, Uganda used to be famous for the export of fish. Funny how things change over time. During those years, there used to be a company known as Tufmac that used to do a roaring business processing and exporting fish. Those were the days when we used to have East African Airways and that old dark horse known as the VC 10. This was a heck of an aircraft that would ply the skies of Africa and deliver fresh fish to our brothers in West Africa. Anyway, despite the fact that fish freezes very well, the best fish to eat is the one which is fresh out of the water and you can actually see the bugger still breathing. Most of the local fishmongers know how to fillet a fish; otherwise most supermarkets sell frozen fish fillets. Depending on the size, allow one fish fillet per person.***image1*** Serves 2 Ingredients 1/2 a litter of fresh cold milk l 2 medium size fish fillets 1 tablespoon minced garlic l Salt and pepper to taste 2 lightly beaten eggs (egg wash) l Seasoned flour Lemon wedges for garnishing l Chopped parsley Butter and a little vegetable oil Method Wash the fish fillets under cold running water, season with the salt, garlic and pepper and then immerse them in cold milk. Make certain that the fish is fully submerged in the milk. Set aside in the fridge for a couple of hours. You will need a frying pan that can comfortably accommodate two pieces at a time. Actually, you could probably manage 3 or 4 at a time. Anyway, until you get the hang of it, play it safe and stick with two. When you are ready to prepare the fish, put some butter and a little cooking oil into the frying pan and then put it over low heat. In the meantime, remove the fish from the milk and lightly season it with the garlic, salt and pepper. Have ready a solution of the egg wash in a bowl alongside the seasoned flour on a plate. Seasoned flour is really no big deal. Just get hold of ordinary wheat flour and add some dry mixed herbs of your choice. Personally, I am partial to mixed herbs, to which you can always add a dash of paprika and dry ginger. The latter will give it justy a whiff of the Orient. 1 | 2 Next Page»Swirl the fish into the egg wash and after removing dredge it into the flour. Shake off the excess flour and pan fry lowering the heat for about 3-4 minutes depending on the thickness of the fish. Turn on the other side and fry until ready. To determine whether or not the fish is done, press it with your middle finger and if done it will spring back. Otherwise, it will not respond. Remember that fish cooks very quickly and when ready remove from the frying pan, as it will continue to cook. Serve with home-made tarter sauce. Garnish with lemon wedges and sprinkle over some of the chopped parsley. Serve with boiled or pan-fried potatoes. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/761942/-/vyfhy8/-/index.html","content":"Obama splits with Pastor Wright - Beyond Uganda, the news was a mixture of hope, pain, despair and discovery. In this second part, Daily Monitor’s Don Wanyama and Florence Namasinga chronicle the events and people who hit the headlines in the foreign world between April and June. April Stalemate in Zimbabwe The Zimbabwe question was not about to be settled. Elections are held but it takes the electoral commission over a month to announce results. When they do, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai is declared winner but falls short of the necessary 50 per cent to win the race in the first round. Mr Tsvangirai has to face President Mugabe in the second round. Florida and Michigan: To sit or not to sit In the US, focus was on Ms Hillary Clinton. Even after she suffers successive defeats in several primaries, she decides she will stick in there and demands that delegates from Michigan and Florida be seated at the convention in August. The two states were stripped of their voting rights after they decided to hold early primaries. Boycott Olympics, Hillary tells Bush Senator Hillary Clinton also asks President George W. Bush to boycott the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics in August because of China’s crackdown in Tibet and other human-rights abuses. UK backs PakistanUK foreign secretary David Miliband promises to lobby for Pakistan’s reinstatement to the Commonwealth. The country was banned from the grouping during the Commonwealth summit in November 2007 in Uganda over human rights abuses and concerns of democracy. UN Congo scandal The UN covers up claims that its troops in Democratic Republic of Congo gave arms to militias and smuggled gold and ivory. The allegations, based on confidential UN sources, involve Pakistani and Indian troops working as peacekeepers. UN insiders told the BBC that they had been prevented from pursuing their inquiries for political reasons. May Food rationing in Zim Troubled Zimbabwe starts rationing maize meal amid worsening relations with neighbouring countries, which have in the past helped stave off famine in Africa’s former bread basket. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council takes interest in Zimbabwe’s election standoff for the first time, asking an envoy to visit the crisis-stricken southern African country. Obama, pastor part ways In the US, it was crisis time for Mr Barack Obama. His pastor, Jeremiah Wright, is accused of supporting the 9/11 attacks on the US in his sermons that are widely spread over the internet. Since March, Mr Obama tries to ignore the remarks but when it looks like the crisis will bring down his campaign, he gives a well-received speech on racism in America. When Mr Wright continues making the remarks, even after Mr Obama’s has made the speech, calling for unity, the presidential candidate leaves the church in which he was married and his children baptised. In the primaries he later wins North Carolina as Hillary sweeps Indiana. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/727928/-/10efu9g/-/index.html","content":"Land Bill tabled - Museveni not bothered by Mengo’s stand Speaker Ssekandi resists moves to block Bill PARLIAMENT THE government side breathed a collective sigh of relief yesterday after attempts to block the tabling of the controversial Land (Amendment) Bill 2007 were thwarted by Parliament Speaker Edward Ssekandi. But the House was submerged in a sea of fiery tempers, which the Speaker steered through bravely, and successfully beat off all opposition to the tabling of the Bill. State Minister for Housing Michael Werikhe was handed the thorny task of presenting the Bill for its first reading. Lands Minister Daniel Omara Atubo was conspicuously absent at yesterday's reconvening of the plenary after a two-month-long recess. Hardly had Mr Werikhe risen to discharge his day's assignment than Dokolo MP Okot Ogong (NRM) rose to move a motion urging the House to stay the Bill, which has not only provoked nationwide interest, but also seen the Buganda Kingdom and the central government lock horns. Mengo insists that the Bill was designed to grab the kingdom's land, although the government maintains that it intends to halt rampant evictions in the country. Police deployed heavily in the city centre yesterday to disperse any processions earlier planed by Buganda Kingdom activists and opposition politicians against the Bill.  The kingdom's officials also said yesterday that Mengo was considering suing the government over the Bill. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/797162/-/10iqgcd/-/index.html","content":"3 soldiers to hang - KIRUHURA THREE UPDF soldiers have been sentenced to death by an army court martial in Kiruhura over the murder of two civilians. The deceased were killed at Kibega in Kiruhura District in March this year. Those sentenced include Lance Corporal David Kizza Mwebaze, Pte John Vulga and Pte Richard Wanyama attached to the 2nd Division Barracks Makenke in Mbarara. The chairman of the division court martial at Bombo Army headquarters, Brig. Geoffrey Taban chaired the court martial proceedings that commenced on November 8 at Kanyaryeru Sub-county headquarters in Kiruhura. The court found the three guilty of murder aforethought. They were accused of killing Mr Charles Mugarura and Mr David Nayebare on March 31 2007 in an anti robbery operation that was sanctioned by Mbarara District security committee. \"Each of them is individually responsible for the action. This court has no alternative but to find each guilty of murder. The offence of murder carries a sentence of death, consequently each of the accused is hereby sentenced to death,\" Brig. Taban ruled yesterday. I won't push Kabaka - Museveni grace matsiko & al-mahdi ssenkabirwa statehouse/ mengo PRESIDENT  Yoweri Museveni has  said he will not plead with the Kabaka  of  Buganda  and the Omukama  of Bunyoro to attend the State banquet with Queen Elizabeth II. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/796060/-/w1de8m/-/index.html","content":"Sudhir cautioned on Bujagali - AES Nile Independent Power have warned city tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia not to buy a chunk of land at Bujagali falls before ascertaining its ownership. Mr Sudhir, through his Speke Resort Bujagali Falls Consortium, is in the process of acquiring about seven acres of land near Bujagali Falls. He is reportedly buying it from the Jinja district council. According to information filtering out here, Sudhir plans to construct a Shs2 billion hotel and leisure resort at Bujagali Falls. He plans to transform Bujagali into a modern tourism centre, with hotel and conference facilities. However, in an April 11 letter, the head of the Bujagali Project Implementation Unit, Mr Eddie Muteesa, warned the manager of Bujagali Picnic Site, a subsidiary of the Speke Resorts, against acquiring land from the district without verifying its status. Muteesa advised that the land in question be excluded from negotiations, saying that it is part of a stretch of land that would be submerged during construction of the proposed power plant. Other documents claimed that AES paid Shs88,342,800 in compensation for land, crops and fixtures on the said land. Efforts to talk to Jinja district chairman Fred Ngobi Gume proved futile as he was reportedly out of office, However, the district speaker, Mr Sam Kitanda, insisted that AES does not own the land, which is to be sold to Sudhir ."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/-/689856/796352/-/10ru6vjz/-/index.html","content":"Sitatunga - Sitatunga. The most aquatic of all antelope species, the Sitatunga is not only an accomplished swimmer, it is also referred to as East Africa's only amphibious antelope. Species Name: Tragelaphus spekii Status: The Sitatunga is red listed by IUCN- The World Conservation Union as a lower risk species, which is almost threatened. Actually, the Antelope Specialist Group maintains that populations of the Sitatunga have been going down over the years. According to the African Wildlife Foundation, Sitatungas are still found in larger populations around lake Victoria and the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania, as well as in several river basins in Uganda. Uwa.or.ug, the website for the Uganda Wildlife Authority, describes the Katonga Wildlife Reserve, which protects a network of forest-fringed swamps along the Katonga river, as \"one of the best places in Africa\" to search for \"this semi-aquatic antelope with webbed hooves that forages almost exclusively in swamps\". Natural History: Sitatungas live in thickly vegetated muddy swamps and marshes. These elusive creatures spend most of their time standing on mats of floating vegetation to feed, often half-submerged in water. Actually, the Sitatunga is said to be so elusive that it will dive deeper to a point where only the nose is above the water should it suspect some danger. Sighting the Sitatunga during the day is therefore a slippery affair for the adventurous tourist, as this animal prefers to leave the swamp under the protective cover of darkness. Although they are essentially solitary animals, pairs associate for short periods during mating, and sometimes, temporary social groups may be formed. They survive on sedges, leaves of bushes in the swamp, and grass in adjacent riverine forests. They may also eat fallen fruit and chew the bark of some trees. Although the Sitatunga can live for up to 19 years in the zoo, its lifespan in the wild is not unequivocally known. Threats: Sitatungas are threatened by people who set snares along their paths in the swamp or hunt them with dogs. And through swamp drainage, the Sitatunga is fast losing its only genuine habitat. Outside the relative safety of protected areas, Sitatunga populations are rapidly declining. Conservation: The survival of the Sitatunga hinges on the extent to which its habitat, the marshy swamp, can be protected. In Uganda, the creation of the Katonga Wildlife Reserve was an important step in the conservation of this antelope so popular among tourists. But there will still be need for conservation education especially among the rural folks who continue to hunt down the Sitatunga for meat. Outside protected areas, the Sitatunga is quite simply insecure."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/-/688324/772776/-/boly33/-/index.html","content":"The Kategayas should be lauded - My father, Festo Rukumbyana hid in a swamp: in enemy territory of Ruchiga until the water receded four days later. Having recovered his muzzle-loader, submerged when he slipped crossing a river, he spent another seven days travelling by night and resting by day, until he got to Rwashamaire, on to Mbarara. When he was ushered into the presence of King Khaya of Ankole, Khaya asked him why he did not abandon the gun and come home with fellow warriors, he replied that it would have been cowardice to abandon the king's rifle; and that His Majesty himself would have thought that he had shown a clean pair of heels to the enemy. This is documented in \"Abagabe ba Nkore\" by Katate and Kamugungunu. My mother's father Ndeeba ya Kachaanya Rugangura who, at 12, and youngest of several brothers, had speared his powerful maternal uncle Rweigara, who had consistently given away their family's cattle, and had a private army, about which King Musiinga, of Igara, felt uneasy. For his juvenile courage, the king appointed him commander of his \"presidential guard.\" When later British administrators forced the king to go to Mbarara to pay homage to Khaya, now overall emperor - then considered an abomination for a crowned prince to come face to face with another - which they had earlier attempted by invading Buhweju kingdom and shooting the stubborn king in his regal chair, King Musiinga of Igara slit his throat when he knew they were about to cross into Nkore territory. As the royal blood dripped from the sedan, it was lowered to the ground; and lo and behold: the king was dead! Without hesitation, my warrior grandfather speared a Nubian soldier to death. He was arrested and banished to Ssese Islands, until the colonial Office ordered his release on the grounds of unnecessarily repeated provocations of \"savage natives.\" When he went back home, my illiterate granny was made Gombolola chief. My uncle Nuwa Mbaguta, first Ankole premier under the British, was praise-named Rtiinw'abasheija or, dotingly 'Rtiinwa,' or the feared of men; who feared no one except God - and whites. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Mbabazi-supporter-released/-/688334/2800242/-/ghjt4tz/-/index.html","content":"Mbabazi supporter released - Kampala- Police have released Mr Vincent Kaggwa, the spokesperson of the NRM poor youth, an activist group affiliated to former prime minister Amama Mbabazi’s camp. Mr Kaggwa was last Thursday arrested on suspicion that he intended to lead a group of youth to deliver materials said to be “of electoral significance” to mosques as Muslims celebrated Idd-el-Fitr on Friday. Addressing journalists yesterday at the police headquarters in Naguru, a Kampala suburb, police spokesman Fred Enanga said Mr Kaggwa was arrested to prevent “likely breach of peace during Idd celebrations”. Family members and colleagues of Kaggwa had expressed fear that he was being held in an unknown place. However, police denied the allegations. “We objectively and reasonably caused the arrest of Kaggwa Vincent to prevent the breach of peace during Idd prayers which was likely to occur”“This youth group where Kaggwa is a ring leader had planned to distribute materials which were of electoral significance to people participating in Idd prayers at selected mosques and other Muslim worship centres around Kampala,” Mr Enanga said. “It was in the interest of preserving peace that we caused the arrest of Kaggwa. This is a group that had not sought permission to organise activities.” He said NRM poor youth were planning to attack a police station in revenge for his continued detention. “There are youth groups that had planned to attack our police station in Kalerwe in retaliation. So we had to detain him over the weekend to see whether the group will attack the station so that we could arrest them,” Mr Enanga said. atumwine@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/behind-Ssekikubo-Museveni/-/688334/2786710/-/f01b2dz/-/index.html","content":"I am behind you, Ssekikubo tells Museveni - Sembabule. Lwemiyaga County legislator Theodore Ssekikubo has promised to support President Museveni’s stay in power despite having misunderstandings with the ruling NRM party.Mr Ssekikubo made the declaration last Saturday during celebrations to mark the World Population Day presided over by the President in Sembabule District. Although the MP was not among the people selected to speak at the function, he grabbed a microphone from Sembabule Woman MP Hanifa Kawooya before she wound up her speech. Ms Kawooya had been requested to invite Finance State minister in charge of Planning David Bahati. “I also want to greet the President, Mr Ssekikubo said, as he hurried to grab the microphone amid chants from the audience. President Museveni was also thrown into laughter. ‘I have taken quite some time without coming to this place, but my presence symbolises the support and love of people of Lwemiyaga Constituency to you. Your Excellence, stand firm, for me, I am behind you and in full support of you to stay around,” the MP said.Mr Ssekikubo said he has for long enjoyed a warm personal relationship with Mr Museveni, which raises his emotion to rally behind him.“I have come from very far with President Museveni and that is why at some point, some people were calling me Museveni’s son,” he addedAsked whether this translates into him supporting Mr Museveni’s sole candidature, Mr Ssekikubo dodged the question. Mr Ssekikubo is among the four NRM rebel MPs who were expelled from the party in 2013 over alleged breach of Rule 4 of the NRM constitution. The rule bars members from forming factions within NRM.However, the group have been hobnobbing with the Opposition and sometimes criticising Mr Museveni’s government policies.Last week, NRM supporters in Lwemiyaga threatened to back expremier Amama Mbabazi if the President doesn’t pardon their MP.In his speech, Mr Museveni said the country had scored highly in achieving UN Millennium Development Goals, citing the health sector, where child and maternal mortality has drastically reduced. Reaction“You know, my son Ssekikubo had gone to the wilderness, but I am not certain whether he has finally returned home,” President Museveni editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Pardon-Ssekikubo-or-we-back-Mbabazi--supporters/-/688334/2780014/-/i138a3/-/index.html","content":"Pardon Ssekikubo or we back Mbabazi - supporters - SEMBABULE- NRM supporters in Lwemiyaga County, Sembabule District, have appealed to President Museveni to pardon their legislator and accept him back into the NRM party. Their appeal comes a day after Mr Ssekikubo and his colleagues Barnabas Tinkasiimire (Buyaga County) Wilfred Nuwagaba (Ndorwa East) and Mohamed Nsereko who were expelled from the NRM party met President Museveni to chart a way forward. The supporters threatened to back former Premier Amama Mbabazi if President Museveni doesn’t pardon their MP. Mr Sekikubo and the three MPs were expelled from the NRM in 2013 over alleged breach of Rule 4 of the NRM constitution. The rule bars party members from forming factions within NRM, or promoting the interests of any political party. “We thank President Museveni for accepting to talk to legislators who were expelled from the party, but if the talks do not yield quick positive results, we will be forced to switch allegiance and back Mr Mbabazi in the forthcoming party elections,” said Mr Coleb Mwebaze, a political assistant to Ssekikubo, during a consultative meeting in Lwemiyaga on Tuesday . Ironically, Mbabazi, who the group wants to support, oversaw the controversial expulsion of the NRM rebel MPs in April 2013, while he was NRM secretary general. Mr Andrew Gasuza, a councillor representing PWDs on Lwemiyaga Sub-county, said Mr Museveni could not have known Mbabazi’s plan to stand for presidency if the rebel MPs had not earlier spoke openly about the infighting within NRM . “Mr Museveni realised what Ssekikubo’s group was telling him after Mbabazi came out to contest against him. Was it bad to alert him?” he asked This comes days after a cross-section of NRM members in Lwemiyaga County protested against President Museveni’s plan to bring back the rebel MPs to the party. Carrying posters of President Museveni, the NRM members from sub-counties of Lwemiyaga and Ntuusi which make up Lwemiyaga constituency demonstrated in the trading centres of Keizoba and Lwemiyaga accusing President Museveni of not consulting the grass-root NRM members before making a decision to bring back rebel MPs into NRM party. Presidential press secretary Tamale Mirundi scoffed at those threatening to support Mbabazi, saying they had been hoodwinked. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Why-Mbabazi-is-a-public-relations--nightmare-for-NRM-/-/689364/2778612/-/f3pxnb/-/index.html","content":"Why Mbabazi is a public relations  nightmare for NRM spin doctors - In the wee hours of June 15, while most Ugandans were still in bed, former premier Amama Mbabazi let out what he had kept up his sleeves. ‘‘My fellow Ugandans,’’ Mbabazi began, and shortly after went straight to the point: ‘‘I come before you today, to tell you that I will be seeking your vote, first within my party the NRM as its flag bearer; and later on for president in the 2016 presidential elections.’’ And with that Mbabazi, who is also Kinkizi West Member of Parliament, set off a chain reaction. President Museveni, fresh off the plane from South Africa, put on a hasty response to Mbabazi’s declaration posted on YouTube. The trickledown effect of the presidential response was to be felt in the Uganda Police Force and Electoral Commission (EC). Explaining the clear difference between how the police treat Museveni and Opposition supporters, including Mbabazi’s, police spokesperson Fred Enanga stated: “The President is the Fountain of Honour and he enjoys absolute immunity for whatever actions…You cannot just pull down his pictures under whatever circumstances.’’ (Daily Monitor, June 16). The EC has also struggled to give a believable explanation why Museveni has his campaign materials all over the country while Mbabazi’s are said to breach the law. The less than stellar explanation from the police and the EC is indicative of the public relations nightmare the two bodies face. It appears the foundation that has informed their response to Mbabazi is not to contradict the NRM and the President. In professionally-run organisations and companies, public relations is a management function. It means communication from the entity to different groups important for the entity’s success must reflect the position of management. For this reason, spokespersons are usually supervised by the chief executive officer (CEO). The CEO is the foremost voice and face of the entity. It was already well known that Mbabazi haboured presidential ambitions. But when it did eventually come from the horse’s own mouth, the NRM CEO’s response and subsequent response from the NRM showed unpreparedness. For decades before his recent fallout with Museveni, Mbabazi was widely perceived to be the party strategist. He was a Museveni confidant and part of the party’s management. He has a deep ideological and operational understanding of the party more than the people assembled to tackle him. Had he not fallen out with Museveni, Mbabazi’s experience and insight would have helped inform the party’s response to the unique challenge its chairman faces. Museveni and Mbabazi are like political Siamese twins; any operation to separate them must be surgical. Mbabazi understands this, thus explaining why his strategy has been to tactfully and delicately wedge himself between where the NRM has so far brought Uganda and position himself as the best suited to take the country forward. In interviews in the Western media, Mbabazi said unlike Museveni, he takes responsibility for the failures of the NRM but adds that he also takes credit for its successes. How do you hit such a man with a poisoned arrow without the tip of the arrow head chipping off a part of his conjoined twin? Moreover, in the NRM, loyalty is measured by how hard one hits at Museveni opponents. In a recent salvo, Ofwono Opondo, the government spokesman tweeted: ‘‘Ministers and NRM MPs quiet about Mbabazi should be marked!’’ It’s a desperate approach that will force many in the NRM to shoot aimlessly at Mbabazi to prove loyalty without necessarily influencing public opinion to their side. Mr Ododkonyero has interest in media development and communication. modokonyero@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Why-it-is-important-to-own-a-copyright/-/689364/2777298/-/bfasqyz/-/index.html","content":"Why it is important to own a copyright - Every author’s, composer’s and inventor’s nightmare is that first moment when you realise someone has taken your work, concept or blueprint and used it to mint money or claim their moment of fame. This feeling is the same as when a thief takes something that belongs to you. People who use work they have not composed or designs they have not invented have been referred to as pirates. Recently, redresses have been sought by musicians such as Angela Katatumba and Nince Henry against those who they alleged had pirated their work. And here is where the issue of copyrights arrives at the centre of the stage. What does it mean to own a copyright? What are the benefits of owning a copyright?A copyright is an exclusive entitlement to the ownership and the economic advantages associated with a work. Here, work refers to a song, a book, a play, software, etc. As can clearly be deduced, a copyright is like a car, a house, a computer or some other tangible thing. It can be bought or even sold. Therefore, any form of usage of the work for which copyrights are not owned is harmful to the copyright owner and he or she may seek redress before a court of law. The copyright for any work is an intellectual property. It is expressed in both the moral and economic entitlements due to the owner of the work both of which are legally recognised. The moral entitlements are constituted in the right to be recognised as the originator of the work and the entitlement for the work to be kept in its original form. In some cases, the pirate may not breach the moral rights of the owner. However, for instance, by making unauthorised copies of the work and selling them, the pirate robs the copyright owner of his or her income. The economic entitlements to a work are as broad as the ways in which a work can be used to make money. A pirate could use any of the following ways to make money off a copyrighted work: public performance, airing on radio or tv, distribution and marketing, making copies, dissemination on the internet, implementing its processes and pathways as detailed in the blueprint, etc. Ultimately, what carries the day in the matter is that the copyright owner is entitled to a royalty whenever another person uses his or her work.There is a scenario where some people generate work after they have been commissioned to do so by an individual or agency. In this case, they are, by default, not entitled to copyrights because what they produce has already been economically compensated by the payment of a commission. This is what Section 8(1) of the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act had in mind by indicating that (I paraphrase), “a person who creates a work in the course of employment or on commission by another, in the absence of a contract to the contrary, does not own the copyright to the work. The same is owned by the individual or body that commissioned the work.”In the recent case of Pius Bigirimana’s Youth Livelihood Model, a work for which he secured copyrights, he has asserted that he came up with this model outside of his normal terms of employment. Further, it was also not a commissioned work. He simply sought and obtained buy-in for it later on. As the owner of the copyright, he may seek royalties from any person who uses that work with his permission. Any other person who uses the work, without his permission, can rightfully be referred to as a pirate. To say otherwise is to discredit the efforts and innovations of many creative people.Otherwise, this is a good development for artistes, writers and authors. It is time our nation awoke to the reality that such people need to be compensated for their time and creativity.Mr Sseremba is the managing director, Deft Publishing Ltd. sseremba@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Insurance-company-sued-over-withheld-compensation/-/688334/2777380/-/120fx6uz/-/index.html","content":"Insurance company sued over withheld compensation - KAMPALA-Two family members have sued an insurance company, accusing it of breach of contract over failure to compensate them for the death of their relative. In the case before the Commercial Court, Ms Hanifah Nakisenyi and Ms Shadiya Nabatanzi, the beneficiaries under the life insurance policy of the late Hadija Zabali, have sued the Insurance Company of East Africa Uganda Limited (ICEA), seeking to recover Shs40 million. Through their lawyers, BKA Advocates, Ms Nakisenyi and Ms Nabatanzi, want court to order ICEA to immediately pay the sum insured as per the policy. They also want court to declare that the complainants are entitled to immediate payment under the ICEA life insurance policy formerly held by the deceased. Zabali was assured at about Shs40 million but died after a short illness in April 2013 while the policy was in force. The insurance firm is accused of refusing to honour the complainants’ claim and continued forceful retention of the entire record of the insurance policy. Court documents indicate following the February 2013 medical results and subsequent issuance of a policy document in March 2013, the insurance firm was notified of Ms Zabali’s death in May 2013. However, ICEA, through its lawyers, says it cannot honour the insurance policy, saying Zabali, whom they had tested and found to be in good health, could not have died of immuno suppression syndrome after just three months. “The above reports cast some doubt as to how someone who had been declared to be in very good health could have died of such an illness barely three months later,” reads a July 2013 letter from ICEA. Reasons for refusalThe insurance firm also cites discrepancy in the signatures on the insurance proposal form and the medical form hence their refusal to pay the beneficiaries. But in a case awaiting hearing before Justice David Wangutusi, the complainants want court to quash the argument, saying respiratory failure is not a disease but a symptom which can be caused by other illnesses and can happen at any time. The hearing has been adjourned to September. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/50-feared-dead-in-al-Shabaab-raid-on-AU-base/-/688334/2767786/-/1i9yedz/-/index.html","content":"50 feared dead in al-Shabaab raid on AU base - Kampala. More than 50 African Union Mission soldiers mainly from Burundi are feared to have died after al-Shabaab militants attacked their base in southern Somalia on Friday.The militants used a car bomb to breach the entrance to the base, which was manned by Burundian soldiers near the Somali town of Leego, about 80 miles inland from the capital Mogadishu, according to the Associated Press news agency.The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of Amisom, Ambassador Maman Sidikou on Friday condemned the dawn attack in a statement. “This attack will not diminish our resolve to continue to support the Somali Government and people until they are free from terrorism,” Ambassador Sidikou said.The AU confirmed there were casualties, but did not give the number or further details.Mohammed Hajji, an official in the Lower Shabelle region, told AP that up to 25 combatants may have been killed.“They managed to infiltrate the entrance after the blast, it was a complex attack,” he said.The al-Qaeda-aligned militant group regularly strikes African Union forces on roads and while on patrol and has launched a number of deadly attacks on the main base in Mogadishu. Uganda, Kenya and Burundi are major troop-contributing countries to the Amisom. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/S-Africa-threatens-quit-ICC-Bashir/-/688340/2763672/-/44hkfkz/-/index.html","content":"S.Africa threatens to quit ICC over Bashir - South Africa threatened Tuesday to withdraw from the International Criminal Court after an outcry over the government's refusal to detain Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on genocide charges. Bashir flew out of Pretoria last week after attending a meeting of the African Union despite a court order that barred his departure, sparking international criticism of President Jacob Zuma's government. In a heated parliamentary debate, the lead speaker for Zuma's ruling African National Congress said South Africa would press for reforms of the ICC, accusing it of losing credibility because countries such as the United States had failed to place themselves under the control of the Hague-based organisation. \"The ANC reserves the right to raise these reform packages and if rejected we will have no alternative but to review our membership of the ICC,\" said Obed Bapela, deputy minister of traditional affairs. The opposition Democratic Alliance had accused the government of a serious breach of the constitution by allowing Bashir to leave the country. \"The Zuma government has committed a crime of allowing a wanted man to evade the law,\" said Stevens Mokgalapa, the DA's shadow minister of international relations. The South African court which called for Bashir to be prevented from leaving the country has given the government until Thursday to explain why it defied the court order. In parliament, the ANC made its case clear, claiming that because Bashir was attending a meeting of the AU he was entitled to immunity, in the same way heads of state received immunity from arrest in the United States when they attended the United Nations general assembly. \"We are not going to use the AU as a platform to arrest leaders -- that will never happen,\" Bapela said, adding that international criticism of South Africa's action showed \"contempt\" for the continent. This line was supported by radical opposition lawmakers in the Economic Freedom Fighters, who usually totally oppose government positions. They said that former US president George Bush and former British prime minister Tony Blair should be arrested for war crimes over Iraq, and that leaders of Israel -- which has also not joined the ICC -- should be prosecuted for offences against the Palestinians. Bashir has evaded justice since his indictment in 2009 for alleged serious abuses in the western Sudanese region of Darfur. The conflict began in 2003 when black insurgents rose up against his Arab-dominated government, protesting they were marginalised."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Protesters-muzzled-Chinese-dog-meat-festival/-/688340/2761088/-/v6oxkvz/-/index.html","content":"Protesters muzzled at Chinese dog meat festival - Campaigners protesting China's annual dog meat festival, which sees thousands of canines butchered and eaten, were forcibly dispersed by unidentified men Monday as they attempted to rally outside a government office. About 10 animal rights activists unfurled banners outside the Yulin government headquarters, before a group of 20 men came and chased them off. The city holds an annual festival on the summer solstice devoted to the consumption of dog meat, in defiance of an increasing backlash from animal rights activists. The campaigners held signs reading \"Crack Down on Illegal Dog Meat Trade\" and \"Punish Illegal Dog Transport\", but the banners were quickly torn out of their hands by the unidentified group of men. The slogans are an attempt to appeal to local government officials to enforce existing laws on health and administrative grounds, as there are no rules banning the consumption of dog meat. \"Many of these animals are stolen pets, and most of the dog meat trucks coming in are in total breach of China’s very clear laws on animals for human consumption,\" Adam Parascandola, director of animal cruelty issues at the Washington DC-based Humane Society, said in a statement. \"How much longer can China simply allow the Yulin authorities to flout the law like this?\" As many as 10 million dogs are killed for food annually in China, with up to 10,000 killed for the Yulin festival, according to the Humane Society. The majority of \"meat dogs\" in the country are stolen pets and strays, according to an investigation published this month by Hong Kong-based charity Animals Asia, though eating dog is unusual in most parts of China. Shortly after the protest in another part of Yulin, traders openly sold dogs off the back of scooters as hundreds gathered at a market. Many dogs were kept in tightly packed cages. Saved from the cooking pot Activists, who say the festival is cruel, have in the past travelled to the city to hold demonstrations, sometimes buying dogs to save them from the cooking pots. One animal lover, Yang Xiaoyun, reportedly paid about 7,000 yuan (US$1,100) to save around 100 dogs in the southern city of Yulin on Saturday. The city's government has tried to distance itself from the event. \"Some residents of Yulin have the habit of coming together to eat lychees and dog meat during the summer solstice,\" the city's news office wrote on Sina Weibo, a Chinese Twitter equivalent. 1 | 2 Next Page»\"The 'summer solstice lychee and dog meat festival' is a commercial term, the city has never (officially) organised a 'dog meat festival',\" it added. Around 30 million households in the country are estimated to keep dogs as pets, helping to fuel the growing local animal rights movement. A petition on Change.org calling for the end to the festival illustrated with a photo of a dog weeping tears of blood in front of a Chinese flag garnered more than 3.8 million signatures by Monday afternoon. This year the festival has also been targeted by British comedian Ricky Gervais, who posted a series of messages on Twitter with the hashtag \"StopYuLin2015\". « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Moroto-municipal-council-to-repossess-undeveloped-plots/-/688334/2741680/-/wwjnmd/-/index.html","content":"Moroto municipal council to repossess undeveloped plots - Moroto. Moroto Municipal council has threatened to repossess all undeveloped plots of land allocated to both individuals and companies more than five years ago. The Moroto Municipality Mayor, Mr Alex Lemu, said many people who acquired plots in the municipality have failed to develop them yet there are several developers who have failed to get land. Mr Lemu on Monday said the repossessed plots would be allocated to serious developers. He made the remarks while inspecting the municipality. Mr Lemu said the council gave land to many people who have not shown seriousness to develop it, adding that this retards development. “Some people were given land as far back as the year 2000 and the plots have remained undeveloped since then, yet Moroto is a growing town,” he added. Mr Lemu said the failure to develop the plots is a breach of the condition of offer and the requirement to put up a foundation within six months and complete the building within 18 months thereafter. Mr Hassan Mohamed, the councillor representing South Division, said: “We are going to write warning letters to plot owners who have not yet developed them to do so, failure of which they risk their land being repossessed,” he said. Mr Mark Aol Musoka, the district chairperson, said Moroto was now peaceful and needs serious people to develop the town. “Infrastructure in Moroto Town is very poor. We need people who can construct houses to help beautify the town,” he said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Jobs-Career/What-to-do-before-you-go-for-kyeyo/-/689848/2739996/-/131dmhcz/-/index.html","content":"What to do before you go for kyeyo - In the yesteryears, finding employment was not a question for many graduates in Uganda. After all, they were fewer graduates then and systems for employment were clearer. Today, the situation is pretty different. In fact, a university degree is no longer a pass for direct employment. This explains the increasing number of jobseekers in the country every year. The once renowned ‘opencasts’ such Army and the Police have too become very competitive. The ugly picture has, however, created room for labour companies to export labour. The labour companies advertise aggressively; giving many seekers new hope for a better employment overseas. The attractive monthly salary package quickly gets a seeker into calculating how richer he or she will grow in such a short time of engagement. Testimonies from some lucky applicants who have managed to save and invest back home will blow away the already desperate seeker.Seeking to work in a foreign country can be an exciting experience, especially if you have a knack for seeing things from a more global perspective. It offers an opportunity for travelling, learning different work cultures and to communicate in several languages. There is also the idea that working abroad pays better.The challenge, however, is about finding a professional recruiting agency. Some agencies can play double standards. Cases of breach of contracts where successful applicants end up doing different chores contrary to what they had been hired for are many. To avoid frustrations, research about the organisation you intend to work for, the hiring agency or private individual, and country where the jobs are. Prepare to meet, discuss and agree with the prospective hirers about what jobs you want to pursue abroad and pay. Double-check by seeking third party opinion from experienced and relevant authorities. The writer is a human resources expert and a journalist. isaiahkitimbo@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/2734582/-/82ihx7/-/index.html","content":"MP Katuntu loses case against mobile money firms  - Kampala- Mobile money services will continue operating normally after a petition by MP Abdu Katuntu to have its operations regulated under the Financial Institutions Act was rejected by the Commercial Court on Friday. Mr Katuntu, the Bugweri County MP, and Mr Kimberly Kasana, had petitioned court seeking declarations that the mobile money services provided by the five major telecom operators was being operated outside the licence issued to them by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). The five major telecom operators that the legislator had sued are: MTN Uganda, Warid Uganda/Airtel Uganda, Uganda Telecom and Orange Uganda. While dismissing Katuntu’s petition, Justice Christopher Madrama Izama held that if the petitioners felt the operators were carrying out mobile money business outside the scope of their licences granted to them by UCC, they would have raised the complaint with the regulator’s tribunal, not court. To that extent, the judge said the lawmaker had no powers to sue the telecom operators providing the mobile money service. “What is more crucial is the fact that under the Uganda Communications Act, Parliament deemed it fit under section 75 to establish a tribunal and an office of a technical adviser to determine matters under the Act. The jurisdiction of the Tribunal is provided for under section 79 and includes the right to hear all matters relating to the telecommunication services,” the judge observed. The judge added: “Any question as to the breach of licence or acting outside the licence are matters that fall within the Tribunal. For the above reasons, the plaintiff’s plaint is rejected for disclosing no cause of action…” Court ordered that each party meets its own costs since this appeared to be a public interest case. Mr Friday Kagoro, Mr Katuntu’s lawyer, asked for permission to appeal the court’s decision and the judge asked him to put his request in writing in 14 days from Friday. MP Katuntu was present in court to receive his verdict. awesaka@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Police-should-follow-proper-procedure-when-arresting-women/-/689364/2730426/-/wgau9b/-/index.html","content":"Police officers should follow proper procedure when arresting women - I have often watched the procedural errors by police officers when effecting arrest of suspects. The recent arrest of FDC Women League leader Ingrid Turinawe and her counterpart, Ms Hamida Nassimbwa, raised questions. Nassimbwa was, in the course of her arrest, stripped, although television cameras rightly protected her dignity. Nassimbwa’s predicament and what other women protesters go through call for legal procedural order. Women are unique and delicate human beings. They are mothers and a pride of our nation. Of course, they are not exempt from arrest but police must follow a prescribed procedure to safeguard their decency and dignity.Article 23 of our Constitution guarantees the right to personal liberty. This right is buttressed by several substantive, procedural and remedial guarantees, including Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.However, such a right is not absolute. It is only capable of being suspended if authorised by law. An arrest by a police officer is one of the means by which the right to personal liberty can be suspended.I appeal to the police legal department to teach officers the procedure. We have a civic duty under Article 4(b) of the Constitution to promote public awareness of our laws. The relevant laws that prescribe the procedure are the Constitution, the Magistrate Court Act (MCA) Cap 16, the Criminal Procedure Code Act (CPCA) Cap 116, the Police Act Cap 303. These must be read together with the Public Order Management Act and the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act 2012.Section 2 of the CPCA lays down the procedure to be followed in carrying out an arrest. A police officer is authorised to actually touch the body of the person to be arrested. Where the accused tries to resist or evade arrest, the officer is entitled to use all the means necessary to have the accused arrested, including the use of force. However, there is nothing in the Section that justifies greater use of force than is reasonable in the particular circumstances. From the news footage, Nassimbwa was subjected to excessive force than necessary. Police officers are also empowered under Section 10 and 11 of the CPCA to arrest suspects without a warrant of arrest in any of the following circumstances:If any person is suspected along reasonable ground for having committed a cognizable offence or any person who commits a breach of peace in his or her presence. However, on the basis of proper construction, for the police officer to invoke his or her powers under these sections depends on the facts of each particular case. The persons that the framers of this provision envisaged are those involved in demonstrations, protests, and fights in the police officers presence. Under Section 23(2) and Section 72 (3) of the MCA, a female person shall only be searched by a woman. A search may be extended to stripping a body of a suspect and if this is to be done, it must be a female officer and must be done with decency (Sec. 8 of CPCA). The section by no means permits a police officer to undress the suspect.Section 27(9) of the Police Act requires that searches be carried out in a humane manner. Unnecessary damage or destruction should be avoided. Be mindful of Rule 24 of the Disciplinary Conduct of Police Officers, which is to the effect that a police officer is guilty of unlawful or unnecessary exercise of authority if he or she, without a good or sufficient cause, makes unlawful or unnecessary arrest. Mr Ntambaazi is a civil society activist. ntag3000@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Brig-Tumukunde-sued-over-land/-/688334/2729324/-/xo8a9uz/-/index.html","content":"Brig Tumukunde sued over land - Kampala- Brig Henry Tumukunde has been sued in the Commercial Court by a real estate firm for allegedly terminating a sales agreement and re-advertising a paid for land. Jomayi Property Consultants, in an affidavit sworn by the company’s managing director, Mr Joseph Yiga Magandazi, sued Brig Tumukunde, saying they entered into a sales agreement for the purchase of 200 acres of land at Njagi Sabagabo at Shs3.5 billion, which was to be paid in 90 working days. Mr Magandazi claims he has so far paid Shs2.9billion, with an outstanding balance of Shs600m. However, Brig Tumukunde has so far terminated the sales agreement and issued a press notice in the Daily Monitor of May 5, to that effect, advertising for prospective purchasers to the said land. According to court documents, Brig Tumukunde authorised Jomayi Property Consultants to grade, create access roads and demarcate the said land into small plots in line with its business. Jomayi Property Consultants is seeking an interim order restraining Brig Tumukunde, his servants, agents, assignees and employees from selling, evicting and interfering with the company’s occupancy on the said land. BackgroundHowever, according to a letter dated April 22, addressed to the managing director Jomayi Property Consultants through his advocates, Brig Tumukunde informed him about the termination of the sale agreement after the breach of the payment within the stipulated time. “Please refer to the Sale Agreement that you entered into with our client on January 2012 in respect of the above land, you undertook to pay the sum of Shs3.5 billion within 90 days. In spite of repeated reminders and demand for payment, it is now over three years and you have failed to pay and, therefore, fundamentally breached the terms of the contract,” read part of the termination letter. Court has given Brig Tumukunde 15 days to respond to the allegations. eainebyoona@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Judiciary-launches-mediation-system-in-Masaka/-/688334/2711338/-/x5ekxjz/-/index.html","content":"Judiciary launches mediation system in Masaka - MASAKA. The judiciary has launched the mediation system in Masaka District to reduce case backlog in courts. Mediation is a way of resolving disputes amicably between two or more parties. Typically, a third party (mediator) assists the parties to negotiate an amicable settlement out of court. Speaking during the launch at Masaka Court premises on Thursday, Justice David Wangutsi, the head of High Court Commercial Division, said the new arrangement saves time and promotes reconciliation between the warring parties. “This arrangement allows judicial officers time to handle cases which are generally not agreeable in line with mediation like defilement, robbery and murder cases. We have extended it here and we expect it to work,” he said. Among cases that will be handled under the mediation system include land disputes, family issues, breach of contract, encroachment, child negligence and damages. Justice Wangutsi said more than 50,000 civil cases are currently pending in different courts yet they can easily be resolved outside court by different persons qualified in adjudication. In Masaka District alone last year, 679 cases were registered, but 442 were disposed of, leaving a backlog of 237 cases. Only 46 cases were settled out of court. Justice Wangutsi said the judiciary would train mediators who will handle such matters without taking them to court. He said the initiative will involve lawyers and retired judges to make the system work.He further said they also intend to make it mandatory for all courts, including Magistrate’s Courts, to allow civil cases first go into mediation before going for trial in court. The resident judge, Justice Margaret Oumo Oguli, however, warned judicial officers who will be hired into the mediation system to avoid fraud. Masaka Chief Magistrate, Mary Ikit, expressed concern that some districts such as Kalangala are not likely to benefit from the mediation system because they have only one magistrate who cannot handle both criminal and civil cases and carry out mediation at the same time. She, therefore, appealed to the government to deploy more magistrates in Kalangala.“Sometimes we are forced to travel to the district for few weeks to handle cases like criminal ones that require little time,” Ikit added. Last year, Justice Oguli spent two weeks in Kalangala hearing about 60 criminal cases due to lack of judicial staff in the district. Latest statistics obtained from the judiciary indicate that there are 16,782 pending civil cases in the High Court, 17,363 cases in Chief Magistrate’s Courts and 3,888 in Grade One Magistrate’s Courts. In total, the civil case backlog in the country stands at 38,033. Background 1 | 2 Next Page»In the early 2000, mediation was piloted in the Commercial Court as an alternative to litigation, and many cases were successfully mediated. Judicial officers were left with time to try cases which are ordinarily not amenable to mediation – substantially increasing the productivity of the courts, satisfaction, and confidence of court users in the justice system. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Deny-polygamous-families-services---MP/-/688334/2709522/-/qd50cpz/-/index.html","content":"Deny polygamous families services - MP - Jinja Municipality West MP Moses Balyeku, has called on government to consider adopting stern measures in the fight against polygamy in Busoga sub-region. He suggested that polygamous couples who are non-Muslims should be denied access to government programmes such as Universal Primary Education (UPE), Universal Secondary Education (USE) and Operation Wealth Creation claiming they are partly to blame for the poverty. “If possible, these people in polygamous marriages, with the exception of Muslims, should be denied access to government programmes like UPE,” he said. Mr Balyeku made the call at the weekend during celebrations of 25 years in marriage of Pastor Robert Kaahwa and his wife Grace Kaahwa of Jinja Miracle Center Gateway in Jinja. The legislator called on people to always formalise relationships with their spouses through either Church, customary or civil marriages and stick to one wife saying polygamy is the biggest cause of poverty in the sub-region.“Polygamous families are the poorest of the poor in this (Jinja West) constituency and they breach the teachings of the Bible, which emphasises marriage to one wife,” he said. The Kyabazinga of Busoga William Wilberforce Nadiope Gabula IV warned the people of Busoga in October last year against polygamy, saying it is the biggest source of poverty. Census figuresFigures from last year’s census on the status of polygamy in Busoga are not yet out but those from the 2002 census indicate that Busoga has the highest cases of polygamy in Uganda, with 48,000 men (about 18.3 per cent of the married males in the region) having more than one wife. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Busoga-kingdom-parliament-suspends-Lukiiko-officials/-/688334/2708108/-/l2nokw/-/index.html","content":"Busoga kingdom parliament suspends Lukiiko officials - JINJA- The speaker of the Busoga Lukiiko (parliament), Mr George William Mutyabule, and his deputy, Ms Florence Biruma, have been suspended over failure to convene a meeting as was demanded by the lukiiko officials. The duo was suspended on Monday in a resolution passed by 36 members of the Lukiiko at Bugembe Youth Centre. Mr Mutyabule and Ms Biruma are accused of disregarding a March 25 petition signed by 39 members of the Lukiiko, demanding a meeting to be held on Monday. The members moved the petition under Article 14 of the Busoga Kingdom constitution which empowers members to constitute themselves into a council and elect a chairperson and secretary to preside over a meeting in the absence of the speaker and deputy speaker. The group elected Mr John Lukakamwa and Ms Alisat Mutesi as acting chairman and secretary respectively. The group accused Mr Mutyabule and Ms Biruma of failure to convene a meeting for a period of six months, in breach of the constitution. “Mr Mutyabule received our letter requesting for a meeting and he asked us to raise a quorum of a third of the representatives of the Lukiiko, which we did, but neither he nor his deputy turned up yet they are very well aware that we haven’t convened a meeting for over six months. We therefore decided to suspend them pending investigations into their motives,” Mr Lukakamwa said on Monday. He added that the two have been given a fortnight to appear before a committee to be instituted by the chief prince and defend themselves. If they fail, he said, they will be relieved of their duties. When contacted for a comment on Tuesday morning, Mr Mutyabule told Daily Monitor that those were trivial issues that did not warrant such a response. “Please ignore anybody telling you such things. Responding to them will only dignify what they have to say,” said Mr Mutyabule. Efforts to get a comment from Ms Biruma were futile by press time. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Heart-to-Heart/husband--father-love-heart/-/691230/2708176/-/ydji0gz/-/index.html","content":"‘Your husband  was my father’ - When you lose a partner, it may seem as though your whole world has come to an end. Their death may have been expected or sudden, but nevertheless, the pain is the same. However as you mourn, strangers appear in your compound. The faces may not be too new because some could resemble your dead husband. Could they be his illegitimate children? How about that other woman who is overly active in preparations and wailing louder than the known widow? Could she be a widow too? Then there is that neighbour’s husband who is crying like a wounded buffalo lamenting about being left alone with the children or could it be your wife’s male workmate you are worried about? In some instances, you will see mourners whispering amongst themselves, while in other instances, outsiders will boldly come out to have their attachments to the body. It is becoming a common thing for such discoveries at funerals today. And although some women out there have been lured to believe that a man does not belong to one woman, it is still shocking to learn that your dear spouse was no saint. If they were alive, maybe you would give them a piece of your mind, slap them a little and go on to discuss how to handle things. But now they are dead. What do you do? Mourning a side dishLydia* got the shock of her life when her husband, John, who was so committed to his office job, stayed home when her best friend died. They had been married for 10 years. Never had John missed work, not even when his wife was in labour with their first child. The day Monica* died in a motor accident, John asked for two-week leave. At the funeral, John almost cried his eyes out and yet Lydia had not known her husband to be the emotional type. The mourning worsened after burial; he did not eat for two days and all he wanted was to be alone. In their bedroom, Lydia found John holding Monica’s photos and only then did Lydia learn that Monica was her husband’s ‘side dish’, and she had been four months pregnant at her death. John confessed that he was cheating but he needed time to mourn Monica and the baby she was carrying. Lydia, who was six months pregnant then, could not understand why her husband had to mourn a mistress. When people pass on, not all their secrets are buried with them. Sometimes people may keep procrastinating when to unveil those other children to their partners, fearing how they would react. And for the women, how do you tell your husband that one of your four children is actually their best friend’s? Not an easy subject to breachHow does anyone go about such a situation?Ali Male, a counselling psychologist at Uganda Counselling Association, says, “making up your mind on whether to confess that you are cheating is one of the most disturbing points in a relationship. However, one has to weigh if it is better to suffer the consequences in life or after they have died and leave their other children to rejection.” Male adds that there are times when people become so frustrated in their marriages, especially if the recent marriage is proving miserable, so they end up finding solace in other partners and conceive. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Markets/Government--traders-agree-to-stop-exports-to-EU-markets/-/688606/2707016/-/60yc52/-/index.html","content":"Government, traders agree to stop exports to EU markets - Kampala. The two ministries of Trade and Agriculture have resolved to impose a self-ban on export of fresh fruits and vegetables to the European Union markets to control the spread of harmful organisms found in the produce exported. The one-month ban, which began on Monday, was seconded by exporters of fresh fruits and vegetables, industry players who after several appeals convinced the two ministries to reduce the self-imposed suspension from the recommended three months to 30 days. Since February 2014, Uganda’s embassy in Brussels has been notifying the responsible ministries of the interception (harmful organisms) of plants and plant products exported from Uganda to various countries in the European Union (EU). The interceptions has affected a range of produce with the most affected ones being pepper, curry leaves, various fruits and vegetables and to an extent, flowers. It is believed that nearly three quarters of the industry players have been victims of the interception and to get rid of it, a one-month self-imposed suspension was pronounced by Trade minister Amelia Kyambadde after consultation with State minister for Agriculture, Mr Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja. The EU has indicated that the reason for the interception is the presence of harmful organisms in the produce from Uganda. The harmful organisms include the following: African Cotton Leaf worm, false codling moth, Trioza SSP and other organisms, including fruit flies. If this matter is not solved urgently and comprehensively, the EU said it will impose a ban on those exports, a move that will cost the country an estimated loss of about $64 million (about Shs192 billion). The ban would impact on the lives of farmers across the country. The coordinator of Uganda fruits and vegetable exporters and producers association, Ms Hasifah Tushabe, said the industry works with about 2.5 million farmers throughout the country. According to the association’s chairman, Mr Thomas Yiga, the most affected will be the hot pepper farmers and exporters. Every week, nearly 40,000 tonnes of this product is exported to mainly the EU markets. INSPECTION MEASURESStrengthening inspection system. Only exports that have been certified will be allowed. There will strengthening of the inspection system at the airport on the basis of 24/7 operation. Pack houses. Inspection at the farm level and at the pack houses will be undertaken, each of the exporters should indicate to the authorities in ministry of Agriculture their pack houses as these should be gazetted as points where the inspection takes place. Certificate required. Each export consignment should be accompanied by or with a phytosanitary certificate and fast tracking of the rehabilitation of Entebbe Cold Stores ready for use by the exporters will be concluded. Traceability system. Developing traceability system in which produce can be traced to the exporter and subsequently to the farm from which such produce should have originated, develop the sanctions and penalties systems for exporters in breach and strengthen the agricultural extension system. iladu@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kayihura-stops--Akullo---talking---media/-/688334/2703354/-/byvjr3/-/index.html","content":"Kayihura stops Akullo from talking to media - Kampala- The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Gen Kale Kayihura, has ordered an inquiry to establish how information about the investigations into the pension scam case and the internal feuds between the Force’s crime fighting units went to the media without his permission. In a strongly-worded message sent to all police units on April 23, Gen Kayihura said he was “gravely concerned” about the two stories that were published in Daily Monitor. He described the act as “breach of confidence under the Police Act and Police Standing Orders.” In the message, however, Gen Kayihura admitted the information in the two stories was true, although he added that some of it was “distorted or false.” According to the message from the police chief, Ms Akullo is among the police officers who must seek clearance from Gen Kayihura before speaking to the media. The pension scam case was on April 13 dismissed by the Anti-Corruption Court after the state failed to produce a single witness for two years since the suspects were arrested. The dismissal of the case triggered accusations and counter-accusations between the police and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Under looked?In his statement, Gen Kayihura said neither him nor the police public relations officer, Mr Fred Enanga, was informed or cleared the information to be released for publication in the said Daily Monitor stories. “Clearly, the sources of the information were from the police who released information in contravention of the Police Act, as well as Police Standing Orders. This is in spite of the circular issued by the [deputy inspector general of police] DIGP reference number OPS/636 dated September 18 2013,” Gen Kayihura wrote to the police units. He cited a section of the Police Standing Orders regarding public relations and the press that information should be released only by the PRO in order to ensure there are no breaches of security or policy and that it must be cleared by the IGP “by the quickest possible means before release.” The IGP ordered the police Professional Standards Unit (PSU) to investigate the source of the stories and the accuracy of the content. He gave PSU two weeks to complete the investigations “with actionable recommendations.” In both stories, Daily Monitor spoke to Mr Enanga, the public relations officer of the police. Regarding the pension case, Mr Enanga confirmed there were ongoing investigations about the two detectives. On the story about two rival investigating bodies in the police, Enanga said: “What I know is that there are joint teams that were established to carry out investigations in Busoga region, terrorism and the killing of Kagezi. The teams are all jointly working well.” The background On April 20, Daily Monitor broke a story titled: “New anti-crime unit, CIID clash”, which revealed that CIID and a newly-created Special Operations Unit (SOU) were fighting over management of violent crime cases. On April 22, the newspaper published a second story based on an interview with CIID director Grace Akullo under the headline “How police bribery killed Shs165b pension scam case”. 1 | 2 Next Page»In the story, Ms Akullo revealed that two detectives, Mr George Komurubuga, and Mr Moses Kato, who were part of the police team investigating the pension scam, could have been bribed with Shs100m by the suspects to kill the case that involves theft of Shs165b by officials in the Ministry of Public Service. She said the detectives had since abandoned their offices. However, Mr Komurubuga denied the allegations. abagala@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Deny-polygamous-families-services-MP/-/688334/2702428/-/pq89c1z/-/index.html","content":"Deny polygamous families services - MP - JINJA. Jinja Municipality West MP Moses Balyeku, has called on government to consider adopting stern measures in the fight against polygamy in Busoga sub-region.He suggested that polygamous couples who are non-Muslims should be denied access to government programmes such as Universal Primary Education (UPE), Universal Secondary Education (USE) and Operation Wealth Creation claiming they are partly to blame for the poverty.“If possible, these people in polygamous marriages, with the exception of Muslims, should be denied access to government programmes like UPE,” he said. Mr Balyeku made the call at the weekend during celebrations of 25 years in marriage of Pastor Robert Kaahwa and his wife Grace Kaahwa of Jinja Miracle Center Gateway in Jinja.The legislator called on people to always formalise relationships with their spouses through either Church, customary or civil marriages and stick to one wife saying polygamy is the biggest cause of poverty in the sub-region. “Polygamous families are the poorest of the poor in this (Jinja West) constituency and they breach the teachings of the Bible, which emphasises marriage to one wife,” he said.The Kyabazinga of Busoga William Wilberforce Nadiope Gabula IV warned the people of Busoga in October last year against polygamy, saying it is the biggest source of poverty. Census figuresFigures from last year’s census on the status of polygamy in Busoga are not yet out but those from the 2002 census indicate that Busoga has the highest cases of polygamy in Uganda, with 48,000 men (about 18.3 per cent of the married males in the region) having more than one wife. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Russian-hackers-break-into-Barack-Obama-s-emails/-/688340/2698430/-/rtx2lz/-/index.html","content":"Russian hackers break into Barack Obama's emails - Officials say the information accessed could include highly sensitive details, including policy debates and messages to ambassadors and diplomats Russian hackers accessed President Obama’s emails after gaining access to the White House computer system last year, it has emerged. A report in the New York Times said the breach was far more intrusive than previously admitted. Officials have admitted that sensitive information was in the unclassified system the hackers accessed. The discovery of the hacking in October led to a partial shutdown of the White House email system. “The hackers, who also got deeply into the State Department’s unclassified system, do not appear to have penetrated closely guarded servers that control the message traffic from Mr Obama’s BlackBerry, which he or an aide carries constantly,” the New York Times said. “But they obtained access to the email archives of people inside the White House, and perhaps some outside, with whom Mr Obama regularly communicated. From those accounts, they reached emails that the president had sent and received.” The paper quoted White House officials as saying that no classified networks were compromised, and that the hackers accessed no classified information. Many senior officials have two computers in their offices, one which works on a highly secure classified network and another for unclassified communications, the paper said. But it said that officials have conceded that the unclassified system often contains information that is considered highly sensitive, including schedules, email exchanges with ambassadors and diplomats, debate about policy and forthcoming personnel deployments and legislation."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/UPE-school-attached-debt/-/688334/2696836/-/tf2d82/-/index.html","content":"UPE school to be attached over Shs17m debt - SEMBABULE. Nsagala Primary School in Mateete Sub-county, Sembabule District, risks being attached over an accumulated debt of Shs17m it owes a contractor. In 2005, the High Court in Kampala ordered the school to pay Shs17m to Brother Cosmos Nyanzi, which the school has failed to pay to date. Brother Nyanzi has since died. “We have already secured court orders and are only waiting for the school term to close and we execute them,” Brother Kaloli Byekwaso told this newspaper on Thursday. Brother Byekwaso and Christopher Magunda got Letters of Administration of Brother Nyanzi after his death.According to Brother Byekwaso, they have for the last 10 years been pressing the school management to clear the debt.However, the latest development to attach the school has caused mixed reactions among parents of the school, with some appealing to government to pay the contractor to save the community school.“Where will we take our children when the only nearby school is removed? We ask government to intervene and save our school,” said Mr Bernard Kisolo . BackgroundIn 1999, Sembabule District local government, under the School Facilities Grant (SFG), contracted Brother Cosmos Nyanzi to construct a four-classroom block at the school, but failed to remit the funds as per the agreement.According to the contract agreement, the contractor was supposed to do the work in four phases of which the contractor would be paid in installments upon completion of each phase.However, on failure to access his funds upon completion of the third phase, the contractor stopped the works and demanded payments. Brother Nyanzi sued the school management committee and Sembabule District over breach of contract. When contacted, Mr Paul Nantumu, the district education officer, said: “They cannot attach the school because it is a public property. We told them to present their bills to our lawyers so that we settle the matter, but they have refused.”He said the district had earlier deposited all the money on the school account to clear the debt, but the school head teacher at that time, Mr Joseph Kibuuka, used it for other purposes. Mr Kibuuka has since died.Brother Nyanzi also died in 2001, but his congregation of Bannakaloli Brothers applied for Letters of Administration to pursue the case.The school has 400 pupils, four classroom blocks and sits on a five-acre land. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Arua-Municipal-Council-cancels-market-contract/-/688334/2682892/-/drl2c3/-/index.html","content":"Arua Municipal Council cancels market contract - ARUA. Arua Municipal Council has terminated the contract of Arua Kubala Park Operators and Venders Co-operative Society, the company that has been running the main market in Arua Town. A March 30 letter terminating the contract, which is addressed to the company’s chairman, Mr Kasiano Acidri, and signed by the town clerk, Mr Francis Byabagambi, states that the company failed to honour its contract obligation to pay funds for operations of Arua market for both March and April 2015. The letter states that banks have been notified not to receive cash payments from the company until the matter is resolved. Mr Byabagambi said as a result, municipal authorities had taken over the collection of taxes from the market. However, Mr Acidri said he would sue the municipality for breach of contract.“My lawyers have already served the municipal council authorities and we are suing them. What I know is that we don’t owe the municipal council anything apart from the revenues for April,” Mr Acidri said. Mr Acidri said the performance security was illegally deposited in Housing Finance Bank without the company’s notice contrary to the contract provisions which appointed Stanbic Bank. He said they have been remitting monthly revenue of Shs45m to the council account in Stanbic Bank and that payments by cheque were not provided for in the agreement."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Police-officers-ethics-training/-/806314/2667682/-/13ocryx/-/index.html","content":"Police officers need ethics training - Mr Karoli Ssemogerere’s article titled, “ Police brutality is encouraging lawlessness’ and another article, “Police tops list of rights violators all in Daily Monitor of March 26 prompted me to make a comment on police brutality. When there is a possible breach of peace, and the antagonists are likely to use violence directed against property or other citizens, the police may be deployed to restore peace. The use of force by police officers is sometimes necessary, but individual human rights of the citizens involved must be respected. This is when police officers face an ethical dilemma. Some may not know the right course of action to take. Allow me to offer advice on how to make decisions on what to do, when faced with such an ethical dilemma. Use the mnemonic ‘PLAN’ meaning; Proportionality, Legality, Accountability, and Necessity. Is the use of force proportional to the threat of the offence committed? Is it legal and do you have the authorisation for the operation or use of force? How accountable are you for your actions? Is the use of force really necessary given the nature of threat and/ or offence? Police officers are also encouraged to seek advice from their leaders who have experience and authority to make these decisions. Leaders must account for these decisions with evidential material (written instructions, witnesses, etc). Police leaders should serve as role models by showing fair and professional practice. They should also fulfil the oversight function by supervising junior officers to ensure their practice is consistent with police standards, ensure that policy development, discipline and promotions in the police force inculcate a “just and ethical culture”. Police leaders also play an important role in the selection and hiring of qualified individuals. All officers should undergo ethics training; not just once at the police academies, but continuously throughout their careers. Ethics training should not only be formalised and structured; but also informally given during briefings before any operation that may necessitate use of force. Ethics training should address rather than ignore human emotions involved during violent encounters. The police should ensure that its code of conduct and discipline handbooks, operational checklists, etc. are abided by. The Police Professional Standards Unit and the other inspectorate units should also play a vital role in reviewing previous use of force, investigate individual cases of misconduct, vet recruitment procedures and monitor compliance to appropriate and acceptable use of force. George Ochieng,Security Officer/Entebbe"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/MTN-denies-Shs21b-mobile-money-fraud/-/688334/2662424/-/5cv7qdz/-/index.html","content":"MTN denies Shs21b mobile money fraud - Kampala MTN Uganda has said the fictitious Shs21 billion created on its mobile money platform and later withdrawn in cash from a bank was orchestrated by fraudulent staff and not sanctioned by the telecom company. MTN officials, referring to a story that appeared in a local weekly magazine, about probably the largest reported mobile money fraud in Uganda, claimed it was not only misleading but a breach of the sub-judice rule since the case is pending at the Anti-corruption Court. The magazine alleged that the company created fake money value to the tune of Shs21b, which was transferred to its mobile money shops. It further alleges that MTN created an entity called ‘MTN Corporate Liquid Fund’ as a super-agent for transactions which were a form of illegal overdrawing of its e-accounts. However, MTN clarified last Friday: “Our staff created false value, they then went to normal existing agents who colluded with them to go and demand money. They deposited this float to an agent. The agent went to Stanbic Bank and said; ‘you see I have this transaction from MTN, can you pay me?’ Stanbic paid them,” Mr Anthony Katamba, the MTN general manager for corporate and legal affairs, told journalists in Kampala. The telecom company holds an Escrow account managed by Stanbic Bank. Officials from both firms say the total sum deposited on the account must always correspond with the amount on the mobile money account. “It is MTN’s money, got from other activities such as selling airtime, from customers using our services. So, they dug into MTN pockets because MTN has to pay the bank. So we paid out for a false transaction,” he said. According to Mr Katamba, the fraud that is the subject of the adjudication occurred in 2011. Mr Patrick Mweheire, Stanbic Bank chief executive officer, said: “Bank regulations require that if there is any shortfall, the operator (MTN) has to use its own funds to immediately top up and reconcile the Escrow account.” Customers’ money safeMr Anthony Katamba, the MTN general manager for corporate and legal affairs, said no mobile money customer lost money as MTN automatically tops up any shortfall between the escrow account in the bank and the transaction value on the platform. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Parliament-pins-institute-boss-over-nepotism/-/688334/2661740/-/hrcb0t/-/index.html","content":"Parliament pins institute boss over nepotism - PARLIAMENT. Parliament will not approve the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) budget for this year unless the institute explains findings in the Auditor General’s report which pointed out nepotism and abuse of procurement rules at the research agency. Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on Thursday evening tabled a report implicating Prof Charles Kwesiga, the UIRI executive director, over nepotism and abuse of procurement laws. He was accused of nepotism for recruiting 20 staff out of 25 without advertising the jobs while he would also reportedly dole out contracts without following procurement rules and release money for projects whose contracts had expired or had no contract at all. Prof Kwesiga’s irregular operations at UIRI were discovered by the Auditor General in his report tracking the institute’s cash flows between June 2011 and 2012. “The accounting officer was presiding over a nepotic and inherently unfair system. This was in violation of the institute’s own human resource manual, “the report pinned Prof Kwesiga, recommending that he should be investigated for “nepotism and appropriate disciplinary action taken”. A manpower audit will also be carried out to weed out all those whose recruitment was questionable with a view of terminating their employment and paving the way for fresh competitive recruitment. Prof Kwesiga is also held responsible for a contract price that rose from Shs34m to Shs46m, leading to a possible loss of Shs12m. The professor is also accused of leading 18 projects without Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) while other projects were still benefiting from government money with expired contracts. The report also blames him for flouting procurement laws by using restricted domestic bidding to award a Shs121m contract to a single party to complete a floor at the institute, effectively eliminating competitive bidding. “The institute entered into contract to supply metallic casts at Shs34m but the contract price was later varied to Shs46b (32 per cent) more than the PPDA requirement for only 15 per cent. The committee recommended that the accounting officer be held responsible for breach of procurement laws,” the report recommends.Kaberamaido District Woman MP Florence Ekwau said Prof Kwesiga should be prosecuted for mismanaging the institute. “This manager should be arrested immediately. How do you have managers running the country like this? I can summarise this report as lack of management,”Ms Ekwau said. Ms Amelia Kyambadde, the Trade and Industry minister whose docket covers UIRI, was not unavailable to shed light on what is going wrong at the Institute. However, the Speaker of Parliament, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, ruled that the institute must table a treasury memorandum detailing how cash allocations have been spent. “You come here with a treasury memoranda within one month. If you don’t, we are not going to appropriate money for UIRI for this financial year. We are giving you one month to respond to the issues that were raised in this report. If it does not come, no money,” Ms Kadaga ruled. sarinaitwe@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Court-declines-petition-Kavuma/-/688334/2657552/-/6prw12/-/index.html","content":"Court declines to receive petition against Kavuma - Western Youth MP Gerald Karuhanga and a city lawyer got stranded at the Constitutional Court this morning when nobody in the registrar’s office could receive their petition seeking to block the approval of the new Deputy Chief Justice Steven Kavuma.Justice Kavuma was due for vetting in parliament this morning alongside new cabinet ministers. The petitioners who include lawyers, MPs and civil society members claim Mr Kavuma’s appointment is unconstitutional.President Museveni confirmed Mr Kavuma as Deputy Chief Justice two weeks ago after he had served in acting capacity since March 2013 following the death of his predecessor Justice Constance Byamugisha.This morning, Western Youth MP Gerald Karuhanga and city lawyer Aron Kiiza went to the Constitutional Court to file their petition challenging Mr Kavuma’s scheduled vetting in parliament. However, none of the officials in the registrar’s office was willing to attend to them.Ms Mary Khainza, the court deputy registrar had on Tuesday asked the petitioners, Mr Karuhanga and Mr Kiiza, to file their petition today, saying she could not attend to them because it was late.However when they turned up at court this morning to file their petition, Mr Khainza told them she could not attend to them because she was sick and going to see a doctor. No other court official in the registrar’s office was ready to receive the petition and they all sneaked out of the court premises, leaving the petitioners stranded.In their suit, the petitioners claim President Museveni disregarded the mandatory advice of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in regard to the appointment of the Deputy Chief Justice which is in breach of Article 147(1a) of the Constitution."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/MTN-protests-penalty/-/688334/2643976/-/15a7ce1/-/index.html","content":"MTN protests penalty - Kampala. In what could be a major showdown between the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and MTN Uganda over breach of contract, the telecom firm yesterday said the Shs5 billion fine imposed by the regulator is “a mistake” Addressing a press briefing in Kampala, the MTN chief executive officer, Mr Brian Gouldie, said the company opposes the penalty sanction for failure of the firm to implement directives on short codes. “Discussions at several levels continue so that this can be conclusively resolved as MTN believes UCC not only made a mistake but wrongly slapped a fine for a matter MTN is already implementing and in breach of its licensing obligations,” Mr Gouldie said. He said they had been engaging UCC on the issue but on February 3, the regulator terminated all negotiations until MTN had harmonised short codes. On Tuesday, UCC imposed its first ever fine on a telecom company for failing to follow its directives. MTN was fined Shs5b (0.5% of its annual revenue) for failing to adopt short codes 130 and 131. UCC has been moving towards having all telecom companies with uniform short codes. MTN was found to have delayed the process but the company insists it did not breach any directive. Mr Gouldie said they wrote to UCC requesting for more time (at least four months) to move from the 155 and 156 short codes because customers were already used to them, adding that the company would incur additional expenses during the process. “We have to pay for advertisements to notify our customers. Already our airtime cards, flyers and sim-packs indicate the old short codes. To change all these is an expense on us as a company,” Mr Gouldie saidThe MTN boss said they would not go to court to seek remedy for the fine. “MTN is considering its options and we already spoke to the Minister of ICT, Mr John Nasasira. We believe constructive engagement is the only solution at the moment,” he added. This impasse has been ongoing for a while and can be traced as far back as 2007 when proposals to harmonise short codes were first debated. UCC stays put on fine Mr Fred Otunu, the corporate affairs director of UCC, however insisted that their position on the issue had not changed. “We shall wait for their letter but we did not act out of impulse, so our position still stands,” he told Daily Monitor in a telephone interview. He did not comment further on the allegations that UCC had terminated talks with MTN prior to imposing the fine. mmuhumuza@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/MTN-Uganda-fined-breach-UCC-directives/-/688334/2641212/-/l7v2se/-/index.html","content":"MTN Uganda fined Shs5b for breach of UCC directives - The Uganda communications commission has slapped a Shs5billion fine on MTN Uganda for alleged breach of the commissions directive's.UCC acting director for broadcasting, Mr Fred Otunnu announced on Tuesday that MTN has repeatedly defied directives from the commission particular the directive to desist from using short codes 157, 169, 178 and 183, hence violating the SMS guidelines. ''UCC issues directives to all licensees on a number of compliance issues but established that MTN has repeatedly defied Commission,\" Mr Otunu said. Accordingly, the Commission has invoked section 41 (1) (a) & 41 (2) (b) of the Uganda Communications Act and has imposed a fine on MTN (U). The commission also issued directives to operators to stop activating non registered simcards with immediate effect. Sim card registration is provided for under the regulation of inception of Communications Act 2010 and falls under the Ministry of Security. As the regulator of the sector, the Minister of Security directed UCC to oversee SIM Card registration on behalf of the Government. After the validation of the subscriber data by the operators, the fully registered SIM cards stood at 96% by January 2014. However, UCC conducted a survey and found breach of some provision of the said law where new SIM cards are activated without registration."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Thousands-rally-after-Burundi-journalist-released/-/688340/2629080/-/p1u301z/-/index.html","content":"Thousands rally after Burundi journalist released - Bujumbura (Burundi) Thousands marched through Burundi's capital Thursday in one of the largest demonstrations in recent years after the release of a popular journalist and government critic from jail, months ahead of key elections. Vast crowds singing and dancing filled the streets of Bujumbura a day after Bob Rugurika, director of the popular independent African Public Radio (RPA), was released from prison on bail. There was no official figure for how many took to the streets, but residents said the mass rally of tens of thousands was the largest they could remember. \"I'm 50 and I have never seen such a crowd in the streets,\" said Fabian, a teacher, saying the only event comparable in size he could remember were celebrations for Burundi's first elected president Melchior Ndadaye in 1993. The arrest of Rugurika for \"complicity\" in the murder of three Italian nuns sparked protests by civil rights activists and fellow journalists, who have accused the government of doing all it can to sideline political challengers ahead of elections in May and June, including arrests, harassment and a clampdown on free speech. The radio is seen as close to the political opposition, and often interviews those who say they are victims of injustice or discrimination. \"I have no words to thank the Burundian population,\" Rugurika said in radio broadcast, after entering the capital followed by supporters crammed into dozens of cars and hundreds on motorbikes. \"Thanks to your support, your commitment... I'm free at last.\" - 'Fed-up' with government - The interior ministry had initially banned demonstrations but the huge crowds took police by surprise, and they pulled back to leave marchers to continue peacefully. Thierry Vircoulon of the International Crisis Group (ICG) said the demonstration showed that people in the capital were \"fed up with those in power and their methods.\" Rugurika was arrested on January 21 after broadcasting the purported confession of a man claiming he was one of the killers. A court on Wednesday granted him bail of 15 million Burundi francs ($9,500, 8,400 euros), but his lawyer Lambert Nigarura said there was a need for a proper investigation into the \"real murderers of the three nuns.\" For broadcasting the alleged confession, Rugurika was charged with complicity in the murders, \"breach of public solidarity\" and disclosing confidential information regarding a case. 1 | 2 Next Page»The supposed confession contradicted a police account of the crime and implicated the security services. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Burundi, a small landlocked nation in central Africa's Great Lakes region, emerged in 2006 from a brutal 13-year civil war. The political climate remains fractious ahead of local, parliamentary and presidential polls beginning in May. The three Roman Catholic nuns, aged between 75 and 83, were murdered at a convent north of Bujumbura in September. Rights groups have warned of growing fears of the risk of violence ahead of elections, with a string of attacks including a five-day battle last month between the army and rebels. President Pierre Nkurunziza, in power since 2005, is expected to run for a third term in office despite opponents' claims that a new mandate would violate Burundi's constitution. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/Caf--football--underhanded--tactics/-/690266/2616666/-/al98asz/-/index.html","content":"Caf needs to do more to rid football of underhanded tactics - Cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic was in such prolific form on Twitter the other day when Equatorial Guinea bundled Tunisia out of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). Mauritian referee, Rajindraparsad Seechurn, was trending on the microblogging site after he had the temerity to give Equatorial Guinea a stoppage time penalty for a phantom challenge that would barely break an egg. Leading 1-0, Tunisia was on track to reach the last four before Seechurn harshly ruled Ali Maaloul to have fouled Ivan Bolado. Tunisia would go on to lose the match 2-1 thanks to Javier Balboa’s dead-ball expertise. For Micho there was an eerie familiarity about the whole episode. “This same referee,” Micho wrote “took away from me and my team [Al] Hilal Sudan [a certain appearance in the] Caf Confederation Cup final 2010 versus [CS] Sfaxien”. In his preceding tweet, the Serb had asked, rather rhetorically: “If this penalty against Tunisia happen (sic) in Afcon on highest level, what kind of officiation is in Caf competitions where cameras are not there?” What usually happens — as Micho knows — is pure, unadulterated robbery. This usually is the case because continental football governing body, Caf, allows hosting football associations (FAs) to be menacingly close to a refereeing entourage. The hosting FAs and teams are mandated to pick up the tab of a refereeing entourage, and in so doing always seem to cross the ethical rubicon. Anecdotal evidence certainly points to that, with many referees delving into the dark arts of either covertly or overtly offering home sides a helping hand. So often they get away with slaps on the wrist. Karma ensures that no-one is insulated from them. Tunisia, who were crying foul the other day, gleefully welcomed a dubious penalty that Daniel Benet generously handed them against Togo at Afcon 2013. And don’t get your columnist started on Afcon 2004 when the Carthage Eagles won their first and only Afcon title. What goes around comes around as someone once said. Caf should act sooner than later to halt this tailspinning. If URA FC’s chairman, Ali Sekatawa, is to be believed, the much-maligned continental football body took a few baby steps recently. Sekatwa says Caf tweaked its Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup rules. Visiting teams in the competitions will now pick up the tab for all their expenses. This means that the foul play of being subjected to a rickety hotel in a noisy neighbourhood far from the match venue won’t see the light of day. This is a step in the right direction and cannot be lauded more. Why Fufa and National Council of Sports sure are birds of a feather Uganda has taken to sport being played between the four walls of a courtroom like a duck to water. Lamentably, preoccupation with the courtroom will continue to be central to Ugandan sport following two recent events — National Council of Sports’ disbandment of 52 of 54 [erstwhile] sports federations/associations as well as the $1.9m (Shs 5.4bn) marriage of Fufa and Azam TV. Far from being gleaming milestones, the events have only served to sound war drums with their centrality being hotly disputed. Beyond the piercing shrills of this pro and that con is a unifying strand worth exploring. The unifying strand stems from what one can loosely call a work environment. The gentleman’s agreement dictates it be conducive. There are no gentlemen in Ugandan sport, though. Just men in grey suits who are to be avoided!The men in grey suits have become specialists in creating a work environment that is hardly conducive. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/Minister-tells-Fufa-to-terminate-Azam-deal/-/690266/2612028/-/147met9z/-/index.html","content":"Minister tells Fufa to terminate Azam deal - KAMPALA. Sports minister Charles Bakkabulindi has asked Fufa to stick to the MoU they entered with the Uganda Super League (USL) April last year a day after the federation controversially sold rights to broadcast the topflight competition to Tanzanian broadcasters Azam.Azam acquired the rights on a three-and-a-half-year deal worth $1.9m (Shs5.4b) yet the five-year $5m (Shs14.3b) broadcast deal between South African Pay-TV SuperSport and USL, who assumed the commercial side of running the league in the said MoU, was due to expire at the end of the 2015/16 season. Fufa had on January 30 written to Bakkabulindi informing him of the termination of their dealings with USL before the USL followed with their own correspondence to the minister.“The letter and spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding the Federation of Uganda Football Associations makes reference to in its letter…,” reads in part Bakkabulindi’s statement “…if legally binding as between the parties at the time it was reached; should be sustained in the broader interest of promoting the game of football and avoiding the unnecessary and usually protracted likely litigation.” It continues: “I am also sure that both your entities are aware of the cardinal norm and trend in sports, and that is therefore strategically important that all efforts be made. “And I strongly encourage that reference be made of the simmering conflict to arbitration under the current and appropriate legal regime force in Uganda; where and if mediation has failed to address the contradictions in the said agreement.“I am bolden in giving this advice having had the opportunity to peruse through the Memorandum of Understanding endorsed by both of you; which provides for arbitration in the event of there being a breach and/or dispute within the context of the Memorandum of Understanding before invoking termination provisions. “Please treat this matter with the urgency it deserves as Government is keen on ensuring the smooth organizational management of the Uganda Premier League.” amwanguhya@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Arch-Bishop--Ntagali-sued/-/688334/2610564/-/15uhm9lz/-/index.html","content":"Arch-Bishop  Ntagali sued - KAMPALA. Four senior priests in the Anglican Church have sued the Arch-Bishop of Uganda Stanley Ntagali, accusing him of ‘forcefully’ retiring the Bishop of Kitgum Diocese. In a case filed before the High court, the four reverend canons; Samuel Obol, Laban Awok, Moses Opira and Alfred Omony Ogaba claim that the forceful retirement of Rt. Rev. Bishop Benjamin Ojwang was unlawful, breach of contract and of the principles of natural justice. They are now seeking to protect the constitutional rights of Rt. Rev. Bishop Ojwang, other bishops facing similar threats of unlawful removal and to protect their own rights as members of the Church of Uganda.The Arch-Bishop was jointly sued with the Church of Uganda and the registered trustees of the church.The canons also want a declaration that the forceful retirement of the Rt. Rev. Bishop Ojwang, or any other bishop for that matter without following the canons of the Church of Uganda, the laws and natural justice is unlawful. They also want a permanent injunction restraining the Arch-Bishop from putting in place a caretaker for Kitgum Diocese.“Our passion is to help prevent the church of Uganda from collapsing upon itself due to internal contradictions, instability in the positions of Bishops in the tenure of their offices especially when some rebellious Christians generate pressure in various dioceses and demand for the removal of their leaders and the whole church does not follow the set rules,” claims the four senior priests.According to the court documents seen by Daily Monitor, the bishops claim that the only circumstances under which a Bishop of the Church of Uganda can be removed from office is upon the death, illness, affected by any other incapacitation of the Diocesan Bishop.In August the 22nd session of the Church of Uganda General Synod passed a resolution asking Bishop Ojwang to step down by December 14, 2014, three years before his mandatory retirement in 2017.In December Bishop Ojwang threatened to file suit against the church, if it did not quash the call for his resignation.Since the beginning of his tenure, Bishop Ojwang has stirred controversies, suing the clergy and dismissing others.In 2007, he was locked in the vestry of town parish church in Kitgum by a section of Christians who said they did not want him to lead the church service.Bishop Ojwang became the second Bishop of Kitgum after peace-award winner Bishop McLeod Baker Ochola retired in 2002. jkigongo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Drop-directive-to-peg-salary-to-national-IDs/-/689360/2589222/-/k9cqdg/-/index.html","content":"Drop directive to peg salary to national IDs - Registration for the national Identity Cards (IDs) by civil servants should not be a precondition before any civil servant draws a salary, beginning July 2015. This is why government should drop the proposals to treat as ‘ghosts’ all civil servants without the national IDs. Secretary to Treasury Keith Muhakanizi and Internal Affairs ministry permanent secretary Stephen Kagoda cannot deny any civil servant earning salary they worked for. This directive would wrongly equalise earning a salary and acquiring a national ID as Makerere University constitutional law lecturer Kabumba Busingye says. But Mr Muhakanizi could be right to assume civil servants opposed to the directive might be perpetrators of ‘ghosts’ on the government payroll. But he has no backing of the law to stop civil servants drawing their pay cheques. No registration or possession of a national ID is spelt out as a precondition for salary payment in the Uganda Public Service Standing Orders, 2012. And as human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo warns; this would breach the rights of civil servants to employment. At best, Mr Muhakanizi’s and Kagoda’s directives should only be advisory, especially in absence of a law passed by Parliament.No doubt, registering for a national ID is a noble civic duty and right of every citizen. Also, acquiring a national ID is great in many ways. But this should not be a gunpoint directive. Neither should it be a precondition for earning wages. The directive defeats the purpose of a national ID. It would transcend identification to being the only determinant of employment and earning wages. Yet, common practice has established other authentic personal identification or verification documents besides the current national ID. These include bonafide current passport, and current full photo card of Uganda driving licence. And any of these can be used to prove bonafide identity for any civil servant to draw salary; not only national ID. But as it stands, the directive smacks of failure to decently manage both the national ID project and civil servants salary payrolls. The ID registration project that commenced in April 2014 has been dogged by irregularities. To date, after the exercise closed on January 11, 2015, fewer than 500,000 of the estimated 15 million registered Ugandans have been issued the IDs. Even as the registration exercise ended on Sunday, many Ugandans are still trying to register. So, civil servants’ registration for national IDs, as it is with other Ugandans, remains work in progress.In sum, as lawyers Kabumba and Opiyo assert, the directive risks government being sued. The issue: ID registrationOur view: So, civil servants registration for National ID, as it is with other Ugandans, remains work in progress. In sum, as lawyers Kabumba and Opiyo assert, the directive risks government being sued."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Rugby/Pirates-fail-to-hold-onto-lead-against-Heathens-again/-/690276/2585934/-/rq19ppz/-/index.html","content":"Pirates fail to hold onto lead against Heathens again - Kampal Pirates and Mongers will look back at this weekend and realize they had to do more than they did during their respective Nile Special Premiership games. Both sides managed to get to half time leading their games but old habits came back to haunt them when they needed to hold on for wins . It seems like Mongers just won’t win away from home while Pirates always wilt at the death against Heathens after outclassing them for the bigger part of the game.Mongers’ loss means they have lost more ground on Kobs and Heathens and will need results from elsewhere to place them back into the title race.Pirates led pack leaders Heathens 9-0 before cracking in the last ten minutes, something they have mastered whenever they play them while Mongers led Kobs 10-9 only to squander their lead with an average second half show. “The boys should master the simple basics. We keep throwing away games courtesy of the small errors, It’s frustrating to lose games in this manner,” said Pirates` Dennis Etuket. Pirates let in second half tries from Alex Mubiru, Roland Bahendeka and Phillip Wokorach to turn tables and give Heathens a much needed win to maintain their two point lead on the table despite failing to pick a bonus point that would have seen them extend their lead, while Mongers allowed Oscar Kalyango and Scot Oluoch to breach their defence with a try each. “These days we play for a win, the bonus point talk comes in as a ‘by the way’ because for some reason all games are hard to predict due to the stiff competition,” reasoned Heathens captain Michael Wokorach. Buffaloes’ 24-03 win over Impis saw them leap frog Pirates into fifth while Rhinos win brought them within touching distance with Mongers. Saturday Rugby resultsHeathens 17-12 PiratesKobs 22 -16 MongersBuffaloes 24-03 ImpisRhinos 22-06 Warriors dbugembe@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/KCCA-sued-over-Shs400b-loan/-/688334/2585644/-/a9lnqbz/-/index.html","content":"KCCA sued over Shs400b loan - Kampala. A concerned citizen has sued Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) alongside the Attorney General challenging the manner in which $175 million (about Shs400 billion) was recently passed by Parliament without quorum of one-third.Mr Moses Muhumuza, a resident of Kisaasi, a Kampala suburb, lodged the petition in the Constitutional Court on December 31, 2014. In his petition, Mr Muhumuza states that on December 19 last year, Parliament adopted and passed a resolution to allow KCCA borrow from World Bank a loan of $175 million and yet the members present in the House were less than 80.The petitioner states this abnormality was brought by Busiro East MP Medard Ssegona to the attention of Parliament that was being chaired by Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah at the time.He states that to that effect, Mr Oulanyah adjourned the House for 15 minutes and resumed thereafter by having members present vote and yet the quorum was not one-third.According to Mr Muhumuza, the money in question is intended to finance the Kampala institutional and infrastructural development projects.He now wants court to declare that: “the passing of the resolution with members in the House less than the number prescribed by law under Rule 23 of the Parliamentary rules of procedure of the 9th Parliament is in breach of provisions of articles 2 (1) & (2), 88 and 94 of the Constitution and Rule 23 of procedure of Parliament.”Mr Muhumuza, through his lawyers Kairu & Co Advocates faults KCCA for having resolved and sent a request to Cabinet to borrow the money in question from World Bank very well knowing the Authority is not lawfully constituted as enshrined in sections 6 and 7 of the KCCA Act. Court is yet to receive the defence of KCCA and AG before the matter can be fixed and heard. Related issue If this money is annulled, it will be yet another legislation that has been thrown out because Parliament passed it without the required quorum. In July last year, the Constitutional Court annulled the anti-gays law that has been signed into law in February, 2014. It ruled the Bill was passed by MPs without the requisite quorum and was therefore illegal. awesaka@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Gambia-failed-coup--The-inside-story/-/689844/2584568/-/i49cay/-/index.html","content":"Gambia failed coup: The inside story - A 22-page affidavit submitted to a US court following the arrest of two of the alleged conspirators tells of coup plotters criss-crossing continents, stuffing weapons in barrels and hiding in bushes, using codenames like “Fox” as they tried to keep their identities secret. But it also suggests that the plotters were naive, thinking the autocratic ruler’s guards would flee or switch sides, helping them to gain power without much bloodshed. Instead, the guards put up a spirited fight, thwarting the coup attempt launched in the early hours of December 30, 2014, by men wearing night vision goggles and armed with semi-automatic rifles allegedly bought in the US. ‘Plan stored online’Agent Nicholas Marshall suggests in the affidavit that the plot was hatched in the US in August, ostensibly to restore democracy in The Gambia - a tiny West African state ruled by Yahya Jammeh since he staged a bloodless coup in 1994. Allegedly led by 57-year-old Texas businessman Cherno Njie, it had a core of 10-15 members living in the US, UK and Germany - with the US as their headquarters. “They hoped they would be able to takeover the country without having to kill any Gambians. They [had] also expected to be joined by up to 160 members of the local Gambian military who supposedly agreed to the coup,” Mr Marshall says. Mr Njie - a US citizen of Gambian origin - was alleged to be the main financier and he would have been installed, according to Mr Marshall, as The Gambia’s leader if the coup succeeded. One of the Texas businessman’s co-conspirators was allegedly Papa Faal, 46, a US-Gambian national who assumed the nom de guerre Fox. He handed himself to US authorities after the plot failed - and allegedly spilled the beans to the FBI. Both Mr Njie and Mr Faal have been charged in US courts with conspiring to overthrow president Jammeh, but they have not yet been asked to plead. “The group’s Operation Plan was stored online where only members of the conspiracy could view it,” the FBI agent says. “Faal did not believe anyone outside of the group, including the US government, knew of their plans. Nor did Faal believe that any of their conspirators let their wives or families know about the coup attempt ahead of time.” US nationals of Gambian origin are alleged to have bought weapons from gun shops across America.“Most, if not all of the members of the group, had served in The Gambian or US military, and were avid shooters,” Mr Marshall says. “Faal enjoyed going to the firing range in the US for practise, but did not go shooting specifically for operational purposes.” Mr Faal spent $6,000 (Shs17m) on buying eight M4 semi-automatic rifles in Minnesota, hid them in four “50 gallon barrels” and stuffed clothing around the “disassembled weapons to conceal them”, the FBI agent adds. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Suspended-Makerere-University-don-goes-to-court/-/688334/2581144/-/16wpoe/-/index.html","content":"Suspended don takes Makerere to court - KAMPALA-  Suspended Makerere University professor has petitioned the High Court in Kampala seeking to be reinstated and an order restraining the university from investigating him.  Prof Elisam Magara sued the university and the Vice Chancellor Prof Ddumba Ssentamu over his suspension.  Mr Magara, a lecturer in the East African School of Library and Information Science, claims he was on December 4, 2014 unfairly suspended on false accusations that he awarded marks to students and submitted them to the Head of Department without marking the scripts.  It was further alleged that Mr Magara had claimed and gotten paid for the unmarked scripts.  However, through his lawyers of Akampumuza and Co. Advocates, Mr Magara, a former contender for the VC seat, claims he was being witch hunted. He says his suspension without a fair hearing by the university tribunal or to be invited to respond to the allegations against him is in breach of the principle of natural justice.  “That the 2nd respondent (Prof Ddumba) also adjudged me guilty of gross academic misconduct and actions prejudicial to the proper performance of duties and the university image, a decision I challenged through my lawyers without corrective action or response,” Prof Magara says in his sworn affidavit.  He contends that the tribunal sent him an email to appear before it after the date and time for the appearance had expired. Mr Magara wants court to quash his suspension. He also wants court to award him damages for “oppressive treatment” by the university. When contacted yesterday, Prof Ddumba reiterated that Prof Magara was suspended because he awarded and submitted marks without marking the examination scripts.  “As a VC, I have the powers to suspend him (Prof Magara) given the fact that his actions amount to gross misconduct and tarnishes the image of the university,” Prof Ddumba charged. He further said Mr Magara was written to and he replied but his explanation was not satisfactory to the investigating committee. When asked about the case before court, Prof Ddumba said, “I am not aware of that.” jkigongo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/What-will-2015-big-global-stories-be-/-/689844/2577134/-/5nvwqgz/-/index.html","content":"What will 2015 big global stories be? - 2015 will be another year of global consequence in the Middle East and just beyond.The year ended with major security challenges in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. This situation will be further aggravated in 2015. Better relations between Pakistan, India and Afghanistan will be essential but difficult. 2015 will be a critical year in the battle against Islamist groups on many fronts.The US will strive to limit its military engagement but won’t be able to pull away despite President Obama’s best laid plans to do so. In Iraq, the US will strive to strengthen Iraqi forces to take back iconic cities seized by the Islamic State group. Iraq will remain fragmented, as will Syria, where a deadly stalemate will continue. Financial pressures stemming from a sustained slump in oil prices will not cause key players to abandon their allies but will increase pressure to find a way out. Oil producers Russia and Iran - President Bashar al-Assad’s key backers - will weigh new political approaches including the UN plan for a local “freeze” in Aleppo. The West, Arab states and Turkey will continue to back different forces, impeding any united opposition front. Assad’s own forces are stretched, and strained. 2015 is a pivotal year on other fronts. There are reasons to believe a deal will be reached on Iran’s nuclear programme. US Secretary of State John Kerry will try to revive Israeli-Palestinian talks after Israel’s elections but there are too many tensions in the mix to make real progress possible. This will be another year of global hand wringing over the inability of world powers to resolve many major crises. And, all the while, the armies of the desperate will continue to swell with ever more people forced to become refugees or migrants risking their lives at sea. Containing Syria, a resurgent RussiaWestern diplomats face two major challenges as 2015 dawns: how to contain contagion from Syria’s collapse; and how to tackle a resurgent Russia. On the first, in theory a nuclear deal with Iran could unveil a new paradigm in the Middle East, transforming Tehran from pariah into partner. The West and Iran already share a common enemy - the IS jihadists currently dismembering Syria and Iraq. Both sides desire a deal, the West to avoid a nuclear-armed Iran, President Rouhani to get sanctions lifted. But the window for compromise is closing: sceptical Republicans now controlling Capitol Hill encumber President Obama and Tehran conservatives would rather block than back a deal ahead of parliamentary elections. Then there is what to do about Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad, Iran’s key ally, but unacceptable as part of any compromise in many Western capitals. So the most likely outcome is continued mayhem, contained somewhat by air strikes, with the hydra-headed problem left for the next American president, while Iran seeks other ways to breach the stranglehold of sanctions. Likewise a deal with Russia over Ukraine may appear preferable to an escalating conflict. And you might think Russia’s economic worries would make Mr Putin more pliant. But loss of trust on all sides makes a breakthrough unlikely. Kiev and Western powers now view Moscow with the utmost suspicion. And President Putin welcomes reduced contacts with the West as an opportunity for Russia to become more self-reliant. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Gulu-events-promoter-to-sue-Chameleone/-/688334/2566098/-/2mbt96/-/index.html","content":"Gulu events promoter to sue Chameleone - Kabale. Popular artiste Joseph Mayanja, aka, Chameleone is in trouble with Big Time Events a local events organiser in Gulu District for breach of contract that has resulted into loss of cash totaling to Shs 50 million.Dr Chameleone was meant to perform at the Wale-Wale concert at Bomah Hotel in Gulu Town for which patrons paid a fee ranging from Shs10,000 to Shs150,000 for VIP seats.The chief executive officer, Big Time Events, Mr Joseph Kenneth Onen, told Daily Monitor he is ready to take the artiste to court and claim damages.Speaking to Daily Monitor in a telephone interview, on Sunday Mr Onen alleges he signed a contract with Chameleone’s manager Mr Robert Nkuke, for the artiste to perform at the concert on Friday, but the singer did not turn up.“I have proof of every transaction we made with chameleon’s manager. We negotiated to bring Chameleon at Shs6 million, and also made a down payment of Shs3 million, but Mr Chameleon did not show up,” he said. Mr Onen, says he paid for the venue, sound system, adverts and other artistes, but the crowd that turned up for the concert demanded to be refunded their money, when Mr Chameleone failed to turn up.“I have lost all the money that I had, I am completely broke and left without any money, all I want is the matter be taken to court. I am already consulting with my lawyers on the matter and Chameleone pays me all the money I lost in organising the concert.When Daily Monitor contacted Mr Ntuke, he blamed Mr Onen for not heeding his request not to go ahead with the show. “We actually called the promoter on Wednesday informing him to cancel the show because Chameleone had an emergency. We even told him we would settle some of the expenses he incurred, but to our surprise hewent on with his plans,” he said. He added if Onen had taken their advise serious, he would not have incurred such huge losses.“Ask the person in Lira, we talked to him and he understood and cancelled the show. If Onen had done the same, we would not have such problems,” Mr Ntuke said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/Liverpool---Arsenal-to-share-points/-/690266/2561494/-/p9mtpv/-/index.html","content":"Liverpool - Arsenal to share points - PREMIERSHIP Man City vs Crystal PalaceHere is a great chance for Man City to pile up untold pressure on Chelsea. The current league leaders do not play until Monday night at Stoke, and for this early kickoff two days earlier Man City can actually go top if they beat Crystal Palace 4-0, tie the London Blues on points and goal difference but go ahead by one in the goals-scored column. That scoreline might be too much to ask considering the absence of lethal marksman Sergio Augero, his prolific back-up Edin Dzeko and third deputy Stevan Jovetic. And even with them available Palace would not be pushovers as they pose their own big attacking threat. City will have to hunt with their scoring midfielders Toure, Nasri, Silva and record-breaking Lampard, and I reckon all that Pellegrini will ask for is three points. Home win Stoke vs ChelseaBy ending Chelsea’s unbeaten run only recently, Newcastle have done Stoke a disservice as the Britannia outfit is one of the few in the Premiership that could have ambushed and surprised the Blues. Most likely, Man City will have drawn level on points with Jose Mourinho’s side by the tie this game is played, and even with the pressure that will bring there will be dogged determination along with it. Explains why, despite putting out a strong team for the Capital One Cup in midweek, Mourinho still gave breathers to Diego Costa, Oscar, Willian, Ivanovic, Cahill and Courtois, whose freshness will be complimented by Eden Hazard’s superb form. And Mourinho is one you would expect to have a plan to stop little Barca product Bojan Krkic, through whom all of Stoke’s good stuff running at the moment. It will be tough but Chelsea will edge it. Away win Aston Villa vs Man United This Man United run of consecutive wins has to stop not too long from now, and Villa Park would be a good place to end it, if only Christian Benteke, Gaby Agbonlahor and Andreas Weinmann could rediscover their confidence in front of goal. We know there will be chances, and we know deep down that David De Gea can’t stop them all, not every single game. Villa will desperately need that, because we also know that on the other end United will beat Brad Guzan even if they might not create too many, thanks to having proven goal scorers Rooney, Van Persie and Mata now in form. Falcao is due another goal too, and Angel Di Maria could return. Away win Liverpool vs Arsenal They created a multitude of chances at Old Trafford and then scored freely and won at Bournemouth in midweek, and so Liverpool’s confidence levels will be up a notch from the depths they had sunk after Basel last week. The dilemma that will linger for Brendan Rodgers is choosing the right midfield combination, an area in which he has plenty of options but has failed spectacularly again and again. If he can’t find a place for Lucas Leiva (it boggles the mind) at least there should be one for Emre Can alongside Gerrard and Henderson, and a starting berth for Mario Balotelli with Sterling one side and either Coutinho or Lallana or Markovic on the other. Arsenal do not have similar selection problems and are guaranteed to create and score, but Liverpool should breach them too. Draw BUNDESLIGA Mainz vs Bayern MunichThe German champions have hit their stride now, and the two wide men Robben and Ribery are back to their very best. With their dominance in midfield and the scoring knack of Muller, Gotze and Lewandowski to boot, they are almost impossible to stop now. Away win Leverkusen vs FrankfurtHome win & Over 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/CSO-condemns-increasing-cases-of-sexual-violence/-/688334/2552422/-/h5doc2z/-/index.html","content":"CSO condemns increasing cases of sexual violence ahead of the festive season - KAMPALA As the festive season draws closer, concerned civil society organizations have come out to condemn the increasing cases of rape and sexual assault against women, especially at recreational centers.Centre for Domestic Violence Prevention (CEDOVIP), cites the recent incident that reportedly happened at Satellite beach Mukono (Roof top) where women were raped and no action either by the police or the owners of the facility has been taken against the perpetuators.“Despite the fact that rape is a crime in the laws of Uganda and the constitution makes it clear that every woman, man, girl and boy have a right to dignity and safety in public or private, the recent occurrences of rape of women at the Mukono Satellite beach is a breach of the constitution,” said Ms Brenda Kugonza, the Programs Coordinator of CEDOVIP while addressing the media in Kampala.She added: “the victims need justice and the women and girls in general need protection. How long shall we be silent when rape is happening with impunity in public spheres? Remember this could happen to your wife, daughter, sister or grad daughter.” To that effect, CEDOVIP has tasked the police to specifically protect women and girls from rape at social hang outs especially during this festive season.Speaking ahead of the festive season, the director of police operations; Andrew Felix Kaweesi at a press conference Monday warned the owners of recreational centers, especially the beaches to put in place the security mechanisms to protect those who will flock their places this season.However, the manager of Satellite beach Mr Bashir Wamala refuted the allegations by the civil society, saying they were ‘baseless’.“You know we have competitors and I believe these are one of their schemes that they want to use to bring us down. But let me assure you, no such incident happened and our premises are secure…” said Mr Wamala in a phone interview with this reporter.According to the 2013 police crime report, sexual violence (rape and defilement) are the leading sexual related crimes standing at 1, 0640 cases. awesaka@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/NSSF-faces-eviction-from-West-Nile-golf-premises/-/688334/2551346/-/26t1rfz/-/index.html","content":"NSSF faces eviction from West Nile golf premises - ARUA- The board of trustees of West Nile Golf Club in Arua has resolved to evict the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) from a building the fund helped to construct in a joint venture. In 2003, NSSF entered into a joint venture with West Nile Golf Club to sub-lease part of its land to develop a complex which would also host the regional offices of NSSF. But now the club accuses the Fund of breach of contract for doing shoddy work and lack of transparency in its dealings with them 10 years since the contract was signed and construction commenced. The club’s project manager, Mr Aggrey Adrale, told reporters in Arua that they moved to lock the offices of the fund after several requests about their obligations were ignored. “They [NSSF] have also held onto our land title which we gave them to extend the lease because the initial one was expiring, every time we ask for it, they give excuses,” Mr Adrale said. But the corporation secretary of NSSF, Mr Richard Wabwire, told Daily Monitor on phone on Tuesday: “Those who want to evict us are acting individually and we still occupy the premises but police are handling the matter.” “As far as we are concerned, what I know is that the joint venture agreement like any other business between us and the West Nile Golf Club, still stands,” Mr Wabwire added. Last week, a section of club members briefly locked the offices but were later broken into by the police. Mr Patrick Alioni, the public relations officer of the golf club said: “The golf course has become a safe haven for all wrong doers in Arua Town, girls are raped here and all bad things you can think of are planned in golf course because we no longer have control over it.” The captain of the club, Mr Charles Asiki, in May this year wrote a letter to the managing director of the Fund reminding the company to vacate the premises. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/So-what-if-she-didn-t-tell-you-about-the-baby-/-/689842/2546108/-/jarshk/-/index.html","content":"So what if she didn’t tell you about the baby? - JamieIt would be okay but that would only last till the day her man finds out. Then all trust will be broken. There are is damage that can’t be repaired and this is an example. Well, revenge is best served cold. It would probably deteriorate into a waiting game. Cheated men many times have acted irrationally, trying to hurt their spouses back.Ivan OkudaQuite hard one, especially if you are the type that expects nothing but honesty and opening up as the foundation of the relationship and worse still If you have opened up your shelf to her. To conceal the existence of that other child would be to breach trust, to make me suspect there’s so much going on in her life that can endanger the affair. But maybe, just maybe, she has her own reasons. . Let’s talk about it baby so I understand where you are coming from. Eugene MugishaI would like to pretend that this would not be an issue, but the truth is that it is. Not her having the baby, there is nothing wrong with that, but her keeping it away from me. It’s like she was first securing her place before she could bombshell me. I might have been able to have love for her, but not her with her baby. That sounds cruel but, it’s sadly the truth.Andrew WallaceGranted, not everyone needs to know everything about your past! Some women feel the urge to unload on the new guys all their dysfunctional past, only to scare them away. I think it is plain dumb. But there are certain things you just can’t afford to hide from a man. Children from the past, especially. Once he finds out, he is going to think you are trying to set him up and take advantage of the good hearted and patient man he is.That is a telltale sign for any man. If she can hide a living human being, imagine what else she hasn’t told you yet!? The situation doesn’t get any better. I think to avoid future drama this should be a potential deal breaker.BenjieI think that is a big deal. When you are serious with/about someone, their responsibilities become yours. So it is important that at some point, if you know that things are going to be serious, or want them to be, you should talk about the child because if you do not do it at an appropriate time, then it gets more complicated. Then problem usually is “When is the right moment’ to talk about the child?” The guysJamie, the realist: 36. Married, father of two.Eugene Mugisha: 29, the dating guru.Benjie: 27, singleIvan Okuda: 20, at university.Andrew Wallace: 28, just married."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Heart-to-Heart/A-happy-relationship-is-just-about-openness/-/691230/2543378/-/swg37x/-/index.html","content":"A happy relationship is just about openness - My uncle Dominic and his wife Marion are an exemplary couple. When I grow up I want to be like them; they are so enviable, and their relationship fascinates so many people.They have four brilliant children and have made it a point to share responsibilities in their home, pray as a family, and have meals together. The respect they command between themselves is enough to rub onto the people around them. When they are alone, you will never hear the sound of the TV or a mobile phone ring.When you look at them you cannot help but wonder what keeps them happy. Jonathan, a marriage counsellor, once told me openness is one of the key aspects of a relationship. He said once one party chooses to have a secret pin in their phone or jealously protect the password on social media, then they surely have something to hide. And this is the beginning of breach of trust for most couples. The other thing he hinted on was the idea of going to bed with anger. He noted that when a couple goes to bed with unsettled scores, then there is no doubt that they are bound to lose intimacy. This will lead to less or no romance because there is no way you will initiate things when another is sulking.Couples need to always talk about any issues that may be disturbing them to avoid carrying them on to the following morning. If you cannot resolve it within an hour before bed, then get some ample time where both your minds are ready to sort out the misunderstanding. Anger will only ruin your day’s plans because then your mind is disorganised and you cannot do anything productive. And then the blame will be shifted to your spouse. I once heard of a couple who were not in talking terms, so if one wanted something, they would just write it down. One day the man asked his wife to wake him up at a certain hour, and because he wrote that on paper, she also chose to wake him up in writing. You can picture the look on his face to find a note, two-three hours later waking him up. That is how bad breakdown in communication can get in a marriage.I believe there is no problem too hard to talk about to cause a communication blackout.All couples experience disagreements but they will remind themselves about their ultimate goal, which is peace and harmony. They try to understand each other and work hard towards a solution, and this moves along with respect and love.We can have as many healthy and happy couples if people stop taking their partners for granted, spend more time together and also keep the respect and love for each other.kakiiki27@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Court-clears-NRM-delegates-conference/-/688334/2542642/-/u5s2svz/-/index.html","content":"Court clears NRM delegates conference - Kampala. The NRM delegates conference slated for December 15 is to go on, the High Court in Kampala has ruled.This is after court threw out an application that had been filed by Capt (rtd) Daudi Ruhinda Maguru, a former aide to President Museveni, seeking court’s orders to stop the conference. Capt Maguru had reasoned that the delegates conference, if held, would be in breach of an earlier consent judgement that he entered into with the NRM top leadership on October 25, 2010. That year, he had been technically locked out from contesting against Mr Museveni as the party flag bearer in the last elections.But Judge Lydia Mugambe held in her summary ruling yesterday that the balance of convenience tilted in NRM’s holding the delegates conference before encouraging Mr Maguru to raise his issues for redress during the meeting.“On the balance of convenience, it appears the delegates conference on December 15 is to address constitutional amendments which in my understanding of the consent judgement attached may canvass a lot, if not all, of the issues consented to in the consent judgement,” ruled Justice Mugambe The consent judgement arose from a case in which Mr Maguru had sued NRM alleging that he was deliberately stopped from challenging President Museveni for party flag-bearer. He dropped this case and demanded Shs70 million as costs. Subsequently, a consent judgement presided over by then principal judge James Ogoola. awesaka@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Nadduli-calls-on-Museveni-to-check-illegal-army-deployment/-/688334/2541210/-/10qrookz/-/index.html","content":"Nadduli calls on Museveni to check illegal army deployment - Luweero- Luweero District chairperson Abdul Nadduli has advised President Museveni to check the illegal deployment of UPDF soldiers on private property. Hajj Nadduli claims that soldiers intimidate legitimate owners of property, an act he said reminds the country about past governments, yet the UPDF has had a good reputation as a people’s army. “I have been a victim on my own property where UPDF officers continue patrolling my property. We have also seen the army involved in illegal evictions among other acts. It is the Commander-in-Chief who can rein in on his men,” Hajj Nadduli told a press conference in Luweero last Friday. Citing the case of Kampala University Luweero Study Centre, Hajj Nadduli claimed that the property is guarded by the army, police and some private security agencies who have been instructed to arrest any member from his family if they step foot at the campus. However, Prof Badru Katerega, the vice chancellor Kampala University, denied the allegations. “We do not have any soldiers at our study centre in Luweero. The security guards there are not members of the UPDF. We are implementing a court order that bars him [Nadduli] from getting near the university premise until the case involving him and the university is disposed of,” Prof Katerega said yesterday. The army deputy spokesperson, Maj Henry Obbo, said he was not aware of such deployments at the university. “The UPDF cannot allow its officers to be deployed while in civilian clothes... I think Hajj Nadduli can help us identify any individual using the name of the UPDF illegally because he is a leader. He should not drag the UPDF in civilian matters,” Maj Obbo said. The Luweero boss and Prof Badru Katerega are currently involved in a property wrangle involving land at the University study centre where Nadduli claims a breach of contract. Nadduli wants Kampala University officials to vacate the premise at Nakyewa. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/KCCA--Review-policy-on-vendors/-/806314/2529674/-/13i3akkz/-/index.html","content":"KCCA: Review policy on vendors - That a baby was accidentally run over by a KCCA car while her mother was in custody at the premises is a major and inexcusable tragedy. We can blame it on negligence of the driver but it is much more than that. It is symptomatic of a society that continues to undervalue and disrespect human dignity. Let us start with the issue of vendors. The whole policy regarding vendors needs to be looked at with a bit more scrutiny. Vendors are really not a problem for Kampala city so long as they are orderly. They actually do provide a genuine service to the residents of Kampala and majority of them are trying to make an honest living. Instead of ostracising them, KCCA should help regulate vendors’ activities. Let Vendors apply for annual vending licenses to allow KCCA to register them walk about vendors can be registered differently from stall vendors. Registration should entail payment of an annual fee which would allow vendors to be issued with an ID and an apron/overall of sorts to identify them. This is only putting order to an activity that realistically cannot be stopped and actually adds value to the business sector. Vending is a normal service in a city. In New York you see people vending hot-dogs, Ice-cream, newspapers, etc. In Kampala, airtime, newspapers, toys, etc are all vended on behalf of formally registered businesses. To the bigger issue of the baby’s death, I did not have the benefit of seeing how it happened; however, many will agree with me that there is a high-level of impunity on our roads today especially by drivers of government vehicles. Drivers of vehicles registered under KCCA, the military, police, and the government number plates with a “c” suffix (ending) are particularly notorious and often guilty of “overlapping”, not stopping at security check points, speeding and dangerous driving. The traffic laws do not give a carte blanche for government vehicles to breach basic driving etiquette yet every morning it is these vehicles that are breaking every rule in the law book. Now what example are ordinary folks to look for. Why aren’t such people punished when a poor lady vendor is mistreated and her baby is accidentally killed. See the double standard? Leaders at KCCA, police, the military establishment and (in particular) the office under whom UG-c number plates are registered should caution and - where applicable - punish errant drivers. With no respect of human life and dignity, no amount of physical reforms will bring sustainable change to this city and country. Alex Kalimugogo,akalimugogo@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/UPDF-does-not-condone-violence/-/806314/2526928/-/7rmjgsz/-/index.html","content":"UPDF does not condone violence - The UPDF has noted with concern the story in the Daily Monitor of November 18 titled “Kill all thieves on sight, army officer tells locals”.The statements allegedly made by Lt Col David Lukanga that encourages mob justice against thieves and calling on residents to keep dangerous items such as petrol in their homes, were made by him as an individual and not on behalf of the defence forces and therefore, is a not a representation of the position of the UPDF institution.The reported statement is not only against the laws of Uganda but also a breach of the home safety standards set by the Uganda Police Force. The UPDF does not condone mob justice or any other form of breach of the laws. We support and encourage Ugandans to use the legal system in the country to address their grievances and embrace the community policing programme under the Uganda Police Force.Being a member of the Defence Forces, the Officer (Lt Col David Lukanga) will through the Institutional mechanisms undergo counselling to attain guidance on matters pertaining to such.UPDF is a people’s Force and will remain as such, committed to guaranteeing the non-violability of the people’s rights and ensuring the rule of law and good governance.Maj Obbo is the deputy UPDF spokesman"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Civil-society--group-defends-Luzinda-over-nude-pictures/-/688334/2521636/-/7hjxt0z/-/index.html","content":"Civil society  group defends Luzinda over nude pictures - KAMPALA A civil society organisation has defended musician Desire Luzinda after she endured public ridicule over her nude photos that were published in the media last week.The Centre for Domestic Violence Prevention (CEDOVIP) has issued a statement condemning the leakage of nude pictures of women and the lack of empathy shown by social media users over the breach of privacy, calling on the perpetrators to be punished rather than the victims.“The public must know that exposing photographs of a person that injure their right to privacy is an offence,” the press release read in part.They cited Section 8 of the Computer Act that says that any person who willfully and repeatedly uses electronic communication to disturb or attempt to disturb the peace, quiet or right of privacy of any person with no purpose of legitimate communication can face up to 10 years in jail.The statement noted that several other women have also previously fallen victims. “Women in key public positions like sporting personalities, celebrities and opinion leaders are the main target with some already having fallen victim,” it added.CEDOVIP noted that whenever such publication of nude pictures has occurred, it has targeted women with the intention of eroding their dignity and yet the culprits of these acts have not been prosecuted.“We call upon the Minister for Ethics Simon Lokodo to publicly denounce publication of such materials and further encourage him to issue a directive for the arrest of the estranged lover who is suspected to have leaked these pictures not the victim of the crime and take another step to prohibit the media from publishing such pictures that injure a person’s right to privacy,” they urged. Last week, Ms Luzinda issued a statement on her Facebook page, apologising to her family, friends and public for the distress her nude photos had caused. dkisembo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Uganda-Police-Force-does-not-condone-corruption-in-any-form/-/689364/2519008/-/j7u3rkz/-/index.html","content":"Uganda Police Force does not condone corruption in any form - In his “Open Letter to President Museveni”, published in the Sunday Monitor of November 9, Mr Vincent Lengkeek of Netherlands made several observations, touching on various topics, following his recent visit to Uganda.In regard to police, Mr Lengkeek narrated an incident where his two female colleagues, presumably foreign, were riding on the same boda boda, and were stopped by police officers, who threatened to jail the ladies unless they bribed them.Mr Lengkeek questioned why his colleagues were singled out for harassment, yet “the streets were flooded with boda bodas carrying two or more persons”. He further reported that another lady in his group was robbed, and abandoned by a boda boda rider at night.First, we sincerely thank Mr Lengkeek for this feedback and for his civic-driven decision to share his experience and concerns with the government. From the onset, we would like to assure Mr Lengkeek that the issues raised in his letter are being taken seriously, and will be acted upon promptly. Corruption among police officers enforcing traffic laws, and in the Force in general, is a challenge that we acknowledge facing; and one that we are conscientiously addressing. Uganda Police Force adopts a zero tolerance policy on corruption. It is for this reason that we have the Professional Standards Unit to monitor and punish indiscipline and professional misconduct within the police.The Inspector General of Police, General Kale Kayihura, has, in the recent past, personally undertaken definitive measures and interventions to combat corruption in the Uganda Police Force, and specifically, within the traffic police.Among these measures is the directive to rid the traffic police of undisciplined and ineffective officers. He has also launched a serious campaign to clean the Force and improve the quality of police service in the country. These, and other stringent in-house measures, are part of our immediate solutions to confronting and routing corruption within the ranks of Uganda police.Uganda Police Force does not condone corruption in any form, and when incidents such as the one witnessed by Mr Lengkeek are brought to our attention, we take fast and decisive action on the officers involved, as well as review our procedures to minimise recurrence of similar incidents. In regard to Mr Lengkeek’s complaint, we do appreciate his distress, and we shall contact him to get details of the unpleasant event, and act on it. The acts of the officers involved were in direct breach of Police Code of Conduct.We would also like to point out that, while it is illegal for a motor-cycle rider to have more than one passenger riding pillion, we do not condone selective application of the law.And there is certainly no justification for our officers to demand bribes, and threaten any suspected traffic offender with imprisonment should any person be found in breach of the law.We encourage members of the public to be vigilant, and exercise their civic duty, by reporting any attempts by government officials to extort bribes, or any other illicit form of consideration. It is through the combination of such popular vigilance, and efforts within the police, specifically the Professional Standards Unit, that shall help us build a disciplined Force; one that the public deserves. Mr Enanga is the spokesperson, Uganda Police Force"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Punish-teachers-who-torture-pupils/-/689360/2516514/-/nvdhb/-/index.html","content":"Punish teachers who torture pupils - News that a teacher has been charged for beating a girl into a coma should wake us up to the evil of corporal punishment in our schools. Of course, the teacher has denied the charge but has been locked up in Ndorwa Government Prison until November 26. But the senseless beatings of pupils in schools go on, despite the law banning the practice having been in place for nearly eight years. So teachers continue to torture children with impunity because none of them has been punished harshly to serve as an example to stop the abuse of pupils. In this particular case, the victim’s only crime was reportedly entering the school library with a jacket and a cap. But this simple breach of school rules must not provoke a teacher into fits of uncontrolled anger. Children are often likely to make errors. But their teachers as mentors are expected to be calm and collected and exercise maximum restrain. It is, therefore, unethical and criminal for a teacher to torture a child, sometimes to a point of crippling them. As child rights agency, Plan says, this blatant violence against children must not be disguised and accepted as “discipline”. The violence must be treated with the same disgust as other forms of cruel and degrading punishment of children. There are ideal anti-corporal punishment models Uganda can implement. A notable best practice is the Philippines model, which spreads awareness among parents, teachers, community service providers and leaders so that they change their attitude and adopt positive disciplining instead of punishing children. The two-year action plan aims to reduce the widespread practice of corporal punishment in the Philippines. The model encourages positive non-violent approaches to child discipline in homes, schools, and institutions. It has eight community-based groups and at least 100 local and national policy champions that lobby government to stop corporal punishment. It has also pushed for the enactment of eight local ordinances and discussion on one national Bill on positive discipline. The model also seeks to develop training modules on positive approaches to child discipline in the home, school and communities. None of us should accept corporal punishment in our homes, public and private schools. Similarly, parents and school inspectors should do more to monitor, protect, and promote the wellbeing of our children. Indeed, a violence-free childhood should be our obligation to all children. And it should be now that the Ministry of Education and Sports steps in to end this evil practice in our schools. One way is to enforce the Alternatives for Corporal Punishment, introduced in 2008, and or punish teachers who torture pupils and schools on whose watch the torture thrives."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Desire-apologises-to-her-fans--family/-/688334/2513596/-/7u9g4oz/-/index.html","content":"Desire apologises to her fans, family - Kampala. Musician Desire Luzinda yesterday moved to put behind the biggest test of her career by issuing a composed, humble, and discerning statement after her private nude photographs found their way to social media last week. Ms Luzinda, a popular artiste, used her official Facebook page to apologise to her family and fans for the pictures that have become a major discussion topic across the country. “I want to sincerely apologise to my mother, to my daughter, to my family, to my friends, my fans and any other people who have been offended by these images,” she said. She also took full responsibility for her actions, but blamed her boyfriend for trying to destroy her. “Like I said, this was a breach of trust by someone I loved. I take full responsibility for having lost my mind to take such shameful pics. This person has not only abused that trust but now seeks to drag me down,” she added.The R ‘n’ B singer said she was aware they were people who look up to her for “a role model” but said “in our private moments, we all have our ‘moments of madness’,”. Personalities in the entertainment business backed her apology. Mr Roger Mugisha, a radio presenter on KFM, said: “It shows she has taken responsibility but I don’t think she really had to since she is the victim. This could have happened to anybody because of the power that social media commands these days.” Mr Benon Kibuuka, the president of the Uganda Performing Artists and Musicians Association, added: “I think Desire Luzinda’s apology is profound and genuine since I have known her to be a decent musician. I really sympathise with her.” Since last Friday, social media has been awash with nude photos of Luzinda which were reportedly leaked by her ex-lover, Franklin Emuobor, who accused the singer of infidelity. She also said the authorities are doing everything possible to ensure she gets justice. Mr Fred Enanga, the police spokesman, sad: “We are following up. (But) we cannot go and pick someone from Nigeria.” He said Police have made arrangements with Ms Luzinda to make a statement. Her fans offered support. In one hour of posting, the statement had garnered more than 3,000 likes and 3,100 comments majorly showing their support and admiration."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Entertainment/Desire-Luzinda-owns-up--issues-apology/-/812796/2513366/-/ubsvb/-/index.html","content":"Desire Luzinda owns up, issues apology - Singer Desire Luzinda has finally spoken out regarding the recently leaked pictures that have for a time now caused serious social media debate. Ms Desire took to the same medium that helped leak her pictures to own the pictures as well as issue an apology for what she referred to as \"mad moments\". To all my fans in Uganda and all over the world, as you might be aware, there has been a lot of fanfare and discussion in the media and social media about my photos taken in private that were leaked to the public by a jilted lover. The facts about this matter are that these were photos taken in privacy with someone I loved. In our private moments, we all have our “moments of madness”. The bottom line is that I trusted this person and never hoped that something done in private would find its way to the public domain irrespective of our differences. I am aware that for many people who looked up to me as a role model, to the fans who adore my music , to the young generation that looks up to artistes like me as a symbol of the importance of grooming and growing talent, these photos must have been an upset. I want to sincerely apologise to my mother, to my daughter, to my family, to my friends, my fans and any other people who have been offended by these images. Like I said, this was a breach of trust by someone I loved. I take full responsibility for having lost my mind to take such shameful pics. This person has not only abused that trust but now seeks to drag me down. Those who have interacted closely with me know I am a decent person, a doting mother and an industrious woman. These images in no way should define who I am. Let me also thank my numerous fans who have stood by me in this period—asking me to be firm amidst the tempest. Just to let you know, the responsible authorities are doing everything possible to ensure I get justice. Once again, accept my sincere apologies. Thank you, Desire Luzinda Last Friday, pictures of Ms Luzinda were published on social media and definitely could not be prevented from going viral on all forms of social media."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Unemployed-youth-protestors-released-on-bail/-/688334/2505364/-/4wi9pn/-/index.html","content":"Unemployed youth protestors released on bail - Kampala Seven unemployed youths who were arrested on Kampala streets on Monday for taking part in unlawful assembly have been charged and granted cash bail worth Shs500,000 each. The suspects appeared before Buganda Road Magistrate’s Court and denied the offence. They are Doreen Nyanjura, Habib Buwebo, Brian Atuhaire, Robin Wabulembo, Bethurl Kawungi, Joweria Nakyeyune and Dickson Aineomugisha. The trial magistrate, Ms Joan Aciro, granted the suspects temporary freedom upon presenting two sureties each bonded at Shs700,000 non- cash before adjourning the matter to November 25, for hearing. Prosecution states that on October 27, at the City Square in Kampala, the suspects and others still at large with intent to disturb peace assembled with a common purpose and conducted themselves in such a manner that caused the neighbourhood reasonable fear that they would breach peace. Other incidentsThis the third time in less than four months that youths are arrested protesting over what they called their resentment towards “rampant corruption” exhibited in Parliament and the worrying youth unemployment in the country.A similar incident happened in June at Parliament when two youth sneaked two piglets into the Parliament premises. bndagire@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Seven-youth-charged-over-unlawful-assembly/-/688334/2504946/-/hqn9kn/-/index.html","content":"Seven youth charged over unlawful assembly - KAMPALA Seven youth who were arrested on Kampala streets on Monday over taking part in unlawful assembly have been charged before Buganda road court. The suspects who included Doreen Nyanjura, Habib Buwebo, Brian Atuhaire, Robin Wabulembo, Bethurl Kawungi, Joweria Nakyeyune and Dickson Aineomugisha were on Wednesday arraigned before Buganda Road Magistrate’s Court but denied the offence.Subsequently, the trial magistrates, Ms Joan Aciro released them on a court bond of Shs500, 000 each not cash, while their sureties who included the FDC Women League leader Ingrid Turinawe, Bob Kabaziguruka and Kayija Herod were told to sign a non-cash bond of Shs700,000 to ensure that the suspects return to court on November 25 for hearing of the case. Court heard that on October 27, 2014 at the City Square in Kampala, the suspects and others still at large with intent to disturb peace and with a common purpose, conducted themselves in such a manner that caused the neighborhood reasonable fear that they would commit a breach of peace.This the third time in less than four months that youths are arrested and charged for protesting over what they called their resentment towards “rampant corruption” exhibited in Parliament and the worrying youth unemployment in the country.A similar incident happened in June this year, at Parliament when two youth; Robert Mayanja and Norman Tumuhimbise smuggled two piglets into Parliament. On August 4, this year, nine youth were arrested by Police along Speke Road in Kampala after they were found carrying banners with the wordings, ‘We are mourning for our country over corruption, unemployment, youth desertion. Do not lead us into temptations’.The suspects included; Mr Ferdinand Luutu, Amos Ojok, Oloya Akena, Ambrose Juma, Nasimbwa Nalongo, Augustine Ojobilo, Joram Mwesigye, Robert Mayanja, and Norman Tumuhimbise. They were charged and released on bail but the case is still in court. bndagire@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/State-lawyer-apologises-to-FDC-s-Ingrid-over-police-brutality/-/688334/2501072/-/11qrr4uz/-/index.html","content":"State lawyer apologises to FDC’s Ingrid over police brutality - KAMPALA Government has apologised to the leader of Women’s league in opposition party Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Ms Ingrid Turinawe, over manhandling, squeezing of her breast and vandalism of her car by police officers.Ms Turinawe had sued the police and government (defendants) for allegedly squeezing her breast while she went to attend a political rally in Nansana, Wakiso district last year. She wanted Shs560 million as compensation for damages to atone for this embarrassment. However, through its lawyer/state attorney, Mr George Kalemeera, government said the incident was unfortunate and embarrassing to Ms Turinawe and asked the High court to allow it settle the case amicably. “It was unfortunate incident which we regret and we would prefer an out of court settlement,” Mr Kalemeera said.Ms Turinawe through her lawyer Ladislaus Rwakafuzi sued the Police Director of Operations Andrew Felix Kaweesi and the Attorney General Peter Nyombi also seeking orders directing the defendants to identify and produce before court the male police officer who squeezed her breast.Court documents indicate that on the fateful day of 20th, April 2012, as she was driving to Nansana town council to attend a political rally by various oppositional leaders, police intercepted her and in the process of arguing, a male police officer forcefully grabbed her left breast with all bitterness and hostility. She claims that the brutal action by the police embarrassed her before so many people in Nansana who watched her being harassed, and also her five children and husband.The presiding judge Elizabeth Musoke allowed the state lawyer's request and said Ms Turinawe’s lawyer should start by writing a settlement proposal to the Attorney General before they come back to court next year in February.The damagesBreaking the damages down, Ms Turinawe is seeking for Shs300 million as punitive damages and compensation for her vandalized car, Shs200 million as general damages, Shs30 million as breach of her right to liberty and another Shs30 million as punitive damages. jkigongo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Ruling-on-Namubiru-s-appeal-pushed/-/688334/2496372/-/neq1c9/-/index.html","content":"Ruling on Namubiru’s appeal pushed - The ruling on an appeal filed by jailed Nurse Rose Mary Namubiru challenging her conviction and jail term has been pushed forward.Deputy registrar of the High court criminal division Festo Nsenga said the ruling is not ready and the presiding judge Alrbert Rugadya was away.The case will now be determined on November 6, this year.Namubiru was convicted and sentenced to three years in jail after Buganda Road Court found her guilty of criminal negligence that could have led to the infection of a child with HIV. Court ruled that Namubiru was criminally negligent when she used an intravenous needle on the child after accidently pricking herself with the same needle.In her appeal she insists that the trial magistrate Olive Kazarwe failed to properly evaluate the evidence on record and reached a wrong conclusion.The 64year Namubiru has been in prison since January 2014 to date.This comes barely a month after the baby (Namubiru’s victim) sued the health facility where his mother had taken him to receive treatment over negligence.Early this month, the two-year-old Mathew Mushabe, with the help of his mother, Ms Ruth Mushabe, filed a civil suit against Victoria Medical Centre located in Kampala before the High Court. In their complaint, they contend that on January 7, the hospital and its nurse, Namubiru, owed a duty of care to the little boy but chose to breach it by neglecting to meet the standards of professional practice.The mother and her baby want the High Court to find the healthy facility culpable of negligence to which they should be ordered to compensate them."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/SA-trip-that-never-was-for-Bogere/-/690266/2495994/-/chw6s8/-/index.html","content":"SA trip that never was for Bogere - KAMPALA. It is three weeks since Steven Bogere was sacked as SC Villa coach and dramatically offered a six-month coaching course in South Africa.But to date, the club legend is still in the country, and will not be on board to SA anytime soon. Instead, the 48-year old former midfielder is now taking to litigation. Through Mpagi, Kayondo and Company Advocates, Bogere has served his former employers Villa with an intention to sue for breach of contract. “They claim they didn’t terminate my client’s contract but when I read the letter from their president appointing him to a coaching course in South Africa, it was suspicious to me,” Sunday Mpagi, a lawyer with the aforementioned law firm, told us.“It is clear that technically, my client’s contract was terminated but even if it was, it should be done in the right way, at least he should be compensated. “So I wrote to the club chairman - because the coaching course letter came from him - asking for a few clarifications but they responded saying that my client’s concerns should instead be channeled to the person who executed the employment contract.” We are in possession of both correspondences. Salary arrears Ivan Kakembo, Villa CEO, said: “From day one I asked Bogere to give me a copy of his contract but he failed to present it. And the arrears he says we owe him, he had that agreement with the old interim executive before ours came in August.” Bogere is adamant Villa owe him a month and a half’s salary. “I signed a two-year contract with them on July 16 but they stubbornly refused to give me my copy,” he said. “Then they say they are taking me for a coaching course but I’m asking, where is this course, when is it, what does it entail, why was I not involved early only for them to just give me the offer after sacking me?”CEO Kakembo now says the course offer is no longer on but opines that they will pay him his arrears if that will put to an end his grievances.“We shall pay him the money he says we owe him and move on if that is what he wants. As for the coaching course, it’s now off since Bogere decided to take us to his lawyers. “The offer was to him, not his lawyers. We await the outcome from their lawyers and we shall pick it from there.” amwanguhya@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Markets/KCCA-finalising-plans-for-municipal-bond---official/-/688606/2489180/-/12g3um2z/-/index.html","content":"KCCA finalising plans for municipal bond - official - KAMPALA Kampala Capital City Authority will contact Capital Markets Authority (CMA) after finalising internal processes as they plan to issue a municipal bond, the authority spokesperson, Mr Peter Kaujju has said. It has been reported in various media that KCCA plans to issue a municipal bond to finance infrastructure development in the city but the regulator of capital markets says they are yet to receive formal communication to that effect.Mr Charles Nsamba, CMA communications manager told Daily Monitor yesterday that they (CMA) are yet to receive an application from KCCA but added that the authority will offer the necessary support when approached.CMA, together with the Uganda Securities Exchange are supposed to approve the issuance for it to be floated on the bourse. The African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA) said in a statement recently that KCCA plans to issue the country’s first municipal bond by June 2015 to finance the infrastructure development needed to change Kampala into a modern commercial hub.If approved, this will be the first municipal bond to be issued in Uganda.Bonds are a long term debt instrument or way of borrowing. The issuance of a municipal bond will therefore enable KCCA to borrow large amounts of money directly from the public and private investors through capital markets instead of borrowing short term from financial intermediaries such as banks. The capital market offer the cheapest way of raising long-term development funds as opposed to borrowing short term from commercial banks.City officials estimate KCCA will need about $6 billion (about Shs15.9 trillion) to invest in its infrastructure over the next decade, according to the statement.Mr Kaujju said that the municipal bond will provide KCCA with an alternative source of funding, away from government support which is shrinking because of other priorities.He added that it will also enable KCCA to raise the needed funds to offer quality services to Ugandans. Breach of contract Issuance of municipal bonds, a standard practice in developed world cities, is taking root in Africa, with a few bonds in the pipeline.Tanzania’s capital Dar es Salaam and the coastal city of Tanga have also announced plans to tap the debt market for infrastructure funding, heralding a new chapter where local governments are listing notes on their respective national bourses to raise cash for development projects. fkulabako@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Baby-sues-hospital-over-negligence/-/688334/2477206/-/yclk9cz/-/index.html","content":"Baby sues hospital over negligence - Kampala. A baby who was pricked by a city nurse using a cannula contaminated with her HIV positive blood has sought legal redress against the health facility where his mother had taken him to receive treatment.Two-year-old Mathew Mushabe, with the help of his mother, Ms Ruth Mushabe, filed a civil suit against Victoria Medical Centre located in Kampala before the High Court last Friday.In their complaint, they contend that on January 7, the hospital and its nurse, Rosemary Namubiru, owed a duty of care to the little boy but chose to breach it by neglecting to meet the standards of professional practice. The demandThe mother and her baby now want the High Court to find the healthy facility culpable of negligence to which they should be ordered to compensate them.This suit comes five months after Buganda Road Court convicted Namubiru of having gone against her professional ethics when she used a cannula that had pricked her index finger and used the same to prick the baby while administering treatment to him, putting his life at risk of contracting HIV. The 64-year-old nurse was accordingly sentenced to three years in prison by then Chief Magistrate Olive Kazaarwe. The nurse is currently serving her sentence though she has appealed the charge. While finding the nurse guilty, the magistrate Kazaarwe held that the fact that she pricked herself with a cannula before suing the very canola on the baby was indicator of criminal negligence. awesaka@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/A-look-at-the-highs-and-lows-of-Amama/-/688334/2476180/-/12twl6fz/-/index.html","content":"A look at the highs and lows of Amama - Former prime minister John Patrick Amama Mbabazi is expected to hand over office today, 18 days after President Museveni sacked him in a lone reshuffle which sparked off speculation of a potential fall out within the ruling NRM party. Mr Mbabazi had been prime minister for three years, three months and 24 days, setting a record as the shortest-serving premier of the NRM regime. But how will Mbabazi’s short-lived but arguably the most tumultuous tenure as Leader of Government Business be remembered?As the first prime minister to answer “off-the-cuff” questions about government during the Prime Minister’s Question Time, Mr Mbabazi broke ground the moment he took office, exhibiting potential leadership skills, notwithstanding alleged ‘skeletons’ in his closet. In a position that rarely rewards sloppiness, and in the face of a frequently hostile Parliament, Mr Mbabazi continued to stake out strong and laudable positions on many of the most contested bills in Parliament. Below, we highlight his highs and lows as prime minister. Oil saga - Mbabazi’s first test (Mbabazi and Onek benefited from sale of oil production rights) The October 2011 special parliamentary debate on the oil sector and claims that senior government officials had pocked bribes in order to influence award of deals came as the first major test for Mr Mbabazi as prime minister. Besides the bribery claims, MPs led by Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga) protested the secretive manner in which government was handling oil contracts. Despite attempts by government to block the House recall, the fired-up legislators marshalled enough signatures to compel Speaker Rebecca Kadaga to cause a special sitting. After days of heated debate, MPs voted to place a moratorium on executing oil contracts and transactions on the Executive until Parliament had passed all necessary laws. An ad-hoc committee would also be formed to investigate the bribery allegations against the ministers, who included Mr Mbabazi. Despite the President warning that Parliament was passing “precarious” resolutions, Mr Mbabazi could not stop the MPs. It took the intervention of President Museveni days later, in Kyankwanzi, to convince NRM MPs to “overturn” the “unfriendly” resolutions. In what looked like a further blow, Mr Mbabazi could not push through his proposal of MPs annulling what they had passed in Parliament. According to Mr Ofwono Opondo, NRM deputy spokesperson, the fact that some MPs walked out on the President during that stormy discussion was a reflection of inefficiency on the Executive’s part, whom he said were telling lies to the President. Two years later, Parliament passed two oil bills, which sought to promote policy formulation, coordination and management of petroleum refining, gas processing and conversion, transportation and storage. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Secret-Service-director-Julia-Pierson-resigns/-/688334/2472452/-/fxsei5/-/index.html","content":"Secret Service director Julia Pierson resigns - The head of the US Secret Service, tasked with guarding US President Barack Obama, has resigned following several high-profile security lapses.Julia Pierson offered her resignation to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday.A day earlier, she faced angry questions in Congress about a major breach of White House security.News of another incident involving an armed man allowed in a lift with Mr Obama compounded calls for her to go.\"Today Julia Pierson, the Director of the United States Secret Service, offered her resignation, and I accepted it,\" Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson wrote in a statement.\"I salute her 30 years of distinguished service to the Secret Service and the Nation.\" Mr Obama also expressed his appreciation to Ms Pierson for her long history of public service, White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters on Wednesday.Ms Pierson offered her resignation because \"she believed it was in the best interests of the agency to which she has dedicated her career\", Mr Earnest added.In an interview with Bloomberg News after her resignation was announced, Ms Pierson said she knew Congress had \"lost confidence in my ability to run the agency''.Joseph Clancy, in charge of the presidential protective division of the agency, will take over as acting interim director.High-ranking members of the US Congress had been calling for Ms Pierson's resignation in the wake of her testimony before a House oversight committee on Tuesday.Litany of lapses Nov 2009: A couple filming a reality show make it past Secret Service checkpoints into a dinner for visiting Indian prime minister Nov 2011: A man parks a car directly south of the White House and shoots at the residence at least seven times. Secret Service supervisors fail to realise it has been struck for four days - until a housekeeper discovers the damage.April 2012: Eleven Secret Service employees preparing for the president's visit to Cartagena, Colombia, bring sex workers back to their hotel. Nov 2013: A senior supervisor starts a row after demanding access to a woman's room at a hotel overlooking the White House. March 2014: Three agents are sent home from the Netherlands after one is found passed out drunk in a hallway. 16 Sept 2014: An armed security contractor with a criminal record is allowed to board a lift with the president.19 Sept 2014: A man scales a fence at the White House and enters through an unlocked and unalarmed door.There she acknowledged the Secret Service security plan was \"not executed properly\" during a recent breach of the White House.On 19 September, suspect Omar Gonzalez, 42, allegedly scaled a fence and gained entry to the famed US residence while carrying a knife.On Wednesday, Mr Gonzalez pleaded not guilty to charges against him, including entering a restricted building or grounds while carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. Prosecutors say he jumped the main fence around the White House and gained entry inside through an unlocked door, then barrelled past a guard and ran into the East Room before being tackled.Mr Obama and his family were not at the White House when the intrusion happened, having departed about 10 minutes earlier by helicopter.The incident is the latest in a string of security lapses overseen by the Secret Service, tasked with guarding the Obama family.On 16 September, Mr Obama is said to have been in an Atlanta lift with an armed security contractor who had assault convictions.This contravened a protocol that only members of the Secret Service are allowed to carry weapons in the presence of the president."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bank--businessman-sued/-/688334/2467946/-/9nynoyz/-/index.html","content":"Bank, businessman sued - KAMPALA A bank has been sued for allegedly conniving with a senior company official to fraudulently transact business using forged documents. In the case before the Commercial Court, Crown Converters and Kego Investments, accuse Bank of Baroda of alleged breach of duty to exercise. care and skills in carrying out banking business in their respective accounts. It is alleged that in the exercise of its duty, the bank transactions led to unauthorised lending transactions, wrongful debts, and interest and bank charges on the respective accounts of the complaining companies. The bank is jointly sued with the companies’ former managing director, Mr Aniket Patel, who is accused of fraudulent practice by way of presenting forged documents on which the bank lent the two companies an unauthorised Shs450m. However, in defence, the bank denied any wrong doing, insisting that Mr Patel held the powers of attorney for the companies to operate the accounts alone. Court has set September 29 and 30 as hearing dates. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/AugustineRuzindana/Remembering-the-aborted-1972-invasion-by-Ugandan-exiles/-/887296/2457196/-/q0n1jp/-/index.html","content":"Remembering the aborted 1972 invasion by Ugandan exiles - As I write, it is September 17, 2014, which reminds me of the same day 42 years ago, when Ugandan exiles invaded from Tanzania. A few days before the invasion, I travelled from Kampala with two Makerere students through Masaka, Kalisizo, Kyotera, branching off to Katera where we found a military check-point at a narrow breach of the escarpment just before sloping down to the Lake Victoria shore where we boarded a canoe. While on the lake and before we crossed the Kagera River, which visibly crosses the lake with a strong current, the boat’s engine ceased to function but luckily, we were skillfully rowed across the river and the lake. We landed safely in Minziro on the Tanzanian side from where we proceeded to the Fronasa training camp near Bukoba Town, arriving on September 15. Mr Yoweri Museveni, our commander, (now President), informed me about the impeding invasion and that we were going along with the Obote forces and take advantage to move our materiel (arms and ammunition) into the country. On September 17, we (a Fronasa platoon) set off very early with the Obote forces for Uganda. Our force was in one lorry and we had a Land Rover full of arms and ammunition. Our platoon was divided into two sections; one section commanded by Mwesigwa Black with Bagira as his second-in-command and the other section commanded by Museveni, also our over-all commander, with me as his second-in-command. The Obote forces on the Mbarara axis were about 300, commanded by Captain Oyile and the over-all commander of the axis. We branched off after Kyaka bridge and headed towards Isingiro and Mbarara, by-passing a Tanzanian sugar plantation and a government ranch. We were supposed to have surprised the Amin forces in Mbarara but the convoy was slow and at day-break, more time was wasted attacking a tse-tse fly camp at the border that was eventually set on fire. Some months before that invasion, Museveni and I had passed by that road transporting our material on new bicycles which were so hastily assembled that when we peddled, the peddles fell off and we ended up pushing the bicycles up to our rendezvous with Zubairi Bakari at Nshungyenzi. We slowly proceeded towards Mbarara uneventfully until we were passed by a speeding Peugeot driven by Ali Fadhul, the then commanding officer of the battalion based at Mbarara. A few miles later in Masha around where, in 1899, Henry Stanley (Kakira Mukyenkye) met Bucunku, the Omugabe’s envoy, now marked by a conical monument, we met a lorry full of soldiers, probably following their commanding officer. As we fired at them, some of our comrades ran away, including the driver of our lorry. After this brief encounter, we set off driven by Museveni and on reaching the junction at Nyamitanga, he could not turn the lorry towards Mbarara so another driver turned it and we proceeded on our mission. Just after we had passed Agip Motel, we met and fired at a Land Rover full of Amin’s soldiers and only one soldier escaped and ran towards Kijungu suburb. At the forest before the barracks, we were fired at by 106 guns and a shrapnel piece passed over my neck. It is here that most of us dispersed before reaching the barracks. After some time, I walked with an Obote soldier for more than 10 kilometres to a village beyond Biharwe where I stayed for three days and took a taxi to Kampala and then to Dar es Salaam. Museveni drove back to Tanzania but some of our comrades who went to relatives’ or friends’ homes in Mbarara Town were later picked up and killed. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Ruzindana is a former IGG and former MP. a_ruzindana@yahoo.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Iganga-official-refuses-to-quit-office--threatens-to-sue-CAO/-/688334/2450554/-/2tl38nz/-/index.html","content":"Iganga official refuses to quit office, threatens to sue CAO - IGANGA. The Iganga District human resource officer has refused to vacate office more than two weeks after she was transferred by the chief administrative officer (CAO).“I will not vacate this office because the transfer was illegal,” Ms Nazma Namuganza told Saturday Monitor. Ms Namuganza had worked at the district headquarters, managing the teachers’ payroll. She was on August 15 directed by the CAO, Mr Joseph Maira Mukasa, to take up a new assignment as the officer in charge of the health workers payroll at Iganga Hospital. She was asked to hand over office to Ms Victoria Naigwe immediately, but she has since refused to leave office.Through her lawyers, Ms Namuganza wrote to her bosses on August 26 claiming the transfer was based on malicious and unfounded reports implicating her in mishandling of teachers’ salaries.Saturday Monitor has established the allegations, now under investigation by police and the Inspectorate of Government, were contained in a recent internal audit report. Her lawyers’ letter describes her transfer as a breach of the Public Service Standing Orders and asked Mr Mukasa to rescinds his decision or face legal action. Mr Mukasa confirmed receipt of Ms Namuganza’s letter, but insisted it is within his mandate to make such transfers. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Court-halts-sale-of-school-land-over-loan/-/688334/2448098/-/wpdbko/-/index.html","content":"Court halts sale of school land over loan - KAMPALA Court has stopped the sale of land belonging to Kampala City Parents School.The registrar of the High Court’s Commercial Division Mr Thaddeus Opeseni made an interim order stopping the Uganda Development bank from selling of the school land at Kibiri in Wakiso district.Kampala City Parents entered into an agreement with Uganda Development Bank for a Shs700m loan to finance completion of their classroom block and refinance the existing loan from Opportunity Uganda Limited. The loan was to be repaid in eight years. “These issues need investigation and resolution by this court and at this point it is necessary to safeguard the interests of the parties in this relationship that has gone sour by putting an interim order in place,” Mr Opeseni ruled.The school claims that under terms of the said loan, they mortgaged the said land as security but in breach of the agreement, the bank paid to them Shs686m.Court documents state that prior to the legal documentation and disbursement of the loan, the bank requested the school to pay Shs14m as appraisal fees. The school paid but was surprised when the bank further reduced the loan amount to Shs688m. The school further claims that a month after the disbursement of the loan, the bank started charging interest on the sum of Shs700m per month to-date.However according to the affidavit in reply to the school’s claims, the bank’s Portfolio Monitoring and Recoveries Officer, Mr Emmanuel Kwihangana said the school defaulted on loan repayments and was asked to pay the outstanding amount in arrears.The matter was adjourned to October 24 for hearing. jkigongo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/Guinea-coach-wants-to-breach-Namboole/-/690266/2445642/-/64svru/-/index.html","content":"Guinea coach wants to breach Namboole - KAMPALA- Having arrived in the country late into Sunday night and gone to bed early yesterday morning, it was understandable when Guinea coach Michel Dussuyer insisted we could not speak to his players at Makerere Kikoni’s J-Frigh Hotel at dawn. Besides, the team had been forced into a late change of accommodation after Grand Global Hotel, where Fufa had booked them into over a week ago, told them it had been overbooked. Observers claim Grand Global was being precautionary in the wake of Ebola in Guinea but Hilary Nabasa, who answered our phone when we called the Makerere Kikoni hotel, denies it was because of the scourge. “No it is not because of Ebola fears,” he said, “It is because we had been over booked. It’s true Fufa booked like one to two weeks back but some other people were also already in.” All passengers aboard the plane the Guinea team flew underwent thorough health checkups at Entebbe Airport. But Guinea coach Dussuyer did not want to indulge in that, nor did he want to disturb the peace of his players. The Frenchman is only focused on tomorrow’s 2015 Nations Cup qualifier against Uganda at Namboole. “Uganda is a good team,” he said, adding, “A strong team, which perform very well when they play at home – we know all that. “They have performed very well in the first game in Ghana with a draw, and we expect a very tough game for us. I know some players, I think they have some key players; maybe like the captain Mwesigwa (Andy), and Kizito (Luwagga), that forward player who played very well against Ghana, and Massa Geoffrey. I take in lots of information.” Dussuyer is certain of what to expect. “I expect a difficult pitch, first. We are used to seeing a pitch that is not so good. And so we expect Uganda to play a strong game at home and as I said it will be difficult but we are there to fight and get a good result,” Uganda last lost at home in 2004 against South Africa. The last time the two sides met in Kampala, they played out a 4-4 draw in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers. Guinea will train at Namboole tonight. amwanguhya@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Luweero-medical-staff-held-over-fake-HIV-results/-/688334/2439590/-/itb2ba/-/index.html","content":"Luweero medical staff held over fake HIV results - Luweero. Police in Luweero District have arrested two people attached to a private clinic in Luweero Town Council for conspiring with HIV/Aids patients to falsify status certificates in breach of both the medical ethical code and the Penal Code.Savannah Region Police spokesperson Lameck Kigozi says one of the suspects has pleaded guilty to conspiring with an HIV-positive patient on anti-retroviral drugs to get a status declaration certificate indicating that he is HIV negative.The certificate was then issued to him after he offered a Shs50,000 bribe to Ms Teopista Nansubuga attached to a clinic located at Kasana Town on Sunday. The conspiracy“The police got information that people intending to get married including those who wish to get false HIV status results for selfish ends were using some private clinics in Luweero Town to have the certificates. “We set a trap using a patient who is HIV positive and on ARV drugs to go to one of the mentioned clinics to have his status results altered after giving a bribe. The trap yielded results after the lady who attended to the patient asked for Shs50,000 to have a false status declaration certificate issued,” Mr Kigozi said.According to the police, investigations are underway to try and find out how many people could have been issued with such false status declaration certificates and the intentions of people who could have got false declarations. Charges awaitThe District CIID Chief at Luweero Central Police Station, Mr Topher Gimei, said the two suspects will be charged for neglect likely to cause infection of diseases.“We have sent the case files to the resident state attorney who will advise us on the likely charges but the act of falsifying medical results is very dangerous and criminal and in breach of Section 171 of the Penal Code Act”, Mr Gimei said on Monday. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/The-tall-order-Kyabazinga-has-to-face/-/689844/2435434/-/ttsixv/-/index.html","content":"The tall order Kyabazinga has to face - On the morning of Monday August 26, the Busoga Lukiiko endorsed the election of Prince William Gabula IV, as the Kyabazinga of Busoga.Prince Gabula was elected by the Busoga Royal Chiefs Council, the body of the Hereditary Chiefs of Busoga’s 11 traditional counties who constitute the Electoral College that elects a Kyabazinga, on the afternoon of Saturday August 23. The development came about a month after an ultimatum from the Speaker of Parliament, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, on July 27, asking the subjects to elect a Kyabazinga within one month or lose her support. However, that was not the only ultimatum. Prince Edward Columbus Wambuzi had on August 13 issued a 14-day demand that the Chiefs recognise him as the Kyabazinga or else they face legal action. The ultimatum elapsed on Wednesday August 27. The Lukiiko’s endorsement, the elections and the ultimatums that preceded it are the latest in a series of twists and turns that have bedevilled Busoga since the death in September 2008 of Kyabazinga Henry Wako Muloki. The back and forth fights over the crown have reduced the institution of Obwa Kyabazinga Bwa Busoga, to what some youths have dubbed the “Kaunhe Comedy show” because of the ever changing positions of the Ssabalangira (Chief Prince) Daudi Kaunhe Wakooli. So how does Gabula’s reign start? What is his meal for the years to come made of?Already, Prince Wambuzi’s response to the Saturday afternoon election by the chiefs was curt. “I cannot comment about that (election of a new Kyabazinga) apart from telling you that I am still the Kyabazinga as declared by court,” he told this newspaper on phone. The chief minister of Bulamogi County, Mr Sam Mutono, has since declared that Gabula IV’s election will be contested in the courts of law.“…That election was simply some piece of drama, but we shall challenge it,” he told journalists last Monday. Chief Prince Kaunhe, has indicated that the election was illegal.“When you look at the process we followed to elect Nadiope [Gabula] it is in breach of our constitution. Besides, there was an injunction against any activity at the kingdom so I decided not to go to Bugembe. I instead went to court to follow up on our case,” he told the press on Monday. Way forwardHowever, during Monday’s function, Ms Kadaga said the election of a substantive Kyabazinga was a stepping stone towards the benefits that other kingdoms are enjoying. It now seems from the word go that the new Kyabazinga’s task for the years to come has already been cut out. He takes over a widely divided Busoga and analysts think reconciliation is the key element to a better kingdom. Sources within the Busoga Chiefs Royal Council indicate that the immediate task is to complete work on the kingdom’s constitution. But Jinja Municipality Mayor Haji Muhammad Baswari Kezaala thinks the first thing Gabula has to do to solve Busoga’s squabbles is institute a region-wide dialogue. He also calls on the two parties to keep away from the fights and unite for the benefit of Busoga. “If both (Prince) Wambuzi and Gabula love Busoga, they should use this opportunity to lead Busoga for a defined period of time to allow for a process of healing,” he says. Busoga University lecturer Dr Frank Nabwiso, who believes that Busoga will continue to be plagued by confusion and division, agrees with Haji Kezaala on the idea of the rivals stepping aside, but thinks that the solution lies in greater democratisation of the process of elections. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/NRM-caucus-meets-today-over-gays-law/-/688334/2414652/-/i26epez/-/index.html","content":"NRM caucus meets today over gays law - PARLIAMENT. The NRM Parliamentary Caucus will convene today to chat a way forward on the fate of the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2014, which was nullified by the Constitutional Court on grounds that Parliament passed it without the required quorum. The NRM caucus meeting comes as the number of MPs in support of a drive to re-introduce the anti-gays Bill in Parliament has shot up to 208. MPs supporting the re-tabling of the Bill will also convene a session today to map out a strategy about how the Bill will be re-introduced in Parliament. These MPs want Parliament to put on hold the handling of the ongoing Budget process and first ensure the restoration of the anti-gays law.There is also a request to the Speaker for the suspension of the House rules of procedure to allow the Bill to be passed without going through all the lengthy phases. Following the nullification of the law, President Museveni promised that the NRM Parliamentary Caucus would sit and decide a course of action. Yesterday, Ndorwa West MP and NRM deputy Chief Whip David Bahati, who tabled the Bill in 2009 as a Private Member’s initiative, confirmed that Mr Museveni would attend today’s session about the nullified law. “We have other issues to discuss but the anti-homosexuality law may also come up. But the road to success is always under construction. We shall not get tired of defending the future of our children,” Mr Bahati said, declining to give more details. Kawempe North MP Latif Sebaggala, the brainchild of the drive to collect signatures, said they want to swiftly pursue the process of restoring the law because an appeal in court would drag on. The court’s action to nullify a law whose supporters argue is essential in the protection of Uganda’s cultural and family values continues triggering a backlash from MPs and religious leaders. Religious leaders speakReligious leaders urged MPs not to buckle under the pressure of Western countries that have opposed the law on grounds that it offends human rights and reacted by cutting aid when it was passed in February. Kampala Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga said homosexual acts violate the Constitution and compromise human dignity.“Homosexuality acts breach the Constitution of Uganda...,” Bishop Lwanga said on Saturday. However, Pastor Solomon Male of the Arise for Christ Ministry, said: “MPs need to drop the anti-gay law and sensitise the public about the laws in the Penal Code. ”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Districts-losing-billions-in-contract-breaches/-/688342/2413698/-/13008obz/-/index.html","content":"Districts losing billions in contract breaches - Kampala- In the Financial Year 2011/2012, Wakiso District procured a contractor to construct the speakers’ chambers. A bid offer of Shs1.8 billion was revised to Shs2 billion but the revision of Shs200 million was not approved by the Contracts Committee and neither were the other competitors informed of the revision. Two weeks after the close of bid, another bid document was presented to the district Procurement and Disposal Unit (PDU) and the bidder was to later be awarded the contract without presenting the performance security guarantee of Shs590.7million. The Auditor General in his audit of the project, also indicated that retention of Shs197 million was not withheld as was specified in the contract. The district lost a total of Shs174 million in advance payment (Shs130 million) and retention fee (Shs44million), contrary to the contract which did not require an advance payment or retention fee. The contractor finally abandoned the project and the building was left incomplete. The Wakiso Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Mr David Naluwayiro, says, the district took pity on the contractor who had inadequate working capital. “A performance security guarantee of Shs590,784,818, which is 33.7 per cent of the contract price could not be effected as would leave the contractor with no working capital,” Mr Naluwayiro says. Other oversightsThere was no clearance got from the Solicitor General despite the contract being above Shs50 million and the CAO dismissed the error as an oversight on the side of the district. In this case, the contract was breached by both the Local Government, which failed to apply the requirements of the contract on the contractor; and the contractor, who later abandoned the project without completing it despite receiving advance payment and a retention fee. This is just one of the more than 50 contracts breached annually in each district with no action being taken by the district management. Ms Getrude Gamwera, the general secretary of the Uganda Local Government Association (ULGA), says: “One hundred per cent of contracts in local governments are breached by the contractors and no action is taken against the contractors by the local governments.” Action takenIn Lira District, the head of the Procurement and Disposal Unit (PDU) was interdicted following increased loss of tax payers’ money in contract breach in 2012. The Deputy CAO Nebbi District, Mr Mark Tivu, says a lot of contracts have been terminated after reports being received from the Resident District Commissioners (RDC), the auditors or even the councillors that a contractor is working in breach of the contract. “We have been terminating contracts which are being breached once we get the reports. For example, the contracts to work on Erussi and Wadelai roads were terminated after the contractors failed to finish in time,” he says. However, the problem with termination of contracts has been that by the time it is done, advance payments and some retention fee has been paid, thus making the tax payer lose billions in the processes. Ms Winfred Kiiza, the chairperson Parliamentary Local Governments Account Committee, says: “There must be a way through which these funds can be refunded and compensation paid through the judicial system.” 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/S--Sudan-rebel-leader-accused-at-US-summit/-/688334/2411140/-/skb65v/-/index.html","content":"S. Sudan rebel leader accused at US summit - Kampala- The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad), mediating warring parties in the South Sudan conflict, has blamed the failed cessation of hostilities and continuous spiraling violence on rebel leader Riek Machar. Igad chairman Hailemariam Desalegn, at a meeting between the regional bloc leaders and US secretary of state John Kerry in Washington said: “The violation of the ceasefire has taken place by [Dr] Riek Machar.” “…The region has come a long way in sorting out this problem, and to solve it we will stand together,” Mr Desalegn, also the Ethiopian premier, was quoted in a communiqué issued yesterday by the US State Department. South Sudan president Salva Kiir at separate meeting with Mr Kerry also accused his nemesis of losing control over his commanders, each operating in different regions, who are unleashing the unbridled terror on the masses. Mr Kerry warned the rebel leader that the international community is going to be impatient with the breach of agreements. The first peace deal on cessation of hostilities was reached in May and another in June, but fighting continues in some parts of the country. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Ministries-pinned-on-pay/-/688334/2404488/-/11lxw8mz/-/index.html","content":"Ministries pinned on pay - Kampala. The Finance ministry has issued a warning to accounting officers in the Office of the Prime Minister and 13 other ministries over delayed processing of salaries for their employees. The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Keith Muhakanizi, on July 30 wrote to Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi indicating that the accounting officers in 15 other government departments and 57 districts were breaking the rules by moving slow to submit “salary invoices” for public servants.In reference to the 2014/2015 Budget Execution Circular “I emphasised payment of salaries before 28th of every month,” Mr Muhakanizi, also Secretary to the Treasury wrote. However, “As of today July 30 you have not paid the month’s salary which is in contravention of the existing Public Service guidelines regarding payment by the 28th of every month.” The ministries and government departments on spot, include Ministry of Public Service, Foreign Affairs, Education, Kyambogo University, Uganda Police Force, Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Ministry of Internal Affairs, among others.PS Muhakanizi gave the accounting officers up to today for the salary invoices to be processes or risk punishment. “Failure to meet the extended deadline will constitute a breach of your performance contract.”Attempts to reach Mr Mukakanizi on whether the money was released was futile by press time but the Ministry’s spokesperson Jim Mugunga, noted that money was released and delays, if any, lies with the accounting officers. “The circular we sent out was clear on the issues of salaries, because whenever there is a delay it is us (Finance) at fault,” Mr Mugunga added.In the letter, Mr Muhakanizi also tasked the PS in the Public Service Ministry to urgently process the payrolls of all entities which don’t have any.The acting Permanent Secretary Ministry of Public Service, Ms Adah Muwanga, whose ministry is listed being among the defaulters, told the Daily Monitor, that Finance had since “decentralised” salary payments and they were not to blame.“I have not yet seen that letter but in any case, my ministry has paid salaries for all employees,” Ms Muwanga said. The government in 2011 following the forensic audit by the Auditor General, Mr John Muwanga, which detailed massive ghosts on payrolls and that more than Shs70b was being lost annually, introduced the Integrated Personal Payment system (IPPS). Under IPPS, every accounting officer in each department oversees the processing of salaries.Ms Muwanga also added that”…..if there has been any delay as finance claims then every PS for each ministry should be held responsible.” musisif@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Uganda-Muslims-demonstrate-against-Israel-Bombs-in-Gaza/-/688334/2400286/-/108hx9mz/-/index.html","content":"Uganda Muslims demonstrate against Israel bombs in Gaza - A section of Muslim youths on Monday morning staged a peaceful demonstration in Kampala, Uganda’s capital to express their concern for the killing of Palestinians in Israel bomb attacks. The youth, who first performed Eid ul-Fitr prayers at Nakivubo Stadium, carried placards and moved around the stadium protesting against Israel’s occupation of the Gazastrip. Kampala city lord mayor Hajji Elias Lukwago who was also present at Nakivubo (for prayers) asked the newly elected UN General Assembly President Sam Kutesa to prevail over Israel who he said was killing innocent civilians and this according to him tantamount to crimes against humanity. “As a leader, I ask the new president of UN General Assembly who is our own to act against the Zion aggressors; this is the only gift he can give Muslims as they celebrate their Eid because UN is a body for all people across the divide” Said Lukwago. This development comes after renewed attacks of Israel on Gaza over the weekend. Rocket fire from Gaza resumed on Saturday night with warning sirens sounding across central and southern Israel in an apparent rebuff by Hamas of attempts to extend a 12-hour humanitarian truce, a snub that could risk escalating the war. Thousands of people in Gaza ventured out from homes and shelters on Saturday to find that whole streets and neighbourhoods had been destroyed in the past week after Israel and Hamas both agreed to a UN request to cease military activity from 8am until 8pm. But Hamas's armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, said that it had resumed rocket fire despite reports that Israel had agreed to a four-hour extension of the truce. The renewed attacks – and an unconfirmed report that a Palestinian in southern Gaza was killed by Israeli tank fire after the 8pm end-of-truce deadline – followed an appeal by the foreign ministers of seven nations to extend the 12-hour pause in fighting. Despite the breach, late on Saturday night Israel's security cabinet approved an extension of the ceasefire until midnight local time on Sunday. This was at the request of the UN, an Israeli government official said, adding that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) would act against any breach. Envoys from the US, France, Britain, Italy, Germany, Turkey and Qatar had gathered in Paris to call for an extension of the 12-hour humanitarian truce."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/IGG-clears-Uganda-Broadcasting-Corporation-board/-/688334/2392224/-/10qlgksz/-/index.html","content":"IGG clears Uganda Broadcasting Corporation board - PARLIAMENT- After a four-year standoff at the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), the Inspector General of Government has broken the deadlock, sanctioning the new board amid allegations of conflict of interest. On April 1, Ms Irene Mulyagonja, stopped the swearing in of the new UBC board, chaired by ex-Trade state minister Nathan Igeme Nabeeta, after a whistleblower cited “credibility issues” arising from the alleged “conflict of interest”. Although Information minister Rose Namayanja was scheduled to swear-in the seven members of the new board on April 2, an undisclosed whistleblower petitioned the IGG and secured a temporary injunction. The IGG launched an inquiry into the credibility of the new board. The whistleblower alleged that the new chairperson, Mr Nabeeta and two other members; Mr Simon Kaheru and Ms Sylvia Nakabugo, were not fit to be board members due to alleged conflict of interest. It was alleged that Mr Nabeeta owns a business similar to UBC business and that he is a tenant of UBC in Kampala and Jinja. It was claimed that he owns NBS TV, Channel 285 on DSTV and Nile FM 89.4 in Jinja. The whistleblower expressed concern that Mr Nabeeta would use UBC resources to promote his business. However, the IGG in a July 9 report, cleared Mr Nabeeta and other two members of the board after investigations found no evidence of conflict of interest and breach of UBC Act, 2005. Investigations revealed that Mr Nabeeta ceased to be a director of NBS TV in April last year and accordingly transferred his 105,000 shares to Mr Hamza Mbago. In January, Mr Mbago also sold his shares in NBS TV to Kin Group Ltd, the current sole owner of NBS TV. It was alleged that Mr Kaheru owns SMS multimedia interface platform that would compete for business with UBC. However, the IGG cleared Mr Kaheru, saying: “UBC provides broadcasts services in the TV and radio sub-sector, while SMS Media operates in only the telecommunications sub-sector”. The IGG also cleared Ms Nakabugo. Other members of the board are Mr Ian Kyeyune, Mr Richard Balungi, Mr Mohamad Kabar, Ms Marian Menna. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/District-leaders-advised-on-publicity/-/688334/2384878/-/7rvobnz/-/index.html","content":"District leaders advised on publicity - Mbarara. Information and National Guidance Minister Rose Namayanja has said some district officials are not popularising government programmes, thereby keeping the public in the dark about government initiatives and interventions. Addressing district officials in Mbarara last Friday during the quarterly meeting of chief administrative officers and town clerks, Ms Namayanja said government lobbied media managers to allocate them free airtime so as to inform the public about what has been done but district officials have not utilised the offer. “We met media managers and agreed on it as a licensing requirement to allocate free airtime to communicate to the public what government has done, they agreed but district officials have been reluctant to use this opportunity,” she said.Ms Namayanja said some managers have reported that district officials turn down invitations. The minister said the reluctance has to stop. She said it is one way of sabotaging government programmes, which is a breach of their mandate as district leaders and civil servants. Ms Namayanja told all districts to have communication units to act as a centre for information sharing between local leaders and civil servants and that the information be regularly communicated to the public. She also directed districts to have timely updated websites.Some district officials, however, said they don’t find any problem with passing on information to the public if they had funding. Others said there is not much to tell the public. Mr Didas Tabaro, Mbarara District secretary for social services, said some media managers have not lived up to the agreement of allocating free airtime to district officials as the minister said.However, minister Namayanja warned the media managers that allocating free airtime for communicating government programmes is a licensing requirement and those media owners and managers who refuse to cooperate will face serious repercussions. She said they agreed with media managers to each week allocate one hour to communicate government programmes in case of radios and 30 minutes for television stations. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Court-to-rule-on-UBC-board-appointment-next-week/-/688334/2385166/-/1wcncxz/-/index.html","content":"Court to rule on UBC board appointment next week - KAMPALA. The Constitutional Court has set July 24 for hearing of the case in which three former board members of the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) have challenged the decision by Information minister Rose Namayanja to constitute a new board before their application is determined. Former board members Chris Katuramu, Emmanuel Emoru and Edward Musinguzi Mugasa petitioned the court seeking for orders to have Ms Namayanja and nine other parties, including the Attorney General (AG), committed to civil prison for six months for allegedly abusing court orders. Ms Namayanja in March named former minister Nathan Igeme Nabeta to head the UBC board, amid controversy with the new board chair accused of conflict of interest because he is a shareholder in NBS TV. The minister was also accused of disregarding the Constitutional Court matter in which the former board members are challenging their removal.Also on the new board are Mr Richard Barungi, Ms Sylvia Constance Nakabugu Birahwa, Mr Mohammed Gulam Kabba, Ms Mariam Menyha, Mr Ian Kyeyune Sengonzi and Mr Simon Kaheru. DamagesBut in a fresh application before the Constitutional Court, the complainants want court to direct the group to pay Shs1 billion for damages and compensation and a fine of Shs500 million for the alleged continued contempt of court and breach of the Constitutional Court orders. “By altering the status quo, the applicants are forever being denied money in salaries, allowances and other emoluments through the contempt of acts meant to deprive them of the protection granted to them by court,” read the court documents.In March 2012, the court before Justice Steven Kavuma issued an interim order restraining the Attorney General, UBC and its managing director Paul Kihika, until a pending hearing and determination of a petition. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court has set July 24 for hearing of an application in which the complainants are seeking orders to seize the property belonging to the accused parties until they purge the alleged disobedience of court orders. It is alleged that the accused parties, by their unlawful actions, are illegally changing the status quo to prejudice the complainants yet the officials of AG and UBC are directly responsible for complying with the court orders and are answerable for their actions. Ignored ordersAccording to the documents, the group have jointly and severally ignored and disobeyed the court orders and “it is in the interest of justice that appropriate sanctions be issued”. Documents indicate that in March, the minister appointed Mr Nabeta as the UBC board chairman on part-time for a period of four years at a monthly retainer of Shs2 million while members receive Shs1.2 million. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Former-MPs-sue-Parliament-over-pay/-/688334/2378566/-/n56mk4/-/index.html","content":"Former MPs sue Parliament over pay - KAMPALA. Former MPs have sued the Parliamentary Commission over alleged breach of contract in connection with holding half of their remuneration for the last month of their tenure during the eighth Parliament.The group led by the former Achua county MP, Mr John Livingstone Okello Okello and former Omoro County MP, Mr Simon Akecha Toolit sued on behalf of 39 other former legislators seeking for court orders to declare that they were entitled to full pay, interest on the amounts withheld from May 2011 till payment in full.Through their lawyers, the legislators of the eighth Parliament (2006 to 2011) are seeking for general damages for breach of contractual obligations and legal costs.It is alleged that throughout the five year tenure of the plaintiffs as MPs, they received their salaries and emoluments in full save for the month of May 2011 in which the plaintiffs were paid half without any justification. “The plaintiffs by virtue of their positions as MPs are entitled to a salary and other emoluments paid out by the defendant to each MP. They contend that at the end of their Parliament tenure, they were each paid half of their salary and emoluments by the defendants (Parliamentary Commission) without any just cause,” reads part of the complaint.Meanwhile, court has summoned the Parliamentary Commission to five a defense within fifteen days.According to court documents, Mr Okello Okello raised the concern with the Speaker of Parliament regarding the half pay but in May 2011, the Speaker wrote in response indicating that the 50 percent was to be used to pay the incoming MPs.“It is my considered opinion that the decision to pay both outgoing and in-coming MPs 50 percent of their emoluments is unjust, unfair and could not be unlawful as well,” reads the letter in part. The hearing date is yet to be fixed, pending response from the defendants.editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Make-peace-in-South-Sudan/-/689360/2378318/-/7yad44/-/index.html","content":"Make peace in South Sudan - South Sudanese yesterday marked the third Independence anniversary with the capital Juba under curfew. There was none of the rousing fanfare that greeted the dawn of independence for the new nation three years ago. This is a great tragedy for Africa’s newest nation, born with great promise of a bright future and blessed with a great deal of oil wealth. But today, South Sudanese have little to celebrate. The country is not free but trapped in thick fear of war. In short, since a new wave of conflict began in December 2013, nowhere are civilians safe from attacks in South Sudan. According to Amnesty International, more than one million South Sudanese are displaced from their villages and 100,000 herded into internally displaced people’s camps at UN bases. Another 400,000 have been driven back into exile. Worse, 3.9 million of South Sudanese are at risk of famine. This disturbing tragedy has turned once liberators into persecutors of citizens. But on this Independence Day, this reversal of roles should sound the alarm bell for President Salva Kiir and his adversary Dr Riek Machar and the forces under them to cease fighting. The principals should also stop the wave of sexual violence, destruction of property and violence against children, and to facilitate humanitarian access to save the displaced civilians. Mr Kiir and Dr Machar must step back and share the pain of atrocities and terror of famine for South Sudanese – the people they fought to free from decades of civil war. The warring parties should make good on their promises to cease fire and stop the clashes and targeting members of the other’s ethnic groups in Unity, Jonglei, and Upper Nile states. Short of this, the guarantors of the peace process, especially the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (Igad), must impress on the principals that they cannot breach ceasefire agreements they signed on January 23 and renewed twice, on May 5 and 9, without being punished. Igad must hold both sides accountable in the on-going conflict. Mr Kiir and Dr Machar must be prompted to recall that both of their forces are potentially guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity, as cited by Amnesty International in March 2014 field research report. As a further measure, Igad should also explore new approaches to secure peace in South Sudan. And so, Igad as guarantors of the peace negotiations should consider shunting aside protagonists Kiir and Machar. This should give way to other less polarised players to move on the peace process and drive the country forward. The young nation cannot move forward if the leaders do not drop the guns and talk over their political disputes. It is time to stop the fighting and make South Sudan safe again."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Markets/Bidders-advised-on-administrative-review-process/-/688606/2375222/-/nbr9lp/-/index.html","content":"Bidders advised on administrative review process - KAMPALA During procurement process, competition is always stiff among the contesting bidders as they are all competing for one contract where only one contractor or supplier is needed.When a contract is finally awarded, some bidders always remain unsatisfied with how the deal was awarded while others keep on wondering why they did not get that particular contract. In that case, bidders are advised to apply for administrative review once they feel that there was breach of law in the awarding of the contract, especially by the procuring entity.When a complaint is lodged by a discontented bidder, the administrative review board re-examines how the procuring entity managed the process to ensure it was done according to the law. Mr Moses Kirungi, a procurement expert, said an administrative review is done when there are complaints from bidders claiming to have lost the tender due to breach of procurement guidelines by a procuring entity or competitors. “If a bidder feels that there was breach of Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) laws during the procuring process, he or she should file for an administrative review of the process through the accounting officer of the procuring entity,” Mr Kirungi said.He said this must be done within five working days after all bidders have been notified about the winner and the reasons for their failure to win the given contract. On receiving the complaint, the accounting officer communicates in writing to bidders within 15 working days, indicating the corrective measures to be taken. These include the suspension of the proceedings, where he or she deems it necessary and giving reasons for his or her decision. InvestigationsThe accounting officer investigates a complaint filed considering the information and evidence presented. If the accounting officer dismisses a complaint, he or she must notify the bidder of the dismissal and the reasons for it. Mr Fred Ssentongo, a procurement practitioner, said if the accounting officer does not make a decision within the given period or if a bidder is not satisfied with the decision of the accounting officer, the bidder can appeal to PPDA within 10 working days from the date the accounting officer’s decision was communicated. jbahingwire@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kanyeihamba-sues-investor-over-shs300million-debt/-/688334/2369306/-/fvocy7z/-/index.html","content":"Kanyeihamba sues investor over shs300million debt - KAMPALA. Retired Ugandan Supreme Court judge, Prof George William Kanyeihamba has gone to court seeking recovery of shs300 million from one of his tenants, Mr Kong Yue, a Chinese investor.In a civil suit No.350 of 2014 filed before the Land Division of the High Court in Kampala, Prof Kanyeihamba (Plaintiff) claims that on February 18, 2014, he entered into a tenancy agreement with the defendant (Mr Yue) to rent his residential house at Plot No.30B1, Lugard Road, Entebbe for purposes of using it for a hotel business.Through his lawyers, Messrs G.W. Kanyeihamba & Co. Advocates, Prof Kanyeihamba alleges that the defendant unilaterally converted the premises from residential to commercial property, contrary to the tenancy agreement without his permission.Prof Kanyeihamba further claims that he notified Mr Yue of his breach of contract on May 13, 2014 but in vain. Subsequently, he proposed to revise the rent through an addendum agreement but the defendant allegedly declined to sign the same.In the suit, Prof Kanyeihamba contends that the defendant breached contract leading to a total loss of value of his (Prof Kanyeihamba) property to the tune of shs300, 000,000 and therefore wants court to grant him compensation in the sum.In addition to payment of general damages for breach of contract and costs of the suit, Prof Kanyeihamba wants court to order the defendant to cease to engage in Hotel and restaurant business. Court is yet to fix the hearing date for the case. Jkigongo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Court-Blocks-sale-of-MP-Ogong-s-house/-/688334/2362322/-/fds1hx/-/index.html","content":"Court Blocks sale of MP Ogong’s house - KAMPALA The High Court in Kampala has issued and iterim order blocking the sale or mortgage of Dokolo County MP Felix Okot Ogong’s Shs2billion house and other properties until a suit he filed against the bank is disposed of. The auctioneers acting on behalf of the bank and MODPART, a debt management firm recently issued a public notice in the Daily Monitor on June 18 advertising the MP’s house among the commodities that were up for sale by July 21. But the MP through Ms Twesigye, Oyuku and Company Advocates, applied for an interim order restraining DFCU from selling his luxurious house located on plot 353 at Mutungo- Luzira and his land on Kyadondo Block 237. The interim order issued by the High Court Deputy Registrar- Land division, Michael Otto Gulamali on June 23rd, 2014 now stops both parties from proceeding with the mortgaging and sale of the two plots. “This application coming for hearing this 23rd day of June 2014 before his worship Otto , upon the application of Mr Oyuku Anthony, counsel of the applicant. It is hereby ordered that the interim application be allowed. Both parties are restrained from selling, mortgaging the suit land comprised of Kyaddondo Block 237,plot 353 at Mutungo ,Luzira until the hearing of the miscellaneous application inter-parties on 09/07/2014,” reads the order in part. The MP while addressing a news conference in Parliament yesterday dismissed reports that DFCU had seized his house in Mutungo over failure to pay a Shs1.6 billion debt. Mr Okot is said to have taken a loan from the bank in 2011 to finance a consignment of 2,000 tonnes of duty free sugar from India but has allegedly defaulted. However, the MP claimed yesterday that the bank gave him a 15-year grace period to pay back and has instead turned around to breach the agreement.“DFCU was part of the entire deal and they are aware of the losses that I incurred. Sugar was the collateral commodity. The money was to be offset from my bank account but the sugar arrived late and we sold it cheaply incurring a loss of Shs1.6billion,” he explained. URA then reportedly asked the MP to pay 100percent tax on the transaction yet he had qualified for a duty free licence to import duty free sugar.He is also accusing Rica Global Impex Ltd for the delay in supplying his sugar consignment past the 6 months tax free duration by government, leading to losses through VAT taxes and the consequent threat to his house."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Govt-should-listen-to-the-jobless-brotherhood/-/689360/2358042/-/u3axri/-/index.html","content":"Govt should listen to the jobless brotherhood - The remarkable display of a majestic ride in a Volkswagen Golf car by two Opposition youth accompanied by two yellow-coated piglets delivers for Uganda a moral story. The youth, calling themselves the jobless brotherhood, sought to dramatise their six-year fruitless job search and parade their annoyance against an unhelpful Parliament, which they mocked as ‘Corruption Constituency’. Ironically, as is the case with several youth venture projects in Uganda, jobless Mr Tumuhimbise and Mr Mayanja with two yellow-painted pigs in tow, announced their dilemma in grand style on Tuesday. The piglets proved a perfect set of petition to the House to drive the message of youth unemployment home to the MPs, whom they humbled as ‘MPigs’. But that the taking of the petitions were foiled, the youth quickly stopped, and the piglets bruised in a scuffle as they sought grand entry into the House’s foyer, serves a perfect parable of our youth failed search to be heard on unemployment.At 29, Mr Tumuhimbise is winding up his years as an unemployed youth without a secure future and means of livelihood. Mr Tumuhimbise is only one of the young and restless 4.4 million of Uganda’s 7.2 million youth. The lesson here is for our MPs not to develop headaches over breach of security at Parliament by the duo, but must rather be sweating over the youth’s warnings of run-away unemployment, corruption, youth exploitation, and government’s extravagance. Our MPs should be searching for policies to address the depressing recent research by the World Bank which shows that youth unemployment in Uganda stands at more than 62 per cent each year. And worse, more than 400,000 other young Ugandans are added onto the numbers of jobless brotherhood annually. These worrying statistics should drive our MPs to mind our vulnerable youth and give them special attention. The MPs should recognise the choice of precincts of Parliament by the youth to dramatise their woes was a loud metaphor that they have dismally failed to make the necessary laws and policies to rescue the youth from unemployment. For their slackness, Article 79 empowers MPs to make laws on any matter for the peace, order, development and good governance of Uganda and so must they do for our youth, and do it urgently. Comic as it has now become, that Mr Tumuhimbise’s Shs700,000 piggery project proposal did not catch the eye of any of our 300-odd MPs, is pitiful. Also that Mr Tumuhimbise raised about Shs300,000 in a bid to start up the piggery but did not win approval from the several programmes meant to make the youth more employable, brings to question the criteria of choice of our beneficiary youth from the several chances afforded by the youth venture schemes. The youth chose only a civil form of protest. They should be freed and government arrests their fears instead."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Parks--markets-must-heed-to-security-checks/-/689360/2355864/-/106x4h5z/-/index.html","content":"Parks, markets must heed to security checks - Lest Ugandans forget, the terrorists’ acts of violence still stalk us all in the region. Unfortunately, some managers of public places, especially of open air taxi parks and markets, remain mindless of the risks to safety of Ugandans despite the recurrent spate of terrorists’ attacks in neighbouring Kenya. Sadly, these unsecured public spaces are where hundreds of Ugandans shop daily and are picked up and dropped off from and to work. Because terrorists and other criminals strike unannounced, the national agencies in charge of securing the lives of Ugandans must not allow such laxity by any manager who stakes our lives at God’s mercy. It would be meaningless for the police and private security agencies to enforce security regulations in corporate places such as banks, malls, arcades, and administrative offices where only a few people patronise and leave unsupervised large crowd-pulling places such as open air taxi parks and markets. These lapses would render void the much-touted government’s security agencies being in control and prepared to secure Uganda’s borders and public institutions against these terrorists’ threats. As Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi warned, security threats by the al-Shabaab terrorists are real and must not be underestimated as witnessed in consecutive attacks on villages in the coastal towns of Poromoko and Mpekketoni, killing more than 60 people. Just like with Kenya, the al-Shabaab terrorists have vowed to hurt Uganda for deploying peacekeepers to secure the peace in war-torn Somalia. And for those immersed in celebrations of the on-going football World Cup festivities in noisy hangouts, we should be conscious of potential attacks similar to those in Kenya and Nigeria. Even as the party, fun and enjoyment goes on, we must remember the double bombings by the al-Shabaab terrorists’ that left at least 80 people dead and scores injured as fans watched similar soccer finale at the Kyadondo Rugby Grounds and Ethiopian Village Restaurant in Kampala on July 11, 2010. Likewise, managers of open air taxi parks and markets must, just as those of banks, malls and arcades, take responsibility for the safety of their clients and hire private guards to man these places. What the police should do is to issue more stringent measures to impose compliance to the agreed security benchmarks so that clients and baggage are exhaustively checked for any breach of security. As well, Ugandans must check security lapse and take the issue of their safety into their own hands and not rely only on owners of public places to guarantee their security. We should not relax our guard and second-guess the security warnings just because no terrorists’ attacks have as yet happened."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/UBC-on-spot-over-World-Cup/-/688334/2354724/-/l9nv2w/-/index.html","content":"UBC on spot over World Cup - Kampala- The national broadcaster, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), could lose its rights to broadcast the World Cup tournament for entering an illegal partnership with a Pay Tv company, which contravenes world football governing body, FIFA, standards. The tournament is underway in Brazil. UBC, is said to have signed agreement with StarTimes Media (Uganda) to broadcast the matches on both pay per view platforms without rights. The African Union of Broadcasting, which brings together all national broadcasters on the continent together with FIFA, wrote to its members before the commencement of the tournament on June 12, urging them to desist from making any partnerships with StarTimes and urged those who had done so to immediately stop. “It has been brought to our attention that StarTimes has established partnership with some AUB member organisations and is using that relationship to promote the sale of its digital decoders with 2014 FIFA World Cup Football,” the AUB chief executive, Lawrence Atiase, wrote in a warning letter dated May 14. He added, “This is a very serious breach of provisions of FIFA/AUB member organisations’ media agreement.”The executive director of communications regulator, Uganda Communication Commission, Mr Godfrey Mutabazi, has raised a red flag, saying both UBC and StarTimes are violating international agreements. In a June 16 letter, Mr Mutabazi, directed UBC to “immediately halt the airing of any advertisements and broadcast of World Cup matches via the UBC channel of StarTimes”. Failure to do so, he said, would attract legal action. StarTimes spokesperson, Christine Nagujja, denied that the company was “breaching any contract what so ever.” musisif@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Court-to-decide-Ssekandi-s-stay-in-Parliament/-/688334/2347600/-/o0vqu3z/-/index.html","content":"Constitutional Court to decide Ssekandi’s stay in Parliament - Kampala The Constitutional Court on Thursday said it would give its judgement on a petition seeking to remove Vice President Edward Ssekandi from Parliament at a date to be communicated. Mr Ssekandi’s former rival, Mr Jude Mbabaali, the petitioner, wants court to remove Ssekandi from Parliament on account that he used government resources to win Bukoto Central parliamentary seat in 2011. Mr Mbabaali’s lawyer, Mr Alex Candia, told a panel of five justices of the court led by Justice Remmy Kasule, that Mr Ssekandi diverted five cars attached to his office, fuel worth Shs120m and police to facilitate his parliamentary election campaigns. He argued that this gave an undue advantage over other candidates in the race. The petitioner argues that Mr Ssekandi, who was Speaker of Parliament at the time of elections in 2011, should have used his personal resources to facilitate his movements. “The respondent [Ssekandi] breached the Leadership Code of Conduct when he used government resources attached to his office for his private campaigns. A leader is supposed to be honest and corruption-free. We therefore ask this court to remove the respondent from Parliament for breach of the same…” lawyer Candia asked court. However, Mr Ssekandi’s lawyer, Mr Kiryowa Kiwanuka, countered that Mr Mbabaali had failed to prove that his client used government facilities attached to his office for private campaigns. Case in wrong court?Mr Kiwanuka further argued that the petition had been brought before a wrong court because the cited allegations do not warrant a constitutional interpretation. He said the case should have been filed in the High Court, which hears election petitions. “Matters relating to elections should have been discussed in the already withdrawn election petition that was before the High Court. We submit that this particular case is an abuse of the court process because it is disguised as an election petition,” lawyer Kiwanuka argued.“This court is not mandated to hear electoral disputes but interpret the constitution. We pray that this court finds this case not proper for interpretation and should be dismissed with costs to the respondent (Ssekandi). After hearing submissions from both sides, Justice Kasule said the court would give their judgment on a date yet to be named (commonly known in legal circles as a “ruling on notice”). The contention Mr Jude Mbabaali, Mr Ssekandi’s former rival and now the main petitioner, alleges that Mr Ssekandi used government resources attached to his office to facilitate his election, contrary to the electoral law and the Leadership Code Act. “The acts of breach of Leadership Code of Conduct are serious and attract vacation of one’s office…” Mr Alex Candia, Mr Mbabaali’s lawyer, argues. awesaka@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/AugustineRuzindana/What-is-the-utility-of-African-Leaders--Summit-in-Washington-/-/887296/2346390/-/fuhtqs/-/index.html","content":"What is the utility of African Leaders’ Summit in Washington? - In the last few years, there have been summits held between African heads of state and the top most political leaders of Europe, China, India and Japan. These summits have yielded some goodies, in terms of aid for Africa. President Obama, on the other hand, perhaps because of his African roots, gave caution lest he is accused of bias in his relationship with Africa, and did not seem to have any intention to call a summit with African leaders in Washington. However, more than 50 African heads of state have been invited to Washington in August although it will be more of a workshop than a summit. The White House has informed African ambassadors that no African leader will have a one-on-one meeting with President Obama. Instead, the African leaders will have an “interactive dialogue” with President Obama on August 6, preceded by a state dinner on the White House lawn for all leaders, the previous evening. Once the “interactive dialogue” is concluded, it will be the end of the summit and there will be no final communiqué or official press conference as is the tradition at other summits. No doubt all African leaders will shake the hand of President Obama but there will be no substantive discussions. Diplomats might regard this procedure as an unusual breach of protocol, but that is what will happen. On the first day of the three days, the African leaders are expected to be in Washington, they will have a programme focusing on civil society and a meeting organised by the chairman of the Senate sub-committee on Africa. Cabinet secretaries have been asked to host African leaders for private dinners on the evening of the first day. It seems the most critical meeting will be a US-Africa CEO six hour summit, which will be organised by the Secretary of Commerce and attended by about 300 corporate CEOs to discuss business and trade. Michael Bloomberg, a business tycoon and political leader has added his name to this summit as its co-host, in order to draw corporate peers to the meeting. This is indeed an innovative summit, which could perhaps be regarded as a birthday celebration since it happens to fall on President Obama’s birthday than a working meeting with any expected tangible results. Perhaps each parliament in the various African countries will evaluate the outcome of the visit of their head of state to Washington in August this year and compare it with those in China, India, Japan and Europe. I got a question about the last article I wrote on the pilgrimage to Namugongo on Martyrs Day. The question was why the Muslims who were killed at the same time with the Christian martyrs are not celebrated. Indeed, it is an important question because as a matter of fact, the Muslims killed were more than either the Catholics or Protestants martyrs. The Protestants were also more than the Catholics, yet the martyrs celebrations are more of a Catholic martyrs’ event. I can only attest to the fact that it seems Kabaka Mwanga was not sectarian and only responded very harshly to what he saw as a challenge to his absolute power and also to him as a person since the persons involved were largely his palace staff.The missionaries had infiltrated his kingdom up to his own household. The Catholics venerate martyrs and saints more than the Protestants and Muslims, that is why Martyrs Day is identified more with Catholics who have canonised the martyrs as saints, so that you can now find a Lwanga or a Kizito in Malawi or Argentina or France as a Christian name. Mr Ruzindana is a former IGG and former MP. a_ruzindana@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/MTN-appeals-dismissed-Shs10b-case/-/688610/2341426/-/9gnvtb/-/index.html","content":"MTN appeals dismissed Shs10b case - Kampala Telecom firm MTN Uganda Limited, has appealed against a High Court decision that dismissed a case in which it sued a shipping company for breaching a Shs10 billion contract. In a letter to the Registrar of the Court of Appeal, MTN, through Kampala Associated Advocates, is challenging the High Court ruling in which the telecom firm lost a $3,827,820.71 (about Shs10 billion) claim. “Take notice that the plaintiff being dissatisfied with the decision and orders of the high Court of Uganda on May 23, 2014, intends to appeal against the said decision,” reads the lawyers’ letter. The appeal process follows an order in which Justice Christopher Madrama of the Commercial Court directed the case to be struck out with costs. Justice Madrama held that a court of law cannot sanction that which is illegal and an illegality once brought to the attention of court would be dealt with irrespective of pleadings. BackgroundIn 2012, MTN Uganda Limited sued Threeways Shipping Group for allegedly failing and or refusing to pay $3,827,820.71, the money which was contracted in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), general damages, interests and legal costs. The MoU, according to court was signed between the two companies with a view of amicably resolving their disputes by way of reconciliation and the shipping firm had agreed to pay $4 million (about Shs10 billion) within six months. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/MTN-loses-Shs10b-petition/-/688334/2325196/-/xiqyijz/-/index.html","content":"MTN loses Shs10b petition - Kampala- Court has dismissed a case in which MTN Uganda had sued a shipping company, demanding $4 million (about Shs10 billion) for alleged breach of contract regarding a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). In 2012, MTN Uganda sued Threeways Shipping Group for allegedly failing or refusing to pay $ 3,827,820 million (about Shs10 billion) which was agreed upon in the MOU. The telecom giant also wanted the shipping firm to pay general damages, interests and legal costs. The MoU was signed between the two companies to amicably resolve their disputes and the shipping firm had agreed to pay $4 million within six months. However, Threeways Group Limited challenged the MTN case on account that the MoU was illegal and unenforceable in law because it contradicted the Penal Code Act which gives powers to the state to prosecute criminal cases. Dismissal termsJustice Christopher Madrama of the High Court Commercial Division held that a court of law cannot sanction what is illegal and an illegality once brought to the attention of court would be dealt with irrespective of pleadings. “I think illegality, once brought to the attention of court, overrides all questions of pleadings, and therefore this is and remains a real and indeed insuperable difficulty in the way of the defendant so far as the mercantile agency is concerned,” the judge ruled before dismissing the case with costs. Court said the MoU violated the Penal Code Act in regard to abstinence of the complainant to pursue their case against the accused company, its directors and shareholders in order to help them prosecute MTN employees and former employees for charges of embezzlement, theft and causing financial loss. Threeways Group had argued that the said MoU was signed under duress owing to the freezing of its bank accounts despite maintaining their innocence.However, MTN maintained that the objection alone could not dispose of the case without adducing evidence. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/Telecom-firm--MTN-loses-case-against-shipping-company/-/688612/2324984/-/hfx4su/-/index.html","content":"Telecom firm, MTN loses case against shipping company - The case in which telecom giant, MTN Uganda Limited had sued a shipping company over alleged breach of contract in connection with the memorandum of understanding has been dismissed. In 2012, MTN Uganda Limited had sued, Threeways Shipping Group for allegedly failing and or refusing to pay $3,827,820.71 the money which was contracted in the memorandum of understanding (MOU), general damages, interests and legal costs. The MOU, according to court was signed between the two companies with a view of amicably resolving their disputes by way of reconciliation and the shipping firm had agreed to pay $4 million within six months. However, through their lawyers, Threeways Group Limited challenged the MTN case on the argument that the MOU is illegal and unenforceable in law for contradicting with the Penal Code Act which gives powers to the state to prosecute criminal cases. Justice Christopher Madrama of the Commercial Division held that a court of law cannot sanction that which is illegal and an illegality once brought to the attention of court would be dealt with irrespective of pleadings. “I think illegality, once brought to the attention of court, overrides all questions of pleadings, and therefore this is and remains a real and indeed insuperable difficulty in the way of the defendant so far as the mercantile agency is concerned,” held the judge before ordering the case to be struck out with costs. Court observed that the MOU violated the Penal Code Act in as far as abstinence of the complainant to pursue their case against the accused company, its directors and shareholders in order to help them prosecute MTN employees and former employees for charges of embezzlement, theft and causing financial loss. The court decision results from an objection in which Threeways Group through their lawyers argued that the said MOU was signed due to pressure owing to the freezing of the bank accounts despite maintaining their innocence. The MOU under controversy had been listed as MTN Uganda’s document to be relied on as evidence at the hearing of the breach of contract case. However, MTN maintained that the objection alone could not dispose of the case without adducing evidence. The case arises from questioned invoices in which it was alleged that the proprietors of Threeways Group colluded with MTN staff to siphon the company money. Under the MOU was meant to among other issues, facilitate reconciliation as well as striking of an amicable resolution of in consideration for which MTN Uganda would immediately upon execution of the agreement persuade the Police and DPP to cause the unfreezing of the bank accounts for Threeways Group. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kayihura-denies-role-in-NRM-disciplinary-cases/-/688334/2322628/-/6bpun1z/-/index.html","content":"Kayihura denies role in NRM disciplinary cases - Kampala- The Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, has denied any role in the disciplinary matters of NRM party but insisted that interrogation of any person cannot amount to breach of the Constitution. “I have never openly or otherwise, declared myself as an agent of the national chairperson of the National Resistance Movement political party, nor have I ever lured any person to spy on any supporters of any politician with a view to lure them to support another politician, as alleged,” Gen Kayihura said. The police chief is challenging the petition in which a citizen, Mr Rodgers Besigye, sued claiming that Gen Kayihura usurped the powers of the NRM structures to discipline its errant members. Mr Besigye alleges that last month, Gen Kayihura interrogated Mr Alex Kasirivu, the NRM chairperson of Kayunga District, on his involvement in soliciting support for Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi’s supposed candidacy for the ruling party chairmanship and presidency. But Gen Kayihura says the petition lacks evidence.He also denies seeking any advice from any person on how to triumph against another or to arrange a meeting with any leader. “I have never given any facilitation to any person or group of people for the purpose of defeating any person’s bid to contest for political party leadership or for the presidency of Uganda,” Gen Kayihura’s affidavit reads in part. Mr Besigye is seeking for court orders to restrain Gen Kayihura from the questioned actions against Mr Mbabazi. He also wants court to declare that the police chief unfit to serve. The petition came amid debates on NRM leadership since party MPs resolved to support President Museveni’s presidential candidature for the 2016 flag bearer. In the wake of the debate, audio tapes leaked where Gen Kayihura was heard interviewing Mr Kasirivu and others on Mr Mbabazi’s supposed candidacy. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Unqualified-finance-officers-to-lose-jobs/-/688334/2312252/-/152a7wiz/-/index.html","content":"Unqualified finance officers to lose jobs - Mbale- Chief finance officers (CFOs), whose academic qualifications do not measure up to the required standard, are at risk of being sacked if they do not update their credentials in two years’ time. Mr Francis Okori, an assistant commissioner in the Ministry of Local Government, said the decision was made because the level of accounting of most CFOs does not measure up to the standards of professional accounting. “Unfortunately, most of the accounting officers are working in acting capacity because they are not qualified, a situation that has affected the standard of professional accounting in urban local governments. The law on this is clear and we must not breach it,” Mr Okori said, while addressing CFOs from all over the country in Mbale Town at the weekend. He explained that any accounting officer in the Local Government ministry must be a certified public accountant and that if the period given for them to attain an accounting certificate expires, those who will not have attained it will be sacked. Mr Richard Mabala, Mbale’s CFO, told Daily Monitor that the workshop was intended to develop a mechanism to improve professional accounting as a prerequisite for fighting corruption in local governments. “The public has always alleged that we financial managers embezzle public funds. So we gathered here to discuss such incidences and also devise measures to minimise corrupt tendencies,” Mr Mabala said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Pupil-held-for-giving-letter-to-Museveni/-/688334/2289370/-/frympwz/-/index.html","content":"Girl held for beating President’s security - Mbarara- Police in Mbarara are holding a pupil of Kanyaryeru Primary School in Nyabushozi, Kiruhura District who beat the President’s security on Saturday and handed him a letter. Rwizi region police spokesperson Ibin Senkumbi yesterday confirmed that the girl’s mother, Ms Generous Tumuhimbise, was also under detention at Mbarara Central Police Station. The incident happened on Saturday at Ntare School where the President had gone to attend an old boys reunion. Shortly before 4pm, Bridget Atwijukire, a primary five pupil, emerged from a tent at the lower end of the school quadrangle, on the left of where the President was seated and moved swiftly to the presidential tent. A Special Forces Command guard standing in between the VIP and President’s tents belatedly leapt and tried to grab Atwijukire but she was already in front of the President brandishing an envelope. She knelt and showed Mr Museveni the envelope. The President then signalled for a female aide to come over and pick the envelope as he briefly chatted with the girl. It was not clear what Atwijukire told the President. Mr Senkumbi, however, said the girl and her mother were following up on pledges made to them by the President. “They claim that the President promised to buy for them land, construct a house and pay school fees for the orphaned girl,” Mr Senkumbi said. “Police investigations reveal that they have been impatient with the pledge. They suspected that the funds were released and swindled. That forced them to risk and deliver the message.” Guards move into actionAfter being handed over to the aide, Atwijukire was taken behind the tent where she was quizzed by a presidential guard. The guards had to move fast and stop another elderly man who was making his way to the President’s tent. A chair was placed in the walkway and a soldier perched on it.After the interrogation, the girl who had now been joined by her mother, were handed over to the police. Asked to explain why the girl and her mother were still in detention after the mandatory 48 hours, Mbarara Central Police Station chief detective Ian Kakuru, said they were still waiting for feedback from the Resident State Attorney. “The file has been sent to the state attorney for advice,” said Mr Kakuru. RSA determines what charges to prefer against the suspects. The police actions, however, contradicted their SFC colleagues who said there was no such arrest. Maj Chris Magezi, the SFC spokesperson, said: “A six year old girl moving to see the President is no cause for alarm. They (security) saw her. She was allowed to access the President. It wasn’t breach of security.” 1 | 2 Next Page»He added: “She had a message for the president and delivered it. The message is with the president. No one knows the contents.” editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Law-Commission-cautions-on-mobile-money-regulation/-/688322/2278412/-/12wkiaf/-/index.html","content":"Law Commission cautions on mobile money regulation - KAMPALA. As Uganda moves to regulate mobile money and e-banking to stem money-laundering and other related crime, caution must be taken not to breach customer privacy that may affect confidence and trust in the subsector currently experiencing hyper growth. The caution is contained in an issue paper by the Uganda Law Reform Commission (ULRC) to stakeholders in an on-going consultation that will eventually lead to legislation that will govern the mobile money and e-banking sub sector. ULRC warns that any breach of confidence and trust is likely to turn around the gains that have brought on board thousands of hitherto unbanked populations in the country-side. The Uganda Law Society is this month studying the paper to provide proposals to the ULRC for inclusion into a draft law. “For a country overwhelmed by limited banking options, mobile has in just a short time brought millions to the ranks of financial inclusion. As part of the global efforts to counter money laundering and terrorism, FATF (Financial Action Task Force) requirements demand transparency of all financial services customers, including mobile money... Should mobile money platforms come to be affected by privacy breaches and malware, users will lose trust in the application, reversing adoption trends and eliminating potential gains,” the commission noted. Currently, there is no specific law to deal with the mobile money and e-banking apart from Bank of Uganda (BoU) regulations issued last October. The guidelines that emphasise consumer safety require mobile money service providers to partner with BoU-registered banking institutions, in which the institution would be required to distribute the money held in an escrow account in case of adverse eventualities. But the commission says the guidelines “do not have a legal force of an Act of Parliament” and are only an “interim measure.” users being fleecedLast year, police revealed that at least one hundred mobile money users were being fleeced of millions of shillings every week although many of them opted not report owing to little amounts involved and the tedious/futile process of recovery."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Police--army-top-in-torture--report-shows/-/688334/2274772/-/148fp23z/-/index.html","content":"Police, army top in torture, report shows - KAMPALA. For the third year running, the Uganda Police Force has topped the list of state agencies singled out for torture in the 2013 annual human rights report. Human rights complaints registered against the police increased by 22 per cent in the past year due to a rise in detention beyond 48 hours, torture and crackdown on political activities, the latest Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) report revealed. The report officially launched in Kampala yesterday also pins the police for using disproportionate force in stopping demonstrations, illegal use of preventive arrests, and misuse of due process. Complaints against the police increased from 346 in 2012 to 424 in 2013, making it the respondent with the highest number of complaints lodged for at least the third year running. Private individuals followed at 163, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces at 55, Prisons at 36 and Local Government’s at 28.The police again topped the torture list with 188 complaints registered against the Force, UPDF had 36 torture complaints, Prisons 26 while Local Governments and private individuals tied at 13. Complaints against the Internal Security Organisation dropped.The 2013 UHRC report is the latest indictment against the force following several reports by corruption-tracking agencies that have consistently ranked the police as the most corrupt state organ. Ms Jacqueline Mbabazi, the chairperson of the NRM Women’s League, recently joined opposition politicians and activists in voicing disapproval against the Force, saying it is littered with “lumpens”. Yesterday, the deputy police spokesperson, Ms Polly Namaye, said the findings of UHRC, the body charged with the constitutional mandate of upholding and protecting human rights in the country, are “unfortunate”, but insisted that there is an “increase in professionalism in the police”“I am not saying that they are biased but it is always good to give credit where it is due,” Ms Namaye said. The police was also faulted over the closure of media houses, including the Daily Monitor, in May last year. The UHRC also noted that the police and Uganda Communications Commission further threatened media houses with closure if they discussed controversial issues like the 2012 mysterious death of the former Butaleja Woman MP Cerinah Nebanda, the contentious letter authored by renegade General David Sejusa and UPDF’s incursion into South Sudan. Last evening, the army said it would comment on the findings after evaluating the report. “I have not read that report and the UPDF was not invited at the launch. I wish to get the report and read through those negative elements so that we can bring that to a definitive conclusion,” said the deputy UPDF spokesperson, Maj Robert Ngabirano. Findings “The method of operation and manner in which the [media] houses were cordoned off was in breach of the fundamental principle of the inalienable right to a fair hearing. The move by police to compel the journalists to reveal their source of information was in contravention of their professional ethical standards,” 2013 annual human rights report TORTURE LIST Institution Cases againstPolice 188 UPDF 36 Prisons 26 Local Governments 13Private individuals 13"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/MP-Nsereko-sued-over-Shs600m/-/688334/2271856/-/hjm30r/-/index.html","content":"MP Nsereko sued over Shs600m - Kampala. A businessman has sued Kampala Central MP Muhammad Nsereko over alleged failure to pay back a loan of Shs660 million. Mr Hatwib Katoto, who is also MP for Katerera County, lodged the suit in the Commercial Court on Friday. Mr Katoto also wants court to order MP Nsereko to pay him general damages for alleged breach of contract. MP Katoto alleges that on August 7, 2013 Mr Nsereko borrowed Shs310 million to be paid back in 60 days, but he later defaulted. He alleges that instead, in February 2014 Mr Nsereko again borrowed Shs349 million from him, raising the total loan sum to Shs660m, which he has also not repaid. “MP Nsereko pledged several Equity Bank cheques which were rejected on grounds that the account on which they were drawn was closed. He also issued two land titles in the names of Swaib Ssentongo and Jamada Musisi as guarantee to receive this loan,” Katoto’s plaint reads in part. “His action of failure to pay back has denied Mr Katoto a chance to invest his money and pay bank loans,” Katoto’s lawyers state in the suit. Court has ordered Nsereko to file his defence within 15 days of service of the suit."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/NRM-dragged-to-court-over-failure-to-pay-rent/-/688334/2257152/-/ewhccfz/-/index.html","content":"NRM dragged to court over failure to pay rent - KAMPALA. The ruling party National Resistance Movement (NRM) has been dragged to Commercial Court for failure to clear its headquarter rent arrears amounting to over Shs.361 million. Nile Travel Agencies Ltd , the Land Lord to NRM , allege that in November ,2011 they entered into a tenancy agreement where they agreed to rent out its premises on plot 10 Kyadondo Road at over Shs10 million per month for 30 months till January 2014 inclusive of VAT payable half yearly in advance. According to the court documents, NRM entered into possession of the suit property and is to date using the same as the party’s headquarters but has failed and or refused to pay the rent agreed upon as it fell due. Through Tumusiime, Kabega and company Advocates, the company seeks orders compelling NRM to pay the said monies, a 20% interest till the date of full payment plus General damages for breach of a tenancy agreement.However, despite several demand reminders, NRM has refused to pay the above money which continues to rise every month that passes by inclusive of 18% of the VAT. “We shall aver that due to the defendant’s (NRM) actions, the agency has suffered great inconvenience and hardship,” reads part of the case filed by Nile Travel Agencies Ltd. The court deputy registrar Thaddeus Opeseni signed summons requiring NRM to file its response within 15 days. The case has been allocated to Justice Billy Kainamura for hearing."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Experts-caution-govt-against-bad-media-laws/-/688334/2256370/-/gbh7xd/-/index.html","content":"Experts caution govt against bad media laws - Media practitioners yesterday warned government against introducing laws and regulations that breach constitutional freedoms. The practitioners were reacting to reports that the Minister of Information, Ms Rose Namayanja, had through statutory order number 4 issued new laws and regulations for journalists. The laws under the Press and Journalists (fees) Regulations, 2014, introduce new fees for journalists. Dr Peter Mwesige, the executive director at the African Centre for Media Excellence, questioned the legitimacy of the new regulations which government is moving. He said the charges appear to violate right to freedoms of speech, expression, the press and other media freedoms as spelt out under Article 29 of the Constitution. “If we turn our attention to the numbers we are missing the point. The picture is on the law itself. Is it a legitimate law?” “The Centre for Public Interest Law in cooperation with Human Rights Network for Journalists and the Eastern Africa Media Institute filed a constitutional petition challenging major sections of the law,” he said. Early this month, the Centre for Public Interest Law, together with the Human Rights Network for Journalists and the Eastern Africa Media Institute filed a constitutional petition challenging sections of the Ugandan Press and Journalists Act. Under the new law. journalists shall be required to pay Shs200,000 to obtain a practising certificate, Shs100,000 for annual renewal of registration and Shs30,000 for issuance of a certificate of enrolment, among other charges. Mr Haruna Kanabi of the Independent Media Council criticised the manner in which media fees shall be collected. “It is the National Institute of the Journalists of Uganda (NIJU) which is supposed to offer enrolment certificate after which the Media Council issues a practicing license. As far as I know, NIJU is not in operation and whatever they want to do is illegal,” he said. Sections 28 and 29 restrict the right of a person to practice journalism unless that person has enrolled, acquired an accreditation card, and complied with all the terms of the Media Council and other orders under the Act. =======================================Some of the proposed fees to be paid Particulars ------------------------------------------------ Fees (Shs & dollars)Registration of editors -------------------------------------------- 10,000Change of editor’s particulars ------------------------------------ 5,000Application for enrollment ------------------------------------ 5,000Certificate of enrollment ------------------------------------- 30,000Registration certificate ------------------------------------ 50,000Issuance of certificate ----------------------------------- 200,000Renewal of certificate ------------------------------------------- 100,000Accreditation [foreign journalists] -------------------------- $25 Issuing accreditation certificate for foreign journalists ---- $300 Foreign journalists [2 years accreditation] ------------------- $200 Filing fee on lodging a complaint --------------------------- 10,000Response to complaint by respondent --------------------------- 2,000Ruling/order by committee -------------------------------- 10,000"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Police-block-opposition-rally-on-electoral-reforms-rally/-/688334/2255132/-/fqj30y/-/index.html","content":" Police block rally on electoral reforms - SOROTIPolice in Soroti yesterday blocked Opposition politicians who attempted to hold a rally to drum up support for a raft of 10 electoral reforms they insist must be effected to guarantee free and fair elections in 2016.FDC President Mugisha Muntu, UPC president Olara Otunu, and retired Bishop Zac Niringiye, were blocked from accessing Lions Park and other venues where rallies about the proposed reforms were scheduled. There was a scuffle with police even as the opposition leaders went to Desert Island Hotel owned by Soroti Woman MP Angelline Osege to have lunch. Soroti DPC, Mr Joab Wabwire, said he would not allow them access the hotel because they are going to hold a meeting “that has not been vetted by police.”“They are going to cause breach of peace. We are not going to allow this because if they had wanted to conduct a rally, they would have consulted us,” Mr Wabwire said.“This is my home. I don’t need permission to host my visitors,” Ms Osege argued as she tried to shove the DPC off the entrance to the hotel.Sensing the deadlock, Gen Muntu and Bishop Niringiye dashed to where their colleague was engaging the DPC. Gen. Muntu told the DPC, “My brother, you need to understand the law.” However, Mr Wabwire never relented. The leaders were also blocked from holding rallies as all venues were cordoned off. “We were trying to leave the hotel and there was a scuffle, they threw tear gas and bystanders deserted,” Bishop Niringiye said. “It’s not abandoning, the police blocked us. And rather than fight….” he added. Opposition politicians have been traversing the country drumming up support for the reforms as the clock ticks away to April when they are expected to unveil their next move if the government does not warm up to the proposed reforms. Gen Muntu said the conflicting instruction police get create confusion. He cited an incident in Mbale on Saturday where security personnel and army officers wanted the opposition leaders to be allowed to hold their rally peaceful but other instructions to the contrary were issued. Mr Otunnu displayed a February 13 letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and all DPCs across the country, notifying them of these several rallies. Bishop Niringiye decried what he termed as the abuse of police by government. “You have a whole DPC blocking you from accessing private property. President Museveni must stop this. General Kayihura must stop this. What we are seeking to do is very peaceful. One of these days I will be stopped from entering church.” editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bugolobi-supermarket--office-premises-face-demolition/-/688334/2254002/-/w4uqetz/-/index.html","content":"Bugolobi supermarket, office premises face demolition - KAMPALA. A Supermarket and office premises standing on a one-hectare piece of land in Bugolobi, a Kampala suburb, face demolition over alleged breach of contract by its proprietor. In the case filed before the Nakawa High Court, the National Forestry Authority (NFA) wants the buildings and any structures constructed by VIRCO holdings Limited on the Central Forest Reserve land removed. Through its lawyers, NFA alleges that VIRCO Holdings was granted a licence to construct and establish a timber drying plant and a modern artisan training centre on one hectare portion of its five hectares of Nakawa Central Forest Reserve but instead processed a lease contrary to the agreement. “Unknown to the plaintiff and in an act of fraudulent concealment, the defendant had purportedly applied, stealthily to Uganda Land Commission (ULC) which has the freehold title to or of the suit land for a lease of a portion of the land to the defendant and the ULC allegedly granted the lease whose title and relevant details have been deliberately concealed from the plaintiff to date,” reads the complaint. NFA is accusing VIRCO Holdings, owned by investors of Asian origin, of persistently declining to pay annual licence fees on claims that they hold a superior title and answerable to ULC only. Allegations 12, the defendant having deliberately and stubbornly refused to remit the licence fees, continued to insist that the plaintiff’s invoices for licence fees were sent to it in error allegedly on account of events that evolved overtime by virtue of which the defendant claimed to be answerable to ULC,” NFA alleges. The NFA alleges that the arbitrary, high handed and unconstitutional conduct of VIRCO Holdings has led to enormous suffering which warrant for award of compensation for damages arising out of the controversy on the land worth Shs5 billion. Meanwhile, the court has summoned VIRCO Holdings to file their response in defence of the case within 15 days. When contacted, businessman Sadrudin Virani said he cannot comment since he is in Dubai, UAE. It is alleged that the contradictions on the contractual obligations in the original licence agreement with NFA culminated in the construction of a shopping mall on part of the land which houses the Kenya-based Tuskys Supermarket. NFA legal manager Ruth Kisaakye said if the original plan of establishing a timber drying plant and a modern artisan training centre was maintained, it would have helped Uganda’s unemployed youth acquire practical vocational skills."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Basketball/Nusfu-insists-on-age-limit-for-Zuku-League/-/690268/2252790/-/naor90z/-/index.html","content":"Nusfu insists on age limit for Zuku League - KAMPALA. It’s a rule that was in place when the inaugural Zuku University Basketball League tipped off earlier this month but it continues to rattle feathers. Only players below the age of 25 will be allowed to feature. This was reaffirmed by the National University Sports Federation of Uganda (Nusfu) vice-president Vincent Kisenyi yesterday. He was responding to a question from UCU Mukono coach Nicholas Natuhereza at the launch of the tournament as that rule contradicts other Nusfu games which allow players up to the age of 28. “It’s important that we comply with this and rules are clear in case of a breach,” Kisenyi said. Fuba president Ambrose Tashobya would help the federation to tap and nurture talent: “This tournament is meant to give young players who leave high school at the age of 18 but are not yet ready to compete in the national league.” This rule bars many masters’ students from playing for their respective universities.A total of 10 universities and 18 teams – both male and female – are taking part since March 1 in the tournament that is a copy and paste from Kenya where it has had a phenomenal success.Fuba are throwing their weight behind it despite the logistical nightmare as they have to provide technical officials for the league at the same time. Teams will also have an incentive of sharing Shs11m when they get to the playoffs and finals that will also be aired live by the pay television company – Zuku. In the meantime, they will show only highlights on a weekly magazine show – Baqe. For Nusfu, this is a huge step forward besides the annual university games. Not many Nusfu events are backed with this kind of financial muscle as Zuku will. Add television and you know it feels like a first cut. Michael Finley of Miles and Associates, the company running the tournament, and Jared Mokobo, the Zuku TV country sales manager spoke with optimism about the future of the programme.“Going forward, we want this to be a league for Africa not just Uganda, Kenya or Tanzania, the best teams and players should be able to compete against each other,” Finley said. KIU, MUST and Nkumba opted not to feature."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Baruuli-youth-protest-Buganda-meet/-/688334/2243026/-/4k18d5z/-/index.html","content":"Baruuli youth protest Buganda meet - Nakasongola. Seven people have been arrested for allegedly causing chaos as Baruuli youth attempted to block Buganda’s representative in Buruuli County from holding a meeting in the area, reigniting rivalry between the cultural institutions. The group from Bajwaka Youth Development Association, armed with sticks, stormed the office of the Nakasongola Resident District Commissioner, Hajj Swaib Lubega, on Wednesday. They submitted a petition, claiming that they had learnt that the representative, Mr Gerald Kyanjo, was holding a meeting in preparation for the monarch’s visit in the area. The youth claimed the meetings were provocative to their cultural leader, Isaabaruuli Mwogezi Butamanya. The group also claimed Buganda had no jurisdiction in the area, adding that its officials should first ask for permission from the Isaabaruuli before doing any activities. “This is a breach of an agreement which was signed recently between the Kabaka of Buganda and government on August 1, 2013,” they said in their petition to the RDC. Mr Lubega said he would present their concerns to President Museveni for redress. “I have taken note of your concerns. Remain calm, everything will be settled out and the two institutions should co-exist,” Mr Lubega said.The prime minister of Buruuli, Mr Kwebeya Erukamu, said the meeting would undermine their cultural leaders. The situation became chaotic when Mr Kyanjo arrived at the headquarters with a delegation from Buganda Land Board. However, he said they had come to pay a courtesy visit to the RDC. But demonstrators got rowdy, prompting the police to fire teargas at them to restore calm before arresting seven suspects."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/KCCA-accused-of-defaulting-to-pay-damages/-/688334/2241440/-/6tj34c/-/index.html","content":"KCCA accused of defaulting to pay damages - KAMPALA. Kampala Capital City Authority has been accused of failure to pay more Shs1.5 billion as damages awarded to Omega Construction by an arbiter.The debt is part of the Shs3 billion that Omega was supposed to receive for extension works on Kiteezi landfill in Kawempe Division. Omega managing director Pious Mugerwa Mugalaasi told Daily Monitor KCCA had failed to pay the amount stated in the adjudication report, which faulted it for “deliberately failing” the contractor’s capacity to deliver the contract in time.Omega was expected to deliver the contract in six months and both parties agreed during the agreement signing that there shall be an arbitrator – a professional body – to mediate in case of breach of the contract. In his November 30, 2013 arbitration report, Mr Frederick Kiwanuka, appointed by the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers as an arbitrator ruled that KCCA should compensate Omega for damages. KCCA spokesperson Peter Kaujju, said the contract was terminated following the firm’s failure to meet the contract standards. fmukisa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Women-get-three-hour-jail-term-for-wearing-miniskirts--/-/688334/2233888/-/4m8q0m/-/index.html","content":"Women get three-hour jail term for wearing miniskirts   - Bukomansimbi. When Ms Prosy Nasuna sued a woman over a Shs3m debt, the last thing she expected was to be arrested. But by the end of the court session at Bukomansimbi Grade One Magistrate Court yesterday, she and the accused found themselves behind bars for wearing miniskirts. Records before court indicate that Ms Nasuna dragged Ms Jane Nabukenya to court over breach of contract after the latter failed to pay the money. Unaware of what might befall them, both women appeared in court dressed in miniskirts. They soon attracted murmurs and shouts as people began asking if the kind of clothes the duo was wearing were not outlawed in the recently passed Anti-Pornography Act. This prompted the presiding magistrate, Ms Catherine Baguma, to ask court what had happened and people shouted that the women were putting on miniskirts which had been banned.Ms Baguma called court to order and ordered for the arrest of the duo for contempt of court. The magistrate said their dress code distracted her court, adding that she could not proceed with the case when they were still dressed in miniskirts.Ms Baguma sentenced the women to three hours of imprisonment each and their case was postponed to March 13. The recently signed Anti-Pornography Act cites pornography as any representation of the sexual parts of a person for primarily sexual excitement."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/UDB-top-official--discussed-with-private-recruiter-/-/688334/2220450/-/il36/-/index.html","content":"UDB top official  discussed with private recruiter,  witness says - Kampala- A witness has told court that suspended Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Development Bank Ltd Patricia Ojangole ‘negotiated’ with an individual consultant during the recruitment process of the top six vacant bank positions, including hers. Ms Florence Kabenge, formerly an employee of the bank and currently a lawyer in private practice, was testifying before the Anti-Corruption Court presided over by Justice Lawrence Gidudu yesterday. Ms Kabenge said Ms Ojangole in an October 16, 2012 e-mail wrote to her over an individual recruitment consultant, Mr Vincent Kaheeru. The witness had earlier in her testimony told court that she had sought the technical advice of the head of PPDA, Ms Cornelia Sabiiti, whom she said advised that the bank should either apply for a waiver or follow the procurement rules in contracting the recruitment consultant. But Ms Kabenge said none of the advice was heeded by the bank. ChargesMs Ojangole, 36, is accused of having influenced her own recruitment process that culminated in her own appointment to the same position as CEO, a move which the Inspector General of Government says amounts to charge of conflict of interest. “Following the decisions to co-opt the external consultant, three consultants have been identified, one of them is Vincent Kaheeru under his company Profiles International and two others,” Ms Kabenge said in her testimony as she referred to an e-mail from Ms Ojangole. The witness further told the court that she refused to heed the directives from Ms Ojangole to draft a contract for Mr Kaheeru, saying this would breach the procurement rules.But the board chairman, Mr Samuel Sejjaaka, the second prosecution witness, accused Ms Kabenge of being an incompetent employee and a ‘liar’. Mr Sejjaaka said it was the board that contracted Mr Kaheeru’s services to conduct the recruitment exercise since his fees were lower than those of the other two consultants whom he said had demanded about Shs50m. The witness added that mechanisms were put in place to make sure that Ms Ojangole does not influence the recruitment process. The matter was adjourned to Friday this week for further hearing. awesaka@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Rebel-MPs-lose-seats-in-parliament/-/688334/2216264/-/11bfth/-/index.html","content":"Court orders that rebel MPs be thrown out of parliament with immediate effect. - Judge Richard Buteera of the constitutional court today ruled that the four expelled NRM Members of Parliament; Theodore Ssekikubo of Lwemiyaga, Mohammad Nsereko of Kampala Central, Wilfred Niwagaba of Ndorwa East and Barnabas Tinkasimire of Buyaga, should leave parliament. The positions of the four MPs had previously been declared vacant by the same court before the verdict was over turned by the supreme court where they (Rebel MPs) had appealed. However, the Supreme court, despite ruling to the contrary, agreed that the constitutional court be left to carry on its duty. And this morning a session with Judge Richard Buteera and Justices, Faith Mwondha, Augustine Nshimye and Remmy Kasule are set to deliver a final ruling on the fate of the rebel MPs. Judge Richard Buteera who has delivered the first judgement states that: Upon expulsion from NRM, they (MPs) left the party but remained in parliament as defacto- independents which is an unconstitutional status He also ruled ruled that speaker of Parliament acted unconstitutionally by declining to declare the seats of the four expelled law makers vacant. \"Allocating new seats to the MPs was in breach of Parliament's procedure and the Speaker had no power to reallocate them\" The Judge ruled. This is the first out of 5 judgments and by the time of this story, the second session had resumed, hence we await another judgement. DEVELOPING:Justice Faith Mwondah has also ruled that the rebel MPs are in parliament unconstitutionally hence deserve no place there.\"Speaker acted unconstitutionally, they have no place in parliament.\" She said. \"They are politically wild aliens with no place in parliament\" she added. JUDGE KASULE DEFERS. Judge Remmy Kasule disagrees with the judgements made previously by Buteera and Mwondah. He says that the article of the constitution referred to by her colleagues should be restricted to MPs who cross the floor of parliament to join another party. But in this case, these are members of parliament in dispute with their party on matters that are of no concern to the parliament. FINAL RULING The constitutional court has finally ruled that the \"rebel\" MPs be thrown out of parliament with immediate effect. This comes after the final ruling by the 5th Judge on the panel, Augustine Nshimye who also ruled in line with Faith Mwondha and Richard Buteera. 1 | 2 Next Page»Judge Nshimye's ruling took the vote to 4-1 which automatically means the NRM rebel MPs lose their seats in parliament by a court unanimous decision and were also ordered to meet the costs of the suit. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Court-awards-businessman-Shs198-million/-/688334/2205386/-/lihhdoz/-/index.html","content":"Court awards businessman Shs198 million  - Masaka- High Court Judge Justice Magrate Oumo Oguli has ordered the Masaka Municipal Council to pay Shs198 million to a businessman for breach of contract. The judge ordered that Mr Peter Ntege, of Batata be paid for cancelling a tender awarded to him.The ruling made on Wednesday resulted from the cancelling of a tender agreement that had given Batata Limited the power to collect revenue from three taxi parks, including Kimaanya, Kyabakuza and Katwe/Butego in 2010. However, the tender was awarded to another company - MUTDOCS, under unclear circumstances, which prompted Mr Ntege to seek legal redress from court and compensation for breach of contract.In her ruling, Judge Oguli blamed the Masaka Municipal Council lawyer, Ms Grace Mwebaze Ndibarema for ignoring her advice in the course of the trial to persuade the municipality and settle the matter out of court, which could have saved tax payers’ money. Mr Ntege and his lawyer, Mr John Baptist Kawanga said they were pleased with the ruling. Mr Godfrey Kayemba, the municipal mayor, said it was unfortunate that the municipality had lost the case, blaming the municipality’s technical wing for wrongly advising the tender board. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Court-bailiffs-accuse-police-of-unfairness/-/688334/2156554/-/ksltq6/-/index.html","content":"Court bailiffs accuse police of unfairness - Kampala Court bailiffs under the Court Bailiffs Association have accused police of executing court orders in a discriminatory manner. Mr Bonny Rwamukaga, the president of the association, told the Daily Monitor that police are supposed to witness the execution of court orders but they instead scrutinise court judgments, which is a breach of the law. “We do not agree with the notion of police turning itself into a court by vetting court judgments, rather than authenticating them,” Mr Rwamukaga said. According to him, more than 1,000 court orders were not executed last year because police “sabotage” their work. “We have sought audience with Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura to explain our predicament but have not succeeded, forcing us to seek the President’s intervention,” Mr Rwamukaga said. President’s intervention“We want the President to prevail over the police in harmonising the flagrant misuse of powers in executions of court orders since we have been rendered jobless because of police actions.”Mr Nicholas Opiyo, the Uganda Law Society general secretary, agreed with the bailiffs, saying: “Our members are being frustrated by the police, we demand the police to stop interfering in our work.” He added that they are engaging the powers that be to harmonise the situation because they are losing a lot in terms of client confidence. CrooksThe police, however, dismissed the claims. Mr Patrick Onyango, the deputy police spokesperson, said: “There are many crooks among the court bailiffs and most times they connive with court officials to forge court orders and steal people’s property. So we must be very careful before we witness the execution of these orders”. Mr Onyango agreed that the clearance process is tedious, but said it was to safeguard the public from some unscrupulous bailiffs. rluyombya@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Cricket/Cricketer-Mukobe-reprimanded-for-breaching-ICC-Code-of-Conduct/-/690272/2153230/-/jfrkdxz/-/index.html","content":"Cricketer Mukobe reprimanded for breaching ICC Code of Conduct - KAMPALA- Having failed to set positive results at the on-going ICC World Cup Qualifier in New Zealand, the situation has even gone worse for coach Team Uganda. Philemon Mukobe has been reprimanded for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during his side’s 47-run loss to Kenya at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui on Sunday. Already, all-rounder Deus Muhumuza was reported for suspected illegal bowling action under the ICC Regulations for the Review of Bowlers Reported with Suspected Illegal Bowling Actions following Uganda’s seven-wicket defeat to the Netherlands last Monday. Mukobe was found guilty of a Level 1 breach of Article 2.1.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an international match”. The incident happened when Mukobe (32 off 48) obviously delayed leaving the wicket after being given out caught behind by Irfan Karim off Nelson Odhiambo in the 38th over. The charges were brought by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Michael Gough, and third umpire Joel Wilson. The player admitted the offence after the end of the match and accepted the sanction proposed by Jeff Crowe of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees. All Level 1 breaches for such offences carry a penalty of a warning/reprimand and/or the imposition of a fine up to 50 per cent of the applicable match fee. dkyeyune@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Parents-arrested-for-taking--free--dowry/-/688334/2152128/-/rsmt7vz/-/index.html","content":"Parents arrested for taking ‘free’ dowry - Masaka A man and his wife in Masaka have been arrested on allegations of receiving money by false pretense and breach of contract. Their daughter has also been arrested on similar allegations. The trio was arrested last week in Nyendo, Masaka Municipality. It is alleged the man and his wife blocked their daughter from marrying Emmanuel Kasajja, before a congregation at Kitovu Cathedral in Masaka, that had come to witness the marriage. The bride surprised the congregation as she walked away from the alter as people waited for the couple to exchange the marriage vows. When approached by the bridegroom, she said she had changed her mind because her parents did not approve of the marriage. The parents had not come to church to witness the marriage. Mr Kasajja reported the matter to police claiming the woman’s parents had accepted dowry but refused to hand her over. He claimed to have used more than Shs15 million to prepare for the marriage. Earlier, he said he had paid for the woman’s education in a vocational institution with the full knowledge of her parents. In addition, he claimed to have given her parents a solar panel and other gifts as dowry for the woman, however, but was surprised about the parent’s actions. However, the father of the woman told police in Nyendo the bridegroom had failed to pay the fully agreed dowry. He said Mr Kasajja had been asked to present a new flat screen TV set, a new motorcycle and a big solar power system but had failed, adding he only presented a small solar system and a few other gifts including beef, sugar and salt. Mr George Mbabaali, the chairperson of the wedding’s organising committee, said they had agreed with the woman’s parents that they would present the motorcycle and TV set on a later date but where surprised by the turn of events. Mr Kasajja presented a copy of the letter that the parents had signed assenting to the engagement of their daughter to him. The OC Nyendo Police Station, Christine Namawuba, said the three would be aligned before court on charges of obtaining money by false pretense and bleach of contract. Evidence and charges Mr Kasajja presented a copy of the letter that the parents had signed assenting to the engagement of their daughter to him.The trio would, according to OC Nyendo Police Station, Christine Namawuba, be produced before court on charges of obtaining money by false pretence and breach of contract. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Busoga-chiefs-to-elect-new-Kyabazinga-in-April/-/688334/2144786/-/hfikru/-/index.html","content":"Busoga chiefs to elect new Kyabazinga in April - Jinja The 11 hereditary chiefs of Busoga, whose responsibility it is to elect a Kyabazinga, have agreed to end the power vacuum in the institution of Obwa Isebantu Kyabazinga by electing a substantive Kyabazinga this year. Busoga has not had a substantive Kyabazinga since the death of Henry Wako Muloki in September 2008. Two previous attempts to fill the void resulted into legal battles and the sanctioning of a constitutional review process to clear the mess created by the previous polls and pave way for the election of a substantive Kyabazinga. Ending past chaosOne was held on October 31, 2008, which saw Edward Columbus Wambuzi declared the duly elected Kyabazinga, and another held on October 5, 2009, which saw Prince William Gabula IV also declared as the duly elected Kyabazinga. The chiefs have now moved to end the polarisation in the kingdom by releasing a road map aimed at ending the impasse. During a meeting held in Jinja on Thursday and chaired by the Chief Prince, Daudi Kaunhe Wakooli, who also doubles as acting Kyabazinga, the chiefs gave themselves 21 days within which to organise elections for county representatives to the Lukiiko. Forming the LukiikoThey want the Lukiiko constituted and sworn in by February 09 this year. The chiefs also declared that they will convene to elect a substantive Kyabazinga within two months of swearing in of the Busoga Lukiiko. The chiefs also agreed to use the kingdom’s old constitution to guide them during the elections given that the new one is yet to be debated and ratified. “Just like governments use old constitutions as a means of getting new ones, we are going to do the same,” chief Patrick Izimba Gololo told journalists. The legal adviser to the Royal Council, chief Juma Luba Munulo, who is also the chief of Bunya County, downplayed fears of possible breach of the law saying the old document is still instrumental in the election exercise. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Besigye-beats-surveillance--appears-in-city/-/688334/2140566/-/1parc4z/-/index.html","content":"Besigye beats surveillance, appears in city - KAMPALA- Former Forum for Democratic Change leader Kizza Besigye, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Rubaga North MP Moses Kasibante and several opposition supporters were by press time yesterday still in detention after police stopped their attempts to hold a meeting. Dr Besigye beat the 24-hour surveillance at his home emerging on Luwum Street between midday, attracting an immediate stampede as traders cheered him. When crowds of supporters thronged his vehicle, Dr Besigye responded with his trademark V-sign, with the ensuing excitement alerting police. Besigye’s car towed Regional Police Commander Kampala South James Ruhweza commanded the police operation that towed Dr Besigye’s car to the Central Police Station. Mr Fred Kato, the driver of Dr Besigye’s car, was also detained. Teargas canisters were fired into swelling crowds, leaving a vendor injured, Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Ibin Senkumbi told journalists at CPS. Speaking to reporters at his home earlier, Dr Besigye insisted he has “business to do in town” and he would get there using “one way or another”. “What is happening is what happens sometimes, I wake up and find that my home is surrounded and I am not allowed to go out. Nobody is telling me why I can’t go out. I have a lot of business to do in town and I will definitely insist on going to town using any means,” Dr Besigye said. As Dr Besigye was being carted away, city councillors Allan Sewanyana (Makindye Division) and Ali Mulyanyama (Makindye West) were picked as they attempted to leave the Lord Mayor’s home and whisked off to Kiira Road Police Station, according to Mr Senkumbi. Sneaked from surveillance MP Kasibante, who sneaked away from the deployment at his home, was picked up as he approached the Jeema offices in Mengo, the venue of a meeting that was scheduled to discuss the status of the Lord Mayor’s position.Police operated under the cover of the night darkness to deploy security personnel at Dr Besigye’s Kasangati home and the Rubaga-based homes of Mr Lukwago and MP Kasibante. Mr Ssenkumbi, said: “We are operating based on intelligence that the politicians are planning to illegally reinstate the Lord Mayor.” However, he could not explain which charges would be brought against the arrested, saying he needed “to get in touch with detectives first”. When the Daily Monitor sought further clarification on the charges, Mr Senkumbi did not pick up or return our repeated calls. The politicians were scheduled to attend a meeting at the Jeema offices in Mengo called by Mr Lukwago to chart a way forward about the impasse triggered by an impeachment vote passed against him by the KCCA council last year. According to police, the Attorney General had earlier advised that the meeting would be a “breach of peace”. GenesisThe meeting. Opposition politicians led by Dr Besigye recently announced they would convene a meeting that would chart a way forward on the position of Kampala Lord Mayor based on a court order that said Mr Lukwago’s impeachment by the Kampala Capital City Authority council as was an illegality.Police position. Police say, its actions are based on the advise of the Attorney General who has on several occasions insisted that Mr Lukwago is nolonger the Kampala Lord Mayor. Therefore he has no authority to conduct any business on behalf of the KCCA. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Besigye--Lukwago-and-several--opposition--politicians-arrested/-/688334/2140220/-/ht6m8t/-/index.html","content":"Besigye, Lukwago and several  opposition  politicians arrested - KAMPALA- Police Thursday have arrested former Forum for Democratic Change leader Kizza Besigye and Kampala Mayor Erias Lukwago. Lubaga North MP Moses Kasibante and several opposition leaders have also been rounded up.Police operated under the cover of night darkness to deploy security personnel at the Kasangati home of Dr Besigye and the homes of Mr Lukwago and Lubaga North MP Moses Kasibante in Lubaga. Mr Lukwago was picked as he attempted to leave his home.However, Dr Besigye beat the 24-hour surveillance at his home to emerge in the middle of Luwum Street’s Central Business District, prompting the police to cart the car he was travelling in to the Central Police Station. Police fired teargas to disperse crowds that tried to follow Dr Besigye to the police station.Dr Besigye said he has “business to transact in town” and he would get there using “one way or another”.The Opposition politicians were scheduled to attend a meeting at the Jeema offices in Mengo called by Mr Lukwago to chart a way forward about the impasse triggered by a censure vote that was passed against him by the KCCA council last year.The Police say the Attorney General has advised that the meeting is in “breach of peace”.sarinaitwe@ugnationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Lukwago--police-face-off-today-over-planned-meeting/-/688334/2139328/-/7r5pdsz/-/index.html","content":"Lukwago, police face-off today over planned meeting - KAMPALA- City Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago yesterday insisted he will hold a meeting today to chart a way forward about the impasse triggered by a censure vote passed against him by the KCCA council last year even as the Police asserted it will have none of it. On Monday, Mr Lukwago was forced to postpone the meeting to today after police sealed off St Matia Mulumba Church in Old Kampala, the planned venue, with the force claiming it had “intelligence information” that there is a plot by “negative elements” to kidnap and kill the Lord Mayor. Mr Lukwago and the Opposition MPs organising the rally have since shifted the meeting to the Jeema offices in Mengo. Demands by Mr Lukwago to have the police probe and foil the alleged plot have not been elaborately responded to by security officials. However, police yesterday quickly released a statement explaining that though the force “ordinarily has no objection” to the meeting, allowing it proceed would be “breach of peace”. “Noteworthy, in light of the advice of the Attorney General, Lukwago cannot lawfully organise a meeting as Lord Mayor. It is therefore unlawful for Mr Kasibante to organise a meeting with Mr Lukwago as Lord Mayor,” read a statement signed by Police spokesperson Judith Nabakoba.In a telephone interview yesterday, Mr Lukwago indicated that he has not received communication from the force barring the meeting."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Police-stop-Lukwago-s-meeting/-/688334/2135438/-/13kd2np/-/index.html","content":"Police stop Lukwago’s meeting - KAMPALA Police yesterday blocked Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago from a meeting at St Matia Mulumba Church to chart a way forward with stakeholders about his return to office. Mr Lukwago had on January 2 written to police notifying the force of the meeting. But in a reply dated January 4, the reply signed by Mr Erasmus Twaruhuka the police director of legal affairs wrote: “We have been legally advised by the Attorney General that you do not have the locus standi to convene the meeting as Lord Mayor of Kampala.” “Such a meeting is likely to cause a breach of peace. This is therefore to advise you not to hold the meeting,” the letter reads in part. Attempts to reach Mr Lukwago yesterday about the development were futile as his known phone contacts remained switched off. Last week Mr Lukwago wondered why his salary and those of his assistants had not been paid for several months since he was impeached as Kampala Lord Mayor. musisif@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Reclaiming-forest-reserves-is-good/-/689360/2107544/-/135o4fez/-/index.html","content":"Reclaiming forest reserves is good - Reports that the National Forestry Authority (NFA) is finalising its plan to cancel all land titles and lease offers issued in central forest reserves are encouraging in a country with a fast-receding forest cover. By 1990, Uganda’s forest cover was at 5 million hectares but has since reduced to about 3 million hectares. There are about 698 gazetted forest reserves in the country. Increased damage to wetlands has affected the water level. It’s estimated that 8 per cent of the original wetland area has been compromised for other purposes. It is even more uplifting to note that this move is part of the implementation of President Museveni’s directive, which was issued earlier this year to restrain any person from encroaching on forest reserves, wetlands and ranches. It is good to know that the President, who was at the centre of the Mabira forest controversy, has since brought himself to acknowledge that protecting the country’s forest cover is key. About 15,000 square kilometres, (7 per cent) of Uganda’s dry land area is protected as forest reserves. The current move comes as the government faces an order to pay more than Shs40b in damages and compensation to 75 Namanve tree farmers whose 620 hectares were destroyed by encroachers. Farmers, many retired civil servants, had been granted a 30-year licence by NFA to plant trees in the Namanve Forest Reserve. As a result, NFA executive director, Micheal Mugisa, recently said government should put emphasis on avoiding encroachers. “It is cheaper to avoid encroachers than to pay damages for breach of contract.” The NFA is currently investigating all title and lease offers issued by local governments, the Uganda Land Commission and district land boards on forest reserves. The findings will then determine those that will be cancelled and declared null and void. However, even as the NFA goes about this process, it is important to appreciate that following due procedure will determine the success of the project. Still, with recent reports indicating that failure to curb the current trend of the receding forest cover could see Uganda lose about 40 per cent of its forest cover by 2021, the government ought to ensure that the forestry conservation mistakes of the past are not repeated."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Museveni-told-not-to--drag-police--into-politics-/-/688334/2081942/-/l96vhjz/-/index.html","content":"Museveni told not to  drag police  into politics  - Kampala- Human rights activists and senior opposition figures yesterday asked Mr Museveni not to drag the police into a ‘dispute’ between the Lord Mayor and NRM. Criticism of the government’s action in Mr Erias Lukwago’s affair revolves around the view that the police are being used illegally to restrict the movement of opposition politicians sympathetic to the Lord Mayor. The warnings come after the police moved under the cover of darkness on Tuesday to transfer former FDC leader, Kizza Besigye from the Central Police Station in the city centre to Jinja Road Police Station. Mr Lukwago, already facing the possibility of losing his seat, a scheme allegedly engineered by the NRM, was also transferred overnight from Naggalama Police Station in Mukono District to Kira Road Police Station. Police forced its way into Dr Besigye’s car on Tuesday after towing it from Ben Kiwanuka Street in downtown Kampala, while the Lord Mayor was picked from his Wakaliga home in Rubaga Division. Yesterday, police had by 5pm not produced the duo in court and continued to hold them in custody. Yesterday, Mr Norbert Mao, the Democratic Party president, Mr Joseph Bbosa, the Uganda Peoples’ Congress vice president and Mr Livingstone Sewanyana, the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative executive director, all condemned the arrests as “unconstitutional.” Mr Bbosa said if Mr Museveni does not stop using the police to curtail fundamental rights and civil liberties, “the people of Uganda will rise up because they have been left with few options.” Mr Mao noted that the President’s undue involvement in the Lukwago dispute has left him ‘naked’. “He is dragging the police into a political dispute. President Museveni and the NRM should respect processes,” said Mr Mao. Mr Ssewanyana spoke about the need for dialogue if the current stand-off between opposition politicians and the police is to be resolved. “The preventive strategy that the police are using is inconsistent with the constitution. Inherently, it would amount to breach of freedoms of speech and association,” he said. Reported by Solomon Arinaitwe, Andrew Bagalaand Dear Jeane editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Government-recovers-Shs24b-in-revenue-from-tax/-/688322/2081782/-/p9tnkoz/-/index.html","content":"Government recovers Shs24b in revenue from tax - Kampala- In a bid to avoid another shortfall, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) is employing measures, including enforcement, to beat its Shs9 Trillion revenue target by close of the 2013 financial year. With a quarter of the financial year gone, the tax body is already grappling with a Shs26 billion shortfall, a deficit that tax analysts say could increase, depending on how the economy responds, although the tax collectors believe the shortage is still within reach and can be recouped. And as part of the efforts to overturn the deficit, which is nearly half of the budget allocated to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, the URA enforcement wing has collected at least Shs24 billion from taxpayers who are either unwilling or prepared to evade or refuse to pay taxes. “Between July 2012 to September 2013, Enforcement interventions led to total seizures of 4967 which led to a total revenue recovery of Shs24 billion,” reads the URA quarterly enforcement report. Out of the total recovery, Shs4 billion was recovered from outright smuggling. And shockingly perhaps is the Shs16 billion, accounting for about 68 per cent of smuggling that was recovered from documentary fraud—one of the most sophisticated methods of smuggling. “Document fraud normally comes in the form of under-valuation and mis-declaration,” said assistant Commissioner Enforcement James Kisaale in an interview. Billions recoveredShs3.6 billion was collected from other offences such as breach of procedures for temporary importation of vehicles, and penalties imposed on vehicles involved in outright smuggling. According to URA, most seizures came from intelligence information. In the last 12 months, nearly 1,940 intelligence alerts were raised by the Intelligence Unit and 1,490 were successfully intercepted. The alerts led to a recovery of Shs11 billion.URA attributes smuggling to the increased use of scanners that are responsible for several concealments of restricted goods, among them ivory. Cigarettes, mobile phones, motorcycle units and rice are some of the most smuggled products. Cigarettes are normally smuggled from the DR Congo, South Sudan and Rwanda. Nearly one million sticks worth Shs705 million in taxes were intercepted. 21,514 phones worth Shs290 million have been impounded while Shs203 million in taxes and penalties has been recovered. Motorcycle units are mainly from the DR Congo and South Sudan through the porous borders. About 891 motor cycles were impounded and Shs234 million was recovered as revenue. About 216 tonnes of rice were impounded and Shs260 million in taxes and penalties recovered. Several cases of Ivory smuggling have been reported, including the recent case of 832 pieces of ivory weighing about three tonnes. iladu@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Court-summons-Lwakataka-over-/-/688322/2081780/-/52ocji/-/index.html","content":"Court summons Lwakataka over Shs144m case - KAMPALA- Businessman Ponsiano Lwakataka has been summoned to defend himself in court over a case in which he allegedly breached a partnership agreement involving a fish business transaction. Mr Thadeus Opsen, the Registrar at the Commercial Division of the High Court, summoned Mr Lwakataka to file his defence within 15 days from the date of receipt of the case documents. The court summonses follow a case by another businessman, Mr Phenehas Barigye, who, claiming to be a former partner of Mr Lwakataka, petitioned court seeking for recovery of his contribution worth Shs68 million to the fish business. Through his lawyers, Mr Barigye alleges that on March 1, he entered into partnership with Mr Lwakataka for the purchase and sale of fish and made capital contribution worth Shs68 million in cash. “That the fish business was carried on and the proceeds were received by the defendant (Lwakataka) in total of Shs315 million but the defendant has not given me my share of the profits of the business and has resorted to making himself unavailable and numerous attempts to contact him have been futile,” reads the complaint. He alleges that his former business partner has conducted himself in such a manner that is not reasonable for the complainant to continue with the partnership.Mr Bairgye is seeking for an order dissolving the said partnership and a refund of his contribution to the business as well as calculated profits to the tune of Shs144.4 million. Government vs SembuleMeanwhile, government has sued Steel Rolling Company, Sembule Steel Mills over alleged breach of a loan agreement. According to court records, the Attorney General is seeking the recovery of Shs278.6 million arising from the alleged breach of the agreement signed between the parties in 1994. It is alleged that between 1986 and 1994, the government received a non-project grant from the government of Japan for purposes of channeling it to parastatals or private sector companies. Sembule Steel Mills was one of the companies identified, leading to a loan agreement worth Shs245.6 million which the company had promised to pay in 12 instalment's but has since defaulted. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Heritage-pays-up-Shs871b-to-Tullow-oil--eyes-appeal/-/688322/2058706/-/5287avz/-/index.html","content":"Heritage pays up Shs871b to Tullow oil, eyes appeal - Kampala- Tullow Oil PLC (Uganda) has said that Heritage Oil has completed payments of all monies owed to it, including the interest rates as ordered by court. The British oil company told this newspaper last week, that Heritage has fully paid back $345 million (about Shs871 billion) of the indemnity claim of $313 million (about Shs790 billion) paid to Uganda. Tullow Uganda subsidiary’s communications officer, Mr David Onyango, noted: “Heritage has paid Tullow the full amount plus costs, which represents the full amount owed following the court ruling in our favour.” Tullow is one of the three, with France’s Total E&P and China’s China National Offshore Oil Corporation (Cnooc), approved companies operating in Uganda. After announcing its intention in 2010 to transfer its petroleum assets in the Albertine belt to Italian oil company ENI, Heritage maintained that the transaction was not taxable in Uganda and thus objected to any payments. Upon declaration, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) also demanded a 30 per cent of the $1.45 billion (about Shs3.7 trillion) deal as capital-gains tax before the transaction was approved but Heritage declined and demanded that the matter be settled at the International Court of Arbitration in London, where the ruling was made in Tullow’s favour. Mr Onyango earlier said: “Heritage had been ordered to satisfy its debt by paying $283 million (Shs715 billion) immediately to Tullow with the balance $60 million (Shs153 billion) to be paid not later than August 26 this year.However, Heritage has since appealed against the rulings and a second stage of hearing has been set. The company, after the ruling in a statement, expressed discontentment at what it said was Uganda’s breach of confidentiality imposed upon both parties to the proceedings and noted that Wednesday’s decision only marked the end to a “preliminary” phase of the international arbitration process. In another statement, Heritage indicated: “Court [in London] has set the dates of December 4 and 5 for the second hearing of tax disputes between Heritage Oil and the Government of Uganda.”Attempts to speak to the Attorney General, Mr Peter Nyombi, were futile by press time. musisif@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Turinawe-demands-Shs560m-in-breast-case/-/688334/2049562/-/21f1y0z/-/index.html","content":"Turinawe demands Shs560m in breast case - The chairperson of FDC Women’s League has asked the High Court in Kampala to pass judgment in the case where a police officer pulled and squeezed her breast on her way to a attend a political rally in Nansana, Wakiso District. Ms Ingrid Turinawe in her application filed before Justice Elizabeth Musoke on Friday, claims the respondents in the matter; Mr Felix Andrew Kaweesi, (Police Commander Kampala Metropolitan) and the Attorney General (AG), Peter Nyombi have failed to file their defence in time as required by law despite being served with the court summons. She now wants court to allow her proceed alone and thereafter pass judgment. According to Ms Turinawe’s lawyer, Mr Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi, Mr Kaweesi and the AG were supposed to file in their defence within 30 days from the date (April) the matter was filed in vain. In her complaint, Ms Turinawe is demanding for over Shs560 million in damages, saying the brutal action by the police embarrassed her before so many people in Nansana, her five children and husband. Breaking down the damages, Ms Turinawe is seeking Shs300 million as punitive damages and compensation for her vandalised car, Shs200 million as general damages, Shs30 million as breach of her right to liberty and another Shs30 million as punitive damages. She further says the act for which she seeks the damages, was viewed on television stations, the internet among others. awesaka@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/Businessman-jailed-over-copyright/-/688610/2044488/-/20f2rfz/-/index.html","content":"Businessman jailed over copyright - Kampala Court has sentenced the manager of SITI Cable Limited to a fine of Shs4 million over copyright infringement for distributing Multichoice channels without authority. The Magistrates Court sitting at City Hall ordered Mr K Ravi, an Indian, to pay the fine or face 40 months in prison. Mr Ravi, was convicted of three charges of distributing MultiChoice channels without authorisation, exhibiting channels to the public and imitating MultiChoice decoders with the intention to supply their channels. Mr Ravi appeared before Magistrate Sarah Langa for plea and admitted to having committed the offence, indicating the low levels of awareness about the Trade Mark and other commercial laws. Mr Ravi amused court when he confessed that he was not aware that the country is strict on copyright laws.“Your worship, I did not know that the copyright law is strict in this country and neither did I know that the offences I committed are in breach of it,” Mr Ravi said. Court heard that between April 9 and June 25, the trader removed the PC board from the MultiChoice decoder and inserting a SITI cable smart card into its smart card slot. Prosecution told court that Mr Ravi placed the PC board into a TATA Sky decoder that was used to distribute different Dstv channels which include Sport 2, Trace Urban and Sony Entertainment. Court heard that during the same period at Upper Mawanda Road in Kamwokya, a city suburb, Mr Ravi distributed Dstv Channels of MultiChoice to SITI Cable Limited network subscribers through obtaining the former’s decoder. Records indicate that the convict by re-broadcasting from MultiChoice exhibited four of their channels to the public viewing at Shs85,000 for a month. The lawSections 46(1) of the Copyright and Neighbouring Act 2006 states that the infringement occurs where a person without a valid transfer, licence, assignment or other authorisation deals with any work or performance contrary to the permitted free use. The law says if a person causes or permits another person to reproduce, fix, duplicate, extract, imitate or import into Uganda other than for his or her own private use; distribute in Uganda by way of sale, hire, rental or like manner; or exhibit to the public for commercial purposes by way of broadcast, public performance or otherwise. bndagire@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Explain-delays-in-Kampala-markets/-/689360/2040358/-/159u0k6/-/index.html","content":"Explain delays in Kampala markets - The government has for the last four years had at its disposal $70m to redevelop markets in Kampala and countrywide. This money was made available by the signing, in 2009, of agreements with the African Development Bank and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa. It was expected that within a period of five years from 2009, six modern markets, with parking spaces and other amenities, would have been constructed in Kampala. Another 15 markets would be constructed elsewhere in the country. Four years later, Kampala has only Wandegeya Market – which is yet to be occupied – to show for the money, while elsewhere, only Jinja Central Market, Mpanga Market in Fort Portal and Mbale Market have been constructed. There is evidence of negligence on the part of the government with regard to observing the loan agreement conditions. In the case of the construction of Wandegeya Market, for example, the concerned government officials failed to ensure that the land on which it sits is fully owned by the government or KCCA as the agreement stipulates. It is not clear what this implies for Ugandans. In some cases, the government may have to pay penalties for breach of contract. We are using borrowed money which has to be paid back. It will start to attract interest after 10 years. The people who work in the damps we call markets deserve an opportunity to work in cleaner environments. And the money to achieve this is available. Someone somewhere should take responsibility for this negligence. Why did the government sign the loan agreements when it was not ready to start work? This drives us to the wider implementation problems within the government. Quite often, we hear of money returned to the Treasury at the end of the financial year because it could not be absorbed. In many other instances, government institutions have been unable to utilise borrowed monies even as Ugandans suffer from wanton need. Somebody should explain the fate of the other markets. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Umeme-staff-held-hostage-in-Kamuli/-/688334/2029450/-/ghdgi1/-/index.html","content":"Umeme staff held hostage in Kamuli - Kamuli- Umeme officials were held hostage by angry electricity consumers in Kamuli Industrial Area on Friday until they apologised and returned the metre for the industrialists. The power consumers accused the electricity distributor of “stealing” their metre, contrary to the memorandum of understanding between the two parties and extorting money from them through dubious charges. It took the intervention of the district police commander, Mr Abraham Betongyeza, and the chairperson of Kamuli Industrial Millers Association, Mr David Kazungu, to calm the irate residents. Breach dealThe consumers alleged that Umeme officials removed and tampered with the metre for a week without consulting them as per the agreement, adding that this crippled their businesses. “We shall not get tired of telling you your mistakes just as you do not get tired of cheating us but be warned, you are dealing with well informed people,” Mr Kazungu warned the power distributor.The consumers urged the government to revisit its agreement with Umeme and empower area managers to take charge by harmonising the electricity operations. The district Umeme manager, Mr Richard Mawuji, apologised to the consumers and promised to expeditiously return the metre. He said the metre had been removed for routine servicing but declined to talk about the alleged discrepancies in its reading charges. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Government--Heritage-oil-back-in-court/-/688334/2018916/-/vsxtksz/-/index.html","content":"Government, Heritage oil back in court - Kampala The London arbitration tribunal has set December 4 and 5 for the hearing of the second phase of the tax dispute between Heritage Oil and Gas Limited and the government of Uganda. The dispute started when Heritage announced its intention to transfer its Ugandan petroleum assets in the Albertine graben to Italian oil company ENI in December 2010. But Tullow Oil Uganda, which had 50 per cent stake in the assets, evoked its first right to take them under the agreement terms. The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) demanded 30 per cent of the $1.45 billion deal as capital-gains tax before the transaction was approved. Heritage objected to the tax, claiming the transaction was not taxable in Uganda. The firm demanded to settle the tax dispute via the International Court of Arbitration in London. The same tribunal, on April 3, dismissed the three core tax claims by Heritage, which was contesting the decision by URA to tax their $1.45 billion transaction with Tullow Oil. However, the tribunal ruled that it would hear other claims in Heritage’s suit and granted it 28 days to file amended notices of arbitration. In their original suit, Heritage also claimed the government of Uganda had unreasonably delayed to consent to the assignment and that there was breach of other contractual obligations. But to the government, the first ruling was significant because it confirmed the tax liability of the transaction between Heritage and Tullow. Money savedIn his presentation to Cabinet, Attorney General Peter Nyombi said the Ugandan legal team had saved government $234m which would be reimbursable to Heritage with interest. Assistant commissioner of petroleum in the ministry of energy Clovice Irumba also said the issue that was ruled on was the most critical one and gives Uganda a higher advantage at the merits stage. Heritage in a release issued a day after the ruling, said Uganda’s comments were misleading, adding that the ruling was not the final decision. It argued that it still had a stronger case and says it would prove that the government of Uganda conspired with Tullow to illegally levy an invalid tax on it. The two parties are now required to submit their appeals and amended notices between October and December."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Court-overrules-objections-against-shipping-firm/-/688334/2014174/-/kha88v/-/index.html","content":"Court overrules objections against shipping firm - Court has rejected an objection by lawyers representing telecom firm, MTN Uganda Limited in which ThreeWays Shipping Services is seeking to amend their pleadings to defend them over alleged breach of contract. In the ruling delivered on September 27 this year, Justice Christopher Madrama ruled that the objections raised against the affidavit in support of the application lacked merit. The court decision followed a preliminary objection against an application by ThreeWays Shipping Services (Group Limited) that is seeking for leave of court to amend their written statement of defence. According to the ruling, Mr Paul Kuteesa who represented MTN had objected to the application for amendment arguing that it was supported by a defective affidavit deposed to by a lawyer working with one of the law firms representing the clearing firm. Court heard that the affidavit by a lawyer offends that rules governing the lawyers which forbids them from giving evidence. “It (affidavit) supports an application where the applicant seeks to amend a defence and introduce matters of fact in contention between the applicant and respondent. Secondly, the deponent deposes to facts that are not and cannot be within her knowledge,” reads the court document. Justice Madrama held that the advocate having conduct in the matter does not need to disclose the source of information because it is a matter that can be within the knowledge of counsel having conduct. “My analysis of the matter is that it is sufficient for counsel with instructions to include undue duress. It is not incumbent upon the counsels to prove the undue duress. It is sufficient for them to that their client has instructed them that there is undue duress and this ought to be included in the defence,” reads the ruling. The judge explained that lawyer does not claim to have discovered new information but shows that the new information had been discovered and discussed between the clients and counsels having joint conduct if the defence. jkigongo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Forcing-striking-teachers-to-teach-is-counter-productive/-/806314/2000698/-/w91fr6/-/index.html","content":"Forcing striking teachers to teach is counter productive - It is unfortunate that the poor people are the ones who are now frustrated by the ongoing teachers’ strike. Schools which are not under UPE and USE programmes have their students studying. The parents of students in non- USE/ UPE schools have cushioned their teachers by providing them with accommodation, transport and some additional emoluments. The USE / UPE schools are funded only by the government. The funds are inadequate, and are irregularly released. The ongoing teachers’ strike in a big test to UPE and USE programmes. The governmentshould talk peacefully with the teachers until they reach a compromise. However, if force is used, teachers may decide to yield, but not teach well. In the end, the standard of education will continue to deteriorate. If the teachers are sacked and replaced with the thousands of Job seekers on standby, the cycle will be repeated just after a few years. Government officials claim that their priority is in infrastructure development, not the teachers. A government for the people is now abandoning its own people! By the time the 2013/14 Budget was being drafted, they were well aware of the teachers’ 20 per cent salary increase expectation. The government should have budgeted for it. The government instead, left the teachers out, kept quiet, failed to apologise and resorted to threats. This is breach of contract, which in the modern world calls for resignation of many government officials, including the minister of Education. But since the affected people are mainly the poor parents, there will be business as usual. In the end, the gap between the poor and the rich will continue to widen. Joseph Maseye, maseyejoseph@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Prisons-chief-wants-warders-to-go-for-HIV-test/-/688334/2000722/-/gt7vpfz/-/index.html","content":"Prisons chief wants warders to go for HIV test - The Commissioner General of Prisons has called on all prison warders across the country to go for HIV testing. Dr Johnson Byabashaja made the announcement while addressing prison warders and inmates at Lira Central Prison on Thursday. He is on a countrywide tour of prison facilities. According to Dr Byabashaija, the move is part of the anti HIV campaign being supported by the Center for Diseases Control aimed at mitigating HIV infections among the service men and women. He said it is unreasonable for a serving officer to die of AIDS when there is free treatment. Dr Byabashaja said the HIV testing campaign will later expand to cover prison inmates across the country. He said a team from Center for Diseases Control and Prevention will soon be in Lira to carry out HIV counselling and testing for all prison warders. He appealed to all prison warders to embrace the study by Centres for Diseases Control which is seeking to establish whether there is intra-prison HIV transmission in Uganda and, if it is true, to establish how much it contributes to the overall HIV prevalence in the Prisons Service. “HIV testing cannot be made mandatory. I’m only appealing to the prison warders to embrace that study because it will help us understand the HIV prevalence in prisons and to manage it better,” Dr Byabashaija said. There have been past attempts by the government and Parliament to have mandatory HIV testing through a law, which has not yet been passed. The proposed law on mandatory HIV testing has provoked dissenting reactions from the public and HIV human rights activists who contend that it offends human liberties. Mr Livingstone Ssewanyana, Executive Director for Foundation for Human Rights Initiative, castigated the move, saying it is against the acceptable international health standards for HIV/Aids and a breach of people’s liberties. “When it comes to Aids, any testing must be consensual but not imposed. If they really must go on with the policy, then public sensitization is the way to go,” he said. The announcement by the Ministry of Health officials earlier this year that the government was considering a policy on mandatory HIV testing as a way to reinforce strategies to stem the rising prevalence of the scourge, provoked similar reactions from the public, local and international civil society organisations. Responding to the issue of mandatory HIV testing, Dr Jeremiah Mutwalante, the vice chairman of the Parliamentary Committee of HIV/Aids, said: “Even in the Aids Bill yet to be tabled in Parliament, there is no provision for mandatory HIV testing, because it’s absolutely illegal.” Mr Kamya Eriya, programmes administrator at the Action Group for Health and HIV/Aids, reiterated the same position. He said the government does not have the mandate to impose such a policy on people. On Thursday, civil society activists told a news conference in Kampala that mandatory HIV testing is unconstitutional. However, some scholars have argued that in light of limited voluntary HIV testing, probably some other options, including mandatory testing, could be explored in order to scale up treatment for the infected people. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Don-sues-Makerere-over-research/-/688334/2000158/-/15544iu/-/index.html","content":"Don sues Makerere over research - A Makerere University don, Dr Joseph Wasswa Matovu, has filed a case in the Commercial Court seeking for damages over alleged cancellation of his research work. Dr Wasswa, a senior economics lecturer, sued the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), Prof William Lakurwa, the executive director AERC and Makerere University vice chancellor Prof John Ddumba Ssentamu. In his complaint,Dr Wasswa claims to have entered into a contract with AERC in which he was to conduct research based on his approved proposal paper. “The plaintiff’s action against the defendants is jointly and severally for breach of contract, special damages, aggravated damages, general damages, interest and costs of the suit,” reads the law suit in part. Dr Wasswa faults his superior Prof Ddumba for masterminding the cancellation of his research work. assenkabirwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Go-to-class-or-lose-jobs--teachers-told/-/688334/1999992/-/1bqb3i/-/index.html","content":"Go to class or lose jobs, teachers told - The Minister of Education has told striking teachers to return to class or face the risk of being deleted from the payroll. In a thinly-veiled threat, Ms Jessica Alupo yesterday said teachers, whose strike enters a fifth day today, must return to their duty stations within two weeks or be struck off the government payroll. The minister was speaking at a press conference in Kampala where she appeared alongside the Minister of Information, Ms Rose Namayanja. In passing the warning, Ms Alupo, a retired army officer, made allusions to military practice. “In the army when you disappear for two weeks, they consider you absent; one month, you are absent without official leave. When you are absent without official leave, your name gets off the payroll and the teachers know at what level their names will get off the payroll and what time they will be reminded that you are going out of board in terms of your code of conduct,” Ms Alupo said. She added: “The messages I articulate are of truth and intended to benefit the teacher. I don’t want to get a single teacher in breach of the law because of uncoordinated information. Please teachers, you know your code of conduct, you know what the Constitution says about someone who absconds from duty for two weeks.” National examsAsked to comment about the possibility of the strike affecting the national examinations which are a month away, Ms Alupo said nothing would change, urging teachers to prepare candidates for the exercise. “We have already verified examination centres and we will soon be transporting the examination papers. The national exams this year are going to be conducted as scheduled,” she said. She also invited the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (Unatu) leaders to participate in next financial year’s budget. “The leadership of Unatu is being sought by government because we are just entering another budget cycle. We would like to start discussions with them so that we can be able to inform each other of the likely outcome of the budget for the next financial year,” she said. Ms Namayanja said: “We want the teachers to understand that we are moving together as a country. Even a teacher will need good health services. They will also need to find a motivated doctor. If police decided to put down their tools for two days, there would be anarchy.” ‘Strike to continue’But Mr James Tweheyo, the Unatu general secretary, said their executive committee yesterday unanimously voted to continue with their industrial action. Earlier, Ms Alupo said they had already sought the Solicitor General’s advice on the matter. “If the situation escalates and the strike goes on for two weeks, the Solicitor General will tell us if they have really breached the contract,” Ms Alupo said. However, Ms Margret Rwabushaija, Unatu chair, said they will evoke the law to support any teacher who will be victimised. According to Public Service (negotiating) consultative and disputes settlement machinery Act 2008, workers in public service shall have a right to withdraw labour or call a strike in furtherance of a labour dispute, provided the negotiating machinery is exhausted. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Francis Kemara Abwoli, a teacher at Munteme Fatima college, Hoima said the union had exhausted all areas but failed to agree with government on the 20 per cent salary increment. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/Striker-Okwi-itching-to-play-club-football-again/-/690266/1987396/-/w4now8z/-/index.html","content":"Striker Okwi itching to play club football again - Emmanuel Okwi was vibrant heading into last weekend’s World Cup qualifier against Senegal, even proclaiming the confidence built by his brace against Botswana in a friendly before last Saturday’s Cranes elimination. His confidence did not come through as the Etoile du Sahel striker would have wanted and his Cranes day was summed up with a knock that saw him replaced by Frank Kalanda late on. And later when the former Simba star sauntered with a slight limp into the team’s hotel lobby in Marrakech, Morocco, his confidence of playing club football was as uncertain. “We are going to sort out a few issues with the club and see how far they have reached but for now, I have no decision at the moment,” Okwi told Daily Monitor. “I just want to go back home for now, have a piece of mind and look how far the club has gone with my issue and we see how we can sort it out once and for good. I badly want to play again.” The “issue” Okwi is alluding to is that of Du Sahel’s alleged failure to meet their share of the bargain concerning their contract with the player, who they signed for $300,000 from Simba in Tanzania in January. “The issue is they haven’t cleared some of my sign-on fee and some salary for three months now.” Okwi is said to have agreed $80,000 sign-on fee but he could not confirm whether he has been paid part of it yet. As such, the player left the club before Uganda’s 2-1 win over Angola in June and has never returned to Tunisia, which could also be breach of contract by Okwi. But what is immediately important for Okwi, who will continue maintaining his fitness with URA in the interim, is that he gets a club to play for competitively. “We are determined to get him playing week in week out as soon as possible so that he can be the best for Uganda Cranes,” chipped in his agent, Ed Stoner. “At the moment we can’t really disclose the details on how we are speaking with Etoile du Sahel for legal reasons… but be rest assured that we are getting him back on track.” Stoner, who declined to offer specifics, is said to be negotiating a deal with Du Sahel to have Okwi on a season-long loan to an unnamed club in Europe. amwanguhya@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Prince-Andrew-challenged-by-police-in-palace-gardens/-/688340/1984358/-/ejdq3tz/-/index.html","content":"Prince Andrew challenged by police in palace gardens - London - Britain's Prince Andrew said Sunday he had received an apology from police after jittery royal protection officers challenged him in the gardens of Buckingham Palace as they stepped up security following a break-in. Police confirmed that two armed officers approached the Duke of York, the third child of Queen Elizabeth II, as he took an evening stroll on Wednesday at the monarch's official London residence. \"I am grateful for their apology and look forward to a safe walk in the garden in the future,\" Andrew said in a statement. \"The police have a difficult job to do balancing security for the royal family and deterring intruders, and sometimes they get it wrong.\" London's Metropolitan Police denied a newspaper report that the officers had pointed guns at the 53-year-old duke, who is fifth in line to the British throne, and shouted at him to get down on the ground. \"On Wednesday, 4 September at approximately 1800 hours (1700 GMT) two uniformed officers approached a man in the gardens of Buckingham Palace to verify his identity,\" the spokesman said. \"The man was satisfactorily identified. No weapons were drawn and no force was used.\" Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the incident. Prince Andrew is the ex-husband of Sarah Ferguson, whom he married in 1986, and they have two children, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. Two days earlier, a man was arrested inside the palace in a major security breach. He had scaled a fence to get into the building in central London. He was arrested for burglary, trespass and criminal damage, while a second man was arrested outside the palace on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary. Police said no members of the royal family were in the palace at the time. The 87-year-old queen is currently on holiday at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The break-in represented one of the most serious security breaches at the palace since 1982 when unemployed Michael Fagan got inside the queen's private chambers while she was in bed. Fagan spent 10 minutes talking to the queen after climbing over the palace walls and up a drainpipe before she was able to raise the alarm. 1 | 2 Next Page»online@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/EC--professionals-disagree-on-councillor-elections/-/688334/1978534/-/tm9878z/-/index.html","content":"EC, professionals disagree on councillor elections - Kampala A meeting between the Electoral Commission and professional body representatives to discuss grounds for the election of councillors at City Hall reportedly ended in disagreement. The Kampala Capital City Authority Act, 2011 requires that four councillors representing professional bodies be elected to KCCA to fill the 34-member council that oversees the operations of the executive wing. However, since elections in 2011, the councillors representing the Uganda Law Society, Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers, Uganda Society of Architects and Uganda Medical Council have not been elected. On Monday, the EC invited the representatives of the professional bodies to discuss on the statutory instruments it had released to guide their elections. However, according to Mr Nicolas Opiyo, a political analyst and High Court advocate, they disagreed with the EC on holding the elections yet there is a constitutional court petition filed against the process. “As bodies, our elections are carried out at electoral college level. We thought that taking the direction of the EC would breach the rules and regulations of the Uganda Law Society,” Mr Opiyo said.He added: “We also raised the issue of officials who would wish to be elected and yet they are civil servants and are required to resign 30 days before the elections, which was not well catered for.” The lawyer also said the issue of voter registers was raised, where it was found that the EC did not possess updated registers of the professionals in their respective prescriptions. Mr Jotham Taremwa, the EC spokesperson, said they only wanted the whole process to be apolitical. “We agreed with the team that they take two weeks to seek audience with the Kampala minister,” he said in an interview at the EC headquarters on Monday. According to the EC, the minister has powers under the KCCA Act, in consultation with the EC, to make regulations for the elections. After filing the constitutional court petition, Lubaga North MP Moses Kasibante and others raised concern to the professionals in a September 2 letter, to desist from breach of the law. fmukisa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Law-society-suspends-AG-Peter-Nyombi/-/688334/1973054/-/11rr68i/-/index.html","content":"Law society suspends AG Peter Nyombi - Kampala- Attorney General (AG) Peter Nyombi will be issued with a “certificate of incompetence” and suspended from the Uganda Law Society (ULS). The decision was reached after ULS members voted against him following his controversial legal opinions to the President in the reappointment of former Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki.The lawyers also vowed to go to court to stop Justice Odoki from serving another term, insisting the move would be unconstitutional. The decisions were reached in a charged ULS extra-ordinary general meeting in Kampala. However, some members argued against suspending Mr Nyombi, saying the law that establishes the ULS guarantees the membership of the Attorney General to the ULS and that he could not be suspended. Those against the suspension of Mr Nyombi also said some of the complaints against the AG were before court and therefore the lawyers would be in breach of the rule of subjudice should they debate them. The subjudice rule bars discussion on matters before court in a way that would prejudice the final decision. Mr Nyombi, who skipped the meeting despite ULS President Ruth Sebatandira saying he was invited, had dismissed the threats to suspend him from ULS in a telephone interview shortly before the meeting. “The petitioners have not consulted the President about the issue and I am not aware that he is complaining about the advice I give him,” Mr Nyombi said. Those arguing against his suspension argued that it was wrong for the AG to be punished for doing his professional work. Mr Nyombi follows in the footsteps of his predecessor, Prof Khiddu Makubuya, who was also suspended by the ULS in 2007 over similar accusations. Mr Nyombi was also faulted for advising the parliamentary Appointments Committee that Gen Aronda Nyakairima would be appointed minister without first retiring from the army and “poorly” handling the case in which one Severino Twinobusingye was originally awarded Shs13 billion in a case he had won against the government. The complaints that led to the convening of the general meeting were contained in two petitions – one tabled by Mr Jude Mbabaali and another by Mr Bruce Kyerere, who was once president of ULS. Uganda Law Society Resolutions Anti-Nyombi decisions Be suspended from the Uganda Law Society. Issue him with a ‘certificate of Incompetence’. Express extreme displeasure with the Attorney General Peter Nyombi and disassociate itself with his opinions which are glaringly inconsistent with the constitution.To refer him to the Law Council for trial proceedings.Urge the 9th Parliament to consider making the position of the Attorney General’s office independent of politics Odoki’s fate Urge Odoki to consider declining the appointment. Implore the 9th Parliament to reject the re-appointment of Odoki.Implore the President to consider withdrawing Odoki’s re-appointment.Challenge any attempt to re-appoint Odoki in the Constitutional Court. emukiibi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Public-order-legislation-has-been-in-action---says-Otunnu/-/688334/1971758/-/acp2n1/-/index.html","content":"Public order legislation has been in action,  says Otunnu - Kampala The Uganda Peoples Congress party president, Mr Olara Otunnu, has said that once the contested Public Order Management Bill is assented in law, it will confirm the already existing oppression in President Museveni’s government. While addressing journalists yesterday, Mr Otunnu said when President Museveni signs the Bill, as opposition leaders, they are ready to defy it because it is an attempt by the regime to amend the Constitution. “All the Bill contains has been practiced since police officers have outstanding orders to control all political rallies and this applies to opposition politicians’ rallies only,” Mr Otunnu said. He added that the Bill gives arbitrary powers to police to regulate freedom of expression, contrary to international laws. Mr Otunnu’s comments come hardly a month after Parliament passed the controversial Bill into law amid objections and protests from opposition legislators. The Bill has been criticised by human rights activists and the opposition. The Bill requires a written note of planned meetings to be submitted to police a week in advance, and allows police to block or prevent a public meeting if they deem it a breach of the peace. ‘Ignorant critics’Mr Ofwono Opondo, the Executive Director Uganda Media Centre recently accused those against the Bill of spreading ignorance. “This law is not meant for just political actors but to regulate public gatherings in general and so there ought to be no reason why opposition politicians and the so-called civil society critics should be pouring venom so much,” Mr Opondo said in an opinion piece in this newspaper. snakirigya@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Bradley-Manning---I-am-Chelsea----I-am-a-female-/-/688340/1963808/-/tfloa5z/-/index.html","content":"Bradley Manning: 'I am Chelsea... I am a female' - Washington - Bradley Manning, the US soldier sentenced to 35 years for leaking secret documents, said Thursday he now considers himself to be a woman called Chelsea. \"As I transition into this next phase of my life, I want everyone to know the real me,\" the 25-year-old said in a statement read out on NBC's TODAY show in the presence of his lawyer, David Coombs. \"I am Chelsea Manning, I am a female.\" \"Given the way I feel and have felt since childhood, I want to begin hormone therapy as soon as possible,\" the statement said. \"I also request that starting today you refer to me by my new name and use the feminine pronoun.\" On Wednesday, a military court sentenced Manning to 35 years in jail for handing secret government documents to WikiLeaks, resulting in America's biggest-ever security breach. Manning will serve his sentence in military custody before being dishonorably discharged. He has spent most of his pre-trial detention at the Fort Leavenworth military base in Kansas and he is expected to remain there. Coombs said Manning waited to make the bombshell announcement so as not to overshadow the case. During the proceedings against him, the court heard that Manning struggled with his homosexuality while in Iraq. When asked by NBC whether Manning would sue to force the government to provide hormone therapy and possibly sex reassignment surgery, Coombs said: \"I don't know about the sex reassignment surgery... Chelsea hasn't indicated that that would be her desire, but as far as the hormone therapy, yes,\" he said. \"I'm hoping Fort Leavenworth would do the right thing and provide that.\" Coombs said it was not Manning's goal to be in an all-woman prison. \"No. I think the ultimate goal is to be comfortable in her skin and to be the person that she's never had the opportunity to be,\" he said. 1 | 2 Next Page»online@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Rescind-decision-on-Chief-Justice/-/689360/1961568/-/34e15vz/-/index.html","content":"Rescind decision on Chief Justice - Early this week, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) came out to pronounce itself on the controversial debate about the reappointment of Benjamin Odoki as Chief Justice. The JSC chairman James Ogoola, who had led the JSC team into a meeting with the House Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, told the committee that the proposed reappointment of Mr Odoki is unconstitutional because he is above the 70-year constitutional age limit for holders of the Chief Justice position. Mr Odoki, who had served as chief justice for 12 years, reached the mandatory retirement age of 70 years in March. He also served out the three-month extension period. Prior to the clear stance that has been taken by the JSC, there were questions and ambiguities regarding who was responsible for encouraging this blatant breach of the country’s Constitution. There are now two visible players - President Museveni and Mr Odoki - who threaten the integrity of Uganda’s Constitution. Following the JSC’s reiteration, we implore the former Chief Justice Odoki to make the right call. Indeed, as an experienced member of the Judiciary, the prevailing circumstances offer a great opportunity for Mr Odoki to not only redeem his legacy but also signal to Ugandans that he made the right calls during his long career at the helm of the country’s Judiciary. Earlier, following a news reporter’s call regarding his reappointment decision by the President, Mr Odoki responded with this statement: “…if it is true, thank you very much for breaking the good news to me.” He has not come out to distance himself from his proposed reappointment. The country’s legal fraternity, including the Uganda Law Society and other Civil Society Organisations, have all come out to challenge this clearly retrogressive move. Much as Justice Odoki has a role to play, the lead player is President Museveni. It is clear that he (President Museveni) is threatening to abuse the very Constitution that he swore to uphold and to protect on behalf of Ugandans. If he goes ahead with his intentions, he would have broken the presidential oath and betrayed the trust of the entire nation."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/DP--New-law-is-govt-move-to-change-constitution/-/688334/1947340/-/5cnwwlz/-/index.html","content":"DP: New law is government move to change constitution - The Democratic Party (DP) has criticised the passing of the Public Order Management Bill into a law, describing it as an attempt by the regime to amend the Constitution from the back door. DP president Norbert Mao said the new law gives arbitrary power to the police to regulate freedom of expression, contrary to international laws. “We disagree with the manner in which the law was passed without the quorum where the presiding officer did not entertain any point of order before voting on the Bill,” Mr Mao said yesterday. The DP remarks come hardly a week after Parliament passed the controversial Bill into law amid objections and protests from opposition legislators. The Bill has been criticised by human rights activists and the opposition. The Bill requires a written note of planned meetings to be submitted to police a week in advance, and allows police to block or prevent a public meeting if they deem it a breach of the peace. Mr Mao said DP would rally Ugandans to defy the law, adding that it showed the absence of the rule of law. DP has now joined other opposition parties UPC and FDC, who came up earlier to oppose the passing of the Public Order Management Bill into a law. snakirigya@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/UCC-has-no-legal-basis-to-switch-off-unregistered-mobile-phones/-/806314/1945330/-/72yrhw/-/index.html","content":"UCC has no legal basis to switch off unregistered mobile phones - In your story, “Two million Sim cards could be switched off after August”, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) director for communications and consumer affairs, Mr Fred Otunnu, is reported to have said that the deadline for switch-off will not be extended any further. First of all, UCC and the telecom companies have no legal basis to set the deadlines for switching off unregistered Sim cards. Their threats are neither backed by law nor any statutory instrument laid before Parliament as required by law. The Sim card registration process is marred with illegalities, irregularities and anomalies, which have dire consequences on subscribers’ rights if not addressed, and UCC as the overseer, has handled the registration process in a lackadaisical manner. The Regulation of Interception of Communication Act of 2010 under which the process is conducted contains sections that are incompatible with Article 27(2) and 43 (2) (c) of the Constitution of Uganda and undermines fundamental human rights like freedom of expression, right to privacy and access to information. Basic analysis of the registration process shows that telecom companies are in breach of the Act and The Regulation of Interception of Communication Instruments, 2011. The registration forms provided to subscribers substantially deviate from the legally stipulated form; they are calculated to mislead and they conscript people into signing binding agreements and unsolicited for services. Regulation 7 (3) of the Instruments states: “For avoidance of doubt, every telecommunications service provider shall obtain the details of existing subscribers using Form 3 in the Schedule to these Regulations”, which the telecom companies have not abided by. The enabling law lacks guarantees on data collection, storage, access, release, disclosure and safety of personal information in custody of the telecom companies. The absence of a data protection law makes the situation worse. Prior to the ‘marriage’ between Airtel and Warid, the latter’s terms and conditions stated: “If we are ordered to or otherwise required to provide your details and those recorded by your Sim card by the law or any authority with the power to do so, we may comply with any such orders with or without notice to you of the same. We shall not be liable for any losses caused to you by the result of our compliance with these orders.” In this new ‘contractual marriage’ do these terms and conditions apply to the alleged 7.2 million subscribers of Airtel-Warid? Concerned authorities have been informed of these anomalies but no positive outcome has been achieved yet. It is on this premise that Human Rights Network for Journalists and Legal Brains Trust petitioned court to resolve these issues. Unfortunately, the court process had dragged on since February with no hearing date fixed. Catherine Anite,Human Rights Network for Journalists"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Public-order-bill-headed-to-EA-court/-/688334/1945724/-/uhe1m6/-/index.html","content":"Public order bill headed to EA court - KAMPALA The recently passed Public Order Management law is to be challenged before the East African Court of Justice or the Constitutional Court, Mr Fred Mukasa Mbidde, the East African Legislative Assembly MP has said. Mr Mbidde said the Ugandan legal fraternity, and Pan African lawyers have been instructed by regional lawyers to challenge the law that seeks to restrict public gatherings. He said that as the “rule of law defenders”, they cannot just sit and look on because the newly-passed law will curtail the citizen’s rights to freedom of speech and debate on politics. “The legal fraternity and the Pan African lawyers led by Donald Deya, have received instructions to challenge this newly-passed law on gatherings because it’s unconstitutional,” said Mr Mbidde over the weekend while addressing the press at his chambers in Kampala. Breach of constitutionAccording to him, this new law breaches Article 8 (a) and objective 28 of the constitution. He says it has also breached regional and international laws like Article 6 (d) and 7 (2) of the East African Treaty, Rights Act and Article 2,14,15 and 16 of the Vienna Convention on the law of treaties. “This law is in breach of the constitution, the East African and other African and international laws which Uganda has endorsed and should be challenged in court,” he added. On Tuesday, Parliament passed the controversial Bill into law amidst protests from the opposition Members of Parliament. The passing of the Bill sparked off debate from civil society groups and the opposition MPs, saying its intended to curtail their freedom of expression and demonstrations as enshrined in the constitution. The law requires a written notice of planned meetings to be submitted to police a week in advance in addition to granting police the power to block a gathering. awesaka@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Cabinet-directs-on-regulation-of-mobile/-/688322/1944800/-/1278f0wz/-/index.html","content":"Cabinet directs on regulation of mobile money transactions - Kampala- The Cabinet has directed the Ministry of Finance to amend the law regulating the financial institutions with the view of including regulations that govern Islamic banking and mobile money transactions. The regulation if passed will hold those responsible for money transfer businesses in cases of breach of contract or any dubious transaction.The new law will also regulate Islamic banking, thus widening the scope of customer choices in terms of banking. “The government has proposed that mobile banking and money transfers (mobile money) among other innovations be regulated so as to enhance financial inclusion,” Ms Rosemary Namayanja, the minster for Information told journalists in Kampala last week Kampala. She said: “In the new law, Islamic banking will be licensed to meet the growing need for both the local and foreign owned banks who have persistently asked Bank of Uganda to create an enabling legal environment for the new product.” Branchless bankingThe Cabinet also resolved that branchless banking be embraced as players increase their reach of banking in areas that are particularly difficult to reach or rural in nature.The minister of Finance was also tasked to ensure that bank insurance which is subject to provisions of the insurance amendment Act 2011, be implemented by the Insurance Regulatory Authority. In an interview Mr Jan Tibamwenda, the Bank of Uganda director communications said: “The proposals would grant existing banks the ability to offer Islamic banking products after the amendments. He said: “Regulation of mobile money transactions needs some due diligence that has to put controlling measures at the entry level to ensure safety and sound transactions.”However, he noted that the service was currently being regulated by BoU because it is offered in partnership with commercial banks as transfer platforms. While commenting on the idea that telecoms could become mini banks, Mr Tibamwenda said this could not happen as their core competences is in telecommunications and not banking. iladu@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/CSOs-sue-government-over-Bill-on-public-order/-/688334/1943390/-/pbvu6v/-/index.html","content":"CSOs sue government over Bill on public order - Kampala The debate on the controversial Public Order Management Bill might soon take a legal dimension as civil society organisations threaten to head to the Constitutional Court to challenge it. They have also vowed to forward petitions to the East African Court of Justice, African Union and United Nations, in an effort to block the bill from becoming law. Parliament passed the bill on Tuesday, amid stiff protests from the Opposition.Addressing the media in Kampala yesterday, Mr Livingstone Sewanyana, the Executive Director, Foundation for Human Rights Initiative, noted that the bill contravenes sections of the Constitution, which clearly provides for the rights and liberties of all citizens. The Bill requires a written note of planned meetings to be submitted to police a week in advance, and allows police to block or prevent a public meeting if they deem it a breach of the peace. But the CSOs said this gives too much power to the Force and is a shielded attempt to create unrivalled competition against the Opposition before the 2016 elections. Outspoken cleric, Bishop Dr Zac Niringiye scoffed at the government for deviating from its principles of restoring the rule of law in 1986. “This regime started off as a resistance movement, to fight against oppressive policies, regimes and processes that deny people the right to assemble, free speech…here is now the same regime which is afraid of its own people,” Bishop Niringiye said. “If the NRM continues to legislate using numerical strength, I am afraid that any future bill that interests them will be passed in a rush manner. This is rule by law, not rule of law,” Mr Patrick Tumwine from Human Rights Network (HURINET), said. NRM legislators were not spared from the backlash, as they were accused of ‘sleepwalking’ into Parliament to pass bills that favour the government. The organisations are now planning to move around the country to lobby for signatures from citizens against the bill, before heading to court. oeyotaru@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Opposition-MPs-told-to-welcome-Museveni/-/688334/1939492/-/r3ohui/-/index.html","content":"Opposition MPs told to welcome Museveni - Kampala MPs, including opposition legislators, will in a new Cabinet resolution be charged with managing the day’s programme each time the President visits their constituencies. A protocol handbook approved by Cabinet earlier this week mandates an MP to play the role of master of ceremonies each time the Head of State attends a function in his/her area. And breach of the protocol, at least for the time being will not attract any sanction not until it is well publicised, Information Minister Rosemary Namayanja said yesterday while announcing the latest Cabinet developments. According to the minister the handbook will also guide government officials in planning, organising, conducting and attending various state events. But Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary, James Mugume, whose ministry is supposed to roll-out the handbook yesterday said although he is aware about the protocol handbook, he has not received a go ahead to make it public. Iladu@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Parliament-approves-Public-Order-Management-Bill/-/688334/1939084/-/15rlkky/-/index.html","content":"Parliament passes Public Order Management Bill - A meeting between Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, and a team from government was the final straw that broke the Opposition’s resistance to the passing of the Public Order Management Bill into law. That meeting resulted in the switching of ‘Order Papers’ to include the Bill on the day’s agenda and yet some MPs had received order papers which did not include it as part of matters to be considered. Another sign of the shape of things to come was the apparent violation of a House rule which requires that prior notification of changes to order of business be given to MPs well in advance. But not even a mini-choir from the Opposition benches deterred Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah (who chaired the plenary) from ramming the Bill through the House, and suspending whoever tried to stand in his way. “Honourable Members, I put the question that the Bill entitled the Public Order Management Bill do pass. May those in favour say aye, to the contrary nay,” he put the question. Amidst Opposition calls of points of order and livid protests, the numerically far superior NRM side shouted ‘aye’. In less than two minutes, the Bill passed. Immediately after, Mr Oulanyah handed Soroti Woman MP Angelina Osege a three-day suspension for “shouting the most” on the Opposition side. She brings the number of MPs the Bill has claimed to four. The Bill requires a written note of planned meetings to be submitted to police a week in advance, and allows police to block or prevent a public meeting if they deem it a breach of the peace. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Surveyors-plan-audit-of-public-buildings/-/688334/1933114/-/144vg5yz/-/index.html","content":"Surveyors plan audit of public buildings - KAMPALA Preparations to audit all existing public buildings are underway as a measure geared to ensure safety of the people. This is one of the avenues aimed at reducing construction accidents in the country which have seen, hundreds of lives lost. The president Institute of Surveyors of Uganda, Mr Daniel Musana, while at a media briefing in Kampala yesterday, said: “The audit will check details of professionals involved in the construction; crosscheck the buildings to see if their facilities are up to the acceptable standards.” He added that after the audit, buildings found in unacceptable conditions will be branded unfit for occupation and be recommended to the relevant authorities for action. Breach of contractsDr Kenneth Ssemwogerere, president of Uganda Society of Architects, said the reason there are no safe sites in Uganda is because of breaching of vital construction procedures. In order to address the standards in the industry all players in the construction industry ,have converged at the Commonwealth Speke Resort, Munyonyo for a symposium which will find avenues to safety and quality construction. The symposium, the first of its kind, will involve engineers, surveyors,physical planners, environmentalists and architects with the objective of mitigating and reducing accidents in the industry. dnakaweesi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Firm-sues-district-boss-over-wetland/-/688334/1929692/-/103kckw/-/index.html","content":"Firm sues district boss over wetland - Kampala- The flower firm reclaiming part of Lutembe wetland has sued the Wakiso District chairperson for interfering in their activities. In an application filed at Nakawa High Court, Rosebud Flower Firm wants an interim order restraining Mr Matia Lwanga Bwanika and other district officials from interrupting its activities on plot 8, block 413 at Namulanda, Katabi Sub-county and pay the company for the law suit. Rosebud says it obtained a certificate from the National Environmental Management Authority on January 20, 2004, giving them a go ahead to work on the wetland but Mr Bwanika, with other district officials, mobilised residents in an attempt to obstruct their activities. The flower company further says if their request is not granted in their favour, they stand to suffer “immense injury and damage’ that cannot be covered by any award of damages. However, Mr Bwanika through his lawyers, says Rosebud’s application is against the law because no statutory notice was served. “….. the application is misconceived, bad in law and untenable at law as it arises out of the suit where no statutory notice was served to Wakiso District. I am further advised by my lawyers that I am not suable at law as the same office is not a corporate body capable of suing or being sued under the Local Government Act,” Mr Bwanika’s July 26 affidavit reads in part. He said district officials visited the farm after a tip off from residents and found the firm pouring soil in the wetland, which was in breach of conditions in their certificate of approval and ordered them to stop. The affidavit also shows that on June 10, residents visited Mr Bwanika’s residence with a petition that was signed by 136 residents, who later it took it to Parliament for intervention. Court has set today for the hearing of the case. mssebuyira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Reporters-condemn-arrest-of-journalist/-/688334/1928618/-/ks2dymz/-/index.html","content":"Reporters condemn arrest of journalist - KAMPALA The arrest, prolonged detention, confiscation of equipment and the erasing of data belonging to American journalist Taylor Krauss were excessive responses by the Ugandan government, the Foreign Correspondents’ Association of Uganda (FCAU), a professional association for Uganda and foreign journalists, working in Uganda, for foreign news media, has said. Mr Krauss, who entered the country about a fortnight ago on a visitor visa, is accused of violating Uganda’s immigration rules and working here illegally. According to a statement from FCAU, Mr Krauss reportedly said he was visiting Uganda to film the first parts of a possible television documentary. He was arrested by security personnel on Tuesday while covering the arrest of former FDC leader Kizza Besigye in Kampala, and has been detained since. “He [Mr Krauss] says his camera equipment and laptop were confiscated, and later returned with his video files deleted. The journalists, said Krauss detention was not in line with the fundamentals of press freedom, but acknowledged that Mr Krauss “had not applied for journalist accreditation from the Uganda Media Centre, as required by the government”. The journalists add that “FCAU recognises this breach of Government regulations”, but believes the action taken by government was overboard. On Thusrday, Mr Benjamin Kagiremire, the internal affairs ministry spokes person, told this paper that: “the Commissioner for inspection and legal services (Josephine Ekwang ) made an order that he be removed from the country editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Score/Alupo--stop-procrastinating/-/689854/1927340/-/hti0e9z/-/index.html","content":"Alupo, stop procrastinating - As we draw closer to the Fufa general assembly of August 31, a standoff is slowly forming pitting on one side the Government of Uganda eager to fix the broken pieces of football governance and on the other a Fufa bent on maintaining what it believes is not broken down. The Ministry of Sports which should be by now painfully aware of the cloak and dagger politics of local football appears to be walking on egg-shells as it continues to ‘consult widely’ on the matter of Fufa’s legality. Apparently the Solicitor General as was widely reported has already advised that Fufa ltd should cease to be because it is in breach of the current Sports Act that doesn’t allow for a national association to be registered as a limited company. And Fifa who could not care less about matters of Ugandan Law, but were still consulted anyway as a matter of protocol have also stated their position which is that any interference from Government will attract sanctions. So as it is the Ministry has all input to make an informed decision. Yet I detect a hesitation from the Sports ministry fueled perhaps by the unwillingness to be the guardian under whose watch Uganda got its first Fifa ban but also countered by the statutory responsibility to provide direction on matters of sports administration. It seems the Ministry of Sports is undecided on whether to take the advice of the Solicitor General or back off and avoid the inevitable ban from Fifa. The way I see it this procrastination is fatal and doesn’t serve any purpose beyond providing a perfect breeding ground for more controversy. It may give the impression of a guarded approach in matters that have admittedly handcuffed this country for ages, but the longer this paralysis continues the more a system that most agree needs an overhaul is entrenched. Because the time to act must surely arrive even for the most cautious of methods, the Sports Ministry should therefore step up immediately and pronounce itself even if that means suffering the political ramifications that would result from a patronizing Fifa ban. Yes, this will in the short term cost us the opportunity to qualify for the World Cup or CHAN but in the long term give us the opportunity to sort out our mess. Besides it’s silly to look at World Cup qualification as an end in itself and we can’t therefore prop all our actions against the remote chance of qualification for a tournament we aren’t prepared for in the first place. That is so narrow and foolish but also typically Ugandan. So what we need is to appreciate that our priority should be to sort out the governance and developmental issues in our game, and that this is a task that must start with cleaning up the legal mess that is Fufa ltd. If this means we get banned so be it especially if that is the alter at which we sacrifice our short term glory for long term objectives. That would be the right thing to do even if it would make us look bad, because in the end it is much better than looking good doing the wrong thing. Don’t you think? banturakim@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Uproar-over-killing-of-rare-bird/-/688334/1925534/-/kl41ay/-/index.html","content":"Uproar over killing of rare bird - Kampala When the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries was on Monday faced with the challenge of quelea birds eating rice at Kibimba Rice Scheme, their immediate remedy was to kill them by spraying. This has spurred fury among bird lovers and conservationists who say this was not only a breach of wildlife laws, but also endangering to other animal species not targeted by the spraying. In an interview with the Daily Monitor, the acting public relations officer, ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Mr Akankwasah Barirega, said the ministry is worried that other non-target species, especially pollinators like bees and butterflies, could have ended up dying which could pose a threat to future food production. “While we agree with the need to control the birds from destroying crops and causing losses to farmers, the unilateral action taken to indiscriminately spray poison without due consultation and or conducting any environmental impact assessment is not only in breach of the National Environment Act Cap 153, but also has serious ramifications for environment, tourism and hence national economy,” Mr Barirega said. 1.8 million killedThe Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with the Desert Locust Control Organisation of East Africa on Monday carried out a pest control exercise at Kibimba Rice Sheme in Bugiri District, spraying dead about 1.8 million quelea birds that were destroying an estimated 15 tonnes of rice a day. Section 15 of the Uganda Wildlife Act, Cap 200 requires an environmental impact assessment for any activity likely to have significant impact on any wildlife species or community, and section 96 of the National Environment Act criminalises conducting such activities like aerial spray or introducing new pesticides without conducting an environment impact assessment. The Ministry of Agriculture did not, however, conduct an environmental Impact assessment before carrying out the aerial spray. Mr Stephen Byantwale, the Principal Agriculture Inspector in the Ministry of Agriculture, said the exercise was aimed at controlling more than 2 million quelea birds that had migrated into the county and were causing destruction. Mr Acheles Byaruhanga, the executive director of Nature Uganda and a bird’s researcher, said the option of killing birds is an indication of poor planning on the side of the Ministry of Agriculture and that it does not solve the problem. Mr Byaruhanga said the quelea birds are a native of Uganda which breed in swampy areas and do not move in huge numbers of millions as agriculture officials claim. “First these birds’ habitats has been destroyed and they need to look for means of survival. Secondly these birds feed on cultivated crops during breeding seasons therefore the Ministry of Agriculture should advice farmers on when cultivation should be which should not be during the birds’ breeding season to minimise loses,” Mr Byaruhanga said, adding that the poisonous spray could easily find its way into the soil. Bird haven Uganda is globally known as the bird haven of Africa and birding is one of the biggest tourism products for the country. According to the Ministry of Tourism, Uganda generates more than $6 million annually from birding tourism alone. Mr Barirega said other methods like mist trapping, scaring, aerial spray but after careful planning and following an environmental Impact assessment and spraying hot water without using poisonous chemicals could have been deployed. flanyero@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/Fifa-tests-government-s-resolve-on-Fufa-legality/-/690266/1923468/-/cxtb6n/-/index.html","content":"Fifa tests government’s resolve on Fufa legality - KAMPALA-The ball is now in government’s hands. Fifa have cast it in their midst. Now is the time to test whether government’s legs can stand the distance, or months of fact-finding and eventually recommending the way forward for Ugandan football will be flipped over at just a roar from miles away in Zurich. Having received an invite from government to be part of the final consultations before the Education and Sports Ministry make public an announcement, which is said to be of Fufa’s disbandment, Fifa responded by insisting Fufa are making tremendous steps forward and any third party interference could lead to sanctions. “Any actions/measures taken unilaterally against the structures and/or the statutes of Fufa would be considered as interference,” stated the letter signed by Fifa Secretary General Jerome Valcke.“The case would be brought to Fifa’s higher instances for appropriate sanctions, which could include suspension.” The gist of a possible disbandment stems from Fufa registering a national association as a limited company contrary to the current Sports Act. But according to Fifa’s letter, Fufa informed them that local laws demanded that the national football body had to be registered as an association and a limited company if such a body wanted to own properties, which right NCS had sanctioned. “The National Council of Sports (NCS), the country’s sports regulator, explicitly confirmed that they had no problems whatsoever on the status of Fufa Ltd,” added the letter. NCS’ involvement here casts further spotlight on its general secretary, Jasper Aligawesa, whom Alupo directed his interdiction for breach of duty last week. But when contacted, Education and Sports Minister Jessica Alupo was raging that Fifa had responded to them using the wrong forum.“It is a bit unusual from Fifa,” she said, “If this is how they have decided to respond to us…to government, through Fufa yet all our emails and fax lines are active, then that is absurd. We wrote to them, not to Fufa. “My secretary told me the letter was hand-delivered by some boy from Fufa. When I got to know of that I didn’t care about the contents.However, a copy of the letter indicates it was faxed to the ministry and copied in to Fufa and Caf but Alupo insisted “we did not receive it through our emails and fax.” “The first thing I did was to ask my secretary to find out from Fifa whether that is their letter. We should know tomorrow (today). It’s from there that we can take it up and decide on the next step.” HIGHLIGHTS INLETTER -Fifa member associations have to manage their affairs independently and without influence of any third parties.- Meeting between Fifa and government would be possible but only if the situation concerning Fufa’s legal status is fully clarified (by government).-That National Council of Sports (NCS) sanctioned Fufa Limited. amwanguhya@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/MPs-want-restrictions-explained/-/688334/1918576/-/9jqgxv/-/index.html","content":"MPs want restrictions explained - Parliament yesterday tasked the government to explain the restrictions placed on opposition politicians’ activities within their constituencies. The directive to the State Minister for Internal Affairs, Mr James Baba, was reached after Rubaga South MP Ken Lukyamuzi raised a matter of national importance, arguing that police clamp-down on rallies organised by opposition legislators was a violation of the right to assembly. Since the 2011 polls, police have brutally cracked down opposition political activities, in moves critics say are meant to silence dissent against President Museveni and stifle the right to speech. “The minister should investigate and give us a report because the strength of our democracy is allowing members to meet their constituencies,” Speaker of Parliament Rebbecca Kadaga ruled. However, Mr Baba defended the Force, insisting that the police would always step in once their “assessment” reveals a possibility of “breach of peace”. Aruu County MP Odonga Otto warned that in a recent opposition meeting, legislators came close to unanimously agreeing on withdrawing from the House, unless the government came out clear on the clamp-down on opposition political activities. Bukoto South MP and Democratic Party Secretary General Mathias Nsubuga lay before the House rubber bullets he recovered from an aborted rally blocked by police in Mityana last month. “We informed the police about the rally but we were surprised when we were blocked. I reported the matter to police headquarters but was told that the Inspector General of Police was upcountry,” Mr Nsubuga said. sarinaitwe@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/Aligawesa--Okanya-interdicted/-/690266/1917424/-/gm1p3hz/-/index.html","content":"Aligawesa, Okanya interdicted - Jasper Aligawesa’s nine-year reign as the National Council of Sports (NCS) General Secretary is over after being interdicted by the Education and Sports Ministry. The administrator sees the exit door together with NCS member Patrick Okanya, who has been overseeing Fufa electoral process. According to information Daily Monitor has seen, Education and Sports Minister Jessica Alupo has directed the duo’s interdiction for breach of duty, conflict of interest and misconduct. Aligawesa is accused of being signatory to Fufa Limited, registered as a limited company by guarantee and incorporated on October 13, 2009. Owners of Fufa LtdFufa Limited is also co-owned by outgoing president Lawrence Mulindwa, and a one Kaggwa Kyeyago. Fufa, the national association, was incorporated as a limited company in contravention of the national Sports Act, a case that has the current executive facing possible disbandment. In doing so, Fufa and Fufa limited are in effect two different organisations. But when contacted, Aligawesa dismissed the reports. “Who told you? I don’t know. I’m not aware. It’s not true.” Aligawesa took over the job in 2004 after John Odyek was pushed out after only one year in office. On his side, Okanya is accused of misconduct in heading Fufa’s electoral body yet he is a member of the NCS council, also conflict of interest. Seeking Fifa presenceMeanwhile, the press conference for Alupo and government to pronounce themselves on the legality of Fufa could yet again be pushed for a further few days. The conference had been penned in for this Friday but had to be put on hold as government extended the gesture to Fifa to be present when the minister is reading the document. High-placed sources intimated to us that “This was only a gesture to Fifa as a world body and (that) nothing would change what has already been agreed upon regarding Fufa’s fate.” Fifa had by press time yet to respond to government’s invite. amwanguhya@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Here-is-how-a-decent-city-operates/-/806314/1915982/-/8yhqp2/-/index.html","content":"Here is how a decent city operates - Last week, I was privileged to be part of the team that successfully launched Vision East Africa Forum (VEAF) - Rwanda Chapter in the capital, Kigali. While navigating through Kigali, I was amazed by its pace of transformation and development. The city is clean, orderly, vibrant, well organised and better managed. It has a well functioning service delivery system, efficient public transport system, functional traffic lights, road signposts, no potholes, designated pedestrian-friendly walkways and designated parking areas. Every commuter taxi is registered and overloading is prohibited. Each boda boda rider wears a helmet with inscribed personal telephone number and carries an extra helmet for the passenger. It is illegal not to wear a helmet and there are severe penalties for offenders. Noise and pollution are highly regulated, corruption strictly abhorred and there is general respect for public installations. In Kigali, laws are made, enforced and duly respected by everyone. Penalties for breach are severe. There is also very limited visibility of police or military officers on the roads. Unlike Kampala, Police officers in Kigali have not usurped the function of traffic lights. Many tourists may, therefore, find Kigali more impressive than Kampala, and you know in most cases tourists pave way for investors. Kampala Capital City Authority Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and Executive Director Jennifer Musisi who are apparently at loggerheads need more tours of Kigali and less of Washington or Mecca to learn how things are done. As they rwaste our time and money fighting, Kigali is racing ahead of Kampala. Popularly known as the city of a thousand hills, Kigali - although relatively small - is commercially, administratively, socially and politically indispensable. It presents us with an opportunity to undertake and implement cost effective citizen driven policies. I believe if we swallow our pride and emulate it, taking into account our local peculiarities, we can get Kampala and towns like Mbale, Jinja, Masaka or Gulu back on track. Kigali has recovered from the 1994 genocide to emerge as an exemplary city for homegrown innovative means of justice and reconciliation. The resilience of Rwandan leadership and its people has given way to unprecedented transformation which, though far from perfect, is nonetheless indicative of recovery, self-sustainability and progress. Though it was neglected by the international community during its most trying times, Rwandans have built their country drawing upon their culture. My prayer to KCCA authorities is that Kigali becomes an inspiration for Kampala as far as order, cleanliness and management is concerned. Second, as we race for the East African integration, Kigali shows us how cities emerging from conflict can draw on their own principles and practices to overcome animosity, and build more open, vibrant and democratic societies. George Ntambaazi, Kigali"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Fountain-publishers-lose-copyright-case/-/688334/1890052/-/d264ykz/-/index.html","content":"Fountain publishers lose copyright case - KAMPALA- Fountain Publishers, a book publishing firm, has lost a case that sought to block an arbitration award to two teachers in connection with infringement of copyright. The Commercial Division of the High Court dismissed an application by the firm challenging an arbitration award to the teachers; Harriet Nantamu and Rose Nalunga saying it was ‘time barred.Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire held that the application to challenge the award was made one and a half years after the award was made. The application sought to challenge the September 2009 arbitration award by retired Justice Alfred Karokora in which the company was ordered to pay the two teachers damages for infringement of the copyright. The teachers dragged the firm to court over infringement on copyright, breach of moral right and breach of contract. Court heard that the duo signed agreements of assignment with Fountain Publishers in 2004 and 2005 as co-authors and assigned their copyright to the printing firm to use it in publishing and marketing primary school textbooks and teachers guide. Arbitrator, Justice Karokora held that the printing firm was liable to pay damages for its infringement of the teachers’ copyright. However, the arbitrator did not award damages for breach of moral rights, but ordered the printing firm to pay costs incurred by the teachers in the case and the arbitration costs worth Shs17 million. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/781048/-/w0ndow/-/index.html","content":"MP Lukyamuzi loses seat - The outspoken Member of Parliament for Lubaga South Constituency lost his parliamentary seat due to failure to declare his wealth to the Inspector General of Government. According to a correspondence from the Clerk to Parliament to the Electoral Commission, the MP's seat was declared vacant effective December 5, 2005. However, the full import of the situation was made public this week. Lukyamuzi lost his seat under Section 4 subsection (6), which provides that \"A leader who without justifiable cause submits a declaration to the Inspector General of Government thirty days after the period prescribed under sub section 1 and 2 of this section commits a breach of this Code.\" The Electoral Commission on Thursday also blocked Lukyamuzi's candidature to be a member in the Eigth Parliament citing Section 20 subsection (3) of the Leadership Code Act 2002 that bars a leader who breaches the Leadership Code under section 4 subsection (6) from holding any elective or appointive office for five years. Section 20 subsection (3) of the Leadership Code Act 2002 provides that: \"A person dismissed, or removed from office, or convicted for breach of this Code shall not hold any other public office whether appointive or elective for five years effective from the date of removal or dismissal\". With allegations that there are other leaders who may have not declared their wealth, a source in the Inspectorate of Government said that she was not aware of any other leader who had not declared his or her wealth by the time Lukyamuzi was required to vacate his seat. But the source said that the only area of suspicion is where leaders under-declare their wealth. \"I think the only legitimate complaint would be that some leaders under-declare their wealth, which is also punishable with dismissal or removal from office,\" said the source who asked that her name be withheld. The source added: \"With the correspondences between the Inspectorate and Lukyamuzi published in The New Vision, we (the Inspectorate) have a tight case against Lukyamuzi. Given the overwhelming evidence presented in The New Vision,\" one would wonder why he failed to declare his income, assets and liabilities despite several reminders? However, the IGG's action at this particular time may be perceived as a ploy to politically persecute Lukyamuzi. As the editorial of one of the local weeklies was to say on Thursday: \"Whereas the IGG is right to enforce the law, she risks being misunderstood\" given the fact that the total sum of the IGG's action is that Lukyamuzi was disqualified from offering his candidature to become a member of the Eighth Parliament. 1 | 2 Next Page»There are accusations that the government is using administrative functions of the state to gain undue political advantage over the opposition. The Leadership Code Act 2002 requires that the leaders declarations of income, assets and liabilities be made public so that any person with information about a particular declaration can volunteer it for the IGG's verification. But when Sunday Vision published these declarations, some ministers, including Vice President Gilbert Bukenya accused Jotham Tumwesigye, Faith Mwondha's immediate predecessor, of a breach of confidence. So, until the matter went public, the IGG was the only person who knew Lukyamuzi's failure to declare his wealth. For this reason, some critics are wondering whether Lukyamuzi was the only leader who had not declared his wealth! And because the declarations were not made public, the IGG is exposed to allegations that her office merely targeted Lukyamuzi for political reasons. Although Lukyamuzi kept telling people that there was a chance for him to get nominated, by midday on Friday it seems he had realised it was impossible and thus he advised his daughter to vie for the parliamentary seat. Now, a constituency that was an assured opposition seat faces the risk of being snapped from the hands of the opposition. Meanwhile, nominations for Members of Parliament ended without any incident. Ministers Dr Crispus Kiyonga (Bukonzo West), Sam Kutesa (Mawogola County), Jim Muhwezi (Rujumbura) and Kahinda Otafire (Ruhinda) were successfully nominated. President Museveni's wife, Janet Kataha Museveni was also nominated to contest against opposition FDC's Augustine Ruzindana for the Ruhama County seat. The next Parliament will be the first multiparty parliament in over 20 years. And for sure, the House will miss Lukyamuzi's debating skills.   « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/763006/-/gx66kg/-/index.html","content":"Picfare sues EC over debt - KAMPALA THE Commercial Court has summoned the Electoral Commission to file its defence against a suit filed by Picfare Industriaes Ltd over non-payment of a Shs118.6 million debt. Through Beyaraza Wagabaza Advocates and Solicitors, Picfare claims it supplied the EC with printing materials in 2005 on July 15 and September 27, 2005. The EC was supposed to pay for the materials within 30 days from September 27, 2005 when the last consignment was delivered. The company however claims that the EC in breach of the contract, has since refused to pay the money despite repeated reminders, which it says has grossly affected its business activities. The company further claims that in January, its lawyers gave the EC a notice of intention to take the latter to the courts of law but the electoral body ignored it. When Daily Monitor contacted the EC Secretary Sam Rwakojo on by phone, he said he was aware of the case but added that it should have been resolved amicably. \"There were many goods supplied by various companies for the elections,\" he said. \"If it is true that Picfare Industries Ltd supplied any goods to us, we shall definitely verify the documents and resolve the issue of their payment.\" 1 | 2 Next Page»However, Picfare wants the court to direct the EC to pay the debt and costs of the suit as well as 25 per cent interest from March 13 till full payment is made.     « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/-/691192/777124/-/f9dqujz/-/index.html","content":"MUK; student uprising or politicians’ piggyback ride? - In a trademark display of force, the police on October 8 broke up a meeting at Makerere University that had been organised by a new pressure group, the Popular Resistance Against Life Presidency. Why use all that force against a seemingly harmless gathering of noisy students? But why had they chosen independence eve? Apparently internal security agents claim they have been trailing the hitherto obscure group. They claim the group wanted to disrupt the Independence Day â€â€� October 9 â€â€� celebrations in Kampala. After the debate, security claims, the group would march into town and demand to be addressed by President Museveni. Several MPs were reportedly expected to join and lead the demonstration to the Constitution Square. State security agencies thus panicked and quickly moved to stop the meeting at Lumumba Hall. The Makerere University police post, which has the responsibility to secure the university, was not involved in the operation at all. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/777024/-/10hicns/-/index.html","content":"President enters Nile Hotel case - KAMPALA - President Museveni has ordered the Attorney General, Mr Francis Ayume to abandon defence of Nile Hotel International in a court case. He wants private lawyers to take over the case in which M/S Tahar Fourati sued the hotel for alleged wrongful termination of a management contract in 1997. Museveni's order follows a clash between the Ministry of Justice, the Privatization Unit and lawyers for the hotel. The Solicitor General, Mr Lucian Tibaruha wrote on September 22, 2003 asking Mugerwa & Masembe advocates to withdraw from the case. He had earlier advised government to settle the case out of court and pay Tahar Fourati. However, the Minister of state for Privatisation, Mr Peter Kasenene rejected his advice. \"NHIL being a legal entity and therefore distinct from government should be allowed to defend this claim without government intervention,\" Kasenene said in a letter dated August 28. \"It is my view that any settlement in this matter be arrived at through court action. My view is that government will not at this time negotiate a settlement, the management contract lawful or not lawful can only be resolved by a court of law,\" Kasenene wrote. M/s Mugerwa Masembe and Co Advocates, lawyers for the hotel, were of a similar view. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/774956/-/gxslyh/-/index.html","content":"City probes tax scam - KAMPALA- City authorities are investigating allegations that some of its tax agents inflate license fees paid by traders in Kampala. If confirmed, culprits face prosecution for breach of contract, the Mayor Mr John Ssebaana Kizito, has warned. \"We are investigating the matter and if any company is found to have excessively charged the taxpayers it [company] will be prosecuted for breach of contract,\" Ssebaana said on telephone on February 2. The alleged tax scam was brought to the limelight last week by the National Taxpayers and Tax protection Organisation, a hitherto unknown non-governmental organisation that claims to campaign for the rights of taxpayers. Two years ago, Kampala City Council (KCC) contracted private companies to collect trading license fees on its behalf in Kampala, but there have been some complaints of high fees from sections of the business community. National Taxpayers and Tax Protection Organisation, has told KCC that it had gathered evidence to back their claim. The organisation cited the case of Grand Imperial Hotel, which has been charged Shs 3 million instead of Shs 1 million for operating three restaurants, two bars and the sale of spirits. The hotel allegedly pays Shs 228,000 for each restaurant, Shs 158,000 for the bar plus Shs 72,000 for selling spirits. The NGO says this is the case for all three star hotels in Kampala. The Executive Director General of the National Taxpayers and Tax protection Organisation, Mr Joseph Kasibante, said another victim of tax anomaly was Amani Fashion wear at City Complex Centre where a license receipt indicated Shs 200,000 yet according to the official list they fall under category of retail grade II, supposed to pay Shs 70,000. 1 | 2 Next Page»The companies contracted by KCC to collect revenue are Victoria Insglass Ltd for Central division, Investment Masters Ltd for Nakawa, Kisenyi Community Development Association in Rubaga, Nicolas Ltd in Kawempe and Ruseru Enterprises in Makindye. Victoria Insglass officials denied any wrongdoing. \"All the licenses we issue to our customers were passed by KCC and we have been following it for the last three -two years,\" said Mr Stephen Serunjogi, the company's project administrator. Victoria Insglass has a target to collect Shs 2.52 billion a year and the company claims to have achieved 89 percent of its target.       « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/775252/-/gxt5sc/-/index.html","content":"Madhvani sues govt for breach of trust - Feb 12, 2004 KAMPALA - Government is at task to defend an Shs 8billion lawsuit, filed by Madhvani International. Madhvani International is the holding company of the Madhvani group of companies. The suit arose from an agreement between government and Madhvani to revive the economy after the expulsion of Asians in 1972 by the Idi Amin regime. Madhvani claims that government, through the Ministry of Industry, entered a contract to rehabilitate deteriorating industries and stimulate investment in 1979. It claims that the contract provided that government would meet all the direct identifiable operational costs, while Madhvani would manage the industries. Between 1980 and 1982, according to Madhvani, the industries were incorporated, but government failed to pay the direct costs as agreed. They are: Madhvani Sugar, East Africa Steel Corporation, Madhvani Soap Investments Ltd, Emco Glass (EA) Ltd, and Madhvani Confectioneries Ltd. Madhvani claims that in 2001, the Solicitor General acknowledged its claims and directed the Ministry of Finance to pay up, but has not been paid. However, government has denied these claims, in a statement to court. 1 | 2 Next Page»Government only admitted a contract it entered with Emco and East Africa Holdings Ltd in March 1985, but denied liabilities for management costs. It argued that the contract provided that it would only pay such fees after negotiations, but the negotiations never occurred because the companies had working capital. Last week, when the case came up before Justice Yorokamu Bamwine, government through lawyer, Benjamin Wamambe asked court to order Madhvani to deposit some money as security for costs - should the government win the case. Madhvani lawyer, John Katende objected to the request, arguing that the request for security is time barred and should be struck out with costs. Court concurred with Katende. Justice Bamwine ruled that government should have made the request way back in March 2002. The case comes up for hearing next month.     « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/-/690254/774164/-/14te9nq/-/index.html","content":"Fufa anger League sponsors - KAMPALA- Nile Breweries Ltd, the sponsors of the national football Super League are angered at a reported breach of contract by Fufa. The brewers who had earlier held back cash rewards to the best teams of the 2002-2003 season till the new probe committee comes out with it’s findings have also officially put the sponsorship of the league on hold. The said breach of contract is alleged bringing the game into disrepute by some of the giant clubs. The alleged malpractice in Uganda’s football is currently undergoing probe by the National Council of Sports. Mr Mike Olsen, NBL’s Marketing Director, cited breach of contract in his two page statement read at the weekly press conference at Lugogo yesterday. He quoted clause 18.3 which states, “FUFA shall ensure that the competition is professionally managed at all times. Should the stature of the competition, gauged by Nile spectator and media response and opinion fall into disrepute or be impugned in any way, Nile will have the right to review the position with regard to the sponsorship of the anniversary thereof, and shall in its sole discretion have the right, on one month’s notice, to terminate the Sponsorship at the end of the current season,â€Â�. The sponsors said they will take a “wait and seeâ€Â� stance in regard to the findings of the new committee probing football matters in Uganda. “Once the findings and recommendations are announced, we will still very carefully consider our position. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/772838/-/10hf2dl/-/index.html","content":"Govt investigates Solicitor General - KAMPALA - State House is investigating the Solicitor General Lucien Tibaruha because of his role in a case involving Nile Hotel International. The hotel's former Tunisian managers, Tahar Fourati, placed a caveat on the hotel's land in 2001, which forced the state-owned NHI to go to court to have it lifted. The NHI expected support - or at least no interference - from the Solicitor General, the official government advocate. However, information available to The Monitor now suggests that Mr Tibaruha instead wanted the Tunisian group to maintain the caveat. He advised the government to negotiate and settle the case out of court. State House reportedly decided to investigate Tibaruha after the official wrote to the hotel's private lawyers, Mugerwa & Masembe Advocates, asking the firm not to defend the hotel's case in court. Tibaruha wrote on September 22, 2003, asking Mugerwa & Masembe to withdraw from the case. He threatened them with disciplinary action if they did not comply. \"Government reserves the right to bring charges of professional misconduct against you before the law council,\" he wrote. The letter was copied to the Law Council, presiding Judge Edward Ssempa Lugayizi and President Museveni's principal private secretary (PPS). 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/770700/-/10hdmuw/-/index.html","content":"Museveni won't forgive Mutale - KAMPALA -Maj. Roland Kakooza Mutale met President Yoweri Museveni on Thursday night in a bid to save his job. Sources have told The Monitor that Mutale met Mr Museveni in Kampala, where the president flew by helicopter from Soroti for a series of short meetings. The president has been camping in Soroti since August 16, to co-ordinate the fight against the LRA rebels who had infiltrated the area. The sources have told The Monitor that the meeting took place at State House Nakasero, hours after Mutale's lawyers filed an appeal in the High Court to challenge the decision to sack him. The Monitor broke the story of Mutale's sacking yesterday, following a recommendation by the Inspector General of Government, Mr Jotham Tumwesigye, over Mutale's failure to declare his wealth, as required by the Leadership Code. A source close to the meeting told The Monitor yesterday that Mutale failed to convince the president to reverse the decision. When contacted for comment yesterday, the Minister in charge of the Presidency, Mr Ali Kirunda Kivejinja denied knowledge of the meeting but said the president's decision was irreversible. \"What can you do? Anyway, it's a matter now before court,\" he told The Monitor on phone. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/770676/-/10hdm9t/-/index.html","content":"Museveni sacks Kakooza Mutale - KAMPALA - President Yoweri Museveni has sacked Maj. Roland Kakooza Mutale, at the urging of the Inspector General of Government. The major is Mr Museveni's advisor on political affairs. Mutale was sacked after the IGG, Mr Jotham Tumwesigye, accused him of failing to declare his wealth, a requirement for all public officials under the Leadership Code. Mutale's sacking was communicated to him in a letter dated August 6. Tumwesigye had written to the President on May 9, asking him to dismiss Mutale from office for breach of Section 4 (8) of the Leadership Code, which requires public officers to declare their incomes, assets and liabilities. On the day he received the sacking letter, Mutale wrote to the IGG defending himself. \"I have never intentionally or wilfully or otherwise refused to declare my wealth under the leadership code,\" Mutale said in his letter, which was also copied to the minister in charge of the Presidency. In the letter, Mutale said he was reluctant to declare his wealth after an earlier declaration, made on May 14, 2002 was allegedly leaked to the media. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/769156/-/gxaded/-/index.html","content":"Madhvani sues govt for breach of trust - KAMPALA - Government is at task to defend an Shs 8billion lawsuit, filed by Madhvani International. Madhvani International is the holding company of the Madhvani group of companies. The suit arose from an agreement between government and Madhvani to revive the economy after the expulsion of Asians in 1972 by the Idi Amin regime. Madhvani claims that government, through the Ministry of Industry, entered a contract to rehabilitate deteriorating industries and stimulate investment in 1979. It claims that the contract provided that government would meet all the direct identifiable operational costs, while Madhvani would manage the industries. Between 1980 and 1982, according to Madhvani, the industries were incorporated, but government failed to pay the direct costs as agreed. They are: Madhvani Sugar, East Africa Steel Corporation, Madhvani Soap Investments Ltd, Emco Glass (EA) Ltd, and Madhvani Confectioneries Ltd. Madhvani claims that in 2001, the Solicitor General acknowledged its claims and directed the Ministry of Finance to pay up, but has not been paid. However, government has denied these claims, in a statement to court. Government only admitted a contract it entered with Emco and East Africa Holdings Ltd in March 1985, but denied liabilities for management costs. 1 | 2 Next Page»It argued that the contract provided that it would only pay such fees after negotiations, but the negotiations never occurred because the companies had working capital. Last week, when the case came up before Justice Yorokamu Bamwine, government through lawyer, Benjamin Wamambe asked court to order Madhvani to deposit some money as security for costs - should the government win the case. Madhvani lawyer, John Katende objected to the request, arguing that the request for security is time barred and should be struck out with costs. Court concurred with Katende. Justice Bamwine ruled that government should have made the request way back in March 2002. The case comes up for hearing next month. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/768508/-/gx9r3n/-/index.html","content":"City probes tax scam - KAMPALA- City authorities are investigating allegations that some of its tax agents inflate license fees paid by traders in Kampala. If confirmed, culprits face prosecution for breach of contract, the Mayor Mr John Ssebaana Kizito, has warned. \"We are investigating the matter and if any company is found to have excessively charged the taxpayers it [company] will be prosecuted for breach of contract,\" Ssebaana said on telephone on February 2. The alleged tax scam was brought to the limelight last week by the National Taxpayers and Tax protection Organisation, a hitherto unknown non-governmental organisation that claims to campaign for the rights of taxpayers. Two years ago, Kampala City Council (KCC) contracted private companies to collect trading license fees on its behalf in Kampala, but there have been some complaints of high fees from sections of the business community. National Taxpayers and Tax Protection Organisation, has told KCC that it had gathered evidence to back their claim. The organisation cited the case of Grand Imperial Hotel, which has been charged Shs 3 million instead of Shs 1 million for operating three restaurants, two bars and the sale of spirits. The hotel allegedly pays Shs 228,000 for each restaurant, Shs 158,000 for the bar plus Shs 72,000 for selling spirits. The NGO says this is the case for all three star hotels in Kampala. The Executive Director General of the National Taxpayers and Tax protection Organisation, Mr Joseph Kasibante, said another victim of tax anomaly was Amani Fashion wear at City Complex Centre where a license receipt indicated Shs 200,000 yet according to the official list they fall under category of retail grade II, supposed to pay Shs 70,000. The companies contracted by KCC to collect revenue are Victoria Insglass Ltd for Central division, Investment Masters Ltd for Nakawa, Kisenyi Community Development Association in Rubaga, Nicolas Ltd in Kawempe and Ruseru Enterprises in Makindye. 1 | 2 Next Page»Victoria Insglass officials denied any wrongdoing. \"All the licenses we issue to our customers were passed by KCC and we have been following it for the last three -two years,\" said Mr Stephen Serunjogi, the company's project administrator. Victoria Insglass has a target to collect Shs 2.52 billion a year and the company claims to have achieved 89 percent of its target. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/767264/-/10gvufx/-/index.html","content":"I wrote to Rugumayo - Museveni - KAMPALA - President Museveni has conceded he wrote the controversial letter to the Ugandan delegation at the failed World Trade Organisation talks in Cancun, Mexico. In his letter, addressed to the delegation head, Trade Minister Prof. Edward Rugumayo, Museveni urged Uganda to support the US against Asia and Latin American countries. The letter reportedly suggested that Uganda was better off allying with the rich Western countries than with the poor Asian and Latin American countries. Museveni told journalists on Tuesday night that he's opposed to the double standards of the rich third world countries like India. \"My position is clear and is in writing. It's with Rugumayo. My position is pro-Africa. I do my homework very well and whatever I write is well thought out. I have criticised the double standards of those rich third world countries,\" Museveni told a press conference at State House, Nakasero on Tuesday night. Museveni's criticism particularly singled out India, Brazil and China. He lashed out at the \"lazy African leaders\" who just endorse positions prepared by the rich third African countries. He accused The Monitor of being an ally to the \"lazy boys of Africa\". \"Those African leaders because they don't do their home work very well, they just go for meetings and take a prepared position by India. There is more parasitism between the more developed parts of the world and sub-Saharan Africa,\" Museveni said. He said that while the rich third world countries don't want to address protectionism in their own backyards, they want to talk about the European Union and the US. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/767646/-/k1dn1pz/-/index.html","content":"Businesses feel pinch as Aids weakens employees - Productivity levels in business organisations have fallen as HIV/Aids takes its toll on the most productive labour force. A recent survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers has revealed that most organisations have reported low productivity as a result of frailty and absenteeism of infected workers. A number of qualified and experienced workers infected with the virus that causes Aids are also reported to be seeking early retirement leaving sensitive operations to inexperienced employees. This results in low productivity. If not quickly addressed in the form of preventive measures and provision of anti-retroviral drugs, economic growth is likely to suffer declining trends, analysts have warned. At least 47.1 percent of the 51 companies interviewed in Uganda have reported low productivity of their employees due to Aids-related illnesses, according to the results of the survey released in Kampala on December 2. The survey conducted between July and September 2003 covered some 216 companies in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania and sought to establish how businesses had responded to HIV/Aids pandemic. Despite the impact the disease has had and continues to bear on business operations, the same study has revealed that most of the companies surveyed have no formal policy to deal with the disease. Moreover, only a half of the companies surveyed have HIV prevention programmes, which brings into doubt the commitment by business entities to combat the spread of Aids. In Uganda, only 29 percent of the companies surveyed claimed to have a policy to deal with HIV in the workplace. In Kenya, where the infection rate is higher compared to Uganda's, 46 percent of the 59 companies surveyed have policies to deal with the pandemic. 1 | 2 Next Page»In all the organisations that claimed to have policies in place, prevention is through provision of condoms, counselling services, and a few offer medical care in form of anti-retroviral drugs. The survey included multinationals, local firms, regional and Pan African companies with turnover ranging from $5million to $10 billion during the previous financial year. Also revealing is the fact that most of the companies have no idea what percentage of their workforce is infected with HIV. In Uganda, up to 92 percent of those surveyed did not know the HIV status of its management staff compared to 69 percent of Kenya. \"Similarly, most companies were not sure about the HIV/Aids infection levels among the rest of the workforce,\" the report says. A number of companies, the report says, have reported that they have lost more than 5 percent of their workforce due to Aids-related illnesses over the last five years. \"This is significant and would likely lead to quite significant impacts in productivity,\" the report says. Some companies have reported decline in demand for their products. This is due to falling levels of disposable income among consumers as most of the money is channelled towards the treatment of infected family members. Announcing the results of the survey at Sheraton Kampala Hotel December 2, PricewaterhouseCoopers Uganda Country Leader, Mr Joseph Balidawa, said businesses should stand up to address the challenges posed by HIV/Aids in the work place. Renowned Aids campaigner Ms Milly Katana said there was need to marshal all available resources to respond to HIV. She called on employers to focus on education and prevention of the pandemic such as access to condoms and voluntary counselling. Katana urged employers not to discriminate against HIV infected people when hiring and asked them to guarantee continuity of employment to those infected while on the job. She also called for access to medical care. \"There is a lot of value in keeping a qualified worker alive for another day,\" she added. She was responding to some of the findings of the survey that stated that some organisations discriminated against HIV positive workers while others carry out mandatory HIV tests for new recruits.This is in breach of the International Labour Organisation code of practice on HIV/Aids. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/767564/-/gx92wo/-/index.html","content":"Tunisian firm blocks Nile Hotel divesture - KAMPALA- The privatisation of Nile Hotel could be delayed by a court decision to stay lifting of a caveat slapped on the property by Tahar Fourati Hotels. Tunisia-based Tahar Fourati Hotels International placed a caveat on the land title of Nile Hotel alleging breach of contract following a failed deal between them and the government of Uganda to manage the Hotel in 1994. Last week, lawyers representing Nile Hotel successfully argued for the lifting of the caveat, but the same court stayed the execution of the order after Tahar Fourati filed notice to appeal. The same court had ordered the Tahar Fourati Hotels to pay Nile Hotel Shs 5million in damages. The order will now wait until the appeal application has been disposed off. This means that government cannot privatise Nile Hotel until the case has been disposed of and the caveat lifted by a competent court. According to the Privatisation Unit the divesture process was expected to be complete by mid-November. In 1994, Tahar Fourati and the government of Uganda signed a management contract to manage Nile Hotel International, Kampala. The deal was later cancelled following allegations of mismanagement. Tahar Fourati accused Ugandan authorities of breach of contract and lodged a caveat on the title deed of Nile Hotel building to protect its interests in the unpaid management fees. They are also claiming damages for breach of contract. Tahar Fourati is afraid that if the premises were leased to another operator, they may lose the unpaid fees. Justice E.S. Lugayizi concurred with Nile Hotel International and ordered Tahar Fourati Hotels Limited to pay Shs 5million in damages for inconveniencing the process of privatisation. This will however await the outcome of the appeal. Five companies were last month pre-qualified and invited to carry out their own audit of the hotel as part of the privatization process. They are Mosa Courts, owned by the Movement Vice Chairman Mr Moses Kigongo, Serena Hotels of Kenya, Tata Uganda through Taj Hotels of India, Legacy Group of South Africa and Kersaf Investments, also of South Africa."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/767672/-/gx93py/-/index.html","content":"What do lawyers really do? - I was thinking about a media report on a burglar who sued his victims for installing a heavy security system, barring him from leaving their house for the three months they were away on holiday. I don't remember how successful his lawsuit was, but I just thought, “these Bazungu really have guts!\" First you break into a house when the occupants are away on holiday, then sue when you fail to get out, claiming they caused you unbelievable suffering by locking you up against your will! Well, what are we Ugandans up to? It looks like all we know about court cases is the tobacco industry's woes and The Monitor's unending sedition cases. But a lawyer could advise me, can't I sue the teacher who takes lots of cash to make the children pass their exams but fails miserably? We had a bargain here. I pay the half a million in return for the children scoring grades good enough to take them to the university. Well, they don't make it to Makerere and I am supposed to what? Sit back and pray the others do? The teacher ought to be sued for failure to deliver. Alternatively, how come we let our ex-lovers get off the hook so easily? Isn't there a breach of contract somewhere? Those whispered vows in the heat of the moment should mean more. May be we should start carrying recorders to dates. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/766426/-/10gv7l7/-/index.html","content":"Ex-UTL official on trial over Shs 2bn fraud - Nakawa High Court has stopped a former employee of Uganda Telecom from transferring or withdrawing money from his account in Barclays Bank. Uganda Telecom Ltd (UTL) sued Justus Ampeire for alleged breach of trust and confidence, fraud. UTL wants him to pay damages and costs of the suit. The order was issued pending disposal of a civil case against him. The Court Registrar, Mr Godfrey Namundi, issued the order upon UTL's request on Tuesday. UTL alleges that Mr Ampeire, a former International Operations Officer, entered international interconnection agreements with international companies interested in terminating their traffic in UTL network. Ampeire was retrenched on 16 May 16, 2001. It is alleged that Ampeire entered an agreement with Iam Communication AG (GNT) and Global Network Telephone for the supply of telephone services without UTL's knowledge. The two companies accumulated a telephone bill of more than two billion shillings, which was later discovered to have been paid to Ampeire on his personal account through another company called Optima Tunisia One. UTL says Ampeire's actions were arbitrary and in breach of UTL's standing instructions. The company wants court to order Ampeire to pay back the money."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/766038/-/gx89lo/-/index.html","content":"Battle for Sembule Group rages on - Court has allowed the former Managing Director of Sembule Group to amend his failed suit against the PTA bank. Mr Christopher Sembuya is seeking $3.7 milliion in damages from PTA Bank. He wants a court declaration that the PTA bank mismanaged the company leading to losses and its subsequent placement under receivership. Sembuya filed an application on August 25 seeking permission of the Court to amend the suitt in the suit it filed against the bank. The application seeks to include another $2.7 million omitted in the initial suit. He now wants the bank to pay him $3.7 million in damages. Commercial court Judge Justice Arach Amoko on September 5 granted Sembuya permission to amend his plaint on grounds that the main hearing of the suit had not started. Hearing of the main suit begins on November 5. Sembuya on February 4 2003 filed a suit against the PTA Bank, accusing it of breach of contract, which led to loss of profit. In 1998, the PTA bank agreed to lend Sembule Group $6.6 million to be remitted in two instalments. The money was meant to help the company buy off its debts with UCB, Allied Bank and Development Finance Company. The two parties had agreed that the PTA Bank would take over senior management of the Companies as a pre-condition for the loan. PTA Bank placed the Group under receivership in 2000,after it failed to repay the loan it had secured against its fixed and floating assets. 1 | 2 Next Page»Sembule Group comprises Sembule Electonics, Sembule Steel Mills, and Shelter Ltd. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/766542/-/k1ed5gz/-/index.html","content":"Cairo Bank to pay Shs 4.9 million in breach of food contract - The Commercial Court has ordered Cairo International Bank to pay Shs 4.9 million to Mr Apollo Mukasa Kironde of Kampala for breach of contract, which the Bank had entered with the latter to supply food for it's staff members. Mr Mukasa through his lawyers early this year filed a suit in court claiming that he signed a contract to supply meals to staff members of the Bank in the year 2002 and that to terminate the contract the Bank had to inform him two months in advance. He said that after two months the Bank decided to terminate the contract without giving him prior notice yet he had invested some money to purchase food items hence the cause of the suit. Justice Edmond S.L Lugayizi gave the order on Monday on grounds that Mr Mukasa fulfilled his mission of supplying food to the Bank staff and that the Bank had failed to follow the specifics of the contract when it terminated the contract unlawfully."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/765682/-/gx7p4i/-/index.html","content":"Nakawa market in Shs 1.5bn court row - Arab Contractors have sued Nakawa Market Co-operative Savings and Credit Society Limited, seeking to recover Shs 1.5 billion for breach of contract. The construction company filed the suit through Tumusiime, Kabega & Co. advocates at Kampala High Court Commercial division in July. The suit arose from a contract entered between the parties in 1998 for the development of Nakawa market in Kampala. In a written statement of defence to court, Nakawa denied liability. It argued that the contract cannot be enforced against it because the Nakawa Joint Development Steering Committee, which purportedly signed the contract, had no legal capacity to do so. 1 | 2 Next Page»It asked court to dismiss the suit with costs. Arab Contractors contends that the original contract price was Shs 4 billion.Work started in February 1998 and was to last 24 months. It claims that it duly finished the first two phases of the work, but the third phase stalled because of delay in payment, alterations in designs and variation that prolonged the contract period. Arab Contractors also claims that due to the prolonged time and extensions made, the costs have gone up. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/668177-kabale-bans-sand-stone-quarrying.html","content":" - By Isaac Nuwagaba            Authorities in Kabale district have temporarily banned mining of sand and stones in the district following days of torrential rains and devastating floods there.   Abdul Nasser, the Commander for the field force said the heavy rains and floods pose a risk to those engaged in quarrying because they are likely to cause the mines to collapse.   Nasser said they have now deployed Police at all major stone and sand quarries.   The decision comes after heavy rains destroyed properties worth millions of shillings in the sub counties of Maziba and Kaharo in Ndorwa county East in Kabale district and killed one person there.   Source: Radio West"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/632724-kampala-s-notorious-flood-zones.html","content":" - BY JOHN MASABA In a month’s time, Barclays Bank will mark one year since one of their own, Brenda Omuntu, lost her life while returning to their Katwe branch, where she worked as a teller. CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/-/859108/861064/-/b9myv0z/-/index.html","content":"Col. Besigye pins Museveni on AIDS , Rwaboni and Maj. Mutale - President Yoweri Museveni kicked off a storm when he told TIME Magazine that Dr Kizza Besigye was a victim of AIDS, while military men Gen Tinyefuza, Col Noble Mayombo and the latter’s brother, Maj Okwiri Rwaboni were causing other controversies in the campaigns. Victor Karamagi recalls the events and the ensuing legal battles they caused In an interview with TIME's Marguerite Michaels on the 2001 elections, in which the magazine said that it was a race of his life, Museveni was quoted as saying that: \"Besigye is suffering from AIDS and Winnie is just a nasty lady.\"Besigye responded saying that the remarks were signs of \"a desperate man seeing defeat.\" But the remarks came back to haunt President Museveni after the elections, with Besigye saying that they had the effect of scaring away a sizeable number of voters. In his affidavit supporting the petition, Besigye states that: \"I know I am not suffering from AIDS.\" He then stated that President Museveni \"maliciously made false allegation that I was a victim of AIDS without any reasonable grounds for believing that that was true and this false and malicious allegation against me had the effect of promoting the election of the first respondent unfairly in preference to me alleged to be a victim of AIDS as voters were scared of voting for me who by necessary implication was destined to fail to carry out the functions of the demanding office of the President and serve out the statutory term.\" In his reply to the petition and the accompanying affidavit, President Museveni acknowledged making the AIDS remarks. He however maintained that they were true basing on appearance and the petitioners past relationships. \"I have known the Petitioner [Besigye] for a long time and I made the statement honestly believing it to be true and I still do because a woman namely Judith Bitwire, with whom the Petitioner cohabited and the Petitioner's child, died AIDS, in addition to his bodily appearance which bears a strong resemblance to other Aids victims I have observed in the past,\" President Museveni stated in reply to Dr Besigye's petition. The Museveni defence team felt it apparently important to prove to court that by observation, what had become the norm in Uganda, one could easily correctly identify AIDS victim. To prove this to court, the defence enlisted Prof. John Rwomushana, a Medical Doctor, with post graduate training in Medicine and Clinical Pathology, involving studies in virology, genetics and immunology, which are basic to the science of HIV and AIDS disease. Rwomushana was also the Director of Research and Policy Development at the Uganda AIDS Commission. Prof. Rwomushana's affidavitIn his affidavit, Professor Rwomushana sought to give a background to his authority on \"Community Diagnosis\" of AIDS. In his affidavit, he stated that: · I coordinate all AIDS related bio-medical and social research in the country, involving the gathering of research results and research related information in the country, packaging such information for dissemination for the purposes of policy development and further research in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support. I am involved in the development of research guidelines, approaches, standards and plans. · That I am very conversant with the research results pertaining to both medical and social aspects of AIDS and on the basis of such research and information state as follows: · That I have read the affidavit of Dr. Ssekasanvu Emmanuel dated 1st April 2000 in support of the Petition. The contents of the affidavit are a correct statement of the medical diagnosis of AIDS. · That research in Uganda has established that there is a concept of \"Community Diagnosis\" of AIDS based on Community perceptions, beliefs and observations concerning HIV/AIDS. · That the said concept is a useful research tool that enables research into the community awareness as to the risk and dangers of the spread of HIV/AIDS. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/-/859108/861070/-/b9myu8z/-/index.html","content":"PPU, KAP harass Col. Besigye supporters - The prime bulk of affidavits sworn by witnesses in support of Rtd Col Dr Kizza Besigye’s petition in the Supreme Court challenging the results of the 2001 Presidential Elections, accused the army of massive electoral irregularities. In eight out of ten affidavits sworn, the army is implicated in election related misdemeanours. The biggest culprit of all was the Presidential Protection Unit and the now infamous Kalangala Action Plan (KAP). Emmanuel Gyezaho takes us back in time. In his petition Besigye said, “That contrary to Section 25 (b) of the Electoral Commissions, Act the 1st Respondent (Yoweri Museveni) organised groups under the Presidential Protection Unit and his Senior Presidential Advisor a one Major Kakooza Mutale with his Kalangala Action Plan para-military personnel to use force and violence against persons suspected of not supporting Candidate Museveni thereby causing a breach of peace, disharmony and disturbance of public tranquillity and induce others to vote against their conscience in order to gain unfair advantage for Candidate Museveni in the Presidential Election.” Some will be forgiven to think that it does not come as a surprise that Rukungiri, Besigye’s homeland and voting centre emerged with the biggest fatalities of the PPU wrath. At least fifteen affidavits were sworn by Rukungiri residents with each of them implicating the PPU of gross intimidation, torture, illegal detention and electoral malpractice. James Musinguzi Garuga, who was in charge of Dr Besigye’s campaigns in South Western Uganda, swore an affidavit in support of Dr Besigye’s petition saying, “That in the course of discharging my said responsibility, the team which I led was exposed to enormous intimidation, harassment and violence throughout the region. That shortly after Dr Besigye had announced that he intended to stand as presidential candidate, soldiers belonging to the Presidential Protection Unit (PPU) were heavily deployed in the districts of Rukungiri and Kanungu. That the said soldiers unleashed terror and suffering on the local people believed to be our supporters, and the said people, including Richard Bashaija, Sam Kaguliro, Henry Kanyabitabo and many others complained to me about the harassment and I forwarded the complaint to the Electoral Commission and Police but no action was taken. That the said soldiers were deployed and continued to harass suspected Besigye supporters up to the elections. That during the entire period of campaigns, Gad Buturo the Gomborora Internal Security Officer (GISO) for Kihihi Sub-county, Peter Mugisha, a Councillor for Kambuga, Stephen Rujaga, Godfrey Karabenda and many other civilians on candidate Museveni’s task force regularly went around with guns, threatening Besigye supporters to compel them to support candidate Museveni. We reported their activities to the Electoral Commission and the Police and the Region Police Commander Mr Stephen Okwaling, who promised to handle the issue, sent a Mobile Police Unit to Kanungu, which attempted to arrest the said Rujaga without success. The following day, the said Regional Police Commander, was ordered out of the region on the very day that Candidate Besigye was to address a rally in Rukungiri town. The District Police Commander for Rukungiri had also earlier been withdrawn. That in the absence of any Senior Police Officer in the said town, the PPU soldiers unleashed even more terror in the process, they shot to death one of our supporters and injured 14 others without any provocation whatsoever. As a result of this terror, our agents feared to canvass support for our candidate.” Mpwabwooba Callist, a Kizza Besigye’s task force coordinator, swore another affidavit implicating the Presidential Guard Brigade for assault and intimidation. He said, “In early January, 2001, we held a meeting at Mr James Musinguzi’s place at Kirangiro. Suddenly we were surrounded by Presidential Protection Unit (PPU) personnel numbering around 14. They came in the vehicle of Deputy RDC Mugisha Muhwezi. They deployed all around us until we had to abandon the meeting to let people go home early. About two weeks later, I went to Kambuga to meet Maj Rwabwoni Okwiri. There I found PPU personnel who had come with Captain Ndahura’s vehicle beating up Henry Kanyabitabo and Chappa Bakunzi because these had been mobilising people to meet Maj Okwir. As soon as they saw me, they attacked and hit me with a stick, but I was able to turn my motorcycle and I drove off. They chased me with their double cabin pick-up but failed to catch up. On the day of elections, the PPU soldiers were deployed throughout our village and neighbouring ones and at Gomborora Headquarters to “monitor elections”. The night before elections some were distributed at homes of some of the known supporters of Dr Besigye such as James Musinguzi and Byaruhanga Benon. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/What-flowers-suit-your-home-/-/689858/1517170/-/5j61icz/-/index.html","content":"What flowers suit your home? - Last week, we saw examples of possible annuals, perennials and biennials for flower beds. Next we need to examine the habits of these flower plants. Habits of the annualsImpatiens is a raised plant that can grow to a maximum height of two feet. It takes six months to a year to grow, depending on the type of soil you grow it in. It is a fast growing plant. Plant it in the rainy season (March and September). It requires a lot of sunshine. Water it regularly. It does not tolerate water-logging. If your garden is water-logged, ensure enough drainage. All annuals do not need pruning. You will need to weed, though. Don’t dig up the soil. Get something you can use to pull the weeds out. You can even use your hands to pull them up. They are attacked by fungal diseases, so you need to get a fungicide to eradicate the fungus. Mr. Kaka of Ngolobe Flower Plants on Mukwano Access Road suggests a fungicide called Marathon, which you can purchase at the container village for Shs12,000 to Shs15,000.The habits of Chrysanthemums and Leopards are the same as those of Impatiens. Kaka says you can help annuals grow healthy by spraying them with food supplements. These are in the form of soluble solutions that contain fertiliser. That some have specific solutions, while you can use any solution on others. He uses a supplement solution called Digrow. A litre tin goes for Shs40,000 at Dynapharm. Habits of the perennialsThe examples of possible perennials were Lantana Camara, Candle Flowers and Miniature Roses. Keep most of the perennials compacted together by cutting and shaping them, because some can grow wild. Want beautiful flowers each year without the work of re-planting?Choose perennials. These are plants that grow back each year, spreading, re-seeding themselves and producing clumps that can be divided and transplanted for a profusion of plants.Prune regularly. Once their canopies cover the ground, there will be no need to weed. Propagation of Lantana Camara is by cuttings; that of Candle Flowers is by cuttings and seed. You can buy a packet of Candle Flower seeds from the container village at Shs5,000. Propagation of Miniature Roses is by cuttings. They are attacked by fungi, insect pests called Aphids and Green Flies. The Green Flies attack mostly the Roses. The fungi cause the plant to have an ashy appearance, like someone poured ash on the plant. Kaka says you need to get a fungicide for that. He suggests Marathon again. For the Aphids, he suggests a pesticide called Ambush. They come in containers of 25 ml to 500 ml, also on sale at the container village. They go for Shs10,000 to Shs15,000, depending on size. On other problems associated with these flowers, Kaka says, “There are plant hazards. For example during the dry season, they can dry and die. So you will have to replace them. Have someone look after, water and give them supplements. In the dry season, you need to water them every day; in the morning and in the evening.” editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/The-ABCs-of-caring-for-seedlings/-/689858/1421698/-/mskfeqz/-/index.html","content":"The ABCs of caring for seedlings - Why would anyone want to go through the hassle of growing their own seedlings when there are nurseries almost everywhere you turn along Kampala’s suburb roads? The reasons vary. Charles Akanga, an Information Technologist and resident of Najjanankumbi says it was not out of choice. “I needed fruit tree seedlings to plant in the village. We have family land there, but it is mostly idle. I thought about the expense and decided to grow them myself. At the moment I have only jackfruit tree seedlings because we have a jackfruit tree in the compound.” His brother transplanted some eucalyptus tree seedlings on the same land some years back and only a handful survived. There were about a hundred of them. “That’s why I opted to nurture my tree seedlings first, before taking them to the field.” Starters should not venture into planting too many seed varieties at the same time. Akanga intends to go on and plant Avocado and date seedlings as well. ‘It can get complicated when you write your records. You need to know when you planted them, how long they took to grow and their success rate. This can help a person make adjustments for subsequent plantings,’ he says. “Sometimes they don’t grow at all. But more than half of what I planted has grown. And I haven’t used any fertiliser. I had read about potted mixes, warming soil to sterilise it – the works. But all that is expensive and time-consuming.” Seed storage is important because their quality can decline with poor storage. Keep them in cool, dark places with little moisture. Storing them in plastic bags and labelling them – name, year and source helps. Putting them in the fridge can also be one way of preserving them. Plastic containers are preferable to clay pots for seedlings. The nurseries use tough black plastic sheeting. Wide shallow containers prevent over-crowding and water logging. Seedlings whose roots are fragile are best planted in individual packs. Old plastic containers, like pomade tubs with holes poked into the bottom can also work well. StepsSoak containers in 10 per cent bleach solution for fifteen minutes and let them dry. Seeds must be just below the surface of the soil, unless they are small. In that case, they need to lie on the surface. You can then use a sieve to sprinkle soil mix on top of the seeds. Air flow and good drainage is important to prevent disease. “I water the seedlings early in the morning before the sun gets hot, so that they can dry well during the day. If they remain damp, they can develop a fungal infection or moths and slugs can feast on the leaves. Then I water them again late in the evening, to cool them off for the night,” Akanga says. Cover your containers with plastic wrap to keep the moisture level constant. When the seeds germinate, remove the plastic wrap and turn the seedlings around daily. This keeps the stems strong. When the seedlings germinate, the food they were using from the seed ceases to exist, so you need to fertilise them, to give them additional nutrition. But when the leaves emerge, use a weaker liquid fertiliser on a weekly basis. Mr. Akanga skipped the fertiliser. Before transplanting, make sure the seedlings are hardened off getting them used to direct sunlight. Start by putting them out in the morning only on the first day. Keep increasing their time in the sun by allowing more hours each day until they are strong enough to be transplanted. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/1269620/-/1j43n5z/-/index.html","content":"Growing passion fruit - Passion fruit is one of the fruits with a big market, but very few farmers in Uganda venture into growing them. Even some of the few farmers that were growing passion fruits, especially in central Uganda have abandoned the enterprise due to the numerous pests and diseases that attacked and destroyed their crop. This has led to short supply of passion fruits on the market, hence increasing their market price. Ms Robinah Gafabusa, a research technician at Mukono Zonal Agricultural Research Institute, says passion fruits grow on many soil types but light sandy loam soils with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 are the most suitable. Excellent drainage is absolutely necessary. She says because the vines are shallow-rooted, the soil should be rich in organic matter. She adds that there are two major passion fruit varieties namely, the local and hybrid varieties and says the variety a farmer chooses to grow depends on the market one has. However, Mr Godfrey Kigoye, an agriculturalist with Katende Harambe Training Centre in Namugongo Wakiso District says that apart from being less capital intensive, local passion fruit varieties also fetch a higher price on the market because of their scent compared to the hybrid variety. However, the advantage with hybrid passion fruit grafted onto the correct rootstock is that it will last many more years than the local variety because they are not susceptible to root and collar rot diseases. Mr Kigoye adds that apart from being capital intensive, the hybrid variety tends to have an awful scent which some people don’t like. Currently, while a bag of local passion fruit variety in Nakasero Market goes for Shs300,000, a bag of hybrid variety is at Shs200,000. Mr Kigoye says that the local variety is less capital intensive as it doesn’t require wires for constructing a trellis on which the vines creep. The agriculturalist says: “Passion fruits are grown from seeds which can be bought from a farm supply shop or better still, the seeds can be got from a healthy passion fruit. A fruit with a dark purple colour is a sign that it has good seeds.” After drying the seeds, he says, plant them in a nursery bed with soil mixed with compost manure. In the first week the seed bed should be covered with mulch to provide warmth, vital for germination but after, a shelter made out of leaves should be erected on the nursery bed. The shelter should be made in such a way that it allows free circulation of air and the bed must be watered regularly. After germinating, the seedlings should be put into polythene bags but farmers should ensure that they don’t over water the seedlings as this might cause root rot. “The seedlings take one month to be transferred from the polythene bags to the garden. But before transferring them to the garden, holes of three by three feet should be dug a month earlier and manure put in them,” Mr Kigozi says. A spacing of eight by eight feet should be followed while planting the passion fruits in the garden. He advises against leaving a depression at the core root of the plant as this may result into water logging and hence root rot. A trellis made from logs and reeds should be constructed in the garden and strings or wires on which the passion fruit vines can attach themselves and climb on the trellis also put in place. Passion fruits begin to flower at six months and a farmer can begin picking ripe fruits six months after flowering. One should pick only the fruits that have fallen on the ground but if the demand is high, harvest the mature purple fruits. To increase the shelf time of the fruit, harvest with its stock. 600 passion fruits can be planted in an acre and a farmer can harvest three to six sacks of fruit per week. Under good management, passion fruits can last four years and during this period a farmer will be picking fruits. At Shs300,000 a bag of passion fruit can earn a farmer, on average Shs600,000 a week. fmuzale@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/1137066/-/11h7x7mz/-/index.html","content":"How to care for your  indoor plants - Indoor plants have been used to enhance décor for a long time now. However, they differ greatly from outdoor plants in terms of the care they require. To thrive, indoor houseplants need proper soil drainage, potting and watering. Most people, me inclusive, have bought plants, potted them for a warmer, cozier and all so tropical interior, only for the whole experience to be short-lived when they soon start to wither, get destroyed by pests and eventually die. The amount of water, sunlight exposure and drainage varies according to the type of plant, but according to Ruth Amagu, a botanist at Ezzi Florals, Nsangi, the general guidelines below apply to all indoor plants and when followed, will keep your plants healthy and beautiful, not to mention purify the air around you. ContainersPlan for the containers depending on where and how you want to display your plants; make sure they are the right size for whatever plant you are planning for them to hold. The shape may not exactly matter as this is merely for the eye, but size matters if the plant is to have enough growing room. For instance plants that grow tall will need deeper and wider containers for proper growth and vice versa. “More so, make sure they have proper drainage to avoid water logging, which suffocates and kills plants. The containers are to be cleaned thoroughly before placing soil,” Amagu says.Soil Soil is a primary consideration for your indoor plants, apart from the few like orchids, which don’t necessarily need it to grow. Unlike what most people think, soil from your outdoor garden is not suitable for your indoor plants because it is not porous enough and tends to solidify faster, says Amagu. If in doubt, enlist the help of your florist or a botanist to choose the best suitable soil for your plants. Get advice on whether or not you will need fertiliser and which one. These specialists should be able to help you identify and pick soil specifically made for indoor plants, which retains moisture and air but is still able to properly drain water from plants. Adding water-retaining crystals can prevent your soil from becoming too wet and stop overgrowth of fungi, which cause death of plants. WateringMost houseplants are killed by too much water. The trick here is to make sure the soil keeps moist at all times without overdoing it. Though the surface may appear dry, refrain from adding water before checking the compost by pushing a finger in it. Always lift the soil up before watering so that the water is absorbed evenly. Water the plant from above and allow for the water to seep in well before adding more and remember to place saucers under the pots to allow for proper drainage. Soft water is preferable to hard water. Lighting and ventilationProper lighting and ventilation are crucial to household plant survival. See to it that your plants get enough lighting since little or too much exposure will kill them. Most houseplants will thrive in a well-lit spot with an even temperature and reasonably high humidity, the botanist says. Make sure to take them outside once in a while for “a breath of fresh air”. However, different plants have different needs, so ensure to find out more about your plants and how best they will grow. Pest control and cleaningDust not only makes plants look less beautiful, it clogs the pores and eventually leaves you with withered plants. So, clean them as often as is required by gently wiping them with a soft damp cloth or cotton. Check for the “white stuff” that usually is a sign of pests and wipe off with soft organic soap spray or a piece of wet cotton. If a certain part of the plant is affected so much, cut it off to avoid spreading. PruningMost plants are easy to look after. Pinch off dying flowers with your fingers and remove any damaged or yellowing leaves. Remove wayward branches with secateurs if necessary.I am sure you will agree that plastic indoor plants and shrubbery are no substitute for the real thing. Plus, there are few things more relaxing than gardening. Most houseplants will thrive in a well-lit spot with an even temperature and reasonably high humidity, the botanist says. Make sure to take them outside once in a while for “a breath of fresh air”."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1118168/-/c4i2xnz/-/index.html","content":"Dry spell bites hard as families go hungry - The weather department in November last year advised families to store food in anticipation of dry weather which will last up to early April. However, several families did not take heed and are now going to bed on empty stomachs as Flavia Lanyero & Melody Kukundakwe report;- Even after a warning from the government that was sounded three months before the impending disaster, several families in different parts of Uganda did not take heed. The result is that many of them are now going without food as the La Nina bites hard – with dry periods anticipated to push for another month. This predicament has compelled the government to begin hunting for money to solve what State Minister for Disaster Preparedness Musa Ecweru describes as “a matter of urgency.” In an interview with Daily Monitor, Mr Ecweru said interventions to reach affected families were hindered by the general election season, which saw the government and the population shift its attention to the campaigns.The worst hit areas, Mr Ecweru said, include most of the Karamoja region which has about one million people, parts of Nakasongola with about 156,200 people and parts of Teso that faced water logging during last year’s El Nino. “We are experiencing food shortage with some families going without food. We are working out a way of getting the money for relief food and identifying the worst-hit families,” Mr Ecweru said. “What has been happening is that populations have been taken up by elections so we have not been focused on the welfare of the people but now that we have settled down, it has become very clear that there are some people who are suffering endlessly,” he said. Mr Ecweru, however, said he could not estimate the amount the country needed as they are still establishing the actual number of worst-hit families. He added that by next week, they will have reached out to the people. Other areas which are facing severe drought are parts of Lango and the cattle corridor from the north-eastern to the south-western region. The weather department under the Ministry of Water and Environment warned in November last year of La Nina, which they anticipated would end last month. However, experts now say that the dry spell, which is characterised by longer daytime temperatures and drier weather, will continue up to between mid-March and early April. Mr Khalid Muwembe, a senior meteorologist and public relations officer from the Department of Meteorology, said the extended periods are normal although with their recent consistency, it indicates a change in climate pattern. “By mid-March we expect at least some rain in southern and central parts of the country and for the northern it is towards the end of March and beginning of April,” said Mr Muwembe. Currently, the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness is pushing for a Contingency Fund Act which, if passed, will see one per cent of the national budget set aside for disaster preparedness activities. When this is implemented, the Ministry of Finance will not have to divert money from other ministries to attend to calamities every time they occur."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1012362/-/cnox1oz/-/index.html","content":"Residents flee collapsing houses as grounds give way - Katakwi Hundreds of houses in Katakwi District have collapsed as a result of water-logged grounds. In Palam Sub-county, at least 100 houses made of mud and wattle have collapsed as a result of the damp grounds, causing hundreds of residents to flee. According to the woman councillor for Amoruongora village in Palam Sub-county, Ms Pauline Atim, most of the affected families only stay at homes during the day and sleep at nearby churches and schools.The district disaster management committee has also established that 40 per cent of the district has been affected by the recent heavy rains that have made most of the feeder roads impassable. Shs8billion in lossesAccording to a report compiled by the district, an estimated 8,000 cassava gardens and 1,400 of sweet potatoes have also been destroyed. The district chairperson, Mr Robert Ekongot, said the cost of the losses has been estimated at Shs8 billion. “Even where farmers have been able to harvest, they cannot dry the food because of the soggy grounds,” Mr Ekongot told Daily Monitor yesterday. Mr John Patrick Ekalet, a farmer in Ongongoja village, who had planted cassava on six acres of land, said, the tubers are all rotten. “The cassava smells and cannot be eaten. It is a total loss and disaster,” Mr Ekalet said. Schools in the district have also been affected by the water logging that has caused pit latrines to overflow. “Children are scared of going to the pit latrines. They have resorted to bushes to ease themselves,” said Mr Robert Akotoi, the deputy head teacher Amoruongora Primary School."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/750694/-/b318fpz/-/index.html","content":"Decentralisation is yet to be fully embraced - One of the greatest policy achievements President Museveni’s government has attained is decentralisation. Since 1992, when the Decentralisation Statute was enacted, related institutional reforms took centre stage for its operationalisation. Indeed, the reforms have been introduced and are being implemented by various stakeholders within the broader perspectives of the international commitments such as Millennium Development Goals and Uganda’s own Poverty Eradication Action Plan. The policy is very popular even among Uganda’s development partners as it is viewed as one of the most effective instruments to bring about reduction in poverty, sustainable development and good governance. As a result, the government has received tremendous financial support towards its implementation. Uganda’s experience with decentralised service delivery dates back to the time of attaining independence in 1962 where the 1962 Constitution provided for devolution of significant powers and functions to local authorities; the 1967 Constitution on the contrary, re-centralised all the decision-making powers. During Idi Amin government (1971-1979), there was a significant decline in the country’s economic performance and a near total collapse of the services provided by local authorities. Today, much as there is talk of decentralised service delivery, local communities (more appropriately the local councils) appear not to have understood what they have got at their disposal: the devolved planning, financial and other powers that we find in local councils at the municipal, district, and sub-county levels. Just a few weeks ago I was in a sub-county local government whose development mission is “…serve the community through the coordinated delivery of services which focus on national and local priorities and contribute to the improvement in the quality of life of the sub-county population�. To a large measure, the lack of understanding what powers they (councillors) have has compounded the challenges of attaining such a stellar mission for the average family in their areas of jurisdiction. The decentralisation-community interface has brought more problems than solutions. Observation of the poor sanitation coverage around Ugandan villages leaves a lot to be desired. Moreover it is in the rural Ugandan villages that we find the abundant, cheap, idle labour-force who could build the latrines. One wonders why a Local Council has a challenge in enacting and enforcing an ordinance (for a district) and bye-laws (for a sub-county) thereby ensuring that every homestead has a modest sanitation. It does not stop at having latrines only; what about clearing surrounding bushes and water-logging areas that are breeding grounds for mosquitoes, etc? Yet again, these clean and organised homesteads are what community development historians say was common occurrence in the 1960s’ Uganda. At the parish level, one wonders why we don’t have a series of awards for the best kept homesteads with wind-breaking trees, well cut hedges, latrines etc. The award for such a best kept home does not need to always be monetary; it could be anything to show significance of such a deed – even a treated mosquito net could do. What manner of facilitation does a local council and its Chairman need to trek one morning, every year, to officiate at such a ceremony, to hand-over a “mosquito net� to the best kept homestead in a parish in their jurisdiction? What manner of capacity building does a local council really need for it to appreciate that it is in their interest that their jurisdiction has a lower disease burden arising from such strategic mobilisation efforts? The local council is where the challenge emanates from. Really, if a council is composed of popular but not exposed members then it is hard for them to debate and identify their priorities correctly. The writer is a member of the Daily Monitor Panel of Experts"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/673164-who-will-suffer-most-from-climate-change.html","content":" - By Bill Gates A few years ago, Melinda and I visited with a group of rice farmers in Bihar, India, one of the most flood-prone regions of the country. All of them were extremely poor and depended on the rice they grew to feed and support their families. When the monsoon rains arrived each year, the rivers would swell, threatening to flood their farms and ruin their crops. Still, they were willing to bet everything on the chance that their farm would be spared. It was a gamble they often lost. Their crops ruined, they would flee to the cities in search of odd jobs to feed their families. By the next year, however, they would return – often poorer than when they left – ready to plant again. Our visit was a powerful reminder that for the world’s poorest farmers, life is a high-wire act – without safety nets. They don’t have access to improved seeds, fertilizer, irrigation systems, and other beneficial technologies, as farmers in rich countries do – and no crop insurance, either, to protect themselves against losses. Just one stroke of bad fortune – a drought, a flood, or an illness – is enough for them to tumble deeper into poverty and hunger. Now, climate change is set to add a fresh layer of risk to their lives. Rising temperatures in the decades ahead will lead to major disruptions in agriculture, particularly in tropical zones. Crops won’t grow because of too little rain or too much rain. Pests will thrive in the warmer climate and destroy crops. Farmers in wealthier countries will experience changes, too. But they have the tools and supports to manage these risks. The world’s poorest farmers show up for work each day for the most part empty-handed. That’s why of all the people who will suffer from climate change, they are likely to suffer the most. Poor farmers will feel the sting of these changes at the same time the world needs their help to feed a growing population. By 2050, global food demand is expected to increase by 60%. Declining harvests would strain the global food system, increasing hunger and eroding the tremendous progress the world has made against poverty over the last half-century. I’m optimistic that we can avoid the worst impacts of climate change and feed the world – if we act now. There’s an urgent need for governments to invest in new clean-energy innovations that will dramatically reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and halt rising temperatures. At the same time, we need to recognize that it’s already too late to stop all of the impacts of hotter temperatures. Even if the world discovered a cheap, clean energy source next week, it would take time for it to kick its fossil fuel-powered habits and shift to a carbon-free future. That’s why it’s critical for the world to invest in efforts to help the poorest adapt. Many of the tools they’ll need are quite basic – things that they need anyway to grow more food and earn more income: access to financing, better seeds, fertilizer, training, and markets where they can sell what they grow. Other tools are new and tailored to the demands of a changing climate. The Gates Foundation and its partners have worked together to develop new varieties of seeds that grow even during times of drought or flooding. The rice farmers I met in Bihar, for instance, are now growing a new variety of flood-tolerant rice – nicknamed “scuba” rice – that can survive two weeks underwater. They are already prepared if shifts in the weather pattern bring more flooding to their region. Other rice varieties are being developed that can withstand drought, heat, cold, and soil problems like high salt contamination. All of these efforts have the power to transform lives. It’s quite common to see these farmers double or triple their harvests and their incomes when they have access to the advances farmers in the rich world take for granted. This new prosperity allows them to improve their diets, invest in their farms, and send their children to school. It also pulls their lives back from the razor’s edge, giving them a sense of security even if they have a bad harvest. There will also be threats from climate change that we can’t foresee. To be prepared, the world needs to accelerate research into seeds and supports for smallholder farmers. One of the most exciting innovations to help farmers is satellite technology. In Africa, researchers are using satellite images to create detailed soil maps, which can inform farmers about what varieties will thrive on their land. Still, a better seed or a new technology can’t transform the lives of farming families until it’s in their hands. A number of organizations, including a non-profit group called One Acre Fund, are finding ways to ensure that farmers take advantage of these solutions. One Acre Fund works closely with more than 200,000 African farmers, providing access to financing, tools, and training. By 2020, they aim to reach one million farmers. In this year’s Annual Letter, Melinda and I made a bet that Africa will be able to feed itself in the next 15 years. Even with the risks of climate change, that’s a bet I stand by. Yes, poor farmers have it tough. Their lives are puzzles with so many pieces to get right – from planting the right seeds and using the correct fertilizer to getting training and having a place to sell their harvest. If just one piece falls out of place, their lives can fall apart. I know the world has what it takes to help put those pieces in place for both the challenges they face today and the ones they’ll face tomorrow. Most importantly, I know the farmers do, too. Bill Gates is Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/672770-el-nino-to-affect-uganda-and-10-other-african-countries.html","content":" - By Godfrey Ojore   Weather experts have predicted that the El Nino rains will begin in September and will affect 11 African countries including Uganda.   In Uganda, it will expose people living in highland areas such as the slopes of Mt. Elgon to landslides and flooding in parts of Teso and West Nile and other lake shores.   Minister of state for disaster preparedness and refugees Musa Ecweru said the news was disclosed in an ongoing conference held in Dar-el- Salam by weather experts and technocrats from the 11 IGAD countries meeting there.   Ecweru said Uganda had sent representatives to that meeting on El Nino preparedness. He said there was need for the people in the country to be on alert considering the weight of those rains when they begin.    \"This conference was called by the IGAD countries to see how best they can mitigate the pending El Nino rains so that they can reduce the suffering of the citizen of the 11 countries,\" Ecweru said while addressing the media in Soroti.   Although experts have not revealed the epicenter of the rains, the government has obligations to issue warnings to its people to be on alert to avoid being taken by surprise.   \"It is critical that the countries that are threatened because of these changes of weather must be prepared. That is why my ministry is calling on the agricultural sector to encourage people to plant first maturing crops before the rains begin,\" Ecweru said.   He also announced the need for the ministry of Health to plan the distribution of treated mosquito nets across the country because the cases of malaria may double when the rains begin.   \"The works ministry should also be prepared to ensure that roads are not cut off,\" Ecweru explained."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/669649-kcca-to-evict-encroachers-from-waterways.html","content":" - By Jeff Andrew Lule, Juliet Waiswa and Andrew Ssenyonga    In a move to address the issue of flooding in the city, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has started evicting encroachers from wetlands to re-open the waterways. This follows the continuous flooding in different parts of the city during heavy downpours, which has led to continuous destruction of people's property and loss of lives. Peter Kauju, the authority's spokesperson, says they are working together with National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to handle to address the problem. \"We have started with Banda and Kinawataka waterway evicting those who constructed within the drainage channel. We are also evicting encroachers on wetlands to make sure the water can be absorbed without spreading to other areas when it rains,\" he said. Last month on May 29, Isaac Okello, a fresh graduate of environmental engineering from Kyambogo University, died instantly in the Bwaise-Nabweru water channel in Kawempe division, along the Northern bypass, following a three-hour heavy downpour. A typical rainy day in the city turns out like this The stream which pours into Namungoona-Kyebando main channel along Northern Bypass is one of the dangerous spots every time it rains. According to residents in the area, about eight people have died at the same spot in the recent past because of flooding. Oswad Jawozi, a resident and security officer in Bwaise, said the area has become a death trap every time it rains. Many residents attribute the problem to narrow and shallow channels in the area which have been filled with silt. \"People right from Nabweru, Kyebando, Kalerwe and Kawempe have constructed in the wetlands on top of blocking the streams,\" Moses Ssenkabirwa, another resident noted. Other areas affected with floods include; clock tower, Port-bell road (city centre), Banda-Kinawataka (Nakawa), Nalukolongo in Rubaga, Ndeeba, Wankulukuku and Batata-in Namasuba along Entebbe road. Abey Mukiibi 58, a resident of Nalukolongo,  says the area was not flooding in the past. \"I have been here since 1980. There was no flooding until people started constructing in wetlands,\" he added. When we visited Nalukolongo channel, it was already filled with silt and waste.  Every time it rains, the area gets flooded from Natete through Nalukolongo industrial area, to Ndeeba as water tries to find its own way.  \"Every time there is a heavy downpour, some residents are forced to seek refuge at friends or relatives' homes. We are worried we might lose lives as it continues to rain,\" Wankulukuku LCI chairman, Ali Ssempungu explained. He attributed the problem to overcrowding in the area and lack of proper drainage system. \"People have cleared all the drainage channels for construction, while others are clogged with garbage. When it rains water spreads to people's homes, business and transport comes to stand still,\" Ssempungu noted. Kauju said they want to expand, de-silt and reconstruct all the main drainage channels. \"We have already started constructions in parts of Ndeeba and other areas. Rubaga South MP, Ken Lukyamuzi blames everything to poor planning of the city authority. \"That is why we have slums everywhere. There is selection application of the law. If the laws were applying to everyone, who would have encroached on wetlands? But we see people who construct in wetlands without being touched, while the poor ones are harassed,\" he noted. The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) attributed the problem to lack of standard drainage system and poor planning in the city. Naome Karekaho, NEMA's spokesperson, said the city lacks green cover which would have absorbed the water before spreading to the surface. \"Kampala is a hilly area but we have no trees any more while people are constructing everywhere.  On top of that, we lack a standard drainage system in the city to handle the large volumes of water from hills,\" she added. She said there is need to plant more trees and grass in the city and reclaiming the wetlands which were occupied by people. Karekaho noted that most of the wetlands in the city were sold and encroached on before the Environment (NEMA) Act 1994 came into place. KCCA deputy director building and drainage management, Eng. Justus Akankwasa said they are working on a new Kampala drainage master plan, which will be a basis for sustainable urban drainage development in the city. He said they are already working on Lubigi to reduce the flooding on in Bwaise, Kalerwe, Kyebando and Makerere areas. Akankwasa said they are also improving drainages in the Kyambogo-Ntinda area by widening and deepening exist channels, demolition of perimeter walls encroaching on the channels and sensitizing developers on proper development practices. \"We are constructing other channels like Nabisaalu and Scout Lane in Makindye, Kakajjo in Central, Mutungo-Kasokoso in Nakawa, maintenance of Nakivubo Channel under the LVEMP project,\" he added. Also related to this story Floods sweep Prado vehicle for a kilometre"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/668072-kasese-hit-by-fresh-river-nyamwamba-floods.html","content":" - By Wilson Asiimwe Residents of Bulembia division in Kasese Municipality on Thursday morning woke up to floods which cut off several villages after River Nyamwamba burst its bunks. The river which started flooding early morning left several people displaced and other trapped.  This called for police intervention to rescue some of them. Alex Kwatampora, the projects manager of Tibet Hima said that the flooding river destroyed the wall which was constructed by the company to control floods and that patients in Kilembe mines hospital are at risk since the water is moving towards the hospital. “Several people have been trapped in the bushes and we are doing all that it takes to ensure that we evacuate them to a safe place otherwise we expect the worst as the rain continues to fall,” said Kwatampora. The bridge at Kyanjoki has been temporarily closed due to the floods which have weakened it and a new road has been established to connect Katiri and Kyanjoki villages in Kasese Municipality. River Nyamwamba flooding to the surrounding areas The people, who had returned to Kilembe after the previous floods, have again fled their homes and they have sought refuge in Kasese town. However, also in Kasese town the flooding river has cut off the area of Nyakasanga. No injury or death had been recorded by press time although several people have been trapped in the middle of the river and the police fire brigade has already arrived in Kasese to save the situation. “I am very worried, if nothing is done, we are going to be washed away because whenever it rains  in the mountains, it is us down here who suffer the most,” said Gad Baluku a resident of Kyanjoki in Kasese town. Nyamwamba bridge blocked at Kyajoki Kasese Bulembia Bob Kagarura, the district police commander said that he has already dispatched a Marines team and the fire brigade to rescue those who could have been trapped. “My men are already on the ground to ensure that we rescue any one trapped because the situation is running out of control,” says Kagarura. Also related to this story Works on Nyamwamba river start after flood disaster River Nyamwamba spills wrath Causes of River Nyamambwa floods Five perish as fresh floods hit Kasese"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/668019-floods-sweep-prado-vehicle-for-a-kilometre.html","content":" - By Eddie Ssejoba Many residents of Kampala especially those living in low-laying areas woke up to floods. The floods affected areas of Bata Bata zone in Namasuba, Ndejje, Nalukolongo and Natete where businesses remained closed the biggest part of the day after flood water settled in houses especially those built in wetland. At the Ssembule-Kitebi road in Rubaga division, a driver Edward Lubega cheated death when his car, a Prado TX was swept away by floods.  Lubega jumped out before diving and swam across. \"I survived because I know how to swim,\" terrified Lubega who works at Rainbow Academy said. The car was dragged into the water channel and pushed for almost one kilometer and settled at Ntakke bakery. It was only removed five hours later with the help of local divers and a crane. Lubega said most of his valuables including laptops, phones and other items were affected by water that soaked the car. Several animals in the area also died as the floods entered into people's homes. Muscle men popularly known as Kanyamas made quick money from carrying passengers while bodaboda riders increased fares."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/667951-after-nepal-disaster-prone-countries-should-up-their-preparedness.html","content":" - By Simon J. Mone The last few years have seen an increase in disasters. Cyclone in Vanuatu, typhoon in Philippines and floods in Malawi represent just a few of them. All have raised ugly heads and caused untold suffering to helpless people. The latest happened eight days ago in the vicinity of Kathmandu, Nepal. A 7.8 magnitude earthquake came about. And many residents still bear the brunt to this day. From what we read, over 7,300 people have died. No doubt, this is a huge loss. As usual, aid agencies continue to offer support to homeless families. While survivors have to come to terms with the trauma of losing loved ones. In the meantime, what do natives of disaster-prone areas do to be safe? One thing for sure is to sharpen disaster early warning and prediction systems. So people get timely advisories to vacate before too late. Warning and prediction systems however, require some money. Where will it come from? Good news is UN Development Programme (UNDP) has initiated a 10-year global programme. The aim is to provide capacity to the most vulnerable countries, to eliminate disaster risks. It is the 5-10-50 Global programme. 50 countries will benefit from funding over the next 10 years. Focus is on: risk awareness and early warning; risk-governance and mainstreaming; preparedness; resilient recovery; and local/urban risk reduction. It sounds good. But it has to reach out to many more countries if disaster deaths should be eliminated. Then the impact of the intervention will be achieved. Many nations have up to now been mulling about available solutions. But what a relief, the Global strategy brings. A lot of other countries might miss out. And will be left to rue huge loads on their shoulders. This dilemma will continuously lurk as nations must see what to do. What else remains is; how disaster-prone countries will have their bite of the cherry. Already thousands of people in many countries desperately yearn for help. Current disaster statistics stand at 1.3 million deaths in the last two decades and still counting, costing over US$2 trillion. Implementation of UNDP’s strategy will go a long way in preparing countries to be resilient against disasters. As populations grow, and urbanization continues, together with climate change impacts, disasters will only rise. And will even snatch development gains made thus far. Malawi’s flooding came tip-toeing like a thief at night. The state of Vanuatu still grapples with displacements caused by cyclone Pam to this day. Now Nepal is battling the after effects of Earth quake. Next Kasese or Bududa will be responding to floods and landslide. The 5-10-50 strategy offers a lifeline for countries to curb a deadly trend that is yet set to continue. Expectations always linger, that the 5-10-50 strategy shouldn’t be limited to only the fifty countries. But that it should be extended to all vulnerable countries. Then countries can retrieve themselves from the hole when disasters strike. As always, it is hoped that the money giants find it plausible to dig deeper into their pockets to provide funding to vulnerable countries. Fingers crossed. Back home, rains are increasing. Floods and landslides are expected. Do we qualify for the 5-10-50? Even if we don’t we must be prepared. Keep alert and hope to be able to respond well in the likely event of a disaster. Preparedness revolving around a risk-informed approach to predict and offer early warning will help. So we can protect our homes and livelihoods. And ensure that we concentrate on eradicating poverty, not being entangled in a disaster that can at times be avoided. Let us up our alertness. The writer is a civil engineer"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/667255-police-flood-muk-to-secure-match.html","content":" - By Swalley Kenyi Nile Special University Football Tuesday Makerere v KU The Nile Special University Football League match between Makerere and Kampala Universities promises to bring out the tightest security in the history of the league. Makerere fans are often volatile with little regard for the tenets of fair play but their own win. So in a match Kampala University has vowed to do all they can to secure a win at Makerere, they have to take precautions for safety. Kampala University (one point) need a win to keep in contention and qualify for the quarterfinals while a draw is enough to take third placed Makerere (six points) into the last eight of the league. The fans have proved their own official Penninah Kabenge wrong about community policing and abandoned their fans’ clubs in preference of ‘combat’ support especially when their team is not in charge of a match. For the first time in the four year history of the competition, the organisers held a pre-match meeting involving the District Police Commander; Wandegeya Jackson Mucunguzi on how to defuse any situation that could force abandonment of the match at Makerere. RELATED STORIES: Security ramped up for University Football League final"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/666665--man-made-climate-change-a-major-woman-s-problem.html","content":" - Men and women may not always be on the same footing but you would think both sexes would be equal in the face of gigantic floods, typhoons or droughts. Think again. Countless studies show that natural disasters on average kill more women than men -- 90 percent female fatalities in some cases, prevent girls from going to school, increase the threat of sexual assault. And the list goes on. This issue has leapt to the fore in global negotiations on climate change, which scientists warn will be responsible for increasingly violent and frequent natural catastrophes around the world. \"It boils down to the fact that women and men have different types of vulnerabilities already in the world,\" said Tara Shine, special advisor to the Mary Robinson Foundation-Climate Justice think tank, headed by the former Irish president-turned UN special envoy for climate change. \"And then climate change comes along and accentuates all of those,\" she added on the sidelines of the ongoing UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, where the issue of climate change and rights was debated. - Cannot swim, climb trees - According to the World Bank, 90 percent of some 140,000 victims of the 1991 cyclone that battered Bangladesh were women, as were nearly two thirds of those killed by Myanmar's 2008 Cyclone Nargis. \"There are many reasons but one of them is that they cannot swim, they cannot climb trees, it's cultural,\" said Elena Manaenkova, assistant secretary-general of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). \"In many countries -- and it's also cultural -- they are not supposed to run, they are supposed to wait until their husband will call them to action.\" One of the WMO's objectives is to reach out to people in disaster-prone areas with forecasts that could save their lives or livelihoods, for which mobile phones are an important tool. But according to Manaenkova, 300 million fewer women have mobile phones than men, which means warnings often do not reach them. Beyond this, women and girls are also impacted by climate change in their everyday lives -- education being a prime example. In many parts of the developing world, for instance, they are the ones who fetch water for their families, and as global warming impacts the availability of fresh water sources, they have to trek farther afield to find them -- meaning less time for school. According to the United Nations Development Programme, a survey conducted in Tanzania found girls' attendance to be 12 percent higher for those in homes located near a water source than in homes one hour or more away. Attendance rates for boys appeared to be far less affected. Plan International conducted extensive research on the subject in 2010 in drought-ridden Ethiopia and flood-prone Bangladesh, and found the long walks were also dangerous. \"I know two girls who were raped going to fetch water. When you go far and there are not many people around, it happens,\" Endager, a 16-year-old girl from Lasta district in Ethiopia, was quoted as saying in the NGO's report. Poverty-inducing natural disasters can also increase the propensity for child marriage. \"After cyclones, families think their condition is worse and send their daughters to get married,\" a young girl from Barguna in Bangladesh was quoted as saying. \"Almost 50 percent of girls drop out of education because of early marriage. In very remote villages, it is probably more 70 to 75 percent.\" - Often so 'obvious' - So what can be done? Simple, experts say -- empower women, get them involved at all levels, and remember that they exist. According to Shine, the issue is expected to feature prominently in a crucial new agreement aimed at averting catastrophic global warming to be signed in Paris later this year. Some countries -- such as Mozambique -- are already factoring gender into their response to climate change, she says. \"When it (Mozambique) is increasing the resilience of smallholder farmers' livelihoods to the impact of climate change, it doesn't forget the majority of its smallholder farmers are women,\" she said. \"It therefore has to tailor the supports, advice and technologies that it makes available to them to be appropriate to their needs and to ask them what they want.\" Other concrete measures include making sure typhoon shelters have separate female and male toilets, so women will feel safe and go there during a storm. \"It's often such obvious stuff but if the people responsible for it aren't a little bit aware that there are gender differences..., with all the good intention in the world, they can end up doing something that has a negative effect,\" said Shine. AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/665841-filth-chokes-kampala-s-suburbs.html","content":" - By Tony Achidria The pearl of Afica’s capital, Kampala, is not so full of pearls anymore.  A stroll around the city’s suburbs will lead one to a world of enormous filth.   Polythene bags, plastic bottles, banana peels and tiny pieces of charcoal all in one heap are a common sight. To accompany the eye sore is an unpleasant stench.   The stench from such garbage is unbearable for someone who doesn’t live nearby, but seems normal for those living in the neighborhoods.   They are a play area for children, who, unbothered about the health risks, scamper around with scavengers, looking for items they can turn into toys.   The situation Located in the north of Kampala, Bwaise is an area with a high population. One major feature here is a clogged drainage, with stagnant water. Plastic bottles and polythene bags float together with aquatic weeds in these water bodies.   On the other side of the puddle of water, a herd of about five cows graze peacefully. Nearby, chicken and ducks feed unbothered, while goats linger around looking confused about the taxi motorcycles, known as bodabodas, which squeeze in and out of a narrow alley.   The droppings and dung from the animals is allover the place, but people go about their business, unbothered about the filth.   Out of a one roomed house appears a woman, baby strapped to her back, she pours the contents of a pan onto the open sending, the chicken scampering. In a second, the chicken are back to start pecking at whatever the woman had thrown.   A few metres away toddlers play in the dirt. The younger one picks up something from the ground and fixes it into his mouth. His older siblings are not as keen to stop him. They go about playing unbothered about the environment in which they are in. Residents speak “We grew up here. This is where my grandparents lived and we have no where else to go. This is the only kind of life we know,” said Peter Kizito a 35-year-old resident. He has three children and lives in a one roomed house with his wife.   His wife seems resigned to the situation as well. “I also grew up here and I’ve got a man who takes care of me. What more would I want…” she said.   Most of the other residents have left the situation to fate and have no hope that the situation will ever change. They say all previous leaders have promised to look into the problem but never lived up to their word.   The situation in Bwaise is a replica of most of the city suburbs. Except for the upscale areas like Kololo, and Muyenga, garbage collection and disposal is a big problem.   Related articles Manage Garbage to control Cholera-KCCA Garbage collection in Kampala Floods in the suburbs of Kampala city Typhoid in Kampala"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/665452--50m-earmarked-for-weather-projections.html","content":" - By John Agaba   ENVIRONMENT minister Ephraim Kamuntu has  explained that the impact of weather extremes could no longer be ignored, calling for improved accuracy in weather projections.   In a rather fervent manner, the minister expressed that the lack of modern metrological equipment and an early warning system for accurate weather projections and dissemination was slowing the country into keeping prone to disasters from extreme weather eventualities.   Uganda has had its fair share of extreme weather tragedies, with a number of landslides and floods burring and displacing many almost every when the rainy season peaks.   The worst case was the 2011 Bududa landslides.   “We need accurate weather information to transform our country. We can’t keep relying on natural dynamics, at the mercy of natural elements, if we are to move from a peasant to a middle-income economy — in line with our Vision 2040,” Minister Ephraim Kamuntu said on Tuesday morning while officiating at the UNDP-powered CIRDA workshop at the Kampala Golf Course Hotel.   The workshop with delegates from the 11 African countries and other climate change experts and stakeholders ends Thursday.   He said: “We need to use science, apply the available technologies as much as possible to have accurate early warning signs that can be disseminated to all Ugandans.   “Farmers are losing a lot of produce and money because of unpredicted droughts and floods. The Government is still losing a lot of money to resettle people who are displaced by landslides in Bududa.”   At the workshop, intended to forge a way forward for sustainable climate change adaptation in 11 least developed African countries, the emphasis was put on finding tangible solutions to these weather tragedies that keep “numbing Africa back.”   Bonizella Biagini, the CIRDA programme manager, said they have received $50m for implementing the project in the selected 11 least developed African countries.   Uganda, which makes the cut (part of the 11 least developed) will benefit about $4m.   “The grant is for the UNDP climate information for resilient development and adaptation to climate change in Africa,” explained Biagini.   “It is estimated that investments in the metrology sector from GEF and GIZ and other development partners will augment their input to increase the capacity of metrology and hydrological equipment from the current estimated 20% to the minimum threshold (of about 85% as recommended by WMO) required for capturing accurate weather and climate data and information,” Almaz Gebru, the UNDP-Uganda country director, said.   Pascal Okello, the project manager for strengthening early climate information and early warning systems in Uganda, said they are constructing 16 automatic water level stations across the country and repairing an additional 40 manual water level stations to improve accuracy in weather projections.   They are also constructing 25 automatic weather stations and repairing 32 manual weather stations.   “The coming three months it will be raining. We need scientists to tell us accurate information. When they say ‘the rains will be near normal’, what do they mean?”  Kamuntu said.   “By providing accurate weather projections and early warning signs we can save a life,” he said.   Minister for disaster preparedness, Hilary Onek, called on the private and the public sector to positively influence the environment by not “clearing hilltops and forests and not settling in swamps.”   “We have a duty to do. 40% of the rainfall we receive is influenced by human activities, the bigger 60% by movements on the ocean. Let us influence the 40% positively,” said the minister."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/664704-is-climate-change-fuelling-war.html","content":" - For years, scientists and security analysts have warned that global warming looms as a potential source of war and unrest. Storms, droughts, floods, and spells of extreme heat or exceptional cold: all can destroy wealth, ravage harvests, force people off land, exacerbate ancient rivalries and unleash a fight for resources, they say. These factors are predicted to become more severe as carbon emissions interfere with Earth's climate system. Yet some argue there is evidence that man-made warming is already a driver in some conflicts. \"In a number of African countries the increase in violent conflict is the most striking feature of the cumulative effects of climate change,\" South Africa's Institute for Security Studies (ISS) warned in 2012. \"In the Sahel region, desertification is causing clashes between herders and farmers because the availability of cultivated land is being reduced. \"Climate-related effects of this nature are already resulting in violent conflicts in northern Nigeria, Sudan and Kenya,\" it added. The idea leapt to prominence in 2007, when UN chief Ban Ki-moon said violence in Sudan's Darfur region was sparked in part by a two-decade-long decline in rainfall that devastated cattle herds. Arab nomads were pitched against settled farmers in a rivalry for grazing and water. The tensions bloomed into full confrontation between rival militias -- an escalation due \"to some degree, from man-made global warming,\" Ban argued. Others have drawn a link between the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings and climate change-induced heatwaves in cereal-exporting countries. Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan took their grain off the global market -- and within four months, global food prices hit their second record peak in three years. This may have lit the fuse in powder-keg Arab countries burdened by poverty, youth unemployment and authoritarian rule, according to this view. Former US vice president Al Gore, now a Nobel-honoured climate campaigner, believes climate change was a factor, among others, in the Syrian conflict. \"From 2006 to 2010, there was a climate-related historic drought that destroyed 60 percent of the farms in Syria, 80 percent of the livestock and drove a million refugees into the cities, where they collided with another million refugees from the Iraq war,\" Gore said in Davos last month. Caution Climate scientists are cautious about drawing a causal link between global warming and current conflicts -- as opposed to future ones. \"The example of Darfur is often put forward to illustrate the effect of climate on conflict between groups,\" French climatologist Jean Jouzel writes in a new book. \"But the reality is more complex, and most researchers acknowledge that the political and economic context was the prime factor.\" Mark Cane, a professor of Earth and climate sciences at Columbia University in New York, said there was \"a strong case\" to link discontent in Syria to the drought which in 2007-2010 was the worst ever recorded there. But he pointed to a problem: ascribing a role for climate change, usually discernible over decades, to a single weather event. Furthermore, \"it is impossible to look at any single conflict and argue conclusively that it wouldn't have happened but for a drought or some other climate anomaly,\" Cane told AFP by email. Governance and other factors also weigh in, he noted. What magnified the impact of Syria's drought, for instance, was gross waste of water and a surge in population, other experts have said. Risk factor Scientists are cautious about declaring a link between conflict and climate change until the evidence is overwhelming. In the military, though, it's different. Armed forces have to respond swiftly and cannot wait until the proof is all there, which is why climate is now a risk factor in their planning. In many countries, military analysts already include climate change in risk management, Neil Morisetti, a former British admiral and climate advisor to the British government, now director of strategy at University College London, told AFP. \"Some will say it (the risk) is here already,\" he said. \"If you look at where climate change is going to have its greatest effect, and is already having an effect, it's that belt north and south of the equator... this is where a lot of raw materials are, where the world's supply chains and trade routes run, and where ultimately a lot of the number of the markets and emerging powers are.\" And a volatile world, said Morisetti, \"poses a risk to political geo-stability.\" Whether or not they agree that the effects are evident, the experts are united in their heralding of worse to come. \"Human security will be progressively threatened as the climate changes,\" the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCCC) warned in its overview report. The Pentagon agrees. \"Rising global temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, climbing sea levels, and more extreme weather events will intensify the challenges of global instability, hunger, poverty and conflict,\" it said in a 2014 Global Climate Change Adaptation Roadmap RELATED STORIES: Gov’t to develop climate change law Climate change hits agric, power production-IPCC report How to mitigate climate change in Africa"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/664416-public-helps-man-who-walked-33km-to-work-daily.html","content":" - WASHINGTON - The story of a Detroit man who walked 33 kilometers (21 miles) to work each day sparked a flood of donations to a crowdfunding campaign, raising more than $200,000 (572 million Ugandan shillings). The donations from over 8,000 people will be more than enough to buy a car for 56-year-old James Robertson, the subject of a Detroit Free Press article Sunday about his arduous daily commute in the US state of Michigan. \"At the beginning, my goal was just $5,000,\" said Evan Leedy, who launched the campaign on the GoFundMe website. \"I just wanted to get him a car to get back and forth to work, but thanks to everyone's generous donations, this is skyrocketed into more than just a car. I want to thank everyone for their continued donations. Every penny will help James in any way that he needs it.\" The article described Robertson's daily trek which involved bus rides which only cover a small portion of his commute to his factory job in suburban Rochester Hills, Michigan. He has made the daily commute mostly on foot for a decade since his 1988 Honda broke down, according to the article, unable to afford a vehicle with his hourly wage of $10.55 an hour. Leedy, a 19-year-old student at Wayne State University, told the newspaper he began the campaign with his phone after reading the article and quickly raised several thousand dollars. The money is aimed at paying for a car and covering costs for insurance, fuel and other expenses. One auto dealer, Rodgers Chevrolet of nearby Woodhaven, offered to give Robertson a car, either a Chevrolet Cruze or Sonic, The News-Herald newspaper reported. Even though the fundraising goal was surpassed -- with $226,000 late Tuesday -- some people kept donating, inspired by Robertson's story. \"What an inspiration,\" said Jason Fisher, as he donated $10. \"I donated because if I am going to continue complaining about capable people choosing not to work... I need to reward the people that have good excuses but choose to overcome by pure determination.\" AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/663899-the-crippling-dilemma-of-graduate-youth-unemployment.html","content":" - By Ivan Mafigiri Kanyeheyo This week, Makerere University alone graduates 10,000 into the labour market. A sense of achievement and fulfillment punctuated with merry making dominates Makerere hill. But does a university degree still hold that primary key to one’s obvious employment?  Gone are the days when a graduate would walk into a job immediately after graduation. In Uganda today, there are many degrees flooding on the street than the jobs available. For some years now, the blame game has centred on the graduate skills gap and limited working experience as the underlying cause of youth unemployment. For the record, however, youth unemployment pauses a serious security and policy challenge in Uganda. Estimates indicate that only a fraction of graduates in Uganda with some form of qualification get absorbed in the limited job market. At least 400,000 graduate each year at the various public and private universities thanks to liberalisation of education. Unfortunately, projects registered by the Uganda Investment Authority indicate that only 150,000 jobs are created annually leaving an estimated 350,000 potentially jobless. With the rise in the number of universities and other degree awarding institutions, the quality of training intended to boost students’ skills in preparation for the job market has not been at best. As universities struggle to break even, commercial manoeuvering has resulted into over duplication of courses, high student enrollment; widening the student-lecturer ratio breeding inadequate training and instruction methodologies that affect the quality of output. Half-baked graduates resort to trekking the street for years looking for their first job in vain. According to statistics, youth unemployment in Uganda stands at 62% representing 4.5 million of 7.2 million youths. The youth unemployment problem becomes more glaring given the rapid growth of the Uganda population. For instance, according to the Uganda National Household Survey 2012/2013, 60% of the Ugandan population is under 18 years. The daring schemes of youths enlisting themselves under the National Association of the Unemployed (NAU) with others branding themselves as “poor youths” depicts a disgruntled constituency with capacity to endanger national security. These statistics are indicative of a ticking time bomb lest timely interventions are invoked to arrest the situation. The unemployment solution probably lies in both making education reforms and removing barriers to job creation. Ugandans who sail through the current education system eventually feel out of place or misfits in their own rural communities. This has tended to be a particularly damaging phenomenon to our economy with many youths resisting the prospect of working in rural communities despite available opportunities more so in the agricultural sector. Millions of Ugandan youths are stuck in urban centres trapped in the cycle of unemployment rendering their villages to remain in subsistence farming practices, a scenario that should be altered by literate graduates to reduce household poverty. Graduates need to have a positive attitude towards work, avoid despising  jobs however small, adopt the habit of  taking up  volunteer or internship opportunities to boost their skills and working experience  and  avoid the get ‘rich quick syndrome’. It is unwise for job seeking graduates to fancy good cars, smart phones and expensive living apartments typical of ‘Literate Peasants’. For many, the desperate search for jobs has resulted into them frequenting sports betting companies in an attempt to earn quick money while others seek opportunities abroad only to end in prostitution and drug dealing business attracting harsh and serious implications. Youths need to be reminded that education does not produce jobs, it only raises productivity and fosters innovation. The writer is a student of Bachelor of Laws at Makerere University"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/663415-kampala-flood-problems-and-proposed-solutions.html","content":" - By Patience Mubangizi Kampala experiences two wet seasons with peaks in the months of April-May and October November. On Saturday, November 29, 2014, it rained heavily in Kampala and locations such as Kyambogo on Jinja Road flooded. Other black spot areas where heavy floods have occurred are Bwaise, Nateete, Nalukolongo, Ndeeba, Katwe, Clock Tower and Namasuba. Floods in Kampala are due to natural and man-made causes. The natural causes include heavy rains, low lying and flat terrain and underlying clayey soil of poor water infiltration. The man-made causes include encroachers’ developments such as buildings and cultivation in the drainage or wetland areas. Other man-made causes of floods have been identified as undersized and blocked drainage culverts or channels plus poor maintenance of the structures. Floods have had an impact on affected areas of Kampala. There has occurred damage to property and infrastructure such as buildings, roads and others. Also contamination of drinking water from springs, wells and leaking pipes has occurred resulting into outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, dysentery, typhoid and diarrhea, mainly in the densely, populated and poorly planned settlements. Stagnant water pools near Bwaise and Kalerwe areas have developed into breeding grounds for mosquitoes which spread malaria. Engineers and environmentalists need to check the quality of designs, construction and environmental aspects of the drainage channels. On some flood events, some people have lost their lives by drowning in these stagnant water pools. In situations where buildings and roads have flooded, business and traffic have been overwhelmingly disrupted. Kampala is drained by channels such as Nakivubo, Lubigi, Nalukolongo, Kinawataka, Nyanama-Walufumbe and Kansanga. The functionality of the drainage system is limited because of its poor condition and lack of adequate maintenance. In conclusion, it can be said that Kampala flood problem has reached a level requiring urgent and appropriate action. Action could be through interventions such as upgrading and proper maintenance of the system, restoration of degraded wetlands, correction of conflicting land and environmental laws; building capacity for NEMA, KCCA and Environmental Police to enforce drainage protection; proper co-ordination of activities by KCCA/Kampala Land Board, Uganda Land Commission and Buganda Land Board etc. The Government of Uganda under the wise leadership of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has the correct intervention policy in place. It is now a matter for the responsible agencies to act decisively to solve the flood problem.   The writer is a Special Presidential Assistant on Environmental Affairs at State House"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/663281-unbs-warns-consumers-on-fake-goods.html","content":" - By Vision Reporter   CONSUMERS have been warned to watch out against fake and expired goods that always flood the market during the festive season.    Most of these goods, especially soft drinks and food stuffs, are counterfeits or expired, said Dr. Ben Manyindo, the executive director, Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS). He said unscrupulous traders always want to take advantage of the season’s excitement to dump their dangerous goods onto the market.   He advised consumers to carefully scrutinise goods before buying, especially the cheapest ones, saying they are mostly sold in downtown Kampala markets and by hawkers.   Manyindo advised consumers to look for the UNBS Q Mark (Quality Mark) and S Mark for locally manufactured goods to ensure they have been certified by UNBS.    He also said they could report suspicious products to UNBS offices or call on a toll-free line 0800133133.    He advised consumers to buy goods from a place where one can go back in case one gets a problem with the item."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/663012-who-really-cares-about-the-ugandan-girl.html","content":" - By Henry Mugoya Mwondha The UCE and UACE 2014 public examinations are now done with and the other classes are at home for Term Three holidays.  The students from the secondary schools especially have flooded our localities.  Most conspicuous of them will be the girls; but who cares? I am particularly interested in the girl child because she is the most vulnerable of the two genders all over; at home, in our communities not to mention at school. It is very sad and shocking to stumble on very scaring and disheartening revelations of how low our people have sunken in regard to what they put the girl child through.  It is not news that close relatives have been found to molest young girls from very early ages.  In the home the molesters come in any shape: father, uncle, cousin, house help, driver, dad’s friend, even blood brothers.  Shocking?  Maybe!  Disgusting?  Perhaps!  But this is real and it happens in the comfort of our very homes and beneath our noses. That is why parents should take special interest in knowing what their daughters are up to during this holiday.  Be present, be available and take good care of your daughters. In the neighbourhood, our girls face numerous threats.  They come from so called friends of our children, neighbours’ sons or daughters, neighbours, dad’s friend, cunning adolescents and young adults.  Some of the wolves are actually lurking in the shadows at some places of worship.  Many young girls are sucked into the trap of evil men and women who then line them up for sexual exploitation and other forms of abuse. At school, many incidents have been reported in the papers of how girls are molested by either their ‘beloved’ and ‘respected’ teachers on one hand and by others including fellow students, support staff in the schools on the other.  Talk to your daughter during this holiday, you could learn of what challenges she faces at school and so get the opportunity to find an appropriate solution before things get out of hand.   We should acknowledge that many homes and schools are to a great extent actually very safe for the girl child to live in and to grow up in.  But our question is not yet answered; Who cares? In real life, most parents are bewildered by the sudden burst of development and energy in their adolescent children.  They generally do not understand why the sudden change of behaviour in their babies.  Meanwhile, the teacher, with all the professional training may not bother to guide and counsel the adolescent.  Everybody else is very busy; religious leaders, community leaders, the extended family as well.  This places the young people into a free-fall mode into the raging waters of this world! We should all care or else our future as a country shall face bigger challenges when the mothers of the nation shall be mainly a scarred and hurting lot that shall not be able to raise good families.  Who cares?  Everybody should care because it is our collective responsibility to ensure that our daughters of all ages grow up in a decent, safe, healthy, secure and upright environment until they are old enough to make it out on their own. The writer is the Deputy Headteacher at Wanyange Girls Secondary School in Jinja"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/662523-a-condom-a-day-keeps-the-doctor-away.html","content":" - By Gilbert Kidimu For decades, abstinence campaigns have flooded secondary school halls, planned motherhood has been the subject matter in the numerous discussions, and HIV awareness campaigns have reached the remotest villages. But in spite of these fervent efforts, reproductive health remains a pronounced challenge in Uganda. The average woman gives birth to 6 children, contraceptive use remains low, and new HIV infections are hitting an all-time high. A Uganda Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) report says, Uganda has one of the world’s highest fertility rates and the population grows by 3.2% annually, thanks to an average 6.2 child births per woman. 1 in 3 married Ugandan women (34%) wish to delay childbirth or space their children but do not access contraceptives. 1 in 4 girls aged 15-19 are pregnant or are already mothers, and only 1 in 4 women (26%) use a modern form of contraception. UNFPA further reveals that lack of access, widespread myths and misperceptions and gender roles are among the reasons why contraceptive uptake remains low. At the same time, Uganda is experiencing a generalized HIV/AIDS epidemic with prevalence rates increasing from 6.4% in 2006 to 7.3% in 2013. Prevalence rates among key populations at risk including sex workers, fishing communities, transient traders and uniformed forces, are significantly higher with an estimated HIV prevalence among sex workers and their clients of 37% and 16% respectively. Female condoms and women’s reproductive rights the way to go On account of the aforementioned predicament, the Danish Embassy in Uganda has since 2011 supported UNFPA to implement a national multimedia campaign aiming to get more Ugandans to use condoms. The report rights condoms as the only contraceptive offering dual protection against unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. There is a near universal knowledge about condoms among adult Ugandans; however according to the 2011 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey this knowledge is not translated into use as only 2.7% report using condoms on a regular basis. In order to increase uptake, Danida is supporting UNFPA to implement a refreshing and attractive multimedia campaign dubbed “If it is not on, it is not safe.” Danida specifically wanted to focus on female condoms, as they are the only dual protection method designed to be initiated by women. When explaining this strategic focus, Denmark’s ambassador to Uganda, Dan E. Frederiksen, refers to the importance of strengthening women’s sexual and reproductive rights: “Uganda’s population is very young and the country is experiencing a rapid population growth; therefore, putting reproductive health and contraceptive use on the agenda is a priority to us,” says Frederiksen adding:  “At the same time, we wanted to increase awareness about female condoms as a way to empower women and improve their sexual and reproductive rights.” He further points out that reproductive health not only benefits a woman and her family, it is also closely linked to women’s status and gender equality. According to Anne Akia Fiedler, Chief of Party, USAID/CHC, the “If it is not on, it is not safe” campaign represents an important contribution to HIV prevention programming in Uganda. As far as results are concerned, it is still too early to determine the campaign’s impact on condom use in Uganda. However; preliminary feedback indicates that the campaign is generating a lot of debate around condom use. Did you know? According to Uganda Nations Populations Fund, condoms are the only contraceptive method that offers dual protection against unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Condoms have been around for a long time. The earliest known illustration of a man using a condom is a 12,000-15,000 year old wall painting in a cave in France. In 2013, Uganda procured almost 184 million male condoms and 5.4 million female condoms. To satisfy the country’s need, a total of 255 million condoms are needed. Related The female condom: It’s safe, so why won’t they wear it? Kisenyi dances to safer sex, 20,000 condoms given out Condoms 'too small' for Uganda men Condoms now most popular contraceptive Can a condom cause infection?"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/662490-kampala-s-floods-we-are-all-culpable.html","content":" - By Ivan Kibuka-Kiguli Everyone who lives in or commutes to Kampala recently is appalled by the ease and frequency with which areas of the city get flooded and the loss of public and private property that attends these floods. Before pointing any fingers at KCCA and NEMA as usual, it is important to pause and look at this issue with a less casual attitude. We have recently seen plenty of rainfall, no doubt and it will not be the first time that we have. Kampala has received more precipitation in the past with less visible danger, damage and inconvenience to its users/residents. So, what is changing? We are all aware that soil is porous (to varying degrees) and that water or any other liquid percolates through it to reach the water table. A good amount of rainfall (or any liquid spill) is absorbed by soil with the net impact of reducing surface runoff. Consider that when buildings are erected and roofed, the entire footprint of the building, paved walkways, parking yards and paved roads leading to such buildings prevent any water percolating through the ground underneath. Suddenly, water that should have seeped into cumulative square miles of soil surface finds itself in our narrow drains or whatever semblance we have left of them. Meanwhile, because of our failure to adequately pave our road network and other areas that traffic traverse regularly, sediment has no trouble making it into this drain network and silting it up plenty. Ideally, all public roads in and around the city should be adequately paved and drained and any bare ground should have grass grown on it and maintained (keep it short and enforce/ensure no trespassing). In short, we should pave more of the areas that we really should and not those that we really shouldn’t. Private landscaping contractors please take note. Of course we cannot fail to recognise the impact that construction in wetlands around the city has had on decimating the absorption capacity for surface run off of our environment. Apart from the guilty property developers, the majority of us are at fault here too. That an investor will build a factory or warehouse over a swamp and have locals queuing up to get jobs there as well as a steady stream of customers emptying the supermarket shelves  of the products made in such a facility tells volumes about our casual attitude to environmental degradation and how little we recognise our role in it!   The writer is an environmental engineering consultant that specialises in pollution control"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/662141-city-floods-body-of-woman-who-drowned-found.html","content":" - By Cecilia Okoth KAMPALA - The body of Irene Nakato, who slipped and fell into one of the secondary channels in Kawempe, has been found after a long search, KCCA has said. In a statement released Sunday, Kampala Capital City Authority spokesperson Peter Kauju said the corpse was recovered early Sunday after a 48-hour joint search by police, KCCA and area residents. Nakato tripped into the channel on Friday following a heavy downpour that pounded several parts of the central region. Kauju said a rescue team was immediately dispatched but Nakato drowned and was swept away before they could rescue her. “Drainage is one of the biggest challenges the city is facing as a result of human settlement along channels, dumping garbage in the channels and inadequate funding for comprehensive drainage improvement,” read the statement. It is understood that KCCA is currently updating the City Drainage Master Plan which was developed 11 years ago – in 2003. “Some drainage systems such as Lubigi Channel in Kawempe have expanded and improved in terms of capacity while others like Nalukolongo, Kansanga and Kinawataka are awaiting funding from the World Bank under the Kampala Institutional Infrastructure Development (KIIDP2),” Kauju said, adding that the loan of $175m (about sh481bn) is currently awaiting parliamentary approval. He said KCCA is committed to continuously working with the public and all stakeholders to improve the infrastructural development in Kampala City. Also related to this story Kampala floods cause heavy traffic jam Week-long floods cut off Mubende roads"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/662091-week-long-floods-cut-off-mubende-roads.html","content":" - By Luke Kagiri MUBENDE - Floods caused by heavy rains have cut off three main roads in Mubende district, paralyzing transport for over a week. The most affected is the road that links the two districts of Mubende and Kiboga. Within the space of a week, the highway has been submerged in two different sections as heavy rains continue to batter the area. The 60km road that stretches from Myanzi trading center to Bukuya town, Kassanda and farther to Kiboga town is now impassable. One of the swamps featured along this route is Lusolo near Kassanda town, where a stretch of over half-a-kilometer is flooded.   Most of the residents in this area are commercial farmers, and others are traders dealing in different commodities which they purchase from bigger towns like Kampala and Mityana, then sell them to the trading centers in the area. Many farmers transport their agricultural produce to Kampala using this route. By mid-Friday, over 30 lorries carrying maize were stuck in Bukuya and Kassanda after they failed to cross to either Kiboga district or to Mityana and Kampala.   Travelers have now resorted to using the longer route from Kassanda to Kalamba trading center on Mubende highway. “It is so inconveniencing and costly to use the longer route, but we do not have any other solution. We appeal to authorities to work on the bad spots as soon as possible,” said John Mukasa, a driver at Kassanda. The situation is no different in other sub-counties like Kalwana, Kitenga and Kiyuni, as swamps like Nabakazi, which connects to different sub counties, have also flooded.   The road that connects from Bukuya to Mubende district through Butologoo and Kitumbi sub counties has also been cut off as the swamp at Kitumbi flooded. Francis Kibuuka Amooti, the LC5 chairperson for Mubende said most of the district roads are in a sorry state. He said that as district leaders, they have raised the concerns to Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) officials several times and have on such occasions been promised action. The local leader said there are some roads that have been worked on by the district that are in a much better state than those done by UNRA.   Jane Nakibuuka, an area woman councilor, fears for tough times ahead. “We are stuck with our agricultural products and this may lead us into poverty. Traders cannot travel to Kampala and school children too find it had to go to school,” she said. “We appeal for help.” Meanwhile, Ziad Kalema, who is a resident of Kassanda, said promises by authorities that the roads would be worked on are taking too long to be fulfilled."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/660280-eac-au-commission-team-to-address-africa-disaster-risks.html","content":" - ARUSHA – Natural hazards, such as floods, droughts, and earthquakes are becoming more regular and intense, increasing impact on people and communities. Low-income households have more difficulty buffering losses, meaning that disaster losses translate into a series of impacts, including more poverty, declining health and worsening nutrition. Poor planning, poverty and a range of other underlying factors create conditions of vulnerability that result in insufficient capacity to cope with natural hazards and disasters. Action to reduce risk has grown in importance on the international agenda and is seen as essential for sustainable development. The East African Community, in partnership with the African Union Commission and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction is hosting the sixth Africa Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction starting today (Wednesday) at the EAC headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, to address these challenges. Every year on October 13th the world marks the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction. “The frequency and intensity of climatic disasters is on the rise as a result of climate variability and change,” said Moses Marwa, the acting director Productive Sectors, who represented the Deputy Secretary General, Productive and Social Sectors, Jesca Eriyo. He added: “Other underlying factors include poverty, low awareness on disaster risks and weak and uncoordinated policy measures and limited capacities in disaster preparedness.”   Natural hazards such as droughts are becoming more regular and intense Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) includes all the policies, strategies and measures that can make people, cities and countries more resilient to hazards and reduce risk and vulnerability to disasters. The Africa Working Group provides coordination and technical support to the African Union Commission, regional economic communities, and member states on the implementation of the Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction (2006-2015), and its programme of action.  The process to develop a successor to the existing global agreement on disaster risk reduction under the Hyogo Framework for Action is underway and will take into account all the contributions from the ongoing continental and global consultations. The process to craft a common African position on disaster risk reduction has evolved through a series of consultations at the national, sub-regional and regional levels. Recent consultative meetings include the Fourth Africa Regional Platform in Arusha, Tanzania, in February 2013; the Fourth Global Platform held in Geneva, Switzerland, in May 2013 that considered a draft text on Africa’s contribution and position prepared by the African Union Commission; and a consultative meeting on the post-2015 framework held in Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2013 that resulted in a draft Africa contribution paper on the post-2015 framework. The outcomes from regional platforms feed into the Global Platforms with the aim of supporting effective global action and expanding the political space devoted to DRR.   Whenever they occur, floods massively affect transport systems Marwa said: “These meetings have significantly contributed to the process of consolidating the African Position on the Post 2015 Hyogo Framework of Action (HFA-2). “Africa is therefore preparing to lead the global agenda as a continent that is prone to multiple disasters, high vulnerability compounded by low coping and adaptive capacities.\" The 6th Africa Working Group will also discuss the implementation of the new regional programme: Building Disaster Resilience to Natural Hazards in Sub-Saharan Africa Regions, Countries and Communities that is expected to be operational soon. The new programme is funded by European Commission-African, Caribbean and Pacific (EC-ACP). The EAC has made considerable progress in the field of disaster risk reduction including the approval of the EAC Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Strategy by the 27th Meeting of the Council of Ministers held on 31st August 2013, the formulation of the draft Private Members Bill on EAC Disaster Risk Reduction, and the establishment of the EAC Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group, EAC Disaster Risk Reduction Platform as well as a Risk Reduction Unit. The sixth Africa Working Group meeting will close on Thursday."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/659989-resettling-of-bududa-families-starts.html","content":" - By Moses Walubiri   GOVERNMENT will this week start resettling 1150 families in areas at high risk of landslides and floods from the Mount Elgon region as part of its efforts to find a permanent solution to a spate of disastrous landslides in the area.   In total, according to acting commissioner for disaster preparedness in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Rose Nakabugo, government plans to resettle 5000 families in the safe, lower lying areas within Bugisu.   The department of disaster preparedness is the lead agency responsible for disaster preparedness and management in Uganda. It coordinates risk reduction, prevention, preparedness, mitigation and response actions on a national scale in consultation with other line ministries and humanitarian organizations.   “The resettlement is starting next week. That is our tentative program,” Nakabugo told New Vision on Friday.   Despite government securing 2,828 acres of land for the resettlement late last month, Nakabugo said the process couldn’t kickoff immediately because OPM needed to bring all stakeholders in the affected areas on board.   Government purchased land for resettlement in Bunambutye sub-county, lower Bulambuli District at sh8b.   “It has been a long process involving discussions with district leaders and affected families,” Nakabugo said.   Although she was reticent about how much the operation will cost, Nakubugo revealed that a significant chunk of the bill will be picked by development partners and that the resettlement will be complete within three months.   “This is a complicated process that requires erection of a reception center, temporary shelter, emergency education facilities and demarcation of plots. We need to have all the basics for people to survive,” Nakabugo said.   The Elgon region has suffered a spate of deadly landslides which have claimed lives of hundreds of people. In March 2010, for instance, landslides killed about 150 people and displaced over 10,000, in Nametsi sub-county, Bududa District.   In 2011, 30 people in Ssisiyi, Sironko District were killed while another eight were entombed by a landslide in 2012 in Bumwalukani, Bududa District.   With increased population pressure on the Mount Elgon slopes that has resulted into denudation of forest cover, every rain season raises the specter of yet another deadly landslide in the region.   In 2012, government constituted a cabinet Sub-Committee headed by second Deputy Prime Minister, Gen. Moses Ali, to generate proposals about securing people in landslide prone areas in Mount Elgon region.   The sub-committee recommended that government buys land for resettling people at high risk of landslides and floods.   Already government has resettled 3000 victims of the 2011 Bududa landslide in Kiryandongo. Each family to be resettled in lower Bulambuli, According to Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hillary Onek, will be allotted 2.5 acres.   What is a landslide? A landslide, also known as a landslip, is a geological phenomenon that includes a wide range of ground movements, such as rock falls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows. Landslides can occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments. Related stories Govt to relocate Bududa people Kabwegyere quizzed over sh8bn Bududa funds We knew mudslides would happen in Bududa, why didn't we prepare?"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/659772-lessons-from-namboole-floodlights-failure.html","content":" - By Simon Mone With about 65 minutes gone on the clock, Uganda Cranes fans are in jovial mood. Stadium lights go off. The referee is forced to halt the game. Each set of players gather around their respective technical areas and five minutes later, lights are on again and play resumes.   One learning from this experience is; the time it takes to restore serviceability of lights and all other facilities. The second one is compliance with and adherence to efficient maintenance regime of facilities.   In some circumstances, one would consider five minutes to be acceptable given that technicalities of such facilities could have complicated the completion of the football match between Uganda and Guinea. It could have forced the postponement of the game to another day. We have to thank the guys who worked hard to ensure that lights came on albeit after five minutes.   Away from the match and to area of service provision which requires considerable process and system improvement. Here is the situation. You have been in the queue at a bank since 9:30am. It is moving quite slowly.   You wait patiently and finally when it is your turn to be served, the teller/enquiry personnel behind the monitor tells you, “the network is down and you cannot get served”. You are in desperate need of financial statement printout. And cannot help but wait until network service is restored.   On many occasions, one has had to wait till the next day or even two days to get a financial statement. Think about having to wait for just 24 hours and deadline is hours away. You will have to forfeit any business objectives because systems are not reliable. And people have become so comfortable with it that they think it is normal practice.   What happened to the floodlights challenges us to work harder at ensuring that serviceability of all systems within our mandate is maintained possibly within 99% all the time. Anything but that cannot be acceptable for any organisation aspiring to achieve impeccable organisational competence.   A customer would be glad to walk into a cashier’s room and have their financial statements available within a minute of request. This is among the most pertinent parameters upon which organisational competence is measured.   Efficiency is a top criterion of competency. Work methods and outputs must be regularly subjected to a series of system and process improvement.   This brings me to the story of facilities maintenance. Almost all the time, we obtain and install facilities at high costs. Thereafter, we become lax about maintaining them. An example is, whether in our homes or in organisations, we let sewage ooze out of manholes, and allow fungus to develope on walls without taking initiatives to rectify such malfunctions.   Cracks develop on floors and start to let in water. Nobody takes action until eventually, facilities give way.   Lack of effective maintenance spells doom for our facility stock. Once facilities are designed, constructed and commissioned, occupants’ tendency is to think that maintaining them costs too much money. And many owners ignore maintaining their facilities. They ignore the fact that once maintenance is efficient, service lives of facilities are extended.   It is the main reason why our facilities, especially buildings deteriorate quicker than they should. This cause disintegration and expose us to disasters. Let us assess all our facilities to give us the basis for doing effective maintenance.   This responsibility rests on facility owners and users. They must make sure that potential negative impacts caused by breakdown in serviceability are eliminated.   The writer is a civil engineer"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/659623-power-outage-interrupts-cranes-guinea-game.html","content":" - By James Bakama Group E Africa Cup of Nations Uganda 2 Guinea 0 Uganda’s first continental match under floodlights came with good fortune. The Cranes beat Guinea’s Syli Nationale on a cold night to go top of their group in the 2015 Nations Cup qualifiers. An afternoon downpour seemed to come with good luck as Geoffrey Massa maintained his perfect scoring record with a brace. But the otherwise great night was undermined by a power cut that had the second half interrupted by a ten minute blackout. There were frantic efforts to restore the power. Amongst those in the dark was Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, Army Commander Katumba Wamala, Minister for Kampala and the Presidency Frank Tumwebaze and Mufti of Uganda Shaban Mubajje. The power was eventually restored and the Cranes as the Cranes marched to victory. The celebrations were heightened by news from news from the other group game. “Togo 2 Ghana 3,” master of ceremony Patrick Luwandagga announced to wild cheers from the close to 25,000 people. For a midweek match, this attendance, the biggest so far this year, was impressive. There were traffic jams on the Kampala-Jinja highway just like in the other access route through Bugolobi and Kinawataka. As usual boda bodas, the most adoptable mode of transport, had a field day. Matters were at Namboole not helped by late opening of the gates. Poor crowd management at the entry points also didn’t help the situation. One of the gates was in the process broken. Shrewd dealers rushed to get tickets from those dashing in and resold them. Security officers in the process caned numerous people. The partying continued into the night.  Cranes sponsors Airtel and Nile Breweries had a stadium party in stock for the spectaors. Victoria Bar in Kireka was another spot to be as fans thronged there not only for a drink, but also dance. Traders of merchandise like Cranes’ jerseys were hurt by the late kick-off.  “It’s hard to sell at night.  A lot of people simply walked past,” complained a trader. The idea of having the match at night was welcomed by many. They however wished that it had been a weekend. “We would have had a full house on a Saturday, then we could have partied throughout the night and the following day,” said Bweyogerere  resident Jonathan Okello. The last time Uganda had a night international match was in 2012 in the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup. Uganda emerged champions after beating Kenya in the final. The usual fanfare that usually has people partying hours before the match was missing. People instead seemed to flood Namboole an hour to kick-off. The midweek schedule follows a squeeze in the qualification to the Morocco 2015 Nations Cup finals. World soccer governing body FIFA and its continental affiliates like CAF are making use of the gazetted international match days, which are normally midweek to speed up the qualification. Ordinarily, these matches should have started late last year spanning a year, but most of this period was taken up by the World Cup. Qualifiers to next year’s tournament will as a result be played over three months. Uganda’s last group match against Guinea away will also be away."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/659387-flood-risk-management-is-crucial-for-kampala-city.html","content":" - By Frank Kweronda In our Kampala City, flooding is often a concern. Floodwaters can quickly cover main roads and highways during storm events, often preventing evacuations, rescues and have in the past and of late caused deaths of our citizens. It is vitally important for citizens to be well informed and take preventative actions.   Many debate if it is possible to develop a modern economy without properly managing the disaster risks posed by floods. Urban planning should be well adapted to make provision for the increasing number of floods hence the negative effects of these floods on the population and urban infrastructure will eventually be reduced.   On the other hand, despite the efforts to improve drainage system, solid waste still causes blockages resulting in flash flooding and necessitating emergency clearance of the drainage channels. This happens despite the fact that the KCCA is trying to implement an improved citywide solid waste management system. Impacts from flooding are growing and may become much worse in the future.   Schemes must balance the short and long term and integrate structural and non-structural measures in planning.   Flooding is having a major impact on millions of people every year and therefore flood risk management measures need to be implemented in the short term. The impact of urbanization on flood management is currently and will continue to be significant. But it will not be wholly predictable into the future.   In addition, in the present day and into the longer term, even the best flood models and climate predictions result in a large measure of uncertainty. This is because the future climate is dependent on the actions of unpredictable humans on the climate and because the climate is approaching scenarios never before seen.   Urban planning and management which integrates flood risk management is a key requirement, incorporating land use, shelter, infrastructure and services. The rapid expansion of urban built up areas in Kampala also provides an opportunity to develop new settlements that incorporate integrated flood management from the outset.   Adequate operations and maintenance of flood management assets is also an urban management issue. Some of the measures to reduce on the flood risk may include: Short-term: Improve the drainage systems in our city and also get rid of polythene bags (Kavera) that make it difficult for water to percolate through the soil hence increasing the surface runoff. Do not attempt to drive through standing water or walk through flooded areas. It's easy to lose your balance.   Medium to Long Term: Upgrade the standards of construction for roads, particularly city roads that serve as a lifeline during the flood period, with proper levels and provision of drainage structures.  These standards should be made mandatory for all roads constructed in future.  A survey initially may be carried out to identify roads lacking these standards.    A systematic program then could be adopted to upgrade these structures instead of restoring in a piece-meal fashion year after year after each flood.  This would help reduce the damages considerably and save lives.  Roads should also be made multipurpose, where possible.    Invest in protection of major towns where population density and property values are high. Beginning with manageable investments perhaps. Structural measures, including drainage systems, flood protection walls and dykes, together with the construction of bridges for flooded settlements, are important components of the city’s flood protection strategy. These are complemented by measures improving both flood prevention and management of flood hazards. These approaches include management of traffic and the provision of pumping deployments.   Understanding the type, source and probability of flooding, the exposed assets and their vulnerability are all essential if the appropriate urban flood risk management measures are to be identified.   The suitability of measures to context and conditions is crucial: a flood barrier in the wrong place can make flooding worse by stopping rainfall from draining into the channel or by pushing water to more vulnerable areas downstream, and early warning systems can only have limited impact on reducing the risk from flash flooding.   Successful long term implementation of flood risk management measures requires clear leadership, strong champions and the right institutional and legislative frameworks. It is critically important to monitor and benchmark flood risk management even when there has not been a flood event for some time.   Awareness-raising measures should be implemented to increase the local population’s knowledge of the potential dangers of extreme weather events that cause flooding, and the measures should be taken at household and community levels to adapt to them.   Ongoing communication counters the tendency of people to forget about flood risk. Even a major disaster has a half-life of memory of less than two generations; and other more immediate threats often seem more urgent. Less severe events can be forgotten in less than three years.   Flood risk management therefore needs champions at the city, regional and national level in order for it to be brought to the table, as appropriate, in major developmental decision making processes. Issues with a strong champion in a position of influence tend to be more successfully addressed in general.   Having the vision for integrated flood risk management in place in advance of when circumstances for change are favorable can be a factor in successfully exploiting any such opportunity as it arises.   The writer is a civil engineer"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/659129-take-action-to-combat-climate-change.html","content":" - By Diana Taremwa   As Uganda’s long rainy season commences, fears are rife that the country is headed for yet again above normal rains, raising fears of possible flooding and landslides. A disturbing reminder of the negative impacts heavy rains have had in the past, such as the two devastating floods that hit Kasese district   last year , leaving close to 20 people dead, while several were displaced from their homes. The Landslides in Bududa district that covered up five villages  in Namurumba, Bushiyi and Matuwa parishes leaving 17 people badly injured and over 3,ooo people displaced.   Government was forced to spend huge amounts of money to relocate these to Masindi and Kiryandongo districts, yet this could be avoided with better climate change mitigation practices. In Masindi, these people are facing social issues, rejection, and alienation from families which has even worsened their situation. The costly measures for responding to these climate disasters has continued to strain the country’s national budget. These climate disasters only reinforce the need for us all to call for action on mitigate climate change.   Uganda is a member of the United Nations Framework on Climate Change and other international bodies that work to combat climate change and as thus government is taking action to address climate change although there’s more effort needed.    Recently,the National Planning Authority and the Ministry of Water and Environment issued a set of guidelines that require every government institution to allocate funds for climate change activities in their budgets and programmes. The procedures are meant to operationalise the National policy on climate change. However, implementation of these guidelines is yet to be seen considering that the country has many good laws that always fail at implementation, nevertheless these guidelines  are a good start in addressing climate change.   Government has also prioritized exploitation of its vast potential 5300MW clean renewable energy sources in a move to reduce popular traditional use of biomass energy(firewood and charcoal) blamed for depleting forest cover, contributing to green house gas emissions and exposing the country to environmental dangers.   Climate change in Uganda is a reality that every individual in their communities has a role to play to combat; we cannot carry on doing business as usual because the world will be a very different and much tougher place to survive if no action is taken. What we think of now as extreme events will become the norm.   Climate change adaptation and mitigation should be factored into all development plans so as to ensure that the impacts do not reverse decades of development progress in Uganda .   This will also draw Ugandans closer to the vision 2040 of: “A transformed Ugandan society from a peasant to a modern and prosperous country within 30 years.”   The writer is a programme Assistant-Renewable energy efficiency and Climate change"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/658818-nepal-floods-death-toll-climbs-to-101.html","content":" - The death toll from from landslides and flooding in Nepal has risen to 101 after rescuers recovered four more bodies, officials said Monday, as fears grew of a possible cholera outbreak. Torrential rain last week triggered multiple landslides and flooding, devastating entire villages, stranding thousands and damaging roads across the country's western plains bordering India. As the weather cleared Sunday after three days of incessant rain, the government deployed more than 3,400 workers and four helicopters to rescue stranded people and deliver emergency supplies, said Jhankanath Dhakal, chief of Nepal's National Emergency Operation Centre. \"We have found three more bodies this morning, bringing the total death toll to 101,\" Dhakal told AFP, adding that another body had been recovered overnight. Dhakal said rescuers were still searching for 126 people reported missing. As water levels gradually recede, allowing rescue workers to use land routes instead of relying entirely on helicopters, thousands of people have been evacuated into temporary shelters. In the worst-affected districts of Surkhet, Bardiya and Dang, officials scrambled to provide clean drinking water kits to distraught villagers amid fears of a cholera outbreak. \"We are concerned about water-borne diseases spreading, especially cholera, and have deployed health personnel to distribute water purification tablets and medicines,\" Dhakal said. Cholera is a potentially deadly disease spread by eating or drinking food or water contaminated by human faeces. The deaths come two weeks after the worst landslide in more than a decade smashed into hamlets in the hilly northeast and killed 156 people. Meanwhile, heavy rain in neighbouring India's Uttarakhand state has claimed at least 24 lives since Friday, reviving memories of a deluge last year that killed more than 5,000 people in the same region. Hundreds die every year in floods and landslides during the monsoon season in South Asia."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/658714-flooded-bridge-disrupts-lira-apac-transport.html","content":" - By Hudson Apunyo LIRA – Recent torrential rains have severely interrupted transport on the Lira-Apac and Lira-Pader-Kitgum roads in northern Uganda. The last two days have seen the Anai swamp – some 2km from Lira town – flooded and as a result forcing commuters to divert to Boroboro Akalo road. Some vehicles have gotten stuck due to loose soils. The most affected are vendors who use the Apac road every day as fast-flowing waters kept them from using the flooded bridge late Tuesday. Okello Ben, a resident of Rainbow village, Aduku road told New Vision the bad brutal weather forced his visitor to stay at his home for the night. The floods have come in the way of both motorists and pedestrians plying the affected routes. Another resident of Anai who works at the Lira Municipal Council said he failed to make it back to his home due to the floods.       It is understood there have been ongoing projects for the maintenance of the road, including reshaping and re-gravelling along selected sections to give the road a suitable curvature and adequate side drains. The road from Rwenkunye-Apac-Lira-Kitgum-Musingo (350 km) has been long overdue for tarmacking yet was still missed on this year’s financial budget. Uganda National Road Authority (UNRA) station engineer of Lira, Samuel Muhoozi, said the place is low-lying and because of its swampy nature, it is susceptible to flooding during heavy rains. He talked of a plan in offing after the water had gone down. “We shall install new culverts and raise road level so that there is no flood problem,” he told New Vision on phone."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/658385-emergency-meeting-over-sudan-deadly-floods.html","content":" - KHARTOUM - Sudan's cabinet meets in emergency session on Tuesday after flooding killed at least six people, destroyed thousands of homes and sparked complaints of government negligence. The official SUNA news agency said Minister of Interior Ismat Abdul-Rahman would brief the special session \"devoted to the impact of rains and floods that hit large areas of the country recently\". As Sudan's rainy season begins, there have already been three brief, violent storms in the capital region and beyond since July 25. Giving the first official death toll, SUNA said flooding led to the deaths of six people in Gezira state, south of the capital. Five were electrocuted and one died when his home collapsed, SUNA said, citing a local government minister. More than 2,000 homes have been destroyed in the Khartoum region alone, SUNA quoted state governor Abdel Rahman Al-Khidir as saying. After the latest ferocious downpour early Sunday, AFP found hundreds of families digging through the rubble of their collapsed homes in the Salha district of Khartoum's twin city Omdurman.   They complained that emergency shelter and other help has been slow to arrive but Khidir said \"all affected families\" had received tents and other aid by Monday. The opposition Reform Now party has called for Khidir's suspension \"because he completely failed to have a solution to the rainy crisis which is repeated every year\". Khidir said Khartoum two years ago started construction of a 2,200-kilometre (1,364-mile) concrete drainage system under a seven-year plan aimed at preventing flooding, SUNA reported after the governor on Monday briefed First Vice-President Bakri Hassan Saleh. An inundation in August last year was the worst to strike the capital in a quarter-century and affected more than 180,000 people, the United Nations said at the time. Those floods caused about 50 deaths nationwide, most of them in Khartoum. More rain is expected this week, Khidir said. AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/657847-cabinet-approves-sh25b-for-kasese-reconstruction.html","content":" - By Moses Mulondo & Moses Walubiri Cabinet has approved a request by the ministry for relief, disaster preparedness and refugees to allocate sh25b to reconstruct Kasese following damages caused by severe floods. This was revealed by the minister for relief and disaster preparedness Musa Ecweru while responding to a report by the shadow minister for rehabilitation Odo Tayebwa presented to Parliament. “The recovery plan was tabled before cabinet on July 16, 2014 and sh25b was approved. It will be used to de-silt the river and building water embankments,” Ecweru said. The district has been hit by flooding twice in a span of a year after River Nyamwamba burst its banks leaving behind a trail of destruction. Pupils of Bulembia Primary School in Kasese district find their way to school after their newly constructed Katiri-Kilembe was washed away by the floods. Photo/Abou Kisige Ecweru explained that with the approved Kasese recovery development plan, the problem of floods would not resurface and displaced people would be settled back in their homes. The Kasese floods caused wide destruction of houses, crops, and facilities such as bridges, roads, hospital, sewerage treatment unit and power lines and forcing people into temporary camps opened by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). Accompanied by ministers for works, defense, partners and district leaders, President Yoweri Museveni visited some of the affected areas in Kasese and directed the relevant ministries to ensure that the river is de-silting and the damaged infrastructure reconstructed. The Kasese recovery development plan was crafted from a needs assessment study of the causes of floods in the area which was undertaken by a committee composed of technocrats from ministries of works, education, and water, Office of the Prime Minister, UNICEF, CARE, UNDP and Plan International. Giving the findings of the MPs who went to assess the situation on ground, Odo Tayebwa said over 665 households in the sub counties of Bulembia, Nyamwamba, Karusamdara and Kyarumba were affected. “In a week after the floods, the OPM was only able to provide 400 empty plastic jerricans and basins as compared to 2 excavators and hundreds of litres of fuel, tarpaulins, blankets and medical kits mobilized by private companies like Hima Cement and Tibeti Hima, Uganda Red Cross and UNICEF,” Tayebwa explained. Tayebwa’s committee had recommended that government allocates sh29.1b to fund the Kasese post disaster reconstruction work. Kigulu South MP Milton Muwuma suggested that government should purchase all the necessary equipment to use in disaster situations. “During the Bududa landslides disaster, government hired a grader from a private individual. Government should have its own equipment like excavators and graders to help in such situations,” Muwuma elaborated. Gulu woman MP Betty Ocan said, “Government should equip UPDF soldiers with skills to manage disasters like floods instead of deploying them in agriculture where they have no skills.” Kasese woman MP said the people who died and the properties that were destroyed would have been saved if government had made the necessary interventions after the same disaster happened last year in the same month of May during which it happened this year. Ecweru said his ministry has finalized drafting a hazard map for the whole country which they will use to issue early warnings to various parts of the country on disasters that are likely to befall them. Also related to this story Kasese floods: over 2,000 pupils evacuated Pregnant woman dies in devastating Kasese floods Kasese floods destroy property worth sh8b"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/657459-ivory-coast-rainy-season-death-toll-reaches-39.html","content":" - ABIDJAN - Flooding and landslides during the Ivory Coast's rainy season have killed 39 people over the last month, officials said Friday. The majority died on June 19, when 23 people were killed in overnight landslides in the economic hub Abidjan, but several weeks of torrential rain have continued to cause flooding across the country. \"This toll also includes disasters that have happened in the interior of the country,\" said Fiacre Kili, who leads the national civil protection office. Last weekend, five people were killed when flooding hit villages near Grand Lahou, west of the capital, while hundreds of houses were destroyed in the town itself, many of them because of landslides. Abidjan has seen a number of flooding-related deaths in recent years, with victims tending to live in slums with poor housing and infrastructure, backing onto land which gives way under heavy rains. In June 2009, 21 people died in the city, while seven lost their lives in 2008 and 11 in 2011. A month of almost-continuous rain has caused precipitation in the country to rise well above normal levels, although the situation has improved in the last few days. A man rides a bicycle down a flooded street in Abidjan   This home in the impoverished neighborhood of Adjouffou, Abidjan was flooded with rain water AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/656799-kasese-hit-by-fresh-floods.html","content":" - By Wilson Asiimwe Several people including patients at Kilembe mines hospital on Friday fled from Bulembia division in Kasese municipality when River Nyamwamba flooded again and destroyed several properties. The road leading to Bulembia primary school which was washed away by floods the last month and has been under construction was damaged again Friday morning.   Patients stranded outside the hospital The projects manager for Tibet Hima mining company, Alex Kwatampora, said that most of the infrastructure that was damaged recently had not yet been fixed. \"We are in a state of dilemma and we don't have any option because whenever it rains up in the mountains it's we people on the lower lands who suffer,\" said Kwatampora. John Bagonza, a patient at Kilembe hospital, said that the river started flooding early morning and that by 11.00 am it had already blocked off Kyanjoki Bridge, leaving over 300 students of Kilembe secondary school stranded.   Patients from Kilembe hosiptal fleeing from the flooding River Nywamwamba on Friday morning \"We have not yet recovered from last month's shock and it is flooding again but government should redirect the water back to its original couse because the problem is worsening day by day,\" said Bagonza.   The Kasese district police commander, Michael Musani, said that police had already deployed its fire brigade equipment to help and rescue the people who could have been trapped. He said that he had already urged all the schools in the area to close and send back home the students because water had started blocking off some villages.   The Kasese district police commander, Michael Musani and staff of Kilembe hosiptal forging a way foward \"I have instructed the head teachers of Katiri and Bumebia primary school to stop conducting classes and order the pupils to go back to their homes because the condition is worsening and it's going beyond our control,\" said Sabila. \"There some people who had already crossed to their gardens on the other side of the river so we have to ensure that we rescue them because the water volumes are increasing on the fastest speed.   He also warned the management and patients in Kilembe hospital to ensure that they stay on standby because the river had already changed its course. The chairman of the district disaster management committee, Wilson Asaba, said that they are still accessing the damages that could have been caused by floods. Also related to this story Works on Nyamwamba river start after flood disaster River Nyamwamba spills wrath Floods: Museveni rushes to Kasese Floods: Kasese sets up early warning system"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/656432-floods-paralyse-city-businesses.html","content":" - By Jeff Andrew Lule Floods on Monday morning paralysed businesses are traffic in an early morning downpour.  The downpour that started at round 8:00am lasted over three hours. In areas visited by the New Vision team yesterday, vehicles were found abandoned in the middle of the flooded roads. Along the Kampala-Jinja road, floods cut off the road at Kyambogo junction. Vehicles got stuck as other alternative routes of Kinawataka and Bugolobi were also flooded. Jinja Road was a nightmare after during and after the downpour. Photos/Ayiga Ondoga Pedestrians, especially Kyambogo University students paid between sh1,500 and sh3,000 to be carried from the flooded part of the road to a safer area. Cars from Kampala were forced to use Ntinda route through the Northern By-pass to reach Kireka. Some men and boda boda riders made quick money rescuing those who were stuck. Drivers and passengers attributed the flooding to the poor drainage system on the city roads and the reclamation of wetlands by industrialists. Musese Katabarwa, a businessman from Jinja, said the Government needs to reclaim all the wetlands, which were taken over by the investors. “This problem is as a result of water blockage by these structures or factories. Many people have encroached on wetland thus blocking the water passage. The Government needs to do something to put everything back to order, including fighting corruption to avoid substandard works on roads,” he said. In other Kampala suburbs like Kyebando, Bwaise, Kalerwe, Wankulukuku and Ndeeba some houses were submerged in water. Water rose to above knee level in some areas. In Kyebando, Kawempe division, residents claimed the newly constructed water channel was now filled with silt causing it to flood to the neighbouring areas. A truck wades through the floods. The road became impassable for most vehicles The Nakivubo Wetland corridor that drains storm water from various parts of Kampala has been degraded and environment experts are warning that Kampala is paying the price for this encroachment. When contacted, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) spokesperson, Naome Karekaho said the floods are caused by lack of standard drainage systems and lack of trees in Kyambogo area. “The wetlands in the area were sold longtime ago before the Environment (NEMA) Act 1994 came into place. “Many structures have come up. The problem is that besides the poor drainage system, people have not planted trees. That is why water flashes out whenever it rains, but it is not the problem of NEMA as people claim,” she said. Karekaho said there is need for construction of an expanded drainage system given the increasing population in the city and encouraging people to plant trees. Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango said no lives were lost, but many people in Kalerwe, Namuwongo, Namungoona, Bwaise, Nalukolongo, and Kinawataka lost property worth millions of shillings.  RELATED STORIES Four killed in Kasese floods, scores stranded Kasese floods destroy property worth sh8b Kasese floods: 2 dead, 195 evacuated"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/655952-kasese-floods-over-2-000-pupils-evacuated.html","content":" - By John B. Thawite KASESE - Over 2,000 primary school pupils were on Friday evacuated from their classes as advancing flood waters from the ruthless River Nyamwamba threatened to sweep them away. The pupils, from Kyanzuki, Bulembia, Katiri and Road Barrier primary schools, were forced to go back home as the water volumes in the river rose and advanced towards the schools. Bulembia, no longer operating in its former structures which are precariously hanging by the banks of River Nyamwamba, was forced to occupy adjacent structures owned by Kilembe Mines Ltd. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) provided some tents to act as classes for some of the pupils, who number about 800, according to the Principal Schools Inspector, Ernest Thabugha.   You can sense the extent of the destruction caused by the floods by taking a glance at this pit latrine at Bulembia school. PHOTO/John Thawite The raging river waters destroyed the recently constructed foot bridge at Kyanzuki in Bulembia division, Kasese town, cutting off Kyanzuki from the rest of the district. Huge boulders were rolled downstream, gigantic logs heaved and other forms of debris carried by the heavy rains in the Rwenzori Mountains. The elevated area yet again saw torrential rains that have stalked the peaks of the Rwenzori since May 8, when the floods invaded Kasese for the second time in a span of one year, leaving behind a trail of destruction. The school head of Road Barrier primary school, Pascal Kololo said they had to shut down school activity. “We had no alternative but rather to temporarily close the school following the rising volumes of River Nyamwamba,” he said. 'What next now?', is what this policeman at the school seems to be thinking. PHOTO/John Thawite The District Education Officer, George Mainja, said the schools were closed temporarily as a precautionary measure. And slowly, the area authorities and residents are settling into the belief that this may well be their way of life, and that they have only got to get used to it. “It is going to be part of our life so we must adapt to the behaviour of the river.  When we sense danger, we shall have to act as we did yesterday [Friday] to avoid taking any risks,” Mainja said on Saturday. Also related to this story Pregnant woman dies in devastating Kasese floods Kasese floods: 2 dead, 195 evacuated Five perish as fresh floods hit Kasese Rwenzururu king petitions gov’t over floods Four killed in Kasese floods, scores stranded Kasese floods destroy property worth sh8b"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/655768-floods-kasese-sets-up-early-warning-system.html","content":" - By John B. Thawite A multi-sectoral surveillance team has been set up to constantly monitor and immediately send alerts on the weather patterns in the Rwenzori Mountains. The team, led by Kasese District Police Commander, Michael Sabila Musani, comprises the Uganda Wildlife Authority, (UWA), the army and top district technical and political authorities. “UWA operatives are stationed in the Rwenzori Mountains from where they keep on sending us alert messages about the situation of the rivers,” Godfrey Kabyanga, Mayor Kasese Municipal Council and member of the team, said. He said the arrangement was used to alert the residents in the district, especially along the major floods rivers Nyamwamba, Nyamugasani, Lhubiriha and Rwimi to keep away and move to higher areas. “We urge the residents to keep their radios on 24 hours for any updates from our surveillance team,” he said. The DPC said police was using the Police tactical command centre of the District Disaster Technical Committee to implement the operation. Devastating floods Kasese  has been hit by a wave of floods, the worst being those of the first week of May last year and those of 8th this month in which a total of 15 people have died, hundreds displaced and property, including infrastructure, crops and livestock worth billions of shillings, has been lost. A deserted ward at Kilembe Hospital after fears that River Nyamwamba would overflow again. Photo by John Thawite Floods waters flow beneath the newly repaired Katiri Bridge in Kilembe. Photo by John Thawite Seven people died and about 700 households (with about 5,000 people) displaced when rivers Nyamwamba, Nyamughasani, Lubiriha, Mubuku and Rwimi burst their banks following heavy rains in the Rwenzori Mountains. Kasese 'bombed', President Museveni Commenting on the trail of destruction along River Nyamwamba valley in Kilembe and downstream during his assessment tour to the area, on May 14, President Museveni compared it to the destruction caused by a bomb. “It is as if a foreign military aircraft came and dropped bombs on Kilembe valley,” the President said while addressing a public rally at Bulembia Division headquarters in Kasese Municipality. The President blamed the recurrent floods on interference with River Nyamwamba by the former Kilembe Mines managers and poor land use by the residents, likening the neighbouring mountains to shaved heads which cannot hold water. Kilembe Mines Ltd was started in the late 1950s by Canadian companies, Frobisher and Falconbridge of Africa decided to construct offices, workshops, housing estates and other infrastructure within this vast Nyamwamba valley while they carried out economic mining at Kilembe. President Museveni inspected the damage caused by the floods after River Nyamwamba burst its banks leaving scores displaced. PPU Photo “When they diverted it, they created an artificial bank. And because of the confusion in governance that Uganda had at that time, the company went away. It seems when the company went away, it didn’t properly hand over to the ministry which has been looking after Kilembe. Consequently that ministry has not been marinating the artificial bank which was built by that company,” he said. Pledging to have the destroyed infrastructure repaired and the river tames, the president directed the Works and Environment ministries to write a detailed report on the requirements. But he also challenged the residents to play their role in protecting the Rwenzori by rehabilitating the environment which they have destroyed, saying, “but this (floods) should serve as a warning to all of us.” 7 Deaths Two newborn babies aged two and four days respectively, a 77-year-old all admitted at Kilembe hospital at the on-set of the current floods, died during a stampede as health workers, patients and their caretakers were evacuating the hospital. Little Matthias Bwambale fled the floods saying he did not know where his parents had gone. Photo by John Thawite A resident of Kanyaruboga village in Kilembe attempts to escape after water surrounded his house. Photo by John Thawite Later at St Paul’s Health Centre IV where some of the patients had been relocated, a 7 month pregnant mother died. On Friday May 15, another patient, who had been evacuated to the health centre in critical condition but was referred to Kilembe after the hospital re-opened, died on arrival there. A resident of Masule village in Kilembe, drowned in a river in the area while another man in Maliba on hearing that Kilembe Hospital was flooding again, died of shock. Kilembe Mines Ltd suffered a second blow when the fresh floods felled nearly all the company’s infrastructure and destroyed vital records and equipment as well as the water and electricity supply. Relief trickles in Since the floods temporarily subsided the district disaster team has borrowed excavators to clear the heavy boulders and other debris that have chocked River Nyamwamba and re-direct it to its original course. Stranded residents ponder their next move after their homes were flooded. Photo by John Thawite Kilembe Hospital administrator Sister Teopista looks dejected oustide the hospital after the floods struck. Photo by John Thawite “Various well-wishers, including Mukwano Group of Companies, Unicef, the Office of the Prime Minister, Kasese Municipal Council, Hima Cement Factory, have donated assorted food and non-food items,” Wilson Asaaba, the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer and disaster focal person, told the media Friday.  Other relief aid, Asaaba said, has also come from the Chinese-owned Tibet Hima Mining Company Ltd, the Uganda Red Cross Society and Kasese Nail and Wood Industries.  But as Alex Kwatampora, a mining engineering geologist and project manager of Tibet-Hima Mining Company as well as Speaker of Kasese Municipal Council, warns that unless the floods in the Rwenzori region are handled strategically, many efforts and resources might continue running down the drain. “Good Geo-environmental management practices must be effected and the local governments should not underestimate the devastating effects that may arise due to further floods, excessive soil erosions, earthquake occurrences and landslides,” he says. Related stories Causes of River Nyamambwa floods Sand mining poses risk to Kasese’s largest river Works on Nyamwamba river start after flood disaster"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/655558-floods-museveni-rushes-to-kasese.html","content":" - By Vision Reporter President Yoweri Museveni traveled to the western district of Kasese on Wednesday to assess the damage caused by the floods after River Nyamwamba burst its banks which left four people dead. A seven-month-pregnant woman was among the dead at St Paul’s Health Centre IV in Kasese Municipality a day after she was evacuated from Kilembe Mines Hospital. The expectant mother and three others died in the process of being evacuated from the hospital to save them from floods. President Museveni inspected the damage caused by the floods after River Nyamwamba burst its banks leaving scores displaced. PHOTO/PPU On May 8, River Nyamwamba, which is next to the Kilembe hospital, burst its banks again, following a heavy downpour in the Rwenzori Mountains. Two newborn babies and a 77-year-old woman died in the stampede as patients and their caretakers fled the hospital to escape the raging floods. The St Paul Health centre IV in-charge, Dr. Ibrahim Kakule Masinda, named the deceased as Sharon Tusingwire, 30, wife to Sharif Nyaruhima of Mowlem village in from Hima Town Council. Kakule said she was one of the 58 patents evacuated from Kilembe and relocated to the health facility. “By the time she reached here she was in a coma and her foetus was already dead, leading to internal foetal death,” he said on Friday. “When we received her she was critically ill and in a coma. She did not come out of this coma. When we scanned her to ascertain the status of the pregnancy, we discovered that the foetus was dead,” he said. He said Tusingwire’s husband, who had gone home on Thursday to organise the family after the evacuation from Kilembe, had not returned. RELATED STORIES Sand mining poses risk to Kasese’s largest river Kasese floods: Rwenzururu king petitions gov’t"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/655435-works-on-nyamwamba-river-start-after-flood-disaster.html","content":" - By John Thawite KASESE - Efforts are underway to tame River Nyamwamba which burst its banks due to flooding last week, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. At the request of the district leadership, Hima Cement Factory released its PC400 excavator to start re-channeling the river, starting upstream at Bulembia Primary School. “We are determined to support the local communities to cope with this recurrent disaster from the floods. The district can use the excavator as long as it needs to address the problem,” Hima Cement’s plant manager Peter J. Robson told New Vision. An Assistant Chief Administrative Officer (ACAO), Wilson Asaaba, said another excavator working on Mubuku Irrigation Scheme would be deployed to de-silt and redirect the river. The river has since last year shifted from its original course during floods and as a result has destroyed public and domestic infrastructure along the river valley. Eight people, including a former Kasese district procurement and disposal officer, Paddy Karusu, were killed during the May 2013 floods. One year on, it has been déjà vu, with the forces of nature striking once again in the same spot. Just last week – on Thursday – floods forced Kilembe Mines Hospital to evacuate 195 in-patients and transfer them to various health facilities in Kasese Municipality. (PHOTOs by John Thawite) This classroom block at Bulembia Primary School was not spared The deserted Kilembe Mines Hospital has remained closed since the evacuation of in-patients The fierce waters have left a huge wave of destruction in their wake In the latest disaster, the river raided the Kilembe Mines administrative offices, causing extensive damage to the buildings and office documents and equipment.   Counting the costs Part of the river has now developed along the road being constructed past the offices of Terrain Construction Company. Five of the company’s office blocks have been badly hit, says Alex Byaruhanga, the Kilembe Mines chief account.   Housed in some of the damaged buildings were various copper samples, mining drills and the main water sedimentation pump. Byaruhanga said the floods had also damaged the company’s heavy-duty transformer and the rest of the power supply system, paralyzing the entire Kilembe area, including the main hospital there. The river floods destroyed two classroom blocks of Bulembia Primary School, and left others hanging dangerously over the river banks as more water continued digging in. The effects of the floods are very clear, and many will be counting huge costs A Kilembe Mines office block dangling over the ferocious river The Police supplying water to Kilembe residents following a breakdown in water supply Janet Muhindo, a Senior Four student of Mitandi Secondary School, lies at St. Paul's Health Centre IV after being evacuated from Kilembe Mines Hospital Police had by the weekend moved in to supply water to the residents following the breakdown of the water supply in the area. The electricity supply was cut off during the floods, disabling the water supply system, said Byaruhanga. John Baluku, the western St John’s Ambulance Commissioner and disaster minister in the Rwenzururu Kingdom, expressed fear of a likely water-borne disease outbreak. He said he was lobbying a standby ambulance from the St John’s Kampala office to handle possible emergencies. “Now that Kilembe Hospital is not functioning, our health staff are scattered, we have to be prepared for any eventualities,” he said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/655413-pregnant-woman-dies-in-devastating-kasese-floods.html","content":" - By John Thawite KASESE - A seven-month-pregnant woman died Friday at St Paul’s Health Centre IV in Kasese Municipality a day after she was evacuated from Kilembe Mines Hospital after River Nyamwamba burst its banks. This brings to four the number of patients who have died in the process of being evacuated from the hospital to save them from floods. On May 8, River Nyamwamba, which is next to the Kilembe hospital, burst its banks again, following a heavy downpour in the Rwenzori Mountains. Two newborn babies and a 77-year-old woman died in the stampede as patients and their caretakers fled the hospital to escape the raging floods. (PHOTOGRAPHY by Ali Wasswa) Gushing floods have destroyed everything in its way The St Paul Health centre IV in-charge, Dr. Ibrahim Kakule Masinda, named the deceased as Sharon Tusingwire, 30, wife to Sharif Nyaruhima of Mowlem village in from Hima Town Council. Kakule said she was one of the 58 patents evacuated from Kilembe and relocated to the health facility. ‘By the time she reached here she was in a coma and her foetus was already dead, leading to internal foetal death,” he said on Friday. “When we received her she was critically ill and in a coma. She did not come out of this coma. When we scanned her to ascertain the status of the pregnancy, we discovered that the foetus was dead,” he said. He said Tusingwire’s husband, who had gone home on Thursday to organise the family after the evacuation from Kilembe, had not returned. Giant waves smashing against what is left of buildings He said the other patients, whom he described as critically and chronically ill, were recovering. The hospital medical superintendent, Dr. Edward Wafula, said there were 195 patients admitted to the hospital before the floods occurred at about 9am Thursday. All the patients were evacuated by ambulances, government vehicles and private cars. “The patients and their caretakers started fleeing for their lives, so we decided to help out those who were in critical condition,” Dr. Wafula said.   Kilembe health teams follow patients Teams of Kilembe Hospital health workers, led by the hospital Medical Superintendent, Dr. Edward Wefula and his deputy, Dr. Robert Tiondi, had by Friday morning started moving to health facilities to which their patients had been re-located. “We are concerned about the health of our patients so we have decided to follow them up to assist in responding to their health challenges,” Dr Wefula said. Electricity wires hanging low after floods destroyed poles “We shall serve them in three shifts – morning, afternoon and evening as we do at Kilembe,” Wefula said. But by press time on Friday, some of the relatives had started shifting their patients from Kasese Municipality Health centre III and Bishop Masereka Medical centre to Kagando and Bwera Hospitals. Most families that had returned to some parts of Kilembe valley were by press time relocating to Kasese Town. An emergency response team comprising of officers from UPDF, district and several local organisations is traversing flood-hit areas in Kasese to rescue victims and assess damage. Defence minister Crispus Kiyonga (in coat) assessing the aftermath of Thursday's floods Wilson Asaba, the assistant chief administrative officer and focal person on disaster told New Vision that relief efforts would focus on draining the river Mubuku bed. “We are mobilizing equipment to deepen the river bed and remove some boulders so that the river can flow freely,” Asaba explained. Asaba said the team was conducting a thorough assessment of the damaged caused by the floods Meanwhile, the Rwenzururu king has requested Government and other agencies to comprehensively research into the causes of the floods that have increasingly caused death and destruction in the Rwenzori region. Five major rivers, Rwimi, Mubuku, Nyamwamba, Nyamugasani and Lhubiriha have recently been simultaneously bursting their banks flooding neighbouring communities. Floods swept giant boulders causing mayhem to people's homes In the first week of May last year, the rivers flooded killing 8 people destroying gardens and infrastructure valued at over sh35b. The worst hit facilities included Kilembe Mines Hospital, in the former copper-mining Kilembe Mines valley, which stand next to River Nyamwamba. In a press statement, the king, Charles Wesley Mumbere, Charles Wesley Mumbere Irema-Ngoma, “My family and I are deeply touched and extended our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to all who were affected by yesterday’s floods in Kasese,” he said.   RELATED STORIES River Nyamwamba spills wrath Five perish as fresh floods hit Kasese Sand mining poses risk to Kasese’s largest river"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/655412-kasese-floods-rwenzururu-king-petitions-gov-t.html","content":" - By John B. Thawite The Rwenzururu king has asked the government and other agencies to comprehensively research into the causes of the floods that have increasingly caused death and destruction in the Rwenzori region. Five major rivers – Rwimi, Mubuku, Nyamwamba, Nyamugasani and Lhubiriha – have recently burst their banks, flooding neighbouring communities. In the first week of May last year, the rivers flooded and as a result killed eight people. Several gardens and infrastructure valued at over sh35 billion were destroyed. The worst-hit facilities included Kilembe Mines Hospital, in the former copper-mining Kilembe Mines valley, which stand next to River Nyamwamba. In the latest incident on Thursday, the river burst its banks again, causing a stampede at the hospital. During the evacuation of some195 in-patients, a 77-year-old woman who had been admitted with acute malaria but was due for discharge that day was trampled to death in one of the wards as she was trying to flee for safety. Two babies in the intensive care also died as the health delivery system, including electricity, collapsed. Some of the Kilembe residents take refuge on the hills overlooking their flooded homes. PHOTO/John Thawite    In a press statement, King Charles Wesley Mumbere Irema-Ngoma, said: “My family and I are deeply touched and extend our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to all who were affected by yesterday’s floods in Kasese,” he said. He regretted the incident but quickly called on the central and local governments to intervene and mitigate further disasters in the area. “As government plans to intervene, we as a cultural institution will also lay other mitigation measures such that similar situations do not occur again,” said the cultural leader. Mumbere asked all people to continue planting trees on hills, dig contours to conserve the soils, cover the soils during cultivation to avoid landslides and erosion of the soils by flowing waters."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/655378-five-perish-as-fresh-floods-hit-kasese.html","content":" - By John Thawite & Taddeo Bwambale KASESE - Two new-born babies and a 77-year-old woman died on Thursday in a stampede at Kilembe Mines Hospital, as patients fled the hospital to escape approaching floods. Two other unidentified people's bodies were seen floating down River Nyamwamba by eyewitnesses, although authorities had not identified them by press time. The floods that hit the area at around 9.30 am on Thursday, cut off the Katiri -Kyanzuki road, which leads to the main Kilembe Mines offices and Kyanzuki. One of the deceased (elderly woman) identified as Lucia Bwongereze, a resident of Ibanda, Bugoye Sub-County, had tried to run but fell and was stepped on by other patients. Bwongereze, who had been receiving treatment for acute malaria, due to be discharged later on Thursday, according to Kilembe Mines Hospital's Medical Superintendent, Dr Edward Wefula. The two babies, two and four days old, were in the intensive care unit and died as hospital staff struggled to evacuate them.  Kilembe Hospital closed By last evening, Kilembe Hospital had been temporarily closed, pending an assessment by authorities, the health ministry's spokesperson, Rukia Nakamatte confirmed. Dr Edward Wefula told New Vision that 195 in-patients who were admitted at the hospital were evacuated to nearby government health facilities. A deserted ward at Kilembe Hospital after fears that River Nyamwamba would overflow again. PHOTO/John Thawite Floods waters flow beneath the newly repaired Katiri Bridge in Kilembe. PHOTO/John Thawite Some of the patients were taken to Kasese Municipality Health Centre III, St Paul's Medical Centre and Bishop Masereka Medical Centre and Kagando Hospital. In May last year, Kasese district was hit by floods that left seven people dead, 17 bridges swept and Kilembe Mines Hospital structures and equipment destroyed. Kilembe Mines Hospital was affected by the floods which engulfed wards and destroyed medical equipment, forcing services to be temporarily suspended. The latest floods hit the district just seven days after the district held a church service at Kilembe memory of last year's floods. Residents prayed to God requesting that incident does not again. Patients were thrown into panic when water flowed towards the hospital buildings, although it did not enter, the District Health Officer, Dr Peter Mukobi, explained. Wilson Asaba, the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and focal person on disaster said the district had urgent need for a tractor-bulldozer to deepen the course of River Nyamwamba in order to restrain floods. \"We appeal to central government and partners for the equipment to help us deepen the river bed and remove the boulders for water to retrained,\" Asaba explained. Residents trapped All the houses in Kanyaruboga village were flooded, forcing residents to scamper in various directions. Some escaped via a hill overlooking Kanyaruboga village. Little Matthias Bwambale fled the floods saying he did not know where his parents had gone. PHOTO/John Thawite A resident of Kanyaruboga village in Kilembe attempts to escape after water surrounded his house. PHOTO/John Thawite Margaret Biira, a mother of eight children blamed government for having done little to avert the disaster since last year. Some parts of Kilembe, Kasese town and surrounding areas were cut off by the floods although no casualties had been recorded by last evening. However, Police was by press time struggling to rescue one person who had been trapped by the flooding River Nyamwamba.  The district police commander Kasese Michael Musani Sabilah identified the victim only as Masumbuko. Simultaneous floods also destroyed the bridges at Rivers Kithakena and Nyamughasani in Maliba and Kyalumba sub-counties respectively. At a district emergency meeting held at Kilembe yesterday, the district leaders regretted the incident saying their efforts to tame the river were frustrated by lack of suitable equipment. Along with district authorities, the Police Fire brigade moved to several areas to rescue residents and property as thick rain clouds built up further in the mountains. Mine offices closed By press time offices for Kilembe Mines Ltd and Tibet Hima mining company in Kanyaruboga were inaccessible and staff had sought refuge down in Kasese town. Stranded residents ponder their next move after their homes were flooded. PHOTO/John Thawite Kilembe Hospital administrator Sister Teopista looks dejected oustide the hospital after the floods struck. PHOTO/John Thawite Alex Byaruhanga, the Kilembe Mines Chief Accountant narrated that the mining company's administrative offices were flooded, forcing a group of Chinese to flee via a village path.  School destroyed Two classrooms at Bulembia Primary School, a foot bridge constructed at Kyanzuki after last year's floods and a newly renovated tarmac road between Katiri and Bulembia. A pupil at the school who walked the 12 kilometre distance from the Kyanzuki to Kasese town with her mother, father and three siblings said: \"We have nowhere to study from since our school has been razed down like the Nurses village was last year.\" More rains Last month, the Department of Meteorology warned that most parts of the country would experience adverse weather in the months of April and May. According to the weather forecast, the rain season is expected to peak in mid-May and reduce in early June, with western Uganda districts receiving near-normal to above normal rains. State minister for relief and disaster preparedness, Musa Ecweru said Government was assessing the emergency and support to the district was being considered."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/654641-rainy-season-nema-warns-of-severe-disasters.html","content":" - By Francis Kagolo                                                      The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has warned of likely severe disasters like landslides, lightning and floods ahead of the peak of the current rain season.    Addressing the press at the NEMA House in Kampalaon Wednesday, environment experts called for increased sensitisation campaigns for people to depart disaster-prone areas in time.    “The meteorology department’s prediction is that we are now towards the peak of the rain season. But soils have already received enough moisture and are now saturated,” said Dr. Festus Bagora, NEMA’s director for natural resources.    He added, “Rainstorms will find the ground wet and are likely to cause floods and landslides. People should be prepared; we are likely to have catastrophic incidents.”   In the recent past Uganda has witnessed catastrophes including landslides, lightning, floods, drought, fires and earthquakes which have worsened in the last decade due to global warming resulting from widespread environmental degradation.   NEMA’s latest report shows that weather-related disasters killed 1,102 Ugandans and affected close to 3.4 million others mostly between 2007 and 2013.     Of the deaths, 508 accrued from landslides, 191 from lightning, 150 from earthquakes, and 40 from floods among other catastrophes.    More disasters have happened this year. At least 100 households were left homeless in Ngetta and Lira Sub Counties in Lira district and six people admitted in critical condition at Lira Regional Referral Hospital after heavy rains demolished their houses last month.   According to Dr. Goretti Kitutu, NEMA’s environment information systems specialist, lightning should come first on the list of worries to safeguard against because Uganda is ranked second among the lightning-prone countries in the world.     “During rain, you can only be comfortable when you are in Karamoja. Otherwise, almost the rest of the country is prone to lightning,” she said, asking the education ministry to procure lightning arresters for schools countrywide.      Bagora, who last month sensitised residents of Manafwa district in the Mount Elgon region about landslides, said all Uganda’s highlands are prone to mudslides because they are steep and receive higher volumes of rainfall.   “Residents of highlands are normally reluctant to relocate from their homesteads mainly due to cultural attachments. But it is now time to resettle them on safer slopes,” he suggested.      NEMA’s Natural Resources Management Specialist on Soil and Land Use Dr. Festus Bagoora and Public Relations Officer,  Naomi Karekaho addressing Journalists about the weather changes and environmental degradation at NEMA offices. Photo by Abou Kisige   The rainfall forecast released by the Ministry of Water and Environment shows that normal rains will continue up to May while some parts of the country will receive above normal rains.    Eastern and south eastern districts will have near normal rains, with the rain season expected to peak in April through early May.   In the northern districts, the steady rains will peak around late April to early May.  In the western region, the rains were expected to peak around late March to early April. The region is expected to receive near normal to more rain than usual.    Rains in the central and Lake Victoria basin areas will intensify and peak around mid-April. The cessation is expected around late May to early June.    Releasing the forecast early last month, Michael Nkalubo, the commissioner for meteorology said weather forecasts are up to 70% accurate.    This means that some areas expected to receive normal rains may experience flood situations, while other areas expected to get a lot of rain, may experience poor rainfall distribution.   NEMA has called for the intensification of reforestation efforts, explaining that forests had the capacity to block most disasters including lightning and floods.    “We are struggling to have economic growth yet whenever we get disasters, they push us backwards. We need to conserve the environment to safeguard ourselves,” Dr. Kitutu said.   Related stories   Entebbe, Tororo more prone to lightning strikes Publish Date: Feb 07, 2013   Landslides hit Mbale, over 50 homesteads affected Publish Date: Jul 19, 2012   Two villages buried in Bududa landslides Publish Date: Jun 25, 2012"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/654050-climate-change-boosts-conflict-risk-hunger.html","content":" - YOKOHAMA - Soaring carbon emissions will amplify the risk of conflict, hunger, floods and migration this century, the UN's expert panel said Monday in a landmark report on the impact of climate change. Left unchecked, greenhouse gas emissions may cost trillions of dollars in damage to property and ecosystems, and in bills for shoring up climate defences, it said. The report said the impact of climate change was already being felt and would increase with every additional degree that temperatures rise. \"Increasing magnitudes of warming increase the likelihood of severe, pervasive, and irreversible impacts,\" a summary said, in a stark message to policymakers. The report is the second chapter of the fifth assessment by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), set up in 1988 to provide neutral, science-based guidance to governments. \"It's a toolkit for managing climate change, but it also provides a framework for understanding, a mindset for understanding climate change and its implications,\" Chris Field of the Carnegie Institution, co-chairman of the group of scientists who authored the report, told AFP. These hefty documents -- running to thousands of pages -- have a political impact that can resound for years. The last overview, published in 2007, earned the panel a co-share in the Nobel Peace Prize and unleashed a wave of political action that strived, but failed, to forge a worldwide treaty on climate change in Copenhagen in 2009. The new document, unveiled in Yokohama after a five-day meeting, gives the starkest warning yet by the IPCC of extreme consequences from climate change, and delves into greater detail than ever before into the impact at regional level. It builds on previous IPCC forecasts that global temperatures will rise 0.3-4.8 degrees Celsius (0.5-8.6 degrees Fahrenheit) this century, on top of roughly 0.7 Celsius since the Industrial Revolution. Seas are forecast to rise by 26-82 centimetres (10-32 inches) by 2100. Warming of around two degrees Celsius over pre-industrial times may cost 0.2-2.0 percent of global annual income, said the new report. UN members have pledged to hammer out a global pact by the end of 2015 to limit warming to 2 C above pre-industrial levels. The UN says soaring carbon emissions will amplify hunger and risk of conflict. Here, a group of displaced South Sudanese fight for food at a settlement. PHOTO/AFP Security risk The impact amplifies with every degree and beyond 4 C could be disastrous, said the report. Climate change could drive turbulence and conflict, prompted by migration from newly uninhabitable areas and jockeying for water and food, it said. \"Climate change has a tendency to act as a threat multiplier whatever the current range of stressors is,\" said Field. \"There are many things that make people vulnerable, and when you combine a climate shock with these factors, you can have bad outcomes.\" Rainfall patterns will be disrupted, resulting in a significantly higher flood risk, especially for Europe and Asia -- and magnified drought risks will add to water stress in arid, heavily populated areas, the report says. This, in turn, will have consequences for agriculture. Yields of staples such as wheat, rice and corn will be squeezed, just as demand will soar because of population growth, it predicts. The report says climate change will also have a ricochet effect on health, through the spread of mosquito- or water-borne diseases and heatwaves. Vulnerable plant and animal species, especially in fragile coral reefs and Arctic habitats, could be wiped out. Adding a further grim layer to the warning, the report said the most vulnerable ecosystems faced a potential \"tipping point\" that could pitch them into unstoppable decline. The report said the danger could be substantially reduced, especially for those alive at the end of the century, if greenhouse-gas emissions are cut swiftly. Even so, countries will have to shore up their defences -- for instance, by making water supplies, coastal areas, homes and transport more climate-resilient. Poor, tropical nations will be hit harder than rich countries in temperate zones. Many of the measures for adapting to climate change are easy and cheap, said the report. They include reducing water wastage, planting parks to ease heat build-up in cities, and preventing people from settling in places that are exposed to extreme weather events. The report was hailed by campaign groups as a call to arms for political leaders around the world. \"It's not just polar bears, coral reefs and the rain forest under threat. It is us,\" said Kaisa Kosonen, senior political adviser for Greenpeace International. \"Climate change's impact can now be detected everywhere. It's already hurting us. How bad it will get depends on the choices we will make in the future. We are at cross roads. \"Governments own this report. Now we expect them to take it home and act on it, speeding up a transition to clean, safe and renewable energy for all.\" AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/653695-china-hit-by-new-flood-of-dead-pigs-in-river.html","content":" - BEIJING - Chinese authorities have found 157 dead pigs in a river, state media said Wednesday, underscoring the country's food safety problems a year after 16,000 carcasses were discovered in Shanghai's main waterway. The dead porkers were recovered from the Gan river in Jiangxi, which supplies drinking water to the provincial capital Nanchang, the official news agency Xinhua said. Tests showed that the tap water remains safe for drinking, it said, citing Nanchang authorities. The Gan is a tributary of the Yangtze, one of China's main waterways. \"Another 20 pigs have been fished out of the Gan River, for a total of 157,\" state broadcaster CCTV said on an account on Sina Weibo, a Chinese version of Twitter. Photos posted by CCTV showed staff in white clothing and face masks inspecting carcasses lined up on a riverbank. Ear tags indicated the animals came from Zhangshu, which is part of Yichun city in the central Chinese province, CCTV said, citing Jiangxi's agriculture department. An official with the Yichun agriculture bureau surnamed Zhao told AFP it was unclear where the pigs originated, while Zhangshu authorities could not immediately be reached. A year ago China was stunned by the appearance of more than 16,000 dead pigs floating along parts of the Huangpu river which flows through Shanghai -- one of a series of food-safety scandals in recent years. No official explanation was given for the incident, which hugely embarrassed China's commercial hub. Last May police detained 900 people for crimes including selling rat and fox meat as beef and mutton. And in 2008 six babies died and 300,000 others fell ill in a massive scandal involving contaminated milk powder. Public concern about food safety is high. In his address to China's parliament this month Premier Li Keqiang pledged to \"apply the strictest possible oversight, punishment and accountability to prevent and control food contamination and ensure that every bite of food we eat is safe\". AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/652688-fille-thrills-love-birds-at-honey-lamb-shindig.html","content":" - By Solomon Muleyi    February 14th was here, last week on a Friday and again, Ugandans went crazy. They fell in and out of love constantly, the same way every restaurant in town was flooded with a sea of beautifully selected red and black attires because it was the proverbial dress theme for Valentine.   But the one theme that Kampala’s lovers were hooting and whistling about all over social media was Honey lamb at MacKinnon suites so that is where I was too.    By 7:30 pm, revelers had started strolling in, carefully, they trudged the red carpet like they were entering heaven, like looking like the best love birds would be the ticket to heaven.     A revelers helping his date to a seat . Picture by Nicholas Oneal   Their ladies hands nestled around their arms, matching like it were a wedding through the aisle of ushers on the entrance and into the spacious diner where the night’s events would ensue.    The stage was in the middle of the diner to enable those sited upstairs have a good view of whatever was happening. Every couple was handed a bottle of wine at entrance and this helped the revelers plunge deeper in the night’s promises.    Shortly after dinner was served, Fille walked onto stage to do a few of those songs. I use the word “those” because the songs were known, well, to only her and the producers. And the crowd also looked on, in pity, like she was a lost lamb till she did P Squares personally.    Maybe they screamed, maybe, but I didn’t hear, yes, I didn’t so let’s flip this page to when Jackie performed “Agassi”.    She can jump that girl. And she can sing. She can jump, sing and dance at the same time and she won’t pant or drop a sweat after it all. That is why the crowd was awe struck, their eyes glued to the stage, like they had forgotten that she made headlines in the Kampala sun newspaper over stealing a man.     A couple drenched in valentine bliss.Picture by Nicholas Oneal   So whether she was there with a stolen man, or a borrowed man for that matter didn’t seem to bother the crowd for it was her business, the crowd seemed to say, as they nodded, waved and stomped leisurely at her music.   She also did Gold digger. A song about digging gold, literally translated as “de-toothing”, or to articulate, the act where ladies ask for a lot of money from men they don’t like or love.    Extortion really? Talking about women extorting men on Valentine’s Day wasn’t a nice feat. But the crowd loved it anyway and just when they thought they’d had the best performance, Jamal plucked a high note on his vocal guitar and continued onto stage amid crazy ululations.    The women wanted him to be their valentine, they almost (some completely) forgot they had men around them when they set to the stage to cheer and touch him with love, with valentine love, I presumed.   He sung ‘Abakyala bazira’, ‘Anakwagala anavawa’, and then left the stage for Fille to make redemption.  She came back, this time dressed in a white dress that hugged her body to detail. She did “where have you been at” to send the crowd into a thunderous ululation. Like it wasn’t the girl they muted on a few hours earlier.    She commanded the crowd all through her songs, as they waved, attempted to dance but the zonk wouldn’t let them and to climax the night, she was joined by Vampiino to do her current hit “good loving”.    It became the point they were waiting for and just after the performance, the crowd proceeded home, with romantic intentions screaming out of their facial expressions at mid night.    A couple sharing a meal. Picture by Nicholas Oneal"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/652376-torrential-disaster-in-burundi-capital-kills-51-people.html","content":" - At least 51 people perished in flooding and landslides in a night of torrential rain in the Burundi capital that swept away hundreds of homes and cut off roads and power, officials said Monday. Police in Bujumbura said the toll was the highest in living memory from a disaster caused by freak weather, with more than 100 people also injured. \"The rain that fell in torrents overnight on the capital caused a disaster,\" Security Minister Gabriel Nizigama told reporters. \"We have already found the bodies of 51 people killed when their houses collapsed or were swept away.\" Nizigama said burials of the victims would begin on Monday because there was not enough space for their bodies in the capital's mortuaries. He was speaking at a police station in the northern part of Bujumbura, the area hardest hit by the landslides and flooding after the rains began lashing the capital late Sunday. An AFP journalist saw 27 bodies covered in white sheeting at the police station. Police said several hundred homes were destroyed and more than 100 people injured in Bujumbura, which lies on the northeastern shore of Lake Tanganyika. Houses in the poorer parts of town are often built from mud bricks, which offer no resistance to torrents of water and mud. Nizigama, touring the disaster zone with other ministers, promised food aid to those who lost their homes and said the government would bear the cost of burying relatives and would provide new housing. Torrential rain fell solidly for 10 hours overnight, causing power cuts in whole areas of the city. The road leading out of the capital to neighbouring Rwanda was blocked because of a landslide while a bridge was washed away on the road to the Democratic Republic of Congo. AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/651637-ncs-set-to-resolve-uaf-wrangles.html","content":" - By James Bakama Tomorrow: UAF meets petitioners Saturday: UAF elections AS petitions flood in protesting Uganda Athletics Federation’s elections this weekend, NCS has called for talks between the clashing parties. The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow at 10am. In yet another development, UAF will today also announce a new returning officer in replacement of Uganda Olympic Committee president William Blick. “We want the petitioners to sit with UAF on a round table. We don’t want scenarios where business is being interrupted by court injunctions,” said NCS chairman Bosco Onyik. Council’s call for talks follows a rise in petitions from 12 last week to 22 yesterday. The Acholi sub region was the latest to show discontent with six petitions. The petitioners led by former national athlete Julius Achon not only question returning officer William Blick’s neutrality, but also the fairness of the process bringing forth delegates. Achon has threatened to seeks justice in the courts of law should NCS fail to stop Saturday’s assembly.  UAF is accused of being selective in formation of the general assembly that will elect a new executive on Saturday. The petitioners don’t see Blick as a fair choice UAF were part of the electorate that voted him into office. But when UAF president Domenic Otuchet was contacted yesterday he said he was yet to be informed of the talks. “As far as I am concerned, there is an organising committee meeting for the Africa Cross-Country Championships at the same time,” noted Otuchet adding that his executive can only participate in tomorrow’s proceedings if the time is changed. Otuchet insists that as far as h is concerned, there is no power struggle in the federation. “All I can say, we are following the constitution and the assembly will go ahead as planned.” Otuchet said UAF’s decision to replace Blick was not after pressure from the petitioners but due to absence of the UOC boss. “We don’t have any doubts about his integrity. But he is out of the country, and in such situations, the executive is mandated to appoint a replacement. You will have the name of the new returning officer tomorrow.” He insists that the petitioners are ineligible for the assembly.  “Some have no voting rights by virtue of the fact that by the time the federation’s constitution was made in 2005 they were yet to get district status.”  He cited Kapchorwa, which in the UAF constitution is a single block yet in the current local government set up is divided into Bukwo, Kween and Kapchorwa districts."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/651002-thousands-flood-camp-in-central-african-republic.html","content":" - BANGUI - More than 100,000 people displaced by inter-religious violence in Central African Republic are sheltering at a makeshift camp at Bangui airport, a medical charity said on Sunday, calling for urgent aid. Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) said it was receiving between 15 and 20 wounded a day at the site from fighting in the riverside capital, where the deployment of French and African peacekeepers in early December has failed to halt violence. Attacks by Muslim Seleka rebels, who seized power in March, and Christian militias have killed more than 1,000 people and displaced an estimated 400,000 in Bangui this month. MSF said the airport camp, which stretches for kilometres beside the runway, lacked proper sanitation as well as supplies of food and water as U.N. agencies have failed to keep pace with the scale of the problem. \"If nothing is done in the next two weeks there is a risk of an epidemic breaking out,\" said Lindis Hurum, MSF coordinator at the airport camp. \"MSF demands an increase in the emergency actions being taken by humanitarian agencies.\" Without proper infrastructure at the camp, thousands of families are sheltering from the tropical sun under cardboard boxes or makeshift tents made of blankets tied to sticks. Despite the conditions, a spike in violence in recent weeks has driven tens of thousands of people to airport, which is patrolled by Burundian soldiers from the African Union peacekeeping force (MISCA) and lies next to a French military base. French troops in armoured vehicles guard the main gates. \"We are short of everything here. Food is scarce,\" said Samuel Degoto, 49, a teacher, who fled from his home in northern Bangui with his wife and seven children, carrying only a few bags. \"If nothing is done before the next crisis strikes, there will be a catastrophe.\" ISOLATED LOOTING The United Nations launched an appeal on Friday for $152 million to help meet emergency humanitarian needs such as drinking water and sanitation in makeshift camps in the former French colony. It estimates that more than 800,000 people are displaced across the country as a whole. Bangui was mostly calm for a second day on Sunday, aside from some isolated looting. An attempt by Christian youths from the northern Boy-Rabe neighbourhood to attack Muslims in the nearby Miskine district was blocked by French peacekeepers, a Reuters witness said. The 'anti-balaka' militia have targeted Muslims they say have supported Seleka during months of looting and killing since it seized power in March. With many Seleka gunmen coming from Chad, its citizens in particular have been singled out, prompting their government to organise flights and convoys this week to bring them home. Chad says it has evacuated some 4,000 of its citizens over the last week. Many say the bloodshed has little to do with religion in a nation where Muslims and Christians had long lived in peace. Instead, they blame a political battle for control over resources in one of Africa's most weakly governed states. French President Francois Hollande told U.N. Secretary Ban Ki-moon by telephone on Friday he wanted greater U.N. involvement in Central African Republic. Ban is preparing a proposal for a possible U.N. peacekeeping mission."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/650849-storms-leave-50-000-uk-homes-without-power.html","content":" - LONDON - Some 50,000 homes in Britain were without power on Christmas Day following recent storms, while hundreds of people were evacuated Wednesday due to flooding. Meanwhile London Gatwick Airport was struggling with power outages in parts of its North Terminal, causing delays to departing flights. High winds and heavy rain battered parts of Europe on Monday and Tuesday, with some areas still reeling from the aftermath. The Energy Networks Association said around 50,000 homes remained without electricity. They are largely in the east and southeast of England. \"It's likely that some people will still be off on Boxing Day (Thursday),\" said spokesman Tim Field. Power company UK Power Networks offered to pay for Christmas dinners in local pubs or restaurants for people whose supplies remain cut off. Around 90 people were evacuated from 3:00am (0300 GMT) from their homes by the River Stour near Bournemouth on the south coast due to floods, emergency services said. In southeast England, evacuations took place in the London commuter belt towns of Dorking, Leatherhead, Guildford, Godalming and Tonbridge, emergency services added. Meanwhile the coastguard rescued people from a caravan park in Yalding, after chest-deep river waters cut the site off. All together, hundreds of people were evacuated, emergency services added. London Gatwick, Britain's second-busiest airport, was running a full schedule following cancellations in the run-up to Christmas. However, \"there are still power outages in parts of our North Terminal,\" it said, due to the weather. \"These are causing delays to departing flights and our engineers are on site rectifying this.\" All departures were operating from the South Terminal, except for British Airways flights. AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/650316-thai-pm-calls-elections-as-100-000-join-protests.html","content":" - Thailand's premier called a snap election Monday to try to defuse the kingdom's political crisis but protesters kept up their fight to topple her government with an estimated 100,000 demonstrators flooding the streets of Bangkok. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has faced more than a month of sometimes-violent street protests by demonstrators who want to suspend the country's democracy in favour of an unelected \"People's Council\". Thai opposition lawmakers resigned en masse from parliament Sunday, deepening the political deadlock. Yingluck, the sister of ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra, announced in a televised national address Monday that she would dissolve parliament and hold a general election \"as soon as possible\". \"The government does not want any loss of life,\" she said, amid fears that the mass rallies could bring fresh violence. The election move could increase pressure on protesters to agree to some kind of compromise with the government. But the leaders of the anti-government movement said that they were not satisfied with new elections, pledging to rid Thailand of the influence of Thaksin, a tycoon-turned-premier who was ousted by royalist generals in a coup seven years ago and now lives abroad. \"The movement will keep on fighting. Our goal is to uproot the Thaksin regime. Although the House is dissolved and there will be new elections, the Thaksin regime is still in place,\" protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban told AFP. \"My people want more than dissolution. They are determined to regain their sovereignty,\" he said. Thaksin -- who once described Yingluck as his \"clone\" -- is widely considered the de facto leader of the ruling party. Pro-Thaksin parties have won every election in more than a decade and despite the mass protests, many experts believe Yingluck's party is likely to triumph in new elections. The opposition Democrat Party -- which said Sunday its 153 MPs were resigning from the 500-seat lower house because they could not achieve anything in parliament -- has not won an elected majority in about two decades. 100,000 protesters take to the streets Around 100,000 people were estimated to have joined the protests by mid-morning, according to the government's Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order, which was set up to deal with the unrest. Demonstrators marched along several routes through the capital towards the government headquarters -- the main target of the rally -- paralysing traffic in parts of the city. Thaksin's overthrow ushered in years of political turmoil and sometimes bloody street protests by the royalist \"Yellow Shirts\" and the rival pro-Thaksin \"Red Shirts\". Tensions remain high in the kingdom after several days of street clashes last week when police used tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets against rock-throwing demonstrators. The unrest has left five people dead and more than 200 injured. The authorities have said they would try to avoid fresh confrontation. \"Police are unarmed, with only shields and batons. We will not use tear gas, or if we have no choice, its use will be limited,\" Interior Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan said in a televised news conference late Sunday. \"The government believes we can control the situation. We will focus on negotiation,\" he added. Demonstrators and police have observed a temporary truce since Wednesday for the 86th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is treated as a near-deity by many Thais. With turnout dwindling, Suthep had called for a final push to bring down the government. \"We want you to come out and march in every road. We will not go home empty-handed,\" the protest leader said in a speech to supporters late Sunday. The former deputy premier, who now faces an arrest warrant for insurrection, has vowed to surrender to the authorities unless enough people join the march to the government headquarters. Thailand's political conflict broadly pits a Bangkok-based middle class and royalist elite backed by the military against rural and working-class voters loyal to Thaksin. The former premier went into exile in 2008 to avoid jail for a corruption conviction which he says was politically motivated. The demonstrations were triggered by an amnesty bill, since dropped by Yingluck's ruling party, which opponents feared would have cleared the way for Thaksin's return. They are the biggest and deadliest street demonstrations since 2010, when dozens of people were killed in a military crackdown on mass pro-Thaksin Red Shirt rallies in Bangkok. AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/649652-quacks-flood-medical-laboratories.html","content":" - By Steven Candia and Diana Nassali  IT has emerged that the medical profession is riddled with people masquerading as laboratory technicians and assistants. This was disclosed on Monday after the Allied Health Professional Council on Monday ran an advert in the media alerting the public about the danger of such people. This, the council, said has grave consequences on the quality of laboratory results, diagnoses and treatment prescriptions. Though the council identified a few people who are allegedly masquerading as laboratory assistants and technicians with the aid of forged council registration certificates, the number, it said, is way bigger than that. Annet Nabbanja, the council’s legal officer, yesterday said the number of those with forged certificates is about 40, with a similar number using forged academic transcripts. She said the Police have been alerted about the vice so that the culprits are arrested and prosecuted in court.  The Allied Health Professional Council is a statutory body established to regulate, supervise and control the practice of medicine and handle other related matters of allied health professionals in Uganda. Section 55 of the Allied Health Professionals Act provides that anyone who does not register with the council but continues to practice medicine or does anything to deceive patients commits an offence. Nabbanja said most of the culprits are Senior Four leavers, who find it easy to forge the medical certificate and work as laboratory assistants and technicians despite not having undergone training. She said the culprits work in numerous health facilities, especially private clinics. The vice, Nabbanja said, has been going on for a long time and the Police have been notified of it. However, there has been little breakthrough in terms of arrests as the culprits flee upon sensing danger."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/649503-28-die-in-vietnam-floods-nine-missing.html","content":" - FLOODING in Vietnam has killed at least 28 people since Friday, with nine others missing and nearly 80,000 displaced, state media and government reports said, after a tropical depression dumped heavy rains across central regions of the country. In Quang Ngai province, where nine were killed and four people are missing, flood waters rose above a previous peak measured in 1999, submerging many houses, the official Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper reported on Sunday. Flood waters rose quickly after 15 hydro power plants in the central region opened their sluice gates to release water in reservoir protection, the newspaper reported. Around 100,000 houses were submerged and nearly 80,000 people have been evacuated, the government-run committee on floods and storm protection said in a report. Roads have been closed due to floods and some national train services cancelled. The central region, incorporating the Central Highlands coffee belt, often suffers from floods and storms between July and October. Rain since Friday disrupted the coffee harvest and bean drying in central highland provinces, thus delaying the bean flow to sea ports. Vietnam is the world's top robusta producer, accounting for around 17 percent of the world's output. More rain was forecast in the coffee-growing region on Sunday, state forecasters said. Reuters"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/649448-gulu-school-closed-again-over-floods.html","content":" - By Vision Reporter Barely a week after Pawel Ayiga Primary School in Patiko Sub County Gulu district was re-opened, the school has again been closed due to floods. Andrew Lamola Odong, the Head Teacher of the school said the school was first closed on October 28, 2013 following a directive from the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) after floods rendered the school unhygienic for pupils and teachers. Lamola said the school was re-opened on Monday and when it rained heavily, its latrines were affected by the floods causing wastes to flow on the school compound. He said requested the CAO to have the school closed since the situation there posed a health risk to pupils and teachers."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/647968-river-waiga-bursts-its-banks-paralysing-transport.html","content":" - By Ismael Kasooha and Robert Atuhaire River Waiga on the Buliisa-Masindi road has burst its banks paralysing transport to Buliisa. The river flooded on Thursday following torrential rains for the last three days in the district of Buliisa which have left several low-lying areas also flooded. The new bridge constructed to allow the transportation of machinery to the oil fields is completely submerged and vehicles are now using the old bridge which is narrow to cross. David Wanume, the Ag. Station engineer Masindi station under Uganda National roads authority-UNRA, said a team of experts has been dispatched to assess the condition of the bridge. “We have been informed of the flooding of the diversion bridge and we are in the process of doing the needful,” said Wanume. He said that the flooded bridge was constructed by Tullow oil Uganda to enable them transport equipment on wide trucks which could not use the old one. Wanume said that the existing bridge is still strong although it is risky and dangerous to allow wide trucks to use it. “We are in touch with Tullow to see how we can widen the existing bridge because it is still strong,” said Wanume. Jonathan Bintamanya, a resident in the area, told the New Vision that this new bridge always floods whenever they experience heavy rains. “This river bursts the banks every time we experience heavy rainfall and the problem has not been fixed,” said Bintamanya. John Byaruhanga, a taxi driver on the Hoima-Buliisa road, said that he is worried that the existing bridge might collapse due to the heavy trucks that have resorted to it. “We are not sure whether these heavily loaded trucks will not cause problems for us by using this old bridge,” said Byaruhanga."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/647746-fresh-sudan-fuel-protests-after-weekly-prayers.html","content":" - KHARTOUM - Sudanese flooded streets after Friday prayers in a fifth day of protests against fuel price hikes that have seen dozens killed, hundreds arrested and calls for the government's ouster. The price hikes, resulting from the government scrapping oil subsidies, have sparked the largest protests of President Omar al-Bashir's 24-year rule. Young activists have invoked chants from the Arab Spring to call for the president's downfall and security forces have been accused of gunning down more than 50 people. Activists had called for stepped-up protests after weekly Muslim prayers, and security forces responded with a massive deployment on the streets of the capital and elsewhere. Fresh protests erupted in the evening and police again fired tear gas to disperse the demonstrations who have been urged by activists to pour into the streets as well on Saturday. The interior ministry 600 had been arrested \"for participating in acts of vandalism and will be judged next week.\" The announcement came after around 2,000 protesters marched in Omdurman, the capital's twin city, chanting anti-army slogans and calling for an end to fuel price hikes, witnesses and an AFP correspondent said. A petrol station that was damaged during rioting that erupted in Khartoum. PHOTO/AFP Police deployed in large numbers and watched from a distance as the demonstrators marched down a main thoroughfare chanting \"Down to the army's power\" and \"No to price hikes.\" Soldiers stood guard outside Khartoum petrol stations as long lines of cars waited to fill up after several stations were torched or shut down in recent days. Internet access which was cut twice this week was working again on Friday. But schools have been ordered closed until Monday and most shops remain shuttered, deepening the sense of crisis and sending residents scrambling to stock up on supplies. \"I want my family to have what we need because we don't know where this is all going,\" said Ahmad Hassan, 50, as he stocked up on canned goods. In an apparent bid to impose a media blackout on the unrest, Sudanese authorities shut down the Khartoum office of pan-Arab satellite channel Al-Arabiya after summoning its correspondent for questioning, the network said. Authorities also seized or blocked publication of three newspapers, although they are considered pro-government, journalists said. The Al-Sudani and Al-Majhar al-Siassi dailies were seized at the printing press while Al-Watan was ordered not to print after covering the unrest in its Thursday edition, they said. The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies and London-based Amnesty International said 50 people were killed after being shot in the head or chest on Tuesday and Wednesday. \"Local sources and activists have put the figure much higher, in excess of 100,\" a joint statement said. They also expressed \"deep concern\" about reports of hundreds being arrested and urged the authorities \"to ensure that they are protected from torture and other ill-treatment.\" \"Shooting to kill -- including by aiming at protesters' chests and heads -- is a blatant violation of the right to life,\" said Lucy Freeman, Africa deputy director at Amnesty. Police confirmed there had been 29 fatalities after the rioting erupted on Monday, without giving further details. Medics and other sources said most had been shot dead. The European Union and the UN's rights agency expressed concern over the reported deaths. \"We particularly ask the Government of Sudan to respect the Sudanese people's right to freedom of expression, freedom of the media and freedom of assembly,\" an EU statement said. A spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva urged security forces to exercise \"utmost restraint.\" People look at burnt vehicles on September 26, 2013 in Khartoum. PHOTO/AFP 'People want the fall of the regime' The protests began Monday in Wad Madani in Gezira state south of Khartoum, the scene of the first death, and later spread to Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state, and Khartoum itself. \"The people want the fall of the regime,\" protesters, many of them students, have chanted in Khartoum, echoing the refrain of Arab Spring protests that toppled several governments in 2011. Young activists called on demonstrators to keep up \"the revolution and their protests\" until the fall of the regime, urging the security forces to side with the people. Siding with the youth activists, the Al-Umma party of main opposition leader and former premier Sadeq al-Mahdi called for \"the Sudanese people to step up the protests.\" Petrol and diesel prices at the pump shot up on Monday after fuel subsidies were scrapped in an effort to reform the economy in Sudan, where inflation was already running at 40 percent. Khartoum lost billions of dollars in oil receipts when South Sudan gained independence two years ago, taking with it about 75 percent of the formerly united country's crude production. AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/647574-super-league-stars-invade-beach-soccer.html","content":" - By James Bakama and Swalley Kenyi National Beach Soccer League Hurikken Group Nkumba 14 Fisheries 1 Fisheries 1 MUBS 8 St Lawrence 8 Zai Plaza 1 Mengo 2 Buwanika 3 Monsoon Group Kabalagala 0 Real 3 KIU 2 Richmond 4 Kira Young 4(1) Zaba SM 4(0) Braza 5 Stomers 3 BIG names in the FUFA Super League are flooding the Pepsi Beach Soccer League raising serious questions on whether the influx won’t stifle the new sport. World soccer governing body FIFA discourages players engaged in association football to also be actively involved in beach soccer competitions. This is aimed at encouraging growth of emerging variants of association football like beach, futsal and indoor soccer. FIFA presides over all these forms of football. Cranes players Steven Bengo and Saidi Kyeyune are the latest in a long list of association players flooding the local beach league. Kyeyune, who plays for Super League side URA, on Sunday turned out for St Lawrence University while KCCA midfielder Bengo featured for Buwanika Boys at Lido Beach. FUFA Super League side Kira Young has virtually its entire team also involved on the beach. It is a similar story for most of the teams that were in the just concluded University League. Uganda Beach Soccer Association chairman Deo Mutabazi said they are well aware of the urgent need for the sport to develop its own players. “But we found it necessary to use big names in association football if the game was to grow,” he explained however adding that effective next season players in established association football leagues will not be allowed on the beach. Focus There is a need for players to be focused on a particular brand of football. Each of these requires specific skills that might not apply elsewhere. In a busy beach league, it would be hard for instance for Kyeyune to perform well when he is committed elsewhere."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/646568-heavy-rains-ravage-lango.html","content":" - By Boniface Odongo Heavy rains in Lango Sub region have caused floods submerging bridges, washed away culverts and destroyed roads. In Otuke and Alebtong districts, Apak Bridge that connects the two districts has been washed away. In Kole district, most roads connecting different sub counties to the district headquarters are flooded and cut off. Kole district LC5 chairman Peter Ocen said a number of people have been affected by the impassible roads. Oyam district LC5 Chairman, Charles Okello Engola said the most affected areas include; Aleka and some parts of Aber Sub County."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/646417-more-than-300-000-affected-by-sudan-floods-who.html","content":" - More than 300,000 people across Sudan have been affected by floods which killed almost 50 people this month, the UN's World Health Organisation said in a statement received Thursday. The region around the capital Khartoum has been particularly hard-hit, where the inundation was the worst in 25 years, the UN says. \"Heavy rains and floods in Sudan have affected lives and properties of some 65,957 families or 320,000 people,\" WHO said in a report. As of Wednesday, 48 people had been killed and 70 injured, while property damage has been reported in 14 of the country's 18 states, WHO said. Interior Minister Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamed gave a higher death toll of 53 last week. The WHO said that one of the major health concerns is the collapse of almost 53,000 latrines. \"This is a huge disaster,\" Mark Cutts, who heads the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Sudan, said last week. He said the UN is ready to support the government to help those affected by the floods, even though UN humanitarian operations in Sudan \"have been severely underfunded\" in 2013. Aid workers were also assisting hundreds of thousands displaced this year by worsening fighting in the western Darfur region. More than one million more have been uprooted or severely affected by war in South Kordofan and Blue Nile."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/645878-floods-displace-over-6000-in-amuru.html","content":" - By Tony Langalanga and Jackon Kitara   Over 6000 people have been left homeless in the northern district of Amuru after Unyama stream burst its bank.       Atiak LC3 Chairman, John Bosco, said Elegu was the most affected village. The floods were caused by a heavy down pour that hit the area on Wednesday affecting several families.  The stream, which connects to River Nile is located seven kilometers away from Elegu border post along Atiak-Numule-Juba road.      “The floods washed away houses and latrines living many people stranded.  Gardens were washed away and others submerged in water,” Ocan said. According to Ocan, over 3,000 people lost property in the floods.   Joanita Nyakaisiki a businesswoman in Elegu Market said she lost 600,000 shillings and property worth millions of shillings. She appealed to the government for relief. A team from Uganda Red Cross Society,  the  ministry of disaster preparedness led by the head of the National Emergency Coordinating Centre;  Major General Julius Oketa, visited the area and asseses the damage caused by the floods. Oketa said food items and other essential household items like bedding would be delivered."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/644898-bridge-under-water-for-six-months.html","content":" - By Moses Nampala Celetyo bridge on the River Grik in Kween district on the Mbale-Namalu-Moroto road has been submerged for the past six months. Passengers said because of the state of the bridge, most commuter taxis that previously plied the route have abandoned the route, leading to a rise in transport fares from Mbale to Amudat from sh15,000 to sh20,000. Ismail Masambo, a truck driver, said during the wet season, the level of the river rises to about two metres above the bridge. The river originates from Mt. Elgon and flows through the districts of Kapchorwa, Kween and Kumi before it joins Lake Kyoga. Samuel Watuwa, a taxi driver who plys the Mbale-Amudat route, said during the wet season, each motorist parts with sh20,000 to hire a tractor from a nearby farmer to tow vehicles across the bridge. James Bwayo, another taxi driver, said most taxis plying the route are four-wheel drive vehicles. “Many of our colleagues with taxis that do not have four-wheel drive have abandoned the route because of the state of the bridge,” he said. Dan Alinange, the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) spokesperson, on Monday admitted there was a problem on the road, but added that there were plans to fix it. “The Government, through UNRA, has contracted the repair of the road to Term Construction Company,” he added. He said the work would include grading the road and adding first-class murram. Alinange said the work on the road will also include raising the road surface, opening the drainage system and fixing bridges. He added that the Government will later tarmack the road."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/644658-kasese-floods-aftermath.html","content":" - Farmers fear poor harvests, 84 bridges await repair Sunday Vision By Chris Mugasha In May, floods swept through Kasese, displacing over 7,000 people and damaging property. Two months later, the effect is still being felt Hundreds of hectares of plantations of both food and cash crops in Kasese, Rubirizi and Kamwenge districts have been destroyed by drought, leaving residents worried of looming famine. Farmers will only be able to harvest food for consumption, but not for the market, according to Moses Nuwagaba, the Nyakatonzi Growers Cooperative Union treasurer. The drought started in May, yet around that time, the farmers expected rain. Nuwagaba, also the secretary for Kyambura zone under Rukooma Farming Cooperative union in Rubirizi district, says over 1,000 hectares of maize, beans, millet and groundnuts have dried off in the area.                          One of the dried up maize fields He, however, blames the losses on farmers relying on traditional science – predictions – of the rainy seasons. Adam Bwambale, the secretary of Rukooma Farming Cooperative Union, says they have received orders from international organisations like World Food Programme to supply maize, but they are not sure whether they can hit the required target. In a twist of fate, the other side of Kasese, where Mubuku Irrigation Scheme is located, some crops are doing well. It is only the fruit farmers complaining because of diseases. Sylvester Mudosi, a model fruit farmer, says: “I used to get sh50m, but because of disease, I get around sh30m; three quarters (of the fruit) is spoilt by fruit flies, and I don’t have money to buy pesticides.” Mudosi says a litre of the recommended chemical costs sh1.5m and is only got from Soroti."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/643967-tabaruka-dismisses-floodlight-worries.html","content":" - By Johnson Were in Nairobi  Saturday: Elgon Cup  Men  Kenya v Uganda  Women  Elgon Cup/World Cup qualifier  Kenya v Uganda  RUGBY Cranes team manager Brian Tabaruka is optimistic that the weather and floodlights conditions will not have an impact on his charges in the Elgon Cup first leg on Saturday.  Action will be held at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani complex in Nairobi.  The Elgon Cup, will for the first time, be held under floodlights and cold weather.  Tabaruka said shortly after the team arrived in Nairobi on Thursday that his team is prepared for whatever conditions that will prevail.  “It is cold but we have ever played in such conditions in the same competition and the Safari 7s before,” Tabaruka stated.  The official added that he is not worried of the weather.  Tabaruka said some players on the team have competed under floodlights.  The official added that the team will get a feel of the floodlights situation during a training session today.  Meanwhile, Lady Cranes assistant coach Anthony Kinene said the Kenyans will not have an upper hand because of the cold weather.  “We have faced this condition before and are ready for the match,” Kinene remarked."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/643527-kilembe-hospital-re-opens.html","content":" - By John Thawite KILEMBE Mines Hospital in Kasese district re-opens its gates to out-patients today, after a month’s closure. The facility was closed after it was ravaged by floods that hit the area on May 1. “The out-patient department is ready to resume services. Most parts of the hospital have been de-silted,” the hospital’s medical superintendent, Dr. Edward Wefula, said yesterday. He disclosed that the hospital would start by offering services such as anti-retroviral therapy, eye treatment, dental care, orthopaedics and immunisation.  Wefula said the 200-bed hospital was not yet ready for in-patient admissions and major surgical operations because most of the essential equipment, including the theatre, was destroyed.  “For the hospital to return to its former glory, we need about sh3b,” he said. Wefula said housing for staff alone would require about sh2.5b to rebuild, adding that 84 nurses are homeless after their houses were washed away by the floods. He requested for cement, timber and paint to be used in repairing the hospital’s infrastructure.  Wefula said the break down in the facility’s sewerage system had resulted in the contamination of water. He said as a result of the breakdown, they cannot admit patients. “We are depending on the untreated water from the Kasese Cobalt Company factory. We have to purify it before using and it is not enough for a big patient population,” Wefula added. The hospital is co-managed by Kilembe Mines, the Catholic Church and the health ministry. According to Wefula, the hospital is a referral for patients from western Uganda and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/643303-churches-send-relief-to-kasese-flood-victims.html","content":" - By Benon Tugumisirize Churches in Uganda under the umbrella of Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) and Act-Alliance have donated items worth US$60,000 (about sh160m) to victims of the recent Kasese floods. The relief items were mostly household stuff – 1200 saucepan sets, 1000 jerrycans, 1500 boxes of soap, 1000 blankets, 1000 mosquito nets, together with 100 sleeping kits. In addition to this were 60 cooking stoves, 20 boxes of water purifier, and much more. Violent floods ripped through various communities earlier this month, leaving a state of devastation and hopelessness in their wake. Communities ravaged were from the divisions of Bulembia and Nyamwamba, and sub-counties of Kilembe, Karusandara, Kitswamba, Kyabarungira, Bugoye, Maliba and Kyalumba. But the worst hit was Karusandara sub-county. The catastrophe left hundreds homeless, with much of their livelihoods washed away by the violent waters – a situation that immediately sparked off resettlement as well as health concerns. Kasese district authorities and the Uganda Red Cross Society swung into action to relocate the displaced people to temporary camps out of the risk zones when the unforgiving flood waters broke out. Handing over the items, Fr. Silvestre Arinaitwe who is UJCC’s executive secretary revealed that it was a joint humanitarian response from the churches. “These items are from the people of God as a gesture of oneness with you the flood victims, the affected and your loved ones,” he said. Bishop Jackson Zerebende of South Rwenzori was among the people that received the aid, and he delivered a committed warning as regards the items. The clergy man cautioned those that intend to divert the items from reaching the intended parties. He underlined that the donations from UJCC will meet the first line of support, and he maintained that more support will be needed up to the harvest season of January next year. But this noble cause was met with a disappointing revelation by the bishop, who told well-wishers to be wary of ‘Ugandan rats’. Asked what he meant by ‘Ugandan rats’, Zerebende explained that the past few days featured complaints that some prominent people in the district – especially politicians— were instead diverting relief necessities to their voters who are not flood victims. To him, he sees such people as fit to be called ‘Ugandan rats’ since they have no sympathy for those in suffering. And so his call to everyone was to pray that the items, which are substantially vital for the victims’ survival, reach the intended persons. Both government and the area residents are left to deal with the extreme destruction left behind by the natural disaster. Schools in the affected areas remain closed, and it does not help that some were carried away by the harsh flood waters. Most of the infrastructure demands rebuilding, with major roads and washed away bridges creating a deep wound in the transport system. Uganda Red Cross Society has said the affected people need up to 11 million litres of safe water if disease is to be avoided, amid fears of a cholera outbreak."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/643259-govt-asked-to-re-direct-kasese-river.html","content":" - By John Thawite & Wilfred Sanya Kasese district leaders have called for an urgent re-direction of River Nyamwamba to its original course in order to avert floods in future. “If the river is not re-directed to its original course and its bed deepens, efforts to repair bridges on it may be useless,” Kasese mayor Godfrey Kabyanga said. Kabyanga was speaking at a meeting with members of the parliamentary committee on disaster, who recently toured parts of Kilembe valley that were affected by the flood. Medical Superintendent of Kasese Hospital Edwards Wefula (L) shows Chairman of Parliamentary Disaster risk Alex Byarugaba  around areas ripped by the floods recently. PHOTO/Wilfred Sanya They were led by Isingiro South MP Alex Byarugaba Bakunda. Briefing the MPs on the extent of the damage, the Kasese district assistant chief administrative officer, Wilson Asaba, said efforts to re-direct the river were being frustrated by the lack of special equipment. “We need D8 and D10 bulldozers to re-channel the river and diggers to deepen the bed,” Asaba said. The river is still flowing through the routes it created when it flooded on May 1, while efforts to repair damaged bridges have stopped. It was noted that because of many underground tunnels in the area, there was a likelihood of ground sinking if more rains hit the area. The Mayor of Kasese district Godfrey Kabbyanga (R) talks to Alex Byarugaba about the effects of the recent floods. Left is Edwards Wefula. PHOTO/Wilfred Sanya “Many people have settled on top of the mine tunnels and should they sink, we shall suffer more,” Rwenzururu Kingdom minister for disaster preparedness John Baluku said. Kasese Municipality MP James Mbahimba attributed the floods to the massive environmental degradation in the Rwenzori mountains. Nelson Guma, a Uganda Wildlife Authority official, said the burning down of over 100 acres of forests in the mountains early last year may have interfered with the catchment area of River Nyamwamba."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/643038-kasese-flood-victims-need-11-million-litres-of-water.html","content":" - WILSON ASIIMWE The Uganda Red Cross Society has said Kasese flood victims need up to 11 million litres of safe water if disease is to be avoided, amid fears of a cholera outbreak. Heavy rains that resulted into floods at the beginning of this month destroyed all toilet facilities and this has since affected water sources. Dr. Bildard Baguma, the under secretary general, Uganda Red Cross Society said any donation was welcome and called upon people and organisations of good will to continue donating. Baguma was speaking at the Uganda Breweries headquarters in Luzira on Tuesday as the beverages maker donated water purification tablets, sanitation and hygiene kits worth sh30m to benefit victims of the flooding. “The donation we have received today from UBL will treat at least 1.6 million litres of water,” Baguma said. “However, we need 11 million litres of safe water for Kasese and this donation goes a long way towards the needs of the people.” Baguma said the aftermath of disasters like the one in Kasese come with poor sanitation and hygiene.  “If you have improper sanitation, disease breaks out and spreads quickly. Hygiene is vital in emergencies.  We are therefore grateful to UBL for supporting this area,” said Baguma. Baguma said the 83 sanitation kits including hoes, spades, axes, wheelbarrows, ropes and mattocks will help in building of new toilet facilities to alleviate the dangers of disease. “When the floods came, toilet facilities were all destroyed and right now this is a challenge,” he said. Richard Wejuli-Wabwire, the UBL Corporate Relations Director called upon people of goodwill to step forward and partner with the Uganda Red Cross and the Government of Uganda to mitigate the impact of the floods disaster. Wabwire pointed out that the donation was in line with UBL’s corporate social responsibility commitment. More than 18,000 people were displaced after rivers Nyamwamba, Mubuku, Rwimi and Nyamugansi burst their banks and flooded Kasese Municipality and surrounding areas. The Uganda Red Cross and Government of Uganda launched an appeal for humanitarian support saying it required sh1.8b towards its emergency and recovery interventions for 18,000 people (3,000 households) affected by the flood in South Western Uganda."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/642712-over-4-000-displaced-by-floods-in-karamoja.html","content":" - By Olandason  Wanyama      Over 4,000 families have been displaced by floods and mudslides in Karamoja sub-region. In Kaabong district, mudslides swept through four villages killing at least three women.    This happened at about 1:00pm on Thursday after a heavy downpour that lasted over seven hours. The affected villages include Puta, Piire, Kurubo and Kalapata in Kamion sub-county, about a kilometre from the Uganda-South Sudan border.    The district chairman, Joseph Midi, on Saturday told New Vision on phone that the people have been left helpless, adding that the district had also been hit by famine following failed harvests caused by torrential rains last year.   Midi explained that the mudslides destroyed homes, crops and domestic animals.  He said most of the people affected were children and women.   Midi appealed for drugs, food and tents from well-wishers and the Government before the situation worsens.    In Moroto district, three people have gone missing after they attempted to cross the flooded River Nakiloro near the Uganda-Kenya border.   The LC5 chairman, Mark Musooka, said the rains have also frustrated crop  production because they usually start in the morning.    Musooka added that most roads in the area are becoming impassable because of the floods. In Napak district, most major bridges have been weakened.    The LC5 chairperson, Joseph Lomonyang, said the major bridge at Kangole trading centre had its pillars washed away and urged the Uganda National Roads Authority to repair it.   Meanwhile, in Nakapiripirit district, after a week of heavy rains, floods have displaced over 1,000 families. This comes after colonial dam in Namatata village, Namalu sub-county, burst its banks on Friday, leading to floods in the neighbouring areas.    Part of Namalu trading centre as well as the parishes of Nakale, Losam, Kokwam and Lokatapan have been flooded. The district vice-chairperson, Hellen Pulkol, said people have nowhere to sleep."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/642641-flood-devastation-in-pictures.html","content":" - A house submerged in water after a heavy downpour in Bwaise on May 3 People walk over a bridge that has been damaged by floods caused by torrential rain in Kasese district, 440km (264 miles) southwest from the capital Kampala May 8, 2013.   People displaced by floods walk with their belongings in Kilembe Copper Mines, in Kasese   Damaged electricity lines are seen in Kilembe copper mines   A boy plays near a bridge that was damaged by floods   Mangled metal is seen in front of the homes of Kilembe copper mines workers destroyed by floods   A woman on her way to a contaminated water source   Pallisa-Tirinyi Road was left in a poor state after a heavy downpour"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/642600-danish-embassy-gives-sh130m-to-flood-victims.html","content":" - By Lillian Babirye As the number of people affected by Kasese floods sores to over 25, 000, the Danish embassy has released sh130m to the Uganda Red Cross society to help resettle the victims. While handing over the money at the weekend, the ambassador of Denmark to Uganda, Dan Frederickson, said the flooding in Kasese is probably the worst ever. “This support to Uganda Red Cross Society is to ensure access to water and sanitation, shelter, food and psychological services among others,” Frederickson Said. In the same spirit, Strides Uganda, a non-governmental organisation which promotes family health, has also donated 800 water purifying kits worth sh25m. The assortments which included buckets, filters water purifying sackets among other items are to benefit 800 households for three months in the affected communities in Kasese District. Celia Kakande handed over the items to Red Cross. Micheal Nataka, the secretary general of Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS), said that people at both Kasese and Bugoye primary school camps cannot go back to their original homes as their houses were completely destroyed. “As URCS we are grateful to the partners who have made various contributions; however, we continue to seek for a total of sh1.8bn to assist at least 18,000 people,” Nataka said. Heavy rains early this month led to the bursting of River Nyamwamba banks and affected nine  sub-counties in Kasese washing away houses, crops, and destroying infrastructure such as bridges, roads, power lines and Kilembe Mines Hospital."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/642545-kasese-floods-subside-red-cross.html","content":" - By John B. Thawite Floods that have been ravaging various parts of Kasese district are subsiding, according to Uganda Red Cross. “The floods have slightly gone down but the effects remain enormous across the district,” the Uganda Red Cross Kasese branch manager, Everest Habai, said. Habai said the floods had displaced thousands of people after almost 1,000 homesteads were destroyed. The displaced are now living in four camps where sanitation facilities are in a deplorable state. The camps are located Kasese Primary School in Kasese Municipality, Bugoye and Nkaiga primary schools in the sub-counties of Bugoye, Maliba and Karusandara respectively. The District Disease Surveillance Focal Person, Sam Kabinga Muhindo, expressed fear of possible disease outbreaks in the district since latrines in the affected areas had been washed away. “In Maliba sub-county alone, 541 pit latrines were washed away in Kakindo village and in the camps at the Kasese and Bugoye primary school the latrines were filling up,” Kabinga said. According to a district disaster rapid assessment report, the floods destroyed 200  latrines in all parishes of Nyamwamba Division in Kasese Municipality. The floods also destroyed pipes that supply water to Ibanda, (Bugoye sub-county),  blocked the water supply system in Kasese municipality and washed away the  gravity flow scheme that supplies Musasa trading centre in Kyondo sub-county. Also destroyed were 25 bridges, thousands of acres of food  and cash crops, seven roads, 960 homesteads and various businesses."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/642531-floods-tororo-busia-road-closed.html","content":" - By Faustine Odeke     Traffic along Tororo-Busia murrum road via Osukuru and Butesa sub counties has been suspended after the floods cut of a section of the road near river Malaba Bridge. A gully has developed across the road forcing travelers to use the distant Tororo- Busitema- Busia to connect within the two districts. Several other parts of Tororo district have been cut off after culverts and bridges were washed away. The Uganda National roads authority Tororo station engineer Chris Opuch said some emergency repairs are being done along Iyolwa-Nambogo road that was closed to the traffic three-weeks ago after the bridge linking Iyolwa to Tororo town was washed away. Opuch said the situation along Tororo- Busia road is being handled by the contractor working on the 93.3 kilometer Tororo-Busia-Majanji, Lumino- Namayingo-Musita road. Residents living along the river Malaba have also been forced to uproot their food crops after gardens have been submerged by the floods with some houses collapsing. Amoni 'A' village chairman in Malaba town council Arnold Ebbu said about 80 families in his village are seriously affected by the disaster. Flooded house buried five-year-old in Butaleja A five-year-old child was on Monday killed in Buhadya village Nawajonfu sub county Butaleja district after the house he was sleeping in collapsed after being soaked by the floods. The area district councilor Geoffrey Mutiwa said over 5000 people in Bingo and Bugalo parishes have been affected by the ranging water after river Manafwa burst its banks at Mpologoma village. Mutiwa said a bridge at Nakwiga swamp has also been destroyed cutting off the road from Busolwe Township to Butaleja district headquarters and Mbale district. Similarly the road from Butiru in Manafwa district to Tororo district has also been cut off affecting several farmers who transport their matoke and other agricultural products to Malaba, Tororo and Busia towns. Eric Otabong Odele of Buchema village Butiru Sub County said farmers are now stranded with their produce due to lack of alternative routes to the market in Tororo."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/642509-floods-paralyze-business-in-kibuku.html","content":" - By Moses Nampala      Over 130Km of main roads in Kibuku district have considerably been destroyed by heavy rains experienced currently. A total of 57 bridges along the main routes in the district that lies in the area endowed with numerous natural streams, have been washed away. On Monday movement across the district became difficult as roads became flooded that motorists including cyclists got stuck. \"We have been pushing this vehicle for the last one hour but without much success,\" explained Juma Muholi, a taxi driver. Kibuku District LC.5 chairperson christopher Mupalema said at the beginning of the financial year the district got shs350m that had already been spent. \"We have spent all the money on the roads, which unfortunately have been damaged in the rainy season,\" explained Mupalema. All the routes including the Kibuku-Tirinyi road the main route to the district headquarters were on Monday impassable."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/642480-kasese-floods-destroy-property-worth-sh8b.html","content":" - By John Nzinjah and John Thawite Property worth $3m (about Shs8b) has so far been destroyed in Kasese district following the onset floods in the area on May 1st. The minister of defense, Dr Crispus Kiyonga, said although the damage is so big, it is still smaller than what occurred in Bududa about two years ago. Kiyonga made the remarks briefing the press on Tuesday at Kasese Social Services Hall about the management of the disaster. \"The country lost more human lives in Bududa than it has been in Kasese and the landslides were more catastrophic,\" Kiyonga said. The minister said that according to a rapid assessment so far carried out about the destruction; at least 19 bridges had been washed away in various parts of the district. \"Heavy trucks from Kampala to Kasese and eastern Congo should now use the Kampala-Mbarara route since the bridge across Mubuku River has been damaged. \"We have advised Hima cement factory to suspend transportation of their product,\" Kiyonga said. He said the floods had also damaged housing units especially in Bulembia Division, the Kilembe mines valley in Kasese Municipality. He said Kilembe hospital had lost very expensive and modern medical equipment. He identified the worst affected sub-counties as Kyalumba, Kyondo, Bulembia, Nyamwamba, Maliba, Karusandara and Bwesumbu. He added the most furious rivers were Nyamugansi, Mubuku, Nyamwamba and Rwimi, which he said, was threatening to wash away the bridges along the highway across the district. \"The floods have displaced thousands of people necessitating the authorities to establish two camps, one at Kasese primary School in Kasese town and another at Bugoye primary school. Kiyonga, flanked by the district vice chairperson Taddeo Muhindo and the deputy Resident District Commissioner, Aminadabu Muhindo, Kiyonga hailed the world health orgnaisation, the Unicef, the Red Cross and the district local government for their quick response to the disaster. He also commended the Kilembe Hospital staff for having stood by their patients who were admitted at the onset of the floods until all the patients were evacuated. \"Fortunately, none of the patients who were evacuated has died. Soon the outpatient services will resume,\" Deputy RDC said. Muhindo said the government and relief agencies had brought in food and non-food supplies, assuring the minister that the displaced persons would be catered for. Earlier during a meeting with the hospital staff, the minister said that government would consider a resettlement package for them. Kiyonga also advised the staff to compile a list of their lost property, especially their academia documents so that government would find means and ways of replacing the documents. He was reacting to reports from the staff the valuables they had lost included household property, money and ATM cards among others. The Hospital Board of Governors chairperson, Bishop Egidio Nkaijanabwo of the Catholic Diocese of Kasese, told the meeting that as a church, they had contacted some fiends in and outside the country for assistance. At the meeting the deputy medical superintendent, Dr Robert Tiondi, pledged to resume work as soon as essential facilities were restored. But Tiondi cautioned government against being theoretical in their promises."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/642452-floods-cut-off-19-sub-counties.html","content":" - By John Nzinjah Bridges across the rivers in various parts of Kasese have collapsed cutting off 19 sub-counties and the district headquarters at Rukoki. This follows the heavy river floods that have hit the district since May 1st this year in which eight people have died, property worth billions of shillings destroyed and causing displacement of hundreds of families in the district. Kasese district Local government Secretary for Works, Matayo Musale said, \"The breakdown of the various Bridges especially in the mountainous and yet productive sub-counties is going to affect the economic sector of the district\", he said on Tuesday. He confirmed that nineteen of the 29 sub-counties in the district had been affected adding that ferrying of agricultural produce to the markets was currently impossible. \"I am also worried about the Rwimi Bridge which connects Kabarole to Kasese district along the Kasese Fort Portal Highway because there are signs that it may also be swept away if nothing is done to prevent the threat\", Musale said. The heavy floods have been persistent since May 1st causing rivers to burst their Banks especially Nyamwamba that passes through Kasese Municipality on its way to empty into Lake George. The floods erased Kanyaruboga village of Bulembia Division in Kasese Municipality and washed away all the buildings at Kilembe Hospital Nurses Quarters and other structures at the Health facility. Other rivers that have caused havoc are Mubuku, Rwimi and Ssebwe in Busongora north and Nyamugasana and Kaberere in Bukonzo east which have washed away gardens, Bridges and roads. The heavy rains have also caused numerous Landslides the most spectacular occurring on Monday [May 7] evening at Bwathu and Kalhonge villages of Maliba sub-county in Busongora north. The Chairperson, Maliba sub-county, Robison Magoma, said Tuesday that a total of 21 houses had been washed away by the Landslides including 15 on Kalhonge and six on Bwathu villages. He said that no human life had been claimed by the Landslides but livestock, household property and crop fields had been destroyed. A total of eight people have died in the persistent heavy floods the latest being two brothers, Elias Kule and Joshua Thembo and residents of Kyabarungira sub-county Busongora north drowning in River Rwimi on Monday evening."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/642436-red-cross-seeks-sh1-8b-for-kasese-floods-victims.html","content":" - By Vision Reporter The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) is seeking for sh1.8b to provide emergency assistance to people affected by floods in Kasese district. The appeal is targeting 18, 000 people (3, 000 households). The funds will cater for provision of shelter like tarpaulins and construction kits, essential household items (cups, plates, jerrycans, mosquito nets, laundry soap, blankets, saucepans, and buckets), reviving livelihoods through provision of seeds and tool kits. According to URCS Secretary General Michael Richard Nataka, the funds will also cater for water and sanitation campaign/awareness, provision of psychosocial support to the affected families. In addition, URCS plans to further distribute water purification tablets to avert any risk of water borne diseases. In Kasese, the Red Cross working with Office of Prime Minister and district authorities are managing the resettlement area at Kasese Primary School. By Monday evening, 3, 108 people from Bulembia and Nyamwamba divisions (Kilembe area) had been registered at the primary school. The Red Cross Action teams have been carrying out assessments and from the current figures, 19, 161 people have been affected in the areas of Kilembe and Bulembya (4, 996), Karusandara sub county (10, 906), Kitswamba sub county (1, 139), Kabarugira sib county (561), Bugoye sub county (76), Maliba sub county (1, 341) and Kyalumba sub county (142). Actual figures from Nyambwamba are being finalized. The teams are intensifying hygiene promotion in the camp as a measure to control disease outbreak. Meanwhile, the coordinator of rescue and emergency relief services in Kasese Major General Julius Oketta has expressed disappointment over what he called the slow response from the government technical team to respond to the situation. \"I am disappointed that the technical people in Kampala are taking the situation here lightly, we don't need the presence of people here but we need supplies and equipment to help re-direct the water,\" Gen. Oketta said on Sunday. This follows the resurgence of floods that ravaged Nyamwamba valley areas in Bulembia division in Kasese Municipality Sunday morning. He said the rains in the Rwenzori Mountains were still unpredictable and set to cause more havoc in Kasese district. Oketta who doubles as UPDF representative in Parliament made the remarks while briefing local leaders at Kasese Primary School where an emergency camp has been established. He advised people living in mountainous areas where landslides are eminent to be evacuated immediately. He appreciated the efforts of the local rescue team saying it was working hard to avert the situation. A senior volunteer with Red Cross Joshua Kaija said that the emergency camp established at Kasese primary school has so far registered 415 people including 315 children. He said that the people evacuated are mainly from Katiri and Congo quarters in Kasese Municipality. The Mayor Kasese Municipality noted that whereas some agencies and organizations have donated items for relief aid to flood victims there was shortage of medicine. \"We're appealing for medicine, we have not received medicine ever since we started getting aid both from government and charity organizations,\" Kabyanga noted. The Member of parliament Kasese Municipality James Mbahimba  lashed out at the government for taking more than usual to respond to the Kasese floods. \"How can central government take five days without responding to proposed solutions to avert the problem, what we need is the equipment that can help to redirect the water and not ministers coming here to assess  the situation,\"  Mbahimba told the press at Kasese Primary school."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/642414-govt-deploys-regional-disaster-officers.html","content":" - By Francis Emorut The Government has deployed regional risk disaster officers in all disaster prone areas in the country to handle those affected by floods that have ravaged the country, Musa Ecweru, the state minister of refugees and disaster preparedness, has said. “We are getting bad floods, landslides, storms and frequent lightning bolts. Therefore, there is need to have disasters officers in these areas in case a disaster strikes,” Ecweru told World Bank representatives, disaster specialists, MPs resident district commissioners and disaster management officers. Floods have killed people in Kasese, displaced thousands and destroyed property in the same area. He said in Acholi-Lango sub-region the officers will be based in Gulu, while in Teso region, the officers will be stationed at Mbale and for Karamoja, in Moroto. In western Uganda, the disaster officers will be stationed in Fort Portal and Mbarara, while in the central region, the officers are based at Masaka. The minister also said that Government is setting up disaster risk reduction centres in all of the 112 districts. Ecweru made the remarks during the opening of an international workshop on learning from mega disasters and implementing lessons learnt in Uganda at Lake Victoria Serena Hotel last week. Ecweru called for the training of district leaders in disaster-related issues. “It extremely critical to train district leaders in disaster risk reduction so as to form disaster committees in the districts,” Ecweru said. The World Bank disaster risk management specialist, Francis Muraya, said Uganda is prone to a number of natural and and human-induced disasters that impact on human lives by causing death, destruction of infrastructure, property, livelihoods and setting back socio-economic development. Muraya outlined the major causes of disasters in Uganda as droughts, floods, land/mudslides, prolonged dry spells, lightning, human and livestock diseases and epidemics, fires and terrorism. Others are road and traffic accidents, climate change, increasing weather variability, environmental degradation, population growth, poverty, weak institutional capacities, inadequate information on risks and climate. He said all these are the driving factors of increased vulnerability of the people and livelihoods of Uganda towards disaster. Alex Byarugaba, the chairperson of the disaster parliamentary platform, called for the training of lawmakers in disaster management since they legislate and appropriate the budget. Byarugaba appealed to the Government to put in place early warning systems. “Uganda’s warning system is so poor that we sometimes depend on Nairobi,” he said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/642385-floods-regional-disaster-officers-deployed.html","content":" - By Francis Emorut                  Government has deployed regional risk disaster officers in all disaster prone areas in the country to handle victims of floods that have ravaged the country, the state minister of refugees and disaster preparedness, Musa Ecweru has said. \"We are getting bad floods, landslides, storms and frequent lightning bolts therefore, need to have disasters officers in these areas in case disaster strikes,\" Ecweru told World Bank representatives, disaster specialists, MPs resident district commissioners and disaster management officers. Floods have killed four people in Kasese and displaced thousands and property destroyed in the same area and FortPortal. He said in Acholi-Lango sub-region the officers will be based in Gulu while in Teso region the officers will be stationed in Mbale and for Karamoja in Moroto. In western Uganda, the disaster officers will be stationed at Fort Portal and Mbarara while in the central region the officers are based at Masaka. The minister also said that Government is setting up disaster risk reduction centres in all the 112 districts. Ecweru made the remarks during the opening of disaster international workshop on Learning from Mega Disasters-the Great East Japan Earthquake and implementing lessons learnt in Uganda.  Ecweru called for the training of district leaders in disaster issues. \"It extremely critical to train district leaders in disaster risk reduction so as to form disaster committees in the districts,\" Ecweru said. The World Bank disaster risk management specialist, Francis Muraya,  said Uganda is prone to a multitude of natural and human induced disasters that impact on human lives by causing death, destruction of infrastructure, property , livelihoods and setting back socio-economic development. Muraya outlined the major causes of disasters in Uganda as droughts, floods, land/mudslides, prolonged dry spells, lightening, human and livestock diseases and epidemics, fires terrorism. Others are road and traffic accidents, climate change, increasing weather variability, environmental degradation, population growth, poverty, weak institutional capacities, inadequate information on risks and climate. He said all these are the driving factors of increased vulnerability of the people and livelihoods of Uganda to disaster. He pointed out that there is an urgent need for a paradigm shift in the country's response to climate extremes from emergency response to drought and floods to enhancing resilience of vulnerable communities. The chairperson of disaster Parliamentary platform, MP Alex Byarugaba called for the training of lawmakers in disaster management since they legislate and appropriate the budget.  Byarugaba appealed to Government to install early warning systems. \"Uganda's early warning system is so poor sometimes we have depend on Nairobi,\" Byarugaba said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/642349-i-saw-my-brother-being-swept-away-by-kasese-floods.html","content":" - On Labour Day, River Nyamwamba in Kasese district burst its banks, following hours of heavy rains, flooding Kilembe Mines offices and nearby communities. So far, seven people have been reported dead and property worth millions destroyed. DENIS MUSANA, a nursing officer at Kilembe Hospital, narrated to John Masaba the sad events that turned a wedding into a funeral. It was my relative’s wedding day. I woke up on Wednesday, Labour Day, anxious for good weather because I was one of the people on the organising committee. Little did I know that the fun I had anticipated would end in a funeral by evening. At 8:00am, as I was about to leave for the wedding venue, it started raining and went on for two hours. I left my house, but about 200 metres away, it started raining again and I took shelter in one of the community houses. Later, it reduced to a drizzle. At about 2:00pm, we heard a loud noise outside. Looking through the window, I saw people running out of their houses into the rain. Suddenly, a huge volume of water gushed into our house. We jumped in shock and confusion. Debris from upstream filled the area, making it impassable Everyone, children, women, the elderly were fleeing for their dear lives. the road had become a river. The murky brown waters were moving at a terrific speed, sweeping everything in their way, including vehicles and road banks. Houses crumbled as the waters rose with every passing minute. I saw two cars; a Mark II and Rav4 floating down the river. By 4:00pm, the rain had stopped, but the water level kept rising. People were in a frenzy, trying to save their belongings. Many of us stood on higher ground, confused at the destruction. As the flood ate away the roadside, my brother’s shop was suddenly in harm’s way. People shouted at him to get out, but by the time he decided to run to safety, it was too late. I saw him being swept away by the waters. I wanted to jump to save him, but I knew it would be suicidal. My last image was of him waving his hand for help, after which he sank and disappeared. With the help of other residents, we later located his body about a kilometre away. Mourners who converged at our home for the vigil could not stay because they feared the water levels would rise again. they fled to Kasese, about 10km away, leaving us with the body. Floods also tore through Kilembe Hospital, where I work. this morning (thursday), I was told not to report for work as the hospital had been closed until further notice. But still I consider myself lucky because more than half of my neighbours’ houses have been reduced to rubble."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/642347-kasese-floods-displace-7-000.html","content":" - By Vision Reporters THE Government is to hold a crisis meeting over displaced persons in Kasese district. The disaster preparedness minister, Musa Ecweru, told Sunday Vision that about 7,000 people have been displaced by the floods, while Kilembe Mines Hospital, located a few metres from the river, was on Wednesday closed after the wards were flooded. “I left at midnight to come and consult on the way forward. Kilembe Hospital is in a sorry state. Most of the equipment like microscopes were submerged. We are focusing on the safety of all patients first,” Ecweru told Sunday Vision yesterday. The minister explained that the prime minister’s office had delivered some relief items and distribution was due yesterday morning. “We have committees to handle food and non-food items. We are also trying to work with UPDF so we have a way of putting slabs on the banks of River Nyamwamba and force it to go back to its route,” Ecweru explained. Torrential rains have caused River Nyamwamba to burst its banks and overflow to areas in the Kasese municipality, ravaging villages. According to Uganda Red Cross, at least five people were killed by floods. Meanwhile, Ecweru has warned of possible outbreak of cholera in the district. The minster, who visited the affected areas of Bulembia division and Karusandara sub-county in Busongora south on Friday, said leaders in Kasese should ensure that the affected people get safe and clean water. He said the Government will ensure that people get relief and also called on humanitarian non-government organisations to support the victims of the floods. “If the situation is not controlled, it may result into cholera outbreak. The people do not have safe water for drinking. They are depending on water from River Nyamwamba, yet the whole water system has broken down,” Ecweru warned. He noted that the magnitude of the problem cannot only be solved by the district local leaders, but needs collaborative efforts to come up with a long lasting solution. “A lot of money is required to replace the property that was destroyed, including Kilembe Hospital. We will communicate to all the concerned ministries, so they can come on ground and ensure that the people are helped.\" By the time of the minister’s visit, locals were scrambling for water from the Police water tank."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/642335-govt-warns-of-possible-cholera-outbreak-in-kasese.html","content":" - By Wilson Asiimwe The minister of state for disaster preparedness Musa Ecweru has warned of a possible cholera outbreak in some parts of Kasese district which were affected by the floods. Ecweru who visited the affected areas of Bulembia division in Kasese municipality and Karusandara sub county in Busongora south on Friday said that leaders in Kasese district should ensure that people should get safe and clean water for the people who were affected by the floods. He said government will ensure that people get relief and also called on non-government organizations to support the victims of the floods. “I am scared. If the situation here is not controlled it may result into the outbreak of cholera because people don’t have safe water for drinking and they are only depending on river Nyamwamba. The whole water system has broken down,” Ecweru warned. He noted that the magnitude of the problem can not only be solved by the district local leaders but it needs collaborative efforts to come up with a lasting solution to the problem."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/642322-river-nyamwamba-spills-wrath.html","content":" - By B. Masereka Property and infrastructure worth billions of shillings has been lost after rivers in Kasese district burst their banks and destroyed roads, houses and bridges in various parts. Areas affected by the floods include Kilembe and Nyakasanga in Kasese municipality where homes, hospital and schools have been submerged. Godfrey Kabyanga, the Kasese mayor, said: “River Nyamwamba burst its banks and spread all over Kilembe Mines quarters.” He said that most houses in Nyamwamba division, had collapsed. In Busongora County North, River Mubuku, which serves three hydropower stations also caused a lot of damage in Maliba and Bugoye sub-counties. Aprunale Bwambale, the Bugoye LC3 chairman, said Rwakingi-Ruboni tourists’ road has been damaged.   He said Ruboni bridge that connects Muhinga and Ruboni villages had been swept away.   “There is no sign that there was any bridge on River Ruboni and people are now stranded. We have no capacity to put a provision and it is still raining in the mountains,” Bwambale lamented. Maliba sub-county suffered a double loss along the Maliba-Kyanya road after R. Mubuku cut off the road when it changed  its course to join river Kitakena. All the three hydro-power stations on River Mubuku have knocked out. The power stations include Kilembe Mines Mubuku I, Tronder Power  Limited Mubuku II and Kasese Cobalt Company Mubuku III. The resident district commissioner, Milton Odongo, said there are fears that the death toll may increase as some people are still missing."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/642321-floods-ecweru-dashes-to-kasese.html","content":" - By Vision Reporter Disaster Preparedness minister Musa Ecweru with a team from Office of Prime Minister, Uganda Red Cross and district authorities have rushed to Kasese district where torrential rains ravaged villages, killing five people and making scores homeless. According to Uganda Red Cross, relief trucks from Red Cross and OPM arrived in Kasese Thursday night. The items are targeting 400 families who were mostly affected. They include: tarpaulins, sauce pans, blankets, mosquito nets, plates, cups, washing soap, jerrycans and water purification tablets. Five bodies of the people killed by floods in Kasese have been recovered along various parts of River Nyamwamba in Kasese municipality. The mayor, Godfrey Kabyanga, said two of the bodies were taken to the municipality mortuary. He identified the deceased as, Paddy Karusu, former head of procurement and disposal of assets in Kasese district, Raphael Kibusu, a Bunyandiku Primary School teacher and another identified only as Gadi, an employee of Kilembe Mines, Patrick Mwanzi and a woman identified only as Kabugho. The floods hit the district on Wednesday during torrential rains that caused River Nyamwamba to burst its banks and overflow to areas in the Kasese municipality, halting the hospital operations. The district health inspector, Ericana Bwambale, expressed fear of outbreak of diseases like cholera. Karusandara, Lake Katwe and Muhokya villages located downstream have also been flooded.   The district leaders held an emergency meeting chaired by the resident district commissioner, Milton Odongo on Wednesday to chat out the way forward. Kilembe Mines Hospital located a few metres from the river, was on Wednesday closed after all the wards were flooded with mud and water that destroyed most of the infrastructure including the wards, nurses' residences and hospital equipment. About 200 patients were either sent home or relocated to other health facilities in Kasese and Kabarole districts.   Meanwhile, rains pounded Kampala and its suburbs Friday morning rendering transport business a nightmare for scores of early risers who were headed to work. The angry skies unleashed their wrath in the wee hours, preceded by lightning streaks and heart-stopping thunder that went on for several hours."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/642287-govt-to-send-aid-to-kasese-floods-victims.html","content":" - By Tadeo Bwambale The Government and the Uganda Red Cross Society said Thursday they were planning to send relief items to families in Kasese district that are homes after floods ravaged the district on Wednesday. At least four people are confirmed dead and over 432 families left homeless after floods swept away their homes. Kikatena bridge was washed away by the ravaging floods Kilembe Mines Hospital remains closed, affecting nearly 200 patients who have now been referred to other health units. The state minister for disaster preparedness, Musa Ecweru said Thursday the Government and relief agencies would send food, tarpaulins and other items to the affected families. Residents of Maliba sub county stranded after floods cut of their road The spokesperson of the Uganda Red Cross Society, Catherine Ntabadde told the New Vision that they would start sending the items after an emergency meeting the Office of the Prime Minister. “We have started loading our trucks to send to the families. Most of the homes were completely washed away while others were filled with water and mud, forcing families to sleep in an open space,” Ntabadde said. An early morning downpour on Wednesday forced River Nyamwamba to burst its banks, gushing water to neighbouring villages and cutting off transport. According to the Red Cross, Bulembya division in Kilembe remains flooded and vehicles are still unable to reach the area. The floods in the low lands are slowly clearing as water flows in nearby channels."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/642257-four-killed-in-kasese-floods-scores-stranded.html","content":" - By John Thawite At least four people are missing and feared dead in Kasese district after River Nyamwamba burst its banks, submerging several homes. The floods have cut off the Kasese-Fort Portal Road, leaving many vehicles underwater and hundreds of people stranded. Two of the victims drowned at Nyakasanga trading centre as they tried to wade through the flooded road while two others in Kilembe could not be traced. By Wednesday afternoon a frantic search for the victims had been mounted by residents and local authorities. Health workers at Kilembe Mines Hospital were forced to evacuate patients from several wards that were flooded. Hospital staff desperately moved patients from the surgical, children and emergency wards, as well as from the nurses' quarters and medical stores. The hospital's medical superintendent, Edward Wafula told the New Vision that the hospital had become a dangerous place. The hospital lies a few yards away from the river, along a hilly slope. The floods resulted from a heavy downpour that started at 11:00am on Wednesday, forcing large torrents downstream to villages in low-lying areas. Hundreds of people who had travelled to Hima town to attend the Labour Day celebrations could not make their way back because of the flooded road. A strong tide hit a trailer Reg: number. UAL 466X while more than 50 vehicles on either side of the road were unable to make their way across the flooded road. The two people who drowned had attempted to force their way through the water at about 3:00pm near a bridge. The first victim was swept away, gasping for breath as people watched helplessly. Attempting to rescue his colleague, the second victim also drowned. Several houses in areas along the banks of River Nyamwamba were submerged, leaving their occupants stranded. Parts of the Nyakasanga Airfield and the neighbouring playfield were also cut off. River Nyamwamba, which is fed by melting glaciers from the Rwenzori Mountains, is the main source of water for both agriculture and domestic, including the Mubuku Irrigation Scheme."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/641415-floods-cut-off-nakaseke.html","content":" - By Frederick Kiwanuka Floods triggered off by the current rains have cut off a Police post in Nakaseke and rendered several roads impassable, cutting off several villages from the rest of the district. Business has come to a standstill at Nakaseeta Police Post in Kasangombe after the premises were cut off by the floods. The heavy rains, which intensified this week, have caused rivers like Lugogo and Lumansi to burst their banks, washing away several feeder roads. The most affected sub-county is Kasangombe, which borders Luwero district. Here, two major access feeder roads to Nakaseke Hospital are completely ruined. This has compelled motorists entering Nakaseke from Luwero to start using the longer Kalule-Nakaseke route. The few motorcyclists who continue to use the flooded Luwero-Nakaseeta-Nakaseke and Wobulenzi–Nakaseke roads have hiked the fare to sh12,000 from the usual sh5,000. Also submerged in the floods are crop fields owned by HNHE farm, a Chinese agricultural company based in Nakaseeta village. Patients are stuck in villages without medical care, while several pupils have stopped attending school because parents are afraid that they might drown. The district secretary for works, Benjamin Makanga, said on Wednesday that the authorities are looking for funds to"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/641217-floods-ravage-kisoro-over-150-families-displaced.html","content":" - By Attractor Kamahoro KISORO, Western Uganda - Floods from heavy rains that have hit Murora sub-county in Kisoro district, have left an estimated 150 families displaced. Several houses have been destroyed while community roads have been eroded by the floods rendering them impassable. Villages affected include Chibumba, Buyora, Ruhuri and Kooga. Chibumba Primary School was submerged by the floods and the over 620 pupils were displaced as a result are attending classes from a nearby church building. The head teacher Michael Kageyo said last week that plans were underway to transfer the pupils to the neighbouring Gatete Primary School. Over 20 acres of crops mainly Irish potatoes and beans were submerged and other crops completely washed away by the floods. Describing the situation as devastating, senior medical officer in charge of Bufumbira East constituency Dr. Benon Rukunda on warned of a possible disease outbreak especially dysentery and cholera due to fecal contaminated water sources. \"There is need for mobile toilets for churches hosting displaced persons and to intensify sensitization on sanitation,\" Dr. Rukunda said at one of the affected areas as the stench of decomposing crops and human excreta filled the air. The Bufumbira East MP Eddie Kwizera said he has presented a report to the Office of the Prime Minister and relief items to the affected people would soon be delivered. Kisoro district has two seasons whereby it is dry between June and August and the rest of the year is rainy."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/641189-kiboko-squad-are-fun-rugby-winners.html","content":" - Final Result Kiboko Squad 24 Kisumu 12 Semis Kiboko Squad 19 Busia 10 Batujju 0 Kisumu 5 School’s Jinja SS won the schools category Kiboko Squad lifts fun rugby By Johnson Were Organisers of the Nile Special Fun Rugby tournament have been urged to invest in floodlights and be able to have a colourful climax of the annual rugby event. Nile Breweries managing Director Nick Jenkinson made the appeal in his speech before handing over the trophy and cash prize of sh2m to Kiboko Squad that emerged the winners of the Fun Rugby tournament at the Dam Waterz ground in Jinja. “I take this opportunity to advise the organisers to invest in floodlights because last year we closed the event in darkness, and so is this year,” Jenkinson stated. Two tries by Romano Ogwal, one each by Brian Kikawa and Allan Otim handed Kiboko squad a 24-10 victory over defending champions Kisumu in the final of the Nile Special Fun rugby tournament in Jinja on Good Friday. Kiboko Squad had controversially advanced to the semifinal after Athi river stormers from Nairobi walked off the pitch in protest of a referee call that denied them a second try to stretch their lead to 10-0. “What we came for is money and we have it and the trophy. It’s unfortunate that Athi river walked off pitch but all the same we had time to win that game,” Kikawa stated in an interview after receiving the medals, trophy and cash prize. They walked off pitch and Kiboko were declared winners of that quarter-final game and later whipped Busia 19-10 to advance to the final while Kisumu beat another Uganda side Batuju.5-0 to reach the final. The event was sponsored by Nile Special, Coca-Cola, Fresh Cuts, TV and Condom ‘O’."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/640256-refugees-flood-uganda-after-fresh-drc-fighting.html","content":" - By Goodluck Musinguzi Thousands of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo fled from fresh fighting in their country to Kisoro district in western Uganda. Ahmed Doka, the Kisoro Resident District Commissioner, said close to 20,000 refugees had crossed over to Uganda and many more were coming. He said Ugandan forces were put on alert on Thursday night after fighting started inside Bunagana area in North Kivu. “Once fighting started, we knew refugees were going to enter Uganda and various agencies are working around the clock to receive them.” Doka said the refugees had refused to be transported to Nyabande transit centre because they want to monitor the situation first. But Doka said it was not right for refugees to stay at the border because it put their lives in danger and also makes it difficult to monitor wrong elements who could enter the country. M23 sources in Bunagana told New Vision in a rare interview that forces loyal to fugitive Gen Bosco Ntaganda attacked Icyanzu hills where Brig Gen Makenda’s headquarters are based. Around midnight, heavy fighting started until when Ntanganda’s forces were dislodged and pushed beyond their base in Runyonyi. “ Our forces have this morning taken over Gen. Ntaganda’s base and we can't tell his whereabouts.”"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/639427-cholera-strikes-ntoroko-as-floods-displace-families.html","content":" - By Paul Kiwuuwa             At least 18 cholera cases have recently been confirmed in Ntoroko district following massive displacement of residents by floods. According to Ntoroko MP Martin Mugara, the patients were admitted to Ntoroko health Center II. He said 10 of the patients were discharged on Monday. Mugara said over 1,000 families had been displaced by the floods. When New Vision visited the area early this week, the displaced people said the floods have been on since August 2012 when River Semiliki burst its banks, displacing people in four sub counties of Bweramure, Butungama, Rwebisengo, and Kanaala. Muhereza Kajumba, 63,   Kyombe village Bweramure sub county said \"The pit latrines were submerged in water; we resort to defecate   anywhere. Subsequently water born dieses spread however this exposes the community to diarrhea and other dieses.  Stagnant water has a condusive environment for mosquitoes.” The New Vision used a dugout canoe and a raft made of water reeds to access the scattered affected communities off the landing site. Passengers pay between sh2,000 -1000 for the boat to cross the water, to the landing site, while those who can't afford to pay endure to un dress and wade through the stagnant water which is exposes them  to diseases and  snakes. People in the three affected sub counties are largely cattle keepers, while others living along banks of River Semuliki are fisher mongers. The houses are submerged in the water, people live in make shift shelters made of Tarpaulins and polythene bags. State minister for disaster Musa Ecweru said he had dispatched a team of experts to assess the situation in the affected area."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/639374-how-to-protect-your-house-from-floods.html","content":" - By Christopher Bendana Kagoda got a shock of his life when water woke him during  the November rains. When it rains heavy his house is submerged. Kagoda’s bungalow valued at over sh350m is the talk of many of his friends, especially those he worked with aboard. This is, however, only true during the dry season. His home in the Nateete, Rubaga Division, was built in a wetland. While he worked in the UK, he boutght the land through his brother and built in a flat valley, which is prone to logging. Nateete like most parts of Kampala, including Mulago Nsooba, Bwaise, Ndeeba, Luzira, and Bugolobi are in the water catchment of Lake Victoria, hence prone to flooding as the water moves its way to the lake. Additionally, much of the flat lands of Uganda such as Butaleja, Teso sub-region and northern Uganda have experienced flooding. Although environmentalist say the major cause of flooding is the destruction of the wetlands, countries like the Netherlands that are below sea level and reclaimed much of its land from the sea have not been submerged because they built dykes to stop the waters. Dr. Max Kigobe, a lecturer in the department of civil and environment engineering at Makerere University, says flooding depends on the amount of rain water one country receives. Water sweeps through a house Although some areas might be in lowlands, they may receive less rainfall hence the flooding will be minimal. He adds that where the water is coming from also matters. There are areas that receive heavy rainfall, making all the land in their catchment  area susceptible to floods. “The catchment area where the house is built matters, the further downstream the bigger the catchment area hence the more vulnerability of flooding.” This makes areas like Bugolobi, which are near Lake Victoria more vulnerable as they are the catchment area of much of Kampala He also mentions the nature of the soil structure as a factor on how long water will hold in a particular area. From those that allow easy movement of water to those that hold it. On protection against the water, he says that a buffer zone like reinforced walls can protect the house from flooding although he advises builders to use precast reinforced concrete if the house is to be sustained. Apart from the buffer zone, he also mentions the use of hardcore stones when building the house foundation. He recommends the laying of drainage pipes in the foundation to help with the drainage of the water. He says a layer of clay and a polythene  bag can also be put above the hardcore to prevent water perforation on the floor and the walls of the house. This prevents the peeling of plaster off the walls Anatoli Kamugisha, a property developer with extensive building experience, says the first step in protecting a house against flooding is to establish whether the flooding in the area is seasonal or temporary. To prevent flooding in flat lands, he advises the partition of the plot in two parts. Part A for the house and part B for the pond where the water is to drain. If the plot has access to the drainage, he advises the developer to drain in the drainage system. “T he channel should be above two metres above the surface,” he points out. Kamugisha says all this depends on the size of the catchment area. He also says eucalyptus or pine trees should be planted to hold the soil and reduce the amount of water in the soil. He further says that having a ground beams prevents the house from sinking. He warns of treating waste and water together. “The waste must not get contaminated with the water. It must be treated separately.”"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/639364-fake-extension-cables-cooking-oil-flood-market.html","content":" - By Prossy Nandudu Consumers of electrical appliances have been asked to watchout for fake electric appliances, especially extension cables, which have flooded the market. The warning comes after the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) intercepted substandard products at the entry points of Uganda, of which the largest percentage were electrical extension cables. Edward Wagongoba , a UNBS technician said many consumers do not have adequate knowledge on electrical appliances and end up buying substandard appliances. “It is hard for an ordinary consumer to know that the cable they are buying is fake,” Wagongoba noted. He said most of the cables that were intercepted had only two wires instead of three, putting the life of the consumer in danger. “A normal cable should have three wires; a live wire, neutral wire and the earth wire that supports and protects assets in case of electric shocks,” Wagongoba explained. He added that the problem has been made worse by the many plugin holes on the extension cables, which over load the appliance. “The many holes make a consumer believe that they can load as many items as possible, but once they are inserted, the whole system crashes,” Wagongoba said. UNBS also warned the public about substandard cooking oil on the market, especially in Naluwerere in Bugiri district. Results from the standards agency’s chemistry laboratory for the sampled oil from the area indicated that the oil is not fit for human consumption. Eng. Vincent Ochwo, the UNBS head of market surveillance, said the tests were done after receiving several complaints from members of the public regarding the siphoning of crude edible vegetable oil from the tankers that transport it from Kenya. “This oil is imported into the country as a raw material and is supposed to be delivered to manufacturing industries for further refining before being brought to the market. But we have information that some unscrupulous people siphon the oil from the tankers, package it in containers of known brand names and sell it to unsuspecting members of the public around Naluwerere and neighbouring districts,” Ochwo said. According to the Bugiri district Police commander, the unscrupulous dealers are mostly unemployed youth. There have been several operations by the Police and UNBS to crack down on the vice and arrests have been made."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/637754-no-money-to-combat-flood-impact.html","content":" - By Gerald Tenywa    He helplessly watched as the floods swept away his garden. A few days later, his house collapsed and Opio, like thousands of other people in Gweri sub-county, Soroti district, became homeless.   The heavens over the entire Teso region had been occasionally giving the residents what they needed, but now, the rain poured continuously for days, making the entire sub-county inhabitable.    “I had never had such an experience,” Opio told New Vision about the floods that swept through eastern Uganda a decade ago.    Robert Ecuru, a resident of Awoja village in Gweri, who lost almost his entire herd to starvation and diseases, says the floods are mild, but frequent. “We are getting floods almost every year.”   He explains that the floods have made life difficult by escalating the cases of malaria and water-borne diseases.    The most recent floods, according to Ecuru, have led to rotting of root crops such as potatoes and cassava, which are important stable food crops in the region. Others are millet and rice. “We are giving up on root crops because the moment this place floods, the tubers rot,” says Ecuru.   He adds that rice is the only crop that is favoured by the changing weather conditions.    Changing rainfall patterns, environmental destruction      According to Francis Opolot, the Soroti district environment officer, the rainfall patterns have changed. He says too much rain falls in a short time. This, according to Opolot, has been accompanied by change of land use that has left the ground bare. He says this has overstretched the ability of the ground to absorb water, leading to run off and consequent flooding.    In the last five years, three floods have occurred in parts of eastern Uganda, including Teso and Butaleja, according to Opolot.   He also points out that floods are followed by droughts. This, Deus Bamanya, a principal meteorologist, says is due to El Nino and La nina conditions that have been influencing rainfall conditions in the region. Unlike strong El Nino that caused massive flooding across the country, this year’s El Nino has been weak. He says the current rains extend into the coming year.    El Nino, a phenomenon which is characterised by heavy rains associated with devastating impacts, is becoming frequent because of changing climatic conditions. This is usually followed by La Nina associated with dry spells. This, Bamanya, says is why floods are following droughts.     Floods linked to troubled Mountain Elgon   Dr. Tom Okurut, the executive director of the National Environment Management Authority, says the destruction of trees, which act as natural barriers against running water from the villages on Mt. Elgon, has led to increased flooding and siltation in the plains.    Okurut says wetlands, rivers, dams and lakes, which used to act as reservoirs have become heavily silted. So, the water runs from the mountains to the low lying areas where there is no space and once it encounters barriers, flooding takes place.   He cites de-silting or dredging of the water bodies such as rivers, lakes, dams and wetlands as part of the solution to flooding. In addition to this, tree planting on the mountains should be encouraged and the natural vegetation should be left intact.    Okurut recommends a change in economic activities pointing out planting of oranges, fish farming and cattle rearing in order to diversify sources of livelihoods. He says with diversification, it will be difficult for disaster to hit at all enterprises.    “Agriculture officials should advise people in the plains not to plant root crops like cassava because flooding leads to rooting of the tubers,” Okurut said.   Districts crippled by funding   The common saying, “Who pays the piper determines the tune of the song” is repeated when the relationship between the local and central government is considered. Opolot points out that the funding at the districts manifests what the central government wants done in the district.    “We get conditional grants and not even environment management or disaster management is considered,” says Opolot, adding that issues of climate change are not considered in the budget leaving the victim at the mercy of disasters and NGOs.    He also says district disaster management committees that had been formed to assess the risk and manage the response to the risk are no more.    Opolot recommends that people vacate low lying areas, but adds that population pressure has made it difficult for them to leave such areas."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/637477-floods-ravage-8-900-homes.html","content":" - By Joyce Namutebi                          A total of 34, 372 (8, 903 households) people have been affected by floods and water logging in various parts of the country and are in need of urgent support, Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) has revealed. The affected districts are; Soroti, Amuria, Katakwi, Nakapiripirit, Kween, Tororo, Kapchorwa, Lira, Ntoroko, Moroto, Nebbi, Kibale and Kotido, UHRC November Disaster Response Report indicates. Otuke in Lira district is the most affected with 6, 225 people, according to a press release issued yesterday. In all the districts, URCS has responded to 17, 390 people with essential household items kits. Floods and water logging have ravaged the country in some parts like Amuria, Katakwi, Nakapiripirit, Kween since March 2012, the release stated. The Secretary General, Michael Richard Nataka, said the report has been shared with stakeholders like Office of Prime Minister, the UN relevant agencies, Red Cross and Red Crescent partners for information and filling gaps where necessary. Nataka added that the URCS annual emergency stock of essential household items of 20, 000 kits is not enough to respond to the country's increasing emergency needs. During the year, URCS has been able to respond to other disasters and emergencies like tribal conflicts, border conflicts, land clashes, population movement of refugees into the country, fire outbreaks, bush fires, school fires, hailstorms, landslides, Cholera, Ebola and Marburg outbreaks, nodding syndrome disease. Since January 2012, the various emergencies and disasters have affected 192, 094 people countrywide, according to URCS' Disaster Response Report. Of these, 74, 227 have received support from URCS."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/637448-floods-affect-over-34-0000-countrywide.html","content":" - A total of 34, 372 people (8, 903 households) have recently been affected by floods and water logging in the country. A Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) November Disaster Response Report indicates that the affected districts are; Soroti, Amuria, Katakwi, Nakapiripirit, Kween, Tororo, Kapchorwa, Lira, Ntoroko, Moroto, Nebbi, Kibale and Kotido.  Otuke in Lira district is the most affected with 6, 225 people. In all the districts, URCS has responded to 17, 390 people with essential household items kits.  Floods and water logging have ravaged the country in some parts like Amuria, Katakwi, Nakapiripirit, Kween since March 2012. Uganda Red Cross Secretary General, Michael Richard Nataka, says the report has been shared with stakeholders like Office of the Prime Minister, the UN relevant agencies, Red Cross and Red Crescent partners for information and filling gaps where necessary. Nataka adds that the URCS annual emergency stock of essential household items of 20, 000 kits is not enough to respond to the country’s increasing emergency needs. During the year, URCS has been able to respond to other disasters and emergencies like tribal conflicts, border conflicts, land clashes, population movement of refugees into the country, fire outbreaks, bush fires, school fires, hailstorms, landslides, Cholera, Ebola and Marburg outbreaks, nodding syndrome disease. Since January 2012, the various emergencies and disasters have affected 192, 094 people countrywide, according to URCS’ Disaster Response Report. Of these, 74, 227 have received support from URCS."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/636684-floods-disrupt-uce-exams-in-katakwi.html","content":" - By Emmanuel Alomu Floods in Katakwi have greatly affected the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) Exams which started a week ago. Candidates of Magoro Comprehensive SS always start their exams more than 30 minutes late because they have to wait until the boat which delivers question papers arrives.  Of the 40 registered candidates in the school, 38 are sitting but two disappeared immediately after registration.  However, Toroma police post examination collection centre is cut off from the school. “Since exams commenced on October 15, our biggest challenge is starting late every day. I leave my home in Magoro trading centre at around 7.00am, board a bodaboda up to the flooded bridge then jump onto a boat and sail to the other side of Toroma Sub-county,\" said Mathew Elungat, the head teacher of Magoro Comprehensive SS. \"I board another bodaboda to take me to Toroma police post exam collection centre.” He says sailing through Oriau Bridge along Toroma/Magoro road alone takes over 50 minutes while hiring the boat everyday is very expensive. “I have on many occasions asked UNEB to bring the candidates to do exams in Toroma Sub-county but I was scared that my school centre number would be given to someone else if my candidates were taken to do exams elsewhere,” said Elungat. He requests that students sit for exams at Magoro police post instead of moving miles every year.  Elungat said the school faced the same problem in 2007. This bridge flooded in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, but motorists were able to cross by then because it was not so flooded.  “My life is at risk because wind blows heavily and the boat could capsize any time,” said Elungat. Alphonse Horai Alumu, the area exam supervisor for Toroma County, said over the weekend that Elungat travels about 25 kilometers everyday to pick examination papers from Toroma police post collection centre. Alumu noted that the Toroma/Magoro road is low and this always causes water to submerge it every year especially during time for exams. Rev. Peter Onyanga, the chief exam monitor for Toroma County, confirmed that the question papers leave the collection centre at 8:30am but reach the school late. “Candidates who are supposed to start doing the first morning paper at 9.00am begin 30 minutes past the hour,” said Rev. Onyanga. Rev. Onyanga added that the head teacher brings back the answered exam papers to Toroma collection centre at around 6:30pm instead of 5.00pm.   However, the deputy secretary in-charge secondary school examinations, Dan Odongo, told New Vision that that problem is not serious.  Odongo asked the head teacher of the school to write to the executive secretary UNEB so that a team is sent to assess the situation. The flooded bridge has failed businesses, education, health and service delivery hence people complain a lot.   “Where are the leaders who said during election that they would repair the road?”  Ediko Emmanuel, one of the voters in Magoro Sub-county, asked. People travelling from Magoro to Toroma and to Soroti via Katakwi town pay sh18,000 up from sh8,000. “I don’t even have sh3,000 for myself and another sh2,000for my bicycle for to cross the bridge by boat. I am going to collect ARVs in Katakwi hospital but I have no money for crossing this bridge,\" said Silver Odeny, a person living positively with HIV/AIDS and a resident of Oolir village in Magoro. \"Sometimes I wade through the water with my bicycle once I notice that my condition is deteriorating when drugs are finished,” . The District chairperson Katakwi, Robert Ekongot, said they are going to be forced to allocate some funds for repairing this flooded road because they are tired of waiting for Central Government to intervene. “We shall work on this road as soon as the water level goes down,” said Ekongot. He said the district is going to invite the minister of works as chief guest during the 50 years of independence celebrations on October 31 so that he is taken round the district to assess the condition of the roads,” said Ekongot. He reiterated that the water sector is the worst affected in the district. Cyrus Imalingat Amodoi, the Toroma County MP, said the Toroma/Magoro road came to the attention of central Government in 2011. Amodoi said he forwarded the issue of the road to Government and Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and they said they were waiting for water to reduce. “The Works Ministry promised me that they would begin the repair of this road by the end of September this year but when I kept going to  them, they told me to wait till the water levels go down then the work would commence,” said Amodoi. Meanwhile, 30 senior four candidates have missed sitting for Uganda Certificate of education (UCE) exams in Katakwi district. Of the registered 796 candidates in the whole district, only 766 are sitting in 12 secondary schools. Katakwi High School has the largest number of dropout candidates. Of the 112 registered candidates in Katakwi HS, 105 are sitting for exams meaning, seven dropped out of school."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/636471-ntoroko-flood-victims-call-for-more-relief.html","content":" - By Rogers Sunday Over 600 households that were displaced by floods in Ntoroko district after River Semuliki burst its banks are calling for more relief support from Government and other non-governmental organisations. The floods, which cut off sub counties of Butungama, Bweramule and Kanara, destroyed property ranging from houses to domestic animals. “I have received reports that a number of goats and cows have been killed by floods,” Edward Birungi, a parish chief in Butungama, said. He quickly added that no human death has been reported so far. Stephen Kaswarra, a father of 7 children who was rescued by a boat two days after his house was washed away by floods, said: “accommodating my family is now a big problem.” He is now living in a tent. “I got this tent from a well-wisher; it is where my entire family is sleeping,” he said. “We do not have even a single plate or cup but only one saucepan. They were all taken by the water as we ran for our dear lives,” Kaswarra said. “I was a cow boy before the floods hit but now I even lost my job after my boss took away the cows,” he added. Amos Katusabe, a resident of Budiba village, says “there are fears that some wild animals like hippos and snakes could come along with the waters and attack people like it the case was last year.” 50-year old Stephen Ngasirwaki, a father of 10, says his family was left with no option but to sleep outside after abandoning their house and land in Nyamwobe village. “I had ploughed land to plant crops and bought some food for my family but it was destroyed by the water and the ploughed land was all washed away,” Ngasirwaki told this reporter on Tuesday. “The flood water is being used by both people and animals. All the latrines were washed way and people ease themselves in the waters,” Ibrahim Baluku, the district information officer, said on phone. Baluku added that the district has written to the Central Government and charity organizations and are now waiting for support. World Vision, a non-governmental charity organisation, donated 1248 mosquito nets to 624 households as one of the ways to prevent disease spread. “The relief we have brought is not enough because the people are still suffering. We would not like to hear about any death or disease outbreak,” Evelyn Atuhairwe, the World Vision branch manager, said while handing over the mosquito nets. She also cautioned the beneficiaries to use the  mosquito nets for the intended purpose other than selling them off or using them to catch fish."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/634959-move-some-ministries-out-of-kampala.html","content":" - By Nabuzale Katherine It’s unfortunate that we cry of Kampala City being unnecessarily and heavily congested, plagued by chronic traffic jams, frequent flooding, poor waste disposal, dwindling greenery, too many unplanned settlements and worse still, turning into a slum city of sorts. No doubt, the city has and is getting a good number of face-lifts but on the contrary, these are closely surrounded by several slums which unquestionably overshadows all its beauty   Kampala, which is currently covers about 24 low hills, is the hub of administrative, political and commercial activities in Uganda. This has greatly contributed to the current state of the city as an overcrowded, disorderly city because all major government businesses and their respective ministries are permanently stationed there, including other sectors such as arts, economics and the informal sector have followed suit.   Consequently, people from all walks of life converge in the city to seek employment and a better life with the hope and knowledge that where there is power, there are opportunities.   It's no wonder that the majority will attest to the fact that, the mess bedeviling Kampala is a result of not only rural-urban migration but also urban-urban migration as people crowd in the city in search of opportunities, only to burden a service delivery system that was designed for a limited population.   It’s such a shame that the ministry of agriculture recently left their home in Entebbe to come and add on the congestion in the City, shamelessly spending huge sums of tax payers' money to rent space in Kampala. Such monies would otherwise, be spent on improving and modernising our agricultural activities.   Therefore, relocation of some government ministries and organs, either permanently to other regions or on a rotational basis, will help with easing the congestion problem in the capital city thus, relieving its already strained service delivery sector.   This move would also provide opportunities for democratic development, for instance, other regions would also gain from the development bang that seems to be only limited to Kampala, creating more employment, better local governance and improved service delivery. The end result would see regions across Uganda develop equitably.   Taking such a move may be glowered upon by many, but for the sake of bringing back order in our beloved City, the government needs to summon the political will to move some ministries and agencies to other regions/districts. The private sector too should be encouraged to operate and set up businesses in the less developed towns so as to attract people away from the city centre.   That arrangement, however, would be aided if the Government concentrated its efforts on facilitating provision of infrastructure like roads, hospitals, revamping good old schools back to their glory days etc, to encourage investors and businesses to move to other less developed districts.   This would immensely contribute to orderly and horizontal development across the country which is in contrast to the uneven development we see presently. It’s a pity that most of what one would actually call development is centred in and around Kampala.   The massive physical development concentrated in Kampala doesn't meet the vision of development for Uganda as a whole. It is sad to notice once prominent towns/districts wasting away in their former shadows, as new districts come on board, but merely in the name of 'new districts' with nothing to show of what should surely befit a town or district for that matter.   These seem more of village administrative centres with hardly any functioning infrastructure or public utility! It is high time the Government thought of giving people tangible reasons to relocate from the city and help decongest the metropolis. This will at the same time spur growth across the country.   It would also be wise for the Government to delay the creation of too many new districts, which don't meet the standard of what a district should hold up to. Reason being, this will not have any positive impact on the imperative of decongesting Kampala and neither shall it address the problem of choked highways in the city.     Correcting the mess in Kampala city may be difficult and costly in the short run; but implementing it would be to the long-term benefit of the city, the well-being of its residents, tourists and the entire country. For God and my country."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/634942-awoja-bridge-reopens-thursday.html","content":" - By Simon Naulele and Felix Osujo Awoja Bridge on the Soroti-Mbale highway in Eastern Uganda closed due to flooding will be re-opened on Thursday. Works sate minister John Byabagambi announced the reopening Wednesday while on an assessment tour of the bridge. Assessing emergency repairs that begun on Sunday; Byabagambi said that floods which washed away more than 200 meters of the tarmacked surface of the road were as a result of heavy rains from Karamoja and ongoing construction of the bridge."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/634841-floods-soroti-mbale-road-closed.html","content":" - James Odong and Felix Osujo The Awoja bridge section on the Soroti-Mbale road has been closed following floods that have submerged the bridge. The closure was announced by the eastern regional Police spokesperson, Hassan Nyene. Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians who dared the crossing struggled to wade through the flooded section of the road. The flooded water has washed away more than 200 meters of the tarmacked surface of the road located two kilometers away from Awoja main bridge. In 2007, Awoja Bridge, located 15 kilometers from Soroti on the Kumi-Soroti highway was submerged by water after the Awoja River burst its banks in government to close the road and divert traffick to Agu Bridge along the Ngora-Serere road. The water levels at Awoja bridge that connects Kumi and Soroti districts have as well risen higher than expected, sparking off fears that this could disrupt the ongoing construction work at the bridge by SPENCON Construction Company. It is windfall for enterprising youth and men,who have since taken advantage of the situation to make money by carrying passengers and guiding the drivers across the flooded section of the road. \"We charge between 500= and 1000= depending on what one is carrying,\" said Martin Okello, one of the youth in the area. During an assessment tour of the affected area, State minister for Disaster Preparedness and Relief, Musa, Ecweru yesterday accused the Engineers from the Ministry of Works of neglect. \"President Yowei Museveni directed the Ministry of works in 2007 to construct more culverts along this swamp but engineers put culverts on one side of the road, this is serious neglect\", Ecweru lamented. Joseph Kato, Assistant Engineer, Uganda National Roads Authority said there were immediate plan to fix more culverts along the road."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/634101-fake-sausages-flood-local-market.html","content":" - By Prossy Nandudu SUBSTANDARD sausages that have flooded the market are threatening the growth of the beef processing industry.  This has created unfair competition and is exposing people to poorly-processed sausages that are harmful to their health. Such sausages contain bacteria like salmonella and E.coli, said Fresh Cuts boss Stephen Duyck. Duyck said a recent analysis by Chemiphar Laboratories on two sausage processing companies showed that their products contained E.coli and salmonella bacteria. “E.coli causes diarrhea, headache, nausea and vomiting, while salmonella is associated with typhoid,” he explained. Duyck made the remarks recently while taking a delegation from the Uganda Manufacturer’s Association (UMA) on a tour of his factory. The visit was part of the association’s routine activities to identify challenges affecting their members. “We invest in proper facilities and certify our products with the best food standards, but we are now suffering from competitors who mix products in their garages without following food safety standards and do not pay taxes,” Duyck said. “Competition is one thing, but poor quality foods harm the society. We may lose a few sales, but the trend will likely damage our brand.”  UMA boss Sebagala Kigozi said he will engage the Uganda National Bureau of Standards over required standards in sausage processing. He also advised Fresh Cuts to consider gazzeting areas that sell its products to avoid mixing up their sausages with poor quality products."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/633404-russia-s-putin-tells-flood-victims-help-on-the-way.html","content":" - Russian President Vladimir Putin made his third visit in less than a month to an area hit by devastating floods on Wednesday, and promised the government would rebuild homes as the Kremlin sought to minimise the political damage from the disaster. Putin talked to a group of pregnant women from the worst-affected town and again accused local officials of not doing enough to warn people about the rising waters. Flash floods in the early hours of July 7 killed 171 people and damaged more than 4,000 homes, mainly in Krymsk, a mountain town on the edge of the Caucasus mountains of southern Russia. Residents said many were caught by surprise by water pouring into their houses, even though the authorities had advance warning. Moscow has been eager to deflect criticism from Putin and the central government. The administration was widely condemned for the poor response to raging summer wildfires that killed dozens of people in 2010. The choreographed visit to a sanatorium in Gelendzhik, a resort town up the Black Sea coast from Putin's summer base in Sochi, featured prominently on state TV news. Putin sat against a background of brightly colored children's drawings as camera shutters clicked and a little girl played behind him. Destroyed homes will be replaced by new ones on safer ground, he told the pregnant women from the nearby town of Krymsk. The houses \"will be much better. You will like them. By the middle of November all homes should be restored,\" he said. The women had little chance to speak during the brief meeting. Some told journalists they wished authorities had done more on the night of the flooding. \"If only ambulances and police cars had driven around the city with sirens to warn us,\" said Tatyana Makhmudova. \"There was no warning ... although the rain had continued for a day by then.\" An investigation showed only 52 people in the town of 57,000 got the official warning, Alexander Bastrykin, the head of the federal Investigative Committee, told Putin during the visit.   \"LAXITY AND NEGLIGENCE\" Putin said images shot from the International Space Station showed the movement of water and blamed the failure to alert residents on \"the laxity and negligence of officials\". \"Courts must draw the final conclusion about who is to blame and for what,\" Putin said. Former Krymsk district chief Vasily Krutko, sacked after the flooding, has been detained along with Krymsk's mayor and the head of the local government's emergency response unit, the Investigative Committee announced on Sunday. A former KGB spy now serving his third term at the Kremlin, Putin is determined to reinforce the image of a statesman leading a strong and well-organised country. Putin won a six-year presidential term in March. Any drop in his strong support in the provinces would be another concern for the 59-year-old leader after months of protests against his 12-year rule, mainly in Russia's major cities. \"It's clear that we cannot prevent large-scale natural disasters of this kind,\" Putin said in a meeting with officials. \"But we are capable of forecasting them and we absolutely must do everything to minimise the possible severe consequences.\" Putin, who traveled to the area hours after the flood and again the following weekend, ordered 1.7 billion roubles ($52 million) allocated for payments to victims. Another 500 million roubles ($15 million) is to be paid in subsidies to restore business activity and create new jobs in the region to \"help people get on their feet,\" he said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/633376-delayed-tororo-mbale-soroti-road-to-cost-more-money.html","content":" - By Henry Sekanjako Government has attributed the delay in the rehabilitation works of Tororo-Mbale, Mbale -Soroti highway to floods in the region, increase in the scope of work and design review of the project. The project which started in November 21, 2010, and should have been completed in May 21, 2012 will only be ready by April 2014. Appearing before the parliament's committee on Physical infrastructure Tuesday, the works and transport minister Abraham Byandala said the contractors received the required design documents for the highway late which led to the delay in the commencement of the project. \"The problem we had was cash flow which we shared with the contractors and Uganda National roads authority but we are getting on top of this problem,\" Byandala assured. However Byandala who was flanked by his junior minister John Byabagambi, UNRA officials, project consultant and contractors Dott services Ltd, said government would suffer more unspecified costs since the scope of work for the project has increased. \"We are beyond the fixed time and we shall inevitably incur the variations in prices and scope of work,\" he noted. Uganda National Noads Authority (UNRA) regional manager Eng. Godfrey Kaaya told the committee that they had done only 18% work on Tororo -Mbale road by only 10% on Mbale -Soroti road. \"Our contractor Dot services are 100 percent mobilized in terms of equipment and personnel. Most of the works like benching and widening, surface dressing on Tororo-Mbale road have been worked on and all the necessary equipment have been availed by the contractor,\" said Kaaya. Kaaya, who cleared Dott services of any wrong doing in delaying the project, said the construction works had been mainly affected by the bad weather more especially floods which has threatened the road construction works. He said they had so far paid sh27billion for the works done and material on site for the over sh70billion road project. He said; \"the Tororo Mbale road was contracted at sh30.2billion and Mbale Soroti at sh46billion\". The project consultant Paul Karekezi however, proposed that government sub contracts some of the works for early completion. According to the executive director Dott services, Venugopal Rao, their scope of work in the contract was to improve on the existing shoulders of the road, partial reconstruction of severely damaged carriage way, reshaping of side and meter drains among others. However some of the committee members blamed UNRA for the delay which they said failed to extend the design documents to the contractor to carry out the road works. \"This should be handled urgently, every minute the contractor spends on site, it is government to pay,\" said Patrick Amuriat."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/633318-flooding-in-central-nigeria-s-jos-kills-at-least-35.html","content":" - Heavy rainfall in central Nigeria forced a dam to overflow, causing flooding that left at least 35 people dead and destroyed or damaged some 200 homes, the Red Cross said Monday. \"We have recovered the bodies of 35 people that drowned in the overnight flooding,\" said Manasie Phampe, head of the Red Cross in Plateau state, where Jos is the capital. \"About 200 homes have either been submerged or destroyed.\" The confirmed victims so far included a 90-year-old woman and a three-month-old baby, adding that the toll could rise, he said. \"Rainwater and water from the Lamingo dam which overflowed swept across several neighbourhoods in the city,\" he explained. \"We are still searching for more bodies as many people have been declared missing.\" The downpour in Jos began at roughly 9:00 pm (2000 GMT) Sunday when many of the city's residents were at home for the night. \"I have lost seven of my children in this disaster,\" said Alhaji Abdulhamid Useini, who described heavy rain pounding his neighbourhood for nearly three hours, which also swept away some of his livestock. The area coordinator for the National Emergency Agency (NEMA), Alhassan Danjuma Aliyu, called the flood \"devastating\" and said police and other rescue bodies were searching the affected areas in hopes of finding survivors. NEMA was also trying to quickly bring in added relief materials to care for those who lost their homes, Aliyu explained. \"We hope to get these materials to them before the end of today,\" he said. The head of search and rescue committee of the Muslim community in Jos, Sani Shuaibu, said the search was still on for 25 bodies still missing. \"We are still looking for 25 other bodies that are still missing and the figure of the missing may rise as families come forward to register their missing family members,\" he said. \"Most of the dead were children between three months and 13 years that were swept away by the flooding in their sleep. We picked the drowned along the river bank... We have two camps where around 700 displaced people are sheltering with little food and water supplies.\" Much of the country has been affected by heavy seasonal rainfall, including Jos in the centre of the country and the economic capital Lagos in the south, where flooding has caused several road closures and other damage. The rainy season typically runs from March to September. Last week, at least three people were killed by flood waters some 150 kilometres (90 miles) north of Lagos in Ibadan, an area where 102 people died following torrential rains last year. At least 20 people died from flooding in Lagos last year, while 24 were killed after rains inundated a neighbourhood in Nigeria's largest northern city of Kano. Nigerian papers have in recent weeks been filled with commentary criticising officials for failing to put in place measures to mitigate the impact of the annual, often severe floods. The largest cities in Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, are overcrowded, with many residents living in haphazardly constructed slums. Drainage systems are also often poorly maintained and contribute to the problem of floods. In 2010, flooding affected roughly half a million people in two-thirds of Nigeria's 36 states."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/632756-russia-s-putin-seeks-answers-over-deadly-floods.html","content":" - MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered investigators to find out if enough was done to prevent 144 people being killed in floods in southern Russia after flying to the region to deal with the first big disaster of his new presidency. Putin, who was criticised for his slow reaction to disasters earlier in his career, also ordered money to be put aside late on Saturday for building new homes for victims of the worst flooding in decades in Krasnodar, a relatively rich area with thriving agriculture and tourism industries. An Interior Ministry crisis centre said 144 people had been killed in the flooding after two months' average rainfall fell in a few hours on Friday night. Most of the dead were drowned, many of them elderly people caught unawares as they slept. Police said survivors climbed into trees and onto roofs to stay above the waters, which flooded entire ground floors of some buildings and created driving torrents in some streets. The Black Sea port of Novorossiisk, the main outlet for wheat from the world's second largest exporter and a key loading port for crude oil from the world's largest producer, could resume loadings on Sunday, port sources said. But the consequences of the flash flood could be more lasting for Putin, although he moved swiftly on Saturday to show he was on top of the rescue effort. Putin and the regional governor surveyed the flood zone from a helicopter and bumped over a country road in a minibus with the head of the Krymsk district, discussing the disaster response in the town worst hit by the flooding. \"I have asked the leadership of the (federal) Investigative Committee to come down. The Investigative Committee will check the actions of all the authorities - how the notice was given, how it could have been given, how it should have been given and who acted how,\" Putin was quoted as saying by Itar-Tass news agency late on Saturday at a meeting in Krymsk. \"I ask you to cooperate,\" Putin added. PUTIN'S IMAGE It was the first major disaster in Russia since he returned to the Kremlin for a third term as president after a four-year interlude as prime minister. The former KGB spy, now 59, has struggled increasingly to project his customary image of mastery since the outbreak of protests against his rule last December. In his 12 years in power, both as president and prime minister, Russia has been plagued by natural and man-made disasters that have laid bare a longstanding shortfall in investment and management for Russia's transport and infrastructure. These include deadly forest fires in 2010 and the sinking of the Kursk nuclear submarine in 2000 which killed 118 sailors and officers. Putin was accused of responding slowly to the Kursk disaster because attempts by foreign rescue teams to save the sailors were initially not allowed. Putin on Saturday ordered the Emergencies Ministry to check a reservoir near Krymsk. The state water resource agency has rejected suggestions by residents that a release of water from a nearby reservoir was responsible for the severe flooding in Krymsk. The flooding followed a month of rain which worsened on Friday night but was expected to stop on Monday. It damaged thousands of homes, forcing survivors to take shelter in tent camps set up outside Krymsk by emergency services teams. Interfax news agency reported the road from Novorossiisk to the popular nearby Black Sea resort of Gelendzhik was being cleared but transport, including rail traffic, had largely collapsed in the region. Two people were detained in the Krymsk area for looting, it said. Source: Reuters"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/632325-kampala-city-centre-floods.html","content":" - By Vision Reporters Most parts in Kampala’s low-lying areas Monday afternoon turned into ‘small lakes’ following a downpour that lasted for an hour. Slums and wetlands in Kampala and its suburbs were most affected, with water gushing into people's houses and denying some people access to the main roads. The most affected areas were the city centre, down town around Nakivubo stadium, Clock tower, Kisenyi, Bwaise, Kalerwe, Kireka, Katwe and Ndeeba among others."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/632021-fake-cosmetics-flood-kampala-shops.html","content":" - By Carol Kasujja Women continue to put their health at risk to meet some obscure standards of beauty. Many spend a big chunk of their income on beauty products to keep up with the trend, oblivious of the fact that some of these products were long-declared unfit for use. According to the National Drug Authority (NDA) these are drugs are sold as cosmetics and are mostly used for bleaching. Some of the brands include Diproson cream and lotion, Perfect Finish, Hot Movate gel, Lemonvate, New clear cream, Sivotone cream, Slear essence cream, First class lady, Neutrotone cream, Dermaclair, Maxi-tone and skin balance cream. And more: Peau Claire, Miss caroline gel plus, Miki cream, Detasol, Fashion fair gel plus, Secret gel, Epiderm lotion, Mekako, Fadeout cream, Rico, Skin success cream and Betaderm cream. NDA carried out studies on these drugs and found that using them could result into consequential health risks like skin cancer, nervous disorder, kidney failure and allergies. “Despite the existence of a law that prohibits the sale of these items, they continue to flood the market,” says Andrew Rutebuka, inspector of drugs at the drugs body. NDA, Uganda National Bureau of Standards and Uganda Revenue Authority warned cosmetic dealers against these drugs in 2004, but they ignored the warning, the bodies say.  As a result, NDA carried out another sting operation in the city centre and found that the majority of big cosmetics shops were selling the banned drugs. They recovered tonnes of the restricted drugs and arrested a Nigerian couple, Paulinus Esioja, his wife Nankya and Deo Ssenyonjo of ButambalaTraders in Kikuubo, downtown Kampala. “If anyone buys a lotion and the label indicates that it contains Clobetasol and Fluocinolone, it should not be used unless it is prescribed by a doctor. Ladies who go to salons should also avoid using diproson in their hair,” warns David Nahamya, the senior inspector of drugs at NDA. A law was enacted in 2002 to control and regulate the sale of cosmetics containing bleaching ingredients. The law requires cosmetics which contain medicinal preparations to be registered with NDA so that they are regulated as dermatological pharmaceutical drugs for medical use. As a result of the ban, manufacturers conceal bleaching ingredients on the labels, suggesting that they have been okayed for use, says Wycliffe Arinaitwe, an NDA law enforcement officer Arinaitwe thinks it is the weak laws in place responsible for the slowed progress in combating the illegal practice. “We carry out operations, arrest people, but they are released after paying fines of sh30,000,” he says. His suggestion: “The Government should tighten laws to scare away people from dealing in these products.”"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/631889-floods-ravage-sironko-bridges.html","content":" - BY JOSEPH WANZUSI and OLANDASON WANYAMA Torrential rains that pounded Sironko district in the first week of this month have disrupted the road network in the mountainous area. Three bridges on River Mahapa connecting Bumasifwa sub-county to the rest of the district cannot be used by motor vehicles forcing travellers to use longer access routes that are poorly maintained. The rains early this month caused landslides in Bugimwera village, Bumasobo parish in Bumasifwa sub-county in which two people died. A district truck carrying non-food items from the Uganda Red Cross Society for distribution to the over 35 displaced households had to be diverted to use a longer but slippery access road to reach Bumasobo Primary School where the items were distributed. The Red Cross donation to the landslide victims included tarpaulins, blankets, mosquito nets, plastic cups and plates, sauce pans, washing soap and jerrycans. Francis Madanda,70,who lost his home and food gardens in the landslide said him and his family were lucky to survive because the incident occurred during day time giving them chance to run away before mudslides buried their houses and domestic animals. There was drama when a man identified by Bumasifwa GISO Moses Wetaka as Jonah Manana a resident of Nakisindi village attempted to grab relief items from a disabled man but two Policemen deployed at the distribution point had to wrestle the man down before recovering the items. Speaking to New Vision after distributing the relief items, Sironko district Red Cross branch manager Agnes Mukoya said they (Red Cross) have only handed out non-food relief items to those whose homes were buried by the mudslides. Sironko district assistant chief administrative officer John Wetaka said apart from the Red Cross support, the district has also received hoes, blankets, nets and tarpaulins from the relief and disaster preparedness ministry. Wetaka however, hastened to add that the displaced families lack food and clothing since all their personal belongings were buried in the mudslides and food gardens destroyed. He told New Vision that the landslides affected residents are willing to be relocated to safer places within Sironko district or neighbouring Bulambuli. Wetaka estimated that about 500 households now living in the landslide prone areas may have to be relocated to avert a disaster like that one of 2010 in Nametsi village in Bududa district where hundreds of were killed. He the district authorities are also considering closing down Gabende primary school in Bumasobo parish and distribute the 250 pupils to other schools within Bumasifwa sub-county. Wetaka said other threatened sub-counties include Bugitimwa, Buhugu and Bukyabo where over 3,000 people may need resettlement following a reported crack across the hilly terrain.      Meanwhile, two roads leading to South Karamoja have increasingly turned out to be a pain in the neck to travellers heading to the sub region in the past weeks of constant heavy rains. The roads include Soroti-Moroto, Sironko-Moroto via Nakapiripirit which stretches a distance of about 395 kilometers. Yet reports indicate Moroto and part of Nakapiripirit districts dominate the mineral industry and other users ply the routes for their own business. However, road users now demand urgent repairs and expansion of the road due to increasing traffic to Karamoja. Travelling from Mbale to Moroto town takes over 20 hours from the usual three- five hours of driving due to the ever deteriorating situation of the roads. Several areas have been submerged forcing travellers to spend sleepless nights along these roads. The areas are Lorengechora, Nakichumet along Moroto-Soroti road and Okudud on Sironko-Moroto via Nakapiripirit among others. Judith Nambozo a fruit trader who spent over 20 hours from Mbale over the weekend asks government to carry out emergency repairs along these roads. She says she has lost a lot of money as her merchandise rot in transit. Nambozo told the New Vision on Monday that for the past weeks her capital has dwindled yet she has no other business that she can carry out. “We spend a lot of time along the road and our foodstuffs rot during that time,” she noted adding that they left Mbale on Friday afternoon. Gerald Okwakol a seller of produce in Moroto Municipality said they have been forced to hike prices to make profits, because they buy food from farmers expensively. So far, cyclists now charge sh120,000 a distance of 160 kms Moroto to Soroti from sh 40,000 the usual charge before the onset of rains."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/631565-sewage-burst-floods-kampala-road.html","content":" - By Wilfred Sanya and Mark Owor Smelly sewage flooded Jinja Road in Kampala Thursday evening, disrupting business and traffic along the busy highway for the second day running. By 5:00pm, the dirty 'river' oozed from a manhole in front of Shell Petrol Station, down to the Centenary Park roundabout, inconveniencing motorists and pedestrians. The spillage forced people have to sprint all the time to escape stench yet the vehicles in motion would splash it all over the road. “I have seen National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) respond in a twinkle of an eye when water spillage is reported when their pipes burst.  Why don’t they behave the same way when sewage flows for months on the road?” an irate passerby retorted. “Water makes money since NWSC is more business-orientated than service providers. It is not long ago when we had a similar scenario in the same place,” he complained on top of his voice. Workers of National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) at the point where the sewer burst at the Shell Petrol Station along the Jinja Road near the roundabout. PHOTO by Wilfred Sanya Traffic police officers deployed at the roundabout daily to manually control the flow of traffic especially during peak-hours avoided the sewage-flooded area. The police officers don white uniform, which partly could have been their reason to avoid the splashes of sewage by the vehicles. The officers clearly failed to control traffic due to the oozing sewage that was emitting a foul smell and eventually decelerating the flow of traffic along the road. The spillage comes at a time when major repairs and improvements are ongoing on major in-city corridor by Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA). NWSC is responsible for improving the drainage of sewage which was planned for six million people at the time when Uganda attained independence 50 years ago. Today, Uganda’s population is growing at a higher rate and more people are settling in the urban and sub-urban areas which has resulted into congestion and overutilization of the few available resources and infrastructure. By press time NWSC personnel had swung in action to rectify the problem."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/631557-you-need-to-manage-floods-at-your-farm.html","content":" - The rainy season is on and across many parts of the country, farmers have made big losses due to floods.    In parts of Teso, Lango and Bugisu, floods have swept away entire farms. For fish farmers, this water is even more dangerous because if it reaches the fish pond, the fish simply swims away and in most cases, never finds its way back to the original pond even after the water goes back to normal levels.    Any farm that is near a water body is likely to be flooded when it rains heavily. These are farms in swamps or near rivers . Rice paddles, swamp yams, vegetables are more likely to be affected by the floods.     When cassava, potatoes or any other tuber shambas flood, the tubers rot in the ground. This is the same case with ground nuts caught in the flooding. This is why precautions are needed to guard against the flooding.     How to control flooding For fish farms, you can pre-empt flooding by making the right site decisions. You must select a site that is above any likely flow of water from the nearest natural water source. And when setting up the pond, make sure that it has higher boulders to keep off the floods.    Assess if your land is likely to flood when it rains heavily. This can be done by gauging the height of the farm vis-à-vis the nearest water source or the nearest valley. You also need to find out if there are enough water outlets just in case it floods.     Make higher boulders on the side facing the water source-this should be the lowest point of your farm towards the water source.    Dig more channels to direct away the water from your farm. The channels should alternatively allow the water to pass through the farm without affecting the crops. If it is rice for example, have water channels running through the shamba.    You can also establish water collection dams on the farm if you have the space.  You can then dig water channels that should direct the water to the collection dams."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/631150-floods-cut-off-import-entry-at-malaba.html","content":" - BY FAUSTINE ODEKE     Traffic flow on the great northern corridor on Malaba - Tororo high way was Wednesday paralyzed for more than three hours after  Nyalakot and Nyamatunga bridges were sub merged by the floods. Three motorcycle riders were reportedly washed away when they attempted to cross the water. However, the riders and their passengers were quickly retrieved by the residents who rushed to witness the surging streams. Several homesteads were also submerged with all households items soaked in water and a number of domestic animals killed. The occupants were forced to rush to higher land. The police led by the district traffic officer Francis Bainomugisha rushed to the scene to control the traffic flow to avoid having people drowning in the streams. The incident that occurred from 6: 00pm was caused by a heavy down pour. The incident comes just a week after five people drowned at Tororo-Nagongera Road when the bridge near Rubongi military barracks was also submerged. The heavy rains have also weakened the Malaba border bridge causing cracks and huge potholes. Farmers in Tororo district are also counting losses after their fish ponds, crops have been destroyed by the heavy rains. In other parts of the country Masaka and some parts of western Uganda, floods have also wreckage havoc there."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/631090-floods-ravage-gardens-in-tororo.html","content":" - BY FAUSTINE ODEKE     More than 200 families in Malaba town council and Osukuru Sub County Tororo district are likely to face starvation after flooded river Malaba burst its banks washing away several acres of food crops. The residents have been forced to uproot their immature cassava plantation while the flowering maize has dried up. The low growing plants like soya beans, beans, potatoes, groundnuts among others have rotten. Amoni ‘A’ village chairman in Malaba town council Arnold Ebbu said about 80 families in his village are seriously affected by the disaster. He said the most affected are those who preferred to cultivate along the river banks because of its fertility. He said since the river burst its banks a week ago at least four unidentified people are reported to have drowned and their floating bodies have also been retrieved. The latest body was retrieved on Sunday by the police in the swamp of Kayoro village in Osukuru Sub County."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/630672-attractive-pay-awaits-east-african-legislators.html","content":" - By John Masaba and John Semakula A very handsome pay could be the reason there is a flood of contestants for the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA). At the moment, over 26 politicians are contesting for the nine seats. The EALA MPs earn $3,000 (sh7.5m) per month (tax free) as basic salary. They also get per diem of $250 (sh600,000) when in session. The lawmakers hold about four sessions a year, each lasting two weeks. That gives them about sh8.4m per session and 33.6m a year. They are expected to spend this money on accommodation, where a good hotel goes for about $70(sh175,000) a night. They also get committee allowance of $150 (sh375,000) per session and a return air ticket to Arusha every three months. Besides, EALA members also have a chance to buy duty-free cars as diplomats. Members of EALA were expected to be elected by April 15 but Uganda has not chosen members because of procedural delays. Parliament has up to June to elect them. A member of the EALA has an edge over his colleagues in the Uganda Parliament. This is because they do not have constituents to spend their earnings on. Several Opposition political parties like Democratic Party (DP) and Conservative Party (CP) have already picked their candidates. DP’s nominated candidate is Mukasa Mbidde, a former UYD activist who contested the Kalungu East MP seat. CP is understood to have endorsed former Rubaga South MP, Susan Nampijja."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/629349-kcca-starts-repairs-on-drainage-channels.html","content":" - By Francis Kagolo and John Kato Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has contracted two companies to repair and de-silt drainage channels in all flood-prone areas around the city. The sh5.3b project is aimed at averting floods ahead of the heavy rains expected to start this month. Eng. Andrew Kitaka, the KCCA director in charge of engineering and technical services, said Omega Consults and Prime Contractors would also replace broken culverts and drainage systems where possible. \"Kampala's drainage systems were designed decades ago yet the city gets built up over time which increases surface run-off water whenever it rains,\" Kitaka told the press at the Media Centre in Kampala on Thursday. \"Most of the drainage channels are clogged with silt and rubbish. All this has been contributing to floods.\" The key floods black spots that are scheduled to be worked on first include Luthuli Avenue, Queen's way and Jinja Road-Wampewo roundabout. Others include Bwaise trading centre, Kawala road (Nsooba) and Mambule road in Kawempe division. In Makindye division, the city authority promised to work on drainage channels along Hanlon Road in Kibuye I parish, Mukwano Road, Namuwongo Road and the surrounding slums. Omega was allocated sh4.18b while Prime Contractors is to get sh1.13b. Kitaka explained that the project was only waiting for the recruitment of a supervisor to start; a process he said would take one week. The two contractors are in addition to the 500 workers whom KCCA has deployed across the city to clean drainage channels, 300 of whom operate in Makindye division. Kawempe has 33 workers while Nakawa, Rubaga and Central divisionS have about 50 workers each. Roads revamp Meanwhile, Kitaka reiterated KCCA's quest for sh1trillion to overhaul the city's road network in the next five years. The money is needed for the reconstruction of 1,100km of roads and tarmacking 35% of murrum roads. KCC has a road network of 1,500 kilometers. This includes 340km of tarmac roads, 760km of murrum and 400km of community and private roads. The city has a size of 195 square miles. However, Kitaka lamented that they only get 20% of the sh200b needed every financial year to rehabilitate the road network in five years. The Authority got sh43b from the central government this financial year. \"We shall try to make the main roads motorable until we get all the money to do the comprehensive work,\" said the city engineering director. KCCA's intervention to improve the drainage system comes amidst public outcry over floods which hit most parts of the city, mainly slums, whenever it rains heavily. Two people, a man and a woman, died in November last year when their motorcycle was swept away by floods during an afternoon downpour in the city. The police said the victims, a bodaboda operator and a client, were riding in the rain on the Katwe-Kalitunsi road. Dozens of other city dwellers have died while many have lost property worth millions over the years due to floods."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/629130-heavy-rains-devastate-kampala-suburbs.html","content":" - By Godfrey Kimono Four Cricket players from the SHREE KACCHHI LEVA  PATEL SAMAJ (SKLPS) narrowly survived death when a wall collapsed on the car they were traveling in at Shell Ntinda fueling station. The wall adjacent to Fuel station fell on the car as they pumped pressure in the car tyre after the heavy Sunday afternoon downpour that left roads around Kampala flooded. Paresh Kamji who was driving the car was seriously injured as the wall fell on the front side of the car he was occupying. SKLPS team captain Rohit Dhanji Harini said Paresh was rushed to Kadic Hospital where he was admitted in a critical condition.   Stranded cars along Nakivubo mews during the heavy down pour.  Photo By Arthur Kintu “Preliminary scan results from Kololo Hospital show that Paresh’s Spinal code was injured and his neck paralyzed,” Rohit said. He said that doctors have recommended that he should under operation. Other occupants in the car were Ankesh Vekeriya, and Shashi Kerai all Indain nationals and cricket players who survived unhurt. Shashi who was outside the car said he took off after realizing the wall was collapsing. Meanwhile, Nelson Kiva  reports that a church, school and over 10 people's houses are among the property destroyed following the Saturday evening rain storm that swept through Bamusuuta village in Kiboga town Kiboga district. The storm started at around 5pm and ranged for an hour the first since the dry season started two months ago. Part of Bamusuuta Church of Uganda building was hit by a falling tree and four class room blocks of Rise and Shine nursery and Primary school reduced to a pile of rubble. Yusuf Muyingo, Twaha Ssali, Salongo Serwada, Pascal Mugisha, Fred Mugyanya, James Mukwaya and one Nabwaato among others lost their houses in the course of the heavy down pour. The displaced families sought refuge at neighbors' and friends' homes. They all were destroyed when the storm devastated their houses. The affected people have asked government to provide them with basic necessities."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/628949-bulambuli-landslide-victims-recieve-aid.html","content":" - By Paul Watala THE last batch of over 500 victims of the 2011 landslides and floods victims in the eastern district of Bulambuli have received household items from Uganda Red Cross Society.  The beneficiaries are from over 400 families who lost shelter and essential items during the landslides and floods that left over 32 people dead last year. According to Uganda Red Cross Society Secretary General, Michael Nataka, others who received are the vulnerable families who were who could not go back to their origin homes. The support came from United Kingdom Department for International Development (DIFD) amounting to 244 pounds. Nataka said the relief will be provided to six districts that include, Bulambuli, Sironko, Kwen, Kapchorwa, Kisoro and Bududa, adding that 1000 people were affected in Bulambuli district alone. The victims received Jericans, cups, plates, blankets, tapelines, saucepans and mosquito nets. He said that Uganda Red Cross Society has launched a Disaster Risk Reduction Activity programme in the districts of Bulambuli, Bududa, Kapchorwa and Sironko that will engage the community on how to increase food security. Nataka said Uganda Red Cross will continue giving assistance to the vulnerable people who were affected by disasters, adding that seeds and garden tools assistance will be extended to them."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/628813-australian-floods-force-thousands-from-their-homes.html","content":" - PERTH - Thousands of Australians were forced from their homes on Monday because of floods that have risen to record levels in some areas and killed one person, and authorities issued warnings for more than a dozen rivers in Queensland and New South Wales states. Australia's coal industry, which is concentrated in Queensland and New South Wales, was largely unaffected, easing concern about a repeat of last year's disastrous floods that sent global coal prices soaring. But heavy rain is expected to take a toll on the region's agriculture, particularly on cotton, sugarcane, soybean and corn. About 2,500 people were evacuated from the Queensland town of St. George, where flooding is expected to reach a record level of 14 metres (45 feet) or higher, state police said. \"We're hearing from people whose families have lived on the property for 100 or more years who've never seen water in their homes who have now got water up to the roof,\" Queensland Premier Anna Bligh told Sky news. \"So we know that something that's never been seen before is on its way.\" St. George was also hit in 2011, when flash floods across Queensland and New South Wales killed about 35 people, swamped 30,000 houses, and wiped out roads, bridges and rail lines. The flooding across the two states this year has resulted in tens of thousands of people being cut off in the last few days, with some having to battle with deadly snakes as they scrambled for dry ground. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has forecast that flooding will continue for weeks in some areas. The town of Moree, the centre of the New South Wales' cotton industry was cut in half by record floodwaters, and some estimated that each farm in the area could lose hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of crops. Australia is the world's largest coal exporter and accounts for roughly two-thirds of global trade of coking coal, used for steel production. The 2011 floods pushed up global coal prices as production was brought to a near standstill. \"The coal mines themselves are not experiencing any difficulties,\" Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche said. \"So far, the Queensland coal industry, as far as we are aware, has missed the flooding.\" On Friday, Whitehaven Coal said it had shut four mines because of heavy rain, but the mines were not flooded and no equipment had been damaged. Global miner Xstrata said there was no impact on its operations. \"It's business as usual,\" spokeswoman Kathryn Lamond said. But the industry was still concerned about disruption if there was no let-up in the rain and more flooding, Roche said. Many mines are still carrying significant volumes of water from last year's floods, so more heavy rain is a danger. Storm damage was estimated to have cut Australia's commodity-weighted economy's gross domestic product growth (GDP) by A$20 billion, or 1.5 percent, in the 2010-2011 financial year. (Reporting by Rebekah Kebede; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Robert Birsel) Source: Reuters"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/628608-u-s-rivals-accuse-china-of-dumping-solar-panels.html","content":" - Chinese solar panel makers flooded the U.S. market with their products at the end of last year in anticipation of potential duties on those products, a coalition of American solar manufacturers said on Wednesday, a charge refuted by some top Chinese companies. The Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing, led by the U.S. arm of German panel maker SolarWorld AG, said Chinese manufacturers including Suntech Power Holdings Co Ltd and Trina Solar Ltd have more than doubled shipments of solar cells and modules. Citing data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Port Import Export Reporting Service, the coalition said Suntech imports rose 76 percent in November compared with the previous month. It said Trina's imports rose 209 percent in the first half of December compared with the first half of November. \"This significant increase in imports demonstrates that the Chinese know they have violated U.S. and international trade rules and are trying to evade the consequences,\" Gordon Brinser, president of SolarWorld Industries America, said in a statement. Suntech and Trina Solar cited a change in a key U.S. government program for solar installations at the end of 2011 for the year-end surge. The program had paid solar developers a cash grant of 30 percent of the cost of new products. This year it has become a tax-benefit program that allows solar power plant developers to deduct 30 percent of a project's cost from their taxes over several years. \"Strong U.S. market demand in the fourth quarter was driven largely by the anticipated expiry of the cash grant program,\" a Suntech spokesman said. \"Suntech continues to grow steadily with the U.S. solar industry, and in 2011 we maintained our leading market share.\" A Trina Solar spokesman said the company is opposed to any suggestion that its U.S. imports surged as the result of efforts to evade potential tariffs. \"Further, due to production cycle and delivery logistics, it's an established industry pattern to see the majority of any quarter's shipments occurring in the last month,\" the spokesman said. Obama's pledge CASM also said Miami-based importer Sun Electronics brought in 31,000 Chinese solar laminates on a single day in December, accusing the privately held company of stockpiling imports. The shipment consisted of \"at least 77 shipping containers,\" the statement said. Sun Electronics could not be reached for comment. SolarWorld Industries and six other U.S. solar companies, who have chosen to remain anonymous, have accused Chinese competitors of receiving illegal government subsidies and selling their products in the United States at unfairly low prices. The companies in October filed a case asking the U.S. Commerce Department to set duties of more than 100 percent on Chinese-made solar cells and panels. Another coalition of U.S. solar companies opposes duties, saying they would threaten 100,000 jobs in the industry by driving up prices and depressing demand. The U.S. International Trade Commission voted last month to allow the case to proceed and for the Commerce Department to announce preliminary duties this year. A preliminary decision is expected Feb. 13. CASM's statement comes a day after President Barack Obama said in his annual State of the Union speech that he was creating an enforcement unit to crack down on unfair trade practices in China and other countries. He did not mention the solar panel case specifically, but urged Congress to pass tax credits to create more U.S. clean energy jobs. (Additional reporting by Sakthi Prasad; Editing by Gerald E. McCormick and Muralikumar Anantharaman) Source: Reuters"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/628328-students-to-over-flood-manjasi-high-for-championships.html","content":" - By Aloysius Byamukama THE ministry of Education and Sports has made changes in the 2012 national schools’ sports calendar merging four different disciplines whose championships will be hosted at the same venue. Netball, Handball, Volleyball and Basketball national championships have been merged and will be hosted between April and May at Manjasi High School in Tororo. The calendar was unveiled to schools head teachers at Kitante Hill School in Kampala on Wednesday. This will be the third time more than three secondary schools’ sports disciplines that attract over 1000 participants in a discipline are merged together for the national championships at the same venue. “It will not be possible for all these students and remember it’s for both boys and girls to be controlled for a week,” lamented one games teacher. Participants too many for Manjasi For the four disciplines to be merged, it will need more than three other schools of Manjasi size for successful games. For Basketball alone, about 1000 participants (both boys and girls) from 80 schools take part. Netball and Volleyball also have more than 600. Handball remains the smallest of the three. The head teachers argued that it may prove futile for this big population of students of two sexes to stay at the same venue for the weeklong championships.        Basketball losing sponsorship Basketball as a discipline looks the biggest loser in the merger. For the last two years, National Schools Basketball Championships have been held separately at an independent venue. And in fact the local schools’ basketball governing body had secured sponsorship starting with last year’s edition at St. Mary’s College Kisubi. The sponsors had renewed their contract which now falls in disarray in case the merger goes on."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/315096-granaries-store-your-food.html","content":" - Farms are flooded in most parts of Eastern and northern Uganda. According to farmers, they are not sure of where they will store the next harvest. In some cases, many farmers who had harvested and storedtheir cereals inside their houses lost it after the houses were flooded. This is why a granary is a must have for all farmers in the flood-prone regions. Ironically, many years ago, it was unthinkable for a homestead of a typical farmer in Teso, Lango and Acholi not to have a granary.  How to construct a granary However, as times changed, some of these structures were destroyed. Some even claimed that the granaries were out-dated. Most granaries are constructed using grass, soil and wattle which can easily be got from anywhere across the flood lit regions. Use three poles and set them up in a small circle. The poles should be at least five feet apart.  Set reeds two feet above the ground and use mud to finish construction of the walls."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/315089-honda-scraps-1-000-flood-ravaged-cars-in-thailand.html","content":" - Japanese automaker Honda on Tuesday began destroying more than 1,000 cars in Thailand to reassure customers that no vehicles damaged in the country's recent flood crisis will ever be sold. The scrapping process at Honda's plant in the central province of Ayutthaya is expected to take one month, the company said in a statement. The plant is located in the Rojana Industrial Park, where heavy flooding in early October brought production to a halt and aerial pictures showed hundreds of new cars submerged in muddy water. \"While we were able to relocate many new cars that were awaiting shipment to a safe area, 1,055 vehicles that remained in the plant were finally damaged by the flood,\" said Pitak Pruittisarikorn, executive vice president of Honda Automobile Thailand. \"We will not sell any of the damaged cars to customers, or sell or reuse any of the parts,\" he added. Most of the cars to be scrapped are mid-sized City sedans and Brio and Jazz hatchbacks. Production has yet to resume at the factory. Thailand said earlier this month that over 700 people died in the floods, which at their height affected 65 of the 77 provinces in the low-lying nation and forced the closure of seven major industrial parks, disrupting global supply chains. The waters have since receded significantly but many areas still face a major clean-up operation. (AFP)"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/314933-fake-drugs-flood-kampala.html","content":" - By Patrick Jaramogi   The National Drug Authority has described the influx of counterfeit and unregistered medicines in the country as “very worrying”.   The counterfeits currently circulating in the market are mainly from Kenyan manufacturers.   The NDA Chief executive Gordon Sematiko Katende said the fake medicines intercepted include Quinine Bisulphate 300mg tablets claimed to be manufactured by Laboratory and Allied Limited of Kenya.   “Others are Quinine Sulphate 300mg tablets claimed to be from MacLeods pharmaceuticals limited in India. Metakelfin 500mg tablets from Pharmacia Italy and the outlawed Maxaquin 4% injection 30ml manufactured by Mac’s pharmaceuticals in Kenya,” said Sematiko.   Sematiko who addressed the press at the NDA offices in Kampala urged the public to be vigilant and observant.   He urged Ugandans to only purchase medicine from registered and licensed drug shops. He said other drugs recovered in the operation in Kampala and surrounding cities also included Bioquin (chloroquine) 250mg tablets claimed to be manufactured by Biodeal laboratories in Kenya and Methomine tablets made by Universal Corporation in Kenya and Emoquin tablets made by Elys Chemical Industries in Kenya.   “The medicines are not manufactured by the purported manufacturers on the label but by unscrupulous individuals intending to cheat the public. The medicines are dangerous and are likely to cause harm to anyone who consumes them,” he warned.   Sematiko appealed to the general public to be vigilant and report anyone involved in sale of the above medicines by calling the NDA hotline 0776110008.   He pointed out that three persons had been arrested in Kampala in connection with counterfeits ."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/314652-floods-destroy-rice-gardens-in-butaleja.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu  Floods have destroyed over 2,000 acres of rice in Butaleja district and affected yields as well as causing losses to farmers.   At Doho rice scheme with a total of 2,500 acres of which 2,380 are presently under rice cultivation, the floods have destroyed more than 2,000 acres while over 2,500 acres of the total 3,000 acres belonging to rice out growers in the scheme have also been swept.   Wilberforce Segula, the Doho rice scheme irrigation officer explained that whereas the total acreage under cultivation at the scheme usually yields 6,000 tons of milled rice per annum, the output is expect to drop by half or more this year.   “The rice scheme is divided in to ten blocks that contain about 200 to 500 acres of rice. The floods have submerged eight blocks at stages of harvesting, flowering, and those that had just been planted. When rice is covered by water for three days, it dies,” Segula explained. Lowland rice has two seasons that stretch from April to August and October to February. However, due to ready availability of water at the scheme that is adjacent to River Manafwa, the out growers and the scheme cultivated the crop throughout the year. The rice from the scheme is sold locally to traders from mainly from Mbale, Kampala and other busy towns in eastern regions. Though Butaleja district has been receiving moderate rains, heavier rains that have pounded the Mt. Elgon area for the last three weeks caused River Manafwa to bursts its banks. Despite the low yields that have dwindled supply, prices of milled rice in the district have dropped drastically.   Milled rice has dropped from sh2200 per kilogram last month to sh1500 to 1700, depending on the quality.   “Ordinarily, we would expect the low supply to trigger a rise in prices. But the floods have affected the quality of rice we are harvesting at the moment and this is bound to go on for some time. The floods have turned the colour of milled rice from white into yellowish. Even in the process of milling, rice grains that has been submerged in floods for long tend to break easily that translates in to poor quality milled rice,” Segula stressed."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/314618-floods-wreck-butaleja-roads-and-homes.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu HEAVY rains have flooded the Mbale-Butaleja road at Doho rice scheme in Butaleja district, cutting off vital communication along the route.  A stretch of about one-and-a-half kilometers of the murrum road at the rice scheme located 30 kilometers from Mbale town.  Part of the Doho-Namulo road has also flooded. A man stands infront of his flooded compund in the district. PHOTO by Daniel Edyegu Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians moving along the route have to wade through the waters, which are knee-deep in some sections of the road. The floods have worsened the damage on road that had just undergone repairs to seal the potholes created by similar floods last year and mid this year. In some sections, the floods have washed off the murrum, exposing concrete culverts of the bridges on the surface, some of which have started to crack. Because the whole road is flooded, you can’t tell where there is a pothole and what part of the road is fairly safe. Besides, the engines of vehicles and motorcycles are also at a risk of getting damaged, Yasin Kirya, a truck driver along the route said.  “This is a persistent problem. We have had a lot of Government promises to raise the level of the road and build wider bridges but nothing positive is forthcoming,” Kirya explained. A student wades through a flooded road on his way to school. PHOTO by Daniel Edyegu The floods have also affected several gardens and compounds of homesteads in the sub-counties of Mazimasa, Himutu and Kachonga.  At Doho and Namahere primary schools, as a result of the stagnant rain waters, pit latrines have collapsed and classroom walls eaten away.  The district is carrying on a disaster assessment of the affected families."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/45770-uganda-misses-out-on-top-africa-celebs.html","content":" - September, a request for a list of 40 most powerful celebrities in contemporary Africa was put out by Forbes. Within three weeks, over 7,500 entries flooded in.   The debut list of The 40 Most Powerful Celebrities In Africa includes actors, cerebrated authors, musicians, movie producers, super models, TV personalities and athletes, drawn from all across Africa and traverses the generational divide.    Chinua Achebe, the father of African literature, crowns the list  at number one. His novel Things Fall Apart has been translated into over 50 languages and sold over 10 million copies     So timeless artistic greats like Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe (ranked No. 1) and Zimbabwe’s Oliver Mtukudzi listed alongside younger up-comers like famed Kenyan crooner Eric Wainaina, Ivorian soccer sensation Didier Drogba (No. 3) and Nigerian screen goddess Genevieve Nnaji. Perhaps not surprisingly, the list is dominated by musicians.   Criterion Determining the celebrities who exert the highest degree of influence in contemporary African pop culture involved sifting through the nominations for the individuals with the highest numbers of votes and then measuring their media visibility (exposure in print, television, radio and online), number of web references on Google, TV/radio mentions and their general clout across the continent.    Ideally, a robust social media presence would have been an invaluable yardstick in determining the intensity of influence these individuals exert over their enthusiasts.    Nigerian R&B duo P-Square come in at number 35   However, apart from Senegelese hip-hop act Akon, Nigerian beat maker Michael Collins a.k.a Don Jazzy and a handful of others, who boast six-figure followers on networks like Facebook and Twitter, an overwhelming number of Africa’s most influential celebrities have either a very small or non-existent social media presence.   These days, Africa’s favourite idols harness the “currency of celebrity” to impact social change on many levels. Ivorian soccer star Didier Drogba has donated a $5m endorsement fee he earned from Pepsi to construct a world-class hospital in his hometown of Abidjan.    Ethiopian athlete, Haile  Gebrselassei is ranked at number 13 and Soccer player Didier Drogba comes in at number 3   A handful of celebrities on this list have done very little to support social causes, but make the list anyway because of the overwhelming number of votes they received and the immense acclaim they enjoy across the African continent and the world.   Here’s a serenade of Africa’s 40 most powerful pop icons according to Forbes. They are the greatest influences on African pop-culture and their ideas, skill and actions bring us gratification and inspire conversations among us.    At number 34, Tuface Idibia is one of Africa’s most recognisable new-generation singers and Nollywood diva Genevieve Najji comes in at number 19. She has featured in over 80 successful Nigerian blockbusters   The top 40 1.   Chinua Achebe, 81, Nigerian novelist 2.   Youssou N’dour, 51, Senegelise  musician 3,   Didier Drogba, 33, Ivorian soccer player 4.   Angelique Kidjo, 51, Beninoise musician 5.   Akon, 38, Senegelise musician 6.   Wole Soyinka, 77, Nigerian playwright 7.   Salif Keita, 62, Malian musician 8.   Yvonne Chaka Chaka, 46, South Africanmusician 9.   Oumou Sangare, 43, Malian musician 10. Femi Kuti, 49, Nigerian musician 11. Toumani Diabate, Malian Musician 12. Oliver Mtukudzi, 59, Zimbabwean musician 13. Haile Gebrselassie, 38, Ethiopian athlete 14. Khaled Hadj Ibrahim, 51, Algerian, musician 15. Samuel Eto’o, 30, Cameroonian soccer player 16. Alek Wek, 34, Sudanese supermodel 17. Liya Kebede, 33, Ethiopian supermodel 18. Dobet Gnahore, 29, Ivorian musician 19. Genevieve Nnaji, 32, Nigerian actress 20. Koffi Olomide, 55, Congolese musician 21. Neil Blomkamp, 31, South African movie director 22. Souad Massi, 39, Algerian musician 23. Baaba Maal,  58, Senagalese musician 24. Hugh Masekela, 72, South African musician 25. K’naan, 33, Somali rapper 26. Amadou and Mariam, Malian musicians 27. Awilo Longomba, Congolese musician 28. Eric Wainaina, 38, Kenyan musician 29. Binyavanga Wainaina, 40, Kenyan author 30. Ngugi wa Thiongo, 73, Kenyan author 31  Freshlyground, South African musicians 32. Chimamanda Adichie, 34, Nigerian writer 33. Rokia Traore, 37, Malian musician 34. Tuface Idibia, 36, Nigerian musician 35. P-Square, 29, Nigerian musicians 36. Don Jazzy, 30, Nigerian music producer 37. D’Banj, 31, Nigerian musician 38. Neka, 31, Nigerian musician 39. Asa, 29, Nigerian musician 40. Patricia Amira, 33, Kenyan TV personality   Who is your most influential African celeb?"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/45681-more-extreme-weather-expected-as-planet-warms-u-n.html","content":" - The world is getting hotter, with 2011 one of the warmest years on record, and increasing temperatures are expected to amplify floods, droughts and other extreme weather patterns around the planet, said a U.N. report released on Tuesday. The World Meteorological Organisation, part of the United Nations, said the warmest 13 years of average global temperatures have all occurred in the 15 years since 1997. That has contributed to extreme weather conditions that increase the intensity of droughts and heavy precipitation across the world, it said. \"Our science is solid and it proves unequivocally that the world is warming and that this warming is due to human activities,\" WMO Deputy Secretary-General Jerry Lengoasa told reporters in Durban. This year, the global climate was influenced heavily by the strong La Nina -- a phenomenon usually linked to extreme weather in Asia-Pacific, South America and Africa, but which developed unexpectedly in the tropical Pacific in the second half of 2010. One of the strongest such events in 60 years, it was closely associated with the drought in east Africa, islands in the central equatorial Pacific and the United States, as well as severe flooding in other parts of the world. The report was released to coincide with the start of U.N. climate talks this week in the South African coastal city of Durban aimed at reaching cuts in gas emissions to head off what scientists see as a global ecological disaster caused by climate change. Prospects for a meaningful agreement appear bleak with major emitters the United States and China unwilling to take on binding cuts until the other does first, major players Japan, Canada and Russia unwilling to extend commitments that expire next year and the European Union looking at 2015 as a deadline for reaching a new, global deal. The report said the buildup of greenhouse gasses has depleted sea ice caps and put the world at a tipping point of irreversible changes in ecosystems caused by global warming. \"Concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have reached new highs,\" WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud said separately in a statement. \"They are very rapidly approaching levels consistent with a 2-2.4 degree Centigrade rise in average global temperatures which scientists believe could trigger far reaching and irreversible changes in our Earth, biosphere and oceans.\" Russia experienced the largest variation from average, with the northern parts of the country seeing January to October temperatures about 4 degrees higher in several places, it said. U.N. scientists said in a separate report this month an increase in heat waves is almost certain, while heavier rainfall, more floods, stronger cyclones, landslides and more intense droughts are likely across the globe this century as the Earth's climate warms. Reuters"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/45670-boy-dies-in-kampala-floods.html","content":" - By Godfrey Kimono & Brian Mayanja   Floods that engulfed Kampala suburbs today morning killed a two year old boy in Ssembule zone in Kabowa parish Rubaga division.    Brain Mulindwa died after he fell and drowned in the floods while following his mother Faridah Nalweyiso who had gone to the nearby shop to buy bread.    His mother said due to floods that had engulfed all walk paths and neighboring houses, she was forced to stay at the shop for over 30minutes.   “I left him in bed and little did I expect him to follow me. When I came back I had to search but could not find him anywhere in the house,” Nalweyiso said.    Joined by neighbours, she mounted a search before recovering the body of the boy stuck in the nearby sugarcane plantation next to latrines.    New vision however, failed to access the scene due to floods that had engulfed the houses in the area after the rain that lasted for over six hours.   According to Abas Ssematimba the area Chairman, the incident happened at around 10am.  He attributed the cause of floods in the area to the blockage of Nalukolongo channel where an Indian has dumped marrum to Ambitious Construction Company.     “This marrum has narrowed the drainage system making it difficult for water to flow when it rains.  He also added that floods are rampant due to irresponsible residents who dump garbage in the drainage system blocking the water flow.    “People throw garbage in the channels. So when this garbage is washed down, it blocks the drainage near the road and thus the overflow,” he said.   Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesman Ibin Ssenkumbi confirmed the incident and advised parents to be conscious and guard their children during this rain season.    He said police statistics; at least a dozens of people have died in city flood-related incidents since the rains started last month in Kampala.   Recently the Commissioner of Meteorology Michael Nkalubo warned of the impeding disasters likely to be caused by the heavy rains forecasted in the short rain season between September to December.   Meanwhile business was paralyzed around Kampala and its suburbs, making it hard for city dwellers to report to work on time as several roads were jammed."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/45647-floods-ruin-roads-across-uganda.html","content":" - FOR the past couple of months, areas across Uganda have experienced their share of heavy rains which have come along with devastating effects. Reports of lightning strikes flooded the media a few months back, not forgetting the ruins of the floods on farmers' crops, animals, and homes. Yet the situation was not made even better with the poor road network in some remote places. Take a look at the spoils left by floods on some roads across the country.  Inmates of Ragem Prison in Wadelai sub-county, Nebbi district try to push a vehicle after it got stuck on the soggy Nyaravur-Wadelai road. PHOTO by Benedict Okethwengu    A bodaboda negotiates his  way along a muddy and slippery road in Bulambuli district. PHOTO by Daniel Edyegu    Residents wade through a waterlogged road in Apac district recently. PHOTO by Bonney Odongo   Residents of Kagando village in Rakai district wadethrough the waters. The road has been in this  state for the last three weeks according to the Rakai LC5 chairperson. PHOTO by Ali Nambule"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/29952-continuous-floods-hit-teso.html","content":" - By Felix Osujo A total of 3000 families in Serere district have fled their homes after continuous torrential rains caused flooding of majority homes. With pit latrines water-logged, people have now been compelled to defecate in water, causing a horrible smell, and most of their grass-thatched houses and semi permanent homes have collapsed due to the increasing pressure of the water. Most of the gardens have been submerged and some of the highway murram roads are flooded. In Owiny parish Agule village in Kateta sub-county, the worst hit in the district of Serere, most of the affected families are still enduring the conditions despite their homes being flooded. Families have appealed to government to assist them with tapelines for drying food,tents for providing emergency accommodations ,mosquitoe nets,water purification,posho and beans to help them through the natural disaster. “The devastation of water-logging  has affected all the villages in the subcounties. Roughly 3000 families, most of them  taking refuge in the  trading centers with over 200 pit latrines destroyed and 1000 crops in the gardens submerged,” the chairman LC5 of Serere district Opit said . Opit on November 11(this year) led a delegation of the district officials visiting the worst affected villages to ascertain the extent of destruction. He identified the most hit villages in Bugondo sub-county as Agule,Owii,Okokoma,in Labor sub-county as Obangin,Akworo,Aarapo,in Kyere  sub-county as Kelim ,Kamurojo villages. In Kateta sub-county,LC3 , indentified the worst hit villages  as Aisin,Acomia,Okulukulun,Nanang A-B,Awoja,Pachoto,Owiny,Agule,Olagar and Chamuliki. In Katakwi ,RDC ,Joseph Arwata,identified the sub counties highly affected as Magoro,Palam, and Ngariam. He said water logging has impaired most of the  people of movement and it has caused damage in gardens.     In Ngora district, Chairman LC5 ,Ben Eumu,described the situation as the worst in the villages of Atapar,Omito in Kapir sub county,MoruKakise ,Asinge ,Apuai in Mukura subcounty,Agu and Odwarat in Ngora sub county. He said hundreds of  crops in the gardens submerged and some of the huts in some villages have collapsed . In Bukedea, the vice chairman LC5,Charles Ojilong,identified the most hit places as ,Aminit Busano,Akakat,Okula,Kagoloto,Kamutur and Tajar in Malera sub county."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/18933-floods-hit-eastern-uganda.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu  FLOODS have displaced families in six districts in eastern Uganda. The affected districts are Bulambuli, Kween, Tororo, Butaleja, Bukedea and Amuria. In Bunambutye sub-county, Bulambuli, the floods have displaced 24 families and ravaged the Sironko-Bulambuli-Nakapiripirit-Moroto road, cutting off communication along the route to Karamoja sub-region. Ismail Wanyama, 32, of Buwala village said the floods knocked down his mud-and-wattle house, forcing him to relocate with his family to a relative’s home. The biggest challenge is lack of food, as the floods have also destroyed plantations. Salvation Army Christians recently distributed food to the displaced persons in the sub-county, but it was also destroyed in the recent floods. Unfortunately, this year’s harvests were not good. “We suffered severe drought before the floods came in. So even the families where some of us took refuge are facing food shortages,” Wanyama said. At Bumasari parish, the water has stagnated on land and destroyed houses. Though the water has receded in some parts of the parish, the ground has remained soggy. But like they say, every cloud has a silver lining. Some youth living in the areas along the Bulambuli-Nakapiripirit-Moroto road, Bulambuli-Nakapiripirit road have turned the tragedy into a fortune. Armed with spades, hoes and a plastic container, they charge motorists sh2,000 to sh3,000 before letting them cross the bad section of the road. “When the floods damaged the road, we levelled the ground with our tools and made repairs to enable motorists cross. So we charge them a modest fee as a token of appreciation for our efforts,” said Juma Muyala, 26, from Tabaganyi village. He added: “There’s no alternative source of income for us because the floods destroyed our property and we need money to sustain our families.” The youth block the road using thorny branches to deter motorists from crossing without paying. Geoffrey Wambi, the Bunabutye LC3 chairperson, said: “Floods in Bumasare parish knocked down houses. We fear that if these rains continue, we might get an outbreak of water-borne diseases.”  since this water passes several areas before reaching here,” Khauka said. In Bukedea district, the floods have receded in all the parishes of Malera and Kolir  sub counties that were prior affected by the heavy rains. However, the ground is some lower areas has remained soggy following resumption of rains in the last two weeks back.   In Kolir sub county, gardens in Apopong parish are soggy and all crops including bean, cassava tubers, potatoes and cotton have been destroyed. Amos Okiria, 60, from Adamacha-Alapata village in Kolir sub county said the short crops such as groundnuts, beans, cow, peas, cotton,reen grams and sweet potatoes rotted in the gardens. “The waters submerged the short crops and stagnated on the land for a long time. Coincidentally, this happened when these crops were flowering. The cassava tubers have rotted underneath the ground. The mounds of sweet potatoes were washed away,” Okiria said. Okiria explained that residents tried to dig shallow water tunnels along the boundary of their gardens to channel out the waters without much success. He added that in most huts in the homesteads, waters had continued to seep through the floor of mud and wattle huts in destrying household property. “Most people have abandoned the place and resettled on drier areas. We can’t construct brick houses in this village. The brick soils get mashed and the huts subsequently collapse. Very few people, most of whom do not have money to buy land in other areas, have remained in the village,” Okiria said. In Amuria district, the floods have affected Obalanga sub county and Katine parish in Abarillela sub county.  In Obalanga sub county, sections of the Soroti-Amuria-Abim-Kotido road have been washed off creating difficulty in movement along the route. However, the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has repaired some sections of the road to ease movement. In Butaleja district, Jackie Namboga, the district information officer said floods had receded in the sub counties of Mazimasa, Himutu and parts of Butaleja town council. “But in places that are located in swampy areas, the floods are still existent.The biggest problem is that the crops have rotted in the gardens. Most families have ressetttled,” Nankoma said. According to the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) September disaster response operation report, over 70000 people were affected by floods and related disasters countrywide. The report indicates that 35, 125 people were affected in Bulambuli while another 18525 people were affected by disastrous floods, landslides and hailstorm in eastern districts of  Bukedea,  Sironko, Butaleja, Pallisa, Kween, Mbale and Nakapiripirit. In Central region, hailstorms affected 3540 people in the districts of Masaka,  Lwengo and Mpigi while951 people in western Uganda suffered the effects of hailstorms in Mitooma and Buhwenju districts. In West Nile, floods affected 4610 in Nebbi and Moyo districts. Floods also affected 1, 820 in Ntoroko and 1, 111 in Kisoro district."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/18911-floods-paralyse-kampala-traffic.html","content":" - By Mark Owor KAMPALA'S low-lying areas Friday afternoon turned into a big lake following a downpour that lasted for over two hours. This is the second time floods batter the capital in one week. Slums and wetlands in Kampala and its suburbs were most affected, with water gushing into people's houses and denying some people access to the main roads. This forced residents in the most affected areas of Bwaise, Kalerwe, Kireka, Katwe and Ndeeba to wade through the water to drier ground. In Kireka and Bwaise, residents resorted to scooping water out of their houses with buckets and basins. On Entebbe Road, areas like Lufuka, Najjanankumbi, Namasuba and Zana were submerged. Within the city centre, Clock Tower and Kisenyi were most affected. Cars struggling to go through the floods along Jinja road after a heavy down pour next to Jinja police station In Kawempe division, besides Bwaise and Kalerwe, some houses on the recently opened Northern Bypass were also flooded. The water, which rose up to knee level at some places, washed away people's property and forced hundreds to abandon their houses and businesses.  A taxi wades through the floods at Jinja Road Round-about Several cars were unable to navigate through the water and were left stranded in the middle of the road Hawkers in the city centre cashed in on the lengthy downpour by selling umbrellas at between sh3,500 and sh5,000. Schools and shops were closed for most of the day in the affected areas. Child Care Primary School in Kibe Zone in Kalerwe did not open for business as water filled its classrooms. A study by British researcher Richard Taylor in Kalerwe and Bwaise indicates that incidents of cholera and floods are likely to go up with increased rainfall. The report says floods contaminate the water in the spring water wells, which is the main source of water for Kalerwe residents. Over 60% of Kampala's population stays in slums.   The water which rose up to knee level at some places washed away property in Kalerwe  Two people were killed in September after the motorcycle they were riding on was swept away by floods during an afternoon downpour. The victims,a bodaboda operator and a client Brenda Owomuntu, a cashier at Barclays Bank were riding in the rain on the Katwe-Kalitunsi road when the motorcycle was suddenly swept away."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/18908-thai-floods-to-hit-bank-loan-growth-c-bank-relaxed.html","content":" - Leading Thai banks expect loan growth to slow from this quarter and into next year because of flooding that has devastated industrial provinces, but the central bank does not expect the floods to cause a big problem with non-performing loans (NPLs).   One small lender, CIMB Thai Bank , said on Friday it expected loan growth to exceed its target of 20 percent this year and aimed for more than 20 percent growth next year on the back of expected economic growth of 4.5-5.0 percent. .   However, Bangkok Bank , Thailand's top lender, said on Thursday it expected lower loan growth in the fourth quarter due to the floods and said the slowdown would probably continue into the first half of next year. .   Kasikornbank and Siam Commercial Bank also said they expected lending to slow in the fourth quarter, generally the peak period for borrowing.   The flooding forced seven big industrial estates north of Bangkok to close in October, affecting thousands of factories, particularly in the auto and electronics sectors. Most will not be up and running again until next year.   However, Bank of Thailand Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul told journalists at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand late on Thursday that most of the firms involved on the estates were insured and so should not have trouble servicing loans.   \"Judging from the present condition of the banking system here, I don't have any worries,\" he said.   Prasarn said firms on the seven industrial estates had total outstanding credit of 66 billion baht ($2.2 billion). Some 56 percent was owed to Thai banks and 44 pct to foreign banks, especially Japanese.   The banking sector's NPLs stood at 2.95 percent of lending at the end of June, down from 3.57 percent at the end of December.   Some increase is expected because of the flooding, but Fitch Ratings (Thailand) said in late October it expected losses to be moderate and saw no immediate need to change ratings.   Loan growth will be influenced by economic growth, and the central bank has just cut its forecast for this year to 2.6 percent from 4.1 percent, with more than one percentage point of the cut attributable to the floods, Prasarn said.   The drop in consumption and investment spending caused by the floods and the international slowdown would take time to recover, he said, but he remained positive on the outlook for the Thai economy next year as long as the flood situation improved by early December."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/18824-today-in-history-2nd-november-1961.html","content":" - Considering damage by the continuous rain caused to houses, crops and murram roads in Busoga. For the first time, many houses, including a beer club house in the Bugembe swamp (Kisenyi) about 3.5 miles on Jinja – Iganga road were flooded.   Calls for help were raised by the people in Kisenyi when water began to pour into their mad and wattle houses. Several children were in danger of drowning in places where the water reached 5fit depth. Plots planted with cotton, potatoes, sugarcanes, maize and banana were under water.   Three Ssaza roads in Busoga were closed. One was the Bugiri – Nakirubi road which was flooded and whose bridge across Kitumbizi River was submerged, people were advised to go round Buseka   The Bugiri – Buruguyi, Gombolola headquarters old road was impassable and the River Kimbimba Bridge was submerged. All three roads were impassable to motor vehicles.   A ministry of works spokesman announced that Kumi Brooks corner; Soroti road had been closed at Agu Bridge where flood water had damaged it. The Kumi – Awoja road was opened temporarily to vehicles less than three tons. Did you know?   Lieutenant Kanuti Akorimo is the Ugandan soldier who hoisted the national flag at Kololo Air Strip on October 9, 1962 for the first time. Today at 80 years old he lives Omatenga village in Kumi district."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/18721-bangkok-residents-flee-as-floods-threaten-dikes.html","content":" - BANGKOK - Thailand's prime minister said Bangkok was fighting the forces of nature on Thursday as floodwater threatened to break through dikes protecting the capital and residents took to the road after the government told them to leave if they could.   The country's worst flooding in half a century, caused in part by unusually heavy monsoon rain, has killed 373 people since mid-July and disrupted the lives of nearly 2.5 million, until now mostly in the north and central provinces.   But Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, a novice politician who only took office in August, told reporters the crisis had now reached a critical point for Bangkok.   \"It seems like we're fighting against the forces of nature, massive floodwater that is causing damage to several of our dikes,\" she said.   \"The truth is, we need to let it flow naturally out to the sea, and what we can do now is to manage it, so that it flows slowly, otherwise everybody will suffer.\"   As Yingluck's voice started to tremble, reporters asked if she was crying.   \"No, I haven't cried and I won't. I'll be strong to solve this problem for the Thai people. Right now we need to release floodwater to the sea as soon as possible and we need a quick rehabilitation plan,\" she said.   Traffic in central Bangkok was light as a five-day holiday, declared by Yingluck's government so people could leave Bangkok, began. However, a main road out of the city to the flood-free south was jammed.   Many people were going to the seaside towns of Hua Hin and Pattaya, where hotel rooms and homes to rent were hard to find.   \"We're heading off to Hua Hin because people said it'll be difficult, we should leave. We plan to stay for at least three days and will monitor the situation. If it gets worse, we won't come back,\" resident Pornchai Tangsuwongthai told Reuters TV.   Bangkok, a city of at least 12 million people that accounts for 41 percent of GDP, is in danger from run-off water from the north coinciding with high tides on the Chao Phraya river, which is already at a record high level in places.   TV showed crowded domestic check-in counters at Bangkok's main Suvarnabhumi airport. Don Muang, the city's old airport now used mainly by budget carriers for internal flights, had to close on Tuesday and services switched to Suvarnabhumi.   At least seven huge industrial estates have also had to close to the north of Bangkok. The central bank has revised its growth forecast for southeast Asia's second-biggest economy to 3.1 percent this year from 4 percent as a result. The finance minister's projection is a gloomier 2 percent.   MORE EVACUATIONS   The defence ministry said 50,000 armed forces personnel were standing by with 1,000 boats and 1,000 trucks to help evacuate people. City authorities said a third district in the capital was in danger.   \"Today Sai Mai area is getting worse. By lunchtime, Bangkok will announce the evacuation of people in the area, as we did with Don Muang and Bang Phlad yesterday,\" Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said in a televised statement.   Late on Wednesday, the governor warned that dikes might not hold and the city could be swamped. Yingluck has said floodwater could remain in the capital for up to a month.   Banks and financial markets will operate normally during the holiday from Thursday to Monday, although flooding has forced 295 branches to close, including 21 in Bangkok.   The stock market was up 2 percent at midsession. Recently it has reacted more to changing views on Europe's debt crisis than to the floods, although certain sectors have seen sharp moves. Banks have tended to fall while drinking water and building material firms have gone up.   Bangkok residents have stocked up on food, and items such as bottled water, instant noodles and even rice are now in short supply. Some shops have restricted customers to small quantities to prevent hoarding.   Street vendors who supply hot food to most locals were scarce in some districts.   Workers were busy bailing out water from the grounds of the Grand Palace, a Bangkok landmark.   The floods will take their toll on the tourism industry, which employs more than 2 million people and makes up 6 percent of gross domestic product.   Tourism Minister Chumphol Silpa-archa said arrivals could be 500,000 to 1 million below the government's target of 19 million this year.   Britain warned against all but essential travel to Bangkok and 26 provinces currently affected by flooding. China urged its citizens not to go to Bangkok and told tourists \"in the disaster zone\" to leave immediately.   Tourists intrepid enough to brave the floods may also have to contend with crocodiles.   Thailand is reckoned to the world's biggest breeder of crocodiles and scores are reported to have escaped from farms during the floods. Several have been killed or captured in residential areas in the ancient capital of Ayutthaya."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/18709-today-in-history-october-23-1961.html","content":" - Thousands of acres of land in the Awoja river area of the eastern province were under water. The flooded area was not populated but it was used for cattle grazing. An air survey of the area was carried out by the Deputy Engineer, Eastern Province in chief Mr. G Dorrel, accompanied by the provincial engineer, eastern province, Mr. JR Howard, and the engineer in charge of construction there Mr. G. Benton. Mr. Dorrel said ‘ it would require a lot of more surveying  before checking  the extent and the course of the flooding, but the level of the Awoja River  this year is the highest ever recorded’.  The Engineer in chief, Mr. J.K Watson had also made a land reconnaissance of the flooded area. In general he said, ‘the damage caused to the roads is comparatively light considering the extent of the floods. Mr. Watson added, ‘There is nothing much we can do to prevent recurrences of flooding like this in every 15 years or so. To try to cope with flooding caused by the present volume of water in L.salisbury and R. Awoja would cost a fantastic sum of money. ‘However in the Awoja swamp area, where some of the worst road flooding has taken place, we have decided to raise the height of the embankment by two feet over a distance of about 3 miles and additional culverts will also be installed’. Did you know? Joseph Mary Mubiru was a Ugandan economist, and the first Governor of Bank of Uganda, at 37 years. Prior to that he had played a key role in the establishment of the African Development Bank in 1964. Mr. Mubiru was also the first Managing Director of Uganda Commercial Bank."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/18437-re-energized-chavez-floods-venezuela-s-airwaves.html","content":" - CARACAS - Of many surreal moments in the life and times of Hugo Chavez, the flamboyant Venezuelan leader's encounter with a puppet of himself this week was one of the wackiest. Despite his convalescence from cancer surgery and four rounds of chemotherapy, the 57-year-old Chavez has since the start of October been hitting the air-waves like the old days, with phone-ins to state TV any time from dawn to midnight. So when a supporter produced a life-sized puppet of the 'Comandante' on state TV, Chavez enthusiastically called in for the third time that day and was expounding on indigenous land rights when, embarrassingly, the puppet's trousers fell down. \"Tie them up, brother! You can't let Chavez's trousers fall down,\" he laughed in a clip  that naturally has been a hit in cyber-space. To supporters, the incident showed his sense of humor. To detractors, it was buffoonery unbefitting of a president. The wider message from his return to the air-waves was clear: Chavez's energy-levels and omnipresence are returning. \"It's not time to die, it's time to live! To those who want me dead, I tell them that soon my return will be complete,\" Chavez said in what has become a daily mantra. Having disappeared from public view for several weeks in June, when he had a cancerous tumor removed in Cuba, Chavez first returned to Venezuela with a drastically curtailed lifestyle, serious demeanor and sporadic public appearances. His illness, and the specter of his disappearance from the stage he has dominated since taking power in 1999, turned Venezuelan politics upside down heading into an election year. But more than three months on, Chavez says four rounds of chemotherapy have been successful and tests he is due to take in Cuba this weekend will declare him cancer-free. He clearly feels upbeat, re-energized -- and desperate to show it. Yet cancer experts say it takes several years before anyone can be confident they have beaten the disease. \"If you were my patient, and you said you had just finished chemotherapy two weeks ago and you were cured, I would say that is absolutely ridiculous,\" said a U.S. specialist, who asked not to be named. \"It is much too early to say.\" RAP AND RHETORIC As well as the regular phone-ins, Chavez has in recent days been hosting events at his Miraflores presidential palace, including the launch of a coalition he hopes will propel him to re-election in an October 2012 vote. At that event, he briefly danced a rap with young Venezuelan singers and then chaired an hours-long meeting -- his longest public showing since the surgery in Havana. Pushing a message that he remains firmly in control of government, Chavez is also back to personally receiving visiting dignitaries. In the last week, he has hosted Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to rail against U.S. and Israeli policies and signed a clutch of oil deals with Russian deputy prime minister Igor Sechin. While there has been plenty of laughter in the charismatic Chavez's latest appearances, the tough streak that has polarized Venezuela and made him one of the world's most controversial figures has also re-emerged. Famous for exclaiming \"Expropriate it!\" on live TV as he directed ministers to take over lands and businesses, Chavez has been at it again, showing there will be no let-up in his drive to create a socialist economy. \"It's a disaster. We're going to nationalize it,\" he proclaimed of a local ferry company accused of running a shoddy service to Margarita island in the Caribbean. He also took aim at the idyllic Los Roques archipelago, warning homeowners that they had acquired property illegally -- \"they privatized it ... the high bourgeoise\" -- so the state would soon be moving in. With the opposition gearing up for a primary election early next year to choose a presidential candidate against Chavez, he has also returned to his vituperative rhetoric against them. \"They will never return,\" Chavez repeats, time-after-time, painting all opposition candidates as representatives of a tainted \"bourgeois\" elite that abandoned Venezuela's poor when they ruled in the past and are beholden to U.S. interests. \"He's back with a vengeance -- projecting himself across the nation at all hours of night and day,\" said a European diplomat in Caracas. \"It will be interesting to see if he can keep up these energy levels for long.\" Usually keen to stay in the public spotlight, Chavez does however plan this weekend to disappear again to Cuba, where he is guaranteed absolute privacy and secrecy during medical treatment. Assuring supporters his Cuba visit will give him a clean bill of health, Chavez also promised to be firmly on the election trail by the end of the year. Aides, perhaps more realistic than their boss, are conceding that the 2012 re-election bid will rely heavily on \"virtual\" rather than physical campaigning by Chavez. As well as his famous TV and radio monologues, the Venezuelan leader is also now an accomplished and widely-followed Twitter user at @chavezcandanga. \"We beat Argentina! Long live the fatherland!\" he tweeted enthusiastically this week minutes after Venezuela's shock first win in a soccer World Cup qualifier against Argentina."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/18225-floods-displace-30-families-in-masindi.html","content":" - By Joseph Baguma At least 32 families in Kimengo Sub County in the western district of Masindi have been displaced and crops destroyed by floods that hit the area on Tuesday. The worst hit areas are; Miduma, Kayera and Kayebe villages. A total of 30 hectares of cassava gardens under NAAD’s program in Miduma village were totally destroyed and another 10 hectares of sweet potatoes in the other two villages were also destroyed. Samuel Katete a resident of Miduma village and one of the floods victims said that his five hectares of cassava were totally destroyed and he has relocated to Miduma trading center with his family. “I am now renting in the trading center with my family plus my cattle with limited grazing grass and we are facing food crisis because our crops were destroyed.” Katete said. Steven Kabindi the local council three chairperson of Kimengo Sub County appealed to government come to their rescue and provides them with food aid and planting materials to help them cope up with the food shortage. He said that transport in the area has also been hampered by the floods adding that the commonly used canoes used by the residents to cross from Miduma –Bulyamusenyi Bridge to Ngoma in Luwero can no longer sail on the increased waters."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/18111-bujagali-falls-to-disappear.html","content":" - Moses Mulondo  BUJAGALI Falls will cease to exist when flooding of the new hydro-electric power dam begins on Thursday. The dam, which is nearing completion, is expected to generate 250MW of electricity and significantly reduce load shedding. It is being developed by Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL) in partnership with the Government of Uganda. The first 50MW is expected by the end of October. Another 50MW will be added by December and by March 2012, it should be producing the full 250MW.  Bujagali Energy has advised all the residents bordering the Nile upstream of Bujagali dam to remove any crops, structures or personal items that may be within the area to be flowed."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/315306-moroto-bridge-to-re-open.html","content":" - BY PAUL WATALA Lorengedwat Bridge which connects Moroto and Nakapiripit districts will be re-opened to traffic in two weeks. The bridge was recently washed away by flood waters, cutting off six districts in the region from the rest of the country. The incident paralysed transport and business in the area. The districts include Nakapiripit, Moroto, Namalu, Kotido, Kabongo and Napak. “Transport has been affected in the region because of this bridge. People were forced to use longer routes and pay more money to access other districts,” the Uganda National Road Authority maintenance engineer for Karamoja region, Hassan Ssentamu, said. Reconstruction works on the bridge started two weeks ago. Ssentamu told the Minister for Works and Transport, Abraham Byandaala, who was on a five- day tour in the Karamoja region that over 10 bridges were cut-off but Lorengedwat bridge needed urgent replacement. “We were forced to put a temporaly bridge so that traffic can access other districts for business,” Ssentamu added. He said several vehicles were swept away by fast running water, while others got stuck in the middle of the river as they tried to drive through."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/541-moroto-bridge-to-re-open.html","content":" - BY PAUL WATALA Lorengedwat Bridge which connects Moroto and Nakapiripit districts will be re-opened to traffic in two weeks. The bridge was recently washed away by flood waters, cutting off six districts in the region from the rest of the country. The incident paralysed transport and business in the area. The districts include Nakapiripit, Moroto, Namalu, Kotido, Kabongo and Napak. “Transport has been affected in the region because of this bridge. People were forced to use longer routes and pay more money to access other districts,” the Uganda National Road Authority maintenance engineer for Karamoja region, Hassan Ssentamu, said. Reconstruction works on the bridge started two weeks ago. Ssentamu told the Minister for Works and Transport, Abraham Byandaala, who was on a five- day tour in the Karamoja region that over 10 bridges were cut-off but Lorengedwat bridge needed urgent replacement. “We were forced to put a temporaly bridge so that traffic can access other districts for business,” Ssentamu added. He said several vehicles were swept away by fast running water, while others got stuck in the middle of the river as they tried to drive through."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/955-sugar-prices-to-reduce-as-imports-arrive.html","content":" - By Samuel Sanya Sugar prices are set to gradually fall starting this month as imported sugar floods the market, the trade ministry has said. Ambassador Julius Onen, the ministry’s permanent secretary, said despite the depreciation of the shilling, the retail price of sugar will fall as supplies start to trickle into the country. “In addition to the sugar imported by Kakira Sugar Works, we are expecting an additional 15,000 metric tonnes of sugar to arrive in the country in the second or third week of October,” Onen said. He explained that the retail price of a kilogramme of the imported sugar had remained high because of the associated costs of importation and the increase in international sugar prices. Onen said a tonne of sugar costs over $1,000 (about sh2.8m) before taxes at the border points. White sugar prices on the London Stock Exchange went up by about sh8,000 at the start of September. A kilogramme of sugar is going for between sh5,500 to sh6,000 at most supermarkets in the city. Earlier this week, traders in Jinja had threatened to block trucks importing sugar, saying it was illogical to buy a 50kg bag of imported sugar at sh223,000, while that of locally produced sugar goes for sh140,000. “The shilling has depreciated so the cost has to go up,” said Mayur Madhvani, the Kakira Sugar Works boss. He said despite earlier hesitation, traders had started buying the sugar in large quantities. Madhvani explained that one bag of imported sugar was sold for every bag of locally produced sugar to stabilise retail prices. “A kilogramme of locally produced sugar costs sh2,800, while an imported one costs sh4,460. Traders should sell both at an average price of sh3,800,” Madhvani noted. Kampala City Traders Association spokesperson Issa sekitto said despite the 25% import duty being scrapped, traders still had to pay 18% of the value of sugar imported to Uganda Revenue Authority as valued added tax, pushing costs further up. “Prices of sugar are definitely going to fall but it will not happen in one day,” he said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/977-farm-tools-the-skilted-food-store.html","content":" - By Joshua Kato It is long after the harvesting season. However, many farmers are still keeping a larger portion of their harvest in stores. In many parts of Teso and Karamoja, however, floods have found their way into the stores and destroyed a lot of produce. To mitigate this, you should construct a raised food store also known as a skilted food store because it stands on at least four poles. Constructing this structure is easy. For starters, most of them are constructed using locally available and cheap materials. You can either use timber or tree pieces. Perhaps, the most expensive item on the structure are the iron sheets, but even then, you can decide to use papyrus mats for roofing if you do not have the money to buy iron sheets. There are labour costs, of course, but many farmers do the construction themselves. The size depends on the amount of produce. However, for ordinary farmers, a 10x10 feet structure can do. This has the capacity of storing at least 30 bags of cereals. Other than shielding your produce from ravaging floods, an up lifted food store helps keep pests and rodents at bay. A structure can last for several years before you have to reconstruct it again."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/315720-sugar-prices-to-reduce-as-imports-arrive.html","content":" - By Samuel Sanya Sugar prices are set to gradually fall starting this month as imported sugar floods the market, the trade ministry has said. Ambassador Julius Onen, the ministry’s permanent secretary, said despite the depreciation of the shilling, the retail price of sugar will fall as supplies start to trickle into the country. “In addition to the sugar imported by Kakira Sugar Works, we are expecting an additional 15,000 metric tonnes of sugar to arrive in the country in the second or third week of October,” Onen said. He explained that the retail price of a kilogramme of the imported sugar had remained high because of the associated costs of importation and the increase in international sugar prices. Onen said a tonne of sugar costs over $1,000 (about sh2.8m) before taxes at the border points. White sugar prices on the London Stock Exchange went up by about sh8,000 at the start of September. A kilogramme of sugar is going for between sh5,500 to sh6,000 at most supermarkets in the city. Earlier this week, traders in Jinja had threatened to block trucks importing sugar, saying it was illogical to buy a 50kg bag of imported sugar at sh223,000, while that of locally produced sugar goes for sh140,000. “The shilling has depreciated so the cost has to go up,” said Mayur Madhvani, the Kakira Sugar Works boss. He said despite earlier hesitation, traders had started buying the sugar in large quantities. Madhvani explained that one bag of imported sugar was sold for every bag of locally produced sugar to stabilise retail prices. “A kilogramme of locally produced sugar costs sh2,800, while an imported one costs sh4,460. Traders should sell both at an average price of sh3,800,” Madhvani noted. Kampala City Traders Association spokesperson Issa sekitto said despite the 25% import duty being scrapped, traders still had to pay 18% of the value of sugar imported to Uganda Revenue Authority as valued added tax, pushing costs further up. “Prices of sugar are definitely going to fall but it will not happen in one day,” he said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/315742-farm-tools-the-skilted-food-store.html","content":" - By Joshua Kato It is long after the harvesting season. However, many farmers are still keeping a larger portion of their harvest in stores. In many parts of Teso and Karamoja, however, floods have found their way into the stores and destroyed a lot of produce. To mitigate this, you should construct a raised food store also known as a skilted food store because it stands on at least four poles. Constructing this structure is easy. For starters, most of them are constructed using locally available and cheap materials. You can either use timber or tree pieces. Perhaps, the most expensive item on the structure are the iron sheets, but even then, you can decide to use papyrus mats for roofing if you do not have the money to buy iron sheets. There are labour costs, of course, but many farmers do the construction themselves. The size depends on the amount of produce. However, for ordinary farmers, a 10x10 feet structure can do. This has the capacity of storing at least 30 bags of cereals. Other than shielding your produce from ravaging floods, an up lifted food store helps keep pests and rodents at bay. A structure can last for several years before you have to reconstruct it again."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/315786-kcca-blamed-for-city-floods.html","content":" - BY S. BALAGADDE The works and transport minister, Abraham Byandala, has blamed the current floods in the city on delays by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) in implementing the Kampala Drainage Master Plan. Byandala said this last week while briefing journalists on the measures the Government will undertake to decongest the city. He argued that failure to implement the drainage plan had contributed to the increase in flood water in the city, leading to the death of pedestrians. Last week, Brenda Omuntu, an employee of Barclays Bank and a boda-boda cyclist died after they drowned in the Nakivubo Channel during a heavy downpour in Kampala. Byandala said the master plan was meant to improve the water flow in drainage channels. The channels include Nakivubo, Lubigi, Nalukolongo and Kansanga. The others are Kinawataka, Naluboga and Walubumbe. The minister pledged to work with the Police and KCCA to ensure that the drainage system is improved. He also said plans are underway to decongest the city by streamlining public transport. BY M OCHAKOLONG The public must be sensitised on garbage disposal so as to reduce the blockage of drainage channels in Kampala, the Assistant Inspector of Police, Julius Shariita, has said. “Something must be done about our roads. I am going to write to the Inspector General of Police to instruct KCCA to sensitise the public about the dangers of throwing litter into drainage channels,” Shariita said. He said this on Friday at a funeral service for Brenda Omuntu Katiiti at St. Andrew’s Church in Bukoto. Omuntu and a boda boda cyclist were swept into Nakivubo Channel during a heavy downpour in Kampala last week. “Omuntu died because of our irresponsibility. If that drainage channel was not blocked by litter, she would not have died,” Shariita said. “Let KCCA play its role as mandated by law. The public should not dump rubbish in drainage channels,” he said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/315799-floods-destroy-kibaale-bridge.html","content":" - BY ISMAEL KASOOHA The old Muzizi bridge on the Kagadi-Kyenjojo road has been swept away, leaving travellers stranded without an alternative route. The Uganda National Roads Authority engineer based in Fort Portal, Marceliano Rubahamya, said the bridge was being used to cross from Kyenjojo to Kibaale. “Since there is no immediate remedy for the problem, motorists have been advised to use alternative routes,” said Rubahamya. He said they were waiting for the water levels to subside so that they can assess the damage and clear the debris piled on the river. Rubahamya said construction of the new bridge, that was being done by Spencon, would continue when the water levels subside. He said they had consulted the works ministry to see if they can set up a temporary bridge to ease transport. Rubahamya warned against using canoes, saying although the water level had gone down, the river was still unsafe. This was after business people started using canoes to transport people across the river. A passenger had to pay sh5,000 to cross from either side. The New Vision team which crossed the flooded river from Kibaale to Kyenjojo and back said the experience was scary given the speed at which the water was running. When crossing the river the waters push the canoe to the opposite direction before it gains stability in the middle of the river. The scribes reported that neither the passengers nor the pilots used life jackets. The area local council I chairman, John Karalike Besige, appealed to higher authorities to take action before water-borne diseases hit the area. Buyaga West MP Barnabus Tinkasimire said it was fortunate that the river flooded when engineers were around."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/315804-floods-destroy-crops-in-western-northern-regions.html","content":" - By Hope Mafaranga and Fred Ogwang THOUSANDS of families face starvation after rains ravaged several gardens in Kabarole and Amolatar districts last week. In Kabarole, over 1,500 farmers in Kibiito, Kabonera, Kisomoro, Kibiito and Rubona sub-counties were affected by hailstorms on Wednesday and Thursday. George William Manyindo, an affected farmer, said he lost two acres of tomatoes and three acres of bananas. Manyindo of Kyakahinda cell in Kibiito town council, said he had invested over sh1m in the tomatoes. “I have nothing to feed my family, I will not even be able to pay school fees for my children,” he said. Sulait Basaliza of Maligo in Kibiito sub-county, cried as he narrated the loss of his three-acre garden of green pepper. Basaliza said he expected to get sh600,000 from the crop. “I was going to use the money to invest in a poultry project to increase my income. I am heartbroken that my dream will not come true,” he said. Kabarole LC5 chairman Richard Rwabuhinga said Bunyangabu county was experiencing heavy storms after Kyatwa Hill Forest, which would have prevented the storm, was cut. The local government minister, who is also the area MP Adolf Mwesige, said they would distribute seeds to affected farmers. The storms also left over 200 youth, who were engaged in commercial tomatoes farming, without a source income. In Amolatar district, gardens belonging to several families were destroyed by floods. The crops included cotton, maize and simsim. Also, some families fled their flooded homes and are renting rooms in towns. An affected farmer, Tom Okot of Awioyek parish in Epam sub-county said he had lost over two acres of his cotton garden."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1021-kcca-blamed-for-city-floods.html","content":" - BY S. BALAGADDE The works and transport minister, Abraham Byandala, has blamed the current floods in the city on delays by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) in implementing the Kampala Drainage Master Plan. Byandala said this last week while briefing journalists on the measures the Government will undertake to decongest the city. He argued that failure to implement the drainage plan had contributed to the increase in flood water in the city, leading to the death of pedestrians. Last week, Brenda Omuntu, an employee of Barclays Bank and a boda-boda cyclist died after they drowned in the Nakivubo Channel during a heavy downpour in Kampala. Byandala said the master plan was meant to improve the water flow in drainage channels. The channels include Nakivubo, Lubigi, Nalukolongo and Kansanga. The others are Kinawataka, Naluboga and Walubumbe. The minister pledged to work with the Police and KCCA to ensure that the drainage system is improved. He also said plans are underway to decongest the city by streamlining public transport. BY M OCHAKOLONG The public must be sensitised on garbage disposal so as to reduce the blockage of drainage channels in Kampala, the Assistant Inspector of Police, Julius Shariita, has said. “Something must be done about our roads. I am going to write to the Inspector General of Police to instruct KCCA to sensitise the public about the dangers of throwing litter into drainage channels,” Shariita said. He said this on Friday at a funeral service for Brenda Omuntu Katiiti at St. Andrew’s Church in Bukoto. Omuntu and a boda boda cyclist were swept into Nakivubo Channel during a heavy downpour in Kampala last week. “Omuntu died because of our irresponsibility. If that drainage channel was not blocked by litter, she would not have died,” Shariita said. “Let KCCA play its role as mandated by law. The public should not dump rubbish in drainage channels,” he said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1034-floods-destroy-kibaale-bridge.html","content":" - BY ISMAEL KASOOHA The old Muzizi bridge on the Kagadi-Kyenjojo road has been swept away, leaving travellers stranded without an alternative route. The Uganda National Roads Authority engineer based in Fort Portal, Marceliano Rubahamya, said the bridge was being used to cross from Kyenjojo to Kibaale. “Since there is no immediate remedy for the problem, motorists have been advised to use alternative routes,” said Rubahamya. He said they were waiting for the water levels to subside so that they can assess the damage and clear the debris piled on the river. Rubahamya said construction of the new bridge, that was being done by Spencon, would continue when the water levels subside. He said they had consulted the works ministry to see if they can set up a temporary bridge to ease transport. Rubahamya warned against using canoes, saying although the water level had gone down, the river was still unsafe. This was after business people started using canoes to transport people across the river. A passenger had to pay sh5,000 to cross from either side. The New Vision team which crossed the flooded river from Kibaale to Kyenjojo and back said the experience was scary given the speed at which the water was running. When crossing the river the waters push the canoe to the opposite direction before it gains stability in the middle of the river. The scribes reported that neither the passengers nor the pilots used life jackets. The area local council I chairman, John Karalike Besige, appealed to higher authorities to take action before water-borne diseases hit the area. Buyaga West MP Barnabus Tinkasimire said it was fortunate that the river flooded when engineers were around."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1039-floods-destroy-crops-in-western-northern-regions.html","content":" - By Hope Mafaranga and Fred Ogwang THOUSANDS of families face starvation after rains ravaged several gardens in Kabarole and Amolatar districts last week. In Kabarole, over 1,500 farmers in Kibiito, Kabonera, Kisomoro, Kibiito and Rubona sub-counties were affected by hailstorms on Wednesday and Thursday. George William Manyindo, an affected farmer, said he lost two acres of tomatoes and three acres of bananas. Manyindo of Kyakahinda cell in Kibiito town council, said he had invested over sh1m in the tomatoes. “I have nothing to feed my family, I will not even be able to pay school fees for my children,” he said. Sulait Basaliza of Maligo in Kibiito sub-county, cried as he narrated the loss of his three-acre garden of green pepper. Basaliza said he expected to get sh600,000 from the crop. “I was going to use the money to invest in a poultry project to increase my income. I am heartbroken that my dream will not come true,” he said. Kabarole LC5 chairman Richard Rwabuhinga said Bunyangabu county was experiencing heavy storms after Kyatwa Hill Forest, which would have prevented the storm, was cut. The local government minister, who is also the area MP Adolf Mwesige, said they would distribute seeds to affected farmers. The storms also left over 200 youth, who were engaged in commercial tomatoes farming, without a source income. In Amolatar district, gardens belonging to several families were destroyed by floods. The crops included cotton, maize and simsim. Also, some families fled their flooded homes and are renting rooms in towns. An affected farmer, Tom Okot of Awioyek parish in Epam sub-county said he had lost over two acres of his cotton garden."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1157-colleagues-mourn-barclayâ-s-bank-cashier.html","content":" - By ANDREW SSENYONGA 28-year-old Brenda Omuntu Katiti, the cashier at Barclay’s bank Katwe who died in Kampala flooded streets on Wednesday has been described as a hard working lady who kept her work neat. The deceased and the boda-boda cyclist, who was carrying her, were swept way into Nakivubo Channel during a heavy downpour. Katiti, who hails from Kashonzi village in Kiruhura district, had been working with the bank for about three years, according to sources at the bank that preferred anonymity. She was transferred to Katwe in May 2010. Another colleague Doreen Nalongo, described her as social, friendly and always smiling. Katiti, who resided in Bukoto-Kisaasi, a Kampala suburb was single. According to Dorah Kaburrunga, her aunt Kaburrunga, the deceased had no brother or sister. Her parents had passed away. She added that in Kampala, the deceased had distant relatives in cousins, nieces, uncles and aunties who were taking care of her during times of need. “The news that my niece had died came to us shockingly and most of us could not believe it until we saw her lying in the Mortuary yesterday (Wednesday). News of her death is not just saddening, but also puzzling. May her soul rest in peace,” Kaburrunga told journalists who had visited the deceased’s home in Bukoto-Kisasi. A requiem mass will be held at All Saints Church Cathedral, Nakasero in Kampala today. Burial is slated for tomorrow at Kashonzi village in Kiruhura district."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1182-nebbi-receives-food-aid-from-prime-ministerâ-s-office.html","content":" - THE Prime Minister’s Office has sent the first batch of food relief to people in Nebbi whose crops were recently destroyed by floods. The relief, which included 250 bags of maize flour and 150 bags of beans, was delivered to the district on Wednesday. This follows the devastating floods which hit the district in the last two weeks destroying over 1,400 acres of crops in Wadelai sub-county. Robert Okumu, the Nebbi district chief, hailed the Government for the donation, saying the food items had come at the right time. He said some of the victims had nothing to eat. Okumu appealed to the Government to ensure food security after the floods by supplying seedlings to the victims. “Food relief alone will not help. The residents need planting material,” he said. Robert Okello, the Wadelai sub-county chief, said the Government should provide seedlings instead of the food relief that may not solve the crisis caused by the floods."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1183-yumbe-floods-leave-20-people-homeless.html","content":" - AT least 20 people in Kerwa sub-county, Yumbe district are homeless after their houses were destroyed by floods on Tuesday. The district councillor representing Kerwa sub-county, James Lomude, said the floods destroyed food crops, washed away bridges and razed houses. “The impassable roads have paralysed economic activities like farming and business,” he said. Lomude said many communities were living under fear of an outbreak of diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea since many of the pit-latrines were destroyed by the floods. He said the most hit parishes include Kerwa Wandi, Rodo and Mijikita. He called for an immediate assessment of the situation. A resident of Dongoture village in Rodo parish, Stephen Kwiansuk lost nine goats as a result of the floods. The district chairman, Taban Yassin, said the district disaster team had been dispatched to carry out an assessment in the worst hit areas."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/315922-colleagues-mourn-barclayâ-s-bank-cashier.html","content":" - By ANDREW SSENYONGA 28-year-old Brenda Omuntu Katiti, the cashier at Barclay’s bank Katwe who died in Kampala flooded streets on Wednesday has been described as a hard working lady who kept her work neat. The deceased and the boda-boda cyclist, who was carrying her, were swept way into Nakivubo Channel during a heavy downpour. Katiti, who hails from Kashonzi village in Kiruhura district, had been working with the bank for about three years, according to sources at the bank that preferred anonymity. She was transferred to Katwe in May 2010. Another colleague Doreen Nalongo, described her as social, friendly and always smiling. Katiti, who resided in Bukoto-Kisaasi, a Kampala suburb was single. According to Dorah Kaburrunga, her aunt Kaburrunga, the deceased had no brother or sister. Her parents had passed away. She added that in Kampala, the deceased had distant relatives in cousins, nieces, uncles and aunties who were taking care of her during times of need. “The news that my niece had died came to us shockingly and most of us could not believe it until we saw her lying in the Mortuary yesterday (Wednesday). News of her death is not just saddening, but also puzzling. May her soul rest in peace,” Kaburrunga told journalists who had visited the deceased’s home in Bukoto-Kisasi. A requiem mass will be held at All Saints Church Cathedral, Nakasero in Kampala today. Burial is slated for tomorrow at Kashonzi village in Kiruhura district."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/315947-nebbi-receives-food-aid-from-prime-ministerâ-s-office.html","content":" - THE Prime Minister’s Office has sent the first batch of food relief to people in Nebbi whose crops were recently destroyed by floods. The relief, which included 250 bags of maize flour and 150 bags of beans, was delivered to the district on Wednesday. This follows the devastating floods which hit the district in the last two weeks destroying over 1,400 acres of crops in Wadelai sub-county. Robert Okumu, the Nebbi district chief, hailed the Government for the donation, saying the food items had come at the right time. He said some of the victims had nothing to eat. Okumu appealed to the Government to ensure food security after the floods by supplying seedlings to the victims. “Food relief alone will not help. The residents need planting material,” he said. Robert Okello, the Wadelai sub-county chief, said the Government should provide seedlings instead of the food relief that may not solve the crisis caused by the floods."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/315948-yumbe-floods-leave-20-people-homeless.html","content":" - AT least 20 people in Kerwa sub-county, Yumbe district are homeless after their houses were destroyed by floods on Tuesday. The district councillor representing Kerwa sub-county, James Lomude, said the floods destroyed food crops, washed away bridges and razed houses. “The impassable roads have paralysed economic activities like farming and business,” he said. Lomude said many communities were living under fear of an outbreak of diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea since many of the pit-latrines were destroyed by the floods. He said the most hit parishes include Kerwa Wandi, Rodo and Mijikita. He called for an immediate assessment of the situation. A resident of Dongoture village in Rodo parish, Stephen Kwiansuk lost nine goats as a result of the floods. The district chairman, Taban Yassin, said the district disaster team had been dispatched to carry out an assessment in the worst hit areas."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/315971-floods-destroy-crops-in-nebbi.html","content":" - By B. Okethwengu Floods have destroyed over 1,400 acres of crops in Wadelai sub-county, Nebbi district. The floods have also rendered roads impassable, while residents from at least 15 affected villages have resorted to drinking the flood water because access to boreholes has also been cut off. Sam Bijik, the Wadelai sub-county chief, said the worst hit parishes as Pakwinyo and Ragem. He said some of the crops destroyed included cassava, millet, sorghum, sim-sim, rice, cotton, maize, potatoes, sugarcane and groundnuts. Bijik explained that unlike other areas in the country that had flooded due to rainfall, the area flooded with water from River Oraa which connects to River Nile through the sub-county. “Wadelai experienced moderate rainfall, this calamity came from River Oraa, which hosts many tributaries from Zombo district and the Democratic Republic of Congo to River Nile,” Bijik said. He added that there was a growing fear among the residents of Wadelai that the situation would worsen if the current rain pattern in Zombo district and Congo did not change. Charles Odwonga, one of the victims whose four acres of cassava are submerged urged the Government to rescue them. A team of district officials, led by Nebbi district chairman Robert Okumu, visited the area on Monday to ascertain the level of damage caused."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1206-floods-destroy-crops-in-nebbi.html","content":" - By B. Okethwengu Floods have destroyed over 1,400 acres of crops in Wadelai sub-county, Nebbi district. The floods have also rendered roads impassable, while residents from at least 15 affected villages have resorted to drinking the flood water because access to boreholes has also been cut off. Sam Bijik, the Wadelai sub-county chief, said the worst hit parishes as Pakwinyo and Ragem. He said some of the crops destroyed included cassava, millet, sorghum, sim-sim, rice, cotton, maize, potatoes, sugarcane and groundnuts. Bijik explained that unlike other areas in the country that had flooded due to rainfall, the area flooded with water from River Oraa which connects to River Nile through the sub-county. “Wadelai experienced moderate rainfall, this calamity came from River Oraa, which hosts many tributaries from Zombo district and the Democratic Republic of Congo to River Nile,” Bijik said. He added that there was a growing fear among the residents of Wadelai that the situation would worsen if the current rain pattern in Zombo district and Congo did not change. Charles Odwonga, one of the victims whose four acres of cassava are submerged urged the Government to rescue them. A team of district officials, led by Nebbi district chairman Robert Okumu, visited the area on Monday to ascertain the level of damage caused."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/316006-two-killed-in-kampala-floods.html","content":" - By Steven Candia A man and a woman died yesterday after their motorcycle was swept away by floods during an afternoon downpour in Kampala. The Police yesterday said the victims, a bodaboda operator and a client, were riding in the rain on the Katwe-Kalitunsi road when the motorcycle was suddenly swept away. The Police chief fire officer, Simon Peter Musoke, said the incident occurred shortly before 2:00pm. It happened after the rider, while trying to avoid a flooded section of the road, accidentally veered into a water channel that flows into the main Nakivubo Channel. “He was looking for a shallow area on the flooded road, but one of the tyres entered the channel and they were washed under a culvert. They died instantly,” Musoke said. He added that the bodies were retrieved by the Police and taken to the city mortuary. The operation to retrieve the bodies drew hundreds of curious onlookers. Kampala deputy Police spokesperson Ibin Ssenkunbi identified the woman as Brenda Owomuntu, a cashier at Barclays Bank, Katwe branch."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1241-two-killed-in-kampala-floods.html","content":" - By Steven Candia A man and a woman died yesterday after their motorcycle was swept away by floods during an afternoon downpour in Kampala. The Police yesterday said the victims, a bodaboda operator and a client, were riding in the rain on the Katwe-Kalitunsi road when the motorcycle was suddenly swept away. The Police chief fire officer, Simon Peter Musoke, said the incident occurred shortly before 2:00pm. It happened after the rider, while trying to avoid a flooded section of the road, accidentally veered into a water channel that flows into the main Nakivubo Channel. “He was looking for a shallow area on the flooded road, but one of the tyres entered the channel and they were washed under a culvert. They died instantly,” Musoke said. He added that the bodies were retrieved by the Police and taken to the city mortuary. The operation to retrieve the bodies drew hundreds of curious onlookers. Kampala deputy Police spokesperson Ibin Ssenkunbi identified the woman as Brenda Owomuntu, a cashier at Barclays Bank, Katwe branch."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1323-floods-destroy-nebbi-prison.html","content":" - By B. Okwthwengu The Uganda Prisons authorities have ordered the immediate evacuation of inmates in Ragem Prison Ojiko in Wadelai sub-county, Nebbi district after floods destroyed the prison’s toilets and food. The prison and the neighbouring homes have been flooded for the last two weeks, rendering most roads impassable. Nebbi district prisons commander John Olivia Okuonzi on Monday said: “The inmates and prison staff go to the bushes to answer calls of nature and that is risky for their health.” Ragem is the only government farm prison serving Nebbi and Zombo districts. Okuonzi said 45 inmates had been transferred and another 74 were waiting to move to Paidha Government Prison in Zombo. He appealed for help from humanitarian organisations and the Government. Ministry of Relief and Disaster Preparedness to help the prison and people in Wadelai. He said some of the crops destroyed included cassava, millet, sorghum, groundnuts and potatoes."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/316088-floods-destroy-nebbi-prison.html","content":" - By B. Okwthwengu The Uganda Prisons authorities have ordered the immediate evacuation of inmates in Ragem Prison Ojiko in Wadelai sub-county, Nebbi district after floods destroyed the prison’s toilets and food. The prison and the neighbouring homes have been flooded for the last two weeks, rendering most roads impassable. Nebbi district prisons commander John Olivia Okuonzi on Monday said: “The inmates and prison staff go to the bushes to answer calls of nature and that is risky for their health.” Ragem is the only government farm prison serving Nebbi and Zombo districts. Okuonzi said 45 inmates had been transferred and another 74 were waiting to move to Paidha Government Prison in Zombo. He appealed for help from humanitarian organisations and the Government. Ministry of Relief and Disaster Preparedness to help the prison and people in Wadelai. He said some of the crops destroyed included cassava, millet, sorghum, groundnuts and potatoes."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/316054-public-warned-on-floods.html","content":" - By Prossy Nandudu THE public has been advised to guard against floods, landslides, strong winds and lightning with the onset of heavy rains. The warning was sounded by the commissioner of the meteorology department, Michael Nkalubo, while explaining the current weather patterns. He said the advice was meant to prevent loss of life and property. The country is set to receive near normal rainfall during the September-December rainy season across the country. According to Nkalubo, the intensity of the rains is expected to be more pronounced in September and October over several places except western Uganda. The south and central regions, currently receiving rains with outbreaks of intermittent showers, is expected to have steady rains by mid-September. These rains are expected to peak around late October and early November and end in mid-December. In north-western Uganda, the rains are expected to persist up to late September and early October. Thereafter, a slight decline is expected around late October. Rains in the eastern-central region are expected to continue in the Mt. Elgon areas up to late September through to mid-October. The region is already experiencing peak rains characterised by heavy outbreaks of showers and thunderstorms, resulting into floods. “The rains are expected to decline in late October to early November,” Nkalubo said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1289-public-warned-on-floods.html","content":" - By Prossy Nandudu THE public has been advised to guard against floods, landslides, strong winds and lightning with the onset of heavy rains. The warning was sounded by the commissioner of the meteorology department, Michael Nkalubo, while explaining the current weather patterns. He said the advice was meant to prevent loss of life and property. The country is set to receive near normal rainfall during the September-December rainy season across the country. According to Nkalubo, the intensity of the rains is expected to be more pronounced in September and October over several places except western Uganda. The south and central regions, currently receiving rains with outbreaks of intermittent showers, is expected to have steady rains by mid-September. These rains are expected to peak around late October and early November and end in mid-December. In north-western Uganda, the rains are expected to persist up to late September and early October. Thereafter, a slight decline is expected around late October. Rains in the eastern-central region are expected to continue in the Mt. Elgon areas up to late September through to mid-October. The region is already experiencing peak rains characterised by heavy outbreaks of showers and thunderstorms, resulting into floods. “The rains are expected to decline in late October to early November,” Nkalubo said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/316906-floods-kill-five-police.html","content":" - Police say 5 children are reported to have died in different parts of the country due to flooding caused by heavy rains. Police spokesperson Ibin Senkumbi attributes the deaths to irresponsible parents. He said Police would move to arrest parents for ‘causing’ such preventable deaths."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/321874-maize-farmers-to-benefit-from-insurance-policy.html","content":" - BY PROSSY NANDUDU BEFORE 2010, Scolastica Akiteng was battling with the problem of floods that hit Teso region in need of food aid. According to the minister of state for relief, some family heads have run away from home leaving the women to fend for the children. This is due to harsh weather conditions in Teso and other parts of the country. The floods washed away crops, houses and animals. The crops withered and animals died due to lack of pasture and water. Many farmers have resorted to financial institutions for loans but in vain as the financial institutions were not ready to lend out money for agriculture. As a result, some financial institutions are finalising policy issues to offer Weather index insurance to farmers in Uganda. Weather Index Insurance is a policy that compensates farmers whose crops suffer heavy rains, drought and floods. Under this arrangement, the insurance firm compensates farmers for the expenses and losses incurred when their crops get affected by bad weather. The pay is calculated by taking the amount of rainfall measured at a local weather station and applying the insurance payout formula in contract terms and conditions. The first beneficiaries will be farmers from Northern Uganda. The managing director, Lion Assurance Company, George Alande says they are focusing on the maize producing areas. Alande adds that they are reviewing data from Ngeta in Arua district to finalise the policy document. “We need at least five years to gather data from areas that we visit. We have gone to Ngeta in Arua. We are finalising the policy document for farmers in that region,” he says. The success of the policy depends on correct and accurate weather information. “However, the hindrance has been the meteorological department. Basically you may have information that has some gaps.” According to the managing director of Centenary Bank, Fabian Kaasi, the agriculture sector has risks including: price fluctuations, drought and pests."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/321876-maize-farmers-to-benefit-from-insurance-policy.html","content":" - BY PROSSY NANDUDU BEFORE 2010, Scolastica Akiteng was battling with the problem of floods that hit Teso region in need of food aid. According to the minister of state for relief, some family heads have run away from home leaving the women to fend for the children. This is due to harsh weather conditions in Teso and other parts of the country. The floods washed away crops, houses and animals. The crops withered and animals died due to lack of pasture and water. Many farmers have resorted to financial institutions for loans but in vain as the financial institutions were not ready to lend out money for agriculture. As a result, some financial institutions are finalising policy issues to offer Weather index insurance to farmers in Uganda. Weather Index Insurance is a policy that compensates farmers whose crops suffer heavy rains, drought and floods. Under this arrangement, the insurance firm compensates farmers for the expenses and losses incurred when their crops get affected by bad weather. The pay is calculated by taking the amount of rainfall measured at a local weather station and applying the insurance payout formula in contract terms and conditions. The first beneficiaries will be farmers from Northern Uganda. The managing director, Lion Assurance Company, George Alande says they are focusing on the maize producing areas. Alande adds that they are reviewing data from Ngeta in Arua district to finalise the policy document. “We need at least five years to gather data from areas that we visit. We have gone to Ngeta in Arua. We are finalising the policy document for farmers in that region,” he says. The success of the policy depends on correct and accurate weather information. “However, the hindrance has been the meteorological department. Basically you may have information that has some gaps.” According to the managing director of Centenary Bank, Fabian Kaasi, the agriculture sector has risks including: price fluctuations, drought and pests."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/322709-fake-fuel-floods-city-pumps.html","content":" - By Samuel Balagadde UGANDA National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has unearthed a racket of unscrupulous oil dealers who dispense less fuel from what is paid by motorists. The pump price displayed at some petrol stations in the city does not also reflect what is dispensed, Moses Sebunnya, the UNBS spokesperson, pointed out. He said a random inspection found out that some dealers were not compliant. Dr. Terry Kahuma, the UNBS executive director, noted that fuel adulteration imposed danger to car engines. He said they receive complaints from motorists after consuming suspected fake fuel. “It is criminal to mix paraffin with petrol or diesel with paraffin for any reason,” he said. This is a serious crime,” he said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/323037-bwaise-floods-displace-700-people.html","content":" - By Jeff Lule OVER 700 residents in Bwaise, a Kampala suburb, were left homeless following heavy rains which resulted into floods two weeks ago. The residents, who had assembled at Bilal Mosque to collect relief items from the Uganda Red Cross (URC), disclosed that some of them live with friends and relatives. The affected residents lived along the Nsooba-Lubigi channel, Kamalimali, Bokasa and Mayinja zones. Most of them fled after their houses and property were destroyed. Each household was given three blankets, soap, five cups and plates and two jerrycans. The items cost about sh25m. The URC Kampala branch manager, Julius Ssemanda, said 404 households with 750 people were left helpless. “Over 3,000 people were affected in the area during the Easter rains, but these ones lost everything,” he said. The division chairman, Haji Nasser Takuba, said they had started paying off residents who live along the Nsooba-Lubigi channel. “We budgeted sh3b to pay off these residents to pave way for the construction of a new channel. We will start construction in June 2011,” Takuba said. He said the development is under the World Bank Project code-named Kampala Institutional and Infrastructure Development Programme and supported by Kampala City Council. The LC1 chairman of Kamalimali zone, John Musisi, said three quarters of his residents had abandoned their homes because they had nowhere to live. He confirmed that those living near the channel were being paid off."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/323176-floods-displace-10-families-in-kasese.html","content":" - By John Nzinjah HEAVY floods on Friday hit Kilembe Quarters in Kasese town, displacing families and destroying property worth millions of shillings. Of the families affected, 10 were completely dispossessed, while 20 rescued some of their belongings. This followed a heavy downpour that started at about 2:00am and ended at around 8:00am. Hawa Kamalha, a mother of three and member of one of the affected families, said: “I woke up at about 3:00am and found the house flooded.” Hawa said she quickly woke up her children and rushed them out before water submerged her house. The NRM vice-chairperson of Kasese municipality, Israel Masereka, attributed the floods to poor planning by technocrats. Kasese district Police commander Paul Mumbogwe said no deaths had been reported but urged the authorities to quickly address the problem. Kilembe Quarters is among the areas in the municipality, including Nyakasanga, Kikonzo, Kidodo, Kizungu and Railway village, that experience heavy floods every rain season. The municipality engineer, Apolo Bamwine, attributed the floods to political interference in the planning of the town. He said politicians usually interfere in the process of offering tenders for construction works in the municipality and encourage people to build in areas that are supposed to be drainage channels. The town clerk, Wilson Musabe, said he was not aware of the current floods. He said residents had built on top of the blocked drainage channel that originates from Kasesa swamp behind Bakoko market and passes through the affected area. “The problem is the 1998 Land Act which gives citizens excessive power over ownership of land. It has encouraged people to grab land set aside for government projects,” Musabe said. He said they need over sh5b to address the drainage problem."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/323276-flood-victims-receive-aid.html","content":" - OVER 700 residents in Bwaise are homeless after floods ravaged the area two weeks ago. The residents, who had gathered at Bilal Mosque on Thursday to get relief items donated by Uganda Red Cross, said they had been forced to live with friends and relatives. According to the Red Cross Kampala branch manager, Julius Ssemanda, 750 people were left helpless. The Red Cross gave each family three blankets and bars of soap, five cups and plates, and two jerry-cans. The items were estimated to cost about sh25m. The affected residents were living along the Nsooba-Lubigi channel in Kamalimali, Bokasa and Mayinja zones. The division chairman, Nasser Takuba, explained that most of the people living along the Nsooba-Lubigi channel have been told to resettle elsewhere to pave way for the construction of a new water channel. “We are paying residents living along this channel and we earmarked sh3b for this. ”Takuba adds that construction begins in June. He said the development is supported by the World Bank and Kampala City Council."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/323709-ec-loses-vital-data-in-floods.html","content":" - By John Masaba THE Electoral Commission (EC) lost items worth millions of shillings when their offices were submerged by floods last week. The floods destroyed new computers and printers as well documents in their archives. Sam Rwakoojo, EC’s secretary, said the floods might have put precious information in jeopardy. “Getting information dating from as far back as 1994 will be very difficult because we have lost most of our archives,” said Rwakojjo. According to Charles Ochola, the EC’s spokesperson, the commision experiences endemic floods because it is a “download point” sitting in the lower area where water from different parts of the city collects."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/324023-five-dead-3-injured-in-friday-floods.html","content":" - By Petride Mudoola and Andrew Ssenyonga FIVE people died and three others sustained injuries in two Kampala surburbs when their houses collapsed due to the heavy rains that hit the city on Thursday night. Annette Nabwire, 32 and her two children, Namakoyo, 2 and Wenger, 5 of Kibuli-Kitoro zone and Cosma Rwamahe, a trailer driver and his daughter, Zaina Kassim, of Kisugu, Namuwongo, died after their houses were destroyed by the rain. The Kabalagala Police commander, Wesley Nganizi, confirmed the incidents, adding that the bodies were taken to the City Mortuary. Nganizi noted that the house in Kibuli-Kitoro was too old to survive the heavy rains while residents attributed the tragedy to poor urban planning within the city. Other injured people were rushed to Mulago."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/325765-there-will-be-no-floods-â-experts.html","content":" - By PROSSY NANDUDU THE current rains across the country will not cause floods, the meteorological department has said. The prolonged dry spell that hit the country from September to February this year did not allow the build up of moisture in the soils that can easily cause floods. The head of seasonal forecasting and data processing at the meteorological department, Deus Bamanya, said the rains were expected to continue till the end of May. “Flooding will not be experienced because the moisture content in the soil is not enough to increase the amount of water that comes with the rains,” said Bamanya. He, however, warned that Kampala would experience flash floods due to poor drainage system and abnormal rainfall in some areas. Areas around the Lake Victoria basin, south-western and south-eastern regions will experience abnormal rainfall, while eastern, north-eastern and West Nile regions will experience below normal rainfall. Bamanya advised areas that are likely to receive below normal rainfall to plant early maturing varieties of crops. For maize, they should plant Longe 4 and 5 because it takes a shorter time to mature compared to the hybrid. Other crops include beans, vegetables, Sorghum which takes 90 to 105 days,same applies to millet,sweet potatoes among others. The department also calls on farmers in areas that are receiving above normal rainfall to plant more crops that can be distributed to areas that will not have enough rainfall when the dry spell hits the country."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/607856-floods-frustrate-ngora-herdsmen.html","content":" - By Vision Reporter FLOODS have driven Banyankole herdsmen out of Agu wetland in Ngora district. The floods washed away huts that the herdsmen had built in the wetland and submerged the grazing fields in Agu and Kopege parishes. Dozens of pastoralists are migrating with their animals, while others have sold off their cattle and moved back to western Uganda. Ronald Mugisha, 38, said the floods, which started in July, blocked them from accessing the grazing fields. “We no longer tend to the cattle. We graze them into the wetland and return to collect them in the evening because the water is too much. “Some of us have to move with our animals up to Bukedea district in search of pasture. The living conditions are unbearable. But we have to endure because we are on foreign land,” Mugisha said. Cattle wade through the flooded fields to eat sparse leaves of grass peeping through the waters. Deep inside the wetland, the water rises waist-deep, forcing residents to use boats to fetch firewood. The floods have also created scarcity of milk in the area. A litre of milk that initially cost between sh100 to 200 has risen to sh300. The milk is supplied to Kumi, Mbale, Ngora and Soroti districts. “Milk yields are directly proportionate to the availability of pasture. If pasture is abundant, the milk will be in plenty. If it is scarce, so will the milk,” Mugisha explained. Robert Nayebare said the scarcity of pasture had aggravated conflicts between the pastoralists and Iteso communities in the area. “Due to shortage of pasture, at times our animals stray into gardens belonging to Iteso. We are asked to pay for each plant eaten,” he lamented."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/608218-floods-boost-fishing-in-kumi-soroti.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu THE recent floods that destroyed crops in Gweri and Kapir sub-counties in Soroti and Kumi districts and broke down a pump house at Awoja bridge may have caused untold suffering, but fishermen in the area are having a fieldday. The floods have swept various kinds of fish to the wetland. The fishermen and school-going children no longer have to throw their nets deeper into the waters to get a big catch. Musa Oyola, 18, a fisherman of Abelet parish in Gweri, said the floods had swept up mainly catfish, tilapia, silver fish (omena) and small fish, locally known as alurugun. “Unlike the past months, you cannot lay a net and or basket in the waters and fail to trap fish. Since the floods have destroyed our gardens, we are looking at fishing as the only alternative to get money to fend for our families,” Oyola said. The increase in fish supply in the area has caused a drop in prices. A cup of small fish has dropped to sh500 from sh800, while five average size cat fish has reduced from sh8,000 to sh5,000."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/608350-floods-devastate-amuria-district.html","content":" - By Felix Osujo and Simon Emwamu THE people of Amuria district are facing starvation following the destruction of their crops and homesteads by floods. Thousands of people are in need of food aid, tarpaulins for drying cassava chips and other food items which they managed to salvage after the floods. The area leaders appealed to the Government and other humanitarian organisations to provide them with emergency needs like drugs. Some homes and schools have collapsed’ following the torrential rains over the last two months. Pupils in the affected schools have been relocated to other safer schools. Pupils have to wade through water-logged roads to access their schools, while some teachers have suspended or abandoned work, following the collapse of their houses. “Am sleeping in a store with my family because the eight grass-thatched houses for the teachers collapsed. Pit-latrines have sank, leaving pupils and teachers to go to the bushes,” said Fred Alacu, the head teacher of Amero Primary School. The district disaster chairman, Alfred Malinga, led a team of various NGOs including the World Food Programme, Volunteer Effort for Development Concern, Wash Rights, Concern Worldwide and Wera Development Agency, to assess the impact of the heavy rains. “Thousands of families in Amuria are at a risk of another prolonged famine,” Malinga said. The district education officer, Kellen Achom, said the worst affected primary schools were Iyalakwe, Adepar, Wera, Okwalo, Olelai Wera, Wila and Odukul."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/608816-lira-schools-closed-over-floods.html","content":" - By Patrick Okino and Vien Obote THREE primary schools in Ogur sub-county in Lira district have been closed after floods destroyed their structures. During a routine inspection on Friday, Bosco Bwonyo, the district inspector of schools, called for the closing of Orit, Abala and Corom primary schools, affecting a total of 2,194 pupils. Classrooms, pit-latrines and teachers’ houses had developed cracks, while others had collapsed. Bwonyo said the schools will re-open for pupils to seat the end of year as well as national examinations. The Primary Leaving Examinations start on November 2. Two pupils of Oketkwer Primary School in Aromo sub-county recently died when a pit-latrine collapsed on them. The incident was attributed to shoddy work and heavy rains. The school was also closed and the 864 pupils sent home."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/609176-farmers-need-crops-that-can-withstand-floods.html","content":" - CLIMATE change is not a new phenomenon. What is alarming, however, is the scientific proof linking the current changes in global climate to man’s activities over the past century. As weather swings from extreme dry conditions of drought to floods, farmers have to find ways of adapting to these changes. Whereas the focus on climate change in relation to food security has mostly been around getting drought resistant crops and making water available for agriculture, devastation of crops by floods is forcing farmers to rethink this strategy. How can the farming community in developing countries ensure food security in the face of floods? Is it possible to have flood-resistant crop varieties? How can farmers take advantage of floods? Floods Flooding may result from excessive rainfall or when the volume of water within a body of water, such as a river or lake overflows, invading the neighbouring land. Whatever the cause, flooding makes it difficult for plants to grow and causes tremendous damage to buildings and other property. Although most plants during their normal cycle can withstand a couple of days of flooding, a week or more can severely affect the crops. Symptoms of plants under excessive water stress include yellowing or browning of leaves, leaf curling and wilting, branch dieback and, in extreme cases, total plant destruction. The plants get affected because excessive moisture causes oxygen levels in the soil to decrease, suffocating the roots. As a result, carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen and nitrogen gas levels around the roots increase sharply, affecting the tissues. This explains why food crops like cassava cannot survive. Floods in Uganda The eastern and north eastern parts of Uganda are becoming more prone to flooding due to excessive rains resulting from a change in the local climate. In 2007, the eastern region, particularly Teso, experienced the heaviest rains since 1972, affecting 50,000 farmers who lost both their first and second harvests. In March 2010, floods ravaged Butaleja district, submerging crop fields. The same rains resulted in landslides in Bududa district. This month, floods have hit the newly created Bulambuli district, forcing over 2,500 farmers out of their homes. These and many other similar cases in various parts of the country seem to indicate that floods like droughts are becoming a regular occurrence and farmers should find ways of taking advantage of them. How can farmers cope? The obvious coping mechanism is to avoid planting in areas that drain slowly after rain and those that get flooded consistently after every heavy downpour. Farmers can also improve drainages on the the farm by creating drainage channels. Addition of loose organic material such as composted leaves or manure can improve porosity, making it easy for the soil to drain. Farmers can also plant on raised beds and in areas where drainage cannot be improved and plant species that can tolerate floods such as plants that grow naturally in lowland areas such as yams, submergence tolerant rice and eucalyptus. It is important to recognise the fact that different plants tolerate different degrees of wetness and farmers should follow flood patterns closely to know which crop is best suited when planting in flood-prone areas. Farmers, for example, have to know how much flood water to expect and for how long. Roots need oxygen for growth and respiration. So the longer the roots stay submerged, the more difficult it is for the plant to survive. Extreme conditions of weather such as frequent floods are here to stay and to survive this change, African farmers have to come up with innovations. These may be in form of new crop varieties, new timing of crop seasons, for example, conserving flood water and planting in the dry season or resorting to new flood ‘compatible’ businesses such as fish farming. Since agriculture employs the majority and still constitutes a large fraction of the GDP in developing countries, losses, however small, through flooding, have devastating effects on livelihoods. All stakeholders on food security must take action now. Fredrick Ndiwalana is a development consultant and practicing farmer"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/609987-floods-displace-123-families.html","content":" - A total of 123 families have been displaced by floods following heavy rains in Butaleja district during the past three days. The affected areas are Mazimansa, Himutu and Kachonga sub-counties. The displaced families have relocated to Doho and Haleba primary schools. According to the LC1 chairman of Kamwokya village in Kachonga sub-county, Fred Hibebe, the families need shelter, food and clothing. Hibebe said property worth over sh12m was destroyed by the floods."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/610065-floods-hit-bulambuli.html","content":" - By Joseph Wanzusi OVER 2,500 residents of Bunambutye and Bwikonge sub-counties in the newly-created Bulambuli district have abandoned their homes after the Atari and Kabutoko rivers flooded, destroying crops and killing livestock. The ravaging floods also destroyed Cheptui bridge, rendering the road from Muyembe to Nakapiripirit impassable. Over 300 pupils of Atari Primary School are not attending classes regularly as the school is housing the displaced residents. The most affected areas include Bumufuni and Buwebele in Bunambutye and Buwabwala, Bunalwele and Buwekanda parishes in Bwikonge sub-county. Joseph Khisa, a resident of Buwechalo village, said the roof of Bwikonge Primary School was blown off. The school accommodates 600 pupils. Khisa said most of the houses may collapse because the floods weakened their mud-and-wattle walls. He appealed to the Government to provide the affected families with water purification chemicals and a health centre. In the hilly sub-counties of Buginyanya, Masira, Sisiyi, Namisuni, Bulago and Bulegeni, several bridges connecting the villages have been destroyed. The road connecting Gibuzale and Namisuni sub-counties is cut off, following mudslides. The district works secretary, Cokerup Magona, appealed to the relief and disaster preparedness ministry and NGOs for help."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/610345-katakwi-floods-destroy-property-worth-sh10b.html","content":" - BySimon Emwamu and Felix Osujo PROPERTY worth over sh10b has been destroyed by the ongoing rains in Katakwi district, a report released by the chief administrative officer, Milton Kato, has shown. According to the report of September 16, the situation has been made worse by the run-off water from the neighbouring districts of Napak and Amuria, which has filled up waterways and also destroys infrastructure, crops and grazing land. “The most affected areas are Magoro, Katakwi, Ngariam, Ongongoja and Palam sub-counties. Pupils’ attendance in 17 schools has drastically dropped from 85% to 5%, with Osudio, Obwobwo, Okocho and Ongongoja primary schools rendered inaccessible,” the report notes. Several school pit-latrines have sank and the few pupils who attend school lack proper sanitary facilities. “Residents who have been displaced by the floods use the school structures for accommodation, posing a health threat to pupils due to poor waste disposal,” the report reads. Crops such as cassava, sweet potatoes and groundnuts, worth sh8b, have also been destroyed due to water logging and diseases, the report adds. A number of roads have become impassable, making transport a nightmare. The damage caused on the roads is estimated at over sh1b. The worst affected roads, according to the report, are Magoro-Angisa, Magoro-Ngariam, Ngariam-Omodoi-Magoro, Ngariam-Palam-Isingi and Odoot Corner-Ngariam. Others are Odoot-Olupe, Usuk-Ongongoja, Ongongoja-Obwobwo, Usuk-Amuria, Orungo Corner-Adacar, Toroma-Gweri-Soroti and Katakwi-Moroto. Several water sources, the report notes, are contaminated, posing a health risk to the residents. Although the district water department has tried to disinfect the water sources, the problem persists due to the continuous rains. Meanwhile, the department of disaster preparedness and relief in the Office of the Prime Minister has handed over 200 bags of maize flour and 200 bags of beans to Katakwi district leaders. The food will be distributed to residents of Palam sub-county, who are severely affected by the floods. “We shall also provide families with tarpaulins for drying food items,” said Musa Ecweru, the relief and disaster preparedness state minister."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/610354-floods-destroy-crops-in-10-districts.html","content":" - By Eddie Ssejjoba AT least 10 districts in eastern and western Uganda have been hit by floods. The Government estimates that the damage to crops, roads and schools is in billions of shillings and might eat deep into the national coffers. In addition, affected districts are likely to experience severe food shortage, followed by long dry spell. The minister of state for relief, disaster preparedness and refugees, Musa Ecweru, on Thursday said 10 districts were facing serious problems due to the ‘above normal’ rains that had washed away bridges, roads and flooded gardens which resulted in food crops rotting. He said in Amuria Katakwi, Bukedea, Ngora and parts of Serere in Teso, people were in dire need of food and clothing. In the west, in Kisoro, Bundibugyo, Kasese and Kabarole districts, water sources including boreholes, were contaminated and communities were reporting increasing cases of pneumonia. In Kibaale and Masindi, hailstorms destroyed gardens and people were left in desperate need of food. The minister warned that according to the meteorology department, the rains would continue up to the end of October but would be followed by a dry spell to run from December to April 2011. “We fear that we shall experience severe food shortages and famine in the coming months, since those who would have managed to harvest some food during this season might not have enough during the dry spell,” the minister said. The planting season was supposed to start in February, but Ecweru says that will be the peak of the drought. In Teso, water logging had led to the rotting of cassava and potato tubers. Ecweru said many roads had been cut off and it was becoming impossible for the Government to transport relief items. Other likely negative effects include increasing cases of malaria infections since water logged fields are breeding grounds for mosquitoes and exposure to water-borne diseases that come as a result of drinking contaminated water. Ecweru added that some school buildings and pit latrines had sunk because many schools were located in low lying areas and in some places maggots from pit latrines were floating in school compounds. At Ameru Primary School in Katakwi, for example, the government relocated Primary Six and Seven pupils to Angolebwal. The minister directed chief administrative officers to evaluate the damage and find out what was required in terms of cash and aid. The most needed relief items include food, tarpaulins, polythene papers to serve as food drying carpets because the ground is soggy and blankets, water treatment tablets, blankets and mosquito nets."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/610610-heavy-rains-destroy-15-tororo-bridges.html","content":" - By Moses Nampala OVER 15 bridges roads in Tororo district have been washed way by flooding streams.The floods have been attributed to heavy rains experienced since the beginning of the year. Over sh150m allocated to the district in April by the works ministry to cater for emergency road reconstruction has not been received. The permanent secretary said remittance of the funds would be made on quarterly basis and requested that a progressive report of the road works be submitted if more funds are to be disbursed in the subsequent quarters. The district chief administrative officer, Felix Esoku, however, confirmed receiving the letter, but insisted that they had not received the money. Tororo county MP Geoffrey Ekanya said he was aware of the missing funds. “I am following up the matter because our roads are in a sorry state,” said Ekanya. Local authorities in Kirewa sub-county reported that James Ochan, a resident, died last month as he attempted to cross one of the bridges. The authorities early this month reported that another resident, Anna Amejja, died as she attempted to cross the same bridge. The affected areas include paya, Mukujju, Molo, Kirewa kwapa, merikit Nagongera and kisoko sub-counties."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/610816-floods-ravage-rwenzori-region.html","content":" - By John Thawite A seven-year-old boy drowned on Saturday in flood waters, following a heavy downpour in Bulembia division, Kasese Municipality. The incident occurred in Kibandama II cell, Namuhuga Ward, in the former copper-mining Kilembe valley. The deceased, only identified as Kato, was reportedly returning home from Kilembe market, where he had gone to buy meat. By last evening, his body had not been recovered, heightening fears that he may have been swept away into the nearby River Nyamwamba, which was over-flooded in the heavy rains. Properties, including Namuhuga Church of Uganda and numerous gardens, were destroyed. In Rukoki sub-county, floods killed seven goats, sweeping them into a stream. The rains also destroyed the Kihara-Kapoko road, uprooted water pipes and cotton gardens. In Ntoroko district near Lake Albert, floods displaced over 500 people and destroyed their gardens, following torrential rains that lasted for two days over the weekend. The floods, which started in the Bundibugyo hills and the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo, bust the banks of River Semliki. Worst hit areas include Bweramule, Budiba, Masaka, Rwamabale, Kirinja, Kyapahaibale, Kabimbire and Rugando parish on the shores of River Semliki and Lake Albert, according to the LC II chairman of Bweramule parish, Clovis Byaruhanga. He said the floods have killed hundreds of animals and destroyed gardens and homesteads. “People are fleeing their homes in the affected areas to relatively safer ones in the Kibuuku Mountains in the neighbouring Bundibugyo district and Kayanja areas in the DRC. The floods have swept away all the grass-thatched houses, destroyed gardens of potatoes, cassava, maize, cocoa and beans,” Byaruhanga said. He added that the displaced people were at risk of hunger, disease and starvation. “Social services have been severely affected, and our children cannot go to school,” Byaruhanga said. He appealed to the Government and other well-wishers to avert any further disaster. Ntoroko resident district commissioner Patrick Kawamara said he had directed the LC chairpersons to register the victims of the floods for possible government intervention."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/610983-experts-warn-of-heavy-rains-landslides.html","content":" - By Charles Ariko WEATHER experts have predicted that the current rains are expected to intensify for the next one month, warning that some regions will experience floods and landslides. “Episodic flash floods might be experienced in some areas, leading to loss of lives, and destruction of properties. “Other disasters may arise from possible landslides mostly in mountainous areas of western, south-western and eastern Uganda,” said Michael Nkalubo in a statement issued on behalf of the meteorological department. Nkalubo said whereas farmers can take advantage of the rainy season, urban authorities need to clear the drainage systems to forestall water run-offs and blocked drainages. He also warned of rising cases of water-borne diseases."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/612217-flooded-schools-get-sh40m-items.html","content":" - By Joseph Wanzusi ABOUT 2,000 pupils from four primary schools that were affected by floods and landslides in Bulambuli, Bukedea, Bududa and Butaleja districts are to receive support from Save the Children Uganda. The beneficiary schools are Buwasyeba in Bulambuli, Aminit in Bukedea, Bugobe in Butaleja and Bulucheke IDP Primary School in Bududa district. They will receive exercise books, pens, pencils, rubbers, mathematical sets, temporary classroom shelters and sanitary towels worth sh40m. Stephen Wafula, a resident of Busangayi village, who has three children in Buwasyeba Primary school, commended Save the Children for the donation. He also asked the Government to provide desks and construct a classroom block for the Primary Six and Seven pupils. “When our children complete Primary Five, they are forced to join either Nabbongo, Bunangaka or Muyembe primary schools that are far from their homes,” Wafula said The Bukhalu sub-county councillor, Festo Shibuta, said most of the parents lost their crops to floods and cannot provide for their children. According to the Save the Children education coordinator, Moses Bukenya, his organisation received appeals for assistance from the district authorities, but after conducting a survey and considering the available funds, they could only aid the four schools. Bukenya observed that the schools have been recording low class attendance and poor academic performance as most of the pupils cannot access the schools because of bad roads. He added that the sanitation facilities in the schools were poor. “When we were delivering items to Buwasyeba Primary School, our truck got stuck in the mud several kilometres away from the school, forcing the pupils and the teachers to wade through the water and mud to receive the items,” Bukenya said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/612438-kampala-put-on-cholera-alert.html","content":" - KAMPALA district is at risk of floods and disease outbreaks during the rainy season, city authorities have said. Kampala City Council spokesperson Simon Muhumuza yesterday said Bwaise, Makerere and Mulago III in Kawempe Division were more at risk. Others are Banda, Kiwatule, Bukesa, Kamwokya, Kisenyi, Ndeeba, Nateete, Lungujja, Namuwongo and Wabigalo. During rainy seasons, it is common for city residents to report cases of cholera outbreaks and flooding, especially in the low lying areas, he said. Muhumuza urged residents to clear drains and to vacate low lands, marshes and waterways. He also urged them not to empty their latrines during floods, to drink boiled water, avoid cold foods and those from unhygienic places, and to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. “Any person who experiences diarrhoea or difficulty in breathing should immediately seek medical advice from the nearest health facility,” he said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/612480-ntinda-wetland-fenced-off.html","content":" - By Gerald Tenywa Another portion of the wetland at Ntinda is being reclaimed by an unknown developer. The spot, commonly known as Ntinda Stretcher, is plagued by floods during the rainy season. According to Dr. Aryamanya Mugisha, the executive director of the National Environment Management Authority, the valley drains Naguru hill and Bukoto. He also said the valley, which serves Nvulyabirenge stream that feeds Kinawataka wetland, is protected by NEMA. However, residents said two weeks ago, the stream was fenced off. Over the weekend, an excavator was seen removing soil from the valley and loading it on trucks, which were ferrying it to another wetland near the sewage lagoons in the Minister’s Village in Ntinda. Mugisha said wetland encroachment had increased, adding that the vice is promoted by high personalities within Government. Sources in National Housing, which manages the sewage lagoons in the Minister’s Village, said they would inspect the area this week. Scientists predict that East Africa is likely to have more rains as a result of global warming. Mugisha said wetlands, which carry much of the rain water to lakes and rivers, should be conserved to avoid floods. They also clean dirty water before releasing it into bigger water bodies. Kinawataka, Nakivubo and Kansanga are among the critical wetlands in Kampala that shield Lake Victoria from pollution."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/612772-landslides-sweep-bridges-bury-roads-in-bukwo.html","content":" - Joshua Khatiya FLOODS caused by torrential rains have ravaged Bukwo district, blocking roads, ruining gardens and paralysing movement of traders.The rains have also caused mudslides on the slopes of Mount Elgon. The huge deposits of mud and boulders have blocked the Kapchorwa-Bukwo main road. The community access roads in the district have also been flooded. The main bridge on River Bukwo, connecting the district to Kapchorwa district, has been broken down. Other small bridges and culverts on the community-access roads have been washed away. With the collapse of infrastructure, Bukwo residents have been forced to connect to other parts of Uganda through the Malaba and Lwakhakha boarder points. However, traders have complained that the Kenya police demand that they acquire Kenyan insurance for their vehicles. “The Kenya tax body charges between about sh180,000 and sh250,000 for the insurance,” Pilo Sabila, a driver, said. Additional reporting by Henry Mukasa"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/613007-floods-displace-200-families-in-butaleja.html","content":" - BY MOSE BIKALA OVER 230 families have been displaced by floods in Butaleja district following a heavy downpour. The worst affected areas are Maizimasa and Himutu sub-counties. The floods also swept away over three acres of rice in the area on which 80% of residents depend. The rains that begun at around 8:00am on Saturday, lasted over four hours, blowing off several roof tops. The Malusa village LC1 chairman, Benon Sagula, said most of the displaced people were living with relatives and friends in the neighbouring villages. “Most of them have no food, beddings, clothing, utensils and other necessities,” he said. Sagula said most of the host families could not feed the displaced people since the district experienced a poor rice harvest following floods that hit the area this year. Floods have displaced several people in Butaleja since the beginning of this year, following the bursting of the River Manafwa banks during heavy rains. The district chairman, Richard Waya, appealed for relief aid for the displaced people. “They are in urgent need of medicine, food, blankets and shelter. The Government and non-governmental organisations should come to our rescue,” he said. He said floods had greatly affected the livelihood of his people since most of them are farmers."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/613389-floods-cause-hunger-diseases-in-bukedea.html","content":" - BY SIMON NAULELE AND JAMES ODONG PEOPLE in Bukedea district are at risk of hunger and diseases due to floods caused by heavy rains. Hundreds of residents of Kolir and Malera sub-counties said their crops were destroyed by the floods. Michael Odele, the LC1 secretary for Kamutur village, said foodstuffs like cassava, sweet potatoes and groundnuts were rotting in gardens. “Some people are trying to harvest their crops, but they cannot dry them due to the rains,” said Odele on Monday. He said most of the houses were flooded, while others havd collapsed. Odele said they need graders to dig trenches to divert water to swamps, instead of it collecting in people’s homes. “We appeal to the Government for tents to be used as temporary shelters by those who are seriously affected and tarpaulins for drying foodstuffs. We also need mobile toilets,” Odele said. Madelena Angecere of Aerere village said: “We need immediate food relief, mosquito nets and medicine,” Angecere said mosquitoes were breeding in the flood waters, causing malaria, yet there were no drugs in health centres. She said floods had also affected water sources. “If you try pumping water from a borehole, it comes with worms. The wells also have dirty water.” Anna Ikwap of Tajar village said children had developed skin rushes after sleeping on wet floors and using dirty water. Ben Andrew Akol, a former parish chief, said the health situation is appalling. “People are defecating in bushes since pit-latrines have been submerged. When it rains, the faeces are washed into water sources, where people collect water for drinking and cooking,” Akol said. The rains have also affected the education system. Floods washed away Komongomeri and Kamutur bridges, making Kamutur and Tajar parishes in Kolir sub-county inaccessible. Aminit Busano Primary School did not open for the second term, while Tajar, Kamutur, Akou Etome and Abilaep primary schools have all closed. Hellen Itupa, the headteacher of Aminit Busano Primary School, said 105 children had dropped out of school due to the floods, while 360 joined other schools. Kolir sub-county chief Joseph Ochom said some schools were cut off after floods washed away bridges. “It is hard to reach Tajar Primary School. Its three classroom blocks have been condemned after they developed cracks,” said Ochom. The resident district commissioner, Michael Balatum, called for a permanent solution to the floods. “I have sent a report to the Prime Minister’s office,” he said. “We urgently need drugs, food and tents for shelter,” Balatum said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/613454-10-families-updf-unit-displaced-by-floods.html","content":" - Olandason Wanyama About 10 homes, including a UPDF detachment in Nabwal village, Irrir sub-county in Napak district, have been flooded after the foot of Napak Mountain cracked, releasing a huge volume of water last week. No death was recorded, but the knee-level water destroyed dozens of gardens as it flowed down to Lake Bisina. Residents said the crack had been visible for many years and finally gave way due to the heavy rains. We have been fetching water at that crack during the rainy season,” Moses Lomongin said. He said he woke up to yells by his neighbours at around midnight, only to find the area flooded. Lomongin said his family and the neighbours removed some of their property out of their houses as the water level rose. “We hanged our belongings on trees and climbed up the nearby rocks, where we spent the night,” he added. abwal village is home to over 7,000 Karimojong families, who were resettled in the area by the Office of the Prime Minister three years ago."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/613626-blocked-septic-tank-floods-tororo-market.html","content":" - By Moses Nampala A blocked septic tank has for the last three weeks been overflowing and flooding Tororo Central Market with sewage. The tank, situated at the entrance of the market, started overflowing on July 15. The traders said they had watched helplessly as the feacal material drained into the market. “We have complained several times to the municipal authorities but no action has been taken,” said Francis Emukule, a trader. “The pools of sewage are attracting flies, putting our lives at stake,” complained Susan Achom, another trader. The traders added that the constant flow of the stuff had compelled them to stop working over the weekends. The municipal health officer, Dr. Godfrey Buyinza, admitted that his office had received the complaint. He said they had informed the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NSWC) about it. Buyinza noted that the sewage was a health hazard to the traders and those who go to the market. More than 10,000 people regularly visit the public utility to buy foodstuffs and other domestic items. When The New Vision visited the NSWC office, the branch manager, Sisto Ayet, said they had just received the complaint and were planning to respond."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/614670-students-drop-out-of-flooded-schools.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu Over 200 pupils have dropped out of the schools in Himutu sub-county, Butaleja district which were closed during the March floods. At the peak of the floods in the Mt. Elgon region, Doko, Namahere, Bugombe and Lubembe primary schools were closed. River Manafwa over flowed, submerging the schools’ infrastructure and flooding roads in the district, which affected the movement of both pupils and teachers. Whereas Namahere Primary School’s enrolment rose from 664 to 677, Doko registered a drop from 720 to 624 and Lubembe dropped to 603 from 774. Student numbers at Bugombe Primary School fell from 153 to 103. Lorna Nahamia, the headteacher of Bugombe Primary School, noted that Primary One, Two and Three suffered the biggest drop-out rate. She added that some of the pupils abandoned school after the disaster, while others may have joined relatives in the neighbouring sub-counties and districts to continue school there. “Some of the pupils’ homes are in the neighbouring districts of Sironko, Mbale, Tororo and Bugiri. They were staying with relatives here. So when the floods struck, they went back to their homes. Parents who reside within Himutu sub-county took their children to live with relatives and study in the safer areas,” Nahamia explained. Moses Otai, the Child Fund International eastern regional manager, gave out 2,000 water containers to pupils in the affected schools and distributed packets of water-purifying drugs to households in Himutu. He explained that the move was aimed at curtailing the outbreak of water-borne diseases like cholera."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/615104-katakwi-district-gets-food-boost.html","content":" - A local NGO, Pilgrim, has distributed foodstuff worth sh59.7m to over 6,000 households in Amuria and Katakwi districts following floods in the areas. The items included 615 bags of maize flour, 187 bags of beans and 185 cartons of salt. James Ochan, an official, said the exercise targets vulnerable communities in the region. Kapelebyong, Orungo and Obalanga sub-counties in Amuria benefited, while in Katakwi, Ngariam, Ongongoja and Magoro sub-counties benefited. Denis William, the Pilgrm director of relief, observed that many pupils were dropping out of school due to lack of food."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/615397-ngo-donates-farming-materials.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu CHILD Fund International, a local civil society has distributed planting materials and farm implements to residents of Mazimasa sub-county in Butaleja district whose gardens were affected by the recent floods. The organisation on Thursday distributed 1,875kg of maize seeds, 2,550kg of beans and 1,500 pieces of hoes to over 750 households in 15 villages. Moses Otai, the organisation’s eastern regional manager, explained that the items were targeted for the second planting season that begins next month. “This is part of the organisation’s sh100m-worth recovery programme for the communities that were hit by floods in Butaleja. The planting materials are meant to wean farmers off relief food handouts,” Otai said. He noted that besides providing adequate relief food to the affected communities, the organisation had partnered with the district production department to educate communities before the seed distribution to avoid consumption of the treated seeds. About 60,000 people, out of over 206,000 in the sub-counties of Butaleja, Himutu, Mazimasa and Butaleja town council, were severely affected by floods. The floods, which hit Butaleja in March, were followed by heavy rains in the Mt. Elgon region. Several water sources were contaminated, the crops rotted and some buildings collapsed, while others became cracked. Wilberforce Mudowa, 32, a resident of Nasemenye village in Mazimasa explained that residents run errands at Dokho rice scheme where they earn between sh1,000 to sh2,000 daily to support their families."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/615419-butaleja-schools-still-in-shambles-after-floods.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu DESPITE the reducing rains in the eastern region, schools that were hit by floods in March in Butaleja district are still grappling in the aftermath of the disaster. Primary schools in Doho, Namahere, Lubembe and Bugombe sub-counties were temporarily shut down at the peak of the floods that swept the district following heavy rains in the Mt. Elgon region. Whereas most the schools were reopened, some had to start holding classes under trees because buildings were damaged during the floods. Most of the rickety bridges on River Manafwa that were washed away by the floods have not been replaced, hampering the movement of pupils to schools in sub-counties separated by the river. Adam Wandera, the head teacher of Doko Primary School, explained that the rains cracked the classroom block that accommodated Primary One and Two. “Pupils in these classes sit outside. We have decided to put them under trees as we wait for the floor to dry,” Wandera said on Friday. The floods also destroyed the head teacher’s office and staffroom. At Namahere Primary School, the head teacher, Tom Mugwa, said the inadequacy of classrooms had made holding lessons difficult. He said pupils of Primary Two, Three and Four had their lessons under trees. “A heavy downpour marks the end of the day’s classes. When it rains, we combine the pupils. Because the ground will remain wet after the downpour, we have to send the pupils back home. It’s difficult to hold a lesson in combined classes,” Mugwa said. At Lubembe Primary School, David Galya, the school head teacher, said the floods destroyed textbooks, charts and pamphlets, which has made teaching difficult. Galya said Primary Three was shifted under a tree because the classroom was damaged. The school’s only pit-latrine also developed cracks, he added, making it unusable."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/615664-will-mother-nature-survive-ugandaâ-s-population-pressure.html","content":" - By Winnie Nanteza JULIET Nalwanga lives on the fringes of Kampala in Bwaise slum, Kawempe division. A wooden tin shack is what she calls home.“When it rains, life is hard,” the mother of three says. “My home always floods.” To leave home during the rainy period, Nalwanga has to part with cash to be carried by men across the flooded zones. Sometimes it is so bad that Nalwanga and her three children have to relocate to the village. However, there are other people who have nowhere to go. According to the UN Habitat report 2009, the population density in Kampala is so high, about 12 families occupy a single plot of land. According to the report, about 1.5 million people live in slums in Kampala. The wetlands and swamps have now been turned into residential areas because of the increase in population. This has caused environmental damage. In Kampala, damage to wetlands and swamps has resulted in floods, especially in Kalerwe, Bwaise, Kawempe, Zana, Ndeeba, Bwaise and Kanyanya. In the east and north east of Uganda, mudslides and floods are becoming common. Why population has gone up? The 20-year stability and improvement in livelihood and child mortality, coupled with a high fertility rate have contributed to a population growth rate of 3.3% compared to the global average of 1.1%. This make makes Uganda one of the countries with the fastest growing populations in the world. Eighty percent of the Ugandan population relies on resources like land and lakes for livelihood. Ninety nine percent uses firewood and charcoal for cooking, putting a strain on the natural resources. According to a Population Reference Bureau policy brief, population growth is one of the major contributing factors to loss of forests, wetlands and shortage of agricultural land. “Trends such as the loss of half of the planet’s forests, the depletion of most of its major fisheries, and the alteration of its atmosphere and climate are closely related to the fact that human population expanded from mere millions in prehistoric times to over six billion today,” says Robert Engelman of Population Action International. Rwandume Mugizi, the Kampala City Council (KCC) environment inspector, says Kampala has swallowed up the greenery that once covered the empty hills and valleys. As the wetlands, which used to hold enormous quantities of water become no more, the city has begun witnessing a catastrophe. More wetlands in Kampala have been cleared for human settlement and industries. When the floods hit Kampala early this year, the former minister of environment, Dr. Kezimbira Miyingo, issued a directive that all houses in wetlands be demolished. However, owners opposed the directive, claiming they did not know they were building on wetlands. The problem of flooding is so severe in the Kampala suburbs of Kalerwe, Kisenyi and Bwaise that tenants shift to other areas to escape the floods. Latrines are built above water streams. During rainy seasons, the area residents often open a hole to release faeces from the latrines. The rain then washes the faeces into streams, from where they fetch water. Many people have no toilets and incidents of people using polythene papers as toilets is common. NEMA steps up campaign Robert Wabunoha, a senior environmental lawyer of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), says the Government has come up with new environmental laws to protect the ecologically sensitive areas such as wetlands. Wabunoha says many people in Kampala have, over the years, built houses in the valleys where water naturally flows. Because the water has nowhere else to go, it floods people’s homes. In May this year, KCC received about sh12b from the World Bank to boost the fight against flooding in Kampala suburbs. The money was for reconstruction and rehabilitation of high risk areas, starting with a 3.6km drainage channel in Bwaise. Part of the channel was constructed, but it has not been helpful in controlling floods. Early this year, KCC was finalising efforts to gazette the Nakivubo wetland as a protected area to stop fresh encroachment on it, after which efforts will be diverted to saving Kinawataka wetland. The growing population of Uganda, especially around urban areas, has adversely affected the environment. In the last three decades, wetlands and green cover has been completely wiped away from Kampala, which was once a green area. According to the 2002 population census, 12% of Uganda’s population lived in the urban areas. The United Nations indicated that by 2007, 3.7 million Ugandans lived in urban areas. According to Uganda National Bureau of Statistics, Kampala’s population in 2010 is about 1.6 million people. In 2009, the estimated world’s annual growth rate was about 1%, down from 2.2% in 1963, and the world population stood at over six billion people. Current projections show a steady decline in the growth rate, leading to a peak in the population at around nine billion by the year 2050. Impact of a huge population The recent rapid increase in human population over the past two centuries has raised concerns that humans are beginning to overpopulate the earth, and that the planet may not be able to sustain present or larger numbers of inhabitants. Studies show that the current population expansion and accompanying increase in usage of resources is linked to threats to the ecosystem. It is possible for sparsely populated areas to be overpopulated as such areas may have a meagre or non-existent capability to sustain human life. Already this is beginning to show in Uganda. Although access to water has improved, (67% of the population has access to an improved water source), it takes an average Ugandan over 30 minutes to collect water. Rural households are also increasingly spending more time looking for firewood. Overpopulated places compete for the basic life-sustaining resources, hence a diminished quality of life. Increase in time for collecting water or fuel impacts on women more. Girls cannot complete their education, thus early marriage and childbearing which starts a cycle of poverty. Solutions Despite the increase in population density in world cities, the UN Habitat says in its report that urbanisation may be the best solution to managing the rising global population. Cities concentrate human activity within specified areas, limiting the extent of environmental damage. But this mitigating influence can only be achieved if urban planning is significantly improved."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/615830-floods-retarding-border-demarcation.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu THE floods in Namatala wetland are hampering the speedy demarcation of the disputed boundary between Budaka and Mbale districts, an official has said. “We have had to search for paths in the wetland and meander around lengthy paths to reach specific points rather than use shortcuts, as they are flooded. We can’t erect the control points in some areas. The soil is soggy,” Jasper Kakooza, a senior surveyor with the local government ministry, said on Wednesday. The control points are areas from which the survey processes are co-ordinated. Namatala River flooded recently due to the heavy rains in the Mt. Elgon region. A survey team started the demarcation last Monday. Mbale and Budaka were each represented by a district surveyor. Namatala wetland, located between Budaka and Mbale districts, is the centre of a raging border dispute between the Bagwere and Bagisu farmers, with each claiming the other was cultivating beyond their district boundary. Seven Bagwere and three Bagisu rice farmers have been hacked to death since the conflict began in 2007. In January, the army and Police deployed in the wetland and evicted farmers from either side. This followed an attack by over 150 Bagwere from Kamonkoli, who hacked to death a rice farmer from Musoto village, Mbale."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/616290-makerere-don-warns-of-more-floods.html","content":" - By Gerald Tenywa and Rachael Ninsiima UGANDA is headed for more floods and drought, Charles Basalirwa, an associate professor and member of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change, has said. “One of the climate change scenarios is that wet areas are likely to be wetter and dry ones drier,” Basalirwa said. He was speaking at a seminar organised by the Makerere University Department of Mass Communication under the theme: “Post-Copenhagen Climate Change Conference and the Responsibility to protect: What is the role of the media?” About the December climate change meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, Basalirwa said: “Less developed countries like Uganda got nothing. The Copenhagen accord, which was the outcome of the Copenhagen meeting, is not legally binding. The agreement was left on the shelves.” Basalirwa said countries like the US and China declined to reduce emissions because that would lead to the closure of the polluting industries and loss of employment, which would cause political unrest. He said the developments that have been made over the last 50 years were likely to be reversed by the negative impact from drought and floods. The meeting, which attracted journalists from different media houses and participants from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda, also discussed adaptation interventions such as water harvesting, tree planting, alternative energy sources and drought-tolerant crops. The participants urged the Government to carry out more research into technologies that can help communities live with climate change."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/617686-floods-leave-3-000-jobless-at-lake-katwe.html","content":" - By John B. Thawite A TOTAL of 3,000 labourers at Katwe salt lake in Kasese district are jobless after floods ravaged the lake.Salt prices have also gone up from sh30,000 a bag to sh100,000 during the dry season. Business usually booms during the dry seasons, (from January- March and June-September) when the water in the shallow lake evaporates, leaving salty rocks underneath. When The New Vision visited the area on Thursday, the lake, which is usually a hive of activity, was deserted with less than 10 workers. Nicholas Arinaitwe, the guide at Lake Katwe salt tourism centre, said the floods that hit the area had dissolved the salt in more than 8,000 ‘salt pads’. Arinaitwe said the labourers, who usually earn between sh5,000 and sh8,000 daily, were left stranded. He added that the salt pad owners, who fetch between sh150,000 and sh200,000 daily from between 800 and 1,000kg of salt a day, were also out of business. Arinaitwe told participants at the climate change regional workshop in the district that rain water from the neighbouring hills floods the salt pads, dissolving away the salt. “The salt owners and their workers have abandoned business since the lake turned into mainly fresh water,” he said. According to Arinaitwe, the mishap is also affecting Rwanda, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa that have been importing salt from Katwe. The environment ministry’s meteorologist, Paul Isabirye, attributed the flooding to mismanagement of the surroundings."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/617967-floods-cause-soils-to-turn-yellow.html","content":" - By Paul Watala OVER 50% of land cultivated with maize in Sironko district and the newly-created Bulambuli district has turned yellow due to flooding, the district LC5 chairperson, David Wambi Kibale, has said. “We are heading for famine after all the maize, matooke and beans were swept away by water. We do not think Bugisu will remain the food basket of this nation anymore,” he said. Wambi was touring the affected areas with the disaster preparedness state minister, Musa Ecweru, and a team from the office of the Prime Minister over the weekend. “The continuous rains have destroyed the efforts of the local person who lives on small land. Water destroys all the food in the garden while at home they have nowhere to sleep because the houses are flooded,” Wambi said. He said the most affected areas were Bulambuli, Bukhalu, Bumuyoga, Muyembe, Bunambutye sub-counties and Sironko town council. The Bukhalu LC3 chairperson, Alex Burundu, said 35,000 people from 250 households and four primary schools were affected in the sub-county. He said the change of colour of the soil indicated that it would cause poor yields. Burundu told Ecweru that residents had turned their anger on him by threatening to beat him up. He urged the Government to provide relief food and seeds for next season. Ecweru said the office of the Prime Minister was working to restore peoples’ hope. He appealed to the agriculture ministry to prepare seeds for the victims for next season, adding that there could also be an outbreak of water-borne diseases."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/618063-disasters-not-well-handled.html","content":" - EDITOR—The disaster preparedness ministry was a brilliant idea but falls short of a few things that need to be looked into. Whereas natural calamities like mudslides, floods, hunger and disease are sometimes beyond our control, we must admit that we have contributed a lot to some of their occurances and the ministry should not always wait for disaster to strike before they act. Some disasters like floods and landslides keep coming up. There is therefore need to build bridges where water passed the previous years if the disaster preparedness ministry cannot influence the works ministry to do so. For crying out loud, disaster preparedness is not about supplying relief items only! Gonzaga Waziwazi Katakwi"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/618143-experts-warn-of-floods-in-resettlement-areas.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu THE land in Bunambutye sub-county, Sironko district, where the Government plans to relocate over 10,000 people displaced by the Bududa landslides, is prone to water logging, experts have said. The Government is considering purchasing over 11,000 acres from about 30 people in Buikonge sub-county and another 2,000 acres in Bunambutye sub-county belonging to Bugisu Co-operative Union. Each acre is projected to cost between sh800,000 and sh1m. Annunciata Hakuza, the food security officer at the agricultural ministry, explained that whereas the land is fertile, it is located in the lowlands and not suitable for human settlement. “This land is located amidst hills and the water table is low. This means that when it rains heavily in the mountains, the lowlands flood. It will also be difficult to dig pit-latrines as the soils will become soggy. The land is only good for cattle grazing,” Hakuza said. A team of experts, comprising agronomists, geologists, environmentalists, security personnel and officials from the Prime Minister’s office on Thursday toured the proposed resettlement areas to ascertain their suitability for human settlement. However, in Bunambutye sub-county, the officials could not explore deeper into the land as water levels rose waist-deep in some areas. Geoffrey Khauka, the Bunambutye LC3 chairman, explained that the land is occasionally flooded as it is close to Atari River that originates from Mt. Elgon. “When it rains heavily, the river bursts its banks and the land floods. If the Government intends to resettle people here, proper drainage channels must be built to drain away the excess water,” Khauka said. The resettlement of the displaced people, who are temporarily residing at Bulucheke camp in Bududa district, is expected to be concluded next month."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/618491-kaliro-roads-swept-away.html","content":" - By Tom Gwebayanga                   PERSISTENT torrential rains have swept away roads in Buyende and Kaliro districts, cutting them off from their neighbour, Kamuli. In Buyende, floods swept away culverts on the Nabirumba–Buyende road that leads to the district headquarters. Vehicles have to use alternative, and longer, routes to Nkondo and Buyende sub-counties. The Buyende LC5 chairman, Michael Kanaku, said though funds for fixing the roads are available, the repairs cannot start due to the flooding. “We shall wait until the rains subside, otherwise it will be a misuse of money and a disservice to travellers,” he said. He further explained that his district was to team up with Kamuli district to carry out the works as the swamp is at the border. The damage to roads is more widespread, and seems to be getting worse daily, officials said. For instance, the Bugaya-Beekula- Igoola road has also been rendered impassable. Heavy trucks carrying produce like maize and charcoal get stuck in the muddy swamp in Naloose. In Kaliro, Lumbuye river on Kaliro–Bulumba–Iyingo road has overflown, threatening to cut off the road. “We are afraid the spot may give way,” Kagoda said in an interview. “Anyway, it is a nationwide problem,” he added. He wished the rains could subside to pave way for maintenance work. Although the district budget is thin, Kanaku said the repairs would be financed from the start-up fund and remittances from Kamuli, the mother district. As the floods continue ravaging the country, Tirinyi Road fell victim this week, developing a huge hole on one side. The roads authority responded by half-closing the busy highway to Mbale town, a commercial hub of the region."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/618585-floods-hit-katwe-salt-lake.html","content":" - By John Thawite FLOODS have ravaged Katwe salt lake in Kasese district, endangering the livelihoods of thousands of people and livestock that depend on the mineral. John Tinka, the councillor for Katwe/Kabatoro, told the district council that the water from the incessant rains had submerged the salt pads. “The survival of thousands of people, who solely depend on the salt industry, is at stake,” he said. Tinka said about 10,000 people are in Katwe/Kabatoro, where the salt lake is located. He added that the Kasese local government earns sh240m annually in taxes from the salt. Business booms during the dry season when the water in the wells evaporates, leaving the salty rocks underneath the shallow lake. The district wetlands officer, Augustine Kooli, blamed the floods on degradation of the hills surrounding the lake. “There is an unchecked run-off of rain water from the hills due to the destruction of vegetation in the catchment area,” he said. The salt lake, the only one in Uganda, has been supplying the commodity to east and central Africa for hundreds of years. The lake produces three types of salt – kisura (edible salt), mahonde (rock salt) for human consumption and kihabule for animals. The mishap is also affecting Rwanda, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo that have been importing the salt from Katwe. In the early 80s, there was a plan to commercially process up to 40,000 tonnes of salt per year, enough to compete with Kenya for the domestic market. However, the corrosive effects of the salt proved costly for investors."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/618588-news-in-brief.html","content":" - Rukiga victims get foodstuffs KABALE-The disaster preparedness ministry has delivered 40 tonnes of food to residents of Rukiga county who were recently hit by mudslides and floods. The items were 30 tonnes of posho flour and 10 tonnes of beans. Over 500 people were displaced by the landslides. Adison Kakuru, the area MP, said he coordinated the food and the seeds for planting. The residents hailed the Government for the food and appealed for more tents. Waragi drum injures three KABALE-Three people were seriously injured when the drum they were using to distill waragi burst. The victims were distilling the waragi in their house to evade the authorities, who had banned the liquor. This was after 86 people died and 20 became blind after consuming adulterated waragi. Charles Sebambulidde, the district Police chief, urged the public to adhere to the bylaw banning the distilling and sale of crude waragi."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/619020-rains-weaken-kabale-soils.html","content":" - By Goodluck Musinguzi, Ali Wasswa and Darious Magara THE eight months of torrential rainfall has weakened Kabale soils, resulting into mudslides and floods. Lives and property are at risk and the population is threatened by hunger after food gardens in the mountainous over-populated area were washed away. Most devastating was the Saturday mudslides, which killed three people. A district report said the heavy downpour lasted for nine hours. “These rains were abnormal, forming huge water masses that moved down carrying stones, soil and boulders. Everything along the valley was destroyed,” it said. Apart from the rain, poor land management, excessive and continuous cultivation, and eucalyptus tree plantations were also blamed. James Katsimbazi, a scientist, warned that the neighbouring districts of Kisoro, Rukungiri, Kanungu and northern Rwanda were also in danger. He said Ruhita residents reported the earth shook before an explosion which triggered off the mudslides. Edward Magezi, 60, said: “I last witnessed such rains in the 1960s when a cyclone devastated Kabanyonyi in Maziba sub-county. On Saturday, I saw water gushing from the hills of Bukinda, forming floods that swept everything, including houses.” Another victim of the weekend mudslides, Reagan Kwarijuka, formerly a student of Kabale University, was buried on Monday in Bukinda village. Meanwhile, district authorities have warned residents against using the Kabale-Rukungiri, Muko-Ikamiro-Bufundi-Butanda and Muhanga -Rwamucucu – Kisizi roads."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/619365-church-leaders-failing-us.html","content":" - I was invited by the First Lady’s office to discuss with fellow experts how we can help married couples improve their fidelity. It is absurd that in Uganda, HIV reigns supreme among married people! Like Noah’s ark, marriage is supposed to save people from floods. But instead, married couples are the wettest and the most drowning. We noted that, among other reasons, people do not take their spirituality very seriously. And they are not helped to by the religious leaders we esteem so highly. That brings me into this debate of Rev Fr Santos Constantino Wapokura, a Catholic priest in Nebbi, who allegedly defiled two girls and possibly infected them with HIV! The man is being helped to play hide and seek with the Police! I am a Catholic who also tried to become a priest. Every time I mention that I was in a seminary, people gasp in a way that seems like a sigh of relief. It has happened many times. The latest being when I was inducted into Rotary and, more recently, when I was giving the keynote address at a young authors forum at the National Theatre last week. I was racing along priestly rails when my rector — who is no longer with us, told me one Monday morning, that he thought my calling was elsewhere. And as a direct result, this world has become more evil: Marriages are hollow, trust is a rare foreigner, leaders are corrupt, HIV is having a good time, sin is reigning, and indeed, the Church seems to be fighting Satan with similar acid that was used on Nakimera. I do not think I would have punched with gloves. Our churches are like traffic policemen who do not necessarily stop accidents, but are everywhere, benefiting from traffic sins. If everybody behaved, they would be out of work, probably on the streets begging for food. So it cannot be in their interest to have a sinless world. This happens when spirituality is institutionalised; churches end up more concerned with image than justice, looking for alliances with other churches they oppose from the pulpit, praying for the restoration of idolatry and presiding over an inscrutable order, where the polygamous get a church burial while the local church going peasant is excommunicated for being seen near a shrine. And sometimes, like a father who defiles his own daughter, we get priests who betray social trust by storming out of celibate vows to wiggle with the women they open-eyedly vowed to fast from. People are crying, the Pope is crying, God is crying and I am also giving my contribution of tears. I once asked the Cardinal about the morality of our priests and he said before God, the sins of a priest and mine are similar. After pondering on this for some time, I have an opinion: No! They are not similar! Unless he brings God to say so himself. Sin is not only wrong doing, but also the impact of that wrong to the environment. That is why when Fr Wapokura defiles a girl, there are many who justify their weakness and dive into the deep end. For every Wapokura, there are hundreds who sin more. And it does not help our church to try and protect him from the courts of law. It only further dilutes the acid prepared for Satan’s face. In a home, when a father is violent, unfaithful and dictatorial, the sons learn a trait or two. In church, when a pastor rapes his sheep, the congregation see a licence to indulge. In politics, when a president closes an eye to a fraudulent friend, corruption spreads by domino effect. Maybe we should keep the celibacy criteria optional because people decide to become celibate priests at a time when they are totally unaware of their own resistance capacity against what they will be missing. We lose out on serious priestly materials who cannot serve because of the celibacy criterion. But that is an argument for another time. It is fun throwing stones at other people. But when you look hard at these kiwani priests and pastors, you are likely to see yourself. For if you are able to read this newspaper, know that there are many people looking up to you in awe as a role model. So before you succumb to sexual deviation, know that you can easily constitute mud, in which many will slide off the road. Of course, there are priests who are chaste, traffic cops who do not take bribes, musicians who do not take drugs and politicians who are not corrupt. They do not deserve mention because they are doing what they are supposed to do, not anything extraordinary. It is true, the fish rots beginning from the head. Maybe we need to focus morality lessons there and all the rest will fall in line."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/619376-floods-cut-off-bukwo.html","content":" - Joshua Khatiya The bridge linking Kapchorwa and Bukwo districts was on Saturday evening washed away by floods. The bridge links the two districts on Kapchorwa-Suam trunk road. The two-hour rain storm started at 6:30am. The floods washed away the temporal bridge made of metallic culverts and gabion boxes. The culverts were recovered 50 metres away from the scene while the gabion boxes weighing 30 tonnes were swept and deposited in Bukwo River in Bukwo Town Council. In April, rains caused Bukwo River to flood, displacing over 200 people. A number of domestic animals and property worthy millions were destroyed. The Government had earmarked sh31b to tarmac Kapchorwa-Suam trunk road, but the rains have hampered work. The rains come just after a long, dry spell which caused crops to wither, resulting in losses of about sh20m. Bukwo district farmers grow mainly maize, beans, barley, sunflower and wheat. Some farmers who took loans from Centenary Bank fled to Kenya, after realising they could not pay back the loans. The drought began in March 2009 and ended in February 2010."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/315975-what-is-the-meaning-of-life.html","content":" - Questions on the meaning of life came flooding to my mind particularly this week because of the tragic loss of life in various parts of the East African region. First were the Mount Elgon mudslides, then came the drowning of several people aboard a ferry between mainland Tanzania and Pemba Island. Before we could take it all in, a fire suspected to have been sparked off by a cigarette butt being thrown into an open sewer that was filling with fuel caused even more death. The fact that all this happened against the backdrop of a series of extensive television coverage of people who lost loved ones and those that survived the bombing of the twin towers as the US marked 10 years since that tragic incident, made the issue even more sombre. As is said, “we live with death” and we must come to terms with it, we have no choice. Acceptance is a panacea to a lot of challenges, as I continued to reflect on the meaning of life. I remembered a quote from one of my favourite books Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis. This quote is as follows: \"Look, one day I had gone to a little village. An old grandfather of ninety was busy planting an almond tree. 'What, granddad!' I exclaimed. 'Planting an almond tree?' And he, bent as he was, turned around and said: 'My son, I carry on as if I should never die.' I replied: 'And I carry on as if I was going to die any minute.' Which of us was right, boss?\" My answer is that both were right. Living as if we will never die and living as if we will die any minute serves mainly one purpose—we must live in the present and live selflessly. A man of 90 years was for sure never going to eat the almonds from the tree he was planting. But because he also ate almonds planted by people who had long passed on, he may have felt obligated to plant an almond tree for his grandchildren. On the other hand living as if one will die any minute has the potential to also make us focus on the present; this attitude can bring out the best or the worst in us. Either way, the choice is ours. Talking about choices, the right to life is provided for under the law and provides exceptions to this right. The 1995 Constitution of Uganda provides that “No person shall be deprived of life intentionally except in execution of a sentence passed in a fair trial by a court of competent jurisdiction in respect of a criminal offence under the laws of Uganda and the conviction and sentence have been confirmed by the highest appellate court.” Further in Susan Kigula and 416 others, the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Constitutional Court that the mandatory application of the death penalty is unconstitutional. However, the court ruled that the death penalty per se remains constitutional, rejecting both Government and death row prisoners’ appeals. In making this decision, the court also decided that the mandatorily imposed death sentences received by the vast majority of more than 400 appellants in this case should be commuted to life imprisonment. In spite of King Solomon’s painful encounters with the world and its problems, Solomon does not recommend either pessimism or cynicism. Rather, he admonishes us to be realistic about life, accept God's gifts and enjoy them. After all, God gives to us \"richly all things to enjoy.\" Solomon does not say, \"Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you die!\" Instead, he advises us to trust God and enjoy what we do have rather than complain about what we don't have. Life is short and life is difficult, so make the most of it while you can."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1210-what-is-the-meaning-of-life.html","content":" - Questions on the meaning of life came flooding to my mind particularly this week because of the tragic loss of life in various parts of the East African region. First were the Mount Elgon mudslides, then came the drowning of several people aboard a ferry between mainland Tanzania and Pemba Island. Before we could take it all in, a fire suspected to have been sparked off by a cigarette butt being thrown into an open sewer that was filling with fuel caused even more death. The fact that all this happened against the backdrop of a series of extensive television coverage of people who lost loved ones and those that survived the bombing of the twin towers as the US marked 10 years since that tragic incident, made the issue even more sombre. As is said, “we live with death” and we must come to terms with it, we have no choice. Acceptance is a panacea to a lot of challenges, as I continued to reflect on the meaning of life. I remembered a quote from one of my favourite books Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis. This quote is as follows: \"Look, one day I had gone to a little village. An old grandfather of ninety was busy planting an almond tree. 'What, granddad!' I exclaimed. 'Planting an almond tree?' And he, bent as he was, turned around and said: 'My son, I carry on as if I should never die.' I replied: 'And I carry on as if I was going to die any minute.' Which of us was right, boss?\" My answer is that both were right. Living as if we will never die and living as if we will die any minute serves mainly one purpose—we must live in the present and live selflessly. A man of 90 years was for sure never going to eat the almonds from the tree he was planting. But because he also ate almonds planted by people who had long passed on, he may have felt obligated to plant an almond tree for his grandchildren. On the other hand living as if one will die any minute has the potential to also make us focus on the present; this attitude can bring out the best or the worst in us. Either way, the choice is ours. Talking about choices, the right to life is provided for under the law and provides exceptions to this right. The 1995 Constitution of Uganda provides that “No person shall be deprived of life intentionally except in execution of a sentence passed in a fair trial by a court of competent jurisdiction in respect of a criminal offence under the laws of Uganda and the conviction and sentence have been confirmed by the highest appellate court.” Further in Susan Kigula and 416 others, the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Constitutional Court that the mandatory application of the death penalty is unconstitutional. However, the court ruled that the death penalty per se remains constitutional, rejecting both Government and death row prisoners’ appeals. In making this decision, the court also decided that the mandatorily imposed death sentences received by the vast majority of more than 400 appellants in this case should be commuted to life imprisonment. In spite of King Solomon’s painful encounters with the world and its problems, Solomon does not recommend either pessimism or cynicism. Rather, he admonishes us to be realistic about life, accept God's gifts and enjoy them. After all, God gives to us \"richly all things to enjoy.\" Solomon does not say, \"Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you die!\" Instead, he advises us to trust God and enjoy what we do have rather than complain about what we don't have. Life is short and life is difficult, so make the most of it while you can."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/317438-flood-related-disasters-unnecessary.html","content":" - REPORTS of flooding in the eastern and north-eastern parts of the country bring into sharp relief how vulnerable we are as a country, to the vagaries of weather. The Karamoja area with roads rendered impassable, bridges swept away and harvests destroyed, seems to be the hardest hit region of the country. Nature’s power cannot be stopped but it can be harnessed. This seesawing between drought and flooding is a perennial occurrence in the area and, therefore, easy to anticipate. The local and national leadership should be implementing some sort of storm water harvesting project, to harvest the water when it rains not only for use when the dry season inevitably comes around but also to mitigate against some of these disasters. Some attempts were made in the 1990s with the building of the controversial valley dams but obviously there is need for sustained effort in this direction. Understandably, the region has been suffering from insecurity in recent years and now since a semblance of sanity is returning to the region, projects such as these can climb up the priority list. This, more than a Karamoja problem, is a sign of our backwardness as a nation. Floods happen all over the world but in a region like ours which is in the throes of a drought, how can we let all this water go to waste? We need to re-evaluate ourselves and our environment. Because we are in the lap of abundance we have become wasteful and worse, believe our problems will be solved by outsiders. In this specific case and many others, where the weather’s mood swings continue to buffet us from tragedy to tragedy, we need to stop playing the victim and take our destiny into our own hands."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/317506-flood-related-disasters-unnecessary.html","content":" - REPORTS of flooding in the eastern and north-eastern parts of the country bring into sharp relief how vulnerable we are as a country, to the vagaries of weather. The Karamoja area with roads rendered impassable, bridges swept away and harvests destroyed, seems to be the hardest hit region of the country. Nature’s power cannot be stopped but it can be harnessed. This seesawing between drought and flooding is a perennial occurrence in the area and, therefore, easy to anticipate. The local and national leadership should be implementing some sort of storm water harvesting project, to harvest the water when it rains not only for use when the dry season inevitably comes around but also to mitigate against some of these disasters. Some attempts were made in the 1990s with the building of the controversial valley dams but obviously there is need for sustained effort in this direction. Understandably, the region has been suffering from insecurity in recent years and now since a semblance of sanity is returning to the region, projects such as these can climb up the priority list. This, more than a Karamoja problem, is a sign of our backwardness as a nation. Floods happen all over the world but in a region like ours which is in the throes of a drought, how can we let all this water go to waste? We need to re-evaluate ourselves and our environment. Because we are in the lap of abundance we have become wasteful and worse, believe our problems will be solved by outsiders. In this specific case and many others, where the weather’s mood swings continue to buffet us from tragedy to tragedy, we need to stop playing the victim and take our destiny into our own hands."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/322817-govt-orders-encroachers-off-lubigi-wetland.html","content":" - By Gerald Tenywa and Jeff Lule THE Government insists that encroachers on Lubigi Wetland must vacate immediately. The invasion by people claiming to be army veterans has destroyed the wetland, which shields northern parts of Kampala from flooding. The swamp takes storm water from River Nsooba, whose flood plain at Bwaise has been destroyed after years of reclamation to pave way for settlement. The water and environment minister, Maria Mutagamba, yesterday said the encroachers would be evicted before the end of the week. She explained that the encroachers took advantage of the festivities during the swearing-in of the President to encroach on the wetland. Mutagamba said she had invited the group’s leaders to discuss the matter, but they declined. By last evening, the minister was scheduled to meet the Inspector of Police, Maj. Gen Kale Kaiyihura, to plan the movement of troops during the eviction. Environmentalists from Makerere University yesterday said they were concerned about the destruction of the swamp. “Do we have a Government or a body in charge of the environment? Why are they waiting for the entire swamp to be destroyed? This is not acceptable,” Dr. Chris Bakunetta, a lecturer at Makerere University, said. The encroachers, who claim to be operating under their umbrella body of Uganda Patriotic Volunteers Association, said they were marginalised street vendors. But the head of environment Police, Naboth Kusima, described the group as illegal occupants. “We do not know where they have come from but they are going to be evicted.” Kusima said the group, which raided the swamp last Wednesday night, had by yesterday increased to between 3,000 and 5,000 people. The spokesperson of the encroachers, Dennis Ssebuwufu, however, said they would not vacate the land. “We know this is illegal but we also want to work and earn a living,” he said. Ssebuwufu said they had registered 25,000 people. By press time yesterday, thousands of people continued to cut the papyrus reeds. Others were setting up makeshift stalls. The group’s chairperson, Richard Lubwama, said the wetland is part of Kabaka’s land and that they did not need permission from anyone to occupy it. However, another group also claiming ownership, has threatened to take over the swamp. There was confusion when a group of youth from Kasubi market threatened to cause chaos, claiming it was their land but the Police intervened and calmed them. “This is our land and we shall not allow strangers to take it. We are going to fight them until they either give us part of it or vacate,” Kenneth Sonko, their councillor, said. Dan Kyarimpa, 27, a resident of Nansana, a nearby suburb in Wakiso, said he was happy because he had got a place of work. One of the occupants who declined to be named said they would occupy the swamp in the same way they took over Wakaliga, the Children’s Park at Wandegeya and part of Namanve forest in Kirinya. By press time, the crowds continued to ferry eucalyptus poles, heaps of murram and other building materials to construct stalls in the swamp."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/607452-corridors-of-power.html","content":" - They said it: “THE place (Israel) is a desert but things like fruits, vegetables are flooding. We are surrounded by water bodies, but we cannot use even the natural rain. Even in the desert, there are roads and power lines compared to here where we have many people in the villages without even tadobas (kerosene) lamps,” Bishop of West Ankole Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Yona Katoneene castigating leaders for failing to formulate policies to exploit the country’s natural resources. “Follow me, the people of Arua. I am mother giraffe with God-given maternal instincts who will not eat or sleep unless all people in the home have eaten or slept,” Uganda Federal Alliance's Beti Kamya asking the people of Arua to vote for her as the country’s first female President. “I will be President for only one term, just like Nelson Mandela of South Africa did. Museveni and Besigye are the same. Both of them came from the bush, unlike me who opted for sports at the time when politics was at a standstill,” PPP's Bidandi Ssali talking to voters in Rakai district. “I have only read in the newspapers that Babu wants to stand. Maybe it is a rumour. He has not informed me,” NRM secretary general Amama Mbabazi denouncing the candidature of Francis Babu as the party’s flag-bearer for the city mayoral seat. “I own land but whenever there are elections, these people come and say Museveni wants to grab your land. I have been here for 24 years. Can any body show one acre that I have grabbed. These are people who should not even be in politics. If a leader can tell such a lie, it would be a disaster for the country if he is elected president,” President Yoweri Museveni assuring the people in Lango sub-region of the safety of their land. “We cannot get anything to eat from our gardens because they have been fenced off. Mugume has even fenced off the tomb of my wife. The only thing that he left unfenced is my toilet. We are going to stay here because we have no homes. If they get tired of us here, then they will take us to camps,” Sam Arinaitwe, a member of one of the13 families who stormed the Mbarara RDC's office after being evicted from their homes by Lt Gordon Mugume."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/607392-shoddy-bridge-works-irk-arua-residents.html","content":" - By Richard Drasikamu LINO Adeni, 65, a resident of Anibu village, Ofaka sub-county in Arua district dreams of the day when Olido bridge will stop flooding. “The bridge floods whenever it rains. We have to wade through the waters, sometimes at the level of one’s waist, to cross to the other side,” Adeni said. Despite the money injected into the renovation of the 63-year-old bridge every year, no effort has been made to raise its height. The current contractors, JKK Technical Services, have decided to extend the bridge from about 70m to 100m so that the water can spread out in case of flooding. “We thought the contractors would be able to stop flooding, but we are disappointed. We always use the bridge to cross to Okollo market to buy foodstuffs,” Adeni said. The works were supposed to last three months. But six months after the contractors started the renovations, floods washed away parts of the bridge. Joel Anguandia, the site foreman, blamed the delay on the failure by the district to release funds. “When they give us the money, we carry out the work and suspend it when it runs out,” he said. He said although they will not be able to stop flooding at the bridge, its culverts, pipes and concrete wall will last 40 years. However, Maj. Ibrahim Abiriga, the resident district commissioner, described the works on the bridge as shoddy. “What those people are doing is just rubbish. They don’t have the capacity to reconstruct the bridge. They are just wasting our money,” he said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/612040-storm-pounds-city.html","content":" - By D. Magara & J. Lukwago BUSINESS ground to a halt in some parts of Kampala as a hailstorm pounded the city early afternoon yesterday, trigerring off massive flooding and traffic jams. Many road users, mostly pedestrians, were left stranded and some vehicles damaged. A Corsa car, UAL 348U, which was damaged when a tree fell on it, was among the many that suffered that fate across the city. The most affected areas were Shopprite supermarket on Jinja Road, Meat Packers on Port Bell Road and most parts of the 6th and 7th streets. Mukwano Road, Ndeeba, Ssembule and Nateete also flooded. On 7th Street, most business premises could not be accessed, forcing workers to scoop out water with buckets. “We cannot conduct business; we only have to see how to clear the way for the water,” Peter Wasike said. Most people complained about the “pathetic state of Kampala city roads” and called on the Government to work on the drainage. “If they do not, the NRM party will not get votes in Kampala,” said a man who called himself Senyonga. On Jinja Road, sewage gushed out near Gapco fueling station. Experts warned of more flooding, and blamed the problem on the destruction of wetlands in Kampala."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/613789-farmers-petition-museveni-over-inputs.html","content":" - By Frank Mugabi FARMERS have petitioned President Yoweri Museveni to intervene in the control of adulterated agricultural inputs, which they say are flooding the market, causing untold losses to rural communities. Charles Ogang, the president of the Uganda National Farmers Federation, said some traders had continued to cheat farmers by supplying poor quality items. “The farmers end up investing a lot of money in the fake inputs and harvesting very little or nothing at all,” Ogang noted. Ogang, who was briefing the President during his tour of the agricultural and trade show which ended in Jinja town recently, called for stringent regulations and punitive action against the unscrupulous traders. Museveni re-echoed his call for a shift from traditional to modern farming. He said the idea should be centred on how to adopt modern farming methods. The President urged farmers to remain vigilant and report suspected dealers to relevant authorities. Hope Mwesigye, the agriculture minister, said plans were underway to address the problem through the comprehensive agriculture development programme."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/617604-lands-told-to-cancel-leases-in-wetland.html","content":" - By Gerald Tenywa AN inter-ministerial committee on environment has recommended that leases in wetlands be cancelled. The committee members said this would reduce flooding in the city and protect Lake Victoria from pollution. A total number of 88 titles are for land in wetlands. The committee, headed by Janat Mukwaya of the Prime Minister’s office, made the recommendation yesterday after inspecting wetlands in Kampala. “We have recommended that the wetland titles be forwarded to the Cabinet for cancellation. The developers, Kampala City Council (KCC) and the lands commission will be given a hearing within two weeks,” Mukwaya said. The team, which included ministers Jessica Eriyo (environment), Matiya Kasaija (internal affairs) Kabakumba Masiko (information) and Fred Mukisa (fisheries), said the land, which was leased to Lubaga North for construction of a market, is part of the Lubigi wetland. “We would like to believe that the titles were given out in error,” Mukwaya said. The team visited wetlands on the Northern Bypass, in Kinawataka and Nakivubo. Recently, media reports said Kampala mayor Nasser Sebaggala had taken over a large part of the Nakivubo wetland. Sebaggala said the move was to stop developers from acquiring the land. Mukwaya said she had instructed the environmental body not to publish the names of the holders of the titles because public interference would make the matter worse. “We belong to the same government and we should not quarrel in public when there is something wrong. It is important to concede that there is something wrong and find a solution,” she noted. Asked why KCC was not enforcing the law to check the mushrooming slums in wetlands, town clerk Ruth Kijjambu said the council lacked manpower to handle the situation. A resident of Butabika only identified as Hajji Katamba said Mukwaya should deal with the rich developers before running after the poor residents. The ministers cited lack of planning as one of the factors destroying the environment. City planner Charles Kyamanywa said the KCC 10-year plan of 1994 was never implemented."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/618592-heavy-rains-flood-three-bridges-in-lango-region.html","content":" - By Patrick Okino A month of heavy rains has caused flooding of Amonmaka bridge and has led to the cracking of Apak bridge, which links Lira to Kaabong, Otuke, Abim and Kotido districts. Businessmen and traders are stranded with their merchandise as they cannot cross to markets and other areas. Residents have resorted to making money out of the disaster by charging those crossing with motorcycles sh5,000, pushing trucks at sh40,000 and those with bicycles at sh1,000. A man identified as Sula was rescued when he nearly drowned. The local rescue team charged him sh100,000. Logira Mickydad, a businessman from Kaabong, said he was stuck for three days because the rescue team was demanding sh200,000 to offload tomatoes, sugar, salt, cooking oil and matooke off the truck. Alfred Obwol of Amonmaka village said the Government should send boats and reconstruct the bridge to avoid more disasters. The Omoro LC3 chairman, Francis Omaramoi, said Alololo and Ocokober parishes have also been flooded. “More property and crops are going to be destroyed if the Government does not intervene soon,” Omaramoi said. Musafiri Sued, the Dokolo district information officer, on Sunday said Abalanga Atidi bridge, which links Dokolo to Kaberimaido, had also been cut off."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/622180-manafwa-butaleja-floods-leave-8200-residents-8200-devastated.html","content":" - By Irene Nabusoba and Moses Nampala IN March this year, both Manafwa and Butaleja districts were affected by floods that followed heavy rains. While Manafwa district lies in a highland area, Butaleja lies below it. The major cause of flooding in both districts was the rise in the water levels of River Manafwa which crosses the two districts, up to Mbale district. The floods swept away crops, bridges and destroyed houses. Grace Nasikye, a 38-year-old widow from Bumulyanyuma village, Bubulo county, Manafwa district, looks at the flowing River Manafwa like it was her co-wife. While it provided fertile soils for her sugarcanes and tomatoes near its bank, it recently got ‘angry’ and ‘swallowed’ her same source of livelihood, including the adjacent banana, millet, beans and maize plantations, when it flooded. “Three quarters of my banana plantation were swept away. My 15-year-old son had grown sugarcanes which he sells to raise school fees, but all that was swept away. We were already anxious for harvests because there was famine. Now I don’t know…,” she trails off sobbing. Tadeo Wanyama, a member of the National Agricultural Advisory Services contracts committee in Bugobero sub-county, says many students from villages across the river — Bumangu, Bubwaya and Bumukoya — cannot attend school. “Affected schools include Bubulo Girls, Bubulo Mixed SS and Walanga Primary School in Bumulyanyuma village,” Wanyama observes. Ironically, Wanyama notes, most of the students used to get school fees from food crops, which were destroyed by the river. “There is looming hunger in the district since many farmers lost their crops. We did not lose our life, but we were seriously affected,” Wanyama explains. Peter Mutambo, the chief engineer of Manafwa town council, says the river washed away Tongoi, Buwere, Mayenze, Bunekesa and Mungasa bridges. In Butaleja, Kachonga-Busolwe Road, which connects the district to the rest of the country, was almost cut off at Doho-Kibira, in Hamitu sub-county. Doho-Kibira LC1 chairperson Salmin Mugumba says when the catastrophe struck, transport fares from Mbale to Butaleja rose from sh3,000 to sh9,000. “Pedestrians also paid sh2,000 to be carried across the road,” he says. About 400 people have been displaced by floods in the district. Butaleja district chairman Richard Waya appeals for Government help. “People are scared, thinking another disaster may strike again and close off the road,” he says. Authorities in the district warned that trade will be paralysed if Kachonga-Busolwe Road is not repaired. Flooding in Manafwa and Butaleja is not a new phenomena since the two districts lie along River Manafwa. “When it rains heavily, the volume of water in the river soars, bursting the river banks,” says Jackie Nangoma, the information officer. Last year, the district was struck by floods and 38 people died of cholera."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/623785-four-butaleja-schools-close-over-floods.html","content":" - By Henry Mukasa in Butaleja AT least four schools have been closed due to flooding of classrooms and latrines in Butaleja district, while gardens are water logged with crops rotting and several roads have become impassable. Over 2,000 pupils at Doho, Namalere, Lubembe and Bugombe primary schools are faced with a double tragedy: they have become homeless and they cannot attend classes. The district education officer said that essential scholastic materials were also destroyed by the water. The district officials are discussing with UNICEF and Save the Children to see whether the affected pupils can be temporarily relocated to Nampologoma, Namumasa and Masulula primary schools. Michael Wanje, the deputy head of the district disaster management committee, said the torrential rains of the past week have washed away latrines, made mud and wattle houses collapse and destroyed food crops. He warned that famine and diseases such as cholera and malaria would break out. “We have never seen such volume of water,” he said. “We must be seeing the impact of climate change.” He listed Nawangofu, Budumba, Busabi, Maizimasa, Namutu and Kachonga as the hardest-hit sub-counties. Wanje lamented that Butaleja, which was a leading rice producer and a regional food basket in the past, might be reduced to living on handouts. “Most crops in the gardens have been washed away. Rice at harvesting level has gone with the floods. We expect a big famine.” He said there was urgent need for planting materials, food, household items, and construction materials for fixing classrooms, latrines and roads. The Uganda Red Cross (URC) has already started distributing non-food items like blankets, tarpaulin, jerrycans, soap, plates, cups and sauce-pans. On the destruction of roads, the acting district engineer, Ali Ismail Hamba, said about 31 kilometres has become impassable, with gravel eroded, sections submerged and culverts and bridges washed away. He blamed the roads design which did not take into account the risk of flooding. He recommended raising the eroded areas, constructing embankments and installing big culverts, works which he estimated would cost sh5.8b. Butaleja district is particularly affected by floods because it is a low-lying area through which water from the Mt. Elgon region drains. The problem is compounded by the fact that Butaleja has many rivers which have burst their banks due to the large volumes of water driven to the area by River Manafwa."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/624146-experts-warn-of-danger.html","content":" - By Anne Mugisa THE El Nino rains are expected to last up to June. Deus Bamanya, a senior meteorologist, yesterday said most of the country is expected to have above normal rains and warned of more landslides and flooding in that period. Bamanya explained that the extreme weather conditions in southern Europe weakened the high pressure systems in North Africa, which in turn pushed the intercontinental zone (the rain belt) down to Uganda “This is the reason why Uganda is having heavy rains even in the normally dry season,” he said. The most affected areas are expected to be around Lake Victoria and districts in the Buganda, western and eastern regions. The north and the north-west regions will have normal rains, Bamanya said, adding that Karamoja will not be dry this season."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/624383-make-flood-prevention-immediate-priority.html","content":" - THE floods that hit Kampala this week should not have caught anyone by surprise. It is only logical to expect flooding when heavy rains come in the absence of a good drainage system. A decade ago the Nakivubo channel was widened and tributaries built as an interim measure to reduce flooding, pending implementation of the Kampala Drainage Master Plan. To-date, the master plan has not been implemented. Worse still, the drainage channels constructed or repaired a decade ago, are now clogged with soil, plastic bottles, polythene paper bags and organic matter. This week, the Kampala deputy mayor, Florence Namayanja, accused the Kampala City Council (KCC) technical staff of incompetence and failure to clean up the drainage channels. Namayanja’s remarks amount to an indictment on the city council. Is it not the work of political leaders to supervise and give direction to technical staff? KCC should consider flood prevention as an urgent priority. Apart from causing direct suffering and property loss, flooding poses a major public health threat. It leads to spread of diarhoeal diseases and creates mosquito breeding grounds. It also damages roads, jams traffic, hampers economic activities and causes outright misery. Weather predictions indicate that heavy rains will continue. If the drainage problem is not sorted out, flooding will continue. It is a lot cheaper to prevent than to cure diseases and other problems. Apart from ensuring wetland protection, KCC should urgently clean up the existing channels and then expand the drainage system. They may argue that they do not have the money, but it is a lot cheaper to prevent than to cure a problem."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/557438-get-good-bargains-at-morning-markets.html","content":" - BY VISION REPORTER WITH the rainy season still on, a variety of fruits and fresh foods are flooding the market. There is also an increase in the supply of dry cereals. For example, rice varieties like Vietnam and Pakistan and local varieties such as Super and Kaiso from eastern Uganda are in plenty. This has led to a reduction in prices. A kilo of rice now costs between sh2,000 and sh2,500. Similarly, the supply of cassava flour and dry beans has increased. A kilo of the flour now goes for sh1,000, while beans cost between sh1,700 to sh2,000 in most markets. On the contrary, the supply of matooke has remained low, making the prices stable between sh13,000 to sh20,000 a bunch. Similarly, the supply of Irish potatoes was irregular compared to last week. Traders blame it on the impassable roads in areas of production due to the heavy rains. Buying tips Visit the weekly, morning and evening markets for better bargains Buy wholesale for better bargains For fresh and quality meat products, visit the meat packers. You will be sure to buy at wholesale prices."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/532498-get-good-bargains-at-morning-markets.html","content":" - BY VISION REPORTER WITH the rainy season still on, a variety of fruits and fresh foods are flooding the market. There is also an increase in the supply of dry cereals. For example, rice varieties like Vietnam and Pakistan and local varieties such as Super and Kaiso from eastern Uganda are in plenty. This has led to a reduction in prices. A kilo of rice now costs between sh2,000 and sh2,500. Similarly, the supply of cassava flour and dry beans has increased. A kilo of the flour now goes for sh1,000, while beans cost between sh1,700 to sh2,000 in most markets. On the contrary, the supply of matooke has remained low, making the prices stable between sh13,000 to sh20,000 a bunch. Similarly, the supply of Irish potatoes was irregular compared to last week. Traders blame it on the impassable roads in areas of production due to the heavy rains. Buying tips Visit the weekly, morning and evening markets for better bargains Buy wholesale for better bargains For fresh and quality meat products, visit the meat packers. You will be sure to buy at wholesale prices."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/558983-river-semiliki-might-also-become-an-area-of-dispute.html","content":" - By Naomi Karekaho Environment degradation is self-avenging. When the environment is degraded it often avenges with fury. In Uganda there have been cases of flooding of homes located where wetlands used to be, relentless droughts due, in part, to cutting of trees indiscriminately and invasive plant and animal species which are dangerous to indigenous ones. There is another form of environment degradation that has potential to cause animosity among neighbouring countries. This is because most colonial boundaries were drawn using physical features like mountains, lakes and rivers that are currently experiencing degradation. Uganda is demarcated by natural features like Mount Elgon to the east, in the South east is Lake Victoria and River Kagera, western, lakes Edward, Albert, River Semiliki, Mount Rwenzori and to the South west, Mount Muhabura. The features which mark Uganda’s geographical boundaries are also a natural source of livelihood to the surrounding communities. With recent economic and population pressure, these resources have been excessively used which has led to some of the lakes and rivers being silted and polluted by deposits from surrounding catchment areas and wearing away of the river banks. River Semiliki particularly forms a geographical boundary between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The river banks have been degraded by overstocking leaving the ground bare, prone to agents of soil erosion and hence the banks of the river collapsing in the river waters. Consequently, Uganda has lost territory to DRC and altered the previously defined territorial boundary of the two countries. The change caused conflict among the communities and it took the intervention of the Government through NEMA, Nile Transboundary Environmental Action Project (NTEAP) together with Bundibugyo District Authorities, local NGOs and communities to put in place measures to reverse the situation using the ecosystems approach. The ecosystem concept is based on the premise that the earth operates in a series of interrelated systems within which all components are linked, so much so that a change in any one component may bring about some corresponding change in other components and in the operation of the whole system. In the case of River Semiliki, a number of activities were undertaken to restore the river banks in accordance with the Constitution. It requires that the Government holds natural resources in trust for the people and protect wetlands, rivers and lakes for the common good. This should be consistent with the national environment (wetlands, riverbanks, and lakeshores) 2000, regulations. Restoration activities to restore River Semiliki’s banks included; conducting community sensitisation and education on the management of the fragile river banks. Developing and operationalising an ecosystem management action plan through a participatory approach. Fencing off 100m from the river bank as a no-grazing zone. Establishing functional natural resource management by-laws and enforce the national policies on the Ugandan side of the river. Other interventions on River Semiliki included documenting lessons learnt packaged for replication on other rivers. Identifying animal watering points, landing sites and other active centres along the river through participatory approaches and zoning off the fenced area into user and non-user zones has been completed. Other water systems which have suffered degradation include Lake Victoria due to soil erosion from River Kagera which deposits massive silt into the lake. Satellite images indicate heavy deposits into the lake have caused development of an island like feature at the entrance of the river. There is a possibility that this may become solid ground which would cause ownership misunderstandings. The writer is the public relations officer NEMA [- Send a topical opinion with your picture to guestwriter@newvision.co.ug. We take 600 words only]"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/534043-river-semiliki-might-also-become-an-area-of-dispute.html","content":" - By Naomi Karekaho Environment degradation is self-avenging. When the environment is degraded it often avenges with fury. In Uganda there have been cases of flooding of homes located where wetlands used to be, relentless droughts due, in part, to cutting of trees indiscriminately and invasive plant and animal species which are dangerous to indigenous ones. There is another form of environment degradation that has potential to cause animosity among neighbouring countries. This is because most colonial boundaries were drawn using physical features like mountains, lakes and rivers that are currently experiencing degradation. Uganda is demarcated by natural features like Mount Elgon to the east, in the South east is Lake Victoria and River Kagera, western, lakes Edward, Albert, River Semiliki, Mount Rwenzori and to the South west, Mount Muhabura. The features which mark Uganda’s geographical boundaries are also a natural source of livelihood to the surrounding communities. With recent economic and population pressure, these resources have been excessively used which has led to some of the lakes and rivers being silted and polluted by deposits from surrounding catchment areas and wearing away of the river banks. River Semiliki particularly forms a geographical boundary between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The river banks have been degraded by overstocking leaving the ground bare, prone to agents of soil erosion and hence the banks of the river collapsing in the river waters. Consequently, Uganda has lost territory to DRC and altered the previously defined territorial boundary of the two countries. The change caused conflict among the communities and it took the intervention of the Government through NEMA, Nile Transboundary Environmental Action Project (NTEAP) together with Bundibugyo District Authorities, local NGOs and communities to put in place measures to reverse the situation using the ecosystems approach. The ecosystem concept is based on the premise that the earth operates in a series of interrelated systems within which all components are linked, so much so that a change in any one component may bring about some corresponding change in other components and in the operation of the whole system. In the case of River Semiliki, a number of activities were undertaken to restore the river banks in accordance with the Constitution. It requires that the Government holds natural resources in trust for the people and protect wetlands, rivers and lakes for the common good. This should be consistent with the national environment (wetlands, riverbanks, and lakeshores) 2000, regulations. Restoration activities to restore River Semiliki’s banks included; conducting community sensitisation and education on the management of the fragile river banks. Developing and operationalising an ecosystem management action plan through a participatory approach. Fencing off 100m from the river bank as a no-grazing zone. Establishing functional natural resource management by-laws and enforce the national policies on the Ugandan side of the river. Other interventions on River Semiliki included documenting lessons learnt packaged for replication on other rivers. Identifying animal watering points, landing sites and other active centres along the river through participatory approaches and zoning off the fenced area into user and non-user zones has been completed. Other water systems which have suffered degradation include Lake Victoria due to soil erosion from River Kagera which deposits massive silt into the lake. Satellite images indicate heavy deposits into the lake have caused development of an island like feature at the entrance of the river. There is a possibility that this may become solid ground which would cause ownership misunderstandings. The writer is the public relations officer NEMA [- Send a topical opinion with your picture to guestwriter@newvision.co.ug. We take 600 words only]"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/550155-kcc-project-to-end-bwaise-floods.html","content":" - By Florence Nakaayi, Juliet Waiswa and Ruth Nabukenya FLOODING in Bwaise could end following the launch of a $100m (about sh170b) project, which includes the rehabilitation of the Lubigi-Nsooba Channel. The Kampala Institutional and Infrastructural Development Project, which will be done in three phases within 10 years, is funded by the World Bank. Lubigi Channel that drains into Bwaise in Kawempe Division will be rehabilitated in the first phase, estimated to cost $37m (sh70b). Launching the project, former minister of local government Kahinda Otafiire urged Kampala City Council (KCC) officials to use the money responsibly. “As the Government continues to mobilise financial resources, you (KCC) must examine yourselves and improve on your accountability,” he said on Friday at the Grand Imperial Hotel in Kampala. Other projects in the first phase are the construction of markets in Rubaga, Makindye and Kawempe divisions, road maintenance and the upgrading of Kiteezi landing site. The World Bank country manager Kundhavi Kadiresan said money for the other two phrases would be released following proper implementation of the first one. The infrastructure development project encompasses the implementation of the Kampala drainage master plan, traffic and road maintenance, improvement of physical structure, electrical systems and revenue collection. The coordinator, Tamale Kiggundu, said the project, which was designed in 2004, would be reviewed before implementation to take into account the current status."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/575095-kcc-project-to-end-bwaise-floods.html","content":" - By Florence Nakaayi, Juliet Waiswa and Ruth Nabukenya FLOODING in Bwaise could end following the launch of a $100m (about sh170b) project, which includes the rehabilitation of the Lubigi-Nsooba Channel. The Kampala Institutional and Infrastructural Development Project, which will be done in three phases within 10 years, is funded by the World Bank. Lubigi Channel that drains into Bwaise in Kawempe Division will be rehabilitated in the first phase, estimated to cost $37m (sh70b). Launching the project, former minister of local government Kahinda Otafiire urged Kampala City Council (KCC) officials to use the money responsibly. “As the Government continues to mobilise financial resources, you (KCC) must examine yourselves and improve on your accountability,” he said on Friday at the Grand Imperial Hotel in Kampala. Other projects in the first phase are the construction of markets in Rubaga, Makindye and Kawempe divisions, road maintenance and the upgrading of Kiteezi landing site. The World Bank country manager Kundhavi Kadiresan said money for the other two phrases would be released following proper implementation of the first one. The infrastructure development project encompasses the implementation of the Kampala drainage master plan, traffic and road maintenance, improvement of physical structure, electrical systems and revenue collection. The coordinator, Tamale Kiggundu, said the project, which was designed in 2004, would be reviewed before implementation to take into account the current status."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/575294-is-your-childâ-s-school-worthy-of-its-fees.html","content":" - BY CONAN BUSINGE HUNDREDS of school gates swung open for S.1s and S.5s this week. Parents are flooding schools to have their sons and daughters, report. But is that school worth the cheques you signed for school fees? You might be right, or you may have paid more for less! A Saturday Vision survey reveals that whereas generally schools with higher fees perform better, there are many poorly performing schools with high fees. A few others have moderate fees but perform well. The random sampling analysis is based on last year’s Uganda certificate of Education results and the latest school fees for continuing students. Out of 54 schools sampled at a random, St. Edwards’ Bukuumi (Kibaale) emerged as the school with the highest value for money rating. The rating is based on the percentage of S4 candidates who passed in Division 1, compared with the fees paid. Other schools with a high value for money rating were Immaculate Heart Rukungiri, Mbarara High, Namilyango College, Nabisunsa Girls and Mary Hill Mbarara. St. Edwards’ Bukuumi charges sh288,500 per term and had 80% of its candidates passing in Division 1. This is the same pass rate as Seeta High, which charges sh600,000. It is also better than others like Kawempe Muslim schools, katikamu SS, Namirembe Hillside, Makerere College, Mengo SS, Turkish Light Academy, Nsambya Hillside, Gombe SS, Kibuli SS, St. Lawrence College, Bugema Adventist Academy and Rubaga Girls, which charge much higher fees. Some of the poor performing schools charge higher fees than best performing schools. For instance, Progressive SS Mukono, which charges sh470,000, had 4.2% of its candidates passing in Division 1, yet Namilyango, which charges less and is located in the same district, had 96% in Division 1. About a third of the schools sampled had lower fees with better performance than Progressive Mukono. Ntare, which charges about the same fees as Progressive Mukono, got 89.2% Division 1. Kibibi Muslim SS, which charges sh400,000, had 3.8% in Division 1, while Kyambogo College, which charges less, had 10 times better performance. Nabisunsa Girls, with similar charges, passed nearly all candidates in Division 1. St. Augustine’s College Wakiso charges sh380,000 for continuing boarding students and got only 21% in Division 1, yet Mary Hill, which charges the same and is much further away from Kampala, performed four times better. Poor performing schools charging similar amounts as highly performing schools are Progressive SS Mukono, Progressive SS Kitintale, Kibibi Muslim SS, Bulo Parents, Nyamitanga SS Mbarara and Rubaga girls, Budo SS and St. Lawrence Sonde. Surprisingly, there are also schools that charge low fees yet they are among the best in the country. Immaculate Heart Rukungiri charges only sh350,000, but got 92.4% of its candidates passing in Division One. All other schools that got more than 90% in Division 1 charge between sh425,000 and sh700,000. Save for these exceptions, generally schools with higher fees perform better. Most of the top performing schools charge between sh400,000 and sh700,000 per term. Kibuli SS and Iganga SS are schools with fairly good performance but high fees lowered their value-for-money rating. Kibuli SS, charging sh750,000 in S5, had 74.1% of its candidates in Division One. Kawempe Muslim School, with similar results, charges sh400,000, nearly half of Kibuli’s fees. The best performing school was St. Mary’s College Kisubi, with all candidates passing in Division 1. The school, however, did not have the highest value-for-money rating because of the high fees of sh690,000 per term. Similarly, Mt. St. Mary’s Namagunga got 99.3% in Division one but charges sh660,000. Uganda Martyrs’ Namugongo, at 98.3%, charges sh620,000. However, for many parents, it is a nightmare getting children into good-performing schools that charge reasonable fees. For hours, they line up outside headteachers’ offices. Headteachers on the other hand, do everything possible to evade parents asking for back-door admission after the official selections. Some switch their phones off or ‘forget’ them at home. Others fake trips abroad or go to office only after 5:00pm. Nevertheless, some parents do not follow the issue of grades while looking for vacancies but personal and historical attachment to certain schools. Religious affiliation, discipline, distance from home, spaciousness of the school and the quality of facilities; are also issues parents look at in selecting schools. Some schools may not be among those with the highest percentage in Division 1, but gain parents’ favour due to the overall exposure, skills and other benefits the students get. Aga Khan Schools, Kabojja SS and Vienna College Namugongo, for instance, are known for having curricula them prepare students for overseas tertiary education. The chain of Taibah schools in and around Kampala are known for enabling their students to get work experience in different organisations during holidays. Otherwise, most parents prefer schools where their children have the highest chance of passing national exams highly, without necessarily spending lots of money on fees. Education analysts say private schools’ fees tend to be high because they are not subsidised by the Government. “Paying teachers is one of the major problems in private schools. In government schools they are catered for by the State,” Tom Mugambe, a private school proprietor in Mityana, explains. Most poor-performing schools charging high fees are privately- owned, according to the survey. From this survey and earlier ones, Government schools have emerged as better performing despite having lower fees than comparable private schools. Whereas the Government policy of licensing private schools is meant to provide alternative sources of quality education, often the entrepreneurs have been accused of caring more about profit than quality education. For instance, to limit costs, some schools pay little attention to the need for quality teachers and procuring teaching aids. However, education experts maintain that it is important to have private schools providing education alongside government schools. Fagil Mandy says one way to ensure that private schools are worth their while, “is to make it mandatory on them to meet the set standards.” There are also good-performing private schools, much as their fees are high. Such schools, basing on the survey, include Uganda Martyrs’ Namugongo, Turkish Light Academy, and St. Mary’s Kitende. Most of the schools charging low fees like Wiggins SS, Gulu SS and Kasese SS are in remote areas. The demand for vacancies in such schools is low and that explains their low school fees, the authorities in these schools explain."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/550354-is-your-childâ-s-school-worthy-of-its-fees.html","content":" - BY CONAN BUSINGE HUNDREDS of school gates swung open for S.1s and S.5s this week. Parents are flooding schools to have their sons and daughters, report. But is that school worth the cheques you signed for school fees? You might be right, or you may have paid more for less! A Saturday Vision survey reveals that whereas generally schools with higher fees perform better, there are many poorly performing schools with high fees. A few others have moderate fees but perform well. The random sampling analysis is based on last year’s Uganda certificate of Education results and the latest school fees for continuing students. Out of 54 schools sampled at a random, St. Edwards’ Bukuumi (Kibaale) emerged as the school with the highest value for money rating. The rating is based on the percentage of S4 candidates who passed in Division 1, compared with the fees paid. Other schools with a high value for money rating were Immaculate Heart Rukungiri, Mbarara High, Namilyango College, Nabisunsa Girls and Mary Hill Mbarara. St. Edwards’ Bukuumi charges sh288,500 per term and had 80% of its candidates passing in Division 1. This is the same pass rate as Seeta High, which charges sh600,000. It is also better than others like Kawempe Muslim schools, katikamu SS, Namirembe Hillside, Makerere College, Mengo SS, Turkish Light Academy, Nsambya Hillside, Gombe SS, Kibuli SS, St. Lawrence College, Bugema Adventist Academy and Rubaga Girls, which charge much higher fees. Some of the poor performing schools charge higher fees than best performing schools. For instance, Progressive SS Mukono, which charges sh470,000, had 4.2% of its candidates passing in Division 1, yet Namilyango, which charges less and is located in the same district, had 96% in Division 1. About a third of the schools sampled had lower fees with better performance than Progressive Mukono. Ntare, which charges about the same fees as Progressive Mukono, got 89.2% Division 1. Kibibi Muslim SS, which charges sh400,000, had 3.8% in Division 1, while Kyambogo College, which charges less, had 10 times better performance. Nabisunsa Girls, with similar charges, passed nearly all candidates in Division 1. St. Augustine’s College Wakiso charges sh380,000 for continuing boarding students and got only 21% in Division 1, yet Mary Hill, which charges the same and is much further away from Kampala, performed four times better. Poor performing schools charging similar amounts as highly performing schools are Progressive SS Mukono, Progressive SS Kitintale, Kibibi Muslim SS, Bulo Parents, Nyamitanga SS Mbarara and Rubaga girls, Budo SS and St. Lawrence Sonde. Surprisingly, there are also schools that charge low fees yet they are among the best in the country. Immaculate Heart Rukungiri charges only sh350,000, but got 92.4% of its candidates passing in Division One. All other schools that got more than 90% in Division 1 charge between sh425,000 and sh700,000. Save for these exceptions, generally schools with higher fees perform better. Most of the top performing schools charge between sh400,000 and sh700,000 per term. Kibuli SS and Iganga SS are schools with fairly good performance but high fees lowered their value-for-money rating. Kibuli SS, charging sh750,000 in S5, had 74.1% of its candidates in Division One. Kawempe Muslim School, with similar results, charges sh400,000, nearly half of Kibuli’s fees. The best performing school was St. Mary’s College Kisubi, with all candidates passing in Division 1. The school, however, did not have the highest value-for-money rating because of the high fees of sh690,000 per term. Similarly, Mt. St. Mary’s Namagunga got 99.3% in Division one but charges sh660,000. Uganda Martyrs’ Namugongo, at 98.3%, charges sh620,000. However, for many parents, it is a nightmare getting children into good-performing schools that charge reasonable fees. For hours, they line up outside headteachers’ offices. Headteachers on the other hand, do everything possible to evade parents asking for back-door admission after the official selections. Some switch their phones off or ‘forget’ them at home. Others fake trips abroad or go to office only after 5:00pm. Nevertheless, some parents do not follow the issue of grades while looking for vacancies but personal and historical attachment to certain schools. Religious affiliation, discipline, distance from home, spaciousness of the school and the quality of facilities; are also issues parents look at in selecting schools. Some schools may not be among those with the highest percentage in Division 1, but gain parents’ favour due to the overall exposure, skills and other benefits the students get. Aga Khan Schools, Kabojja SS and Vienna College Namugongo, for instance, are known for having curricula them prepare students for overseas tertiary education. The chain of Taibah schools in and around Kampala are known for enabling their students to get work experience in different organisations during holidays. Otherwise, most parents prefer schools where their children have the highest chance of passing national exams highly, without necessarily spending lots of money on fees. Education analysts say private schools’ fees tend to be high because they are not subsidised by the Government. “Paying teachers is one of the major problems in private schools. In government schools they are catered for by the State,” Tom Mugambe, a private school proprietor in Mityana, explains. Most poor-performing schools charging high fees are privately- owned, according to the survey. From this survey and earlier ones, Government schools have emerged as better performing despite having lower fees than comparable private schools. Whereas the Government policy of licensing private schools is meant to provide alternative sources of quality education, often the entrepreneurs have been accused of caring more about profit than quality education. For instance, to limit costs, some schools pay little attention to the need for quality teachers and procuring teaching aids. However, education experts maintain that it is important to have private schools providing education alongside government schools. Fagil Mandy says one way to ensure that private schools are worth their while, “is to make it mandatory on them to meet the set standards.” There are also good-performing private schools, much as their fees are high. Such schools, basing on the survey, include Uganda Martyrs’ Namugongo, Turkish Light Academy, and St. Mary’s Kitende. Most of the schools charging low fees like Wiggins SS, Gulu SS and Kasese SS are in remote areas. The demand for vacancies in such schools is low and that explains their low school fees, the authorities in these schools explain."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/510224-experts-rule-out-severe-flooding.html","content":" - By Charles Ariko Severe floods might not pound the country as anticipated by disaster preparedness minister Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere last month. Weather experts noted that although most parts of the country would receive between normal to above normal rains, serious floods would not occur. The experts, however, added that some areas would experience flash floods, which are short-lived and normally last about a day after heavy rainfall, mainly in low lying and mountainous areas. “The probability of experiencing very violent weather is minimal,” said George Obua, the acting commissioner for meteorology. He was recently releasing a weather report for the next season which covers September and December. Last month, Kabwegyere warned of severe floods and storms during the coming season. But Obua clarified that by the time the minister made the statement, the 11 weather experts from the Greater Horn of Africa had not met to forecast the next season. The Principal Meteorologist, Aloysius Kagoro, said there would be high probabilities for near to above normal rainfall in most parts of the country except the West Nile region and Amuru district, where there is an increased likelihood for near to below normal rainfall He advised the works ministry to desilt drainages to minimise the damage on the roads when the rains set in."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/510407-get-ready-for-floods.html","content":" - LC Tool Box THE rainy season is upon us and according to weather experts, there will be flooding. Last year, floods caused a lot of devastation. It is the duty of community leaders to ensure that residents are prepared for the floods. How to do it: Identify areas that are likely to be affected by floods, that is low-lying areas, especially near river banks. Convene a village meeting and warn residents about the impending floods. Discuss with the residents how to reduce the impact of the floods. This may include digging trenches to channel the waters to less inhabited areas, reinforcing river banks by raising them and mobilising residents to do so. Get information from the experts on when the floods will occur and prepare residents for that time."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/511919-museveni-orders-stop-to-fake-goods.html","content":" - By Henry Mukasa COUNTERFEIT products ruin the economy and the image of a country. Such products are flooding Uganda. Now President Yoweri Museveni wants drastic action to stem the flow. Closing the third Presidential Investors’ Round Table at the Imperial Resort Beach Hotel in Entebbe on Saturday evening, Museveni directed the trade ministry to crack down on the culprits. He called for wide-ranging measures, including “cross-examining agents to avoid compromise and punitive measures for offenders.” Addressing the meeting, trade minister Janat Mukwaya promised to appoint agents to inspect goods in the country of origin before they are imported. Most Ugandan imports come from China, Japan, India and Dubai among other places. In addition, Mukwaya said a bill to ensure that consumers are not endangered or exploited was in the making. She did not say when the law, the Consumer Protection Bill, would be ready. Parliament has also expressed concern over the counterfeit goods. In a report last week, the committee on trade blamed the growing problem on outdated laws under which the consumer watchdog, the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, operates. The weak laws had greatly hindered the operations of the institution, allowing the fake goods to suffocate local industries, said committee chairman James Kiiza Rwebembera (NRM). To address this, Rwebembera said, the ministry was working on four laws, the UNBS Act, the Pre-Shipment Verification of Conformity Bill, the Counterfeit Bill and the Weights and Measures Act. He called for the quick passing of the laws and urged the Government to fund their implementation. Earlier, Museveni said Uganda now had 4,000 secondary schools, up from the 800 when the Movement government took over power in 1986. However, he added that private secondary schools must offer high quality education and warned owners against charging extra fees to non-Ugandan students. On the issue of over-fishing on Ugandan waters, the President said fish farming would solve the problem. On railway transport, Museveni said the Government was working with Kenya and Tanzania to improve the network. Museveni ordered Prime Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi to take up the recommendations of the meeting and provide a copy of commercial laws before the next meeting due in February."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/513930-fake-solar-panels-flood-market.html","content":" - By David Muwanga FAKE solar panels imported from China are flooding the local market, a top official disclosed on Monday. Richard Kanyike, the Solar Energy managing director, explained that local traders use popular brands to sell the cheap panels. He added that labels for the 50-watt panels were changed to 100 watts and sold to unsuspecting customers. “They tell customers that the 100-watt panel can work for six hours but when the customer reaches the village, the panels can’t stand the time,” Kanyike told a renewable energy and bio-fuels workshop at Hotel Africana, Kampala. The workshop was part of the investment outreach programme that helps discuss investor-needs and policies to identify bottlenecks hindering investment in the sector. Organised by the Uganda Investment Authority, the workshop also validated the sector issues and laid out new strategies. “Solar energy is a little bit different from the normal hydro-energy. “It needs specialised people to sell and install the panels,” Kanyike said. He urged the Uganda National Bureau of Standards to crackdown on fake solar panels."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/518495-works-probe-flooding.html","content":" - By Joel Ogwang THE works ministry is investigating the causes of flooding at Lwajali swamp on the Kampala-Jinja highway that recently blocked traffic for five hours. Lwajali swamp, three kilometres on Mukono-Jinja road, flooded on Sunday. The Ministry’s Constant Munyambanza said the flooding was being investigated.“There are culverts at the swamp. We are studying the situation to get the cause of the flooding,” he said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/523194-200-houses-built-in-kinawataka-swamp.html","content":" - By Gerald Tenywa OVER 200 houses have been built illegally in Kinawataka, which is one of the critical swamps that filter waste water and control flooding in Kampala, a team of wetland inspectors have said. According to Joseph Ogwalo, a senior inspector in the wetlands management department, a team of environment experts marking the wetland boundaries ahead of the eviction of encroachers, counted the houses. “We have come across many houses illegally built in the swamp. Most of them are permanent and must have cost a fortune to build while others are shacks,” he said. Ogwalo was part of the team that was dispatched last week by the executive director of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to mark the borders of the swamp to pave way for evictions. The encroachers had earlier resisted eviction, saying the wetland boundaries were not clear. He explained that the team, which began work on Wednesday at Kinawataka, had by Saturday covered parts of Mutungo and would proceed this week with the remaining areas in Bbiina and Butabika. “It is important to secure this swamp to prevent floods,” said Zabron Kimumwe, the Kinawataka LC1 chief. “The dangers, which NEMA has been pointing out, are real because floods recently drowned one of our children.” Kinawataka is threatened by the expansion of illegal settlements, rampant tree cutting for charcoal and the dumping of solid waste. In a report sent to the environment minister last year, Ogwalo pointed out that Kampala City Council had leased out large parts of the swamp to developers for settlemnt and factories."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/523458-cmf-gives-sh3m-for-nalukolongo-channel.html","content":" - LUBAGA MPs should lobby the World Bank for funds to help prevent flooding from lowland water channels, the acting division chairman, Charles Mulindwa, has suggested, writes Mikaili Sseppuya. “After the November floods last year, we heard several messages from MPs and officials about money that was to help the flood victims and prevent the situation from recurring but we do not know what happened,” Mulindwa said while receiving a sh3m cheque from Commercial Micro Finance (CMF) for desilting the Nalukolongo channel. Mulindwa thanked CMF and promised another sh3m from the division for the work. “We are grateful to CMF for recognising the need to help their neighbourhood,” he said. The CMF executive director, Monday Edigold, encouraged leaders to explain how careless throwing of garbage affected everyone."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/525137-in-brief.html","content":" - ‘Lift emergency in flood areas’ Kampala The state of emergency in eastern and northern regions should be lifted, state minister for disaster preparedness Musa Ecweru has appealed. In September 2007, Parliament declared the regions disaster areas due to heavy flooding. “We believe the declaration has achieved its purpose. With your permission, we request to focus our attention on post-flood interventions,” Ecweru told Parliament last week. The minister, who was presenting a “progress report on the Government intervention in the flood affected areas and post-flood activities,”appealed for food to the starving people in the regions. He said a sh9b budget for food had been submitted to Government. EAC meeting opens today Kampala The East African Community convention on regional infrastructure development opens today in Mwanza, Tanzania. It will focus on the improvement of roads, railways, aviation, inland waterways and ports so as to lower the costs of doing business in the region. Global health forum here kampala The global health workforce alliance forum opens today in Kampala. It will address access to health services, training, retention and working conditions of medical workers. About 1,000 delegates are expected."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/526116-utoda-please-think.html","content":" - I am very disappointed with the operations of the New Taxi Park in Kampala. Regardless of whether it is a dry or wet season, the park is a source of pain! We are used to a flooding city, so during the wet season I simply get my trousers up and wade through. However, imagine sitting in a taxi for over half an hour under the merciless sun and getting ‘cooked up’ just because the taxi cannot find a way out of the park! Reason? there is only one exit. Can’t UTODA do something about it? They surely can! Gasta Kakaire dkakaire@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/479929-total-man.html","content":" - President Yoweri Museveni He got out of his car to address residents of Entebbe Road after heavy rains had flooded the road last Friday. He took time to lecture them about poor garbage disposal, which he blamed for the flooding. The next day, the President returned to the area to check on the flood victims."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/480119--100m-project-to-end-kampala-flooding.html","content":" - By Joel Ogwang POT-HOLED’, ‘dirty’, ‘smelly’, ‘noisy’ are some of the adjectives that come to mind when describing Kampala. Scenes of submerged houses and vehicles failing to negotiate their way past mud, are common. However, the World Bank has approved a $100m (sh170b) grant to give Kampala a new look. With much of the infrastructure improvement already done ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), the grant will now propel Kampala to even greater heights, if the funds are used efficiently. State of roads Kampala has no plan, says Tamale Kiggundu, a Kampala City Council official. “That is why the state of the infrastructure leaves a lot to be desired,” he says. Most of the roads were built 40 years ago. To mitigate the poor roads, the Government has taken to patching them up. “That is useless. The roads need reconstruction.” Skeptics, however, argue that all these developments are taking place because of CHOGM. “Only roads where Queen Elizabeth II, will pass and see are being refurbished,” says Kizito, a trader on Luwum Street. This, critics say, is the reason Kalerwe Market, Kawempe Division and the nearly filled-up Kampala City Council (KCC) land fill at Mpererwe are not getting attention. Kampala’s transformation According to Vincent Ssekono, the local government permanent secretary, Kampala Institutional and Infrastructure development Project (KIIDP), a World Bank-funded initiative, is tasked with transforming the city. Preparations kick-off Kiggundu, the KIIDP project coordinator, says, “Following the state of the city, we (KCC), in 2004, presented a proposal to the Government.” The Government sent the proposal to the World Bank for funding, after it was approved by the Parliament. KIIDP was okayed by all concerned parties, says Ssekono. Project proposal “The 10-year project will kick-off in the first quarter of 2008,” Kiggundu says. KIIDP’s priority areas include; “The drainage systems, markets and solid waste management in the central business district,” says Kiggundu. KIIDP will develop markets, drainage channels, re-tool KCC staff, and strengthen her income. Markets “A market will be built in Makindye. Kalerwe, Bwaise, Natete and Kibuli markets will be redeveloped. The markets will have stalls, shops and parking slots,” says Kiggundu. Drainages Kampala has seven drainage channels, the main one being Nakivubo channel. There is also Lubigi and Nalukolongo channels. Lubigi floods Bwaise while Nalukolongo floods Nateete, Ndeeba and Kibuye. “These will be addressed in the first phase. Box culverts will also be installed,” says Kiggundu. Roads Mukwano Clock Tower, Lugogo By-pass and Kira roads will be re-surfaced. Kalerwe–Bwaise, Kawempe–Kalerwe and Bukoto–Kisasi roads will be tarmacked. All city division roads will be resurfaced. Some roads were worked on during CHOGM preparations, says Kiggundu. “But we will improve them.” Garbage Kampala emits 500 tonnes of garbage a day, but only 40% is collected. “We plan to start recycling and decomposing garbage as a long-term solution to the garbage problem,” Kiggundu says. Currently, KCC uses a six-acre land fill at Kitezi in Mpererwe. The land fill is, however, nearing exhaustion. “It will be exhausted by the end of 2008,” says Kiggundu. Re-tooling KCC City Hall, the KCC headquarters, will be stocked with computers and vehicles for supervisory works. “There is also a financial recovery plan,” Kiggundu says. This will strengthen the KCC revenue base."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/480173-sh15b-to-widen-bwaise-rubigi-channel.html","content":" - By Chris Kiwawulo THE World Bank has approved a sh15b grant to help widen the Bwaise-Rubigi channel and prevent flooding in Kawempe Division. Nasser Takuba, the area chairman, said the channel would be enlarged to about 50 metres from the current five metres. Bwaise and Kalerwe areas get flooded whenever water spills over the Bwaise-Rubigi channel banks. Takuba noted that the division expected the flooding to stop after the construction of the Northern Bypass but the situation only worsened. He appealed to the Government to help the residents. “People are dying. They have been rendered homeless. They lack means of surviving.”"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/480262-museveni-orders-city-drainages-fixed.html","content":" - By Cyprian Musoke PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has directed the Minister of Works, Eng. John Nasasira, to ensure that the blocked drainage channels that caused flooding in Kampala and its outskirts on Friday are fixed. Museveni said this while touring the areas affected by the rains like Lufuka on Entebbe road, where three children were reported dead and property worth millions lost. He also visited Kajjansi and Abayita Ababiri in Wakiso district. The President told the affected residents that the floods were caused by plastic bottles and polythene bags, which had blocked drainage channels. Kampala experienced one of its worst floods on Friday in which at least four people were killed and the President delayed for 15 minutes on his way to Entebbe International Airport en route to South Africa. Addressing residents of Namasuba, Museveni said the Government would consider assisting people who lost property in the floods. He cautioned them against constructing their houses near drainages and in wetlands. “When you block the drainage, your house will be swept away by the water. You will lose your property and at the same time cause problems for others.”"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/481483-validate-your-money-with-a-counterfeit-detecting-machine.html","content":" - By Agnes Kyotalengerire WITH the recent report published about money counterfeit flooding the market, one requires a counterfeit detector. Daniel Nsibambi, the communications manager of Stanbic Bank, says: “Using a counterfeit detector is the best way to track counterfeit notes in circulation and get rid of them.” Nsibambi adds that apart from the banks and forex bureaux, the machines are ideal for people with personal businesses. Juliet Asiimwe, the manager of Wills Pregnant Boutique on Cham Towers, says that using a counterfeit detector is convenient and time-saving as opposed to using your eyes and natural light to check for counterfeit notes. The detector is an electronic gadget that has , an inbuilt counting speed variations and a password protection option.Most of those on the Ugandan market are the De la Rue brand. Some machines in are single purpose, they only validate while others are multi-purpose; they can validate and count notes at the same time. “We have got counterfeit detecting machines in different sizes to cater for different businesses such as banks, forex bureaux, hotels, petrol stations and supermarkets,” says Denis Waisadha, the assistant consultant in security equipment at The Copy Cat Uganda Limited on Jinja Road. Waisadha adds that although some people use the natural bright light and the ordinary ultra violet light to detect ultra violet ink and watermarks, it is not the best way especially if the notes are worn out. When placed in the detector, the marks become visible under the ultra violet light or the watermark light thus making it easier to identify the fake notes. Waisadha advises businesses that handle money in bulk can go for the multi purpose while those with smaller businesses can opt for the single purpose machines. The machines can also be used to validate other currencies. He cautions that the detectorshould be bought from recognised companies. Counterfeit detecting machines are available at Wills Pregnant Boutique on Cham Towers and Copy Cat Limited Uganda on Jinja Road. Prices of single purpose detectors range from sh200,000 to sh300,000 while the multi-purpose cost between sh3m to sh8m."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/481654-unbs-gets-tough-on-fake-imports.html","content":" - THE Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has been revitalised to enforce its mandate. Ricks Kayizzi talked to Dr. Terry Kahuma, the head of the body on its efforts to fight against fake goods flooding the market. QUESTION: How are you dealing with the increased number of fake goods on the market? The first thing when we get such goods in someone’s possession is to take samples to see whether they comply with standards. If they don’t, we confiscate them. We work with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to advise us on appropriate modalities of destruction of particular fake products, and then undertake the process of prosecution of the culprits. Under which laws do you prosecute the culprits? We have the Uganda National Standards Act of 1993, the Weights and Measures Act of 1964 and the Import Inspection Regulations of 2002. All these are, however, under review to make them more relevant. How do you destroy the seized substandard products? We write to NEMA to guide us on which methods to use. We also seek permission from Kampala City Council and the Police, after which a report is written. The most applied destruction method is the land-fill method, provided they are not metallic or poisonous to the environment. How successful is ‘Operation Q?’ It has been successful in seizing non-compliant products. We are making it more effective. What is your comment on the importation of Tiger Head batteries? We recommended a ban on the importation of Tiger Head batteries because of their poor and irregular quality characteristics, and environmental unsuitability after use. Currently, there is restricted importation by the Government-approved importers, with quality assurance offered by the manufacturers and Chinese inspectorate agencies. This is to clear stock that was already ordered before the ban. Do you think involving consumers directly would help your fight against fake products? The best strategy has been to deal closely with the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), the biggest umbrella of traders. KACITA officials sit on our “shoddy” goods committee, and also facilitate our regulatory work during operations. We also hold sensitisation workshops for traders. We also have an interface with stakeholders who have undergone our product certification scheme. We also hold annual quality galas. Has the Government done enough to activate the anti-dumping laws to protect the locals from exploitation? Some work has been done but more can still be done to ensure that people are not duped into consuming substandard products. The public feels that you are an urban-based organisation? That is not true. We have five regional offices carrying out weights and measures-related work activities conducted at headquarters. These include laboratory testing and ‘Operation Q.’ These regional offices carry out work on programmes that we announce and cover every part of the region at least twice a year. They communicate with us on collection of samples, reporting of fake products and participation in seminars organised by headquarters."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/482664-satellite-phones-for-flooded-districts.html","content":" - By Davis Weddi The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has given Uganda 25 satellite telephones to help restore vital communication links following flooding in the eastern and northern regions. A statement from the ITU yesterday said the terminals are to be used by designated government officials and other humanitarian agencies, to coordinate relief operations in the affected districts. Isaac Kalembe, a spokesperson at the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC), confirmed that the terminals were in the country. “The Thuraya satellite phones will be handed over by the ICT minister on Thursday.” The offer follows a request by the communications commission. “There is no doubt that communication links are essential to ensure a more effective and coordinated relief effort. This is why we have, upon request from the Uganda Communications Commission, quickly deployed the resources at our disposal,” said the Sami Al Basheer Al Morshid, an ITU director. Patrick Masambu, the UCC chief, thanked ITU and said the gadgets would facilitate relief efforts. “The satellite terminals are very timely and will go a long way in facilitating the relief efforts in the affected areas,” Masambu was quoted as saying. ITU is providing both Thuraya hand-held satellite phones and Inmarsat Global Area Network (GAN) terminals. The Thuraya phones use both satellite and GSM networks and also provide accurate GPS positioning coordinates to aid relief and rescue."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/482821-floods-delay-iganga-water.html","content":" - RECENT flooding of valleys on the Jinja-Iganga road has delayed the completion of the installation of piped water to Iganga town, mayor Siraji Katono has said. George Bita reports that Katono said the earlier plan was to have the project commissioned by President Yoweri Museveni this month. “Heavy rains and subsequent flooding, however, disrupted the laying of pipes, especially in marshlands like Walugogo valley,” he told The New Vision recently. Iganga town is to be connected to the Jinja water supply under a sh18b grant by the African Development Bank. The project under the directorate of water development is being handled by Spencon Services. Katono explained that the supply of water to Iganga town was among the promises made during the last presidential campaigns. “This time, the Government is set to deliver water to Iganga at whatever cost. We just have to be patient.” Katono insisted that the project would be operational by the end of the year and asked residents to pay a connection fee for the water at the council offices."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/483278-rains-affecting-road-repairs-minister.html","content":" - By Herbert Ssempogo BLOCKED drainages are partly responsible for flooding in Kampala, which subsequently affects roads, works minister John Nasasira said yesterday. “Roads have turned into drainage channels because the drainage systems are not kept in good condition. Water is destructive when it flows on the roads,” he said. “Drains in Kampala have not been cleaned for a long time.” Nasasira observed that once water, particularly after a downpour, is not drained, it spoils the newly-repaired roads. The minister’s comments come after a heavy downpour on Sunday afternoon that left many places in the city flooded. He said lack of proper planning was responsible for the poor drainage in the city. “Water would go through the drains if the people built houses according to plan. Unfortunately, many do not. The water then runs through any space and most times these are the roads.” The minister called for the implementation of the Kampala Drainage Master Plan. He also noted that the rains were affecting road works ahead of the Commonwealth summit (CHOGM) in November, but was optimistic that the repairs would be completed before the summit. The rain, measuring 65.9mm, was the highest in a single day since the beginning of October. Many roads were impassable. The Police evacuated eight people who were marooned in Industrial Area. Meteorologist predict that the city will experience more “above normal” downpours over the coming days. Engineer Godfrey Kaaya, the CHOGM roads coordinator, said they would clean the drainages in the city before the summit. “We have fixed a huge culvert on Mukwano Road, which often floods even after a slight drizzle. Our team will also work on the Ggaba Road drainage,” he said while inspecting blocked drainages the city. He attributed the blocked drainages to poor waste disposal. “Residents should dispose of waste properly. The waste is dumped along roads and swept into the drainage.”"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/484392-disasters-are-we-prepared.html","content":" - SEVERE flooding has affected parts of Uganda. Many people have lost their homes as well as household items. Access to the affected areas is difficult as roads and bridges have been submerged beneath the rising waters. This calls to question our country’s preparedness in handling disasters. Because of the serious disruption of life in these areas, the ability of the local people and the Government to cope using its own resources has been exceeded. That is why President Yoweri Museveni has declared a State of Emergency to open floodgates for humanitarian assistance. Extreme flooding is not relegated to Uganda alone. It has also ravaged the most economically advanced countries like the United States. Disasters can be reduced through investment in preparedness activities. Flood plain policy development, effective water shed land use planning and flood forecasting warning system are some of the preventive mechanisms. Early warning system includes a chain of concerns like understanding and mapping the hazard, and forecasting impending events, processing and disseminating understandable warnings to authorities and the population and undertaking appropriate and timely actions in response to the warnings. Uganda has a national disaster preparedness policy which calls for an all encompassing approach in disaster management. But in most cases when disasters strike there are no contingency funds for emergencies. The disaster ministry is the most under funded and some government officials do not see any reason for leaving money on the account to wait for disasters. Mapping has been done in some areas to look at the possible hazards. What is required is to take preventive mitigation measures to reduce on disasters impact. By dishing out food and blankets, the Government is only addressing one level of handling emergencies. Other mid and long-term measures must be looked at. Uganda should go into prevention and mitigation rather than response, which is costly."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/484797-deforestation-exacerbates-flooding.html","content":" - Seventeen countries in Africa have been hit by excessive rainfall and floods, which have destroyed food crops and are increasing the risk of epidemics. In Uganda, 420,000 people have been directly affected by the floods. Six million in 22 districts are at risk of contracting water-borne diseases like dysentery and cholera, as water sources have been contaminated and latrines are overflowing. While experts point at El Nino and La Nina to explain the unusually heavy rainfall, deforestation and climate change have exacerbated the problem. Trees absorb the water and protect the soil from erosion. The mudslides in the Elgon region, which have already killed people and blocked roads, are a direct result of the careless felling of trees — for charcoal, wood, or to clear land for agriculture. Trees also absorb carbon dioxide emissions, released from industrial activities, vehicles and burning of bushes. The more deforestation, the more carbon dioxide accumulates in the atmosphere, causing global warming and erratic weather patterns. But there is more. Greenhouse gases also contribute to flooding, a study published by the journal Nature has found. Higher atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide reduce the ability of plants to suck water out of the ground and “breathe” out the excess. As a result, less water passes through the plant and into the air in the form of evaporation. And more water stays in the land, eventually running off into rivers when the soil becomes saturated, and causing flooding. While the Government can hardly be blamed for the carbon dioxide released mainly by the big industrial powers, it can do something about deforestation. Providing electricity or gas as alternative ways of cooking is one way of stopping the relentless cutting down of forests. But it may not be enough. As the population grows, more land will be needed to feed more mouths. And more trees will have to give way. The Government needs to realise that it does not necessarily have to multiply its population to get a bigger market and develop, as small European countries like Denmark, Norway the Netherlands and Belgium have shown. Speeding up economic integration within the East-African Community and the African Union is another way of creating a bigger market without having to compromise the forests."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/487708-fight-floods-in-your-area.html","content":" - LC Tool box THE rainy season has started prematurely. There is a lot of flooding, especially in the low areas of Kampala city. It is the obligation of local leaders in the respective areas to mobilise residents to reduce flooding. This is how to go about it. Flooding is brought about by blockage of the drainage systems. Make sure all of them are unblocked. Mobilise residents to unblock them. Identify water channels in your area and make sure nobody builds in their way. Make sure that garbage is not disposed of in water channels. Set penalties for those who drop it there. Discuss this problem during all your council meetings because the more you talk about it, the more the people will grasp it."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/488761-britain-has-handled-the-flood-quite-impressively.html","content":" - Opiyo Oloya I am sitting here in Bristol, north of London, watching the chaos unfold as Britain struggles through one of the worst flooding in many years. Having left a hot Toronto where the once-green lawns have withered to brown under the blazing sun, I am rather taken aback by the rain in London. The sky opened yesterday, dumping tons of water throughout Britain, but especially in the Gloucester area where flash-flooding caused massive evacuation of some of the villages and small towns. Driving on the M4 from London to Bristol last night, the main worry was getting in a traffic jam to nowhere. As it turned out, we were the lucky ones to get to our destination with relatively little delay. The story was different on the M5 highway where thousands of motorists were stranded overnight, some staying in their cars for 15 hours while others simply abandoning their vehicles on the road, and seeking shelters in small towns along the highway. What fascinates me though is how Britain is managing the disaster of this scale. On the forefront of disaster management is communication technology. Live television feeds shot from overhead helicopters and from road overpasses clearly show the magnitude of the problem—literally thousands of motorists trapped on the M5 without water, food and toilet facilities. In fact, many of the stranded people are able to text messages or call television and radio stations to tell their stories and provide instant report on the condition of the motorway. Some of the motorists with small digital TV phones are able to watch the world watch them. The worst flooded towns and villages have been evacuated and people moved to higher grounds and set up in schools, community halls and churches. Those trapped in their homes by the fast-rising water are being ferried to safety by small inflatable boats or helicopter. The army has joined rescue personnel in getting everyone to safety. Already, there are criticisms that authorities who are monitoring those stranded on the roads, failed to divert traffic to avoid the trap on the M5. Some critics have also pointed out that authorities appeared overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problem, and started much later to work on opening the highway. That said, managing Britain’s current flood is going quite well. So far, there appears to be no confirmed fatality. The government has mobilised resources to assess the damage, and determine fairly quickly what is required to get towns and villages into shape. More important, disaster planners are already thinking about the next flood. Clearly, this level of planning and action was missing when Hurricane Katrina caused the levee to break in New Orleans and Louisiana, USA, in August 2005 causing massive flooding. The aftermath of that flood is still being felt two years later. And then there was that terrible flood that hit Mozambique in March 2000. Many perished in the southern and central regions of the country, while searing images were indelibly fixed in the brain of people clinging for dear life on tree branches for days before they could be rescued by combined German, American, British, South African, and French helicopters. The situation was chaotic for many weeks with the government of Mozambique relying on massive foreign help in the form of shelter and food that poured in from other African countries and from Europe and America. Today, Mozambique is only beginning to recover from the impact of that flood. Having watched television footage of other countries like Bangladesh and the Philippines deal with floods, the one lesson that stands out is preparedness or lack of it which determines whether the disaster turns into a humanitarian crisis or not. Americans were caught napping, and Katrina was a major disaster. Mozambique never quite knew what hit its coast. Indeed, with changing climate and weather patterns, natural disasters will become a fact of life. The only question is whether citizens know what to do when disaster come or are left to their own fate, such that the lucky ones are those who on their own make it out alive. A flood of the same magnitude as the one being experienced by Britain this morning could in many African countries become a disaster with hundreds of thousands of victims. Here, other than flooded homes, damaged crops and a few sleepy citizens, all is likely to end well, thanks to a large extent to their disaster preparedness. The rain might still pour down later today to ruin my little sister’s wedding in Winford village, but the Brits are ready for more flooding. Opiyo.oloya@sympatico.ca"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/489387-kyambogo-protests-car-depot-construction.html","content":" - By Tony Barigye RESIDENTS of Kyambogo estate have protested the construction of a car depot on a nearby piece of land which they describe as a “wetland that controls flooding during rainy seasons.” The land, the residents said, also provides access to the main road (Jinja road) and the construction there, which they described as illegal, must stop immediately. The estate houses 87 families, area LCs said. The residents also want the investor, Chatha Investments, to prove that it has been cleared by the relevant authorities to build the depot on the disputed plots M589 Mukabya Road and Cornwall Crescent, located near the Ministry of Works and Shumuk Company on Jinja Road. A resident, who identified himself as Kabanza, described the land as “delicate,” a way-leave for the high voltage power lines, optical communication cables and septic tanks connected to the estate’s sewerage systems and the large diameter water pipes to Namboole Stadium and Mukono town. “There is no way construction will not damage these utilities,” Kabanza stated. A constructor from Chatha Investment, who preferred anonymity, said the project was “not inconveniencing the residents.” “It is just an open car bond without a roof. Besides, we compensated the residents who had gardens on the land.” The LC2 chairman, Ben Enjiku, however, said the ownership of the land was not clear and that the Nakawa town clerk was yet to state the right owner. “The use of the land is different from its ownership. So, who leased the land?” The residents have written to the Kampala City Council over the matter. They said they expect clarification from the National Environment Management Authority, the water ministry, UMEME, the company that manages electricity generation, and the Land Commission. The dispute reached a peak at Kyambogo Police Station recently, when Tom Orech, speaking on behalf of the residents, clashed with the constructors. Enjiku intervened and ordered the construction to stop until the city council provided written authorisation for the investment. The land has exchanged many hands in the past. It was once bought by Godfrey Nyakaana, the chairman of Kampala Central division who sold it to Joshi Baiju, another local investor."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/491281-floods-destroy-merchandise-in-kamukuzi.html","content":" - By Abdulkarim Ssengendo A heavy downpour on Friday caused flooding at Kamukuzi trading centre on Masaka Road, destroying property. Sempson Commercial Agencies, one of the worst hit businesses, lost over 200 bags of foodstuffs which were soaked. “This has unsettled me. I have lost over 200 bags of my stock,” lamented Rashid Ssempa, the proprietor. He explained that the flooding was worsened by the blocked pipes along the road. “The water lacks a passage and it ends up flooding into our premises.” Residents said they have reported the matter to the authorities but no action has been taken."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/497555-heavy-rains-expected-this-season.html","content":" - By Gerald Tenywa and Rehema Aanyu WEATHER experts have predicted that flooding and a cholera outbreak are likely to hit Kampala city during the rainy season that starts soon. “We expect floods to hit Kampala because a lot of water has been retained in the soil after the prolonged rains of last season that were caused by El Nino conditions,’’ A. Majugu, a meteorology consultant, revealed. Commenting on the guidelines to the implications of the March-May rainy season, he said most of the low-lying areas of Kampala had become flood- prone because wetlands had been reclaimed to establish settlements. “The floods can be averted by building wider channels that can drain water. We have come up with the weather forecast to help different parties plan better and minimise disasters,’’ he explained. Phillip Gwage, the acting commissioner for meteorology, said floods during the prolonged rainy season of October-December led to destruction of property worth millions of shillings. The floods also led to cholera outbreaks with Kampala getting the highest number of cases from the slums of Kalerwe, Bwaise and Katanga, which have poor sanitary conditions. Michael Okia, an official of the Malaria Control Programme in the Ministry of Health, said outbreaks of malaria are expected to hit the mountainous districts like Kanungu during the first week of the rainy season. Aloysius Kagoro, a principal meteorologist, said most parts of the country are likely to get favourable rainfall apart from the east, north eastern and south western regions. “This region is currently experiencing showers and thunderstorms but steady rains are expected around late March. They will intensify, with the main peak occurring around mid April.’’ The rains are expected to recede in May and early June in some areas. Currently, sporadic showers and thunderstorms, accompanied by strong winds at some locations because of the excessive heat, are being experienced in several parts in the east, central, west and southwestern Uganda and the Lake Victoria basin. “These are precursors to the start of steady rains,’’ said Kagoro, while presenting the weather forecast report for March-May. The department released the report at the conclusion of the East African Climatic Outlook Forum in Nairobi, Kenya (March 7). Gwage urged the government to advise farmers on when to plant their crops."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/497641-kampala-divisions-should-be-autonomous-takuba.html","content":" - KAWEMPE has been grappling with the problem of cholera, flooding and impassable roads. Joshua Kato talked to the LC3 chairman, Nasser Kibirige Takuba, on how they are coping. Excerpts How did the scrapping of graduated tax affect the district? It is not only graduated tax. The central government has done a lot of things that have affected revenue collection. For example, market and bodaboda fees were scrapped. The Government promised us money to compensate for the loss of graduated tax, but we have never received it. Many programmes have stalled due to lack of funds. Your division was attacked by cholera between October 2006 and January 2007. How did the local leaders fight the disease? Local leaders were seriously involved in fighting the disease. We had disaster preparedness committees organised by LCs. The committees identified the affected people and sensitised residents. Even after the cholera outbreak reduced, we have to ensure that it does not recur. Ensuring that people live in hygienic conditions is largely the role of local leaders. There are heaps of garbage around Kalerwe, Bwaise and other markets. Has the division forgotten its responsibility to collect garbage? The division collects garbage, but it is incapacitated by lack of equipment and vehicles. We are in the process of privatising garbage collection. This process was underway when Mayor Nasser Sebaggala introduced a new proposal. We want to encourage residents to take part in garbage collection. We are debating a new proposal, where residents will pay sh200 or more for garbage collection. What is the division doing to stop floods in the areas of Bwaise, Kalerwe and Kyebando? This is a very big problem, which cannot be handled by the division alone. The division, or even Kampala City Council, lacks funds to stop floods. We need the involvement of the Government. The problem is made worse by the rapid population growth. Almost all water outlets are occupied by the huge population. How will you solve the land problems in the division, including land that was grabbed by veterans at Wandegeya? If somebody wants land, there are procedures that must be followed. These include approaching land owners, who are, in this case, the division and make a formal request. But the veterans did not do that. Although they have established a market, we do not recognise them. Do you collect dues from them? We do not collect any fee from them. Doing so would amount to recognising them. We reported the matter to the authorities and we are still waiting for their action. Why are most roads in the division impassable? Roads are a big challenge. We do not have a road unit. Kampala district has one tractor that is supposed to be used by all the four divisions. The tractor is in bad mechanical condition and it cannot work consistently on 2kms of road. I recently heard that the Government took over road management in the city, but I am yet to see them in Kawempe. Unless the Government comes out to assist us, we cannot effectively work on the roads. Recently, Makindye division chairman Moses Kalungi denounced his town clerk and chased her away. How are you fighting corruption in Kawempe? It is not easy to fight corruption. It has become even tougher after the Central Government recentralised the appointment of town clerks. We always condemn corruption. Perhaps if the Central Government is not listening, many of us will be forced to go the Kalungi way. What is the way forward for Kampala divisions? The divisions should be made autonomous entities so that they receive direct funding from the Government."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/498159-traders-oppose-economic-pacts-with-europe.html","content":" - By Peter Kaujju THE Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) will lead to flooding and dumping of European products on the market, which will suffocate local industries, an official of the African Centre for Trade and Development has warned. Elly Kamugisha, the executive director of the centre, said: “Free trade agreements should give mutual benefits to both sides. But this is not the case with the EPAs. Uganda is not an equal partner with the European countries, so we stand to lose if we sign the EPAs. We are scared that signing the EPAs will bring us a lot of problems.” He was presenting a paper, “The impact of EPAs on women,” at the Hotel Africana in Kampala. EPAs are trade pacts being negotiated between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. They are aimed at enhancement and maintenance of market access and expected to be effected on January 1, 2008. “We embraced privatisation and liberalisation but the results have not been very good. Opening up in our infancy will not help us. The argument that consumers will have choice when we sign the EPAs does not hold because local industries will close and unemployment will set in,” he warned. Kamugisha said economies like Uganda’s need access to markets which are not restrictive. “The European Union only wants to protect its interests and competition,” he said. Uganda’s private sector recently said they need more time to prepare for the EPAs, while the European Union maintains that time is running out and the agreements have to be concluded by December 31."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/501585-who-is-failing-district-roads.html","content":" - By Joshua Kato IN the last few months, a number of major roads have been destroyed as a result of the heavy rains that caused flooding in most parts of the country. In Kayunga, a bridge over River Ssezibwa on the Mukono-Kayunga Road was washed away. In Kapchorwa, landslides cut off a number of main roads, including the Kapchorwa-Bukwo road. In Bundibugyo landslides blocked several roads. Most districts have an average of 600km of road. The majority of the roads are murram. Every district has a road unit. It includes two graders, two wheel-loaders, two vibro-rollers, three trucks, three pick-up trucks and at least two pedestrian rollers. This equipment costs at least sh2.5b, paid for by the Central Government. The districts also have a works and technical services department for maintaining the roads. Local leaders say the biggest drawback to road maintenance is the cost of servicing the equipment. John Wycliffe Karazarwe, the Ntungamo LC5 chairman, says servicing a grader takes between sh2m to sh5m. “Each time you park a road machine for more than a week, you need to take it for service before it is deployed. In other words, anything below sh5m can’t take you to work on a road,” observed Karazarwe who is also the president Local Authorities Association. However, while the equipment is not enough to work on murram roads in an entire district, they can go a long way in keeping the gullies off. But the equipment is reportedly misused. “That district tractor is known for grading private people’s plots,” says a resident of one of the leading districts in central region. “When it is time to grade the roads, the excuse is always, ‘there is no money for fuel’.” The trucks are mostly seen delivering construction material for top district officials, while the rollers simply rot away in parking yards. One of the recent conflicts among district leaders over equipment involved the late Luweero district CAO, Simon Mpiira, and former Katikamu North MP Maj. James Kinobe. It was said that Kinobe had asked for the grader to work on a particular road. However, Mpiira turned down the request, sparking off a fierce animosity. District leaders say that keeping the equipment in good mechanical condition is one of the biggest challenges. “They are always good in the first two or three years, but when they get older, they become more expensive to maintain,” says a district chairman. A tyre of a grader costs between sh2m and sh4m. District roads designs Most district roads are murram B or C. Murram roads are also characterised in three classes. Grade A, Grade B and Grade C, depending on the design. However, most of the Grade A roads are government roads. Engineers say local governments rarely meet the right designs and construction necessities because they do not have enough money. Most of the roads are six metres wide, which is barely enough for two medium size trucks to bypass each other. These roads should be at least eight metres wide. The other problem is the size of culverts used for making bridges. “Most of the district earth roads have culverts of 450mm in diameter. These cannot handle flooding, which is why many of them were swept away,” says an engineer with the ministry of works. Culverts should be at least 600mm. Cost of road maintenance According to the Ministry of Works documents for the last five years, the budget for national road maintenance has stagnated at about sh72b, which is short of the required sh130b. The allocation for district and urban roads also stagnated at around sh22b, which is also far short of the required sh54b. Because of these shortfalls, the road network in the country is in a bad state. In Iganga district, sh400m had been allocated for road construction in the 2006/2007 budget. “This allocation was for only two roads. But after the effects of the rains, we do not have any more money because the budget has already been passed,” laments LC5 chairman Asuman Kyafu. “They should not only look at CHOGM in Kampala. If roads in the villages are bad, where will the food to feed the CHOGM delegates pass?” he wonders. Luweero district had budgeted for only sh180m for the construction of two roads. But after the heavy rains, so many other roads need repair. “There is no money in the budget to repair these roads. We can only appeal to government for help,” says Ronald Ndawula, LC5 chairman. In Kayunga, the district had allocated about sh300m for repair of the roads. However, the impact of the rains, especially on bridges, has been profound. “We need at least sh300m to repair the bridge over River Sezibwa alone,” says Kayunga LC5 chairman Eng. Thomas Mulondo. He appealed to the Government for help. In Kapchorwa and Bukwo districts, landslides that were caused by the rains blocked so many roads. Kapchorwa district chairman Nelson Chelimo says they do not have money to reopen all the roads. Commenting about the roads, works state minister, John Byabagambi says the Government will work with districts to repair the roads. Kampala roads taken over by Government In Kampala, the Government took over the management of some tarmac roads after most of them became impassable. The district has about 900km of roads, of which 360km are tarmac. Initially, the Government was responsible for only 56km of roads in the city. These were outlets mainly for Jinja, Bombo, Masaka and Hoima roads. Most of the roads are in a bad state. An engineer with the ministry of works says almost 200km of the 380km need resealing, while the remaining 160km are either new or already under construction. At a cost of at least sh350m per kilometre for resealing, the Government will spend about sh12b to work on 56km of tarmac roads. And this mainly involves repairing pot-holes. However, the mayor, Al-hajji Nasser Sebaggala, says what is needed is not just repairing pot-holes, but complete resealing of the roads. “The base of the roads was done in the 1950s,” he says. “If you just repair pot-holes, others will develop soon.” To reseal the roads, KCC requires at least sh200b against an annual budget of about sh30b. The ministry of works engineer also says that of the 500km of murram roads around the city, at least 400km are in bad shape and need re-grading. At the cost of about sh10m per kilometre, the district and Government will spend at least sh4b for the roads. “We do not have enough funding to manage all these roads,” laments Sebaggala. Because of that, the Ministry of Works had to come in. But the ministry took over only the key roads, especially those in the city centre and other strategic areas. This means KCC must find other sources of funding to work on the remaining roads."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/454161-measures-to-stop-flooding.html","content":" - LC TOOL BOX - Make sure that waterways in your area, like streams are cleared of garbage. - Stop your residents from constructing fences in the way of water streams. - Create waterways in areas prone to flooding. - Do not authorise construction of houses or structures in wetlands. - Carry out sensitisation regularly about the advantages of having clear waterways. - Set up by-laws specifying punishments for those who abuse water ways in anyway."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/454272-floods-blamed-on-bugolobi-buildings.html","content":" - By Geresom Musamali & Rehema Aanyu Kampala Water has blamed flooding of the road near Shell Bugolobi on illegal structures in Kiswa. The firm co-vends water and maintains sewage lines on behalf of the National Water and Sewage Corporation. The publicist, Gloria Nakibuuka, yesterday said the new buildings at Kiswa had blocked the natural flow of underground water which has severely damaged the road. She was responding to mayor Nasser Sebaggala’s claim that a broken water pipe was responsible for damaging the road. Nakibuuka said, ”We do not have any pipe in that area.” The technical operation’s manager, Dan Kyobe, ascertained that: “The mayor is probably not well informed. His technical people have not explained to him properly. “The water is coming from an underground stream. The new building structures have interfered with its natural path and that is why there is a mess on the road.” Potholes in Kiswa are filled with water, making the road impassable. Many vehicles get stuck in the middle of the road, worsening traffic congestion."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/454336-govt-joins-kcc-to-fight-floods.html","content":" - By Fortunate Ahimbisibwe THE government is to work with Kampala city council (KCC) to reduce flooding in the city. A statement from the works ministry said the Northern Bypass works were part of the solution to the flooding problem in Kampala. Dan Alinange, the corporate affairs officer of the Road Agency Formation Unit (RAFU), in a statement regretted the state of affairs in Bwaise and other city suburbs. RAFU said the local drainage improvement programme would be incorporated into the Northern Bypass plan, which will have an impact on the severity of flooding in Bwaise and the surrounding areas. RAFU denied reports that it ignored professional advice when designing the Northern Bypass, leading to the current flood problem. “The Northern Bypass project is not the cause of this sad development. It is a fact that much of Bwaise and surrounding areas between the Bypass are in a low-lying plain prone to flooding. The bypass earthworks channels constructed do not have a major impact on the flooding on either side of the bypass,” the statement said. RAFU has subsequently instructed the contractor to construct culverts where the diverted Lubigi channel flows under Bombo Road. This has allowed the floodwaters to pass under the road with and relieve the flood levels on the northern side."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/454333-jinja-bugiri-highway-a-dusty-road-to-the-future.html","content":" - By George Bita Every time it rains, the potholes on Jinja-Bugiri road become small water ponds with frogs and mosquitoes. The blocked drainage channels causes flooding in neighbouring places. However, the flooding rarely lasts for long because the busy nature of the road ensures that the water dries up quickly to give way to dust once again. This has been the state of affairs on the Jinja-Bugiri highway since Basil Read Bouygues, a Belgian-South Africa company, abandoned work on the 73km road in 2004. Much of the tarmac, which had been laid, has been dug up, leaving a murram stretch covering much of the busy road, part of the Trans-African highway stretching from Mombasa, Kenya to Lagos in Nigeria. Thomas Kiiza, a resident of Bulanga trading centre, says the dust from the road has become a menace to road users and residents. “There is dust everywhere. The dust on the road has also contributed to several motor accidents on the route. Motorists drive recklessly oblivious of which side of the road to keep on. In fact, there are no demarcated lanes, which leaves drives to decide for themselves which side to keep” Kiiza says. Awali Sseguya, a taxi driver on the road, says, “Apart from irritating us, the dust hangs for long periods in the air, requiring the use of headlamps to warn on-coming traffic.” Sseguya adds that they also drive very fast to avoid being overtaken which means travelling in a dust cloud formed by vehicles in front. Sseguya says there has been a lot of inconvenience to road users with many vehicles getting damaged within a short time on the road. “We keep on servicing our vehicles and repairing worn out shock absorbers, air conditioning units and broken windshields. On average, service of an omnibus now costs sh2.5m per year yet previously it cost about sh1.5m,” Sseguya says. Aziz Hussein, a truck driver in the border town of Busia says the losses incurred on the route between Jinja and Bugiri towns may amount to about sh2b per annum in terms of damaged property in transit. Hussein says the uneven road surface has led to damage of merchandise like refrigerators, computers, television sets and perishables like tomatoes. Assessments from Mayuge, Iganga, Bugiri, Tororo, Mbale and Busia indicate that each district loses approximately sh15m in revenue per month. This figure covers money spent on repairing vehicles and delays on delivery of essential commodities as a result of the bad road. Abdullah Balunywa, the LC3 chairman of Bulamagi in Iganga, says about 100 market vendors who move from Iganga to work in Jinja Market waste a lot of time on the road and end up losing revenue. “Before 2004, it was a 30-minute drive from Iganga to Jinja, but it now takes about two hours,” Balunywa adds. Daniel Okello, a businessman in Busia, says the traders, especially those dealing in fresh foods, make a lot of losses because of the bad road. “Last month, I lost sh2m worth of watermelon bound for Nairobi. The truck’s hind tyres burst after hitting potholes near Bugiri town in the evening and by the next day the fruits were beginning to rot,” Okello says. However, all this is bound to change after a Nigerian firm, Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) was contracted in a joint venture with Sonitra (Ghana) Limited to re-surface the road by December 2008 with a sh11.4b funding from the European Union. On June 22, finance minister Ezra Suruma signed the contract with Boaz Ferench of RCC and the work began on August 18. John Nasasira, the Minister of Works, re-launched the reconstruction at Bugembe, in Jinja. Nasasira said, “We hired a contractor in 2004 and expected work to be completed by July 2006. However, the contractor wanted $9m more and extra time. When we refused, he left.” However, for the residents, it seems time has not yet come to celebrate. Already some people are skeptical about whether RCC will beat the December 2008 deadline. Nicholas Obbo, the RCC general foreman, says the last months have been spent on bush clearing, constructing culverts and crushing rocks to generate enough small stones, which will be used for setting the tarmac. Obbo explains that a labour force of over 1,000 will be needed, although currently they have only 50 labourers undertaking emergency repairs plus crushing rocks in Idudi, Iganga. He also says the they have faced a problem of tribalism, where the Basoga are complaining that they are not given jobs to work on the road. “They recently ganged up in Magamaga and wanted to beat up a RCC staff member alleging that he was recruiting mostly non-Basoga,” Obbo says. He says the rainy season has also created a major challenge for them, especially in putting up culverts on sections of the road passing through flooded wetlands. “When the place is flooded you have no alternative, but to wait for the level of the water to recede before attempting to work again,” Obbo says. So the waiting may just have begun."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/454683-floods-hit-east-africa.html","content":" - By Carol Natukunda and Bwogi Buyera HEAVY rains have affected thousands of people in several parts of Uganda and the neighbouring countries. The rains have caused severe flooding and landslides, destroying homes, schools and bridges all over the country and the region. Destroyed bridges and roads have been reported in Kayunga, Kabale, Kisoro and Butaleja districts, two weeks after weather experts issued a national alert over the impending rains. The LC3 chairman for Hamurwa sub-county in Kabale district, James Kabaterine, on Tuesday said the lives of the road users on the Kabale-Kisoro road were at risk. Kabale district weather supervisor Andrew Mushabe advised people living on hilly slopes to watch out for possible land and mudslides. Experts said the rains should have ended in November but are expected to persist until January. In Kenya, some 30,000 have been forced from their homes by rains in the southeastern coastal region. “The floods have destroyed and damaged crops and farmlands, as well as refugee camps housing Somalis,” said a report by the International federation of the Red Cross. In Tanzania, reports show that relief supplies have been sent to about 1,500 people uprooted by floods in Shinyanga. The rains are associated with El Nino, a weather phenomenon linked to warming up of the equatorial Pacific Ocean."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/455704-northern-bypass-work-on-course.html","content":" - By Chris Kiwawulo WORK on the Northern By-pass is on course in spite of persistent flooding in the wetlands which cover the biggest section of the road works. A Salini official, the company constructing the sh80b-road, said work would be completed by next August before the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting scheduled for November. A company official who preferred anonymity admitted that floods had affected their operations but was confident work would be complete as scheduled. Work on the 21-kilometre By-pass has on several occasions been halted in Bwaise, Kawempe division whenever floods hit the area. “Floods have disturbed us a lot but we have a special design for such areas. Work is on course,” he stressed. The undertaking is poised to reduce traffic congestion in the city by diverting heavy motor traffic from the eastern side of the country to new routes. The By-pass is part of the Government of Uganda’s 10-year Road Sector Development Plan The completion date for the Northern Bypass was revised from November 2006 to July 2007, then to August. This, according to RAFU, was to allow the contractor fill more rock and soil into swampy areas; the quantity of which increased by 100 percent."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/456077-is-your-house-flood-protected.html","content":" - By Harriet Birungi One might need to use culverts to drain away the water when it rains You may have bought land or are already residing in a place that is prone to flooding. Everytime it rains, your compound is flooded and sometimes the water gets into the house. This is a problem for people who reside in Bwaise Kaleerwe, parts of Namboole and Nateete Kigaga zone, among many. Charles Kyamanywa, the Kampala chief town planner, says the council has tried so much to discourage people from settling in swampy areas and thought of relocating those already living there. “But because there is no demarcated space where they can be settled, they continue to live, build and work in such places to the detriment of everybody including themselves,” he explained. However, for that person already living in such flooding areas, there are some remedies. John Kennedy Mulyanda, an architect, says the best way to go around building a floodfree house in a low area is to use pillars. “Using pillars helps to keep the house above the ground so that water doesn’t get to it. While this may provide a flood-free foundation, one should be able to invest in a lot of pipes for the house floor and bricks made out of cement and sand. One concrete brick costs sh1,500,” Mulyanda warns. Alternatively, he says one can pile and compact marram to first raise the place before building. However, adding soil depends on a number of variables if it is to work, as the soil may shift the water to another area, transferring the flood problem there. To help clear the problem, one will need to put culverts under the ground to drain away the water. Culverts create a passage for the water when it rains. The price of the culverts depends on the size one desires. A worker at East Lands Agency who preferred anonymity, says all that one has to do is buy perforated plastic drain-pipe. “The best kind for this purpose is the flexible kind that comes in rolls. This type of drainpipe has small slits all around it, which allow water to enter the pipe so it can be carried away,” he explains. The source adds that one should just dig a trench from the centre of the low area where water is being drained to the point one intends to drain it to. One should put the pipe deep enough so that it is covered with soil, with the exit point exposed. He further advises that when installing this system, it is good to dig a number of shorter trenches all heading away from the area where water lags. Using the line level for straight lines, one has to make sure the trenches fall away from their point of origin so that once the water enters the pipes, it will flow away from the collection point where flooding stems. However, this does not mean that the low area will not trap water, but much of that water will seep into the drain-pipe and eventually leach out into the soil under each trench. Because this soil will not have been compacted by the standing water and the baking sun, it will suck the water. “Although it will not go away as fast as one draining to the ditch, but at least one will have a mechanism in place that will eventually disperse the water back into the soil and thus a flood-free homestead,” the source explained."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/462583-diamond-trade-shuts-shop.html","content":" - AHMEDABAD Heavy flooding in the western Indian city of Surat, the country’s gem-cutting and polishing hub, has badly hit the diamond industry with traders predicting it may take weeks to return to normal."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/464488-fufa-applauds-ferwafa-move.html","content":" - By Swalley Kenyi FUFA has applauded the decision by Rwandan football federation, FERWAFA, to expel foreign players, including Ugandans, flooding their domestic league. CEO Charles Masembe (left) said yesterday that the move would help FUFA reclaim players who were declared deserters two months ago. His Rwanda counterpart Jules Kalisa announced the move on Wednesday. “We’re going to make it so tight because we have so many foreigners, especially Ugandans. We won’t totally expel all Ugandan players, but will give every team a limit,” he announced. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/470203-why-rebel-pictures-all-the-time.html","content":" - SIR — I have noticed that your sister vernacular paper, Rupiny is flooding its front pages with Kony pictures even when the story is not relevant. The other time it was a story about returning IDPs to their villages, and there was Kony pasted across as if to discourage people from returning to their homes. This time, the story is about UPDF recovering rebel ammunition wherever they had been hidden, and there is a picture of Otii as if to say he still has capacity to kill! When rebels are at their weakest, publishing their pictures could give them false courage. Peter Kawaida Makerere"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/470224-why-rebel-pictures-all-the-time.html","content":" - SIR — I have noticed that your sister vernacular paper, Rupiny is flooding its front pages with Kony pictures even when the story is not relevant. The other time it was a story about returning IDPs to their villages, and there was Kony pasted across as if to discourage people from returning to their homes. This time, the story is about UPDF recovering rebel ammunition wherever they had been hidden, and there is a picture of Otii as if to say he still has capacity to kill! When rebels are at their weakest, publishing their pictures could give them false courage. Peter Kawaida Makerere"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/470707-fresh-harvests-force-commodity-prices-down.html","content":" - By Ibrahim Kasita COMMODITY prices have finally buckled for the first time in four months after fresh harvests started flooding the market. All the city’s main markets are now stocked with fresh supplies from the rural farmers, according to The New Vision weekly survey. These have helped bring down the prices. “Rains have brought about maturing and ripening of drought resistant crops. The farmers were also quick to plant vegetables as soon as the rains begun. That is why we now have excess supplies,” said John Wasswa, a trader at Nakasero Market. Wasswa also attributed the fall in prices to the need by traders to dispose off old stocks and replenish with new ones. Dry beans at St. Balikuddembe Market now cost sh950 a kilogramme, down from sh1,400 on average four months ago. Fine maize flour is down by sh200 from sh1,000 a kilogramme. Simsim and groundnuts previously sold at sh2,000 a kilogramme, have drastically fallen to sh1,200 a kilogramme. Cassava flour is down to sh500 a kilogramme from sh600. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/472462-bwaise-flooding-to-end-soon-lc3.html","content":" - By Paul Kiwuuwa KAWEMPE division LC3 chairman-elect Nasser Kibirige Takuba has said flooding in Bwaise, a city suburb, will soon be history. “We are going to enlarge the Lubigi water basin where all the major channels that pass through Kawempe division empty their waters,” he said on Monday. Takuba who was re-elected for the division seat, polled 23,583 (52.5%), while his opponent, Tom Fisher Kasenge, got 21,351 (47.5). He said his new term of office would embark on building the drainage channels in the division. “We plan to build and enlarge Nsooba, Katanga, Kiyanja and Nakamira water channels to reduce flooding, which is a menace,” he added."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/443215-sewage-floods-borehole.html","content":" - By George BitaA CESSPIT that was poorly constructed has led to the flooding of a communal borehole supplying over 2,000 people in Iwawu village in Iganga district.John Lubandi, the LCI chairman, on Tuesday said Basil-Read Bougyes contractors, who were working on the Jinja-Bugiri highway, had their work terminated before completing the cesspool, after a disagreement with the Government.He said a recent downpour filled up the cesspool, which flooded the borehole.Lubandi said nearby pit-latrines flooded and houses collapsed.The district director of health services, Dr. David Muwanguzi, said the situation posed a serious health risk.“The floods have mixed up the faeces and the water at the borehole. There is a likelihood of having water-borne diseases in the community here,” Muwanguzi said.He urged the residents to boil water before drinking it to avoid an epidemic outbreak.Muwanguzi said the people needed to be provided with an alternative water source urgently.Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/408733-rains-cut-off-kampala-suburbs.html","content":" - By Chris Kiwawulo A five-hour traffic jam in Kampala yesterday added to the misery caused by the flooding of the Bwaise-Lubigi river that had earlier displaced hundreds of residents. Heavy rains on Monday and Wednesday evening caused flooding that blocked both the Kampala-Hoima and Gayaza-Bwaise roads. The water got to half the height of a saloon car. Bodaboda cyclists took advantage of the jams on the Bombo and to Kawaala roads to charge up to sh2,000 for trips to the city and for up to sh3,000, energetic youths rolled their trousers knee-high to push vehicles, whose engines had stalled in the flood water. The blockage on the Kampala-Hoima Road occurred at Nansana, about six miles from the city centre, forcing traffic to divert to Bwaise through Kawaala. In Kawempe, the blockage was at Kalerwe and motorists could not cross from Bwaise to Gayaza road. Wakiso district chairman Eng. Ian Kyeyune said he would work with Kampala City Council (KCC) to solve the problem. He said, “I talked to KCC, specifically Kawempe division and we have a programme to counter flooding of the river.” “We want inter-regional planning because KCC has road project funds,” Kyeyune said. He attributed the flooding to silting of the river and yesterday wrote to the Minister for Works, Transport and Communication, John Nasasira, pressing for action. “Murram roads cause silting and tarmacking stopped at Kawaala junction that separates Wakiso from Kampala,” Kyeyune said. But Kawempe chairman Nasser Takuba said whenever he contacted Wakiso about cleaning the river, the district did not respond. “It is good the chairman is willing to work on the problem with us. But i have not received any official communication about the issue,” Takuba said. The floods that on Monday displaced hundreds of resident, forced Bwaise National Water and Sewerage Corporation zonal offices to shift to a nearby building. At Happy Hours Nursery school, lessons were suspended after water filled the classrooms. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/412314-heavy-rains-flood-nebbi-district.html","content":" - By Janey Watongo RESIDENTS of Wadelai sub-county in Nebbi district have expressed fear for their lives and property due to heavy rains and flooding in the area. The LC1 chairman of Parabilo village, Gabriel Okongo, recently said the River Ora floods whenever there is heavy rainfall in the area. “When it rains in Okoro sub-county, the level of the river rises, flooding the area and destroying the crops,” Okongo said. Environmental officer Fred Onyai said the area is a wetland and is over cultivated since the river bank is fertile. He advised the farmers to avoid cultivation along the river banks."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/415918-malaria-outbreak-hits-kasese.html","content":" - By John Nzinjah A SEVERE malaria outbreak has hit Busongora North Constituency in Kasese district, causing over-flooding of patients at private and Government health clinics in the area. “We have not seen such for many years. Since morning, we have recorded over 300 people with acute malaria and the situation is even worse at some places,” an assistant medical officer at Kinyabwamba Health Centre, the Rev. Peter Kibingo, said recently. The district director of health services, Dr. Peter Okwir, has confirmed the outbreak but said the deaths were fewer than expected. Kibingo said the outbreak was aggravated by late reporting for medical treatment by people attacked by the disease. “Patients report to the clinic when they are already weak and treating them becomes more costly than if they had reported as soon as they were attacked,” he said. Health officials said the malaria outbreak had been reported from many parts of the district, although it was worse in Busongora North. Some LCs in the most affected areas have attributed the outbreak to the vast fields of maize, saying they were breeding areas for mosquitoes, the vector of malaria. The district security committee, in a May 27 meeting, listed cholera, malaria and Allied Democratic Front (ADF) rebel remnants as the major security threats in Kasese district. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/416892-soniaâ-s-pearl-of-great-price.html","content":" - Around the world - By Gwynne Dyer THE past few days must have been very frightening for Sonia Gandhi: death threats from racists furious at the defeat of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will have been flooding in, and she has already seen both her mother-in-law and her husband assassinated by extremists. But the time for her to decide whether she was up to the job of leading India was in 1998, when she accepted the leadership of the Congress Party, which was discredited by factionalism and corruption, and took on the task of rebuilding it. For all her shyness in public, she did that job effectively, and then she led a revived Congress back to power in the biggest free election ever. The main reason that people, especially poor people and minorities, were willing to give it another chance was the fact that they saw her as the symbol of the old Congress Party that led India to independence, served the poor, and was dedicated to preserving a secular, open, multicultural society. To change her mind at the last minute and reject the prime ministership was a betrayal of their trust — and she may have thrown away more than that. No doubt her son and daughter had a part in persuading her to step aside and let another senior Congress Party member become prime minister in her place: Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi have already lost their father and their grandmother to assassins, and they don't want to lose their mother too. The crash on the Bombay Stock Exchange, the biggest one-day decline in 129 years, also played a role, though that was driven not by lack of faith in Sonia Gandhi but by worries about the fact that a Congress government would have to depend on Communist votes to survive. The most spectacular recent manifestation of its Hindu-first, anti-minority policy was the massacre of Muslims in Gujarat in 2002, which had the tacit support of the BJP state government, but more insidious for the long run was the deliberate attack on the education system. Wherever the BJP’s writ ran, school textbooks have been systematically rewritten to represent Hindus as a victimised and downtrodden majority and to portray Indian Muslims and Christians as somehow foreign and disloyal to the real, Hindu India. (You can also now get a university degree in Vedic astrology.) This subversion of India's long tradition of tolerance and openness to a diversity of faiths and cultures was not just damaging Indian society and undermining democracy. It was bad for the rest of the world, too, because it matters a great deal whether the India that takes its place as one of the world’s Big Three powers over the next generation (the other two will be the US and China) is a tolerant secular democracy or a sectarian, ultra-nationalist state with a huge chip on its shoulder. The attitudes of the generation who will run that India are being shaped in the schools now. The voters’ rejection of the BJP was a hopeful sign, but now Congress has to deliver. Sonia Gandhi shows no signs that she is a great administrator, and several other senior Congress politicians could probably do the job of keeping the economic miracle going while bringing some real help to the neglected poor as well or better than she would. But she is the indispensable symbol of the multicultural, tolerant India that must now be restored after the long BJP assault. That is vitally important in itself, and it is also the only common goal that binds all the parties of the coalition together. Not having Sonia Gandhi as the prime minister is a blow to that common goal and quite possibly to the cohesion of the coalition. She has listened to her “inner voice,” but it looks like a lack of respect for the millions who voted Congress only and precisely because they felt that she embodied the idea of a modern, secular India that cared for its people and made no distinctions between them on the basis of race, religion, language or caste. There is even speculation that she never really intended to become prime minister at all, and was merely lending her name to help revive the Congress Party. If that it true, it shows genuine contempt for the voters,and such actions are eventually punished in politics. The Congress government will survive, at least for a while, and it may even do some good work, but it has just lost the respect of the people who voted for it. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/417909-market-at-work.html","content":" - FIFA, the international football federation, has said it has no power to stop TV stations from flooding Asian screens with European football. Live soccer has kept fans away from domestic stadiums. FIFA is right. A similar phenomenon exists in much of Africa, including Uganda. To mitigate the Euro football threat, local associations need to clean up their management, package the game better, and market it more attractively. Otherwise, European football is thriving because market forces are at work."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/421951-memories-of-a-ugandan-wedding.html","content":" - By Maureen Goldspring Since we returned to Australia recently, everyone keeps asking, “What was the wedding like? What do you think of Uganda? As we share our photos and our stories with family and friends the memories of our time there come flooding back. What a change it was, as we stepped off the plane at Entebbe the day after leaving the snow-covered village of Beauvezere in the southern alps of France. And now we were in Africa. And not just for a visit, but to attend the wedding of our daughter Christie to Richard Ssekiranda, a young man she had met two years before when she visited the market place in Kampala. As you could imagine, we were very keen to meet him. The initial meeting was very positive. We all hit it off and the smiles on our faces were broad as we left the airport and travelled to the city, keenly discussing details of our wonderful time in Europe as well as arrangements for the upcoming wedding.When we arrived at Christie and Sseki’s home in Katwe, we were greeted by their neighbours and we met Sarah, Nasuuna and Katie, who were to be Christie’s bridesmaid and flower girls. We were immediately charmed by the smiles on the little girls’ faces and by the hospitality of the people from the neighbourhood. They seemed so pleased to see us and we were certainly happy to be there. That afternoon I experienced another example of Ugandan hospitality as I waited in a photography store for my family to return from the bank with some Ugandan shillings to pay for our purchases. The line at the ATM must have been long, as 45 minutes passed and it was time for the store to close with still no sign of my family. I stepped outside to wait on the pavement when I became aware of a young man from the shop, who introduced himself to me as Martin. He explained to me that seeing I had been in his shop when it was about to close, Ugandan hospitality required that he wait with me until my family returned. When I demurred, he said he would feel much happier to stay and stay he did. Fifteen minutes later I saw familiar faces emerge from the crowd. As I thanked Martin, I thought to myself, “ I am sure that would never happen in Sydney!” On the wedding day our expectations were great. What would a Ugandan wedding be like? Sseki and Christie had sent out 450 invitations, so one thing we knew was that it would be big! After a trip to the hairdressers, we gathered our belongings and set off for Zigoti Entertainment Centre to eat the pre-wedding meal before getting dressed in our wedding finery. There we found a group of women making finishing touches to a wonderful Ugandan feast. After experiencing our first matooke, along with a dozen other dishes, we set off for the church, waving goodbye to a throng of people all wishing the bride and her family well. The church was full to overflowing. Surely everyone from Mama Sseki’s and Taata Sseki’s villages, Sseki’s market place and Katwe neighbourhood were there. Many of the women were dressed in colourful zigomesi and everyone looked amazing. When Father David greeted Nev with the results of the Australia vs Ireland World Cup Rugby match, we had to laugh. I’d been looking forward to experiencing African music and as the nuptial mass began, the beautiful singing of the choir, the rhythmic beating of the drums and the graceful swaying of the dancers’ hips got all our toes tapping. A highlight for me, which seemed to sum up the feeling of the occasion, was the joyful outburst of clapping and cheering when Sseki completed his marriage vows. Hooray and good luck to this young couple and to the combining of two cultures it seemed to say. It was at the reception that the huge community participation in this special wedding became evident. The three committees set up to organise the wedding did a wonderful job. Taata Sseki’s place had been transformed into a fairy land of roses ribbons and balloons. The pavilion was decorated, the wedding cake a work of art. The dancing of the Ugandan national dances was exuberant and the drums were magic. But above all this, the hospitality of the people shone through. Person after person greeted us and welcomed us to Uganda. After a good night’s sleep in the village, the welcoming spirit continued, as we met more of the local people and enjoyed breakfast, Ugandan style. Probably, however, my most poignant memory of Uganda would be of the wonderful welcome we received when we visited Mama Sseki at her home in Ndimulaba a few days after the wedding. We were looking forward to meeting Mama Sseki again and to hearing of the progress of the children whose high school education we were sponsoring. It seemed that the whole village had gathered to greet us. After enjoying the meal prepared for us, we took our seats as guests of honour for a program that humbled us. As we sat holding our gifts of chickens, saplings, eggs, a watermelon, baskets and woven mats, the words of the primary children’s song captured the essence of our short but memorable time in Uganda: “We are glad you are here, welcome...” Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/423867-nakivubo-not-yet-finished.html","content":" - THE NAKIVUBO Channel project has been formally handed over to KCC and the Government. But there is still some residual flooding in parts of Kampala because storm water cannot drain fast enough into the swamp. Moreover, as the channel backs up, high pressure forces storm water into the lake before the swamp has had time to filter it clean. Yet reticulation provides a simple solution to both problems. The channel should end like the fingers of a hand instead of a single mouth. This will speed up the release of water and disperse it more evenly over the swamp thereby improving filtration. In 2003 government announced that it had instructed KCC and the contractors to reticulate the end of the Nakivubo Channel. Now it has been handed over without this additional work. Government should make certain that the channel is reticulated. Otherwise the rehabilitation will ultimately prove to be a botched job. Ugandan needs fair trial FEROZ ABBASI, a Ugandan now a British citizen, is among the 660 people detained without trial by the United States in Guantanamo Bay. Five British citizens are about to be handed over to the UK authorities for trial. But Abbasi and four other Britons are being kept for trial by American military tribunals. Since he is a former citizen, Uganda should intervene so that Abbasi be tried by a court in the UK. Otherwise Abbasi will be denied natural justice including a fair hearing, a lawyer of his choice, and the possibility of freedom."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/584219-unbs-to-seize-fake-â-mabatiâ.html","content":" - By Vision Reporter UGANDA National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is set to launch a campaign to crackdown on substandard iron sheets (mabati) reportedly flooding the market. Dr. Terry Kahuma, the UNBS executive director, said recently, they had received reports that many hardware shops around Kampala were dealing in substandard iron sheets, selling at relatively lower prices. “We are against all sub- standard commodities, including iron sheets, which are a threat to people’s safety,” Kahuma said during the launch of Uganda Baati’s new products onto the market."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/584304-kcc-re-opens-old-port-bell-road.html","content":" - By Catherine Ntabadde Old Port Bell Road, one of Kampala’s major transport routes, was on Monday re-opened after the installation of two culverts to control flooding. China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation, the contractors of the sh23b World Bank-funded Nakivubo Channel project, closed the road in August to replace the small old pipes at Wankoko with culverts. The project engineer, Bonnie Nsambu, during an interview on Thursday, said the culverts could accommodate large volumes of water and could not be blocked by garbage. Nsambu urged city residents to improve their dumping habits to curb flooding. “The drainage system will not operate efficiently if people continue dumping garbage in the channels,” he added. The installation of culverts on Old Port Bell Road is additional work on areas which flood heavily. These black spots were not included in the original project."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/591358-exiles-strain-health-care.html","content":" - BUNDIBUGYO — Congolese refugees flooding Bundibugyo District have strained the health services there, officials have said. Dr. Brian Asiimwe, the Assistant Director of Health Services in charge of Ntoroko County, said last week: “We are overwhelmed already. We are receiving an unusual number of patients in our health centres. The drugs there had been planned for Ugandans only, but now they have to be shared with the refugees.”"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/602705-kcc-to-end-clock-tower-floods-soon.html","content":" - By Herbert Ssempogo THE programme co-ordinator of the Nakivubo Channel Rehabilitation Project, Tamale Kiggundu, has said flooding will not occur again at the Clock Tower in Kampala. “We have placed a box culvert which can accommodate large volumes of water at the spot. Flooding was rampant in this place because the culvert that was being used was very small and the water could not go through easily,” he said. He told The New Vision recently that the water moving through the culvert had increased because the channel had been widened all the way from Kisekka Market, Old Kampala and Aghakhan. Tamale said it would be opened by the end of this month."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/603917-nile-blocked-at-pakwach.html","content":" - By Felix Osike and Ayiga Ondoga MASSIVE papyrus sudd floating from Lake Albert have blocked the River Nile at the Pakwach bridge, raising fears of flooding. Works, transport and communications minister John Nasasira yesterday said Egyptian and Ugandan engineers who had been clearing Lake Kyoga of the sudd had rushed to the scene, the main gateway to the West Nile region. He said the clearing exercise was necessary to avoid flooding and damage to the bridge and its surroundings. Nasasira said from Friday, the Wanseko-Panyimur ferry would be diverted to carry excavators to the scene. Passengers on the route are advised to use the Masindi-Paraa route or revert to the old transport means of small boats to cross to West Nile. “We have to move very fast and clear it. It is expected that de-sudding will take one to two weeks. During this period, there will be no ferry services at the Wanseko-Panyimur crossing,” Nasasira said in a statement. The water flow towards the Sudan has also been greatly affected by the floating island (sudd), estimated to be covering a 100-metre distance. Nasasira appealed to the people of West Nile to be patient during the exercise which he said was necessary to avoid the West Nile region from being cut off. “The situation is very serious. The sudd have swept several canoes and fishing nets of our people thus affecting the living standard of the people,” Pakwach Town Council mayor Hophny Topacho Ongiertho said. He said the sudd caused flooding on the southern part of the river, while the northern section was drained resulting into a serious water problem along the banks. Several people living along the river-bank from Pakwach town to Wadelai, about 17 miles, have been displaced. The town council is also affected. Topacho blamed the works ministry for failing to maintain and renovate the longest bridge in the country, which was constructed with the assistance of the East African Community in 1969. The bridge’s main pillars are cracked. But Nasasira said the contractor working on the Nebbi-Pakwach Road would handle the repairs. There are now fears that the marauding Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels could use the compact sudd to cross into Nebbi district and avoid the bridge which is guarded by the UPDF. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/357777-kampala-markets-are-a-health-risk.html","content":" - By Joshua Kato Dirty, blackish water flows out of a nearby flooding stream covering an entire section of Kalerwe market. Food sellers lay out their wares, on the sodden ground. On the dirty ground are heaps of cassava, potatoes and matooke. Buyers have to hold their clothes up, before reaching the food market. Their feet have to pass through the blackish water. The over flooding is a result of the current El-Nino rains, ravaging the country. Across the area fresh and dried fish sellers are wading through similar waters. The dirty water passing between two latrines built a few feet above the ground is foul smelling. The smell attracts huge blue flies which settled on anything around: the fish, fruit and uncollected garbage. A recipe for cholera. “This is exactly how the situation was before the cholera outbreak of 1997,” a fishmonger says. He says he has complained to the market authorities to improve the health standards to no avail. In 1997, most of the cholera cases came from Kibe zone, Kawempe division. The situation at Kalerwe is the same in most undeveloped markets. At Banda farmers’ market, the lack of stalls means that farmers sell their foods on the bare ground. Being a swamp, the area always has dirty water from streams. “We have nothing to do for now,” a farmer says. At St. Balikudembe, Kafumbe Mukasa road, is a mixed grill of dirt. The situation is compounded by the poor hygiene in nearby Kisenyi slums. Here, most latrines are built a few feet above the ground and drain into the streams. The New Vision survey, however, found that developed markets were a bit cleaner than the undeveloped ones. The developed markets include St. Balikudembe, Natete, Nakawa and Bugolobi. Black polythene bags full of human excreta make up a huge percentage of garbage in the KCC bin, outside St. Balikuddembe market. Black silt runs in small rivers from the bin into the market. Food sellers, in white aprons criss-cross the market, carrying steaming plates of food. The movement of cooked food around the city has been restricted. “We have organised cooked food sellers under an organisation FODA to make sure that they undertake specific hygienic conditions,” says Godfrey Sserunjogi LC 3 chairman, Kampala central. There are committees in place to counter the threat posed by the El-Nino rains. The committees were set up by KCC. “The committees have got LCs, traders from the markets and local people. Their responsibility is to sensitise the public on the values of working in a clean environment,” Lubowa says."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/383358-kampala-markets-are-a-health-risk.html","content":" - By Joshua Kato Dirty, blackish water flows out of a nearby flooding stream covering an entire section of Kalerwe market. Food sellers lay out their wares, on the sodden ground. On the dirty ground are heaps of cassava, potatoes and matooke. Buyers have to hold their clothes up, before reaching the food market. Their feet have to pass through the blackish water. The over flooding is a result of the current El-Nino rains, ravaging the country. Across the area fresh and dried fish sellers are wading through similar waters. The dirty water passing between two latrines built a few feet above the ground is foul smelling. The smell attracts huge blue flies which settled on anything around: the fish, fruit and uncollected garbage. A recipe for cholera. “This is exactly how the situation was before the cholera outbreak of 1997,” a fishmonger says. He says he has complained to the market authorities to improve the health standards to no avail. In 1997, most of the cholera cases came from Kibe zone, Kawempe division. The situation at Kalerwe is the same in most undeveloped markets. At Banda farmers’ market, the lack of stalls means that farmers sell their foods on the bare ground. Being a swamp, the area always has dirty water from streams. “We have nothing to do for now,” a farmer says. At St. Balikudembe, Kafumbe Mukasa road, is a mixed grill of dirt. The situation is compounded by the poor hygiene in nearby Kisenyi slums. Here, most latrines are built a few feet above the ground and drain into the streams. The New Vision survey, however, found that developed markets were a bit cleaner than the undeveloped ones. The developed markets include St. Balikudembe, Natete, Nakawa and Bugolobi. Black polythene bags full of human excreta make up a huge percentage of garbage in the KCC bin, outside St. Balikuddembe market. Black silt runs in small rivers from the bin into the market. Food sellers, in white aprons criss-cross the market, carrying steaming plates of food. The movement of cooked food around the city has been restricted. “We have organised cooked food sellers under an organisation FODA to make sure that they undertake specific hygienic conditions,” says Godfrey Sserunjogi LC 3 chairman, Kampala central. There are committees in place to counter the threat posed by the El-Nino rains. The committees were set up by KCC. “The committees have got LCs, traders from the markets and local people. Their responsibility is to sensitise the public on the values of working in a clean environment,” Lubowa says."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/388800-buvera-heighten-floods.html","content":" - By Denis Ocwich INCREASED reckless disposal of polythene bags has been cited as one of the factors heightening flooding in Kampala city and other urban areas. Besides blocking drainage pipes and gutters, the “buvera” often clog the top soil, making it difficult for water to percolate the ground, hence flooding. “In the soil there are pores (openings) which allow easy flow of water and air. But these polythene papers always block the surface and interfere with soil porosity,” said Peter Ebanyat, a soil scientist from Makerere University’s Faculty of Agriculture. Ebanyat expressed worry that if “buveera” disposal is not addressed quickly, the situation is bound to worsen in the near future. “When you have these floods around, its not for nothing,” he said. “With time, the cumulative effect of the polythene materials will be severe for the urban and peri-urban areas of the country.” He said even urban backyard gardening will not be possible since the “buvera” - which are toxic and not biodegradable (cannot decompose) they are likely to further destroy the soils and cause intense erosion. To Ebanyat, the solution to the menace is to revert to using decomposable paper bags. “Or the manufacturers should be encouraged to make recyclable items.” Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/363219-buvera-heighten-floods.html","content":" - By Denis Ocwich INCREASED reckless disposal of polythene bags has been cited as one of the factors heightening flooding in Kampala city and other urban areas. Besides blocking drainage pipes and gutters, the “buvera” often clog the top soil, making it difficult for water to percolate the ground, hence flooding. “In the soil there are pores (openings) which allow easy flow of water and air. But these polythene papers always block the surface and interfere with soil porosity,” said Peter Ebanyat, a soil scientist from Makerere University’s Faculty of Agriculture. Ebanyat expressed worry that if “buveera” disposal is not addressed quickly, the situation is bound to worsen in the near future. “When you have these floods around, its not for nothing,” he said. “With time, the cumulative effect of the polythene materials will be severe for the urban and peri-urban areas of the country.” He said even urban backyard gardening will not be possible since the “buvera” - which are toxic and not biodegradable (cannot decompose) they are likely to further destroy the soils and cause intense erosion. To Ebanyat, the solution to the menace is to revert to using decomposable paper bags. “Or the manufacturers should be encouraged to make recyclable items.” Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/366938-many-flee-displaced-peopleâ-s-camps.html","content":" - By Dennis Ojwee THERE is a growing number of people fleeing the displaced persons’ camp in Gulu. They are flooding St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor. Lacor Hospital had by Thursday recorded 10,868 people including women and children who commute daily from villages. A security officer at Lacor told The New Vision the people started camping at the hospital gates on July 2. He said initially the number was about 500 but later grew to nearly 11,000. He said a large number came from the camps of Alero, Olwal, Awer, Amuru, Wiya-Nono and others from areas near the hospital. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/392518-many-flee-displaced-peopleâ-s-camps.html","content":" - By Dennis Ojwee THERE is a growing number of people fleeing the displaced persons’ camp in Gulu. They are flooding St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor. Lacor Hospital had by Thursday recorded 10,868 people including women and children who commute daily from villages. A security officer at Lacor told The New Vision the people started camping at the hospital gates on July 2. He said initially the number was about 500 but later grew to nearly 11,000. He said a large number came from the camps of Alero, Olwal, Awer, Amuru, Wiya-Nono and others from areas near the hospital. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/331583-kabale-flooding-blamed-on-encroachment-on-wetlands.html","content":" - WETLAND experts have attributed the recent floods that ravaged Kabale district to the encroachment on wetlands, reports Pascal Niwebyona. The Chief Technical Advisor in the Wetland Inspection Division, Mr. Reint Bakema, said the district tampered with wetlands, which have the capacity to absorb excess water runoff and release it gradually. Recent press reports said more than 100 farms have been submerged due to floods, drastically affecting cattle and crops. Increased cases of malaria were also reported. “It’s not that there has been too much rain. It is just because even the little that comes cannot be accommodated in the small water channels that have replaced the swamps,” Bakema said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/339475-wakiso-to-clear-lubigi-channel.html","content":" - By Gerald Tenywa and James Odomel WAKISO district authorities have embarked on a project to clear the blocked Lubigi Channel, which has caused heavy flooding in Nansana village, Nabweru sub-county. The channel has been neglected by Kampala City Council, causing flooding over five acres of land. The LC5 chairman Wakiso, Mr Ian Kyeyune, said the channel has been blocked for over 10 years. “We have a problem because floods have displaced people,” he said adding that people’s houses had also been affected. Kyeyune also said mosquitoes were breeding in the flooded area and because of this incidents of malaria had drastically increased. The New Vision discovered that 10 houses in the area had been vacated because of the floods. However, sources within the wetlands department said the affected residents were encroachers on a swamp. But Kyeyune when contacted about this he said the wetlands department officials do not know the history of the area. “We have been struggling to reclaim what belongs to the people,” Kyeyune said adding that he would not rest until the people’s needs are addressed. “This flooding will stop once the stream is unblocked,” Kyeyune said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/345101-who-should-enforce-the-law-concerning-milk-trade.html","content":" - SIR-On May 30, someone wrote an article \"Poorly treated milk flooding Kampala\". I agree with the writer. A lot of milk in Kampala suburbs is transported unhygenically. This milk is further treated crudely and unethically. Because of the above malpractice, consumers pay for milk which is below the stipulated standards. That is, full of added water and of poor microbiological status. The naked eye cannot notice these anomalies. Some experts need to come to the rescue of the innocent consumers and consistently take random samples; and either condemn, or pass the milk for onward sales to the consumers. To make it worse, the price of this unprocessed low grade milk sold by largely unlicenced vendors is the same (or thereabout) with that of pasteurised, homogenised milk which goes through expensive, controlled processing, like pasteurisation, standardisation and homogenisation. The factory manufactured milk makes sure all pathogens in milk are destroyed while at the same time preserving the natural content and the nutritive value of their products. I know that many consumers will ask, \"What is wrong with this fresh milk we buy from the coolers or direct from the vendors?\" These are some of the wrong things with that type of milk: * In most cases, the milk is heavily adulterated to increase volume so that the unscrupulous dealers falsely earn much money. * Cooling milk does not improve its original quality, it only stagnates further growth of spoilage microbes. * Locally boiled milk usually develops cooked flavour, resulting in milk-tea with burnt taste. lLocally boiled milk usually has its protein destroyed thereby drastically reducing its nutritive value. * Locally boiled milk usually suffers discolouration. * If milk had already started to deteriorate microbiologically, hard boiling will form small clots which the sellers will claim to be fat particles. Most of these vendors are neither trained in the handling of milk nor checked for communicable diseases like TB which can be transmitted through milk, the dirty environment notwithstanding. The authentic milk processors who invest in very expensive machinery and skilled manpower, plus the tax they pay to government stand to lose if no action is taken to streamline milk trade in Uganda. The law is in place; it only needs enforcement. For instance, the National Bureau of Standards has the power to enter the premises where goods are kept, manufactured, produced, processed or treated, examine the premises and contents and if necessary carry away any suspected commodity. Now with the Dairy Development Authority in place, checks and balances on milk should even be more effective than ever. Frank O. Anywar Lacto-Talents (U) Ltd Kampala"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/346488-kcc-control-dumping.html","content":" - A MASSIVE project is underway to clear the Nakivubo Channel and end flooding in Kampala. Unfortunately the contractor is dumping soil straight into the swamp into which the channel drains. This will only perpetuate flooding in Kampala and undermine the US $ 25 million World Bank project. To cut costs, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCEC) has been dumping soil cleared from the channel beyond its mouth in the Bugolobi swamp. This is madness. The compacted clay will create a dam in the swamp that will block the discharge of water from the channel. Even Kampala City Council could see this and they ordered CCEC to stop dumping in Bugolobi swamp (an order that has been ignored). However KCC has now allowed the contractor to start dumping in Wankoko on Port Bell road just behind the sewage works. This is equally crazy. Flooding is already starting in the area as the dumped soil is blocking a tributary that feeds into the Nakivubo Channel. Flooding around Port Bell road, Peacock Paints and the KCC nursery is going to get worse. The contractor wants his trucks to travel the shortest distance possible before dumping the soil to maximise profit.Yet by caving into the contractor's desire to cut costs, KCC is going to perpetuate flooding in Kampala, having just borrowed $25 million to stop it. KCC should wake up and get the contractor to dump soil cleared from the Nakivubo Channel where it will not perpetuate flooding. There are alternatives. One suggestion is the old clay pits at Kajjaansi. KCC should get the contractor to stop dumping soil until a suitable site has been found. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/346973-hima-officials-warn-kasese-on-epidemic.html","content":" - By John Nzinjah Officials of the Hima cement factory in Kasese have warned on an outbreak of an epidemic in the area following the over-flooding of the sewerage water lagoon in the urban centre. The district officer in-charge of health Steven Bagonza, and the town agent, Wilson Syaipuma, recently said diseases like cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, poliomelaitis, malaria fever and other related diseases might breakout in the area unless poor sanitation was addressed. They said latrines in the Kinyamwenge had collapsed and were draining feaces into River Hima from which the town residents draw water. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/350453-lc-man-blames-kcc.html","content":" - THE LC 1 chairman Natete parish, Muhammad Mpiima, has blamed Kampala City Council for issuing permits to people who build houses in wetlands saying it has led to flooding in their area, reports, Catherine Ntabadde. Mpiima said floods from last week's rain destroyed seven houses and property. He said water channels had been occupied by people who have built houses in them. \"Most of the water channels in the area have been occupied by people who use permits from KCC,\" Mpiima said. He cited a building next to the railway line which was built in water channels. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/353917-ebola-survivors-tell-their-tales.html","content":" - -- Whereas the Ebola epidemic is ending medically, social and economic problems are just beginning By Charles Wendo in Gulu Eugene Okech, 58, survived the deadly Ebola haemorrhagic fever. Instead of congratulating and flooding him with gifts, neighbours s"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/353918-ebola-survivors-tell-their-tales.html","content":" - -- Whereas the Ebola epidemic is ending medically, social and economic problems are just beginning By Charles Wendo in Gulu Eugene Okech, 58, survived the deadly Ebola haemorrhagic fever. Instead of congratulating and flooding him with gifts, neighbours s"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/668276-rescuers-battle-to-reach-survivors-of-new-nepal-quake.html","content":" - Rescuers battled Wednesday to reach survivors of a deadly new earthquake in Nepal that triggered landslides and brought down buildings, as the search resumed for a US military helicopter that went missing while delivering aid. Thousands of traumatised survivors spent the night outdoors, afraid to return to their houses after the 7.3-magnitude quake, which killed dozens of people and hit less than three weeks after the country was devastated by its deadliest quake in more than 80 years. The latest disaster took the overall death toll to more than 8,200 people, and has compounded the already monumental challenge of reaching far-flung mountain communities in desperate need of shelter, food and clean water. The Nepal army resumed its aerial search for a US Marine Corps helicopter that went missing during a disaster relief operation in eastern Nepal, near where the latest quake hit. The Pentagon has said there may have been a problem with fuel on the chopper, which was carrying six US Marines and two Nepal army soldiers when it disappeared. \"We have been informed that an American helicopter has gone missing, search operations have begun,\" said Laxmi Prasad Dhakal, spokesman for the Nepal home ministry. Dhakal said 65 people had been confirmed dead so far in the latest quake, which was centred 76 kilometres (47 miles) east of Kathmandu, and also killed 17 people in northern India. \"We had been focusing on relief distribution, but from yesterday our resources were deployed for rescue operations again,\" he said. Tuesday's quake was felt as far away as New Delhi, and caused buildings to collapse in Tibet in neighbouring China, killing at least one person there. A second tremor of 6.3-magnitude struck Nepal around half an hour later, followed by yet more aftershocks, according to the USGS.  Large-scale casualties - Two large buildings damaged in the 7.8-magnitude quake that hit on April 25 collapsed in Kathmandu Tuesday. But Dolakha and Sindhupalchowk, two of the districts worst affected by the original quake, bore the brunt of the damage caused by the fresh tremors. \"Many houses have collapsed in Dolakha... there is a chance that the number of dead from the district will go up,\" said Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam. The Red Cross said it had received reports of large-scale casualties in the town of Chautara in Sindhupalchowk, where its Norwegian branch is running a field hospital. \"Hundreds of people are pouring in. They are treating dozens for injuries and they have performed more than a dozen surgeries,\" said spokeswoman Nichola Jones. There were several reports of landslides in the worst-hit areas, making the task of getting relief to remote communities in the mountainous country even more difficult. Save the Children said the Gorkha region, near the epicentre of the April 25 quake, had also been hit by landslides and many key roads were blocked. Regine Kopplow, a German aid worker who was in the Dolakha district headquarters of Charikot when the latest quake hit, saw huge dust clouds rise into the air as buildings collapsed. \"I saw a woman in the building opposite jump from the third floor who suffered injuries to her leg, elbow and hand,\" said Kopplow, who works for Concern Worldwide. \"People stayed outside, the shaking continued. Some people were crying, hugging each other and sitting on the ground supporting each other.\"  Back to tents - Many in Kathmandu had begun to return to their homes after weeks sleeping outdoors, but after Tuesday's strong tremors large numbers once again fled buildings to spend the night in tents or under tarpaulins. The Nepalese government has acknowledged that it was overwhelmed by the scale of the April 25 disaster, which destroyed nearly 300,000 homes and left many more too dangerous to live in. \"At an hour of a natural disaster like this, we have to face it with courage and patience,\" Nepal's Prime Minister Sushil Koirala said after an emergency meeting of his cabinet on Tuesday. Scientists said Tuesday's quake was part of a chain reaction set off by the larger one that struck on April 25 in Lamjung district west of Kathmandu. \"Large earthquakes are often followed by other quakes, sometimes as large as the initial one,\" said Carmen Solana, a volcanologist at Britain's University of Portsmouth. \"This is because the movement produced by the first quake adds extra stress on other faults and destabilises them,\" she told the London-based Science Media Centre."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/656397-ex-army-boss-sisi-sworn-in-as-egypt-president.html","content":" - CAIRO - Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was sworn in as president on Sunday following a landslide election almost a year after he deposed Egypt's first freely elected leader and crushed his Islamist supporters. The retired field marshal took the oath of office at the heavily guarded Constitutional Court and then left to attend a reception with foreign dignitaries. Western countries alarmed by the brutal crackdown on dissent following the overthrow of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi last year mostly sent low level representatives. Sisi scored a lopsided victory last month in an election boycotted by Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood and secular dissidents, also targeted by the army-installed government in the wide-ranging crackdown. Soldiers and police deployed in force in the capital in anticipation of protests by the battered Brotherhood movement and possible militant attacks. \"I swear by almighty God to preserve the republican system, and to respect the constitution and the law and to care for the interests of the people; and to preserve the independence of the nation and its territorial integrity,\" Sisi declared in the ceremony broadcast live on television. Elite policemen stood guard outside as helicopters dropped posters of Sisi on dozens of well-wishers who turned up to see the former army commander. \"I'm here to congratulate Sisi, the man who rescued us from terrorism and the Muslim Brotherhood,\" said one flag-waving supporter, Amira Ahmed. The presidency said he would later host a reception at Cairo's Ittihadiya presidential palace, with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, Arab royals and African leaders in attendance. Sisi will also sign a transfer of power agreement with Adly Mansour, a chief justice whom Sisi had installed as interim president when he ousted Morsi on July 3. Riding a wave of popularity since then, Sisi won the May 26-28 election with 96.9 percent of the vote against his only rival, leftist leader Hamdeen Sabbahi. The nature of the victory showed he still enjoyed immense support for his overthrow of the divisive Morsi, after millions held protests demanding an end to the Islamist's single year of turbulent rule. But the lower than anticipated turnout of about 47 percent denied Sisi the overwhelming mandate he had called for ahead of the vote. The now banned Brotherhood had called for a boycott of the election. Sisi's main challenges will be to restore stability and revive the economy after three years of turmoil, following a 2011 uprising that ousted strongman Hosni Mubarak. Since Morsi's ouster, the crackdown on his supporters has killed more than 1,400 people and left thousands behind bars, while militants have killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers. It was a landslide victory for Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in the recent elections. PHOTO/AFP 'Return security' In a televised address after his victory was announced on Tuesday, Sisi called on Egyptians to \"work to return security to this nation\". Sisi's opponents fear that under his rule, Egypt will return to an autocratic regime worse than under Mubarak. In the run-up to the election, Sisi said that \"national security\" takes precedence over democratic freedoms. He will be the fifth Egyptian president to rise from the ranks of the military, and is expected to reassert the army's grip on politics. Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, who opposed Morsi's Brotherhood, called for a donor conference to help Egypt after the results were announced. The oil kingpin was to be represented at the swearing-in ceremony by Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, alongside the rulers of Kuwait and Bahrain. Western nations, which congratulated Sisi on his election win while stressing the importance of safeguarding human rights, sent low-level officials or were represented by ambassadors. The United States has voiced concerns about \"the restrictive political environment\" during the vote, urging Sisi to show \"commitment to the protection of the universal rights of all Egyptians\". Senior State Department official Thomas Shannon was to represent Washington at the palace ceremony. AFP Also related to this story Egypt: ex-army chief wins presidential election         Army chief Sisi ousts President Morsi Egypt's Sisi: an autocrat in the making?"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/655677-india-pm-elect-modi-to-make-triumphant-delhi-entrance.html","content":" - NEW DELHI - Prime minister-elect Narendra Modi headed to Delhi Saturday to bask in the glory of an election landslide for his Hindu nationalists, promising to improve the lives of all Indians in spite of his polarising image. As world leaders congratulated the abrasive right-winger on his crushing victory over the leftist Congress party, Modi flew out of western Gujarat state that he has run since 2001 to prepare for a five-year term as prime minister. The former tea-boy, whose humble background is a world away from that of the prevailing Delhi elite, is expected to be greeted by thousands of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters when he flies into the capital around 11:00am (0530 GMT). Later he is also expected to pay a visit to his constituency in the holy city of Varanasi where he will offer prayers at sundown on the banks of the river Ganges, after securing India's biggest electoral triumph in 30 years. The 63-year-old, who has never held office at national level, pledged on Friday to fulfil the dreams of all of India's 1.2 billion people in an effort to allay fears that still linger among Muslims who remember communal riots in Gujarat in 2002. \"I want to take all of you with me to take this country forward... it is my responsibility to take all of you with me to run this country,\" Modi said in what was effectively a farewell speech to Gujarat after a 13-year stint as its chief minister. Reflecting his long-running theme that the world's second most populous country must make itself a force to be reckoned with, Modi also pledged \"to make the 21st century India's century\". Modi is expected to be sworn in next week and then turn the country sharply to the right after a decade of rule by the centre-left Congress party, which presided over a slowdown in growth and a series of corruption scandals. He made good governance and development the main focus of his campaign, deriding his Congress rival Rahul Gandhi as a \"princeling\" who had little concept of the aspirations of the 551 million people who voted in the marathon six-week contest. Rahul, whose mother led Congress to victory in 2004, fought a lacklustre campaign that has cast doubt on his future and even his party's survival now the Gandhi family appears to have lost its magic. Figures from the Election Commission showed the BJP had secured 279 seats and was projected to win another three in the 543-member parliament, the first majority by a single party for 30 years ago. \"People have gifted him the power to change history, to mould it in his image. He needs to handle this very carefully,\" editor-in-chief Shekhar Gupta wrote on the front page of Saturday's Indian Express. \"This is no time for majority triumphalism and you cannot govern a nation as diverse as ours if so many of our minorities feel insecure, excluded and unrepresented.\" The Times of India said the number of Muslims in parliament had fallen to its lowest level since 1952. - Hero's welcome - Thousands of BJP supporters are expected to turn out to welcome Modi to Delhi as he embarks on a victory parade. Similar roadshows during the campaign saw massive crowds shower the strict vegetarian with marigold flowers and rose petals. He is then scheduled to attend a meeting of the party's top leaders at BJP headquarters, many of whom are expected to join his new cabinet. Among those expected to attend Saturday's meeting is Arun Jaitley, tipped by many to become the new finance minister. Party president Rajnath Singh, seen as a potential interior minister, will chair the meeting. Although the line-up of his government may not become clear for several days, its main task will be to fire up the economy, which has seen growth slide to less than five percent from nine percent two years ago. Business leaders have been among his most enthusiastic supporters and the Mumbai stock exchange has seen share prices soar over the last month. His victory was likely greeted with less enthusiasm by Western governments who boycotted Modi for a decade in the aftermath of the 2002 riots that left more than 1,000 people -- mainly Muslims -- dead. US President Barack Obama on Friday telephoned to invite him \"to visit Washington at a mutually agreeable time\" and the White House confirmed that a former visa ban targeting him would be overturned. Earlier British Prime Minister David Cameron rang Modi to invite him to London, while Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharif hailed an \"impressive victory\". There have been fears that a victory for Modi and his Hindu nationalist BJP could signal bumpy times ahead for India and Pakistan, which have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947. AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/655639-indian-stocks-surge-to-record-high-on-modi-poised-for-victory.html","content":" - MUMBAI - India's stock market jumped more than six percent to a record high of 25,000 points on Friday as business-friendly opposition leader Narendra Modi looked set for a landslide victory in national elections. The benchmark Bombay Stock Exchange index, known as the Sensex, rose 6.06 percent to 25,353.16 in morning trade as vote counting showed Modi and his right-wing party would vault to power. \"Markets are following indications that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies will have a thumping victory. This is crucial for their ability to push key reforms,\" said Harendra Kumar, head of brokerage Elara Capital. Banks were leading the gainers, with Canara Bank surging 21.57 percent to 406.60 rupees, followed by Andhra Bank, which jumped 16.17 percent to 83.35 rupees. The rupee also surged 1.14 percent to 58.52 against the dollar from its previous close of 59.29. The currency has been strengthening in recent weeks on expectations that Modi would win the marathon six-week election and introduce structural reforms to turn the economy around. It has now risen 17.45 percent since it sank to a record low of 68.85 in August with investors fretting about a fiscal deficit crisis and waning confidence as the government struggled to boost growth in the face of global economic turmoil. Markets have risen 5.0 percent in the past week as heady -- many say unrealistic -- optimism has returned after low business investment and economic growth, rising food prices and corruption. India's central bank said it has contingency plans ready to deal with any excessive volatility in the markets from the election results. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Raghuram Rajan said it has discussed plans with the finance ministry and the stock market regulator. \"We are ready for any fallout with the change of the government. We are also ready for any volatility in the markets,\" Rajan said after the RBI's board meeting on Thursday. Modi looked set on Friday to sweep to victory in the national polls, riding a wave of public support for his message of jobs, development and revival of an economy that is growing at a decade low. Modi's BJP is heading for its best ever result in the parliamentary vote after 10 years of rule by the leftist Congress party and the Gandhi political dynasty. Vote counting started at 8:00 am (0230 GMT). AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/655423-sa-s-zuma-dedicates-election-win-to-mandela.html","content":" - JOHANNESBURG - South African President Jacob Zuma Saturday dedicated his ANC's landslide victory in this week's elections to Nelson Mandela, 20 years to the day after the late liberation leader's inauguration. \"We dedicate our victory to Madiba's memory, and pledge to continue taking forward his legacy and that of his peers and forebears,\" Zuma said, using Mandela's clan name. The party's 62.15 percent share of the vote meant an \"overwhelming mandate\" for a fifth term in government since the end of white-minority rule, said Zuma, speaking publicly for the first time on the vote results. Nostalgia for the father of the nation, who died last December, helped bring support for the ruling party in Wednesday's polls despite a series of corruption scandals, galloping unemployment and economic doldrums. Marking two decades to the day since Mandela became South Africa's first black president, Zuma said: \"The victory also reaffirms that the ANC remains the only true hope for the majority of our people, particularly the poor and the working class.\" The results assured the ruling party 249 seats in the 400-member parliament, while main opposition the centrist Democratic Alliance's (DA) 22.23 percent gave it 89. New radical left-wing party the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) came third with 6.35 percent, propelling its inflammatory leader Julius Malema into parliament. Anti-apartheid veteran Mamphela Ramphele, a former World Bank managing director, garnered two seats for her Agang party after a disappointing performance. Over 73 percent of the 25.4 million registered voters cast their ballot. Speaking at the main election tallying centre in Pretoria before dashing to a victory rally in Johannesburg, Zuma set the tone for the incoming administration. He pledged to continue programmes to improve the delivery of basic services to millions of South Africans and roll out massive new infrastructure projects. Zuma, 72, is assured of a second five-year term despite controversies like $23 million in state-paid upgrades to his private home in Nkandla in the country's rural east. A state watchdog in March found he had unduly benefited from the renovations. Later at the victory party he danced on stage with ANC leaders while local artists performed to the cheers of a few thousand supporters wearing the organisation's green, black and gold colours. He then triumphantly blasted critics in unusually vitriolic terms for focusing on his home upgrades. \"Many newspapers wrote about the failures of the ANC. Opposition (parties) forgot to talk about themselves and spent their time talking about ANC in an attempt to confuse people of this country,\" said Zuma. \"There's nothing wrong with Nkandla, there's something wrong with them!\" he said to laughs. ANC supporters celebrate the victory of their party at the Peoples Park at the Moses Mabhida Football stadium in Durban. PHOTO/AFP President Zuma danced during this address after the ANC election victory. PHOTO/AFP Voting irregularities The ANC's support fell slightly from the 65.9 percent it won in 2009 elections, as opposed to the DA's improvement on its previous tally of 16.66 percent. The DA also strengthened its position in the Western Cape province, the only one governed by an opposition party. The ANC's share of the vote also plunged in economic heartland, Gauteng province, from 64 percent to 54 percent, where personal scandals surrounding the president have been a liability for the party. Results trickled in last for Gauteng, which also has the highest number of voters, raising allegations of vote-rigging from the EFF and historical ANC rival the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). The military deployed overnight Friday in Johannesburg's Alexandra township and police arrested 59 people for public violence after residents burnt tyres and barricaded streets over alleged voter fraud. Police reported no casualties. Thousands died in clashes between ANC and IFP supporters in the early 1990s during negotiations to end white-minority rule and Alexandra was one of the hotspots. In allegations reminiscent of those dying days of apartheid, the IFP said ballot papers had been transported in a car with ANC-branding. \"There were irregularities during the voting process,\" senior IFP Muzi Ntuli told AFP. Provincial ANC spokesman Nkenke Kekana meanwhile accused the IFP of being sore losers after conceding two key districts to the ruling party. \"For the first time since 1994 the ANC managed to win those voting districts from the IFP. That is the source of the violence,\" he told AFP. Riots flared up again briefly on Saturday night and police fired teargas to disperse a small group, according to police spokesman Neville Malila. Malema called on people in Alexandra to \"accept defeat\" for the sake of peace, despite the ANC using \"mafia tactics to win Gauteng.\" AFP RELATED STORIES Anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela dies World icon Nelson Mandela: 1918 - 2013 Will Mandela's gravesite remain off limits? Mandela look-alike vows to carry on legacy"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/654441-nrm-s-mutonyi-wins-bubulo-seat.html","content":" - By Joseph Wanzusi In Manafwa   National Resistance Movement (NRM) party flag bearer Rose Masaaba Mutonyi has won the Bubulo County West Parliamentary by-election in Manafwa district after trouncing four men with a landslide victory.   “I Kizindo Ibrahim Salim as returning officer for Manafwa district and in accordance with Section 58(1) of the Parliamentary Elections Act 2005 declare Mutonyi Masaaba Rose the elected Member of Parliament for Bubulo County West constituency,” the returning officer announced at 10.12 pm at the tallying centre set up at Red Cross Hall in Manafwa Town Council.   There were ululations in the hall and outside  with Mutonyi’s supporters who included several Members of Parliament . They congratulated her as a chanting crowd sang victory songs in Lumasaaba and danced around the fully packed hall where the Police commanded by Grace Turyagumanawe provided tight security.    The polls held on Thursday saw Mutonyi collecting 29,135 votes representing 83.5 percent of votes cast followed by a Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate Ahamadah Wakhweya who got 3,270 votes with Joseph Masolo Bufwambu (Independent) trailing in third position with 1,684 votes.   The Democratic Party (DP) candidate Paul Butita collected 662 votes while Emma Mwiyikinwa who stood on an Independent ticket polled a miserable 128 votes.   One election loser Butita who witnessed the announcement of the polling results told The New Vision that he will not accept the outcome of the by-election describing it as a fraudulent exercise that according to him was marred by election malpractices.   Butiita cited an incident at Shitibo polling station in Kaato sub-county where  election officials were allegedly caught in ballot stuffing and another polling station in Nalondo sub-county where the number ballot papers cast was more than the number of voters on the register.    The Electoral Commission closed both polling stations and the presiding officer at Shitibo together with other polling officials were handed over to the Police.   Another election loser Joseph Masolo Bufwambu also said the exercise although peaceful was fraudulent and hastened to add that he has intentions of lodging a petition to challenge the results considering that the area has been doing without a representative in the ninth Parliament.   The excited winner told The New Vision that her first priority will focus on health improvement especially for mothers and promised to buy an ambulance for Bugobero Health Centre IV adding every month she will save Sh5m from her salary toward supporting students who want to join tertiary institutions from poor families in the constituency."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/647703-three-sisters-killed-in-kasese-landslides.html","content":" - By John B. Thawite & John Nzinjah  A family in Kasese has been left childless after their three children were buried alive by a mudslide in Kabukero village, Mahango Sub County, Kasese district.  According to the Mahango LC 3 chairman, Stephen Muthekengwa, the tragic incident occurred at the home of one Mbaju Bisusi at about 7:30pm.  The bodies of the children had by Thursday evening been removed after residents dug deep into the rubble for hours.  The children, identified only as Masika, 5 and her sisters Biira and Kabugho, were trapped in the house during the evening down pour when the mudslide occurred.  Their parents were reportedly away at the time of the incident, only to be informed that their only three children were being buried alive under the wet, rolling earth.  This is the third time children are killed by mudslides in Mahango sub-county as result of heavy down pour.  In 2012 four people were killed while in 2011 five children perished under similar circumstances.  Communication along the Kasese-Kilembe road was paralysed for several hours when heavy mudslides, mixed with boulders, broke downhill, blocking the road.  By Thursday afternoon, Terrain Construction Company were still clearing the sections of the road.  Several gardens of food and cash crops, including bananas, were destroyed in the mudslides, spelling looming famine."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/647344-kagame-s-rpf-party-wins-parliamentary-polls.html","content":" - KIGALI - Rwanda's ruling party secured a predicted landslide win in parliamentary elections, officials said Tuesday, cementing its nearly two-decade-old grip over the central African nation. The National Election Commission said the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) of President Paul Kagame, in charge of the country since ending the genocide nearly 20 years ago, had won over 76 percent of the vote in Monday's polls. The RPF faced no serious opposition, as only a handful of small parties or independent candidates were attempting to scrape a few seats in parliament while prominent opposition figures were sidelined. With Rwanda's economy one of the continent's fastest growing, the government has dismissed critics of its democratic credentials and has been keen to show off the elections as a display of national unity. \"I didn't expect anything else,\" Rwandan Green Party leader Frank Habineza told AFP. \"There wasn't any real opposition in this election so there is not going to be any opposition in parliament.\" The opposition Green Party was given official recognition last month but chose not to field candidates as it said it did not have time to prepare. \"The outcome was a foregone conclusion as the RPF is much much bigger than any other party,\" said regional analyst Frederick Golooba-Mutebi, who explained that politics in Rwanda was \"practised along a consensus-based model\". The Election Commission said the Social Democrats and Liberals -- on paper independent but in practice broadly pro-RPF -- had scored 13 and 9.3 percent respectively. The PS-Imberakuri party, whose former leader Bernard Ntaganda was jailed in 2010 for crimes against state security and \"sectarianism\", had failed to muster even one percent. Another opposition group, the Unified Democratic Forces, is not recognised. It was set up in exile and is led by Victoire Ingabire, who is currently appealing an April conviction for conspiracy and minimising the extent of the 1994 genocide. The group has said the elections have \"no legitimacy\". President Kagame's future? The small nation was left in ruins by the genocide of 1994, in which close to a million people, mostly from the ethnic Tutsi minority, were butchered by Hutu extremists. It was Kagame's RPF, at the time a rebel army, which halted the killing, and the group has dominated the country ever since. Rwanda has been transformed in the past two decades, with powerful economic growth, a booming private sector, the strangling of corruption and low crime rates credited to Kagame's strong rule. The World Bank now ranks the country as among the best places in Africa to do business. Attention is now likely to shift to President Kagame himself, a former rebel leader who appears as astute in office as he was on the battlefield, and who under the constitution can only serve two terms as president. Kagame is already into his second mandate and the next presidential elections are due in 2017, although there is already speculation over whether he may try to stay in office beyond that date, or if he will soon start to nurture a successor from within the RPF. With the RPF dominating parliament and turnout in the polls reported to have been 98.8 percent, Kagame appears to be under no pressure. Out of the 80 seats up for grabs in parliament, 53 were directly elected and 27 are reserved for women, the youth and handicapped -- who are indirectly elected by local and national councils on Tuesday and Wednesday. This configuration has ensured that Rwanda has the only parliament where women are in a majority -- 56.3 percent after the last elections. In the last parliament the RPF held 42 out of the 53 directly elected seats, while deputies holding the indirectly elected seats, although in principle non-partisan, have been supportive of the majority. AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/646539-landslides-wipe-out-2-000-acres-of-coffee-in-bududa.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu It is said that “It never rains but it pours”. This saying is so true as far as Bududa is concerned. First, it was the landslides – mini and major - then the falling prices of coffee and now entire coffee plantations are wiped away. This disaster that has struck Bududa and other districts surrounding Mt. Elgon is expected to impact on the Arabica coffee output and the disposable income of farmers this season. In Bududa, hailstorms and mini-landslides have destroyed wide acreage of coffee trees in the sub-counties of Bushiyi, Bumayoka and Bukalasi this month. In Mbale district, mini-landslides swept away coffee plantations on the slope facing up Wanale Ridge in Bubyangu sub-county, while landslides destroyed more coffee trees in Tegeres, Kapchorwa district, recently. Beatrice Kiboona, a coffee farmer in Bushiyi explained that she lost four acres of coffee that were stripped bare during a recent hailstorm in the area. “I had 2,500 coffee trees and they were all destroyed in the disaster. Each season, I used to get between sh2.5m to sh3m from sale of parchment, depending on the market prices. Coffee has been my sole source of income,” Kiboona said. Mathias Nabutele, the proprietor of A Coffee Cup, a local coffee purchasing firm, explained that the latest disasters destroyed all the mature coffee cherries that were ripening. Nabutele explained that Bududa supplies about 25% of the total parchment in the region. He said the repeated disasters had dealt a blow to the output. “Considering that these disasters struck at the start of the harvest season, we have lost over 5,000 metric tonnes of high value coffee parchment in Bushiyi alone, and the figure could double with the other sub-counties combined. This means some farmers are going to have zero output on the market,” Nabutele stressed. The Arabica coffee harvest season which started this month is expected to peak in October. An assessment report by the Uganda Red Cross Society Indicates that the recent hailstorm destroyed 2,306 acres of various crops in Bushiyi sub-county alone. Moses Siisa, the LC3 chairperson for Bushiyi sub-county explained that unlike the previous disaster that destroyed only cherries, the recent hailstorm destroyed the coffee trees, too. “The hailstorm led to the peeling off of the bark of the coffee trees, all of them are going to dry up and necessitate re-planting. Coffee trees start yielding after four years,” Siisa said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/646328-1-6-million-families-face-landslide-risk.html","content":" - By Moses Nampala A rumbling noise sent chills down the spine of Yorokamu Cheplagat, 78. He had never heard about a landslide in his district, Kapchorwa. Then came an explosion, with a heavy tremor, prompting him to jump out of bed and bolt out of the house. “My son, I saw a huge rock about the size of a car rolling and flattening the main house and kitchen,”Cheplagat recounts. Then all hell broke loose. A gigantic mound of soil from the top of the hill drifted down, covering the rubble of the flattened main house and kitchen. Simon Kakwilat, 35, had an even more scary experience. As he and his wife fled the house, they forgot to wake up their eight-year-old son, Leonard Chebet. The herd of 10 goats, tethered in the kitchen were crushed to death, but miraculously little Chebet survived unscathed and was pulled out of the rubble. The above episodes are  just part of what transpired two weeks ago, on the morning of August 1, in Kaplabete village, Kaserem sub-county, in Kapchorwa district. Four other villages that constitute Weere parish, in Kaserem sub-county were affected. Red cross regional manager Stephen Wamakota, said 33 households with a population of 367 people were affected. “The August 1, 2013 incident is merely a pointer, a time bomb, that may explode any time and wipe out all these people,” Wamakota  warns. A team of geologists that for the last one year has been undertaking a compressive study of the calamity, is not surprised by the growing threat of landslides. According to scientists from Busitema University and Katholieku University Leveun of Beligum, who have been undertaking a comprehensive study on landslides around Mt Elgon range, at least 1,631,957 families occupying an area of 332,280 hectares are at a risk of being swept away or buried by landslides. “The soil particles in the Elgon mountain ranges are porous. Like a piece of sponge, they can easily absorb water (rain) but cannot hold it,” explains Dr. Moses  Isabirye, Busitema University dean of faculty of natural resources and science. Isabirye adds that the landslide-prone areas have a thin layer of soil, which can easily slide off. This is worsened by population pressure. “The increased human activity has seen a sizeable proportion of the ecosystem (vegetation) considerably cleared as people seek to acquire more land for farming,” says Alice Nakiyemba, a socio-economist at Busitema University. The scientists point out that the indigenous cordia tree species is becoming depleted yet it has traditionally protected the mountain ranges against landslides. The tree has a unique root system that holds the soil. Where a landslide occurs despite presence of cordia, the tree remains standing. The scientists recommend that Cordia should be re-planted throughout the landslide-prone areas. They are also mapping out the areas and coding them according to the degree of landslide risk. They recommend that the Government relocates people from the high-risk areas to low-risk areas and also identify alternative economic activities to divert people away from farming, which would reduce the risk of landslides. “After soil sampling exercise, we shall make appropriate conservation methods,” says Filip Vanderhoydonks, a bio-engineer at Katholieku University Leveun."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/645944-another-landslide-in-bududa.html","content":" - By Joseph Wanzusi and Paul Watala  A four-year-old child has been confirmed dead after a hailstorm Saturday ravaged several villages causing multiple mudslides and floods in Bushiyi sub-county in Bududa district.   At least 17 other injured persons have been admitted to Bududa Hospital.   Bududa LC5 chairman John Baptist Nambeshe identified the child as John Mangoye, the son of Stephen Waninga a resident of Matuwa parish. The child’s body was found buried under a heap of hailstones.   Nambeshe said an unspecified number mostly children, the elderly and disabled were still unaccounted for and feared dead. He said the affected area was by 6.00 p.m not accessible after River Manafwa burst its banks destroying gardens and flooding several homesteads in the landslide prone district.   He said the ferocious water of River Manafwa has also destroyed the Bukigai- Nalwanza bridge that was constructed recently at a cost of Sh320m under  the Peace Recovery and Development Programme (PRDP) funds. He said over 10,000 people may require urgent resettlement as more details of the disaster come to light.   Nambeshe appealed to the office of the Prime Minister to implement the urbanization resettlement programme in the district as agreed upon by government, district leaders and the affected communities.   According to a principal nursing officer at Bududa hospital Zeles Nabusayi Wakubona,  among those admitted is a 55-year-old Peretina Nabifo of Namirumba village who was hit on the chest after the walls of the house in which she took shelter crumbled and hit her on the chest.   Wakubona who said the hospital ambulance had gone to pick more injured people from Bushibuya Trading Centre about a kilometer away from the disaster area identified the injured children as Anjela Nabushawo, Derrick Kutosi, Justine Nafuna, Newumbe and Watsemba.   Bulucheke sub-county LC 5 councillor Geoffrey Natubu who visited the disaster area said the badly affected villages in Bushiyi sub-county include Namirumba, Matuwa, Nabooti and Bufuuma.     It is exactly a year since the last landslide, where according to Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS), eight people were buried at Bunakasala parish in Bududa district in June 2012.   A URCS report identified the deceased persons as Patrick Bwaya, 44, Jessica Wandeka, 35, Zaina Wandeka, 4, Fred Wangoko, 10,Esau Namugoye, 6, Fred Washiwuku, 4, Night Kimono, 30, and Kevin Wandeba. The relief body URCS also established that 735 people in the disaster-stricken parish  fled their homes due to the emergence of cracks while 3,368 people in the neighbouring villages in Mabayaam, Bunamulembwa, Walwayi and Bumakakha were at high risk. Farmers count their losses after the hailstorm. PHOTO BY PAUL WATALA   FACTFILE: Bududa landslides   02.03. 2011 - A landslide swept the slopes of Mt. Elgon in eastern Uganda erasing three villages in Bududa district known as Kubehwo, Namangasa and Nametsi located in Bukalasi sub-county. 92 bodies out of the 365 people were recovered and only 31 survivors were rescued from the three affected villages.   25.06.2012 - Heavy landslide occurred in landslide at Bunakasala parish, Bududa district sweeping through four villages after a heavy downfall in the area for two days. According to URCS 8 persons went missing, nine were injured, 72 survived, 15 houses were buried and 448 people were staying in high risk areas."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/645917-zimbabwe-s-mdc-challenges-mugabe-re-election-in-court.html","content":" - HARARE - Zimbabwe's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) challenged President Robert Mugabe's landslide re-election in the top court on Friday, calling for a re-run of the July 31 vote it says was rigged. Lawyers for the MDC, which is led by Mugabe's defeated rival Morgan Tsvangirai, filed papers with the Constitutional Court in Harare arguing the election should be annulled because of widespread alleged illegalities and intimidation of voters. Western governments have questioned the vote's credibility. \"We want a fresh election within 60 days. The prayer that we also seek is to declare the election null and void,\" MDC spokesman Douglas Mwonzora told journalists outside the court. Zimbabwe's electoral commission announced last weekend that Mugabe, Africa's oldest leader at 89, beat Tsvangirai with just over 61 percent of the votes against his rival's nearly 34 percent. The outcome extends for five more years Mugabe's 33-year rule in the southern African state once known as Rhodesia. Zimbabwe's constitution says the court must rule on the case within 14 days. Analysts predict the MDC legal challenge is unlikely to prosper because they say Mugabe's ZANU-PF party dominates the judiciary and state institutions. Mwonzora said the MDC was also preparing a legal challenge against the two-thirds majority in parliament won by ZANU-PF. \"Some High Court judges could back up MDC claims to seats in specific constituencies, but ZANU-PF's control of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and the Constitutional Court make any re-run very unlikely,\" Mark Rosenberg, senior Africa analyst for the Eurasia Group, wrote in a briefing note this week. Another defeated presidential contender, Welshman Ncube, called the MDC challenge futile. Tsvangirai was not present in court and the filing of the papers was a low-key event, with no public demonstration by MDC followers to back it. There was no visible police presence, but workers and soldiers peeped out through windows from the Zimbabwe Defence Forces headquarters across the road. ZANU-PF has denied any vote-rigging in the election, which Tsvangirai, who had served as Mugabe's prime minister in a fractious unity government, has dismissed as a \"huge fraud\" and a \"coup by ballot\". \"The person on trial here is not the MDC but Mr. Mugabe. Zimbabweans expect nothing but justice,\" Mwonzora said. Mugabe will be sworn in only after the case is decided. While election observers from the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) broadly approved the presidential and parliamentary elections as orderly and free, the vote has been met with serious scepticism from the West. The United States, which maintains sanctions against Mugabe, has said it does not believe his re-election was credible. The European Union, which has been looking at easing sanctions, has also expressed concerns over alleged serious flaws in the vote. \"DUPLICATED VOTERS NAMES\" In its arguments to the court seeking a re-run and detailing irregularities in the July 31 vote, the MDC alleged hundreds of thousands of voters were turned away, and that the voters' roll was flawed, containing at least 870,000 duplicated names. In its assessment, Zimbabwe's leading domestic observers' body, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), had already called the election \"seriously compromised\", saying registration flaws may have disenfranchised up to a million people. ZESN also cast doubt on the authenticity of the voters' roll, noting that 99.97 percent of voters in the countryside - Mugabe's main source of support - were registered, against just 67.94 percent in the mostly pro-Tsvangirai urban areas. Ncube, leader of a smaller MDC faction who won only about three percent of the presidential vote, said he would not be bothering to challenge the election outcome. He argued that the Constitutional Court had already shown its pro-Mugabe political colours when last month it rejected a bid to postpone the July 31 election date. Regional diplomatic grouping SADC had requested a postponement, arguing that this would allow more time to better prepare for a credible poll. \"The futility of going to the courts must be read with the Constitutional Court ruling, which led to the frog marching of Zimbabweans into an election for which ZEC (the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission) were ill prepared to run,\" Ncube said. \"Taking this matter to court will be akin to going to Robert Mugabe and asking him to reverse his 'victory',\" Ncube said. Mugabe, a former liberation fighter who has ruled Zimbabwe since he won 1980 elections that ended white minority rule, has rejected Western criticism of his re-election."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/645723-mugabe-re-elected-in-disputed-zimbabwe-vote.html","content":" - HARARE - President Robert Mugabe won a landslide victory in Zimbabwe's disputed election, officials results showed Saturday, as opponents vowed to challenge the poll which the US said was not \"credible\". Mugabe, 89, appeared poised to extend his 33-year rule with a seventh term in office after trouncing his long-standing political rival, Morgan Tsvangirai, in Wednesday's election. Official results showed Mugabe won 61 percent of the presidential vote and a super-majority in parliament, routing Tsvangirai who trailed heavily with 34 percent. But 61-year-old Tsvangirai, who has unsuccessfully tried to unseat Mugabe three times, condemned the vote as \"fraudulent and stolen\". US Secretary of State John Kerry meanwhile issued a statement Saturday describing the election as \"deeply flawed\". \"The United States does not believe that the results announced today represent a credible expression of the will of the Zimbabwean people,\" Kerry said. Tsvangirai vowed to challenge the result in court and said his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) would boycott government institutions. \"We will not join government,\" he said. \"We will go to court.\" \"The fraudulent and stolen election has plunged Zimbabwe into a constitutional, political and economic crisis.\" He defended the MDC's decision to enter into an uneasy power-sharing government with Mugabe, who has had him arrested, beaten and charged with treason. \"Our participation rescued this country. Schools had closed, hospitals had closed. We were using the Zimbabwe dollar which was worthless, there were no goods in the shops, everyone was desperate,\" he said. But furious at the alleged scale of rigging this time round, Tsvangirai said the days of cohabitation were over. The MDC now has until Wednesday to present evidence of fraud to the high court, but finding a smoking gun may prove difficult. Tsvangirai said he would submit a dossier of \"all irregularities and all the illegalities\" to the influential 15-member Southern African Development Community (SADC) and called for an urgent summit. Kerry said there had been irregularities in the provision and composition of the voters roll, adding: \"The parties had unequal access to state media. The security sector did not safeguard the electoral process on an even-handed basis.\" British Foreign Secretary William Hague added his own \"grave concerns\" over the conduct of the vote in the former colony. The European Union, which had been moving toward easing long-standing sanctions, expressed concern about \"incomplete participation, as well as the identified weaknesses in the electoral process and a lack of transparency\". But Emmerson Mnangagwa, defence minister and a key Mugabe lieutenant, hit back at these accusations and argued the result was a game-changer. \"The West will now have to climb down, they must find a ladder and climb down... A democratic election has taken place in Zimbabwe,\" he told AFP. Zimbabwe's neighbours have given the vote qualified approval. The SADC, which engineered the power-sharing government, said it was \"free and peaceful\". \"We did not say it was fair ... we didn't want to jump to a conclusion,\" said top SADC election observer Bernard Membe. However, the poll's credibility was further called into question by the resignation of one of the nine official electoral commissioners. In a letter seen by AFP, Mkhululi Nyathi quit over \"the manner\" in which the polls \"were proclaimed and conducted\". \"While throughout the whole process I retained some measure of hope that the integrity of the whole process could be salvaged along the way, this was not to be, hence my considered decision to resign,\" she said. Tsvangirai stopped short of calling his supporters onto the streets, fearing a repeat of the bloody crackdown that followed his win in the first round of 2008 polls. And in Harare late Saturday, there was calm, with little sign of protests or pro-Mugabe victory rallies. \"In 2008 we voted in anger, but this time we knew what we were doing, having experienced the two leaders -- we now know who has the qualities to be a leader,\" said barber Right Chirombe, 28. Even before the official election results, Mugabe followers were planning how to use a parliamentary majority. \"The new constitution will need cleaning up,\" said Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa, referring to a text overwhelmingly approved in March that introduced term limits and curbed presidential powers. Chinamasa said Mugabe's government would also press on with controversial efforts to bring firms under black ownership. Investors have expressed fears that may mean rolling back the power-sharing government's efforts to stabilise the economy after crippling hyperinflation and joblessness. \"It's back to extreme volatility,\" Iraj Abedian, the CEO of Pan African Investments, told AFP from Johannesburg. \"We can expect fairly radical positions that will have populist support, but which will have huge implications.\""}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/645664-mugabe-party-claims-zimbabwe-election-win-mdc-cries-fraud.html","content":" - HARARE - President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party claimed a landslide victory on Thursday in Zimbabwe's elections, but its rival, Prime Minster Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), said there had been \"monumental fraud\". Wednesday's voting was peaceful across the southern African nation, but the early conflicting claims from the two sides heralded an acrimonious dispute over the outcome and raised fears of a repeat of violence that marred a 2008 election. Releasing unofficial results early in Zimbabwe is illegal, and police have said they will arrest anybody who makes premature claims about the result. Election authorities were due to announce results within five days from Wednesday. But a senior source in Mugabe's ZANU-PF party, who asked not to be named, said the outcome was already clear. \"We've taken this election. We've buried the MDC. We never had any doubt that we were going to win,\" the source told Reuters by phone on Thursday. Riot police took up positions outside the party's headquarters in central Harare and other key locations in the capital. MDC offices appeared to be almost deserted. An independent election monitor in Zimbabwe, who also could not be named for fear of arrest, said early results were looking like a \"disaster\" for Tsvangirai, who was making his third bid to unseat the 89-year-old Mugabe. Responding to the ZANU-PF claim, a high-ranking source in Tsvangirai's MDC party described the election as \"a monumental fraud\". \"Zimbabweans have been taken for a ride by ZANU-PF and Mugabe. We do not accept it,\" the source, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters. The MDC was to hold an emergency meeting later on Thursday. PEACEFUL, BUT FREE AND FAIR? Several political sources told Reuters key MDC members had lost their seats, even in the capital, Tsvangirai's main support base since he burst onto the political scene 15 years ago. The head of an African Union observer mission said late on Wednesday the polls appeared at first glance to be \"peaceful, orderly and free and fair\" - an assessment at odds with the view of the MDC and of independent entities monitoring the poll. In Thursday, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), the leading domestic monitoring agency, said the credibility of the poll was seriously compromised by large numbers of voters being turned away from polling stations in MDC strongholds. \"It is not sufficient for elections to be peaceful for elections to be credible,\" ZESN chairman Solomon Zwana told a news conference. \"They must offer all citizens... an equal opportunity to vote.\" The United States, which has sanctions in place against Mugabe, had also expressed concern before Wednesday about the credibility of the vote, citing persistent pro-ZANU-PF bias in the state media and partisan security forces. Other worries centred on the voters' roll, which was meant by law to be released in electronic form to all parties before the poll, but which has still not been made available."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/644227-office-of-the-prime-minister-life-after-bududa-landslides.html","content":" - Office of the Prime Minister, Department of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees in collaboration with Kiryandongo district local government and the Bududa community currently resettled in Panyadoli hills, Kiryandongo June 2013 jointly wish to celebrate the “LIFE AFTER BUDUDA LANDSLIDES”. This event is organized by the Office of the Prime Minister and will raise awareness about, promoting social responsibility for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and, mobilize the wider public to get involved and take ownership of the processes that create disaster resilience. The event will be celebrated with prayer by the key religious groups and speeches from the key government officials from Office of the Prime Minister and, Kiryandongo district local government. Click here for more.. A feature on “life after Bududa Landslide farmland Office of the Prime Minister provided relief food for the resettlers for a period of 10 months and after the demarcation and allocation of plots, the Office supported the resettlers to open up and plough agricultural land. The cash for work methodology was used to provide income for the resettlers by engaging them in clearing their own land and paying them. Tractors were then hired to plough 1 acre per household, seeds and other planting materials were also provided to the resettlers. The resettlers are currently not only food secure but also contribute significantly to the food production in the region IDP in Bulucheke Camp receiving relief items from government and other humanitarian agencies   Click here for more .."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/640105-kiryandongo-gets-sh307m-from-mtn-kampala-marathon.html","content":" - By James Bakama Eight villages in Kiryandongo occupied by people relocated from the 2011 Bududa landslides are to get a 66% boost in clean water from proceeds of the 2012 MTN Kampala marathon. A total of sh307m will be used to increase the water supply from the existing three boreholes to ten, explained Uganda Red Cross Secretary General Michael Nataka. Nataka outlined the plans on Friday after receiving a dummy cheque from MTN Uganda CEO Mazen Mroue at a breakfast event held at Serena Hotel. The Red Cross will oversee the project implementation. Last year, MTN partnered with Red Cross, Pinnacle Security, Uganda Athletics Federation, Vision Group, Huawei, Rwenzori Beverages and Uganda Police to organize the ninth edition of the marathon. Annual Marathon grows The annual marathon has grown from an event that started off with 1500 entrants to one that at times attracts 20,000 runners. “MTN and our partners are committed to enhancing development in the communities in which we do business, not just by providing universal access to communication, but through provision of essential necessities,” said Mroue. The Bududa landslides caused significant damage to farmland, crops and livestock and claimed over 400 human lives before displacing an estimated 5000 people. Over sh700m has over the last nine years been raised from the marathon to help the less privileged in various parts of Uganda. Proceeds from the 2011 event were used for provision of clean water to Amuria district. Ernst Fonternel, the MTN Chief Marketing Officer, promised an even better marathon this year."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/640078-mtn-marathon-9th-edition-proceeds-award.html","content":" - MTN Uganda in partnership with the Red Cross, Pinnacle Security, Uganda Athletics Federation(UAF), The New Vision, Huawei, Rwenzori Beverages and the Uganda Police has handed over UGX. 307,660,500 Million to assist the people who were displaced by landslides in Bududa. The money was raised from the 9th edition of the MTN Kampala Marathon that took place on 25th November 2012 and a donation drive campaign on the MTN social media sites. The theme of last year’s marathon was; Run with your heart and the proceeds were earmarked for providing clean and safe water for the people of Bududa district who were displaced by the landslides that claimed several lives. The displaced people were relocated by government to Kiryandongo in 2011. Read full release here"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/639202-bududa-stars-def-y-landslide-scare.html","content":" - By Joseph Wanzusi Their school, Arlington Junior School, in Bududa district, was threatened by a landslide that killed two people last June. However, Godfrey Natseli, Anthony Kuloba, John Walububa and Aziza Kibone overcame the shock to excel in last year’s Primary Leaving Examination.   “After the landslide killed the two parents of the school in Bumwalukani village in Bulucheke sub-county, we lived and studied in fear that perhaps our school would be struck anytime,” Natseli, who scored aggregate 5, said.   Natseli, 13, says he wants to join Uganda Martyr’s Namugongo and pursue science subjects with the ambition of becoming a medical doctor in future.   Anthony Kuloba, 14, who aspires to join King’s College Budo, attributes his success to determination, hard work and support from his teachers.    He scored aggregate 5, “I am the eldest child in a family of eight and my parents, being primary school teachers, played a big part in tutoring me during weekends and holidays,” Kuloba who also aspires to study science subjects, and become a doctor, said.   Kibone, 14, who was the best female candidate at the school with aggregate 8, says teachers helped her build self- confidence.   She wants to join Iganga Girls and wants become an accountant in future. “I have heard a lot of stories concerning corruption involving accountants in public offices. I want to join the profession to make a positive change,” Kibone promised.   For 13-year-old Joel John Walububa, scoring aggregate 7 in a rural school in the hilly Bududa district was no mean achievement since Arlington Junior School is a day school."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/638112-environment-minister-decries-slow-climate-talks-at-doha.html","content":" - By Gerald Tenywa in Qatar   Water and Environment minister Ephraim Kamuntu has described the negotiations on climate change as slow and that it has not helped people locked in misery brought by calamities like landslides.    “Negotiations at Doha have been slow and expected results are yet to be achieved. As we engage in prolonged discussions, climate change induced impacts are inflicting misery on people,” Kamuntu said, citing Uganda, where many people have been buried by landslides, following heavy rains.   He was addressing a session attended by delegates and Government representatives from over 200 countries at the 18th Conference of Parties under the UN Framework on the Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Qatar.     The two-week long meeting started on November 26 and Uganda has been engaged in negotiations under blocs such as the least developed countries and G77+China.   Kamuntu said the Government wants finalisation of the legal requirement of a five-year second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol and developed countries should fulfil their commitment to long term financing through the Green Climate Fund under the UNFCCC.   He also said developed countries should scale up their mitigation ambitions, in line with science and technology transfer given that frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are increasing.    The minister noted that Uganda has made big strides in implementing provisions of Conventions on climate change, despite economic challenges.   In 2009, the Government established the Climate Change Unit and integration of climate change in the National Development Plan.   “Efforts to mainstream climate change at sector and local government levels has been done,” he said, adding that all this demonstrates the political will of the Government and the determination of people. He called for support of the support of developed countries.    He noted that it was the fourth year, yet the new law would not take Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, until 2020. ‘‘With speed and renewed sense of urgency we should agree on international policy instrument.   Climate change is not going away. We must act and act now decisively for the survival of the human race,” Kamuntu said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/637923-three-quizzed-over-money-for-bududa-idps.html","content":" - By Steven Candia and Simon Masaba The Police have quizzed three officials from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) over the disappearance of sh1.5b meant for the Bududa landslide victims. Cyprian Dhikusoka, the principal disaster preparedness officer, his assistant Emmanuel Oketcho and the project engineer, Henry Walusimbi, were questioned on Wednesday and Thursday. The officials from the disaster preparedness management department were yesterday quizzed about accountability and alleged inflated quotations for housing units for the Bududa internally displaced persons, who were resettled at Kiryandongo. Earlier, the suspects had been summoned on charges of forgery, embezzlement, abuse of office, causing financial loss and conspiracy to defraud. Several other suspects, who include Immaculate Nyangoma and Rachael Nakiwege, all assistants to Dhikusoka, are to be quizzed. Others are Tahkker Irani (a fuel dealer) and Parbat Hikari (a stationery dealer). Efforts to get a comment from the director of the Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Directorate, Grace Akullo, were futile. But sources said detectives still had unfinished business with the three, adding that they would reappear at Kibuli on Thursday. Sources revealed that the suspects were accused of forging accountability, as well as constructing few and sub-standard houses for the IDPs. The March 2010 Bududa landslides claimed hundreds of lives and left thousands homeless, prompting the Government to relocate over 5,000 people from Bulucheke and Bukalasi sub-counties in Bududa to Kiryandongo district in October 2010. The Police has since arrested several officials in the ongoing probe where at least sh15b was allegedly deposited on the personal accounts of employees in the OPM. The Police detectives travelled to Kiryandongo last month with Dhikusoka and several other OPM officials to establish whether there was value for money in the project."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/635818-landslide-victims-ready-to-relocate.html","content":" - By Paul Watala Bududa district council has approved 13 more urban centres to be upgraded to town boards and developed for resettlement of displaced people and those living in areas that are at high risk of experiencing landslides. The district secretary for community services, Kezia Wahata, revealed this while receiving items meant for the recent Balucheke landslide survivors recently. The items were donated by Christian Fellowship Ministries. “The cabinet sub-committee on disaster-led by the third Deputy Prime Minister Gen. Moses Ali during a visit to Bududa in July, identified and recommended that several urban centres be upgraded to town boards for the resettlement of people displaced by landslides,” Wahata said. She said on September 7, the district approved 13 centres to be elevated to town board status. They include Namaitsu, Malandu, Busanza, Footo, Matenje, Bukari, Matiri, Namataile, Kuushu B, Nalwanza, Buswalikha, Randa and Bubungi. Wahata said the residents had initially attempted to resist relocation because some selfish leaders went round telling them that the Government wanted to grab their land. “We have sensitised our people and are willing to be relocated, but we are still waiting for what will come from the Office of the Prime Minister,” Wahata said. The state minister for disaster preparedness, Musa Ecweru, said the Ministry of Finance had given the go-ahead for the relocation of the affected families in the Bugisu sub-region. “We have taken long to relocate people due to lack of logistics and we could not move people into camps without food, medication and water. We have now been given the green light and the process is going on smoothly,” Ecweru said. He warned those still sneaking up the risky hills to stop doing so and appealed to the local leaders to take action against such people. Wahata said almost half of the population in Bududa was at a risk of being killed by landslides."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/635654-bududa-landslide-survivors-get-new-homes.html","content":" - By Paul Watala Bududa district local council has approved thirteen additional urban centers to be upgraded to town boards for resettlement of people displaced by landslides and those living in high risk areas.  Bududa district secretary for community services Kezia Wahata made the revelation on Tuesday as she received donations from Christian Fellowship Ministries and handed over the recent Bulucheke landslide survivors. “The Cabinet sub-committee on disaster led by 3rd deputy Prime Minister Gen. Moses Ali identified and recommended several urban/social centres to be up graded to town boards in order to remedy the resettlement of the displaced people by landslides,” Wahata said. She said that on September 7 , the Council approved Namaitsu, Malandu, Busanza, Footo, Matenje, Bukari, Matiri, Namataile, Kuushu B, Nalwanza, Buswalikha, Randa and Bubungi  town centres. Wahata said that earlier, residents had attempted to resist relocation because of some selfish leaders who were spreading word that the Government intended to grab their land. “We have preached the true gospel to our people and they are willing to be relocated any time, but we are still waiting for what will come from the office of the prime minister,” Wahata said. She said that almost half of the total population in Bududa district is seated on a time bomb and therefore need to be relocated. “These people will be going into hills in the morning and cultivate their crops and in the evening come back to safer places. We expect the government to put social services in these centres to serve our people,” she said. She hailed the Government, NGOs, persons and host families that have offered help to the affected people of Bududa, and appealed to some few people who are still resisting to be relocated to allow and save their lives. “Most of the people who were trying to resist relocation are those who had encroached on the national forest fearing that in case they allowed moving the Government will reposes the land,” she said. State minister for disaster preparedness Musa Echweru disclosed that the ministry of finance had given them a go ahead to relocate the affected families in Bugisu sub region. “We have taken long to relocate people due to lack of logistics and we could not move people into camps without food, medication, water sources as you know the challenges associated with camps. But we have now been given green light and the process is going on smoothly,” Echweru said. He warned those who are still sneaking to the risk areas in the evening to stop and appealed to the local leaders to take action against the culprits."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/635524-alengot-s-victory-excites-teachers-at-former-school.html","content":" - By Charles Jjuuko Teachers and students of St. Kalemba SS in Kayunga district are in excitement mood following a landslide victory of Proscovia Alengot Aromait in the Usuk county parliamentary by-election. The evidently excited students and teachers spent most of their time on Friday jubilating for Alengot’s victory who is a former student of the school to win a parliamentary seat.  “We are very proud of her for winning the election and we have trust in her that she will represent her constituents very well because she has the capability,” Said Juddie Kamanya a teacher and a former academic parent of Alengot. “She was a committed and honest student and during her stay here she was the news anchor of school’s news weekly bulletin,” Kamanya added. Kamanya revealed that while at school, Alengot showed interest in fighting for women’s rights through poems and news articles she used to write while at school. Students of St. Kalemba jubilate as they read a copy of the New Vision newspaper  He however, advised the young legislator to continue focusing on her education despite being in parliament. “It is impressive that Usuk residents overwhelmingly voted for Alengot and this massive support shows that they expect a lot from her,” Derrick Sserwadde S.6 who was her close friend at school said.  “We prayed for her during the campaigning period to win the election and indeed God answered our prayers to make her way to parliament at that young age,” Rapheal Guma remarked. Students at the school described Alengot as a social and an environment loving person. “She loves conserving the world and that is why she was crowned miss Wildlife of the school 2010-2011 after beating other candidates,” Lucy Laloyo S.6 said adding that they were optimistic that the young legislator will use his position as a parliamentarian to fight against people who abuse the environment. Alengot who got 10 points in last years UACE exams, was a leader of the patriotic club and outside class work she enjoyed playing volley ball and basketball as well as participating in Music Dance and Dramma. The school head teacher, Everest Baguma said in 2010, Alengot joined St. Kalemba SS in S.5 and she was one of the disciplined students in her class. “We wish her well in parliament and we are confident that she will not ashame us we already saw good leadership skills in her,” Baguma said. Students said their colleague’s victory is a clear indication that the bright future of this country now lies in the young upcoming politicians urging people in other parts of the country to emulate voters of Usuku County by supporting young politicians whom they said would transform this nation in social-economic aspects."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/635108-bududa-orphans-appeal-for-scholarships.html","content":" - By Paul Watala  Children who lost their parents in recent landslides that buried families at Nakasala village Bulucheke Sub County in Bududa district are appealing education sponsorship from the government and NGOs. The tragedy occured in June killing over 80 people and displaced a big number of people. “We are appealing to the government and any well-wisher to offer us a chance to attain good education in Kampala schools so that we can be able to look after ourselves in future. Our relatives who are looking after some us are very poor and have to look after their children,” Simon Mukwhana told the New Vision in an interview. Mukwhana who could not hold his tears from rolling down said that they are living hopeless life without better education and appealed to Good Samaritans to come to their rescue. “We sometimes escape and go back to the scene where our parents died from in the mudslide but all in vain. We get the food and clothes from government but that is not enough to see us have bright future,” he added. According to Mukhwana, some of the orphans are mistreated by their care takers. He said that some of the children who were sent to different schools that are a distance away from their homes are shunning education because of the distance. He said that their care takers cannot afford to buy all scholastic materials for them. Bududa LC5 chairperson, John Baptist Nambeshe confirmed that most of the children who lost their both their parents are living a miserable life and the district cannot afford to offer them better education since the number is quite big. He urged the government should consider giving the affected children special attention to help them attain better education."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/635063-rains-worry-bududa-residents.html","content":" - By Joseph Wanzusi People living in the landslide-prone areas of Bulambuli, Sironko, Bududa and Manafwa districts are worried as torrential rains continue to pound the hilly terrains in Bugisu sub-region. According to Bumasobo parish chief in Bumasifwa sub-county in Sironko district, residents of Bumaguze, Bumasobo, Bumukune parts of Bufaka and Bunamanda have already experienced minor mudslides where crops have been destroyed. Apollo Bubolo Mugonyi said a total of 150 people registered were ready to be relocated by government to safer areas following a landslide that hit Bugimwera village killing two people in June but to date they have not received any communication from the Prime Minister's office . “The current rains have caused Namasilili and Kigenya rivers to burst their banks killing some domestic animals while the road connecting Busulani sub-county to Bumasobo parish has been rendered impassable after Mahapa bridge was flooded,” Mugonyi said. In Manafwa district over 400 residents in several village face food shortage after a hailstorm destroyed gardens on Monday in Buwatuwa, Bukhabusi, Bukimwanga, Butiru and Namawondo parishes in Bukhabusi sub-county. Bukhabusi LC 3 boss Robert Wabwala told New Vision that Buwabwala-Bubulo and Bukhabusi- Bubulo via Namawondo roads have had their bridges damaged by flooded rivers while strong winds blew off the roof of a classroom block at Buwabwala Primary School.  In Bulambuli district, several remote villages in Bwikonge, Bukhalu and Nabbongo sub-counties have been flooded by overflowing Sisiyi river while the hilly sub-counties of Lusya, Bulago, Buginyanya, Buluganya and Namisuni can only be accessed by four-wheel drive vehicles, the district chairman Simon Peter Wananzofu said. Wananzofu complained that government promised to relocate over 25,000 households from risky to safe areas that were recently identified at Buyaga, Nabbongo and Bulegeni but implementation was still far off putting the life of the affected families in danger as rains continue to pound the area. “When the third deputy prime minister Gen. Moses Ali led a cabinet sub-committee on disaster to assess the situation it was agreed that the affected communities be relocated before the September rains start but up to now nothing has been done,” Wananzofu said. Bududa district boss John Baptist Nambeshe said the tents promised by the office of the prime minister were yet to be delivered to the district to enable affected families leave the high risk landslide prone villages. District councillor Phoebe Lubango who hails from Bulucheke sub-county said that in some landslide prone areas water was gushing out of the once dry ground a sign that rain water has percolated the soils that may easily cause massive mudslides."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/633738-gov-t-buys-land-for-bududa-survivors.html","content":" - By Joyce Namutebi                                                                                         Following devastating landslides in eastern Uganda, government is to buy land in townships around the country to resettle all the vulnerable people, Parliament has heard. Relief and disaster preparedness minister, Dr. Stephen Mallinga said this in response to queries raised by the presidential affairs committee. The committee while scrutinising the budget of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) wanted to know from the minister what new strategy his department was considering following rampant occurrence of disasters in the countryside. Mallinga explained that Cabinet had appointed a special sub-committee headed by the Third Deputy Prime Minister, Moses Ali which started work about a week ago by traversing affected areas of Bududa, Bulambuli, Sironko and Bukwo. \"Government is handling resettlement through a Cabinet sub-committee which will be resettling between 10,000 and 50,000 people every year away from the steep slopes of Mt. Elgon, Rwenzori and Muhavura ranges.\" \"The strategies will include compulsory acquisition of plots of land, urbanization of some villages and purchase of blocks of land elsewhere in the country for establishment of new settlements, similar to the Kagadi and Lake Mburo resettlement schemes,\" Mallinga added. Asked to explain the 400% increment on the vote of Government Business in Parliament, Lands minister Daudi Migereko, who led the team from OPM, said the Government approved an increment to the Office of Government Chief Whip to enable it perform its duties effectively. The budget has been increased to Sh1.297b this financial year from Sh0.32b last FY. The money will be spent on activities including development of a communication strategy, skills training of MPs and staff, constituency outreach programmes, research and study exchange programmes. Migereko explained that the office of Chief Whip has been grossly underfunded for a long time and has been depending on voluntary arrangements from those who have been providing services. The committee gave the Director of Information and National Guidance, Simon Mayende one week to provide comprehensive information about digital migration. The MPs also demanded accountability from state minister for Luwero triangle accountability for funds spent on barazas. Some MPs said they had never heard of such meetings being organised in their constituencies as the minister claimed."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/633589-bududa-district-for-urbanization.html","content":" - By Joseph Wanzusi in Bududa. People living in landslide prone areas in the hilly Bududa district have rejected relocation to other districts but opted for an urbanization proposal within the district. During a well-attended consultation meeting held at Bududa district council hall between a cabinet sub-committee led by the Third deputy premier Gen. Moses Ali, district politicians, opinion leaders and residents it was resolved that government secures land to construct apartments where people can stay but use their landslide prone land for farming. Speaker after speaker opposed the relocation of the affected people to areas outside Bududa district arguing that such a move would destroy the Bamasaaba cultural values. The cabinet sub-committee that includes several ministers, senior technical officers from the various ministries has camped in Bugisu sub-region to assess the dangers faced by people living landslide prone areas so that government can come up with appropriate intervention. Addressing the meeting, Gen Ali said to avert more deaths from landslides, government was looking at several proposals that include urbanization, securing resettlement land in Bugisu sub-region or in other areas outside Bugisu. Gen Ali ruled out the use of force to relocate the population but hastened to add that government may use the provisions of the Constitution to buy land from individuals within the district for resettlement purposes. “Urbanization will give chance to government to provide social services like health units, schools, water and road networks to the population living organized and secure environment,” Ali said. Gen. Ali was conducted around the district by the area MP David Wakikona who is also state minister for trade and co-operatives to visit proposed urbanization sites in Bushika, Bulucheke, Bubiita, Bumayoka , Bukalasi and Nakatsi sub-counties . Other proposed areas for urbanization are in Bududa Town Council, Bumasheti, Bududa, Bushiyi, Bukibokolo, Bushika , Buwali, Nalwanza and Bukigai sub sub-counties. Ali asked the people of Bududa to be patient as government mobilizes financial resources to embark on implementing the urbanization plans for resettling the affected population adding that in the meantime families are encouraged to stay in host homes. Earlier, in his remarks MP Wakikona asked government to include Bududa district among the hard to reach areas in the country in order to improve service delivery in the difficult hilly terrain."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/633273-kenya-aids-bududa-landslide-victims.html","content":" - By PAUL WATALA The Kenyan Government through Bamasaaba in Kenya, has donated relief food and non-food items worth millions of shillings to Bududa district landslide victims. The items donated included 1000 bags of maize, 200 bags of rice and 300 blankets. Silvester Muwangulu, the district commissioner of Bungoma in Kenya handed over the items to Mbale district LC5 chairperson, Bernard Mujjasi who represented the Bududa district LC5 chairperson in Mbale on Saturday. Officials from the Inzu Yabamasaba cultural union, Bududa district leaders, Uganda Red Cross Society leaders and the community members, were present and cheered and sung songs of appreciation for the aid. Muwangulu said the assistance extended to the survivors was a sign of brotherhood and showed how East African Community is growing stronger. \"That is part of our Government commitment to keep brotherhood and meaningful neighborhood,\" Muwangulu said. He explained that although Mount Elgon is being shared by two countries, the other part of the country was not experiencing frequent landslides due to massive planting of the trees and sensitization of the communities living near it. \"Ugandan Government should encourage tree planting as it is done in Kenya. We only experience challenges of rocks rolling down from the mountain. In Kenya to cut one tree you must have planted ten trees. We do not allow digging up to the top of the mountain and forest encroachment is punishable, “Muwangulu said. Mujjasi hailed the Government of Kenya and the Bamasaaba in Kenya for the assistance extended to their vulnerable brothers in Uganda. \"On Behalf of the Ugandan Government and the Bamasaaba, let me take this chance to say thank you very much for keeping the candle burning. We pray that the East African Community becomes a true dream,\" Mujjasi said. He advised the district local leaders and communities in Bududa not to sit back and only look at the donations extended to them but seriously attend to their gardens. \"Donations are a short term interventions, you need to forget what happened and accept to be relocated within Bugisu region,\" Mujjasi said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/633163-12-survive-landslides-in-mbale.html","content":" - By Joseph Wanzusi and Paul Watala A family of twelve people survived death when a huge boulder rolled down the mountain and hit the house in which they slept in Bukhamoli Village A of Wanale sub-county in Mbale district. Geoffrey Mafabi, 40, his wife Mary Kakayi, 36, and their children aged between two and 20 years had retired to bed, on Wednesday, after dinner when the rock hit their house at about 9.00pm. Torrential rains had pounded the hilly terrain the entire day. “This is the third time my house is hit, the first was during the 1997 El-nino rains, then in 2010 when water uprooted a big tree that hit my house,” Mafabi said. The chairman said the heavy rains that have lasted for three days destroyed food crops. Two houses were buried by mud while 58-households were said to be at “a very high risk” according to Steven Wamukote, the Region Red Cross programme manager for Mbale. One man said staying in a case as his home was also said to be “living dangerously.” Wanale sub-county surrounds the 25km-long ridge at the foothills of Mount Elgon. The ridge is a massive huge of lava, that culminates in the dramatic cliffs that overlook Mbale town. Residents who stay on the slopes trek uphill using the winding main road or footpaths that cut across the slopes. On June 25 a massive landslide struck several villages in the nearby Bududa district burying homes in which four bodies have so far been recovered."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/633162-hope-of-finding-missing-bududa-families-wanes.html","content":" - By Joseph Wanzusi Hopes of finding the bodies of a mother and her three children who are presumed to have died in the June 25 landslide in Bududa district are waning. Joyce Namono was buried in the landslide together with her children – Esau Namukoye, Fred Wakoko and Paul Washiwuku. Namono’s husband, Wabuteya Washiwuku, survived because he had gone to neighbouring Bumasata parish when the landslide buried his home. The chairman of the district production and natural resources committee, Geoffrey Natubu, said efforts to recover more bodies believed to have been buried under the soils may soon be called off. Since the excavation exercise kicked off over two weeks ago, only four bodies of Zaina Kalenda, 8, Kevin Wandeka, 10, Patrick Bwaya, 44 and Jessica Bwaya have been recovered and accorded decent burial. “The district authorities with support from the Prime Minister’s office, Red Cross and other agencies are now concentrating on the resettlement of displaced people who need food and shelter,” Natubu said. He said Shelter Box, an international NGO, has built tents for the displaced people in places of their (the survivors) choice instead of setting up one camp as was the case when a landslide struck Nametsi village in 2010. “Over 150 displaced people will have tents set up for them in compounds of host homes where they can receive assistance,” Natubu said. Natubu, who is also the councillor for Bulucheke sub-county, said the 300 pupils, who used to attend the now closed Bumalakha Primary School, cannot be relocated to other schools because of the long distances."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/633157-landslides-hit-mbale-over-50-homesteads-affected.html","content":" - By Paul Watala A total of 58 homesteads have been affected following landslides that hit Mbale district Thursday afternoon. The most affected villages include Bunakamuli A, Bunakamuli B, Busoba, and Bunamondi all in Wanale Sub County which is about 28 kilometers from Mbale town in the eastern part of Uganda. No causalities so far reported and local leaders are appealing for aid to evacuate the affected people. This comes barely two weeks after the Bulucheke mudslides buried houses and killed people in Bududa district."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/632904-eight-people-died-in-bududa-landslide-red-cross-report.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu A total of eight people were buried during the devastating landslide at Bunakasala parish in Bududa district last month, the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) has stated in a new report. The report identifies the deceased persons as Patrick Bwaya, 44, Jessica Wandeka, 35, Zaina Wandeka, 4, Fred Wangoko, 10,Esau Namugoye, 6, Fred Washiwuku, 4, Night Kimono, 30, and Kevin Wandeba.  In an earlier report given by Michael Nataka, the URCS secretary general, the relief body had stated that 18 people had perished in the disaster. The latest report, issued after a series of tracing activities with the affected communities and survivors, also established that 735 people in the disaster-stricken parish had fled their homes due to the emergence of cracks while 3,368 people in the neighbouring villages in Mabayaam, Bunamulembwa, Walwayi and Bumakakha were at high risk. “The initial report that indicated that 18 people perished in the landslide was what we quickly gathered from survivors and communities in the wake of the landslide,” said Jack Tumwa, the URCS focal person for Bududa district. “However, when we went on tracing missing persons, we established that only eight were missing. Other persons earlier suspected to have perished in the tragedy have also kept on surfacing,” Various estimate figures of people buried in the landslide cropped up at the start of the tragedy. As the disaster preparedness ministry placed the death toll at 109, Bududa district stated that 41 people died in the landslide while other civil society organizations placed the figure at 70. One source said whereas the survivors initially interviewed gave genuine figures, they were later tipped to inflate the numbers in order to attract more relief. That the earth moving equipment have recovered only four bodies in the ongoing excavation that started on June 30 lends credence to the latest URCS report that places the number of the dead at eight. John Baptist Namebshe, the Bududa district LC5 chairperson explained that host families accommodating survivors of the landslide are currently facing difficulty fending for large families. Nambeshe explained that on top of Bulucheke sub-county being among those facing population explosion with families having between five to eight members, the additional weight from survivors is adding a strain on host families. “A family, for instance, that initially had eight members has an additional seven or more added to it. That implies necessity for more food, drugs and accommodation space, yet these social amenities are inadequate among our local communities,” Nambeshe said. “This could lead to a rise in communicable diseases.”"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/632843-govt-buys-oversized-doors-for-displaced-bududa-people.html","content":" - By Frederick Kiwanuka                     Over 100 metallic doors which the Prime Minister’s office recently purchased for the houses constructed for the 2010 Bududa landslide survivors in Kiryandongo, cannot be used after they were found to be oversized. The beneficiaries, who are already occupying the houses, are either improvising with blankets or totally doing without shutters. The Prime Minister’s office last year constructed a total of 102 three-roomed low cost houses as part of a multi-million project to construct a house for each of the 602 resettled families. About 500 families are yet to benefit from the project which stalled in December last year due to lack of funds. But, even the 102 houses so far completed lack shutters. The Camp Commandant, Robert Baryamwesiga explained that the doors which were recently delivered to the camp after being manufactured Kampala, were too long and could not be fixed in the houses. He said the manufacturer used dimensions that were used in making shutters for another set of houses which the Prime Minister’s office constructed in Karamoja. “The Karamoja houses were high, but these ones are short. So the doors could not fit,” he said. Baryamwesiga said he had called in technicians to modify the doors so that they can fit in the Kiryandongo houses. The Government is planning to construct a house for each of the 602 families where were resettled in Kiryandongo after surviving the 2010 landslides which claimed over 100 lives in Buduuda District. The project has however stalled since last December after partially constructing only 102 houses, due to lack of funds."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/632681-two-more-bodies-found-in-bududa-landslide-rubble.html","content":" - By Joseph Wanzusi  Rescue workers have recovered two more bodies buried in the mud after a landslide roared down rain-saturated hills and engulfed homes in Bududa two weeks ago, local authorities said. This brings to four the number of bodies pulled out of the lanslide rubble however many people remain missing. District chairman John Baptist Nambeshe told New Vision online that the bodyof Patrick Bwaya’s body who has been a lay reader at Bumasata Church of Uganda together with that of his wife Jessica Bwaya were found under the ruins of their destroyed house as excavators intensified a search for landslide victims. Nambeshe said the deceased couple left behind six orphans who were at school at the time when the landslide struck their home.  He said there was however, commotion when relatives of Jessica attempted to carry away her body to Buwali sub-county for burial but a timely intervention by the Police allowed the body to be buried in Bumwalukani village near the landslide scene. Nambeshe said the six orphans who are now homeless are being living at Arlington Academy premises from they are being assisted by Red Cross and other sympathisers ."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/632534-cholera-cripples-bududa-one-week-after-landslide.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu An outbreak of cholera has hit Bunakasala parish in Bulucheke sub-county in Bududa district, spelling double tragedy to the area that was struck by landslides last week. Betty Mukyala, the Bududa acting district health officer disclosed in an interview on Sunday that three cholera patients from Bunakasala parish were admitted to Bushika Health Centre for treatment. Mukyala attributed the outbreak to the inadequacy of safe water points in the parish located along the steep slopes of Mt. Elgon. “Bunakasala parish had one spring well serving multitudes of people in the area. This well, however, was buried when landslides struck the area on June 25. “As such, many residents are left with no option but to fetch surface water from contaminated streams that crisscross the parish for consumption and domestic use,” Mukyala said. Bududa district, like its neighbours Mbale and Pallisa, has been grappling with the cholera epidemic since February. The disease has killed eight people with a cumulative figure of 197 cases. The district has gazzetted Bushika Health Centre as the cholera isolation treatment point. Whereas the safe water coverage in the district is at 62%, the figure is a dismal 40% in Bulucheke sub-county. Two policemen clean up in water flowing downhill said to be infested with human waste and accelerating the risk of catching cholera in Bududa district So much fear and speculation With the poor pit latrine coverage in Bulucheke estimated at about 41% coupled with the continuous rains pounding the area, health workers dread this could escalate the prevalence of cholera in Bulucheke. “We started battling cholera in Bududa even before the rains started, hoping that we would stamp out the disease before the rains. This wasn’t possible. Now that the landslide struck Bulucheke amidst the rainy season, we fear this could increase the cases of cholera and malaria in the area,” Mukyala said.   “Our plan is to establish a mobile clinic within the area to curtail the impact of the disease and other preventable diseases.” David Tsolobi, the district community development officer explained that the fact that Bulucheke is located at the steep slope of the mountain, with a low water table makes the rise in cholera prevalence apparent. “Though the general belief is that consumption of water from safe water points can prevent infection from diarrheal diseases such as cholera, it’s a different case with Bulucheke and most sub-counties located on the slopes of the mountain here.” He says many people depend on water from streams and wells for domestic use yet people upstream usually contaminate this water through open defecation. “Even the otherwise safe water points are contaminated when the runoff water from the heavy rains drains down the slope,” Tsolobi said. Stephen Womukota, the eastern regional disaster management officer for the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS), said they had sunk five pit latrines in Bunakasala parish to step up the sanitation in the area and check the spread of cholera.  He added that URCS also distributed water purification tablets among residents in the parish."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/632523-bududa-landslides-have-we-learnt-from-our-past-experience.html","content":" - By Bbanjwa Adventino THE Baganda say; “Ekijja omanyi kinyaga bitono.” This literally means that once you have the ability to foresee something, it can’t take you by surprise. You prepare for it in advance. In Uganda it is for the same reason that we have a fully fledged ministry for relief, Disaster preparedness and refugees. On Monday, June 25, Bududa was once again devastated by landslides. Media reports show that over 18 people were feared dead. Over 20 homes have been buried by these landslides. What puzzles many is that landslides are not striking the area for the first time. The area has been experiencing repeated landslides over time. We should all remember that in 1970, landslides killed over 60 people in Bulucheke Sub County. Between 1997 and 1999, over 48 people lost their lives as a result of landslides. In 1997 alone, over 10,000 people were displaced due to landslides. Again in 2002, three children were reported to have been killed by landslides, and six others injured in Bududa, then part of Mbale district. In April14, 2007, Wande in Mbale was hit by the same landslides, demolishing homes and crops of over 10 families. This time round, relief was blocked by a huge boulder left by landslides cutting off access to the sub county. As we have seen, every time landslides strike the area, villages are buried and many people end up perishing. In 2010, it was a natural massacre! Whereas government reported only 100 deaths, Bududa district reported a shocking figure of over 300 people! Unfortunately, up to now, landslides have continued to terrorize the people, despite awareness of the disaster. What have we learnt from our past experience? It seems we have not. This is evident in the continued vulnerability and loss of lives by the people due to a well known disaster. Annually, it is believed that the rate of displacement due to landslides in Uganda is now 700 per year. We must stop treating the Bududa case with frivolity. People should not continue to die as if we cannot do anything to curtail their vulnerability. We have lamented enough, we have hard enough of political rhetoric, this is time for us to combine our past experience and awareness about these landslides to fix the problem once and for all. The government’s continued act of telling people to vacate the affected places is an insult to the victims. The reason we have a government is to provide leadership. In my view these people MUST be permanently resettled. The resettlement should be well distributed across all regions, and affected areas should be declared “Danger zones”, No one should be allowed to resettle in these areas. Acomprehensive recovery plan should be designed by the concerned ministries and organizations for the permanently resettled communities. This will prevent the reoccurrence of the Kiryandongo scenario, where resettled folks felt insecure in the new place and decided to go back to Bududa, despite vulnerability to landslides. This was due to state abandonment and absence of a comprehensive resettlement plan. If this is done, our Disaster Preparedness Ministry will be put to proper use, and the people will feel the presence of a government amidst them. Otherwise, even if Dr. Mallinga sends tones and tones of food to Bududa, it will be trivial without designing a permanent way out of this turmoil. It will be an equivalent of dropping a coin in a beggar’s hand. That beggar will continue with the business. A permanent way out of this repeated catastrophe should be worked out. Writer is a student at Makerere University"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/632503-two-bodies-found-70-still-missing-in-bududa.html","content":" - By Vision Reporter  Rescue workers removed two more bodies buried in the mud after a landslide roared down rain-saturated hills and engulfed homes in Bududa on Tuesday, local authorities said. The body of a baby was rescued at 2 p.m. Saturday while 70 people remain missing, according to a spokesman for the Uganda Red Cross. The landslide occurred last Tuesday in Bududa, which was drenched by a rainstorm. The landslide is estimated to have killed 20 people. More than 200 police, medical workers and other rescue personnel continued digging through the rubble to find the buried people. Excavators were also operating at the scene."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/632472-uganda-red-cross-society-seeks-sh4-5b-for-bududa.html","content":" - By JOHN AGABA AND NORAH MUTESI About sh4.5b is needed to help people affected by the landslides in Bududa district, Uganda Red Cross has revealed. URCS said the funds would help support the affected people, staying with host families, relatives and friends in districts: Sironko, Mbale, Manafwa, Kapchorwa, Bukwo, and Bulambuli. \"We have assessed their needs, one of the things they need is proper sanitation. Many of the host families don't have sufficient toilets. They are using makeshift toilets,' said Robert Ssebunya, URCS chairman during a press briefing to launch the appeal at the humanitarian's agency head office in Rubaga Thursday. \"We need to provide these people with sanitation kits, hygiene kits, latrine slabs, safe clean water, and as well sensitize them to prevent any disease outbreaks, like diarrhea and dysentery,' he added. The Monday landslides swept about 14 households, displacing about 100.000 people. 18 people are feared to have been buried under the rubble. They include young children, men and women. So far no body has been retrieved. URCS Secretary General Michael Richard Nataka said other needs included: shelter, essential household items, first aid kits and psychosocial services. He added that the appeal would also cover digging kits, farming tools, construction materials, and seeds as well as blankets, buckets, jerry cans, plates, mosquito nets, cooking pots, mattresses and soap. He said URCS had distributed some essential items to about 112 survivors but this was not enough. He commended MTN Uganda, who he said, had given them sh50m for the cause."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/632429-govt-sends-equipment-to-bududa.html","content":" - By Paul Watala And Daniel Edyegu State minister for refugees and disaster preparedness Musa Ecweru has said the Government has dispatched earth-moving equipment to help recover bodies buried by the Monday landslides in Bududa.   Ecweru, who is in Bududa for an on-spot assessment, said unlike the 2010 incident in Nametsi where the Government airlifted equipment to the epicentre, Bulucheke was accessible by road and the equipment would be delivered soon.   Survivors and relatives of the landslide victims, however, expressed disappointment over what they called the Government’s delay in dispatching excavators to help in exhuming the bodies.   “It is now three days and our loved ones are still lying underground. We need to accord them a decent burial. The Government should speed up the process of exhuming the bodies,” said Margaret Namalwa, a survivor.   “The Government should leave the earth-moving equipment in the region so that it is used during emergencies,” she added.   Residents also argued that the Government owed them an explanation on why it has failed to respond in time.   “This is a natural disaster not our own making. How can we exhume bodies with hoes and axes? Beside, there is an allegation that we are not willing to leave this place. We rely solely on farming to earn a living. Land here is very expensive,” Ismail Khabale, another victim, said.   The Uganda Red Cross Society eastern region manager, Stephen Womukota, said the Office of the Prime Minister had given some food and non food items."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/632406-museveni-sends-mbabazi-to-bududa-over-landslides.html","content":" - By Apollo Mubiru and Paul Watala President Yoweri Museveni has sent Prime Minister  Amama Mbabazi to Bududa landslides scene to assess the situation. Presenting a ministerial statement to Parliament Wednesday afternoon, relief and disaster preparedness minister Steve Mallinga conveyed Government's condolence to those who lost their loved ones in the tragedy. The minister told the House chaired by Speaker Rebecca Kadaga that Government decided not put the victims in camps but asked them to live with relatives to avert cholera outbreak. He said cabinet sub committee chaired  by the third deputy Premier Gen. Moses Ali has been instituted. Government has delivered ten tons of maize flour and 500 kilograms of beans to the Bududa land slide victims. State minister for relief and disaster Musa Ecweru said the items were procured by the Office of the Prime Minister.   Uganda Red Cross also conveyed 2 trailers of non-food items including tents, blankets, cups, plates and basins among other items.   However, the distribution of relief items is delayed after both Government and Red Cross officials accuse local leaders of inflating the figure of the victims. Meanwhile, hopes of recovering more survivors from the scene of tragic landslides that swept Bumalugala parish in Bulucheke sub county, Bududa district, have waned. A combined team of local residents and volunteers from the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) worked tirelessly Tuesday without recovering any human bodies."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/632386-bududa-landslide-hope-of-finding-survivors-fades.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu and Paul Watala Hopes of recovering more survivors from the scene of tragic landslides that swept Bumalugala parish in Bulucheke sub county, Bududa district, have waned. A combined team of local residents and volunteers from the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) worked tirelessly Tuesday without recovering any human bodies. Animal carcasses recovered from the scene were hovering a stench. Armed with pangas, hoes, a chain saw and sticks, the team dug up thick mounds of soils and hacked the eucalyptus trees and timber mangled up in the ruins of buildings without success. People swarmed the scene of the tragedy while relatives sat desolate on tree stamps and stones hoping to recover their loved ones for decent burial. A joint force of UPDF and police were deployed in the area to provide security and guard property of survivors. Michael Nataka, the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) secretary general explained that the recovery efforts were being hampered due to the magnitude of soils swept down by the landslides. “No dead body has been discovered yet. The soils washed down in the landslides are about 10 meters deep. These hoes and pick axes we are using aren’t strong enough to get the bodies. This will require heavy earth equipment to make any headway,” Nataka said. Despite contradicting reports of missing persons and buried houses with the district putting the number of the dead at 41, the URCS maintained that only 18 persons were are missing. URCS noted that nine people were injured, 72 survived, 15 houses were buried and 448 people were staying in high risk areas. Musa Ecweru, the disaster preparedness state minister said Government would not evacuate residents from the high risk areas to Kiryandongo but advised them to stay with relatives residing on relatively safe zone. “Each time a landside occurs, we are told to evacuate people to Kiryandongo which is not feasible. We already have 3700 Bamasaaba from Bugisu region in Kiryandongo evacuated in 2010. Families in high risk areas should stay with relatives so we can render help to the host families,” Ecweru said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/632379-the-government-should-gazette-the-mt-elgon-landslide-prone-zones.html","content":" - By Rev. Titus Shem Makuma TRAGEDY has once again hit the people living on the slopes of Mt Elgon. Over 50 people are feared to have been killed by landslides that swept through four villages in Bulucheke sub-county, Bududa district on Monday. The landslide that occurred at 2:00pm followed torrential rains that pounded the area on Saturday and Sunday, completely destroying and burying homes, killing scores of people and displacing hundreds of them. According to Phoebe Lubango, the sub-county woman councilor of Bumwalukani and Bushiyi parishes, the heavy rains washed a huge amount of soil down the mountain. She said so far, 18 homes had been buried by the landslide, “we can not establish the exact number of people who were killed. We also do not know the fate of the children who had gone to the school in the affected area.” She added that the residents had ignored advice to vacate after experts confirmed cracks on some of the mountain slopes. Some authorities in the region have expressed fear that this time round, the landslides may be more severe than the ones that occurred in 2010. In March 1, 2010, landslides swept through three villages in Nametsi in Bududa, killing over 100 people and displacing hundreds of survivors who through the government initiative were relocated to Kiryandongo district. Unfortunately most of these survivors have decided to return to their ancestral sites despite the government warnings. Those who have settled down in Kiryandongo reportedly still need a lot of government support in terms of foodstuff and other necessities. Recently some of them while in search of food were reported to have seriously engaged in a fight over mango fruits with other settlers in Kiryandongo. Those cut by machetes were hospitalized. To avoid such unfortunate occurrences, community leaders need to carefully guide different families on how to access some of the resources in the area. I would suggest that the government through the ministry disaster preparedness revisits her disaster initiated programmes and compile a comprehensive plan which may at this critical time make a provision to forcefully and convincingly resettle the affected families from the potential dangerous landslide corridors. It is important for the authorities and experts to cooperate with the locals and map out the ‘landslide death traps’ which are potentially threatening lives on the slopes of Mount Elgon and then sensitize the affected families on the way forward. The authorities should in this case lay emphasis on family planning methods, modern agricultural farming techniques, hard work and improved educational standards in all households. These measures most likely will in future lessen the burden of resettlement exercise. It is very easy for the government to relocate and provide for a family of three compared to a man loaded with three wives and fifteen to twenty children, knowing that polygamous families produce out of competition and insecurity. Every woman will want to make a strong statement in a home and community. It is also very possible to relocate households which have attained some form of educational skills as compared to those with none who may end up fighting over mangoes and wild fruits in the bush as in the case of Kiryandongo instead of contributing to the welfare of the community and the nation. The historical trends of landslides in the region should provide enough evidence in future for the government to draw strategic resettlement plan. For instance, in 1997, a landslide killed 16 people in Nametsi. In 1972 in Bufumi village about 200 metres away from Nametsi village, a landslide then killed about 100 people during a circumcision ceremony. Bushiyi has a history of devastating landslides, so are places like Bumabono, Bufuma, Bubita, Buwali, Bushika, Bumayoka, Bumakuma, Bundesi, and Bumasata which are landslide prone zones. There is no doubt that the slopes of Mt Elgon are proving to be very dangerous for human habitation. They should instead be gazetted for farming and other economic activities like tree planting and tourism. For ancestral attachments, they can still serve as burial sites. The 40 km-split which was reported in the aftermath of March 2010 and August 2011 landslides could be threatening about 8000 residents in eight sub-counties on the slopes of Mt Elgon, a likely unforgettable tragedy in the history of disaster. Lives will be lost affecting the political and socio-economic structures should the government delay to take necessary measures. The crack runs through the sub-counties of Mukoto, Tsekululu, Buwabwala, Bukhabusi, Bupoto, Namabya, Bumbo and Bukokho. The affected residents should know this pending tragedy may hit any time of the day while they go about their business or they may be swept away in their sleep at night. The way forward is for them to cooperate with the government early enough in order to lessen the burden of relocation exercise. In this season of circumcision, the youths should be told to exercise discipline and moral restraint to avoid circumcision madness which is another form of landslide devastation. Writer is the  Western Regional Overseer, Pentecostal Assemblies of God"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/632372-bududa-landslide-death-toll-soars.html","content":" - By Vision Reporter The death toll in Bududa land slide has reached 20 from the 18 earlier reported, relief and disaster preparedness minister Steven Mallinga had said. “We are about to get the exact number of the dead but reports indicate that over 20 people were killed by the landslide,” Mallinga told a news a conference in Kamapla. He said that his deputy Musa Ecweru and a team from the ministry are in Bududa to boost the rescue opetaions. The minister said Government has aided the victims with tents, jerrycans and food  among other items adding that personnel at the Bududa health centre which which currently acts as a relocation centre has been doubled. Mallinga however appealed to the locals to vacate the risk prone areas for safe places. The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) joined a team of Uganda Red Cross Society in the excavation of the soil. According to Uganda Red Cross Secretary Michael Nataka, 9 people were criticially injured, 72 still missing and 448 people are at a risk as a result of torrential rains that pounded the area. “UPDF has sent  a team to work with us in the excavation of the land,” Uganda Red Cross Sopkesperson Catherine Ntabadde said . By Monday afternoon dozens were feared dead by landslides that swept through four villages in Bulucheke sub-county, Bududa district.    The Bunamulembwa LC1 chairman Stephen Kibalati said it rained heavily in the area for two days."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/632353-landslide-buries-over-50-in-bududa.html","content":" - By Vision Reporters   Over 50 peope are feared to have been killsed by landslides that swept through four villages in Bulucheke sub-county, Bududa District.   CLICK HERE FOR FULL NEWSPAPER STORY"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/632346-dozens-still-missing-army-joins-bududa-rescue-effort.html","content":" - By Vision Reporter The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) Tuesday morning joined a team of Uganda Red Cross Society in the excavation of the soil following the Monday Bududa landslide that killed 18 people. According to Uganda Red Cross Secretary Michael Nataka, 9 people were criticially injured, 72 still missing and 448 people are at a risk as a result of torrential rains that pounded the area. “UPDF has sent  a team to work with us in the excavation of the land,” Uganda Red Cross Sopkesperson Catherine Ntabadde said . By Monday afternoon dozens were feared dead by landslides that swept through four villages in Bulucheke sub-county, Bududa district.    The Bunamulembwa LC1 chairman Stephen Kibalati said it rained heavily in the area for two days. He expressed fears that this time round, the landslides in the area may be more severe than the ones that occurred there in 2010.  On March 1, 2010 landslide swept through three villages in Nametsi in the same district located on the slopes of Mt. Elgon in eastern Uganda and over 100 people lost their lives.  A woman wails on top of a heap of soil where her family members are said to have been buried. The landslide that occurred at around 2.00pm  and about 20 homes were confirmed buried by the mud. The affected villages include Bunakasala, Bunamulembwa, Mabaya and Walwanyi. \"No fatalities have been confirmed but there will be updates on details as they emerge,\" a government statement Monday evening quoted the ministry of relief, disaster preparedness and Dr. Stephen Mallinga. The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) regional programme manager Stephen Wamukota confirmed nine seriously injured people were rescued and taken to Mbale hospital. He said efforts to establish the exact number of people killed in the landslide and homes submerged could not bear fruits as they could not dig into the heavy mud. \"We have not managed to achieve much because the mud is too much, we shall resume operations tomorrow morning,\" Wamukota said at the scene last evening. A heap of soil that was eroded down hill Michael Kusolo said his four relatives including a man, his wife and two children were buried in the mud. He identified them as as Patrick Bwayo, 44, his wife Jessica Bwayo, 35, their children Justin Nandutu, 10 and Phoebe Namone aged 12 years. A resident of Bunakasala identified as Shaban Hatiya, 68, said all the 12 members of his family were buried by the mud and he survived because he was away from the home at the time of the landslides."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/632327-two-villages-buried-in-bududa-landslides.html","content":" - By Vision Reporter Nine people have been seriously injured in the Buluckeke mudslide in Eastern Uganda and 15 houses have been buried, the Uganda Red Cross has confirmed. The Spokesperson Catherine Ntabadde told New Vision Monday afternoon that they are yet to ascertain the damage caused. A statement issued by Uganda Red Cross said heavy landslide occurred in Bumwalukani Sub County burying Namaga and Bunakasala villages. The Uganda Red Cross has sent a team of volunteers to assess the situation and establish the number of people affected although local authorities said there could be about 80 people in each of the villages. URCS Secretary General Michael Richard Nataka is also on ground to support in the conducting of a rapid vulnerability capacity assessment."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/631686-sironko-landslides-kill-2-displace-40.html","content":" - By Joseph Wanzusi A 75-year old woman died together with her son when a landslide struck their homes in Bugimwera village, Bumasobo Parish of Bumasifwa sub-county in Sironko district. The incident that occurred on Sunday afternoon affected 10 homes, displacing about 40 people and leaving food gardens destroyed in its wake. Sironko district information officer Scania Namisi who visited the scene identified the victims as Zitta Nafuna and Francis Wambaka, 48, whose bodies were pulled out of the soil that had covered the area where their houses once stood. The district chairman James Nabende who visited the affected areas said the landslides occurred after torrential rains pounded the hilly sub-counties on the slopes of Mountain Elgon for over four hours. “Culverts on Mahapa Bridge on Nakuba River were swept away cutting off the only access road to Bunagami Health Centre while residents of Masaba, Bugitimwa, Butandiga and Bukiise Upper are living in fear following a reported crack,” Nabende said. Nabende told New Vision that the displaced people have taken refuge with their relatives while the district was getting in touch with the ministry of disaster preparedness for relief aid to the affected families. He said the district authorities have in the meantime handed over sh300,000 to the bereaved family to help in the burial arrangements of the landslide victims. Nabende said the district was expecting the state minister for disaster preparedness Musa Ecweru to visit the affected areas so as to assess what the central government should do as a priority. Bumasifwa LC 3 chairman Simon Giduno said the deceased will be buried in the neighbouring Bukizuni village as their (victims') homes have been rendered inaccessible to mourners. Last year, landslides hit neighbouring Bulambuli district in which several people died and property destroyed while in March 2010 hundreds of people died in Nametsi village in Bududa district prompting government to relocate over 5,000 survivors to Kiryandongo district in western Uganda."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/631276-landslides-kill-six-in-kasese.html","content":" - By John Thawite     Six more people have died in separate landslides in Kasese district. This brings the number of landslide victims in the district to 11 over a period of seven months.   In October 2011, mudslides killed five children and destroyed several houses in the area. The latest mudslides that hit Butalimuli village in the Rwenzori Mountains on Thursday night killed three children from the same family.   The tragedy occurred during a heavy overnight downpour.  The water-soaked soil on the steep Mahango slopes rolled downhill, burying Feridina Baluku Kyamukagha’s children.   By the time the family and neighbours woke up and tried to save Belivin Bwambale, 9, Constance Muhindo, 7 and Winfred Biira, 5, they were already dead.   Kyamukagha’s brother Mathias Masereka said the children were sleeping in the upper room when the wall collapsed, narrowly sparing their mother, baby brother and father, who were in the lower part of the house.   Elsewhere, a female resident of Katumba village, Kyalhumba sub-county, a man in Bibwe village, Muhokya sub-county and a nine-year-old girl of Nyakabingo village, Rukoki sub-county were also confirmed dead. However, their identities could not be established.   The district environment officer, Augustine Kooli, warned that similar disasters were likely to reoccur as the rains continue in the steep mountainous areas.   “The soils have been weakened due to poor cultivation practices which have left most of the mountain areas bare,” Kooli said.   Mahango sub-county chairperson Stephen Muthekengwa said 23 houses had collapsed with dozens of people narrowly escaping death on the fateful night.   Kasese Woman MP Winfred Kiiza Bihande urged the Government to quickly help the affected families."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/630874-govt-warns-of-looming-landslides-in-manafwa.html","content":" - By Vision Reporter Government has warned of imminent landslides in the eastern district of Manafwa similar to that of 2010 that killed people in Bududa ditrict and displaced hundreds. “Our experts in the ministry have said that there is a big crack in Manafwa district which runs for about 7 kilometers. Now that the rains have intensified in the region, we fear that it could cause disaster any time,” state minister for disaster preparedness and refugees Musa Ecweru said. Speaking to journalists at a disaster management meeting at Speke Resort Munyonyo, the minister advised those in the affected areas to relocate. Ecweru attributes the problem to the topography of the area coupled with the human activities which have degraded the environment.    In March 2010, over 300 people were killed after heavy rain triggered landslides that swept through villages on the slopes of Mount Elgon region. The massive landslides erased three villages in Bududa district known as Kubehwo, Namakansa and Nametsi located in Bukalasi sub-county."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/18989-bududa-farmers-advised-to-use-terracing.html","content":" - By Juliet Waiswa & Violet Nabatanzi Bududa residents have been urged to adopt terracing methods to avoid increased incidents of landslides.   Addressing Journalists at Kamwokya offices, the Acting Executive of African Women’s Economic Policy Network (AWEPON) Rosemary Lukholo said poor farming methods are some of the causes of landslides in Bududa.   She added that terracing used to be a rule in Mbale but when the farmers who introduced it went, the residents also gave up on the practice.    “People were telling us that because the land is so fragile we should use artificial fertilizers but Kigezi has taken up terracing as a rule and that is why there are no landslides like in East,’ she said.   She said that in addition to poor farming practices, farmers have also started cutting down trees because of high population pressure.   She also noted that environmental degradation has been the leading cause of the current climate change in which case women are most affected especially in the developing world.   Through their campaign dubbed “Climate change justice tribunal” they organized an International conference on 31st October 2011 to create public awareness on climate change and its effect on women.   The programmes manager and resource mobilizer Florence Kasule appealed to government to increase funding to the environment sector for proper usage of land especially on afforestration.   “We should not blame government and yet we are seeing so many individuals destroying our environment by building in swamps and cutting down trees,” Kasule revealed."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/18916-cracks-develop-in-bulambuli-residents-appeal-to-gov-t.html","content":" - By Faustine Odeke SISIYE sub county LCIII chairman in Bulambuli district James Namuzekye has appealed to government to urgently resettle over 5000 residents currently at risk of being washed away by landslides. The call comes at a time when big cracks have developed in Gibuzale parish covering 10 villages, putting the lives of the residents at high risk following the torrential rains that have hit the area. ‘I appeal to the government to resettle the residents from the risky areas and assist them with basic needs and building materials before another disaster can occur’ Namuzekye said. Namuzekye made the appeal on Thursday at Kyikiyi village in Mabona parish where Caritas Tororo, the social service arm of Tororo diocese delivered an assortment of relief items to victims of the recent landslides. 16 people were buried alive by mud slides that struck Kyikiyi village on the night of August 28th leaving many others without shelter and food. Rev Centurio Olaboro who is in charge of justice and peace at the diocese said the relief was geared towards alleviating the suffering of the people that were affected by mudslides. The items included 50 bags of maize flour, 10 bags of beans, salt, mosquito nets, 240 cups, 100 basins, 8 bales of blankets, beddings, clothes and 40 jerry cans. Namuzekye thanked Caritas Tororo for being very transparent with its delivery while appealing to other development partners to send in assistance adding that the area has been affected by famine and lack of shelter. He said more 12 villages in Luzzi parish are in dire need for relief items after all the crops were washed away in the recent landslides. ‘The main risk factor here is the re-occurrence of the rains that have weakened the soils causing big cracks to develop’ he said. He said this is caused by population pressure that has forced residents to clear all the mountain slopes for agriculture adding that the densely populated mountainous sub county is a high risk area."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/18285-tullow-provides-relief-support-to-bulambuli-landslide-victims-worth-sh130m.html","content":" - By Paul Watala and Mark Owor  TULLOW oil has responded to the emergency relief call by Uganda Red Cross Society by donating assorted food and non food items worth sh.130 million to aid the victims of land slide in Bulambuli and Kween districts in eastern Uganda. The items were handed over on Friday by the Cathy Adengo, Corporate communication manager Tullow oil and received by the Uganda Red Cross vice secretary general, Steven Mutenyo at Bulambuli ground.     Adengo said the food assorted items will support over 1500 people while tarpaulins would provide temporary shelter for 3000 people. Adengo said the relief response is a gesture of goodwill to the affected people of in the two districts of Bulambuli and Kween.             “Tullow oil is keen to support our people especially during times of calamity. We share with compassion the loss and sorrow and we hope our support will make deference in the lives of the people of Bulambuli,”   Adengo said.               An estimate of 10,000 household have been displaced by landslides and floods which buried houses and washed away property and crops living the people without shelter and food.               According to the records from the Uganda Red Cross shows that death toll stands at 26 people.               Several nongovernmental organizations that include, Red Cross, World Vision have come out with emergency support to the displaced people now being sheltered by the relatives and friends.              “They desperately need food, clean water and non food items such as mosquito nets, blankets and tarpaulin,” Adengo said.                 She added that in 2010 Tullow oil donated $50,000 to support the people of Bududa who suffered landslides.                 Uganda Red Cross assessment indicates that 77,446 people have been affected by the current disasters country wide and Red Cross has managed to assist over 25,000 people. The most affected districts being Bulambuli, Katakwi, Soroti and Kasese. Red Cross officials, Bulambuli district leaders and Tullow oil officials participated in the distribution of food items.               Every home received over 30kgs maize flour, over 10kgs beans and 2kgs of salt. Mutenyo hailed Tullow for the support rendered to the affected people and asked them to participate in the construction of house for the displaced people"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/940-3-killed-in-kisoro-landslides.html","content":" - Anthony Kushaba and Goodluck Musinguzi Three people have been killed and 20 houses destroyed by landslides that hit three villages in Kirundo Sub County in the south western district of Kisoro. The worst hit village is Kirwa in Mukungu parish where three children, 2 girls and 1 boy died in a heavy downpour. The road that connects Kirundo Sub County to Kisoro town has been cut off. Other villages are Rwataka, Gisharu and Rugina. The two girls were aged 12 and 15. John Kamara the area MP said he will meet the minister for Relief and disaster preparedness Stephen Mallinga for possible interventions. Kisoro district leaders are working around the clock to open the Kisoro-Kirundo road that was cut-off by landslides that hit the area on Saturday night. Milton Bazanye Mutabazi, the Kisoro district chairman said, they were mobilizing a chain loader to help in clearing the road. Mutabazi said they will contact Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to help out with necessary machines. In Kabale, Kacere parish in Bufundi Sub County was also affected according to the area district councilor, Adrian Tibenda. Tibenda said more than 30 shops were destroyed by landslides."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/315705-3-killed-in-kisoro-landslides.html","content":" - Anthony Kushaba and Goodluck Musinguzi Three people have been killed and 20 houses destroyed by landslides that hit three villages in Kirundo Sub County in the south western district of Kisoro. The worst hit village is Kirwa in Mukungu parish where three children, 2 girls and 1 boy died in a heavy downpour. The road that connects Kirundo Sub County to Kisoro town has been cut off. Other villages are Rwataka, Gisharu and Rugina. The two girls were aged 12 and 15. John Kamara the area MP said he will meet the minister for Relief and disaster preparedness Stephen Mallinga for possible interventions. Kisoro district leaders are working around the clock to open the Kisoro-Kirundo road that was cut-off by landslides that hit the area on Saturday night. Milton Bazanye Mutabazi, the Kisoro district chairman said, they were mobilizing a chain loader to help in clearing the road. Mutabazi said they will contact Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to help out with necessary machines. In Kabale, Kacere parish in Bufundi Sub County was also affected according to the area district councilor, Adrian Tibenda. Tibenda said more than 30 shops were destroyed by landslides."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/315791-bulambuli-leaders-call-for-government-help.html","content":" - BY JOSEPH WANZUSI Bulambuli district authorities have asked the Government to buy land in Bunambutye and Bwikonge sub-counties on which to resettle about 25,000 households displaced by landslides that hit the district last month. Briefing the Minister of Relief and Disaster Preparedness, Dr. Stephen Mallinga, on the situation at the district headquarters on Thursday, the district chairman, Simon Wananzofu, said residents in the hilly seven sub-counties of Masira, Buginyanya, Bumugibole, Lusya, Bulago, Bumasobo and Buluganya need to be resettled. Wananzofu said there were 11,000 acres of land in Bwikhonge sub-county and 26,000 acres in Bunambutye owned by individuals who are willing to sell to the Government. “Several bridges connecting villages have been destroyed while pit-latrines have been submerged, raising fears for an outbreak of water-borne diseases like cholera and dysentery,” Wananzofu said. He cited Nabbongo Secondary School with over 600 students where the pit-latrines have been destroyed by floods, adding that the school may be forced to close due to poor sanitation. He told the minister that the district had no vehicle following the breakdown of the only double-cabin pick-up and yet transport was very vital during this crisis period. In his response, the minister promised to send more relief to the affected people and a team of officials to negotiate with the owners of the land in Bwikhonge and Bunambutye. He, however, warned of dire consequences for anybody found selling relief food meant for the displaced communities who have abandoned their homes for fear of being hit by landslides as rains continue to pound the district. Mallinga urged the district leadership to provide pit-latrine slabs and construct pit-latrines on high grounds to assist communities as an emergency measure to avert disease outbreaks while concerned central government ministries mobilise resources."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/315850-three-die-as-landslides-hit-kisoro.html","content":" - By G. Musinguzi, P. Bishanga and P. Baraire KISORO district leaders had for the second day yesterday failed to reach villages in Kirundo sub-county that were devastated by landslides. The Saturday night landslide, which followed a heavy downpour, has reportedly left three people dead. In addition, 30 houses were destroyed and about 100 families displaced. Five of the injured were rushed to Rutaka Health Centre III. The dead, who were pupils of Kalehe Primary School, were identified as Sharon Mahoro, 9, Adrian Musaby’imaana, 13, and Denis Bagamuhunda, 7. The affected villages included Gisharu, Bugina, Rugendabare, Kirundo and Kirwa and are located in a highly populated area with a steep terrain. “The rains pounded the area for a long time and all of a sudden the upper hill gave way,” a local resident only identified as Biman, said. By press time yesterday, Kisoro district authorities had deployed teams to open the Kisoro-Kirundo road that had been cut off by the landslides. The district chairperson, Milton Mutabazi, said they had mobilised road-clearing equipment from the Uganda National Roads Authority and SBI – the firm that is tarmacking the Kabale-Kisoro road. John Kamara, the Bufumbira North MP, said he would contact the Ministry of Relief and Disaster Preparedness to help the affected families. However, when contacted yesterday, the disaster preparedness minister, Dr. Stephen Mallinga, said he was attending a meeting in Mbarara. The disaster state minister, Musa Ecweru’s known phone number was switched off. John Tumuhirwe, the chairperson of Kirundo, appealed to the Government to help the affected people. “People slept under trees. They feared to go back since they are now homeless,” he explained. Gideon Ahebwa, the deputy RDC of Kisoro, described the situation as desperate because they had not reached the affected people in the hilly areas. He said they hoped to have the road cleared by today if the weather improves. Fidelis Kanyamunyu, a tour operator in Kisoro, said they were using the Kisoro-Muko road to access Kisoro town to buy supplies for the hotel. Kanyamunyu said most tourists who were supposed to track gorillas and had spent the night in Kisoro would miss tracking the rare animals. Kabale district In Kabale, Kacerere parish in Bufundi sub-county was also affected by landslides. According to the area district councillor, Adrian Tibenda, more than 30 shops were destroyed. Torrential rains also damaged Hamurwa bridge, which connects Kabale and Kanungu districts. In addition, boulders and soil had damaged the road from Hamurwa to Kanungu, the Hamurwa LC3 chairman, James Kabatereine, said. He said the 100-metre long floating bridge required immediate repair, but there were plans to open up an alternative route. But the UNRA manager in Kabale, Asaph Arinaitwe, said the damage to the roads would only be repaired when the rains cease. In Kanungu, two people drowned in the flooded rivers of Munyaga and Kibale, while returning home on Sunday. The dead were identified as Emmanuel Niwagaba from Kayonza sub-county and Lawrence Butto from Kambuga sub-county."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1026-bulambuli-leaders-call-for-government-help.html","content":" - BY JOSEPH WANZUSI Bulambuli district authorities have asked the Government to buy land in Bunambutye and Bwikonge sub-counties on which to resettle about 25,000 households displaced by landslides that hit the district last month. Briefing the Minister of Relief and Disaster Preparedness, Dr. Stephen Mallinga, on the situation at the district headquarters on Thursday, the district chairman, Simon Wananzofu, said residents in the hilly seven sub-counties of Masira, Buginyanya, Bumugibole, Lusya, Bulago, Bumasobo and Buluganya need to be resettled. Wananzofu said there were 11,000 acres of land in Bwikhonge sub-county and 26,000 acres in Bunambutye owned by individuals who are willing to sell to the Government. “Several bridges connecting villages have been destroyed while pit-latrines have been submerged, raising fears for an outbreak of water-borne diseases like cholera and dysentery,” Wananzofu said. He cited Nabbongo Secondary School with over 600 students where the pit-latrines have been destroyed by floods, adding that the school may be forced to close due to poor sanitation. He told the minister that the district had no vehicle following the breakdown of the only double-cabin pick-up and yet transport was very vital during this crisis period. In his response, the minister promised to send more relief to the affected people and a team of officials to negotiate with the owners of the land in Bwikhonge and Bunambutye. He, however, warned of dire consequences for anybody found selling relief food meant for the displaced communities who have abandoned their homes for fear of being hit by landslides as rains continue to pound the district. Mallinga urged the district leadership to provide pit-latrine slabs and construct pit-latrines on high grounds to assist communities as an emergency measure to avert disease outbreaks while concerned central government ministries mobilise resources."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1085-three-die-as-landslides-hit-kisoro.html","content":" - By G. Musinguzi, P. Bishanga and P. Baraire KISORO district leaders had for the second day yesterday failed to reach villages in Kirundo sub-county that were devastated by landslides. The Saturday night landslide, which followed a heavy downpour, has reportedly left three people dead. In addition, 30 houses were destroyed and about 100 families displaced. Five of the injured were rushed to Rutaka Health Centre III. The dead, who were pupils of Kalehe Primary School, were identified as Sharon Mahoro, 9, Adrian Musaby’imaana, 13, and Denis Bagamuhunda, 7. The affected villages included Gisharu, Bugina, Rugendabare, Kirundo and Kirwa and are located in a highly populated area with a steep terrain. “The rains pounded the area for a long time and all of a sudden the upper hill gave way,” a local resident only identified as Biman, said. By press time yesterday, Kisoro district authorities had deployed teams to open the Kisoro-Kirundo road that had been cut off by the landslides. The district chairperson, Milton Mutabazi, said they had mobilised road-clearing equipment from the Uganda National Roads Authority and SBI – the firm that is tarmacking the Kabale-Kisoro road. John Kamara, the Bufumbira North MP, said he would contact the Ministry of Relief and Disaster Preparedness to help the affected families. However, when contacted yesterday, the disaster preparedness minister, Dr. Stephen Mallinga, said he was attending a meeting in Mbarara. The disaster state minister, Musa Ecweru’s known phone number was switched off. John Tumuhirwe, the chairperson of Kirundo, appealed to the Government to help the affected people. “People slept under trees. They feared to go back since they are now homeless,” he explained. Gideon Ahebwa, the deputy RDC of Kisoro, described the situation as desperate because they had not reached the affected people in the hilly areas. He said they hoped to have the road cleared by today if the weather improves. Fidelis Kanyamunyu, a tour operator in Kisoro, said they were using the Kisoro-Muko road to access Kisoro town to buy supplies for the hotel. Kanyamunyu said most tourists who were supposed to track gorillas and had spent the night in Kisoro would miss tracking the rare animals. Kabale district In Kabale, Kacerere parish in Bufundi sub-county was also affected by landslides. According to the area district councillor, Adrian Tibenda, more than 30 shops were destroyed. Torrential rains also damaged Hamurwa bridge, which connects Kabale and Kanungu districts. In addition, boulders and soil had damaged the road from Hamurwa to Kanungu, the Hamurwa LC3 chairman, James Kabatereine, said. He said the 100-metre long floating bridge required immediate repair, but there were plans to open up an alternative route. But the UNRA manager in Kabale, Asaph Arinaitwe, said the damage to the roads would only be repaired when the rains cease. In Kanungu, two people drowned in the flooded rivers of Munyaga and Kibale, while returning home on Sunday. The dead were identified as Emmanuel Niwagaba from Kayonza sub-county and Lawrence Butto from Kambuga sub-county."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1201-bulambuli-seeks-sh118m-for-medics-salaries.html","content":" - BY PAUL WATALA Bulambuli district is seeking sh118m to pay allowances of over 50 health workers to be recruited soon. The new health workers will handle the increased cases of malaria and water-borne diseases in the district affected by landslides. “Malaria cases are increasing because of the floods in the lower part of Bulambuli,” the district health officer, Gidale Mwiri, said. He said the health workers would be posted to different health centres for the next six months. Mwiri said since the district was curved out of Sironko, it has never recruited any medical staff because of the absence of a district service commission. He added that the health sector is under-staffed and cannot handle new cases of diseases caused by the floods. Mwiri was speaking on Sunday while receiving 25,000 doses of malaria drugs worth sh172m from the Quality Chemicals drug manufacturers in Kampala. The drugs were delivered by energy minister Irene Muloni."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/315966-bulambuli-seeks-sh118m-for-medics-salaries.html","content":" - BY PAUL WATALA Bulambuli district is seeking sh118m to pay allowances of over 50 health workers to be recruited soon. The new health workers will handle the increased cases of malaria and water-borne diseases in the district affected by landslides. “Malaria cases are increasing because of the floods in the lower part of Bulambuli,” the district health officer, Gidale Mwiri, said. He said the health workers would be posted to different health centres for the next six months. Mwiri said since the district was curved out of Sironko, it has never recruited any medical staff because of the absence of a district service commission. He added that the health sector is under-staffed and cannot handle new cases of diseases caused by the floods. Mwiri was speaking on Sunday while receiving 25,000 doses of malaria drugs worth sh172m from the Quality Chemicals drug manufacturers in Kampala. The drugs were delivered by energy minister Irene Muloni."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1258-10-month-old-baby-killed-in-kapchorwa-landslides.html","content":" - By Paul Watala Landslides have buried a ten-month old baby and injured seven family members in Kapkwai Sub County in the eastern district of Kapchorwa. The Sunday tragedy also destroyed over twenty hectares of trees belonging to Uganda Wildlife Authority at Mount Elgon national park. The disaster occurred in six different points of the forest and affected two parishes of Kapkwai and Kakwai uprooted trees, destroyed Uganda wild life authority water tank and rolled heavy stones into the houses of residents leaving hundreds without shelter and food. Beatrice Chemusito, the Uganda wildlife authority guest house attendant said the heavy raisn alasted for about 6 hours. “I had woken up to warm water for the guests to bath since it’s always cold in the forest and I had a roaring sound, when I peeped through the window, I saw a big volume of water mixed with mud rolling down stream. Big trees were mingled up and swept towards the guest rooms where a couple of Germany visitors had slept, ” Chemusito said. Chemusito said that the baby of who was buried by the soils belonged to one of their staff. Seven members of the same family sustained injuries. Sylvia Namono, 32, a mother of the baby who was buried narrated that two heavy stones rolled off the mother rock for over five hundred meters crushing onew of the houses where they were sleeping. “We heard a roaring sound and we rushed out of the house but we forgot the baby inside and by the time we came back to our senses, the stone had crushed down one of the houses. We lost all our household property, four cows and chicken,” Namono narrated. She complained that no o district or government leaders had reached out to them despite informing them of the incident."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/316078-bulambuli-roads-cleared-of-debris-after-landslide.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has started opening up Bulago Road in Sisiyi sub-county, Bulambuli district that was closed following the August 29 landslides that killed 27 people. A large mass of soil and rocks had poured onto the road in Mabono parish. A grader that had initially been taken to open up the road broke down. Two others were then ferried in. Although the road has been opened, it is still very muddy and thus not usable. Bulago Road is a murrum stretch that starts from the Sironko-Kapchorwa highway at Bukhalu sub-county and runs through Kamu trading centre, Bulegeni town council Sisiyi Buginyaya Bulago and Musira sub-counties before connecting back to the highway. The destruction of the road mainly affected coffee farmers in Buginyanya, Masira and Sisiyi sub-counties as they could not move their produce to the markets. Passenger vehicles and trucks no longer use the route. The blockage had also cut off Buginyaya Coffee Research Centre located on Butandiga hill in Masira sub-county."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1313-bulambuli-roads-cleared-of-debris-after-landslide.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has started opening up Bulago Road in Sisiyi sub-county, Bulambuli district that was closed following the August 29 landslides that killed 27 people. A large mass of soil and rocks had poured onto the road in Mabono parish. A grader that had initially been taken to open up the road broke down. Two others were then ferried in. Although the road has been opened, it is still very muddy and thus not usable. Bulago Road is a murrum stretch that starts from the Sironko-Kapchorwa highway at Bukhalu sub-county and runs through Kamu trading centre, Bulegeni town council Sisiyi Buginyaya Bulago and Musira sub-counties before connecting back to the highway. The destruction of the road mainly affected coffee farmers in Buginyanya, Masira and Sisiyi sub-counties as they could not move their produce to the markets. Passenger vehicles and trucks no longer use the route. The blockage had also cut off Buginyaya Coffee Research Centre located on Butandiga hill in Masira sub-county."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/316023-10-month-old-baby-killed-in-kapchorwa-landslides.html","content":" - By Paul Watala Landslides have buried a ten-month old baby and injured seven family members in Kapkwai Sub County in the eastern district of Kapchorwa. The Sunday tragedy also destroyed over twenty hectares of trees belonging to Uganda Wildlife Authority at Mount Elgon national park. The disaster occurred in six different points of the forest and affected two parishes of Kapkwai and Kakwai uprooted trees, destroyed Uganda wild life authority water tank and rolled heavy stones into the houses of residents leaving hundreds without shelter and food. Beatrice Chemusito, the Uganda wildlife authority guest house attendant said the heavy raisn alasted for about 6 hours. “I had woken up to warm water for the guests to bath since it’s always cold in the forest and I had a roaring sound, when I peeped through the window, I saw a big volume of water mixed with mud rolling down stream. Big trees were mingled up and swept towards the guest rooms where a couple of Germany visitors had slept, ” Chemusito said. Chemusito said that the baby of who was buried by the soils belonged to one of their staff. Seven members of the same family sustained injuries. Sylvia Namono, 32, a mother of the baby who was buried narrated that two heavy stones rolled off the mother rock for over five hundred meters crushing onew of the houses where they were sleeping. “We heard a roaring sound and we rushed out of the house but we forgot the baby inside and by the time we came back to our senses, the stone had crushed down one of the houses. We lost all our household property, four cows and chicken,” Namono narrated. She complained that no o district or government leaders had reached out to them despite informing them of the incident."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/316414-kapchorwa-12-families-displaced.html","content":" - By Paul Watala Twelve households have been displaced by landslides in Sironko district. The affected families are staying at Bunabala Church of Uganda and Bukirindya Primary School. The landslides affected Butandiga and Bumalimba sub-counties. The incident that happened at 3:00am on August 24, followed a heavy downpour that pounded the two sub counties. The landslides also destroyed crops in gardens in at least 10 villages. The worst hit villages were Kimesya, Sigwa, Namasya, Nagudi, Kifungu and Kigunyunyu in Butandiga sub-county. Others were Nalusi, Bulisha, Maludye and Buwagama in Bumalimba sub-county. No deaths were reported. Petra Nambozo, 35, a resident of Kimesya, narrated that it was her neighbour who saved her and her child. “He knocked at my door and started shouting to alert everybody to flee their houses,” Nambozo said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/316412-landslides-destroy-coffee.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu and R. Muzungyo The simultaneous landslides in Sisiye and Buluganya sub-counties, Bulambuli district, which buried 27 people, were also disastrous to Arabica coffee in the region. An assessment report from the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) indicates that the landslides swept 1,300 acres of coffee plantations in the two sub-counties. In addition, it caused cracks in the neighbouring coffee plantations, forcing farmers to flee. Each acre takes about 680 coffee trees. This, according to the UCDA, indicates that more than 884, 000 coffee trees were destroyed. Joseph Werikhe, the UCDA eastern regional coordinator, said they had projected the region to produce 13,000 metric tons of pulped coffee at the close of the season. John Kajeke, a farmer from Mabono parish, said: “I lost two and a half acres of coffee. Some of the coffee berries were due for harvesting.” In a related development, over 350 people in Kapchorwa district have been displaced by landslides which hit various parts of the district recently, local leaders have said. It is reported that at least one person was killed and two others injured in the incident. In Munarya, the sub-county LC3 chairperson, Saul Kamuron said the heavy rains had washed away footpath bridges that had been linking the various villages."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1647-landslides-destroy-coffee.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu and R. Muzungyo The simultaneous landslides in Sisiye and Buluganya sub-counties, Bulambuli district, which buried 27 people, were also disastrous to Arabica coffee in the region. An assessment report from the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) indicates that the landslides swept 1,300 acres of coffee plantations in the two sub-counties. In addition, it caused cracks in the neighbouring coffee plantations, forcing farmers to flee. Each acre takes about 680 coffee trees. This, according to the UCDA, indicates that more than 884, 000 coffee trees were destroyed. Joseph Werikhe, the UCDA eastern regional coordinator, said they had projected the region to produce 13,000 metric tons of pulped coffee at the close of the season. John Kajeke, a farmer from Mabono parish, said: “I lost two and a half acres of coffee. Some of the coffee berries were due for harvesting.” In a related development, over 350 people in Kapchorwa district have been displaced by landslides which hit various parts of the district recently, local leaders have said. It is reported that at least one person was killed and two others injured in the incident. In Munarya, the sub-county LC3 chairperson, Saul Kamuron said the heavy rains had washed away footpath bridges that had been linking the various villages."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1649-kapchorwa-12-families-displaced.html","content":" - By Paul Watala Twelve households have been displaced by landslides in Sironko district. The affected families are staying at Bunabala Church of Uganda and Bukirindya Primary School. The landslides affected Butandiga and Bumalimba sub-counties. The incident that happened at 3:00am on August 24, followed a heavy downpour that pounded the two sub counties. The landslides also destroyed crops in gardens in at least 10 villages. The worst hit villages were Kimesya, Sigwa, Namasya, Nagudi, Kifungu and Kigunyunyu in Butandiga sub-county. Others were Nalusi, Bulisha, Maludye and Buwagama in Bumalimba sub-county. No deaths were reported. Petra Nambozo, 35, a resident of Kimesya, narrated that it was her neighbour who saved her and her child. “He knocked at my door and started shouting to alert everybody to flee their houses,” Nambozo said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1753-rwenzori-residents-told-to-vacate-steep-slopes.html","content":" - By Hope Mafaranga COMMUNITIES living on the slopes of Rwenzori Mountain have been ordered to vacate the area to avoid landslide related catastrophes. State minister for relief, disaster preparedness and refugee Musa Ecweru said the area was prone to landslides because of its terrain. Handing over food relief to the people of Ntoroko district at Kanara landing site on Sunday, Ecweru said he did not want the people of Rwenzori region to be buried by landslides. “These people must relocate to relatively safer places because I do not want to come here to bury them. It is better for me to come here to look after them and bring food relief when they are displaced somewhere,” Ecweru said. Ecweru said Uganda was experiencing disasters like lightning and hailstorm as a result of environmental degradation. “The weather has become unpredictable due to environmental degradation. Experts are telling us that lightning which has been killing people and animals of late was a result of deforestation because the trees that used to control lightning were cut,” he said. Ntoroko district Woman MP Jeniffer Mujungu said most bridges in the area were washed away by heavy rains. She said the floods had cut off over 4,000 people in Bweramule sub-county and Kibuku town council. Mujungu added that as a result, the relief which was taken there by the Office of the Prime Minister could not reach the affected people. She said the most affected areas were Kanara, Nombe, Karugutu, Kamuga, Katanga, Rwangara, Kacwankumu, Rwenyena and Kibuku sub-counties. Mujungu said River Semliki burst recently, filling all the seasonal rivers. The MP added that people were at risk of being eaten by crocodiles which come from river."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/316518-rwenzori-residents-told-to-vacate-steep-slopes.html","content":" - By Hope Mafaranga COMMUNITIES living on the slopes of Rwenzori Mountain have been ordered to vacate the area to avoid landslide related catastrophes. State minister for relief, disaster preparedness and refugee Musa Ecweru said the area was prone to landslides because of its terrain. Handing over food relief to the people of Ntoroko district at Kanara landing site on Sunday, Ecweru said he did not want the people of Rwenzori region to be buried by landslides. “These people must relocate to relatively safer places because I do not want to come here to bury them. It is better for me to come here to look after them and bring food relief when they are displaced somewhere,” Ecweru said. Ecweru said Uganda was experiencing disasters like lightning and hailstorm as a result of environmental degradation. “The weather has become unpredictable due to environmental degradation. Experts are telling us that lightning which has been killing people and animals of late was a result of deforestation because the trees that used to control lightning were cut,” he said. Ntoroko district Woman MP Jeniffer Mujungu said most bridges in the area were washed away by heavy rains. She said the floods had cut off over 4,000 people in Bweramule sub-county and Kibuku town council. Mujungu added that as a result, the relief which was taken there by the Office of the Prime Minister could not reach the affected people. She said the most affected areas were Kanara, Nombe, Karugutu, Kamuga, Katanga, Rwangara, Kacwankumu, Rwenyena and Kibuku sub-counties. Mujungu said River Semliki burst recently, filling all the seasonal rivers. The MP added that people were at risk of being eaten by crocodiles which come from river."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/316588-what-is-the-national-policy-on-disasters.html","content":" - EDITOR: In the recent past, Uganda's weather patterns have changed greatly. We have witnessed very heavy rains leading to landslides in some parts of the country. The phenomenon is becoming more frequent these days. This is the reality of climate change, but are we prepared to manage the change? What is the national policy on disasters? Often, when such calamities strikes, we see very slow response and this comes in terms of handouts like beans, posho, tents and old clothes. That is not disaster preparedness. Prevention is better than cure. Ugandans should be sensitised about environment management. Environment abuse is mainly to blame for climate change. The changes we see now are a result of people's actions. To some extent the people are aware of the results but simply hide their heads in the sand. Excessive felling of trees and encroaching on wetlands, among others, are some of the reasons we are suffering now. The Government must start fighting environment abuse. Susan Achan Gulu"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/316565-news-in-brief.html","content":" - UPC wants landslide survivors paid Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party has asked the Government to compensate survivors of the Bulambuli landslide. They said many people died due the Government’s incompetence in detecting disasters. Last week, landslides hit Buluyanya and Sisiyi sub-counties in Bulambuli district, killing over 30 people. Addressing journalists at the party headquarters last week, UPC youth leader Moses Nuwagaba said the disaster preparedness ministry and the National Environment Management Authority would have detected earlier and planned for the people. Parents told to take children to school State minister for higher education John Muyingo has asked parents to take their children to school for the third term which begins today. He assured them that teachers in both primary and secondary schools would report back to school. Speaking to New Vision yesterday, Muyingo said the Government was concerned about teachers’ demands and had committed its self to increase their salaries next financial year. In July, teachers petitioned the education ministry, demanding for salary increment and operationalisation of the collective bargain legislation. KACITA calls off planned protest City traders under their body, Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), have called off their planned protest. This was after the Kampala Capital City Authority promised to restore trade order in the Central Business District. Addressing journalists at the KACITA head office yesterday, Issa Ssekitto, the association spokesperson, said traders had agreed in their last meeting to sell their merchandise on the streets starting on Thursday. The traders said this would enable them compete with street vendors and hawkers. Mothers warned on herbal baths Mothers have been warned against long-term use of herbal baths. Dr. Jessica Nakibuuka of the Mulago Hospital paediatric ward said some herbal baths become breeding grounds for bacteria. She said the herbs pose a danger to newborn babies through the umbilical code. Nakibuuka was presenting a paper on the rate of admission of new-borns at Mulago Hospital at the 7th Uganda Pediatric Association conference at Hotel Africana, Kampala over the weekend. Herbal bath is a mixture of different herbs, which are usually recommended for both mother and baby, shortly after birth."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1823-what-is-the-national-policy-on-disasters.html","content":" - EDITOR: In the recent past, Uganda's weather patterns have changed greatly. We have witnessed very heavy rains leading to landslides in some parts of the country. The phenomenon is becoming more frequent these days. This is the reality of climate change, but are we prepared to manage the change? What is the national policy on disasters? Often, when such calamities strikes, we see very slow response and this comes in terms of handouts like beans, posho, tents and old clothes. That is not disaster preparedness. Prevention is better than cure. Ugandans should be sensitised about environment management. Environment abuse is mainly to blame for climate change. The changes we see now are a result of people's actions. To some extent the people are aware of the results but simply hide their heads in the sand. Excessive felling of trees and encroaching on wetlands, among others, are some of the reasons we are suffering now. The Government must start fighting environment abuse. Susan Achan Gulu"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1800-news-in-brief.html","content":" - UPC wants landslide survivors paid Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party has asked the Government to compensate survivors of the Bulambuli landslide. They said many people died due the Government’s incompetence in detecting disasters. Last week, landslides hit Buluyanya and Sisiyi sub-counties in Bulambuli district, killing over 30 people. Addressing journalists at the party headquarters last week, UPC youth leader Moses Nuwagaba said the disaster preparedness ministry and the National Environment Management Authority would have detected earlier and planned for the people. Parents told to take children to school State minister for higher education John Muyingo has asked parents to take their children to school for the third term which begins today. He assured them that teachers in both primary and secondary schools would report back to school. Speaking to New Vision yesterday, Muyingo said the Government was concerned about teachers’ demands and had committed its self to increase their salaries next financial year. In July, teachers petitioned the education ministry, demanding for salary increment and operationalisation of the collective bargain legislation. KACITA calls off planned protest City traders under their body, Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), have called off their planned protest. This was after the Kampala Capital City Authority promised to restore trade order in the Central Business District. Addressing journalists at the KACITA head office yesterday, Issa Ssekitto, the association spokesperson, said traders had agreed in their last meeting to sell their merchandise on the streets starting on Thursday. The traders said this would enable them compete with street vendors and hawkers. Mothers warned on herbal baths Mothers have been warned against long-term use of herbal baths. Dr. Jessica Nakibuuka of the Mulago Hospital paediatric ward said some herbal baths become breeding grounds for bacteria. She said the herbs pose a danger to newborn babies through the umbilical code. Nakibuuka was presenting a paper on the rate of admission of new-borns at Mulago Hospital at the 7th Uganda Pediatric Association conference at Hotel Africana, Kampala over the weekend. Herbal bath is a mixture of different herbs, which are usually recommended for both mother and baby, shortly after birth."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1883-excesses-of-muammar-gadaffi-s-family-were-most-disgusting.html","content":" - By Jerry Okungu AS we close this week, let me take this opportunity to express my personal sympathy to the families that lost their loved ones in Uganda in a landslide and those Kenyans that grieved for their dear ones in two road accidents that claimed 36 souls in just two days. Whereas the Uganda tragedy was a natural calamity that we mortals could not have avoided, the Kenyan situation was different. Yet both caused us to lose our loved ones. The personal loss at the family level will take a long time to forget; the wounds even decades to heal. All I can say is that it must have been the will of God and the best we can do is to support these families to come to terms with their tragedies. As we mourn our brothers and sisters in Kenya and Uganda, news coming from Libya about atrocities and excesses of the Gadaffi family were most disturbing but not surprising. Apart from mutilated dead bodies found in his family’s palatial homes, the tortured house maid, Shweyga Mullah, the little girl burnt with hot water, chained in a room and left to die in eternal pain as they fled was as shocking as it was inhuman and disgusting. The question that must linger in the minds of those of us who watched the news footage was this: What on earth was this little girl’s crime to have deserved such cruelty and physical pain at the hands of her masters? For the 42 years that Muammar Gadaffi ruled Libya, I knew Libya to be a dry state, a good Muslim country that did not tolerate alcohol and drugs. How on earth did Gadaffi’s children stockpile such huge amounts of alcohol under their father’s nose, in their father’s kingdom without anybody raising a finger? Or was the strongman’s family exempted from such restrictions? Wherever Gadaffi may be now; this is the one question that he must be subjected to when he finally meets his Allah because the Allah I know has no time for hypocrites, liars and fraudsters. As I write this article, it is now obvious that Gadaffi’s family members are no longer in Libya. The rebels he once called rats have scattered them to the four corners of the earth. While some have shown up in Algiers next door in the north, others are presumed killed in battle while their father is finally calling for a truce while he is probably hiding in a hole Saddam Hussein-style somewhere in the Libyan desert. While it is obvious that the rebels have run the Gadaffi royalty out of Libya, it is curious that the African Union, the body of African heads of state that he once led are still dithering wasting the time of the international community. They are reluctant to recognise the new leaders claiming that the rebels killed African mercenaries that fought alongside Muammar Gadaffi! Surely, if you offer to lay down your life for a few dollars in a foreign land and lose your life to the enemy, you only have yourself to blame. As at the end of this week, only about 20 African heads of state had recognised the rebels as the true leaders of Libya, more than 50% were still holding out adopting a wait-and-see strategy. What this undecided group has missed is that the day the NATO Alliance moved in to give the rebels 'cover'; the entire Western Alliance had recognised the rebels. These are the states with fire power to bomb any country to smithereens then lead the reconstruction thereafter. If you doubt me, ask the Koreans, Japanese, Germans, Iraqis and Afghanis. It always follows a known pattern; go in, get out the devil, flash out his supporters and deal with collateral damage later. Perhaps it is time we Africans questioned the very existence and usefulness of the AU in Addis Ababa. When an African dictator butchers his people, they turn a blind eye and give that dictator tacit support. We have seen examples of this behaviour in the AU’s handling of the Darfur crisis where to this day Omar el Bashir still murders at will and gets the protection of the AU! The other day, the AU Secretariat called a meeting of heads of state to raise funds for the famine disaster in the Horn of Africa. It was embarrassing to see a no-show situation in Addis Ababa. Even Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s best soulmates across the continent failed to turn up. Yet when it was the turn of El Bashir to be arraigned in court at the ICC for the murder of innocent Darfurians or the Ocampo Six of Kenya to go to The Hague, it was a houseful in Addis Ababa and the continent spoke with one voice to condemn the ICC as a colonial court! But the hypocrisy of the African leaders knows no bounds. Of the first 18 leaders to recognise the rebels in Libya, were some of the poorest states that fed on Gadaffi’s generosity when he was in power. President Jameh of The Gambia was not embarrassed to be among the first African dictators to condemn Gadaffi when in 2006; Gadaffi single-handedly sponsored the AU summit in Banjul for the cash-strapped Jameh! Now that the ICC has opened a file on Gadaffi with the intention of prosecuting him and his generals, will the AU stand in the way again at the expense of that little girl—that maid I saw on TV? I leave it to you the reader of this column to decide. jerryokungu@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/316648-excesses-of-muammar-gadaffi-s-family-were-most-disgusting.html","content":" - By Jerry Okungu AS we close this week, let me take this opportunity to express my personal sympathy to the families that lost their loved ones in Uganda in a landslide and those Kenyans that grieved for their dear ones in two road accidents that claimed 36 souls in just two days. Whereas the Uganda tragedy was a natural calamity that we mortals could not have avoided, the Kenyan situation was different. Yet both caused us to lose our loved ones. The personal loss at the family level will take a long time to forget; the wounds even decades to heal. All I can say is that it must have been the will of God and the best we can do is to support these families to come to terms with their tragedies. As we mourn our brothers and sisters in Kenya and Uganda, news coming from Libya about atrocities and excesses of the Gadaffi family were most disturbing but not surprising. Apart from mutilated dead bodies found in his family’s palatial homes, the tortured house maid, Shweyga Mullah, the little girl burnt with hot water, chained in a room and left to die in eternal pain as they fled was as shocking as it was inhuman and disgusting. The question that must linger in the minds of those of us who watched the news footage was this: What on earth was this little girl’s crime to have deserved such cruelty and physical pain at the hands of her masters? For the 42 years that Muammar Gadaffi ruled Libya, I knew Libya to be a dry state, a good Muslim country that did not tolerate alcohol and drugs. How on earth did Gadaffi’s children stockpile such huge amounts of alcohol under their father’s nose, in their father’s kingdom without anybody raising a finger? Or was the strongman’s family exempted from such restrictions? Wherever Gadaffi may be now; this is the one question that he must be subjected to when he finally meets his Allah because the Allah I know has no time for hypocrites, liars and fraudsters. As I write this article, it is now obvious that Gadaffi’s family members are no longer in Libya. The rebels he once called rats have scattered them to the four corners of the earth. While some have shown up in Algiers next door in the north, others are presumed killed in battle while their father is finally calling for a truce while he is probably hiding in a hole Saddam Hussein-style somewhere in the Libyan desert. While it is obvious that the rebels have run the Gadaffi royalty out of Libya, it is curious that the African Union, the body of African heads of state that he once led are still dithering wasting the time of the international community. They are reluctant to recognise the new leaders claiming that the rebels killed African mercenaries that fought alongside Muammar Gadaffi! Surely, if you offer to lay down your life for a few dollars in a foreign land and lose your life to the enemy, you only have yourself to blame. As at the end of this week, only about 20 African heads of state had recognised the rebels as the true leaders of Libya, more than 50% were still holding out adopting a wait-and-see strategy. What this undecided group has missed is that the day the NATO Alliance moved in to give the rebels 'cover'; the entire Western Alliance had recognised the rebels. These are the states with fire power to bomb any country to smithereens then lead the reconstruction thereafter. If you doubt me, ask the Koreans, Japanese, Germans, Iraqis and Afghanis. It always follows a known pattern; go in, get out the devil, flash out his supporters and deal with collateral damage later. Perhaps it is time we Africans questioned the very existence and usefulness of the AU in Addis Ababa. When an African dictator butchers his people, they turn a blind eye and give that dictator tacit support. We have seen examples of this behaviour in the AU’s handling of the Darfur crisis where to this day Omar el Bashir still murders at will and gets the protection of the AU! The other day, the AU Secretariat called a meeting of heads of state to raise funds for the famine disaster in the Horn of Africa. It was embarrassing to see a no-show situation in Addis Ababa. Even Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s best soulmates across the continent failed to turn up. Yet when it was the turn of El Bashir to be arraigned in court at the ICC for the murder of innocent Darfurians or the Ocampo Six of Kenya to go to The Hague, it was a houseful in Addis Ababa and the continent spoke with one voice to condemn the ICC as a colonial court! But the hypocrisy of the African leaders knows no bounds. Of the first 18 leaders to recognise the rebels in Libya, were some of the poorest states that fed on Gadaffi’s generosity when he was in power. President Jameh of The Gambia was not embarrassed to be among the first African dictators to condemn Gadaffi when in 2006; Gadaffi single-handedly sponsored the AU summit in Banjul for the cash-strapped Jameh! Now that the ICC has opened a file on Gadaffi with the intention of prosecuting him and his generals, will the AU stand in the way again at the expense of that little girl—that maid I saw on TV? I leave it to you the reader of this column to decide. jerryokungu@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/316656-relief-trickling-in-for-landslide-victims.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu RELIEF supplies have started trickling in for the survivors of the landslides in Sisiyi and Buluganya sub counties in Sironko district. Stephen Womukhota, the Uganda Red Cross Society eastern regional disaster management officer said the Uganda Red Cross Society intends to immediately start distributing relief items to over 50000 affected people in the two sub counties. The World Vision also donated clothes, water purification tablets, mama kits, blankets, mosquito nets and drugs to the survivors. Sam Tukei, the World Vision Bugisu operations manager handed over the items to the Red cross at the Bulambuli district headquarters. The office of the prime minister delivered 200 bags of beans and 200 of maize flour. However, Musa Ecweru, the disaster preparedness stateminister had earlier promised that Government would deliver 800 bags of beans and maize flour to the survivors sparking off speculation among local leaders Simon Wananzofu, the Bulambuli LC 5 chairman wondered whether some sacks of relief food ‘disappeared’ between Mukono and Bulambul districts. Womukota attributed the delay in the distribution of relief aid to the difficulties in assessing the affected families in the two sub counties. “After the tragedy, people fled their homes and relocated to stay with neighbours. Others, due to trauma, went out of the district. We had to employ both the Red Cross Assesors and the Local Council team to compile data on affected families,” Womukota said. On the night of 29 August, torrential rainfall triggered off two simultaneous landslides that buried 28 people in Buluganya and Sisiyi sub counties in Bulambuli district. However, the exact figure of people buried in the landslides in still under contention. Whereas the Red Cross states that a total of 16 people were buried in Buluganya and 16 in Buluganya, local leaders say the number could be more as more as 40 considering that that patch buried in Sisiyi contained a trading centre. They also argue that an elderly man in Mabono parish, was staying along with four other elderly women and children who were not recovered. Additionally, they argue that though the number of people in the affected arreas is uncertain, some could have hosted visitors."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/316761--compensate-landslides-victims.html","content":" - By Jeff A Lule UGANDA People’s Congress (UPC) party Wednesday asked Government to compensate the Bulambuli landslide victims. UPC youth leader, Moses Nuwagaba said the ministry of disaster preparedness and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) would have relocated the people if the problem had been detected as early as possible. He said many families lost their caretakers while some homes were completely destroyed. “Whether the incident was out of human error, or not, the Government still remains responsible for its people. That is why we have a whole ministry to handle such matters,” Nuwagaba noted. He attributed the problem to the poor detecting systems of natural disasters and weather changes in the country. “Due to poor technologies, in the current metrological center, for detecting weather changes, the country has continued to get inaccurate results which have not helped to save the situation,” Nuwagaba said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/316824-landslide-death-toll-now-at-40.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu and Paul Watala A deadly landslide hit Bulambuli district in the Mt. Elgon region in Bugisu, killing over 40 people yesterday. The victims were buried as they slept in their houses in Sisiyi and Buluganya sub- counties in the newly-created Bulambuli district. A year ago, a landslide hit the neighbouring Bududa district killing over 100 people. By press time, 36 bodies had been retrieved from the debris in the two sub-counties. Eight bodies were recovered in Buluganya, while 28 were recovered in Sisiyi sub-county. Three people died in Bulambuli health centre. According to residents, rains pounded the district from Sunday starting at around 12:00pm, triggering the landslides at about 1:00am. A separate landslide occurred in Chemanganga parish in Sipi sub-county in the neighbouring Kapchorwa district. According to the district information officer, Doreen Kapsulei, a 12-year-old pupil identified as Fred Wozei was killed. The boy was grazing cattle when the landslide occurred. He was buried together with the animals. The Bulambuli landslides buried seven villages, including Mabono, Kigewa, Lunkungu, Bamwidyeki, Kamwenyi and Kimuli all in Sisiyi sub-county. Gombe and Nalusato villages in Buluganya sub-county were also buried. The landslides cut off a large chunk of land on the road at Kimuli trading centre in Gibuzale village, Mabono parish, cutting off the road that runs from Bulambuli town up to the hills. Buginyanya, Masira, Bulago, Lusha, Bumasobo and Bugibole sub-counties located on the mountain were cut off. The cut off road is a shortcut to Kapchorwa from Bulambuli Sisiyi sub-county. The slides buried Budyeke nursery school, Mabono PAG church, shops and the Uganda national farmers’ association project that had been dealing in organic farming and coffee. Two drug shops and heifer international project Uganda offices were also buried. An orphanage belonging to Luis Masiga, 74, a resident of Mabono village, was buried together with the proprietor. The orphanage has been housing over 50 children, but when the landslide happened, they had gone home. Masiga was a former LC3 chairperson for Sisiyi sub-county from 1986 to 1992 and the area National Resistance Movement chairperson. The landslides also destroyed crops that included coffee, bananas, maize, beans. Water sources have also been destroyed, making it hard for people around the mountains to access clean water. At the scene, relatives wept aloud as bodies were retrieved. Mourners and residents swarmed the police pick-up truck where the bodies were loaded. Milton Nabukisa - a father who lost two children in the tragedy, Gasper Masiga, 15, and Jarius Masiga, 14 - said he never expected the tragedy. “The boys were in Mama Kevin Comprehensive school in Tororo, but their mother, Irene Namaleya, requested them to go to the village for holidays. That’s the last I heard from them,” he said. “There was another adopted child called Kwaga in the house. I have heard rumours that my wife is alive, but I have not seen her. It’s terrible. They are gone. How I wish they had stayed with me,” Nabukisa lamented. Akusa Wanyira, 47, the Namisuni sub-county woman secretary, said the upper villages were seated on time bomb. She appealed to the government to relocate the residents as soon as possible. Wanyria added that the survivors do not have food. She urged non-governmental organisations to provide the residents with food, shelter and medicine, adding that people are at risk of contracting diseases like cholera. Agnes Mukoya, the focal person for Red Cross Sironko branch, said the bodies that were recovered were handed over to the Police, while those retrieved while still alive were taken to Mbale Hospital. She added that the injured included Paul Kajeke, 20 and Irene Namaleya, 38. “The team of Red cross and villagers dug and found the two people covered by the soils. We suspect that several others are still in the soils,” Mukoya said. She said they were still assessing the number of people and households that had been affected. Mukoya said hanging boulders on the steep hill posed a threat to the residents and those retrieving the bodies. “At around 1:00pm, more boulders broke off and rolled down, forcing the people who were digging to recover more bodies to abandon the scene.” Martin Nangoli, the director of Wake up ministries, a local civil society organisation, gave some of the displaced persons body bags for burial, blankets and coffins. The organisation provided 500kg of maize flour and 200kg of beans to the residents."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/317388-updf-gear-stuck-in-bududa.html","content":" - BY DANIEL EDYEGU The UPDF earth-moving equipment is stuck in Nametsi trading centre in Bududa district. The equipment was airlifted to the area to speed up the recovery of bodies buried by the catastrophic landslides that hit the area last year. The equipment, comprising two graders, blades and lights, was got from the UPDF engineering brigade in Entebbe. Over 360 people were buried in Nametsi by the disastrous landslides on March 1, 2010. The equipment was expected to dig up over 800sqkm to recover bodies of the victims but the process was hindered by bad weather and the sticky clay soils that cover the hilly terrain. Only19 bodies and body parts out of 117 bodies were recovered from the site before the work stalled. Masakhano LC1 chairperson Isaac Watuwa said the equipment has been idle since September last year. “We were told that the machines were going to open the road from Nametsi village downhill to Bukalasi trading centre. But since displaced persons were relocated from Bulucheke camp to Kiryandongo last October, talk of opening the road died,” Watuwa said. In the wake of the landslides, the Government carried out geological studies on the Mt. Elgon zone which showed that the area was disaster-prone. This prompted the Government to call off plans of opening the road from Nametsi to Bukalasi trading centre, a precariously steep stretch of over 8km."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/319203-minister-warns-sabiny-on-fresh-landslides.html","content":" - BY RASHID MUZUNGYO Tourism minister Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu has warned communities in Sebei region of fresh landslides due to poor conservation practices on the slopes of Mt. Elgon. He said there were indicators that some areas may experience massive landslides if no measures are taken to address the poor farming methods and demand for more land for cultivation. Kamuntu on Saturday told residents during a community meeting at Kitawoi sub-county headquarters in Kween district that they had to play a leading role in the conservation of nature. He said communities within specific parts of the volcanic mountain had cultivated on the hill slopes, exposing them to massive soil erosion and landslides. “We need permanent boundaries between you and the forest. We also need permanent resettlement to enable you co-exist with the forest,” Kamuntu said He was reacting to remarks by the district chairman, Lawrence Mangusho. Mangusho had earlier urged the Government to degazette land for the resettlement of families that were left out during the 1983 Benet resettlement programme. Kamuntu urged the Sabiny to identify sustainable survival skills that do not make them entirely dependent on land as a major resource for their productivity. He dismissed the ideology that the land in Uganda was inadequate to cater for the needs of the 33 million people. Kamuntu cited England that has a population of 62 million people and has the same land size as that of Uganda. Kamuntu was flanked by women MPs Lydia Chekwel Barteka (Kween), Phyllis Chemutai (Kapchorwa) and Everlyn Tete (Bukwo). The Kween resident district commissioner, William Kabarole, said the minister’s visit was a demonstration that the Government cares about the landlessness of the affected communities."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/321397-landslide-looming-in-eastern-uganda.html","content":" - By Joseph Kizza The Bugisu sub-region in eastern Uganda has been host to one of the most gruesome landslides in African history. The Bududa landslides that occurred along the slopes of Mt Elgon entered record books with a high death toll of 300 people in March last year, burying three villages. Today, fears of an impending similar scenario have gripped the region again as a result of continuous heavy rains and floods. The mounting level of uncertainty has forced some residents to vacate the area for safety. What is a landslide? A landslide also known as a landslip is a general movement of the ground on a wide range primarily as a result of gravity action. Such movement may include rock falls, shallow debris flows or deep failure of slopes. Landslides are closely linked to torrential rains, floods and mudslides. Before the Bududa landslides, Uganda was unfamiliar territory for such large-scale ecological occurrences. However, other parts of the world have staged characteristic tragedies. Historical cases Geological records indicate that the largest landslide ever in the prehistoric era was that which moved Heart Mountain to its current location about 48 million years ago. The mountain is located in the Bow River south of Exshaw, Alberta in Canada. Earlier this year, about 900 people reportedly lost their lives from a series of floods, mudslides and landslides, which rocked the state of Rio de Janerio in Brazil. The affected five cities of this state succumbed to what was recorded as the worst weather-related natural disaster in Brazilian history—only second to a similar occurrence forty-four years before. Five months after Uganda was hit by the landslides, China was haunted by a similar plight. A dreadful mudslide shocked the County of Zhugqu in Gansu Province. The nature attack struck in the depths of the night early August 2010 as a result of heavy rainfall and flooding. One of the deadliest natural disasters ever in China, the mudslide left over a thousand people dead and many others missing. From this catastrophe, the death toll in China more than tripled that in the Ugandan case. Africa’s first case According to historical records, the African continent has not been overly affected by landslides and mudslides. Nevertheless, the 2008 Cairo rockslide in Egypt killed just over a hundred people. Before then, no similar major catastrophe had been written in Africa’s history books. Mid-December 1999 is a period many residents in the Vargas State in Venezuela will live to remember. A massive landslide caused by characteristic heavy rains and flash floods did not spare the lives of tens of thousands of people, homes and the entire state’s infrastructure. The people killed by the disaster accounted for ten per cent of the state’s population. Worse still, the towns of Cerro Grande and Carmen de Uria were reported to have completely disappeared. Criticism When the 2010 landslides in Bududa district struck, some critics argued that the government was caught off-guard. Others claimed that if the government had detected and carried out preliminary action against the looming catastrophe, the landslides would occur without killing any people. The local councilors in the affected region claimed the government failed to work with them in the decision-making process of resettling the displaced survivors of the disaster. Government’s task The Ministry of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, headed by Steven Mallinga, has a challenge ahead of creating a strategy towards the looming disaster. Part of this strategy should include an alertness program to be carried out in the sub-region. The residents of the area in Manafwa claim that despite their fears, the government has not communicated any relocation plan yet."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/321467-landslide-fear-grips-manafwa.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu THE continuous torrential rains in Bugisu sub-region have resurrected fears of more landslides on the slopes of Mountain Elgon. The fears are more apparent among communities in Manafwa district in areas where cracks have developed on the slopes. The rains that started in late April intensified last month and triggered landslides that buried a pupil of Bunanzu primary school in Nasyefu village. Trini Nagwere, the Nasyefu LC1 chairman, on Saturday said some people had deserted the area, opting to live with their relatives in safer areas. “We are not certain of what may happen next. With the continuous rains, landslides could occur any time,” Nagwere said. The rains have also uprooted trees, which have blocked roads in Bupoto sub-county. A geological study conducted by the office of the Prime minister and the National Environment Management Authority, shows that heavy rains and poor land use on Mt. Elgon’s slopes created the cracks. The cracks stretch about 40km through the Mukhoto, Bupoto, Bumbo and Bukhoko sub-counties up to the Lwakhakha border point. Nagwere said despite the threat, the Government had not bothered to register the residents for relocation. “Even when survivors were being relocated from Bulucheke camp to Kiryandongo, no one came here to register displaced families. Consequently, people who had taken refuge in schools and churches in the sub-county have settled back in the risky areas,” he said. “Whereas the Government wants us to relocate from the cliffs, we don’t have where to go,” Nagwere added. Moses Masaba, the Bupoto LC3 chairman, said the Prime Minister’s office recently informed local leaders that the Government plans to purchase land within Bugisu to relocate the residents. Masaba said they were told the Bulucheke relocation was meant for residents in the 14 villages in the sub-counties of Bumayoka and Nametsi. Stephen Womukota, the Uganda Red Cross eastern regional disaster coordinator, said more than 350 families at the slopes of Mt. Elgon were still at risk of landslides. He noted that since the relocation of the Bududa landslide survivors, little had been done to help people in the other risk-prone areas of Manafwa, Mbale, Sironko and Kapchorwa find alternative places for settlement. However, an official from the Prime Minister’s office said the Government had no immediate plans to relocate people in the landslide prone areas."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/322350-relocate-a-forest-werike-is-a-very-brilliant-minister.html","content":" - EDITOR: A landslide has killed a child in Manafwa. This would have been a wake-up call only if our politicians really cared about the voters! The Bududa tragedy is still fresh in our minds and the survivors are still suffering. Against this background, a minister, Michael Werike insists that Namanve Central Forest Reserve must be cleared and \"relocated to Kiboga District\". Relocate a forest? I didn't know that we had such brilliant people! We are indeed blessed to have him as a minister and I hope he will be retained in the next lineup of ministers! This again reminds me of the politicians from Bugisu and Bufumbira who said that forests do not vote! This was in response to Government forestry officials who were chasing away people who had invaded protected areas. This was around the time of the 1980 elections! The forests were indeed taken over and nature repaid us through the Bududa tragedy! Why can't we learn from history? Forests are destroyed and so are the other wetlands and our lakes and rivers are drying when we are looking on! I request Werike to leave our forests alone. F. Mungereza Kampala"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/323050-museveni-hails-campaign-team.html","content":" - By Vision reporter PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has hailed his Party’s National Campaign Coordinating Team for successfully coordinating the NRM campaigns that culminated into a landslide victory for him in the recently concluded presidential elections. The team led by former Vice-President Dr. Specioza Wandira Kazibwe met President Museveni at his country home in Rwakitura, Kiruhuura district on Monday. Museveni said the NRM was more organised, coordinated and appealing to the electorate in the previous elections and attributed this to the organisational skills of the campaign team. He also hailed the innovative skills of the NRM youth groups, volunteers and researchers and urged them even to do more to propel the Movement to greater heights. Museveni stressed the need for research into the strengths and weaknesses of the party in order to make it stronger. He said there was need for cadre identification and training so as to get the right people to strengthen the party. The President, however, decried the reported commercialisation of politics that characterised the previous elections, saying it was dangerous for the country. He appealed to Movement activists to track down those involved in vote-buying so that they can be prosecuted.Museveni urged the Police and security organs to arrest those who monetise politics. Kazibwe said the 68.4% win in the presidential race, 72.8% representation in Parliament, 78.8% in local government and 80% representation in the youth councils testify to the popularity of the Movement. She hailed President Museveni for his good track record and personality that eased the work of the campaign team."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/325700-elgon-region-needs-experts.html","content":" - I have to, respect the opinion of the experts who are analysing the land movements in the higher altitude parts of the Elgon sub-region. However, I am not so sure whether the cracks and the sinking of the land can be explained by landslides alone. True, deforestation, overpopulation and land degradation are serious problems and an important cause of landslides in the area. But is it not too simplistic to attribute them as sole causes of the land raptures the experts witnessed? What some of us observe on the ground is baffling. If the cracks were due to landslides alone, they would be confined to the slopes because there the gradient is at its steepest. In fact, the cracks would be imperceptible and would occur either during or after rain. That is why people are swept away when landslides strike. I am not sure whether you can take visitors to see a crack of an impending landslide! In the sub-region, these cracks have been in existence for a number of years. They are looking like a new phenomenon because leaders and readers have just discovered them. The point is wear and tear is largely in valleys or on relatively flat ground. This is why I think a serious element in the expert analysis is being ignored. I believe that deep in the crust of the entire Mt Elgon area and perhaps beyond, tectonic forces are at play, generating earth movements whose consequences our experts are failing to see. The Office of the Prime Minister should enlist specialists to identify the real forces behind this rapid wear and tear of the land mass in the region a and find lasting solution. Such studies would guide local leaders in the affected areas to make more informed decisions for their people. Peter Wepukhulu"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/325832-manafwa-prone-to-landslides-â-experts.html","content":" - By Paul Watala and Ayiga Ondoga OVER 30,000 families around Mt. Elgon are on the verge of experiencing a landslide similar to the Bududa case following the development of several cracks on the basement of the mountain. Adonia Bintoora, the conservation area manager, said the crack stretches 40km from River Lwakhakha on the Uganda-Kenya border through Manafwa, Bududa, Mbale, Sironko to Kapchorwa districts. He said the cracks had enlarged from 10cm last year to 30cm because of the population pressure on the land and the clearance of the forest cover on the mountain. “There is population explosion, where 600 people live on a square kilometre of land and they do not conserve the soils and water, hence forest degradation,” Bintoora said. Bintoora was conducting the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) officials on a visit to some of the affected villages in Manafwa. The officials were Mary Gorrette, Kimono Kitutu (NEMA) and Lillian Nsubuga (UWA). They visited Matuwa, Batibo, Bumbo, Bupoto and Bwajambi villages. “Some areas are sinking, leaving the upper part within the forest and the lower one remains hanging,” Bintoora said. He said during the presidential and parliamentary campaigns, the politicians used the forest as a tool to canvas for votes, leading to the encroachment by the local population. “During the campaigns, President Yoweri Museveni, while in Bumbo, Mbale, told the local people to follow the 1993 boundaries. But the local politicians fuelled the issue, resulting into the encroachment behind the boundaries into the inner forest area,” Bintoora said. He urged the Government to declare areas around Mt. Elgon disaster areas because some houses had already been brought down and others were on the verge of collapse. Kitutu said the problem affecting the area was the high population leading to lack of enough food for the residents. She said the residents had resorted to cutting down the forests to get land for cultivation. Kitutu appealed to the Government to relocate the people in the affected areas to avoid a repeat of what happened in Bududa where over 300 people are believed to have been buried by the landslides."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/325875-hard-times-for-bududa-survivors-in-schools.html","content":" - By John Masaba FROM the time she was young, 18-year-old Robinah Nabuzaale’s dream was to become a nurse. And that dream seemed to be firmly in her grasp until early last year, when calamity befell her family. It had rained heavily the previous night, and by morning, when she was supposed to be out for school, there were no signs of the rains relenting. She plucked a banana leaf from their garden which she improvised as an umbrella and braved the rains. Little did she know that that was the last time she would see her family members. As her family sheltered in their house, a heavy mass of earth and rocks, let loose by the pounding rains, tumbled down from the mountain and buried everyone at its foot alive. When she returned, she could not even trace the site where their house once stood. The entire village had been flattened by mud and rocks. Nabuzaale’s story is one among the many tear-jerking tales of the survivors of the Bududa landslides that claimed over 350 lives last year and displaced thousands more last year. But while the mudslides may have wiped out their entire families, for many young people like Nabuzaale, it has not wiped away their ability to look forward to the future with renewed hope. During an interview with Mwalimu, Nabuzaale expressed her wish to return to school but could not find a school to kick-start her pursuit to become a nurse. She cannot afford the fees needed in the only school, which is privately owned, considering the fact that she is an orphan. Desperate situation But Nabuzaale is not alone. Other children are also struggling to adjust to the new environment in Kiryadongo. It is not rare to find children of school going age holed up at home with their parents during a school day. While children in many places in the country enjoy Universal Primary Education (UPE), the situation is different in Kiryandongo. Jesca Sera, one of the residents in the camp, says two of her six and seven-year-old children recently refused to go to school. “When I asked them why, they said they do not understand their teachers because they speak a ‘strange’ language,” Sera says. She says she later made out that the teachers were using Luo and Swahili at school, which her children could not understand. The new thematic curriculum, which the Ministry of Education and Sports has introduced in all schools emphasises the use of local languages as a medium of instruction in lower primary (P.1 to P.2). Francis Izama Buga, the head teacher of Panyadoli Primary School, which serves the camp, says the school has had to halt the curriculum in the school to accommodate the children from the camp. However, he says handling these children has become very difficult. “Having come from the rural areas with a different mother language, communication is a problem. And yet they cannot understand English,” he says. Izama says most of the children have difficulty concentrating at school. “Many children have to attend lessons on empty stomachs and yet we have no means to provide food for these children,” he says. Started by International Rescue Committee (IRC), a non-governmental organisation, to provide education for Sudanese refugees, the school is struggling to cope with the large populations of children who have since been admitted to the school. Izama says the school has over 1,000 pupils who have to be managed by only 11 teachers. The textbooks are also in short supply and the school has only seven classrooms. Every morning children have to scramble for space. Izama says the lower primary classes (P.1-P.4) are the most populated, and are the most difficult to handle. He says he has been forced to introduce co-teaching, where two teachers enter a class at the same time. However, this often causes a shortage in other classes. IRC closes IRC wound up its activities in the area following the return of Sudanese refugees back home. The school is now run with facilitation from the Government UPE programme. However, Izama says, this facilitation is not enough or does not come in time. “Since the term began, we have not received any UPE funds, yet we depend entirely on this facilitation to run the school,” he says. He adds that he sought assistance from the Prime Minster’s office last year to prepare the school for the new numbers from Bududa, but he is yet to receive any response. When contacted for a comment, Musa Ecweru, the minister for Disaster Preparedness, said the Government was aware of the problem and was working hard to arrest the situation. Ecweru said the camp will acquire some of the best facilities in the whole of East Africa. “We have an arrangement of a vocational college, a primary and secondary school for the people in the camp. We want to make Panyadoli Refugee Camp a model settlement in East Africa,” he said. Quick action As a temporary intervention, Izama says he is arranging a recruitment of teachers who are part of the survivor’s from Bududa residing in Panyadoli. Betty Nabulwala, a former headmistress of Kitsatsa Primary School in Bududa, also one of the teachers Izama is recruiting, says she and five colleagues are ready for the new task. But their future is, however, shrouded in mystery. Despite their efforts to secure transfers from Bududa district payroll to Kiryandongo, there is little hope that she will succeed soon. Nabualwala says: “We are worried and unless our transfers are effected soon, we may be deleted from the Bududa district payroll because we have not stepped into the classroom for a long.” Eddy Kibeti, one of Nabulwala’s colleagues, says it is difficult for them to get their salaries. He says they have to travel to Masindi, 80km away to draw their salaries because there are no banking services in Kiryandongo. “We end up spending the salaries on the road in payment of hefty fares,” he says. But not all is lost. The recent announcement by the Government that construction of a house for each household on the 2.5 acres of land is underway, is a statement of intent that bettering the lives of the mudslide survivors features prominently on its to-do list this year. Already, a new health centre has started operation in the camp. This should be able to treat the sick, who have been travelling long distances to access medical care."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/326307-bududa-survivors-get-600-houses.html","content":" - By FRANCIS EMORUT THE Government has started constructing houses for 602 families of the Bududa landslide survivors resettled at Panyomoli in Kiryandongo district. “We are going to ensure that 300 houses are completed this year and the 300 next year,” the permanent secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Pius Bigirimana, told the beneficiaries when he visited the area on Monday. The Government has provided hydrafoam machines for making the bricks, while the beneficiaries provide labour. The Government allocated two-and-a-half acres of land to each family and sh250,000 as start-up cash. It will also provide iron sheets for the houses. The two-bedroomed house with a sitting room will accommodate six people. The Government has also provided seven boreholes and a health centre stocked with drugs in the resettlement. Bigirimana denied media reports that the people had left the camp and gone back to their original homes in Bududa because the Government had abandoned them. “It is wrong to say that the Bagisu have gone back. They go back there to visit their relatives,” Bigirimana said. The survivors, however, said they had not received food supplies since February 6. He instructed the commissioner for disaster preparedness and management, Martin Owor, not to leave the area until he sorts out the food issue."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/327151-museveni-has-led-uganda-from-rags-to-riches-in-25-years.html","content":" - Kintu Nyago APART from Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32 nd President of the United States, Yoweri Museveni, is the only other leader in the democratic world to have won four consecutive elections in a row. And in the case of Museveni, with his fourth mandate renewal being secured by a landslide of 68%. Without the proper understanding of our post-colonial experience, many Western so-called ‘experts’ on Africa, crudely associate high political turnover with good governance. If this was so how come Italy, which has had 61 changes in government from 1945 to date, has never emerged as the world’s super power? If the mere high political turnover, was the required pre-condition for experiencing good governance and development, then Uganda, in 1986, would have been the earthly paradise. Before Museveni, Uganda, in its first 24 years of independence had experienced eight different changes of government, and seven different rulers. All these changes being violent. Involving five coups, a war with a neighbouring country and a civil war. Indeed within less than a decade of independence we had experienced three constitutions. These being the controversial 1962 Lancaster House Constitution, that Obote unilaterally abrogated, and instead imposed on us the 1966 ‘pigeon hole” Constitution and subsequently the draconian 1967 republican Constitution. Let us remember that the republican Constitution was debated and promulgated by a parliament with an expired mandate. Uganda, by 1986 was a pariah, black sheep of the global community of nations. Where life, to paraphrase Hobbes, in The Leviathan, was “…poor, nasty, brutish and short…” . By mid 1970s Dar-es-Salaam based scholar John Saul referred to Uganda as having experienced an “… unsteady state par excellence…” Thanks to the unsavory baggage we had inherited from colonialism, associated with utter political ineptness, we had graduated as the world’s laughing stock. For we had graduated with a collapsed economy and dislocated politics and society. Under Museveni, all this has changed during his wise and steady 25-year reign. For instance, the cannibalistic state, that fed on its own, through the crutches of the State Research Bureau and NASA was dismembered and replaced with a democratic responsive and caring one. Best personified through the 1995 democratic Constitution, and rights based polity. Democracy is now a Ugandan fact of life. And so are the rights to life and property. To the extent that for the first time since the 1966 crisis, Uganda is at peace with itself, from West Nile to Busia and from Kisoro to Karamoja. Due to deliberate pro-people social policies, preventable child killer diseases as measles, polio and whooping cough have either been eradicated to reduced to the minimum. The same applies to the high incidence of HIV-AIDS. Uganda emerged as a global good practice role model in the struggle against this pandemic, under the leadership of Museveni. The right to acquire literacy and numeracy skills, through universal primary and secondary education is also a fact of life for our most wretched of our earth. Under Museveni, the world, through Uganda, saw its sharpest, ever recorded decline in poverty, from 56% in 1992 to 31% in 2006. While by 1986, Uganda had experienced economic collapse and collected taxes worth a paltry sh5b, currently our booming and diversifying and transforming economy generates tax revenues worth sh5 trillion. Prior to 1986 Uganda was a source of regional instability. Under Museveni it is a regional liberating and stabilising force that supported the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa, the self-determination of South Sudan, the stopping of genocide in Rwanda, and now Somalia. Museveni’s long, able leadership has restored our sense of pride and purpose. Our future challenge is to consolidate these gains while taking note and correcting our weaknesses. We are challenged to institutionalise the gains we have achieved, while concurrently working for the fruition of our social economic transformation based on growth with equity. Second deputy principal private secretary to President Museveni"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/DP-s-Nabukenya-in-early-lead/-/688334/2323662/-/rsttmo/-/index.html","content":"DP's Nabukenya in early lead - As the Luweero by-elections come to an end, DP's Brenda Nabukenya looks set to regain the seat. The vote count earlier proves that the DP candidate is leading comfortably. Vote count from Wobulenzi kisaawe polling station indicate Nabukenya obtained 404, whole her biggest rival Rebecca Nalwanga polled 111 votes. At ourlady A polling station, Nabukenya polled 206, while NRM's Nalwanga managed 48 votes, at Makcollege Luweero polling station A-Z, Nabukenya polled 274, while Nalwanga garnered 53 votes. Nabukenya's supporters have now taken to the streets to celebrate what they anticipate to be a landslide victory. Meanwhile the police remains heavily deployed but they have not yet intercepted the joyous crowds celebrating in Luweero town. To keep updated. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@DailyMonitor) for real time updates on all the happenings in Luweero"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1243680/-/bio360z/-/index.html","content":"Iraq guard and family perish in road accident - A 27-year-old guard who returned from Iraq barely a month ago perished on Friday in a car accident with his wife and child at Kafu in Masindi District after he lost control of a vehicle they were travelling and plunged into a swamp. Kenneth Owanyi Omurok, his wife Eunice Katushabe, 27, and their two-year-old son, Elisa Owanyi, died on the spot. A witness said the three, who were in the front seat, had not fastened their seat belts. Two people who were travelling with them in the rear seat survived with minor injuries and have been discharged from Kiryandongo Hospital. Ms Leah Peace Mukyala, 23, a decoration manager, said they left Kampala for Lira at 2pm and as they approached Kafu, a traffic police stopped them and wanted to charge Owanyi for speeding but his wife advised him to bribe the officer with Shs20,000 which he did and they proceeded. Ms Mukyala said they stopped at Kafu to buy roasted meat and just a short distance from Kafu, the driver lost control of their vehicle which overturned and plunged into the swamp. She said she was the first to come out as the vehicle was submerged in water and then pulled out Ms Florence Akullo, 42, Katushabe’s sister. According to Ms Mukyala, rescuers arrived late because the vehicle was shrouded in a swamp and could not be noticed. The bodies and the injured were rushed to Kiryandongo Hospital. Mid-west police spokesperson Zurah Kanyana confirmed the incident. She said the vehicle hit an ant-hill before plunging into stagnant water. Ms Kanyana attributed the accident to speeding. She said many motorists misuse the highway in disregard to other road users. “Others speed for fun not considering passengers in their vehicles,” she said. She could not deny nor confirm the allegation of bribery. “I am not sure about that. If it happened, it was a wrong act.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Ex-soldier-seeks-to-block-NRM-delegates-conference/-/688334/2527114/-/bqxdez/-/index.html","content":"Ex-soldier seeks to block NRM delegates conference - Kampala. A member of the ruling NRM party has petitioned the High Court, seeking to block the forthcoming delegates’ conference on December 15.Mr Ruhinda Maguru, a retired army captain and lawyer, claims the delegates’ conference is in breach of a consent judgment entered between him and the NRM leadership before then principal judge James Ogoola on October 25, 2010.He claims in the said judgment, it was agreed that a five-member committee be put in place to settle the dispute on the NRM presidential flagbearer and the party be tasked to put in place an independent and competent Electoral Commission.Mr Maguru contends that despite several reminders, the NRM has never implemented the terms of the consent judgment.Justice Lydia Mugambe has set December 3, for hearing of the petition. jkigongo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/OtherSport/Own-goal-lifts-Kyambogo-over-Ndejje/-/690284/2258800/-/105p6y5/-/index.html","content":"Own-goal lifts Kyambogo over Ndejje - University leagueYesterday’s resultKyambogo 1-0 Ndejje Today at 4pmKIU vs. Nkumba (Nsambya)awasike@ug.nationmedia.com KAMPALA. A Henry Orom own-goal was enough to gift home side Kyambogo three points against Ndejje in a thrilling Nile Special University League match yesterday afternoon. At a packed Kyambogo ground, the visitors dominated the first half but failed to breach a resolute defence. Kyambogo engaged gears after resumption and were rewarded when the luckless Orom headed into his own net. Kyambogo also had goalkeeper Joseph Etyanga to thank. He pulled off outstanding saves to deny Ndejje a point.Meanwhile, Kampala International University (KIU)’s new coach Richard Wasswa will be out to demonstrate that he is the right man to lead the Kasanga-based side when they host Nkumba today at St. Peters Nsambya Ground."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/661066-kyambogo-edge-nkumba-on-flooded-home-pitch.html","content":" - By Swalley Kenyi Nile Special University Football League First leg, Semifinal Kyambogo 1 Nkumba 0 Kyambogo University soccer team has blamed their narrow lead in the University Football League on the heavy rains just a few hours before kickoff on Thursday. The downpour left the pitch at Kyambogo waterlogged, delaying the start of the game by almost an hour. And even after players, fans and organisers drained it using sponges and buckets, one side of the pitch remained heavily sodden affecting the flow of the game. Finally when the match rolled off players found movement very difficult, missing clear scoring opportunities. Kyambogo’s man of the match Jean Mary Muganyizi was the saddest despite scoring the lone goal that gave his team the win. “We could not play according to the coach’s plan. The poor state of the pitch affected our game. I missed chances and even failed to help my teammates score. But we will recover in the return leg,” Muganyizi promised. Even players were called upon to come and help in draining the pitch following a heavy downpour before the match between Kyambogo and Nkumba in the Nile Special University Football League could go ahead. Coach Deo Sserwadda noted that, “We expected more goals in the first leg here because we know our ground better. But its current status could not allow us to score as we expected. I pray we get a win or at least a draw in the return leg.” Whereas Sserwadda is praying for at least a draw, his counterpart at Nkumba Patrick Ssebuliba is expecting an easy win in the return leg in Entebbe. “I cannot blame our loss on the status of the pitch. It affected both teams but we shall overturn the result in Nkumba. Remember no team has survived in Nkumba,” Ssebuliba warned after the match. The return leg of the semifianls are due Wednesday and Thursday next week."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/655400-updf-joins-kasese-flood-rescue-efforts.html","content":" - By Taddeo Bwambale An emergency response team comprising of officers from UPDF, district and several local organisations is traversing flood-hit areas in Kasese to rescue victims and assess damage. At least five people including two newborn babies and a 77-year-old woman died on Thursday in a stampede at Kilembe Mines Hospital, as patients fled the hospital to escape floods. A total of 195 patients who were receiving treatment at the hospital were on Wednesday evacuated to other government facilities. Wilson Asaba, the assistant chief administrative officer and focal person on disaster told New Vision that relief efforts would focus on draining the river MUbuku bed. “We are mobilizing equipment to deepen the river bed and remove some boulders so that the river can flow freely,” Asaba explained. Asaba said the team was conducting a thorough assessment of the damaged caused by the floods."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/655366-kasese-floods-2-dead-195-evacuated.html","content":" - By Taddeo Bwambale & John Thawite Three rivers Nyamwamba, Nyamugasani and Mubuku in Kasese have burst their banks following heavy rains causing floods. An elderly woman and a baby are among two people who died in a stampede at Kilembe Mines Hospital, as patients fled the flooded hospital on Thursday morning. A total of 195 patients who were receiving treatment at the hospital have been evacuated to other government facilities, Dr Peter Mukobi, the district health officer told New Vision. Kilembe Hospital has been temporarily closed as emergency response teams assess the situation, according to the health ministry’s spokesperson, Rukia Nakamatte. Last year, at least eight people were killed when flash floods cut off parts of Kasese district after River Nyamwamba burst its banks. Kilembe Mines Hospital which was flooded was temporarily closed after equipment and buildings were destroyed."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/642687-immature-matooke-floods-markets.html","content":" - By Stella Nassuna Matooke supplied to markets lately is immature, according to Khalid Ngande, the chairman of matooke traders, in owino market Immature matooke is one that has not reached the full level of growth and is difficult to peel. “Our big customers are mainly those who transact wholesale purchases like restaurants, and small hotels in town.” But lately, with the current supply of immature matooke, sales keep dropping by the day because the hotels and restaurants nolonger trust the traders to supply good food. “Majority of the customers find the steamed immature matooke hard to eat,” Victoria Karungi, manager of restaurant in Kampala says. According to Ngande, immature matooke is not the only thing affecting their businesses but also the on going rains. He says that currently the roads in a number of producing areas like Mbarara, Masaka, and Fortportal are in a terrible state."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/629448-congolese-immigrants-flood-uganda.html","content":" - By Taddeo Bwambale Congolese refugees are flocking Uganda in hundreds to escape clashes in the war-ravaged Democratic Republic of Congo, the minister for relief, disaster preparedness and refugees, Stephen Malinga has disclosed. Between 100 and 150 refugees cross into Uganda every day, and over 5,600 are estimated to be living in the country, the minister said. Addressing journalists at the Media Centre on Tuesday, Malinga said all the centres receiving the refugees were full, adding that the Government had set aside land to relocate them.  \"Government has opened up Rwanyanja in Kamwenge district to receive new refugees because all refugee centres in Nakivale, Orukinga, Kyangwali and Kiryandongo are full,\" he Malinga explained. Fighting broke out in the eastern part of DR Congo last year following disputed general elections in which incumbent President Joseph Kabila was declared winner. Over 100 people have been killed while others have fled the country to escape violence from local militias and fighters operating in parts of the country. All the refugees coming into Uganda have been transferred either to the Nakivale and Orukinga refugee camps in southwestern Uganda. Malinga, however, said efforts to transfer the refugees to Rwanyanja in Kamwenge district have faced strong resistance from people claiming ownership of the land. \"That is government land. Those claiming to own it are encroachers who have been supported by some politicians,\" he said. The land measuring 40 square miles was initially occupied by Rwandese refugees before they returned home in the 1990s, the minister clarified. He blamed some politicians for fanning the feud in which one resettlement officer, Alphonse Ntezirayo was reportedly killed on Sunday during a routine inspection. Malinga said the Government had given all illegal occupants 21 days [three weeks] to vacate the land or face eviction."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/316434-govt-urged-on-landslide-victims.html","content":" - By Moses Walubiri and H. Ssekanjako MPs from areas ravaged by floods and landslides have warned of imminent famine and outbreak of waterborne diseases. Bududa district Woman MP Justine Khainza, Labwor MP Micheal Ayepa and MP Samson Lokeris of Dodoth East in Kaabong district asked the Government to continue providing support to families. “Government should avail emergency funding to provide essential household items, emergency medical services and water treatment to affected communities,” Lokeris said. Meanwhile, Khainza objected to the Government’s plans to relocate some of the affected people in Bududa to Kiryandongo, saying transplanting people was affecting their culture. “Let the Government buy land within the Elgon region to settle people in landslide prone-areas. This must be done without delay,” she said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/323182-floods-cut-off-moroto-nakapiripirit.html","content":" - By Barbara Nambozo TRANSPORT between Moroto and Nakapiripirit districts has been cut off by floods across the Lorengedwat bridge. The bridge that connects the two districts collapsed last December after a trailer rammed into its pillars. The LCI chairperson for Lorengedwat, Alex Nangiro, told New Vision in a telephone interview that over 10 vehicles loaded with passengers and goods were stranded at the bridge by 10am last Thursday. “The situation is bad. Residents cannot cross over to conduct business and seek medical help,” Nangiro said. He also said a team from the Uganda National Roads Authority visited the site in February to assess the situation but no repairs has been made so far. Karamoja region has received heavy rains recently. The rains have reportedly destroyed the mast of All Karamoja Radio FM, a wall at the Rural Training Centre and a shade at the Boma ground."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/462574-foodstuffs-flood.html","content":" - By Ibrahim Kasita FOOD from rural areas has continued flooding Kampala’s major markets despite heavy rains, The New Vision’s weekly survey has shown. Commodity prices have slumped because traders have little space left for stocking the new produce. This has forced producers to move around the city suburbs, selling food at give-away prices. The traders had feared that the rains would hamper transportation of commodities because roads become impassable. “A lot of produce is brought, but we are just chasing them away. Our stores are full. The producers are moving around small markets and suburbs selling the food at a cheaper price,” Robert Mugisa, a trader, said. The traders, however, warned that if the rains continued, producers might stop supplying commodities because they would keep them for the planting season. A kilogramme of beans was selling at sh500-sh600."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/588786-culvert-installation-reduces-city-flooding.html","content":" - By Kiganda Ssonko, Fred Kyobe And T. Musinguzi SOME areas in Kampala City formerly vulnerable to floods are now safer during rains due to the on-going installation underground culverts. A survey by The New Vision after a recent heavy down pour revealed that the floods that often caused traffic jam on the Port Bell Road near Meat Packers cleared shortly after the rain. The roundabouts on Jinja Road near Top Cuts butchery, Simba Blanket Limited, B.A.T and Ssese Islands Beach Hotel booking offices were passable after Monday’s the down pour. At the Halaal butchery super market, there were floods within the premises making the shop inaccessible. Employees, however, said the floods were minimal compared to the usual situation.” At Lugogo, The New Vision visited the Rugby Grounds which normally flood but the water had subsided soon after the rains. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/A-year-of-pain-from-a-botched-pedicure/-/689842/1603810/-/hvv5hnz/-/index.html","content":"A year of pain from a botched pedicure - It went the way any other pedicure had been going, just that this time, it was a few days to my due date and I wanted to go to the labour ward looking haut. The story about how I screamed the hospital down with all my hautness will come another day. Anyway, two days after the pedicure, there was a little discomfort in my big toe; it had been cut badly, too deep into the skin I think. It had happened before and all it had taken to resolve had been an immediate return to the pedicurist. With the new baby on the way however, who came to the world wailing from the onset, I kept on postponing this follow-up visit. Meanwhile, the discomfort was slowly building up, and eventually had become distinct pain.Three weeks later and the area had developed pus but I could not let anyone with suggestions of hot water and salt near it. To me, it was now a case of medical attention, so, I went to a nearby clinic. It was pressed, bandaged and submerged in drugs. Three days later and whole toe was septic with the nail about to fall out. I could not believe it! Well, a neighbour gave me this wonder ointment that healed the toe in four days. But, the area was tender and bruised easily, with the nail digging into the flesh with the mildest pressure. I could not wear closed shoes and had to turn very carefully in bed lest the nail got caught in the sheets. The in-grown nail desperately needed to be cut out but I did not have the courage to allow anyone near it. I eventually went to get it cut but the pain was excruciating and the nail kept growing back. It happened twice and I feared I was losing my nail. It has, however, been two months now since that pedicure that left no pain. I have had another follow-up and it was all good. But, that year of pain was not funny while it lasted."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/NRM-members-cry-foul-against-own-party-over-delayed-case/-/688334/2032170/-/9gycvy/-/index.html","content":"NRM members cry foul against own party over delayed case - Kampala- Petitioners in the case challenging the ruling National Resistance Movement party actions of charging and subsequent expulsion of the four MPs have pleaded to court to have their matter heard and determined. Describing themselves as NRM party members, Mr Musiimenta Karema and Mr Bernard Banturaki petitioned the court against their party, seeking for a declaration that the party’s interpretation of and reliance on its internal code of conduct to punish the four MPs purporting to promote the doctrine of collective responsibility on all NRM MPs is an insult on “the doctrine of separation of powers”. The MPs; Theodore Sekikubo (Lwemiyaga), Wilfred Niwagaba (Ndorwa East), Mohammed Nsereko (Kampala Central) and Barnabas Tinkasimire (Buyaga) were implicated over indiscipline and breach of the party code of conduct and they have since challenged their expulsion in the High Court. But the duo alleges that the internal organisation and practices of the NRM party do not conform to the democratic principles enshrined in the constitution and contravene the laws. Through their lawyers, the complainants are challenging the constitutionality of the NRM as a party arguing that some provisions of the NRM constitution are in direct conflict with the Constitution of Uganda, which in effect makes the NRM constitution null. Lawyers not awareHowever, two of the NRM lawyers yesterday said they were not aware of the petition.“I am not aware of the case because if they had served the documents on us or the party, it would have been consolidated and heard with the others,” said Mr Joseph Matsiko, NRM’s lawyer in an interview. Mr Severino Twinobusingye said he is not aware of the petition and he has not received instructions in connection with the same. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/662052-kampala-floods-cause-heavy-traffic-jam.html","content":" - By Vision Reporter Floods caused heavy traffic jam on all major city roads early Friday, following a night of rainfall with lightning and heavy thunder. Along the Kampala-Jinja road, floods cut off the road at Kyambogo junction, with water level rising up to several inches in some sections. Several motorists got stranded in their vehicles as other alternative routes of Kinawataka and Bugolobi were also flooded. Low-lying areas such as Ndeeba, Bwaise, Queen’s Way and Downtown areas were also affected. The elements particularly affected commuters and school-goers who could not catch buses and commuter taxis in time for their destinations. Some students who are among those doing their final national exams will be affected more, as making it on time to their respective institutions will be directly affected by the transport system."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/626055-the-culverts-will-cause-flooding.html","content":" - Editor—It is a citizen’s social responsibility to alert the authorities about anything going wrong in the country. I would like to alert the Ministry of Works about a developer who is putting small culverts in an existing rain water drainage system on Jinja Road, next to Banda market opposite the petrol station. The small culverts will not take the massive volume of the storm water and the highway will be flooded as is always the case at the Kyambogo junction whenever there is heavy rain. Besides, these culverts will get filled with soil and other debris and block the water flow since there is no one to unblock them regularly. Instead of widening the drainage downstream, the developer is making it worse for the road users! I request the authorities concerned to visit this place before it is too late. David Bizimana Kampala"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/457973-sewage-line-has-broken-down.html","content":" - SIR — The sewage line behind mary stuart hall near the makerere college School playground has broken down and the field is almost flooding with sewage. This started last week and the smell is intolerable. Why does the public blame only umeme yet NWSC cannot rectify this problem which is about to cause an epidemic? Martin Ogwal Makerere"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/458042-sewage-line-has-broken-down.html","content":" - SIR — The sewage line behind mary stuart hall near the makerere college School playground has broken down and the field is almost flooding with sewage. This started last week and the smell is intolerable. Why does the public blame only umeme yet NWSC cannot rectify this problem which is about to cause an epidemic? Martin Ogwal Makerere"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/442730-in-brief.html","content":" - Floods marKAMPALA — The constant flooding in Bwaise has slowed down construction works in the city suburb’s section of the Northern By-pass. An employee of Ms Salini contractors, the road contractors, last week said rain had stagnated work on a pit dug in the Bwaise wetland for the construction of a fly-over. Man chargedKAMPALA — A Makerere University student was on Thursday charged with theft of sh0.8m from Post Bank, Wandegeya Branch. Emmanuel Nuki, 23, a third year student of education, denied the charge before Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate.Mayor asksKAMPALA — Mayor ssebaana Kizito has requested RDC Stanley Kinyatta to intervene in conflicts arising from garbage collectors in the city. ssebaana said Nabugabo Updeal Joint Venture, a firm contracted to collect garbage, was in conflict with small garbage collectors.Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/590661-kcc-seeks-sh140b-to-fight-floods.html","content":" - By Edith Kimuli KAMPALA City Council (KCC) needs US$70m (about sh140b) to combat flooding in the city, Parliament heard on Tuesday. The city engineer, Abraham Byandaala, told the sessional committee on public service and local government that there were over eight major drainage systems in Kampala and floods could not be completely combated unless they were all worked on. “The biggest of the drainage systems is Rubigi and until we work on them, there is no way we can stop flooding. Nakivubo’s tributaries too need to be worked on,” Byandaala said. Nakivubo Channel construction project has cost about sh56b. He, however, if Nakivubo channel was worked on properly and its tributaries, the city would only flood once in 10 years. He was responding to queries by MPs over the flooding in the city despite the work on Nakivubo channel. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/322503-landslide-kills-manafwa-pupil.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu A landslide buried a 13-year-old boy at Nasyefu village, Bupoto sub-county in Manafwa district on Saturday. The boy was identified as Samuel Wabweri, a pupil of Bunanuzu Primary School. The landslide was triggered off by torrential rains that occurred from 2:00pm to 8:00pm. Wabweri’s father, Emmanuel Wabunwanwa, said after the rains, they felt a tremor and then heard a bang."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/326950-bududa-survivors-to-get-houses.html","content":" - By John Masaba THE Government will construct 300 houses for the Bududa landslide survivors relocated to Kiryandongo last year. Addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre, information minister Kabakumba Masiko said each household will get a three-bedroom house upon completion of the project. The Government has already dispatched over 9,000 iron sheets, three hydro form machines, an excavator, and about 20,000 bags of cement to Kiryadongo. The construction will officially start on Monday. Masiko refuted alleagations that the Government had ignored the Bududa survivors. “We have always maintained stock of 400 bags of food in the stores. Over 1,700 bags of maize flour and 928 bags of beans have been distributed since October,” she said. She said the Prime Minister’s office will also resettle the remaining survivors who are still in Bududa."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1231066/-/bjc5g0z/-/index.html","content":"Kibuku residents cry out as hailstorms ravage crops - Kibuku At least 400 residents of Kasasira Sub-county in Kibuku District were at the weekend left homeless after a hailstorm struck the area. The storm, which also destroyed several acres of casava gardens and other crops, struck during a downpour that pounded the villages for hours uninterrupted. The district production officer, Mr Julius Nyiro, yesterday said his office has commenced assessment of the damage. “I have sent a team on the ground to establish the extent of the damage before we can know the amount of assistance required,” he said. Mr Esero Magino, a victim, said his six acres of cotton and beans were ravaged in the storm. He said he is scared of facing acute food shortage in the coming months. Calls for reliefMr Francis Kyadida also lost several acres of maize and cotton, which were about to mature. Residents said the most affected areas are Docha, Kapyani 11 and Kapyani Central, where about 400 residents are nursing severe after-storm effects. The LC1 chairman, Mr Posiano Nawoma, said the heavy rain coupled with hail stones pounded his areas for nearly an hour, leaving entire garden destroyed. Kibuku District Chairperson Mohamed Nakeba yesterday confirmed that the production department is compiling data, which he said will be forwarded to the Disaster Preparedness Ministry for assistance. Kasasira Sub-county has an estimated population of 25,000 residents. The secretary for production, also a district councillor for Kasasira Sub-county, Mr Joseph Wandira, weighed in on the appealed for government to assist the victims of the hailstorm. The country is currently facing severe flooding as rain continues to pound in a rare change of weather season that caught authorities flat-footed. The Disaster Preparedness Ministry is yet to get funds for relief."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1129022/-/c3uumcz/-/index.html","content":"Shs 200b sewer project launched - Kampala A Shs230b project has been launched by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) to improve on sewerage and industrial waste in Kampala. The Lake Victoria Protection project will improve sewerage and sanitation conditions in populated areas around Kampala and collect sewerage from sewer systems around the central business district.“There should be no fear that the project will increase flooding in the city because in the long run the flooding problem is going to be solved,” said Environment minister Jessica Eriyo during the ground breaking ceremony at Lubigi wetland in Rubaga Division. She added: “The government is hinged on poverty alleviation, and the social economic transformation of its citizens. Effective delivery of urban water and sanitation services is one of the key pillars for this transformation.” The project will be funded by European Union, World Bank, the African development bank and the government of Germany. Two phasesThe project is to run in two phases; phase one will involve the rehabilitation of the current sewerage treatment plant at Bugolobi and phase two is the construction of a new Nakivubo sewage plant to treat sewage and dry weather flow from the Nakivubo channel. Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony, EU head of delegation to Uganda Ambassador Roberto Rodolfi said the Union’s support is aimed at helping Uganda achieve Millennium Development Goal seven: Environmental sustainability. However, the destiny of the squatters on the Lubigi wetland remains in balance . “If you have been on the land illegally, you will not be compensated but if you have been here legally we will compensate you,” said Dr William Muhairwe, the managing director of NWSC. He advised residents to abide by the law on encroachment before asking for compensation."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Jobs-Career/-/689848/1099620/-/g7reb2z/-/index.html","content":"Handling sexual harassment at work - Sexual harassment occurs when one employee makes continued, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, to another employee, against his or her wishes. Sexual harassment occurs, \"when submission to or rejection of this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual's employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.\"Sexual harassment can occur in a variety of situations. These are examples of sexual harassment, not intended to be all inclusive. •Unwanted jokes, gestures, offensive words on clothing, and unwelcome comments and repartee.•Touching and any other bodily contact such as scratching or patting a co-worker's back, grabbing an employee around the waist, or interfering with an employee's ability to move.•Repeated requests for dates that are turned down or unwanted flirting•Transmitting or posting emails or pictures of a sexual or other harassment-related nature•Displaying sexually suggestive objects, pictures, or posters•Playing sexually suggestive music Different hues When an employee complains to a supervisor, another employee, or the human resources office, about sexual harassment, an immediate investigation of the charge should occur. Supervisors should immediately involve human resources staff. Employees need to understand that they have an obligation to report sexual harassment concerns to their supervisor or the Human Resources office. Policies to Adopt to Prevent and Address Sexual Harassment Your policy handbook needs a: • sexual harassment policy,•General harassment policy,•Policy about how sexual harassment investigations are conducted in your company, and •Policy that forbids an employee in a supervisory role from dating a reporting employee and that details the steps required should a relationship form. Fraternise I'm not a fan of non-fraternisation policies. I think the workplace is one of the logical locations for people to meet and fall in love, as long as the employees engaged in the relationship follow common sense guidelines. But, dating your reporting staff is never appropriate. After creating these policies, you need to train all employees about these policies. Managers and supervisors are the front line when it comes to managing employee performance and needs from work. First, and most importantly, you do not want a workplace culture that allows any form of harassment to occur. Out of your commitment to your employees and your company, harassment, in any form, is never to be tolerated. In harassment, as well as in other law suit-engaging topics, as an employer, demonstrating that you took appropriate steps is crucial. In fact, demonstrating that you took immediate action and that the consequences for the perpetrator were severe is also critical. And, the frontline leader is usually the person initiating and following through on those steps, so they have to feel confident about what they are doing. Any form of harassment can create a hostile work environment including sexual harassment and how it is addressed. As you think about sexual harassment and other forms of harassment in your work place, keep these facts in mind. •The employee harassing another employee can be an individual of the same sex. Sexual harassment does not imply that the perpetrator is of the opposite sex. •The harasser can be the employee's supervisor, manager, customer, coworker, supplier, peer, or vendor. Any individual, who is connected to the employee's work environment, can be accused of sexual harassment.•The victim of sexual harassment is not just the employee who is the target of the harassment. Other employees who observe or learn about the sexual harassment can also be the victims and institute charges. Anyone who is affected by the conduct can potentially complain of sexual harassment. As an example, if a supervisor is engaged in a sexual relationship with a reporting staff member, other staff can claim harassment if they believe the supervisor treated his or her lover differently than they were treated.•In the organisation's sexual harassment policy, advise the potential victims that, if they experience harassment, they should tell the perpetrator to stop, that the advances or other unwanted behaviour is unwelcome.•Sexual harassment can occur even when the complainant cannot demonstrate any adverse affect on his or her employment including transfers, discharge, salary decreases, and so on.•When an individual experiences sexual harassment, they should use the complaint system and recommended procedures as spelled out in the sexual harassment policy of their employer. The investigation should be conducted as spelled out in the handbook.•The employer has the responsibility to take each complaint of sexual harassment seriously and investigate.•Following the investigation of the harassment complaint, no retaliation is permitted, regardless of the outcome of the investigation. The employer must, in no way, treat the employee who filed the complaint differently than other employees are treated nor change his or her prior-to-the-complaint treatment. If it is determined that the employee lied, disciplinary action is necessary, however.The Do’s and Don’ts when dealing with sexual harassment at work•Always make sure you have gathered enough incriminating evidence that can pin down the person harassing you e.g text messages, e-mails or telephone conversations which can be produced in case the person is denying. Never report a sexual harassment case when you don’t have evidence. It can turn against you in case someone denies and you have nothing on him or her that can prove otherwise. 1 | 2 Next Page»Confidential matter • Make it as confidential as possible; this is because in case someone was genuine in their advances to you, then one should not be treated like a criminal. The main point is not to cause embarrassment but to stop and protect the victims involved. •First talk to the person harassing you and let them know that you’re not interested in their advances and if they don’t stop you will take further steps. This will empower you on how to deal with the problem. I at one time received such a complaint from a female worker whom I advised to first confront the person harassing her and when she did tell the person directly that she was not interested the person stopped the advances and that was the end of the case. • Don’t make enmity out of the case, make sure that these people reconcile in order to prevent a work environment which is full of tension and negative vibes. •Don’t make conclusions (as the manager receiving the complaint) before hearing both parties. Some of these cases can just be a case of being misunderstood or religious/cultural differences. Like in the Muslim culture, any touch on a woman can be regarded sexual harassment, yet in others, a pat on the back or a handshake is ok. •Never discuss these issues outside the confines of a closed meeting because this will breach the confidentiality and this will make people refuse to report such cases for fear of exposure. •Ask probing questions rather feelings questions, this will help in getting to know what exactly happened. After getting details of what happened, then you can get into questions of how one felt about it. Remember, sexual harassment cases are very tricky and must be handled very carefully and in a more mature and objective way or else it can lead to very serious consequences on all parties involved. Mr Kibirige is a Human Resource Manager at Community Integrated Development Initiativeswww.cidi.org.ug « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/316371-floods-ravage-kampala-suburbs.html","content":" - Most Kampala city suburbs in low areas grapple with floods every after a heavy down pour as the rainy season intensifies."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/Govt-faces-fresh-challenges-in-developing-priority-sectors/-/688616/1414912/-/31n5ll/-/index.html","content":"Government faces fresh challenges in developing priority sectors - While the government looked more determined to achieve commendable progress in the priority budget sectors, a combination of internal and external factors undermined earlier projections. On the day when the financial year (FY) 2011/12 budget was read by Finance Minister Ms Maria Kiwanuka, Uganda had a fairly stable economic environment with inflation standing at 16 per cent and expected growth of 7.2 per cent. As a result, the budget continued following the 2010 national development plan (NDP) five year targets. Infrastructure development, agriculture production and productivity, human capital development, improving business competitiveness and service delivery were sealed as priority sectors and about 50 per cent of the national budget channeled to these areas. Accordingly, the FY2011/12 directed budgetary allocations of the resource envelop to the priority sectors. From the Shs10 trillion resource envelope, 25 per cent went to infrastructure (works and transport 12.6 per cent and energy and mineral development 12.4 percent), 4.5 per cent to agriculture, 27.5 per cent went to human capital development sectors (education taking 14.4 per cent, health 10.3 per cent and water 2.8 per cent), while 8.5 per cent went to government efficiency and accountability. Unfortunately, before the economy would start off with implementing what the budget had opted to fund, very difficult economic conditions swung in and prevailed for the greater part of 2011/12. They were so gross that their effects are still felt to date These included the slowing economic growth from the projected 7.2 per cent to 5 per cent, escalating inflation rates that grew from 16 per cent in May 2011 to 30.4 per cent at the end of October of the same year, the depreciation of the Uganda Shilling, and delays in donor inflows. Faced with such a turbulent economic situation, the government moved swiftly to avert a bigger crisis. It embarked on mopping the economy of excess funds plus limiting expenditure to fight the much bigger economic problem. But this only weakened the performance of other sectors. Ms Dorothy Nampewo, an Assistant Research Fellow at the Makerere University based Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC) endorsed government for highlighting the real problems affecting Uganda but said it had largely failed in implementing the budget priorities. “The five priority areas were very interesting and captivating when the budget was read. Credit goes to government for highlighting the real areas that need attention. Those sectors are core in achieving growth and social transformation. Unfortunately, what was planned has not been achieved to a bigger extent.” She further explained: “Infrastructure development has been less and several gaps still remain. They had talked about an Oil refinery, upgrading several roads and Karuma dam construction but little has been done in this regard. There are also still many lags in Agriculture. Take for example; fish and maize are having very high prices but our production is still very low. Remember that the inflation problem has associated with supply shocks but we have done less to lift agriculture production thus not safe from it.” Ms Nampewo believes that corruption is the key obstacle to budget implementation.“Corruption is still rampant and the major constraint to success in budget implementation. We need to collectively deal with corruption as it affects almost every sector, affecting service delivery.” Global shocksA senior officer in the Prime Minister’s officer who asked for anonymity related the failure to implementing all the planned activities to negativity from the western world. In an interview with this magazine, he said: “What people need to know is that new developments affected priority implementation. Even though the government was determined to develop the underlined sectors, situations didn’t favour this. We faced so many hindrances mainly from the western world,” adding: “You see, Uganda just like the rest of Africa is still affected by the western world. Africa is the future of the world and as a result the western governments want it to lag behind. Part of our budget is funded by the same people. They have the money but intentionally delay dispatching it to keep us back.” In an e-mail, Dr Geofrey Okoboi, a senior research fellow at EPRC said the government has not been able to achieve its budget priorities as a result of failure to have and dispatch the required funds on time. “The 2011/12 budget, prioritised to tackle a number of socio-economic issues but this has not been possible. Tackling the issues require timely release of funds. This however is not the case in Uganda. For example, about 60 per cent only of the Agriculture Ministry budget has been released to date, yet we are remaining with a few weeks to end FY 2011/12. It is therefore unlikely that government can achieve 100 per cent of the planned activities in the planned period.” AchievementsHe added: “However; on a good note, government has continued to work on key roads such as Gulu-Atiak, Tororo-Soroti as planned in 2011/12. There has also been reduction in load shedding due to Bujagali dam near-completion and mini-hydros in west, and more jobs creation.” However, in a telephone interview, Hon Fred Omach, the state minister for finance told Prosper magazine that much has been achieved in regards to the priority sectors though he hesitated to discuss achievements in each priority sector differently reasoning that this would affect the ongoing budget planning. 1 | 2 Next Page»“We have had progress in the priority sectors. This progress is expected to continue in the next financial year as we work on improving the general well-being of each Ugandan. I cannot give details as we are already in the new budget planning.” According to Mr Francis Kamuleheya, the country senior patner at Price Waterhouse Coopers (pwc), the government has several accomplishments in this financial year despite all the challenges in the economy most of which were beyond its control. “The huge investment in the road sector is visible for all of us to see. Major road development and maintenance projects have been undertaken during the course of the year,” Mr Kamulegeya said. EnergyEnergy, a key driver of productivity in businesses has made a few strides. “In regard to the energy sector, the load shedding we were all suffering towards the end of last year has reduced, thanks to the increased electricity generation capacity across the country,” Mr Kamulegeya added. Education and skills development in both primary and secondary has increased by 3 per cent. There is also increased supervision of schools to monitor teacher and pupils’ attendance.” AgricultureMr Kamulegeya however noted that very little has been achieved in the Agriculture sector. “With respect to Agriculture, in my view not much progress has been made. Despite the huge agricultural potential of our country, production and productivity are still very low. The major reasons for this are many; the subsistence nature of our agricultural practices andthe heavy reliance on nature for rains.” 2012/2012 budgetIn the next financial year, the government is expected to continue pursuing the same budget priorities as they are embedded in the five years NDP strategy. Critical though; unlike in the FY 2011/12, in the new one, much emphasis will also go to achieving macro-economic stability due to persistent high inflation, interest rates and depreciation of the shilling. nkalungi@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/How-to-employ-alternative-fuel-saving-measures/-/688614/2224152/-/pp6l0q/-/index.html","content":"How to employ alternative fuel saving measures - Several drivers and mechanics will say the fuel consumption of a car is determined by, car maintenance, tyre condition, driving style, aerodynamics and several other things. However, mechanics at Valu Motor Works Ndeeba are aware that besides these determining factors of fuel consumption, there exists a Prozone fuel saving device, Panther and fuel treatment additives, which improve the fuel economy. Technical condition of the carBen Openad, a mechanic at Auto Pros Service Centre, Ndeeba, explains, just as one needs to feed well for the body to function properly, a car also needs servicing for efficiency in fuel consumption. He states that the air cleaner needs replacement after driving 8,000km while the plug should be replaced after 1,000km. Openad says, “When the fill filter is dirty or spoilt, you have to change it because it reduces fuel economy.”Openad compares the air cleaner to the nose saying, if the air cleaner is clogged by dust, less air gets in to the combustion chamber causing the engine to use more fuel than it requires. Another way drivers say fuel economy is improved is by driving at a slow speed because the higher the speed, the higher the air resistance and the harder the engine has to work to move the car. Openad also cautions drivers to avoid using consumers like the AC and headlights unnecessarily, since they rob the car of engine power. At this point, he adds, “The fuel tank should be maintained above a quarter to avoid putting pressure on the fuel pump. Also avoid buying fuel in small amounts.” Have your tyres checkedHaving the tyres weekly topped to the recommended air pressure, parking the car in a shade to avoid fuel evaporation from the tank and planning one’s journey are some measures drivers use to reduce fuel consumption. Planning one’s journey before setting off allows one to choose alternative routes to use and to move at times when the traffic is less. Nevertheless, it is still debatable whether driving the car with the windows open increases fuel consumption or not. Apart from the stated measures of saving fuel, one can insert a Prozone fuel saver into their engine compartment or use Xtreme fuel treatment (XFT) additives. Although they have been on the Ugandan market for the past 15 years, the existence of fuel treatment and saving techniques remains a mystery to most Ugandan drivers and mechanics. Steven Mpungu, a driver who has used fuel treatment additives and devices for the past 15 years explains most people claim fuel savers do not work before they even try them out. “Most people fear that their engine will get spoilt. It is all about the negative mind-set that people have towards them.” How Prozone worksAccording to Mpungu, the Prozone fuel saving device is suitable for all vehicles with internal combustion engines using gasoline (petrol) or diesel fuel. It can also be used with two-stroke engines. The Prozone fuel saver can be fitted to vehicles already in use, and to new vehicles. The fuel saver is placed in the engine compartment between the fuel pump and the manifold. It enhances the combustibility of the fuel, and improves engine power output. The Prozone fuel saver is available in various sizes to suit several engine capacities. “There are Prozone fuel savers for cars, trucks, ships, marine vessels as well as bulldozers,” says Mpungu. A Prozone fuel saver for a 2,000cc to 6,000cc engine capacity costs about $160, which is approximately Shs393, 900. “Fitting a Prozone fuel saver in one’s car costs Shs50, 000 and would take about one hour,” says Matia Musoke a mechanic at Valu Motor Works, Ndeeba. Mpungu adds, “The fuel saver device is maintenance free.” Xtreme fuel treatment (XFT)This combustion catalyst liquid fuel treatment, which is sold in different amounts, is poured into the fuel tank to clean the fuel. “Purifying the fuel of any impurities like water, carbon and rust ensures the fuel valves are kept clean and the engine efficiently combusts the fuel,” says Mpungu. On the first usage of the fuel treatment additive, one might not notice any change up to three times of using the additives. The percentage of fuel saved is more noticeable when one drives long distances. “Depending on the usage, one can save up to 20 to 25 per cent on fuel,” Mpungu says. “With XFT, the car has more power. If one used to drive up a hill in gear two, one can climb it in gear three because the car has more power,” explains Mpungu. He adds that while using XFT, a car consumes one litre of fuel per 18km while without the fuel additive, a car consumes the same amount of fuel for a 13km distance. Different amounts of XFT treat different amounts of fuel. For example, a pack of XFT that treats 76 litres of gasoline or diesel fuel costs Shs20, 000 whereas one that treats 38 litres of fuel costs Shs10, 000. There is a manual about a device called the Panther, which is placed, in the cigarette lighter section. According to Mpungu, the Panther stabilises the flow of electricity in the car hence improving the fuel economy of the car. 1 | 2 Next Page»However, he argues that most people in Uganda buy old cars whose electric system was interfered with. Therefore, one would only obtain maximum results with the Panther if the electric system of the car is in good condition. ALTERNATIVE MEASURESTurning the engine off and slowly driving down a slope (known as “okukuba endobbo” in Luganda), is usually used by drivers to reduce fuel consumption. Then there is coasting, which is when you are in neutral and the car is in motion. Coasting is a subset of “okukuba endobo”. Andrew Gumukire a taxi driver testifies to doing this often but cautions that the car might fail to brake intime while it is going down the hill. “It is more likely for one to collide with another car when doing this,” Gumukire explains. Yiga Vincent another taxi driver points out that going down a hill with the engine off spoils the gearbox and the car. Yiga further says he saves fuel by driving in low gears like five and six, buying a full tank of fuel and not overloading the car beyond its capacity because the latter would require the car more power to move. Challenges On the other hand, Mohammed Ssozi and Denis Mugisha both cab drivers agree with Yiga that driving at a high speed accelerates fuel consumption of the car. “Driving the car at a high speed but slowly stepping on the accelerator helps reduce fuel consumption,” Ssozi adds. He explains that whenever you step hard on the accelerator, you demand too much of the car. Both cab drivers say altering the fuel consumption of the car by adjusting certain things in the engine compartment, can only be done in cars with carburretors but not Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) cars. Benefits at a cost However, Kigudde Mujuzi a mechanic at Kisekka Market differs stating that all kinds of cars including EFI ones cars can be adjusted. Mujuzi explains that a car can be tuned either to increase its speed or to consume less fuel than original factory consumption rates. Yet still, he cautions that reducing a car’s consumption rate reduces a car’s speed while increasing a car’s speed comes with escalation in fuel consumption. “We adjust the two fuel jets in the carburetor to the same size. If the fuel jets’ holes are big, we reduce them to an equal size so that less fuel than originally set, flows through,” explains Mujuzi. He further says that cutting the fuel filter at times found and raising it to slightly tap into the fuel reduces consumption of the car. “The fuel filter is usually submerged in the fuel tank hence sucking in a high amount of fuel than when it is just touching the fuel,” Mujuzi adds. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1606-floods-ravage-kampala-suburbs.html","content":" - Most Kampala city suburbs in low areas grapple with floods every after a heavy down pour as the rainy season intensifies."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/761888/-/vyfhah/-/index.html","content":"Eastern region ends year of famine, floods - Mbale The year started with a fuel shortage hitting the eastern region. By January 6, a litre of petrol had hit Shs6,500. Many people parked their vehicles. January 10: Kenyan refugees mainly Kikuyu, Nandi, Bayobo, Kalenjin and Pokot enter Manafwa, Bukwo, Nakapiripirit districts; the numbers hit 13,700. January  11: Kenyan refugees clash in Uganda as a result of growing ethnic tensions and two failed poisoning attempts in Uganda camps [Malaba]. January 18: Sironko District council  passes tax on traditional marriages in a bid to expand the tax base and fill the gap created by the scrapping of graduated tax. February 16:  An acute famine hits Bukwo District following the increasing number of Kenyans most of whom from Bukusu, Kalenjin, Sabaot, Pokot and Kikuyu from neighbouring districts of Kenya who were fleeing post election violence in the area. March 23: The Uganda People Defence Forces  (UPDF) scraps amnesty for Karimajong warriors arrested with guns, vows to court-martial immediately and  imprison anybody arrested in possession of a gun illegally. February 26: Uganda Wildlife Authority evicts 6,021 Benet [Yatui] and Kapsegek from Mt Elgon National Park, their ‘cradle land’ since the 1930s. March 10: A  UPDF helicopter  crashes in bushes in Nyakwai Sub-county in Abim District  killing the pilot , Captain Corcus Okure on spot. March 3: The UPDF dismisses three soldiers from the army with disgrace. Privates Robert Okiror, Lomilo Okonya and Lele Lokeris were found guilty of conduct prejudicial to the army code of conduct.   March 11: In bid to avert the wave of violence and fighting that erupted in Mt Elgon region from crossing to Uganda, The UPDF deploys along the Uganda-Kenya border . March 10: Fighting erupts in Mt Elgon region, Cheptaisi Division of Western Kenyan between Saboat Land Defence Forces and the Kenya army. About 8,000 people are killed and many Kenyans flee to Uganda. April 9:  Gunfire rocks Mt Elgon National Park as the UPDF battles  thugs. Two thugs are killed and four guns recovered. The operation was aimed at  flushing out armed thugs suspected to be behind small arms trafficking. April 14: The UPDF recovers an assortment of war materials from Teso region suspected to have been used by the defunct Uganda People’s Army that operated in Teso in the late 1980s. The weapons were recovered from Kumi, Soroti, Bukedea and Katakwi districts. The army had recovered 20  grenades, four  anti-tank bombs,  six  60mm mortar shells  and 27mm anti aircraft bombs. April 15: The Minister of Tourism, Trade and Industry, Ms Janat Mukwaya suspends the Bugisu Cooperative Union board  over financial mismanagement. May 16: Four UPDF soldiers and 13 warriors are killed in a battle between the army and the Jie ethnic warriors in Kathire trading centre in Kaabong District. May 28:  Susana Ochora,  commonly known as Dr  Susana,  who has been masquerading as a female herbalist, astoundingly turns out to be a man. He  is arrested by police and later escapes, only to die in Mbale Regional Hospital. June 1: Fifty four  warriors are killed, 970 guns, 3638 rounds of ammunitions are recovered as UPDF intensifies the disarmament exercise in Karamoja region through cordon and search methods. June 2:  Kenya Pokot and Trans-nzoia District Commissioners Josephat Kisingisi accuses the  UPDF of  destroying the international boundary marks 409 and illegally entering 15Km into Kenyan  territory up to Gishu camp in Kanyerus,  thereby violating the international territorial independence of Kenya. June  6: The security chiefs of  Uganda and Kenya agree on a joint action and strategy aimed at ending the long persistent cross border arms trafficking and cross border cattle rustling in the region.   June 11: The Workers MP, Dr  Sam Lyomoki defies the Police and hospital administration orders and camps at the Mbale Referral Hospital throughout the night, protesting what he called poor health conditions in the country. June 22: The Association for World Education-Uganda National chapter in partnership with Danish International cooperation launches study lessons in democracy and human rights at every homestead in Ngakarimajong, the local language in Karamoja region. June 25: Eight UPD F officers are arrested in Karamoja region  in connection with cattle thefts. The officers are The commanding officer of 49th Battalion, Maj.  Alex Bakubanjja, Capt George Byaruhanda of the 65th Battalion, Capt. Yufu Buga of the 29th Battalion and four lieutenants. June 23:  Sabiny warriors from  Bukwo District rob  37 head of  cattle from Transnzoia Kenya government livestock farm, kill one GSU guard. July 2: Elgon zone in partnership with Diocesan bishops of Eastern Uganda seal discussions intended to start an African Anglican University, a  memorial to African martyrs, Bishop Jonan Luwuum , the South African  martyr, Manche Masemola and   Dr  Martin Luther King Junior. July 16: Uganda hands over six Kenya Saboat rebels  who crossed into Uganda illegally. They were  fleeing the  fighting between the Kenyan army and the rebels. July 25: Eight Sudan Topotha warriors are killed in a clash between the warriors and the UPDF in Kanangorok,  Kaabong District. July 30:  Nabumali High School closed indefinitely, The headmaster is sent on forced leave after two attempts by students to burn the school [23 July at night and 29 July] followed by a peaceful demonstration by students protesting against poor conditions and autocratic school administration.   August 4: The Minister of State for Housing,  Mr  Michael Werikhe launches a fourth term bid for President Museveni at Bungokho Sub-county headquarters.   August  5: The government  pledges  to build industries and factories in Mbale Municipality in bid to transform it into a modern industrial estate. August 14: President Museveni  tours  Teso region to assess the progress of the  National Agricultural Advisory Services  programme and to sensitise the people on poverty alleviation through savings and credit co-operative societies. September  1: Kyabazinga Henry Wako Mulokio dies of prostate cancer. September  9:  Three people are killed and  several others injured  in Bagisu, Bagwere land clash over a wetland that  is used for the cultivation of rice. September 16: Ex-Uganda People’s Army rebel political commissar, now RDC Amuria District, Mr  Max Omeda gets amnesty. October 21: Malaba border paralysed as long distance truck drivers strike. October 3: Traditional karimajong court sitting at Longorinyangai in Nakapiripirit hangs two people for allegedly raping their sister. November 12: Bududa District local government finance department  pay themselves Shs135, 519, 949 million meant for primary schools teachers’ arrears for the financial year 2007/2008. November 13: Floods displace 12,000 in Moroto in Karamoja region, people are forced to abandon their homes camp in primary schools, health centres and Moroto town. November  28: Local Government Minister  Kahinda Otafiire squashes Mbale quest for city status describing it as the most mismanaged towns not fit to be elevated to a city status. November 26:  About 4, 600 people  in Mbale lose Shs 6.7 billion to Dutch International Beneficiary Policy, an  investment scheme in a  scam. December  2:  Karamoja leaders  demand for Karamoja to be  independent from eastern and northern region. December 3: LC5 chairpersons demand for gratuity from the government. December  4: Kapchorwa District local government  hands over an ordinance out-lawing female gentital mutilation to deputy speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga at Kapchorwa Boma grounds."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/17-Nakapiripirit-schools-closed/-/688334/1866104/-/g26vpmz/-/index.html","content":"17 Nakapiripirit schools closed - At least 17 primary schools in Nakapiripirit District, Karamoja sub-region have been barred from opening for the second term after their classrooms and toilets were damaged by floods. The closure of the schools has left more than 6,000 pupils stranded. Ms Anne Akol Risa, the Nakapiripirit district education officer, said the schools were closed to safeguard the lives of pupils and teachers. She said big cracks had developed on several classrooms and toilets, adding that the structures could collapse anytime. “We are trying to identify some areas where we can make these pupils to study from until we do some renovation of the affected schools,” she said. The affected schools are in Namalu and Loregae sub-counties. They include Lolel, Kagate, Namalu Mixed and Loregae primary schools. Others are Kobeyon, Lobule, Peded, Tokora, Nakale and Okwapol primary schools. The Namalu Sub-county chairperson, Mr Simon Peter Lemukol said the flood also destroyed several acres of crops and houses, leaving more than 900 families stranded."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kasese-flood-victims-turn-misfortune-into-treasure-/-/688334/1855632/-/jjcctz/-/index.html","content":"Kasese flood victims turn misfortune into treasure  - When floods hit Kasese District on May 1 and destroyed property worth millions of shillings and claimed at least six lives, all was gloom and the people mourned. But the residents have in a space of two weeks, turned ruins into wealth. A section of the about 10,000 people affected by the flash floods, are heaping sand which was washed from the Rwenzori Mountain as River Nyamwamba burst its banks and trading at higher prices.Others are collecting tree branches and structures that were razed by the fast running water and selling them for woof fuel and as construction material. Nyakasanga, a suburb of Kasese Town, has for the last two weeks become a centre of salt trade as residents sell the raw salt which was brought along with other sediments from the Rwenzori Mountain.Mr Siraji Muhindo, a resident of Central Division in Kasese Municipality, abandoned the work in a bakery to engage in sand mining. “At the bakery I was earning only shs5,000 per day, but here, (at the mountain slope), I sell four trips of sand which earns me Shs40,000 a day,” Muhindo said. Every morning, Ms Juliet Masika and her four children go to Nyamwamba valley to collect logs which they cut into several pieces that are later sun-dried for sale. Ms Masika said a firewood bundle of 20 pieces goes for Shs5,000 up from Shs2,000. However other residents are counting huge losses and discomfort that came with the floods. Hundreds of families are still displaced by floods and are living in squalid and congested camp at Kasese primary school. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Residents-asked-to-relocate/-/688334/1853754/-/x75ikfz/-/index.html","content":"Residents asked to relocate - The State Minister for Relief and Disaster Preparedness, Mr Musa Ecweru, has urged all residents living in hilly areas of Kasese and Bundibugyo districts to temporarily relocate for their own safety. The minister’s call comes amid heavy rains that have been pounding the Rwenzori sub-region since last month. “Weather experts have predicted that heavy rains up to end of this month. The warning is to let residents beware of landslides,” Mr Ecweru told journalists in Fort Portal on Monday during a tour of flood-stricken districts. Two weeks ago, heavy rains led to the bursting of most river banks, causing floods that killed six people and displaced more than 10,000 others in Kasese. The floods also swept away eight bridges in Kabarole and displaced more than 4,000 families in Ntoroko. Ntoroko MP Martin Bahinduka Mugarra said four sub-counties had been most affected, with many houses submerged. He said New Hope Primary School in Rwebisengo Town Council had all its classes and offices submerged, two dormitories destroyed and latrines washed away. The displaced people are currently taking refuge at Rwebisengo while others from Bweramule are currently staying at the sub-county headquarters and in churches. The coordinator for emergencies in the Office of the Prime Minister, Maj. Gen. J.F Oketta, visited the district on Monday and promised that the government would send relief to the affected families. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Elgon-locals-get-tips-on-disasters/-/688334/1847600/-/ocm26uz/-/index.html","content":"Elgon locals get tips on disasters - The Uganda Red Cross Society has launched a disaster risk reduction programme in Mt. Elgon sub-region to reduce calamities following the current heavy rains countrywide. The project will sensitise communities about possible dangers, help residents form disaster risk reduction groups and undertake vulnerability and capacity assessments. Speaking at the launch of the programme on Wednesday, the project manager, Ms Irene Amuron Echudu, said the project will be implemented in Bududa, Mbale, Manafwa, Bulambuli, Sironko, Kapchorwa, Kween, Bukwo, Bukedea and Butaleja districts prone to mudslides. Risky areas will be mapped for reforestation, improved drainage and building flood resistant houses. The URCS regional manager, Mr Eldad Wamukota, said the organisation will also partner with their counterparts in US to promote health services. “URCS is proud to be working with the American Red Cross to build a culture of safety and resilience towards disaster reduction and climate change adaption within the targeted high risk communities in Mt Elgon area and lowland areas,” said Mr Wamukota. The casesSeveral cases of landslides have happened in the region killing hundreds of people. In March 2010, landslides hit Nametsi Village in Bududa District killing 350 people and displacing thousands, most of whom are now resettled in Kiryandongo District. In 2011, there was another mudslide in Bulambuli that killed at least 28 people. In March this year, they killed six people in Sironko District. and in June, there was another mudslide that buried 18 people in Bududa District. dmafabi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Shs1-8-billion-needed-for-Kasese-flood-victims--/-/688334/1845112/-/68x89v/-/index.html","content":"Shs1.8 billion needed for Kasese flood victims   - Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) Tuesday launched an appeal to mobilise Shs1.8 billion that would be used to help more than 18,000 victims of the Kasese floods. Last week, River Nyamwamba burst its banks and triggered floods killing six people and displacing  about 3,000 residents. The displaced people camped at Kasese Primary School. According Mr Michael Richard Nataka, the URCS secretary general, the money would be used to cater for both material and psychosocial needs of the victims. “The funds will cater for the provision tarpaulins and construction kits, essential household items and to revive victims’ livelihoods through provision of items like seeds,” Mr Nataka said. He said URCS in touch with the Office of the Prime Minister and district leaders to ensure that the victims of are resettled. djeanne@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Fake-goods-flood-Kampala-streets/-/688334/1754710/-/w7ktdrz/-/index.html","content":"Fake goods flood Kampala streets - Kampala Before you buy any product on the streets of Kampala City, check the expiry date first lest you buy products that might endanger your life. A Daily Monitor investigation has found out that many consumable products are either expired or are a few days to the expiry date. Unfortunately, Mr Sam Watasa, the executive director of the Uganda Consumer Protection Association, says the government has failed to enact a law that protects consumers. “The Consumer Protection Bill 2004, which was submitted to the Ministry of Trade and Industry remains on the shelves and there is no indication the draft will see the doors of Parliament any time soon.”He says the Bill provides for consumers’ rights against fraudulent and deceptive practices by sellers and suppliers of goods and services and to promote ethical standards, among others. Mr Issa Ssekito, the spokesperson of Kampala City Traders Association, blames the trend on regulatory agencies.“As actors, it is unfortunate that it is happening despite continued sensitisation of traders. But the state regulatory agencies should protect Ugandans from greedy traders,” Mr Ssekito says. The deputy public relations officer at Uganda National Bureau of Standards, Ms Silvia Kirabo, in a telephone interview yesterday, said it is the obligation of consumers to always take the first move. “We often carry out market inspection but some traders hide the goods during our inspection and return them when we are out of the field,” Ms Kirabo said. fmukisa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Rain-destroys-crops--flood-school/-/688334/1733214/-/7tl176/-/index.html","content":"Rain destroys crops, flood school - Kisoro Heavy rain accompanied by hail storms have destroyed crop worth millions of shillings and led to the closure of a primary school in Murora Sub-county, Kisoro District after its premises was flooded. The head teacher of Kibumba Primary School, Mr Fred Kagyeyo, said they have opted to use a nearby church to conduct lessons. “Teaching has been interrupted for five days now because the classrooms are flooded. Games and sports have been affected too as the play grounds are also flooded. We are now using the church as a universal classroom,” Mr Kagyeyo told area leaders who visited the sub-county to assess the situation on Wednesday. The Kisoro Woman MP, Ms Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke, attributed the floods to poor farming methods. The district chairperson, Mr Milton Bazanye, asked residents to plant trees on bare hill tops to reduce the speed of running water. He said this would save their crop gardens and property. Ms Nyirabashitsi donated two bales of blankets to families that lost their household property and promised to lobby for food relief from the Prime Minister’s office. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Oil-companies-burying-toxic-wastes--says-new-report/-/688334/1731380/-/6wkvuc/-/index.html","content":"Oil companies burying toxic wastes, says new report - Kampala A new survey conducted in the Albertine Graben has faulted oil companies exploring oil in the region for burying oil wastes in the area, some of which are toxic. The study by the International Alert and Democratic Governance Facility, revealed that waste from oil exploration activities-such as mud cuttings, drill cuttings and waste water, were likely to contaminate the underground ‘aquifers’- the underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock (gravel, sand, or silt) from which groundwater can be extracted using a water wells. “Some oil companies are reportedly piling wastes in gazetted places,” the report released yesterday said, adding that, there were no guidelines for waste management in the oil sector in the absence of guidelines by the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema). The report faults one of the three oil firms for constructing pits on sites for storage purposes, which are not encouraged. “Because of torrential rains, those pits will fill and flood, and once flooded, the dangerous waste materials will spread to the ground and finally into the lake, which we don’t want,” part of the report reads. Nema executive director Tom Okurut told the Daily Monitor, that it was the authority that approved the burying of the waste materials in the areas “however on temporary basis.”“Oil production cannot take place without production of waste materials, so we approved them to bury these wastes in the areas as we seek elsewhere to relocate them,” Mr Okurut said. musisif@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Shs500m-project-commissioned/-/688334/1724704/-/1118c0az/-/index.html","content":"Shs500m project commissioned - Butaleja The Japanese ambassador has commissioned a disaster risk reduction project in Butaleja District. The project, that cost Shs500 million, is intended to enhance sustainable climate change. It is hoped that the project, funded by the Japanese government and the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS), will help the communities recover from the 2010 floods while increasing their resilience to disasters. Mr Kazuo Minagawa, who paid tribute to URCS for their contribution, also commissioned 10 boreholes that will serve about 7,139 families in Himitu and Mazimasa sub-counties. “I’m delighted to be able to witness this event which will not only provide the people of Butaleja with houses and water, but also contribute towards strengthening of disaster reduction interventions in the country,” Mr Minagawa said. URCS secretary general Michael Nataka urged the residents to save the environment. They recently constructed 500 flood-resistant huts for the communities. editorial@ug,nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Drainage-system-plan-to-be-rolled-out-next-year/-/688334/1714324/-/1540xklz/-/index.html","content":"Drainage system plan to be rolled out next year - Incidents of accidents where people have died as a result of falling into open manholes and drainage systems have become rampant, despite Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) saying it is fixing the problem. With the recent accident claiming a life of Simon Akiiki, 28, the KCCA physical planning director, Mr Joseph Ssemambo, said they are revising a detailed master plan for the Central Business District. “We are moving steadily, and currently we are doing work in a piecemeal, working at black spots such as the works going on around Serena Hotel,” Mr Ssemambo said yesterday. He said the Authority was developing a flood-list mapping to ascertain how much flood the city experiences during rainy seasons. “Kampala currently sits on 24 hills and all the water from their tops drains down in the central business centres, thus the floods. Our experts are studying how best we can handle the entire programme,” he said. Mr Ssemambo said the programme could be rolled out next year. “We are targeting next financial year to start implementing this master plan,” he said. He said if the programme is successfully implemented, Kampala will be free of open drainage systems. fmukisa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/UK-heavy-rains-leave-800-homes-flooded/-/688340/1629244/-/ohub4sz/-/index.html","content":"UK heavy rains leave 800 homes flooded - More than 800 homes in England and Wales have been flooded as heavy rain and strong winds battered the country and environmental officials warned of more downpours to come on Monday. Two people have died since heavy rain began on Wednesday, including a woman killed by a falling tree in the southwestern English city of Exeter and a man trapped in his car in rising waters in Somerset. In a Twitter message, Prime Minister David Cameron described the scenes of flooding in the rural southwestern region of Cornwall as \"shocking\", and promised the government \"will help ensure everything is being done to help\". Parts of the Cornish village of Millbrook were reportedly under 1.5 metres (five feet) of water and 40 homes were evacuated, a BBC reporter who lives there said, after torrents of muddy water swept through the village on Saturday. Many communities were cut off after police shut water-logged roads in Cornwall and neighbouring Devon. In Malmesbury in Wiltshire, western England, pub landlord Tom Hudson said he had water lapping at the door in the worst floods he had seen for 14 years. \"It's gone down a lot but I'm trying to get hold of some sandbags because more rain is forecast for later today,\" he said. \"Houses across the road have been flooded to a depth of three or four feet, with furniture floating around in the rooms. \"I've been here 14 years and there were floods in 2000 and again in 2007 but this is much worse than either of those.\" Residents of the village of Kempsey in Worcestershire, central England, criticised new flood defences which they said had made the flooding worse, after pumps failed. The Environment Agency said 816 homes have been flooded since Wednesday across England and Wales."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Safety-of-children-must-be-given-due-attention-by-communities/-/806314/1620032/-/iu2dn9/-/index.html","content":"Safety of children must be given due attention by communities - Barely a week ago, the mutilated body of a child-- Ramathan Muhammad-- was found decomposing near the old bridge on River Nile. The story is that the little boy had followed other children to school, and when he was sent back home, he was never seen alive again by his parents. This is just one of many cases that go unreported. While efforts are made to sensitise the public about the rampant human sacrifice, parents and guardians ought to take extra care and keep a keen eye on their children, especially as the holiday season approaches. Given the danger our children face with frequent fire outbreaks in various school dormitories, a parent may feel relieved when a school term ends and children come back home. But even away from school, we cannot guarantee the safety of our children. There are drug addicts who rape and defile our daughters, motorists who drive recklessly- sometimes under the influence of alcohol. There are homes in flood-prone areas where children drown as their parents are away at work. Examples abound. Some may require long-term solutions but we must do what is within our power to ensure our children are safe. It is sad that only a few culprits of child sacrifice have been apprehended and brought to book. Unless justice is seen to be done, mob action—which is unacceptable-- will continue to rise. I suggest harsh punishments for guardians who mistreat children. The government should also put up a toll free line for emergency. A child should, among other basic needs, get parental care and love for proper upbringing. Deo Akugizibwe Mugasa,www.teamworkafrika.org"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Lawmakers-condemn-closure-of-Mulago-unit/-/688334/1609364/-/n7ahemz/-/index.html","content":"Lawmakers condemn closure of Mulago unit - There were angry submissions in the House yesterday as MPs united in condemning the closure of the Intensive Care Unit at Mulago hospital amid reports that so far five patients had died. Referring to the Daily Monitor report on the closing of the ICU at Mulago due to lack of equipment, Serere Woman MP Alice Alaso demanded an explanation from the government, opening a flood of indignant comments on the floor. “Our people are dying because the ICU is closed and the process to re-open it requires officials at Mulago to follow the procurement process. It’s unfortunate that ICU has been closed and the government is not doing anything,” Ms Alaso said.Ms Alaso was joined by MPs across the political divide, including former Vice President Gilbert Bukenya, who rejected the government promise to bring a statement to Parliament next week. Prof. Bukenya said the ICU issue is an emergency and that the government must act immediately. Acting Leader of Government Business Kasule Lumumba was booed by MPs when she pleaded that the Health minister be allowed to table a statement next week. Health minister Christine Ondoa, was not allowed to speak without a statement on why the ICU was closed. Speaker Rebecca Kadaga ordered Dr Ondoa to present a statement at 4:30pm yesterday. However, by press time, MPs were still debating a motion on the theft at the Office of the Prime Minister. Mulago Hospital spokesperson Enock Kusasira dismissed the reports of deaths. He added that the machines were lacking only filters – an important component in the ICU which protects patients from germs and infections. He said there was a procurement delay. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Floods-destroy-36-000-houses-in-Nigerian-state/-/688340/1510616/-/o6wvgy/-/index.html","content":"Floods destroy 36,000 houses in Nigerian state - DUTSE At least 36,000 houses and several farmlands have been destroyed by flood in northern Nigeria's Jigawa State, an official said in Dutse, the state capital on Monday. Chairman of the state Flood Control Committee Abdulkadir Jinjiri made this known to reporters, saying the flood had destroyed 400,000 farmlands across the 18 local government areas of the state. He said the displaced persons were now taking shelter with their relatives and in public buildings in the affected areas. The official attributed the perennial flooding in the state to the overflow of water from the Hadejia-Jama'are River. (Xinhua)"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1302798/-/b236i4z/-/index.html","content":"Government defends Lubigi Wetland project - West Nile Even as public skepticism shrouds the construction of a sewage lagoon in Lubigi Wetland, government yesterday moved to dispel claims that the project could harm the environment and worsen flooding in the area. KCCA, through the Kampala Institutional and Infrastructure Development Project, contracted Spencon Construction Company Uganda to widen the Lubigi drainage channel within 18 months. Project Coordinator David Tamale yesterday described the drainage project as crucial in reducing flooding in the areas of Bwaise and other surrounding areas. Kawempe Division mayor Hajj Mubarak Munyagwa, Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and residents have on criticised the project, saying it is behind schedule. But Mr P.K. Srinivas, the Spencon project manager, said the company was implementing the project as per the KCCA instructions and that a big percentage of the work had been completed. Mr Tamale said recent heavy rains caused flooding, making it difficult for the contractor to start excavation on time but added they expect work to progress in the dry season. Wetlands serve as sponges and water filters in the eco-system. Experts have warned that if the degradation of wetlands is not checked, the country is headed for an ecological disaster that may lead to clean water shortages and increases flooding. The project’s supporters downplay environmental concerns, saying emotion has got in the way of reason. “We have two different projects: the construction of a sewage lagoon by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation and the other one is about widening of the drainage system in Lubigi,” Mr Tamale said. “The work is not only on excavation, there are other important things to be worked on to ensure that the project meets its objective. We appeal to politicians not to be emotional and stop politicking while commenting on the project.” The Shs20b project started in June 2011 and is expected to be completed in December. A sewage lagoon is a shallow pond where waste from households is treated. It is being financed by the International Development Agency of the World Bank. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1302236/-/aia7jj/-/index.html","content":"It is our duty to keep the city clean - As part of the campaign to keep the city clean, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has begun to arrest people found littering the environment. At least 28 people were last week arraigned in court after they were arrested by law enforcement officers. Under the KCCA Solid Waste Management 2000, the responsibility of garbage lies on the accumulator. Because the 10-year-old law had not been effectively enforced in the past, the recent arrests have taken many by surprise. Under the law, those found littering face two months imprisonment, 20 hours of community service or a Shs40,000 fine. It is important for city residents to know the law and respect it. In that regard, KCCA should, through the different divisions, carry out campaigns to educate people, especially slum dwellers, where poor garbage management poses a big health challenge. Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago was quoted to have said that KCCA should first provide garbage bins before arresting those found littering. He is wrong. The garbage problem in the city would have been drastically reduced if individuals stopped carelessly throwing out rubbish from their cars. Also, it costs nothing to walk a few more metres to the next litter bin. KCCA garbage management regulations state clearly that it is the responsibility of garbage generators to dispose it well at designated collection points. Granted. KCCA should place more bins at various points in the city. Lack of bins should not, however, be an excuse for people to litter the streets or shop verandas. To keep Kampala clean, strict measures must be taken against the culprits. In Juba, South Sudan, careless disposal of mineral water bottles is common. The authorities started enforcing a rule whereby anyone caught throwing a bottle anywhere would be required to search and collect 99 carelessly-disposed water bottles. The discomforting prospect of being escorted by law enforcers to collect rubbish in the city reduced the problem. For this campaign to be effective, KCCA should also improve general garbage collection. Many slum dwellers, for instance, lack proper rubbish collection points, forcing them to dispose waste on streets or drainage channels. This clogs the channels, leading to flooding whenever it rains. It should be everyone’s duty to keep Kampala clean."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Markets/-/688606/1294406/-/sotp4e/-/index.html","content":"UNBS accuses  private sector of promoting  counterfeits - As the country grapples with the problem of counterfeit and substandard goods, Uganda National Bureau of Standards has laid the blame on the private sector for hamstringing the requisite reforms to solve the problem. Key among these reforms is the pre-verification of conformity to standards scheme which makes it mandatory for goods to be inspected before export. According to Dr Ben Manyindo, the UNBS deputy executive director in charge of technical operations, the scheme has proved effective in other EAC countries that have adopted it thus far. Frustrated implementation During an interview with this newspaper, Dr Manyindo said attempts to implement this arrangement in Uganda have proved futile due to pitiless opposition by the “would be prime beneficiaries of the scheme.”“Attempts to have goods inspected before they are imported have been frustrated by people whom we seek to protect,” he said. “In the EAC trading bloc, only Uganda and Burundi are yet to ratify this scheme leaving Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda furious about the former being a source of counterfeits and substandard goods flooding in their markets,” he said. Although he conceded that UNBS has technical, financial and manpower constraints to completely rid the country of counterfeits, bringing this scheme on board would have done half the work. However, the Mr Kayondo Everest, chairman of Kampala City Traders Association (Kacita), dismissed UNBS’s claims saying implementation of the pre-verification process alone cannot stem the flow of counterfeits into the country. Mr Kayondo said UNBS only mans 18 out of the 94 entry points into the country. However, even these ones are not manned 24 hours, which has left a glaring loophole in the war against counterfeits and substandard goods. He said the disorder can be best nipped in the bud by equipping UNBS with the requisite capacity to carry out market surveillance and effective manning of all entry points into the country where rigorous inspection of imported goods can take place. mwalubiri@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1288448/-/bg4hn4z/-/index.html","content":"MPs query oil road repairs - HOIMA Parliament has raised concern that a critical road that leads to oil fields in the Albertine region is yet to be tarmacked despite a contract being signed to the effect four months ago. MPs on the parliamentary Physical Infrastructure Committee said the slow pace of tarmacking the Kaiso-Tonya road in Hoima District is unfortunate for the economy. Although government signed a Shs320 billion contract with a Turkish firm, Kolin Insaat Turim Sayani Ve Tecaret, in August to upgrade the 92-kilometre road which leads to huge oil deposits in the Albertine grabben, construction has not started. “We had thought tarmacking had started,” the committee vice chairman and Kyankwanzi County MP, Mr Samuel Ssemugaba, said. While the oil companies are contracted to do the exploration, production and marketing, government has a responsibility to provide the physical infrastructure and other amenities to enable the firms access the oil fields. The MPs discovered that Kolin Constructors is yet to start tarmacking the multi-billion road. The firm has only managed to set up a camp site for their construction equipment.“They are in preliminary stages. They are setting up a camp, making spot improvements to enable their machines move along the road but tamacking has not yet begun,” Mr Ssemugaba said. The project manager, Mr Suha Dogan, told Daily Monitor that construction work will be expedited once the construction starts. “Our project consultant will arrive on December 8 and review the project designs and then advise us accordingly,” he said. However, MPs and local leaders want the work expedited. “Much as the survey of the road has been undertaken, we are not comfortable with the pace of the work,” Hoima vice chairman Fred Kakoraki said. He presented a report to MPs indicating that Hoima has 774 kilometres of roads and that government will send Shs896 million for all road activities during the 2011/2012 financial year. “This is not enough to carry out routine maintenance for the roads throughout the year,” he said. The MPs are on a fact-finding mission about the state of roads that are under the central government countrywide. Mr Ssemugaba said the committee will report their findings to Parliament. The team of 18 MPs also visited various roads in Kibaale District this week, which included Muziizi Bridge and Kabaale River which is prone to flooding during rainy seasons. editorial@ug.antionmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/OtherSport/-/690284/1275486/-/wgqy4az/-/index.html","content":"UPDF, Prisons in top of table clash - This is the game many have been waiting for. It has been talked about more than anything else in the National Handball League for the past few weeks. Today, Prisons take on UPDF in a game that could decide who takes the men’s title this season. Both sides are tied on 14 points and the winner will undoubtedly put one hand on the trophy. Last weekend’s games were interrupted by rain and fans would pay any price to avoid a repeat. The highly-billed encounter starts at 3pm. UPDF and Prisons women are also meeting today while Metro Police play Kifaru in the other men’s encounter. All games will be played at Makerere University grounds following the recent flooding at Clock Tower grounds."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/1274060/-/11kgchq/-/index.html","content":"UNHCR reports cholera outbreak Kenya's refugee camp - The UN refugee agency has reported a cholera outbreak in Dadaab refugee camp saying the disease may have been brought into the camp by new arrivals from Somalia. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said the situation in Dadaab, home to Somalis fleeing famine and conflict, is being exacerbated by heavy rains and accompanying risks of waterborne diseases. \"Rains and flooding had affected the trucking of water to parts of the camps, and we fear some refugees resorted to using unsafe water from flooded areas,\" the UN refugee agency said in a statement released in Nairobi. According to UNHCR, there are now 60 cases in the camps, including 10 laboratory-confirmed cases and one refugee death. To manage the outbreak, UNHCR and partners have set up cholera treatment centres for severe cases, it said. The UN agency deplored insecurity which it said continues to affect aid efforts more than a month after the kidnapping of three aid workers in Kenya's Dadaab refugee complex. The UNHCR says insecurity is still hampering aid efforts in the area, despite the deployment of 100 Kenyan policemen in the last month. UNHCR is assisting them with vehicles, shelter and telecommunications equipment. \"Together with our partners, we are exploring options to gradually resume full operations despite continued security incidents in and around Dadaab. In the meantime, refugees are still receiving life-saving aid, namely food, water and health care,\" it said. According to the agency, most cases can be managed through oral rehydration solutions (ORS) that can be given at home or at the health posts. \"We are working with UNICEF and the Ministry of Health to train health workers in the community-based management of diarrhoea so that patients can begin treatment at home,\" it said. UNHCR said it has increased levels of chlorine, which kills cholera-causing bacteria, at water points in the camps. These, it said, are monitored to make sure they are maintained at the correct levels. \"We are also promoting hygiene practices among the refugees, especially the use of latrines and hand washing with soap. Each refugee received 250 grams of soap with the latest food distribution and this will continue monthly for several months,\" UNHCR said. Dadaab is home to more than 400,000 registered refugees, nearly all of them Somali, with an estimated 70,000 people having arrived in July and August as conditions in their homeland rapidly deteriorated."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1266078/-/bhe259z/-/index.html","content":"Women welcome ministers with sobs - Works State Minister John Byabagambi was on Monday treated to a rude welcome from hundreds of Barlonyo residents in Lira District during a monitoring visit along with leaders and politicians from the war-ravaged area. The residents said they subjected the minister to the embarrassing welcome to register their displeasure with the government over alleged failure to deliver on its election pledges. Part of the pledges included the construction of a bridge to link Barlonyo with the neighbouring Alebtong District. The residents, mainly women who numbered about 150, said their area has been neglected even after the President pledged to extend better health, education and other social services during the 2006 and 2011 campaigns. Mr Byabagambi had paid an abrupt visit with State Minister for Northern Uganda Rehabilitation Rebecca Otengo to assess government programmes in the area. President Museveni, during his visit to Barlonyo after the LRA attack in 2004 that left at least 140 people dead, also pledged to construct a vocational school in memory of the dead. Ms Mary Acio, 50, the chief mobiliser of the women, said although the area has access to Naads, Nusaf 2 and PRDP programmes, the government’s commitment to fighting poverty among the people of Barlonyo wanting. Mr Joseph Ocen, 47, said as a result of the constant flooding of the rivers that cross Pader-Otuke-Alebtong-Lira road, their activities have been hampered.Expressing discontent “We cannot transport our produce to the markets in Lira, the rivers are flooded, the President promised to support us to build them but up to now we still have impassable rivers, he said. Mr Richard Okello, the chairman of Agweng Sub-county, said he is displeased because the contractor who was supposed to work on the road also ferried away its equipment from the site. “I am appealing to politicians not to be political on this issue because what is happening is not political but developmental,” he said, adding that they could be tempted to mobilise the people to demonstrate over the bad state of the road. The drama heightened when Ms Otengo claimed that Joy Ongom Atim, one of the discontented women, was behind the mobilisation of the wailing women, an allegation she denied. “I don’t think this situation came as a result of somebody’s efforts, it must be the conditions they underwent forcing them to behave like that,” Ms Ongom said. Mr Byabagambi, however, promised his ministry’s commitment to resume the construction of the road and the Kaguta Bridge in a month. He said the government will inject Shs1.2 billion to Coil Uganda limited for the construction, adding that Shs280 million has already been approved as part payment but said the ministry has not yet reached consensus on Orit and Kaguta bridges. 1 | 2 Next Page»editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1242836/-/bioq1iz/-/index.html","content":"‘Penalise polythene bag users’ - The government should fine individuals who litter the environment with polythene bags (kaveera), a lecturer at Makerere University has suggested. Prof. Ben Twinomugisha, a senior lecturer of Law, said this would deter those who would otherwise have carelessly disposed of the kaveera. Environmentalists blame plastic bags for the choking of drainage channels leading to flooding, pollution of freshwater bodies and once burnt, the air. “To solve the challenge of plastic bags littering, follow the polluter-pay principle,” said Prof. Twinomugisha while discussing an overview of good governance in Uganda as a vehicle for sustainable development on Friday in Kampala. He, however, did not say how much people should be fined. Others, however, said that the law should be complemented with incentives. Mr Silver Sebaggala of the Uganda Cleaner Production Centre said the government should use the “carrot and stick” approach. “If the law is very strong on those who use kaveera, it would help. But it also needs incentives. If each person realised they could save money by carrying fewer plastic bags to their homes, that would motivate people to reduce on their use,” said Mr Sebaggala. Dr Tom Okurut, the executive director of the National Environmental Management Authority, said people should take advantage of the plastic recycling plants to dispose of the kaveera. He said ‘everybody has a responsibility to protect the environment’.In June 2007, Uganda banned polythene bags above 30 microns (the lighter ones, which are presumed to be so prevalent) but the activists say this has not significantly changed many people’s attitude. There were also pleas from some plastic bag manufacturers who claimed their plants provided employment to many Ugandans and also contributed revenue which would be lost if closed. nwesonga@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1218376/-/bkfam6z/-/index.html","content":"We want a quick solution to Egyptian crisis - PM - The government has called for a quick resolution of the Egyptian crisis aimed at preserving the safety of the Ugandan students. With 33 students in Egypt on scholarships in various disciplines, they, as well as their relatives are concerned if Egypt’s political climate fails to stabilise soon, their studies would be affected with the curtailment of their movements for safety reasons. “We take cognizance of the changes in Egypt and do wish Egyptians quick resolution of the issues so that there will be quick political stability,” said the Prime Minister, Mr Amama Mbabazi, while meeting the Egyptian ambassador to Uganda, Mr Sabry Magdy Sabry, in Kampala. According to a press statement issued by the PM’s Press Unit on Friday, Mr Magdy was delivering a ‘special message’ from the Egyptian Prime Minister, Essam Sharaf. Mr Mbabazi said Uganda valued the relationship between the two Nile Basin countries. Mr Magdy said his country would continue cooperating with Uganda in seven priority areas of power generation, agriculture, health, water among others. Egypt supports Uganda in aquatic weed control on Lakes Victoria, Kyoga and Albert after the Ugandan government in 1998, sought its assistance to control the growth of aquatic weeds that had blocked the outlets of lakes causing flooding around the shores. The Egyptian government donated a three-phase technical and financial support Aquatic Weed Control project to solve the problem. Implementation of the US$24.4m project started in 1999 and will end in 2014. So far, the project implemented by the Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, and Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, has achieved unprecedented results."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1210928/-/10rmym9/-/index.html","content":"Alarm Bells: Licensing board save passengers - As regular travellers, who use Swift Safari buses from Mbarara to Kampala, we want to express our concerns about the Transport Licencing Board. Apparently, there is a company that has bought Swift Safari buses. Recently, a passenger lost his luggage on one of the buses but when he went to complain to Swift Safari Bus Company, he was told the bus no is longer theirs. But how would a passenger know this considering that the bus still has the same colours and nearly similar name? Can TLB help passengers to identify which bus belongs to which company and vice versa? This will greatly save us. Godard Muhwezi,Mbarara------------------------------------------------End Kyambogo junction flooding The responsible authorities should urgently work on the road stretch between Kyambogo junction and Banda trading centre on the Kampala-Jinja highway. Whenever it rains, this stretch gets flooded to the extent that motorists going either way have to look for alternative roads to proceed to their destinations! Joseph Mugera, Kireka"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/1209274/-/11g93fb/-/index.html","content":"UN prepares aid airlift to Mogadishu - The UN's World Programme Programme was preparing on Tuesday to airlift food aid into the Somali capital Mogadishu, but efforts were hampered by last minute paperwork in Kenya. \"We are still hoping it will take off today,\" said WFP spokesman David Orr, noting that the flights had a narrow timeframe to take off, offload food and then return to Nairobi. \"If not it will be going ahead on Wednesday,\" he said, adding that the flights were waiting only for clearance forms to be completed before taking off. An estimated 3.7 million people in Somalia -- around a third of the population -- are on the brink of starvation and millions more in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda have been struck by the worst drought in the region in 60 years. The UN last week officially declared a famine in two regions of southern Somalia. The WFP flights will be carrying around 14 metric tons of high energy food aimed to combat malnutrition, especially in children. Flights will also go to the Ethiopian town of Dolo on the border with Somalia and to the town of Wajir in northern Kenya. Other organizations have already made relief deliveries, with the UN children's agency airlifting five tonnes of aid into rebel-held part of southern Somalia earlier this month. The International Red Cross on Sunday said it had handed out 400 tonnes of food in drought-hit areas controlled by the hardline Shebab insurgents, the first ICRC-led drops into such areas since 2009. The WFP was forced to pull out of southern Somalia last year after a series of threats and curbs on its operations from Shebab rebels, but it has continued to operate in Mogadishu and central and northern regions of the war-torn country. In Mogadishu alone, WFP assists approximately 300,000 people and it has been scaling up operations with three new centres to feed the large numbers of internally displaced people flooding into the city from the south."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/SportsColumnists/MarkSsali/-/805430/1199268/-/vnvdq6/-/index.html","content":"7/11 inspiration - Yesterday the tears came flooding back at Kyadondo, but ongoings at the rugby club in the run-up to the day’s historic memorial service had been a triumph of the human spirit on two fronts. On the first front Ugandans, many times justifiably accused of having short memories and of losing interest in real causes too quickly, had made their best efforts not to relegate the men and women who died on that fateful day last year to the confines of unwanted statistics. Stirred by a campaign for which our media should be congratulated, those men and women came to life again one year down the road as loved ones relived the stories of agonising losses and voids impossible to fill, allowing us to appreciate the uniqueness of each situation as opposed to the injustice of referring to the departed by numbers and sums. It will not put food on tables of the bereaved or send orphaned kids to school, but certain things are not measured by such tangibles and for me this has been priceless. On the second front, it has been moving to see that Kyadondo has not been abandoned like the haunted graveyard it could easily have become, and seeing huge crowds converging for the CAR internationals against Zimbabwe and Madagascar symbolised defiance from a people sometimes accused of cowardice.Uganda’s Cup Yanga and Simba turned the Cecafa Club Championship into a local derby on a day when Tanzania proved they had the most vibrant domestic game in the region, but Ugandan football picked up a few trophies of its own. This is not the case of England unashamedly assuming some claim to fame because Howard Webb took charge of the World Cup final; the presence of two Ugandan coaches in either dugout of the Dar-es-Salaam national stadium on Sunday was of far more significance. Sam Timbe has cemented his legacy with a record breaking fourth title with four teams in three countries, and the vanquished Moses Basena did his reputation no harm by getting to the final and extending it into extra time. Bunnamwaya might have had seasoned players, but the Ugandans had no experience mixing it with the big traditionalists in the two Tanzanian clubs, El Merrick, Vital’O, St George and APR. But it says a lot when the two best supported and perhaps richest clubs in the region turn to Ugandan coaches and players (Hamis Kiiza was robbed of a winner, Derrick Walulya denied by injury and Emma Okwi by a recent transfer). The country’s stock can only rise. Ok to agree So Fufa and the Uganda Super League have reached a truce. In the end that was not too difficult was it? I have always expressed my amusement and agitation at the conflicts in Ugandan sport, and been frustrated by the magnification of matters trivial in comparison to the crises of the world we live in. It is true that disagreement allows for all angles of a situation to be expounded, for hearts to pour out, and it is even claimed that even the longer lasting solutions to the standoffs between man and wife are arrived at after heated argument in the confines of the bedroom. The arguments are not at all necessary most of the time in Ugandanfootball though, being borne of selfishness, ill motive, lack of respect for order and rules, self aggrandisement et al. Sometimes I wonder if the people involved believe that it would make them less of a man to accept they are wrong, respect the need for arbitration and the results thereof, look the ‘enemy’ in the eye, admit that the animosity is unwarranted and that the country and the game take precedent. 1 | 2 Next Page»So guys, tell me this. Now that you have agreed on something, has it taken away your ability to have children, rendered you less macho and weak, lost you the respect of others, eaten into your bank account, etc? mmssali@yahoo.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1172224/-/c0wyt0z/-/index.html","content":"Stop silencing clerics, Bishop Luwalira tells politicians - Namirembe The Bishop of Namirembe Diocese, Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira, has urged politicians to stop silencing religious leaders whenever they come out to criticise their excesses, saying the church has a big role to play in nation building. While leading prayers at the swearing-in of new Rubaga Municipality Mayor, Ms Joyce Ssebugwawo, last Friday at Mengo Primary School grounds, Bishop Luwalira said the church has been instrumental in shaping the country’s political landscape and politicians usually run to them when ‘good politics’ go bad. “Some of you (politicians) say we shouldn’t comment on politics, but when things get out of hand, you run to us. Why? This country is for us all and we love to see it peaceful and managed well,” he said. Bishop Luwalira also warned politicians against engaging in divisive politics and corruption saying the electorates only need committed leaders who can deliver. “Despite the party you come from, we only expect you to treat all people equally and serve them diligently,” he added. President Museveni has severally accused religious leaders of misusing their positions to preach politics and mislead the congregation. Mr Museveni insists that religious leaders must stick to spreading the word of God instead of engaging in politics. Ms Ssebugwawo, who is the only female mayor in the five municipalities of Kampala, pledged to serve the people of Rubaga regardless of their political affiliations. “I stood for this position not to look for a job but to ensure that services reach our people and I will do exactly that,” she said. She said in her first year in office, a lot of focus will be put on improving sanitation, and erection of more health centres. “We also intend to implement a water harvest project to reduce flooding which is prevalent in many of our parishes,” she added. Ms Ssebugwawo also said her council will pass a by- law to enable pupils under the UPE programme get free lunch at school. A total of 45 councillors also took oath during the ceremony, presided over by Mengo Chief Magistrate Moses Mutazingwa. Twenty four of the councillors belong to DP, 19 are from the ruling NRM, while two subscribe to FDC. Meanwhile, at 5pm, a crowd of FDC supporters took to the podium and started blowing whistles and banging jerrycans responding to a call by Activists for Change who urged their supporters last week to hoot or make noise for five minutes every day starting at 5pm. A4C, a pressure group behind the walk-to-work campaign, changed its strategy of protesting against the high cost of living and escalating fuel and food prices from walking to work, to hooting."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/1138176/-/ehig59/-/index.html","content":"Get more involved, parents urged - Kampala During a four days tour of the newly established districts of Ntoroko, Ibanda and Kyegegwa in the western part of Uganda, the Minister of State for Primary Education Bataringaya Kamanda advised parents to play an active role as regards Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE). This call came as a result of the rampant absenteeism of students from school. Teachers in Ntoroko blamed the vice on parents who force their children to go fishing, which is the main economic activity in the district where as other parents in the same district sent their children to sell off the day’s catch in the market. Absenteeism problemRev. David Kibonwa the inspector of schools in Ntoroko District says in a day, half of the class might be absent and during the rainy season, the situation worsens because, “most of the schools in the district are located in hard-to-reach areas so it becomes hard for a pupil to walk for a long distance bare footed when the whole place is flooding” In Ibanda, the vice of pupil and student absenteeism is as a result of activities like cattle keeping, market vending and farming. In Kyegegwa, absenteeism is as a result of a new sect in the District. According to Mr Eric Birungi the senior male teacher of Migongwe Primary School in Kyegegwa, “on every 2nd, 12th and 22nd of the month, most of the pupils do not come to school because they are under the sect of Face of Unity, which prays on those days of the month,” he says adding that in other cases, pupils miss school because they are helping out in the gardens at home and at times, they either do not have scholastic materials or food for lunch. The minister therefore advised parents to let children go to school rather than turn them into labourers. “Forcing a child to stay at home so that they can help with the home chores is child labour and it’s a crime. So parents should let children go to school because every child has a right to education. School materialsHe also told parents to always avail children with scholastic materials and lunch meals, “UPE and USE only caters for the child’s school fees. So it’s the duty of the parents to provide their children with scholastic materials and meals.” He also advised community leaders to participate in every child’s education by ensuring that all parents whose children are of school going age but are found working in the gardens or markets are charged. Mr Kamanda advised Mr Byamukama Kisoke John the District Chairperson of Kyegegwa to come up with by-laws that allow such an action on parents who are reluctant to send their children to school."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/1124682/-/aiwkb0/-/index.html","content":"Rising inflation hurting Ugandans’ standards of living - Uganda’s GDP growth is projected to be 6.4 per cent in 2011. However, this is looking unlikely due to fast rising inflation. Prices of items including food, rent, clothes, transport fare, school fees and other household items have all gone up in large amounts in the past few months. This is as a result of the high wholesale price that has put pressure on businesses forcing them to pass on the high prices to their customers. The measure of wholesale inflation-the Producer Price Index for manufacturing, which measures changes in prices charged by producers for the goods manufactured, rose to 18.3 per cent in December 2010, from 15.3 per cent in November the same year. The rise was driven by soaring international prices of raw materials resulting from the depreciation of the shilling against major trading currencies especially the dollar. The depreciation of the shilling is said to have brought in imported inflation from Uganda’s trading partners like China where commodity prices have increased significantly. As a result, prices for food products rose to 24.6 per cent during the period, up from 22.1 per cent. Prices for drinks and tobacco rose to 18.3 per cent; textile, clothing and foot ware prices went up by 7.3 per cent while those for chemicals, paint, soap and foam products rose by 27.4 per cent. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, the shilling has been depreciating by an average of 15.4 per cent against the US dollar on a year-on-year basis since July 2010. The consumer price index indicates that inflation hit 6 per cent in February, up from 5 per cent recorded in January 2010 and Bank of Uganda anticipates it to rise to 7 per cent by June 2011, given the current events in the market especially the political turmoil in the oil producing countries like Libya, Iran, Bahrain and Tunisia.This 7 per cent projected figure is, however, higher than the central bank’s target of 5 per cent. UBOS says the rising food prices have continued to drive inflation upwards in the past months. The annual food price for February rose to 8.9 per cent, from 3.6 per cent in January 2011. Contributing to the sharp rise in food prices were increases in the prices of sweet potatoes, cabbage, tomatoes, green pepper, bitter tomatoes, fish, fresh milk, bread, margarine and refined oil due to low supplies to markets. For instance, a kilogramme of bread costs Shs3,000, up from Shs2,300 in November 2010, a litre of cooking oil goes for Shs6,500, from Shs4, 000, a kilo of rice costs Shs2,500, up from Shs2,000 while a kilo of meat cost Shs7000, up from Shs5000. The price for a kilo of beans rose from Shs1,200 three months ago to Shs2,300 in March, fish cost Shs8,000 a kilo, maize flour costs Shs1,800, up from Shs1300 while sugar goes for Shs3000, from Shs2300. However, as the economy continues to register rising commodity prices, paychecks are not getting any bigger to match the pace of inflation. Failing to adjust salaries in accordance with the rising inflation means that most salary workers will be unable to meet their financial obligations. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1118898/-/108prtm/-/index.html","content":"We need behavioural change in waste disposal habits - It is with much embarrassment that I mourn the state of environment in Kampala and people’s waste disposal habits. While most people have blamed KCC for the huge garbage heap the city is quickly turning into, I partly blame the city residents. Why would anyone in their right state of mind dump garbage on the roadsides? You will find matooke and sugarcane peelings and bottles littering the roadsides. I have seen some people drink mineral water, eat chips and popcorn in taxis and when they are done, they throw the mineral water bottle and polythene bags for their eats through the taxi window onto the road. Most of our water channels have been turned into garbage dumping pits and this rubbish blocks the water flow. Yet the same people who litter the roads will come up and complain about a dirty city and KCC’s failure to clear the city of garbage. The people who choke water channels with garbage are the same people who will complain of flooding during rainy seasons!We should realise that in an ideal situation, if KCC was collecting garbage from the garbage cans as is supposed to be and not from the roads, they would not be overwhelmed by garbage collection. Dear Ugandans, we have got the responsibility to throw rubbish into waste-bins that are placed in various places across the city. If you have something you want to dispose of and there is no waste bin in sight, keep your waste until you come across a one. I suggest the following: l That the relevant authorities impose rules and regulations to check people dumping garbage wherever and as they please. Failure of compliance should attract a penalty.l The Ministry of Education and Sports should introduces a subject that can be referred to as ‘Social etiquette’ in primary schools where children should be taught the basics of how to behave and conduct themselves in public. These should include things such as how and when to say “excuse me”, “thank you”, “waste is meant for waste bins”, etc. to instil in the right things to do right from their tender age. Much as parents are supposed to teach children manners, schools should also help in this regard. If this starts now, in about 20 years from now, Kampala will be a clean city.lKCC should endeavour to place waste bins in almost every part of the city.Eve Amootie,Kampala"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/1098396/-/182t70z/-/index.html","content":"LETTERS FROM INDIA: Rest in peace Alimpayo olaya - I was awake that night when Cousin Betty called me. It was 4a.m Indian time, but I had been absorbed watching a movie even though it was a Monday night. The moment I heard her voice, my heart skipped a beat and I sensed bad news for I had spoken to my aunt Jackie just the week before. Indeed, just like I had feared, she revealed the unfortunate news that Lapwony, as we had always called him, had passed away. The elder brother of our maternal Grandmother Norah Ogol, Lapwony Alipayo Oloya had been the grandfather we never had throughout our lives. Immediately, I thought about how the news would affect the old woman, for the two had been very close. That night, I didn’t sleep as the memories of him kept flooding my mind. Despite his being 90 years old, he was so full of life that imagining him no more was hard. As a little girl, he had always intrigued me with stories about animals and different things. I looked forward to his visits. Being the youngest grandchildren of my grandmother then, my cousin and I used to sit by his feet and listen to his stories. I still recall how he taught me how to draw a bird by first writing the number 30 to create the beak and eye. As I grew older, his speech and demeanour made me admire him so. I often told my friends how perfect his English was and joked how he spoke like he was an English man. I will never forget how just a few years ago I had to drive him to town and while rushing me, he said, “Hurry and wear your frock so we can go. ”Frock! I was thinking. And when I turned up minutes later in a jean skirt he inquired if that was my frock. Luckily I managed to elude him. His handwriting was another thing to reckon with. Such neat structuring as though he was using a calligraphy pen. As adults he always had a word of us whenever he came to my grandmother’s house where we lived. We always joked about making sure you had enough time on your hands whenever you went to greet him as he would take up to 15-20 minutes asking you about your life and advising you. Sometimes his wife Judith had to remind him that the girls were busy in the kitchen or had to go to work. He was always amusing and witty. And we looked up to him. Being away from home may rob you of the last moments with your loved ones, but memories such as these keep you going. As people living abroad identify with me, it’s so painful to know that your loved one has passed on and that you weren’t there to see their face one last time. May his Soul rest in eternal peace. We will miss him."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1087366/-/ysx11w/-/index.html","content":"Tackle population problem - I am writing to commend the outgoing EU head of delegation, Ambassador Vincent De Visscher for his comment, reported in the Sunday Monitor, that “population growth in Uganda is alarming and it raises the question of employing Ugandans in the future.” (Corrupt ministers must resign’, January 9). Employment, however, is by no means the only problem. In my letter “Uganda must urgently act on alarming population growth”, printed in these pages on September 28, 2010, I pointed out that “as the 2011 general election comes ever closer, not a single politician in the opposition or government has made a proposal on how to defuse this time-bomb that will explode and devour the next generation and their children.” It is regrettable that, up to now, no presidential candidate has made a comment on population increase. In addition to employment, Ugandans will have to fight for the limited natural basic resources namely farmland, which 85 per cent of our people currently depends on for subsistence. Around the country, population increase is causing deforestation and even desertification at an alarming rate as trees are cut down for fuel and building materials, and to reclaim the forest for farmland. And in every village, people are invading wetlands to make bricks or erect houses. Population increase and the attendant over-crowding and over-grazing are impacting on soil fertility and food yields, leading to food insecurity and even famine in many parts of Uganda.Granted, Uganda will soon begin to pump oil. But no amount oil export will ever raise enough revenue for investments in public services, especially health, education, housing and water supply that would meet the needs of a population of 33 million, which is growing at almost four per cent every year. With nothing to do or eat in the rural areas, millions of people, especially the youths are flooding to Kampala and other cities and towns, hoping to find jobs. The result is the growth of slum cities, informal economy, prostitution and violent crimes. It is noteworthy that all violent demonstrations in recent years have been taking place in Kampala where the disaffected, disillusioned youths with nothing to lose are now residing in the outer fringes of mainstream society. Who can blame them? Whoever becomes president on February 19 should devise an imaginative policy to tackle Uganda’s exploding population to stop the country from sleep-walking into a self-destruct civil strife over limited resources and services. A starting point would be for the incoming president to impose a tax on an extra child above a limit of four children per family. And those with fever children should receive cash rewards. Sam Akaki,London"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/-/689842/1069716/-/12v8xcc/-/index.html","content":"The beauty of flower pots in your home - Flower pots are more than having a garden at home. It’s the art, the flowers and the plants combined that will help you decorate your house, writes Rachel Kabejja To have green living in a home is to have life. When we release carbon dioxide, the plants take it in. Plants produce oxygen. So when placed around your house you would get cleaner oxygen. They are also refreshing to behold and add value to the room they are placed, say in a reading room, living room, balconies and verandas. A number one rule in keeping potted plants should be your health. Mr Eric Wandugo, a florist with Royal Gardens –Garden city says, “Before placing flowers in or out of your home, always consider your health to avoid infections. Some plants create allergies while others are poisonous or thorny.”Wandugo gives some tips and ideas on how to create beautiful scenery with flowers and flower pots at home; Choose plants which have green leaves, are straight and look healthy. Check under foliage for any signs of infection. Yellow leaves are a sign of infection or disease in the plant. So avoid having such flower plants at home. Always water your plants more often because potted plants tend to dry out frequently than those grown outdoors. “However, be careful not to pour lots of water to the extent of flooding the bucket or container,” Wandugo warns. The size of the bucket or pot will determine the size and growth of the plant. The bigger the bucket/pot, the bigger and stronger the plant will grow because of the wide circulation of roots. Ceramic/clay pots provide great aeration for the plant roots and plastic containers like buckets of late are becoming more common and efficient because they are easy to handle and non porous, they do not need constant watering. Always provide the right kind of environment required for potted plants. These plants need a good source of natural light for their growth. The amount of light needed will also depend on the kind of plant. Some indoor plants require less amount of light while others require more sunlight. Keep potted plants at such a spot, which gives it a moderate amount of light. Placing them on a window is preferred or you can sometimes carry the plant outside for a few days before bringing it back. Knowing which type of soil is also important; the soil should allow proper drainage of water because excess water can cause the roots to get damaged with all the moisture. Black soil is the best for most plants. Adding manure in form of chicken residues or any form of fertiliser to the soil will keep the plants healthy for a long time. Maintain the shiny look of the leaves by wiping dust off them with a damp soft tissue. Dust makes the leaves look dull."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1068274/-/cki3elz/-/index.html","content":"Encroachers take over Luzira swamp - Kampala The destruction of green belts and wetlands in Kampala continues with a swamp on the Murchison Bay peninsula, which forms part of the water source that feeds Kampala and surrounding areas, being the latest victim. Much of the wetland, located in Luzira, a Kampala suburb, has been destroyed by encroachers, reportedly claiming to be developers, who have set up structures and started gardens on the wetland. Residents of Lake Drive Zone, Luzira in Nakawa Division, fear that the destruction of the wetlands could lead to flooding that might destroy their property and claim lives. The residents, who have since formed an association to advocate the preservation of the wetland, also complain of a stench resulting from the dumping of chemical wastes in the swamp by degraders. Witnesses say the purported developers hire workers to slash papyrus and they dump soil in the swamp to reclaim land. The residents say the developers tampered with the wetland which used to be a sieving end for sewer, thereby creating hygiene problems like bad smell at night.LC1 Lake Drive Zone Chairman, Mr Aurah Mangeni, attributed the continuous disappearance the water filtering area to failure to adhere to the law by developers and administrative wrangles among local leaders. “We have written to the authorities in Nakawa and the district but have got no response. Our authorities failed to respect the laws that they make,” he said. Government accusedMr Mangeni said squatters are cultivating on wetland because of government reluctance to implement the environment laws. Dr Sawula Musoke, the deputy executive director of the National Environment Managing Authority (Nema) ,could not explain the encroachment, saying he was not aware of the developments. “I am going to find out from our monitoring team and be able to give you an informed point,” said Dr Musoke. In March, the residents petitioned Nema Executive Director Aryamanya Mugisha complaining over the encroachment and status of the environment in the entire Southern Luzira shores. In another letter, the residents petitioned Nema, seeking prompt intervention over continuous pollution of the water source for Kampala by the nearby factory which was causing unpleasant smell."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/1063750/-/11yio2yz/-/index.html","content":"Fixing a clogged drain - To enjoy a home that is free from stench, one should purchase plumbing systems of good quality, but what happens when one or some of the pipes get blocked? Mr Edward Musisi, a shop attendant in Nsambya has had a problem with clogged pipes in the bathroom. This has led him to incur other costs of constructing another bathroom outside the house. He says his bathroom reached a point where the used water could not go through the pipe and it flooded the whole place. Although he tried to unblock it himself, the water did not go. He says he had to talk to a plumber to help him out. Just like Mr Musisi, many people are facing the same problem and because they are afraid of spending their sinks, bath tubs and toilets have been damaged. Mr Richard Ssekitoleko, a plumber with National Water and Sewage Cooperation (NWSCO), says one can fix a clogged drain by clearing the drain of dirt or garbage. “With some sinks, it is easy to reach down and pull the filter out. In other sinks, it might require to bend and find the pivot rod that connects to the filter of which it has to be removed so as to take out dirt,” he says. He adds that if the filter is damaged, it is advisable to replace it with a new one so as to completely overcome the problem. The cause According to Mr Ssekitoleko, clogged drains are mostly caused by hair, food particles, oil, soap scum and soil. Most of the clogged drains found in kitchen sinks are likely to consist of food particles and those in bathroom sinks consist of hair mixed with portions of soap scum. Mr Sekitoleko cautions that for people who use recommended cleaning chemicals to clean their toilets, tubs and sinks, such chemicals are harsh and can damage the pipes as well as harm the environment once they go down the drain. Also, they can damage the skin and eyes if one happens to splash them. He advises one to make his or her own drain cleaner by pouring a small amount of baking soda and vinegar down the drain. Mr Ssekitoleko says clogged drains can lead to the flooding of the house as a result of dirty water that has no way through. Pipes can get damaged more when one tries to use force so as to unblock the clog. How to fix it * Use a drain strain to keep outside substances from washing down.* Clean the drain regularly to prevent the build-up hair, soap and food from clogging the drain.* Create a simple cleaning solution with vinegar, and hot water.* Remove the drain stopper and use a drain snake to explore the drain until you find the clog.* Apply maximum force to loosen whatever substance is clogging the pipes using a plunger.* Alert concerned authorities like NWSC for help in case the problem persists. What you will need* A plunger, which clears clogs from most fixtures of the sinks, tubs and toilets.* Traps to block the stench."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Health---Living/-/689846/1055196/-/m3wiofz/-/index.html","content":"Experts warn of sleeping sickness outbreak - Residents staying on the banks of River Manafwa in Eastern Uganda are at the risk of contracting trypanosomiasis after experts warning the public of a deadly outbreak of the disease in the area. “Districts that lie along this river which joins Mpologoma are at risk of possible outbreak of this deadly disease if the situation is not urgently addressed. The two types of T.b. rhodesiense and T.b. gambiense are likely to emerge due to flooding and this will be very difficult to control,” Dr Edward Ssewannyana, the director, National Livestock Resource Research Institute has disclosed. T.b. rhodesiense and T.b. gambiense are types of trypanosomiasis common along water belts and attack both animals and humans. “Whereas the institute is faced with challenges, we have managed to come out with tools and good studies to guide districts to plan ahead in tackling areas with most prevalence of the disease,” Dr Ssewanyana said, while addressing the officials from the veterinary, vector control and entomologist departments across the eastern districts under the theme “decision support tools for reducing impact tsetse transmitted trypanosomiasis”. The most affected districts are Amuria, Katakwi, Kumi, Butaleja, Pallisa, Mbale, Tororo, Bugiri and Iganga. “Most people have failed to identify the disease and relate it with witchcraft and HIV/Aids and this remains the biggest challenge” Dr Ssewannyana said. The principal research officer with the National Livestock Resource Research Institute [NaliRR], Mr Joeseph Magona also said cases of nagana are becoming common especially in areas such as Butaleja, Dokolo, Kabaramaido and Soroti. “We need to come out with a solution to address this alarming situation by providing the necessary tools for fighting tsetse flies and also carrying out mapping to identify places which are most affected,” Dr Magona said.In Butaleja, officials said TseTse traps have been taken away by unknown people. This is sabotaging the programme. “We need to revise Acts and penalties to punish such people.” Dr Loyce Okedi, the official with Vectors and Tyrpanosomiasis research group-NaliRR said that nagana has broken out in some prone areas and is spreading very fast. She said at least 16 people have been registered at Tororo Hospital since this year, with some cases coming from Pallisa and Mbale districts.“This is caused as a result of over flooding, which forces these rivers to burst and then increase sleeping sickness and nagana outbreaks,” she explained."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1047314/-/yqguc6/-/index.html","content":"Alarm Bells: Here is why traffic jams choke the city - Before we get to know the solutions, we have to know the causes of traffic jams in Kampala. I have tried to study the jams in the city and elsewhere in Uganda and established the causes as follows: Potholes: This is the most jam causer I have noticed in all parts of the city. Narrow roads: Poor or dangerous use of the roads most of which are narrow. Poor usage: Taxi drivers and boda boda cyclists are the most reckless road users who cause traffic jams on city road. They are ever impatient. Feeder roads: The alternative roads that could help ease the jam are impassable. This forces motorists to and out of the city to use the only few available passable roads. Roundabouts: All roundabouts in the city are old fashioned. All motorists have to squeeze around them at the same time in order to continue with their journey.Side-parking: Some of the city roads have side-parking. However, many taxis tend to load or offload passengers beside the parked cars hence blocking way for other motorists. Poor drainage: The drainage system in the city cannot sustain the water flow during a rainy season because they are very small and narrow. On many occasions, the system gets choked by mud, mineral water bottles and polythene bags among others. The end result is flooding that blocks some roads. Robert Lule,Nakawa"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/1027588/-/bte9hi/-/index.html","content":"Importers urge UNBS to up vigilance on fake products - Kampala Importers want Uganda National Bureau of Standards to increase vigilance at border points to guard against the entry of sub-standard goods. Speaking at the launch of the CTM branch network in Kampala last week, Ms Jennifer Kamusiime the company’s general manager, said some traders have turned Uganda into a dumping ground by intentionally importing cheap and sub-standard products. She said: “Dumping is a big challenge facing our market today. Some traders bring in cheap goods, which get spoilt within months.” Traders have been complaining about low quality products flooding Uganda’s market, however less has been done to curb the vice. Ms Kamusiime said Uganda Revenue Authority and UNBS should work together to ensure that all consumables imported for Uganda are of standard quality. Speaking to Daily Monitor on Tuesday Mr Moses Sebunya, the UNBS spokesperson said substandard goods might be entering the country through unguarded boarder points. He said: “We cannot man all entry points because we have inadequate manpower.” According to UNBS, structures like pre-shipment inspection of goods have been put in place as the government bids to control the entry of substandard goods."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1016786/-/8vqfk1/-/index.html","content":"Let us conserve the Pearl of Africa - When British war-time Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill visited Uganda, he was awed by the magnificent scenery and branded it the Pearl of Africa! And, more recently, Uganda has been popularised as Gifted by Nature! Sadly, there will be no forest and wildlife in Uganda by 2020 if the current rate of degradation is not reversed. In 1890, Uganda’s woodland cover stood at 45 per cent but has now been denuded and reduced to a mere 18 per cent! Natural forests, including Budongo, Kibale and forests in northern Uganda, are facing extinction. Experts have constantly warned Uganda is headed for an ecological disaster. Already we are suffering shortage of clean water and frequent flooding. Even our tourist attractions, the mountain gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks, are at risk of extinction. Uganda’s State of the Environment report estimates 16 million tones of firewood and four million tones of charcoal are consumed per year in Uganda. Water and Environment Minister Maria Mutagamba told a workshop on sustainable national forests financing in Kampala this week that 92,000 hectares of trees are lost annually. NEMA Executive Director Dr Aryamanya Mugisha this week told Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee that they have tried but have failed to stop encroachers. He said some of the encroachers even have guns! The bigger blame, according to stakeholders, must be squarely laid on lack of compliance, bad governance and demonisation of the forestry sector. The other factors are indiscriminate tree felling and human settlement. This means environmental protection demands a three-pronged approach that demands an executive, legislative and judicial intervention. The Water and Environment Ministry must secure police collaboration in the fight against wetland encroachment. As Mutagamba rightly noted, the government protection agencies need to incorporate the Uganda Wildlife Authority, NEMA, National Forestry Authority, production and farming income under an umbrella framework for ease of coordination to protect Uganda’s forest reserves. The government must adequately finance the forest and wetland sectors in its effort to protect the fragile ecosystems. This means it must facilitate the agencies to help them manage the environment. Let us all protect our environment and the Pearl of Africa, that is Gifted by Nature!"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1013438/-/cno80jz/-/index.html","content":"Former PRA suspect joins FDC race, Latigo unopposed - Former Peoples Redemption Army suspects Patrick Kirasha Biryomumisho on Friday picked nomination forms to contest for the Kabale Central Division councillor’s seat on FDC ticket.But majority of the aspiring candidates in south western region will be determined next week by consensus, the party announced yesterday. It will be only in cases where consensus fails that party primaries for the flag bearer will be determined by votes, Mr Tugume Katembeya, the FDC Chairperson for Mbarara, said.Mr Biryomumisho told the press in Kabale on Friday shortly after picking his nomination forms, that he is determined to beat NRM Party flag bearer Mr Ali Karama. Mr Kirasha who served as an LC3 councillor in Central Division, Kabale Town, before he was arrested as a PRA suspect in 2002 and subsequently detained at the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, says he will aim at promoting cleanliness. He said he will also offer quality services to the business community and improve the poor drainage system that is responsible for the flooding in Kabale. “It’s a big shame to find poor drainage and filth littered every where,” Mr Biryomumisho said, adding, “It is because of bad leadership in Kabale Municipality which is a home town. I have offered myself to serve and reverse the trend once given the mandate of the people.” The recent FDC party meeting endorsed Mr Biryomumisho, Mr Wilfred Murumba and Dr Pius Ruhemurana as their flag bearers for the posts of district councillor for central division, Member of Parliament and Kabale Municipality mayor respectively. Meanwhile, the leader of opposition in Parliament Prof, Oganga Latigo and Opposition Chief Whip, Kassiano Wadri, are some of the candidates declared unopposed in the on-going FDC primary elections. Prof. Latigo will carry the FDC flag in Agago County while Mr Wadri will be fighting to retain his Terego County parliamentary seat. Others are...Other unopposed candidates include; Aswa County MP and FDC envoy for campaigns Reagan Okumu and Kitgumu Woman MP Beatrice Anywar. Ms Anywar, who is currently facing court battles for organising an illegal rally against the sale of Mabira forest in 2007, says she was happy that FDC supporters still have confidence in her. “I am lucky I will not go through primaries because I am unopposed,” Ms Anywar said. “But I will still have to get nominated and my campaign managers have already picked my forms.”Prof. Latigo also said although he has gone through unopposed, he will organize fresh party structures in the newly created district of Agago. “The party structures are not properly constituted,” he told Sunday Monitor on Friday. “As primaries are going on in other areas, we shall be organizing our structures here.” Reported by Robert Muhereza, Perez Rumanzi, Paul Aruho and Gerald Bareebe."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1005136/-/co9flxz/-/index.html","content":"Baby recovered from river bed in Moroto - Moroto The police in Moroto have recovered a day-old baby that had been dumped in a seasonal river in Moroto. Police spokesman George Obia said the baby was recovered after a tip-off by residents. Police suspect a homeless woman in the town delivered the baby but decided to dump it on the dry river bed, hoping that it would be swept away when the river filled. Baby saved“The baby was just dumped by the river after the rains stopped but water had not yet started flowing. It could have killed the baby,” he said. Rivers in Karamoja have the uncanny behaviour of being empty one minute and flooding the next. He said the police are hunting for the mother who faces arrest and prosecution while the baby has been placed under the care of the Charity Sisters. Mr Obia advised women to use family planning to avoid unwanted pregnancy. “Delivering a child and throwing it in the river or pit latrine is a crime,” he said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/993690/-/x4gwj0/-/index.html","content":"Muslim community to plant 10,000 trees - The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council will this year plant trees to increase the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in an effort to fight climate change. The project dubbed “Green Friday”, which was launched yesterday in partnership with British Council and National Forestry Authority (NFA), will see 10,000 trees planted by Muslim communities. “Climate change is a great threat to humanity today with many adverse effects on lives and property through the shift in rainfall patterns, droughts, flooding and landslides and has accelerated the spread of diseases like malaria,” said Hajjat Sebyala Aphwa, British Council climate change icon. She said the recent increase in industrialisation and deforestation has accelerated the rate of global warming. She said the problem of climate change, which is worsening every day, needs a combined effort from all partners including religious leaders, who should spread message of environmental conservation. ‘Green Fridays’, according to Hajjat Sebyala, will be dedicated entirely to planting trees in different parts of the country starting with the central region. The British Council, in partnership with Makerere University and NFA, has already scheduled to plant 30 million trees in two years and NFA will plant 33 million trees in the next one year."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/994112/-/fff6woz/-/index.html","content":"Cholera surges in parts of the world: WHO - Cholera is surging again in parts of the world, a World Health Organisation expert said Thursday, pointing to epidemics in Nigeria and Cameroon. Claire-Lise Chaignat, the coordinator of the WHO's group on cholera, noted the UN health agency has recorded 2,849 cases in Cameroon, including 222 deaths since May. It has also recorded 837 cases of the disease in the north of Nigeria since mid-June, including 30 deaths. \"The fatality rates linked to cholera in these countries -- 3.6 percent in Nigeria and 7.8 percent in Cameroon -- are too high compared to the 1.0 percent threshold that is typically tolerated,\" she added. Earlier Thursday, Nigerian Health Minister Onyebuchi Chukwu announced a higher toll, saying that fatal cases have risen to 231 while 4,600 others have been infected. The WHO expert noted that \"globally, cholera is growing across the world\" with outbreaks also recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo's Sud-Kivu province, as well as in Laos, Uganda, Djibouti, Afghanistan, Nepal and Papau New Guinea. \"It's a disease of the poor, a sign of a lack of access to clean drinking water and of poor hygiene,\" Chaignat added. \"Cholera contrary to other illnesses can generate panic because the death can take place in several hours.\" Cholera is transmitted by water but also by food that had been contaminated by unclean water. It causes serious diarrhoea and vomiting, leading to dehydration. With a short incubation period, it can be fatal if not treated in time. The disease is also endemic in some countries, such as Pakistan which has been ravaged by heavy flooding over the past month. Chaignat claimed that the spread in cholera across the world could be partly linked to climate change. The germ survives particularly in contaminated water of 37 to 38 degrees and without too much direct sunlight. Around 120,000 people die every year from cholera, according to WHO estimates."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/946162/-/x1g712/-/index.html","content":"Pulkol accuses army of rape in Karamoja region - The former Director General of the External Security Organisation, Mr David Pulkol, has accused the army of torturing and raping Karimojong during the disarmament exercise.He also says they steal cows. Addressing the press at the Uganda Peoples Congress party headquarters in Kampala on Wednesday, the former spy chief said the disarmament programme which received 80 per cent support from the Karamojong has left them feeling betrayed. Army denies“The soldiers disguising as the remnants with guns have turned their wrath against the herdsmen stealing their animals, torturing and castrating men, extorting money and raping women,” he said. But army and defence spokesperson, Lt. Col Felix Kulayigye described Mr Pulkol’s claims as rubbish. “I am not surprised that such statements are coming from Mr Pulkol. He seems to have adopted a strategy of peddling lies. Our record is clear. The recovery rate has been 90 per cent successful because all animals recovered are returned to the owners,” he said. Mr Pulkol said: “You cannot imagine the loss of livestock. In Lopei Sub-county, there were 13,000 cows but now only 1,200 are left.” “We have accepted the lies of the NRM government. They deceived us in 2001 that they would give us a tarmac road which did not come even in 2006 and now they are going to tell us the same lie in 2011,” he said. He said because of the endless theft of their cows by the army, the Karamojong are flooding streets in towns to beg for survival. “They have no source of income. That is why they are running to towns to beg, ” Mr Pulkol said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/934868/-/hyhw47/-/index.html","content":"Consumers support scheme to rid market of fake goods - Kampala In an effort to eliminate substandard goods from the market; consumers have lent support to the new scheme of testing goods from their countries of origin. In an interview with Daily Monitor Mr Shaban Sserunkuma, the director of programmes at Consumer Education Trust (Consent), said: “On behalf of the millions of consumers in Uganda I wish to express serious concern at the prevalence of substandard goods on market.” The new strategy dubbed ‘Pre Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) scheme’ was recently introduced by Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS). Mr Sserunkuma said as we try to deal with the situation, we have been moved by the introduction of the PVoC scheme and as Ugandans we express full support for its implementation. He said in an independent study carried out by Consent, it was found out that 77 per cent of consumers would not buy substandard goods, even if they were sold at a “very low” price. The Consent findings decimate the wrong impression held by traders that consumers’ “demand” is behind the flooding of markets with fake goods. Respondents further called for stern measures to rid the market of fake goods. Consent’s major reasons why they are supporting UNBS is to protect the Consumer’s safety, environment and reduce poverty. “Secondly; the country does not have standards and testing capacity for all the goods imported into the country. Well as this is also true about the situation in many parts of the developed world, the problem of “missing” standards and limited capacity to test is practically impossible to overcome by simply clearing the ‘backlog’,” Sserunkuma added. Consumers also say that since Uganda lacks sufficient capacity to enforce compliance of imports to standards and other regulations downstream. In addition to the staggering costs (human resource, technological, logistical; the structure of markets is such that it is hard to trace substandard or shoddy goods through the intricate pathways backwards to the source."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/919926/-/wyntgu/-/index.html","content":"Landslides claim six in Eastern Uganda - Sironko  Six people including three children died after landslides hit six villages in the districts of Sironko and Mbale over the weekend.  According to Redcross, a humanitarian agency, the mudslides swept through  six villages of Makyese, Bumadanda, Bunandudu, Bunabuloli, Bukwaga and Makyese trading centre displacing about 320 people on Saturday.  The Recdcross field coordinator for Eastern Region Ms Kevin Nabutuwa said 35 houses were completely water logged while about 130 households were at a risk as the torrential rains continue to pound the Mt Elgon area. The landslides also buried gardens with crops and household property worth millions of shillings. The incident comes barely two months after 350 people were killed in devastating landslides that struck Nametsi in Bududa village, also in Eastern Uganda.  Children die The three children, two of them from one family were killed when torrential rains accompanied by hailstorms hit their homes in Bubyangu sub-county in Mbale district on Saturday night.  The bodies of Amina Nandudu 13, Juma Kikumi 12, Siana Namusiru 4 all residents of Makyese village were discovered two kilometers away from the scene of the landslide which they were fleeing. The area LCI chairman Mr. Abdu Masokoyi said the rain started at around 10.00 pm and by midnight, River Makyese had over flooded rolling down heavy stones from uphill and knocked the house in which the children were sleeping flooding it with water. The survivors whose houses and property has been destroyed are now camped at Bumadanda primary school.      In Sironko, three men were found dead when the landslide hit Bugiboni parish in Bugitimwa sub-county at the slopes of Mt Elgon. The men who were walking home from a trading centre included Mr. Kenneth Nasasa 39, Akisoferi Nabende and Mr. David Masoboni, 27. “We retrieved the bodies that had broken limbs and shuttered heads,” said Mr. Atanas Walimbwa, a local resident of the area said.  The Landslide that also struck Bukasalago, Siguta, Dembela, Bumujenya and Kisali villages in Bugitimwa sub-county also left maize, banana, cassava, beans, Irish potatoes and coffee gardens damaged.  When Daily Monitor reached the scene of the tragedy shocked residents stood by in silence, others kept wailing as the entire area remained covered under mud displacing about 450 households with a total of about 1316 people. More landslides 1 | 2 Next Page»The chairman LCV Sironko Mr. Kibale Wambi warned that all areas like Gibengeyi upper, Zesui, Busagali, Kalongo are prone to more landslides after the Mt. Elgon developed a big crack.  “There is great land pressure at the slopes of Mt Elgon, farming methods at the hills without terracing are poor, trees have been cut at the hills leaving the soils bare and this is greatest danger. People must leave the hills, plant trees to protect the land and hold the soils to avoid landslides,” said Mr. Kibale. He said that the death of three people is an eye opener to those staying in the hills to vacate to other safer areas down the valleys. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/916518/-/a27rlvz/-/index.html","content":"Let’s honour our sportsmen/women with Hall of Fame - The demise of great soccer legend Denis Obua is not only untimely but also worrisome to the development of sports in East and Central Africa, particularly for Uganda’s youth whose loyalty, admiration and role models lie under the subjugation of European championships soccer. As we celebrate Obua’s life and contribution to football world, we need to reassess the tribulations of sports in Uganda.In his prime and glorious days, the name Denis Obua was a household name all over the country among other stars like Ayubu Kalule, John Akii Bua, Jimmy Kirunda, Ben Omondi and Paul Ssali. We even composed local folk-songs in our primary schools in praise of their names. Those were the days when our youth were very proud of the achievements of their sportsmen and women, and indeed their country. As superstars, we used to look to them as role models. We wanted one day to be just like them. The Ugandan Army, Police and Prisons also nurtured some of the best in sports, making Uganda a formidable force in 70s and early 80s in the African Cup of Nations and Council of East and Central African Football Association (CECAFA) Challenge Cup. Fast-forward to 2010, I was astounded to find primary school children in my village of Eruba parish in Vurra County, Arua District, knew the names of virtually every soccer player in some of the Union of European Football Association teams like Chelsea, Arsenal, AC Milan, Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus, to the details of even knowing what positions they played. Most bizarre were the children’s eloquent ‘analysis’ of these European soccer players’ weaknesses and strengths both as teams and individuals. I asked them if they knew who the goalkeepers and strikers for Uganda Cranes, KCC FC and Villa SP were, and not surprisingly, none of these kids had any clue. This magnifies the symptoms of sports degradation in the country. Today, we have one of the poorest, if any, youth development programmes where young talents could be tapped. No youth centres with sporting facilities to talk of. Even primary schools no longer produce footballers and other athletes as they used to and sports like cricket, basketball, tennis, badminton, rugby and netball which used to be available in primary schools are none-existence. No wonder our kids have filled this void by espousing European soccer to the point of even committing suicide when their favoured teams lose, thanks to satelite TV. We need to invest heavily in our youth to reverse this culture of ‘sports recolonisation’ and to make them appreciate our local stars by honouring our great sportsmen and women by building a National Sports Hall of Fame. Additionally, we should name streets, stadiums and other landmarks after these great athletes for posterity so that their contribution mutates to motivate our youths. Charity must begins at home. If we cannot promote our local teams by buying their T-shirts, caps, key holders, cups and be proud to be their fans, of what significance and benefit is flooding Uganda with European soccer team artifacts? Mr Asedri is a medical information technologistSan Diego, California, USA.dikumvi@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/910096/-/je9gddz/-/index.html","content":"An ordinary movie made extraordinary - One of the things that makes Casablanca unique is that it stays true to itself without giving in to commonly held perceptions of crowd-pleasing tactics, writes Emmanuel Makeri Movie: CasablancaStarring: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid BergmanDirector: Michael Curtiz Casablanca is a great romance, stirring wartime adventure and suspense-filled action movie. It’s been chosen consistently as one of the best movies ever made. Its snappy lines are repeated by movie-actors world over. What more could you ask for? Though it was made in the 1940s, its themes of lost love, honour and duty, heroism, self-sacrifice and romance within a chaotic world still ring true. It’s clever, touching and witty dialogues are utterly irresistible, still sound fresh and engage the audience almost effortlessly.A year after the Germans invaded France during the Second World War, Ilsa and her husband, Victor Laszlo, a Czech freedom fighter, wander into Rick’s Cafe in Casablanca. The two are on the run from the Nazis and have come to the American-owned nightspot to lie low. However, the German-controlled local government, headed by Captain Louis Renault, is on the move and Laszlo has to act quickly to get the letters of transit he came for, then escape. Little does Ilsa know that the cafe is run by Rick Blaine, the one true love of her life. When the two see each other, the sparks fly and memories of an ecstatic time in Paris come flooding back after a long heartbreaking separation. Blaine, a cynical, hopeless, self-centred, exiled loner, for all his sharp remarks and hard looks, can’t resist this romantic connection that transforms him into a jubilant, vocal French political activist. Bogart (Blaine) is at his best here as the tough cynic who hides a broken heart beneath a layer of sarcasm. World War II has engulfed Europe, reaching all the way to Blaine’s Café America in French-held Morocco. The Nazis have overrun France and are heading into its unoccupied possessions in Africa and all kinds of people are trying to escape by way of Casablanca because it is the safest route to Peaceful Lisbon. If Casablanca was made today, Blaine and Ilsa would escape on the plane after avoiding a hail of gunfire. There would be no beautiful friendship between Laszlo and Blaine and definitely Laszlo wouldn’t have gotten the girl. Today, there are a lot of happy endings that sometimes leave the audience feeling like the storylines have been hijacked midway to satisfy common fantasies of good triumphing over evil. The other thing that makes this movie unique is, it gives no indication of having been modified on a continuing basis and it hangs together so well. From the nameless pickpocket in the opening scene to the desperate Jewish couple mumbling English phrases to get exit visas, it might leave you speechless or provoke in you to vocal and gestural reactions like those of a fanatic Manchester United fan. Everyone in Casablanca wants to get on the plane but will they? The greatest pleasure anyone can derive from this movie comes from watching it. Quotes like, “Of all the gin joints in all the towns in the entire world, she walks into mine,” and “Here’s looking at you, kid,” might become your new catch phrases."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/908636/-/wy1iwv/-/index.html","content":"Nakawa wetland destroyer defies environment authority - A fuel firm that is destroying a wetland at the Nakawa-Ntinda junction on Jinja Road in Kampala, has defied orders from the National Environment Management Authority, this newspaper has learnt. The country’s environment watchdog, had issued a restoration order to Fuelex, a petroleum dealer, to stop the destruction of the wetland, but by yesterday, the firm’s agents were seen filling the wetland with soil. This has angered NEMA’s Executive Director, Dr Aryamanya Mugisha, who yesterday said he would seek court redress. “We have issued a restoration order and the lawyers have filed the matter before court to enforce the directive,” he said by telephone last evening.When this newspaper visited the site, the wetland was still boarded off with iron sheets and big trucks continued to pour soil on the plot. The area was guarded by armed men from a private security firm—Hash Security.Until last week, the site had been fenced leaving the stretch at Jinja Road overlooking an inland car depot partly exposed, but was also sealed off on Sunday. Sources said the destroyers were “stubborn” because Mr Tim Lwanga, a former state minister of ethics and integrity, is allegedly associated with them and was allegedly pulling his political weight to frustrate NEMA. But Mr Lwanga denied the accusations. “ You can write what you want but I don’t have any comment,” he said. However, Mr Mugisha said the environment watchdog would follow the matter to ensure that the restoration directive is implemented. A number of employees were yesterday afternoon working at the site under tight security, a day after NEMA officials stormed and ordered that work there be stopped. When Daily Monitor visited, there was a grader on the site and men wielding hoes and spades helped the grader spread the mounds of soil which trucks kept bringing at the site. Fuelex lawyer, Mr Richard Rugambwa yesterday declined to comment saying he was in meeting and promised to call back soon. He never called back. Critical wetlandNEMA officials who declined to be named because they are not authorised to speak to the press said the project at the Nakawa-Ntinda junction is illegal because it lacks an Environment Impact Assessment Certificate as required by law. They say the wetland is a critical drainage area for storm water from Nakawa Hill into Kinawataka Wetland System across Jinja Road which reduces flooding. Experts say nationwide wetland cover had reduced from about 37,575 square kilometres in 1994 to 26,308 square kilometres in 2008. The wetland catchment area around Lake Victoria had shrunk by more than half in less than 20 years from 7,167.6 square kilometres in 1994 to 3, 310 in 2008 while that of Lake Kyoga’s reduced from 15,008.3sq km in 1994 to 11,028.5sq km in 2008. This is attributed partly to impunity."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/905110/-/a2u3yfz/-/index.html","content":"Otunnu vs govt: Case of the Leopard, fire and Cock - You hold your breath, but also can’t avoid ‘Khumuna Muna’ (to smile). This paradox is a result of the battles between Mr Olara Otunnu and the government. This is the story line: In round one, the government threatens that should Otunnu come to Uganda, he would have to answer for statements he made against the government. Otunnu does not act bothered; he tells the world that he was on his way to Uganda because it is his birth place. Round two: the government is hesitant to issue him a passport but Otunnu defiantly storms Entebbe Airport and the government is forced to issue him one. Memories of Dr Kizza Besigye’s arrest at Busega come flooding in the minds of many Ugandans. We are certain Otunnu will equally be arrested before he arrives in Kampala. He arrives ‘safely’ and goes about the countryside like he has never encountered the word ‘threat’. As the government is about to dismiss Otunnu as inconsequential, he throws another punch; he intends to investigate the Luweero war deaths! Government wakes up from the reverie, and angrily swears to crush Otunnu. But then comes another jab, “Government sponsored Kony,” Otunnu says on one radio. The management of the radio apologises for statements made by their guest. The police swings into action, Otunnu is summoned. He calmly promises to cooperate with the law but goes about his work like nothing has happened. The local dailies report that police does not know whether to insist on a none existent law or issue new summons. At the time of writing this piece, the police has done some revision in law, they have issued a new summon with new charges but according to Otunnu, the new charges are more ridiculous and desperate than the first charge! This paradox reminds me of a story in ‘The Nile English Course’. Long time ago, the story goes. The Cock was king within the bird and animal kingdom. Mr Cock was so ruthless, and always intimidated other animals that whoever came near him would be burnt with the fire on his head (Comb). One day Mrs Leopard came from the garden and discovered the embers of her fire had gone out. She sent one of her children to collect some pieces of charcoal from Mr Cock’s homestead. The child however found Mr Cock asleep and went back without the fire. Desperate, Mrs Leopard decided she would stealthily get the fire from the sleeping Cock. She grabbed some long dry grass which she held near the cock’s comb hoping that the grass would catch fire, it didn’t. She pushed her luck further and put the grass on the Cock’s comb but there were still no flames. Suspicious, she moved nearer the sleeping Cock, but didn’t feel any heat. Finally she touched the comb and behold, it was as cold as ice! Mrs Leopard screamed calling all the other animals about this discovery. The animals had discovered they had been held in bondage through lies. Mr Coke tried to sound tough but the animals could hear none of it. The frightened Coke ran away and has since lived with human beings. So the story goes. Otunnu could turn out to be the Leopard taking the chances but soon, other people will know that the Cock has no fire after all. Once besieged, (through the Inter-Party Cooperation) the Cock will definitely flee to its farm. Ms Wokuri is a social criticwokuret@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/905086/-/2f3e37z/-/index.html","content":"Do the city authorities know how filthy Kampala really is? - Allow me add my voice to the many that have voiced this concern. It is no longer news that Nakivubo Channel, the once cherished effluent purifier, has progressively been turned into an open sewer. What is very disappointing is that this has been allowed to go on as if this city and country has no accountable leaders. What amazes me again is the resigned tone of Nema officials and other key government officials including our MPs when commenting on such a subject, which they do very casually. People have been allowed to encroach on most of the wetlands, green parks have been given away (including a road near the Ministry of Health headquarters), buildings have been allowed to be raised in wetlands and water ways (just go to the space between Spear Motors and Kireka), thereby causing flooding and suffering to the people. People have been allowed to encroach on Nakivubo wetland. The result: cholera epidemics, flooded and damaged road infrastructure that cost Ugandan taxpayers a lot of money in form of repairs. This is unacceptable. Simply drive along Mulwana Road around 10 p.m; the whole place is polluted with sewage smell! The factories in the city have not helped the situation either. Uganda Baati on Mulwana Road emits dark fumes in evenings; I believe Nema officials have never seen this. A swampy area near Spear Motors in Nakawa has also been fenced off. My question is: Who is behind all this? Is it not possible for our Parliament to investigate and expose these culprits? We can not continue like this: Eating sewage, drinking sewage, breathing sewage and sleeping in sewage as if the country has no leaders. Someone must be held accountable. Let all the encroachers be evicted even if it means using extreme force. Forget about votes! The future of our country is mightier than ‘filthy votes’. John Kaka,Kampala"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Heart-to-Heart/-/691230/900678/-/rcdaij/-/index.html","content":"My little story - I have had a good laugh at the mail which is flooding my in box regarding last weekend’s article about men who put women between a rock and a hard place. One writer demanded to know which of the men I personally prefer or whether I have had experience with one of the types. I am surprised though that Hudson, my favourite emailer never put in a question or two. Hudson, all the love to you. So have I had experience with those two species? I did have an experience with Specie B along the journey of my life. Now don’t go counting the numbers, but yes, one of the men I dated once was like that. He was quite a catch. And I did do my share of chasing him all over the place. While he was in love with me, later in our relationship it was always a dilemma of “he loves me… he loves me not.” The girls definitely felt inclined to the “he loves me not part” because they got tired of trying to make me feel good with excuses about why he probably never called that often. We always had a great time together, but sometimes he was too busy or for no reason at all he never called me or replied my text messages as often as should be in a relationship. “It’s his nature”, the girls consoled. “You know that’s how your man behaves, but he loves you, they went on.” And true to their word, I did know that he was an enigma, and he did love me. Sometimes I felt guilty for questioning his love because of something as petty as a call. But then again, I felt that I deserved to be treated as a priority in his life, as his love. It was particularly annoying that the men my friends were dating couldn’t stop dotting over them. While I got stood up, their men attended to their every need, calling and texting them and spoiling them rotten. Now problem was that some of those men we later discovered were being unfaithful, so everyone at that point kept saying, Eve, at least your man is faithful, you should appreciate that because it is hard to find a man who doesn’t cheat. But while I appreciated this, I really found it hard to find solace in the circumstances because while he never cheated, he made me unhappy most of the time because of the way I wasn’t a priority in his life. I wondered, what good his faithfulness was when I always cried myself to sleep wishing he could just show me how he felt about me a little bit more. I felt that I would give up a faithful man for a man who cared and treated me like the special woman in his life. What good is his character if it can’t make you feel good? Sometimes, I was tempted to go out with my male friends who made me feel good, and appreciated me, and I have many of those, but the problem was that most of them wanted to date me and I was too much in love to cheat. I toyed with the thought though, if only to get back at that boyfriend. As you may have guessed, finally he wore me out and I had to move on. If you ask me today, I simply say, if you love someone, or say you love someone, you owe it to them to treat them as special whether it’s against your nature or not, drop the act and get out of love with yourself. — evesnotes@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/-/690266/898978/-/155vu0jz/-/index.html","content":"Muwonge mistake gifts Kinyara point - Kampala TodayCRO0-0 KCC Arua1-0 Maji URA2-2 Kinyara Iganga2-1 Hoima Today at 4pmVilla v Fire Masters URA goalkeeper Mulindwa Muwonge was embarrassed last evening as his side squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with visiting Kinyara in a National Super League game at Namboole. The stadium’s eternal problem of flooding was stripped bare after an afternoon downpour. Kinyara’s equalizer came in comical fashion. Ivan Ntambi, the Kinyara goalkeeper, kicked the ball downfield. Striker Aloysius Lubega and URA defender Jimmy Mukubya jumped but neither got the desired contact with the high ball. The ball landed in a pool of water inside Muwonge’s area. The latter had already misjudged it only for a persistent Frank Kivumbi to reap maximum reward. Kivumbi slotted into an empty net in the 48th minute with Muwonge stranded. Earlier, Hamis ‘Diego’ Kiiza rounded Ntambi to score from Augustine Nsumba’s through pass in the second minute before Mike Sserumaga got a second when he pounced on a loose ball in the area from a free kick on 23 minutes. Fight back The visitors’ hit back through Lubega’s header three minutes late before grabbing an equalizer which left URA stuck in third on 44 points, two behind leaders Bunnamwaya. Elsewhere, drama ensued in Mbale as hosts CRO held 2008 champions KCC to a goalless stalemate on a rainy day. The game, earlier postponed from Monday, was hit by a 45-minute delay as the referee, a one Sheikh Matovu, went missing at kick-off. In a last ditch attempt, match commissar Siraje Katono fronted a local referee whom the visitors rejected. The anxiety was lifted when Matovu finally arrived to preside over the dour game played on a soggy turf. In the 83rd minute, Martin Muwanga ran through a flat-footed CRO defence only to fall on his own with the goal at his mercy. “It’s unfortunate but a point away from home is good enough. There is an occasion when we should have got a penalty,” KCC coach Baker Mbowa, who replaced Sam Ssimbwa, said. Arua victorious Elsewhere, basement club Arua edged visiting Maji 1-0 while Iganga eased their relegation fears with a 2-1 win over Hoima. Today, SC Villa, fresh from a 3-0 demolition over Hoima, host Fire Masters at Namboole. Victory will take Villa to 45 points, just within a point of the leaders."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/892790/-/jsdbt8z/-/index.html","content":"LETTERS FROM INDIA: A long phone talk! - The throbbing pain in my ears gave me such discomfort that I had to lie down for a while. A result of constantly talking on my mobile phone for almost an hour on my birthday which was four days ago. However, by Indian standards, especially among the youth, being on the phone for an hour is peanuts. With telecommunication companies at cut throat competition, the industry is flooding with all sorts of promotions that allow people to exhaustively use their mobile phones. Call charges are 1Rupee and below nationally for one minute, yet to call abroad it is as high as 10 Rupees for one minute. You can do the math. In the evenings here, it is paka last in the true sense of the phrase as most of my colleagues spend up to two hours on the phone per call. You observe them pacing the corridors, sitting in seclusion or lying on their beds. Amusingly, it is not partners they are speaking to only. I was surprised to hear that it could be anyone from a friend to a family member. One of my friend’s jokes that the caller often needs a full biodata of one’s family and other friends and also needs to know what the cat is doing. Some mornings sleepy colleagues confess to having slept at 3a.m. or 4a.m. because they were talking on phone. It reminds me of the calls from abroad, especially UK that have a tendency for being notoriously long and at odd hours. Or rather the way as teenagers most of us took advantage of the land lines to talk to our friends when our parents were away. You never wanted to be at home when the phone bill was brought. Talking on phone for hours has become such a norm for most that they continue to attend to their other business while still on the phone. One can communicate to another person, have their meals and do other things while still on phone. The cheap phone rates aside, I have come to understand that the vast size of the country throws loved ones in different corners, leaving phone conversations as the only way to maintain their link. With one state the size of Uganda, it is understandable given that there are 28 states. But I am definitely not going to think about this when I hang up on a caller who just won’t get off the phone and let me carry on with the demands of life."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/-/688612/892246/-/u116r6/-/index.html","content":"Reasons why you should back up your data - As much as we try to avoid losing our data, it happens. Many of us are so busy with our daily lives that we forget about the importance of data backup until its too late. There’re a number of reasons as to why data backup should be an absolute priority, if your data is worth any value to you. Failed hard drives happen. Many of us believe that just because we are not dragging our hard drive around with us from place to place, we will not have to backup our data. The truth is that no matter the situation, there is always a possibility that hard drives will fail and discontinue working and this is when we wish we had data backup storage. In some cases, your drive will fail bit by bit, in other instances, your entire drive can crash at once, meaning everything that is on that drive is gone. Mistakes happen. We are human, at least most of us are and humans make mistakes. Have you ever accidentally deleted something permanently off your computer only to realise it was your only copy? As silly as this might sound, it does happen and in many cases, we do not think to backup our data, as we do not think that we will accidentally delete what we know we need. Data corruption happens. Viruses and worms are nasty things. They creep up on you and before you know it, you have lost everything on your computer and are sitting with a nasty virus and no data due to the fact that you decided to leave your backup until later. Viruses can delete all of your data and in the instance that this might happen, you should protect yourself by backing up all data regularly. Some individuals believe in data backup online, I believe in the good old onsite backup. Disasters happen. This can be anything from flooding to fire to a power surge, causing your computer to fizzle out. These disasters mean that you have no access to your data and unless you have performed a daily secure backup procedure, retrieving it will be highly complicated and in some instances, unfortunately impossible.Life happens. People drop their hard drives. Their laptops get stolen, because that’s life. These instances are highly unfair and many of us will curse when it happens, but in the case of this, you know what will save the day. Of course a proper IT department with expected standards shall have policies and procedures to back up user data such as email and shared drives. But at home, what should you do? Well, Windows has inbuilt features just for this purpose. Windows can back up files on whatever schedules you choose. Just set it and forget it. In Windows Vista and 7, you can back up files to another drive, or a DVD. You could also always just regularly copy your important files including documents and pictures on a flash disk or portable hard drive.mustafa885@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/-/689842/891574/-/yd4iycz/-/index.html","content":"Meeting friends helps you put things into perspective - There is a group of friends I like to hang out with for various reasons. First, as soon as we meet, the memories of school come flooding back and sometimes these hang out events are characterised by laughter; mad, side splitting, hearty laughter. This is because of the things we remember that we did at school that sometimes earned us a punishment or things we somehow mercifully got away with. Another reason I love the meetings is because we get to compare notes on our jobs, children, lives and everything else. When we talk about our little ones, I always leave with a tip or two on how to deal with mine. As a parent, you will learn that there is no one perfect solution. The whole world will be telling you how some solution works wonders for children with flu and you will be hoarse because of telling the whole world that it just doesn’t work for your child! That’s the frustrating side of it. But the joy is that meeting with other friends and mums helps you put things into perspective. Sometimes you will think you have the greatest burden because your child has just refused to stop wetting their bed and yet they are four years old, only to learn that another mummy had to go through that ordeal for eight years before hers learnt not to wet her beddings. Other times, you might think you are the perfect mum who sets the perfect example for her child perhaps because you spend a lot more time with them than the average woman. And then you find out that though your mum friend is a frequent traveller and one who works from 8a.m. to 5p.m., she has such a wonderful schedule that sees her spend perhaps less time than you with her loved ones but that little time is quality time. Every weekend, she has a special brunch with her daughter in town on Saturday, a bicycle ride with her son on Sunday afternoons and a special dinner with her man on Sunday nights. And you, your weekends are for you to relax after a hectic week so you are busy watching movies or series, hanging out with the girls, getting a manicure done, attending the numerous weddings you have been invited to and trying to make sure the children don’t mess up your time for you. That is why it is always good to catch up with friends so that you can always look at your joys and sorrows with a better perspective. No one said parenting was easy, but goodness knows we can all do with as much help we can get, which is why our main feature is about how to give your child an early start in life so that when they are grown up, they can easily fend for themselves. Do make sure to check it out. You will be sure to leave with a gem or two."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/854008/-/whxklo/-/index.html","content":"Government to establish environment protection unit - Kampala The government will start prosecuting individuals and organisations that destroy the environment, the Minister for Water, Ms Maria Mutagamba, has warned. Speaking ahead of today’s’ World Wetland Day, Ms Mutagamba said her ministry would set up an environment protection unit that would deal with the offenders. “Parliament has already approved arresting those who degrade the environment. We are just waiting for our new budget to see how we can come up with this unit,” Ms Mutagamba said.The international theme for World Wetlands Day 2010 is “Wetlands, Biodiversity, and Climate change.” According to environmental experts, wetlands play a key role in the eco system chain, helping to reduce flooding, regulating water flow and enhancing ground water recharge.This year’s theme focuses on caring for wetlands, as an answer to climate change and adaptation. Ms Mutagamba explained that the unit will particularly deal with investors who encroach on wetlands. She said people who reside on wetlands of Nakivubo, Nsomba, Lubigi, and Nansana have been told to leave."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/845702/-/2vosxoz/-/index.html","content":" - While I wish to acknowledge the good services Posta Uganda provides to its customers, the concerned department that employs the cleaners should advise them to do their cleaning work either in the evening hours or during the weekend.As customers on January 20 proceeded to pick their letters, cleaners were busy pouring water on the floor, flooding it and causing difficulty for customer passage. As they forged their way through, their clothes were being covered by spider webs and dust, leave alone the health danger associated. Posta Uganda in connection with the respective Cleaning Company should revise this. Susen Nabaasa,nbs.susen@yahoo.com Umeme bills lateI live in Mutundwe, Kirinyabigo zone. For close to a year now our land lord says he never receives bills from Umeme except for once and for this reason he reads his own metre and calculates for us what to pay at a rate of Shs510 per unit as compared to the official Shs426.10 per unit. I feel this is unfair to us because Shs83.9 is a big difference and we feel cheated!Can Umeme’s local area office issue such bills to tenats so that we can pay for what we actually consume? Ernesta Avako,eavako@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/838358/-/wgsckj/-/index.html","content":"Nema shames 25 wetland degraders - The National Environment Management Authority (Nema) has released a list of at least 24 top wetland degraders around Kampala in a surveillance carried out during the Christmas season. The wetland degraders named include individuals and companies, many of who have been faulted for dumping gravel and debris and carrying out construction activities in wetlands. In some cases, according to the surveillance report, action has been taken by the environmental body, including arresting the culprits. Some cases are still under investigation while some degraders have complied with a directive to stop dumping in the various wetlands. Wetland encroachersDr Aryamanya Mugisha, the Executive Director of Nema, yesterday blamed wetland encroachment on zero respect for the law and environment.“It is not that these people don’t know the importance of wetlands. They just think they are above the law so what we are going to do is shame them,” Dr Mugisha said. “We have been taking some of them to court but because it is a long process, we now prefer to impound their vehicles, land titles and attach some of their property,” he added. Dr Mugisha said because of the punitive measures, Nema has been taking on wetland degraders, some people dump the gravel during the night which makes it hard to track them. Wetland degradation, which is more pronounced currently than it was in previous years, is attributed mainly to a high population growth that has not been matched with available land for agriculture, urbanisation and human settlement. State of environmentThe State of Uganda Environment report 2008 produced by Nema, which was released in 2009, also paints a bleak picture on the future of the country’s wetlands, naming them as the most threatened ecosystems in the country. It indicates that at least 7 per cent of the original wetland area of Uganda has been converted into other uses. “This has resulted in loss of biodiversity especially for species that thrive in wet habitats or those that use wetlands for breeding,” the report reads. Wetlands, occupy about 13 per cent (33,000 square kilometres) of the total area of Uganda. Jinja, Mayuge, Kabale, Kisoro and Iganga are some of the districts that have lost significant areas of their wetland. Dr Mugisha said dumping gravel in wetlands leads to the destruction of the wetland ecosystem, resulting in increased flooding, reduction of water tables and reduced rainfall. In 2008, Nema and the Police partnered to form an environmental Police unit to clamp down on the escalating environmental crime. The unit aims at addressing environmental crimes, investigations and prosecution. Environmental crimes include illegal waste disposal, pollution, discharge of effluents into lakes, illegal fishing, illegal hunting, dumping and encroachment on protected areas-all of which lead to environmental degradation."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/-/688322/836128/-/eh4ndez/-/index.html","content":"Make insurance your new year resolution Include insurance - The festive season here in Uganda is mercifully short compared to Europe where it literally staggers on until early January but I will cherish three particular memories of the current festive season for many years to come; Our year-end party where the team danced with a spirit of unity that made a mockery of any perceived divisions between ethnicity and nationality, the bird that has taken to wake me at dawn by continually chirping five notes of Wagner’s Ride of the Valkeries outside my window, and the smile of my baby daughter enjoying her first Christmas. Memories to cherish indeed! Sadly, in insurance there are the other sides to the season of festivity; avoidable road traffic accidents by the score, inflated claims that test the patience of the most hardened of claims officers and tragically, life assurance claims for those lost at too young an age. It is a time for reflection and perhaps now is the right moment to seek the reader’s attention as you consider personal resolutions for 2010. It is always difficult to prioritise but please consider what insurance cover you currently have and what you and your family really need. To begin with, what would your family do if you passed away tomorrow? A tough question and one we all feel uncomfortable at answering but face the realities, would they have sufficient funds to live in the same house, go to the same schools, eat the same food or would the family be split with the girls going to live up-country, the boys farmed out to unwelcoming cousins and your carefully laid plans left in shatters? So Priority 1….speak to someone about Life Assurance and get yourself covered. Secondly, have your assets been insured? Your property is more than just bricks and mortar, it is your families’ home so have you insured against fire and have the contents covered incase of a disaster such as flooding? Priority 2…..Get your house and house contents covered against all risks. To me a motor vehicle is a metal box with a wheel on each corner but to many it is a symbol of strength, of power, of status, even virility! So if your chariot of choice is important to you, is it insured comprehensively so that when it gets scratched by a hawker wheeling his barrow along Clock Tower roundabout, you can have it repaired all shiny and new. Or are you “saving” money by forking out the minimum legal cost for a third party only sticker and hoping the ubiquitous pineapple, charcoal, matooke, etc. hawker barrows miss you in 2010! Hope springs eternal but the reality is somewhat different so make comprehensive insurance for your dream machine your Priority 3. Gaining peoples’ attention is achieved in different ways by different cultures, some brash like snapping fingers, rapping coins on tables, shouting “Oy” or crudely whistling, some subtle as in Uganda where we make a soft smooching noise, like an angel blowing a kiss. In my small way, these articles have sought to adopt the Ugandan approach as to achieving readers’ attention so as to explain the value and benefits of insurance. It has been for me, at least, a richly enjoyable experience and I wish you all a safe and insured 2010. Mr Corbit is the Managing Director of ICEA Limited."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/834654/-/57j4co/-/index.html","content":"Bafuruki have stabbed us in the back - Bunyoro - This is in response to the Banyakigezi announcement which appeared in The Daily Monitor of Dec, 21, 2009, saying that on Dec, 28, 2009 they will officially thank Banyoro for giving them economic asylum to settle in Bunyoro-Kitara to get economic benefits. While under behaviour of normal people, under normal traditional African culture, and behaviour, it would be the proper thing to do, that is to thank a person who gives you something good, especially permission to live in his house and to enjoy all the benefits of his home and family; “to thank Banyoro”, is adding insult to injury. No respectWe feel terribly hurt by this abuse. In African culture when, as a visitor, you are given hospitality, and offered a room in which to sleep overnight, you thank the host by giving him respect and by strictly abiding by the customs and norms of that family. As an asylum seeker you must sleep in the room you are offered. You make sure you don’t make advances to the host’s wife even if you are greatly tempted by her beauty. But when the Bakiga came to Kibaale District not only did they move out of the room they were offered, they moved to other rooms as well. They did not stop at that, they made advances to the wife of the host, by “grabbing” the juiciest political post in the district, that of Kibaale District LC Five Chairman in 2002. Later on they increased their flow in the district by flooding the electoral register and in the subsequent elections they voted in Bakiga Members of Parliament thereby disenfranchising Banyoro. Not only that. After grabbing other areas from LC One onwards, the Bakiga turned the house into their own property. They have renamed villages and parishes. The most conspicuous example is Burora sub-county, in Buyaga county which they renamed Rugashari to reflect villages where they originated in Kabaale. Since then they have been lobbying for the creation of a new district out of Buyaga county and rename it New Kabaale.Today Bafuruki outnumber Banyoro in the district which means they will always outvote Banyoro in any election.The original reason why they migrated from Kabaale and Rukungiri is because of overpopulation thereby transporting their problem from home to Kibaale. There also have economic power over others. Is this overpopulation the thank you the Bakiga are going to officially make to Bunyoro-Kitara kingdom in Kabaale?While there is no denying that in democracy a person who has majority support gets elected, the bafuruki should have read the history of the region where they would have learned that Banyoro have been victims of circumstances whereby they were ruled by the British followed by Baganda. Therefore, the Bafuruki should be understanding enough to let the Banyoro acquire a sense of security. Its not a question of fair elections. While Bunyoro-Kitara needs investors, they must come at our terms. The people of Kibaale have instituted a case in the courts of law to recover their land which is today being owned by Baganda absentee landlords. Bakiga should not be settled on this land without a lease agreement with Kibaale District Land Board. But what are we seeing today. The Bakiga are taking land free of charge being given to them by the NRM Government. While the Bakiga are getting land free of charge no Munyoro has ever been given land free of charge.Henry Ford Miirima is a spokesman of the King of Bunyoro. The Bafuruki question has been one of the defining issues of 2009. It looks set to continue this year. This article has been heavily edited."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/819336/-/jkcaigz/-/index.html","content":"4 companies team up to offer top quality security services - Kampala Four leading companies teamed up on Thursday last week to offer their clients what is being described as the very best safety security package on the market While teaming up at Kampala Sheraton Hotel, Emergency medical company AAR, are to offer households a combined “one stop shop” providing emergency ambulance , fire tender or security backed up by insurance support for every body subscribing household. KK security manager Mr Steve Foster said that the package is simply itself a single panic button that is installed in the subscriber property and when activated, an officer from KK security will immediately dispatch a security vehicle to the address. At the same time he will call the subscriber to confirm the nature of the incident and will then dispatch any additional service required. He added that this is the first of its kind in Kampala and you only need one button or one telephone number to summon emergency assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for one monthly payment.ARR health services general manager Mr Mark Achola said that theemergency rescue services that will be offered are comprehensive with AAR’s critical care ambulance, which is the only one available in Uganda and will give great value to their clients. Under the partnership, the global insurer, Chartis that was formerly AIG will provide world class comprehensive householders insurance cover to protect the house structure itself, the contents within any third party liability that the stake holder may incur related normal living activities. Cover will also extend to domestic workers as provided under the worker men compensation act of Uganda. Chartis Uganda managing director Mr Alex Wanjohi also revealed that the insurance package shall provide unique and unmatched additional covers including ATM assault which compensates one for money lost after their card is robbed from them against their will. Disaster cash which provides fixed cash benefit to meet alternative living expenses should the dwelling unit be destroyed by perils such as fire earthquakes , flooding rendering the unit unusable for a period of time."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/816240/-/10wv7c2/-/index.html","content":"President decries low university intake - BusiaPresident Museveni has decried the low university intake in the country which he said is not healthy for the socio-economic development needs of the country. In a speech read for him by the State Minister for Higher Education, Mr Mwesigwa Rukutana, during the official opening of Busitema University over the weekend, President Museveni said the demand for admission to university education today stood at 100,000 against the intake capacity of only 38,000. The university chancellor, Prof. Francis Gervas Omaswa and vice chancellor, Prof. Mary Jossy Nakandha Okwakol, were installed on the same day. President Museveni noted that 57,000 who sat Uganda Advanced Certificate Examination last year had qualified for university, yet the current intake could not absorb them all. “The Gross Enrolment Ration (GER) of the population that is pursuing university education to the overall population of Uganda is just five per cent. In Sub-Saharan region, GER is 15 per cent which is far better than our situation,” Mr Museveni said. He noted that only three per cent of the age group between 18 and 25, who should be pursuing university education in Uganda, have access to university education. Demand to growPresident Museveni said the demand for higher education in Uganda would continue to triple as a result of the Universal Primary and Secondary Education, adding that the situation would even be more complicated with more foreign students flooding the existing universities."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/812850/-/wqod5b/-/index.html","content":"Kisoro gets bee breeder - Life is about to turn around for the bee farmers in Kisoro District after they received a bee breeding centre to boost their honey production output, writes Robert MuherezaKisoro should be buzzing with more bees and flooding with more honey after a queen breeding centre was donated to its bee farmers. The breeding centre has been built at Nyarusiza sub-county for the about 600 people involved in bee keeping in the district. Mr Francis Sekabuga, the manager of Kisoro Bee Keepers Cooperative Society said, “We no longer depend on the mercy of God to have our bee hives colonised. We are grateful to the Gorilla organisation, a local NGO operating in Kisoro District, for constructing a centre for queen rearing and bee breeding.“This development shall increase the amount of honey harvested per season,” he added. Mr Sekabuga, 70, says that he trained in bee management at Arusha Institute of Bee-keeping in Tanzania in the mid 1960’s and has used his expertise to mobilise the local farmers in the district towards bee keeping.He added that the activity does not need too much energy for one to succeed, explaining that other local NGOs like Care International and International Union for the Conservation of Nature have supported their cooperative in terms of capacity building and material support. “In a good season, a local farmer can harvest 20kg of honey from a single traditionally made bee hive and 90kg from a modern one. At the centre, we pay Shs3,500 per kilogramme of unprocessed honey, which means a local farmer can earn Shs315,000 on every modern bee hive. “Our farmers have on average 15 modern bee hives and this makes each of them earn about Shs4.7m per season. We have been with only one major harvesting season per year,” Mr Sekabuga said. But with the newly donated centre, such profits could soar even much higher as breeding will be throughout the year. Mr Sekabuga reveals that their farmers use the profits made from honey harvesting to fund their other domestic projects such as paying fees for their children, Irish potato growing and poultry. Therefore, an increase in earnings from bee keeping would boost other sectors as well. He said that the annual turnover for Kisoro Bee Keepers Cooperative Society is 50 tonnes of which 20 tonnes are committed to the development of their society while the rest caters for the dividends of their cooperative members.He also revealed that most of their farmers have utilised Bwindi and Mgahinga National parks for bee keeping and they have benefited a lot. Most of the processed honey from the cooperative is sold in Rwanda and numerous supermarkets in Kampala. Using himself as an example of success, Mr Sekabuga says that he harvests 400kg of honey per season from 14 modern and 10 traditional bee hives.“I use the money to pay school fees for my grand children, relieving my the burden off my sons’s shoulders. This enables them to save and accumulate wealth. My old age has actually helped me to concentrate on bee keeping since it does not require a lot of energy. “Apiary is doing well for me; in fact, I get better retirement benefits from this project,” Mr Sekabuga boasted.The Kisoro District National Agricultural Advisory Services (Naads) coordinator, Mr Edgar Banda, says that his office has given hundreds of modern bee hives to different bee keepers in the district to strengthen house hold incomes and poverty eradication.With this queen bee rearing and bee breeding centre, Kisoro’s bee farmers have taken a giant step ahead in modernising their production and hence improve their standing against other bee farmers in the market."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/723722/-/b4sqjxz/-/index.html","content":"Northern Bypass is welcome but we need to do more - It’s more than two weeks since the Northern Bypass was opened leading to a lot of excitement. But beyond the excitement, one sees serious problems which if not given immediate attention, might become a disaster. One of the problems is that many motorists have turned the Bypass into a race-track  as they hardly observe the specified speed limit. The failure to observe speed limit has already resulted in several accidents and many lives lost. There is no guarantee to the safety of all users of the Bypass especially at night. The situation is made worse by the absence of lights both at the Bypass roundabouts and all through the stretch. There is also serious flooding on the Bypass especially in the areas of Bwaise, Nansana and Lubiigi Swamp. Area residents have accused the contractors for filling the stretch across the swamp with merely marrum. Others claim that the drainage system in these areas is very narrow – something that leads runoffs overflowing into people’s homes. Another problem is with the narrowness of the Bypass. While the road was meant to handle heavy vehicles, it is amazing how narrow it’s at some sections including atNalya and Bwaise roundabouts. Residents along the Bypass also face the problem of noise pollution. What used to be quite and serene stretch has been turned into noisy neighbourhood. However, we shouldn’t forget that the Bypass has added value to the communities living along road stretch. For example, the Bypass has greatly improved the mobility of persons and goods.  It’s now possible to drive from Busega to Bweyogerere without necessarily going through the city centre. And big and small business on the Bypass route are greatly benefitting as a result of their location. Small markets, shops and street vendors are now a common feature along the Bypass. Besides, the market value of land along the road has skyrocketed. Meanwhile, there is need to improve the situation further. First, the entire Bypass stretch should have lights especially at roundabouts. Installing lights will greatly reduce the level of crime that has been on the rise on the Bypass lately. The number of traffic police officers as well as police patrol should be deployed on the road  monitor and guarantee safety to users. Their presence will also help restrain motorists from reckless driving as well as boost security. Part of the reasons why motorists speed is because of traffic officers are thin on this road. Regarding noise pollution, trees should be planted along the Bypass to act as noise deterrents. Fast growing trees like eucalyptus should be planted because they will help kill two birds with one stone – act as noise deterrent and reduce soil erosion on the edges of the Bypass. Humps should also be built at various sections of the Bypass with the aim of checking speeding by motorists. Given that the stretch is generally narrow and has many sharp bends, speeding should be the last thing in the mind of motorists. Otherwise, the Bypass is a welcome addition to the nation’s road network and with it, we should all expect are better times ahead. Mr Nurunziza is an urban planner Foreverandre@yahoo.co.uk"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/719494/-/b5b6pcz/-/index.html","content":"Who is ‘poisoning’ us with these counterfeit products? - I have been wondering who exactly is flooding our market with counterfeit products and what is happening to the monitoring of the quality of consumables and other products on the Ugandan market. On many occasions, I have read media reports about the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) burning a collection of duplicated products found on the market. I commend them for that and greatly appreciate their efforts to ensure that Ugandans do not consume adulterated products. However, I would prefer UNBS also creates awareness on how we can differentiate between genuine and fake products. I don’t think it makes sense to burn these products and not follow up points where the products were manufactured from so that we do not have new stock being distributed from the same ‘counterfeit source’. If they followed up the manufacturers of the fake products, then it is highly unlikely that our shopping centres would still be full of such products. The biggest problem is that we, the consumers, go to the same shopping centres, buy the same products and with time, we get so used to them; have faith in them and even trust them as genuine. This is because the public does not know what is real or not; we simply buy to consume, not for any laboratory use or test. Unfortunately, the only time we realise that we have bought a fake product is when it negatively affects us after use. It is even worse with consumables because the product could have a long-term effect on our health and sometimes, we get to know about it (and seek medical help) when it is too late. The relevant authorities need to intervene and rein in those manufacturing, importing and distributing counterfeits. We have been fooled for far too long. Take an example of the bread you bought labelled 1kg on the package; try weighing it when you get home. Some will weigh less and others more and worse still, even expired (some people even tamper with expiry dates). It is also common to buy the same brand of powder or lotion from a supermarket or downtown and discover that each has a unique smell. How then do we tell what is genuine or not? The rate at which food and medical products are being duplicated is worsening and Ugandans must be concerned because it is their health at stake. The more we consume these fake products, the more we suffer from mysterious illnesses and in the end; we blame it on witchcraft. I would rather we critically analyse the products we buy and consume even as we expect the authorities to take the problem of counterfeits more seriously. Ms Biira is a member of the Public Relations Association of Uganda"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/718964/-/10du0rq/-/index.html","content":"El Nino rain starts next month - Kampala The government yesterday warned of looming torrential rains associated with the El Nino weather phenomenon. Relief and Disaster Preparedness Minister Tarsis Kabwegyere told journalists in Kampala that Teso, Mt. Elgon and the western regions will receive higher than normal rainfall starting next month. “The El Nino situation will occur during the months of October to December and is likely to spill over to January and February next year,� Prof. Kabwegyere said. “From the weather forecast, we are 80 per cent sure that the El Nino is going to occur.� He stressed that the El Nino rain is expected to be as destructive as the one that occurred in 2007, particularly in Teso and Lango sub-regions that were heavily-flooded leading to loss of lives and destruction of food and property. “The occurrence of this phenomenon is likely to have negative implications on various activities in the country and at the regional level including destruction of crops, infrastructure and disruption of transport,� Prof. Kabwegyere explained. The 2007 flooding led to the displacement of an estimated 300,000 people. Prof. Kabwegyere said the ministry is already working with various ministries to develop contingency plans on how the situation will be handled. “We are now better prepared to handle the situation than we were in 2007,� he said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/716170/-/b5dc34z/-/index.html","content":"Include Crane conservation in patriotism lessons - The Crane is one of the most important birds in Uganda. It is not only beautiful but also deeply entrenched in the Ugandan society. It is a national bird for Uganda as seen on the country’s flag, currency and Coat of Arms.  The national football team, the Cranes, is named after it and it is a totem for some clans of Ankole region. That is why the Crane is a kingly bird. It is a time teller and indicator of environmental health especially of wetlands. It is a tourist  attraction of economic value. The Crane Bank is named after it.  It appears on the flag of the Police Force. The Crane is one of the birds that stays in a monogamous relationship where a couple stays together for life. This important bird makes nests in undisturbed seasonal wetlands of Uganda concealed in tall grasses and sedges where a pair reproduces one to three chicks. But the Crane is facing serious threats that will drive it to extinction if no serious conservation strategies are put in place urgently. According to research done by Nature Uganda, an international NGO, its population has reduced from 35,000 individuals in 1984 to 20,000 in 2004 and this decline is still continuing - the reason it was included on the Red List of Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of plants and animals deserving special protection status. The species is threatened by the loss and degradation of wetland breeding areas through changes in land use, drainage as well as through the heavy use of agricultural pesticides. The species is also threatened by live-trapping for trade and domestication, egg-collecting and hunting. Its breeding grounds are also being lost to high sedimentation rates caused by deforestation, uncontrolled grass and deep litter fires in the breeding season, groundwater extraction leading to changes in hydrological regimes like unseasonal flooding. It is also affected by indirect disturbance from the hunting of large mammals or ducks in wetlands as well as of fishing activities. As a result of many human activities, wetland area of Uganda has seen more than 7.3 per cent converted to dry land, thus reducing the breeding area. More than ever, every Ugandan should be reminded, sensitised and informed of the need to conserve this important national bird.  This is necessary so as to remove all the threats and enable them participate in the conservation of the bird and its habitat. Nature Uganda and Wetland conservation Project, together with Wildlife Conservation Society are carrying out research, monitoring and conservation activities on this bird in Uganda. Their activities need to be complimented by other players. One of the other sure and effective entry points for such a conservation programme is to make it one of the patriotic lessons in the proposed patriotism clubs.  Saving our environment from further degradation will succeed only when it becomes the responsibility of every Ugandan. Mr Mugyenyi  is a member of the Daily Monitor Panel of Expertsmbjcyril@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/714800/-/b5ekegz/-/index.html","content":"President Museveni should apologise to Tumwesigye - While addressing a news conference in Kampala on November 3, 2007 in an Oscar-deserving performance and without blinking an eye, President Museveni stood on a pulpit and said “I have been looking for IGGs who are aggressive. I really like this lady-Faith Mwondha. I like her very much, unlike Jotham Tumwesigye whose only contribution was to sack my friend Kakooza Mutaleâ€Â�.  He said this forgetting that in June 2004, he had ordered Mr Tumwesigye not to interfere in the decision-making process of ministries and institutions. I nearly got a heart attack when I read that Mr Museveni has appointed Mr Tumwesigye a Supreme Court Judge. Not that I am doubting Mr Tumwesigye’s credentials because it’s well known that he is a man of integrity and perseverance  but the fact that Mr Museveni could appoint him to such a senior position when he himself had insinuated that Mr Tumwesigye was a non-performer.  Mr Museveni’s statements at that news conference should have been held with contempt. Either it was out of excitement, a naked lie, cry for attention, or a slip of the tongue but he owes Mr Tumwesigye an apology. Where was he when Balthazar Castiglione taught renaissance oiks how to be gentlemen? As for Ms Mwondha, whom he liked – she is now history and Mr Tumwesigye will now be her superior (hehehe).  I congratulate Mr Tumwesigye on his appointment to the Judiciary but I would advise him to be impartial and to discard his Movement roots and tentacles and flush them down while taking heed from Hon. Kanyeihamba, who is not to be intimidated and walks with his head high. The dilemma with this government is that it is a complete political comedy of errors; famine crisis; Temangalogate; Shimoni-drama; Nateete showbiz; Presidential Jet saga; Kiboko-terrorists; Black Mamba guerillas; Mabira-katemba; investor-kiwani; Garamba-circus; family districts; disposable-roads: Mukula-Gavi, valley dam-Spe; Kivedinda – fuel; tear gas-slapstick; Karamoja-my wife; kisanja-con; President-know-it-all; Kategaya-come back; Opondo-shoplift – wow, the list is interminable. Ugandan politics is in the midst of the greatest crisis to have afflicted it in modern time. Not only are the NRM MPs reviled individually for specific misdeeds but the Movement system is now regarded with disdain by millions of voters. The Entebbe Airport saga over the past week has seen day-light flooding in and a bad smell oozing out.  Then look at the government which is jam-packed with geriatrics (who have refused to get lost).  The NRM lynchpins should realise that they have run out of fog and that things will never be the same gain. They must learn to pass power and responsibility to the masses rather than stealing it. Indeed, 2011 will see the defeat of an arrogant NRM grown fat on the proceeds of the hard work of others (ie ministerial cars at Shs250 million) and this will go down in history as a decisive stride towards a better future but also a victory for democracy and the Ugandan people. As Museveni continues being politically cobwebbed by superglueing himself on the chair, it reminds me of the raconteur Sir Peter Ustinov, who once said “the problem with political jokers is that they get elected.   Ms Turinawe is the FDC Women’s League chairperson"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/711388/-/b5gr2xz/-/index.html","content":"Kampala’s development must be sustainable - Kampala City continues to grow, and with growth comes economic development essential to enhancing the competitiveness, quality of life and livelihoods of residents. However, growth at the expense of life-sustaining natural resources and existing community services is both shortsighted and unwise. Unmanaged growth in Kampala City has resulted in negative impacts such as increased flooding, indiscriminate waste disposal, and traffic congestion, high demand for water and electricity, encroachment on green belts and degraded natural resources - wetlands, air quality and Lake Victoria. The narrow, pot-holed and dusty roads in Kampala have caused unbearable traffic congestion. As a result, many residents prefer to live in the outskirts of the city. However, the ever increasing distance between where people work and live, increases time spent at work places and reduces quality time with family and friends. This does not only cause economic strain but also social and psychological stresses. On several occasions, on my way home from work, I take the Kampala-Hoima road. While in Bwaise, a Kampala suburb, notorious for awful traffic jams, I have noticed that the time spent to pass through the jam varies with varying weather conditions. On sunny days, I take 20 - 30 minutes; on cloudy days I spend one to one-and-half hours; and when it rains, I spend a minimum of two hours. Worse still, on the same road I have narrowly survived head-on-collision accidents. Some drivers drive while half-asleep and others talk to themselves, which are signs of stress. While this is forgivable, rude words, insults, insensitive behaviour are common among drivers on our roads. Recently, close to Garden City, Nakumatt chain of stores opened Nakumatt Oasis, a development that could have been located elsewhere if there was an attempt to planning towards a sustainable Kampala City. Motorists may have realised that the evening traffic jam along Yusufu Lule Road has doubled since the opening of Nakumatt Oasis. Managed sustainable growth of Kampala City should accommodate increase in population and traffic, protect natural resources and encourage economic development for the benefit of the entire population and the state. The primary philosophy of sustainable growth in Kampala city should be centred on the premise that new development and redevelopment provides environmental, economic, and quality of life benefits to all residents. Increase in quality of life can be attained by building satellite towns complete with shopping centres, markets, hotels, restaurants, sports amenities and commercial services, along the borders of greater Kampala. 1 | 2 Next Page»Natural resources such as wetlands within Kampala have the potential to recover to their original states if vacated - time being a major factor. What is needed is to compensate wetland occupants by offering alternative dryland areas for settlement. Let Kampala City management authorities, in collaboration with environmental management institutions, NGOs, development partners and relevant ministries begin to invest in research in fields of environmental policy, strategic intervention policy, urban sustainable development and practice, and urban regeneration. hbakamwesiga@yahoo.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/708776/-/b5xcm6z/-/index.html","content":"We must all protect our environment - Today, Uganda joins the rest of the world to mark World Environment Day, with the national commemoration taking place in Kayunga District.The day, observed every June 5, was established by the UN General Assembly in 1972, marking the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. This year’s international theme, “Your Planet Needs You - Unite to Combat Climate Changeâ€Â�, is an apt choice by the UN Environment Programme, given the alarming rate at which climate change is affecting the environment.   It thus fitting that this year’s focus is mitigating climate change. In Uganda, like other parts of the world, the impact of climate change is evident. Over the last few years, this country has experienced erratic weather patterns with prolonged periods of drought in the eastern and northern parts of the country, while heavy flooding ravaged Teso sub region, especially in 2007. These and higher temperatures as well as declining water levels are symbolic of the extreme climate changes we are witnessing. Though the trend is worrysome, few people are aware of, or care about climate change. We still continue to destroy forests and cut trees, largely for fuel. And yet, deforestation accounts for one-fifth of the world’s greenhouse gases with an estimated 30 million acres of rain forests reported to be shrinking yearly. The planet too is increasingly warming. That is why Uganda needs to carry out massive awareness campaigns, through environmental bodies like Nema to educate the public on the dangers of climate change and impart a sense of personal responsibility in every citizen to protect the environment. Nema is already enhancing public awareness through its information, education and communication section by educating people on the importance of conserving and managing the environment. We hope that communities are taking Nema’s message seriously and are putting it to good use to ensure they enjoy a clean and healthy environment. Since Ugandans depend on biomass for energy, we should re-emphasise tree planting to create a renewable energy base as well as maintain our water cycle. Our government must make environmental protection a priority and, as part of the international community, use the December United Nation Climate Change Convention in Copenhagen to negotiate a rational environment treaty."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/-/688614/708026/-/hf2nf6z/-/index.html","content":"Vehicle Insurance - What is Vehicle Insurance?Vehicle insurance is also known as auto insurance, car insurance, or motor insurance) is insurance purchased for cars, trucks, and other vehicles. Its primary use is to provide protection against losses incurred as a result of traffic accidents and against liability that could be incurred in an accident. How is vehicle insurance important? Auto insurance protects you from being financially responsible for an accident, but you're required to pay monthly premiums to keep the insurance. By law you must have car insurance if you want to drive on the road and without it you can be fined, lose your license, go to jail and also be sued depending on the seriousness of the accident you caused. Even if you're pulled over without car insurance you can be fined though which means you must have and maintain auto insurance. What are the types of vehicle insurance? There are two types of vehicle insurance namely: Comprehensive insurance and motor third party. Under the law if a person is operating a public service vehicle then he/she is required by law to have motor third party insurance. Incase of an accident then the passengers or the victims involved will be compensated by the insurance company. Comprehensive cover insures against damage to your vehicle, yourself and other vehicles. It also covers injury to third parties, flooding and fire or any damage to your car. What is the difference between the two packages? In motor third party the premiums are standard and low compared to comprehensive to comprehensive cover and it is mandatory under the law for all motorists to have this cover. Comprehensive cover is not mandatory and premiums vary depending on the individual needs, it is not limited like third party which compensates victims in case of an accident, instead it covers everything include damage to third party property.  What is the claiming procedure incase of an accident?After an accident, the claimant should inform his insurance company, which will in turn send an assessor to the scene, after assessing the damage, the insurance will decide on how to proceed depending on the damage on the vehicle and people involved. By Beatrice Wanja"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/-/688614/706598/-/hf3wxyz/-/index.html","content":"Interviewing Martin Koech, MD, UAP Insurance - What is Property insurance? It is an arrangement whereby a person insures his /her property with an agreement that incase of damage or loss of property, the insurance company will pay for the property as per the agreed value or amount of money. This covers both tangible (property whose value can be valued) and intangible property (property whose value is immeasurable) What is the importance of property insurance?Property insurance helps an individual deal with unexpected Loss or damage of property, which in most cases cost a fortune to replace and incase of a building reconstruct. What types of property insurance are available? There are many and as the assets. The first type cover is fire insurance- this covers the property against loss or damage occasioned by fire, damaged by water through flooding or otherwise. This however, does not include arson. Fire insurance can also be extended to cover loss or damage arising from riots, strikes and political violence as well as earthquakes. This covers buildings and other stationary property. The second one is motor insurance- motor insurance is similar to fire insurance but with added benefits of covering road risks because the property been covered is mobile. What challenges do you face when giving property cover? The biggest challenge is making sure that the property been covered is of correct market value as the sum insured because incase it depreciates then the insured loses out. What are the risks involved when it comes to property insurance? Insurance is like buying a promise even though you get insurance to cushion against a calamity you also pray that it does not occur, however if it happens will the promise you bought be kept?. Therefore the biggest risk on the part of the insured is that one relies on the insurer to keep the promise. On the part of the insurer the risk is, incase the specified event occurs will I be in a position to pay up as promised."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/704772/-/4llrr6/-/index.html","content":"Hoima Mayor’s arrest: The untold part - How does a man; a political leader, a mayor and businessman agree to abandon his family on Easter eve at the behest of a mere phone call? How can he stay away from home for four days during a festive season and the family raises no alarm? But also how can someone suddenly re-emerge from a police station with an ugly cut on his face and the police commander says he has no idea of how the man ended up at his facility? One could also ask; since when did an anti-terrorism body begin pursuing cases of a civil nature - and for that matter- arrogate themselves the right to torture? There are many more questions about the luring, arrest, detention and torture and eventual charging of Hoima Mayor Francis Atugonza. He is the only opposition leader to hold such an office in the ruling NRM traditional powerbase of Bunyoro. Inside Politics investigation reveals that Mr Atugonza was indeed arrested and tortured. Who arrested him is also fairly clear and Mr Atugonza’s description of his place of detention and a recent report by respected watchdog, Human Rights Watch, point to the Kololo Summit View-based Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force (Jatt). Politics of the arrest Mr Atugonza’s arrest incensed some Banyoro to the extent that they demanded that President Yoweri Museveni explains why he was arrested or risk being voted out come 2011. Bunyoro has been steadily turning anti-establishment. The opposition FDC is riding on the mayor’s arrest to claim that he was targeted because of his influence on voters. FDC leaders blame Security Minister Amama Mbabazi who reportedly threatened Mr Atugonza during the President’s patriotism tour of Hoima District. NRM cadres reportedly complained to Mr Mbabazi that Mr Atugonza was sabotaging government programmes and was a thorn in the flesh of NRM’s mobilisation strategies - prompting Mr Mbabzi to ask, “Who is Atugonza? We shall deal with him.â€Â� But Mr Mbabazi has rubbished the claims. The Banyoro gathered in big numbers to welcome Mr Atugonza from prison and at a rally in Hoima town, prompting defence and army spokesman Maj. Felix Kulayigye to accuse the media of “making a hero out of a conman.â€Â� 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/693550/-/kiok4xz/-/index.html","content":"Making New Year Resolutions? Include insurance - The festive season here in Uganda is mercifully short compared to that of London where Christmas begins in earnest on November 1 and staggers on well into early January. I will cherish three particular memories of this festive season for many years to come; Young school children dancing delightfully on UBC to 30-year-old Boney M. Christmas songs that annually echo around Kampala, watching a squadron of Crested Cranes majestically flying in formation over Kibuli and the sight of my beautiful partner and her sisters dancing in a traditional style on Christmas Day to a song called “Angelinaâ€Â�, that appears to be the anthem of the North.   All are memories to cherish. Sadly, in insurance there are other sides to the season of festivity: avoidable road traffic accidents by the score, loss of money claims that are laughable and tragically, life assurance claims for those lost at too young an age. The ying and the yang of the life of an insurer as it were. It is a time for reflection and perhaps now is the time for the setting personal resolutions or objectives for 2009. If this is how it is for you, please consider what insurance cover you have and what you and your family really needs. To begin with, what would your family do if you passed away tomorrow? A tough question and one we all squirm at answering but face the realities, would they have sufficient funds to live in the same house, go to the same schools, eat the same food or would the family be split with the girls going to live up country, the boys farmed out to unwelcoming cousins and your carefully laid plans left in shatters? So Priority number one for 2009, speak to someone about Life Assurance and get yourself and your partner covered now. Secondly, have your assets be insured? Your property is more than just bricks and mortar, it is your families’ home, have you insured against fire and had the contents covered in case of a disaster such as flooding? Priority number 2 for 2009 gets your house and house contents covered against all risks.      To me a motor vehicle continues as a metal box with a wheel on each corner but to many in East Africa it is a symbol of strength, of power, of status, even virility! So if your chariot of choice is important to you, is it insured comprehensively so that when it gets scratched by a hawker wheeling his barrow along Clock Tower roundabout, you can have it repaired all shiny and new? Or are you “savingâ€Â� money by forking out the minimum legal cost for a Third Party only sticker and hoping the ubiquitous pineapple, charcoal, matooke, etc hawker barrows miss you in 2009! Hope springs eternal but the reality is somewhat different so make comprehensive insurance for your dream machine your priority number three for 2009. Whatever your priorities may be, remember that the insurance industry is one of the tightest regulated sectors in Uganda so you can absolutely trust your licensed broker or insurance company to do the very best they can to support your risk management decisions. Have a safe and prosperous 2009. Mr Corbit is the managing director of ICEA Limited gary.corbit@icea.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/-/688612/693340/-/swvfe5/-/index.html","content":"Facing climate change in Uganda - Following the recent climate change talks in Poznan, Poland, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for global solidarity on climate change. This call happens not to have been heard in Uganda since we have failed to recognise climate change as a priority, yet we are vulnerable due the fact that we depend on natural resources. In Uganda, there is no weather and climate policy, there are low levels of awareness of weather and climate issues, inadequate determination of adaptation and mitigation options to control green house gas emissions. Uganda has actively participated in international fora on climate change, including as vice president of the Conference of Parties (COP) Bureau which is a member of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and being signatory to most of the environment conventions and protocols but has lagged behind in management and conservation of the environment. Uganda is especially vulnerable, as evidenced by the impacts of current climate variability and weather extremes such as flooding. According to climate risk management and adaptation strategy approach paper (ADB, 2008), climate changes could result in economic losses of the order of 5-20% of global GDP and in the coming few decades, 1-2% of GDP in Africa is at stake, with some sectors much more exposed than others. Climate change is a human-induced change in the earth's climate caused by the release of huge amounts of green house gases into the atmosphere. Currently, the situation in Uganda is alarming, over 90,000 hectares of Uganda's forest cover disappear per year yet deforestation is responsible for up to 20% green house gases, a rapid rate of urbanisation and unprofessional urban planning with little eco-housing guidelines and widespread wetland degradation can account for further environmental degradation. A recent International Climate Risk Report labels Uganda as one of the most unprepared and most vulnerable countries in the world (CIGI 2007). This could in a way impact Uganda's ability to meet some of the internationally agreed millennium development goals. While mitigation of green house gas emissions is crucial to limit long time climate change, in the short to medium term, adaptation to climate change is the only option to manage its adverse impacts. The most promising approach and a logical first step is to link disaster risk reduction and climate risk management and adaptation approaches by addressing both current climate variability and extremes and future climate risks. Currently, the Ministry of Water and Environment has prepared the National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA) to address issues of climate change at national level but lacks funds to implement it yet climate change impacts cannot wait. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/756292/-/gwlrff/-/index.html","content":"East African leaders should reverse decision on cement - It is sad but true that Ugandan leaders, together with their counterparts in Kenya and Tanzania, failed to walk the talk of industrialising their countries when they inexplicably decided to phase out suspended duty on cement just before the reading of the current years budgets. Instead of increasing competition and lowering cement prices, as expected, the joint action will lead to the flooding of the market by cheap imports from countries such as China, India and the Middle East including Egypt which enjoy lower production costs and greater economies of scale. In addition, many of these countries exporters get government subsidies which lower their prices still further. Reports that Middle Eastern countries are putting up new capacity of 50million tonnes, India 100million tones and Pakistan 10million tones means that the fate of local cement manufacturers will be sealed by their own governments unless they urgently reverse their decisions. Whereas the regional governments might argue that they acted following public anger over ever-increasing cement prices, a better argument can be advanced that their action was amounted to throwing out the baby with the bathwater. Put another way, the leaders used a butchers knife instead of a surgeons knife. A better option would have been to look at the factors behind the cement price increases together with the manufacturers and find ways of mitigating against them. It is common knowledge, for example, that the key driving force behind the local production costs are the ever-escalating and unreliable power prices. Because each of the three countries is working towards stabilising its electric power supplies and , hopefully, reducing production  costs all round, it would have been reasonable to expect that the regional leaders wait until these power projects are completed before phasing out the suspended duty on cement. Or, if their studies showed that the cement manufacturers were acting as a cartel and increasing prices to reap super-profits inconsistent with other regional manufacturers, then the governments should have re-regulated the industry without further ado. This would have punished the greedy manufacturers and protected the consumers without putting a whole industry and thousands of jobs into jeopardy. Even though free-marketers would have made noise publicly, in the solitude of their offices and study rooms they would have admitted the concept of free-markets has suffered a severe blow since the global financial markets went into a free fall last month. The result has been state interventions in those markets and, by extension, to the rest of the economy, in a manner not seen over the previous fifty years particularly in the United States of America and much of Europe. It would be ironic if these leaders spoke so eloquently of opening up their economies to local and foreign investments, on the one hand, while making decisions that undermine the already existing industries, on the other."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/750104/-/vxs3dl/-/index.html","content":"Police deployed along Mbale-Budaka border as Bagwere flee homes - Budaka Police has deployed heavily along Mbale-Budaka border following a clash between Bagisu and Bagwere on Tuesday which left three people dead.   The two ethnic tribes are fighting for ownership of a wetland. When Daily Monitor visited Nyanza village in Kamonkoli Sub-county in Budaka District yesterday, the scene of the ugly tribal skirmishes that left Bukooli Mukama, Abasa Magoola and another only identified as Muhago killed by a group of Bagisu wielding pangas and spears, the Bagwere had deserted their gardens, homes and camped at Jami the neighbouring village for refugee.   Two people who had also been hacked and seriously injured in the fight were rushed to Mbale Hospital and they are admitted in critical condition. The Budaka District LC5 chairman, Mr Sam Mulomi, was in a crisis security meeting at the district headquarters with district leaders and security chiefs in the region to seek ways of ending the land row that has remained unresolved right from the colonial era. “Although the situation seems calm due to the intervention of the Police, we are still worried because our people have been forced to abandon their homes and gardens at Nyanza,â€Â� he said. “Something must be done to end this land row to allow our people settle because we have reports that the Bagisu are re-organising for another attack.â€Â� The area MPs, Ms Pherry Kabanda and Ms Loy Kiryapawo together with Budaka District leaders are reportedly seeking ways of meeting the Lands and Local Government ministers to find a solution to the long standing boundary row that has so far claimed about seven people in less than two years. The Police Public Relations Officer in charge Eastern region, Mr Ibin Idd Ssenkumbi, confirmed the fears of another attack but said the Police has deployed heavily and is patrolling to ensure that no other attack is launched. Mr Ssenkumbi revealed that although there were reports that the Bagisu attacked the Bagwere first, the new reports after interrogating the two people who were rescued after they were taken hostage indicate that the Bagwere mobilised youth and made the first attack on the Bagisu who only retaliated and overpowered them. He said Police is still looking for the lead culprits for possible prosecution. The DPC Budaka, Mr John Olar, said efforts are underway for security officers from Budaka and Mbale to meet in bid to iron out the controversy surrounding the wetland boundaries. “We will meet all stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the tribal land row which is now a security threat to the region,â€Â� Mr Olar said. The two tribes have been fighting for a wetland that stands as the biggest producer of rice and cocoa yams in the area with each claiming ownership of the land. The Bagisu argue that the land belongs to them. “We are determined not to lose even an inch of this land to them,â€Â� Mr Sitati A. Wekoye, who claims to have been on this land since 1959 said. The problem has only been complicated by the constant flooding of the wetland that has kept destroying the boundary marks."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/749222/-/gw2bbf/-/index.html","content":"Regional sugar standards harmonised - Kampala Sugar is one of the commodities likely to be endangered if standards are not harmonized as the East Africa member states prepare for the impending opening up of markets regionally and globally. Currently even before the opening of markets Uganda and other member states are complaining of the different sugars which are flooding the market something which is likely to kill the local industries. In an interview Daily Monitor the Deputy Executive Director, Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) Dr Ben Manyindo said; \"We are not saying that other sugars should not come into Uganda or the region per say . But we want fair trade; sugar which comes should not be so cheap because it's killing our local industries. He said if this problem is not addressed it's likely to put at risk over 20,000 Ugandans who are directly employed by the local industries if they run down and this will negatively impact the economy and the poverty reduction fight. In trying to address this problem EAC member states are meeting in Uganda at Fairway Hotel to map out three sugar standards that will be harmonized and at the end of the day protect their industries. UNBS Manager Standards Mr Patrick Ssekitoleko said; \"This meeting was intended to harmonize sugar standards in the region. Sugar standards were first harmonized in 1999 and the stakeholder's participation was minimal so this time around we want to include everybody\". He said because many stakeholders were not part of the initial implementation of standards initially, this has made trade within the region for this commodity more challenging because of the never ending non tariff barriers (NTBs) involved. He cited the one example of Uganda's producers who have a market in Rwanda but they have been subjected to all sorts of NTBs."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/-/688612/742634/-/tdutnq/-/index.html","content":"How agriculture and health feed each other - Uganda's definition of agriculture encompasses crops, livestock and fisheries. The intricate relation between agriculture and health presents both complementary and negative interactions in diverse ways. It is critical to bring out both the positive and negative relationships for clear understanding and appreciation. Agriculture is critical to health. It provides food for normal body metabolism, survival and energy to do work. It also provides sustainable food security for individuals, households, communities and nations. Agriculture is a source of nutritional therapy and food supplement for people with special health and dietary needs such as diabetics, high blood pressure and HIV/Aids. The sector provides medicinal and insecticide crops such as pyrethrum for control of parasites, disease transmitting organisms, and pests that are dangerous to human life. From agriculture, farmers earning capacity and ability to pursue diverse livelihood strategies is boosted, thus empowering them to purchase medicine and other requisites for better standards of living. Agriculture also provides physical exercise, although involuntarily. The contribution of health to agriculture is a critical one. In rural communities of the developing world where agriculture is predominantly manual, farmers and farm workers must be healthy and energetic. In cases of epidemics, many individuals are directly affected and communities greatly threatened. Such outbreaks often prompt restrictions on movements of people, animals and goods to control disease spread. The effects of ailment on agriculture are diverse. In the short run, provision of agricultural labour is curtailed during the time when the patients and their attendants are in hospital and entire communities kept in seclusion to avert the problem. In addition, money is diverted from agriculture and directed at treating the patients by procuring drugs, other associate requisites and funeral expenses upon the patients death. In the long run, the effects of parents deaths leads to labour shortage which brings about food and nutritional insecurity for the surviving orphans. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/728490/-/10egftb/-/index.html","content":"Nema closes Inland depot - KAMPALA THE National Environment Management Authority has blocked the construction of an Inland Container Depot for vehicles by Chatha Investments Ltd, in a disputed piece of land. The development has reportedly been taking place at Kyambogo lower estate along the Kampala Jinja highway. According to the Deputy executive director of Nema , Dr Gerald Sawula , Nema findings indicate that Chatha Investments Ltd, continuously degraded the landscape in Kyambogo. Their actions are contrary to the provisions of the Uganda Constitution. In a letter to the management of Chatha Investment Ltd, the developer was ordered to stop all illegal activities in the area and restore the land to its original state. Nema’s order followed complaints from residents who were uncomfortable with the activites of  Chatha Investments. According to reports, the developer carried out an Environmental Impact Assessment and submitted a project brief to Nema which was not approved because of the environmental concerns in the area. The  assessment of Nema indicates that if the remaining portions of the green belt are to be constructed on, there could be a risk of flooding in the area.  The Minister for Water and Environment, Ms Maria Mutagamba wrote to the investor  January 7 directing them to restore the excavated area."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/726134/-/vw2moc/-/index.html","content":"Uganda  running out of timber - KAMPALA   IF the current rate of encroachment on forest reserves continues unchecked, Uganda will run out of timber in the next five to eight years, the Ministry of Water and Environment has warned. \"Uganda's current standing volume of timber is estimated to last the next 5-8 years only after which the government will have to import timber to meet growing demands for the booming construction industry,\" Water and Environment Minister Maria Mutagamba says in a draft Cabinet memorandum she will soon present to her colleagues. Figures from Uganda Bureau of Statistics show that construction is growing at a rate of three percent per annum, making it one of the fastest growing sectors of the Ugandan economy. The memorandum seeks Cabinet's political and financial support towards the ministry's efforts in solving the existing encroachment problems, halting further encroachment and other illegal activities in all forest reserves in the country. \"My Ministry is encouraging Private sector investment (currently at about 3,000 investors licensed) to plant trees for timber to reduce on the period of this anticipated shortage,\" writes the minister in her memo. \"However, encroachers have occupied the areas of those Forest Reserves earmarked for this commercial saw log production and other tree resources. Those private investors allocated land in those reserves can not now proceed with tree planting; hence private investment funds estimated at Shs. 0.98bn per 1,000 hectares planted and maintained is being turned away annually; grossly affecting the Government Investment Strategy and denying the country its import substitution advantage in forest produce.\" Encroachment is the movement of people with their activities (cultivation, settlements and livestock grazing) into a forest reserve without permission and in contravention of the National Forests and Tree Planting Act (2003), while other illegal activity is the rampant and intermittent extraction of forest produce from forest reserves without a license/permit, contrary to the same law. Ms Mutagamba further says encroachment has effectively destroyed the natural mechanism by which forests capture, store and release rainwater necessary for agricultural production and all other development requiring water. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/724730/-/vw1dqm/-/index.html","content":"Kenya  stumbles, and Uganda loses its step - WITHIN hours of the violent protests following Kenya's disputed elections held Thursday last week, Uganda was on the brink of its own crisis. Landlocked to the west of Kenya, Uganda suffered the biggest shock of countries that rely on the Mombasa sea route for imports and exports. Long queues at fuel stations and prices that shot right through the roof immediately brought the Kenyan election, long seen as a minor distraction by most of Uganda's politically unconscious \"middle class\" (who are generally defined by the cheap second hand Japanese car they drive and the fact that they buy their groceries from supermarkets). But the daunting prospect of having to pay between Shs80, 000 to Shs10,000 for a litre of petrol soon shook up their indifference and made them understand that politics matters after all. The fact that there was no fuel even if one could afford to pay for it at any price helped drive the point home.  Traders in Kampala's trading hub of Kikuubo told this news paper that, \"We are suffering, business is not good, we do not have fuel.\" One trader who preferred not to be named also posed the tricky question: \"they are talking about fuel coming, but will our goods come?\" This was in reaction to reports that the Uganda government has negotiated with the Kenyans to provide armed escort to fuel tankers through the volatile western Kenya so as to replenish stocks in Uganda. Because of the significance of Kenya as a transit route for Ugandan imports, the crisis has seen local news media lead their bulletins with the Kenyan crisis. This concentration of attention may also be partly explained by the fact that the violence and mayhem have in a way provided answers to Uganda's own crisis and therefore the newspaper reports in part helped provide the population some form of reflection of their own fears back home. To the ruling political class, it was the fear of a domino effect where the defeat of an incumbent government by the opposition in a neighbouring country could galvanise the domestic Opposition, which has already been gaining popularity in recent by-elections even where the President has personally been chief campaigner. This, pundits say, could have in one way contributed to the government's hurried message of congratulation to Mr Mwai Kibaki despite the many questions that still hang around the manner of his victory. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/FashionBeauty/-/691228/799958/-/7ivst5/-/index.html","content":"Keeping safe is challenging - Walking along a crowded Luwum Street and the old taxi park area over the weekend has never been so challenging. Having woken up to the media talking about the Ebola epidemic, my senses were on alert. As I strolled along the streets to do some much needed shopping, I could not help but suspiciously look at my neighbours. If I brushed against a body, I winced as I tried to recall the means or spread of the disease. It was even harder to take my change at one of the shops because of the anticipation of the unknown. I decided to completely avoid going to busy suburbs over the weekend since crowded places pose a greater risk of contracting the virus. This got me thinking about how keeping safe in a season that is characterised by get-togethers is challenging. Everything we do during this period simply seems to be in line with a means of transmitting the virus, that we ought to avoid. In fact, unconsciously, one is bound to find themselves doing the action even if they have heard about its danger less than five minutes ago. Take for instance shaking hands. Just think about the party invitations that are flooding your desk at this point of time, both family and corporate. When you finally decide to go, communicating in terms of shaking hands or other physical gestures are bound to unconsciously take place. We are rather vulnerable to epidemics such as this. I feel for especially the medical personnel who have to attend to patients. Faced with such a dilemma, I feel that prayer for divine intervention may just be the best way to end this scourge."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/797930/-/w1eaj9/-/index.html","content":"Uganda drops 10 places in human development ranking - KAMPALA UGANDA has dropped 10 places on the United Nations Human Development Index, according to a new report. The report titled: Fighting Climate Change: Human Solidarity in a Divided World, prepared by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), shows that Uganda is now in the 154th position, down from 145th last year. The Human Development Index (HDI), which is published annually by the UN body, ranks nations according to their citizens' quality of life rather than traditional economic performance figures. The HDI, which surveyed 177 countries, looks into a country's development by appraising the citizens' standards of living, health, life expectancy and education among others. The report shows that Kenya (148th) has now overtaken Uganda as the most liveable country in the region, having improved from the 152nd position the previous year.  However, Uganda and Kenya are still the only countries in the region in the \"medium human development\" category.  Regional counterpart Tanzania (159th) has improved from 162 last year, while Rwanda (161) dropped from 158th. Burundi (167), improved by two places from 169 last year. The report provides a stark account of the threat posed by global warming - the phenomenon whereby the world's surface temperature has become hotter. It says the world is drifting towards a \"tipping point\" that could lock the poorest countries and their citizens in a downward spiral, leaving millions facing malnutrition, water scarcity, ecological threats, and a loss of livelihoods. \"Ultimately, climate change is a threat to humanity as a whole. But it is the poor, a constituency with no responsibility for the ecological debt we are running up, who face the immediate and most severe human costs,\" said UNDP Administrator Kemal Dervis, in a press release. The report says sub-Saharan Africa will be disproportionately hit by climate change with cumulative cycles of disadvantage that will be transmitted across generations.  \"Governments in the region must act now to address its current effects and avert future catastrophe,\" it reads in part.\" \"The world lacks neither the financial resources nor the technological capabilities to act. What is missing is a sense of urgency, human solidarity and collective interest.\" The report identifies five key drivers through which climate change could stall and reverse human development: agricultural production and food security, rising sea levels and exposure to climate disasters, ecosystems and biodiversity, water stress and water insecurity and human health. It decries the disquieting rate of deforestation with more than 80 per cent of sub-Saharan Africa depending on traditional biomass for cooking. The report paints a gloomy picture of the years ahead, noting that by 2020, between 75 and 250 million people in sub-Saharan Africa could have their livelihoods  compromised. It attributes the recent flooding in eastern Africa to climate change."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/-/689856/797674/-/10rtf66z/-/index.html","content":"Toilets make the world healthier - To observe World Toilet Day on November 19, I introduced “Deo Activeâ€Â� in-cistern block to keep my toilet clean, fresh, and deodorized. It has actually so improved on the atmosphere of that small room that I feel very comfortable to read the tabloid as I attend to nature’s call. Water closet, washroom, restroom, conveniences, loo and potty, are some of the names that describe a toilet as a necessary facility in everyday human life. The toilet corresponds to the rectum as much as the kitchen corresponds to the mouth. Toilet talk is basically about private and public health. It speaks the language of taking and giving. As I eat I’m also aware of readiness to give away part of what I have consumed. If ever, for one reason or other, the system stops to respond to this logic, then a physician must intervene to rectify the situation. Toilet talk is about human life, health care, sanitation and the environment. Although other creatures like birds and animals may irresponsibly dispose of their waste, and often to the benefit of plants, human beings are expected to behave more responsibly. If not well contained, human waste can be detrimental to the sanitation of environment and a health hazard. The United Nations claim that more than five million children die every year from sanitation related diseases such as diarrhea. More than a million people without toilet facilities relieve themselves on the streets and in rivers, heavily polluting the water. Inadequate sanitation facilities are in fact, said to be the most important source of water contamination. Even where public toilets are available the level of maintenance and cleanness is usually low. Building toilets, keeping them clean and maintaining them involves education by parents, governments and civic society. Encroachment, including the construction of toilets, in the wetlands has proved contributive to global warming and flooding. World Toilet Day, organised annually by World Toilet Organization, under the general theme is “Toilet and Human Dignityâ€Â� comes in to address such issues pertinent to the realisation of healthy world. The particular theme for 2007 has been “Toilet for health, hygiene, comfort and dignityâ€Â�. Whole societies that associate infertility to the usage of toilets should be educated out of this mindset. 1 | 2 Next Page»Toilet talk should be emphasised as indispensable part of the Millennium Development Goals. Human waste can be converted into bio-gas, thus helping to save on trees.  Toilet talk helps to save mankind and build the building of the kingdom of God. Having been made in the image of God, humans enjoy a special dignity, which dignity is jealously protected by God himself. Jesus came to restore human dignity and restore life in its fullness (John 10:10). He cannot concentrate on the soul while the body is perishing. Yet most of the physical diseases are known to be caused by man through irresponsible waste disposal and other means. For a Christian to ignore toilet talk is tantamount to sin. jwkatende@yahoo.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/793352/-/h00uq3/-/index.html","content":"Experts doubt Africa aid capacity - INTERNATIONAL economic development experts have doubted Africa's ability to absorb sudden, massive infusions of donor cash, as recommended by Tony Blair's Commission for Africa (CfA). In addition to a call for substantial debt relief and an end to Western farm subsidies, a key recommendation by the commission would have the donor community double the approximately $25 billion it gives to Africa over a three-year period, with a further doubling for another two years. In a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing session recently, Senator Dick Lugar, who chaired the hearing, contended that the continent could hardly sock up more donor funds. More aidAccording to the State Department's news service, Lugar said that \"more work needs to be done to provide incentives for private investment in Africa, to ensure that the revenues from Africa's oil boom will go to all of its citizens, and to relieve Africa's international debt burden.\"Nancy Birdsall, president of the Centre for Global Development, flayed CfA's aid argument, citing grave \" risks in rapid infusions of new aid\". In the Commission's view, more aid was principally needed to jumpstart infrastructure development and commercialise agriculture production, both of which have declined over time on account of low levels of resources. She explained that her concern was not with the amount recommended; but with the timing. She said that flooding nations with aid money before they are ready to use it properly, reduces the receiving country's ability to compete in export markets because aid often puts upward pressure on exchange rates. CorruptionShe also said more and sudden aid creates new pressures for corruption and patronage as procurement and expenditure management systems break down. However, the report was hailed as \"an ambitious blueprint for harnessing the efforts of the G8 and other nations on behalf of African development and reform.\""}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/-/690254/792114/-/14ukxol/-/index.html","content":"Referees bungling up in Germany - Just when you thought this World Cup is going to be devoid of controversy, the referees strike again. US coach Bruce Arena was the first to blow the whistle on the performance of the Men in Black when he claimed they are favouring the bigger teams. At first, I dismissed his claims as lame excuses. He was right. Not one game passes by without refs bungling up. Memories of Japan/Korea where several refs failed miserably have come flooding back. Argentine Horacio Elizondo makes 2002 serial bungler, Ecuadorian Byron Moreno, appear like an angel. It seems Elizondo regards himself as the main protagonist in matches he officiates. He exhibited gross high-handedness in the USA versus Italy game when he sent off three players, one (Eddie Pope) for two innocuous challenges. Then he committed an absolute howler when he overruled the assistant referee and allowed an offside goal by Alexander Frei to stand in the Switzerland vs South Korea game. Little wonder Korean officials have blasted Elizondo. Curiously, Ghana’s Black Stars have also been beneficiaries. The penalty awarded to them for Pimpong’s theatrical fall against USA was completely baffling."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/788910/-/10i5rwe/-/index.html","content":"Heavy rains boost power generation - KAMPALA UGANDA'S electricity generation capacity could climb up sharply on the back of the heavy rains, which have ravaged the country's eastern and northern regions killing 47 people and displacing thousands. If power generation increases, it will have become a paradoxically welcome outcome of a weather episode that has brought both destruction due to severe flooding and more capacity for hydroelectric generation. The Ministry of Energy met with the Directorate of Water Development, (DWD) officials yesterday for discussions on allowing Eskom, the operator of the two hydro power stations in Jinja, to release more water from Lake Victoria for power generation. In an interview with Daily Monitor Energy Minister Daudi Migereko said it was obvious generation capacity would increase but declined to offer a definitive statement because it would pre-empt the talks with DWD that were due to begin. \"Let's wait and see what comes out of this meeting, we'll get to you as soon as we reach a position,\" he said. The amount of power Eskom generates depends on the amount of water drawn from Lake Victoria, which in turn is sanctioned by the Ministry of Water and Environment through DWD. According to the weather assessment and forecasts by Uganda's metrological department, heavy rains that have pummelled the country lately are only the beginning of months-long extreme rains. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/-/688612/786556/-/tgeqs2/-/index.html","content":"Dealing with Africa's resource curse - Africa is a vast and exotic continent of about 900 million people in 54 independent countries. It has a total area of over 30 million square kilometres. Africa is rich in mineral and natural resources. It possesses 99 percent of the world's chrome resources, 85 percent of its platinum, 70 percent of its tantalite, 68 percent of its cobalt, and 54 percent of its gold, among others. It has significant oil and gas reserves. Nigeria and Libya are two of the leading oil producing countries in the world. Further, Africa is the home to timber, diamonds, and bauxite deposits. Revenues from their extraction should provide funds for badly needed development, but instead have fuelled state corruption, environmental degradation, poverty, and violence. Rather than being a blessing, Africa's natural resources have largely been a curse. Africa's vast mineral wealth and strategic significance have encouraged foreign powers to intervene in African affairs. During the Cold War era, 1945-1990, there was increasing superpower intervention in Africa. The United States and the Soviet Union were major players on the African scene. The 19th-Century scramble for Africa saw the great powers rush to control land so they could exploit natural resources. The key question for many is: will the exploitation of Africa's rich resources benefit anyone other than the continent's elites? Oil is perhaps the most important lure, with competition between foreign states and companies to secure resources so intense it attracts more than 50 per cent of all foreign direct investment. In 2006, annual Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) raised to a historic high of $38.8 billion, exceeding record levels of 2005 a growth of 78 per cent from 2004. According to the UN World Investment Report, FDI cash was concentrated in a few industries, notably oil, gas and mining. And six oil-producing countries Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, and Sudan hogged around 48 per cent of it. European firms represent roughly two-thirds of the total FDI in Africa. More than half of European investment originates from the UK and France, going mainly to countries with which they have historic ties. French oil companies such as Total, locked out of the Middle East through France's opposition to the Iraq war, have made large investments in Francophone countries such as Cameroon, Chad, and Gabon. The US is interested in the region as a cheap and reliable alternative to the increasingly volatile Persian Gulf. West Africa already supplies about 12 per cent of US crude oil imports, and America's National Intelligence Council predicts that this share will rise to 25 per cent by 2015. As is often the case with oil, military involvement follows behind trade. In February 2007 the US set up an Africa command (Africom). 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/785304/-/4qjowv/-/index.html","content":"Kutesa the politician and mentor - Any mention of rich politicians in this country will not skip the name Sam Kutesa. In fact the Minister of Foreign Affairs is usually rumoured to be involved in every kind of lucrative deal. He also belongs to a group of people who are close to the President. His critics allege that Kutesa has a sharp sense for money so much that he never fails to know when and where the deal is cooking. Secondly, back at home in Sembabule, Kutesa's name is cited whenever the local politics is discussed. Recently court nullified an election of one politician in Sembabule. Kutesa was cited in the involvement in the electoral mess. Amidst all these accusations, Kutesa remains a quiet man. He rarely speaks especially to the press. Because of this controversial lifestyle, Grapevine recently sought some tit bits about Kutesa. Here are the findings: Kutesa is indeed a moneyman. He loves money. He is also a ladies man. Contrary to the public belief that Kutesa is a mafia, Sam is actually loved by many politicians both in power and in the opposition. It is said Kutesa is one NRM guru who was once in DP but has still remained in touch with his former DP friends. Sometimes he financially bails out his DP friends. \"Once he is your friend, Kutesa will not let you down. Outside politics, Kutesa is a nice guy,\" an opposition official told Grapevine. Other than his flooding wealth, Kutesa is said to be generous to the extent that many businessmen in Kampala have made progress in their trade because of his support. Political differences Grapevine was told that in Sembabule, Kutesa is however a bitter man. Reason? That he helped several young politicians to come up only for them to turn against him. Rumours abound that Kutesa financed Herman Sentongo to become the first chairman of Uganda National Youth Council. But today, Sentongo is at the forefront fighting Kutesa. The worst is that the political differences between Kutesa and others in Sembabule have taken a tribal dimension. \"Whoever fails to pay back Kutesa's good gesture simply tells the population that Banyankore are taking their land. Because land is sensitive, many people have believed the propaganda,\" a source said. Grapevine has also learnt that in Sembabule, instead of giving personal accountability, local politicians are only blowing the tribal trumpets to keep the population away from demanding individual accountability from leaders. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/784776/-/4qj3ws/-/index.html","content":"Why Black people have remained backward - Elias Biryabarema Mr. Yoweri Museveni has a background of good education. A calm and well exposed man. Straight thinking and intelligent. His grasp of contemporary world affairs, including some quite complex stuff, is commendably firm. For years he burned his young energies battling vile governments. Narrowly escaping death on occasions, he showed resolve, sacrifice, devotion to his people and a deep abhorrence for oppressive leadership. Sure. This man had no shortage of good qualities. And yet, to the astonishment of history, Mr Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has still failed us. 20 years at nation building have produced incompetence so shocking that some think a psychopathic illiterate, Idi Amin, did better work. Uganda has been fairly stable long enough. The conditions for an economic takeoff have been there for 20 years. Mr. Museveni has enjoyed generous goodwill from nearly all the world's rich governments. Their largesse has poured in ceaselessly and in hefty amounts. Uganda should have taken off. We haven't. We're stuck. And so is Tanzania, Sudan, Ethiopia, Mali, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Eritrea, Malawi, Congo Republic and pretty much all of Black Africa, excluding the region's sole economic power, South Africa. This led me to pose a question to myself: can Black people build prosperous societies? Just about every reason-from slavery, colonialism, neo-colonialism to inequitable world trade rules-cited for the backwardness of Black African nations has been so debunked by time that it has now become necessary to look beyond the realm of such contemporary explanations. The maddening inertia of Black people and the mystical forces that keep tamping down our nations, in fact, seem to have their roots deep within us, not from without as has been argued for decades. Just about everywhere you look, evidence abounds. Vietnam suffered a war of colonial conquest and it was eventually subdued by France in 1884. For almost a decade, it again fought a devastating independence war until France was vanquished in 1954. And then came the epic battle of 1965 to 1973 with US military and its allies, seeking to squelch the North Vietnamese communists. When the guns fell silent with the withdrawal of US troops in 1973 and the eventual fall of Saigon in 1975, the Vietnamese toll stood at a horrifying three to four million. Diplomatically isolated, its economy shredded and its population maimed and traumatised on a scale unparalleled in any Black African nation (except DR Congo), Vietnam would seem to have no chance at success. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/782738/-/k0913bz/-/index.html","content":"Weakenig dollar drags auction tea prices along - KAMPALA A plunging dollar against the Shilling has dampened any hope for meaningful gains for farmers as auction tea prices moved down the ladder last week. Prices at the Mombasa auction fell to Shs1,870 ($1.1) from Shs2,380 ($1.4) earned at the end of last year. The dollar is trading on an average Shs1,690, which is down from the Shs1,890 at the end of 2006 losing Shs200. The situation worsened with an over enthusiastic production that flooded the market with new crop. “Over production saw a lot of tea flooding the market thus bring about a fall in the prices unlike last year when we produced more but earned more because of the strong dollar,â€Â� Mr Isaac Munabi, the executive secretary Uganda Tea Association, said. Mr Munabi added: “The difference of Shs200 is a lot and makes life difficult for farmers to add value and does not only translate into the industry but the entire economy.â€Â� Tea is the fourth forex earner for Uganda after coffee, fish and gold. Last year out of the 35 million Kilogrammes of tea exported earned the country $50.8 million (Shs86.4 billion) down from $34.3 million (Shs58.2 billion) earned in 2005. Concerns Mr Munabi’s main concern is that Uganda’s tea situation could get worse if tea dealers do not find a means to sell their tea directly to buyers in Europe and elsewhere. Ugandan tea is exported to overseas markets as Kenyan tea, according to Mr Munabi. He said an equivalent of a kilogramme of Uganda’s tea re-exported as Kenyan, is used to prepare and serve 500 cups of tea in a London restaurant. Each cup costs about 3 Pound Sterling (Shs10,500) totaling to about Shs5.2 million. Local consumption of tea is still very low at 5 per cent and in order to boost the culture of drinking tea, UTA is embarking on a campaign to register all packers countrywide “Trade barriers are hindering Uganda from exporting directly such as the standard requirements. But since we are negotiating in the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) as requirement of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) this issue may be solved,â€Â� Mr Munabi said. 1 | 2 Next Page»He adds that Uganda to be able to compete favourably needs to invest in research for new high yielding breeds as well as managing tea production right from the plantation. “The bushes (Plantations) available are very old which affects the yields and the quality is a bit low compared to Kenya’s. More than 50,000 people are directly employed by the industry and at least 400,000 are indirect beneficiaries. Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Mityana, Hoima, Mukono, Kanungu and Kibale districts are the main tea growing areas in the country. Kenya leads in production in East Africa with more than 390 million kilogrammes Uganda and Tanzania take the second and third position with 36 million kgs and 30 million kgs per annum respectively. Globally tea is the most popular beverage after water. About 800 million cups of tea are consumed daily. Today India is the world's largest producer of tea, harvesting an estimated 700,000 metric tonnes annually, followed by China at about 580,000.     « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/783726/-/10i29ro/-/index.html","content":"Museveni’s address calms Buliisa tension - BULIISA ETHNIC clashes between Bagungu cultivators and Balaalo pastoralists have reduced substantially following President Yoweri Museveni's statement on the crisis last week. The President, among other things, blamed the pastoralists for taking their cattle to Buliisa and in the process disrupting activities of the Bagungu cultivators. He supported calls that the Balaalo, as Bagungu contemptuously refer to them, should leave. Daily Monitor has learnt that a week later, Mr. Museveni's statement has had a stabilising effect in the hitherto chaotic district. Information reaching us indicates that the statement 'reassured' the Bagungu that the government wouldn't allow the Balaalo to occupy their land and trample on them with impunity.   SETTLING DOWN: Buliisa Sub County Chief Bulasio Mugisha addresses a meeting on the Bagungu, Balaalo crisis on July 7. File photo Speaking in separate telephone interviews, Buliisa District chairman Fred Lukum and Buliisa Sub County LC3 Chairman Swaib Kubalirwa said the presidential statement had persuaded the Bagungu, who had plans to engage in violence against the Balaalo, to abandon them, at least for the time being. The two leaders claim that the Bagungu had lost confidence in the government prior to the statement. \"The President's statement was reassuring and as of now people are peaceful, waiting to see how the government will help to resolve the court order which the Balaalo think can keep them here,\" said Mr. Lukum. The Balaalo petitioned court after the government through, Gen. David Tinyefuza, ordered them to leave Buliisa. The high court issued an injunction stopping the government order until the case is resolved. Mr Lukum said Mr. Museveni's admission that the Balaalo had been seen in company of armed men had given the Bagungu an impression that the President was adequately informed about the problem in Buliisa. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/781228/-/k09tcnz/-/index.html","content":"Clearing agents get skills - KAMPALA IT used to take just an office and an enterprising mind to start a clearing and forwarding company. The result was the flooding of the business by unqualified profiteers and quacks. Initially, Asians did clearing of goods. But when they left the country after their expulsion by the late former President Idi Amin, locals flooded the industry. Mr Charles Kareba, the chairman of Uganda Freight Forwarders Association (UFFA) in an interview with Business Power said: \"People who had little knowledge about clearing flooded the business. Because of competition many resorted to unethical behaviours. This distorted the business\". True, fraud at customs and clearing points by unethical agents has been the main cause of tax haemorrhage by regional collection agencies. But this is set to change if the Uganda Freight Forwarders Association has its way. Under a project fronted by United States Agency for International Development (Usaid) since 2005, a curriculum has been developed for training freight agents in the region. This is part of a new anti-corruption drive. Preparation Currently, final preparation is now underway for the training to start on October 1 for Uganda. While for Rwanda and Burundi the training materials need to be first translated in French. Kenya and Tanzania have already started the training program. Mr Isaac Tokwine, a trainer with URA Customs Department said: \"Trainees will be equipped with necessary skills, competencies and values that are desirables in customs and freight forwarding\". He said beneficiaries would be individuals already in the business, those with intensions to practice in the industry throughout the region. Uganda Revenue Authority Assistant Commissioner Customs Charles Nuwagaba, while addressing stakeholders from the two associations of UFFA and Uganda Clearing Industry Forwarding Association (UCIFA) at Grand Imperial Hotel, said: \"We want to see you as partners we can trust to handle customs business professionally. We cannot keep doing business the same way we used to. The world is becoming a global village. After the training you will be able to work anywhere in the region\". Full time Mr Tokwine said the course has been designed in three section namely; customs, Freight Forwarding and Management. It will be offered on full time basis of four months and part time of six-months. The tuition for the course in Uganda is Shs420,000 and Kenya is $230 (Shs402,500). Payment by instilments will be applicable. Each participant will be required to have attained O-level certificate or equivalent- C in case of Kenya. 1 | 2 Next Page»Five years experience and above at the level of Customs officer or declaration officer in a Clearing and Forwarding firm. However, ex-customs personnel at the level of officer, may be exempted from attending classes but must sit for examinations. However, Mr Tokwine said exception shall only apply during the 2-year transition. Persons at the level of declaration officer or above 40 years with a minimum of 10 years of experience in customs clearing may be exempted from attending classes but must sit for examinations. Certificate of competency will be awarded to those aged 45 years and above with 15 years. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/771646/-/gxqgmp/-/index.html","content":"Celtel supports KCC - KAMPALA - Celtel Uganda has contributed Shs 1.95m to Kampala City Council (KCC's) Christmas party this year. At the same time, the pioneer mobile phone company is giving out surprise gifts to motorists at major roundabouts in Kampala. \"This is Celtel's way of saying thank you for the great year and merry Christmas to all Ugandans,\" Mr Vivek Goyal, Celtel's Commercial director said in a press release. Said Celtel's marketing and communication manager Mr Richard Mugera: \"Celtel is committed to giving back to its customers, especially during this Christmas season,\" and added that they also support children in Kakiri and The Aids Support Organisation TASO. The donation to KCC will be used to buy a Christmas tree and decorations for City Hall. Celtel also donated five fully connected mobile phones valued at more than shs 1.1m. The company also offered its Cash and Talk and Rate Champion customers the chance to win Shs 1 million free airtime every day from January 2. The promotion offers more than Shs 25 million in free airtime. Celtel said the response was very encouraging as calls began flooding in, only an hour after they began advertising the promotion. On Tuesday, Celtel will visit three charity homes to donate to the needy."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Government-studies-40km--crack-on-Mt-Elgon/-/688334/2763836/-/1s4ax4/-/index.html","content":"Government studies 40km - crack on Mt Elgon - MANAFWA-Government has started conducting a geo-technical study on Mt Elgon to determine the depth of a 40-kilometre long crack. The initiative is aimed at mapping out ways of dealing with landslide disasters in the area. The senior disaster management officer in the Office of the Prime Minister, Ms Pamela Komujuni, on Monday said Makerere University Civil Engineering Department, geographers, National Environment Management Authority (Nema), and the ministry of Lands are studying the status of the crack that spreads to Manafwa, Bududa and Sironko districts. Dr Yazi Bamutaze, a senior lecturer in the Department of Geography, Geo-informatics and Climatic Science at Makerere University, said studies being done by geo-technical engineers and geologists is meant to acquire information regarding the physical characteristics of soil and rocks on Mt Elgon. Dr Bamutaze, who leads the team that started studies in Manafwa District on Monday, said people on the slopes of Mt Elgon, who are at high risk, will also be allowed to give their views on how government should deal with the situation. This is the third time government is carrying out a comprehensive study of the area in three years after Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Nema reported that the crack had deepened from 4 centimetres to 10. Dr Mary Gorretti Kitutu, a government environment expert and former environment systems specialist at Nema, said the small landslides on the slopes of the mountain with many water openings indicate that the rocks are under tension. “Volcanism affected the basement of the mountain, we have more weathered and clay soil, when it rains, water cannot infiltrate the clay and it stagnates which causes a slide in the rock and later cracks that give away every time poor farming activities and settlement are done on the mountain,” Dr Kitutu said. She has already completed a feasibility study on causes of landslides on Mt Elgon area and possible solutions to end the mudslides. UWA has warned of impending “human catastrophe” if the districts surrounding Mt Elgon do not learn to live sustainably with the environment and adopt measures to address the increasing degradation of the environment. The acting Mt Elgon area conservation manager, Mr Patrick Makatu, said the districts around the mountain and low land areas are at a great risk of suffering another devastating landslide if people do not start managing the park sustainably and end encroachment. dmafabi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Will-Opposition-Democratic-Alliance-hold/-/689844/2750440/-/13hivk7/-/index.html","content":"Will Opposition Democratic Alliance hold? - Early last month, a number of opposition political parties in Zimbabwe announced that after several months of talks and frequent disagreements, they had moved significantly closer to agreeing to form a grand coalition to contest the 2018 general election. “Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn (MKD) leader Simba Makoni is at the forefront of the coalition talks, whose major achievement to date has been to narrow the opposition parties’ areas of conflict while working closely where they have common interests,” reported Harare’s Financial Gazette newspaper on May 7. Just over a month later, a number of Opposition parties in Uganda also announced that they had attained enough agreement and common cause to form a grand coalition to jointly take part in next year’s general election. Is this simply a coincidence of the “grand coalition” term being used in these two Commonwealth countries with long-serving heads of state, or might there be a common hand behind them? Grand coalitionsThe idea of grand coalitions in recent Ugandan elections goes back to 1996. For the first 10 years of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) administration from 1986 to 1996, the NRM monopolised political power at a time when there remained an official ban on political party activity. To get around the ban, the two established, pre-independence parties in 1996, the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) and Democratic Party (DP), agreed under a Inter-Party Forces for Cooperation (IPFC) banner to field a joint, single presidential candidate, Paulo Kawanga Ssemogerere, president of the DP to contest against President Museveni of the NRM in the 1996 general election. The view at the time was that the NRM was so dominant a force on the political landscape across the country that only a joint campaign effort and single candidate could hope to defeat Museveni. Official results published of the election had Museveni win with a landslide victory of 75 per cent and most political analysts and journalists believe these were the true results. Those who think a little differently and have inside information, however, believe the results were different from what was officially announced. Most of northern Uganda was still hostile to the NRM both because of the ouster from power in 1986 of the military and security apparatus that had been dominated by northerners since independence and the often cruel counterinsurgency operations carried out by the then national army, the NRA in northern Uganda and Teso between 1986 and still ongoing in 1996. In Buganda, the overwhelming wish for a federal status under the new Constitution as had been expressed in the 1993 draft Constitution headed by Justice Benjamin Odoki, aborted when the “federo” clause was defeated in the Constituent Assembly in 1995. This greatly disappointed millions of Baganda and refuelled their feeling that every central government sought to suffocate Buganda’s historical aspirations. Going by the combined resentment of the NRM in northern Uganda, Teso and Buganda, there was no way that Museveni could have won by 75.5 per cent. Even if he might legitimately win, drawing on the block support of his home area of western Uganda and a few other parts of the country, Museveni’s victory at most would have been somewhere in the 50s per cent, not 75 per cent. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Five-reasons-why-Mafabi-beat-Wadri/-/688334/2750552/-/clqiwd/-/index.html","content":"Five reasons why Mafabi beat Wadri - Kampala. Mr Nandala Mafabi’s landslide victory over Mr Kassiano Wadri for the post of FDC secretary general (SG), perhaps came as no surprise. Unlike the other contestants who started by telling the delegates what they have done (Mr Wasswa Birigwa told people he had “brought mobile phones to Uganda”, while Mr Odonga Otto talked of the many degree certificates he has), Mr Mafabi from the word go appealed to their hearts.First, Mr Mafabi charmed Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu’s supporters. In 2012, he contested for the FDC president but lost to Maj Gen Muntu.“Whoever says I won’t [work with Maj Gen Muntu], test me,” Mr Mafabi said, adding: “I am coming to ensure that we build a strong FDC so that we can take power.”This worked the delegates into a frenzy. They ululated, drowning his speech.Second, he apologised to those he might have wronged. “I might have stepped on your feet. I apologise to anybody I might have wronged,” Mr Mafabi said.Third, the Aruu County MP, Mr Odonga Otto, who had also picked nomination forms that morning, withdrew his candidacy for Mr Mafabi. “When the election for FDC president came, there was a thinking that radicalism and street battles cannot take us anywhere; [so] let us try gentlemen. Where are the gentlemen taking us? On this note, I apologise to all my supporters and request all of you to elect Nandala Mafabi. I am stepping down,” Mr Odonga said.Fourth, Mr Kassiano Wadri, a contestant for the same post, rubbed some delegates the wrong way. He said if the people of northern Uganda do not get the slot of secretary general, “our position as being in this party is rendered irrelevant”.On hearing this, many of the delegates booed him.Fifth, Mr Mafabi talked about easing the party’s district officials’ travel arrangement. Ms Alice Alaso, the outgoing secretary general, had just told them they should be ready to transport themselves – since they are considered volunteers.Mr Mafabi told delegates should he become the SG, the party would facilitate the trips to Kampala from upcountry and back and promised that by the end of his five–year term, they will have “transport” in their districts for purposes of mobility.Further, he told the voters “to confirm I will begin work immediately. Before the district general secretaries leave Kampala, they will get a mobile phone [from me] so that they can start communicating with the new secretary general of the party.”So what will Mafabi do now that he is secretary general?The first thing he will embark on is to ensure the district offices start operating immediately.“I want you to all allow me to make sure these offices operate so that information can flow from the top to the bottom to the village and from down up to the centre. We have the capacity to do that,” Mr Mafabi said.He also intends to “empower the youth and women leagues so that they can have something to put in their pocket so that you can do work for the party”. nwesonga@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Student-Britain-youngest-MP-SNP-surge/-/688340/2709836/-/1k138d/-/index.html","content":"Student, 20, is Britain's youngest MP as SNP surge - At the age of just 20, Mhairi Black has become Britain's youngest member of parliament since 1667 in a victory which symbolises an expected nationalist landslide in Scotland. Black still has to complete her final exams at Glasgow University but will now be putting her politics degree into practice as the pro-independence Scottish National Party (SNP) MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South. The no-nonsense blonde, who pronounces her first name \"Mary\", won a majority of over 5,000 in Thursday's election to topple Douglas Alexander, the Labour party's 47-year-old foreign affairs spokesman and campaign chief. As the result was announced, a roar of approval went up from her supporters at the count centre but Black spoke in a steady voice as she vowed to improve life for ordinary Scots. \"We will work to put an end to the austerity cuts that are hurting people in communities both north and south of the border,\" she said. Black grew up in a family that supported Labour but like many in Scotland, has turned her back on the centre-left party that she says has become too distant from its supporters and left-wing roots. Exit polls suggest that the SNP is set to make massive gains, taking all bar one of Scotland's 59 seats, most of them from Labour. Referendum a turning point Black says her hometown has been in decline for decades, with one in five people in Paisley now living in poverty and one in three families forced to use food banks. She campaigned for Scottish independence in last September's referendum. The vote was lost but she told AFP a few weeks later: \"It doesn't mean the dream has died.\" \"The vote result was absolutely heartbreaking, gut-wrenching. But less than a week later I was raring to go. Everyone is pumped up, saying what's next?\" What's next has turned out to be the House of Commons, where Black has promised to stand up for her constituents in a way she says that her Labour predecessor never did. She has called Alexander a \"career politician\", and said during the campaign: \"I'm coming across door after door of people who are tired of having an MP who's never here.\" In her run for parliament, Black talked up her leftist credentials and her roots, including full-throated support for local football team Partick Thistle. Her biography on the SNP's website says Black campaigned against the war in Iraq and worked for the charity Oxfam -- but said the referendum was a turning point for her. 1 | 2 Next Page»\"It was always 'vote Labour, keep out the Tories, vote Labour, keep out the Tories' but then the referendum came and suddenly everyone woke up,\" she said in an interview with news website BuzzFeed. She has been criticised for an abrupt style and threatened to \"put the nut in\" (head butt) Labour representatives after the referendum. She immediately said she regretted her words and put them down to excessive passion. To those who criticise her lack of experience, she retorts that she is old enough to pay taxes or fight in a war. \"I'm not the one who should be nervous -- it's all of them down there (in London) who have to answer for what they've done. They're the ones who have to be accountable,\" she said. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Mbidde-orders-closure-DP-offices/-/688334/2706734/-/vjl13n/-/index.html","content":"Mbidde orders for closure of DP offices - Masaka District Democratic Party (DP) Chairperson Fred Mukasa Mbidde has ordered for the indefinite closure of party offices following growing disagreements in the party.This follows Monday commotion at the office after nullification of Kimaanya/Kyabakuza Division grassroots election results over irregularities.A section of party members led by Brenda Nambirige, Nalubyayi Zahara and Sarah Namyalo among others filed a petition challenging the election results for Kimaanya/Kyabakuza division citing irregularities in the polls. However, one of the petitioners Nalubyayi after sensing that the petition could lead to quashing of the results, decided to pull out causing commotion between the members supporting her move and those against it.Mr Mbidde asked police to close down the offices until members are calm adding that they will be opened up under new rules and regulations.The development comes barely a day after a brawl ensued between DP leaders in Masaka District on how to resolve pending petitions in the just concluded party grassroots election. The fight started when Masaka DP chairman Fred Mukasa Mbidde stormed a tribunal meeting arguing it was illegally constituted.Mr Mbidde, who is also the DP legal adviser, claimed he had powers of attorney of Mr Layrus Mayanja, who had been appointed to chair the panel hearing the petitions. Mr Mayanja was reported to be sick.This did not go well with some members led by Mr Dick Lukyamuzi, the DP chairman for Bukoto East Constituency, who turned a deaf ear to Mr Mbidde’s claims. Mr Mbidde, who is also the East African Legislative Assembly legislator, is reported to have been kicked out of the meeting venue prompting him to dash to his vehicle from where he returned with an object which some members claimed was a knife and chased his pursuers.Mr Lukyamuzi filed a case against Mr Mbidde at Masaka Central Police Station. The southern region police spokesperson, Mr Noah Sserunjoji, confirmed the report.“Police have received a complaint from Mr Dick Lukyamuzi accusing Mr Mukasa Mbidde of threatening violence and we are investing the matter,” Mr Sserunjoji said. Mr Mbidde declined to comment on the incident.Factions developed within the DP leadership in Masaka following the April 30 grassroots polls after it emerged that a group that broke ranks with the party in 2010 to form the Suubi pressure group had won a landslide."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/DP--Mbidde-hit-in-scuffle/-/688334/2706368/-/ifb4tkz/-/index.html","content":"DP’s Mbidde hit in scuffle - Masaka- A brawl ensued yesterday between Democratic Party leaders in Masaka District on how to resolve pending petitions in the just concluded party grassroots election. The fight started when Masaka DP chairman Fred Mukasa Mbidde stormed a tribunal meeting arguing it was illegally constituted. Mr Mbidde, who is also the DP legal adviser, claimed he had powers of attorney of Mr Layrus Mayanja, who had been appointed to chair the panel hearing the petitions. Mr Mayanja was reported to be sick. This did not go well with some members led by Mr Dick Lukyamuzi, the DP chairman for Bukoto East Constituency, who turned a deaf ear to Mr Mbidde’s claims. Mr Mbidde, who is also the East African Legislative Assembly legislator, is reported to have been kicked out of the meeting venue prompting him to dash to his vehicle from where he returned with an object which some members claimed was a knife and chased his pursuers. Mr Lukyamuzi filed a case against Mr Mbidde at Masaka Central Police Station. The southern region police spokesperson, Mr Noah Sserunjoji, confirmed the report. “Police have received a complaint from Mr Dick Lukyamuzi accusing Mr Mukasa Mbidde of threatening violence and we are investing the matter,” Mr Sserunjoji said. Mr Mbidde declined to comment on the incident. Factions developed within the DP leadership in Masaka following the April 30 grassroots polls after it emerged that a group that broke ranks with the party in 2010 to form the Suubi pressure group had won a landslide.editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/NRM-buys-posh-cars-for-top-officials/-/688334/2701532/-/6nhkez/-/index.html","content":"NRM buys posh cars for top officials - Kampala. The ruling NRM has unveiled new cars to be used by top party officials, sparking off speculation about the party’s source of funding.According to NRM authorities, the party spent Shs3.1 billion to purchase an unspecified number of cars. Some circles pointed to the funds the Electoral Commission (EC) recently released to political parties with representation in Parliament where NRM took the lions share (Shs7.9b out of the Shs10b) as having been used to buy the cars. However, Dr Kenneth Omona, the NRM party deputy treasurer, in an interview with Daily Monitor denied the allegations, saying the party had so many sources of funding. “We fundraise from very many sources, we have always had the funds. So the money which bought the cars is not part of what the EC gave us,” Dr Omona said. “You know very well that this is a new team in the management of the party. We now have full time staff at the party secretariat who need to have smooth transport to do party activities,” he added. On why NRM was prioritising cars yet the party had failed to kick- start the construction of party headquarters, Dr Omona said the NRM focus was to win the 2016 polls with a landslide. “We were appointed recently and our focus is to win the elections by a landslide victory after which we shall embark on other activities like building the headquarters,” he said.The party has always come under criticism from the Opposition and civil society groups for living off State coffers. Reports indicated that NRM spent Shs3.9 billion on the vehicles and Mr Ofwono Opondo, NRM’s deputy spokesperson, could neither confirm nor deny the figure. “I am not aware of the cost but I doubt if it is true. Why would the cost be so high if they were bought from the bonds here?” Mr Opondo asked. But Dr Omona said NRM purchased more cars than what the media had so far seen at a cost of Shs 3.1b. About the cars The highly billed Toyota Land Cruiser V8 model vehicles were some of those procured. Each of the cars is said to have cost Shs360m. The party says its chairman and other funders bought them. They were imported from London. sdkafeero@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-politicians--interest--mobilise-eligible-voters-/-/689364/2698130/-/dokixx/-/index.html","content":"It is in the politicians interest to mobilise eligible voters to register - The 2008 Zimbabwe election has been one of the most hotly contested races on the African continent in recent times. In that election, the political rule of President Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU–PF) was stiffly challenged by Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai (MDC-T). The tight nature of the race could not avail Zimbabwe an outright win in the first round, the reason why a run-off was called later in the year. As fate would have it then, Mugabe (aka ‘Uncle Bob’) beat Tsvangirai. Many have contended by all intents and purposes that this was Tsvangirai’s election. These sentiments partly informed the latter occurrences where the Zimbabwe government of 2008 – 2013 had to be shared between ‘Uncle Bob’ and Tsvangirai through a government of national unity arrangement. Having had an opportunity to interface with the subsequent 2013 Zimbabwe election first hand, I picked up a few lessons that I thought would be worth sharing with Ugandans as we enter the active phase in preparation for the 2016 general elections. The activities of the 2013 Zimbabwe elections began in earnest a couple of years before the actual election. In 2012, Zimbabwe’s office of the Registrar General of Voters called for a voter registration drive ahead of the 2013 elections. ZANU-PF surprised everyone in the political playing field when it announced a corresponding campaign to encourage its members, supporters and well-wishers, especially the young people in schools to ensure that they are properly registered. Because it was close to two years before the real election, many stakeholders, including the opposition took this exercise very casually – they did not mobilise their voting blocs to be on the voters’ register. Closer to the elections, the MDC-T campaign rallies were in particular the most populated, especially with the young people. The number and presence of the youth at the MDC-T rallies was probably the lifeblood of MDC-T campaign that continued to beacon a promise of change for a young generation. If numbers at rallies were anything to go by, MDC-T was sweeping out Uncle Bob’s ZANU-PF – but this was farfetched. For political scientists, the MDC-T huge campaign crowds could have been described as a “reign of error” simply because majority of those enthusiastic rally attendees had not registered as voters in an exercise that had happened more than a year before. I remember attending an MDC-T rally in Zimbabwe’s south eastern town of Mutare at which the whole place was swamped and filled with hundreds of thousands of young people who had come to catch a glimpse of Tsvangirai. A week later, when ‘Uncle Bob’ came to hold a rally in the same town, one would hardly tell that an incumbent was in the area campaigning – there weren’t as many ‘charged-up’ people as had been at the MDC-T one. Come election day, Zimbabwe was treated to one of the most calm elections that handed a calm win to ‘Uncle Bob’ who had mobilised his supporters to be on the register and to vote for him and his party. We could say that Mugabe’s 2013 landslide victory was more than an effect of preponderance of incumbency but partly (and largely) a function of his abilities to get his supporters on to the national voters’ register in time. The point here is, for those planning to run for elective offices come 2016, this is the time to mobilise your potential followers to register rather than crying foul when your supporters can’t vote for you simply because they were never on the voters’ roll. Mr Kaheru is the coordinator – Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda. kaheruc@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Poll-results-discourage-voters/-/806314/2588142/-/athapjz/-/index.html","content":"Poll results discourage voters - The opinion poll showing President Museveni ahead of Opposition contenders for 2016 elections isn’t surprising. I am not inciting citizens against participating in the forth coming general elections, but I do not surely think there are many Ugandans still interested in elections organised by National Resistance Movement-Organisation. I wish to be corrected if I am wrong. These opinion polls are simply frustrating for us who want change! As far as we know, even if these polls were carried out today, the incumbent would emerge with a landslide victory. A voter stands for hours in the scorching sun to cast a vote expecting his/her candidate to win, only to be disappointed to learn that the same winner of the previous election has taken the day. If the missives Gen David Sejusa made against the government while in exile are a reality then it will take a lot of convincing for the voters to stand in long queues to vote even if the polls indicate that the candidate to win elections is the one who has always won.Arua"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Forget-ideology--money-is-the-decisive-factor-in-Uganda/-/689364/2580576/-/sian8wz/-/index.html","content":"Forget ideology; money is the decisive factor in Ugandan politics - Bank of Uganda Governor Tumusiime-Mutebile says he will not print money for the 2016 elections. Apparently, he printed for the 2011 elections, and acute inflation inevitably hit the economy in the wake of the elections. It remains to be seen whether he will keep his word, for he may have to choose between keeping his word and keeping his job. If he opts to keep his job, the printing for the 2016 elections will surpass that for the 2011 elections, since there will be more votes to buy in 2016, and since inflation means that the average price of a vote will be higher in 2016 than it was in 2011. More printing of money will probably mean severer post-election inflation which may, in turn, mean more aggressive walk-to-work protests.The commercialisation of politics is a fact that every politician in Uganda must contend with. The same way a Micheal Ezra or a Bad Black or some sangoma can capture public imagination and media attention because they are throwing money about, any politician, however ideologically bankrupt, can win an election if he dishes out sufficient funds. In 1962 and in 1980, the overriding factors in political contests were ethnic and religious identity. In 1996, the Bush War, especially the skulls of Luweero, had the decisive sway. In 2001 and 2006, the Kony war was the major factor in elections in northern Uganda. But, since 2011, the decisive factor countrywide has been the amount of money a candidate has at his disposal. The fact that Gen David Sejusa still talks about the injuries he sustained in the Bush War shows how detached he is from the current political realities. To most of the people that will vote in 2016, the Bush War is stuff for lullabies, and if Sejusa goes on and on about the injuries, they might even think he needs to see a psychiatrist. The average citizen’s sense of indebtedness to Bush War fighters has been dead and buried for about a decade now. The advantage for the opposition in Sejusa and other former army officers taking anti-regime positions is that it contributes to the collapse of the idea that Museveni has a monopoly on military might. That idea certainly gave him an edge in 1996. Whereas former DP president Paul Kawanga Ssemwogerere could be silenced by being asked to name his generals, Museveni won’t ask today’s Opposition to name theirs. There are colonels and Generals in opposition ranks. The threat of the army staging a coup if the opposition wins can’t have as much credence today as it did in 1996. That must partly explain why the NRM has toned down on the messages of yesterday, and resorted instead to buying and renting support. The NRM youths we often see on television singing the President’s praises or kneeling before him or proposing that Brig. Muhoozi Kainerugaba should succeed him are driven by mercenary motives, and I believe the President knows it. It’s the mercenary motives that explain why the thousands of delegates that gave Amama Mbabazi a landslide win in the race to be NRM secretary general in 2010 couldn’t stand by him this time round. The moment they sensed that his powers with respect to the distribution of the cake were reduced, they deserted him. Opinion and youth leaders in rural and urban areas simply rent their support to the highest bidder. Opposition politicians who go around the country talking about the corruption and incompetence of the regime are really wasting their time. Let them instead use the time to mobilise funds that they will use to rent and buy support. If the Opposition can’t find the money, and can’t stop Mutebile from printing money for the NRM, let them forget about winning the elections. Mr Twinamatsiko is a civil engineer and novelist. nicklison@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/UPC-leaders-abandon-Otunnu--endorse-Museveni/-/688334/2512772/-/yfujm3/-/index.html","content":"UPC leaders abandon Otunnu, endorse Museveni for life presidency - A section of supporters and leaders of the Uganda People’s Congress in Kole District, have abandoned their party leader, Dr Olara Otunnu and endorsed Mr Yoweri Museveni for 2016 general elections.They endorsed president Museveni for life presidency, claiming that Dr Otunnu lacks the required capacity and vision to carry the mantle for the people of Uganda.This was during a consultative meeting organised by the Ambassador to Washington DC, Mr Dickson Ogwang Okul at Baramindyang in Ayer Sub-county on Tuesday. “We are not going to base our support on partisan politics, we want leaders who can lead the people of Uganda and this time around, we don’t see any one, apart from Mr Museveni. He should rule until he dies,” said Aboke Sub-county LCIII Chairperson, Mr Boniface Odyek.Mr Odyek, contested on the UPC ticket in 2011 general election which saw him get a landslide win as LC 3 chairperson.Ayer Sub-county LC3 chairperson, Mr Patrick Otim, said they have lost trust in Dr Otunnu, because he brought shame in the last elections when he boycotted the elections.“In 2011, we voted for him but he (Dr Otunnu) did not even vote for himself,” Mr Otim, who is also the chairperson of all the six chairpersons in Kole district said.“Does it really make sense to vote for a candidate who himself is not ready to vote? I don’t want such a situation to repeat itself. We want to vote for people who have the vision, people who are ready to carry the mantle for the people of Uganda,”Mr Otim further said. Mr Adaraman Olot, a member of Kole UPC district executive, said Mr Museveni has already planned ahead for the country, and bringing in a new leader would sabotage the dreams for the country.UPC youth leader for Akalo Sub-county, Mr Sam Orec, said come 2016, there is going to be a big change “As people of Kole, we want to see NRM representation from LC1 to Parliament, “We want to vote someone who can directly take our views to the head of state.”Currently, Kole has two Members of Parliament who are on UPC ticket including District Woman Ms Ruth Acan and directly elected, Mr Fred Ebil Ebil. The district chairman Mr Peter Ocen is also a UPC member. In 2011 general elections, Mr Museveni managed to fetch 62.8 percent votes in Kole district. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Govt-queries-complaints-of-land-owners-in-Bulambuli/-/688334/2449692/-/3lp7ga/-/index.html","content":"Govt queries complaints of land owners in Bulambuli - KAMPALA- Government is investigating claims by some landowners in Bulambuli District that they were sidelined when the State procured land on which to relocate the people currently living in Bugisu’s landslide–prone areas. This follows a request by the landowners to the government to resolve their “issues once and for all”. “The Minister[Disaster Preparedness] Hilary Onek, has proposed an investigation,” Mr Musa Ecweru, the State minister for Disaster Preparedness, said on Wednesday during an interview in Kampala. The proposed probe comes against the backdrop of a September 8 letter by Mr Hakim Chemisto Konyi, the secretary of Bulambuli landowners in which they asked the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness to address their issues. We could not readily verify this with Mr Onek. BackgroundIn 2012, the government sought for land in Bugisu sub-region on which to resettle the families that it plans to move from the areas. According to Mr Ecweru, Shs8 billion was set aside to acquire 2,863 acres on which to resettle the members of at least 603 households. However, when officials from the Office of the Prime Minister visited the area where the families will be resettled, Mr Chemisto reportedly said he had been sidelined during the procurement. We could not reach Mr Chemisto via telephone on Wednesday for comment because his cell phones were off by press time. Other landowners reportedly tried to speak to Mr Ecweru, who was part of the team on tour, but they were reportedly told that the State minister was scheduled to speak at the district headquarters so the landowners should head there. nwesonga@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Artistes-in-drive-to-fight-maternal-health-issues/-/688334/2419084/-/mjq1mdz/-/index.html","content":"Artistes in drive to fight maternal health issues - KAMPALA. A group of local artistes have teamed up to use their talents to raise awareness and funds for maternal health issues. Led by singer Robert Ssentamu, aka, Bobi Wine, the artistes made their intentions known yesterday at a press conference in Kampala, where they announced members of the group “Save the Children, Everyone is Me” that will be involved in the campaign.To kick start the project, they are holding a concert today, dubbed Every One Charity Concert at Hotel Africana which, according to Bobi Wine, will help the organisation raise funds to buy equipment such as ambulances for yet to be identified maternity centres. Some of the artistes who pledged to support the project are Jose Chameleon, Radio & Weasel, Navio, Gravity Omutujju, Judith Babirye, David Lutalo, Peter Miles and Rema Namakula. “We are not pocketing any penny from the proceeds. We came together as musicians; born and raised in Uganda, to fight something we call an ‘epidemic’ [maternal deaths],” Bobi Wine said, adding: “So we are trying to create awareness because we are all directly or indirectly affected. We all have either lost mothers, brothers, sisters, a friend’s mother or generally people living around us to maternal death. So it is our duty to use our ability and talents to make a change.” Moses Ssekibogo popularly known as Mowzey Radio, added that there are so many maternity hospitals in Uganda but the project is going to reach out to those [hospitals] as resources allow them to. “We also plan on having activations countrywide to get some more resources. These maternal deaths are happening everywhere; at referral hospitals, clinics and even homes,” said Mowzey Radio.The artistes’ action is to fight the high rate of maternal related deaths in Uganda. For every 100,000 live births, 438 women lose their lives to maternal death. This means 16 women die every day from maternal related complications.Recent months have seen local musicians participate in causes that promote wellness in communities. Singer Desire Luzinda recently held a charity concert ‘Black and White’ concert at Serena Hotel last June. Proceeds from this concert went to Ibanda babies’ home, in Ibanda District. In November last year, Bobi Wine held the Akalimu concert at Lugogo Cricket Oval which was meant to solicit funds for helping the landslide victims in Kasese and Bududa districts. Fans entered the show for free but had to donate items such as used clothes and shoes. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/New-Egyptian-president-vows-to-bring-security/-/688340/2342114/-/k2isr9/-/index.html","content":"New Egyptian president vows to bring security - CAIRO- Former army chief Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has vowed to to tackle “terrorism” and bring security, after being sworn in as Egypt’s new president. He said his election after a landslide win in May was “a historic moment”, and pledged no reconciliation with those who had “committed violence”. The retired field marshal overthrew President Mohammed Morsi last July. He has since been pursuing a crackdown on Mr Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood, which urged a boycott of the elections.Liberal and secular activists, including the April 6 youth movement which was prominent in the 2011 revolution that ousted long-serving President Hosni Mubarak, also shunned the May 26-28 poll in protest at the curtailing of civil rights. Mr Sisi, 59, made no mention directly of the Muslim Brotherhood in a speech at a Cairo presidential palace late on Sunday.But he said there would be no reconciliation with anyone who had “blood on their hands”. The former army chief said: “Defeating terrorism and achieving security is the top priority in our coming phase.”“There will be no acquiescence or laxity shown to those who resorted to violence,” he added. Mr Sisi was earlier sworn in for a four-year term at a ceremony shown live on television. Mr Sisi’s victory came almost a year after he ousted Egypt’s first freely elected president, Mohamed Morsi, following mass protests against his rule. At the swearing-in, the Supreme Constitutional Court deputy head, Maher Sami, said the ousting was not a coup, and that Mr Sisi had responded to the will of the people. In the May elections, Mr Sisi secured 96.9 per cent of the vote and his sole challenger, left-winger Hamdeen Sabahi, received only 3.1 per cent. Turnout was less than 50 per cent."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Why-NRM-will-lose-2016-polls---MP-Ssimbwa/-/688334/2328640/-/bpd6woz/-/index.html","content":"Why NRM will lose 2016 polls - MP Ssimbwa - The Makindye East Member of Parliament, Mr John Ssimbwa, has listed 20 issues the National Resistance Movement (NRM) “must” address lest it loses votes during the 2016 general elections. These include improving social services - health and education - and checking “police brutality”, which Mr Ssimbwa said is now also turning the people in the rural areas against the ruling party. “In the recent past, the police have exhibited no sense of care when lobbing tear gas. In the earlier years we had known of teargas in Kampala. But of recent, we see tear gas in the rural areas of Ssembabule and Masaka. Those using tear gas have succeeded in portraying this government as being brutal and thus made the rural people to start hating their government and thus affecting the NRM support,” Mr Ssimbwa said during a press conference at Parliament yesterday. However, the party deputy spokesperson and executive director at the government Media Centre, Mr Ofwono Opondo, later told the Daily Monitor Mr Ssimbwa is “right to the extent that the NRM must pay attention to social service delivery”, which impact on the day-to-day lives of Ugandans.Mr Opondo said the accessibility and quality of education is an issue the NRM is aware of. Political analyst Dr Christopher Twesigye said the other issues that will come up during the campaigns for the 2016 polls are unemployment, poverty, the militarisation of the security services, the personalisation of power and the restoration of presidential term limits. To improve its chances during the forthcoming polls, Mr Ssimbwa also suggests the NRM should do more to reduce the proportion of Ugandans living below the poverty line and to rein in on people who are illegally evicting powerless individuals from land. This, he said, could be achieved by addressing corruption, through which Uganda reportedly loses Shs500 billion annually, and by creating job opportunities for the many unemployed youth. Lessons from LuweeroMr Ssimbwa’s remarks come against the backdrop of the Democratic Party’s Brenda Nabukenya’s landslide victory against NRM’s Rebeccca Nalwanga in the Luweero District Woman MP by-election. Ms Nalwanga managed 22,236 votes against the DP candidate’s 38,582.During the campaigns, the police obstructed Opposition supporters and lobbed teargas at a gathering of Ms Nabukenya’s supporters. The police also clobbered a journalist, Herbert Zziwa of Kfm The other issues• Economically empower NRM supporters, • Turn NRM into a proactive party, • Ensure party cohesion, • Promote internal party democracy, • Address the “bush war veterans grievances”, • Fulfil the presidential pledges, • Attract more youth to the NRM, • Stop rewarding those who defect from the opposition political parties at the expense of those who have stayed with the NRM through thick and thin, • Start special programmes in Central region that has for long been supporting the NRM."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kadaga-is-Museveni-s-strongest--opponent---opinion-poll/-/688334/2322654/-/my86s8z/-/index.html","content":"Kadaga is Museveni’s strongest opponent - Kampala- President Museveni would sweep to a landslide victory if elections were held today, a new opinion poll reveals. According to results of the poll commissioned by the Daily Monitor and the Uganda Governance Monitoring Platform in the bid to gauge political and economic perceptions of Ugandans ahead of the 2016 polls, at least 60 per cent of Ugandans would vote for Mr Museveni if he gave a shot at the fifth elective five-year term.Respondents were asked, “If elections were held today, who would you, vote for?” Mr Museveni was then pitted against Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga, Dr Kizza Besigye, FDC president Mugisha Muntu, DP president Norbert Mao, former Vice President Gilbert Bukenya, Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi and UPC president Olara Otunnu. Of all the potential presidential candidates set against him, none managed a half of what Mr Museveni posted, with Ms Kadaga posing the highest challenge, with 25 per cent preferring her against Mr Museveni’s 60 per cent. Eight per cent are undecided in the tussle between Ms Kadaga and Mr Museveni while seven per cent indicated that they had no comment. Asked to choose between Mr Museveni and Dr Besigye, his political archrival who has thrice challenged him for the top job, 66 per cent endorsed Mr Museveni for a fifth term while 22 per cent preferred his former personal physician. Seven per cent preferred not to comment while five per cent said they were undecided over the two former allies. Respondents were then asked whom they would vote if Mr Museveni was up against Gen Muntu, a compatriot of the President dating back to the days of the 1981-86 bush war, who fell out with the regime after the removal of term limits in 2005. Sixty-one per cent endorsed Mr Museveni while 19 per cent preferred Gen Muntu, the man who commanded the UPDF for more than eight years. Eight per cent were undecided while seven per cent said they had no comment. Pitted against Prof Bukenya, Mr Museveni returned 65 per cent against his former deputy’s 19 per cent. Nine per cent were undecided between the two former allies while seven per cent indicated they would neither vote Mr Museveni nor his former deputy. Last year, Prof Bukenya told the Daily Monitor that he will give “Museveni a run for his money in 2016.” Set against Mr Mbabazi, Mr Museveni returned 66 per cent while Mr Mbabazi returned 18 per cent. Nine per cent said they are undecided while seven per cent indicated they had no comment. The premier is at the centre of a simmering power play in the ruling NRM triggered by a resolution by the party’s parliamentary caucus that ring-fenced the party’s 2016 presidential candidature for Mr Museveni. Though Mr Mbabazi has insisted he will not challenge his boss in 2016, he maintains that party organs, contrary to the ruling party MPs’ resolution, will decide who the NRM presidential flag bearer is in 2016. Asked whom they would vote if the incumbent was against Democratic Party President Norbert Mao, 66 per cent said they would vote Mr Museveni while 19 percent fronted Mr Mao. Eight per cent were undecided while seven percent indicated that they preferred not to comment. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/2313374/-/kd7ra0z/-/index.html","content":"Why do we reduce a national debate to one personality - the President? - Recently, I attended a “Citizens’ Debate” organised by Monitor Publications and NGO Forum on the “Relevance of Uganda’s Constitution”. Predictably, both proponents and opponents reduced the debate to President Museveni, who clearly clouds people’s ability to think rationally. So, in order to focus on the topic rather than Mr Museveni, imagine that the electoral reforms’ crusade was successful, Museveni lost the 2016 elections and we have a new president!As with Museveni, 13 of the 19 chapters of the Constitution will give the new president authority to: Appoint all public officers from the rank of commissioner or director upwards; propose Bills for enactment by Parliament; consent or not, to Bills passed by Parliament; manage the national Treasury; perhaps most important of all, appoint the Minister of Finance, Secretary to the Treasury, Governor of Bank of Uganda and Commissioner General of Uganda Revenue Authority, hence, uncensored access to the Treasury. In summary, 80 per cent of Uganda’s Constitution reads like a script written for a president to act the role of sole employer, provider and benefactor! The new president will appoint her/his supporters to the public offices, as Museveni has, and as any president would. That is where real power lies because common sense would prompt appointees to protect their jobs by protecting that of the appointing authority, hence, tear gas, electoral malpractices, incredible court rulings and illegal transfer of funds from Bank of Uganda. The ballot box, which comes into play at the tail end of a five-year-joy-ride of unrestricted access to the Treasury and bottomless pit of public jobs, is only of cosmetic consequence. The cumulative and multiplier effect of such appointments is phenomenal because in addition to the President’s free access to the national coffer, only his/her supporters get access to public resources, officially and fraudulently. Patronage, sycophancy and dictatorship in Uganda emanate from the Constitution and will continue no matter who occupies State House, as long as the script written for “H.E. the Imperial President of Uganda” remains! Critics argue that with a similar constitution, Rwanda is doing well, but President Paul Kagame’s landslide election wins of 92 per cent, point at no opposition in Rwanda that calls for political machinations. In the UK, an election is worn by a political party, not the Prime Minister, so the party has power to indict the PM. Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair were indicted by their respective political parties, not the ballot.Because of their federal system, the president of the USA has no power over what happens in the States, his / her real influence being on foreign affairs and defense, whose impact is outside the USA. In Israel, Germany, Australia, Canada, power is shared between the Head of State, Head of Government and regional governments. In Kenya, the president no longer appoints the Electoral Commission, Inspector General of Police, Chief Justice, Judges and Governor of Bank of Kenya, among others. But in Uganda, the President is the Alpha and Omega. Pretending that disbanding the Electoral Commission and ousting Museveni from office will fix Uganda’s problem is missing the point because when Yoweri goes, the Constitution will create us another Museveni, that’s how it was designed to perform. For a lasting solution, the centre must be decongested of power as happens in democracies. This can only be done through a national referendum via Article 1(4) and 255(1) of the Constitution of Uganda. Ms Kamya is the president, Uganda Federal alliance. ufapresident@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Golf/Kiwanuka-new-president-of-golf-in-Uganda/-/690278/2208088/-/135mwfz/-/index.html","content":"Kiwanuka new president of golf in Uganda - KAMPALA Former Entebbe Golf Club (EGC) chairman Kiryowa Kiwanuka is the new president of the Uganda Golf Union (UGU). Kiwanuka took up the post after the outgoing president Amos Nzeyi, who had been nominated for the position, pulled out of race shortly before the matter was put to the vote at Kitante on Friday. The new vice president is Johnson Omollo, who won by landslide beating Dr. Alex Coutinho by 16 votes to four. EGC’s Innocent Kihika is the new secretary. He beat Dr. Kato Sebaale four votes (12 votes to eight votes) whereas Jonathan Bakwega was unopposed for the treasurer’s post after Edwin Tumusiime stood down. indawula@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Mao-launches-task-force-in-Bunyoro-to-woo-voters/-/688334/2109054/-/aamsd5/-/index.html","content":"Mao launches task force in Bunyoro to woo voters - Hoima- Democratic Party president Nobert Mao has launched a task force in Bunyoro region to mobilise voters ahead of the 2016 elections. Mr Mao said the task force, comprised of 50 party leaders from Kibaale, Hoima, Masindi, Buliisa and Kiryandongo districts, will bring fresh blood and ideology in order to transform the region. While addressing the leaders in Hoima District on Monday, the DP president encouraged the task force not to fear the ruling NRM party machinery. Mr Mao told Bunyoro that its love affair with the NRM government had not yielded fruits. “The marriage between NRM and Bunyoro has been barren. DP has stepped forward to solve the problems of Bunyoro and transform this region,” he said.However, the Hoima NRM secretary general, Mr Yunusu Mugabe, said the party had implemented infrastructural developments projects such as universal education and Naads that have uplifted the welfare of the people. Mr Mao, a former Gulu Municipality legislator, castigated MPs from the region for allegedly being silent in the raging national debate on oil and gas.“I am disappointed by the level of silence of MPs from this region about the oil debate in Parliament. They would be at the forefront demanding tangible benefits of the industry to come to the people here,” Mr Mao said. “The more they become silent, the more they will reinforce suspicion that they have been compromised,” he added. The region has been agitating for royalties and affirmative action on oil jobs, contracts, business opportunities and scholarships.“Why should the King of Bunyoro come all the way to Parliament to present a petition about oil? It should have been you and MPs from this region to raise his demands. Bunyoro needs to increase its bargaining power in the oil industry,” Mr Mao said. But the Bunyoro Affairs minister, Mr Ernest Kiiza, who is also the chairperson of the Bunyoro Parliamentary Caucus has on several occasions said the legislators have actively participated in the oil debate and fronted Bunyoro’s interests. “The government is addressing all concerns of Bunyoro. The opposition is making those statements out of desperacy after realising that the NRM party is enjoying majority support in Bunyoro and will go ahead to win it with a landslide in 2016 as it has always done in previous elections,” Mr Kiiza said. fmugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Nathan-Byanyima-s-supporters-walk-out-on-Museveni/-/688334/2088350/-/5edhj8z/-/index.html","content":"Nathan Byanyima’s supporters walk out on Museveni - Supporters of Mr Nathan Byanyima, an Independent candidate in the Bukanga parliamentary by-election, on Sunday walked out on President Museveni, after he appeared to drum support for Mr Steven Kangwagye Rwakanuma, the party’s flag bearer. This happened at Ngarama, Isingiro District where Mr Museveni had pitched camp to rally support for Mr Rwakanuma. Police and members of the elite Special Forces Command (SFC) battled hundreds of retreating supporters of Mr Byanyima at Ngarama Girls Secondary School trying to prevent them from leaving before the President could address them. Severally Mr Museveni’s address was interrupted by the standoff prompting him to order security personnel to let those who wished to go leave. “Police muwache watu (police leave people),” the President ordered. The audience had been calm until Mr Museveni took to the podium at about 4pm to campaign for Mr Kangwagye. “Ninyi police muwache watu watumiye wametaka (you police leave people to go where they want,” a furious Museveni echoed multiple times.Mr Byanyima, who has represented Bukanga three times, was at first declared the flag bearer by the NRM electoral commission Vice Chairman, Prof Elaija Mushemeza, after winning the October 25 party primary election. The endorsement was, however, withdrawn after the exercise was repeated in Ngarama Sub-county where Mr Kangwangye, who at first had emerged second, registered a landslide victory. Mr Byanyima boycotted the second election on November 8 supervised by a team from the NRM headquarters led by Dr Ruhakana Rugunda. Nine people competed in the NRM primary, but Mr Byanyima did not concede defeat and was nominated as an independent on November 11. Even when other NRM leaning independents; Ms Jackline Matovu Asiimwe and Mr Jeremiah Kamurari pulled out of the race on Sunday after meeting the President Mr Byanyima remained put. President Museveni said on Sunday that his efforts to talk Mr Byanyima out of the race failed after several calls. Mr Byanyima who attended the President’s rally said: “As the party chairman he (Mr Museveni) has made his statement and declared a flag bearer who is his son. I think it’s him he wanted for this slot, it’s what I expected. I am a gentleman I have to fight to the end of the race,” Mr Byanyima told the Daily Monitor."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/NRM-in-U-turn-for-Bukanga-flag-bearer/-/688334/2068314/-/1377ldjz/-/index.html","content":"NRM in U-turn for Bukanga flag bearer - Isingiro - Mr Steven Kangwagye has been declared the NRM flag bearer for Bukanga Constituency by-election in Isingiro District after a landslide victory in the party primaries. Mr Kangwagye garnered 5,184 votes while his arch-rival, Mr Nathan Byanyima, got 88 votes on Friday in Ngarama Sub-county where the election was repeated. Mr Byanyima had earlier been declared the flag bearer after emerging the winner in the October 25 exercise. Mr Kangwagye, however, petitioned the party’s electroral commission challenging the results. An independent team led by Hajj Moses Kigongo, the NRM party vice chairperson, was commissioned to investigate the complaints and it recommended repeat of the exercise only in Ngarama. However, Mr Byanyima’s supporters vowed to boycott the exercise, saying it has been designed to kick out their candidate. Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, the NRM EC boss, said they were still waiting for any complaints that arose in the primaries. The seat fell vacant after the death of Gregory Matovu. His daughter, Jackline Asiimwe Matovu, said she will contest on an Independent ticket. Nominations are slated for today and tomorrow while the by-election will take place on November 26. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Slides-bury-3-children-in-Kasese-as-rains-start/-/688334/2009142/-/asm515/-/index.html","content":"Slides bury 3 children in Kasese as rains start - Every time it rains especially during the night, the people in Mahango Sub-county, in Kasese District are thrown into panic having lost at least 12 persons in landslides in the last two years. Selevest Mbaju Bisusi and his wife, along with their three daughters, thought the Wednesday evening rain was normal only for the disastrous to befall them. At 7pm when the rain stopped, Mr Bisusi and his wife went to the nearby Bukumbia trading centre to food items to cook for supper, leaving their children behind. The couple who live in Kabukero Village, were shocked to be informed that tragedy had befallen them and their children Anita Masika, 5, Asnet Biira, 3, and Asrinin Kabugho, 1, had been buried alive by a landslide. “I was in the main house and the children were in the kitchen playing. I asked them to bring me a candle which they did and went back but shortly after I heard a sound of something collapsing behind the kitchen wall which I didn’t take serious. About a minute later the whole ground above the house came down on the kitchen and I could not see the children anymore,” Ms Flora Mbambu, who was home with the children, said. The children’s grandfather, Mr Neckson Masereka, said although the collapsed wall was about two metres from the houses, it was not very weak to cave in at the time. It took about 100 residents to dig through the rubble and retrieve the bodies about 2hours after the incident. The bodies were buried yesterday afternoon at the home of a relative about a kilometre from the scene of the tragedy. This is not the first home in the same village to be affected by the landslides in recent years. Mr Edward Kibwana, who used to be the family’s immediate neighbour, shifted one year ago following a similar incident that didn’t record any casualties. The current deaths bring the number of children dying in landslides hitting houses in Mahango to 12. On May 18, 2012 three children in Butalimuli Village perished at night. October 8, 2011, five children also died in similar circumstances. Since 2011 when the first incident happened, there has been a campaign of tree planting on bare hills but with slow response. Past commanders 2007. Brig Peter Elwelu2008. Col Chris Bakasumba2009. Col Katsigazi 2010. Brig Michael Ondoga2011. Brig Paul Lokech 2012: Sept 2013. Brig Ondoga editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Rwanda-s-ruling-party-set-for-parliament-election-landslide/-/688340/1995946/-/26bakuz/-/index.html","content":"Rwanda's ruling party set for parliament election landslide - Kigali - The ruling party of Rwandan President Paul Kagame is headed for a widely-predicted landslide win in parliamentary elections, officials said Tuesday. The National Election Commission said the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), which has dominated the central African nation since ending the genocide nearly 20 years ago, has scored 76 percent of the vote with three-quarters of the ballots counted. Analysts say the RPF faced no serious opposition, with only a handful of small parties or independent candidates hoping to scrape a few seats in parliament, and prominent opposition figures sidelined. The NEC's president, Kalisa Mbanda, said the independent Social Democrats and Liberals had scored 13 and 9.4 percent respectively, while the PS-Imberakuri party had failed to muster even one percent. \"We can safely say that there will be no major change in the results,\" the election official said. With Rwanda's economy one of the continent's fastest growing, the government has been keen to show off the elections as a badge of national unity and democratic health. The small nation was left in ruins by the genocide of 1994, in which close to a million people, mostly from the ethnic Tutsi minority, were butchered by Hutu extremists. online@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Mugabe-sworn-in-for-new-term--dismisses--vile--Western-critics/-/688340/1963794/-/eu69a7z/-/index.html","content":"Mugabe sworn in for new term, dismisses 'vile' Western critics - Harare - Veteran Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe hit out at \"vile\" Western critics as he was sworn in for another five-year term Thursday in a stadium packed with jubilant supporters. Festooned in a sash, garland and medals, the 89-year-old dismissed accusations the July 31 election that returned him to power was rigged and vowed to rejuvenate the foreign-dominated banking and mining sectors. Mugabe's 33-year rule since Zimbabwe's independence has been marked a drive to transfer foreign-owned and white-owned assets, including farms, to blacks. \"I promise you better conditions,\" he told the 60,000 capacity crowd of supporters at a stadium in Harare. \"The mining sector will be the centrepiece of our economic recovery and growth. It should generate growth spurts across sector, reignite that economic miracle which must now happen.\" Mugabe's inner circle has faced decades of international sanctions over rights abuses, and the veteran leader said he expected the punitive measures to continue. \"Most likely we shall remain under these sanctions for much longer.\" \"We continue to look East,\" Mugabe said lampooning, Western countries which have called into question the legitimacy of his election victory. \"We dismiss them as the vile ones whose moral turpitude we must mourn,\" he said venting against Britain, Australia, Canada and the United States. Former colonial power Britain called Thursday for an \"independent investigation\" into the conduct of the election, which Mugabe officially won by a landslide. Unlike previous low-key investitures, Thursday's event -- replete with banners, flags and chants -- carried strong echoes of Mugabe's inauguration as prime minister of a newly independent Zimbabwe in 1980. A no-show by many leaders from neighbouring countries -- including President Jacob Zuma of regional power-broker South Africa -- did little to dampen enthusiasm. Neither did a boycott by opposition leader and former prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who insists the July 31 vote was stolen. Mugabe was greeted in the stadium by thunderous cheers and whistling. On board a military truck he inspected assembled military personnel. Gates to the Chinese-built stadium, the venue of Mugabe's inauguration as president in 1987, opened shortly after dawn. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bududa-mudslide-victims-get-aid/-/688334/1948250/-/937yl7/-/index.html","content":"Bududa mudslide victims get aid - Bududa- More than 1,500 mudslide and hailstorms victims from Bududa District have received food relief from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). The 300 bags of maize flour and beans 100 bags of beans were delivered yesterday by Mr Vicent Waboya, the senior principal disaster management officer in the OPM. Speaking during the handover of the items, Mr Fred Kizito Mukasa, the Bududa chief administrative officer, said the distribution would begin today in Bushiyi and Bumayoka sub-counties, where the mudslides and hailstorms destroyed homes and several hectares of crops and displaced several people last Saturday. He said a combined team from the Red Cross and district disaster committee would distribute the food to the victims. “According to our assessment, we have a total of 1530 that were affected by the mudslides and hailstorms. And now our people are helpless,” Mr Mukasa. He appealed to the government and charity organisations to provide more assistance to victims of the mudslides and hailstorms. Mr Mukasa said: “Although we have received this food, it’s not enough when you compare to the number of people who were affected.” See related story in Next magazine editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Mugabe-says-election-victory-a-blow-to-Western-foes/-/688340/1941118/-/124dgm4/-/index.html","content":"Mugabe says election victory a blow to Western foes - Harare - Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe on Wednesday declared his recent election victory a blow against Western powers which he accused of plotting to topple him using the opposition. \"We are very happy that we have dealt the enemy a blow, and the enemy is not (opposition leader Morgan) Tsvangirai,\" Mugabe said in his first public remarks since winning a landslide victory in elections a week ago. \"Tsvangirai is a mere part of the enemy. The enemy is he who is behind Tsvangirai. Who is behind the MDC? The British and their allies. Those are the ones who were the real enemies.\" Mugabe has often accused Western powers, particularly Zimbabwe's former colonial master Britain, of harbouring plans to depose him using the opposition as a front. Zimbabwe's electoral commission declared Mugabe winner with 61 percent of the vote, while three-time presidential hopeful Tsvangirai garnered 34 percent. Tsvangirai, who has dismissed the elections as a \"farce\", has demanded a forensic audit of the voters' roll, ballot papers and voter registration certificates. Mugabe said after the win that he will forge ahead with his indigenisation drive, compelling foreign-owned companies to cede majority shares to local black investors. \"We need to raise the standard of living of our people. But to do that we have to stand firm and all the time take into account our policy of indigenisation and empowerment,\" he said. \"We need to look at our sectors and see how we can improve. \"With that victory, which is only a continuation of our freedom, our task is to look ahead. What we say we shall do, we do. The immediate past has tended to be retrogressive during the inclusive government.\" After seizing hundreds of white-owned farms in a campaign launched in earnest in 2000, Mugabe passed a law in 2007 stating that large foreign-owned entities may be liable to cede 51 percent of their ownership. So far only mines have been targeted. online@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Mugabe-likely-to-win-up-to-75-percent-of-vote/-/688340/1935076/-/jvpfrj/-/index.html","content":"Mugabe likely to win up to 75 percent of vote - Harare - President Robert Mugabe is likely to win up to 75 percent of Zimbabwe's presidential vote over his rival Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, his party said Friday. \"It's the prediction that the president might likely get 70 to 75 percent,\" ZANU-PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo told AFP, saying early results showed a strong lead for the 89-year-old veteran. Official results from Wednesday's presidential election have not yet been released, but Gumbo said tallies posted at some polling stations had showed a landslide for Mugabe. \"It's the feel. From what I see what is happening on the ground,\" he said. With about a third of the national assembly results released, Gumbo was also confident the party would achieve a two-thirds majority in the 210-seat house. \"We can't get less than 130, 140 seats. I'm sure will get there. I think we are going to get about two-thirds majority.\" The first official results showed Mugabe's party storming ahead, winning 52 of the 62 seats announced. Tsvangirai, who is making his third bid to end 89-year-old Mugabe's 33-year rule, has slammed the vote as a \"huge farce\". online@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/REFLECTIONS--The-obvious/-/689856/1907082/-/2uhvvu/-/index.html","content":"REFLECTIONS :The obvious - Death. The only way to meet your creator. The reverse of life. The greatest have fallen. Make a roll call and tick present for Shakespeare, Abraham Lincoln Martin Luther King and many others. We are all aware they are absent. Unavoidable as it is it maximizes that chance well. Fear not for company is abundant. We all share the victim character. Heart beats have to lose rate and breathe has to be cut short. That is how life makes its rhythm. Life co-currently occurs with death. Demise describes all versions of damage and its damage control is paranormal. Every day we wake up, we walk to the edge of our mortal lives. Despair in future predictions is created as soil is thrown on coffins daily. Immortality questions are drafted. Why is it that we leave forever and not live forever? Utilise all brain power, but the Lord owns that answer. Don’t be too sorrowful that it took your dad or mum and didn’t take you. Patience, my friend, it is coming. It communicates not. Surprise is its biggest element. Have you ever stared it in the face? Sometimes it introduces its self once or twice. You have a feeling that you are gone and then you are alive suddenly. I’m talking about cancer survivors. You seriously feel the wrath of luck making its point. Not even a jackpot winner can portray that feeling of luck because life’s enemy is that intimidating. Forget the landslide losses on Wall Street, the loss margin of death can’t be rescued by billions of dollars. Use all the chemotherapy you can but that cancer will show you the road map to your grave. Live large, live well because when your time runs out on death’s clock, there are no warnings. Tick tock has sensitive meaning in deaths office. African timing isn’t exercised in the activities of shutting down your life. Death is best friends with punctuality. Eternity has been described as paradise not to mention free pizza and milk shake showers. The irony is no one can volunteer to visit eternity because that involves shaking hands with the guy responsible for your disappearance on earth. Occasionally a dead person is bothered with intense recognition. Where was that when that person failed to negotiate his stay on earth? Let’s smother each other with love because time is against us. Let’s express in full extents what we should because it’s more essential when we can still see it. Why wait to share the pleasant speeches with tears running through our teeth. The effects of bye-bye forever are majorly encompassed around remorse, sorrow and realisation of the full potential of the dead person. The bouquet of flowers is most important when I can trace the scent and define the color. There is no time to hate otherwise even when death approaches you it shall compliment your dark heart. Don’t be curious to see death coming, you won’t. C’est la vie (This is life)."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Animals--gardens-buried-in-Bulambuli-landslide/-/688334/1743070/-/3b8bt3z/-/index.html","content":"Animals, gardens buried in Bulambuli landslide - About 100 domestic animals and 30 acres of crops in Namisuni Sub-county, Bulambuli District were completely submerged following a devastating landslide that buried five villages in parts of mountainous Bugisu sub-region. The villages of Luzi, Nalufudu and lower parts Dindimwa, Mabono and Namudongo are buried under mud and heavy boulders. This resurrects memories of 28 August, 2011 when another landslide buried 28 people in the adjacent sub-county of Sisiyi in the same district. This comes barely a day after Uganda Red Cross secretary general Michael Nataka warned of an impending disaster after it was discovered that a crack on the mountain slopes, stretching 40 kilometres, had doubled. It also widened from 30cm to 38 centimetres. Namisuni chairman Timothy Nabende told the Daily Monitor that the landslides ripped through the five villages after heavy rains pounded the area on Saturday and Sunday from about 2pm to 4am, forcing the land to slide downwards to Mbigi River. Officials from the Uganda Red Cross Society on Sunday confirmed that there were no people killed, but domestic animals and crops had been buried by the landslide wasting away all the years’ efforts by farmers. Bulambuli LC5 chairman Simon Wananzofu said there were enough warning signals of the tragedy, but people refused to heed to the advice of moving away. “We are asking people to move away as the government plans for them,” Mr Wananzofu said. dmafabi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-50-000-people-ordered-to-relocate-for-fear-of-landslides/-/688334/1741166/-/3vb7qt/-/index.html","content":" 50,000 people ordered to relocate for fear of landslides - Following the onset of heavy rains in mountainous eastern Uganda, the government has directed families living along the high-risk steep slopes of Mt. Elgon to relocate to safer areas. Mr Musa Ecweru, the minister of state for disaster preparedness, told Xinhua in an interview on Friday that the heavy rains are likely to trigger disastrous landslides that may either cause deaths or injuries to people. The meteorological department forecasts that most parts of the country will receive above normal rains from March to May. “We appeal to all people residing along the steep slopes to descend and settle on safer areas to avoid risking lives in the looming landslides,” Mr Ecweru said. More than 50,000 people are estimated to be residing on high-risk slopes of Mt. Elgon, mainly in Bulambuli, Manafwa, Bududa, Sironko and Kapchorwa districts, according to Mr Ecweru.To reduce the risk of death, government has always emphasised that families residing along the cliffs should stay 500 metres away. Landslides have killed hundreds of people along the slopes of Mt. Elgon since 2010. The most disastrous landslide struck Nametsi in Bududa district claiming more than 200 people in March 2010. Another 29 people perished in Bulambuli the subsequent year, while 18 people were buried in landslides at Bulucheke Sub-county, Bududa District, in August last year. Hesitation to relocateDespite the dangers, persons residing in high-risk areas are hesitant to relocate to safer areas because of the fertility of the land and according to some locals, the difficulty of staying with host families. Ms Aidah Nandatu, 64, a resident of Bumwalukani Village in Bulucheke Sub-county, said most families, despite having tents, climbed back to the risky areas due to difficulty of staying with host families. “The host family can allocate you a perch of land to erect your tent but they can’t feed you. Personally, I had to bring back my family of 10, including sons and grandchildren, to this area,” Ms Nandatu said.In Nametsi, most people who were relocated by government to Kiryandongo District in western Uganda have returned to the area. In Bulucheke, residents have already erected tents at the epicentre of last year’s landslide while part of the land has been cultivated and crops planted on them. The heavy rains have created fresh cracks along the steep mountainous slope."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Count-under-way-after-Zimbabwe-referendum/-/688340/1722530/-/9g306f/-/index.html","content":"Count under way after Zimbabwe referendum - Zimbabwe was on Sunday tallying the ballots from a constitutional referendum that looked set to curb President Robert Mugabe's powers and tee up crucial elections in the violence-plagued nation. The first incomplete trickle of results pointed to landslide backing for the text, which would introduce presidential term limits, beef up parliament's powers and set polls to decide whether the 89-year-old Mugabe stays in power. Mugabe has ruled uninterrupted since the country's independence in 1980, despite a series of disputed and violent polls and a severe economic crash propelled by hyper-inflation. The draft constitution is part of an internationally backed plan to get the country on track. Zimbabweans' verdict on the draft is expected to be known within five days of the voting. According to the Movement of Democratic Change, the party of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, of nearly 90,000 votes intially counted in the second city of Bulawayo only 6,250 were against the draft. Mugabe has backed the proposed constitution, which enshrines his drive to put land in the hands of black Zimbabweans. Also, the clauses are not retroactive so he could if re-elected remain president for another 10 years. His political rival Tsvangirai has also lent his support to the text, although turnout is expected to be low. But that has not prevented the threat of violence from looming over the vote, as party militants keep one eye on the general election. A vote is expected to take place in July, but doubts remain about whether it can take place as planned. Shortly before polls opened Saturday, gunmen later identified as plainclothes police detectives seized a member of Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) from his home northeast of Harare. Police spokeswoman Charity Charamba told AFP Samson Magumura had been arrested on charges of attempted murder in connection with a recent firebomb attack that injured a Mugabe ally. While casting his vote on Saturday, Mugabe, whom many blame for past unrest, urged Zimbabweans to ensure the referendum proceeded peacefully. \"You can't go about beating people on the streets, that's not allowed, we want peace in the country, peace, peace,\" he said. Mugabe, the target of 11 years of Western sanctions over political violence and rights abuses, also used the opportunity to vow the United States and European countries would not be allowed to monitor the upcoming general election. \"The Europeans and the Americans have imposed sanctions on us and we keep them out in the same way they keep us out,\" he said. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/OPM-officials-survive-lynching/-/688334/1713374/-/x7pgrgz/-/index.html","content":"OPM officials survive lynching - Officials working in the Office of the Prime Minister survived lynching by a mob in northern Uganda and in Kiryandongo area where government resettled Bududa landslide survivors. Public Accounts Committee ChairmanKassiano Wadri, who returned from northern Uganda on Tuesday with a group of lawmakers and officials from the OPM, told the Daily Monitor that residents in Gulu, Lamwo, Kitgum, Nwoya and Zombo wanted to lynch the officials, accusing them of stealing their money. At least five officials from OPM had accompanied MPs on a week-long verification tour in northern Uganda and Karamoja sub-regions to assess implementation of the donor-funded projects under the Peace, Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP). Some of the officials are Richard Owiny, Cyprian Dhikusooka, Johnson Owaro and Raphael Lubega. “In fact, in some areas like Kitgum and Kiryandongo, the people turned rowdy and nearly lynched OPM officials. They told us that the officials should be punished and others requested to appear before the committee to give evidence on substandard works, ghost beneficiaries and forgeries in PRDP projects.” In Zombo, Mr Wadri said the residents led by the district chairperson, Mr Emmy Kakura, named OPM Permanent Secretary Pius Bigirimana in a cement scam. They said Mr Bigirimana went with police to Zombo and took away 1,000 bags of cement. Mr Wadri said, at an appropriate time, the committee will ask the PS to respond. Defending selfBut when contacted yesterday, Mr Bigirimana said: “It’s a lie to say I went to Zombo to take away cement. I never went there to take cement. I only went there once and I was on my supervisory mission. That cement they are talking about was for the construction of a school.” Mr Bigimirana remains in office months after Parliament resolved that he be suspended because of the scandal at OPM. He has also recently been handed additional duties to monitor other ministries and departments by President Museveni, whom MPs accuse of protecting some suspects. At least Shs50 billion meant for the PRDP is believed to have been stolen at OPM. Five donor nations have reacted by suspending aid to Uganda, hence affecting the implementation of some projects. According to Mr Wadri, in all projects they visited, there was no value for money and key projects like Northern Uganda Youth Development Centre was abandoned and equipment worth millions of shillings is rotting away. The hydraform machines supplied to residents are also rotting away, he said. Hydraform was being used to rebuild the conflict-scarred northern region. At the initial stages, the project trained more than 100 students to operate the block-making machines and to build various structures using the dry-stacked interlocking blocks. Mr Wadri again spoke about the construction of “substandard” houses for Acholi chiefs. He said some of the houses they visited are unfit for habitation. “The government spent about Shs200 million on each house but they are leaking and whenever it rains it becomes a problem,” Mr Wadri said. “My Vice Chairperson Paul Mwiru who led a team to Karamoja, told me that their situation is not different. They saw some gardens ploughed by Farm Engineering Ltd, a private firm which was paid Shs20 billion but exaggerated acreage ploughed and the public lost billions in the process.” He added: I can say without mincing my words that in this PRDP saga, there was no value for money.” Next week, PAC is expected to meet politicians starting with Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi on Tuesday and Minister for Karamoja Janet Museveni on Wednesday, among others whose names appear in the Auditor General’s report on the abuse of foreign aid. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Government-accused-of-abandoning-Bududa-landslide-survivors/-/688334/1712122/-/dkmmm7z/-/index.html","content":"Government accused of abandoning Bududa landslide survivors - Over 500 families that were relocated by the government to Bweyale in Kiryandongo District in the aftermath of the 2010 landslides have remained homeless and do not have social services in their new habitat. This follows reports that the government has failed to deliver full resettlement packages that the survivors were promised when they were resettled on a seven square-mile ranch which has been turned into a refugee camp. Currently, there is only one borehole serving the entire population. Most of the survivors say social services like health and education in the camp are wanting. Kiryandongo District authorities have blamed the Office of the Prime Minister for the survivors’ plight claiming that officials in OPM officials always by-pass them preferring to deal with the survivors directly. Speaking at the handover of ten houses to selected families Panyadoli primary school  on Friday, Mr Ben Moru, the  Kiryandongo District chairman accused OPM officials of hiding information from them there by making it hard for the district to come up with interventions. “We need more primary schools and health centres. We need to maintain sanitation here and ensure that parents take children to school but the OPM is not sharing information with the district,” he said. The 10 commissioned houses were built by Habitat International using proceeds from the 2012 MTN Marathon. Asked why government has not delivered the full resettlement package to the survivors, Mr Musa Echweru, the State Minister for Disaster Preparedness said the survivors should appreciate that the government built 100 houses for them and gave each of them a minimum of 2.5 acres of land. “This is their permanent land and we encourage them to own it. We tried to open some land for them to plant food for their survival but the crops did badly,” he said in a telephone interview. sotage@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Andiru-replaces-her-sister-Nebanda-in-Butaleja/-/688334/1691842/-/vw8vsr/-/index.html","content":"Andiru replaces sister Nebanda in Butaleja - Ms Florence Andiru Nebanda, who contested on the ticket of the ruling National Resistance Movement in the Butaleja District Woman Parliamentary by-election, was yesterday evening declared winner of the race with a landslide. Ms Andiru defeated four contestants. At 11:15 pm on Monday, Ms Mabel Wakabi, the Butaleja District Electoral Commission Registrar, announced at 11:15pm on Monday that Ms Andiru Nebanda had scored 27, 338 votes against her closet rival Ms Betty Hamba, an independent, who got 12, 157 votes. Ms Sarah Annette Logose, an independent, was third with 3, 393 votes while Forum for Democratic Change’s Felistas Namwihiri got 3, 262 votes. Ms Perusi Munabi, an independent candidate, managed 1, 332 votes. The election registered a poor turnout with almost half of the 92, 242 registered voters not voting. The declaration of Ms Andiru as winner threw NRM party supporters who had gathered at Butaleja District headquarters into celebrations. Ms Alice Namulwa, Ms Andiru’s mother, commended voters for sympathising with the family by voting her daughter to replace her sister, Cerinah Nebanda, who died in December last year. Ms Hamba and Ms Namwihiri said the exercise was marred by malpractices. The exercise kicked off at a slow pace amid heavy police deployment and a wave of arrests of opposition FDC activists. Police arrested at least 18 people for various offences, including inciting violence, vote bribery, multiple voting and impersonation. Ms Andiru is one of a few NRM candidates who have won several by-elections held since the 2011 general elections. online@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/1673026/-/13qql16/-/index.html","content":"There is life after losing an election - The grey-haired old man’s gaze and composure cast a reassuring image as he took to the lectern in front of him in Nairobi and began to impart wisdom on how to run for election and when to quit for the sake of God and country. Former Zambian President Rupiah Banda had carefully prepared his notes with a solemn message to candidates contesting in Kenya's March 4 General Election to fathom, even remotely, the possibility of losing. He implored candidates to muster the humility to concede in the event of a loss to save the country unnecessary tension and possible violence. And what better person to give the lessons than the 79-year-old statesman who conceded an election and gave up power to opposition candidate Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front without raising a finger after losing by a small margin – 180,000 votes – in September last year. Despite enormous pressure from some of his lieutenants who demanded a recount or legal redress. “In my conscience I knew conceding defeat was the right thing to do,” the former president told an attentive audience in Nairobi this week. “I was in power and could have held on but I said the public good had to come before the interest of anyone and that was when I decided to concede defeat.” Mr Banda, who was Zambia’s fourth president, lost the election to a man he had, two years earlier, defeated narrowly in a presidential by-election after the death of Levy Mwanawasa. Mr Banda won by the thinnest of margins, garnering 718,359 votes which translated into 40.09 per cent of the total votes cast while Mr Sata got 683,150 votes or 38.13 per cent, according to Zambia electoral commission figures.   In the recent visit, Mr Banda spoke to a nation he knew was still recovering from the devastating effects of the 2007 post-election trauma. Kenya plunged into chaos in similar circumstances after Mr Raila Odinga, then an opposition candidate, rejected the results of the election and President Kibaki was hurriedly sworn in. The firming of positions raised political temperatures and the supporters of the two camps engaged in violence that led to bloodshed and loss of lives of more than 1,000 Kenyans and displacement of hundreds of thousands of others. Mr Banda, who was in the country to open an international conference on Kenya’s preparedness for a presidential run-off at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Nairobi, said his concession prevented similar violence in Zambia. Mr Banda said he felt a bigger responsibility to uphold Zambia’s record of peace, stability and democracy even when, in doing so, he was required to walk away after a very closely fought election.   Civil war Saying on a light note that pangas (matchetes) in Africa are more lethal than guns, the former head of state, who first took over the copper-rich country as acting president after the death of Mr Mwanawasa in office, had to think fast and avert disaster. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/Looking-ahead-in-2013/-/689856/1657932/-/5rd8rs/-/index.html","content":"Looking ahead in 2013 - Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, Speaker of Uganda’s Parliament and Woman MP Kamuli District By and large, 2012 was a year of mixed fortunes for me. On the work front, we managed to re-establish our Independence as the institution of Parliament since 1962, improved on health sector budget after a long war and successfully hosted the 126th Inter Parliamentary Union which we used to market our country’s tourism potential and now more people know Uganda’s richness. Personally, I was able to get funds for my constituents to improveeducation by getting funding for Bishop Bamwoze SS Balawoli, Isingo Primary School and getting schools radios for communication and information as well as had mini computers supplied to all the schools. We also organised Busoga Tourism Expo to showcase attractions in Busoga and identified 36 sites for Busoga tourism circuit that has attracted support from government. However, I had setbacks in Parliament, as we have not been able to make many laws and lost two of our dear colleagues, Oromait andNebanda. I lost two relations, my sister Miriam who died on theElection eve. I went through the election day traumatised, but wonwith a landslide. When I was away at the Vatican, I also lost myfather, so as a family, 2012 will go in our memory lane negatively. In 2013, I resolve to complete and open my hotel, Century Hotel in Kamuli which has taken me 18 years to build. I will also continue fighting for better service delivery to my people and clear the outstanding bill backlog in parliament. ----------------------------------------Proscovia Night Salaamu Musumba, the FDC vice president Eastern and Kamuli District LCV Chairperson My name Salaamu Musumba translates as Peace and Shepherd, so I am going to be a peaceful shepherd for my people in 2013. Last year was one of many frustrations and misses, but I crowned it with sweet victory as Kamuli elected me the chairman. People should take me as I am and I resolve to take on my new task of district leader to balance needs and support. I resolve to turn Kamuli District into a model district that symbolises good governance principles and epitomises multi-party democracy rule of law and hope give this to the people as accountability for their sacrifice. I definitely will need to mobilise extra resources for my people and rally many allies to my cause as well as being mindful that I am implementing a foreign NRM Manifesto as mandated by the voters. My family too needs me and I should definitely find time for them as a good parent and wife."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Government-officials-and-legislators-should-make/-/806314/1655506/-/wa4iioz/-/index.html","content":"Government officials and legislators should make regular tours up-country - The year 2013 is a clean fresh slate for which we must adequately prepare if we are to register any achievements at the end. During my time of service in a school environment, I witnessed a mode of operation that can have remarkable effect if applied at the national scene. At least every year, the administrators, members of board of governors, parents, well-wishers and the general public, upon invitation for annual general meetings, conduct tours of the respective schools or institutions. Through direct observation the stakeholders are able to catch a glimpse of the status quo, especially how budgeted programmes within a stipulated period, have been executed. My view is that this kind of transparency and prudence be extended to all matters of national interest to account for taxpayers’ money In cases of fraud, we are not told whether the officials or delegated technical persons within the ministry make any attempts to inspect or tour places where the stipulated projects are meant to be carried out. They were busy with budgets, cash transfers, allowances, arrears and remittances. No person with prior knowledge of the plight of the people of northern Uganda can extort donor funds to such extreme levels to construct personal castles. The Public Accounts Committee, the Inspector General of Government and all protective government organs, should not stop at merely perusing through files, vouchers and bank statements, after all, vain transactions can be concealed by documentation. Negligence to execute designated ventures should be made a risky venture and should tantamount to dismissal from duty or cancellation of contract. Any reports of, incomplete or shoddy work at the expiry of a contract period, should imply that such anomalies took place unnoticed because of underhand intentions by officials and technical persons to conceal fraud. Is it too costly for government officials and MPs to tour their own country? Parliament has been busy with the oil Bill yet some members have never even set foot in Bunyoro subregion. How many government officials pleading for donor aid have visited northern Uganda and how often? Would you expect a comprehensive coverage of matters of national interest by such persons? My humble request is that frequent tours be conducted by policy makers, legislators and government officials to acquaint themselves with the plight of the people they represent or the manner and pace in which projects of national interest are executed. Let them travel and see for real the slow progress on Tororo-Soroti road yet this is a major traffic route to South Sudan. Afterwards, travel to Bulambuli via Sironko through the old Kapchorwa Road to see the jeopardy of transporting coffee and foodstuffs to markets in low lying areas. Visit referral hospitals and health units countrywide. Pass through northern Uganda and see how former victims of insurgency are now faring. Hear from Bududa landslide survivors now living in Kiryandongo, then return to Kampala and discuss about their country. Charles Okecha, carlsok2@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Minister-Ecweru-accused-of-hoarding-relief-food/-/688334/1608676/-/1363ka2/-/index.html","content":"Minister Ecweru accused of hoarding relief food - The State Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Mr Musa Ecweru, was yesterday accused of hoarding relief items meant for landslide survivors in Bulambuli District. MPs on the House Presidential Affairs Committee revealed that they had obtained documents pinning Mr Ecweru. Committee chairperson Barnabas Tinkasiimire, during the morning meeting with a delegation from Bulambuli, alleged that they had information that Mr Ecweru is keeping the relief items. The delegation from Bulambuli led by their MP Wamakuyu Mudimi (Bulambuli County) protested an earlier submission to Parliament by Mr Ecweru to the effect that government distributed 800 bags of posho and beans to the people of Bulambuli who were displaced following the landslides disaster in their area this year. The group accused the minister of having lied to Parliament and also insisted that only 200 bags worth of relief items were received. “We have received a complaint which we are investigating as a committee to the effect that Mr Ecweru is keeping relief items like hoes, posho, blankets and tarpaulins which are in his enclosure in his home in Amuria,” Mr Tinkasiimire said. Without divulging the details in the document, Mr Tinkasiimire said the minister must appear before the committee to explain the allegations against him. He asked that the Inspector General of Police sends a team to search for the items in the minister’s home in Amuria. Minister Ecweru yesterday told Daily Monitor on phone yesterday that he was in Rwakitura but would get details from Mr Tinkasiimire when he returns next week. “Tinkasiimire must tell me where he got those details. The IGP too is free to go and search my home. I have no problem with that,” he said. mnalugo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bududa-landslide-victims-demand-accountability-from-URCS/-/688334/1535282/-/wyhy38/-/index.html","content":"Bududa landslide victims demand accountability from URCS - Landslide victims in Bududa District have accused the Uganda Red Cross Society of misusing Shs4.5 billion the agency received from the public through fundraising to provide them relief. Through Mr John Baptist Nambeshe, the district chairman, the landslides victims have petitioned government to compel URCS to account for all the donations including money and other relief items it received to assist them. On June 28, URCS announced a drive to raise Shs4.5 billion from members of the public and various organisations to assist more than 100,000 people who were affected by landslides. The announcement came three days after landslides buried Bunakasala and Bunalembwa villages in Mwalukaru parish, Bulucheke Sub-county in Bududa District. Eight people were killed but only four bodies of the deceased were recovered. Several other people were injured and displaced. Mr Robert Ssebunya, the humanitarian agency’s chairperson, said the funds would support people displaced and those living in areas with evident cracks in the districts of Bududa, Sironko, Mbale, Manafwa, Kapchorwa, Bukwo, Bulambuli and Kween in Mt. Elgon region. However, in a petition to Dr Stephen Malinga, the minister for disaster preparedness, Mr Nambeshe, claims that URCS received relief items and money worth over Shs4.5 billion. He said relief items that were distributed to affected people were far less than what the URCS received. He said even after agreeing that some of the money would be used to relocate affected people, nothing has so far been done by both the government and URCS.Mr Malinga, said the government would take action about the matter without giving details. Mr Micheal Richard Nataka, the secretary general of URCS said he was not ready to comment on the matter. This is the 2nd time the agency is being accused of mismanagement of relief assistance given to Bududa landslides victims. Shortly after the landslides in Bulucheke, URCS camped in the area to respond to the needs of victims but some volunteers were accused of diverting aid. Four suspects were arrested in connection with the alleged crime."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/500-families-in-fear-over-landslide/-/688334/1526160/-/ihjuorz/-/index.html","content":"500 families in fear over landslide - Kasese Authorities in Kasese District have appealed to government to evacuate close to 500 families at risk of a looming landslide, after a huge crack was discovered at the foot of Mt. Rwenzori. The crack exposed to Buwatha Village, was first reported last week to the Kilembe Sub-county councillor, Mr Emmanuel Kaghuma, after residents discovered it at the start of the rainy season.The crack is atop Kilembe Mines Ltd land, which has been redundant for decades, making locals take advantage to encroach and settle there. The deputy Resident District Commissioner, Mr Aminadabu Muhindo, this week led a team of district officials to the area and after assessing the danger, they advised residents to vacate the area.“This is really a dangerous situation. Before anything is done, we need to help our people leave this area so that there are no other Bududa-like cries in the district. It is good we have discovered the crack before it costs us any lives,” Mr Muhindo said. Rainy day fearsHe expressed fear that should rains fall persistently for a week or two, lives may be lost.The disaster threat comes at a time when government is negotiating with Gingco, a Chinese company that wants to take over the copper mining activities at Kilembe. According to the LC1 chairperson, Mr Yowasi Muhindo, there are 480 families in the village.Mr Muhindo, however, notes that about 40 families living at the foot of Mt. Rwenzori have already fled the area for safety. Institutions that could be affected include Buwatha Primary School, estimated to be having 300 pupils, a Catholic Church and an Anglican Church. Above the village, the ground has cracked and partly sank in, while some parts are water-logged, rendering the soils very weak and heavy. The neighbouring Mahango Sub-county has experienced disasters in the past year, with eight children buried by landslide last October. The district leaders have appealed to government to plan for the relocation of the affected residents. Huge stones are also seen hanging dangerously some distance above a number of homesteads.The area councillor, Mr Emmanuel Kaghuma, and the residents attribute the crack and the landslides to past activities by Kilembe mines. But the Kilembe Mines Safety Officer, Mr Vincent Kaliisa, who is also the acting Kilembe Mines captain, says a team from the company had visited the area and did not see any cracks. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Mudslide-victims-back-to-Elgon/-/688334/1524132/-/aajlj9/-/index.html","content":"Mudslide victims back to Elgon - BUDUDA At least 100 evacuated mudslide survivors in Bulucheke Sub-county in Bududa District have returned to their homes amid heavy El-ni-no rains in the landslide-prone areas of Mt. Elgon. The LC5 chairperson, Mr John Baptist Nambeshe, told Daily Monitor on Monday that the residents are back to the hilly areas to grow food for their families because government has not provided a lasting solution for them. “People are being hosted in small tents that serve as a bedroom, living room and children’s room. Many others are planning to get back to their land in the hills because the conditions in the host families are unbearable. It is illogical for us to tell them not to go back when the conditions are not conducive,” Mr Nambeshe said. He requested government to prioritise one site for immediate urbanisation to resettle the more than 15,713 people. Demonstration threatsThe LC5 chairperson said unless government resettles the affected people, the district will organise a massive demonstration to Parliament if another mudslide strikes. Mr Ibrahim Wakooba, a resident of Bumwalukani Sub-county, the scene of the June 26 mudslides that left about 18 people buried said: “We have failed to survive in host homes due to unbearable conditions such as lack of food and pit-latrines,” Mr Wakooba said. “Government last gave us food in August. Our host homes cannot give us food because they also have families,” he added. But Junior Minister of Disaster Preparedness Musa Ecweru, who visited Bududa to assess the situation said although there is no money, government has secured more tents from North Korea to help shelter the mudslide victims and other people resettled with host families. “I know we are yet to think about urbanisation but we encourage people to stay in these host homes, I know that you have lost your independence but let us bear with each other. Let us strive to be in safe areas as government looks for money to urbanise identified areas for the settlement,” he said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bududa-Landslide-Victims-Flee-Back-To-Risky-Areas/-/688334/1504054/-/ehlir0z/-/index.html","content":"Bududa Landslide Victims Flee Back To Risky Areas - At least half of the one hundred victims of the recent landslides in Bulucheke sub county in Bududa district, who were recently relocated to safer areas, have fled back to their villages which are considered highly risky. The victims cite negligence by government as the reason for their return. At least half of the one hundred victims of the recent landslides in Bulucheke sub county in Bududa district, who were recently relocated to safer areas, have fled back to their villages which are considered highly risky. The victims cite negligence by government as the reason for their return. This comes just about a month after the office of the Prime Minister provided tents, relief food and non-food items and relocated them to nearby trading centers among other areas after the June 25 landslides that left eight people dead and 18 others injured. John Wamalwa, a resident of Bunakasala village, the epicentre of the June 25th landslides, was relocated to Bunamuvi trading centre. Wamalwa however says one month after the office of the Prime Minister promised to send them more relief food items, no government official has visited the area. He says in Bunamuvi where majority of them were relocated, they are facing hard times since they lack clean water source, latrines and food. He says together with others they have decided to go back to their villages which are considered highly prone to another disaster. He says they are aware of the risk but argued that they can at least grow food to survive. Phoebe Lubango, the councilor for Bulucheke Sub County is worried of the state of affairs in these areas which are considered highly risky. She warns of another serious mudslide and accordingly appeals to government to intervene immediately to stop people from accessing these areas. Lubango says the recent rains that have pounded Bugisu sub region pose serious risks of another landslide. She explains that in some areas water was gushing out of the once dry ground, implying that rain water has penetrated the soils. John Baptist Nabeshe, the Bududa district Local Council Five chairperson blames government for the delay to relocate all those living in unsafe areas of Mt Elgon slope. He says government failed to fulfill its promise of delivering relief assistance to those who were relocated. Nabeshe says his office tried in vain to stop them from returning to their villages as they challenged him to provide them with the basic necessities in their displaced areas. Musa Ecweru, the State Minister for Disaster Preparedness acknowledges government's inability to immediately provide relief items and implement the relocation plans. He says at the moment government is struggling to secure some funds for this purpose. Ecweru said that the inter-ministerial committee that visited and assessed the areas recently recommended for immediate relocation of these people. He says they identified 17 urban centres in Bududa where government intends to put up modern buildings for accommodation."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Ethiopia-s-new-leader-Hailemariam-emerges-from-the-shadows/-/688340/1486194/-/sgvuj2z/-/index.html","content":"Ethiopia's new leader Hailemariam emerges from the shadows - Political preparations in Ethiopia for the handover of power to expected new leader Hailemariam Desalegn gathered pace Friday, following the death of the longtime ruler Meles Zenawi this week. US President Barack Obama telephoned Hailemariam late Thursday, urging him to \"use his leadership to enhance the Ethiopian government's support for development, democracy, human rights and regional security,\" the White House said. Hailemariam has also met with South Sudan's foreign minister and his Kenyan counterpart, who were in Addis Ababa on Thursday to pay their respects to Meles, who died on Monday aged 57 after a long illness. Official mourning continues for Meles, with crowds gathering for a third day in the grounds of the National Palace, where photos of the late leader are on display. Scores of police and army officers alongside ordinary citizens, many weeping loudly, have gathered to pay their respects ever since his body was flown home following his death in a Brussels hospital. But the political process continues behind doors. Government spokesman Bereket Simon has said Hailemariam is expected to be formally sworn in in a emergency parliament session at \"any time.\" In a rare peaceful handover of power in Ethiopian history, former water engineer Hailemariam took over as interim leader on the death of Meles, who had ruled with an iron-fist since toppling dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam in 1991. A close ally of Meles as deputy prime minister and foreign minister since 2010, Hailemariam was elected deputy chair of the ruling coalition Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) after the party's fourth win, a landslide victory in 2010. But Hailemariam, a relatively little known politician overshadowed by his mentor Meles, faces tough challenges at home and across the volatile Horn of Africa. In a country long dominated by the major ethnic groups -- most recently the Tigray people, like Meles -- Hailemariam notably comes from the minority Wolayta people, from the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region. He served as president for the region -- the most populous of Ethiopia's nine ethnic regions -- for five years. But within the coalition, some of the most influential figures hail from the northern Tigray region, members of Meles's ex-rebel turned political party, the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front (TPLF). Hailemariam, while a protege of Meles, is therefore seen as an outsider by some. \"Many see him as a figurehead, part of a gesture by Meles and the ethnic Tigrayans to give more prominence to other ethnic groups,\" said Jason Mosley of Britain's Chatham House think-tank. However, Bereket has said Hailemariam will remain in the post until elections in 2015, although he must first be formally chosen as head of the ruling EPRDF party, likely later this year. 1 | 2 Next Page»\"The secession issue has been settled for good,\" he said. But analysts have suggested that several others are still jostling for power behind doors in the often secretive leadership, even if in the open they may not take part in the running for the top job. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/12-000-face-relocation-over-mudslide-threat/-/688334/1485798/-/9501cbz/-/index.html","content":"12,000 face relocation over mudslide threat - About 12,000 people staying in the Bududa section of Mt. Elgon will be relocated to camps before being moved permanently into urban centres ahead of a heavy downpour expected next month, the multi-ministerial team has said. The team comprises of the Ministry of Works, Lands, Internal Affairs, Trade and Industry, Local Government and officials from the Prime Minister’s office. Led by Mr Vincent Woboya, a coordinator in the Office of the Prime Minister, the officials conducted a week-long mapping exercise of areas prone to mudslides and have registered more than 12,000 people for immediate relocation from the hilly areas. “We have so far registered 12,321 people from Bududa hilly areas prone to mudslides and these are going to be relocated immediately to avoid mudslide incidents such as those in Nametsi and Bumwalukani, where many lives were lost,” Mr Woboya said on Wednesday. However, about 400,000 residents at risk of mudslides have remained adamant, arguing that the cracks seen by Uganda Wildlife Authority are merely a scapegoat for them to be evicted from their cradle land. The Prime Minister’s office that has already carried out an assessment to ascertain the risk on Mt. Elgon and the surrounding ridges in the mountainous areas, including the 40 kilometre crack across the mountain, however, insists that the people have to be moved. “We may not see the weakening of the soil in the area but the 40 kilometre crack speaks volumes about an impending mudslide and there is no other option left but to have people in the landslide risk areas relocated since it is likely that there will be muslides every rainy season,” Dr Stephen Mallinga, the Disaster minister, said. Population pressuresNational Environment and Management Authority (NEMA) and Uganda Wildlife Authority also warned that small mud flows seen on the mountain, with many water openings, is an indication that the rocks are under tension and that some small cracks formed due to bad farming practices, foot paths as well as road construction on the slopes, make the area prone to mudslides. Dr Goretti Kitutu, the environment systems specialist at NEMA, said because of the ever increasing population, people have encroached on the forest cover on the mountain for settlement and economic activities, loosening the soils. “Nobody can control mudslides traditionally or using ash, people must move away for safety because the entire mountain is a risky place,” Dr Kitutu said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Ethiopian-prime-minister-has-died--government/-/688340/1483984/-/2wlbev/-/index.html","content":"Ethiopian PM Meles Zenawi dies - \"Prime Minister Meles Zenawi passed away yesterday evening at around midnight,\" Bereket Simon said, adding that the 57-year-old \"was abroad\" when he died, without giving further details. Meles had not been seen in public for two months, and had been reported to have been sick in a hospital in Brussels, although Bereket gave no details of the illness. \"He had been recuperating well, but suddenly something happened and he had to be rushed to the ICU (intensive care unit) and they couldn't keep him alive.\" According to Ethiopia's constitution, Deputy Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn is to \"act on behalf of the Prime Minister in his absence\". Diplomats and analysts in Addis Ababa say it has not been clear how the government has been run since Meles was reported to have fallen sick in June. The position of president is largely honorific and Meles, a former rebel fighter who came to power in 1991 after toppling the bloody dictatorship of Mengistu Haile Mariam, held the real political power. On paper Meles' government has fostered a policy of ethnic federalism, devolving significant powers to regional, ethnically-based authorities but central control remains firmly in the hands of the ruling party. Profile:Ethiopia's Meles: ex-rebel turned key regional strongman Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, an intellectual ex-rebel vilified by some as a dictator but praised by others as a visionary, dominated politics at home and in the region for over two decades. Meles, a sharp-witted and charismatic player in the volatile Horn of Africa region, died overnight Monday at the age of 57. Iron-fisted and austere, Meles was propelled into the club of African rulers in power for more than 20 years by a landslide victory in 2010 elections, where he won 99 percent of the vote. From the revolutionary who fought to topple Mengistu Haile Mariam in 1991, Meles created a new persona for himself as the champion of Africa's economic and environmental rights on the international scene. But while he cast himself as the much-needed strongman capable of lifting Ethiopia out of poverty, harsher critics charged that some of his actions were reminiscent of previous ruthless Ethiopian autocrats. Born on May 8, 1955, Meles abandoned his medical studies before he turned 20 to join the rebel Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) to fight Mengistu. After taking over the TPLF's leadership he forged a broader coalition with other regional movements to make up the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), now the country's ruling party. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bududa-locals-use-ashes-to--avert--landslides/-/688334/1482344/-/atwvib/-/index.html","content":"Bududa locals use ashes to ‘avert’ landslides - Bududa Residents living on the slopes of landslide-prone Mt. Elgon area are using ashes to ‘chase away’ landslides, amidst relocation calls. Ms Norah Nakomola’s home in Nabusasi Village, Bududa District, is one of the disaster-prone areas but she is not bothered by the ever widening 30cm-wide crack on Mt. Elgon. She wakes up every morning and fills up the cracks with mud and sprinkles ashes into the air, as she ‘rebukes’ the landslides never to occur. “We shall not relocate but the mudslides will move away,” Ms Nakomala tells Sunday Monitor, adding; “Our grandparents lived here and they never died of mudslides because they used ash.” Residents told a multi-ministerial team currently in the area that sprinkling ash in the air while uttering words and evoking ancestors, can save them from the mudslides that have put the lives of at least 80,000 residents at risk. AdamaceHowever, Dr Gorretti Kitutu, the environment systems specialist at National Environment Management Authority, said: “Nobody can control mudslides traditionally or using ash, people must move away for safety because the entire mountain is a risky place.” Mr Vincent Woboya, an official from the Prime Minister’s office, said they are finding difficulty in convincing people to register for relocation. “We have been here for more than a week now, registered about 1,934 households on the hills of Mt. Elgon in Bududa District, mapped areas that are dangerous to live in due to the 40km crack but there are those who are not willing because they think they can tame mudslides using ash.” In March 2010, landslides hit Nametsi Village in Bududa District, killing 350 people and displacing thousands. In 2011, mudslides in Bulambuli District killed 28 people. In March, mudslides killed six people in Sironko District and in June, 18 people were killed by landslides in Bududa District. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Host-families-of-Bududa-survivors-overwhelmed/-/688334/1452370/-/vluqi3z/-/index.html","content":"Host families of Bududa survivors overwhelmed - Families hosting survivors of the June 25 Bududa mudslides lack adequate resources to help them, creating discomfort between both groups, the LC5 chairperson has said. Government declined to set up camps in Bududa District after the mudslides that reportedly buried 18 people and recommended that the survivors move in with families in safer areas for three months. Mr John Nambeshe said he has received reports that the host families are asking for food and firewood in return for offering the survivors accommodation. “I have been in the homes where there are no pit-latrines, where there is congestion and water problems. This makes both host families and the hosted vulnerable to any disease in the community,” Mr Nambeshe said. He added: “I am calling upon government to disband the families and relocate people immediately to save them from another disaster in waiting.” Mr Nambeshe, who was addressing Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) members led by the national chairperson, Mr Robert Ssebunya, on Wednesday said the hosts still need a lot of food to keep the families of the survivors. Mr Ssebunya advised environment experts, URCS and Office of the Prime Minister in Kampala to relocate survivors in better places and leave the risk areas for agriculture. Relocate calls“Some of the strategies being looked at are either to look for land and buy it within Bududa for the survivors or buy land elsewhere for the resettlement of the people because there are all signs that heavy rains are going to pour in July to September,” Mr Ssebunya said. The Red Cross official said next week the experts will visit Bududa district to map out ways of possible urbanisation of the area and relocate residents to safer areas. dmafabi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Government-to-move-400-000/-/688334/1451508/-/fwck43/-/index.html","content":"Government to move 400,000 - Bududa Residents of six districts in eastern Uganda will be relocated ahead of heavy downpour expected next week and throughout the month, disaster preparedness minister Musa Ecweru has said. Mr Ecweru said residents of Bududa, Sironko, Mbale, Manafwa, Kapchorwa and Bulambuli districts will be relocated to avoid a similar tragedy where landslides killed hundreds of residents recently. Mr Ecweru said the districts, located in the Mt. Elgon area, are at risk since the mountain has visible cracks. “We are going to relocate people in phases before disaster strikes again,” he said. He added: “The situation in the eastern region is dire because we have no choice but to uproot people and take them to low plain areas where they have to live with their relatives.” Mr Ecweru was yesterday flagging off the first shift of donation received by the Uganda Red Cross Society from various companies towards the Bududa landslide victims. Mr Michael Nataka, the secretary general of URCS, said the items worth Shs227 million, will be distributed in the six districts today. More help needed“We got aid worth Shs100m in cash and another worth Shs127m in items. Our target is to distribute it to 3,368 people living in the high risk areas,” he said. Mr Nataka said government estimates that 400,000 people are at high risk in the districts surrounding Mt. Elgon, requiring more aid. The URCS chairperson, Mr Robert Ssebunya, said the items include tarpaulin sheets to act as temporary shelter for the affected people, household items, blankets, clothes and medicine. Last week, URCS launched an emergency rescue and recovery intervention worth Shs4.5 billion to help 100,000 people directly affected by landslides that resulted from a three-day downpour in Bududa. Government puts the number of deaths from the landslides at 109, while the URCS indicates that 15 houses were buried. Mr Ecweru called upon companies and concerned individuals to give more help to redeem the situation. “Government alone cannot manage. It is through partners like you that we can work with the Red Cross and government to give assistance to the affected people, he said. stumwebaze@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Nsubuga-not-a-Mengo-candidate--says-Mao/-/688334/1450476/-/kn45hr/-/index.html","content":"Nsubuga not a Mengo candidate, says Mao - The Democratic Party president has dismissed claims that the party’s secretary general, Mr Mathias Nsubuga, who is contesting for the Bukoto South by-election in Masaka District, is a Buganda kingdom candidate. Addressing a press conference yesterday in Kampala, Mr Norbert Mao said Mr Nsubuga was the DP flag bearer in the election but a Mengo subject.“Our candidate and voters come from Buganda which is headed by Mengo government that is why we have strings attached to it,” Mr Mao said.The Luweero District Woman MP, Ms Brenda Nabukenya, said the party was ready to protect the elections to avoid vote rigging by other opposition parties. Other contestantsThe other candidates in the by-election are NRM’s Alintuma Nsambu, Julius Ssentamu, the flag bearer of Forum for Democratic Change, and Dan Katura, an independent. The elections are slated for tomorrow. Mr Mao said they expect a landslide victory, adding that the DP team was due in Masaka last night to meet their agents and guide them on how to protect their votes. snakirigya@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/South-Sudan-starts-on-a-scandalous-note/-/688340/1449670/-/faf77r/-/index.html","content":"South Sudan starts on a scandalous note - Cases of corruption in South Sudan have been on the rise since 2005, when the region gained special autonomy from Khartoum, under a peace deal. The peace agreement ended two decades of war with the Sudanese government (starting in 1983) and provided for formal independence of South Sudan in July last year following a landslide vote. One year on, there are no indications that prevalent graft will be reversed anytime soon. So far, at least $4 billion has gone missing under the noses of former and current government officials since 2005, according to the office of the president, an amount that could finance the new country’s budget for two years. This includes some $200 million that varnished from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning coffers in 2009, through a controversial grain scam. In the same year, $323,000 disappeared from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, having been deposited into a private bank account when it should have been paid as tuition for students studying in East Africa. Between 2005 and 2006, at least $1.5 billion was spent without proper account statements, according to a report by the Auditor General Chamber. Peter Biar, the Director for the Center for Strategic Research and Analysis in Juba, said “the institutions of the government are very weak” and as such, they are too vulnerable to embezzlement and mismanagement. “Just imagine, in 2006 when trying to establish a payroll; you did not even know how many people you were paying. No clear understanding about what happens if really there is money that is left over and no really direction from the government about the financial management,” Mr Biar said. “Sometimes, we feel after being in the wilderness for over twenty years, we now have to reward ourselves by looting own ourselves,” Biar added. He notes that the utter inaction against suspected individuals has set a bad precedence that has ghastly inculcated the sense of impunity. In the same vein, Biar added, there have been no proper finance management laws until recently when the parliament passed Public Finance Management Act. But no big fish has been prosecuted yet. Deputy Speaker of the national assembly, Daniel Awet Akot, agreed that the distressing theft in government institutions is a challenge associated with the transition from guerilla administration into institutional management. “People just received the money. There was no ministry of finance. There was no proper banking system. So it was your gratitude to share the money,” Akot said, referring to the root cause of corruption way back in 2005. Kiir’s presidencyOn May 3, President Salva Kiir, in an effort to recover the stolen funds, wrote to 75 government officials, asking them to return the loot. And by responding favorably to the call, Kiir clarified, the officials in question would be accorded amnesty and their names will remain confidential. Among the 75 are former minister of Petroleum and Mining Lual Achuek, who served in Khartoum ahead of secession, and former Public Service Minister Awut Deng Achuil, who resigned last year. Both officials, who still hold seats in the national assembly, said they are ready to clear their names and urged the remaining 73 to come out openly. In an apparent effort to clear her name, Awut published two account numbers with Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) in Nairobi, another with KCB in Juba and the fourth with Equity in Juba for scrutiny. For President Kiir, his reign has already had a stint due to the vice, observers say. According to a diplomat in the ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kiir occasionally gets confronted by western donors who say you are “stealing your own money,” referring to the people of South Sudan 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Landslide-victims-to-be-resettled-to-safer-areas/-/688334/1445768/-/ikvyh4/-/index.html","content":"Landslide victims to be resettled to safer areas - People living around Mt Elgon will be relocated to temporary camps ahead of the peak of the rainy season expected this month and August.According to government, a lot of rain is expected during this period thus posing a threat as the mountainous areas are degraded hence the need for quick relocation of people. The State Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Mr Musa Ecweru, while receiving aid worth Shs123m yesterday from the Korean government towards the affected people of Bududa, said that the mountain still has cracks which are expected to break very soon due to the coming rains. “I expect three interventions, the immediate intervention of relocating people from areas with cracks to lower places and camps, intermediate intervention of taking them to their relatives but we will be proving them with some help and the Long term interventions of resettling them to lower places,” the minister said at the Headquarters of the Prime Minister’s office in Kampala yesterday. The Bududa landslides were caused by heavy rains which occurred at the beginning of last week resulted into a large landslide sweeping away three villages, and burying an estimated 70 people. While a lot of assistance has been coming from various organisations and individuals towards the affected people, some of it has not been reaching them. The minister therefore asked people who are ready to provide aid to inform the ministry and also requested all organisations that receive aid in the name of Bududa to be transparent. During the donation, the Permanent Secretary from the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr Pius Bigirimana proposed to get tents worth the donation instead of cash because relocating people is the immediate resolution for the coming rainy season. The Bududa District Woman MP, Ms Justine Khainza, said that so far five people have been recovered from the rubble and only one family of four people is still missing. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Nation-Media-Group-donates-to-landslide-victims/-/688334/1443760/-/7v3uy7z/-/index.html","content":"Nation Media Group donates to landslide victims - Nation Media Group (NMG) has donated household items and food worth millions of shillings to the victims of the Bududa landslides that occurred last week. The items which included, maize flour and basins, were handed over to the Chairman of Red Cross Society, Mr Robert Ssebunnya, in Kampala yesterday. Mr Sebunnya commended NMG, saying it is the first media company to respond to the organisation’s call for donation. “We are so happy to have such a company respond to our call and we call upon all other stakeholders to continue bringing in such donation,” Mr Ssebunnya said. The organisation last week announced that it needed at least Shs4.5 billion in donation to at least 100 families that were affected after Bwakasola and Bunalembwa villages were buried by landslides. The Red Cross confirmed that 18 people were killed while at least 72 people are believed to be still buried under the mudslides.NMG Corporate Social Responsibility Manager Jackie Tahakanizibwa said the move is aimed at building a social bond between the company and the society. akiyaga@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Govt-begins-study-of-disaster-prone-Elgon/-/688334/1442546/-/kt4oeaz/-/index.html","content":"Government begins study of disaster-prone Elgon - Bududa Government has started a comprehensive study of Mt. Elgon to determine the depth of the 40-kilometre crack to solve mudslide disasters in the area. The inter-ministerial sector that includes the Office of the Prime Minister and Ministry of Education, said people in villages that are at high risk should be re-located to safer places and integrated in local communities to allow line ministries expeditiously come up with strategies to deal with the crisis. This is the second time government is carrying out a comprehensive study of the area in two years after Uganda Wildlife Authority and National Environment Management Authority (Nema) reported that the crack had deepened from 4 centimetres to 10 centimetres. The Maj. Gen. Julius Oketta, the director disaster management in the Office of the Prime Minister, said government was determined to end the crisis at Mt Elgon. The assistant commissioner for disaster management, Ms Rose Bwenvu, said the plan would be used as a rapid response to address some of the challenges and provide solutions to the disaster. In March 2010 after the Nametsi landslides that buried about 350 people, government presented a similar plan to Parliament but few locals were relocated to Kiryandongo. The Leader of Opposition in Parliament and the Budadiri West MP, Mr Nathan Nandala Mafabi, said government was reactive to disasters. “A government which is determined to end the disasters would have already implemented the old comprehensive plan but they wait until there is another mudslide before they think about the plan just because some people want to benefit from this disaster,” Mr Mafabi said. Dr Mary Gorretti Kitutu, the environment systems specialist at Nema said the small land slides at the slopes of the mountain with many water openings indicate that the rocks are under tension. “Volcanism affected the basement of the mountain, we have more weathered and clay soil when it rains water cannot infiltrate the clay and it stagnates which causes a slide in the rock and later cracks that give away everytime poor farming activities and settlement are done on the mountain,” Dr. Kitutu said. “Because of the ever increasing population, people have encroached on the forest cover of the mountain for survival and their farming methods are not good for the soil , this damages the soil cover, if this process continues, it will result into slides and most people living near or on the slopes of Mt. Elgon are ignorant of the environmental problems associated with massive encroachment and even defy advice to stop encroaching on the forest reserve,” warns Dr Kitutu who is doing a feasibility study on causes of landslides in Mt. Elgon area and possible solutions to end the mudslides. The Uganda Wildlife Authority has warned of impending “human catastrophe” if the districts surrounding Mt Elgon do not relocate and seek measures to address the increasing degradation of the natural environment. The Mt Elgon area conservation manager Mr Adonia Bintorwa said Bugisu and low land areas near Mt Elgon are at a great risk of suffering another devastating landslide if Mt Elgon national park is not properly managed and protected to end the massive encroachment. dmafabi@ug.nationalmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/Supplementary-budgets-cannot-be-eliminated---government/-/688610/1441398/-/1301mc8/-/index.html","content":"Supplementary budgets cannot be eliminated - government - Kampala The government has said it cannot completely eliminate supplementary budgets due to unforecasted emergencies. While making a presentation on the overview of the National Planning and Budget process and the highlights of the 2012/13 Budget last week, Mr Kenneth Mugambe, the commissioner of budget policy and evaluation in the ministry of Finance said: “Supplementary budgets cannot be completely eliminated. They are provided for by the constitution under article 154: 4.” He said: “Supplementary budgets come due to unforeseen circumstances that occur after the budget has already been read.” “For instance we cannot provide for problems like landslide and earthquakes among others, because we can’t predict the extent of damage when they occur.” However, the government has been criticised for failing to prioritize even when it comes to supplementary budgets. For instance institutions including State House, have year in-year out been allocated huge sums of money in supplementary budgets ahead of health, education and such others. In the last financial year State House was given over Shs60 billion to cushion its soaring expenditures, however, the government was hesitant to raise Shs7 billion that the ministry of Health had requested for the treatment of the Nodding Diseased Syndrome battering Northern Uganda. Such expenditures, according to experts, distort budget performance and broke the implementation of budget plans and projections. Mr Mugambe said there are amendments being worked on that will give the ministry of Finance, the power to determine the extent and circumstances under which a supplementary budget can be authorised. A budget is the main framework through which the government implements its policies. Mr Mugambe stressed that government’s scarce resources for the 2012/13 Financial Year will be focused on unlocking the most binding constraints to help restore faster economic growth, while promoting inclusion and sustainability. Areas of focus will include; removing infrastructure constraints in transport and energy, agriculture and tourism to generate employment and increase production, improving the quality of social services, health and access to water, and strengthening public sector management. moketch@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/More-bodies-exhumed-in-Bududa/-/688334/1441442/-/hincas/-/index.html","content":"More bodies exhumed in Bududa - Bududa/Kampala Two bodies of children buried by the last Monday’s Bududa landslides were at the weekend retrieved from the rubble five days after the incident.This retrieval comes after government delivered the excavators, graders and a wheel loader restoring hope which had faded that most of the bodies would be retrieved and given a decent burial. Maj. Gen. Julius Oketta, the director disaster management in the Office of the Prime Minister, who is also overseeing the recovery mission, and Uganda Red Cross Society assisted by the residents of Bunakasala, identified one of the bodies as Zaina Wandeka, 7, and the other of about three years could not be easily identified. “The earth-moving equipment have started doing some commendable job and we are also basing on the information being given by the relatives to the actual sites of households,” Gen. Oketta said. The Office of the Prime Minister secured at least four tractors to excavate the bodies. For the past five days the rescue teams led by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, Red Cross and local people armed with sticks, hoes, and spades searched the rubble but with little success. The three villages of Namaaga, Bunamulembwa and Bunakasala, from the look at a distance, cannot suggest any tragic incident occurred. It is only through the smell of decaying bodies that one can notice that lives were buried underneath the red earth. Except for remnants of the iron sheets, wattle, stones, a few remains of the clothes in the gardens and other debris scattered everywhere, everything has been buried; the surroundings looks deserted. Officials from the prime minister’s office, Ministry of Education and Sports, Water and Environment, Agriculture and other organisations like Uganda Red Cross Society, World Vision, Unicef and WHO on Saturday held an inter-multi sector meeting to draw a comprehensive plan to handle the Bududa crisis. The assistant commissioner disaster management, Ms Rose Bwenvu, said the meeting was aimed at coming up with long-term solutions to the disaster-prone district. “The comprehensive plan would be used as a rapid response to address some of the challenges and give solutions to the current disaster. People should not continue to be killed by landslides,” Ms Bwenvu said. The ministries resolved that people in villages prone to such disasters should be re-located to safer places and integrated within local communities and that the line ministries should expeditiously come up with strategies to deal with a crisis. The landslide comes barely two years after the National Environment Management Authority, Uganda Wildlife Authority and geologists discovered a 40km long crack that has since deepened from 5cm to 10cm on the slopes of Mt. Elgon. It stretches from Manafwa through Bududa and Sironko districts in Bugisu, to Bukwo District in Sebei sub-region.The crack is threatening about 8,000 residents living across the mountain. According to URCS status report, indicated that a total of 447 people in Bulucheke were at risk in the villages of Mabaaya, Bunamulembwa, Busawo , Walwayi, and Bamakakha with an estimated population. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Relocating-survivors-good-but-has-govt-done-enoug/-/806314/1439120/-/li46p9z/-/index.html","content":"Relocating survivors good but has govt done enough for Bamasaba taken to Kiryadongo? - In response to the story that the government is to relocate 400,000 people from Mt. Elgon, I want to say the government should expand Mbale town and put up permanent and affordable houses for the landslide survivors. The urban environment not far from their former homes in the landslides-prone areas would be acceptable to the survivors. There is no need for relocating the survivors far away places and detach them completely from their ancestral land. We should borrow a leaf from Tanzania where former President Nyerere built highrise buildings in Zanzibar for low income people. How many highrise buildings can accommodate 100,000 people?Bosch ==================================After the 2010 landslides tragedy, the government relocated 6,000 from Mt Elgon area to Kiryandongo District with promises of shelter and land. To-date, only 100 houses have been constructed. In frustration, many of them have left Kiryandongo and returned to Bududa. The reason the government says it cannot raise Shs15 billion needed to complete the exercise, two years after the catastrophe, is due to wrong priorities! Now, the government is again talking about plans of relocating another 400,000 people even when the ministry of Disaster Preparedness was not allocated any money in the 2012/13 financial year. How will the government manage go about this, leave alone ‘prepare’ for futuire tragedies? In my view, the government should admit its failure and start getting practical. Pacol ================================== I cry for the plight of my fellow Bamasaba. After relocating survivors to Kiryadongo District after the 2010 landslides that also killed many people, the government has not been able to cater for them. Now, how and to where will it relocate nearly half a million Bagisu this time round? The IDP camps in northern Uganda where thousands died are still fresh in our minds. Dr Vincent Magombe,Via Facebook"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Mudslide-victims-need-Shs4-5b-for-urgent-help-/-/688334/1438524/-/ouu8n7z/-/index.html","content":"Mudslide victims need Shs4.5b for urgent help  - At least Shs4 billion is needed for emergency rescue and recovery intervention of 100,000 people that were affected by landslides in Bududa District on Monday. The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) chairperson, Mr Robert Ssebunya, said the money will help host families of landslide victims. “The fund will support displaced communities, host families and those staying in areas with evident cracks in Bududa, Sironko, Mbale, Manafwa, Kapchorwa, Bukwo, Bulambuli and Kween districts,” Mr Ssebunya. He made the remarks while launching an appeal for emergency and recovery interventions in Kampala yesterday. Mr Ssebunya said the six-month intervention plan would start next month and provide victims with shelter kits and tarpaulin sheets, essential household items, sanitation requirements, seeds and tools. Mr Michael Nataka, the secretary general of URCS, said 100,000 is a small number of people that need assistance. “Government estimates the number of people at high risk in the eight districts surrounding Mt. Elgon at 400,000,” Mr Nataka said. Locals of Namaaga, Bunamulembwa and Bunakasalathe villages in Bududa were affected by landslides that were caused by a downpour and hailstorms that hit the areas from Friday last week to Sunday. By Wednesday, government had estimated the number of the dead at 109. Nine deadMeanwhile, Bishop Patrick Gidudu from Mbale Diocese, said nine people from Bumwalukani had been confirmed dead after another landslide in the area. This is the second time in two years that the residents of Bududa have been affected by landslides. Mr Martin Owor, the commissioner for disaster management in the Office of the Prime Minister, said they have always warned people living on the mountain slopes about risks of landslides but refused to vacate the areas. The junior Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Mr Musa Ecweru, said government will not establish internally displaced people’s camps for the victims to avoid complications of hygiene and food supply. However, Mr Nataka said they would do a comprehensive assessment to see which areas are at risk because there are still some people staying in areas with evident cracks so that they are resettled first. He added: “As URCS we do not have this money, but we appeal to the public and the international community to help because we have the medium through which the assistance can reach the affected people.” stumwebaze@ug.nationalmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bududa-Hospital-struggles-with-landslide-victims/-/688334/1438944/-/tqrsix/-/index.html","content":"Bududa Hospital struggles with landslide victims - He would on an ordinary weekday be strutting up and down on the school grounds, playing with colleague pupils. But on Wednesday, 13-year-old Stephen Washimwamu lay motionless on his back for a third such agonising day for him at Bududa Hospital. After half an hour of persuasion, he reluctantly raised his head only to say he misses classes and being in the bushes tethering animals. His mother Agatha Woyengera, who sat pensively by his bedside said he squirmed with excruciating pain and they barely slept on Tuesday night. Washimwamu is a secondary victim of the Monday landslide whose exact toll is unlikely to be known, according to residents and government officials.Struck by news of the avalanche in his vicinity, Washimwamu together with peers at Bushiwunya Primary School began a dash to the scene of the afternoon tragedy on the slopes of Nakasala and Yirumba hills, two of several ridges of Mt. Elgon. They did not reach the spot of nature’s wrath. Instead, a huge mass of soaked soil broke off the steep slope, rumbling down the valley. The children and villagers made a U-turn, scattering back to the safer far ground. Washimwamu tripped and several people trampled on him. He is the youngest victim of the Monday landslide admitted to the under-resourced and struggling Bududa Hospital that serves the neighbouring Manafwa and Sironko districts as well as Kenyans from Mt. Elgon District across the border. On beds two and three in the Casualty Ward were Scoviah Seera of Busanza Primary School, Mary Khainza of Bulobi Primary School, and housewife Marilyn Wayirimo who reportedly went into coma after receiving shocking news that their relatives in the affected area could have all perished. Dr Imelda Tumuhirwa, the acting Bududa Hospital medical superintendent, said nine of the 11 victims they are treating have recovered and are ready for discharge. “Our patients are fine enough to go home, but the question is: Where do they go?” she asked. What they called homes were obliterated by the landslide. The struggle to save lives of the victims at the medical facility was as painstaking and frantic as the futile search-and-rescue mission which after three days converted into a yet-unsuccessful recovery operation for trapped bodies. Hospital authorities said they begged medics at Bulucheke and Bushika health centre IIIs, as well as the cholera treatment managers, to assist with medicines and other supplies to manage the landslide victims. The situation is still worrisome for two female victims, both expecting. Christine Mayobo, a mother of four, said she was harvesting beans when she heard her in-law shout a warning of drifting soils. The children who were playing on the compound, she said, dashed inside the house for presumed safety. However on arrival, Mayobo picked the kids but fell several times as she fled down the village path. During one of the falls, she banged her protruding tummy on a stone, triggering extreme pain. 1 | 2 Next Page»By yesterday morning, the foetus had stopped moving in her womb, and medics said they would have to transfer to Mbale Hospital for an ultra-sound scan and better management. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/2010-Bududa-victims-find-refuge-in-Kiryandongo/-/688334/1438946/-/158d2vgz/-/index.html","content":"2010 Bududa victims find refuge in Kiryandongo - “I was lucky to survive the landslides but I did not have hopes of getting an alternative home. I am comfortable here,” Bison Mululwe, 55, says. He is one of the people from more than 603 households that were resettled in Kiryandongo District, hundreds of miles away in midwestern Uganda after landslides ravaged their homeland in Bududa, Bugisu sub-region. They were relocated by government to Bunyoro on October 6, 2010, where they are living among the native Banyoro. “This year, the drought has hit us and famine is in each household. We are short of food. We appeal to the government and other relief agencies to come to our rescue,” Julius Weleka,the chairman of the 2010 Bududa landslide victims, said. He said a severe drought occured in April shortly after each family had planted at least one acre of maize. He said the government last offered relief rations to them in July, 2011 in which each family would get three kilogrammes of beans and eight kilogrammes of maize flour every month. He added that family heads who were largely business people have failed to get jobs in Kiryandongo. The government has built more than 100 houses for the victims although they say the housing is insufficient for the 603 households.“Whenever it rains, 503 families seek refugee under trees. It is terrible,” Weleka said. Government has also set up a health centre and primary school at Panyadoli Hill camp. The government has promised to address the water scarcity challenge in the camp. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Mafabi-raps-govt-on-Bududa/-/688334/1438976/-/7eqmhh/-/index.html","content":"Mafabi raps govt on Bududa - The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Mr Nandala Mafabi, yesterday asked government to declare the mudslide-hit Bududa District a “disaster area” to enable development partners pool resources for rapid humanitarian response and emergency relocation. During a visit to the site in the flattened Bunakasala and Bunamulembwa villages, Mr Mafabi criticised government’s inadequate response and accused bureaucrats in Kampala of creating the impression that they were offering relief and other humanitarian assistance yet there was nothing tangible on the ground. But Disaster Preparedness Minister Stephen Malinga dismissed the proposal, saying there was “no basis or reason” to declare the affected places or neighbouring cracked ridges a disaster zone. “Whatever happened can be handled, and is being handled, by government and it is not a disaster,” he said by telephone. Dr Mallinga, who said he was on his way to Bududa for the first time since the landslides struck on Monday, added: “There is no reason to declare the place a disaster area; what is the basis?” Earlier, Mr Mafabi had said donors have held back in offering assistance to those affected by the landslides because the government allegedly misled development partners and Ugandans that it is on top of the situation. “I think there is total reluctance on the part of government because it does not care about our people, he said, “If they had declared this a disaster area, other more willing partners would have come in to assist.” The Leader of Opposition’s rebuke came 24 hours after Premier Amama Mbabazi during an impromptu visit to the affected villages on Wednesday, said heavy earth-moving equipment would be on site shortly to relieve residents, soldiers and police presently attempting to dig up buried bodies using rudimentary garden tools. Government officials had indicated that wheelloaders and excavators would be sourced from Masaka District, roughly 380km away.However four days after the landslides, and by 3pm yesterday, the equipment had not arrived in Bududa – and there was no sign it would – even as Dr Mallinga said he was en route to the scene. By yesterday afternoon, withdrawing soldiers matching in single, made their way downhill from the affected villages – with the recovery efforts yielding little success. The Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday delivered to the landslide survivors a truckload of relief food which officials said comprised 10,000kgs of maize flour and 5,000kgs of beans. As the government took a battering from the LoP, in Kampala, UPC party observed that the Disaster Preparedness ministry has no value and should be scrapped. “The primary cause of mass deaths [during landslides in] the third successive year is not ‘mother nature’, but policy failures and incompetence of the National Resistance Movement government,” UPC Spokesman Lucima Okello said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Move-all-landslide-survivors--Museveni/-/688334/1437700/-/cf0288/-/index.html","content":"Move all landslide survivors -Museveni - BUDUDA President Museveni yesterday said survivors of Monday’s mudslides in Bududa District and those living in high-risk areas must be relocated, suggesting that they could be absorbed in urban centres if no fertile agricultural land is found for them. Mr Museveni’s message was delivered to the people of Bududa last evening by Premier Amama Mbabazi who made a visit to the affected Bunakasala and Bunamulembwa villages yesterday evening. Mr Mbabazi conveyed government condolences to the bereaved families and said he had been informed that 45 residents remained unaccounted for although it was not clear if they had been presumed dead or just missing. The Prime Minister, Mr Amama Mbabazi, also launched the giveaway of relief aid by Uganda Red Cross at Bulobi Village. The government relief consignment arrived yesterday afternoon but was offloaded and stacked at Bududa District stores ahead of the expected distribution today. At Bulobi, 112 households each received from URC an assortment of utensils and food, including 12 kilogrammes of flour, 6 kilogrammes of beans, according to the Red Cross Society Bulobi branch manager, Mr Alex Welikhe . Government yesterday said they would effectively manage the situation when equipment to excavate the earth arrive today. “We will be on the site and on top of the situation,” Mr Mbabazi told the residents.The endangered area is where Bumarakha Primary School is situated although it remained unclear whether the school will have to be closed. The report on the Monday tragedy prepared by the Cao, Bulucheke Sub-county chief and disaster chairperson Alice Pekke proposed immediate resettlement of residents presently living on the mountainous slopes. Our reporters yesterday observed a long stretch of susurrates at the top of the affected ridge which environmental experts warn to be the stress line that absorbs storm water which eventually soaks the soil and triggers off mudslides. Residents in Bunakasala and Bunamulebwasub-counties that were flattened by mudslides joined at least 200 policemen and a handful soldiers who hacked through the mould soil with hoes and pick axes in a desperate attempt to recover bodies buried underneath. By 1pm when the exercise was halted by A downpour, no body had been retrieved and the nearest rescue workers got from the site was a broken poking out of the mud, a pack of scattered clothes and a broken weighing scale. 11 trappedThe regional police commander, Mr Michael Mugabi, who camped at the scene to oversee the operation, said they believe only about 11 people were still trapped in the mudslides since majority of the residents either survived due to early escape or they were away attending the market. World Vision joined other humanitarian agencies to offer medicine to Bududa Hospital for the 11 survivors undergoing treatment. “Although the mudslides are a disaster, the situation has been a blessing because World Vision has given the hospital medicine it did not have,” Dr Imelda Tumuhirwa, the acting medical superintendent, said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/28-06-2012-00-00/-/689360/1437436/-/i25qhaz/-/index.html","content":"Relocate, but prepare first - The hand-wringing has begun, and not a moment late as we come to terms with yet another natural disaster that was long in the making. The deaths of dozens of our fellow citizens in landslides in the Bududa area of the slopes of Mount Elgon was, unfortunately, a disaster waiting to happen. Now that there has been a tragedy of deadly proportions, it is inevitable that communities are going to be relocated, forcefully or otherwise. It is preferable that the relocations are not forceful as they could be counter-productive, yet they need to be done. There are numerous reasons why, after the last major landslide in 2010, the relocation was not successful. Lessons should be taken from that. There was the heavily pronounced one, of the barrenness of the land at Kiryandongo. This contrasted heavily with the rich volcanic soils of the Elgon, the precise reason why the endangered population remains on the slopes in Bududa, despite the risk. Before they are simplistically dismissed as being stubborn in their refusal to move, there is urgent need to understand why the affected population are reluctant to relocate. They live on the mountainside where they are cultivators. That lifestyle should, as much as possible, not be changed, which is the threat dry and barren Kiryandongo had posed. Cultural factors like language and social norms could yet be another dimension. People, naturally, prefer to live with those with whom they share a lot, and so ferrying the Bududa people from the far East to the mid West in a fairly different cultural setting will have its risks. The government should not take unilateral action on where to take these people. Consultations should be made with local leaders, area MPs, and specialist knowledge from psychologists and counsellors should be sought so that well-informed decisions are made. While it is an emergency situation right now that may seemingly warrant quick responses, and given that many of our decision makers act only when an issue is at hand and do not plan or foresee, knee-jerk reactions will not do. Only well thought-out action will put a stop to this recurrent tragedy."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Citizens--MTN-provide-aid-to-landslide-survivors/-/688334/1437774/-/qb6pxvz/-/index.html","content":"Citizens, MTN provide aid to landslide survivors - KAMPALA Hundreds of people had by yesterday began collecting relief items meant to aid survivors of the landslide in Bududa earlier this week which left an estimated 109 people missing. Many people used social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to appeal for clothes, shoes, and other basic necessities. The effort received a major boost yesterday when MTN Uganda, through the MTN Foundation, announced a contribution of Ushs50million towards re-settlement efforts. MTN Chief Executive Officer, Mazen Mroue, said the money would be handed to the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) to purchase non-food items for 312 of the 450 families affected by the landslide. “Our partners, the Uganda Red Cross, have approached us with an explanation of the extent of the damage so far, and we must get involved. But we believe that all interventions aimed at improving the lives of people must be long-term and must be sustainable in nature, otherwise the cycle will always continue,” Mroue said. Mroue called on other corporate organisations to step forward with ways of finding a long-lasting solution to the problem of landslides in Bududa. “That is why, in addition to this, MTN Uganda –in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, is building 20 houses in Kiryandongo to re-settle some of the families who were affected by the landslides in 2010,” Mroue announced. Receiving the contribution, Uganda Red Cross Secretary General Michael Richard Nataka commended MTN Uganda for the offer. He said: “I was personally in Bududa on Monday evening. It is a pity that each year the cycle of landslides keeps hitting our people. It is not good to always rush to respond but the lasting solution is to find a way of supporting these people to settle in safer places where they can live with peace of mind, cultivate and live normal lives without fearing that they will be swept away by a landslide.” Nataka said the Red Cross had supported survivors of the landslide with a few items from the URCS Mbale stores, and food from the office of the Prime Minister, but still faced a challenge with finding shelter for 3,368 people who were classified as being at serious risk. “Where this happened there are cracks in the neighbouring villages and if it rains again we might hear of another disaster,” Nataka warned. The Non-Food Item kits include shelter, shelter materials, blankets, mosquito nets, cooking pots, plates, cups, jerry cans, soap, and water purification tablets. Nataka said the kits were emergency kits designed following international Disaster Response Guidelines. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Survivors-refuse-to-leave-scene-of-deadly-landslide/-/688334/1436648/-/f6hgfi/-/index.html","content":"Survivors refuse to leave scene of deadly landslide - The most recent warning came less than a year ago. Officials from Uganda Wildlife Authority, whose Mt. Elgon National Park covers almost half of the district, warned that they had discovered a 40 kilometre-long crack at the foot of the mountain. After the 2010 landslide that killed an estimated 350 in the area, UWA officials urged locals – more than 8,000 people in Bududa, Mbale, Sironko, and Bukwo District – to relocate to safer lowlands. Attachment to landBut residents of the area have a deadly attachment to this fertile land. The population density is high, lower lands are not so fertile, and many ancestors are buried here. “I know this place is not safe for us but we have lived here, our great-grand parents lived here. We can’t leave the graves of our ancestors, we have to be here,” says Zadock Kutosi, a resident of Bunamulembwa Village in Bulucheke Sub-county, who survived the latest landslide by a whisker. “I can accept to be taken away for a month or two but once the rains stop, I can go back.” RelocationAfter the last landslide, hundreds of residents were resettled in the sparsely populated faraway flatlands of Kiryandongo, western Uganda but for residents like Ali Nakhokho, government should help them plant trees and learn to live with the mountain instead of resettling them. Visiting the area yesterday, junior Disaster Preparedness Minister Musa Ecweru indicated that the option of forcibly relocating residents to safer ground was not completely out of the question. Such an option, however, would be controversial and does not guarantee success. Daudi Walumoli, a resident of Bumwalukani who survived the landslide, says they plan to camp outside the area for about two months before returning when the rains stop. They might be shaken by the landslides but many residents here feel a strong attachment to their ancestral land. It is an attachment that binds them to the land, but once which could bury them and entomb them with their long-gone ancestors."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1436104/-/b4abdq/-/index.html","content":"What next for the people of Bududa? - Ugandans woke up to a gloomy morning yesterday with news of another landslide in Bududa, an area where many thought appropriate measures had been taken to ensure that earlier disasters do not recur. Officials from the Uganda Red Cross Society had by Monday night confirmed 18 people dead, nine hospitalised and 72 survivors following an afternoon downpour that triggered the landslides. Two villages of Namaaga and Bunakasala in the Bumwalukani Sub-county were reportedly completely buried. In March 2010, the eastern district experienced similar conditions when landslides ravaged Namestsi village, leaving about 100 people dead. In response, the government took measures to relocate most of the survivors to Kiryandongo District where they have been staying to-date. However, some residents declined to relocate, arguing that land in Kiryandongo is not as fertile as the one back home. A number of alarms have also been given to those living on the Mt. Elgon slopes but residents remain largely unresponsive. That then brings to question the effectiveness of the communication and sensitisation programmes that have been carried out to help the residents of the area appreciate the gravity of the matter. It is catastrophic that a large number of people died in this area in 2010 but it is disturbing to know that we have allowed it to happen again. Several questions have already been raised about our disaster preparedness as a country. The second Bududa tragedy comes as a reminder for Ugandans to ensure that these questions are ably answered by the authorities. As a country, there are lots of things that we settle for or resign to, simply because we have allowed those in charge of our affairs to get away with all manner of sloppiness. Sure, we could have avoided the second Bududa tragedy if the residents had heeded government’s pleas but now that lives have been lost again, it is unlikely that enough was done to help the locals appreciate what was at stake. At this rate, the government needs to reassure Ugandans that proactive measures have been taken to mitigate the natural or manmade disasters that are likely to strike the country."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Government-to-relocate-400-000-people-from-Mt--Elgon/-/688334/1436052/-/tntoom/-/index.html","content":"Government to relocate 400,000 people from Mt. Elgon - More than 400,000 people are to be relocated by government from the Mt. Elgon area following devastating landslides that struck Bududa District on Monday afternoon, a process government says could take up to 6 months. The 400,000 people are from the 6 districts of Bududa Mbale, Sironko, Manafwa, Kapchorwa and Bukwo, and will be relocated to Kiryandongo and other areas. According to the Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Mr. Stephen Malinga, government will have to pass a law restricting people from staying on Mt. Elgon to avert future tragedies and also make them easier to handle. “We shall pass a law to have these people relocated and after the mountain has been rehabilitated and no longer at risk of landslides those who want can go back to their land.” Mr. Stephen Malinga, said. “We had begun to relocate these people, and successfully relocated 3000, but the leaders in the area made it impossible for more people to be relocated as they claimed that government wanted to steal their land,” he added. Warning signals of the Monday tragedy are alleged to have been heard as early as Sunday, but the people took it lightly and didn’t inform the authorities, says the Assistant Commissioner Disaster Management in the disaster ministry, Rose Bwenvu. “During the night of 24th June, the population could hear the creeping sounds and the cracks forming but people took it lightly and did not inform the authorities.” Rose Bwenvu, Assistant Commissioner Disaster Management says. As the rains intensify, more districts in the country are at risk. The districts include the seven Mt. Elgon districts, Bundibugyo, Kabarole, Kasese, and Kyenjojo, which are around Mountain Rwenzori, as well as Kisoro, Kabale, Kanungu, Ntungamo and Rukungiri. The Prime Minister’s Office is however, carrying out an assessment to ascertain the risk in the Rwenzori Mountain, the hills of Kabale, and surrounding mountainous areas. “We may not see the weakening of the soil in the western areas but it has happened before and there are chances that it could happen again. Ugandans have abused the mountain,” Rose Bwenvu, says. Mr. Malinga insists that “there is no other option left but to have people in the landslide risk areas relocated since it is likely that there will be landslide every rainy season.” editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Only-environmental-education-can-save-Mt--Elgon--experts-say/-/688334/1435504/-/rbqqnpz/-/index.html","content":"Only environmental education can save Mt. Elgon, experts say - Mbale Environmental education is the only way to save Mt. Elgon National Park from further encroachment and check massive lands slides, an environment systems specialist at National Environment Management Authority has said. Dr Gorret Kitutu at the weekend said most people living near or on the slopes of Mt. Elgon are ignorant of the environmental problems associated with massive encroachment and even defy advice to stop encroaching on the forest reserve. Dr Kitutu, who is doing a feasibility study on causes of landslides in Mt. Elgon area and possible solutions to end the mudslides that have killed about 700 people in the area, said mere moving of people away from the areas around Mt Elgon will not save anything as the people will always find their way back. “We need to intensify sensitisation of the people living along these steep slopes against further encroachment besides moving them away,” she said. “We must teach them to appreciate the value of the environment and teach them to take their children to school because an educated child will not leave in these hills but above all teach them family planning.” She added that the landslide that buried two people in Bumasifwa in Sironko District last month, the Bulambuli mudslide the killed 40 people and the Nametsi mudslide in Bududa in 2010 that left about 350 dead and displaced several others, occurred because the vegetation on the mountain has been destroyed for settlement and farming leaving it bare to allow water to sip through the soils to the parent rock. The Mt Elgon Area Conservation manager for Uganda Wildlife Authority, Mr Adonia Bintorwa, said because of the ever increasing population, people have encroached on the forest for survival. He added that residents also practice poor methods of farming which damage the soil cover and gave way to frequent mudslides. Mr Bintorwa said soil productivity is sustained through nitrogen and carbon dioxide fixation, mineral release from weathering materials, coarse debris and other decaying matter and translocation of nutrients. dmafabi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Landslides-kill-18-in-Bududa--450-missing/-/688334/1435674/-/15k0hdl/-/index.html","content":"Landslides kill 18 in Bududa, 450 missing - MBALE/KAMPALA An estimated 450 people were by last night feared unaccounted for, following a series of devastating landslides that buried entire villages in parts of the mountainous Bugisu sub-region of Eastern Uganda. At least 11 villages were reportedly buried in Bududa under mud and heavy boulders, resurrecting memories of the March 2010 and August 2011 landslides in the same areas. Government yesterday advised residents living near the affected villages to relocate to safer ground. The mood was one of sorrow and depression, as residents, using what they could find, dug throughmounds of mud in a desperate attempt to rescue their loved ones. Officials from the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) had by 7pm yesterday confirmed 18 people dead, 9 hospitalised and 72 survivors following the 2pm heavy downpour that triggered the landslides.Nine victims of the landslide in Bulucheke had been referred to Bududa Hospital with serious injuries.Two villages of Namaaga and Bunakasala in the Bumwalukani Sub-county, Bududa District were reportedly completely buried. According to an eyewitness, Ms Rachael Namwono, 29, at least 30 homes in Mabaya Village, in Bulucheke Sub-county, with an estimated 300 men, women and children were completely buried. “At 2pm, the ground trembled, followed by heavy rumbling of soil and stones which covered our home,” Ms Namwono said. According to the Bunamulembwa Village LC III Chairman Ernest Wayengera and the area LCI Chairperson Mr Peter Namulunyi, an estimated 100 households in the village were flattened. An estimated 150 people could not be accounted for by press time yesterday, they said. In a statement to this newspaper, URCS said it’s secretary general, Mr Michael Richard Nataka, had also joined an emergency ground team in the conducting of a rapid vulnerability assessment. “The Uganda Red Cross Society has sent a team of volunteers to assess the situation and establish the number of people affected although local authorities have told Red Cross that there could be about 80 people in each of the villages,” URCS head of communications Catherine Ntabadde said yesterday. Government also said it had swung into action. “The minister of State for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Hon. Musa Ecweru will be travelling to Bududa District to assess the situation. Government is working towards ensuring that affected families receive necessary assistance in form of relief items,” government said in a statement yesterday. It could not, however, confirm the number of those dead. In March 2010, a major landslide hit Bududa District, affecting the entire Nametsi Village. More than 300 people were feared buried by mud and thousands displaced. The government relocated most of the survivors to Kiryandongo District where they have been staying to-date. However, some residents declined to relocate, arguing land in Kiryandongo is not as fertile as the one back home. Several alarms have also been given to those living on the Mt. Elgon slopes but residents largely remained unresponsive. edotirial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1401524/-/ai16trz/-/index.html","content":"Minister warns of looming landslide - Mbale The State Minister for Disaster, Mr Musa Ecweru, has warned of an imminent landslide in the Mt. Elgon area. Speaking during the Uganda Emergency Management Work-Plan Development Workshop in Kampala yesterday, Mr Ecweru said the ministry has received information about a big crack in the rocky ranges of Manafwa District. He said the problem has been worsened by human settlement, which has seen the forest cover, which would otherwise have secured the soils, cleared. “We received information from the disaster experts that the crack developed as result of land degradation,” Mr Ecweru said. The minister said his ministry is “trying hard” to relocate the people living in the disaster-prone part of the mountain but some are reluctant to vacate. Military supportMaj. Gen. Julius Oketta, the emergency director in the Office of the Prime Minister, said the Constitution mandates security organisations to engage in mitigating disasters and asked people to always be alert. “The military has unique capabilities to assist the nation in responding, recovering and mitigating disasters therefore it should always be consulted in the fight against disasters,” Maj. Gen. Oketta said. In March 2010, the area experienced a fatal landslide in Bududa, which killed about 200 people and distabilised education and economic activities in the area.At least 28,000 heeded to calls to relocate during the Bududa disaster. bndagire@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1390394/-/avks8kz/-/index.html","content":"Residents tempting death on Mt. Elgon slopes - Dark clouds hang over Namagulugu Village as the sky threatens to open up any minute.But even as thunders roar above Jane Wanyenze’s house, she does not seem bothered. Seated with her sister Ann Namono and child Tom, the trio chat with careless abandon and only get up to collect the beans earlier spread in the compound when rain starts to fall. Namagulugu Village, located on the slopes of Mt. Elgon in Sironko District, was the scene of the 2011 landslide that killed 30 people. The sight of dark clouds should have sent fear among the family that landslides could also follow, but Ms Wanyenze’s family seems to have forgotten the tragedy. The family lives in a house that has one side of the wall broken down as a result of last year’s landslide. They, however, have no plans of moving out and have not stopped tilling land- located three kilometres from the forest boundary on Mt. Elgon. Several warnings have been sounded that this particular area is part of a long crack running 40 kilometres from River Lwakhakha on the Kenyan border with Uganda , up to Bulambuli District. Ms Wanyenze’s family is one of the over 30,000 families that live and cultivate on the slopes of Mt. Elgon and seems oblivious or out rightly unwavering to the warning that the crack developing and growing deeper, is a death trap. The crack now passes through the sub-counties of Bumbo, Sono, Bupoto and Tsekululu in Manafwa District to Bududa, Sironko Kapchorwa, Kween and Bukwo districts - and growing larger and deeper with time. The government has since last year been asking settlers on Mt. Elgon slopes to abandon the place following the discovery of a five-kilometre uphill fissure likely to trigger landslides that could kill them, especially with the onset of rain. State Minister for Disaster preparedness Musa Echweru recently said, “Let people run away from the dangerous situation to safer places now.” Despite the calls, the locals say they are going now where, with some even setting conditions such as relocation of graves of relatives, while others argue that the areas identified by government as alternative land are swampy and infertile. Ms Wanyenze, like many of her neighbours says the land is their cradle and is the only source of livelihood they have to support their families. Mr Gregory Namisi of Namagulugu Village, and father of six says, he can’t abandon the land that his father gave him. “I have nothing to do. I don’t have enough money to buy land elsewhere. This is the only piece of land my father gave me, and I have to live here with my children,” Mr Namisi said. Even residents such as Ms Maria Namanzeyi, whose house, the crack goes through says she will only move if government accepts to relocate the graves of her relatives. “When it rains, I have to scoop the water out of my house or make openings on the lower parts of my walls so that water passes through. But it also comes from underground, so I have to scoop it out whenever it collects,” Ms Namanzeyi narrates, her face showing no bother at all. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/MotorSport/-/690282/1373766/-/lna9c/-/index.html","content":"URA need a miracle now - Many things didn’t go URA’s way on Saturday as Mali’s Djoliba broke into their banker and took away with substantiated goods worth a victory and two away goals. Alou Bagayoko and Aboubacar Bangoura goals in this first leg of the Caf Champions League first round left the Ugandan champions needing to score at least twice without reply in Bamako in two weeks’ time to progress. A joke did rounds in the journalists’ area when URA skipper Manco Kaweesa was replaced by Augustine Nsumba late on that the sub ended the hosts’ any hopes of a goal for it is the midfielder who always opens their scoring in the competition. Valid joke. Note that Kaweesa didn’t have his chance as Bradra Alou Diallo’s hugely endowed players in stature wowed URA in technical execution - closing down every space and sweetly burying the two chances of the many they created. Now URA must score at least twice in Bamako to stand any chance of progressing and Isabirye’s assistant, Ibrahim Kirya, knows what awaits them. “Right now there is only one way left,” he conceded, “We have to win 3-0 in Mali. It is very difficult but we have to hope.” From their last four travels in the competition, URA have not scored a goal, drawing twice and losing by a landslide on two occasions: 3-0 to Cameroon’s Corton Sport and 4-0 to Zambia’s Zanaco. May be Diallo’s word could give URA some much needed hope. “The game is not done yet,” he said, “On two occasions we have beaten a team from Sierra Leone and Tunisia 2-0 away, they came to Mali and it was 1-0.” Still, Djoliba progressed. amwanguhya@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1356518/-/alfqlg/-/index.html","content":"A losing battle for government? - When the police impounded thousands of calendars at the Mutukula border post a few days ago, it was a reaction typical of the siege mentality haunting Uganda’s security community. There is an unhealthy suspicion of anything which carries the merest whiff of anti-establishmentarianism today. This slip into total control was accelerated when the chief of police was declared a true ruling party cadre last year -- a double-edged accolade from the President inspired by the police’s crack-down on legitimate peaceful protest. This week, the head of the army reminded the nation that his troops are ready to help in dealing with the Activists for Change whose political rallies are now considered a clear and present danger to the regime. That Uganda’s security finds that it cannot abide by the constitutional restraints which require them to be non-partisan makes a mockery of the President’s claim to 64 per cent of the 2011 ballot. It is ironic that a leader who only 10 months ago revelled in a ‘landslide win’ is suddenly fighting the people. Parliament is asserting its constitutional hegemony as the rightful eyes, ears and voice of the people. More attention is being called to the corruption which runs rife today as more Ugandans make the connection between constrained delivery of public goods and graft. It probably explains why the calendars which carried the message of change (coincidentally the opposition’s rallying call) had to be impounded -- irrespective of whether that amounted to an attack on the universally recognised right to freedom of opinion and expression. Instead of fixing the things which are breeding the regime’s unpopularity, this misconceived attack on a pillar of any democratic pursuit can only end in tears. Recent history proves that you cannot win by retreating into a totalitarian shell. It is especially rash that Uganda has rejected a recommendation of the Universal Periodic Review Mechanism (UPRM) of the United Nations Human Rights Council as has been reported. The UN is supposed to assess the human rights situation of its respective member countries through the UPRM. In October, Uganda was asked to allow a visit by the Special Rapporteur on promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression – another sign of international concern at the state of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association in this country – which has been indefensibly refused."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1285470/-/bg6kj7z/-/index.html","content":"FDC pushes to capture Tororo Woman seat - Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is intensifying a campaign to capture Tororo District Woman parliamentary seat, which party officials say was robbed from them during the February 18 polls when State Minister for Lands Sarah Achieng Opendi was declared winner. Speaking at a thanksgiving party for Tororo County MP Geoffrey Ekanya in Mukuju at the weekend, Party Secretary General Alice Alaso said FDC was now ready to give in everything possible to ensure they recapture the seat. “They stole Keziah’s votes but court proved them wrong and Keziah won the petition. This time, give your votes again to Keziah and we shall have a landslide victory,” Ms Alaso said, as she campaigned for FDC candidate Ms Keziah Nyakecho Ochwo. “We are all coming to act as polling agents to ensure that our vote is not stolen,” Ms Alaso said. Ms Ochwo came second in the poll but declaration sheets indicate that results from 17 polling stations were not tallied of the 382 polling stations. The tally sheets indicate that only results from 365 stations were tallied. Ms Ochwo through her lawyer Aggrey Bwire, filed a petition to contest the results but Ms Achieng, through her lawyer Frank Kanduho, filed an objection on grounds that the petition had been filed after the stipulated time. She lost the objection in a July 25 ruling. The rulingJustice Rugadya Atwoki in his September 23 ruling, upheld Ms Ochwo’s petition when he observed that there was clear evidence that Ms Achieng had used her agents to bribe voters and that the Electoral Commission had conducted the elections in non-compliance with electoral laws. “The EC failed to declare results from 17 polling stations, denying over 8,000 voters the right to have their votes given to the candidates of their choice,” Justice Rugadya said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/-/689856/1272026/-/bqj62w/-/index.html","content":"The Optimist: Letter to my old friend RJ - Dear RJ, When you came to my home early morning looking the way you were, I reminisced with near tears in my eyes on times of our profound friendship at Kigarama S.S. when we were the coolest kids there and in the whole village. You had completed your Primary Seven in the city and scored only distinctions when death stole your dad, forcing your mom to switch you to a village school. You quickly adapted and we became instant chums. You taught me good and correct English, and no one in our class ever beat us in that subject. In Senior three you won by a landslide to become the entertainment prefect, and revolutionised disco-dancing at the school, hiring the best machines from Ishaka town. You gave me my first lesson on asking a girl to dance and told me how girls are crazy about confident, charming guys. How you used to ride your bicycle down the rugged slope near the school like a man possessed. I was afraid that bicycle would kill you, but you said I needed to know real men are afraid of nothing except God. I look back with wonderment that even at that age you were that enterprising; dealing in coffee and waragi, and oh how you used to splurge on us at the canteen. How happy we were to get admitted to the same school for A-level. Sadly, that unfortunate fight got you expelled, opening the door for further misfortunes. You failed to make it to Makerere University as you badly wanted to, got a child, then booze and drugs exacerbated your plight. Although many have lost the last modicum of faith in you, I still pray for you, RJ. You may be down but you‘re not out yet. You may have lost your looks and swagger, but you’re still breathing. Your little daughter might be missing you, but there’s still time to catch up. Yes, I’ve that faith and optimism that out of your great tests will emerge a greater testimony! Deep down, I’m still convinced the funny, bright, confident, enterprising and generous friend of mine back in the day could still conquer the world in spite of everything that’s happened. And I want you to know that whether you appear dirty, smelly and staggering like last Sunday, I’ll always open for you because I still believe in you, RJ."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1266948/-/bhdu5sz/-/index.html","content":"US condemns government for human rights violations - Kampala The US government has condemned what it called the “deteriorating” human rights situation in Uganda and asked the country’s leaders to respect civil liberties of all citizens, including minority groups. Department of State’s Spokesperson Victoria Nuland in a statement issued on Wednesday, expressed concern that the government has “failed to respect freedoms of expression, assembly and the media”. “(The) United States is concerned about Uganda’s deteriorating human rights record,” she noted, adding: “Recently, the Ugandan government has failed to respect freedoms of expression, assembly, and the media, as well as its commitment to protect the human rights of all Ugandans.” Washington’s public disapproval over human rights abuses in Uganda, its strategic security ally in the fragile Great Lakes region comes a day after London-headquartered rights group, Amnesty International, said in a report that President Museveni is maintaining power through “repression”. It noted that the regime had become intolerant to dissent and narrowed the space for democratic expression by introducing draconian legislation and harassing, intimidating as well as slapping criminal charges on opposition political leaders, civil society activists and journalists. Uganda’s reputation has been soiled internationally by its security forces’ violent crackdown on walk-to-work demonstrators in April and May that resulted in the death, from bullet wounds, of about a dozen people, the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies (ACSS) said in a separate report on Wednesday. “More than anything, Besigye could have said or done,” the Centre notes, “the images capturing the government’s heavy-handed response badly damaged the legitimacy of Museveni regime, both domestically and internationally.” The ACSS, located at the National Defence University in Washington D.C., undertakes research and analysis to inform decisions of US policy makers as well as foster open dialogue on Washington’s strategic priorities, among them African security matters. In its latest report titled; Africa and the Arab Spring: A New Era of Democratic Expectations, the Centre lumps Uganda together with Zimbabwe among 10 African countries it says have “semi-authoritarian” political regimes. The leaderships are ranked as consolidating democracies, democratisers, semi-authoritarian and autocracies. In East Africa, Rwanda falls in the worst category. Ms Nuland also raised the red flag over the house arrest of FDC party leader, Dr Kizza Besigye, using the colonial-era ‘preventive arrest’ legislation whenever he attempts to walk to work. She criticised government’s recent introduction of a draconian Public Order Management Bill that she said targets government critics and aims to suffocate political activism. Yesterday, Information Minister Mary Karooro Okurut said the government is being criticised unfairly. “It’s only those who engage in unlawful acts that are handled by police and that cannot amount to violation of human rights,” she said. Makerere University Political Science Professor Aaron Mukwaya, however, said public agitation over a gloomy economy and political mistreatment of regime opponents shows Mr Museveni’s February landslide re-election was “theoretical”. He cautioned government not to wish away the problems without fixing the economy and democratising politics. He blamed the government of not punishing the corrupt and said the current economic meltdown is as a result of the thieves in government. tbutagira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1254448/-/bi1vlqz/-/index.html","content":"Mt. Elgon crack deepens - A 19.2cm deep crack discovered on Mt. Elgon three years ago has now deepened to 30cms, putting the lives of about 400,000 people at risk. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) said the crack stretches 40km across the mountain slope, and runs through Mukoto, Tsekululu, Buwabwala, Bukhabusi, Bupoto, Namabya, Bumbo and Bukokho sub-counties and extends to Bududa, Mbale, Sironko, Bulambuli, Kapchorwa, Kwen and Bukwo districts. The warden in-charge of conservation, Mr Richard Matanda, said the crack conspicuous during the rainy season, is a result of increased human activity on the mountain that causes tension within the rocks. When Daily Monitor visited Mt. Elgon areas of Buluganya and Sisiyi in Bulambuli District on Monday, the cracks had caused the collapse of several houses built along the slopes. Destruction of forestMr Matanda said farming, settlement and destruction of the forest cover, has made the soil on the mountain loose, posing a threat of landslides. “Residents who are illegally staying within the national park boundaries, grow crops up the steep slopes without using terracing,” Mr Matanda said. The UWA public relations officer, Ms Lillian Nsubuga, blamed the deepening of the cracks on poor land management practices, adding that residents have indiscriminately cut down tree cover which would have helped to absorb rain and whose roots hold the soil together. “Trees in this area need to be replanted fast and if the issue is not handled urgently, we foresee a repeat of the Nametsi, Bududa, Kapchorwa, Sisiyi, Buluganya mudslide,” she said. In March 2010, landslides hit Nametsi village in Bududa District killing about 350 people and displacing thousands, most of whom are now resettled in Kiryandongo District. Last week, Dr Mary Gorretti Kitutu, the environment systems specialist at National Environment Management Authority (Nema), said minor landslides are already occurring on the Mt. Elgon slopes. She said because of the ever increasing population, people have encroached on the forest cover on the mountain for settlement and economic activities. Dr Kitutu added that farming methods being practiced by residents are unfavorable for the soil and warned that ‘if this process continues, it will result into landslides.’ Mr Bintorwa urged residents to vacate the area or “we face a catastrophe like that of Nametsi Village in Bududa”. “We are better warned than not warned at all, we want the slopes of the mountain to be gazetted as a disaster area but we first need a comprehensive geological study,” he added. About a month ago, Bulambuli District was also affected by mudslides which killed about 30 people.dmafabi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1246092/-/bim4vaz/-/index.html","content":"Mt Elgon developing bigger cracks - Another disaster is looming in Bugisu sub-region if authorities don’t act fast to relocate the population living on the slopes of Mt Elgon. The latest survey reports issued by the National Environmental Management Authority’s [NEMA] and UWA indicate that more than 200,000 people living at the slopes of the mountain are at great risk as the dead volcanic mountain has developed bigger cracks, triggered off by heavy deforestation, poor methods of farming and poor land management around the mountain.The report indicates that deep cracks have developed above and below Tunyi Secondary School, Buluganya Secondary School, Tunyi, Sotti, Bumasobo and Buluganya Primary schools. These schools, the report warned, could be buried anytime as heavy rains continue to pound the area. NEMA environment information systems specialist, Dr Mary Gorretti Kitutu, warned on Friday of another disaster if communities don’t leave the slopes, particularly the areas where cracks have been seen deepening further. “This speedy deepening is attributed to the increased encroachment on Mt Elgon National Park. Hundreds of people have moved up, above the ridges that form the park, encroachers have stripped the ridges bare, creating increased runoffs that are likely to result in a landslide anytime from now. There is a disaster in the waiting,” said Dr Kitutu. Dr Kitutu explains that it is poor farming methods and over-cultivation of land by residents on this mountain that is weighing down on the rocks. “The trees hold the soils together, but when you over-cultivate and not plant them, it exhumes too much clay which, when met with heavy rains, water infiltrates the clay. When it reaches down, it stagnates and causes a slide and when layers move from down, it creates tension which results in a crack on the rock,” Dr Kitutu says. Although this puts the lives of more than 4,000 primary school children and 962 students and various neighbours of the schools at risk, many people, mostly farmers of coffee and matooke, are hesitant to relocate away to safe areas in the lowlands.The LCV chairman for Bulambuli District, Mr Simon Wananzofu, says the clearing of natural vegetation on mountains for planting crops and for settlement has made the soils loose, loosened the stones across the mountain and could slide down the valleys anytime. “Besides the landslides in Kimuli and Buluganya that killed about 26 people, there have been other mudslides that have destroyed crops, but cracks at the hills along Mt Elgon put the lives of students, pupils from various schools and farmers in danger of mudslides anytime. Our appeal is that government helps us relocate children from these schools,” said Mr. Wananzofu. Mr Wananzofu was on Friday addressing residents of Buluganya about the dangers of living on the Mt Elgon slopes, during the delivery of relief items by Adventists Development and Relief Agency to the affected families.Mr Buka Ajuogo, coordinator of disasters at ADRA, revealed that the organisation donated maize flour, soya booster, beans, plates, cups, blankets, tarpaulins, salt, saucepans, mosquito nets worthy Shs175 million to Bunamunane, Buluganya and Soti parishes. “Although we are committed to giving relief as one of our missions to save humanity, we advise that people relocate from this area because there are cracks everywhere, signaling great danger in the waiting. Please let us accept to move away; mudslides should not bury us,” said Mr Ajuogo. He said people have moved up the cliffs, cut down trees, started farming along the hills leaving the soils bare, and the widening cracks indicate there is more danger in the waiting; land management has remained poor, and people must change this to escape disaster. dmafabi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1235242/-/bj9bnaz/-/index.html","content":"Minister wants temporary settlement of mudslide victims - BulambuliAlthough government’s response to the plight of about 6,000 people living in the mudslide-prone areas of Mt. Elgon has been slow, the Energy Minister insists people must move into camps while government looks for a lasting solution. Ms Irene Muloni, who visited Kumuli and Mabono in Bulambuli District, said land in Bwikonge and Bunambutye sub-counties has been identified for resettlement. Ms Muloni is also the Woman MP for Bulambuli. “I have seen the plight of my people because I also live here. There are very big cracks above the hills. We must relocate. These cracks signal danger for us and government should not take it lightly,” she said. A landslide triggered by heavy rainfall on August 28 killed at least 26 people when it buried 16 families in Kimuli Village at Bumwidisi hills and Sisiyi Sub-county in Bulambuli. Maj. Gen. Julius Oketta, the director for emergency coordination and operation centre in the Office of the Prime Minister, asked the district chairperson, Mr Simon Wananzofu, to oversee the registration and figures of the affected families and the property destroyed so that relief aid can be arranged for them. The minister blamed poor farming methods and over-cultivation of land by residents on the mountain which was weighing it down. Ms Mary Gorretti Kitutu, Nema’s environment information systems specialist, also warned of another disaster if communities don’t leave the slopes of Mt. Elgon. The Leader of Opposition, Mr Nandala Mafabi, offered free land to resettle the affected community. dmafabi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1231660/-/bjc0qfz/-/index.html","content":"Nandala pledges BCU land to mudslide victims - Bulambuli When landslides hit Bududa District last year and Bulambuli barely two weeks ago, many people were left devastated. A lot of property and lives were lost, while fear gripped those who had nowhere to turn. However, hope has been livened for at least 6,000 people, who have been living in the mudslide-prone areas of Mt. Elgon, through the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Mr Nandala Mafabi, who has offered free land to resettle the affected communities. The said land is located in Bunambutye and Bwikuye in the lower section of Bulambuli district. Mr Mafabi, who led a group of opposition legislators to visit the scene of the devastating landslide and the affected families, said Bugisu Cooperative Union has free land and will donate it freely to the affected families for resettlement. “As opposition we are not going to let our people suffer in these hills that are prone to landslides, we are giving you maize, beans and blankets for now to help you survive but Bugisu Cooperative Union, where I am chairman, will give you free land for resettlement,” he told the jubilant crowd. Mr Mafabi observed that there are already boulders that are on their way down the mountain. “We must plant trees along the mountain, change methods of farming to conserve the environment and salvage the population from mudslides,” he added. Last week, the government said it had no immediate funds to help the Bulambuli disaster-hit families, advising that they turn to relatives for help. Maj. Gen. Julius Oketta, the director of emergency coordination in the Office of the Prime Minister, asked the district chairperson, Mr Simon Wananzofu, to oversee the registration of the affected families, the destroyed crops and domestic animals. Government effort“The government, after learning a bitter experience from Bulucheke in Bududa last year, will not open anymore IDPs for the displaced people and will for now not move any person. We want you to register the affected families and help them find relatives to stay with as we provide food for them until a lasting solution is found,” Maj. Gen. Oketta said. But flanked by FDC secretary general Alice Alaso, Mr Mafabi argued that government should have thought about resettling the affected families to end the problem rather than asking the people to stay with their relatives and neighbours. “How do you stay with your neighbour or relative? Do they know how big houses of most rural people are? Why should we create congestion in homes? he said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1229616/-/bjs07mz/-/index.html","content":"Non-governmental organisations give aid to Bulambuli - Distribution of aid for people displaced by landslide in Bumbuli District began on Thursday, two days after the soil avalanche buried Kimuli villages. By 3p.m, World Vision had arrived with an assortment of medicines, clothes, blankets, water purifiers and mosquito nets, while the Uganda Redcross also gave out utensils like, jerry cans, saucepans and water purifiers at the relief reception centre at Bulambuli District headquarters. The World Vision’s regional operations manager, Mr Sam Tukei, said they were targeting to aid about 1,548 households directly affected by the Monday morning landslides. “Immediately we heard about this tragedy, we mobilised this help worthy Shs50m to aid our brothers and sisters here. We hope to provide more after the assessment has been done in the near future,” said Mr. Tukei. Mr Izekiel Magona, a resident of Kimuli – the centre of the destruction, said of the humanitarian assistance: “It is little and does not address our immediate needs, which is food since all our crops have been buried and all we have is to look out to our neighbours.” Maj. Gen. Julius Oketta, the director for emergency coordination and operation centre in the Office of the Prime Minister, said the response to the Bulambuli disaster should be stepped up to help even those who are staying in areas prone to another mudslide. However, the bad roads caused by endless rain could in the coming days hamper delivery of relief assistance.dmafabi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1227590/-/bjtefiz/-/index.html","content":"43 feared dead in Bulambuli twin landslides - Bulambuli The death toll from two separate mudslides in the eastern Bulambuli District had by last evening risen to 43, local leaders and witnesses said. The Uganda Red Cross Society, however, could only confirm 18 deaths. Fourteen other people remained unaccounted for. In Kampala, State Disaster Preparedness Minister Musa Ecweru said 29 residents possibly died, although only 19 bodies had been recovered. The fatalities might rise, he said. By 7:30 pm last night, this newspaper was told two survivors who had been pulled out alive from under a sludge, breathed their last hours after arriving at Shared Blessing Health Centre in critical condition. The mud flow, which residents said is the most devastating ever witnessed in Sisiyi and Buluganya sub-counties in the last 20 years, buried the homes of 22 families. Rescue workers digging through the sludge with hoes, mattocks and pickaxes, and some scooping the soaked soil with their bare hands, had by 3pm yesterday, retrieved 26 corpses. And just as residents began to take in the scale of calamity, four of their colleagues who were heading to the flattened site reportedly drowned in the nearby Biritanyi River that had burst its banks. “This is devastating; it is terrible,” LC5 chairman Simon Wananzofu said at the ruined Kimuli village on Mt. Elgon slopes. “We can’t explain this but our appeal is for excavators to help retrieve the bodies trapped under the rubble and for relief.” The planned activity never took off after soldiers and residents manually managed to retrieve about 90 corpses, and the excavator taken by government has remained rusting on site. Response assessmentAfter yesterday’s disaster, Red Cross volunteers quickly moved on site early morning to help with search and rescue operations, according to spokesperson Catherine Ntabadde. She told this newspaper by telephone that their teams were undertaking rapid assessment in the affected areas to ascertain the scale and nature of immediate humanitarian needs. Bulambuli is one of the newly-created districts at the border between Bugisu and Sebei, roughly 30 kilometres northeast of Mbale town. Residents said the avalanche crashed and submerged parts of at least four hamlets between 1am and 3am on Sunday night following 17 hours of uninterrupted downpour, which also drenched large parts of central Uganda. The rain yesterday continued to pound much of the Mt. Elgon region and National Environment Management Authority (Nema)’s Information Systems Specialist, Dr Mary Goretti Kitutu, speaking by telephone from the neighbouring Mbale District, predicted more mudslides. “The rain is the trigger for mudslides and people living higher up the mountainous areas have to run to lower, safer areas quickly,” she said. “If they do not leave the hills, there will be more disasters.” Gardening and construction activities are understood to have led to removal of grass and other vegetation cover crucial for holding rocks in place. As a result of these invasive actions, the soils are bare and easily get soaked and loosen, releasing dangerous mud and rock flows downhill, according to experts. The situation in Bugisu land, according to government officials, is being exacerbated by rapid population increase. Kimuli village chairman Jacob Nasami said majority of the victims of yesterday’s twin mudslides were children."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1227088/-/bjtidgz/-/index.html","content":"Bulambuli mudslide death toll rises to 24 - Two of the Namwidisi landslide survivors who were retrieved from the rubble of mudslides in Namwidisi, Sisiyi in Bulammbuli district have died bringing the death toll to about 24. The rescue crews led by the Uganda Red cross and local people armed with sticks, hoes, spades searched the mud-ravaged village of Namwidiisi, some still hoping to find survivors while others facing the daunting task of finding the bodies buried under the mudslides. A day after the mudslides buried eight families in Namwidisi, Sisiyi sub-county and Buluganya sub-county and killing about 32 people, the rescuers have only managed to retrieve only about 24 bodies although locals placed the number of dead to about 29 people. “We have had conflicting figures of the deaths to the level that some people are talking about 36 bodies, others say it is about 24 bodies recovered. But what I know is that about 35 people were buried and we have so far retrieved about 24 bodies. 14 in Namwidisi while eight are from Buluganya,” said the LCV chairman Mr. Simon Wananzofu. The bodies so far retrieved include Mr. Fred Nanoga, a local parish chief and his wife, Mr. Lodovico Masiga and his entire family, eight children aged between 1 to 5 years while others remainbed trapped in the rubble valley. The buried village looks from a distance like freshly-graded construction site that has never been inhabited. For miles around nothing can be seen of the remains of the houses. The only indication that there were any homes here are pieces of wood seen poking through the clay soil and debris everywhere. Except for remnants of the iron sheets; wattle, stones, a few remains of the clothes in the gardens and other debris scattered every where, everything has been buried."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1217496/-/bkfy44z/-/index.html","content":"Six injured as mudslide strikes Bududa again - Bududa Hardly one-and-a-half years after a devastating landslide buried more than 350 people in Bududa, another one struck yesterday, leaving six people hospitalised with severe injuries. Survivors have been left in despair as their property worth millions of shillings was damaged in the roll down. The landslide followed torrential rainfall that has pounded the area for the last three days. Mr Francis Wabweni, 76, his wives Felistus Namono and Agnes Nabifo, and their grandchild Fred Mabala, 22, were severely injured in the disaster. Others injured included Kutobi Waluba and another woman only identified as Doreen, all of Shamwiyi village in Bulucheke Sub-county. They were buried in the landslide at about 4am yesterday before they were rescued by the neighbours and rushed to Bududa Hospital. The hospital Medical Superintendent, Dr Godfrey Mulekwa, confirmed they had received six patients with severe injuries. “We received six people, most of them with serious injuries but there is one with broken ribs and we are treating them,” Dr Mulekwa said yesterday. Dangerous Living Mudslides have recently swept through Shimwayi village burying crops and domestic animals. Most of the settlements across the hills of Bumwalukani, Wanzeketse, Saku Saku, Shitaka villages close to the Shimwayi face imminent landslide if they do not relocate immediately. Bududa District chairman John Nambeshe described the mudslide as a tragedy that is likely to wipe out the populations on the slopes of Mt. Elgon if the people do not relocate. Kaabong bodies still buried Meanwhile, three bodies were by last evening still trapped under the debris of Nawoyagum Rock, which crashed seven people to death on Wednesday in Kaabong, the Uganda Red Cross Society confirmed yesterday. Red Cross said at least 6,418 people in Morulem village, Kawalakol Sub-county, need re-settlement and warned of more disaster if the people are not relocated. “Our rapid assessments shows there is a danger of other rock boulders rolling down the valleys because of destruction of vegetation and soils on the mountain top. If the rains persist, more lives will be lost unless urgent resettlement is done,” said Ms Catherine Ntabbadde, URCS spokesperson. By last evening, the affected families were yet to relocate."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1217118/-/bkg1niz/-/index.html","content":"Landslides kill seven in Kaabong District - At least seven people died yesterday after a landslide hit the north-eastern Kaabong District in Karamoja region, bordering South Sudan. The victims were crushed to death by huge rolling stones triggered by the landslide after an afternoon downpour, leaving two people in critical condition. The unrelenting rains loosened mass of rocky soils on a hilltop and the avalanche crashed on nearby homesteads yesterday morning, Kaabong Dstrict officials said. Heavy downpourThe early morning incident happened in Morulem village of Nawayakum parish in the new sub county of Kanawakol. Kaabong District Police Commander Dickson Ayesigomwe described the incident as unfortunate. He identified the deceased as John Lokwal, 32, Losia Engoru, 28, Narika Lokwang, a boy aged one and Narwat Apiro, a three-year old girl. Others were Lorika Lobolia, eight–years-old, Awas Anyangaged, 60 and Awas Lotyang, also eight years old. The other two who suffered critical injuries were Apollo Lokwang and Emulate Aringa and they were by last evening getting treatment at Kaabong hospital.The DPC said the incident happened at around 10am following heavy rains that had poured for nine hours. Mr Ayesigomwe said the rains softened the soil on which the 400kg rock was sitting, forcing it to roll down. “It rolled down and destroyed four houses unfortunately it got people in their homes,” he said. Mr Ayesigomwe said the incident is the first of its kind to happen in Kaabong. He advised the people staying under the rocks to relocate their homes. “I know with these rains these rocks will continue rolling down and it will again kill more people,” he said. The Kaabong Chief Administrative officer, Mr James Okello, said the district with support of development partners is working hard to help the affected. “Right now UNICEF and the World Food Programme are on the ground to see how best we can rescue other residents on the slopes of the mountains,” he said. Mr Okello said for the last two months, Kaabong District has been receiving regular rains which have now loosened the soil. “The rain it too much and I doubt whether the communities around will have good harvest,” he added."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1216670/-/bkglwbz/-/index.html","content":"Many feared dead in Thursday Kaabong landslide - A landslide has reportedly hit the north-eastern Kaabong District in Karamoja region, bordering South Sudan.A number of people are reported to have been buried under the rubble and it is yet too early to say how many could have died, or survived. Unrelenting rains loosened mass of soil on a hill top and the avalanche crashed on nearby homesteads on Wednesday morning, a government official says. Details of the disaster follow shortly…"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1176792/-/c0u3fvz/-/index.html","content":"Landslides kill 500 on Mt. Elgon- report - Bududa At least 516 people have been killed by landslides in the Mt. Elgon area since 1993, the Minister for Water and Environment, Ms Maria Mutagamba, has said. Two people were this year killed by landslides which resulted from a continuous deepening of a 40-Kilometre crack on Mt. Elgon. Residents have not helped the situation and have continued to settle and farm on the slopes of the mountain, stripping bare vegetation on the slopes. “We don’t want to have another landslide here. Most of Bugisu land on the slopes of Mt. Elgon is a game park. It is a reserve, people must relocate to allow government conserve the area for their safety,” she said in a speech read for her by Mr Gershom Onyango, the director environmental affairs. Ms Mutagamba said last year alone, at least 363 people were buried by a devastating landslide in Nametsi village, in Bududa District, about 2,000 homes destroyed and 10, 000 others displaced. She said the landslide caused a Shs3 billion damage to property and agricultural output. “Forests have essential links to livelihood besides addressing climate change and other environmental importance. Each of us must plant a tree to help conserve the environment,” Ms Mutagamba said, during the World Environment Day on Monday held at Bulucheke, a camp where survivors of the March 3 landslides were temporarily housed before being resettled in Kiraydongo District. Forest conservationMs Mutagamba urged leaders to engage the community, NGOs and individuals in the spread of the importance of forests in preserving the eco-systems. Although a report from NEMA reveals that 17 per cent of the 3.5 hectares of forests in Uganda have been destroyed in Uganda, the Uganda Wildlife Authority states that although by 2005 Mt. Elgon catchment area was still forested, today 3,200 hectares of the park land has been encroached upon, destroying vegetation. The deputy executive director of NEMA, Dr Gerald Musoke, said the latest information emerging from the Mt. Elgon region indicates that the cracks that were discovered at the mountain have grown deeper to about 30cm deep. “Small landslides can be seen on the slopes of the mountain with many water openings, an indication that the rocks are under tension as a result of increased human activity that cause tension in the rocks which later sink to cause cracks,” Dr Musoke said. He said the growing population has seen encroachment on forests. “If this continues, it will result into landslides. Our advice is that people plant trees, relocate to be safe, and change farming methods to conserve the environment,” he added."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Entertainment/-/812796/1154126/-/2udjyg/-/index.html","content":"An open letter to  the President...  - What’s up Tsevo? You must have noticed the lack of formality, well, that is what you get when you make a recording as hideous as Another Rap! I write this with a heavy heart. You see, I believe that I am one of the very few Ugandans who genuinely care about you and that is why I was disappointed with your landslide victory. It meant that you joined the ranks of such infamous presidents like Mobutu, Hosni, Muammar and Mugabe, which is quite sad, for you sir, have an impeccable eye sight. The other reason I’m disillusioned is quite, well, it is childish. The most beautiful girl in Wandegeya (she is as hairy as Esau, she has the most beautiful sideburns) is a fan of yours, and it is the BBC’s fault. Just like any other campus girl, she loves money, and she has been erroneously led to believe that Mutebile is your personal banker, mbu, where else could you get $500 million (according to the BBC) for the campaigns? The ignorant girl and the BBC too, have no idea that you have plenty of cows! Anyway, here is a list of stuff I want you to do for me in your last term (one must hope) as president. They shouldn’t be too hard. Firstly get a new tailor. Of all the presidential advisors you have, I’ve still failed to comprehend why you don’t have one for fashion. I have observed with dismay, the manner in which your suits have grown bigger and more shapeless with time (could it be those expensive State House tomatoes?) You need to do something radical, I’m of the view that you should instruct the Parliament to pass a supplementary budget to fund a trip to Saville row. A few billions should suffice. The avant-garde industry is a multibillion dollar industry and I believe it is the key to the achievement of the middle income country status that you badly desire for Uganda. I am sure John Nagenda informed you of the wildly successful pothole exhibition that was held a few months back, and since the elimination of potholes has proved to be beyond our collective intelligence, despite your excellent vision, we should use them well, we should hold worldwide pothole exhibitions. I am sure they would be a success. You see, there are some countries that have never had potholes, so a pothole exhibition would be a rarity and a treat. Sotheby’s would go crazy. You must be thinking that we don’t have the artists, not to worry, we have Engineer Nasasira. All he has to do is to fraudulently award road construction contracts to inept companies and supervise them to make sure that the work is shoddy, something we are already excelling at. In your next term, I want you to be more compassionate, especially with Warren. One day Besigye is being whipped by the kiboko squad as the police cheers them on, the next day he is being thrown onto a patrol pick up like a sack of potatoes. Your usually excellent vision gets clouded when it comes to him. I know Warren is a bit of a miscreant, and he let out a couple of secrets (like the time he said you spent five years in the bush and never pulled the trigger! Preposterous! Such lies! He should have been charged with sedition) but you must not forget he took very good care of you for five years. We need a return of the compassionate society. Yours tuly, me."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1149752/-/10al2xk/-/index.html","content":"Give me hope, my President - A lot has been said and written in the media about worsening economic situation in the country. We have seen coping skills ranging from “walking to work” to having a single meal a day, if you are lucky. Some of us are hopeful that things will get better soon. This country has gone through a lot lately, from the heated elections to the unbelievable inflation, hunger, disease and biting poverty, with no clear end in sight. I’m beginning to get worried, that is why I need to hear from my President. I will start by congratulating you upon your landslide victory in February, even though this is neither the time nor occasion for jubilation. Please tell me the media reports of Shs4 billion for the swearing-in ceremony are not true because when our socio-economic situation is moving in a serious downward spiral, we, the citizens, should take first priority. The fuel costs are high leading to exorbitant transport costs, food prices have soared, people are dying from diseases that are treatable, etc. It’s still a shocking reality for me that Shs10,000 can barely take me through half a day. This leaves me wondering how my neighbour, whose basic survival budget was Shs3,000, is coping. This is surely heartbreaking, Mr President Sir! When Marie-Antoinette was told that the citizens of France were starving, she arrogantly said: “if they can’t buy bread then let them eat cakes.” Is this the attitude I should construe from the statement from Minister Kabakumba Masiko, that Uganda is not a welfare state? I do appreciate, Mr President, the global nature of this problem and how challenging it is to come up with a single solution. No doubt some have localised the problem to “drought” which I highly doubt. It is therefore against this background that I’m surprised at your long silence on this matter, until the walk-to-work campaign took a violent turn. Mr President, knowing that you are a pro-active leader who is out to serve his people and stands by them at all times, I need you to show me that same zeal, charisma and vigour I saw you exhibit during your campaigns and fully exhibited whenever there is political unrest like the Kabaka-Kayunga saga, when you convened a press conference within hours, held an emergency Cabinet meeting in a matter of minutes, and sought a solution and in no time, the unrest was tamed. I remember within days of the coalition forces bombing Libya, you wrote a full page article giving us your opinion and thoughts on what was really unfolding in Libya. Should it take opposition’s walk-to-work campaign for you, my President, to call a press conference to address critical issues of rising costs? Your guidance on this matter should have come much earlier! Don’t you think our socio-economic wellbeing should be given more priority and consideration? I don’t expect a solution from you right away, but re-assurance that everything is being done to better the situation. At the end of the day that is all a leader is anyway, one who gives hope and re-assurance.Thank you and God bless Uganda. Nancy Any"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1148940/-/c2na22z/-/index.html","content":"Experts call for immediate relocation of Mt. Elgon dwellers - Environmental experts and conservationists have called for an immediate relocation of Mt. Elgon dwellers in Manafwa District to avert a tragedy similar to one that claimed hundreds of lives in Bududa District. The experts said delay in resettling the residents living in the vicinity of the 40km crack in the Elgon Mountain ranges could lead to catastrophe similar to the March 2010 landslide which killed 300 people. “The functions of mountainous ecosystems in sustaining ecological processes and meeting diverse human needs throughout the region are important. But, the system is under immense pressure and deteriorating at an alarming rate due to a quickly growing human and livestock population and ever increasing demand for the natural resources,” said Prof. Moses Tenywa, the director of Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute in Kabanyolo. He warned that pressures on land results in natural resource conflicts which have increased and continue to threaten the integrity of the ecosystem. At least 30,000 people are at risk of suffering the looming landslides in seven sub-counties in Manafwa District. Prof. Tenywa made the remarks during an environment management conference in Mbale recently. Makerere University Department of Soil Science in partnership with the Centre for International Capacity Development, Siegen, organised the conference. Mr Ruger Winnegge, a hydrologist from Germany, called for an integrative trans-boundary resources management that also strengthens institutional collaboration between all stakeholders at different levels including local communities and authorities in conservation and resource management. “We are seeking to develop a framework for sustainable natural resource management and conflict transformation in trans-boundary mountainous ecosystems and also help experts to gain hands-on experience in research related to natural resource conflicts and their benefits,” said Mr Winnegge. The Manafwa District Chairman, Mr Charles Walimbwa, said: “If the resettlement is to be done, it needs to be worked on today and not tomorrow. The population around the crack is willing to be resettled but the alternative places have to be safe and productive to avoid resistance.” He added: “As the local leadership, we appeal to humanitarian agencies to intervene in the implementation of this resettlement of the people living near the crack.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1142434/-/c2rjw5z/-/index.html","content":"Uganda police arrest Besigye, Mao - Several opposition politicians were arrested across Kampala city early on Monday, Uganda Police spokeswoman Judith Nabakooba confirms. The politicians, who include FDC President Dr. Kizza Besigye and DP President Norbert Mao were arrested for attempting to lead a walk to work protest against the rising fuel prices and cost of living in the country. Dr. Kizza Besigye is presently being held at Kasangati Police post while Norbert Mao is held at Jinja road Police station. Other politicians detained in the mid-morning arrests include MP for Budadiri West and chairman in the Ugandan Parliament for Public Accounts Committee Mr. Nandala Mafabi, FDC spokesman  and MP elect Bukooli Central, Bugiri District  Wafula Oguttu, FDC treasurer and MP elect Rukiga county Jack Sabiti and MP for Bugweri constituency Abdu Katuntu, among others. Mafabi, Oguttu, Sabiti and Katuntu are being held at Jinja road police station.  Ms Nabakooba confirmed Dr. Besigye’s arrest. She explained that, \"He was arrested after blocking a road leading into Kampala,\" she said. \"Police tried to move him on but he resisted. Teargas was used to disperse a rowdy crowd that was throwing stones.\" Besigye, who was President Yoweri Museveni's main challenger in February 18 presidential elections he claims were rigged, had called for a \"walk-to-work\" demonstration against rising fuel and other prices. The Uganda police has banned demonstrations and warned last week that any attempt to stage street protests would be \"dealt with firmly\". \"I would like to caution any persons organising these illegal activities that as custodians of the public interest, the police shall not allow them to take place,\" police chief Kale Kayihura said in a statement on Friday. Alice Alaso, the secretary general of Besigye's Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party, said Besigye was arrested while taking part in the multi-party opposition demonstration against the rising cost of living. She condemned the force used by the police to arrest Besigye as \"excessive\". \"You cannot stop ordinary Ugandans from just walking along the road,\" she said outside the police station in Kasangati where Besigye was being held. Besigye, 54, had warned before the February polls that Uganda was ripe for an Egypt-style revolt but stopped short of calling for mass street protests to challenge the results, which saw Museveni re-elected with a landslide. \"We are not going to be intimidated. People have a cause to hold a peaceful demonstration. We are not going to be deterred,\" Besigye told AFP on Friday."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1136150/-/c3bdthz/-/index.html","content":"Deepening Mount Elgon cracks worry local leaders - Leaders in the Mbale sub-region have expressed concern over delay by the government to resettle hundreds of families still living in disaster-prone areas on the slopes of Mt. Elgon. The leaders say this inaction could wind up to a tragic end. Manafwa RDC Henry Nalyanya says government should give the affected people the 1,260 acres of land on Mt. Elgon National Park for settlement. Mr Nalyanya said the people at Namisindwa, Bumbo, Buwabwala and Tsekululu are demanding about 1,260 acres of land from the park, which they claim is their cradle amid the looming danger of landslides. Lives at riskCracks were discovered at the foot of Mt. Elgon last year, and have since deepened and widened, from 10cm last year to about 30cm this year. The 40-kilometre cracks are threatening about 8,000 people as they wind through eight sub-counties in Bududa, Mbale, Sironko and ending at the border with Kenya in Bukwo District. Mt. Elgon conservation manager Adonia Bintorwa said a survey by UWA indicates that the encroachment has soared to about 20,000 acres as high as where altitude plants called Lubelia are located. “The vegetation on top has been cut down such that there is no soil cover. I see another landslide in-waiting. We don’t want to see people die. People used the last election bonanza to go past the 1993 boundary up to the cliff close to the bamboo zone, which makes it even more dangerous,” said Mr Bintorwa. Nema environment system specialist, Mary Gorretti Kitutu, said small mud flows can be observed on the slopes of the mountain with many water openings, an indication that the rocks are under tension."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1133978/-/109uer3/-/index.html","content":"Government should sentise landslide survivors on family planning - Bugisu region is known to have high population density. The factors responsible for this are: high altitude conditions, culture, peer pressure, insecurity and the desire for men to marry many women. As a result, there increasing scarcity of land as well as high poverty and illiteracy levels. Some people believe that by marrying many women, they get many boys for security purposes and many girls who will get married and bring wealth. This cultural norm should be reviewed. If not, the landslide survivors from Bududa are likely to relocate with that mentality to Kiryandongo and other gazetted places. The government should launch a family planning campaign to help landslide survivors improve their lives by focusing more on income-generating activities. Men should be advised to marry only one woman to enable them focus on life-transforming activities for family sustenance. Honestly, they should be discouraged from having many children because it will greatly affect their standards of living. Lack of sustainable population measures creates a negative force in society. Children who are not catered for by their parents are likely to become rebellious in society. To them, going to school or engaging in meaningful economic activities is a secondary issue. Times have changed and people should be helped to come out of their cultural confines and embrace values that can lead to improving their welfare. For instance, alcohol consumption is bad for society. It leads to commission of immoral acts such as violence, lack of self control, and laziness. Addiction to alcoholic is the shortest path to self destruction. There are reports that more than 30,000 families around Mt. Elgon are on the verge of being affected by a landslide similar to the one that rocked Bududa. Conservationist have said a crack has developed on the basement of Mt Elgon. The crack stretches 40km from River Lwakhaka on the Uganda-Kenya border through Manafwa, Bududa, Mbale, Sironko and Kapchorwa districts. The situation is being worsened by the population explosion, where 600 people reportedly live on a square kilometre of land. Moreover, they do not conserve the soil and water and this has resulted in deforestation. NEMA has appealed to the government to urgently relocate the people in the affected areas to avoid a repeat of what happened in Bududa where 300 people are believed to have been buried and several people displaced in the process. Rev. Titus Shem Makuma, Pentecostal Assemblies of God, Western Regional Overseer mtitusshem@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1129940/-/c3uniiz/-/index.html","content":"8,000 at risk as landslide looms in Mt. Elgon area - At least 8,000 people living near Mt. Elgon are at risk after Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) warned of another looming landslide as the country heads for another rainy period. The Mt. Elgon Conservation Area Manager, Mr Adonia Bintorwa, said a 40-kilometre crack has developed on the slopes of the mountain in Manafwa District.“Many of these cracks are widening before the rainy season starts fully, this is a sign of an environment catastrophe,” Mr Bintorwa said on Saturday. Mr Bintorwa said eight sub-counties of Mukoto, Tsekululu, Buwabwala, Bukhabusi, Bupoto, Namabya, Bumbo and Bukokho in Manafwa and parts of Bududa, risk another landslide due to massive deforestation, poor farming methods and encroachment on Mt. Elgon. “Our appeal is that people living beyond the 1993 boundary should relocate,” he added. He said UWA has written to the National Environmental Management Authority, Ministry of Disaster Preparedness and Ministry of Water and Environment to come to the ground to assess the situation. The Mt. Elgon Conservation officer, Mr Richard Matanda, said research by UWA and satellite images reveal that more heavily-cultivated land in the uppermost parts of the mountain is on the verge of sliding. “We have seen cracks [on the land] and in some points they are 1.5 metres deep. Once heavy rains pound these places, then debris flow is inevitable and disaster will definitely occur,” said Mr Matanda. He said UWA has already started education programmes for people living on mountainous areas on the dangers of cultivation along contours."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1129830/-/13c27wjz/-/index.html","content":"Time to end opposition-NRM squabbles in Kampala - More than 64 per cent of Kampala city residents overwhelmingly voted for Mr Erias Lukwago to be Lord Mayor. To those voters, many of who fondly refer to Mr Lukwago as the “Messiah”, have the will and capacity to take on the ‘powers that be’ in defence of “the rights of the poor.” But what surprised most observers was not Mr Lukwago’s landslide win. It was the obvious lack of any effort on the part of the NRM to take the mayorship yet over the years, it has been one of the most contested leadership positions between the party and the Opposition. Compare this race to the effort the NRM continues to put into the Rubaga North MP seat and how President Museveni personally got involved to help Mr Peter Sematimba win the LC3 chair in Rubaga Division about two years ago. The obvious reason is that by enacting the new Kampala Capital City Act 2010, the government maybe knows that it has already done enough to effectively clip the power of the Lord Mayor to near insignificance. One would actually wonder why Mr Lukwago, an exceptionally brilliant young lawyer, could relinquish his highly influential Kampala Central parliamentary seat to vie for the largely ceremonial position of Mayorship of Kampala. Unlike some of his predecessors who literally became billionaires during their stints at City Hall, Mr Lukwago will have very little to gain financially, apart from his monthly salary, which will be determined by the government. With the City Authority in charge of administering the city on behalf of the central government, the Lord Mayor will be more of a political head. All the powers are vested in the Executive Director who will be the chief executive officer of the city Authority. The CEO, appointed by the President, is the accounting officer and final decision maker as far as finances and staff of the Authority are concerned. Also, there is a Metropolitan Physical Planning Authority, which has veto powers yet all its five members are appointed by the government. To clip the Lord Mayor’s powers even further, the Act has also created the immensely powerful office of the Resident City Commissioner, who is also appointed by the President. This official is the President’s representative in the Authority. He/she can order audits by the Auditor General and/or IGG on the Authority’s activities. Worse still, NRM is represented by an overwhelming majority of councillors in the district council. Against this background, the Lord Mayor will certainly be more disadvantaged as he will be easy to isolate and frustrate at every level. Therefore, for the good of city residents and all Ugandans, who have for long waited desperately for an organised city, it is important that Mr Lukwago cooperates with the central government. It is high time the endless squabbles between the NRM and the opposition in Kampala came to an end. In the past, the government did not want to fund City Hall because it was dominated by “corrupt” Opposition leaders. Then the Opposition did not want to develop the City because they wanted the government to lose more support. In the end, everyone has been a loser. A few of Mr Lukwago’s supporters might want a “warrior” while some overzealous government functionaries may want to frustrate the people’s representative. However, dialogue and consultation must be the new modus operandi. Mr Nyanzi is a journalistpetersnyz@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1121474/-/c41bwez/-/index.html","content":"Government gives landslide victims Shs5b - The government has given Shs5 billion towards the construction of permanent houses in Kiryadongo for the 602 households which were affected by last year’s Bududa landslides. The victims were resettled in Kiryandongo District Panyadoli Camp and have been experiencing windstorms that have on many occasions blown away their make-shift shelters. Speaking in Kiryandongo last week, the State minister for Relief and Disaster Preparedness, Mr Musa Ecweru, said the move was part of government’s master plan for Panyadoli Camp. “We are working towards making Panyadoli Camp a model settlement in the East African region,” Mr Ecweru told this newspaper. “It will be an example to all who will be faced with a similar catastrophe.” Construction materials have already been purchased and iron sheets were given to the locals together with three hydro form machines for quality brick-laying. “The project is set to start this week. Each household will have built a permanent house with two bedrooms. Already, excavation for the foundation is in progress but the machinery for this is few,” he explained. More supportThe victims will also be given more tarpaulin to strengthen their shelters against the winds as construction takes place. The government will also provide five more boreholes in light of the dry spells that have lowered water table in the region. Improved seeds and other planting material will be delivered to the camp as soon as the rains come to ensure that the victims continue with their farming activities, the minister added."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1120140/-/9gbegl/-/index.html","content":"Bududa survivors require more help - It is a year since devastating landslides hit Budada, killing about 300 people. The tragic incident caused massive destruction and left scores of villagers displaced. In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, the government and aid agencies grappled with challenges of finding food, shelter, clothing and medical supplies for the survivors. Ugandans came out in an encouraging show of support and contributed generously to help survivors. Even then, there were challenges in getting available emergency supplies to Bududa given the overwhelming logistical challenges: heavy rainfall, poor road network, hilly terrain. The government then resolved that the logical move would be to relocate survivors to areas where access to relief supplies, health services and education facilities would be easy. In November 2010, families from the temporary camps created after the mudslides were moved to Kiryandongo. The decision to relocate them was largely informed by the fact that Bududa is located in the high-risk area on the slopes of Mt. Elgon where the safety of residents cannot be guaranteed. Experts have warned of imminent landslides in this area. As we mark one year after the Bududa disaster, reports from Kiryandongo where the victims are currently settled indicate that living conditions in the settlements are appalling. While the government has done well to relocate the people from the disaster-prone Mt. Elgon slopes, it is critical that efforts are doubled to ensure that they are properly settled and more resources channelled to help them engage in productive activities. The government must focus on putting up decent housing for them and, above all, ensure they have access to health care and education for their children. The communities should, with government help, also benefit from practical projects through which they can improve their livelihood in a sustainable manner. It is also important that those who chose to remain in the risky slopes of Mt. Elgon are encouraged and helped to relocate to safer areas. Equally vital is the need to educate the communities on environmental management and conservation, given that the Bududa landslide was exacerbated by the enormous pressure on the environment by human activities such as tree cutting. Long-term measures must therefore be enforced to avert future disasters."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1119462/-/9fv6u1/-/index.html","content":"Action on drought needed, not excuses - Reports of many families across the country going without food, and people walking long distances to find water due to the acute drought, is absurd. Equally disturbing is the panic this has sparked off in the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees. The government is reportedly in a frantic hunt for money to alleviate the dire situation. But the Ministry of Water and Environment’s weather department is on record to have, as early as November last year, warned that the country would experience La Nina (drought). Why does the Disaster Preparedness Ministry appear to be breaking the news about the dry spell today – when it is almost at its peak? State Minister for Disaster Preparedness Musa Ecweru was quoted by this paper as saying the “population has been taken up by elections so we have not been focused on the welfare of the people…” But when has his ministry ever competently handled any disaster - elections or no elections? Let’s hope that the government and the ministry are not waiting for the intervention of the Red Cross, the World Food Programme, and other international humanitarian agencies to rescue citizens gripped by hunger, thirst and malnutrition like it happened during the Bududa landslide tragedy. Lack of timely and appropriate action by the government in a time of need like now will simply consolidate people’s belief that the ministry itself is another disaster. The major disease afflicting Uganda today is the government’s poor prioritisation of issues, or its deliberate Firebrigade approach to doing things: elections are scheduled and budgeted for years ahead but the requisite funds are released very late, and in fractions; the country is appointed to host Chogm years in advance but preparations for the event are delayed until months to the event. Money is allocated for construction of valley dams but only those who swindle the money can claim to have the unique microscope to see the dams; when there are no drugs in hospitals and roads are full of potholes, Parliament quickly passes more than Shs600 billion suspicious supplementary budget. Now, with experts predicting an extended dry spell that may stretch to April, people want the government to provide them food and water - for them and their animals. In short, they want action, not excuses."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1119460/-/13cntv1z/-/index.html","content":"National mourning day still vital for landslide victims - It has been reported that Bududa District religious leaders on Tuesday held the last funeral rites for victims of the landslides which occurred on March 1, 2010. The inter-religious service was led by Rev. Fr. Mark Busima of the Bududa Catholic Church. The grieving residents stood in silent tribute to victims of the devastating landslides in Nametsi village that left about 300 people dead. I appeal to the government to make good their promise by honouring the landslide victims through observing a national day of mourning. The concept behind this is simply a demonstration of nationalism, much needed care and commitment on the side of the government. This national memorial day can present a great relief to the bereaved families as they continue to mourn their dear ones. The survivors who were relocated to Kiryandongo seem to have settled down and embarked on viable projects. They should focus on innovation and hard work. They should embark on projects which will uplift their standards of living so as to become better people in society. They should be encouraged to put off the camp confinement ‘poor me’ attitude and see themselves as valuable citizens who have rights and are entitled to all government privileges like any other Ugandan outside their community. The government has so far done well by providing the Kiryandongo community with a Health Centre 11 facility. The government should further consider putting up a learning facility there, as well as setting up clean water projects. Micro finance projects and post bank will facilitate the community because people need be sensitized to access short term loans for development projects like farming, small scale businesses, and fees for children. The security concerns should be addressed to ensure peace and sustainable discipline in the community. People should not be left to do what they think is right. This is a new environment which will necessitate a foresighted leader who is able to incorporate the Bugisu cultural values into the newly acquired homeland.I would also suggest that the recently installed Umukhuuka of the Bamasaba, Mr Wilson Wamimbi together with his advisors, could find time to pay them a visit for the purpose of reaffirming the Bamasaba cultural ties. It will surely make a big difference for the relocated people to know that they are not completely ignored and cut off from their ancestral lands. Those who have deserted Kiryandongo and opted to go back to the slopes of Mt Elgon where they have constructed new shelters in the neighboring villages of Tunwatsi, Mulwere, Kubewo and Nametsi, risk facing serious catastrophe in future should more landslides deplete the area due to uncontrollable human activities. Rev. Titus Shem Makuma is the Pentecostal Assemblies of God, Western Regional Overseer mtitusshem@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1118904/-/13coff4z/-/index.html","content":"Bidandi Ssali should not try to rewrite history - In the Daily Monitor of March 1, Mr Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, who shared last position with Sam Lubega in the presidential race scoring 0.4 per cent, sent another of his numerous open letters to President Museveni. In this emotive six-page letter copied to all his fellow losers in the race, he says the country is now at a crossroads. He argues that the election results rejected by all the vanquished candidates have created despair and disenchantment. He goes on to state: “This has produced a politically explosive situation in the country which has even forced you to deploy mambas and other artillery at every sub-county in Uganda, ready to mow citizens who dare raise a finger expressing their discontent.” He goes on to add: “Mr President, your so-called landslide victory contains seeds of self-destruction incubated within the subdued emotions of hate and revenge in the hearts of many Ugandans. Some are only temporarily gripped with fear and others by the lure of money. But sooner or later fissures will develop along which emotions may volcano out Rwandan style. It is not your style of the brutal might of the gun and torture that will prevent it but through the power of the human heart of a leader as he feels for the people he leads.” While this missive is almost a call to war, Bidandi, as in his past letters, tries to portray himself as a peace loving and concerned elder statesman whose only interest is the welfare of Ugandans. On the other hand, this letter exposes him as a disgruntled individual who wants to go down with the nation which refused to vote for him. This reminds some of us about a sad time we shared with him in the early 80s in one of Obote’s prisons, a man he now praises as being much better than Museveni! This was at Katabi in Entebbe. In 1981 at the launch of the NRA war, Bidandi was incarcerated by the Obote regime because of his previous association with UPM. In the same cell was the late Dr Eriabu Muzira who was later to become a permanent secretary and director of health services. Their only crime was belonging to the UPM and DP parties respectively. A group of us young men who later joined the NRA struggle in the bush shared the cell with these honourable gentlemen. At the time, we were being fed on posho and weevil-infested beans. Most of the young boys among us were killing the hunger pangs by smoking tobacco rolled in a piece of paper( Ekisooko). This was bought through the guards. Since we had no money and Bidandi had, we traded in our beans rations with him. He would eat our beans and give us money for tobacco. Muzira found this outrageous and came to our rescue, giving us money for cigarettes. When Bidandi was trying to resurrect himself politically as a presidential candidate two years ago, he wrote an article in the Daily Monitor alluding to this story but reversing roles and putting this behaviour on the late Dr Muzira who was no longer around to defend himself. This was very unfair. Fortunately, some of us are still around to put the record straight. In 1986, Bidandi was our minister of Local Government and we had to guard him and salute him. May be this reminder of the suffering we shared might stop him calling for war. Capt. Kirima is a former NRA combatant"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1118972/-/c4hvnaz/-/index.html","content":"Govt to build 300 houses for Bududa landslide victims - The government is to construct 300 houses for victims of Bududa landslides who were resettled in Kiryandongo District. Mr Musa Ecweru, the State Minister for Disaster Preparedness, recently said the houses will accommodate at least 600 families. Mr Ecweru said each of the displaced families will get a two-bedroom house that will be constructed on the land that each family received. He said the government has procured at least 20,000 bags of cement, and three hydroform machines to start the construction exercise this weekend. The launch of the construction exercise comes amidst complaints by some of the landslide survivors about their living conditions in Kiyrandongo. Govt helpMr Ecweru denied claims that some of the landslide victims had died as a result of the poor living condition. He said the government has spent at least Shs30 million to plough over 400 acres of land to prepare each of the families for the planting season. The victims were displaced in March 2010, when landslides struck the villages of Nametsi, Kubewo and Nangobe in Bududa. At least 300 people were buried by the landslides."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1118130/-/c4i31jz/-/index.html","content":"Bududa honours landslide victims - After waiting for a year for a government promised national mourning day in vain, Bududa District religious leaders on Tuesday held the last funeral rites for victims of the landslides which occurred on March 1, 2010. Led by the Rev. Fr. Mark Busima of the Bududa Catholic Church, the grieving residents stood in silent tribute to victims of the devastating landslides in Nametsi Village that left about 300 people dead. MourningIn a tent, some bowed their heads, while others knelt down and put their palms together to pray for the dead and intermittent loud cries could be heard in the shelter as singing went on. Bududa leaders led by the Chief Administrative Officer, Mr Vitalis Oswan, students, pupils and local government workers paused for three minutes at a shelter erected by the Cathloic Church, a year after the devastating landslides struck Nametsi. At the Nametsi, Tunwatsi and Kubewo ridges, villagers and UPDF soldiers stood still, bowing their heads in honour of those killed in the disaster.A cross raised by the Catholic Church hang before the mourners, wreaths lay around as the Rev. Fr. Busima delivered his sermon. “Prayer for the dead is one of the greatest acts of charity we can perform. Our prayers help them during their time in purgatory, so that they can enter more quickly into the fullness of heaven. I only feel sad as each of us stands on the debris of homes for the dead. May the deceased rest in peace. We, the people who are still alive, must be strong and continue our lives,” Fr. Busima said. Survivors cautionedAddressing the mourners, Mr Oswan said the survivors should learn to conserve the environment. “Look at the people in the neighbouring villages of Tunwatsi, Mulwere, Kitsatsa and Kubewo, all these are prone to landslides because we have cut down trees off our land. Let us learn to plant trees to save our lives because if this place had trees, the landslides would not have occurred,” Mr Oswan said. The commander of the UPDF soldiers deployed in Nametsi, Col. Wilson Kabera, said: “I was brought here with three missions; to save those still alive, retrieve the bodies buried under the rubble and to build a monument but I have only retrieved about 118 bodies and run out of fuel, and the monument is not built and about 95 per cent of the people supposed to have been relocated to Kiryandongo are back here and have settled.” He added: “I have instructed my soldiers to ensure that the survivors of the landslides do not come back here but they have come and constructed new shelters in the neighbouring villages of Tunwatsi, Mulwere, Kubewo and Nametsi.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/-/859108/1110800/-/k2yv9p/-/index.html","content":"Minister Malinga in landslide victory Mudangha Kolyangha & Francis Okiror - Pallisa Health minister, Dr Stephen Malinga, has again trounced his challengers for third time in a row after winning the 2011 parliamentary seat for Butebo constituency, Pallisa district, yesterday with a bigger margin. The minister, in 2001, 2006 and 2011 has been voted back to parliament as their legislator for his tremendous achievements, which the voters says other candidates have no potential to provide effective representation in parliament. The Butebo constituency has been under the spotlight following various chaos that has always marred elections in this county. During the NRM primaries several cases related to election violence were registered. The results released this morning declared Mr Malinga as the winner for having polled 14573 [41.3%], Mr Lodoi Mutono polled 11151 [31.6%], Mr Richard Oseku got 9204 [26%], Mr Godfrey John Obua polled 252 [0.7%], Mr Eriya Kasyodo polled 101 [0.2%]. The total valid votes were 35281 and the invalid were totaling to 903 [2.5%] Upon the release of the results at the district headquarters, thounsand of Malinga supporters jammed pallisa streets singing and dancing bringing the entire business within the town council to a halt. In Agule, the incumbent M.P Louis Opange lost the seat to the new entrant, Mr David Ochwa, who polled 10614 [38.9%], against the incumbent, Mr Opange polling 8567 [31.4%], Mr Okiror Okello Olur polled 7075 [25.9%] Mr Thomas Okia got 976 [3.5%]. The total number of votes cast were 27978 [71.9%] and those rendered invalid were 746 [2.7%] and spolt one were only 19 votes. In Pallisa county, Mr Opolot Mokka was declared thw winner after polling 15627 votes representing 54.8%. Mr Rogers Tatambuka got 7642 votes [26.8%],Mr Sultan Kakuba polled 2828 [9.9%], Mr James Ochien got 682 [2.3%] and Mr Moses Itiko polled 514 [1.8%]. The total number of valid votes cast were 29188 [64.3%] and the spolt ones were 118."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/1093228/-/e21htm/-/index.html","content":"Landslide victims shine in their own way - Kampala Their distress in the past year was incomparable. 2010 was a prime year in the life of hundreds of PLE candidates in Bududa District who aimed to score good grades and join secondary schools or tertiary institutions of choice. Like other pupils in the country preparing to take the national examinations, they reported to school every morning; chatted, giggled and even pricked one another in impish plays. At the end of the fast quarter, their teeming energy and budding dreams came crashing when a landslide submerged three villages in their Nametsi neighbourhood. At least 300 residents were killed by the landslides. Some 57 pupils perished in the tragedy. Villages buriedThat is when on March 1, broken wet soils; powered by rolling rocks and gurgling storm water thundered downhill from Mt. Elgon in Bududa District, flattening three hamlets and disrupting life, including teaching. The children who saw dead bodies of loved ones rot away as ill-equipped soldiers and volunteers got wedged in the mass of wet soils covering the bodies, received no specialised care for trauma management. The bodies of many of dead were never retrieved. And some were their parents. Together with their lucky-to-survive relatives, government forcibly uprooted them from the stinking Nametsi and huddled them in a camp at Bulucheke, somewhat a safer site from the landslide-prone Mt. Elgon. After weeks of keeping out of school, the government together with humanitarian aid workers, erected makeshift structures and called it a school for the displaced pupils. The teachers were as scarce as instructional materials. Unlike their counterparts in Kampala who took three or four meals each day; were chauffeured to and from class and switched off electricity at leisure to sleep in comfortable beds, Bududa’s children grabbed rough meals by luck, packed with parents on damp ground inside small tents to catch sleep. No considerationsEight months after the landslides, they sat for the same English, Science, Social Studies and Mathematics papers which Uganda National Examinations Board marked using standardised scheme. The examination’s body released the results yesterday, showing a two per cent improvement in national performance. Bududa may have had a twisted tale that unsettled preparation of the pupils but at least they are wailing no more --- as their results show. Brian Musene Wabwire surmounted the enormous challenges that confronted him, powering to first division with aggregate 10, underlining the ingenuity up-country which only deprivation and social trauma can suffocate. Daily Monitor yesterday obtained results of 44 pupils out of the total 65 who took their examinations at Bulucheke Social Centre, the improvised school. Some eight pupils who had registered at the centre never sat the papers, and officials could not readily say why. In the partial results (See list L), about a dozen alumni there fall in Division 2 while 10 passed in Divison Three. The five who trailed in Division Four will obtain PLE certificates from UNEB and have a chance to advance to post-primary institutions under the free education programme.Bududa Senior Education Officer, Mr Anthony Wakyaya, had anticipated an uglier scorecard. “We do not expect very good results but just some average performance,” he said before details of the results became available. “In the hills (Mt. Elgon region), students don’t do well and coupled with the landslides, the results are likely to be poorer.” The scores at the school in the now disbanded Bulucheke IDP camp may not shine like results registered in top Kampala primary schools, but even none of the flying pupils would anyway excel in the choking circumstance of Bududa landslide victims."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1059970/-/cl3rhnz/-/index.html","content":"Police get Shs8 billion for crashed chopper  - The Police Force has been compensated Shs8 billion for its helicopter that crashed in Bugiri District early this year with the Prime Minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, and six others aboard. According to a press release sent yesterday, the Shs8 billion cheque was handed over to the Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura by the managing director of the National Insurance Corporation, Dr. Samson Akinwale. The crashed chopper was the only one that the Force owned. Prof. Nsibambi’s team and crew had just left Lwakhakha border where he had received 150 metric tonnes of food aid from the Kenyan government for the Bududa landslide victims. “As an institution with strong financial capacity and asset base of over Shs67 billion, NIC continues to maintain its core values of prompt settlement of genuine claims as an expression of genuine partnership to meet the aspirations of our teeming customers,” Dr Akinwale said. However, it may take another one or two years before the police procure another helicopter given the long public procurement process involved.The police chopper was procured to help beef up security in the air during the Chogm summit at a cost of Shs5 billion. Gen. Kayihura applauded NIC for the quick and professional manner with which the claim for the chopper was handled. “We are satisfied with the professional way with which NIC has handled this incident. This payment will help in our effort to upgrade and increase the number of aircraft in our fleet,” he said. The settlement of the insurance claim for the helicopter is the second largest by NIC since its privatisation in 2005. In 2007, the company paid a Shs13b claim for the loss of the M1-172 Presidential helicopter."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1056260/-/yr2o96/-/index.html","content":"In support of independents - Following the political discourse in the East African region over the past few years, one would have noticed the complete dominance of a few major political parties and lack of smaller ones pushing for particular ideas with respectable longevity. Therefore, rather than condemning the few independent politicians that come up, we might instead consider applauding their gallantry and accord them some room. It is usually easier to join the bigger parties than to remain committed to pursuing pet ideas in their undiluted forms until best outcomes are achieved. The presence of independent candidates should probably encourage greater objectivity by way of example while warding off the overbearing need for non-politicians to become registered members of political parties. The case of one dominant political party having as its registered members more than a third of the total electorate is actually a bit alarming. It is one thing for a party to gain a landslide victory in an election where the vast majority of voters are not registered members of any political party, but another altogether when the former case pertains. A big majority of independent voters forming the backbone of an electorate who accept new ideas to escape from failed policies of a party is a perfect move for greater progress.Farmers, teachers, plumbers, businessmen, and the youth who have no party affiliation will judge competing policy strategies using group customised checklists while the same categories when burdened by party membership will have additional priorities bearing upon them. This is not a call against people subscribing for membership in big political parties espousing their ideas, but rather a call for greater tolerance towards those championing alternative views. Naturally, it would be self-defeating for leaders of bigger parties to complain about vigilant recruitment drives aimed at broadening the same support base they rely on. Still, simple logic would suggest that the same politician should be doubly thankful when they gain the vote of an independent compared to that of the pre-committed, and therefore, a less stringent judge, the loyal party member. Independent voters can in time and with greater confidence also be relied upon to crack-the-whip and lash out at non-performing public servants. Dr Lumoi A. Lawoko, Stockholm, Swedenlumoi@telia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1048968/-/clq0psz/-/index.html","content":"Government closes Bulucheke camp - Bududa The government has closed Bulucheke Camp that has been housing survivors of the March landslides that left about 250 people buried under the rubble.This comes at a time when most of the families that were camped at Bulucheke on the orders of President Museveni have been relocated to Kiryandongo District. The first batch of 234 children under the age of 13, and 172 adults arrived there last month. President’s directivePresident Museveni in March asked the people then living in high-risk areas on the slopes of Mt. Elgon at the adjacent hills of Tunwatsi, Kubewo and Mulwelwe in Nametsi to shift to Bulucheke Camp as it looked around for Shs2 billion to buy land to resettle the victims. While flagging off 482 people (about 142 families), the last group of landslide survivors at Bulucheke camp last week, the disaster management officer at the Office of the Prime Minister, Ms Pamela Komujuni, said the camp was no more and that the office would stop distributing food and other necessities to people in the camp. “Today we are phasing out Bulucheke camp officially because we believe that all has been done,” Ms Komujuni said. “We have relocated all families to Kiryandongo that registered with us. The camp is closed and no more aid will come from the government for the people here.” However, some people were aggrieved after they were left out after they registered late for relocation. Never registered“We did not register and closing the camp at short notice is uncalled for,” said Mr Martin Wamanyanya, an elder who was not registered. “The government must cater for us until we are also relocated to Kiryandongo. If you don’t want to relocate us, the government should remove the soldiers from Nametsi and allow us to resettle on our land.” But Ms Komujuni blamed the people for not following up on the registration exercise after they chose to leave the camp for their homes. She added the next relocation exercise is due this Thursday."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1029906/-/13v4wxbz/-/index.html","content":"Government needed time to relocate Bududa survivors - The good news, especially for the landslide affected communities of Bududa, is that the government has finally began relocating the displaced persons from Bulucheke Camp in Bududa District to Kiryandongo District in western Uganda. We sincerely appreciate the government’s initiative in ensuring that the survivors are settled in a place where they now call home in spite of the slight change of climate they face in the new environment. As one of the landslide survivors who were taken to Kiryandongo on the assessment tour said: “The land is fertile though the weather is slightly hotter than here (Bududa). We will miss the mountainous terrain.” The government’s plan to build permanent houses at Shs18m each for the displaced households is also a welcome gesture that will enhance community development and uplift the household standards of living. I appeal to those persons at the camp who have dragged the government to court because of the delay in the relocation to reconsider their actions. The delay should not be taken in bad faith. The government has clearly stated what they intend to do for the good of the Bamasaba community. What more compensation would you expect than what the government has already embarked on doing? The peaceful resettlement will help the displaced persons to focus on what the future holds for their families. Survivors should settle down and start engaging in developmental programmes so as to improve their lives instead of wasting time in court battles. Their going to court is like biting the very hand that is trying to feed them. Meanwhile, it would be good for the government to explain to the survivors what will happen on the vacant land they are leaving behind. Whereas the government in partnership with the National Forestry Authority and the National Environmental Authority plan to plant trees on the evacuated land in the two sub-counties of Bukalasi and Bumayoka, the relocated people should constitutionally be mandated to access their ancestral sites when and where they want to do so. Of course, they will be restrained from cutting down the government trees but they should still be allowed to carry out some activities on their land. This means that the government should play the role of a caretaker, a fact that should be well documented for posterity’s sake. Survivors need constant freedom to appreciate their ancestral ties with the land they have evacuated and where possible, be able to relate it to their future generation. It should also be noted that the Bamasaba circumcision ceremonies have strong attachments to their ancestral values and sites. They will do anything within their means to trek to these treasured sites before the final day of circumcision. Therefore, to coerce them to create similar sites in their newly acquired areas of settlement defeats the dictates of their culture and beliefs which puts them in a big dilemma. Finally, my advice to all the displaced persons is that they should all endeavour to be good ambassadors in their newly acquired settlements. They should exhibit good behaviour and be flexible in order for them to be able mix well with people in their cultural environment. They should also participate actively in government developmental programmes in the new areas. Instead of drinking from morning to sunset, men should practically support their wives in income-generating projects for their families’ welfare. Parents should also ensure that they take and monitor their children in schools in the new areas. Rev. Titus Shem Makuma, Pentecostal Assemblies of God, western regional overseer. Pan-Africa Christian University, Nairobitmakumas@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1029092/-/cmxl6vz/-/index.html","content":"Bududa landslide victims resettled in Kiryandongo - The Bududa landslide survivors have been relocated to Kiryadongo District. The exercise which was overseen by the Office of the Prime Minister saw about 406 people taken to start a new life following a decision by the government. The March 1 landslides killed over 300 people, destroyed crops, and buried several houses in Bududa, as experts gave more warning about fresh landslides.About 8,000 people were then resettled at Bulucheke camp awaiting relocation. Ms Pamela Komujuni, the Disater Management Officer in the Office of the Prime Minister, said the exercise will be done in phases. “We are only taking 89 households as a start up. This normally comes with challenges. Therefore, we don’t want to take a big number which will then become a big problem on our side,” she said. “We want to do everything gradually depending on the circumstances of the first batch at the resettlement camp. This will help us to assess the situation and work accordingly”. As the anxiously- waiting displaced people lined up to board buses, others thronged Bulucheke to bid them farewell. The exercise was flagged off by the Bududa district chairman, Mr Wilson Watira. Ms Komujuni said that each family will each get 2.5 acres of land, agriculture in-puts and equipment and will be given food items for six months as they prepare to plant for their own food."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1025444/-/cn1ag4z/-/index.html","content":"Bududa landslide victims sue government over relocation - Kampala Survivors of the Bududa landslide have sued the government accusing it of delaying to have them re-located as living conditions in Bulucheke camp worsens. Centre for Public Interest Law Ltd, an organisation that gives free legal services, on Friday sued the Attorney General on behalf of the victims to the High Court. The centre said the government’s failure to have the survivors re-located to a better place constitutes violation of their rights. The Centre claims that staying in makeshift tents has exposed the survivors to diseases, starvation, no privacy and even death. Mr Michael Makayi, one of the survivors in his affidavit, states that they were promised to be re-located by May 31 but in vain, adding that the situation in the IDP camps is worsening and at least nine people have died. A group of the survivors recently rejected government’s suggestion to have them relocated to Kiryadongo in Bunyoro, saying they prefer Kayunga in Buganda. Efforts to contact Disaster Minister Musa Ecweru, whose office is directly involved with resettlement, were futile."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1015628/-/cnmrt6z/-/index.html","content":"Bududa officials want national day of mourning - Bududa Authorities in Bududa have criticised the government for not organising a national day of mourning and requiem mass for landslide victims, six months after the tragedy left about 300 people buried under rubble. Bududa District chairman Wilson Watira said although his people are moving to Kiryandongo camp, the government has kept quiet about a befitting sendoff for those who perished. “We tentatively declared March 14, a national day for mourning for the people who perished in the landslide but the government pushed it ahead,” he told Daily Monitor in an interview in Bududa on Sunday. “And they have kept pushing it ahead until they became quiet about it,” he added. Faded hopeMr Watira said hope for recovery of the bodies buried under the rubble had faded because machinery delivered by Monuc to do the work broke down in May. “We need a national day of mourning in order to end the search,” he said. Only 91 bodies were recovered after landslides covered an entire village on March 1. The district speaker, Mr Patrick Mawululu, asked the government to dedicate a day for the district to mourn and hold a requiem mass. The State Minister for Disaster preparedness, Mr Musa Ecweru, said the government had no plans for organising the day or the requiem mass. “I do not think there is anything like national day of mourning because the priority is relocation of the people to Kiryandongo camp in Masindi District as directed by President Museveni,” Mr Ecweru told Daily Monitor on Sunday."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1009928/-/13wd0o4z/-/index.html","content":"How Mbabazi’s weakness is a strength for Museveni - In the run-up to the election of the seemingly much coveted post of NRM Secretary General, incumbent and eventual winner, Amama Mbabazi, was depicted by his opponents and critics as having too many faults. That he is too wooden, arrogant and unapproachable. Lacks accountability, is divisive and sectarian. Has turned the party into a family affair with his home winning most of the ‘tenders’ to supply services to the party among others with the claim that he was doing damage to the cohesion and image of NRM. Yet the President, also chairman of NRM who would naturally desire and work for a strong party by removing weaknesses from the organisation, instead proposed Mbabazi for the post. He won by a landslide amidst cries of fraud. Understanding the workings of the NRM would have prepared observers of the drama in the run-up to this election, to expect a scattered shower as opposed to a raging thunderstorm depicted in the dark clouds cast by the huffs and puffs of Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire who was the main challenger. The presence of Mr Museveni in NRM right from its founding about three decades ago has been larger than life. It has helped him control NRM almost as a personal project. With many of his contemporaries passing on, falling out or retiring, Museveni has gained even more prominence. To endorse and support an ‘unpopular’ Secretary General for the party as Mbabazi is portrayed by his detractors, plays right in the hands of Museveni and his scheme to have a greater hold on the party. First, it means the Secretary General will be at the disposal of the party Chairman who ‘sponsored’ his re-election. He will always be grateful to Museveni. The Chairman can use this to remotely control the way the Secretary General runs the party. Second, if the Secretary General is unapproachable, like Mbabazi has been accused, most of the party matters will end up being referred to the party Chairman. The Secretary General will increasingly become irrelevant eventually endangering his ambitions to succeed Museveni. In this regard, Museveni will keep a tab on party activities and boost his influence whenever he is called upon to intervene and resolve issues pertaining to the running of the organisation. Third, if the accusation that Amama Mbabazi ‘lacks accountability,’ is taken into consideration, financial matters of the party will be moved away from the Secretary General with the greater responsibility of the money going to the Treasurer General of the NRM. The most interesting bit here is that the newly elected treasurer of the party, Ms Amelia Kayambadde, was recently delivered into politics from the laps of the presidency where she served as a Principal Private Secretary to the President for several years and has been a close confidant of Mr Museveni for even longer. At her farewell party, Museveni declared his trust and admiration for Kyambadde. The meaning of this is that through Kyambadde, Museveni will keep a close eye on the money that runs the party. In Uganda, money plays a great part in determining political fortunes. With trusted hands in charge of finances, Museveni may now opt to channel serious funding to the party. The profile of ‘his’ party may then be boosted by turning it into the mother goose for its members to which they turn in times of financial needs for political activities. In this set up, money at the desecration and whims of Museveni may be used to punish and reward party detractors and loyalists respectively. That is how Mbabazi’s re-election will make NRM more controllable to the one who went through the furnace to bring the party this far. It is all about Museveni. Mr Sengoba is a commentator on political and social issuesnicholassengoba@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1010316/-/cnqbscz/-/index.html","content":"Bududa landslides affect tourism - Tourists shunned Mt. Elgon National Park after the March 1 landslides that ravaged Bududa, the park statistics for March have indicated. The Mt Elgon visitor survey figures indicated in a report that out of 644 foreign tourists who visited Mt. Elgon from March to August, only 24 were registered in March. According to Mt Elgon Conservation area manager, Mr Adonia Bintorwa, this dashed any hopes that the tourism industry at Mt Elgon National Park would make up for the sharp fall in the number of overseas visitors to the park within a month or two. Trips cancelled“We even got calls from international tourists cancelling their trips because they saw Nametsi, the scene of the landslide on the maps. We failed and only 24 foreign visitors came to the park, any hopes that the tourism industry would grow due to domestic visitation was also dashed by the same landslide,” Mr Bintorwa told Daily Monitor on Saturday. The landslides buried about 350 people. He said the figure dipped even further to only 13 tourists in April although it rose to 37 in May. But this was still lower than the 120 to 190 tourists who visited the park during the same period last year. The report noted that most of the foreign tourists who comprise nearly 90 per cent of the park’s visitors, kept away. Regular foreign tourists at the park include Americans, the British, Germans, Dutch and Canadians. March and April registered only 27 foreign tourists. However, the figure slightly rose to 37 in May. Save for the 13 German tourists, one Dutch and an American who visited the park in March, the Israelites, British, and Canadian visitors kept away during the tragic month. According to Ms Gertrude Namakula, the warden in charge of tourism, most of the cancelled bookings were rescheduled for June to September when the park experiences peak periods and December to March. Ms Namakula revealed that between June and August, the park registered 367 foreign visitors far higher than between March and May. She said other prominent visitors to the park comprise foreign students on holiday from Europe and North America, local student scouts and local residents. Ms Namakula said there has been a decline in tourism at the national park given the fact that 2,903 tourists visited the park in 2009, down from 3,844 the previous year. The main tourist attractions include hot springs, caves, waterfalls, wildlife and the Wagagai peak that stands at 4,321 metres above sea level. Tourism, agriculture and forestry are top on the list of the national primary growth areas of the newly-released National Development Plan. In 2008, tourism contributed 9.2 percent or $1.2 billion to the gross domestic product (GDP), while in Kenya, it brought in $3.5 billion or 10.8 per cent to GDP according to the World Tourism and Travel Council."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1009652/-/co6jdbz/-/index.html","content":"Mbabazi returned as NRM Secretary General - Namboole Incumbent ruling NRM Secretary General Amama Mbabazi has bounced back after silencing his critics in the race he won by a landslide. In the results released by the NRM Electoral Commission in the wee hours of Monday morning, Mr Mbabazi garnered 5,695 votes to his closest challenger Trade Minister Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire’s 1,256 votes – over 70 percent of the 8,115 votes cast. Vice President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya came third with 903 votes and the other candidates got peripheral figures - Elijah Mushemeza (197), Apollo Kibira (41) while Theodore Ssekikubo trailed with 23 votes. Ms Dorothy Hyuha retained her position as Deputy Secretary General, after polling 3,754, beating off strong challenge from Nakaseke MP Rose Namayanja who polled 3,039 votes. Jacob Oulanya trailed with 791 votes. Ms Amelia Kyambadde was elected unopposed as NRM national treasurer after incumbent Ndaula Kaweesi stepped down at the last minute. In other elections, Singh Katongole retained the job of the deputy national treasurer beating five others including Stephen Masinde and Henry Banyenzaki."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1004496/-/coa2ffz/-/index.html","content":"Bushenyi,Isingiro hold peaceful polls - Western Elections for the NRM flag bearers were at the weekend conducted in a more peaceful manner though petitions and complaints kept emerging. BushenyiThe district NRM chairperson Hassan Bassajjabala decided to declare all candidates that were in commanding lead winners, saying the areas not yet tallied were negligible. Mr Michael Mawanda defeated Dr Richard Nduhuura to become the Igara East NRM flag bearer. There was calm during the election and tallying exercise. In the race for the district LC5 chairperson seat, Mr Willis Bashaasha defeated Joram Tibasiimwa. IsingiroAll the five parliamentary candidates who were vying for the Isingiro South constituency on Saturday withdrew from the race after the NRM district party secretary downplayed their petition. The candidates were complaining about the incumbent Mr Alex Byarugaba’s involvement in the electoral process and alleged bribery of voters.The candidates on Thursday addressed a press conference in Mbarara saying they had bowed out of the exercise because the process was not free and fair. They accused Mr Byarugaba of electoral malpractice. Voting in the constituency first flopped on Tuesday after few electoral materials were distributed. On Saturday voting took place but the five withdrew their agents and urged them not to sign the declaration papers. The administrative secretary, Mr Jackson Twongirirwe, said yesterday that tallying for Isingiro North, Bukanga County was complete. In the race for the LC5 chairman, Mr Dominic Kashaaki had taken a commanding lead against the incumbent Ignatius Byaruhanga. SheemaIn Sheema North and South voting took place yesterday and by press time tallying had not started. The district registrar, Mr Joel Mugisha said: “We had fewer problems and we are trying to sort. Except in some few areas where new cells where created after the introduction of Sheema. Mizigyende one and two villages didn’t vote at all.” Competition is between the State Minister for Finance, Mr Ephraim Kamuntu and Eng. Bategana Katwiremu for the Sheema South seat. The exercise was going on peacefully by press time.Kabale In Kabale Municipality, the district registrar, Mr Maurice Kaitaba, declared Patrick Besigye Kehwa as the district NRM chairperson flag- bearer and Ms Hope Mwesigye as district woman MP flag bearer. In the race for Kabale Municipality seat, Mr Sarapio Rukundo is leading with 2,663 votes against his main challenger Andrew Baryayanga’s 2,147. Mitooma DistrictIn Ruhinda County, the incumbent and Trade Minister Kahinda Otafiire was winning with a landslide. He, however, told Daily Monitor: “The exercise was fake. We started on Saturday and people are still polling as we are tallying. The exercise was badly managed, full of irregularities.” MbararaMr David Bashakara has withdrawn from the race for the Mbarara Municipality mayoral seat saying the exercise has been marred by irregularities. “I will exploit all other options and if free and fair elections are not organised I will stand as an independent come 2011 general elections,” Mr Bashakara said. The NRM administrative officer, Mr Esau Tisasira, however said the polls were free and fair. Reported by Paul Aruho, Uwera Runyambo & Rajab Mukombozi"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1004466/-/coa2i3z/-/index.html","content":"More ministers lose in NRM primaries - More heavy weights continued to fall in the ruling National Resistance Movement primaries with four ministers beaten in the Saturday polls. Results that came in last evening indicated that Disaster Minister Tarsis Kabwegyere and Health General Duties Minister Dr Richard Nduhuura had been defeated in Bushenyi. In Butaleja – NRM deputy Secretary General Dorothy Hyuha lost the slot to run for the district woman MP to Serina Nevanda, a university student who polled 29,900 votes against 17,100. Prof. Kabwegyere (4,847) was defeated in Igara West by new entrant Rafael Magezi (14,406) while Mr Michael Mawanda (7,068) defeated Dr Nduhuura (2,530) in Igara East. In Mbarara Urban Planning Minister Urban Tibamanya (501) was trailing his rival the district LC5 Chairman, Wilberforce Yaguma (1,285) in the race for Kashaari County. Tourism Minister Mr Sarapio Rukundo (2,663) was running neck and neck with little-known Andrew Baryayanga (2,127) in the race for Kabale Municipality. In Tororo’s West Budama North former Presidential aide Mr Fox Odoi took a clear lead polling 16,579 against incumbent George William Oketcho’s 7,684 votes with sub-counties of Paya, Shop-shop yet to vote. Others in the race, ex-minister Henry Obbo (1,298) and Bazir Obwonyo – (64) notched up negligible votes. Mr Oketcho’s supporters on Saturday impounded all the polling materials and burnt a vehicle transporting them in protest against losing the other sub-counties. West Nile In West Nile, Margaret Babadiri beat Janet Anderu for the Koboko Woman MP seat while Minister Jessica Eriyo returned for Adjumani Woman MP after beating off challenge from two others - Rose Ababiku and Jessica Ababiku. Obiga Kania, will carry the NRM flag in Terego while Tom Aza becomes the flag bearer for West Moyo after beating former ISO Director General Phillip Idro in the primaries. In Masaka, incumbent MP Sauda Mugerwa Namaggwa lost to Fild Mubanda by 9,322 votes to 20,237 votes. In Bushenyi, Incumbent district woman MP Mary Karooro Okurut (25,150) easily defeated her rival Mary Kabesiime (15,23) while Mr Willis Bashaasha (20,567) trounced his rival Joram Tibasiimwa (3,000) to win with a landslide. Mr Nasser Bassajjabalaba (1,561) defeated Mr Franklin Katungwe (972) for the Bushenyi Municipality seat. MbaleIn Mbale, Connie Nakayenze Galiwango (21,200), beat incumbent Naguddi Rutange (12,300) to take the Woman MP flag bearer’s slot. Mr Bernard Mujasi, the incumbent Mbale LC5 chairman, secured 39,412 votes against his close rival Mr John Mutenyo’s (17,917) for the district chair. In Sironko, Incumbent Cosmas Busima beat Mr Wadada Musalo to retain MP Budadiri East while Presidency Minister Beatrice Wabudeya beat two others including Paul Wakou to get the nod to run in Budadiri West. In Bududa, incumbent Olive Wonekha (11,702) lost to new entrant Justin Khainza who polled 34,900 votes."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1003088/-/coatw9z/-/index.html","content":"Voters want magistrate probed over intimidation - Stephen AriongNakapiripirit Residents of Namalu Sub-county in Nakapiripirit have asked the NRM secretariat to investigate an incident in which a magistrate allegedly used a firearm to intimidate voters in the district. According to witnesses, the magistrate pulled the pistol from his pocket and pointed it at voters who had asked him to leave a polling station so they could vote in the NRM primaries. The residents also accused the magistrate of running a way with ballots. This, they said, was meant to rig elections in favour of his father, a junior minister. “We were surprised to see a whole magistrate getting involved in election malpractices,” Paul Icumar, a voter in Namalu said. Another voter, Ms Rose Naput, said the magistrate’s action came after his father’s female opponent was heading for a landslide. The magistrate and his father are also accused of using a government vehicle for campaigns.Namalu Sub-county is voting for the third time because of confusion marred the previous polls. Nakapiripirit District Police Commander Cox Apamaku said he had also heard about the allegations but had not yet confirmed them. “We are still doing our investigations,” he said yesterday."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1001580/-/coc4mjz/-/index.html","content":"Account for aid to landslide victims - Ecweru - The Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness has asked development partners and the Bududa District authorities to give accountability for funds spent on landslide victims. Mr Musa Ecweru, who was meeting the district leaders recently to officially communicate government decision to relocate the landslide victims to Kiryandongo, said: “After the resettlement matter has been concluded, there will be a debrief involving all partners who participated in the response.” AccountabilityMr Ecweru said: “You will be required to give satisfactory account of the resources you received in the name of Bududa and explain how these resources were put to the intended purpose.” The government in March resettled the landslide survivors temporary at Bulucheke camp. Several humanitarian agencies, companies and countries gave aid to the landslide victims.The Uganda Red Cross Society coordinator, Ms Kevin Nabutuwa, who handled aid at the camp, said: “Many organisations brought drugs, food, cooking utensils, clothes and beddings for use at the camp.” EvaluationMs Nabutuwa said: “We can’t evaluate this in terms of cash but as the Red Cross, we spent about Shs21 million towards health. So I have to consult the organisations to find out how much in terms of cash they spent on Bududa landslide victims.” Bududa Chief Administrative Officer Vitalis Oswan expressed ignorance about the amount of money spent at Bulucheke Camp. The distribution of supplies for the landslide victims began on March 5, four days after landslides buried three villages, killing 300 people."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/994950/-/x4ho40/-/index.html","content":"Bududa landslide victims oppose relocation to Kiryandongo District - The Bududa landslide victims are divided over relocation after it emerged the government had secured Kiryandongo District as the latest area of relocation for the victims. Many of the victims camped at Bulucheke Sub-county headquarters, who Daily talked to yesterday said they will not relocate because the government’s decision not to involve them in choosing the area of resettlement is unfair. “We heard about Kayunga then Sironko, then while the president was addressing us during the launch of circumcision ceremony, he talked about Kiruhura and now we are hearing about Kiryandongo,” said Mr Joseph Weboya, 58. “We have not been involved in all this. The government does not know our likes and dislikes, so we cannot move to Kiryandongo until we are allowed to visit the area to ascertain whether it is good or not,” he said. Despite the looming danger of more landslides around the Mt Elgon area, the people displaced by the recent landslide in Nametsi want the government to move them to Shiwandu, another area at the slopes of Mt Elgon in Bubiita Sub-county. The Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Mr Musa Ecweru, announced at the weekend that after more than five months since Bududa District was hit by landslides, a phased relocation and resettlement of the landslide victims, with involvement of their local leaders, is now expected to kick off within two weeks.But those affected by the landslides insist that they will not relocate to Kiryandongo. They say government should give them the Shs10 billion meant for the relocation to buy land within Bugisu region for resettlement. “When President Museveni visited us, he told us that he would come back to tell us about our resettlement and we are waiting for him. We shall not be moved until the President comes here,” Mr James Nabende, a resident, said.Bududa councillors and local leaders have also opposed the move, saying they were not consulted before the decision was taken. “Many of these people are our voters. When you relocate them now, we are going to suffer as a council we made recommendations and these must be followed.,” Mr Patrick Mawululu, the speaker of the district council, said. “The district council recommended Bunambutye in Bulambuli District as the most convenient area of relocation of our people because we have relatives there or other areas in Kayunga and Buikwe districts but that government has overlooked all these decisions,” Mr Mawululu said. Mr Echweru said the places of relocation for the 8000 landslides victims will include Kiryandongo, part of Nshara ranch in Kiruhura District (3sq. km), part of the National Leadership Institute – Kyankwanzi (5sq. Km) and Ssembabule District (2 sq. km)."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/994186/-/x4hhw6/-/index.html","content":"Landslide victims headed to Masindi - After more than five months since Bududa District was hit by landslides, a phased relocation and resettlement of the landslide victims is now expected to kick off within two weeks, the Disaster Preparedness State Minister has said. Addressing journalists over the weekend in Kampala, Mr Musa Ecweru said 3,000 people would be relocated to a refugee settlement camp in Kiryandongo, Masindi District in the first phase. “The first 3,000 people will be moved by buses and their properties in trucks from September 2,” Mr Ecweru said. More than Shs10 billion is required for the exercise.Sixty community representatives will be taken to assess the new home on Tuesday and confidence building briefs to their colleagues would be arranged before the initial relocation. Decision contestedThe decision to relocate comes even as Bududa political leaders say they have been sidelined in the decision-making process. “Our council made recommendations and all have been overlooked. We are only seeing things in newspapers,” Bududa District Chairman Wilson Wakira told Sunday Monitor yesterday. He said the district council had recommended Bunambukye in Sironko District, and other areas in Kayunga and Buikwe districts as the relocation areas. “But it looks like the central government has taken decisions without involving us. We are withdrawing a bit to see the response of the people,” Mr Wakira explained.Instead, Mr Ecweru said three other places have also been identified and agreed upon for other phases of the exercise. They include part of Nshara ranch in Kiruhura District (3sq. km), part of the National Leadership Institute – Kyankwanzi (5sq. Km) and some private land in Ssembabule District (2 sq. km). The Commissioner for Disaster, Mr Martin Owor, said this first phase of the exercise would cost government a total of Shs5 billion (budgeted).Mr Ecweru said the process had been preceded by an assessment by officers from a cross section of government departments. Guiding factors, he said included suitability of the land for agricultural production and identification of existing economic and social infrastructure like roads, water, schools and health facilities. Of the four areas assessed, Mr Ecweru said, Kiryandongo had been found most suitable, having 38 boreholes, one health centreIII with 21 staff members, four nursery schools, four primary schools, one secondary school, one vocational school and three community halls. There are more than 8,500 displaced people in Bulucheke camp, after a massive landslide buried hundreds of people on the slopes of Mt Elgon in Bugisu region. Mr Ecweru said each resettled household would be given 1.5sq km of land and facilitated to cultivate an acre within the first six months of relocation. They will also receive hand hoes, pangas and an assortment of treated hybrid seeds.The settlers are to be housed in tents as two bed-roomed houses are constructed with hydrafoam technology and roofed with iron-sheets. A total of 1,420 houses are needed for the whole resettlement exercise. Relief food is to be provided for six months from the day of resettlement. Uganda Red Cross Board chairman Robert Ssebunnya said the URC would continue being a partner with government in the relief effort. “As URC we are happy that they (displaced) are being relocated to a permanent place. Our other partners have been asking us ‘When are you relocating them?’ Just last week, more slides came down and killed at least five children, all belonging to the same family, in Bududa. Bukibokolo Sub-county, where the catastrophe happened, had not previously mapped as perilous. The new developments drew criticism as to why the government was taking long to transfer victims of the landslides."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/976580/-/x3avvj/-/index.html","content":"Five die in fresh Bududa mudslide  - At least five children, all belonging to the same family, were on Saturday morning killed by a fresh mudslide in Bududa District. Local authorities and Uganda Red Cross (URC) officials said the 6a.m. avalanche in Bukibokolo, a sub-county not previously mapped as perilous, followed heavy downpour that lasted several hours overnight. Ms Kevin Nabutuwa, URC programme officer for eastern region, said the dead, aged between 3-13, were children of Mr Stephan Kuloba and Ms Elizabeth Namukwe, who both survived. The children, she said, were sleeping in the living room and the parents in the bed room when the mass of soaked earth from uphill rolled down aggressively, breaking the house into two and burying the children. By midday yesterday, the bodies of all the victims had reportedly been retrieved and were due to be interred afresh. The dead have been identified as Jane Nabusiyu, 13, Isaac Wesonga, 11, Evelyn Nabutuwa, 8, and their siblings Joyce Negesa, 5, and three-year-old Esther Masiwo. Ms Nabutuwa told this newspaper by telephone from Bukibokolo that some 10 households in Bugambi village have been affected by the latest mudslide, following Wednesday’s landslide that killed a child and injured five people in Bushubuya parish of neighbouring Bushiyi sub-county. The Mt. Elgon slopes, heavily populated for its allure of rich soils, have turned into a death trap for residents reluctant to heed repeated government calls to evacuate.  On March 1, between 300-350 people were buried alive and invaluable property, including a Health Centre III facility, were destroyed by mudslides that covered three hamlets in Nametsi parish of Bududa that lies on thesouth-western slopes of Mt. Elgon. Following the tragedy, the worst of all recorded landslide incidents in the area, the central government moved about 4,000 people in danger zones to temporary encampment in Bulucheke. It would appear government-touted effort to relocate the displaced persons to a permanent safe place, preferably in Kayunga and Bulambuli districts, has apparently hit a snag since no bureaucrat could explain the inordinate delay in moving the IDPs after the deadline for the exercise passed in May. Yesterday, government officials in Kampala scrambled to address the new tragedy with Disaster Preparedness Minister Tarsis Kabwegyre saying they are now under pressure to relocate the people living on the dangerous mountainous slopes. “We were already working on it but with this [fresh mudslides], the urgency has now increased,” he said without committing to any timeline. In the wake of the March disaster, government worked with Monuc, the UN peace-keeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to airlift heavy earth-moving equipments to Bududa dig up all persons buried under the debris but that official attempt froze after the machinery broke down almost immediately. Experts, including National Environmental Management Authority’s Gorreti Kitutu, predicted more landslides in Bududa and neigbouring districts due to massive destruction of the vegetation cover by farmers. Published works indicate that in 1970, more than 60 people, most of them celebrating a circumcision ritual in Bushiyi, were smashed to death by a landslide. Between 1997 and 1999, landslides killed 48 people and displaced 10,000 while seven others died in another landslide in 1997."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/975866/-/x3a9v5/-/index.html","content":"Landslide strikes Bududa again - At least one person has died and five others are reportedly missing after another landslide struck Bududa District on Wednesday. The tragedy followed a downpour in Bushubuya Parish in Bushiyi Sub-county on the slopes of Mt Elgon. According to Bushiyi NRM chairperson Michael Mafabi, about six houses were destroyed. “Many of the children and residents whose houses were buried are now sheltered at Bushibuya Trading Centre without help,” Mr Mafabi said on Wednesday.He said Bunesho, Natsilo, Wamangalo and Shamboko rivers burst their banks, blocking some residents from accessing their homes. The Bulucheke LCIII chairman, Mr Charles Walimbwa, said: “We thank God that it was day time and people were able to detect this and they ran away. Otherwise it would have been another devastating landslide in Bududa. Although there are reports that one person has died and a number of them missing, we are trying to establish this.” He said the landslide buried gardens and killed livestock. In March 2, landslides buried alive at least 350 people in Bududa. Although President Museveni ordered the immediate relocation of all people staying in landslide-prone areas to camps in Bulucheke, Bubiita and Bududa District headquarters, many residents refused to relocate. The Bududa chairman, Mr Wilson Watira, called upon the government to give aid to those affected by the landslide."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/975168/-/x3a4e0/-/index.html","content":"This is my last term in power - Kagame - President Paul Kagame has said he does not intend to change the country’s constitution to extend his last presidential term beyond 2017. Speaking on Contact FM, a local radio based in Kigali on a show hosted by Ugandan journalist Andrew Mwenda, Mr Kagame said, “Personally I don’t want to be involved or in changing the constitution so that I stay in power and particularly changing the constitution for that purpose. I would really hate it.” He added: “I don’t know why it (change term-limits in a constitution) has been made an African thing. I have seen Europeans attempt to change their constitutions. I saw it in France when (Jacques) Chirac was about to run for a third term. I don’t know why in other places it is not of interest and it has become an African thing. I don’t intend to change the constitution.” Mr Kagame, who the country’s electoral body officially announced the winner of Monday’s presidential election, said he could have easily been president in 1994 slightly after the genocide but declined the office which Pasteur Bizimungu occupied until March 23, 2000. “I refused to be the president. And somebody was president for six years. Now people are already talking about it (succession). The same reasons I should have stayed in power (after 2017) are the same reasons I shouldn’t. If you have had a Kagame around for this long and he has failed to identify one who has a capacity to take over, I would take that as a failure on my part,” he added. Mr Kagame is yet to be sworn in as the new president of Rwanda for a constitutionally provided second and last seven-year term. Landslide winThe National Electoral Commission (NEC) yesterday announced official results of the Monday presidential elections of which Mr Kagame’s ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) won with an overwhelming 93 per cent of the vote. Observers from both the East African Community (EAC) and the Commonwealth said on Tuesday that the presidential elections were democratic and peaceful. While the EAC observers said Rwanda’s poll, the second in post-genocide era was in conformity with international standards, the Commonwealth Observers Group said the process was well organised and peaceful. Despite the observers’ submission, opponents said the three official opposition candidates were a democratic smokescreen and stooges of Kagame’s RPF something the president dismissed as baseless. Uneven play fieldThey also said the campaign playing field had been uneven, with three would-be opposition candidates including the controversial Victoire Ingabire being prevented from registering to contest the ballot. While responding to question from listeners of Contact FM radio Mr Kagame said, “The 93 per cent has a lot to do with the context and what has happened in our country. Sixteen years ago, no institutions was functional and human life was at stake.”He added: “As we built the country people identify themselves with those institutions or people who have impacted on their lives that is how the RPF and Kagame has gained a confidence of people.” On concerns raised by international human rights groups about a “hostile” run-up to the elections, including detention of opponents and murder of a journalist, Mr Kagame said, “It is being taken for granted that the world should be divided like that. That poor Rwanda should just keep quite and they tell us what we should do.” The President added: “Some of these countries were some of these international journalists operate from are responsible for some of these miseries including the 1994 genocide. Some of us Africans are determined to fight for our dignity.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/968646/-/x2prbn/-/index.html","content":"Landslide victims want to settle on Mt Elgon - Despite warnings about the danger of staying near Mt Elgon, people displaced by landslides in Bududa have asked the government to re-settle them in the mountainous area. Bulucheke Camp residents said since the government has failed to resettle them in Kayunga and Sironko districts, as earlier promised, they now want to live in Shiwandu, Bubiita Sub-county, near Mt. Elgon. After landslides hit Bududa District in March, the government asked people living in landslide-prone areas of Tunwatsi, Kubewo and Mulwelwe in Nametsi to relocate to Bulucheke camp as it looks for Shs2 billion to buy land and resettle them. But four months have passed and no land has been acquired. Some section of the displaced people have already gone back to Nametsi, one of the villages hit by landslides that left about 350 people dead and thousands others displaced. Residents argue that going back to their homes will enable them plant and monitor their crops.“The government has given us empty promises. There is no food at the camp, we are stuck,” Anthony Wakooba, a resident said. But the district chairman, Mr Wilson Watira insists the government will secure land for displaced people and warned residents against living near the mountain. “Many rocks have cracks. You are in danger of another landslide. Let us stay at the camp as the government looks for a way of resettling you in a safer place,” he said.Uganda Wildlife Authority Mt Elgon chief warden Adonia Bintorwa, said there is no way UWA will allow people to settle at Shiwandu. “Shiwandu land was grabbed by the local people. We evacuated them from this land because of the effects of the landslide that were eminent in the hills. How do we again push people back to die,” he said. Stop degradationMr Bintorwa said people living in areas surrounding Mt Elgon should relocate to other areas and stop degrading the environment, if future catastrophies are to be avoided."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/966836/-/x2of8c/-/index.html","content":"Kanyanya hill excavation poses landslide threats - The uncontrolled excavation of murram on Kanyanya Hill, a Kampala suburb, is posing a threat of landslides, residents have expressed concerns to this paper. The excavation that started in 2007 has left an estimated 100 families on top of the hill at risk of losing their lives and property. Residents fear that the weakened rocks will soon collapse on their houses. Vegetation cleared“I came here in 2007 and found the hill intact but the continuous excavation of murram has made it look the way it is,” Ms Hope Natukunda, a resident, said. Ms Natukunda said this has also exposed their houses to running water because the vegetation on the hill has been cleared. Mr Musisi Sserunjogi, another resident, said he thought the plot owner was levelling the landscape to develop the land but he instead dug deep into the hill for murram.Residents said wide gulleys have developed over time and has made transportation difficult in the area. But the land owner, Mr Francis Onek, said he is just selling the murram on his land and doesn’t need permission from any authority. Makerere University environment lecturer Afunadula Oweyaghe told Daily Monitor that uncontrolled excavation of murram on a hill can cause landslides when the ground is trying to balance itself. “Rocks holding the ground are dug out and disaster will befall if NEMA [National Environmental Management Authority] does not run to people’s rescue,” Mr Afunadula said. Mr Bullo Swaibu, another resident, said they petitioned NEMA over the problem but nothing has been done. NEMA’s Executive Director Aryamanya-Mugisha, however, when contacted declined to comment on the matter."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/-/690266/938210/-/14piiafz/-/index.html","content":"Musoke ushers in new era - There is no fitting way to wrap up someone’s reign at the helm of a sports association rather than on the field with an action-packed event. Outgoing Uganda Ladies Golf Union (ULGU) president Jolly Karemera will get her wish today when over 120 golfers swing their clubs for the Lady President’s Shield at the par-72 Kitante course. Karemera has honourably served her two-year term and will pave way for highlyrespected Rose Musoke as president of the union. Musoke defeated Peace Muyege by a landslide for the top job but there will be no bad blood on the course as the ladies compete in the main event with the men playing in the subsidiary category."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/926488/-/fjoi0sz/-/index.html","content":"Burundi’s opposition demand re-election - Monitor CorrespondentBujumbura Burundi’s major opposition parties have demanded a re-vote of this week’s local-level elections, that have so far given an unprecedented landslide victory to the ruling party. In a letter signed by eight parties, they said that the vote, started on Monday to elect 1,935 local politicians, had been ruined with “mass fraud orchestrated by the ruling party.” They also threatened to boycott the rest of the elections. “Opposition parties categorically reject the provisional results,” the letter said. The protest is an early sign that the elections, which many feared could lead to violence, won’t run as smoothly as hoped. The polls are the first phase of a summer-long election marathon, that includes votes for Members of Parliament and President. These early local votes are supposed to set the tone for the rest. The document, signed by the opposition parties, including the recently demilitarised National Liberation Forces, which was an active rebel group until last year, claimed that there had been widespread vote-rigging. The leader of the opposition FNL, Agathon Rwasa, also threatened to pull out of the rest of the elections, which could bring Burundi’s tattered peace to the brink of war. According to the a recent data from Burundi’s national election commission, President Nkurunziza’s CNDD-FDD party had garnered over 70 per cent of the vote, with some estimates ranging as high as 80 per cent. Results rejected“We do not accept these results and the commission should take into account,” Mr Rwasa said. “We will not make fools of ourselves by taking part in the rest of the elections.” Over 3.5 million voters have registered for Burundi’s elections, which people hope will bridge the gap between civil war, to a stable, growing East African economy. But the opposition parties said many more, unregistered, had voted also. Human rights watchdogs have warned of election violence as political parties bolster their ranks with former soldiers. Both the ruling party and the opposition have claimed that each side is raising youth militias to act as activist thugs. The country is emerging from a long civil war that killed hundred of thousands of people. Most of the political parties in this year’s elections are former rebels and there are fears that peace will disintegrate if the polls become too divisive."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/926416/-/b42nwc/-/index.html","content":"The secret in building on hilly areas - Despite landslides occuring around the world, people are still constructing their houses on hills due to the serenity and comfort that come with it , writes Sharon M. Omurungi Some people’s dream is to build a nice house on a hill. However, this may be more challenging and expensive than building on a flat area. According to Mr Chris Higenyi, an architect with Archtech Consults Limited, everything about constructing a house on a hill is expensive. “Building on a hill is expensive because of the cutting and filling. The foundation often has to go deeper up to the rocky part so that the house stands on a firm ground. The foundation on a hilly land is more expensive than that on the flat land; it costs 40 per cent of the total cost of construction,” he says. Basic considerations Mr Francis Munene, the managing director of Munenda Technical Services, explains that cutting helps to reposition the retaining wall to prevent the land from sliding. The foundation is reinforced with iron bars. The back filling can be as expensive as constructing a slab on any other house. However, before the cutting and filling is done, after the detailed drawing of the architectural design, the structural engineer has to visit the site to make an accurate design. The structural engineer gives his designs depending on the type of soil on the site. This helps to estimate how much is needed to be done. However, he must be registered with the architects’ registration board. He should then fill in sub forms indicating detailed information of/about the land and the house. It is then submitted to the city council or any district council so that it can be endorsed. “The council will charge up to Shs1,000 per square metre and value added tax,” Mr Munene explains. Materials usedThe materials used when constructing a house that is on a hill are the same; this includes cement, reinforcement bars, sand and binding wire. Though the materials are quite the same, Mr Higenyi argues that the quantity of the materials is what matters and does differ a bit. “For example, the reinforcement bars are bigger, which also increases the total cost,” he says.When planning where the front or back view should face, Mr Munene says they give advice to their clients. “Of course, they may come with their views, but we give them some professional advice so that they can have something better,” he says. He adds that the front view should be where the owner can see the surrounding that is even far away. The costOn average, Mr Munene says a bungalow-like building would cost up to approximately Shs83m whereas Mr Higenyi, giving a broader view, says it would cost up to approximately Shs560m, depending on how steep the slope is. Mr Munene says though it may be that expensive to put up a house on a hill, it is worth it because they are always stronger than the ones constructed on a flat land. Anticipated challenges However, when a landslide occurs, it may over-power the house. Being on a hill, the pressure will be too much for the retaining walls to handle,” he explains. He however adds that they do everything possible to make sure that the structure is as strong as possible. Mr Higenyi says the designs of these houses are usually more splendid than for the houses built on a flat land. “On such sites, it is when the creativity of the architect is at its best because the moment the client comes to us, we start getting ideas,” he says adding that the designs are often good when the land is sloping."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/925886/-/x07kgc/-/index.html","content":"EC happy with conduct of poll despite arrests - Mukono North The Electoral Commission (EC) yesterday declared the Mukono North by-election as generally “peaceful” even when several people – mainly known supporters of the Opposition – were picked up and questioned by the police for as yet unknown reasons. Talking to Daily Monitor at Seeta Church of Uganda Primary School polling station, EC chief Badru Kiggundu, said: “The most important thing is peace and I do thank the people of Mukono for being peaceful.” He, however, said the voter turn-out was not as high as they had anticipated in the constituency where the ruling National Resistance Movement candidate, Rev. Peter Bakaluba Mukasa, had sought to retain a seat he lost after the courts upheld the view that his election in 2006 was a result of substantial electoral malpractice. ArrestsAt least 20 of Ms Betty Nambooze’s polling agents were arrested yesterday in what the Eng. Kiggundu suggested was an inevitable pre-emptive move to “ensure law and order during the elections”. They included her campaign manager, Mr Joseph Wamala, Maxensia Nakanjakko and Christine Nantume, both councillors in Kampala’s Lubaga Division and Imam Makumbi, who is the DP chairman for western Uganda region. These people were arrested as early as 4am at Zebra Guest House under unclear circumstances.They were, however, later released on police bond after recording statements at Mukono Police Station. Others picked up included Mr Kiregga Musisi, the Democratic Party chairman in Mukono North; Mohammad Kafeero and Muhammed Kawere who were arrested and detained at Seeta Police Post. Mr Moses Kasibante, an employee of CBS radio, was also briefly detained for allegedly driving into a polling station at the Mukono District headquarters. Commenting on the arrests, the police officer in-charge of operations, Mr Grace Turyagumanawe, confirmed the action taken but said he did not know whether the individuals picked up were Ms Nambooze’s supporters. He said most of the people who were arrested were not residents of Mukono North Constituency but had come in to disrupt the elections. The riot police was deployed at strategic areas to “guard the elections” while police patrol vehicles patrolled the whole constituency. “We deployed them basing on the past history of Mukono people. They usually celebrate by burning tyres and that is why we distributed police patrols in all the parishes,” said Mr Turyagumanawe. Allegations Yesterday, Ms Nambooze’s election agents in some places like at Kolo polling station in Goma sub-county, said Rev. Bakaluba’s agents ferried voters on motorcycles and in taxis to polling stations after allegedly bribing them to vote for their candidate, an allegation Mr Bakaluba’s agents refuted. The mood at all polling stations remained tense as Ms Nambooze’s election agents kept a watchful eye on what was going on and defied directives by police officers to stand at least 100 metres away from the polling station. “We had finished voting by 9 a.m. but we have decided not to leave this place until the votes are counted at 5 p.m. We want to ensure that this election is not rigged,” Mr Abdul Lukwago, one of Ms Nambooze’s supporters, said at Kolo polling station. DownpourMeanwhile, a downpour disrupted the voting exercise at about midday, two hours after Rev. Bakaluba had voted at Bajjo B polling station. The former MP told bystanders that he expected to win by a “landslide”. A similar position was taken by Ms Nambooze who voted at Saza Ssekiboobo Primary School polling station at around 11 a.m. in the company of her husband, Mr Bakireke."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/925528/-/2du7ijz/-/index.html","content":"Relocate landslide survivors in phases to relieve pressure - It is hard to imagine the burden the ministries of lands and finance are shouldering in the process of relocating Bududa landslide victims. According to the Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Mr Musa Ecweru, the Bukalasi camp is supposed to be closed by June 30. However, as of now, the government seems to be stuck even when people are willing to be relocated. The reason could be that the government is finding it hard to secure enough land to accommodate all the survivors. Therefore, the way forward should be to relocate people in phases depending on the availability of resources. For instance, Phase 1 could be covered by June 30 while the remaining phases could be attended to in the next fiscal year - that is Phase 2 by September 30 and Phase 3 by November 31. This could relieve the government from unbearable financial and other resource strains. This strategy could also enable people living in the camps to utilise properly the limited available facilities especially latrines. The early relocation exercise will help people settle down and engage in developmental programmes such as farming and small business enterprises as they try to adjust to the conditions in the new environment. The people will require provisions of farming implements and seeds (beans, maize, etc) that take a short time to mature for planting. The people who can do business can be advanced start-up loans in case to engage any business of their choice. A well planned resettlement programme will ease pressure on the government on the one hand and iron out disillusionment among the victims on the other. The humanitarian agencies should tirelessly partner with the government in this new development to ensure on time and efficient relocation exercise. Rev. Titus Shem Makumatmakumas@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/924112/-/x06pgn/-/index.html","content":"Bududa landslide victims relocation  hangs in balance - BududaThe relocation of Bududa landslide victims is still in balance after it emerged that the Ministry of Lands is yet to secure land for their resettlement from Bukalasi Camp, a senior government official has revealed. The Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Mr Musa Ecweru, told Daily Monitor last week that although the government left the responsibility of purchasing land to the ministries of lands and finance to resettle the people first by May 30 and now by June 30, the two ministries have not yet secured the land. “This camp is supposed to be closed on June 30 but as we speak now, we are stuck even when people are willing to be relocated,” said Mr Ecweru during his visit to Bigitimwa, the recent scene of landslides, in Sironko District. “We have heard about Kayunga and Bunambutye in Sironko but there is no proof of purchase of land. This means that people are likely to wait longer.” Shs1b projectHe said the government and other humanitarian agencies have spent more than Shs1b on Bududa and are committed to relocating people to a more secure place but that the Lands and Finance ministries are yet to pronounce themselves on the place of relocation. Each family displaced by landslides is to receive two acres of land from the government. The district boss, Mr Geoffrey Natubu, said another disaster is in waiting at Bulucheke camp after all the recently-constructed temporary pit latrines got filled. “We have 10 latrines and yet we need about 30 of them. Many people are now defecating anywhere,” Mr Natubu said. “Unless the government acts fast on the relocation exercise, we are likely to have cholera and dysentery in this camp.” However, although the majority of survivors from Nametsi village and the surrounding ridges prone to landslides agreed to resettle at Bulucheke Sub-county headquarters as government struggles to secure land for their resettlement, most of the people are divided over relocation. Some say they want to move to Kayunga District while others prefer Bunambutye and a smaller portion wants to stay in Nametsi."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/923042/-/x060fo/-/index.html","content":"Landslide victim dreams of returning home - Bududa/Kampala Mr Patrick Monje looked pensively at the plate of posho in front of him. After a long day without food, he was supposed to devour the delicacy like someone who had not eaten for a week. But he could not. He was thinking about the night.“When night falls, you will find us in a line as if queuing up for food,” he said. Unfortunately, that long line does not lead to the cafeteria but to the bathroom and pit latrine. “If you have diarrhea, it is up to you because you have to stand in the queue for atleast 30 minutes as others ahead use the facility.” He looked at his children, who were happily chewing away on the posho and vegetable sauce. His wife, hand on cheek, was also lost in her thoughts in the corner of their tent, which served as a sitting room, dining room and kitchen. It would later become the bedroom. Eventually, he managed a few mouthfuls and walked out of the tent for a breath of fresh air. Mr Monje is one of the 3,800 people currently living in the Internally Displaced Peoples’ camps at Bulucheke, Bududa District. The group was transferred from Tunwatsi, Kubewo, Mulwelwe; villages neighbouring Nametsi, the scene of the devastating landslide that left about 300 people dead in March. Most of them came to this camp without anything. Different charity organisations have provided them with blankets, saucepans and other necessities to try and start a new life. Hard life“When I reluctantly agreed to relocate to this place, I never knew I would sleep in one tent with my children or have one meal a day. Life here is hard but I have no choice, I pray that one time I get back to my home,” he told SaturdayMonitor recently.His major worry is privacy or lack of it.“We have been bundled together, children and adults and put in one room,” he said. “My children and in-laws have seen my nakedness. It is a sad moment but I think those putting us in IDP camps must consider our traditions and our relationship with our children.”But Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) said the IDPs had not been abandoned. According to Ms Kevin Nabutuwa, URCS regional programme officer, Mbale region, they have supplied 436 tents, opened up a fully equipped health centre with 24-hour ambulance, constructed 60 latrines and given them food. “We provide food enough to last each household two weeks,” she told Saturday Monitor this week. “How they spend it is another matter.” She, however, acknowledged that there could be an accommodation problem since IDPs from Bukalasi camp joined their counterparts in Bulucheke. “We are only waiting for the government’s plan on relocation,” she said. 1 | 2 Next Page»Amid all the gloom, Mr Monje is thankful for the school that has been set up at the camp. “What is important is that there is a school for our children who must be educated,” he said. His wish is to return to his village after it has been declared disaster free and to give his relatives a decent burial. “I am trying to keep myself here but monitoring closely the situation at home,” he said before ushering this reporter away from his family. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/922528/-/2dwah2z/-/index.html","content":"Help landslide victims - It is a sad moment for all Ugandans regarding our brothers and sisters who have perished in the Mbale landslides. This loss follows the Bududa landslides that killed many people. It is time to comfort, pray and offer material help to the survivors. A friend in need is a friend indeed and we can’t claim to be united when we can’t assist our comrades struck by disasters. Today it is in Bududa and Mbale but tomorrow it can be your area. So, we should not forget the survivors. The government also sensitise the public about the risks of living near mountains.Brian Mugabe, Jinja"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/911670/-/wyi7od/-/index.html","content":"Plenty of food but landslide victims have no where to go - They have received tents. They have received basic utensils. And they have received plenty of food but the survivors of the Bududa landslides have a pressing problem. They have no latrines. The health of at least 5,000 residents staying at Bulucheke Internally Displaced People’s camp is now at stake because 10 out of the 63 latrines they have been using, are filled up. There is fear of an outbreak of water borne diseases, like cholera and dysentery due to indiscriminate waste disposal.The district health officer, Dr Peter Wakoba said the current people to latrine ratio at 100:1 instead of 1: 25. “Having over 5,000 people requires 200 pit latrines if we are to meet the standards”, Dr Wakoba said.He said, despite the sanitation dilemma, health extension workers from Humanity First-a non-governmental organisation, is sensitising the community about how to prevent an outbreak of water-borne disease.Dr Wakoba said about 2,500 people from the camp were diagnosed with diarrhea and malaria in March. Meanwhile, about 30 babies have been born in the camp and there are about 118 expectant mothers.Landslides hit three villages in Bududa District on March 8, leaving at least 300 people dead, thousands displaced and several livestock and crops destroyed."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/911662/-/wyi7nj/-/index.html","content":"Bududa  families to get two acres each - Survivors of the Bududa March landslide will by the end of this month each get two acres of land from the government for final resettlement, a senior government official has said. Ms Janat Mukwaya, the minister in charge of general duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, told a parliamentary Committee on Presidential Affairs yesterday that the government had directed that camps be closed at end of this month.“After they get the land, we shall avail them with hydra foam machines so that they make bricks and build permanent homes,” Ms Mukwaya said. Together with all other ministers under the Prime Minister’s Office, Ms Mukwaya was presenting the office’s budget framework paper for the financial year 2010/2011. Since the landslide that left scores dead and 5,000 plus homeless in the eastern border district, efforts to have survivors re-settled have been intensified even as the people have given their own conditions for resettlement. Close to 300 people remain buried underground after a few bodies were retrieved. At least 200 of them in the Bulucheke camp in April petitioned the Office of the Prime Minister protesting their resettlement in Sironko District, where the government had identified land. The camps are home to an estimated 5,000 people and close to 600 families. In their petition, they said their preference would be relocation to Buganda because Sironko is an unfavourable place for agriculture, which is their main economic activity. Ms Mukwaya said the 600 families would mean getting 1,200acres which government will soon get after a survey is done by the government chief valuer.“We already have many people offering land to us for buying. We must get the land before this month ends and we close the two camps.” The government now has three options of buying land - in other areas of Bugisu, Kayunga and in Buikwe districts."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/910934/-/2ek4u4z/-/index.html","content":"Suspected thieves should have been paraded in Bududa - The story that appeared in Daily Monitor of April 30 in which it was reported that police arrested a number of robbers including three security guards suspected to have broken into a store in Nakawa and stole items meant for Bududa landslide survivors was disturbing. How I wish they had paraded these suspects before the landslide survivors in the various camps in Bududa District. We used to think that having a security guard was a way of ensuring security of private/public property but we were mistaken. These days, guards often connive with criminals to rob banks, peoples’ property and even kill people. The government should increase the number of police officers so that some of them could be hired out to provide security because they are professional and government can effectively deal with them through established channels in case of misconduct. Police officers would find it difficult to lose good salary, pension and gratuity as opposed to guards who often quit their jobs unceremoniously. Steven Masiga, Mbale"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/909602/-/a2r7saz/-/index.html","content":"Hi, we don’t bark, we never bite, we are Nema - Hands up, if you ever heard of something called the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema)...! Okay. Now, hands up if you think they know what they are doing…!See what I’m saying? The landslides that buried hundreds of people in Bududa in March should have been instructive for all Ugandans to realise that Mother Nature is protesting the rape and abuse that we have meted out upon her. But like most things in Uganda, this has been quickly forgotten and normal service – by way of raping Mother Nature - has resumed. If you have taken a look around Kampala, you will have noticed that almost every wetland is now in advanced stages of being settled in – some industrial project here, a housing estate there or anything by whatever name called. This means that in the next one year (at most) there won’t be a single wetland or empty space left around Kampala that is lying idle. The kill-every-wetland project seems to have come up after all the fields and empty spaces in Kampala were taken up by developers, as the concerned authorities break every rule in the environmental book to accommodate development. Which brings us back to where we began; why the heck do we have Nema if it cannot execute its mandate, to wit, exercise control over our use of the environment? Those of us who have sojourned in civilised places around the globe and know how well groomed institutions manage the environment look at Nema with pity and disdain. And anger. No institution worth its salt would continue existing when it is clear that it has no justification for being in place. At this, one is wont to think that we have ill-trained personnel manning Nema. Far from it; the training of Nema personnel should never be brought into question – if you go by academic papers alone. They do have papers; plenty of them to be precise. Maybe we are better off examining what exactly they studied and its relevance, because their nonchalance as the environment is being steadily destroyed suggests they have no idea how proper environmental management is supposed to be exercised. The other possibility is that although they know what is supposed to be done they simply lack the spine to stand up against the politicians that are eating up every wetland and empty space in the city. Nema folks are happy to play it safe and keep their jobs; release abstract reports and attend numerous workshops upcountry and outside Uganda. And they call that working. It is astonishing that nobody seems to notice that the City of Kampala will soon be choking for lack of fresh air, as all wetlands and empty spaces are being sold off in the name of development. It is clear that few people know that a city must breathe; that is why it needs plenty of empty spaces. A properly designed city must never be congested in the name of development. Those who are eager to develop it must look at expanding the city, instead of clogging every available space within, with buildings. The importance of wetlands is well known to all people – except our friends at Nema of course, who are happy to look the other way as our wetlands are eaten up. Admittedly, Nema works in a harsh environment where certain individuals in government are more powerful than many institutions. But if the chaps in Nema had spine, they’d be able to resist all this and still keep their jobs. I challenge Nema to come up and explain why it is quiet while the city is being eaten up and destroyed ever so freely. I challenge Nema folks to prove that they understand their mandate and are exercising it with due diligence, skill and care. Mr Tegulle is a social/political commentatorwww.objectiontegulle.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/909736/-/wy291i/-/index.html","content":"Rains leave 200 families homeless - Kapchorwa Over 200 families in Benet and Kosil Sub-counties in Kapchorwa District have been rendered homeless after their houses and other property were destroyed by heavy rains. The District Information Officer, Ms Doreen Kapuseyi, confirmed to Saturday Monitor, that the Wednesday heavy rains coupled with hailstorms struck several parts of the district, leaving hundreds homeless and property worth millions of shillings destroyed. “We estimate that the number of people greatly affected may be over 200 families, who have now migrated to safer areas within Mt Elgon National Park. Houses were submerged and they can no longer manage to settle there,” Mr Kapuseyi said. A district disaster meeting on Thursday convened to find a temporary solution and ascertain the magnitude of the problem before the district can forward its concern to the ministry in charge for assistance. More damageMs Kapuseyi said a landslide also covered four houses, a maize mills and several banana plantations. Kapairikauo Primary school in Kwen County was badly destroyed, leaving eleven pupils injured. The injured pupils were rushed to Kapchorwa Hospital for treatment. They have been discharged. The rains characterised with wind blew off the roofs of many houses and uprooted electricity poles and damaged electric wires. Ms Kapuseyi said those displaced need shelter, clothing and medical attention. She said: “We are appealling to the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness to respond to our call. People are now stranded with nowhere to sleep. They have no food. Indeed the situation needs prayers.” When Saturday Monitor visited the affected areas, most families, whose houses were destroyed were found collecting iron sheets from their roofs which had been blown several metres away."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/905372/-/wxydpf/-/index.html","content":"Bududa landslide survivors reject relocation to new home - Kampala At least 200 survivors of the Bududa landslides have said they will not leave Bulucheke displaced persons camp for Sironko District as suggested by the government. The locals stated in an April 15 petition to the Prime Minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, copied to President Museveni that they would rather die in the camp than relocate to an area that is dry. The government had proposed that the survivors be re-located to Bunambutye Bunambutye Town Council. The survivors argued that they prefer to be relocated to Buganda because Sironko is an unfavourable place for agriculture, which is their main economic activity. “Sir, you better take us to places like Buikwe, Kayunga or re-settle us within Bududa District than in the newly created towns,” reads the petition in part. “Otherwise most of us are willing to die with the landslides but not in Bunambutye,” No consultationThe petitioners said government has never consulted them on the matter concerning their relocation since they were taken into the camps after the landslide that claimed more than 300 lives on March 8. The government had initially said half a million people will need to be moved from their homes in mountainous areas because of the risk of landslides, especially those who live on the slopes of Mount Elgon, in the east and other areas in western Uganda. But the residents said long- standing conflicts among tribes in Sironko, is another reason why they do not want to relocate. “Most of the time there are quarrels between the two tribes of Sebei and Bugisu over land. Therefore Bunambutye is not a suitable place for our settlement.” The other reason they advanced is their long standing conflict with the people of Karamoja and Kapchorwa. “There has been a constant conflict between we the Bagisu and the Sabiny of Kapchorwa and Karamajongs over land. When they come to Bugisu for cattle raids, we are not ready to die of bullets.” They accused district leaders of failing to accord proper burial to their relatives and friends who died in the landslide. “Despite the fact that your office gave Shs35 million to the district for burial, most of the dead were poorly buried,” the residents said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/-/689856/901030/-/yuc4gxz/-/index.html","content":"‘I despise people who think majority is better than minority’ - Sylvester Kabombo is a rapper and songwriter from the rap duo commonly known as Sylvester & Abramz. He is currently pursuing a solo career. DENNIS D. MUHUMUZA caught up with him When were you happiest?When Ugandan hip hop music crossed over to the mainstream audience and finally the media recognised it as a genre worth listening to and writing about. Which living person do you most admire, and why? Nelson Mandela, because of his positive struggle; he’s the true definition of the words “never lose hope” and “never give up your struggle”. What was your most embarrassing moment?I got on stage, was well received and suddenly power went off. Aside from a property, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought?A Hammer DiscMan that I own with Abramz; it’s the only one in Uganda. It looks like the Hammer vehicle. I like it because it plays all the audio files you can think of - data inclusive. What is your most treasured possession?My musical artistry. What do you most dislike about your appearance?Currently nothing, because I learnt to love myself the way I am. What is your most unappealing habit?Prolonged laughter when watching a comedy. What is your favourite scent?Calvin Klein for Men Who’s your greatest love? Jesus What’s your greatest fear? This world coming to an end. What is the worst thing anyone’s said to you?That the music I do will never make it big in Uganda! When did you last cry and why?This year, when our brothers and sisters in Bududa and Haiti died due to mudslides and earthquakes and others seriously got injured. And then, some local officials in the Eastern Uganda stole items that were delivered for the landslide victims. To whom would you most like to say sorry and why?To anyone I’ve hurt regardless of age or race because it’s human to err. Which living person do you most despise and why?I can’t mention names but people who think that majority is better than minority. 1 | 2 Next Page»What do you consider your greatest achievement?Inspiring so many guys to join the hip-hop field. What song would you like played at your funeral?Lemerako, our breakthrough song as Sylvester & Ambramz, because I am going to persist till death. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/900982/-/2f6nm2z/-/index.html","content":"Can Uganda withstand a prolonged rainy season? - When I attended the UN Climate Change Conference 2009 in Copenhagen, I was particularly active in what was called the SOROS Group that brought together some 20 or so academics from universities across Africa. The SOROS Group sought to explore and understand the need for the integration of climate change adaptation issues in the university curriculum. The purpose of writing this is:To inform all Ugandans that the SOROS group formed ‘African Universities Network on Climate Change and Development’ (AUNECCD) to ensure that African universities take climate change more seriously and take the lead in reorganising knowledge and learning of how to put climate change at the core of instruction in and across the university curriculum and produce graduates that can see the linkages between climate change and development. To inform all Ugandans that at the conference, I heard an expert remark that for the next five years, Uganda was to be the wettest country in the world; that while the rest of Africa will suffer dry spells, Uganda will enjoy or suffer rainy spells. But is Uganda ready for an extended rainy period lasting five years - one which does not follow seasons, but is dictated by climate change? Are we ready for swamps reclaiming their habitats that are now selfishly occupied by humans? If we have a Ministry of Disaster Preparedness without a disaster management policy or capacity to mange any disaster, what will happen when tragedies such as the Bududa landslide become frequent in the next five years? The worst that can happen to Uganda is to let nature take its own course over and over again like did happen in Bududa. Oweyegha-Afunaduula,Chairman Nile Basin Discourse www.afuna.org"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Insight/-/688338/900954/-/7tvsy6/-/index.html","content":"Besigye floors Muntu as Oyo sounds royal drum - Out of the 853 votes cast at the Namboole-based Forum for Democratic Change presidency poll, Dr Kizza Besigye scooped 728 leaving the rest to Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu.Dr Besigye’s landslide victory, with 84 per cent of the delegates support, puts him at the fore front for another showdown with Museveni in the 2011 presidential elections.Gen. Muntu conceded defeat immediately, saying what the delegates had decided was not to be contested. He tickled the ruling party when he said FDC had set a platform of a democratic election that should be emulated by the government.Dr Besigye said he was humbled by the delegates support. He promised to fly the party flag high and embark on building functioning party structures. Drunken killerHe drove the bus all the way from Bubulo Girls School in Manafwa District only to ram into a packed taxi in Jinja killing five pupils of Victoria Nile Primary School. The traffic officer in Jinja said a breath analysis done shortly after the accident revealed that the 54-year-old driver had an excess amount of alcohol microgrammes in his blood. Bubulo students were travelling to Kampala to process visas for a study tour in Sweden. The driver was later charged with two counts of manslaughter. Oyo maturesKing Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru of Tooro formally took over control of the kingdom after he clocked 18 years meaning he no longer wants regents to direct him how to handle the royal affairs.Fort Portal town was a hive of activities as King Oyo threw a street bash - the first of its kind to be thrown by the kingdom on the eve of blowing 18 candles off his birthday cake.On the D-day, King Oyo sounded the royal drum - empaango - meaning he was in charge of all issues of Tooro. The ceremony attracted many African cultural leaders and other guests from all corners of the world. Oyo is one of the youngest kings around the globe. Gays BillIn the US, the Senate passed a resolution to implore Uganda to drop the proposed private members bill by Ndorwa West MP David Bahati. Mr Bahati wrote the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009 that proposed a death penalty for those involved in aggravated homosexuality.Speaker Edward Ssekandi, threw his weight behind Mr Bahati saying there was no such a thing like Parliament totally rejecting the law.He said whereas those against the bill were entitled to their views, the best thing for them to do was sensitise the public about the merits and dangers caused by the same Bill. Warriors fallOver 40 Karimojong warriors from the Jie clan were killed by the UPDF soldiers in a deadly cattle raid in Kaabong District. The battle that also claimed a UPDF soldier comes barely three months after 22 other warriors from ethnic Pokot were also killed in a failed raid. However, the army said the figure was still in dispute although they confirmed an exchange of fire.The warriors are said to have been numbering 100 and the army managed to recover 1,283 head of cattle, 583 goats and two donkeys. Useless loansAlthough the money was borrowed to improve the country’s social infrastructures, Shs600 billion is lying idle in the government coffers.According to the Auditor General, Mr John Muwanga, the funds have led to increased cost in terms of commitment fees, mobilisations costs as well as penalties for expiring loans. No begging?Street children could become history if such by-laws as the one suggested by Aruu County MP Odonga Otto are introduced. Mr Otoo argues that criminalising donations to street children would eliminate the children from Kampala streets. jtugume@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/900552/-/wxuxmp/-/index.html","content":"Government declares day of mourning for Bududa - Mbale The government has declared a mass grave and a national day of mourning for Bududa landslide victims, ending hopes of the local people’s chances of getting the remains of their relatives to give them a decent burial. The Minister in charge of general duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, Ms Janat Mukwaya, said cabinet and Members of Parliament on Wednesday got convinced that there was no other decent burial that can be given to the remains rather than a mass grave for all those who perished in the March landslides. “The long awaited equipment to help retrieve the remains of those under the rubble have now arrived and work will soon begin,” Ms Mukwaya said on Thursday while addressing a consultative meeting with area leaders on the resettlement of the landslide victims and burial of the dead in Mbale town. “You are going to identify a place, the government will build the mass grave before burial takes place and a monument with all the names of those who perished written on.” Time frameHowever, she said this will take a month or two before a national day of mourning is declared. She revealed that the government has identified about 2,000 hectares of land in Sironko for the resettlement of the survivors and people from other areas threatened by landslides. “We know our people are temporary in the camps and these camps must end by May to have our people resettled in a safer place,” said Ms Mukwaya. She revealed that according to the government programme each of the about 900 families now camped at Bulucheke will be allocated one hectare to start a new life. According to the Minister of State for Housing, Mr Michael Werikhe, the area of resettlement will comprise of a hospital, church, school, roads, a trading centre, water, houses and other social amenities. Mr Werikhe urged local leaders to continue preaching unity, provide psycho-social support and counselling to the landslide victims to ensure that people forget the past and refocus their minds on the present and future."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/895722/-/wkfl1w/-/index.html","content":"KCC halts works in Muyenga - Kampala City Council has stopped construction works and stone quarry activities in Muyenga Tank Hill to allow geological experts carry out a thorough inspection of the area to avert a possible catastrophe. The current torrential rains have reportedly weakened the soil in the area, making residents vulnerable to a landslide.The City Engineer, Mr Stephene Kinyera, said yesterday KCC has also asked residents to vacate the area for their safety. “We have stopped all human activities in Monkey Zone, Muyenga which lies below the main water reservoirs to enable experts do inspection of the area. Residents in the area are also advised to temporarily relocate if they really value their lives,” he told Daily Monitor by telephone. He said KCC issued an early warning to residents so that they do not blame the council when disaster strikes.“It is good that we have forecasted this disaster in waiting and let all of us cooperate to avoid loss of lives,” he added. Weak foundationThe five mansions on the hill are reportedly sitting on a weak foundation, according to Ms Mary Kitutu, a National Environment Management Authority official, who visited the site last weekend. Another apartment block in the same vicinity which is under construction might collapse under its own weight after its foundation got exposed due to deeper excavation on the slopes of the hill. KCC’s deputy public relations officer Herbert Ssemakula said the city council could have stopped the human activities in the area much earlier had the Makindye Division authorities communicated to the centre on time. “Such construction works could have been stopped earlier if it was the not a communication gap,” he added.Tank Hill, Muyenga also houses five huge water reservoirs owned by National Water and Sewerage Corporation with a capacity of four million litres of water. Last month, landslides hit settlers on the slopes of Mt. Elgon in Bududa District and parts of Kabale and Kisoro in western Uganda, leaving over 80 people dead and hundreds injured and displaced."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/-/688322/891310/-/ediu2kz/-/index.html","content":"Nakumatt joins Bududa donation  - Kampala As companies continue to provide and source support for the Budada landslide survivors Nakumatt has donated a truck-full of goods, a company official has said. The donation that was mainly sourced from the public makes Nakumatt one of the biggest contributors to the Uganda Red Cross Society’s call of coming to the rescue of landslide victims. Mr Wiseman Mwaniki, the floor Supervisor at Nakummat, said: “We decided to include the whole public, which responded to the cause with a generous contribution of goods including; clothes shoes and cooking utensils.” Prior to this, Nakumatt partnered with Cadbury and Capital FM , which partnership accumulated a collection of items and money worth Shs670 million. Early last month landslides killed over 80 and displaced hundreds in Bududa."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/891448/-/wkcqgs/-/index.html","content":"It’s Good Friday but things could be better, clerics say - Kampala Christians across Uganda will today mark the Good Friday holiday in memory of the death of Jesus Christ before celebrating Easter, on Sunday, in memory of his resurrection. While there is a lot for Christians to celebrate, church leaders say they are concerned about the state of affairs in the country. In a statement jointly released through the Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) yesterday, leaders of the Anglican, Catholic and Orthodox churches said they are “greatly concerned” about the current challenges facing the country and “saddened” by the poor state of social services like schools and hospitals. “We are witnessing growing levels of moral decadence in our society that is manifested with cases of human and child murders, child neglect, rampant corruption in public institutions, and degradation of the environment,” the church leaders said in a statement signed by Rev. Dr Silvester Arinaitwe Rwomukubwe, UJCC’s executive secretary. The statement noted that the recent landslide in Bududa that claimed hundreds of lives is a “grim reminder” of the need for urgent action on the effect of climate change. “We urge all Ugandans to avoid cutting down trees. Instead plant trees and dispose off waste such as [plastic bags] responsibly.” To lead by example, the council pledged to plant trees at every starting station of the routes for the public way of the cross, the symbolic procession with a cross. Corruption fight “Corruption,” the religious leaders noted, “is an evil that is slowly eating away our society. Poor quality of education is being offered to our children, there is lack of medicine in our hospitals, and the bad roads are all a result of corruption. The fight against corruption should begin with each and everyone. We would therefore like to appeal to all Ugandans to stand up and be counted in the fight against corruption.”The statement also called for free and fair elections next year, tolerance, as well as freedom of expression and assembly. It also condemned child sacrifice and child abuse. In a show of unity, the leaders of the various churches will lead their believers in processions carrying symbolic crosses from several points to a final congregation and prayer celebrations at Nakivubo Stadium. Police has marked out various routes that will be closed to traffic. The Christians, according to Rev. Fr. Arinaitwe, will converge at different stations at 8am where they shall walk to Nakivubo Stadium. The different stations are Mbuya Catholic Church, St Jude and St. Peter’s Church Naguru, All Saints Church Nakasero, Christ the King Church and Mulago Catholic Church. Others are Makerere University Freedom Square, Mulago Hospital, Mulago Hospital Catholic Chaplaincy, St. Nicholas Orthodox Church Namungoona, Namirembe Cathedral, Rubaga Cathedral, Nsambya Parish and Uganda Martyrs Church of Uganda."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Golf/-/690278/891374/-/gdve9jz/-/index.html","content":"Golf union deliver Bududa proceeds - Kitante Uganda Golf Union (UGU) on Wednesday delivered on their promise to contribute to the welfare of the Bududa people grappling with the effects of last month’s landslide. The function took place at Kitante Uganda Golf Club. UGU president John Kisembo and his secretary Johnson Omollo, handed over an assortment of merchandise to Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) deputy secretary general Dr Bildard Baguma."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/OtherSport/-/690284/889792/-/i800tbz/-/index.html","content":"Orange organise charity run for Bududa victims - Kampala Telecom company Orange Uganda in partnership with Kampala Hush House Harriers (KH3) are organizing a charity run to help raise funds for Bududa landslide victims. The race due April 11 will take place in Kampala starting at 7:30am. “As part of the Orange culture, it’s our belief that we should give back to the community in which we work and live,” Orange Uganda CEO Phillipe Luxce said while launching the run at the company’s head office in Nakasero yesterday. Registration is open to people of all categories as long as they can pay a participation fee of Shs10,000. Orange Uganda head of brand and communications, Anisha Sekatawa, said a good number of people had already registered for the event. The 10km run will start and end at the UMA showground, Lugogo. The route covers Lugogo bypass, Jinja Road, Kampala Road and Kiira Road. Registration forms can be picked from Kampala Hash Harriers and Orange shops in Wandegeya and Kampala Road. Proceeds from the event will be handed over to Red Cross. The organisers have also asked those with items like clothes to drop them at any of the Orange shops. Over 300 people were killed and many more displaced during the landslide."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/889018/-/jg1kncz/-/index.html","content":"Kasubi traders cash in on grief - KampalaThe recent tragedy that befell Buganda kingdom after Kasubi Royal Tombs burnt down recently has turned Kasubi Trading Centre into a quick business hub. Several businesses have mushroomed ranging from selling art crafts, temporary photo studios, restaurants, bars and lodges. The Chairman of Kasubi Market, Mr George Kyeswa, said the increasing number of guests to the razed Kasubi Tombs has since last week tripled the usual demand for every item. “Traders are mourning the tragedy that befell the kingdom’s royal tombs but I must say the incident has boosted several businesses around Kasubi - a Kampala suburb. Every thing is selling like a hot cake,” Mr Kyeswa said last week. According to the tombs over seer, Mr Daudi Katerega, the tombs are visited by at least 1,000 guests daily to witness the destroyed Muzibu Azaala Mpanga housing mausoleum of the fallen kings of Buganda Kingdom. Several schools and universities have organised visits to the tombs on a daily basis creating a great demand for drinks, food among others. The price for a plate of food has doubled from Shs1,500 to Shs3,000, drinking water has been increased by Shs400 and transport charges to Kasubi have more than doubled. Ms Rehema Nakitende, a restaurant operator at the new tombs market, which is a recent creation, says her sales have doubled in the last two weeks. She says while the normal market requires her to prepare one bunch of bananas every day, the increased demand has created need for one more. “It’s a mourning week but for a businessman, it’s the opposite. We are making money than ever before,” Ms Nakitende told Business Power. Other brisk businesses include the sale of pro-kingdom charts and calendars, T-shirts bearing Kabaka’s portraits, Buganda flags and the Buganda map among others. However, the price of kingdom related items has been sealed by kingdom officials to avoid cheating the unsuspecting loyal subjects. “We have told traders to avoid over exploitation. T-shirts, budges and stickers should not exceed Sh10, 000 and Shs2,000 respectively,” Mr Kyeswa said.The businesses are still booming even after the closure of the mourning week. Many people have taken advantage of calamities to profit out of businesses. In Bududa District, after the landslide, the price of coffins doubled because of the over whelming demand that was present at the time. Many business people use such time to double profits."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/888614/-/wjv4at/-/index.html","content":"Christians celebrate Palm Sunday - KampalaAs thousands of Christians yesterday marked Palm Sunday at various places of worship, priests called on them to seek God’s intervention in order to succeed.The religious leaders called on the Christians to donate wholeheartedly to the needy. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of a Holy Week, which reminds Christians of the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. At Lubaga Cathedral, Kampala Archbishop, Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga called for equal distribution of wealth as a way to enhance the fight against poverty in the country. “God never created poverty but it is us who create it through unfair distribution of wealth. Those with wealth are very rich at the expense of the poor. But if there is justice and peace in the distribution of this wealth there would be no poverty,” he said. The Archbishop emphasised that Christians should use the Lent period to donate to the needy, repent and to perform acts of mercy. Rt. Rev. Zac Niringiye, who led the 10 o’clock mass at All Saints Church, Nakasero, commended Christians for donating towards the assistance of Bududa landslide victims but challenged them to always give out useful items to the receivers. “”What we have comes from God and must be used to glorify him. People should know that in order to be blessed they need to always pass on whatever they receive because God also gave his only son to die on our behalf,” Rev. Niringiye said. Avoid blame game At St. John’s Church Makerere, Rev. Simon Mwesigwa described the day as jubilation for success.“As we mark and celebrate this Sunday, Christians need to welcome Jesus to work in our lives triumphantly,” Rev. Mwesigwa told believers. Rev. Fr Vincent Kasirye, who led the mass at Konge- Lukuli Su Parish, called on the Christians to pray for the nation to avoid a recurrence of the fires that gutted Kasubi tombs in Mengo last week. He advised Ugandans to avoid pointing fingers at each other until the government is through with its investigations. Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Dr Kizza Besigye asked Christians to love one another regardless of their political affiliation. Addressing Christians at St. Peter’s Church in Soroti Town during Palm Sunday services, Dr Besigye said the Holy Week reminds every Christian of God’s love for all .At St. Stephen’s church in Mbale, Rev. Laban George Otabong, called for togetherness and forgiveness while at St. Austin’s Catholic Church in Mbale, Fr. Timothy Mayamba, the parish priest, too urged believers to repent and forgive. Compiled by Mercy Nalugo, Ephraim Kasozi, Joseph Eigu Onyango, David Kazungu & Mudhanga Kolyangha"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/886086/-/wjtl50/-/index.html","content":"Nation Media Group donates to Bududa - Kampala Relief items worth Shs200 million collected by Nation Media Group (NMG) were yesterday handed over to Uganda Red Cross to help Bududa landslide survivors. NMG which was represented by Monitor Publications Ltd, NTV, The East African and partnering companies, took the items to Bulucheke camp, where the landslide survivors are living. Last week, Nation Media Group also contributed Shs25 million which was handed to Red Cross to assist with relief work in Bududa. Over 3,300 people now live in temporary tents put up by United Nations Children’s Fund at the just created Bulucheke camp on the foothills of Wanale Range Mountains. This follows the recent landslide which affected the area leaving hundreds dead and thousands homeless. More help Speaking after the handover, Dr Gitahi Githinji, the Managing Director Monitor Publications promised more help for the landslide victims. “We are here to stand with the people of Bududa and please know that we shall continue to support you in other ways. Just let us know how you want us to support and we will be right here.” The fundraising drive, which lasted two weeks, attracted partnerships from companies such as Spedag, MJAP, Ernest & Young, Fina Bank, AON and Uchumi supermarket. Other donations came from MPL, NTV staff and well-wishers from Lira, Gulu and Southern Sudan. “We would like to thank the general public, all corporate, our staff and partner organisations who contributed to this drive,” Ms Grace Nyamahunge, Monitor Publications’ Corporate Social Responsibility Manager said. “The situation in Bududa is humbling and there is need for more relief,” she added."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Entertainment/-/812796/883860/-/bx18jj/-/index.html","content":"Budada fundraising show on today - After the Budada landslides that left hundreds of people dead and thousands displaced in Eastern Uganda a while ago, several organisations have pledged support to the displaced people. Young Talent Uganda, an association that brings together several artistes has joined the effort and they have organised a fundraising concert dubbed Moment of Silence Bududa to be held at the KCC Grounds in Lugogo today. “More than 20 musicians will perform during the concert. We therefore call upon people from all corners of the country to come and attend the concert so that we can raise money for our suffering brothers and sisters, ” Mowzey Radio, the association chairman told Daily Monitor. Entrance fee is Shs2,000 and there will performances from artistes like Mowzey Radio and Weasel, Benon and Vampos, Cindy, Rabadaba, Aziz Azion, GNL Zamba, Navio, Viboyo, Eddie Kenzo, Morris Hasa, Gift of Kaddo and many others. The artistes held a fundraising drive all last week when they camped at the National Theatre receiving items ranging from clothes to shoes and other household items from good willed Ugandans, to be donated to the landslide survivors of Bududa. Before the concert kicks off, the artistes will holding a fundraising march from the Constitutional Square to the venue, KCC Grounds to create more awareness about their cause and concert. The show is expected to kick off at midday. They expect to leave for Bududa tomorrow to go and donate whatever they will have collected from the public."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/882050/-/2tavorz/-/index.html","content":"Artistes’ planned concert in aid of Bududa commendable - As a resident of the area that was hit by the landslides, I was very enchanted to hear on the local radio station that artiste Dr Jose Chameleone and other artistes were organising to stage a concert whose proceeds would go to the survivors of the Bududa landslides. I also wish to implore Chameleone and fellow artistes to come on the ground and interface with the affected people of Bududa and perform for purposes of entertaining them. Entertaining landslide survivors could be one of the ways of making them relax somehow from the effects of the disaster they underwent and perhaps make them overcome the trauma they have experienced. In light of the planned concert, I want to commend Chameleone and his fellow artistes for their solidarity with the people of Bududa particularly those from Bukalasi and Bumayoka sub-counties.Steven Masiga, Bududastevenmasiga@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/878902/-/wj9mpx/-/index.html","content":"Monuc to airlift Bududa equipment - The ground levelling to pave way for big Monuc helicopters for airlifting of graders to at Nametsi in Bududa District to start further exhuming of the bodies buried under the rubble of the March 1 landslides in Bududa. The Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Mr Musa Ecweru, who was launching a communication system to link the people on the ground in Nametsi, the district headquarters and at Bulucheke camp, says the government is going to compensate everyone whose land, or crops will be effected by the ground levelling. Mr Ecweru said the communication system that works even in areas where there is no network would ease communication between the various people involved in the resettlement programme. Levelling ground“The government is determined to have all the bodies exhumed to give them a decent burial. So we have started levelling of the ground to pave way for the landing of Monuc helicopters that are going to airlift equipment to help us in exhuming of bodies. But at the same time, we also give out communication sets to ease communication between various individuals involved in the work here,” Mr Ecweru said on Friday at Nametsi in Bulucheke Sub-county. Although authorities in Bududa have tentatively declared March 14, a national day for mourning the people who perished in last week’s landslide that left atleast 365 people buried, government says it will have it after all bodies have been recovered. Mass graveThe Minister of State for Works, Mr John Byabagambi, had on Wednesday told residents that the government was determined to exhume all decomposing bodies that cannot be identified now. He asked them to write the names of people who are missing and place them in a mass grave where monument will be constructed."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Insight/-/688338/878906/-/7faewm/-/index.html","content":"7 DAYS: Nsibambi in plane crash, new landslide looming - Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi escaped from a plane crash with minor injuries when the helicopter he was travelling in crashed in Bugiri District.Together with six other people, Prof. Nsibambi was coming from the Kenyan border after receiving relief aid from President Mwai Kibaki’s government to those affected by the Bududa landslides. But there was another shocker; Kenyan Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka who was supposed to handover the aid to Prof. Nsibambi, did not make it because the plane he was using was forced to make an emergency landing after developing a mechanical fault. Internal Affairs State Minister Matia Kasaija said a team of experts has been commissioned to investigate the cause of the crash. Mudslides loomingAs many people in Bududa continued moaning the loss of their loved ones and thousands gathered in camps, experts issued fresh warnings of more landslides on Mt. Elgon should the human activities there not be halted immediately. Aid has been trickling in for the estimated 5,000 displaced people while others have vowed not to vacate the catastrophe-prone area claiming they do not want to go away from their ancestral home. Funny though, is that even the little aid coming in was being sold by selfish officials to make extra cash for their families.Fresh slides and heavy rains were also reported in Kabale, Butaleja and Kabarole districts leaving many displaced. Travel banBack in Kampala, MPs warned ‘stubborn’ ministers that they would face a travel ban after failing to appear before the Public Accounts Committee (Pac) investigating the misuse of Chogm funds.Pac chairman Nandala Mafabi said Ministers Hope Mwesigye (Agriculture), Sam Kutesa (Foreign) and Serapio Rukundo (Tourism) should surrender their passports after skipping scheduled meetings with the committee claiming they were busy building the nation on the foreign scene.The committee claims it has evidence that these ministers arm-twisted their permanent secretaries to inflate some procurement deals in preparation for Chogm resulting into the loss of billions of taxpayers’ cash.Some other ministers are said to have used the money to construct access roads to their residencies. Hanged inmate?Inmate Justine Orach was earlier transferred from Gulu Central Prison to Lotuturu Prison only to meet his death days after the transfer.But the police believe Orach’s torture and death was orchestrated by a prison warder on allegations of misconduct.The warder allegedly beat Orach into comma before ordering other inmates to hang him. He did not stop at that but went ahead to boast to the prisoners that he was in control of the situation since human rights activists only work in towns. Online registrationMakerere University is indeed moving at high speed in the information technology field. The 87-year-old institution now wants to introduce online registration for students who intend to join the Ivory Tower and its affiliate colleges for the 2010/11 academic year. Students will no longer need to travel from the remotest corners of the country to pick registration forms and then return them yet in the end they might not be successful. A good move it is. jtugume@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/877750/-/wj8vy8/-/index.html","content":"Nation Media Group gives Shs25m to Bududa - Nation Media Group has donated Shs25 million to Bududa landslide victims. The dummy cheque was handed over to Uganda Red Cross (URC) at the Monitor Publications Ltd office in Kampala yesterday. While addressing the press, Mr Joseph Odindo, the editorial director, NMG, said; “This is to show our support to the Bududa victims. We are deeply involved and demonstrating our solidarity with the government in helping out.” Mr Micheal Nataka, the acting secretary general of URC, said the challenge has been on how survivors can be assisted in various ways. He said the money that NMG donated would help in ensuring that victims get food, clothes and shelter. CommunicationMany organisations and companies have come to the rescue of the landslide victims by donating money, food, beddings, and clothes among others. Early this week, International Communications Union (ITU), a United Nations agency for information and communication technology, put up 20 Thuraya satellite terminals in the area, to provide essential phone links in the search and rescue efforts. The satellite terminals are solar-powered handheld devices that support voice and data applications, as well as remote navigation services.According to Mr Mark Choonoo, a member of the United Nations Children’s Fund, the devices will help in tracing landslide zones and predicting potential landslide threats. The director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, Sami Al Basheer Al Morshid, said: “I learnt with deep sorrow the loss of life resulting from the landslide that swept the slopes of Mt Elgon.” Rescue operations“This equipment has been dispatched with urgency to assist in the search and rescue operations and coordinating logistics on the ground,” he added. The landslides left atleast 91 people dead, 300 missing and hundreds others homeless. The government has made an appeal to survivors to vacate the landslide-risk areas."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/877756/-/wj8vye/-/index.html","content":"Survivors resist relocation - Despite warnings of another landslide around Mt Elgon, people displaced by the recent landslide in Bududa District have refused to relocate to safe areas. The residents want the government to move them to Shiwandu, another landslide-prone area on the slopes of Mt Elgon. The Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Mr Musa Echweru, said the government is looking for Shs200 billion to buy land to resettle about 50,000 people living in landslide-prone areas of Tunwatsi, Kubewo, Mulwelwe and Nametsi. The residents, many of who have declined to move into camps at Bulucheke, insist they have an ancestral link to their land, adding that it is fertile and that they need to look after the graves of their loved ones. While speaking to the LC5 chairman, Mr Wilson Watira, at Nametsi village, the residents claimed it was unjust for the government to huddle them into Internally Displaced People’s camps when they have animals to look after and gardens to attend to. “We have seen people die here before but because we have an ancestral link to this land, we can’t move away. These people have died like our great grand parents did, we are going to bury them here and live with them,” Mr Difasi Wanzama, a resident said. Some of the residents stay in the camps during day and at night sneak back to their villages. “We cannot go to the camps with our animals because we still need our village. This is home, we shall die here even if the government used force,” said Ms Silver Makait, a resident of Nametsi village. Another resident, Ms Kezia Natondo, said: “I have already started a new life, a life without my husband who was buried in the landslide. Who tells you that I will go away from this place?” Ms Natondo said although Nametsi and Tunwatsi primary schools have been closed, they will find another school for their children as they keep watch over the graves of their loved ones.Efforts by Mr Watira to convince the reidents to leave the area fell on deaf ears. “The one that ate the tail is coming back to eat the head. There is looming danger, many rocks have cracks, you are in danger. Leave this place,” Mr Watira said. The National Director for Emergency Coordination and Operation in the Office of the Prime Minister, Maj. Gen. Julius Oketta, said there was eminent danger for the residents of Nametsi, Tunwatsi, Mulwelwe and Kubewo if they do not relocate. Relocate immediately“There are cracks on the hills which makes people more vulnerable. People must move away immediately,” he said. On March 1, a devastating landslide hit Nametsi village, killing about 350 people. Although 91 bodies have been recovered, atleast 300 bodies of residents and pupils are still missing."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/877758/-/wj8vyg/-/index.html","content":"Kayunga offers land to victims - Authorities in Kayunga District have offered land to victims of the Bududa landslides that claimed over 350 lives. The acting district chairman, Mr Boniface Bandikubi, told Daily Monitor yesterday that the district was “happy and more than ready” to offer refuge to the landslide victims as a gesture of assistance. Mr Bandikubi said the district will use the seven-square-mile public land located in Kiwuula and Giira parishes in Galilaaya Sub-county to resettle the survivors. “We have already inspected the land and what is now left is for the government, Bududa Local government and relief organisations to work together and relocate the survivors to Kayunga District,” Mr Bandikubi said. He said even though the district council had not yet met to decide on the matter, all the councillors would support the idea. “This is an urgent matter which needs urgent attention. We cannot wait for the district council to sit and approve the issue. When the district council sits, it will just make a formal resolution,” he said. Mr Bandikubi said that when the district convenes it will set the terms of giving out the land. “Whether they are to stay on the land permanently or for a given period of time is a matter that will be decided by the district council,” he said. Part of the land being offered to the victims is being used as grazing ground for cattle while another is redundant with thickets and shrubs. Camp lifeKayunga district consists of various tribes from Uganda including Sudanese who settled in the area as refugees. The government has set up temporary camps at Bulucheke and Bukalasi for the landslide survivors before alternative land can be got. Bududa District chairman, Mr Wilson Watira said although many survivors are not willing to relocate to another place, they are grateful for the offer. “We appreciate the offer by Kayunga. My appeal to the government now is to establish fully operational settlements on this land,” Mr Watira said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/877344/-/rev335z/-/index.html","content":"Fast-track Bududa relocation exercise - With more rainfall—heavy enough to give a sense that another landslide may soon happen- worries about the safety of hundreds still living around landslide-prone Mount Elgon areas are not misplaced. Even as relief efforts continue, we hope due attention is given to immediate relocation options to avert another disaster. Though the government aims to resettle about 500,000 people living around the risky steep slopes of Mountain Elgon, Rwenzori and Kigezi, there is considerable cause for concern about the resettlement plan. Some residents, it is reported, are resisting relocation to resettlement centres at a time when the government is warning of a worse catastrophe around the cracked mountain Elgon if the rains continue. Disaster Preparedness Minister Tarsis Kabwegyere’s directive to the public to be on the lookout for signs and move away may therefore be futile even with looming danger. Sooner or later, another mudslide will wash these people down the mountain- a disaster that can be avoided by fast-tracking their relocation. There are two options to help the people of Bududa: relocate them to a safer place or just wait for the rains to stop- a dangerous, untenable option. That is why the absurd idea of people refusing to be relocated must not be tolerated. It is understandable that people may want to live near their ancestral land but it is illogical in the present circumstances. What the government must do is buy land in a safe area and structure a comprehensive resettlement plan where every family is allocated land not just for settlement but also for agriculture to enable self-sufficiency. Also, basic amenities like clean water should be provided for, say by drilling boreholes and putting in place and equipping health facilities and schools. Equally vital is the need to ensure issues of safety and well-being are adequately addressed. The nature of the Bududa disaster leaves the government with only one option: to relocate these people as a matter of priority."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/877104/-/wj8r56/-/index.html","content":"Another landslide disaster looms in Bududa - BududaAnother landslide is reportedly looming in Bududda as the crack in one of the hills overlooking Nametsi village, where more than 300 people died last week continues to widen, an official has said. Maj. Gen Julius Oketta, the coordinator of disaster response in the office of the Prime Minister, says the hill currently home to hundreds of people has developed a bigger crack which has been triggered off by more heavy rains. “What we have seen today is that the other crack we saw the other day has again widened so it means that if more rain falls, there is a possibility that this hill can crack. My humble appeal to all the elements in the Bugisu sub region especially Bududa and Manafwa and other areas, should watch out. Let the district leaders be more alert and warn the local authorities. We shouldn’t wait until it falls,\" Gen Oketta warned. He added that cracking sounds probably of breaking rocks can be heard several meters away from the hill. On Monday, the Uganda Wildlife Authority warned that if people on the slopes of Mount Elgon did not conserve the area around the mountain, they are at a risk of suffering more devastating landslides. Further warning came on Wednesday with experts warning that if invasive human activity around the mountain is not halted, more landslides will occur. A team of local leaders led by Wilson Watira, the LC5 Chairperson of Bududa, has been on a mobilization tour encouraging people living in high risk areas, to relocate to the temporally resettlement center. But most of the people living up on the mountain are not willing to be relocated. The government is currently looking for more that shs200 billion to buy land and resettle more than 500,000 people presently living in \"high risk areas\" countrywide. 55-year-old Wilson Wanangudu, is one of the hundreds of people that have refused to relocate to outside Mt. Elgon region insisting that he has lived there for many years."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/877078/-/wj8qj1/-/index.html","content":"Prime Minister to resume work after six months- doctors - KampalaThe Prime Minister, Prof Apolo Nsibambi who was injured in a plane accident on Monday will resume work after six months. Speaking after her husband was discharged from Mulago Hospital on Wednesday afternoon, Ms Esther Nsibambi told Daily Monitor that “Doctors said after six months; he would probably get back to work, because he is recuperating well,” she said. He left hospital in a fairly better condition, his wife Esther said.Ms Nsibambi however said medics said the Premier needs a lot of rest for quick recovery. He will return to Mulago after two weeks.Prof Nsibambi was on Monday 8, flying back to Kampala from Lwakhaka after receiving 150 tonnes of food aid from the Kenyan government to the victims of last week’s landslide in Bududa.Together with four others, including his Permanent secretary Pius Bigirimana, Prof Nsibambi was first admitted in Bugiri hospital before being airlifted to Mulago where all but the pilot has been discharged.The premier is said to have got a back problem but his spinal cord is not affected."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/DanielKalinaki/-/878782/876884/-/vapat6z/-/index.html","content":"Why Museveni carried a gun and not a spade - The picture of President Museveni visiting the landslide-stricken areas of Bududa last week while dressed in army fatigues and carrying an AK-47 rifle has dominated debate. Several commentators wondered why the President carried a rifle to a scene of mourning and not a symbolic bible or a functional spade.The real reason is probably pragmatic; that the Presidential Guard Brigade didn’t have the time to deploy fully in the area before the visit and that the President chose not to leave anything to chance and carried his rifle on him. Nevertheless, the symbolism of the President’s rifle packs a potent political message. In the heady days to the run up to independence across Africa, many political movements presented themselves as progressive and development-oriented, and ready to transform political power into economic self-sufficiency. Their campaign symbols were more likely to be hoes, ploughs or guns that had been converted into farm implements. Others, to show their strength and willingness to take on the colonial masters, had clenched fists and the like.Throughout the 60s and 70s, when coups and armed struggles raged across Africa, election campaign slogans and symbols gave way to the real thing as battle tanks jumped from party badges to city streets.The end of the Cold War allowed us to return to western-style democracy with regular elections and campaigns but the populations remained largely illiterate and symbols ever more important to appeal to voters.Since we were a one-party state under the Movement in Uganda, symbols had to be adapted to individuals to symbolise what they stood for. The right symbol said more to voters than a dozen campaign rallies.Thus, when President Museveni chose to carry the grinding stone in 1996 – the year he officially became a civilian – he came off as the candidate to carry the country forward with all its problems.Five years later, in 2001, the environment had changed and Museveni was facing a stiff challenge from Kizza Besigye, who had just quit the army and the government.President Museveni needed to appear strong but to also represent stability and continuity so the cotter pin became the de-facto symbol of his campaign. It was a disarmingly simple message; most rural voters are familiar with bicycles and appreciate that small as it is, the cotter pin holds the whole thing together and is not easily removable – even by a hammer, which became Besigye’s symbol.President Museveni’s 2006 symbol – dry banana leaves – came about almost by accident, as it shared a name with another term in office, which the President got thanks to a controversial process of amending the Constitution.Although political parties are now allowed to campaign with their symbols, smart candidates acquire personal symbols that help them stand out from the crowded field.President Museveni has the NRM bus and his distinctive bowler hat, which make him instantly recognisable wherever he goes in the country but the gun is the supreme symbol for it is recognised – and feared – by all.The President could have turned up in gumboots and a shovel but so can Besigye, or Mao, or even Abed Bwanika. None of the other presidential candidates can turn up with a gun without being arrested, not even former Army Commander Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu.Rural voters are drawn to power and military might, not agricultural innovations. That’s why the heavily armed Presidential motorcade draws crowds while the latest tractor model doesn’t. President Museveni knows this – which is why he turned up with a gun, not a spade.Mr Kalinaki is the Managing Editor of the Daily Monitordkalinaki@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/877000/-/wj8qcl/-/index.html","content":"Unilever donates to Bududa victims - Kampala Budada District landslide victims have received relief worth Shs10 million from Unilever Uganda. The products that included blue band, soap and loaves of bread were handed over to Uganda Red Cross yesterday at Unilever offices in Kampala.Unilever employees have also donated clothes and Shs5 millon to the victims. “Bududa people have lost everything and we feel that it is our duty to come to their rescue at this time of need,” Uniliver Managing Dirctor, George Inholo said.He said the landslides have caused distress to the entire country through lost lives, homes and property, therefore the need to step in and make a contribution that will add value to their lives. Uganda Red Cross officials asked other organisations to follow suit."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/876310/-/wj84eo/-/index.html","content":"Manufacturers summoned to explain Nsibambi chopper crash - Kampala The government has summoned the manufacturers of the police helicopter that crashed on Monday, injuring Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi and five other people on board. Also summoned is a South African firm that was involved in the purchase, the State Minister for Internal Affairs, Mr Matia Kasaija, told Parliament yesterday. Earlier, the Minister of Works and Transport, Eng. John Nasasira, told the parliamentary Committee on Physical Infrastructure that he had instituted a committee to investigate the cause of the crash. The committee would seek to establish whether the accident was due to a technical fault or human error. “In two weeks we hope to finish up this investigation and issue a statement,” he said. Mr Nasasira said the committee comprises of senior technical officers from the Civil Aviation Authority, a flight engineer from the police, a representative of the helicopter manufacturers and officials from the works and transport ministry. Perfect orderMr Kasaija said the Augusta helicopter, which was manufactured in the United States of America, had been well maintained and was fully insured. He also told Parliament that the pilot had over 30 years’ experience with over 2,300 flying hours on helicopters.The summons followed a plenary discussion in which MPs questioned the mechanical state of the helicopter which was bought two years earlier. “Who goes shopping for these helicopters and where does he shop from?” asked Mr Abura Piriri (Matheniko). “Parliament asked the police to buy a new helicopter. We need to do our investigations well and find out if they did not dupe us and bought an old machine,” added MP Bihande Yowasi (Bukonjo). The police helicopter, which was bought in 2008, was involved in an incident in Arua last year that eyewitnesses described as a crash landing but which Minister Kasaija, who was on board, described as a scheduled refuelling stop. Prof. Nsibambi was flying back to Kampala from Lwakhaka, on the border with Kenya, after receiving 150 tonnes of food aid from the Nairobi government to the victims of last week’s landslide in Bududa. A police spokesman said the aircraft started swirling in the sky, hit a tree and crashed with a thud on the ground inside the premises of Bugiri Hospital."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/876312/-/wj84eq/-/index.html","content":"Bududa landslides: About 700 families moved to camps - Bududa About 712 families from the landslide-affected areas of Nametsi in Bududa District have been relocated to camps set up at Bulucheke Sub-county headquarters. The move comes after President Museveni said the government would establish temporary camps for the survivors of the Bududa landslides to stay in for about four months as alternative land is sought. Worse than home?When Daily Monitor visited Bulucheke yesterday, many families were huddled in the few tents donated by Unicef. Pit latrines were being constructed and water was in place although the residents complained about inadequate food. One of the tents meant to house about 15 people sheltered three families. “The conditions here are pathetic,” said Mr Milton Shibale, a father of eight and a resident of Nametsi. “We are squeezed, our children are getting sick, we are eating half-cooked food which we were not eating at home. They should release us to go back and we die in landslides but we can’t stand this.” Although another survivor, Mr Yekonia Natseli, agreed that Nametsi is dangerous a place to live in, he does not want to live in the camp. “You can not put together more than three families in one tent. The spread of contagious diseases once they break out is fast,” he said. Saving situationBy yesterday evening, a team led by the National Director for Emergency Coordination and Operation in the Prime Minister’s Office, Maj. Gen. Julius Oketta, was battling to install large marquees and to connect an incomplete gravity water network from the neighbouring Lirima Hill. Red Cross coordinator Kevin Nabutuwa said efforts are underway to increase the number of tents to ensure that each family has its own tent and cook its own food for sanitation and hygiene reasons. “We are aware of the need for more tents,” she said. “We are working this out and by the end of the week it will have been sorted out.” She revealed that although many people have responded to President Museveni’s call to relocate, the onus is on the Red Cross and local leaders to convince people in high-risk areas like Bufuma, Mabono, Tunwatsi, Mulwelwe, Nametsi and Kubewo to vacate. She said there was disease outbreak especially among children.Meanwhile, hope of finding those buried under the mud continued to fade yesterday as rescuers said it would be impossible amid the horrid smell from the carcasses and human bodies. Eight days after the mudslides buried an entire village of Nametsi and killed about 350 people; rescuers have only managed to retrieve about 91 bodies."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/875776/-/wj7idt/-/index.html","content":"Kenya offers food aid to survivors - The government of Kenya has given relief aid worth Kenya Shs13.5 million to victims of the March I Bududa landslides. While handing over the aid in Lwakhahha yesterday, the Western Kenya Provincial Commissioner, Mr Samuel Kilele, who represented the Vice President of Kenya, said the Kenya government through Kenya Red Cross had mobilised 60 metric tonnes of maize flour, 30 metric tonnes of rice, 20 metric tonnes of beans and 13 metric tonnes of cooking oil for the landslide victims. “The Vice President was scheduled to be here but his plane got a mechanical problem forcing him to land at Kabarak. His efforts to get another chopper were futile since it was late. We are sorry and we apologise for this. He has sent me to represent him here to handover the relief for our brothers caught up in the landslides in Bududa,” Mr Kilele said. While receiving the relief aid, Prime Minster, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, said: “I want to extend appreciation to the government of Kenya for the relief you have given us. We have a reciprocal relationship.” It is a week now since landslides buried an entire village in Nametsi and killed about 350 people, only about 89 bodies have so far been recovered."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/875290/-/rewhdmz/-/index.html","content":"Stop profiteering from tragedy - The reaction from humanitarian agencies and individuals to the Bududa landslides disaster has been overwhelming, to say the least. The moment news trickled down that entire villages had been wiped out by the landslides—agencies like the Red Cross swung into action—offering support and trumpeting calls for more help. Other agencies like UNICEF, World Vision, the World Food Programme and Save the Children followed suit. This would look like true compassion—not until you get to the ground. On Saturday night, residents of Bukalasi, a designated relief centre, arrested three of their local leaders sneaking “good quality” blankets meant for the displaced through a banana plantation. They were handed over to the police to be charged. Major relief agencies are also furious that despite camping in the disaster-ravaged area for days, they have failed to distribute relief items to the needy people due to red-tape and politicking. The district disaster committee, composed largely of local politicians, seems to want to take credit for all the effort. In so doing, they are holding up distribution of aid and consequently punishing their own people. Like one local leader observed, matters are not helped that this is the eve of elections. Scoring cheap political points from this disaster is on the minds of many politicians. We strongly condemn this attempt by politicians and local leaders to profiteer from a tragedy that has killed scores and left hundreds homeless with a bleak future. We implore the district disaster management team and concerned government agencies to undo whatever red-tape there is and let humanitarian agencies attend to the hungry victims of this landslide. It is such tales of abuse of relief, posturing and politicking that will most likely put-off other would-be donors. A week after this tragedy, it is heart-rending to see people still bickering on procedure while victims lie besides them in dire need of help. In fact, if the local team is failing and frustrating the process of relief distribution, we propose that the central government takes over the supervision and coordination of the exercise. We cannot have myopic, selfish interests stand in the way of life. And for those guilty of stealing relief items, the harsh arm of the law should deal with them."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/875422/-/wj7fvw/-/index.html","content":"Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi injured in helicopter mishap - Busia Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi and six other people have been rushed to Bugiri Hospital after the police helicopter they were in was forced to make an emergency landing in Bugiri, Eastern Uganda. Prof. Nsibambi and the trio were returning from the Ugandan-Kenya border of Lamaka, where he received donation from the Kenyan government to the Bududa Landslide victims when the pilot crash landed at 2:50pm. Police spokesman in the South Eastern Region, Samson Lubega said: “The Helicopter first landed on a tree and proceeded down to the ground in the compound of Bugiri Hospital.” According to police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba, the pilot attempted to make an emergency landing because of a technical problem. “No physical injuries were sustained but the victims were complaining of the backache. I think it was because of the landing problem,” said Ms Nabakooba in telephone interview. Crash landing, is caused by the failure of or damage to vital systems such as engines, hydraulics, or landing gear of a plane, and so a landing must be attempted where a runway is needed but none is available."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/875164/-/wj7dn5/-/index.html","content":"Bududa officials held for stealing relief items - Bududa The police are holding a councillor, a community development officer and a sub county chief on claims of stealing blankets meant for victims of the Bududa landslides. The three were arrested after residents of Bukalasi Sub-county, which is housing a relief centre, allegedly caught them in the middle of Saturday night sneaking blankets through a banana plantation. According to the Eastern region Police Spokesman, Mr Iddi Ssekumbi, the residents arrested the lady councillor and the police helped trace the development officer and sub county chief. Other two councillors believed to be part of this group that broke into Red Cross offices housing the relief items are on the run. Last week, a devastating landslide buried about 350 residents of Nametsi village on the slopes of Mt. Elgon, leaving hundreds others displaced and in dire need of help. “I thank the local residents for being vigilant because it is bad to take advantage of people who are suffering,” said Mr Ssekumbi. “This relief is meant for the people displaced not the local leaders.” Mr Ssekumbi said the suspects were being held at Bukalasi Police Post and would be transferred to Bududa District Central Police Station for further investigations. Meanwhile, district officials have closed Bukalasi camp and directed the displaced persons to relocate to Bulucheke Sub-county headquarters, about four kilometres away. Soggy placeThe disaster committee said the Bukalasi camp was small and in a swamp, putting the health of the displaced at risk. However, some of the IDPs were reluctant to move, citing distance and inadequate relief support. “They have failed to provide for us here, our children are vomiting and passing stool because of eating raw beans and half-cooked posho,” said Ms Florence Nandutu, a displaced resident. “We are squeezed with no latrine. We should be released to go back home to feed our children and ourselves. When Daily Monitor visited Buluckeke Sub-county headquarters, the first contingent of about 200 tents provided by Unicef were being set up to accommodate the IDPs. Each of the tents accommodates 15 people."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/875014/-/wj7cq9/-/index.html","content":"Wildlife body warns people staying around Mount Elgon - Bududa, Nametsi People on the slopes of Mount Elgon are at a risk of suffering more devastating landslides if the environment around the mountain is not conserved, the Uganda Wildlife Authority boss has warned. The Executive Director of UWA, Mr Moses Mapesa, said, “This landslide was caused due to encroachment on Mt. Elgon where trees have been cut down for farming and settlement leaving the ground bare.” He added: “This massive encroachment signals an environmental disaster to the entire area around the mountain. I urge you to design ways of relocating from the landslide-prone areas, end encroachment and degradation of the Mt Elgon.” Mr Mapesa, who was addressing last week’s landslide survivors at Bududa Hospital shortly after delivering relief items, said besides landslides, the water catchment belt at Mt. Elgon has been destroyed by encroachment, posing great danger of desertification. Bio-chemical reactionHe told settlers on the hills in Bugisu that there is very high bio-chemical accumulation due to massive encroachment, farming and settlement which also poses great danger to the entire bio-diversity. Meanwhile, a new report on water quality analysis from selected rivers in Mt. Elgon National Park commissioned by Mr David Ogaram, the Mbale area water manager, has revealed that massive encroachment beyond the bamboo zone is endangering the ecological functions of Mt. Elgon. This, the report said, will lead to an environmental catastrophe. Contaminated watersThe report says the most contaminated river is Manafwa that supplies water to Mbale municipality, Tororo, Busia and Butaleja followed by Chebonet River in Kapchorwa. The Chief Warden Mt Elgon Conservataion Area, Mr Adonia Bintorwa, says the water colour, turbidity, electrical conductivity, alkalinity, hardness, iron content and manganese content have also been affected. Mr Bintorwa also revealed that the Elgon zone stands high chances of heavy landslides, massive soil erosion and desertification if the encroachment is not checked now."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/874548/-/2tux24z/-/index.html","content":"Was Bududa landslide a tragedy in waiting? - Even as we continue to recover bodies following the landslide in Bududa, we need to ask some questions: Why is the government unable to respond effectively to disasters in the country. Unless the government puts in place measures aimed at preventing environmental degradation, we may continue to experience such tragedies. If there had been forest cover on those hills, probably we should not have witnessed such a loss of very precious life and hard working people. We have an environment ministry, with experts who should formulate policies and enforce laws that not only protect the environment but also safeguard lives. Our wetlands have been depleted but the law enforcers seem to be dormant. Why is it that the only time we see law enforcement is when they are stopping a political rally by the opposition? It is time the government worked for the good of its people. Rev. Richard Pius Okiria, rokiria@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/874576/-/wj6rhq/-/index.html","content":"Getting aid a nightmare - Although the distribution of relief supplies for Bududa District residents affected by the mudslides started March 4 after the soil buried three villages, the true beneficiaries of this relief are yet to get. Residents who were walking back to Nametsi empty handed after waiting the whole day, said their local leaders have politicised the aid to the level that people from the villages that never suffered the landslide are paying money to be registered as the true beneficiaries of the relief. “We have left the place, since morning we have not eaten although it is clear that the aid has come to help us at this time. They have locked the offices and chased us away and we have no choice but to get back to our homes and they should not disturb us, we have had enough,” said Mr Difasi Wanzama, a survivor of the landslide. Mr Wanzama who led a group of about 30 people from Nametsi, vowed never to come back for aid as long as those giving out do not come on ground to establish the true people and beneficiaries of the relief. Mr Dison Nasasa also from Nametsi told the visiting chairman Bugisu Co-operative Union, Mr Nathan Nandala Mafabi, to intervene to ensure that the relief is not in the hands of local council chairpersons who are bent on registering their voters outside the landslide area. “We are fed up and we want you to intervene and rescue us from these fellows who are taking advantage of our situation. The truth is that the entire Nametsi village was wiped out, we are only about 30 survivors and we are the people they should have got relief first before the Tunwatsi, Kubewo, Mulwelwe and other villages outside this area,” said Mr Nasasa. Mr Mafabi said: “I am going to talk to Red Cross because I believe that the best way to identify the true beneficiaries is to go on ground, give out aid from the ground with the local leaders from the area.” The 16 patients who had been admitted at Bududa Hospital after suffering injuries of the landslide, went on strike and walked to the district head quarters demanding to know why they cant be fed while they are at the hospital. The Principal Hospital Administrator, Mr Kenneth Wafula revealed that although they have about 16 people admitted at the hospital, the hospital does not have money to provide for them food. The Secretary General of Red Cross Mr Richard Nataka consented there were irregularities in giving out the aid but blamed it on the local leaders who are registering people."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/873948/-/rexpmyz/-/index.html","content":"The best way forward after Bududa tragedy - Whenever a natural or even man-made disaster happens in Uganda it raises two important questions; what could have been done to prevent it, and how to respond to it. In light of the tragedy in Bududa where a landslide killed hundreds of people, it appears the immediate answer is in the negative. Bududa typifies the rural countryside in Uganda where the state is largely “absent”. Roads are bad, health centres and schools in pathetic condition and where the state policy -- in this case of conservation -- is applied, it is done so brutally. A report by the Human Rights Network on the antagonistic relationship between the government and the communities in the Elgon area last year said 13 deaths of locals had been recorded. It was reported that they were killed by government soldiers working for the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Given this scenario it’s critical how the government goes about both the emergency relief effort and the planned resettlement of people who must now move away from the dangerous mountain slopes. It must be aimed at winning back the trust of the people in the Elgon area. The challenges of conservation, maintaining security as well as dealing with the deep-seated suspicion of government institutions will not elapse once the tragedy recedes. Kabakumba Matsiko, the information and national guidance minister announced government’s Shs35 billion international assistance appeal for the rebuilding effort. What she now needs to tell the community and the world is how the government plans to use the money if it is raised. Following the experience of other relief efforts in the north and east of the country, it is not farfetched to suspect that money intended for the displaced could be diverted by unscrupulous public officials. A clear plan of action and follow-up is needed to demonstrate government’s commitment to its responsibilities. Secondly, resettlement will require a bigger effort. The government and local leaders must resist using the tragedy to score cheap political points. Honest engagement will be required on all sides to ensure that a more hopeful future follows the resettlement of these unfortunate Ugandans wherever it happens. While this is an election period, everyone must always be alive to the fact that mass death has occurred and people are hurting. Help the bereaved and despondent above everything else."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/873586/-/wj637g/-/index.html","content":"Landslide hits Kabale, no reported deaths - Kabale A less destructive landslide hit four villages in Kabale district in South western Uganda on Thursday night but no human casualties have been reported. This comes three days after landslides killed more than 300 people in Bududa, eastern Uganda. Residents of Rubaya Sub-County in the villages of Muguri, Kakooma, Kahungye and Kacerere on Thursday night trekked miles to seek shelter after their homes were swept away. The landslides, triggered by a week of rain, swept away 10 houses, killed 30 goats and 15 sheep. A large section of the Rubaya-Butanda road is blocked off by thick mud and rocks, making it hard to assess the full extent of the damage. Many of the homeless spent the night at Rubaya Sub-County headquarters. The area MP, David Bahati, says the Office of the Prime Minister is sending relief aid to the victims. He says the aid will be distributed to residents of Rubaya, Butanda and Kamuganguzi. Kabale district last experienced landslides in September 2009, killing six people including four children in the same Sub County. The 2009 landslides also destroyed health centers, schools and churches, most which have not yet been repaired."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/873284/-/2tvom8z/-/index.html","content":"It’s the duty of govt to protect citizens against any disaster - The catastrophe that has befallen Budada is utterly shocking. However, it would be escapist to say that it is surprising because such a tragedy has happened many times before. Sympathies continue to pour in. And while NGOs are delivering relief items, politicians are taking advantage of the situation to score cheap political capital. Later, it will be business as usual as the very players, who more often than not, cry more than the bereaved, wait for the next catastrophe to happen. Being an act of God, it is not fair to blame anyone for the tragedy. However, there should not be a blanket exoneration. The government has inevitable responsibility of protecting its citizens against any disaster including those that it has no control over. This is why we have the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness and not Ministry of Disaster. If we had the latter, nobody would blame the ministry for the landslide that has hit villages in Bududa District. But because we have the former, it is incumbent upon the government to put in place preventive measures as are humanly available to avert or at least reduce the magnitude of the effects of catastrophes. Those who die in a landslide like in Bududa are later exhumed from their place of ‘rest’ by the next landslide. When will the dead have peace from the very monster that claimed them? The government should carry out a study with the aim of ascertaining high-risk areas across the country and provide concerned residents with alternative places of settlement. Nobody will blame the government even if it forcefully relocated people from areas considered dangerous for human habitation. Short of this, we shall continue having the political blame-game, especially when catastrophes occur when elections are approaching. Religious leaders are not spared either as they declare that the world is coming to an end. Such a declaration cannot help landslide survivors in Bududa. Kuloba Wesaka,kulobahenry@yahoo.co.uk"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/-/690266/873316/-/1578j95z/-/index.html","content":"Basena sacked! - Kampala Today at Namboole URAv Iganga (4pm) URA Coaches since 2003Jackson Mayanja2003/4 Deo Sserwadda2005/6Frank Anyau 2007/8Moses Basena2008-10 American entrepreneur Donald Trump was merciless during the reality TV series ‘The Apprentice’. But URA have not borrowed a leaf from Trump in ‘sacking’ coach Moses Basena on Tuesday. An inside source intimated to this newspaper that Basena was sacked while still in Zambia. URA exited the continental football after losing 4-1 (agg) to Zambia’s Zanaco. Club chairman David Serebe, however, said that management has granted Basena a 60-day leave. “Being an institution, that leave was part of his contract. As management we’re weighing our options to see whether he is still needed,” Serebe said in an interview with Daily Monitor. The former SC Villa midfielder walks down the path taken by Jackson Mayanja, Deo Sserwadda and Frank ‘Video’ Anyau. Mayanja handled the tax collectors upon promotion in 2003. The latter won the league in 2006 and 2007 but still lost their jobs in the aftermath of first round elimination. Basena has previously coached Simba and KCC. His two-year contract expired on February 28, 2010 having joined the side in March, 2008. “I have been fortunate to serve football. Currently, my family is important as I think about the next step,” a calm Basena said.His former assistant Alex Isabirye and goal-keeping coach Ibrahim Mugisha will take charge of today’s league clash with Iganga at Namboole in a joint caretaker role. URA are fifth in the league on 36 points, six behind leaders Express (42). Egyptian Mohammed Abbas, Victors’ George ‘Best’ Nsimbe and Villa legend Paul Nkata have been linked with the job. Bududa tributeUganda Cranes, yesterday, dedicated the 3-2 victory over Tanzania to the Bududa landslide victims. A minute of silence was observed before their game on Wednesday. During a luncheon to congragulate the side at J & M Airport Hotel in Bwebajja, Cranes coach Bobby Williamson said they were terrified. “We were devastated with the news and we dedicate the win over Tanzania to the victims,” said Bobby. The Fufa president Lawrence Mulindwa expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. Mulindwa also rewarded the players with a Shs5m tonic to share amongst themselves."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/873454/-/wj62ca/-/index.html","content":"Business thrives amidst calamity - Bududa Although many people are saddened by the loss of their dear ones in the disastrous landslide that left hundreds of people buried at Nametsi village, a section of the people have made a fortune. When the government yesterday released Shs35 million to Bududa District to organise decent burial of the victims, it was Mr Robert Mafabi who smiled after the district announced that they would buy coffins from him. Reaping bigMr Mafabi and Mr Richard Khaukha have been humble carpenters making coffins at Shs20,000 but the landslide catastrophe brought to them a fortune that saw them increase the prices of their coffins to Shs60,000 due to overwhelming demand. “Although we have been selling coffins, we had never sold 25 coffins in a single day until this tragedy befell us. It is sad, we share the sadness with the bereaved families but at the same time it comes as a blessing to us because we have about Shs1.5 million in just a single day, this is a miracle,” said Mr Mafabi Mr Khaukha told Daily Monitor that although they were not paid cash for the coffins, they are sure of moving to another level of business when they are paid the money by the district. “We did not expect this but it came like any other blessing God can bring to their people. We are thankful to God but at the same time saddened that we have lost our brothers, sisters, parents and children in the landslide,” he said. Busy hotelsIn Mbale, hotel managers have also made money after aid agencies and journalists poured into Bududa to provide relief and report about the tragedy. The Manager of Hotel Eldima, Mr Thomas Kintu in Mbale said the town is not always filled up with visitors. “My hotel rooms are usually half-filled with visiotors, but since the tragedy struck, aid agencies have filled the town, all hotels have been full and I think by the time they go away we shall have made some money,” said Mr Kintu. Mr Lawrence Kinyua, the manager of Mbale Resort Hotel, said although it is a sad moment where people have lost lives, it is also a moment of making fortunes for hotels. “We have actually had the best time. Business has boomed here but at the same time we are mourning with our brothers and sisters about the loss of life at Namesti,” said Mr Kinyua. The aid agencies in Bududa include, Unicef, Catholic Relief Services, Food Agricultural Organisation,World Health Organisation, Adventist Development & Relief Agency, Red Cross. Others are World Food Programme, Save the Children Fund, Oxfam, United Nations Development Programme, Caritas, UN OCHA and USAID."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/873450/-/wj62c6/-/index.html","content":"Census show more people affected by landslide - Kampala A population census from Uganda Bureau of Statstics (UBOS) has revealed that the landslide-hit sub-county of Bumayoka had 8,302 people, showing that the number of victims unaccounted for could be higher. The current Bukalasi Sub-county was carved out from Bumayoka Sub-county and the landslide-hit villages of Nametsi and Matuwa are located in Bukalasi Sub-county. The third affected village of Mabono is located in Bumayoka Sub-county. More affectedThis means that each affected village could have about 600 people, bringing the total number of people affected in the three villages to about 1,800. Information released so far, however, indicates that about 300 people from the affected villages are still unaccounted for, but information from UBOS indicates that the number could be more With the new revelation about affected people being more, resettlement efforts have to be guided by that figure."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/873452/-/wj62c8/-/index.html","content":"Relief aid begins to trickle in Bududa - Bududa Distribution of supplies for Bududa District residents affected by landslide began Thursday; four days after the soil avalanche buried three villages. By 3pm, more than 600 residents had received blankets, utensils, jerry cans/saucepans and water purifiers from Uganda Red Cross Society at its relief distribution centre at Bukalasi Sub-county headquarters. The society’s Secretary General, Mr Richard Nataka, said about 1, 500 people were supposed to get aid by yesterday. Ms Aida Khainza, a resident of Nametsi – the centre of the destruction, said “The humanitarian assistance is little and does not address our immediate need, which is food since all our crops have been buried.” By some fortune, Mr Onapito Ekomoloit, the Nile Breweries director for corporate affairs, arrived with a truckload of 100 cartons of energy biscuits, 500 cartons of bottled mineral water and 4, 000 blankets plus 50 tarpaulins. Metres away, hundreds of residents queued on the afternoon downpour to pick their package that seemed a prized thing in the area. Ms Florence Nandutu, 52, trekked 10 kilometres from Bukitoyi village in Bumayoka Sub-county, which was not directly affected by the killer mudslides. Her tale, underlines the burden awaiting aid workers to sieve the most needy in a community where majority residents are in a state of need. “We heard that they were giving out aid and we were mobilised by the Local Council officials to come and get assistance. That’s why I came,” she said. Mr Mark Choenoo, the Unicef emergency specialist, told Daily Monitor that they had dispatched trucks carrying medical and other non-food supplies to cater for 10, 000 people in three months. District officials said that they had received 500 and 160 bags of flour and beans respectively, from the Office of the Prime Minister plus a cheque of Shs35 million. Maj. Gen. Julius Oketta, the director for emergency coordination and operation centre in the Office of the Prime Minister, said the response by all actors to the Bududa disaster had, up until yesterday, been “ad hoc”. “A lot of contradicting information has been given out,” said Gen. Oketta, adding: “There are opportunists who want to use the misinformation either for economic gain or political reasons and this must stop.” Zuma’s condolenceSouth African President Jacob Zuma, yesterday sent a message of condolence and support. While the Danish government announced a contribution of 200,000 Euros.(aboutShs554m). Tullow Oil Uganda Ltd General Manager Brain Glover gave a Shs100 million cheque to the Prime Minister Prof Apollo Nsibambi. CNOOC International Ltd, a Chinese oil company, also pledged Shs100 million. AON, an insurance agency, has donated blankets. Euroflex has donated 50 mattresses to the survivors. Nation Media Group has also launched a campaign for collecting items for survivors. Additional reporting by Alfred N. Wandera, Yusuf Muziransa and Sharom M. Omurungi"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/873444/-/wj62be/-/index.html","content":"BUDUDA LANDSLIDES: Residents yet to move to camps - Bududa Just a day after President Museveni told all people in the Bududa villages to move to camps, a section of them dents have resisted the directive. The government has set up camps at Bulucheke and Bukalasi fields. When Daily Monitor went to Bulucheke Village, there was no sign of a camp as tents had not been erected and there was no relief food. At the site was a Community Development Officer, Mr Sam Bogere, who was registering people. “We have so far registered 22 families and this is a small number,” he said. However, Uganda Red Cross officials said 200 people had been registered at Bukalasi Secondary School. Daily Monitor saw about 80 people crowded in the school’s classrooms. Mr Yekonia Natseli, a resident of Nametsi, said although he accepts that the place is apparently dangerous to live in, he does not want to live his ancestral home where his parents were buried. “I know this place is not safe for us but we have lived here. Our greatgrand parents lived here, we cannot leave the graves of our ancestors,” he said. Some force Although the Constitution does not provide for forceful eviction of people, the army’s 3rd Division Commander, Brig Patrick Kankiriho says force may be applied. He said he had instructed Police to ensure that residents of Tunwatsi, Mulwere, Kubewo and Nametsi are all forcefully moved out of the affected areas and villages where the landslide threatens to strike."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/873304/-/rexugdz/-/index.html","content":"Bududa requires sustainable help - The full scale of the devastation following Monday’s landslides in Bududa District is still uncertain. What is apparent is that survivors lack shelter, food, clean water and clothing and urgently need help. Even as emergency supplies are sent to the needy, logistical impediments are overwhelming, given the continuous rainfall and the hilly terrain. Also, fears of waterborne diseases are rising. This calls for urgent relocation of survivors to easily accessible areas where health services are readily available. Ultimately, Bududa requires much more than the current quick fixes. It needs a comprehensive commitment from the government to relocate residents from Mount Elgon and other landslide-prone areas to safer places. The Red Cross has already warned that 6,000 people are at risk because of a large crack in the mountain near the landslide area. President Museveni has struck the right chord in directing that all people in the land-slide-prone villages be relocated. However, the government’s response contains some notable gaps. For instance, it has not been clearly established how many people live in these areas. Figures from the Red Cross indicate that 81 bodies have been recovered and more than 300 are unaccounted for. It is vital to establish the number of survivors to enable proper planning and distribution of relief supplies. The government has already dispatched Shs200m for relief. Even for immediate needs, this amount is inadequate for a population whose entire livelihood is - for now - dependent on handouts. This is not to discount the importance of this amount and fortunately, the government is preparing an international appeal of Shs35 billion. But as we have noted in the past, it is common that whenever disasters strike, promises of long-term plans of resettlement/rebuilding are made but immediately forgotten as soon as the floodwaters of compassion ebb. The government must map out a long-term resettlement plan. Beyond the emergency aid, the people affected need sustained help to regain their footing. Equally urgent is the need for an environmental conservation plan. Uganda’s rapid population growth has put enormous pressure on the environment and lack of awareness has led to destruction of forest cover. Efforts to reverse this trend must be intensified. The government must first save lives but should also work fast to implement long-term measures to avert future disasters."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/872848/-/111hs58/-/index.html","content":"Landslide kills 35 pupils at school - Nametsi, BududaMonday was like any other day at Nametsi Primary School.The school children, many of them residents of the little hamlet on the slopes of Mt. Elgon, had turned up in their bright-coloured school uniforms. They had classes. They had lunch. They played and made noise. “Everything went on normally in the day except there was a heavy downpour that started around noon and lasted up to about 6:30p.m,” recalls Ezra Nebute, the head teacher. Satisfied that it was just another rainy day at the school, Mr Nabute left for his home at Bundesi, four kilometres away. “We had cautioned the pupils that if they found the streams flooded they should not try to cross and simply come back to the school and seek accommodation with teachers who reside in the quarters or spend the night in the classroom,” said Mr Nabute. Unknown to him, it was the last time he would see many of his students. His mobile phone rang the next morning. It was one of the teachers from the school. A landslide had occurred during the night, the teacher said, and the school had lost “many pupils”. Most of the pupils trapped by rain at the school were those in upper classes who have lessons in the afternoon. Some appear to have been trapped at the school, others in homes just outside the school compound. On Monday Mr Nebute would have stood in his school compound carrying out a roll call for students who had turned up. Yesterday he stood near what had been the school and tried to count those who will never turn up or school again. By yesterday evening 35 pupils at the school were believed to have died in the landslide. Mess, distress“You cannot know what to say in a situation like this,” Mr Nebute said yesterday as he tried to count the dead pupils, “everything is such a mess and distressing.” “My father, Bulasio Wanzama, was there,” Irene Nandutu, 13, said yesterday as she sobbed softly. Her tiny hands shaking and tears falling away in the rain, she pointed at a mass of mud, ruble and debris, to where her home had once stood. “I am feeling bad he died together with seven other family members.” Little Irene is one of the pupils from the primary school who survived the landslide that wiped out most of Nametsi village. Irene only survived because she spent the night at her uncle’s home in another village that was not affected. None of the bodies of her family members had been retrieved by last evening and as the darkness descended down the sides of the mountain, it seemed to snuff out any flickers of hope of any of them being found alive President arrivesNametsi Primary School – or whatever remained of it – had by yesterday been transformed into a makeshift emergency hospital where UPDF soldiers were helping treat survivors. By last evening six of sixteen survivors from the area were being treated here. President Museveni, flew into the area by helicopter to see first-hand the extent of the devastation. Helicopters swirled around like busy bees, dropping off and picking up government big shots. On the porches of the classroom blocks, local government officials had set up desks to tally requisite information, including an inventory of survivors – with the hope of getting government assistance.Other classrooms have been taken up to accommodate the soldiers. Retrieving bodiesOfficials said 300 troops are now on the ground, helping – together with Uganda Red Cross staff and local volunteers, to dig up the mass of soil and roll or manoeuvre around rocks, some as big as huts, to retrieve swelling corpses. 1 | 2 Next Page»But for Nametsi primary school founded by parents and later taken over by the government in 1989, nothing will ever be the same. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/872844/-/wj5g52/-/index.html","content":"Survivors recount their narrow escape - BududaMs Dison Kuloba, 61, would have died because of his stubbornness. Repeated warnings from his wife about the looming danger fell on deaf ears. He realised too late but was lucky to survive. He narrated his experience to Daily Monitor from a hospital bed at Bududa Hospital where he is nursing a broken leg and hip girdle. “On the fateful day at about 4:00pm, my wife Ms Evangiline Nandutu moved outside our house, looked at the hills, looked at the soils before coming back to the house to tell me and her three grand children that there was impending danger of a landslide and asked me to leave the place. Her argument was that our place of settlement was prone to landslides and that we had constructed right in the way of the landslides. “But despite the noises I was hearing from the hills, I refused to leave the place even when she convinced me that there were all signs and that the place we were in was prone to landslides,” said Mr Kuloba. After trying in vain, Ms Nanduttu left at around 5.00 pm during a drizzle but Kuloba still thought there was no serious danger.“I kept resisting this inner force but later I walked out only to hear an explosion in the hills like a bomb, I did not look back but started running and shortly the whole place was covered. I was held by a heavy stone and mudslides up to my neck,” he said. Kuloba then cried out for help which he was lucky to get from neighbours and his son who pulled him out injured but lucky to be alive. “One thing I know is that although I have saved my life, I lost my son and four grandchildren with my daughter-in-law. It is sad I wish I had died and my son survived with his family.” George Bukoma, 46, admitted at Bududa Hospital says he was inside the house cooking with his five children and wife when he heard a thunderous explosion from the mountains. “I decided to get out and upon reaching out I saw stones rolling from the hills and landslides, I did not go back to the house, I just took off towards Tunwatsi, the neighbouring village but before I could even reach halfway the journey, I was covered by the mudslides, I struggled to come out until some people came and removed me,” he said. “I left my entire family of four children and a wife and all these have been buried by the mudslides. I wish I had remained to die with my children, it is sad, how do I begin a new life?” Ms Irene Watsemba is nursing a badly injured and swollen face. “I was inside the house cooking and I heard noise from outside with stones rolling and cries of children and adults as the mudslides came down and I straightway ran for my child and ran outside only to be hit by a stone,” said Ms Watsemba now admitted at Bududa Hospital in a critical condition. Ms Watesemba revealed that as she fell down she held her baby girl close to her chest to protect her as she struggled with the stones and mudslides. “I yelled and before people came to my rescue I was already up with my child moving before I was over powered by the mudslides and I still lay down with my child protected under my chest. “I prayed to God several times to save my child and I am happy that God heard my prayers and saved my daughter.” Ms Watesmba says there were sufficient signs before hand of the looming disaster. “You could see it because we witnessed unusual things like water coming from the ground, small streams flowing from the hills in places they never passed and constant noise from the hills but we were stubborn, we never moved.” Sixteen people are admitted at Bududa Hospital, and some of them are: James Masawi, 20, Yosiya Wakooba, 46, Dison Kuloba, 71, Sam Walyamboka, 34, Godfrey Masolo, 18, Esther Namutosi, George Bukoma 46, Augustine Yayila 47, Wakube Kuloba and Ms Irene Watsemba."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/872822/-/wj5g38/-/index.html","content":"Residents told to leave area after disaster - Nametsi, Bududa Ms Esther Nabulooli and her three children were the first to move out of Nametsi Village after President Museveni directed that all people in the landslide-prone neighbouring villages of Tunwatsi, Mulwere and Kubewo, be relocated to Bulucheke, Bubiita and Bududa district headquarters. “Before the President even spoke, we were ready to move away from the place because there are cracks everywhere, occasionally you hear noise from the hills indicating that there is another landslide in the waiting,” said Ms Nabulooli who seemed still traumatised by the mudslide.The President, who visited the scene of the mudslide where about 300 people have been buried and only about 80 bodies retrieved, told local residents that the deaths should help the people draw appropriate lessons from the tragedy. “God was not foolish to arrange nature the way he did. When mankind goes against God’s engineering plan, it becomes very dangerous and disastrous the way it is now. We need to tell our people to live in harmony with nature, we can co-exist, we can’t oppose God,” said Mr Museveni. “This place is called Nametsi meaning the granary of water and this is what God intended it for. But look at it, you have destroyed all the trees at the slopes of the hills that hold the soils, you have cultivated on the hills, you have settled on the hills, what do you expect? Once you harass nature it also harasses you,” he added. Mr Museveni urged all local and religious leaders to sit down after the tragedy and relocate all people to other areas for safety. “I am happy that people are willing to relocate, let all these people be temporarily relocated in camps at Bulucheke, Bubiita and Bududa District headquarters as the government tries to look for land for their final resettlement outside the hills,” he said. He told the local people at Bukalasi Sub-county headquarters that all people should be relocated to pave way for the hilly places in the area to be used for environmental protection. MartyrsHe said the people, who died at Nametsi, should be treated as martyrs because they have died for all Ugandans who disturb nature and think that they can do away with it. Mr Museveni said he had already directed the Ministry of Finance to set aside some funds for food, shelter and household items to enable effected families start new life outside the hills. During the burial of one of the victims in Nametsi, Diana Namwano, a former student of Bukalasi Secondary School, Mr Museveni asked local leaders to make a list of all children whose parents have died so that the government can pay their school fees. According to the Third Division Commander, Brig Patrick Kankiriho, the UPDF has already started telling people to relocate from the landslide area."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/872820/-/wj5g36/-/index.html","content":"Shs35 billion needed to rebuild community - Kampala The government is preparing an international appeal of as much as Shs35 billion [$17 million] for the victims of the Elgon landslide disaster, Daily Monitor can reveal. The money is meant for resettlement as well as on-going efforts at relief, according to Information Minister Kabakumba Masiko. She, however, said the exact figure for the appeal has not been finalised. Technical teams were set to work after yesterday’s cabinet meeting that discussed the budget breaking down and itemising the money. Ms Masiko was a guest on the Kfm Hot Seat show to discuss the effectiveness of governments response thus far. The death toll had by last evening scaled over 100 people and about 300 still reported missing. The minister said the budget would cater for much more than immediate concerns of relief and resettlement to cover road construction and other infrastructure that has been. At the moment, Ms Kabakumba said Shs200 million ($100,000) has been dispatched to cater for short term relief. On the same show, Budadiri West MP and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Nandala Mafabi clashed with the minister, saying government response was neither adequate nor compassionate enough for the scale of the disaster. He referred to the Shs200 million put up by the government as part of relief help as loose or pocket change. “What can Shs200 million do, what is the Shs4 billion we provided for emergency doing?” a visibly emotional Mafabi asked. According to Mr Mafabi, Parliament last year passed Shs4billion to be used for emergencies like the one the people of Bududa and Butaleja are experiencing. “We were called from recess to come and pass Shs7 billion emergency funding when cows were going without water. Now in other areas there is different treatment, why is it so?” Mr Mafabi asked as the debate between the two got heated up. He said the Bugisu Cooperative Union, a local farmers union he heads, has so far offered 200 bags of maize flour for the victims. He said the responsibility of disaster management is primarily government’s but that effort has been wanting since disaster struck Bududa."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/872818/-/wj5g2i/-/index.html","content":"Fears grow of further landslides - BududaThe Red Cross said last night there were 6,000 people at risk in Bududa district because of a large crack that has been located in the mountain near to where the recent landslides devastated the area.Kevin Nabutuwa, the coordinator of the relief agency on the ground, said they had conducted an assessment yesterday afternoon, which concluded that 14 villages would need to be evacuated to avoid further disaster.She said that Bulucheke and Bukalase, nearby towns, had been identified as locations for evacuees, and the process would begin tomorrow. She did not know how long it would take. The UN has also sent a multi-agency task force to the area, including several aid agencies, to carry out a strategic assessment of the disaster and plan for action. Call for helpWinston Camarinas, representing UNDP on the ground said, “We need to assess the situation and identify the needs and gaps, both in the short term and long term.” Short term relief efforts are likely to include food and non-food help such as blankets and tarpaulin. Long term relief efforts include measures to alleiviate impacts felt on livelihoods. Several villagers caught in the landslide have lost their agricultural land and livestock, as well as loved ones.Mary Butsina, 29, from Nameitsi village, which recorded around half of the total 80 deaths from the landslide, said “I don’t want to be here. I lost my father, my nephew and one child. I also lost all my land. I don’t know how I will survive.” Unicef representative Mark Choonoo said that his organisation had already provided drugs through the Ministry of Health for the disaster hit area, which would cater for 10,000 for three months. He also said that two truckloads on non-food items were travelling to the area. “It contains general lifesaving goods for the protection of children,” he said. Unicef is still deciding where the supplies should be distributed and said it was unlikely they would be transported up to the directly affected areas, given accessibility issues and the need for evacuation. Brigadier Patrick Kankiriho, in charge of the UDPF operations in the area said more soldiers were arriving to help with efforts to retrieve survivors and bodies, and that his men were working well under difficult circumstances. All excavation work is being carried out by the army and civilian volunteers, using basic hand tools and shovels."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/872274/-/wj5bhy/-/index.html","content":"BUDUDA LANDSLIDES: Museveni arrives, death toll rises to 85 - President Museveni has arrived in Budduda Wednesday morning for an on the ground assessment of the mudslide disaster relief and recovery efforts.Mr Museveni was first taken on an aerial tour of the affected areas and was due to address a rally at Bukalasa primary school play ground. The Bududa landslide on Tuesday brought down huge rocks from the Elgon Mountain that badly damaged property and claimed several lives and injured hundreds. Several others are displaced. By this morning the official death toll had raised to 85 people but more than 350 are still unaccounted for. This is one of the most powerful landslides that have happened in a century. Rescue teams comprised of the local residents and teams from the Red Cross and a specialized regiment of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and the police on Tuesday dug through the rubble with spades, hoes and bare hands, in a frantic search for survivors."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/872188/-/wj5aqi/-/index.html","content":"Darkness brings rescue efforts to a halt - Bududa Rescue efforts were last Tuesday evening called off at about 7:30pm as it became difficult for rescuers to continue work without adequate lighting and fear of more slides. “We have worked up to now and we feel we cannot go beyond this because it is dark,” said area police spokesperson Idi Senkumbi about the suspension of the rescue. Daily Monitor reporters said fear of more landslides striking in the night also made the decision to halt recovery efforts apparent. “It is late and it is night, this place is very dark,” one resident said. “We kept running away as the earth was making noise, we feared that more slides would come down,” said a Daily Monitor reporter covering the disaster. As darkness fell, attention was being refocused on the plight of hundreds of survivors who have fled the area. Government announced plans to accommodate them at two playgrounds at Bubiita and Bukalasi but by early evening there were no tents or other amenities to help them settle. Many were said to be camping with relatives and friends in the neighbourhood of designated reception centers waiting for relief."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/872192/-/wj5ar8/-/index.html","content":"80 killed as landslide wipes out village - Bududa Eighty people were confirmed dead while at least 350 were reported missing after a landslide struck Bududa District on Monday night. The tragedy followed a heavy downpour in Nametsi village on the slopes of Mt. Elgon, which started falling at about midday. According to some survivors, most of the residents took the rain for a normal downpour, not knowing that calamity would befall them. Residents and children from Nametsi Primary School, Bukalasi Secondary School and other neighbouring schools took shelter at the trading centre and a health centre in Nametsi village. At about 7:30pm, there was a loud noise, like an explosion, that was accompanied by heavy stones rolling down Mt. Elgon, Nametsi Village LC I chairman Dison Muluwe told Daily Monitor yesterday. About 10 minutes later, mud buried the residents who had taken shelter at the trading centre and heath centre. Others who were in their houses were also buried. Although the local rescue team of residents armed with hoes and sticks recovered 60 bodies and eight people were taken to Bududa Hospital in critical condition, more than 100 people were believed to be buried under the massive landslide by last evening. Animals and crops were also covered. Mr Muluwe said, “We have found 60 bodies so far yet this village had about 200 people. I don’t know how many are covered here. I am asking the government to send us help in terms of tools to retrieve the bodies that are underground and give them a decent burial.” The Red Cross said two other villages of Namakansa and Kubewo were also affected. Disaster Preparedness Minister Tarsis Kabwegyere said the official death toll stood at 80 by 7:00pm last night. “Eighteen of them were recovered from River Manafwa about 26 kilometers from where the disaster struck,” Mr Kabwegyere told Kfm’s Hot Seat talk show. He said rescue efforts were being hampered by the terrain of the area which did not allow the use of heavy earth moving equipment. “This is not a terrain where you can go with earth moving equipment. You must use the elementary tools.” Ministers Musa Ecweru and David Wakikhona were on the ground to help coordinate rescue efforts but it was the effort of ordinary people using the only tools available to them, bare hands and hand hoes, to dig up relatives and friends that stuck out of the humanity in the face of a major disaster. The Uganda People’s Defence Forces sent a specialised unit of 100 special forces to help in the rescue effort. The district chairman, Mr Wilson Watira, said Monday night’s catastrophe was not the first to strike the village. He said in 1997, a landslide killed 16 people in the same area, adding that in 1972 in Bufumi village about 200 metres away from Nametsi village, a landslide then killed about 100 people during a circumcision ceremony. “As much as we tell people to move away from the area, they still want to stay even when they know that their lives are at risk,” Mr Watira said. Additional reporting by Alfred N. Wandera & Ismail Musa Ladu"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Tennis/-/690280/867676/-/114ij7a/-/index.html","content":"Ocero wants to return good days at UGC - Kampala Okello Ocero has predicted a big victory as he seeks to assume power as captain of Uganda Golf Club (UGC) in tomorrow’s polls. “I am going to win by a landslide,” Ocero confidently answered when asked whether he expects to beat fellow candidates Emmanuel Wamala and Dr Sam Nahamya in a bid to replace incumbent Dr Okullo Odom. Ocero is unhappy that general standards of the club have been deteriorating for a long time and wants to halt that unfortunate trend. “I want to return the good days at the club. There is a lack of management systems and structures. The standards at our club shouldn’t just be compared with those in the region but to an international standard. Adding that; “I intend to shift focus from members’ contributions to run the club to income generating activities within the club. Over relying on members for contributions cannot sustain progress.” Whereas Ocero has been a member at the club for 28 years, he will need the full house at the hotly anticipated assembly to back him as Wamala and Nahamya are formidable candidates."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/849654/-/whfn5a/-/index.html","content":"NRM wins Budiope by-election as opposition cries foul - Kamuli/KampalaThe National Resistance Movement Candidate, Mr Suleiman Balyejusa, was by press time heading for a landslide victory in the Budiope parliamentary by- election. Provisional results released on Monday night had Mr Balyejusa leading with 12,916 votes, while Forum for Democratic Change’s Dominic Wakabi was second with 5,569. The other candidates Shaban Abdukalim and DP’s Moses Bigirwa were trailing. Electoral Commission chief Badru Kiggundu said there was ballot-stuffing at one polling station leading to cancellation of the results there. He said the culprits had been arrested. But FDC MP Abdul Katuntu said there was massive rigging in the exercise to replace Henry Balikowa, who died in a car accident last month."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/-/690266/806182/-/15bh9xnz/-/index.html","content":"Fufa elections on - Kampala Efforts by Kabale delegate Godfrey Kwizera to block Fufa’s elective assembly slated for Saturday were rendered futile, following a decision by Kampala High Court Judge Vincent Zehurikize to dismiss his application. The effect of stopping the election will only be pleasing to the applicant (Kwizera) and would throw the football fraternity in chaos,” ruled Justice Zehurikize. Kwizera’s application was seeking to halt the elective assembly on grounds that nomination of Lawrence Mulindwa and his subsequent declaration as an unopposed candidate was in violation of Fufa constitution. Frank Kandoho representing Kwizera had earlier told Court that his client’s main application would be rendered useless if an injunction was not issued to stop the assembly. However, in ruling the Judge said, Kwizera’s application would not in anyway be prejudiced because it is challenging the legality of the election. The Judge said even if the election is held, the application will still be relevant. Justice Zehurikize said no irreparable damage will be suffered by applicant. “The Fufa election will be held a nullity if Kwizera’s main application succeeds,” Zehurikize ruled. Application on notice Judge Zehurikize reserved his ruling in Kwizera’s main application on notice. The Judge will announce the date after writing the ruling. During the hearing of the application, Kandoho told Court that Patrick Okanya acted in excess of his powers to originate election guidelines for purposes of Fufa presidential election. Kandoho submitted that the nature in which the guidelines were made and secretly published was intended to advantage Mulindwa to a landslide victory. The lawyer further told the Judge that the conditions for nomination were not humanly possible for Kwizera to comply. The lawyer urged that the nomination was slated for October 30 yet Kwizera received the guidelines on October 28. Nester Byamugisha representing Fufa in reply strongly opposed Kwizera’s application and asked court to dismiss the same with cost. Mulindwa unopposed Incumbent Mulindwa is now unopposed for football’s top job. His only task in the federation’s assembly on Saturday will be to name his executive. Mulindwa a Wakiso delegate was nominated as Fufa presidential candidate by Gulu delegates Calvin Okello and Richard Opira seconded by Mbarara’s Abbas Ssendyowa, Abdul Kyambadde and Iganga’s Isa Magoola and Amin Bbosa."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/705430/-/10d69wu/-/index.html","content":"Museveni not likely to win clear majority in 2011 elections - poll - With just 20 months left for Ugandans to go to the elections to decide the next president, a new poll, Afrobarometer, indicates that President Museveni is losing grip on the majority. Angelo Izama & Eve Mashoo explore the contents of the poll:- President Museveni would not win a clear majority in presidential elections if they are held today, a new poll has revealed. According to Afrobarometer, which conducts polls in 20 African countries, when respondents were asked which party candidate they would vote for if a general election were held tomorrow, 41 per cent said they would vote for the National Resistance Movement candidate. This is below the 51 per cent threshold required to be automatically be declared the President of Uganda. The poll reveals that Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate Dr Kiiza Besigye would come second with 21 percent of the vote. President Museveni won the 2006 presidential elections with 59 per cent of the vote, 22 percentage points more than Dr Besigye who got 37 per cent. The poll results are likely to jolt Mr Museveni’s campaign team, as his margins have been diminishing since 1996 when the country’s first ever direct presidential elections were held. In 1996, Mr Museveni took 75 per cent of the vote, but the margin fell to 69 per cent in 2001 and 59 per cent five years later.***image1*** The poll results were officially released on Thursday, the same day Attorney General Kiddu Mukubya told MPs that the government intends to bring two Constitutional Amendment Bills to the House. It is widely believed that one of them will be the removal of the current requirement that a presidential candidate must win 51 per cent of the vote to be declared President.  The AG, however, refused to comment on details of the proposed amendments. Knowledgeable sources say the government will also seek to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on different days.  This, and other developments, including a law to allow funding of political parties from the public purse is turning up the political temperature just 20 months to the next general election. There are other staples in the current poll, which according to Wilksen have been shared with both NRM and FDC as well as other political parties and stakeholders.  Interestingly, NRM’s overall national support stands at 59 per cent, while FDC has 28 per cent, with the Democratic Party and Uganda People's Congress tied at six per cent.  NRM’s support is highest in the west with 75 per cent of respondents while FDC is strongest in urban areas, with 42 per cent of urban dwellers backing the main opposition party. Change needed? The new poll points to the possibility that a presidential candidate, who presents a realistic prospect of change, may stand a chance in 2011. Mr Robert Sentamu of Wilksen Agencies that conducted the local study said, “Over all people are tired. They want change. That’s the message across the board.â€Â� 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/696976/-/yyn7l4/-/index.html","content":"Besigye is the winner;Njuba beats Katuntu to replace Late Kiggunddu - Dr Kizza Besigye was yesterday re-elected as President of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) beating his only rival former army commander Maj. General Mugisha Muntu in a landslide 80 to 20 per cent. Dr Besigye scored in double digits at most of the polling stations set up at Namboole Stadium where the party held its delegates conference. By 11:20pm results from the 20 polling stations gave Besigye a total of 652 votes against Muntu’s 58 votes. ***image1*** Gen. Muntu conceded defeat describing the process as “okay and transparentâ€Â� “The process is okay, I think it was transparent if there are any weaknesses they are weaknesses that we can solve. I am personally satisfied,â€Â� he said. On his part, Dr Besigye said, “My re-election is just a reaffirmation of the trust that the party members gave me. I think the most important thing is not to win but the process of winning. We have demonstrated that we can have a clean competition, that election can be transparent.â€Â� Dr Besigye added that his victory is for the party and not himself. Neither is has Muntu lost. “He has won from the view that the party has won. Certainly we will work together,â€Â� he told Daily Monitor. The day’s other early winners included Mr Sam Kalega Njuba who also won a landslide against Bugweri County MP Abdu Katuntu for the party chairmanship. His four assistants are Ms Joyce Ssebugwawo (Central), Ms Kevina Taaka (East), Mr Anang Odur (north) and Baguma from Kyejonjo district for western. Early results indicated that Col. Amanya Mushega was headed for a win as deputy president for western Uganda. The election was still going on by midnight when we went to press. Our reporters at Namboole reported that at least two polling stations Gen. Muntu registered zero votes and only managed a vote at four other polling stations. Dr Besigye led Gen. Muntu by large margins registering more than 30 votes at several polling stations. ***image2*** 1 | 2 Next Page»The voting which started close to 7:00pm was briefly interrupted by a power cut at the National Stadium but was reported to have gone generally smoothly. Earlier, the candidates canvassed support from delegates in open campaigns in the conference room. Dr Besigye says this will be his last term in office. He has also indicated that he will be available to vie for the national presidency against possibly President Museveni in 2011. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/729048/-/3gx0kuz/-/index.html","content":"Authorities should inform the public - Reference is made to the article  President Museveni backs Kisekka Market vendors (Daily Monitor,  February 15). This is a welcome developemnt and a relief after  the latest disturbances that have characterised the ownership of the market since February 11. The vendors anger were compounded by their lack of information because the market regulators (Kampala City Concil) have completely failed to to explain the ownership of market. The Inspector General of Police,  is quoted as having told the vendors that there is a policy designed for the management of the city and other markets where “the sitting tenants who own stalls shall be registered and given the first priority to develop the marketsâ€Â�. However, it’s now time for the concerned authorities - either KCC or the government through the Local Government ministry to publish the policy document on managing markets for all stakeholders to read and understand. This will curtail the rampant riots over markets in the city. Vendors are mere victims of poor management style of KCC on how some markets, or city land is leased or sold out to some investors who sometime remain anonymous till the tenants see themselves being evicted, and in the process their properties destroyed.  The week has seen so many people being injured, schools interrupted and businesses closed. All this should have been avoided if our policy makers had come out to inform the people about the policy in place instead of waiting for violence to take its toll. It’s now time for the government to enact laws that give right to citizens to access information otherwise strikes, city riots - name it, will never cease in Uganda.  In addition, the iron hand evidenced by the firing of live bullets by the police was uncalled for and should be condemned by all. Kiapi K. Frederick, Ag. Executive Director, CPA Uganda 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/-/689856/799272/-/10rs4npz/-/index.html","content":"The tale of employed jobseekers - Monday When you are on the street, there are many battles you have got to fight and these are not only to do with job searching but also the people that are competing with you for the jobs. A newspaper has intimated (correctly) that over 50 percent of all employed people are actually looking for jobs too. I believed the story. Not anymore though, after this sojourn to this NGO in Wandegeya. All of them have a copy of Wednesday monitor, and the reason is not to read inside politics; they are job searching! The 50 percent therefore must be a big joke. All employees are looking for jobs, with an exception of those earning gazillions.  Tuesday It’s shocking how many employed friends of mine say they are looking for jobs. Why don’t they resign first and we takeover their jobs before they can moan of job dissatisfaction? Do they have any idea what a hell of life real jobseekers are living out here? These chaps are making it harder for ‘employment virgins’ including yours truly to get jobs. I hear employers hate to find out that their employees are looking for jobs, that’s why they hide these motives; but then until when? Certainly a time for resignation will someday beckon.  Wednesday Its midweek service at St Francis, and since Chogm is over, I hope there won’t be prayers for Chogm delegates, so we may leave early. A prayer partner of mine who tells me he is tired of praying for a job is also coming along, and having counselled him to continue waiting upon God, he seems composed now.  Thursday It seems employers also panic over the prospect of their employees leaving. What else can explain the abrupt sacking of Joe, a buddy ejected out a telecom giant he had just joined? Poor Joe typed his application letter and saved it on the firm’s computer network. The ever-curious boss landed on it and gave him a dismissal letter immediately!. While he had been complaining of the bad working conditions, at least this job was paying his bills. Now he is back to my shack, camping there!  Friday It’s cold this morning and yet I have an interview at 10. Which weather does the metrological centre forecast? While they were saying it would be warm, sunny, with humid conditions in the afternoon, they didn’t mention a storm. Now here I am, coiled in bed at 8.45a.m. As if that isn’t bad enough, Umeme has done her maiden duty so I can do nothing, tea-wise.  Saturday I think this world is in trouble. Russia’s Vladinir Putin has won a landslide, Hugo Chavez wants to rule for life, while Iran’s Ahmedinejad doesn’t seem to be going out of steam soon as far as nukes are concerned. John Howard’s 5th term bid flopped, while Omar Bongo marks 40 years in power. Let me hear anyone talking nonsense again, saying that our own Kags has over-stayed. Don’t they see these who even have bigger visions for their countries?   Sunday Its prayer time at St Francis as usual, but something is different today. I somehow don’t feel God’s presence as I used to. Something must be amiss with my spirit. Could it be this girl seated next to me, who has quintupled my breathing rate? Well, she is a smashing beauty but I swear I haven’t lusted after her. I have just appreciated God’s creation, which his word encourages us to do; so what could be wrong? Why do I feel guilty? jobseekerdiary@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/791766/-/10imf57/-/index.html","content":"How Museveni won in Bugisu - BUGISU IN the just concluded presidential and parliamentary elections, the  NRM's President Yoweri Museveni had to fight tooth and nail to register  victory in Bugisu sub-region. Throughout the campaign period, Bugisu was one of the hotspots where  Museveni and FDC's Kizza Besigye fought for votes. The support Besigye received in urban centres in Bugisu after he  returned from exile in South Africa did not give Museveni a rest. Both camps got embroiled in political antics to woo support with NRM  parading converts from the opposition while the opposition also fired  back with allegations that the 'converts' were targeting Movement's money. Against odds, Museveni registered victory from the Bamasaba land. However, all districts voted differently. Manafa Although the Besigye wind spread like a bush fire in the urban areas in  Bamasaba, Manafa did not go with the wind, which explains why NRM was  able to harvest a landslide victory in the new district. Museveni  garnered 74.7% against Besigye's 23.8%. The district’s three constituencies and one Woman seat were all taken  by NRM candidates. They include Mr David Wokikona (Manjiya County, Mr Fred Bukeni  Gyabi(Bubulo West), Mr William Wopuwa (Bubulo East) while Ms Sarah Natalisire  took the District Woman seat. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/787544/-/w0rnj4/-/index.html","content":"Bududa pupils go to school twice a week - BUDUDA PARENTS in Bududa District send their children to schools twice a week. District officials say the parents instead send their children to markets to sell agricultural merchandise. The district chairman Wilson Watira has said the practice of sending children to markets other than schools is crippling the Universal Primary and Secondary Education programmes. Mr Watira said the the district council is not ready to tolerate the practice. Bukigai, Bushika and Shikolo are the largest markets in the new district that was curved out of Manafwa district. The booming market business contributes over 60% of the household incomes of the residents here. He said those who have nothing to sell on market days deploy their children to other informal businesses at the expense of school. \"I have noted that the majority of the parents send school going children to markets to do business on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays making children only appear in school for only two two days in a week,\" he said. Mr Watira added:\"This is criminal and such parents shall be arrested, prosecuted and jailed for sabotaging U.P.E and U.S.E.\" He was addressing landslide victims at Bubiita sub-county headquarters. Mr Watira said an education ordinance law on education would be introduced in the district authorise security officials arrest and prosecute parents who have failed to send their children to school. Mr Watila's planned bylaw is likely to meet resistance from many parents who argue that the majority of the people in Bududa District are employed in the subsistence production of agricultural products that are have to be sold in markets."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/786824/-/4qki84/-/index.html","content":"2011: Opposition and NRM face off - KAMPALA After \"unearthing\" a possible powerful political coalition by the  opposition parties and dissenting forces in the ruling National Resistance  Movement, that could challenge President Museveni's fourth term in 2011,  government strategists are busy devising means of fighting back. Inside Politics has reliably leant that political intelligence within  NRM recently established that opposition parties are hatching a plan to  gang up in the year 2010, just a year from the 2011 general elections  to form a yet to be named coalition similar to that of the National  Rainbow Coalition (NARC) of Kenya that routed the Kenya African National  Union (KANU) from power. NARC isKenya’s ruling political party, and has been in power since  2002. In preparation for the 2002 elections, the National Alliance Party of  Kenya (NAK) allied itself with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to  form Narc that on December 27, 2002, registered a landslide victory over  Kanu. Narc stampeded Kanu because most of the latter's senior politicians  defected en-masse to the former. The predicted Ugandan coalition would not only accommodate the  opposition groups but many other Movement politicians especially those who feel  that they are only on the periphery of ruling party yet they have over  the years immensely contributed to the survival of the NRM. \"These and many others especially in Parliament are planning to defect  to the coalition leaving the Movement almost hollow, something that  would make it almost impossible to counter because it will be just a year  to the 2011 election,\" a source in NRM who preferred anonymity, said  last week. To pre-empt such a scheme, the ruling party has called on its  entire mobilisation arsenal. The recent Kyankwanzi retreat for NRM legislators, where issues like  party cohesion, discipline and ideology were handled, is one of the  long-term mobilisation tactics and will be followed by similar meetings for  local councils and other groups spread throughout the period before the  elections. \"All this [Kyankwanzi] is intended to psychologically position the  parliamentarians that they have a stake in the Movement revolution and  should defend it at all costs,\" the source said. 1 | 2 Next Page»According to insiders in the party, the retreat was to keep a tab on  the Movement MPs and to re-assure them that they mattered . The recent  pronouncement by Kabula County MP James Kakooza that he has kicked off  the campaign to see President Yoweri Museveni rule \"at least\" up to 2016  is a component of the strategy, knowledgeable sources said. The source said Kakooza's decision to compile a list of MPs who are  part of the fourth term project for Mr Museveni was meant to separate the  sheep from the wolves so that MP's likely to defect are identified  early before any embarrassment to the NRM party. All the MPs who are  nursing intentions of defecting to the opposition in 2011 are being watched.     « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/782400/-/4qhmqp/-/index.html","content":"Blair Legacy: Domestic delivery and cute foreign strategy - When a young Tony Blair stormed number 10 Downing Street as the new British Prime Minister after a landslide election victory on May 1st 1997, his key message was underlined by his famous three-word emphasis on ' education, education, education'. It was the best election results ever, for the Labour Party, against the Conservative Party's (Tories) worst since 1836. And focusing on education for his people, he delivered. Today core state funding per school pupil has risen by 48%, (55% next year). 1,106 new schools have been built and thousands others fully refurbished. Teachers' pay has risen by 18% and school heads by 27%. These are real term increase in pounds sterling, not devalued shillings. On health, Blair launched the largest hospital building and refurbishment programme since the creation of the National Health Service (NHS) in 1948. More doctors, nurses and other health workers were recruited, trained, and their pay substantially enhanced. The hospital waiting lists, which ranked the UK far, lower than its developed competitors like France, Germany and Sweden were all but wiped out. Anyone now walks into an accident and emergency unit in any hospital and is guaranteed a doctor's attention - free of charge. The British economy has enjoyed the longest sustained growth since the Second World War, eclipsing France as the fourth largest economy in the world; Chancellor Gordon Brown once again talks about full employment. Yes, full employment where job availability match or exceed the number of people of working age, able and available for work. Using proceeds from a one-off tax windfall from 'privatised utilities', money was injected into employment to ensure that all young long-term unemployed were trained, skilled and matched to jobs. According to author Richard North, the traditional Labour Party heartlands are genuinely, 'genetically anti-colonial, anti-military and anti-America'. Why else would former Blair 'babe' Clare Short shine so high as Secretary of State for International Development when the brains behind the wheel were Brown, a bit of Blair and other friends of Africa like Harriet Harman? It is no wonder that Ms Short's replacement Hilary Benn, a fine man, partly because of the positive profile that comes with the ministry, is now a close favourite to take over as deputy leader in an election due next week, followed by another genuine friend, Harriet Harman. And credit to them, aid to Africa, though not the solution to our problems, has substantially been increased, debt-cancellation has helped fund universal primary education in some countries were leaders claim as if the monies are from their pockets. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/782514/-/4qhnk6/-/index.html","content":"Little option for corruption in 2006-2011 - The cries of civil society, political opposition and media against corruption have become so common place in the last two decades that it is difficult to fathom the political atmosphere without them. This is paradoxical as they come during the regime that is far more transparent and accountable than the ones it replaced. But of course, higher standards are expected of the government that rode on the wave of mass discontent against the mismanagement of state resources. The public does not expect President Yoweri Museveni to keep comparing his administration to the ones he removed 20 years ago. Mr Museveni's National Resistance Army ousted the military junta of President Tito Okello in 1986 after a popular peasantry backed five-year guerrilla war in the jungles of Luweero. Immediately after seizing power, Museveni's revolutionary doctrines swept across the country like a wild fire. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/781044/-/w0ndos/-/index.html","content":"Politics was the case - SEVEN QUESTIONS Aswa MP Reagan Okumu talks to Rodney Muhumuza on being acquitted of murder What do you think of the government's intention to appeal against your acquittal? I don't lose sleep over it. It is just a statement of saving face. They know it in their heart of hearts that they cannot win. When I was in Luzira Prison, it was difficult but when I got bail, it became much easier. The whole thing is political.   Don't you think the case took its toll on your political career? It did tarnish my image locally and internationally. I have many friends in the US, Europe and elsewhere. So when the state brought up the murder charge, it was bad. Some people, especially those who did not know the politics in the country, did not understand the development. I have friends in the Human Rights Watch who never abandoned me. It was bad that my acquittal did not get as much publicity as when I was charged. How has the nomination gone for you? I don't know the exact number of people who turned up to witness my nomination but they must have been over 10,000. I was nominated at 4.30 p.m. yesterday [January 12] and my people walked from the villages to Gulu town to witness the event. Are you comfortable with the way the Electoral Commission (EC) has so far handled the election process? When it comes to nominations, they have no other options but to nominate candidates according to the law. In terms of voters register, there is a total mess. There are names of people missing on the register yet they have been nominated. There is also double registration. The problem is that it is only the EC editing the voters register yet independent observers should also be involved. I have asked the European Union observer team to look into that. There are some polling stations that are being created at the border with Sudan yet there are no people living there; they are creating avenues for rigging. The army is also problematic; it creates opportunities for multiple voting [in the barracks]. What is your view on the concern by other parties that a Kizza Besigye-led coalition is not viable? I sympathise with them because they also want to show force and survive politically. Otherwise, they are going to be wiped out because their supporters have already decided that they will vote Besigye. For example, you would expect UPC supporters in Lango to vote Miria Obote but that is not the case. If the other parties insist that they want to go all the way to test their strength, then they are missing the point. Only FDC has the potential to recruit new supporters. What is your estimation of FDC strength in the Eighth Parliament? FDC is very strong. We think that we will take Acholi, Teso, Bukedi and Bugisu by a landslide. We will also edge out the other parties in Busoga. We don't expect to have an edge in Buganda and we may take Ankole and Kigezi. I'm sure though that the percentage of success at parliamentary level will be less than the success at presidential level. 1 | 2 Next Page»What else do you predict about the February 23 election? In Acholi, West Nile, Teso and Samia regions, Museveni will be wiped out at all levels. Even politicians like Mike Mukula may not return to Parliament. There, Museveni will be given a bloody nose; if he gets 20 per cent, he should consider himself a lucky man.     « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/777714/-/4pymtm/-/index.html","content":"Blair Legacy: Domestic delivery and cute foreign strategy - When a young Tony Blair stormed number 10 Downing Street as the new British Prime Minister after a landslide election victory on May 1st 1997, his key message was underlined by his famous three-word emphasis on ' education, education, education'. It was the best election results ever, for the Labour Party, against the Conservative Party's (Tories) worst since 1836. And focusing on education for his people, he delivered. Today core state funding per school pupil has risen by 48%, (55% next year). 1,106 new schools have been built and thousands others fully refurbished. Teachers' pay has risen by 18% and school heads by 27%. These are real term increase in pounds sterling, not devalued shillings. On health, Blair launched the largest hospital building and refurbishment programme since the creation of the National Health Service (NHS) in 1948. More doctors, nurses and other health workers were recruited, trained, and their pay substantially enhanced. The hospital waiting lists, which ranked the UK far, lower than its developed competitors like France, Germany and Sweden were all but wiped out. Anyone now walks into an accident and emergency unit in any hospital and is guaranteed a doctor's attention - free of charge. The British economy has enjoyed the longest sustained growth since the Second World War, eclipsing France as the fourth largest economy in the world; Chancellor Gordon Brown once again talks about full employment. Yes, full employment where job availability match or exceed the number of people of working age, able and available for work. Using proceeds from a one-off tax windfall from 'privatised utilities', money was injected into employment to ensure that all young long-term unemployed were trained, skilled and matched to jobs. According to author Richard North, the traditional Labour Party heartlands are genuinely, 'genetically anti-colonial, anti-military and anti-America'. Why else would former Blair 'babe' Clare Short shine so high as Secretary of State for International Development when the brains behind the wheel were Brown, a bit of Blair and other friends of Africa like Harriet Harman? It is no wonder that Ms Short's replacement Hilary Benn, a fine man, partly because of the positive profile that comes with the ministry, is now a close favourite to take over as deputy leader in an election due next week, followed by another genuine friend, Harriet Harman. And credit to them, aid to Africa, though not the solution to our problems, has substantially been increased, debt-cancellation has helped fund universal primary education in some countries were leaders claim as if the monies are from their pockets. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/776434/-/b1o1gaz/-/index.html","content":"Could Allan Tacca be Rwanda's eye opener? - I would like to respond to the page 11 opinion article \"I would indict Tacca for genocide\" (The Monitor, September 4, 2003) by Mwari Rwego, media advisor to the Rwandan embassy in Kampala, on such an important subject that it requires a rejoinder. Rwego attempts to point out some of what he criticizes as Tacca's casualness in his observations on the terrible chapter in Rwanda's history. But very tone of Rwego's response to Tacca ends up not only discrediting Rwego himself, but suddenly, it makes some of us sit up in alarm and think that perhaps Tacca was more \"on the mark\" in his commentary than we had suspected. Such remarks by Rwego as \"If I had the means and the authority, I would have Tacca indicted and tried in a court of law...\" reveal a deep-seated authoritarian streak. You almost wonder - could Rwego's angry knee-jerk response not be the proof of the widespread allegations that hundreds of thousands of Hutu Rwandans were quietly forced to vote Kagame during the presidential elections, on pain of harassment! Rwego stresses in his article that Rwandans, having learned the bitter lessons of their tragic history, have now began to tolerate each other and work toward nation building. If that is true, then Rwego's attitude does not at all reflect it. He goes on to trash Faustin Twagiramungu by saying \"he is even lucky to have come out with something. That, probably, is a stark reminder that there are still sympathisers with the agents of evil.\" Really? 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/My-walls-are-cracked--should-I-tear-them-down-/-/689858/1503872/-/g97vr3/-/index.html","content":"My walls are cracked, should I tear them down? - I have cracks in my wall and most people who see them tell me that they might be dangerous in case of something like an earthquake. Do I have to break down walls and reconstruct new ones or there is another way I can get out of this tragedy without reconstructing.Bena AnswerBena, the problem is that you did not explain the size of the cracks, where they originate from and how they move but this is the kind of problem most people face after construction if the bricks were not laid properly. If the cracks are not too big, you can get two strong construction iron bars of one inch, make two slight holes on both sides and fix the iron bars. After, plaster the walls again to cover the fixed iron bars and later paint the walls to have beautiful look again. The fixed iron bars will stop the cracks from growing bigger. But if they are big, seen from inside and out, it means that the house has to be demolished and reconstructed to avoid dangers that might happen, say if an earth quake or storm happened. In this case, you need to get professional engineer to do the work properly so that such cracks do not appear again, because if unskilled people do the work again, the same problem will be seen.Dear Expert,I have leaking pipes outside my bathroom and this has led my compound to be filed with dirty water that comes from the bathroom. What could have happened to them and what can I do to fix it.Mike AnswerMike what you need to know is that you might have used fake pipes during the plumbing process or they are old and need to be replaced. Quickly get a plumber who is well versed with original pipes and where they are sold to help you fix them before the compound becomes a dam. The other thing you need to do is to stop all the family members from using the bathroom till the pipes are fixed because the compound will produce a bad smell that will chase your visitors and other people away from your home. In so doing, the collected water will all dry up thus avoiding the smell. In most case people who use fake pipes during plumbing face this kind of problem. Such pipes are made to last for a short while compared to originals that last for years. You should also learn to consult the professional people around you for advice before doing anything.Answered Mr Martin Mubiru, a self employed plumber Dear Expert,I can’t tell what has happened, my bathroom is well cemented but it is surprising that the plaster outside the bathroom wall is peeling off each and every day. I am getting worried that the wall might fall in one day. What can I do to fix the problem before cuts across and how much will it cost me?Dinah AnswerIt seems that there is a hole where water is penetrating through whenever water is poured in there say; when people are bathing. So the more water goes under the cemented floor, the more the plaster will peel off. What you need to do here is to get a professional builder to fix tiles for you in that bathroom before it gets worse. Buy original floor tiles from re-known tile sellers and let the builder fix them coving the whole floor and at least half of the wall and should use original tile cement. Make sure that you don’t use the bathroom before the tiles are completely firm because they will all pluck out. Ask the builder to re-plaster the outside damaged part of the bathroom with original cement and river sand, he must use right measurements in the process. The costs will mostly depend on the size of the bathroom, the type of tiles you are to use and the person who is going do the work.Answered by Mr Richard Bunjo, a builder"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/-/689856/711162/-/10wv16xz/-/index.html","content":"Information minister lacks information - Kampala Ms Kabakumba’s piece ‘Museveni not trapped by failures’ carried in Sunday Monitor June 21, 2009 was empty in content and shocking in language. Ordinarily, I would not respond to the ravings and rantings of a such a politician and would not be part of her insalubrious circus, but the fact that such a lady can insult two eminent Ugandan citizens; His Lordship Prof George William Kanyeihamba, and the Hon. Maj Gen Gregory Mugisha Muntu - I will respond to her indolent opinion nonetheless. Both are men of valor who have risen through their respective ranks through excellence, hard work, merit and fortitude unlike some who have used their “natural endowmentsâ€Â� to gain the favour of the powers that be. Her rebuttal to Gen. Muntu’s in-depth analysis of the ills presently affecting NRM and Museveni’s leadership was rather disgraceful. Even if it was felt the analysis had flaws and inaccuracies, she is the least competent to put the record straight. And this she proves when she purports to know where and how Uganda was before 1986 much more than Gen. Muntu, a man who has a bullet hole in his chest inflicted on him; not that he was involved in armed robbery but for the love of his country which motivated him to risk his life for freedom, democracy and constitutionalism. I can guess at that time Kabakumba was selling gooseberries somewhere in the slums of Buliisa. So when I looked at the figures in her futile attempt to show Ugandans how far they have come, courtesy of a “visionaryâ€Â� NRM leadership, I realised that indeed ignorance needs no introduction. It always makes itself known. And by the way no one gives advice with more enthusiasm than an ignorant person. She is not ashamed to flout Gen Muntu for purportedly mis-using the freedom of press NRM has allegedly fostered. Yet the freedom of press these days is the freedom to be sure that all the propaganda is on NRM side. Actually, her response to Gen Muntu’s remarks shows that we have an abundance of freedom in the country; even the freedom to make fools of ourselves! How do journalists like Andrew Mwenda, Ibrahim Nganda, James Tumusiime, Bernard Tabeire, Mukasa Robert and many others who are frequent guests of CID and jails comprehend this freedom! 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/739928/-/10f3rs4/-/index.html","content":"Museveni warns media, ‘chiefs’ - Parliament President Yoweri Museveni yesterday addressed the nation at the opening of the third session of the 8th Parliament, drawing battle lines with monarchs, the media and the political opposition. Mr Museveni also made his strongest defence so far of the land give-away scheme, (popularly known in some circles as land bonanza), saying he was “proudâ€Â� of giving away the land and declared, for the first time, unequivocally that he had personally decided to give away some government land. “I am so proud that I have given Tata (an Indian company) 50 acres of land so that they can add value to my coffee,â€Â� he said. Mr Museveni, who has been involved in battles with the traditional kingdom of Buganda over a proposed new land law, said he will not allow “traditional chiefsâ€Â� who failed to protect the sovereignty of Africa from colonial invasion to stand in the way of development. The President conspicuously avoided use of the respectful titles of King, Kabaka or Omukama. “I supported the restoration of these traditional chiefs but they must know that they had failed to protect the sovereignty of African societies,â€Â� he said adding, “While I support the traditional institutions, I cannot accept that they stand in the way of development. It will not happen, it will not happen.â€Â� His attack on the media and particularly Daily Monitor was possibly the strongest of his about three-hour speech. “[A] newspaper has no right to damage our future. You publish one false story, immediately it is on the Internet and all over the world, you have no right,â€Â� he emphasised as he waved a photocopy of an article Daily Monitor published in April 2005 in which the government wanted to give the Dairy Corporation to a Thai investor for a nominal fee of one dollar. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Athletics/Cheptegei-struggles-at-Dam-tot-Damloop-run/-/690274/2462042/-/ek4b02/-/index.html","content":"Cheptegei struggles at Dam tot Damloop run - 2014 DAM TOT DAMLOOP RUN RESULTSMEN1. John Mwangangi (KEN) 45:452. Nguse Amlosom (ERI) 45:473. Kinde Atelaw (ETH) 45:529. Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) 47:33 WOMEN1. Linet Masai (KEN) 53:092. Tiki Gelana (ETH) 53:573. Hilda Kibet (NED) 54:254. Almensch Belete (BEL) 56:145. Adero Nyakisi (UGA) 56:32 KAMPALA. Having stunned everyone enroute to clinching 10,000m gold at World Junior Championships in USA two months ago, optimism was a given whenever Joshua Cheptegei lines up for an event. And when he missed the 5,000m and 10000m races at the Africa Senior Championships due to the unbearable heat in Morocco last month, the critics had their say. Finally Cheptegei returned to action on Sunday but failed to match his new-found hype against a astrong field at the Dam tot Damloop run in Netherlands. The 18-year-old World University Cross-country champion finished a distant ninth after clocking 47 minutes and 33 seconds over the 16 miles of the IAAF Silver Label Road Race between the cities of Amsterdam and Zaandam. The result left his coach Rapheal Kasajja reeling. “He performed poorly,” he told Daily Monitor. “It was going to be a tall order for him to win but I expected something better than ninth,” Kasajja said before disclosing he would alter the runner’s schedule. “…Maybe he shall run another 4-mil in Europe instead of 10 miles before returning to Kampala,” he added. By far, the margin between Cheptegei and eventual winner Kenyan John Mwangangi was big as the latter clocked 45:45. The finish came down to a sprint between him and Eritrean Nguse Amlosom (45:47), but Mwangangi’s final kick with 500m to go left the chasing pack in his wake. Meanwhile, another Ugandan Adero Nyakisi finished fifth in 56:32 as Kenyan Linet Masai took the women’s title in in 53:09. dkyeyune@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Opposition--Speech-is-same-old-song/-/688334/2338808/-/9yljguz/-/index.html","content":"Opposition: Speech is same old song - PARLIAMENT. Opposition MPs yesterday poked holes in this year’s State-of-the-Nation address, saying President Museveni missed the opportunity to speak about what his government is doing about what they said are key issues affecting the country. The MPs, among others, said they had expected the President to address the nation about the status of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and queried their continued presence in South Sudan. The MPs also accused the President of paying lip-service to the agriculture sector with no commitment to increasing its budgetary allocation as others were surprised that nothing was said about the state of public health sector which continues to suffer from severe under-staffing, poor pay and infrastructure. Makindye East MP Hussein Kyanjo, wondered why the President did not brief Parliament about the status of the UPDF in South Sudan.“His speech was a traditional one telling us about what we already know instead of tackling key issues like explaining the UPDF’s continued stay in South Sudan. He dodged the topic completely and instead told us how the Naads Secretariat was failIng. This has become the usual song,” said Mr Kyanjo. Mr Geoffrey Ekanya (Tororo Municipality), the opposition Shadow finance minister, said the President had finally admitted that there are shortcomings within his government. “He said that the sectors where he puts money are not the ones that employ people like the road sector, power and defence. He also pinned his government officials on corruption and emphasised the importance of the agriculture sector but he has failed to walk the talk in allocating more resources, meaning he was simply making empty promises,” Mr Ekanya said. “He also alluded to the fact that investors are leaving China because the labour costs are rising but there is no evidence and facts to that effect,” Mr Ekanya added. Mr Isaiah Sasaga (Budadiri East) told the Daily Monitor that it has taken President Museveni 28 years to realise that agriculture is the backbone of the economy. “He said that his area developed during the time of UPC because he (Museveni) was able to mobilise the masses into appreciating agriculture. If he knew that agriculture is a priority, he should have been commercialising it and allocating more resources there. We also expected the President to give accountability for the Bujagali Dam but he did not,” he said. Mr Kassiano Wadri (Terego) asked about the Coffee Marketing Board, which used to be the driver for coffee production in Uganda.“Where is the meat marketing board to help cattle keepers sell their meat products? At least he has swallowed his pride and believed what the Opposition have been telling him that the Naads programme was a white elephant. Now that he has accepted failure, we can give him the benefit of doubt and work with him in that area,” he said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bukenya-tells-Luweero-to-push-for-change/-/688334/2321602/-/vfm5tlz/-/index.html","content":"Bukenya tells Luweero to push for change - Luweero- Former Vice President Gilbert Bukenya yesterday joined opposition bigwigs to canvass support for Democratic Party’s Brenda Nabukenya and asked Luweero District to lead the push for change in 2016. Yesterday was the last campaign day in the by-election for the Luweero Woman MP seat. Ms Nabukenya is facing off with NRM’s Rebecca Nalwanga. Other candidates include Ms Ramulah Kadala and Ms Faridah Namubiru, both independents. Addressing a rally at Kasana Sports Grounds, Mr Bukenya, the NRM chairperson for Wakiso District, said: “The large Opposition rally I have witnessed here today in Luweero should be an eye opener that 2016 will be tough. This time, it’s Luweero leading the frontline for change.” Mr Bukenya said he was “personally touched” when he heard that Ms Nabukenya’s procession was teargased by police after her nomination. “That is why I decided to support Ms Nabukenya. She belongs to a group of young politicians who have Uganda at heart for the short period she had been in Parliament,” he said. Mr Bukenya, also the Busiro North MP, said “this country has gone to the dogs” and “become a police state”. “Before I came here, I saw police everywhere. Yesterday, I tried to hold a consultative meeting in my constituency and police were deployed,” he said. “I urge you to vote for Brenda Nabukenya as your MP. I also urge you for fight for change. You have been deceived for a long time. Ms Nabukenya said she was sure of victory. “I have been in Parliament. I have fought land grabbers in Luweero and stood with people who are marginalised. This is why big people in NRM are fighting me,” she said. DP leader Norbert Mao, FDC leader Maj Gen (Rtd) Mugisha Muntu, Leader of Opposition in Parliament Wafula Oguttu, UPC president Olara Otunnu and MPs Gerald Karuhanga and Muhammed Nsereko were present. Meanwhile, President Museveni bashed Opposition political parties for failing to provide alternative policy options for Ugandans but rather concentrate on criticising his government’s programmes.Rallying support for Ms Nalwanga on the last day of campaigns, Mr Museveni cited Bujagali and the proposed Karuma dam as projects that delayed due to opposition sabotage. “If they could show that the economy would have grown faster and we generate more money, then I could explain to them,” he said.Mr Museveni wondered why many Ugandans, including teachers had failed to appreciate universal education and continue to charge illegal fees in public schools. He gave an example of a bishop he did not name who asked him why the government stops churches from levying fees in schools.“I asked him, ‘should we scrap UPE and work on the roads. I don’t mind abolishing UPE but you should assure me that all poor Ugandans can pay for their children’s education. If UPE was a mistake you should tell me, and I put the money in the road sector,” the President said. Mr Museveni said he had ensured security in the country, adding that Uganda cannot degenerate to the levels of DRC, Somalia, South Sudan, Central Africa Republic and Nigeria “where they (abduct) take these girls and nobody knows where they are.”“I have never called the UN to guard your security,” he said. 1 | 2 Next Page»editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Police-hold-body-of-Gen-Sejusa-s-brother/-/688334/2059014/-/ikg69i/-/index.html","content":"Police hold body of Gen Sejusa’s brother - Sembabule- The Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Director, Ms Grace Akullo, yesterday stopped the handing over of the body of Gen David Sejusa’s brother to the relatives for burial until a second opinion on the cause of his death has been made. This follows contradictions in the causes of the death of Dan Mutungi, a young brother of the self-exiled former intelligence coordinator, Gen Sejusa.This is understood to have prompted for the latest police action, with one account saying Mutungi first attempted suicide by hanging himself with a rope but he failed. It is alleged that he then turned to poison, which did not react faster than he wished prompting him to run to the valley dam at his father’s farm at Bweyale village in Lugusulu Sub County, Sembabule District where he drowned on Friday evening. Deputy police spokesperson Patrick Onyango said Mutungi’s body has been transferred from Ssembabule District to Mulago National Referral Hospital for the postmortem.“The CIID director wants a thorough investigation of the case. Three senior pathologists have been assigned to carry out the postmortem to establish the cause of the death. We expect other tests on the body parts to be carried by our laboratory experts,” Mr Onyango said yesterday. A medical doctor attached to Sembabule Health Centre IV, Herbert Tumusiime, had carried out a postmortem pointing to death to drowning and poison. It is understood that the police have been ordered to carry out the second opinion to allay any political undertones that may arise as the case has been in several other mysterious deaths of political opponents or their relatives. Gen Sejusa is said to have issued a statement saying his brother had been mentally tortured by the regime ever since he left the country adding that this “only gives me more resolve to ensure that we struggle to ensure our people live and die in dignity they deserve”. Father aggrievedGen Sejusa’s father, Mr Simon Peter Rwajojo, attributed the death of Mutungi to the exile of his son Gen Sejusa. “I am suffering a lot with no support because my son Gen Sejusa used to give me everything I and other family members needed in life,” Mr Rwajojo said.Other family members were tight-lipped yesterday. However, some family members claim that Mutungi, who was once on the Sembabule District Service Commission, was suffering from a mental illness. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Museveni-commissions-Karuma/-/688334/1945700/-/2yba3gz/-/index.html","content":"Museveni commissions Karuma - Kiryandongo The start of construction of the 600MW Karuma hydropower dam edged closer to reality with the ground breaking ceremony taking place yesterday in Kiryandongo District. President Museveni, who presided over the ceremony for the multi-billion shilling project, hailed the good partnership between the Chinese government and Africa. “I salute this partnership with China,” Mr Museveni said. The dam is being constructed by Sinohydro, a Chinese firm. Mr Museveni said Chinese lending is free from strings attached unlike other developed countries. He said lack of sufficient electricity has been a bottleneck for economic growth. Karuma has been hobbled by wrangling between the government departments, politicians and intending contractors for months with accusations of corruption clouding the procurement process. That unrest is now over. The President reminded his audience that building of the power project will be financed by a loan from Exim Bank of China and Uganda. Exim Bank of China will contribute 85 per cent while Uganda will contribute 15 per cent. The whole project will cost $1.4b (Shs3.5 trillion) while a separate $250m (Shs641b) will be spent on the construction of power lines to evacuate generated electricity. “It is my pleasure to perform the ceremony of the groundbreaking, it is a pity that the project was delayed due to shoddy work in the procurement,” Mr Museveni said. He said the money which the government would be using to construct the dam will now be spent on development of other infrastructure, like roads and rural electrification programmes. The minister for Energy, Ms Irene Muloni, said the major transmission lines will be from Karuma to Kawanda power sub-station, Karuma to Kamdini and Karuma to Lira substation. She said the project required 466 hectares of land and 621 people were affected by the project with 478 fully compensated. She attributed the delay in compensating the remaining people to land wrangles mainly in Awoo village, Mutunda Sub-county. Kibanda MP Sam Otada asked government to expedite payment of the remaining claimants.Mr James Omale, one of the affected residents, said the government has failed to compensate him for the 13 graves of his relatives. He said he had been promised to be paid Shs2.5m in April, but he has not yet received his package. “I was given a paper indicating that the money will be on my account in April but up to now I have not seen it,” Mr Omale said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Let-s-understand-principles-of-Islamic-banking-/-/689364/2301176/-/u83icx/-/index.html","content":"Let’s understand principles of Islamic banking before it’s adopted  - The Minister of Finance urged Legislators to quickly enact a law that deals with Islamic banking so that this new phenomenon can be realised in Uganda. The people in Uganda are also eagerly waiting to engage in this new concept of Islamic banking that has “interest free loans”. The speculation in my opinion is how this new system shall differ from the already existing banking and whether it offers better opportunities than the current banking systems in Uganda. Islamic banking is essentially a system that is premised on the teachings, doctrines and the principles of the Koran. It emphasises equality and justice and above all morality even whilst doing business. Islamic banking is also widely interpreted as the banking system where “no interest” is charged on loans or given on deposits as opposed to the modern capitalistic banking system where interest on loans is the basis for liquidity in a bank and interest on deposits attracts the consumers to financial institutions. Many economists indeed argue that interest is the reward for money. Where money is invested, or used by another the return is interest. John Maynard Keynes (1883-1946) argued that money is the most liquid of assets and that interest is the price paid for loss of liquidity. Interest is, therefore, an important aspect where a bank is to make money and where individuals or corporations are “forced” to make deposits in the bank. This, therefore, makes me ponder as to how this interest free system actually works. Is it an utopia of sorts and simply idealistic and can never work or can it be feasible even in Uganda? To answer this question, my research led me to digging up history of Islamic banking and how they survive in this ever capitalistic world. Islam does not allow interest (riba) to be charged on money and Islamic banking does not allow interest on deposits or loans. However, it allows for reward for work and sharing of loss. The concept of Islamic banking is simple and it is easier to describe than define, you take two persons for example, one has money to lend out and the other the idea to invest the money. The one who lends the money gives it without any interest on return, but the one who receives it agrees at the onset that he will work with the money, make profit and then share the profit with the one who gave the money in the first place at an agreed percentage. In this way the owner of the money shall have the principle back and also a share of the profit in the investment made. The loss is suffered by both parties as well. When there is a loss, the owner of the money shall suffer the loss as much as the investor. This concept works both for deposits in the bank, in which case the bank becomes the investor sharing profits in an agreed percentage with the depositor, and for the bank where it lends money to persons. Islam argues that there is no justifiable reason why a person should enjoy an increase in wealth from the use of his money by another, unless he is prepared to expose his wealth to the risk of loss too. As long as the owner of money is willing to become a shareholder in the enterprise and expose his money to the risk of loss, he is entitled to receive a just proportion of the profits and not merely a nominal share based on the prevailing interest rate. Therefore, under an Islamic banking system, the cost of capital is not analogous to a zero interest rate, as it is assumed. The only difference between Islamic banking and interest-based banking in this respect is that the cost of capital in interest-based banking is a predetermined fixed rate, while in Islamic banking; it is expressed as a ratio of profit. In my opinion, the aspect of Islamic banking works best in an environment of upright morality and lawfulness and since it is a Sharia concept, strict rules of Sharia should apply where there is breach of the agreement to lend and invest one’s While Parliament is under pressure to produce a law regulating Islamic banking, these aspects need to be looked at in detail and ensure that they are well captured so that the rather idealistic banking can be realised.ianmutibwa@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Score/Bayern--Atletico-favourites-for-Lisbon-date/-/689854/2292748/-/flx6yu/-/index.html","content":"Bayern, Atletico favourites for Lisbon date - It wasn’t quite the cup which Champions League romantics refer to as Big Ears, but Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho were drinking from the same mug this week.Spitting in the faces of any dissenting purists, the two managers went pragmatic in their semifinal first leg ties as they looked for the most practical way of booking a place in next month’s Lisbon final and a shot at football immortality. Should Real Madrid or Chelsea go on to win the Champions League, either manager would join that elite class of the very few to lift that most coveted of trophies with multiple clubs. For Mourinho it would be a record third different club after his memorable triumphs with Porto and Inter Milan, while for Ancelotti it would be a second after his previous victory with AC Milan, but more significantly it would be the agonisingly elusive La Decima (10th title) finally arriving at the Bernabeu. For that to happen though, the two are going to have to overcome gargantuan odds, as in my books I have their opponents down as favourites to advance. Putting hordes of men behind the ball and forfeiting possession and territory, Ancelotti’s Madrid and Mourinho’s Chelsea proceeded to shut out the opposition while looking to use the little they saw of the ball to hit home on the counter attack. Real drew more success from the slant, getting the goal and the win at home that Chelsea couldn’t quite pull off on the road, but either team is going to find that the dynamics have changed over the next 90 minutes. Bayern vs Real MadridAhead of the first leg, Ancelotti had talked about the need to ‘keep it tight’. But 10 minutes into the game it was most clear that those inside the Bernabeu and the rest glued onto their television screens were shocked that Madrid could overstate the case of the underdog so, on home turf. In the end the defensive effort - with the concentration to boot - was beyond remarkable, and even more laudable considering that they still contrived to use searing pace and sometimes even numbers to bomb forward and create enough clear-cut chances to have put this tie to bed. Still though, the signs were apparent that with a slight shift in fortune Bayern will breach that seemingly secured rearguard at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday. A shot cannoning off Pepe’s back here, another bouncing off the shin of Sergio Ramos there, and one memorably drawing a super-instinctive save from a diving Iker Casillas relieved to see it travelling too close to him, all suggest that with the added pressure and urgency that will inevitably come, something will give. Madrid must get a goal to survive in Munich, and even if Karim Benzema has been in fine fettle this season and can finally be relied upon, they are going to need Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale to show up in much better shape only six days after they looked very short on fitness.Because ultimately, Bayern are going to score. More than once. Chelsea vs Atletico If there was any shock in Madrid playing the way they did, there was absolutely none in Chelsea doing so. Mourinho might frown upon others parking the proverbial bus, but there is no better driver when he chooses to take the wheel. Chelsea didn’t manage to go forward to the same effect as Real, and having not got that usually priceless away goal they now have to play with that sense of foreboding that as soon as Atletico score at Stamford Bridge, they (Chelsea) have to go out and win. John Terry is supposedly out, but Branislav Ivanovic is back and Mourinho needs to send him into central defence rather than bring him in at full back, so that he joins Gary Cahill and so as to retain the covering presence of David Luiz and John Obi Mikel as a midfield shield, for they need all four positioned centrally just to shackle Diego Costa, Raul Garcia and David Villa. Yet it is clear that they cannot rely again as they did, on Fernando Torres latching onto hopeful punts in his general direction, or winning potentially dangerous dead balls with some determined and direct running, all on his own. So they have to join him in the search.Chelsea have to score first and early, and play again on the break. Anything short of that and they are doomed, because Atletico are bound to shake the net."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/Is-your-marriage-legitimate-/-/689842/2293268/-/l1it5az/-/index.html","content":"Is your marriage legitimate? - You have the ring to show for it, your friends witnessed it and a pastor presided. You held meetings to raise funds and hosted family and friends to a sumptuous reception to celebrate a marriage. You might even carry a certificate handed to you by your church where you said your vows before crowds. However, does all this make your marriage legal? Catherine Kalembe from Iganga found herself in a predicament when a man she believed was her husband, having had a customary marriage (kwangula) when she introduced him in 2010, intended to wed another woman hardly two years later. Kalembe filed a court case in the Iganga Magistrates court in 2012. She considered Emma Mutaka’s actions “unlawful” and tantamount to “breach of promise” and demanded that he weds her. Unfortunately, their customary marriage, though culturally recognised was not followed up with legalisation. Provia Nangobi, spokesperson of the Uganda Registration Services Bureau says, “When you wed, the wedding is supposed to be registered, if it is not, then your marriage becomes illegal.” One is required to register the marriages with the Registration Services Bureau which maintains a desk charged with the responsibility. Nangobi says a customary marriage should be registered within six months after which a penalty may apply. Marriage is a state function and a religious institution, cultural institution or Chief Administrative Officer conduct marriage as a delegated function. “Very few people have registered their marriages, including me. What most people care about is the legitimacy they get from either the church, mosque or the blessing of their parents,” Imam Kasozi of the Mawanga Mosque in Munyonyo says. Changing timesKasozi, however, notes that many people faced with new demands like travel and the ongoing national identity card enrollment are realising the need for registration or certification of their marriages. “People are going back to their churches and mosques looking for the marriage certificates because they are being demanded for when travelling,”he notes. Mr Ladisluas Rwakafuzi, an advocate, says weddings are legalised not just in any structure called a church or mosque or such other worship place, but one that is registered and therefore legally authorised to conduct among other functions weddings. Rwakafuzi adds that the church building or other authorised place is not enough on its own, but the person who presides at the wedding must be licensed to do so. For traditional churches or the so-called mainstream, registration is said to be automatic as the mother church, like in the leadership of the Anglican, Catholic, Orthodox, Seventh Day Adventist, mosques have a well laid down procedure for opening new churches. The priests or imams are also trained in a well laid out procedure. However, with mushrooming Pentecostal churches that do not necessarily follow a structure for establishment and determination of its ministers or their training and powers, unsuspecting believers can celebrate marriages there thinking they are legal whereas not. Judith, a media practitioner who was a regular attendee of a prominent local Pentecostal church, says she agreed with her husband to have their wedding at the Anglican All Saints Cathedral a few years ago. She says her reason was purely because she did not want to take “chances.” Rwakafuzi says: “In these days where churches just spring up and people give themselves titles from Pastor to Bishop without any recognisable process, one needs to be careful or they will participate in an illegal wedding.” According to Nangobi, for a church to be authorised to wed couples, it must have a license, it must be registered and must show proof that the building in which it is operating is certified for habitation. “We don’t want to discourage people from celebrating marriages but we caution them that they must be sure their wedding is legal,” she said. “If you wed in a “kiwempe” church without a recognised address which is not registered, your marriage might be illegal.” According to her, churches and mosques or temples that are licensed file returns of people they have wed. Some of the fees charged by the church are actually to register marriages. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/The-search-for-identity-/-/689844/2285514/-/2istdtz/-/index.html","content":"Will Gen Aronda finally deliver ID cards for Ugandans? - It is easy to understand why Gen Aronda Nyakairima, the minister of Internal Affairs, has spent the last few weeks combing every corner for all the support he can get for the ongoing registration for the national ID card project. If he is to succeed where others have failed before, observers say, he has to craft a corruption-proof system and effectively manage the otherwise negative perceptions sections of Ugandans, not least opposition politicians, have against the exercise. In four months, starting April 14, the government targets to register about 18 million Ugandans, who the National Bureau of Statistics estimates to be 16 years old and above. These will be issued with national IDs, starting September, as preparations for the 2016 elections gather pace.Gen Aronda is charged with coordinating the effort, which brings together different state agencies – the Electoral Commission, Uganda Bureau of Statistics, the Citizenship and Immigration Board, and the Uganda Registration Services Bureau. The job of issuing Ugandans with ID cards has proved tough in the past and a $100m [about Shs250b] contract to German firm Muhlbauer Technology to make ID cards for Ugandans only yielded a few hundred cards, which mostly went to top politicians. Fresh projectHowever, Ms Pamela Ankunda, the spokesperson at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, says even those who got the ID cards made by Muhlbauer will have to register afresh and get new cards. She adds that the government will “still hold Muhlbauer to the terms of its contract and we are still working with them.” That said, however, it is important to note that it is not Muhlbauer which is playing the lead role regarding the technical aspects in the new arrangement, it is the National Information Technology Authority – Uganda (NITA-U). Ms Ankunda says the ID cards to be produced will be much more superior to the ones Muhlbauer was contracted to produce in 2010. Partly for that reason, Ms Ankunda says, the project has only managed to upgrade “few” of the equipment Muhlbauer bought during the earlier project. Otherwise, she says, most of the equipment Muhlbauer had procured cannot be used in the new project because “the demands are higher.” For the new project, for instance, Ankunda says they are using four-fingerprint scanner equipment instead of the one-fingerprint scanners Muhlbauer had procured. The new project, therefore, is projected to cost Shs285b over the next two years. It could cost more.Operation Kitambulisho In the military, where Aronda has spent all his working life, assignments usually go by code-names. A heavily funded effort against Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army rebels at the turn of the century, for example, was code-named Operation Iron Fist. Another one, also looking to take out Kony in the jungles of the Democratic Republic of Congo which was done when Aronda was head of the military, was code-named Operation Lightning Thunder. Probably not seeing his current assignment as very different, Aronda has code-named it Operation Kitambulisho. Kitambulisho is a Kiswahili word for ID card. When the current mass registration exercise concludes, Ankunda says, continuous registration of citizens of all ages will then commence at the sub-county level. Every Ugandan will then be registered upon birth, be issued with a unique number, and on clocking 18 years be issued with an ID card. We understand that the government is considering setting up a National Identification Authority for that purpose. But the task now falls to Aronda. Hitherto renowned for being media-shy and saying precious little most of the time, the former chief of defence forces has courted practically everyone who can help in the process – from bankers to the Katikkiro of Buganda. But, insiders say, he still relies heavily on soldiers to run for him the critical errands. QueriesApart from mobilising the people to register for IDs, Aronda also knew he would be swimming against the tide sometimes, especially with regard to how the Opposition politicians view the process. Sections of the Opposition, after all, still question his appointment as minister of Internal Affairs without first retiring from the army. When some Opposition leaders and civil society activists met Aronda for a discussion over the police breaking up their rallies recently, for example, Masaka Municipality MP Mathias Mpuuga told us that the meeting should not have taken place because Aronda “is in office illegally.” Mr Mpuuga also has questions regarding the registration of Ugandans. He asks: “How can the government rely on estimates by UBOS, which last carried out a census in 2002?” Census suspensionThe census has been suspended twice in the last couple of years, citing lack of money. Mpuuga says the government should have conducted a census first in order to plan the registration for national ID cards better. Mpuuga also claims that autonomous bodies like the Electoral Commission and Uganda Bureau of Statistics “have been co-opted by the government with the danger that the integrity of their data may be interfered with.” In a press conference on Tuesday, says Muwanga Kivumbi, the shadow minister of Internal Affairs, Opposition leaders will focus on the ongoing registration for national IDs, which he says is “over-securitised”, with a number of soldiers leading it. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Judiciary-is-disabled---Ogoola/-/688334/2284154/-/39o6nmz/-/index.html","content":"Judiciary is disabled - Ogoola - PARLIAMENT. The head of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Mr James Ogoola, yesterday said the Judiciary is a “disabled” institution which has struggled along without a leader for more than one year. Mr Ogoola, himself a retired principal judge, told MPs that this is “unacceptable” situation has reached a level where the third arm of government is unable to effectively function. Lawmakers on the House Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs yesterday agreed with Mr Ogoola’s description of what they said is an “undesirable situation” that has “somehow” hindered delivery of justice. Speaking about the President’s continued failure to appoint a substantive Chief Justice (CJ), Mr Ogoola described Justice Steven Kavuma, who is holding fort in the informal capacity of acting chief justice as “somebody” in the office. He said the Constitution does not provide for the position of ‘acting CJ’. The Daily Monitor was not able to speak to Justice Kavuma who was reported busy in court yesterday by his personal assistant, Mr Daniel Lubowa. Unsustainable “For over a year, [the] Judiciary has been operating without the head and for two years without a deputy,” Mr Ogoola said. “This is totally unsustainable because the State in any definition cannot by any stretch of imagination be expected to function without head.” Mr Ogoola explained how the JSC had recommended a person whose details he did not reveal, to replace retired Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki but was accepted by the President, who under the Constitution appoints judicial officers at that level with the approval and recommendation of both Parliament and JSC, respectively. He said the JSC acted knowing that the incumbent head was about to leave. “We recommended a candidate to the appointing authority but he did not take our recommendation and it’s his right. These are now matters before court and we will not interrupt, we leave the decision to the Constitutional Court to give us the answer,” Mr Ogoola said, The attempted re-appointment of Mr Odoki as Chief Justice is the subject of a Constitutional Court petition contesting its legality. Minister for the Presidency Frank Tumwebaze yesterday suggested that it was the JSC that advised the President that it was possible to appoint retired judges back on contract. On the re-appointing of Mr Odoki, Mr Tumwebaze said, “the President never dreamt it”, adding that “the President is a person who consults widely and he respects the opinions of others.” He said the Attorney General advised the President on the matter. “If now they say it was not right to recommend the re-appointment of the former Chief Justice, the President will have to reconsider his decisions and do so without being stampeded... In any case this matter is already before court.” Yesterday, the permanent secretary at the JSC, Mr Kagole Kivumbi said: “We cleared the re-appointment of Justice Odoki and three others (John Wilson Tsekooko, Christine Kitumba and Galdino Okello) as acting justices of the Supreme Court. For Odoki as Acting Chief Justice I decline to comment because the matter is before court.” 1 | 2 Next Page»President Museveni’s decision to direct the JSC to extend Mr Odoki’s contract by two years kicked up a storm after the Uganda Law Society, civil society activists and some MPs described it as “unconstitutional”. Weeks ago, the ULS gave the government 90 days within which to resolve the Chief Justice matter or face the prospect of a sit-down strike by the law fraternity. Retired Supreme Court Justice, Prof George Kanyeihamba, yesterday agreed with Mr Ogoola’s comments. Lonely “[The] Judiciary is a very much disabled institution and I am glad that JSC has come out openly. This institution needs a substantive leader because it’s lonely and cannot work normally. The position of an acting deputy CJ is unconstitutional and what’s happening is terrible.” Principal Judge Yorokamu Bamwine yesterday said: “If Parliament [and JSC] has said so (that Justice Kavuma is acting as CJ in breach of the Constitution and that the Judiciary is disabled), I take it that their opinion is well researched. There is no reason for me to contradict it.”The MPs, at the prompting of Shadow Attorney General Abdu Katuntu, resolved to meet the President over the matter. Odoki’s retirementMr Benjamin Odoki, who had served as Chief Justice for 12 years, reached the mandatory retirement age of 70 years in March last year. He also served out a three-month extension under contract ending in June 2013. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/KaroliSsemogerere/Separate-intelligence-from-rumour-mongering/-/878682/2272910/-/nno142z/-/index.html","content":"Separate intelligence from rumour mongering - Most adherents of the Roman Catholic Church and Church of Uganda spent Sunday in houses of worship celebrating the mystery of the resurrection of the body. The scriptures on Sunday marked the return to life of Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Magdalene, Jesus’ close confidantes in the Bible at the prompting of Christ. But the worshippers must also have been nodding on revelations by leaked tapes roping in the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Stanley Ntagali, and the Archbishop of Kampala, His Grace Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, in the succession battles that have occupied the ruling party most of this year. The leaked conversations rope in the two senior clerics in efforts to support John Patrick Amama Mbabazi as President Museveni’s successor. All parties involved have denied complicity although in politics, denials say as much as admissions. In this column, it has been said that where the other current and former contenders in the queue have shown propensity to stumble, or collapse under pressure, Mr Mbabazi’s methods of work are systematic and institutional. Mr Mbabazi himself has been battling secret recordings of personal conversations of a political nature and his wife and closest political advisor, Ms Jacqueline Mbabazi, promised to return fire with fire. She went on the warpath and in a breach of State protocol appeared at a criminal court as a surety for Mbabazi supporters accused of abuse of office even though they don’t as much hold a public office. The war of words has been going on for weeks. In the one-party era of Kenya’s KANU, it was a favourite tactic of then president Daniel arap Moi to use a low ranking functionary to propel attacks on persons who had fallen out with him. The silent war against Mr Mbabazi has involved junior party members levelling attacks against the Prime Minister and additional “security language” from the Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura. The communications security breach pinning Mr Kayihura thus becomes more insightful. First the leaks wisely do not attempt to compromise the position of the President dulling the prospect of two power centres. But they succeed in casting aspersions on the character of the IGP whose approach to intelligence gathering and legitimate security threats calls into question the wisdom of transferring billions of shillings of resources from the traditional intelligence community to the head of police. Security organisations are a creature of statute with specific responsibilities. There are two civilian domestic intelligence agencies: Internal Security Organisation and External Security Organisation. The military has CMI. From time to time, specialised agencies of government may recruit task forces for specific purposes. Uganda Revenue Authority is one such agency. So are the National Forestry Authority, Bank of Uganda, National Citizenship and Immigration Board. But the proper practice is to have the traditional agencies to second trained personnel to perform these functions. Intelligence is actionable after thorough analysis. Collection is one function; and data analysis and reporting is another function. People in the intelligence community carry great responsibilities to avoid creating political rifts between the principals. Intelligence is also very different from rumour mongering. Crime prevention sometimes relies on sieving rumours or “leads” to detect and prevent crime but that is very different from intelligence gathering. Intelligence budgets are classified. In modern societies, the likelihood of an intelligence cell residing in a university faculty or a banking hall or in the ranks of regular shopkeepers is high. For these reasons, intelligence personnel and the information they hold are never supposed to play the role of the principals they serve. The police recordings show the worst risks of misuse of official state facilities for the wrong purposes. For a spell of time the Prime Minister was taunted on the basis of intelligence gathered from his private conversations with members of his family, a major breach of privacy. In a professional setting, such recordings should have remained classified. De-classification is an onerous process and can only happen in very limited circumstances. It is also very clear that the communications security operation of the IGP is similarly very weak. Official orders and conversations of a personal nature are all garbled through cell phones that are not “secure”. Any attentive person can write down the IGP’s cellphone number from the numerous public offices where he has posted in on a chart. The chart carries everyone’s cell phone number down the chain of command. With this information, the cellphone can be tracked for location to reveal where each of his officers are at any given time using relatively simple and innocuous desk-top applications. A little bit more investment can then turn data packets into voice and transmitted using very simple receivers that today can now be placed in devices as simple as a wrist-watch or regular cell-phones that have an auto-record facility. The Mbabazi entourage seems to know all of this and it did not take long to strike. Mr Ssemogerere is an Attorney-at-Law and an Advocate. kssemoge@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-No-Ugandan-should-live-in-fear-/-/689364/2250304/-/120r6f8/-/index.html","content":"No Ugandan should live in fear of persecution because of who they are - Regarding the feedback I’ve received in response to my recent article condemning the anti-gays law, I’d like to flesh out my position in response to the issues raised.Respondents asserted that Ugandan society brooks no deviant behaviour on the mere plea of ‘natural orientation’. Rape, paedophilia, and bestiality were cited as unacceptable ‘natural orientations’ comparable to homosexuality. What is pointedly ignored in this argument is that unlike any of these offences, homosexuality is a victimless “crime”. Even prostitution and drug abuse - often compared to homosexuality as unacceptable lifestyle choices - have a negative impact on society. Paedophiles and all those who coerce others into deviant sexual behaviour must face the full might of the law; but the life-imprisonment of law-abiding citizens for what they do in private is disproportionate in the extreme. The question of whether homosexuality is natural or acquired behaviour was raised. Leaving that debate to geneticists and behavioural scientists, I’ll merely paraphrase an equally pertinent question, posed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu: Why would anybody voluntarily choose a lifestyle that is demonised by society, denies them progeniture, breaks family bonds, jeopardises employment prospects, and risks life-imprisonment and even death? Pope Francis was more succinct in his affirmation that “Homosexual acts are sinful but homosexual orientation isn’t”. Alan Turing, inventor of the modern computer (who helped the Allies win WWII by cracking Hitler’s Enigma machine’s code) committed suicide after being forced to undergo corrective therapy to be “cured” of homosexuality. Wouldn’t it have been easier for him to denounce homosexuality since he had everything to live for? No doubt some people are indoctrinated into homosexual lifestyles under coercion. This, I unreservedly condemn. However, the fact that what consenting homosexuals do in private is deemed unacceptable by others is a shamefully flimsy pretext for imprisoning harmless citizens. Respondents further alluded to the biblical condemnation of homosexuality. As a Christian, it’s not my place to ask why God created homosexuals and then condemned homosexuality, any more than it’s my place to ask why, despite His commandment “Thou shalt not kill”, God sanctioned the genocide, pillage, plunder and ethnic cleansing of whole nations as He guided the Israelites in the conquest of the Promised Land. Matters theological being beyond my realm of understanding, suffice it to say that insofar as Uganda is a secular State, it is incongruous for legislation to be driven by religious considerations. As polarising as the above arguments are, they are nonetheless red herrings in the pertinent debate on human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that no person shall live in fear of persecution because of what/who they are. The law is in flagrant breach of this, condemning Ugandan homosexuals to the same fate as the Jews in Nazi Germany; blacks in pre-civil rights America and apartheid South Africa; the Suffragettes; and the ‘Untouchables’ in the Indian caste system. Existing laws dehumanised these groups simply for being something they could not help. Such societies sought to rationalise the irrational: pure, unadulterated prejudice. Alan Turing was posthumously pardoned by the British government last year. Could there ever be any conceivable justification for the loss to human progress of such a gifted scientist? How much talent must Uganda lose through the dehumanisation of valuable citizens before reason triumphs? Mandela made South Africa the first African state to constitutionally recognise the rights of homosexuals. His timeless words should be heeded: “I am not truly free if I am taking away someone else’s freedom, just as surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken from me. The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.” Ms Mpanga is an IT consultant. mpangae@googlemail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/Wins-for-Liverpool--PSG-and-AC-Milan/-/690266/2242858/-/sofp0hz/-/index.html","content":"Wins for Liverpool, PSG and AC Milan - PREMIERSHIP Hull vs Man CityThe quadruple dream was good while it lasted, but now the distractions are gone and Man City can concentrate on a single, more realistic and reachable target. In the pursuit of the Premier League title their destiny is - thankfully for them - still in their own hands. Hull however represent the first of the numerous tough mental tests in their way. There should be goals on either side. ‘Over’ Aston Villa vs ChelseaIn the past I have watched in surprise and shock some pretty average Aston Villa teams give Chelsea a bloody nose at Villa Park. Some of it didn’t make sense from a tactical standpoint, sometimes it doesn’t have to. One’s bogey side is what it always will be, it is part the beauty of sport. I am not convinced however that the trend will continue this once, considering what is at stake for Chelsea. Away win Tottenham Vs Arsenal For a short Gareth Bale-inspired period, Tottenham seemed to have finally overcome the inferiority complex they have in this North London derby, one they will of course fiercely deny possessing. It is plain to see for the rest of us however (at least for me), and manifests itself in tactical naivety, individual errors, failure to exploit weaknesses, seize moments, take chances, kill off games etc. Away win Man United vs LiverpoolWest Brom was a great improvement, not in performance (for United have played better and come away with nothing) but in result (for they were more comfortable winners than they are used to being in recent times). I feel though that they needed a few more of those before facing Liverpool, whose speed of attack they are not quite ready for. Take your pick between ‘Away Win’ and ‘Over’ SERIE A Genoa vs JuventusCan it be that Juventus will just go on winning until kingdom come? They last tasted defeat age as ago and have not even been drawing, but picking them up on the trot, with Trabzonspor, AC Milan and Fiorentina as the last three victims. Genoa is not a match for their might on paper, home or away, but there is such a thing as the law of averages. Well, I believe so anyway … Draw Roma vs UdinesePlucky opponents Udinese are coming off a morale boosting victory over AC Milan, and are a match for anyone in the Serie A except, well, Juventus. Roma on the other hand did not look convincing in losing to Napoli, but can get back into stride back at home. And even if Kevin Strootman has checked out for the season, they still have enough to sort Udinese out. Home win AC Milan vs ParmaAfter the loss to Udinese, Milan travelled to Madrid in midweek and suffered an embarrassing reverse to Atletico in the Champions League. Clarence Seerdof was not impressed with the mental fragility of his charges, but he now has the task of lifting the gloom from the dressing room and urging them to a strong Serie A finish they are well capable of. It starts here. Home win BUNDESLIGABayern vs Bayer LeverkusenThere was plenty of wastefulness for long spells when Bayern took on Arsenal, and then that was replaced with respect, caution and some jitters as the European champions played to a low-scoring stalemate. Back home against Leverkusen this will not be the case, even if they still have to be careful about not losing their much-cherished unbeaten run. It is goals I see. ‘Over’ Dortmund vs MonchengladbachA free-scoring Dortmund is a thing of the past, these days that side has been replaced with an inconsistent and unpredictable one which plays great today and then labours tomorrow. They still have 85,000 fanatics urging them on though, and against a solid side like Gladbach which will give as good as it gets, it is likely the goals will return. ‘Over’ LIGUE ONEPSG vs St EtienneThere is a thriller on the cards here, as the runaway league leaders face the pretty decent fourth placed side with designs on sneaking into the Champions League after a very long absence. There will be some tired legs in PSG’s ranks, and so Laurent Blanc has to juggle his resources cleverly as St Etienne have the ability to cause an upset. Home win Lyon vs MonacoPotentially another thriller here as Lyon have improved so much so that Champions League football is an outside possibility for them too. They have clawed to within seven points of third placed Lille with 10 games to go, and must be chomping at the bit at the moment. Monaco themselves have proved their strength, and between the two goals should inevitably come. ‘Over’ LA LIGABarcelona vs OsasunaAfter that dreadful showing at Valladollid, Barcelona picked it up for the visit of Man City and in several flashes looked like the beautiful menace of old, at least in the attacking sense. There has not been any consistency for them in La Liga for months now, and if they are to retain their title they need to find it now. At the Camp Nou, I would fancy them to start. Home win Malaga vs Real MadridThe relentlessness of Real Madrid’s forward line has been impressive, they have consistently produced the goods in recent months. At Malaga it will not be straightforward, but the burning ambition of some of the individuals in that Real attack will drive Carlo Ancelotti’s side on. Yet I would fancy Malaga to breach them at the back too. ‘Over’Atletico vs EspanyolIn sport the perfect antidote for fatigue is momentum, and that is what Atletico Madrid seem to be riding on. Every time the tank seems to have run empty they somehow find fuel in reserve, and motor on again. It is just incredible to witness. I didn’t think they would win at Celta last weekend and they defied me. I have my reservations about this one too, but I have given up on these guys. Home win Sevilla vs ValladollidHome win 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Anti-corruption-fight-a-bully-for-the-weak/-/689364/2144726/-/731890z/-/index.html","content":"Anti-corruption fight a bully for the weak - The article by Ms Rose Namayanja Nsereko, the Minister of Information and National Guidance titled “Government has registered victory in fighting corruption” (Daily Monitor, January 10, 2014) must be applauded and at the same time examined critically. So far, this article is the most comprehensive insight of the progress being made by the office of the Inspector General of Government, the statutory body assigned to fight corruption. To add a more moderate voice to this rather glamorous account as depicted by the minister, Uganda is known for having some of the best laws in the region - whether laws against graft or those prohibitive laws against moral corruption, human liberties and so forth. When it comes to writing laws, Uganda has gone off its way to extract laws from Britain and from the United States without fear. Of recent, this country has been able to invoke a colonial law – that ensures preventive arrests on assumptions or prediction of potential breach. The existence of many robust anti-corruption laws in Uganda is not an issue of contestation here. The major ingredient that Uganda lacks in the fight against corruption is the political will to reinforce those laws to their rational ends. In all aspects, the problems that afflict the fight against corruption are also the transformative as well as functional nature of corruption, it being used as a political tool. Ugandans will not be deceived by romanticised statistics which glorify half a success story. While I am tempted to believe that all is rosy at the Ombudsman’s office as the minister portrays, reality checks may reveal another narrative - far from what the government is numbing our nerves with. First, cases that have been easily disposed are those that affect the less important personalities who commit petty acts of corruption due to poor supervision. The government has deliberately failed to persecute those bigger political fishes whose fingers never leave public purses. And yet, the political class is the most corrupted class. This means the IGG’s office and the police have never had sufficient and real powers to reign in the politicians. Second, corruption is the mediating mechanism of the regime upon which patronage and allegiances are negotiated. As a consequence, the cost of politics on public purse has become overwhelming at the expense of public service. The cost of public administration and the corruption which sustains it ensures that no public institution can claim to work independently and free of corruption. Thirdly, government’s failure to prioritise funding for anti-corruption institutions and its inherent inability to accept good governance as a principled aspect of the fight against graft, illustrate their contempt for genuine anti-graft fight. Favouritism, cronyism, tribalism and the desire for life presidency, comes in handy to compromise any genuine efforts at fighting corruption. The police appear too incompetent to conduct thorough and timely forensic investigation targeting politicians, and even where they have the capacity; their efforts are often thwarted by political interferences from above. It is, therefore, justifiable to assert that any successes in the fight against corruption cannot be celebrated when the small fish are the target, leaving the influential politicians and key decision makers to be protected by the status quo. It is only logical that any victory in the fight against corruption should not be celebrated too soon; else we shall be throwing the baby out with the birth water. Corruption prevails precisely because of thriving inequities in resource distribution. The political class and the corrupted middle class have conspired to operate in the unofficial institutions which have deprived the public institution of resources and sanity. Public servants have resorted to abuse public service because it is not rewarding anymore, so they sit on their hands or abandon it all together for politics. The injustice is distressful because the political elite expropriate larger shares of national resources to themselves while they mockingly implore the public servants and peasant farmers to adhere to patriotism rather than distributive justice and equitable society. Today, we hear common slogans like “tusaba gavumenti etuyambe” (we beg our government to help us), which signifies the increasing gap between the government and the common people. People are increasingly distrustful of their government because of its corrupted ways. All they see as the face of this regime are wealthy politicians accumulating personal wealth, while the common man’s space is dwindling and his fate consigned to providence. Like Karl Marx would say, issues of economic production have become too stressful that religion and premier league have provided the fantasy of solace for the majority of disengaged Ugandans. The anti-corruption fight is one which is perceived as bully for the weak and toothless on the most corrupt. mordust_26@yahoo.ca"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/In-Uganda--Christmas-has-been-abolished---This-is-official/-/689844/2121296/-/xfnxctz/-/index.html","content":"In Uganda, Christmas has been abolished.  This is official - Very few people in Uganda will have a genuine merry Christmas this year or a prosperous New Year. The reason is simple. Christmas has been abolished under the current political system of governance. You may think this is a joke but this columnist is fond of reminding Ugandans that facts and the law do not change but current Ugandan rulers always think or believe that they do.I was reliably informed recently while abroad that the Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority ordered its employees to go home until further notice. It was done and I was later informed that it took a whole Presidential edict to reverse the decision of the NRMO proclaimed supremo lady at the City Hall. Both are still in office as if nothing actually happened. Any law student and an intelligent citizen of Kampala will tell you that the KCCA Law casts the Executive Director of the city as a mere Permanent Secretary under and subservient to the Lord Mayor, who in law, is the elected political head of the city, who ought to be giving orders and administrative instructions to the executive director instead of the other way round. But this is the NRMO party government where everything impossible or whimsical is possible under its principled leadership. Only last year, a gang of environmental thugs decided to construct an illegal monstrosity by hole No. 12 of the Uganda golf course at Kitante. The captain of the club, the Mayor of KCCA, the Water and Sewerage Corporation and Nema rose up in unison and vigorously opposed this illegal construction. Previously, some equally misguided individual had finished building a house on the same spot and was forced to demolish the same house, because he was told that besides the facts already disclosed above, the house had been sited in a road reserve. This serious breach of the city’s zoning and building regulations was brought to the attention of the Inspector General of Government with a request for urgent action to stop these illegal developments. After a week or so, the IGG personally telephoned the objectors and told them that she had learnt that those unlawful developments had been officially approved. Her Ladyship never disclosed who gave consent for an illegality to continue nor did she produce any written evidence to that effect. At one time, some Ugandans and residents claimed that an article published in the Monitor newspaper had falsely damaged their name and reputation and they threatened to sue. As is usual, empty threats of litigation are branded publicly to threaten the righteous, who then wait indefinitely for those threats to materialise. The IGG is becoming a mere excuse for wrong-doing. When the current IGG was first appointed, many Ugandans, including this columnist, had great hopes in her, especially when she spoke so bravely in public. Sadly, all her promises evaporated within the shortest period. She received many complaints with concrete evidence of wrong-doing and corruption, which continue increasing blatantly without any real efforts from her office to curb them. All her rhetoric statements have turned out to be a mere political screen for covering up or at best ignoring the public cries for justice. Then there is the Ministry for Karamoja Affairs. Apparently, this is a region which is rich in minerals and other precious stones. Allegations have been rife and circulating that those closest to the Presidency are benefitting or intend to benefit from this great wealth. How come then that the poorest beggars and wretches of the earth in Kampala have trekked from their homes and are roaming and squatting in Kampala trenches and dustbins forever begging for food? If I were in this ministry, I would be embarrassed and ashamed and endeavour to do something about this scandal. Will the ministry round up all these miserable kids who have been forced into prostitution and drugs and give them a decent meal at State House this Christmas? Do they really matter in the world that the ministry is planning for itself? Some time ago, the NRMO party rulers forced a few Members of Parliament to pass the Traditional Rulers and Cultural Leaders Bill unconstitutionally. Many knowledgeable people, including professors Khiddu Makubuya, Oloka Onyango, this columnist and Mzee John Nagenda spoke loudly and clearly against the illegalities that were being perpetrated in enacting it. The Prime Minister, the Deputy Attorney General and a few others were seen and heard conspiring to have this illegal Bill passed. They succeeded but very unconstitutionally. The President assented to it and the Buganda government apparently went to court about it. No one in Uganda knows the fate of that litigation. The cynics say the NRMO party government allegedly paid a handsome sum to the Mengo boys to keep quiet about this illegality. No one dares to come out with the truth. Is the Attorney General of Uganda part of this sellout? What will happen if the same Act is resorted to in 2016? It is now quite clear why the abolition of Christmas would be no surprise under the conditions and circumstances in which Uganda is governed today. 1 | 2 Next Page»Prof Kanyeihamba is a retired Supreme Court judge.gwkany@yahoo.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/Stalemate-in-London-derby/-/690266/2119426/-/v4gdqiz/-/index.html","content":"Stalemate in London derby - Liverpool vs CardiffAs if they needed any extra incentive or motivation, Liverpool have every reason to want to win a game which will put them top of the table before the big fixture of this round. Cardiff are not half as dangerous on the road as they can be in Wales, and are set to discover that the goals and limelight might be his, but Luis Suarez has a supporting cast in form and in the mood. Home win Fulham vs Man City Poor Fulham. You have got to feel for them. After beating Aston Villa at Craven Cottage a fortnight ago, they would have hoped for a run of results to get them out their relegation quagmire, but the fixture list has not been kind. Everton was a no-go last weekend, and Man City even more so this one. ‘Over’ Man United vs West Ham Sam Allardyce is under immense pressure and, in Martin Jol style, he is speaking openly about an axe hovering over his head. That makes his team dangerous, and after their midweek Cup heroics, his veterans as well as youngsters like United ‘reject’ Ravel Morirson will be up for it. United wont find it as easy as Aston Villa, but they will scrape through. Home win Southampton vs TottenhamThe mood in the Spurs camp has been further dampened by the Capital One exit, but the players who are given a chance will be grateful and eager, as was Adebayor against West Ham. As has been the case with Fulham and Sunderland, the performances under a new manager are bound to improve. But results have not gone Southampton’s way and they too are desperate. Draw Arsenal vs ChelseaIn Jose Mourinho’s first tenure, this one would have been an easy call. If Chelsea needed to beat Arsenal (or any other for that matter, but most especially the Gunners) to go top and take charge of the title race, they would. Mourinho’s second term doesn’t quite inspire that the same confidence. They both look like scoring and conceding. Draw French Ligue 1Monaco vs ValenciennesSandwiched between the two on the table, Monaco have the advantage of playing before title rivals PSG and Lille face-off this weekend. If Monaco win tonight, they go top and then sit back and watch the other two go at each other’s necks on Sunday, and there can be no better enticement for victory than that. Home win PSG vs LilleLille have only conceded six goals all season, but unfortunately for them most of those goals have come in the most recent matches after they went for a long stretch without letting any in. But even if they had still been on that run, it would have been worth betting on the PSG attack to be the one to breach them. Brace for the onslaught Vincent Enyeama. Home win Spanish La LigaGetafe vs BarcelonaThey are coming into good form after an indifferent spell are Barcelona, and thankfully for them Neymar has stepped up to the plate because they are not getting too many goals from elsewhere at the moment. It is more important for them to play well however, because then the goals can come from anywhere. And they are playing well … Away win Valencia vs Real MadridThe red card Sergio Ramos received at Osasuna has been rescinded, so that puts into perspective the result Real Madrid got over there. With eleven on the pitch Valencia will find them hard to stop, but at the Mestella they too are no pushovers. ‘Over’ Atletico Madrid vs LevanteHome win Villarreal vs Sevilla‘Over’ Bilbao vs VallecanoHome win Espanyol vs ValladolidHome win Serie AAtalanta vs JuventusOld brooms know all the corners, and the Old Lady knows her way around the Serie A. With disappointing Europe taking a back seat, Juventus return to the comforts of a competition they usually find better fortunes in, and Atalanta is just one of many victims on their way to yet another Scudetto. Away win Cagliari vs NapoliNapoli will not let Juve ride easy to the title however, and have dreams of their own reliving the glory days of Diego Maradona. In Rafa Benitez they have a manager who is no stranger to title challenges with the underdog (remember Valencia and Liverpool), and he will push to the very end. Away win 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/CharlesOnyangoObbo/Mandela-s--deadly-sins----or-why-some-of-Africa-s-Big-/-/878504/2108192/-/fs2kuu/-/index.html","content":"Mandela’s ‘deadly sins’ – or why some of Africa’s Big Men will not miss him - The great man and international icon, former South African president Nelson Mandela died last Thursday at the ripe old age of 95.He confounded us, Mandela. And now after his death, his greatness has truly emerged. Think about it. Having spent 27 years in detention before his release in 1990, many expected that Mandela would be like all revolutionary leaders in the world – rule for decades to make up for “lost time”, and justify it on the basis of the high personal price paid for opposing dictatorship (Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, Fidel Castro in Cuba, Jose dos Santos in Angola, our own Yoweri Museveni, all took this route). Perhaps the most surprising thing Mandela did, both for an African or any other world leader is that he stepped down from office after just one five-year term. He was the first African leader to walk from the dinner table after just one course. It would also underscore the point that Mandela’s is a special death. Indeed my own sense is that Mandela divided the broader African politics into two parts – Before Nelson Mandela (BNM), the period covering the 1960s to 1994, and After Nelson Mandela (ANM), the period after he came to power. The BNM age had common fears: The African majority took power; the ethnic mates of the president; the declaration of a one-party state; then either military coups, armed rebellions, or violence following stolen elections. Mandela changed that, making South Africa the first state in Africa where power was shared with the former white “colonial” class when he appointed his predecessor Frederik de Klerk deputy president along with Mbeki. For all the messages of “heartfelt condolences” from African State Houses, I suspect Mandela has left behind examples that African presidents must surely resent him for. •It was bad enough that he chose to retire after his first term. Yes, he might have been 81-years-old, but so what? Mugabe was recently re-elected at the age of 85, and his henchmen are already saying he will stand in the next election – at the age of 89. Mandela’s main “sin”, therefore, according to other African chiefs, must be that he tried to lower the retirement age. •But that is not all, apart from retiring prematurely and lowering the exit age, Mandela then did something unforgivable – he did not try to install one of his sons, daughters, or grandchildren as his successor. He gave the thing to Mbeki, who was not even from his clan or village. What kind of example is that? •Then, for all the last couple of years he has been sick, Mandela was treated in South African hospitals. This is a continent where chaps like Cameroon’s President Paul Biya live abroad most of the time, partly so they can be near Western medical care while they let the hospitals at home waste away. Biya only returns home during elections to steal the vote, and then he goes back to Europe to wait for the next one. In the case of Malawi’s Bingu wa Mutharika, though admittedly the doctors there did a lousy job when he collapsed fatally in 2012, his inner circle still went over the top when they chose to fly him to South Africa among other things, because they thought the South Africans would embalm him better! •Now a few days ago, I was in Johannesburg and drove near Mandela’s house in the Houghton suburb. For such a celebrated figure of the Africa’s richest nation, the place was nothing like the palace that other African Big Men who have done less live in. In fact we do not have to go far. South Africa’s president Jacob Zuma has caught a breather with the death of Mandela. Until then, the biggest story in the country was the outrage that followed the revelation that the government splashed $30m (Shs76 billion) of taxpayers’ money to refurbish Zuma’s sprawling village home. The government then tried to suppress the story, by warning the media not to publish photos of the sprawling estate. The media defied the order and published photos of Zuma’s luxury thatched-roof houses in his Nkandla country home. The government had said publishing the photos would be a breach of national security. A South African parliamentary committee that investigated the Nkandla upgrades reported that the exercise was riddled with corruption. Several individuals and companies were awarded tenders without the required security clearance. Even more comical, as The Star newspaper reported, is that even Zuma’s chickens and cattle are catered for because their living places were also identified as potentially a high-security risk! Mandela died without a palace or a resort home one of South Africa’s beautiful many beautiful beaches. Another bad example, Africa’s chiefs would say. The mzee lowered the standards for the presidential crib. Don’t be surprised that among the African presidents who will be in Qunu, some might well be there to see for themselves that Madiba is actually buried.This column returns next Wednesday. cobbo@ke.nationmedia.com & twitter:cobbo3"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Why-MPs--government-should-keep-off-Umeme-/-/689844/2094452/-/of3lqy/-/index.html","content":"Why MPs, government should keep off Umeme  - Two weeks ago, an ad hoc committee of Parliament recommended that government cancel its contract with Umeme for the distribution of electricity in the country. The committee raises many complaints against the concession agreement and Umeme’s performance; a few correct, some legitimate, others completely wrong, many erroneous and most of them ill-informed. In fact, by relying on many erroneous and ill-informed arguments to recommend an arbitrary cancellation of the concession, the committee inadvertently demonstrates why it was vital for Umeme to insist on the very provisions in the concession that Parliament feels are unfair to the Ugandan people. The background: When government decided to unbundle Uganda Electricity Board (UEB) into three separate entities to manage electricity generation, transmission and distribution, it hired an international company called Fieldstone Private Capital Group Limited to help handle the matter. After two years of work, government put out a tender for generation and distribution concessions. Five companies expressed interest and came to Uganda to do a due diligence on the sector. After studying our political and regulatory framework, all of them pulled out without submitting a bid. The issuesWhat were the issues? They are largely of a political nature. Uganda had subsidised the electricity tariff for a very long time. The electricity tariff had remained unchanged from 1993 to 2002. The prevailing price then was far below the actual cost of generating, transmitting and distributing electricity; it’s value having been eroded by inflation and foreign exchange depreciation. The country had also ignored or condoned rampant power thefts. Thirdly many people who were in default were not being taken to task. Note: in Kenya the electricity tariff is subject to constant adjustment every year to both domestic inflation and foreign exchange depreciation. Consequently, Ugandan electricity consumers took it for granted that electricity was cheap and that its price could not change. Secondly, there had grown and consolidated a culture of impunity where thieves and defaulters could steal and/or refuse to pay and remain untouched. These were causing high nontechnical losses in the sector. To compound this, UEB had spent decades with little or no investment in improving the distribution lines, transformers and meters. This had led to high technical losses making the sector unattractive to investors. UEB was a government parastatal and no one cared whether the tariff covered the costs of electricity production. The solution to this conundrum was doubled edged: to reduce technical losses would demand heavy investment in upgrading the power lines and transformers, meters and even more investment in human resource. If any private investor did this, they would have to charge this cost through the tariff; second, to reduce nontechnical losses required that the investor would have to ruthlessly clump down on power thefts by riding homes and small businesses to apprehend illegal connections, hire a security force to curb thefts of power lines, transformers and tampering with meters and finally ruthlessly cut off many defaulting customers off power to force them to pay. This operation would destroy the image of any investor before his customers. Besides, these measures had political implications. Potential investors feared that the public would not accept increases in the tariff because a culture of consuming cheap electricity had penetrated the political consciousness of consumers. Investors complained that the regulator did not have capacity to make the independent decisions. This is because the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) had once increased the tariff and government intervened and suspended it. Indeed, if you look at the books of UEDCL, you will find a back-to-back debt it owes generation and transmission companies which has never been recovered. UEDCL could not collect money because the minister stopped it from doing so for political reasons. The Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) put these issues in writing, rising issues of political risk, foreign exchange risk and revenue collection risk. However, they said if these issues were addressed, they could bid. The government decided to talk to them. After the bidding, they formed a consortium with Eskom, one of the other bidders. Both are parastatals, one owned by the British government, another by the South African government. No private investor was willing to risk their capital in such a tense political climate. The negotiations between government on one hand and CDC and Eskom on the other lasted three years. Government promised to protect the investor from regulatory and political risks and the concession was designed by escalating the penalties government would pay in case of a breach. This was the first distribution concession in Africa. CDC and Eskom feared that if anyone attempted to increase the tariff, especially at a steep rate, it would cause thefts, defaults and illegal connections. So to concession made it clear that the government could not increase the tariff for more than 10 per cent in any given year and not more than 20 per cent in any three consecutive years. Thus, although the public and Parliament accuse Umeme of seeking to increase the tariff rapidly, Umeme has been against it and this is enshrined in the concession agreement. In fact, rapid increases in the tariff are a violation of the concession, which should force Umeme to pull out. The question then was: if the tariff was going to remain stable and change only by not more than 20 per cent every three years, who was going to pay for the mismatch between the existing tariff and actual cost of production, transmission and distribution? The answer is government through the subsidy. Even after government had agreed to these demands, Umeme was reluctant to join and asked for an 18 months concession as a trial run to see whether government would honour its word. They agreed to invest a non-refundable $5 million (about Shs12.6 billion) in these 18 months. Five months to the end of that period, in March 2005, power supply declined by 50 per cent due to low water levels in Lake Victoria. This forced government to bring in thermal generators, a factor that escalated the cost of electricity, thus making increasing the price of subsidies. Tariff increased To avoid bankruptcy, government decided to increase the tariff by 22 per cent in March 2005, then 35 per cent in May 2006 and another 43 per cent in November 2006. Thus, in less than two years, government increased the tariff by 98 per cent contrary to the concession agreement. Again, Umeme had all the rights to terminate the concession. Government would have been forced to compensate them fully. Indeed they threatened to do exactly that, a factor that triggered negotiations with government. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/As-Europe-seethes--US-to-review-intel-operations/-/688340/2052078/-/14yleeaz/-/index.html","content":"As Europe seethes, US to review intel operations - Washington - The White House said it will seek to keep US intelligence-gathering operations in check and possibly add new restraints for more transparency amid mounting European ire over American snooping on the continent. \"There are a number of efforts underway that are designed to increase transparency, to work with Congress to look at reform to the Patriot Act (and) to look at ways we can increase oversight and increase constraint on the authorities provided by these programs,\" presidential spokesman Jay Carney said at a news briefing Monday. The New York Times, quoting administration and congressional officials, reported Monday that President Barack Obama is considering banning eavesdropping on leaders of US allies in the wake of the European furor. As Spain became the latest ally to summon a US ambassador to denounce the mass eavesdropping, the normally loyal head of the US Senate intelligence committee claimed her panel had been kept in the dark. Washington stands accused of snooping on the telephone and online communications of millions of ordinary citizens in Europe, including allied world leaders like German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Obama refused to corroborate such reports, citing the need to keep intelligence operations classified. But he acknowledged that the way US agencies go about their business was being reassessed. \"We give them policy direction,\" he told ABC News. \"But what we've seen over the last several years is their capacities continue to develop and expand, and that's why I'm initiating now a review to make sure that what they're able to do doesn't necessarily mean what they should be doing.\" Senator Dianne Feinstein said lawmakers on her committee had not been briefed on the extent of National Security Agency activity and announced a \"major review\" of spy operations. Spain summons US envoy\"With respect to NSA collection of intelligence on leaders of US allies -- including France, Spain, Mexico and Germany -- let me state unequivocally: I am totally opposed,\" Feinstein said. \"It is clear to me that certain surveillance activities have been in effect for more than a decade and that the Senate Intelligence Committee was not satisfactorily informed.\" Feinstein, a member of Obama's Democratic Party who defended the NSA in the recent past, did not disguise her opposition to those policies that have led to a deterioration in transatlantic ties. \"Unless the United States is engaged in hostilities against a country or there is an emergency need for this type of surveillance, I do not believe the United States should be collecting phone calls or emails of friendly presidents and prime ministers,\" she said. The Spanish government meanwhile called in US ambassador James Costos to explain the latest allegations. A senior Spanish foreign ministry official met the envoy after the El Mundo daily published a classified document purportedly showing that US intelligence services tracked 60.5 million Spanish telephone calls in one month. 1 | 2 Next Page»The NSA recorded the origin and destination of the calls and their duration but not the content, said El Mundo, which printed a classified graph showing 30 days of call tracing up to January 8 this year. The newspaper said such systematic trawling of huge volumes of digital information -- or metadata -- would include intercepting personal details through Internet web browsers, emails and social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. \"Spain conveyed to the United States the importance of preserving the climate of trust that governs bilateral relations and of knowing the scale of practices that, if true, are inappropriate and unacceptable between countries that are partners and friends,\" the Spanish ministry said. 'Trust has to be rebuilt'With transatlantic tensions on the boil, members of a European delegation met Monday with House Intelligence Committee chairman Mike Rogers, who sought to soothe injured European feelings and said the two sides \"made some progress\" in the talks. A British member of the European Parliament, Claude Moraes, said it was vital to begin a healing process but also to reassure Europe that surveillance abuses do not persist. \"Trust has to be rebuilt. We need to figure out why this kind of mass surveillance activity is happening,\" Moraes said. Elmar Brok, chairman of the parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs, was more critical of the US overstepping its bounds. \"It is not acceptable, for example, this espionage on Chancellor Merkel and others since more than 10 years,\" he said. Brok told AFP he believed the eavesdropping on the German administration is a breach of German law. The Wall Street Journal said Monday the NSA had tapped the phones of some 35 world leaders, including Merkel, who last week branded the snooping as unacceptable between friends. Obama learned of the espionage only after an internal mid-year review, and the White House then ordered an end to the spying on some leaders, including Merkel, the Journal said. Feinstein said it would be a \"big problem\" if Obama had not been made aware that Merkel's calls were being collected, saying \"the president should be required to approve any collection of this sort.\" The European delegation was to meet Tuesday and Wednesday with more US officials including from the State Department and Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Rogers said US lawmakers would soon travel to Brussels for follow-up meetings with European officials. online@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/Know-your-rights-as-a-tenant-and-as-a-landlord/-/689858/2043002/-/13x8lrs/-/index.html","content":"Know your rights as a tenant and as a landlord - Being a tenant can be challenging not only because you have to part with a given amount of money at the end of every month but also because at times some landlords tend to treat their tenants like children. However, being a landlord is also not an easy task because some tenants can be a pain in the neck. But, amidst all this, both parties are backed by the law. Mr Naboth Muhairwe, a partner and practice manager at Agaba Muhairwe and Company Advocates states there are basically two documents that protect both the tenant and the landlord. The Rent Restriction Act, a law which governs the landlord tenant relations in respect to rent. The other document is the Tenant’s Agreement, a contract between the landlord and the tenant who wants to live in the property for an agreed period of time and for an agreed payment. Rights of a tenantMuhairwe says these two entail that a tenant has a duty to pay rent and respect the terms and conditions under which the premises were rented out to them. “But they also detail the rights of a tenant.” He explains, “The Rent and Restriction Act states conditions if which the tenant fulfills they cannot be evicted from the house and it says that if the tenant has paid rent, they cannot be evicted.” However, if a tenant fails to pay rent as per the agreement, the law states that you are supposed to be given notice of eviction. “The law says tenants need a reasonable notice and courts permit two weeks as a reasonable notice for eviction for nonpayment of rent,” Agaba explains. But besides eviction, when a tenant fails to pay rent, the landlord can chose to confiscate their property. However, this should be done in accordance to the law. The practice manager explains that the landlord must apply to court to get an order that allows them to confiscate your property until you pay rent. “But most landlords do it illegally. However, it can be challenged in court where by the tenant seeks a court order that their property be released.” Grace periodMeanwhile, besides the Act, there are clauses in the Tenant’s Agreement that can protect tenants. He cites an example of a landlord who decides to increase rent of their premises. “When this happens, you can challenge the decision in court only if you have a tenant’s agreement that spells out when the rent shall be reviewed. So if the tenants agreement stipulates that you are supposed to review the rent after two years or after six months but get a letter informing you of the increase in rent after two months, then you know that the premise owner is in breach of the agreement and you can challenge the decision in court.” He adds that in such cases, most tenants prefer to move house, however, this comes with extra costs. But, Agaba says the law gives a tenant a grace period of at least three months to look for alternative premises while they stay in the same house at the old rate. Quiet possession of premisesMeanwhile, Mr Patrick Barugahare an advocates and legal consultant with Barugahare & Co Advocates adds that another right of a tenant is the right to quiet possession or enjoyment of the premises. “As long as the tenant has paid rent and has complied with all the other terms of the tenants’ agreement, they have a right to live in the premise undisturbed by the landlord.” Demand that landlord pays property leviesMore so, the legal consultant adds that the landlord has also got some obligations like payment of property rent. Therefore if any authority serves notice, it’s the landlord’s responsibility. He therefore states that on such grounds, the tenant has the right to demand that the landlord to makes sure that property rent, ground rent and other property levies charged by government are paid by the landlord. 1 | 2 Next Page»Demand for structural repairsAlso structural repairs like the roof, walls, plumbing, electrical are the responsibility of the landlord and therefore if the tenant has paid rent, they have the right to demand that the landlord carries out these structural repairs. Ask for refund of security bondAdditionally, in cases where landlords demand payment of security bonds to cover damages or failure to pay utility charges at the end of your tenancy, that amount is refundable provided you have not done any damage to the premise other than usual normal wear and tear like paint wearing. Barugahare explains, “At the termination of the tenancy when you are moving out, you have the right to demand for refund of the security bond as long as there is no damage or arrears.” Take additional fixturesFurthermore, there are times when a tenant adds some fixtures into the house; as long as they are not permanent to the property, the legal consultant say when you are moving house, you are entitled to taking your additions. Rights of a landlordMeanwhile, Mr Muhairwe says the main right that landlords have is reasonable access to the premises. “This allows them to investigate the condition of the house and see things that either need to be repaired or replaced.” Determine rentMore so, because of the absence of the Rent Restriction Board, the Landlord retains the right to determine rent for their premises. “Under this right, the Landlord has the right to evict a tenant who fails to pay the stated among of rent with in the agreed time.” Right to distress for rent They also have the right to distress for rent granted by court (confiscate the property of a tenant who fails to pay rent and if permitted by court, sell it to recover rent arrears). features@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Letter-to-President-Yoweri-Museveni/-/689364/2036986/-/11r9pdx/-/index.html","content":"Letter to President Yoweri Museveni - Mr President, on September 24, you addressed the 68th UN General Assembly in New York and castigated the International Criminal Court (ICC) for being shallow, biased and arrogant. You scorned political actors whom you said ignore African Union positions on complex African issues. Well, I no longer give much attention to political speeches; they are just baloney disguised as food for thought. But yours this time round was provocative, hence this letter. You insinuated, Mr President, that ICC is dominated or rather influenced by politicians outside Africa and that as a judicial body mandated to try crimes against humanity; it is alien to Africa yet meddling in African affairs. My submission is that the ICC is itself an African issue in principally two dimensions. First, of the 122 countries that ratified the Rome Statute under which the ICC was formed, 34, including Uganda, are African, making Africa the largest regional block in ICC. Leading countries such as USA, China, Russia, France, etc., deliberately chose not to submit to it and African rulers, including yourself, did not have the audacity to ask why. Second, the epicenter of criminal impunity for which the ICC was formed is Africa, the cradle of bad governance. It was quite startling to hear you say that African governments supported the formation of the ICC because they abhor impunity. You know much as I do, Mr President, that that statement was false and intended to mislead. The premises upon which the ICC was founded were correct and remain tenable. It is logical to preserve the status quo, for the ICC to decisively deal with criminals masquerading as political leaders. African Union’s anticipated position that African countries withdraw en masse from the Rome Statute should accordingly be dismissed with all the contempt it deserves. You very well know, Mr President, that AU today is nothing but a Union of thieves, murderers and dictators, ravaging their respective countries of birth with reckless abandon. They are corrupt, only pre-occupied with opulence and monopolising political power to aggrandize themselves and their respective inner circles.True, the ICC like any institution of record is not perfect. However, even a clock that is out of order is right twice a day. For all intents and purposes, the reputation of the ICC is arguably much better than that of virtually all African countries put together. It is a fact that the overzealous African rulers spearheading Africa’s massive pull out from the ICC, using the Kenya case scenario as an excuse, are the very ones that led the ratification of the Rome Statute in the first place. The motivation and enthusiasm then came from their quest to contain political opponents back home. It is not surprising that support for ICC by these rulers have been dwindling the longer they stay in office. You will recall, Mr President, that in 1980, you launched a bush war against an elected UPC Government led by Apollo Milton Obote (RIP), accusing it of plotting to rig an election. From 1980 to 1986 when NRA captured state power, close to 1 million Ugandans perished. The NRM you led was partly culpable for the Luweero massacre because like they say, it takes two to tango. Had the ICC been instituted, I am sure you would have been indicted for crimes against humanity, just as Joseph Kony the leader of the Lords Resistance Army was indicted. Mr President, the framers of Uganda’s Constitution, of which I was part by enacting Article 3(4) thereof had in mind the notion that violence can bring peace, paradoxically. There is absolutely nothing wrong with any person or groups of people resisting any ruler intent on violating our Constitution. Such resistance may take the form of violence to obtain the necessary political demands and this would be constitutional. On the contrary, Africa’s strongmen are the chief perpetrators of terrorism, not overtly/directly but covertly/indirectly through gross mismanagement and abuse of authority. NRM today is clearly in breach of so many constitutional provisions and has since its inception in 1986, blatantly terrorised Ugandans under the guise of maintaining political stability. It has wantonly abused even the basic rights of the people of Uganda, sometimes leading to death. A good case in point is the infamous Mukura Massacre. Mr President, you have good reason to change your opinion about the ICC because well, you never know. After all, your opinion about many things have been changing since becoming a politician. In fact, what seems not to change is the opinion you have about yourself. I doubt the political actors to whom you chose to render the unsolicited advice on complex African issues took you seriously. And mark this; those who remember the past with a clear conscience need have no fear of the future. The only trouble with the future is that it basically arrives before we are ready for it. God bless Uganda.Mr Sabiiti is the MP Rukiga County. jsabiti@parlaiment.go.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/New-taxes-leave-tourism-sector-at-cross-roads/-/688616/1938180/-/fy3d61z/-/index.html","content":"New taxes leave tourism sector at cross roads - In 2012, almost 1,196,765 tourists visited Uganda compared to 1,151,356 in 2011. This number represents an increase of almost 4% over the year before. Tourism brought US$834m into the economy in 2012 compared to US$805m in 2011. It is presumed that overall each visitor to Uganda spends about US$800 per visit thus representing 4% of total GDP. Tourism’s total contribution to GDP which incorporates indirect and induced imports stood at US$1.7 billion in 2011 which was equivalent to 9% of total Ugandan GDP with corresponding figures for Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya being 8.4%, 13.3% and 13.7% respectively. This is an indication that the tourism industry is not only continuing to grow but is also now recognized at the highest level for its significant impact on the Ugandan economy albeit the continued meagre funding. Regionally Kenya is Uganda’s number one Tourist Market with 383,369 visitors, followed by Rwanda with 256,004, Tanzania 79,795, Sudan 43,258 and DRC with 42,258 visitors. On the international front 55,912 visitors came from USA, 42,508 from United Kingdom, 24,849 from India, Germany 11,701, while 10,186 came from Canada, 8,275 from Netherlands; 8,645 from China, Italy 6,732; Sweden 5,866 and 5,094 from Belgium. Of the 1,196,765 who visited Uganda last year, only 182,149 were able to visit our National Parks as compared to the 207,994 that visited the parks in 2011. Obviously even these numbers are contestable as there is a margin of error through double counting where on many occasions some tourists have been counted as different people yet it is the same tourist visiting a number of national parks. In as much as the above statistics have made government identify the tourism industry as one of its key priority economic sectors, there is little to show from its input. From Hon. Maria Kiwanuka’s proposed budget for financial years 2013 / 2014, it is evident that government continues to deliberately under fund tourism. Efforts must be made to increase funding to the sector if Uganda is to remain relevant in the tourist trade. Government continues to behave like a herdsman that keeps milking his cows without feeding them. What would you expect from such a cow? It is surely not enough for government to say so much about tourism and the economy’s growth without making something tangible for it to prosper in real terms. While the 2013-14 Budget contained some benefits for tourism these were tempered by a combination of tax increases and omissions that represent a missed opportunity for the industry as a whole. In rural Uganda where the road network is still very poor, services are not up to international standards, Electricity and water not readily available one would ask is there any value addition. Why is government adding 18%VAT on up country accommodation well knowing this will make it difficult for tour operators to attract tourists and quality labor to employ in such remote places. Until some of these issues are solved, we feel that a value added tax is not applicable to these investments. Tour operators normally sign contracts with foreign wholesalers (tour operators) for a period ranging from one to two years and others three years. The contract rates are agreed upon normally to run from 1st January - 31st December of every year. Based on this information, the foreign tour operators make expensive brochures and undertake very expensive marketing strategies to market our packages. To many, Uganda is still a blank page out there. Many a time we the tour operators (Uganda’s unpaid Ambassadors) spend a lot of our money traveling all over the world marketing Uganda as a prime destination. It is important that government recognizes our efforts and realizes the fact that we are still struggling to get tourists and as such cannot afford to be perceived as expensive. In South Africa VAT is reclaimed at the point of departure. In Kenya and Tanzania they have also rejected the proposed 18% VAT. It’s also important to note that these countries have huge budgets for marketing tourism which we don’t enjoy. How will we compete if our products are more expensive? Our humble request is that these efforts are recognized and the government suspends the issue of VAT on hotel accommodation upcountry for now. Up country hotels do charge VAT on the food and drinks they serve any way. An additional 18% VAT on accommodation will be unrealistic from a business point of view. Why implement the tax in the middle of the year? As a country, we stand to lose our tourism market share if this VAT is implemented in this manner. It has cost us a lot of money to capture this market and we are not sure we can recapture it that easily once it’s lost. Government can choose to be a little greedy but eventually lose even what you had planned to achieve. Over the weekend, I met Mr Silajji Kanyesigye, the Manager Medium Taxpayer’s / Domestic Taxes Department who told me he was working on behalf of the Ministry of Finance to better understand the implication of this 18% VAT on up country accommodation. I took him through the costing and showed him how this tax is causing tour operators a loss ranging from 3 - 9%. He concurred with me and assured me that he was to present his findings to the Ministry of Finance. I told him if government continues with this, we expect tour prices to increase due to the cascading effect of the 18%VAT tax increase on up country accommodation resulting in an adverse impact on the travel and tourism industry as a whole. The increase in tax will not only make Uganda uncompetitive as compared to countries like Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa but will also show inconsistency and breach of contract from our international wholesalers’ perspective. This tax increase is one of the worst business decisions. When the whole world including Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Rwanda are inviting tourists to their country to fight slowdown in their economies, we are making ourselves less competitive with burden of taxes on Tourism sector. The writer is a member of the Association of Uganda Tour operatorsTwitter: @BalukuGeoffrey"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/The-Madhvani-quest-for-Amuru-land/-/688342/1932108/-/11u75b9z/-/index.html","content":"The Madhvani quest for Amuru land - GULU After the guns fell silent in northern Uganda after two decades of civil war, new battle lines were drawn over land.Rarely does a day go by without the authorities in Acholi sub-region recording cases of forcible evictions, murder and violence related to quarrels over land. By nature, land conflicts are complex and difficult to resolve. When the Acholi emerged from internally displaced people’s camps (IDPs), they retreated to a plundered backyard, with livestock and other wealth decimated, leaving them with land as the only valuable fallback. Most families were starting from scratch. With most traditional boundary markers lost due to years of neglect, scrambling over land was the near inevitable result. At last weekend’s dialogue on land and investment in the Acholi sub-region, held in Gulu, undercurrents of a proposal made by the Madhvani sugar barons in 2006 to secure 40,000 hectares of land in Lakang Village, Amuru District, were palpable. The Madhvani Group wants to establish a sugarcane estate, with backers of the project, especially government officials, arguing that the land in Acholi, after years without being tilled, is fertile and suitable for farming. However, the project has been greeted with skepticism by local politicians, who point at potential sinister reasons on the side of the government. This project best illustrates the rift over land in the Acholi sub-region. Speaking passionately at the dialogue, Mr Livingstone Okello-Okello, the former Chwa County MP, says the extent to which President Museveni has meddled into the quest for land by the Madhavani’s is “suspect” and has not helped allay fears of the locals. Allegations of land grabbing in Acholi against Mr Museveni’s household date back to the 1990s when MPs in the 6th Parliament, accused his brother, Gen Salim Saleh of attempting to grab Acholi land using a company called Divinity Union Ltd. Gen Saleh had suggested that Acholi land could be turned into the food basket of Uganda. Under the proposal, IDP camps were reportedly supposed to be turned into ‘urban centres’ with the people restricted there and stopped from returning to their cultural heritage - the land.Talks between Mr Museveni and Acholi leaders over the proposal are yet to bear fruit. “We are not even sure whether there is serious intention to grow sugarcane there [in Amuru]. You can’t say that you want 40,000 hectares in one district, there is no such estate in the entire African continent,” Mr Okello-Okello says. Mr Reagan Okumu, the Aswa County MP, who has been in the thick of negotiations over the land, insists the locals must be given priority in projects being mooted by investors. “People argue that land must be given to investors who have capital to develop it and in turn employ the Acholi. Prof Tarsis Kabwegyere told me about Red Indians in North America, who lost everything in the name of development and that Acholi peasants have no option but to face the same,” Mr Okumu says. The mood in Acholi is for the land to be used as the people’s equity in any investment. No one should just walk in and get land. However, Prof Ogenga-Latigo, the former Leader of Opposition in Parliament, who has since ventured into farming, says the controversy over Amuru land is being used to “misdirect debate on the issue of investment in the Acholi sub-region”. “That land [in Amuru] is not typical customary land, the fight over it is not about breach of Acholi customary land ownership because that was land which belonged to the Uganda Wildlife Authority,” Prof Latigo says.The professor is among those who have been accused of hobnobbing with Mr Museveni and the Madhavanis as the protracted battle for Amuru land roars on. He adds: “The people take claim [on that land] and say this is mine [but the claims are] not founded on custom or registration. That is the only piece of land where you will not displace people from their places of origin that they left during the war.” Justice Alfonse Chigamoi Owiny-Dollo attributes the controversy over the land in Amuru to the lack of registration of the land which has left a vacuum which is fuelling contests. “Had Amuru land been registered, we would never be discussing it. Customary land without registration is like a citizen without a passport. Customary land can be registered as customary tenure in perpetuity which means that you own it forever till kingdom come,” Justice Owiny-Dollo says. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/BernardTabaire/27-years-in-one-job-is-not-just-a-long-time/-/878688/1928434/-/ubik61/-/index.html","content":"Yes, 27 years in one job is not just a long time; it’s a lifetime - It is true President Museveni has been in power for 27 years. It is also true that he is barely doing anything to fight corruption, which has blossomed under his watch. For pointing out those terrible facts and for suggesting that the President’s State-of-the-Nation Address fell short, the Uganda government has yet again done what it should not: throw a fit. Talk, stoutly denied by the Delegation of the European Union to Uganda, is that its ambassador, Dr Roberto Ridolfi, is hastening out of Kampala because of commenting on the heavily debated matters of governance and political transition. That tantrum has called fresh attention to those issues. Which now has the rest of us chipping in, keeping the story alive as it were. Diplomats have to be diplomats and play by the international conventions that govern their work. That means that they have to watch their diplomatic brains and tongues. No loose talk, no straight talk. For his alleged breach, the ambassador must ship out fast. The local EU office says he is returning to Brussels months before his tour was due to end because he has been promoted. Even if true, the Museveni government can only be happy about that development. We have had one President for nearly three decades. That is a bad idea every whichever way you weigh it. We lose our vitality the older we get. All living things do. Even governments lose their swag. They shrink, wither and die. That sounds like the end of the story. Not quite. Human beings live on through their children and children’s children and on and on.Governments too can live on and on, but only if they find a way to regenerate themselves. A government that has not renewed itself for three decades cannot have any vigour in it. The Museveni government is limp. It is wobbling because of the weight of incompetence and incoherence. I cannot get over reports that my government signed a memorandum of understanding with one Chinese company to build a hydropower station at Karuma and then proceed to give the contract to a different company. All this not done deliberately, but because of kavuyo in the way the government is organised and run. Let’s say we cut this government some slack on the Karuma matter because the project is too big, so complex that we are unable to put our heads around it. After all, both the minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank have separately remarked upon Uganda’s woeful inadequacies in designing, costing and implementing big national projects. But how then to explain the simple and straightforward matter of hiring a new managing director of the national water body? Current and former ministers of water – Ephraim Kamuntu and Maria Mutagamba – plus the board should be out of government, dismissed with disgrace. Their boss, Mr Yoweri Museveni, should also have long been sanctioned for weighing in and making his officials’ incompetence and lack of courage even worse. Ah, well, Karuma became such an embarrassing mess (embarrassing to the few Ugandans with a public conscience) because commission agents have captured the government. And National Water, an otherwise decent parastatal, risks becoming a wreck because of sustained weak political management in the water ministry. Old-fashioned political interference, better known as “god-fatherism”, has poured even more cold water on things. I will not even go on about how accounting officers who lose billions in their dockets get to be referred to as whistle-blowers by the President. Mollycoddling corruption, incompetence and negligence. That is what it is. Each one of those is a “sackable” offence. Yet no sacking has occurred.If you are going to turn a public entity such as the Microfinance Support Centre – reportedly established to help fight poverty – into a slush fund machine as a former head is claiming, anything goes. This stinking state of affairs is what happens to a country where a government sticks around a lifetime. So Signor Ridolfi said nothing new or profound. And even if I don’t like foreigners saying it as it is to us, I still defend their right to do so – more so this time around. Mr Museveni’s government does the opposite. That is a pity. Mr Tabaire is a media consultant with the African Centre for Media Excellence. bentab@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/Fifa-letter-is-govt-s-best-weapon-to-act/-/690266/1925724/-/12jg65gz/-/index.html","content":"Fifa letter is govt’s best weapon to act - Hand-delivered by an errand boy from Fufa or not, did not reach the Education and Sports Ministry’s fax due to system breakdown or not, it is a letter from the world soccer body as Fifa confirmed on Tuesday. With that put to bed, we can now delve into the contents and I have to say, this is the best response Fifa could have given to minister Jessica Alupo’s invite and concerns in the letter to Zurich last week. I mean, did you expect Sepp Blatter’s mighty machine to give Alupo double-green light to go right ahead and disband Fufa? That would have been nuts of them; they simply do not operate that way. Whether government was ill-advised in contacting Fifa before taking action – despite their well done groundwork to discover the illegality of Fufa limited – is another matter. When your groundwork has returned overwhelming evidence that laws of the land have been compromised, you simply do not ask Fifa whether you should not disband their electoral constituency for you already have the answer. You do your part as government and wait for theirs, and shortly, it’s normalization committee, lifting of ban (if slapped), elections and all. Of course a good number of us have chosen to close our eyes to reality, to the fact that there is a big problem which we must confront. It’s not just registering a national association as a limited company, therein lays dirtier dirt. From accountability, twisting of football rules to favour self - to an allegedly doctored constitution, all is happening. And when Alupo writes to Fifa that “following legal guidance from the Solicitor General of Uganda, the Government of Uganda has the intention to take appropriate measures in public interest with the objective of improving the management of soccer in Uganda,” she is hardly far fetching. Fifa’s response sent some camp into premature celebration, thinking it’s all over now that the Don from Zurich had barked.But a closer scrutiny would return otherwise results. For starters, Fifa had to do the basics; quote articles 13 and 17 of the Fifa Statutes. “All Fifa member associations have to manage their affairs independently and without influence of any third parties as clearly stipulated in articles 13 and 17 of the Fifa Statutes,” wrote Jerome Valcke, the Secretary General. He then went on to threaten a suspension should government go ahead and disband Fufa. But then there is this article a certain group may have ignored in declaring premature victory. Article 15 (c) of the Fifa Statutes states that the Congress “may expel a member if it (that member) loses the status of an Association representing Association Football in its country.” Government findings already show Fufa Limited have been conducting association football illegally and in registering a national association as a limited company, the same ‘evil’ for which the late Denis Obua’s regime was disbanded, they had broken national laws. In essence, the said article in the Fifa Statutes automatically expels Fufa since it has lost the status of an Association representing Association Football in its country according to government findings, yet to be made public. It’s to this article that government has a war chest, it’s to this government can take action and not listen to the threats. Laws of the country have been broken and the situation has to be fixed. Period. Valcke is an intelligent chap. He saw article 15 (c), the reason he tasked Fufa to find out whether Ugandan laws allowed them to register as a limited company. And by means of a letter dated June 7, 2012, Fufa received confirmation from the National Council of Sports (NCS) that it was recognized, registered and certified as the only local/national football governing body in Uganda. Fifa then knew that by means of such a letter, the NCS also explicitly confirmed that it had “no qualms or reservations whatsoever on the status of Fufa ltd.” The said NCS letter was written by its General Secretary Jasper Aligawesa, conflictingly – also Fufa limited guarantor - without consulting heads at the ministry, the basis on which Alupo directed his interdiction last week for breach of duty although he continues to report to the job as he awaits his official sack letter. Government’s case is easy. An individual from NCS aided Fufa in breaking the law and we have acted upon them. Legal reformsGauging from Alupo’s correspondence to Fifa, Valcke is aware Fufa could be in trouble, thus his openness to legal reforms, although the Frenchman remained guarded in saying “such changes should not affect the constitutional structure of the federation.” Valcke adds that Fifa can honour government’s invitation “only if Fufa’s legal status is further clarified.” And that is what government is actually doing. Of course there is the ban talk. Ugandans should have their eyes open. Fifa cannot be rebel to their statutes, the reason they cannot directly tell you to disband Fufa.And in the event Fifa suspend a member, the ban is usually lifted as soon as Fifa and government sit at some round table in the confines of Zurich and abuse their own statutes of “no government interference.” The latest case is Cameroon - who were banned last month for government interference and the ban lifted this week after a dialogue between government and Fifa. Whether government’s action will attract a ban should not blind us. We’d rather diagnose the cancer early and eliminate it rather than feed it with fear of the unknown and it kills us. Government’s impending action may not satisfy some majority but as Dr Thomas Stockmann writes in the Enemy of the People, “The worst enemy of truth and freedom in our society is the compact majority. Yes, the damned, compact, majority.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/In-Uganda--things-do-not-always-add-up/-/689844/1921006/-/wwr08rz/-/index.html","content":"In Uganda, things do not always add up - Recently, a Ugandan teacher marked and graded an English examination paper at 39 per cent. He then wrote against the script “Excellent.” When the guardian of the pupil received it, he thought the English teacher had made a mistake. He telephoned the teacher about the error. The teacher responded rather angrily and said, “I never make mistakes. My description of the candidate’s work is correct.” The guardian retorted with “in other schools, 39 per cent would be a certain fail, how come you think it is excellent in your own class? The teacher, rather triumphantly, responded: “Because in the class of 56 pupils, your girl came first in the English paper.” The guardian had no more words to say but he made sure that the pupil was transferred to a better school. I have a niece who is now doing hairdressing after failing to write or speak a few English words in conversation or her studies up to Primary Seven. Following the introduction of Universal Primary Education, many school leavers are in the same category. Many employers have rejected graduates from universities, over illiteracy and incompetence. Then there are the scandals of cheating and hiring of mercenaries to do exams and buying Ph.Ds, among several academic frauds. Against all this sordid and miserable performance, the Minister of Education, Ms Jessica Alupo, recently said, according to what appeared in the press, that educational standards in Uganda are second to none. I have taken serious efforts to see the minister. I have written to her about disturbing reports in our universities, but she has not responded. At one time she invited me for a chat in her office and when I turned up she was absent. I left reports about the sorry state in which our educational institutions are in her office. She has not invited me again. One of the issues I briefed the minister about was Kabale University of which I am co-founder, and its current chancellor. Ms Alupo has not bothered to respond. However, recently, I learnt that she led a team of officials from her ministry on a fact-finding mission to assess whether Kabale University should become a public university or not. I am sure the people of Kigezi, for whom we founded the university, will one day ask her why she has persistently ignored their Chancellor. I am reliably informed that she was accompanied by one or two friendly politicians who may not know much about the subject. The minister’s indifference to the problems of Uganda’s education could be overshadowed if put into comparison to the huge problems facing the Judiciary in Uganda. For years, knowledgeable Ugandans have identified the lack of vision and justice in the Judiciary where two human qualities should excel - integrity and service - but little, if any, heed has been shown by those who are responsible. As a consequence, “the I do not care attitude and let sleeping dogs lie or I am alright Jack and I do not care about the rest of you,” have prevailed at most times in this country.The Constitution of Uganda makes it mandatory for the President to appoint judges and other judicial officers on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission. The appointment follows a strict route dictated by the Constitution. Candidates may apply or be nominated by others. The Judicial Service Commission may itself identify candidates. The Commission is supposed to be independent, unbiased and unintimidated. The names of successful candidates are then forwarded to the President who causes them to be investigated for suitability, integrity and ability to perform. At this stage, the President is simply to investigate and determine the suitability of the candidates. Those suitable are forwarded to Parliament for approval. Following approval by Parliament, the names will be forwarded to the President for formal appointment. Going by the recent media reports, these strict rules governing appointment of judges are not always followed or adhered to. In fact, the evidence on the ground suggests that they are applied more in breach than in compliance. Justice Kanyeihamba is a retired Supreme Court Judge. gwkany@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/We-should-not-allow-Fifa-to-short-change-us/-/690266/1918098/-/7gumsgz/-/index.html","content":"We should not allow Fifa to short-change us - Only those that love their heads in the sand, those that are comfortable with wool stuffed in their ears; only those that are allergic to Truth Everyday will feel nauseated. Only the aforementioned will feel hard-done, will feel betrayed by their self-styled James Bonds who made them believe they operated on another sphere, a state inside a state.No wonder the propaganda machine is already rolled out. How do you rate one who claims that if Fufa are disbanded by government, Fifa will ban Uganda (no, you haven’t heard it yet), and all Ugandan professional footballers would be deported? Such desperation! Some were even overheard preaching how Education and Sports Minister Jessica Alupo is associating with the wrong people, how she hates Cranes since the reported impeding disbandment would apparently attract a Fifa ban, thus Uganda losing out on the World Cup tie against Senegal and the Chan tournament. From the people who have implemented divide and rule to perfection, the people who allegedly doctored the August Fufa constitution, the people who registered a national association as a limited company contrary to the country’s laws, the problem had now zeroed in on Alupo. How myopic!But they can be forgiven for, where we have reached; it might be difficult for even the mighty Fifa to turn back the hand of time. Last week I wrote in this column how we had no option but to end this soccer circus. And as advised by the Attorney General and Solicitor General’s offices, Alupo instituted a task force to formulate guidelines to be used by an interim committee should the disbanding be carried out. As I pen this, a statutory instrument is in place and what is left is the much anticipated pronouncement. One hopes the direction stays as is in the Solicitor General’s recommendations. Tentatively, tomorrow is the day the minister was expected to announce government’s position on Fufa’s legality but on some advice, the ministry has reportedly extended a gesture to Fifa to be present when the pronouncement is made, meaning that the date could change depending on how prompt Fifa respond (I can hear a tired grunt to this. You’re tired of waiting. I know). Fifa response By press time the world soccer body was yet to respond, allowing more room for Fufa’s propaganda machine to preach how this is the worst news for Uganda’s football, and try to short-change what could already be a foregone conclusion. A Fifa ban for perceived government intervention cannot be ruled out completely but since the ministry has involved the Zurich body from start to finish, Sepp Blatter’s men really cannot complain of not being part. Add the invitation to them and you cannot fault government for not trying, the more reason Alupo must not allow any form of short-change for the decision to be announced was reached at after every ounce of consultation was done and is blessed by government lawyers. The picture being painted that this is bad for Ugandan football is as twisted as the retreating forces. It is not a decision to kill Ugandan football but to get out individuals who are aiding a cancer and instituting structures that will work to removing the tumor. I mean, the writing has been on the wall only that those who believed in the painted Alpha and Omega picture of Fufa and Fifa never allowed the followers to see. First the man who was in charge of Fufa legal battles resigns and is laughed off. Then the federation president follows before VP finance completes a hat-trick – surely… what more signs of a crumbling empire do you need! Perhaps you would do with more. Alupo directs that National Council of Sports (NCS) interdict General Secretary Jasper Aligawesa for breach of duty and conflict of interest for his role as a Fufa limited part owner, then relieves Fufa electoral head and NCS council member Patrick Okanya of his duties for misconduct. But one sure thing is the more Alupo delays making public government decision the more facts will be altered. Clearly, Fifa will not solve our problems. If they can’t reason with us now, they can join us at the table of reason once we ourselves are there. Volleyball federation must get their act together 1 | 2 Next Page»It would be a big surprise to find a sports federation in the country devoid of controversy, only that they differ in magnitude. Which brings me to the Uganda Volleyball Federation (UVF); not in controversy as per se but hardly in settled waters. With the 2014 Federation of International Volleyball (FIVB) World Championships Zone V Sub-Zonal qualifiers just a few days away (July 23-28), not all is rosy with some members complaining that senior figures at the federation seem unperturbed by the little preparation, or lack of it. Of course UVF is not one of the most funded, if funded, sports bodies. But some members – rightly so – are questioning administrators’ competence when they cannot even provide up to date content for their Facebook platform, which hardly requires serious resources. And to think that UVF has until now not got the national team’s name despite members’ outcry is in itself defeating. This and more are basics that shouldn’t be cited in excuses as lack of funds for they hardly require problematic resources.Apart from Ugandans going into the tournament, which starts next week, without any trial games, the public is also not aware of fares to watch the games, a dent on UVF’s media wing.With such dissenting views and overriding issues, it’s difficult to envision much from the team. The qualifiers involve hosts Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi, with the top three making it to the zonal qualifiers in September. But not all is lost on UVF. There is still time, albeit not enough, to get their act together. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/What-next-for-FDC-after-report-/-/689364/1891160/-/12qg7phz/-/index.html","content":"What next for FDC after report? - Last Wednesday, the media reported that the long-awaited Forum for Democratic Change election probe report had recommended that the country’s largest opposition party should go back to the polls to elect the party president. Sunday Monitor’s Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi analyses the significance of the report and at what point the document leaves the party. Before releasing the report into the conduct of last year’s Forum for Democratic Change presidential elections, Mr Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi, the man in charge, was engaged in a delicate balancing act. He literally had to juggle a number of balls without dropping any. Keen on promoting compromise within FDC, Mr Rwakafuuzi was always in touch with “colleagues at Makerere University, especially professors John Jean Barya, Mwambutsya Ndebesa and Fredrick Jjuuko.” Mr Rwakafuuzi says he was reluctant to talk to the rivaling FDC leaders directly, to avoid being misunderstood, but “preferred that my colleagues talk to the players in the hope that the informal discussions would accord my report a soft landing”. When the informal talks were taking long to bear fruit, Mr Rwakafuuzi chose to delay the release of the report in the hope “that these two months would help the players reach a compromise”. It cannot be said the rival factions within FDC have resolved their issues. But Mr Rwakafuzi speaks with relief that the report authored by the commission he chaired, has not been violently received by either of the sides in FDC. The talksPart of the remedy was provided by a series of informal talks originated at Makerere University. The idea of informal talks was sold to especially academicians who “are interested in a united and formidable opposition” by Mr Moses Khisa, a Ugandan PhD student in the US, who embarked on the process early this year as disagreements over the disputed election within FDC simmered. Mr Rwakafuuzi embraced it. Sitting at Makerere University Guest House, the academicians plotted talks between the key players in FDC, particularly party president Mugisha Muntu, his predecessor Dr Kizza Besigye and Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LoP) Nandala Mafabi, who contested last year’s loss to Maj Gen Muntu. One of the people who planned the talks told us that there was “a general sense of disappointment” that the FDC supremos did not seem to be pulling in the same direction. He wondered, for instance, why Dr Besigye “has never appeared jointly with his successor at a public rally”. Mr Rwakafuuzi, who chaired the FDC Truth and Reconciliation Commission, whose report was released last Tuesday, joined at least one of the meetings at Makerere University Guest House. At Makerere, several other meetings were planned. On March 23, for instance, Prof. Barya met with Mr Mafabi and reported back to his colleagues the following day. Basing on the issues Mr Mafabi had raised, Dr Byaruhanga Rukooko, another of the concerned academics, was tasked to meet with Mr Muntu while Prof. Barya was expected to meet with Dr Besigye over the same. The objective was to finally have a joint meeting of all the FDC leaders, which we could not establish whether it had happened. The election fallout Mr Mafabi’s team had accused party Secretary General Alice Alaso of siding with Mr Muntu, usurping the powers of the party’s electoral commission and influencing the election in Mr Muntu’s favour. They also faulted the party’s electoral body for failing to do its work and accused Mr Muntu of personally attacking Mr Mafabi or failing to refrain his campaigners from doing wrong things. In the election held on November 22, 2012 in Namboole Stadium, Mr Muntu polled 50.6 per cent of the 771 valid votes cast, against Mr Mafabi’s 46.8 per cent. The third candidate, Tororo Municipality MP Geoffrey Ekanya, garnered 2.2 per cent of the votes. The election followed a campaign which was sometimes stormy, coloured by personal attacks. Whereas Mr Mafabi accepted defeat at Namboole, he said the election had been too mismanaged to the extent that it dented FDC’s image. His team petitioned party chairman Sam Njuba over the election, leading to the establishment of Rwakafuzi’s Commission. But the academics still thought that even with the commission in place, more needed to be done to resolve the impasse, which threatened to tear the party apart. The disagreement within FDC was mainly placed at the feet of a misunderstanding between Ms Alice Alaso and Mr Mafabi, which is thought to have originated from Mr Mafabi’s appointment as LoP. As the most senior FDC legislator, Ms Alaso had reportedly hoped that she would naturally be called upon to become LoP, but the party organs decided otherwise. She reportedly never forgave Mr Mafabi.Justified hope?Mr Khisa also engaged Mr Augustine Ruzindana, the FDC assistant secretary general for research and policy, because he is “a moderator who speaks well with both sides of the controversy”. Mr Ruzindana was reluctant to share about his informal engagements that aimed at resolving the controversy, but said the report “gives everybody room for discussing whatever may have been a source of disagreement coming out of the election”. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Leaked-OPM-report-pins-government-officials/-/688334/1878560/-/bvh8wf/-/index.html","content":"Leaked OPM report pins government officials - A leaked report of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on the abuse of foreign aid in the Office of the Prime Minister indicates that several senior government officials have been implicated in the scam where more than Shs50 billion was lost. Among those assigned responsibility for the scam in the 86-page report include the Secretary to the Treasury, Mr Keith Muhakanizi, Accountant General Gustavo Bwoch, Commissioner Treasury Services Isaac Mpoza, outgoing Permanent Secretary in OPM Pius Bigirimana, interdicted accountant in OPM Geoffrey Kazinda and a host of other technocrats in the Finance ministry and Bank of Uganda. The committee assigns different levels of guilt to the officials named and makes varying recommendations depending on their level of responsibility in the scam, which saw money meant for post-war reconstruction in Northern Uganda and Karamoja sub-regions under the Peace, Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP) misappropriated. The report to be discussed in Parliament next week, recommends that Mr Bwoch and Mr Mpoza be held responsible for negligence in failing to detect and stop the fraudulent transfer of Shs6.9 billion from the Royal Danish Kingdom and Sweden. The committee also wants the duo held responsible for sanctioning the transfer of the funds. When asked yesterday, Mr Bwoch said: “I did not handle that money.” But when asked to explain the processes, said he could not comment because he had not seen the report. The report further recommends that Mr Muhakanizi, who was Deputy Secretary to the Treasury then, be held responsible for causing financial loss by giving open-ended authority to withdraw imprest above the limit set by his former boss Chris Kassami, who has since retired. The committee recommends that CIID investigates the extent of forgery on cash withdrawals in OPM with a view of prosecution of the culprits. Whereas Mr Muhakanizi did not respond to our calls and text messages yesterday, when he appeared before PAC in November last year, he accused OPM officials of misusing his authority, adding that his letters had nothing to do with the transactions made on the crisis management account used to divert PRDP funds. On the alleged misuse of Shs11.6 billion from Norwegian support to PRDP, the committee recommends that Mr Bwoch and Mr Bigirimana be held responsible for the diversion of funds. The committee recommends that the PS be held responsible for spending funds that were not appropriated to OPM. But Mr Bigirimana yesterday refused to take responsibility, saying he was the one who unearthed the scam. “I cannot be held responsible for diversion of PRDP money; the one responsible is the Accountant General who is the ‘priest’ of government accounts. I wrote to him requesting for funds under emergency humanitarian assistance programme and he released the money,” Mr Bigirimana said. “I am not an angel to know that Mr Bwoch had diverted the money from PDRP. In any case, I did not force him to release the money, he knew what he was doing and as user, I would not know the source of the money. As I have indicated before, my signatures were forged and instead of confirming with me, the people at Bank of Uganda and Treasury were busy calling Kazinda. They hooked Kazinda on IFMs system and went ahead to approve fraudulent transactions behind my back. Treasury was the epicenter of the scam and not Prime Minister’s Office.” At least Shs50 billion meant for the PRDP is believed to have been stolen in the scam, which has forced five donor nations as well as the European Union and the World Bank to suspend 93 per cent of budget support to Uganda. The donors have also put stringent conditions on government to stop further abuses. In November last year, the EU ambassador to Uganda announced yesterday that the EU, United Kingdom, the World Bank, Austria and other countries had suspended up to $300 million promised in budget support each year, up to 2013. Minority reportMeanwhile, two MPs have written a minority report on the scam. Although the main report which is signed by 28 MPs does not implicate any politician, the minority report wants Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi held responsible for taking a car bought using PRDP funds. The two argue that the Prime Minister should have been aware about the source of Shs1.818 used to buy cars for him and other ministers at OPM. Still on the political front, the committee noted in its report that there was no evidence in the Auditor General’s findings that First Lady Janet Museveni had travelled to Israel nine times in one month. However, they did indicate that OPM advanced Mr Boniface Obbo (deceased), the cashier at OPM a total of Shs125.9m for her alleged travels. While the committee has largely asked that Mr Kazinda’s role in the scam be investigated, it indicated that failing to meet the interdicted principal accountant made it hard to make definitive recommendations.Mr Kazinda, who is before the Anti-Corruption, allegedly forged Mr Bigirimana’s signatures to withdraw millions of shillings from government coffers. He is also accused of making a document without authority and unlawful possession of government stores. A judge will this week make known his fate after court assessors proposed that he be released. Tomorrow: Find out details of what the MPS found out specifically about operations in OPM and their recommendations.Also: two MPS wrote a minority report, find out details in tomorrow’s Monitor The scandal: How it all began 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Keeping-the-Facebook-hacker-away/-/691232/1878280/-/fhl8e1/-/index.html","content":"Keeping the Facebook hacker away - The day was last Friday evening. I’m minding my own business, then I get a Facebook message from a long lost friend asking for Shs50,000 urgently. He goes further to ask me to send it via mobile money and provides a number. At that particular moment, I imagine well, maybe he needs it for some trivial reason and the amount is reasonably diminutive. Not being an avid user of mobile money, and never had reason to as my network (read Orange) is not that enthusiastic either, I told him I would need to get to a Mobile money shop. He agrees and says he’s waiting. However, as I’m driving, I think Shs50,000 is not much for an emergency, so I decide to call the number receiving the money, a guy picks up and then hangs up. Then I call my friends actual number: “Hey, have you run out of cash...” Even before I could finish the statement, he starts going on about asking me whether someone has asked me for money through his Facebook account. Apparently, this hacker has taken over my friend’s account and is soliciting money from unsuspecting friends. And that he had so far gotten 250,000 shillings. What’s smart is that the hacker solicits for small amounts so the innocent victim brushes off the idea of probing further. The reality of hackingThe bigger issue though is the fact that Facebook hacking is real and is being done by Ugandans. How did all this happen and how can you prevent it? There are many ways to prevent the next user of there device from accessing your account. The easiest one is logging out. And that is possibly what my friend did not do. Someone got onto a machine he had just used where he hadn’t logged out, then changed his settings specifically his password reset email. Easy as it seems many people simply forget to logout of their accounts. Facebook accounts have great security features, but still users may get hacked, banned by Facebook or sometimes they lose their passwords because of saving their credentials with browsers auto save or in some rare cases while attempting to change their passwords. Monitoring your Facebook account for unusual activity is one of the best methods available to prevent malicious people from taking over your account and causing trouble for you and your Facebook friends. Attackers want to get access to your Facebook account for several reasons. If you are say an MP, then you may have people that oppose your views. Sending messages from Facebook contrary to your stated position on an issue may confuse your followers. Others want to use your account to get to your Facebook friends. Expressly, they want to send messages to your Facebook friends pretending to be you. Your Facebook friends are more likely to trust posts and messages from your account. If you access Facebook from multiple devices like your home computer, your laptop, your tablet, your phone, a work computer, or friend’s computer, then you should be aware that you need to monitor your account for unusual activity. It’s quite easy to forget to logout of Facebook. Some less scrupulous individuals may have access to your account and can make life miserable for you. Remember, just closing the tab in the browser or even exiting from the browser software will not log you out of Facebook. You have to select and click “Log Out” from the menu in the top right portion of the page. Facebook account login notifications provide an easy way to monitor your account and the devices used to access it. Login notifications are useful in that you are immediately informed if your account is accessed from a new device without your knowledge. You can also assign a unique name to each device used to access your Facebook account for later review. Enabling this feature will keep you better informed about unauthorised access to your Facebook account and provide you with an easy method to review the approved devices later. Just last month, Facebook enabled a privacy feature called Trusted Contacts that allows you to select three to five confidants from your friend list to receive the virtual key to your account. If your Facebook is compromised by hackers or you forget your password, these people can supply the codes to get you back in.While this sounds like too much work, there’s a whole lot more cleanup you’ll have to do when your account is hacked into. Regaining control of your hacked account How do I know if my email or social network account has been hacked?There are posts you never made on your social network page. These posts often encourage your friends to click on a link or download an App.A friend, family member or colleague reports getting email from you that you never sent.Your information was lost via a data breach, malware infection or lost or stolen device.If you believe an account has been compromised, take the following steps:•Notify all of your contacts that they may receive spam messages that appear to come from your account. Tell your contacts they should not open messages or click on any links from your account and warn them about the potential for malware.•If you believe your computer is infected, be sure your security software is up to date and scan your system for malware. You can also use other scanners and removal tools.•Change passwords to all accounts that have been compromised and other key accounts ASAP. Remember, passwords should be long and strong and use a mix of upper and lowercase letters, and numbers and symbols. You should have a unique password for each account.If you cannot access your account because a password has been changed, contact the web service immediately and follow any steps they have for recovering an account. SOURCE: staysafeonline.org 1 | 2 Next Page»editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/AllanTacca/An-NRM-legacy-of--thieves-and-crooks--is-not-a-joke/-/878694/1876404/-/7uwi82z/-/index.html","content":"An NRM legacy of “thieves and crooks” is not a joke - Standing back a little, you see events that could make Uganda behaviourally so grotesque that it may take the country over 30 years (from today) to repair itself, if we do not start on a decisive change of direction soon. Take the quarrels within the ruling NRM party since the “Gang of Four” (Ssekikubo, Tinkasiimire, Nsereko and Nuwagaba) was kicked out of the party. When the Speaker of Parliament, Ms Rebecca Kadaga (NRM), failed to find a constitutional basis for expelling the four from Parliament as well, other party members took the matter personally. Whether Ms Kadaga’s interpretation was correct or mistaken, you would think it was a requirement for every senior party official to vilify the Speaker. The word generally used was “traitor”. Traitor…Traitor...Traitor... until the party spokesman added his voice and questioned the integrity of the Speaker. Every intelligent Ugandan with a memory must have held his breath. The party spokesman of course was the self-appointed enforcer who had shot dead an apparently unarmed petty thief in a supermarket parking yard some years ago; but the same enforcer was himself later to live with a monkey on his back for… er ... may I say, relieving another supermarket of a pack or two of underwear! If you are a foreigner, I can confidently assure you that these things are not fiction. And if you are thinking that in your country such a distinguished gentleman (if he had quarter of a conscience) he would have probably immediately retreated into private life and quiet reflection, then you must learn that in Uganda he still has the audacity to call the Speaker a traitor. Understandably, the lady could not stand it. Aiming directly below the belt, some radio stations have been playing clips of the Speaker hitting back that an underwear thief had no moral authority to question her integrity. Guess what; in the same week, the same distinguished gentleman was elevated from party level to government spokesman! Presumably, so exposed to contempt and even blackmail, defending any wrongdoing and shamelessness in the corridors of power becomes a survival strategy. On Monday morning this week, a local broadcaster, Top Radio, aired voices of people talking about the activities of the controversial Lands minister, Idah Nantaba, in Kayunga District. Their judgment was harsh and uncompromising, openly accusing one of President Museveni’s favourite ministers of using Mafia-like gangster methods to steal land, crops, livestock and other property on the pretext of preventing or reversing illegal and “unfair” land evictions. Only a few days before, Ms Nantaba had thrown in the towel in Kayunga, herself accusing police and army officers of protecting land thieves in the area and making her work impossible! A couple of weeks before that, the NRM caucus was at State House, devising mechanisms by which to remove Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago from office and enable the President to take over the city. If the account in The Observer of May 24-26 is accurate, then Premier Amama Mbabazi and former Health Minister James Kakooza were very deliberately guiding the caucus to cause government to breach the constitution. They clearly anticipated the litigation and multiple compensation claims that would follow, and they were completely undisturbed by the cost to the taxpayer that was implied.From the pettiest felony to the grand state-level multi-billion schemes, all these stories leave a cumulative picture of a government of thieves and manipulative crooks. When President Museveni wondered whether Rwanda’s Paul Kagame had as many thieves as he (Museveni) had in Uganda, it sounded like an exercise in humour. Just in case the President thinks it is a joke, he may wake up to find it the most lasting legacy of his regime. Alan Tacca is a novelist and socio-political commentator. altacca@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/The-media-fraternity-should-perform-their-role-responsibly/-/689364/1867732/-/pfxphsz/-/index.html","content":"The media fraternity should perform their role responsibly - The media is generally famed as the Fourth Estate, after the Executive, Parliament and Judiciary in modern democracies, but only so, if they are professional, and ethical, but unfortunately in Uganda the standards are still far below. Nevertheless, every effort should be made so the media can play its rightful watchdog role without fear of retribution or reprisals from any quarter, and government pledges that conducive atmosphere. The Monitor Publications and its two sister radio stations yesterday resumed normal operations after an 11-day halt by police, which has been at their premises that was declared a crime scene, while seeking to retrieve a letter written by the now estranged coordinator of intelligence Services Gen David Sejusa. The re-opening is against a backdrop of intensive and protracted negotiations initiated by the Monitor group, including the Nairobi-based Nation Media Group team that flew to Addis Ababa to meet President Yoweri Museveni on Sunday, May 26, on the sidelines of the just-concluded African Union summit, at which they (Monitor) undertook to make a number of initiatives to improve their editorial content. In the written undertaking, the Nation Media Group team that met the President promised to cooperate with police investigations, in future to ensure rigorous scrutiny of information before publication, especially those that touch on national security. And, this should not be understood as an attempt to muzzle media freedom, but rather to reinforce editorial responsibility in accordance with the established policy sent to government, and all the relevant laws of Uganda. Having acknowledged that there had been violations of their editorial policy by their reporters and editors in Uganda, they undertook to tighten internal editorial and gate-keeping processes to the most rigorous scrutiny and verification process before stories are run. Following these developments, an amicable resolution of these problems, it is the government’s expectation that the Monitor Publication shall conduct itself with due diligence to promote a high standard in media professionalism, and ethics, while at the same time being mindful not to upset national security interests. It is important that the Monitor proprietors permit freedom to their workers without endangering their own business. The proprietors either rein in the reckless editors, or ruin their investments, and it is a choice they have to make. At the core of the closure was a disputed story and letter from Sejusa, now believed to be a fugitive in Europe, because he started fire he could not stop. In his letter purportedly written to the director general of Internal Security Organisation, and copied to the director general of External Security Organisation, and to the Chief of Defence Forces, alleging there was an elaborate plot to assassinate senior security officials and politicians who are allegedly opposed to a “Muhoozi project” to succeed his father Museveni as president of Uganda. For the record, the Sejusa letter has never been received by any of the above addressees, and so, evidently only the Monitor has it.The government disabuses, and categorically denies, that there is a plan to have Muhoozi succeed Museveni, and especially through unconstitutional means. Secondly, the record of the NRM government and Museveni - both of whom Sejusa has served at the very highest level - is known not to include assassination of opponents as a political tool. It is a red herring by Sejusa to cover up his mischief.Knowing Sejusa’s track record as a charlatan, analysts believe the Monitor as a responsible publisher, should have taken his letter with a pinch of salt. However, due to either recklessness, naivety or calculated mischief, the Monitor nevertheless chose to publish Sejusa’s outlandish allegations, which the police found criminal and an abuse of media code, ethics and practice as it is in breach of the Official Secrets Act, which is meant to safeguard the stability of Uganda. The Police initiated investigations to establish the authenticity of the letter published by the Daily Monitor to which it expected cooperation, but unfortunately that was not obtained. Given that scenario, police sought and obtained an order from court compelling the Monitor to avail not only the document but also state its source, which was again snubbed prompting police to seek a search warrant. The resumption of business at the Monitor Publications should be a welcome development for all the stakeholders interested in consolidating our democratic gains, and socio-economic transformation. It is our wish, and mandate at the Uganda Media Centre to offer the media fraternity all the support they need to perform their role responsibly. As such, the government and the Monitor Publications have agreed to interface regularly to ensure that the undertakings made are respected and implemented for the benefit of the media industry, and national security and stability. The author is the in-coming ExecutiveDirector of Uganda Media Centre under the President’s Office"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/Kitende-scenting-Kibuli-record--government-/-/690266/1857330/-/c320ku/-/index.html","content":"Kitende scenting Kibuli record, government schools chasing shadows - Some divine intervention might be needed to save sports in government-aided schools. Two or three years ago, Kibuli Secondary and Old Kampala were the last hope on the football front. Now that hope is no more, the two giants have lost touch with top privately-owned schools. As the Copa Coca-cola Schools Soccer Championship climaxed on Saturday, Kibuli and Old Kampala, eliminated in the preliminaries, followed the action on NTV as Kitende edged Standard High-Zzana 1-0 for their third straight and seventh overall title. Yet, before Kitende won their first in 2004, Kibuli had racked up seven titles. In 2005, Kibuli reclaimed the title for their record eighth, but that record is now under threat. “It is now clear that schools which don’t invest in the game by at least offering scholarships will never step on this podium,” tournament official Kennedy Mutenyo said before crowning an ecstatic Kitende in front of a huge crowd at Kabale Municipal Stadium. Mutenyo’s take summarizes Kitende’s dominance. Their scholarship scheme is working. It is the reason they continue to thrive at the expense of traditional footballing schools like Kibuli and Old Kampala, who once embraced the system. But they have since lost the interest. Old Kampala sympathizers will particularly be hurt seeing their school has become an academy of sorts for Kitende. Any player that shows exceptional skills at Old Kampala, Kibuli or other schools is snapped up by Kitende. In Kabale, three of Old Kampala’s former star players stood out for Kitende. In fact, it was an Old Kampala old boy, Gerald Egaku, who scored Kitende’s winner in the final with his first kick on the ball after replacing Charles Ssali late in the second half. “My parents told me to go where I could get a full scholarship, that’s why I left Old Kampala,” Egaku said. Egaku stole the limelight with that gifted effort that condemned Standard to a second 1-0 Copa final defeat in three years to Kitende, the other having come in 2011. But it was Keziron Kizito and Bunjo Noordin, both Old Kampala products that pulled the strings and ochestrated Kitende’s attacks. Kizito was the more impressive, winning every physical and tactical battle in midfield, as both teams struggled to keep their nerves in check – thanks in part to live television coverage. Standard created the better chances in either half but were culpable in front of goal. Kitende, not clinical as they always are, had few clear-cut chances and the game looked destined for penalties. But then came a moment of ‘madness’ in the Standard goal area when the whole backline failed to clear a loose ball. Egaku pounced, guiding it home with goalkeeper Ronald Kayima flatfooted, much to the chagrin of Kabale fans who were rooting for the ‘underdog’. Standard players gazed at each other, pointed fingers and couldn’t pick themselves up thereafter. Just like a small boy who was beaten to near pulp by a mob after the game for stealing samosas, Standard had no one but themselves to blame. They gave away the goal and the title. The crowd sympathized with them but had no mercy on the small thief. Back to the field of play, a new force emerged on the scene – St Julian High School from Gayaza. They left Kabale with bronze after defeating 1997 champions St Leo’s Kyegobe of Fort Portal 4-3 on post-match penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation time. It was Kyegobe’s best ever performance in more than a decade. They were the only government school in the last four – quite refreshing. “We are not disappointed at all. This is a satisfying performance,” Kyegobe coach Fred Muhumuza said. Kyegobe had a fairy-tale run, defeating tough opponents including Mukono’s Dynamic Secondary. But their run came to an end when they lost to Kitende 4-1 in the semifinals. Nonetheless, they left with a proud record – the only team to breach Kitende’s defense. 1 | 2 Next Page»After Kabale schools - St Mary’s Rushoroza and Kigezi High were knocked out at the round of 16 - Kyegobe became the ‘home team’. Their games attracted a very huge following and the crowd disappointment told it all after they fell short of bronze. Kyegobe’s performance, however, cannot mask the death of sports in government schools. It’s a problem that must be tackled. FINAL RESULTKitende 1-0 StandardThird placeSt Julian 2 (4) – 2 (3) KyegobeSemi finalsKitende 4-1 KyegobeStandard 2-1 St Julian CHAMPIONS SINCE 2002 2002 Kibuli2003 Old Kampala2004 Kitende2005 Kibuli2006 Kitende2007 Kitende2008 Kitende2009 Budo SS2010 Bishop Nankyama2011 Kitende2012 Kitende2013 Kitende sbashaija@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Paralysed-men-now-take-right-to-die-demand-to-court/-/689364/1856246/-/e4tj9jz/-/index.html","content":"Paralysed men now take right-to-die demand to court - Paul Lamb wants to kill himself, but he is so badly paralysed he would be unable to raise the poison to his lips. If a doctor helped him, he could be accused of murder. So Mr Lamb is asking the Court of Appeal for a ruling that would give physicians a defence against such a charge. Assisted suicide is illegal in Britain but it is permitted in Switzerland and some other European countries, and no action has been taken against relatives who have accompanied a British family member to the Swiss clinic Dignitas to help their loved one die.Health professionals, however, could not expect protection from legal action.Mr Lamb, 57, a father of two, was paralysed from the neck down in a car accident in 1970 and has only minimal movement in one hand. He is in constant pain, needs 24-hour care and his life consists of “being fed and watered.” His legal team asked the Court last week to declare that any doctor who helped him to die would have a defence against a charge of murder known as “necessity.” This would mean it was necessary for the doctor to act to stop intolerable suffering. Joining Mr Lamb’s action is a man known only as Martin who has locked-in syndrome, meaning he is unable to speak, virtually unable to move and describes his life as “undignified, distressing and intolerable.” Both men want what they call “a dignified suicide,” though Martin’s wife has made it clear she does not want to be actively involved in her husband’s suicide. The Court was scheduled to listen to arguments over several days. Lord Judge, sitting with two other judges, said “We are acutely aware of the desperate situation in which the appellants find themselves and we are very sympathetic.” But he warned, “We cannot decide this case as a matter of personal sympathy.” Opponents of assisted suicide include the doctors’ professional organisation, the British Medical Association, the disability rights group Scope, anti-euthanasia campaigners and some religious groups. They argue that old and vulnerable people could feel pressurised to die to relieve their relatives of the burden of care. They often describe this as “the slippery slope” towards involuntary euthanasia. A new survey of attitudes held by British people who follow a religious faith produced the surprising result that the majority supported assisted suicide. Out of 4,437 British adults polled, some 70 per cent said they backed a change in the law, with 16 per cent opposing it. Roman Catholic bishops have been particularly vocal against assisted suicide but 56 per cent of Catholics polled favoured a change in the law. Of all faiths, only Baptists, Muslims and Hindus did not produce a majority in favour of change.Judges generally have held that it is Parliament, not the courts, which should decide. The present government has already said that it has no plans to change the status quo.* * * * *When you grow older you are supposed to grow nicer, slightly dotty maybe, but on the whole a more tolerant person, kind to children and good with your neighbours.Not John Bushell, aged 87, who has waged a one-man vendetta against his next-door neighbours for more than 40 years. He repeatedly shouted at and intimidated the couple next door, Kenneth and Marjorie Mills, in Hebburn, Tyneside. One time he pulled down his own guttering and blamed the Mills. Back in 2001, Bushell spent a short time in prison for flouting breach-of-the-peace orders and he has been electronically tagged. His latest outburst came when Mrs Mills filmed him with a camcorder. He shouted that her house was a “midden,” a 14th century word still used in the north of England meaning manure heap. This brought Bushell before the courts again for breaking a restraining order. He was given a conditional discharge and ordered to pay £260 (Ksh33,280) costs.Mrs Mills said they had tried three times to sell their house but each time the buyer pulled out when they heard about Bushell. * * * * *Seven Whys:Why do banks charge a fee for “insufficient funds” when you’re broke anyway? Why does a person believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but checks when you say the paint is wet? Why doesn’t glue stick to the bottle? Why doesn’t Tarzan have a beard? Why, if people evolved from apes, are there still apes? Why is it that whenever you try to catch something that is falling off the table, you always manage to knock something else over? Why do you never hear father-in-law jokes? And a warning…The statistics on sanity say that one out of every four persons is suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they are okay, then it’s you! Mr Loughran is a UK-based correspondent. gerryo69@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/MPs-want-Bigirimana-to-refund-stolen-cash/-/688334/1856436/-/2crh4o/-/index.html","content":"MPs want Bigirimana to refund stolen cash - A draft report by MPs on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has found the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr Pius Bigirimana, and other senior ministry officials culpable in the loss of billions of shillings meant for post-conflict recovery in northern Uganda and Karamoja sub-region. The MPs want Mr Bigirimana held personally liable. They recommend that he be investigated and prosecuted, and also be made to refund the money that was stolen under his watch. Mr Bigirimana has, however, consistently denied any wrongdoing and last week told the police that he was ready for interrogation. He also expressed willingness to cooperate with police during investigations. The details are contained in a highly confidential draft report the PAC members concluded on Thursday following five days of haggling on the key recommendations in Entebbe. The report is due for presentation to the House as soon as it is scheduled on the order paper. The PAC committee chairperson, Mr Kassiano Wadri, while addressing journalists at Parliament on Thursday declined to divulge details of the report. He, however, indicated that 99 per cent of the report was done. “The report has taken us two weeks to compile and we are as good as done. We shall have the report formally handed over to the Speaker, Ms Rebecca Kadaga for inclusion on the order paper,” he said. He revealed that they had interfaced with more than 100 witnesses whose testimonies they considered when writing the report. Outlining some of the challenges they met as a committee during investigations, Mr Wadri said it was not easy to corroborate evidence from the witnesses. Mbabazi, Museveni innocentThe MPs who had initially taken a hard-line stance on the Prime Minister, Mr Amama Mbabazi and the First Lady Janet Museveni, acquitted the two of any wrong doing saying there was no incriminating evidence to pin them since most of the fraud was committed before they joined the ministry. The First Lady, who is also the Minister for Karamoja, was named in the Auditor General’s special audit report on the scam in OPM as having travelled to Israel nine times in one month using PRDP funds. It was also alleged that her office received Shs3.5 billion. But she dismissed the allegations, saying she had travelled only once. She also said she does not handle cash for her office. Mr Mbabazi, while appearing before PAC was questioned how his office became an implementing agency for the project yet under the 1995 Constitution, its mandate is to coordinate government programmes. He was also asked why the scam went undetected for almost two years as the political head of the docket. “We could not relate facts they gave us and the findings of the Auditor General because they were out of scope. Also most fraud occurred before they [Mr Mbabazi and Ms Janet Museveni] were ministers,” said the source, who is not authorised to speak on behalf of the committee. A special audit by the Auditor General found substantial evidence, detailing how foreign aid from Ireland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark was fiddled in a sophisticated scam that resulted in the theft of at least Shs50 billion. Mr Bigirimana invited the Auditor General to carry out a forensic audit, but the MPs said there was a failure to stop the swindle of public funds by the accounting officer. The reportThe draft report implicates the government officials on diverting money meant for PRDP to procure ministers’ vehicles. This, according to the MPs, was done in breach of the PPDA Act and Finance regulations hence causing financial loss. Evidence submitted before PAC indicated that about Shs2 billion in PRDP money was spent on buying luxury cars for ministers in the Premier’s office. Beneficiaries of the new cars included Mr Mbabazi and five others. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Bigirimana accused Mr Kazinda of having forged his signature but the legislators in their recommendations insist that as the accounting officer, he is responsible for supervising the ministry. In regards to Shs20 billion that was transferred from the holding account to the crisis management account, MPs questioned why this was done under his watch. Secretary to the Treasury Chris Kassami and his deputy Mr Keith Muhakanizi accused the PS of making abnormal withdrawals when they appeared before the committee. In defence, Mr Bigirimana, said he “stepped in a plate” his former principal accountant Mr Godfrey Kazinda and other officials in the Ministry of Finance and Bank of Uganda were using to “eat” donor funds meant for the people of northern Uganda and Karamoja sub-region. The committee did not pronounce itself on Mr Kazinda, the key suspect since they were not availed the opportunity to interface with him. Whereas the committee wrote to Ms Kadaga to demand that government produces Mr Kazinda before Parliament, they received no response from the government. Mr Kazinda is accused of forging Bigirimana’s signature to obtain more than Shs63b. InvestigationsOther implicated officials at the OPM that had advances and doubtful accountabilities would face investigations and later be made to refund the money. Bank of Uganda officials denied all forged security papers and statements while businessmen who were named in the AG’s report were asked to refund money since they failed to provide proper accountability. Ministry of Finance officials David Mugisha, Bright Atwine and others were referred to the appointing authority for action. They were pinned by PAC for their alleged role in the transfer of Shs14.8billion to a secret account in Bank of Uganda. mnalugo@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/In-Uganda--it-pays-to-be-corrupt/-/689844/1856250/-/4rdla9z/-/index.html","content":"In Uganda, it pays to be corrupt - Recently, the African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption (APNAC) held a conference at Munyonyo. A number of distinguished members and guests of the Network delivered excellent speeches and presented scholarly papers. There had been similar conferences elsewhere and there will be more in the future. At the end of it all, participants are often left with a distinct regrettable impression that in Africa the cries are of phantom wars against corruption. The African Union adopted the Anti-Corruption Convention years ago. Today, it is obeyed more in breach than in compliance. Africa has had numerous studies financed by governments and donors. Reports of findings and recommendations have been circulated and published. Commissions of inquiries and internal probes revealing massive thefts and embezzlement of public funds are available. The commissions’ and probes’ reports have named culprits and recommended interdictions, disciplinary and prosecution proceedings. However, with a few exceptions, governments have done nothing or very little in response. At best, governments have implemented some of the recommendations selectively or have had them doctored to affect a few culprits. At worst, the reports have been ignored completely in preference to retaining or promoting thieves, embezzlers and abusers of public office. Uganda is about the worst example for disregarding recommendations of this nature and then retaining and protecting culprits. Periodically, President Museveni condemns the corrupt and swears that he will only have zero tolerance in his government. At the same time, he is well known to trust and deploy the most corrupt and suspects of crime puts them in charge of national affairs in preference against citizens of integrity or those who have previously performed excellently and ethically in the same positions as opposed to the newly preferred corrupt, inexperienced and incompetent cadres. President Museveni’s earlier record in governance was commendable but it has now withered away. What is in Uganda today is an image of callous indifference to the needs and aspirations of the ordinary Ugandans who exist and miraculously survive in abject poverty and deprivation. At the apex of Ugandan society, ministers and party cadres are in the President’s bosom, trusted and pampered. They are given public responsibilities, notwithstanding their incompetence, arrogance, corruption, abuse of office, and rejection by the vast majority of law abiding and freeborn citizens of the country. The President has publicly condemned public leaders for misdeeds and omissions. He has commissioned police teams to collect evidence of the criminal activities indulged in by the same leaders. The evidence has been delivered to him but he chooses to do nothing. Ugandans have been horrified by the failure of the Prime Minister to supervise his own office and other government departments. The failure has led to the loss of billions of shillings meant to improve peoples’ livelihoods. The Prime Minister’s office has been exposed as responsible for much of the corruption and abuse of office that have lately typified the NRM Party in government. These are the unacceptable faces of authoritarianism. Some people, having been indicted and convicted of high crimes of state, have been helped financially by the President towards his defence and some Ugandans got surprised when some of them subsequently ‘won’ their appeals. Many poor Ugandans in similar or worse situations have no god father. Next, President Museveni exposed Hassan Bassajjabalaba of Kampala International University as a thief and embezzler. Despite Bassajjabalaba’s chequrered history, he remains a trusted member in the NRM Party. Recently, the Director of Public Prosecutions directed that Bassajjabalaba should be prosecuted for the crimes he committed. He has been identified as a criminal suspect by the Auditor General, the Bank of Uganda, Parliament, President Museveni, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Public Reports and the Press. Yet, the NRM Party retains him even to-day as one of their trusted cadres who sustain them in office. There are numerous cases of a similar nature. Suffice to say there is ample evidence to justify the statement that in Uganda today, corruption and other crimes pay even if we all know that this phenomenon is transient and will one day change for better.Justice Kanyeihamba is a retired Supreme Court Judge. gwkany@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Has-sejusa-been-an-accident-waiting-to-happen-/-/691232/1853680/-/s7hu4oz/-/index.html","content":"Has Sejusa been an accident waiting to happen? - Intelligent, intransigent, vindictive and even vengeful! This is the verdict of peers, foes and victims about the disposition of Gen. David Sejusa, who until last year was David Tinyefuza. Sejusa is the Luganda equivalent of the Runyankole name Tinyefuza both of which literally mean: I don’t regret my actions.Put another way, the UPDF general changed the nomenclature but not the meaning of his name. And so his fat ego and stubborn nature have persisted. Sejusa is one of UPDF’s seven four-star generals, sits on the army High Command and is the country’s chief spymaster, which theoretically means he should have unlimited access to President Museveni, the commander-in-chief, to give regular sensitive national security updates. Insiders say the general, however, holds just a coveted title without commensurate power or perks. Subordinates skirt around him to brief President Museveni directly, undermining him. And the hefty budget that Intelligence organs previously enjoyed under classified expenditure, that has been moved to Police and the Force’s head, Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura, understood to be closer to the First Family, is the new juggernaut the Commander-in-Chief taps for most of the biggest national security assignments such as terrorism. The all-powerful Special Force Command, commanded by First Son Brig. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has morphed from within the UPDF as a more versatile elite outfit, downgrading the role and relevance of traditional security institutions. Brig. Kainerugaba’s meteoric rise into a colossus of sorts in security circles has the public somewhat nervous about the promotions – its import and what future role he might play in Uganda’s leadership. Before Sejusa, former minister and Soroti Municipality MP Mike Mukula in 2009 told American diplomats that “Museveni may be interested in setting up his son, Muhoozi, as dauphin (successor),” according to leaked US diplomatic cables published by Wikileaks. The First Son further bruised the ego of the old guards by publishing a book titled, Battle of the Ugandan Resistance; A tradition of Manoeuvre, about a five-year guerrilla war that brought his father to power but one fought when he was a child. And Kayihura, 58, launched the book to the chagrin of already displeased historicals, as the NRA fighters, some with battle scars as badge of honour, proudly call themselves. Both Kayihura and Salim Saleh, Kainerugaba’s uncle, deny allegations in Sejusa’s letter that they are behind the alleged scheme to snuff out top government officials unreceptive to the First Son taking over from his father Museveni, in power since 1986. Analysts say one way of understanding the current restlessness generated by Gen. Sejusa’s claim of being targeted for elimination, alongside Prime Minister, Amama Mbabazi and Chief of Defence Forces, Aronda Nyakairima, for their perceived opposition to Museveni’s alleged scheme to install his son as a successor, is to frame it in the realm of the bitterness, frustration and power contest hitting some individuals in the army, which in Uganda drives the exercise or loss of political power. The other likely aspect is that the stubborn spirit has yet again seized Gen. Sejusa, who has courted numerous controversies throughout his professional career, to nudge the President to re-think, if not abandon, his supposed succession plan. In that context, the general, who shares the same ethnicity as Museveni, on the one hand comes off as a caring relative offering genuine counsel that a Kainerugaba president would be inappropriate. On the other, he comes off as a disgruntled officer, aspiring to have a shot at power himself as his critics have intimated. Should Sejusa succeed in cajoling Museveni, he would have weakened the President’s hands and re-invented himself, threatening the incumbent’s interests and those close to him. And a runaway spymaster would show the Commander-in-Chief is losing grip over his troops, which is why some hawkish courtiers are pressing for robust action. That Museveni, who has time to settle petty land wrangles and take a “night-out” at the residence of the European Union Ambassador Roberto Ridolfi’s Kololo residence, has chosen silence about Sejusa’s saga is telling of his painful dilemma: He knows a Sejusa on the loose is a hazard. Yet a tough tackle such as commando-style arrest and incarceration could potentially polarise their shared relatives and fracture the President’s cohesive power base in Western Uganda.Sejusa is perhaps the only man who threatened Museveni in adult life to constantly carry an assault rifle for self-protection, according to those familiar with the bush war exploits. It was in September 1984. When government forces cornered the National Resistance Army (NRA) rebels, Mr Museveni who was the Chairman of the High Command ordered that women that were not combatants leave the lairs at once. In his book, Betrayed by My Leader, bush war hero John Kazoora, who has since fallen out of favour with the establishment, recounts that Museveni for unexplained reasons created an exception that his brother Caleb Akwandanaho, who is better known by the nom de guerre Salim Saleh, and now UPDF’s chief of Doctrine, Pecos Kutesa keep their partners, Jovia and Dora, respectively. With a concubine he had grabbed from comrade Julius Aine for keeps, Sejusa felt short-changed and loudly protested Museveni’s directive, and openly accused him of favouring those close to him, discriminating against other fighters and being a dictator. At the time, Sejusa and Henry Tumukunde were recovering from gunshot wounds, but the patient nonetheless worrisomely managed to kick up a storm and energise like-minded comrades. The rabble-rousing Sejusa forcibly demanded that his wife stays with him, and Museveni responded by ordering his arrest and detention in a trench (andaaki) until March 1985. Still unsure what might happen, Museveni, according to Maj. Kazoora’s accounts, began wielding a light machine gun openly in breach of concealment rules under which combatants of the enemy force could carry weapons only at night to avoid detection. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/NMS-ordered-to-recover-Shs45b-lost-to-drug-firm/-/688334/1762134/-/uw410g/-/index.html","content":"NMS ordered to recover Shs45b lost to drug firm - Kampala The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health has directed National Medical Stores to recover $17.8million (Shs44.5 billion) which was lost through inflated drug prices by pharmaceutical company, Quality Chemical Industries Limited. Last year, the Inspector General of Government, Ms Irene Mulyagonja, asked the Health Minister, Dr Christine Ondoa, to recover the money and take action on the NMS officials who were involved. “This is to ask you to give us an update on the recovery that was recommended by this office. We urge you to take appropriate action on the concerned NMS officials and inform us of action taken,” reads part on the IGG’s November 16, 2012 letter. IGG’s concernsThe IGG noted that the cost of antiretroviral (ARVs) and antimalarial drugs, which had been purchased from Quality Chemicals had been inflated by about $17.8million. As a follow-up, Dr Asumani Lukwago wrote to NMS general manager Moses Kamabare reminding him of the urgency to recover money that was lost when the purchase was made. “The chairperson and board of directors of NMS are hereby advised to ensure the expeditious recovery of the $17.8million from Quality Chemical for drugs procured by your entity between December 2009 and October 2010, in compliance with the directive communicated by the IGG,” Dr Lukwago wrote on March 11. “It’s unfortunate that you choose to justify the prices of QCIL and attempt to impute default by the government on the MoU and allege that it renders government liable to the manufacturer as if you are pleading or working for the company instead of protecting your employer’s rights to acquire the ARVs and ACTS at low prices.” But NMS yesterday said they had not received any communication requiring them to recover money from Quality Chemical Industries. Mr Dan Kimosho, the NMS spokesperson, said: “NMS is not aware and no one has informed us that we should recover any money from Quality Chemical.” Yesterday, Dr Lukwago told the Daily Monitor that NMS had last week challenged his authority to remind them of their duty to recover the money from Quality Chemical. This newspaper has also obtained a letter in which Dr Ondoa wrote to the Attorney General seeking for legal advice. “… Any attempt to recover the said sums of money has both legal and financial implications on the part of government. NMS advised that your legal advice be sought. It’s against this background I seek your advice on how to conclusively handle this matter without exposing government to unnecessary litigation,” reads Dr Ondoa’s April 9 letter. Remittance not honouredQuality Chemical acknowledged receipt of the IGG’s report but was non-committal on the progress in the remittance of the lost funds. Mr Edwin Kwesiga, the QCIL marketing manager, yesterday said: “I am not authorised to speak about that. We have all the reports from the IGG and Auditor General. It’s something we are looking at internally and then we can give communication officially.” On February 21, Dr Lukwago wrote to the NMS general manager requesting that he submits a progress report on the recommendations raised on the investigations into the alleged impropriety in the implementation of the MoU between government and Quality Chemical. However, Mr Kamabare in a February 26 letter replied challenging Dr Lukwago that “the recommendation wasn’t a directive but rather addressed to the President and its implementation would require the government to study the report and take a decision to recover the said money. “The MoU which is alleged to have been breached was between government and Ministry of Health. NMS is not party to this but rather FY 2009/2010 was an implementing agency. Any remedies for breach of the MoU can only be pursued by the ministry and not NMS,” Mr Kamabare wrote. pahimbisibwe@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Why-6th-Parliament-opposed-expulsion-of-MPs-from-House/-/688334/1754682/-/6qpxitz/-/index.html","content":"Why 6th Parliament opposed expulsion of MPs from House - Kampala The Speaker of Parliament and her deputy are faced with yet another challenge - a decision to either or not jettison the expelled NRM legislators from Parliament. On Friday August 5, 2005, the duo played leading roles during the constitutional amendment debate on whether expulsion from a political party means automatic dismissal from the House. Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah was then the chairperson of the committee on Legal and Parliamentary affairs which handled the Constitution Amendment Bill. The current Speaker, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, was the deputy speaker and was in chair that Friday afternoon when the issues were extensively debated. The proposalAfter two days of debate, the then Attorney General, Mr Khiddu Makubuya, moved the proposal providing for MPs to exit from Parliament after being expelled from their parties be deleted from the amendment Bill, a motion that was unanimously supported by the House. “The last time we discussed clause 26, it caused a lot of controversy. Honourable members expressed serious concerns over what it meant. We can go into explaining what it meant but we propose in the interest of peace that the clause be deleted,” Mr Makubuya, who is now a bank bencher, said. In opposing the proposal, the MPs reasoned that the Constitution should not be used to manage internal discipline and the move would create lot of disharmony within the party and hold members at ransom through intimidation. “When one gets elected to Parliament, one becomes a Member of the Parliament of Uganda. All that your party does is to nominate you and that is why even under the multi-party elections, your photo appears,” said Mr Martin Wandera. “Not only members of your political party elect you and it would be very unfair to those who do not belong to your party, who may have voted for you, if you lost your seat just because your party has dismissed you.”Mr Adolf Mwesigye, then junior Attorney General, argued that when one is expelled from a party, the effect of the expulsion is that they leave the House. “You cannot be expelled and stay,” he said. “If your party, in accordance with its rules and procedures expels you, then you have no reason to continue holding the seat of that party in Parliament; that is only logical. That is why on top of leaving the party and crossing, expulsion should attract a sanction of vacation of office.” The Constitution only provides for joining another party or becoming an independent, missing sitting for fifteen days, resignation as some of the grounds for an MP to vacate his seat. Maj. Bright Rwamirama, who is now the minister for Agriculture, said compelling one to lose his seat because of expulsion from their party infringes on the freedom of legislators to point out the flaws of their Party. “After sometime a party may degenerate from its original objective and some competent members may challenge the behavior of individuals, who may have muscle, and under the circumstances, a member is sacked from the party and he loses his seat,” he said. Those who supported the proposal reasoned that it was a move to protect party ideologies. “If a party expels its member for breach of the rules of conduct and that party is worth its name and it is represented in Parliament and they have sacked you, they have expelled you as an MP, what name do you still have; what dignity do you still have to keep your position in Parliament?” Prof Tarsis Kabwegyere said. Mr Amama Mbabazi argued that multiparty politics is not competition between individuals but between programmes because each political party presents a programme. “If in the course of your work as a Member of Parliament representing the party in Parliament you depart from the party or you do things which lead to the party expelling you, then you have lost the locus in Parliament.”According to the official record of Parliament, Ms Kadaga is quoted as having had the view that, “if you are expelled you do not stay; when you are expelled you go.” As thait her ruling, it’s not clear whether she still holds the same view. iimaka@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Judgment-day-for-Brig--Tumukunde/-/691232/1751124/-/8clmiq/-/index.html","content":"Judgment day for Brig. Tumukunde - It is a case that has attracted varied interest and drawn a lot of public attention. When Brig. Henry Tumukunde, a senior army officer and former head of Uganda’s Internal Security Organisation (ISO) made his first appearance at the General Court Martial in Makindye, he was 44. The bespectacled one star general is now 52. Such is the stretch of a trial that that has been presided over by no less than five chairpersons, including generals Elly Tumwine, Ivan Koreta, Brig. Bernard Rwehururu, Brig. Charles Angina and Brig. Fred Tolit, who has been handed the task of closing and determining the fate of this curious case. Brig. Tolit will rule today, eight years later, on whether to convict Brig Tumukunde or set him free of charges of insubordination and spreading harmful propaganda.For eight years now, Brig. Tumukunde, a former close confidant and in-law of President Museveni, has not travelled beyond the city without seeking permission from the military, one of conditions set against him by the military authorities.On his part, Brig. Tumukunde has expressed his frustration with the frequent adjournments of his case. “I am no longer worried about going to Luzira but to be in this court? When I came to court, my son was in senior one but he is now working,” said Brig. Tumukunde.But what got him into trouble?It all started in 2005 when the former spymaster was arraigned in court for allegedly conflicting with what the army said were laws governing the military. He was subsequently incarcerated for 18 months at the senior military officer’s mess in Kololo. He was charged with spreading harmful propaganda, and indicted for conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline. The charges to which he was arraigned in court on May 30, 2005 are in connection with a 2005 radio talk show he participated in. His problems stem from open criticism of President Museveni’s leadership and comments critical to the move to amend the 1995 to delete presidential term limits. After his incarceration, Brig. Tumukunde was to be released on bail but not before depositing his passport in court. A restricted man, he has had to apply to court every time he has ventured to travel abroad. Although, he made no cash deposit to the court, Brig. Tumukunde has been reporting to the registrar of the court every month since.Brig. Tumukunde, an enrolled advocate of the High Court and a former MP representing the army has also not attended a single training nor received any promotion since his troubles started. During the trial hearing, prosecution presented three witnesses to pin Brig. Tumukunde. They include Col. Felix Kulayigye the former army and defence spokesman who has since been elevated to the position of the Political Commissar in the army, Mr Ronald Kabugo (Makerere University Lecturer) and one Pt Zacharia an operative from ISO who recorded an audio tape for the talk show in which the accused allegedly made the claims. Court heard that the then spy chief, without authorisation from appropriate authorities, appeared on a Radio One talk show hosted by Mr David Mushabe and uttered statements prejudicial to order and discipline of the army. Brig. Tumukunde denies any wrong doing. He opted to maintain silence during the trial hearing when asked to defend himself against the allegations. Appearing before Brig. Tolit, the senior army officer through his attorneys, who include city lawyer Oscar Kambona argued that prosecution infringed upon his right to a speedy trial when they failed to prosecute the matter within the shortest time possible, as provided for in the law. The man who at one time gave the court an ultimatum of January this year to determine his fate, held that there was no evidence brought to put the accused person at the scene of crime, Radio One and that neither did they call an expert to verify the voice of the tapes recorded.His trial, has been described by legal experts as abuse of human rights. Mr Livingstone Sewanyana, a human rights activist says Brig. Tumukunde’s trial has been a breach of the right to fair trial. “We have always argued that justice delayed is justice denied. In case of a conviction, this is a ground of appeal,” he said.Mr Sewanyana said the delay in concluding this case has led to an erosion of justice and added that this case is testimony of the failure of the military justice system. “The person in question has not been able to express himself freely during the entire period of trial which is also a breach of his fundamental right (freedom of expression),” he said.He said an eight year trial of a senior army officer is a demonstration of a high degree of political intolerance.“It is time for the establishment to embrace avenues for peaceful methods of resolving conflicts without washing their dirty linen in public,” said Mr Sewanyana. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Deadly-poison-found-in-letter-to-US-senator-s-office/-/688340/1750688/-/xenhehz/-/index.html","content":"Deadly poison found in letter to US senator's office - US authorities intercepted a letter that contained the deadly poison ricin and was bound for Senator Roger Wicker's office, officials said Tuesday, triggering new security concerns a day after the terror attack in Boston. The tainted letter was detected during a routine mail inspection at an off-site facility and did not reach the US Capitol or Wicker's Washington office, a Senate aide said, citing Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Senate Sergeant at Arms Terrance Gainer broke the news to the chamber's members, saying in a statement that \"the Senate mail handling facility that services members' DC offices has received mail that tested positive for ricin.\" Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Robert Mueller and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano briefed senators about the incident during a closed-door meeting Tuesday evening on the Boston bombings, the Senate aide told reporters. Wicker released a brief statement saying the matter is under investigation by the FBI and US Capitol Police. \"I want to thank our law enforcement officials for their hard work and diligence in keeping those of us who work in the Capitol complex safe,\" he said. \"Gayle and I appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers.\" Officials gave no indication why the letter was sent to Wicker, a Republican two-term Senator from the southern state of Mississippi. They also made no mention of whether anybody fell ill during the incident. The SITE monitoring service reported overnight Wednesday that Wicker was the target of anger from US-based militia groups and white supremacists for his vote that helped move forward gun reform debates in the Senate. One poster to an online forum wrote \"Traitorous dirtbags...TREASON! Every one of you communist, liberal, anti-white, anti-American filth that voted in favor of this constitution-trashing motion should HANG from the HIGHEST LIMB publicly, as an example to all other would-be traitors to our once-great country. FILTH\" In another thread, a poster said \"organization is going on behind the scenes,\" in response to someone who lamented a lack of planning \"for what needs to take place here.\" It was not clear whether there was a connection between the Boston attacks and the ricin discovery, but the heightened security concerns in the wake of Monday's bombings near the finish line of the Boston Marathon gave added resonance to the positive ricin test. \"While we have no indication that there are other suspect mailings, it is imperative to follow all mail handling protocols,\" Gainer said. Lawmakers on the other side of the US Capitol, in the House of Representatives, were also informed of the breach. \"It is imperative that if you are opening mail, that you take precautions as well as to be vigilant,\" the House Sergeant at Arms office said in an email to congress members and their staffs. 1 | 2 Next Page»\"It is important to note that at this time, the House mail handling facility has not received any suspicious mail,\" it said. Congressional mail has been screened off-site since letters laced with anthrax were sent to Capitol Hill in 2001. Three Senate office buildings were shut in 2004 after tests found ricin in mail that had been sent to the Senate majority leader's office. The biological agent was also sent to the White House and the Department of Transportation in November 2003. There were no injuries in those incidents. Gainer said the exterior markings on the latest envelope \"were not outwardly suspicious, but it was postmarked from Memphis, Tennessee and had no return address.\" \"These incidents are reminders that we need to remain vigilant in handling mail, recognizing suspicious items, and knowing what immediate actions to employ if faced with suspicious mail in the office,\" the sergeant at arms said. The Senate mail facility will be closed \"for the next two to three days while testing and the law enforcement investigation continues,\" he added. Ricin when inhaled can cause respiratory problems. Ingested orally, the protein is lethal in even minuscule quantities. Last week the Senate, including 16 Republicans agreed to debate what has emerged as the most significant gun legislation in nearly 20 years. But passing new gun laws is controversial in the US, where many say they would infringe on the constitutional right to bear arms.   AFP « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Of-whose-benefit-is-the-Uganda-Police-/-/689364/1747458/-/6jiimaz/-/index.html","content":"Of whose benefit is the Uganda Police? - A retired police commissioner recently revealed that many members of the police force today are ignorant of the law and untrained. They break the police code of conduct and exhibit undiluted arrogance. Recently at Makerere University we held a public debate on police work. The police was well represented in the audience. Participants were impressed by the remarks of a retired police commissioner who represented the force. He revealed that many members of the police force today are ignorant of the law and untrained. They break the police code of conduct and exhibit undiluted arrogance. Members of the audience challenged senior police officers present about all this, but the police appeared to have no ready answers. We handed to them recorded evidence of conspiracy to commit crime by individuals; up to now the police have not acted on that evidence, and the conspirators have subsequently committed numerous other crimes. The Inspector General of Police and many of his officers are different. They ought to know better their constitutional duties. However, they only excel on political policing where often they act out of step with the Constitution and laws of Uganda. They love to act excessively and harass members of the public and critics of the ruling party; thereby exhibiting blatant partisan policing. At the meeting, the police were challenged to explain why so many reported suspected offenders are not caught or persecuted. A police spokeswoman at the meeting endeavoured in vain to explain but deliberately avoided to respond to crucial questions that were asked. Throughout the proceedings of the meeting, the police remained passive and extremely unmoved by whatever everyone else was concerned about. Only the retired police commissioner spoke well and convincingly about the Police Force and its problems. The police silence at the meeting seemed to indicate that many of them have been brain-washed and dehumanised. Many have chronic fear to express themselves on anything upon which they are not sure will please their bosses. On a happy note, recently, I have been confronted by unexpected thieves and on this occasion police officers who are handling my complainant are doing the job well and professionally. For instance, in law, if someone is trespassing on property or the owner of it initially permits people to enter or stay on it but then withdraws that permission and asks the invitee to vacate that property and the latter fails to do so; the invitee immediately becomes a trespasser. This gives the owner the right to evict the trespasser if she or he persists in refusing to leave the property. Should anyone place their own property on your land or illegally construct a building on it and credible witnesses and other evidence show that you are the true owner, you may call any responsible neighbours or others to witness you remove the property or demolish the structures, provided there is no threat of breach of the peace or threatened violence. In case of such threat, one is advised to call the police or other public authorities to witness and protect the process of removal or demolition. Anyone else who believes that the owner has no such rights is free to report the matters to the police for intervention, if any. Such invasion of private property has occurred many times in Uganda but unfortunately the police have acted or behaved oblivious to the law and with the impression that police support culprits instead of law abiding citizens. Many suspects and crimes have been reported to the police. Documents and tapes containing irrefutable facts and evidence have been given to the police. Years have passed. The police have neither briefed the complaints or the public nor acted upon the information received. Numerous investigations of crimes have been commenced by the police but in almost every case, that is the last time the public hears about the matter.Some years ago, crimes committed were investigated by a team of zealous police officers led by the Director of the Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department herself. Citizens co-operated fully and gave the police all the real evidence they wanted. Up to now nothing has been heard about those investigations. Meanwhile suspected culprits have continued to commit the same or similar offences. Surely the public is entitled to know why the police have continued to behave unprofessionally in this regard. Justice Kanyeihamba is a retired Supreme Court Judge. gwkany@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1266080/-/bhe24lz/-/index.html","content":"Jinja council wants IGG to pay fine over stalled office block - Jinja Central Division Council has passed a resolution compelling the office of the Inspector General of Government to pay Shs150million fine to a contractor for breach of a building contract. The division council had entered into a contract with Moonlight Company to construct its administration block in 2005 but the IGG’s office halted the exercise after the contractor had started work on allegations that it was shoddy. The Ministry of Works took interest in the matter and started investigations but the contractor took the matter to court. The ministry, however, exonerated the contractor and recommended that the contractor be given a Shs150 million compensation for expenses the contractor incurred on the building. Court also directed the Central Division to pay Shs6million fine to the contractor for breach of contract. However, the Central Division Council led by the LC3 chairman, Mr Mubarak Kirunda, on Tuesday passed a resolution stopping the payment to the contractor, saying council did not have any hand in stopping the contractor from going on with the work but the IGG was responsible. They resolved that the IGG should pay the cost. “We as council had no problem with this contractor going on with the work, therefore we cannot pay the Shs150 million as directed by the Ministry of Works and instead we recommend that IGG pays this money because they halted the work at the site,” Mr Kirunda said. The council has asked its lawyer, Mr Wandera Ogolo, to take the matter forward.However, Mr Raphael Baku, the acting IGG, said he would first study the council resolution before making a decision."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1076096/-/cjwynpz/-/index.html","content":"Six men held over banned pork - Moyo Police in Moyo are holding six men, all residents of Pamoju West Village in Moyo Sub-county, in connection with alleged consumption and sale of pork which was banned in the district. Moyo veterinary authorities recently banned the sale and consumption of pork and imposed a quarantine on movement of pigs following an outbreak of swine flu that has left more than 50 pigs dead. The six were arrested in two separate operations carried out by officials from the veterinary department and police on Sunday following a tip-off from concerned residents. The officer in charge of the criminal investigations department, Mr Stephen Alounzi, said investigations are ongoing and that the six will be produced in court this week. He said the suspects would be charged with breach of the Animal Diseases Act of 1964."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/315674-mallinga-tours-bulambuli.html","content":" - Disaster preparedness minister Dr. Steven Mallinga walks cautiously to his official car while stepping on bricks to avoid water that had flooded the compound of Bulambuli district chairman’s office on September 15. Many areas in the northern and eastern Uganda have been affected by floods"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Uhuru-to-keep-good-relations-with-West/-/688340/1743346/-/12b4srxz/-/index.html","content":"Uhuru to keep good relations with West - Despite a looming international trial for crimes against humanity, Kenya's new leader Uhuru Kenyatta will maintain the country's close relations with the West, analysts say, calming fears his rule could see a breach in ties. Kenyatta, son of Kenya's founding president and one of Africa's richest men -- who will be sworn into office on Tuesday -- used anti-Western rhetoric in campaigns ahead of last month's elections. But not only is the astute businessman Western-educated, the West is simply too involved in Kenya's economy for the new president to be able to turn exclusively to the East even if he wanted to, analysts say. \"There is a lot of intertwining between Kenya's economy and the West,\" said Emmanuel Kisiangani, an analyst at the Nairobi branch of the South African-based Institute for Security Studies. So deep are the links that Kenyatta would not have the power to decide unilaterally to turn exclusively to the East and work only with China, Kisiangani said. While China has a growing presence in the region, the bulk of foreign investment -- including in key sectors such as agriculture, banking and tourism -- is by Western companies. Others said that distinctions should be made between anti-Western campaign rhetoric -- when the International Criminal Court (ICC) charges were used to rally voters -- and pragmatic economic and political relations for the future. \"We should separate what was said during the campaign, and what will actually be done in terms of policy,\" said Mwalimu Mati, a civil society activist and anti-corruption campaigner. \"The friendship with the West is a longstanding one and is not one that will change dramatically,\" he told AFP. Moreover, Kisiangani noted \"on a personal level, Kenyatta studied in the West; he appreciates the West and he has friends there.\" Kenyatta has a British lawyer for his trial at the ICC, and some of his advisors are also Britons. His father, Jomo Kenyatta, the country's first leader after independence in 1963, still worked closely with former colonial power Britain, while at the same time portraying himself as a symbol of the liberation struggle. Mati said that Western powers -- even those who before the March 4 polls encouraged Kenyans to vote for someone other than Kenyatta -- are unlikely to seek to antagonise him further if he proves willing to cooperate with the West. \"But Nairobi may be more assertive,\" he said, noting that even the government of outgoing president Mwai Kibaki \"could be fairly brusque with the West.\" \"In both his governments they actually convoked ambassadors to the foreign ministry -- something you rarely saw under Daniel arap Moi,\" Mati said, referring to Kibaki's predecessor. 1 | 2 Next Page»\"We'll probably see the same sort of attitude in defence of national pride,\" Mati added. \"They'll be hard but they're never going to break off relations.\" Key foreign investment is Western The new president and his deputy William Ruto both face potentially lengthy trials at The Hague-based ICC for their alleged roles in the violence that followed disputed elections in 2007 in which more than 1,100 were killed. Both he and Ruto have said they will cooperate fully with the ICC. Kenya, as a signatory of the Rome Statute of the ICC, would be forced to act on any arrest warrant issued by the court should the pair refuse to attend trial. Kenya's Supreme Court confirmed Kenyatta as president-elect on March 30 -- a victory in which he trounced his nearest rival by more 800,000 votes -- dismissing legal challenges alleging widespread fraud. Kenyatta, in his acceptance speech when he was announced the winner of the election, promised to work with the international community but said pointedly he would also expect they should \"respect our sovereignty.\" Kisiangani however pointed out that the West has no real interest in breaking off relations with Kenya either, noting its key regional role both economically and in terms of security, with Kenyan troops fighting Islamist insurgents in neighbouring anarchic Somalia. \"There is the intervention in Somalia and the fight against terrorism,\" he added. \"Kenya is central to that, and I am not sure the West will want to jeopardise that.\" European Union nations have said that their interaction with people indicted by the ICC must be kept to \"essential contacts\", although that did little to hamper relations in the previous government where Kenyatta had a key role as finance minister. Kisiangani said it should be perfectly feasible to keep contact with Kenyatta and Ruto to a minimum while continuing to interact normally with government agencies. He pointed to the example of Sudan, whose President Omar al-Bashir was indicted by the ICC in 2009 for crimes against humanity and later for genocide, with an arrest warrant issued after he failed -- unlike Kenyatta -- to cooperate. \"You only have to look at Sudan,\" he said. \"Omar al-Bashir was ostracised after his indictment but contacts continue at other levels.\" Western countries are expected to send ambassadors as representatives to Kenyatta's swearing in ceremony on April 9. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Insight/What-next-for-NRM--rebel--legislators-/-/688338/1728342/-/r5adt8/-/index.html","content":"What next for NRM ‘rebel’ legislators? - The High Court order, directing three NRM ‘rebel’ Members of Parliament to appear before the party’s national disciplinary committee has, not surprisingly, been met with disdain by the individuals. The members; Mr Barnabas Tinkasiimire (Buyaga West), Mr Wilfred Niwagaba (Ndorwa East) and Mr Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga), who are accused of violating the party’s code of conduct by going against the party positions in Parliament, insist they will not appear before the disciplinary committee. Known for taking principled positions on issues like corruption in government, which sometimes place them at odds with the NRM’s leadership, the MPs dragged their party to court, accusing it of opening the disciplinary proceedings without formally inviting them to give their side of the story. They now say they will wait for their substantive suit that will be heard on May 13. In the meantime, they continue to maintain a posture of defiance, claiming they were not officially invited. Only one amongst the five MPs who were supposed to appear before the committee, Mr Vincent Kyamadidi (Rwampara), has been to the committee. Although the lawmakers could not go into the merits and demerits of discussing the case, saying it would prejudice the court proceedings, they insist that regardless of the outcome, they will not appear before the disciplinary committee. Reason: What they are being accused of forms part of their legislative role and that their utterances in the House which are believed to have precipitated the call to order were privileged and as such protected in law. This leaves the NRM party with few options, amongst which is to contemplate either dismissing them from the party, isolating them or ignoring them. The hardline streak within the party is said to be pushing for harsh sanctions but there is no precedent for dismissal. The law is also silent on how Parliament should react to dismissal of an MP from their party. As things stand, in case they are dismissed, they are likely to remain in Parliament since the NRM party does not have the mandate to dismiss them from the House. Mr Ofwono Opondo, the NRM deputy publicist, said the disciplinary committee will take a decision in the MPs’ absence.“They (MPs) were charged under rule 4 of the party rules, which prohibits misconduct and trading harmful and malicious propaganda against the party. They cannot claim they were not summoned. We can do without them because we are not forcing them to remain in the party,” Mr Opondo said. Rule 4(a) of the NRM rules of procedure prohibits members from forming cliques or factions within the party, and part (b) bars members from acting as agents of interests of foreign powers. In case of breach of the rules, a member can be reprimanded, suspended or expelled from the party. The final decision now lies with the party’s disciplinary committee chaired by Al hajji Moses Kigongo, also the party’s National Vice Chairman, to be endorsed by the President.Mr Opondo said if the legislators are dismissed, they will cease to be members of the NRM party. “It is a war they have started but cannot win. They got nominated by the NRM party and NRM is not scared of the judicial process,” Mr Opondo said. Article 83 of the Constitution explains how a member can lose his or her seat in Parliament. Under the article as it stands now, a member can only lose their seat either upon abandoning the party on whose ticket they were elected and joining another party, or on becoming an independent member. The law, however, leaves the NRM party in a dilemma since it cannot expel them from Parliament. President Museveni, while at Kyankwanzi during the NRM Caucus retreat early this year, revealed that the government has lined up proposals for an amendment to Article 83 to make it possible for whoever is expelled from the party to lose their seats automatically. He made the proposal in the heat of the stand-off between Parliament and the Executive since the death of the Butaleja woman MP, Cerinah Nebanda, on December 14. Critics, including MPs themselves, however, warn of the double-edged nature of such an amendment. If such an amendment is endorsed, it would thwart the Legislature’s efforts to assert its authority and exercise its constitutional oversight function without fear or favour, rendering it submissive to the President. Mr Opondo looks at the immediate implications of a dismissal.“This means they cannot come to our caucus and we shall treat them as members of the opposition. The party will isolate them,” he said.Party Secretary General Amama Mbabazi, in a release issued recently, indicated that the NRM disciplinary committee had closed all the hearings and any further communication to the MPs. Undaunted, Mr Ssekikubo said whatever he submits before Parliament is priviledged information which is protected under the law. “We are challenging being dragged to the disciplinary committee on issues we said in the Eighth Parliament. Also, whatever we said in Parliament was privileged information. Matters regarding people we represent should not be subjected to gagging. We opposed Clause 9 of the Petroleum Act where we questioned the minister’s role in the petroleum sector. As we speak now, [President] Museveni’s name is being mentioned [in relation to alleged corruption in the oil sector]. This is what we wanted to avoid,” he said. 1 | 2 Next Page»“Whatever decision they take we are not bothered. If they think they can take a hard stance on us, then I am in a wrong place. It is up to them to gamble with themselves. If the NRM party means denying one’s conscience, I was voted by my people and I would be within my right conscience. If the NRM degenerates into a party where a few want to determine the destiny of our country, so be it. We are not perturbed and not running to the disciplinary committee. We still feel it is not proper,” he said. Mr Tinkasiimire reminds his party of the contract he signed with the people he represents in Parliament. “I was voted to represent their views in Parliament not to be gagged. The disciplinary committee has failed to discipline corrupt officials but wants to gag MPs who are demanding for service delivery for the people they represent. My people are first priority. The party can after all disown me anytime,” he said. Mr Niwagaba, a lawyer, observes that under the law, the NRM disciplinary committee does not have a basis to try them.But his opinion was contested by party officials who referred to the party rules that were endorsed by all members. Ms Kasule Lumumba, the Government Chief Whip, said: “The NRM code of conduct is very clear. The MPs must appear before the disciplinary committee. We are in multiparty politics and they never made any objection when we were instituting the committee.” mnalugo@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Mystery-surrounds-night-raid-on-Mbuya/-/688334/1712530/-/133y9hfz/-/index.html","content":"Mystery surrounds night raid on Mbuya - KAMPALA The military and other security organs are investigating circumstances of Monday’s security breach at Mbuya military barracks amid reports that the foiled intrusion likely involved subversive elements and some insider accomplices. The army, however, downplayed the audacious early morning attack as nothing more than an attempted gun grab by some “thugs”. Highly placed sources said a one Lt. Moro, a UPDF deserter, told investigators after his arrest following the botched mission that he had led a group of about 35 rebels, who infiltrated Kampala thinly unarmed to avoid detection. Their order, according to sources familiar with the inquiries, was to invade the hill-top barracks, disarm the night guards and begin an all-out assault to seize arms from the armoury near the facility’s detention cells. Lt. Moro has reportedly been turned over for further interrogation by the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) that has its head office on the north-eastern crest of Mbuya Hill, close to the UPDF headquarters. Security sources, quoting what they said were accounts offered by Lt. Moro, told this newspaper that the attackers were Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels who journeyed from South Sudan to infiltrate the city incognito. This aspect, if true, would be unsettling especially that the Ugandan military and regional counterparts – and assisted by 100 US Navy SEALS – are hunting the Joseph Kony-led rebels in the dense jungles of Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic and South Sudan. Investigators were also reported to be stringing together clues that more groups of subversive elements, including the Allied Democratic Front (ADF) rebels, could be in town. We were unable to independently verify this information, and details about Monday’s incident remain sketchy. Col. Felix Kulayigye, the Defence and Military spokesman, said some “thugs” tried but failed to snatch a gun from a soldier on guard, but the incident did not amount to an “attack” on lower Mbuya barracks. “It’s instructive to note that an attack would have involved a deliberate and sustained exchange of fire from the alleged attackers and the defenders, he noted. “This was not the case.” Mbuya residents spoke of unusual shooting that fateful morning lasting several minutes. Army spokesperson’s takeCol. Kulayigye confirmed separate reports this newspaper received that the assailants were working in concert with some disgruntled UPDF soldiers within the barracks, raising questions about the official version that the strange guests were just “thugs”. However, Kulayigye said “gunfire would have rocked the whole of Kampala” had 35 armed men struck on Monday.Security analysts this newspaper spoke to were of the view that no ordinary criminal hunting for riches would bypass large shopping malls in the city outskirt and dare invade a barracks unless they were interests in seizing arms and other military hardware. Our investigations show that the group tried to gain entry into the military facility through a small gate opposite Nakawa High Court. That opening is reportedly not heavily-guarded and was, until a gate was recently erected, an outlet for soldiers to sneak out on night escapades. The intruders, aided with information detectives now believe was provided by inside collaborators, reportedly took the guard deployed at this gate unawares until a colleague who saw him disarmed shot one of the attackers dead.The rest scampered in panic, according to the source. One gunman was killed, Col. Kulayigye said, and three UPDF soldiers suspected to be the accomplices taken into custody. It was not clear if the trio would be court martialled, and if so, when or for what offence. Another source, whom we cannot name due to sensitivity of the matter, told this newspaper that the incarcerated soldiers were likely part of “disgruntled soldiers” within the army. Some Members of Parliament recently complained about marginalisation in training and promotions within the ranks and files of the military. Although the Monday attackers were repulsed, the military intelligence has been faulted for failing to detect their invasion. As a result, security has uniformly been heightened at military installations and other nationally strategic facilities throughout the country. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/We-need-more-judicial-officers-to-ensure-proper-rule-of-law/-/689364/1706858/-/e2mfhvz/-/index.html","content":"We need more judicial officers to ensure proper rule of law - Today, the rest of the country joins the legal fraternity to mark the annual Probono Day organised by Uganda Law Society. The celebrations will be held across the country in Kampala, Kabale, Jinja, Mbarara, Gulu, Soroti, Arua, Kabarole, and Masindi. Among others, it is a time to reflect on issues pertinent to access to justice for all. All the lawyers present will offer free legal services to the public. This could not have come at a better time. When a prisoner who had hope for presidential mercy slices off his penis in protest of prolonged detention and other hundreds of detainees, outraged by their names missing on the high court shortlist go on rampage in Lira prison, you don’t need to look further for it to dawn on you that indeed our judiciary is sailing through hard times. We currently have an acute shortage of judicial officers and unnecessarily excess legislators. In the High Court, we only have 40 instead of the required 50 judges. In my opinion, we actually need more than 80 judges. Court of Appeal has only five judges out of the required 13. The Supreme Court has only four judges out of the required 11. The situation worsens at the magisterial level. These are serious quorum issues that cannot just be wished away in the name of shortage of resources. This point has justifiably for long been emphasised by the president of the Uganda Law Society, Mr James Mukasa Sebugenyi. For me, the big question is whether this country needs more legislators than judicial officers. The existence of 382 Members of Parliament, which dwarfs the population of judicial officers nullifies the argument of shortage of funds. As a country, we need to get our priorities right. The existence of rule of law depends on the existence of a sound judiciary system. Pre-trial detention is also increasingly becoming a form of extra-judicial punishment in Uganda. Pendency for long periods is often manipulated and used as an engine of oppression. It has become the obscene trademark of our ineffective criminal justice system. According to Commissioner General of Prisons, Dr Johnson Byabashaija, Uganda Prison Services has an obscene congestion rate of 250 per cent where 52 per cent are awaiting trial and 48 per cent are convicts. The right to a speedy trial is an ancient liberty and its breach contravenes Article 28 of the Constitution. It leads to an unavoidable inference of prejudice and denial of justice. During the reign of Henry II (1154-1189), the Assize of Clarendon was promulgated which inter alia guaranteed speedy justice to all litigants. In June 1215, King John of England was prohibited from delaying justice to any person by the coming into force of the Magna Charta. In 1974, Congress of the United States enacted the Speedy Trial Act of 1974. Perhaps we need such an Act in Uganda as well to enhance Article 28 of the Constitution. In addition to legally forcing government to appoint judicial officers to enforce this Act, the Speedy Trial Act in Uganda would also address key issues such as ensuring that trials don’t take too long to commence which will limit incidents of witnesses disappearing or losing interest in cases, stop prolonged pre-trial detention which often affects the suspect’s family relations, injury of reputation, interruption of employment, physical and physiological suffering, etc. It will also address “delays” in trials which is an unacceptable old-fashioned defense tactic. In the interim, the Executive ought to accord the Judiciary the attention it deserves. Sufficient judicial officers should be recruited. The government should also consider hiring temporary acting judicial officers from the pool of senior lawyers to dispose off these cases. Justice should not be pushed to the ‘black market’ where money and political power rules. Whichever way you look at it, there can be no justification to deny an accused person a speedy trial. Mr Masake is a paralegal officer working with Uganda Law Society. mskmas@yahoo.co.uk"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/MPs-set-to-start-debate-on-Dura-cement-report/-/688334/1690412/-/gg1xivz/-/index.html","content":"MPs set to start debate on Dura cement report - Parliament MPs today begin debate on a highly-billed report about the cancellation of a mining lease that cost taxpayers Shs43.5 billion. The report, which was tabled by the Public Accounts Committee vice chairperson Maxwell Akora on Thursday, implicates senior government officials, including the President. Central in the report is the decision by the government in 2007 to cancel a mining lease that had been awarded to Dura Cement Ltd. According to the report, President Museveni ordered the termination of the contract and instead asked that it goes to Lafarge/Hima Cement. In the resultant suit for breach of contract by Dura, the government forked out Shs43.5b. Whereas the President told the committee that he ordered the cancellation based on “economic” and “strategic” reasons, the MPs say there is evidence that Kamwenge District, which was to house the mines, has enough limestone to service up to three cement manufacturers. They concluded that the cancellation was uncalled for. The committee has recommended that Parliament tells the President to “desist from gifting critical national resources to so-called investors free of charge and without following the due process”. The report also advises President Museveni to respect technical advice given by government technocrats instead of relying on briefs from “unofficial sources”. The MPs, however, want tougher sanctions for current Nyabushozi MP Fred Mwesigye, who was then head of National Enterprises Corporation (NEC), accusing him of facilitating the irregular transfer of the mining lease from NEC to Lafarge without proper tendering. But Col. Mwesigye denies any wrongdoing. According to the report, Col. Mwesigye introduced a middle man identified as Rawal, as the owner of Dura Cement, which had bought 278.5 hectares of land in Kamwenge, to the President and yet he held no shares in the company. The MPs hence want action taken against Col. Mwesigye for introducing a “fraudster” to the President. Facing punishmentAlso lined up for reprimand is Justice Billy Kainamura, the former Solicitor General. The MPs say the judge leaked a draft report by KPMG, an audit firm, to Mr Elly Karuhanga of Kampala Associated Advocates (KAA), who then used it to “mislead” the President on the amount of compensation for Dura. KAA represented Dura and was later hired by the Uganda Revenue Authority to collect taxes from Dura.In a closed-door meeting with the committee, Justice Kainamura denied any wrongdoing although MPs insist he takes responsibility for causing government a financial loss of $250,000 paid to KPMG, whose recommendations he later ignored and failed to secure a final report from the firm.PAC wants Justice Kainamura to refund the money. Elly Karuhanga implicatedFor allegedly peddling influence and “professional misconduct”, the committee wants Mr Karuhanga investigated by other government organs and relevant professional bodies. The committee also wants the veil lifted such that the true owners of the company are exposed. Former Attorney General Khiddu Makubuya has also been singled out for punishment. PAC wants him held responsible for causing financial loss to government by refusing to discount the offer of $14.5 million over 19 years to a single lump sum payment of $6.5million. Close on his heels is the URA Commissioner, Domestic Taxes, Mr Moses Kajubi, whom PAC says should be investigated for waiving taxes on the compensation which was deemed to have arisen from loss of business profit over 19 years. The Committee noted that KAA made a false representation in the consent judgment to evade payment of taxes. The report is silent on then energy minister Daudi Migereko, who was instructed by the President to transfer the mining lease to Lafarge/Hima. In his appearances before the committee, Mr Migereko pleaded his innocence, saying he was simply acting on the President’s orders. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/Bukoba--the-Ugandan-town-in-Tanzania/-/689856/1682730/-/41js5hz/-/index.html","content":"Bukoba, the Ugandan town in Tanzania - In case you did not know, you cannot live comfortably in Tanzania if you do not know Kiswahili, even for a day. Ugandans who have shunned East Africa’s archetypal language as if it is the plague, would get rudely awakened when all of Kiswahili’s importance comes crashing down on them like a waterfall, the day they suddenly drop in the middle of Tanzania, without any acquaintances. Many Tanzanians speak only their mother tongue and Kiswahili. Frustratingly, only a few elite speak English. It’s thus a slight breather that there is at least, one town in Tanzania where as a non-Kiswahili-speaking Ugandan of Bantu origin, you will not appear as lost as a village chicken caught up in the middle of the Jinja-Road-stretch at Lugogo where cars race past as if some cacodemon is fast chasing on their heels. Similar native languageSix hours, 300 kilometres and Shs20,000 away from Kampala, down South West, on the western shores of Lake Victoria, sits Bukoba town. It is right in the middle, entrapped between two very rocky hillsides, taking in as much of the sea breeze as it can. And it is there that the Ugandan in you will find solace - a place where while at a restaurant, you order for matooke and beef in Luganda, or any of the dialects from western Uganda, and still get through to the other party. Bukoba town is home to the Haya people, a Bantu ethnic group that speaks a dialect so similar to Runyankore you would think the two languages are cousins. And so it is that in the confusing cloud of the mixed Kihaya-Kiswahili conversations that fill the air in the town and beyond, you will pick out a few words that will sound comfortingly close to home – like “nasiima munno,” to mean “thanks a lot.” If the inability to communicate in Kiswahili had disoriented you, engaging a local in conversation will more than summon back your nerves to their tether. That, and the general warmth, affability, and charming pleasantness of the town’s folk will give meaning to the phrase ‘a home away from home’. It is a town of beautiful people too, a feat that you will witness more often as you head farther into Tanzania. Slow townThe fast paced life of the big cities has somehow not yet invaded little simple Bukoba. There is still a slow pace to things – in the gait on the streets, in the car speeds on the roads and even in the way business is transacted. It is not yet noisy, even at roads by the side of the bus-park, where the motor-mouthed passenger touts raise hell all day long. Unlike Kampala, the town’s centre is built out of a sort of paddock-system-like-architecture of its streets, making navigating around them a simple feat. All along the streets, traders lay their mats and sheets down, and place an assortment of merchandise like battery cells, torches, kettles and lamps on top. Most of the streets were an open-air market on the day we visited. Bukoba could as well be the only place in East Africa where all bodaboda cyclists within sight carry two helmets, one for the rider and another for the passenger. The regulations say so, and the riders obey. Similar regulations exist in Kampala, but they are regulations that are more adhered to in the breach than in the observance. In Kampala, the few times you will see a bodaboda passenger wear a helmet, chances are it will be a white tourist doing the honour. Bukoba is not an exactly tourist centric town for the straightjacket tourist who wants big hotels and vast expanses of game-rich savannah. There is a national park on an island on Lake Victoria, one of a few typical tourism points. At the lakeshore, is an expanse of sand for a beach that could use some maintenance and investment because it is largely unattended, save for a few hotels further ashore. Similar culturesThe town has a museum, just north of the airstrip. The collections at the site will show you just how similar the traditional lives of the natives in the town are, at least as compared with those in Bantu-speaking Uganda. The collection of tools used by the areas’ natives in past times, say the baskets, look similar to those used in central Uganda, and are similarly called ekibo. The long wooden trough cut out of a tree trunk used to brew local beer (mwenge bigere), is similar to those used in many past Ugandan communities. So bad is the elusiveness of the English language in Tanzania that even the tour guide at the Bukoba Museum did not speak any herself. The bodaboda rider who spoke Luganda saved the day when he offered to translate. That, however, did not bring the mood down one bit. One of the most typifying sights in Bukoba is its rocks. They are perfectly curved grey large stones that you will start seeing tens of kilometres away as you draw near the town. They clutter on both sides of the road, all the way into the town. They are piled on top of each other in a rare state of delicateness, with some tilted on the edges in such daredevil fashion they make you fear that they will come tumbling down any minute. They form such a fantastic romantic spot where the breezes from the sea come to make it an even more blissful heaven. If you love taking hikes or long walks, these rocks nourish that need beyond measure. The urge to returnBukoba is a usual stopover for Ugandan businesspersons heading to Mwanza. This is largely because the Mwanza – Port Bell voyage is seldom busy today, with MV Pemba and MV Serengeti, (all Tanzanian lines) as some of the few remaining lines plying the route on un-predictable schedules. A ship, the HMS Victoria, sails from Bukoba to Mwanza thrice a week. It is this that Ugandan traders use. Because it is the nearest major town to Uganda on the route, some of its residents have lived and associated with Ugandans. A few thus know Luganda. A lot of the warmth you will experience will surface in those uncomfortable times when upon running into someone with whom you cannot communicate, they do not just shove you past but will stand by and seek a way to make you understood. 1 | 2 Next Page»And you will not fail to get impressed by this unsolicited kindness that reaches out to embrace you from nearly every local you talk to. It will manifest itself in the Luganda speaking bodaboda cyclist who upon riding you to a guesthouse, helps you bargain for a fair price. Or, the motorist who will show you where the cheapest foods can be found. And when you raise him on the phone to come ferry you to some place, the sheer humility with which he will convey his thanks for allowing him a chance to make some money will melt you away like butter before a fire. It will place Bukoba, and its people, in a special place in your heart. And it will make you want to go back as soon as you can. jabimanyi@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Travel/Bukoba--the-Ugandan-town-in-Tanzania/-/691238/1681752/-/p319vm/-/index.html","content":"Bukoba, the Ugandan town in Tanzania - In case you did not know, you cannot live comfortably in Tanzania if you do not know Kiswahili, even for a day. Ugandans who have shunned East Africa’s archetypal language as if it is the plague, would get rudely awakened when all of Kiswahili’s importance comes crashing down on them like a waterfall, the day they suddenly drop in the middle of Tanzania, without any acquaintances. Many Tanzanians speak only their mother tongue and Kiswahili. Frustratingly, only a few elite speak English. It’s thus a slight breather that there is at least, one town in Tanzania where as a non-Kiswahili-speaking Ugandan of Bantu origin, you will not appear as lost as a village chicken caught up in the middle of the Jinja-Road-stretch at Lugogo where cars race past as if some cacodemon is fast chasing on their heels. Similar native languageSix hours, 300 kilometres and Shs20,000 away from Kampala, down South West, on the western shores of Lake Victoria, sits Bukoba town. It is right in the middle, entrapped between two very rocky hillsides, taking in as much of the sea breeze as it can. And it is there that the Ugandan in you will find solace - a place where while at a restaurant, you order for matooke and beef in Luganda, or any of the dialects from western Uganda, and still get through to the other party. Bukoba town is home to the Haya people, a Bantu ethnic group that speaks a dialect so similar to Runyankore you would think the two languages are cousins. And so it is that in the confusing cloud of the mixed Kihaya-Kiswahili conversations that fill the air in the town and beyond, you will pick out a few words that will sound comfortingly close to home – like “nasiima munno,” to mean “thanks a lot.” If the inability to communicate in Kiswahili had disoriented you, engaging a local in conversation will more than summon back your nerves to their tether. That, and the general warmth, affability, and charming pleasantness of the town’s folk will give meaning to the phrase ‘a home away from home’. It is a town of beautiful people too, a feat that you will witness more often as you head farther into Tanzania. Slow townThe fast paced life of the big cities has somehow not yet invaded little simple Bukoba. There is still a slow pace to things – in the gait on the streets, in the car speeds on the roads and even in the way business is transacted. It is not yet noisy, even at roads by the side of the bus-park, where the motor-mouthed passenger touts raise hell all day long. Unlike Kampala, the town’s centre is built out of a sort of paddock-system-like-architecture of its streets, making navigating around them a simple feat. All along the streets, traders lay their mats and sheets down, and place an assortment of merchandise like battery cells, torches, kettles and lamps on top. Most of the streets were an open-air market on the day we visited. Bukoba could as well be the only place in East Africa where all bodaboda cyclists within sight carry two helmets, one for the rider and another for the passenger. The regulations say so, and the riders obey. Similar regulations exist in Kampala, but they are regulations that are more adhered to in the breach than in the observance. In Kampala, the few times you will see a bodaboda passenger wear a helmet, chances are it will be a white tourist doing the honour. Bukoba is not an exactly tourist centric town for the straightjacket tourist who wants big hotels and vast expanses of game-rich savannah. There is a national park on an island on Lake Victoria, one of a few typical tourism points. At the lakeshore, is an expanse of sand for a beach that could use some maintenance and investment because it is largely unattended, save for a few hotels further ashore. Similar culturesThe town has a museum, just north of the airstrip. The collections at the site will show you just how similar the traditional lives of the natives in the town are, at least as compared with those in Bantu-speaking Uganda. The collection of tools used by the areas’ natives in past times, say the baskets, look similar to those used in central Uganda, and are similarly called ekibo. The long wooden trough cut out of a tree trunk used to brew local beer (mwenge bigere), is similar to those used in many past Ugandan communities. So bad is the elusiveness of the English language in Tanzania that even the tour guide at the Bukoba Museum did not speak any herself. The bodaboda rider who spoke Luganda saved the day when he offered to translate. That, however, did not bring the mood down one bit. One of the most typifying sights in Bukoba is its rocks. They are perfectly curved grey large stones that you will start seeing tens of kilometres away as you draw near the town. They clutter on both sides of the road, all the way into the town. They are piled on top of each other in a rare state of delicateness, with some tilted on the edges in such daredevil fashion they make you fear that they will come tumbling down any minute. They form such a fantastic romantic spot where the breezes from the sea come to make it an even more blissful heaven. If you love taking hikes or long walks, these rocks nourish that need beyond measure. The urge to returnBukoba is a usual stopover for Ugandan businesspersons heading to Mwanza. This is largely because the Mwanza – Port Bell voyage is seldom busy today, with MV Pemba and MV Serengeti, (all Tanzanian lines) as some of the few remaining lines plying the route on un-predictable schedules. A ship, the HMS Victoria, sails from Bukoba to Mwanza thrice a week. It is this that Ugandan traders use. Because it is the nearest major town to Uganda on the route, some of its residents have lived and associated with Ugandans. A few thus know Luganda. A lot of the warmth you will experience will surface in those uncomfortable times when upon running into someone with whom you cannot communicate, they do not just shove you past but will stand by and seek a way to make you understood. 1 | 2 Next Page»And you will not fail to get impressed by this unsolicited kindness that reaches out to embrace you from nearly every local you talk to. It will manifest itself in the Luganda speaking bodaboda cyclist who upon riding you to a guesthouse, helps you bargain for a fair price. Or, the motorist who will show you where the cheapest foods can be found. And when you raise him on the phone to come ferry you to some place, the sheer humility with which he will convey his thanks for allowing him a chance to make some money will melt you away like butter before a fire. It will place Bukoba, and its people, in a special place in your heart. And it will make you want to go back as soon as you can. jabimanyi@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/YasiinMugerwa/Is-NRM-winking-in-the-dark-/-/878670/1669698/-/v5wo8oz/-/index.html","content":"Is NRM winking in the dark? - A bit of throat-clearing to begin with: One of the “rebels” in Parliament last week invoked one of the best known stories in the Gospel to explain the current political storm in the ruling party. His story goes like this: And suddenly a gale arose on the Sea of Galilee, so great that the boat was being swamped by the dangerous waves; but the captain was asleep. Then his followers awoke him, yelling, “Captain, save us! We are perishing!” Eventually, the captain arose in the middle of the storm and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. In addressing President Museveni, the party chairman, whom he accused of harassing party members who criticise his government, Mr Godfrey Kiwanda (Mityana North) used the Gospel of Jesus as it was told in Mark 4: 35-41 and Mathew 14:22-33 to call for a cease-fire in the handling of the political storm in the party. Unfortunately, it seems those who went to Kyankwanzi for “renewal” either misunderstood Mr Kiwanda’s views or simply chose to pour scorn on him for political reasons. I am told the Caucus wants Mr Kiwanda and Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze removed from the Buganda grouping. Well, by endorsing the disciplinary measures against the five outspoken legislators, the NRM party is trying to treat symptoms of more serious problems within the party. The “indiscipline” is just the body’s effort to get our attention, telling us that it needs help to correct underlying conditions of imbalance, which, if left to continue, will develop into severe conditions. The question is, what have we been doing wrong that is causing the “body” to complain? The symptom is not the problem; it is our friend. First, for speaking out on the government’s failures, particularly in the area of service delivery, NRM MPs Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga), Muhammad Nsereko (Kampala Central), Wilfred Niwagaba (Ndorwa East), Barnabas Tinkasiimire (Buyaga West) and Vincent Kyamadidi (Rwampara) cannot be called saboteurs. The party leadership has a duty to highlight the need for reconciliation, and putting in place practical and responsive mechanisms for addressing the causes of “indiscipline” among some Members of Parliament, will make sense. The impudence in Parliament is not an isolated political episode. These “rebels” are the manifestation of lack of collectivity, public trust and confidence in the handling of public affairs. This is why the Kyankwanzi retreat should have focused on how to improve the service delivery. There is need for the party to rethink its politics. I doubt whether the “bad boys” speak for themselves. These MPs speak for millions of Ugandans, who are stuck in abject poverty and those struggling to put food on the table because of the unhindered theft in government. Last October, Gen. David Sejusa penned a public letter to the Daily Monitor, warning against the “creeping lawlessness, impunity, primitive arrogance and insensitive behaviour” among “some actors who manage the affairs of the State”. All these are serious issues, which must be discussed in a candid retreat. It’s okay to punish the “bad boys” but when you look at the bigger picture, this line of thinking fails the reconciliation test. Secondly, for criticising President Museveni, and going against the “party positions” in Parliament, the outspoken MPs have been labelled “bad boys”. But if we may pose a question here, is there anything like party line? I am not talking about the bush war ideals — the Ten-Point Programme - the discussion is about the undocumented ideology the President normally talks about. The NRM leadership should stop being ambiguous on the principles the core the NRM party stands for. There is a clear distinction between individual visions and the ideals of a political party.Isolation as an option If the party opts for isolation, dismissing the “bad boys” is unlikely to impart the kind of discipline we see in Tanzania’s Chama Cha Mapinduzi (Party of the Revolution), South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Dominant political parties have internal weaknesses, but in trying to inculcate discipline among cadres, they only reprimand “rebels” in breach of specific principles. The CCP runs the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, which is separate from ordinary Chinese law enforcement and courts. This is so powerful that it is feared by crooked cadres. This arrangement has resulted in successful investigation and prosecution of a number of corrupt cadres, including some very powerful party officials. It was wrong for the Kyankwanzi retreat to focus on gagging outspoken members at the price of the endemic challenges the country is facing today. My understanding of a caucus retreat of a governing party is that it should not just be seen trying to act, but it should be a viable think-tank for the nation. Every time the NRM goes to Kyankwanzi for a retreat, they are fire-fighting. Last October, it was about an economy in a shamble. While the growth is not felt in peoples’ pockets as a result of the rampant corruption, statistically, the double-digit inflation has since reduced to a single digit. House on fireThis time, the House is on fire. But in trying to put out the fire, the NRM leaders forget that it is challenging for belching people to talk to politicians about discipline when their voters are yawning. It’s also difficult to tell people to toe a none-existent party line; to exercise faith in time of political uncertainty, and about their real safety in apparent peril; but it is another, and a far better thing for the NRM leader to be clear on the ideals of the party. The absence of consensus values in the NRM has created confusion in the governance structures, fusing the State and the party. The result is the endless rumbling between the Executive and Parliament, stifling service delivery in the process. The funny politics we see today has created suspicion from some members that the arrest of critical members could be linked to party discipline and not about Cerinah Nebanda’s death. For instance, why should the Cabinet discuss party discipline? This is not right. We will get time and deal with Speaker Rebecca Kadaga’s antics in the handling of the petitition to recall the House and President Museveni’s “timid” ministers. For now, the party code of conduct and the unflinching NRM rules of procedure must be linked to the party ideals, otherwise, the way things are, in trying to demonise the “bad boys”, the NRM party seems to be winking in the dark. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Police-in-U-turn--confirm-arrest-of-pathologist/-/688334/1646686/-/epcibl/-/index.html","content":"Police in U-turn, confirm arrest of pathologist over Nebanda’s postmortem - Police say pathologist Sylvestre Onzivua, whom they arrested at Entebbe airport as he tried to fly out to South Africa, had no authority to undertake conclusive toxicological tests abroad without government involvement. In a statement, the Force Spokesperson Judith Nabakooba notes that Dr Onzivua allegedly acquired the body parts “irregularly”. He is in custody at an unnamed confinement facility in Kampala, and the statement says detectives are questioning him on how he acquired the body parts, circumstances of their storage and who authorised him. Parliament & the fallen MP’s family reportedly contracted the senior Makerere University lecturer to fly the samples to a South African laboratory for conclusive toxicological tests. Government now faults him for violating the law and procedure on doing autopsies. The pathologist, according to police, was trying to “smuggle” the body parts out of the country. The police initially denied Onzivua’s arrest, but rushed out the statement after Daily Monitor broke the story of the pathologists’ incarceration this morning. He had been scheduled to take South African Airways flight SA 161. Airline official he checked in normally before Immigrations and security operatives picked him from the waiting lounge. tbutagira@ug.nationmedia.com See full statement below: PRESS STATEMENT Is the Inspector-General of Police had briefed the public yesterday; Police commenced investigations following the tragic death of Hon. Cerinah Nebanda, and, among other routine procedures, requested Mulago Hospital to conduct a Post-Mortem examination on the body of the deceased. Police allowed the family and some members of Parliament to sent representatives, and observe the Post-Mortem examination. The preliminary results of the Post-Mortem were inconclusive, and the team of Pathologists referred certain samples to the Government Analytical Laboratories, for further tests. The samples were sealed as required, and escorted to the Government Analytical Laboratories (GAL) by, among others, the MPs who had witnessed the Post-Mortem. At GAL, such samples are, as routine procedure, received formally, their descriptions and quantities determined and documented, and the nature of the requested analysis clearly recorded. This procedure is vital, not just for scientific purposes, but also as part the crucial 'chain-of-custody' requirement in criminal investigations, and, ultimately, in criminal prosecution in court. Any samples handled outside this procedure breach the integrity of the forensic examinations, as well as making the final outcome inadmissible in any potential criminal prosecution, and suspicious. 1 | 2 Next Page»On Monday, the 17th of December, 2012, Police discovered that certain samples from the body of the deceased had been irregularly obtained by individuals not involved in the Police investigation, and without knowledge of the Police. Later in the day, after he had been confronted by CID, a pathologist from Mulago Hospital, Dr. Sylvester Onzivua wrote to the Director of CID, informing the CID that he had been hired by Parliament to carry out parallel forensic investigations into the death of Hon. Cerinah Nebanda, and asked for the Director's advice. In the evening, a meeting was convened at the offices of the Executive Director of Mulago Hospital, which was attended by five members of Parliament, a team of Police officers led by the Director of CID, two pathologists who participated in the Post-Mortem, and scientists from GAL. It was resolved that all forensic procedures be consolidated under GAL, and that Dr. Onzivua would submit the samples in his possession to the stipulated procedures. Early this morning, in direct contravention of the law and professional requirements, and before the Director of CID could respond to his letter, Dr. Sylvester Onzivua attempted to smuggle the samples out of the country. He was arrested at Entebbe Airport, while in possession of the samples. As a general principle, and in the interests of transparency and professionalism, Police allow representatives of families and other relevant parties to observe, and even seek second opinions, in certain matters under investigation. This, however, must be done in accordance with the law, while, at all times, observing all the requisite professional procedures that would ensure that the results are credible, and would add value to the Police investigation. Should a person require extra samples for independent analysis, the procedure demands that such person obtains the samples from GAL, which would oversee the process, document it, and ensure that all scientific fine points are observed. In this instance, it is not clear what samples were in possession of the third parties, how they were obtained, and the conditions under which they were kept. Moreover, Dr. Onzivua, who is a civil servant, had not been cleared to travel out of the country, and neither had he obtained the authority required to export the samples out of the country. Dr. Onzivua is at the moment in custody of the Police, to assist in the determining why he violated the laid down procedures and regulations. Any person found to have contravened the law shall be dealt with accordingly. Judith NabakoobaPolice SpokespersonUganda Police Force18th December, 2012. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Woman-rejects-Shs2m-pay-offer-for-cancelled-wedding/-/688334/1629726/-/2vw5lh/-/index.html","content":"Woman rejects Shs2m pay offer for cancelled wedding - A woman, who made headlines after dragging her fiancé to court for refusing to wed her, has rejected the Shs2 million offered to her as compensation. Ms Catherine Kalembe took Mr Emma Mutaka to court in August, demanding Shs20 million as compensation. Last Thursday, however, when the two appeared before Iganga Chief Magistrate Court Susan Kanyange, it was revealed that since the case had been adjourned three months ago, the couple had not come to an agreement. “Your Lordship, I wanted to continue with the relationship and later wed her as she wanted but she refused. She told me she was no longer interested in marriage and wanted to be compensated. I then proposed to give her Shs2 million but she rejected it,” Mr Mutaka told the court. However, Ms Kalembe’s lawyer said his client had agreed to take Shs10m but the accused did not respond. “We are ready to settle out of court if they give us the amount we want,” Mr Balidawa Ngobi, the lawyer for Kalembe, said. ‘Strange case’According to her, when she introduced Mr Mutaka to her parents in Kisozi Village, Kamuli District in 2010 as her fiancé, she was sure a wedding would follow shortly, to cement their relationship. In her submission to the Iganga Chief Magistrate, Ms Kalembe lamented that Saturday December 17, 2011, should have been her lucky day—the day she should have walked down the aisle with her fiancé. Instead, she says, she nearly collapsed when Pastor Kasakya of Iganga Deliverance Church, who was to preside over the function, told her Mr Mutaka had halted the wedding “until further notice”. In what many in Iganga described as a “strange” case, Ms Kalembe, a resident of Nkono Zone in the municipality, said Mr Mutaka, who is the Naads coordinator for Bukanga Sub-county in Luuka District, should pay for failing to marry her. Through her lawyers, she then asked court to compel Mr Mutaka to compensate her with Shs20m as costs for general damages, saying that the act was unlawful and tantamount to breach of promise to marry her but the accused asked for the case to be settled out of court. In the suit, Ms Kalembe says she facilitated their introduction ceremony and made it “colourful” with a Shs2m cash injection—and it is just proper that her former fiancé—who “had a small income” then, reciprocates. The chief magistrate gave them up to February 21 to agree on the compensation or the case would be heard again. Ms Kalembe says her misery is further compounded by the fact that her house in Nkono Zone in Iganga Town is where the couple had cohabited during “tough” times and that she had contributed Shs2 million to help her fiancé get a job. ==================================REACTIONS: Ashah Kiwanuka, Teacher at Visible Love Academy Nursery School. Honestly, this is one strange woman. How can you drag your fiancé to court for having failed to marry you? It is so unlike a woman. Anyway, she should settle for the Shs2m he is offering. Probably, this is what he can afford. David Kabanda, Decorator As much as I believe that the man was unfair to her, this woman should just pick herself up and move on. She should not even be demanding for this money in the first place. She is just stooping so low. She should move on with her life. The battle she is fighting is not really worth it. Afusa Namarah, Hotelier, Kampala Serena Hotel.“Let her accept the money and just let the man be. Very few men would probably have done what he did. I just wish a relative could pump some sense into her because she seems not to have any at the moment.” 1 | 2 Next Page»Muhammad Kikomeko, a law lecturer at Islamic University in Uganda and partner with KM Advocates and Associates. “The issue between the two is a breach of contract since he had promised to marry her in the first place. According to the law, if one breaches a contract, he has to meet the damages suffered by the other party. In regards to this case therefore, it is mandatory for the defendant (Emma Mutaka) to compensate the plaintiff (Catherine Kalembe) fully. If he cannot, then he has to come to some form of agreement with her. Otherwise, he is bound to face some jail time.” by Esther Oluka « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/DR-rebels-warn-UN-not-to-attack-them/-/688340/1623202/-/c1do7g/-/index.html","content":"DR rebels warn UN not to attack them - Rebels advancing in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday warned UN peacekeepers that \"we will respond\" if they fail to stop backing the regular army by strafing rebel positions. UN attack helicopters launched sorties against M23 rebels on Saturday but failed to prevent them from taking another town, as the Security Council demanded an end to foreign support for rebels closing in on the provincial capital of Goma. Kinshasa meanwhile made fresh accusations against its eastern neighbour Rwanda, saying it was backing the rebel forces. A United Nations peacekeeping spokesman said the M23 rebels had taken the town of Kibumba. It lies just 25 kilometres (15 miles) north of Goma, the provincial capital of the strife-torn North Kivu province, which borders Rwanda and Uganda. The UN force MONUSCO \"must stop\" attacking areas under rebel control and show its neutrality, spokesman of the M23 rebel movement Lieutenant Colonel Vianney Kazarama told AFP. \"If they continue to strafe us we will respond.\" The M23 has \"never attacked\" MONUSCO camps in Kitale and Kiwandja -- areas currently under rebel control -- but the rebels cannot \"tolerate (MONUSCO's use) of helicopters (and) tanks against the people,\" he said. In New York on Saturday, the 15-nation Security Council went into an emergency session on the crisis. With M23 rebels less than 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Goma, the main city in the mineral-rich region, UN leader Ban Ki-moon appealed to Rwanda's President Paul Kagame to \"use his influence on M23,\" said UN peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous. Rwanda has denied a report by UN experts that it has backed the rebels. Ladsous said the United Nations could not confirm whether Rwanda is helping the new rebel offensive but told reporters that M23 \"attacking forces are well-equipped and very well-supplied.\" A council statement demanded an end to the M23 advance and \"that any and all outside support and supply of equipment to the M23 cease immediately.\" It vowed new sanctions against M23 leaders and those who help it breach UN sanctions and an arms embargo. The latest fighting has forced more than 7,000 people to flee to the already packed Kanyarucinya displaced persons' camp, some 10 kilometres outside Goma. And fears were growing that the rebels might try to take Goma itself.Saturday's fighting was just the latest clash this week between the army and the rebels of the M23 group, composed of ethnic Tutsi army mutineers. While each side blamed the other for the latest violence, MONUSCO said the M23 had launched an offensive with heavy weapons early Saturday. As a result, the UN mission had deployed its peacekeepers to protect civilians.\"As part of this, 10 missions were carried out by (MONUSCO) attack helicopters,\" it said in a statement. 1 | 2 Next Page»\"MONUSCO firmly condemns the renewal of hostilities. It calls on the M23 to immediately halt its attacks, which have caused a deterioration of the already fragile security and humanitarian situation.\" The attack helicopters, provided by Ukraine, were put on standby Friday after the M23 attacked the army just north of Goma. MONUSCO said the latest fighting was taking place about five kilometres from the Kanyarucinya camp, which currently holds between 60,000 and 80,000 displaced people. The UN peacekeeping spokesman said government forces and MONUSCO peacekeepers \"are attempting to hold off a possible M23 advance toward Goma at Kibati,\" about 20 kilometres to the north. \"As of right now, UN staff in Goma are gathering at security assembly points to ensure their protection,\" he said, adding that UN forces in the city and its airport are on \"high alert\". The clashes are the most serious in the rebellion since July, when UN attack helicopters were last put into action against the M23. -- Fresh accusations against Rwanda --UN experts have said Rwanda and Uganda back the rebels, a charge fiercely denied by both countries. As the fighting flared, the DR Congo government and army levelled fresh accusations Saturday that the M23 were getting help from Rwanda.DR Congo government spokesman Lambert Mende said the latest fighting erupted when 4,000 men in columns had descended on DR Congo territory from Rwanda. Olivier Hamuli, a DR Congo army spokesman in North Kivu province, said he visited the front line and saw the M23 was clearly receiving support from Rwanda. Hamuli said the army would launch a new offensive Sunday morning \"to retake Kibumba and advance on the M23's positions wherever they are.\"The M23 rebels are former fighters in the Tutsi rebel group the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP). The CNDP was integrated into the DR Congo military under a 2009 peace deal, but the mutineers say they rebelled because the terms of the deal were never fully implemented. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/YasiinMugerwa/OPM-scam--Just-get-back-our-money/-/878670/1622740/-/txb0skz/-/index.html","content":"OPM scam: Just get back our money - Forget the thugs in the “Pirates of the Caribbean”; the Office of the Prime Minister and other public offices are fast turning into safe hunting grounds for tricksters. It all started with a special audit, which found substantial evidence, detailing how foreign aid from Ireland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark was fiddled in a sophisticated scam that resulted in the theft of at least Shs50 billion. This was money meant for the poor people of northern Uganda and Karamoja, who are facing traumatic conditions. A few years ago, a gang of crooked government officials decided to swindle millions of dollars from the Global Fund meant to buy life-saving drugs for people living with HIV/Aids and Tuberculosis. Part of this money was supposed to combat malaria, which kills 320 people every day in Uganda. Similarly, they also pocketed the foreign aid meant for immunisation of children against the six killer diseases. In the process, millions of children must have died but somehow, for these tricksters life goes on. With that money, the new breed of tricksters may have built mansions and financed luxurious shopping trips for their families in eminent places. To date, this money has not been recovered. But in some way the Ministry of Health was ordered by the Cabinet to use taxpayers’ money to refund the stolen Gavi cash. How about the infamous 2007 Chogm spectacle where over Shs500 billion was lost and not a soul was asked to refund a shilling? At the highlight of this lugubrious event in Kampala, the tricksters planted grass and flowers for the Commonwealth summit and later claimed they were eaten by goats and cattle. Unsurprisingly, Parliament did nothing. Having said that, the Parliament’s investigation into the apparent theft at the Office of the Prime Minister kicked off on Tuesday with officials from the Treasury — the custodians of public funds but were part of the scam. Officials from the Bank of Uganda will be followed by their colleagues at the epicentre of the scam in the coming week. But when you sit in the Public Accounts Committee, which is investigating the grand theft at the OPM and you hear the bizarre tales from people entrusted with safeguarding public funds, you realise how crafty we have become as a nation. The investigation into theft of millions of dollars in foreign aid meant for the Peace, Recovery and Development Plan for northern Uganda and Karamoja started in earnest and continues to unearth scandal after scandal. On Day 1, the PAC heard that a former Principal Internal Auditor in the OPM, Mr Shaban Wejula, who had discovered the scam involving a racket of light-fingered officials from Treasury, OPM and Bank of Uganda, was “politically” transferred back to the Ministry of Finance on concocted grounds that he was a fault-finder and an incompetent officer. On Day 2, the deputy Secretary to the Treasury, Mr Keith Muhakanizi, told the PAC that Mr Pius Bigirimana, the man in the middle of the storm, had told him that Mr Wejula was asking bribes from him and that former Premier, Apolo Nsibambi, also called him on the same day, saying that some people were “disturbing” the Permanent Secretary. It’s rather sad that this man was removed because he had found faults at the OPM. The Secretary to the Treasury, Mr Chris Kassami, told PAC that at the pinnacle of this drama and the pressure exerted on this man, he even wanted to quit the profession. The popular view is that if Mr Bigirimana had not asked Mr Wejula to leave, the scam at the OPM wouldn’t have taken place. It was also strange that Mr Muhakanizi hurried to conclude that this Principal Internal Auditor was incompetent without following the rules of natural justice — giving him the opportunity to be heard. By all standards, the inferences in the Auditor General’s report on the OPM scam are disturbing. For instance, the auditors found evidence of fraudulent transfer of more than Shs20.1 billion meant for PRDP from the Budget support accounts to a secret account in Bank of Uganda: The Crisis Management Project where the tricksters illegally utilised funds without approved work plans and authority. On diversion of funds, an additional Shs18.1 billion meant for PRDP activities was funneled to the National Policy Disaster Management without any authority. The most interesting part is that the donors were contacted and denied agreeing to fund this policy. This expenditure line was smuggled into the project for people to swindle public funds. Another Shs16.2 billion was fraudulently paid by a trickster at the OPM to staff, secret accounts, private companies, Centenary Bank and district accounts using a password that was fraudulently obtained from another trickster a the Treasury. Payments amounting to Shs13.4 billion from OPM accounts had forged signatures of a PS who has cut an image for himself as a “whistle-blower”. The responsible officers both in BOU and OPM should be held accountable. Most importantly, whoever took this money must pay back. More than meets the eyeThat was not all, Mr Kassami said, what happened at the OPM was “unprecedented theft” and that as country we have a big problem because everybody is capable of stealing. Mr Kassami told the MPs that the level of connivance to steal public funds had hit the roof. That our system was never made to foresee the kind of fraud, where tricksters disguised as candid public servants can sit and plan how to beat the system. 1 | 2 Next Page»But in trying to explain why we have this grand theft in government today, Fr Simon Lokodo, one the frivolous ministers, argues that it’s because the NRM government has spent [the last 26 years] ensuring that there is peace, security and stability and revamping the economy. That the critical bottlenecks of ideological disorientation and a culture that lacked democracy were not critically handled. That this glaring breach has led to serious consequences as now manifesting in the widespread corruption and economic sabotage. But as long as Parliament continues to be irrelevant in the fight against corruption, I am afraid we are likely to see more of these scandals. The OPM inquiry continues. ======================================= FlowersAmama MbabaziWhether it’s for political expedience rather than moral considerations, nobody knows, but the fact that Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi told Parliament that the government would foot all the funeral expenses for former Erute South MP John Odit, an opposition politician was a welcome move. I heard that the president even paid his medical bills. It’s a clear message that it’s time to bury the hatchet and move on. That, those in power today and those in opposition need to stop fighting and think together. Multi-party politics is not about disagreeing all the time. RIP John Odit. FrownsBwikwe ParentThe reality of rising cases of child abuse in our country continues to bite hard in almost all the districts. It’s nearly unthinkable, but every year thousands of children become victims of crime — whether it’s through kidnapping, violent attacks, or sexual abuse. Some children have been sacrificed in endless ritual murders, tortured and even killed by their parents over theft. This week Daily Monitor reported that Police in Buikwe District were hunting a man who is alleged to have burnt his son’s legs over theft of a mobile phone. This man deserves frowns. The suspect reportedly lost his cool after his son, together with his friends, allegedly stole a phone from their class teacher. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/ICPAU-should-get-tough-on-corrupt-accountants/-/689844/1622738/-/fbrv2i/-/index.html","content":"ICPAU should get tough on corrupt accountants - The public views accountants and the accountancy profession as that of trust, persons of high integrity, honesty and diligence; the reason why many of them are custodians of financial resources and advisers on how the financial resources can best be managed and used. It is, therefore, perturbing to read about qualified accountants getting involved in the misuse of public funds. What could be the probable causes? These range from greed, insatiable love for money, to an opportunity that presents itself and tempts somebody to steal, the attitude and belief that government money is free money and, therefore, one can deep a hand into the bag, an attempt to reward self, using public funds, to show off that one is financially loaded, to attempts to amass wealth within the shortest time possible. Other causes include undue influence, duress, because somebody else is doing the same elsewhere, lack of reprimands or no reprimands at all, lack of enforcement of laws relating to misuse of public funds, lack of a sense of responsibility, insensitivity to public issues and opinions, it is a fashionable thing to do, stubbornness, catching up with others, poor moral upbringing and bridging the financial requirement deficit gap, among others. As professional accountants, one of the very basic fabrics of the profession is ethical conduct. It is what distinguishes the accountancy profession from others. In fact the professional training espouses ethical conduct and this is very well known to all accountants. Accountants also have a moral obligation to protect and safeguard public funds that have been entrusted to them since they are custodians, keeping and managing these funds on behalf of the general public. The accountancy profession is viewed with a lot of esteem and the general perception is that accountants are thorough, mean and trustworthy. It takes accountants a lot of time and effort to achieve professional qualifications and by the time somebody qualifies, they are viewed in the public domain as a thorough and tough person and morally upright and straight. Because of the above and some other reasons, we find it perturbing to read about professional accountants getting involved in misappropriation of public funds. The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) could help minimise abuse of the profession, especially with increasing cases of misuse of public funds. As accountants, we are all very much aware of The Accountants Act, 1992, which is in the process of being amended and eventually passed into law. I am not yet sure about how far the Bill has moved but I am quite optimistic it will be passed into law soon. Let me, in the mean time, use the existing Act to make my proposal. This is in addition to what the ICPAU is already doing in safeguarding and improving the quality of the accountancy profession in Uganda and the East African Region as a whole. Section 4 of the Act, lists the functions of the Institute as, “to regulate and maintain the standard of accountancy in the country; and to prescribe or regulate the conduct of accountants in Uganda.” The Accountants Act established the ICPAU and made a provision for a council responsible for the management of the institute. The same Act made a provision for the requisition and control of accountants and provides for disciplining of accountants and the maintenance of professional standards. Section 11 and 12 talk about the Governing Council, its composition and membership. Section 11(2) clearly elucidates that the Commissioner, the treasury officer of accounts, the Auditor General and the commissioner of education shall be members of the Council. I am also quite aware that the Accountant General’s office has been implementing capacity building reforms in a bid to improve management of public funds. The office has been sponsoring several of its staff to undertake professional training on full government sponsorship. Of course I am also aware that the Institute recognises accountants as those who have been registered with the institute after having met all the requirements to qualify as a registered member of the Institute. These are the ones the Institute would principally take action on incase of breach of the membership conditions. Section 7 of the Act explains how a member of the institute would be disqualified. Aware of all the above and in light of the subject matter for this write up, I want to propose that the Institute works closely with the Accountant General’s Office, the Office of the Auditor General and the Public Service Commission, to streamline recruitment, selection and promotion of accountants in the public sector, especially those working in government ministries, departments, agencies and local governments. While having a professional qualification should be a must, all heads of accounts departments should and must be enrolled with the ICPAU as active members. This would then enable the institute take disciplinary measures on its members as it strives to improve accounting standards as one of its mandates. The Accountant General, as a member of the institute’s governing council, should spearhead implementation of this proposal. 1 | 2 Next Page»The ICPAU should intensify monitoring mechanisms. It should design other strategies, in addition to the existing ones, of improving the standard of the accountancy profession, especially focused towards individual Certified Public Accountants in employment, offering professional accountancy services for a monthly salary. ICPAU, the Accountant General’s Office, Ministry of Local Government and the Office of the Auditor General should enter into Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to conduct parallel reviews, inquires and inspections of the conduct and work practices of registered members of the ICPAU in public offices. As a body responsible for regulating the accountancy profession in the country, ICPAU should start bringing action against public officers who entice registered Certified Public Accountants into fraudulent dealings involving public funds. This, the institute can do as an interested stakeholder that has the mandate to regulate the professional conduct of accountants in accordance with the Accountants Act. Influencing policy implementationFinally, the ICPAU should influence policy implementation, especially with regard to recruitment of technical and professional staff to manage public finances. ICPAU should also display itself and come out as the institute mandated to regulate and maintain the standard of accountancy in the country; and to prescribe or regulate the conduct of accountants in Uganda. Managing public money is a challenging task because virtually all government money is collected through tax administration. Tax is a levy imposed by governments on all taxable persons for taxable activities as prescribed in the respective laws. Ideally, nobody would be willing to pay tax but because there is a government, it has to raise revenue to sustain and justify its existence. The public has different expectations, some of which may not necessarily be the priorities set out by respective governments. However, the bottom line is that the general public expects governments to deliver quality services to its citizens. All governments exist because there are citizens for whom a government is created and responsible to. It is, therefore, important that the citizens need to raise up their voices towards the fight against this vice called corruption. Talk, write and talk and where necessary, take legal actions against the culprits. Every citizen desires to be fairly treated and feel proud of their nation. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/DR-Congo-fighting-leaves-113-rebels-killed/-/688340/1621418/-/804m9x/-/index.html","content":"DR Congo fighting leaves 113 rebels killed - Some 113 rebels died in clashes on Thursday between the M23 rebel group and Democratic Republic of Congo troops, the regional governor said, as violence flared days after the UN and US imposed sanctions on the group's leader. The fighting early Thursday near the eastern city of Goma came a day after the UN said armed groups in the region slaughtered over 200 people including scores of children between April and September. Julien Paluku, governor of the resource-rich North Kivu province whose capital is Goma, added that \"a few\" members of the DR Congo government forces (FARDC) were wounded in the clashes, along with the 113 rebels killed, up sharply from a previous toll. Government spokesman Lambert Mende had said earlier that \"51 bodies (of rebels) wearing Rwandan army uniforms have been collected\". Mende added that three rebels were wounded, a captain of the group was caught and that artillery, including rocket launches, were found.According to the army's spokesman for North Kivu, Lieutenant Colonel Olivier Hamuli, one FARDC commander died in the clashes. M23 military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Vianney Kazarama for his part refused to release a toll. The M23, which has dubbed its armed wing the Congolese Revolutionary Army, was launched by former fighters in an ethnic Tutsi rebel group that was integrated into the Congolese military under a 2009 peace deal whose terms the mutineers claim were never fully implemented.The United Nations has accused neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda of backing the rebels, but both countries deny this. Rights groups accuse M23 of human rights abuses and of unleashing a fresh cycle of violence by the region's complex web of armed groups.Its leader, Sultani Makenga, a former colonel in the DR Congo army, is accused of masterminding killings, sex attacks and abductions and recruiting child soldiers. A rebel statement accused the DR Congo army of launching several offensives against M23 positions in the Rugari area, about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from Goma not far from the Rwandan border.It said the fighting was a breach of an already shaky ceasefire.\"The FARDC advanced to attack us (...) we must defend ourselves,\" Kazarama told AFP Thursday morning. He said the rebels would counter-attack \"in self-defence\". Hamuli rejected this: \"We did not attack them,\" he told AFP. \"We know that they have been reinforcing their positions for more than two weeks.\" Hamuli said fighting stopped in the afternoon but that the army was keeping up a search in the area. However, the M23 spokesman insisted that \"the enemy continues to bomb our positions\". Hamuli said Thursday \"a small group attacked us from Rwanda\" as the Congolese army was involved in a separate push targeting rebels between Rugari and Kibumba which borders Rwanda. Asked whether he could identify the small group he said: \"How are we supposed to know who's who if the M23 and the Rwandan army are wearing the same uniform?\" The fighting came a day after the government in Kinshasa dismissed as inadequate UN and US sanctions against Makenga and said neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda should also be targeted. Washington announced sanctions against Makenga on Tuesday, freezing his assets in US jurisdiction and forbidding any US citizen from doing business with him, accusing him of attacks on civilians and the recruitment of child soldiers. 1 | 2 Next Page»The United Nations also ordered an assets freeze and a travel ban against the 38-year-old.-- No plans to take Goma: rebels -- North Kivu's capital is in a strategic position in eastern DR Congo sitting on the shores of Lake Kivu and on the border with Rwanda. Its population of 300,000 is protected by government forces numbering about 20,000 and 5,000 UN troops, according to a Western diplomat. It is also the seat of a large number of non-government organisations.A Western source said Thursday that schools in the city closed at noon. \"People are scared,\" said Omar Kavota, spokesman of the umbrella NGO Societe civile of North Kivu. Goma is also ringed by several refugee camps, which had prompted the UN mission in DR Congo (Monusco) to send in helicopters to stop the advance of rebels in July. With Thursday's incident \"we are seeing an influx of displaced people to the Kanyarucinya camp\", about 10 kilometres (six miles) from Goma, said Kavota. According to the M23's political advisor Jean-Marie Runiga the rebels' armed branch had been given instructions to \"vigorously respond to the adversary's attacks and to push him back as far as possible\". But M23 military spokesman Kazarama denied in the afternoon that the rebels had any plans to march on Goma. \"This is not our mission. We have repelled the enemy and we are holding on to our positions.\" The UN said Wednesday that armed groups in DR Congo's east slaughtered more than 200 people including scores of children between April and September, hacking some to death and burning others alive. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Treasury-blames-Mbabazi--Bigirimana/-/688334/1619834/-/nqglvq/-/index.html","content":"Treasury blames Mbabazi, Bigirimana - Top bureaucrats from the Treasury yesterday refused to take the blame for the theft of billions of shillings in donor aid from the Office of the Prime Minister.The officials squarely dumped the blame for the scandal in the laps of Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi and Permanent Secretary Pius Bigirimana. Accountant General Gustavio Bwoch and Secretary to the Treasury Chris Kassami told the Public Accounts Committee as it opened its inquiry into the theft that the former Principal Internal Auditor at OPM, Mr Shaban Wejula, who had detected the fraud at OPM, was “unfairly” removed on the orders of Mr Mbabazi and Mr Bigirimana. Mr Bwoch revealed that while he had transferred the former Principal Accountant Geoffrey Kazinda, who is now accused of propagating the fraud, to Ministry of Gender on February 27 this year, Mr Bigirimana and Mr Mbabazi reportedly protested his removal. The PM and Mr Bigirimana reportedly demanded that he be reinstated immediately. Mr Mbabazi was not available for comment. On the same day, Mr Bwoch had written to Bank of Uganda withdrawing Mr Kazinda as a signatory to all the bank accounts of OPM. PAC heard that the same Mr Bigirimana who one time claimed that he asked Ministry of Finance to withdraw Mr Kazinda from OPM, on February 28, wrote to Mr Bwoch stopping Mr Kazinda’s transfer to Ministry of Gender. The PS, who insists that he was then the one who blew the whistle on the scam, reportedly argued that transferring his principal accountant would paralyse work at OPM. “The PS never complained about Kazinda, but sometime in 2010 he wrote to Ministry of Finance that with Mr Wejula he was finding only mistakes in his office. He demanded that he is removed from OPM immediately. If Mr Wejula had stayed in OPM all this fraud wouldn’t have taken place,” Mr Bwoch said. “When I transferred Kazinda to Gender, pressure was put on me that he is reinstated and the same PS wrote to me, saying he wanted him and I have documents.” Mr Bwoch tabled letters, detailing how Mr Wejula was branded “an incompetent officer” and a “fault finder” by Mr Bigirimana with the blessing of Mr Mbabazi. At first, Mr Bwoch was reluctant to reveal the premier’s role in the Kazinda affair but when pressed him, he requested for a closed-door session where he reportedly named Mr Mbabazi as the person who chaired a meeting that resulted in Mr Wejula’s exit. Mr Kassami apologised when pressed over the Treasury’s bowing to pressure. “[Wejula] was rejected by the PS and I think the way we responded was because of the nature of the office and I don’t want to say much,” Mr Kassami said.PAC also learnt that on April 19, 2010, Mr Bigirimana wrote to Mr Kassami claiming that Mr Wejula had failed to “interpret” and apply regulations so as to help put in place appropriate management systems. “Mr Wejula has demonstrated that he is a fault finder instead of a fault preventer… A number of times I have interacted with him, I found the content of his response professionally deficient, therefore demonstrating incompetence,” Mr Bigirimana wrote. Mr Wejula denied these accusations in a May 10, 2010, communication to Mr Bwoch and Mr Kassami. “It is the responsibility of the accounting officer to apply relevant law and regulations while internal audit examines the processes, systems and procedures in order to ascertain compliance as a basis for advising management. I have done this to the best of my knowledge. This doesn’t mean that I am a fault finder or investigator as alleged,” he wrote then. More revelationsOne year earlier, in a July 2009 internal audit report, the same Mr Wejula, had revealed that Account No 10030102351210 with Centenary Bank had been illegally opened by officials at OPM. Shs3.8 billion was deposited on this account using Electronic Funds Transfer system under the guise of Kasimo project. Inquiries from Accountant General indicated that no authority was granted for opening such an account. The committee resolved to summon Mr Mbabazi to explain why he reportedly exerted pressure on Mr Bwoch to reinstate Kazinda. Mr Kazinda’s removal according to Mr Bwoch was based on the Presidential directive that accounts staff be rotated after every three years. Mr Kazinda had spent more than four years at OPM. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Kyamadidi told Daily Monitor that Mr Bigirimana will appear next week to explain why he blocked Kazinda’s transfer and later “wangled” the sacking of Mr Wejula. Yesterday’s proceedings opened with an apology from Mr Kassami over what he called “unprecedented theft” of public funds. He said Treasury was not aware of the scam and learnt of it after the AG report. PAC, however, observed that the stolen Peace, Recovery, Development Plan funds were placed on a holding account in Bank of Uganda and officials in Treasury did not bother to wire it to the Consolidated Fund Account, a breach which according to the MPs abetted the scam. “We have come to justice with clean hands. But as a country we have a big problem because everybody is capable of stealing. This level of connivance to steal public funds has no precedent,” Mr Kassami said. “Our own system was never made to see this fraud, where five or six people sit and decide how to beat the system. These are not normal situations where everybody connives and you’re left in ignorance.” Bwoch accusedThe Committee accused Mr Bwoch of covering up the fraud after it emerged that he signed documents forged by his staff in which he authorised the release of Shs14.8billion from Budget Support account to “Crisis Management and Recovery Programme” under OPM in BOU using EFT. Mr Bwoch’s pleas that he was conned did not stop acting PAC chairman, Paul Mwiru, from sending him to House police to make a formal statement together with Mr Isaac Mpoza, the Commissioner Treasury Services Department. The probe continues on Thursday. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Congress-to-be-briefed-on-Petraeus/-/688340/1617976/-/11sxdobz/-/index.html","content":"Congress to be briefed on Petraeus - Congress to be briefed on Petraeus AgenciesSenior Federal Bureau of Investigators and Central Intelligence Agency officials are set to brief top lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Tuesday about their investigation of an affair that ended the career of CIA Director David Petraeus and sparked concerns about a possible security breach. Petraeus, an American hero credited with turning the tide of the Iraq war, resigned on Friday after admitting an extramarital affair, sending shockwaves around Washington just three days after President Barack Obama's re-election. A leading Republican on Sunday questioned why, if there were serious concerns about comprised intelligence, it had taken several months for the FBI to finally notify the Obama administration. \"It just doesn't add up,\" Peter King, the top Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee, told CNN. \"I have real questions about this. I think a timeline has to be looked at and analysed to see what happened.\" The US government is closed on Monday as part of the Veterans Day holiday. But on Tuesday, when the government reopens, senior FBI and CIA officials were scheduled to meet with leading members of Congress to bring them up to date about details of the probe, media reports said. It has emerged that the woman he was having an affair with is Paula Broadwell, a 40-year-old former Army major granted unprecedented access to the general as she co-authored a best-selling biography: \"All In: The Education of General David Petraeus.\" Newspaper reports on Sunday revealed that the affair came to light after the FBI was called in as part of a criminal investigation launched when a second woman complained that she had received vicious emails from Broadwell. \"It didn't start with Petraeus, but in the course of the investigation they stumbled across him,\" an unnamed congressional official briefed on the matter told The New York Times. The threatening and harassing emails from Broadwell, a married mother of two, indicated that she thought the other woman was a potential rival for the 60-year-old general's affections, officials told the US media. A government official told The New York Post that the emails contained such language as: \"I know what you did,\" \"back off\" and \"stay away from my guy.\" Second woman US media identified the other woman as 37-year-old Jill Kelley, a \"social liaison\" to a Florida air force base who apparently had a longstanding friendship with Petraeus but no official status in the military. The recipient of the emails was so frightened, according to the Washington Post, that several months ago she went to the FBI for protection and to help track down the sender. The FBI soon uncovered Broadwell's sexually explicit correspondence with Petraeus, leading to initial fears of a national security breach if someone had broken into the CIA chief's private email account. Broadwell lives in North Carolina with her radiologist husband Scott and their two young sons. She planned to celebrate her 40th birthday with a big party in Washington this weekend, but the event was reportedly canceled. Kelley said in a statement that her family and the Petraeuses had been friends for five years. Her husband, also named Scott, is an oncologist. 1 | 2 Next Page»\"We respect his and his family's privacy and want the same for us and our three children,\" she said in the statement sent to ABC News.A close friend of Petraeus told ABC News it was \"very clear there was nothing going on other than friendship\" between the general and Kelley. Replacement headache Obama's director of national intelligence James Clapper was only informed of the situation on Tuesday evening, providing a dramatic behind-the-scenes backdrop to the president's re-election night. Clapper discussed things with Petraeus on Wednesday and advised him \"the right thing to do would be to resign,\" an intelligence official told the Times. Obama was not told until Thursday morning, the White House said.Republicans have pointed to the fact that Petraeus was days away from testifying about the September 11 attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya as evidence of some kind of conspiracy. Petraeus had been due to testify Thursday about the Benghazi attacks that killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans. CIA deputy director Michael Morell, now acting director, will testify in his place. The stunning departure of Petraeus has left Obama with an added headache as he begins his second term. The president will likely have to replace not only departing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, but also Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. One name being floated as a possible Petraeus replacement is John Brennan, the White House counter-terrorism adviser and a CIA veteran who has played an instrumental role in Obama's drone war against Al-Qaeda militants. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Bahrain-revokes-citizenship-of-31-Shiite-activists/-/688340/1614674/-/6rru1r/-/index.html","content":"Bahrain revokes citizenship of 31 Shiite activists - Bahraini authorities have revoked the citizenship of 31 Shiite activists, among them two former parliamentarians, for having \"undermined state security,\" state news agency BNA reported on Wednesday. The names of the 31, including brothers Jawad and Jalal Fairuz, both ex-MPs who represented the major Shiite Al-Wefaq bloc, were listed in the report, which quoted an interior ministry statement.  Among them was Ali Mashaima, son of prominent activist Hassan Mashaima who heads the radical Shiite opposition movement Haq and who is serving a life sentence for allegedly plotting against the monarchy. Amnesty International called the decision \"frightening and chilling,\" urging Bahrain to rescind the ruling. The government move comes after Bahrain late last month banned all protests and gatherings to ensure \"security is maintained,\" after clashes between Shiite-led demonstrators and security forces in the Sunni-ruled country. Bahrain, home to the US Fifth Fleet and strategically situated across the Gulf from Shiite Iran, has experienced unrest since February 14 last year when Arab Spring-style protests led by the Shiite majority erupted. Hundreds of people were arrested when security forces aided by troops from neighbouring Saudi Arabia crushed the uprising within a month. Five Bahraini opposition groups, including Shiite main formation Al-Wefaq, called the decision a \"flagrant violation of human rights, and a clear breach of international law and norms.\" \"This measure is part and parcel of the punishment inflicted on the political opposition and its supporters,\" they said in a statement. According to the International Federation for Human Rights, 80 people have died in Bahrain since the unrest began. Many activists, some named on Wednesday's list, were tried in a special military court set up at the time. Another former MP and leading Al-Wefaq member, Matar Matar, told AFP some named on the list were acquitted by the military court while others were never charged with \"undermining state security.\" Other opposition sources said some are currently living abroad. \"The authorities have provided the vaguest of reasons for the deprivation of nationality, which appears to have been taken on the basis of the victims' political views,\" said Philip Luther, Amnesty's director for the Middle East and North Africa. \"Most worryingly, the authorities are making some in the group stateless. This, as well as any arbitrary deprivation of nationality, is prohibited under international law. 1 | 2 Next Page»\"We urgently call on the Bahraini authorities to rescind this frightening and chilling decision,\" he added. The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights and the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights in a joint statement voiced \"grave concern\" over the decision targeting \"prominent political activists, former members of parliament, clerics and others.\" They said the decision \"is intended to punish them for expressing peaceful dissent and thereby intimidate others from exercising their right to freedom of expression.\" The groups called on the United Nations and world powers to persuade the authorities to \"reverse this provocative decision\" and to \"immediately stop the systematic and widespread human rights violations against the citizens of Bahrain.\" Tension has been running high following a spate of bombings on Monday in Manama, which killed two Asian expatriates. Four people have been arrested in connection with the bombings. On Tuesday, King Hamad ordered \"the swift arrest of the terrorists who carried out the recent terrorist acts in Bahrain\" and urged citizens to help \"bring them to justice so they receive their punishment over this appalling act.\" The United Nations also condemned the bombings. \"These violent acts cannot be justified by any cause. We call on all concerned to exercise maximum restraint and to refrain from any provocations,\" said UN spokesman Martin Nesirky. In a Wednesday statement, Bahraini opposition groups said they reject and condemn \"all forms of violence regardless of its source\" and \"defend the rights of citizens in free expression and peaceful gatherings.\" The authorities said arsonists torched a Hyundai warehouse in the Shiite district of Sitra on Wednesday, destroying 59 vehicles in what state television said was a \"terrorist\" attack. AFP   « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Obama-would-face-second-term-of-turmoil-abroad/-/688340/1613738/-/mdns60z/-/index.html","content":"Obama would face second term of turmoil abroad - In a second term, President Barack Obama would face a struggle to put a legacy stamp on a world ever more resistant to US power, as Middle East turmoil rages and emerging states demand their due. Soon after a second inauguration in January, a fateful moment looms with Iran, with diplomacy aimed at ending its nuclear program either finally getting serious or military action beckoning. Reverberations from even a limited war with Iran, senior aides confide, would likely consume much of Obama's replenished diplomatic capital, limiting the foreign policy bandwidth he could use elsewhere. Crises like Syria's implosion, the threat from volatile post-Arab Spring societies and territorial tensions in Asia are meanwhile crying out for the presidential attention that has been missing in an election year. Obama will defend his foreign policy in his final debate with Republican Mitt Romney in Florida on Monday before the too-close-to-call election on November 6. \"The president has kept his word,\" spokesman Ben LaBolt told AFP. \"He promised to end the war in Iraq in a responsible way, to take the fight to Al-Qaeda, to put us on a path to end the war in Afghanistan and to restore our alliances around the world.\" In the political bull ring Monday, Obama may seek to puncture Romney rather than define a vision for second term foreign policy. He is sure to remind Americans he has kept them safe after a string of thwarted terror strikes. Romney will scratch a political wound over the shifting explanations of the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, which he says is a sign of an unraveling foreign policy.Re-elected presidents soon become lame ducks at home and often look abroad as the pull of history conjures visions of grand diplomatic gestures. Yet there is little low hanging diplomatic fruit for Obama, with America and Europe hobbled economically and sectarian turmoil splintering the Middle East. Other nations may also be too boxed in to bargain: leaders from Egypt to China face internal political pressures limiting their room for maneuver. Others, like Russian President Vladimir Putin are not in friendly mood, while failing states like Pakistan and Yemen pose alarming risks to US security. China is meanwhile bristling at the US turn towards the Pacific, and the intertwined Sino-US economic relationship is often aggravated. Early dreams dashed A second Obama term would likely show much continuity with the first. Touting the symbolism of his multicultural biography, Obama took power vowing to heal the breach between America and Islam and to tackle perils like climate change. But intractable problems resisted Obama's charm and many tilts at history fell flat: a drive for peace between Israel and the Palestinians foundered early, and an open hand to Iran was rebuffed. So Obama pursued a pragmatic foreign policy of nuance that cheered supporters but annoyed conservatives, who saw a \"leading from behind\" president on apology tours who emboldened US foes and chided allies. However, US diplomacy with Moscow and Beijing yielded the toughest-ever sanctions on Iran and US air power helped oust Libya's Moamer Kadhafi. A stealth war with drones and special forces in Pakistan, Yemen and elsewhere remolded the US war on terror, though Obama aides disdain that Bush-era term. 1 | 2 Next Page»Obama launched a power rebalancing towards Asia to meet the rise of an assertive China and second-tier powers like Indonesia. In a second term, the Afghan withdrawal in 2014 would complete Obama's military retrenchment after an era of power-sapping land wars but he would continue to pursue terror suspects into whatever broken land they hide. \"He is a Nobel Peace Prize winner with his own personal kill list,\" said Laura Blumenfeld, senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund, painting Obama as a \"president who speaks poetry and carries a silencer.\" Obama would also seek new atomic arsenal cuts with Russia and expand a push to keep nuclear material out of the hands of terrorists. Stung by the Libya crisis, he would need to focus more intensely on the Middle East and North Africa. \"He recognizes the Arab Spring is in a very critical time and he's going to need to be more involved in that than he has been,\" said Karl Inderfurth, a former assistant US secretary of state. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Ethiopia--Africa--Somalia--Kenya-talks--peace-and-security/-/688340/1609758/-/5uf8pn/-/index.html","content":"The fate of regional security and the Ogaden cause in Ethiopia - Any hopes for an imminent end to conflict in Ethiopia’s Somali region were dashed earlier this month when talks between the government and the separatist Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) broke down. Hosted by Kenya's government in Nairobi, the negotiations started in September, with Ethiopia's delegation led by Defence Minister Siraj Fegessa and the ONLF team headed by Abdirahman Mahdi, the group's foreign secretary. Meeting on September 6 and 7, the two sides agreed on the modalities of the negotiation process, the general principles that would form the basis of resolving the conflict and the initial agenda, ONLF said in a statement. Despite optimism from both parties, the talks fell at the first hurdle, with the Ethiopian government insisting the rebels first accept the country's constitution, a demand rejected by the ONLF as a breach of the talks’ agreed modalities.Who are the ONLF rebels? Founded in the early 1980s, when much of Ethiopia was still ravaged by civil war, the ONLF aims to create an independent state in Ethiopia's southeastern Ogaden territory, which is mainly inhabited by ethnic Somalis. The Ogaden territory is located in the Somali Region, one of nine ethnically based administrative regions in the country. Poorly developed for decades due to neglect from the central government, the territory has enjoyed relative stability and development under the current Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), which has governed the country since 1991. The party's regional affiliate, the Ethiopian Somali People's Democratic Party, says significant advances have been seen in the expansion of education, health, potable water, roads, electricity and telecommunication facilities. The ONLF insurgency began in 1984, furthering earlier attempts either to separate the region or join it to neighbouring Somalia. The group partnered with the EPRDF in the 1991 removal of junta leader Mengistu Haile Mariam, after which the two groups effectively governed the Somali region as part of a transitional government. In 1994, following disagreements over the country's transition, the ONLF re-started its insurgency, demanding the right to self-determination. The group says it will use any means necessary - including violence - to unseat the central government. When two elephants fight, it's the grass that suffersThough the ONLF fighters had, over the years, mounted several attacks, including assassinating and injuring regional government leaders, it remained a low-level insurgency for years. An April 2007 attack on a Chinese-run oil field in the region brought the conflict to the fore; at least 65 Ethiopians and nine Chinese oil workers were killed in the attack. Seven Chinese nationals were taken captive in the incident. ONLF had accused the government of forcibly relocating the local population to allow for oil and gas exploration. In September 2007, a UN humanitarian assessment mission to the region found a \"pervasive fear for individual safety and security\" among the population caught between the government and the ONLF. They expressed concerns about deteriorating food security, protection and healthcare in the region. Since the 2007 attack, Ethiopian forces have maintained a large presence in the region, and the government's efforts to explore its natural gas and oil potential there have continued.Anti-terrorism a pretext? In 2009, the Ethiopian parliament passed an anti-terrorism law that has been much-criticized by rights groups. According to Laetitia Bader, a Human Rights Watch researcher on Ethiopia, the law’s definition of terrorism is too broad and vague, and can be interpreted to include peaceful protests and lawful speech. She noted that it also contains several alarming provisions, including one on pre-trial detention that allows suspects to be held in custody for up to four months without charge. In 2010, parliament took another controversial step, naming three domestic opposition groups - including the ONLF - as \"terrorists\" alongside international groups like Al-Qaeda and Al-Shabaab. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/How-officials-at-OPM-beat-govt-s-financial-controls/-/688334/1594442/-/g65kn9/-/index.html","content":"How officials at OPM beat govt’s financial controls - Rolled out in 2003, the Integrated Financial Management System is supposed to help the government detect and prevent fraud in public finances. Under the IFMS when money is sent to a ministry account it cannot be transferred to any other account, other than back to the Consolidated Fund, say in the event of non-use. As seen yesterday, rogue officials at the Office of the Prime Minister had resurrected a dormant account held at the Central Bank, the Crisis Management Account, to which money had been transferred from the Consolidated Fund. The Crisis Management Account was ‘dormant’ and ‘off budget’ and therefore removed from audit scrutiny. A loophole had been created through which the loot could be collected.The next hurdle was to move money from the other accounts held by the OPM into this account, from which it could then be stolen. The hurdle lay in the controls of the IFMS. The system requires that any transfers of money from a budget support account have to be effected through signed security papers and authorised by the Accountant General.On July 27, 2011, Shs14.8 billion was sent from the Consolidated Fund to the OPM’s basket budget support account, where money from the government and donors is pooled to finance programmes. The money was earmarked for the Peace Recovery and Development Plan in northern Uganda. The money stayed on the account for several months until December 1, 2011. That morning, as government salaries swished through cyberspace, an EFT salary file was sent from the Treasury and received at Bank of Uganda. The file did not have authorisation. A ‘local administrator’ had logged in the computer in Finance from which the payment instruction had been sent. Only two officials – one Wilbert Okello and Tony Yawe – know the password to the login in. Across town at Bank of Uganda, a second login is required to get into the Finance server and clear the payment. An audit by the Auditor General found that another generic user had logged in as ‘user1’ and approved the payments. One official knows the password to the login. His name? Wilbert Okello. The loophole had worked. Fraudulent transferTwo months later, on January 30, 2012, another Shs5.2 billion was fraudulently transferred from the PRDP account to the Crisis Management Account. Once again the transfer was disguised as an EFT salary file and sent around the time government salaries are paid out. As with the December transfer, this payment was made on the same computer in the Finance Ministry using the same login details as before. But one of the two transfers made that day had a problem. Auditors found that the first EFT sent a minute after midday bounced, triggering an email that was sent to alert officials in the Finance ministry. This should have triggered an alert and the transaction cancelled. However, the error with the transfer was rectified and resubmitted again at 3.50p.m. This time the transfer was successful.The audit report concluded that the perpetrator(s) “had the administrator password on the [Uganda Computer Services] computer, the password for the user1 account and had access to the bounced EFT mails”.Nothing had been left to chance. Two loopholes had now been pried open but there was still money on the table. A lot of the money that is paid out by the government is for settlement of invoices for goods and services delivered. Whoever approves invoices calls the tune. As the audit report noted, “approval of invoices is the most critical stage in the IFMS payment process, and as such the responsibility is limited to the accounting officer, or his/her designate in case of absence”.The accounting officer in any ministry is the permanent secretary who, in the case of the OPM, is Pius Bigirimana. “However, scrutiny into the IFMS database revealed that the responsibility of invoice approval was irregularly assigned to the Principal Accountant (Geoffrey Kazinda) by one of the database administrators (Chris Lubega) on February 1, 2011,” the audit found. This allowed another Shs16.2 billion to be paid out to various individuals and organisations.Each accounting officer has a special password that they are given to authorise payments at their desktops. They are not supposed to share it, except with designated officials, usually at the level of under secretary, who act in their place during their absence. The question of how Mr Kazinda was able to authorise payments without the involvement or participation of Mr Bigirimana is yet to be answered. The under secretary at OPM who often acted in Mr Bigirimana’s absence is Flavia Waduwa. 1 | 2 Next Page»Holes in the banking hallThe last line of defence in most of these transactions lies in the Central Bank. When payment instructions are received, bank officials check that the account has money, that the signatures are valid, and that the security paper is authentic. In addition, a deputy director telephones at least one of the signatories to confirm instructions before approving payments above Shs20 million. That is the theory. In reality, the audit found major flaws in the internal controls in Bank of Uganda. For instance, 61 payments from the OPM worth Shs10.9 billion were paid out without telephone confirmations, despite being above the Shs20 million threshold. When the telephone confirmation was done, seven out of 10 times the call went to the Principal Accountant, Mr Kazinda, while the Permanent Secretary, Mr Bigirimana, who was required to make the confirmation, was called in only 10 per cent of the cases. Central bank implicatedPartly as a result of this flaw, Shs13.4 billion in 121 payments in the last two financial years was paid out by the Central Bank despite the signatures appearing different from those provided by the permanent secretary and the under secretary as specimen signatures. All the payments whose signatures appear different were authorised by Mr Kazinda, a matter that is now under police investigation for suspected forgery. The audit also found that Milton Opio, the deputy director banking at Bank of Uganda, approved 80 per cent of the transactions with differing signatures. “Under the circumstances, it can be concluded that negligence on part of the bank is apparent and collusion with OPM staff cannot be ruled out,” the audit report said. “The responsible officers in [Bank of Uganda] and OPM should be held accountable.” The OPM officials, with probable collusion of officials from Bank of Uganda and the Ministry of Finance had thus found a way to breach the defences in the IFMS. Using generic login names and passwords, they had learnt the system by heart and how to beat it. Now that they had found a hole in the cash pipeline to cause a diversion, they had to find a way to pay the money out. They had been able to break into the Bank of Uganda vaults with the use of keyboards, not crowbars, so finding fronts to collect the money was always going to be a piece of cake – but one that left a trail of crumbs and sparked off a fight that would bring the whole scam out into the open. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Uganda--50-celebrations--Police-could-have-done-better/-/689844/1537778/-/3a3tdg/-/index.html","content":"Uganda @50 celebrations: Police could have done better - Uganda @ 50 took Ugandans by storm! A section of citizens warmed up to the Golden Jubilee celebrations which climaxed into the Independence Day celebrations on October 9, at the Kololo Independence grounds! By the way, the make-over of the grounds is a worthwhile souvenir for Ugandans! For many, this is a time to reminisce, going down the memory lane as to how far we have come as a country. The media have done their bit in pumping up the jubilee celebrations, government institutions are doing the same, Bank of Uganda has done too, Parliament has commemorated the same while NGOs are organising exhibitions, symposia, and generating a wealth of information to commemorate the great season. The business community and private sector coloured the events by making available beautiful merchandise as memorabilia. On their part, the opposition in their 4GC outfit chose as part of the commemoration to organise several activities including rallies, candlelit vigils and prayers. At parallels, the Uganda Police Force issued a press release banning any rallies such as these until the end of the Golden Jubilee celebrations. While we understand that the Police has a duty to keep law and order, Article 221 of our Constitution obliges the same institution to, while in the performance of their functions, observe and respect human rights. Freedom of expression, association and assembly happen to be some of these rights that the police is called upon to respect. The duty to respect requires the police to refrain from actively violating these rights. Conceptually this is because these rights facilitate various features of democratic life, such as the right to peaceful public protest, the right to form political parties and freedom of the press. However, although these rights are fundamental, they are qualified. Derogations from the protection of these rights is permitted in certain circumstances as long as it is legitimate, necessary and demonstrably justifiable in a free and democratic State. The decision by the police to ban rallies and any activities of the 4GC unfortunately does not meet these constitutional standards. At 50, the police should be aware that rallies and peaceful public protests are important in a democracy like Uganda as they provide citizens with an additional channel to express their opinions. Within the context of the jubilee celebrations, just like all the other groups were expressing views on Uganda @50 and commemorating the same in various ways, the 4GC had chosen to express their views and commemorate the same through rallies, vigils and so on. It was a matter of difference, diversity and pluralism within our society. We would be very unfair to expect every Ugandan to commemorate in the same way or express the same views on Uganda @50. It should not be surprising that some Ugandans abstained from celebrating or commemorating the 50 years simply because to them, there was nothing to celebrate. In order to avoid being accused of selective application of the law, what the police should have done was not to totally ban rallies and these activities of the 4GC. The police was required to properly balance these rights against their need to keep law and order. This could have been done by providing alternative routes, venues, deploying and where breach of peace occurred, arrest suspects. Secondly, the issue of whether the police should allow or disallow rallies and demonstrations has been settled by our own Constitutional Court in Muwanga Kivumbi Vs Attorney General when they declared Section 32 (2) of the Police Act which authorised police to prohibit assemblies including public rallies or demonstrations as unconstitutional. In their own words, “… clearly, it would be giving the police powers to impose conditions which are inconsistent with the provision of Article 29 (1) (d) of the Constitution which guarantee the enjoyment of the freedom to assemble and demonstrate.” As it was rightly pointed out by Justice Byamugisha in her judgment, “the powers given under Section 32 (2) of the Police Act are prohibitive and not regulatory. They cannot therefore be justifiable in the circumstances of this petition.” On the contrary, the Justices anonymously agreed that; ‘‘Peaceful demonstrations are a vital part of our societies. They can be a powerful tool and some of the rights and freedoms that some countries enjoy today were gained because some people were to go out on the street and protest! A society, especially a democratic one, should be able to tolerate a good deal of annoyance or disorder so as to encourage the greatest possible freedom of expression, particularly political expression.” Lastly in the discussion of rights is the discourse on duties of citizens. At 50, all of us whether in the private or public sphere, must exercise our rights and uphold our duties. In exercising our freedom of expression, association and assembly, we should strive to nurture a culture of non-violence; a culture which will unconsciously redirect us to desist from any action that may escalate a potentially volatile situation into a bloody one. @50, this sense of judgment is a must! The writer is deputy director (programmes), Foundation for Human Rights Initiative"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/KCCA-starts-eviction-of-Centenary-Park-tenants/-/688334/1519566/-/uq28apz/-/index.html","content":"KCCA starts eviction of Centenary Park tenants - Drama ensued yesterday as Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) took the first step towards clearing Centenary Park of illegal tenants in its bid to restore the green area in the park three days before the scheduled deadline. The operation that started as early as 3am, first went on smoothly with KCCA bulldozers razing the metallic fence along Jinja Road as police blocked the road. But after 7am, the manager of Nalongo Estates, Ms Sarah Kizito, whose contract to run the area was terminated in April, arrived condemning the KCCA action. “What are they doing, they are destroying the green yet they said they wanted it. What is Jennifer Musisi (KCCA executive director) doing?” Ms Kizito who is wife to Central Division Chairman Godfrey Nyakana, said. It is at this point that Ms Kizito in company of her son and another group of 15 who accompanied Mr Nyakana started removing the iron sheets that KCCA enforcers had started to put up to cordon off the place. In the resulting melee between KCCA, police, the Nyakana family and group, Ms Kizito was violently removed from the scene with her clothes almost torn off from her body. She put up a determined fight before being overpowered and bundled into a KCCA car and driven to City Hall Police where she was later transferred to Central Police Station to record a statement. Moments later, another man who was part of a group that had accompanied Nyakana was held by the legs and dragged along the ground, leaving his clothes in shreds before he was thrown onto a KCCA pick-up ruck. Police was yet to intervene. Two other people were arrested before Nyakana and his remaining ‘troops’ took shelter in Club La Beaujolais to avoid arrest. Trade Minister Amelia Kyambadde arrived at the scene shortly thereafter. The angry Kyambadde started by denouncing the actions of KCCA enforcement officials. She labelled Ms Musisi a “terrorist.” “I would really like to condemn the violence applied and militaristic approach towards the investors or the business community,” Ms Kyambadde said. And as she entered her car to get to City Hall to discuss the matter with Ms Musisi she added, “Why can’t she behave in a more civilised manner, we can work with her…we have been quiet but I think Jennifer has really become a terrorist.” City Hall meetAt City Hall, Ms Kyambadde was made to wait for at least 45 minutes before she could meet the city boss. It was at this point that the Chairman of the parliamentary Committee on Presidential Affairs, Mr Bernard Tinkasimire and Kampala Minister Muruli Mukasa arrived. Mr Tinkasimire’s committee exercises oversight over KCCA which is under the over-all executive authority of the Mr Muruli Mukasa who also holds the docket of minister for the presidency. In a closed meeting held between all parties it is said Ms Kyambadde retracted the statement where she labelled Ms Musisi a terrorist. The trade minister moments later appeared from the meeting with Ms Musisi to address a joint press briefing. “I was informed because I did not witness that Sarah [Kizito] was even stripped …I realise that there was so much information that I did not have. My perception was that they were going to demolish the entire Nalongo Estates properties that is why I was really furious,” Ms Kyambadde said. She added: “But the information I got here is that they are not demolishing the structures there but they were breaking the fence.”She, however, condemned the carrying out of operations without senior personnel being in charge. KCCA deputy spokesperson Robert Kalumba said the authority decided to start acting due to security issues. “We have officially taken over the park. We decided to do it before time due to some issues regarding security and the public should know that this is a public place,” Mr Kalumba said. He, however, said the authority is to engage tenants into negotiations and discuss the way forward. 1 | 2 Next Page»==================================================== TIMELINEMay 16, 2007: The defunct KCC enters into a 10-year contract with Nalongo Estates to manage Centenary Park. January 2007: Nalongo Estates secures interim order stopping KCC from surveying, evicting or sub-dividing land at the park. Khadhar Investments (Owners of Nakumatt) also secures injunction against Nalongo Estates not to build on Plot M822.August 2008: President Museveni after a meeting between the parties, issues a directive that the land title owned by Khadhar Investments should not be tampered with.April 201: KCCA council resolves that the sitting tenants should be leased the area.June 2011: Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago comes out to declare that the park is illegal April 2012: KCCA contracts committee terminates Nalongo Estates contract over breach of contract.June 2012: KCCA issues a 90-day ultimatum for the tenants to vacate. September 2012: KCCA clears part of the park. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Heart-to-Heart/When-does-the-relationship-become-binding-/-/691230/1506418/-/ibpsup/-/index.html","content":"When does the relationship become binding? - When Catherine Kalemba of Iganga dragged her fiancé, Emma Mutaka, to court to compel him to wed her, many people regarded the case strange. Others dismissed it with scepticism. “How could she?” wondered one girl, only for her friend to snap back; “Wait a minute, maybe she has a point.” In the case filed with Iganga Magistrates Court, Kalemba accused Mutaka of causing her mental anguish when, after introducing him to her parents in 2010, he cancelled their wedding which was scheduled for Saturday December 17, 2011. As a result of the cancellation, Kalemba, through her lawyers, said she had “suffered mental anguish and torture, lost chance to marry and suffered injured feelings and shame in the community.” Kalemba considered her relationship with Mutaka binding after the introduction ceremony and therefore Emma’s actions were “unlawful” and tantamount to “breach of promise”. But when does a relationship become binding? Public opinion“It begins the day you propose to me and ask for my hand in marriage,” says Harriet Namusoke, a student at Makerere University. According to Namusoke, a man should make whatever “notes” there is to make on the girl so that when he decides to propose to her, he is bound by his word. “Thereafter, I don’t expect him to continue looking elsewhere. We are bound in a relationship,” she says. Namusoke argues that when a man asks for a woman’s hand in marriage, he is not only committing himself to her, but also awakening her feelings for him. “So then,” she asks, “where do you expect the woman to put her feelings after he quits?” “I would consider the relationship binding when the man introduces me to his parents and other members of his family,” says Prosy Tendo, 28. “Because that,” she says “is an indication that the guy is serious about the relationship otherwise, he would not have introduced me to his family.” However, to Ronald Kafeero, a banker, neither proposing to a woman nor introducing her to his parents and relatives make a relationship binding. “Anything can happen during that time that we may end up breaking up. Nothing serious is binding us,” he says. “The relationship is only binding when she is in my house, married to me.” TraditionAccording to Isaac Ssembajja, who works as a master of ceremonies at introduction ceremonies in Buganda, an introduction ceremony cements a relationship between a man and woman. “When a man formally writes to the parents of the girl, asking them to embrace him as a son-in-law marrying their daughter, the girl’s parents have the choice to say ‘No’. But when they willingly accept, it is that word of agreement that makes the relationship binding,” he says. A man receives a letter of authorisation from the girl’s parents to marry her, which Ssembajja says, is written proof of a binding relationship.In addition, Ssembajja says certain rituals are performed during the introduction ceremony that make the relationship binding. “After the girl’s parents publically accepts to have the man as their son-in-law, he is ushered into the main house where a meal is shared and a covenant is made. Traditionally, this seals a marriage. Thereafter, the man has full rights over the girl as his wife,” he says. The lawJane Kibira, an advocate with Kizito & Lumu Co Advocates, says the Constitution and the Marriage Act recognise traditional or customary marriages. “An introduction ceremony is a wedding itself,” she says. “After that,” she explains “like in any other types of marriage except customary marriage, where a man can marry as many wives as he wants, a man cannot marry another woman because he is already married to the woman who introduced him.” “If he did,” she notes, “legally the second marriage is invalid.” Kibira, however, cautions that no law can force a man to marry a woman. “As a woman, you only apply other tactics to seduce the man to marry you,” she advises. In civil marriages, a relationship is only binding when a man and woman intending to be married sign a marriage contract before a court registrar and in the presence of at least two witnesses. The intending couple first signs an affidavit stating that they are of a sound mind and are at least 21 years old and provide proof, say with a Local Council letter, that they are a resident of a given area in Uganda. Kibira says, unlike in some countries, in Uganda, the marriage certificate is not for a specified period of time but “until court separates you.” ReligionPastor Michael Kyazze, the senior pastor of Omega Healing Centre, Zzana, and renowned relationships teacher, says in the Church, a relationship is not binding until two people agree to marry and make their vows before God and the community as witnesses. 1 | 2 Next Page»“This is what translates a relationship from courtship to marriage –a binding relationship – otherwise before making vows to each other and exchanging of rings, neither the man nor the woman is bound in that relationship,” he says. Indeed, while wedding couples in church, the priest always asks a couple if there are reasons barring them from being joined together. “Even at the pulpit, before you make your vows, and exchange rings, you still have a chance to say ‘No’ and you will walk away free,” Elder Nelson Luzinda of United Christian Centre Kasubi, said recently, while wedding a couple. Kyazze explains that even in the ancient Hebrew culture, the origin of Christianity, there was always cerebration of a marriage and putting of a signage on the bride’s finger, the equivalent of today’s ring –as a sign that a marriage had been consummated and the girl’s virginity broken, which sealed a relationship, a marriage relationship. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Three-years-later--Buganda-riots-victims-yet-to-be-compensated/-/688334/1500412/-/no26hfz/-/index.html","content":"Three years later, Buganda riots victims yet to be compensated - John Nyakaana was watching NTV’s lunch time news when he saw the exact spot where he had parked his BMW at Nateete Police Station, in Kampala outskirts, up in flames. Rioters had set the police station and some cars in its parking lot on fire. This was on September, 10, 2009, a day after the Buganda riots broke out. “I had taken it to ABC Garage in Nateete for a dent repair,” Nyakaana reminisces. “They called me after two days and I thought they were telling me to pick it only to be told the car was burnt. I called the police to investigate how the garage owner could compensate me and they told me they couldn’t investigate the case without the car being in police custody yet that is where it was parked when the riots started.”Because the area had been cordoned off, he waited for two days to go and check on the car and found it completely burnt. “It was very painful because it was the only family car we had.” The President offers hopeMr Nyakana is one of the many Ugandans who lost property during the September 9 riots. Their hopes for compensation was raised by President Museveni soon after the riots, at a rally held at Nateete Police Station where he promised to compensate everyone who lost property during the riots. Though more than 50 people tried to seek justice through the human rights channels, many dropped the idea and this is largely blamed on the ignorance of the law. Even the remaining three people who are still pursuing the matter, their case came through the Human Rights group in New York, according to human rights advocate Ladislaus Rwakafuzi.The riots saw hundreds of shops ransacked and burnt by rioters in the areas of Busega, Nateete, Mengo, Kasubi and the city centre. However, human rights advocates and their clients (victims) are still lamenting that the process of compensation is not possible. “Compensation is longer than the process of going to court,” says Mr Rwakafuzi. “I approached the RDC of Rubaga and gave him a letter to the President reminding him about the promise he made (to compensate victims). We saw the then Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Kirunda Kivejinja, who said “It was a riot and cars were burnt’ so nothing could be done about it.” According to Nyakana, he and 12 others went to the Inspector General of Police, Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura, since he was in attendance when the compensation was promised. “He too wasn’t helpful.” Several letters the victims have written to the President through the Principal Private Secretary are reportedly yet to be replied. Presidential Press secretary Tamale Mirundi advised those who lost property to go to court. “Hooliganism and violence are a nuclear weapon of Buganda…the Katikiro and Kacita have often met the President but have not raised the issue of compensation,” Mr Mirundi says. “Let them go to court.” About 12 car owners who lost them in the riots have now sued the government through their lawyer Fred Muwema. Legal hurdleThe lawyers say courts have failed to find the description of breach of the Constitution and or committing any wrong. “Authorities in court treat the two issues the same way. For instance they require a notice of intention to sue yet the person is tortured.” Mr Rwakafuzi explains that compensation is discretionally because the Attorney General does not look at it as part of a court order and that the law does not seem to provide any remedy. According to Mr Rwakafuzi, the law does not allow them as advocates to sue the people who commit brutal acts. “We only sue government and because of this, people are not scared to commit such offences. If the law allowed suing such people, they would have realized how difficult it is to pay money for compensation.”Rwakafuzi adds that some of the issues require Parliament to intervene and amend the law, instead of suing AG. “We sue the ministries that committed the offence and this would be easy for compensation”. egyezaho@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/More-rot-at-OPM-than-meets-the-eye/-/689844/1482068/-/e920ef/-/index.html","content":"More rot at OPM than meets the eye - Payments for government construction works are done by the use of Cheques or EFT directed through banks of the recipient contractors not through the personal accounts of government officers who are meant to supervise the works. It is totally against financial and accounting regulations to pay contractors in cash let alone routing their payments through the supervisor’s personal account. What certainty can we have that this money gets actually paid to the right beneficiary and how can we rule out the suspicion that the officer paid himself and not a contractor or he/she became the contractor and therefore paid himself/herself. This type of payment is amenable to abuse, no checks and balances because payments to the suppliers of goods are not first certified since the officer is paid up-front. Since these were construction works, who issued the certificate of payment? Who supervised? Who recommended the payment? Who processed the payment? Who verified the payment? Who did the accountability? I count that the very officer given the money did all these. This type of accounting is not anywhere. Then who checks who? The officers in question received money in hundreds of millions and in one case over Shs1 billion. It is against the PPDA Act for a contract of Shs50 million and above to be executed before the Solicitor General issues a letter of no objection. It is evident that the Solicitor General did not clear these contracts before they were implemented. The payments were, therefore, in breach of the law. The said PPDA Act 2003 further allows for individual officers to execute civil works contracts up to Shs2 million without the authority of the contracts committee and up to Shs1 million for contracts involving supplies e.g. stationery. These are treated under micro-procurement and are normally reported to the Procurement and Disposal Unit each month for noting. I find the arguments of the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, who is also Deputy Secretary to Treasury and that of the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister unfortunate when they said as long as the officers account for the billions of cash and there is value for money in their works, the procedure should not be questioned. Oh My God! If this is the case then why on earth do we have rules and regulations? Why does Parliament pass laws if it is okay not to follow the rules so long as you can justify your actions! There is no way you can expect a fair accountability when funds for doing government work is deposited into personal accounts. Tempting moveThe temptation to steal is undoubtedly higher than when it is not in their personal accounts. It was also said the funds were put in their personal accounts because the people to be paid had no bank accounts! How can a mere training of villagers on the use of hydrafoam machine be in billions. The training in Nadunget, for instance involved less than 30 participants and were paid a paltry Shs3,000 per day for only two weeks. The Permanent Secretary was just trying to justify his weak financial control which has of late been a subject of media coverage. Even when auditing value for money, we look into the entire process i.e. from procurement up to implementation and evaluation. That the money was for paying for sand and food. This is a wrong justification. It is standard government procedure to use Local Purchase Orders for doing business. This is what districts are doing and these projects are in districts which are implementing these procedures and it is sad that the office of the leader of government business which is supposed to uphold the principles and the standard procedure of doing government business is actually the leader of government business in breaking the very rules they are supposed to protect. I also read that part of the funds released to one Owaro was for the construction of a kitchen and storage facilities at Nadunget modern hydrafoam project. On August 3, I was at Nadunget Sub-county and at the very site where the hydrafoam project is. Lo! What did I see? There is neither a kitchen nor storage facilities constructed. They are probably using a neighbouring primary school to store their materials. What is existing are the 18 small cubicles constructed by the Office of the Prime Minister. Huge funding for small projectsIf Shs332 million was meant for allowances of Owaro while in Karamoja and for the construction of a kitchen and a store which are not there, I submit that the same amount could have been overboard even if it was used for the construction of the 18 cubicles the First Lady is often proud of. In order to avoid all these ugly scenario of depositing money into personal accounts for construction works, the Office of the Prime Minister should have contracted out these works. It has emerged that most of these payments were for implementation of works in Karamoja region which has eluded development for a long time just because officials swindle funds meant for its development and this is done right from Kampala and by the time the balance is sent to the region as crumbs, it finds equally thirsty district officials waiting to feast on the carcass. The end result is shoddy work because what is left is not adequate to complete the implementation of a project. The contractor spends little to do the work so that he leaves for himself some profit which he has to share with some district officials and even at sub-county level. The stages of theft are long, complex and tedious. It is a common practice in the Office of the Prime Minister and probably in other ministries to use junior officers to receive huge amounts of allowances for upcountry “monitoring and supervision” only to demand back up to 80 per cent or more of the same allowance. This junior officer may not go to the field because after-all the officer who took the lion’s share may not bother to demand for the field report if any. What normally happens is that the junior officer makes phone calls to some district officials for a brief project progress report or will also pay this district official one night allowance if he sent to him a field report by e-mail. It is this report that will be attached onto the voucher of hundreds of millions as part of the accountability. One of the officers in the OPM confided to me that while it is stated that he got money in hundreds of millions, he finally ended up in tens of millions. The ‘Big’ men took away the rest of the money ostensibly to be shared at the very top echelon. The First Lady has many times blasted the district leadership of Karamoja for messing up funds sent for the development of the region. The sad happenings at the OPM where her office is situated is good for our Mama not just to think that challenges are far away in Karamoja, they are actually under her feet. Better clean your house and put it to order and extend the same to other areas. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/National-ID-project--How-MPs-blundered/-/689844/1465008/-/a3qbyhz/-/index.html","content":"National ID project: How MPs blundered - The recent resolutions of Parliament to the effect that the former 3rd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs, Mzee Kirunda Kivejinja or “K.K” takes “full responsibility – political, financial and administrative” – for the procurement of the equipment for the National Identity Card Project in contravention of the procurement laws raises two issues: First, the role of Parliament in respect of technical matters. Second, what happens where Parliament does not agree with the guidance given by a constitutional body of a technical nature? K.K. was appointed by H.E the President to be the Political overseer of the implementation of the National ID Project. Due to National Security and other considerations, the President preferred that the equipment be procured from a single source without breaching the Procurement laws. In the meeting of the key stakeholders called by H.E. the President, the AG gave his legal opinion that the procurement laws were not applicable to the procurement. So direct single sourcing was cleared by the meeting. What followed was for the K.K. team to implement what had been agreed on. The Committee of Parliament which investigated the procurement disagreed with the AG’s opinion. To it, the procurement of the National Id Contract was subject to the procurement laws. As such, it recommended that K.K and his team should be crucified for not having followed the procurement laws. Whether it is the A.G or the Parliamentary Committee which is correct in the interpretation of the law is not the fundamental issue. Differences in legal opinion are normal. However, the real issue is about the constitutional mandate of each of the two bodies in the interpretation of the law as to the procurement of the National ID Project contract. Article 119 of the Constitution vests the mandate of interpreting the law for government in the A.G. Parliament cannot take over that constitutional mandate under the guise of exercising its oversight role. The Supreme Court of Uganda in the Gordon Sentiba case, and the Constitutional Court in the case of Twinobusingye Severino have categorically stated that the Attorney General’s legal opinion is binding on government bodies and organs. The implications the above for the National ID Project procurement are:1. The moment the A.G cleared the Procurement, then K.K. and all the other government officers were under a legal duty to follow the A.G’s legal opinion. 2.Parliament as an organ of government, is likewise under a constitutional obligation to respect the A.G’s legal opinion even when it has its own reservation as its “correctness”. 3. For Parliament to adopt the legal opinion of its committee in preference to the opinion given by the then A.G is a constitutional blunder. Parliament cannot usurp the constitutional mandate of the A.G. 4.For Parliament to crucify K.K. for having followed the A.G’s legal advise would be sowing seeds of government officials to disrespect the A.G’s legal opinion and thereby breach the constitution. The Constitutional mandate of A.G as far as advising government on matters of law is sacrosanct. But does that mean that the A.G does not make mistakes? The answer is A BIG NO! To err is human. The quality of a decision is as good as the decision maker and his/her aspirations. But that of itself does not make the decisions any less binding in law. Life cannot, and should not, come to a standstill simply because of the possibility of the A.G making a “mistake”, or the subsequent office holder holding an opinion contrary to that of his/her predecessor. That is a sure recipe for disaster. As Henry Cardinal Newman stated, “If it is worth doing, it is worthy doing well. But nothing would be done at all if man waited till he could do it well”. Way forward1. Parliament’s intentions in making the executive accountable should be applauded. But good intentions are not enough. The Speaker should on a continuous basis organise capacity building trainings for Parliament and its committees to improve in the discharge of their mandate, and respect of the mandate of others. Some of us who have practical experience are more than willing to join as trainers at no cost. 2.The A.G’s office is very central in the constitutional order of this country. Professionals ought to be appointed as A.G in preference to politicians. 3.The A.G’s chambers should be facilitated to continuously recruit, remunerate and retain high calibre professionals. 4.The officials of the A.G’s chambers should continuously improve their individual and collective knowledge and skills to enable them give legal advice that stands the test of time. The writer is a Senior Lawyer. Phone: +256 752 693041 1 | 2 Next Page»kibeedi@gmail.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/NicholasSengooba/When-a-banana-republic-is-ripening--the-Banankolaki-rise/-/1293432/1455652/-/vd49x7z/-/index.html","content":"When a banana republic is ripening, the ‘Banankolaki’ rise and take charge - Banankolaki is a Luganda word meaning nothing can be done to me. It is an insolent expression of the height of impunity. It becomes so rampant in situations where people are confident that they are above the weak law, its institutions and are a law unto themselves. Uganda is in this situation at the moment. There are so many untouchables. But what is most important is to understand how we got to this point. Fred Bridgland, the author of the book, The War For Africa, once remarked that when the rule of the law is reserved for the serfs and not the chieftains, that is the basis of creating a banana republic. In other words, that if equity is disregarded, you are doomed. Banana republics are places where almost everything that can move has gone, or is going to the dogs. But most important of them all is the law and order sector. When people can shoot and beat up innocent people in public and nothing happens, then a banana republic is in the offing. But when the law is used to protect criminals, the law becomes an irredeemable ass - then the banana republic starts ripening with the end product being a failed State. One of the hallmarks of a failed state is that the citizens sink so low that it becomes usual for honest men to turn into thieves, conmen, wife-beaters, defilers and rapists overnight. They also become lazy, and uncreative because they do not have to think hard to make ends meet. They simply opt for thieving, use of force and other illegalities to get what they want. This mentality is buttressed in the fact that there will be no law or authority capable of bringing them to book. In banana republics, you cannot tell a criminal apart from a law enforcer or law. That is how these stick-wielding gangs emerge from police stations and cause mayhem right in front of the police. I once had an experience when a friend’s car was badly knocked by a man who was obviously inebriated. The police arrived at the scene. The man then told my friend to take down the number plate and they would sort out the issue later. My friend asked for his driving permit as well. The man arrogantly asked if we knew who he was, or what he did. When we said we didn’t, he jumped into his car and left, but adding that we were delaying him while he was on a mission of national security. The police advised us to leave the matter ‘there’ because some of these people are dangerous and you can do nothing to them. The rampant cases of land-grabbing and breach of contract, provision of bouncing cheques, etc, are mainly committed by this class of Banankolaki. I also discovered recently that the cases of conmen now on the prowl, who take peoples money, have the confidence that they can bribe the police and get back on the streets. That is why the vice keeps growing. One of the greatest credits for Uganda as we celebrate 50 years of independence, is the creation and endurance of this ‘tribe’ of people - the Banankolaki. Because all governments have basically been illegitimate, they have had an aversion for law and order. They abuse and undermine the law and create situations of lawlessness to perpetuate themselves in power. Then everybody does as he pleases, including what we call the weak and underprivileged. It is now common for one to wake up and find people encroaching on his or her land, or on public land claiming that they are veterans or that the land is idle. That is where we are now. Where we shall be tomorrow I cannot tell, but it is obvious that this lawlessness will swell the tribe of the Banankolaki and that will only serve to sink this country further. The law may at times be an ass. But it is important that we insist on it working and reprimanding those who go against it. That is the only way a civilisation endures. Anything less is a recipe for disaster.Mr Sengoba is a commentator on political and social issuesnicholassengoba@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/We-need-specific-by-laws-to-ensure-food-security-in-Uganda/-/689364/1424798/-/14nieicz/-/index.html","content":"We need specific by-laws to ensure food security in Uganda - With nearly a quarter of Ugandans living in absolute poverty and 42.9 per cent at risk of falling into absolute poverty as reported in the Ministry for Finance’s Poverty status report, many Ugandans continue to struggle to meet their household’s food and nutrition needs. It therefore becomes indispensable to ensure household food security today more than ever before. Food security refers to a state of food availability, physical as well as economic access to food, and physiological utilisation of the consumed nutrients. By-laws are rules or regulations initiated by local communities and passed by local governments at district or lower levels through a local government council resolution. By-laws on food security take into consideration food security challenges unique to certain ecological areas or local communities and explicitly spell out strategies to overcome such challenges and penalties for breach. By-laws enhance food security through guaranteeing and prioritising a household’s food security. Enactment of such a laws is the mandate of village local councils as directed under Section 39 of the Local Governments Act. Because by-laws are developed with the direct involvement of the communities, they are easily enforced, making them strong tools for advocating best practices that stimulate sustainable agricultural production as well as ensure food security. Unfortunately, few local governments have enacted and implemented by-laws on food security. A study on agri-food systems governance in Mukono District by ACODE, reveals that the few existing local laws that have a bearing on food security were never enforced. Most of the interviewees indicated that the responsible political and technical Officers feared to enforce the laws for selfish political reasons. This is because in the past, by-laws were so strictly enforced that offenders got arrested, a scenario that the current enforcers consider as likely to turn their electorate against them. Local leaders say they did not receive trainings about enactment and enforcement of such laws. They also complained about the lengthy enactment procedures. In fact, the existing local laws were unknown to the communities whose household food security they were meant to guide thus undermining the very purpose for which they were enacted. The consequence of this is that food security at the local level is managed in a haphazard manner, increasing the likelihood of food insecurity. On the contrary, local communities wishfully reflected on the effectiveness of food security by-laws in the past in terms of ensuring household food security and advocated for the need to improve enforcement of by-laws. In the past, cultural institutions or leaders were very influential in enforcing food security by-laws. In Buganda, for example, a garden of cassava or sweet potatoes that ‘belonged’ to Kabaka was a must have in every household and permission had to be sought from the king if one had to harvest from such gardens. It is therefore, imperative that civil society organisations and the Parliamentary Forum on Food Security, Population and Development, empower local communities to demand for enactment and proper enforcement of food security by-laws from their leaders. Existing bylaws should also be revised to take care of changes in food security challenges over time. Local councilors’ performance should be evaluated on the basis of enactment and enforcement of local laws, especially those that have a bearing to food security. Local councillors and technical officers responsible for enforcing the by-laws, should also be sensitised about food security by-laws as a means to achieving food security rather than as an end in itself. Cultural leaders should be brought on board as key stakeholders in enforcing such laws. The local government staff responsible, including clerks to council, should be sensitised on enactment and enforcement of food security by-laws and coordination improved among the various responsible institutions in order to quicken the process of enacting local food security by-laws. Such a move will help to confront food security challenges, some of are unique to various ecological areas within the country. Ms Barungi is a researcher with the Advocates Coalition for Development and Environmentj.barungi@acode-u.org"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/Kasaija-is-right--we-need-a-formula-for--enjawulo-/-/689856/1418964/-/9bm2iu/-/index.html","content":"LETTTER FROM KIREKA: Kasaija is right, we need a formula for “enjawulo” - Ndugu Matia Kasaija, I can imagine the shock you suffered the moment people began hurling insults at you after you candidly indicated that public servants can negotiate “commissions” on deals they enter on behalf of the government. You have been accused of all manner of things, among which is nurturing corruption and encouraging the culture of kickbacks. I want to advise those shouting their voices hoarse to take time and reflect on your honesty. If what you suggested was alien, your critics would be right to make that noise. But who does not know that what you are saying is already in practice even if we try to pretend and claim all is smooth? Don’t all of us in this town know about the “enjawulo” (kickbacks/commissions) culture? In fact, the beauty in your proposal is that we can now streamline the method of negotiating these “commissions” and probably come up with an agreeable formula. In that way, we shall stop the idea of leaving “kickback” negotiations to the forces of demand and supply and in some cases, where the enjawulo takes the bigger share compared to what government finally gets.Using your approach, I suggest that we categorise government deals into four; platinum, gold, silver and bronze. We can therefore attach a specific range of commission to claim on each category. Platinum will entail the very massive government deals like oil and military purchases. The minimum a project of this nature can cost is Shs500 billion. Here, we can propose that the official negotiating this deal is allowed up to a maximum of 10 per cent enjawulo. So, for example, if an oil well deal is Shs800 billion, the technocrat or politician can “squeeze” the investor for a maximum of Shs80 billion (10 per cent). We must then ensure that the rest of the money does what it is supposed to do. The gold projects should range from Shs200 billion to Shs500 billion. Most of the major road works and compensations to “big” businessmen fall in this category. Here, we can raise the commission slightly to between 12 and 15 per cent. It will depend on the official’s skills to see if s/he can get the full 15 per cent. So, if a businessman seeks Shs300 billion compensation from the government after a breach of contract, the negotiator is entitled to a maximum of Shs45 billion (15 per cent). And like in Platinum, we must ensure the rest of the money actually gets to the businessman. Silver category can have projects worth between Shs100 billion to Shs200 billion. Projects like purchasing bicycles for LCs fall in this category. But the maxim “unto those with some, more will be added” must apply here. Being a small category, the commission should reduce to between 8 and 10 per cent. So, if we contact a company in India to supply bicycles to our LCs at Shs150 billion, the most the government middleman can get is Shs15 billion. After he has made off with his cut, then we must make sure the bicycles get to the intended beneficiaries. Honourable Kasaija, I would then propose that in your White Paper to Cabinet in which these recommendations will be captured, we rank local government projects and deals in Group D—bronze. It would actually be proper if we declared this a “non-eating” category, seeing that little money is involved—but knowing Ugandans, you will be accused of favouritism. So, the rule on commissions on this category is that no one eats more than 5 per cent. If building the district office block will cost Shs10 billion, the chief administrative officer cannot walk away with more than Shs500 million. What amount he will give the LC5 chairman is at his own discretion. We therefore can come up with a general formula like CS= PG X %tage, where CS is Commission Structure, PG is Project Group (platinum, gold , silver or bronze) and we multiply by the percentage. When contractors get familiar with this structure they can include it in their project quotations and as usual, the tax payers will foot the bill. This method is very fair and transparent. We can then ask Uganda Revenue Authority to design a small tax structure to levy these commissions. In that way, everyone goes home happy—the negotiator, project winner and the government. Why should we not declare Hon. Kasaija a national hero for his honesty? dwanyama@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Buganda-riots-suspect-day-by-day/-/691232/1406970/-/tux8c3/-/index.html","content":"Buganda riots suspect day by day - Day 1State loses amendment of the indictment.Court said the charges for the Buganda riot suspects could not be amended since the suspects have been remand for long. Day 2Four set freeFour suspects including Adadi Kibuuka, Paul Kikulwe, Bob Kakembo and Bashir Mubiru upon state submission that there was no case against them were set free. Meanwhile, four prosecution witnesses testified against accused persons linking them to the torching of the police station. The witnesses, all police officers, include Vincent Okurut, former station DPC, Reuben Wasiima, then in-charge of Nateete Police Station, Rose Nabakooza (former detective) and Apolo Mugabi, a police constable. Day 3Policeman said his superior gave false evidenceMr Apolo Mugabi, a detective and fourth witness, told court that Mr Reuben Wasiima, the former officer in-charge of Nateete Police Station, allegedly lied to court that he released all suspects at the police station’s cell because smoke from vehicles set ablaze by rioters had engulfed the cell. Mr Mugabi, said in cross-examination: “ Mr Wasiima the second witness opened the police cell for only Nsubuga (Kamada), locking the others in cells.” He further stated that Mr Wasiima did not brief them as earlier stated. Day 4Drama in court as police officer recalls wrong suspectsCorporal Boaz Muhairwe, attached to Katwe Police Station, the fifth prosecution witness, either identified wrong suspects, failed to identify them and also chose to testify about alleged theft of his property but not the terrorism charges slapped against the suspects. He had in his testimony told court that on September 10, 2009 when the riots broke out, two of the suspects in the dock, Meddi Nsubuga and Muzafaru Mugisha, broke into his Nateete barracks home and looted all his belongings.Day 5 Judge storms out of courtJudge walked out of court after a State witness failed to answer some questions during cross-examination.Mr John Stephen Okello, a police officer at Katwe Police Station and the 11th witness , was being cross-examined in regard to the trial of 18 suspects of the September 2009 Buganda riots. He angered Judge Ralph Ochan when he said he did not breach the Constitution by locking suspects for two weeks which is beyond the mandatory 48 hours. He identified himself as the investigating officer, said he presented his statement after the suspects were charged because he was busy. “I first handed over the file to the Director of Public Prosecutions before fixing my statement and the procedure of getting back the file was not easy,” he said. Day 6Witness accused of faking documentsMr John Stephen Okello told court that the accused stole property at a police station but did not show an authentic slip from the storekeeper implicating the suspects. He admitted that the storekeepers did not sign the exhibit slip prompting Mr Ssegona to question the validity of the document and the capacity of the investigator. He forged an exhibit slip to implicate the accused of theft. Day 7Witnesses snub court summonsThree key witnesses did not wish to testify in the trial of three suspects out of the 18 remanded in Luzira Prison charged with terrorism in connection with burning of a GASO bus in Nalukolongo during September 2009 riots because they were compensated while independent witnesses where intimidated. Day 8Witnesses shun riot caseMr Vincent Wagona told Court that the last five witnesses earlier summoned were allegedly intimidated and declined to come to court, a move that stalled the trial. The five prosecution witnesses were slated to testify against the group charged with terrorism in- connection with the burning of Nateete Police Station during the September riots. 1 | 2 Next Page»Day 9State witness failed to prove his testimonyMr Edward Mukholi, the eighth prosecution witness in the case related to the torching of Nateete Police Station, stunned High Court Judge Ralph Ochan, saying he failed to trace the judgement copy and other documents.Mr Mukholi testified that the duo, Elisa Mujuni and Mohammed Sekatawa, had earlier been convicted before a junior court in Nsangi. But Mr Medard Lubega Ssegona asked the witness to prove his testimony which he has since last week failed to do despite court order. Day 10State was given the last chance to present the last five witnesses to testify against the 18 suspectsThe judge’s decision was prompted by the State lawyer, Mr Vincent Wagona’s submission, asking for an adjournment for the third time to present his witnesses. Day 11DPP drops charges against Kassim Ntanzi, Juma Ssekyanzi, Livingstone Jeselo, Sadat Luswata Buyungo, John Gafumba, Roger Zinda and Gerarld Kagga, as it closes its prosecution. Day 12Judge warns state to stop claiming that witnesses are threatened and intimidated because they can be protected in the trial of the three accused persons. Day 13Lawyers representing the 11 people asked court to dismiss the case saying it is a political charge. Day 14Three people charged with terrorism in connection with burning of a GASO bus in Nalukolongo where acquitted of the charges after Judge finding that there was no prima faise case made by the state. Day 15Lawyers representing the 11 last batch the suspects asked court to dismiss the case saying it is a political charge and that the evidence which was brought by the state was wholly discredited , contradictory and unreliable. Day 16Court releases the last batch of suspects after the trial judge finding loop holes in the evidence presented by prosecution. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/ugandaat50/-/1370466/1387958/-/uiwbgyz/-/index.html","content":"The great Buganda land grab of 1900 - KampalaThe 1900 Agreement might have given Buganda a privileged position in the Uganda Protectorate that it would continue to enjoy throughout colonialism but it was also the biggest land grab in contemporary history. The agreement cemented British authority over Buganda but that was a fait accompli, coming as it did 10 years after the first treaty putting the kingdom under the protection of the British, and almost a year after Kabaka Mwanga was captured and his rebellion broken up. It was the clauses on land redistribution that had the biggest impact on the kingdom and, ultimately, the country that would become Uganda. Land in Buganda had always been a political and economic tool of control, held by the Kabaka in trust for his people, and through his chiefs and clan leaders, but generally owned by the people. Authority over land was tied to offices; chiefs who lost favour with the Kabaka and their positions would lose control over the land and, by extension, their people who lived off it. Thus, the first impact of the 1900 Buganda Agreement was that it broke this bind and “divorced the ownership of land from political responsibilities, and most radical of all, land could now be bought and sold like any other commodity”, according to Prof. Samwiri Lwanga, a historian and author on Buganda. Secondly, the agreement commoditised land. It went from a common resource shared by all under the guidance of the Kabaka, to a commodity that could be bought and sold, like cattle or beads. Under ordinary circumstances, the free ownership of land ought to have encouraged its more efficient use and would have prevented the arbitrary eviction of peasants by whimsical chiefs. In 1895 William John Ansorge, who was then the acting commissioner in Buganda, had introduced a freehold land tenure system opening up land ownership to all but this had been swiftly defeated by Mwanga and loyal Baganda. It probably could have worked under the 1900 Agreement. However, the agreement was a victors’ party, made between British officials who were keen to cement their rule indirectly through pliant collaborators, and local chiefs led by Katikkiro Apolo Kaggwa, who had succeeded in their palace coup by ousting Mwanga once-and-for-all, and now sought to cash in their political chips. In the background were the Christian missionaries who were keen to get a piece of the action. Not only did the missionaries help negotiate the agreement and witness it, Prof. Lunyiigo notes that Bishop Alfred Tucker “pressed Johnston for a higher allocation of land for the chiefs brushing aside the plan for proprietary rights for peasants”. Chiefs scramble for landApart from the 10,500 square miles taken by the Protectorate government, and land given to the Kabaka, the royal family and his regents, 1,000 chiefs and private landowners were allocated a share of 8,000 square miles. Although the Lukiiko was given powers to carve out this land, it was populated by the very chiefs and prominent persons supposed to distribute the land. As the Kabaka, Chwa II was an infant, the three regents; Kaggwa, Stanislaus Mugwanya and Zakaria Kisingiri had filled the Lukiiko with their cronies and allies who all jumped into the land grab. The 1900 Agreement specified that these chiefs and landowners would receive the land that was in their possession but Prof. Lunyiigo argues that this was a breach of the agreement because whatever land they had was held in trust for the people of Buganda. “This was the crux of the land settlement in as much as it concerned the Baganda beneficiaries. Right from the beginning they acted in breach of the agreement,” argues Prof. Lunyiigo. “If this clause had been strictly followed, the land settlement would have been stillborn but the Lukiiko had been transformed from a King’s levee into a veritable den of thieves, and, led by Apolo Kaggwa, proceeded with alacrity to expropriate the King’s land held in trust by him for his subjects.” What followed was a scramble by the chiefs and other ‘prominents’ to carve out and divide the 8,000 square miles amongst themselves, under the direction of the Lukiiko. The chiefs and notables allocated land to themselves, relatives, friends, and their children, including those who were unborn. Such was the scramble for the land that a directive had to be passed limiting allocations to children who had not yet been conceived and Kaggwa spent six weeks, “working day and night” to cut the claims down from 3,945 that were submitted to 3,700. 1 | 2 Next Page»Prof. Lunyiigo argues that, considering the relatives and children included into the list, this figure reflected only about 300 families that, almost overnight, came to own more than half of all the productive land in Buganda. This had several political and an economic impacts. First, it created a permanent landed gentry in Buganda that, in some cases, has continued to prosper off its good fortune and the land it brought in 1900 to this day.It thus provided the first lever of social and economic mobility in colonial Buganda for those families that benefitted and would set the foundation for a cash crop based economy that produced what it did not consume and consumed what it did not produce. Kaggwa’s mega grabIt also changed the economic structure of the country as peasants found their old obligation to the king replaced by an obligation to the crown and the taxman. In working the fields to pay off their tax obligations, the first seeds of independent political consciousness would be sown and sprout shortly after. For one man, however, the land bonanza completed his power politics and the most astonishing palace coup in recorded Ugandan history. After taking political power from the Kabaka, Apolo Kaggwa now found himself one of the biggest land owners and needing to have the law changed to allow him hold his vast estate. While many of Kaggwa’s 100 square miles had been honestly, albeit fortuitously received, a large chunk was the result of cunning calculation and borderline theft. Like many leaders who would follow, Kaggwa had mastered the dark arts of land-grabbing. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1371906/-/125yksvz/-/index.html","content":"Lincoln on corruption: Why leadership matters - Abraham Lincoln was elected President of America in November 1860 and took office in March 1861. Soon after, the American Civil War broke out. First, as was the custom, Congress appropriated a $20,000 White House budget to refurbish the Executive Mansion, the official residence of the President. Ms Mary Lincoln, the President’s wife, was to manage that fund. She went to buy the furnishings and ended up over-spending the allocated fund by $6,000. When that information reached Lincoln, he refused to approve it and declared, “It can never have my approval. I will pay it out of my pocket. It would stink in the nostrils of the American people to have it said US President had approved a bill over-running an appropriation of $20,000 for flub dubs for this damned old house, when the soldiers cannot have blankets”. Lincoln’s objection and decision to meet the excess-expenditure from his own pocket was that the congressional allocation had been exceeded by his wife without authority. Then came Simon Cameron, Lincoln’s Secretary of War. When complaints of certain irregularities in War Department spending reached Congress, a special committee on contracts decided to investigate. The committee’s report almost read like how a Ugandan parliamentary committee report would read. What follows is extracted from With Malice Toward None; The Life of Abraham Lincoln, a book by Stephen B. Oates. The inquiry found that the Secretary of War and his maze of agents had ignored competitive bidding and bought exclusively from favourite middle-men and suppliers, many of them “unprincipled and dishonest”. The War Department had bought huge quantities of rotten blankets, tainted pork, uniforms that fell apart, hundreds of diseased and dying horses - all at exorbitant prices. The House committee bemoaned the “prostitution of public confidence” and castigated Cameron’s department for treating congressional law as “almost a dead letter” for awarding contracts “universally injurious to the government” and for promoting favouritism and “colossal graft”. The loyal press cried, “Public good requires another man in his place.” “Mr Lincoln should rise to the dignity of his position, and remove him.” Does that sound familiar? The committee found no evidence that Cameron had enriched himself in the contracts scandals. Still, Lincoln asked for Cameron’s resignation and appointed him US minister (ambassador) to Russia. That was in 1862 (140 years ago). Fast-forward to 2012. How do Uganda’s NRM leaders react in face of palpable culpability? The underlying principle of the NRM government is that corruption is not bad in itself, so long as the ill-gotten money is invested in Uganda. Here are some samples on how this government behaves. State House exceeds its budget in no time. Go back to Parliament and ask for approval of a supplementary budget again. And again. Someone confessed to having taken a bribe in the purchase of helicopters that did not fly? Brother, just donate the bribe money to anyone, including yourself. But you will have to be a little careful in the future. The country is not yet ready to pay for this scale of self-enrichment. Tell us about the report on Temangalo. Forget that report. You see, the parliamentary committee, which made that report, was established illegally. Nothing legal can flow from something illegal. What about the probe into GAVI funds? Ask where the chair of that commission was when the guns of liberation were blazing? He was probably hiding under a bed somewhere. Has a businessman been over-compensated for breach of contract? First assert your signature on the letter authorising payment that was forged. Then claim that you were not aware of what you were signing; that your assistants duped you into signing. Say you only approved payment in principle, but mentioned no amount because you were not a valuer. Finally, when you have suddenly become a valuer, tell the world that after receiving new information, you have confirmed that the amounts paid were accurate. Are you thinking of prosecuting me for recommending payment of exaggerated claims? Perish the thought. We are in this thing together. I know what I know. Think of what I might reveal in my defence, if prosecuted. Only in Uganda can people pretending to be leaders get away with so much for so long. They came with a new language, these NRM leaders, when they stormed town from the bush to capture power. They introduced to us new, big words. Words like obscurantism. We have since learnt that these were committed obscurantists. The definition of an obscurantist government: a government of obscurantists by obscurantists for the obscurantists. There is some corruption in almost all countries. Our contention is that it is not the number of anti-corruption laws and institutions established to fight corruption that matter. It is the attitude and conduct of the top leadership. They should do the right thing about what stinks in the nostrils of Ugandans. Joseph Bossa is the vice president of UPC Due to unavoidable circumstances, Mr David Mpanga’s column could not feature this week. The column returns on Saturday."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/1364830/-/boj8s6/-/index.html","content":"Uncovering bank charges, penalties - Although the tough economic environment has seen loan books for most commercial banks dwindle as a result of high lending rates that have made it too expensive for potential borrowers to access credit, all is not lost for these institutions. Despite the fact that credit accounts for the largest proportion of the financial institutions’ total revenue, commercial banks also make money through a number of other ways that cushion them against adverse liquidity challenges. Apart from mobilising deposits from customers, banks also reap a sizable chunk of money from customers through charges and penalties, some of which are transparent while others are indirect hidden small deductions, that it would take a very careful customer to discover them. The charges, which vary from one financial institution to another, are usually packaged as administrative fees, charges on deposits and withdrawals among others. These charges help keep banks’ balance sheets alive. For instance, some banks charge between Shs300 and Shs800 to withdraw money from an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) point while others claim to offer free ATM transactions but charge a block figure, which is deducted from the customer’s account on a monthly basis. Banks also charge between Shs1,500 and Shs2,500 for school fees deposits, a fee that has left many school dues financiers aggrieved, wondering whether it is their responsibility to pay it. Despite justifying the school fees deposit charge as a fee charged to provide a service to the person transacting with the bank at that particular time, Stanbic Bank managing director, Philip Odera, also said that the income from such a transaction is occassional as students pay fees only three times in a year. “The customer is paying for the process of handling money and crediting the account at that particular time. It is not a free service because it’s being conducted by a teller who the bank has to pay at the end of the month,” Mr Odera told Prosper in an interview. How banks reap from transactionsBanks, however, make reasonable amounts of money from such a transaction. For instance, if a school has about 2,000 students, each paying Shs2,500 per term in bank charges, the bank collects Shs5 million for that particular term alone and Shs15 million for the three terms in a year. Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) managing director, Albert Odongo, also echoed similar sentiments saying that charges are meant to cover for the costs incurred while providing a service to a particular client. Mr Odongo defended school fees deposit charges, saying that financial institutions charge for the convenience that comes with and risks that are prevented by depositing the money with the bank and a student only moves with a bank slip. However, as regards the scale of charges, banks say it represents the appropriate economic costing for the action and service being provided, as they also help in catering for the overhead expenses that institutions incur while providing the service. On the varying bank charges in the market, however, Mr Odongo says that customers have a choice to make a decision on which institution to bank with depending on the charges. Mr Lamin Manjang, the managing director Standard Chartered Bank, who also doubles as the chairman Uganda Bankers’ Association said the association is reviewing the industry’s policy on charges to ensure that everything is done to support the banking public. “Banks currently have independent policies which they use to determine their charges. That’s why we have these varying rates in the market but that will soon be dealt with,” Mr Manjang said. 1 | 2 Next Page»Apart from charges, banks also make money through penalising and fining customers who breach contracts, such as overdraft limits and issuing bounced cheques among others. Mr Odongo says that penalty fees cover for the risks incurred by the institution and also instills discipline among customers to respect each other. “One may write a cheque to someone yet they know very well that they don’t have funds on the account. That is indiscipline and by penalising them, it disciplines them. Penalties differ from bank to bankBanks still have varying penalty fees, Barclays, for instance, one charges Shs175,000 for an unpaid cheque due to lack of funds on the issuer’s account , Shs30,000 for technical reasons and Shs50,000 for Bank of Uganda. At Shs200,000, Standard Chartered Bank charges the highest amount for a cheque unpaid due to insufficient funds according to Prosper mini-survey while Diamond Trust, Citi, United Bank of Africa and Housing Finance charge Shs150,000 each. Stanbic Bank charges Shs130,000 while ABC, Bank of Africa, Ecobank, Equity, Fina and Global Trust Bank charge Shs100,000 each as penalty for writing a cheque with insufficient funds on the account. In case 35 customers of Standard Chartered for instance issued cheques that bounced due to insufficient funds in just one year, the bank could earn Shs7 million in fines alone. Banks also charge between Shs3,000 and Shs30,000 for customers who maintain below minimum balances on their savings accounts. Mr Odera, who is also the vice chairman of the Bankers’ Association said the industry will publish a booklet, covering in detail the various charges including fees and commissions, so that customers are aware of what to expect when they carry out a particular transaction. fkulabako@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1360994/-/axfa7rz/-/index.html","content":"Parliament exonerates Mutebile - Parliament yesterday controversially cleared Bank of Uganda Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile of any responsibility in the inflated payments to businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba. Although the MPs spent seven hours condemning the actions of the veteran banker, the decision changed when Wakiso District MP Rosemary Sseninde proposed that the House votes on the matter by show of hands instead of voices of ayes and nays as had been preferred by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Jacob Oulanyah. No quorumAlthough 125 MPs are supposed to vote for Parliament to have a quorum, the total number of voters were 122 and Mr Oulanyah proceeded to declare that the Governor is not culpable. “The motion is lost and the recommendations stand rejected,” he said. “That is the decision.” Mr Oulanyah dropped his earlier guidance that the House should respect the Constitution which provides for the President as the only person who can decide on the fate of the Governor. From the vote, 38 members voted in support of the motion and 79 members opposed it. Five members abstained. In challenge of the Deputy Speaker’s ruling, a cross section of opposition MPs moved out in protest. “I want to thank Hon Sseninde who proposed that we should vote by show of hands and indeed we have done so,” said the Leader of Opposition, Mr Nandala Mafabi. During the debate, Parliament downplayed a report by the Cabinet sub-committee that government had plotted to save Mr Mutebile, saying the report recognised the faults and mistakes made by the Governor, its recommendations were insincere to the people of Uganda and aims at promoting a selective approach to the fight against corruption. “The conclusion of this report clearly shows that there was loss caused by the Bank Governor. In the revolutionary struggle we said shame is a revolutionary sentiment,” said Gen Elly Tumwiine [UPDF]. “We should have one focus against corruption. We should maintain the momentum that whoever is found wanting faces the same punishment. Let all those involved be investigated by institutions and government and be exonerated by courts.”However, Gen Tumwiine abstained when it came to voting. In his report to Parliament, Dr Crispus Kiyonga, the Defence Minister, who also chaired the Cabinet Sub-committee, said although Mr Mutebile made mistakes in handling the tax payer’s money, he acted in good faith and was basing on directions of the Minister of Finance and the Attorney General who misled him. The PAC recommended that the Govornor be found liable. Dr Kiyonga also presented minutes of the bank meetings that gave the Governor the directive to issue out of the money contrary to the PAC, and Attorney General’s reports which noted that the Governor had refused to provide the minutes saying that they never existed. Mutebile has over the last two weeks been at the centre of controversy over inflated payments to Mr Basajjabalaba that has so far caused the resignation of former ministers for Gender, Syda Bbumba and General Duties Kiddhu Makubuya. To counteract Mr Kiyonga’s claims, Mr Kassiano Wadri, the PAC chairperson, said the Governor was on record saying he never had minutes and advised Mr Kiyonga to desist from being used to fight other people’s wars. “Let’s not put things in phrases. The Dr Kiyonga committee didn’t do a thorough job. They need to revisit their decisions because they can’t start cooking up figures,” he said. “Do not soil your image in an attempt to cleanse what has already been spoiled by others. I have never seen, in African culture, a scenario where two people are buried in the same coffin so do not try to die for others.” During the charged debate, Ms Mariam Nalubega [Indep Butambala] reminded her colleagues to allow the voice of reason guide their decisions. “Members are not children. My best friend is my conscience and even (Dr) Kiyonga knows this. If Mr Mutebile acted in trust so did Bbumba and Makubuya. Everybody should carry their own cross and I will not endorse your position. The Governor must go,” she said. 1 | 2 Next Page»Ms Sseninde said Mr Mutebile should take technical responsibility for breach of the Constitution yet he is supposed to protect it. “How do we judge that the mistakes by Mutebile were trivial while those of the others were gross?” she said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1333948/-/b07t2iz/-/index.html","content":"PAC now shifts guns to Migereko, Kyambadde - Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee is drafting a damning report on the loss of Shs116.9 billion in new compensation scandals involving the President, senior ministers and technocrats in the Ministry of Finance and Attorney General’s chambers. Lands minister Daudi Migereko, former Gender minister Syda Bbumba and Defence ministry permanent secretary Rosette Byengoma are among several individuals marked for sanction in the report, sources revealed. Sources close to PAC told Daily Monitor yesterday that the committee has been meeting since Tuesday to “tie loose ends” in the draft report on the loss of more than $16.4 million (about Shs40b) to Dura Cement, whose address remains unknown. The new report is further expected to capture details of the loss of $14.2 million (about Shs35.5 billion) to Burundi government through unclear circumstances. There is also the loss of Shs5.2 billion linked to a National Forest Authority contract with Beachside Development Services where West Budama North MP and former legal assistant to the President, Fox Odoi, is one of the directors. President Museveni is expected to come under scrutiny for his role in payment of Shs36.4b to a French firm, Basil Engineering, for construction of Jinja–Bugiri road. In the report, PAC will ask the former Energy Minister Daudi Migereko, now Minister for Lands, to take political responsibility for losses. Some committee members also want former Principal Private Secretary to the President and now Trade Minister Amelia Kyambadde to clarify a telephone call she reportedly made to Migereko about the Dura contract. Ms Kyambadde was unavailable for comment as her known phone was switched off. While PAC has not yet finalised recommendations on the Burundi compensation, this newspaper understands that the committee will pin Ms Bbumba, who is linked to the transaction during her time as Finance Minister. “The minister (Migereko) told us that it was the President Museveni who ordered him to cancel the contract to Dura Cement but we are saying he had the opportunity to say no,” a PAC member said. Cancelling contractsThe report comes weeks after the same committee’s recommendation that former ministers Khiddu Makubuya and Bbumba be held politically liable for the loss of Shs150 billion in compensation deals to city businessmen Hassan Basajjabalaba and Col. (Rtd) John Mugyenyi, which ultimately led to their removal from Cabinet. When Migereko appeared before PAC in December to explain his role in the cancellation of a controversial mining lease that had been awarded to Dura Cement in 2007, he named the President in the loss. Information before PAC indicates that when Dura Cement lost the deal after four months, it was awarded to Hima Cement. Though Dura Cement, a private company reportedly owned by Rajesh Kumal, obtained a mining lease for 278.5 hectares in Kamwenge District without paying any fees, Mr Migereko said their concession was cancelled upon the President’s intervention, citing global and strategic reasons. The company later sued government for breach of contract and was paid $16.4m (Shs40b) in compensation. “There was shortage of cement and the prices were escalating and we started scouting for a company to boost production. There was a meeting of the ministers with the President which discussed the way forward,” Mr Migereko said. Asked why he cancelled the mining lease in a July 27, 2007 letter, Mr Migereko, said: “I received a telephone communication from the Principal Private Secretary to State House, Ms Kyambadde— instructing me to deal with this matter.” 1 | 2 Next Page»He added: “We had a committee of ministers and some of the meetings were held under the chairmanship of the President and others by ministers.” PAC also wants CID to interrogate top technocrats, including Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary Rosette Byengoma on allegations that they connived with Dura Cement to obtain land belonging to Uganda Wildlife Authority. But Ms Byengoma said ministers, whom she said took high-level decisions on the matter, should take responsibility. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1324524/-/b0sqtdz/-/index.html","content":"MPs vow to go to court over oil deals - Legislators opposed to the recent signing of fresh agreements between government and Tullow Oil have vowed to seek a court injunction and have accused Energy minister of contempt of Parliament even as Opposition members boycotted the President’s address to the House. “We are going to call a meeting of the petitioners to digest the substance of the President’s speech but we have already filed a petition to the clerk on contempt of Parliament by Energy Minister [Irene] Muloni,” said Mr Wilfred Niwagaba, one of the lead petitioners. Addressing MPs yesterday, to clarify the circumstances under which government signed two oil agreements with Tullow Oil paving way for a farm-down with Chinese firm, CNOOC and French-based Total, President Museveni said that the two licenses given to Tullow was to compensate for the time lost while negotiating and that the Speaker of Parliament had told him that the MPs’ moratorium cannot affect ongoing deals. “The NRM at Kyankwanzi agreed that we can’t go on with the moratorium. Indeed, the Speaker wrote to us and said the moratorium wasn’t for ongoing agreements and old ones but the future ones, which we don’t have any problem with,” Mr Museveni said. Led by their Chief Whip Winifred Kiiza, Opposition politicians refused to attend the afternoon address, accusing the President of transferring NRM’s Kyankwanzi unfinished business to the floor of the House. “It should always be the same Parliament to sit and discuss matters of national importance but not a section of Parliament and then later you involve the rest; we can’t allow that to continue,” Ms Kiiza said. “He should have approached the whole House which passed the resolutions to reason with them to rescind their decision but not a few of us who camped in Kyankwanzi,” she added. The angry opposition legislators also said the oversight role of Parliament should not be interfered with whether by a majority group of members or the Executive, insisting only House resolutions work. “Our cardinal role is to ensure the independence of Parliament, and not to be part of Parliament meetings held out of Parliament in places like Kyankwanzi,” said Ms Beti Amongi (Oyam). Museveni’s ordersDuring the celebrations to mark Tarehe Sita (Army Day) in Kasese District last week, President Museveni said he gave express instructions to Ms Muloni to proceed with the signing even though a Parliamentary moratorium over signing further oil agreements until appropriate laws are passed by the House was in place. Last October, at the peak of fiery House oil debates, MPs agreed that, a moratorium on executing oil contracts or transactions be put on hold until necessary laws have been passed by Parliament to form the Oil and Gas Policy. During the oil debates in October, according to the Hansard Speaker Rebecca Kadaga advised the MPs to include the word “new” in the moratorium saying that blocking an ongoing agreement will tantamount to breach of contract. “I told the MPs that blocking an ongoing agreement will be difficult because if you do so, it is a breach of contract,” she said yesterday. “If you read the Hansard, you will see that I told them [MPs] not to infringe on the on-going agreements because as a seasoned lawyer, I know the repercussions.” Oil sharing proceedsIn a two-hour speech, President Museveni said according to the Production Sharing Agreements signed with the oil companies, Uganda will, at the worst case, get 76.2 per cent from the oil share at a production of 200,000bpd [barrels per day] at peak − after adding proceeds from all taxes accruing from it, the royalties and the shares on profit and cost oil. “Before recovery of their costs, the companies will be taking 74 barrels out of every 100 barrels produced. After the recovery of their costs, they will take 42 barrels out of every 100 barrels, but this is just sharing the barrels,” Mr Museveni said. 1 | 2 Next Page»“We will share the barrels, tax what they have taken, take royalty and then I also say that I have shares in the business on my land,” he added. The agreements signed last week now allow Tullow to finalise farm-down arrangements with CNOOC and Total. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1320778/-/129310az/-/index.html","content":"We should not be judgemental over the Kabaka’s action - Ever since Katikkiro John Baptist Walusimbi announced the birth of Prince Richard Ssemakookiro, we have witnessed varied forms of reactions. Fortunately, the majority of the people I have interfaced with have expressed happiness and have wished the prince, his father and the entire kingdom well. Indeed, the people of Buganda are very joyful over the new addition to the royal family. However, we have also had to contend with the condescending attitudes of the self-righteous, people like the Rev. Sam L. Ruteikara. He wrote, under the heading “Kabaka’s action cannot be justified under Christianity”, Daily Monitor, February 2, that the Kabaka is “wrong”; he talked about “...the risk from multiple...sexual relationships...”; and he wondered why the Kabaka isn’t advised that the “...diseases of the brave have become very fatal....”! I don’t know who this reverend is, but I expect a trained priest to be less judgemental and a little constrained in his utterances. I dislike this “holier than thou” tone, and the preaching about the virtues of Christianity as the reverend did, as if to tell us that: this is how a true Christian should behave. That in itself should be okay, if it were a sermon at a Sunday service. But when children are born and pastors rise up to condemn their parents, they are telling them that “you are products of sin”. Yet the Rev. Ruteikara referred to the baby prince as “...innocent and defenceless”. This brings the sincerity of his statement, about the child’s innocence, into question. It is because of such people that Jesus asked of those who wanted to stone a woman they caught in an illicit sexual relationship who amongst them “would cast the first stone”, and they all vanished! And I am not saying that the Kabaka was wrong, a proud Christian though I am. The Kabaka has a duty to perpetuate his forefather Kintu’s dynasty. This is only possible by begetting Buganda princes. The Christian will then say: but the Kabaka is a married man, isn’t begetting a child out of wedlock a breach of marriage vows? This is my answer: I believe in the institution of marriage, and the overall teaching of the church. But I find Jesus’s answer to those who questioned whether a sheep which falls in a ditch on the Sabbath, which is a day of rest, very apt. When Jesus advised that we must not be constrained by the rules of the Sabbath to do the general good (like redeeming a trapped animal), he was teaching us not to be stuck up, so as to have a practical approach to issues of our faith vis-a vis our daily experiences. The institution of Kabakaship is intrinsic and fundamental to the people of Buganda. It unites them and creates harmonious living. It is the embodiment of these peoples’ heritage, history and way of life. The Kabaka is the custodian of these values, and that’s the reason he is revered. When the Kabaka gets children, boys or girls, we get comforted that the institution will thrive beyond our present generation. And because Jesus didn’t descend upon the earth to outlaw culture, the birth of a prince/ princess either within or outside wedlock is a blessing from God. Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala, that highly spiritual servant of God, told us as much. The birth of Prince Ssemakookiro is an opportunity accorded to Buganda by the Almighty to forge ahead with our traditional systems. We therefore shall praise Him evermore upon the announcement by the Katikkiro of the birth of other royal children in future. At every turn the people have prayed that the Kabaka fathers princes for the sustenance of this century-old heritage. When the Lord answers our prayers the reverend starts his sermon on morality! With humility, I request the Rev. Ruteikara to be respectful towards the Kabaka. The sarcasm in his article when he refers to him as “our king” or the “husband of all women” is actually disdainful. I trust the reverend could find ways of rendering counsel in a more worthy manner, should he find it necessary to do so. For him to espouse dangers of HIV to a person like the Kabaka in a newspaper is quite distasteful. Finally, there are cultural methods of handling the birth of a prince in Buganda. They are executed by different officials and members of the Kabaka’s family. To these we should leave all matters to do with the new Buganda’s bundle of joy. And all the spiritual twists related to this event should be left to the Kabaka and his God. Mr Mayiga is an advocate/minister for Information & Cabinet Affairs, official spokesperson, Kingdom of Buganda."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/1317304/-/10fahbrz/-/index.html","content":"What to look out for when hiring a property manager - It is one thing to own property and another to over see it. When you own lots of property, it becomes difficult to take care of each of them effectively, especially if they are scattered around the country enter the property manager. This is a person or a firm who would be in charge of helping you, the landlord liaise with the tenants. Expectations Before getting a property manager, examine what it is you want from them. There are two types of property managers, the residential property manager, and the commercial property manager. So depending on your property and what it is used for, you will get a manger who can meet those needs. “Managing property involves various things such as preparing financial reports, collecting rent, paying taxes, so the client needs to know if they will need the property manager to take care of all these, or have them do just a few of them,” says Hillary Babuzire, a property management consultant.Knowing your expectations makes it easy for you to look out for only those managers who will be able to meet them. Do your homeworkBefore you put that property that you strived to get into a stranger’s hands, find out their reputation by looking at clients they have dealt with in the past.“It is best to ask the management firm to list at least three references that can show that it is competent, without reasonable doubt,” Keith Mbaluba, a lawyer in Kampala advises. Companies that have been around for a while and have a good reputation with their clients are a good place to start since they have the hand of experience on their side. These are also usually more adept at managing your expectations since they have worked with different people. Knowing the local market It is a big plus if the property manager you get is aware of the type of market in which they are working. Knowing the market means that they know how much rent to charge, what kind of space is in demand and how to make your property keep up with the expectations of today’s buyers or tenants. For instance, a good property manager will know how to make that building fit enough to house a factory, if they know that it is located in a place where people are planning to set up one. With the number of businesses springing up today, there are bound to be some, which are in place illegally. And it would not bode well for you to put your property in the hands of one such company. So if they have all the certifications and licenses that they are supposed to have, you can have your lawyer look at the laws and guidelines that property managers should adhere to in Uganda. Accounting skills When you sell or rent out your property, money is involved. Mix in the money spent to maintain the property, pay the necessary taxes and you have lots of money going in lots of places, which you may fail to notice if you don’t have a handle on them. This is why it is important to keep clear accounts of this money. So it is important to get a property manager who has good accounting skills because they will reduce this load for you.“I appreciate my property manager every time I look at my financial records because I can see exactly where every shilling goes without having to ask too many questions,” Sheila Mpiima, a property owner in Kisaasi says. The property manager you choose will not be dealing with just you or your property, but also with people who come with their own character. The property manager therefore should be able to deal with these people in a proper manner and establish a good relationship with them. A good relationship means that the tenants will be happy to pay rent on time, stay on the premises longer, and recommend other people to use your property. So choose property managers who are helpful and courteous to both you and the tenants. Seal the dealYou have found a property manager that you believe will meet your expectations but before you hand over that property, there are some knots that you have to tie.The first is to have your lawyers draw up a contract, together with the lawyers of the potential manager. “The contract protects the land owner when the property manager messes up. It is the one thing that proves that the property manager is accountable to you who owns land so without it, there is no way of knowing the terms you agreed on,” Mr Mbaluba says. This contract should show when your partnership with the property manager starts, for how long it will be, when it will be renewed if necessaryand the penalties for breach of contract. So this will show that the two of you are in business, and the consequences the property manager will face if they do not do what you have agreed on. 1 | 2 Next Page»The contract should also have the terms of payment so that the property manager is aware from the onset what to expect from doing business with you.So do not let that property sit because you do not know what to do with it. Go get a property manager who will help you grow it. Property manager’s role •Looks for tenants or buyers and screens them.•Handles all maintenance and renovation of the property.•Collects money from tenants and buyers.•Advertises property for sale or rent on behalf of the land owner.•Makes sure that the property is compliant with all rules and laws. For example insurance and licenses.•Prepares financial reports showing all revenue and expenses. •Handles tenant complaints and inquiries.•Looks out for potential property you would like to buy. gkenganzi@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1310632/-/b1i273z/-/index.html","content":"Besigye arrested as police break up rally - A planned Activists for Change (A4C) rally scheduled for the Katwe Freedom Square was yesterday quashed by police, with Dr Kizza Besigye and several opposition politicians violently snatched off the streets and detained without charge for more than six hours. The peaceful rally was part of activities planned by the A4C to launch the second phase of the pressure group’s Walk-to-Work campaign against the rising cost of living, corruption and bad governance.In a statement late last evening, the Uganda Media Centre said police arrested 12 individuals at 3pm in connection with the planned rally and held them at Kiira and Jinja Road police stations. The individuals would remain in custody as police investigations continued. The names of the said individuals were not provided. No tentative date of their release was given. By press time, however, Mr Nandala Mafabi, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, said all individuals who were arrested had been released on police bond. The statement, signed by Media Centre Executive Director, Mr Fred Opolot, had read in part: “No further comment will be issued until all investigations are concluded.” The police chief, Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura, was also quoted in the statement, saying the police was ready to “work in cooperation with anyone who wants to exercise their constitutional rights.” “We are ready to meet any such persons or groups to facilitate their exercising of their constitutional rights in an orderly, peaceful fashion,” Lt. Gen. Kayihura said. Forum for Democratic Change party leader Besigye was among those tear-gassed and arrested as he left the Inter-Party Cooperation offices on Katonga Road. Dr Besigye and an entourage comprising Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, MPs Ibrahim Semujju Nganda, Matthias Mpuuga, Wafula Oguttu and Nabilah Sempala; Anne Mugisha, Ingrid Turinawe, Sam Mugumya, Francis Mwijukye among others, were initially stopped by traffic officers.Their drivers were then subjected to an on-the-spot traffic inspection for possession of valid driving permits and up-to-date vehicle insurance. Once cleared, traffic officers instructed the convoy to drive away from the city centre, towards the Fairway Hotel roundabout. The opposition leaders who insisted on driving to the Kampala Sheraton Hotel, through Ssezibwa Road, refused to comply. At one point, police contemplated arresting the eight drivers of the opposition leaders. Dr Besigye, Mr Lukwago and the others then disembarked from their vehicles, opting to walk to the hotel. A scuffle ensued as police blocked them from proceeding further. The entourage was ordered to disperse. Instead, the A4C activists resorted to song and dance, chanting to the police officers: “They are angry, we shall liberate them.” Police fired teargas and rubber bullets, causing a stampede. Dr Besigye, Mr Mugumya and Mr Mwijukye were bundled into a police van and driven to the Kiira Road Police Station at breakneck speed. At the station, Dr Besigye was ordered to remove his valuables, belt and shoes. He was ushered into a holding cell and locked up as he awaited the arrival of his lawyers Ernest Kalibala and David Mpanga.Speaking to this newspaper while in police cells, Dr Besigye said: “I am not shaken. This is another attempt to infringe on my individual rights by the powers that be. It is unconstitutional.” He recounted how he was stripped of his valuables and shoes like a common criminal. Among those detained at Jinja Road Police included MPs Oguttu (Bukoli South), Ssemuju Nganda (Kyadondo East MP), Nagayi (Kampala Woman MP) and Makerere University student, Jessy Nuwagaba. Mr Mafabi, MPs Hussein Kyanjo and Abdu Katuntu were assaulted by men in police uniform at the Jinja Road Police Station where they had gone to visit the detainees. Ms Turinawe, Mr Mpuuga and Mr Moses Kasibante, who had escaped the Ssezibwa Road police dragnet, attempted to proceed to Katwe but were promptly arrested. Earlier, Ms Turinawe dramatically escaped arrest as she stealthily left her home amidst heavy police deployment. Katwe grounds were cleared of A4C activists with police firing tear gas and engaging angry youths in running battles. Addressing journalists outside Kiira Road Police Station, Deputy Police Spokesperson Judith Nabakoba said Dr Besigye and his aides were being held under preventive arrest in accordance with the Police Act. “We have detained them to prevent any further breach of peace and the destruction of property,” Ms Nabakoba said. “They will only be released when the threat has been neutralised.” 1 | 2 Next Page»On the journalists assaulted and arrested by police, Ms Nabakooba said: “They are advised to make a complaint to the Police Professional Standards Unit.” editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1297428/-/bfin4qz/-/index.html","content":"South Sudan struggles to gain footing - Amidst the euphoria of preparations for celebration to mark the birth of independent South Sudan on July 9, 2011, the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, penned a newspaper article that captured the state of the world’s newest country in matter-of-fact terms. “On the day of its birth,” he wrote, “South Sudan will rank near the bottom of all recognised human development indices. The statistics are truly humbling. It has the world’s highest maternal mortality rate. Estimates of illiteracy among the female population exceed 80 per cent. More than half of its people must feed, clothe and shelter themselves on less than a dollar a day.” Explaining that he personally came to appreciate the sheer scale of challenges that South Sudan— “an area of 620,000 square kilometres with less than 100 kilometres of paved road” – faces when he first visited the then semi-autonomous territory in 2007, Mr Ki-moon noted that critical issues of poverty, insecurity and lack of infrastructure needed to be addressed fairly quickly by a relatively new government with little experience and only embryonic institutions. Far from issuesYet, as South Sudan winds up the first year since the February 9, 2011 referendum that paved way for the declaration of its independence about six months later, the new country is still a long way from addressing those challenges. Instead, South Sudan is still struggling just to quell tensions between its different tribal groups and keep its leash to avoid a costly war with the north. Despite an Independence Day pledge by Sudan President Omar al Bashir that he would respect independent South Sudan, the two new neighbours have been involved in confrontations that have at times required mediation by organisations like the African Union to stop war from breaking out. The two countries have separately accused each other of supporting rebels fighting either side. In fact, according to a December 28 article by the Chinese news agency, Xinhua, the bloody clashes in the border region of South Kordofan just days before the separation had already put relations between the North-South to a test. Khartoum accused Juba of supporting the SPLA’s northern sector in assaulting Sudanese army in the area, where a month ago the North’s ruling NCP won the local elections and has the legitimacy to govern. Other conflicts, according to the agency, ensued shortly after independence over the pending issues between the more-developed North and the oil-rich South. China closely follows relations between the two countries because of their extensive commercial interests in each of them. “Less than a week after the separation, Juba announced its plan to launch a new currency, going against an earlier agreement that the Sudanese pound would stay for six months in the new-born country. Angered by the breach, the Central Bank of Sudan also issued a new currency to counteract the move. Moreover, a number of unresolved issues, most notably border demarcation, oil sharing and external debts, continued to cast shadows over peace and stability between Sudan and South Sudan,” explains the agency. Families unstable Conflicts between the north and south have continued for most of 2011. They have resulted in the death of an unverified number of people. In addition, according to a December 28 Voice of America report quoting information from the medical aid group, Doctors Without Borders, at least 60,000 people have so far fled fighting just across the border in Sudan. “The influx is not stopping. Every day, we see people arriving on camels, by foot, on donkey carts, by trucks, whatever they have. They arrive every day, with some peaks up to more than 1,000 per day,” Jean Pierre Amigo, MSF field coordinator in Maban County, told Voice of Americaby satellite phone. It is not clear if the situation can be calmed down in 2012. However, according to the Sudan Tribune newspaper, Khartoum continues to take a hard-line position. As recently as December 26, the newspaper reported that the Sudanese parliament has branded South Sudan as “the main security threat to Khartoum,” citing Juba’s alleged support to rebels seeking to topple the government.But even as South Sudan continues to look over its shoulder towards Khartoum in 2012, some of its problems are made at home. The United Nations says more than 1,000 people are estimated to have been killed in ethnic clashes within South Sudan this year, with Jonglei one of the country’s ten states worst affected by the violence. According to the UN Mission in South Sudan, high levels of cattle rustling and demand for high bridal dowries have increased the existing ethnic tension between the two communities in Jonglei state. In his statement before the birth of South Sudan, Mr Ki-moon said despite the problems affecting the world’s newest nation, South Sudan has remarkable potential. “With substantial oil reserves, huge amounts of arable land and the Nile flowing through its centre, South Sudan could grow into a prosperous, self-sustaining nation capable of providing security, services and employment for its population,” he noted. ImplicationsHowever, without the security situation with Khartoum and within its own borders being sorted out first, analysts fear that the world’s youngest country risks making any remarkable political and economic strides in 2012. For Uganda, any uncertainty between the north and south could have serious political implications. 1 | 2 Next Page»Beyond the political linkages, which stretch for several decades when Uganda supported the South Sudan rebellion against the north, South Sudan is now Uganda’s leading trade partner. Therefore, Uganda stands to register huge economic losses if South Sudan remains unstable. holuka@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Travel/-/691238/1294590/-/n5lu4d/-/index.html","content":"Delights of a coastal paradise - If you want to escape the madding crowds in the capital the world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page, I can proudly tell you that reading pages on my four-day leisure trip to coastal Mombasa was memorable. With seven journalist friends, Michael, Nisha, Hillary, Andrew, Barbra, Robert, Moses and our host, Regina from Air Uganda, we set out to kick the white sands in the coastal town. Forget your favourite resorts, beaches in Mombasa have the white sands and the experience comes in full measure. Our first stop was at Hemingsway Resort where the language of hospitality starts at the welcome lounge with a glass of fresh juice and cinnamon-scented face towels to cool us of the effects of the approximately 90-minute direct flight on the wings of East Africa. There is a bit of a stretch from the airport to Hemingsway, but the little fatigue will all vanish once you drive into this resort of tropical splendour. “We need to check out the beaches, guys,” Hillary, visibly excited, beckoned us. “Let’s check in first and then we’ll have all the time to experience the resort,” Regina calmly suggested. The hotel staff checked us in and led us to our hotel rooms that directly face the sparkling blue self-imposing Indian Ocean. Well, our trip came a week earlier to Christmas Day, and the festive cheer was in the air with the coastal stretch crowded with tourists from all over the world who chose to take a break from life’s routine to relax all day and experience the coast’s grandeur. Bumping into white old wealthy couples, as well as middle age Kenyan couples with their young families is common place here. Nicholas, our tour guide told me that there are many hotels and every resort will have to put their best foot forward. We split our short holiday between the south coast and north coast, and thinking that Hemingsway was Mombasa’s beauty, was for a moment. On our second day, we crossed to the north coast and Leopard Beach Hotel and Spa proved its worth as a beauty in greenery along the coastal Diani beach on the northern coast. “Tycoons and International dignitaries come to enjoy their holidays here,” the hotel’s management told us as we toured Serena Breach Hotel and Spa after a sumptuous lunch. The hotel opens up to lovely traditional Swahili architecture and designs and décor of heavy wood, sukkah embroidering on the ceilings and lanterns along the walkways. When we visited, the hotel was fully booked and further on in the compound, the presence of tourists was heavy, all the way to the lawns that are dotted with palm trees. The palm garden overlooks the coastline where white tourists bask in shades, taking portions of the sun as they chat, read novels or simply take an afternoon siesta along the sandy pristine beaches. The beach boys who partly provide tour guide services, are in business too, enjoying the company of the white ladies. It is a generally happy mood and you would want to have this experience forever in this home to some of the world’s best beaches. And what is more, nightlife is also an experience on its own in the south coast. At Hemingsway Resort, we were entertained by Vivian & the Jazzy Souls that musically took us places and to different times, from Aretha Franklin to sounds of the Beatles, Regina Belle, Michael Bolton and back home to Juliana Kanyomozi’s duet with Burundian star Kidumu, Haturudi Nyuma. Although its Christmas Day today, 2012 is not far into the future, you can start saving for a trip down to the coast for your chance to sample wonderful beaches, Swahili cuisine and culture. If you goFightsAir Uganda flies direct to Mombasa three times a week.Cost of flight is Us $400Accommodation At Hemingsway Resort Ksh13,000 ( Shs300, 000) for Sea View Superior Singles,Ksh20,000 ( Shs540,000) for Sea View Superior Twin/double and Sea View Executive Suite of one and two bedrooms for Ksh42,000 (Shs1.1m) and Ksh68,000 (Shs1.8 million ) respectively. These rates apply for East African residents.rbatte@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1289632/-/bg3qs3z/-/index.html","content":"Museveni named in cash loss again - Lands Minister Daudi Migereko has named President Museveni in a financial scandal involving the loss of more than $16.4million (about Shs40b). Mr Migereko was yesterday appearing before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (Pac) to explain his role in the cancellation of a controversial mining lease that had been awarded to Dura Cement in 2007. When Dura Cement lost the deal after four months, it was later awarded to Hima Cement reportedly on political consideration. Though Dura Cement, a private company owned by a one Rajesh Kumal, obtained 278.5 hectares of land in Kamwenge District and a mining lease without paying any fees, Mr Migereko said after President Museveni’s intervention, the contract was cancelled, citing global and strategic reasons. The company later sued the government for breach of contract and was paid $16.4m in compensation for loss of business. “There was shortage of cement and the prices were escalating and we started scouting around for a company to boost production. There was a meeting of the ministers with the President which discussed the way forward,” Mr Migereko added. Asked why he cancelled the mining lease to Dura Cement in a July 27, 2007 letter, Mr Migereko, who was the minister for Energy at the time, said: “I received a telephone communication from the Principal Private Secretary to State House, instructing me to deal with this matter.” He added: “We had a committee of ministers and some of the meetings were held under the chairmanship of the President and others by ministers.” Explaining the global and strategic reasons that led to the cancellation of Dura Cement’s contract, in favour of Lafarge/Hima Cement, Mr Migereko said: “We were also informed by the technical people that our best option was Lafarge because Dura didn’t have capacity to increase production of cement to address the shortage in the country.” Bufumbira East MP Eddie Kwizera said payment of the compensation by government was shrouded in a controversy. Mr Kwizera said an investor of Kenyan origin conned President Museveni, claiming that he owned a factory under the names of Dura that was going to construct a cement factory and meat processing plant in Kamwenge under a joint venture with the National Enterprise Cooperation which is under the supervision of UPDF. “When the President realised that he had been conned, he called the Cabinet and cancelled Dura contract,” Mr Kwizera said. But other lawmakers led by Jack Wamai Wamanga (Mbale Municipality) and Pac Chairman Kassiano Wadri (Terego) accused Mr Migereko of ignoring legal advice from the Solicitor General then, Mr Lucian Tibaruha, who had warned of serious consequences in his April 10, 2007 letter. But Mr Migereko said: “I don’t want to take political responsibility for this loss. It was a government decision and we got technical advice from the permanent secretaries. In any case, Mr Chairman, I got to learn about the compensation ($16.4m) on the floor of Parliament. Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Finance handled this matter and we were kept out of it.” However, Woman MP Wakiso Rosemary Sseninde (NRM) accused Mr Migereko of hiding behind the President. “Who is government and whom are we pinning as far as this loss is concerned? The minister should admit his mistakes and take political responsibility.” President’s involvementMr Migereko is not the first minister to name President Museveni in compensation scandals. Technocrats and ministers who have appeared before Pac have accused the President of sanctioning controversial payments. It’s against this background that Mr Wadri sought a meeting with the President through Speaker Rebecca Kadaga to explain his role in various compensation deals where taxpayers have lost billions. Meanwhile, Daily Monitor has reliably been informed that Pac members will meet the President on December 21 at State House Nakasero at 10am. Pac on Tuesday ordered police to interrogate top technocrats, including ministry of defence’s permanent secretary Rosette Byengoma on allegations that they connived with a mysterious company to dole out 287.5 hectares of mineral-rich land belonging to Uganda Wildlife Authority. But Ms Byengoma said ministers, whom she said took high-level decisions on the matter, should take responsibility. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1289020/-/bg3virz/-/index.html","content":"Ministry donates mineral-rich land to unknown firm - The Public Accounts Committee yesterday ordered police to interrogate top technocrats, including Ministry of Defence’s Permanent Secretary Rosette Byengoma on allegations that they connived with a mysterious company to dole out 287.5 hectares of mineral-rich land belonging to Uganda Wildlife Authority. Ms Byengoma, Mr John Odida, the acting commissioner, Department of Geological Survey and Mr Chris Rudigizah, the assistant commissioner of mines, were forced to take statements at the Criminal Investigations Department at Parliament. This came after they failed to convince the committee on why public land and mineral deposits were given to Dura Cement Ltd without paying any money to government. “How can you donate our land to Dura Cement for free and then force Ugandans to pay $16 million? This is too much and whoever was involved must answer,” PAC chairman Kassiano Wadri said. He added: “We have failed to trace the company they dealt with in this deal,” “After they took our land for free, they sued us and added insult to injury.” The lossAt this moment, PAC members accused the technocrats of shielding ministers who might have benefitted from the deal where taxpayers lost billions of shillings in yet another compensation deal. Taxpayers lost at least Shs37.7 billion in a limestone mining making deal in Kamwenge that went wrong after the alleged President Museveni’s interference. In one of the letters tabled before PAC, Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi received a letter from the former State Minister for Finance, Mr Mathew Rukikaire, in which they discussed the matter. In the letter, Mr Rukikaire told Mr Mbabazi, who was the state minister for defence then, that the raw materials in the area be used to sustain Hima Cement factory. It was this intervention that led to the cancellation of Dura Cement Ltd contract for limestone mining and the deal was awarded to Hima Cement, leading to the loss of billions of shillings in commendation claim. The Committee heard that Ministry of Defence officials and commissioners in the Geological Department through National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) donated the land to Dura Cement Ltd through a joint venture which never took place. Dura later (after four months) sued the government for breach of contract and took away $16 million (about Shs30 billion) in disputed compensation. NEC was established in 1989 by an Act of Parliament of Uganda, soon after the victories of the National Resistance Army and the National Resistance Movement in the Luweero War, as the commercial arm of the army of Uganda. Before she was sent to CID, Ms Byengoma said: “I beg to be exonerated, I was not the PS then, it was the late Nobel Mayombo. This was a decision taken by a committee of ministers. We gave you a letter from the late Mayombo containing the details. Even NEC has its own Accounting officer. I was the under secretary in the Ministry of Defence then but I was not the one handling the finances at NEC.” But Mr Kassiano and other members could not listen to her appeal and ordered the CID to take statements from her. AccusationsAs for Mr Odida and Rudigizah, they are accused of cancelling the mining lease and facilitating the transfer of the land to Dura Cement without involving the Solicitor General. The committee heard that contrary to Article 119 of the Constitution, the Attorney General did not clear the deal. “I was not ready but I can leave you with the documents to peruse through,” Mr Odida said. “I was not there when this happened. It was Mr Joshua Tuhumwire who has since retired.” The Acting Director Civil Litigation, Ms Robinah Rwakoojo has since named President Museveni in a controversial compensation deal involving the payment of more than Shs37.7 billion in taxpayers money to unknown directors. She told PAC last month that the President issued the directive through the Energy permanent secretary, Mr Kaliisa Kabagambe, to cancel a limestone mining deal awarded to Dura Cement Ltd, a company whose directors are unknown and only listed as foreign companies. The two companies listed as directors, according to a letter from Acting Registrar General Bisereko Kyomuhendo, are Beaver Enterprises S.A of Panama and Sweetline S.A of British Virgin Islands. But Mr Kassiano told PAC that he had searched everywhere but failed to trace the company. Lwemiyaga MP Theodore Ssekikubo has proposed that PAC contacts Interpol to look for Dura Cement directors who took away public funds. PAC heard that NEC signed a mining contract with Dura Cement Limited in 2007 but was cancelled on orders of President Museveni, citing national interest. The contract was later given to Hima Cement Ltd, which owns a factory at Hima in Kasese District. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1283300/-/bg8057z/-/index.html","content":"Is the Public Order Bill a ploy to   numb the citizenry? - When on April 11 opposition pressure group, Activists for Change called on the masses to abandon their cars and walk to work in protest of increasing commodity prices catapulted by soaring inflation, government found itself in a cagey situation.The protests that came to be known as Walk-to-Work were on the heel of the Arab Spring that has seen hitherto deeply entrenched governments in North Africa crumble. The government found it logical to curb any form of protests but since the right to demonstration is enshrined in the Constitution, it became a stumbling block to government scheme, or so it appears. First was attempts to scrap the constitutional right to bail to deter potential protesters from rising against government by ensuring that riot suspects are kept on remand for up to eight months instead of the constitutional 48-hours-maximum. With stiff opposition to the scheme, government decided to and push through Parliament a new law to regulate public gatherings called the Public Order Management Bill 2011. The Bill, now before Parliament’s Legal Committee, states as its intention, “to provide for the regulation of public meetings; to provide for the duties and responsibilities of police, organisers and participants in relation to public meetings; to prescribe measures for safeguarding public order; and for related matters.” While this might appear noble, the detail of the proposed law reveals a hyena in sheepskin. This is a law that seeks to turn inside-out the norm in the realm of free expression and assembly in a democratic dispensation. Already, it has come under attack from the Uganda Law Society, the Uganda Human Rights Commission and several civil society organisations individually or through a coalition set up to primarily focus a campaign against the Bill being passed in its current form. According to the explanatory memorandum for the Bill, it among others “seeks to manage public order” and to “specify the procedure to be followed when organising an assembly, a procession or demonstration as well as the penalties and sanctions to be imposed upon those found to breach the proposed law.” Mr Solomon Webaalearaali, a human rights lawyer with Street Law Uganda, says that alone means that government is seeking to take away what ideally is the essence of demonstration as a means of expressing dissatisfaction in a democratic society. “Public demonstration has an element of spontaneity, but this law will seek to establish procedures like applying for permission to demonstrate and if you are denied by the police then you go through an appeal process and then a court process; that takes away the purpose of demonstration, imagine people wanted to demonstrate because they took a mother to deliver in Mubende and she was not attended to and she died, do they have to wait and go through all those processes?” ‘Control system’Mr Ladislus Rwakafuzi shares the sentiment, arguing that rather than seek to regulate public gatherings, the law in its current form is only seeking to make illegal what should otherwise be naturally a legal right of assembly and expression. He says the law seeks to establish a “control” system. “What this law is doing is to try take away what is a fundamental right by attempting to define what is a legal assembly and what is illegal which should not be the case,” he argues. Maj. Okwir Rwaboni, a former Youth MP turned activist with the Center for Constitutional Governance, says the definition of “public meeting” under Section 6 of the proposed law is a transplant from an obnoxious colonial law against the people of Karamoja, which gave powers to police to disperse or arrest a meeting of any three Karimojong men. The section defines a public meeting as “a gathering, assembly, concourse, procession or demonstration of three or more persons in or on any public road as defined in the traffic and Road Safety Act or any other public place or premises wholly or partly open to the air.” “This law is not only draconian and obnoxious but rather violated the principles of humanity itself,” Maj. Rabwoni says, referring to Act 17 of 1956 apartheid South Africa, adding that the 1978 Riotous Assemblies Act in South Africa is greatly echoed in the Bill government wants Parliament to pass. In defining public places where an assembly can be dispersed and the individuals arrested if they have not sought clearance for the assembly in Section 6(a) and (b), the law defines public places as those areas; “at which the principles, policy actions or failure of any government, political party or political organisation …are discussed,” in (b) the purpose of the discussion is defined as “to form pressure groups to submit petitions or to mobilise or demonstrate support for or opposition to the views, principles, policy, actions or omissions of any person or body of persons or institution including any government administration or government institution.” Critics of the Bill say these provisions effectively take away any automatic right for people to assemble and questions government actions or inactions. Those jittery about the Bill in its current form say they are concerned that government is increasingly resorting to rule by law rather than rule of law. They argue that the spirit of the new law is a panicky reaction to increasing public pressure on government expressed through demonstrations especially over the last six years. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1275938/-/bgs0ljz/-/index.html","content":"Firm disappears with Shs40b - More compensation queries by the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee, more loss of taxpayers’ money. That is the script as MPs discovered that taxpayers lost another $17.5m (Shs44b) to a French company irregularly contracted to work on the Jinja-Bugiri Road. An investigation by PAC shows that although Basil Engineering did not have a successful bid, it was given the deal, which, however, went bad and the company directors, whose details are being investigated by PAC, sued government in a Euro 39m claim. The claim was eventually reduced to Euro 18m before settling for Euro 13m (about Shs44 billion) for breach of contract. The Auditor General, Mr John Muwanga, who blew the whistle on the matter in 2004, said government signed a contract with Basil Engineering for the rehabilitation of Jinja-Bugiri Road (72.8 kilometres). The contract was financed through a grant from the European Development Fund. Appearing before PAC on Friday, officials from Ministry of Works led by permanent secretary Charles Muganzi told MPs that Basil Engineering was found non-responsive to contract bid but was later called for direct negotiations. “Basil Engineering was not the best responsive company to take the job and it was forced to take the contract by people who had their own motives,” PAC vice chairperson Maxwell Akora (UPC, Maruzi), said. “They forced these people to accept conditions they were not used to, being an international company, and Ugandans lost billions of shillings.” The committee has also discovered that Basil Engineering never paid the 30 per cent income tax and their physical address could not be traced. But in his submission, Mr Muganzi said: “Ministry of Finance gave the money to Solicitor General to pay Basil Engineering but tax was never recovered because of a transition problem then. The VAT law had just been introduced and we are not experts in taxation; for us we deal in construction. The complexity of VAT was daunting.” Distancing Ministry of Works from the scandal, the Executive Director of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), Eng. Peter Ssebanakitta, said the contract was handled by the defunct Road Agency Formation Unit (Rafu). “None of us were part of this apart from Eng. Andrew Kitaka and he was a junior officer then. Most of us were not involved and we can only respond using the documents on file,” he said. The committee heard that 10 months after Basil Engineering took the contract, in December, 2004, the contractor sued government for delay to pay VAT amounts that were due, failing to make timely decision regarding modification of material specifications (phosphates) and failing to provide compensation for change in the VAT law, among others. “From the word go, they knew that they were dealing with an illegal company brought to work on that road deal,” Mr Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga) said. “The company was non-responsive but they proceeded with it because they knew it would fail and seek compensation. This is yet another case of gross abuse of public funds when people don’t have drugs in hospitals.” PAC legal counsel Gerald Karuhanga said: “Instead of re-tendering the procurement, they went to secret negotiations with Basil Engineering. They knew everything and it’s not surprising that after only 10 months, the company failed and claimed billions of shillings in taxpayers’ money. We are going to summon whoever was involved in this mess, including officials in the ministry of Finance and Attorney General’s chambers.” Responding to MPs’ concerns, Mr Muganzi said the company complicated matters and that they were looking for excuses to exit the contract. “They were tricky and looking for every reason to exit that’s why they sued us. They complicated matters by refusing the price for variation and they wanted documents signed by only EU. The change in VAT law was not anticipated and when it happened they made a mountain out of it,” Mr Muganzi said. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/YasiinMugerwa/-/878670/1275826/-/4ld50e/-/index.html","content":"Why the Public Order Bill needs a major surgery - So much water under the bridge. Professionalising the Forces: In a society that is becoming more complex, less comprehensible and more diverse, the policing function has also become more complicated and vulnerable. Further adjustment of professional capabilities are therefore required for police officers mandated to keep law and order. Psychologists support the contention that civil disorder can emerge during crowd events as a consequence of the indiscriminate and disproportionate use of police force under the guise of maintaining law and order. However, people like Dr Clifford Stott, a prominent psychologist of crowd behaviour and public order policing, believes that increasing police capability for ‘dialogue’ and communication with crowds and formally recognising this as a primary tactical option for public order policing is fundamental. Having said that, in its efforts to maintain law and order in the midst of civil disturbances in the country, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has proposed a bill for the management of public order—The Public Order Management Bill, 2011. While the import of this ignominious Bill appears irredeemable, as we are going to find out in this column, the objective of the proposed Bill is to provide for the regulation of public meetings, duties and responsibilities of police, organisers and participants in relation to public meetings. The Bill tabled on October 25 was sent to the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee for further scrutiny although it should have been handled by the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs. But that’s not much of a problem. The difficulty here is that unlike other Bills, the handling of this piece of legislation undoubtedly needs clear-headed and nonaligned minds. Even though legal minds, civil society groups and political analysts have disparaged this Bill as unconstitutional, the government insists it intends to lay down measures for safeguarding public order without compromising the principles of democracy, freedom of association and freedom of speech. But if truth is to be told, the Public Order Management Bill in its current form poses serious challenges to Ugandans in the exercise of their fundamental freedoms and human rights guaranteed by the 1995 Constitution and in several regional and international human rights instruments. For instance, Clause 4 of the proposed law which gives the Inspector General of Police (IGP) powers to direct the conduct of all public meetings clearly seeks to reintroduce the provisions of the Police Act, Cap 303 which were nullified by the Constitutional Court in the case of Muwanga Kivumbi v. The Attorney General of Uganda (Constitutional Petition No. 9/05). I am reliably informed that the Legal Committee chaired by Kajara MP Stephen Tashobya will soon be holding public hearings on this Bill. But MPs should not read this draft Bill in isolation of Article 29 of the 1995 Constitution. IGP usurping court’s role?More so, the architects of this Bill seek to usurp the basic functions of a trial and appellate court and grant them to the IGP. When you critically read Clause 5 of the draft Bill, you realise that there is something amiss. This particular Clause gives the IGP powers to grant permission to hold a meeting and to hear appeals from a refusal to grant the permission. The Committee also needs to revisit Clauses 7 and 8 which require the IGP’s approval for any “public meeting” of three people or more. This is uncalled for and even if it’s approved in its current form, it will definitely fail the public interest test. Indeed, one of the devoted readers of this column, Siraje Nsanja, a lecturer at Kampala University, in an online chat on this matter, reminded MPs on the Legal Committee that attempts by the government to reintroduce provisions in the Police Act which were declared null and void by the Constitutional Court is contrary to Article 92 of the 1995 Constitution, which prohibits the enactment of legislation designed to defeat or overturn a judicial ruling. For the benefit of the proponents of this Bill, this Article 29 of the Constitution reads thus: “Every person shall have the right to—freedom of speech and expression which shall include freedom of the press and other media; freedom of thought, conscience and belief which shall include academic freedom in institutions of learning; freedom to practice any religion and manifest such practice which shall include the right to belong to and participate in the practices of any religious body or organisation in a manner consistent with this Constitution; freedom to assemble and to demonstrate together with others peacefully and unarmed and to petition; and freedom of association which shall include the freedom to form and join associations or unions, including trade unions and political and other civic organisations.” While Section 15 of the proposed law gives minister for Internal Affairs immense powers to issue statutory instruments, gazetting some areas and declaring others as unlawful for any person or persons to convene a public meeting, Article 29 (2) says, “Every Ugandan shall have the right— to move freely throughout Uganda and to reside and settle in any part of Uganda…” Reading through this 19-page proposed draft Bill, I have come to realise that it grants the IGP and the minister of Internal Affairs wide discretionary and uncalled-for powers over the management of public meetings. In the same way, unless it’s amended, this Bill places numerous extensive and impractical obligations on the organisers and participants in public meetings, which are impossible to satisfy. For instance, as clearly highlighted under Section 12 of the Bill, how can the organisers provide a steward for every 50 demonstrators or participants in every meeting? How can organisers ensure that people are unarmed and peaceful? Why should it be a responsibility of the organisers to compensate people who may suffer loss or damage from any fall out of a public meeting? Who is supposed to keep law and order? I though the fundamental role of the state is to protect Ugandans and their property. Who will be affected?To put the public concerns about this Bill into perspective, in his email, Mr Nsanja says the only public meetings that the Bill proposes to regulate are those which focus on the effectiveness of government and its organs and political organs. According to Mr Nsanja, this goal by any measure is at odds with Paragraph II of the National Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy of the Constitution, which provides: “The state shall be based on democratic principles which empower and encourage the active participation of all citizens at all levels in their own governance.” The concern here is that if MPs choose to engage in tittle-tattle instead of paying attention to this Bill, the implications Would be far reaching for the ordinary Ugandan. Since this draft law is in breach of the Constitution, passing it in its current form will not guarantee public order but make the situation worse."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1275164/-/bgs6snz/-/index.html","content":"Mbabazi appears before Rules Committee today - Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi is today expected to appear before the parliamentary Rules Committee to answer queries on whether his failure to step aside over allegations of oil bribes amounts to contempt of Parliament. According to the committee’s work plan, Internal Affairs Minister Hilary Onek is expected to appear on Monday. “The committee decided that we speak to everyone and just like any other witnesses we have summoned, he (Mbabazi) will also appear as a witness,” the committee chairperson, Mr Fox Odoi, said. The matter was referred after MPs disagreed on Kween County MP Abdi Kisos Chemaswet’s motion seeking the suspension from Parliament of the two ministers for failure to resign from Parliament. The MPs accusing the ministers of contempt of Parliament, however, argued out their case until about 9:40pm on Wednesday. Led by Mr Chemaswet, the chief petitioner, the MPs said their main aim was to strengthen the institution of Parliament that has lost respect. “Although the responsibility of asking the ministers to step aside lies in the hands of the President, it would have been prudent for them to step aside,” Mr Chemaswet said. Ndorwa East MP Wilfred Niwagaba said whereas the rules are silent on the definition of contempt of Parliament, other rules under the Commonwealth standards defined it. “Parliament acts as a check on the Executive. If Parliament resolves, the Executive is bound to oblige,” Mr Niwagaba said.The MP for Butambala District, Ms Mariam Nalubega, called on the ministers to respect Parliament.“Our appearing here today is to reaffirm our position and ask this committee to strengthen the authority of Parliament and not to weaken it. Its decisions have not been respected. Parliament is an authority and any offence committed is contempt of Parliament,” she said. Breaking it downMr Vincent Kyamadidi defined contempt of Parliament as disobedience, disrespect and breach of Parliament’s privileges. “It is on record that this Parliament was called to perform a noble duty. Contempt of Parliament is an offence of obstructing the House from carrying out its work. The action of despising means nothing but contempt of Parliament. It must be seen to be deliberate and intentional for the two ministers failing to step down,” Mr Kyamadidi said. Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo said: “Governance is a shared responsibility and there is nobody with absolute authority and that is why the President appoints and Parliament approves. Its only prudent that at a particular time Parliament pronounces itself on the matter.” mnalugo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1272888/-/bgu483z/-/index.html","content":"Museveni vows to defy MPs over oil - President Museveni has written to Speaker Rebecca Kadaga objecting to three of the 10 resolutions recently passed by Parliament, including one which called for stopping execution of all oil agreements until relevant laws are enacted. In a November 4 reply to Ms Kadaga’s October 13 communication on the House resolutions, President Museveni said the resolution on the stabilisation clause demanded by oil companies was unnecessary because he had already rejected it, and that he will not allow the resolution that called for the stepping aside of three ministers accused of allegedly pocketing bribes. “Resolution number one, putting a moratorium on executing oil contracts is alright when we are dealing with future contracts. However, reneging on the old agreements or freezing the on-going agreements would be a disaster for Uganda,” President Museveni wrote. The President said resolution one would undermine the credibility of the government in future negotiations and could lead to costly litigations for breach of contracts. “Therefore, we (Cabinet and NRM MPs) agreed that the resolution should be interpreted to excluding old and ongoing contracts. Fortunately Rt. Hon. Speaker you told me the same during our telephone discussion,” the President pointed out in the letter. Legal minds have, however, warned that it would be irregular for the party or President Museveni to attempt to reverse Parliamentary resolutions as it would erode the independence of Parliament. House rules also do not allow the changing of resolutions after adoption. Last night, Ms Kadaga said: “Yes, I got the letter. But I haven’t discussed with the President about revoking the decision of the House. For me I wrote to him about our discussion and we wanted him to act.” The telephone conversation the President referred to, Ms Kadaga said, “was in relation to what I had proposed in the House and was rejected, and not what we were going to do.” The Speaker told Daily Monitor she had proposed during the special oil debate session that “we introduce the word ‘new’ between the words executing and oil contracts but the MPs debated that on the floor of the House and they rejected it. That one is even on the Hansard.” The Speaker said: “They have to bring their proposal before the House, I have no problem with that,” she said. Whereas ruling party MPs during their Kyankwanzi retreat held last month explored alternatives to the resolutions, former chairman of the Constitutional Review Commission Frederick Ssempebwa and other senior constitutional lawyers said attempts to interfere with House independence through twisting its resolutions was “unconstitutional”. Speaker Kadaga also rejected the party position, indicating that Parliament resolutions cannot be altered.NRM MPs had also felt that ministers being investigated for alleged oil graft remain in office, and that a moratorium placed on execution of oil agreements should not affect ongoing transactions such as the $2.9 billion Total-CNOOC farm-out deal with Tullow Oil. President Museveni said in the letter that it was not necessary for the ministers to step aside. “As far as resolution number nine is concerned, we had no problem with the setting up of ad hoc committee. However, both the Cabinet and the NRM Caucus did not accept the resolutions that required the ministers named in the allegations to ‘step aside’,” said the President. Outlining why the ministers will not step aside, President Museveni said:“The UK police and the police of Malta confirmed that no money had been paid on the alleged accounts. Moreover, they confirmed that those accounts do not even exist. The police had not concluded with Dubai. However, since the Dubai story depended on money coming from Malta, the fact that Malta rubbished this information most probably there is no substance to the story of Dubai,” he said. Defending Mr Mbabazi, the President said he was mentioned in the Wikileaks “that is famous for distortions”.“It is not correct that these leaders step aside on account of such unverified information,” 1 | 2 Next Page»The President said stepping aside on unverified information does not help the execution of his manifesto: “In any case they are not in a position to interfere with the investigations. Fourthly, this rush of working is dangerous for our political party. To falsely accuse others generates bitterness on the part of those accused. It is actually enemy actions to create antagonistic relations within the party,” he said. “The party cannot therefore associate itself with these false accusations because they will divide it and disrupt our political cohesion.” mnalugo@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1270510/-/bgvke8z/-/index.html","content":"Tourism officials to challenge PAMSU report - Kampala Officials at the Tourism ministry and at the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) yesterday vowed to challenge the findings and recommendations of the PAMSU commission of inquiry report. Speaking to this newspaper by telephone from London, UWA’s Acting Executive Director Andrew Seguya said UWA would challenge the findings accusing him of bribery, corruption and unlawful transfers of UWA and Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) funds to unauthorised beneficiaries. He is also accused of gross mismanagement and embezzlement of public funds. “I have been in UWA for only six months. How do I come in,”Mr Seguya said. “I will challenge that report in the courts of law,” former UWA board chairman Andrew Kasirye said, adding that Justice George Kanyeihamba and his commissioners went beyond their mandate. Released on Monday by PAMSU Commission chairperson Justice Kanyeihamba, the report details investigations by the commission on how money meant for PAMSU was used between 2002 and 2008. Uganda borrowed $38m (Shs108b) from the World Bank, repayable with interest and spent another Shs17 billion of taxpayers’ money on the project. According to the report, most of the money was stolen by Tourism officials, accounting officers, managers, operators, consultants and supervisors. Tourism officials are also accused of neglecting their supervisory role of UWA. Cash cowInstead UWA was converted into ‘a cash cow’ by drawing heavy allowances from its reserves contrary to the law. According to the report, the practice still continues. “The findings of that commission where to be presented before the Tourism Minister. Instead, the commission made the findings public before the minister had an opportunity to see them,” a top Tourism ministry official told this newspaper on condition of anonymity. “This commission was public and its findings are public,” Justice Kanyeihamba said yesterday defending his decision to make the findings public. Tourism Minister Ephraim Kamuntu, who is accused of economic crimes, breach of the leadership code and misconduct could not be reached for comment by press time as his phone was constantly engaged. Former UWA Executive Director Moses Mapesa, who is accused of embezzlement and conflict of interests, said he would comment on the report at a later date as he was reportedly travelling and could not speak on phone. “I have not read that report so I cannot comment on it,” Trade and Industry ministry Permanent Secretary Amb. Julius Onen said yesterday. Amb. Onen is accused of diversion of funds for unauthorised activities for personal gain and embezzlement of public funds. Unaccounted for moneyThe report says hefty percentages of money released to the project was misused, diverted and pocketed for personal use by the officials. Colossal sums were also spent on workshops and trainings, sums that have never been accounted for. jnjoroge@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1269768/-/bhbspfz/-/index.html","content":"Tourism probe wants officials prosecuted - Prof. George Kanyeihamba yesterday released the report of findings the mismanagement of funds in the protected areas in the Ministry of Tourism in which he called for the prosecution of former Permanent Secretary Julius Onen, among others. The report also calls for the prosecution of former Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Executive Director Moses Mapesa and its current head, Dr Andrew Seguya. It also implicates current sector minister Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu in alleged economic crimes and breach of Leadership Code, a finding that could land the minister into trouble with the Inspector General of Government. “Sadly, the commission found that several officials including high political leaders were unqualified, negligent, ignorant or feigned ignorance of the concept and terms of the project,” the report says. “Through gross negligence or deliberate acts of wrong doing, failed to supervising, monitor or control the activities of the project,” the report adds. The report signed by five out of the six members observed gross violations of financial management committed by various officials of the ministry and UWA calling for ‘only qualified people to be appointed as managers and board members after objective and transparent vetting. However, Mr Denis Bireije, the secretary of the commission, one of three commissioners who earlier disowned Justice Kanyeihamba’s recommendation to interdict Dr Seguya, the current UWA Executive Director, did not sign, but the other commissioners; Fred Bukenya and Kenneth Magembe signed the report. “The commission strongly recommends that those found responsible for the mismanagement, gross negligence, misuse and embezzlement of the UWA-PAMSU funds should be punished, disciplined and be forced to refund all the moneys illegally utilised,” said the report. Prof. Kanyeihamba yesterday said the report had been sent to President Museveni, Parliament and other relevant stakeholders as a move to have it implemented unlike others that are shelved in ministries. Earlier, Prof. Kanyeihamba had asked for more time to carry out more investigations but Prof. Kamuntu said the commission had overstayed its mandated time frame. Tourism officials had also claimed that the commission was overstepping its mandate. Former Trade and Tourism Minister Kahinda Otafiire instituted the probe to investigate allegations of misuse of funds and the quality and cost of infrastructure development concerning the funds managed by UWA in the billions’ PAMSU project. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1263996/-/bhfwyxz/-/index.html","content":"UBC drags Haba Group to court over Bugolobi property - Kampala Haba Group is on the spot once again, this time with the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) taking it to court over an alleged breach of contract and fraudulent transfer of UBC property, including an attempt to take away 5.1 acres of its land. The property in question is located on plots 8-10, 12-16 and 18-20, Faraday Road in Bugolobi, a Kampala suburb. Officials at the national broadcaster have been tight-lipped over the matter. However, Managing Director Paul Kihika could only confirm that they are in court with Mr Hassan Basajjabalaba’s company. Mr Basajjabalaba, however, denies that he was either a director or a shareholder of Haba Group. He declined to comment further on the matter. Court documents obtained by this newspaper indicate that UBC in September lodged a case before the Land Division of the High Court against Haba Group, Deo and Sons Properties Limited and in a counter claim, the Commissioner for Land Registration. It is alleged that Haba Group sold 23.1 acres of UBC land to Deo and Sons Properties Ltd without completing a Shs11.5 billion payment for the same property to UBC within the agreed period of time. Documents indicate that on November 10, 2010, Haba Group approached UBC board chairman Chris Katuramu asking to buy part of the Bugolobi property. A UBC board meeting on January 7 accepted an offer of Shs11.5 billion for 18 acres of the property. The two signed a sale agreement on February 14. The agreement says Haba Group paid UBC Shs1.1b up front and said the balance of Shs10.4b would be paid by the Bank of Uganda in two installments of Shs5.5b and Shs4.9b. Earlier, on January 25, Central Bank chief Tumusiime Mutebile wrote to Mr Kihika confirming BoU owed Haba Group money. “I am writing to confirm that Haba Group Ltd has receivables from government to the tune of Shs96b, which will be paid to them within the current Financial Year,” the letter reads. It is alleged that BoU never made the payments to Orient Bank in the stipulated 120 days. Haba Group lawyers Niwagaba and Mwebesa Advocates said the company was never informed the central bank had not honoured its guarantee. jnjoroge@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1263166/-/bhg4c9z/-/index.html","content":"MPs want culprits in bicycle case tried - The House Committee which investigated suspected abuse of Shs5 billion meant for buying bicycles for village councils which were, however, never delivered, has tabled its report implicating senior government officials in the mischief. The lengthy report tabled yesterday by the Public Service and Local Government Committee chair Florence Kintu, recommends that relevant anti-corruption agencies (CID and IGG, DPP and PPDA) investigate the disappearance of public funds with a view of prosecuting the culprits. The report names the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Mr John Kashaka Muhanguzi, Principal Accountant, Principal Internal Auditor, the Contracts Committee members, Accountant General’s Office, Bank of Uganda, Solicitor General’s office and Stanbic Bank (U) Ltd. The committee has recommended that Bank of Uganda explains its failure to do due diligence and provide adequate guidance to the government to protect public funds. “Mr Patrick Bagarukayo, who withdrew $400,000 between March 15 and March 16, should be thoroughly investigated for his role in this saga. Being the person who knows Rajasekaran so well, he should be put to task to find Rajasekaran and to provide all the information that is useful in the investigation,” the report reads in part. The committee recommends that the government seeks legal redress to recover about $1m plus damages, costs and interest from the suppliers for breach of contract. Amman Industrial Tools and Equipment, which is said to have been working on behalf of Amman Impex, an Indian-based firm, took part of the money and disappeared without supplying the bicycles. The company was supposed to deliver at least 70,000 bicycles meant to help LC1 and LC2 chairpersons monitor government programmes.Committee findings indicate that on November 26, 2010, the local government ministry purportedly entered into agreement with Amman Industrial Tools and Equipment Ltd (Aitel), to supply bicycles. The co-owners of Aitel, Mohinder Singh Chal (Kenyan) and Nishita Maini (Ugandan) had opened an account in Stanbic Bank (0240050539601) on August 26, 2010. Fraudulent dealMr Singh and his wife Miami later sold their shares in Aitel to Arjunan Rajesekaran. Aitel was working on behalf of another firm, Amman Impex, of India. Documents indicate that the alleged Indian firm is non-existent. To avert future scandals involving foreign companies, the committee recommends that Parliament expedites the enactment of the Anti-Money Laundering Bill. The Bill seeks to check illegal movement of large sums of money, especially where foreign transactions are involved. However , even before the report is debated, lawmakers have criticised committee members for failure to recommend that the government officials implicated in the scam be interdicted on corruption charges until they are cleared by the IGG. Speaker Kadaga yesterday asked the lawmakers to read the report ahead of Tuesday’s debate. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1262656/-/bhgor1z/-/index.html","content":"A4C says Public Order Bill is unconstitutional - The Activists for Change (A4C) pressure group yesterday reacted angrily to the proposed Public Order Management Bill 2011, saying it will stifle constitutional rights to freedom of expression and association for political and pressure groups in the country. The group said the proposed law in its present form will infringe on civil liberties and criminalise activities such as protests against the high cost of living. Outlining why the Bill should be of public concern, the activists also raised concerns that it gives excessive powers to the Inspector General of Police to direct the conduct of all public meetings. “This Bill has been tabled to overturn the gains that activists achieved when the Constitutional Court ruled in Muwanga Kivumbi vs Attorney General, that police permission was not required before a demonstration as this was an infringement of our constitutional right of association,” a statement to Daily Monitor signed by Ms Anne Mugisha, one of the A4C organisers, said. In Muwanga Kivumbi vs Attorney General (Constitutional Petition No. 9/05), the court ruled that Section 32 of the Police Act unjustifiably limited the rights to freedoms of assembly and association prescribed in the Constitution, and declared it null and void. The section previously gave unilateral powers to the Inspector General of Police to prohibit any assembly or procession where he believes that it was likely to cause a breach of peace. Court, however, said these powers were “prohibitive” rather than “regulatory”. Whereas a public meeting is in the Bill defined as a gathering, assembly, concourse, procession or demonstration of three or more persons in or on any public road, the activists are concerned that the Bill is silent about a public meeting convened and held exclusively for a lawful purpose of any public body. “The Bill excludes public meetings of corporations and meetings of a social, religious, charitable, educational, commercial or industrial purpose as well as meetings of organs of political organisations called to discuss political affairs of the organisation,” the group said, arguing that the law clearly targets anti-government protesters”. mnalugo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/KaroliSsemogerere/-/878682/1262216/-/4a2gcvz/-/index.html","content":"Is IMF conniving with NRM bosses to reverse oil debate? - Sometimes the IMF meddles, sometimes it meddles too much. It is an open question whether it is operationally sound and correct for the IMF Representative to attend an internal ‘political party’ house cleaning party intended to ‘administer discipline’ and ‘undermine the independence of Parliament.’ Of course, IMF Senior Country Representative Dr Thomas Richardson is free to travel anywhere in the country to engage the people who live in his duty station - Uganda. The question is whether Dr Richardson and his bosses in Washington are not causing more harm than good by participating in hatchet games to influence domestic politics in Uganda; provide cover for government to implement questionable policies whose long-term effect will be to entrench poverty in the country for years to come. It is not clear whether IMF has a stake in Uganda’s current oil debates. IMF’s principal role is to promote global macro-economic stability. IMF “fosters” economic growth by promoting institutional reforms, credible monetary policies and by acting as a ‘harsh’ lender of last resort to countries that need to stabilise their ship. IMF loans do not come cheap. Its reserves are secured by high interest rates and failure to repay IMF loans normally freezes all global and most multi-lateral financing for loan defaulters. In fact, private capital and bilateral loans all may be frozen by express covenants in specific country agreements that prohibit financial ties with ‘countries in default.’ A tenth grader well versed in local politics may ask why the IMF went to Kyankwanzi. Government smarting from defeat on the floor of the House where it enjoys a two-third majority sufficient to amend the Constitution has been trying to ‘patch-up things’ with its backbenchers. The frontbench has seemed to forget two crucial independent drivers in the oil debate. The first is that the current proposed transaction to farm down Tullow Oil Holdings to CNOOC and Total for $2.9 billion in its ‘currently wholly-owned’ exploration areas; EA-1, EA 2 and 3A is in direct breach of a parliamentary resolution. Government’s titular ownership and regulation of Uganda’s natural resources is subject to parliamentary regulation and oversight. President Museveni is right in understanding that post-oil debate; Uganda cannot provide ‘assurance of title’ to CNOOC and Total; unless these enterprises have risk capital that could wipe out their current purchase if legally challenged in court. Uganda has been playing catch-up owing to years of inaction and fear of sharing information in Uganda’s oil sector. Of course, many people in government interpret information as a few cocktails in Kampala’s hotel corridor in the former Kampala Park inviting stakeholders for coffee(s) and so on. These are very clubby affairs reiterating the regurgitation of the little public information available. CNOOC and Total continue to exert pressure on the Executive branch ignoring the second potential problem with the transaction that Tullow’s licence and title in these blocks may require a re-validation if current reports that there are material problems with their licences are true. Tullow and Heritage are in another legal wrangle with the government over capital gains taxes payable in the first Heritage-Tullow transaction. It is an open question whether a contract can override URA’s authority to levy taxes on behalf of the State of Uganda. IMF in draconian fashion may not understand that these ‘seemingly’ delusional questions have defined the post-February 2011 chaos and uncertainty in the economy. If Uganda fails to put in place a predictable comprehensive scheme of legislation in the oil sector; it will kill the oil sector, sow even more seeds of political instability and retrench Animal Farm politics in Uganda. Things seem looking so desperate if former ministers Jim Muhwezi and Mike Mukula facing charges in court in connection with GAVI and other donor programmes during their tenure at the Ministry of Health are joining the group of “undecided” MPs changing their minds to support government’s move to help Parliament rescind its decisions. For junior MPs and the financially vulnerable ones, matters are worse. Some arm-twisting here and there will deliver results on the floor. The Tullow transactions have an interested counter-party - the party that lost. From what transpired on the floor of Parliament, this counter-party remains sufficiently mobilised. As columnist Charles Onyango-Obbo cheekily observed in these pages- for the first time they are baying for blood; and baying for blood includes accusing the President of a direct financial benefit in these muddled transactions. One cannot blame our IMF prefects for every small antagonism that affects our economy. IMF-backed policies have allowed BoU to continue its strenuous and destructive efforts to ‘cool the economy’ by hiking interest rates. In fact, post-intervention rates continue to slide; the greenback is close to breaking a new psychological barrier (3,000); the former (2,400). Does Dr Richardson have the time to go to Kyankwanzi? Mr Ssemogerere is an attorney, and social entrepreneur, practices law in New York. kssemoge@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1262426/-/bhgqelz/-/index.html","content":"Forestry officials grilled over ‘huge’ compensation - Officials at the National Forestry Authority (NFA) could be held responsible for $1.7m (Shs4.8b) paid to a private businessman in compensation for a forest reserve allegedly allocated to him for development of eco-tourism. In his latest report, the Auditor General reveals that there was no value for money in the transaction between NFA and Mr Charles Twagira of Beachside Development Services in Kwewaga Forest Reserve for eco-tourism. The report is currently before the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament. The committee yesterday met the current management of NFA, led by their executive director Gershom Onyango, who told MPs that almost all the officers who were behind the transaction were either sacked or suspended. “So why didn’t you come with them? I have asked if the current management is ready to carry the cross and you have accepted, so go ahead,” said MP Jack Wamai. PAC Vice Chairman Maxwell Akora, said Parliament would look at the justification of the money paid and whether the officers followed the NFA guidelines and policies in allocating the forest to Mr Twagira. Mr Twagira had applied to get the whole forest reserve for 50 years but was advised by eco-tourism officers at NFA to apply only for 25 years, according to Mr Hudson Andrua, the current head of natural forests. The land, however, had been allocated to private tree growers, hence a hindrance and NFA failure to give Mr Twagira a licence. Mr Twagira had paid $6,000 (Shs16.8m) to NFA as annual lease fees but the forestry body later refunded his money but he sued them for breach of contract thus earning Shs4.8b in compensation. However, according to documents the current NFA management gave to PAC, the allocated reserve did not have any structures that warranted the huge sums of money in compensation. The current NFA legal manager, Mr Peter Maloba, told the committee that although he was not in office then, there was no need for Mr Twagira to go to court because he did not have a licence and his money had been refunded. The committee suspects there was collusion between the NFA officials and Mr Twagira. “If the legal officer now says there was no case but we see a court judgment and a consent judgment with the former legal officer, isn’t this collusion?” Mr Vincent Kyamadidi said. snaturinda@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1261722/-/bhhddiz/-/index.html","content":"Government tables law to control gatherings - Government yesterday tabled before Parliament the Public Order Management Bill, 2011, as the opposition raised fears that the Bill is aimed at suppressing their activities, gatherings and demonstrations. The State Minister for Internal Affairs, Mr James Baba, tabled the Bill whose objective is to among others provide regulation of public meetings. The Bill, if passed into law, will introduce stringent guidelines to be followed when organising an assembly, a procession, or demonstration and specifies penalties for those found guilty. It would allow the Inspector General of Police to “regulate the conduct of public meetings” so as to “safeguard public order and related matters”. Opposition MPs told Daily Monitor that the law, which comes in the wake of the ongoing walk-to-work demonstrations, is targeting peaceful opposition assemblies and gatherings. “The spirit under which this law has been brought to Parliament is of course suspicious but we shall study it as opposition and decide on the next move,” said Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze. Tororo County MP Godfrey Ekanya said the law is against the constitutional provision for civil liberties. Some sections of the public believe that government has smuggled into Parliament a law that reverses a 2008 Constitutional Court ruling on public gatherings. The ruling in the case of Muwanga Kivumbi vs The Attorney General of Uganda (Constitutional Petition No. 9/05); the Court ruled that section 32 of the Police Act unjustifiably limited the rights to freedoms of assembly and association prescribed in the Constitution. The section gave unilateral powers to the Inspector General of Police to prohibit any assembly or procession where he believes that it was likely to cause a breach of the peace. Court, however, noted that these powers were “prohibitive” rather than “regulatory”. The Bill now requires organisers of public meetings to notify the Inspector General of Police of their intentions to hold meetings in writing in a period of at least seven days and such a meeting is to be held strictly between 6am and 6pm. “An organiser or his agent who holds a public meeting and fails to comply with the conditions under this act commits an offence of disobedience and is liable on conviction to the penalty for that offence under section 116 of the Penal Code,” reads article 9(4) of the Bill. No address systemThe Bill also prohibits the use of a public address system except with the permission of the police chief. Also any meeting held with the view of forming a pressure group falls in the category of a public meeting. Civil society, the opposition and human rights defenders have in the past raised objections to the Bill which they say limits civil liberties. Uganda is signatory to a number of international treaties like the United Nation Convention on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights regarding the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. However, security officials argue it is because of the July 11 terror attacks that public assemblies are to be regulated. At least 80 people were killed in the twin bomb blast in Kabalagala and Kyadondo Rugby Club in Kampala, as revellers watched the final match of the World Cup Finals. Hundreds others were injured as the al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group, claimed responsibility for the attack. mnalugo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1261232/-/bhhh9wz/-/index.html","content":"Besigye’s life is in danger - FDC official - Kampala The life of FDC leader Kizza Besigye is in danger following his one-week house confinement by the police, the party spokesperson, Mr Wafula Oguttu has said. “We have cause to believe that the real motive of the police siege on Dr Besigye’s home was to kill him. Remarks made by Mr Sam Omara in full view of television cameras cannot be dismissed as a publicity stunt. It is indicative of the Police’s intention to kill Dr Besigye using any means available and at the slightest provocation,” Mr Oguttu said yesterday. Mr Omara is the operations commander in charge of Kampala North and has been in charge of the police deployment at Besigye’s Kasangati’s home for a week now. Police put the FDC leader under “preventive arrest” after he attempted to participate in the second phase of walk-to -walk last week adding that they would not leave his home until he became “normal”. “We are not going to leave here until Col. Besigye confesses that he will not walk to work. We want to see a Besigye who walks and there will be no more throwing of a stone, that’s the new Besigye we want,” Mr Omara said yesterday, refuting reports that police had withdrawn from Besigye’s home, saying they had just gone to change clothes.Mr Oguttu said the confinement and barring the delivery of food to the FDC leader is a violation of his rights. “We shall not let the abuses and breach of the Constitution to go unchallenged. We shall respond to any future siege of Dr Besigye’s home by organising demonstrations nationwide as well as chronicling all human abuses perpetuated by this regime together with the perpetuators,” he said. Meanwhile, FDC Women League leader Ingrid Turinawe was yesterday evening arrested after a short press briefing at Dr Besigye’s home. The arrest followed an arrest warrant issued by the Nakawa Magistrates Court against her following her failed appearance at the court to answer a case of treason due to statements police say she had made during one of the Activists for Change (A4C) meetings. “Yes we have her ... she is at Kasangati Police Station and she will be taken to court anytime,” police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said. The A4C coordinator, Mr Mathias Mpuuga, said despite the arrest, the group will ensure that Ms Turinawe and all other A4C members still under police custody are set free."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1261224/-/bhhhaqz/-/index.html","content":"Prof. Ssempebwa, legal minds warn NRM on oil resolutions - KAMPALA The former chairman of the Constitutional Review Commission, Prof. Frederick Ssempebwa, has said attempts to reverse parliamentary resolutions on the oil sector agreed two weeks ago border on the “criminal and unconstitutional”. Prof. Ssempebwa was backed by a retired judge, academicians and other senior constitutional lawyers, who were yesterday responding to reports that President Museveni has cajoled ruling party MPs to consider overturning the House resolutions. “If the President changes what was agreed in Parliament, that will be irregular and unconstitutional,” Prof. Ssempebwa said. “It will be wrong if MPs are threatened by the President to change their position. Whatever happened in Kyankwanzi was a party matter and has nothing to do with Parliament.” He added: “If the President wants to overturn the resolutions, let him influence his members, and they must come to the floor through a motion for a resolution of Parliament to amend their resolution and they must convince their colleagues that Parliament acted on wrong information.” Over the weekend, Sunday Monitor reported that seven NRM lawmakers walked out on the President over what they called “a sinister plot to hijack the independence of Parliament and entrench corruption in the oil sector” by reversing positions. Mr David Bahati, the acting NRM caucus chairperson, told journalists the same day that, contrary to the House resolution, the caucus decided that ministers being investigated for alleged oil graft remain in office, and that a moratorium placed on execution of oil agreements should not affect ongoing transactions such as the $2.9 billion Total-CNOOC farm-out deal with Tullow Oil. However, legal minds warned the President that he is under obligation to uphold the constitutional doctrine of separation of powers by ensuring constitutional equilibrium between the Executive, Parliament and the Judiciary is maintained. Principle of separation of powersMr Peter Walubiri, senior counsel and law scholar, said the doctrine of separation of powers grew out of the fear of tyranny and accused the President of overthrowing the Constitution he swore to protect. “We are talking about hard politics here,” Mr Walubiri said. “Those who sat in Parliament and passed resolutions have now agreed to change them through a back-door because the President is interested in the $2.9 billion CNOOC-Total deal with Tullow. This is unfortunate.” He added: “This is politics of people who have no principles. It means the President has fused the NRM party with the State and he uses the Constitution only when it’s convenient, that’s why he wants to go back to the bush. What happened in Kyankwanzi was a party affair and to proceed on resolutions other than those made in the House will be throwing away the Constitution and illegal.” Retired Supreme Court judge George Kanyeihamba, a published authority on constitutionalism, warned of a serious constitutional breach if President Museveni goes ahead with the Kyankwanzi suggestions. “It will be unusual for a party to overturn Parliament resolutions. If that happens, it will erode the independence of the institution of Parliament. Parliament shouldn’t be arm-twisted to reverse itself otherwise it ceases to be a Parliament,” he said. An associate Professor of Law at Makerere University, Advocate Jean Barya said: “What the government is trying to do is totally illegal and unconstitutional and can be challenged in courts of law. It may not mean overthrowing the Constitution because the other arm of government has not been interfered with but such a move has serious implications on the doctrine of separation of powers. Parliament is supposed to be independent and the NRM Caucus is not Parliament.” Senior counsel Ben Wacha, one of the legal brains behind the formulation of the House Rules of Procedure, said: “Caucus is Caucus and Parliament is Parliament,” adding that the rules do not allow MPs to reverse matters resolved by Parliament. “For the President to proceed because the caucus has agreed without coming back to the House will be illegal,” Mr Wacha said. “Parliament needs to find out why the Executive is not implementing the resolutions of the House, otherwise what they are trying to do means Parliament is useless and is outside the doctrine of separation of powers.” 1 | 2 Next Page»Attorney General Peter Nyombi and his deputy Fred Ruhindi were not available for comment as they were reportedly attending a meeting. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1257146/-/12q6elcz/-/index.html","content":"Oil secrecy clauses in agreements can change - Contrary to what the government would have us believe, there are exceptions to any confidentiality clause, say, a court order requiring disclosure of information subject to confidentiality provisions; or where the law authorises disclosure of such information. This leaves a party to a contract, with confidentiality, provisions with no option to disclosure besides shielding it from breach of contract litigation. These limitations to confidentiality apply irrespective of their express inclusion in an agreement or otherwise. Court orders may be obtained despite the unsuccessful initial attempt at the Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court of some Ugandans. The government ought to employ the legal duty of its officials and entities to give citizens access to information relating to oil agreements. Legal provisions and court orders supersede contractual obligations in the event of conflict. Noteworthy is that the right of every citizen to access information in possession of the state is enshrined in Article 41 of the Constitution of Uganda, 1995 and Section 5 of the Access to Information Act, 2005. The exceptions to the right to access to information are: where release of information would prejudice security of the state or its sovereignty or interfere with the privacy of a person. The right to access to information casts a corresponding duty unto persons and bodies in possession of the sought information to furnish it. The list of duty holders is indicated in Section 2 (1), which sets out the state entities or public bodies that are obliged under the Act to provide information to the public. The entities include “government ministries, departments, local governments, statutory corporations and bodies, commissions and other government organs and agencies.” The concerned government officials clearly possess a legal obligation to aid the citizen’s access to information in their ministries even if that information relates to oil agreements. Accordingly, the current posturing and hiding beneath confidentiality provisions in the Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) is not only irresponsible, it is unconstitutional. The government has, hitherto, failed to point out how disclosure of PSAs would prejudice state security or sovereignty. In fact, government’s obdurate refusal to disclose such agreements to appease foreign investors is sacrificing our sovereignty. It exalts the interests of Big Oil above the legitimate desire of Ugandans to hold those who manage public property accountable. It frustrates attempts to engender transparency and guarantee value for money. It seems the hidden PSAs are unfair to Uganda. The government has something to hide and is sheltering behind confidentiality obligations to keep Ugandans in the dark on how their oil is going to be shared. The oil curse may be knocking. We urge Parliament keep the fire burning until it illuminates the PSAs so that every Ugandan can partake of the oil cake. Fellow Ugandans, keep demanding that our oil be only managed in a manner we approve. Oil is a public property, which Ugandans are enjoined by Article 17 (1) (d) of the Constitution to preserve and protect. We can only do this if we know the details relating to the management. We are entitled to know whether what government negotiated on our behalf secures our strategic national interests. The demand for transparency in the oil sector situates itself in the context of citizens exercising their duty to combat corruption and misuse of public property as stipulated under Article 17 (1) (i) of the Constitution. The government is taking Ugandans for granted, feeding the suspicion that only a handful of Ugandans are benefiting from our oil. This reminds me of a quote attributed to former USA president, Richard Nixon: “When information, which properly belongs to the public is systematically withheld by those in power, the people soon become ignorant of their own affairs, distrustful of those who manage them, and eventually - incapable of determining their destinies.” The only reason why Ugandans cannot access the PSAs is because our government wants it so. To whom does the oil belong? Mr Kiiza is an advocatekiizaeron@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1257198/-/bhyuv6z/-/index.html","content":"Congolese army officer held in Kisoro - KISORO The police in Kisoro District are investigating circumstances under which Capt. Shali Shindano Mutondo, a Congolese soldier, entered into Uganda. The South-South Regional Police Spokesperson, Mr Elly Maate, confirmed the arrest and said the police were investigating the motive of this officer, who he said claims that he was running away from his country for fear of being persecuted. Mr Maate said the soldier was arrested in Kisoro Town Council after residents became suspicious as he spoke Swahili with a mixture of Lingala and French. “The officer entered into Uganda through Bunagana border town. He claims to have been a paymaster in the Congolese army attached to 803 regiment of the 1st Battalion in Walikali Pinga City, North Kivu,” Mr Maate said. Abuse of office claims“We are trying to liaise with the police headquarters to attain the validity of his claims through the Congolese Embassy in Kampala,” he added.Mr Maate also said security is not taking chance with a breach of territorial security and illegal entrance into the country, saying insurgents still abound. “We must establish his actual motive because we cannot take chances at this time when the ADF rebels operating in Eastern DRC are threatening the security of our country,” Mr Maate said. “He told police that he was running away from his country because he incurred loss as he handled the money meant for the army because of his position as a paymaster, so we are going to establish this claim and see how to deal with it,” he added."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1255906/-/bi13gvz/-/index.html","content":"Uganda is not a monarchy, says Kutesa - Embattled Foreign Affairs minister Sam Kutesa, an in-law of President Museveni, has said the First family has no intentions of staying in power because Uganda is not a monarchy. While appearing on the KFM premium talk-show, Hard Talk yesterday, Mr Kutesa, who stepped down on Wednesday after being accused of causing financial loss to government during the Commonwealth Heads of State Meeting in 2007, said he has no ambitions for the presidency. “There is no discussion in the family that they want to maintain power and Uganda is not a kingdom. I have no intentions of contesting for president and if people think that I am stealing money to use for presidential ambitions then I am sorry,” he said. Mr Kutesa is among four Cabinet ministers, along with Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, Internal Affairs’ Hilary Onek, State Minister for Labour Mwesigwa Rukutana in Museveni’s government currently on the spotlight for corruption-related charges.Asked whether the current oil bribery allegations have anything to do with a reported succession struggle within the ruling NRM party, Mr Kutesa said he has no intention to run for the presidency and that as a member of the first family, no such idea had been discussed. He added: “Those in the line for succession debate fight your wars and don’t involve me.” Mr Kutesa is believed to be among the richest Ugandans with vast property and businesses. However, when asked to declare his wealth due to wide public perception that he has amassed quite a fortune in unclear circumstances, Mr Kutesa said he is worth Shs3 billion on top of owning two ranches in Nyabushozi and another in Mawogola County. He also admitted that he owns four buildings in Kampala. Wealth scrutiny“I don’t own any other building; I own a farm at Nyabushozi called Katongole which I bought when I was a student and I have over time restocked... I have four buildings in Kampala, two in Bugolobi, one in Nakasero, which I live in, and another old building on Nasser Road,” he said, adding: “I don’t own Nakumatt and recently a newspaper linked me to Grand Imperial, which is a falsehood.” Mr Kutesa said he owns 30 per cent shares in the Entebbe Handling Services and said this is the reason why he was censured in the 6th Parliament despite acquiring the property before joining Cabinet and through legal tendering procedures. “I have been investigated that I wanted to buy the airport and I was censured because I bought Entebbe Handling Services. I have no foreign accounts but I have dollar accounts locally in Uganda. If we want to fight corruption, let us use transparent means and not corrupt ways and let us not demonise wealth creation in disguise of fighting corruption.” Mr Kutesa claimed he is a victim of a reported witch hunt by individuals who feel that certain faces and certain heads should roll. He said allegations by Western Region youth MP Gerald Karuhanga of oil bribes are mere hearsay meant to destroy his credibility because the documents being used are forged and therefore Parliament ought to give him chance to explain and clear his name based on evidence collected by both the Uganda police. rwanabwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1253518/-/bi2k84z/-/index.html","content":"LIVE UPDATES DAY 2: Oil Debate in Parliament - 10:21pm:- House adjourned to October 25.• Speaker says what Lyomoki has suggested is part of the procedures of the House and isn’t new.• Speaker thanks all the members for the work you have done in the few days and remind the government will bend backwards to consider the laws which we have asked for.• Lyomoki moves to say the persons to be on the adhoc committee observe the highest moral standards. He defends his statement by saying that from all areas, we have seen this involves a lot of money which seems to be exchanging hands. We need to put a clause so that the members remain true to the investigations• Speaker puts the question on resolution 10 and it is was passed.• Nandala says Onek has signed an MoU that nothing be made but when he left, people changed the agreement- I therefore want to propose that those officials who changed the resolutions….• Speaker rules Nandala out of order that those will be investigated 10:00pm:-Ali says because of corruption this debate becomes bi-partisan and I have seen there is an element of some people who seem to be loosing confidence in government. Why am saying that is because there are 3 arms of government and out of the 3 its only the executive to sanction the inquiry. • Ali says if you appoint your committee, what if it takes one year or two years and you come with your conclusions, and you want implementation of those resolutions, who will implement them, except the executive? We must trust each other lest we refuse to implement your decisions. • Ali said he has seen there is no order because people have refused to respect others- so I ill also behave like them buy refusing to take order. What order are you talking about now? • Ssekikubo says there is an issue which should be handled well. We are carrying out an inquiry and some members of cabinet have been found on the wrong side of the law and are suspects. • Mbabazi moves on point of order saying; “Is it in order for Ssekikubo to claim and assert that some members of cabinet have been found which means that judgment has already been passed. Who has found that judgment and where? As far as am concerned, am innocent as anyone could be. For anyone to say am suspect when you just produced a mere document from an embassy is absolutely out of the world.” • Speaker rules that no findings have been made. Let us not pre-judge until the end of investigations. • Tumwiine amends the motion for the period of three months and we think its too long. Enough is enough with corruption and there is no smoke without fire and everybody on this floor has agreed with investigations and as all of you have said, what a wonderful opportunity to fight corruption. • Tumwiine says Parliament asks the President that those alleged should be sent on leave until the investigations are made and that the adhoc committee reports within one month. • Nandala says one month would be okay but given the distances of Malta, UK, Dubai. The distance isn’t like travelling to Arua. We don’t need them to be a hurry to make a poor work, but if they can finish in 30 days, it’s okay for us. • Nandala also tabled ‘classified document presented before the caucus.’ • Joy Ongom says rules which talk about leadership and I appeal that please step aside and leave way for investigation. I ask that you put a question with amendment made by Sseninde. • Speaker puts question on clause 9 (a) of adhoc committee as amended. 9:44pm:- Katongole says he knows that some legal firms had applied and didn’t get the contract like Katuntu whose company wanted a contract but failed to get one. He says we shouldn’t fight our people because of hearsay. • Katuntu says Katongole has made an allegation. First of all I first met Sigh years back when I was acting for a financial institution which Katongole owed money and I was ordered by the company to attach the old buses which Katongole owned. • Katuntu says since that time I have never interacted with Katongole. It is true I own a law firm but since my Parliament I am a passive advocate there because am busy. Am not an oil lawyer, none of my lawyers is an oil lawyer. I have never had a slightest contact with any oil firm. These are diversionary tactics and he mentions my name so that I be diverted which I wont. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1252300/-/bi3b5bz/-/index.html","content":"Kadaga sets tough conditions for MPs to access oil deals - Parliament. Ahead of a stormy oil debate tomorrow, Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has imposed tough conditions on MPs before accessing the oil agreements the government signed with foreign companies. The guidelines circulated to members of the Legal Committee, among others, on Friday bans lawmakers from photocopying the Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs), whether electronic or in any other form. The guidelines place PSAs in the custody of the Clerk to Parliament and to access such documents the MPs must apply first. Under the guides, only MPs and authorised members of staff can access the documents under tight security measures. According to Guideline 7, “Upon accessing the PSAs, the authorised person shall study the (agreements) in a place designated by the Clerk under (his or her) close supervision,” Mr Kadaga wrote in her October 5 letter. She added: “An authorised person shall not take any Production Sharing Agreement outside the place designated by the Clerk under guideline 7.” The application to access the PSAs, required under these guidelines, shall indicate the name and the particulars of the authorised person, description of the agreement required to be accessed, date and signature of the applicant and the date on which the person requesting the agreement would like to access the documents. Citing Section 59 of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act, Chapter 150 of the laws of Uganda, Ms Kadaga said: “An authorised person shall strictly treat information obtained from a Production Sharing Agreement with a high level of confidentiality,” adding: “An authorised person who breaches a confidentiality clause under any PSA shall be personally liable for any loss or damage arising as a result of that breach.” While the lawmakers on the Legal Committee have dismissed the guidelines as illegal, Ms Kadaga said the PSAs in the custody of the Clerk contain confidentiality clauses which bind government to which Parliament and every individual Member of Parliament is a party. Meanwhile, fighting to reclaim her public image, Ms Kadaga has revealed that a powerful politician has been working behind the scenes to have her jettisoned out of office. Over the last two weeks MPs piled pressure on Ms Kadaga, urging her to recall the House to debate the PSAs that have been keep secret. Under Article 95 (5), at least 190 MPs petitioned the Speaker in a landmark appeal for Parliament to discuss the oil sector. Speaker Kadaga had earlier rejected to recall Parliament citing the confidentiality clauses in the agreements.Even though Ms Kadaga has since made a U-turn and recalled the House, she told Sunday Monitor in an exclusive interview that a politician she did not name was setting her up to be censured by Parliament if she hard-lined on not recalling the House. While attending a closed door meeting with some petitioners on Tuesday, word reached her that a top government official had used State House aide to make calls to Ms Kadaga telling her that President Museveni had instructed that she does not recall the House. “I talk to the President directly, I even know his voice. They were hoping that I would fall into a trap and fail to call the House and then they would support the Members to censure me. I know of that plot,” she said.Reported by Yasiin Mugerwa, Sheila Naturinda & Isaac Imaka"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1245980/-/13w86vfz/-/index.html","content":"Some police officers are too inexperienced to handle serious cases - ex-deputy police boss - A three-decade walk. Former police boss Julius Odwe speaks to Sunday Monitor’s Emmanuel Gyezaho and recounts his three-decade journey working in the governments of Milton Obote, Tito Okello Lutwa and Yoweri Museveni. In this interview, the ex-deputy IGP speaks about life as a carpenter and hunter, the entry of military men into the civil police force, his love for tree planting, and tells why he has been able to evade scandals in a force so tainted by indignity. Excerpts below; What informed your decision to finally throw in the towel? My belief is that I don’t do it alone. I felt it is not by disappointment or some other reason but I thought I had done my part. It was principle. But the force actually wanted to keep you. Why didn’t you stay on?For the last 10 years, nobody was able to become deputy IGP because I was still there. I said you see on earth, there is time for everybody to do something. Looking back, what can you say is the moment you are most proud of?I didn’t have time to do things for myself. I had to devote myself to that. I didn’t need freedom for myself but freedom for other people. And I think that was good. What I feel happy about is that I am going home when northern Uganda is peaceful. Is there anything you can say if given opportunity you would do differently?Definitely, like when I was in Tororo at the time of rebel activity, I was unable to perform fully as a district CID officer but largely due to insecurity and lack of resources. So many people were killed by rebels. It was my duty to go to every scene. That was in 1987-89. The peak of the problem was in 1988 when we had serious problems of rebels immediately before Alice Lakwena. That is the time I felt I didn’t do enough really. Many describe you as a disciplined, honest and dedicated officer. Are these true reflections of who you are?Even if you look at yourself in a mirror, you cannot see yourself completely. It is those who see you who can. But I believe I have been trying my best first of all to be a simple person. Through experience, I came to learn that it is useless for you to feel different from any other human being. How have you been able to stay away from scandal for all your 30 years of service in a force so associated with indignity?That is a matter of commitment. How do scandals come about? My experience is that it is mainly lack of information or intelligence. I have come back home with no money. Even when I was deputy IGP, there were occasions when I had in my pocket Shs5,000 but somebody else of that status could be imagining why they should live like that. Did you see any of your colleagues amass wealth in questionable circumstances?Yes, that is what some officers’ look up to. I have been chairman of police finance, controlling all this money for more than 10 years, and I was chairman of procurement. All these are areas where somebody can access lots of money or wealth, but I made sure that I was not a party to unlawful business or being induced to gain something from my position or decisions. Seeing your fellow police officers amass wealth is there anything you did to apprehend them?These are things you don’t see physically you just have deductions at the end of the day. You are aware that money has changed hands and you can see the visible aspect in the body and conduct of a person; people are going to bars, buying new vehicles. That car you see outside [A Toyota Mark 2] is the first vehicle I bought in 1999 and it is second hand. I bought because I was able to save money. Are you liberty to name and shame?You know those who were investigated by Justice Julia Ssebutinde…those ones. Mr Edward Ochom was named in that report wasn’t he?Mr Ochom’s case was about a loss of a gun. He was really an innocent person. That was in-fighting. You see in public service there is a lot of infighting. Who of the Ssebutinde people can you remember off head? Of course there was IGP [John Cossy] Odomel. That is why he had to leave the office. Those who were innocent were discharged. All these were a mass of allegations and sometimes they could have been fact or bias. Go to the police, you will find that report. Some of the officers labelled good, and yet they were not very good. That is the hopeless aspect of it. Which of the most sensitive investigations can you say are most memorable?As a junior person, in 1983, just one year into CID and two years into the police, there were two men who were killed in Sironko. The community found these people dead the next morning and their clothes removed. I was in charge of the investigation group covering the northern part of Mbale as a junior detective and a cadet. We had a key and other exhibits from the scene. My imagination asked about this key which is normally used for locking offices and lodges. It had a number five. I woke up one day and instructed detectives to go out in town in Mbale and ask whether anyone has lost a key. I took my own direction with some junior staff and we reached a lodge and we inquired. We were told somebody had booked there and had never come back with their key. We asked for records; the visitor register and receipts. This fellow’s name was on the receipt records and I had almost completed the investigation. He was called Masete. I forgot the other name. I arrested him, took him to court and Justice Karokora tried that case. You joined during the Obote II government in 1981. What was it like working then?As a junior officer it wasn’t much. The police was very busy up to 1985 fighting the NRA in Luwero. Generally work under Obote was like we were on probation. We didn’t know the echelons of police work. The salary was not enough. There was only one vehicle which the boss always used and was only released when there was a murder case. What was the transition like for you from Obote, to Lutwa to Museveni?I took it simple because we were now working for government. When you are working for government you must be committed to government; that was my position. News was coming of fighting in Gulu, and so on, we said no problem if government has capacity, for us we are here. When the government was overthrown, on that day I was in town. It was a Saturday. I returned home after some two days, they wanted us in office. But some people ran away including my close colleagues. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1244740/-/bind5wz/-/index.html","content":"MPs grill seven officials over Shs150b market deals - Senior technocrats who handled the compensation claims for businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba and Col. John Mugyenyi were grilled for several hours yesterday, for their roles in the alleged abuse of more than Shs150b in taxpayers’ money.The members of the Inter-ministerial Committee chaired by Arch Kazahura, the chief architect in the Ministry of Works, allowed claims on contracts which were never cleared by the Attorney General as required under Article 119(5) of the Constitution. SilencedMr Kazahura’s team also conceded that the claimants were paid on anticipation in total breach of the trust the government put in the evaluation committee. The technocrats attempted to drag President Museveni into the mess but Mr Eddie Kwizera, the acting committee chairperson, and PAC’s Legal Counsel, Gerald Karuhanga, ruled them out of order. “The Committee didn’t do its job well and they offended the taxpayers in many ways. For instance, there is a Constitutional Court ruling which says that any contract not cleared by the Attorney General is null and void,” Mr Karuhanga said. “Taxpayers also lost Shs1.1 billion to Col. Mugyenyi because of these people. Even people from the State Attorneys on the committee failed to give advice on the legality of the contracts.” No remorseWhile others begged for mercy, Ms Nankabirwa said: “The claimants had valid contracts because there was an offer from the defunct Kampala City Council, acceptance and consideration. The internal processes were not supposed to be pursued by claimants.” By authorising payments to Mr Basajjabalaba and Col. Mugyenyi without deducting taxes, Mr Mugambe and Ms Nankabirwa were faulted by MPs who accused them of letting taxpayers down by mismanaging their money. Subject to the provisions of the 1995 Constitution, Mr Karuhanga said no agreement, contract, treaty, convention or document by whatever name, shall be concluded without legal advice from the Attorney General, except in such cases and subject to such conditions as Parliament may by law prescribe. In an attempt to deny any wrongdoing, Mr Kazahura said: “I am a Ugandan, an adult and a sane one. I don’t want to see public funds swindled from left to right because I will also be losing. As a committee, we cleared payments where we were convinced and where we were not, we rejected but the one who had the final say was the Attorney General.” ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1244260/-/binh1fz/-/index.html","content":"Makerere lecturers sue NIC to recover Shs16b pension cash - KAMPALA The feud between Makerere University and the National Insurance Corporation Ltd. (NIC) over the recovery of Shs16.7 billion meant for the lecturers pension savings has climaxed with both parties going to court. NIC had on Monday issued a statutory notice to sue the university and the Attorney General contesting the figure arrived at as the basis of Makerere’s outstanding balance. However, Makerere alongside the lecturers’ umbrella pension body, “The Registered Trustees of Makerere University Retirement Benefit Scheme”, had already filed a civil suit on Friday against NIC before the High Court, Commercial Division ahead of NIC. “The plaintiffs bring this suit for recovery of Shs16.68b, interest thereon, damages and costs arising out of the defendant’s breach of contract,” reads the suit in part. Subsequently the court’s registrar, Ms Margaret Tibulya, yesterday summoned NIC to file its defence with 15 days. “Should you fail to file on or before the date mentioned, the plaintiffs may proceed with the suit and judgment may be given in your absence,” Ms Tibulya wrote. Court records show that in July 1996, the university established a retirement saving scheme and life insurance scheme to benefit its members upon retirement. A five-member committee was nominated to act as Trustees of the Deposit Administration Plan (DAP) scheme and a trusted Deed was executed. In April 2009, the Makerere University Retirement Benefit Scheme formally appointed NIC to manage the saving scheme on their behalf. The lecturers in their suit contend that they formally withdrew from the DAP scheme in August 2008 with an audit establishing the value of the scheme at Shs27.9b. NIC has only paid them Shs10b, the lecturers claim. The lecturers are now accusing NIC of neglecting to pay their balance and that they have suffered loss and damage which they hold them liable. The insurer contends that on September 28, 2010, the Auditor General submitted his preliminary report on the DAP scheme which observed that as of December 31, 2008, Makerere reported a fund position of Shs16.1b while NIC estimated the fund position to be at Shs7.6b. Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC), was hired to carry out the audit and it submitted its final report in June 2011. The report valued the DAP scheme at Shs22.5b in respect of existing members and Shs4.4b in respect of members who had left the scheme. In its intended notice, NIC seeks orders of court declaring that the PWC report is tainted with illegalities and wants court to direct for an independent valuation and audit of the DAP scheme. awesaka@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1243586/-/bio3xaz/-/index.html","content":"Unatu: Teachers victimised for role in strike - Until September 10, Annet Namirimu had been the head teacher of Matale Primary School in Rakai District. However, on that day, she received a letter transferring her to the office of the district education officer without a clear position.She only learnt later that the vague transfer stemmed from her participation in the now-suspended teachers strike, where the instructors made a case for better pay. Her case is one of at least 26 that the Uganda National Teachers Union (Unatu) has documented as it accuses the government of seeking to stifle the industrial action and beat union members back into line. Ms Namirimu says she reported to her new post but because there was little or nothing to do, she asked for leave and she watches what steps her employers take. “It was a Saturday when the District Inspector of Schools gave me a transfer letter to the DEO’s office but when I reached there, there was no work to do and the next day I told them I was sick and they gave me leave,” Ms Namirimu said. The incidents documented by Unatu range from arrests as is the case of Mr Lawrence Okwi, a deputy head teacher at Olilim Primary School in Otuke to transfers and threats to teachers to choose either to teach or seek employment from the union.“Teachers in Nakasongola, who did not report to school in the first week, were summoned by the Chief Administrative Officer to sign apology letters for not reporting to school during the strike before resuming duty,” the Unatu brief notes. According to the report, the head teacher of Kaserem Primary School in Kapchorwa, Mr Salim Chebet, has been transferred to another school, Gamoko Primary School, largely because he supported union activities. He was accused of closing the school during the strike, an allegation he denies. “I did not close the school because of the strike but the chairman of the area found when the teachers had gone for lunch because the cooks had not prepared lunch,” Mr Chebet said. “However, the chairman reported to the DEO and CAO that the school had been closed due to the strike.” Unatu general secretary Teopista Birungi yesterday said: “Many of our members have been affected and they have been issued letters asking them to explain why they should not be charged with breach of professional code of conduct.”Ms Birungi insists the strike is still on but was only suspended not to let children and parents lose out more but also allow room for continued negotiations. She said the union is yet to establish the actual number of teachers affected but said legal options were being considered to defend the affected. Mr Wilson Owere of the National Organisation for Trade Unions, said: “We are asking government to order its machinery to stop their action to avoid the wrath of all the labour organisations.” editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1240512/-/biq734z/-/index.html","content":"Cyclists beat police to meet Lord Mayor - Boda -Boda cyclists yesterday beat a heavy police deployment around City Hall to access the Mayor’s Parlour and meet the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. To beat the security, the cyclists masqueraded as Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) casual workers, since the premises, which also houses the city community hall, was out of bounds to visitors throughout the day. “All meetings with politicians within City Hall have been suspended until further notice, unless you are going for something else ,” said a traffic officer only identified as Kaluli. The Central Police Station Commander, Mr Norman Musinga, who was overseeing operations around City Hall was shocked to learn later that scores of cyclists had sneaked into the hall unnoticed. Mr Lukwago had summoned the cyclists to discuss their fate following government’s plan to ban their operations in the city.Although the meeting was scheduled to start at 10am, the cyclists, allegedly with guidance from the Lord Mayor’s office, delayed it for an hour to confuse Police about what was taking place. Mr Musinga, who never knew what was going on inside the hall , told reporters that the meeting had been blocked because the Lord Mayor did not seek police clearance. “We don’t know the agenda of this meeting and as police we have blocked it because it is likely to breach peace within City Hall,” he said. The meeting But while addressing the cyclists, Mr Lukwago said he had been notified about his consultative meeting with the cyclists but was shocked to learn that police had blocked it. “This meeting was called in accordance with the law to help us formulate a policy on boda- bodas but I was shocked to learn through the media that police had blocked it,” he said, adding, “They have even besieged my office claiming they are looking for cyclists. This is unacceptable and I need an apology from them for blocking a meeting which was lawful.” This is the second meeting blocked by police in less than a month, the first being one which Mr Lukwago had convened to meet vendors who were evicted from city streets. Although yesterday’s meeting took place, nothing much was discussed. Mr Lukwago said since other stakeholders like MPs representing various constituencies in Kampala were not around, another date would be fixed to look into the cyclists’ concerns. Early this month, KCCA evicted vendors from the city streets and are planning to ban boda boda cyclists. According to Kampala Urban Traffic Improvement Plan, a document which government is using to effect changes in Kampala, city markets, bus and taxi parks have to be relocated outside the city. assenkabirwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1240064/-/biqauwz/-/index.html","content":"Watch your back, DP tells Museveni after cash theft - KAMPALA The breach of security at State House that resulted in the theft of a substantial amount of cash should be an indicator to President Museveni that his personal security may be at stake, a senior opposition politician has warned although presidential security yesterday said there is nothing to worry about. Mr Mathias Nsubuga, the secretary-general of the Democratic Party, told a press conference in Kampala yesterday: “If such people (presidential guards) can have a plan to steal such money, the next thing they can [do] is take his (Mr Museveni’s) life.” The DP official’s comments come days after it was reported that soldiers of the elite Special Forces Group (SFG) commanded by First Son, Lt. Col. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, allegedly conspired with civilian staff and stole anywhere between Shs20 million and several billions from Okello House, a State House annex in Nakasero, Kampala. Officials have confirmed that the heist happened in the dead of the night on Friday, but give varying accounts of the sum of money stolen. Whereas SFG spokesman Edson Kwesiga said Shs20 million went missing, Presidential spokesman Tamale Mirundi called this newspaper to say a cashier stole only Shs2 million. Moving to deflect fears for the President’s life, Capt. Kwesiga yesterday said this incident in no way reflects on the integrity of the security around Mr Museveni, and assured the country that he is in good hands.“If they are worried about his life, should we say they want to take up the responsibility of guarding him?” Capt. Kweisga asked. “We have stood the test of time and SFG is up to the task of ensuring the President’s safety at all times. And for God’s sake, mishandling of cash in the cashiers’ office has no relationship with the President’s safety because cashiers are not guards.” A whistleblower and another source within State House have indicated that anywhere between Shs8 billion and Shs17 billion could have been spirited out of the cash office. The State House comptroller, Ms Lucy Nakyobe, who is the institution’s accounting officer, dropped our telephone call immediately this reporter introduced himself. Already, two cashiers, both said to be civilians, have been suspended after news emerged of the missing monies. It is understood that at least three of the elite guards have gone missing since last week’s theft became known to the authorities."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1239920/-/a17473/-/index.html","content":"publicise oil agreements - Members of Parliament are collecting signatures from their colleagues for a petition aiming at recalling Parliament for an emergency sitting to discuss the secrecy and uncertainty over oil agreements with foreign companies. This is a good move since it will provide Ugandans with the basic background knowledge of an industry which has a huge effect on the political, economic and social state of the country. However, the government insists that publicising the agreements between the government and oil companies operating in the country would be tantamount to breach of contract since the contracts have a ‘confidentiality clause’. This is dishonest! Ugandans have the right to know the content, benefits and revenue collection therein so that they are not short-changed in the negotiation process, especially now that the industry continues to attract more big companies to Uganda; a notable example being the recent entry of Halliburton - the second largest oilfield services corporation in the world. As citizens, we need to know how we will benefit from this lucrative venture. Is the oil sector, for instance, providing the much-needed jobs? What impact will oil production have on the environment, especially in the oil-rich areas of the country like Bunyoro? Some sources also indicate that the government was duped into signing unfair deals and, traditionally, there has been a lot of secrecy around the oil industry, which is hardly surprising considering how much money is involved in this sector. International oil companies and governments of oil-rich countries have, in the past, not been eager to publicise the details of oil contracts. Among the over 100 oil-rich countries in the world, only two have publicised their contracts, including Ghana. In 2002, the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative was formed to increase transparency over payments by companies to governments and to government-linked entities, as well as transparency over revenues by those host country governments. Uganda is yet to subscribe to this initiative. And if it subscribes, with good governance, the exploitation of these resources can generate large revenues to foster growth and reduce poverty in the country. However, if good governance and transparency are not observed, this resource may breed corruption, conflict and poverty! Let’s avoid the ‘oil curse’ by being transparent."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1238664/-/bj75i4z/-/index.html","content":"75 MPs sign to recall House over oil deals - A group of MPs from across the political divide spent the weekend collecting signatures from colleagues for a petition aiming at recalling Parliament for an emergency sitting, barely three days after it went on recess. Once endorsed, the petition will cause an emergency plenary sitting of Parliament to discuss the “secrecy and uncertainty” over government’s handling of the oil agreements with foreign companies. The scheme to recall Parliament is spearheaded by the Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo (NRM) and his Bugweri counterpart Abdu Katuntu, also the Shadow Attorney General. By Saturday, the duo had collected 75 signatures although the law provides for at least 125 signatures for such a move to succeed. “As a country we need to be told about Tullow and Heritage company agreement with the government and what our share is in the entire deal,” said Mr Ssekikubo, who also chairs the parliamentary oil and gas group. He added: “As long as we are in this Parliament, this is a non-partisan matter and it’s in that spirit that every member and person of goodwill will rise up to the challenge. Why is everything being kept a secret? We are headed for doom.” Mr Ssekikubo said whereas the MPs are on recess, they hope to raise the required signatures by next week. The petition comes in the wake of government’s failure to provide to Parliament documents of all the oil transactions between government, Heritage and Tullow oil companies. The Legal and Parliamentary Affairs committee last week summoned Attorney General Peter Nyombi thrice to furnish the committee with the details of the agreement but he never turned up. The MPs have since vowed to block the money until Parliament discusses issues in the oil sector. Mr Wilfred Niwagaba (Ndorwa East, NRM) said: “When we requested especially for the agreements. We discovered that there are clauses that are controversial, which is why we are calling for the House’s intervention before it is too late.” Was government duped?The legal committee chairperson, Mr Steven Tashobya, told Daily Monitor yesterday that the manner in which the oil transactions are being handled is suspicious. “During our discussions in the committee, members raised concerns that there is more in the oil sector than meets the eye,” said Mr Tashobya. Information before the committee indicates that government was duped into signing some ‘unfair’ clauses in the agreement. “For instance, Clause 33 of the agreement ties our hands, legs and ears. Even if world prices increase, we cannot change our share of the revenue,” said a source who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter. Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah, who adjourned the House, yesterday declined to comment on the matter, referring this newspaper to Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, whose known mobile phone was off by press time. Mr Nyombi, however, yesterday said Parliament cannot implore him to produce agreements that would tantamount to breach of contract. “The agreement has a confidentiality clause which we must respect. I have no problem releasing it but it would be tragic if I released them. I will only do so provided the parties authorise me,” Mr Nyombi said. mnalugo@ug.nationmedia.com & iimaka@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1237012/-/bj7yniz/-/index.html","content":"Court halts UBC from recovering disputed land - Court has stopped Uganda Broadcasting Corporation from throwing out a company that allegedly purchased the disputed 22-acre land in Bugolobi, Nakawa Division, until disputes are resolved. The Land Division of the High Court issued the temporary order restraining UBC, its managing director Paul Kihika and their agents or servants from interfering with the developments on the said land, including masts currently guarded by the police. DEO and Sons Property Limited, a real estate company said to have bought the contested land, dragged UBC to court following a letter in which the latter revoked the sale of the land to businessman Hassan Bassajjabalaba. The company is claiming damages and declarations for wrongful and unlawful pronouncements over the property the company contends it bought at Shs11.5b. “The first respondent (UBC) be limited to access, use and guarding of their five masts and radio transmitters without interfering with the registered owners’ use,” said Mr David Batema, the court’s deputy Registrar. Mr Batema also halted the commissioner Land Resgistry from interfering with or cancelling the registration that has put the applicant in legal ownership of the land. The court decision comes after reports that UBC revoked the sale of the disputed land to Mr Basajjabala, citing breach of contract and strategic interests of the corporation. Mr Bassajjabalaba was on Wednesday grilled for several hours over purchase of the said land. He was released on bond after recording statements at the Special Investigations Unit in Naguru. Justice Joseph Murangira has been assigned the case when hearing commence. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1236580/-/bj8jv9z/-/index.html","content":"Tycoons grilled over land deals - Two city tycoons, Mr Hassan Basajjabalaba and Mr Ephraim Ntaganda, were yesterday interrogated for several hours on two unrelated cases involving purchase of land from government institutions. ANDREW BAGALAThey were both released on bond after recording statements at Police’s Special Investigations Unit at Naguru, police spokesperson, Ms Judith Nabakooba confirmed, adding “we shall call them later when we need them.” Mr Basajjabalaba is being investigated over the purchase of Uganda Broadcasting Corporation land in Bugolobi while Mr Ntaganda is alleged to have bought land on Mbuya from Ministry of Finance fraudulently. It is alleged that the chairman of HABA Group, Mr Basajjabalaba, bought 23.1 acres of land on Faraday Road in Bugolobi, in Nakawa Division, at Shs11b from UBC, but resold it at Shs22b in June 2011 without paying the outstanding balance of Shs4.5 billion or notifying the land vendor (UBC). “The land was bought without following the PPDA (Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets) Act,” Ms Nabakooba said.UBC cancelled the first sale of the plot to HABA Group citing breach of contract and strategic interests of the corporation. Police said Mr Basajjabalaba’s interrogation is part of the investigations into the mismanagement and corruption in the state broadcaster.Efforts to get Mr Basajjabalaba’s comment on why he was summoned and what he told police were futile as both his known mobile phone numbers were switched off. In another land case in Mbuya, a Kampala suburb, Mr Ntaganda is said to have purchased three acres of land at Shs1.4b on behalf of Mr Joseph Konyen and nine others from the Ministry of Finance. abagala@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1234716/-/bj9w4pz/-/index.html","content":"Makerere student leaders arrested - Fourteen Makerere University student guild leaders were last evening released from police custody after being rounded up at the entrance to the main campus earlier in the day for staging a sit-down and hunger strike in protest over the continued closure of the institution.Armed police arrested the group led by guild president Denis Onekalit and detained them at Wandegeya Police Station where they were subjected to six hours of questioning.Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said the student leaders were released on bond, pending investigations into “unlawful assembly”. The university was closed on September 1 after lecturers’ laid down their tools, demanding salary increment and refund of Shs16.7 billion that insurance firm National Insurance Cooperation (NIC) owes them.The guild leaders are part of the few students – including the disabled, foreign and health sciences students, who were allowed to remain on the campus after it was closed. Both the guild president and deputy represent the students on the university council. Yesterday, the guild leaders after addressing journalists, where they accused the university management and government of delaying the process of reopening the university, proceeded to stage their strike that prematurely ended with their arrest. “We have vowed not to eat or drink as a sign of dissatisfaction until the university is opened,” said Mr Onekalit. But before the threat could be implemented, police swung into action, arresting the students, bundling them on to a pick-up truck before driving them to Wandegeya Police Station. Later, the Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander, Mr Felix Kaweesi, wrote to the student leaders, warning them against further strikes. “Holding a strike is likely to incite the students who are still living in the environs of the university and this will automatically lead to breach of peace,” Mr Kaweesi wrote. As if the aborted hunger strike was not enough, the student leaders who were left behind as part of the university council engagement for a way forward were last night directed to vacate campus for “failure to serve the purpose for which they had been left at the university”. “We had left them behind because we thought they could be part of other stakeholders but if they have resorted to striking, then it means we are going to start running battles with them and this in the eyes of council it is not good,” said Mr Cyriako Kabagambe, the dean of students. Students defiantThe students, however, vowed not to move an inch.“We are going to resist because the university council passed the resolution for us to be left behind. If they want us out, the council must first convene and pass a new resolution,” said Ms Doreene Nyanjura, the guild vice president. It is not yet clear, when the government will re-open the university.Education Minister Jessica Alupo without giving specifics said last evening the government will soon communicate its position, after a Cabinet resolution. “We are looking forward to presenting our memo to Cabinet to agree on a final position,” she said. President Museveni was last evening set to meet the academic staff association leaders to find a way forward. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/-/690266/1233794/-/mq3m7v/-/index.html","content":"Express, URA give fans stress reliever - After three hours of frustrating scenes at Namboole, Express and URA treated the hundreds of fans that filled a partition of the stadium to a thrilling first half that made a mockery of the 1-1 scoreline. Striker Robert Ssentongo’s third minute break put the defending champions, URA, ahead but the youthful, young and exuberant Express refused to give up, pouncing back through a well struck penalty by Yusuf Juuko 25 minutes later. The start of the 2011/12 Bell Super League had been in doubt for the past weeks after Fufa and USL failed to agree on certain conditions the local soccer body slapped on them, leading to the competition being ‘banned.’ But there was no stopping it despite three of the six scheduled games involving Busia – Simba in Jinja, Maroons – Proline in Luzira, and Bidco – Water, the lined up early kickoff at Namboole, not taking off. Scenes of Bidco players being chased from the stands by angry fans and ex-Express lawyer Geoffrey Nsamba, who was insisting the match shouldn’t take place, being forced out of the stadium by police were hardly the best way to kick off the new league valued at Shs15.5b. As turns out, USL and SuperSport have decided to sue Bidco for breach of contract of adherence. Water were awarded maximum points. In the other games, Fire Masters defeated Utoda 2-1, while Masaka drew 1-1 with Police. Maroons-Poline and Busia-Simba were called off. amwanguhya@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/-/688322/1233140/-/4ctv5m/-/index.html","content":"Inflation and dollar  battering telecoms - KAMPALA Players in the telecommunication sector are taking a direct hit from the falling shilling and inflation, which has made it impossible to make new investments. Inflation has been rising over the last couple of months hitting a new high of 21.4 per cent in August, while the dollar has temporarily held the local unit at Shs2850/900. This, according to Mr Donald Nyakairu, (Pictured) the Uganda Telecom Ag. managing director, is eating into the players capital, thus hindering new injections. “It explains the current bad network because there is no money to invest in new network equipment to cater for the increase in usage and numbers. So, that is why all of us, not just Utl, will have to increase tariffs in order to be able to remain around,” he said in an interview yesterday. Revised tariffs All leading mobile phone service providers - MTN, Warid, Airtel and Utl have recently revised their tariffs northwards citing rising costs of doing business in the country. He, however, said Utl was facing a unique challenge after the UN sanctions imposed on Libya in February made it difficult for the company’s main shareholder, the Libyan African Investment Portfolio, to inject more funds in the business. “We were expecting about $60 million from the main shareholders this year but it has not happened. That money should have gone towards re-payment of some of the debts and the rest to re-capitalise the company. Actually, we have not been able to implement our 2011 business plan. [The] sanctions [have affected us] in the sense that our dollar transactions are not allowed which has really affected us,” he said.He also deflected allegations that Utl was going under following court cases that require the telecom to pay billions of Shillings to competitors. Both MTN and Airtel sued Utl for breach of interconnection agreement. The two firms alleged nonpayment of a combined sum of about Shs30 billion accumulated in interconnection charges.Mr Nyakairu said Utl had negotiated repayment plans with the two, firms thus they would stay their decision to suspend Utl’s call traffic routed through their networks."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1232962/-/bjb92tz/-/index.html","content":"IGG steps in district-university land wrangle - The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Mr Raphael Baku, has issued an interim order restraining Kabale District from using its 101 acres of land on Kikungiri hill until thorough investigations are made. The notice, dated August 22, addressed to the district chair, Mr Patrick Keihwa, comes at a time when Kabale University administration and its students have embraced a media campaign, claiming ownership of the same land. “This office has received a complaint that the district council intends to apportion 101 acres of land which it had earlier given to Kabale University and it is in the process of allocating part of it to the Judiciary, in breach of an earlier understanding,” the letter read in part. The district council had in 2001 donated 52 acres of the land and its buildings on Kikungiri hill to accommodate the university but the institution demanded more 102 acres for expansion. In 2006, then IGG Justice Faith Mwondha issued a ruling over the same land after the university filed a complaint claiming ownership. “If the university wants more land, it should come to an understanding with the district council, but be able to pay for it,” the ruling by Justice Mwondha read in part. However, Mr Keihwa said the university is trying to intimidate the district council to grab its land and that they have a title for the land. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1232380/-/bjbdpuz/-/index.html","content":"Utl ordered to deposit Shs1.7b before court hears defence - Uganda Telecom (Utl) has been ordered to deposit Shs1.7b as security in court before it can defend a Shs3.4 billion case filed against it by its competitor - Airtel, Uganda. The Commercial Division of the High Court in Kampala, presided over by Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire ordered the telecom company to deposit cash or any other security acceptable to the court registrar within 45 days. “If these are met, then the applicant (Utl) can file a defence within 14 days of meeting these conditions,” ruled Justice Kiryabwire on Monday. Last week, Airtel, a subsidiary of India’s Bharti Group, had threatened to terminate its interconnection agreement with Utl over a Shs6.4 billion debt. However, the move to shut out voice call traffic originating from Utl, was halted with the intervention of the government.Justice Kiryabwire observed the dispute at several levels, to make sure there was an interconnection arrangement between the two companies. Settling backlog“Whether in carrying out telecommunication business together, which both parties agree they did, there are reconciled accounts against which payments should be made. The sums involved are quite large and this does not make the dispute any lighter,” the Justice explained. According to court documents, Airtel dragged Utl to court seeking to recover unpaid interconnection charges worth Shs4 billion which was in breach of both an interconnection and settlement agreement. In April, MTN Uganda threatened to suspend carrying Utl call traffic over unpaid interconnection fees. This followed a court order that Utl pays MTN more than Shs6 billion in unpaid interconnection charges, damages and interest in a suit the company had lost. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1231146/-/bjc4pbz/-/index.html","content":"MPs put Minister Alupo to task over teachers, ask Mbabazi to step down - The Education Ministry yesterday defended Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi as some MPs called for his resignation over what they said has been his poor handling of the teachers’ strike. Minister Jessica Alupo denied that Mr Mbabazi has intimidated anyone, insisting that all the premier did over the weekend was to remind teachers to be “mindful of their actions” when he repeated the government’s position that it cannot increase salaries this year. During separate press conferences at Parliament in response to Mr Mbabazi’s perceived threats of sacking teachers who refuse to get back to class, the MPs accused him of intimidating teachers instead of addressing their concerns. “The Prime Minister has over-eaten and he is now belching. He should resign because he has no legitimacy and has failed to prevail over striking teachers. How can he threaten to sack them yet he has a fleet of cars, escorts and properties all of which are paid for by the teachers through Pay As You Earn?” Kampala Central MP Mohammed Nsereko asked. He said the government has for long made empty promises to teachers which must now be fulfilled. “And for Mbabazi to launch attacks on the desperate teachers is unthinkable. He is telling them to resign; did he employ them? The President met teachers and how come he never made such remarks?” Mr Nsereko asked. Worsening stand-offAt a press conference over the weekend after a closed-door meeting with political leaders, Mr Mbabazi said government has no money to raise teachers’ salaries. He threatened that those who will not report for duty will be sacked, saying pay increments will be implemented for all civil servants in a holistic manner over three years. But the legislators insisted yesterday that Mr Mbabazi’s threats will only worsen the situation. “We should look at the cause of the strike and address it immediately. The prime minister’s office is a big one and for him to make such statements is unfortunate. We should condemn his statements in the strongest terms and call him to order,” Ms Florence Namayanja (Bukoto East) said. Responding to the criticisms, Ms Alupo said MPs were misleading and inciting teachers.“If you can refer to the report I tabled in Parliament last week. We only differed with the teachers on one item where they were calling for a 100 per cent increment on their salaries out of the eight concerns raised, which we have solved. The MPs should be reminded that no one is above the law,” Ms Alupo warned. Schools opened yesterday but with close to eight million students in government-aided schools likely to be affected by the teachers’ ambivalent attitude to getting back to work. And since this is a penultimate term, students’ grades are likely to be affected as well. Joseph Ssewungu Gonzaga (Kalungu West) said whoever is ordering teachers to teach is a “witch and night dancer,” since teachers cannot teach on empty stomachs. “Mbabazi should resign since government has failed to control the situation and Alupo should go back to the army. The education psychology is different from the military psychology,” he said of the Education Minister, who was until recently a serving Lieutenant in the UPDF. He added: “Just recently the minister told us that the schools’ capitation grant would be there in two weeks. The money has never reached schools. Each year we are seeing more failures than first grades. Who is in charge of the education system?” Mr Ssewungu asked. The Permanent Secretary, Mr Francis Lubanga, on Friday directed teachers to attend pre-opening of term staff meetings and he warned head teachers that they will be held responsible for breach of terms and conditions of their employment. Meanwhile women MPs under the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association asked teachers to go back to class as their condition is being sorted out by Parliament. The association chairperson, Ms Betty Amongi (Oyam South) encouraged minister Mbabazi to pursue dialogue than threatening teachers."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1225684/-/bjurb6z/-/index.html","content":"How taxpayers lose billions in court awards - Taxpayers have lost at least Shs212 billion through unexplained court awards and compensations to individuals and companies, MPs have heard. Lawmakers on the committee of legal and parliamentary affairs and anti-corruption watchdogs on Thursday pointed an accusing finger at the Justice and Finance officials whom they accuse of connivance. The loophole has reportedly been sustained over the years, on pre-text that the government does not have the money to settle the outstanding arrears. While the anti-corruption agencies try to explain why government is losing cases, citing collusion on the part of the technocrats and breach of contracts with “crooked private sector players”, the government is now tasking the Acting Solicitor General Harriet Lwabi and Acting Director Civil Litigation Robina Rwakoojo, to cut the loss. However, technocrats in the Justice Ministry led by Under Secretary Earnest Bafaki, blamed Ministry of Finance officials for failure to provide funds for settling outstanding court awards on which interest continues to accumulate, causing government to lose billions in the process. “The total budget required to settle these compensations and court awards is over Shs212 billion but only Shs4.3 billion is provided. We cannot be blamed [for the loss],” Mr Bafaki said. Because of ‘ballooned’ interest rates pegged on the lump sum figures and the continued failure to settle these obligations, the amount government owes claimants in court awards and compensation stand at more than Shs39.1 billion and Shs173 billion respectively— bringing the total bill to Shs212 billion. The interest rates charged on unpaid court awards range from 6 to 30 per cent, which is far above the market rate of about 11 per cent. For instance file No. HCCS 31/2002 shows that while Uganda Development Bank was entitled to only Shs91.2 million as of May 2003, because of an interest rate of 10 per cent, the bank is now entitled to Shs270.4 million. The government has since paid Shs24 million. At an interest rate of 30 per cent, a one Julius Okia, whose file No. HCCS361/1999, is now demanding Shs47 million instead of Shs16.4 million. Another firm Const.Eng. Build, whose details are being sought by MPs, is to be paid Shs5 billion instead of Shs2.2 billion because of a 12 per cent interest rate pegged on the lump sum amount. A list of individuals demanding money from the government, in unpaid court awards dates as far back as 1990s. In the middle of the scandal, is a mining contract the Ministry of Defence awarded to Dura Cement Ltd to put up a cement factory in Kamwenge on June 12, 2008, but was cancelled four months later and awarded to Hima Cement Ltd. This led to the loss of more than Shs60 in billion compensation. The Legal Committee is also investigating circumstances under which government paid Shs40 billion to a French firm, Basil Read Bouygues, for breach of contract for the construction of the Jinja- Bugiri Road. Finance Minister Maria Kiwanuka told MPs on Friday that the compensation claims and court awards were piling up without explanation from relevant government agencies. “As a ministry, we are equally concerned, is it that the contracts are misunderstood or there is another problem? We are losing a lot of money.” The lawmakers were also concerned that instead of paying court awards basing on first-in first-out basis, officials in the Ministries of Finance and Justice are settling these court awards selectively. Explanation needed“We are losing billions in accumulated interest on unpaid court awards. The Solicitor General needs to explain what is going on; otherwise we cannot keep abusing public funds in the name of paying court awards,” said Shadow Attorney General Abdul Katuntu. The lawmakers also took issue with compensation claims decided by officials in Finance Ministry without the knowledge of Parliament. “At least the awards have gone through courts of law but for compensation we cannot pay Shs172 billion decided by a clique of officials in the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Finance,” Mr Katuntu added."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1223538/-/bjw6uaz/-/index.html","content":"Jinja’s creaky port leaves vessel crews marooned - Previously Uganda’s most industrialised town, today, Jinja remains largely a shell of its former self. The question is, would Jinja town be any different had the pier at the shores of Lake Victoria been operating at full capacity? Unlike Mwanza and Kisumu that started around the same time and have developed into major cities, Uganda’s second largest port after Port Bell in Luzira, lies filthy, rusty, unguarded and under-utilised in the backyard of Uganda’s industrial town. Vessels from neighbouring countries dock at the old and tired-looking pier, only to find no single resident port, immigration or customs officers to ensure efficiency, security and cleanliness. It gets worse at night because the port has no power or floodlights to guide the vessels, and only one policeman overseeing both the port and the mushrooming Rippon landing site, making the sailors glad that there is no serious security breach. “When I came here at night, I was forced to land at the fish factory because the port has no power,” Captain Chatta of a Tanzanian vessel said. Efficient ports ease movement but with one vessel docking at a time, others have to move into the shallow waters, each leaving one at a time. Daily Monitor has learnt that port officials travel all the way from Luzira in Kampala to Jinja to clear a ship. Vessels pay $150 (Shs400,000) every month yet vessel captains have to look for the immigration and customs offices in Jinja town to clear them. Rift Valley Railways, which runs the railway concession in the country, is in charge of ports following a change of hands in the 1970s from East African Railways and Harbours to the Uganda Railways Corporation. But with the railways systems heavy on the shoulders of the company, surely, ports are not their priority.Ms Eunice Kisembo, the immigration publicist, was unavailable for comment. Mr Paul Kyeyune, the URA Corporate Affairs Manager, said cargo is cleared at the Jinja office and where URA does not have presence, there is a surveillance unit. mssegawa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1223084/-/bjwan9z/-/index.html","content":"Why police boss Odwe bowed out - In 2010, when Mr Julius Odwe, the former Deputy Inspector General of Police informed his superiors that he was retiring, they increased his salary by 235 per cent from Shs1.78 million to Shs4.2 million to keep him on. A new luxurious four-wheel car was also offered to lull him. However, he still chose to hang up his boots early this month after 30 years in the police service. “Even when the salary was recently increased by 235 per cent, I couldn’t breach the principles of purpose in committing myself to the required integrity of implementing the goals of Sebutinde Commission of Inquiry,” Mr Odwe said at his send-off party in Kampala on Friday. Justice Julia Sebutinde Commission was set up by President Museveni in 1998 to investigate corruption in the police. He said the Sebutinde report made 380 recommendations. One of them established three-year contracts for IGP and the deputy, renewable on performance. Mr Odwe and the then IGP Maj. Gen. Katumba Wamala implemented 80 per cent of the recommendations. abagala@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1222534/-/bjwv6kz/-/index.html","content":"Iganga MP loses seat - Jinja He will not get his sixth end-of-month pay cheque as Member of the Ninth Parliament. Just five months after he was sworn in as winner of Iganga Municipality MP seat, Jinja High Court yesterday stripped Mr Peter Mugema of his parliamentary seat Mr Mugema, who contested for the seat on the NRM ticket during the February 18 polls, was found guilty of involvement in electoral offences after he was dragged to court together with the Electoral Commission by Mr Abed Nassar Mudiobole, a Forum for Democratic Change diehard and opponent in the February elections. Voter briberyMr Mudiobole, in his petition accused Mr Mugema, who polled 7,288 votes against his 6,352, of massive bribery of voters during campaigns and on the eve of the elections. He also accused the Electoral Commission of allowing intimidation of voters, use of malicious words and violence during the elections. While delivering the judgement yesterday, Justice Lameka Mukasa, said there was over-whelming evidence pinning Mr Mugema for bribery, an act contrary to the election laws. “There has been evidence to show that you were involved in fundraising, giving out of items and cash during the campaigns which is against the electoral laws and this greatly affected the outcome of the results therefore court finds it imperative for fresh elections to be conducted in Iganga Municipality in compliance with the laws,” Justice Mukasa ruled. EC off the hookJustice Lameka, however, exonerated the Electoral Commission from any offences committed during the polls, saying the accusations brought against it were not substantive and could not have affeced the outcome of the results. He ordered Mr Mugema to meet 40 per cent of the court costs incurred by Mr Mudiobole in filing the suit. Speaking to the media shortly after the judgement, Mr Mugema said he was not moved by the loss of his seat through court. “Court is something small to decide on behalf of the many people who had voted for me. I am only waiting for another election so that the voters again do the needful,’’ Mr Mugema said, as he called for calm among his supporters. Mr Mudiobole on the other hand said justice had finally prevailed through the cancelling of Mugema’s election which had been cleared in total breach of the law by use of money to influence voters. Mugema is the third NRM MP to lose his seat in this court."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1216380/-/bkgo8sz/-/index.html","content":"Basajjabalaba sues Auditor General for blocking pay - City businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba has asked court to bar the Auditor General from blocking payment of Shs142.6b compensation after a breach of contract in which he lost ownership of three markets and the Constitution Square. The businessman, through the HABA Group of Companies and its subsidiaries in 2009 entered into lease agreement to manage three markets—Shauriyako, Owino and Nakasero—and develop the Constitution Square. However, a year later, following an outcry from vendors and MPs, the deals were terminated by the government, compelling the businessman to seek compensation. Whereas the State had begun processing payment of Shs142.6b requested by the businessman, the Auditor General, Mr John Muwanga, said the claim had been inflated, lacked a legal basis and supporting documents. But the businessman now wants court to quash the AG’s report, saying Mr Muwanga has no powers to intervene in a matter where the Attorney General had already authorised payment. Mr Geoffrey Nangumya, the lawyer representing the tycoon, on Monday told court that an inter-ministerial committee involving the Ministry of Local Government and the Attorney General concurred on the payments and the latter wrote to the Treasury authorising it. AG’s powersMr Nangumya said querying advice of the Attorney General, who is also the government chief legal adviser, runs counter to the Constitution—something he says the AG was doing. But Justice Eldad Mwangusya questioned whether such a position did not amount to the ouster of court’s jurisdiction. Mr Nangumya also accuses the Auditor General of making a report without input from his client. State Attorneys Gerald Batanda and Okello Oryem argued that the case was premature because Attorney General’s position was a recommendation still subject to investigations, especially by Parliament. “Until Parliament has followed the recommendation, it is only that position that can be challenged by the plaintiff,” Mr Okello Oryem said. Court will determine the petition after the conclusion of its vacation on August 15."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/KaroliSsemogerere/-/878682/1213054/-/4d4hypz/-/index.html","content":"Did Maria Kiwanuka, Muloni take office at the wrong time? - A political master stroke delivered a record number of women into senior political appointments in May. We have women at Finance, Labour, Education, Health, Office of the President, Information, Water & Environment, Trade, Industry & Cooperatives. Buyers’ remorse may be getting to certain sections of the old NRM for electing Rebecca Kadaga as Speaker- who is calling them as she sees them. But if the news is to be believed, these appointments, apart from public relations effect, seem to have come at the wrong time. Ms Maria Kiwanuka at Finance seems to be in a state of paralysis; a long line of unpaid bills and a stern warning from IMF and the World Bank to avoid any temptation to print money. Bank of Uganda’s policy reversal as the mint press was likely to cause problems. In 2001, then Finance Minister Gerald Sendaula hailed the return of coins as important for stability of the currency. Coinage would help retain value. The same gentleman may have been out of town when new policy favoured a return to paper money. People were “tired” of carrying destructive coinage. What followed is anyone’s guess; runaway printing of paper money. Today, Uganda’s highest legal tender is worth less than $20.00- a record low given the fact that the US Dollar has been sliding downwards for some time. How Ms Kiwanuka prioritises government bills will be no less than a master-stroke. Old tools like stacking domestic arrears and IOUs seem to be less potent today as power generators have held their ground, turning off their mini power stations waiting to get paid. They are all the more wiser. The tongue-lashing coming from Kyamuswa MP Tim Lwanga (former Ethics Minister) seems to have forgotten that power shortages will negatively affect the high numbers in the economy that Kiwanuka needs to pad her resource envelope. If Kiwanuka took office at the wrong time, so did Engineer Irene Muloni. For now, oil falls under Ms Muloni’s ministry (read delayed until 2013 or 2014, legal disputes); she is the Minister for Electricity (generators on strike); the regulator for domestic energy (high oil prices) and the minister for misplaced priorities (hydro) being one of them. This column painted the Labour Minister during her tour at Energy as the Minister responsible for “darkness”- the toll imposed by load-shedding on the economy was quite substantial. Newer facilities consume less power but are more sensitive to power surges and outages. It is only a miracle that Uganda’s growing litigation business has not sued government for breach of contract on behalf of millions of power customers. A packing list for visitors to Uganda now includes power inverters, rechargeable lamps and all sorts of gadgets that will tie up departures at international airports as much as arrivals as customers sort through their load-shedding gadgetry. I once visited my childhood friend, an architect in one of Kampala’s new neighbourhoods in Mbalwa. An architect’s home is always one for details. I kept adjusting my head skywards observing flashing lights that seemed busy all the time while we were talking. Humphrey put me at ease to describe his power inverter system that “recycled” power whenever Ms Syda Bbumba, then Energy Minister, made it available. If you rely on the weather to make a living, news in the Water Ministry is unlikely to help. The rainfall patterns have started to fail in some parts of the country. Food shortages are likely in a few months’ time. You would think the weather women (now that ex-combatant Betty Bigombe deputises Maria Mutagamba at Water) are up in arms warning the country of the risks of dry spells but alas no- a small obscure Early Warning Department in the Ministry of Agriculture is fighting for space in the headlines with unhappy teachers (Education Minister Lt. Jessica Alupo). The gray old lady, the New York Times, on Sunday published a damaging article about the deteriorating state of health services in Uganda. Mityana Hospital has already made page 1 news in the local press a few times along with a strike- this time joined by Arua Hospital. Dejected and despondent, our nurses have become quite mean and irritable while going around their duties. For the less fortunate ones, their ministerial debuts have been more problematic. Amelia Kyambadde would want to forget the traders’ strike. National Guidance Minister Karooro Okurut began her tenure with some skeletons and a criminal investigation from her tenure as a UBC director. You would think that Mr Basajjabalaba by now would be toxic enough even for his MP, Okurut, to touch. The level of anger in the city only seems to be on the rise. All these may be surmountable problems in another day but for now, big questions remain: Is it the system, or is it the President? That redeeming grace may not do it this time. Mr Ssemogerere, an attorney and social entrepreneur, practices law in New York kssemoge@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1209758/-/bl1247z/-/index.html","content":"Auditor General wants Shs140b pay to Basajjabalaba stopped - The Auditor General has stopped payment of more than Shs142 billion in compensation to city businessman, Hassan Basajjabalaba, for lack of reasonability, legal basis and supporting documents to the claims. Instead of Shs142.6 billion the city businessman says is due to him from government, the Auditor General in a new verification report issued on Tuesday, July 26, recommends that Mr Basajjabalaba’s Haba Group of Companies actually owes the government a net amount of Shs994m. The debt arises from money transferred to Haba in payment of what has turned out to be false claims and breach of contract.“The assessment has determined that instead of an amount of Shs142.6 billion claimable by Haba Group, Haba owes government a net amount of Shs994 million,” a report arising from a forensic audit done by KPMG Kenya, an international auditing firm and signed by the Auditor General, Mr John Muwanga, reads in part. It adds: “Investigations/inquiries be immediately instituted to establish those responsible for any loss so far suffered and any contingent loss that is likely to arise and appropriate and necessary action undertaken.” Call for probe But even as the Auditor General moves to block the payment to Mr Basajjabalaba, it emerged that before the verification exercise was concluded Bank of Uganda, upon a request from Ministry of Finance, issued guarantees to various commercial banks to enable him access credit facilities totalling to $65.35 million (about Shs160 billion) in anticipation of government settlement of the claims by Haba Group. This is in addition to Shs24.5 billion paid to Bank of Uganda and Uganda Development Bank by the Ministry in 2010/11 financial year to settle the indebtedness of Haba Group to the two banks. No clarityAccording to Bank of Uganda, by June 2011, two of the credit facilities offered to Haba Group by two of the said commercial banks had fallen due before government had paid the amounts claimed by Haba. Bank of Uganda, as the guarantor, had as a result paid $34.35 million to the two banks. But in his report the Auditor General said: “There is lack of clarity as to why (officials in Finance) and Bank of Uganda entered in this settlement arrangement with Haba Group before the conclusion of the verification exercise. Based on the assessment undertaken through this exercise which determined that the Haba Group instead owes government a net amount of Shs994m, there is a potential risk of loss of all the funds already paid to the Haba Group and the associated companies.” Mr Basajjabalaba’s Haba Group of Companies, through four of its subsidiary companies; Sheila Investments, Yudaya International, Victoria International and First Merchant International Trading company, entered into lease agreements and management contracts with the government for four properties namely; Nakasero market, Shauriyako market, Constitutional Square and St Balikuddembe market (formerly Owino market) during the 2009/10 financial year. However, all the agreements were later terminated by the government after the market vendors and Parliament opposed the move. For claimed loss of business in the St Balikuddembe market contract given to him at Shs1 billion, Mr Basajjabalaba is asking for Shs23.5b while for Nakasero’s annual management contract valued at Shs299.9m, he is now asking for Shs47.8b. The marketsInformation on the file indicates that in 2006, KCC officials leased Nakasero market to Mr Basajjabalaba for 49 years. For Shauriyako market, Mr Basajjabalaba is demanding Shs19.7 billion and an extra Shs55.4 billion for the Constitutional Square redevelopment venture which fell through. In a letter dated March 31, 2009, signed by Mr Basajjabalaba as Chairman of Haba Group and addressed to Ministry of Justice, he demanded compensation for losses incurred as a result of the decision of government together with the defunct Kampala City Council to cancel the lease offers and management contracts granted to his companies. Management queriesBut KPMG said in its report it could not trace a common management for the four companies at the Registrar of Companies.During the auditing, KPMG obtained various board resolutions dated from March 10, 2010 to March 15, 2010 authorising Haba Group to receive proceeds of the claims against KCC and the government in respect of markets. However, the Auditor General said in his report that, Mr Basajjabalaba confirmed to auditors that the shareholders are all associated to him through kinship. 1 | 2 Next Page»For failure to submit necessary documents, the Auditor General said in his findings, this “would not only corroborate the claims but provide a substantial basis for the quantification of amounts claimed. The companies that entered into contracts with KCC are all required by law to maintain accounting records…” Mr Basajjabalaba’s Haba has to-date maintained that they have a valid claim as they incurred losses from expenses incurred in execution of their contracts as well as the lost business opportunities that they would have gained had the contracts over the markets been implemented. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1205736/-/10r4urp/-/index.html","content":"UCC should first address issue of quality of service - Reports that UCC is to start registering mobile phone users to curb crime in Uganda is a well come move. However, the issue comes at a time when most telecom users are facing the worst in the quality of service countrywide. With around 12 million telecom users, according to the 2011/2012 budget statement, the regulator needs to put in place benchmarks that can facilitate the consumers to get value for money for services paid for. It is now becoming a game between the regulator and the telecoms at the expense of the consumers on the issue of quality of service, especially VoIP that has been overtaken by mobile money services by a few providers in breach of the UCC Act 1997 with a key objective of “enhancing national coverage of communications services and products, with emphasis on provision of communications services.” Registration should begin at the acquisition of the simcard, not when it is already in use. One wonders how UCC is going to compel mobile phone users countrywide, numbering to about 10 million today, to take their mobile phones (numbers) that have been in use for years to get registered on top of the recent public outcry against the controversial phone-tapping law passed by the 8th Parliament. Ugandans have for years been calling on UCC to reign on the sale of simcards on the streets in vain as there is nowhere in the world today where one can just purchase a simcard without getting it registered. For the start, in Uganda, vending and hawking simcards have been the order of the day with the regulator and government, through the line ministry, doing nothing about it even with the numerous complaints by the consumers about their misuse. Before rushing into this venture the government, UCC and the telecom companies have to act fast on the mushrooming simcard vending and hawking. They can then a test-sample be done about the effectiveness of mobile phone registration by sensitising the consumers on the likely benefits through fora such as ICT roadside shows, print and electronic media, and the use of online registration to meet the set target of six month. This will do away with suspicions and causing public anxieties at this point in time where media reports to-date are rocking the UK about phone-tapping. Otherwise, the move might receive lots of resentments from the public with the issue of privacy and information confidentiality being raised by human rights defenders. Kiapi K. Frederick,Member of Uganda ICT Consumer Protection Association info@civilsocietyug.org"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Heart-to-Heart/-/691230/1205336/-/m3issmz/-/index.html","content":"The Problem: I cannot get over this married man - I am cohabiting with the father of my three children, but two years ago, I met my soul mate who was also cohabiting with the mother of his two children. Our differences never stopped us from dating secretly. We connected instantly. We rhyme and have so much in common. This made us believe that we rightfully belong together and we believed that someday, we shall surely find our way together just like Camilla and Charles did. In fact, these are the nicknames that we used. I bonded so well with his family and always felt at home, as if his parents were my own. He is the only man who has ever made me feel like a woman and I believe him when he says he loves me. The times we shared together were the best days of my life. Recently, he had a church wedding with the mother of his children and this complicated the situation. Not only did he breach the contract we made, it also sent my heart wondering. I think I am also cohabiting with someone else’s soul mate who is a good man and the best father to our children but definitely not a good lover for he has always been in love with his first wife and mother of his first children. He has never gotten over her. I have tried really hard to end my secret relationship for fear of getting caught and changing my children’s lives but it haunts me every minute. I cut off communication, but my heart skips when he calls, a thing that confirms that I can never be just friends with him. I think the right thing to do is ending the affair. This will be best for both children and his marriage but it definitely puts an end to my love life and happiness which is a lifetime sacrifice. There is no me without him yet we can never be an item. What should I do? Should I also go ahead and just marry the father of my children?Melanie,Kajjansi Readers' Answers Face realityThank you for taking the time to share your story. It is indeed interesting to note that you seem to already know the best way out of this yet you choose to linger on the banks of this matter. The reality is that if he loved you enough and believed as you believed that you are soul mates, then he would have done anything to spend the rest of his life with you like the way you would if it was in your power. It sounds like you have been reading a little too many novels in that this whole soul mate thing has gotten into your head. What we watch in movies and read in novels is often far from reality but rather more of a fantasy or what would be an ideal world. Wake up to reality my dear, you might spend the rest of your life chasing after an illusion in the name of a “soul mate” He has moved on and I think you should move on with your life. You have a great man and a good father to your children that I am sure many other women would kill to have, so do not take him for granted. Love is a choice, not a feeling. You can still choose to love the man in your life and try to build a strong family with him instead of chasing after wild fantasies. As a mother of three, you should know better that the choices you make will definitely break or make the future of your children. If you choose to love your man and communicate with him on issues regarding how he makes you feel, you can still have a blissful relationship. 1 | 2 Next Page»Noeline K. Mulongo Find a wayHow did you have three children with a man you do not love? The fact that the other man got married clearly shows that you two have not been connecting. If he was really into you, he would be debating on how to deal with the mother of his children. What you should be dwelling on is how you want to relate, or not relate, with the father of your children. Your relationship with that other man will definitely be revealed some day. Think about whether you will not mind what that will do to your relationship with your children’s father. It could shed some light on how you really feel about him.Precious Get a lifeI have no kind words for you. You deserve all the disappointment you got. How can you start calling some other woman’s husband your soul mate? As you can clearly see, you do not belong together. You belong to your man (who is not even fully yours) and he belongs to his wife. So, just get a life and find a way of taking care of your children because from the look of things, I think that you are trying to snatch someone’s husband.Sally Leave them bothYou have the answer already. The first thing you should do is forget about the man. If he felt that the best thing to do was to wed the mother of his children, then it is better you leave things that way. A man who marries another woman and only wants a secret relationship with you is not worth fighting for. You will get nothing but pain from such a man. Get the courage to end that relationship. About the father of your children, never think of marrying someone you do not love regardless of the circumstances. If you have had three children with this man and you still do not love him, there is no chance of you loving him one day. The time you probably had for learning how to love him was spent on loving another man. There must be something that has prevented you from loving this man. Probably, you stayed with him after the first child because you did not want your child to grow up without a father and hoped to learn how to love him once you settled down together. Why think of even marrying someone who has never made you happy? The best thing is for you to let go of both of these men. Maybe, your Mr right is out there without attachments to anyone waiting for you to set yourself free from all these bondages. Set yourself free from these two men and look after your children. Someday, the man who was meant for you will come your way. Jenny Move onYou fell in love with a man you can never have and you are stuck with a man who inspires no passion in you whatsoever.If the father of your children is a good man, marry him before you lose everything! You need a strong and stable relationship to be able to get over that other man. One thing though is that if you plan on sorting out this mess, begin by cutting off all communication with that man. Christine « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1191658/-/137w1pmz/-/index.html","content":"Together we must fight piracy off the Horn of Africa - Piracy can’t be condemned too strongly. Piracy is a breach to the most fundamental principles of the modern civilisation. In the worst-hit areas off the Horn of Africa, no seafarers – be it on a merchant ship or even a yacht – can be safe at sea. Uganda has a strong engagement in Somalia, and Uganda’s efforts in this regard are important elements to also fight piracy. Today, more than 600 seafarers are being kept as hostages by Somali pirates. They are all innocent victims to the unscrupulous hijackers operating at sea off the Horn of Africa and in the Indian Ocean. Their families are afraid that they will never see their beloved ones again. Piracy is unacceptable by all humanitarian, security and legal standards. On top of this come the economic impacts on the global trade and traffic. Though it is difficult to calculate, experts estimate the total cost of piracy to be about$16b in 2010. From 2007 to 2010, the number of attacks and hijackings by pirates at sea has more than quadrupled. Even though the growing number of pirate attacks is centred in the area off the Horn of Africa and Indian Ocean, it takes a global concerted effort to fight it. No single country could or should carry the burden alone. We all have a responsibility. As Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs, I encourage all governments and parties to take part in the global fight against piracy. Today, a broad range of countries around the world as well as multilateral and regional organisations such as UN, Nato, EU and IMO are engaged in handling the challenges. However, let’s be honest, there is still room for improvement in our joint efforts. More needs to be done – and it needs to be done with comprehensive, concerted and international action. President Museveni used to say “Unless these pirates live in water, which I doubt, the solution to ocean piracy is to ensure a stable government in Somalia”. I agree with President Museveni that long term solutions have to be found in Somalia itself to reverse two decades of conflict. I would like to commend President Museveni and the Ugandan people for the leadership and courage they have shown in order to stabilise Somalia. Amisom’s troops come from Uganda and Burundi operating in an extremely hostile environment and the UPDF is a key partner in training Somali security forces and building the country’s security sector. The Ugandan people have suffered a number of causalities both in terms of soldiers at the frontline and civilians at the terrible terror attack during the World Cup in July last year. I would like to take this opportunity to pay my respect to the families who have lost their dear ones in the battle to stabilise Somalia. Denmark is a strong supporter of long term land-based solutions to the situation in Somalia. Earlier this year, my government prepared an ambitious and broad-based policy paper in support of Somalia covering a wide range of issues, including diplomatic initiatives, security, governance, growth and employment as well as improved livelihoods. Together with Uganda, Denmark is playing a leading role in the international work to fight piracy. Recently, the Danish government presented a comprehensive piracy strategy for Denmark, encompassing political, military, legal and capacity-building measures. In the short as well as the longer term, a viable solution requires stronger national mechanisms for prosecution and incarceration of apprehended pirates. Denmark is chairing the international working group under the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia dealing with these crucial legal issues. The group which consists of representatives from more than 55 countries and organisations met for the eighth time in Copenhagen from June 20-21. So far good results have been reached in the legal area. The working group has contributed significantly to facilitating cooperation between states on the legal aspects of piracy. This cooperation includes inter alia common legal standards in several areas linked to the military efforts and the prosecution of suspected pirates. The eighth meeting will among other things focus on the legal framework on post trial transfer agreements and legal aspects of the use of private armed guards.In the context of the legal working group Denmark and Uganda have had a very fruitful cooperation. I look forward to continue the dialogue between our two countries. To complement the legal efforts, Denmark has committed herself to continue our contribution to Nato’s naval operations at sea off the Horn of Africa and in the Indian Ocean. Our contribution includes a support ship including crew and helicopter. In addition, Denmark will deploy a maritime patrol aircraft to support the naval operation periodically. In the longer term, a viable solution requires the establishment of stronger capacities locally. We need to build up the coastguards in the region as well as police and prison capacities, not least in Somalia, so that Somali pirates can serve their sentence in Somali prisons. These are also elements in the Danish strategy and will be financed by the Danish Stabilisation Fund. Ms Espersen is the Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1188048/-/c07bioz/-/index.html","content":"Government insists Bukenya is guilty - Dr Gilbert Bukenya’s trial before the Anti-Corruption Court should go on since he has been relieved of his duties as Vice President and, as such, is no longer immune to prosecution, the government argued in court yesterday. The state was responding to a June 14 petition filed by Dr Bukenya in the Constitutional Court, challenging the constitutionality of the Inspector General of Government’s (IGG) actions against him, saying his actions as chairman of the Cabinet sub-committee which oversaw preparations for the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) were done on behalf of the President since the Office of the Vice President derives it mandate from the Office of the President -- who is immune to prosecution. “A sitting President and Vice President are immune to criminal and civil liability while in office, but such immunity is lifted on departure of the individual from office of the presidency,” said Mr Gerald Batanda, an official from the Attorney General’s office who swore an affidavit in reply. “The Inspectorate of Government has discretion to choose who to prosecute or not to prosecute even in circumstances of collective decisions,” he said. Busiro North MP Bukenya, who was last month dropped as Vice President after almost eight years in office, has argued in his petition that the decisions arising out of the Cabinet sub-committee meetings on Chogm that he chaired on President Museveni’s directives were taken collectively. He also says the decisions and actions were of Cabinet not those of an individual (Bukenya) for which he is now being charged. On June 16, Prof. Bukenya was charged with abuse of office and fraudulent practice in relation to the procurement of executive cars for the Chogm summit. He is jointly charged with Motorcare (U) Ltd, the company which supplied the 204 executive vehicles. Yesterday, the Constitutional Court listened to arguments on whether it should grant an interim order as sought by Dr Bukenya whose effect would be to stop the IGG or the Director for Public Prosecutions (DPP) from prosecuting him before the Anti-Corruption Court until this petition is determined. Deputy Chief Justice Alice Mpagi-Bahigeine along with Justices Stella Arach Amoko and Steven Kavuma are hearing the petition. The Attorney General, who is the respondent, asked the bench to dismiss the application. “I pray that this application is dismissed with costs. The applicant is not immune to prosecution,” principal state attorney Henry Oluka, said. He added: “An order to stop the IGG and the DPP from exercising the powers, functions would be a breach of the mandate and the powers of the Constitution.” He said Dr Bukenya’s affidavit in support of his application did not provide any evidence showing that if the Constitutional Court refused to grant him an interim injunction, he would suffer irreparable damage. The government advised Dr Bukenya to instead file a civil case citing malicious prosecution, seeking for damages if he wished so. Bukenya’s lawyersIn reply, lawyer MacDusman Kabega, who represented Dr Bukenya, said the State has misconceived the application. He argued that his client was not challenging the powers of the IGG or the DPP to prosecute him, but simply wants a stay of proceedings before the Anti-Corruption Court until his client’s grievances are heard and determined. The Second counsel for Dr Bukenya, Mr Enos Tumusiime, later asked the justices to rule in favour of his client, saying the IGG has nothing at risk in case an interim injunction is granted. The justices said they would give their ruling on notice as soon as possible."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1185432/-/c09bdfz/-/index.html","content":"Kenyan rights activist sues Uganda government - Kampala A Kenyan human rights activist who was denied entry into Uganda in April has sued the government before the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) over alleged violations of guarantees of free movement and non-discrimination of an East African citizen. Mr Samuel Mohochi is one of 10 Kenyan rights activists who were reportedly denied entry into Uganda to meet Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki over what they described as illegal continued detention of bomb blast suspect Al-Amin Kimathi. Mr Kimathi, the executive coordinator of Muslim Human Rights Forum, is one of 17 suspects remanded, pending trial before the High Court in connection with the bomb blast tragedy on July 11 last year.It is alleged that the Uganda government which is jointly sued with the Secretary General of the East African Community, named Mr Mohochi as a prohibited immigrant without any written or verbal reasons for denial of entry into Uganda. Complaint“Applicant (Mohochi) was denied entry into Uganda. He was restrained and detained at the immigration offices at the airport and subsequently deported to Kenya,” reads part of the complaint filed before the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) on June 13. The Attorney General, Mr Peter Nyombi, yesterday confirmed that government was sued but declined to elaborate. “There is very little I can say about the matter because I have just picked the file from office and I am going to read it. Afterwards I will be able to respond and make comments,” said Mr Nyombi in a telephone interview. According to the complaint, Mr Mohochi has asked the court to declare that the government’s refusal to grant him, as a as citizen of one of the member states of the East African Community, entry into Uganda, without according him a hearing, illegal and a breach of Uganda’s obligations under the treaty for the establishment of the East African Community and the EAC Common Market."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1183956/-/c0al1lz/-/index.html","content":"Another Besigye case pushed to next month - Prosecution or persecution? Dr Kizza Besigye’s lawyer insists it is the latter as hearing of another case in which he is charged with failing to comply with lawful orders failed to take off yesterday. “If they (prosecution) really have a case, they should be in position to present witnesses and adduce evidence. This is supposed to have been a simple offence in broad daylight,” Mr David Mpanga said soon after the case was adjourned to July 13 by the Kasangati Grade II Magistrate, Mr James Eremye. But Director of Public Prosecutions Richard Buteera said court should be given an opportunity to make its judgment. “Let us judge each case on its own facts,” he said in a brief telephone interview yesterday. Yesterday’s adjournment was the second time in a month after state prosecutor Gladys Nyanzi reported that key witnesses were not available. “We have tried to call the division police commander Kasangati, Inspector of police Collins Mukite and OC traffic David Owin but they have not showed up. Mr Owin got an accident and his admitted to Mulago Hospital,” Ms Nyanzi said. Mr Mpanga had pleaded for dismissal of the case, arguing that without witnesses the court had the jurisdiction to dismiss the case. He also alerted court to the inconvenience Dr Besigye faces each time the state fails to produce witnesses.Dr Besigye this time travelled to court in his car unlike the previous occasions when he walked from his home just about 2km away, to appear for trial. The opposition leader is charged with failing to comply with lawful orders, an offence the state said had led to breach of peace at Luteete on April 11. This was during the walk-to-work protests, organized by a pressure group, Action for Change, to protest rising food and fuel prices.Prosecution’s wayMs Nyanzi asked court for a short adjournment to enable the state to summon the witnesses. The magistrate ruled: “It is clear that the witnesses have not been summoned although efforts have been made. But because the witnesses are police officers, they can be got through their institution. For the interest of justice and without prejudicing the matter, after listening to the submissions of both counsels I adjourn this matter to July 13.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1183888/-/138h5c1z/-/index.html","content":"Opposition must respect the office of the President - In September 2009 during US President Barack Obama’s speech to Congress on healthcare reform, a Republican representative for South Carolina, Joe Wilson, in an unexpected breach of political protocol shouted the words “You lie!” at Obama as the President told Congress that his plan for a universal healthcare system would not cover illegal immigrants. After the brief interruption during which Obama looked (stared) at the Republican representative and denied the claim, he continued with his speech. Still, the damage was done. The outburst stunned both Democrats and Republicans alike and drew criticism from the public. Wilson was heavily criticised for breaching protocol and good manners. He tried to call the President and apologise but only managed to speak with then White House chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel. This is the scenario that came to mind when Leader of Opposition Nandala Mafabi and members of the opposition staged a walkout during President Museveni’s State-of-the-Nation address. The action was totally disrespectful of the Office of the President. Not disrespectful of Yoweri Museveni the man, but of the office for which over 5 million Ugandans have mandated him to hold. Democratic decency dictates that we behave with civility and express our views in a manner that is respectful and useful to our leaders and fellow citizens. If we do not agree on an issue, that’s ok. But let’s be respectful of how we express our opposing views. Surely, there are systems and procedures in place to address grievances that the opposition may have? To date, we are yet to see productive counter policies from them on what they propose to help govern our country and take Uganda to the next level. What we see instead are violent demonstrations that lead to loss of lives, disruption of business operations and negative global publicity. If this is what the opposition gets us, why should we vote them into office? How sure are we they won’t walk out on us when things get rough? When the police provides guidelines for those wishing to demonstrate, why can’t we just follow these? I’d love to see that the opposition actually wrote a letter to the IGP informing him of their desire to stage a demonstration, receive the necessary guidelines as to how they can go about their action, follow through and see if there will be any violence at the said demonstration. I’d like to believe that both the opposition and the police would stick to their word and abide by the rule of law. Because that’s what civil nations do and I’m inclined to believe that Uganda is a civil nation. We need inspired leadership in Uganda. We need leaders that are respectful of opposing views and who allow us to express ourselves freely without fear of ramification. Otherwise we will not move forward and we can’t blame anyone for this except ourselves. Whilst the zeal of the opposition is highly noted and appreciated, the action of the Leader of Opposition and his members showed a complete lack of respect for the office of our President, Yoweri Museveni. Yes, our President. Because like him or not, he is who we have for the next five years and we must honour his rank. Because one honours the rank even if one does not honour the person who holds it. Ms Kangwagye is a business owner/concerned citizen sheila@kinaya.co.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1172866/-/c0wu0nz/-/index.html","content":"Uganda sued at EA court over protests clampdown - Arusha/Kampala Lawyers from the East African region have sued the Uganda government, accusing its security agencies of human rights violations and breach of the Constitution during the recent walk-to-work demonstrations. The East Africa Law Society sued the Ugandan authorities at the East African Court of Justice in Arusha, Tanzania, in a case filed yesterday evening by the Vice President of the regional law body, Mr Aggrey Mwamu.The suit was presented to the Office of the EACJ Registrar in Arusha shortly before 5pm yesterday after all paperwork formalities were completed. The Ugandan government is accused of gross violations of human rights of its people who were engaged in walk-to-work protests that swept the country starting April this year, leading to deaths of at least 10 individuals, several injuries and destruction of property. EALS alleges that Ugandan security forces were behind arbitrary arrests and killing of innocent people during the chaos “in violation of the very basic tenets of human rights”, which guarantees them freedom of speech and movement, among others. Briefing the media before the case was formally filed at the court on Moshi Road, Mr Mwamu said the regional law society was empowered to raise its voice over matters pertaining to human rights violations. Empowered agency“The Memorandum of Articles empowers the society to intervene in matters pertaining to human rights violations and arrest the situation before it goes out of hand,” he told reporters at the court’s premises. Also sued was the East African Community (EAC), whose secretary general was accused of remaining “quiet” despite the deteriorating situation in Uganda. Mr Mwamu argued that the arbitrary arrests, beatings of people and the killings that followed were against the EAC Treaty articles and clauses on good governance and adherence to human rights as agreed upon by all the five partner states. “As the atrocities were committed in Uganda, neither the EAC secretary general nor any of the five members of the Community raised concern. They all kept quiet...this is against the EAC Treaty,” he said. The suit also included a retention case against the Kenyan government for what EALS described as unconstitutional extradition of Kenyan citizens to Uganda to face charges related to the terrorist activities in Kampala in July 2010. The EALS officials charged that the Kenyans were handed over to the Ugandan authorities without any legal procedures taken. These included the extradition formalities that are required to transfer a suspect to another country. “The Kenyan citizens were handed over in a casual manner. This was also inconsistent with the Kenya Constitution. To make matters worse, the EAC boss did nothing to remind the partner states on the anomaly,” he said.The third case within the suit was on the glaring contradictions between the EAC Common Market Protocol and the Treaty that established EAC “which we feel must be sufficiently addressed before things get out of hand”. Summons for govtOfficials of EACJ said after the case has been filed, summons would be served to the respective governments within 14 days. Thereafter, the court would convene a pre-trial conference to determine when the cases are to be heard."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1171980/-/9jeymj/-/index.html","content":"Col. Muzoora death needs thorough probe - The body of Col. Edison Muzoora was on Friday night dumped at the doorstep of his family home in Bushenyi District, leaving the nation bewildered at not only his death but also how his body ended up at his home with security left exposed. It was reported that unknown persons dumped the body and disappeared into thin air, and security agencies are in the dark on both death and circumstances of the body’s return. Col. Muzoora deserted the army in 2003 and fled to exile from where he allegedly joined forces with shadowy PRA rebels in eastern Congo. While he became a wanted man, the mystery of his death, especially the circumstances thereof it, leaves a lot for intelligence to ponder. There is no denying what amount of security breach the return of Col. Muzoora’s body into the country has rubbed in the faces of security agencies. Border security is supposed to be efficient enough to check such entry. If a corpse can be sneaked into the country, what chances are there that rogue elements are not making a beehive of entry/exit movements past our border points? It gets even more worrying to imagine that intelligence has, for the last one year, been putting a lot of effort in tracking terror-related threats on the nation, yet in Col. Muzoora, their ineptitude is laid bare. This is a deserter the government claims was trying to overthrow it, yet the same government doesn’t know when and how the colonel, said to have been in talks with the President over pardon and subsequent return, was “killed”. So, the army should stop toying with such sensitive issues by claiming to distance itself from Col. Muzoora in death. What if the renegade officer was killed by elements within the shadowy PRA? President Museveni reportedly summoned security chiefs and tasked them to investigate both death and manner of security breach to its logical end. This is a welcome take and for once, the investigation should be expeditious and for the good of both the public and government. The army should take more than just ‘desertion’ interest in this case and help reassure the public that they are safe from border breach of whatever kind."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1169622/-/c1ekccz/-/index.html","content":"Why the Abyei battle is raging - After violating the Sudanese peace agreement and occupying Abyei early in the week, Khartoum came out strongly maintaining that they were just responding to constant aggression from their partners in the south. Sudanese ambassador to Kenya, Kamal Ismail Saeed, said at a press conference in Nairobi that the Sudanese Defence Forces (SAF) was responding to the latest of the 24 violations that have allegedly been committed by the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) in Abyei in breach of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). He was, however, quick to point out that SAF is ready to withdraw once the two parties negotiate an agreeable solution. But this could be easier said than done. His statement was contrary to the position taken by parliament in Khartoum, which voted on Monday, to support the stay of the Armed Forces in Abyei town until further arrangements are carried out through political understanding. The MPs were categorical that Abyei will remain a northern town until the population decides on their situation by themselves. In the 2005 peace agreement, Abyei was granted a special status which requires both sides to keep their troops outside the area until residents vote on their destiny. In the meantime, peace and security was to be maintained by the Joint Integrated Unit (JIU) comprising soldiers from both SAF and SPLA. The Abyei Protocol, which was signed nine months before the 2005 Sudanese peace deal, expected Abyei residents to hold their simultaneous referendum from January 9 to decide whether they want to belong to the South or the North. ConflictBut polling there was indefinitely postponed after neither side was able to agree on who should be eligible to participate. Khartoum had wanted the nomadic Misseriya tribe, who are residents of the north but move to Abyei for water and pasture, to also take part. The Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) insists that it is only the Ngok Dinka that has the right to decide the future of Abyei. With both sides accusing each other of aggression and violation of the CPA, the Abyei issue-which was to form part of the post referendum discussions- is likely to boil into a stalemate that could lead to war. There is no guarantee that the Abyei issue will be solved before the south becomes a republic on July 9. Ambassador Saeed says the issue has to be decided in accordance with the CPA, yet the programme as laid down in the peace agreement has expired. It is either the two sides to sit down and renegotiate the terms of engagement as spelled in the CPA, or ignore it altogether and adopt new ways of solving the issue. The most intriguing thing is that both north and south maintained that Abyei belonged to them as per the 1956 border lines. For one, Jervasio Okot, a member of a civil society pressure group, some southerners are now calling for the Abyei issue to be settled politically given that the British colonialists were the ones who decided that Abyei would be better off governed from El-Obeid, which is in South KordofanBut Ambassador Saed argued that everybody agrees that Abyei was in the north as per 1956 when Sudan got independence. “At the political level, we would like to reaffirm that we are exercising a lot of restrain to maintain peace. There is no going back to war and all issues should be solved amicably. We are committed to CPA in letter and spirit,” he said. The question now is who is the aggressor? The SPLM maintains that the recent invasion is in line with the recent utterances by President Omar al-Bashir, who threatened that he will not recognise the independence of the South if Juba continues to lay claim to Abyei.But Magdi Mofadal, a diplomat at the Sudanese Embassy in Nairobi, argued that President al-Bashir was only responding to a move by the SPLM to include Abyei in their constitution as the integral part of the south, before the issue is fully solved. According to Aly Verjee, a senior researcher at the Rift Valley Institute, the issue of Abyei has dragged on for almost 40 years without any solution, and there is no guarantee it would be solved soon. It was discussed in the 1972 Addis Ababa Agreement, again after the signing of the CPA in 2005 and now after the referendum. Dinka-Arab factorHistorically, Abyei — which contains the bulk of the oil deposits in the south — has been occupied by the Ngok Dinka and the Misseriya. For decades the two communities, who both keep cattle, had developed a traditional arrangement where during drought the Misseriya could water their cattle on River Kiir, the only one that survives the drought in the region. Thus, The Arab Misseriya and the Ngok Dinka ethnic groups have long held competing claims for access to the cattle grazing pastures and resources of the oil-rich Abyei region. But after the CPA, the region became increasingly militarised and the government of South Sudan has been accusing Khartoum of arming the Misseriya to terrorise other groups with the intention of intimidating them before the 2011 referendum. 1 | 2 Next Page»In 1905, during the Anglo-Egyptian Condominium period, the British transferred the administration of the nine Ngok chiefdoms from Bahr el-Ghazal province to Kordofan. However, the arming of the Misseriya by the government of Sudan during the first civil war and the alignment of the Ngok Dinka with the SPLM sparked the modern day dispute over which group could rightfully claim the Abyei territory. In the run-up to the 2005 peace deal, the two parties were unable to reach an amicable solution and agreed to establish the Abyei Boundary Commission that was to look at the conflicting historical claims. The report was completed in July 2005; Khartoum rejected it, while the SPLM supported it. The report had indicated the issue should be solved on the basis of the 1956 borders which indicated that Abyei belonged to the nine Ngok chiefdoms. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1167638/-/c1fxxmz/-/index.html","content":"Museveni steps in defuse Sudan crisis - Uganda is concerned that the escalating situation in the oil-rich region of Abyei between South Sudan and the Bashir administration in the north could result in a fully-blown war and compromise peace efforts in the region. As a result, government yesterday confirmed that President Museveni is engaging heads of state who are guarantors of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the two states in a bid to contain the escalating conflict between North and South Sudan over the contested oil rich border town of Abyei. The outgoing state minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Okello Oryem, told Daily Monitor on Sunday that President Museveni was working around the clock for quick solutions to the conflict where South Sudan has threatened war. “Salva Kiir (South Sudan President) was here last week and had talks with the President on the situation. The President is also consulting other heads of state who are guarantors of the CPA to see how they can help to defuse the tension,” Mr Oryem said. Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia are among the states that backed a ceasefire agreement that was signed between North and South Sudan. Sudan’s northern army has in the past days taken control of the disputed oil rich and fertile Abyei region and is clearing it of armed forces from the South. South Sudan has also denounced as an act of war the takeover of Abyei by the North Sudan Forces. SPLA routedA southern military spokesman Raphael Gorgeu told the BBC Khartoum had attacked the area with 5,000 troops, killing civilians and southern soldiers which to them was a breach of the ceasefire agreement. South Sudan is due to become independent in July, but Abyei’s status remains to be determined after a referendum on its future was shelved.The UN has called for an end to fighting between the two sides. President Museveni said during his swearing-in ceremony in Kampala last week that Uganda will import crude oil from South Sudan’s Abyei region in order to curb the soaring prices of fuel. He said he would negotiate with both the Juba and Khartoum governments to import the crude and have it refined in Uganda. Mr Oryem yesterday expressed fears that the conflict might escalate into war in the region where Uganda would be affected. “Well, any conflict in the Great Lakes Region cannot be taken in isolation. When dealing with diplomacy one has to look at the issue in a broad context but the conflict would have a direct bearing on Kenya and Uganda because it would result in refugees fleeing here and a possibility of people with weapons taking advantage of the situation,” Mr Oryem said yesterday. The army on the other hand said they are monitoring the situation and ready to quell any likely insurgence. The army spokesperson, Lt. Col. Felix Kulaigye, said any threats to peace in South Sudan have a direct impact on the neighbouring states.“But we are capable of handling whatever will come out of the conflict,” Lt. Col. Kulayige told Daily Monitor on Sunday."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Basketball/-/690268/1163052/-/gmsh0xz/-/index.html","content":"Miracle defeat Heaters - Results Men: Miracle 69-45 HeatersWomen: Nabisunsa 41-39 Crane Division Two UCU JV 35-55 Diamonds St. Michael 51-61 Vegetarian Miracle Eagles hardly broke any sweat in defeating Heaters 69-45 for their first MTN-Fuba League victory of the season. Coming off an opening day 96-91 loss to champions DMark Power, it’s the kind of game the play-off hopefuls needed to get the season rolling. And it came in the easiest fashion with Miracle not only scoring half of their points from the outside but also not letting any Heater breach the 10-point barrier. Stephen Omony didn’t even have to strip whereas Norman Blick came on in the third quarter to sink 10 points including two three-pointers. The former continued to handle the coaching duties in the absence of one. Guard Donald Bajunga stood out with a game-high 13 points. Centre Brian Ssentogo briefly resuscitated the dour game with two monster dunks in his seven points. In the end, there was common feeling that this could be a long season for Heaters if they don’t improve having lost two games already."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1161406/-/139qp3yz/-/index.html","content":"Do not outlaw fundamental rights - Your Excellency, The Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI), an independent, non partisan, not for profit national human rights advocacy group, would like to congratulate you upon your recent re-election as the President of the Republic of Uganda. Your Excellency, on May 1, you addressed the nation in response to the events of Friday, April 29 where a number of Ugandans lost their lives, others were variously injured and many suffered and still suffer adverse effects from exposure to tear gas. This occurred when the Uganda Police Force, in exercising their mandate to protect lives and property in Uganda, moved to quell the demonstrations as people protested against the perceived brutal arrest of Dr Kizza Besigye. In your address, you highlighted the need for strengthening the law governing bail arguing that perpetrators of crimes such as murder, defilement and rioters should not be granted bail. In addition, you mentioned that you would “work” with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to ensure that rioters who admit their mistakes and report to the security forces would be pardoned. Your Excellency, while we agree with you that the lives and property of all Ugandans must be protected, we wish to draw your attention to the highly acclaimed 1995 Constitution of Uganda whose promulgation your government championed which provides: • In Article 1(3) that ‘All power and authority of Government and it’s organs derive from this Constitution, which in turn derives its authority from the people who consent to be governed in accordance with this Constitution.’ • Article 20(1) that; ‘Fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual are inherent and not granted by the State.’ • Article 20(2) states that: ‘The rights and freedoms of individuals and groups enshrined in the Constitution shall be respected, upheld and promoted by all organs and agencies of Government and by all persons.’ • Article 28(3) (a) which provides that: ‘every person is presumed to be innocent until he or she is proven guilty or pleads guilty.’Your Excellency, what this therefore implies is that: i) These and other clauses of the Constitution read together impose a duty on your Government to promote, protect and respect the rights of all the people of Uganda and to safeguard their wellbeing as opposed to using the law to deny them their inherent rights and freedoms as guaranteed by the the 1995 Constitution. ii) The right to bail as enshrined in Article 23(6) of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, is a fundamental right which can neither be wished away, outlawed or applied selectively. Unless Your Excellency wishes to amend the Constitution to do away with this presumption, the DPP cannot do much about the law on bail. Besides, Article 120(6) clearly states that: ‘The DPP shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority.’As such, the outright denial of bail for certain offences would constitute a fundamental breach of human rights which accord equal protection of the law to all individuals as highlighted under Article 21(1) of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda iii) Pardoning alleged perpetrators of human rights violations will encourage impunity and promote disrespect for the rule of law and/or may force otherwise innocent accused persons to confess guilt in order to avoid inhumane conditions in some of our places of detention. In addition, it will deter Police from conclusively investigating crimes and bring the actual culprits to book. iv) “Working” with the DPP to ensure that alleged human rights violators are pardoned if and when they admit their wrong(s) would compromise the independence of the DPP in the exercise of his duties as enshrined under Article 120(6) of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda. v) Lastly your Excellency, to add rioting to the list of the category of offences that should not be granted bail, assumes that all persons who may choose to peacefully demonstrate and voice opinion on matters affecting them are criminals. This will have the net effect of deterring Ugandans from exercising their fundamental human right to freedom to assemble and to demonstrate together with others peacefully and unarmed and to petition as guaranteed in Article 29 of the Uganda Constitution. As the Fountain of Honour of our Nation, FHRI would like to respectfully appeal to you, Your Excellency, to guarantee that; 1. The Executive arm of Government respects and upholds the rule of law and that all organs of the Government are independent and free from interference. 2. The Government ensures that all criminal cases are dully investigated, prosecuted and that individual criminal responsibility is apportioned impartially without undue regard to an accused person’s political inclination. This will go a long way in eliminating impunity and will deter the wanton abuse of human rights by state and non- state actors. 3. The Government ensures that law enforcement officials are prosecuted for any disproportionate use of force and or firearms against civilians. 1 | 2 Next Page»4. The independence of the Judiciary, the DPP, Police, Prisons and indeed all agencies within the criminal justice system is guaranteed to ensure that the right to a fair, speedy and public hearing before an independent and impartial court or tribunal established by law, which right is also declared to be inviolable by Article 44 of the Constitution, is respected by the State. 5. The right to freedom to assemble and to demonstrate together with others peacefully and unarmed as guaranteed in our Constitution is not unnecessarily restricted and that whatever restrictions that are imposed should be justifiable in a free and democractic society that Uganda purports to be. 6. During the legislative process, proposals for law reform are made in good faith and that public participation is strengthened in order to garner public support and acceptance. For God and My Country. Together We Can Make a Difference Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) fhri@spacenet.co.ug « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/-/688614/1160468/-/cxvhbn/-/index.html","content":"Do company reports influence you decision? - It is that time of year when companies report how they performed in the previous year (in this case 2010). Most people especially the media will only focus on the reported profits and the dividends paid to shareholders. However, the shareholder or prospective investor should investigate the makeup of the reported numbers. Are the good profits as a result of increased sales in the core business (and a possibility of increasing market share) or as a result of the sale of an asset (disposal). The dividend announced may be more than what was paid last year but how much of the profits before the pay-out is reinvested in the company (plant, machinery or R&D) to maintain its long term competitive position. What is the debt level if any in the company, given that in good economic times debt will contribute to better returns but if the economy is to face harsh conditions this will affect the fortunes of the business as interest on debt is a fixed cost. Although to some the prospect of taking a keener interest in what is beneath the reported figures is not exciting, imagine if you were interested in acquiring a beauty salon or barber shop business, would the financial details of the entity be of any importance? It is my guess that you would be eager to find out if there is any debt outstanding, the level of custom, revenue generated per week/month and costs of running the business. Just as it is vital to dig through the details of this small business, it is also important to know more regarding a company you have or want to buy a stake in (shares). Any attitude to the contrary would render you a gambler and not an investor because investment is about making informed decisions. Companies produce annual accounts which include the balance sheet, profit and loss account and cash flow statement. These highlight the historic performance of the business providing a base to make future predictions. A number of performance measures and ratios are calculated to get a better understanding as well as make comparisons with competitors. The profit figure reported enables one to work out what each share earned (earnings per share) by dividing profits with the number of ordinary shares. With the EPS, you are able to calculate the price earnings ratio (PER). In simple terms PER is the number of years it would take (based on present earnings) to recover the cost of a share. Another key measure of performance is return on capital employed (ROCE). It calculates the return on the funds (shareholders and lenders) as a result of the company’s investment strategy. The ROCE must be above what shareholders can get elsewhere on the market or else, it is better not to go ahead with the investment but return the money to the shareholders to invest elsewhere for a higher reward. To get a better understanding of the movement of cash in the business, one has to look at the cash flow statement. This is crucial because although the business may be making more profits, it is still possible to run-out of cash and head into liquidation.It is also important to remember that companies operate in an environment where some factors are beyond their control. An example is the recent geo-political events in the Middle East that have contributed to higher oil prices. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1156632/-/13a9pqyz/-/index.html","content":"My civil protest against Museveni - On Saturday, April 30, I arrived at the Intercontinental Hotel to interact and share with other Kenyan professionals from the private sector, civil society and media. The name of the forum was Mind Speak, an annual event. Prior to [President Museveni’s] arrival, speaker after speaker took to the podium and waxed lyrical about the importance of Kenya getting a grip on its affairs and positioning itself in its rightful place in the world by first getting serious about good governance, clean politics, eliminating tribalism and strengthening the economy and democracy. The Swiss ambassador explained that his own country faced a similar economic and food crisis a century ago. They had to think hard about what to do to create a just society. A small Swiss minority was fabulously wealthy while a large majority was going hungry at the same time. After a coffee break courtesy of Nation Media Group CEO Linus Gitahi, Museveni finally walked in accompanied by [Kenya’s] Metropolitan Development Minister Njeru Githae . The President was relaxed and begun his speech on economic rights and social transformation with an analogy about insects and their metamorphosis from egg to pupa, larva to adult. The President was affable. But it is important to define Museveni. After decades of terror and rampage occasioned on Ugandans by Idi Amin and Milton Obote, Museveni, a young soldier, fought a guerilla war to power, restoring Ugandans’ collective dignity and returning the country to normalcy and decency. But that was 25 years ago. Slowly but surely, President Museveni has begun his slide back down the path of intolerance and dictatorship. For the past one month, Ugandan forces have systematically and consistently brutalised unarmed citizens walking to work to protest the sky high food and fuel prices. Of course there is a political component to these protests given that they are led by his opponent, Dr Kizza Besigye, but does that justify beatings, shootings and spraying human skin and eyes with copious amounts of acidic pepper? As I sat listening to Museveni crack jokes and the audience roaring in laughter, I realised that the whole event was too casual and that for a fact, a victim of Museveni’s brutality was admitted to Nairobi Hospital- seven minutes drive from where we were sitting, going blind. Our attendance of Museveni’s forum was dignifying him and giving him aid and comfort. Initially, I felt I should walk out. But to just stand up and walk out alone as a head of State speaks, constitutes a security breach and does not say much. Or they would think perhaps because I wasn’t feeling well, or was pressed for a short bathroom call. I stayed calm. But as the President spoke, and paused, I interjected. “Mr President, it’s very difficult for us to sit here and listen to you as Kenyans when daily you are brutalising innocent, unarmed Ugandans. Why are you allowing this Sir…” I was swiftly apprehended by four officers and bundled into a GK Land Rover outside. Several of my friends subsequently called and opined that it may have been better to wait Q&A session and confront Museveni with ideas. But that argument misses the point. The whole point of a civil protest is to necessitate change not to accommodate. I was sending a strong message to the President of Uganda that [I] won’t stand for human rights abuses. We can only move our countries and region forward by embracing dialogue, tolerance, principle and integrity. Not by military violence, propaganda and platitudes. Top on my mind was the fact that the Ugandan President was present at Uhuru Park when we promulgated our Constitution last year, a progressive document which is very strong on justice, fairness and individual rights and freedoms enshrined in Article 33. I explained to the police that the [Kenyan President] is not perfect but he doesn’t batter protestors. I strongly feel that President Museveni, by battering Ugandans, is betraying the ideals of our common humanity, is at odds with principles of Uganda, Kenya, the region and the world. The Kenyan police treated me professionally and well. But one senior officer laboriously explained that I shouldn’t try to be “Jesus” as the world is a difficult place and poor people will always be there. Regretfully, this may be conventional wisdom in the establishment. After being released without being charged, I watched an angry Museveni berate a composed Linus Kaikai during an interview where he called the journalist “the evangelist of civilisation”. I must say that was some quality journalism from Mr Kaikai. The challenges of the third world are well known and documented and will never be solved by posturing, deceit or cheap tribal politics. Rather, it will take selfless leadership, sacrifice and commitment on the part of our leaders to inspire Africans, implement good policies and bring fresh ideas to create opportunity and lift the masses out of poverty and desperation. I remember after the Madoff trial in New York last year, his wife was informed by a hair stylist that she was not welcome to the salon any more because of all the suffering her family had caused by fleecing citizens. I have no ill will toward President Museveni. 1 | 2 Next Page»I respect him as an elder Statesman and like a father. But we must not tolerate bad behaviour from a councillor, governor or president. We must stand for truth, say what we mean and mean what we say. I expressed my displeasure with the goings-on in Uganda. At the risk of irritating comrades in attendance at Mind Speak, I stood up for democracy. I spoke my mind. I have no regrets. Mr Ndolo is a consultant with several Kenyan Civil societies « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1155810/-/c23tydz/-/index.html","content":"Judiciary warns lawyers against  today’s strike - The planned picketing of the High Court by lawyers, protesting some magistrates’ conduct and the government’s brutal response to the walk-to-work protests, is unwelcome, a Judiciary spokesman said yesterday. Despite this, the Uganda Law Society leadership has insisted the three-day sit-down proceeds today.ULS president Bruce Kyerere told Daily Monitor he would brief Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki yesterday afternoon, and also indicated that depending on the outcome of that meeting, “the arrangement is as we agreed”. “That is a strike. It is a demonstration. If they are coming for other business outside their legal work, they are unwelcome. Sitting down is not auxilliary to the legal business. They will be unwanted persons,” Mr Erias Kisawuzi, who argued the bench is not perfect and is therefore open to dialogue over the matter, said. The lawyers announced on Monday they would protest what they called “partiality of the Judiciary”, and the high-handed response of the police and other security agencies to the ongoing walk-to-work protests. They demanded action from Justice Odoki against magistrates who appear not to be acting independently as is demanded by the Constitution. Retired Supreme Court Judge, Prof. George Kanyeihamba, concurred yesterday, saying lawyers are free to demonstrate if they feel some judicial officers have taken sides. Mr Kisawuzi, however, suggested that since lawyers are officers of court, and therefore members of the same family; “we should not be seen in a fracas.” He said channels of communication remain open and also proposed a meeting between ULS and Justice Odoki Several attempts to get a comment from the Chief Justice’s chambers wre futile.Late yesterday, Mr Kisawuzi called this newspaper and confirmed that a meeting took place where it was agreed that ULS delivers its petition in Courtroom 1 of the High Court in Kampala. Conditions “They will be allowed in for only purposes of presenting their petition and any other business outside that will not be entertained. Otherwise lawyers are free to demonstrate at their residences and chambers,” he said. Contacted over the matter after Daily Monitor failed to reach Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba but Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Ibin Ssenkumbi said, “we have not got any request from the management of the High Court to provide them with security”. Mr Ssenkumbi added: “If they have reached an understanding and there’s no breach of peace, then we don’t need to come in. If the Judiciary feel there’s likely to be breach of peace they can always notify us.” In spotlight At the centre of this matter is Nabweru Court Magistrate Justine Atukwasa. The magistrate’s handling of the State’s proceedings against opposition leader, Dr Kizza Besigye and others, has brought her impartiality into question. The ULS is also disturbed that although she is officially assigned to Nabweru, Ms Atukwasa turned up in both Nakasongola and Kasangati courts, miles away from her known jurisdiction, to preside over related matters. “If what we are reading in the papers are true it is most unfortunate. They (lawyers) are right to demand judicial inquiry into her conduct. This can be done administratively. The Chief Justice can appoint a one-man tribunal to do this,” Justice Kanyeihamba said. The walk-to-work campaign has seen members of the public, opposition leaders and their supporters shot at, beaten and teargassed by the police in tragic scenes which have seen the death of at least 10 people, including two babies.Countrywide protests have been met with ruthless force from a combination of police and other security agencies, provoking condemnation from the international community, human rights organisations and religious leaders. The last time the legal fraternity, including judges and magistrates, went on a one-week strike was when a secret security outfit invaded the High Court premises and re-arrested Dr Besigye and others, who had been freed on bail, pending their trial for alleged treason."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1155808/-/c23u01z/-/index.html","content":"Aronda faults police over Besigye’s arrest - The Chief of Defence Forces yesterday said the walk-to-work protests could have been handled differently from the violence deployed by the police over the last three weeks.Gen. Aronda Nyakairima also defended the military’s involvement in quelling the demonstrations which were called in reaction to the high fuel prices and rising cost of living, but said last Thursday’s violent arrest of opposition leader Kizza Besigye could have been more civil. In his first public comments on the Activists For Change-engineered protests, and the arrest that has drawn worldwide condemnation, Gen. Nyakairima said the opposition politician could have been stopped or arrested as he left his Kasangati home since there was a standing court order binding him not to breach public peace for seven months. In the alternative, he suggested, the vehicle in which Dr Besigye was travelling could have been towed to a nearby police station, or an anti-terrorism expert called in to open it with a master key while on the road so that Dr Besigye could be asked to evacuate. According to Gen. Nyakairima, the use of excessive force by state agents during last week’s melee at the Mulago Roundabout would be the last, but most unlikely option to take. And even then, he said, there would not have been any need for those assigned the task to be “hooded like a terminator”.On the fateful day, an unidentified hooded man dressed in civilian clothes approached Dr Besigye’s Toyota V8 Land Cruiser from the rear and drew a hammer to shatter its windscreen, before losing grip of the weapon which then fell inside the car. On the other side of the vehicle, Gilbert Bwana Arinaitwe, said to be a CID officer with the Rapid Response Unit also smashed the windscreens using a pistol butt before attacking Dr Besigye with a sustained blast of pepper spray in the eyes and all over his upper body. Other individuals travelling in the car were also doused in the spray. Exclusive pictures published by this newspaper yesterday capturing the hammer-man in action set the agenda for public debate and appeared to deprive government of its much-trumpeted defence that security forces grabbed the tool from Dr Besigye after he first hit one of them. During yesterday’s roundtable discussion with selected journalists at the Army headq uarters in Mbuya, a Kampala suburb, Gen. Nyakairima said he offered a “small” contingent, comprising mainly military police, as “reinforcement” on the request of Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura.Although during the Friday riots, First Son Lt. Col. Kainerugaba Muhoozi, who commands the Special Forces Group, took charge of the protests at Kisekka Market in downtown Kampala. “The specific orders for the [anti-demonstration] operation are issued by the IGP,” he said, declining to take personal responsibility for persons allegedly shot dead by soldiers.Efforts to reach both Maj. Gen. Kayihura and police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba were futile by press time. To investigateEarlier, the CDF revealed that he was the first to take charge of the police when President Museveni’s then National Resistance Army rebels captured power in 1986 and knows that any shooting by police should “disable [a suspect] to effect their arrest, and not to kill.” Some security operatives, he said, could be acting out of panic. “If we find that someone did kill deliberately or when it was unnecessary, we try you,” he said. Gen. Nyakairima said in coming days, more soldiers will deploy on the streets to ensure President Museveni is sworn-in without incident on May 12. Uganda’s opposition politicians emphasise citizens’ rights (to demonstrate) but not related responsibilities which come with the exercise of this right, the army chief said.Government’s alleged highhanded crackdown on peaceful demonstrators, marked by shooting and imprisonment of leading opposition politicians, has been condemned by human rights campaigners and the country’s development partners. Citing previous encounters culminating in invasion of Sudan and later the Democratic Republic of Congo, the CDF said Uganda is a fragile country where irresponsible reporting by journalists can “take up in smoke”. tbutagira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1155612/-/c23vj8z/-/index.html","content":"“My Civil Protest against Museveni”  - “On Saturday 30 April I arrived at the Intercontinental hotel to interact and share with other Kenyan professionals from the private sector, civil society and media. The name of the forum was mind speak an annual event. Prior to the president’s arrival, speaker after speaker took to the podium and waxed lyrical about the importance of Kenya getting a grip on its affairs and positioning itself in its rightful place in the world by first getting serious about good governance, clean politics, eliminating tribalism and strengthening the economy and democracy. The Swiss ambassador explained that his own country faced a similar economic and food crisis a century ago. They had to think hard about what to do to create a just society. A small Swiss minority was fabulously wealthy while a large majority was going hungry at the same time. After a coffee break courtesy of Nation group CEO Linus Gitahi who paid out of pocket because it was unplanned for the president to take 3 hours to arrive, Museveni finally walked in accompanied by PNU metropolitan development minister Njeru Githae. The president was relaxed and begun his speech on Economic Rights and Social transformation with an analogy about insects and their metamorphosis from egg to pupa, lavae to adult. The president was affable. But it is important to define Museveni. After decades of terror and rampage occasioned on Ugandans by Idi Amin Dada and Milton Obote, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni a young soldier fought a guerilla war to power restoring Ugandans’ collective dignity and returning the country to normalcy and decency. But that was 25 years ago. Slowly but surely President Museveni has begun his slide back down the path of intolerance and dictatorship. For the past one month, Ugandan forces have systematically and consistently brutalized unarmed citizen’s men and women walking to work to protest against the very high cost of living because of sky high food and fuel prices. Of course there is a political component to these protests given that they are even led by his opponent Dr Kize Besigye but does that justify beatings, shootings and spraying human skin and eyes with copious amounts of acidic pepper? As I sat listening to Museveni crack jokes and the audience roaring in laughter, I realized that the whole event was too casual and that for a fact a victim of Museveni’s brutality was admitted at Nairobi Hospital 7 minutes drive from where we were sitting, going blind. Our attendance of Museveni’s forum was dignifying him and giving him aid and comfort. Initially, I felt I should walk out. But to just stand up and walk out alone as a head of State speaks, constitutes a security breach and does not say much. Or they would think perhaps because I wasn’t feeling well, or was pressed for a short bathroom call. I stayed calm. But as the president spoke, and paused, I interjected. “Mr President, it’s very difficult for us to sit here and listen to you as Kenyans when daily you are brutalizing innocent, unarmed Ugandans. Why are you allowing this Sir…” I was swiftly apprehended by four officers and bundled into a GK land rover outside. Several of my friends subsequently called and opined that it may have been better to wait Q&A session and confront Museveni with ideas. But that argument misses the point. The whole point of a civil protest is to necessitate change not to accommodate. I was sending a strong message to the President of Uganda and to the people of Uganda that Kenyans are democratic and won’t stand for human rights abuses. We can only move our countries and region forward by embracing dialogue, tolerance, principle and integrity. Not by military violence, propaganda and platitudes. Top on my mind was the fact that the Ugandan president was present at Uhuru Park when we promulgated our Constitution last year, a progressive document which is very strong on justice, fairness and individual rights and freedoms enshrined in Article 33. I explained to the police that our president is not perfect but he’s a democrat and doesn’t batter protestors. I strongly feel that President Museveni by battering Ugandans is betraying the ideals of our common humanity, is at odds with principles of Uganda, Kenya the region and the world. It is the same thing Quaddafi stands accused of today in the court of public opinion and possibly soon in a legal court as well. The Kenyan police treated me professionally and well. But one senior officer laboriously explained that I shouldn’t try to be “Jesus” as the world is a difficult place and poor people will always be there. Regretfully this may be conventional wisdom in the establishment. After being released without being charged, I watched an angry Museveni berate a stoic and composed Linus Kaikai during an interview where he called the journalist “the evangelist of civilization”. I must say that was some quality journalism from Mr. Kaikai. The challenges of the third world are well known and documented and will never be solved by posturing, deceit or cheap tribal politics. Rather it will take selfless leadership, sacrifice and commitment on the part of leadership to inspire Africans, implement good policy and bring fresh ideas to create opportunity and lift the masses out of poverty and desperation. 1 | 2 Next Page»I remember after the Madoff trial in New York last year, his wife was informed by a hair stylist that she was not welcome to the salon any more because of all the suffering her family had caused by fleecing citizens. I have no ill will toward the president. I respect him as an elder Statesman and like a father. But we must not tolerate bad behavior from a councilor, governor or president. We must stand for truth, say what we mean and mean what we say. On Saturday, I expressed my displeasure with the goings-on in Uganda. At the risk of irritating comrades in attendance at mindspeak, I stood up for democracy. I spoke my mind. I have no regrets. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1155222/-/c23yn6z/-/index.html","content":"Besigye aides sent back to Luzira - The Judiciary was again put to test yesterday as a magistrate sent back to remand six people accused of participating in an unlawful assembly while similar charges brought against other suspects in a separate court were dismissed. As the suspects arrested together with FDC leader Kizza Besigye returned to Luzira Prison, a stark case of contradiction within the Judiciary was stripped bare, challenging the whole notion of “innocence until proven guilty”, as presupposed by the law. The six will stay incarcerated for another week, before their bail application can be heard. Remanded last week without charging, the group, who form Dr Besigye’s security detail, was driven to Wakiso District-based Kasangati Magistrate’s Court amid tight security as they sang solidarity songs. Fred Kato, Robert Kavuma, Sam Mugumya, Geoffrey Kalanzi, Francis Mwijukye and Martin Ndyomugyenyi, who were received by senior FDC officials, appeared before Grade One Magistrate, Mr James Eremye, for plea and denied the charge. A court sitting in Nakawa yesterday dismissed similar charges which the state had brought against DP chief Norbert Mao. Facing the charge with Dr Besigye, the group was first exonerated from the charge of allegedly assaulting a police officer but they were charged with taking part in unlawful assembly. State Attorney Gladys Nyanzi had argued that the suspects breached an earlier court order that granted them bail on condition that they do not breach peace for seven months. Bail pleas rejectedBut defence lawyers led by Mr Earnest Kalibbala asked court to grant the accused persons bail to allow their clients have freedom pending police investigations. “The first accused person (Dr Besigye) is out of the country and he is expected to come back by end of this week. I pray that court extends his bond to the same date his co-accused will appear. I request that they take plea,” said Mr Kalibbala. “I have heard the submissions from both the defence attorney and the state. I hereby adjourn this case until May 9 for ruling. The accused persons will stay on remand until then,” ruled Mr Eremye, as silence befell the packed courtroom. Advocate Abdu Katuntu described the court decision to further remand the accused persons as strange to defeat the accused persons’ right to bail. “It is a right to give a person a benefit of doubt. The court decision is offending the law. The accused persons were denied their right to plea and they have been denied bail without reason. Why should a magistrate sit on a ruling for a week? This is against the law,” Mr MrKatuntu, also theBugweri Country MP, said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1155194/-/c2409dz/-/index.html","content":"Lawyers call strike over government brutality   - A three-day strike beginning tomorrow has been announced by the Uganda Law Society as an expression of displeasure at the government’s high-handed clampdown on the walk-to-work protests against high fuel prices. At an extra-ordinary meeting of the Law Society held in Kampala yesterday, it was also agreed that other professionals be asked to join in this show of disapproval against the excessive and disproportionate use of force by the police, army and other security agencies in breaking up peaceful protests. “Whether it is Besigye or Museveni, nobody should wreak havoc on this country and we sit back and watch,” ULS President Bruce Kyerere said. “Are we for the rule of law or anarchy? What we stand for is what the country is waiting to know.” The Judiciary last night said, “It is unfortunate for the lawyers to [go on] strike without addressing their concerns with us so that we may investigate them and take corrective measures where possible.” In defence“I think the Judiciary is still on course and we cherish and uphold our independence. There may be some concerns but we are willing to give them audience if they bring their concerns to us. That is the only rational way of handling matters,” Judiciary spokesman Erias Kisawuzi told Daily Monitor.Dr Kizza Besigye, leader of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change party, is among hundreds of Ugandans who have been hospitalised after being shot, detained, beaten or otherwise assaulted by the police. The death toll from the walk-to-work demonstrations, which began on April 11, is now estimated at more than 10, including at least two babies. The lawyers warned that Uganda faces a crisis, and demanded that Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki takes action. Mr Odoki heads a Judiciary which was criticised by the Law Society for the “partiality” of some of its officers presiding over the cases involving Dr Besigye, Democratic Party leader Norbert Mao and others. “How can a magistrate in a space of days hop from one court to another purporting to entertain matters? Where does she derive such powers to manage three areas? Is there someone behind this or is she acting on her own?” Mr Kyerere asked. Mr Kyerere and other lawyers mentioned Magistrate Justine Atukwasa, who first refused to hear Dr Besigye’s bail application in Nabweru Court in Wakiso District, claiming she was busy. After the Easter break, she was drafted onto the Nakasongola Court circuit more than 100 kilometres away to preside over the same matter, ultimately slapping a Shs50 million non-cash bail on Dr Besigye and each of the three co-accused. She also ordered, without specifying, that the FDC leader does not indulge in activities likely to cause breach of the peace. A day later, she turned up in Kasangati Court to again hear allegations of unlawful assembly against the opposition politician.“Time has come for us to condemn the panicky attitude of some judicial officers in some matters and that magistrate’s issue should be taken up for disciplinary action,” Mr James Nangwala, a senior member of the society said. ULS said they are going on strike because the “Judiciary has been used, abused and thrown into the confusion the state and the opposition have created in the last three weeks.”Wednesday’s strike will be the second since 2007 when lawyers, judges and other judicial officers abandoned the courts protesting infringement on the Judiciary’s independence by the Executive. At the time, Dr Besigye and others had been granted bail pending hearing of a treason case against them only for them to be re-arrested on the court premises by the shadowy Black Mamba security unit. The High Court in Kampala was raided by armed men in what retired Principal Judge James Ogoola poetically described as a “rape of the Temple of Justice”. Deputy Chief Justice Laetetia Kikonyogo led her colleagues in that strike. Demand prosecution Other lawyers had initially called for a two-week strike to mourn what they called the “death of the rule of law in the country”. It was later decided that members will sit peacefully at the High Court buildings throughout the country until the government agrees a dialogue to return normalcy to the country. They also agreed that perpetrators like Gilbert Bwana Arinaitwe, the security agent who violently arrested Dr Besigye and vandalised his car on Thursday last week, be brought to book.They agreed to give legal aid to all those taken into prison without trial and those victims who can not afford legal redress, and will keep documenting the events for future accountability from all perpetrators."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1154712/-/c24k2xz/-/index.html","content":"UGANDA PROTESTS DAY2: Live Updates - 04:40 EAT: The Democratic Party president, Norbert Mao is a free man after a new Grade One Magistrate at Nakawa court dismissed the charges against him, saying it was it was wrong to transfer the case from City Hall court to Nakawa. James Obong took charge of the case after Ms Juliet Hatanga who had earlier been handling the case withdrew under unclear circumstances. The ruling sent DP supporters who had threatened to attack the court cells and remove their leader into jubilations. 03:00 EAT: Six people who were arrested with opposition leader, Dr Kizza Besigye have been charged and remanded to Luzira Prison over participating in unlawful assembly pending a court decision on their application for bail. Remanded last week without facing any charge, the group with handcuffed was driven to court amidst tight security to a guarded Wakiso District based Kasangati Magistrates Court while singing solidarity songs. Fred Kato, Robert Kavuma, Sam Mugumya, Geoffrey Kalanzi, Francis Mwijukye and Martin Ndyomugyenyi who were received by senior FDC officials appeared before Grade One Magistrate Mr James Eremye for plea and denied the charge. “I have heard the submissions from both the defence attorney and the state, I hereby adjourn this case until May 9 ruling. The accused persons will stay on remand until then,” ruled Mr Eremye casting silence in the fully packed courtroom. Facing the charge with FDC leader Dr Besigye, the group was first exonerated from the charge of allegedly assaulting a police but they were charged with taking part in unlawful assembly, an offence the state said had led to accused persons to breach their role in promoting peace in the country. 12:57 EAT: Daily Monitor's Alfred Tumushabe reports from Mbarara that regular and military police are involved in running battles with pro-opposition protestors in Mbarara town which have so far seen five people arrested. The demonstrators who were mainly youth were expressing anger against inhumane arrest of FDC President Kizza Besigye last week. They have blocked Ntare, Masaka, and Bananuka Drive roads with boulders, tree stems and car tyres, disrupting traffic flow. For three hours police was involved in repeated actions of clearing stones and tyres off the roads. By time of this update Police had arrested five youth including former Rwampara MP aspirant Israel Kazooba. Mbarara FDC youth chairman Sampson Kizza said the government’s use of excessive force would not deter them. “We shall carry on until government accepts that it’s our right demonstrate peacefully,” he said. 11:51 EAT: Three aides to the opposition leader, Dr Kizza Besigye who were arrested last week during the scuffle that saw Dr. Besigye’s car window shattered have been brought to Nabweru court for bail application. Police arrested Besigye’s aides; Sam Mugumya, James Mwijukye and his driver, Ibrahim Kato have been in Luzira for the last one week, without any charges being levelled against them before today. 11:20 EAT: The Democratic Party president, Norbert Mao has on Monday brought to Nakawa Court for his bail application after three weeks in prison. Mr Mao and six others were brought to court from Luzira Prisons after they were transferred from Nakasongola prisons back to Luzira, yesterday. The five are; Uganda Young Democrats leader Birigwa Moses, the Democratic Party’s Communications Director Kasozi Kamya, Norbert Mao’s personal secretary Kintu Elvis, and the Democratic Party spokesperson Kenneth Kakande. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Mao was charged with Unlawful Assembly when he was arrested in Kampala on the 11th April 2011, as he walked to work. According to our reporter at Nakawa Court, Mr Anthony Wesaka said the suspects are still in cells but said the court will start shortly.   10:45 EAT: The police crackdown on the walk-to-work protest continues with the arrest of Kampala Woman Member of parliament, Ms Nabila Ssempala in Kabalagala. Ms Nabilla had walked from her home in Kansanga but was arrested by police near Kansanga police station. The FDC chairman, Kampala Metropolitan, Mr Livingston  Kizito, who was walking with Ms Ssempala said police manhandled her during the arrest. “Her trousers got torn and she was almost naked as policemen dragged her to their station” 9:30 EAT: Tension is building in Rukungiri town as the walk-to-work protests kicked off this morning. Hundreds of people are demonstrating in the town, blowing whistles and calling for the resignation of President Museveni and the Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura. They are carrying placards with the words, \"Ugandans are not fools. Museveni and Kayihura must go. There is no movement of vehicles in and out of the town. All the commuter taxis and buses are in the parks and those moving outside Rukungiri are dropping passengers on the outskirts. The army and police have deployed heavily but there has not been any confrontation between the protesters and the security.Of the three banks here, only Stanbic bank has opened for business. All shops are closed as some businesspeople have opted to keep away. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Basketball/-/690268/1152142/-/gnfoguz/-/index.html","content":"Big row for star Omondi looms - Kampala A few days to the MTN-Fuba League tip-off, the future of Richard Osano Omondi is far from sorted with Falcons and Miracle Eagles both claiming to have binding contracts with the mercurial forward. Last December, Omondi was reported to have left Falcons for Miracle after leading the former to the semifinals in a season riddled with non-payment of players by the six-time champions. Now, Falcons’ new president Denis Mbidde claims to have tied the player to a four-year contract with a buy-out clause of $150, 000 (over Shs300m). On the other hand, this newspaper has seen a contract (MBC/DR/12/10/002) Omondi signed with Miracle on December 11, 2010. “He (Omondi) has never met them (Miracle). I know him for being a very honest person. He is one of the highest paid players in the league,” said Mbidde. Brian Minge, Miracle’s Chief Executive Officer and financier, differs greatly. “When the season starts, Omondi is expected to wear our stripe. He is our player and you have seen the contract,” Minge said on Tuesday flashing a copy of the one-year deal. Much as the player refused to speak to this reporter, a source told us that Falcons owe him 10-month arrears, something Mbidde vehemently disputed. Ready for fight“I deal with straight things and he is paid up to-date. If there was breach, he should have written to me but he hasn’t,” he said. Adding; “he is not going anywhere. Actually, he is our new captain for the upcoming season.” Minge is ready for the fight even though Omondi wasn’t training with them when Daily Monitor visited the team at Mengo S.S. “We obtained the transfer form from Fuba and all that is left is for Falcons to sign.” Fuba rules only allow players to sign a maximum of two-year deals and can be free agents thereafter if they opt not to renew them. In this rule, Falcons still have the rights over Omondi as he played for only one season unless Miracle pay. “His contract was breached just like the case with (Stephen) Omony (walk out from Falcons after the club failed to pay the agreed Shs72m),” Minge said. For now, Minge can feel confident that Norman Blick, who signed with him on March 29, 2011 under contract number MBC/NB/006/011, is trouble free. “I have had that (his former club DMark Power is offering him more money than us. If so, they can buyout the contract. He cannot go for free,” the Miracle boss said. Elsewhere, Abdullahi Ramadhan will return to Uganda soon to sign a two-year deal with Falcons worth Shs1.2m a month having left Kyambogo Warriors last year. “All I have to do now is send him his air ticket to travel from Zanzibar,” Mbidde revealed. Fuba have also confirmed that the league will start next week and not tomorrow."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1152278/-/c262h3z/-/index.html","content":"Government to summon envoys over Besigye, Mao visit - Kampala The government is making preparations to summon the Dutch, Irish and other European nation ambassadors to formally protest their envoys’ visit to two opposition leaders held in a Nakasongola prison. However, the government was yesterday at pains to indicate that this protest is not because of FDC leader Kizza Besigye and Mr Norbert Mao, leaders of DP. A minister told Daily Monitor that a general complaint touching on international laws governing diplomacy will be made. ‘Violation of rule’“It is normal diplomatic action. It is not because of Dr Besigye or Mr Mao but there was a clear violation of the (Vienna) Convention on diplomatic accreditation,” said Mr Okello Oryem, the state minister for Foreign Affairs (international cooperation). “The law says an ambassador shall not travel from any city where he is accredited to another without seeking permission from the host country. So we shall be registering our protest in general. Nothing to do with Besigye,” Mr Oryem said. Asked what form the government protest will take, the minister said: “We shall invite them to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs because it is the one that handles their affairs. We shall tell them, you are in clear breach of the law and ask them not to do it again because it can strain our relationship. We shall do it diplomatically.” Pressed whether this would be done before the weekend, Mr Oryem said: “Of course. I have directed my officers to organise.” Concerns were raised by opposition leaders last week after government hurriedly transferred the two opposition leaders and other opposition party officials from Luzira and other Kampala prisons to the remote Nakasongola prison after they were arrested on charges ranging from assaulting a police officer, inciting violence, unlawful assembly and refusing to obey lawful orders during the walk-to- work campaign. Diplomats from three missions visited Dr Besigye and Mr Mao on Friday, causing jitters in government circles. It was not possible to get the envoys comment yesterday but the Dutch ambassador, Mr Jeroen Verheul, was quoted by a Kampala daily on Tuesday, saying the visit was made at the invitation of the Uganda Prisons authority to assure the envoys that conditions under which the politicians were being held were good. The walk-to-work campaign, the opposition maintains, is aimed at forcing government to address the skyrocketing cost of fuel and basic commodities. But government claims opposition leaders are trying to use it to unconstitutionally topple a lawfully elected government. Information Minister Kabakumba Masiko, has accused some foreign countries she did not name of aiding the opposition in that effort."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1152208/-/c262naz/-/index.html","content":"Museveni agrees to meet Besigye - Nakasongola/Kampala The crippling effects of the rising cost of living on the country are expected to form the highlight of talks between President Museveni and opposition leaders, including his main opponent, Dr Kizza Besigye, which officials say are scheduled for Tuesday next week. Confirmation of the talks came hours after Dr Besigye and three co-accused were released on bail by Magistrate Justine Atukwasa after chaotic scenes at Nakasongola Court. Proceedings went ahead without counsel for the accused yesterday. The accused face charges of allegedly inciting violence and unlawful assembly arising out of their participation in the walk-to-work campaign against high fuel prices. The opposition leader, however, told crowds of well-wishers who received him at his home in Kasangati last night that he will still walk to work today. “Tomorrow (today) is a working day and we shall walk to work,” he said. Next week’s planned meeting would see the first known coming together between Dr Besigye and the President since they fell out in 1999 when Dr Besigye, a former colleague and personal physician during the bush war, authored a critique of the NRM accusing Mr Museveni’s government of abandoning the reformist agenda as the core of its ideology. Last night, Presidential Spokesman Tamale Mirundi confirmed the President had called a meeting with his political opponents. “Yes, I have been told that the President has sent out the invitations. It is true that talks are planned between the President and the opposition under the auspices of the inter-party forum,” he said. Mr Tamale said the proposed meeting would discuss national issues such as oil and security “but not power-sharing”. It also emerged last night that the Directorate of Public Prosecutions was on Tuesday this week involved in a high level meeting with top individuals in the government who advised that Dr Besigye and his Democratic Party counterpart Norbert Mao be freed in time for the planned discussions. Mr Mao is expected in court on May 2, a day before the planned meeting. Forum for Democratic Change party Secretary General Alice Alaso separately said that on Tuesday she had also received a telephone call from a “third party” at the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) secretariat, saying the forum’s current chair, Mr Museveni, wants talks with presidents of member political parties. “What is causing NRM to initiate these talks is the pressure of the walk-to-work campaign,” she said last night. “My own reading is that President Museveni wants to pull a publicity stunt to hoodwink Ugandans from pursuing legitimate demands about the rising cost of living so that he swears-in peacefully on May 12.” IPOD, which is a loose grouping of various political parties, was formed in 2006 as a forum for party secretaries-general. The Activists 4 Change pressure group called the bi-weekly walk-to-work demonstrations beginning April 11 in which security forces are reported to have killed five civilians in the past fortnight. More than 200 suspected demonstrators remain incarcerated while more are nursing injuries country-wide. UPC president Olara Otunnu said on Sunday that he would agree to talks with Mr Museveni if the agenda reflects “serious issues” facing Uganda. FDC demandsWhile Ms Alaso said they will table demands for a fresh presidential election organised by an independent Electoral Commission representative of participating political parties; restoration of presidential term limits and removal of the military from the electoral process. Yesterday, Dr Besigye had a dramatic homecoming, with crowds pouring onto the Kampala-Gulu highway and paralysing business in major trading centres as his convoy snaked its way towards the city. The FDC leader and his co-accused had each applied for their own bail after their lawyers, insisting they were not informed of the shifting of the bail application hearing from Nabweru Court in Wakiso District to Nakasongola, declined to appear, saying moving the sitting was irregular. Ms Atukwasa, the same magistrate who refused to hear the accused persons’ bail applications on Thursday last week in a Nabweru Court, nevertheless released Dr Besigye and the three co-accused on stiff bail terms, including ordering them to maintain peace for seven months failing which they would pay a Shs50 million fine. Each of the sureties was also bonded at Shs50 million. Prosecution led by Mr Lino Anguzu did not object to the application for bail but asked court to set conditions which would restrain the accused persons from indulging in activities likely to cause a breach of the peace."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1151516/-/c26ol9z/-/index.html","content":"Besigye bailed - UPDATE 8:45 PM: A very tired Dr Besigye finally stepped out of his car and briefly addressed a huge crowd that had gathered outside his home in Kasangati. Some of the people said they had been waiting for him to arrive home since morning.  Composed and sounding unshaken by the six days of imprisonment, the Forum for Democratic Change leader stood before the people who had deserted Kasangati town to come and receive him. This is what he told them: “ Tomorrow is a working day and we shall walk to work. For me I can start from anywhere. I want you to be strong, things will change. I have always told you that things will one day change. Yes, we are suffering now but one day we shall wake up when we are celebrating.” The government has, however, indicated that it will not allow the walk-to-work protests against high fuel prices to go ahead. It is not clear how the day will play out, especially since the bail terms on which Dr Besigye was released are particularly curious. The magistrate ordered that he must keep the peace for seven months or risk paying a Shs50 million fine. The trouble is that every time the opposition politician steps out of his house he attracts attention, a crowd builds up around him and shortly after elements of the security forces move in. They fire teargas, bullets and generally cause mayhem – in effect breaching the peace. UPDATE 8:09 PM: Dr Besigye first escaped from the crowds in Kawempe, and then in Bwaise in an attempt to get home. Dr Besigye is looking very exhausted but the crowds will simply not let him be. Along the Gayaza road to his home in Kasangati another throng has built up. The mood is ecstatic, and he might have to come out of his car and say a word or two to the massed people. UPDATE 7:40 PM: Dr Besigye’s convoy has arrived in Kawempe without incident. It is almost five hours since he was set free on conditional bail by magistrate Justine Atukwasa. Columns of police and military personnel were seen helping to clear the road of the large crowds which continued to throng his motorcade as it snaked through Kawempe, down into Bwaise. Daily Monitor reporters travelling in convoy say the surging crowd is in celebratory, though peaceful mood. Soldiers and other security personnel are keeping a close watch. UPDATE 6:54 PM: Dr Kizza Besigye’s convoy stretching back more than two football fields in length is passing through Kawempe-Kagoma-Kawanda. Our reporters on the scene report that traffic has ground to a crawl as crowds pour onto the road, chanting victory songs. Dr Besigye is in his car waving to enthusiastic supporters. Security personnel are looking on . The atmosphere is electric, our reporters say. UPDATE 6: 35 PM: Security personnel dressed in police uniforms have set up a roadblock at Matugga, between Bombo and Wobulenzi town, checking each and every car driving towards Kampala. Daily Monitor reporters that traffic stretching back more than one kilometre is building up along the Gulu Highway. A police officer has been overheard indicating that there is another roadblock ahead as one approaches the densely populated Kawempe-Bwaise city suburb. This area is known to be populated by people with long-standing pro-opposition tendencies. Dr Besigye is believed to be in vehicle further back around Wobulenzi town. UPDATE 6:07 PM: Military police, riot police and regular troops have deployed in large numbers at the Northern Bypass roundabout in Kawempe, north of Kampala. Dr Besigye’s convoy is passing Matugga area, which is a few kilometres away. UPDATE 5:20 PM: Crowds of frenzied supporters pour onto Kampala-Gulu highway to welcome Dr Besigye from prison as his convoy slowly tries to make its way to Kampala. UPDATE 3:10 PM: Dr Besigye has been granted bail on condition that he keeps the peace for seven months. Magistrate Justine Atukwasa released the Forum for Democratic Change leader along with his three co-accused shortly before 3.00 p.m. on a non-cash bond of Shs10 million each. Their sureties are each bonded at Shs50m non-cash. Separately, the magistrate also ordered the four accused to keep the peace for seven months failing which they will be bound to pay Shs50 million to the state. Shortly after court adjourned opposition supporters break out in song, singing the Buganda Kingdom anthem, interspersed with verses from the American Civil Rights movement’s song “We shall overcome…” refrain. UPDATE 2:45 PM: At 2.31 p.m. the court adjourns for five minutes, Dr Kizza Besigye and his co-accused have each made an individual bail application presenting two sureties each (former Buganda Kingdom prime minister Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogererere and opposition politician Chapaa Karuhanga stand surety for Dr Besigye). The state has raised no objection to the application for bail but asked that the court binds the accused persons “not to get engage in conduct that could lead to commission of crime and destruction of property.” Prosecutor Anguzu does not specify exactly what he means by conduct likely to lead to the commission of crime or destruction property.   The small courtroom is fully packed with no standing room left. Diplomats, opposition politicians, well-wishers, journalists have packed the tiny chambers to witness the proceedings. A ruling is expected from Magistrate Justine Atukwasa when the court re-convenes 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1151452/-/c26paaz/-/index.html","content":"Debt collector selling Libyan embassy cars - Kampala Armstrong Auctioneers, a debt collecting company, is selling two luxury cars worth Shs310 million over non-payment of a Stanbic Bank loan by the Libyan Embassy in Uganda. The bailiffs are auctioning a Range Rover and a Toyota Land Cruiser estimated at Shs170 million and Shs140 million, respectively, according to a public notice issued by the company yesterday. The vehicles are to be sold at 10am on May 10, by the auctioneers if the Libyan embassy in Kampala does not clear the loan and related costs. “Upon instruction from our client, we shall proceed to sell the under mentioned vehicles unless the debtor clears us before the sale date,” a notice reads in part. The Libyan Arab People Bureau (embassy) is identified in the notice as the debtor. The attached cars were used by Mr Abdallah Bujeldain, the former Libyan ambassador to Uganda, while on duty. The ambassador fled Uganda to join the rebels fighting Col. Muammar Gaddafi, press reports said. The embassy bought the luxury cars for its boss using a loan that was acquired from Stanbic Bank Uganda, a source who asked not be named told Daily Monitor yesterday. The source said the loan was secured last year but the embassy is failing to meet its obligations due to the financial crisis that has hit the Libyan government. “The whole embassy is paralysed because they are not getting funds from Libya,” he said. Mr Yoosefi Murghan, the acting Libyan ambassador to Uganda, declined to comment on the matter. Mr Daniel Nsibambi, the communications manager at Stanbic Bank, could also not divulge details of the debt to maintain a good relationship with the bank’s customer. “We are guided by codes of confidentiality which we don’t breach without the conscious of the customer,” he said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1149550/-/14g88jyz/-/index.html","content":"Bare Knuckles: Why Kayihura’s report card looks good, for now - If Maj. Gen. Edward Kalekezi Kayihura, the Inspector General of Police, had any illusions about the political correctness of his actions against the walk-to-work ‘hoodlums’ of the likes of Kizza Besigye, Mao and co., then he got the full approval of his boss on Tuesday. It is not often that President Museveni wakes up on a better side of his bed to shower praises on any of his front men, especially those in the Police Force. Until now, Museveni has reserved any public show of faith in the Police. Instead, he has been one of the Force’s most unforgiving critics, blaming it for poorly handling issues of national security and corruption. But his ruthless criticism is also borne of a historical awareness that the Police are vulnerable to political manipulation that can change into a nucleus of mutiny or counter-intelligence against his regime. In the days of retired IGP John Cossy Odomel, Museveni detested the Police almost as if it was an army of occupation and warned he would “sort it out” with time. Indeed Odomel was later to resign after a six-month inquiry found him in breach of the Leadership Code. He had not declared the full list of his wealth in 1997 and according to the then IGG, Jotham Tumwesigye, Odomel’s wealth was valued at Shs100 million more than what he had declared. Odomel was an old school policeman, trained in the traditional norms and methods of policing. His undoing though, was that he had allowed under his watch the escalation of corruption in the Police Force. The peak of the revelation dawned during the Justice Julia Ssebutinde probe. The Force was rated the most corrupt as ‘evidenced’ by the huge number of potbellied traffic police officers and the directorate of investigation was a kitchen department – completely rundown and unable to carry out a single investigation to its end without the sniff of money. After his ‘resignation’, there was talk that he had filled the Force with his relatives and tribesmen who incidentally had resisted Museveni during his early years in power. Fresh agendaWith his departure, Museveni set out to ‘sort out’ the Police. Lt. Gen. Katumba Wamala took over the post with an agenda to transform the Force into a ‘loyal’ institution, weed out Odomel’s excesses and panel-beat ‘errant’ individuals into cadres. In the eyes of the appointing authority, Lt. Gen. Wamala was deemed to be too slow and soft, and as a result, he was quickly re-deployed where he has flourished as a professional soldier. Maj. Gen. Kayihura ascendency came at a time when Museveni needed a more ruthless Police Force to deal with increasing public disorder. Indeed, under his reign, the Force has been more physical in restoring order. Black Mamba On March 1, 2007, the Black Mamba squad raided the High Court in Kampala. The group clocked in State secrecy, is really an outfit of military men in police uniforms. To-date, there is still little public knowledge about who the Kiboko squad boys really are and who are their sponsors. But such an outfit would not last a day if it was deemed a threat to State power. The appointment of Lt. Gen. Katumba and Maj. Gen. Kayihura underscored Museveni’s long-standing belief in the militarisation of the State rather than create an effective policing institution - in which context he viewed the Police Force as an ‘uninitiated’ organisation that needed to be brought into the fold of the NRM. IGP Kayihura is effectively achieving this mission through a revised re-orientation of the old-school boys, weeding out ‘misfits’, incorporating military training into the Police training syllabus, and bringing to the fore of the Force pure cadre cadets. But it has come at a price for the physically feeble public who have been cowed and traumatised by the sight of guns and military men on the streets.Militarising the State, however, is a philosophical approach so it has not stopped at the Police Force. Most, if not all institutions of government and other private departments, have all been lined up with well calculated placements of men who wield guns. Museveni’s wishMaj. Gen. Kayihura’s apparent effectiveness to nip the demonstrations in the bud is therefore not an arrival, but a process that is expected to be seen at all levels of polity. And to IGP Kayihura’s credit, Museveni now wants “all other leaders” to emulate him. Congs Afande Kale! fmasiga@ug.nationmedia. com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Insight/-/688338/1149542/-/r581g7/-/index.html","content":"Baby shot dead as Besigye, Mao are whisked off to Nakasongola Prison - Her life was nipped in the bud by the excess of security personnel who are all out to quell peaceful civilians walking to work in protest of the increasing cost of living. Juliana Nalwanga of Nyendo in Masaka was only two years old. She was shot in the head and chest on Thursday to become the fifth reported case of a victim of state-inspired crackdown on protests. Nalwanga’s disheartening demise came on the heel of President Museveni commending the Police Force and especially its boss Kale Kayihura, for being the most committed NRM cadre in the country. This show of confidence, of course, was given in total disregard of the constutional mandate that the police are supposed to be civilian in nature and therefore non-partisan. In essence, Mr Museveni was openly flaunting how an institution that is supposed to serve the interest of the public is serving that of the government and a party. Meanwhile, DP president Norbert Mao, who on Monday rejected a bail preferring prison over his involvement in the walk-to-work, was on Thursday whisked away to Nakasonga Prison at dawn. But given the speed in which Dr Besigye was driven to the same facility at the break of the day after he defied the State to continue with his walk, Mao and Besigye could have arrived at Nakasongola at the same time. Prisons authorities said the opposition leaders, along with other party faithfuls, will be more secure in Nakasongola. But their parties, civil society organisations, religious leaders and the law society are having none of this. They insist the politicians and many of those arrested during the protests must be released immediately.The East African Law Society has threatened to drag the government to The Hague if it continues to crack down on civilian protesters. But for donors, the government should get to the dais and talk peace, something President Museveni looks at with scorn and his minister Kirunda Kivejinja mocked as unrealistic. However, Kivejinja did admit that inflation is real and is biting. He also said the police have no right to grant permission to demonstrate but should only be notified. ========================= Kampala traders threaten to close shops as schools raise fees Some people don’t have to walk-to-work to protest the high cost of living. Traders are among them. And those in Kampala under their umbrella, Kampala City Traders Association, have said they will not open their shops on Wednesday if the government does not cut taxes on fuel by Shs250 by then. In neighbouring Kenya, a threat by civil society organisations has forced the government to cut taxes on fuel to avert a possible riot over high prices. However, Ugandan traders are not reducing commodity prices for now, as that can only happen if government addresses inflation and the high taxes on goods like Kibaki has done. As a result, a bag of maize flour has doubled to Shs140,000 and that of beans has increased by Shs40,000 from Shs100,000 in the last two months. This has seen schools across the country hike fees effective next month, meaning parents will have to shoulder the extra burden of high fees and survival at home. The fees increment vary from Shs15,000 to Shs50,000 in some schools. But this time round, the parents are caught in a mesh where they can’t even protest against the hike because they themselves know how inflation is affecting the economy.========================= Pregnancy forces 65 pupils out of school 1 | 2 Next Page»Education officials in Bugiri District are considering conducting a door-to-door survey to establish the number of girls and boys who could have dropped out of Universal Primary Education this year. Reports have it that at least 65 girls dropped out of a single school in the last three months. All the affected pupils were discovered to be pregnant while they were studying at Kitodha Primary School. But as the authorities are considering tracking down the men responsible for the pregnancies to charge them with defilement, they are likely to hit the wall called culture and poverty, two things that have continued to compel parents to look at the girl child, who can be married off at any time, as a source of wealth to the family.Recently, the media reported that an 11-year-old girl in Rakai gave birth to a healthy baby after. In Nebbi, it was also reported last week that a 12-year-old girl had given birth.A lot needs to be done here. Well, the NRM could have failed to pay millions they owe Namboole Stadium for using the facility for their national party primaries and other activities in the run up to the February 18 general elections, but the stadium management have another reason to smile.The stadium and local football fans stand to reap big in the next five years after South Africa-based Pay TV SuperSport sealed a Shs12 billion broadcast deal with the Ecobank Super League that will see live coverage of matches in Namboole.========================= Facebook threatened as govt moves to silence media The Yoruba say a goat may sweat but its fur will always conceal the sweat. And while the government insists they are in total control, events in the country prove otherwise. Away from the demos that have seen streets turned into garrisons with heavily armed soldiers walking the beat, usually the work of the police, the Uganda Communications Commission and the Uganda Broadcasting Council are working tirelessly to suppress the media.First was the intention to shutdown popular social networking sites, Facebook and Twitter, which UCC later said was a miscommunication by one of its managers, Mr Quinto Ojok, who wrote to telecom companies asking them to intermittently shut down the sites. In his missive, Ojok claimed the council had received complaints from security agencies that social media may escalate violence to the public in respect of the ongoing protests. Obviously, they are reading too deep into the Egyptian revolution where social networking sites dictated the tide of revolts.Later, UBC warned broadcasters it would take “appropriate action” against any media house that airs material deemed to promote violence, ethnic prejudice and public insecurity. The council’s concern has been that allowing the media to publish protests would incite more violence. Subsequently, most media houses were instructed not to air live coverage of the walk-to-work protest footages as the council threatened to invoke the licences of those who “breach the law”. Information Minister Kabakumba Masiko on Thursday announced at a press briefing that the government was working on a law to regulate the broadcast media in the country. She said the law intended to crackdown on broadcasters who incite the public to cause violence but denied it will effect censoring of news. This, coming on the heel of various lamentable allegations, including that journalists covering protests on Monday were chased and electronic media warned against live broadcast, has caused concern.Donors have warned the government against silencing the media. The US ambassador to Uganda, Jerry Lanier, on Friday said silencing ideas does not make them go away and urged the government to engage in a constructive dialogue to move forward without suppressing the fundamental freedom of expression. jodongo@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1147702/-/c2o11mz/-/index.html","content":"Uganda, MPs probe State House on Shs300m - At least Shs300 million given to State House to fight poverty in the country remains unaccounted for, five years after officials took the money, legislators have heard. The accountability documents given to the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee yesterday were rejected after it emerged that State House officials had not turned up to explain why they had taken years without accounting for the money. The documents were submitted to the committee by the Accounting Officer in the Ministry of Finance, Ms Betty Kasimbazi, who defended State House, saying the money given to them by Ministry of Finance under the Poverty Alleviation Programme has since been accounted for. “Mr Chairman, State House people are not here but they have given me the documents. The money in question was accounted for and we have the accountabilities,” Ms Kasimbazi said. Ms Kasimbazi and other officials in the Ministry of Finance were in PAC to answer audit queries for the 2007/8-2008/9 financial years. But the committee rejected the accountabilities and passed the documents to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) attached to PAC to verify the authenticity of the documents and the motive behind the delay to account for the money. Breach of law“As for us we are concerned State House has nothing to do with poverty alleviation and they shouldn’t have received this money in the first place,” PAC chairman Nandala Mafabi said. “The law is clear on accountabilities; you cannot take five years and then claim that you’re accounting,” Mr Mafabi said. “We are not sure whether they didn’t forge documents. This is why we have asked Police to help us investigate this matter. Otherwise, we are concerned this money is refundable.” Ministry of Finance officials also told the committee that due to absence of a new law--reinstating the Non-Performing Assets Recovery Trust, a body corporate established by Statute No. 11 in October 1994 to recover expeditiously certain loans and investments made by the defunct Uganda Commercial Bank and Uganda Development Bank, over Shs100 billion remains uncollected. The same issue was raised in Parliament by Mr Mafabi, who said that although the Trust expired in October 2007, Cabinet has failed to re-instate the mandate to enable Ministry of Finance collect public funds from individuals. State Minister for Finance Ruth Nankabirwa told Parliament that at an appropriate time, the matter will be handled by her colleague, Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu, the minister for planning."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/1146660/-/ak71o5/-/index.html","content":"Tanzania pension funds risk losing billions to firms - Tanzania’s National Social Security Fund (NSSF) stands to lose a whopping Tsh50.27 billion in risky investments, the Controller and Auditor General says. The CAG’s annual report says the NSSF invested some of the money in non-performing ventures. In his 2009/10 audit report tabled in Parliament in Dodoma, the Controller and Auditor-General Ludovic Utouh said the NSSF lent Tsh32.7 billion to six companies that had failed to repay the money. All the firms are in breach of agreements entered into with the NSSF and have for several years not demonstrated ability or willingness to pay, as stipulated in their respective contracts. According to the CAG’s findings, the principal sum and accruing interest now amount to a total of Tsh50.3 billion. Mr Utouh said that due to the difficulty of recovering the loans, the management was considering writing them off as bad debts.The companies are Kiwira Coal and Power Limited, General Tyre East Africa, MediTech Industrial, Kilimanjaro Bazaar, Mbowe Hotels and Continental Ventures. Efforts to reach the NSSF on Thursday for comment on the audit report failed, as director-general Ramadhan Dau’s mobile phone was not answered. However, an official, who pleaded that he was not authorised to speak to the media, said the amount was within manageable levels and could not affect their operations in any way. “The NSSF has a huge finance base and what you are asking about is within acceptable risk lending levels and should not raise the alarm,” he said. Kiwira Coal and Power Limited, which owes some Tsh9.009 billion, was controversially linked to former President Benjamin Mkapa and a former minister in his government, Mr Daniel Yona."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1144586/-/c2q5cuz/-/index.html","content":"We have now arrested the big fish-Police - Business on Thursday came to a standstill after Police arrested Justice Forum- JEMA head Asuman Basalirwa and his deputy on Gayaza roundabout during a walk to work campaign. Shops, furniture workshops and garages closed as police tried to engage the rioters protesting the arrest. Heavy antiriot police was called in dispersing the masses with teargas and live bullets. Mr Basalirwa and Kibirige Muhammad were later whisked off to Kawempe police station. Mr Dennis Odongpiny, Commissioner of Police (Criminal Investigative Department) said they were deployed to ensure there is peace and order which the duo had violated. “We saw them moving and they have caused a breach of the peace of the people. Imagine a situation where everybody is allowed to do everything they want in total disregard of freedom for others,” Mr Odongpiny asked. But when asked why they only arrested two people, Mr Odongpiny, laughing, added that he was deployed to supervise and monitor Kawempe walkers. “We are always blamed for catching the small fish. Now we have the big fish,” Odongpiny said in an interview at Kawempe Police Station, adding, “They are honourable people. They surrendered themselves to police when we surrounded them in a gentle manner and I thank them.” However, he didn’t allow this reporter to talk to the suspects saying they were under custody but confirmed they would be charged with unlawful assembly. One civilian, Ibrahim Batte, was injured by a stray stone as he tried to find his way back home. But even as he sought refuge under the police to have him taken to hospital, the police brushed him off arguing that they were not there to assist causalities. Batte said, \"I was on a boda boda (motorcycle) going to work but reaching here a stone hit me. I have asked police to assist me and they have refused. I can’t even see now,” as he requested to call his mother to come and take him to hospital. But even as police continued to use water cannons to quell the blaze,  rioters continued to burn timber for making furniture crafts on the other streets, blocking flow of motorised traffic on Gulu highway. “Embela gyetulimu mbi nnyo. Govumenti eraba emiwendo gy’ebintu gyirinnye naye laba by’etukola? Tetugenda kukowa paka nenkya wetuli (We are in a bad situation. Government is just watching us suffering as prices of goods increase. We are not going to give up the fight for our own rights. Even tomorrow we are here),” Nsokakulya, a resident in Bwaise said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1144372/-/c2q6xrz/-/index.html","content":"Chogm debate closes in absence of quorum - Parliament yesterday voted to close the Chogm debate and ultimately absolved 10 senior Cabinet ministers who were implicated in the abuse of public funds without the mandatory quorum in the House.This was done in breach of their own rules of procedure. Only 57 MPs were in the House. Moving back and forth, Speaker Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi appeared fatigued in a debate boycotted by the opposition and later put the question on the amended motion to vindicate all the ministers without ascertaining whether the House had the required quorum. The motion, tabled by Wilfred Niwagaba (Ndorwa East) on Tuesday, sought a resolution of Parliament to refer the Chogm report to other investigative arms of government but was instead rejected in its existing form.But it was substantially amended by Rukungiri MP Winnie Masiko to provide for blanket exoneration of the ministers implicated in the 2007 Chogm mess. Section 21 of the rules of procedure reads: “The quorum of Parliament shall be one third (about 111) of all MPs entitled to vote. Again, at any time when a vote is to be taken, the Speaker shall ascertain whether the Members present in the House form a quorum for the vote to be taken, and if he or she finds that the number is less, the Speaker shall suspend the proceedings of the House for an interval of 15 minutes.” The rules also state that if on the resumption of proceedings, the number of MPs present is still less than the required quorum for voting, the Speaker shall proceed with other business or suspend the sitting. However, this was not done, making the motion null and void. Efforts by Lwemiyaga MP, Mr Theodore Ssekikubo to raise a procedural matter were ignored even as he said: “You can’t put the question when we don’t have the quorum in the House.” But Speaker Ssekandi appeared determined to have the debate concluded yesterday. “We have not exonerated anybody. Other government agencies are free if they wish to take up this Chogm issue,” Mr Ssekandi said. Adopt reportThe motion also sought the adoption of the Chogm report but with substantial amendments of the PAC recommendations. In the motion, the public servants implicated in the Chogm report were also asked to resubmit their defences to the head of civil service. All the private companies mentioned in the report were also excluded and that the executive continues with the investigation. They also thanked the NRM government for hosting what they described as a “successful” Chogm. A number of Cabinet ministers were implicated in the PAC report. But yesterday’s resolution officially closed the debate on a matter that has since July 2010 ignited public attention because of the Shs500 billion said to have been abused. Some of the senior Cabinet ministers implicated by PAC are Vice President Gilbert Bukenya, Amama Mbabazi (Security), Hope Mwesigye (Agriculture), Sam Kutesa (Foreign Affairs), John Nasasira (Works) and Isaac Musumba (suspended Regional Cooperation minister), among others."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1143530/-/c2qtsmz/-/index.html","content":"Opposition to walk to work again - Kampala A day after several of their leaders were bundled onto police pick-up trucks and whisked away to court and charged with inciting violence, opposition groups have accused the Force of behaving like an extension of the ruling National Resistance Movement party. Vowing to go ahead with their “walk-to-work” campaign on Thursday, the opposition groups accused police chief Kale Kayihura of ordering his men to use excessive force. The dramatic scenes from Monday’s events saw Parliament Speaker Edward Ssekandi yesterday giving Minister for Internal Affairs Kirunda Kivejinja a day to table a written statement in the House, explaining why the police used excessive force. Addressing a joint press conference in Kampala, the opposition said they will not be distracted by Maj. Gen. Kayihura and his “partisan” police force in their efforts to identify with millions of Ugandans who are struggling to meet basic needs amid rising commodity prices. ‘Sanctity of Constitution’“This remains our call, a national duty from which we cannot abdicate. We would like to make an appeal to the police to respect the law and especially the sanctity of our Constitution,” said Masaka Municipality MP-elect Mathias Mpuuga. “It is not the duty of police to interpret the Constitution to suit their partisan agenda, but rather to serve the spirit of the Constitution following the letter of the law.” Mr Mpuuga is coordinator of Action for Change, a non-partisan pressure group under which the opposition is working to compel government to respond to the rising inflation. Dr Besigye, who was on Monday charged with inciting violence and disobeying lawful orders, said he will wake up early tomorrow to start his journey from his home in Kasangati to FDC headquarters in Najjanankumbi, about 25 kilometres away. “The suffering of our people is directly connected to the indescribable failures of the NRM regime,” Dr Besigye, who attributed the current high inflation rate to what he said was the misguided decision to empty the national Treasury to win elections, said. Instead of accompanying us as we highlight the plight of poor Ugandans who cannot afford to buy food and other necessities, he said, the police are fighting them. Government adamant in criticismIn a statement yesterday, Peoples Progressive Party president Bidandi Ssali said he was convinced the current inflation in the country is “due to trillion of shillings that were pumped into the ruling party campaigns during the four months of the election period”. But the government yesterday refused to accept local and international criticism of the police manhandling of opposition politicians. Mr Fred Opolot, the executive director of the government Media Centre, issued a statement justifying the police action. “The Constitution and the laws of Uganda clearly provide for how lawful and peaceful demonstrations shall be held,” read Mr Opolot’s statement. “Any person in breach of these constitutional and lawful provisions to maintain law and order, be it an opposition politician, shall be prosecuted in accordance with the laws of Uganda.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1142382/-/c2rkk8z/-/index.html","content":"Army veterans attack two ministers over forest land - Kampala Two ministers on Friday survived being lynched by angry UPDF veterans who have since claimed Namanve Central Forest reserve near Kampala. Water and Environment ministers Maria Mutagamba and Jessica Eriyo were in Namave to deliver a massage that President Museveni had disowned the veterans and wanted them to immediately vacate the forest reserve. Angry veteransThat message did not go down well with the veterans who attempted to charge at the ministers to foil any efforts to evict them. Armed with machetes and clubs, the veterans claimed President Museveni offered them 1,170 hectors of the forest reserve during campaigns in February. “You (Mutagamba) have connived with Kira Town Council Mayor, Mr Mamerito Mugerwa, to grab our land that President Museveni gave us. Go away or else we shall show you that we shed blood for this country,” one of the veterans shouted at the minister. Upon realising that their security was compromised, the ministers accompanied by several government officials quickly retreated into their cars and withdrew to Jokers Sports Bar.“I had gone to talk to them but they have an attitude of violence. They are carrying sticks and pangers. But they have to leave because I called the President and he denied giving them the land. I now want to meet the veterans’ leaders here and deliver the eviction massage,” Ms Mutagamba said. The forest reserve is owned by Namave Tree Farmers Association (NTFA) of over 62 members that have licences running up-to 2025.Earlier in a meeting with tree farmers, the ministers were shocked to learn that some of the encroachers have land titles. “Madam Minister, as we talk now, several of these people have land titles. Some of them are threatening to sue National Forest Authority, who are the care-takers of the forest reserve, for allegedly encroaching on their land,” the Chairman of NTFA, Mr Duncan Turyatunga, said. Seeking compensationMr Festo Turinawe a member of NTFA said they have notified the government of their intent to sue. Mr Turinawe said NTFA is claiming Shs25 billion in compensation, breach of contract and legal fees."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1140916/-/c2stnwz/-/index.html","content":"Kenyan officials appear at ICC - Top Kenyan officials accused of orchestrating mayhem after the disputed 2007 presidential election yesterday took to the stands at the International Criminal Court in Netherlands in a preliminary appearance.Suspended Cabinet ministers William Ruto and Henry Kosgey and broadcaster Joshua Sang were separately asked to confirm their identities, whether their rights have been explained to them sufficiently and if they had been informed of allegations against them. September dateThey will return to the court on September 1, to begin the confirmation of charges hearing, the judge said but indicated that this could be varied if there were good grounds. Earlier on April 18, the court will sit to determine the documents and evidence the prosecutor has. Chief ICC prosecutor Louis Moreno-Ocampo declared: “Today is accountability day for Kenya.” Mr Ruto, Mr Kosgey and Mr Sang faced accusations of murder, forcible evictions of people and persecution. The charges stated that the offended were committed in and around the larger Eldoret and Nandi areas. This afternoon, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Civil Service Head Francis Muthaura and Postmaster General Hussein Ali will face similar charges before the international court. A total of 1,133 people were reported to have been killed and nearly 6,000 displaced after the disputed election.Judge Ekaterina Trendafilova from Belgium, who is the presiding judge, warned against emergence of “dangerous speech” but said the chamber was not referring to anyone in particular. The judge said they had read about this in media reports. She said any use of dangerous speech would construe a breach of the conditions for the summonses and trigger issuing of arrest warrants. Movie stuffMr Ruto and Mr Sang used the appearance to deny the charges. Mr Ruto, the Eldoret North MP, described the accusations and whole appearance as “the stuff of movies”. He attacked the whole process as “a devilish manner” and predicted that the six would prevail. Mr Sang described himself as “an innocent journalist” who did not deserve to be hurled before the ICC. Mr Kosgey, on the other hand, sat pensively throughout the proceedings. Lady Justice Trendafilova said no one was facing charges before the ICC in the current proceedings and all the court wanted was to confirm that the three knew their rights, they had been informed of allegations against them and the chamber to set a date for the start of confirmation of charges hearings."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Insight/-/688338/1137532/-/r4k3vn/-/index.html","content":"A week of squandered billions - The “yellow script” has this time been even more unabashed as the government took Shs1.7 trillion from BoU to buy fighter jets and other military hardware from, presumably, Russia. This, coming at a time when inflation has shot to 11.1 per cent, with prices of consumer goods stiffening the spinal cords of peasants.Shamelessly, Defence spokesperson Felix Kulayigye said those criticising the expenditure do not know the strategic management of defence. But even more shameless was when the Defence Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Rosette Byengoma appeared before PAC and said she had been instructed not to reveal or discuss anything to do with the transaction. Just whose interest is PAC serving? If it is for the taxpayers who are going to bed on hungry stomachs but grinding their teeth over the billions, then this government should talk. Flip another page of the “yellow script” in a beautiful calligraphic handwriting and there is re-writing of Temangalo where a big fish was exonerated of wrongdoing in the NSSF land deals scandal. This time, VP Gilbert Bukenya, Foreign Affairs’ Sam Kutesa, John Nasasira (Works) and AG Khiddu Makubuya can go and dub their stomachs with glee after opposition MPs walked out in protest, leaving NRM legislators to “forgive” the ministers.Sorry, it does not end there because for listening to Mr Museveni’s rap, taxpayers will foot another Shs30b toward his swearing-in next month. For a one-day formality, one wonders what State House takes for toiletries like toothpaste, soaps and shavers, especially given the government could get Chogm cars washed at Shs150,000 each per day! Never mind that Shs100b was lost in two controversial deals when the Ministry of Defence lost Shs60b in a mining contract involving Dura Cement Ltd and Hima Cement Ltd. The government had been forced to pay another Shs40 billion to a French firm, Basir Read Bouygues, for breach of contract for the Jinja-Bugiri Road. Counterfeit contraceptives on the market Scary, to say the least, to imagine that someone with gray matter can mix chemicals to produce fake contraceptive pills just to maximise his bank account. Yes, the National Drug Authority has warned the public against purchasing a counterfeit type of Postinor-2.NDA said the pill is currently being sold illegally in drug shops and other drug related outlets. The morning-after pill is usually taken after unprotected sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy. So, with fake condoms and fake pills, surely this country will be full of bastards and HIV patients! But do not lose hope, as vigilance on your part is very crucial during these times. And talking of vigilance, the police will be all eyes and binoculars to locate any lorries ferrying school children to whatever destination. Following a string of accidents in the recent past in which lives were lost, the government on Wednesday banned transporting students by trucks and asked all schools to use buses.About 10 years ago, this was the standard guideline for all schools but with more laxity, wood and students became one item. Now the re-implementation is also the restriction that on time for moving students: 8pm. However, whether the police will for once play their part, remains to be seen, given that they have been know to forget a law that is passed within weeks, leading to more carnage on our roads. Child killed in mistaken identity In a chilling tale of mistaken identity, Steven Okello was picked up from the nursery school he attended by a hired assassin and murdered. The killer was allegedly hired by a jilted lover who in the fit of jealousy, plotted to end the life of her rival’s child. The three-year-old boy shared a name with the other child, who apparently was the real target of the assailant. The deceased was picked from Montessori Nursery School in the heart of Lira town by a cyclist. Pamela Atyang was charged with the murder of the kid. But as the police investigate such crimes of passion, they will have to dig their files to find out how they reduced mob action that stalked the country in the late 1990s. The spate is steadily rising, with the incident in Ntinda coming when the police, who were trying to stop the mob from lynching a suspected motorcycle thief, shot and killed two people. jodongo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1136136/-/c3bdv3z/-/index.html","content":"Moving pupils on lorries banned - The Ministry of Education and Sports has moved to implement a 10-year-old guidelines, which among others, bans transportation of students on lorries. The guidelines, which are aimed at curbing accidents that have in the past claimed lives of many students, also prohibit vehicles carrying students beyond 8pm. “It is unacceptable to transport pupils/students on lorries and this unlawful practice should stop forthwith,” said Education Minister Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire on Tuesday. “Schools without buses should instead hire them because it is a breach of traffic regulations to carry students on lorries.” The minister reissued the guidelines on Tuesday while meeting Nakaseke District officials, police officers and staff of St. Denis Kijaguzo SS in Semuto. Ms Bitamazire was in the district to convey her condolences to the bereaved families and the school whose two students, Brian Kabuye and Godfrey Lule, died in an accident last week when a lorry they were travelling in overturned. Another 43 were rushed to Nakaseke and Mulago hospitals with injuries. The accident occurred on March 23 at 8pm at Mijinje village near Semuto as the students were returning from Nakaseka Town where they had defeated Kapeeka SS and Nakaseke SDA SS in a football tournament. The guidelines were first issued in September, 2000 after two fatal accidents claimed lives of a students’ athletics team from northern Uganda and St. Henry’s High School, Kinono in Masaka but little was done to implement them. “There has been some laxity on the side of school administrators and police but the time is now to act if we are to guarantee the safety and security of students,” she said. The minister asked the police to become more vigilant and arrest drivers and impound all trucks carrying students. “Let us all join hands in finding a lasting solution to this regrettable phenomenon which threatens co-curricular activities,” she said. Nakaseke Police boss Edward Kyaligonza promised to enforce the guidelines, saying some schools had hid under the pretext of lacking buses. “I am happy that this circular is going to reach all schools and culprits will have no excuse,” Mr Kyaligonza said. Ms Bitamazire said many accidents victims have found it difficult to claim compensation simply because lorries are not designated as passenger service vehicles. Lt. Salongo Masengere, the father of Kabuye, who perished in the accident, blamed the tragedy on the negligence of the school administration. “Some of us are even contemplating seeking legal redress. The information we are getting shows that no teacher was accompanying our children,” a visibly upset parent told the minister. But Mr Francis X, Kiwewa, the school head teacher, insisted that the school games teacher was on board and his pleas to the driver to reduce the speed were ignored. 1 | 2 Next Page»The school only has a bicycle as a means of transport. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1136122/-/c3bdw3z/-/index.html","content":"Govt loses Shs100b in two court awards - Taxpayers have lost at least Shs100 billion in two controversial deals where government officials terminated binding contracts with private companies that later sued for damages through questionable circumstances. In the spotlight, is a mining contract the Ministry of Defence awarded to Dura Cement Ltd to establish a cement factory in Kamwenge on June 12, 2008, but was cancelled four months later and awarded to Hima Cement Ltd, another private company--leading to the loss of Shs60 billion in taxpayers’ money. The Acting Solicitor General, Ms Harriet Lwabi, who made the revelation at a stormy Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting yesterday, also revealed that the government had been forced to pay another Shs40 billion to a French firm, Basir Read Bouygues, for breach of contract for the Jinja- Bugiri Road. “We don’t know how Ministry of Defence came to award a mining contract yet mining falls under Ministry of Energy,” the PAC chairman, Mr Nandala Mafabi, said. “We have asked the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to accompany officials in the Ministry of Justice to retrieve all the documents on who ordered the cancellation of the Dura Cement Ltd contract.”Cement dealDura Cement Ltd sued the Attorney General for breach of contract and demanded $103.4 million (about Shs237 billion) plus interest of 25 per cent for loss of earnings over a 21-year period, value of price of plant purchased and loss of goodwill. After a negotiated settlement, the investor took $14.5 million (about Shs33.3 billion). But with interest and other damages, the figure was pushed to Shs60 billion. For failure to provide the documentary evidence, the Acting Director Civil Litigation, Ms Robina Rwakoojo, and Ms Lwabi were grilled by the committee and accused of being reckless in handling court cases against government. The committee wanted evidence to prove that the Attorney General cleared the cancellation of the contracts and who ordered the cancellation of the deals. Even after the committee sent Ms Rwakoojo back to the ministry to bring the documents, she only brought a letter dated August 9, 2006, by the late Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary, Col. Noble Mayombo, writing to the directors of Dura Cement Ltd whose details are now being sought by CID. “I could not get all the documents you wanted because they are in the archives,” Ms Rwakoojo said. “But on how Ministry of Defence came in, it’s because the National Enterprises Corporation is under Defence and they are the ones who issued the 21-year lease to Dura Cement Ltd.” The Auditor General in his report for the financial year 2007/08 questioned the transactions. Road dealWhile Ms Lwabi did not provide documents on the Jinja- Bugiri Road deal, Mr Mafabi told Daily Monitor that the company in February 2004 won the Shs85b contract to rehabilitate the 73km Jinja-Bugiri Road, funded by the European Union. In February 2005, the government terminated the contract on grounds that the contractor had delayed to make payments of VAT and to make a decision regarding modification of asphalt specifications. Ms Lwabi said: “We normally check the legality of these contracts and advise government accordingly. But for these two cases were handled by my predecessor and we need time to assemble the documents.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1130548/-/c3fgmcz/-/index.html","content":"Lawyers to appeal over bimeeza case - Speakers in off-studio line radio broadcast, popularly known as bimeeza, yesterday said they will appeal against a court decision to dismiss a case challenging a ban on the format. The Constitutional Court yesterday dismissed a petition challenging the government decision to ban bimeeza, citing wrong procedure used in filing the case. Mr Ladislaus Rwakafuzi, the lawyer representing the complainant, Mr Ambrose Bukenya, said they are going to decide whether to appeal against the ruling before the Supreme Court or file the case afresh.A panel of five judges led by Deputy Chief Justice Mpagi-Bahigeine agreed with the AG that the procedure used in filing the case before the High Court was unconstitutional. “The argument that the enforcement of rights and freedoms would be halted in the absence of the laws envisaged under Article 50(4) is in our view, unfounded. When the Constitution was enacted and came into force as a whole document and not in parts,” said the judges. Other Judges are on the panel are Amos Twinomujuni, Steven Kavuma, Augustine Nshimye and Stella Arach Amoko. Irregular procedureThe AG petitioned the Constitutional Court to challenge the procedure under which the matter was brought before court. A group of open air talk show beneficiaries led by Mr Bukenya dragged the government to court over the ban on open air talk shows in 2009. He alleged that the ban is intended to gag the public, which he called a breach of the right to freedom of speech, freedom of expression and free media guaranteed by the Constitution. The open air talk-shows were run by many public and private radio stations since 2000 to provide a platform to different classes of people, including ordinary Ugandans, as a way to enhance their participation in the governance issues and holding their leaders accountable, among others."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1130540/-/c3fgmkz/-/index.html","content":"FDC to sue companies over breach of contract - The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) will take legal action against four companies over breach of contract on Monday next week, the party’s general secretary has said. Speaking at a press conference in Kampala yesterday, Ms Alice Alaso identified the companies as Uganda Communication Commission, MTN, UTL and Uganda Broadcasting Cooperation (UBC). Ms Alaso said the companies failed to provide services as agreed in their contracts with FDC for unstated reasons. She said UBC owes the party Shs19,859,000 for adverts the party paid for to be broadcast on its station but they were not aired. Ms Alaso added that MTN and UTL telecommunication companies failed to provide services as agreed. She said: “Our tally centre was switched off and they blocked all our lines and issued new lines for the NRM party which was unfair,” Ms Alaso said.“We reject the results of 2011 elections which were rigged without shame. We have concluded that the Electoral Commission (EC) was incompetent and their conduct leaves no doubt that the results were just allocated. We have talked to the EC to provide the balance of the declaration forms but they are not responding. Basing on this, we know that FDC/IPC were the rightful winners of the 2011 polls,” Ms Alaso said. The FDC officals also suspect a coalition between the ruling NRM party and certain private companies. Ms Also said they will launch a campaign to boycott the purchasing of goods from companies that allegedly facilitated the rigging of the general elections. “We demand that fresh election be held but not under Kiggundu’s (EC Chairman Badru Kiggundu) leadership. We also demand complete demilitarisation of elections which was very intimidating to the voters,” she said. Ms Alaso said the party will hold a peaceful demonstrations and sensitisation programmes. “The people need to know why their children are not receiving vaccination in hospitals, why civil servants salaries delayed and why university fees are not yet paid. It is because this money was spent on bribes,” she said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1130488/-/13bm0vxz/-/index.html","content":"Ugandans break no laws when they peacefully protest - At a press conference on March 8, the leaders of Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE), announced plans to protest what they called sham 2011 elections by peacefully marching on the streets of Kampala. The day’s programmes were to end at the Railways Grounds, with the signing of the Blue Book. CAFFE is a common platform of recognised political parties and civil society groups, with the objective to carry out a programme of positive non-violent resistance against the sham 2011 elections and ensure the holding of fresh, free and fair elections. The Blue Book and the collecting of signatures is a non-partisan exercise petitioning for free and fair elections to be conducted by a new and an independent Elections Commission, using accurate and verifiable register of voters with uniform standard of identification. Clearly, both these activities - peaceful protests and signing petitions - are lawful and are protected by the Constitution; and Ugandans who elect to exercise these rights breach no known laws and are entitled to police and constitutional protection. However, on March 9, the Railways Grounds, a public space CAFFE had selected to use, was cordoned off and occupied by armed security. The Constitution Square (sic!) was virtually a mini-military barrack, replete with weapons of mass destruction. CAFFE is concerned that the Police have been relegated to the background as the army took centre stage before, during and after the elections. This raises questions about “who is in charge”? Has there been a quiet coup d’etat, to make the army take control and run the country by ‘undeclared’ martial law, thereby limiting our civil liberties? If not, why were our non-violent marches through the city streets on March 9 and in Jinja on March 11, aggressed by security forces, who lobbed tear gas and fired live ammunitions at peaceful and unarmed demonstrators? Additionally, at Kiseka Market in Kampala, the Police and the military picked up and detained several youths. They were held beyond constitutionally permitted 48 hours and were denied access to legal counsel. In Jinja, the Police commanded by Jonathan Musinguzi, busted the face of a journalist with tear gas canister, which knocked out two of her front teeth and extensively damaged her lower lip which required 15 sutures. Two police trucks then plied Jinja streets, firing tear gas canisters into shops and at people who merely stood or sat in groups. According to Musinguzi, he “roughed up” the peaceful demonstrators so they do not “infect” others (Daily Monitor, March 13). Brutal officers such as Musinguzi, bear personal and collective responsibility for gratuitous aggression and terror against unarmed, peaceful civilians. Let there be no doubt in any one’s mind that the era of impunity is over. CAFFE members, supporters, sympathisers and the public will carry and use all means of recordings and communication technologies during peaceful protests to meticulously record and document events, particularly unlawful acts of aggression and terror by the security services. This is to ensure that officers are held accountable for crimes against humanity before a competent national and international institution of justice, including the International Criminal Court. If there was any doubt about police bias against opposition politics, this has been dispelled during and after the elections. The Police service appear to have been reduced into nothing more than branches and militias of the NRM. Because there is no distinction between the IGP on the one hand, and Ms Kabakumba Masiko on the other, in chorusing and amplifying threats to ‘kill’ peaceful, unarmed citizens. We hope they understand the criminal nature of these utterances. There is no law or provision of the Constitution that gives anyone arbitrary powers to violate fundamental rights, including rights to life of Ugandans who peacefully assemble to express themselves on matters of governance of their country. Since the Police have been turned into a personalised militia of the dictatorship, we have no confidence that they will be willing to investigate this matter. But CAFFE will take the responsibility to provide information and evidence to international institutions and jurisdictions so that dictators, who callously boast about their intentions to mass murder unarmed civilians shall be punished. CAFFE also remain resolute in demanding constitutional protection and determination to enjoy full rights and freedoms; and to be heard on matters of governance of the country. 1 | 2 Next Page»In taking this responsibility, CAFFE do so by peaceful means. Our supporters, demonstrators and sympathisers are under instructions to strictly observe peace.We expect the rule of law to prevail and the Police to act within the law and protect all citizens equally-demonstrators and bystanders alike. Mr Lucima is the interim CAFFE Spokesman. Okello.lucima@gmail.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1129854/-/c3uo9yz/-/index.html","content":"Probe team wants electricity boss sacked - An investigation into allegations of mismanagement and misconduct by senior executives at the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) has recommended the immediate termination of the services of the Executive Director, Dr Frank Sebbowa.The 40-page report also recommends that the current contract of Mr Johnson Kwesigabo, the authority’s secretary and general counsel, should not be renewed once it expires. The recommendations follow an investigation by a committee led by Mr Richard Apire, which found the two officials guilty of failing to perform their duties under the Electricity Act and the ERA human resources manual. The report indicted Dr Sebbowa for refusing to implement a policy directive issued by the Minister of Energy, Eng. Hillary Onek, on the tariff of co-generated electricity that Kakira Sugar Works had applied for. “Dr Sebbowa did not have the incentive, drive or intention of implementing the Minister’s Policy Directive and that he deliberately avoided implementing the tariff set in the said direction,” says the report. “He did not do all that was necessary to have a determinant decision on the co-generation tariff. In view of the need to have electricity, he should have taken further steps to ascertain that the co-generational tariff is implemented. Dr Sebbowa was willfully insubordinate and disobedient and therefore in breach of the Human Resource Manual.” Kwesigabo indictmentThe report, which was adopted by the ERA management during a meeting held on March 15, 2011, also indicted Mr Kwesigabo as an accomplice by his failure to handle the implementation of Minister Onek’s policy directive. “As the legal counsel, Mr Kwesigabo should have offered legal guidance to the CEO and the minister on how to cover the legal gap in the absence of the authority and come to a consensus to meet the main objective of setting the much needed tariff to avail more electricity and alleviate the Ugandan electricity crisis. “Mr Kwesigabo neither showed how he guided the CEO and the minister to meet the strategic objective nor adduced any evidence to show that he sought the opinion of the Solicitor General, the Attorney General or any of the Authority’s External Counsel to offer independent advice of how the President and minister’s concerns could have been addressed in the absence of a fully constituted Authority,” says the report. In an even more damaging indictment for Mr Kwesigabo, the report says he should be held responsible for the loss of $4.1 million (about Shs9 billion) suffered by the government when he amended a licence for thermal electricity generating firm Aggreko without authorisation. The report says the two ERA officials are also culpable for the Authority’s failure to audit and amend the licences of a number of companies following recommendations of the committee for the interim review of electricity tariffs. According to the report, the investigation committee established that ERA adopted an implementation plan after receiving the committee for the interim review of electricity tariff’s report. However, while the minister subsequently approved the implementation plan, the ERA officials did not follow it up, resulting in a loss of funds by the government. In one instance, the decision not to implement the plan resulted in a loss of Shs480 million per month through the use of the cheaper CSt 380 fuel by Jacobsen Uganda Power Company Ltd rather than the recommended CSt 180 fuel yet they were billing the government for the latter. The report says the investigation also found that Dr Sebbowa wrongfully interfered in the procurement of air tickets for his air travel. According to the report, Dr Sebbowa always insisted on the purchase of his tickets from a specific tour company called Dove Tours Ltd. “Dr Sebbowa admitted to his preference of Dove Tours because of their exceptional services like taking calls at night and flexibility to handle last minute flight changes. He justified his action by stating that this was a call of framework arrangement that was provided for under the [PPDA] Act. “Although Dr Sebbowa insisted that the procurement of his tickets was handled by the Procurement Unit, the information availed to the committee confirmed that this procurement was conducted on Dr Sebbowa’s insistence. 1 | 2 Next Page»The committee takes the view that insistence that his tickets and other travel tickets are bought from one source goes against the very spirit of the PPDA guidelines whose objective is to spread around business among suppliers,” explains the report.Dr Sebbowa told Daily Monitor by telephone yesterday that he could only respond to the report after reading its detailed contents today. However, Daily Monitor understands that the two officials have also submitted a written response to the report. The investigations committee recommended Dr Sebbowa’s sacking on the grounds that the existing personality clash between the ERA CEO and the minister would in the end affect operations at the Authority even after the current issues are addressed. “The Committee duly considered [all] submissions and particularly noted the strong remarks that Dr Sebbowa had made of the minister,” says the report.” The Committee agreed with Mr Kwesigabo about the existence of a personal problem between Dr Sebbowa and the Minister. At any rate, the Authority’s operations cannot run smoothly with such an unhealthy and unproductive attitude towards the minister responsible for the sector. Sadly, even though Dr Sebbowa expressed remorse, it would seem that his relation with the Minister seemed irreparable and that the Authority’s operation may continue to suffer with his continued stay as CEO.” « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1124606/-/c3y7k4z/-/index.html","content":"ROKO loses Shs2b case to AYA investments - Kampala The High Court in Kampala has set aside an arbitral award in which Roko Construction Ltd sought to recover Shs2.3b from Mr Mohammed Hamid, the chairman of Aya Investments Limited. Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire, the head of the Commercial Court, in a ruling delivered on March 9, set aside an arbitral award made in 2007 against Mr Hamid in which Shs2.3 billion, including fines as the balance of the contract, interest, plus damages for breach of contract. The contract involved the construction of two-in-one multimillion palatial residences on Plot 43B, Winsor Close, in Kololo at Shs860 million. Justice Kiryabwire, in his ruling, said the arbitrator, Rtd Justice Alfred Karokora, had no authority to make the award. He said the arbitrator acted without jurisdiction because there was no arbitration agreement between the parties to refer any dispute between them. Mr Hamid reportedly paid Roko Shs800 million but claimed that the construction giant completed only a small portion of the work before the contract was terminated. During the arbitration, Mr Hamid objected to process, arguing that the arbitrator had no authority to entertain the matter because there was no arbitration agreement. Dissatisfied with the award, Mr Hamid applied to the Commercial Division of the High Court in 2009 to have the award set aside. He was ordered to deposit all the certificates of title to the houses to court as security in case he was unsuccessful in his application. In his 12-page ruling before a packed court, Justice Kiryabwire dismissed submissions by Roko lawyer Enos Tumusiime, saying without arbitration agreement, the award was not in accordance with the Act. Application costs“The arbitration award is not in accordance with the Act within the meaning of Section 34(2)(a) and I accordingly set it aside. The respondent is still free to pursue his claim through the normal route of litigation,” the ruling reads in part. Aya was granted the costs of application, but Roko has vowed to appeal against the decision. Aya last week also settled out-of-court with former lawyer Mr Muzamiru Kibeedi, who had sued Mr Hamid and his group of companies for Shs5.9 billion but settled for Shs30 million in the same court."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1121412/-/1097d5n/-/index.html","content":"Here is why former president Lule’s government fell so quickly - It has been suggested that Yusuf Lule’s address in Luganda when he was being sworn in as Uganda’s President at the Parliamentary Buildings in Kampala on April 13, 1979, was ‘more than a minor breach of presidential powers - the real and unreported reason behind his fall from office in a short a time (See Timothy Kalyegira’s article titled, Why Lule fell so quickly from power (Saturday Monitor, March 5). This, however, is not strictly true. Lule was supposed to have said (in translation) that “Our (Baganda’s) turn has come”. After making his main speech in English, Lule concluded with these remarks in Luganda “Kyetwayagaliza embazzi kibuyaga asudde”(meaning, “What Ugandans have been wishing for (the fall of Idi Amin) has been delivered by the Tanzanian forces”. Lule’s remarks had nothing to do with tribalism or Baganda wishing to rule others as is suggested in Kalyegira’s article. His fall from power in a short time was a result of a major disagreement between him and the National Consultative Council over presidential powers in the appointment of ministers with the former claiming that the 1967 Constitution gave him unfettered powers to make appointments without consulting anyone else, while the latter said the Moshi Arrangements (not Constitution) made it mandatory for the president to consult the NCC before making appointments. Prof. Phares M. Mutibwa,Kyamutakasa - Nakaseke"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/-/859108/1118186/-/k35aj5/-/index.html","content":"EC gazettes Singh Rubaga North MP - The National Resistance Movement flag bearer for Rubaga North constituency, Singh Katongole Marwaha has been gazetted MP-elect, pre-empting his rival Mr Moses Kasibante’s parallel court process challenging the recount on the former’s application. Mr Katongole was gazetted by the Electoral Commission in a March 1, 2011 “Gazzette Extra Ordinary” just hours after being declared winner at 3am in a recount that had been temporarily ordered stayed by the High Court. According to the gazette, Mr Katongole collected 24,802 votes against his arch rival’s 22,850. On Tuesday, the High Court was supposed to hear a substantive application stopping the recount that was ordered by Mengo Chief Magistrate last Friday and effected inspite of the High Court order stopping it on Monday. Mr Katongole’s lawyers applied to court to give them three days to enable them prepare for hearing of Kasibante’s application. The hearing begins this mourning before Justice Vincent Zehurikirize at the High Court in Kampala. On Tuesday, Judiciary spokesperson Elias Kisawuzi issued a statement condemning the defiance of the High Court order stopping the recount. When told of the latest developments yesterday, Mr Kisawuzi said he did not want to comment because his comments had potential of being prejudicial to the court process.“I may pre-empt what is going to happen tomorrow (today),” he said.But Mr Erias Lukwago, one of Mr Kasibante’s lawyers, said Mr Katongole’s gazettement “is a nullity itself.” “We are going to challenge it. It was unlawful. That recount was supposed to have been supervised by the magistrate and issue a certificate. It is the certificate that was supposed to have been gazetted and I am sure he didn’t issue it to the EC,” Mr Lukwago explained. Mr Kasibante was, after putting pressure on the EC, announced winner of the February 18 poll by the returning officer, Ms Molly Mutazindwa, two days later but Mr Katongole complained he had been cheated and secured a Chief Magistrate’s Court order. On Monday, security deployed heavily around Bulange, following announcements for the recount by Kasibante on CBS radio where he works as a news caster, calling his supporters to celebrate his victory. Mengo Court is just in the vicinity and police said allowing supporters of the rival camps to converge there would breach order and peace. All roads leading to the area were closed to both motorists and pedestrians. Mr Katongole said of his gazeting yesterday, “I am happy. If they want to challenge it (my victory) they are free. It is not me who gazetted myself. It was the EC.” NRM election bureau spokesman Ofwono Opondo said, “That (gazzetting Katongole winner) sorts out the issue. Now Kasibante can do what he wants, but at least he can’t challenge Katongole until he is sworn in.” But the trend and speed of events baffled the Uganda Law Society president Bruce Kyerere. “There’s bad faith (by the EC) in the whole process. There’s an attempt to defeat the course of justice. Once gazetted you’re MP-elect but even after swearing in the election can be challenged,”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Jobs-Career/-/689848/1108006/-/ft9conz/-/index.html","content":"Reconciling discipline with the HR manual - Today’s subject might just be managers’ or subordinates’ worst nightmare. How can organisations better handle discipline and grievance issues? In the first place there has to be a yardstick for what constitutes acceptable or unacceptable behaviour at the work place. By what means therefore can the staff and management of an organisation determine what parameters of acceptable behaviour will be? Discipline in this context is understood as a way of instructing, training and modelling acceptable conduct and behaviour at the workplace. This is not to be confused with punishment although many people refer to discipline when in fact they mean punishment. To punish would be to impose an unpleasant deed on the individual or individuals who are in breach of set guidelines and policy. In other words, where there has been a failure to uphold the acceptable guidelines of what discipline constitutes, then punishment becomes an inevitable consequence. Law backup We are not left in the dark. There are a variety of laws and statutes that guide organisations in setting up a working document which will act as a source of guidelines for acceptable or unacceptable behavior. The Employment Act of 2006 being the main one, then The Labour Disputes (Arbitration and Settlement Act) of 2006. The Labour Unions Act of 2006, The Occupational and Safety Act of 2006, and the main law from which all other acts are expanded, The Constitution of The Republic of Uganda 1995. Is it enough to have these laws in libraries or shelves in offices? Far from it, on the contrary these should guide in formulating an easy to read, easy to use HR manual or administrative policy guideline. Most established organisations already have an HR manual in place. In most HR, Legal and Finance departments the manual is one the most thumbed pieces of literature. This is because of the need to constantly refer to the said documents whenever issues of a disciplinary and grievance handling nature arise. What about new organisations that do not yet have an HR manual in place? Are they doomed? Not if they immediately embark on a process of designing one with utmost respect for the different labour laws and the constitution. Why is this so vital? Well it is such that they can design a policy which is not ultra vires or contradictory to the constitution and the other attendant labour laws. If any policy is made and to even a small extent, contradicts the constitution or the employment act, then that law, to the extent of the contradiction, is null and void. The other very useful way of designing an HR manual is what is referred to in industry circles as benchmarking. We all know there is no need to reinvent the wheel. Since several organisations already have a working administrative policy or HR manual in place, managers of the new organisations can liaise with managers in organisations that already have a working document that has been tried and tested to design their own but with careful consideration for local needs in that particular organisation and its staff. Care must be exercised to ensure that no part of the document can be contested on grounds that it contradicts the constitution or the labour laws. The next step is to ensure that as new employees join an organisation, they are all given a copy of the HR manual to read and actually internalize. Organisations have even gone a step ahead to request employees to sign a compliance document, meaning they have read and understood the document. The value of staff understanding the document cannot be overemphasised, seeing as this is a sure way to increase the practice of acceptable behaviour and reduce non compliance. Knowledge of the HR manual and other labour laws helps not just the organisation but its people to have a seamless working relationship because either party would know exactly what their rights, privileges, obligations and responsibility are with regard to each other. It also helps to foster openness and trust because from day one, either party knows what is expected of them by the other party. Very critically also, this goes a long way in preventing litigation. In the event that a fundamental breach of the company’s policy has occurred, what are the remedies? In the HR manual, there is desired and undesired conduct. Then there is acceptable and completely unacceptable conduct. For every breach there is a determined way of dealing with it, so managers are not left in the dark as to what to do. Minor occurrences could come off with a verbal warning or reprimand. Others could come off with a written first, second or even third warning. However another category of non-compliance with the company’s proscribed policies would attract and instant or summary dismissal. Breaking the law 1 | 2 Next Page»These are cases of illegalities committed using organisational resources and/or time in the organisation’s premises or even outside the premises. Some dismissals are even followed up with prosecution depending on the gravity of the offences committed. Some principles to follow when dealing with discipline and grievance issues include the need to address the issues immediately is of paramount importance. It would be comical for a staff member to commit an indiscretion and he is only told of it 3 months later. This would not serve the purpose. Managers must avoid dealing with disciplinary issues when they are emotionally charged or angry. More often than not, when a manager handles a disciplinary matter when he/she is angry, the decision reached will not be the right one, either for the organisation or the staff member. The need to have copies of the HR manual and Code of Business Conduct, Employment Act etc, handy and to liberally refer to them so that any decision reached is legally and morally binding. In this way all will respect the decisions reached even when they go against an individual. They would blame themselves not the manager for allowing themselves to breach the policy. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1105794/-/c56k17z/-/index.html","content":"IGG probes Basajjabalaba - Kampala The Inspectorate of Government has developed interest in what has been termed as ‘irregular compensation” for properties in Kampala to businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba. A whistleblower is said to have recently delivered a complaint, including documentation, to the IGG, seeking its intervention and inquiry into several compensation claims made by Mr Basajjabalaba. The contents of these documents are still kept secret. A source at the inspectorate has, however, told Saturday Monitor that dozens of people, some very prominent government officials, have been implicated. In response, the IGG requested the Solicitor General to avail all documents concerning Mr Basajjabalaba’s compensations. Complaint“The Inspectorate of Government has received a complaint that Mr Hassan Basajjabalaba is being irregularly compensated for properties in Kampala. These properties include Nakasero Market, Shauriyako Market, the City Square, compensation for wetlands and for electricity high voltage power,” the January 14 letter reads in part. “It is alleged that most of the claim documents were forged and therefore unauthentic. This is therefore to request you to avail us with all documents concerning the above claims,” the letter adds. Last week, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) said it would not honour a judgment by former Commercial Court judge Anup Singh Choundry to pay the businessman over Shs3 billion for causing a breach of contract between Kampala International University (KIU) and Hima Cement. URA said the businessman was trying to unlawfully take tax payers’ money. In addition, KIU in 2006 had tried to obtain over Shs8 billion being the VAT component reportedly paid to Steel Rolling Company by the government. In his judgment Justice Egonda-Ntende said what KIU was trying to do was illegal and could be interpreted as ‘an illegal raid on the consolidated fund.’ The Bank of Uganda (BoU) is also holding on to several property titles belong to Mr Bassajabalaba. The central bank had taken over two loans from two commercial banks on the instructions of government. Mr Basajjabalaba has insisted he does not owe the bank any money since the money does not belong to the bank; rather, it was a mere custodian of the government. In August 2010, Mr Basajjabalaba was secretly paid Shs46 billion as part compensation for cancellation of titles belonging to two markets Owino and Nakasero. He was first offered a lease on Nakasero Market in 2007 but abandoned the venture following uproar by market vendors."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Basketball/-/690268/1103420/-/gqhmbpz/-/index.html","content":"Zone V starts on wrong note for Uganda - BASKETBALL Kigali Results Men: Kenya 76-61 Uganda Women: Uganda 69-73 Burundi Today MenUganda v Burundi(7.30pm) Tanzania v Rwanda (7pm) WomenEthiopia v Uganda (5.30pm) Tanzania v Rwanda (5pm) Burundi v Kenya (3pm) It was a forgettable and painful opening day for Team Uganda at the ongoing Fiba Africa Zone V Nations Championship in Kigali, Rwanda yesterday. The men’s team ran out of steam in the final quarter to lose to Kenya 61-76 whereas the women recovered from a slow start but it was too late to hold off Burundi, who won 73-69. Captain Stephen Omony’s game-high 29 points and 10 rebounds failed to rescue Uganda, who had limited scoring options with five of the 12 not troubling the scorer. Having fallen behind in the first period 24-19, Uganda played with great intensity in defence when Boniface Okello was introduced to take the next 15-14 before Kenya nicked the third 17-16. An expected photo-finish didn’t materialize with the later cruising through the ultimate quarter 21-11. Norman Blick, Joseph Ikong, Ivan Enabu and Ben Komakech didn’t score at all in a combined 63 minutes on the floor. Forward Isaac Afidra (12) was the only other player to breach the 10-point barrier. “Inconsistency really hurt us. I am confident we can bounce back if our guards come to the party,” coach Gad Eteu said. Though the Kenyans were slightly bigger, Uganda edged the board contest 43-42 but found no answers to experienced center Peter Kiganya (25-13). Centre Robert Mubiru thrilled in bits for his eight points and six rebounds. His understudies Brian Ssentogo (4-3) and Edwin Kateregga (5-2) need to step up. There was no respite for the women even though guard Maureen Amoding came off the bench to score a team-high 23 points."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/-/859108/1102634/-/k2eoil/-/index.html","content":"Constitutional Court is right about the 70 - The landmark judgement of the Constitutional Court in George Owor –vs- The Attorney General and Wlliam Okecho delivered on February 1, 2011 has sparked off a legal and political controversy. Although I have my political views on the matter, in this piece I confine myself to the legal implications of this judgement. The petition was filed against one Member of Parliament (Hon. William Okecho) by his political opponent in the NRM. However, the judgement of the Constitutional Court has implications to other Members of Parliament in a similar position. Indeed, Their Lordships being aware of this position directed the Registrar of the Court “to serve, as soon as possible a copy of this judgement to the Hon. Speaker of Parliament and to the Chairman Electoral Commission to take note of its contents and the appropriate action”. What then is that appropriate action? Inconsistent petitionAlthough the petition challenged acts of the Hon. Okecho as being inconsistent with and in contravention of several articles of the Constitution, the principal article which was interpreted by the Constitutional Court and which is the basis of the judgement and which is causing ripples in the political and legal circles, is article 83(1)g & h of the Constitution. The court decided, and we agree, that Hon. Okecho who was elected to Parliament as an independent, contravened Article 83(1)g & h of the Constitution by standing in the NRM primary elections, and that he ceased being a Member of Parliament and continues to draw emoluments, salaries, allowances and privileges of Parliament unconstitutionally; and that he is not qualified to stand as an independent candidate or on a political party (NRM) ticket. In short, he is not a Member of Parliament and neither is he a parliamentary candidate. What the court has handed down to Hon. Okecho, and to other Honourables in his category of political crossings, is that you cannot eat your cake and at the same time keep it. If you continue to hold your cake tightly in your hands and try to eat it at the same time, you will bite and injure your fingers. In the process, you may have to swallow blood from your fingers and in this pain; you will drop the cake to the ground and lose it all. Let us explain why the honourables have lost it both ways. Article 83(1)g & h are very clear. Once a Member of Parliament changes his or her political party or orientation from Independent to a Political Party, that Member of Parliament “shall vacate” his or her seat in Parliament. To vacate Parliament requires a positive action of the Member of Parliament, say by resigning in writing or at the very least by stopping to attend Parliament and accepting all emoluments, salaries, allowances and privileges. If the Member of Parliament continues to sit in Parliament and to draw emoluments, salaries and allowances, he or she cannot be taken to have vacated his or her seat in Parliament. That means that the Member remains, albeit illegally, in the eyes of the law, in his original political situation of belonging to the political party under whose banner he was elected in Parliament, or as an Independent if he was elected to Parliament as such. Against the grainThe reality however is that Hon. Okecho and others like him went ahead and stood as candidates for the next Parliament under different political parties or as independents without vacating Parliament. Their act of contesting elections under different political parties or as independents when they previously stood and were elected to Parliament under other political parties or independents is real evidence of their leaving their political party or their position as independents and joining another party as envisaged in Article 83(1)g & h. However, since they have not vacated Parliament, they ostensibly remain in their old political position. This constitutes two breaches of the Constitution of refusing to vacate Parliament and purporting to change political parties whereas not. These honourables who have acted in breach of the Constitution only have themselves to blame since they have chosen an uncontemplated and untenable constitutional position of not letting go of the old position and yet aspiring for a new position. They have lost both as correctly decided by the Constitutional Court. They deserve no sympathy for their flagrant breach of the Constitution. They cannot benefit from their own two wrongs by choosing either to leave Parliament now and contest for the next Parliament or elective positions or remain in Parliament and cease being in the race for the next Parliament or other elective positions. The other issue that arises is whether the judgement affects other Members of Parliament who were not party to the petition. The answer is a resounding yes. The duty of the Constitutional Court is to interpret the Constitution. The court’s interpretation is a declaration of the legal status which binds every person in Uganda regardless of whether that person was a party to the petition which led to the interpretation. For example, if court declares that a teacher in Kitante Primary School acted unconstitutionally by caning a pupil because caning amounts to cruel and degrading treatment and punishment, the teachers in Bukomero or Kiruhura cannot continue to cane pupils and ignore the court’s interpretation. There have been voices talking about an appeal. First of all, only the parties to the petition, in this case Hon. Okecho and the Attorney General can appeal. In my humble view, there are no good grounds of appeal. Secondly, an appeal does not amount to a stay of execution. However, pending the hearing of the appeal, the dissatisfied parties to the petition can apply for a stay of execution in the Constitutional Court or even in the Supreme Court. There are complications though if the appeal is not heard before the elections, and especially if it is dismissed by the Supreme Court. In that case where the challenged members succeed in their re-election bid, the loss of the appeal will lead to very many by-elections. 1 | 2 Next Page»In the meantime, as the authorities clearly state, a judgement speaks from the date of delivery. The Constitutional Court has spoken. Hon. William Okecho and all Members of Parliament affected by the judgwment must forthwith vacate Parliament and stop all campaign activities. The Hon. Speaker of Parliament and the Electoral Commission have a duty to uphold the Constitution including the duty under Article 128(3) of the Constitution to accord assistance to the courts to ensure their effectiveness. The Hon. Speaker of Parliament and the Electoral Commission should not compound the breaches of the Constitution by failing to implement this landmark judgement. Mr Walubiri is a senior member of the Uganda bar, constitutional counsel and law « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1101366/-/c59fibz/-/index.html","content":"Basajja wins battle with URA - Kampala The High Court has ordered Hima Cement to pay Kampala International University (KIU) Shs2.7 billion in damages, among other awards. KIU is owned by Kampala businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba. The judgment has also granted Hima Cement the right to demand the said total sum of the award from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), who, the judgment states unlawfully procured a breach of agreement between KIU and Hima Cement. The January 4 judgment by former Commercial Court Judge Anup Singh Choudry will also see Mr Basajjabalaba paid damages in the price difference of cement from 2005 to the time of the judgment, the cost of the suit and 26 per cent in interest from October 26, 2005. Mr Basajjabala has been asked to make calculations of the loss he incurred in the price differences and submit the total sum to the registrar for endorsement and effecting. Hima in January 2006 requested URA to investigate KIU over allegations that it was selling the tax-free cement Hima was supplying. On August 30, 2005, KIU’s Ishaka Campus asked President Museveni to waive tax on the construction materials, particularly cement which it was buying to build the University Teaching Hospital. On November 30, the same year, government agreed to cover the taxes on the cement purchased by KIU from Hima Cement and Tororo Cement. It paid Hima Cement over Shs2.6 billion to cover the Value Added Tax (VAT) on 50,000 tonnes of cement. At this point, KIU would only pay the equivalent cost price of the cement. Investigations URA investigations later revealed that part of the cement was being diverted to the Kampala market by Seroma Limited, the company KIU said it had contracted to collect the cement on its behalf. URA also discovered that the University Teaching Hospital project only required 13,974 tonnes of cement as opposed to the 50,000 tonnes government had paid for using tax payers’ money. Hima was invoicing Seroma on behalf of KIU at a cost price per bag because government had paid VAT. In its findings, URA said Seroma was making Shs1,885 in profit per bag of cement. On the strength of these findings, Hima Cement stopped supplying Mr Basajjabalaba’s project. In addition, URA requested the Finance Ministry to reduce the VAT facility extended to KIU to the actual level. Justice Choudry, however, ruled that URA was wrong to stop Seroma from receiving cement on the basis that it was being diverted. “The defendants on the other hand had the VAT in their credit account with the URA as its output tax.” Ruling “The payment was a matter of adjustments between the defendant and the URA as and when Hima submitted their returns,” the judgment read in part. He also ruled that the scheme would not have benefited KIU because it made no sense to pay Seroma VAT on the cement when it had already been paid for by the government. Asked why a Justice in the War Crimes Division of the High Court delivered a judgment in the Commercial Court, Judiciary Spokesperson Elias Kisawuzi said this is not strange. “He could have had pending issues that stopped him from delivering the judgment before he was transferred. Besides, some judgments can take over 10 years to conclude. During that period, a judge can be transferred more than twice,” he said. “The transfers will not stop a judge from delivering judgment on cases they were previously handling.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1099750/-/91ptl8/-/index.html","content":"Move on MV Kalangala welcome - There is nothing much to celebrate about Uganda’s water transport but the latest move by government to rein in the shady operators of MV Kalangala should offer some hope. Ministry of Works permanent secretary Charles Muganzi on January 25 wrote to the proprietors of Mulowoza and Brothers Ltd, informing them that their operations had been suspended over gross mismanagement and breach of contractual obligations. Prior to the suspension of its operations, the company is said to have chosen to obtain fuel at pump prices instead of getting it directly from the suppliers, a move that would have lowered the operating costs of the vessel. Besides the error of obtaining fuel at pump prices, the company is said to have irregularly charged VAT on all supplies which were already VAT inclusive. All this culminated into a financial loss of Shs1.5 billion since 2007 with taxpayers losing Shs500 million annually. The resultant effect of the company’s reckless management meant that the islanders, tourists and the business community would bear the brunt of high costs coupled with mediocre services. The operator has also been accused of failure to remit monthly contributions to the National Social Security Fund and Pay as You Earn taxes for its crew, leading to loss of government revenue. Having obtained the licence as a single operator that plies the route between Nakiwogo landing site in Entebbe and Buggala Islands in Kalangala did not help matters. There has always been a tendency for monopolists to take the market for granted. If this kind of honest evaluation were to be applied to all the contracts within the Ministry of Works, it would go a long way in helping Uganda build an efficient infrastructural set up, which is one of the preconditions for economic development. Overall, the Ministry of Works would do well to intensify its efforts towards improving the country’s water transport system as this has got great potential of boosting the country’s economic growth, especially through increased development and tourism on the Islands."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1095816/-/91n30m/-/index.html","content":"Cash crisis: Misuse or incompetence? - Barely six months into the financial year, work in government ministries has ground to a halt due to lack of money. According to Ms Syda Bbumba, the Finance Minister, all government agencies have been put on notice about the serious cash flow “problem” that the government is grappling with. In effect, this means that social services providers and indeed all civil servants must brace themselves for a ruthless financial dearth for the next six months or so. As it is, some institutions, like Gulu University might not open for the new semester due to lack of money. In all government ministries, recurrent expenditure is zero and even suppliers cannot be paid. Civil servants are de-motivated and redundant. Naturally, this cash shortage has left Ugandans flabbergasted, given that it comes only days after the government passed a Shs602 billion supplementary budget. It is fairly understandable that preparations for election could take a toll on the budget in any country. But the government had a whole five years to plan for the election. Therefore, it was absolutely unnecessary that the election should present a financial crisis to Ugandans. If the government has so far released Shs119 billion to the Electoral Commission, is this the kind of money that can cause a crisis in all ministries? We do not think so. The financial year is just half-way and already, 87 per cent of the national budget has been released. Now, where has all the money gone? That could lend credence to claims that taxpayers’ money is being diverted to fund campaign activities for the ruling party, in total breach of the electoral laws. The Presidential Elections Act and other electoral laws prohibit candidates from using government resources for the purpose of campaigning for election. While the government might deny these claims, it is vital that it explains the money shortage. At a time when ministry coffers have run dry, one hears of reports of members of Parliament getting Shs20 million each “to supervise government programmes,” which has been roundly condemned and actually described as a ‘bribe’ intended to stop them from asking questions. While Ms Bbumba might argue that this situation is “normal,” we think it is either a case of incompetent planning or blatant abuse of public funds."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/-/859108/1093196/-/jnvedx/-/index.html","content":"IPC accuses government media of shunning Besigye adverts - Kampala The Inter-Party Cooperation has accused the Uganda Broadcasting Cooperation of refusing to run Dr Kizza Besigye’s campaign adverts even after paying Shs19 million for airtime. The adverts, according to the IPC campaign bureau information officer, Mr Isaac Mufumba, were supposed to run from December 4, 2010, to January 4, 2011, but only a small fraction were broadcast. “IPC conducted a comprehensive media monitoring in a value-for-money audit that has since revealed that in spite of having accepted payment for airing the said adverts on UBC Television, Mega FM and Star FM, only a small fraction of the said adverts were aired,” Mr Mufumba said in a statement issued on Wednesday. This breach of commercial contract may see the UBC lose billions if the IPC presidential candidate, Dr Besigye, seeks legal redress. Mr Mufumba accused the UBC Managing Director, Mr Edward Musinguzi-Mugasa, of ignoring their efforts to have their money refunded. “Attempts by our agents to meet the Corporation’s Managing Director, Mr Edward Musinguzi-Mugasa, have been frustrated by his failure to honour more than seven scheduled appointments,” he said. However, Mr Mugasa yesterday denied the allegations, saying nobody from the opposition has contacted him over the issue. “Why do they want to do things clandestinely? If they want to meet me, let them come tomorrow. Nobody has called me or even come to my office. These are lies” he said. Mr Mugasa said he would consult the sales department to find out whether the money for the adverts was received. The IPC also blamed UBC for sidelining their candidate yet under the electoral laws, presidential candidates are entitled to equal treatment on State-owned media. But Mr Mugasa said Dr Besigye and the UPC candidate, Mr Olara Otunnu have “many times” snubbed the invitation to be hosted on UBC TV and radio."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1093122/-/ytgpyy/-/index.html","content":"Take action on UBC for failing to telecast Besigye adverts - Under the electoral laws of Uganda, particularly the Presidential Elections Act, presidential candidates are entitled to equal treatment on State-owned media to present their programmes to the populace. However, those are provisions that the cadre managers at Uganda Broadcasting Corporation are finding hard to abide by. The Inter-Party Corporation campaign team, through its media booking agents, contracted UBC by making bookings and paying for the airing of television and radio adverts for purposes of promoting the campaign/programmes of IPC presidential flag bearer Col. (Rtd) Dr Kizza Besigye. Pursuant to the said contract, a total of Shs19,859,000 was paid to UBC to run the said adverts in the period between December 4, 2010 and January 4. IPC conducted a comprehensive media monitoring in a value-for-money audit that has since revealed that in spite of having accepted payment for airing the adverts on UBC Television, Mega FM and Star FM, only a small fraction of the adverts were aired. We have also since established that our entire advertisement schedule (timings) was allocated to another presidential candidate. UBC has not offered any lawful or other explanation for either stopping the adverts or allocating the schedule to the other candidate. UBC has also not refunded our money. They want to keep money for no work done! This is a breach of contract and a blatant contravention of the Presidential Elections Act. It also has a lot to do with theft and obtaining money by false pretences. Why does the corporation cling on to money that it did not work for? The development also raises issues about the ethical conduct of the management team at UBC. Attempts by our agents to meet the corporation’s managing director, Mr Edward Musinguzi-Mugasa, have been frustrated by his failure to honour more than seven scheduled appointments. He has been hiding from his office literally. The sales manager, Mr William Odoch told our agents that the management committee would meet to resolve the matter amicably, but this has not happened. UBC’s unlawful conduct has had a negatively colossal effect on the campaign efforts of Dr Besigye who cannot reach the masses that UBC assured us he could reach, especially in light of the limited time frame within which the presidential campaigns can be conducted. While the door for peaceful resolution of this matter is still open, IPC reserves the right to seek legal redress and recover significant special and punitive damage from UBC and its managers who are the brains behind this unconstitutional, unlawful and discriminatory conduct. We are calling upon the Electoral Commission, the Democracy Monitoring Group, the media, civil society organisations and all peace-loving Ugandans to interest themselves in UBC’s conduct. Isaac Mufumba, Information officer IPC Campaign Bureau"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1092084/-/ciro6pz/-/index.html","content":"IPC advert lands radio staff into trouble - Zombo Paidha FM radio station manager Denis Ocuna and two of his staff have been sent on leave allegedly for continuing to run an advert for Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) candidate, Dr Kizza Besigye, and engaging in active politics. But the station’s operations manager, Mr Henry Onyai, denied the trio have been suspended, saying they were only sent on forced leave. He also defended the decision. The advert has been running on the radio for a month now. The others suspended are Mr Joshua Anywarach, who is running for the Padyer County MP seat in Nebbi District as an independent. No formal communicationThe radio station is owned by State Minister for Energy Simon D’Ujanga. Mr Ocuna told Daily Monitor that he had not received a formal letter of suspension though he was informed by phone about it and that he might only return to work after the elections. “A person like Joshua who is campaigning breaches ethics of journalism. They know what they have done and what I know is they have not been suspended but told to go on leave,” Mr Onyai said. Breach of ethicsMr Onyai denied they were sent on leave because of running the advert of Dr Besigye. “We have been running the advert and everybody listened to them. Why should we suspend them over the advert?” he asked. Also in the fray of suspension is, Mr Godwin Alworonga, a presenter and traffic controller at the station. “Why did they send for us the advert if they found the content was not favourable? Imagine it was even sent from our head office in Kampala, that is why it is played because it is paid-for advert,” Mr Alworonga said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/-/859108/1090720/-/jntfxs/-/index.html","content":"Election Platform: IPC promises to get rid of all electoral mischief  - Kizza Besigye IPC The Inter-Party Cooperation has been at the forefront of the quest for free and fair elections in Uganda. We have made well documented proposals for electoral reform. We have democratically agitated through demonstrations. Ugandans recall the nasty brutalities that were meted out to IPC’s Women for Peace and the even more shameful scenes at the Buganda Road court, where the IPC women were arraigned, where they have been harassed each time they come to appear. We have repeated at every opportunity, our demand for the disbandment of the present partisan Eelectoral Commission, before the 2011 elections are held. IPC’s view of a free and fair election is informed by the benchmarks which are found in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) to which Uganda is a signatory. Article 2 of the ACHPR states, among other things, that in free and fair elections, no individual should suffer from manipulation, intimidation, disenfranchisement or exclusion from voting on the basis of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinions, national, social origin, property, birth or other social status. The ACHPR, it stresses five principles upon which democratic free and fair elections should be conducted. These are: a) Establishment of impartial, competent and accountable electoral institutionsb) Adherence to the principles of separation of powers, i.e. non interference of the state or security organisations in electionsc) Strict compliance with all electoral lawsd) Participation of political parties at every stage in the electoral processe) Prevention of fraud, rigging or any other illegal practices throughout the electoral process. It is clear that the present government has deliberately chosen to breach all the above five principles. In the context of processes, the pillars of a free and fair election are three, namely; an independent electoral body, an enabling law and a civically well-educated voter population. Each of these is as important as the other. Voter manipulation is easily achievable when the voters are “manipulable”, to coin a new word, due to ignorance and lack of confidence. For a free and fair election to happen, civic and voter education under the framework of an independent electoral commission and effective, enforceable, electoral laws must be made a priority. Voter intimidation is unlawful and a crime. Only rigorous enforcement of the law can prevent it. Unfortunately, in Uganda, the law-enforcing agencies are so politicised and in many cases have been caught in the act of engaging in partisan activities. They have been at the forefront of voter intimidation. Evidence presented in courts in the famous Kizza Besigye petition of 2006 challenging the election of President Museveni is public information. A recent Afrobarometer poll, controversial as it has been, indicates that the ruling party, the NRM is known more for vote buying (voter bribery) than any other political party in Uganda. The IPC government will make civic and voter education a priority in Uganda. It will criminalise voter intimidation and institute tougher laws on vote buying. In IPC’s May 2009 electoral reform proposals, we proposed the punishment for a candidate convicted of electoral crimes to be barred from participating in a future election for a period of 5 years. The IPC government will make bribery of voters by a candidate a criminal offence and the accepting of a bribe will be a punishable offence.Mr Kalinge Omar, who is a member of Jeema, one of the cooperating parties"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1090948/-/cisuudz/-/index.html","content":"Odoki tells opposition to sue media houses - Kampala The Chief Justice has advised opposition parties to sue media houses which dishonour contracts. Justice Benjamin Odoki’s advice followed his address as the chief guest to the Bahai Community during their Golden Celebrations at the Bahai Temple on Kikaya Hill on Saturday. When asked about his observation so far about the campaigns for the elections due next month and a comment on reports that some media houses are denying opposition candidates access to their radio stations as campaign platforms, Justice Odoki encouraged all the candidates to maintain the peace that has been exhibited during campaigns. He regretted that some candidates had been denied access to some media houses. “I did not know this was happening. Public media should be fair to all the candidates. Private ones may have their own interests and rules but if they have received money and signed contracts that is breach of contract. They can take them to court.” He advised the Bahai from all over the world who had gathered at the only temple in Africa, to be champions of spreading a credible process of promoting unity, justice and peace building in Uganda, based on the teachings of Baha’u’llah, the founder of the faith."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1089426/-/13rfsfxz/-/index.html","content":"Traditional Cultural leaders Bill is unconstitutional - The rush to pass the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Bill (the Bill) is both obscene and desperate. But more importantly, its constitutionality is highly questionable. The Bill purports to ‘operationalise’ the whole of Article 246 of the 1995 Constitution. However, there is only one part of Article 246 that actually requires opertionalisation, namely that “… relating to the resolution of issues relating to traditional or cultural leaders which have not been resolved in any community.” The Bill goes far beyond this simple objective by purporting to provide for three additional issues, i.e. the actual existence of these leaders, the withdrawal of government recognition of traditional leaders, and their privileges and benefits. Most shockingly, the Bill also raises the sceptre of criminal punishments for the breach of its provisions. Quite clearly, this means the Bill is patently defective. First of all, the existence and recognition of cultural or traditional leaders is already provided for by clause 1 of Art. 246, hence there is no need for a new law to provide for this. Secondly, there is no need for the privileges and benefits of Traditional and Cultural Leaders to be explicitly legislated, as this is already covered by Art. 246, Clause 3(c). Thirdly, it is only “unresolved issues” which the Constitution was concerned about when the members of the Constituent Assembly debated the matter. This means the Bill cannot apply to those institutions that were in existence in 1995 without unresolved issues at the time the Constitution came into force. As a matter of fact, the only cultural/traditional institution that had an unresolved issue at the time of enactment of the 1995 Constitution was the (unrestored) Kingdom of Ankole. Finally, the provision in the bill which provides for the withdrawal of government recognition of these institutions is a total nullity, since it is not government, but the 1995 Constitution which created them. Therefore, these institutions can only be removed via a constitutional amendment. A closer examination of the Bill shows that out of the 21 proposed clauses, only one is devoted to the only issue that the 1995 Constitution stipulates Parliament must legislate about. What does all this actually mean? It means 20 out of 21 (or 95 per cent) of the clauses in the Bill are unconstitutional. Indeed, the fact that the first draft of the Bill was even found defective by the Executive, requiring a complete overhaul, should be an indicator as to the serious defects involved in the process. But more importantly, if a Bill is 95 per cent defective, it is quite clear that no amount of tinkering with it will alter its unconstitutionality. It is the case of trying to cure an ill that does not exist. The plain fact is that there is no basis in Constitutional Law, or indeed within any other legal regime in Uganda, for the enactment of legislation on the issue of traditional and cultural leaders. Why is this so? When the members of the Constituent Assembly sat down to draft the 1995 Constitution, there were clearly a number of issues which they felt unable to comprehensively address and resolve at that sitting. Among these were the issues of the regulation of political parties, the referendum on political systems and land. Here the Constitution was very clear by explicitly stating that Parliament shall enact laws on those matters. Indeed, some of the provisions are specific enough to provide for the time period within which Parliament must make the law, such as with respect to the issue of bona fide occupants of land and registered owners of land, and on the change of political systems. But to crown it all, there is another wrong feature of this Bill. Our courts have long held that the Constitution must be amended directly. By adding in whole new issues to the Constitution which have the effect of actually amending Article 246 and several related others, the Government will have committed the cardinal sin of becoming a constitutional virus. Mr Oloka-Onyango is the director, HURIPEC- Makerere University"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/1086628/-/10hxx6c/-/index.html","content":"Ghana says its troops will not join forces to unseat Gbagbo - Ghana’s President John Atta Mills has said his country will not contribute troops to any regional Force to oust Mr Gbagbo from office. Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) have threatened to use force to oust Mr Gbagbo from office. But President Mills has said: “Ghana will not be able to contribute to any Ecowas mission because our military is overstretched as we are engaged in several peace-keeping missions around the world.” Allegations are ripe that Ghana is backing the embattled Gbagbo. In its Christmas Day issue, a Burkina Faso daily alleged that President Mills was backing Mr Gbago despite signing an Ecowas resolution agreeing to his ouster. The paper also said Accra was being used as a base for Mr Gbagbo’s fighters and that three Angolan fighter jets have been positioned in Accra awaiting to aid Mr Gbagbo. But Ghana denies these claims. President Mills previously backed Ecowas on opposition leader, Mr Alassane Ouattara, and fully endorsed the Ecowas communiqué asking Mr Gbagbo to leave office or be forcibly removed. However, he now says, “It is not for Ghana to choose a leader for Cote d’Ivoire.” He added: “I don’t think military option will bring peace to Cote d’Ivoire.”Mr Mills posturing, perhaps, is out of his concern for his citizens in Ivory Coast. Four Ghanaians were kidnapped by groups loyal to Mr Ouattara on suspicion that they were working for Mr Gbagbo. There are also about 500 Ghanaian soldiers in Abidjan as part of the UN mission guarding Mr Ouattara. Diplomats criticise MillsHowever, diplomats in Accra the President’s decision to public deny the military option is in bad taste. Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, who was foreign minister under former President John Kufuor, told an Accra radio in an interview that President Mills’ pronouncements amounted to breach of faith, trust and confidence. Mr Owusu-Agyemang said, President Mills’ decision was regrettable and an affront to Mr James Victor Gbeho, the Ghanaian president of Ecowas. President Mills, he said, should have made his opinion known during the emergency summit by heads of State of the Ecowas if he was not convinced with the proposed military option. Another critic, a lecturer at the Legon Centre for International Affairs of the University of Ghana, Mr Vladimir Antwi-Danso, speaking on the same platform with Mr Owusu-Agyeman said, the president had committed a “big diplomatic blunder.” Although, Mr Antwi-Danso agreed with the president that military action was not the right option, the fact that, he was at the summit that agreed to use the option of a military force, President Mills erred by breaking ranks with his fellow presidents who took the decision."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/-/688612/1084508/-/9w25yqz/-/index.html","content":"Airtel, MTN sue Utl over debts - Kampala The Commercial Court has become the latest battle ground for telecommunication firms a few months after the industry witnessed major price wars in the race for customers. Daily Monitor has established that Airtel and MTN Uganda have dragged Uganda Telecom Limited to court after it failed to pay about Shs18 billion in interconnection fees. Utl has accumulated the bill over the last two years, after it allegedly failed to pay its rivals for enabling its subscribers to make calls to and from other networks. 2000 agreementAirtel (formerly Zain) and Utl agreed to pay between Shs95 and Shs151 per call to each other’s network according to the interconnection agreement signed in 2000. Utl’s failure to settle the bills could make it impossible for its subscribers to either call or receive calls from subscribers on Airtel and MTN. In a suit filed at the Commercial Court on December 16, 2010, Airtel demands Shs3.76 billion of Shs5 billion in interconnection fees from Uganda Telecom. This is in addition to interest rate of 11 per cent per annum of the amount due, and costs of the suit. Airtel is also demanding from Utl Shs1.3 billion and Shs45.5 million, in two separate cases involving the use of its equipment. The money was accumulated between 2008 and last year according to the claim in court. “The defendant (Utl) has neglected, failed or otherwise refused to pay balance… as a result of which the plaintiff has suffered great loss and damages,” reads a suit filed by Lex Uganda Advocates on behalf of Airtel Uganda. “The Plaintiff (Airtel) avers that the defendant’s non-payment of the balance above amounts to breach of the Interconnection Agreement, and the Settlement Agreement,” the lawyers add. Daily Monitor has also established that MTN is demanding over Shs14.7 billion in interconnection fees accumulated between September 2008 and November 2009. A suit filed by MTN’s lawyers on its behalf indicates that Utl has only paid about Shs3.5 billion of the total claim and has refused to pay Shs3.45 billion arguing that it was not a result of the domestic traffic which attracts interconnection fees but was international traffic with Sudan. Utl said the calls were terminated to the network in South Sudan. But the two are sister companies with Utl owning majority shares.MTN has threatened to stop interconnection calls to Utl if the latter does not pay up by Friday. But Airtel which has just taken its case against Utl to the Commercial Court, said ending calls between the two networks could be considered. “The worst case scenario is for us to end interconnection with them. But of course that would be a disservice to the customers. However, it’s up to the court to determine the repercussions,” Mr Joseph Kanyamunyu the public relations manager at Airtel said in an interview with Daily Monitor on Tuesday. By yesterday, Utl had neither paid MTN nor Airtel the money due. No defenceThe company’s lawyers have also not filed their defence to the Airtel case despite a notice from the Commercial Court to do so; 10 days after the summons were issued on December 16, 2010. But Mr Mark Kaheru Utl’s public relations officer said they have until January 15 to file their defence. He added that it was premature to comment on the new case. Airtel’s lawyers claim that Utl “has no defence to the suit whatsoever” because they breached a contract. “That one is in the process,” Mr Kaheru said when asked about the status of the MTN payment."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1082766/-/cje2mjz/-/index.html","content":"Ruranga attacks Besigye over Lukwago - Kampala The Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) electoral commission chief, Maj Rubaramira Ruranga, has accused Dr Kizza Besigye of working against the IPC protocol which endorsed Makindye East MP Michael Mabikke as its flag –bearer for Kampala mayoral seat. Disagreements within the IPC ranks emerged after press reports quoted Dr Besigye, the IPC presidential flag-bearer, as having backed Mr Erias Lukwago with leanings to the Democratic Party/ Suubi, for the top city office. Own capacityMaj. Ruranga told Daily Monitor on phone on Saturday that Dr Besigye made the remarks in his own capacity and not as the IPC candidate. “That is Dr Besigye’s own opinion if he backed Mr Lukwago. We don’t agree with him, that’s a breach of trust because we ressolved the issue of the city mayoral candidate long ago,” Maj Ruranga said. He said Mr Mabikke was their preferred candidate as far as the IPC protocol was concerned and based on several other discussions they held. While Dr Besigye was unavailable for clarification, IPC spokesperson, Margaret Wokuri yesterday said a loose coalition of the opposition political parties was looking at the context under which Dr Besigye might have made the remarks. “Dr Besigye’s position on this matter is very clear. He advised that one of mayor candidates steps down for the other and they refused to comply. Since they are both our candidates, he will leave the voters to judge.” Split supportSince campaigns for the city mayoral seat began, there have been behind-the-scene fights within the IPC with some members backing Mr Lukwago and others Mr Mabikke. Mr Mabikke said that Dr Besigye does not decide for the people of Kampala. Mr Mabikke, also the Social Democratic Party (SDP) president is vying for the mayoral seat with five others including Mr Lukwago (Independent), Mr Peter Ssematimba (NRM), Francis Babu (Independent). Others are Mr Emanuel Tumusiime (Christian) and the only female candidate, Ms Ngabo Katebalirwe (Independent)."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1082752/-/cje2njz/-/index.html","content":"Government wants Shs2.5 billion for talks on Congo plunder - Kampala The government wants Shs2.5 billion to facilitate lawyers and other technocrats ahead of a meeting with Congolese officials—whose country accuses Uganda of war crimes and plunder of its resources. The money, being sourced as an emergency under a supplementary budget request to Parliament by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will be for a meeting slated for later this month. DR Congo accuses Uganda of war crimes and plundering its resources when the latter, together with a bevy of countries, invaded it between 1998 and 2003. In 1999, Congo took Uganda to the World Court—seeking reparations of between $6b and $10b—which the court said was a fair claim. The UN court sitting at The Hague, however, gave the countries an option of settling the matter between themselves. The upcoming meeting is part of this negotiation—that according to the foreign affairs permanent secretary, Amb. James Mugume—is a follow-up on the Ngurdoto Agreement signed between Presidents Museveni and Joseph Kabila in 2007. The agreement aimed at resolving this stand-off. But MPs have questioned this fresh Shs2.5b request after it emerged that Uganda contracted and paid in full foreign lawyers, Prof. Ian Brownlie from UK and Folley, Hoag and Eliot (Paul S. Reicher) from the US to defend it at The Hague. Lawyers paidProf. Brownlie, a British practicing barrister, specialising in international law passed away last year on January 3. Daily Monitor investigations have revealed that lawyers were paid Shs2 billion and a “detailed defence” on the case was completed in March 2004. According to sources, Bank of Uganda advanced Shs1.2b to government for partial payment on the case and a balance of about Shs721m was paid later after the lawyers threatened to sue for breach of contract. Opposition MPs led by shadow Finance Minister Oduman Okello (Bukedea) have threatened to block the new request, arguing that the foreign affairs ministry has no mandate to handle legal matters. The MPs also say individuals implicated in DRC “plunder” should foot the bill and not taxpayers. MPs, however, did not name the individuals in government.“Those who want the money should take the bill to the culprits and not taxpayers,” Mr Okello said, adding: “If some people in government looted gold and timber in DRC, then, this cannot be a responsibility of the taxpayer. In any case, the lawyers were even paid, let them use technical brief to defend the case.” But Mr Mugume said the money was “needed urgently to enable the Ugandan team prepare a new response on the case” ahead of the sitting of the Joint Permanent Commission to discuss the way forward on the case. No payOn whether Uganda is willing to pay the DRC, Mr Mugume said: “There is nothing like $10 billion for DRC. We don’t know about that amount. The ICJ has never pronounced itself on that figure. The court only asked us to negotiate with DRC and this is what we are going to discuss.” Mr Mugume also said the government formed a joint team together with lawyers in Washington, adding that in handling the case, his ministry signed a memorandum of understanding with the Justice ministry. While authorities in Kampala are questioning the mathematics of $10 billion, Kinshasa insists Uganda should pay for committing “violations of international humanitarian law and massive human rights violations” in its territory. If the two countries fail to agree, DRC is likely to go back to The Hague—in a last ditch effort to force Uganda to pay, a move that might plunge Ugandans into debt—considering that its annual expenditure is less than half of the $10 billion Congo wants."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1077290/-/cjw8rsz/-/index.html","content":"MPs summons cultural leaders - The joint parliamentary committees of Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and that of Gender have invited traditional leaders to give their views on the controversial Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Bill, 2010.The leaders are scheduled to appear before the legislators on January 12 and 13, 2011. Ms Pherry Sabino Kabanda, the woman MP for Budaka County, while chairing the committee, said on Tuesday that the traditional leaders should either appear before them or send their representatives. “We have invited them to appear before us because we are seeking their position on the Bill. We want to know whether they are happy about the penalties or we should tighten it further,” Ms Kabanda said. The legislators on the committee said the law should stipulate penalties in case of breach. The Bill bars traditional leaders from engaging in politics.It also bars traditional leaders from promoting political parties; rendering direct or indirect support to a political party or political organisation and recommending a particular person to the public with a view to promoting that person politically. Mengo has opposed the law saying it is aimed at abolishing the kabakaship. The legislators agreed to officially send the Bill to the traditional leaders early enough so that they study it comprehensively before appearing in Parliament. Meanwhile, Prime Minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi has defended the new Bill, saying it is timely and it comes with a string of benefits for traditional leaders. Speaking to Daily Monitor at Parliament on Tuesday, Prof Nsibambi said; “We are operationalising article 246 of the Constitution which bars cultural leaders from participating in partisan politics. We apologise for delaying the law, it should have been passed long time ago”."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1077286/-/cjw8siz/-/index.html","content":"Transport fares rise as Christmas nears - As police cautioned drivers on black spots across the country, a survey by Daily Monitor revealed that upcountry transport fares had sky-rocketed. At the Arua Park, a notice reads, “Change of prices this Christmas season”. The prices have risen from Shs20,000 to Shs23,000. But this is the least of the price increments at bus terminals with more pronounced increases to western and southern destinations. Fares to Rukungiri and Kisoro for example, have doubled to Shs40,000 from Shs 20,000. Buses to Kasese, Fort Portal and Kabale have also doubled fares, which initially stood at Shs15,000. Fares to northern Uganda and northwest have also been increased but by not more than Shs5,000. A bus conductor at the Qualicel Bus Terminal in Kampala where many buses dock gleefully told this newspaper that this season is the best for them to mint money from passengers. Despite the sharp increases, the bus parks are still at their busiest with many people booking and travelling every day. The Traffic and Road Safety Act 1998 does not provide for control of transport fares and leaves it to the forces of demand and supply. The only provision in the Act with regard to transport fares is in recovery of the fare in case the vehicle breaks down. Section 98 says if a public vehicle is more than one hour late owing to a breakdown or any fault or neglect, the owner of the vehicle should pay back the passenger the full amount paid. Breach of the law results in a fine of not more than five currency points or Shs100,000. Meanwhile, the police yesterday urged road users to take precaution as the festive season presents many risks of accidents. They also listed over 100 black spots on major routes, cautioning drivers against reckless driving and speeding. Some of the areas named as black spots include sections at Lugogo indoor stadium, Mabira Forest, Awoja Primary School in Kumi, Katine Swamp junction on Soroti-Lira Road and Bbira on Kampala- Mubende – Fort Portal Road.“In this festive season we may not have enough people to keep watering the roads under construction, we appeal to the drivers to obey road safety signs,” Mr Dan Alinange , the spokesperson of the Uganda National Roads Authority, said. Despite police sensitization on road safety, road carnage remains a challenge and the Commissioner for Police in charge of traffic Bazil Mugisha, warns againstdrunk driving, drug use and poor car conditions if accidents are to be curbed this festive season."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1071374/-/13s7wjpz/-/index.html","content":"Khartoum has done nothing to make unity attractive - Remember Bobby Dylan’s song which goes: “How many years, how many years must one have before he can hear people cry? How many deaths will it take till he knows that too many people have died?” This song explains how society reaches a certain level of tiredness. Since its breach of 1972 Addis Ababa Agreement that ended the Anyanya War, the first skirmishes between Sudan’s north and south, the Khartoum regime has earned notoriety as one that does not honour agreements. The Addis Ababa accord had granted the southerners a degree of autonomy and for 11 years the country was peaceful. But in 1983, the second phase of civil war was ignited when the then President, Jafar-el Nimeri dissolved the regional government and imposed Sharia law nationwide. With this, the stage was set for one of Africa’s longest running wars that only ended with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in January 2005. The Khartoum regime, under the leadership of President Omar al Bashir has been systematically scathing the implementation of the CPA, a centrepiece of the CPA was the January 9, 2011 referendum on South Sudan and Abyei, the disputed oil-rich border region. As the referendum approaches, all indications are that Khartoum’s ruling National Congress Party is burning the midnight oil to ensure the two referendums are either delayed or do not take place. Even during the signing of the CPA in 2005, you could tell that the Khartoum regime was not particularly comfortable with the landmark Machakos Protocol which provided for possible secession of South Sudan. Truth be told, the north has done nothing to make unity attractive to southerner’s during the six-year interim period provided for in the CPA. Instead, Bashir has been blowing hot and cold in the countdown to the referendum. At one time he vowed not to accept any outcome other than a vote for unity. Be that it may, the general mood in the south is for independence. For southerners, therefore, this referendum is a matter of life and death and any attempts by the Khartoum regime to scuttle it or manipulate results will lead to a resumption of hostilities. Even more serious is the fact that this is not a constitutional referendum that can be shot down, or brought back at a later date through some amendments; it is a do or die exercise. The southerners believe that after nearly 22 years of bloodshed, a vote on independence would be the best gift to those who sacrificed their lives. However, the situation on the ground shows that Khartoum is determined to scuttle the process. Fears of fraud abound, given that the exact number of southerners remains contested. As we approach this imminent separation, it is important for regional bodies like IGAD, EAC, COMESA, the African Union as well as all countries neighbouring Sudan to keep their eye on the referendum. We must keep the pressure on Sudan’s leaders because peace in the south and north will translate into prosperity in the entire region. As Martin Luther said, “We shall not blame our enemies but our good friends who hear our cries and keep silent.” Mr Asiimwe is a Pan Africanist"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/-/690266/1068856/-/lov9p6/-/index.html","content":"Egos threaten ESL professionalism - All is said not to be rosy amongst the Ecobank Super League board of directors as collective commitment towards the unconditional professionalization of the game is being questioned by some members. Express, SC Villa, Bunnamwaya, KCC and Proline represent the 14 league teams on the five-man board. Bunnamwaya’s refusal to submit players’ contracts to the ESL and disagreements over whether to present league rules first to Fufa before adoption have lately fuelled animosity. Bunnamwaya are represented by Thaddeus Kitandwe on the ESL board. But it’s Express’ (represented by Kavuma Kabenge, also board chairperson) “illegally” lengthened tour to Vietnam, from where they were expected back on November 26, and then 28, that has ruffled feathers and, possibly, led to change of guards. While Mujib Kasule maintains his resignation as secretary last Friday after a secret Thursday night’s meeting at Sheraton, attended by Fred Muwema (SC Villa), Kabenge, and Kasule himself, was to let league manager Paul Kabaikaramu fully take over the competition’s affairs, events running up to his decision reflect otherwise. “Before the league started, I said I would relinquish league operations to the chief executive officer after three months,” said Kasule, who remains a director. “But since we don’t have enough money to recruit the CEO yet, Paul will manage the secretariat and I will help him where need be.” Kebenge defiantA reliable source, however, intimates to Daily Monitor that Kabenge, the Express patron, wasn’t happy with his mates’ stance on the club’s Vietnam tour, including ultimatums and forwarding the case to the league disciplinary committee. But Kabenge denies he is standing in the way of professionalism. “I can tell those words are coming from Mujib’s mouth,” retorted Kabenge. “The league manager runs it, so who was Mujib speaking as? His job as secretary was to write resolutions and minutes. That’s why we asked him to quit because he was doing the league manager’s job. “Express didn’t breach any rules going to Vietnam,” added Kabenge. “And am I against professionalism? They are wrong. This is our baby and we can’t kill it. We started this thing long ago and if you think Mujib has done a lot, he just came yesterday.” Villa are one of the most punished clubs for indiscipline thus far. “Every club is equal and we don’t have to treat them differently,” said the source, “Lest we lose the plot.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1067022/-/ckitf6z/-/index.html","content":"Independents defy NRM on party colours and logos - Mbarara NRM members who lost during the party primaries and now contesting as independent for parliamentary seats have defied the party against using its colours and logos.Ms Jolly Mugisha, who lost the flag bearer bid for Mbarara Woman MP, said: “Where do you want us to put our yellow dresses and attires? We have not come as independents because we don’t love the party but because we are disgruntled. We can’t disassociate ourselves from the party because of a few individuals with selfish interests.” Mr Micheal Tusiime, who lost in the primaries to represent Mbarara Municipality, said: “We cannot accept offences that are not explained. It is no offence to stand as an independent and identify myself with the party.” “Let the electoral commission tell us which offences we are committing but not to be intimidated by some party members who at this time don’t know why we came out as independents,” he added. Mr Tusiime is among candidates that have their posters bearing President Museveni’s photo. The reaction of the independent candidates came on Friday during a meeting to harmonise campaign time tables for the parliamentary candidates. The returning officer, Mr Dan Ruhemba, said they have received complaints from the NRM leadership that some independents candidates have continued to identify themselves with party colours, logos and the President. Meanwhile, the police have warned the candidates against breach of electoral guidelines, overloading supporters in trucks, use of abusive language, malice and drunken driving. The DPC, Mr Simon Peter Wafana, appealed to the candidates to cooperate with the police and ensure peaceful campaigns that begin on 16 December."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1062836/-/ckm4pdz/-/index.html","content":"Row over Iraqi guards as security blocks 180 - Kampala The Internal Security Organisation recently blocked at least 180 Ugandans who were destined for guard duties in Iraq over an alleged breach of security procedures. The affected parties had been recruited by Dreshak (U) Limited, one of the local companies contracted to recruit guards on behalf of private American companies working in Iraq. The guards, who are reportedly in the country on vacation, had not undergone routine security verification before flying back. Dreshak claims the procedure had been phased out as a requirement for returning servicemen, a position disputed by Gen. David Tinyefuza, the coordinator of intelligence services. In complaints to security agencies and the Ministry of Labour, Dreshak insists no procedure was breached and instead claims there were “other motives” for the blockade. But Gen. David Tinyefuza said security acted within its right to ensure that the right people were headed to Iraq. “I was informed by one of the directors (of Dreshak), Mr Andrew Kasirye. I asked him whether he was sure those people who had come on holiday were the ones going back and did not include any Congolese or Tanzanians. He could also not confirm. I asked him to confirm and get back to me and he never got back to me,” Gen. Tinyefuza said by telephone last evening. ISO Director General Lt Ronnie Balya said he was yet to be briefed on the issue. But Mr Kiggundu Balagadde, one of the company officials, insisted the blockade had a “hidden agenda”. He said a plane chattered to fly the guards was forced to fly back empty. “The boys arrived at the airport at 10p.m. for a midnight take-off. Why do you wait at exactly midnight to raise these issues if you do not have any hidden agenda?” Mr Balagadde asked. Gen. Tinyefuza later told this reporter to “tell Mr Kasirye not to complain but charter another plane and take the boys.” Dreshak country manager Ahmed Zain said he is contacting the employer (US-based Triple Canopy Inc. ) to explain what had happened."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/1053948/-/a1nt71/-/index.html","content":"Ugandans losing millions to piracy - Ugandans, especially in the entertainment, software and other copyrighted industries, are losing millions to theft of intellectual property – piracy. The practice has been made easy with the widespread use of the internet, which enables pirates to download copies of music, software, movies and games without physically purchasing them from the store, which results into loss of millions of shillings. Mr James Wasula, the Uganda Performing Rights Society (UPRS) general secretary, recently told Business Power in an interview that musicians in the country lose almost 100 per cent of sales to piracy due to the high growth rate of counterfeits in the country. “Chameleone’s first ‘Mama Mia’ album raised about Shs50 million, however that is no longer possible these days because people buy duplicated copies,” he says. UPRS’ 2009 random survey revealed that there are a total of 143,360 pirated compact discs (CDs) and 512 computers sold in Kampala per month.Majority of FM radio stations in the country are also playing music without paying artistes’ royalties. Mr Umar Lwasa, the chairman Uganda Pay Television Association, said during a recent seminar in Kampala that although it is hard to quantify, piracy is worsening and is costing the industry millions of shillings. “Some service providers are tampering with technology to receive signals of programmes they have no rights to and resell them to consumers causing a big financial loss to genuine broadcasters,” he adds. “We cannot grow the industry with such practices that retard development of both the industry and the country; this must be fought.” The problem is worsened by little or no knowledge about what constitutes intellectual property among Ugandans. Large corporations in the country have also been implicated in scandals involving bleach of intellectual property rights. For instance, the license of MO TV - a pay television service provider – was recently withdrawn by the Uganda Broadcasting Council for illegally tapping satellite signals from another pay TV service and reselling it to consumers. Warid Telecom is also allegedly accused of having picked ‘Pakalast’, a name for one of its products that enables customers to call for 24 hours at Shs1,500, from singer Rocky Giant’s single, off the Ngoma Nnene album, inspiring youths to work hard ‘pakalast’. The artiste was quoted by a local daily on May 19, 2010, allegedly saying that although he was consulted in the early stages of the promotion, he was later told he had been replaced by someone else for the promotion. “Warid told me to come up with an advert, take it to them and we discuss terms. I went and recorded it, but they later turned around and said they had got another person to do it,” he was quoted as saying. “I feel so much cheated yet there is no way I can sue such a big company.”But Mr Wasula says: “You cannot have protection of a title because that is a word or two. Therefore, you cannot have a claim of copyright in a word. It has to be a total creation of content because you didn’t invent the word. Copyright protects the expression of ideas.”“It is just a coincidence that the word you sing about becomes popular,” he adds. Piracy was not a criminal offense in Uganda until 2006 when the Copyright Act came in place providing for the protection of people’s literature, scientific and artistic intellectual works. A counterfeit Bill was tabled in Parliament and if passed into law, those who illegally sell copyrighted products will serve four years in prison or pay damages or both if convicted. Mr Lawrence Kinyanjui, Microsoft East and Southern Africa (ESA) Antipiracy Conversion manager told Business Power in a separate interview that the industry loses about $2.8 billion (Shs6.3 trillion) in unauthorised use, reproduction and installation of software programmes in Africa and the Middle East annually. 1 | 2 Next Page»He says: “For every dollar (Shs2,250) a rightful owner makes, a person selling an illegal version makes $6 (Shs13,500) or more.” Reducing piracy, Mr Kinyanjui says, would stimulate the local IT industry, result into economic growth, create new high-tech jobs and generate additional tax revenues to governments. Piracy frustrates people’s creative efforts, lowers a country’s incentives to innovation, threatens existence of some companies and robs a country of revenue that would have translated into economic growth. It also exposes legitimate dealers to unfavourable competition with pirates.On many occasions, consumers buy counterfeit products knowingly because they are normally cheaper than the original ones; there by enticing people whose purchasing decisions are based on low prices. Others fall prey to buying adulterated products unknowingly. In 2009, MTN was dragged to court by Mr Collins Musinguzi for alleged breach of confidence in relation to the use of mobile phone software, an SMS based brokerage content provision system, which acted as a mobile market place for buyers and sellers to carry out transactions. Mr Musinguzi alleges that he had introduced the technology to the telecommunications company, however, MTN later went on to apply the software similar to what he had proposed without compensating him. His lawyers argued that MTN had infringed on Mr Musinguzi’s intellectual rights. In buying illegal products, many consumers are, however, still unaware of the legal actions and risks that can come along with the unlawful use of such a product. Partner states of the East African Community including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi are planning to use tougher punitive laws to curb the spread of counterfeit goods in the region which has an estimated market share of Shs4.8 trillion (KShs180 billion). Counterfeits in the region seem to have gained momentum following the launch of the EAC Common Market protocol on July 1, that allows for free movement of goods and services within the region. Dr Ham Mukasa Mulira, the chief executive officer of Consults Uganda, says expensive original software prices are fueling piracy and that it might be difficult for Uganda to enforce the anti-piracy law due to low income levels of most Ugandans. “I would not condone piracy. But majority of Ugandans can’t afford the price of genuine software licenses that’s why they buy pirated ones, which are cheap. Such prices should be reduced,” he explains. A Microsoft office package costs about Shs675, 000 ($300), a charge which is too high for an ordinary Ugandan. An original music compact disc cost Shs5,000 -Shs10,000 while a replica costs Shs1,000. For consumers who buy counterfeit products unknowingly, Mr Kinyanjui advises that they should watch out for genuine product security features before buying to avoid falling victims. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1053780/-/cl7yxpz/-/index.html","content":"Makerere staff lose salary case - The High Court has thrown out a case in which 27 Makerere University employees accused the university of paying them under a wrong salary scale. Delivering his ruling on Friday, Justice Yorokam Bamwine said: “ The university did not breach any of the employees contracts. Courts are very reluctant to interfere with agreements or contracts freely entered into by the parties.” FrictionThe friction between the university and the employees led by Mr Gyaviira Lubowa, began when they applied for jobs of clerical officers in the Finance Department.The advertisement set the minimum qualifications as diploma in business studies and two years working experience, though the university did not indicate the entry point salary scale. Those who had the required qualifications were appointed as clerical officers in the Finance Department at salary scale of M.15 (Shs1, 499, 531 million) per annum. However, the university paid other staff who had similar academic qualifications a different salary structure of M.10 (Shs4, 694,928 million) per annumDuring the hearing, the disgruntled employees contented that according to the university’s existing recruitment policy, salary scale M.15 was only applicable to those employees with qualifications of O-level. They were seeking court orders compelling the university to pay their salary arrears and allowances based on M 10 scale from time of employment to date as special damages, and costs of the suit. Court ordered each party to bear its own costs of the suit."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1052982/-/cl8mowz/-/index.html","content":"Feuding Busoga chiefs set to reconcile - Jinja The feuding Busoga hereditary royal chiefs are set to review how to field a Kyabazinga in a fresh process. The 11 chiefs, who announced a reconciliation meeting to pave way for fresh Kyabazinga polls within two months, were on Thursday appearing in court for the hearing of a petition on the kingship of Prince Edward Columbus Wambuzi whom they elected on October 30, 2008.The hearing of a case filed by Prince Fred Menya Kakaire of Bugweri County was postponed to December 13. Constitution positionIn the petition Prince Kakaire contends that Prince Wambuzi was elected in breach of the kingdom’s constitution given that only seven chiefs voted for him instead of eight as the constitution stipulates. However, the chiefs, including the acting Kyabazinga, Mr Daudi Kawunhe Wakooli and the head of the reconciliation committee, Prince Yassin Ntembe, said they were tired of disagreements which they discovered were being fuelled by members who are not royals.Busoga has failed to get a kyabazinga to replace Henry Wako Muloki for almost two years."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1052280/-/cl8s76z/-/index.html","content":"Government queries NFA’s award of Shs3b in damages - The Ministry of Finance has ordered the National Forest Authority to produce officials who agreed to a Shs3.6 billion deal in damages awarded to a private company for breach of contract. In his letter dated October 8, the Deputy Secretary to the Treasury, Mr Keith Muhakanizi, questioned the circumstances under which NFA officials contracted Beachside Development Services Ltd, a private firm,, without bidding and later awarded Shs3.6b in damages when they cancelled the contract. Mr Muhakanizi also asked NFA to produce the culprits. “The audit team couldn’t establish how Beachside Development Services Ltd got to know that NFA was sourcing for a firm to develop the forest,” Mr Muhakanizi said. “Beachside Development Services Ltd was not brought to the institution through competitive bidding. There was no formal contract signed with the company.” He added that the negligent officers who flouted the procurement regulations and caused loss to the institution in form of court award must first be identified before any guarantee [of Shs3.6 billion] can be agreed upon. “The suspected fraud of Shs72.16 million on NFA account should be investigated,” he said. While the Ministry of Finance is questioning NFA on the deal, the Court of Appeal on October 8 upheld the High Court ruling ordering NFA to pay Sh3.6 billion to Beachside Development Services Ltd for trying to cheat the firm out of the contract the forest body had awarded him. The private company, through Capt. Charles Twegira applied to NFA to develop 209 hectares of land at Kyewagga Forest Reserve in Entebbe to boost eco-tourism. NFA gave the company a 50-year lease and was later revoked through unclear circumstances. Even though the Ministry of Finance has discovered that NFA never solicited for a developer, the company has consistently defeated NFA in all courts of law leading to the recent final judgment involving Shs3.6 billion in damages. The amount, according to court ruling, earns a 20 per cent annual interest from the time the case was first decided in the High Court until the payment is done. This means that as Ministry of Finance delays the payment, the liability to government could double in what might be an extra loss to the taxpayer.An investigation by Ministry of Finance revealed that Beachside Development Services Ltd provided $6,000 (Shs12 million) to NFA on June 6, 2006, which was later refunded on September 11 2006 to the company lawyers. However, the company later sued NFA for breach of contract through unclear circumstance. The High Court sitting at Nakawa on September 16 2009, assessed the damages in the main suit and ruled on Civil Suit No.003 of 2009 that NFA pays the company $1,612171 (about Shs3.6 billion) arising out of a consent judgment that NFA authorised the deal and failed to issue a license to the developer. Afterwards, the court freezed NFA bank accounts with a balance of Shs4.4 billion. Mr Muhakanizi said: “There was no evidence of Board Members clearing NFA legal counsel to concede to the Consent Judgment, meaning the consent was undertaken by the staff without Board consultation and clearance.” Treasury gave NFA less than two months to report to Mr Muhakanizi the action taken on staff who caused the loss of Shs3.6 billion and another Shs72 million."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1051790/-/8y44k5/-/index.html","content":"Guard against vital data loss - MPs on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) say the theft is an “inside job” involving known officials in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, the parent ministry. Five separate cases of vandalism and robbery of 28 computers were reported at URSB. We are deeply concerned about the theft of sensitive information in Company Registry, Trademarks and Intellectual Property Registry sections. The unspecified data stolen includes records of births and deaths, names, addresses as well as bank details on companies. While we have no evidence that the lost data have fallen into criminal hands, our concerns are, were these public records encrypted or not? Worse still, the loss has interrupted services. Apart from creating confusion and duplicity among company owners and risks of legal battles, the loss puts millions of Ugandans at increased risk of identity and company document theft. Our region is plagued with a fluid security situation and threatened with terrorism and money laundering, making identity fraud big business. We therefore endorse the MPs call to have the matter quickly revisited by CID. MPs on PAC say the thieves are known but have not been arrested. URSB must provide the details of the data lost as demanded by the Auditor General to establish the extent of sabotage. More crucially, what steps has URSB undertaken? Has URBS issued a statement of alert to the public to warn about this loss and guard against potential data compromise? Have URSB and the Police issued a dedicated hotline and advisory to those affected by the loss? What assurance do we have about the stolen data not being used for ID frauds, to access our bank accounts, acquire passports, or enter into fake business deals? Have there been attempts at re-documentation and verification of the lost data? URSB and CID must expedite investigations into this sabotage and the culprits brought to book. We request Parliament to enact the necessary laws to make data loss a criminal offence to help curb the tide of data breaches that put citizens at increased risk of identity and commercial information fraud. A few simple steps can make our personal and commercial information more secure."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/-/688614/1051044/-/ce7st2/-/index.html","content":"Data security tips to protect your business - Hire a hacker, is a commonly heard business phrase! It’s not unusual nowadays for a company to get hacked and hire someone to get the person who committed the offence; this shows how businesses are committed at securing their data. A company might be worth millions of dollars, but the biggest asset remains its data. Imagine if your bank faced a security breach of customer data, from debtors to how an individual account stood? That could result in some serious lawsuits Causes of security breachesHacking attack. This is illegal access of your data. A hacker first attacks the easy targets, then tries to cover his tracks before launching attacks to more secure sites with the intention of gaining full access to a system to delete, alter or install files on a system.* Loss or theft of data or equipment on which data is stored. This varies from company smartphones, USB sticks, or laptops.* Unintended disclosure. Someone in or affiliated to your organisation could post sensitive data to a social media site or send it through an email, or through a common practice of writing down passwords for remembrance.* Obtaining information through deception. Data entry on some sites maybe mundane, but it could be a completion to a scam from some pretentious sites. This is a common way in which your company security could be compromised.* Information brokering. There are entities who obtain confidential company information either by bribing employees or tricking them, then sell the information to competing businesses or individuals. This could be strategic pricing and market information or details of tendered goods and services. How to safeguard your businessProtecting your business from security breaches isn’t just about a practice for safe computing. It involves hiring the right people and implementing good security policies. You can best protect confidential data by employing the following measures:* Hire a consultant to perform security audits of your systems. Or for smaller businesses a penetration test could be done.* Identify what sensitive information you have, what you use it for and where it resides. Make account for all of your company’s sensitive information. * Isolate sensitive data. Keep it on the fewest number of computers or servers, and be sure to separate it from the rest of your data and network if possible. The fewer copies of data you have, the easier it will be to protect.* Encrypt sensitive data when in storage or when it is being emailed and find an alternate way of sending the recipient the encryption key.* Use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or a similarly secure connection for receiving or transmitting credit card information and other sensitive financial data. * Perform background checks for all new employees. Ask for at least two references from previous employers and take the time to call both former employers to verify previous employment information. You may also want to check if a prospective employee has a criminal record or a problem with his financial history or credit rating.These simple precautions can help prevent your business suffering massive losses at worst. Nakawooya is a tech entrepreneur with Missy Apps.www.missyapps.net."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/1050974/-/12079b0z/-/index.html","content":"How to get quality building supplies - When planning to construct a house, some prospective house owners purchase construction materials from different outlets. On the other hand, one may choose a supplier who will be in charge of delivering all construction materials. Sometimes a supplier may not fulfill his/her promise. In this case, most Ugandans remain silent when they discover that the construction materials they purchased are damaged or don’t comply with what they requested for. With this culture, it becomes difficult to seek assistance because they think that they won’t be compensated. Worse still, the supply contract is usually used by large scale suppliers or manufacturers. This deters one from seeking compensation, especially when they are given a receipt that declares, “Goods once sold are not returnable.” But people should not settle for that. After all, you have paid your hard earned money to buy these materials. Below, we look at some ways you can make sure the materials you get are genuine or at the very least, if you get fake ones, that you are compensated. Use a supply contract One of the ways to ensure you get good materials is by having a documented contract with the supplier. With the supply contract, the project manager or buyer and the supplier sign an agreement upon which the materials will be provided. This is accompanied by a certificate confirming that the right materials have been procured. To make sure you are getting the real deal, Mr Nilax Bhatt, the general manager of Steel and Tube Industries Limited, says, “In case you want to get some materials for your home, you must come with the specified details done by the technician working on your project,” he explains. At this point, a proforma invoice (a quotation in form of an invoice prepared by the seller and given to the customer with the items that will appear on a commercial invoice in case a buyer orders them) listing the items, quantity and the price is issued. The proforma invoice works as the agreement showing what you have decided to purchase. If it does not match the specifications, the buyer is compensated with the right one. He adds that in case you are operating a government project, you can enter a full supply agreement for a particular bid. This bid is presented by the contractor who is responsible for purchasing the required materials for that project.The invoice is then drafted based on what was stated in the proforma invoice. The contract also entails the delivery period in terms of the time in which the supply will be done. It might be in phases, especially for big projects like universities and hospitals. In case there is breach of contract Mr Bhatt says in case the contract is not followed, the client might discover some problems along the way where it will be difficult to rectify them without substantial evidence. In case there is evidence that the contract was not followed, the client has the right to file a complaint against the contractor or supplier stating his or her problem. Therefore, a client should make sure that there is someone monitoring the work at the construction site to ensure that there is value for his or her money. When a party fails to do what he or she agreed to do, he is said to be in breach of the contract and will pay the charges for damages caused to the aggrieved party in compensation for any loss. Guiding standards However, if the supplier or manufacturer wants to sell building materials of good quality, there are four widely recognised standards upon which a product is rated to be of quality. These include; the national standard, the East African standard, African regional standard and International Standard Organisation (ISO). These instruct the specifications and test methods that each product must meet before it qualifies to be of quality. Mr John Okumu, the senior materials engineer at Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), says a material is deemed to comply with the standard when the product is tested and conforms to the requirements in each quality control test (a test is performed on samples taken from production or finished products to establish whether the products match the standard). Therefore, the manufacturing company or supplier should apply to UNBS to confirm the quality of the product. The application is then assessed and the factory is inspected basing on the standard. Following this, the samples are picked and transported to UNBS. Once they are found suitable, the factory is issued a permit to supply. When purchasing construction materials, there are different aspects to look out for as stated below. Clay bricksFind out how durable they are and their water absorption capacity. There are some tests you can perform individually. If the brick turns white when immersed in water, then it’s not strong enough,” Mr Okumu says. You should avoid buying cracked and deformed bricks because that shows that they are not strong enough. Such bricks are deformed because a lot of water is consumed in some areas of the brick; making some parts swell excessively. A good brick dries in a uniform way such that it retains its shape. Roofing tiles These should easily be interlocked; with an even shape such that water trickles down easily when it rains. The poor quality tiles (warped) become uneven; leaving room for water to trickle through easily to the building. That’s why you find sometimes people putting polythene bags (buveera) underneath the structure of the roof to control water from entering the rest of the building. This happens when one is not sure about the quality of tiles used. 1 | 2 Next Page»Floor tiles You can differentiate them through the shape and amount of traffic they can hold. As you buy these, you may have to consider the type of traffic and the cleaning methods you are likely to use to protect them from scratching easily. Cement This may be less than the amount you request for. The standard measurement of cement is 50kg, but it might be reduced to 35kg or less. “What happens in such cases is that it might be well packaged, but some fraudulent people end up scooping out some from the bags,” Mr Okumu explains. But this usually happens when the buyer is not sure about what he or she wants. If one knows that cement is graded according to the classes of its strength, then this would hardly happen. Timber You should always look out for the strength and moisture content. It is also graded. “If it’s of a good quality, it feels heavy contrary to a light one which is weak,” he clarifies. Steel barsFor steel bars, if you bend it and it cracks, this means it is not of good quality. Payment conditionsThe supplier should offer insurance and bank guarantee on these materials in case he fails to supply as agreed. “When one party to a contract fails to perform his/her obligations under that agreement or gives an indication of his/her intention not to do so, there is a breach of contract,” Mr Okumu says. He adds that the supplier should agree to offer the best material such that in case he or she fails, he has no way out, but to compensate the buyer. If the supplier does not issue the guarantee and insurance, there are high chances of missing out on the deal. Sometimes the contract requires the buyer to pay an advance fee as security that the materials will be purchased. Nevertheless, there are also instances where the buyer delays to pay for the materials. This is one of the most dreaded moments for any supplier. “Since the contract does not permit the supplier to take back the materials that weren’t paid for, we start negotiating until we get the money,” Mr Bhatt explains. Tips for purchasing materialslAlways look for quality. The biggest problem here is that people rush into comparing prices and deciding according to the cheapest item. But this could get you into paying for the damages that might be over the amount you spent earlier. lLook out for the expiry dates because sometimes we take things for granted. You might be surprised to find that you didn’t know that cement also expires.lHandle the materials with care. Avoid stacking more than six bags of cement together because the strength decreases. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/-/859108/1049836/-/jkx16a/-/index.html","content":"Lukyamuzi threatens Museveni’s candidature over Shs550 million - Kampala The Conservative Party president and former Lubaga South MP John Ken Lukyamuzi has said if the government does not pay him Shs550 million, he will jeopardise President Museveni’s candidature. Mr Lukyamuzi, who gave the government two weeks to pay him, said Mr Museveni’s delay in appointing Court of Appeal and High Court judges, made it impossible for him to be nominated and elected to the 8th Parliament because court could not dispose his appeal due to lack of quorum. Mr Lukyamuzi sued the government in a constitutional petition in 2007 challenging his removal from Parliament by the IGG on grounds of breach of the Leadership Code. He also challenged the EC’s refusal to nominate him. He said the action was unconstitutional but the politician lost the case when five judges, led by Deputy Chief Justice Laetitia Kikonyogo, ruled against him. However, in 2009 Mr Lukyamuzi appealed against the ruling and won. The Attorney General requested an out-of-court settlement between Mr Lukyamuzi and the government. Mr Lukyamuzi yesterday said if he does not get his payment, he will endanger Museveni’s candidature on grounds of “willful neglect of a constitutional duty to appoint judges” and call for his “impeachment from office.” However, NRM spokesperson Karooro Okurut said she could not conceive the effect of the case on President Museveni because the case was against government and not the party. Addressing the press yesterday, Mr Lukyamuzi said if the government fails to honour his request, he will ask court to declare that “the President neglected his duties and should resign.” He said the declaration would render the President ineligible to stand for presidency."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/-/859108/1047438/-/jkvje6/-/index.html","content":"Chaos mars city mayoral contest - It is perhaps not surprising that the battle to take over a city as messy as Kampala would be marred in chaos, conflict and controversy. The nominations for mayoral candidates yesterday began with their fair share of drama—with the opposition coalition disowning MP Erias Lukwago while court blocked NRM’s Peter Sematimba. ‘Defiant’ LukwagoMr Lukwago, who is the Kampala Central MP, went ahead and got nominated despite a directive from the Inter-Party Cooperation, a loose opposition coalition, asking its members to stay their nominations until Monday when it would announce its official flag bearer. But Mr Lukwago, who was accompanied by IPC spokesperson Ibrahim Ssemujju and two former Mengo ministers; Medard Lubega and Mathias Mpuuga, showed up for nomination conducted by Returning Officer Molly Mutazindwa at 1pm at City Hall. Minutes after his nomination, Mr Lukwago, who was waving a green spade as his campaign symbol, said the directive was issued after he booked for nomination.“I am not in any way against the IPC protocol and guidelines. I had to come because I booked earlier to get nominated today (yesterday) and I am ready to respect the final decision taken by the IPC regulatory committee,” he said. According to Mr Lukwago, the newly-passed Kampala Capital City Bill will not radically change the status of the city. He said apart from changing the chief accountant’s appointing authority, the rest was a “mere change of titles and names”. “Apart from the chief executive officer who will now be appointed by the President and changing the mayor’s title to a lord mayor, the rest have remained intact. The mayor will remain the political head of the city with his executive powers to control everything,” Mr Lukwago told journalists. Yesterday, Mr Rubaramira Ruranga, who heads the IPC electoral commission, said their position had not changed, unless Mr Lukwago was nominated as an independent. Mr Lukwago’s opponent, Mr Michael Mabikke, the Makindye East MP, said he had deferred his nomination until the IPC makes a choice. Mr Lukwago, a former Democratic Party legal adviser, fell out with his party recently to join the Suubi 2011 pressure group which fights for the interests of Buganda Kingdom. This group, which comprises mainly of Buganda-leaning politicians, has since signed a memorandum of understanding with the IPC to create a joint campaign platform. And the drama was not limited to the opposition. NRM-endorsed Sematimba could not be nominated after his opponent, Mr Muhammed Kasule, successful, sought a court order to that effect. The latter claims that the party had earlier endorsed him for the same position before Sematimba, who is also the Rubaga Division chairman, declared his intention. NRM’s Kampala region vice chairman Francis Babu also has his eye set on the seat. Yesterday, an independent candidate Sandra Katebalirwe Ngabo was nominated for the mayoral post. Others who were nominated are Godfrey Nyakaana (NRM, Central Division), who will face off with independents Bbosa Kiyingi and Mr Muhammed Kibedi. Mr Nyakaana said his two opponents were in breach of party rules but Mr Kibedi said the former’s election as flag bearer was marred by rigging. According to the Electoral Commission, nominations for mayors, LC5, municipalities and LC3 chairpersons started yesterday and close on Tuesday next week."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/-/859108/1047488/-/jkvjil/-/index.html","content":"EC appeals relocation of polling stations - The Electoral Commission has appealed the High Court’s decision directing it to relocate all the polling stations in army barracks to civilian centres.In a notice to the Court of Appeal, Mr Eric Sabiiti, the EC legal officer stated that the commission is dissatisfied with Judge Yorokamu Bamwine’s ruling and wants it nullified. Last month Judge Bamwine ordered EC to relocate polling station in army barracks after finding merit in Mr Erias Lukwago’s petition contesting the existence of polling stations at Summit View Barracks, Kololo, Kampala. Contravening the lawMr Lukwago, the MP of Kampala Central, and the EC had earlier agreed to have polling stations at the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence relocated to the National Museum and those at State House, Nakasero, moved to All Saints Cathedral. In the ruling Judge Bamwine said the continued existence of the polling stations within the military barracks contravenes the electoral law.“The core mandate of the Electoral Commission is to organise and conduct free and fair elections. They cannot be free and fair when the atmosphere is tense and restrictive,” he said. “Candidates are not allowed to campaign and pin posters therein and from the evidence of the applicant, the road leading to Summit View polling station is full of military personnel and there is unnecessary checking and questioning before accessing the polling stations.” Mr Lukwago sued the EC over alleged breach of electoral laws by reportedly refusing “to phase out army polling stations and failure to gazette places of display of voters’ register.” Rigging avenueHe argued that the existence of polling stations in army establishments create avenues for massive rigging of elections. Judge Bamwine said as long as the polling stations are not shifted from one parish to another, the EC’s argument that voters will be made to walk long distances is cheap and untenable. Court also ordered the EC to re-conduct the voter-register display exercise since it had earlier not abided by the law to display the register 60 days after its publication in the Uganda Gazette. Mr Lukwago argued that there was increment of polling stations in his constituency from 112 to 141, but does not know the location of the additional venues."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1046480/-/yqg6yj/-/index.html","content":"Uganda should let State-owned oil company sign the contracts - Between 2006 and today, a lot of positive developments in oil exploration have taken place in leading to major discoveries in Bunyoro and other parts of Uganda. Many international oil companies, including Heritage Oil and Gas Company, Tullow Oil, Tower Resources, Dominion Petroleum and Neptune Resources among others have signed oil agreements with Uganda. Over the last five years, a number of Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) have been signed but all these remain hidden from Ugandans despite the existence of the Constitution and the 2005 Access to Information Act, which provides a right of access to information to the public. With PSAs a secret , most Ugandans do not know whether the government signed those oil agreements or contracts as a country, or through the State-owned oil company (National Oil Company). This possibly could be doubtful as the proposed new law on oil and gas named Petroleum Exploration, Development, Production and Value Addition Bill, has little said about the management of the National Oil Company yet this is a very important institution that will be charged with selling Uganda’s oil and gas .However, if the contracts were made and signed by the government of Uganda through the Ministry for Energy and Ministry for Finance, National Oil Company and oil companies, then it means that Uganda as a host government, has assumed contractual liability as a direct party to the agreement. While this is not uncommon, it is a good practice for the host government - in this case Uganda - to avoid direct responsibility and unlimited liability by participating through a State-owned enterprise (National Oil Company) as a contractual partner instead. Operating as a separate legal entity, this would limit Uganda’s liability, as only the National Oil Company’s assets can be seized. In the same way, the oil companies participating in Uganda’s oil industry can avoid contractual liabilities rather than the parent company. For example, Tullow Oil, the private signatories are all Ugandan subsidiaries that is Tullow Uganda. This is not good on the side of Uganda as without the legal guarantee by the subsidiary’s ultimate parent (Tullow Oil), the host government, in this case Uganda, ultimately has no protection, and is subject to the company’s’ “good will” if the company (Tullow Uganda) is found to the breach of liability. Uganda has only access to the resources of Tullow Uganda and not those of the parent company (Tullow Oil). According to contract expert Jenik Radon of Columbia University “the only appropriate and rightful contractual partner is the ultimate parent”. Therefore, it would be better if Uganda deals with the parent Tullow Oil, not Tullow Uganda. Also Uganda can avoid contractual liability if it allows the State-owned oil company to sign oil contracts on its behalf. Doris Atwijukire,doratwijukye@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/1045670/-/bukye5/-/index.html","content":"Government suspends pre-inspection of general goods - Kampala The ministry of Trade has finally suspended the pre-inspection of goods and used motor vehicle schemes that were instituted earlier this year. The move follows a protracted struggle between Uganda Revenue Authority, ministry of Finance, Uganda National Bureau of Standards and the Ministry of Trade. In a September letter addressed to Uganda Revenue Authority, the ministry of Finance directed the tax body to suspend the two schemes indefinitely. Earlier last year, the ministry of Trade working in partnership with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) introduced the pre-shipment inspection schemes, which as it argued was aimed at preventing the entry of substandard goods onto Uganda’s market. Contracted firms Whereas Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Centre and Jabali Kilimanjaro Automobiles, where contracted to carry out the pre-inspection of used vehicles entering the country, Intertek international, Bureau VERITAS and Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS) were contracted to pre-inspect general goods entering the country on behalf of UNBS. However, car importers rejected the move citing delays, increased cost of doing business and suspected corruption in the conduct of the process.Addressing the press in Kampala on Monday Mr Kahinda Otafiire the Trade minister who announced the suspension said the business community had complained of numerous challenges involved in adjusting to the scheme mainly resulting from the bureaucracy involved. He said: “Traders also claim high costs of doing business, unauthorised charges, unclear procedures plus incompetent inspectors and personnel.”According to Mr Otafiire the scheme was suspended because the conductors failed to sensitise importers on how to contact the providers in various countries. Importers have also complained about the rise in the cost of shipment of the vehicles due to the charges beyond the agreed contract fees and also inadequate technical inputs in the inspection work itself. Responding to concern On the suspension he said: “Consequently, the government has responded to the concerns of the business community by halting both schemes (vehicle and general goods) to allow for review and analysis. However, Mr Otafiire asked UNBS to increase its inspection capacity, to prevent the entry of undesirable goods. He said: “I have tasked UNBS to increase their vigilance to ensure that the undesirable goods do not enter the country.” The inspection firms were contracted on a two- year deal, however when asked about the breach of contract, the minister said: “Before we cancelled the deal we had that in mind. Also the ministry employs legal minds and so you should not worry.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1044350/-/clswqcz/-/index.html","content":"Works Ministry in tender award row  - The Ministry of Works and Transport has awarded a contract to a Swiss firm to carry out mandatory periodic motor vehicle inspection under questionable circumstances. Daily Monitor understands that a former top manager at Societe Generale De Surveillance (SGS) was in reported collusion with an official from the Ministry. The manager reportedly offered the government advice on what to include in bid documents in order to kick out competing firms. SGS was evaluated as the best bidder out of six firms to scoop the contract.This newspaper has seen email correspondence from SGS’s former country manager Ferdinand Bitanihirwe to the Assistant Commissioner for Safety and Inspection at the Works Ministry, Eng. Dennis Sabiti, telling the official what to include in the bid documents. Email exchanges In his email, Mr Bitanihirwe proposed that for any of the companies to qualify, they should have operated in at least three continents and must have at least capital investments worth 12 million Euros (Shs38.3billion). “To exclude small players, we should propose the following to be put in the tender; operation for Vehicle Inspection Service in three continents,” wrote Mr Bitanihirwe in an April 6, 2009, email. Eng. Sabiiti confirmed receipt of the email in an interview yesterday, but said the information from Mr Bitanihirwe was unsolicited and was not used in the bid document. “We cannot stop anybody to volunteer information from any source but I can tell you that this information was not incorporated,” he said, complaining that someone had hacked into his email account to retrieve the information.However, on September 2, the head of the Works Ministry’s procurement, Mr Denis Ayo, announced SGS as the best evaluated bidder. Other bidders Other companies that had bided for the tender but were eliminated are; Environmental Systems Products Holding (ESP) from USA, a Lebanese firm - Mecanidue Holdings, Applus Technologies, Dalei Group and Systech International.In an August 20 letter to the Works Permanent Secretary, the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Executive Director Edgar Agaba, said the contract was in breach of public procurement regulations. “The contracts committee at its 440th sitting held on July 9 awarded a contract in breach of the PPDA Act section 33(1) and (b),” he wrote. Mr Agaba said the members of the evaluation team had disagreed on the methodology used by the evaluation committee at the Ministry to determine the winner. Three members of the team argued that the best bidder should have been the one with lowest evaluated tender total prices but two said per unit total costs was a better methodology. According to the financial evaluation report, car users would have saved Shs1.7b if ESP had been given the contract while SGS was more expensive and only Shs494m would have been saved. By sealing the deal, the government is re-instating mandatory motor vehicle inspection after it had been suspended 11 years ago. The development is aimed at reducing vehicles that are in dangerous mechanical condition to cut down on accidents and produce emissions dangerous to the environment. The Police Inspectorate of Motor Vehicles will carry out a supervisory role. Uganda is among countries in the world with leading numbers of accidents. Physical inspection will be conducted and will involve comparing details of the logbook and the vehicle to prove whether the information corresponds. Saloon cars will be inspected every year while commercial vehicles like taxis, buses and heavy duty trucks will be inspected every six months. The charges will be Shs28,000 for motorcycles, Shs56,000 for cars and Sh84, 000 for dual purpose vehicles."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Insight/-/688338/1043414/-/ql13xd/-/index.html","content":"7 DAYS: You want another rap?  No, but police want Kiboko squad team held - The country woke up to the news that the President of Uganda had released a rap single, aptly titled You want another rap?. Some music critics have said the song, in Runyankole, has ‘a sweet rhythm and comes complete with groovy beats’. Even though not quite certain what the President is asking to offer, the song has become a hit and has been shared on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and Myspace. According to the President, who performed the song on Sunday at a fete ‘organised’ by youth, he was inspired by a group of rappers from Entebbe who reportedly informed him that rap music is all about poetry. No wonder, he extracted the words in his song from a poem he used to recite in his heydays. To show that the President was serious about the song, he has reportedly lodged an application to copyright the song. This means Democratic Party president Nobert Mao, who wanted to do a remix of the song might not be able to do so. Mr Mao, also a presidential candidate, told this paper that his song, Your rap is crap, was in its raw stages. Let the music play. Even on Central Broadcasting Service, a local radio station that was re-opened after a year. The Buganda Kingdom affiliated station was closed in September last year, following riots that ensued after Kabaka Ronald Mutebi was barred from visiting Kayunga. The station was accused of inciting violence. Gone in 112 daysThe heat is on. For the next 112 days, eight aspirants will dazzle the electorate with their manifestos in a bid to clinch a place in State House. In no particular order, they include Mr Mao, Mr Museveni (Incumbent), FDC’s Kizza Besigye, UPC’s Olara Otunnu, UFA’s Beti Kamya, Dr Abed Bwanika, PPP’s Bidandi Ssali and Independent Samuel Lubega. What each of these is offering is debate for another day but Paddy Bitama, a comedian, had his shot at the presidency halted at the Namboole Stadium gates where he was barred from entering the nomination venue! Remember Kiboko Squad? No? Well, if you don’t, please Google it. If you do, then you should be happy that the police has recommended that the stick-wielding vigilantes be arrested. According to a report compiled by seven senior police officers, ‘the perpetrators of assault at Clock Tower should be arrested and prosecuted for conspiracy to commit a felony’. The squad, formed in 2007, has, on a number of occasions, been disowned by the police. Soon, the government will be Shs904 billion richer after Tullow Oil agreed to pay the money as Capital Gains Tax. If oil company pays the cash, it will get clearance to sell more than half of its interests in Blocks 3A and 1 to new partners Total SA and Chinese firm CNOOC. If this money is not misappropriated, then maybe the country’s rankings among the most corrupt governments worldwide will improve further. According to Transparency International, Uganda has registered only marginal improvement but remains among the most corrupt countries globally. Uganda has moved from 130th to 127th in the most corrupt nations’ list, beating East African counterparts Kenya (154th) and Burundi (170th). Rwanda was ranked 66th and Tanzania 116th. Denmark, New Zealand and Singapore are the least corrupt countries while Somalia is the most corrupt, according to a survey that covered 178 countries. What will Kampala be like without Kampala Mayor Nasser Sebaggala? Maybe pothole free. Maybe filth-free. Or even maybe dust-free. Hajj Ssebaggala said he will not seek re-election, after a mere five years, because he wants to concentrate on President Museveni’s campaign. So far MP Michael Mabikke and Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago have already shown interest in taking over from “the man who has served the city to his expectations”. His words. RIP Kirchner, PaulOn a sad note, Argentineans have been paying their respects to former president Nestor Kirchner after his sudden death on Wednesday. The presidents of Chile, Uruguay, Bolivia and Ecuador joined Kirchner’s widow and current president Cristina Fernandez who rested her hands on the coffin holding her husband’s body as it lay in state. On an even sadder note, Paul the octopus that accurately predicted the outcomes of eight World Cup matches this year died on Tuesday in Sea Life Centre in Germany. Staff members at the aquarium said they were “devastated.Sadly, he died before telling Ugandans whether they needed another rap. Faces in the news CHARGED:Inter-Party Cooperation Women League leader Ingrid Turinawe was charged with breach of traffic rules and participating in unlawful assembly. She was jointly charged with three others; Sadick Agere, Robert Kasigati and Wycliffe Musinguzi. The group, which appeared before Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s court denied the charges. EVICTED:City businessman Michael Ezra Mulyoowa’s company housed in a rented office at Plot 18 Kyadondo Road is to evicted over non-payment of rent. The Nakawa Chief Magistrate issued an eviction warrant to the court bailiff representing the landlord, Joy Karuhanga Lubogo, last week. The amount Ezra owes Mr Lubogo had not yet been established. 1 | 2 Next Page»OVERTURNED:The High Court has over turned a ruling in which the Director of Mulago Hospital, Dr Edward Ddumba, was ordered by a lower court to pay Shs20 million as defamatory damages to his former junior employee Jamada Lubanga. Court also ordered Mr Lubanga to meet the costs of the suit both before the lower court and the higher court. cabangirah@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1041084/-/8xhf5u/-/index.html","content":"Guard against more Pension Fund fraud - Recent reports that former captains of the National Social Security Fund hatched a scheme to earn private interest on money meant for purchase of stocks are not astounding given the abuses that came to characterise the previous administration of the pension fund. Under the hideous scheme, top managers of the Fund allegedly approached financial institutions looking to lure them into their scheme as they sought to defraud the Fund of millions of shillings. The proposals that were made to managers of financial institutions would have seen them earn private interest on money meant for the purchase of various stocks for the Fund. Money meant for share purchases would be traded on the interbank market by the Fund’s brokers. The interest earned would then be shared by the managers and the brokers before proceeding to purchase the shares. Ugly as they are, these schemes provide lessons that we can only take for granted at the peril of the contributors to the Fund, especially with the awareness that the initiators of these shenanigans were senior managers at the Fund. Much as the current management of the Fund is yet to appear in the news for the wrong reasons, its contributors will need assurances that they have entrusted their mostly hard-earned savings in trustworthy hands. Encouraging strides towards reformation have already been taken and among them is the increased tracking of communication between senior managers and the NSSF board. With plans to liberalise the pensions sector underway, the hope is that the national pension fund would benefit from increased oversight and stronger demands for quality service provision. After all the years of mismanagement and breach of public trust, we need to break this crippling vicious cycle. Some truly decent Ugandans have turned around moribund institutions into highly efficient entities. These Ugandans can be emulated. We challenge the new managers of the Fund to rise above these ugly schemes and turn the Fund into an entity of good repute in this country."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1041088/-/13u2lk1z/-/index.html","content":"Of nominations and the reopening of CBS - The elections season has started with a bang. The presidential candidates have been nominated prefaced by the re-opening of CBS, thanks to the formation and activism of Suubi and its entry into the opposition IPC. Public pressure and pleadings by regime apologetics had failed to yield any results. But as soon as Suubi signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with one of the IPC undertakings being the re-opening of CBS, the oppressor immediately re-opened CBS without his prior conditions, such as apology, etc being fulfilled. This violation of the freedom of expression and of media freedom will remain one of the pieces of evidence of violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms.The closure of CBS is also a case of collective punishment. If some people at CBS annoyed the President, why punish even the sweeper, the gatekeeper, the accountant, advertiser and the listeners? If some owners annoyed His Excellency why punish all the owners? I heard someone wonder that if such a powerful president can take revenge against an institution like CBS or an individual like FDC’s Kizza Besigye might it not be true that he can also go after an ethnic group that has denied him support? Someone else answered back and reminded the questioner that the President has often said that those areas that do not vote for him will be denied services. Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention states that: “No general penalty, pecuniary or otherwise, shall be inflicted upon the population on account of the acts of individuals for which they cannot be regarded as jointly and severally responsible”. It is said that there was some understanding (Government/CBS) that some people should not be re-employed at CBS. If this is true then this too must be resisted so that the right to work of those people is protected. This type of pressure was exerted at the Daily Monitor some years ago leading to sending Charles Obbo and Conrad Nkutu to exile in Nairobi by their employer. If any person is in breach of the law then that person should be taken to court as the regime practice of putting pressure on employers/investors to dismiss employees whom the regime does not like is in breach of the constitution and is unacceptable in civilised society. The regime members responsible for the CBS closure must personally compensate CBS and its employees since the people of Uganda were not jointly and severally responsible for the regime leadership actions. At the launch of IPC campaign at Nakivubo stadium, after the nomination of Dr Besigye, I bought the book The Correct Line. The seizure of this book has once again exposed the intolerance of the regime but how many books will they seize since there is another book written by a Ghanaian listing the world’s worst dictators and the Ugandan ruler is listed as no.19? This book is listed on the internet as coming soon, most likely before the elections take place. Some commentators have said that Dr Kobusingye wrote the book to assist the election of her brother but did the Ghanaian also write to help his brother? You do not get people tortured in safe houses and other illegal detention centres and get praised for it. How many people have died in unendless wars? Even elections are a sort of war with the military and security agencies playing an active role contrary to the Constitution and various laws. At the nomination of the NRM candidate, public officials and resources were used. Why? Is this done in other countries? No. The conduct of the candidate in power is already in breach of electoral laws e.g public media space is just covering candidate Museveni. This must stop. Mr Ruzindana is a governance, anti-corruption and parliamentary consultant"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1041190/-/clv268z/-/index.html","content":"IPC’s Turinawe charged with unlawful assembly - Inter-Party Cooperation Women League leader Ingrid Turinawe has been charged with breach of traffic rules and participating in an unlawful assembly. Ms Turinawe was jointly charged with three others; Sadick Agere, Robert Kasigati and Wycliffe Musinguzi. The group appeared before Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court for plea and denied the charges. The group was represented by advocates Sam Njuba and Asuman Basalirwa who applied for bail on their behalf. Suspects get bailChief Magistrate, Mr Deo Ssejjemba, ordered the release of the suspects on bail and adjourned the matter to December 1 for mention of the case. “Considering the gravity of the offences against the accused persons and looking at the substance in sureties presented, I grant the accused bail,” ruled Mr Ssejjemba. Prosecution alleges that on October 21 at Electoral Commission Headquarters on Jinja Road in Kampala, Ms Turinawe together with her co-accused persons and others still at large, unlawfully assembled and incited acts of violence."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1040424/-/clvob4z/-/index.html","content":"IPC’s Turinawe charged with unlawful assembly - Inter-Party Cooperation Women League leader Ingrid Turinawe has been charged with breach of traffic rules and participating in an unlawful assembly. Ms Turinawe was jointly charged with three others; Sadick Agere, Robert Kasigati and Wycliffe Musinguzi. The group appeared before Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court for plea and denied the charges. The group was represented by advocates Sam Njuba and Asuman Basalirwa who applied for bail on their behalf. Suspects get bailChief Magistrate, Mr Deo Ssejjemba, ordered the release of the suspects on bail and adjourned the matter to December 1 for mention of the case. “Considering the gravity of the offences against the accused persons and looking at the substance in sureties presented, I grant the accused bail,” ruled Mr Ssejjemba. Prosecution alleges that on October 21 at Electoral Commission Headquarters on Jinja Road in Kampala, Ms Turinawe together with her co-accused persons and others still at large, unlawfully assembled and incited acts of violence."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1038736/-/cmcl9qz/-/index.html","content":"Museveni orders re-opening of CBS radio station - In what appears to be a well-timed give and take response to the Buganda question, President Museveni yesterday ordered for the immediate re-opening of the Kingdom’s radio - CBS - unconditionally. The Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Mr Aggrey Awori announced at a news conference in Kampala that the decision to re-open CBS was prompted by a request from “listeners”. “It is in the consideration of the listeners who have been complaining to me and to the President that CBS be re-opened. The listeners were unnecessarily inconvenienced,” Mr Awori said. He said the Broadcasting Council; the government regulatory body revoked the CBS broadcasting license on September 10, 2009 after breaching the minimum broadcasting standards. “Since then the government of Uganda and the management of CBS have been holding consultations with the objective of resolving issues and opening of CBS. Arising out of the said consultations, government is happy to announce that CBS may resume broadcasting with effect from today October 23, 2010,” he said. However, the minister said other administrative and regulatory issues shall be handled by the Broadcasting Council which is the regulatory body for the electronic media. Breaching regulationsThe government closed CBS radio, among other radio stations last year, accusing them of breach of regulations governing broadcasting by promoting ethnic hatred leading to the September 2009 Buganda riots. The riots were caused by the banning of the Buganda King – Kabaka Ronald Mwenda Mutebi II - by the government from visiting his own county of Bugerere in Kayunga District. The riot claimed the lives of 27 people.Suubi FM, Radio Sapienta and Akaboozi were also closed and have since then been opened after they publicly apologised to the government. However, CBS remained closed following Buganda’s continued defiance to apologise before its re-opening as demanded by the government. But with the 2011 general elections on the cards, the government has in the end ordered it’s re-opening without public apology. Asked whether the government was ready to compensate CBS through replacing their equipment, Mr Awori said it was not the government’s fault.“Why should we compensate them? If you break the law, are you compensated for the time you spend in jail?” he asked. CBS’s studio link and the tower were yesterday handed over to CBS’s. Managing Director, Mr Kaaya Kavuma, who was not available for a comment by press time. On whether CBS apologised to the government as one of the conditions, Mr. Awori said: “the apology is not necessary at the moment. But from now on CBS and any other radios must obey the law of the day.” Government had also directed that some of the CBS senior broadcasters be sacked for allegedly inciting violence but Awori said it is CBS that manages its own staff and not the government. U-TurnBuganda’s spokesperson Peter Mayiga was not available for comment. At one time, President Museveni had insisted that CBS will only be re-opened after the Kabaka and clan leaders hold talks with him on a matter that has caused discontent in the country and threatened to cost him support in Buganda in the 2011 general elections. Over the years, the President has accused the opposition politicians of hiding behind the Kabaka and CBS radio to fight political wars. Out of frustration, CBS employees have since dragged government to court demanding for Shs1b in compensation. The case is still pending in courts of law. =========================================== 1 | 2 Next Page»Employees react to CBS re-opening Mr Michael Kawooya MwebeWe are delighted that the station has been opened unconditionally. This is what we have been waiting for because we knew we had done nothing wrong. Mr Yunus NtaleI am glad that justice has been finally done. It is wrong to render people unemployed for more than a year. Some of us have dropped from school, failed to pay rent and struggled to keep our children at school. Kato LubwamaI am happy that the radio is back on air. We are ready to work and we will put in all our energy as we have always done. The opening of the radio should not be tagged to any favour. Mr Alex NsubugaNobody ever thought that the station will be re-opened. But it is important to note that people should know we will continue to stick to standards and ethics of journalism. The way forward will be decided by the management of the radio. Mr Abbey Mukiibi“I will not take interviews on that matter because we have a person who is our official spokesperson”. Ms Faridah Bongole Allahu Akbar (God is Great)! Compiled by Ismail M. Ladu « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1038478/-/cmcniiz/-/index.html","content":"Lukwago floors EC on army barracks polling stations - Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago has at long last floored the Electoral Commission to have all polling stations in his constituency located in army barracks relocated to civilian centres. High Court yesterday found merit in Mr Lukwago’s petition contesting the existence of polling stations at Summit View Barracks, Kololo.Mr Lukwago and the EC team had earlier agreed to have the polling stations at the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence relocated to the National Museum and those at State House, Nakasero, relocated to All Saints Cathedral. In a ruling by Justice Yorokamu Bamwine delivered by High Court Registrar Isaac Muwata at High Court in Kampala, the continued existence of the polling stations within the parameters of military barracks contravenes the electoral law. “The core mandate of the Electoral Commission is to organise and conduct free and fair elections. They cannot be free and fair when the atmosphere is tense and restrictive,” reads the verdict document. Mr Lukwago dragged EC to court over alleged breach of parliamentary electoral laws by reportedly refusing “to phase out army polling stations and failure to gazette places of display of voters register.” Mr Lukwago argued that the existence of polling stations in army establishments creates avenues for massive rigging of elections."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/1034976/-/a0gfs6/-/index.html","content":"Cut costs by knowing tax deductable business expenses - The tax rules surrounding allowable expenses can be difficult to understand. Not all business expenses are tax deductible, so it is important to know what expenses you can claim as tax deductible to reduce the tax you pay. Generally, if you spend money on a business expense and that expenditure in is not a purchase of a capital asset, you are allowed to deduct the full cost of that expense when working out your taxable profits. This means you get immediate tax relief for the full amount. However, this general rule does not apply in all cases. The costs of goods, materials or services purchased by a business which are for private use are not allowable for tax purposes. This rule also applies to goods and materials bought for business use which are then subsequently taken out of the business for private use. Payments made by the business for none business work are not allowed. as a deduction when computing the businesses’ taxable profits. A self employed person or owner of a business cannot claim his or her own wages and drawings he or she takes from the business as tax deductible costs. Such costs are considered to be distributions of the net taxable profit and not deductions from it. Motoring costs can also give rise to complications for self employed persons, with regards to determining whether they are tax deductible or not. Costs relating to the business use of a motor vehicle are allowed as tax deductible costs. Such costs include business mileage to visit clients, costs relating to running the vehicle for marketing, selling, and business development purposes, and so on. On the other hand, costs relating to the business owners private use of their motor vehicle are not tax deductible. Costs relating to travel from home to place of work are considered to be private in nature and therefore not tax deductible. Travel and accommodation on business trips and between different places of work can be claimed as well. Entertainment expenses of clients and suppliers are not allowed for tax purposes. Hospitality is generally not an allowable expense although entertainment of employees at Christmas or special events is allowed within allowable financial limits. Bad debts are also another major area of complication. The general rule is that bad debts provisions are not tax deductible costs, until the bad debt has been fully written off after the business has completely failed to collect the cash from the debtor. Legal costs of buying property or equipment are not allowed for tax purposes as such costs are treated as capital expenditure and included in the purchase price of the asset. The costs are instead subject to capital allowance rules for reclaiming allowances over the life of the asset. Penalties and fines paid by the business for breach of the law are also not deductible when computing the business’ taxable profits. Depreciation of fixed assets is a management decision and not allowable for tax purposes. If depreciation is deducted from the management accounts to report the net profit for tax purposes the depreciation is then added back as the allowable tax claim is the capital allowance applicable to those capital fixed assets. Same with profits and losses on the sale of fixed assets which are accounted for under capital allowances. If you are self employed, that is you are running your own business, and that business is not a limited company, there is a general rule that you can easily apply to establish whether the expenses is tax deductible or not. This rule is as follows, if the expenditure was incurred solely to produce income for your business, that is, it was not spent for personal or private reasons, and it was not spent on a capital item, then it is most likely a tax deductible expense. The writer is the PricewaterhouseCoopers Uganda Country Senior Partner. francis.kamulegeya@ug.pwc.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Basketball/-/690268/1032534/-/h8qev8z/-/index.html","content":"UCU Lady Canons enhance favourites’ tag - Kampala Results – Tuesday Crane High 69-21 PlanetsWomenUCU 56-41 KIU Athleticism, finesse and the class of Lorraine Akinyi has made UCU Lady Canons the team to beat when the MTN-Fuba League play-offs start next week. On Tuesday night, the university side strengthened their stranglehold on top spot by coasting to a 56-41 victory over KIU Rangers, another play-off bound team. Akinyi was the knight in shining armour with 11 points and 15 rebounds as UCU stretched their season record to 18-1. KIU started well by restricting UCU to a one-point first quarter lead (9-8) but it wasn’t a contest from then on as the latter cruised through the final three periods 18-8, 9-11 and 20-14 respectively. Judith Nansobya (13) was the only KIU player to breach the 10-point mark. For UCU, that first round loss to A-1 Challenge is now a distant prospect as the appointment of Mande Juruni as coach completely turned their fortunes around. After losing to in last year’s semi-finals, the former KIU guard introduced speed and guile to UCU’s as they seek to reclaim the crown. Earlier, in the men’s division three, leaders Crane High thumped second-from-bottom Biston Planets 69-21. Andrew Deng scored a game high 18 points for Crane High."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1032552/-/cmgsp1z/-/index.html","content":"Voters register not ready yet - Electoral Commission - Kampala Hardly four months to the 2011 elections, the Electoral Commission is yet to publish the final voters register, although its chairman says it will be “done shortly”. The EC displayed the national voters register between August 11 and September 13, when village tribunals were meant to clear the roll of dead, underage or other ineligible voters. Yesterday, EC boss Badru Kiggundu said the organisation is yet to tally the final number of actual voters—but promised to do so soon. “The commission shall shortly publish the total number of voters on the registers to be used during the nomination of candidates during the 2011 polls,” he told journalists in Kampala. Early in August, there was uproar from the opposition when the EC announced that it had registered 15,002,720 voters, with 159,419 registering more than once. Worried oppositionIn the opposition’s wisdom, there was no way half the country’s population would have registered as voters, saying the roll was bloated to aid the ruling party rig next year’s elections. With nominations for presidential candidates slightly more than a week away, the question of how many people qualify to vote will remain a hot talking point. Also at the press conference yesterday, Dr Kiggundu warned that setting up parallel tally centres is a breach of the law and anyone doing it faces sanctions. A few days ago, opposition leader Kizza Besigye told Ugandans in the UK that his coalition would set up its tally centre from which it would tally and announce its version of the results. One centreBut Dr Kiggundu yesterday said this was unacceptable and a violation of the Constitution. Article 61(d) of the constitution states: “The EC shall ascertain, publish and declare in writing under its seal the results of any elections.” The EC boss however said all political players will be accredited to watch and participate in observing certain stages of the elections, but the final announcement of results is their mandate. He also reminded the presidential candidates that they would only be allowed two vehicles and a minimum of 20 supporters who will access the nomination grounds at Namboole."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1028414/-/cmy7k9z/-/index.html","content":"Electoral body to relocate CMI polling stations - Kampala The Electoral Commission has agreed to move three polling stations located at the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence headquarters in Kitante (CMI) to the Uganda Museum. The consent agreement between the Electoral Commission (EC) legal team and those representing Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago was reached yesterday at High Court in Kampala. Mr Lukwago filed a lawsuit against EC over alleged breach of parliamentary electoral laws by reportedly refusing “to phase out army polling stations and failure to gazette places of display of voters register.” Mr Lukwago argues that the existence of polling stations in army establishments create avenues for rigging of elections. The EC also agreed to relocate Nakasero State House polling stations, which has 2,220 voters, to All Saints Cathedral. However, negotiations to relocate the polling stations at Summit View in Kololo hit a snag after the EC and Mr Lukwago’s legal team failed to reach an agreement. The MP had proposed the relocation of the Summit View polling stations with a total of 1,503 voters, to the residence of American ambassador, Uganda Law Society or at Kololo Airstrip but all his offers were rejected by EC. The presiding judge, Justice Yorokamu Bamwine advised the two parties to file written submissions by close of next week and he would make a ruling on the matter."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1020850/-/cn4nvdz/-/index.html","content":"EC gets deadline to decide on polling venues - The High Court has ordered the Electoral Commission to decide on contested polling stations located within army barracks in a week, or else it will deliver its verdict on the matter.The ultimatum arose from a closed-door session between deputy EC chairperson Joseph Biribonwa, Secretary Sam Rwakoojo, director of operations Leonard Mulekwa and MP Erias Lukwago’s side led by Medard Segona on Tuesday. Justice Yorokamu Bamwine last week summoned the EC team and Mr Lukwago after the two sides failed to agree on shifting polling stations located at the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) and Summit View, Kololo, to civilian centres. However, the Tuesday meeting failed to resolve the impasse on the contested polling stations, prompting the EC team to ask to be granted time to resolve the matter internally. According to Mr Segona, MP Lukwago’s lawyer, Justice Bamwine granted them a week after which they will report their decision to court. “If they fail to decide, then the judge will deliver a verdict and may even go to the sites if necessary, to assess the environment on the ground whether it is conducive for conducting free and fair elections,” Mr Segona said. Others who were ordered to appear before court on Tuesday were the returning officers of Kampala District and the Central Division. Mr Lukwago dragged EC to court over alleged breach of parliamentary electoral laws by reportedly refusing “to phase out army polling stations and failure to gazette places of display of voters register.” Mr Lukwago argued in the affidavit that existence of polling stations in army establishments create avenues for massive rigging of elections and demanded their relocation to civilian centres. Whereas Mr Lukwago’s side suggested that the CMI polling station should be relocated to National Chambers of Commerce in Kitante, a Kampala suburb, the EC allegedly said the proposed station is far. Mr Lukwago also suggested that the Summit View polling Station be shifted to Kisementi, in Kamwokya but the EC reportedly said the place is congested. The two sides, however, agreed to relocate the polling station at State House, Nakasero to All Saints Cathedral."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1017286/-/cnlh6ez/-/index.html","content":"EC officials summoned over army polling stations - Kampala High Court on Thursday summoned the Electoral Commission chief and secretary to appear before it to explain the existence of polling stations in the army barracks. Eng Badru Kiggundu and Mr Sam Rwakoojo are expected in court on Tuesday. Others ordered to appear before courts are the EC’s Operations Director, Mr Leonard Mulekwa and the returning officers of Kampala District and the Central Division in Kampala. Justice Yorokamu Bamwine’s directive to have the EC officials attend a closed meeting with Mr Erias Lukwago’s lawyers before him follows a disagreement between Mr Lukwago and the electoral body on shifting the contested polling stations from the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) and Summit View in Kololo to civilian centres. Breach of lawsMr Lukwago dragged the EC to court over alleged breach of parliamentary electoral laws by reportedly refusing “to phase out army polling stations and failure to gazette places of display of voters register.” Last week, Mr Lukwago and the EC officials met as court had earlier advised them in order to resolve the matter amicably out of court, but a new dispute emerged when the Electoral Commission rejected the new sites proposed to shift the contested polling stations. Whereas Mr Lukwago’s side suggested that the CMI polling station should be relocated to National Chambers of Commerce in Kitante, a Kampala suburb, the Electoral Commission purportedly discarded it saying it is far. The judge advised the parties to still consider resolving the dispute amicably out court before meeting him next week but added: “If you come back to me and still fail to agree, I will have to go to the contested polling stations myself to assess the situation on ground.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1017134/-/cnli3cz/-/index.html","content":"2,000 go to court over power tariffs   - Two thousand electricity consumers yesterday filed a suit at the High Court protesting high tariffs, faulty electricity metres, lack of electricity bills and general inefficiencies in the power sector. Led by the African Institute for Energy Governance (AFIEGO), a civil society organisation involved in promoting good governance in the energy sector in East Africa, the 2,000 consumers sued the national power distributor, Umeme; Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) and the Attorney General. They alleged exploitation of Ugandans by the companies, through high tariffs and incompetence. This is the third time this year that AFIEGO and concerned Ugandans have dragged the energy sector dealers to court over the same. In the suit filed at the High Court, the applicants allege the electricity sector is in a crisis and the consumers are being exploited more since Uganda Electricity Board (UEB) was disbanded in 2001.Daily Monitor last evening contacted Umeme Managing Director Charles Chapman to establish whether the company had been served, but he declined to comment, saying he would call back. But by press time, Mr Chapman had not returned our call. The applicants contend that the power reforms through liberalisation have resulted into creation of many duplicate companies and reduced the government’s commitment to protect her citizens’ rights from being violated and abused by the said companies. “All these amount to violation of our constitutional rights. We have complained to both government and the companies several times without success,” the applicants say in the suit. Thus, the applicants want, among others, High Court to issue orders that Umeme’s 20-year Concession Agreement with UEDCL be terminated and the distribution licence issued by ERA be cancelled for breach of contract and that the electricity sector be re-nationalised.They also want the respondents ordered to implement the recommendations in the Salim Saleh report. The report had recommended that ERA reduces electricity tariffs from Shs385.60 per unit to Shs238 for all domestic consumers in Uganda and that Umeme remits Shs452 billion unlawfully received from the government as subsidies, to the consolidated fund. Energy minister Hillary Onek on Tuesday while presiding over inauguration of a new ERA board, said it will review the Salim Saleh tariff report in order to lower the tariffs. But AFIEGO Chief Executive Officer Mr Dickens Kamugisha dismissed the promise saying it is time for court to decide. Mr Kamugisha said Uganda is the only East African country with the highest electricity tariffs.“In Uganda a unit of electricity costs over $20 cents, In Kenya it is $14 cents, in Tanzania $9 cents and Rwanda $18 cents,” said Mr Kamugisha. AFIEGO went to court with other 2155 electricity consumers in April to seek permission to sue Umeme and other electricity company dealers, and in June, another 50,000 electricity consumers went to the Commercial Court to seek the same."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1015638/-/cnmrsaz/-/index.html","content":"Uproar over new law on public gatherings - Kampala Outrage at the proposed Public Order Management Bill was mounting yesterday with civil society, the opposition and human rights defenders attacking the government for trying to enact a law to reverse a Constitutional Court ruling and further limit civil liberties.The uproar comes against the backdrop of Monday’s suspension by Metropolitan Police chief Andrew Sorowen—citing the threat of terrorism—on gatherings involving more than five people unless sanctioned by the Inspector General of Police. Tricks?But critics say the Sorowen pronouncements were intended to skirt around Article 92 of the Constitution which prohibits Parliament from passing any law “… to alter the decision or judgement of any court as between the parties to the decision or judgement”. In 2008, a Constitutional Court ruling in the case of Muwanga Kivumbi v. The Attorney General of Uganda (Constitutional Petition No. 9/05); the Court ruled that section 32 of the Police Act unjustifiably limited the rights to freedoms of assembly and association prescribed in the Ugandan Constitution. The section gave unilateral powers to the Inspector General of Police to prohibit any assembly or procession where he believed that it was likely to cause a breach of the peace. Court, however, noted that these powers were “prohibitive” rather than “regulatory”. Senior constitutional court lawyer Wandera Ogalo yesterday told Daily Monitor that “whatever they are trying to do is still evident in the Muwanga Kivumbi case. It will face the same fate before the same court.” Mr Ogalo, who is also an MP in the East African Legislative Assembly, said, “These are symptoms of a failed force that doesn’t respect the Constitution ... Should we seek permission from the IGP to die?” Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago suggested that in its current form, this Bill would put Parliament on trial because of the provisions of Article 92. “This is their long time desire to make Uganda a police state by allocating [the IGP] powers over weddings and funerals,” Mr Lukwago said. Ms Sheila Muwanga of the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative observed that it is “suspicious that such a Bill is coming prior to elections in February 2011,” echoing fears that the ruling National Resistance Movement government wants to make it very hard for its opponents to rally support. “It reinstates articles in the Police Act which were already nullified by the Constitutional Court in 2008,” she said. Days ago, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Ms Margaret Sekaggya, also former chair of Uganda’s Human Rights Commission—along with Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International denounced the proposed law, which they all said amounted to the unconstitutional re-introduction of an unconstitutional law which violated freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. Amnesty International reminded the government of Uganda of its obligation under the UN’s Convention on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights regarding the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. If passed, the law will allow the Police chief to “regulate the conduct of public meetings” so as to “safeguard public order and related matters”. The security chiefs say it is because of the July 11 terror attacks that public assemblies are to be regulated. But Mr Peter Walubiri, another senior lawyer and member of the UPC last night said: “Security is being used as a cover to suppress opposition activities during the elections. There shouldn’t be any excuse to hamper peoples’ rights.” He was joined in holding this view by human rights lawyer Laudislaus Rwakafuuzi, who said “ it is very unfortunate that the State is becoming fearful of its own people and increasingly getting undemocratic.” “The fear is that when many people gather, they discuss governance. They shouldn’t talk about security matters because the Bill is [dated] 2009 yet the suspected attacks were in 2010. So it means it has been in the offing for long,” he said. Mr Rwakafuuzi said with the 2008 reduction of powers of police in respect of public assemblies by the Constitutional Court, “government is re-introducing the same unconstitutional law in many different words.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1014216/-/cnnkb4z/-/index.html","content":"Mbabazi: I am ready to serve anywhere - Fresh from a resounding win in the heavyweight contest for the position of NRM Secretary General during elections to choose ruling party’s top leadership, Security Minister Amama Mbabazi on Saturday spoke to BENON HERBERT OLUKA. In this interview, he speaks about the state of the party, his personal ambitions, and his view on the dicey relationship between NRM and Buganda: - Congratulations on your recent re-election to the position of NRM Secretary General. What was your winning strategy? First of all, it was to remain disciplined as a disciplined cadre of the Movement, to abide by the rules. And secondly, as always, I always calculate my actions to benefit the Movement. The expected outcome of whatever I do is benefitting the Movement, and that is why, for example, I did not engage in altercations with, for example, Hon. Otafiire about all the negative things he was calling me. Because, although of course it dented my image in the public perception because people could easily believe what he was saying, I thought that by replying, the party would be the loser. So I would rather be injured personally and let the party remain intact; its image and its strength. Thirdly, I knew that the electorate knew better. Of course we had some difficult experiences we have gone through in the management of the party. As you know, it has not been an easy thing because we don’t have enough staff and when we started acting as a party, it was only after the July 2005 referendum when the people decided to go multi-party. So I knew that the people there were the same so any criticism of what I was doing was actually criticism of the party and I knew that people understood that. Fourthly, there were volunteers. There were people who went around among themselves, although it was really not my plan as such, and talked about these issues and on the whole I think I knew generally that I enjoyed reasonable support within the party rank and file. Finally, we have been a team. The leadership of the party has been a winning team because we have been registering victory after victory in all the elections we have had ever since I became Secretary General in 2005. So my performance should be weighed in terms of the performance of the party since 2005. And we have not done poorly. I think we have done very well actually. Those who say the party’s political fortunes have declined are ignorant of the strength of the party. In fact, on the contrary, it is gaining strength. Is it too early to diagnose the problems that led to a disjointed internal electoral process in the NRM? How come NRM could organise elections with such a high number of irregularities? First of all, I regret the violence. I regret the malpractices. These were uncalled for and entirely they are not NRM-like because NRM has always condemned those things and we are determined to clean up the party to get rid of that behaviour. But you see, when you become a mass party, and as you know, we have become a mass party from a Movement system where individual merit was the principle basis on which political leadership was sought, then you can understand that the level of discipline within the party, not only ours; even others, started at a low level. And, I have made this point before, that in NRM our approach to the management of discipline is two-pronged. One, we try to achieve what we call conscious discipline. Raising the awareness of members of the party about the need to regulate our conduct and act strictly in consonance with it; the benefits of being disciplined both collectively as a party and at individual level as members because this is not an army. It is a collection of volunteers; people who believe in these ideas, the ideological orientation. That is the better approach; that people are conscious of the need for discipline, the benefits of discipline and therefore, without prompting by anyone, they actually act and behave in accordance with rules. Of course the other one is to enforce discipline in accordance with the code of conduct that we have. Some people think our disciplinary committees have not been very effective. It is not because we have not detected indiscipline in the party. But we were pursuing the other approach of raising the awareness of members, carrying out reconciliation, and bringing parties together so that there is something that we all commonly believe in and then we cohere. It is the thread that keeps us together. Of course failure to achieve that, then we resort to the other approach which is what I call mechanical mechanical discipline. Mechanical discipline means enforcing the code and anyone who is in breach of it, we act. As you noticed, in this election we actually decided now to do a bit of that. Some prominent leaders whose conduct was presumed to be inconsistent with the NRM way of behaviour of leaders in accordance with our code were summoned to the national disciplinary committee. The committee is going to pronounce itself on its decisions very soon. And this is a process that we are now beginning to operationalise; the mechanical discipline enforcement angle. So it is a process, and I am sure we will get there. Otherwise, NRM does not accept all the vices that have been detected and we condemn them, and we are determined to fight them, to uproot them, and to rout them out of the NRM. We must do that. We will have a special programme to do that. But having said that, I want to say that of course, generally, NRM members behave themselves. It is not true that there were these horrible actions by all members of NRM. It is only a few who are denting the name of the party and denting the name of all these innocent NRM people; there are millions of them. The way you media report, it is as if every member of NRM was engaged in some malpractice. I can tell you that we had elections in 117 political districts and out of those, those horrible incidents were mainly in about five districts. Those were the major ones, the grave ones. Then maybe in another 30 districts where there were selected cases of that nature. So, by and large, the members of NRM have been behaving themselves and we should acknowledge that actually these are the majority. But it is the minority that has captured the public eye and the media attention. The NRM and President Museveni in particular have been taken to court twice for alleged electoral malpractices in the last two presidential elections and the courts ruled that indeed there were malpractices. With the recent violence, is the NRM reaping what it had sowed against its past opponents? First of all, going to court is a right of every Ugandan. Courts are there to receive any complaint from anybody. And the fact that you have taken me to court does not mean that I am what you are describing me to be. And in both cases, in 2001 and 2006, when Dr Kizza Besigye took President Yoweri Museveni to court by way of petition challenging the elections, clearly the outcome was that by and large the outcome of the elections represented the wish of Uganda – at least the majority of them. That is why the courts did not overturn the declarations that President Museveni had won in both cases. But in the course of receiving evidence, hearing and investigation, court did mention that there were a few problems here and there, but that these problems did not substantially affect the results. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1012402/-/cnowejz/-/index.html","content":"Storm gathers in water over Shs11 billion - More than Shs11.9 billion given to officials in the Ministry of Water and Environment for improving service delivery remains unaccounted for more than three years after they took the money. Part of the money was meant for water projects in the ministry but was reportedly misappropriated through unclear circumstances by officials whose identities are now being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department. It has also emerged that more than Shs800 million was advanced to a number of officials in the ministry in 2007/08 financial year but they failed to account for the money. Unacceptable act“What is going on in the Ministry of Water and Environment is unacceptable. We have discovered that government officials are stealing public funds and others have given themselves interest-free loans using public funds and they must refund our money,” PAC Chairman Nandala Mafabi said. Officials in the ministry, led by their Permanent Secretary, David Obong yesterday appeared before PAC to answer audit queries for the years 2007/08 and 2008/09. However, Mr Obong came under criticism for failure to recover public funds from the officials involved. “It’s a shame that the accounting officer can look on as people scramble for public funds,” said Ntenjeru South MP Tom Kazibwe. “We cannot allow people to steal public funds. We are talking about Shs78 million stolen from the ministry and another Shs843.1 millions remain unaccounted.” The committee also heard from the Auditor General that officials in the Ministry of Water and Environment concealed more than Shs11 billion in unexplained debts. MPs demanded that Mr Obong explains why he certified falsified accounts in breach of the government regulations. UltimatumThe committee gave Mr Obong and his team two weeks to explain why the debts in question were never declared to the Accountant General. Mr Mafabi told reporters that as a result of non-disclosure, the ministry’s accounts were forged and were subsequently understated by more than Shs11 billion. On delayed accountability, Mr Obong said some officials accounted for the money late and pleaded for lenience but the lawmakers could not take any of his explanations. Mr Obongo said: “They submitted accountabilities late and I did remind them. The activities were done but if the law says they must refund the money then I have no problem with that.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/-/690266/1010014/-/llmtay/-/index.html","content":"Odongkara, Odur embroiled in transfer controversies - Friday league kick off Expressv URAKinyarav CRO Bunna v MasakaMaroonsv Gulu Victors v KCC Police v Proline Fire Masters v UTODA With the maiden professional Super League four days away, clubs are rushing to bolster their squads ahead of what should be a gruelling season. Cranes goalkeeper Robert Odongkara has shown no signs of relenting on his wish to leave SC Villa while striker Tony Odur has returned the Shs7m he got from Express to rejoin Bunnawaya even after being unveiled at Wankuluku a fortnight ago. Odongkara is determined to leave SC Villa and feature for three-time league champions URA. The custodian was among the 12 players that went on strike at Villa Park over unpaid wages but wasn’t part of the ten released by the executive as he is still contracted with Villa for one year. Six unpaid months“We went six months without pay and that’s breach of contract to me, so I am not ready to play for Villa again,” Odongkara told Daily Monitor. Villa boss Fred Muwema said Odongkara’s decision will be respected but no club has tabled an offer for him. Cranes striker Odur moved back to Bunnawaya after the league champions offered a two-year contract extension worth Shs13 million.“It’s regrettable that Odur used Express Football Club as a springboard for a better offer,” said Muhammad Katerega, the club’s board member. “We had offered shs10m for his services.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1009518/-/8v6wv6/-/index.html","content":"NRM must audit electoral process - As the long-running National Resistance Movement (NRM) primary elections officially came to an end yesterday, the ruling party must do an honest audit of the ugly events that characterised the elections and take immediate corrective measures. During the elections, there was hardly any incident that portrayed basic principles of democracy. The elections in the entire country had no semblance of a free, fair and credible process. This is manifest in the overwhelming number of petitions piling up at the NRM electoral commission offices. The idea of holding party primaries under adult suffrage would be a progressive step if the elections were well managed. What we witnessed, however, was a shambolic exercise characterised by organisational mayhem. The outcome was the utmost contempt the NRM leadership contenders, some of them senior government officials, showed for the rule of law. These elections did huge damage to the ruling party’s image and raised serious doubts on future electoral processes in this country. Many Ugandans are genuinely apprehensive and profoundly frightened because this sort of lawless behaviour is becoming standard practice. The tainted leaders who happen to be the main obstacles to rooting out lawlessness, vote theft and violence, do as they please. Even as President Museveni, the party chairman, was issuing a stern warning to errant members during the party’s national conference at Namboole Stadium in Kampala on Saturday, losers in the elections in some areas were defiantly and falsely declaring themselves winners and shamelessly celebrating with supporters. More compelling cases of impunity abound countrywide. If the NRM disciplinary committee doesn’t take a firm stand and bring errant members to book, it would be a huge setback not just for the NRM, whose credibility has been badly shredded, but also for the country that expects the ruling party to have the wisdom, integrity and principle to lead this country honourably. To do this, the NRM must thoroughly investigate all cases of violence and election malpractices. The party must take appropriate measures against the perpetrators of the mayhem during the scandal-ridden primaries as well as take necessary steps to prevent a recurrence of such blatant breach of established laws and procedures. Impunity must not be tolerated in a country that is supposed to be governed by the rule of law."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1006366/-/8v4sh4/-/index.html","content":"One step backwards for the motherland - The country could slip down yet another rung in the ladder of democracy ratings with the looming enactment of a law purportedly designed to regulate public gatherings. Sadly, but not surprisingly, Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura on Tuesday got worked up as he referred to this obnoxious Bill at a dialogue, ironically arranged by the Electoral Commission, to discuss how Uganda can have peaceful elections next year. In its present form, the proposed law will hand his Force dangerous powers to “clear” public gatherings. Countrymen, it is not for nothing that existing legislation has, before this, prudently refrained from lavishing such extraordinary power on an institution with a known propensity for dabbling in political persecution. Hopefully, Mr Kayihura and Cabinet -- where the draft is being considered -- are still sensible to the provisions of Article 43 of our Constitution which prohibit the limitation of Ugandans’ human rights and freedoms beyond what is acceptable and demonstrably justifiable in a democratic society. Amongst those rights are freedom of assembly and expression. The potential for this law to do just that exists. There is no guarantee that this Police Force can be trusted to be objective in a matter where it has already demonstrated arbitrariness. Furthermore, the evidence of recent altercations between the Police and the Opposition at public gatherings suggests that half the time police officers attacked politicians who were otherwise carrying on with a legitimate and lawful peaceful demonstration, thereby precipitating a breach of the peace. It could be the mindset of the Police about how to police crowds. The armed people in police uniform today have been programmed into trigger-happy instruments of suppression as opposed to thinking human beings guided by the mission to keep law and order. An example is presented by Tuesday’s tragic events in Hoima where three workers of British American Tobacco were reportedly shot dead in cold blood by police for the ‘crime’ of staging a sit-down strike over Shs140 million in unpaid dues. Historically, laws cleverly couched in words like “safeguarding public order” were euphemisms for political persecution. They have included the opprobrious detention without trial laws of the first Obote government which, like other such authoritarian decrees, never stand the test of time because they are illegitimate and an insult to mankind’s natural inclination to freedom."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1006686/-/co8m92z/-/index.html","content":"UK stuck with rebel negotiator - The UK government is stuck with a former top Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel negotiator after the High Court there blocked his planned deportation to Uganda for allegedly involving in terrorist activity. A top Kampala official, however, said Mr Willy Oryem, in detention at Harmmondsworth Removal Centre since his arrest upon landing at Heathrow Airport on August 28, has never been “classified as a terrorist”.“We have written to them (British government) to tell us why he has been arrested,” said Mr Oryem Okello, the state minister for International Affairs. Ms Peggy Layoo, the suspect’s London solicitor, said her client who suffers from prostate cancer is in failing health after UK Border Agency (UKBA) officials allegedly confiscated his prescribed medicines.“UKBA was hostile to Mr Oryem who is very vulnerable. He was denied access to a lawyer; made to sit for over 24 hours without rest and he was interviewed during that time when he was severely fatigued and ill,” Ms Layoo said in her application for judicial review. Judge Sir Andrew Collins said the application for injunction was premature since UKBA had not formally authorised Mr oryem’s removal but no such action should be taken without addressing human rights concerns raised by the solicitor, and until a judge sanctions the deportation. The basis of the application, Ms Layoo had said, was a breach of natural justice by the UKBA whose staff she told court acted unfairly and denied Mr Oryem the right to be heard or prepare his defence. “Similarly, there is evidence of bad faith on the side of the Secretary of State [for the Home Department],” she wrote. Documents e-mailed to this newspaper show that High Court Judge, Justice Collins, ordered the Secretary of State, to “...answer the matters raised as soon as possible but must not remove the claimant (Mr Oryem) until an answer has been given and the claim has been referred back to a judge”. Mr Chris Ward, the political officer/head of communications at the British High Commission in Kampala, confirmed Mr Oryem’s incarceration but gave no reason for the action. “We cannot comment on the specific reasons for his detention [and] we are unable to comment, in general, on individual immigration cases,” he wrote in reply to our e-mail enquiry. Our investigations show that Mr Oryem’s troubles emanate from a deal he reportedly cut directly with President Museveni, committing government to return his vast land in Kamokya, now occupied by several tenants, or pocket hefty compensation. Both minister Okello-Oryem and solicitor Layoo, in accounts offered yesterday, suggested that the former administrator of the LRA peace negotiating team could be a victim of conspiracy orchestrated by his colleagues. “Our thinking is that this is [a result of] an infighting within the LRA,” said Mr Okello-Oryem, who shares a surname but is not related to the suspect. “There are those who think they got a raw deal after the Juba peace talks and they are trying to antagonise and punish former colleagues perceived to have benefitted.” The government of Uganda and the rebels, acting through envoys, engaged in dialogue from 2006-2008 in talks hosted by the Government of South Sudan to end the two-decade conflict peacefully. However, LRA leader Joseph Kony declined to sign the Final Peace Agreement citing safety concerns."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Cricket/-/690272/1005584/-/mmb9r3/-/index.html","content":"England batsman Pietersen fined after Twitter outburst - Kevin Pietersen has been fined an undisclosed sum for a Twitter tirade which followed a decision to drop the England batsman from the one-day team. He used an expletive in an angry message in response to being omitted from the squad for the Twenty20 and 50-over series against Pakistan. The 30-year-old attended a disciplinary hearing at Lord’s on Monday and pleaded guilty to two unspecified charges. He also offered an “unreserved apology” to the England management team. The England and Wales Cricket Board will pass on Pietersen’s fine to its nominated charities. “The hearing considered his comments to be prejudicial to the interests of Team England and the England and Wales Cricket Board and a significant breach of the England player conditions of employment,” read an ECB statement. Pietersen was one of the stars of England’s triumph at the World T20 tournament in Caribbean earlier this year."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1003934/-/coamyoz/-/index.html","content":"Money scandal pops up at Ethics Ministry - Senior officials at the directorate of Ethics and Integrity spend public money without accountability, an audit brief has revealed. The officials, whose job is to champion of ethics and integrity in the country, stealthily banked office imprest into their personal accounts. The officials also spent Shs672.8 million between April and June in marathon workshops to exhaust the budget before the end of last financial year on June 30. The money was drawn from Bank of Uganda without approval from the accounting officer, documents reveal.Dr James Nsaba Buturo, the Ethics and Integrity Minister whose docket is to supervise the directorate, yesterday confirmed there were accountability issues in his backyard. “Those are serious issues; we brought in auditors from Finance Ministry but I haven’t got any feedback from Finance or my own people,” he said, “I would like to know what they have found out.” The minister also said that the Inspector General of Government, Mr Raphael Baku, had been drafted in to investigate the financial malpractices. The documents, copies of which Sunday Monitor has obtained, also highlight possible fraud by the integrity officials especially in fuelling vehicles. For instance, the officials present receipts indicating that they had fuelled vehicles but after scrutiny by the internal auditor, it was found that some of the petrol-consuming vehicles were deemed to have consumed diesel and diesel-consuming cars also used petrol. One such example is vehicle No. UG 1547C. This could mean that fuel was never bought and the accountability is made up. The officials also advance themselves money without following accounting procedures. On abuse of office imprest [loose cash for daily operations], the document prepared by the senior internal auditor shows that: “The Principal Personnel Officer being one of the highest culprits as he had never accounted for any of his advances nor imprest, which is a violation of the Treasury Accounting Instruction (2003).” The document addressed to the Secretary to the Treasury by auditor Sauba Mukaliyewujja also reveals that the directorate of integrity lacked semi-annual accounts because there was no improvement in the accounts department. There are also management weaknesses like staff performing duties outside their dockets. The accounting officer, Mr Alex Okello, is accused of watching such mismanagement. For instance, the deputy director of management information systems which falls under the department of ethics education, reportedly carries out duties of head of finance, a job meant for Principal Assistant Secretary. A principal personnel officer also draws imprest and fuel for the whole directorate, a job meant for administrators. “The Senior Assistant Secretary signs on batches, which job should be done by the head of finance and administration,” reads the letter. Apparently, Ms Mukaliyewujja wrote the letter in response to Mr Okello who had accused her of insubordination and wanted her transferred. Mr Okello had accused Ms Mukaliyewujja of gross misconduct. But the auditor said the accusations of misconduct were tramped up charges meant to silence her from demanding accountability.She wrote: “When I pointed out in my first quarter report that imprest had to be accounted for within one month, an imprest warrant sought from Accountant General, and the accounting officer had to decide on which budget lines imprest would be used… “Imprest holders were got, and imprest started going to personal accounts. There is no evidence that an imprest warrant was got, neither did the Accounting Officer specify how imprest was to be used.”The officials also diverted money meant for office tea with the directorate staff not having office tea from June to at least last week. Sometimes sitting allowances are claimed in the names of people who left the directorate years ago. Apparently the Shs672.8 million spent on these workshops, had not been approved by the accounting officer. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Okello could not be reached for comment yesterday as he was reportedly travelling abroad but a letter by him to Bank of Uganda reveals that the money was withdrawn without his signature. “A number of payments made from the account during the months of April, May, and June 2010; are now a subject of investigation, because they have been made without authority of the Accounting Officer,” reads Mr Okello’s letter dated August30. The revelations indict the directorate which was started to spearhead integrity and ethics and could raise debate on whether the officials there have the moral authority to talk about integrity. And Dr Buturo agrees. “Clearly that is not only an embarrassment but breach of integrity,” he said. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/999444/-/x4l1qs/-/index.html","content":"Procurement agency clears cancer ward building deal - Kampala The procurement regulator has finally given the green light for the construction of a new Shs6.2 billion cancer ward at Mulago Hospital, raising hope for patients and ultimately put an end to disagreements that had halted the project. Citing objection from one of the bidders, the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) on May 27 directed the Uganda Cancer Institute to cancel the deal and submit files for investigation into the alleged abuse of the process. However, in its latest report on the deal, the PPDA rejected the judicial review for M/s Eastern Builders and Engineers Ltd and ordered Dr Jackson Orem, the director Uganda Cancer Institute, to proceed with the award of the contract for the construction of the five-level cancer ward to M/s Seyani Brothers & Co.“In accordance with the PPDA Act and Regulation, the decision of the Authority is that the Application for Administrative Review by M/s Eastern Builders and Engineers Ltd is rejected,” the PPDA report reads. M/s Eastern Builders and Engineers had protested the award of the contract to Seyani Brothers, saying the latter was a non-responsive bidder and should not have received the deal. The company also raised questions about the bid security validity period and failure to explain why responsive bidders had been disqualified by the cancer institute’s procurement committee. But in his response, Dr Orem on May 19 said there was no breach of the law in the document preparation or all other subsequent stages of the procurement process—a position the PPDA agreed with. The approval of the new cancer ward means it will be able to accommodate more patients and offer improved services. Reports from the Ministry of Health indicate an increase in cases of the cancer disease in Uganda. Last year, the institute treated more than 12,000 patients, a figure which is set to increase by over 3,000 this year. Underfunded sectorAccording to the 2010/2011 national budget, the institute will need about Shs1.5 billion to treat close to 15,000 patients. This budget figure increased from Shs800 million used in the last financial year. However as a result of underfunding, the Daily Monitor reported recently that the shortage of life saving drugs, used in the treatment of cancer had resulted into the deaths of mainly children at Mulago Hospital. According to Dr Orem, the increased infection rate in Uganda can be explained by changes in environment and lifestyles such as smoking and drinking, age and increased population."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/996986/-/x4j2t6/-/index.html","content":"NFA on the spot over Shs400m - The Ministry of Finance has ordered National Forest Authority (NFA) officials to account for more than Shs400 million, the agency got from Bank of Uganda through unclear circumstances. An investigation by the Accountant General’s Office has revealed that one of NFA’s accounts in Bank of Uganda was overdrawn to a tune of Shs456 million without approved authority and expenditure plans. “This is illegal borrowing because any government expenditure has to be sanctioned by Parliament and the Secretary to the Treasury,” Shadow Finance Minister Oduman Okello said yesterday. In a letter dated July 26, the Accountant General, Mr Gustavio Bwoch, questioned the transactions and while quoting the law, said the money was withdrawn without authority from the Finance Minister Syda Bbumba. “The records available in Bank of Uganda indicate that account (747.203035.1) operated by your vote has been overdrawn as at June 30 2010,” Mr Bwoch said. NFA respondsHowever, the NFA Executive Director Hudson Adrua in an August 4 letter, said last financial year NFA had an approved development budget of Shs1 billion—which was tampered with when its accounts were blocked following a court order. The seven accounts were frozen in Stanbic Bank and Bank of Uganda after Beachside Development Services, a construction company, sued NFA demanding damages of Shs3b for breach of contract. “The special release made in the month of June 2010 was remitted to the newly opened NFA Operation A/C 3(747.212068.1) as the (over drawn) account (747.203035.1) was mistakenly considered to be among those accounts which were frozen,” Mr Adrua said. In his letter, Mr Adrua requested the Account General to instruct the Director Banking in Bank of Uganda to transfer Shs512.5 million from NFA operation account 3(747.212068.1) to the TGA account (747.203035.1) to clear off the overdrawn position. But the chairperson of the parliamentary committee on Commissions Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises, Mr Reagan Okumu, rejected NFA’s explanation and asked promised to investigate the “suspicious transactions”. “This is a matter we are going to investigate as a committee,” Mr Okumu said. “This shows how these public officials’ abuse public funds.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/996988/-/x4j2t8/-/index.html","content":"Lukwago sues EC over polling stations - The Member of Parliament for Kampala Central, Mr Erias Lukwago, has taken the Electoral Commission (EC) to court for establishing what he called illegal polling stations for security personnel. Mr Lukwago petitioned the High Court yesterday protesting the establishment of exclusive polling stations for the army, intelligence and other security personnel which he said have in the past been used as rigging centres by the NRM party. He also protested the ongoing display of the voters register saying it is being conducted irregularly and illegally in breach of the Electoral Commission Act.The polling stations in question are located within Nakasero, Kololo and Kololo 11 parishes. The new electoral poll laws prohibit the establishment of exclusive polling stations for the army, intelligence and other security personnel. Phase outThe MP wants Kampala High Court to compel EC to phase out immediately the said polling stations. He further seeks court to quash EC’s decision to display the voters register before publishing in the gazette and in the print media a list of all places at which a voter’s register is required to be displayed with the period of the stipulated time under the law which is 60 days. The MP avers that the law makes it mandatory for EC to publish in the gazette and print media a list of all places at which a voter’s register is required to be displayed at least 60s day before the display, which EC did not do. In the affidavit, Mr Lukwago states that the coming into force of the amended Presidential Elections Act and Parliamentary Elections Act and the EC Act affected the polling stations in question. “I am aware that the Presidential Elections Act and Parliamentary Elections Act, which came into force on June 25, 2010 and the EC Act clearly prohibited the undemocratic practice of establishing polling stations for the army, intelligence and other security personnel,” states Mr Lukwago. Addressing press later at Parliament, Mr Lukwago said he raised the concerns to EC in a letter dated August 2 but they never bothered to correct the mistakes."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/994692/-/qtma1jz/-/index.html","content":"Parties must enforce strict codes of conduct - As campaigns for primaries in preparation for the 2011 elections get underway, all political parties must take urgent measures to restore sanity in a process that has degenerated into a shameful and bloody mess. During the recent National Resistance Movement (NRM) grassroots elections, ugly scenes played out countrywide, ranging from petty quarrels, exchange of blows and spitting at opponents, to almost fatal confrontations between powerful rival politicians and law enforcers. And these were just local elections. Understandably, questions are increasingly being asked about what will happen during the party primaries and, eventually, the national elections next February. It is therefore disgraceful but not surprising that over the weekend, Police briefly detained a state minister in Tororo and another former minister in Kapchorwa, for allegedly masterminding violence against his opponents and the other for assaulting a District Police Commander. Judging from past elections, these confrontations that are not unique to a particular political party are bound to get worse. That is precisely why we think it is imperative that all political parties enforce a code of conduct to check errant candidates. Ordinarily, all political parties are expected to have some form of guidelines and basic standards to govern the conduct of their members particularly in the run-up to and during electoral processes. It is, however, one thing to have rules on paper and another to implement them. What is critical at this point is that the parties must take disciplinary actions against digressing members either by way of suspension or being barred from contesting for any elective post in case of grave indiscipline. If the parties cannot nurture mature internal democracy, we cannot expect the national elections to be free of violence. A code of conduct, if meticulously enforced, will provide a level playing field for all candidates, curb the trademark violence that has come to characterise our elections and ensure a process that is acceptably free and fair with no one enjoying unfair advantage. The respective electoral commissions of all parties must ensure that their party code of conduct is strictly adhered to by all candidates and their supporters. Any breach or attempts to violate the established rules must be firmly dealt with.A peaceful election is a crucial element in building a lasting democracy and upholding constitutionalism, rule of law and accountability. We can’t achieve that without functional codes of conduct."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/994198/-/x4hhx4/-/index.html","content":"CBS floors government in court battle - Kampala High Court has dismissed a counter claim in which the Attorney General had asked CBS Radio to pay the government aggravated damages for inconveniences caused as a result of the radio’s unwarranted acts. Presiding judge Vincent Zehurikize on Friday dismissed the case in which the government accused the radio of alleged breach of the Electronic Media Act.The Judge dismissed government’s counter suit with costs to the embattled radio that was closed in September last year following city riots in which over 20 people died. Justice Zehurikize ruled: “The fact that the government received complaints from the general public and security agencies do not give it a right to sue on behalf of the citizens but it can institute criminal proceeding against those who breached the law as a way to protect the citizen.” The judge said every citizen under the Constitution has a right to sue when he or she is offended and that it is the duty of the government to protect that right by establishing courts where the citizens’ grievances can be resolved. The case arose at the end of last year after more than 100 employees of CBS radio sued the government, seeking orders to have the station re-opened, arguing that its closure was unjustifiable and had rendered them jobless. The employees are seeking over Shs3 billion as compensation. The Broadcasting Council shut CBS over allegations that it had incited the public to riot.However, the government had filed a counter claim seeking an order compelling the radio to pay damages for allegedly mobilising and inciting the public into violence and rebelling against lawful authority. The government had alleged that CBS radio allowed its broadcasting licence to be used for mobilising and inciting the public and sowing seeds of hatred. Attorney’s defenceMs Patricia Mutesi, the Principal State Attorney, had defended the counter claim saying it was filed on behalf of the public.She told court that the Attorney General has a duty to defend the public’s right to enjoy law and order. “I wish to inform court that the counter-suit is brought on behalf of the general public, and not any special class of people, not even any government institution,” Ms Mutesi said. But her argument did not yield good fruits for her."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/980754/-/x3sbd7/-/index.html","content":"NRM issues tough code for candidates - Candidates participating in the ruling National Resistance Movement primary elections will face tough sanctions if they exhibit questionable conduct while campaigning, the party has said. But the party faced immediate challenges as a decision for candidates to conduct joint campaigns faced early challenges with some candidates insisting they would not participate. According to the new regulations set by the secretariat, anyone who bribes voters either with money or lunch freebies, provision of refreshments at a rally, faces punishment. CampaignsThe campaigns begin on August 19 to August 28, and the polls are slated for August 30. The guidelines aim at having smooth campaigns and subsequent polls for flag-bearers for the 2011 national general elections.The regulations state that any acts of violence, hooliganism and intimidation will also be punishable. It does not specify however, which sanctions a culprit will face. The guidelines also seek to punish any member of the party who tarnishes an opponent’s name during the campaigns and also publishes false statements in relation to the character of the opponent. According to the guidelines, any engagement in acts of tribalism or sectarianism will also be considered as breach of the NRM code of conduct.Ms Lydia Wanyoto, a member of the NRM electoral commission, yesterday said candidates implicated in breach of the regulations will be investigated and those found guilty will be disqualified. According to the programme, returning officers are expected to meet candidates between August 17 and 18. Ms Wanyoto, however, said because the party does not expect much violence in the local level campaigns, candidates for LCs, municipal councillor and mayoral seats, will all have their campaigns differently and on an individual basis. However, she said candidates for parliamentary and LC5 seats will do joint campaigns and joint meetings. Time“Each of the candidates will be given not more than 15 minutes to address the public and not more than 5 minutes to answer questions from the public,” Ms Wanyoto said. The primary elections of Members of Parliament, according to the newly-amended NRM constitution will take place using adult suffrage of all party card holding members in the constituencies."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/974772/-/x39jsa/-/index.html","content":"MPs query Kigozi’s contract - Uganda Investment Authority boss Maggie Kigozi is facing investigations over reports that she was “illegally” awarded a contract on President Museveni’s directive in breach of standing procedures. According to minutes of a board meeting that sat on November 19, 2009, while the UIA board chaired by Patrick Bitature had refused to renew Dr Kigozi’s contract, there was a directive from President Museveni not to replace her. No presidential powers“The President has no powers to appoint an executive director of Uganda Investment Authority,” Aswa MP Reagan Okumu said. “Dr Kigozi stayed in office illegally for over eight months and even after signing her contract on August 4, 2010, she signed for only 18 months yet President Museveni had ordered for three years. The power to appoint the ED of UIA lies with the board and the minister not the President.” Appearing before the Committee on Commissions Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises yesterday, Dr Kigozi was questioned on what MPs led by Elijah Okupa and Reagan Okumu described as an “illegal” contract. This was after it emerged that even after President Museveni gave her a contract, it was not signed until August 4 this year. Dr Kigozi was appearing for the first time in Parliament to answer audit queries for the years 2002/03-2008/2009. Asked who changed the contract from three years to 18 months, Dr Kigozi said: “According to Chairman of the UIA board (Patrick Bitature) it was the Minister for Finance who wrote to him that my contract should be for 18 months. “I didn’t complain because there are other things I could do like working in the private sector.” She said the minister will answer issues to do with the delays to renew the contract. On whether she has a valid contract, Dr Kigozi told the committee that the board sat on November 19, 2009 and approved her contract. But Mr Bitature told the committee chairperson, Mr Okumu, that he only received a directive from the minister recently. Earlier the committee had sent away Dr Kigozi and her team to produce evidence that her contract was renewed. The committee later took a decision to summon the UIA board, management and Aston Kajara, the minister for Investment, to explain why President Museveni halted the appointment of the new executive director and who changed Dr Kigozi’s new contract. Mr Museveni’s spokesperson Tamale Mirundi was not available to comment on why the President allegedly interfered with the appointment of a new UIA executive director to replace Dr Kigozi. Meanwhile, Dr Kigozi was also ordered to account for more than Shs100 billion meant for establishment of 22 industrial parks in various parts of the country. According to the committee, whereas Parliament approved the funds in question, there was no infrastructure on the ground. UIA is a semi-autonomous government agency set up by an Act of Parliament to promote and facilitate private sector investment in Uganda."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/973930/-/9xkj15z/-/index.html","content":"Mr President, do not rig the 2011 general elections - Your Excellency, I am writing to you for the last time on the issue of electoral rigging, arguably the hottest on the lips of every peace-loving Ugandan as the country comes closer to the 2011 presidential/ parliamentary elections. So much has been said about the impending electoral rigging:- in the media, workshops, conferences, seminars and several other fora because the likelihood of rigging in all its forms –gerrymandering , ballot stuffing, disfranchising voters, intimidation and state-inspired violence and breach of electoral laws generally, is already manifest and crystal clear to anybody interested. Your phobia about elections is well known (for 10 years from 1986, you could not be subjected to a vote). What I and indeed many others did not know was the extent to which you are determined to go in imposing yourself on the people of Uganda regardless the cost. Today the majority of Ugandans know. You disregarded good advice from comrades and friends a long time ago when you bribed your way to a limitless presidential term. The tragedy is not your ascension to state power; it is the way you have decided to hold onto it and which, if not checked, will take us back to the pre-1980/1986 Uganda. You may rubbish it but I can see the food on the table. Because in 1980 when you joined a violent protest against electoral rigging orchestrated by the Paul Muwanga- led military commission similar concerns pointing to rigging had been repeatedly raised by politicians, yourself and electorate but the same had been, just as today, sadly ignored by the authorities that were. Social unrest, armed rebellion and a blood bath followed from which we as a nation have never recovered. History is about to repeat itself. And why does it so often repeat itself? Because many people weren’t listening the first time! Mr President, you have let down the people of Uganda (not sycophants and cheer leaders) who believed your promise for a fundamental change delivered on the steps of Parliament in January 1986. You [said] you were interested in making Uganda a democracy knowing and/ or having reason to believe that a person not keen on promoting regular, free and fair elections can never be a midwife of democracy. At the advent of NRM, all that Ugandans aspired for was a united country enjoying the culture of peaceful transfer of political power from one leader to another, something that had eluded them since independence. You have shattered their dreams, your government choosing to pursue a legacy of brutality, greed, corruption and cronyism. And now you are, like those before you, up against advocates for democracy, human rights, peace and development. You have failed to differentiate saboteurs from supporters, allowed to be cheered on by opportunists who do not have much to lose. Do not be deceived; you are not the best leader this country has had nor are you the most lethal militarily. You are simply the luckiest president to ever grace the environs of State House and this is because of your opponents’ civility, patience and prudence. Rather than take up arms to restore constitutionalism and order, as you purported to do in the past, they have resorted to courts of law for redress, a very good thing in my view. Trouble is when you take it for granted and forget that tolerance and self restraint have limits too. The so called “growing” economy and “security” in the country is not because you have been a good leader. The reason is found in the ability of your political opponents to withstand your flaws. Even Obote’s rule 1980/85 would have posted good economic figures and enjoy a semblance of peace if his opponents had not resorted to armed rebellion. Who takes credit for some level of sanity in this country therefore is not you; it is your opponents who have given you time to sort yourself out. For the sake of this country’s stability and development, please do not rig the 2011 elections. You have continued to meddle in elections. Twice you have been faulted by the Supreme Court of Uganda for rigged electoral outcome, in 2001 and 2006. Recently, you extended the term of the Kiggundu-led Electoral Commission which the same court declared incompetent. Your demonstration of faith in the commission is a mockery of justice and proof that you are a beneficiary of its iniquities. And you seem not bothered that by so doing, you have abused executive mandate and shown the highest disrespect for the judiciary, another arm of government. Mr President, separation of powers does not and should not mean disregard of powers. A leader desirous of promoting democracy and good governance would be keen on consulting and aligning his actions with those of others in other pillars of government. In a nutshell, you are politically irredeemable. But you can still survive if you halt all plots to rig the 2011 Presidential / Parliamentary elections. Mr Sabiiti is former MP, Rukiga County, lecturer and treasurer general- FDCjacksabiiti@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/970468/-/x36p5i/-/index.html","content":"Al Shabaab and Hizbul talks fail - Kampala It has emerged that the two Somali militant groups which have been in talks for a possible joining of forces against AU peacekeepers and the Transitional Federal Government have hit a snag. According to sources in Mogadishu, the al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam have disagreed on the power sharing agreements. The Hizbul led by Sheikh Dahir Aweys want key positions of defence and finance in the power sharing agreement. But the al Shabaab delegation, led by Musa Mansoor is said to have rejected the proposal. The Amisom spokesperson, Maj. Barigye Ba-Hoku said the two have minor differences in ideologies but are both against peacekeepers and the Transitional Federal Government. Breach of contract He said the disagreements between the two started after al Shabaab refused to hand-over the management of Kisamayo town to Hizbul which was supposed to be on a rotational-based Djibouti accord of 2008. “Both were to be rotational managers for a six months period while sharing some roles. But when the time for al Shabaab elapsed, they did not only negate the accord but also took over solely as managers of Kismayo and that is when fighting broke out between the two,” he said. The Amisom also said they had killed 200 and injured 300 Somali militants in a series of clashes that followed the Kampala bombings on July 11. Among those killed, according to Maj. Ba-Hoku are foreign bomb experts deployed in Mogadishu to attack peacekeepers and Transitional Government positions using car bombs. Troops killed The Amisom has been carrying out pre-emptive strikes on al Shabaab installations at Masra and Hodan in Mogadishu. “Information provided by the locals here indicates that they could have lost well over 200 fighters and another 300 injured during the month of July alone,” Maj. Ba-Hoku said. The al Shabaab have also killed two Ugandan peacekeepers and at least 10 Somali Transitional Government soldiers. “On July 26, a motor vehicle loaded with explosives and carrying three foreign bomb “experts” and other al Shabab fighters was destroyed in a joint Amisom/TFG action on Masira Road, Huriwa District in northern Mogadishu. All the occupants of the vehicle died,” he said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/MotorSport/-/690282/965010/-/72fwen/-/index.html","content":"Schumacher agrees ‘100%’ with Ferrari - Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher says he backs the actions of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa after Alonso passed Ferrari team-mate Massa in the German Grand Prix. McLaren, Ferrari talkMcLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh plans to hold private talks with Ferrari to let them know his views on the team orders controversy that rocked the German Grand Prix. Ferrari was fined $100,000 and could face further sanctions from the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council for illegally using team orders to help Alonso take victory. Although Ferrari is adamant that it did nothing wrong, the Maranello team’s actions have caused a wave of outrage from fans and the media worldwide. And although Ferrari’s decision to hand Alonso the win in Germany has added a fresh dynamic to the world title fight, Whitmarsh said he did not wish to get drawn into a public slanging match.“I don’t want to get drawn into it,” explained Whitmarsh. “I have my own private views on it. They were quicker than us today; they got a 1-2, but perhaps in a different order from that which people may have thought was right. “I will give my private views to Ferrari, but I don’t want to go on record and express those views.” And despite Ferrari showing itself so willing to throw its support behind one driver, Whitmarsh has promised his drivers that they will remain free to race. Team orders rule Alonso’s victory was the best possible result the race could have produced for the world championship battle. It means the Spaniard, in a car that is now absolutely competitive after recent updates, has closed the gap on leader Lewis Hamilton and the prospect of a five-driver battle for the world title remains very much alive. Of course, that point has become rather lost in the intense controversy about how Alonso secured the 23rd victory of his career. The Spaniard was clearly handed first place on a plate by team-mate Massa on lap 49, the Brazilian slowing down out of the hairpin at Turn Six after his engineer Rob Smedley had told him on the radio: “Fernando is faster than you.” Ferrari have been fined for a breach of article 39.1 of the F1 sporting regulations, which says: “Team orders which interfere with a race result are prohibited.” as clearly as the Brazilian did. 2002 incident Parallels will be drawn between this race and the notorious one in Austria in 2002, when then Ferrari boss (and now FIA president) Jean Todt ordered Rubens Barrichello to let Schumacher past to win. Drivers standingsHamilton (Britain) 157 pointsButton (Britain) 143Webber (Australia) 136Vettel (Germany) 136Alonso (Spain) 123"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/963922/-/x2md1a/-/index.html","content":"Government calls off oil deal - Uganda will seek the full amount in taxes from the transfer of assets from Heritage oil after all, according to reliable sources who talked to Sunday Monitor.This comes after reports that President Yoweri Museveni personally insisted that the taxes due to the government from the deal- the largest in Uganda’s history- be paid in full. Reliable sources, who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter, have told this newspaper that the President made his position known at a mid-week meeting he held with the head of the Uganda Revenue Authority, Ms Allen Kagina. The Secretary to the Treasury, Mr Chris Kasaami, attended the meeting which reportedly took place at the President’s country home in Rwakitura. Dramatic reversalThis means now that Heritage Oil which opposes the tax and is seeking arbitration over the matter will not be able to transfer its assets to Tullow Oil - a dramatic reversal of the well received conditional approval that allowed the deal to move forward just weeks ago. In a meeting on July 6 with both Heritage and Tullow officials then, the Ministry of Energy had given partial approval for the transfer of Heritage’s assets to Tullow and a consortium of partners at a cost of over $1.5 billion. The deal had dragged on for several months partly because Heritage refused to pay the over $400 million in capital gains tax. The insistence on tax has put the entire deal on ice. The President’s feelings on the matter were put forcefully and emotively by Energy Minister Hilary Onek in a phone interview on Friday. When asked if the President was opposed to the deal entirely, Eng Onek responded that Mr Museveni wanted the full amount due to Uganda because it was the right thing to do. He also revealed that contrary to what had been reported earlier, the oil sharing agreements Uganda had signed with Heritage had stated that tax matters will fall under Ugandan laws. “Arbitration only arises in the case of other disputes - not tax,” Eng. Onek said, warning that the government was ready to take “extreme measures” to ensure that it received its full pay in capital gains tax. He also revealed for the first time what appears as government frustrations with Heritage Oil - a former military consultancy company turned oil explorer.“We have traced their offices initially to Barbados but we have recently learned that they have moved to Mauritius. Are they a movable company? Who are we dealing with here? Thugs?” Eng. Onek asked. The Minister said Heritage had made various attempts to avoid paying the tax.“They have tried both back and front doors. We shall not allow them to transact until the tax is paid,” he said. Asked whether the terms of the earlier deal - which required Heritage to deposit $121 million to URA and guarantee the rest through a bank still stood, he said: “Heritage has to pay the full amount nothing less.” Neither Mr Kasaami nor Ms Kagina commented about the meeting. Ms Kagina said briefly that when the government is ready then the media would be informed on the issue. “I want Ugandans to be assured that government is steadfast. The benefits of this oil are for the people of Uganda. They can’t rob us,” Eng. Onek added. Various experts who weighed in at the beginning of the month – were surprised at the partial approval and warned that Uganda would lose to the oil company.One of the sticking points according to Mika Minio-Paleullo of the oil governance group Platform UK is the precedent set by Uganda’s acquiescing to arbitration of the tax dispute abroad. “Uganda’s bargaining position was weak because the [Production Sharing Agreements or PSA’s] sets out that disputes are to be resolved through corporate arbitration tribunals in Europe - which almost always rule in favour of the companies,” he said then in an Emailed response to this newspaper. 1 | 2 Next Page»There have been noises made that the transaction is happening when the oil sector has no local legislative framework. National oil laws including one on revenue management are still in the pipeline and while amendments have been made to tax laws there are recent changes that may not affect the oil agreements government had signed with the two companies. “[The approved deal] is a defeat of the Ugandan government [and a] sign of things to come in the Ugandan oil story. Tullow, CNOOC and Total know that they can also push for arbitration when they feel their interests threatened,” Mr Paleullo adds. According to him the government should have “held out longer”. What Tullow saysTullow Corporate Affairs Manager Jimmy Kiberu yesterday said the tax issue was “purely between Heritage and the government” and that Tullow would not comment.Some voices said the Ugandan government was indeed holding the cards until they approved the transaction albeit partially. “Heritage and Tullow were becoming impatient and at risk of losing share value. If the government wants to defend Uganda’s interests in future, it must identify a breach in contract by the companies and then demand a restructuring of the contracts, including shifting dispute-resolution back into Uganda,” Mr Paleullo advised. Indeed before the announcement Eng. Onek had ruled out arbitration. “We’re talking about Ugandan oil and all the issues have to be resolved here according to Ugandan laws. I’m not going to London, if Heritage wants to discuss with Tullow in London that’s up to them but not the Ugandan government,” he said then. The on-again off-again government position may reflect a struggle on oil policy insiders say. When Sunday Monitor called the number of Mr Bryan Westwood, Heritage’s country manager, it was picked up by another officer who said he was called Kwame. He said he could not comment on any issue. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/962300/-/qvicx8z/-/index.html","content":"A case of terrorising the rights of Ugandans - All Ugandans who cherish their inherent and fundamental human rights to freedom of association and assembly must be outraged at the reprehensible actions of the Amuru District police chief. A few days ago, an over-enthusiastic Mr Jacinto Oburu, stopped the Uganda Peoples Congress from holding a rally in the district claiming – very unconvincingly – that it could be targeted by al Shabaab terrorists. What utter nonsense! This man abused the public trust and contravened the supreme law of Uganda which in Articles 29 and 43 of the Constitution protects the right to assemble from infringement beyond what is acceptable and demonstrably justifiable in a free and democratic society. Under our laws, the most that political parties are obligated to do is to notify the Police of plans to hold a rally. The Force can only, in accordance with sections 32 and 333 of the Police Act, stop such a rally if there is reasonable ground to believe that in holding it there could be a breach of the peace. The Police Act, however, is subject to constitutional oversight because all laws bow before the Constitution. Where any law conflicts with our constitutional provisions, the Constitution shall take precedence to the extent of the inconsistency, meaning the Police cannot use its Act to violate the rights of Ugandans. It was anticipated shortly after the bomb blasts in Kampala that State agents would, as part of the unintended consequences of the terror attacks, complicate life for regime opponents. Democratic Party leader Norbert Mao was one of the politicians who realised the dangers facing civil liberties post-July 11. It turns out his fears have come to pass too soon. In Uganda the State and ruling party are, sadly, almost indistinguishable – and with such chilling consequences for those who wish to exercise their legitimate right to organise in opposition. Observers of our politics will note that while the Amuru policeman was breaking the law in the north, President Museveni was addressing a large rally in Bugamba, Rwampara, making it plausible for one to argue that unfair advantage is being handed to his National Resistance Movement party ahead of general elections seven months away. Our collective security is of utmost importance, but it is just as important that the cynical excuse of terror is not paraded as the people’s freedoms are trampled upon."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/959882/-/x24yeu/-/index.html","content":"Army Generals tipped for war against terrorists - The UPDF High Command is in discussion on who among the senior commanders should be sent to support an onslaught against the Somali militants if the African Union gives them the mandate to open a full scale war against al Shabaab terrorists. Among the commanders suggested are battle hardened and no-nonsense Brigadiers Kasirye Ggwanga and Elly Kayanja but sources said their names were “just among the options.” “I haven’t got any communication to that effect ,” said the army spokesman, Lt. Col. Felix Kulayigye, adding, “However, in army whether you are senior or old, when an order comes, you obey.” Sources said the mood in the High Command is that the al Shabaab who recently claimed responsibility for the bomb attacks in Kampala that killed more than 80 people and injured over 50 others, should be subjected to deterrent military fire in Somalia as the security organs beef-up surveillance locally to guard against any future attacks. Sources who declined to be named because they are not the official spokespersons of the army said that the decision to deploy additional commanders has not been taken yet and President Yoweri Museveni will make the ultimate choice. Col. Kulayigye said yesterday that regardless of whom the President chooses to command the war against al Shabaab terrorists in Somalia, the UPDF was ready to perform its duties under the Amisom. Both Brigadiers Ggwanga and Kayanja are known commanders who contributed to the NRA bush struggle with Brig. Kayanja rising to prominence after he led the Operation Wembley which dealt a fatal blow to armed gangsters who had caused mayhem in Kampala and other parts of the country. Meanwhile, the army yesterday said it has the capacity to decisively deal with the Somalia-based terrorists once the African Union changes the Amisom mandate in the war torn Somalia. “Once the mandate changes to strict peace enforcement then it means you go on offensive against whoever does not want peace with the transitional freedom government and we are ready for that,” said Lt. Col. Felix Kulayigye. For now, Col. Kulayigye said, the UPDF in Somalia would not attack the al Shabaab unless provoked. “We can’t attack them now because the mandate does not allow us and we will not breach the AU mandate,” he said but added: “Once the rules of engagement change, we shall not wait.” The al Shabaab attack on crowds glued on TV screens watching World Cup finals at the Rugby Club in Lugogo and the Ethiopian Restaurant in Kabalagala has inflamed emotions in the country against the terrorists with the majority now supporting the UPDF engagement in Somalia. President Museveni told the media on Wednesday that the army would go on offensive and look for all those who bombed and killed civilians in Kampala. “We were just doing our small mandate…now we are taking interest. It was a very big mistake on their side,” Mr Museveni said. His comments were understood to mean that the UPDF troops now in Somalia would go on offensive immediately but the army spokesman yesterday said the Commander-in-Chief would first mobilise the support of Inter Governmental Authority on Development (Igad). “The President proposed to them [Igad] to mobilise 2,000 more troops,” Col. Kulayigye said, “ It’s supposed to be the collective effort of Igad and not necessarily that the 2,000 troops will come from us.” But if Igad asks UPDF to deploy, Lt. Col. Kulayigye said, then the army would respond because it was ready to fulfill any mandate given to it.The army also told Sunday Monitor that the AU summit that starts in Kampala tomorrow could also be challenged on why they have not mobilised the additional 2,000 troops that were supposed to have been deployed in Somalia. 1 | 2 Next Page»The AU was supposed to contribute troops to keep peace in Somalia but so far only Uganda has contributed the largest force supported by Burundi. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/953556/-/x20q2w/-/index.html","content":"Demos at Parliament banned - The conduct of demonstrations within the precincts of Parliament has been outlawed in new security guidelines issued by authorities at Parliament. The precincts include the chambers, galleries, the entire building in which the chamber is situated and all entrances. “An attempt to hold any such demonstrations shall be quelled by the Sergeant at Arms with the help of the police force,” reads guideline 14 (2) of the new orders cited as the Access to the Precincts of Parliament Order 2010. The order, issued by the Office of the Speaker, also compels members of the public to seek express permission to attend sittings of the House at least two days before the day of intended access. “A stranger [any person other than an MP or Parliament staff] shall not access the Speaker’s VIP lounge or gallery without the express prior permission from the Clerk in consultation with the Speaker,” reads guideline 10 (1). The Speaker also moved to shield the legislative body from being held liable for police action in crushing attempted demonstrations. “Upon taking measures to ensure compliance with this order, Parliament shall not bear liability arising from the measures taken,” reads guideline 14 (3). The order, which was pinned up on notice boards in the House and delivered to MPs in their pigeonholes yesterday, is now the centre of controversy after opposition MPs argued that the outright ban on demonstrations is in breach of the Constitution. “The Speaker has overstepped his boundaries,” said Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago, who also doubles as the shadow Attorney General. “The constitution is clear in Article 29 on the right to hold a peaceful assembly or demonstration, so you cannot prohibit assembly at a public place like Parliament.” Speaker Edward Ssekandi was unavailable for comment yesterday. Youth MP Dennis Obua, a commissioner with the parliamentary commission, the body charged with administering Parliament and which discussed and approved the new security guidelines said the new measures had been made “in good faith.” “Parliament is a public place but we need to have rules,” said the MP. “We cannot allow people who come yelling and want to forcefully enter Parliament. If they do, then Isaac Newton’s third law of motion which states that for every force there is an equal and opposite force will be implemented.” Mr Obua cited recent skirmishes between the police and women activists of the opposition Interparty Cooperation (IPC) at the staircase of Parliament as what could have inspired issuance of the new directives. “We cannot allow such a thing to happen again,” he said. Parliament has also moved to regulate the presentation of petitions to the Speaker. Whoever is interested in petitioning the House “must seek the permission of the Speaker in writing at least 48 hours prior to delivery of the petition” reads guideline 15 (1), while guideline 15 (2) dictates that a “maximum” of 10 people shall be allowed access to Parliament “for the sole purpose of handing over the petition to the Speaker.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Basketball/-/690268/951558/-/rqphbxz/-/index.html","content":"Mountain Dew Falcons breach final frontier - Kampala Results – Friday Falcons 74-67 UCU Ndejje 47-63 Miracle WomenA-1 87-57 Sparks Another gritty performance from Mountain Dew Falcons proved too much for UCU Canons as the six-time champions earned a deserved 74-67 victory in the MTN-Fuba League at YMCA court, Wandegeya on Friday night. Not only was it UCU’s first defeat of the season but also ensured that Falcons are joint leaders with DMark Power on 21 points as the league hit the mid-way point. It was a complete team performance from Falcons as UCU’s traditional flair was no more as the latter trailed 18-14 and 22-15 in the first two quarters respectively. They never recovered as their plan to have two men defend inside the paint backfired, forcing the Enabu brothers, Ivan and Jimmy, into early foul trouble. Mike Buzangu’s scored a team-high 17 points for Falcons as Jimmy (8) was ejected in the penultimate quarter whereas Ivan (4) had to contend lots of time on the bench in order to avoid trouble. Karim Aine Sudi (16), Richard Osano Omondi (12), Biekenvenue Ngandu (10) and Kami Kabange (10) supported Buzangu sufficiently. UCU coach Nick Natuhereza’s pre-match comments that Falcons were the team to beat came to pass as only Robert Mugabe (24) and Geoff Omondi (13) breached the 10-point mark. As the first round wound down, Falcons must be satisfied with the progress made having been written off as soon as Steven Omony, Eric and Henry Malinga left the team before the start of the season. Earlier, Miracle Eagles beat Ndejje University Angels 63-47, while A-1 Challenge beat Makerere Sparks 87-57 in the women’s division."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/-/690266/950780/-/14ofuxoz/-/index.html","content":"Flair versus grit as Canons face Falcons - Mountain Dew Falcons and UCU Canons play totally contrasting styles of basketball with dissimilar results in the MTN-Fuba League. Falcons’ physicality and grit has brought them six rings in the league’s 15-year history whereas UCU have nothing to show for their eternal flair. However, the two are evenly matched ahead of their clash at YMCA court, Wandegeya tonight as Falcons seek to breach the league’s last frontier. “Falcons are the team to beat. They have all the best players from across the region. We are under no illusions about the task ahead of us,” youthful Nick Natuhereza tactfully down-played his team’s unbeaten start. The Enabu brothers, Ivan and Jimmy plus Kenyan twins, Geoffrey Omondi and Robert Mugabe, have epitomised UCU’s resurgence."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/950046/-/x1xj68/-/index.html","content":"Theatre Factory drags Uganda telecom to court - Theatre Factory has sued Uganda telecom (UTL) for Shs96 million which allegedly arose out of breach of contract between the two parties. Theatre Factory, a comedy outfit whose principle activity is to use drama in development projects to equip people with skills and create awareness, dragged the telecommunications company to Kampala High Court, Commercial Division. The artistes claim that on May 23, 2008, UTL at their own request and insistence entered into agreement to sponsor the Comedy Nites at Shs6 million per month plus Shs2 million per month for further publicity. Breach of contractAccording to the agreement signed between UTL and the Theatre Factory on May 26, 2008, UTL was to undertake sponsorship of the Comedy Nites at Shs96m for a year. In return, Theatre Factory was to give exclusive telecommunication branding for the mobile telephone company and promotion at the venue of comedy show, including the surrounding areas mandated to Theatre Factory within National Theatre premises. Further the comedians were to act as UTL brand ambassadors. Theatre Factory now contends that UTL breached the said contract to pay Shs96 million quarterly. The artistes want court to compel UTL to pay the said money. However UTL says they are not indebted to Theatre Factory as per the amount claimed in the suit.The case comes up for hearing on September 7."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/946158/-/x1g70c/-/index.html","content":"Women protest 14 per cent health budget reduction - Women groups yesterday released a statement expressing concern and disappointment over the government’s 2010/11 budget, in which the health budget was cut by 14 per cent. Speaking at a Post-Budget meeting in Kampala, officials from the Forum for Women in Democracy, and other civil society groups said they were concerned that the government cut the health budget by Shs105 billion-- leaving health with only 10 per cent of the national budget in total breach of the Abuja Declaration- calling for 15 per cent share of the national budget. Concern“We are concerned that the health budget was cut when Uganda has the third highest deaths from malaria in Africa and some of the highest malaria transmission rates on the continent,” Julius Makunda, FOWADE programme director in charge of gender budgeting, said. “Whereas the ministries’ plans and intentions are gender responsive, their implementation is still gender blind.” According to the civil societies, cutting health budget creates a heavy burden upon the health system in the country at a time when, malaria accounts for approximately 30 to 50 per cent of out patient care, 15 to 20 per cent of admissions and 9 to 14 per cent of inpatients. EffectsAs a result of the budget cuts, reproductive health supplies estimated at Shs7.5 billion, insulin estimated at Shs3 billion to cater for patients who require diabetes treatment, anti-cancer treatment at Shs1 billion and mental health drugs worth Shs1 billion will not be procured during the financial year. But Mr Fredrick Matyama who represented Ministry of Finance at the meeting said in the next financial year, Global Fund money will cater for the gap, adding that Shs90 billion will be allocated to the National Medical Stores for prevention of malaria and tuberculosis."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/944700/-/x1ewx3/-/index.html","content":"Jamwa and Kagonyera mismanaged NSSF - staff - On three different occasions, the former National Social Security Fund Managing Director, Mr David Chandi Jamwa, attempted to ban the Fund’s Contracts Committee, senior managers told Parliament yesterday. And while he was at the helm of the Fund’s management, together with his former deputy Prof. Mondo Kagonyera, subordinates were always pressured into doing wrong things, it was said. These and other accusations were contained in the testimonies of various section heads who yesterday appeared before the House committee on Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises, which is currently looking into past financial impropriety at NSSF. The section heads had been asked to explain why the Fund never advertised before the procurement of an expensive integrated management information system. Acting Managing Director, Grace Isabirye, told the committee that “the then accounting officer should bear the consequences for the breach of the rules.” MPs however, took the cautionary view that it is not improbable that there could be attempts to heap all the blame on Mr Jamwa who was yesterday arrested over related offences of causing financial loss and abuse of office. Regardless, Mr Charles Muhoozi, NSSF’s communications manager, insisted that transactions in which Mr Jamwa had an interest usually went ahead irrespective of the opinion of the Contracts Committee. “There were three attempts by him (Jamwa) to disband the contracts committee, members would make propositions and he would disregard them,” Mr Muhoozi said. ‘Worst managers’The parliamentary Committee of Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises is giving a second hearing from all whose names are included in a forensic audit report by the Kenyan firm –KPMG before Parliament pronounces itself on the report. Ms Hope Bizimana, the current human resources manager, and who has been at the Fund for the last 22 years, told the committee that most queries, arose because Mr Jamwa and Prof. Kagonyera were the worst managers. “We were working under a lot of pressure during that regime … It is not only in the salary advances that we were seeing anomalies, but in everything because there was a lot of pressure and hardships when these people (Jamwa and Prof. Kagonyera) came,” Ms Bizimana, who indicated that life has returned to normal since the two were dropped, said. Salary advancesThe audit report shows that Mr Jamwa received salary advances six times (eventually totalling Shs244 million) contrary to the Fund’s loans policy which states that advances should be given once a year and after complete payment of the pending advance. “I knew that it was not right for him to take another advance before payment of the one he had but he (Jamwa) should answer for himself [as to] why he applied for another loan before he completed the one he already had,” Ms Bizimana said. “I had never got problems at work like those I got during those peoples’ regime.”His deputy, Prof. Kagonyera also took two advances (amounting to Shs111 million), just five days after his appointment to the Fund. It was revealed yesterday that Prof. Kagonyera has since cleared all his advances. Mr Jamwa still has Shs37 million outstanding. MPs yesterday demanded that any money which was not paid back by the time the duo was still in office be collected with interest but the managers could not commit themselves to this proposal. Hearing continues today morning when the managers will table before the committee evidence of the advance payments recovery on the payroll."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/943636/-/a0f82az/-/index.html","content":"East Africa needs joint anti-drug trafficking task-force - Uganda has gradually become one of the leading drug trafficking conduits for organised international drug cartels in Latin America, West Africa to Europe and Far Eastern countries. The May 5th arrest of Ugandan Anne Birungi Bisaso alias Gillian Kiconco by Kenya Police at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with 21 kg of cocaine worth Ksh 85 million (Shs 2.2b) epitomises the complexity of this clandestine trade. Prior to the Kiconco incident, a litany of illicit drug-related interceptions was reported at Entebbe International Airport. Moreover, a number of Ugandans are currently languishing in Chinese prisons on drug trafficking charges. Given China’s tough anti-trafficking laws, some of these Ugandans face life imprisonment or even death penalty. It’s hard to establish the exact number of incarcerated Ugandans abroad on drug-related offences because they rarely register with Ugandan embassies. Ugandans’ notoriety in this trade should alarm law enforcement agents in Uganda and neighbouring countries as it raises serious national security questions. International drug cartels have obviously found Uganda to be an easy ground for their trade because of our weak security measures. Exacerbating this is the pervasive corruption in virtually every Ugandan government institution. Under these circumstances, I was perturbed by statement to the media by Mr Owomugisha, Entebbe Airport security chief that he was “shocked” about Kiconco’s re-arrest in Nairobi because he had personally confiscated her passport when she was first arrested at Entebbe to prohibit her from getting a new passport and further international travels. The mounting arrests of Ugandan traffickers by no means make Uganda a leading producer of cocaine, heroin or marijuana. Rather it’s a replay of what goes on here at US/Mexico border where powerful Latin American drug-lords hire drug-runners commonly called ‘coyotes’ or ‘moles’ to ferry drugs to the US, Europe and Middle East. The drug-lords are hardly apprehended but the coyotes pay the price. Apparently, tighter security at US/Mexico border has diverted traffickers to East Africa where getting the coyotes is so easy because of high unemployment, poor security surveillance and systemic corruption, including within our immigration department. For Kiconco to have been issued three Ugandan passports was a grave breach of trust, integrity and national security interests. An independent commission of inquiry should thoroughly investigate conditions under which these happened and overall internal operations of immigration department. Perpetrators must face the law. East African Community members should wage a concerted war against these traffickers by setting up a joint regional task force that should, among others things, include instantaneous sharing of information on known traffickers and terrorists, and harmonising heavy penalties against traffickers – unlike the one-year jail time and Shs1m fine currently enforced in Uganda. Such light penalties make the risks worthwhile for this multi-billion dollar industry. As East African Community members forge towards regional integration, these are some of the security challenges they should address because security lapse in one country may have catastrophic consequences for a neighbouring country. Mr Asedri is a medical information technologist based in San Diego, California, USAdikumvi@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/942356/-/x1dgai/-/index.html","content":"Probe Kiboko Squad, says UHRC - Uganda Human Rights Commission has called for expeditious investigations and prosecution of the stick-wielding men commonly known as the Kiboko Squad. The group whipped opposition Inter-Party Cooperation members last week in Kampala. Addressing a press conference in Kampala on Friday, UHRC chairman Med Kaggwa said since police had denied any association with the ruthless group, justice must be done to bring the culprits to book. On June 9 and June 14, the opposition Forum for Democratic Change President, Dr Kiiza Besigye and IPC women led by Ms Ingrid Turinawe respectively came head on with the cane-wielding men in company of uniformed police officers who crashed their demonstrations that called for overhaul of the Electoral Commission. Some people were harmed by the teargas sprayed at them whereas others sustained beatings prompting their admissions to city hospitals. “The idea that citizens should meet peaceably to consult one another about public affairs and to petition for redress of grievances is at the heart of democratic governance,” Mr Kaggwa said. He added: “The right to demonstrate and to protest on matters of public concern is a right ‘which is in the public interest and that individuals should possess’ so long as it is not done to propagate violence or do anything harmful.” The human rights chief said in order to justify any preventive action against demonstrations, the possibility of a breach of peace must be real and imminence or immediacy of the threat to peace should determine what action is reasonable.“Therefore, curtailment of this core constitutional right requires clear and convincing evidence in absence of which the right should be exercised,” Mr Kaggwa insisted.Asked what action the commission was taking against the Kiboko Squad, Mr Kaggwa said the mandate of UHRC is to receive complaints of human rights violations and submit reports to Parliament to take action. “We are not a law enforcing body, we protect human rights. We have contacted Police that have powers to enforce law to investigate the matter,” he said. However, Mr Kaggwa urged the opposition leaders and the public to always express their grievances through channels that are within the confines of the law. He said people should report to the commission the specific people who violate their rights rather than merely labelling them ‘Kiboko Squad’ for easy pursuit to demand for accountability. The ‘Kiboko Squad’ actions are quickly becoming notorious in the country especially when dispersing the opposition demonstrations and police has often denied any knowledge of their background. In April 2007, a similar incident occurred in Kampala when the stick-wielding men appeared on the streets and beat up demonstrators. The Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, recently disowned the squad."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/940790/-/fikir6z/-/index.html","content":"Apple iPhone 4 sets record sale pace despite gaffe - Sales of Apple Inc's latest iPhone blew away expectations in its first day on the market despite shortages and an embarrassing online ordering glitch that thwarted many shoppers. Apple shares rose nearly 3 percent on Wednesday after it announced sales of more than 600,000 iPhone 4s, a record for just a single day of pre-orders. That put the device on track to surpass sales of its previous iPhone models as well as its iPad tablet computer, and sounded a strong challenge to rivals like Nokia Corp, which warned of weaker-than-expected sales at its phones unit. But Apple apologized on Wednesday for having to halt sales temporarily after the surprising volume of online interest overloaded order and approval systems and supplies ran out. Apple's website said Wednesday afternoon that products ordered then would be shipped by July 14, three weeks after the phone's scheduled June 24 launch in stores and slower than the July 2 shipment promised earlier in the day. The site was still slow on Wednesday, making it unclear if orders were going through. The phone's exclusive U.S. carrier AT&T Inc said it had halted pre-orders and that sales will resume as soon as inventory becomes available. The Apple faithful appeared unconcerned. Analysts said the new iPhone would likely surpass sales of the last model, about 1 million units of which moved in its first three days. One analyst said sales of the device could reach 10 million per quarter, once Apple can meet demand. \"At some point in the next three to four months they'll catch up. That's when they'll start hitting the 10 million per quarter mark,\" Hapoalim Securities analyst Kevin Hunt said. \"There is probably enough demand (to hit that number) in the third quarter but there's probably not enough supply.\" Another analyst, Shaw Wu of Kaufman Bros, said his 8 million estimate for the quarter is probably conservative. Some other analysts have raised concerns that Apple supply shortages -- which caused a delay in the international launch of the iPad, for instance -- would drive impatient buyers to rivals. Apple and AT&T have incurred several recent technical and public relations embarrassments, including a security breach on the iPad that exposed email addresses of public figures, and an investigation into a missing iPhone prototype. AT&T also said it received complaints that potential iPhone 4 customers were seeing other customers' data on its website. It did not comment on this in Wednesday's statement. Apple unveiled the slimmer, $199 iPhone 4 last week, kicking off its fastest-ever global product roll-out to try to stay a step ahead of rivals like Google Inc in a red-hot smartphone market. The device boasts a higher-quality screen and longer battery life, video chat via Wi-Fi, and a gyroscope sensor for improved gaming. 1 | 2 Next Page»VERIZON ON THE HORIZON? Shares of Apple, still hovering near a lifetime high, closed up 2.9 percent at $267.25 on Nasdaq. AT&T slipped 0.08 percent to $25.52 on the New York Stock Exchange. AT&T said orders of the iPhone 4 were 10 times higher in their first day than for the iPhone 3GS on its launch day last year. It said it chalked up more than 13 million visits to its website on Tuesday, including customers checking to see if they were eligible to upgrade to a new phone. It said eligibility checks were three times its previous record for a single day. Hudson Square Research analyst Todd Rethemeier said the sales numbers were good news for AT&T, especially because of widespread expectations that bigger rival Verizon Wireless, a venture of Verizon Communications Inc and Vodafone Group Plc, will soon be able to sell iPhones too. \"It means they're locking up customers into new two year contracts. Nobody knows when Verizon's going to the iPhone, but there's a lot of speculation this will happen.\" he said. \"Anything AT&T can do to lock up customers now is a good thing.\" Rodman & Renshaw analyst Ashok Kumar said the technical snafus were more of a black eye for AT&T than Apple, and reinforced his expectation for a Verizon iPhone late this year. He does not see the problems helping rivals who make phones powered by the Android software from Google. \"People who can't get their phones today, they're not going to go to Android. They'll just come back tomorrow and try to buy the iPhone,\" he said. AT&T said the availability of its inventory would determine whether it could resume taking orders. Apple apologized to frustrated would-be buyers and asked them to \"try again\" online and in stores once the phone is in stock. \"We apologize to everyone who encountered difficulties, and hope that they will try again ... once the iPhone 4 is in stock,\" Apple said in a statement. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/937310/-/x0udvc/-/index.html","content":"US refuses to sign as delegates endorse crime of aggression - The use of violence by one state against another is now a crime triable by the International Criminal Court after delegates, following a consensus agreement, included it in the Rome Statute on Friday evening. An agreement, immediately described as an anti-climax by human rights groups because it was soft on big powers, was arrived at half past midnight after close to a fortnight of diplomatic battles. This means that use of force in breach of the UN Charter such as an invasion, a bombardment, a blockade or a country allowing another state to use its territory to attack a third nation is now a crime.The decision opens the door for individual prosecutions for a fourth crime by the Court established in 2002. The other crimes are genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Successful meeting“We are happy with the outcome given the divergent views, under the circumstance that was the best we could get, and Kampala will be known for this historic moment,” said Ambassador Mirjam Blaak one of the key Ugandan organisers of the meet yesterday morning.However, groups like Human Rights Watch said the Security Council members had complicated the entire process by seeking to retain “exclusive control” over the crime of aggression. “ICC as a judicial body must be independent from the political interference of the Security Council that is a political organ that takes decision for political reasons,” said Mr Richard Dicker- the director for International Justice at HRW. But politics did prevail at the end. It was agreed for example that while the Court now has jurisdiction over a crime of aggression it had to wait for six months before taking its action and can only do so if the United Nations Security Council failed to refer such an act to The Hague. The Security Council can also “veto” any prosecution on grounds that it was prejudicial to international security and keep objecting with annual resolutions.Delegates also conceded that the crime will not apply to non-state parties which like America have refused to sign on to the ICC. State parties can also submit a “non-acceptance” declaration to the court to avoid prosecution save for where it is the Security Council that has referred a case. “[This deal] unjustifiably solidifies blanket and automatic impunity of non-state parties,” said Mr Ichiro Komatsu, the head of the Japanese delegation to Kampala.The Kampala deal also retained a get-out clause, an optional protocol which allows states not to subject their nationals to the court’s jurisdiction. Thus agreements signed by say Washington and Kampala not to give up American citizens to the court will remain legal and in force. Great step forwardDr Benjamin B. Ferencz, a professor of international law and first prosecutor of the crime of aggression in the Nazi Nuremberg trials, told Sunday Monitor that this is a great step forward in the evolution of international humanitarian law. During the conference Ferencz had argued that there was no contradiction between the Security Council and ICC since one made political decisions about international peace and the other tried crimes that resulted from a breach of such a peace.Ugandan Attorney General, Dr Kidhu Makubuya told Sunday Monitor – the country had crossed a historical milestone. “This is particularly significant because Uganda was the first state to make a referral and submitting itself to the jurisdiction of the ICC,” said Dr Makubuya."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/936702/-/2d7ws3z/-/index.html","content":"We must nurture tolerance  - I have read with surprise the story that appeared in the Daily Monitor of June 9, that a senior two student of Sebei College was suspended from school indefinitely for flashing a ‘V’ sign, a presumed opposition sign in full view of President Museveni. I know schools have regulations that govern the conduct of students at school, breach of which would result into various punishments. I would particularly be interested in finding out which regulation this student breached, and whether the school had cared to sensitise the students about the rules. If, indeed, such a regulation exists, the school administration may want to find out whether it is not counterproductive to building a tolerant society that Uganda yearns for. I would also love to find out whether the headmaster thinks all students belong to the ruling party or whether those of different parties shouldn’t express themselves in this era of liberalised politics. The headmaster’s action may have been a spontaneous reaction which perhaps he intended to please the President and the NRM party officials who were present. He may have succeeded in the short-run to please some of them, but at the expense of the student’s rights and freedom to express himself. What the headmaster should have done is to invite/summon the student to his office for caution so that the student can learn that it is impolite, especially in Africa, to express a different political opinion at a venue organised by the administration to host a person of a different opinion. The headmaster’s action may instil fear in the students and fear may breed anger, which is counterproductive to moulding a tolerant community. I know President Museveni has witnessed more of such expressions either at Parliament, institutions of higher learning or community. But the calm with which the President has received such expressions has earned him more admirers and made NRM a more stronger party. If the FDC or other opposition politicians exploited this intolerance by getting Joshua Wambede a different school and perhaps even contributed to his fees, it will make this young man a rabied supporter of the opposition. Yet acting contrary to the way the headmaster did shall build a better person who may in turn convert to NRM. Emmanuel Dombo,NRM Member of Parliament The school has now rescinded the decision after discussion with the student’s parents- Editor"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/934056/-/x0s8o6/-/index.html","content":"Linkman drags ID company to court over commission - A middle man, Mr John Katto, who was involved in linking a Germany company in procuring the contract for provision of National Electronic Voters cards has gone to court seeking 6.4 million Euros about (Shs1.7 billion) as commission for his work. Linked ECMr Katto has filed a case at the High Court’s Commercial Division against Muhlbauer High Tech International and its Ugandan associate Muhlbauer Uganda Ltd claiming payment of the 10 per cent total sum of the contractual fee amounting 64 million Euros about (Shs172.8 billion). Mr Katto, formerly a manager at the defunct International Credit Bank (ICB), claims that in 2009 he, on behalf of the companies went into negotiations with Electoral Commission for the provision of Biometric Voter Registration System as well as national identification system for the people of Uganda. According to documents before court, Mr Katto says in the negotiation agreement the companies agreed to pay him remuneration of Shs1.6 billion (6.4 million Euros) when they clinched the deal. He claims that upon the agreement, he linked the company representative, Mr Dietmar Ernemann to Electoral Commission officials. He further says he met the Germany Ambassador and made proposals concerning the Biometric National Registration system by introducing Mr Dietmar to him. Mr Katto claims he carried out the work of purchasing the tender documents from EC and coordinated the technical team in the tendering process. He contends that as result of his involvement in this activity, the company was considered to be the best bidder and won a contract for processing the voter registration cards at Shs172.8 billion. However, Mr Katto is accusing the company of rendering his service irrelevant and refusing to pay him for his efforts. The man who had earlier denied being party to the contract signed between the Uganda government and Muhlbauer High Tech International has now agreed to being party to the deal by revealing his side of the story in the Court documents. He wants a court order directing the company to pay him his commission and damages for breach of contract. But lawyers representing the company say Mr Katto has sued a wrong party and is therefore not entitled to any remedies. The defendant contends that Muhlbauer High Tech International is a brand logo which has no corporate personality to be sued and that Mr Katto has never had a hand in dealing with the bidding process as alleged."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/929036/-/x0a6bx/-/index.html","content":"Police chief sued again over riot victims’ death - The Inspector General of Police has been sued again by a man who lost his two children during riots in September last year. Mr Majid Kayizzi dragged Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura together with the Attorney General. He wants the High Court to compel the two to compensate him for the loss of his children, Sadam Katogole,20, and Hussein Kakooza, 17. Mr Majid said the alleged killing of his two children by the police and the army during the riots, was a breach of their fundamental right to life. He adds that the killing was done by security personnel who were acting under the instruction of Maj. Gen. Kayihura. Shots, torture Mr Majid in his affidavit said last week his son Sadam was shot in the chest by police/army at Kubiri, Makerere round-about during the riots. He said on the same day at 6:30pm as he was taking the body of Sadam for burial, he received a call that his other son Kakooza had been tortured by security personnel at Wandegeya as he returned home. He then died from the hospital a week later. This is the second time the police chief and the attorney general are being sued over the loss of lives in regard to last year’s September riots that left at least 27 people dead and hundreds others wounded. About two months ago, Abdallah Byabasaija sued Maj. Gen. Kayihura and the Attorney General for the loss of his wife Stella Kabasinguzi who was allegedly shot dead from the verandah of her house in Kasubi, Kampala, by security personnel during the riots. No visitThe September riots that engulfed Kampala and some neighbouring districts, followed government’s decision to stop the Kabaka from going to Kayunga District, where he was set to preside over the youth day celebration. The date for hearing Mr Majid’s suit is yet to be set."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/921674/-/hxt8p8/-/index.html","content":"Court blocks govt from drawing Juba Airport cash - Court has blocked the government from drawing money amounting to over Shs6 billion, which was deposited in Stanbic Bank for the construction of Juba International and domestic airport in South Sudan. Ms Gladys Nakibule, the Commercial Court Registrar, issued an interim order restraining the government of Uganda and the South Sudan government from transacting any business on the disputed account in Stanbic Bank. The order, which was issued on May 10 seeks to block Uganda’s Attorney General from drawing payment on the Roko performance security and further restrains the government of South Sudan from paying any money to Uganda against the performance security. The order arose from an alleged breach of contract by the two governments where Roko was contracted to construct the Juba International and domestic airport in South Sudan. The construction company in its case filed at the Commercial Court recently accuses the Ugandan government of conniving with Blue Magnolia, another firm and trying to get part of the contract proceeds amounting to about Shs4.2 billion. Roko Construction said in the suit that its management entered into a contract with the government of Uganda to rehabilitate the airport. Under the contract, the construction firm was required to provide a permanent performance security in cash to the Uganda government amounting to Shs6.2 billion. The company claims its management obtained this money from the South Sudan government and delivered the same to Uganda. In February, the company commenced construction works but later suspended it indefinitely due to anomalies between Roko and the South Sudan government. The company is also seeking a declaration that Uganda government has breached the terms of the contract for which it is holding the two States liable of damages and costs.The parties are yet to appear before Justice Muhanguzi E Kashaka to argue the application for temporary injunction."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/920834/-/xbc93d/-/index.html","content":"Earn more from your pineapples - The pineapple is one of the most popular tropical fruits. According to Uganda Investment Authority’s pineapple project proposal 2009, the local fruit production is grown on about 2,000 hectares of land. But, on the global scale, Uganda’s production only remains a modest contribution. Looked at in light of Uganda’s resources’ endowment like good soils and favourable weather, there is room for improvement in terms of production. The value of the pineapple underscores the investment and trade opportunities that lie in wait. Nutritional values The pineapple is a high energy fruit (48 calories in vegetables) containing carbohydrates, sugars, dietary fibre, proteins, and fats. It also contains vitamins B1,B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, and Vitamin C. Additionally, mineral elements; Calcium, Iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and Zinc are also contained in the fruit, nutritionists advise a regular intake of these minerals for the normal functioning of our bodies.Pineapples contain an enzyme called Bromelain which is important in the digestion of proteins (it breaks down proteins into small components that can then be absorbed into the body). The fruits have been reported to help expel intestinal worms. Ongoing research has indicated some success in the pineapple leaves ability to treat venereal diseases. Pineapples improve blood circulation, heal inflammation and reduce swellings in cases of physical injuries. The enzyme Bromelain is used for tenderising meat and chill proofing beer; if added to gelatin, it increases its solubility for drinking and has been used for stabilising latex paints and in the leather-tanning process. More commonly, pineapples can be used in the making of jam, marmalades, jellies, or candies the pineapple oil is used to make flavouring in confectionery. The leaves (crown) are raw materials for the production of wall paper and furnishings. Among others, industrial pineapple waste can be processed into animal feeds. In the Philippines women weave these fibres (from leaves) into very beautiful fabrics. In India, these threads are used in shoe making. In West Africa they make valuable caps only worn by tribal chiefs, while in Taiwan the fabric makes durable underwear for the farmers. Pineapples are also used for decoration especially when treated with ethylene. The many uses of the pineapples explored dangle a multitude of opportunities beckoning an even deeper investment in the sector. On the local scene, dried pineapples are bought by exporters at averagely Shs8,000 a kilo yet a kilo of fresh pineapple may fetch you Shs500 or less. The more pineapples produced the higher the chances of attracting processing industries. Investors will usually locate their industries where they can access raw materials in bulk and with convenience. But a cluster of small holders growing quality products can also attract some investment. Some farmer groups in Uganda have invested in solar drying technologies, while others are processing the fruits into concentrates. These groups need to learn to transform the wastes into animal feeds as well. Currently pineapples are sold whole or sundried (mainly for export) or processed into the juice or concentrate. The local market for the fruits varies depending on size and season but may range from Shs500 to Shs5,000, this also depends on the point of purchase. The farm gate price also varies depending on season, size, quality and location of the farm - it ranges from Shs300-Shs1,000. The local demand is growing steadily and will certainly improve as more fruit processing facilities are set up. There is need to adhere to quality production and it is usually the consumers who cause the producers to comply. The habit of buying pineapples piled on the ground in very muddy environs makes our producers and traders complacent. They tend to think that all markets are so insensitive to quality; by contrast export markets are very quality sensitive and present real obstacles to exporters. But even then, why should we produce very good quality products for the export market and subject our selves to poor quality ones? It is not uncommon for one to see pineapples being transported on the same truck with pigs or goats. This is unacceptable and consumers should rise up to demand better. This is the only way we can bring pressure to bear on the producers and traders to be mindful of quality. Otherwise left on their own the regulators can not achieve much when the protected do not see the value of the protection. It would be important to align our production to Uganda National Bureau of Standards/EAC standards. Uganda export Promotion Board is open to all intending and practicing exporters in need of information and training in export market access requirements, and market information. While Uganda industrial research institute is providing incubation and affordable technologies for processors. Feel free to approach these government facilities for support. The global production and exports of pineapples is dominated by countries in South America and West Africa. According to the Fao two thirds of the pineapples traded on the international market are processed. As at 2008, the average global price of a tonne of pineapple (fresh or dried) was $868 (about Shs1.8m) while the price of a tonne of pineapple juice was selling at $1,263 (Shs2.5m). It is also logistically more challenging to transport fresh unprocessed pineapples than the processed products. If you were to transport your pineapples to Europe for instance, air transport may be your best bet, because the road to Mombasa then ship would take too long, yet you will need the cold chain. Generally, each market tends to import from its closest regional supplier due to lower transportation costs and shorter duration from harvesting to retail distribution. That explains why the US is mainly supplied by Latin America, while European markets are supplied by Africa (mainly West Africa), though Latin America (mostly to take advantage of space availability at competitive freight rates for shipments to Europe) also supplies Europe. By this same logic, Uganda exports most of its pineapples to Kenya though still a lot go to South Sudan informally. Although, we also export to the EU, European markets pose major logistical challenges in terms of transportation costs, this makes our products uncompetitive relative to the other mass producers with well developed transport mechanisms. Besides this the advanced markets impose very high quality (sanitary and phyto sanitary) requirements of your products so as to protect their consumers and unlike our markets their consumers will not settle for less. So for your products to enter these markets they must comply. Please note that there are no short cuts to this. Some markets require strict labelling of the fruits, and traceability requirements are gaining momentum. However, organically grown pineapples are fetching a better price now in the large markets than the conventional ones. As the global consumer health requirements escalate you could also gain an advantage over the competition by producing organically certified products or engaging in fair trade. That is the ticket on which Ugandan pineapples are competitively entering the EU and related markets. 1 | 2 Next Page»According to the ITC data; The global pineapple exports volume by 2008 was 2,863,212 tonnes, valued at $1.5b. The top four global exporters were Costa Rica (36.4 per cent), Belgium (15.4 per cent), Netherlands (12.8 per cent) and United States of America (6 per cent). Some of these countries re export these pineapples while others also process the pineapples further to export more valuable products. In Africa Cameroon was the biggest exporter making up 0.78 per cent of global pineapple exports and in the East African region, Kenya ranked highest with 0.02 per cent followed by Uganda exporting 2,426 metric tonnes valued at $181,000 (Shs362m)hence making 0.01 per cent of the global pineapple exports. However, the global demand for pineapple was valued at over $2bn. United States, the biggest importer accounted for 23.7 per cent, Belgium 13 per cent, Netherlands 8.6 per cent and Germany 8.3 per cent. How to market your pineappleMarketing a product is more than making a simple sale. It involves issues that often are overlooked or just simply ignored and yet may make all the difference between success and failure. And the question pineapple farmers should ask is, how do I market my produce along the value chain?Middlemen A farmer can look to market their fresh pineapple fruits to traders (usually middle men). These will buy your produce directly from the farm at a farm gate price that is usually dictated by them (or market forces). Traders in turn sell these pineapples to other traders in markets, groceries and other outlets. The prices in this relationship are influenced by factors such as seasons and small-scale producers are disadvantaged as they have limited bargaining power to influence the final price. Market as a groupThe trick then is to market your pineapple as a group of smaller growers an aspect called bulk-anizing. Most one-off traders are not very interested in the quality of the fruits or methods of production. They are more interested in the size and quantities. They may not care if you will exist tomorrow because they have the flexibility to change to other business, and usually, they do not invest in this business. Processors or exporters offer a better dealThe other option is to sell to processors or exporters. These require a good relationship for the business to work. They are usually established and have made investments in their businesses. They are more mindful of the quality of pineapples they will buy from you and will usually prefer that you enter into some kind of contractual obligation with them. They are in many cases willing to help the farmers with quality management in terms of training and some provide inputs for their out growers. They could support the farmer with planting materials, technical support, and some give processing technologies as well to their trusted out growers. Yet, you are have an assured market for your produce and the prices in this relationship do not fluctuate so much. Overall processors and exporters are interested in seeing the producer grow in capacity because it helps them meet their demand in a more sustainable manner. Farmers are more likely to develop when in such relationships than those relying exclusively on random traders. The challengeThe challenge here is that the farmers often breach the trust and choose to sell to the next the highest bidder. In a way this promotes competition and leaves the farmer better off, in the long-run though, farmers lack an assured market. Although some avoid contractual and formalised business undertakings, evidence the world over indicates that the future belongs to those who run formalised farm businesses. The processors and exporters target domestic or international markets. This category of people may sell to distributors and agents in the export markets but the products must comply with the international food safety, quality standards and traceability market requirements. They may process the fruits into dehydrated or dried fruits, canned fresh fruits, fruit concentrates ready and to drink juices among other products. Each of these has its own market entry and distribution requirements, but what is without doubt is the demand for these products, especially the organically produced pineapple products. It is important to ensure that the product and package are good. We have seen export products turn mouldy before they get to the final shelf, this will damage the image of your company more or less permanently. Bigger companies may choose to do all the above; producing, processing, and exporting their products and it should be the dream and aspiration of all producers to get to a point where they can process and earn more from their fruits. Of course this calls for bigger investment.gitta_paul@yahoo.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/918306/-/wyn0e6/-/index.html","content":"The flaws in sourcing vehicles - Yesterday Daily Monitor carried part two of the Chogm report that was compiled by the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament after seven months of investigations. The serialisation continues with recommendations on procurement of road contracts; * The Engineer in Chief, Eng. S. Bagonza who was responsible for executing Chogm works and went ahead to allow these unplanned and unfunded variations be held liable for the loss, and be charged for causing financial loss.* The Committee also recommends that all those who delayed the process of road construction to create emergency should be held for the loss. * The Executive Director PPDA should be held responsible for allowing direct procurement and single sourcing.* The Appointing Authorities should take appropriate action against them. b) TransportThe transport Committee under the Ministry of Works and Transport was mandated to procure vehicles for Chogm event. The vehicles were to include executive vehicles for Her. Majesty, the Queen and other Heads of Government, Police Motorcycles, lead cars, ambulances, command and patrol vehicles. Total payments made in respect of vehicle purchase costs were Shs 20,219,798,136. The solicitation of bids was advertised in May 2006, for the procurement of vehicles for Heads of Government. Forty firms had picked bids and of these twenty three had returned by 11th July 2006 by the Cabinet Sub-Committee. However, only three days before the closing date of the bid submission, the Minister Hon. John Nasasira halted the procurement indefinitely citing a Cabinet Sub-Committee directive. On the 4th December 2006, a decision was made by the Cabinet Sub-Committee for direct procurement to be used. PPDA upon being requested for a waiver rejected and instead granted restrictive bidding with at least three providers invited to bid. New bidding documents were prepared and issued to MotorCare Uganda Limited, Toyota Uganda Ltd, Spear Motors Ltd, Victoria Motors and Cooper Motors. Subsequently two firms i.e. Spear Motors Ltd and MotorCare Ltd, /EuropCar/InerCar Uganda Ltd. Submitted bids on 30th March 2007. Spear Motors emerged as the best and the award had been given. (Refers to the letter dated 8th May 2007). Flaws in the Evaluation process* Although bids were issued to MotorCare, the bid returned had a joint venture. According to procurement regulations, MotorCare as a lead company should have submitted the bids and then disclose the names of the companies it intends to associate with. The Committee also found that in February 2006, EuropCar Ltd. had changed its name to InterCar and it was not clear why the name EuropCar was being used. The Evaluation Committee did not consider disqualifying MotorCare at this stage * MotorCare submitted a trading license No. 0066761 which had expired by 31st December 2006. The evaluation Committee did not consider disqualifying MotorCare at this stage. Instead the Evaluation Committee decided to forward the matter to the Solicitor General who advised MotorCare to submit a valid trading licence against PPDA regulations. * However, it was not clear why it took the Cabinet Subcommittee a whole year to make such a decision. It was claimed that a cheaper leasing option from BMW, of Euro 4.17 million had been obtained. However, the Committee wrongly compared the cost of outright purchase of 204 cars at euros 8.29 million with the option of leasing 144 BMW at Euros 4.17 million that had been obtained without transport cost of Euros 738,000. * Had the numbers of vehicles for outright purchase been put at 144 the cost for outright purchase from spear Motors would have been Euros 6,190,500 as indicated below:-30Type 1 ------------- 1,404,00052Type1-------------- 2,433,60062Type 2 - ------------2,352,900Total CIF Kampala 6,190,500 Still the option for outright purchase would have been more favourable since the lease option would have exceeded the threshold of 40% (lease/purchase ratio at 67%). * Surprisingly a month later, the process again was halted by HE the Vice President claiming that the Cabinet Sub-Committee had decided that there was no outright purchase and that the leasing option be considered. Unfortunately, this decision took over one year to be made. Later, Hon. Sam Kutesa informed the Cabinet Sub-Committee that he had written to some companies but only one company, MotoCare had come up with a proposal to lease vehicles on 4th December, 2006, in a meeting chaired by HE the Vice President, he informed the meeting that the decision they had taken in the previous meeting of 20th November 2006, was “final.” And that the Committee had decided that “since only one Company had come up with a proposal to lease/sell vehicles to be used during Chogm, the Minister of Works and Transport and that of Foreign Affairs should work out modalities with that Company.” This decision was upheld on 16th January 2007. Later when other companies complained to the President of non-transparent manner in the procurement of these cars, the Vice President Hon. Gilbert Bukenya directed the Ministry of Works to proceed with MotorCare and warned against further procrastination in the procurement of vehicles. On 12th February 2007, in a meeting chaired by the President he advised that they should use Namibia and Zimbabwe examples where over 100 Heads of State were driven in private cars. At this point, HE Prof. Gilbert Bukenya never informed the President that he had already taken a decision to go for BMWs from MotorCare. * On 28th May, 2007, the Vice President HE Prof. Gilbert Bukenya called not the whole Chogm Cabinet Sub-Committee but only the Committee dealing with Transport and under Minute 2 he was informed that Spear Motors was the best bidder for outright purchase as it had offered the best value for money. In the same meeting, he was also informed that the number of vehicles had been reduced to 144. It is therefore not true as he claimed that he did not know that the number of vehicles had been reduced. * In disregard of the Evaluation Committee’s recommendation, a directive was made to the transport Committee to go ahead and negotiate with the representative of BMW in Uganda by the Chairperson, Cabinet Sub-Committee. Subsequently on the 1st June 2007 new bidding documents were made and issued to one firm, M/S Motorcare/Intercar Ltd. contrary to regulations. A waiver from PPDA to use direct sourcing was also never obtained.* It was however observed that although the solicitation bid document specified that the bidder presents a Performance security of 10% equivalent to Euros 409,936, this was not submitted. In clause 41.2 it was stated that “failure to submit the Performance security shall constitute sufficient grounds for the annulment of the contract award and forfeiture of any Bid Security”. This again was not done. Observations by the Committee* From the very beginning a decision to use single sourcing had apparently been made and hence procurement was biased to favour only one company.* Spear Motors was never given a chance to bid for 144 vehicles and yet MotorCare returned a bid for 204 vehicles and an unsolicited bid for 144 cars. Surprisingly HE Prof Gilbert Bukenya went with the unsolicited bid of 144 cars. One wonders how you would compare outright purchase of 204 cars with leasing of 144 cars plus purchase of 30 cars. * The vehicles were different from the ones that were ordered for and had wrong specifications both in models and year of manufacture. * Although the Ministry of Works and Transport wrote to the Suppliers on the17th December 2007 asking for remedies, no response was received. Since the supplier never executed a Performance bond, which would normally have been used for such breach of contract, Government was exposed to loss from the very beginning. * Although the Technical staff of Ministry of Works and Transport tried to follow the procurement regulations in the procurement of cars, their effort was always being over ruled by the decisions of the Cabinet sub-Committee chaired by the Vice President. The Vice President halted the process of competitive bidding in the procurement of executive vehicles. Again surprisingly, the Vice President in his letter of 25th May 2007 Ref.OVP/IMC/08/6/12 (Annex 2) halted the procurement process claiming that there would be no outright purchase of vehicles and that all vehicles would be leased. Even then, when there were complaints of lack of transparency in the manner in which these cars were being procured with some other suppliers claiming to have been denied the opportunity, the Vice President took a decision in the meeting of 20th November 2006 for the Ministry of Works and Transport to proceed with Motorcare and warned against further procrastination in the procurement of vehicles. 1 | 2 Next Page»* The Committee was concerned that such decisions including the halting of the bid opening, were done in a non transparent manner well aware that if the bids were opened, there was a possibility of getting cheaper offers that could have not favoured BMW. * The President, in his letter to the Executive Director Chogm, Madam Hilda Musubira who was then the Executive Director Chogm, had raised concern and warned against varying the procurement procedures. He had directed that those who do not ensure transparency were the ones who were responsible for the delays. The Chairperson, however, instituted special procurement Committee in total disregard of His Excellency’s guidance and directive. In appointing a special procurement Committee, the Vice President illegally usurped the role of procurement structures provided by PPDA. He directed for the special procurement Committee to receive a new quotation from MotorCare against the provisions of PDDA. The Committee found this quotation even higher in rates than the previous ones which had earlier been got from the same Company. * The Committee found the Minister of Works and Transport to have relegated his role to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, for example, wrote to companies inviting them to bid, something the Committee found to be outside his role and strange. More surprisingly, the Minister of Works, the in-charge of the sector, seemed not to be concerned. Furthermore, in the letter of the Minister of Foreign Affairs dated 24th November 2006 to the Minister of Works, (Annex 3) the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Kutesa submitted the offer of the BMW to the Ministry of Works and Transport. The Minister for Works still did not find this irregular enough. * All the ambulances delivered were not as per specifications i.e in that the medical components were non-responsive to the specifications e.g they lacked oxygen cylinders, hooks, drug cabinets, emergency lights etc. Although the manufacturer acknowledged these defects, they were never rectified. The Committee also found that only 21 out of 23 ambulances were delivered. The Committee was told that the two were damaged on the way. Conclusions and recommendations* Government of Uganda did not get value for money in the supply of these vehicles. As such Government made a loss.* When in the process of procurement, a decision was taken to cancel international bidding for restrictive bidding where national interest was lost. * The Chairperson Chogm Cabinet Sub-Committee H.E Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, by ordering for direct procurement from BMW, and warning anybody against further procrastination on the matter, infringed on PPDA regulation 265 (1), which prohibits mention of brand names and trade marks, and therefore defeating competition which would otherwise ensure value for money. This breach was echoed in the PPDA audit findings.* The Procurement process was fraudulent and marred with many irregularities.* The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sam Kutesa and the Minister of Works and Transport, Hon. John Nasasira bent procurement procedures to favour BMW. The Committee holds them liable for their actions. * The actions of the Chairperson Chogm Sub-Committee were route with some hidden agenda. He decided to appoint a select procurement Committee and instructed it to cancel the procurement process, declaring an emergency procurement and requesting for a new quotation from only one company i.e BMW. This he did in spite of the guidelines he had issued instructing all chairpersons of Sub-Committees of Chogm to ensure that procurement procedures are followed. The Committee recommends that HE Prof. Gilbert Bukenya be personally held liable for the loss of over Shs6 billion and flouting PPDA law and abuse of office. * The Committee recommends that appropriate action be taken by the Appointing Authority. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/918290/-/wymyti/-/index.html","content":"I have no regrets for Tuesday’s events - Kadaga - Kampala Deputy Speaker Rebecca Kadaga has said she is undaunted by the events that engulfed Parliament this week, describing one of the suspended MPs as “a nut” and telling Saturday Monitor in an exclusive interview that she would do it all over again if she had to. The Kamuli Woman MP said she has no regrets for suspending FDC MPs Odonga Otto (Aruu), Geoffrey Ekanya (Tororo County), Beatrice Anywar (Kitgum), Michael Ocula (Kilak) and Christine Bako (Arua) for exhibiting disorderly conduct and disrupting parliamentary sitting on Tuesday. “Their conduct was so unruly and disorderly that they needed to be dealt with,” said Ms Kadaga.Responding to Mr Otto’s comments that her actions were “silly”, Ms Kadaga said, “He is ignorant because I think he hasn’t read the rules of procedure. It cannot be silly. This is a command of the rules of procedure of Parliament which everybody swore to uphold. So he is a nut, I think.” She also said she strongly believes the presence of FDC leader Kizza Besigye and other opposition leaders that Tuesday afternoon influenced the MPs to breach parliamentary decorum. “All this anger and agitation had to do with trying to impress the people in the gallery to show that they were having a showdown with the government,” said Ms Kadaga. “What I realised afterwards is that they were actually playing to the gallery.” Dr Besigye, CP president Ken Lukyamuzi, JEEMA leader Kibirige Mayanja and UPC vice president Patrick Mwondha, were in the House that afternoon seated in the Strangers Gallery and witnessed the chaos that erupted on the floor. They later addressed reporters in Parliament and took turns to condemn Ms Kadaga for her decision to object to requests by the opposition to table a motion on electoral reforms on the floor, questioning her neutrality. Ms Kadaga said in the interview that she was unfazed by the charges and defended her decision."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/917076/-/b3gqco/-/index.html","content":"Why live in incomplete houses? - In Uganda, there are many people living in incomplete houses. This is not because they want to but, due to various circumstances. Mr Patrick Falajjala, a retired civil servant, says he has struggled to finish his house for almost five years and decided to just start living in it before it was complete because of financial difficulties. “Instead of using the little money I have in paying rent, I have decided to enter the house and pay or save that money for school fees,” he says. Mr Julius Nyerere, a private engineer describes incomplete buildings as one with no water, power, toilets, windows, floors, paint, kitchen fittings, and the ceiling. Why unfinished houses?Eng. Julius Nyerere says some people occupy incomplete houses because of inadequate funds to either purchase construction materials or pay the contractors to finish the construction work. This can be due to the increase in the price of building materials like cement, bricks, tiles and sand, among others. “In such a situation, one may decide to live in the house as he looks for money to have it completed,” Eng. Nyerere says. He adds that some people live in incomplete houses due to pressure from landlords. Some landlords compel their tenants to pay rent for six months, which is a bit expensive hence forcing one to migrate from the rented premises to his or her unfinished structure. Incomplete houses are cheaper compared to finished houses. He says in Uganda, most people are poor to the extent that some live below a dollar per day. He argues that eviction from the house where one has been staying may cause a person to occupy an incomplete house. “For instance, if you are renting and a landlord decides to throw you out of his house, you may have no option, but to occupy your incomplete house,” he says. Other reasonsHowever, Ms Ester Bakule, a resident of Banda, says one may live in an unfinished building due to marital responsibilities. She says if a man gets a wife and the house or the room where he has been staying is not enough to accommodate the new family, he may choose to occupy a bigger incomplete structure. Ms Prossy Nalule, a businesswoman in Kireka, says at one time she lived in an incomplete house because she had paid money to the landlord, who kept promising to complete the house in vain. “I paid my money as the house was being constructed. I was sure that in a few weeks the house would be complete,” she says. Ms Nalule says she asked the landlord to refund her money, but he refused. Her former landlord had given her 30 days to vacate so, she was left with no choice but to occupy the house. Builders’ role The reason why builders fail to complete houses is because of poor planning basically due lack of consultation. Some people just get up, hire a contractor and start constructing without first establishing whether or not the money they have will be enough to complete the structure. Misunderstandings between the contractor and the owner of the house may also halt the construction process. “Sometimes a disagreement may arise and a builder decides to abandon the construction works,” Eng. Nyerere says. Also, a breach of contract may be problematic. Some house owners fail to pay the contractor, which may force him to halt the construction before a house is completed. Anticipated dangersMs Nalule says when it rains, water enters into the house and also endless sand keeps dropping. Another problem is insecurity. She says one day, thugs hit the entrance door of the house and it fell off which put her life in danger. “An incomplete house acts as a habitant for rodents, insects, bugs and mosquitoes hence occupants of such houses are prone to getting diseases like malaria, cough and pneumonia,” Mr Luwanga says. He adds that some incomplete structures are not strong. As a result, they may collapse causing either injuries or death to the occupants."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/915286/-/wykvua/-/index.html","content":"Museveni breached no agreement - Mbabazi - Kampala The government yesterday said allegations by some top Buganda kingdom officials that President Museveni “breached” a gentleman’s agreement with the Kabaka after their landmark 2009 September meeting “is incorrect”. Security Minister Amama Mbabazi, who said he was speaking upon authorisation by Mr Museveni, said remarks by some Mengo officials that the environment for negotiation had been “polluted”, rendering the opportunity for follow-up meetings “useless” are “not true.” The five officials quoted in a story published by Saturday Monitor last week, reportedly said Mr Museveni and Kabaka Mutebi during the September 30 Entebbe meeting convened in the wake of strained relations, agreed to freeze all actions until talks on Buganda’s outstanding demands are concluded. The complaints were attributed to the Katikkiro, Eng. John Baptist Walusimbi; Information Minister Charles Peter Mayega and two other ministers who cited the President’s quick assent to the Land (Act) Amendment Bill passed by Parliament last year as one of the violations. Buganda spiritedly opposed the new legislation, claiming it was intended to “grab” the kingdom land although government said it was a safety net for tenants often evicted by landlords. Preparing responseMr Mbabazi told this newspaper by phone: “What those Mengo officials, both anonymous and quoted (in the story), say isn’t correct. “The government categorically states that, that there was a breach on the part of President Museveni on what was agreed on with His Highness the Kabaka is incorrect,” he said, “And government will, mid this week, issue a comprehensive and word by word response to those allegations.” In yesterday’s interview, Mr Mbabazi said continued silence on the part of government could “ingrain in mind of the public” the false notion that the accusations by Buganda officials constitute “the truth.” “My advice to officials speaking for or on behalf of Mengo is that they should do so with the view to building a positive relationship between Mengo and the central government because a harmonious relationship between the two, as has clearly been demonstrated previously, is in the interest of both parties,” he said. Katikkiro Walusimbi said last evening that statements in last week’s article of disgruntlement attributed to him could have been overtaken by event “because many things have changed.” “The comments, if I made them, may have been relevant then, not relevant now,” he said. He said since the last publicly known meeting between the President and the Kabaka more than six months ago, the two principals “have been and are communicating.” “Something positive might come up in the near future and I am hopeful,” he said, adding: “I agree with his (Minister Mbabazi’s) statement that we are trying to build positive relationship between Mengo and the central government.” Asked about any progress in the ongoing dialogue, Eng. Walusimbi said: “If there is any writing about things that are being discussed confidentially, it jeopardises progress.” The kingdom’s Spokesman Charles Peter Mayega, also the Buganda information minister, had a different take altogether when contacted last evening. He said: “I am not aware of any progress on talks between the two parties [Buganda and Central government]. What kind of progress is there? They (government) have not switched the radio [CBS] back on air; not paid the Shs20 billion they owe us, there is nothing completely.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/911046/-/wyi2w5/-/index.html","content":"‘Free media good for democracy’ - As Uganda today joins the world in marking the World Press Day. We bring you a speech made by Justice Kanyeihamba during a debate between the government and the media on the proposed amendment of the media Bill in Kampala on Friday. Yesterday, I received three documents, two of which were alarming. The first was entitled, Principles for a Bill to amend the Press and Journalist Act with the main object of Regulating the media. The Document was dated May 6, and it purported to originate from the office of the Prime Minister. The second was a draft dated January 29 and called A Bill for an Act entitled. The Press and Journalist (Amendment) Act, 2010. The long title to this document reads as follows. “An Act to amend the Press and Journalist Act in order to provide for registration of newspapers: to require that the editor of a newspaper shall ensure that what is published is not prejudicial to national security; to rationalize the composition of the media council; to provide for licensing of newspapers, to increase the membership of the disciplinary committee; to provide for expeditious disposal of complaints before the disciplinary committee; to provide for offences and penalties and to provide for other related matters”. Is this a joke? At first, I thought that these two documents were a kind of a joke emanating from some previous authoritarian or dictatorial regime where the population has never heard of the words, democracy, freedom, rule of law or freedoms of speech and the press.On closer examination, I discovered that the documents originated from Uganda government sources. I was astounded because I could not believe that a government which came into power under a popular wave of the quest for democracy, the rule of law, human rights and constitutionalism could contain or harbour within its ranks ministers, administrators and bureaucrats who have completely gone overboard and abandoned everything good and desirable about good governance and the liberties of the people in preference to the ghastly misdeeds of past regimes both within and outside Uganda. I thought I was dreaming when I recalled the old saying that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Is this then what staying in and exercising it beyond the democratic and constitutional limits mean to peaceful and law abiding citizens? I woke up from this political slumberland to the reality of the contents of the two documents. I reflected, and then read the third document. My political sanity began to return to its original position when I read the third document entitled XIV Article 19 Global Campaign for Free Expression. It turned out to be a critical and constructive memorandum on the two documents I had first read. This third document was a sobering relief to the internalization of the first two. It was accompanied by several others including the current legislation on the press and media, The Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the statement on the Press and Journalist (Amendment) Bill, 2010, the Judgment of the Uganda Supreme Court on Constitutional Appeal No. 2 of 2002. When comparisons are made between these documents, a clear picture emerges. The draftsmen or women of the first two documents appear to have been ignorant or oblivious to the provisions of the Uganda Constitution and the judgments of the Supreme Court on freedoms of expression and the media. If one did not know that such perversions can happen even to principled governments, one would mistake the originators and draftspersons of the first two documents to be out laws and demagogues. But I digress. What we have in the proposals for new legislation on the freedom of speech, press and media constitute draconian and unacceptable measures that would be a reversal of Uganda achievements for more than a generation. They spell out clearly evil intentions to enslave the minds, thoughts and communication of intelligence, knowledge and actions intended to advance good governance and welfare in the country. They should not be the subject of mere criticism and amendment. No. They must be rejected at once as the most unacceptable devices intended to stifle debate and progress on good governance in this country. In my opinion, there is nothing in them to be salvaged. They must be opposed in toto. Whether it be in the media, in the country, in Parliament, in the Judiciary or in Cabinet, there must be co-ordinated and verbal assault on these proposals because if passed into law, this country would ultimately reap evil from them.Importance of Free PressIn free and democratic societies, the press and other forms of media are essential tools of governance. They investigate, research into and publish all that is good or bad in society. They alert and educate citizens whether rulers or the governed, about the right and wrong paths in the manner and style, respective governments are behaving and acting in the running and administration of public affairs. In this regard, the independence and freedom of the press and other media together with the ethics and courage of the proprietors, directors, journalists and reporters who work for and in them are of crucial importance. The interplay between press freedom, restraints on the part of publishers and the ethics and courage of journalists creates tbe necessary equilibrium for acceptable standards and behaviour In publishing and governance. In countries where monolithic, authoritarian or personalised regimes are the order of the day, the role of the press is either severely restricted or constantly challenged, but also its importance has never been greater or in greater need. Generally, the media is adversely affected by the law, the policies and practices of the people in power. In the result, the accuracy, the integrity and credibility of the media both in print and electronics are seriously if fatally compromised. Where journalists and reporters are intimidated or persuaded to “co-operate”, and become good boys and girls in the judgment of those they are minded to support unconditionally, the truth of what they write or report in the press and other media becomes suspect, their stories are mainly in support of party or government often uninformed or misinformed, unresearched and boring. Perhaps only their reports on international news and events exhibit some grains of truth and interest to readers or listeners. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Score/-/689854/909752/-/g20em4z/-/index.html","content":"Equal footing - On a weekend of Premier League action encompassing eight games, it is more important than usual for Monitor Fantasy Football League managers to keep their eye on the ball. We have reached that stage of the season when every match is outright crucial as Man United and Chelsea jostle for the championship while Liverpool, Man City, Tottenham and Aston Villa scuffle for Champions League football. Biggest chanceThat aside, this weekend provides the biggest chance yet for anyone to win week’s Shs0.1m prize money for the best manager. The past weeks have had several midweek games which have disadvantaged many who have either been busy, forgetful, or even broke to make changes. With all the games this weekend, we all start on equal footing with no points. It’s anybody’s game. Devotees of the game should, therefore, utilise this chance and make winning teams. MFFL is here to tell you who is in and who is out plus advising you on possible transfer options. Many games to choose from and any can earn you some points. But because of the state of affairs in the rest, MFFL will limit itself to only three matches – Birmingham v Burnley, Stoke v Everton and Sunderland v Man Utd. Bring in: Joe Hart ($2m), Tim Cahill ($4.5m), Luis Nani ($4m) and Liam Ridgewell ($1.5m) Enviable recordBirmingham do not need reminding of their enviable home record. All the traditional ‘Big Four’ have dropped points at St Andrews and the already relegated Burnley will for all good reasons dread going there. In-form keeper Hart should, therefore, be in your goal as a clean sheet will guarantee you seven points. Ridgewell should protect the Man City loanee from Burnley’s Steve Fletcher. At only $1.5m, he’s such a bargain. Cahill, together with Mikel Arteta, are more likely to breach Stoke’s defence when Everton make a trip to Britannia Stadium. His aerial presence and heading ability will surely carry the Toffees and you. United’s Nani is in scintillating form. From the deft back heel against Bayern Munich in the Champions League to last weekend’s cheeky chip in the 3-1 defeat of Spurs, he has netted them in style. He’s the man United will rely on to break the Sunderland defence, having it in mind that the reverse fixture ended 2-2 at Old Trafford. Leave alone:Stuart Taylor (knee), Shay Given (shoulder), Gary Neville (calf), Wayne Rooney (groin/doubtful), Hesselink (concussion), Obi Mikel (knee) and Thomas Sorensen (arm/elbow)."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/908652/-/wy1iyj/-/index.html","content":"Chogm decoration firm sues government - A decoration firm that was contracted to decorate the 2007 Chogm venues has gone to the High Court over non-payment. Finishing Touches Limited, a private decoration firm, accuses the government for breach of contract and wants court to compel the government to pay for damages amounting to over Shs400m. The registrar, Ms Gladys Nakibuule, issued summons on Monday to the government to file in their defence within 15 days and should they fail to do so, judgment will be entered into in their absentia. The decoration firm through their lawyer claims that in 2007, they entered into an agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to decorate all the Chogm venues at a contract fee of Shs459m. The venues that they agreed to decorate include; Entebbe Airport, Serena Conference Centre, Golf Course Hotel, Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel, Hotel Africana and venues for foreign luncheons. Job doneDocuments before court show that the decoration firm satisfactorily complied and carried out the work diligently and that it finished it in November and December of 2007. The firm further claims in its suit that when executing the decoration job, they incurred massive expenses since no advance payment had been made to them by the Foreign Affairs ministry. “After Chogm, the firm attended several meetings with officials from the ministry including Ambassador James Mugume who agreed to pay the money excluding the taxes” read the suit in part. On April 8 when the decoration firm appeared before the Chogm inquiry committee, MPs marvelled at how the beautification deal came to be nearly doubled. Details of the inquiry committee showed that by the end of the summit, Shs700m had been spent on the flowers and other decoration materials surpassing the original contract.The committee held Ambassador James Mugume and the Venues Sub-Committee chairperson, Ms Rhoda Kaisho, accountable. Most of the money was spent on the decoration of the opening ceremony at Serena Conference Centre which cost Shs162.2 million"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/904092/-/wxxm3n/-/index.html","content":"Mukono District chairman risks arrest over debt - The High Court in Jinja has ordered police to arrest Mukono District chairman for allegedly failing to pay Shs50 million to a construction firm that built his house at Seeta village. The Court’s Registrar, Muse Musimbi, last week issued a warrant of arrest against Mr Francis Lukoya Mukoome, following an application by Moonlight Links Auctioneers and Court Bailiffs on behalf of the construction firm. Bounced chequeThe order arose from a case filed by Dankik Enterprise Ltd against Mr Lukoya before Jinja High Court seeking payment of the claimed money and damages arising from an alleged breach of contract. “Whereas Mr Lukoya was adjudged by a decree where he was ordered to pay Shs52.5 million to Dankik Enterprises Ltd and whereas the same has not been paid, these are to command you to arrest the said Lukoya, the judgment debtor and bring him before court within all convenient speed,” the warrant of arrest reads in part. The warrant expires on May 12, 2010. The company claimed that on January 2009, it entered into a contract with Mr Lukoya to construct a residential house. The parties agreed that the whole contract would cost Shs459.4 million and Mr Lukoya was required to pay 10 per cent of the total amount in advance to commence the work. However, Mr Lukoya allegedly requested the construction company to proceed with the work using its money, saying he would pay it later. The company claims it began the construction work as per the request but by May 2009 when it handed over the site to Mr Lukoya, it had incurred about Shs47 million. The company management claims efforts to demand the accrued money have proved futile but after several demands, Mr Lukoya allegedly gave them a Shs5 million Standard Chartered Bank cheque which bounced."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/-/690266/902642/-/14rh7nuz/-/index.html","content":"U-17 coach Wasswa wants goals in Lusaka - Kampala SaturdayZambia v Uganda The national U-17 coach Richard Wasswa believes Uganda will knock out Zambia in this weekend’s return leg of the Africa Youth Championship qualifier in Lusaka if the team can score goals. Wasswa’s stance is a thinly veiled hint that the 2-0 cushion may not be enough, and his side will concede. Tough match“It’s going to be tough in Lusaka,” Wasswa told Daily Monitor at the team’s base in Kisubi. “Going for goals will be our principal target.” One goal by Uganda will leave Zambia needing four and the coach is demanding his youngsters to breach their opponent’s defence. To do so, Uganda will need to be sharper and Wasswa is aware. “We need another striker to help Eddie (Mubiru) in attack, we are monitoring Caesar (Sapeo) and let’s pray that he recovers in time for the game.” The team leaves the country on Thursday."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Religion/-/689744/892212/-/73r9m6/-/index.html","content":"Embracing the greatest sacrifice - Several Christians worldwide will today throng various places of worship to commemorate Easter Sunday. The Day is sacred to believers for it reminds them of God’s love for mankind. This eternal love propelled God to send His only begotten Son to redeem mankind, according to Christian traditions. God’s covenant with Abraham was tangible. Even when man fell, God was not about to breach the covenant and never will He abandon His people, as it is explained in Romans15:8; “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promise made unto the fathers.” Jesus’ resurrection therefore reaffirms this assurance. His power over death symbolises a new life for believers. Although meek, Jesus made an impact in a story over a thousand years ago. His ministry was full of wonders and miracles. Several did not believe Him and even His followers at some point failed to comprehend. For instance, when Jesus walked on water, they presumed it was a ghost! This picture still resonates. We often “tilt” and fall short of our faith especially when challenges overwhelm us. It is ironical that in the life of resurrection, we fail to realise that God is at hand. When we wait in vain or fail to succeed because of our impatience as human beings, considering how hard we fast and pray, then we give up the struggle in despair. We simply cannot afford to try hard enough. Thus it is imperative that the resurrection of the Saviour breaths a new life to help us understand God’s ways. The greatest sacrifice of suffering on the cross teaches Christians to endure pain because we know that God will not leave us comfortless (John14:18). This will require a little sacrifice though - to seek Him with faith. Like patients wait eagerly unto a doctor for treatment, Christians should in the same way align for divine intervention. The beauty is that God’s healing is total and rich. If you want tranquility, He will give you a new life, prosperity and wellbeing. Halleluiah! Abraham, who was childless, became the father of all nations after getting a child at a ripe age. This was one of the several ways through which God manifested himself - portraying that nothing is impossible before Him. Ostensibly, before marriage, couples exchange vows to coagulate and cement a long lasting relationship. It is nice hearing the bride and groom say “I do…” Whether for fun or good intentions, that bit of the whole ceremony is always fascinating. But the sad thing is that for some marriages, the joy and happiness does not last beyond the first anniversary. Several reasons account for such an ugly scenario. However, the good news is that once Jesus becomes your captain, nothing will fail you. Trials can come but you will perceive them “differently,” for there is no power but God (Romans 13:1). Therefore, as you celebrate Easter, be thankful to God for His grace."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/890762/-/wkc4jl/-/index.html","content":"Lukyamuzi and Nambooze win in court - Kampala Former Lubaga South MP John Ken Lukyamuzi was illegally removed from the Seventh Parliament, the Supreme Court ruled yesterday. The same court threw Mukono North MP Peter Bakaluba out of the current Parliament, upholding an earlier ruling that he rigged his way into the House. Yesterday’s ruling ends a protracted legal battle by Mr Lukyamuzi, who is also leader of the Conservative Party, to save his political career. It also breaks Rev. Bakkaluba’s grip on a seat that Betty Nambooze, his top rival in the last election, has been trying to wrestle out of his clasp since 2006. In their ruling on Lukyamuzi, the seven judges of the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki unanimously declared that his removal from Parliament and subsequent disqualification from being nominated as candidate for the parliamentary elections held in February 2006 were null and void because they were contrary to the Constitution. “It is my opinion that IGG is not the appropriate tribunal mentioned in Article 83(1) (e) of the Constitution,” held Justice Jotham Tumwesigye in the lead judgment delivered in a fully-packed courtroom. The court also ordered that Parliament amends the Leadership Code, to establish the Leadership Code Tribunal so that the law can be enforced effectively. Tax payers will meet the costs of the former MP’s emoluments. Financial compensationMr Lukyamuzi, who was removed from Parliament seven months before expiry of his tenure over breach of the Leadership Code Act 2002, said he was earning over Shs8 million per month. But the legislator, who was blocked from nomination to run for re-election, is expected to file a separate petition to claim compensation for that loss. After being blocked, Mr Lukyamuzi fronted his daughter, Susan Nampijja for the Lubaga South parliamentary seat, which she won. While Mr Lukyamuzi triumphed after a long drawn out struggle, Mukono North MP Peter Bakaluba Mukasa was not as fortunate. Court dismissed with costs his appeal challenging the decision of the lower courts to throw him out of Parliament over bribery. Rev. Mukasa appealed to the Supreme Court after his election to Parliament was nullified following a petition in the High Court by Ms Betty Nambooze and his subsequent appeal to the Court of Appeal having been dismissed by a majority decision. “I am satisfied that the learned trial judge Stella Arach carefully and properly evaluated the evidence, addressed herself to the law and came to the correct conclusion and decision. I would dismiss the appeal with costs in this court and the courts below. I uphold the decisions of the lower courts,” held Justice Bart Katureebe in the lead judgment. Judges’ panelThe Supreme Court bench has Chief Justice Odoki and judges Tumwesigye, Dr Esther Mayambala Kisaakye, Christine Kitumba, John Wilson Natubu Tsekooko, Bart Magunda Katureebe and Mpagi Bahigeine. Fresh elections are expected in Mukono North in a fortnight."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/885130/-/ah0ihvz/-/index.html","content":"Buturo, what exactly constitutes national interest? - Describing what he thought should be the ideal relationship between the media and policy makers, an American Senator once reported an instance where a close friend of his among the Washington press correspondents substantially influenced his judgment on a vote in the Senate. “I had damn near decided to vote against a particular proposal just for the hell of it, to let the administration know what I thought of their lousy way of doing things. I called this guy in, to talk over it with him. He pleaded with me to vote for the proposal. He was so intense about it, and so much better experienced (substantively) than I, that I gave him the benefit of the doubt and voted for the programme against my better judgment”. That happened in America some 60 years ago, but it is absurd that instead of borrowing a leaf from the American Senator, the government in Uganda today is busy enacting a law, the proposed Press and Journalists (Amendment) Bill 2010, that is obviously intended to oppress, suppress and gag the media. It seeks to introduce, among other things, new licensing conditions for newspapers that include restrictions on foreign ownership, strengthening the disciplinary committee of the government Media Council and giving the Council powers to close media houses. Justifying the need for it, the Minister of State for Ethics, Dr Nsaba Buturo, said the government had no ill intentions against the media, but that “our media is still young and does not understand what constitutes national interest”. It follows therefore, that the amendment is also intended to force the media to understand what constitutes Uganda’s ‘national interest’. But why, if it is a matter of ignorance on the part of the media, doesn’t the Minister for Ethics introduce ‘friendly’ training programmes on what constitutes Uganda’s ‘national interest’ instead of persecuting those who don’t understand it? What constitutes Uganda’s national interest today, by the way? The media has reported, and the government has agreed that Uganda is corrupt. The media has observed, and the government has not denied that the agreements relating to oil exploration favour foreign companies. The media has reported that the global Aids/HIV and malaria prevention funds were stollen, and the government is prosecuting some of the culprits. The media has reported the Chogm funds scam, and the government continues to probe whether the funds were either misappropriated or not accounted for. Which one of those reports constitutes a breach of ‘national interest’? Every day we hear appeals by the Opposition and activists’ groups to donor governments and agencies not to grant funds to Uganda because of human rights abuses, but I have heard of no law that prevents them from making those appeals. Elsewhere, I once attended a party hosted by a foreign government for the then Speaker of the Uganda Parliament who was visiting with a delegation composed of government and opposition MPs. Because the hosts also included government and opposition MPs, the Ugandans divided the party into two and started blaming each other before their hosts for the situation that obtained back home at that time. That was obviously a breach of ‘national interest’ but I have never heard of a law that remedies such confrontations. As I have cautioned before, amicable relations between the government and the media will not be brought about by persecution of the media through draconian laws. What we need in our pursuit of peaceful and harmonious co-existence is understanding and respect of each other’s role like the American Senator did. For ministers like Kirunda Kivejinja, a former journalist and now Minister of Internal Affairs, future stable relations between the rulers and the media will be a better legacy to leave behind for their labours than the draconian laws they are putting in place.Mr Kiwanuka is a journalist and retired foreign service officer0772 433 873"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/884860/-/wjsdpd/-/index.html","content":"Government ignores key advice on ID contract - The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority has rejected the Shs200 billion National Identification Cards Project, an MP said yesterday.The procurement body says the award of the project to a German firm by the government was irregularly done. Addressing a news conference yesterday, Oyam South MP, Ishaa Otto alleged that PPDA rejected the deal, but the government, on the orders of President Museveni, went ahead to award the tender in total disregard of the established rules.“PPDA had demanded that the deal be advertised but these people have gone ahead to sign the contract to a tune of about Shs200 billion illegally,” Mr Otto said. “There is a lot of secrecy in this deal and I am reliably informed that the technocrats’ counsel has been ignored and they have gone ahead to sign the deal illegally.” A senior official in PPDA, who requested not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter, told this newspaper that the ID deal was “a thin-skinned matter whose details cannot just be exposed without consulting the high office in the land”. Past scandals“It’s true, the board sat early this month and agreed to reject single-sourcing as far as the procurement of the ID firm is concerned,” the source said. “We told them to re-tender the deal and follow the law and we hear they have gone ahead to award the tender.” When contacted, the Acting Executive Director PPDA, Ms Cornelia Sabiti, said she was “too busy to speak.”Sunday Monitor reported that the government had on Friday signed the contract with Muhlbeur High Tech International to develop a comprehensive security information system. The deal was also signed without approval from the Parliamentary Defence and Internal Affairs Committee that had rejected the process citing earlier scandals involving Face Technologies, a South African firm which dragged the government to Court demanding Shs46 billion as compensation for the alleged breach of contract. The company, contracted to make national identity cards in 2005, accuses the government of wrongfully terminating its contract citing corruption scandals. Arm-twisting technocratsMr Otto, who accused the President of “arm-twisting” technocrats involved in the deal, alleged that the President and State Minister for ICT, Alintuma Nsambu whom he named in the deal, should declare their interest in the deal and challenged them to declare the source of the Shs200 billion. “We support this ID project but we want due process to be followed,” Mr Otto said.President Museveni on February 13, wrote to Internal Affairs Minister Kirunda Kivejinja directing him to kick-start the delayed project in order to eliminate ‘ghosts’ on the voters’ register and government payroll.The European Union has been pushing for a computerised voters’ register before the 2011 general elections. The government hopes the ID card and information system will increase security, help eliminate corruption and aid in maintaining the integrity of the national voters’ register. Internal Affairs Minister Kirunda Kivejinja said: “I am not going to comment on this matter. There are certain matters that are classified.” With an EC deadline of voters registration being May 15, it remains to be seen how a project of such magnitude can be accomplished under two months."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/880818/-/wjplbh/-/index.html","content":"Kutesa points at Museveni over Chogm car deal saga - Parliament Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa has deflected the blame for the botched Chogm car deal, in which billions of taxpayers’ money were lost, to President Museveni. Mr Kutesa became the first cabinet minister to appear before the Chogm inquiry to explain his role in the controversy involving the procurement of Shs9.4 billion Chogm vehicles and the disappearance of Shs3.8 billion collected from sponsorship deals. “This matter was decided at a meeting chaired by President Museveni at Nakasero on February 12 2007,” Mr Kutesa said on Tuesday, adding, “The President decided that we rent (lease) instead of buying and this was not my decision.” Mr Kutesa told the Public Accounts Committee that the Chogm Sub-Committee chaired by the President approved the deal.MPs accused Mr Kutesa of hijacking and interfering with the procurement process even though he is not the accounting officer. As evidence, Pac, chaired by Nandala Mafabi, adduced documents in which the minister on November 24, 2006 wrote to his colleague in the Works Ministry, John Nasasira proposing restrictive bidding, in breach of the procurement rules. Interference Mr Mafabi said: “Minister Kutesa hijacked the mandate of the permanent secretary in the procurement of the Chogm cars and the appointment of Saatchi & Saatchi to collect sponsorship funds was irregular and didn’t have any mandate.” Earlier in the committee, Mr Oduman Okello said: “It was inappropriate for the minister to write to potential suppliers of Chogm vehicles inviting bids as if he were the accounting officer. He should be held responsible for dipping his hands in such bad Chogm deals.” According to the PPDA rules, it is irregular for ministers or government officials to interfere with any procurement process.In his response, Mr Kutesa said: “I only wrote to these companies to find out whether they were willing to offer leasing so that I could pass over the guidelines to the Ministry of Works. Otherwise I know nothing.” MPs rejected Mr Kutesa’s attempt to drag in Mr Museveni on realising that on February 22, 2007, the President, who had allegedly endorsed the car deal, wrote complaining about the procurement process and the restrictive bidding. The tender for the supply of the 204 executive cars to transport heads of state attracted controversy after it was first awarded to Spear Motors Ltd for outright purchase but later reversed and awarded to Europcar/Motorcare (U). The Committee questioned Kutesa on his previous shareholding in the company which, according to MPs, unfairly won the car tender. Drama ensues Meanwhile, Lwemiyaga MP Theodore Ssekikubo accused Saleh Kamba, during the committee hearing, of having been induced to defend Mr Kutesa. Mr Kamba, who denied any wrongdoing, shouted at Ssekikubo, calling him a “nuisance”. He was backed by NRM MPs led by Gaudioso Kabondo and Alex Byarugaba who were helping the minister to answer questions. Mr Mafabi intervened to restore calm in the committee and cautioned the NRM MPs who were defending the minister. Mr Kutesa is expected to reappear to defend his role in Chogm hotel bookings."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/880748/-/wjpklo/-/index.html","content":"Firm drags government to court over national ID project - Kampala A firm that participated in the tendering process for the provision of the Population Data Bank and National Identification System Project is dragging the government to court over breach of contract. Goal Driven Project Limited, one of the companies says it was wrong for President Museveni to influence the process of selecting a supplier when he directed the implementing ministry to single source while the process was still ongoing. “We act for and on behalf of Goal Driven Project Limited, our client, with instructions to write to you as hereunder: our client did participate in the tender for the provision of the National Population Data Bank and Identification System Project, the process having been tainted with influence peddling and was suspended by Inspector General of Government,” the notice of intention to sue reads in part. The directiveThe March 15 notice further continues; “It has come to our attention that the President of Uganda, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, after meeting the German Ambassador, Mr Reinhard Butchnolz and a one Mr Muhlbeur directed the Minister for Internal Affairs, Hon. Kirunda Kivejinja to consult PPDA to get a no objection to single sourcing. This was a project involving over 20 international companies which put in the bids and it will be wrong for the President to issue a directive that they do single sourcing which definitely brings a lot of litigation once it’s granted that way.” Kick-start projectPresident Museveni on February 13, wrote to Mr Kivejinja directing him to kick-start the delayed project in order to eliminate ‘ghosts’ in the voters’ register and on the government payroll. Mr Museveni then recommended a German firm, Muhlbeur High Tech International, introduced to him by Mr Butchnolz. PPDA Executive Director, Edgar Agaba, told Daily Monitor that he had not granted a no objection but refused to give details because the deal is a security matter. “No, I have not granted (a no objection) yet but I cannot comment about that matter because I had a meeting with Hon. Kivejinja and he told me not do so,” Mr Agaba said on Tuesday. Daily Monitor failed to get a comment from Mr Kivejinja on the update of the project as his phone was switched off. While his Permanent Secretary Mr Steven Kagoda refused to comment saying the project was under the supervision of the minister. The Attorney General, Mr Khiddu Makubuya, was also unavailable for comment, although a source at his office confirmed receipt of the notice to sue."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/878114/-/wj9gh8/-/index.html","content":"September riots case: State wants Kayihura dropped from suit - Kampala The state on Thursday asked court to strike off the name of Police chief Kale Kayihura as a respondent in a suit in which he is jointly sued with the Attorney General. The two are accused of being responsible for the killing of a woman during the September 2009 riots. The state attorney raised the preliminary objection before Justice Vincent Zehurikize saying only the government is liable in the case. Mr Abdalla Byabasaija dragged Gen. Kayihura jointly with the Attorney General to court to compel them compensate him for the loss of his wife, Stella Kabasinguzi, who was shot dead from the verandah of her house in Kasubi Zone 4, a Kampala suburb, during the riots. Mr Byabasaija said in his affidavit that the alleged killing of his wife by the police and army was unjustifiable and illegal and was a breach of her fundamental right to life. The state attorney argued that Gen. Kayihura should not have been sued as an individual because he was not directly involved in the alleged killing of Kabasinguzi, and that the government should bear the liability. Sue KayihuraCountering the state’s argument, Mr Byabasaija’s lawyer said Gen. Kayihura ought to be sued as an individual since he is a public servant and should account to the people. He argued that Gen. Kayihura is the one who commanded the police and the army during the September riots. “It is no longer tenable after the 1995 Constitution for a public servant not to account for his actions. So by suing Gen. Kayihura and making him party to these proceedings is to make him accountable,” the lawyer said. Justice Zehurikize set the ruling on the preliminary objections on notice. The September 11 riots left 27 people dead and many others injured after the central government barred Buganda Katikkiro JB Walusimbi from visiting Kayunga District ahead of Kabaka Mutebi’s tour to preside over the kingdom’s Youth Day celebrations."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/874616/-/ahmmtoz/-/index.html","content":"The whistleblower deserves deeper state protection - The fight against corruption in Uganda has seen the enactment of several laws such as The Public Finance Act of 1964; the Penal Code Act of 1964; The Police Act of 1964; The Prevention of Corruption Act 1970 (amended in 1987 and transformed into The Anti-Corruption Act 2009); The Inspectorate of Government Act 2002, The Leadership Code Act 2002, The Access to Information Act 2005, and now the proposed Whistleblowers Protection Bill 2008 among others. The spirit of the Whistleblowers Protection Bill is to create an enabling environment where individuals (whistleblowers) can quietly disclose information on corrupt or improper conduct both in the public and private sectors. A whistleblower is defined in this Bill as a person who on behalf of government or non-governmental institution makes a disclosure about an impropriety to an authorised officer. Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda (ACCU) welcomes the Whistleblowers Protection Bill as a timely addition to the numerous legislations and in particular, that this will now offer an environment where individuals will disclose information pertaining to corruption without fear of retribution. However, the Bill still falls short of addressing key issues given the fact that this draft legislation is meant to bring a new dimension in the corruption fight, which is the encouragement and protection of the whistleblowers. The Bill is still lacking in giving incentives to the whistleblower. In America, the Missouri Senate in 2006 passed a law (SB 1210) that rewarded whistleblowers for their role in exposing fraud in the state’s Medicaid Programme. The law provided for a 20 per cent to 35 per cent reward of the money recovered to those who blew the whistle. For this Bill to be effective, the incentive and the commitment to pay should exist. In Section 4 subsection 3(e) of the Bill, it is proposed that the office of the Resident District Commissioner be one of those to whom disclosure can be made. The weakness in this is that the possibility of partisan interests and political allegiance is likely to frustrate effectiveness of this proposed law, especially in the case where a whistleblower reports only to the RDC. The Bill is silent on the time frame within which investigations should be conducted. Investigations cannot be open-ended, and with clauses such as ‘investigations are still underway’ or ‘ongoing’ will make cases drag for ages. What if the whistleblower is not traceable for whatever reasons by the time the investigations are complete due to the over delay, who will own up here? The Bill also raises exceptionally complex situations that a whistleblower can find him/herself in a consequence of a disclosure to the extent that his safety is highly compromised. Under such circumstances, the Bill should provide that the type of protection granted by the state also includes, change of identity, relocation to another country and government assisting the whistleblower in finding housing and employment and also providing a stipend until the witness is satisfied that he or she is under no threat and can continue living a normal life. The Bill should also victimise the act of making an employee (whistleblower) redundant by the employer as a result of whistleblowing and an appropriate remedy should be put in place to compensate the victim. ACCU recommends that an independent body that handles whistleblowers’ complaints should be established other than burdening the offices of the IGG and UHRC that are already experiencing a backlog of complaints. Authorised officers should take an oath binding them to keep all details pertaining to the whistleblower confidential. In case of a breach, there should be heavy penalties imposed. And lastly, the Bill should also provide for situations where a whistleblower is murdered or disappears as a result of whistleblowing. This is consistent with the new UN Declaration of the Day of the Disappeared. There should be a mechanism of investigating the circumstances under which a whistleblower disappears. Ms Kagaba is the acting executive director ACCU, a network of civil society organisations, individuals, religious leaders, academicians, media practitioners and key institutions involved in the fight against corruption in Uganda."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/872106/-/wj5ajd/-/index.html","content":"CHOGM PROBE: Shs22b spent on street lights that don’t work - KamplalaOfficials in the Works Ministry secretly inflated the Chogm deal to install street lights in the city, in an apparent breach of the law, leading to the loss of Shs3.5 billion in public funds, it has emerged. Eng. Sam Bagonza, the ministry’s chief engineer who is currently on interdiction over corruption accusations, and Eng. Peter Kikuyu, Eng Waisswa Naluwairo of Kampala City Council (KCC) and Ms Dorothy Birabwa have been asked to refund the money or be arrested for corruption. “These engineers including the Town Clerk of Kampala [Ruth Kijjambu] must refund taxpayers money or face arrest for abuse of office,” the Public Accounts Committee chairman, Nandala Mafabi said. “These officials varied the contract for street lighting without authority and later added bills worth Shs3.5 billion.” In a meeting with the Ministry of Works officials, the MPs investigating the alleged misuse of Chogm funds heard that after “grabbing” the street lighting deal from Kampala City Council, the engineers in the Works ministry later awarded the deal to Dott Services Ltd and inflated contract by Shs3.5 billion without authority. The variations to the contract were 47 per cent above the accepted variation under the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) act, 2003 of 15 per cent—making the deal irregular and questionable. In defence of the deal, Eng Kikuyu, said: “Eng Bagonza was my boss, we did this work under pressure and we did it in good faith.” It also emerged that although KCC had requested for Shs4.2 billion for street lights in the city ahead of the Chogm meeting in November 2007, later when Ministry of Works took over the deal, it was controversially inflated to Shs22 billion. Request for leniencyWithout any success, Mr Charles Muganzi, the permanent secretary in the ministry who conceded to have lacked of PPDA clearance, appealed that the committee forgives the officials involved in the deal. Ms Kijjambu, who failed to appear before the committee claiming that she was sick, is also wanted to explain how the Chogm street lights deal ended up in the Works ministry yet initially it was under her docket. Despite billions of money being spent on the street lights, many stopped working within weeks of the end of Chogm. The inquiry has uncovered widespread abuse of Public funds under Chogm."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Score/-/689854/869442/-/ghdyd8z/-/index.html","content":"Our Fantasy Expert: Torres’ return improves managers’ options - Since October last year, Monitor Fantasy Football League has provided you with a rundown of the latest players, players to spice up and earn your team good points.Numbers, too, have tremendously shot up with managers playing MFFL approaching 2000. Some have been lucky enough to get the fantasy fun and win prize money too. Down the road, several players have become managers’ best friends this week, only to be unceremoniously dropped the next. And as the title run-in gets hotter, albeit, without champions Manchester United who will be looking for their season’s first trophy against tricky Aston Villa in the Carling Cup final tomorrow, a number of them will be axed and exciting ones recruited. Five games are lined up today and three tomorrow but Chelsea at home to Manchester City and Everton away to Tottenham are the highlights. The weekend sees Wayne Rooney out of the MFFL tips for the first time in as many weeks and the return to full action of Fernando Torres. Let’s see who could possibly earn you some valuable points, and possibly, the Shs100,000 weekly prize for the top manager, this weekend. Bring in: Cesc Fabregas ($7.5m), Torres ($8.5m), Bobby Zamora ($2.5m) and Didier Drogba ($8m).Avoid: Emmanuel Adebayor (ban), Andrei Arshavin (hamstring), Tim Cahill (calf), and Aaron Lennon (Osteitis Pubis) FabregasArsenal skipper Fabregas is averaging more than a goal a game at the moment having scored 12 times in 21 the league so far. He tends to get his goals in little mini runs, though, and rarely just scores in a one-off game. He went four games without a goal before netting against Sunderland on Saturday but there is every chance he will be on target again at Stoke this weekend. ZamoraIt’s not often you hear a “Bobby Zamora for England” chant and take it seriously, but the former Tottenham and West Ham man is in with an outside chance. Zamora has now scored four goals and picked up two assists in his last four games in all competitions, including a strike in the Europa Cup. He has eight league goals in total so far and has earned 81 MFFL points in the process. He’s most likely to breach the Sunderland defence tomorrow. Torres As one of the highest priced players on the MFFL list at $8.5m, managers are always keen to utilise the money elsewhere when Torres is sidelined by injury. The Spaniard had missed the last six games because of a groin problem, but returned to the side as a substitute last weekend. Expect his popularity to rapidly rise as his eye for goal is not questionable. Against Blackburn today, the Spaniard is most likely to break the visitors’ hearts. DrogbaThe Chelsea hit man has so far garnered 92 points and is ranked third in the MFFL top strikers list, 54 behind Rooney on 146. The Blues play City at home well knowing they were upstaged in the reverse fixture at City of Manchester stadium. But Drogba is in the mood. amwanguhya@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/867816/-/g1aavjz/-/index.html","content":"South Africa's rand steady vs dlr but will face pressure - South Africa's rand steadied against the dollar on Wednesday and was seen under pressure partly due to an expected high rise in power prices, while stock futures pointed to a lower start. Focus in the session will be on CPI data at 0930 GMT and the National Energy Regulator's (NERSA) announcement around 1000 GMT on how much power prices will rise over the next three years. The rand was trading at 7.7865 to the dollar at 0646 GMT, not far off New York's close of 7.7980. It fell to 7.8125 overnight, in line with the euro, as risk aversion ticked up on nagging worries about the pace of the global economic recovery. \"It's certainly going to be under pressure with respect to the NERSA announcement and it's got one eye on the euro,\" said Andrew Kinsey, head of risk at Global Trader. \"I think we'll breach 7.80/dollar and quickly take out 7.85 and 7.90. On the day I would be a buyer in the low 7.70's with a view of taking out 7.85.\" NERSA is expected to announce significant power price rise after state-owned Eskom asked for a 35 percent annual rise in tariffs over the next three years. The power price announcement will also influence government bonds as it will shed light on how much the increases will impact the inflation outlook. Government bonds started off slightly weaker, after Tuesday's strong GDP data dimmed hopes of another interest rate cut. The yield on the 2015 bond was up 0.5 basis points to 8.34 percent and that on the 2036 note was ticked up by the same margin to 9.14 percent. The blue-chip Top-40 March futures contract was down 0.16 percent ahead of the 0700 GMT start of trade."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/867490/-/wimat3/-/index.html","content":"Bakku wants Luweero District Service Commission disbanded - Luweero The acting Inspector General of Government, Mr Raphael Bakku, has directed Luweero to disband the District Service Commission (DSC) over incompetence. Five district officials will have their appointments rescinded. According to a report by the office of the IGG which Daily Monitor has seen, the DSC chairman, Mr Eriasafu Kayizi and other members of the Commission who include Ms Dorothy Nabatanzi and Dr Joseph Kizza should be dismissed. “The District Service Commission irregularly conducted interviews and appointments in breach of the law,” reads part of the statement copied to Luweero District authorities. It was received on Friday by the Chief Administrative Officer, Mr Nelson Kirenda. The report directs Mr Kirenda to rescind the appointments of the Wobulenzi Town Clerk, Mr Joseph Ssebude, senior personnel officer Melon Nakyejwe and the secretary to the DSC Commission, Ms Specioza Namakula. Irregular appointmentAccording to the IGG report, these officials were irregularly appointed by the DSC in a non competitive process. Their positions will have to be re-advertised. Mr Kirenda told Daily monitor that his office will abide by the IGG’s decision. “I have already written to the Public Service Commission and the Ministry of Local Government seeking guidance on the matter,” Mr Kirenda said on Monday. “The IGG has directed me to rescind appointments of four of my staff and send their names to the DSC but the same IGG has directed the disbandment of the Commission. This calls for guidance”."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/867524/-/rfhkgbz/-/index.html","content":"Open safe houses to public scrutiny - For the Joint Anti- Terrorism Task Force (JATT) to continually block the Uganda Human Rights Commission from accessing their so-called “safe houses,” is quite disturbing. Over the last three years, UHRC officials have tried in vain to get access to the facilities, which has rendered it completely impossible for the human rights watchdog to establish the conditions and circumstances under which the detainees are held. Recent local and international reports have highlighted the plight of suspects in “safe houses” saying detainees undergo all forms of abuse in the hands of JATT. We think denying the UHRC access to these facilities is counterproductive. For many years, both local and international human rights defenders have accused the military and other security agencies of keeping suspects in torture chambers in total violation of their human rights. Of course these claims have always been vehemently denied by the security agencies. By giving unconditional access to the UHRC, the security agencies would obviously be vindicated. Instead, they are giving credence to the accusations of human rights abuses. It means that indeed there is something that they are trying to hide. The UHRC is only fulfilling its mandate of protecting and promoting the human rights of every Ugandan - as guaranteed by Chapter Four of the Constitution of Uganda and other international human rights instruments to which Uganda is a signatory. All security agencies should, therefore, be seen to be supporting the UHRC to fulfil its mandate. There is no longer any room for torture and any other human rights abuses anywhere in the world. Whereas the Internal Security Organisation, the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence and the Rapid Response Unit, which form JATT, might claim to be doing their job to keep Ugandans safe and secure, we think they should not do it in total breach of constitutional and legal provisions. If indeed they have nothing to hide, then the Commission should be given unconditional access to the “safe houses.” If not then, Parliament must intervene and do something immediately."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Basketball/-/690268/866402/-/sa38hkz/-/index.html","content":"Falcons remain firm despite Omony saga - The institution that is Falcons won’t be torn apart by one unfortunate incident, club boss John Ssimbwa revealed yesterday. “Life is about challenges. This is one of them and we’ll see how to handle it,” Ssimbwa said in reaction to Stephen Omony’s revelations that he had terminated his contract with the club due to non-payment of wages. Omony, who rejoined Falcons from Seychelles side PSL Hawks last year, told the press on Friday that the club owes him close to Shs43m. After enduring two seasons without a trophy, Falcons were trying to rebuild the team by bringing on board star players to link up with the classy Omony. With the signing of Kenyan Richard Osano and UCU Canons point-guard Ivan Enabu, Falcons were tipped to be the team to beat this year. But Omony’s saga has to some extent destabilised the usually calm atmosphere in the Falcons camp. “We believe that a team is bigger than any individual,” the passionate Ssimbwa said. “We are a team with a good record and aspire to do even better.” Omony, whose Shs72m record transfer turned heads in the country, said he still expects Falcons to pay him even after he ended the sweet-bitter relationship with the six-time MTN-Fuba League champions. “My legal team is handling everything,” Omony, one of Uganda’s best players, said. Whereas Ssimbwa refused to divulge the club’s next step in resolving the saga, there is a possibility Falcons can sue the player. Omony, can equally take Falcons to court for breach of contract. “I wouldn’t want to comment much about that issue because there are legal implications,” Ssimbwa noted. “However, the player knows what he is doing. And we also have procedures of handling such issues.” Omony has ruled out any possibility of returning to Falcons."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Basketball/-/690268/864780/-/sa4jkiz/-/index.html","content":"Omony walks out on Falcons - It’s over between Stephen Omony and Falcons. The basketball star won’t put on the red and white jersey anymore after he decided to terminate his contract with Uganda’s most successful club. Omony, who rejoined Falcons for a record-breaking Shs72m from Seychelles side PSL Hawks in April last year, accused the club of breach of contract. Falcons agreed to pay Omony a monthly salary of Shs3m and Shs0.15m in housing allowances over two years, making him the highest earning basketball player in Uganda’s history. “I have been loyal and executed all my duties as required of me in our contract. I, however, regret to announce that Falcons CEO John Ssimbwa failed to meet his part of the bargain,” Omwony, who won two league titles with Falcons in 1999 and 2000 before heading to Seychelles, revealed to the media at Holiday Express Hotel yesterday. The 30-year-old star said Falcons owe him Shs42,303,000. He revealed he has received Shs8,147,000 from the club over the past 10 months. “We had several meetings to try and sort out the situation but they all yielded no result,” he explained. “I have thus decided to announce to you the termination of my relationship with Falcons as a player and assistant coach.” “I still maintain and respect the personal relationship with all the team members of Falcons. And to the fans, I would like to say thank you for your continuous support over the years.” Omony was brilliant for Falcons last season but the six-time champions could only finish fourth in the 10-team topflight men’s division. With Omony calling the shots, they recovered from 2-0 to force a decisive game against eventual champions Warriors in the best-of-five semi-final play-off series. They, however, fell short and failed to tame KIU in the bronze medal game. Omony admits he loves Falcons wholeheartedly but feels betrayed by the club’s failure to consider his welfare. “If we are to promote the game, such practices must stop. I am speaking out for other athletes out there who don’t have the courage,” he said. Falcons marketing manager Dennis Mbidde argued Omony shouldn’t have aired his grievances through the media. “As a club, we were trying our best to sort out his situation,” Mbidde noted."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/864106/-/wik5ae/-/index.html","content":"Now government wants CBS to pay damages for September riots - In a dramatic twist of events, the government has sued the Central Broadcasting Service Ltd for allegedly breaching the Electronic Media Act. The government wants Kampala High Court to order CBS radio to pay damages for allegedly mobilising and inciting the public into violence and rebelling against lawful authority. In its complaint filed yesterday, the government alleged that CBS radio allowed or permitted its broadcasting license to be used for mobilising and inciting the public and sowing seeds of hatred among people. CBS demandsThe suit follows a December 2009 petition by CBS employees, against the government seeking court to declare that the radio was maliciously closed by the Broadcasting Council on September 10, 2009. They asked court to compel the government to compensate them over Shs1.4 billion being the sum they have lost in financial terms. The government alleges that the now closed radio station, owned by the Buganda kingdom, used its license to threaten social cohesion by promoting ethnic prejudice which subsequently culminated into lawlessness and eruption of violence in and around Kampala between September 9 and 12 , 2009. This, according to the government, led to the disruption of business, loss of lives and destruction of property. Despite numerous reminders to stop the breach, the government states that CBS allegedly continued to breach the set minimum broadcasting standards with impunity. At the same time, the government also denied allegations of unlawfully closing the radio. But the government says the Broadcasting Council’s decision to close down the operations of CBS and subsequent withdrawal of its license was in accordance with the law. Court has, however, advised both government and CBS to settle the case amicably."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/859870/-/wi28n6/-/index.html","content":"Besigye's radio blackout continues - Fort Portal Forum for Democratic Change president, Kizza Besigye who is on a countrywide campaign tour continues to face a radio blackout. On Tuesday night, Dr. besigye who is campaigning for re-election as FDC president was due to appear on Fort Portal based Better F.M radio but his show was cancelled at the last minute. The two hour programme scehduled to start at 10:00pm cost shs 300,000 but Dr Besigye and other FDC officials who arrived ten minutes to the start of the programme were informed that it had been cancelled, and their money refunded. Mr Patrick Nyakahuma, the manager of the station refused to comment on the matter. Besigye says the actions of the radio station were a breach of contract. He says that a lot of money was spent airing adverts for one week, informing his supporters to tune in to the programme. He condemned management of other radio stations in the country that have refused to host him and asked the public to shun such radio stations. Late last month, senior employees of Luo FM in Pader District abruptly cancelled Dr Besigye’s scheduled 8-10pm talkshow, citing “orders from above”."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/858852/-/wi1jaa/-/index.html","content":"Kamwenge terminates company’s road contract - KamwengeKamwenge Town Council authorities have terminated a Shs151 million contract awarded to Omega Construction Company Ltd to tarmac Station Way Road. The company was given the contract in 2008 and was expected to complete the work on the 350-metre road by June 2009. But according to the town council engineer, Mr Apollo Muganzi, work has since stalled prompting the authorities to petition the Ministry of Works to have the company sent away for breach of contract. The town council authorities had already paid the company 65 per cent as part payment.The State Minister for Works, Eng. John Byabagambe, and the Solicitor General have advised the town council to use the remaining 35 per cent of the contract money to look for another construction firm. But Omega project coordinator Herbert Ndyomuhirwa has denied receiving documents indicating termination of the contract. The Town clerk, Mr Levi Musinguizi Bahemuka, said: “As council we could not wait any further but to have Omega contract terminated to pave way for another contractor to complete the road works.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/-/690266/858992/-/158d0j7z/-/index.html","content":"Hoima continue survival fight at home to Arua - Kampala Arua are looking destined to play in the lower tier next season with each passing fixture. Monday’s morale-sapping 1-0 loss away to title-hopefuls SC Villa kept Arua bottom with 10 points, a massive 10 points from safety. Coach Haruna Mawa was sent to the stands just before the final whistle but the time to mourn is long gone as his youthful Arua visit Hoima in the only Uganda Super League fixture today. The latter, riding on good home results highlighted by a 2-1 victory over Villa last month, occupy the coveted safety position (13) with 20 points. And Hoima coach Wasswa Bbosa is relishing the fight for survival. “Our fans always scream during the home games which is very good for our objective of staying in the league this season,” Bbosa, a former Express and Cranes midfielder, told Daily Monitor. Bbosa, whose side have scored only 15 goals in 18 games, will be without striker Mathias Kisitu (injured) but midfielder Kaka Juma returns to the side after recovering from a thigh strain. “I have signed (striker) Michael Kampi from Victors to get us goals but he won’t feature tomorrow (today),” Bbosa explained. Arua, composing mainly students, looked enterprising against Villa but failed to breach goalkeeper Robert Odongkara."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/856042/-/whyyce/-/index.html","content":"Obama condemns Uganda's anti-gay bill  - Washington U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday denounced as \"odious\" a proposed anti-gay law in Uganda that has drawn international condemnation. The Anti-Homosexuality Bill (2009), now before the House’s Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, proposes life imprisonment for acts of homosexuality and introduces a serious crime called “aggravated homosexuality”. \"We may disagree about gay marriage, but surely we can agree that it is unconscionable to target gays and lesbians for who they are -- whether it's here in the United States or ... more extremely in odious laws that are being proposed most recently in Uganda,\" Obama told the National Prayer Breakfast. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, speaking before Obama at the annual bipartisan gathering of religious and political leaders, also criticized the draft law being considered by Uganda's parliament. Clinton said she recently called Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and expressed the \"strongest concerns\" about the proposed legislation. The call was made on Dec. 20, a State Department official said. Early this year, President Museveni publicly disowned the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, saying it does not represent the party or government position. Mr Museveni, who said he wanted to clear the confusion the Bill has created both locally and internationally, indicated Uganda cannot risk its foreign policy by allowing the Bill to pass in its present form. He said cabinet will sit with Mr Bahati to handle the matter. Uganda has continuously faced intense pressure from Western governments and human rights groups over the draft legislation, which was presented as a private members' bill last year. It would prohibit sexual relations between people of the same sex as well as the recognition of homosexual relations as an acceptable lifestyle, Navi Pillay, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, said last month. Pillay said the draft law would breach international standards and it \"proposes draconian punishments for people alleged to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered -- namely life imprisonment, or in some cases, the death penalty.\" It could lead to a prison sentence of up to three years for anyone failing to report within 24 hours the identities of any lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered person, she added. Uganda's Ethics and Integrity Minister Nsaba Buturo has said a revised law would probably limit the maximum penalty for those convicted to life in prison rather than execution. Obama, who won strong backing from homosexual voters in the 2008 presidential election, has promised to fight on their behalf. In his State of the Union address last week, he said he would seek the repeal of the U.S. military's \"don't ask, don't tell\" policy that permits gays to serve in uniform as long as they hide their sexual orientation."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/-/690266/855956/-/158f3l5z/-/index.html","content":"Court lifts Chelsea transfer ban - The transfer ban imposed on Chelsea by FIFA has been lifted after the Premier League club reached agreement with French club RC Lens over teenager Gael Kakuta, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said yesterday. “The Court of Arbitration for Sport has issued an award today ratifying the agreement reached by Chelsea FC, Racing Club de Lens and the French football player Gael Kakuta,” CAS said in a statement. “The CAS has noted that, in the agreement, the two clubs and the player have recognised that the contract between the player and RC Lens was not valid. Sanctions“Accordingly, the player could not have terminated it prematurely and without just cause and FC Chelsea cannot therefore be liable for inducing a breach of contract,” it added. “As a consequence, in light of these new circumstances, the sanctions imposed upon Chelsea FC and the player by the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber had to be lifted.”Chelsea were barred by FIFA, world soccer’s governing body, in September from signing new players until 2011 after being found guilty of inducing Kakuta to break his contract with RC Lens in 2007."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/854406/-/whxnqg/-/index.html","content":"Kamwenge terminates company’s road contract - Kamwenge Kamwenge Town Council authorities have terminated a Shs151 million contract awarded to Omega Construction Company Ltd to tarmac Station Way Road. The company was given the contract in 2008 and was expected to complete the work on the 350-metre road by June 2009. But according to the town council engineer, Mr Apollo Muganzi, work has since stalled prompting the authorities to petition the Ministry of Works to have the company sent away for breach of contract. The town council authorities had already paid the company 65 per cent as part payment. The State Minister for Works, Eng. John Byabagambe, and the Solicitor General have advised the town council to use the remaining 35 per cent of the contract money to look for another construction firm. But Omega project coordinator Herbert Ndyomuhirwa has denied receiving documents indicating termination of the contract.The Town clerk, Mr Levi Musinguizi Bahemuka, said: “As council we could not wait any further but to have Omega contract terminated to pave way for another contractor to complete the road works.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/853734/-/aive4bz/-/index.html","content":"Government has no moral right to demand CBS apology - General David Tinyefunza’s missive to General Salim Saleh of January 12 and General Y. K Museveni’s demands for the owners of CBS to apologise for the September 2009 riots, as a precondition to re-open CBS Radio, must be puzzling and disturbing to many. In particular, one wonders why the Army Generals and the Cabinet are at the forefront of the CBS closure/negotiations and not the Statutory Broadcasting Council. Why is CBS requested to apologise even when it has not been accorded a full public hearing? Why are the Generals not so keen on the trial of the trigger-happy security personnel that killed 27 Ugandans during the riots? Will an apology by CBS proprietors alone atone the victims and answer the accusations made against it? And, why are the Generals very keen for CBS to withdraw the court case against the government as a precondition for its licence to be restored? There is no doubt that, where fault is established in a due process, contrition is a honorable and proper thing. However, in the case of CBS, several of whose personnel await trial and whose case(s) against the government are pending, the demand for an immediate apology must be seen both as premature and ironical. Ironical - because the very government that makes the startling demands itself owes the country several apologies including for the breach of the Constitution; the wanton loss of innocent lives; the wrongful arrest and detention of many innocent individuals and denying them a right to bail; the illegal closure of CBS and other radio stations and the clamp down of critical voices in the media and elsewhere. The demands are premature because the Generals and the Cabinet have interfered with and not allowed the Broadcasting Council to wholly and independently deal with the matter. General Tinyefunza accuses CBS of preaching “bigotry, disunity, hatred and genocide”; actively de-campaigning government programmes, campaigning against the Land Act and the redevelopment of Kampala City, campaigning against non-Baganda from western Uganda, attacking the person of the President and others and for the call for the killing of non-Baganda! I consider that these accusations are generally untenable. The accusation of CBS preaching “outright genocide” is however more disturbing and dangerous. In fact General Tinyefunza has made this accusation before in Parliament. Such grave claims cannot go unchallenged. It is intriguing why, instead of arresting and trying the culprits, if they exist, the government simply seeks that CBS’s proprietors must acknowledge in writing “admitting errors and committing themselves to change” and the current management “must be replaced.” The onerous conditionalities handed to CBS – largely lifted from General Tinyefunza’s missive and made as “negotiations continue”- including the demands that it be relocated from Bulange; that it shouldn’t be referred to as Radio Buganda or Radio ya Ssabasajja; that Buganda’s Anthem should not be played on Radio and the Kabaka shouldn’t be referred to as Magulu Nyondo, Nyanja Temanyirwa etc all vividly demonstrate the government’s unfriendly intentions towards Buganda in general and the Kingdom in particular. And, seen together with other State actions on the matters such as the Ssabanyala; Ssabaruli; the refusal to return stolen properties and the illegal arrests and detention of Mengo Ministers all demonstrate a systematic and strategic campaign by the state to weaken and ultimately destroy the Kingdom. Sadly, within Uganda’s contemporary setup, Buganda Kingdom is not the only victim. If it were not for these intentions, no menacing demands for apologises would be made on CBS ahead of a full and public and impartial inquiry into the September riots. In any case the Generals must surely know that any contract or confession founded on menaces, threats or blackmail is unenforceable or inadmissible. Also that it is illegal and futile to ask anyone to contract to waive their right to seek justice in courts of law. The demands made against CBS amount to it being condemned unheard in a case where the Generals are the complainants, the witnesses, the prosecutors and the judge! I am convinced that one day, when an independent and impartial inquiry is made, CBS will be exonerated and some people will be required to apologise for undermining the Constitution and the rule of law; fanning ethnicism and tribal conflict; refusing the Kabaka to visit Buruli and Bugerere in Buganda; the killing of innocent people; the unlawful closure of CBS Radio Station and for many other transgressions on the people and the Kingdom of Buganda, amongst others. Needless to say - because Buganda Kingdom respects the rule of law, abhors impunity and cherishes peace - if such inquiry found CBS or its agents responsible for any breaches, then the Army Generals, and others, will well be within their rights to demand an apology. The writer is the Attorney General of Buganda Kingdom"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/853990/-/whx3kd/-/index.html","content":"CHOGM PROBE: Bank workers steal Shs160m from Mulago - Kampala Officials at Bank of Uganda stole Shs159 million that was meant to pay for repairs at Mulago Hospital ahead of the 2007 Chogm meeting, Parliament heard on Monday.MPs investigating the use and misuse of about Shs400 billion spent on hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting have unearthed several scams, from ‘new’ cars that were allegedly several months old, to beautiful gardens that disappeared after the meeting.They plumbed new lows yesterday when they heard that officials at the Central Bank, which keeps the country’s cash, had diverted money meant for the country’s largest referral hospital. Forged signaturesDr Edward Ddumba, the executive director at Mulago and the hospital’s Principal Accountant, Mr Elias Asiku, told MPs that crooked officials at Bank of Uganda forged their signatures and diverted the money. “After Ministry of Health sent the Chogm money (Shs1.4 billion) to our account in Bank of Uganda, these people forged transfer documents and took away Shs159.2 million,” Mr Asiku said. “We saw fictitious transfer documents with signatures from the Office of the Director – Banking and later the money was wired to banks like Dfcu and Barclays but we have since recovered about Shs70 million,” Mr Asiku told the committee. Dr Ddumba told MPs that the Director – Banking at the Central Bank, Mr Steven Matanda, knew about the alleged fraud. “Mr Chairman this was clear fraud and we have since asked the Police to investigate this matter,” he said. Mr Juma Walusimbi, the Bank of Uganda’s spokesperson, confirmed the fraud yesterday but upheld the conduct of the Central Bank in the matter. “It cannot be true that BoU connived to steal this money. The bank made all efforts to stop this fraud by notifying the banks where these transactions had been carried out.” As a result of the fraud, critical repairs at Mulago Hospital were left undone, MPs heard yesterday. The MPs also heard that due to insufficient funds to make the hospital ready for Chogm, administrators at Mulago diverted about Shs500 million from the institution’s development budget, a decision the managers described as a “necessary evil”. MP Nandala Mafabi, who chairs the Public Accounts Committee, called for a criminal investigation into the money that went missing at the Central Bank. “We have asked the Police Criminal Investigations Department to go to BoU and get Mr Matanda because he is a principal suspect in these fraudulent transitions,” Mr Mafabi said. More queriesHowever, the officials at Mulago, including Dr Ddumba, also face questions over a Shs2 billion tender awarded to a local firm to renovate the hospital in breach of procurement regulations. MPs heard that the contract, which was won by Rhino Investments, was signed before the evaluation of bids while the bidding firms, who also included Dott Services and Mpanga Engineering, were evaluated before their bids were opened. “We have asked them to bring original documents and failure of which, the Accounting Officer, Mulago Dr Ddumba will refund the Shs2 billion they irregularly paid in this dubious deal,” Mr Tom Kazibwe (NRM, Ntenjeru South) said. Documents submitted to the committee show that the bidding process closed on April 18, 2007 and bids were opened five days later despite government procurement rules which require the closing and opening of bids to happen on the same day to avoid manipulation.The Pac has, since last October, been investigating the alleged misuse of most of the Shs400 billion in public funds spent on the 2007 Commonwealth Summit."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/853994/-/whx3kh/-/index.html","content":"Besigye asks court to trash treason trial - Kampala The Constitutional Court is yet to determine whether or not to permanently block the trial of Forum for Democratic Change leader Dr Kizza Besigye and 10 others on the offence of treason and other offences emerging from the same before various courts in the country.Besigye and 10 others filed a petition challenging the constitutionality of their trial before the High Court on the offence of treason and before the General Court Martial on the offence of illegal possession of firearms and before Arua and Bushenyi Magistrates Courts on the offence of murder saying the act is illegal. The parties on Monday appeared before a panel of five Constitutional Court Judges led by Justice Mpagi Bahigeine to argue the petition and the Judges said they will deliver their Judgment on notice. City lawyer Joseph Mpanga representing the petitioners told court the act of prosecuting the petitioners on the alleged offences amounts to breach of the Constitution because the Constitutional Court had pronounced itself on the matter arising from a petition brought by Uganda Law Society against the Attorney General challenging the High Court siege of November 26, 2005. Illegality questionedMr Mpanga said it is illegal to split and simultaneously prosecute the petitioners for offences arising from the same act. The suspects were charged following their re-arrest at the High Court premises after they were given bail in March 2007. “The act of splitting and simultaneous prosecution of the petitioners regarding the treason trial at the High Court, the GCM proceedings in a criminal proceeding and the murder charges in Arua and Bushenyi amount to breach of the Constitution,” Mpanga said. He said acts by the State to prosecute the petitioners before the CGM after the pronouncements made by the Constitutional Court is a nullity because the court did not have jurisdiction to entertain the matter. The Constitutional Court in 2006 pronounced that the GCM has no jurisdiction to prosecute civilians in the army court on the offence of illegal possession of firearms because such an offence can be tried before a civilian court. Mr Mpanga said the charge sheet of regarding the murder charges do not tally with details on the police form. He asked court to permanently block the State from instituting offences against the petitioners arising from the treason trial. Mr Henry Oluka, representing the Attorney General, denied the State committed any offence when it rearrested the suspects in March 2007 after the High Court freed them, as alleged by the petitioners, arguing that the petitioners were arrested on a reasonable suspicion of committing a criminal offence which is provided for in the Constitution.He asked the court to dismiss the petition with costs."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/853866/-/ji06uaz/-/index.html","content":"Airline sues government over Shs4.3 billion debt - Kampala A Kampala based aviation airline, Stream Aviation Ltd, is in legal battle with the government over non-payment of a $2,170,000 (about Shs2.3 billion) debt arising from breach of contract. The airline incorporated to United Arab Emirates, in its case filed at the Commercial Court last week, claims in December 2008 the Ministry of Defense contracted its management to offer cargo flight operations on a charter basis at an agreed fee of $2,170,000. However, Stream Aviation Ltd argues that upon completion of its work, the ministry officials claimed to have made some payments to an unauthorised person, which information has been withheld from the lawful contracting party. The company contends it has not received any money from the ministry. Stream Aviation Ltd further contends that acts by the ministry has caused its management loss and damages for which it holds the Attorney General who is respondent to the case liable. The company through its lawyers Katuntu and Co. Advocates wants an order compelling the government to pay the debt with interest and costs. The Court’s Deputy Registrar, Glady’s Nakibule has summoned the Attorney General to respond to the matter within 15 days from the date he receives the summon, failure of which, the aviation company may proceed with the case and judgment may be entered in his absence."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Insight/-/688338/852468/-/7dx2g2/-/index.html","content":"Tinyefuza’s take on CBS question - The government closed down the Central Broadcasting Services (CBS) radio in the aftermath of the September 10 riots in Kampala and other parts of Buganda that resulted in the death of 27 people. The government accused the radio of inciting the rioters. Mengo wants the radio opened unconditionally but Gen. David Tinyefuza, Senior Presidential Advisor/ Coordinator Internal and External Security organisations, now spells out conditions for reopening. Central Broadcasting Service (CBS) began as any other normal business venture until it carved out a political space, especially with the onset of political party activities. However, slowly, what was a business venture, known as Central Broadcasting Service, metamorphosed into Radio Buganda and became a political mouthpiece of not only the Mengo establishment, but even of political/armed opposition, especially during elections like those in the year 2006. Instead of a business venture, it became a quasi-political institution in itself, interwoven with the Buganda Kingdom and to a certain extent, opposition groups. Hosting oppositionIndeed, CBS did not only engage in hosting and broadcasting inflammatory statements of opposition politicians, but it also engaged in promoting an anti-government political agenda, actively de-campaigning government programmes.The cases illustrating anti-government propaganda are many but suffice to state here the most recent ones: The campaign against the Land Bill.The campaign against redevelopment of Kampala City.Hate- campaign against non-Baganda, especially those from western Uganda.The many unsavoury attacks against the person of the President and other government officials.Call for the killing of non-Banganda, especially during the September 10, 2009 riots.There is documentary evidence to prove all the above. Current situationWith the above situation obtaining, a number of meetings at different levels, between the government on one hand and Mengo and CBS on the other, were held to try and rein-in CBS to no avail.Subsequently, with increased stand-off between Mengo and the Uganda government, CBS became more belligerent and took on a more radical role of the defender of opposition politics. 1 (a) The underlying causes as stated above; (b) its role in the September 10, 2009 riots in the city and other areas of Buganda.There has been agitation from some circles that CBS be opened. However, it should be stated that whatever decision is ultimately taken, it should be devoid of pressure or short term political gains but instead with a clear view of the strategic interests of the country. It should be noted that the NRM has been trying to heal the wounds inflicted on Uganda that almost led to the disintegration of the state. It is therefore vital not to allow any institution that undermines the political/social harmony that is being built. The process of social integration is still low and fragile and everything must be done to guard against disruption.Instead, we need institutions that enhance unity in the country and not disunity and disintegration. Therefore, a deliberate analysis must be made to analyse where CBS, and even other organisations, radios, political parties, NGOs etc stand in the struggle of uniting the country.We cannot afford a public mouthpiece which preaches bigotry, disunity, hatred and outright genocide against certain sections of the Uganda populace. So, in determining the way forward, one needs to understand why CBS behaves the way it does. Why stand-offThe basic reason for the disagreement between Mengo and the government of Uganda and to that extent, CBS is the fact that Mengo wants political power. This is unconstitutional and opposed by the Uganda government.This has, therefore, led to a stand-off between Mengo and the government. The other issues are merely diversionary. As long as Mengo does not abandon its quest for political power, this stand-off can only get worse. With the above situation, the Mengo group, although it calls itself the seat of Buganda Kingdom, has become a hot-bed of political activity in the country. It has a political agenda of its own. This is in spite of the fact that it’s supposed to be a cultural seat devoid of partisan politics. Opening CBSCBS can, therefore, only be opened under the following circumstances: The political problems existing between the government and Mengo establishment must first be resolved; otherwise it is placing the cart before the horse. However, if, due to other higher considerations, a decision is taken to re-open CBS, then the following safeguards should be put in place:Structural and legal changes. Perhaps the significant starting point here is for Mengo, CBS shareholders and the management to realise that grave mistakes were committed on their part and, therefore, there must be a willingness to change. Short of that mea culpa attitude, very little may be achieved. (a) Therefore, the starting point is an acknowledgement letter from the CBS proprietors addressed to government, admitting errors and committing themselves to change. (b) De-link the Kabaka/Kabakaship from CBS as a shareholder - an institution which is not supposed to engage in politics cannot run a political business. (c) CBS must operate outside Bulange to allow easy access for the people who keep law and order in this country. For now, security is held hostage as you cannot have free entry to enforce the law, like cease seditious materials etc without evoking the wrath of political opportunists, who will brand such entry to a second attack on Mengo Palace like that of 1966. (d) The current management must be replaced, especially those directly implicated in these transgressions. (e) The license of CBS as is now must first be terminated and they should reapply. By so doing, a new license will be issued upon fresh understanding of the obligations on the part of each party. 1 | 2 Next Page»(f) The radio must stop calling itself ‘Radio Buganda/Radio ya Ssabasajja’ and must adhere to its legal name, CBS. A breach of this should result into serious sanction. The reason here is that a radio that belongs to the Kabaka/Kabakaship cannot engage in partisan politics, hold talk shows, host guests who oppose government programmes and call for political agitation and rebellion. This makes it easy in case of a breach to hold those responsible accountable without causing political fights between government and Mengo. (g) The Kabaka can engage in private business like any Ugandan. That is his constitutional right but a Kabaka cannot engage in a business that contravenes the provisions of the Constitution through which he was reinstated. (h) The Kabaka and the Kingdom of Buganda can establish another radio which purely deals with cultural matters or even all matters provided they do not offend the provisions of the Constitution or any of the laws applicable in the country. ConclusionUganda needs a peaceful environment where each and everyone can exercise his/her rights as granted by the Constitution. However, in enjoying these rights, one is prohibited by the law to injure the rights of others. Security agencies and all other people who handle security in this country should be given the confidence they deserve in the performance of their duties. As the legal dictum espouses, ‘law must be blind’. In other words, it should deal with all in the same way. We cannot justify that, a radio station, which participated in whipping up riots in which 27 people died, hundred others injured, and property worth billions of shillings destroyed, is left alone and it is business as usual! This brings about impunity. It confuses security services in the performance of their duties and undermines their morale. But most importantly, it galvanises political subversion and intimidates the population who live under constant fear as if the country is about to go out in flames.This is not only in regard to CBS, but to all political actors/organisations that thrive on intimidation and criminal actions. The rules of Natural Justice require that all adhere to the laws of the land for without that, there can never be the rule of law and this can easily lead to anarchy. David Tinfyefuza, PSC, MPGeneral/Senior Presidential Advisor/Coordinator Internal and External organisations « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/845086/-/whcq8k/-/index.html","content":"IGG is witch hunting me, says Prof. Balunywa - Kampala Makerere University Business School (Mubs) Principal, Prof. Waswa Balunywa yesterday said the Inspector General of Government, Mr Raphael Baku, was witch-hunting him following allegations that he lacks suitable academic qualifications for his position. The IGG in his report said Prof. Balunywa should be fired because he allegedly lacks suitable academic credentials for the post. But yesterday Prof. Balunywa said the IGG accusation amounted to a “witch-hunt”, since nobody has complained about his appointment. “It is not an issue in court. I was appointed by the President who is the appointing authority and I don’t know where the IGG is getting all his information,” Prof. Bulunywa said yesterday in a telephone interview.Mr Baku says the academic and administrative head of Mubs should, by law, at least hold a PhD degree, which Prof. Balunywa lacked at the time of his appointment on July 14, 2008. In a January 6 report detailing findings of investigations on staffing, the IGG noted that the Principal’s instrument of appointment was also irregularly signed by Education Minister Namirembe Bitamazire, and not the Education Service Commission, as required by law. Breach of law?“The Education Service Commission erred when it failed to subject the position of Principal Mubs to a competitive process, especially since it was clear that the only candidate, Prof. Balunywa, lacked the academic qualifications for the position,” the report to Ms Bitamazire reads in part. At the time of his appointment, Prof. Balunywa was pursuing a PhD at the University of Sterling in Scotland. He says he has since finished the programme. The IGG’s inquiries emanated from a petition by dissatisfied senior staff, among them the then deputy Principal Julius Kakuru, that Prof. Balunywa pushed them out of office “illegally”."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/844220/-/ajhcmqz/-/index.html","content":"I abhor the double standards on either side of gays debate - Packaged tight with rant and rave, David Bahati’s 2009 Anti-homosexuality Bill, seeks to edit among Ugandans and or visitors the urge to travel unfamiliar routes for sexual pleasure. The objectives of the proposed law are; legitimise marriage only as a union between a man and woman, disallow and penalise homosexuals, prohibit and or disown pro-gay treaties and freeze licensing of promoter organisations. Our Constitution already proscribes same-sex marriage. Thus lesbians and gays seeking life-long union here are, for now, bidding to breach the country’s supreme law. President Museveni, alert to heavy domestic homophobia but cornered by international outrage, on Tuesday said Bahati’s Private Member’s Bill, represents neither the government nor ruling NRM party’s position. Citing swelling pressure from the UK, Canada, and the US, Mr Museveni, who has repeatedly bashed homosexuals, directed that his cabinet scrutinises and harmonises the Bill, now a foreign policy nightmare. If the President chooses political correctness over his known principle, opponents will project him as a turncoat. US President Barack Obama, who hardly mentions Uganda – at least publicly, found time to deride the Bill as “against the tide of history”. Ironically, Mr Obama is under pressure from sexual minorities at home who accuse him of not doing enough to promote their cause. Seven or so countries worldwide, among them Saudi Arabia, prescribe death penalty for homosexuals and the Western powers, in typical double-standard, find comfort in partnering with the Arab country. In 2007, Uganda decided death as the punishment for culprits of aggravated defilement in heterosexual relations. Today’s vocal human rights activists were unheard. For purely arguments sake, the law should also offer even justice in which case equal penalty must be imposed for aggravated homosexuality offences. Days before the New York Times penned its vitriolic editorial this month, likening Uganda to a pariah state, the newspaper had reported that Astraea Foundation, an American pro-gay body, had donated $75, 000 (Shs142 million) to Uganda’s LGBT activists. The purpose of the finances was never explained, lending partial credence to claims the homosexuality crusade here is foreign-funded. MP Bahati argues that homosexual behaviour is no science or human rights issue; it’s learned and can be unbundled. Having sex is a human right, yes I agree. However, the choice of the partner, venue and mannerism are purely personal preferences - without a universal standard. I am no moral high priest. Consenting adults can, and should, enjoy intimacy as they so desire without the State policing, especially where no crime is committed or suspected. That, however, doesn’t offer homosexuals in Uganda the blanket emancipative correctness to impose their acceptance on every citizen. Let homosexuals relate but also respect heterosexuals who choose to live or raise families in desired decency. Upholding traditional family values is virtuous for we are indisputably products of such liaisons. Trouble with Bahati’s law is that it seeks to criminalise virtually everyone in a misdirected extra-territorial application. Homosexuality is no internationally recognised transgression akin to terrorism, torture or war crimes. To suggest that a counsellor of a homosexual be imprisoned for up to seven years is ridiculous and so is the requirement to report suspected gays to “relevant authorities” within 1, 440 minutes, especially where non-compliance attracts three-year jail term (or Shs5m fine). The Bill criminalises a journalist’s disclosure, without court authorisation, a homosexuality victim’s particulars, and generally the dissemination of information about homos. Penalty includes up to seven-year imprisonment or hefty fines (Shs5-100m) and possible de-registration of a blacklisted media house. The Anti-homosexuality Bill no doubt requires a discerned overhaul. President Museveni, sharing loyalty between domestic voters and international financers, has set himself up. The show is just beginning but I abhor the double-standards on either side of the debate.Mr Butagira is a journalist with the Daily Monitor tbutagira@monitor.co.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/842464/-/whaqd2/-/index.html","content":"Man sues Kayihura over dead wife - A man, whose wife was shot dead at Kasubi during the September 2009 riots that engulfed Buganda following the strained relations between the Central government and Buganda Kingdom, has sued the Inspector General of Police for his spouse’s loss. Mr Abdalla Byabasaija wants Kampala High Court to compel Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, jointly with government, to compensate him for the loss of his wife, Stella Kabasinguzi, who was shot dead from the verandah of her house in Kasubi Zone 4, a Kampala suburb. Through his lawyers, Mr Byabasaija says the alleged killing of his wife by the police and army was a breach of her fundamental right to life. He adds that the killing was done by security personnel who were acting under the instructions of Maj. Gen. Kayihura, who is jointly liable with the Attorney General for the deceased’s fundament right to life.The police spokesperson, Ms Judith Nabakooza, said yesterday they are waiting for guidance from the Attorney General. The September 11 riots left some 27 people dead and many injured after the government barred Buganda Katikkiro, JB Walusimbi from entering Kayunga District, who was to preside at the kingdom’s Youth Day celebrations. Court appealMr Byabasaija now wants court to grant him damages, saying the killing of his wife was unjustifiable and illegal.It is alleged that the deceased was shot twice in the chest in front of their house and died on her way to Mulago Hospital. She is survived by three children, aged between one and six years. In an affidavit, Mr Byabasaija claims that no explanation has been forthcoming from Gen. Kayihura and Attorney General as to why his wife was killed because he never saw the postmortem report. “I went to Mulago Hospital where the deceased’s body was examined and the police at the hospital’s casualty unit refused to give me the postmortem report, saying it was only for police,” says Mr Byabasaijja."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/-/688614/841350/-/gsnjwiz/-/index.html","content":"How to be certain about that business deal - Kampala Mr Paul Sserugo, a university graduate had been job hunting for several months until he stumbled on an import business idea. The business venture he envisioned required huge capital to start and since he did not have any meaningful savings in the bank, he could not secure a business loan. After consulting with his relatives and friends he managed to get John, a long time family friend who agreed to invest in the business. “Our friend John agreed to finance the business on condition that he becomes the major shareholder since he as the main financier was giving three quarters of the 40 million startup capital,” Mr Sserugo explains. Earlier on Mr Sserugo had met a former class mate who promised to link him up with Chinese businessmen who could cheaply supply them with baby toiletry which he could sell locally for big profit margins. This business idea needed more research, a task that saw Mr Sserugo browse several Chinese websites where he gathered trade information and how to transfer money to the Asian global giant. He made several acquaintances via the net who confirmed they could supply him with whatever he required. “As soon as the money was deposited into our business account I took it upon myself to ensure that the business came to fruition since my partner had entrusted me with all the managerial tasks,” Mr Sserugo says. According to him the process of getting supplies was easy because it involved transferring money to the supplier’s account. In return the supplier would ship the products and meet all the shipping costs. As soon as he transferred the money, the goods arrived promptly as he was promised and soon both partners were in business supplying the diapers in local supermarkets. “Due to high demand, we reinvested all the money including profits into a second consignment; however this time round the consignment did not arrive as agreed,” Mr Sserugo says. “After weeks of waiting and trying to contact the suppliers to no avail, I realised I had just lost our entire business to conmen but now my immediate problem was how to break the news to my partner,” he adds.Due to frustrations and fear of arrest coupled with the fact that he was the minority shareholder in the business, Mr Sserugo went into hiding. After months in hiding he reappeared to find that his business partner had opened a fraud case against him and as expected he was arrested and was only released when he signed an agreement to repay all the money plus interest. “Had I known I would never have partnered in business without signing a contract,” Mr Sserugo says. According to Mr Cyrus Mawano, a lawyer at the IGG’s office, had Mr Sserugo entered into a contract with his partner before starting the business, he would have saved himself from jail. This because the contract would have acted as evidence showing precisely the type of partnership he was involved in. A contract is an enforceable agreement between two or more parties. The contract contains the promises made by the parties to one another, which is legally known as “consideration.” These promises define the relationship being undertaken as well as what happens if the relationship doesn’t work out. If one party fails to act according to their promises, then they have “breached” the contract and can be found liable for damages. The damages typically equate to what the non-breaching party would have received if there had been no breach. “It’s logical to have a contract because we are (susceptible) to falling short and making mistakes. The contract also helps protect the interests of all parties and incase of disagreements it’s used as evidence in courts of law,” he adds. “If partners don’t spell out their rights and responsibilities in a written partnership agreement, they end up being ill-equipped to settle conflicts when they arise. Minor misunderstandings may erupt into full-blown disputes. In addition, without a written agreement saying otherwise, your State’s law will control many aspects of your business,” Mr Mawano warns. However many partnerships are informal with no binding agreements, which exposes the owners of the business to the risk of falling out or going under. “The law states that when entering into a joint business venture, as long as the amount of money required is Shs 200 and above a contract should be signed,” Mr Mawano says Adding that all the elements of a contract must be present and the business should also be legit, otherwise the contract won’t be legal and therefore not binding. For a contract to be legal it has to have the following elements:1) Consideration- this involves anything of money value hence one party must be offering something.2) An offer has to be made then it should be reciprocated with an acceptance.3) Confidentiality Clause- A confidentiality clause is an important clause to have due to the consumer advocacy nature of the media and the emergence of the Internet as a means for quickly spreading news and information. The confidentiality clause prohibits either party from reporting a dispute to the media or third parties. Additional clauses can be added to suit the needs of each partnership.Though some businesses have thrived on word of mouth deals one needs to realise that word-of-mouth business deals involve to some extent shoddy deals that require quick money with promises of quick and high returns. They have some disadvantages and some advantages. 1 | 2 Next Page»The first disadvantage is that the sums of money involved might be colossal, while at the same time these businesses might involve close relatives or friends and when there are losses, it is very hard to sue your business associate because of the close relationship. “Majority of these word-of-mouth business deals do not have agreements, documentation and therefore are very hard to get insurance of the money. Therefore the proprietor incurs full losses if their businesses go down,” Mr Charles Omusana, Deputy Director, Finance and Administration, Uganda Investments Authority, says. Adding that research into the business also lacks since the word-of-mouth could sound convincing and more trustworthy than facts from the experts. Lack of in-depth knowledge of the business deals could also lead to the downfall of the venture. The advantages include:In the business world the people who are not afraid to venture into any kind of business end up reaping more before others can follow. In this case word-of-mouth business deals tend to be easier to strike since most people would prefer to talk through the business idea without going through the normally detailed process of agreement making. In addition, since these businesses require almost no registration, contracts and other legal documents, a proprietor enters into the business quickly reaping benefits before other people jump into the bandwagon. Raising money tends to be faster as it is often acquired from personal wealth or savings. Most of the proprietors have no time to wait for approval of loans from the bank. In addition they risk little money in anticipation of investing more when the business thrives. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/840336/-/wh9bun/-/index.html","content":"Pro-Bukenya legislators want Mirundi fired - ParliamentA group of MPs believed to be loyal to the Vice President, want the President’s spokesperson fired over his recent remarks, insinuating that Prof. Gilbert Bukenya is not honest and strong enough to stand by his decision.In an interview yesterday, Mr Henry Banyanzeki (Rubanda West) described Mr Tamale Mirundi as an “arrogant, indiscipline junior officer” who is not fit to speak for the President. Mr Banyezaki’s attack follows recent remarks by Mr Mirundi that the Vice President should stop “hiding behind the President’s name” after presiding over an allegedly flouted car procurement deal that cost the country Shs9.4 billion during Chogm. The remarkAccording to Mr Mirundi, President Museveni has nothing to do with flouted tender deal for the supply of executive cars for the Chogm summit, where Mr Bukenya was in charge of the steering committee. It also emerged that President Museveni had earlier written opposing the breach of procurement rules before the tender of the supply of the 204 cars was awarded. “If you are a Vice President and then you start hiding behind the President, then you cannot succeed,” said Mr Tamale Mirundi. “Was Prof. Bukenya a running boy of the President? He had the opportunity to meet and advise the President in all the meetings. What stopped him from doing so?” Mr Tamale Mirundi asked. Prof. Bukenya chaired the cabinet sub-committee that oversaw Chogm affairs. The Pac alleges that Prof. Bukenya cancelled the international competitive bidding and instead handpicked Europcar/Motorcare (U) to offer car rental services, yet it had been beaten by Spear Motors Ltd in the outright purchase deal. Mr Banyenzaki said Mr Mirundi must be punished.“As soon as Parliament reconvenes, we will make sure that the committee on Presidential Affairs takes up this matter,” he said yesterday. When contacted, Mr Mirundi said he does not regret what he said, adding that he is only accountable to the President. “I am accountable to the Principal Private Secretary and the President. I do not work for the Banyenzaki’s,” Mr Mirundi said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/836526/-/wgr0fe/-/index.html","content":"City council extends Utoda contract - KampalaKampala City Council [KCC] has extended Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers Association’s [Utoda] contract to manage the two city taxi parks for five years, authorities have said. The contract that was expected to expire in February this year was extended, citing the organisation’s tremendous improvement remittance to KCC that has seen Utoda complete its Shs1.5 billion debt last year. The contract was, however, renewed without an open bidding process. Mayor Nasser Sebaggala said the organisation’s positive response towards council’s new payment rules prompted his executive to extend the contract. “It would be a waste of time and money to open fresh bidding process when the current contract holder is performing well. They have also managed to clear their debt arrears,” Mr Sebaggala said yesterday in Kampala. He said the contract sum will, however, increase from the monthly Shs290 million to at least Shs300 million depending on the number of commuter taxis. “The recent vehicle census in the city will help us determine the new contract figures. We must increase because the number of taxis have increased,” he said. Last month, Utoda cleared its outstanding debt of Sh1.5 billion, it owed city council, surviving termination of their contract as per the council’s directive. “As KCC, we commend Utoda for its determination to clear the debt earlier this year. They have exhibited a lot of discipline and built a good working relationship with us,” the deputy Mayor, Ms Florence Namayanja, said. The current contract agreement which Utoda signed with KCC expires in October 2015. Councillors had earlier vowed to terminate their contract once the organisation failed to clear the debt before the end 2009. According to the District Finance Committee chairman, Mr Apollo Tugume, the taxi body has been remitting about Shs430 million per month on the debt account which has brought down its arrears. Termination threatEarly this year, KCC threatened to terminate Utoda’s contract over “fundamental” breach of contract and the accumulating debt amounting to Shs1.5 billion. City council’s action followed the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority [PPDA] directive to terminate the contract after some investigations were carried out. The December, 18 report on the performance and management of taxi parks addressed to the Town Clerk, Ms Ruth Kijjambu, among others accused Utoda of accumulating a Sh2.3 billion debt and failure to document its operations. But Utoda blocked the intended termination of their contract through the Commercial Court citing irregular treatment by PPDA report. 1 | 2 Next Page»Utoda which manages the two taxi parks in the city at a monthly contract fee of Shs290 million exclusive of Value Added Tax is also accused of failure to keep accounting records and statistics. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/835598/-/wgqbah/-/index.html","content":"Auditor General questions electoral body over Shs300m - A report on how the Electoral Commission manages public funds has exposed a string of irregularities in the utilisation of election money ahead of the 2011 general elections, Daily Monitor has learnt.As a result of the alleged ‘mismanagement’ of public funds at the electoral body, the latest report of the Auditor General, Mr John Muwanga, says millions of shillings advanced to officials to carry out the commission’s work remain unaccounted for. “A total of Shs289.8 million advanced to various officers to carry out commission’s activities remained unaccounted for…(yet most of these) funds were for activities related to by-elections in various districts….,” the latest report on EC operations for the year ended June 2008 reads in part.The report which has been submitted to Parliament is likely to complicate EC Chairman, Eng Badru Kiggundu’s efforts to get the additional Shs57 billion, needed to prepare for 2011 polls without explaining himself on the alleged gross abuse of public funds under his docket.Responding to the queries, the EC Secretary, Mr Sam Rwakoojo, who is the accounting officer, whose competence is being challenged in court over alleged lack of minimum credentials, told the Auditor General that the Shs289.8 million has since been accounted for. Submission rejectedHowever, the Auditor General has rejected his submission on account that the accountability documents were not presented for auditing. On allegations of lack of minimum credentials, Mr Rwakoojo dismissed them as baseless.The report has also found out that officials at EC blow up some expenses in total breach of the financial management which could have resulted in misstatement of financial statements. In addition, the Auditor General says other programmes may not be implemented due to diversion of funds. For instance, the commission budgeted Shs1.3 billion for legal costs and petitions but through unclear circumstances they spent about Shs1.6 billion. “Analysis of the expenditure revealed that the excess of Shs266.5 million over and above the amount (budgeted for) was charged under other expenditure items without the necessary…authorisation from the Treasury,” the report adds in part. While EC complains of lack of money for its activities, the audit found that millions of shillings (over Shs313.2 million) in uncollected revenue owed to them by various individuals in form of court awards. Laxity“There is still laxity on the part of the management in collecting this money from the respective debtors as some of these awards date as far back as 1996 and yet the commission pays colossal sums every year in legal costs,” the report reads.It was also noted that there were delays in filling bills of costs for taxation by the commission. The schedules provided by management during the audit shows costs amounting to about Shs1.1 billion."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/834724/-/wgpncw/-/index.html","content":"Secret report on oil firm leaks - Kampala A secret document compiled by one of the security organisations on the activities of Eni (SpA) has named a very senior and long-standing politician in government as being a front for the Italian oil firm that is hoping to invest in Uganda on the promise that he will receive millions of dollars in commission fees. Eni associates reportedly arrived in the country in November and have been engaging in behind-the-scenes transactions out of Paraa Safari Lodge where they are said to have camped.According to the December 17, 2009 document titled, ‘Forces behind the battles by Eni (SpA), Tullow oil-Heritage oil over Uganda’s oil’, the politician used a company called TKL, an off-shore outfit, owned by a Mr Christian Eidem to link them to Eni business associates in Tripoli. Two middlemen “The deal is brokered by two Ugandan officials on behalf of the senior local politician as foremen,” the document indicates. “Eni are actively coveting part of the Tullow Oil license, Eni have placed a deal on the table for a refinery and even produced a MoU to be signed at the highest level in the country without any studies and due diligence,” the document adds. According to the document, the current squabbling involving Tullow Oil and Heritage-Eni started when a senior government official allegedly leaked to Eni details of a State House meeting between government and Tullow. If true, the alleged leaking of material information to a third party may amount to a breach of confidential clauses in the Production Sharing Agreement which Tullow signed with the government of Uganda. “Tullow officials said that the issue of Tullow’s oil license was secret and restricted within top government circles. Tullow officials said the only way Eni could know about the license issue is through someone high in government in a position of knowledge who passed the information to Eni,” reads the document which sources say has been brought to the attention of President Museveni. Yesterday, a senior official working in the external affairs department of Tullow Oil, but who preferred not to be named, confirmed to Sunday Monitor that indeed there was a leak although he also stated that the security dossier does not accurately capture the present state of affairs. Efforts to speak to Tullow chairman Elly Karuhanga were futile as he’s known mobile telephones were switched off.“Eni have stated in the press that they have been into the Tullow oil data room. Tullow oil officials said that this is “absolutely false” because there is no existing confidentiality agreement between Eni and Tullow,” the document further reads. In the oil industry, a confidentiality agreement is a prerequisite to enter another entity’s data room with which one company may want to form a partnership. On December 6, 2008, Libya announced it had bought a 10 per cent stake in Eni. The investment made Libya Eni’s second biggest shareholders after the Italian government that owns 20.3 per cent. Minister of Energy and Mineral Development Hilary Onek told Parliament last year that four exploration companies have so far been licensed to prospect in five out of the available 10 exploration areas in the Albertine Graben. “There is a lot of interests in the areas which are not licensed but licensing of new areas has been suspended until a new regulatory framework for oil and gas subsector is put in place by mid 2010,” Mr Onek said in his statement. Tullow’s planThe security report says that Tullow is considering offloading its 50 per cent share to Exxon Mobil Corp, the biggest oil company in the world. Battle lines have, however, been drawn between the two oil firms after Heritage decided to sell its fields in Uganda to Eni for between $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion well knowing that under a standing pre-emption clause, they should have given Tullow the first opportunity to buy. 1 | 2 Next Page»A total of 800 million barrels of oil worth over $50 billion have so far been confirmed in Uganda but the actual production of oil will start in 2011. When contacted, Mr Onek declined to comment when Sunday Monitor contacted him, saying he is on holiday. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/833940/-/wgp0nb/-/index.html","content":"Top Kyambogo officials to lose jobs - The Kyambogo University Council is moving to implement recommendations of a report by the Inspectorate of Governments which could see at least three senior officials lose their jobs.Council chairman James Kalebo confirmed on Wednesday that the institution’s highest decision making body had appointed a committee which will draft recommendations on how the university will implement the IGG’s report which calls for the sacking of the Dr Basima Mpandey, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in-charge of Finance and Administration among others.The IGG report recommended that the University Council retires the university secretary, Ms Mary Katusabe Ssemwezi, and Dr Mpandey in the interest of stability of the institution and pay them benefits.“Dr Mpandey and Ms Semwezi … like Prof. Lutalo Bosa were technically empowered by the law, to handle the overall administration of the university and were therefore responsible for the failure of the merger process and integration of staff into the new University,” part of the IGG report reads.Dr Mpandey yesterday declined to comment about his impending predicament.“Let them look at the report. I think I have no words. No comment,” he said.The report also recommended action against the bursar, Mr David Biganja, the Academic Registrar, Dr Andrew Cula, and the university librarian, Mr Justine Kiyimba, over breach of the leadership code.Mr Biganja is currently on forced leave.Mr Kalebo said on Wednesday that an opportunity would be given to the indicted officials to defend themselves before action is taken.He said the recommendations could be effected by end of this month.Kyambogo University has had a tough year characterised by strikes by lecturers and students."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/833000/-/wgoshn/-/index.html","content":"State House turns tables on Bukenya - Kampala President Museveni was not responsible for the flouting of procurement rules before the now-controversial Shs9.4 billion tender for the supply of executive cars for the Chogm summit was awarded, his spokesman said yesterday. Mr Tamale Mirundi was reacting to an interview Vice President Gilbert Bukenya gave to a weekend newspaper in which he said the deal was cleared by President Museveni. Stop hidingThe spokesman asked the Vice President to “stop hiding behind the President’s name” as it emerged that Mr Museveni twice wrote opposing the breach of procurement rules before the tender of the supply of the 204 cars was awarded. “If you are a Vice President and then you start hiding behind the President, then you cannot succeed,” said Mr Tamale Mirundi.“Was Prof. Bukenya a running boy of the President? He had the opportunity to meet and advise the President in all the meetings, what stopped him from doing so?” Mr Tamale Mirundi asked. Prof. Bukenya chaired the cabinet sub-committee that oversaw Chogm affairs. Ministry of Works Permanent Secretary Charles Muganzi on November 4 told the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee, which is investigating misuse of Chogm funds, that Prof. Bukenya cancelled the international competitive bidding and instead handpicked Europcar/Motorcare (U) to offer car rental services, yet it had been beaten by Spear Motors Ltd in the outright purchase deal. The Chogm transport evaluation committee had rejected the rental option because it would cost Shs9.5 billion to use the cars for only four days. This would be equal to 74 per cent of the cost of outrightly purchasing the cars from Spear Motors—but Prof. Bukenya opted for the former.The Vice President had told Sunday Vision, a sister publication of the New Vision in which the State owns majority shareholding that “All the Chogm decisions I made were after consultation and approval by the President of Uganda.” Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa under whose docket Chogm procurements were handled had also in a November interview with this newspaper said Mr Museveni approved the controversial car procurement tender. But Mr Tamale Mirundi said: “Those people don’t want to die alone; that’s why they are using the President’s name to scare away those who are demanding accountability and intimidate the President.” He added: “Prof. Bukenya and others should face these problems like real men; they should not run away from the battle.” Prof. Bukenya yesterday said he could not comment because he was busy in meetings. “You will ask me some other time,” he told Daily Monitor in a brief telephone interview. President questionsIt also emerged yesterday that Mr Museveni twice wrote questioning the award of the tender without adhering to the procurement guidelines.In an April 17, 2007 letter to Ms Hilda Musubira who is also the deputy head of public service, Mr Museveni questioned why the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) was not involved in the procurement. “I have read your letter of 5th April 2007, concerning the above subject. It is clear that the complainants, Benz. etc., initially, did not offer the lease/rent option, which BMW did. It was, therefore, in order to proceed with BMW,” he wrote, adding: “The question, then, is: Why didn’t the concerned officials involve PPDA?” Under the PPDA rules, it is irregular for ministers or government officials to interfere with any procurement process. Museveni had also earlier on February 22 written to Ms Musubira demanding an explanation why no standard PPDA procedures were being followed in the car procurement deal."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/830816/-/wgmvtu/-/index.html","content":"We didn’t write letter on oil, says Bunyoro - KampalaBunyoro Kingdom on Wednesday described as a “fake,” a letter written to top executives of three oil firms and the government, alleging that it has warned the parties not to engage in the sale, extraction and exploration of its oil without seeking the consent of its king. The letter, a copy of which this newspaper has received, claims that Omukuma Solomon Iguru Gafabusa, the King of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom on December 18, wrote to the government, Mr Tonny Buckingham, the chief executive officer of Canada-based Heritage Oil and Paulo Scaroni of Eni SPA-the Italian firm that is eyeing two oil blocks in Uganda. The king is alleged to be “concerned” about reports that Heritage is selling its entire interests in Blocks 1 and 3A to Eni for $1.5 billion (Shs2.8 trillion) yet his position on the matter has not been sought as it should be according to the 1955 Bunyoro Agreement. The two companies in focus signed a letter of intent to effect the deal within the first three months of 2010, subject to the permission of government and disinterest of Tullow Oil, which holds a 50 per cent stake in the lucrative blocks. “We wish to tell you that GoU (government of Uganda), Tullow Oil and Heritage Oil and Gas are in breach of provisions of Articles 32 of the Bunyoro Agreement,” says the letter. A part of the article stipulates that “…the governor shall in every case consult the Omukama and give full consideration to his wishes.” The article forms part of the comprehensive agreement signed between the British colonial government and Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom. The agreementThe letter adds that by failing to inform the Omukama and Rukurato (Bunyoro’s parliament) in granting all oil and mineral rights, the government is in breach of article 35 of the agreement which states that the governor now the President, in exercising his rights in the kingdom shall always consult the Omukama and the Rukurato. But in an interview with the Daily Monitor on Wednesday, Bunyoro Kingdom’s Spokesman Henry Ford Mirima dismissed the letter, saying it is fake because the Omukama does not write letters. “I think it has been written by somebody who is hostile to Bunyoro,” he said. Mr Yolamu Nsamba, the principal private secretary to the king, added: “The Omukama has never written such a thing. It’s a fabrication.” But after dismissing the letter, Mr Mirima insisted that the kingdom was dissatisfied with the way the oil blocks sale was being conducted. He said the monarchy had been “kept in the dark” as the other parties discussed the oil deals. “We are not happy,” he said. Heritage Oil refused to comment on the letter."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Markets/-/688606/822274/-/n73p7c/-/index.html","content":"Tough rules for stock brokers - Kampala No stock broker will be allowed to trade on the stock exchange without a certificate. Stock exchange regulators in East Africa now want all practitioners in the capital markets industry to enroll for training currently conducted at the Securities Industry Training Institute. Board members, including all security exchanges chief executive officers in East Africa and Central Depositary and Settlement Corporation Limited (Kenya) last week resolved all brokers, fund managers and investment advisors must have SITI certificate to trade. Uganda’s security exchange chief executive officer and SITI chairman Simon Rutega said the development aims at ensuring adherence to ethics and integrity in the East African stock markets. “As capital markets in the region continue to post fast growth, players are continuously faced with the challenge of enhancing their skills in order to keep up,” he said. “Uganda Securities Exchange together with Nairobi Stock Exchange, Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange and Capital Markets- Rwanda agreed on a standardised curriculum, which will be administered by SITI throughout the region.” Mr Rutega said with the institute now in place “indiscipline” in the stock market would not be entertained and industry players who breach regulations would face punitive measures. SITI East Africa is a Securities Industry Training Institute instituted in September 2007 and launched in December 2008. It was established to manage and deliver a range of training programmes on capital markets and investments, corporate finance, asset management, entrepreneurship and corporate governance.SITI board says the establishment of SITI East Africa emanated from the need to have players in the East African region benefit from a systematic and well managed training and capacity building initiative. Starting 2007 to 2009 there have been cases of trading malpractices particularly by brokers in the Nairobi Stock Exchange. The development affected the functioning of the capital market. Africa region and DEVPARA Consultants from SITI Canada, acquired over twenty training modules in the whole Curriculum. SITI programmes are provided in the four East African markets of Kenya, Tanzania Uganda and Rwanda. This year over 500 industry practitioners have been trained in the region. During the launch of the SITI curriculum, board executives announced that the five institutions which are on board would each contributed $15,000 ($75,000 in total) (about Shs141 million) to sustain the operations of the institute."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/820516/-/wg1al6/-/index.html","content":"Court orders NFA to deposit Shs3b - Kampala The Appeal Court has ordered the National Forestry Authority to deposit Shs3.1 billion as condition for temporarily lifting a lower court directive. The order gave Beachside Development Services, a construction company, a go-ahead to attach Shs3.1billion from the forestry authority’s accounts in damages. A panel of Court of Appeal Judges led by Justice George Engwau in unanimous ruling yesterday granted an order sought by NFA to stay the execution of an order which allowed Beachside Development Services to attach accounts of the forestry body in Stanbic bank and Bank of Uganda but ordered the later to deposit the entire amount claimed by the company with the Registrar of the Court. “We lift the decree granted by the High Court in this matter on condition that the applicant deposits a bank guarantee in that sum with the Registrar of this court within 45 days from the date of the order,” the judges ordered. Other judges on the panel are Justice Amos Twinomujuni and Justice Steven Kavuma. The order arose from an application by NFA, asking court to halt actions by the company in a bid to revoke the order it obtained from the High Court. Mr Nelson Nerima, a lawyer representing NFA, earlier told court that the order obtained by Beachside Development Services has frozen the accounts of the forestry body thereby paralysing its financial operations. He said it is in the interest of justice that the stay be granted since there is an appeal against the High Court order which has high chance of success.However, Mr Enock Barata, representing the company, asked the judges to dismiss the application because it was brought in court in bad faith. The order granted by the then Registrar of Land Division, John Keitirima arose from a consent judgment the company reached with NFA on September 16, before Justice Joseph Murangira, accepting to pay the money in damages. This was as result of a case where Beachside Development Services Ltd sued NFA demanding damages for breach of contract. The company claimed four years ago its director, Mr Charles Twagira offered to rehabilitate and develop forest reserve as ecology and ecotourism facility and NFA gave its management conditional license of 25 years. The company started on its development work but on June 8, 2006 different people claimed possession of the same area and instituted criminal proceedings against the company officers. The company claimed at the commencement of the development work, it entered an agreement with a construction company M/s BCR construction Ltd to carry on the development and made payments to its management for the work. Beachside Development Services contended that NFA by breaching the contract caused its management loss and damages including money spent on the project and prospective business as well as profit loss. The parties reached an agreement but asked court to quantify the damages caused to the company. However, NFA is appealing against the whole decision claiming the trial Judge erred when he awarded the money to the firm."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/819448/-/wfkyun/-/index.html","content":"Education PS hits back in jobs row  - KampalaThe Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education yesterday admitted his wife, daughter, son and sister are all employed in the ministry but said they are qualified to serve in their positions. Speaking for the first time since the accusations came up, Mr Francis Xavier Lubanga particularly dismissed allegations that he recruited his wife Anne to the ministry, reasoning she was serving there before he became permanent secretary, 11 years ago. He also defended his son David Mugerwa, sister Jacky Nakato, daughter Kisawuzi Namirembe’s employment to key positions in the ministry, saying they qualified and were recruited on merit. “My wife became a teacher in 1974. She has a teaching experience of 35 years and was confirmed on the due date but the authors of the document state that she was promoted while serving on probation! My wife holds a Diploma in Education, a Bachelors Degree and a Masters Degree. She has been in the education sector all her life,” Mr Lubanga said in a letter addressed to several officials including the education and ethics ministers. An unnamed whistleblower in a September dossier to President Museveni, the chairperson of the parliamentary committee on social services, Ms Rose Sseninde and ethics minister Nsaba Buturo, said Mr Lubanga was turning the ministry into a family affair, replacing several employees in key positions with relatives. But the PS said yesterday: “The document is full of falsehoods and misrepresentation of facts. Where it is factual, the content is either lacking or muddled.” Mr Lubanga said in his letter also copied to the Inspector General of Government, Mr Raphael Baku and the head of Public Service, Mr John Mitala that the document talks about appointment but was silent on the recruitment processes. “What matters are the due processes and procedures, eligibility and qualification. There are many examples in Uganda where a husband, wife, daughter, brother, sister, son or other kindred of whatever description are working in the same service sector, or Authority/Government,” Mr Lubanga said. Any breach? Daily Monitor could not speak to Mr Mitala and the head of the Education Service Commission Hajj Lubega Waggwa on whether the employment of Mr Lubanga’s kin had breached any public service procedures. In his statement yesterday, Mr Lubanga said the document was being peddled by disgruntled officers who have been subjected to disciplinary action by the relevant authorities or by those whose schedules have been removed for incompetence."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/818704/-/10wwos9/-/index.html","content":"Students summoned over Makerere demo - Kampala Tension has risen at Makerere University over the administration’s intention to suspend five students for participating in recent riots. Guild President Robert Okware has written to University Dean John Ekudu saying the students who face suspension, didn’t breach any university rule and had full support from the guild. Mr Okware said the guild constitution automatically empowers student leaders to address the press. “According to the guild constitution, the minister has the responsibility to talk on behalf of the students. It’s lawful for them (students leaders) to address the press,” Mr Okware said on Friday. Mr Ekudu however says the students acted contrary to university rules and regulations. No permissionIn a November 26 letter to campus affairs minister Mr Lawrence Sewino, Ekudu accused the students of severally addressing press conferences without permission from authorities. “You have addressed press conferences without permission and with the intention to incite students and mislead the public. Your activities harm the university and cannot be allowed to continue,” Mr Ekudu’s letter reads in part. The letter also demands a clear explanation from Mr Sewino, who is also Uganda Young Democrats chairman at Makerere, why he has gone ahead to taint the university image before the public on radio and TV talk shows. “You are therefore asked to showcase why the vice-chancellor should not suspend you from the university. Let me have your reply by December 3rd,” Mr Ekudu’s letter demanded. Young democratsOther students served with similar letters include academic affairs minister Ms Ritah Nansubuga, Mr Shaban Ssenkubuge, Mr Ismail Kigongo and Mr Anthony Wadimba, all of whom are UYD officials at Makerere. UYD is the youth arm of the Democratic Party. The listed students are reportedly the ring leaders the November 16 riot at Makerere in which students protested what they termed as oppressive policies and tuition fee increment. They also demanded that the university’s sportsmen and women are facilitated to defend their inter university games title.Kampala District Councillor for Makerere University, Mr Bernard Luyiga says authorities threats to suspend the students is uncalled for, since students enjoy the right of demonstration and expression. He warned that any suspension would instead cause another violent demonstration. “Threatening students through suspending their leaders will not solve any problem. The tuition fee problem affects every one, the administration should respond to the students’ outcry instead of remaining adamant,” Mr Luyiga said on phone yesterday.Mr Ekudu told Daily Monitor the students had been summoned to give their defences. “It is in our rules to allow students to give their side of the story and once one fails to respond or gives a weak defence, we have no option but to suspend him or her from the university,” he said by telephone yesterday. Last month students marched to the senate building and library carrying placards that described the university as “doomed and dead”. The demonstration came just weeks after Professor Venansius Baryamureeba was appointed as the new acting vice chancellor."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/819428/-/wfkysv/-/index.html","content":"Journalists sue broadcasting council, govt - Kampala Two radio talk show hosts and moderators have dragged the chairman of broadcasting council and the Attorney General to court for having suspended them from broadcasting. Radio one’s Robert Kalundi Serumaga and Radio Sapientia’s Geoffrey Ssebagala are seeking a court order to dismiss the decision by the broadcasting council for having suspended them from hosting and moderating their respective talk shows as being contrary to the law and being issued without authority. In their petition filed at Kampala High Court, Mr Serumaga argues that he is professional journalist. The petition“I participated in a live talk show on WBS Television on the night of Friday, September 11, hosted by Peter Kibazo where we discussed the cause of conflict between the Kingdom of Buganda the central government,” read part of the petition. He further says he expressed the view during the show that President Museveni was causing conflicts between people who had hitherto co-existed peacefully, so that he can distract them from the illegalities attendant to the exploration of oil taking place in western Uganda and associate land grabbing. “Those were my opinions and I stand by them even now,” read part of the petition. He says he was pounced upon by several men after the show who beat him and bundled him into a car then carried a safe house in Kireka, Kampala manned by Rapid Response Unit. Wants damagesIn his petition, he also states that during his detention and torture, he suffered at the hands of the agents of the attorney general is a breach of his constitutional guarantee to liberty, freedom from torture and freedom of conscience for which he seeks redress by way of damages. Mr Ssebagala, in the same petition says he is seeking court’s redress to compensate him for having acted unconstitutionally leading to interference in his contract of service that led to the loss of his job. Mr Ssebagala was suspended in May 2008 after hosting Ms Mary Bwogi, who accused Ms Amelia Kyambadde of embezzling money meant to be used in the 2006 general elections. The two journalists contend that the acts of the broadcasting council that led to their suspension has a chilling effect on the freedom of expression of journalist working in the broadcasting media and it also breaches the right to receive and impart information."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/814770/-/wfhkol/-/index.html","content":"Iraq guards sue Askar over salary deductions - Kampala Three employees of Askar Security Services Limited, a company that recruits private guards to serve in Iraq, have dragged their employer to court for allegedly deducting their pay. Askar has been jointly sued with Beowulf International, a US-based security company contracted to protect United States government facilities and interests in Iraq. Askar is the local recruiting agency for the company.In a suit filed in the High Court on November 20, Mr Jackson Sentubiro, Mr David Ssenyonjo and Mr Chris Mugenyi contend that upon taking up employment with Askar, they entered into an employment contract and were entitled to a monthly remuneration of $1,000 (Shs1.9 million) and other allowances depending on duties assigned to them. The money was supposed to be remitted directly to their respective bank accounts in Uganda.“However, without any notification or consultation and in complete disregard of the specific terms of the Agreement, the defendants (Askar and Beowulf) jointly and severally deducted $100 (Shs190,000) per month from the trio’s salaries,” the petition prepared by Muwema and Mugerwa Advocates reads in part. It further reads: “Despite numerous verbal and written requests, the defendants have neglected and or refused to make good the breach of contract and loss suffered by the plaintiffs. Further evidence shall be led to prove that the illegal actions of the defendants jointly and severally were wanton, willfully high handed, oppressive and were actuated by greed and have amounted to exploitation of the plaintiffs and other guards still serving in Iraq and by reason thereof, the plaintiffs shall seek punitive and aggravated damages.” However, the Managing Director of Askar, Ms Kellen Kayonga yesterday denied knowledge of any complaint against the firm.“I have not seen or received any complaint against us (Askar) and I am not aware of the names of the complainants because we have a huge number of people we are dealing with, over 400,” Ms Kayonga said. “We never deduct people’s payments because the system is proper that money is paid through the bank.” The complainants are seeking a declaration that deductions from their salaries were unlawful and should be refunded. Well connected They also want compensation for general damages as result of breach of contract, punitive and aggravated damages as well as costs for the suit. Court is yet to fix a date for hearing of the case, which is largely expected to set a precedent for thousands of Ugandans serving in Iraq."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/814692/-/wfhjxy/-/index.html","content":"Shs1b garbage recycling plant project stalls - Kabale A garbage recycling plant project in Kabale District that is to cost Shs1 billion has stalled, Daily Monitor has learnt.The contract for the 2007 World Bank-funded project was awarded to M/S Kamua Engineering services Ltd which was to complete construction of the plant within nine months, but that did not happen. The district council last month terminated the contract over alleged shoddy work and breach of contract. TEK International Ltd was then contracted for the work.The Mayor, Dr Pius Ruhemurana, last week said similar projects funded by World Bank in Fort Portal, Kasese and Mbarara districts were completed yet the projects were started at the same time. Finish in 2010Mr Ruhemurana added that the new contractor has to complete the work before January 2010. The District Council co-funded the project and contributed Shs200 million, including land purchase and water installation. The project site is located four Kilometres from Kabale town."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/815258/-/wfi61x/-/index.html","content":"Mbale Bishop calls for DEO posting - Mbale The Bishop of Mbale Diocese, Rt. Rev. Patrick Gidudu, has urged the Ministry of Education to resolve the controversy surrounding the recruitment of a substantive District Education Officer in a bid to end the escalating conflicts. Bishop Gidudu told a gathering of people at Nabumali Primary School, who had turned up for the fundraising, that a number of important programmes at the district are being missed because the people involved are busy at Inspector General of Government office and court over the issue. “I call upon the ministry to sort out the mess in the education department because replacement of the DEO ever since the year began has turned into a problem and more time is now invested in attending to the IGG and court rather than the crucial government programmes,” said Bishop Gidudu. In a letter seen by Sunday Monitor and signed by the secretary DSC, Mr Peter Simiyu, the commission says it is unable to appoint the acting District Education Officer because two of the interviewees; Mr Mike Nangosya and Mr Moses Nambale, have gone to court challenging the results of the interviews. Whereas Mr Nangosya and Mr Nambale, who both appeared for the interviews and have been put off following controversy, have dragged the DSC to court and IGG respectively for breach of the regulations governing public service. But the ministry spokesman said they cannot do much to save the situation. “That is not our work. The district accounting officer should be the one to fill up the post,” Mr Aggrey Kibenge told Sunday Monitor yesterday."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/813422/-/wfgsvo/-/index.html","content":"Naguru project in fresh row - Kampala Opec Prime Properties Ltd, the company that won a tender to re-develop the Naguru/Nakawa housing estates insists it will carry on with its suit against the government if they do not get their 56.1 hectares of land in the disputed area as per the contract. Kampala Associated Advocates, the law firm representing the investor, said yesterday that whereas the project has been cleared by the President, the land in question cannot be transferred into their client’s name because of bureaucracy in the Ministry of Lands and Uganda Land Commission. Heavy penalties“The legal notice still stands and the more they drag on, the heavier the penalties they (government) will incur,” Mr Karuhanga, the lead counsel, said . “It is cheaper for Uganda to cancel the land titles of the local individuals who got land after government committing the land to Opec Prime Properties than cancelling a contract it signed with an international investor.” He added: “The Ministry of Lands and Uganda Land Commission are hell-bent on disobeying the directives of the President and the legal opinion of the Attorney General and in so doing they are exposing government to heavy penalties in favour the developer.” The project has been marred in intra—government fights and contradictions since its initiation. At the start, there was a fight between the central government and Kampala City Council over who, between the two, owned the estates. This was followed by fights between factions of tenants with some supporting the project and willing to vacate and others who opposed. When these were resolved or at least partially, a fight between the then Inspector General of Government Justice Faith Mwondha and then Local Government Minister Kahinda Otafiire ensued. On July 18, 2008, the lawyers wrote to the Attorney General demanding up to Shs815 billion for breach of contract, resulting from the halting of the Nakawa/Naguru project and subsequent land give-ways within the project land. n October 15, 2007, the government had signed a public private partnership agreement, with Opec, a company set up by the Comer Homes Group, as a special purpose vehicle to oversee the re-development project and transform the area into a modern satellite city of over 5,000 flats, bungalows and commercial blocks."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/-/688324/858390/-/c7kou0/-/index.html","content":"Firm sues NSSF over breach of contract - KampalaThe National Social Security Fund has been sued over a breach of contract which could make the fund pay up to Shs2.4 billion in costs.Comptel Integrators Africa Limited, an information technology company, accuses NSSF of illegally starting a fresh procurement process for consultancy services for the maintenance of the fund’s information technology systems.Breach of contractComptel wants the Commercial Division of the High Court to overturn NSSF’s decision to invite bids for consultancy services since it would breach an agreement it has with NSSF.The two parties appeared on Monday before Justice Godfrey Kiryabwire and the case was adjourned to February 1, 2010.Comptel claims it won the contract in 2007 to provide consultancy services for the maintenance of NSSF’s information technology systems.According to the company, between September 2008 and March 2009 it carried out Technical support work at a fee of Shs2.4b which was acknowledged by NSSF. The company says NSSF later asked it to apply for renewal of its license to perform the same work, which it did at a cost of Shs1.9 billion.The firm says in December last year, NSSF approved its recommendations for the service and signed a maintenance agreement for the maintenance  of NSSF’s integrated management information system which was to be put in place with a service provider in accordance with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority regulations. The company argues that the agreement did not direct NSSF to subject the maintenance service to competition under open bidding. However, NSSF has decided to advertise the procurement of service through a competitive bidding process. Comptel argues that NSSF’s should halt fresh invitation of bids and pay the debt demanded and costs. NSSF has denied the claim, saying the company’s contract ended in June 2008 and there was no other contract signed with it.According to NSSF, the extra work claimed to have been performed by the company was a continuation of the original contractual work which was not completed within the prescribed time."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/-/878516/724112/-/h2a4l6/-/index.html","content":"Better than the sum of their parts, Utd will snatch point (s) from Bridge - When Man United are underdogs I usually fancy them to get a result, and my gut feeling is that their visit to league leaders and title favourites Chelsea will take that much trodden path. I say gut feeling because my head tells me different; even the most fleeting examination of either side suggests that Chelsea look good for a win at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, and the coin has come up heads every time I have tossed it. In line with the name of the column anyway, gut feeling is not a far-fetched phrase for one would have to dig deep to get to the bottom of mine! Seriously, Chelsea are at the moment so much better than United than the points-gap between the two suggests, the Blues looking stronger in every department bar one. Yet it is on days like this that United somehow manage to look better than the sum of their parts, days that have enhanced Sir Alex Ferguson’s legend beyond logically fathomable limits. The goalkeepers On their day still two of the world’s best custodians, the consistency has long deserted these two giant frames albeit for different reasons altogether. There was a time when either one could easily see out the 38 games of a league campaign while throwing their weight around for midweek European action and gracing the FA Cup for good measure. Cracked skulls, broken fingers as well as bruised backs and groins have since taken their toll, so much so that forgettable names like Hillario, Ross Turnbull, Ben Foster and Thomas Kusczack have all found themselves between the sticks at some point with only a dozen or so games played. In all fairness, it was suspension rather than injury in Petr Cech’s case, but those lapses against Wigan and some hopeless flapping at crosses on other occasions have called into question the abilities of a man I hailed as Gigi Buffon’s successor only a couple of years ago. Edwin van Der Sar himself was infallible at about the same time (in fact the two were on opposite ends for the Champions League final in Moscow only the other day), but a few knocks and the passage of time mean that a team from the same Russian capital could breach him all of three times, as CSKA did in midweek. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/SportsColumnists/MarkSsali/-/805430/803634/-/33dw9cz/-/index.html","content":"Better than the sum of their parts, Utd will snatch point (s) from Bridge - When Man United are underdogs I usually fancy them to get a result, and my gut feeling is that their visit to league leaders and title favourites Chelsea will take that much trodden path. I say gut feeling because my head tells me different; even the most fleeting examination of either side suggests that Chelsea look good for a win at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, and the coin has come up heads every time I have tossed it. In line with the name of the column anyway, gut feeling is not a far-fetched phrase for one would have to dig deep to get to the bottom of mine! Seriously, Chelsea are at the moment so much better than United than the points-gap between the two suggests, the Blues looking stronger in every department bar one. Yet it is on days like this that United somehow manage to look better than the sum of their parts, days that have enhanced Sir Alex Ferguson’s legend beyond logically fathomable limits. The goalkeepers On their day still two of the world’s best custodians, the consistency has long deserted these two giant frames albeit for different reasons altogether. There was a time when either one could easily see out the 38 games of a league campaign while throwing their weight around for midweek European action and gracing the FA Cup for good measure. Cracked skulls, broken fingers as well as bruised backs and groins have since taken their toll, so much so that forgettable names like Hillario, Ross Turnbull, Ben Foster and Thomas Kusczack have all found themselves between the sticks at some point with only a dozen or so games played. In all fairness, it was suspension rather than injury in Petr Cech’s case, but those lapses against Wigan and some hopeless flapping at crosses on other occasions have called into question the abilities of a man I hailed as Gigi Buffon’s successor only a couple of years ago. Edwin van Der Sar himself was infallible at about the same time (in fact the two were on opposite ends for the Champions League final in Moscow only the other day), but a few knocks and the passage of time mean that a team from the same Russian capital could breach him all of three times, as CSKA did in midweek. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/723376/-/vw0lec/-/index.html","content":"Mbabazi under fire - Mbabazi under fire A report alleging the existence of at least one million ghost voters on the national register has thrown the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party into confusion within several senior members asking for an explanation, Sunday Monitor has learnt. At the same time, the Electoral Commission, which the report largely accuses of incompetence has dug in, challenging NRM Secretary General Amama Mbabazi, who commissioned the research which resulted in the report’s findings, to confirm contents of the report as published in the media. EC Chairman, Eng. Badru Kiggundu, in an October 28 letter to Mr Mbabazi, wrote: “It is therefore important that the Commission is informed of whether the views contained in the alleged report are the views of your political party (NRM).â€Â� MTN in court battle over sms software Uganda’s leading telecommunications company, MTN, has rejected claims contained in a suit filed against it alleging breach of confidence in relation to use of mobile phone software. The suit that presents a test case for the way business is done in today’s information technology age pits the firm against a one Mr Collins Musinguzi who says he introduced MTN to what he says was a new technology. Mr Musinguzi suggests in his suit that MTN would later go on to apply software similar to what he had proposed without compensating him. It is not clear whether Mr Musinguzi entered into any contractual relationship with MTN at the time he says he was in contact with the telecommunications company although the gentleman’s lawyers are hinting on the fact that his intellectual rights were infringed upon. Obote’s last word on federo “It is hereby resolved that the [Independence] Constitution be abolished, and the [Republican] Constitution now laid before us be adopted and it is hereby adopted.â€Â� This is how Dr Milton Obote, Uganda’s founding executive prime minister; dramatically introduced a republican constitution for the country on April 15, 1966, effectively abolishing kingship. The lawmakers, besieged outside the House by heavily-armed soldiers, adopted the new constitution before copies of the document were stacked in their pigeon holes. The Speaker barred them from asking any questions of Dr Obote on that day, according to the Hansard, the official of parliamentary proceedings. Arua in panic over terrorists threat More than a week after the Al-Shabaab announced that they would launch a terror attack on Uganda and Burundi, district leaders in Arua say the claims must not be taken lightly. The authorities here have ordered that all Somalis and other foreign nationals be registered and screened to boost surveillance by security agencies in the district. West Nile UPDF spokesman, Capt. Peter Mugisa, told Sunday Monitor on Friday that the threats must not be disregarded. “These people are known for terrorism and if they make announcements like that, they normally do it. So we have stepped up security in all areas where these foreign nationals live,â€Â� he said. Capt. Mugisa said Arua is a cosmopolitan district that must be closely monitored since there are many Somali and Eritrean nationals who are residing in the town. 1 | 2 Next Page»Read details of these stories on the epaper « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/-/688614/720902/-/hdyx6oz/-/index.html","content":"When the insurance cover is good for you - Kampala Have you paused to think about the fact that some of the things we under estimate, and sometimes don't even want to hear about can be a friend in need and rescue you at a time when most people would rather turn away from your problem.   In some circles, talking about taking an insurance cover, might cause people to think that you are looking for an excuse to spend money. This is because for many years, insurance covers in Uganda have often been misunderstood to be for the up-market category of people who have money to spend on luxuries. Experts say that insurance in uganda is yet to be appreciated for what it really is. On the face of it, Insurance might come off as an expensive underataking but better understanding will reveal that it is not always as expensive as it is deemed to be. Indeed it should not necessarily be regarded as a high-end market product. Insurance as a risk management mechanism helps protect one's financial status by compensating the unfortunate individual (people) who incur losses through accidents and other damages. This enables them to for instance carry on with business even after the risk they insured against occurs. The industry is one of the fast growing sectors of the economy today with over 21 insurers offering a variety of policies to cater for the emerging clients needs. Broadly divided into Life and Non-life covers, the insured transfers the risk to the insurer through payment of periodical premiums to enable the insurer take on the risk when it occurs. While it's ordinarily difficult for one to save huge sums of money in anticipation of losses insurance companies will do it on your behalf through periodical collections of money. It is this that is used to compensate people involved on top of replacing his property. The break down makes it affordable even to low income earners. For instance, motorists are by law required to take Motor Vehicle insurance policies to cater for losses made, including compensating people involved in the accident. However, Mr George Alande, the deputy general manager Jubilee insurance, said most motorists in the country go for Third Party liability policy because it's a must as per the Road and Traffic Act. This only caters for the third party and not the driver or the car. The comprehensive cover on the other hand caters for the car and all its occupants. In the long run it also deemed to be cheaper. When a motorist causes an accident, the insurer is supposed to cater for the medical bills of the affected person up to Shs1million or paying the members of the affected a maximum of Shs1million in case of death. Mr Kasiraji Jamal, a motorist said he prefers Third Party insurance to the comprehensive one because of its affordability. “I can't go for a comprehensive cover on a car I am not sure of its life span. Our roads are full of old cars which breakdown time-to-time which are not worth comprehensive cover,\" said Mr Kasiraji. Depending on motor type, capacity, usage, geographical limit, value, driver's history and market condition, third party insurance policy might cost between Shs22,000 and Shs550, 000 for cars and Shs3,300 and Shs13,000 for bikes for either four or 12 months. Comprehensive premiums for private cars range from 3 to 5 per cent depending on the insurer, risk analysis one takes to the pool and the type of cover preferred. As for Buses and other public service vehicles it ranges between 6 and 10 per cent. “Some people are bad drivers with several accidents in their driving history that need to be charged differently from the careful ones,\" said Mr Alande. Life policies like the education policy and endowment cover that enable parents save for their children's education up to tertiary institutions even after their (parents) death ranges between Shs5000 and Shs10,000 per month. Group Personal accidents for a group of employees or individual personal accident policy helps cater for all medical expenses of people when they get accidents. Workers compensation cover enables insurers to compensate and treat employees of companies who may get accidents in the course of executing company work. It is a must for all employers with the exemption of  the armed forces as stipulated in the Workers compensation Act 2000, chap 255. An employer who violates the Act is subject to payment of Shs200,000 as a penalty for the first offence, Shs400,000 for the second time of the breach and for the third time, one is supposed to pay a fine of Shs3million or face six months in prison. However, ever since the law came in place nine years ago, even when most employers have not insured employees, no one has ever been convicted for not doing so. Companies can also invest in Fidelity guarantee to enable insurers replace the insured's company property or money that might be stolen by employees before the law takes its course. However, Mr Tom Bukenya, a shop owner sees no need for the Fidelity guarantee cover as he can deal with the employee who steals from him personally. “Even if you steal and hide far from me, I will still find you without even going to police,\" said Mr Bukenya. At 0.75 per cent (of the cost of equipment), one can insure electronic equipments like computers, cameras, recorders and phones under the Electronic Equipment policy. To avoid business interruptions and huge losses in the compan's gross turnover for businesses and plants with big machinery that face risks to fires and breakdowns, companies should take Business interruption policy to transfer the risk to insurance companies. This guards against huge losses. Mr Elvis Twenda, Monitor Publications Legal and Administration officer says with the numerous policies the company has with the insurer, he is confident that anything destroyed in the company will be paid for provided the right procedure for claim payment has been followed. He, however, expresses concerns about the police when it comes to comprehensive motor claims saying that they delay the process through their lengthy clearing procedures. In payment of claims, the insurer indemnifies (compensates) the affected individual with a sum of money equivalent to the value of property destroyed bearing in mind the excess that is always borne by the insured. Excess refers to a portion of loss borne by the insured. To some degree, this helps to make sure that they  are careful not to  let accidents happen carelessly. This ranges from 5 to 15 per cent (of the total amount being insured). Even when one is insured, insurance companies take charge of only the accidental losses. Insuring a company or business under a fire or burglary policy, helps the broken-into insured business or that which is destroyed by fire to resume operations immediately with the insurer's support. The Money in transit policy works for people who transport money to and from banks, the Marine policy caters for goods imported and exported via water whereas the  Goods in transit policy caters for those on roads. The Travel insurance policy applies to people who travel out side the country with some coming with numerous benefits like the Jubilee Safari for Jubilee insurance which takes care of all one's travel needs outside the country. The Aviation cover caters for planes, Floriculture cover caters for the flower industry, domestic package cover takes care of one's domestic items yet professional indemnity caters for professional court issues with companies. However an official from the Uganda Insurers Association remained tight lipped on the various minimum premium rates in the country saying the association was in a process of determining them. Insurance experts advised that people should take insurance covers as soon as they get the risk in their hands because problems do not annouce to any one.  For those who want to invest for their children's education and future, Mr Alande says they should take insurance as soon as they start getting children because they never know the financial constraints they might face when they take them to school. He, however, said that the level of insurance penetration in the country is still low due to lack of knowledge about the values and benefits of insurance and called on the government to incorporate insurance in the educational curriculum. He also said that some members of the public are fraudulent wanting to be paid for what has not happened.   Whether one gets an accident or not, the premiums collected from the insured persons are not refunded since you can't know when you will get an accident. Insurance companies are also offering Pension schemes to encourage workers save for their retirement on top of saving with the government's body-NSSF. QUICK NOTES The level of insurance penetration in the country is still low due to lack of knowledge about the values and benefits of insurance Life policies like the education policy and endowment cover that enables parents save for their children's education up to tertiary institutions or even after their death ranges between Shs5000 and Shs10, 000 per month. Group Personal accidents policy is for a group of employees or individual personal accident policy help cater for all medical expenses of people when they get accidents.  Workers compensation policy is for insurers to compensate and treat employees of companies who may get accidents in the course of executing company work, is a must for all employers with the exemption of only the armed forces as stipulated in the Workers compensation Act 2000, chap 255."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/720504/-/4mr1j2/-/index.html","content":"Ugandan media under siege - KampalaThe media and freedom of expression has suffered heavily since riots broke up in Kampala three weeks back. Beyond the official closure of radio stations and suspension of some radio presenters announced by the Broadcasting Council, individual media houses have taken radical steps to gag themselves in a bid to appease authorities and keep their businesses running. Some of the actions are reportedly out of subtle pressure from the government and specifically the Broadcasting Council while others are self-generated in an environment of general fear and the need to play safe. In one case, Inside Politics has obtained an internal memo of the more prominent broadcasting houses with a local language and English language stations where presenters have been told that, “all content relating to Buganda - the Buganda Kingdom and the institution of the Kabaka - will not be aired on both stations, unless as positive stories run in the New Vision or Bukedde newspapers covered in our press review”. Bukedde and New Vision are part of the publicly-traded but state-controlled print and electronic media group.The memo was issued by the programmes director of the two stations following a meeting with the Broadcasting Council. The memo further says “ Stop all talk and promos in support of Buganda Certificates; Stop all talk and promos in support of the Buganda Football Tournament Cup finals, Amasaza Cup, this Saturday and stop all songs about Buganda and in some cases those about Buganda’s quest for federo or those eulogising the Kabaka and Sekabakas”. This is as far reaching as a total blackout, especially for the Buganda language stations, whose constituency is mainly attuned to Mengo -- the cultural centre of the Baganda.After the explosion of violence between September 10-12, the government shut down four radio stations just within two days of the unrest.According to Godfrey Mutabazi, the chairperson of Broadcast Council, the decision to close the radios was taken to prevent “genocide” in Uganda as they had been “turned into conduits for inter-tribal hate messages.” CBS’s channels, 88.8 and 89.2 were switched off at around 1600hrs on September 10. The same week on Friday, three more stations – Akaboozi Ku Biri, Suubi FM and Radio Saptienta – were shut down in an intensifying clampdown on reporting about the bloody battles. Broadcasting Council agents backed by soldiers raided the studios of Radio Sapienta, a Catholic Church-run station, according to its director, Sister Denis Samanya. The station had aired a morning talkshow during which callers reacted to Thursday’s deadly riots, she said. A similar raid took place at Radio Two, a local language station popularly known as “Akaboozi”, according to General Manager Maria Kiwanuka. Both Samanya and Kiwanuka said they had not received notice of any breach before the closures. Suubi FM, a commercial, youth-oriented station also mainly broadcasting in Luganda, was also forced off the air after a raid by soldiers and Council technicians, according to Managing Director Ahmed Bogere Masembe. The station later received a notice from Mutabazi accusing it of “inciting the public to violence,” he said.  Masembe says his initial reaction was that his station had been mixed up with another for he saw no breach. After dealing with the media houses which are to suffer the biggest price of license revocation as in the case of CBS and suspension of the license as in the case ofr Akaboozi, Sapientia and Suubi (Sapientia has since been reopened), focus was tuned on the presenters and talkshow hosts. The latest victim is government-owned Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) television manager, Mr Mark Walungama, who was fired this week for allegedly allowing pictures of the recent city riots to air on a national broadcaster.Mr Walunguma, 44, is accused of sanctioning “nasty” pictures where armed security personal were shown clobbering rioters in the city streets. Though the managers denies this was the reason. Journalist Charles Odongtho, also working for another overnment-controlled outlet, Vision Voice, a member of the Vision Group, was fired through a friendly sms sent by his producer. Mr Odongtho, who previously worked with Radio Paidha before joining Uganda Radio Network and Vision Voice as News Editor and host of two talkshows on the same station, says he never received any formal communication. Mr Odongtho, who has been hosting Vision Parliament on Monday and Press Chat on Wednesdays received a message that simply said; “we are changing you from your shows, another person will be hosting them; we are sorry for losing you.”  The most prominent journalism victim remains talksshow host, Kalundi Sserumaga, who was  abducted on the night of September 11, tortured and only transferred to police from secret detention the next day into a police cell. He was released on bail on September 15. Six counts of sedition were read for him at Buganda Road Court.  Several other media victims have not grabbed headlines and these include Peter Kibazo (WBS), Charles Ssenkubuge Siasa (Radio Simba), and Radio Sapienta journalists; Matovu Aloysius, Irene Kiseka and Ben Mutebi – Amayengo.UBC publicists and the Broadcasting Council’s Mutabazi have denied that Mr Walunguma was fired because of the images he allowed to be broadcast on UBC TV. “I thought his dismissal had much to do with financial misappropriation than his professional conduct,” Mr Mutabazi said. At Vision Voice, Radio manager Bill Tibingana had warned show hosts not to discuss the riots days before Mr Odongtho was fired, sources said. Inside Politics can reveal that WBS television was asked to suspend broadcast of the syndicated Voice of America live TV and Radio show, Straight Talk Africa. The popular show, hosted by celebrated Ugandan-born journalist Shaka Ssali, hosted two successive shows on Uganda after the riots. One of the shows featured Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura, Leader of Opposition in Parliament Prof. Ogenga Latigo and Supreme Court judge George Wilson Kanyeihamba. Sources at both the Broadcasting Council, WBS and VOA have told Inside Politics that the Council first asked for a recording of one of the shows before quietly advising suspension as a review was being done.Inside Politics understands that an official at WBS communicated the developments to Washington DC, the headquarters of VOA which communication has sparked a diplomatic frenzy over the intentions of the State.  These reports could not be independently verified. While exact details of the actual negotiations between President Museveni and Kabaka Mutebi have remained a closely guarded secret following their Wednesday meeting, the Kabaka’s push for the reopening of CBS has come out clearly as a major point of negotiations. The kingdom’s deputy Minister for Information Medard Ssegona Lubega confirmed to Inside Politics that it was a key issue. Like the Kabaka, several owners of the closed stations are opting for quiet negotiations mainly to save their businesses. A source at Radio One has told Inside Politics that the station owners have been told that “the fate of Radio Two will depend on how Radio One behaves.” This has resulted in more self-censorship. And for the affected media personalities, they are waiting to see how this goes - helpless to pursue justice on their own without the backing of their employers. With the only nationwide-reaching network of radio and TV through UBC TV and radio and several channels affiliated to the two, especially radio coupled with the Vision Group with at least five newspaper titles, and a growing broadcast wing with at least three FM stations so far and holding a licensed but still off air TV, government controls more than 60 percent of the broadcasting space in the country. A majority of private FM stations are also owned directly by government officials or business people who support the ruling party. Observers say that attacking the private media therefore is an effort to close the little space available for alternative views.  It is with this in mind that the political Opposition led by the Forum for Democratic Change called for the opening of the closed stations,  failing which they called for a boycott of State-run media.   Following the government’s liberalisation of the air waves in 1990, many private media houses were set up. Today, Uganda has more than 150 FM stations, 10 newspapers and 20 television stations. This growth prompted the government to set up Uganda Broadcasting Council with the stated objective of promoting the growth of a responsible and free press that adheres to the highest standards of journalism.Media experts,  however, have noted  that the growth has not necessarily led to the championing of free  speech and expression that is imperative ifjournalists  are to carry out their watchdog role on behalf of society.   The government stands accused of using the Broadcasting Council to clamp down on independent and critical voices.According to Mr John Baptist Wasswa, a media consultant and a mass communication lecturer at Makerere University, even fine journalists have increasingly found themselves in a difficult situation as the political system manipulates the media. “The daily press no longer, routinely, set the agenda for change, breaks stories, exposes or make serious political investigations,” Mr Wasswa said.  The Broadcasting Council is set to introduce fresh guidelines to broadcast media regarding reporting on issues touching on Buganda Kingdom and the government. Inside Politics has learnt that the Council is now inviting different radio stations to a meeting where new rules are to be issued. Some radio proprietors have been warned that they risk their licenses being revoked if they fail to comply.Mr Mutabazi told Inside Politics that all radio stations have been ordered to instal equipment which allows in-studio presenters to listen to phone call before onward broadcast. “We want to control people who call in and start spreading hate messages,” Mr Mutabazi said. “All radio stations are supposed to employ these equipments or else they will have their licenses revoked.”Prof. Fredrick Jjuuko of Makerere University’s Faculty of Law  says much as the media laws in place do not give enough freedom to the media, journalists have been passive in fighting for their rights. “The law emphasises economic rights and property ownership for businessesmen to invest in the media and instead suppresses the political civil content of the media,” Prof. Jjuuko argued at a media dialogue on Monday. According to him, much as the media in Uganda is growing, the government suppression of dissent is growing just as fast. As a result several journalists find themselves  in court on all manner of charges.Four journalists from Monitor Publications stand accused of criminally defaming the [former] IGG, Justice Faith Mwondha, through articles: IGG in salary scandal (Sunday Monitor, 19, 2007 and God’s Warrior’ Faith Mwondha stumbles.  Rrecently three other Monitor journalists, managing editor Daniel Kalinaki and senior reporters Angelo Izama and Grace Matsiko have been grilled by the Police over information contained in an article, which ran in the Daily Monitor of December 28, 2008, under the title, Reclusive Kony: UPDF’s tactics under spotlight. The government claims the information was prejudicial to national security.Mr Kalinaki and Sunday Monitor editor, Henry Ochieng are also in court on alleged charges of forgery and uttering a false document.This narrowing of the avenues for mas communicatio have greatly impacted the capacity of the Opposition to mobilise.  In one incident, Dr Kizza Besigye, the FDC leader, was barred from appearing on a talkshow hosted by the Kitgum-based Kitti FM. The radio’s generator was switched off, reportedly on the orders of the area RDC. Another popular talk show programme, Tonight with Tegulle on UBC was also suspended for allegedly hosting Dr Besigye. This high level of State interference in the activities of the media can only be a prelude for even darker days ahead as the country draws closer o the 2011 general elections. It is understood that the ruling establishment will more than ever before seek to control the news to its advantage ahead of, and during, the polls. This state of affairs is unlike the  vibrant media industry in Kenya  that has rallied the public  and  forced the government to reconsider its position in passing  a bad electronic media law that would  have allowed government functionaries to raid media houses and studios to confiscate  media equipment.According to the 2006 Global Press Report by Reporters without Borders, Tanzania is the region’s best-rated country in terms of press freedoms. Uganda dropped from 80th to 116th position on the index. Kenya is at 118 among the 168 countries evaluated. The director of the American Centre for International Labour Solidarity, Mr Richard Hall, has said America is on the alert over the increasing violation of media freedoms in Uganda.The Secretary General of the Eastern Africa Journalists Association, Mr Farouk Omar Osman, has said the country’s future may worsen if the government does not address key issues facing journalists. “It is sad that the government has preferred charges against journalists here in Uganda. This is intimidation and we cannot accept it. Let us collect and disseminate information on what is happening to the rest of the world,” he said. “The crackdown on the media is everywhere but we have to show solidarity and ensure we address these gross violations of the freedom of the media [areexposed],” he added."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/SportsColumnists/MarkSsali/-/805430/803610/-/33dwb8z/-/index.html","content":"Finally, derbies in Manchester and London worth their weight - It might have meant the world to the people of Manchester for more than a century, but the Manchester derby didn’t mean that much to the rest of the world, until now. The derby has had a rich history granted, but for the modern day fan whose memory only dates back to the advent of the Premier League, the two clubs have not been in the same league. Even with the excitement, passion and controversy (red cards for Cristiano Ronaldo, horrendous howlers from Gary Neville etc) as well as the high profile upsets City have occasionally handed United, one couldn’t quite mention Shaun Goater and Ruud van Nistelrooy in the same breath, or make too many comparisons between Richard Dunne and Rio Ferdinand. Besides, United would go on to win the league most of those times while City flirted with relegation or settled for the mediocrity (or comfort for some) of mid table. Yet City have now bought the right to rub shoulders with the big boys, so much as to provoke a few jibes from Sir Alex Ferguson; with a United legend as their manager the blue side of Manchester go into tomorrow’s game tied on points with their rivals and with a squad good enough to match United’s, not just over 90 minutes but over nine months.   United, City tactics United and City go into this game off the back of victories achieved thanks to tactical masterclasses over North London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal respectively. In City’s case though, I get the feeling that the tactical deployment that was so effective against Arsenal was only forced on Mark Hughes because of the absence of some of his superstars. Thankfully for Hughes, Robinho and Carlos Tevez are still absent and that means he will send out a balanced team at Old Trafford tomorrow, with spoiler supreme Nigel De Jong retaining his place in midfield. De Jong was one of the main reasons for City’s victory last weekend, his combative ball winning skills supplementing the industry of Gareth Barry and Stephen Ireland as Arsenal’s midfield was denied the time and space to dominate the way they usually do. Against Man United, the Dutchman will be key again if one considers how much damage Dimitar Berbatov caused against Spurs every time he dropped into the hole and picked up the ball unattended to. The Bulgarian got the thumbs up from Ferguson for the moves, which included several clever passes into the Spurs box, a couple of fierce drives at Carlo Cudicini’s goal and the run that results in the foul leading up to Ryan Giggs’ freekick equaliser. At White Hart Lane, Berbatov’s freedom was a result of the previously inform pair of Wilson Palacios and Tom Huddlestone being drawn upfield to mark United’s deep lying pair of Paul Scholes and Anderson. De Jong and Barry will have to resist the bait, although City have the added advantage of a third central midfielder in Ireland, which Spurs didn’t have. The biggest disruption to City’s plans will be a ban for Emmanuel Adebayor (I wrote this long before the FA’s ruling on the matter), which would mean a change in tactics and deployment, with Craig Bellamy taking over upfront as City’s only available striker, and Martin Petrov taking over from the Welshman on the left side of the attack. Adebayor will be missed for his goals and presence, and Tevez will be missed for the same hunger for revenge which so worked for his Togolese teammate last weekend. Yet without all those strikers City will be forced to deploy midfielders, a ploy you would expect them to go for in a big away game anyway, and one that could hurt United; with three in the middle and then Petrov and Shaun Wright Phillips in the wide areas, United’s midfield and especially the full backs will have their biggest test so far. Ferguson himself has a dilemma on his hands; Giggs seems set to start, which leaves one wondering if the United manager will return wingers Nani and Antonio Valencia to the lineup, and how he will accommodate Anderson, Michael Carrick and the inform Darren Fletcher.      The way out could be in returning to a 4-5-1 and dropping Berbatov, but even if United have beaten Arsenal and Besiktas with that formation, Wayne Rooney was decidedly uncomfortable as a lone striker; he enjoyed the Spurs game more with a partner, and United’s winner in Turkey actually came after the frustrated England man had been replaced by two strikers. London derby The English capital has way too many derbies, and until recently only the North London version and the clashes between Chelsea and Arsenal mattered. Now add to that the Chelsea-Tottenham duels, now that Spurs have put the days of tamely surrendering six points a season behind them, days when Chelsea was justified in renaming their rivals’ stadium Three Point Lane. And this season Spurs has added a good start and new belief to their usual collection of talent, and the game at Stamford Bridge promises to be the biggest test to Chelsea’s 100% record yet. Chelsea showed a few chinks in their armour against Porto in midweek, a surprising vulnerability when the opposition is willing and able to attack relentlessly. Stopping Didier Drogba and Nicholas Anelka in tandem will be tough, but for Spurs the bigger challenge will be in breaching the diamond. Harry Redknapp cannot afford the error of deploying three strikers and just a three-man midfield, which backfired against United especially since the third striker who was meant to help out in midfield was the scandalously out-of-form Robbie Keane. Other than start Keane, Redknapp should add Jermain Jenas to Palacios and Huddlestone, get in the faces of Chelsea’s midfielders, and also order full backs Asou-Ekotto and Vedran Corluka to put the Blues under pressure in the wide areas. The veteran Englishman will also be better advised to use Russian hitman Roman Pavyluchenko at some point, especially if as expected Peter Crouch finds Ricardo Carvalho too clever and John Terry too tenacious and protected to breach. Outside of the midfield mastery and persistent pressure, the only other way Spurs will beat Chelsea is by keeping their concentration for 95 or so minutes. Whoever the manager, it has been a weakness of the club for years, and yet if they switch off the same they did in allowing Rooney to kill off the game last weekend, they will be annihilated at the Bridge. Whether one opts for Manchester or London (a remote control-wielding Ugandan fan has the luxury of both as they kick off one after the other), the one thing for sure is that we have on our hands two derbies that finally carry real weight about them. mmssali@yahoo.com, ssalimark@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/718554/-/b5buclz/-/index.html","content":"We need a law regulating cultural leaders - Having read about the 1961 politics in Buganda where groups supporting Mengo destroyed banana plantations belonging to people whom they perceived to be Democratic Party (DP)  supporters, one cannot fail to see the similarity to what happened in Kampala from Thursday to Saturday. In 1961, people who had voted for DP led by the late Ben Kiwanuka were considered disrespectful to the Kabaka because voting Kiwanuka, a Muganda Catholic, meant putting him above the Kabaka.  When DP won the 1961 elections, Baganda who voted DP paid the price as their properties were destroyed. For fear of DP taking over power from the British at independence, Mengo advocated for the election of MPs from Buganda by the Lukiiko instead of universal adult suffrage. Kiwanuka and DP opposed this position. However, the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) supported Mengo’s position thus denying the people of Buganda the opportunity to elect their representatives to the first post-independence Parliament. The opposition is courting Mengo on the same UPC lies of 1962. Turning to the violent groups that caused havoc in the city last week, I want to thank the police and other security agencies for dealing decisively with the criminal elements that looted and burnt properties including vehicles and police posts. In the name of sympathising with the Kabaka, who they say was being stopped from visiting Kayunga District, property was destroyed, businesses were closed, and farmers couldn’t supply produce to city markets. Above all lives were lost and many people sustained serious injuries during the riots. Media reports indicated that the violence was sparked off on Thursday following information that the Buganda Kingdom’s Katikkiro had been blocked from entering Kayunga. While the Katikiro was heading to Kayunga, the Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Internal Affairs, Mr Kirunda Kivejinja, was waiting for him and Banyala leaders to discuss the Kabaka’s anticipated visit to Kayunga.  The government position was that Mengo officials first meet Banyala and Kayunga District leaders to sort out issues related to the visit. However, the Katikkiro did not heed government’s advice. For all the time I have worked with the President, he doesn’t visit any district unless the Minister for the Presidency has held preparatory meetings with the respective district leaders. For instance, during the Prosperity for All mobilisation campaigns, the Minister for the Presidency together with State House staff, first meet MPs and other leaders from the district the president intends to visit. So, I find the Katikkiro’s refusal to meet Internal Affairs Minister, Banyala and Kayunga District leaders an act of bad faith. Meeting the leaders of the group opposed to the visit together with the district leaders was the best way to sort out the issue. I am sure the meeting would have resolved the threat of a breach of peace during Kabaka’s visit. Ugandans have now paid the price as a result of the Katikkiro’s failure to attend the Kirunda meeting. What we need now is a law regulating activities of cultural leaders who the Constitution prohibits from participating in active politics. The law should spell out the dos and the don’ts of traditional leaders. In spite of the fact that cultural leaders are apolitical, you still  find cases where people go around Buganda opposing the Land Amendment Bill in the name of the Kabaka. Does opposing a government proposed legislation constitute part of culture? Government legislation is a political matter that should be left to the elected representatives. Besides, any community recognised by the Constitution should be free to enjoy their culture the way they want irrespective of how many they are. Mr Byaruhanga is a special presidential assistant on political affairs political@infocom.co.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/718424/-/b5bv7pz/-/index.html","content":"It is wrong to close our radio stations - The civil unrest in and around Kampala claimed three more victims of a different kind on its second day when the Broadcasting Council shut down three more local FM radio stations for allegedly inciting violence. This again raises the matter of constitutionally-guaranteed civil liberties. The Council’s actions against Suubi FM, Radio Sapientia and Radio Two (Akaboozi) brought the number of radio stations suspended indefinitely to five, following the earlier shutting down of the two stations run by the Buganda government. Unhappily, the government has also suspended the broadcast of bimeeza programmes. The bimeezas, which involve the live broadcast of ordinary Ugandans debating issues in halls, is a common feature of Uganda’s FM radio airwaves on weekends. A statement signed by the Chairman of the Broadcasting Council, Mr Godfrey Mutabazi, says the five stations breached minimum broadcasting standards as outlined in the Electronic Media Act while the bimeeza programmes breach sections of the Act that require programmes of that nature to be broadcast within a radio’s premises for easy monitoring. Mr Mutabazi and President Museveni have warned that disciplinary action awaits any broadcaster that breaches the minimum broadcasting standards. These standards require that radio content is not contrary to public morality; does not promote violence or ethnical prejudice; in the case of a news broadcast, is free from distortion of facts; is not likely to create public insecurity or violence; is in compliance with the existing law; and is balanced. While the Council is quoting the law, its closure of the radio stations must be considered in context. It begs the question whether the Council was influenced to take that action by partisan interests. It is curious that the Council has banned the bimeezas at a time when public debate of issues of national interest is at its highest? With political tension and public emotions running high, the government has to uphold the right of every Ugandan to freedom of expression in all its forms. This cannot be done through the imposition of a news black-out. At the same time we recognise that media houses should be professional and maintain a high sense of objectivity."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/716668/-/b5d86hz/-/index.html","content":"URA deserves a permanent home - MPs on the Budget Committee of Parliament want the 9.46 hectares of land that was previously occupied by the Apparels Tri-star factory at Bugolobi to be allocated to the URA for its headquarters. However, the same property formally occupied by the Coffee Marketing Board (CMB), is a subject of an Industrial Court order directing that it be sold to pay off former employees of the parastatal. To make matters worse, the property had already been allocated to LAP Textiles Ltd., a Libyan company, which could therefore sue the government for breach of contract.   We think this is yet another indication that the government is not being considerate as regards URA’s situation. Just a week ago, the tax body was in the process of securing a Shs20 billion loan from the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) but was stopped in its tracks by Parliament. The MPs on the Finance Committee argued - albeit rightly - that the tax body should secure loans from multinational agencies like the World Bank or commercial banks instead of “endangeringâ€Â� workers’ savings in NSSF. According to Ms Allen Kagina, the URA commissioner general, they thought of NSSF after failing to secure the funds required to kick-start the project. She said the tax body annually pays about Shs3 billion in rental charges for several office premises scattered around the city.   With the main headquarters at Nakawa, URA also has several of its important departments housed at Crested Towers, at Lugogo and at Nakasero among other places. As everyone knows, these are all expensive offices for the taxpayer and more so given the meager resources. Additionally, there are also the other associated logistical costs such as fuel and communication bills to keep the departments coordinated. All Uganda’s regional counterparts deemed it fit to construct permanent homes for their tax bodies. URA also needs one-stop centre for all its departments to function more efficiently and effectively. It is absolutely baffling that the government does not seem to appreciate this. URA, which hitherto has laboured to collect trillions of shillings for the government year after year, should not continue to struggle on its own to get a permanent home. If the government has been finding loans for flimsy projects and homes for dodgy investors, it must find money for this worthy undertaking."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/714904/-/3hmt4kz/-/index.html","content":"Give equal opportunities to people to lower crime rate - Of recent, the level of crime has risen sharply in Uganda. The crimes include child sacrifice, murders and homicides among others. This is in spite of the fact that several efforts aimed at bringing down the rate have been made. Much as we are searching for the solution to the crimes, it is better we first establish their causes.  First, there are many idlers especially in urban areas though some are also found in the countryside. The youth in this country are   faced with the problem of unemployment and this leaves many of them idle yet it is said an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. Some of the people perpetrating crimes are desperate idlers who are exploited by the rich for selfish reasons. However, we should not allow one problem to lead to another. As long as we do not address the problem of unemployment, it will be very difficult for Uganda to be a relatively crime-free nation. Yet a crime-free environment acts as a catalyst for economic   growth and therefore increased GDP. Curbing evils in our society requires combined government, NGOs and the general public’s efforts geared towards creating more employment opportunities for the youth and revisiting our ways of employing people. We should, for instance, stop being sectarian when recruiting people. Let people compete fairly for any opportunity and be given jobs on merit without considering their tribes or faiths. We should also create conditions that will see many people who would otherwise be idle, engaging in doing something productive for themselves and the country at large. When they find better things to do, many will stop resorting to time wasting activities like playing cards, drinking and other unfruitful lifestyles. It is a high time a solution to unemployment that has rendered many people redundant and therefore becoming a fertile ground for scheming to do evil is found. Today, because of rising cases of child trafficking, child sacrifice, murders and robberies in our society, many people now live in apprehension. Children have become vulnerable and no one knows what the future portends. Ronald M. Balugiire musirrnb1@yahoo.com Blame parents for the rampant corruption After losing so much public funds to privileged individuals that have access to them,  I have discovered that we should not continue blaming the culprits but their parents instead. It is true that some of us have role models and for most of us, they are our parents. In some circumstances, for instance, some parents have to give their children money as an inducement to enable them go to school.  And when a child is not given something, they will either go to school angry or stop somewhere on the way. Such children, unless they are ‘bribed’, will not reach school that day. Secondly, a crying child will always be consoled into keeping quiet by being given sweets, cakes or money. Surely, this is ‘bribe’ in disguise and not parental love. The cause of corruption stems mainly from our families and we should take the necessary precautions to prevent the evil as early as possible by preserving morals of the future generation. Edrine Wanyama                                                                           drnwanyama@yahoo.com UPDF not planning to attack Al Shabaab This is to clear the view created by your article; UPDF troops prepare to attack Somali militants  which appeared in Daily Monitor of August 4, 2009 and was attributed to an alleged interview with Commander of the Land Forces Lt. Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala whereby he allegedly stated that AMISOM troops in Somalia (led by UPDF) were awaiting a green light from the United Nations to launch attacks against the Al Shabaab militias disrupting peace in that country. Whereas the interview may have taken place, what Gen. Katumba Wamala told The East African correspondent was that UGABAG had no mandate beyond the existing one that allows AMISOM troops to defend themselves if and when attacked. Felix Kulayigye, Lt. Col. MoD/UPDF Spokesman.     Global Trust Bank operating normally We are really disappointed by J. Olupot’s article in Daily Monitor of August 5 on Page 11 alleging that Global Trust Bank Pallisa branch was robbed and that police is investigating the case. We as security personnel (Saracen) guarding this bank have never registered any such incident. The situation at the bank is calm and business is going on well as usual. Saracen Uganda Ltd. This is in response to the article on letters page titled; Global Trust Bank! (Daily Monitor, August 5). I am a long time customer of this bank and the area LC1 chairman. I have never heard that this bank/branch has ever been robbed and therefore no police investigation is going on. I have also never seen a notice that customers cannot access their money. These allegations are aimed at tarnishing the name of the bank because business is normal. Therefore, this issue should not shock bank customers. Hajji Iddi Shaban, LCI chairman, Pallisa Central I am disappointed by the Global Trust Bank robbery allegations I read in Daily Monitor of 5/08/09. This is because I have never heard of the bank robbery and not even seen the notices barring customers from withdrawing their money. It is really an unfortunate allegation. W. Okurut, Head teacher,  Royal Christian College Pallisa No robbery at Global Trust Bank The alleged robbery of the Global Trust Bank branch in Pallisa and the resulting denial of services to our customers due to police investigations, that was written by a one Mr Olupot and published in your letters section of 5/08/09, is false. We have not experienced any robbery, neither have we denied customers access to their accounts. Security of customers’ funds is a basic expectation and requirement of a commercial bank; its breach would never be an excuse for denied service. It is our business to institute sound security and we will continue to do so as always.  We see this allegation as a direct attack on our business operations and we highly condemn it and advise the fabricators to refrain from any further such attacks or risk to face the firm hand of the law.  We request all customers that may have been affected by the publication to call us on 0417 100700 for clarifications. Goretti Masadde, Head corporate communications – Global Trust Bank"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/713862/-/10dqied/-/index.html","content":"Judges crisis: Lukyamuzi takes Museveni to court - Kampala Conservative Party president John Ken Lukyamuzi has petitioned the Constitutional Court over President Museveni’s delay to appoint a seventh Supreme Court judge to constitute a full bench. In a petition filed on Wednesday through his lawyers, the former Lubaga South MP, contends that the President’s failure to fill the void in the Supreme Court amounts to a breach of the Constitution since it infringes on the rights of people whose appeals are supposed to be heard expeditiously. “It is the Constitutional duty of the President under Article 99(2) to execute and maintain the Constitution and all laws made under it or continued in force by the Constitution and abide by, uphold and safeguard the Constitution and the laws of Uganda. His failure to appoint the Supreme Court Judge has rendered the Court incapable to raise a Coram in order to hear and expeditiously dispose off his Appeal,â€Â� reads Mr Lukyamuzi’s petition. A fully constituted Supreme Court bench requires a panel of seven Judges. However, the Court has had only six judges since the death of Justice Arthur Oder on June 25, 2006. The six are Chief Justice Benjamin Joseph Odoki, Justices John Wilson Tsekooko, Joseph Mulenga, George Wilson Kanyeihamba, Bart Magunda Katureebe and Galdino Moro Okello. Justice Kanyeihamba, who is due to retire in November,   is currently on leave and this has led to queuing up of eight pending civil petitions due to lack of a Coram. Whenever a matter requiring the Coram of seven judges comes up for hearing, three judges from other courts – usually Principal Judge James Ogoola, Court of Appeal Judge Christine Kitumba and High Court Judge Egonda Ntende  are called upon to sit on the Supreme Court bench. However, because of their other duties, one judge from the trio is only called upon for urgent matters. Mr Lukyamuzi has spent three years waiting for Court to hear a case in which he is challenging the jurisdiction of the IGG to force him to vacate his parliamentary seat in the seventh parliament as well as deny him an opportunity to contest for the same seat in the eighth Parliament over allegations of breach of the Leadership Code of Conduct. Mr Lukyamuzi says last year, he wrote to Justice Odoki complaining about the delay to hear his appeal. The Chief Justice, according to Mr Lukyamuzi, replied saying his case would be cause listed in this year’s session – but it did not happen. The CP chief says he then wrote to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) over delay to appoint acting Judges on the bench but he was told the names of the acting Judges and their instrument of appointment were submitted to the President for necessary action in June 2008. Speaking in Kampala yesterday, Mr Lukyamuzi said delay to appoint a seventh judge is a deliberate ploy to frustrate his political ambitions. The CP Chief says he plans to challenge Mr Museveni for the presidency in 2011. “President Museveni’s delay to appoint permanent or at the minimum temporary judges to the Supreme Court to dispose off my petition is a political ploy to deny me nomination and participation in the 2011 elections,â€Â� he said. Mr Lukyamuzi argues that if the President does not deem any of the candidates submitted to him by the JSC fit for the role, he should contract retired judges since Article 142 of the Constitution says retired judges can be appointed to hear standing cases. The JSC yesterday admitted that there is a crisis in the judiciary. An official said there are four vacancies at the Supreme Court and 10 at High Court."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/713774/-/10dqhmu/-/index.html","content":"Illegal allocations hold Nakawa housing project - Kampala The fight over Nakawa-Naguru land has forced President Yoweri Museveni to write to the Attorney General, Prof. Khiddu Makubuya, ordering that the disputed land be given to the investor as a matter of urgency. Mr Museveni, in the same letter of April 30, also ordered all the tenants who had snubbed the government eviction order to leave the Nakawa-Naguru land immediately to enable the investor start construction. “The tenants should vacate the land to enable the developer commence construction, since their interests are taken care of by the subsidised flats which are going to be put up for them since no development can take place with the people in occupation of the land,â€Â� Mr Museveni wrote. Mr Museveni added “In case M/s OPEC Prime Properties Ltd of UK fails to develop the land into a modern satellite city within a specific time limit as agreed in the contract, then the government should repossess it.â€Â� However, Daily Monitor couldn’t establish the deadline spelt in the Public Private Partnership (PPP) deal the government signed in 2007. While Mr Museveni wants the investor to take over the disputed land immediately, it’s evident that his directive will remain on paper after it emerged last week that the Nakawa-Naguru land has encumbrances with squatters holding title deeds. Some of the companies that have acquired part of Nakawa-Naguru land include among others, Muko Enterprises which has been given 0.419 hectares, Philadephia Trade and Industries Limited allocated 0.730 hectares for construction of a fuel station and Karuma Falls General Merchandise Limited 0.458 hectares for commercial. Others include: Naguru Hospital 1.220 hectares, Fair Play Catering Services Limited, Libyan Tropical Bank 2.0 hectares, Libyan Cultural Centre and School 2.0 hectares, Swaco Intertrade Limited 2.0 hectares and Globeways Limited 4 hectares. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/713462/-/b5fcp3z/-/index.html","content":"Uganda may not be obligated to arrest Bashir - Media reports both in Uganda and internationally have indicated that the indicted head of state of the Republic of Sudan was to arrive in Uganda to attend a Smart Partnership dialogue though recent reports indicate that he may delegate. But whether Bashir comes or not, the legal and political questions still stand. The position of both national and international legal analysts is that Uganda has a legal obligation as signatory to the ICC Statute to arrest President Bashir, and as a member of the UN Security Council, and a country that is yet to host the ICC Review Conference in 2009 and being the first state party to refer a case to the Court.  This seems to be the position. But in my opinion, the country faces legal hurdles if it is to arrest Bashir and extradite him. The argument in support of the arrest and extradition is hinged on Article 27 of the ICC Statute, which explicitly states that immunities that attach to persons as a result of their official capacity do not apply under the statute, and that therefore, President Bashir’s immunities as a head of state have no consequence with regard to his criminal responsibility. However, the ICC Statute under Article 98(1) states that the Court cannot make a request for surrender or assistance if it would require the requested state to breach its obligations under customary international law with respect to state or diplomatic immunity of a person or property of a third state unless the Court can first obtain the cooperation of that third state for the waiver of the immunity. Among the obligations that Uganda has under customary international law, is the obligation to respect the immunity of high ranking diplomatic members of a foreign state. In addition, in 2000, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in the DRC vs Belgium case, held that high-ranking state officials are immune from the domestic jurisdictions of other states and this includes particularly heads of state. This customary norm of international law has been adhered to by states to such an extent that, arguably, it has become a norm of jus cogens, or a grand norm of international law from which there can be no derogation and the entire community of states is bound to follow. This norm stems from the doctrine of recognition under which states accord immunity to heads of state from governments that they recognise. Under this doctrine, a head of state must have both physical (de facto) and legal (de jure) control as a head of state. In a situation where one of the two is lacking, states can refuse to accord them immunity. Uganda has and continues to recognise President Bashir as the defacto (physical) and dejure (legal) head of the Republic of Sudan. Thus for Uganda to arrest Bashir, it must first observe customary international law that provides for Bashir’s immunity as a head of state (immunity ratione personae.) As a consequence, although his acts are not immune, (rationae material), President Bashir is personally immune from arrest and service in a foreign country - much less his neighbour - Uganda for as long as he is head of state. Therefore, it can be deduced that the ICC might have Jurisdiction over President Bashir but he would have immunity from the proceedings in Ugandan national courts in any attempt to arrest or transfer him. Also, Uganda has not yet domesticated the ICC Statute, the Extradition Act, which would be applicable, does not include provisions for the extradition of war crimes, against humanity and genocide. The schedule to the Act, which sets out the “extraditable offencesâ€Â� does not include offences reflected in Bashir’s indictment much as it includes offences such as homicide and similar offences. It does not include war crimes and crimes against immunity, crimes allegedly committed by Bashir. The arguments I raise above are not for the maintenance of procedural immunities under the ICC Statute. Everyone agrees that impunity must come to an end and the suffering in Darfur is extreme. However, it is a call for intellectual honesty in this grey area of international law - in case it is raised by President Bashir at one time, but also the need to examine the implications - both political and legal - of Bashir’s arrest and extradition by Uganda, and may be explore better legal solutions to the same. Mr Tumwesigye is a legal researcher on international and human rights law stvtumsg@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/713170/-/10dqcx0/-/index.html","content":"New beneficiaries of Nakawa land named - Parliament MPs are investigating how 56 acres of prime city land allocated to UK-based developer, M/S Opec Prime Properties, to re-develop it into a modern satellite city ended up in the hands of four Libyan and seven local companies and individuals. After the new Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Mr Muhanguzi Kashaka, tabled the names of the new owners of the controversial Nakawa-Naguru Housing Estates land before the parliamentary accounts committee yesterday, chairman Nandala Mafabi said the government needed to come clean on how the land unceremoniously changed hands. “It seems the government hoodwinked us to think that the land belongs to an investor yet it is individuals sharing this land,” Mr Mafabi said. “We are going to investigate this matter to the last detail otherwise, the Minister for Lands and the Uganda Land Commission must explain who authorised them to allocate this land to these so-called developers.” The land was originally given to M/S Opec Prime Properties, who planned to construct a satellite city valued at Shs625b. However, the project failed to take off after residents rejected eviction without compensation and partly due to encroachment – developments that compelled the investor to serve the government with an intention to sue for breach of contract. Mr Kashaka yesterday listed the developers who had received the land as Islamic University in Uganda (10 acres), National Library (two acres), CTM (U) Ltd (six acres), William Nkemba (six acres), House of Dawda (10 acres), Ms Access (U) Ltd (13 acres) and the senior principal assistant Town Clerk for Nakawa Division, Abner Besigye, with 0.87 acres. However, an attempt by Lands Minister Omara Atubo to parcel out another 10 acres of the disputed land to four Libyan companies opened the lid on the deal after it sparked off a stinging response from the then Local Government Minister, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire. In a letter dated January 23, 2008, Mr Atubo wrote to Maj. Gen. Otafiire instructing him to authorise Uganda Land Commission to allocate Tropical Bank (two acres), Libyan Cultural Centre and School (two acres), Swacof Intertrade Ltd (two acres) and Globeways Ltd (four acres). But Maj. Gen. Otafiire in his letter dated February 1, 2008 warned his cabinet colleague to stop allocating the land, which he said already belonged to M/S Opec Prime Properties, to a new group of investors."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/713024/-/10dqc18/-/index.html","content":"MPs investigate Nakawa, Naguru estates land deals - ParliamentThe Public Accounts Committee yesterday sent the Criminal Investigations Directorate to the Ministry of Local Government to investigate reports that ‘big shots’ in the government allocated themselves plots of land in the disputed Nakawa-Naguru estates.    New Local Government Permanent Secretary Muhanguzi Kashaka blew the lid on potential insider dealing on the land allocations in a June 30 letter to the Minister for Lands, Mr Omara Atubo. The letter, which made rounds in Parliament yesterday, as Mr Kashaka met members of the Local Government’s Committee observed that the Uganda Land Commission (ULC) had allocated part of the 66 hectares of Naguru and Nakawa estates to a host of unnamed individuals in the government whom he described as encroachers.Without offering details, Mr Kashaka’s letter reads in part: “We are receiving information that in spite of the Cabinet directive, the ULC has continued allocating pieces of land out of the Naguru and Nakawa Housing Estates which was earmarked for the redevelopment of the two housing estates into a modern satellite town.”    Auditor General John Muwanga also pointed out the questionable land deals in his 2006/07 report which the committee was scrutinising.After reading the PS’ letter, committee vice chairperson Rebecca Otengo ordered CID officers to collect the details of the beneficiaries from the Local Government ministry.  “We have information from whistle-blowers that a number of big shots in the government have benefited from this Nakawa-Naguru land even before the anticipated project takes off,” Ms Otengo said. “We have sent CID to the ministry to get us these details.”In 2007, the government allocated the dilapidated Naguru and Nakawa estate land to a private developer M/S Opec Prime Properties of UK to re-develop it into a modern satellite city. The estate, valued at Shs34 billion, was constructed by the colonial government in 1934 to house low cadre civil servants. It emerged during the Committee hearing that, the new project expected to cost about Shs625 billion ($300 million) has failed to take off after residents rejected eviction without compensation. As a result, the investor has served the government with an intention to sue for breach of contract."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/712892/-/b5fxsrz/-/index.html","content":"Kanyeihamba, Besigye off-base on election law - Justice George Kanyeihamba’s recent public mutterings regarding the 2006 presidential election court petition are injudicious and legally dubious.  No less auspicious is Dr Kiza Besigye’s decision to hitch new constitutional claims on Kanyeihamba’s utterances.  If the good judge did more law and less politics, and the good doctor more politics and less law, they each might do better in the sphere of public life to which they have been called. According to Kanyeihamba, because all seven Supreme Court justices who heard the petition found that “the election was not free or fair, or at least largely not free of fairâ€Â�, they had no choice but to nullify the election.  Where does Kanyeihamba get this rule?  Not from the Constitution.   The Constitution only requires that an election be nullified if the putative presidential victor has not been “validly electedâ€Â�.  Yet a candidate can be validly elected, even in the event of established electoral irregularities, so long as such irregularities did not substantially cause or affect the ultimate outcome.  Strangely, this statutorily established “substantial effectâ€Â� standard is anathema to Kanyeihamba. Kanyeihamba suffers from the handicap of having an exclusively appellate judicial career.  Otherwise, he would give more weight to this legal principle; excepting strict liability, the finding of a legal infraction does not mandate certain remedy. The finding of a breach of contract or duty of care (tort) does not settle the matter of damages.  Damages suffered and sought have to have been substantially caused or effected by the infraction.  Such substantial effect findings are not unconstitutionally subjective whims of judges.  Rather, they are reasonable judgments routinely arrived at by triers of fact (trial and not appellate judges).  Owing to the same appellate bias, Kanyeihamba reads too much into the Constitution’s use of the words “inquiryâ€Â� and “findingâ€Â� (instead of “trialâ€Â� and “judgmentâ€Â�) in prescribing election petition court procedures. I read the chosen language merely as confirmation that when it hears an election petition, the Supreme Court exercises original (trier of facts) jurisdiction instead of its usual appellate jurisdiction. Kanyeihamba subscribes to the Latin maxim “fiat justitia ruat caelumâ€Â�.  Let justice be done though the heavens fall.  Annul the election and let everybody else deal with the resultant mess.  This is irresponsible.  While carrying out their primary responsibility to interpret the law, judges have to take into account how their decisions impact other important societal values.   Why nullify an election in which the top two candidates are separated by 22 percentage points on the basis of real, proven but generally diffuse irregularities?  Why comment extra-judicially on a decision that did not go the speaking judge’s way in a manner almost disparaging of the judge’s judicial brethren?  Why re-open matters that have already been decided in contravention of the legal rule of res judicata?  Is not finality of judicial adjudication an indispensable part of the justice that courts are meant to dispense? Kanyeihamba constructively points out certain weaknesses in the 2006 process as it unfolded.  The constitutionally required 10 days for filing a petition and 30 days for disposing the same are woefully inadequate.  Instead of unrealistically urging his brethren to nullify the elections, Kanyeihamba might have attempted to get consensus on the Court for injunctive relief requiring the state to mitigate some of the electoral bottlenecks identified in the Court’s decision.   Maybe this was not feasible, given that it took the Justices 10 months to issue their written decisions, a practice that must cease.  The Constitution should be amended to require the Constitutional Court to initially hear and decide election petitions, with the Supreme Court exercising only appellate jurisdiction. Following on the heels of Kanyeihamba’s musings, Besigye’s commentaries (and petition) are even more corrosively confused.   According to Besigye, his friends in the Supreme Court told him that the Court’s 2006 decision was rejiggered due to political pressure.  Apart from proving that Besigye was robbed, it is difficult to see any good that such an utterance does absent naming the judicial culprits.  It is a smear on the Supreme Court.  The Court should not succumb to political pressure. Neither should it have sitting on its benches friends of Besigye leaking details of secret court deliberations to their political friend.  Besigye’s petition decrying judges trying cases or making findings based on their reasonably subjective interpretation of facts is a constitutional nonsense. However disadvantaged he is, Besigye should return the battle to the political arena where it rightfully belongs. Courts should not be ensnared in the ping-pong partisan political point scoring routinely engaged in by political players.  Courts’ judicial virility should be conserved for other deserving battles. agkamya@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/711704/-/b5go5bz/-/index.html","content":"President Barack Obama and Global Africa - Barack Obama’s Africa policy may become more active in a positive sense in the months and years ahead. But on the evidence so far it does seem credible that the African continent itself would have been better off if Hillary Clinton had become President of the United States. On the other hand, if we examine the Black world as a whole instead of just the African continent, Obama’s election to the presidency of the United States has set a remarkable precedent in upward political mobility. The United States is only the first white majority country to have elected a man of colour to its highest office in the land. This American precedent may lead on to the election of a Black Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, a Black President of France, and even a Black Chancellor of Germany before the end of this 21st century.   A Somali Prime Minister of Italy in another 50 years is no longer inconceivable. After all, the United States has had a Luo President sooner than has Kenya, which has a population of several million Luo. It is also not often realised that Obama is not only the most powerful Black man in world politics today, but the most powerful man of colour in the history of civilisation. He is more powerful than the Pharaoh who forced Moses out of Egypt, more powerful than the Ethiopian Emperor who defeated the Italians in 1896, more powerful than Shaka Zulu who ‘stands out as the greatest of them all. His legend has captured the imagination of European and African writers, inspiring novels, biographies, and historical studies in several tongues. When we say Obama is more powerful than Shaka Zulu, Ramses II of Egypt, and Menelik II of Ethiopia, we do not mean that Obama is greater than any of them. We do not know yet how great Barack Obama is likely to be. What we do know is that he is the Commander in Chief of US forces, which are greater than all the African armies in history added together. Currently it is estimated that the United States has 1000 military bases overseas. In sheer power, there is therefore no doubt that Barack Obama is in a class by himself among Black leaders in the history of civilisation. But what about Obama’s impact upon African-Americans? Black voters in the United States voted for Obama in percentages of over 90 per cent â€â€� after some hesitation in the early stages of his primary campaign for the presidency. But in the course of his first 100 days there was some Black disenchantment because Obama was perceived as being in denial about the importance of such African-American concerns as affirmative action and reparations for past injustices. At African-American public meetings to grade Obama’s performance during those 100 days, some graded him as low as C- others gave him an Incomplete. But in fairness to President Obama some of his most important policies are bound to benefit millions of African-Americans, although the policies were not specifically focused on African-Americans. His aspiration to make health service as affordable and universal as possible is bound to benefit hundreds of thousands of uninsured African-Americans. His plan to make college education more affordable is also bound to benefit generations of young Blacks, if Obama succeeded. Indeed, many of these policies are likely to yield greater benefits to African-Americans than even affirmative action which has tended to benefit white women more than Black Americans. With regard to health policies affecting the African continent, Obama has a tough act to follow when compared with George W. Bush.  Perhaps at a moment of weakness, President Bush persuaded Congress to allocate billions of dollars to combat HIV-Aids in Africa and the Caribbean countries. Bush’s strategy against HIV-Aids abroad was arguably his most enlightened policy, though his accompanying condition of sexual abstinence was naive and often honored more in the breach than the observance. We have now transitioned from Obama’s credentials of performance to his credentials of pledges. The pursuit of affordable health care and affordable education are pledges in the process of implementation. The beneficiaries of these pledges are bound to include millions of African-Americans. Prof. Mazrui teaches  political science and African studies at State University New York amazrui@binghamton.edu"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/SportsColumnists/MarkSsali/-/805430/803542/-/33dx0yz/-/index.html","content":"In defence of Arsenal and Cheslea - Pass me my trumpet, for I could have been Chelsea’s manager at the Nou Camp on Tuesday night! Frequent visitors to these lines have already been in touch, hailing my ‘insight’ last weekend in recommending that Guus Hiddink should return John Obi Mikel to his line-up, drop Nicholas Anelka on the right and retain Florent Malouda on the left, and at all costs keep Michael Ballack in the side. There was no way Chelsea was going to survive if they engaged Barcelona in an end-to-end duel, I had said, and their hope was in getting in the faces of Xavi and Andres Iniesta, thus interrupting the supply lines to Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto’o and Thierry Henry and inevitably slowing down the Catalan machine… This is not about chest thumping though, for Digging Deep is steeped in modesty; even if the column caught a vanity bug from somewhere, it would not begin to suggest that Hiddink drew his tactics and programme notes from here! Rather, this is a defence of Chelsea’s approach since the Blues have been lambasted by Barcelona players and their coach, the Spanish press and purists around the globe. Blues blueprint One does not need the statistics and all the new records to know that Barcelona is the most ruthless and yet aesthetic attacking force in club football today (some dare say of all time). All you have to do is turn on the television any given Sunday! I have always believed that there is no shame in trying to break Barcelona’s rhythm, and in truth almost all of the attempts to match Pep Guardiola’s Dream Team punch-for-punch have been laughable and ended up in comic embarrassment. It might come as a surprise to many that I give full marks to not just Mikel but Ballack and Lampard too for their exploits on Tuesday. But even if it was all work and no play for the two men who are supposed to be Chelsea’s creative forces, their selfless endeavours in tracking back to help Mikel and the defence were crucial. Michael Essien needs no mention in that regard. John Terry and Alex were colossal in central defence, and full backs Jose Bosingwa and Bratislav Ivanovic were decent when faced with the trickery of Messi and pace of Henry respectively. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/704970/-/10d5omi/-/index.html","content":"Govt plots to sack Mafabi from BCU - Kampala Budadiri West MP Nathan Nandala Mafabi could lose his job as chairman of Bugisu Cooperative Union Ltd, just eleven months after he took charge of the influential farmers’ grouping in eastern Uganda, Daily Monitor has learnt. This is after Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, the Trade minister, directed on Thursday that Busamaga Growers Cooperative Society Ltd on whose platform Mr Mafabi was elected in May last year, should be immediately struck off the membership of the larger Bugisu Cooperative Union, a move seen as a calculated step to politically assault Mr Mafabi. Busamaga society is accused of subscribing to another rival business entity; Gumutindo Coffee Cooperative Enterprise Ltd. If implemented, the minister’s directive would automatically disqualify Mr Mafabi as a member - and chair of BCU. Gen. Otafiire, in a letter written on Thursday, accused Busamaga society group of failing to streamline its operations within the six months deadline given by the Annual General Meeting of Bugisu Cooperatives in February 2009.  “Pursuant to your society’s contravention of regulation 25(2) of the Cooperative Societies Regulations 1992 and failure to comply with members’ resolution and the Annual General Meeting in 2007, its membership in [Bugisu Cooperatives] union is terminated forthwith.â€Â� In an interview yesterday, Gen. Otafiire said he was not aware his directive would drastically affect MP Mafabi, also chairman of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee, from the stewardship of BCU which he has helped turn around. “Sorry, I did not know MP Mafabi was a member of Busamaga society. Although he belongs to the opposition FDC party, he has done good things since becoming chair of Bugisu cooperatives; the society had no money when he came to office now it has money and everything is going on well,â€Â� he said. The minister addressed the letter terminating membership of Busamaga group to Mr Mafabi and chairpersons of three other farmers’ groups - Bumayoga, Nasufwa, Buginyanya growers’ cooperative societies – initially indicted for conflict of interest by also holding dual memberships in rival coffee trade. 1 | 2 Next Page»It was unclear if the other trio societies, except Busamaga, had signed a special memorandum of understanding with BCU as required or agreed to abdicate membership of rival cooperatives all together. Mr Mafabi suggested that he is a victim of political conspiracy since the ruling NRM government; including President Yoweri Museveni fiercely opposed his candidature to head Bugisu cooperatives comprising thousands of farmers who are also potential voters at the national ballot. The MP singled out Minister for the Presidency, Ms Beatrice Wabudeya and the State Minister for Trade Nelson Gagawala as his detractors. Ms Wabudeya, however, denied plotting Mr Mafabi’s imminent downfall. “Let him read the law on cooperative societies that has been quoted and ask the Trade minister. I am not the one who wrote the membership termination letter,â€Â� she said last evening. Earlier, Mr Mafabi said: “Minister Otafiire should know that he has no power to appoint or fire an elected chairman of a farmers’ cooperative union. Even the authority to terminate membership of a cooperative is vested in the Registrar for Cooperatives in the Ministry of Trade.â€Â� “If the minister, therefore, does not rescind his illegal directive, he should prepare for legal consequences.â€Â� Gen. Otafiire said yesterday that he bore no ill will against Mr Mafabi and only acted after the Commissioner for Cooperatives; Mr Fred Mwesigye briefed him that Busamaga society, by subscribing to two rival business cooperatives, was in breach of the law. But Gen. Otafiire rejected an April 6, 2009 legal opinion by one Natwazagye, who on behalf of the Solicitor General Billy Kainemura, suggested that Bugisu and Gumutindo cooperatives were not rival businesses since the former and latter trade in “conventionalâ€Â� and “organicâ€Â� coffee, respectively. He said: “All coffee produced in Uganda is organic. I think there is a lot of conflict of interest here and I don’t want to involve in the politics.â€Â� Mr Mafabi has done “good workâ€Â�, Minister Otafiire said, and advised Busamaga society to “regulariseâ€Â� its membership. Sources said government wants Mr Mafabi out of BCU is turn around of the society could popularize the Opposition FDC party to which Mr Mafabi is a national executive member. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/702812/-/10d4a2g/-/index.html","content":"Shimoni goes to secret investors - Kampala The controversy surrounding the Shimoni land deepened yesterday when it emerged that the Saudi Arabian prince who is trying to sell the land back to the government has secretly brought in a previously unknown Dubai-based firm to develop the plot. A day after this newspaper reported that the government had offered to pay Saudi prince Alwaleed bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud $2million to regain the lease over the land he’d earlier been granted, a minister conceded that Azure Holdings, a Dubai firm, has started developing the 15.1 acre prime piece of land in Kampala. State Minister for Investment Aston Kajara said yesterday that the Dubai-based firm is operating under the name Kingdom Investments and had signed a partnership with Prince Alwaleed’s Kingdom Holding Investments. Mr Kajara said the government has sent the investment contract it signed with the Saudi prince to build a hotel on the property back to the Attorney General for review. Mr Kajara said: “We wrote back to Prince Alwaleed and expressed to pay back the money. We are willing to sell the site to any other investor so that development can take place on this piece of landâ€Â�. Secret Investor Mr Kajara said the government had identified another Dubai-based company, Al Bwady, which reportedly has hotel investments in East Africa, but it was not clear how the property had ended up in the hands of Azure Holdings. The Saudis, Mr Kajara said, “Never got back to us about our proposed investor neither did they tell us about Azure Holdings. We are not against Azure. All we want is to avoid a [repeat] of previous saga.â€Â� 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/702670/-/10d48ms/-/index.html","content":"Govt offers Shs4b to Shimoni investor - Kampala Snubbed by the Saudi Arabian tycoon who it gave the Shimoni land to build a multi-million dollar hotel, the government has now offered the investor $2 million (about Shs4.2 billion) to buy back the land title. Daily Monitor has learnt that Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud communicated to President Museveni that he “would not be able to proceed with the project.â€Â� This decision followed attempts by Prince Alwaleed’s consortium, Kingdom Holdings, to find a partner to undertake the project. The company’s lawyers, Katende, Ssempebwa & Co. Advocates, said in a February statement that their client was looking for partners. “Due to the worldwide financial recession, the company was in negotiations with other partners to ensure that the project goes ahead as quickly as practicable,â€Â� said the statement.***image1*** However, after Prince Alwaleed communicated his decision, sources say government entered into negotiations with the prince on how to get back the land. The investor reportedly demanded a refund of his $2 million or sells the land to any other interested party to recover his money. While the government offered the Saudi prince the 15.1-acre piece of land for free, Kingdom Holdings offered $2 million to facilitate the relocation of Shimoni Primary School and Teachers’ College. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/702528/-/4lkcfn/-/index.html","content":"Personal freedoms being quietly eroded legally - For eight years Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) watched as government moved to legislate about their operations. The NGO Bill 2001 proposed among others that security organizations sit on the NGO board to vet applications for an NGO to be registered, the Bill also proposed that with its coming into effect, NGO’s beyond the annual registration that was, according to the old law renewed progressively adding more years as the NGO grew and conformed with its set objectives, that all NGO’s would now be required to get an annual license. The NGO’s protested and government went slow, “then in 2006 (amidst the euphoria of the post election period) Parliament passed the Bill in March and the President assented to it in May,â€Â� says Human Rights lawyer and Makerere University senior lecturer Dr Henry Onoria. He concedes that the civil society slept on their guard as government quietly pushed the law through. Ms Peace Kyamureku, Secretary General of the National Association of Women Organisations in Uganda (NAWOU) blames the failure of the NGO’s to speak louder on what in NGO speak are known as GONGOs (Government Non Governmental Organisations). She also admits that some what the NGO treated government as an ally and took its goodwill for their operation space for granted. A close examination by Inside Politics of various pieces of legislation and government actions introduced between 2001 to 2009 shows that government has moved a great deal to curtail personal freedoms.  The NGO’s got their rude reawakening last Thursday when they petitioned the Constitutional Court seeking to block the operationalisation of the act that regulates their activities. Quietly government had also moved to tighten it even further inserting clauses that would require an NGO to give a seven days notice before carrying out activities in certain areas. How your freedom is being eroded as you watch Before Parliament are two separate Bills currently under debate, the Regulation of Interception of Communication Bill and the ICT Bill. Though they are being presented by different institutions they have a central purposeâ€â€�authorisation to monitor what an individual is doing and whom they are communicating with. The ICT Bill is also seeking powers to be able to block access to certain internet material. The interception of Communication Bill seeks to empower the minister for security to authorize who should listen to what you are saying on the phone but also the post, courier and internet mail. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/702362/-/10d469l/-/index.html","content":"Museveni to IGG: I cannot save you - Kampala Justice Faith Mwondha appears to have run out of allies after President Museveni said he could not block her appearance before MPs seeking to vet her reappointment as Inspector General of Government, Daily Monitor has learnt. According to a source close to the presidency, who preferred not to be named because details of the meeting are confidential, Mr Museveni met the IGG on Wednesday evening at his Parliament office, a day after she had written to him asking for his guidance on the matter. Security Minister Amama Mbabazi and the President’s Principal Private Secretary, Ms Amelia Kyambadde, attended the meeting. Mr Museveni is reported to have told Ms Mwondha that her appearance before Parliament’s Appointments Committee, was out of his hands because the decision to submit her name to Parliament was aided by the legal opinion of the Attorney General, Prof. Khiddu Makubuya. Ms Kyambadde, the only technocrat at the meeting, declined to comment but President Museveni’s Press Secretary Tamale Mirundi confirmed that Mr Museveni met Ms Mwondha. “I do not know what they discussed because I didn’t attend the meeting. It was private,â€Â� Mr Mirundi told Daily Monitor by telephone. The President is understood to have said that Prof. Makubuya’s counsel on whether the reappointment of the IGG requires parliamentary approval “was quite clear and bindingâ€Â�, and added that a precedent had been set after the previous office holder Jotham Tumwesigye and his deputy, Mr David Cherad Psomgen, passed through the same process on reappointment.  At the same meeting, it was noted that a decision to exempt Ms Mwondha from the parliamentary process would court more controversy since her deputy Raphael Baku faced the MPs on Wednesday and was cleared. Prof. Makubuya wrote to Mr Museveni last week, stating that the reappointment of the IGG and her deputy was equivalent to a new contract and therefore the two officials had to appear before Parliament’s Appointments Committee and defend their jobs. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/702234/-/10d45ej/-/index.html","content":"IGG’s new position leaves standoff - Kampala Questions continued to abound yesterday as to whether or not Ms Faith Mwondha is legally serving in office as the Inspector General of Government following her decision to snub a vetting process by Parliament. Ms Mwondha said in a letter to Parliament that her reappointment did not necessitate approval even though a legal opinion by Attorney General Khiddu Makubuya, and backed by President Museveni, indicated that Parliament must sanction the reappointment. Mr Makubuya yesterday declined to comment about the implications of the new position of the IGG, which leaves a dead lock as she insisted she would remain in office. “People are free to take whatever positions they want. It’s okay if that is her position,â€Â� he said. Uganda Law Society president Oscar Kihika said yesterday that he concurred with the opinion of the Attorney General, saying Ms Mwondha continued occupancy of office, without an official appointment was in breach of the law. “She is not in office legally,â€Â� Mr Kihika told Daily Monitor by telephone. It was not clear how the IGG would carry on her duties without formal appointment as she could not earn any allowances or salary from the time her term expired, as this can become a subject of an audit query by the auditor general. While many have not agreed with Justice Mwondha’s style of work, a section of commentators including Makerere University law professor, Joe Oloka Onyango have questioned the selective use of vetting presidential appointees on reappointment which has previously spared shuffled ministers, including those in the recent February reshuffle, saying this is a contradiction. However, some other commentators say the ministers are only vetted on their suitability to serve as ministers not in a particular ministry and the President can switch them during a given term of tenure. The ministers automatically lose their positions and work only in acting capacity when the President’s term expires until such a time when he is re-elected and reconstitutes his government. 1 | 2 Next Page»Read the Attorney General’s legal opinion « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
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{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/700596/-/10d2t9x/-/index.html","content":"Govt seizes Bwengye’s posh house - Kampala Former presidential candidate and city lawyer Francis Wazarwahi Bwengye has lost a five-and-a -half year court battle to keep his house on Plot 490 Mutongo Hill, a Kampala suburb, which government compulsorily acquired for security reasons. The battle between Mr Bwengye, who contested and lost to President Museveni in 2001 started in September 2003 when the then Minister for Lands Kahinda Otafiire issued a statutory instrument directing that the land be taken over for security reasons. Mr Bwengye, who refused to value the land on which he was constructing a large residential house for compensation, petitioned court seeking to protect his right to own property. ***image1*** The house and land are currently estimated at over a billion shillings. Mr Bwengye argued that his house was not the only property near an External Security Organisation surveillance centre, saying other people including members of the First Family owned property in the neighbourhood but had not been affected by the minister’s order. But Justice Rubby Opio Aweri in a judgment delivered last week said Bwengye failed to establish that the move by government to acquire the disputed land was done in breach of natural justice where his right to own property was infringed. “Government adduced evidence that the land was suitable for installing security equipment for defence because it did not have electronic interference and that government was going to compensate Bwengye for the same. In those circumstances, I find that government was right to acquire the land by complying with the procedure set in the Land Act. The application is dismissed and each party is to bear its own costsâ€Â� Judge Aweri ruled. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Bwengye’s lawyer had argued that Article 26(1) of the Constitution protects individual’s right to property and therefore government’s action to take over the land contravened the above law He sought for a court order directing government to compensate his client before he could surrender the land in question and costs. He claimed he rejected the whole deal because the law does not provide for prompt and adequate payment of one’s property prior to its acquisition by the concerned party. However the Attorney General objected, saying the government was ready to compensate Bwengye before taking over the land. Gen. Otafiire said the measure was aimed at protecting Mr Bwengye since the army had occupied plots adjacent to his. “As an army officer I knew that if the land was to be acquired for security use, Bwengye and others would be at risk of being in line of dangerous military activity and their security would not be guaranteed because the security gadgets installed in the area were dangerous to human health especially those living within 250 meters from the planned areaâ€Â� read part of Otafiire’s affidavit. Concurring with the State, Judge Aweri ruled: “It is therefore clear from the above evidence that the object of acquiring the land was for national defence and security which falls under the law. Government was willing to pay prior and the necessary procedure was being followed under the law.â€Â� Mr Bwengye’s lawyers announced yesterday that they would appeal against the ruling. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/698182/-/vhc2yi/-/index.html","content":"Fresh wrangle over Mbale taxi parks - Mbale A fresh wrangle has unfolded over the management of two main taxi parks in Mbale Municipality. The parks, which are perennially trouble areas during the award of tenders in the municipality, have put the council on collision with African International Investment Ltd (AII), a firm that allegedly won the tender to manage the parks in 2006 but was not allowed to do so. Through their lawyers, the firm has since dragged the municipality to court over breach of contract and are seeking Shs900 million, excluding general damages, in compensation. The firm contends that the municipality council unlawfully refused to award them the tender despite having made the necessary financial and human resource preparations. The company claims it has since lost Shs5 million per day. The two parks (Mbale Main and Kumi Road) have been the major sources of revenue for the municipality ever since graduated tax was scrapped by the government but they have since 2006 never been tendered. When contacted, the town clerk, Mr Nobert Turyahikayo, confirmed receiving the notice of intention to sue from AII lawyers. “Rather than seeking an appeal as required by the law, AII have opted to drag us to court seeking about Shs900 million,â€Â� Mr Turyahikayo said. 1 | 2 Next Page»He revealed that whereas AII submitted its bid like any other company, they lost out on key technicalities in favour of YY Investments. But AII claims YY Investments got the tender after flouting the tendering guidelines and PPDA rules. This comes out barely two months after the municipality MP, Mr Wilfred Kajeke, wrote to out-going minister of local government, Maj. Gen, Kahinda Otafiire to terminate the agency management of the two parks. Mr Kajeke told Daily Monitor last week that although Gen. Otafiire instituted a commission of inquiry into the management of public affairs by the municipality authorities, the report has not been implemented. In 2005, the controversy over the same taxi parks ended up in a fight that left five people dead and many others injured. AII is owned by former army chief of staff and now presidential adviser on airforce, Maj. Gen. Joshua Masaba. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/698160/-/h2klpuz/-/index.html","content":"Obama seeks to bolster strong Japan alliance - WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso will discuss the global economic crisis, Afghanistan and North Korea at a meeting on Tuesday aimed at reinforcing the strong alliance between their two countries. Aso is the first foreign leader to visit the White House since Obama took office a month ago, signaling the new U.S. president's aim of cultivating warm ties. But it is unclear whether Aso, who will sit down with Obama at 10:30 a.m. EST (1530 GMT), will be paying many future visits to the Oval Office. After a series of flip-flops and gaffes by his government, some in Aso's own Liberal Democratic Party have called for him to be replaced and a poll released this week showed almost four out of five Japanese voters want him to quit within months. \"This meeting is not about the individuals so much as it is about the relationship between the countries,\" said Ralph Cossa, head of the Pacific Forum think tank at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Cossa said that despite the staunch friendship with the United States, there has been some anxiety in Japan over moves begun in the final years of the Bush administration to engage North Korea as part of an effort to persuade Pyongyang to dismantle its nuclear weapons program. Obama's campaign promise of direct engagement with foes like North Korea and Iran further fueled some uncertainty in Tokyo. Separate concerns center on fears that the Obama administration may be inclined to pursue more protectionist trade policies. But in the early weeks of his administration, Obama and his aides seem intent on putting those worries to rest. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/697328/-/yynr36/-/index.html","content":"Mwondha’s second bite at the cherry - Kampala The Inspector General of Government, Justice Faith Mwondha, starts her second four-year term on Monday. She retains the office as both a loved and loathed public official, underlining the contrasting public judgment of her style of leadership since February 2005. But one institution that is unwavering in its support of Ms Mwondha is President’s Office. Yesterday the office firmly defended the re-appointment. The President’s Press Secretary, Mr Tamale Mirundi, said Mr Museveni, who, on Thursday, renewed the IGG’s contract, was aware of misgivings by sections of the public about Ms Mwondha’s work style. ***image1*** It is understood there are several dossiers on the IGG at State House. So was it Mr Museveni’s preference to renew the IGG’s contract or could he have been misled by advisors? As Mr Tamale would say, the President does not decide to appease or capitulate to pressure. Ms Mwondha, a High Court judge, has clashed with a number of political executives, among them Prime Minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi and Local Government Minister, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire. “The IGG may be having friends and enemies; it is not the role of the President to see if she has a personal vendetta with this or that government official,â€Â� said Mr Mirundi. “She has done a commendable job when it comes to fighting corruption.â€Â� That as the case maybe, it is then unclear why State House would rush to form the Presidential Standards Task Force as a parallel lead agency to fight corruption in the government. The IGG has investigated and caused prosecutions in several high profile cases. Such include the misappropriated Shs1.8 billion Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi) for which three former ministers; Gen. Jim Muhwezi, Mr Mike Mukula and Dr. Alex Kamugisha are facing trial. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/697006/-/vhbcnw/-/index.html","content":"Naguru-Nakawa land ‘grabbed’ from investor - Kampala Plots of land in Naguru-Nakawa housing estates, which was leased by government to Opecprime Properties Limited, a UK-based real estate developer, for re-development into a modern satellite town has been grabbed. Sunday Monitor can exclusively reveal that large tracts of the land have been parcelled out and quietly given to several city businessmen by individuals in the Uganda Land Commission (ULC) and Kampala City Council. According to documents obtained by Sunday Monitor, from Tumusiime, Kabega and Company Advocate, lawyers representing Opecprime properties established that ownership of several plots which are part of the greater Naguru-Nakawa land had been given out to local businessmen and companies without the knowledge of Ministry of Local Government, the ministry implementing the project, and Opecprime properties. According to the documents, Tumusiime and Kabega were tasked to find out the current ownership of plot numbered 2-32 on Port Bell Road and 12-80 Naguru road and carry out searches in the relevant registries and verify whether there are any encumbrances, registered or registerable interests on the said plots. “We have carried out requisite searches at the registry of titles; (Mailo, Freehold and Lease section, Kampala City Council and ULC and wish to report as follows, the above plots are registered in the names of Uganda Land Commission, Freehold register volume 436 folio18, effective July 31, under instrument number 369357” Tumusiime, Kabega and Company wrote in their letter to the Lands Ministry dated January 31, 2008. The search found out that plots 1-3 Sebei Lane were carved out of the above plots and a lease of five years was created in favour of Mr Abner Besigye of P.O. Box 7010 by ULC under leasehold register Volume 3576 Folio22, on September 3, 2006, measuring 0.351 hectares. Mr Besigye later transferred the land to Mr and Mrs Ponsiano Ngabirano on October 5 2006 under transfer instrument No. 372004. Plots 4-6 Estate Road, Nakawa were carved out of the Freehold plots by ULC as a freehold interest to ULC (National Library of Uganda) of P.O. Box 4262 Kampala on June 22, 2007 under instrument No 382284, Plots 2A-8A Nakawa Road, were carved out of the above plots by ULC and a lease for five years was issued to Mr William Nkemba of P.O. Box 13232 Kampala on July 17, 2007 under instrument No 383236 for an area measuring 2.694 hectares. The lease is contained in leasehold register volume 3761 Folio12. Plot 22-24 Old Port Bell, Nakawa measuring 1.025 hectares, plots 26- 28-Nakawa Road measuring 0.428 hectares and 1.045 hectares respectively were leased to CTM. Plots 10-24, Nakawa road, Nakawa was carved out of the above freehold, measuring 4.08 hectares and was leased to House of Dawda. While plots 2-20 Port Bell Road, Nakawa was carved of the freehold measuring 3.809 hectares and leased to Islamic University in Uganda and plots 26-28 Port Bell Road , Nakawa measuring 0.50 hectares were carved out of the above plots. On February 5, 2008, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Vincent Ssekono wrote to Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, E. Karibande indicating that 50 percent of the land is being allocated to new title holders by some individuals in his ministry and that the allocation of the land to other groups would affect redevelopment Naguru-Nakawa. “It is not clear to us at all how some of the land at Naguru-Nakawa has been allocated to some people after Cabinet had decided to give [it] to an investor to develop it in a modern satellite town” Mr Ssekono wrote He added “The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development is a member of both Cabinet and technical committees which are responsible for the execution and implementation of Naguru-Nakawa project” Separately, Mr Elly Karuhanga, the lead advocate, Kampala Associated Advocates told Sunday Monitor this week that the IGG has killed a complete year of the project yet this was partly to help implement the NRM manifesto of building 6,000 housing units per annum for Kampala alone. “I trust and I have always trusted the leadership of NRM, I don’t believe that government can shoot itself in the feet yet it wants to participate in the Olympics. The race for a winning nation is the race between nations,” Mr Karuhanga said. He added: “My overzealously learned judge IGG seems to have missed the direction home and needs to be redirected back”Government signed a Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with Opecprime Properties on October 15, 2007 to undertake the re-development of Naguru-Nakawa into a modern satellite town and a human settlement. 1 | 2 Next Page»However, the Inspector General of Government, Justice Faith Mwondha, in December 2007, halted the project, saying that she wanted to investigate the tendering process after some sitting tenants complained. Local Government Minister Kahinda. Otafiire on June 13, 2008 issued a “final and last” warning ordering the residents of the dilapidated structures to vacate by July 12, 2008 or face forceful eviction. But Justice Mwondha on June 16 also issued her own notice directing the residents not to vacate until her office had completed the investigation.The IGG in her report to the President wants the registration process of the tenants to be repeated. She says the registration conducted in 2006 left out genuine tenants and included ghost and ineligible persons. But earlier on, the developer was informed that the registration of tenants at the two housing estates was done by the consultants in conjunction with Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) together with Naguru Nakawa Tenants Association. However, 40 tenants that were not registered due to family and social disputes. In this regard, the consultant and UBOS recommended that a tribunal be set up to resolve the disputes and eventually register the tenants. The tribunal was appointed by government but before it could commence its work, the IGG halted the exercise.The High Court on October 8, 2008 decided the case in which tenants of Nakawa-Naguru were seeking to block the re-development. Nakawa Court’s Joseph Murangira also ordered the tenants to pay costs of the suit to the Attorney General and Opecprime Properties because the application was filed late. 0ver 300 families petitioned court to halt the eviction before IGG completes her investigations. Meanwhile, the IGG has blamed Maj. Gen. Otafiire, his predecessor, Prof. Tarsis Kabwegere and former State Minister in the same ministry, Richard Nduhura for allegedly lying to the President on the project. Naguru Nakawa is home to close 600 people. Opecprime is now claiming for compensation of Shs815 billion from government.  The law firm says that the 45 days grace period it gave government expired long time ago and the only option is to tussle the case in courts of law. “Take notice that Kampala Associated Advocates intends to institute a suit against the Attorney General in the High Court at Kampala in which the intended plaintiff will seek special and general damages and interest thereon together amounting to $500,000,000 plus costs, of the suit for breach of the Public Private Partnership agreement entered into by the government of Uganda and the intended plaintiff, “reads the notice. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/695462/-/yymebn/-/index.html","content":"Forests body gives away head office land - Kampala The National Forestry Authority has licenced out a part of its national headquarters in Bugolobi, a Kampala suburb, to a private investor for 50 years at a cost of Shs400 million. In a transaction likely to spark off another storm over prime government land given to private investors, NFA is giving away 2.5 acres of its remaining 10 acres for Shs10 million per year over a period of 50 years. The area strategically located in a fast-growing city suburb, is protected as a Central Forest Reserve under the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act 2003. The investor, Virco Holdings Ltd owned by an Indian businessman Sadrudin Viran, plans to build a timber drying plant and a modern artisan training centre according to a licence agreement signed between the NFA and Virco, a copy of which Saturday Monitor has accessed. According to the July 21, 2008 agreement but actually signed in August, “This licence shall be for the duration of 49 years, which period shall be deemed to run from the date of execution of these presents. At the expiry of the 49 years, the licence may be renewed for an equal period as will have been requested for in writing and subject to compliance with the environment impact assessment, environmental audits and other conditions stipulated in this license.â€Â� The NFA board chairman, Mr Baguma Isoke, Executive Director Damian Akankwasa and legal officer Molly Kyepaaka Karuhanga signed on behalf of the forest body while Mr Viran signed for his company. According to the agreement, the investor was to pay Shs100 million before signing and the balance of Shs300 million after one year. Mr Akankwasa said recently that the Shs400 million is a premium one-off payment separate from the annual Shs10m the investor will pay. He defended the deal saying it is not a lease granted to the investor but rather a licence similar to the ones NFA has been issuing to commercial tree planters in forest reserves. Mr Akankwasa says the deal is good in that, on top of the Shs400 million premium, Virco Holdings will also spend an extra Shs380 million to reconstruct buildings that exist in the part of land they have been offered. Though NFA insists that Virco Holdings has only been granted a licence Saturday Monitor has learnt from reliable sources that upon securing the licence giving him 49 years to use the land, Mr Viran approached the Uganda Land Commission (ULC) seeking to be granted a leasehold title for the land without copying the application to NFA. It was instead the commission that wrote to NFA seeking clarification on whether the title could be issued.  Mr Akankwasa said he was not aware that the investor had applied for a title over the land but Saturday Monitor has seen a letter dated December 15, 2008 signed by Mr Paul Buyerah Musamali on behalf of Mr Akankwansa, the corperate affairs’ director, to the ULC describing Virco’s application for a title as a “breach to the licence agreement with NFA.â€Â� Mr Musamali was responding to ULC’s inquiry (Ref: ULC/122) of December 11 2008 that sought clarification on an application for leasing of ‘FVR211, Folio 19’ one hectare of land to Virco from the NFA land. Mr Akankwasa told Saturday Monitor that the licence issued in respect of Nakawa Central Forest Reserve may not be of immediate benefit to NFA but will be more beneficial to the country through improvement of the construction industry, job opportunities and training at the artisan centre. “We have neither sold nor leased the land but only given him a licence to operate on the land just like we do to private people to plant trees in Central Forest Reserves all over the country,â€Â� Mr Akankwasa said. However, parts of the agreement are likely to raise eyebrows. The agreement though dated July 21, 2008 shows contradicting periods as signatures of some of the signatories indicate  that it was signed a month later on August 20. Sources familiar with the transaction have intimated to Saturday Monitor that the variation could indicate that the agreement was back dated in a bid to dodge an August 20 Presidential directive halting the selling or leasing of forests under NFA to individuals in the entire country. Mr Museveni wrote, “I have been reliably informed that NFA is selling/leasing forests to individuals, who have, ultimately abused them by cutting down all the trees and mining the sand from them.â€Â� “I would like to cite an example of the forests along Mityana Road which I understand have been sold to individuals like senior police officers and public servants,â€Â� the President wrote identifying a one George Gasana, an official with the NFA as being behind the sale. The angry letter questions in part, “Who in the first place, decided on the policy of selling/leasing forests? I do not remember Cabinet deciding on this.â€Â� He added, “I therefore, direct that you (Minster for Water and Environment, Ms Maria Mutagamba) that you put out announcements halting the selling/leasing of the forests to individuals by NFA in the entire country. This takes immediate effect.â€Â� But Mr Akankwasa defended the variation in dates saying, “The important date is not the one on which the agreement was signed but the one on which it was written.â€Â� “Besides we had not received the Presidential directive at the time of drafting this agreement and when we eventually got the directive we contacted the investor and stopped him from starting any work until after we had gotten an interpretation by the government,â€Â� he added. Mr Akankwasa said the interpretation found that the Presidential directive did not affect the licence to Virco Holdings. The NFA, a principle government body charged with profitable and sustainable management of forests in the country, has been a centre of different controversies since its establishment about five years ago. Efforts to get a comment from Mr Viran by Saturday Monitor were fruitless. This writer called a telephone number he provided on the contract document with NFA on Thursday and a lady who picked the phone said she was at Office and Kitchen Concepts, possibly another business Mr Viran runs in Industrial Area, Kampala. The lady who did not identify herself said Mr Viran was away till March and no one else could speak on his behalf."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/694730/-/3vsa76z/-/index.html","content":"Kyabazinga: You cannot rotate from - Muloki to Muloki Whereas the succession battle of the Kyabazinga of Busoga has been a race between two historical rivals, Zibondo of Bulamogi Kaliro and Gabula of Bugabula Kamuli, the involvement of external forces has drawn the historical leadership dispute into another limelight igniting public outcry. The ongoing dispute is a clear manifestation of how complex the heritage of Basoga is, drawing pronouncements from both President Museveni and Deputy Speaker Rebecca Kadaga who averred that there was a breach of law when Muloki was elected. It would thus be wise to let the courts of law first sort out the critical issues raised in the petition before thinking about a re-election. Robert Kanusu in his book, 114 years of Busoga Kingdom, put across a critical message that a typical Musoga is difficult to understand because when he likes you he would sing and dance for you. In the same way he would do this even when you hurt him. But the music and dance would convey a different message.   It took the first colonial agent and British administrator Semei Kakungulu all his life time in Busoga to understand them. A typical Musoga detested Kakungulu. They knew he was an agent working for the British and Buganda interests. But aware of the repercussions of showing hatred to a ruthless ruler, they refrained from rioting and open protests against their strange foreign policies. One of the most dehumanising policies was carrying rat tails for counting to Bugembe in a colonial bid to eliminate plague. Others included taxations. That aside, there are several reasons why Prince Columbus Muloki chose to grab the throne. He knows that historical legitimacy to inheritance of Obwa Kyabazingaship bwa Busoga this time belongs to Bugabula. People should ask themselves why his candidature is being rejected at all fronts including his biological brothers and why Prince Gabula Nadiope IV, who has not given any public address to Busoga and far younger than Muloki become the darling of the People? Omulangira Ceaser Lukalu maintains that Muloki can not be recognised as the Kyabazinga on the grounds that in Busoga succession is rotational, not hereditary. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/694546/-/yylpqa/-/index.html","content":"Rwakasisi, Brig. Fadul speak out - Kampala Behind the tall concrete walls and mighty thick metallic gates of the 82-year-old Luzira Upper Maximum Security Prison echoed wild shrieks of joy. Inside the quadrangle, excited inmates in their trademark yellow uniforms ululated as news of the release of some of their longest serving colleagues on death row spread around. The euphoria rose and died with the fluctuating shouts. Patched at the corners and middle of the high rise confinement facility were marksmen – prison warders with guns at the ready - keeping round-the-clock check over any possible escape of inmates or other forms of security breach. In the muddy foreground, an army of journalists from both the print and broadcast media jostled for vantage points to capture the emotional high and low of the moment when three condemned but pardoned convicts strolled to a free world after decades of incarceration.***image1*** A small crowd of hurriedly summoned relatives, beaming with pride and gladness, gather at the parking lot discussing in subdued tone. They are visibly anxious – as is everyone, including prison warders leaning against vehicles of guests. Health workers at the facility cannot administer medication anymore and they too join in the tense moment of joy. “I cannot believe that this is happening,â€Â� said an overjoyed and tearful Ms Zam Zam Fadul, as prison officers, among them Luzira Prisons OC Robert Munanura, gracefully opened the powerfully-guarded door at 4:18p.m to let out her father Brig. Ali Fadul. The former governor, who served under late President Idi Amin, dressed in white Muslim tunic and matching sneakers – perhaps symbolising his new-found peace of mind – stepped out majestically. An ecstatic hug from his sobbing daughter Zam Zam, working with First Insurance Company, threatens to knock a feeble Fadul down, prompting prison warders to scramble for his rescue shouting, “He is weak, please support him to walk home.â€Â� The ominous warning did not deter prying journalists who quickly surrounded and bombarded Brig. Fadul with myriad questions, most of which were not answered. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/761476/-/vyfe4p/-/index.html","content":"Acholi seek army assurance on Kony - Gulu The LCV Chairman Gulu district Nobert Mao has said the Acholi leaders will soon meet top army commanders to get assurance that the war will not spill over to northern Uganda. Mr Mao, who said the war was a surprise, wants the government to allay fears in the population as was done during the operation Iron Fist (1996-2000). “The Iron Fist Operation had a big army to block the rebels, but the rebels crossed up to Teso region and this precedent puzzles me,â€Â� Mr Mao said. “We are in fear, and we leaders in Northern Uganda including Members of Parliament will meet the army to get briefing from them,â€Â� he said. Speaking on Radio Mega on Tuesday, Mr Mao said the path of war which the government has chosen should not destabilise the peace that has encouraged development in the region for the last two years. “Over the last two years, we have been rebuilding the destroyed infrastructure like schools, hospital as people return home,â€Â� he said. He said the war should not push the people back to camps again, he said. Mr Mao said he doubts in military options to end the conflict in the region rather than peaceful dialogue. “The army’s record of ghost soldiers, deals in fuel, and uniforms by some scrupulous commanders is the reason the war is not the best option,â€Â� he said. 1 | 2 Next Page»Meanwhile, Gulu RDC, Walter Ochora has said Joseph Kony should be killed in the jungles or captured alive from the battle field to end this problem. Col. Ochora said Kony and the LRA’s continued failure to heed to government’s call for signing the comprehensive peace agreement was real breach of social contract. He was speaking on Tuesday while officiating at a two days workshop organised for Acholi traditional chiefs on the operations of the National Agricultural Advisory Services in Gulu. “Kony has been fooling the world for all this period, people are tired of his tricks. The only option now is to hunt him down or capture him alive if he cannot surrender with his forces,â€Â� Col. Ochora said. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/SportsColumnists/MarkSsali/-/805430/803780/-/33dvckz/-/index.html","content":"Things look blue, but wait one minute… - Blue seems to be the colour this Super Sunday, or whatever fancy name the English have chosen to call this momentous derby-day in Premiership football. London and Manchester are the stopping points tomorrow on a weekend expected to live long in the memory of fans from all four divides, as Chelsea entertain Arsenal at Stamford Bridge with a welcome that should be fond if compared to the hostility Manchester United should expect on their visit to cross-town rivals City. On the face of it, the men in blue are favourites ahead of either kick off (yes, even City if you choose fact over sentiment). If Arsenal’s current woes are weighed against Chelsea’s comparative league form, never mind Europe, it is easy to see why the Blues go into the game as odds-on favourites, but in Manchester the issue of who starts out ahead is perhaps a little contentious. My choice has nothing to do with the rhyming theme of blue (lest you falsely accuse me, you!), as I believe City start with the advantage because they did the double on United last season, have been in vibrant form at home this season, won their last league outing comfortably and have seemed more motivated and hungrier than their rivals in recent derbies.        And if City have managed wins over United with attacks led by Shaun Goater and Benjani, logic says they should be able to repeat the feat with Robinho, right? But to dwell on the favourites is more like to state the obvious, so I will flip the coin and take a look at why and how Arsenal and United can take the day, more like making a case for the underdog. Liverpool themselves, called the Reds you might like to remember, will be watching with interest as they await their turn against West Ham just over 24 hours later. I would have liked to continue with my red-versus-blue thing here but realise that I would be stretching it a little bit; the Hammers are more claret than blue I admit! Anyway, let us leave Monday matters to, eh, Monday and deal with the little matter of Super Sunday first, shall we? Chelsea vs Arsenal In lieu with their recently acquired status of giant killers (that is meant to be a compliment trust me), Arsenal should have a big shout against Chelsea, shouldn’t they? Chelsea might have the stronger squad, the stronger starting team regardless of the absentees on any given day, and the psychological advantage guaranteed by Arsenal’s crisis of confidence, but the Gunners have nothing to lose and would be well suited to take into this game the same attitude, desire and commitment they had in beating United at the Emirates under similar circumstances. Desire and commitment will not get them there on their own though, as sober heads and a game plan to match will be as much a prerequisite. A ray of hope for the Gunners comes from the fact that Chelsea have been more formidable on the road than at home, but that will be quickly extinguished if one considers that the teams which have managed to pick up points at Chelsea have deployed tactics not favoured by Arsene Wenger. In managing to leave the Bridge with at least a share of the spoils or even maximum points, Tottenham, Man United, Liverpool and Newcastle all threw bodies behind the ball and made life difficult for Chelsea. Tactics, key men     Largely employing a patient, slow build-up, Chelsea have found the going tough against teams which have shown a willingness to sit back, and Wenger had better return to the tactics which served him so well on his travels in Europe in 2006, or more currently the five-man midfield and lone striker move which worked wonders against United. With (hopefully) Emanuel Adebayor leading the line on his own, having Alexander Song play behind Denilson and Cesc Fabregas, with Samir Nasri (again hopefully) and Abou Diaby taking wide sentry would go a long way in matching Chelsea’s own five-man midfield. While keeping shape and discipline is paramount for Arsenal, the catch however remains in being fearless and opportunistic enough to step up the pace and go for the jugular if Chelsea show any vulnerabilities, something which to this day I insist United failed to do at the Bridge. So, while Wenger has got to bring his tactical A game on the day, Adebayor and Fabregas have to play as big as they are supposed to be (same goes for Robin van Persie who I would bench but whom I believe Le Professeur will field from the start), and Song has got to play out of his skin. The Gunners have got to remember though that Chelsea have lacked penetration in the games that they have failed to win largely in the absence of Joe Cole; that Cole and Malouda can provide that penetration on a good day; that Nicholas Anelka has always scored against them and is in the form of his life; that Didier Drogba, the man who loves to bully them, is back; that Chelsea’s full backs have got to be kept quiet; and that Petr Cech is gradually getting back to his best. But that is why the Blues are pre-game favourites anyway, and all that Arsenal can do is concentrate on their won strengths and game plan, and also hope that playing against his old club will inspire William Gallas into putting the worst week of his career behind him. City vs United I reminded a United fan the other day (not that he needed any more reasons to hate City), that his sworn enemies rarely help United’s cause at all. When Arsenal were United’s rivals for the title, City used to meekly surrender six points to them while doing the double on United. Now, City go and beat Arsenal resoundingly when United would instead like for them to do that against Chelsea and Liverpool, against whom they surrendered leads in losing at home this season! At 2-0 up against Liverpool Robinho conspired to miss an open goal, a favour United shouldn’t expect tomorrow with the Brazilian firing on all cylinders and the home crowd applauding his every touch. Yet Robinho is not the only one to worry about, with City deploying a solid and balanced midfield in which the impressive Vincent Kompany tucks in alongside Didi Hamman/Gelson Fernandes and behind the in-form Stephen Ireland, with Robinho and Darius Vassell playing on either side of Benjani. I still think though that for United legend Mark Hughes to get the better of his mentor, Brazilians Jo and especially Elano have got to take to the pitch at some point. But while United have to worry about City’s shape and tactics and hit back with a solid midfield of their own (Darren Fletcher is a must), the biggest thing for them will be hunger and desire to win which City has had more of in recent clashes including, surprisingly, the day United remembered and honoured the victims of the Munich air tragedy last season. A midfield three of Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs would do just fine, with Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo playing on either side of Dimitar Berbatov (United need him for this one) in a formation to mirror and counter City’s. Aside from the desire though, United’s midfield and attack will have to operate as a unit other than the collection of individuals we have seen in some of the big ones so far this season, because once they do that they will find that City’s backline is not that difficult to breach; then United can reclaim their superior status in this derby. mmssali@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/755424/-/10g8ydn/-/index.html","content":"‘Mbabazi tampered with NSSF report’ - The political tide threatening the career of Security Minister Amama Mbabazi took a dramatic turn yesterday after MPs ordered a fresh inquiry into claims that the minister tampered with Parliament’s investigation of his role in the NSSF-Temangalo affair. Yesterday’s tabling of the two differing reports by the NSSF investigation committee, one which exonerates Mr Mbabazi and the other that finds him culpable of misdeed in the Shs11 billion land deal, was greeted by angry exchanges on the floor sparked off by Rubanda West MP Henry Banyenzaki. Trouble begun after Mr Banyenzaki, rising on a point of procedure, claimed he had evidence that the two reports had been discussed and debated by Mr Mbabazi and MPs who support him prior to their tabling, an action in breach of the House’s rules of procedure. Mr Banyenzaki claimed that the six dissenting MPs, who authored the minority report, had held several discussions with Mr Mbabazi and other MPs, to draw support ahead of the crunch debate. “This is in breach of Rule 189 (1) which says no member or any other person shall publish committee reports before they are tabled on the floor. These reports have been discussed in the offices of Hon. Mbabazi and there are members here who can testify,â€Â� Mr Banyenzaki said, before asking Parliament to have the minister investigated by the House’s Rules and Discipline Committee. The revelation sparked off a furore which perhaps served as a rehearsal of a House that is expected to be charged while discussing the reports next week. At least four lawmakers testified that they had been telephoned by a personal aide to Mr Mbabazi to attend meetings to discuss the Temangalo affair, while one MP confirmed that he attended one such meeting on Wednesday, lasting five hours. “We sat from 6-11pm and we were availed with more copies (of the inquiry committee) and I was tasked to mobilise other members like Hon. Banyenzaki,â€Â� said Kinkizi East MP Chris Baryomunsi, whose constituency neighbours Mr Mbabazi’s. His testimony drew boos of “shameâ€Â�, “shame!â€Â� from the MPs, as Speaker Edward Ssekandi struggled to restore order. “Honourable members, the reports have been tabled and debate is next week. Let us not waste time and we move on,â€Â� said the Speaker, before informing MPs that Rule 189 (2) entitles MPs to access House reports prior to their tabling. It is an argument Mr Mbabazi emphasised last evening telling Daily Monitor, he is entitled in his capacity as MP, to access committee reports. “It defeats any logic or reasonable mind to understand what Banyenzaki was saying. I was watching these guys on TV but I think it’s becoming a fool’s game. These people are so provocative,â€Â� said Mr Mbabazi, who maintains his innocence in the saga. Mr Mbabazi also singled out Mr Baryomunsi for attack. “I am tired of Baryomunsi saying that I am involved in a commission of a crime. If the land I sold was his father’s, let him come out and say so. I am absolutely fed up,â€Â� the minister said adding, “Baryomunsi goes around saying that the people of Kanungu have sent him, he is telling lies.â€Â� Rule 189 (2) says while any MP can receive evidence or documents by committees, they are prohibited from publishing such before it is presented on the floor of Parliament. “Now do you want us to investigate how newspapers got the reports,â€Â� said Mr Ssekandi, in reference to publications of the main reports by local dailies. His call, however, fell on deaf ears as Nakasongola Woman MP Grace Tubwita questioned Mr Ssekandi’s ruling. “One time, one MP leaked a report of the committee before it was presented and that MP was investigated,â€Â� said the MP in reference to MP Erias Lukwago and the Nakasero Market report. “Right now we have the same problem where the report has leaked; should we treat this differently? Is this how we are going to proceed?â€Â�   Mr Banyenzaki’s claims suggested that Mr Mbabazi may have had a hand in crafting the minority report which exonerates him. “This issue is putting Parliament to test,â€Â� said Dr Baryomunsi. “What I saw in the meeting was very dangerous. When discussing Temangalo, we should be guided by national, the workers and NRM interest, which is zero tolerance to corruption.â€Â� Mawokota North MP Peter Mutuluza said,  “This is another way of peddling influence,â€Â� as MPs foot stamped in approval. “I advise the ministers to resign...in the interest of the NRM, to safeguard their image, the image of NSSF and the image of Parliament,â€Â� he said.   Mr Ssekandi then ruled that the House’s Rules and Discipline committee investigates the matter amid protests from MPs Elijah Okupa and Sanjay Tanna. Mr Okupa, a member of the inquiry committee, said it would be foolhardy to expect justice from the disciplinary committee, chaired by MP Asuman Kiyingi, who “came to entice us at Entebbe with women as if we were being starved.â€Â�"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/755292/-/vxvkyt/-/index.html","content":"Busoga to ignore court injunctions - Jinja Busoga Kingdom will not respect injunctions from courts of law that attempt to block the election of a new king, the acting Kyabazinga, Mr David Kaunhe Muluya, has said. “All the candidates vying for Kyabazingaship will go ahead and run for office come October 31 regardless of the orders from other quarters,� he told Daily Monitor in an interview on Tuesday. “This is a cultural institution and we won’t give in to pressure coming from outside.� Last week, the candidacy of the chief of Kigulu County, Mr Gologolo, was temporarily halted by a court injunction, pending the resolution of a leadership wrangle in his own county. The order was issued by a deputy registrar of the Jinja-based High Court on October 2 following a petition by some four princes from the chiefdom headed by retired UPDF Lt. Col. Chris Mudoola. Another group petitioned the Constitutional Court seeking to block the Friday election. The petitioners are supporters of a self-styled Kyabazinga, Eriakesi Ngobi Kiregeya, and are contending that there is no need for a Kyabazinga election in the kingdom “because Mr Kiregeya is also performing as one�. Hearing was scheduled for yesterday but judges failed to raise a coram and hear the petition today. In July this year, the kingdom defied a court injunction secured by three Basoga against the swearing in of the present Busoga cabinet that was named by an ailing Muloki. They argued that he elected them in an unconstitutional manner after irregularly firing the administration headed by Prof. Wasswa Balunywa. The case was however, withdrawn. Cultural institutions are not above the law. A person or institution that defies a court order could be held in breach of a court order and is liable to answer a charge of contempt of court. This could fetch the offender a fine or an imprisonment up to six months. Meanwhile, the Busoga Royal Chiefs nearly fought on Monday in a meeting over an alleged manipulation of the election process for the new Kyabazinga. This was during a closed meeting at the Lukiiko chambers chaired by the chairman of the Royal Chiefs Daudi Kawunhe Muluya. A source who attended the meeting said it all started when one of the chiefs pointed a finger at Mr Muluya accusing him of conniving with some chiefs to plot the downfall of Prince William Gabula Nadiope IV from Bugabula."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/755246/-/10g8wuk/-/index.html","content":"NSSF: Minority report on Temangalo transaction - Six members of the 20-person Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises wrote a minority report on the committee’s investigation of NSSF’s controversial purchase of more than 400 acres of land in Temangalo from Security Minister Amama Mbabazi and businessman Amos Nzeyi.   The six dissenting MPs are: Stephen Tashobya (NRM, Kajara), Godfrey Ahabwe Pereza (NRM, Rubanda East), Tress Bucyanayandi (NRM, Bufumbira South), Erisa Kaahwa Amooti (NRM, Buruli), Rose Munyira Wabwire (NRM, Busia Woman) and James Kakooza (NRM, Kabula).  Here are excerpts from their minority report. INTRODUCTION Mr Speaker sir, Hon Members of Parliament, it should be noted right from the outset that the committee was not instructed by the House to consider the Temangalo land transaction matter.  The investigation by the committee was prompted by media reports consequent upon which NSSF Board and Management as purchasers on one hand and Mr Mbabazi and Mr Amos Nzeyi as sellers on the other as well as various parties, were invited to testify before the committee. Terms of Reference: Ordinarily, Mr Speaker sir, where The House instructs a committee to handle a particular subject, and it does not set terms of Reference, the committee sets out its own terms of reference at the commencement of its Proceedings.  In this case the committee did not determine its terms of reference right from the beginning.  However, the terms of reference were mentioned casually by Mr Abdu Katuntu (whom the committee had co-opted as its lead counsel) in the course of Mr Mbabazi’s testimony on his second appearance as quoted below: “Mr Mbabazi: I made the point that my understanding is that I am not, this committee is not investigating me, this committee is not accusing me, I have said I have heard accusations in the media and by witnesses who have appeared here.â€Â� “The Lead Counsel: Let me assist you.â€Â� “Mr Mbabazi: Do you think I need your assistance?â€Â� “The lead counsel: Just a minute, you need it badly. At the beginning of Mr Mbabazi’s testimony I remember I told him four issues we are investigating, that we are investigating the land transaction of Temangalo: I.    Whether there was any conflict of interest in the sale of that land. II.    Whether there was any political peddling or influence in the purchase of that land III.    Whether the procedures were followed IV.    Whether there was value for money and outline that those are the issues we are investigating.â€Â� Mr Speaker sir, Hon Colleagues, some of us were mesmerized to see especially term of reference III reading differently at the time we received the report at Entebbe reading as follows: “Whether the procurement process as provided for by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) Act No.1 of 2003 was followedâ€Â� instead of “Whether the procedures were followed.â€Â� An objection to this alteration was raised by a member right at the outset but was overruled by the chair. The justification for this objection was that the committee was likely to suffer a judgmental error by predetermining that the acquisition of land by NSSF was procurement yet throughout the proceedings some witnesses were objecting to calling it PROCUREMENT under PPDA Act but an INVESTMENT under section 30 of the NSSF Act. The committee chose to rely on the procurement argument and ignored the investment argument. We objected to this bias. This anomaly is a serious flaw which goes to the root of the authenticity and credibility of those who re-framed this particular term of reference and by extension therefore the observations and recommendations of the committee thereafter. Voting by a non–member of the committee: Mr Speaker sir, Hon Colleagues, you are all aware that our Committee had been chaired by Hon. Odit until he was removed by the Opposition Chief Whip Hon. Kassiano Wadri. The Speaker ruled that the removal of Hon. Odit was irregular in as much as it contravened the provisions of Rule 134 (5) of the Rules of Procedure.  Hon Abdu Katuntu initially participated in the proceedings of the committee under rule 179 of our Rules of Procedure but did not become a member of the committee. Following the ruling of the Speaker, Hon Katuntu should have vacated the committee both as member and also vice chairperson. Our contention is that Hon Katuntu continued participating in the proceedings of the committee at decision making stage including voting which was a breach of our Rules of Procedure. An objection was raised to this effect by one of us but the Hon Chairman at that time, the Mr Johnson Malinga, once again overruled us. Missing evidence: Mr Speaker, Hon Members, we wish to recall vividly that when The Managing Director of NSSF, Mr Jamwa appeared before the committee for the first time he did not mention any thing express or implied to do with pressure being exerted on him by any person in relation to this transaction. Mr Jamwa’s statement that he was put under political pressure in his second appearance shows that he was an unreliable witness, lied to the committee on oath, and his testimony could therefore not be credible. At the time of concluding deliberations on the report the transcribed record of this important piece of evidence was missing.  A week before our retreat, ten days in the retreat, still this evidence could not be availed. It is only on 23rd October, 2008 that the clerk to the committee gave us what we discovered as tampered with proceedings. All these manoeuvres within the committee clearly demonstrate that some people were determined to bend the rules at all costs for whatever reason. We found it prudent to bring all these irregularities before The House to help you Hon. Members in understanding the underlying reasons for this minority report when taking the final position on the majority one. How will this august House arrive at a fair and just verdict when vital evidence is missing from the record?  The logical thing to do in the circumstances is either to order for a fresh investigation or dismiss the conclusions and therefore the recommendations of the majority report of the committee in regard to conflict of interest and influence peddling for lack of proper records.  We leave this decision for this august House to pronounce itself. Whether there was a conflict of interest on part of the parties involved. Mr Speaker, Hon Members, one of the terms of reference that we investigated is whether there was conflict of interest on part of the parties who were involved.   Hon Mbabazi testified that he was persuaded to sell Arma Ltd land at Temangalo by Mr Nzeyi; the reason for the sale being that it would enable them to raise funds to purchase shares in the National Bank of Commerce Ltd that has been floated for sale. According to minutes of the 68th Meeting of the board of directors of NSSF, the issue of the possibility, of conflict was discussed. The Minute reads as follows: \"that to manage conflict of interest, ARMA LTD be advised to transfer their land to MR. NZEYI AMOS for purposes of transacting with the Fund\". The Board went a step further in Min. 161.4 (5) (iii). It is recorded as follows: \"that MR NZEYI AMOS be asked to present a Resolution and Powers of Attorney issued by ARMA LTD authorising him in their behalf to transact with the Fund in respect of their piece of land\". The Leadership Code Act provides that a conflict of interest occurs when personal interest conflicts with the leader’s duties and responsibilities. Whereas Hon Mbabazi had personal interest in the Temangalo transaction, he did not participate in the negotiations for the sale of land belonging to M/s ARMA Ltd. Hon Suruma on the other hand, while he was requested for a No-objection, he neither participated in the negotiations nor was he a beneficiary of the proceeds of the sale since the decision to invest is vested in the Board under Sections 4 and 30 of NSSF Act. It is not true that the Minister of Finance did not give the issue of the purchase of the land due attention, for in his statement and that of the Chairman of the Board, the Minister had met the Chairman of the Board together with the Managing Director and given them guidance on the principles of investment to be followed as contained in the Strategic Investment Plan of NSSF. The Minister of Finance testified that he never discussed the Temangalo transaction with either Mr Mbabazi or Mr Nzeyi and there is no evidence to the contrary. Mr Edward Gaamuwa and Ms Acigwa were only two of the seven members of the Board of NSSF and there is no evidence on record to show that they used their relationship as Co-directors of Ugafode (a not for profit organisation where Dr. Ezra Suruma is also a director) to favour anybody in the Temangalo transaction. We invite the House not to rely on Mr Jamwa's evidence on to this particular Term of Reference because of the following reasons: a) He made two contradictory statements on oath; b) His second testimony in camera was solicited by the chairman. There is no evidence to put Mr Mbabazi and Dr Suruma in a position in which their personal interest conflicted with their duties and responsibilities. This is even acknowledged in the observation of the committee in the majority report by using the words “Could easily conflictâ€Â�. The Constitution vests supervision and enforcement of the Leadership Code of Conduct in the Inspectorate of Government. The recommendation in the majority report that Dr Suruma and Mr Mbabazi contravened Sections 8 and 12 of the Leadership Code Act, 2002 and that sanctions provided for under Section 12 (2) be applied to them is not only a breach of the Leadership Code Act, 2002  but also unconstitutional. The recommendations of the committee in the majority report are therefore ultra vires the powers of the committee. It must be noted that we pointed out this anomaly that Parliament is not the right institution to enforce the Leadership Code Act, 2002 but it fell on the already biased minds of majority of the members. Whether there was influence peddling in the transaction: Evidence was led to the committee to show that Hon Mbabazi as an individual person and his family legitimately owned land at Temangalo under a company called Arma Ltd. Mr Mbabazi as a leader declared the land to the IGG and also at the time of sale he gave powers of Attorney to one Amos Nzeyi to sell the land on behalf of Arma Ltd At no time did Mr Jamwa or the Board of NSSF mention any political influence. Mr Martin Olweny who also appeared twice before the committee was consistent in his assertion that he was quoted out of context and that he has no evidence whatsoever that any pressure was being exerted on the Board... See full NSSF majority and minority reports"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/754282/-/k22cwxz/-/index.html","content":"Rwandair unveils expansion plans - Monitor Correspondent Kigali In a move to expand its operations in the region, Rwanda’s sole and national airliner, Rwandair Express has introduced a new aircraft which is to operate the newly re-introduced Kigali-Johannesburg route. According to sources the Boeing 737-500 was leased a week ago from Air Namibia with a passenger capacity of 22 seats in the business class, 88 seats in economy class and a cruising speed of 928 km/h. The new aircraft now replaces the Boeing 737-200 that was earlier leased from Air Malawi. It is currently grounded at Kigali International Airport after the contract was cancelled allegedly due to breach of contract by Air Malawi, the company that had supplied the faulty aircraft. Flights to Johannesburg, Nairobi, Bujumbura, Entebbe and Kilimanjaro were affected. The newly re-introduced Kigali-Johannesburg route was one of the lucrative routes. Rwandair Express has in the recent past been booking passengers on South African Airways and Kenya Airways in code sharing agreements. However the airline suspended the code sharing arrangement with Kenya Airways on the Kigali-Nairobi-Kigali route and entered into a leasing deal with Jetlink Express recently. Last month the airliner announced that it was to resume its flights from Kigali to South Africa after suspending operations in April this year which other officials attribute to lack of an internationally standardised aircraft.   The newly acquired Boeing 737-500 will be provided with crew, maintenance and insurance by Air Namibia. Rwandair Express according to press reports will provide fuel, landing, handling, parking fees and meet other operational costs. According to The New Times, a national news daily the airline plans to purchase three aircrafts within seven years in its expansion plans. On its Entebbe-Kigali route, Rwandair has leased Jetlink Express which operates a 79-seater Fokker 28-4000 and occasionally using a 50 seater Canadair jet. Jetlink Express is a private company incorporated in Kenya and has been given IATA two-letter designation JO and three-numeric identity 402. According to officials it was established to specifically tap into the travel gap between Eastern African and Southern Europe. Jetlink has also achieved success by tying up with major international airline companies. The company has ferried over 200,000 passengers last year alone on its domestic and regional routes. The sources add that Air Namibia is to provide the aircraft, crew, and maintenance and pay insurance. Rwandair is only to provide fuel, landing, handling, parking fees and meet other operational costs. According to the Executive Chairman of Rwandair, Mr Gerald Zirimwabagabo says that though the airliner has interlined agreements with various international carriers, who can issue Rwandair Express flights on their tickets, it intends to expand our business. â€Â�We intend to start our flights to Johannesburg with 3 flights a week and then fly daily. We intend to double our flights to Nairobi by beginning with next month. We intend to double daily flights to Bujumbura in October going daily to Kilimanjaro and Dar el Salaam,â€Â� says Mr Zirimwabagabo. â€Â�As far as expansion is concerned we are going to start a massive expansion in the next month increase code sharing and interlining. We need to get into agreement to fly passengers beyond their destination. We are looking for interlining prospects with South African Airways and code sharing with Ethiopian and Brussels Air,â€Â� he added. Ambassador Zirimwabagabo also said that partnering with other airliners is also in the pipeline. “We want to make sure the services go to many people as possible by making sure tickets are fair and competitive in the market. We want to get people off the buses,â€Â� he adds.   Rwandair has been under a privatization process for the last two years. The process has been underway with advice from the World Bank’s, International Finance Corporation (IFC). However, Mr Zirimwabagabo says the privatization process was concluded unsuccessfully. â€Â�This was begun two years ago. We need to get the airliner in good footing in terms of business investment. Once we are there we can continue to find ways to commercialising Rwandair with partners,â€Â� he said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/753782/-/vxub8v/-/index.html","content":"Arua policeman rapes woman, goes into hiding - Arua A policeman at Arua Central Police Station is on the run after he allegedly raped a woman. The District Police Commander, Mr Julius Salube, told Daily Monitor on Sunday that Mr Abio Alex, 37, allegedly raped the woman during a night patrol. “The situation is nasty. We shall apprehend him and he will have to face the wrath of the law,� Mr Salube said. He said the policeman later abandoned his gun at the station counter after the incident and took off. Already, the police have issued a statement asking the public to help them trace the suspect. “He is wanted seriously because we have to bring him to book without compromise and any other officer involved in criminality will also face the law,� Mr Salube said. Mr Abio, who once headed Kuluva Police Post, was transferred to the Central Police Station because he had become unruly. Mr Salube explained that Mr Abio was transferred for close supervision by higher authorities. He cautioned the police who contravene their code of conduct, saying they will face the law without compromise. “We shall not tolerate misconduct and breach of police ethics. If proven guilty, you shall be dismissed,� he added."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/753546/-/10g7lkl/-/index.html","content":"Naguru tenants to compensate investor, says Gen. Otafiire - KampalaLocal Government Minister Kahinda Otafiire on Saturday said the Naguru/Nakawa housing estate tenants will have to compensate the investor and vacate the area as directed by court.He told Daily Monitor that he doesn’t have to issue a fresh directive as an earlier one issued on June 13, still stands. “We stopped the eviction because there was a case in court but now that the court has dismissed the case with costs, they (tenants) will have to compensate the investor before eviction,” Gen Otafiire said.High Court Judge Joseph Murangira last week dismissed with costs a petition for judicial review, in which tenants of Nakawa/Naguru were seeking to block the redevelopment of the dilapidated estates.  The tenants, led by Mr Joe Jolly Opio and Mr James Ochom, petitioned the court, seeking a judicial review of the government’s decision to redevelop the estates through Opec Prime Properties.But Justice Murangira said apart from the petition having been filed out of time, the developer was wrongly involved because the investor “should not be affected by the so called wrong cabinet decision”.The government in October 2007 signed a Public Private Partnership agreement with Opec Prime Properties Ltd, a company set up by the Comer Homes Group as a special purpose vehicle to oversee the re-development of Nakawa/Naguru estates. It was tasked to transform the area into a satellite town with over 5,000 flats, bungalows and commercial blocks.The redevelopment, however, stalled after the Inspector General of Government, Justice Faith Mwondha, stopped the project in December last year, saying she wanted to investigate the tendering process after the sitting tenants complained.After the IGG failed to produce a report for 7 months, Maj. Gen. Otafiire on June 13 issued a “final and last” warning ordering the tenants to vacate by July 12.But Justice Mwondha on June 16 issued her own order that contradicted that of the local government minister.Maj. Gen. Otafiire said on Saturday that the IGG’s order had forced the developer to take the government to court demanding Shs800 billion.“But now that court has ruled in his favour, the government will not have to pay that money because they (tenants) will have to pay before we evict them,” Gen. Otafiire told Daily Monitor in Kisaasi, a city suburb at the home of city businessman Ben Mugasha during a give-away ceremony.The developer in July sued the Attorney General for breach of contract, resulting from halting of the project and subsequent land give-ways within the project land.Efforts to speak to Justice Mwondha proved futile. The court ruling is seen as a victory for Maj. Gen.  Otafiire over Justice Mwondha and paves the way for developing the estates into a satellite town."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/753172/-/gwjnmo/-/index.html","content":"Caltex in court battle with transport company - Kampala A petroleum transporting company, Dagare Transporters Ltd is in legal battle with Caltex Oil Uganda Ltd over Shs17.4 billion for breach of contract. In its case filed at Commercial Court, the transport company is suing Caltex Oil Uganda Ltd jointly with a Kenyan-based oil Company, Chevron Kenya Ltd, its sister company Chevron Uganda Ltd and Mr Adriano Santos, the logistics manager of Chevoron Kenya Ltd. The company claims since 1998 it has been transporting petroleum products of Caltex Uganda Ltd from its terminal in various locations in Africa. The two parties on September 20, 2004 entered into a road transport carriage agreement to run for three years. However Dagare Transporters Ltd claims on November 15, 2006, Mr Santos without giving its management any reasons terminated the contract. The company protested what it calls an illegal act by Mr Santos and wrote a letter to the respondents to revise their decision but the same was ignored. The transport company went ahead to obtain a Court injunction against the respondents but the latter ignored the order and went ahead to stop the company from loading petroleum slated for transportation to various destinations. The company claims Chevron Kenya Ltd purportedly issued a notice terminating the contract yet it was not party to the agreement According to the company the notice is unfair and in breach of the terms and conditions of the agreement. Dagare Transporters Ltd is accusing the respondents of unlawfully making deductions on monies realized from its business proceeds and debting its accounts with the cost of goods allegedly lost in transit even after confirming that such losses never occurred. The company contends it incurred a lot of expenses in expanding its infrastructures at Mombasa, Eledoret, Kisumu and Kampala for purposes of sufficiently serving the respondents for which it holds them liable. The company claims it has lost revenue to the tune of Shs14.1 billion and Shs6.9 billion lost in expected annually revenue The company is further demanding its unpaid invoices amounting to Shs211.4 million, interest and costs of the case. However the respondents have denied the entire claim saying the contract was terminated legally in accordance with the terms of the agreement. They claim if invoices of the transport company were not paid, this was as a result of it refusing to give evidence to justify the same. The respondents claim if the company incurred expenses in improving its infrastructure, it did so at its won risk  They want the case dismissed with costs."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/753214/-/10g7j5i/-/index.html","content":"High Court dismisses Naguru tenants petition - NakawaThe High Court on Wednesday dismissed a case in which tenants of Nakawa/Naguru have been seeking to block the redevelopment of the dilapidated estates. The development, seen as a victory for Local Government Minister Kahinda Otafiire over IGG Faith Mwondha, paves the way for developing the estates into a satellite town. The struggle to develop or not to develop the estates, though affected tenants, had narrowed down to a war of words between the two.Nakawa High Court Judge Joseph Murangira said the developer (Opec Prime Properties) was wrongly involved in the matter.The tenants, led by Mr Joe Jolly Opio and Mr  James Ochom, petitioned the court seeking for a judicial review of the government’s decision to redevelop the estates. The government on October 15, 2007 signed a Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with Opec Prime Properties Ltd, a company set up by the Comer Homes Group as a special purpose vehicle to oversee the re-development project and transform the area into a satellite town with over 5,000 flats, bungalows and commercial blocks.However, the tenants’ lawyers led by Mr Caleb Alaka, said the government’s decision amounted to evict tenants was a violation of the recommendations of the redevelopment report for the estates.The judge said the application left many unanswered questions by both parties. “Is cabinet decision an administrative decision or policy decision? At what time should one file an application for a judicial review? Should the developer be affected by the so-called wrong decision?” Justice Murangira wondered. “If the applicant (tenants) suffered loss and damage because of the decision, is that loss and damage cured by an application through judicial review?”The redevelopment of Nakawa/Naguru estates has raised disagreements between local leaders, tenants and the developer. The Inspector General of Government, Justice Faith Mwondha, in December 2007, halted the project, saying she wanted to investigate the tendering process after receiving complaints from some tenants. Seven months later, Justice Mwondha is yet to produce a report. She has been involved in a war of words with Local Government minister Kahinda Otafiire, who accuses her office of delaying government business. Gen. Otafiire on June 13 issued a \"final and last\" warning ordering the residents of the dilapidated structures to vacate by July 12 or face forceful eviction. But Justice Mwondha on June 16 also issued her own notice directing the residents not to vacate until her office had completed an investigation into the process that led to the award of the re-development tender.Opec Prime Properties Ltd had issued a notice of intention to sue the government over alleged breach of contract. The company is reportedly seeking up to Shs815 billion from government"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/753184/-/vxu6j7/-/index.html","content":"Ugandans to get national IDs in two years - KampalaEvery Ugandan will, in two years, acquire a national identity card, the Internal Affairs Minister has said. “The cards will help us with identification and mitigating terrorism,” Dr Ruhakana Rugunda said.  In March 2005 the government through Uganda Bureau of Statistics invited both national and international companies to bid for the identity cards’ contract. The project was awarded to Face Technologies but was cancelled in 2006 following a disagreement with the government. The company has filed a case that could see the government pay Shs82.5 billion in damages for breach of contract. Despite the pending case, the British government  has donated half a million dollars to the Internal Affairs Ministry to proceed with the project.Both the British  and Ugandan governments say the project is important because it is one such mechanism that is helpful in eradicating global terrorism.Speaking during the launch of the project at the Internal Affairs Ministry recently,  Mr Rugunda said the donation will be used for  passport documentation and  training people at the immigration resource centre. The British deputy High Commissioner, Mr Charles Hamilton, said they expect the project to be through by 2010."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/753020/-/10g7hld/-/index.html","content":"NSSF: We won’t shut up - Otafiire - Kampala Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire yesterday criticised the NRM Caucus’ decision to gag members from discussing the NSSF land controversy in the media. Gen. Otafiire told Daily Monitor in an interview that the discussion on the NSSF purchase of  over 400 acres of land from Security Minister Amama Mbabazi and businessman Amos Nzeyi had nothing to do with party discipline because “the party is not responsible for individual’s commercial interestsâ€Â�. “Talking about Temangalo by party members is not in breach of party discipline,â€Â� Gen. Otafiire said. Daily Monitor reported yesterday that after a meeting of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus on Monday, deputy spokesperson Muyombya Kasozi issued a statement saying members had been urged to desist from making further comments on NSSF in the media until the caucus comes out with a position. Mr Kasozi also indicated that members were warned against debating party issues in the media because  the NRM had an established  mechanism of disseminating party positions to the public. “The party has no business in Temangalo and the individuals implicated in the saga were not acting on behalf of the party,â€Â� Gen. Otafiire said adding, “In fact all Ugandans should be asking for a plausible explanation.â€Â� Mr Mbabazi, who is at the centre of the controversy, is also NRM secretary general. Gen. Otafiire warned that lack of internal debate “is what brought the Uganda People’s Congress downâ€Â�. He said internal criticism is healthy for the party because members are allowed to express their views and feelings on how the party should operate. “Had the party members criticised the individual excesses, the UPC regime would not have made such terrible mistakes. But for us to keep quiet is not to learn the lessons we have been taught by negative examples,â€Â� he said. “So I implore all party members to seek possible explanation from individual actors who are in party leadership,â€Â� he added. NRM spokesperson Mary Karooro Okurut declined to comment on Gen. Otafiire’s remarks. The Prime Minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, said the caucus resolutions did not gag MPs but only advised its members against making statements in the press for easy coordination of party work. “We did strongly advise that this matter is being investigated, we should wait for the work of the committee. It is important to agree on the position otherwise if we don’t, we are undermining the growth of multiparty democracy,â€Â� Prof. Nsibambi told Daily Monitor by telephone. The Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, State Enterprises and Statutory Authorities is investigating the Temangalo land deal over allegations of price inflation, flouting of procurement laws and claims of political influence-peddling made by a board member, who has since said he was quoted out of context. NSSF Managing Director David Chandi Jamwa during a closed-door session last week told the MPs that the Fund was under immense political pressure to approve the deal. Both Mr Mbabazi and Finance Minister Ezra Suruma have denied putting political pressure on the Fund.   But what started as an investigation into the investment has, however, developed into a running political soap opera, complete with tribal and religious undertones, that have split MPs  – including those on the committee, senior government officials and officials of the ruling NRM. Gen. Otafiire’s remarks now leave the issue in the hands of party chairman President Yoweri Museveni who must reign in officials to close ranks within the party."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/751718/-/gwiejx/-/index.html","content":"UCC revokes two operators' licenses - Kampala Pay TV service provider, MultiChoice Uganda, is still in business in Uganda contrary to reports that the company's operational license has been revoked. The confusion follows yesterday's advert by the Uganda Communications Commission that it had revoked licenses of Multi Choice Uganda Ltd and Yo Uganda Ltd and the two would therefore not legally provide communication services in Uganda. \"As per its role of regulating the provision of communication services in Uganda, an operator's license may be suspended or revoked as a result of serious and repeated breach of the license,\" UCC said in its advert in the major dailies. However, in a rejoinder MultiChoice Uganda General Manager Charles Hamya told Daily Monitor the revocation was for a Public Service Provider (PSP) license issued five years ago when the company planned to venture into telecommunications services in particular the Internet (data) business. \"This is to confirm to you that indeed we are aware of the revocation of this license, however this development does not in anyway and will not affect our core business of providing subscriber management services to Pay TV options in particular the DStv service,\" he said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/751032/-/10g63yy/-/index.html","content":"NRM top guns want Amama out - Parliament Security minister’s backers say petitioners fi ghting a lost battle Petitioners want vote to be by secret ballot Plus why Muhwezi, Mbabazi are fi ghting Top NRM party members are pushing for a vote of no-confidence motion against Security Minister Amama Mbabazi over his now-controversial sale of land to the National Social Security Fund. Sources close to members of the ruling party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) who declined to be named for fear of possible retribution, said that after week-long consultations, a section of senior party members are drafting a vote of no-confidence motion against Mr Mbabazi. The motion could be tabled before the CEC, an 20–member key NRM organ, as early as Tuesday. “There is a vote of no-confidence motion being drafted by the anti-Mbabazi clique which is effectively seeking to compel Mr Mbabazi to step down as the secretary general [of NRM],â€Â� a source said. “If all goes well, the motion is going to be presented to CEC members on Tuesday next week.â€Â� Mr Mbabazi is the ruling party’s secretary general on top of being security minister and MP for Kinkizi West. The no-confidence vote could pave the way for the minister’s censure by Parliament. Saturday Monitor has learnt that the move is being quietly sponsored by Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi, who represents veterans on the CEC, Mr Hassan Basajjabalaba for entrepreneurs, and Mr Abbas Agaba for the youth. “This motion is being drafted by Mr Agaba and will be presented to members by Basajjabalaba according to the plan,â€Â� the source, who is allied with the anti-Mbabazi group, said. “The trick is to have Maj. Gen. Muhwezi in the background but he is the chief plotter. For the vote of no-confidence motion to succeed, the lead petitioners have resolved to request for a secret vote.â€Â� Maj. Gen. Muhwezi, however, denies it all. “I am neither leading any group nor in any group which is demanding Hon. Amama to be censured,â€Â� he said. “This is another manipulation by Mbabazi to make his problems with NSSF political. He is trying to divert public attention from the impropriety of his dealings with the government body without following proper procedures.â€Â� 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/750986/-/10g5lug/-/index.html","content":"Parliament warns NSSF over adverts - The parliamentary committee investigating the National Social Security Fund over its controversial purchase of land in Temangalo has warned the Fund’s management against placing adverts in the media explaining the deal.   The Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises yesterday said the adverts, which the Fund has been running in the print media, amount to “contempt of Parliamentâ€Â�.   The committee is investigating alleged breach of procurement laws, inflated prices and possible political influence peddling in the deal where NSSF bought over 400 acres of land at Shs11 billion from businessman Amos Nzeyi and Security Minister Amama Mbabazi.     NSSF was running adverts, including mortgage supplements, in some of the local newspapers and magazines. What seems to have made the MPs furious was an advert titled, “Response to allegations on Temangalo Land Purchaseâ€Â�, which sought to clarify some of the salient issues that have come up in the investigation.   Having been accused of flouting procurement rules by ignoring advice of independent valuers on price of the land, one NSSF advert said, “It should be noted that there is no law in Uganda that compels the fund to execute transactions at values returned by valuers.â€Â�   The committee chairman, Mr Johnson Malinga (Independent, Kapelabyong) said, “Let them (NSSF managers) come and give us all that information other than taking it to the press.â€Â�   Mr Malinga on Wednesday also wrote to NSSF Managing Director David Chandi Jamwa warning him about the consequences of the Fund’s “clarification advertsâ€Â�, on an issue that is being investigated by Parliament.     “This is to direct you to stop forthwith any further publications on issues regarding the NSSF ‘Wakiso’ land purchase,â€Â� Mr Malinga wrote. “Failure to do so will tantamount to contempt of Parliament and the committee will take action in accordance with the rules of procedure of parliament.â€Â� Efforts to get a comment from NSSF Spokesman Charles Muhoozi were futile.   However, Daily Monitor has a copy of Mr Malinga’s letter which is stamped as received by the NSSF MD’s office on the same day it was written. In his letter, Mr Malinga said some of the purported NSSF corrections “were even erroneous and therefore jeopardising the work of the committeeâ€Â�.   The committee yesterday accused the NSSF managers of wasting more workers money and threatened to re-summon them if they continue in contempt of Parliament. “Mr Chairman, this shows that more of the remaining workers’ money is still being wasted in such adverts. We gave them all the days to say what they had to say but they have now gone ahead to abuse our committee. This is serious,â€Â� said Mr Elija Okupa (Kasilo – FDC).   Meanwhile, Mr Malinga has also written to the National Environment Management Authority, directing it to inspect the Temangalo land, and “confirm whether or not a wetland existsâ€Â�.   The committee has also asked NSSF managers to re-appear next Wednesday to clarify on issues that arose during cross examination of other witnesses. The committee also set Monday as the final day for Finance Minister Ezra Suruma to testify. Dr Suruma under whose docket NSSF lies, has twice failed to appear before the committee."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/751002/-/10g63wb/-/index.html","content":"Why Mbabazi, Muhwezi are fighting - Kampala The political battle pitting Rujumbura MP Jim Muhwezi against Security Minister Amama Mbabazi appears to be a rebirth of old work-related rivalries and supremacy contests, sources close to both men say. Maj. Gen. (rtd) Muhwezi and Mr Mbabazi, both senior officials of the ruling NRM party, have been engaged in a very public war of words over the security minister’s sale of land to the National Social Security Fund. Although several MPs have spoken out in terms considered unfavourable to Mr Mbabazi, it is Maj. Gen. Muhwezi who has stood out as the toughest crusader in a war he says he is fighting on behalf of the workers of Uganda. For avoidance of doubt, the Rujumbura MP, who is a lawyer, said in a Thursday interview with NTV that, even if he faces corruption-related charges of his own, evidence so far in the Mbabazi-NSSF saga makes him believe that there is a “prima facieâ€Â� case against a man who has sometimes been called a super-minister. A parliamentary committee is presently investigating alleged breach of procurement laws, inflated pricing and possible political influence-peddling in the deal where NSSF bought 463 acres of land at Shs11 billion from Minister Mbabazi and businessman Amos Nzeyi. Some 109 acres belonged to Mr Mbabazi. People interviewed for this article spoke anonymously to avoid annoying either man and getting sucked into what is shaping up to be a major political confrontation. A source close to Maj. Gen. Muhwezi said the former spy chief, whose career has been dogged by allegations of corruption and abuse of office, is unimpressed with Mr Mbabazi’s uninterrupted rise within the security and government ranks at the expense of men considered to have played a more critical role in the bush war that brought President Museveni to power in 1986. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/-/688324/750910/-/bncj2j/-/index.html","content":"How should the NSSF saga be resolved? - Yes! The drama goes on and on. No one seems to serve as an example. I am in my prime youth and can't help but wonder what will happen if I get into one of the offices where I can have access to money. For a while I get the feeling that it is a culture that is slowly but surely being passed on to us by our seniors or \"visionary\" leaders. God help us. Ayiiko Bua Ugandans especially those having money with NSSF, wake up! You remember when sometime back some documents were stolen at the NSSF premises? Before I left the country last year, I tried to find out how much I had on my savings but I was surprised to be told that there was no money on my account. I was given forms to fill, but I was frustrated till I gave up! This must be our money buying the Temangalo land! Magala Simon There will be drama and more drama to unfold until this whole saga is resolved. Did I say \"resolved\"? Never. This daylight robbery will end in cover-ups and we all know a lot of underhand tactics are at play here. Tim Morgan Folks, we should not be diverted from the main points in this saga. Any attempt to shift the debate from the anomalies in the land deal, flouting of procurement guidelines, inflated price, Amama's conflict of interest to tribal and ethnic sentiments is unacceptable. If we attempt to take this course, we shall loose the battle immediately. If Amama and his confidants have decided to take it native, that is their tactic. Rugaba Agaba I am really so perturbed by the way people handle grave matters so lightly. Who will help a poor worker who is forced to pay contributions to NSSF? Elly Atuhumuza Dear ladies and gentlemen, what a price we peasants have to pay for our \"freedom?\" Who can name all the \"strange but true\" that have occurred in the last one decade of the ruling NRM against the fair odds eg the junk choppers, army uniforms, food and ghosts, first family privileges to shop, give birth abroadand of course the most recent GAVI funds and NSSF land saga- multiple! Samuel Oluka Honour among do not follow proceduress... the signs were all there, but cowards that we are these -Ali Babas' continue to fleece the country. Michael The question people should be asking is if the people who were involved in influence peddling in this deal had been from another region of Uganda other than western Uganda they would have been history. This goes to show that there is another law for western Ugandans and another one for the rest of Uganda. Boaz Suspend the NSSF managers for breach of rules and procurement procedures then try them in court. Delete Mbabazi's name from Cabinet and ask him to return NSSF money with interest. Edwards Ezama"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/750708/-/gwhp7v/-/index.html","content":"MPs order Govt to quit railway deal - Kampala Parliament has ordered the Finance Minister Dr Ezra Suruma to withdraw from the distressed Uganda-Kenya railways joint deal, after reports that the investor has failed to deliver to his expectations. Debating the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2008 last week, MPs heard that after the Rift Valley Railways' investor pocketed Shs26 billion from government in May last year, he has since failed to perform and enraged legislators have demanded that the government invokes punitive terms of the agreement.     \"We have said it here; everyday I say it, because I feel we have had a bad deal with this investor and should be terminated with costs for breach of contract,\" Bukanga MP and former Physical Infrastructure Committee Chairperson, Mr Nathan Byanyima said. Rift Valley Railways (RVR) won a concession to run the Kenya-Uganda railways jointly for 25 years from November 2006. It is led by South Africa's Sheltam Trade Close. Talking about the terms of the concession agreement, Mr Byanyima said; \"This investor was supposed to have brought in $25 million in investment, over a period. The man has not brought a single coin. He is actually reaping where he never ploughed.\" MPs heard that although government guaranteed the investor with Shs26b to make the railway line a major artery for regional trade, it turned out that lack of locomotives, wagons and dilapidated tracks have been part of the problem. In his response, Dr Suruma said the government had given a notice to enforce the terms of the contract, if the RVR investor doesn't perk up performance as part of the wider efforts to transform the railway sector in the country.    \"We are certainly not happy with the performance of the concessionaire of the railway and we have written demanding improvements by the concessionaire,\" Dr Suruma said. \"We have given a notice that we will enforce the terms of the agreement if the concessionaire continues to fail to live up to their terms of the agreement and we are going to discuss the matter with our colleagues in Kenya.\" Although the endorsement of the deal, meant that RVR would be able to access funding amounting to more than $65 million (Shs109.5 billion) from IFC and KfW to invest in the former Uganda railways, it turned out that the investor is yet to perform. \"Today, the man we have for the rift valley has an office in Nairobi and with no management what so ever that can take a decision and he not pro Uganda,\" Byanyima said. \"All the locomotives that we had - the best in East Africa - have been taken to Kenya but whenever one gets an accident, it is pulled back to this side.\" But Dr Suruma said that after government issued a notice of default, the investor made some payments to Uganda Railways Corporation."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/750426/-/vxs5rs/-/index.html","content":"I still own part of NSSF land, says Nzeyi - City tycoon Amos Nzeyi on Friday appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on State Enterprises, Statutory Authorities and Commissions that is investigating the controversial Shs11 billion NSSF land saga. Excerpts:- Chairman John Odit: Yesterday [Thursday] our committee took a decision that the following honourable colleagues should not participate in this meeting anymore. Hon. [Barnabas] Tinkasimire we want you to leave this committee room. This time it is not a simple matter, it isn’t a joking matter. I am firm with the decision the committee took. Hon. Saleh Kamba requested that for him he takes a back seat and for that matter we shall request him not to be on the front bench. Get your seat somewhere quite far.***image1*** Sam Lyomoki: To come and just begin sending away members; we want Parliament to be partial and to be seen to allow every MP to participate. But if it appears as if certain members have been excluded from the process because of certain decisions, we have also seen certain members take partisan decisions on the other side, then why should you start taking decisions of sending away other. Why can’t we allow objective flow of ideas of members of Parliament? The procedure I am asking is can you give the reasons why you are trying to pursue that process; if also other members can’t be sent away. I think it should be open. We don’t want to start showing that there are certain other dealings or certain other interests behind the committee. I am doing it from a very goodwill because I am wondering how you can say other members should not attend. I am really shocked. Akbar Godi: Let me help Hon. Lyomoki. Yesterday the decision came because of how questions were flowing towards the witness. There were members who had not been following the proceedings, not even from day one and when they came here they were asking questions which had been asked to other people who had turned up as witnesses. Therefore the decision was suggested for those who really did not participate and haven’t been here not to interfere with the work of the lead counsel. And therefore Sam Lyomoki was even mentioned with Hon. Tinkasimire to be out of this committee. Odit: Hon. Lyomoki is very aware that he represents the workers and certainly there is no reason why he should not be here. He is supposed to be here and participate completely. But at the same time I don’t want this meeting which started in good faith to be disrupted. We have been consistent and the accusation has been that Hon. Tinkasimire has all along been trying his best to disrupt our meeting. And I would want to request that he kindly takes leave of the committee. Kindly take leave. Tinkasimire: Mr Chairman, I have heard your ruling and I am ready to take heed. But I equally want to state this before I leave the committee that I am finding your ruling to have no ground because the whole of yesterday I spoke once, and either the disruption is in the members’ minds, I don’t care whatever the reasons. Even after the meeting, when you were doing the review, I told you the reasons why finally in this matter I had seen no reason why the minister should be crucified. And you yourself you said you were terribly surprised. It should not be your surprise. Facts can speak for themselves. I don’t just need to follow blindly when I have seen facts on the ground that people who are pursuing this matter are only pursuing tribal issues, religious things and people who have held individual personal vendetta for a long time. (Interruptions). That is why I chose not to speak. I will leave. Johnson Malinga: [Mr Chairman], as a committee we have a mandate to operate and our rules of procedure allow us to admit members or to exempt them from our meetings. You have properly guided that Hon. Tinkasimire takes leave. Procedurally I don’t see how Hon. Tinkasimire begins behaving like a witness. Odit: By the way, we have already called the services of the sergeant. And I would not want to reach that stage. (Prolonged laughter). Tinkasimire: Well, Mr Chairman, this will find me on the floor of the House. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/748460/-/b3h9fcz/-/index.html","content":"Stop abusing if you don’t want to be abused - On July 27 President Yoweri Museveni asked the Baganda [Mengo] to stop abusing him. “They should stop abusing me. How can they abuse me like a child? Even a child cannot be abused like that. I am no longer going to accept that…..â€Â� The article explains why the Mengo officials of Mr Charles Mayinga, Mr Medard Lubega and Land Bill activist Betty Nambooze were arrested. The person of the President should not be abused but does our President have the internal preparation and moral justification to say this? Does he nurture a similar heart of rejecting abuse in us by abusing himself; the kind that prompts us to double over with laughter when we watch him abuse?  While on the trail in western Uganda, President Museveni regarded the opposition as night dancers [8 January 2007].  In Busoga, the president likened Bugweri MP, Abdu Katuntu and other opposition members to poisonous mushrooms, jiggers, night dancers and under this government, we have seen Ugandans being likened to ‘cockroaches, Mavi Yakuku’ etc.  While on the tour in Bugisu sub-region between August 4 - 9 at a public rally at Mbale SS, the President remarked, “FDC is like millet spill over, UPC is a dead party that failed to treat Uganda twice and DP is empty and has failed to treat the country.â€Â� Now when our dear President shifts position and says people should stop abusing him, we see him as the type who preaches unity yet at the same time balkanising our country into unenviable units along political and regional lines.   The traditional Bagisu have a saying that ‘Mugamba nemakungula gobyale kyelelo,’ meaning, tomorrow is the harvest of what we plant today.  If our president planted potatoes yesterday why does he think that he will harvest beans the following day, for that case tomorrow?  Today, abusive language in our political terrain ceases not to be merely an ethical problem, which erodes the moral fibre of society; but it is iniquitous and shows how political morality is wanting in our leaders and explains volumes how peaceful political transition is being retarded and undermined.   What seems evident is that government leadership, cadres and the political converts abuse the Opposition with impunity and then turn around very fast to condemn it especially when others do the same.   They disregard the rules and regulations of politics knowing that when they breach them nothing will happen to them because those who wield state power protect them.   My grand mum used to tell us that “When you are staying in a house of glass, avoid throwing stones at your neighbours.â€Â� And using her own experience, I drew one lesson that if you feel you have a lot to be abused, then don’t abuse and nobody will abuse you.   Under the movement government, forgiveness and tolerance has been a fantastic, healthy landmark in Uganda’s history and the biggest bouquet goes to Mr Museveni for being a “forgiving and tolerant leaderâ€Â�   But when he forgets shortly after and begins abusing opposition, as Ugandans who understand the serious issues embedded in our politics, we begin to believe that the president is being emotional, has missed a point and preaches what he cannot practice.   By preaching this and he does the other, the President is losing the little faith ‘we the peasants’ still have for him because we are discovering that there are things that have been going on behind our backs.     The best way our dear President should save his political image and government is to live up to his word. Otherwise the way things stand today our political terrain remains bleak.    With President Museveni at the helm of abuse, generation of neglect of political morality has landed Uganda’s transitional period in its deepest.   I don’t know what to make of this but it seems our dear leaders are consumed by visions of attaining and dispensing political power and patronage through all the dirty channels possible.   And when it is said that behind everything is the problem of leadership, this is close to the truth.   Should all forms of thought and practice under NRM persist without challenge?   Should Ugandans lose sight of all other possibilities? Cover up potholes in our courtyards and roads with grass and say to ourselves because our eyes cannot see the potholes then Ugandans can prance about as they like?   For a peaceful political transition and democracy and political maturity in Uganda our leaders to give way to forgiveness, unity, constructive criticism and political morality by use of civil language. dmafabi@monitor.co.ug 0782836109"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/747112/-/gw0vuq/-/index.html","content":"Court rules on Roadmaster case over shareholding - Kampala Court has ruled on a seven-year standoff between Indian brothers over claims of shareholding in Uganda's sole bicycle factory, Roadmaster Cycles (U) Ltd. A panel of three Court of Appeal Judges dismissed an appeal by three Indian brothers challenging a high Court decision that ordered the transfer of 25,000 shares from the mother plant in India to the Uganda-based company. The Judges ordered the India family to pay costs amounting to Shs80.5 million to the beneficial owner of Roadmaster Cycles (U) Ltd, Mr Amirit Goyal.\"Amirit obtained judgment at the High Court and later applied for costs which were awarded at Shs80.5 million. Justice Byamugisha [Court of Appeal Justice Constance Byamugisha] ordered for payment of the money, which was not done. In the result we hold that by refusing to obey Courts order, the respondents failed to take essential steps as required by law. Therefore we find merit in the application to strike out the Appeal. It is accordingly dismissed with costs,\" the judges ordered. The Roadmaster Cycles factory commissioned in 1996 attracted claims from the brothers of Mr Amirit who appealed in the Court of Appeal challenging High Court declaration that the former is the sole owner of the 25,000 shares in the Ugandan Cycle company. The Court of Appeal last week dismissed claims by Amirit's brothers; Mr Harry Chand Goyal, Mr Subash Goyal and Mr Ashok Goyal. Amirit filed a case at the High Court in 2001 saying on September 20, 2000 the Goyal family made an agreement that the company's mother plant in India would give 25,000 shares to the Ugandan plant. He said he immediately took over management of the factory based in Nalukolongo - a Kampala a suburb - but in breach of the agreement the family refused to part with the agreed shares to-date. In 2003, Justice James Ogoola ruled in favour of Mr Amirit and ordered the Goyal family to pay costs to Amirit. The order was not followed suit by the brothers. Amirit then appealed to the Court of Appeal seeking Shs80.5 million in costs. Court of Appeal Justice Constance Byamugisha on April 29, 2004 ordered the Goyal family to pay the money within 30 days but they failed to do so. Instead the group on January 27, 2004 filed an Appeal challenging Justice Ogoola's decision."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/745110/-/3frodcz/-/index.html","content":"Installation of CCTVs alone does not prevent crime - I refer to the article by Herbert Arinaitwe:  “How have CCTVs helped crime detection?â€Â� (Daily Monitor, July 23).  I would like to clear a common misperception that CCTVs prevent crime. This is based on a national evaluation conducted by Martin Gill, a professor of criminology at University of Leicester UK in liaison with the Home Office, which funded the project spanning several years. The study, using a scientific approach, concluded that CCTV influenced behaviour but the reduction was attributed to the other crime fighting initiatives and tools and not limited to CCTV only. Examples are the neighbourhood watch, police stations in the vicinity, police foot patrols, street lighting etc. To realise the full benefits of CCTV, you need to look at the so-called triangle of stakeholders- the business community, private security firms or installation companies and the police force. Private businesses must educate themselves about what exactly they are looking for in a CCTV system and its purpose.   Examples of questions that the end user needs to answer are; what picture quality do you want? What do you want monitored?  Where do you want the CCTV system installed? Are you willing to invest in this system for you will have to put aside a budget to maintain the system during its life span which on average runs to five years?  A common mistake is for the end users to have the suppliers in some cases determine what system should be installed, resulting in inflated quotations. The second critical point is that the installation companies should be accredited to a national body that maintains high standards in how CCTV is installed. A good example is the National Security Inspectorate or the Security in Safe Hands. These are agencies based in the UK. Similar bodies should be set up in Uganda to promote best practice policies.   The government should spearhead research into how effective CCTVs are within the Ugandan crime and security context. Failure to carry out such a research would result in lack of a policy framework to aid all the stakeholders in plotting a clear and concise course to realise the full benefits of CCTV. Furthermore, the legal framework to regulate the use of this technology is still in its infancy and the increasing use of the technology is outstripping any law to monitor and regulate its use. However when the correct CCTV system is specified, properly installed and maintained, you can protect your staff from allegations of abuse if you are a nightclub, your clientele are safer and prosecutions increase, according to the British police and your insurance premiums are lowered.   Nodin Muzee   Security consultant FM radios right to be ‘stupid’ The Daily Monitor of Thursday, quoted the President as calling some FM stations ‘stupid’ for telling ‘lies’ instead of talking about seeds, markets etc. That is our President at his best. Nothing he detests can go without attack. That, to me, is the spirit of democracy. People should freely express themselves and whichever argument makes more sense in the public domain should carry the day. The problem is that there is a tendency to suffocate views that expose the bad and ugly side of the country and NRM. But one thing is certain; you can suppress people’s views but you can’t overcome their emotions. Why should we be expected to say only the good about the country, President or any other? In fact a sharp head of state would allow people to talk freely so that he can easily know their needs and act accordingly. Ojoatre Kaaka It’s the govt inciting violence I am no longer surprised about the NRM actions, I am only scared how far this will go and what implications it carries for us as Ugandans. A few days ago, three Buganda officials were picked up at night by security agencies on grounds that they were inciting violence, promoting war, sectarianism and terrorism.   These are very strong words by definition, which unfortunately have been turned into a common song or a nursery rhyme by government whenever it wants to silence those peacefully opposed to its actions.  In my opinion, this government is being high-handed in even the slightest of matters. The three people that were arrested are all civilians, incapable of causing any serious security breach in the country. I am happy Mr Kasirye Ggwanga also notes that it is now plain clear that government just slaps the charges mentioned above on anyone it just doesn’t like. We all know that it is the question of the Land Bill that is creating all this. Government is only refusing to admit that the Land Bill is unpopular. It is desperately trying to pass it forcibly by first locking up whoever is against it. Its intention is to destroy Buganda. People are saying we don’t want that law and the President says it must be passed. Now, who is inciting the violence? Must we always say yes to this government, even when we know we shouldn’t under such circumstances?  When Ugandans opposed the sale of Mabira Forest, the government killed three people and injured many others. The leaders of that demo were jailed. When will this government ever own up when it is in the wrong?   A.M. Wananzofu Mbarara bmtelons@gmail.com ============================= Alarm Bells Nobody is safe Some months back, an army General who is also an MP warned a fellow legislator that anyone including MPs can be ‘picked’ anytime anywhere. We saw this behaviour during the arrest of the PRA treason suspects. They were also subjected to ‘trips’ upcountry in the name of looking for evidence.   Is it a coincidence that the same charges prefered against the PRA suspects, the same areas they were taken to, are the same happening to the Buganda officials? A local proverb goes: If a rope can catch a neckless object, what would happen to the one with a neck? If Kabaka’s chiefs can be arrested in that manner, what would happen to others? Asiimwe Garreth, Mbarara Obote ghost still looms in Uganda The events in the past week have unveiled the true face of the NRM regime. Although they came as liberators in 1986, everything now points to a self entrenching militaristic regime which will not tolerate criticism. Just like the late Obote wanted to be proclaimed the founder of Uganda, President Museveni is pursuing a similar course of abolishing cultural institutions under the guise of modernisation. It seems Obote’s ghost envisioning a Uganda without Buganda still looms. The NRM seems to be a mere change of guard in different attire but with the same motives as Obote’s UPC.   Deo Byaruhanga ============================ Should Museveni stand in 2011 or should NRM get another candidate? I support NRM party but not Museveni. If he forces himself, then what is going on in Zimbabwe will happen here. Ochira Tom, Kisugu Museveni should not stand in 2011 because he has stayed long enough in power. Let him give chance to other candidates. Anonymous Because he has no good advisers, let him rule until he is toothless. Kato Museveni should stand for presidency again in 2011 and this is due to his outstanding contributions his regime has achieved in the last 22 years. Anonymous He is the leader of the party, his standing again is with his people who decide. Anyway let him  stand. Albert K. Kampala. My Museveni has done good things as far as development is concerned. But now he is almost reaching diminishing point of his development, so let him leave for other people. Anonymous Museveni has refused to have a right hand man, let  alone a successor, hence the leadership vacuum he intentionally created. Let him stand other than the political dwarfs around him. Dauda Murimi, Kabalagala I strongly believe that there are leaders, capable personalities within NRM party but the greedy Museveni does not believe this. Enough is enough. Anonymous President Museveni is yet to create a fully industrialised economy. So he should stand again for presidency in 2011 in order to fulfill his mission. Laasi Humphrey, Kabwangasi, Pallisa. Absolutely No! Because he will be too tired by then. He has already lost popular support like Mugabe. It’s only the so-called cadres around him that are pushing him for sixth term because they are still enjoying the bush meat. Mushabe Stewart, Kabale. I am also worried that instant illegal killing of suspects by RRU and other internal security organisations will increase as it has been the case. Anonymous. It’s ok. It is in line with our vision of grabbing whatever is left of family silverware while we can. R. Musisi. Museveni has given Uganda a breath of peace, development and economic transformation with education levels high compared to other regimes before him. He should be allowed another chance. Sam Mudong, Kaabong"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/744988/-/10flu8v/-/index.html","content":"Naguru investor to sue govt for Shs815 billion - KampalaOpec Prime Properties Ltd, the company that won a tender to re-develop the dilapidated Naguru/Nakawa housing estates has issued a notice of intention to sue  the government  for breach of contract. According to the notice by Kampala Associated Advocates received by the Attorney General’s Chambers on July 18, Opec Prime Properties Ltd, which belongs to UK- based real estate giants,  the Comer Group, is seeking up to Shs 815 billion  for  breach of contract, resulting from the halting of the Nakawa/Naguru project and subsequent land give-ways within the project land.   “Take notice that Kampala Associated Advocates intends to institute a suit against the Attorney General in the High Court at Kampala in which the intended plaintiff will seek special and general damages and interest thereon together amounting to US$ 500,000,000 plus costs, of the suit for breach of the public - private - partnership agreement entered into the government of Uganda and the intended plaintiff,”reads the notice.    The government on October 15, 2007, signed a public private partnership agreement, with Opec, a company set up by the Comer Homes Group, as a special purpose vehicle to oversee the re-development project and transform the area into a modern satellite town of over 5,000 flats, bungalows and commercial  blocks.   However,  the  Inspector General of Government, Justice Faith Mwondha, in December 2007, halted the project, saying that she wanted to investigate the tendering  process  after some sitting  tenants  complained.    Gen. Otafiire  on June 13  issued a “final and last” warning ordering the residents of the dilapidated structures to vacate by July 12 or face forceful  eviction.     But Justice Mwondha on June 16 also issued her own notice  directing  the residents not to vacate until her office had completed an investigation into the process leading  to the award of the re-development tender.    Government   was obliged to transfer or procure the transfer into the company’s name - the certificates of title for the project site immediately upon the signing of the  agreement in the event of not later than 30 days from the date of signature.  “In further breach of the PPP agreement, government of Uganda has allocated and transferred part of the land comprising  the project site to other  persons,” the  notice to the  AG  reads.     The notice indicates that unless  the government immediately transfers or procures the transfer of certificates of title for the project site into the names of Opec Prime Properties Ltd with the full acreage of 56.1 hectares and avail vacant possession  of  the  project  site to them  within  45 days  from July 18, the legal proceedings shall proceed without further notice.     Gen.  Otafiire while appearing before Parliament committee  on  Local  Government to defend his budget on Wednesday said government would pay heavily because the IGG has personalised  the issues of Naguru and Nakawa re-development.   “The IGG is interfering in my department. How could she write to the Mbale town clerk stopping my administrative directive in the ministry? I don’t want to be seen as bullying one arm of government,” Gen.  Otafiire said yesterday.     MPs  claimed  that the IGG was sitting on a report that exonerates Gen. Otafiire and alleged that it was just personal  grudge on the part of the IGG  to  fight Gen. Otafiire using  the  project.  The committee was also told that some unnamed people are against the Minister of Local Government being in government and are now  using  this  to  fight him.   Mr Fred Ruhindi, deputy Attorney General refused to comment saying he had not seen the letter.  “If  it was not copied  to  me and I have not seen  it, I cannot  say anything. I am sorry  I cannot  comment,” said  Mr  Ruhindi. When  Daily Monitor  tried to contact the IGG’s direct line , there  was  no  response."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/743972/-/k2ofo4z/-/index.html","content":"Investor to sink $1.6trillion in Naguru - Kampala London-based Irish billionaire brothers – Brian and Luke Comer are prepared to invest up to 500 million pounds (approx. Shs1.6 trillion) in the re-development of the Nakawa/Naguru housing estate. The Comer brothers, who are developing the London Olympic village, last year, flew to Uganda to make a presentation to President Y.K. Museveni who, according to information available to Business Power, fully endorsed the project. The government, through the ministry of Local Government on October 15, 2007 signed a Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with Opec Prime Properties Ltd, a Comer Homes Group company, under which the re-development project will see the area transformed into a modern satellite town of over 5,000 flats, bungalows and commercial blocks. “We can confirm that acquisitions in the region of 500 million pounds are well within their capabilities,â€Â� Mr James Tickner, an Ango Irish Bank official - bankers of the Comer Group - wrote to the head of procurement and disposal unit, in the ministry of Local Government. “We would be keen to provide continued support and would endeavor to provide any comfort required by you at this stage in respect of their ability to complete any property transactions as they have over 30 years of experience in this area,â€Â� Mr Tickner wrote. Local Government Minister Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire is currently locked in a war with the Inspector General of Government Faith Mwondha over an eviction notice he issued to the tenants in the two dilapidated housing estate, with the minister insisting that the re-development, which was slated to start seven month ago, must start immediately. Maj. Gen. Otafiire on June 13 issued a “final and lastâ€Â� warning ordering the residents of the dilapidated structures to vacate by July 12 or face forceful eviction. But Justice Mwondha on June 16 also issued her own notice directing the residents not to vacate until her office had finished an investigation into the process leading to the award of the re-development tender, which is spearheaded by British real estate development giants Comer Homes Group. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/743482/-/10fl209/-/index.html","content":"Why Brig. Tumukunde fell out with Museveni - Kampala Brigadier Henry Tumukunde’s latest outburst indicates that his relationship with President Yoweri Museveni can only deteriorate. Daily Monitor can reveal that the brigadier’s problems may have risen because he harboured presidential ambitions, among other reasons. This follows internal rifts in the NRM since the Constitution was amended in 2005, allowing President Museveni to continue contesting the presidency. Brig. Tumukunde was dropped as Internal Security Organisation chief on June 6, 2003, but was not redeployed. He poured out his frustrations with President Museveni at the funeral service of his mother - Ednas Kimbareeba Kakurugu at all Saints Cathedral in Kampala on Monday. He questioned President Museveni’s friendship, telling mourners that if it were true that the President was ‘my friend’, how come he had not called him in five years.  Brig. Tumukunde also revealed that he had refused to apologise to the President because, “I am not a mulokole (born again) to go and apologiseâ€Â�. Brig. Tumukunde, a bush war general is still on trial for allegedly making remarks critical of President Museveni during talk shows on Radio One and Buganda Kingdom’s CBS in April 2005. Criticism on CBS seems to have angered the President who is mindful of being sharply criticised before the Buganda electorate. The remarks led to his arrest on May 28, 2005 – following several meetings, in which according to sources, Brig Tumukunde refused to retract his statements or apologise to the President or  resign as an army MP. On the day of his arrest, President Museveni ordered Brig. Tumukunde to resign his position as an army MP. He resigned but indicated he had been forced to do so and later unsuccessfully challenged the order in court. For 15 months, he was detained at the Officers’ Mess in Kololo, Kampala on charges of spreading harmful propaganda and breach of the army code of conduct. He was released on August 31, 2006 but again he refused an apology-for-freedom offer, stating that he’d rather rot in jail for even 20 years than retract his remarks.  At the time of his arrest, the public had started speculating that Brig. Tumukunde, an in-law of First Lady Janet Museveni, had for long nursed presidential ambitions. Once a darling of President Museveni, Brig. Tumukunde completely fell out of favour when he refused to go abroad for a military course when he was dropped as ISO chief. Speaking at the wedding of his former military assistant, Capt. Joseph Kamusiime, in Kampala in 2003, Brig. Tumukunde said he didn’t need further military training. Each day that passed, Brig. Tumukunde became or came to be seen as more politically ambitious. He reportedly started openly making stinging remarks against the regime, including those against the person of the President in his home area of Nyabushozi. Brig. Tumukunde had in  2000 been a subject of public scrutiny over his wealth forcing him to declare it in Parliament on August 1. President Museveni would later appoint him ISO chief in the aftermath of the 2001 elections, a job that he would leave questioning the wisdom of the commander-in-chief, once he was fired and forced to hand over office on June 10, 2003, in the presence of Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi and Gen. David Tinyefuza. Brig. Tumukunde had also become part of the vocal voice within the Movement that advocated the opening up of political space and competition within the Movement and the country. This discourse according to insiders only went on to confirm intelligence reports President Museveni had received that Brig. Tumukunde wanted a shot at the presidency which is a  “political sinâ€Â�. Daily Monitor Wednesday columnist Charles Onyang-Obbo on July 31, 2002, hinted that Brig Tumukunde’s reported presidential ambitions stemming from the Ugandan military involvement in DR Congo war, would lead to his fall out with the big boss. “Though the UN panel that investigated the plunder of DRC by the foreign forces never fingered Brig Tumukunde, his enemies claimed that he was in Congo - like the rest - trying to line his pockets and use the money to run for the presidency in 2006! If Tumukunde had the foresight to plan seven years to be president, then perhaps he is also smart enough to hide the wealth he made in Congo, but there is no independent evidence of it. But the claim that he had his eye on the presidency was an ill omen - it meant he wanted President Yoweri Museveni’s job, the leading political sin in Uganda today,â€Â� Mr Obbo wrote. It is now widely believed that Brig. Tumukunde was arrested and detained for close to two years to curtail his participation in the 2006 elections – either as a direct player or a sponsor of Mr Museveni’s rival. In the run up to his arrest, Brig. Tumukunde was quoted on CBS FM on April 30 as saying that once he retired from the army – he would not support the NRM but the People’s Alliance Party (PAP) which he said had “brilliant ideasâ€Â� compared to the ruling party. The party, which had been started by some political operatives including its Secretary General, Mr Bernard Kibirige, who were heavily linked to Brig. Tumukunde, was causing concern within the intelligence circles and President Museveni had been told that Brig. Tumukunde was reviving his networks to work against him in the 2006 elections. This could have led to his arrest. Brig. Tumukunde is said to have been frustrated by the conduct of the committee that investigated ghost soldiers in the army. The committee, chaired by Mr Amama Mbabazi, then Minister of Defence, comprised Gen. Salim Saleh, and the Coordinator of Intelligence Services, Gen. David Tinyefuza. Brig. Tumukunde is said to have questioned the procedure and impartiality of the committee that he even refused to appear before it. In its report, the committee which compiled evidence between June and September 2003, placed Brig. Tumukunde among category one officers – those who should be purged immediately, court-martialled and possibly dismissed from the army – for “massive creation of ghostsâ€Â�. It also recommended that Brig. Tumukunde be disciplined for defying their summons to appear before it.  The cases of causing financial loss as a result of the ghost soldiers have since been dismissed. Having yet to retire from the army, which his language indicates he maybe feels should have happened long time ago – Brig. Tumukunde looks every inch a prisoner of the system he helped bring to power. But once he puts the serving officer regulations off his back, then maybe the true colours of Brig. Tumukunde the politician will be unleashed. aatuhaire@monitor.co.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/743550/-/vx8pox/-/index.html","content":"Budaka sets up conditions for people without toilets - Budaka Following the outbreak of cholera in the surrounding districts, authorities in Budaka have put up stringent measures on residents without pit-latrines, the LC5 chairman, Mr Sam Mulomi, has disclosed.    Mr  Mulomi  told Daily Monitor   that  the  district has resolved that any resident found without a pit-latrine  should prosecuted  for  breach  of  the public  health Act. He  said  those without  sanitation  facilities  will definitely be charged. “We need to keep our district clean,â€Â� he said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/-/688612/742960/-/tduw3n/-/index.html","content":"Share prospectus a vital tool if you know how to use it - A prospectus is a key tool when preparing for the arrival of a new share. How should it be read and used? A new listings prospectus is published ahead of a stock exchange listing to inform investors individual and institutional about the company that is about to offer equity/shares for sale. The underlying idea is obviously to induce investors to buy shares, but this does not mean those involved are allowed to make extravagant claims like any street trader. The company seeking a listing and its sponsors have to behave responsibly and obey quite rigorous rules of disclosure. The language used in a prospectus is usually quite measured. If any information is found to be inaccurate, both the company and its sponsors can be subjected to disciplinary measures by the Capital Markets Authority. In the case of a serious breach, legal action could follow. What is NOT said in a prospectus is also important. Those producing the prospectus are expected to fully disclose all information about the company that might affect share pricing or performance. Holding back information can also be a serious offence. (Rules about timely disclosure not only apply ahead of a listing, but when the company is on the exchange.) Listing requirements may differ from stock exchange to stock exchange, but in general terms the trend is for listings rules to be regularly reviewed and to be tightened up for the better protection of the investing public. Though quality control has improved down the years, investors should always remember the basic rule of buying anything buyer beware. No one is giving you an absolute guarantee about the value of the shares. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/FashionBeauty/-/691228/740596/-/7fmrfo/-/index.html","content":"Let’s face it; we all lie to save our backs - Samantha 28, has been going out with her true love Dan, for the last two years, everything has been going on well, that they were thinking of tying the knot this year, until Samantha told him a “small lieâ€Â�. You see, Samantha asked Dan for some money to do her hair, which Dan provided, but, retouching her hair, was not the real reason Samantha needed the money, but to buy a new pair of shoes she had been saving for. On discovering this, Dan blew a fuse, claiming that he had been duped by the one person he trusted the most, he felt like a “sugar daddyâ€Â� being played by a campus chic. But Samantha was wondering what the fuss was all about, and why Dan was getting worked up, claiming it was hardly a lie, just- a “small lieâ€Â�! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that phrase, where one excuses their half truths and lies, and passes them off as mere words, which should not be held against them, not knowing that one person’s lies (whether small or big), is another’s breach of trust.   With relationships having their unavoidable complicated moments, could lying be an essential ingredient for their survival? Aren’t we all economical with the truth? Don’t we all tell fibs, whether to your boss, your wife/husband, your parents? So, we could say, all of us are liars and our pants are on fire! According to a survey done by the University of Cincinnati, it was found out that, we tell lies to each other, two to three times a day, meaning that we tell lies (whether small, or big), to our partners more often than we think we do, and it can only ruin a relationship if you are a “bad liarâ€Â� or by bad luck, you are caught. Are we all lairs? I went on a mini random research around Kampala to discover how much some people lie. I called it confession time; when did you last lie, and to who? Esther, a housewife said, “I tell lies very many times, I can’t help it, but they are small lies. I normally lie to my relatives, if I don’t want to meet them, and sometimes to my husband, but he has never caught me.â€Â� Mr Steven Magero, Manager, Infectious Diseases Institute, Mulago said, “I lie every 10 minutes, and I lie to my wife once, for every five things I tell her.â€Â� James Onen aka Fat Boy, radio presenter at Sanyu FM said,“I lie all the time, and I lie to my girlfriend, basically to get out of a situation.â€Â� Meedi, a boda boda cyclist said, “ I lie to everyone, from my customers to my wife. Who is not a liar? Even pastors like Kiweede are telling us lies, who are we?â€Â� Irene, a bank teller at DFCU said,“I’m saved, so I resist from telling lies as much as I can, although I tell small lies to my husband, who always finds out the truth. I guess I’m a bad liar.â€Â� Fiona,a student said, “I lie so much that sometimes I fear I might go to hell if I don’t stop. I lie to bosses about my work experience. I need a job, but I have no work experience, so what should I do? I have to lie.â€Â� Following this mini survey, I concluded that lies are unavoidable whether we tell them for fear of rejection, harm, or for the simple fact that it mostly works, lying, is part and parcel of our relationships. A lie is a lie, period- whether big or small, and lies are told when someone is trying to hide something. It even gets more complicated when the person telling the fibs happens to be your wife/husband, for it can send the wrong signals, and implications, the- if one can lie about such a small thing, then how can I trust them- kind, or the – “why are you lying over such a small thing, what are you hiding?â€Â� Basically, the relationship can enter troubled waters over something that the simple truth could avoid. I believe one has to endeavour to tell the truth in a relationship, although the truth can sometimes be too hot to handle. One of the pillars of a great relationship is trust, so why would you jeopardise something good, with a “smallâ€Â� lie, or a big one at that? Which is why it is important to learn how to tell your partner the truth. An article How to tell the truth on a website that provides advice on lying, infidelity, love and romance recommends that one finds out the motive behind telling the truth first. What you hope to accomplish must be at the back of your mind since the truth may hurt your partner. Timing and setting are everything, so ensure that you find an appropriate time and place to make revelations. The article goes on to say that one should prepare the partner for the moment by hinting that they want to talk to them. When you finally get down to it, being descriptive will help you because it will explain your reasons or generally make the situation clearer. While at it, resist the temptation to defend yourself or fight back. The truth is bound to hurt your partner so one should expect the worst but nonetheless be remorseful to win b ack their partner."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/735712/-/3ge3juz/-/index.html","content":"Sell off energy savings bulbs to private firms - I read recently in newspapers that government has yet some 250,000 energy saving bulbs which were not distributed laying somewhere is a store in Lugogo. Seeing the wonderful effect the other 530,000 energy savers had in our peak demand and the amount of money Uganda is saving in fossil fuel, I am just wondering whether the Ministry of Energy could eventually sell those 250,000 bulbs for Shs1,000 each to the private sector dealing with these items such as Uchumi, Shopright, Ssebagala, Ddembe, Ultratec etc. Let them resell them for say Ushs 1,500 each and they will all be sold in less than a month. All we want is to have them replacing the nasty incandescent bulbs which use 5 times more energy increasing the peak demand and causing more load-shedding. I am told the Ministry paid big money to have Yellow Pages Express distributing the 530,000 and I am also aware that they would require more than double pay to distribute the remaining 250,000 bulbs because of the need for more funds for transport and related expenditures. Why pay to give away when we can sell cheaply and use the already existing structure? With the Shs250 million the Ministry will realise from the sale of those CFL it can further support renewable energy related projects. Do we need to seek Parliament authorisation? Let’s go for it! I am sure they can see the reasonability of the idea. Each day those little CFL (compact fluorescent lamps) are there replacing the old bulbs we are saving more than 50 million Uganda Shillings. Dr Izael Pereira Da Silva, Director, Centre for Research in Energy and Energy Conservation, Makerere To the bereaved families On behalf of mothers who pray for children and schools, we wish to let you know that we are praying for you. Our hearts ache over this tragedy and loss of such precious lives. We know that words of comfort are few and far between. Surely our words must seem empty, for there is nothing to be said that could ease the pain of your loss. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/733720/-/k3b19tz/-/index.html","content":"Silver Springs Hotel sued for breach of contract - KAMPALA   CONSTRUCTION firm, M/S Decent Construction (U) Ltd has taken Silver Springs Hotel to court over failure to pay Shs58.3 million debt. The debt accrues from unpaid bills after M/S Decent claimed to have offered construction services to the hotel amounting to Shs325.5 million. In a case filed at the Commercial Court last month,  the company claims that in 2006 the hotel contracted it to carry out renovation and construction work at its premises in Bugolobi, a Kampala suburb but Silver Springs only made part payments leaving a balance that has accumulated interest. The parties had agreed that 18 per cent interest per annum would be paid to its management inclusive of VAT in the lump sum fee agreed. The construction firm’s claims, supported by an affidavit of the managing director, Mr Majeed Khan, saying it carried out the work as expected and presented approved certificates from the architect requesting for payment for work done. The company avers that it is entitled to money claimed, VAT and interest inclusive. Silver Springs has filed an application seeking Court’s permission to allow it file its defence. The parties appeared before Justice Godfrey Kiryabwire last week to argue the application. The hotel’s lawyer, Mr Ebert Byankya argued that it is the interest of justice that his clients should be allowed to defend the case because the money claimed does not arise from a simple contract. The lawyer relied on the affidavit of Mr Raghir Sing Sandhu, the contractual manager of the hotel who denied claims that Silver Springs owed the claimed money to the construction company. According to Mr Sandhu the parties agreed that VAT would be catered for by way of seeking a tax exemption. “As soon as we receive a tax refund from Uganda Revenue Authority we shall pass the money to the construction company,â€Â� read part of Sandhu’s affidavit. According to Sandhu, the company’s claim for interest is unfounded and bad in law. M/S Decent Construction R. Adebayo did not object to the application but asked Court to refer the case for mediation."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/733458/-/10eyi1g/-/index.html","content":"The General’s charges - Kampala  MAJ. Gen. Kazini was acquitted on the counts of abuse of office, forgery, uttering a false document and conspiracy to commit a felony. But he was convicted on one count of causing financial loss. Charges were brought against Gen. Kazini on November 30, 2005 at the GCM, which was then chaired by Gen. Elly Tumwine. He was replaced as army commander in mid 2003 by the current army chief Gen. Aronda Nyakairima. He was immediately granted a cash bail of Shs2 million after presenting two civilian sureties, Mr Kwame Ruyondo, a Kampala businessman and Mr Francis Ninye, a senior legal officer for NSSF. The list of charges included disobedience of lawful orders, neglect of duty, abuse of office, forgery, uttering a false document, conspiracy to defraud and causing financial loss. On the insubordination charge, Gen. Kazini was accused of having disobeyed an order dated March 5, 2003 from his commander-in-chief, Gen. Yoweri Museveni not to transfer some soldiers between March 2002 and October 2003 from undisclosed locations. He is also accused of \"failing to ascertain or manage the strength of the UPDF, which duty he was required to perform by virtue of his appointment.\" On one file, Gen. Kazini is jointly accused of defrauding the army and the government of Shs200 million with the former acting chief of staff, Brig. Nakibus Lakara; the former director of Administration, Col. Stephen Othieno and the UPDF Director of Finance, Maj. Robert Nsabiyunva. On the same charge sheet is Capt. Michael Baryaguma who headed Velex, Lt. Edward Musoke formerly in charge of the Nakasongola Reception Centre (NRC) and WOI Sam Turyamureba, formerly the officer in charge of pay camp commandant's office. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/732558/-/10exthq/-/index.html","content":"ID scandal: Govt  sued for Shs87b - KAMPALA SOUTH African company, Face Technologies has served the government with a notice of intention to sue seeking to recover Shs87 billion for freezing its contract to make national identity cards thereby causing financial loss to the company. According to the notice served to the Attorney General, Face Technologies (FT) claims the government committed itself when it offered them the tender to manage the National Population Databank and Identification System (NPDIS), but failed to proceed with the contract. Through the project, the government intends to issue IDs to citizens for easy verification of identity, age, domiciliary, modernise the national registration systems – birth rates, death rates and such like and aid the provision of e-government services. It is not clear why for two years since the government wrote to FT on January 5, 2006 informing the management that the company had emerged the best bidder, no explanation has been given as to why it did not proceed to sign the contract. However, in an interview on Tuesday, Finance Minister Ezra Suruma said the government never signed a contract with FT because it believed the firm had inflated its costs. “We would have spent a lot of money if we had gone ahead to sign a contract with Face Technologies,” he said. FT says in its notice that: “The instruction to tenders of the project provides that notification of award will constitute the formation of the contract,” reads part of the notice. Dr Suruma, too, didn’t sound bothered that the government might pay even higher if FT succeeds in its litigation, but sounded confident that both parties would reach an amicable settlement. “We believe we can spend much less on that project. So we’ll see how to work it out,” he said.  There is a real possibility that even if the matter is resolved in court or out of court, the government might still have to pay FT taxpayers’ money.   FT claims the government concluded negotiations with them in January 2006 “and that was specified as the date of the formal contract.” “The plaintiff made all the human, financial, technical and logistical preparations for immediate implementation bearing in mind that the first deliverables were expected within six months,” reads the notice dated February 8, 2008. The notice also accuses the government of “breach of bidding terms.” According to the notice, FT was denied the right to implement the project on grounds of investigations that they didn’t institute and as a result they have been subjected to loss and damages. The ID project, as it is commonly known, has been running for over two years now after the government through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development announced that FT had won the bid. But almost immediately, the project got sucked into multiple scandals with former State Minister for Planning Isaac Musumba claiming that another company offered better terms than FT. The Inspectorate of Government soon started investigations in the deal after one of the losers, Contec Global, complained that they had been unfairly treated in the evaluation of the bids. According to FT, the IGG’s report, which Dr Suruma claimed on Tuesday he has not received, absolved them and made a number of recommendations including creation of the laws that would enable the smooth existence of the system without interfering with the working of other government bodies like the Immigration Department. 1 | 2 Next Page»“We are not government and therefore we don’t make laws. The IGG didn’t find us guilty but asked the government to make supporting laws that would make our work easy,” says their lawyer, Mr Alex Rezida. “The internal arrangement or re-alignment of government departmental roles in this diverse project is not an issue that either affects such procurement or prejudices our clients,” says Mr Rezida. In a letter to the Executive Director of Uganda Bureau of Statistics (Ubos), Mr Rezida claims that FT started to commit money and technical personnel to the project as they were given six months in which to implement the project. “This is a BOT procurement whereby our client is and did undertake to fund the project. The first deliverables were expected in six months. Therefore, we had to mobilise and commit finances and technical personnel as well as requirements,” reads the February 1 letter. The Ministry of Internal Affairs have also expressed misgivings about the potential of the project, saying they were not involved in its design even as they are expected to be involved in its implementation. A source in that ministry told Daily Monitor recently that the officials there had hired the services of two consultants for advice and they had found no fault on FT’s side. However, one of the consultants was of the view that the tender be cancelled and given to another company without a formal bidding process. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/730140/-/k3d8vbz/-/index.html","content":"Govt needs policy on land allocation - THE controversial land debate is dragging on fuelled by the limitation within the draft policy and the political and economic vested interests of different players. The business community has been largely silent or not as vocal as other parties partly because most of those who should speak on behalf of those who wield the economic powers of the country have their hands soiled by their political leanings. The vast majority of them, however, do at least understand that land is as important to their business interests as are other resources and therefore if the policy on land is not investment friendly they stand to lose. Last week, it emerged, for instance that President Y.K. Museveni has directed that the Nakawa/Naguru estate lands be re-allocated to other investors other than Opec Prime Properties of UK that had signed a $300 million deal with the government for the same land. If Opec Prime Properties decides to pursue a legal case then the country could loss millions of shillings for breach of contract. The problem though lies in the lack of institutional governance for national policies on such important matters like land. What has happened to Opec could happen again and again and the country can avoid that kind of scenario by using strong institutions to manage development policies. So, why are the businesses people in this country silently watching while politicians shredding apart the country for selfish interests? The land question is likely to rub investors the wrong way and defeat the purpose of inviting them to put their hard earned money in Uganda."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/729968/-/gute4p/-/index.html","content":"Shs5b case hits snage - KAMPALA A Shs4.2 billion case filed by an American procurement audit firm against the government for breach of contract; has hit a snag after the presiding Judge ordered the parties to first agree on the merits of the case. The company sued the government accusing the Works Ministry of failure to pay it for the audits it carried out on procurement projects in various districts. When the parties appeared before Commercial Court Justice Godfrey Kiryabwire to hear the matter recently, Mr Wandera Ogalo, the plaintiff's lawyer, said the Inspectorate of Government, which is also party to the case refused to deliberate on the issues that would be considered during the hearing. The IGG became party to the case after the company obtained a court order directing the government to pay the money because it failed to respond to the case within the prescribed time. Justice Kiryabwire later set aside the order after the Inspectorate of Government filed an application that it was investigating the matter, which it claimed involved fraud."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/729848/-/10eh864/-/index.html","content":"KAA thrown  out  of  big  Alcon case - Kampala KAMPALA Associated Advocates,  has been thrown off a multi-billion case involving the National Social Security Fund  and  a  construction company, Alcon International Ltd. Three  Court of  Appeal Justices  ruled early this week that KAA,  which only joined the case handled by Tumusiime, Kabega & Co. Advocates, got instructions  from fake directors of Alcon International (Uganda). Alcon is the company that constructed  the  biggest  part  of Workers House in Kampala between 1994  and 1998.  It  went to court in 1998 after NSSF  cancelled  its contract and   hired Roko Construction to  do   final touches to the  building. The  company seeking damages worth about US13 million [about Shs23 billion]  for  breach of contract, won  the  case  in the High  Court, but NSSF  appealed  the  ruling. KAA  claimed  last year that it had instructions from Alcon (Kenya) directors to take over the case from Tumusiime, Kabega  &  Co. Advocates – saying the directors thought the original lawyers were being compromised into an out of court  settlement. However, Mr McDusman Kabega  opposed  the  move last September  saying  the  directors from Alcon Kenya could not  issue  instructions  on behalf a Ugandan incorporated Alcon company, which  hired  his  firm. “From the above analysis, it is obvious to us that Alcon International Limited (Kenya) has no locus standi in (the case) filed on behalf  of Alcon International Limited (Uganda) still pending in our courts,â€Â� court  ruled. “Alcon Kenya has no power to  instruct any firm of advocates to take them over. 1 | 2 Next Page»It is Alcon Uganda which can do that. We  therefore uphold M/s Tumusiime, Kabega & Co Advocates  on behalf of Alcon Uganda. It is hereby ordered that the company  is  struck  off the record  of  Civil Appeal no. 2 of 2004.â€Â� They were also ordered to pay costs of the case.   The  decision was passed on Monday  by the Deputy Chief Justice, Laetitia Mukasa Kikonyogo,  together with Justices Galdino Okello and Amos Twinomujuni. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/727698/-/10efs3a/-/index.html","content":"Govt has no proof of Munyonyo ownership - MP - PARLIAMENT MEMBERS of Parliament heard on Thursday that the government has no share certificates to prove ownership of its Shs13.5 billion stake in the Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort, a joint venture with Meera Investments, owned by city businessman Sudhir Ruparelia. \"As we talk now, we don't own any shares in Munyonyo because there is no document showing that the government bought any shares. It's ridiculous that the government talks about withdrawing our money from Munyonyo when we don't even have proof that we own any money in the company,\" Mr Nandala Mafabi, the chairman of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee told colleagues at a session on Thursday. He said the government has not had share certificates since 2005 when it took up a 25 per cent share holding in Mr Ruparelia's company.    The revelation comes days after the government resolved to pull out its $7.5 million (about Shs13.5 billion) stake into the Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort. The Deputy Secretary to the Treasury, Mr Keith Muhakanizi, told the committee recently that the deal was not a \"long-term\" undertaking, but only struck for last year's Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Kampala. The committee has expressed grave concerns that as the deal stands, Meera Investments  can sue the government for breach of contract. Somalia asks Museveni  to intervene in  Kenya violence THE Prime Minister of Somalia, Mr Nur Adde Hassan Hussein, has appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to use his influence in the region to end the election violence in Kenya. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Hassan Hussein made the appeal on Saturday during a meeting with President Museveni in Addis Ababa on the sidelines of the 10th Ordinary African Union Summit. \"Your Excellency,  thousands of Somalis are trapped in Kenya. We fear that they will be killed in the ongoing tribal clashes and tribal cleansing, \" Mr Hussein said. Several leaders, who met President Museveni, made similar appeals. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/SportsColumnists/MarkSsali/-/805430/803646/-/33dw8ez/-/index.html","content":"Defending Africa - Joseph Desire Job and Francileudo dos Santos might beg to disagree, but defending at the African Cup of Nations has been better than first meets the eye. Cameron's Job was gifted two goals by a Zambian defence that was literally an insult to school boys, while Tunisia's dos Santos pounced on a piece of carelessness from South Africa's Nassief Morris that would make Tituts Bramble look like Fabio Cannavaro. Rather than use those moments to group African defences into the usual steroetype though, I would like to think that they were isolated incidents having looked at other outfits do a decent job that has however been overshadowed by some fantastic attack and breathtaking strikes. Here then is my case for the defence.  Ghana vs Nigeria  Arguably the biggest derby in African football, at international level that is, could be defined by Nigeria's potency and Ghana's lack of it, or the highly anticipated midfield duel between Black Star Michael Essien and his Chelsea teammate, Super Eagle John Obi Mikel. But I will not for one be shocked if the two protagonists' defences step out of the shadows to determine this game. Like at the 2006 World Cup, Ghana's eye catching midfield displays have had everyone forget how decent their defence is, making the back four a bunch of true unsung heroes yet again. In John Mensah they have arguably the best centre back at the tournament, but the big man from Rennes has got to be thankful to the versatile Eric Addo, his thinking, game reading partner. The two have barely put a foot wrong, in tandem with solid full backs John Pantsil and Hans Adu Sarpei. If Claude Le Roy chooses to retain holding midfielder Anthony Anan other than reinstate wide man Laryea Kingston, that back four will be protected and Nigeria will have their work cut out trying to penetrate. The Super Eagles themselves have been no slouches in defence, even if there is a lingering suspicion about their competence when teams attack them on the floor or when players go at them in one-on-ones. However, Joseph Yobo and Danny Shittu have been unbeatable in the air, and along with big full backs Taye Taiwo and Obinna Nwaneri they have the most physically imposing back four that should get help from holding midfielder Dickson Etuhu. Keepers Austin Ejide (Nigeria) and Richard Kingston have been solid, but well protected.  Egypt Going against the African norm, Egypt have for years used a 3-5-2 and perfected a system that has always provided defensive loopholes in the wide areas. For the Pharaohs, that 3-5-2 has always transformed itself into a 5-3-2 when they don't have the ball and are under attack, their three central defenders getting help from the wing backs. That central defence has only been breached by Samuel Eto'o and last gasp Chrsi Katongo, in both instances the lapses coming when Egypt had the game or qualification under wraps. The vastly experienced Wael Gomaa is the leader of the three-man central area watching over tough-tackilng Mahmoud Fatallah and either one of Hani Said and Mohammed Shady, while wing backs Sayed Mowaed and Ahmed Fathi have been the unsung heroes of this Egyptian side, back-tracking to help out, and storming forward to provide width and crosses for their more recognisable attacking teammates. Oh, and they have Africa's most consistent goalkeeper Al Hadari, never mind the lapses against Zambia.  Ivory Coast, Cameroon  Consistency and continuity pay huge dividends, and Ivory Coast has benefitted from having the same back four for years. Kolo Toure and Abdoulaye Meite form an impregnable central defence, flanked by workaholics Arthur Boka and Emannuel Eboue, and this back four is the envy of the entire tournament with the protection it gets from Didider Zokora and Yaya Toure. Ivory Coast's weakness has always been in goalkeeping where Jean-Jacques Tizie was a scandalous weak link and, even if Boubacar Barry has been a slight improvement, question marks still linger over that department. Cameroon on the other hand have shown creaks in their aging back four, but experience is invaluable and there has been steady improvement back there with Rigobert Song showing amazing longevity. The Indomitable Lions also boast Africa's number one shot stopper Carlos Kameni, and will be difficult to breach in the knockout phases. Defences have largely done their job in Ghana, and those that have failed have been sent home. But even among the departed, there were those that impressed like Namibia who decided in the absence of imposing individuals to rely on numbers."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/727138/-/4mvsp7/-/index.html","content":"After 22 years, we still could have done better - In some way President Yoweri Museveni now feels unappreciated, he’s complained about this before. The reminder of the original 27 armed men that went into the bush just can’t get to understand why many Ugandans can no longer appreciate their sacrifice. Gen. Elly Tumwine, he who is famed for firing the first shot at Kabamba on January 26, 1981 stormed out of a radio talk show where he had been invited to discuss the liberation struggle after 22 years of a promised fundamental change. Col Fred Mwesigye sat through an extra two hours in the studios of 933Kfm after the KFM Hot Seat last week in an intense debate over what some call a still-birth fundamental change but more appropriately the dangers of rolling back what was fought for. At Kololo Independence grounds on Saturday, President Yoweri Museveni laboured through figures of achievement but commentaries in newspapers talked less of the achievements, NRM activists are crying foul of an opposition that has adamantly chosen to blind itself of the vast achievements under Museveni. Well, when President Museveni came to power 22 years ago, the world, without exception had chosen to move forward and forward it has moved in large measure not as a result of deliberate effort but flowing with the tide. What role did politics play in this progress? Very little. In exceptional cases like Mozambique and Botswana the role played by politics has been evident because it has enabled those countries to stay afloat while the rest of sub Saharan Africa including Uganda remains stuck in the collection of “failedâ€Â� states. Over the last 22 years President Yoweri Museveni has benefited from a golden handshake from the people of Uganda to rule more or less on his terms in exchange for “leaving them aloneâ€Â� as they toiled to better their own lives. While Museveni has enjoyed the largest haul of taxes from Ugandans, more than triple donor monies including loans, grants and aid cuts, that received by all post independence and pre- Museveni regimes the evidence that this money has trickled down to benefit ordinary people is more less none existent. Roads are supposed to be the leveller in this.  Let’s ask where have the billions gone if nearly all have to pay for their own schooling, health care and when we still produce nearly as much power as was produced in 1986? Museveni’s biggest challenge as he starts his 23rd year in power is breach of the promise to democractise and allow for a smooth transition from himself to another leader. Freedoms are being rolled back and there is no transition in sight, then where is the fundamental change?"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/726870/-/vw2s9y/-/index.html","content":"Court summons Opposition MPs over Mabira case - KAMPALA TWO Members of Parliament, Betty Kamya (Rubaga North) and Susan Nampijja (Rubaga South), were on Friday summoned by court to explain why the persons they stood surety for following the anti-Mabira give-away riots have jumped bail. The summons came after prosecution led by the Resident State Attorney Carolyne Nabaasa informed Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate, Margaret Tibulya that the suspects are on the run. Ms Nabaasa said despite several orders to have the suspects arrested, police has failed to trace their whereabouts. When contacted on Friday, Ms Kamya also a leading personality in the Opposition Forum for Democratic Change, told Sunday Monitor that she is not aware of the summons. Sunday Monitor was not able to get a comment from MP Nampijja, who is a member of the Conservative Party that is led by her father, John Ken Lukyamuzi. The suspects are Mr Richard Ssobaka (Kawempe); Michael Kayiwa (Kawempe ); Kennedy Johnson Imanishimine (Mulago); Steven Hafasha (Kifumbira zone, Makindye) and Isaiah Mugisha( Kyebando Kisalosalo zone). The accused are facing charges of participating in a riot. They allegedly participated in the rioters demonstration against the proposed give-away of part of Mabira Central Forest Reserve to Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited. The suspects on the run are jointly charged with 22 other people, including two other Opposition MPs; Beatrice Atim Anywar and Hussein Kyanjo. The director of the National Association of Professional Environmentalists, Frank Muramuzi, Mr Lukyamuzi and Fred Mukasa Mbidde, the vice-chairman of the Uganda Young Democrats are facing the same charges. 1 | 2 Next Page»Prosecution claims that the suspects and others still at large, on April 12 conducted themselves in a manner that led to a breach of peace having unlawfully assembled on Kampala and Entebbe Roads respectively. The MPs are expected to appear before court on February 25. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/725774/-/guqkav/-/index.html","content":"Atubo, bankers disagree - PARLIAMENT Bankers have objected to  a proposal in the new Mortgage Bill 2007 that empowers the courts of law to intervene in mortgage contracts in case of a dispute between the parties. Appearing before the Physical Infrastructure Committee of Parliament on Monday, the bankers led by Mr Emmanuel Turyamuhika, the executive director of the Uganda Bankers Association, demanded that Section 34 of the Bill, which calls for court intervention be deleted, a proposal flatly rejected by Lands Minister Daniel Omara Atubo, the architect of the Bill. Mortgaging remains the principle form by which banks lend money for both commercial and personal loans. But the bankers argue that they could become victims of \"dubious\" court rulings if the Bill was passed in its present form. \"We are in a business and we don't want to have a law that will instead jeopardise the lending portfolios of banks. It's not necessary for courts to re-open mortgage contracts otherwise we are going to lose money unnecessarily through dubious court orders,\" Mr Turyamuhika said. However, Mr Atubo defended the government proposal saying court intervention was inevitable. \"We need courts to guide the process so that in case of any breach there should be a fall back position. We want to help this industry develop and if government is inviting courts, it's in public interest to have grievances resolved in an orderly manner,\" Mr Atubo argued. The Mortgage Bill 2007 was gazetted on Match 16 last year. and is currently being discussed at Committee level. The principal objective of the Bill is to consolidate the laws relating to Mortgages in the country. The existing law is presently dotted between the Mortgage Act (Cap 229).  Industry officials, however, say that despite the entry of new players such Standard Chartered and Stanbic Bank, the sector still faces challenges particularly the scarcity of medium to long-term funding. This has kept interest rates high, at an average of 18 per cent. 1 | 2 Next Page»To complement the Bill, the government recently reduced of VAT on sale of houses from 18 per cent to 5 per cent to boost the industry. But Bankers insist that if the Bill is passed without amendments, it would affect the mortgage industry and effectively bring it to a halt. Under the new Bill, in case of failure to pay the Mortgage, the Bill requires the banker to serve sale notices of the property to the borrower personally, his/her spouse, any leasing authority and even tenants in the property. But the bankers say the provision is \"impractical.\" Despite the challenges, however, MPs expect increased growth in the mortgage sector because the big banks are fleeing the securities market, where intense competition has reduced interest rates, for the less exploited mortgage market.Mr Ishaa Otto (Oyam South), said the market will only succeed when access to long-term finance is matched by an increase in housing stocks and high quality of building materials. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/725072/-/guqesm/-/index.html","content":"Govt sued over Shs1.6b debt - KAMPALA  Excel Construction Ltd has sued the government in a bid to recover Shs1.6 billion debt the latter owes it.In its case filed at the High Court's Commercial Division on January 4, the company claims on April 22, 2003 it entered into a contract with the ministry of Health to construct health centres in the districts of Kamuli and Kisoro.In the contract it was agreed that government would pay the company Shs3.5 billion for work done. The parties further agreed that the work would be completed within a period not exceeding one year.Excel Construction Ltd says it was entitled to payment for services rendered upon presentation of certificates for work that has been completed. It was further agreed that any late payments made by government would attract some interest that would be calculated following terms of the contract. Despite completing the job within the prescribed period, Excel now claims the government only made part payments leaving a balance of Shs1.6 billion including interest.It also claims it has a letter from the PS ministry of Health acknowledging government's indebtedness to the company amounting to Shs1.5 billion. But the company wrote to the PS and informed him the amount due is Shs1.6 including interest.Excel accuses the government of breach of contract and wants court to direct the government to pay general damages and costs. Court Registrar Thabious Opesen has given the government 30 days within which to file its response or else judgement would be made in its absense."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/724718/-/vw1dp3/-/index.html","content":"Monitor scribes in court - KIBULI/NAKAWA                               TWO senior Daily Monitor newspaper journalists got a rude welcome from their leave on Friday when state prosecutors dragged them to court over a story published about the IGG \"salary scandal\". News Editor Robert Mukasa and Chief Parliamentary Reporter Emmanuel Gyezaho, were charged in court with \"unlawful publication of defamatory matter\". The state contends in the charge sheet that on August 19, 2007 at the Monitor Publications Ltd offices, Namuwongo in Kampala, \"with intent to defame Lady Justice Faith Mwondha did unlawfully publish a defamatory article in Sunday Monitor paper captioned \"IGG in salary scandal\". The duo, Mr Mukasa and Mr Gyezaho, denied the charge. They were however, released on bail. After their month-long break, the two had earlier in the day reported to Kibuli Police CID headquarters in fulfillment of a police-bond condition. To their shock, the Deputy Commissioner [Crime], Mr Nobert  Opio, announced to them that the Director of Public Prosecutions had recommended their prosecution. Mr Opio promptly assigned a detective to haul the two scribes to court straight away. The charges against the duo stem from the August 19, 2007 Sunday Monitor expose that revealed that the Inspector General of Government, Justice Faith Mwondha, who is a judge of the High Court, was reported to have earlier retired from the public service but later got back onto the government payroll on permanent and pensionable terms; \"an action in breach of the public service regulations\". The paper exclusively broke the story of Justice Mwondha's salary scandal, after information from the Ministry of Finance indicated that the IGG had demanded to be paid a salary of a judge after basic salaries of judges were increased from Shs2, 583,000 per month to Shs4, 575,000 per month in December 2006; a pay rise that was backdated to July 2006. Mr Mukasa and Mr Gyezaho were produced at the Chief Magistrates Court at Nakawa in Kampala at 11:06 p.m and joined in a group of other noisy common suspects behind metallic bars in a begrimed holding cell where they stayed for nearly an hour most of the time looking pensive. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/800704/-/10w5lck/-/index.html","content":"Museveni’s  letter  to  Kabaka - Your Highness, the Kabaka, UNITY AND STABILITY OF OUR COUNTRY Greetings and Salutations toyou. I am writing to you in connection with the stability and good governance of our country.  As you know, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) defeated the dictatorships of Amin and Obote after many years of armed struggle.   In 1986, NRM took State power.  We rehabilitated the infrastructure, the economy and so on. That is why, for instance, goods and services which were in scarcity are now plentiful. In respect of the Traditional Leaders, through the Traditional Rulers (Restitution of Assets and properties) Act 93, we made it possible for areas of Uganda that so wished to restore or create these institutions.      In order to avoid past mistakes, however, as well as being in conformity with the modern principles of societal management, we  made it categorical  that the Traditional Leaders should never involve themselves in partisan politics. In the 1995 Constitution, this position was affirmed in the following words under Article 246 3(a)... (e)\"a person shall not while remaining a traditional leader or cultural leader, join or participate in partisan politics''. As soon as we entered into competitive politics in 1996, however, I started seeing people that were associated with the traditional institutions, especially in Buganda, making it their main business to take sides in political competition.   They, especially made it their business   to    oppose the    National    Resistance    Movement Government.      This trend was \"repeated in 2001.   In 2006, it became worse.    The Katikiro, Mr Dan Muliika, went to the extent of holding FDC rallies in Bulange and Kasubi tombs.  The Buganda Kingdom Radio, Central Broadcasting Services (CBS), was always misinforming the public about the NRM in particular.    Some months ago, I myself, by accident happened to listen to that radio falsely stating that I had clamored for a salary increase -\"Nanyinimu akayanira emere\". I asked Mr Kaaya- Kavuma, who is some official in that radio station, to demand an explanation.  He apologised and promised that the radio will not tell lies, again. A radio station or a newspaper owes it to the public to report only the truth. However, that radio has persisted in telling lies. One time there was a bye-election in Kalungu East and during the campaigns, CBS falsely alleged that \"Museveni yagula Radio stations eze Masaka zonna okumala ennaku bbiri obutatekako Mbidde\", to which our people protested again, but to no avail. On hearing about these lies, I contacted Mr Kaaya-Kavuma again who was in South Africa, then. He re-assured me that he would end these lies. Unfortunately, the lies are still ongoing. Since the economy is growing fast, sections of the population have got some money and they are investing in properties. As you can see, Kampala is now almost joining Entebbe, Mukono, Matugga and Nansana. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/799640/-/h053yj/-/index.html","content":"UEDCL  in court over Shs1.2b deal - Court Galleria in Africa Ltd, a transformer oil supplier, has sued the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (UEDCL) for revoking a contract it had awarded it to supply  creosol oil worth about $735,000 (about Shs1.3 billion). The company in its case filed at the High Court Commercial Division recently, is seeking damages over breach of contract and lost income. The case arises from adverts by UEDCL carried in various newspapers  asking companies to bid for the supply of 2,500 drums of creosol oil. The company claims it responded to the advert by submitting its bid on May 17 to which UEDCL replied on June 6 by awarding it the contract. \"This is to inform you that your bid for the supply of creosole oil has been accepted. A written contract is being drafted and shall be forwarded to you for your signature. You are required to confirm receipt of this letter and confirm that you are proceeding with processing for the supply of the required goods,\" read part of UEDCL's letter signed by its managing Director, Ms Irene Muloni. However, UEDCL later  communicated to Galleria suspending the entire procurement process, an action that the company says was unlawful. According to documents in Court, a UK based company, MS Rousant International UK, reportedly told UEDCL to review the contract awarded to Galleria. 1 | 2 Next Page»The company  claims that the terms and conditions of the contract were duly concluded by UEDCL accepting their  bid. It claims UEDCL's action has caused it to suffer loss, incur expenses  and inconvenience for which it is demanding special damages of more than $263,000 (about Shs457.5 million) among other costs. The Court Registrar, Mr Vincent Mugabo, has given UEDCL 15 days to file its defence. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/798320/-/3cmucgz/-/index.html","content":"December 1 SMS Feedback - Should government amend the Land Act to protect tenants? If the law courts are deliberately excluded from adjudicating land matters in order to get at the landlords, where will the peasants run to when the minister of lands evicts them from their land? Kiwanuka, Mengo Even if it were in good faith, our government has lost the moral authority to handle issues of land. Almost all generals have evicted tenants in questionable circumstances. Stephen Mwesigwa Government should look for better and different options than amendments because we shall amend year after another as matters of land continue to be tense. Robinson N. Kwatsibwe, LDC Amend the land Act to protect tenants aah! Why doesn’t  government give them the land fund to buy it. I think that is the guarantee for ownership. Senyonjo Rogers, KIU With this Museveni government full of so-called \"good\" policy implementors, I doubt the success of this proposal. Amendment of the land act in favour of tenants is good but I doubt the success. Joseph Oima, Kumi If the Minister of Lands excludes the judiciary from adjucating land matters in order to get at the landlords, where will the minister appeal when the landlords sue him for nationalising their property and breach of the constitution? Kiwanuka, Mengo Yes, the government should amend the land Act as a short term solution to land wrangles and then the referendum comes after as a long term solution. Susen Nabaasa The fact that the landlords have been allowing tenants/squatters on their land in the absence of the proposed Land Act amendment shows that it’s irrelevant. We should all combine with Buganda to resist it at all costs. If we relax that it’s a Buganda issue, we shall wake up to find that it’s our land which was being aimed at. The government can settle the Balaalo issue by resettling them where they originated. Sam Okello, Soroti If the amendment is in good faith why nationalise only Buganda land? Mukasa, Kampala 1 | 2 Next Page»The proposed land law is ill intentioned. It aims at nationalising land only in Buganda. It makes the minister of lands the authority on land ownership. Anonymous « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/798096/-/w1erxs/-/index.html","content":"Chogm  guides  to sue tour company - MASAKA Over 600 people who were recruited and trained to serve as tour guides and drivers during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting but never got the promised jobs are suing their contractor. Mr Fred Ssekitto and Mr Godfrey Dimirire, shop keepers in Masaka Town and part of the aggrieved group, said they had been recruited by Chogm Tour Agents Uganda Limited. The group is seeking compensation for the time and money spent on training and other preparations. They are suing the company directors for alleged breach of contract. Mr Ssekitto told Daily Monitor  they responded to an advertisement on CBS radio in April this year in which the tour company wanted people who wished to train as tour agents and those who owned good cars. He said Mr Godfrey Sseguya Kayibanda, a comedian on CBS, and Mr Darius Jingo, a Kampala businessman, are some of the company directors. The group said they spent several days at Nakivubo Settlement in Kampala, undergoing specialised training in customer care and hospitality, tourist destinations and attractions in Uganda, customer approach, fast decision making, judgement and learning about Commonwealth countries. \"We were made to buy uniforms. We paid registration fees and paid for all the training including a trip to the Queen Elizabeth National Park which cost Shs120,000,\" the group wrote. They claim they were on November 22 issued with Chogm identity cards but  later told the tour company was not recognised. \"Police chased us away as if we were criminals,\" they wrote. When contacted Mr Kayibanda said the group was unfair to take legal action against his company because he too had suffered a big loss. \"We did win the tender for transporting the Chogm guests across the country. We were surprised when it was withdrawn by the government at the  last moment. We too are considering suing the government,\" he said. “Those people should join us in doing so.\""}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/797914/-/jyiy34z/-/index.html","content":"Haco to lose billions in Bic Court ruling - Uganda has no law against counterfeits leaving the courts with little room to block the sale of counterfeits NAIROBI A COURT ruling recently ordering the release of counterfeit ball point pens worth billions of shillings into the regional market has brought into sharp focus the ever thorny matter of consumer goods quality assurance in an integrated regional market. The 1.2 million Bic pens worth more than Shs4.3 billion million were reportedly shipped to Uganda from China. Kenya's Haco Industries, which manufactures Bic pens for the regional market under a license from France, claims the sale of imported pens in Uganda is in breach of the franchise it holds. Haco claims, the contested consignment was manufactured illegally in China and imported to Uganda-a market it serves through its Kenya operations. With the Ugandan court ruling, there is fear that the counterfeit pens imported by White Showman will enter Haco's key Kenyan market where there is no anti-counterfeit law. Uganda, like Kenya, has no law against counterfeits leaving the courts with little room to block their sale in the regional market. Haco says the ruling on October 29, was made in their absence. Mr Anthony Mburu, a director at Haco said the case was listed for hearing on November 6 but was dismissed last month in their absence. The only safeguard regional manufacturers are waiting for is the  East African Community Standard Quality Mark Act, but local manufacturers have to wait until January to get the protection that it offers against counterfeits. A trade crisis has, however, been looming over fears that slow certification process could lock out a wide range of goods from entering the Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. The Act - which aims to ensure that all goods circulating in the regional market have been tested and passed as fit for consumption - has harmonised quality standards in the regional bloc. \"Goods originating from South Africa for example have quality assurance marks \"Proudly South Africa\" affixed on them clearly showing their origin,\" Mr Mburu said. The consumer confidence that comes from such identification has enabled South Africa to dominate the retail shelves in the Southern Africa Development Corporation (SADC) trading bloc. Over the past five years, the EAC has been grappling with quality assurance within its territory and the passing of the Standard Quality Mark Act is being seen as the first step towards curbing trade in counterfeit and substandard goods in the region. As the January date draws closer, there has been fear that Kenyan goods may be blocked from entering the regional market because only 150 out of the more than 1,500 products that the country exports to its neighbours. This compares poorly with Tanzania's 1,500 and Uganda's 900 registered brands. This level of product registration means that more than 1,000 Kenyan brands may not enter Tanzania and Uganda- the country's key trading partners. Adapted from Business Daily"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/797492/-/h03nvr/-/index.html","content":"Firm denies liability in Wava Chogm case - KAMPALA The case filed by Spear Motors Ltd over the Chogm car deal yesterday took a new twist when one of the sued companies asked the Commercial Court to drop it from the list of defendants. Spear Motors Ltd sued government jointly with two partner companies - Motor Care (U) Ltd and Inter Care (U) Ltd over breach of a Euros 1.31 million (about Shs2.3 billion) contract to supply executive vehicles for use during the Chogm.However, before the case could be heard early this week, Inter Care (U) Ltd filed an application with an objection that it is not in partnership with Motor Care (U) Ltd. ***image1***Mr Peter Kawuma of Kiwanuka, Karugire and Co Advocates who represented the company, told Commercial Court Justice Lameck Mukasa that the case can not stand against it because they were not  given copies of the summons.He said the fact that Court summons asking the defendants to file their defence were given to Motor Care Ltd meant his clients were not a party to the case.He said Inter Care (U) Ltd entered into contract with government to lease out its executive cars unlike Motor Care (U) Ltd, which sells the vehicles.He said the two companies were contracted to carry out different businesses.\"In the case, Spear Motors alleges that the matter is filed against names of the two companies in partnership, but the law says where persons are sued in the names of any firm, copies of summons should be given to both of them,\" Mr Kawuma.However, Spear Motors Ltd lawyer, Mr Christopher Bwanika dismissed Kawuma's arguments saying Inter Care (U) Ltd and Motor Care (U) Ltd are sued jointly as companies that are in partnership and in joint venture business.He asked Court to dismiss the application and allow the case to proceed on merit.Spear Motors in its case claims that in March, the Ministry of Works and Transport asked various companies to bid for the supply of the vehicles. However,  the partner companies participated in the bid without a valid trading license contrary to the law.The ministry later asked the the two companies to produce  a valid license, which they did to win the tender, but Spear Motors claims this was done after the tender was awarded to Spear Motors and that it was in breach of  procurement laws."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/-/689856/796128/-/10ru8ixz/-/index.html","content":"The Ebonies: from music group to theatre outfit - It is hard to talk about the Ugandan entertainment landscape without mentioning the Ebonies. Over the last 25 years, the group has built a cross-generational fan base. Some will remember it as the music group whose lead singer Jimmy Katumba sounded so much like the US country singer, Jim Reeves. Others will remember it by the singing gems like Stella Nanteza, Joyce Nakimuli and Vicky Kabali it nurtured. TV viewers will remember it as the outfit that brought us the hit TV drama series That's Life, Mwattu in the '90s. It is the one that turned people like Sam Bagenda (Dr Sam Bbossa), the late Paul Katende (Dr Dick Walusimbi), Rose Kamya (Vicky) and Harriet Nalubwama (Nakawunde) into local celebrities. Others will remember the group for yielding teenage celebrities like Gavin Seth and Rita Tusubira (Olga), two of the stars in the Ebonies other drama Bibaawo, These Things Happen, which was laden with HIV/Aids prevention tips for the youth. Transformation It does not matter that the bulk of its current fan base cannot relate to songs like Twalina Omukwano or Congratulations, two of The Ebonies' hits from its early days. The group is currently known for its stagecraft having morphed from a singing group to a theatre group in 1996 after most of its singing members moved on with their lives. Some had predicted the group's demise following these departures but like the legendary Phoenix, the Ebonies did rise from these ashes. The Ebonies now have 10 plays to their name. The titles include The Plot (1996), Dollar-The Queen (1997), Daisy (1998), The Boss (1999), The Diamond Ring (2000), The Victim (2001), Star Trouble (2001), Agony & Ecstasy (2002), Inextricable Dilemma (2003) and Excruciating Conundrum, which ends today after showing for one year with a record 301 shows. Their new drama, Obnoxious Abomination, Mbuukuuli will premiere next month. The group's forte is highlighting social ills and unlike theatre groups that restrict their performances to the Kampala area, the Ebonies make it a point to stage their plays in upcountry venues in their \"take theatre to the people\" initiative. Bagenda who doubles as the group's publicist explains why the group prefers to crusade social maladies. \"We tackle social problems because we believe theatre is a mirror of society. We make sure our plots are challenging and convincing,\" says Bagenda. The group has tackled excessive insatiable human greed in Dollar-The Queen, while Daisy put the rot in the health service sector under the microscope. The same play highlighted the plight of widows at the hands of hostile in-laws. Corruption in the police force and judicial system was the focus in The Victim while top dogs that are saints by day and crooks by night were exposed in The Boss. The psychological torture convicts on death row endure was the focus on the tear-jerking Inextricable Dilemma. Bagenda says that the group does not write mystical tales set in fictitious kingdoms but about things that do happen or could happen in Uganda. \"Our portrayal of prostitution and child sacrifice in Agony and Ecstasy brought these two vices to the fore especially to people who thought these things did not affect them directly,\" explains Bagenda who has been with the Ebonies since 1985. Kelvin Nsangi, an Ebonies fans seems to agree. \"There is this incident in their current play where a doctor is in a dilemma over whether to tell his friend that the girl he is dating has HIV/Aids. She is his patient and telling his friend would mean a breach of patient-doctor confidentiality,\" says Nsangi who has watched most of the group's plays. Critics But some critics have taken a swipe at the group for filling their plots with complicated story lines that are only unravelled at the end. Some of them last over five hours which some feel is too long for a play. Mr Joseph Walugembe, the Acting Director at the National Theatre and a renowned theatre guru says the group at times uses sets that are too expressionistic. \"They are made to look very big and at times cloud the idea. They get credit for effective use of suspense but it is watered down most times by long narrations at the end in trying to explain the story,\" says Walugembe. Bagenda agrees that the plays are long. \"It is true our plays are long but the whole point in watching a play is you must stay until the end. We vary the emotions as a way of not tiring the audience. We feature a careful balance of laughter, suspense, fear, reflection and condemnation of the bad guys by the time the play is over,\" explains Bagenda. He adds that the complicated storylines are a sign of artistic excellence. Mr Walugembe also has a problem with the use of a video screen to portray scenes that cannot be played out on stage. \"I think it limits the writer. Stage drama has techniques that can make what is invisible become visible in the minds of the audience without using the screen. Bagenda says that the use of the screen is their distinguishing mark. \"That is our style and we think it enhances the delivery of our message. We also use music to enhance the dialogue and action in the plays,\" Bagenda explains. Walugembe credits the groups with having great backstage discipline. \"The actors always know where they should be and come make their stage entrances on cue which is something other groups can learn from,\" says Bagenda. As for the numerous departures that have hit the group, Bagenda says it an occurrence that is not unique to the group. \"It is something that happens to all groups but we recruit talent all the time. People are free to move on when their priorities in life change,\" he says. The group has nurtured new talent that is destined to be as good as the ones that left. They include former Perfect Generations singer Simon Base Kalema, Fauziah Nakiboneka, Raymond Rushabiro, Paul Jingo and Juliet Underwood. New home And having wandered about like homeless children the group has now acquired Sharing Youth Centre in Nsambya as their new home. \"We needed to be anchored somewhere. There are times we want to put on shows in Kampala but cannot because all the other theatres are overbooked,\" says Bagenda. The group had Theatre Excelsior (now Bat Valley Theatre) as its base in from the 1987 to 1992 when its former Asian owners repossessed it. That was the period The Ebonies were known for musical performances that carried tongue-twisting titles like Exquisitus Titilatus, Exhilaratus Debonaire, La Bonheur Eternelle, Aestheticus Luxuriance and Voracious Internuncio."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/794446/-/10iofok/-/index.html","content":"Bogere sticks to his guns - Embattled army Member of Parliament Col. Fred Bogere insists he is “entitled to his opinionâ€Â� despite warnings from the UPDF establishment that the soldier could be punished for refusing to vote for the passage of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, which contains the proposal to lift presidential term limits. “Everybody is entitled to his opinion,â€Â� Bogere said guardedly yesterday when asked if his position will not bring him into trouble with the military leadership. “What I did was in broad daylight.â€Â� He said, “I wouldn’t like to give a comment now because I gave my ‘comment’ on that day (of voting) when there were two contesting sides and I decided to take a middle line.â€Â� Last Tuesday, Col. Bogere abstained from voting on the motion to commit the Bill to the committee stage saying he did not want to take a partisan position since he belonged to a national army. All the nine army representatives voted in favour of the motion, which received the support of 232 MPs. The overwhelming show of numbers was widely interpreted to have confirmed that Parliament would eventually remove term limits from the Constitution, a move that is seen to be meant to allow President Museveni to contest for office in 2006, when his current term expires, and beyond. On reports that his actions in Parliament could be interpreted as a snub on the government side, which has pushed the proposal to lift the term limits, Bogere said, “Can the opposition say they have got an extra vote? Will they say they had 50 votes, now they have 51?â€Â� But the Defence and Army spokesman, Lt. Col. Shaban Bantariza, said yesterday that army MPs are “not free to take personal decisionsâ€Â� on any issue in the House. He said all the MPs knew very well of the Army position on the Bill. “If Col. Bogere, Afande Aronda (Nyakairima, the Army Commander) or Afande Phinehas Katirima (Lt. Col.) has a personal opinion, he brings it to the Army Council or Army MPs’ caucus, whichever is nearer,â€Â� he said. “The merits and demerits are discussed and we take a position.â€Â� 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/793764/-/h00xvu/-/index.html","content":"Mulago snubs gas contract - MULAGO Referral Hospital board of directors snubbed a contract with BOC Gases, a Kenyan-based company, which supplied them with a 6,000-litre permanent liquid gas tank. The directors led by the Chairman. Dr. Jack Luyombya, said they needed time to rectify some issues in the contract and the time given to them was little. \"We need time to understand certain issues in the contract. Should Mulago become autonomous where it can sue and be sued the board of directors will be responsible for any breach of contract,\" Luyombya said. According to the contract, BOC Gases would rent out the tank to Mulago, ensure proper maintenance and constantly supply oxygen to the hospital. BOC also wants exclusive custody of the supply of liquid oxgyen to Mulago Hospital. The board failed to agree to this last demand saying that the government of Uganda liberalised the economy, which encourages competition. \"If Mulago finds another supplier of liquid gas who may be cheaper what do we do,\" Luyombya said. What was not also clear to the board in the contract is that in case a new supplier arises, its not mentioned whether that supplier will need a tank since the current one is owned by BOC Gases. Other contentions included the fluctuating prices on the international market, which brings variations in the exchange rates. And also the board wants to know who would be responsible to supervise and audit the tank. Mr John Kariuki, the Managing Director of BOC Gases, responding to the contract said his company has had a 40-year working relationship with Mulago Hospital. \"We are ready to work closely with Mulago to ensure that the bulk tank system is properly maintained and that there will be supply of oxygen to the hospital, enough to carry on up to three-four days after the refilling signal passes,\" Kariuki said. BOC is investing 85 percent of the total Shs220 million capital in the project the rest (15 percent) is by Mulago Hospital. The board, however, commission the facility, which has already been operating for the past 5-6 months. \"So far the results have been good and Mulago Hospital will never run out of gas. At least we shall be having enough gas to take us for two months before they refill,\" Dr. Lawrence Kaggwa, the hospital Director, said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/793220/-/jylvt8z/-/index.html","content":"Sugar: Uganda could shun EU for regional markets - UGANDA may have missed out on its quota to supply the EU with sugar under the EU-ACP sugar protocol, but instead, the country is being urged to look to regional markets. \"Why should we be preparing only for the EU market? EBA [Everything But Arms market access initiative] is unilateral and can be removed. What will countries depending on the EU do then? We do not have to export to the EU as one market. Markets around us could even be better. Look at the Eastern DRC, Southern Sudan, North Western Kenya, Northern Tanzania and Rwanda,\" said Mr. Cyprian Batala, Assistant Commissioner for Trade, Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry. Batala, who is in charge of the country's sugar sector, was reacting to calls from participants at a workshop for Uganda to increase its sugar production and take advantage of the preferential market access opportunities offered by the European Union (EU). The workshop, held last week at the Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel in Entebbe, was organised by the Germany-based Church Development Services (EED) and Consumer Education Trust (CONSENT), a local consumer organisation. Under the theme: \"Whose sugar market? Building bridges between North and South,\" the workshop pitted a delegation from Germany, composed of farmers (enjoying subsidies), sugar processors and civil society activities against local industry stakeholders and some opponents of EU agricultural policies that grant trade-distorting subsidies. Regional markets The call to take advantage of local markets comes at a time when the EU is in advanced stages of carrying out far-reaching reforms in its agricultural sector, following pressure from the poor southern hemisphere. Developing countries accuse the block of 25-member states of creating barriers to its market through heavily subsidising its farmers in addition to quotas on imports. Under the Cotonou Partnership Agreement (CPA) signed between the EU and Africa Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, the EU undertook to offer the developing countries (ACP) preferential market access as well as aid. Protocol 3 of the CPA governs EU-ACP sugar trade relationship under which the EC undertook for an indefinite period, to purchase and import at guaranteed prices, specific quantities of cane sugar, from ACP states. While Uganda was originally amongst beneficiary states, the so called Sugar Protocol Countries, the country was struck off the list because it did not have capacity to supply 5,000 million tonnes (mt) of sugar per annum allocated to it. In 2001, the EU introduced the unilateral market access arrangement, the so-called Everything But Arms (EBA). Under the initiative, Least Developed Countries are allowed to access the EU market duty and quota free, except for arms and ammunitions. However, three products; bananas, rice and sugar are exempted from tariffs until 2006 for bananas and 2009 for rice and sugar. It is understood that local sugar producers have been urged to increase production so as to take advantage of the EBA initiative in 2009 and beyond. Currently, the Uganda's sugar production capacity can only satisfy about three quarters of its total projected needs, equivalent to 205,000mt (2004). The country requires 250,000mt. The shortfall is imported. Reforms However, two developments in the last two years unfolded with implications for the CPA and EBA. In July 2004, the EC proposed to reform the EU sugar regime with a 2.8 million metric tonnes quota reduction and price cuts of about one third. In September 2004, a World Trade Organisation (WTO) panel ruled that the EU was in breach of its export subsidy commitments as it was exporting 1.6mmt of sugar annually with subsidies, an amount equivalent to its ACP preferential commitments. Mr Emmanuel Mutahunga, the Senior Commercial Officer with the ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry, has a word of caution to players in the Ugandan sugar industry and countries eyeing the EU market. \"These rulings [WTO] complicate the sugar reform debate. It is not yet clear how the EC will adapt the sugar reform proposals to take into account the WTO panel. Commitments to the ACP and LDCs will be maintained, though at a post-reform price of EUR (euros) 329 per metric tonnes (raw sugar); the EU becomes a much less attractive market.\" Mutahunga said last week that that the solution should be to reform the local industry through improvement in efficiency to be better prepared to enjoy the lucrative EU market. But some industry stakeholders think beyond efficiency improvement and want a comprehensive industry framework to address production, marketing, trade and other aspects of the industry. \"We are lobbying for enactment of the sugar policy. It should address everything, including labour rights, privatisation, market and exports,\" said Mr Joram Pajobo, Member of Parliament (Workers). Uganda neither has a policy on sugar nor a law to operationalise the same. The country was also kicked out of the International Sugar Organisation (ISO)."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/793396/-/b0i299z/-/index.html","content":"Chogm cars and underwear! - About two years ago, one of Kampala's more elegant mass-market shops got a rather unusual browser. He picked and pocketed some underwear, but did not pay. The man instantly became Uchumi's most famous customer! The story had its humurous turns and twists; but it also made one reflect on the importance of that indispensable little garment, which confines one's most intimate parts so that one may have some dignity. Even our fashionable mimic women, who have reduced nether cover minimalism to an arrangement of two or three lousy strings (sumo wrestlers are grossly overdressed), would generally not go out without underwear. And, yes, ekimansulo; it can be said that one reason why professional striptease artistes perform naked is so that they may buy quality underwear. Contemplating such contradictions sometimes illuminates seemingly unrelated human dramas. Take the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting due to be hosted by Uganda in November. Everybody is expected to contribute to the success of Chogm. By November, every visitor should get the impression that Uganda is a clean and beautiful country - and at last competently governed by enlightened leaders, marching into a bright economic future. The capital, Kampala, is getting some of its notorious potholes patched up. Coffin workshops (death be damned) and dirty kiosks will be removed from the roadsides of the Entebbe-Kampala highway. And I fear it may be declared a serious offence for a citizen to take Chogm dignitaries or foreign journalists to the frighteningly squalid back-streets in Mulago, Kireka, Kisenyi, Katanga, Bwaise, Kawempe, Mengo or Makindye, all of which are within a five- mile radius from the magnificent Serena Hotel. However, Uganda's work for a dignified façade is leaving the leaders utterly exposed. For some odd reason, the establishment seems to believe that it is operating in a private room, and the November guests cannot see or hear anything now. Otherwise how can they spray so much hype and at the same time tolerate the Chogm car shame? Last year, it transpired that standard procurement regulations had been bent in the bidding process for the cars, ostensibly because of the \"urgency\" to get this key item on course. But since then, the cars have been an interminable tug-of-war between two potential suppliers and their respective political backers. 1 | 2 Next Page»The President, who was recently reported to have intervened in a quite mundane dispute involving a Ugandan vet, a European \"investor\" and a small (Shs90 million) ranch, appears to have only publicly weighed in on the multi-billion-shilling car deal after gross financial loss was assured. About a week ago, while reporting - not to Ugandan taxpayers - but to the Commonwealth Secretary General, Mr Don Mckinnon, the President said that the government had decided to rent (instead of buy) the cars, because it was cheaper. Maybe it was a great discovery; but after so long? Moreover, how good is \"cheaper\"? Taxpayers will hand out Shs9 billion for renting about 150 vehicles! Allowing a week or two (for checks and other administrative purposes) before and after Chogm, the cars would be retained for - at the most - four weeks. With more than Shs9 billion, each vehicle would have been rented for a cool Shs60 million ($35,000)! Furthermore, Spear Motors, which had temporarily \"won\" the outright purchase deal, has threatened to sue for breach of contract. Litigation costs, a possible court award or an out of court settlement could hit taxpayers with a double multi-billion punishment. How then was the (pro-rent) chairman of the overarching Chogm organising committee, Vice President Gilbert Bukenya helping? Prof. Bukenya and the government allowed an awkward drawn out competition between the extravagance of outright buying and the absurdity of renting at inflated cost, until an exhausted public accepted the lesser evil as \"reasonable\". Other car dealers would have probably handled this deal for less than Shs3 billion. Commonwealth countries have diplomats and expatriates based in Uganda, watching this dance of \"naked\" men. And there is the Internet. When you add the truly vulgar ongoing dance over Kampala's markets, many must be thinking that if Uganda has a full-time government, then it could do with some underwear. altacca@yahoo.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/792040/-/10imxw8/-/index.html","content":"Besigye defies army court - KAMPALA Forum for Democratic Change leader Kizza Besigye has said he will  neither respect nor honour the army court’s latest summons for him to appear  before it over charges of terrorism and illegal possession of  firearms. “My rights and freedoms have already been abused and violated by the  same institution. I was in prison illegally for about three weeks on  orders of that institution,â€Â� Dr Besigye told Daily Monitor yesterday. He added, “I will not, and I cannot, willfully subject myself to a  violation of my rights and freedoms. Therefore, they can use their force to  continue to violate my rights, but I will not willfully subject myself  to that violation. I will do everything in my power to resist that  heinous violation.â€Â� The New Vision yesterday reported that summons were served to Besigye’s  lawyers on March 1 for him to appear in the army court on March 15. The General Court Martial Chairman, Gen. Elly Tumwine, last Thursday  ordered Besigye to appear before him and the 22 men he is charged with on  March 15. When he was told that the lawyers representing Besigye and the 22 men  had refused to appear before the army court, whose jurisdiction they  have refused to recognise, Tumwine said he would still go ahead with the  proceedings. “It is the duty of the defence lawyers to defend their clients,â€Â� he  said. “In the event that they don’t turn up to represent their client,  this court will go ahead to hear the evidence from the prosecution and  thereafter deliver its verdict.â€Â� 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/791710/-/10imf0l/-/index.html","content":"Besigye rape verdict pushed to tomorrow - KAMPALA DR KIZZA Besigye has a tight schedule tomorrow; court will hand down  his rape verdict and his lawyers will file the petition challenging  President Museveni’s re-election, a day after Ugandans in 12 municipalities  and the five divisions of Kampala elect their mayors and division  chairmen. The government announced Monday, Wednesday (International Women’s Day)  and Friday public holidays to allow Ugandans return to the polls to  elect mayors and division chairmen. Besigye’s rape verdict, which was planned to be handed down today, was  in effect pushed to tomorrow to give way to the planned election today. The High Court Deputy Registrar, Mr Paul Gadenya, told Daily Monitor  that he expects the trial Judge, Justice John Bosco Katutsi, to deliver  the verdict tomorrow. While announcing the public holidays, the Minister of State for  Information Dr James Nsaba Buturo told Daily Monitor yesterday; \"All these  elections are very important for local development and we want all  Ugandans of voting age to participate. This will enable them go out in big numbers and vote for their  leaders.\" He said Cabinet would discuss and make it a policy to make all  election days public holidays. \"It might not happen now but this might be  government's plan to make it a policy. Many people don't take these local  elections as important. So we want them to value democracy ushered in  by the NRM government,\" he said. He said the Ministry of Public Service would issue a circular so that  all Ugandans are aware. \"This will also be announced on all radios  countrywide for all people to know. The announcements will have to be made  so that the election is not affected,\" he said. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/791672/-/4r3j31/-/index.html","content":"Gen. Muhwezi criticises Museveni on corruption - RICHARD WANAMBWA KAMPALA FORMER Health Minister Jim Muhwezi, who is facing trial on corruption related charges, has said his former boss President Yoweri Museveni, is using government offices to fight political opponents. Maj. Gen. Muhwezi, was dropped from cabinet in the wake of the Global Fund scandal. He has however filed a petition in the Constitutional Court arguing that the Inspector General of Government, who caused his arrest, was not acting independently but with the influence of the President. One of the contentions of the IGG, Faith Mwondha, is that Gen. Muhwezi had breached the Leadership Code. If found guilty, a breach of the code means he [Muhwezi] cannot hold political office for at least 5 years- effectively neutralising him as a political force, within or outside his party NRM. \"Competent institutions must be firm to investigate and once there is evidence the people will respect the decisions taken other than political decisions\" Gen. Muhwezi said. Taking a swipe at Mr Museveni's anti-corruption campaign in his new term, he said it was also corruption for the President to hunt down political opponents in the guise of fighting graft. \"People begin to read between the lines that there are other motives which are of a political nature. Those are some of the things that undermine the fight against corruption,\" Gen. Muhwezi said. Gen. Muhwezi did not however say that he was a political opponent of Mr Museveni. The political scene has been rife with talk of an alliance between Gen. Muhwezi and other NRM insiders with the largest opposition party, the FDC. One variation of this talk, of fallout within NRM, is that Gen. Muhwezi and others are contemplating a new political party. \"These allegations are totally false, it's a continuation of the conspiracy by some people whose operations are led by [Charles] Rwomushana whose creditability and integrity in these matters is zero\" Gen. Muhwezi asserted. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Rwomushana is an employee of State House and reportedly runs its desk on political intelligence. He is also a local politician opposed to Gen. Muhwezi in Rukungiri District. Gen. Muhwezi said, Mr Rwomushana, a state employee, was also responsible for newspaper stories that linked him to Dr Kizza Besigye, who twice challenged Museveni for the top job. Mr Rwomushana has accused Gen. Muhwezi of directly funding FDC, a charge Muhwezi denies. Mr Rwomushana claims FDC received over Shs300 million from Gen. Muhwezi and that the Maj. Gen is being considered as an FDC Presidential candidate in 2011. \"He [Jim Muhwezi] has remained inside to fight NRM from with in,\" Mr Rwomushana said in an earlier interview. Mr Rwomushana has also said that an \"Ankole clique\" made up of Maj. Gen Kahinda Otafire, Maj. Amanya Mushega, Mr Richard Kaijuka together with Muhwezi had a long standing ambition to wrest political power from Mr Museveni. As evidence, Mr Rwomushana argues that the group is attempting to discredit government from within. \"They desperately want to control politics, control money after Museveni has left because they failed to do it when he is still in power,â€Â� Mr Rwomushana said in a separate interview. In 2003, shortly after Mr Rwomushana publicly accused Mr Eriya Kategaya of plotting a protest against Mr Museveni, he [Kategaya] was dropped from cabinet. The current accusations against Gen. Muhwezi and others could have a similar aim, to distance the group from Mr Museveni and his supporters in government. Despite the allegations on both sides, the issue of a new political alliance, involving NRM insiders like former EAC Secretary General Maj. Amanya Mushega, Local Government MinisterMaj.Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, and ex-Planning Minister Mr Richard Kaijuka and others has remained just a political rumour. However when asked by this reporter if he would support a “fourth termâ€Â� for President Museveni, Gen. Muhwezi said he did not think the President was standing as an NRM candidate in 2011. Gen. Muhwezi is a member of NRM's Central Executive Committee and chairman of NRM Rukungiri District. He is also a co-founder of the party. He was very instrumental in recruiting many people into National Resistance and the reason hehas remained hugely popular in the area. He has since been a very committed cadre lof the movement until his latest woes with government.               « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/-/688324/790690/-/bpsmhi/-/index.html","content":"Makerere ignores Prof. Mujaju's report - Professor Mahmood Mamdani    In Part II of the serialisation of Professor Mahmood Mamdani 2006 book titled Scholars in the Market Place - The Dilemmas of Neo-Liberal Reforms at Makerere University 1989-2005 - we look at how Makerere bosses chose to ignore the famous Prof. Akiiki Mujaju's recommendations about the appointment and qualifications of lecturers and how this impacted on quality. Probably the largest number of part-time staff was employed in the Faculty of Arts. I say probably because Faculty documents do not contain comprehensive figures. Nor were Coordinators always willing to answer questions about the staff teaching their Programs. One was left to piece together fragmentary evidence from different sources. The Faculty Board of Arts resolved at its meeting of 8 January 1999 to normalize part-time teaching by inviting \"part-time lecturers to Faculty Board meetings as well as involving them in Faculty activities.\" We can get an idea of the rapid increase in part-time staff by comparing the roll of attendance at two Faculty Board meetings. The meeting of 22 July 1999 recorded 128 members of academic staff; of these, 23 (18%) were part-timers. A year later, on 29 August 2000, the Board minutes record a total of 165 members; of these, 45 (27%) were part-timers. The Board was alarmed that a growing number of its core staff was officially still part-time even though \"some staff members had served for 10 years without confirmation.\" The Faculty Board decided to review its part-time staff in September 2000, and asked all Heads of Departments to prepare lists for this purpose. The Faculty distinguished \"permanent staff\" (regular staff who may be teaching private courses on contract) from \"part time staff within the Faculty\" from \"part-time staff from outside the Faculty/University.\" As of 2 August, 2002, the Faculty list recorded 89 \"external part-timers\" and ranked them as Professor and Associate Professor (2), Senior Lecturer (3), Lecturer (17), Assistant Lecturer (22), Teaching Assistant (42) and Instructor (3) - supervised by 17 coordinators. Interestingly, the system of coordinators, which had begun with private programs, had now spread to \"government\" programs, such as languages (German, Luganda, Lwo, French) and to the core Arts discipline of Music, Dance and Drama (MDD). The growth in part-time staff was directly related to a decline in the level of formal training of teaching staff. We have three different sets of figures for part-time staff working in the Faculty of Arts, the first two for 2002, and the final for 2004. The first set concerns only 'external' part time staff and is compiled from interviews with different program coordinators: Table 8 External Part-Time Staff Hired by Department, Faculty of Arts, 2001/2002 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/790150/-/10ill38/-/index.html","content":"CID summons Besigye - KAMPALA The Criminal Investigations Directorate of the Police has summoned Forum for Democratic Change leader Kizza Besigye over lifting the lid of an unsealed ballot box on Election Day. Dr Besigye, who was captured by newspaper photographers waving the lid of the ballot box at the polling station from which he voted in Rukungiri, was on Thursday afternoon served with a letter asking him to appear before the CID for questioning, his envoy, Ms Beti Kamya, said yesterday. \"Dr Besigye received the summons through me; the letter was signed by the CID chief, Ms Elizabeth Kuteesa,\" she said. \"She was asking him to appear before the CID today [Friday] at 10a.m., but I asked them to reschedule the questioning because he had already planned for the day.\" 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/787588/-/w0rnmr/-/index.html","content":"Former Iraq guards sue contractor over breach of contract, sue - Dreshak International a major recruiter of Ugandan guards for work in Iraq - is the target of a slew of pending litigation for breaches of contract and workplace abuses in Iraq, charges that security contracting firm not only denies, but is relishing disproving in court. Leading the charge is Joseph Kitungi, who worked in Iraq from January 2006 until this June. The 14-year veteran of the UPDF has already filed a lawsuit against the Dubai-based company, claiming that Dreshak promised $6,000 a month in a newspaper advertisement but only ended up paying him $1,000 a month. More litigation will be arriving in court in the coming weeks, much of it propelled by Dr. Gideon Tusigye, who worked in Iraq from April 2006 until this June. Dr. Tusigye charges that after a few months in Iraq, Dreshak and its parent company Special Operations Consulting Security Management Group (SOC-SMG) forced him and other guards to sign different, less favourable contracts including a provision that required them to buy $621 worth of gear that had initially been free. Dr. Tusigye carries a thick stack of documents to meetings that he says proves Dreshak's guilt: an email from Crane Bank citing monthly payments ranging from $450 to $1150, short of the $1400 he says was promised him, as well as the initial contract and the agreement he signed in Iraq that forces guards to pay for their own gear. Mr Kitungi is seeking hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages from the company, and Dr. Tusigye and other guards are expected to make similar demands. The disgruntled former guards have also gotten the attention of Worker's MP Sam Lyomoki, who is planning to launch a select committee in Parliament next week to examine the claims. \"We're going to investigate them very closely and very creatively,\" Mr. Lyomoki said. \"This is a terrible gang a mafia trying to defraud Ugandan workers.\" Mr. Lyomoki would like to see more government oversight of the contracting process. The Ministry of Labour is currently understaffed, with a budget of just $30 million. The ministry has also lacked a permanent leader since May, when Labour Commissioner Dr. David Ogaram was suspended over allegations of embezzlement. But the group's case has plenty of holes, and Alok Dheer, Dreshak's country manager, is excited to take the former guards to court. He admitted that the appendix that required Ugandan guards to provide their own gear was wrong Dr. Ogaram apprised Dreshak of that fact in January, and the company reimbursed employees the $621 and removed the clause from future contracts. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Insight/-/688338/788422/-/6vt47k/-/index.html","content":"PPU, KAP harass Col. Besigye supporters2 - The prime bulk of affidavits sworn by witnesses in support of Rtd Col Dr Kizza Besigye’s petition in the Supreme Court challenging the results of the 2001 Presidential Elections, accused the army of massive electoral irregularities. In eight out of ten affidavits sworn, the army is implicated in election related misdemeanours. The biggest culprit of all was the Presidential Protection Unit and the now infamous Kalangala Action Plan (KAP). Emmanuel Gyezaho takes us back in time. In his petition Besigye said, “That contrary to Section 25 (b) of the Electoral Commissions, Act the 1st Respondent (Yoweri Museveni) organised groups under the Presidential Protection Unit and his Senior Presidential Advisor a one Major Kakooza Mutale with his Kalangala Action Plan para-military personnel to use force and violence against persons suspected of not supporting Candidate Museveni thereby causing a breach of peace, disharmony and disturbance of public tranquillity and induce others to vote against their conscience in order to gain unfair advantage for Candidate Museveni in the Presidential Election.â€Â� Some will be forgiven to think that it does not come as a surprise that Rukungiri, Besigye’s homeland and voting centre emerged with the biggest fatalities of the PPU wrath. At least fifteen affidavits were sworn by Rukungiri residents with each of them implicating the PPU of gross intimidation, torture, illegal detention and electoral malpractice. James Musinguzi Garuga, who was in charge of Dr Besigye’s campaigns in South Western Uganda, swore an affidavit in support of Dr Besigye’s petition saying, “That in the course of discharging my said responsibility, the team which I led was exposed to enormous intimidation, harassment and violence throughout the region. That shortly after Dr Besigye had announced that he intended to stand as presidential candidate, soldiers belonging to the Presidential Protection Unit (PPU) were heavily deployed in the districts of Rukungiri and Kanungu. That the said soldiers unleashed terror and suffering on the local people believed to be our supporters, and the said people, including Richard Bashaija, Sam Kaguliro, Henry Kanyabitabo and many others complained to me about the harassment and I forwarded the complaint to the Electoral Commission and Police but no action was taken. That the said soldiers were deployed and continued to harass suspected Besigye supporters up to the elections. That during the entire period of campaigns, Gad Buturo the Gomborora Internal Security Officer (GISO) for Kihihi Sub-county, Peter Mugisha, a Councillor for Kambuga, Stephen Rujaga, Godfrey Karabenda and many other civilians on candidate Museveni’s task force regularly went around with guns, threatening Besigye supporters to compel them to support candidate Museveni. We reported their activities to the Electoral Commission and the Police and the Region Police Commander Mr Stephen Okwaling, who promised to handle the issue, sent a Mobile Police Unit to Kanungu, which attempted to arrest the said Rujaga without success. The following day, the said Regional Police Commander, was ordered out of the region on the very day that Candidate Besigye was to address a rally in Rukungiri town. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/788556/-/10i5ova/-/index.html","content":"Tumukunde in US - KAMPALA Brig. Henry Tumukunde is in the United States of America, the army confirmed yesterday. Brig. Tumukunde, who faces a string of charges in the Army Court Martial, left the country last Friday. \"He is officially away,\" said Defence and Army spokesman Felix Kulayigye yesterday. Sections of the local media reported yesterday that Brig. Tumukunde, the former Director General of Internal Security Organisation, had gone missing but Daily Monitor has established that the army officer was granted permission to travel. Sources told Daily Monitor yesterday that the brigadier, who has been under house detention following his arrest in 2005, sought permission from President Yoweri Museveni to travel, largely to see his new born child.   HAPPY DAD: Tumukunde Brig. Tumukunde's wife, Stella, gave birth to a baby girl two weeks ago in a US hospital. Sources say that as soon as news trickled in that the baby was born, Brig. Tumukunde requested the President to allow him be by his wife's side and the baby girl. Once permission was granted, sources say Brig. Tumukunde threw a party for a few close friends at his residence in Kololo on Thursday. He later flew out on Friday. Maj. Kulayigye said, however, that the troubled Brigadier would return and face trial. However, sources say that the Brigadier's travel is part of a well-worked out plan to reconcile him with Mr Museveni. Daily Monitor has learnt that Brig. Tumukunde has been granted leave from the army for two years. He will reportedly spend part of the two years on holiday in the US and return to the country to appear before the Court Martial chaired by Lt. Gen. Ivan Koreta. Asked whether Brig. Tumukunde had been given leave, Maj. Kulayigye said it was unlikely. \"You can't go on leave when you are still in court,\" he said. \"Formal benefits of the military are either given when you have no court case or when you are pardoned by the commander in chief,\" he said. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/787328/-/10i4xwl/-/index.html","content":"Museveni in closed meeting with lawyers - KAMPALA IN a new strategy designed to re-establish links with legal practitioners in the country, President Yoweri Museveni was set to meet hundreds of lawyers in Kampala late yesterday. The closed-door meeting at Hotel Africana for members of the Uganda Law Society closely follows a similar meeting the President held on Friday with judges and senior registrars. Agendas for the both meetings were not revealed to the media. The meetings followed strikes by judicial officers and lawyers after the March 1 siege of the High Court by security personnel. ULS President Oscar Kihika confirmed yesterday’s meeting when Daily Monitor contacted him. “The President has a closed meeting with members of the Uganda Law Society this evening (yesterday). Unfortunately I cannot give you the details because it will be in breach of the instructions I was given,â€Â� he said. Lawyers told Daily Monitor they did not know the agenda but w ould just go to see what the President has to say. The President’s legal aide, Fox Odoi, said his boss only intended to talk to the lawyers about issues of “mutual interestâ€Â�. Presidential Press Secretary Tamale Mirundi said there were no set issues for discussion – just interaction. Interaction “This is purely interaction. It’s not a workshop or meeting to discuss any issue,â€Â� he said. “People have been saying that the president doesn’t respect the judiciary, so he is meeting these people to know who is who and to tell them that the government is committed to the rule of law in the country.â€Â� 1 | 2 Next Page»Judges and lawyers abandoned court business between March 5 and 14 over the siege of the High Court in which police violently re-arrested six suspected rebels of the People’s Redemption Army who had been released on bail. Fresh murder charges were preferred on the suspects. Judges and lawyers accused the executive of interfering with the independence of the judiciary and refusing to respect court orders. The government declined to apologise to the judges, but President Museveni stated in his March 8 letter to the Chief Justice, that both sides – the police and Judiciary made mistakes that triggered the incident.       « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/788106/-/10i5lm1/-/index.html","content":"Mubs defies Cabinet - Wants Balunywa declared vice chancellor, asks court to unblock govt funding KAMPALA THE Makerere University Business School Academic Staff have petitioned the Constitutional Court to block a Cabinet ruling which reduced the Nakawa based school to an affiliate college of Makerere University. The group is also contesting the decision by the ministry of finance to stop releasing funds to manage the affairs of the school saying the act is illegal. Cabinet chaired by President Yoweri Museveni on August 9 recommended that Mubs remains an affiliate college of Makerere University “until such a time when it is ready to become a public universityâ€Â�. The Cabinet decision came 11 months after Mubs Council in September 2006 decided to upgrade the structures of the school to that of a public university, following a July 17 High Court ruling that said the business school is a university “in law and in nameâ€Â�. The move was protested by Makerere University. Mubs had not been party to the case. In its application for an interim order against Government, the university council and the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), filed yesterday, the Mubs staff want Court to restrain the three bodies from implementing the above decision pending the determination of their application for a temporary injunction against it.   MUBS BOSS: Mr Balunywa The two applications arose from a Constitutional petition filed by Mubs last year challenging acts of Makerere University Council stopping the former from implementing a High Court order declaring it an independent University. Ms Annet N.K Muyimba and Mr Richard Kawere have filed the two applications on behalf of 246 other staff members. Lukwago and Co. Advocates and Bwengye, Davies Ndyomugenyi and Co. Advocates are representing the staff members. The Application is supported by the affidavit of Mr Richard Kawere who states that Makerere wrote an opinion to President Yoweri Museveni stating that MUBS is not a University. Consequently Cabinet sat and reduced the University to a Tertiary Institution contrary to the High Court Judgment. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/786536/-/10i4b76/-/index.html","content":"ULS vows to prosecute errant government officials - KAMPALA LAWYERS under the Uganda Law Society said on Wednesday they were compiling evidence for possible prosecution of people, especially government officials who are abrogating the Constitution. \"There are people we can investigate but you cannot prosecute them now because of their immunity or they have guns surrounding them,\" former ULS President John Matovu (right) told his colleagues. He said ULS would compile and keep such evidence and use it against the \"untouchables\" in future when they leave power. The statements were made on the last day of the lawyers' three-day strike at the High Court grounds in Kampala, where over 300 advocates converged for a \"cleansing ceremony following the March 1 siege by security personnel. Several armed security personnel brutally re-arrested suspected rebels of the People's Redemption Army (PRA) who had been released by the court on bail, an incident which sparked off a strike by judicial officers and lawyers. ULS President Oscar Kihika said all lawyers are duty bound to speak up for the public and offer protection for the rights of the citizens and their property. \"In order to discharge this duty, there must be an institutional framework which recognises independence of the legal profession, both at the bench and at the bar to ensure that there is an orderly resolution of disputes,\" he said. \"Unfortunately, the events of March 1 served to demonstrate that this institutional framework is either weak, not recognised or given the due importance it deserves by the government.\" 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/787234/-/w0rl5u/-/index.html","content":"Besigye full election ruling out Wednesday - ALEX B. ATUHAIRE  KAMPALA THE Supreme Court Justices will on Wednesday explain to the nation why they rejected Dr Kizza Besigye's 2006 election petition after they unanimously ruled that the elections had not been free and fair. All the seven judges also ruled that the election had not been conducted in accordance with the law. The long awaited detailed judgement upheld President Yoweri Museveni's re-election in the February 23, 2006 polls. Supreme Court Registrar Ms Henrietta Wolayo confirmed to Sunday Monitor on Friday that the court will deliver the detailed judgement on Wednesday at 10. 00 a.m. On April 6, 2006 Justice Benjamin Odoki delivered the court's summary ruling that dismissed Dr Kizza Besigye's petition on a 4:3 majority decision. Dr Besigye, one of the runner up in the election, had petitioned court to nullify Mr Museveni's re-election, saying there was massive rigging. The Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki and Justices William Tsekooko, Alfred Karokora, Joseph Mulenga, George Kanyeihamba, Bart Katureebe and the late Arthur Oder heard the petition. In the summary verdict delivered on April 6 last year, there were no details on how each judge ruled for or against Besigye. But ten months later, the public has been wondering why the Supreme Court had not released the full judgement, with some people questioning the motives of the court. \"While they delivered the verdict within the 30 days provided for by the constitution, the Supreme Court is in breach of the spirit of the constitution that calls for a fair and speedy hearing,\" said Mr Peter Walubiri, a constitutional lawyer. \"For example, if you passed a death sentence against me but released the details of the ruling 10 years after I have been hanged, would that be fair really? The reasons for a court verdict should be in the open so that we accept or criticise them,\" Walubiri told Sunday Monitor by telephone on Friday. However, Ms Wolayo insisted the Supreme Court Justices were still acting within the law to uphold the reasons for their ruling - even 10 months after the judgement. \"Let me not go into that but the decision was delivered within the stipulated 30 days,\" she said. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/784794/-/4qj3yi/-/index.html","content":"How effective is the opposition MPs’ boycott? - The opposition in 8th Parliament has been playing her oversight duties quite well in the last six months or so. Their leadership of the parliamentary oversight committees including that of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) under Nandala Mafabi and the Local Government Committee under Geoffrey Ekanya has gone as far as re-assuring the public that the parliament as a watch dog of government policies and the taxpayers money was not dead and buried. Even President Yoweri Museveni noticed this effectiveness when he recently questioned how Mr Nandala Mafabi can be so effective in the presence of a majority NRM members in an oversight committee. Walk out Now, this is the test. On January 30, Prof. Ogenga Latigo, the leader of opposition in Parliament led the walk out by 73 MPs including 57 in the opposition and 16 independents, protesting against the government's continued detention of PRA suspects in total breach of a court order and the brutal break up of opposition rallies by Police. Accordingly, this action is supposed to force the government to play by the rules, a commitment it has abdicated in the last three months or so and continued to abdicate until the walk out. As analysts predicted, the government has since ignored this latest move by the opposition MPs and by the time of writing this, hadn't even shown the slightest indication of panic at the boycott. The opposition MPs are not helped by their numbers in the House because their boycott doesn't heap enough legal pressure on the powers that be to worry about the legitimacy of the parliamentary discourse while some members abstain. This is simply because the NRM has a commanding majority, the ruling party will crack their whip and raise the quorum when it wants parliament to okay important deals. In fact, the would-be targets of this boycott could be smiling all the way to legitimise even the hitherto unthinkable in the absence of the noisy opposition legislators. However, the boycott if well explained to the public can have a serious moral impact on the powers that be if the game is well played out. For example, when continue to debate on the floor of parliament if some institutions have failed to assert their power? But again, how sustainable is this argument or the action itself in view of the opposition's miserable minority composition in Parliament? Over to you Bwana Ogenga Latigo. Delays Judiciary: Still waiting for that voice! While delivering his detailed judgement of the 2006 Presidential Elections petition, Justice George William Kanyeihamba said that the delay by the Supreme Court Justices to write (or rather make available) detailed judgments - but do it 10 months later was democratically unacceptable. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Peter Walubiri, a constitutional lawyer agrees with Kanyeihamba. He was quoted by Sunday Monitor last week that the action by the Supreme Court to deliver the detailed judgment 10 months after they delivered their ruling put the Court's commitment to section 140 of the Constitution which calls for a \"speedy and fair hearing\" to question - reasoning that if somebody was convicted and the reasons for such a judgment were released 10 years later - after the convict has been hanged, how fair would that be? And remember the Supreme Court is supposed to act as a guiding principle for the lower courts - so, if the lower courts adopted such a method of delivering detailed judgments, what would happen to the principle of speedy and fair hearing? The delivery of the election petition detailed judgement also comes at the time when the judiciary is facing serious questions of the validity of its independence. According to opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Kizza Besigye - who has had a torrid time in the court regarding the saga involving 11 of the 22 suspects of the shadowy People's Redemption Army (PRA) still incarcerated in Luzira prison, 14 months after they applied for and were granted bail in the High Court, the judiciary is \"dead and completely impotent\". Remember, Besigye was the petitioner who received the detailed judgment after 10 months. As I wrote last week, we needed to hear from the big boys from the Judiciary because; there cannot be litigation in vain! Can the big boys speak to us please? aatuhaire@monitor.co.ug     « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/785512/-/10i3lt4/-/index.html","content":"Lawyers join judges’ strike - KAMPALA LAWYERS announced yesterday that they would go on a three-day strike the very minute the judges, who are on a week long strike, decide to re-open the courts. At a meeting called to discuss the breakdown of the rule of law in Uganda, lawyers under their umbrella organisation, the Uganda Law Society, unanimously resolved to lay down their tools. The meeting at Acacia Avenue in Kololo also sought to discuss the implications of the March 1 brazen besieging of the High Court by scores of armed government security operatives, the second occurrence in less than two years. Hundreds of lawyers attended and condemned what they called \"the continuous raping of the Judiciary by the executive.\" All judicial officers are currently on strike over what they regard as a gross infringement on the independence of the Judiciary by the Executive. The strike was triggered off by an invasion of the courts by security personnel last Thursday where they intimidated and assaulted civilians, vandalised court property, before they forcibly re-arrested six rebel suspects of the People's Redemption Army shortly after they were granted bail. President Yoweri Museveni on Monday met Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki in a bid to resolve the standoff between the two arms of the State and later announced that a compromise to end the strike had been reached. Justice Odoki has since called all judges, chief magistrates and registrars in the country for a meeting in which, it is believed, a decision to review their strike will be communicated. \"We regret the manner in which officers of the High Court were treated during the process of re-arresting the suspects,\" the new ULS President, Mr Oscar Kihika said while opening the meeting. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/785870/-/10i3obq/-/index.html","content":"Judges vote to continue strike - A STORMY judges' meeting yesterday yielded one thing; a unanimous vote in favour of continuing with strike action. The judges are not satisfied with the government's attempts to explain the March 1 police siege at the High Court, which led to the re-arrest of six rebel suspects. The six suspects of the rebel People's Redemption Army were seized from the court premises shortly after they were granted bail, prompting the judges to announce a strike on Friday, in protest to what they called \"a gross infringement on the independence of the judiciary by the executive.\" The meeting of all judges, registrars and chief magistrates held yesterday at the High Court in Kampala, concurred that the government's response to the siege had been ambiguous and failed to address their concerns. \"The strike is still on,\" the Judiciary publicist, Elias Kisawuzi said yesterday. \"We were unable to come to conclusion regarding the already set resolutions in which the Judiciary is demanding a number of things from the government before we can resume work.\" At the meeting yesterday, the judges resolved to review their stand on Friday. The judges, sources say, want a public apology and guarantees that there won't be a re-occurrence of a court siege. Principal Judge James Ogoola told Daily Monitor after the sitting that the meeting was adjourned to tomorrow (Friday) at the High Court in Kampala to forge a way forward. \"There are still gaps in the information we are getting from the government. The President's statement was not conclusive, Parliament is still deliberating on the statement from the internal affairs minister (Ruhakana Rugunda) and the Attorney General (Khiddu Makubuya) has said nothing. We need to get all the information then we can decide,\" Justice Ogoola said. President Yoweri Museveni met the Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki on Monday in a bid to resolve the standoff. He called for an investigation and said he had managed to convince the judges to re-open the courts. Appearing before the House on Tuesday, Dr Rugunda said the government regrets the incident \"but it was not intended to disrespect the court or defy its orders.\" But the judges have roundly dismissed the explanations as unsatisfactory. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/SportsColumnists/MarkSsali/-/805430/803876/-/33duktz/-/index.html","content":"Liverpool for real - Even this early, any doubts about Liverpool’s title credentials would be misplaced. My colleagues and I have been on totally opposite ends of the debate about the reasons for Liverpool’s failure to sustain the minimum semblance of a title bid over the last three seasons, my argument being that they have always been failed by a poor start while my mates preferred to explain it away with what they called mediocre signings. Should Liverpool end what will next May be 18 years of waiting for a record 19th league title, their super reaction to the gun on the opening day and commendable sprint over the first four weeks will have held them in better stead than their signings. After all, the only signings from an extremely busy summer by Rafa Benitez that are unanimously accepted as being of real class are Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel. Yet, while Torres has already shown that he is the man for the big games with what should have been the winner against Chelsea, his pace and willingness to pull the trigger did not quite breach Sunderland. The Spaniard did have a role to play in the own goal against Villa on opening day, but he and the equally trigger-happy Babbel are obviously yet to hit full stride. On the other hand, two of the more impressive signings in the early running are those that were described as nothing special, last season’s mid-term acquisition Arbeloa showing his versatility and efficiency in defence as Andrei Voronin displays intelligent movement, a quick understanding with Torres and a goal return that is threatening to surpass anything he has managed in his career before. The other signings have so far only made fleeting appearances but there are signs that they will make some impact, skilful and inventive playmaker Yossi Benayoun leading in this category ahead of the Latin pair of Sebastian Leto and Lucas Levia. What Liverpool undoubtedly has is a squad that is arguably one central defender away from being the deepest in the Premier League this season (they probably need to buy Jamie Carragher a new lung and set of ribs while they are at it!). Finding the right balance, getting selection and tactics right on the day is what will get Liverpool to build onto their bright start and challenge for the title all the way, as I expect they will. 1 | 2 Next Page»Benitez is already chipping and changing with abandon, in tandem with tinkering ways, but nobody is going to find fault if they continue winning. The minus side of tinkering is the unrest that kills squad morale, but the plus side is the sharpness caused by fierce competition for places and the desperation to deliver that yields results. Voronin, Dirk Kuyt and Javier Mascherano have looked sharp whenever called upon, despite being rotated, while Peter Crouch is feeling the pressure so much he wants to take every scoring chance that falls to him and showed the disappointment and desperation against Toulouse in midweek that said a solitary goal was no longer enough. That red rage could finally take the previously elusive title back to Anfield. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/782390/-/w0o5hn/-/index.html","content":"Olara Otunnu fires off - WEEKLY REVIEW     The News: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's former special envoy for children in conflict, Mr Olara Otunnu, told delegates at the annual gathering of Ugandans in North America that the LRA and the government in Kampala had always operated in cahoots to systematically kill the Acholi. Genocide, is his word of choice. So What? Otunnu is an Acholi. He is therefore singularly justified to be angry at the long-running war. But so are many other Ugandans from all walks of life. There is a bigger stick with which to beat this government over the war: corruption in the army; failure to protect civilians having herded them into camps; earlier timid approaches to peace talks, etc. But for Otunnu to claim there is a genocide against the Acholi is to unnecessarily overstate his case. He comes off as too angry to be engaged in a meaningful debate on what went wrong to enable the war to go on for so long and how such a situation must never be allowed to happen again. Could we say the man still harbours personal anger for the NRM's overthrow of the Okellos junta that he served as foreign minister? And why is he claiming the LRA and the government have always worked together to commit heinous crimes just at the time when the two sides are working hard to settle the conflict around a negotiating table? Does he know something we don't? If so, he should reveal what he knows. It is not enough to make claims. UPDF for Somalia job The News: British military officers started training sections of the UPDF in peacekeeping operations. The training comes ahead of the UPDF dispatching a contingent of about 3,500 soldiers to Somalia to help keep the peace. The African Union and the regional grouping, Igad, have mandated Uganda and Sudan to send in troops to help prop up the new government presently holed up in Baidoa, not the capital Mogadishu. Matters have not been helped by the rise of the Islamists under the Islamic Courts Union. So What? Although the UPDF has helped keep the peace before - especially in Liberia - this is quite different. Somalia is a much more tricky proposition. Remember Black Hawk Down? Ask the Americans. Already, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, the head of the Islamic Courts Union, is making threatening noises. But just how tough the neighbourhood the UPDF will be watching over is, was underlined by two competing visits to Kampala recently. First was Eritrean President Isaias Aferworki's special envoy meeting President Museveni. About 48 hours later, Ethiopian Premier Meles Zenawi himself showed up. Obviously both visits were meant to get Uganda to see either country's position positively. 1 | 2 Next Page»Ethiopia, which was once was at loggerheads with Somalia over the Ogaden region, used to support the warlords that the courts defeated prompting it to send in its own forces to shore up the fortunes of the government in Baidoa, although officially Addis says it only has military instructors across the border. Eritrea does not want a much more powerful Ethiopia, with whom it fought a fratricidal war between 1998 and 2000, to grow even more powerful by being a power broker in Somalia. Hence the competition for Gen. Museveni's ear as he prepares to unleash the UPDF. Of course, the soldiers who will go over will be paid much, much better by donors than if they stayed in their hovels in Uganda. Museveni to live in Entebbe The News: Works Minister John Nasasira said that President Museveni would move to the newly refurbished and expanded State House, Entebbe, in July next year thus ending his 13-year residency at Nakasero in Kampala. So What? Ooohh! Good riddance. Finally we shall have public roads in leafy Nakasero open to both motorists and pedestrians. And those speeding motorcades! When is July 2007 coming? Seriously though, it is nice to have the President live in a proper State House. That way it is much easier to secure his safety. Government recovers Shs8 billion The News: The government has recovered a cool Shs8 billion from the former contractors of the failed Jinja-Bugiri road project. The French contractors, Basil Read-Bouygues TP Joint Venture, abandoned the road project about two years ago after failing to get additional funding that they had demanded from the government midway the work. Anyhow, the Ugandan government sued and a South African court ruled in Kampala's favour. The firm has already coughed up the money. So What? For once, instead of our government paying out billions to shady contractors for breach of contract or whatever, it is the contractors paying into the national coffers. Well done Mr Government. But remember to always have tight contract agreements so that we do not lose out as we always have. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/-/689856/782372/-/10sji0rz/-/index.html","content":"White men should date ‘full women’ - WEEKLY SPOOF     Mama Ngina kampala The Association of Single Ugandan Women (ASUW) has recently petitioned Parliament to pass a law to force male Caucasians and other foreign races to date what they describe as “well endowedâ€Â� Ugandan women. This move should be applauded by all Ugandans. According to the association’s secretary, Fat Mama, many healthy-looking women were “missingâ€Â� out on white husbands and boyfriends because they (white men) are only interested in “ reed-thinâ€Â� women. Heavy waist This is a misguided notion and the whole nation must strive to tell white foreigners that in this land of milk and honey, a good woman often weighs in at 80 kilos. Ugandan women are not naturally lean and heavy around the waist. Those who are lean and thin are not necessarily healthy or attractive that’s why Ugandan men often avoid them. This information is not intended to mock thinner Ugandan women but it is high time affirmative action is undertaken to bring white men back to the real thing. Bigger is better This week the population report on Uganda said the number of people in the country will double by 2025. Our guess is that it is the plumper women leading this population charge. This is even more evidence that the bigger the better and therefore next time you see a white man walking down the street with a skinny sister, tell him it’s high time he changed his weight category. ------------------------------------------ Judge asked to preside over own inquiry Okumu Oswade kampala A Ugandan judge, Justice Tumbo Kubwa Sana, has been asked to write a 30-page judgement in a case where he is accused of taking bribes and acting in a manner unbefitting of a member of the Judiciary. Members of the Judiciary and the Executive arrived at this position after Tumbo Kubwa threatened to expose a racket in the judiciary of corrupt judges and politicians in a more public trial. “We thought that in the interests of maintaining discretion and respectability of the profession, it would be better for the Judge to write his own judgement,â€Â� a source at the High Court told Spoof. However, Lawyers Against Corrupt Judges ( LACJ), a local pressure group condemned the whole development as a mockery of justice. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/782222/-/4qhl8m/-/index.html","content":"FDC’s Onzima: Why I went to Museveni - When it becomes apparent that a vice chairman of a political party is working closely with the chairman of a rival party, there must be cause for worry, party loyalty not withstanding. JOHN V. SSERWANIKO, last week , spoke to Alex Onzima the unsettled Forum for Democratic Change National Vice Chairman (West Nile), who has cut a silent figure ever since it emerged that the biggest opposition party official has not only held meetings with President Yoweri Museveni, but even wrote to the president and the first lady - Janet Museveni QN: You held a meeting with president Museveni at Rwakitura at the beginning of the year, and have even gone ahead to write letters to the first family. This has fuelled speculation that you are on your way out of the FDC... Mr Onzima: As of now my party is FDC. Its true on January 11, I went to Rwakitura for a meeting with the president. All leaders from West Nile were invited to discuss development of our area. It was a delegation of over 200 people comprising of political, religious and cultural leaders. I thought it was a genuine meeting, though no other FDC MP attended. At Rwakitura, I gave the president a gift of the Bible and told him to read it and pray for wisdom to lead well as King Solomon did. Then I gave him a file with all details out the new district in West Nile to be curved out of Arua and comprising Maracha and Terego counties. What did he say about your gift? We didn't have much time there. But the file was to remind him that it began in 1999 when Arua district council made a resolution proposing that the name of the district would be Nyadri. He is literate and I wanted him read for himself. Don't you think you betrayed your FDC colleagues by attending a meeting they had agreed not to? They had been invited but refused for reasons I didn't know. It was an open invitation not for Onzima alone. Nevertheless, we presented our memorandum as leaders from West Nile. I think what irritated FDC MPs from West Nile was that they looked at it as an NRM delegation. We didn't have a position as FDC that we shouldn't go to Rwakitura for that meeting. Maybe, I was just unlucky and they didn't communicate to me. But even if there was any official position, I think I would defy it and go because the purpose of the meeting was to discuss development issues and not politics. Campaigns had ended and not everybody in Maracha voted for me yet I have to attend to all of them. What did you achieve by attending a vetoed meeting? Our biggest achievement was that in that memorandum we clearly put the issue of our university to the president. For that, we shall be remembered, even after our death. The president listened and his commitment was that he would support the idea of a Gulu university college in West Nile. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/783104/-/10i2514/-/index.html","content":"Ex-Museveni maid sues Whitaker - KAMPALA An American adviser to the NRM government on trade and investment has lost a preliminary appeal in a U.S. court to dismiss a fraud case filed against her by her Ugandan housemaid. Ms Idah Zirintusa, a former State House employee, sued Ms Rosa Whitaker in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for fraud, unjust enrichment, and illegal interference with her earlier contract with State House. Ms Zirintusa alleges in court papers that Ms Whitaker entered into a three-year oral employment contract with her promising four times the wage she earned in Uganda, full tuition at an American college, food, and shelter. It is further alleged that Ms Whitaker promised Ms Zirintusa to make separate payments to support her family in Uganda. In the pleadings, a copy of which Daily Monitor has obtained, Ms Zirintusa further says that Ms Whitaker violated various provisions of the US Fair Labour Standards Act, D.C. Payment and Collection of Wages Law, and D.C. Minimum Wage Act by failing to pay her the minimum wage and overtime fee to which she was entitled for the domestic services she provided Ms Whitaker and her friend Ms Pauline Harris. Ms Whitaker worked as the assistant U.S. trade representative for Africa under President Bill Clinton, and during the early years of Mr George W. Bush’s presidency. In that job, she “developed and implemented the African Growth and Opportunity Act and other bilateral and multilateral trade policy initiatives towards Africaâ€Â�. When she left the trade representative’s office, Ms Whitaker founded The Whitaker Group, a consultancy firm that advises several African countries, including Uganda, on international business issues. The Whitaker Group officials were recently in Uganda pushing for increased production of organic cotton to make apparel for the American market. In her defence, Ms Whitaker argues that Ms Zirintusa could not sustain her claims because she was not legally permitted to work in the United States. She also argues that her accuser is not entitled to overtime pay under either federal or Washington D.C. law because Ms Zirintusa lived in her employer’s home – in this case Ms Whitaker’s home. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/781234/-/k09tbvz/-/index.html","content":"Foreign debt is a hangman’s noose - UGANDA'S debt situation should not be a laughing matter but when you think of how our policy makers keep getting back to old tricks of borrowing to finance the budget deficit; it is difficult to help but laugh. Findings by Fitch Rating - a global ranking agency - paint not-so-good a picture for the economy. Although the ranking has improved, the report says Uganda is more likely to breach loan contracts than meet its obligations. After a huge debt relief last year and the forgiveness under Highly Indebted Poor Countries programme, Uganda's debt burden is again rising from Shs2 trillion in March this year. Uganda must cut the vicious circle of borrowing and paying back that has chained the economy to continuous dependence. Although the borrowing could be just what we need to keep meeting our basic needs, the management of such borrowed funds comes to question because of the low level of accountability and the massive revelations of corruption and financial impropriety both within government and the private sector. Where the private sector borrows foreign funds guaranteed by the government it is important that the tax payer is not made to pay when such funds get misused. The lid on misuse of funds that create economic ineptness for the 'innocent' must be kept tight both for the private sector and the government."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/781454/-/10i0suk/-/index.html","content":"President to reconcile Tooro officials - President Yoweri Museveni has offered to mediate talks between the Tooro rivaling parties to bring to an end to conflicts in the district. “As one of the guardians in the Kingdom, I will do whatever I can to end these problems and bring together all the kingdom leaders,� he said. He was addressing residents of Kabarole district at Kagote SDA Hall in Fort Portal town on July 20. The President was in the district to follow up his programme of Bonna Baggagawale (prosperity for all). His promise followed a request by the LC5 Chairman, Mr Michael Mugisa. Mugisa, while reading a list of the district needs, asked the President to intervene, saying the problems were beyond any other person or leader in the district. Problems in the Kingdom started a year ago after the resignation of prime minister Stephen Rwakijuma Nyabongo. When he resigned, the regents of the kingdom, using powers entrusted to them by the kingdom Constitution, appointed Mr David Rusa. Rusa, was however, not approved by the Queen Mother, Best Kemigisa, and the head of the Royal clan Omusuga Charles Kamurasi. They cited reasons of breach of the kingdom’s constitution. They said though the constitution was giving them powers to act on behalf of the king to run the kingdom’ activities as he was still a minor, they didn’t follow the proper procedures in appointing Rusa."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/780902/-/w0mvc5/-/index.html","content":"Lukyamuzi drags IGG, EC to court - Embattled former MP for Lubaga South, Mr Ken Lukyamuzi, has sued the Electoral Commission for blocking his nomination on Wednesday. Jointly sued are the Speaker of Parliament, and the Inspector General of Government. Following a report from the IGG that Mr Lukyamuzi had flouted sections of the Leadership Code, when he refused to declare his wealth, Clerk to Parliament Aeneas Tandekwire wrote the EC saying the MP had ceased being a member of the august House - effective December 5, 2005. The letter was dated January 11. He said it would therefore be illegal for the EC to allow him to be nominated as a candidate for the February 23 parliamentary elections. The Leadership Code stipulates that any public official who is found guilty of breaching its provisions is barred from standing for public office for five years. Lukyamuzi's woes began when the IGG recently wrote to the Speaker advising him to throw Lukyamuzi out of the House, and to declare his seat vacant. However, speaking at a press conference at Parliament on Friday, Lukyamuzi said his case is set for hearing tomorrow (Monday). He is seeking a seven-day extension of the nomination exercise in Lubaga South constituency - and Shs100 million compensation for psychological torture. Lukyamuzi said the EC chairman, Dr Badru Kiggundu, had written to him backtracking on the Commission's decision to bar him from the nomination - and giving him a go ahead to seek court redress. EC backtracks \"The EC has responded to my petition saying that the procedures set out in section 84 (e) of the Parliamentary Elections Act may not have been followed [in blocking the nomination],\" he said.Lukyamuzi said Kiggundu's letter was dated January 12 but was delivered to him on Friday, January 13, the day on which the nominations officially closed. EC Secretary Sam Rwakoojo on Friday confirmed to Sunday Monitor that Kiggundu had officially written to the maverick former MP. Lukyamuzi is represented by Kiryowa & Company Advocates, a city law firm. He said the notice to sue had been served to the Speaker, Mr Edward Ssekandi, and the IGG, Ms Faith Mwondha. He accused Ssekandi and the IGG of unfairly kicking him out of Parliament and blocking his nomination without following the law. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/781782/-/gyd1ew/-/index.html","content":"Bonna Bagaggawale scheme could be risky - MOSES SSERWANGA  Kampala Government's anti poverty scheme code named Bonna bagaggawale (wealth for all) is slowly but taking shape. A substantive minister, Gen Salim Saleh, has been appointed to over see the implementation of the programme, which is designed to benefit at least 38 percent of our population who still live below the poverty line. This is a much-needed programme to jump-start the country's largely rural economy. Although a significant number of Ugandans are expected to benefit from this well-intentioned programme, unfortunately its implementation is shadowed by the disastrous mismanagement of the Entandikwa credit scheme in the mid 90s. It's also being launched hardly four months after the hotly contested presidential elections. This is worrying because just like the Entandikwa, the largely illiterate rural folks for whom it is intended to benefit can misconstrue Bonna bagaggawale credit scheme for being a political reward. The majority of the people who are expected to line up for this seed money are rural-based and these are the voters who overwhelmingly voted for President Yoweri Museveni and his NRM party in the February presidential elections. There is every reason for them to believe that with the Bonna bagaggawale cash at their disposal, government is rewarding them for their political support. Many will be reluctant to pay back and in the long run the scheme may collapse. Financial management experts have already cautioned government about repeating the same old mistakes. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/777672/-/4pym7f/-/index.html","content":"FDC’s Onzima: Why I went to Museveni - When it becomes apparent that a vice chairman of a political party is working closely with the chairman of a rival party, there must be cause for worry, party loyalty not withstanding. JOHN V. SSERWANIKO, last week , spoke to Alex Onzima the unsettled Forum for Democratic Change National Vice Chairman (West Nile), who has cut a silent figure ever since it emerged that the biggest opposition party official has not only held meetings with President Yoweri Museveni, but even wrote to the president and the first lady - Janet Museveni QN: You held a meeting with president Museveni at Rwakitura at the beginning of the year, and have even gone ahead to write letters to the first family. This has fuelled speculation that you are on your way out of the FDC... Mr Onzima: As of now my party is FDC. Its true on January 11, I went to Rwakitura for a meeting with the president. All leaders from West Nile were invited to discuss development of our area. It was a delegation of over 200 people comprising of political, religious and cultural leaders. I thought it was a genuine meeting, though no other FDC MP attended. At Rwakitura, I gave the president a gift of the Bible and told him to read it and pray for wisdom to lead well as King Solomon did. Then I gave him a file with all details out the new district in West Nile to be curved out of Arua and comprising Maracha and Terego counties. What did he say about your gift? We didn't have much time there. But the file was to remind him that it began in 1999 when Arua district council made a resolution proposing that the name of the district would be Nyadri. He is literate and I wanted him read for himself. Don't you think you betrayed your FDC colleagues by attending a meeting they had agreed not to? They had been invited but refused for reasons I didn't know. It was an open invitation not for Onzima alone. Nevertheless, we presented our memorandum as leaders from West Nile. I think what irritated FDC MPs from West Nile was that they looked at it as an NRM delegation. We didn't have a position as FDC that we shouldn't go to Rwakitura for that meeting. Maybe, I was just unlucky and they didn't communicate to me. But even if there was any official position, I think I would defy it and go because the purpose of the meeting was to discuss development issues and not politics. Campaigns had ended and not everybody in Maracha voted for me yet I have to attend to all of them. What did you achieve by attending a vetoed meeting? Our biggest achievement was that in that memorandum we clearly put the issue of our university to the president. For that, we shall be remembered, even after our death. The president listened and his commitment was that he would support the idea of a Gulu university college in West Nile. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/-/859108/861082/-/b9mytaz/-/index.html","content":"2001 ELECTIONS: Justice Oder pins Kasujja on incompetence - President Yoweri Museveni emerged victorious in 2001 after the Supreme Court dismissed Dr Kizza Besigye's petition challenging the results of the 2001 Presidential Election. Today, Emmanuel Gyezaho looks at the reasons Justice Arthur Oder gave in favour of Besigye's petition. In his answer, Justice Oder addressed himself to the issue of the election of President Museveni being done in breach of the Presidential Elections Act 2000. Besigye had accused the Electoral Commission of gross incompetence by failing to compile and update the Voter Registers, something that resulted in the actual number of people entitled to vote not being known. He also argued that during the election, as a result of the voter register anomalies, there were more votes cast than the actual number of voters entitled to vote which wittingly cost him sweet victory. On the other hand, EC Boss, in an affidavit argued that he didn't have enough time to print out a final copy of the Voter Register because he received Besigye’s request for the copy only a day to the election. On this issue, Justice Oder said, \"It is the responsibility of the 2nd Respondent to compile, maintain and up-date, on a continuing basis, a Voters' Register which should include the names and persons entitled to vote in any election. In the circumstances, I am satisfied that on the available credible evidence as a whole, the Petitioner has proved and I find that: (a) Contrary to section 32 (5) of the Act, the 2nd Respondent failed when requested to give the Petitioner and his agents a copy of the Voters' Register. (b) Contrary to section 18 (e) of Act 3/97 the 2nd Respondent failed to maintain and update the National Voters' Register, the Voters' Rolls for each Constituency and each polling station within each Constituency and as a result, the Voters' Register and the Voters' Rolls contained many flaws such as dead people's names and some of those who ought not to vote in Uganda-remaining on the Voters' Register, while many people who were eligible to vote had their names omitted from the Voters' Register and the Voters' Roll.\" Kasujja incompetenceJustice Oder was not done. He continued to pour scorn on the EC concurring with Besigye, that Mr Aziz Kasujja's Commission was simply punctured with incompetence. He said, \"The 2nd Respondent clearly did a very poor job of carrying out its responsibility under s.18 of Act 3/97. The Standard of incompetence was high. There is credible evidence that in consequence thereof, some of the names of dead people, of those who ought not to vote remained in the Voters' Register and some people who were eligible to vote had their names omitted from the Voters' Register and Rolls.\" As reported in these pages, Besigye backed by a host of affidavits, accused the EC for creating extra polling stations 24hours before the commencement of voting and the failure to gazette the list of each polling stations in time. Besigye argued that this ensured that he did not have any Polling Agents at the new stations to protect his interests (read votes). On his part, EC Chairman Aziz Kasujja, in his affidavit had argued that the new polling stations were in fact not really new polling stations but were merely creations of splitting old polling stations. On this matter, Justice Oder concurred with Besigye and answered, \"On the available evidence, there can be no doubt and I am satisfied that: (a) The 2nd Respondent did not publish a list of Polling Stations in each constituency 14 days before nomination of the Presidential Candidates in this election. This was non-compliance with sections 28(1) of the Act. On the contrary the 2nd Respondent published lists of Polling Stations in the Gazette of 19-02-2001 and another list on 11-03-2001. Many new polling stations not on the list of 11-03-2001 were also created on 12-03-2001. This was well outside the period stipulated in s.28 (1) of the Act. In my view whether they were old Stations, which had been split, or new ones, they ought to have been published within the time required by law because as Kasujja himself said in annexture R.6 to his affidavit of 27-03-2001, \"for this purpose Polling Agents for each candidate should be appointed in the split Polling Stations.\" For all practical purposes, split Polling Stations required to be treated as Polling Stations and required Voters' Rolls for Polling Stations, polling agents, ballot boxes, ballot papers, Voters' Cards, Polling Assistants or other necessary Polling Officials, counting of the ballot papers, announcement and tallying of results etc. As evidence shows the Petitioner did not have polling agents in such Polling Stations or had them appointed when it was too late to serve any useful purpose. Consequently the Petitioner's interest was not safeguarded in such Polling Stations with regard to the polling process.\" Justice Oder also supported Besigye in his charges against the EC for allowing people without valid voters cards to participate in the election. Kasujja had argued that eligible voters were free to vote, even without voters' cards as long as their names could be identified on the Registers. However, Justice Oder disagreed. He said, \"In my view, the right to vote under article 59(1) of the Constitution may be exercised by a Citizen of Uganda of the age of 18 years or more if his or her name appears in the Register of voters and has a Voter's Card. A Vote's Card is essential because it is a means of identifying the holder of the card as the person whose name appears in the Voters' Register. It is mandatory for a voter to possess a Voter's Card before he or she can exercise the right to vote. It is a condition precedent. In the circumstances, it was illegal for the 2nd Respondent to allow persons without Voters' Cards to vote even if their names were on the Register of Voters. The argument that by doing so, the 2nd Respondent thereby gave effect to article 59(1) of the Constitution is, with respect, not valid. A provision of the Constitution cannot be implemented by breaking other laws.\" In his assessment of the evidence adduced, Justice Oder also support Dr Besigye on the charge that his agents were chased away from various polling stations hence, Besigye's interests being put in jeopardy. Oder also concurred with Besigye on the electoral anomalies of ballot stuffing and falsification of results. He said, \"The Petitioner's affidavit in question provides a detailed account of what appears to be a falsification of results from 29 Districts. Such falsifications are evidence of ballot stuffing in ballot boxes. After scrutinising the figures they show, I find that most of them contain excess numbers of votes cast over the numbers of ballot papers issued at the respective Polling Stations. This could be the result either of arithmetical errors by the officials who filed the forms, as Mr Kasujja deponed, or that more votes were actually counted as having been cast in excess of the number of ballot papers issued to the Polling Stations, in which case it would be the outcome of falsified results. If there were no such discrepancies, the total number of votes cast including spoilt or valid ballot papers plus unused ballot papers should be equal to the number of ballot papers issued at the Polling Stations. After a careful consideration of all the affidavit evidence adduced by the Petitioner, by the 1st and 2nd Respondents I am satisfied and find that the Petitioner has proved to the required standard grounds 3(1) (g) and (p) that: (a) contrary to sections 32 of the Act, on polling day during polling exercise, the Petitioner's polling agents were chased away from many Polling Stations in many Districts of Uganda, and as a result the Petitioner's interest at those Polling Stations could not be safe guarded. 1 | 2 Next Page»(b) Contrary to section 32 of the Act, the 2nd Respondent's agents/ servants, the Presiding Officers failed to prevent the Petitioner's polling agents from being chased away from Polling Stations and as a result, the Petitioner's agents were unable to observe and to monitor the voting process.I also find that in many polling stations the declaration of results forms compiled by the 2nd Respondent's servants/agents after the announcement of the result of the elections falsified the election results.\" Multiple VotingJustice Oder also bought Besigye's claim that there was multiple voting. He said, \"The 2nd Respondent's agents/servants, namely Presiding Officers and Polling Assistants, with full knowledge that the voters concerned had already voted, allowed them to vote more than once. This was an act of non-compliance with section 31 of the Act. The 2nd Respondent is accountable for the acts or omission of its servants/agents done in the course of their duty, which happened in this case.\" Rwaboni sagaMajor Rwaboni Okwir, currently in exile and a brother to Defence Secretary Brig Nobel Mayombo, swore an affidavit in Besigye's favour implicating the UPDF of gross electoral misdemeanours. Rwaboni was arrested and eventually denied his right to vote. Justice Oder agreed with Rwaboni's evidence. He said, \"I also believe their evidence that on 20-02-2001, Rwaboni was brutally arrested at Entebbe Airport by the PPU, tortured and detained at the offices of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence on Kitante Road Kampala. In my considered opinion, the purpose of Rwaboni's arrest was to force him to abandon the Petitioner's team. This was successfully accomplished by all concerned. It must also have had the effect of intimidating and discouraging other people from supporting, the Petitioner as the incident had wide publicity in the media throughout the country. Oder pins MuseveniPresident Museveni did not flee Justice Oder's judgment. He pinned the Commander in Chief on the issue of the army's unjustified involvement in the polls. Oder said, \"The documentary evidence I have referred to indicates that the problem of violence and intimidation during the Presidential electoral process was a matter of serious concern to the 2nd Respondent and to at least four Presidential Candidates, including the Petitioner. The 1st Respondent, as the incumbent President of Uganda was also informed of the problem, but did not respond to indicate what action he had taken or would take to contain violence, intimidation, harassment, etc. by PPU and the military, which he could do as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Evidence also shows that after the appeal of the 2nd Respondent's Chairman to the President and the Deputy Chairperson's request to the Army Commander and the Inspector General of Police on 20-02-2001, violence and intimidation continued up to polling day and during polling. I have considered affidavit evidence from 58 witnesses for the Petitioner, adduced to prove intimidation, harassment, threats, violence and torture against the Petitioner's supporters and agents during the 2001, Presidential Election. Having considered the evidence which I was able to do, I am satisfied and find that: Before, and after the nomination of candidates, during the campaigns, and up to polling day of the 2001, Presidential Elections, there was a lot of intimidation, harassment, threats of and actual violence and torture against many supporters, agents and mobilisers of the Petitioner. Mutale exoneratedMajor Kakooza Mutale, is one man who surely must have breathed a sigh of relief after Justice Oder exonerated the Kalangala Action Plan boss. Oder disagreed with Besigye on this issue and argued that there was simply not enough evidence implicating Kakooza Mutale. In the circumstances, I am not satisfied on the evidence available that Major Mutale's group harassed, tortured, or intimidated the Petitioner's supporters during the elections. egyezaho@monitor.co.ug « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/659306-the-forgotten-golden-value-of-wetlands-in-kampala.html","content":" - By Mugwisa Moses Uganda’s National Policy for the Conservation and Management of Wetland Resources (1995) defines wetlands as areas “where plants and animals have become adapted to temporary or permanent flooding.”   It includes permanently flooded areas with papyrus or grass swamps, swamp forests or high-altitude Mountain bogs, as well as seasonal floodplains and grasslands. While all wetlands are characterized by impeded drainage, the length of their flooding period, depth of water, soil fertility, and other environmental factors vary with different wetland types.   Wetlands are home to distinctive plant and animal communities that are well adapted to the presence of water and flooding regimes.   Wetlands provide a large array of ecosystem services defined as the benefits people derive from nature to Ugandans in urban and rural areas.   They are used for farming, fishing, and livestock grazing. They supply families with basic needs such as water, construction material, and fuel. In addition to these local uses, the system of interconnected wetlands plays a crucial role at a regional level by filtering pollutants and regulating water flows (influencing groundwater recharge, flood impacts, and water availability during the dry season).   Of a total population of 28 million Ugandans, it is estimated that wetlands provide about 320,000 workers with direct employment and provide subsistence employment for over 2.4 million (MFPED, 2004).   Uganda’s wetlands also provide important ecological benefits that reach beyond the region. They are the home of globally endangered species including birds such as the Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) and Fox’s weaver (Ploceus spekeoides), and fish species of the Cichlidae family.   Many wetlands are an important stopover for large congregations of migratory water birds. Wetlands can act as a reservoir to store carbon dioxide, mitigating climate change impacts. National and international visitors seek out wetlands as tourist attractions and educational opportunities to learn about their unique animals and plants.   But is are facing terrific degradation (clearing and soil filling) in the  urban areas due to industrial developments, business investments like commercial flower farming and house construction accompanied with development of slums with poor structures.   While such conversions provide economic benefits from agricultural crops and real estate development, they are also associated with social costs primarily due to reduced or total loss of hydrological functions, habitat benefits, or other ecosystem services.   One of the factors driving these conversions is that the immediate economic returns to individuals appear to outweigh the costs to the wider society associated with the loss of important ecosystem benefits.   However, in most cases, the economic costs are not fully accounted for because some ecosystem services mostly regulating services such as groundwater recharge, water purification, waste treatment, or flood control—are not factored into conventional economic analysis. Instead they are considered as non-monetary bounties of nature that are “free-of-charge.”   They are what economists call “public goods,” which have virtually no agreed value in the market place. As a result, the financial incentives driving land use are often not aligned with the goal of managing and conserving these services for the broader public good.   The economic benefits from marketed products of converted wetlands are often greater than returns from subsistence use and small-scale resource extraction in the unconverted wetlands.   However, when both the marketed and non-marketed values of ecosystem services are accounted for, the total economic value of unconverted wetlands can be greater than that of converted wetlands. For example, conservative economic valuation estimates put the direct annual productive value of wetlands at sh450,000 - 900,000 (US$300 - 600) per hectare (MFPED, 2004).   Economic valuation studies that include a broader set of non-marketed regulating services, such as water purification and carbon sequestration, suggest a per hectare-value as high as 15 million Uganda Shillings (US$ 10,000) (MFPED, 2004). Unfortunately, despite their high economic value, wetlands are not yet managed as environmental capital, worthy of protection and investment.   The Nakivubo wetland, an urban wetland in Kampala, the value of water treatment and purification services from a fully used and intact wetland are estimated at 2.3–4.3 million Uganda Shillings (US$ 1,500-2,900) per hectare per year (Emerton et al., 1999).   However, over the past decades, the potential of the wetland to remove nutrients and pollutants has been greatly reduced by growing human settlements, industrial establishments, and drainage channels for crop production (NEMA, 2008).   More than half of the wetland has been modified with only the lower parts remaining in fair condition. Consequently, water quality in the discharge area of Inner Murchison Bay of Lake Victoria has steadily deteriorated leading to higher treatment costs for Kampala’s drinking water pumped from this area.   The environmental and social impact assessment of the planned expansion of the Kampala Sanitation Programme has proposed a two-pronged approach to improve water quality in Lake Victoria: reduce the pollutant load by expanding sewage treatment facilities in Kampala and rehabilitate Nakivubo wetland (including a substantial increase of the active wetland area) to reestablish its original treatment capabilities (NEMA, 2008).   The other important wetlands in kampala and neighboring towns have continued to experience serious degradation for example kinawataka wetland system, Lubigi wetland system which continues to threaten the quality of water in lake victoria and increased sediment load entering the Lake, though there are various interventions by the government and its organs to encounter the problem of water quality for public use through waste water treatment plants and water treatment plants, still there is a forgotten treasure of hydrological functions of natural wetlands in the urban centers in our country.   The importance of artificial wetlands/constructed plants would be supporting the natural wetlands in filtration, purification of water and other hydrological functions like water balance on top of macroclimate modification, and carbon sinking, but the natural wetlands are disappearing and their ecological and hydrological functions have been reduced to the last mile.   Can we say that the natural wetlands in urban centers are of no importance? On the other side; are the artificial treatment plants enough, effective and efficient to carry out the hydrological functions of natural wetlands would be doing?   If our urban planners and developers don’t realize the critical values of wetland in a blessed wetland found city like Kampala then our city is doomed!  In my opinion we would gazette, which has been done! But has the laws been enforced and followed strictly, has the government improved the natural wetlands in city? Of course not!   Wetlands are good and of value to a long life time than people can estimate of their short term benefits by reclaiming them. I say this because the natural beauty of wetlands can exist alongside infrastructure development, if we could borrow a leaf from developed countries which protect and develop their natural resources in their cities like rivers, lakes and swamps that co-exist together with the city and become of great economic value, such resources bring the uniqueness of the city and its heritage which makes a center of attraction for tourism growth in the country at large.   For instance USA and its cities is well endowed with good drainage systems such as rivers that flow within the cities and around which have been maintained, protected and improved which brings out the natural uniqueness of  their existence.   I would like to recommend;   Ugandans should embrace sustainable city development without suppressing the natural heritage and uniqueness.    The government should borrow a leaf from developed city that have maintained their rich natural heritage in their cities like Switzerland, china, Holland and Dubai. Instead of allowing continued degradation of wetland, we should maintain, develop and improve on their uniqueness in order to realize the long time lost golden value in them!   Our urban dwellers should respect, protect and avoid degrading of gazetted urban wetlands because at end of it all cost of pay goes back to them during service payment.     The writer is an Environmental Science Technologist Green Organization Africa (GOA)"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/657582-upe-17-years-later-mangoes-for-lunch-and-mango-tree-for-classroom.html","content":" - Mwalimu, for the next two days will be running a series, following the situation of Universal Primary education in the country. What are the great strides and hitches of the programme, and way forward? Conan Businge, Stephen Ssenkaaba, Jonathan Angura, Angel Musinguzi & Caroline Ariba take you through. A day in the life of a rural UPE pupil By Caroline Ariba IT takes us bravery to cut through the thorny bushes and evade the mini-floods covering the only path meandering into Aputi-puti primary school in Bukedea district. As our motorcycle makes its rounds through the thicket, a line of bare-footed children, clad in old green uniforms, comb through the same bush and spring to view. Suddenly, the sound of a loud gong peals through the village as we arrive at the school compound. The pupils dash to the school’s daily morning assembly and slowly settle into silence. Away from the assembly, a movement through the high bushes catches my eye.   Twenty minutes after the 8:00am gong, a little girl, probably 12 years old, books in one hand, a half-eaten mango in the other runs into the school. Carol Amoding is late. Midway in her sprint, the skirt of Amoding’s green dress trips her.  She stops to loosen the knot on the hem of her stained uniform that is obviously impeding her movement, inspects her bare-feet and plucks out what seems to be a tiny thorn. She spits in her palms, rubs her hands together and smears her pale arms and legs and then dashes to catch-up with the rest, who are already breaking up from the assembly to get into their classes. Pupils eating mangoes for a meal on their way home from school. PHOTO/ Caroline Ariba She dashes to her classroom. The Morning session goes on well, with no big hustle, apart from the teacher who arrives a few minutes late for her class; like it happens in a number of other public schools. The head teacher of school, Annette Igunyo says that even when some of her teachers come late, much as she forbids it, there is not much she can do. “At this point you are glad at least he has arrived, even though he is dripping wet with rain or sweat,” she says. Unfortunately, after break time, one of the teachers, supposed to handle the lesson does not turn up. She did not communicate to the head teacher, why she was unable to come. This is common in rural UPE schools. Several studies show that at least one teacher misses on any given public school day. Unlike in the past where school inspectors would monitor and penalise absconding teachers, it happens no more. The 2012 Judicial Commission of Inquiry in UPE and USE found out that the capacity of the systems to inspect schools is poor, compromised by structural and logistical bottlenecks. Since there is no teacher in class, Amoding’s classmates resort to playing and making noise the minute their head teacher disappears at the corner of the building. Amoding is seated on the floor since there are no enough desks in the classroom. Few of the pupils are lucky to sit at desks in this school. Some of the counterparts in the higher classes study under the mango tree, since there are only six classroom blocks. Some pupils sitting on the floor in a classroom. PHOTO/ Caroline Ariba “When I joined this school, we were very many in class and at that time there was not even one desk in this school,” Amoding narrates. The higher she gets, the more spacious the class gets since there are fewer pupils in class and the more respect they get in school. “When you pass to Primary Five, because many children repeat Primary Four, then there is more space,” she says. This is despite the Government’s automatic promotion policy under UPE. As a result of pupils repeating classes, the country loses sh53bn annually. Amoding has been one of those who have not repeated a class. She hums away while occasionally digging into her raw mango before long, the lunch gong sounds, releasing them to go for lunch. Lunch time Lunch time at Aputi-puti is an every-man-for-himself-and-God-for-us-all affair. Despite the constant reminder for parents to pack lunch for their children, very few in this community school do so. Amoding is one of those who are unable to pack lunch to school. When the gong sounds, she speeds out of the school through a tiny path to her home, to scout for lunch. A kilometre later, she branches into a tiny compound, with two grass thatched huts and one incomplete hut. She halts abruptly, looking painfully at a woman in the compound sorting through a handful of green vegetables which she plans to prepare for soup to accompany the food which is not yet ready for the little girl. Nothing said, Amoding rushes to the tiny compound’s mango tree and plucks a mango and runs back to school. Her unspoken words say volumes about her disappointment.  “My child did not have food yesterday. This morning she got the mango that was in the house for her breakfast, and now I have failed to find food on time, because I had to first work in people’s gardens to raise money for books,” Amoding’s mother confesses. “When we harvest crops in the village, we are asked to take at least three handfuls of beans and about nine handfuls of maize grains for the whole term to feed our children at school,” she explains in Ateso. But there hasn’t been a harvest this season, and even if there was, this mother says that her sons now in secondary schools, need about sh42,000 each to stay in the only Government aided secondary school in the community.   Carol's first real meal in two days. PHOTO/ Caroline Ariba Amoding says that some of her friends do not want to continue with schooling because on top of suffering with hunger every day for seven years, they may not pass the national examinations, or even find money to join any of the good private schools. “Most of our schoolmates who join Government schools under Universal Secondary Education fail national examinations. This makes me feel like I should give up. It is the same reason why some easily give in to men and teachers, get pregnant and leave school,” Amoding explains. Of every 10 pupils who join Primary One in Uganda’s primary schools, only about three make it to Primary Seven. But of the three, it is always one girl or at times none of the girls reaching Primary Seven, yet there are more girls than boys who join Primary One. Back in class after lunch, the pupils drag their bare feet, raise their hands lazily and will do anything to spare a nap. Those at the back of the classroom are dosing. A good number of the little pupils in this class wear tear-stained faces and dry lips, since they did not have lunch. Amoding’s after-lunch class delays because of inadequate chalk. Indeed, it is not only about chalk that is insufficient in this school. Children are subjected to old blackboards, limited number of charts and some teachers do not have enough aid books to use in classroom teaching. “How do you expect us to prepare our Schemes of Work and plan for teaching, if we can hardly even get exercise books at times,” laments one of the teachers. The inadequate scholastic materials partly stems from delayed capitation grants from Government. Even when it is sent, it is still inadequate, according to the school authorities, since each child is allocated sh7,500 for a full academic year of three terms. The head teacher of school, Annette Igunyo is almost speechless when discussing the impact the delay of the capitation monies. “As of now, Government officials are telling us that the money will be released in August. We have to run the school on borrowed monies. At times, I have to use my own money to run some of the school activities!” she laments. “Mark you, I do not earn a head teacher’s salary. I earn a class room teacher’s salary, earning about sh300,000. Now tell me, because I have my own children to educate and to feed?” a frustrated Igunyo laments. Being the administrator, Igunyo says that even when these monies come, she can barely retrieve her money. Not a single building in the school was put up by the Government until recently when a NUSAF staff built two unit structures for the school. “We have six class rooms and seven classes. Primary Seven pupils have to sit under the tree shade to study since the classes are few. When it is raining, they share a class with Primary Six pupils,” she says. Lower classes enrolments are high, but can never be broken down into streams due to inadequate space. Pupils themselves can hardly get books, pens and pencils from their parents. A good number of Amoding’s friends are not even in school uniform, since their parents say they cannot afford purchasing all these scholastic materials. Amoding partly blames failure of pupils in her school on the lack of scholastic materials. “I have to write in a very small handwriting so that I can use one book for a long time. It is very disturbing,” she confesses. “But even if I want to read, it is hard because we only have paraffin maybe once a week for light,” she adds. Aputi-puti is just one of the public primary schools in the country whose administrators are pressed to provide an education for the children with a constant lack of scholastic materials, inadequate school infrastructure, on their own -- the inspection and monitoring system collapsed. Although the numbers have been attained, low quality education, meager budgets, suspicions of corruption, and questionable policies have largely eroded any gains. Almost 17 years ago, a much needed universal education programme (UPE) started in Uganda. Parents who had lost hope of ever sending their children to school were relieved of the burden of paying school fees, and excitedly started sending their children to school by the millions. But Amoding and millions of others now face a myriad of difficulties: congestion in the classrooms without furniture and stationery, teachers who are and often absent because they are trying to make ends meet, impacting their learning. Recently, Amoding says she started her menstrual periods and she had to sit under a mango tree, until darkness fell, because her dress had been soiled. At her school, teachers, boy and girls; all share the same toilet stances. “Wherever I’m in my periods, I never go to school,” she says.   “It is hard for these pupils to concentrate and sometimes end up staying in primary school for over 10 years, repeating probably every class,” the head teacher Annet Igunyo says. End of school day I spot Amoding running off at about 4pm, and follow her home. This time round, it is a different story. Her mother has a bit of food, boiled greens, without tomatoes or onions anyway and she can hardly get cooking oil. It is not a balanced too, not that she does not understand what it means, but because her hands are tied and prefers to call it, “a luxury.” “This is the first meal I’m eating since morning. We did not have food except mangoes,” she explains in a soft voice. In the tiny hut that she shares with her mother, is a mat, with a frail looking bed-sheet atop it. Sun rays stream through the sparsely thatched hut. There is no way mosquitos can spare them or rain water when it rains. So from a night of no sleep, comes a day of no food and stressful schooling and yet Amoding and must carry on and perhaps one day become the teacher she hopes to be. Next in the series, will be a story unveiling the life of teachers under the UPE programme.  Related Stories 17 years later, is free primary education going off rails? Experts push for free nursery education"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/651297-causes-of-river-nyamambwa-floods.html","content":" - By Alex Kwatampora Binego Kasese District experiences heavy rains in the Rwenzori Mountains in the months of April, May, September and October every year and thereafter, some disastrous floods stream in the low lands through the incised gorges, valleys and the vast Nyamwamba valley. Nyamwamba valley also known as Kilembe valley houses Kilembe Mines housing estates, workshops, schools, the hospital, commercial centres and the underground mine entrances and workings. Kilembe valley last experienced the worst floods on May 1, 2013 following that of April 7, 1966. The floods destroyed the nursing quarters, part of Kanyaruboga, part of Katiri and similar floods that were quickly contained and averted in 1980. So Kilembe had not experienced such a disaster for about 47 years. Kilembe Mines valley now known as Bulembia Division is part of Kasese Municipality which is located in Kasese District and Kasese town is one of the fastest growing urban areas with a vibrant population of about 126,000 people. It is estimated that the population of Bulembia Division and adjacent parts of Kilembe Sub County is about 20,000 people. Kilembe Mines is associated with the presence of economic copper and cobalt mineralisation deposits adjacent to the Nyamwamba fault. Because of copper, the Canadian companies, Frobisher and Falconbridge of Africa decided to construct offices, workshops, housing estates and other infrastructure within this vast Nyamwamba valley while they carried out economic mining at Kilembe Mines Ltd.   Unlike other major mountains associated with the East African Rift Valley system, which are of volcanic origin, the Rwenzori Mountain is an uplifted tilted block which lies in the centre of the Western branch of the East African rift valley system. Whereas a number of urban structures are mushrooming in Kasese, there is a very high risk of continued floods, landslide, massive soil erosions and high seismicity or Earthquakes in this area that may continue to cause devastating catastrophes, if no stringent measures are taken to mitigate these catastrophes.   Historically, before the major rift movements, the main rivers in Uganda had an Atlantic drainage. Due to the tilting of the Rwenzori blocks in the southerly direction and an area of weakness at the confluence of the L. George and Semuliki faults (i.e. Kazinga channel), a north-south drainage pattern resulted. This caused the Chako, Kanyampara, Dwimbi, Nyamugasani and Dunglea rivers with the Nyamugasani -Dunglea complex extending to the Peak areas. Due the above factors, a number of streams formed along the Kasese fault scarp at the time of rifting and the drainage pattern including rock hardness, traverse shears, etc which led to the formation of River Nyamwamba. Whereas the R. Nyamwamba encroached westwards followed by down cutting to achieve the L. George base level, it was undoubtedly very rapid in the youthful landscape. With time and associated with the above, the river capture with its vastly increased catchment area substantially increased the river Nyamwamba load which effected the increased river load carrying materials up to big boulder size which eventually cascaded from higher areas during floods into more mature Nyamwamba Valley where the reduction of the river velocity culminated into coarser material being deposited in the valley. The load and rate of deposition in the Nyamwamba valley follows the high rain fall in the mountains, steep slopes and the rapid weathering rate of the Rwenzori metamorphic rocks that yield the boulders brought down by the river. The rate of denudation in the river Nyamwamba catchment area is very high as this area covers about 72.4 sq km and the material in terms of boulders, cobbles and others transported by the river is over 1,000,000 tonnes per year. The devastating floods that destroyed part of the Nyamwamba valley that houses Kilembe Mines Ltd and the entire infrastructure started on May 1, 2013 following heavy rains in the high Rwenzori Mountains. The floods swept all the bridges over river Nyamwamba in Kilembe valley save for Katiri main Bridge and Concentrator Bridge. These floods destroyed part of Bulembia School, the Chairlift area, the old fuel KML fuel station, the drawing office and others. All the other offices were affected by Nyamwamba water and the associated alluvial sand and silt depositions. Downstream, floods destroyed almost all the wooden houses including the small commercial centre belonging to Mzee Andrea Baziga in Kanyaruboga, part of Katiri and eroded the new tarmac main road connecting to the offices. Four people lost their lives and these are Karusu Paddy (former KDLG Procurement officer), Gad Biryomumaisho (Miner), Kabugho Agnes from Nyakabingo and Kibusu Raphael a teacher at Buwata Primary school. Their dead bodies were all recovered from the river banks scattered up to Base camp area. Further downstream, part of Katiri main bridge was destroyed; the Nursing housing estate and part of Kilembe Mines Hospital were completely destroyed. In Kasese, it cut off the Kasese-Fort Portal road at a place known as Nyakasanga near the Airfield and flooded the area nearby.   POSSIBLE CAUSES OF THIS FLOODING AND DEVASTATING DESTRUCTION In view of the above geographical and geological factors, there are a number of causes of floods in the Nyamwamba valley and below are some of them; 1.    Heavy rains or “cloud bursts” in the catchment area. The term “cloud bursts” simply means heavy, localised down pours common in the tropical and temperate climates.   2.    Damming up of outlet of high attitude swamps with vegetation and sediments followed by bursting. Land slide damming up valleys in the R. Nyamwamba catchment area usually form a lake and eventually burst the walls during heavy sustained rainfall.   3.    Historically, in the past 40 years, Nyamwamba floods about three to four times a year but serous catastrophic floods have been about four with the worst being the most recent one which occurred on May 1, 2013 while the earlier known catastrophic one was on April 7, 1966.   4.    Taking into consideration the high level swamps which occur in the high catchment areas that were formed by terminal moraine when the permanent snow line was lower and the fact that they were lakes but have since filled with sediments and are now organic bogs, these burst following heavy rains causing floods. 5.    These lakes are about eight in number and the largest of these lakes has a surface area of about 762,000 sq m and in view of this, the blockages at the outlets of these swamps and lakes by organic material and silt, followed by bursting have caused unprecedented catastrophic floods.   6.    The direct effects of heavy rains and “cloud burst” within the River Nyamwamba catchment areas have caused a permanent run-off with steep slopes and permanently saturated conditions of over 70-80% within the catchment area.   7.    The high rate of weathering of metamorphic rocks in the Rwenzoris have led to big boulders being eroded downstream during floods narrowing the river channel exacerbating the flooding.    8.    Depreciation of the bridges foundations and cumulative damage to the pillars with no repairs. Apart from Katiri main bridge that was rebuilt about seven years ago, all the other bridges over River Nyamwamba had depreciated over time and their foundations were in appalling conditions. The embankments of these bridges had been eroded over a period of time and when the river swept the bridges, it took a new course and burst its banks.   9.    Historical old river channels. It is on record that River Nyamwamba used to flow along the main road from Bulembia, through Kanyaruboga, via the Nursing quarters, down to road barrier till Kasese. This disaster is not the first of its kind in Kilembe though the May 2013 incident had far reaching effects and was very fatal. In April, 1966, the River Nyamwamba floods affected Bulembia School, washed off the whole bus shelter below Katiri bridge, the Police, destroyed all the Nursing quarters and other houses downstream.  Nyamwamba taking its original course destroying part of the office in the presence of the writer                                10.    Old wooden houses at Kanyaruboga had out lived their usefulness and were vulnerable to any agent of destruction like the Nyamwamba floods. The foundation here is a backfill of stones and sand-fill, though it was strong but was susceptible to erosion over time.   11.    Cultivation near the river banks has caused and is still causing a number of river and stream bank failures and when the streams and river swell, the banks are easily washed off.    12.    Poorly constructed houses due to low costs involved like the use of murram. This is very common especially in Nyamwamba Division where it is well known that it’s a flood zone and residents have defied council directives and have constructed houses in gazetted river channels.   13.    Inappropriate Institutional capacity for flood and other hazards predictions risk assessment and risk mitigation. This is coupled with inadequate training and information flow in regard to Meteorological factors, geological situational analysis in the country including the Rwenzori region.   14.    Poor environmental management practices in urban areas that end up exposing people to geological and seismic related hazards. People constructing houses in wet lands, gazetted river bank and flood areas. A case in mind is that one near the Red Cross area in lower Base camp.   15.    Population growth resulting into high population densities with marginal land for developmental use. People have ended up encroaching on land near the river banks or have decided to block some flood channels and have constructed houses in flood zones.   16.    Lack of funds by the responsible institutions to carry out preventive and mitigation measures have also exacerbated such hazards. Urgent mitigation measures 1.    We urgently need Bulldozers D-8 to D-14 models to clear and divert the river back to its original channel starting from Bulembia School, behind the wooden houses, at the nursing quarter’s area, road barrier and at Nyakasanga.   2.    Construction of bridges over River Nyamwamba in Kilembe and Kasese-Base camp area for vehicle and pedestrians.   3.    Serious restriction of cultivation or degrading activities near the river and stream banks should be enforced.   4.    Capacity building in regard to floods, seismic hazard assessment and risk mitigation and mass public sensitisation of the above dangers should be put in place.   5.    Proper environmental management practices in urban areas and proper planning should be enforced.   6.    Government or Kilembe Mines should provide machinery and other logistics in order to clear river Nyamwamba channel. The local govt and Kilembe Mines as of now cannot handle this problem given their meagre resources.   7.    Regular monitoring of the rain pattern by re establishing a weather station.   8.    Re establishment of flood control points   9.    Regular monitoring and constant engineering inspection of Bridge foundations masonry work.   10.    Increase Geo-Environmental effects and management sensitisation of the public living near river banks. However, considering the high population density that is mushrooming in Kasese and given the fact that development has to take place, such hazard assessment and risk mitigation should be every body’s concern and should not be left to the Government or Kilembe mines alone. The urban authorities, where I also belong, should emphasise sensitisation of the masses in order for them to construct good and durable houses on gazetted plots that have structural and building plans approved by the municipal engineer, stop degrading activities near streams, rivers and roads and above all, should not construct houses along river channels. Good Geo-environmental management practices must be effected and the local governments should not underestimate the devastating effects that may arise due to further floods, excessive soil erosions, earthquake occurrences and landslides. Lastly, contrary to what most people living in Kasese Town think regarding the flooding of the Kilembe Mines underground tunnels, the impacts of the floods underground can never be the same as those of River Nyamwamba. Whereas it is true that there is a lot of water underground, it comes gradually and does not flow like a river. In fact, in future when copper/cobalt will be mined out completely, while decommissioning the mine, the mine tunnels will deliberately be flooded and the water will flow out at 4300level and join River Nyamwamba. Due regard to environmental concerns will be put in place to neutralise all the acidity and minerals that may contaminate the River Nyamwamba.                                                                      The writer is a mining engineering geologist"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/649417-doho-rice-scheme-a-new-life-after-renovations.html","content":" - By Moses Nampala in Butaleja       If there is a critical social challenge that a sh19bn committed to facilitate rehabilitation of Doho rice scheme in Butaleja district has solved out right, then it’s the calamity of floods. Over 10,000 people living in the vicinity of 25,000 square mile rice scheme have heaved a huge sigh of relief after Summit Project Uganda Ltd, completed rehabilitation of the irrigation scheme. Until rehabilitation of the rice scheme was started 4 years ago by government, flooding was a ritual whenever it rained.  Blocked water canals that drained irrigation water in the scheme from River Manafa, were the major causes of the flooding. Huge volumes of water burst the banks of River Manafa, straying into homesteads of the over 10,000 people, living in the low lying areas, in the sub counties of Kachonga, Himutu, Butaleja, and Nawanjovu. Death from floods Ahemed Hasacha (59), Mabira village, Kachonga Sub County, one of the worst causalities, can’t bear to remember the agony that his family endured for a period of a decade. “I lost a daughter to the flood calamity,” says Hasacha staring in space. His face clouds, as he unfolds the sad tale. The little girl, then aged 5 years old, drowned a decade ago. It rained heavily, on the fateful night, prompting the banks of River Manafa to burst The flooding water is reported to have sipped, through submerging his house to almost window level. The deceased and two other surviving elder siblings, shared a bed that they usually made on the floor. “Normally when the floods struck, the unfolding of events used to be fast. Virtually everything in the house would get submerged under water, in just a matter of seconds,” narrates Hasacha. He sounds both resigned and grieved. “I don’t blame her death on negligence of her elder sisters because it was indeed a difficult moment. The poor girls didn’t have time for their sibling as they too had to fight had to fend for their lives,” says Hasacha. However the calamity of floods, in Butaleja may seem to be a matter of the past. According to Sagula, the contractual term between government and SUMMIT PROJEKT (U) LTD spelt out, among others rehabilitation of the administration block and fencing. The scope of work also compelled the contractor to unblock the canal system of the scheme as well as installing 54 new water gates. Water gates are devices used to control the flow of water in the scheme. The contractor was also compelled to procure the necessary new machinery equipment that included excavator, tractor that the farmers would use in the routine rehabilitation. The scope of work also compelled the contractor to grade 54Km of the road network around the scheme, including fixing bridges. More rice to come The officer in charge Doho rice scheme Wilberforce Sagula also the scheme irrigation Engineer says with the revamping of the scheme almost complete, paddy rice production is set to double from 6500-13,000 Kg of milled rice per annum. “Until the rehabilitation, the scheme was operating below capacity as only 11,000 out of the total 25,000 square miles could access irrigation water,” explains Sagula. The 14,000 square miles had been abandoned by the community as past experience had proven a treacherous venture. “Unpredictable weather patterns, especially droughts would drive farmers who braved the idea to immeasurable loses,” explains Butaleja. Butaleja District Agricultural officer Amina Dugo, said they are applying a multi-faceted approach to realize the dream of doubling production. Better seed varieties to be adopted “Scrutiny of the seed material by both my office with experts from the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) revealed that for years the rice seed material that the farmers used was not only impure, but a combination invariable low yielding type of rice like K5 and K85,” explains Dugo. Evaluation of the quality of the seed materials had also shown that lately the varieties were fast succumbing to diseases, resulting into poor yields. Yet repeated ploughing of the soil without proper soil management and fertility conservation practices were other key factors. But arrangement in the offing to scale up production, will see pure varieties of K5 and K85 availed to the farmers. Other new varieties to be introduced will include K95, WITA, and NERICA. Dugo further observes that apart from introducing resistant varieties on the scheme, farmers on the scheme would be discouraged from applying the conventional rice transplanting system technically referred to as RANDOM METHOD. The RANDOM METHOD, explains Dugo, a farmer transplants the rice seedlings from the bed then plants it randomly without being mindful of space. “The problem with the method, is that the rice plantain gets too crowded that there is limited room for it to comfortably to thrive, enough air not Withstanding, ” Explain Dugo. All farmers engaged in paddy rice on the scheme would be introduced to the LINING TRANSPLANTING METHOD. Farmers would be compelled to use strings while transplanting the seedling to the field from the bed. “We are emphasizing seed rate and spacing system during transplanting,” stress Dugo. All the farmers will have to conform with the standard spacing measurement of 3Ocmx15cm or 20cmx20cm. LINE TRANSPLANTING a farmer uses a string to accurately the recommended spacing. “The LINE TRANSPLANTING METHOD,  not only saves wastage of planting materials, but doubles if not tripling the yields from the same piece of land where a RANDOM METHOD is used,” explains Dugo. In the effort to restore fertility of the soil, sections of the soil, that have become unproductive, will have their fertility enhanced by application of fertilizer. Butaleja district Lc.5 chairperson Joseph Muyonjo, is delighted that revamping the scheme is bound to register a positive household effect. “I’m reliably informed by my technical staff that the number of the local community that earn a living from the scheme has more than doubled from previously 10,000 to 25,000,” explains Muyonjo. The chairperson Rice Farmers Cooperative Society Dr. John Mudusu says they have just concluded the exercise of officially registering the farmers cooperative organization. “Among the roles of the cooperative would be to ensure that all members adhere to the new changes, particularly the plan improve on the quality, ” stresses Dr. Mudusu. Happy community “When the floods struck we used to flee out of our home together with livestock seeking refugee on highland in the neighbouring sub counties,” recalls Kulumba. Business in the district would get  paralyzed as the floods would submerge the main access roads joining the district and other neibhouring districts. The cost of living hiked as supply of essential commodities let alone transport fares would astronomically hiked. George Magamo 49, remmembers the havoc that the calamity would cause, including contaminating nearly all their water source points. “The entire environment would get horribly polluted as fecal matter would come afloat as the floods submerged the pit latrine,” explains Magamo Aggrey Mukasa an environmental expert says besides the long standing constrains of blocked channels of Doho rice scheme, Butaleja district was geographically disadvantaged, as it was a long land area that neighboured the mountaneous Bugisu region, which was also the source of the violent natural feature like River Manafa. A huge dam, meant to act as irrigation water reservoir to serve as source of water during a drought had to be constructed. “The contractor has almost finished 80% percent of the work, what is remaining can hardly take a month to be completed,” stresses Sagula. The rice scheme was originally run by Chinese in the 1970,s up to 2003 when they quit. in 2003, the government surrendered management of the scheme to the local rice farmers  to date."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/643566-poisonous-yams-flood-kampala.html","content":" - Tests reveal that yams grown in Kampala’s wetlands are contaminated with deadly chemicals from industries, notably lead, copper, ammonium and orthophosphate. But Ugandans are eating away, yet all the consequences boil down to death, writes Carol Natukunda We are looking for the yam garden in which Rubaga South legislator Ken Lukyamuzi allegedly hid from the Police a few years ago. Standing at Lukyamuzi’s former residence near Nalukolongo Industrial Area, we cannot trace any yams. The garden is no more. It was reclaimed by developers. We proceed to Mutundwe, about seven kilometres from the city centre. Barely minutes after driving on the marram patch from Nateete junction, we see the yams and they are everywhere. They are healthy-looking yams grown on the banks of a large sewage channel right behind a fueling station. Next to the fueling station are different factories. They too have effluent flowing out of their fences and you can see leafy yams growing on the edges of this greenish and stagnant sewage. We learn from the residents that yams grow best in wetlands. We proceed further into Kisigula Zone in Mutundwe. From atop the hill, we can see a long metallic pipe cutting through the wetland. Some residents believe it carries sewage from neighbouring homes and factories, others believe it is a water pipe, while others say acts as a bridge when the place floods. It is hard to confirm any of these claims. But one thing for sure is that part of it is underground because the points where it begins and ends all somewhat disappear into the ground. There is no leakage though. The pipe is built so high that you are likely to get dizzy and lose balance while walking on it, yet it provides a good view of the garden under it. You can see the yams near, and other crops such as sugar cane and vegetables grown in this swamp. Water for survival The yam is the crop of all seasons in this area. According to Johnson Bakamuha, a porter on a sugar cane plantation, all the other crops are destroyed during the rainy season when they are submerged. “But the yam continues to grow. Sometimes there is dirty water coming from homes uphill,” Bakamuha says, adding that in the wetland, the yams are specifically grown near a drainage channel to ensure constant supply of water, even during the dry season. Bakamuha does not seem to be worried about the sewage that might be flowing into the gardens. As far as he is concerned, “the yams will grow anyway.” Mzee Musa Mubiru Musisi, who has lived here for seven years, is worried about the chemicals that industries might be pouring in. He says, he can tell from the dark smoke rising from a house enclosed in a high wall fence or the deafening machines that there are factories in the area. “They are inside wall fences. We do not know what kind of factories they are, but there are so many chemicals that come down to this valley when it rains,” Musisi says. “We might not fall sick today, but what will happen a few years from now? We are worried about the chemicals.” Musisi also notes that a lot of people go to dig in the swamps without protective gear like gumboots. “Do you think the chemicals will enter into our bodies?” he asks as if hoping for reassurance. As we move further into the swamp, we notice that there are two small drainage streams. It is believed that these join the Lubigyi channel, which consequently pours into Lake Victoria. A favourite dish And yet even with these fears, yams remain a favourite meal for the residents. Some parents confide that when the children are on holiday, the yams do the magic. “It quickly fills up your stomach, so you spend less money on meals,” says one mother. Musisi is also quick to interject that a piece of yam is what rolex (omelette in chapatti)or chapatti (plain) is to an eligible city bachelor, who has no time to fix a quick meal. “You buy one small piece of boiled yam from a vendor, eat it along with black tea and you are sorted,” he says, laughing. He adds that yams are believed to give men a lot of energy.   Deliciously poisonous yams Cashing in Farmers are reaping big in the yam business. As Bakamuha explains, most of the city markets buy their yams from this area. Agents who supply out tests on yams grown in Kampala’s wetlands. Consistently, the tests have revealed that the yams are contaminated with deadly chemicals that come from industrial by-products discharged into the wetlands. As the yams grow, the tubers absorb these chemicals, most notably lead, copper, ammonium and orthophosphate. Because of this, scientists at one time thought about growing yams in wetlands to clean up the soil. Of course, human beings would be prohibited from harvesting and consuming yams grown for this purpose. However, when researchers at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Health Sciences at Makerere University carried out an experiment in 2005, they established that papyrus was better than yams at cleaning out the chemicals from the soil. The study was undertaken in Nakivubo wetland, which borders the northern shores of Lake Victoria. The wetland receives heavily polluted waste water run-off, both domestic and industrial, from the Nakivubo channel. Whereas vegetation would provide a natural filter to clean the water before it flows into Lake Victoria, the study found that more than half of the wetland has been cultivated or drained for construction. In the study, it was also observed that the stems and root tubers of yams did not develop well and were often rotten. The report concluded that since papyrus has better waste water treatment efficiency and superior growth characteristics, it should be encouraged to grow again in the wetland. It was also noted that if encroachment of the wetland by agricultural activities is halted, papyrus would eventually out-compete the yams. Similarly, an earlier study done in 2002 by Grace Nabulo of the department of Botany in Makerere University, found that waste water released by some Ugandan industries into agricultural land had heavy metal contents, above internationally accepted standards, thus posing a health risk to consumers. The study, titled “An Assessment of Heavy Metal Uptake by Food Crops and Vegetables Grown in Kampala City,” found that vegetables and food crops sampled from these industrial areas had higher concentration levels of lead, zinc and copper, compared to those grown elsewhere. Doctors say children who grow up constantly eating such toxic foods end up retarded Dangers of these metals In a telephone interview with Sunday Vision, Dr. Muhammad Ntale, the head of the chemistry department at Makerere University, stressed that the reports only confirmed several studies that they had done over the years. He says eating yams or food crops grown in the polluted swamps have disastrous consequences. “Zinc and copper are the most complicated metals. Crops like yams have a higher ability to accumulate or absorb the metals as they grow,” Ntale says. “Copper is a poisonous element to the liver and all body organs. If its concentration goes beyond average, it can lead to death,” he observes. He says lead is also deadly, especially to women’s reproductive health. “It can cause miscarriages and lead to liver problems, brain damage and mental retardation. So, if a child is constantly eating such foods, their brain gets retarded and people think they are stupid. In adults, it leads to cardiac problems,” Ntale warns. Besides the toxic levels of these metals, they are also widely believed to cause multi-drug resistant strains of bacteria. Dr. Erasmus Barifaijo, the team leader of a 2007 research on heavy metal loading in wetlands around Lake Victoria, notes that there is a close relationship between antibiotic resistance and heavy metal concentration levels in the wetlands, and areas with high figures of heavy metal pollution. There is a higher percentage of antibiotic resistance, compared to non-polluted areas. This was in both medical and veterinary practice in Kampala and in Jinja."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/637288-floods-ravage-districts.html","content":" - By Vision Reporters Service delivery in Nakaseke district has been affected after floods triggered off by torrential rains cut off some parts of the district. Most affected is Kaasangombe sub-county where the floods have cut off Nakaseeta Police Post and rendered two major feeder roads impassable. The two roads — Luweero-Nakaseeta-Nakaseke and Wobulenzi-Nakaseke — are the major feeder roads joining Luweero to Nakaseke Hospital. Several villages have also been cut off from the rest of the district. A flooded Nakaseeta Police post in Nakaseke district The heavy rains, which intensified last week, have caused several small rivers such as Lugogo to burst their banks, washing away roads. This has compelled motorists going to Nakaseke from Luweero, to use the longer Kalule-Nakaseke route. The few boda boda motorcyclists who use the flooded roads have hiked the fare to 12,000 from the usual 5,000. Also submerged in the floods are crop fields owned by HNHE FARM, a Chinese agricultural company based at Nakaseeta village. Patients are stuck in villages without health care, while several primary school pupils have stopped going to school for fear of drowning. The district secretary for works, Benjamin Makanga, said on Saturday that the district authorities were still looking for funds to repair the damaged roads. Residents wade through the flooded road in Kaasangombe sub-county, Luwero district Katakwi victims starve At least 1,600 families in Katakwi district lack enough food, with most households surviving on one meal a day because of the floods that hit the area in August. Over 13 villages in Magoro sub-county had their crops destroyed in the gardens. Besides, several people lost beddings and are now sleeping on grass in their homes. The LC1 chairman Ooliri village, Omasia parish, Vincent Okanya, told New Vision over the weekend that children were the most affected in the villages. Okanya explained that the situation had worsened with increased rains, but added that things were slowly getting better since the rains had started reducing. He added that most homesteads had lost houses, forcing some families to share limited space with neighbours. “Most huts are damp and children are developing rash on their bodies,” he said. Florence Atyang, a resident of Ooliri village, said the floods destroyed her two acres of cassava, adding that she had nothing to feed her family on. She appealed to the Government to provide the victims with food for the next seven months until they harvest next year. The sub-county chief, Daniel Magoro Opio, said the floods destroyed all the access roads. “Most feeder roads have been demolished and need urgent repair,” he noted. He identified the roads in Magoro, Ngariam, Palam, Omodoi, parts of Usuk and Ongongoja as the most affected. He added that the destruction of these roads had made it impossible to access basic needs. He said the floods had forced five schools to close until recently when they were re-opened for the third term. Opio added that two people had lost their lives as huts crumbled and fell on them in the night. He asked the Government to provide mosquito nets, water purifiers, tarpaulins for drying the rotting food stuffs and some relief items. Kibaale residents ordered to vacate plains People pushing an Isuzu truck on the Hoima-Kagadi road Kibaale residents living in the low-lying areas especially the flood plains have been ordered to vacate immediately. The director of National Emergency Co-ordination Operation Centre in the Office of the Prime Minister, Maj. Gen. Julius Oketta, said: “Nobody should be living in the flood plains because they are susceptible to floods and we do not want a repeat of such disasters.” He was meeting the people affected by the flooding of Nkusi river in Birembo sub-county Kibaale district. Oketta is the national coordinator of disaster management and response in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). He said it is possible to replace the destroyed crops, but impossible to replace the lost lives. Oketta visited the devastated areas and attended the burial of the 57-year-old Mugyenyi and his three-year-old daughter identified as Kayesu who were killed by waters on Tuesday. He said although the Government was responding to the needs of the people, the residents need to take caution and leave the flood plains. “We have already requested for immediate relief to come and help the affected people, especially food and utensils,” said Oketta. The floods swept away over 41 homesteads and over 280 people were left homeless as their mud-and-wattle houses were brought down. Oketta said the affected people were free to live with their relatives, adding that the Government would provide them with food. “We want to work out a concrete plan of resettling these people so that such disasters do not occur again in the same area,” said Oketta. Crops such as maize, beans, potatoes and groundnuts were destroyed in six villages of Kikandwa, Rwebigaga, Rwasengura, Kiyanja and Kabuhuuna in Birembo and Kyebando sub-counties in Kibaale district. The river flooded for over 200 metres on either side, causing havoc. The residents told New Vision that at around 9:00pm on Monday night, they heard a sound similar to that of a bus and suddenly found themselves in waters. Two children who were with the late Mugyenyi miraculously survived the disaster and were rescued by the Police and residents. They were on top of the papyrus, some 300 metres away from their home. “We found these two children clinging on the papyrus after spending one day in the wild and they were still alive,” said John Ojokuna Elatu, the district Police commander, who headed the operation. The district natural resources officer, Louis Balikudembbe, said the disaster came to this magnitude because the people interfered with the natural flow of the river. “These people had constructed houses less than 50 metres from the main river and they could not survive,” said Balikudembbe. Elatu said the children were rushed to a nearby health centre for treatment and are now normal and living with relatives in the village. Govt, Red Cross assist flood victims The Office of the Prime Minister has delivered both food and non-food relief items to the people affected by floods in Kibaale district. The items have been distributed to over 400 people in 52 affected households and the host families. Among the items distributed are 3,000kg of beans, 5,000kg of posho, 151 blankets, 132 basins, plates, cups and 120 tumplines. George Willy Tusabomu, the Kibaale district planner who is heading the distribution exercise, said the number of beneficiaries is likely to go high due to the host families. “We have distributed the items but more is still needed,” said Tusabomu. Those affected by the floods were discouraged from camping in one place due to the health and sanitation problems that would arise. They were advised to stay with relatives and friends that have latrines and other amenities. Uganda Red Cross Society also distributed various non-food items to the flood victims. The manager of the Uganda Red Cross Society Kibaale branch, Isa Sunday, said they have distributed 60 blankets, 40 tarpaulins for shelter, 40 mosquito nets, sauce pans, soap and other home utensils. “We are on ground to ensure that the situation does not deteriorate because it could lead to disease outbreaks,” said Sunday. The beneficiaries are in the sub-counties of Birembo, Kakindo, Kyebando and Kiryanga. The most affected villages — Kikandwa, Rwebigaga, Rubasengura, Kikwaya, Kihanga, Rutooma, Kiyanja and Kyabahiigi — also received relief items. Meanwhile, the water levels of River Nkusi on the Kagadi-Hoima road have greatly reduced, but the road is still not safe to be used by motorists. Uganda National Roads Authority Hoima station manager Jonathan Wazimbe said: “We advise the public to use alternative routes to connect to either Hoima or Kagadi as we assess the condition of the affected section,” said Wazimbe. UNRA declared the Hoima-Kagadi road closed because it is not safe to be used by motorists. The alternative route is Buhimba-Nalweyo-Kakumiro-Mubende which connects to Fort Portal."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/322517-will-new-leaders-change-kampala.html","content":" - By Joshua Kato MANY people have referred to Kampala as a city of potholes, floods, traffic jams and riots, which overshadow the beauty of the seven hills for which it was known at independence. As the election excitement wanes, new city leaders who were sworn in yesterday will come face to face with these challenges. Nearly all the leaders are new and have been given more responsibility than their predecessors. Erias Lukwago was elected as Lord Mayor, replacing Nasser Sebaggala. In Rubaga Division, Joyce Ssebugwawo replaced Peter Ssematimba. Ben Kalumba replaced Protazio Kintu in Nakawa Division. In Kawempe Division Mubarak Munyagwa replaced Nasser Takuba, while Ian Clarke replaced Moses Kalungi in Makindye. Godfrey Nyakana retained his Central Division seat, becoming the only survivor of the elections. Sanity in leadership Top on the Lord Mayor’s agenda is the restoration of sanity in the city administration.“The city has not had an administration. My first role will be to bring back sanity and respect at City Hall,” says Lukwago. Lukwago says previous leaders of the city did not have a people-friendly administration and were only interested in personal gain. Kampala has been cited as the most corrupt district in Uganda. Services to the people “This has been our biggest failure in the past. Service delivery has not been so good and effective and this is what we must do differently in this new term,” says Kisenyi councillor Salim Uhuru. Godfrey Nyakana, however, says service delivery will only improve if municipalities are allowed to have their own contracts committees. At the moment, contracts are awarded by the centre. “You can submit a contract to the board and it takes a year to approve it,” Nyakana complained. He said the contract to tarmac Church Road in Kamwokya took over three years, which was an unnecessary delay. He also says the number of technocrats at the divisions must be increased. “At the moment, we have just one engineer in charge of supervising construction,” he said. Garbage Kampala city has got a day time population of around 3 million people and a resident population of around 2 million. According to outgoing city mayor, Sebaggala, the city population generates around 1,500 tonnes of garbage everyday. “The council does not have the capacity to collect all this garbage,” he says. KCC needs at least 200 garbage trucks and over 500 workers to effectively remove that garbage. As a result, KCC liberalised the garbage collection sector by contracting several private firms to handle it. But Sebaggala believes more stringent garbage disposal by-laws must be adopted. “For example, why should people bring un-peeled bananas into the city? Why should animal abattoirs be located in the centre of the city? Those are some of the issues that must be looked into.” On the other hand, Lukwago says garbage collection can be improved as long as the population is made to realise that they own the city. “When the people start feeling that the city belongs to them, they will stop dumping garbage anywhere.” In Makindye Division, Clarke said he would use a people-led approach against garbage. “I will engage the community in the running of the division,” he says. Poor drainage systems “The major drainage the city is using was constructed many years ago. By then it was only good enough for a few thousand residents,” Sebaggala says. Through the years, even water channels like the Nakivubo channel confluence, the Rubigi wetland, Nsooba and areas around Lugogo that used to seep water out of the city have been encroached on. “Most of the areas that flood should not have buildings in the first place. In a way, it is the buildings that ‘invaded’ the water ways,” outgoing Kawempe chairman Takuba, says. However, it was a weakness on the part of the city authorities, who are responsible for certifying and regulating the construction of buildings in the city. And now, it is difficult to evict wetland encroahers. The new leadership should find ways of reducing the water. “They can, for example, pass a by-law enforcing the use of water gutters on all houses across the city. This way, water will not be allowed to flow away into valleys and low lands, but harvested. Traffic jams across the City Sebaggala had promised to fight traffic jams by introducing a bus service. He even took journalists on a ‘tour’ of one of the buses he had acquired to operate in the city. However, the traffic jams persisted. “I need an hour to drive from Kisaasi, through Ntinda to the city centre during the peak hours and yet without a jam, I spend just 15 minutes,” says Sarah Namwanje. The new leadership will have to find a solution to the traffic jam problem. On top of introducing city buses, the Ssebagala leadership had also considered ways of introducing vehicle holidays. “We may start a system where vehicles of given number plates are not allowed into the city on given days,” he said. Other measures planned by the Government include constructing a ‘Southern Bypass’ and a fly-overs in jam-prone places. Potholes on roads in the city “It is much easier to dodge the smooth parts of a city road than the pot-holes,” Moses Busulwa, a taxi driver, angrily commented. According to a report from the Ministry of Works, about the state of city roads last year, it was established that over 70% of them had long passed their usable life. “Many of these roads were constructed over 40 years ago,” the report said. For a city dweller, potholes are a daily nightmare. Of the 900km of roads in the city, only 400km is tarmacked and of these, less than 100km of the roads are pothole free. According to KCC officials, to make all these roads passable, over sh300b is needed. “Obviously, we do not have that amount of money,” Sebaggala said. Late last year, however, most of the roads were taken over by the Central Government and a major pot-hole ‘assault’ launched across the city. The ‘assault’ cost over sh15b. Under the new city governance arrangement, these roads will still be under the Central Government. Corruption AT City Hall “I can only describe the seat of the Kampala leadership as a ‘city hole’ because all the money that goes there is ‘stolen’ by the city leaders,” Michael Mabikke, the former Makindye East MP told a committee investigating corruption in the city last year. In most of the Auditor General’s reports for the last five years, Kampala City Council has been singled out as the most corrupt local government in the country. A committee was set up to investigate corruption in the city in 2008, established that at least 60% of the taxes in the city are not ‘collected.’ When they are collected, the money does not reach the city coffers. This meant that if revenue collections had been transparent, the city would have collected at least sh75b in the 2008/09 financial year, instead of sh25b. The report said there was widespread use of illegal receipts. “That building is a den of thieves,” Lukwago once commented. the markets The major issue that destroyed Ssebagala’s popularity was the re-development of markets. Sebaggagala promised to hand over the re-development of these markets to the vendors. However, he gave away Nakasero and Kisekka markets to individual businessmen. This made him unpopular. The new city leadership will find the same challenges. Planners even think that at the rate the city is growing, a huge market like St. Balikudembe should no longer be in the city centre. has a home in the city center. That is one of the issues to mull over."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/646170-we-knew-mudslides-would-happen-in-bududa-why-didn-t-we-prepare.html","content":" - By Musa Ecweru One of Uganda’s dailies on Thursday, August 15, 2013, ran an article entitled: We knew mudslides would happen in Bududa, why didn’t we prepare? It is unfortunate that in Uganda, even visitors can get a chance to comment on critical issues concerning this country, over which they have not done enough research and have not consulted authorities to get facts about the subject. In the article referred to above, it is indicated that there is lack of preparedness and perhaps the will is not there from the Government to do that. This is a very wrong perception and it is misleading. Indeed the National Policy for Disaster Preparedness and Management was developed by Office of the Prime Minister and approved by Cabinet in 2011. I do not need to over emphasise the good ideas there in, but they were put together by the Government with the will to have the policy implemented and to improve resilience as well as preparedness against disasters. The policy is being implemented and since disasters cut across sectors, different line ministries are implementing the policy according to their respective mandates. It is recalled that on March 1, 2010, landslides hit Bududa District, killing over 150 people and displacing 8,000.  In October 2010, relocation of the displaced to safer areas was done and they were taken to Kiryandongo after de-gazetting part of the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement. The nature of houses in Bududa that are easily blown by hailstorm They were given 2.5 acres, one acre of land was cleared for them to grow food, they were fed for one year, a health unit was established and Government embarked on constructing them permanent houses. In total, 603 households were taken to Kiryandongo and 100 houses will be constructed each Financial Year. The Government had three alternative Government land where the Bududa landslides survivors could have been resettled and a technical committee comprising of line ministries was formed. It went and verified the three alternatives and recommendations were that Kiryandongo was the best alternative of the three mainly because services like water points, schools, health centres, roads, etc. were already available in Kiryandongo, having been a refugee settlement. Kiryandongo is part of Bunyoro sub-region and all these areas are known to be very fertile. The refugees we have been resettling there have always attained self-reliance a few years of being hosted there. This is what has led to development of the Bweyale town.  Additionally, if a few of the resettled people have gone back for some reasons, I do not want to dwell into, it is wrong to think and to assume that majority have gone back. I am available to anyone wishing to go to Kiryandongo to confirm this. Resettled people are there and they are progressing. Focusing on the recent landslides in Bududa, I need to clarify some issues here. This was not a landlside like the ones experienced before. This was a combination of a hailstorm and hailstones that destroyed houses and killed a four year old boy and not the landslides. Equally a weak house that was de-roofed in Bumayoka sub-county Where the landslides occurred, there was no settlement and the destruction caused was on crops. All this happened on Saturday, August 10, 2013 and on Sunday, August 11, 2013. Officers from the Department of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Management were on the scene to assess the situation and inform response. On Monday, August 12, 2013, the assessment report was received clearly indicating numbers and location of the affected communities. By Tuesday, August 13, 2013, food was already in Bududa for distribution to the displaced communities. In all the emergencies and as guided by the Policy and Act of Parliament that establishes Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS)as an auxiliary to Government in such matters, we have been working together. At a coordination meeting that took place in Bududa, chaired by the Chief Administrative Officer, it was agreed that OPM provides food and tents, as other partners cater for non-food relief items.  100 tents had already been prepositioned in Bududa by OPM and it was readily available for temporary shelter. The rest of the players i.e. URC, World Vision, etc. have brought in non-food items/ house hold items like blankets, mosquito nets, jerricans, etc. and URCS has been tasked to handle their distribution. A few delays in distribution came about because of exaggeration in figures of the affected households by district leadership. The Government had to ensure that the right numbers of the households affected are obtained, get to know where exactly they are and their nature of needs. Reports have been indicating effects to thousands of people, but the reality was obtained after the assessment. Where the landslides occurred, there were no houses and people were not settling there.  The child who died did not die as a result of landslides, but it is because the mother learnt of the destruction the rains had caused to her shop that was a distance away. She left the boy behind and went in the rains to save her property in the shop. On return, she could not trace her child. It is likely that the child tried to follow her and fell into a manhole near their home, under which hailstones covered him, causing his death. After the assessment, it was established that 117 households were most affected by strong winds and hailstones in Bushiyi sub-country, and 62 in Bumayoka. Of the 117 in Bushiyi, 21 households lost their houses completely, while the rest i.e. the 96 households happen to live in very risky hills and have been advised to move down the hills immediately. The destruction to the few houses above, however, is not surprising, given that they were very weak and semi-permanent. This phenomenon strengthens the relationship we have observe d between disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and poverty reduction. Strong houses would have stood the weather vagaries and we, therefore, need to carefully and harmoniously address the three, i.e. climate change, disasters and poverty. Other than the above kind of preparedness, the Government has been looking at a lasting solution to this problem. On June 27, 2013, after the second landslides that occurred in Bududa on June 25, 2012, a Sub-committee of Cabinet on emergencies and disasters, comprising of line ministers was established to address disasters and to stop death of people from such occurrences, especially landslides. Hon. Wakikona (right), consoling the mother of Wandeba John, a four-year child who died after drowning in a soak pit which was covered by hailstones in Matuwa Parish, Bushiyi sub-county The Sub-committee is chaired by the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Moses Ali and among the membership includes; the Minister for Works and Transport, Minister for Health, Minister for Education and Sports, Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Management and his Deputy, Minister for Water and Environment, Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and Minister for Local Government. The aim of having such a multi-sectoral committee was to holistically address the challenges in the Elgon Region in the face of climate change and challenges that have with the phenomenon. In July 2012, the Sub-committee had its very first meeting and they all agreed to travel to the entire Elgon region for a fact finding mission, but also to consult with the district officials as well as affected communities on what needs to be done to address the challenge of landslides and floods in this region. You will note that while the communities settling on the slopes of Mt. Elgon are experiencing landslides, some of those in the low lying areas are often affected by floods.  In that very month of June 2013, the sub-committee, led by the Rt. Hon. Moses Ali visited and consulted with all the seven districts within the Elgon, right from Bududa to Bukwo in Sebei. During the consultations, three alternatives of resettlement were proposed, that is to say, urbanisation, which meant getting people from the mountains and settling them in the urban centres. This meant upgrading them, providing them with all the necessary services, constructing housing estates going upwards due to limited space in most of these districts, devise alternative means of survival for the resettled communities, etc. this alternative is extremely expensive to achieve in it all the affected districts within the Elgon region and in the shortest period possible, because landslides cannot wait. The second option was to secure land within the Elgon region and resettle the people there. The third was to buy land from other parts of the country and use it for such resettlement. Officials consulted in the affected districts were very much in favour of the first two options, although the first option is still far from our reach. On return, a report was put together on the findings and recommendations. It is on this basis that a costed resettlement plan was developed, covering immediate, medium and long term interventions. Both documents were tabled before Cabinet, which approved the temporally resettlement of communities at high risk of landslides as a matter of urgency and then their eventual permanent resettlement after Government had identified and secured land for the purpose.  After Cabinet approval, sub missions were made to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and this Financial Year, sh8b has been allocated to procure land for resettlement of communities at high risk of landslides and floods within the Elgon Region. It is known that Bududa is the most affected and it is the priority district in this intervention. However, landslides are prevalent in Manafwa, Sironko, Bulambuli and Kapchorwa and will be considered as well. The process of buying this land has started and a multi-sectoral committee has already been put into place to undertake this assignment. Sh2.6b has been released this very quarter to be used on procurement of land. I want to assure Ugandans that the Government is doing everything possible to be better prepared given the increasing disasters in frequency and intensity in the country. Other than the above, a lot of other things have been done in the direction of preparedness, i.e. hazard and vulnerability mapping, establishment of a National Emergency Coordination and Operations Centre to improve surveillance, prediction, real time information, early warning and timely response to emergencies, among others. Mapping and registration of communities at high risk of landslides and floods within the Elgon region was done and it is only procurement of land that we have been waiting for. While we remain open for advice and objective criticism, we will be happy if it is well researched and factual because my considered view is that the article in reference lacks the above facts. However, as our people suffer from all this, we need to work together objectively and put politics aside, to avoid misleading the populace. For God and my country The writer is the minister of State for relief, disaster preparedness and refugee"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/641320-bugisu-sub-region.html","content":" - Margaret Shiwowo, a survivor of a landslide that struck villages in Bumwalukani Parish in Bududa District in June 2012, is a member of Bumwalukani Disaster Development Association that has embarked on tree planting to mitigate the effects of climate change. With support from the Territorial Approach to Climate Change (TACC) project operating in Mbale region comprising Mbale, Manafwa and Bududa districts, Bumwalukani Disaster Development Association is among twenty other groups that are engaged in various mitigation and adaptation strategies in the project area. A boy with goats that his family got under the project. “Since forming the association in November last year, comprising 56 members, we have established beds for seedlings of trees and Arabica Coffee that we started distributing to residents in Bunamulembwa and Bunakasala villages that were badly affected by the landslides.” Shiwowo said. Ramula Wakoko prepares a meal using an energy saving stove. The association chairman, Ismail Bwaya, whose home was buried by the landslide, says their (association) target is to plant and distribute over 40,000 tree seedlings in Bumwalukani parish of Bulucheke sub-county by May this year. TACC has not only educated the community about the best tree planting practices but has also given out a goat to each family to help improve the livelihood of the landslide victims, many of whom are still living in tents after their houses were destroyed. A house lighting system powered by biogas. In Tsutsu Cell of Bududa Town Council, Justine Manashe, a mother of three children does not regret associating with When Rain Fails, a community based organization (CBO) that has implemented TACC energy saving stove technology that has greatly cut down on the quantity of firewood used in preparing food for the family. Rebecca Nanjala -TACC Project Manager. “The simple technology of using brown soil from an anthill and grass to mold energy saving stoves is being adopted by many homesteads in the community where getting firewood or charcoal is very costly.” Manashe said. Ramula Wakoko, a mother of six children in the same village, says introduction of energy saving stoves is a big relief in the area where firewood is a scarce commodity. “Apart from using less firewood in cooking, energy saving stoves have many other benefits like keeping the fire for long, not blowing into the fire every time while cooking, and producing less smoke.” Wakoko said. Wakoko says that under Village Environment Committees, homesteads are being trained to mold energy saving stoves in their kitchens. At the same time, they are sensitizing the community on prevention of soil erosion in the hilly terrain, and general home hygiene that includes having a good kitchen and a ventilated pit latrine to avert preventable diseases like diarrhoea especially among children. In Bushula village, Khabutola sub-county in Manafwa district, TACC has helped in training members of KIFANGOKitsi Farmers NGO in agro-forestry and soil management. According to the organization’s chairman, Stephen Soyi, exchange visits have been organized by TACC for farmers to acquire knowledge in tree planting and improved methods of growing Bugisu Arabica coffee. Over 28,000 coffee seedlings and 21,000 tree seedlings that include fruit trees like avocado and mangoes have been distributed to farmers in Khabutola and Nalondo subcounties as an environment protection strategy. “Before TACC project was launched in Khabutola, members of KIFANGO used to receive only tree seedlings from the Government and other organizations. But inclusion of coffee seedlings has created impact on the community by encouraging farmers to plant trees on Namukhokhe and Fuluma hills that have been left bare after residents cut down trees for firewood and brick baking .” Soyi said. “Through training, farmers have greatly improved farming skills while farm production has also improved including proper use of the limited land.” Soyi added. Shadiya Mutuwa a member of Butebo Integrated Development group displaying briquettes. The exchange visits arranged by TACC project have enabled farmers learn about biogas and making of energy saving stoves. With technical support from Heifer International, in the last one year 33 families have been supported in the construction and use of biogas. Mzee Israel Natandula, 63, a farmer of Buwamboka village in Kato sub-county in Manafwa district is all praises to TACC project working with Youth Ending Hunger, a community based organization that has supported him to construct a biogas project he uses for cooking and lighting while the biogas residues are used as organic manure in his banana plantation. According to TACC Project Manager, Rebecca Nanjala, the project is funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and co-financed by the Department for International Development (DFID) and the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) while the Ministry of Water and Environment is the executing agency and Mbale district local government, the Implementing Partner on behalf of Mbale Manafwa and Bududa districts. The Territorial Approach to Climate Change (TACC) project is aimed at supporting the three districts to identify and develop projects that meet local needs while building resilience to climate change and TACC project has supported the three districts to develop an Integrated Territorial Climate Plan. In an interview, the Mbale district chairman, Mr. Bernard Mujasi, added that TACC project was initiated by the Welsh Government in partnership with Mbale Coalition Against Poverty (Mbale CAP). The Chairman said that the Integrated Territorial Climate Plan will be launched this month to address several causes of climate change like deforestation and degradation of river banks in Mt. Elgon region, the source of many rivers on which millions of people depend. A total of 20 climate change small grants have been awarded in the project area to interventions that include tree nursery establishment and tree planting, provision of heifers for zero grazing, briquette making by women groups, soil and water conservation, fruit growing, biogas and bee-keeping. A pilot carbon management scheme for rural communities in the Mt Elgon region has been established to ensure a sustainable financing mechanism to support tree planting and adoption of use of improved cook stoves in the Bududa, Manafwa and Mbale districts. The scheme is expected to produce long-term verifiable carbon credits by combining carbon sequestration with rural livelihood improvement through small-scale farmer-led afforestation/coffee-shade agroforestry and improved cook stove project. Nanjala says a platform for partnership, coordination and participation in addressing climate change challenges in Mbale region has been established to help the region build capacity in addressing and reducing causes of climate change in the target districts. A family displaced by a landslide is still living in a tent. The platform is providing a useful forum to discuss common challenges and brings together non-governmental organizations and districts to mainstream climate change issues in development planning processes. Through the platform, information from the project including climate change adaptation and mitigation actions are disseminated while non-governmental organizations use the information in developing their own proposals for sustainability. It is expected that the government of Uganda will apply the results of the Mbale TACC Projectinitiatives in mainstreaming climate change within development planning throughout the country. The lesson learned and best practices in the project will be disseminated and replicated to other regions in the country as a key contribution to the UNDP-UNEP Global TACC initiative. Mbale District Local Government, P.O. Box 931, Mbale, District Headquarters, Mbale Town. Project Manager: 0392-840426, CAO: 0772-410633. E-mail: nanjareb@ymail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/326855-factors-behind-nrmâ-s-victory.html","content":" - By Gen. (Rtd) Yoweri Museveni BEFORE the elections, I wrote an article in the New Vision paper predicting that the NRM would win with a landslide. This article was published in the late edition of the Sunday Vision of 13th February, 2011. Probably the opposition leaders did not read it. Please, read it if you did not. To recapitulate what I said in that article, I made the following points: 1.NRM and its predecessors – PRA, UPM, FRONASA, USARF, etc., have always been principled forces battling opportunists or criminal forces. In 1966, we opposed UPC’s abrogation of the 1962 Constitution. Although Mengo had its own mistakes such as promoting tribal chauvinism, blocking the introduction of democracy in Buganda, etc., it was wrong for the UPC to abrogate the Constitution. They should have used constitutional means to struggle against Mengo’s mistakes. In any case, they should have taken the same stand as Ben Kiwanuka of DP who did not want the Kabaka to be involved in politics. Had UPC and DP taken common principled positions on some of these issues; Uganda would, most probably, not have had the problems we had. NRM always stands for principles and never supports an opportunistic position. We supported liberation movements in Southern Africa in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s – until South Africa got freedom. We have stood for the freedom of the people of Rwanda, Congo and the Sudan (the Black people there). What were the other political groups or individuals doing vis-à-vis this enslavement of the Black people? Either nothing or they were collaborating with the oppressive forces. While we stood with the people of Southern Sudan, for instance, some groups were supporting Kony who was an agent of the oppressive forces in Khartoum. We stood against Amin when he was killing people in Uganda. We opposed UPC’s mistakes in the 1980s in Luwero and in West Nile where they were most pronounced. Of recent, we opposed opportunists who were trying to use cultural institutions to promote tribalism and to meddle in politics. We always struggle for the interests of the ordinary people. We protected them from extra-judicial killings by security forces or by anybody else. We struggled for universal immunisation so as to guard our children against the killer diseases – small pox, polio, T.B., diphtheria, tetanus, etc. We struggled for education for all – through UPE, USE and, in the near future, we shall offer free education for A Level, Technical education and student loans for University education in addition to the complete free University education for the 4000 best performers each year. We are determined to transform the traditional subsistence agriculture into commercial agriculture with food security as one component of that package through the reformed NAADS. Rather than consuming all the money in salaries for politicians and public servants, we have set up a Road Fund and an Energy Fund to modernise our infrastructure so as to lower the costs of doing business in Uganda and make Uganda a more attractive destination for investments. While some of the groups promote sectarianism and chauvinisms, we stand for patriotism, nationalism and Pan-Africanism because our people need markets where they can sell whatever they produce to get prosperity. Therefore, the last 45 years have been a very long journey along which the NRM has been battling oppressors, parasites and opportunists with logic, polemics and, occasionally, with arms. We have always won these battles, the protracted-ness of the struggle notwithstanding. The oppressors, the opportunists and the parasites try to obscure all these essentials for our people’s survival with lies, distortions, diversions, etc. We, however, always expose these schemes to the people of Uganda and the people always, in the main, understand and stand with us. They did it in the bush war, they did it in the 1994 constituent Assembly (CA) elections, the 1996 elections, the 2001 elections, the 2006 elections and they have just done it in the just concluded elections of February 18th, 2011. 2.The 2011 elections, however, had another dimension. After many years of fighting Sudanese sponsored terrorism and the Karimojong cattle-rustlers, the UPDF has defeated these killers. The whole country is now in peace. This has created conditions for the whole country acting together politically. The people in West Nile and North-central Uganda are now politically together with the rest of the country. This has never happened. In the 1962 elections, Buganda was under Kabaka Yekka (KY), Busoga was under UPC, Ankole, Tooro and Bunyoro were under DP, Lango under UPC, etc. In fact, no party had more than 50% of the votes in the whole country. Indeed, direct elections did not take place in Buganda. Only indirect elections were permitted. Outside Buganda, the following were the scores in terms of votes: UPC got 494,959 votes; DP got 415,718 votes. Although the votes of DP and UPC were, more or less, the same, UPC got 37 seats outside Buganda and DP got 24. This was due to the deliberate gerrymandering of the constituencies by the British in favour of UPC because of their sectarian mentality. The British were anti-DP because it was a Catholic Party. Of course, the whole scenario of sectarian parties was bankrupt. Today, however, the NRM has succeeded in uniting the people of Uganda. The 68% of the valid votes that were for the Presidential candidate for NRM represented a win in all the four regions of Uganda: Northern 53.69%, Eastern 58.95%, Buganda 52.84% and Western 80.89%. The invalid votes were 4% of the total votes. Most of these are normally NRM votes spoilt by election officials to undermine the NRM. We may ask for the further examination of this matter – not in an attempt to alter the declared results but as a matter of curiosity. In fact, the NRM vote is much higher. I told you in the article of 13th February, 2011, that we had carried out a household census. We found that 84% of the homesteads in Uganda are NRM. There is, therefore, no way any opposition group or a combination of them can win. In fact, the only problem NRM has is some of the selfish careerist NRM leaders who are only thinking of themselves and not the party or the country. As I said at Kololo, during the victory celebrations, there is no opposition in Uganda. Where you find the so-called “opposition”, it is on account of the weaknesses of the local leaders of NRM. They are not in touch with the local interest groups: youth, peasants, churches, etc.; they promote unprincipled contradictions among the people; or they fail to defend the masses against the corruption of the local leaders. This trend of the masses of Uganda being united is, therefore, irreversible. Opportunists like Besigye who praise Amin’s mistakes in West Nile, talk of “federo” in Buganda, talk of religious sectarianism in other parts of the country, support cattle-rustling in Karamoja, then “mourn” with the Itesot for the loss of their cattle on account of cattle-rustling, tell the people in Lango, Teso and Acholi that Museveni intends to steal their land and has already sold Lake Kyoga, etc., were confusing some sections of our people under only two circumstances: terrorism in the North and cattle-rustling by Karimojong killers on the one hand and the reliance on foreign funding for Uganda’s development on the other hand. These two phenomena gave opportunists chances to abuse the intelligence of our people. These two phenomena plus the weaknesses of our local leaders, including Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), allowed the opportunists to persist with these lies. The Banyankore, however, say: “Enjiiri ezaire teriibwa mbwa” – ‘a warthog that has produced children cannot be eaten by dogs – the young warthogs will defend it.’ That phenomenon is already emerging in Uganda. You get a number of young NRM workers like the Hon Caroline Okao of Amolatar, Hon Mohammed Nsereko of Kampala Central, Hon Ronald Kibuule of Mukono, the youth groups that were providing the music at my rallies to entertain the people to the chagrin of the local leaders who bore the people by the crave to “introduce” themselves and shout meaningless slogans, Nina Mbabazi and her group of researchers and many others some of whom I introduced at our victory rally at Kololo. These young people are really thorough. They remind me of our young days in FRONASA, USARF, etc. They leave nothing to chance. They know the role of the media and challenge the mendacious opposition there, they know social programmes like the screening of women for cervical cancer, economic programmes like micro-finance to the malwa groups, etc. Unfortunately, they are resented by the old guards in some cases because the latter think that the sharper insights of these young cadres are a criticism of the failures of the senior members. This is a wrong attitude. The senior members did their bit of, for instance, identifying with the NRM at a time the party was unpopular in some areas. That is good enough credit. Do not spoil that credit by resenting the young people who are adding value to the organization. With the value addition of these young people, the NRM is becoming formidable politically. I am also aware of the good work of some of the senior NRM leaders in different areas. You can easily see that through the cohesion of the NRM and the community in their respective areas. 3.The third factor why the NRM is becoming formidable politically is due to the socio-economic programmes of the NRM. You go to Kisoro, Zirobwe, Bundibugyo, Ibanda, Kapeeka-Semuto, Mubende, Fort-Portal, Kyenjonjo, Kyegyegwa, Dokolo, Lira, Pakwach, Nebbi, Arua, Kapchorwa, etc and you talk against the NRM, people will think you are out of your mind. The reception I received at Kalerwe market on account of the new roads from Kasangati and the Northern by-pass as well as the water operated public toilets in the area was most pleasing. The new roads to these areas cannot permit the opportunists going round telling lies. As we are going to implement our mega projects – the roads, the power projects, etc. – it will be difficult terrain for the opportunists to peddle lies against the NRM. We are going to implement NAADS programmes, UPE, USE, SACCOs, BPOs, correctly this time, without tolerating distortions or deviations by any public official. The stealing of drugs in hospitals and health units is going to be eliminated. My 242 mega rallies in the whole of Uganda have not been in vain. They did not only win us votes but they were social research for me. I now know what the people want and cherish. Fortunately, I moved around in some of the rallies with Mrs. Namubiru Rwabushaija, the President of the Teachers Association so that she could hear what the people thought of the teachers and health workers. The correctness of our strategy of balancing expenditure on wages of public servants on the one hand and socio-economic as well as infrastructure development on the other hand is being proven correct. We are avoiding the mistake that has crippled many of the African countries where whatever little money that is available is consumed by the wages of the public servants and nothing remains for infrastructure and socio-economic programmes for the masses except the donor-funded efforts which are ridiculously inadequate. “Garya embibo gashekyera ekiteme, the Banyankore say. This means that the “unwise man cooks seeds and eats them when he is hungry and when it comes to the planting season, he has nothing to plant; he only smiles at the garden with the teeth that ate the seeds.” As we collect more taxes, the salaries of public servants will go up. However, we cannot forget the roads, the railway, electricity, UPE, USE, NAADS, SACCOs, etc. Uganda is going to become a middle-income country by 2016. The Banyankore say: “Otarikumanya ngu bamutsigire, ati bandinzire” – the uninformed person thinks that co-travellers are waiting for him to start the journey together when, in fact, the other travellers are already far on their journey. The opportunists did not know that the NRM is always the doer throughout the 40 years it has been active in Uganda’s politics. It has been the solver of our people’s problems. Even the Ugandans who did not know this now know it. By defeating Kony and disarming the Karimojong, on top of its socio-economic and infrastructure programmes, the NRM is putting the final nails into the coffin of the opportunistic opposition groups. The Bible says: “We shall know them by their fruits.” That is certainly the opinion of the Ugandans. I thank you. The writer is the President /NRM Chairman"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/621092-bududa-pupils-struggle-to-survive-in-the-camps.html","content":" - By Daniel Edyegu The landslide that buried over 350 people in Bududa last month turned Peter Musene into an adult. At the age of 17, he has to provide for his siblings. Musene had read the signs. Hours before the landslide struck, he took refuge in Inyende village, some kilometres away from their home in Nametsi. He took his siblings Michael Wobusha, 15 and William Nabende, 10. All were pupils of Nametsi primary school, which lost 35 children. “I had returned home from a relative’s funeral when I saw water seeping from the floor of our house. Our mother (Lubango) told us that it was not safe to sleep there.” Following their mother’s advice, the children moved to safety. She had predicted some kind of endurable disaster, so she decided to stay and suffer alone while her children relocated. “We moved away and she remained behind. At about 8:00pm, I heard that the landslide had buried the trading centre,” Musene narrates. Their mother, who remained behind, died. Their father, Stephen Wamambo, died in 2002. The three are some of the 52 orphans who lost their parents in the Nametsi landslide. They live with more than 3,700 other displaced people at a camp in Bulucheke. According to Marion Kutusa, a family and child protection officer, some children lost both parents in the landslide. At the Bulucheke camp, Musene and his siblings have had to face the reality of orphanage and adjust accordingly. They are staying in a giant tent housing tens of children, where they receive relief supplies, although each family cooks their own food. When time for sleep comes, the children lie the mattresses on the tarpaulins on the floor. During the day, the tent is desolate as most children go to study at Bumwalye primary school, which is near the camp. But Musene cannot go to school because he had to decide between continuing or staying behind to take care of his brothers’ needs. He was in primary six. “As the elder brother, I have to remain behind and prepare them meals,” he explains. “Besides, we are sharing this tent with other children. I fear that if I went out, our relief items would be stolen.” Irene Nandutu, 14, lost her father, Nasur Wanzama, a medical practitioner at Nametsi trading centre. “At the time the landslide came, dad was at his clinic. His body has never been recovered todate,” says Nandutu. “Recently, we heard that they had dug out the body of a man. We rushed to the scene just in case. It was not him.” Nandutu, formerly of Nametsi primary school, is now at Bumwalye Primary School. She is in Primary Seven. She lives with her mother, Agnes Nabuto and brother Nathan Khatiya, 18, in the camp. “I want to study hard to become a doctor. I know it is a hard dream to achieve since my mum is helpless but I am determined,” Nadutu says. Education To cater for the education of displaced children at Bulucheke camp, the Government, in partnership with civil society organisations, has enrolled pupils at Hope Education Centre within the camp and Bumwalye Primary School. Ezra Nabute, the former head teacher of Nametsi primary school, is the head of the centre. Nabute says the displaced children from nursery to Primary Five have been registered, while those in upper primary registered at Bumwalye primary school. The schools have a total of 946 boys and 1,055 girls. Farouk Ssemwanga, the Save the Children emergency education coordinator, says they had expected to have 1,028 school-going children in the camp but the number has nearly doubled. “We have to make adjustments to provide more instruction materials for the teachers, more feeding rations and scholastic materials for the pupils,” Ssemwanga explains. Ssemwanga notes that 23 teachers have been recruited. He says their organisation has trained the teachers on how to handle traumatised children. Ssemwanga says they are paying the teachers sh100,000 on top of their monthly salaries, while those who were not on the Government payroll get sh150,000 per month. However, the classes are inadequate. A downpour marks the end of the school-day. “The water enters the classrooms and the floor becomes soggy. Since pupils sit on the floor, we have to send them away to allow the ground to dry. We experience heavy rains in the afternoon. Therefore we always cancel afternoon lessons,” Nabute explains. The teachers walk 20km to and from the school since there is no accommodation for them at the camp. Benedict Nasasa, a primary four teacher, says this has often resulted in latecoming. “By the time you reach school, you are too tired to conduct any lesson. We tried to ask for tents to no avail. They told us we were not vulnerable,” Nasasa says. He adds that the teacher to pupil ratio is too high and that hampers close supervision. This problem has been aggravated by the overwhelming influx of pupils from the neighbouring villages into the study centre. Each morning, the Uganda Red Cross Society and Save the Children carry out routine screening of the children to ascertain their identities. Nasasa says most children in the surrounding villages are attracted to the schools by the biscuits and juice provided. But what is it like teaching children who have lost classmates and close relatives to the landslide? “At times, you may be introducing a new topic in class and notice the minds of some pupils are far away. Often in deep thought trying to recount the experience or the intimacy they shared with the deceased persons. As teachers, we do not bark at them but get close to the pupil and try to light up the mood. It takes a lot of patience and tact to handle these pupils,” Nasasa observes. Bulucheke camp The camp is the temporary home of 3,746 displaced persons. Kevin Nabutuwa, the Uganda Red Cross Society’s eastern regional disaster management officer, says whereas the camp has adequate food to last a month, the biggest challenge has been the inadequacy of firewood. She adds that pregnant mothers, who are more than 80 in the camp, do not have delivery kits. The society is appealing for sh5b to purchase relief items for the next four months. A first aid tent sits in the middle of the camp. Here, trained Red Cross first aid volunteers attend to patients with mild ailments and refer those with serious sicknesses to Bukigai health centre. The common illnesses are malaria, diarrhoea and jigger infections. Moses Nabyaka, a Red Cross first aid provider explains that most of the people infected with jiggers at the camp are the elderly, children and the women. Nabyaka notes that the affected do not go for treatment. “They are ashamed. So they silently nurse the infection. We attend to six people with jiggers daily. We smear heavy lather of petroleum jelly on the infected feet and hands and tie them with polythene bags. In about 40 minutes, the heat forces the jiggers to pop out.” The UPDF and the police provide the security in the camp. Just at the entrance of the camp is a white tent that houses a police post. Majority of the offences are domestic brawls or fights among co-wives. The camp has been divided into two wards – A and B, each with its leader chosen by the displaced people. Each tent has a tent leader, too. The ward leaders settle minor conflicts and oversee the general welfare of their areas. Resettlement There is lack of consensus between the Government and the people on where to resettle them. This has partly been manifested in the open defiance by some people to vacate the slopes of Mt. Elgon, which the Government has declared prone to landslides. At Bukalasi sub-county, where the landslide occurred, some families have abandoned the Bulucheke camp and resettled in their homes. Over 5,000 families displaced by the landslides are expected to be resettled in the next three months. Kayunga district recently offered seven square miles of land in Galilaaya to resettle the survivors. The Bududa LC5 chairman, Wilson Watira, explains that the conflict of relocation of the residents arises from cultural beliefs. “The Bagisu treasure their ancestral land to the extent that somebody would rather die and be buried on his land than relocate. But should we hold on to culture in light of a looming disaster?” Watira asks. The residents want the Government to find an area with similar weather conditions and soils. The residents propose degazzeting Shiwandu forest reserve in Bubita sub-county. Ali Wanambwa, the LC1 chairman of Subisi in Bukalasi argues that Shiwandu is within Mt. Elgon and bears similar weather and soils to those in Bukalasi. “We depend on farming for our livelihood. In 2007 when we had a landslide here, the Government proposed to take us to Bunambutye in Sironko but we resisted because the soils were not conducive for agriculture,” Wanambwa explains. Shiwandu is a strip of land on Mt. Elgon Forest National Park. In an effort to restore vegetation to the area, the Uganda Wildlife Authority last October signed a memorandum of understanding in which it supplied tree seedlings to plant in Shiwandu forest reserve. In return, the communities were allowed to intercrop in between the trees until the canopy drives them out of the area. Fred Kizza, the Mt. Elgon deputy area conservation manager, explains that degazzetting Shiwandu forest would spell more danger. “Shiwandu is located within an area prone to landslides. We have encouraged people to plant trees to mitigate such effects. Resettling people there would bring destructive activities, a recipe for more disaster,” Kizza says. However, Maj. Gen. Julius Oketta, the national coordinator for emergency at the prime minister’s office, explains that resettlement will be based on consent. Oketta says within the next four months, the Government will be in position to identify appropriate land to resettle the landslide survivors. He says the matter is before Cabinet and Parliament. “It’s not a simple matter. It will take us some time.” The disaster preparedness state minister, Musa Ecweru, says the Government requires over sh200b to buy land to resettle the survivors. He says the Government is tackling the issue of resettlement with precaution, to avoid generating land conflicts in the future. As days wear into weeks and weeks to months, the mystery that remains hovering over the displaced people is when the resettlement plan will put an end to the long speculation."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/506998-mpsâ-stand-on-nssf-mbabazi-saga.html","content":" - MPS across the political spectrum have expressed divided opinions on what decision they will take concerning the two reports on the NSSF Temangalo land transaction. Over 100 MPs were asked whether they thought finance minister Ezra Suruma and security minister Amama Mbabazi breached the Leadership Code in the controversial purchase. Cyprian Musoke, Madina Tebajjukira and Moses Mugalu report their findings: Saleh Kamba (NRM) Question: Is Mbabazi, Suruma guilty? Answer: They are not. Voting: How and on who? Let us fight the political battle now. Margaret Angufiru (Independent) I am not prepared to answer any questions. John Yekko Arapkissa (Independent) I don’t know. I have not read the report. Vote: If I have proved verdicts against them, I will censure them. Anne Auru (Independent) Guilty? I don’t know. Vote: If any one has breached the Leadership Code Act, there is no problem censuring them, the entire Act says so. Silver Bahane (NRM) I haven’t looked at the report. Vote: Right now, I don’t know, I need to look at the report and then form an opinion. Aggrey Bagire (NRM) I don’t know, let the report be discussed, then I form an opinion. Mabel Bakeine (NRM) I cannot judge any one. It’s too early; I need to revise the report. Vote: The debate will determine my voting. Edward Baliddawa (NRM) I have no comment. Don’t even waste your time. Anifa Kawoya (NRM) None of them is guilty. The Leadership code is misplaced, I have read the report and I have not seen any credible evidence which I should base on to pin them. Vote: The motion will not arise because even the Leadership Code does not call for removal. Those who are for censure have got their other political motives. Beatrice Barumba Rusaniya (Kiruhura, Independent) They are guilty, especially over the night meetings they conducted soliciting for support. This indicates that they know they went wrong. Censure? It will depend. Right now, I don’t know. But if they could come out and apologise, it would be better than waiting for censure. They are all hard- working ministers. Christine Bako Abia (FDC) If I read the report and discover that they are guilty, I will not waste time, I will just do my legal obligation to censure them. Deusdedit Bikwasizehi (NRM) I have not internalised the report, and it’s to early for me to judge them. Vote: If this is the only way Parliament can express its displeasure, in ministers, then it’s okay. Yokasi Bihande (FDC) If I were Mbabazi and Suruma, the day the matter came out, I would have asked for leave to pave way for thorough investigations. But now he (Mbabazi) has interfered with the investigations and this makes him guilty. Vote: I will censure them, to serve as examples to others. Mathias Nsubuga (DP) I haven’t read the report. I can’t tell my vote now. Emma Boona (NRM) If you don’t read the minority report, they are guilty. But if you read it, they are not because some evidence was tampered with. Vote: If they are guilty, censuring is good, but if not, then it’s bad. Jalia Bintu (Masindi, NRM) I have to internalise the report. My voting will depend on the report. Edward Kasole (NRM) I haven’t read the report and I need some time to take a decision. Vote: It’s difficult to tell now, but censuring is one way of disciplining officials in a civilised and humble manner. Once one has violated the guidelines and you can’t take them to prison, there is nothing wrong with censuring. Alex Byarugaba (NRM) I need the minority report and then take a decision. I will vote with my party. Samuel Byanagwa (NRM) The Solicitor general, who is the government’s adviser, said there was wrong element in the transaction. What is going on now are political vendettas. Vote: There is an NRM caucus; my voting will be determined by the decisions reached at in the caucus. David Ebong (Maruzi, independent) They are guilty for sure. How did he (Mbabazi) know that NSSF wanted land? According to the main report, NEMA findings, the man is guilty and his colleague too. Vote: They must immediately go. Influence-peddling has turned a political precedent in this country. If all the time we exonerate, how will we show that the country is setting a precedent against corruption? Emmanuel Dombo (NRM) I have not received the reports. I cannot make my opinion known now. Vote: I can’t tell my side but it’s (voting) good and that is why it was provided for in the law. Musa Ecweru (NRM) It’s too early for me to take a decision because we are yet to discuss the reports objectively as Parliament, and I pray that a lot of objectivity would be exercised without victimising others. We should use both reports to arrive at a useful conclusion. Vote: We shall cross the bridge when we reach there. Nevertheless, none of us is above the law. Censuring should be done when one has committed a genuine mistake, but not on political disputes. Charles Ekemu Willy (FDC) They are all guilty. Vote: It’s long overdue. They are just expressing ignorance, yet they are high profile people expected to be of high moral integrity. They must be censured because if they stay, it will set a bad reflection on the top leadership. Hassan Fungaru Kaps (FDC) Very guilty! They used their position to exert undue influence. Because they know the law, they tried to transact the deal through other people to avoid legal problems that might affect their jobs. Workers money is money for the poor people and the two ministers agreed to make a gentleman’s deal to buy shares for their personal benefits. Vote: I will vote for censure, but still this government is full of corrupt officials, so they will not be hurt and they will not be moved since they are not the first culprits. Florence Ekwau (Kaberamaido, FDC) Yes, these are the cream of this country. How could they turn back and rob the little resources of the workers. If they are clean, why do they hold secret meetings even at night. They also disturbed members of the committee and NEMA officials during investigations. Vote: If we don’t vote them out, how can we claim that we are representing workers. Rev. Fr. Simon Lokodo(NRM) I have not established whether it’s true that they peddled influence or not. Vote: It’s wrong to censure ministers because it’s neither informative nor constructive. It’s just discarding them, unless we want more losses than gains. We should inculcate a spirit of understanding and tolerance. Emmanuel Otaala (NRM) I haven’t read the report because I’ve been very busy and wasn’t in parliament. But all I can say is that when such a report is made, we discuss it first in the Cabinet and take a position, which is binding to all of us. Rebecca Lukwago (Luweero, Independent) Guilty? That is obvious. When they participated in the transaction, they did it at individual basis and not on behalf of NRM, so I would censure them. Peter Omolo (FDC) That’s very clear, they are very guilty. First of all, Amama is lawyer and minister of security, he should have been in a better position to even advise on this matter. Vote: What would you expect? It’s a clear cut. I want to see them off. Sam Lyomoki (NRM) They are not guilty because the report is speculative. The members relied on discredited influences. That is not how justice should operate. The report has no evidence; it seems the investigators had their own verdict. Vote: That motion will not go through, we shall block it. It’s the NSSF management that should be penalised other than the ministers. Marion Nalubega (Workers, NRM) NSSF problems didn’t start with Temangalo land, so as a workers’ representative, I have an everlasting solution. We need workers’ representation on the Board and NSSF should look more to savings, not investments Vote: I can’t tell you what I’ll vote for or against but that’s my stand on the matter. Suleiman Madada (NRM) It’s not easy to conclude until we go through the legal procedures. Vote: I am not in for censure. We should only put emphasis on the workers’ money. These are not the only individuals who have caused loss of workers’ money, there has been many scandals in the recent past. We might sacrifice individuals without solving the real problem within NSSF. Sekyanzi Ndawula Ali (NRM) I’ve not been around but I got the report yesterday (Friday) and I’m reading it right now, so I will be able to make a decision later today. Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire (NRM) What’s your problem? No comment. Charles Olweny Ojok (Independent) Anybody can deal in any business in our country, so it’s a big challenge to establish whether there was influence peddling in this matter and how to prove it legally, but it is more of a political question. Vote: I am reading the report and will be able to make a decision after internalising it, and comparing the outcome of the ensuing debate Ashraf Noah Olega (NRM) I haven’t got the report but according to what I have read, it’s important to first establish whether it was a good investment. Isha Otto Amiza (UPC) Conflict of interest would make them guilty but it has to be proven. In public opinion, they are guilty because they were involved in the dirty transactions as public officers. Vote: If there is enough evidence, I will vote for a censure because this would prove that parliament is fighting wrong elements. Workers are not happy and this is where Parliament shall be judged. They must go, so that they serve as examples to others. Beatrice Anywar (FDC) Guilty? Yes, they didn’t follow the procedures. The whole deal was not transparent. More so, they have again muddled the out come of the investigation. I am so disappointed. Mbabazi is guilty and he wants to turn around the report. Vote: I am travelling out of the country, but I want to meet the Speaker and see how I can vote, whether by writing, mailing or calling during the proceedings and vote against them. I want to be on record. Anthony Yiga (NRM) ‘I have not yet got both reports but according to what I have read from the press, you cannot rule out influence-peddling but we need to see which articles of the leadership Code they violated. Censure? If the report pins them, there’s no way I can vote otherwise. Kasiano Wadri (FDC) Certainly, the two are guilty as found by the main committee and according to the evidence from MD Jamwa, they exerted political pressure. So I strongly believe they contravened the leadership code. Vote: I support the motion to see them out. Grace Bukenya (NRM) I’m going to read both reports, internalise them and then judge whether they are guilty or not. But, of course, if they are guilty, I vote for the motion to censure them because we represent people’s interest. Tanna Sanjay (Independent) They are guilty of influence-peddling and Amama Mbabazi even up to now has been peddling influence. Vote:I’m encouraging them to resign for the benefit of the party, but if they don’t, I’ll vote for censure. Nabilah Sempala (FDC) Definitely, they are guilty of influence peddling because they have executive powers. They contravened the leadership code Vote: I will vote for censuring them because the nation is tired of people abusing their offices. Latif Ssebaggala (DP) They are guilty of influence peddling, especially Mbabazi, who even ever since we got to know about the saga, has been panicking. Certainly, there was political pressure on the NSSF managers. Vote: I’ll vote for censuring Mbabazi and Suruma over the matter."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/355848-why-londonâ-s-cherie-cherishes-bad-company.html","content":" - Mrs Cherie Blair, wife of Britain’s premier, has purchased two flats with the help of convicted fraudster Peter Foster. This has raised controversy more so as to whether the deal breached the terms of a blind trust set up to shield the premier from financial conflicts of interests. Downing Street is quick to exonerate Tony Blair from the scam. Cherie has also been linked to other eccentric pals SOON after Blair’s Labour Party’s triumphant 1997 election, his new spokesman Alastair Campbell was greeted on arrival at Downing Street, the official London home of the premier, by a vision which promptly shattered his morning good cheer. Tripping down the stairs from Bliar’s private apartments was ‘lifestyle therapist’ Carole Caplin, already recognised as one of Blair’s wife Cherie’s intimate advisers, and this week described as a former soft-porn model, an ex-member of the discredited ‘80s cult Exegesis and, as the daughter of Sylvia, who has assisted Cherie Blair in her communications with the spirit world. Campbell wasted no time in making his concerns apparent. “What’s that woman doing in here?” he barked, within Caplin’s earshot. He was astounded that, following her elevation to the role of first lady, Blair had not conducted a serious re-evaluation of those she kept close to. The friction between the more colourful elements of Cherie’s entourage, and the more sober demands of her position as first lady neither began nor ended with that morning encounter. But the unravelling allegations of this past week, which resulted in Cherie’s extraordinary statement recently in which she admitted that Caplin’s convicted fraudster partner, Peter Foster, had helped broker the purchase of two apartments in Bristol, west of England, despite previous denials –– only hint at the significance of this key relationship. “Cherie is emotionally dependent on Caplin,” says a source (no one in Blair’s inner circle will go on the record on the subject of Cherie). “(Caplin) is the person who helps her in the one area of her life where she feels genuinely insecure –– her appearance. In her relationship with Blair, she was always used to being the less attractive partner –– she was the brains and he was the brawn. Suddenly, she found herself being judged on completely different terms.” Caplin’s role in managing this vulnerability has brought her into direct conflict with Campbell and his partner, Fiona Millar, Blair’s unofficial minder, who have regarded her as a political liability for many years. But Cherie is a loyal person and, even as the Mail on Sunday story was breaking last weekend, she was reportedly hosting Caplin at his country home, Chequers, north of London. Cherie and Caplin first met when Caplin was running an exercise class at the Albany fitness centre in Regent’s Park, London, long before her husband became premeir. After Blair’s election, the pair became much closer, and Caplin has since been employ-ed to advise on many aspects of dress, health and fitness, and is credited with introducing Cherie to many of alternative therapists. She has chosen clothes for Blair and over the years, she has negotiated deals with a number of designers. The London Express one time alleged that Caplin used to run a company “giving women advice on how to spice up their sex lives.” Campbell has never been comfortable with Caplin’s proximity. “If you’re the prime minister’s press secretary and you see this happening, what do you do?” says one Downing Street insider. “You’re into damage avoidance. But is it reasonable that someone should be banished just because the yellow press will have a pop at her every two years or so? No.” Cherie has remained loyal to her friend, and continued to be introduced to people by her. Granted, many highly pressured women –– and men enjoy the benefits of a personal trainer and a massage or session of acupuncture. But even by the eccentric standards of the alternative therapy community, Cherie’s choice of practitioners has been pilloried for being at the kooky end of the spectrum. While all who have dealt with Blair observe a strict code of silence, one can gain a sense of their chosen parish for example 85-year-old Jack Temple, who runs the Temple Healing Centre in West Byfleet in Surrey, south of London. Although he refuses to discuss individual patients, Cherie was reportedly introduced to him by Caplin six years ago. Temple says he is able to reverse the ageing process by dowsing, and that he is able to undertake “absent healing” of clients world over, by means of bottles of alcohol charged with energy, which is transmitted via a magnetic field on his desk. He also produces a dried strawberry-leaf supplement to cleanse the body of impurities, he says, by harvesting plants grown in a circle of stones arranged in accordance with a neolithic map of the human body. Cherie is reported to have taken this supplement. Temple charges $85 per consultation. Meanwhile, Ayurvedic specialist Bharti Vyas, who practises in Mayfair, central London, has memorably introduced Cherie to the bioelectrical shield pendant, which costs over $300 and allegedly protects the wearer from harmful radiation from everyday electrical equipment, inflatable ‘Flowtron’ leggings to fight water retention, and the acupuncture ear pin, which apparently relieves stress and tension. But Vyas was responsible for a great deal of stress and tension last November, when it was suggested that the therapist had abused her famous client in order to gain publicity for the opening of a new business venture; the “quiet family affair” that Cherie had been led to expect turned into a media scrum. Cherie issued Vyas with a severe reprimand, writing: “I am very uneasy about being used in this way (not for the first time) to promote your business. I am going to take a few weeks off from visiting the salon and hope in the meantime that you... will refrain from discussing anything to do with the press.” The phrase “a few weeks” is pertinent. While Millar was reportedly keen that her charge sever all ties with Vyas after such blatant exploitation, Cherie continues to make secret visits to the salon on a regular basis. Cherie has one of the sharpest legal brains in the UK. She is also a committed Catholic, a devoted mother, and an active campaigner for a number of worthwhile causes, garnering awe from all around for her ability to manage many conflicting demands. So why does she take advice from a man who insists that he can reverse the ageing process by divining for water with a stick? And why does she continue to do so despite being constantly warned about the political risk such associations represent? The British press is notorious for denying women the complexity they deserve. It is, of course, plausible that an interest in juniper oil and jurisprudence might happily co-exist. Nor is there anything profoundly unusual about many of Cherie’s alternative forays, though there are many who would wish to exaggerate. Cherie is certainly broad-minded, and comes from a family of emotionally open and experimental women. Her mother, Gale, worked as an actress, and is a constant presence at Downing Street. Her sister, Lyndsey, gave up a flourishing career as a property lawyer to retrain as a homeopath. As Elizabeth Gibaud, Cherie’s dietician notes: “People don’t pay that kind of money if they don’t take it seriously.” There is a tacit implication that an interest in the more extreme methods of alternative therapy requires a certain gullibility. Yet some working closely with Cherie argue that her private exploration should remain private, and should be seen in the context of her determination to take her position seriously. Others believe that her insecurity may not be helped by her other close and notoriously forthright adviser, Millar. “Fiona is tough and she’s the kind who would make you feel inadequate,” said another source, suggesting that Millar could inadvertently become an amplifier for Cherie’s insecurities. Caplin may thus remain a necessary antidote. Other observers suggest that Cherie’s ambition has escalated over the years to the extent that she has made herself even more vulnerable, associating with people who do not have the perspective or inclination to warn her about potentially embarrassing liaisons. True or not, she could not be faulted on her loyalty. The Guardian"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/381429-why-londonâ-s-cherie-cherishes-bad-company.html","content":" - Mrs Cherie Blair, wife of Britain’s premier, has purchased two flats with the help of convicted fraudster Peter Foster. This has raised controversy more so as to whether the deal breached the terms of a blind trust set up to shield the premier from financial conflicts of interests. Downing Street is quick to exonerate Tony Blair from the scam. Cherie has also been linked to other eccentric pals SOON after Blair’s Labour Party’s triumphant 1997 election, his new spokesman Alastair Campbell was greeted on arrival at Downing Street, the official London home of the premier, by a vision which promptly shattered his morning good cheer. Tripping down the stairs from Bliar’s private apartments was ‘lifestyle therapist’ Carole Caplin, already recognised as one of Blair’s wife Cherie’s intimate advisers, and this week described as a former soft-porn model, an ex-member of the discredited ‘80s cult Exegesis and, as the daughter of Sylvia, who has assisted Cherie Blair in her communications with the spirit world. Campbell wasted no time in making his concerns apparent. “What’s that woman doing in here?” he barked, within Caplin’s earshot. He was astounded that, following her elevation to the role of first lady, Blair had not conducted a serious re-evaluation of those she kept close to. The friction between the more colourful elements of Cherie’s entourage, and the more sober demands of her position as first lady neither began nor ended with that morning encounter. But the unravelling allegations of this past week, which resulted in Cherie’s extraordinary statement recently in which she admitted that Caplin’s convicted fraudster partner, Peter Foster, had helped broker the purchase of two apartments in Bristol, west of England, despite previous denials –– only hint at the significance of this key relationship. “Cherie is emotionally dependent on Caplin,” says a source (no one in Blair’s inner circle will go on the record on the subject of Cherie). “(Caplin) is the person who helps her in the one area of her life where she feels genuinely insecure –– her appearance. In her relationship with Blair, she was always used to being the less attractive partner –– she was the brains and he was the brawn. Suddenly, she found herself being judged on completely different terms.” Caplin’s role in managing this vulnerability has brought her into direct conflict with Campbell and his partner, Fiona Millar, Blair’s unofficial minder, who have regarded her as a political liability for many years. But Cherie is a loyal person and, even as the Mail on Sunday story was breaking last weekend, she was reportedly hosting Caplin at his country home, Chequers, north of London. Cherie and Caplin first met when Caplin was running an exercise class at the Albany fitness centre in Regent’s Park, London, long before her husband became premeir. After Blair’s election, the pair became much closer, and Caplin has since been employ-ed to advise on many aspects of dress, health and fitness, and is credited with introducing Cherie to many of alternative therapists. She has chosen clothes for Blair and over the years, she has negotiated deals with a number of designers. The London Express one time alleged that Caplin used to run a company “giving women advice on how to spice up their sex lives.” Campbell has never been comfortable with Caplin’s proximity. “If you’re the prime minister’s press secretary and you see this happening, what do you do?” says one Downing Street insider. “You’re into damage avoidance. But is it reasonable that someone should be banished just because the yellow press will have a pop at her every two years or so? No.” Cherie has remained loyal to her friend, and continued to be introduced to people by her. Granted, many highly pressured women –– and men enjoy the benefits of a personal trainer and a massage or session of acupuncture. But even by the eccentric standards of the alternative therapy community, Cherie’s choice of practitioners has been pilloried for being at the kooky end of the spectrum. While all who have dealt with Blair observe a strict code of silence, one can gain a sense of their chosen parish for example 85-year-old Jack Temple, who runs the Temple Healing Centre in West Byfleet in Surrey, south of London. Although he refuses to discuss individual patients, Cherie was reportedly introduced to him by Caplin six years ago. Temple says he is able to reverse the ageing process by dowsing, and that he is able to undertake “absent healing” of clients world over, by means of bottles of alcohol charged with energy, which is transmitted via a magnetic field on his desk. He also produces a dried strawberry-leaf supplement to cleanse the body of impurities, he says, by harvesting plants grown in a circle of stones arranged in accordance with a neolithic map of the human body. Cherie is reported to have taken this supplement. Temple charges $85 per consultation. Meanwhile, Ayurvedic specialist Bharti Vyas, who practises in Mayfair, central London, has memorably introduced Cherie to the bioelectrical shield pendant, which costs over $300 and allegedly protects the wearer from harmful radiation from everyday electrical equipment, inflatable ‘Flowtron’ leggings to fight water retention, and the acupuncture ear pin, which apparently relieves stress and tension. But Vyas was responsible for a great deal of stress and tension last November, when it was suggested that the therapist had abused her famous client in order to gain publicity for the opening of a new business venture; the “quiet family affair” that Cherie had been led to expect turned into a media scrum. Cherie issued Vyas with a severe reprimand, writing: “I am very uneasy about being used in this way (not for the first time) to promote your business. I am going to take a few weeks off from visiting the salon and hope in the meantime that you... will refrain from discussing anything to do with the press.” The phrase “a few weeks” is pertinent. While Millar was reportedly keen that her charge sever all ties with Vyas after such blatant exploitation, Cherie continues to make secret visits to the salon on a regular basis. Cherie has one of the sharpest legal brains in the UK. She is also a committed Catholic, a devoted mother, and an active campaigner for a number of worthwhile causes, garnering awe from all around for her ability to manage many conflicting demands. So why does she take advice from a man who insists that he can reverse the ageing process by divining for water with a stick? And why does she continue to do so despite being constantly warned about the political risk such associations represent? The British press is notorious for denying women the complexity they deserve. It is, of course, plausible that an interest in juniper oil and jurisprudence might happily co-exist. Nor is there anything profoundly unusual about many of Cherie’s alternative forays, though there are many who would wish to exaggerate. Cherie is certainly broad-minded, and comes from a family of emotionally open and experimental women. Her mother, Gale, worked as an actress, and is a constant presence at Downing Street. Her sister, Lyndsey, gave up a flourishing career as a property lawyer to retrain as a homeopath. As Elizabeth Gibaud, Cherie’s dietician notes: “People don’t pay that kind of money if they don’t take it seriously.” There is a tacit implication that an interest in the more extreme methods of alternative therapy requires a certain gullibility. Yet some working closely with Cherie argue that her private exploration should remain private, and should be seen in the context of her determination to take her position seriously. Others believe that her insecurity may not be helped by her other close and notoriously forthright adviser, Millar. “Fiona is tough and she’s the kind who would make you feel inadequate,” said another source, suggesting that Millar could inadvertently become an amplifier for Cherie’s insecurities. Caplin may thus remain a necessary antidote. Other observers suggest that Cherie’s ambition has escalated over the years to the extent that she has made herself even more vulnerable, associating with people who do not have the perspective or inclination to warn her about potentially embarrassing liaisons. True or not, she could not be faulted on her loyalty. The Guardian"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1245126/-/10tkvmc/-/index.html","content":"Speaker, show us the oil agreements - I have read a lot of stories concerning the subject of oil and its related agreement. The latest of the stories being the President directing the Speaker of Parliament not to table the petition. The unpatriotic parliamentarians and so-called legal brains fear publicising the documents citing breach of contract (so-called confidentiality clauses). This government has squandered a lot of national funds for over a quarter of a century to the extent that I believe the cost of breaching this contract, if any, shall be a mere drop in the ocean. We Ugandans are willing to meet that cost because we foresee no hope in improved governance. Sincerely, what is going on in this country makes me miss much former president Idi Amin (RIP). But to the Speaker and other right thinking legislators, we still insist that you must show us the oil-related agreements. Edward Ssekayiba,Kampala"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Why-it-was-not-all-doom-and-gloom-for-Parliament-in-2014/-/689844/2592656/-/3fssui/-/index.html","content":"Why it was not all doom and gloom for Parliament in 2014 - In his weekly column ‘Parliament Watch’ on Sunday January 11, Yasiin Mugerwa, a seasoned Parliament reporter, in an article titled ‘Another embarrassing year for 9th Parliament’, attempted to evaluate the performance of Parliament in 2014. It is rightly so because, just like with any Ugandan, it is Mugerwa’s right to closely follow the activities in Parliament, and to express his opinion about the activities in the institution. What may not be fair, however, is for Mugerwa and any other person for that matter, to concentrate on a few incidents and use them to paint a rather gloomy picture of the institution. Parliament’s performance, is inevitably intertwined with the conduct of Members of Parliament which, as the article stated, may at times be flawed. This is indeed in line with the popular adage ‘one rotten apple spoils the bunch’. It should be noted, however, that Members of Parliament are individuals. In instances where there has been misconduct, Parliament has come out strongly to condemn these acts and at times uses the rules of procedure to discipline errant individuals.More importantly, the leadership of Parliament has never interfered with the workings of the Judiciary when the arm of the law stretches to Members of Parliament. In the past, some MPs have lost their seats and been disgraced, owing to gross misconduct. However, much as such individual actions taint the image of the House, they should not be used as a basis to impute that Parliament failed to perform in 2014. Errant MPs are but a small percentage of the entire membership. These occurrences notwithstanding, Parliament has tried, to the best extent possible, to adhere to its calendar which in itself is a new successful innovation. This calendar takes care of, and eliminates the ‘hit and run’ way of doing things as stated in the article. Parliaments in the Commonwealth—from which the Uganda Parliament derives its traditions— have three key roles: Representation, legislation and oversight. These are clearly highlighted in the Citizens Charter, and are addressed in the NGO Forum report. Evaluation of the Ninth Parliament therefore, should primarily be made against these parameters. Going outside these may be simply extending the handshake far beyond the elbow. The impact of absenteeismIndeed absenteeism of Members of Parliament in plenary and committee sittings continues to unnerve the leadership of Parliament. Extreme measures have been and will continue to be put in place to curb this vice. Some unprecedented decisions were made and action taken in 2014 to address absenteeism.The MPs, who consistently absented themselves from plenary and committees, were named and shamed by the Speaker on the floor of the House, and their names sent to the disciplinary committee for investigation. Additionally, two MPs lost their seats. Never before in the history of the Ugandan Parliament had an MP lost a seat due to absenteeism. It is also important on the other hand to note that even in times when attendance is at an all-time low, the business that can be done went ahead unhindered. Representation does not only take place during the plenary debates. At no point in time can all MPs be in the House. MPs miss plenary because of other parliamentary engagements, especially committee work in the field both within and outside the country, and other responsibilities including those for Cabinet members. The Speaker has in an effort to curb absenteeism, written to the Prime Minister requesting that Cabinet and other meetings outside precincts of Parliament that involve MPs, be scheduled on days when the House is not sitting. OversightCommittees are the engine room of parliaments because it is at the committee level that most thorny issues are resolved in detail for the benefit and guidance of the entire parliament. Oversight committees did a commendable job in 2014. While the Public Accounts Committee may have had a backlog before, it ended 2014 with almost none. The committee is now considering latest Auditor General’s reports.Additionally, the ad hoc committee formed to investigate the Energy sector had its reports debated. The Government Assurance and Local Government Accounts committees performed better in 2014 by having their reports tabled promptly. Committees, despite their mitigating factors, which include the change of both leadership and membership every session, among others, were busy last year. Subsequently 12 committee reports were considered in plenary. The leadership of Parliament will this year and the next work around the clock to address the challenges facing the institution. Much as Mr Mugerwa argues against consolidating the MPs package, there are other measures, which are being considered and will be implemented in due course. These will be aptly communicated. It is important to note that much as the public may be largely disappointed by the performance of Parliament and the conduct of some MPs, all should not be gloom and doom. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Every Ugandan has a right to demand the best of Parliament, however, before a bad picture is painted, it is always sensible to be objective and balanced, and to give credit where it is due and avoid over generalisation. A number of MPs work round the clock to meet the institution’s goals and objectives and to fulfil the obligations for which they were elected. It would be sensible if these were also recognised. 1 | 2 Next Page»It is important to note that the Ninth Parliament is addressing its shortfalls and is recognised regionally and even globally as a leading institution. At the end of the day, as the institution gains grounds and positions itself centrally, it will need support of its stakeholders in addressing the challenges it faces, not constant criticism and tearing apart. Legislation and appropriationParliament’s legislative role takes care of Bills initiated from both government and private members and passing the Budget. In the last six months of 2014, 13 bills were presented for first reading, while 15 were passed. The House has also handled several private members Bills, including the re-introduction of the anti-gays Bill. Ready for debate is the Anti-Corruption Amendment Bill, the Tobacco Control Bill and the Immunisation Bill. On the government side, the Registration of Persons Bill will be completed when the House resumes next month. The Minimum Wage Bill and the Bill to evaluate the death penalty have been delayed by failure of the Finance minister to issue certificates of financial implications. MPs have, on behalf of their constituencies, raised a number of issues affecting their constituencies. These include floods, broken bridges, payment of workers’ salaries, trafficking of Ugandans, lack of compensation for land acquired by government (e.g. for roads), outstanding government pledges, security, bank interest rates, cost of fuel etc. Indeed the new innovation requiring government to establish recreational facilities on the main roads was result of the debate on the “access to toilets”. The NSSF Ad Hoc Committee is due to present its report, while on-going is the inquiry on the Standard Gauge Railway procurements. The Umeme probe report was debated and it is expected that some of the recommendations will be taken up. It is imperative to note that bills originate from the Executive and not from within Parliament. Much as there are private members bills, these are limited. Therefore the inability to pass a large number of bills is a shared responsibility, and should not be a one-sided blame game. The writer is the head of department of communication and public affairs, Parliament of Uganda « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/618775-massive-rains-disrupt-farming-and-transport.html","content":" - By Vision team WHEREAS the rainy season is approaching an end, the damage it has caused countrywide is big. The biggest casualties have been the mountainous areas of eastern and southwestern Uganda, where landslides killed, injured, displaced and impoverished people. In Kabale, the residents will not forget May 15, 2010, when it rained for nine hours, in Bukinda, Rwamucucu and Maziba sub-counties. Huge volumes of water gushed down the hills carrying stones, soil and boulders that destroyed property along the slopes and finally depositing the rubble in the valley. The most affected areas were Karorwa, Nyabirerema, Muhanga, Kandago, Kyerero and Kahondo in Bukinda and Maziba sub-counties. Over 600 people in more than 100 families were affected. One adult died in the disaster. During his funeral rain threatened to fall again, prompting relatives to bury him in a hurry. Over 30 buildings were demolished. Floods swept off over 500hectares of crop gardens. Families lost their entire food stocks and traders lost merchandise. Many went to live in churches while others went to their relatives in other villages. Water springs were covered up. Roads and bridges were destroyed. The floods dug deep gullies on hillside, rendering some of the land unsuitable for cultivation. The Kabale-Rukungiri road was closed for some time. A 60-year-old man, Edward Magezi, said he had not seen such rains since the 1960s. He lost a house but is thankful to God for saving his life. Two months earlier, heavy rains led to a landslide in Nametsi, in Bududa district. It buried about 350 people though only fewer than 100 bodies were recovered. It buried an entire trading centre and a health facility. More than 3,000 people were displaced by the landslide, and are now living in camps. Since then, residents of Bududa and surrounding districts have been living in fear of fresh landslides. Their situation has been made worse by reports that a 40-km long crack has developed on the slopes of Mt. Elgon, threatening the lives of 8,000 people in eight districts. Efforts to relocate those displaced by the landslides have hit a snag because some do not want to be taken away from their ancestral land. There was an outbreak of cholera not only in Bududa, but also the neighbouring districts. Other districts such as Tororo and Butaleja have been affected by floods caused by excessive runoff water from the mountainous Bugisu region. River Malaba, which originates from the Mt Elgon area, diverted at a point in Ngetta C village, Iyolwa sub-county, Tororo district, causing farmers to lose over 200 acres of land. On Monday the river banks collapsed inwards at a bend, blocking the water flow. The water then forced its way in another direction, creating a new river in people’s gardens. Since the river marks the boundary between Tororo and Busia districts, farmers in Ngetta stand to lose part of their land to a neighbouring district. The Busia side is occupied by the Samia while the Tororo side, into which the river has curved, is occupied by the Jopadhola. The village’s LC1 vice-chairperson, Micheal Mukama, estimates that more than 50 families have been affected. He fears land wrangles as people on the opposite side might begin to claim all the land that has been cut off by the river. “This is a grave matter that may spark off violent confrontation between the two communities at this district boundary,” Mukama said. Isidore Onyango, 77, said the river flowedmore than a kilometre into his land. His gardens have now become a fishing ground while some crops have been swept off. The residential areas have, however, not been affected. “This area where you see the river flowing was part of my rice garden,” said Onyango, a retired teacher. In Kasese district over 300 persons in Kisinga sub-county, Bukonzo county, have been forced to spend nights in the cold after their houses were flooded with water and others destroyed by landslides following a heavy down pour on May 17, 2010. The sub-county chairman, Benjamin Bwambale, identified the most affected villages as Bughema, Mughina and Kamahanga all in Nyabirongo parish. This is the second time the parish is hit by landslides and floods in the last two months. Bwambale said crops like bananas, cassava and beans were destroyed creating fears of famine. No deaths or injury to human beings were reported. Mike Mukirane, the Uganda Red Cross Society Kasese branch coordinator, appealed for support from the Government and development partners. “What we took there is not enough compared to the number of people affected,” said Mukirane. In Mbarara district the rains have been unusually heavy for the last one month, destroying crops and property. This has prompted farmers to increase the prices of their crops. A bunch of matooke now costs sh10000 from the farmers while in the local markets, it is sh13,000. In Isingiro district floods disrupted the rehabilitation of part of Isingiro-Kikagate road. At Mile 19 floods killed a one-year-old child two weeks ago. The district LCV chairman, Ignatius Byaruhanga, confirmed the death adding that a hailstorm destroyed crops and property in Mbale, Kikagate and Kabuyanda sub-counties. In Kiruhura district, hailstorm destroyed crops in Bwasamure village, Nyakasharara parish and Kamugija in Rushere. In Kabarole district the business community has suffered, especially those who deal in cold drinks, boda boda riders, newspaper vendors and farmers. Ben Aliganyira, a farmer from Kichwamba sub-county in Kabarole district, said the rains had limited the time they spend working in the gardens, which might reduce their yields. The rains also spoilt roads, making it hard for farmers to transport their produce to town for sale. Robert Ssenabulya, a produce trader in Fort Portal municipality, told Saturday Vision that he had waited for four days for the rain to reduce so that he can go to Harugonga village to load his matooke. The Kabarole district NAADS coordinator, Grace Kazigati, said farmer training programmes had been affected because people do not turn up due to rain. David Mugume, a boda boda rider in Fort portal town, said his daily income had reduced from sh20,000 to sh3,000. Rose Kabasita of Mpanga Market used to sell 8-10 crates of soda daily but now she hardly sells two as most people find the weather not conducive for cold drinks. In Katebwa sub-county, a landslide displaced over 500 people at the beginning of March after heavy rains. The area is close to Mt. Rwenzori. Hoima district was not spared either. Most of the murram roads have become totally impassable. Motorists travelling from Hoima to Fort Portal have to pass through Kampala because the direct route has become impassable. The direct route is 97km yet passing via Kampala is more than 300km. Latif Bingi, the manger of the Muhorro Area cooperative enterprise, said that the farmers had failed to transport their maize to the bulking centers due to the daily rains. “Our farmers are still stuck with the maize in the villages because vehicles can not collect them due to muddy roads,” he said. Rivers that had never flooded such as river Mpamba, 5km on the Kagadi-Hoima road, has burst its banks, making it difficult for motorists to operate. Beekeepers are complaining of poor harvests because bees spend most of the time in the hives instead of going out to collect nectar and pollen from flowers. “We have had the worst harvest in years and honey has become scarce, said Emily Kugonza, the executive director of EMESCO development foundation that packages honey in Kibaale. So devastating has been the effect of the heavy rains that no Ugandan can claim they have not been affected in any way."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/622812-kayiwaâ-s-bududa-bid.html","content":" - By Godfrey Kimono THE Uganda Red Cross has received relief items worth sh6m from Prof. Simeon Kayiwa of Namirembe Christian Fellowship and Kayiwa International University to help people affected by landslides in Bududa. Flanked by his wife, Dr. Cecelia Kayiwa and his colleagues, Kayiwa handed over the donation to Michael Nataka, the organisation’s secretary general at Red Cross offices in Kampala. The relief items included food items like posho, beans, cooking oil, clothes and sanitary items. Kayiwa said contributions were from people at the university and church. He appealed to all Ugandans to help the landslide victims but cautioned politicians against using the tragedy to gain political capital. Nataka said that more people are registering to join the camps after the Elgon slopes developed several crack marks. He added that over 4,500 people have been displaced in Bududa of recent."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/656802-chinese-company-drags-kdlb-to-court-over-kololo-land.html","content":" - By Hillary Nsambu                    A Chinese business company, Zhang’s Group Company Ltd has sued Kampala District Land Board (KDLB) for breach of lease agreement, seeking to be given vacant possession of the contested piece of land or be refunded over sh6b it paid. Zhang’s Group incorporated under the laws of Uganda, sued through Kiwanuka & Karugire Advocates, seeking for orders requiring KDLB to surrender to it physical piece of land located at Kololo hill in Kampala or refund a total of sh5,449,679,766 it has so far paid out for the property to be registered in its names.  It would also claim interest of 23% per annum from the date of filing the case.   The court has also issued summons for KDLB to file a defence against the suit within 15 days.   The suit property is a prime piece of land comprised in LRV 4452 Folio 15 Plot 29 Hill Lane – Kololo in Kampala.   According to the plaint that was filed on Thursday in court, the plaintiff alleged that it applied for a surveyed piece of land at Kololo Hill Lane neighbouring Plot M895, which KDLB leased to it.  The plaintiff paid sh5,117,000,000 as its correct market value.  It is also alleged that the company paid sh173,625,120 being premium; 13,890,009 worth of ground rent and sh3,824,754 worth of stamp duty and; the land was demised to it as the title was issued to it as the registered proprietor. Upon receiving the certificate of title, the company sought to access the property, but the UPDF refused it to enter, claiming that the property belonged to it.  It is further alleged in the plaint that despite writing to the Special Forces Commander, showing proof of lease agreement with KDLB, in an effort to access its property, no avail hitherto.   RELATED STORIES Kampala land board to expose land grabbers     City land board gets secretary     Court stops KCCA from disbanding Kampala Land Board"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/877088/-/wj8qjw/-/index.html","content":"Storm razes Mukono homes, leaves residents homeless - Mukono At least 65 families in Kasawo sub-county, Mukono remain homeless after a storm razed their homes on Wednesday.The afternoon storm also destroyed crops and killed a number of animals and birds.A classroom block at Nakaswa primary school was also destroyed by the storm.The Nakifuma County MP Mr Joseph Mugambe said on Thursday after inspecting the area that the most affected villages include Nakaswa, Kizanyirizi and Kigogola.“The affected residents are stranded because they have nowhere to stay and famine is imminent in the area because all the crops were destroyed,’” Mr Mugambe said.The MP called on government to send relief items like building materials, seeds and household property to the affected residents.Mr Mugambe blamed the catastrophe on deforestation and advised residents to plant trees around their homes and gardens."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Elgon-locals-to-relocate-ahead-of-heavy-rains/-/688334/1685880/-/locj8nz/-/index.html","content":"Elgon locals to relocate ahead of heavy rains - The government has re-started mapping Mt. Elgon to find out the number of residents staying in areas prone to mudslides so that they can be relocated ahead of heavy rains next month. A team from Works, Lands, Internal Affairs, Trade, Local Government ministries and officials from the Prime Minister’s office want residents relocated to camps before they are moved permanently to urban centres. Mr Vincent Woboya, the head of Bulambuli team, said they were conducting a three-week-long mapping in Bulambuli, Bududa, Manafwa and Sironko districts before moving to Kapchorwa, Bukwo and Kween for immediate relocation. “We have so far registered 8,000 people from Bulambuli hilly areas prone to mudslides. These will be relocated immediately to avoid mudslide incidents such as those in Sisiyi, Nametsi and Bumwalukani where many lives were lost,” Mr Woboya said yesterday. AdamantHowever, more than 400,000 residents in the areas have remained adamant, arguing that the cracks seen by Uganda Wildlife Authority are a scapegoat for them to be evicted from their cradle land.The OPM, which has already carried out an assessment on the mountain and its surrounding ridges, including the 40 kilometre crack, however, insists that the locals be moved. “We may not see the weakening of the soil in the area but the crack speaks volumes about an impending mudslide. There is no other option but to have people in the landslide risk areas relocated,” Dr Stephen Mallinga, the Minister of Disaster Preparedness, said last year. Mt. Elgon conservation area manager Adonia Bintorwa said the crack has now deepened to 30 centimetres and stretches through Mukoto, Tsekululu, Buwabwala, Bukhabusi, Bupoto, Namabya, Bumbo and Bukokho sub-counties and to Bududa, Mbale, Sironko, Bulambuli, Kapchorwa, Kween and Bukwo districts."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Golf/-/690278/870940/-/gf51qdz/-/index.html","content":"Ocero ushers in new era - Kampala How they polled Captain Sam Okello Ocero 101Dr Sam Nahamya 61Vice captainPaul Karemera 109John Mwalimu 51SecretaryJackson Karyarugookwe 106 Sabiiti Bageine 56TreasurerMagala Nyago (unopposed) Sam Okello Ocero, the newly-elected captain of Uganda Golf Club (UGC) will be hoping to practice what he preached while canvassing for votes after assuming power at the general assembly held at Kitante last week. Ocero predicted a landslide victory on the eve of the elections and forthwith achieved it. The out-going vice-captain Emmanuel Wamala opted out citing a busy work schedule at Shell Uganda.Wamala was replaced by the club’s former secretary Paul Karemera as the new vice-captain. Karemera got 109 votes, beating the amiable and self-driven John Mwalimu (51) by 58 votes. Jackson Karyarugookwe took over as new secretary after beating Sabiiti Bageine."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Government-fails-to-release-Shs1-trillion-of-Budget/-/688334/2490884/-/4ekn3l/-/index.html","content":"Government fails to release Shs1 trillion of Budget - KAMPALA- The government failed to release Shs1 trillion of the 2013/14 Budget due to the delayed take off of the Karuma power project. The Annual Budget Monitoring Report released at the ministry of Finance headquarters on October 16, said the government only released Shs8.7 trillion out Shs9.79 trillion of the budget it was supposed to disburse for public expenditure. “We released Shs8.7 trillion and Shs1 trillion was not released because the construction of Karuma dam did not take off during the Financial Year 2013/14,” Director of Budget Kenneth Mugambe told journalists, members of the civil society and Uganda Teachers Union during the launch of the report. He said out of Shs8.7 trillion that was released, Shs146 billion was not spent during the Financial Year 2013/14 due lack of absorption capacity.ImprovementPresenting the highlights of the report, the head of the Budget Monitoring and Accountability Unit in the ministry of Finance, Ms Margaret Kakande, said the national treasury released 88 per cent of the budgeted funds for 2013/14 and the absorption capacity was 90 per cent. “This is a big improvement in both release and absorption of the budgeted funds compared to when the release and absorption was under 60 per cent,” she said. Secretary to the Treasury Keith Muhakanizi said the budget implementation was generally good during 2013/14 and the level of achievement varied by sector. “We are systematically implementing the Straight Through Payment system to ensure funds get to the facilities,” he said. Mr Muhakanizi said government will clear all verified arrears of salaries, pension, gratuity and utilities. “We want to pay everybody salary, pension and gratuity by end of December 2014 because the money is there,” he said. moketch@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1089494/-/cj99o4z/-/index.html","content":"Court rejects Naguru, Nakawa tenants’ pleas - Kampala Over 100,000 Nakawa and Naguru estate tenants face immediate eviction after the High Court yesterday dismissed their attempt to stop the redevelopment of the estate. Judge Eldad Mwanguhya, while dismissing their application, said: “The same people who signed a memorandum of understanding with the government have turned around to breach it. In circumstances, this court declines to grant the application and it fails.” The tenants, through their lawyer, Mr Laudislas Rwakafuuzi, were seeking an interim injunction stopping their impending eviction pending the hearing of the main suit. Tenants signed MoUGovernment contracted OPEC Prime Properties, a private limited liability company registered in England and Wales, to redevelop the estate into over 5,000 ultra-modern housing units to solve housing shortage in the city. The two estates in conflict consist of 1,747 dilapidated housing units occupying an area of 29 hectares in Nakawa and 37 hectares in Naguru. The memorandum of understanding dated May 7, 2007, signed between the tenants and government, had among others, suggested the tenants were to leave the two estates and find alternative accommodation at their cost within a reasonable time not exceeding six months. The government in December last year gave them a final notice to vacate the estates before January 8 or face forceful eviction but the tenants this week ran to court seeking an injunction. Mr Rwakafuuzi rued the ruling, saying it was unfortunate that it was “based on an erroneous MoU as the government assumed that it owned the land and my clients thought they were mere occupants”. He said he will amend the plea to show that the MoU was made in error at the hearing of the main suit. This is the second time the tenants have dragged government to court. The first suit was dismissed on technicalities."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Individual-merit-starts-to-show-its-head-in-Teso/-/688334/2284780/-/13iydjpz/-/index.html","content":"Individual merit starts to show its head in Teso as parties struggle - TESO. While Teso remains a predominantly Opposition-sympathetic sub-region, much of the outcome of 2016 general elections is this time likely to depend on the individual merit of the aspirants as party significance in overall results for the region continues to dwindle, a local official has suggested. The traditional Opposition stronghold constituencies that for many years had denied the ruling NRM grounds in Teso are beginning to give way, according to this official. “The Opposition is not prepared at all for Teso this time. They are only in urban centres and their impact is not being felt by voters in the villages anymore. On the other side, President Museveni is doing a lot of grassroots [mobilisation], so for him, the ground may be prepared,” Mr Michael Ongwara, the chairperson of Pingire Sub-county in Kasilo County, Serere District said.He, however, did not divulge why he felt there is a shift in alliances.But for those eyeing grassroots positions under the NRM, the tide may not be all that favourable in the coming general elections as most of the incumbents are believed not to have delivered as promised to their constituents.NRM representatives have been castigated by some locals for not delivering on crucial issues affecting the common person in rural Teso.During the 2011 general elections, the ruling party swept through 12 constituencies across the sub-region while the main Opposition party, Forum for Democratic Party (FDC) took eight areas. “Some constituencies voted for NRM because they had been promised their areas would be elevated to districts. It is about [time for] the next election yet nothing has been delivered on such pledges,” former Amuria LC5 chairperson, Mr Julius Ochen (UPC) said. The government put a cap on formation of new districts last year with President Museveni publicly saying during a function in Kololo, Kampala on September 9, 2013, that there is no evidence to support his previously held belief that they took services closer to the people. There are 112 districts in Uganda.In March, the government indefinitely stayed its proposal for the creation of new districts, saying there is no money to fund them. President Museveni, according to other sources close to the parliamentary Local Government Committee, directed the Minister for Local Government, Mr Adolf Mwesige, to withdraw an earlier motion he tabled in Parliament seeking the approval of 25 new districts. In the newly-created Serere District where it had been anticipated that the NRM would receive a landslide victory, this never came to pass.“Support for the Opposition in Serere is still strong and it might not be easy for NRM to neutralise FDC support in the area,” said Mr Julius Odeng (FDC), the former chairperson for Bugondo Sub-county in Kasilo County.The ruling party continues to eye most of the coveted constituencies in Teso, setting the mood for what could be very stiff competition within the party itself. NRM so far has the biggest number of likely aspirants who have shown interest in vying for various constituencies in Kumi (woman), Agule, Ngora and Katakwi.“The biggest hurdles NRM will be faced with this time are due to the longstanding internal feuds that are threatening to erode its chances in the region. A number of unresolved conflicts surrounding previous primary elections are also a big undoing for the NRM in Teso,” a senior member of the NRM in Katakwi District, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal from the party, said. For instance, in Usuk County, Katakwi District, the Minister for Education and Sports, Ms Jessica Alupo, and Eastern Youth MP Peter Ogwang have variously expressed an interest to vie for the constituency.The by-elections of September, 2012 to replace the late John Oromait, who was the then MP for Usuk, also left deep political scars on those who contested in the NRM primaries but were edged out for lack of the blessing by the NRM king makers in Katakwi. Former Usuk MP Charles Oleny Ojok had lost his bid in the 2011 general election. So, when the by-election to replace the late Oromait were announced, he thought lady luck had smiled his way.“There is a lot of internal NRM machination in Katakwi. When Oleny thought he could make it back through the by-election, he was only met with a rude shock. The primaries were manipulated and he contested as an independent candidate,” the senior NRM official said. The political scars left behind by alleged rigging that marred by-election of 2012 to replace the late Oromait are yet to heal. His daughter, Proscovia Alengot Oromait was controversially elected to replace her father with the support of Ms Alupo. “I really think the NRM will be white-washed in the coming elections. Most of them have failed to identify with the electorate and many of the constituencies are up for grabs by new faces,” Mr Peter Eceru, a Teso-based lawyer and an anti-corruption activist, said. Several miles away in Kasilo County, for nearly 15 years, the constituency has been dominated by FDC.The incumbent, Mr Elijah Okupa (FDC), has since 2001 occupied this seat and still wields considerable support despite his failure to fulfill some outstanding pledges. This constituency is one of those that the ruling NRM has prepared for in the coming elections. The new challenger is Mr George Owanyi Akwaan.The only time NRM enjoyed support in Kasilo was during the National Resistance Council and Constituency Assembly Delegates days in the ‘90s. Ever since, however, the opposition has dominated in the area. Where it could be hotNgora As 2016 draws closer, it is continuously becoming evident that the fiery contests for parliamentary seats in Teso could be in Kasilo and Ngora counties.Ngora incumbent Francis Epetait (pictured) has not publicly indicated he will be coming back for the general elections. “Time will come when I will declare to my people whether I am standing or not. It is them people to decide,” Dr Epetait said.But although still a favourite in the county, Dr Epetait may bow out of the race due to health concerns that have worried his close family members.“His family members are asking him to stay out of politics and take care of his health but he has not given his decision,” a family friend, Mr Moses Okalebo, said. The Minister of State for Tourism, Ms Agnes Akiror, has already hinted she will be vying for Ngora constituency, adding to a long a list of other NRM members already nursing similar ambitions. 1 | 2 Next Page»KasiloMr Elijah Okupa in Kasilo is expected to tussle it out with the ruling party’s favourite, Mr Godfrey Owanyi Akwaan, an employee with Housing Finance Company of Uganda.“My party (NRM) has not sold well in Kasilo but I am confident with my personal traits the Opposition will have a run for their money this time,” Mr Akwaan said. Parliamentary aspirantsMs Jessica Alupo: The Education and Sports minister has expressed interest in vying for the parliamentary seat of Usuk County in Katakwi District. Charles Oleny Ojok: The former Usuk MP, who lost his bid in the 2011 election to the late John Oromait and again in 2012 to Oromait’s daughter Proscovia Alengot, wants to stand again. Peter Ogwang: The Eastern Youth MP is also eyeing the parliamentary seat of Usuk County in Katakwi District. Elijah Okupa: The incumbent Kasilo County MP has since 2001 occupied this seat and still wields considerable support. Proscovia Alengot: The incumbent Usuk County MP won a by-election following the death of her father John Oromait John Oromait: The former Usuk County MP died after a long illness, necessitating a by-election which was won by his daughter Proscovia Alengot. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Thanks-for-relief-items--but-fix-flooding-too---Ntoroko-leaders/-/688334/2516056/-/13gldmd/-/index.html","content":"Thanks for relief items, but fix flooding too - Ntoroko leaders - On Saturday night, November 1 Ms Sofia Byanjeru, 50, a resident of Budiba Sub-county in Ntoroko District awoke to a wet bed.At first she thought her children had wetted her bed but to her shock she realised floods had submerged her house.“The whole house was full of water to about two feet above the ground,” Byanjeru says, adding “I made an alarm and fled with all family members for our dear lives. Other people in the neighbourhood had started to escape, so we were ferried on a canoe to Budiba centre and we had to pay Shs 1,000 per person.”Ms Byanjeru is among the more than 5,000 people in Ntoroko who were last week displaced by floods caused when rivers Lamia and Semliki bust their banks.The floods destroyed houses, roads, crops and killed several livestock and poultry. The affected areas include: Budiba, Kanara, Bweramule, Butungama and parts of Rwebisengo Town Council.The floods compelled at least 474 Primary Seven candidates in Ntoroko District to do their Primary Leaving Examinations in tents after some classrooms and roads were submerged.Floods are a chronic problem in Ntotoko which plague the district every rainy season, displacing hundreds of people and leaving a trail destruction.Every time floods occur houses are damaged; crops destroyed and roads are rendered impassable, hindering education, livelihoods and provision of social services. According to environmentalists and Ntoroko residents, the flood waters this time came in bigger volumes. Environmentalists say this is an indicator of increased environment degradation upstream of River Semliki and downstream in Ntoroko.Ntoroko officials have called upon the government to go beyond providing relief items such as food, tents and blankets to flood victims as it always does whenever floods occur in the district, and find ways of stopping the floods. The district chairperson, Mr Timothy Kyamanywa, recently told Vice President Edward Ssekandi: “We are tired of getting relief aid every year whenever the district is affected by floods. So find other means of stopping these floods because government is spending much to get relief aid for the affected people.”Almost every year, the State Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Mr Musa Ecweru, visits Ntoroko to deliver relief items to the people affected by both floods and drought. Government and other bodies such as the Red Cross have done this for the last four years since the area is affected by floods in rainy seasons and by drought in dry seasons.The district environment officer, Mr Herbert Kamuhanda, explains that there are a combination of factors that bring About the floods. Children in a submerged hut in Budiba in Ntoroko District. Floods are a chronic problem in Ntotoko. He says uncontrolled human activities causes River Semliki to bust its banks.Mr Herbert adds that glaciers on Mount Rwenzori are melting more rapidly due to climate change, thereby releasing more water to the streams that feed River Semliki.“Other waters stream into the Semliki valley, part of the Western Rift Valley causing floods,” he says.Environment experts say overgrazing, and other alterations to the watershed have caused bank erosion and frequent changes to the course of River Semliki.Mr Kamuhanda says: “Most rivers: Lamia, Ndugutu, Nyahuka, Ngite and Kirumia (all in Bundibugyo) are watered by the glaciers on Mount Rwenzori and all empty into River Semliki. There are several human activities causing flooding and the changing course of River Semliki.” He adds: “At Rwamabare, Kakahenda village in Ntoroko District, water flows to the communities due to siltation of River Semliki. Upstream in Bundibugyo, people cultivate on the river banks and mine sand. At Ntandi (also in Bundibugyo), people throw waste into River Kirumia which is a middle stream of River Semliki causing siltation and the river bed rises causing banks to bust”.Mr Kamuhanda says at Rukora in Bweramure (Ntoroko), there has been over stocking of animals on free range system and the pastoralists have created several watering points on the river banks causing siltation leading to the river changing its course.He adds that at Masaka in Butungama and at Kiranga in Rwebisengo Sub-county, people dig channels to divert water from River Semliki to water their animals or catch fish and when the river busts its banks, these channels lead water to the communities.According to research conducted by the Climate Change Unit and the Ministry of Water, 198.5 hectares of ice disappeared between 1906 and 2006 on Mount Speke, one of the highest peaks on the Rwenzori range. Most of the melting occurred after 1987.Ntoroko officials and environment experts have proposed several solutions to address the flood problem, including building a dam to store the excess water from River Semliki during the rainy season and using it during the dry season. “It is very costly but the excess water can be tapped and dammed and used during the dry season,” Mr Kamuhanda says.Hydrological and climate change experts advise that something must be done to address siltation and climate change in the catchment areas of River Semliki to control flooding downstream. “River bank regulation must be enforced, especially in Ntoroko District where the law requires 100 metres protection zone where there must be minimal human activities to allow natural rejuvenation,” says Mr Jeconious Musingwiire, the western region National Environment Management Authority awareness officer.He adds: “Flooding is mainly contributed by siltation, so siltation should be controlled and to tame the effects of climate change, the whole catchment area where this river drains from must promote afforestation.” The recent floods despite disrupting PLE exams and displacing hundreds of people, have brought some fortune too. Fish from River Semliki have ended up in shallow flood waters in areas far away from the river where several people catch them easily and sell them at affordable prices to displaced people. A big fish goes for between Shs15,000 and Shs20,000. Some youth have taken advantage of the floods to make money through offering transport services on their canoes. They charge Shs1,000 per person for the shortest distance. River Semliki Semliki River flows northwards from Lake Edward in the Democratic Republic of the Congo across the Uganda border, through western Uganda in Bundibugyo and Ntoroko districts near the Semliki National Park. It empties its water into Lake Albert.According to the World Wildlife Fund, the Semliki catchment area is under a lot of pressure due to increasing population and poor management of natural resources. Deforestation and uncontrolled cattle grazing is leading to widespread erosion. This, together with the melting of ice on the Mount Rwenzori, a result of climate change, has resulted in siltation, affecting water quality and changing the river course significantly over the years as it enters Lake Albert. Ntoroko District District: Ntoroko District is located west of the Rwenzori Mountains. It was carved out of Bundibugyo District in 2010. It is bordered by the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, Hoima District to the northeast, Kibaale District to the east, Kabarole District to the south and Bundibugyo District to the southwest. Economy: Its major economic activities are fishing, farming and business. Cattle and goat rearing is in Rwebisengo and Nombe, crop farming in Karugutu, Butungama and Bweramule while fishing in Kanara. Flood woes: According to the district chairman, Mr Timothy Kyamanywa, the floods have stretched the district budget and resources by increasing the cost of containing malaria, especially among the children and malaria drugs are running out."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Start-environmental-education-to-save-Mt-Elgon--Nema/-/688334/2367294/-/88mnmsz/-/index.html","content":"Start environmental education to save Mt Elgon- Nema - Mbale Environmental education is the only important way we can save Mt Elgon National Park from further encroachment and to save our people from the massive lands slides, Dr Gorret Kitutu, an environment systems specialist at national environment management authority (NEMA) has revealed. Dr Kitutu said most people on the Mt Elgon National Park are ignorant of the environmental problems associated with massive encroachment. She said even when you tell them about the dangers of encroachment on the mountain, they disregard this and encroach further. Dr Kitutu who is doing a feasibility study on causes of landslides in Mt Elgon area and possible solutions to end the mudslides that have left about 700 people killed in the area, said merely moving of people away from the areas around Mt Elgon will not save anything as the people will always find their way back. “We need to intensify sensitisation of the people living along these steepy slopes against further encroachment.Besides moving them away, we must teach them to appreciate the value of the environment and teach them to take their children to school because an educated child will not leave in these hills but above all teach them family planning,” said Dr Kitutu. She saidthe landslide occurred because the vegetation on the mountain has been destroyed for settlement and farming leaving it bare and this allows water to sip through the soils to the parent rock. The Mt Elgon Area Conservation manager for Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Mr Adonia Bintorwa, said because of the ever increasing population, people have encroached on the forest cover of the mountain for survival and their farming methods are not good for the soil and this damages the soil which gives way to frequent mudslides. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kanungu-ghosts-haunt-government/-/688334/1636442/-/y5u227z/-/index.html","content":"Kanungu ghosts haunt government - About 170 people who claim to have lost their beloved ones in the Kanungu cult fire tragedy, pitched camp at State House, Entebbe, on Monday, vowing not to leave until they meet the President. More than 500 people were burnt to death in a church in Kanungu District on March 17, 2000, after they were promised that they would go to heaven. The Restoration of the Ten Commandments Movement was led by Joseph Kibwetere. The people, some of whom came from Kisoro, Rukungiri, Kanungu, Mitoma, Bunyaruguru and Kampala districts, spent the entire day seated at the green belt adjacent to the main State House gate. “The church owned about 1,000 acres of land, which we want government to give us for cultivation because we were left with nothing when our parents were killed,” Mr Idiiel Boazi, of Nyamirama Village in Bushenyi, said. Failed attemptsMr Boazi said they had once tried cultivating the land but the government stopped them, saying they had to acquire it through the right procedure. This led to a petition to Parliament in 2007, although they never got a response. The group was, however, forcibly evicted by plain-clothes security personnel and the Special Forces Group. “The President has helped to resettle landslide victims in Bududa and compensated people who lost property in the Owino market fires, why can’t he come to our rescue?” Mr Boazi asked. He added that they first met the Kanungu resident district commissioner, Ms Sarah Bananuka, who reportedly told them that their issue could only be addressed by Parliament, the Attorney General or court but it had nothing to do with the President. “Many people have lost property and lives but don’t run to the President because even when he is to help, he cannot scrutinise all these people,” Ms Bananuka said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kanungu-ghosts-haunt-govt/-/688334/1630430/-/9sqd2kz/-/index.html","content":"Kanungu ghosts haunt govt - Entebbe About 170 people who claim to have lost their beloved ones in the Kanungu cult fire tragedy, pitched camp at State House, Entebbe, on Monday, vowing not to leave until they meet the President. More than 500 people were burnt to death in a church in Kanungu District on March 17, 2000, after they were promised that they would go to heaven. The Restoration of the Ten Commandments Movement was led by Joseph Kibwetere. The people, some of whom came from Kisoro, Rukungiri, Kanungu, Mitoma, Bunyaruguru and Kampala districts, spent the entire day seated at the green belt adjacent to the main State House gate. “The church owned about 1,000 acres of land, which we want government to give us for cultivation because we were left with nothing when our parents were killed,” Mr Idiiel Boazi, of Nyamirama Village in Bushenyi, said. Failed attemptsMr Boazi said they had once tried cultivating the land but the government stopped them, saying they had to acquire it through the right procedure. This led to a petition to Parliament in 2007, although they never got a response. The group was, however, forcibly evicted by plain-clothes security personnel and the Special Forces Group.“The President has helped to resettle landslide victims in Bududa and compensated people who lost property in the Owino market fires, why can’t he come to our rescue?” Mr Boazi asked. He added that they first met the Kanungu resident district commissioner, Ms Sarah Bananuka, who reportedly told them that their issue could only be addressed by Parliament, the Attorney General or court but it had nothing to do with the President. “Many people have lost property and lives but don’t run to the President because even when he is to help, he cannot scrutinise all these people,” Ms Bananuka said.mssebuyira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Help-relocate-landslide-victims-victims/-/806314/1627002/-/j9cpr3z/-/index.html","content":"Help relocate landslide victims victims - Many thanks to MTN for designating proceeds of this year’s marathon to the people of Bududa. However, clean water is not a major problem in the district. This is a mountainous region with abundant rainfall and there are a number of natural springs and protected springs for drinking water. If MTN wants to help, I suggest they focus their attention on community relocation efforts following the landslides, particularly helping the misplaced people in Kiryandongo. Secondly, the road to Bududa is in a sorry state and nearly impassable. This is more of a political responsibility, but as efforts in that direction have been minimal, I hope MTNs resources pooled with the effort of the gallant ‘Basani’ of the region can help mitigate the problem. Otherwise, many thanks to MTN for their concern. Susan Nangwale,nangwale@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1143466/-/c2qui9z/-/index.html","content":"Imposters infiltrate Budada IDP camp - Bukedea Authorities in Bukedea District last week arrested 25 people suspected to be imposters reported to have infiltrated Kiryandongo resettlement camp for Bududa landslide victims. The group was allegedly intercepted with unspecified quantity of resettlement items supplied to the landslide victims. Bukedea RDC, Mr Michael Bwalatum, said those arrested were in possession of mainly farm inputs and tools that government had secured for the resettled households. “I wonder why they were returning to their homes yet government has given them sanctuary in Kiryandongo. The circumstances need to be looked into,” Mr Bwalatum said. He said the suspects were given temporal release pending investigations. State Minister for Disaster Preparedness Musa Ecweru confirmed the camps had been invaded by ineligible relief beneficiaries."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/899976/-/wkif12/-/index.html","content":"Besigye in landslide win  - Namboole Dr Kizza Besigye has been declared theForum for Democratic Change president in a landslide win at Namboole today. The FDC electoral commission chairman Dan Mugarura has announced that Dr Besigye polled 728 total votes, while Gen Mugisha Muntu, his only contender got only 115, a difference of 613 votes. A total 844 ballots were counted, with one declared invalid, while two were spoilt. Meanwhile, Gen Muntu has conceded defeat. Speaking shortly after the results were declared, Gen Muntu said respects the choice of the delegates. He has promised to rally behind Dr Besigye, adding that the vote was not about individuals but finding solutions to the problems which Ugandans encounter everyday. Dr Besigye has been the FDC head since 2005 and has since contested in two presidential elections, during which he lost to President Yoweri Museveni."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Golf/-/690278/880792/-/geijahz/-/index.html","content":"Golfers raise Shs7million for Bududa - Kitante Uganda Golf Club (UGC) members joined hands atthe weekend to raise an estimated Shs7m for the Bududa landslide victims. All the winners forfeited their prizes and together with the Shs20, 000 fees paid by each of the 143 golfers that took part in the Bududa Social Fundraising event were put in one pool to help the affected people resettle. “We got an offer of mosquito nets worth Shs2m from Balton and many golfers donated their old clothes. Some individuals also pledged to offer more cash. It was a very successful event,” Edwin Tumusiime, the Uganda Golf Union (UGU) treasurer, disclosed to Daily Monitor. Islam Shaukat, Simon Dubajic and new Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) CEO Justine Ligyalingi were the respective Group A, B and C winners with Cecilia Lwanga and out-going Lady Captain Fancy Ogweng taking top honours in the women’s groups."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/875326/-/2tuacoz/-/index.html","content":"We should be bold enough to recall dishonest leaders - When politicians are faced with all sorts of scandals, they blame it on “witch-hunting” by their political opponents which, in most cases, is not actually true. But this time, Tingey MP Herbert Sabila cannot have any excuse; he was tried and convicted. Judging by what appeared in the media, he seemed to be in a jovial mood after he survived going to the coolers. However, Sabila should be man enough to step down with the little integrity that is left of him. In fact, I call upon his electorate to recall him from Parliament to show their discontent with him. Sabila’s case reaffirms my doubt on the credibility of the 8th Parliament. The law should be changed so that in case a legislator is convicted of any wrongdoing, that MP should be expelled. As long as an MP is proven guilty he/she should be relieved of their duties. We always complain that this country is ravaged by corruption and we are constantly calling upon institutions like the IGG to act. However, I believe we are also empowered to fight this ever growing evil and that is by mounting pressure on our leaders . One of the ways is by recalling leaders- more so when there is evidence like MP Sabila’s case. If we do not act, then we have no grounds to make noise about the government not fighting corruption. Fighting this vice is everyone’s responsibility so the initiative to combat the problem starts with you and I. As we head to the 2011 general elections, we should weed out rotten leaders. We, the electorate, have a say in the activities of our leaders and they are accountable to us. I would also like to pass my sincere condolences to the people of Bududa District following the landslide tragedy; our hearts and prayers are with you. For God and My Country. Moses Atule, Jinja"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/874544/-/2tux28z/-/index.html","content":"Bududa tragedy: A case of  mixing policies and politics - Allow me to say few things about disasters that happen in this country. While it is unfortunate that the tragedy in Bududa occurred, we have to blame ourselves especially on two very crucial issues - policy and politics. Surely, there was a clear evidence of a looming disaster for people living on the slopes of Mt. Elgon. However, the local leadership did not do much to bring the issue to the attention of the Bududa District Disaster Committee headed by the Resident District Commissioner (RDC). Secondly, we have three ministers in the Ministry of Environment. But the question is, what litigation measures have they put in place to secure the disaster-prone Mt. Elgon slopes and similar places in this country? That is where and when politics fails Ugandans. On matters of policy, we know that there are gazetted areas in this country where people are not supposed to settle in. One such place is the Mt. Elgon National Park, part of where the Budada landslide disaster happened. Given that there are policies in place, one wonders why it was difficult to enforce the law in order to protect the area and by extension, the lives of people settled there? If the law had been implemented, it is most likely that many Ugandans would not have perished in the Bududa tragedy. While we continue to enforce laws to evict encroachers on wetlands, I believe we should apply the same law to rid all mountain slopes of settlements. Our focus is now on the country’s wet belts. However, our environmentalists should equally take keen interest in semi-arid or dry areas too. This is because arid areas tend to cause mass migration of people to arable lands, some of which cannot accommodate a big population. Consequently, such areas become disaster-prone like Bududa. Dr James Elima,Moroto"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/758298/-/vxxnxi/-/index.html","content":"NRM plans 2011 poll - London After the global euphoria over the election of Barack Obama as the first African-American US president, attention in Uganda has shifted to whether national leaders have learnt lessons to improve the country’s messy electioneering process. Uganda, seen as a country of political jinx, is particularly on the spot because some ideologues of the ruling NRM party are already plotting to uproot a reluctant President Yoweri Museveni as party chairman before the next elections in 2011. If the internal dissenters succeed, which appears unlikely for now, possible manipulation of the succession process by competing interests within the party could precipitate chaos, that characterised the country for decades. Yet should Mr Museveni, who would have ruled Uganda for a-quarter of a century by 2011, opt to stay – perhaps until he drops dead as his critics claim – he would require raw force to overcome opponents he cannot bribe, creating discontent and setting the country up for a Kenyan-style post-election meltdown. For a country thirsty for credible polls, the emerging disturbing news is that government is sitting on a number of key proposed amendments to the electoral laws without which the Electoral Commission says it will be unable to organise decent polls. There are at least eighteen such laws and regulations, including provisions on voter registration and education, Election register cleaning/display, synchronising multi-party dispensation in legislations, and tougher penalties for bribery by candidates, that the Election body wants passed a year before the next general elections. But 17 months after the EC submitted its suggestions, the government is yet to originate Bills and other draft documents for consideration by Parliament that would have the desired effect of amending the said laws. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1211886/-/bkk1w7z/-/index.html","content":"Nwoya youth demand Tullow jobs - Nwoya Youth in Nwoya District are demanding immediate inclusion in the operations of Tullow Oil as the company launches its oil drilling in the area. The youth said since the company launched its operations in the area six months ago, they have recruited no one from the area but are instead bringing in foreigners as casual labourers. “Some of us have better qualifications than the people they bring here,” Mr Jacob Okidi, one of the youth leaders in the district, said. He said leaving the locals out of the new project is not only breach to an earlier understanding but will also sabotage the company’s plans. Failed responsibilityMr Richard Todwong, the area MP, while meeting with the youths over the weekend pledged dialogue with the oil company to ensure that they give chance to the locals. “Corporate social responsibility is vital for any company engaged in any business, they should be able to offer employment to the people surrounding their investments,” he said. The LC3 chairman of Kochgoma Sub-county, Mr John Bosco Okullu, said about 40 youth have approached his office over the issue. He said although the company approached each sub county to get 40 youth to work as casual labourers since February this year, the call has not materialised yet they continue to see youth from elsewhere being ferried in. Acquire skillsNwoya LC5 chairman Patrick Oryema warned that exempting the locals, who should have been key players, could turn to work against the company. He, however, appealed to the unskilled youth to make use of the Petroleum Institute in Kigumba in Masindi District to acquire skills that can enable them compete for jobs in the oil industry. Mr Christopher Odong, the LC3 Chairman of Anaka Town Council, also said its impractical for such companies to even use foreign individuals to supply food to the workers."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1030296/-/cmi9l3z/-/index.html","content":"Jinja council sacks two land officials - The Jinja District Council has sacked two land board officials over lack of qualifications. The dismissal of Mr Hamuza Mukose and Mr James Munabi was announced by the district vice chairman, Mr Fred Kyangwa, during a council meeting last week. DirectiveMr Kyangwa said the council was implementing a directive by the Ministry of Lands permanent secretary who recommended that the two officials be replaced for lack of qualifications and breach of the rules governing their recruitment. “We submitted six names to the Lands Ministry for approval and we were advised by the permanent secretary to drop the two and send new names for approval because we breached the law in appointing them,’’ Mr Kyangwa said. He announced that councillor Rebecca Mutesi had been appointed to replace Mr Munabi but the council rejected her appointment."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/851622/-/whvmei/-/index.html","content":"Ministry undecided on  Shs14b Chogm shares - ParliamentParliament is investigating officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Privatisation Unit on reports that they have deferred the planned sale of the Shs14.2 billion government stake in Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort. While the ministry claims to have submitted all the documents on Munyonyo investment, the Privatisation Unit (PU), an outfit that handles the divesture deals, has contested the argument —forcing the Public Accounts Committee to question the delay to selloff government shares. “We have received information that PU and Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials have called off the process of privatisation of government shares in Munyonyo in total breach of our recommendation to withdraw from that deal,” the committee chairperson, Mr Nandala Mafabi, told Daily Monitor on Tuesday. The government signed a joint venture agreement with Meera Investments Limited (MIL) in 2006, owned by city tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia, to jointly develop and construct presidential suites, refurbish and operate conference facilities in preparation for Chogm 2007. While Mr Sudhir was unavailable for comment yesterday, an official at MIL, who requested not to be named in order to speak freely, said: “We have no problem with the government pulling out because we signed a memorandum of understanding with them.” On the delay, sources at PU have accused officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of holding up the process. “Up to now they have not given us the documents to help us establish the real value of the investment,” a source said. Now MPs have ordered the ministry to surrender all the documents on government’s 25 per cent stake in Munyonyo to PU within two weeks. When contacted, Ambassador James Mugume, the Permanent Secretary, said: “We got the share certificates from Mr Sudhir and passed them to PU. ”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/704920/-/vusci1/-/index.html","content":"5 Jinja head teachers dismissed - Jinja Five primary school head teachers in Jinja have been interdicted over alleged breach of workers’ code of conduct. The Jinja District Education Officer, Mr Abraham Were, said last week the affected head teachers were found guilty of drunkenness, defilement, embezzlement and insubordination. ‘’Although there are other factors leading to the poor performance in Primary Leaving Exams, I detected some problems with my head teachers and terminated their services,’’ Mr Were said. Those dismissed include Joseph Tiwaku of St. Karoli P/S and Samuel Dhikusooka of Nawamboga. Others are Peter Naganwa of St. John Kizinga and Charles Kikunyi of Bufula. Hakim Ndifuna of Bugembe Blue was dismissed for refusing to go to Kigalagala where he had been transferred."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/727624/-/vw3fvw/-/index.html","content":"Suspend Juba talks, says Sudan Speaker - JUBA THE Speaker of South Sudan's Central Equatorial State, Mr Michael Zamba Duku, has called upon the Government of South Sudan to immediately suspend the ongoing peace talks between the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and the government of Uganda after the rebels reportedly killed four people in Kajo Keji on Thursday. \"How could our government continue mediating peace while at the same time LRA is killing our people?\" the speaker is quoted in the local daily, Sudan Tribune, as saying. Kajo-keji, is an outpost close to the Uganda-Sudan border. The Commissioner of Kajo-keji County of Central Equatorial State, Maj. Oliver Mule, reported that suspected LRA rebels killed four people and seriously wounded another four at Kansuk, Lori and Rodo and abducted an  undisclosed number of women and children. But the new LRA chief negotiator, Dr David Matsanga, has denied any involvement of the rebels in the attack. 'That is absolutely untrue. We do not have forces in that area,\" Dr Matsanga told Sunday Monitor. Local papers here have reported that 25 civilians who claim they were abducted and forced to carry looted food stuff have safely returned. The Uganda government peace delegation spokesman, Capt. Chris Magezi, said: \"The call by the local leaders to their government to suspend the talks means they are reminding the LRA that they acted in breach [of the cessation of hostilities agreement.]\" Meanwhile, LRA leader Joseph Kony has expelled another two members of his peace delegation whose brief had been to monitor the implementation of the cessation of hostilities agreement. Those dismissed are  Lt. Col. Ray Achama and Maj. Dennis Okiror, Lt. Col. Achama and Maj. Okiror had been working under Col. Michael Anywar, who is the head of the LRA team on the multinational Cessation of Hostilities Monitoring Team."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/727626/-/vw3fvy/-/index.html","content":"MP Katuntu defends  victory - KAMPALA THE newly elected Member of Parliament of Bugweri County Abdu Katuntu has asked court to dismiss the petition challenging his election.   Bugweri County National Resistance Movement Vice Chairman Aziz Muwaya last week petitioned Kampala High Court seeking the nullification of Katuntu's election. Mr Muwaya, who is also the Chairman of Ibulanku Sub-county, claimed that the election was conducted in breach of provisions of the Constitution and other laws governing parliamentary elections. In response, Mr Katuntu said the Bugweri County by-elections were  free and fair. \"Election in Bugweri was conducted and concluded in  compliance with the provisions of the Constitution, Parliamentary Elections Act and Electoral Commission Elections Act,\" Mr Katuntu stated in his defence  last week."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Business-comes-to-a-standstill-as-River-Mpanga-floods/-/688334/1609750/-/lyjs76/-/index.html","content":"Business comes to a standstill as River Mpanga floods - Areas in Fort Portal, Kabarole District, near River Mpanga have come to a standstill after the river burst it’s banks following heavy rains on Friday morning. Our reporter says that flood waters are threatening to wash away foot bridges near Fort Portal Hospital. Already, some bridges in the area have been cut off after tributaries connecting to the river flooded. Mpanga Market did not open on Friday because of flooding. River Mpanga flows from the Rwenzori Mountains and crosses the districts of Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kamwenge and then feeds into Lake George. The heavy rains, which started at 2am on Friday morning and continued to 8am, exacerbated the stressed river banks which have been amassing water from uninterrupted October rains. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1220916/-/bjy6psz/-/index.html","content":"Bad roads  hinder  aid distribution  to landslide victims - Impassable roads in Karamoja sub-region has hampered the distribution of relief items to survivors of landslides in Morulem Village in Kawalakol Sub-county, Kaabong District. According to Ms Catherine Ntabadde, the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) assistant director of communications, two URCS heavy trucks loaded with food were yesterday still stuck at Kaabong District headquarters due to heavy rain which has rendered roads impassable. “The trucks are finding it difficult to go up the hill in the area. Heavy rain coupled with floods are being experienced in the area,” Ms Ntabadde said in a statement yesterday. Last week, seven people were killed and two others injured after a landslide in Morulem Village. Ms Ntabadde said 26 families whose houses were destroyed by the landslide have been temporary relocated to Kawalakol Primary School."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1296410/-/bfjch1z/-/index.html","content":"7 arrested for littering city - Kampala Seven people were yesterday arrested and charged at the City Hall after the Kampala Capital City Authority law enforcement officers arrested them for littering Burton and Luwum streets. The seven, who included three women and four men, including one of Asian origin, were arrested after they were found with rubbish mainly polyethylene wrappers around their business premises. Implementing policyThe arrests are a follow-up of efforts by KCCA to step up responsible garbage disposal by the city dwellers under the Solid Waste Management Ordinance 2000. Last week, KCCA Magistrate James Wambaya remanded Mr Pius Katini, an administrative officer of a bank in Kampala, to Luzira Prison for dumping solid waste on Speke Road in Kampala. According to Magistrate Wambaya, the suspect was charged and remanded under the Solid Waste Management Ordinance 2000 after a tip off by informers who have been strategically allocated zones in the city to stop this habit. Kampala city has in the past experienced poor road maintenance and drainage systems because many people dispose solid waste in drainage channels, thus clogging the tunnels. As a result flooding has been so common in the city. The way forwardKCCA garbage management regulations state that it is the responsibility of garbage generators to dispose of rubbish at the right collection point. Last week while addressing the press in her end of year message, the KCCA Executive Director, Ms Jennifer Musisi, warned the public that the Authority would arrest anybody found littering the city. “We have placed litter bins in different parts of the city. We shall also arrest people who vandalise them because in the past, people have been removing them to take them home for keeping water and the metallic ones for making charcoal stoves,” she said. sotage@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Entertainment/Rubaga-gets-its-share-of-Chibuku-dance/-/812796/2538792/-/9ru93z/-/index.html","content":"Rubaga gets its share of Chibuku dance - The heavy downpour that caused Namungoona playground, the supposed venue the Rubaga divisional Chibuku Sestula Dance Competitions to flood last Friday, could have easily spoilt the day. However, a quick change of venue to an open space just nearby marked the start of an exciting feat as 10 dance groups put their best feet forward. The winnersRockies Dance group stole the show and were crowned champions, thanks to their skill and costumes such as their silver hooded kanzus that impressed the judges. The other two winners were Back to The Roots in the second position while Glory Cultural Performers came third. All the top three groups performed the same traditional dance, Bakisimba Muwogola dances. However, when it came to the traditional folk song based on the traditional beer brand Chibuku, the crowd’s favourite was Glory Cultural stage. The group put in some drama as they demonstrated how Chibuku makes people drunk if taken in large quantity. In the song, they also advise people to drink the beer responsibly. Kadongokamu singer Mammuli Katumba also performed for the crowd as the other groups got ready to take to the stage. The event ended a few minutes to 7pm. The Makindye competitionsAfter Lubaga Municipality, the competitions went to Katwe playground on Sunday for the Makindye Division competitors. Out of the 10 groups that performed, Katwe Drama group emerged winners after performing the Bakisimba and Muwogola dances, Atanayitayita dance group, who performed Mbaga traditional dance and an original song praising Chibuku came second. The third group was Young Africans, which also performed Bakisimba and Muwogola dances."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/S-6-examinations-start-today/-/688334/2517000/-/131fw9f/-/index.html","content":"S.6 examinations start today - KAMPALA. The Uganda National Examination Board has registered a sharp decline in the number of candidates sitting for this year’s Uganda Advanced Certificate of Examination (UACE), which starts this morning by a margin of 7,421 students compared to last year. A total of 108,359 candidates were registered this year in 1,803 centres compared to 115,780 last year. Addressing journalists on Saturday, Uneb executive secretary Matthew Bukenya noted that the body had launched an investigation into the matter, which amounts to a crisis since the number of candidates registering for national exams has been steadily rising every year. “Our term could have known by now what caused this, but they were unable to investigate the matter due to the on going exams. But very soon, we shall inform the public what led to this decline in number of candidates,” he said. Recently, government kicked 12 private schools out of the free A-Level programme after failing to measure up to the required standards and were thus unable to conduct A-Level classes. This could have forced many beneficiaries of the scheme to drop out of school over failure to pay fees. Besides, the decline in candidates’ numbers, there is fear that heavy rains in many districts could affect effective transportation of examination materials. But Mr Bukenya said they were collaborating with Unicef to ensure that they provide alternative shelter candidates in flood prone areas. The recordsThis year’s candidates will be the second lot sitting after the introduction of two new subjects at Advanced Level; Sub-Mathematics and Computer Studies. assenkabirwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Solve-Ntoroko-flood-problem--RDC-tells-vice-president/-/688334/2514240/-/d05t0qz/-/index.html","content":"Solve Ntoroko flood problem, RDC tells vice president - NTOROKO- Leaders in Ntoroko District have asked government to find means of containing floods from River Semliki other than supplying relief items every year to the affected people in the western border district. Every rainy season leaves Ntoroko soaked in floods, displacing hundreds of people and animals, destroying property and blocking roads for weeks. Whenever River Semliki busts its banks, floods spill over to the wide and flat plains of Ntoroko. Of recent, it has been observed that the volume of water is increasing each year as it is evident in the current situation where more than 5,000 people have been displaced. The district chairperson, Mr Timothy Kyamanywa, told Vice President Edward Ssekandi and State minister for Disaster and Preparedness Musa Ecweru during a meeting in Rwebisengo Town Council on Tuesday: “We are tired of getting relief aid every year whenever the district is affected by floods, so find other means of stopping these floods because government is spending much to get relief aid for the affected people.” Environment experts have observed that human activities upstream on River Semliki in Bundibugyo District are mainly the cause of the flooding downstream in Ntoroko. Mr Kyamanywa asked government to find other possible ways which are permanent in addressing the issue of annual floods. “If government fails to stem the floods, it should identify another place in the country and relocate us because people have lost many properties,” said Mr Kyamanywa. Mr Ssekandi said he would consult the President to seek a solution to the problem. Mr Ecweru handed over an assortment of relief items to residents affected by floods. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Floods-kill-22year-old-woman-in-Kampala/-/688334/2437378/-/14vxawf/-/index.html","content":"Floods kill 22year old woman in Kampala - A 22-year old woman was on Sunday killed by floods that rocked Kampala suburbs following a heavy down. According to police, Madina Nabakooza lost her life in the floods in Ndeeba, a Kampala suburb shortly after the afternoon heavy down pour.“One woman died while she attempted to move in the floods in Ndeeba, Katwe,” said Kampala metropolitan police spokesperson, Mr Patrick Onyango who was addressing journalist on Monday. Witnesses told Police that the deceased seemed drunk and that she reportedly stepped in the fast running water that swept her away thinking it was not deep enough to kill her. The deceased’s body was taken to Mulago Hospital for a post mortem. “If you feel you are drunk, especially when it is raining, stay in the bar until the following morning when you are safe,” Mr Onyango said before cautioning people living in flood prone areas to be careful, especially after heavy rains. Mr Onyango further told journalists that floods in Bwaise, Nateete, Nalukolongo, Kalelwe and Ndeeba suburbs destroyed property worth millions of shillings. “According to our assessment millions of shillings have been lost in the floods that swept across various city suburbs on Sunday,” he said. Meanwhile, as schools open for a new term next week, Mr Onyango cautioned parents to be careful when paying their children’s school fees. “As the term begins, parents should pay school fees in the banks themselves as there are conmen waiting who hoax students into stealing their money.” Mr Onyango."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Floods-kill-22year-old-woman-in-Kampala/-/688334/2437618/-/14vxd4h/-/index.html","content":"Floods kill 22year old woman in Kampala - A 22-year old woman was on Sunday killed by floods that rocked Kampala suburbs following a heavy down. According to police, Madina Nabakooza lost her life in the floods in Ndeeba, a Kampala suburb shortly after the afternoon heavy down pour.“One woman died while she attempted to move in the floods in Ndeeba, Katwe,” said Kampala metropolitan police spokesperson, Mr Patrick Onyango who was addressing journalist on Monday. Witnesses told Police that the deceased seemed drunk and that she reportedly stepped in the fast running water that swept her away thinking it was not deep enough to kill her. The deceased’s body was taken to Mulago Hospital for a post mortem. “If you feel you are drunk, especially when it is raining, stay in the bar until the following morning when you are safe,” Mr Onyango said before cautioning people living in flood prone areas to be careful, especially after heavy rains. Mr Onyango further told journalists that floods in Bwaise, Nateete, Nalukolongo, Kalelwe and Ndeeba suburbs destroyed property worth millions of shillings. “According to our assessment millions of shillings have been lost in the floods that swept across various city suburbs on Sunday,” he said. Meanwhile, as schools open for a new term next week, Mr Onyango cautioned parents to be careful when paying their children’s school fees. “As the term begins, parents should pay school fees in the banks themselves as there are conmen waiting who hoax students into stealing their money.” Mr Onyango."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Dangerous-cosmetics-flood-market--UNBS-warns/-/688322/2295026/-/xkyv92z/-/index.html","content":"Dangerous cosmetics flood market, UNBS warns - Kampala- The obsession with fair skin among several women may put them at risk of irreversible skin damages, Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has warned. UNBS has warned consumers against buying and using cosmetic products with hydroquinone ingredient, saying it does not only damage the skin, but also causes cancer among other severe irreversible complications. In a meeting between Indian companies and UNBS, organised by the Indian Association in Uganda last week, several complaints, among them influx of dangerous cosmetics in the market, was brought to the attention of the standards body. Members of the association, some of whom are dealers or makers of cosmetics, say they are unable to break even given the influx of the cheap products in the market, particularly in downtown markets of Kikuubo, Owino and Shauri Yako, among others. “The issues raised by the members are all challenges that need to be looked into. All they are saying is that there is need for a level playing field,” the spokesperson for the Indian Association in Uganda, Mr Sanjiv Patel Mugisha, said in the meeting. In response, UNBS deputy executive director Patricia Ejalu, said: “There is a resurgent of cosmetics with hydroquinone. Most of them come from DR Congo. This is something we are going to tackle but for the meantime the public must stay clear of such cosmetics.” She continued: “These cosmetics are bad for the skin because they cause cancer.” iladu@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/OtherSport/18-year-old-shakes-off-injury-to-win--gold/-/690284/2237262/-/peglndz/-/index.html","content":"18-year-old shakes off injury to win  gold - KAMPALA. Maroon Aqua Sports Rowing Club’s Betty Nabifo overcame an injury to win gold for her club in the East and Central Africa Club Championships. Nabifo injured her ankle as she took part in a road work routine during last week’s umpiring and coaching courses held under the stewardship British instructor, Jim Flood at Kisubi Beach. But the 18-year-old defied her coach’s orders to pull her out and rowed herself to gold in the lightweight women’s single scull. She also won silver in the lightweight doubles with counterpart Batenga Nakisozi.“I had decided to pull her out of these championships because of the injury but she threatened to quit the club,” coach Rodrick Muhumuza said. “So I granted her her wish and I am proud she has won us gold that we had nearly given up on,” he added. Nabifo is just one of the many local rowers that had to overcome challenges to win gold. But like her fellow medallists, she returns home satisfied with herself and hoping for a quicker recovery. According to Muhumuza, who also doubles as the national team coach, the biggest challenge was for the rowers adjusting from the 2000m races they had trained for to the 1000m sprints which the course of the lake demanded. The other challenge, he noted was that some rowers had too many finals to compete in yesterday. He attributed this to the low level of participation in the event. Alfred Okello was one of the rowers in the latter category as he competed in two semi finals and three finals. For a game that calls for power and endurance, one can understand why he managed only one gold medal; in the lightweight single scull event."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/South-Sudan-refugees-flood-Koboko-district-/-/688334/2132672/-/b2tb95/-/index.html","content":"South Sudan refugees flood Koboko district  - ARUA/KOBOKO- The authorities in Koboko have complained that the West Nile district is being constrained by the influx of refugees fleeing war in South Sudan. Since the war broke out on December 15, the district has received over 1,500 refugees, causing anxiety among leaders on how to manage the surge in refugee numbers. However, Gen Moses Ali, the third Deputy Prime Minister, urged Koboko leaders to “work within their means to address the increasing number of refugees in the district. “They should not blame meager resources on refugees. Even before they came, the district was suffering with meagre resources. No district administration has ever been satisfied with allocated budgets,” he said. The deputy premier was responding to an appeal by the district chairman, Mr Hassan Nginya, for more funding to help the district cope with the surging number of refugees from Eastern Congo and South Sudan.editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/South-Sudan-death-toll-rises-to-78/-/688340/2043108/-/xo17ma/-/index.html","content":"South Sudan death toll rises to 78 - Monitor correspondentJuba. More bodies have been retrieved from the flood waters and nearby bushes in South Sudan’s Jonglei state, bringing the death toll in a militia attack on remote villages to 78, officials have said. David Yau Yau rebels, in coordination with the Murle tribesmen, allegedly attacked Paker, Ajuong and Maar payams in Twich East County on Sunday, setting villages on fire and chasing the civilians to river banks, making some to drown. County commissioner Dau Akoi Jurkuch on Monday said the search was still ongoing. “We have found more bodies. Now we are talking of 78 people, women and children, killed by David Yau Yau (rebels),” Mr Dau said. The South Sudan military spokesperson, Col Philip Aguer Panyang, said the situation was still volatile in the villages that were attacked. “The few police that were in Maar (payam) were all killed, including their head and the village of Maar was killed,” Col Aguer told a local radio station on Monday. Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth said the attack came at a time the government was holding talks with the rebels.“Bearing in mind that we are in negotiation with David Yau Yau, we didn’t expect this to happen,” Mr Makuei said. The United Nations mission in the country has condemned the violence, saying it has been evacuating the wounded to Jonglei State capital, Bor and Juba, spokesperson Joe Contreras said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Series-review--Crossing-Lines/-/691232/2000958/-/agdj9vz/-/index.html","content":"Series review: Crossing Lines - Produced in Europe, Crossing Lines is a credible and gritty crime procedural that premiered early May, featuring a crack team “from all over the Euro Zone” assembled to hunt down the worst of the worst. Crossing Lines is based on psychopathic killers or tormented cops. The team’s steely eyed French leader, Louis Daniel (Marc Lavoine), feels compelled to recruit a retired Yank, Fichtner’s twitchy Carl Hickman, to lend his expertise to the operation. Hickman is hiding out in Amsterdam, nursing an old wound and a medicinal habit, as well as a bad attitude. He shares that last quality and inevitably, with most of his new teammates, who include crime-solving prodigies with special skills from Italy (Gabriella Pession), France (Moon Dailly), Ireland (Richard Flood) and Germany (Tom Wlaschiha - Game of Thrones). Pursuing a killer who leaves behind a grisly trail of dead women, the group (organised under the International Criminal Court) runs into the expected jurisdictional skirmishes with local gendarmes, while Louis also grapples with bureaucratic issues in the form of a fatherly ICC inspector (Donald Sutherland). editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Tanzania-expels-over-25-000-Burundians-in-a-month/-/688340/1989806/-/299wh9/-/index.html","content":"Tanzania expels over 25,000 Burundians in a month - Bujumbura - At least 25,000 Burundian refugees living in Tanzania have been forcibly repatriated over the past month, a UN official said Thursday, describing a \"dramatic\" humanitarian situation. Close to a million refugees fled from Burundi to stable Tanzania when civil war broke out in 1993, and most returned voluntarily after the conflict in their country ended in 2006. But patience appears to have run out in Tanzania, which has hosted millions of refugees over the past decades from conflicts across Africa's Great Lakes region, and authorities have been accelerating expulsions of refugees from Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tanzania views the refugees as illegal immigrants. \"It's difficult to estimate exactly the number of Burundians already expelled from Tanzania, but there are at least 20,000 over the past month and probably between 20,000 and 30,000,\" Catherine Huck of the UN high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) told AFP. She said trucks carrying hundreds of refugees were crossing the border each day, with many of those expelled without access to shelter or water. \"The Burundian government must organise convoys to bring the expelled persons back to their villages. The needs are enormous, and the international community must get involved,\" she said. The expulsions coincide with a diplomatic tussle between Tanzania, exasperated by the continuous flood of refugees from the Great Lakes region and engaged in a UN force in the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern Kivu region, and Rwanda, which denies charges of being a key backer of one of the main Congolese rebel groups. online@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1228156/-/bjsscjz/-/index.html","content":"Kigezi in panic as rain shows no signs of ending - KABALE Residents of Kabale, Kisoro, Rukungiri and parts of Kanungu districts are in panic as heavy rain pounds the region with no sign of abating. A mini survey by this newspaper indicates that most of the areas are now at risk of landslides. They include Nyamweru, Bufundi, Kaharo and Buhara in Kabale District. In the hilly Kigezi region, all the hills have been left bare due to increased charcoal burning and farming, which has escalated soil erosion. The soils have lost fertility uphill, forcing the people to descend on the wetlands. There is increased floods in the region that have so far claimed two lives this month and destroyed hectares of gardens in Kanungu. The district councillor for Bufundi Sub-county, Ms Adrine Tibenda, said most the farmers are now harvesting premature sorghum and potatoes because most of the lowlands are flooded. The Bufundi chairperson, Mr Champion Banet, said the area needs urgent help. “The people need to be enlightened on how to deal with floods and landslides,” Mr Banet said. In 2009, water torrents after a downpour carried away a woman with her baby and landslides blocked a number of roads bringing down communication and business in Kabale district. At least 10 people have died as a result of floods and landslides in Kigezi region since 2009."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1227598/-/bjtefaz/-/index.html","content":"MPs tell Ecweru to focus on warning, not response - Parliament. Government yesterday responded to the disaster in Bulambuli District by issuing a national alert warning of more landslides and floods around all mountainous zones of the country. In what legislators described as a last-minute response, government also directed that all human settlements on or along the mountain slopes across the country must be evacuated immediately. Disaster Preparedness State Minister Musa Ecweru, who was briefing legislators on the national situation of landslides and floods at Parliament, said the current weather is not conducive for settlement on the slopes of moutains. Heavy rains that pounded the sub-counties of Sisiya, Buluganya and Lusha in Bulambuli District yesterday morning resulted in landslides, leaving at least 26 people dead and 22 houses buried under rubble. “We expect more landslides in most of the districts in the mountainous areas such as Manafwa, Sironko, Mbale, Bududa and Kapchorwa and we expect floods in the most low lying areas including Teso sub-region and the districts of Butaleja, Kween, Tororo, Nebbi and Moyo,” Mr Ecweru said. “Much of Teso is already water-logged and five sub-counties in Butaleja flooded.” The minister reported that 11 sub-counties in Upper Bulambuli are at high risk of being washed away, with signs of houses drifting as cracks appear. Also, crops such as sweet potatoes, maize and vegetables were destroyed and livestock killed. He said western Uganda and some parts of Buganda are experiencing hailstorms and destructive strong winds. Need for early mechanisms“My office has activated the national emergency operations and coordination centre with Maj. Gen. Julius Oketa as the national focal point. All CAOs are the district focal points. The district police commanders are responsible for relaying information to the national centre,” Mr Ecweru said. MPs, however, reacted angrily to the minister’s statement and wondered why the government only comes out to respond after disaster has struck. “The disaster minister was recently warned of a looming landslide during a workshop but government never responded. The ministry is for disaster preparedness not for disaster response. Let people be re-located early enough to avoid disaster,” said Agago Woman MP Judith Franca Akello. Fox Odoi (West Budama North) asked the minister to tell the MPs whether there is a disaster early warning mechanism, while Gomba Woman MP Rose Najjemba asked what plan the government had to avert likely future disasters. Kasilo County MP Elijah Okupa raised concerns regarding the need for repairing of the weather radar in Entebbe as his West Moyo counterpart Tom Aza urged the government to tighten the noose on people occupying wetlands and mountainous areas. The minister, however, said Cabinet had approved a policy on disaster which is awaiting implementation. He said the whole of Mt. Elgon populace needs to be relocated. mnalugo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1224872/-/bjvf3dz/-/index.html","content":"Entebbe burst sewer sends passengers into stampede - Passengers at Entebbe International Airport were sent into a stampede after a sewer pipe at the airport burst and spewed waste into the arrival lounge yesterday. The pipe, which burst for a second time in a month, released a horrid stench which lasted more than four hours, forcing businesses to close. Airport workers who preferred anonymity said human waste issued its way from the arrival lounge and snaked into the go-down section. “Civil Aviation Authority charges lots of money from people renting airport offices but cannot fix such problems,” a cargo handler said. Mr Ignie Igunduura, the Civil Aviation Spokesperson, denied any sewer spillage, saying the waste resulted from routine maintenance works. “During the process, all dirt that causes blockage finds its way out,” he said on telephone.The reported sewer breakdowns come four years after CAA officials carried out an extensive Shs72 billion rehabilitation and upgrade works at Entebbe airport for the 2007 Commonwealth Meeting. Endless troublesMr Igunduura said the retouch never catered for the onsite waste management system. Other than the sewer pipe, the airport also has a jagged road section, connecting via the fuel reserves, which floods whenever there is downpour. An insider said a section on the roof of the main terminal building was hurriedly fixed after Daily Monitor published a story highlighting the leakage in the building into the Bon Voyage restaurant. “Workers have to temporarily close and later clean up the premises.” It is understood that the ventilators on the Customs Business Centre section of the building were sealed during re-roofing, blocking inflow of fresh air. mssebuyira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1224914/-/bjveg6z/-/index.html","content":"Katakwi revenue drops as floods destroy gardens - Reports from Katakwi indicate that the district is set to suffer a cocktail of problems as local revenue collection has fallen. This comes just days after State Minister for Disaster Preparedness Musa Ecweru warned of a looming food shortage and floods in the next four months following the heavy rains that hit the eastern region. District officials say the drop in the revenue has been caused by the heavy rains that have frustrated harvests and frozen business. They say their preparedness to provide basic services to the people is further hindered by dwindling revenue collections from cattle markets. “The markets are our main local revenue source in Katakwi,” the district CAO, Mr Milton Kato, said. The quarantineHowever, because of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the district, only Shs130m has been collected from the cattle markets out of the budgeted Shs300m. The shortage has forced this year’s budget to fall from the anticipated Shs18b to Shs14b, a move likely to affect projects financed through locally generated funds. Ongongoja parish chief Joseph Akol on Monday said villages in his area have not received the 25 per cent share from the local revenue collections this year and he too blames the delay on poor returns.“We use these funds to repair village water points and roads but nothing has been sent (to us) since this year begun,” Mr Akol said. Local leaders, however, say the ban on the sale of meat and other livestock by-products has affected trade in major markets. Market revenue records show that Ocorimongin is the main cattle market and before the quarantine, the district raised at least Shs3m on an average market day. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1224536/-/a0h0l5/-/index.html","content":"Are we ready for relief action? - Last week’s revelation that government is developing a hazard early warning mechanism to help anticipate natural calamity in disaster-prone parts of the country could not have come at a more opportune moment. The floods are back, ravaging parts of the east as heavy rains pound Karamoja and stretches of what was traditionally known as Bukedi. Between late 2007 and 2008, the plains of Teso and lowlands of Bukedi were swamped. Rivers fed by unusually heavy rainfall burst their banks and aggravated the damage. Estimated damage caused by flash floods in Teso alone was placed at Shs120 billion in Amuria, Katakwi, Bukedea, Kaberamaido, Kumi and Soroti districts. Relief agencies scrambled to help a government unprepared to recognise and deal with the humanitarian emergency. LC5 chairpersons in the areas compiled a report showing that Amuria required Shs50.8 billion for reconstruction while Bukedea needed Shs9.6 billion, Kaberamaido Shs4.3 billion, Katakwi Shs25.3 billion, Kumi Shs12.1 billion and Soroti Shs17.6 billion. Most of the money would go towards restocking food, relocation of Internally Displaced Persons camps, rehabilitation and improvement of school environment, reconstruction of roads, containing disease, shelter and safe water provision. What tentative national and international intervention came was late and poorly coordinated. Thousands of displaced people were left to fend for themselves in torrid conditions, exposed to the elements and short of food, shelter or medicine. Preventable death from hunger and disease soon followed. A serious Ministry for Disaster Preparedness should have taken lessons from the fiasco. But it seems that the government remains uncertain about how to respond even when we now know that the season’s crop is at grave risk of being lost. It is not yet too late to prepare for coordinated relief action. The government should always have in store food in anticipation of shortages caused by disasters. There should be clear thinking on what to do if and when people’s homes again go under water. And, critically, emergency health services should be standing by in the likely event of water-borne disease outbreaks. It is not enough to develop a tidy little catastrophe tracker. There has to be a commitment and ability to intervene and save lives."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1224250/-/bjvjtxz/-/index.html","content":"Floods ravage east - Kampala The next four months could see hundreds of families in eastern region go without meals after crops rotted following floods that left soils water-logged, the government announced yesterday. The floods triggered off by heavy rains have also destroyed several homesteads and road infrastructure in many parts of the region. Several river banks have burst, thus amplifying the disastrous situation. “Farmers had grown a lot of food, but they have not had a chance to harvest it and they can’t plant new crops because the area is flooded,” said the Agriculture State Minister, Prof. Zerubabel Nyira. He named the worst affected districts as Butaleja, Bulambuli and those in Karamoja sub-region. At least 231 households in the two sub-counties of Mazimasa and Himutu in Butaleja are water-logged, affecting about 1,392 people, according to a survey by Uganda Red Cross Society. In addition, crops belonging to 592 families in the same district have been destroyed, thus exposing at least 4,140 to the risk of famine, according to Mr Stephen Wamukota, the URCS Mbale regional manager. “The current situation may in future lead to famine,” he emphasised. But the minister said the food shortage would be short-term because the government has plans to assist the affected families. Prof. Nyira said the Agriculture ministry was coordinating with the Office of the Prime Minister, URCS and World Food Programme to provide relief assistance in the short run. “We will also support them to grow more food when time comes,” he said. Usually heavy rainfall from July to November leads to flooding in the eastern and some parts of northern Uganda. The floods normally leave pit-latrines overflowing or collapsed thus negatively impacting on health and sanitation; and after water recede, the mainly peasant communities get exposed to increased risk of waterborne diseases like cholera. Mr Wamukota yesterday said that water purification tablets and mosquito nets were urgently needed to stem poor sanitation related diseases. “There is also need to introduce disaster risk reduction, water and sanitation activities in Himutu and Mazimasa sub-counties,” he said in a statement. In Bududa, the Office of the Prime Minister distributed food to 45 households whose crops were destroyed during a mudslide. The six people who were injured received essential household items from URCS. Two of the injured have been discharged while two others remain admitted to Bududa Hospital with their condition reported not worrying. Meanwhile, in the far-flung districts of Kaabong and Kotido, heavy rains hindered humanitarian work as some roads became impassable with some bridges washed away. Experts warn of likely outbreak of cholera and Hepatitis E in the districts. jmiti@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1223540/-/bjw6tmz/-/index.html","content":"Fresh floods expected in Teso - SOROTI Teso sub-region is on the brink of suffering another round of floods in the coming months following recent torrential rains that continue to pound Karamoja, the source of small rivers that flow into the low-lying parts of Teso. Karamoja is already suffering effects of the rains with most bridges washed away and access to roads blocked. This has seen businesses suffering as trucks carrying merchandise cannot pass through the roads. State Minister for Disaster Preparedness Musa Ecweru confirmed that parts of Amuria and Katakwi districts that suffered serious floods in 2007 could experience similar disaster this season. “Rains have continued to wreak havoc on Karamoja. Teso cannot escape the effects so they should prepare early enough,” Mr Ecweru said. Geographic disadvantageExperts at the disaster ministry say much of the Teso landscape is trough-like, a reason whenever there are heavy rains in the Elgon zone and Karamoja, Teso experiences floods and water-logging. The recent rains in Karamoja have already affected Palam, Ongongoja, Ngariam and Magoro sub-counties in Katakwi District where several gardens of cassava, groundnuts and potatoes have begun to rot. “Just a year ago we suffered a similar disaster and just as we are recovering from the effects, another has hit,” Mr Bosco Onyal, the chairperson Ngariam Development Association, said. Katakwi production coordinator Silver Ongom said the district requires more funds to help it stabilise food production for its people. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1221358/-/bjxm0rz/-/index.html","content":"Famine bites as families resort to one meal a day - If no immediate efforts are adopted, many people in eastern and northern Uganda could be staring at famine, investigations by this newspaper can reveal. The worst hit districts are Bulambuli and the region of Karamoja where 1.2 million people are facing food shortage. In the east, three people have died in the last one month and in Gulu, the Woman MP, Ms Betty Aol, said last week that three children have died in the district due to starvation. State Minister for Disaster Preparedness Musa Ecweru, told this newspaper that his ministry and that of agriculture are drawing up a budget to help mitigate the situation. Following the persistent drought that reduced pasture and food production, Karimojong cattle keepers are selling their few remaining cows and goats in order to survive. Others who lost their animals to cattle rustlers have resorted to breaking stones and selling them to Tororo Cement Industries while some gather wild fruits to survive. “We are just selling off our animals to survive but traditionally cows in Karamoja are only meant for marriage,” said Timothy Koryang, an elder in Moroto. Although Karamoja is experiencing drought, heavy rains that have lasted almost a week have rendered most of the region impassable. Ms Anastasia Among, a 40 year-old widow in Ocorai village in Serere and her family, depend on farming for survival but for the last three months, there has been no rain in her area and the crops have withered.“I depend on growing crops for sale and consumption at home. This year the harvest is very poor and we fear there is going to be a serious food shortage,” Ms Among said. Children kept at home“In a good season, I get one million shillings each harvest but I do not hope to get anything this year. I don’t know how to pay my children’s fees,” said Ms Among. The looming food crisis is coming at a time when the region is still reeling from effects of floods in 2007 that caused famine. In West Nile region, families have one meal a day as a result of food shortage that has pushed prices up.Mr Clement Adrabo, a resident of Ediofe, said: “We now take one meal per day because food is expensive and there is no money. I have even stopped drinking alcohol and the money should rather be used for feeding my family,” the father of four said. To survive, some families have resorted to borrowing food from friends, hunting, selling their land and animals. As food scarcity worsens in many districts of northern Uganda due to unfavorable climatic conditions, many households have resorted to rationing the available foodstuffs they have in their family stores. It is predicted that several families in Omoro and Aswa counties in Gulu District could face starvation in the coming months following a severe destruction caused by hailstorm on their farmlands last months. The hailstorms destroyed acres of beans, cassava and cotton mainly in Lakwana and Paicho sub counties.However, rains in Acholi and Lango subregions have continued to improve since early May, raising hopes of an average harvest in August. If the rains cease now as forecasted, then harvests may be realised below average. Government predicts that from September 2011, acute food shortages are likely to be experienced in 35 districts. Reported by Steven Ariong, James Eriku, Felix Warom and Richard Otim"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1221366/-/10sa38h/-/index.html","content":"We can live without sugar but not rain - For God’s sake, even a new-born baby can see that clearing part of Mabira forest is dangerous given the floods, landslides and poor harvests in this country. We can live without sugar but we cannot live without the rain, fresh air, and good soils. Let us save our future by making wise plans instead of clearing forests. With the trend of destruction of nature we are taking, our future is doomed. Whatever has gone wrong with President Museveni, nobody seems to know. Otherwise, how can an educated person want to destroy Mabira forest that provides rain to the Lake Victoria region and beyond considering the benefits associted with the forest. Concerned citizen"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/1219806/-/1m6qlez/-/index.html","content":"Rain destroys Karamoja fields - As farmers in other regions welcome the rains with glee, Karimojong are saddened by what has turned out to be disastrous to their food harvests. Although this time the Karimojong had cultivated food, many will yield none as most of their crop rot in the fields.For the pastoralists, however, rainfall has come with more advantages like reviving the foliage. This has shed off stress in searching for pasture and water normally experienced during dry seasons as fields turn bare. “God has given us rain as we have always asked him, but it has come at a wrong time and is so destructive. It has damaged all the food we were about to harvest,” says Ms Margaret Angella, a farmer in Kaloi village, Rupa sub-county in Moroto district. “We have not got chance to harvest what we had earlier planted. We are also reluctant to open up new gardens now because the whole place floods,” she adds. Mr Keem Lochugae, an agro-pastoralist, says the month of August is usually a dry period in which farmers normally harvest.“We expected to get better yields than we have always received in the past 10 years, but each day, our hope diminishes,” Lochugae explains. Moreover, experts predict loss of more food during harvesting due to poor post-harvest handling. According to Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), crop prospects for harvest from September are uncertain. In its country brief on food status, FAO says a positive start of the rainy season in March was followed by erratic and below-average rainfall which may likely lead to a below average output. It explains that pasture improved following the beneficial rains until mid-April, leading to healthier animals and better milk production. However, the outbreak of foot and mouth disease from last February has spread to several areas of the “cattle corridor”, causing the temporary closure of livestock markets in Nakapiripirit and Amudat districts. “This had a negative impact on pastoral livelihood and many have resorted to increased firewood and charcoal collection and sales as coping strategies to augment their income,” the report says. For years, Karamoja region has been mainly dependent on food donation from humanitarian organisations. But of late, massive crop production has been introduced in the region. Overall, FAO says the food security situation in the country is stable following the good 2010 aggregate cereal production, which improved household food stocks, market supplies and income. Pockets of chronic food insecurity exist particularly in northern Uganda and an estimated 600,000 people are moderately food insecure, mainly in Karamoja and Acholi regions. In these regions, the number of food-vulnerable households may change in the coming weeks depending on rainfall performance, outbreaks of animal diseases and the correct functioning of livestock markets in north-eastern districts."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1212382/-/10ro8p0/-/index.html","content":"Mr President, many Ugandan schools need donations too - I like the President of Uganda for his philanthropic orientation. He has just given $300,000 to a school in Rwanda. I would do the same if I had that much money as head of state of Uganda. I remember when the President gave some huge amount of money, millions of pounds, in respect of victims of a hurricane in the US. We should be happy that the President is not a miser when it comes to charity. But we should remind him that a multitude of Ugandan schools are in a sorry state and need much charity from State House. We should also remind him that Bududa landslide victims, just like the victims of the Teso floods, the victims of Kibwetere, the parents of the children of Budo Primary School who died in a fire, and, of course, the victims of the Kony war in Northern Uganda, needed even more charity from State House. Why not? After all State House, together with the presidency, receive the ‘biggest’ slice of Uganda’s annual budget, judging from what we read in the press recently. One suggestion: It is high time the President created a fund, may be called the Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Foundation to further his philanthropic work. This foundation would definitely be separate from the Uganda national treasury and would outlive President Museveni’s presidency. Heard of Rockefeller Foundation? Ford Foundation? Why not Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Foundation? What do the multitude of presidential advisors say singly and collectively? Another suggestion: There is so much money being wasted, say in giving medals or corruption in form of inflated budgets or building patronage. Uganda could, by law, establish a foundation. Why not call it the The Uganda Foundation? Once formed, its huge financial resources would be allocated accordingly to noble causes such as charity towards rehabilitating the victims of lightning, jiggers, or displacement by agribusiness firms. What do you think? Oweyegha-Afunaduula,Kampala"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1207624/-/12t907gz/-/index.html","content":"Allocate more money to the environment sector - With over 65 per cent of the population employed in agriculture (which is heavily dependent on nature), adapting to and mitigating climate change is a requisite for reducing vulnerability and improving agricultural productivity. The reduction in agricultural productivity can be traced to climate change whose causes could be beyond Uganda’s boundaries. This calls for government efforts to mainstream the environment and natural resources sector towards addressing climate change challenges to ensure viable livelihood options for citizens. The budget is the most important instrument through which resources are allocated to identify priority areas. While donors finance activities related to climate change mitigation, the issue of adaptation to climate change apparently remains on the periphery of their realm. This may be due to the far reaching benefits of climate change mitigation efforts from which they benefit directly. The carbon trading arrangements are some of such mitigation measures. As part of the government’s mandate, adaptation to climatic change largely remains government’s responsibility. During a recent training for Members of Parliament and the media on issues of climate change and budgeting, Finance Minister, Maria Kiwanuka, acknowledged that increasing degradation of the global natural resource base, coupled with increasing climate variability and climate change, is beginning to have a negative impact on social and economic development. Climate change has had a profound impact on agricultural production and food security thereby affecting the wellbeing of the vast majority of Ugandans. It would be expected that these realities, among others, warrant greater attention to climate change by government. However, judging by the rate at which forest cover is being depleted and the meagre budget allocation to the environment and natural resources sector, which encompasses climate change, the pronunciations by government on climate change can only be taken as rhetoric. Despite the sector’s potential to contribute to economic growth, job creation and improved service delivery, its share in the national budget has been dwindling drastically and stands at only 1.9 per cent in 2010/11 budget. The sector should be prioritised in resource allocation to enhance its contribution to economic growth, employment, and poverty reduction. Much as government interventions have tried to enhance environmental quality, quantity and diversity in as far as policy, legal, and institutional framework is concerned, these otherwise good intentions have been constrained by the meagre budgetary allocations, among other challenges. Government needs to strengthen the capacity of the climate change unit and the meteorological department to generate satellite-based information to detect disasters such as droughts and floods to enable timely planning for sustainable livelihoods, all of which require financial resources. Ms Atukunda works with Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1203604/-/10r3ga7/-/index.html","content":"Here is how to clean up Kampala city - From the general outlook, Kampala would be a very beautiful city with its several hills, nice weather, generally jovial and welcoming people. But, alas, it is one of the filthiest, disorganised and annoying cities in the world. It is a pity, and a shame, that even being neighbours to Rwanda has not helped us copy anything from their well-manned city- Kigali! Kampala’s roads are dusty, with gullies, open manholes half filled with all sorts of rubbish and human excreta. Buildings are erected anyhow with some cutting off some roads; rainwater just flows and floods every inch of the place; this collects and deposits all the rubbish, mad and everything at the slightest opportunity! The residents and people who work or pass through Kampala, like to litter as if their lives depend on it. It is just disgusting. The transport sector is so disorganised that you would wonder whether there is a body in charge of these buses and commuter taxis, let alone the motorcycle riders! Now, when we thought that with the new authority- Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA), taking on the management and administration of the city, sanity would prevail; look at the confusion and contradictions on almost everything. It appears that everybody has of late become a centre of power over some aspect of the city, to the extent that blatant abuse and refusal to respect directives from authority by some individuals and groups within the city is “in order”! This is absurd! What sort of country is this? Why should, and how do, Utoda men wield firearms? Under which authority do they use them and intimidate citizens? To me, to return sanity to Kampala, I would suggest we embark on the following. First of all, the responsible minister should sponsor and present to Parliament a review of the KCCA Act. The aim will be to expunge the ambiguous and contradicting clauses. It has repeatedly been reported that some clauses of this Act are contradictory to each other, some, reportedly, give responsibility of some matters of administration to both the chief executive and the Lord Mayor. This has already caused relative disharmony, and, will definitely continue leading these officers on a collision course. Ironing out these contradictions will enable us exploit and benefit from the known and tested expertise, knowledge and work habits of these two officers. We need to feel the effect of the synergy of their efforts. The other issue concerns the presidency and its work relations with some groups of people, as well as individual persons. It has been alleged several times that groups like Utoda and some individuals who own bus companies, commuter taxis and buildings that were wrongly erected, enjoy very good relations with the presidency. It is time the executive comes out clean, advise and be seen to compel all such groups and individuals to respect the KCCA authority. Lastly, let KCCA, on top of providing the yellow trucks for collecting rubbish; provide as many rubbish bins at every corner of the city. We need to have clear and instant penalties for littering. With the bins readily available, people should have no reason to litter as is happening now. Without such measures and other deliberate moves to clean up the mess, we will never enjoy the silent beauty of Kampala and its people.Frank Mutagubya,franmutam@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1199994/-/byjv4rz/-/index.html","content":"Sebaggala blocks wetland takeover - Kampala Former mayor Hajj Nasser Sebaggala has joined farmers to block agents of a company from taking over Bugolobi wetland. Addressing journalists at his home yesterday, Mr Sebaggala said it is illegal to encroach on the wetland, adding that it should be preserved because it filters drainage water before it joins Lake Victoria. “During my tenure as Kampala mayor, we inspected this land with Uganda Land Commission (ULC) agents and former Lands Minister Omara Atubo and agreed that we preserve this wetland as it helps to control floods and filter running water,” Mr Sebaggala said. “I was surprised to see people who claimed to be agents of Nextel Trading Company cutting down trees and slashing our green belt.” He said ULC has partitioned the wetland into several plots and allocated them to different developers to set up industries and warehouses. The former mayor uprooted poles and barbed wire which had been used to fence part of the controversial land and started replanting trees."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1192846/-/10diwxm/-/index.html","content":"I commend Lukwago, Musisi for a good start on city work - I would wish to commend the good start demonstrated by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and KCCA Executive Director Jennifer Musis. We residents of Kampala have high hopes in both of them. One of the cardinal duties of KCCA is to ensure that the city is tidy. This has been the most challenging tasks to the city authority since time immemorial. Kampala City, most especially the slum areas of Kamwokya, Makerere Kivulu, Kisenyi, Katanga, Kalerwe and Kibuli, among others, all full of garbage. This is because some residents do not have a specified place where to dump waste material. I remember very well in my early years, when the then KCC had containers strategically placed in various parts of Kampala. As young people, we knew very well that whenever we noticed that the dustbin was full to capacity, our role was to dump the rubbish in a nearby green and yellow container that was provided by the KCC. These containers were accessible by everyone in all parts of the city, and whenever they were filled, a KCC truck would bring an empty to replace the filled which they take for emptying. This meant that the city would remain clean with no garbage to be found anywhere as we in many areas today. People knew where to dispose off waste material. If we analyse the sanitation of Kampala in the 90s vis-a-vis the state in which it is today, one would just affirm that removing those containers by the then city authorities was a big mistake. The vehicles that are meant for collecting garbage today are not reliable as they only come once in a while. Furthermore, the truck drivers ask for money before they take garbage. This leaves a poor person in the slum with no option but dumping garbage on the roadsides or in the water channels. This leads to blockage of the water channels hence the emergence of floods in slum areas such as Bwaise. I appeal to Mr Lukwago and Ms Musisi to at least restore the garbage containers not only in areas of well-to-do people, but also in every part of our city for proper sanitation in Kampala. Joseph Ggalabuzi,Mengo"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1192352/-/10dit24/-/index.html","content":"Disaster Preparedness Ministry should be pro-active, not passive - In the recent days, Uganda has been hit by a spate of natural calamities, including heavy downpours punctuated with deadly lightning strikes. The victims of these strikes have mostly been young and school-going children. In the recent past, Uganda did experience lightning strikes but not to the magnitude we are experiencing today. Besides lightning, the country has often registered massive outbreaks of floods that have particularly taken a toll on people living in low-lying areas. There has also been famine in the drought-prone areas of Teso and Karamoja, among others. These developments seem to portray government, especially the Ministry of Disater Preparedness and Refugees as being insensitive. aFor instance, the ministry attributed the widespread starvation and impoverishment of residents to laziness and not so much to the prolonged drought in these areas. The Ministry of Disaster Preparedness rarely comes out to give official government response in terms of efforts it is undertaking to mitigate the impact of disasters. Yet they could have highlighted the government’s efforts in terms of control as well as measures they are putting in place to contain the situation in the short term and how to solve it in thelong term. This despite the the fact that some of these are natural disasters over which people have no substantial control. But there are means at the ministry’s disposal to lessen the extent and magnitude of disasters when they occur. After all, there are cases where there are underlying causes set in motion by people’s recklessness. For instance, poor disposal of garbage, dumping it in tunnels and trenches, among others, is the most probable cause of flooding in urban areas. Therefore, the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness should come out with a comprehensive policy to address natural disasters. The relevant government institutions, especially the the Office Prime Minister under which the ministry falls as well as the concerned parliamentary committees, should be pro-active. Thanks to Parliament Speaker Rebecca Kadaga for tasking the government to explain the issues pertaining to this horrific trend. Otherwise, irresponsible responses and actions, will help exacerbate the situation. Paul Kalyesubula,Makerere university paulkalyesubula@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/1185516/-/1120xri/-/index.html","content":"UN debunks 'worrying misperceptions' on refugees - The United Nations sought Monday to debunk what it called \"worrying misperceptions\" about movements of displaced people saying that developing countries hosted 80 percent of the world's refugees. The total number of refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons, had not ceased to grow with the figure reaching nearly 44 million people in 2010, the UNHCR said in a report. \"In today's world, there are worrying misperceptions about refugee movements and the international protection paradigm,\" said Antonio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. \"Fears about supposed floods of refugees in industralised countries are being vastly overblown or mistakenly conflated with issues of migration. \"Meanwhile it is poorer countries that are left having to pick up the burden.\" The UNHCR's annual report on refugee trends found that most of the world's displaced were seeking sanctuary in developing countries, including those which are among the world's poorest. Pakistan is host to the largest refugee population of 1.9 million, Iran is host to 1.1 million and Syria to one million. The cost to these economies is also proportionally large. Pakistan has the biggest impact with 710 refugees for each dollar of its per capita GDP, followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo with 475 and Kenya with 247. In comparison, Germany has 17 refugees for every dollar of per capita GDP, the UNHCR pointed out. Overall, 43.7 million people are displaced worldwide, including 15.6 million refugees. About 27.5 million are displaced internally -- a 10-year record high -- and there are another 850,000 asylum seekers. The total figure, up from 43.3 million in 2009, is the highest in 15 years, the agency said on the occasion of world refugee day. Afghans make up the largest number of refugees at three million, followed by Iraqis (1.6 million), Somalis (770,200), along with people from the Democratic Republic of Congo (476,000) and Myanmar (415,700). The country of first choice for asylum seekers is South Africa with 180,600 requests registered in 2010, or one fifth of world requests, three times more than the United States (54,300) or France (48,100). The data do not take into account displacements in 2011, such as those in Libya, Ivory Coast and Syria. Commenting on European worries about a mass influx of refugees from north Africa following the Arab Spring movement, Guterres' deputy Alexander Aleinikoff told a news conference that the figures seen in Europe early this year \"are not figures that cannot be managed equitably\". 1 | 2 Next Page»He added: \"The great majority of refugees in north Africa have stayed in the region.\" Aleinikoff told journalists: \"We need the attention of states, the international community and civil society to help people obtain what many regard as a right -- a place called home.\" « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1176902/-/c0u23xz/-/index.html","content":"500 police cadets cry out for salaries - Kampala Police authorities are in the spotlight over failure to pay over 500 cadets who underwent training at Kabalye Police Training School in Masindi District but midway were recalled to offer vigilance and security during elections and walk-to-work protests. The cadets, who spoke to Daily Monitor on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said they have neither received payment nor appointment letters since their training ended. “Our situation is not good at all because we have been around Kampala since elections where we performed a very tremendous job. We are spread all over the city patrolling on foot and hunting hooligans but we live by begging from well-wishers to survive. So we appeal to those concerned to pay us,” an officer said. Police recruited over 500 police cadets last year and they underwent training at the police school. Normally when a recruit joins the police force, he or she is supposed to be given an appointment letter and monthly salary. Each police cadet is supposed to get Shs420,000 per month while those who joined as lawyers get Shs1 million. But police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba appealed to the cadets to remain committed to their work, saying their appointment letters will be issued soon. “Food is available to them for free. Accessing the payroll is done in phases because you can’t access it for all the 500 cadets at once. They are still in our premises ,” she said. “They have been getting some little allowances, let them be patient.” The Force is also training 50 Sudanese and 50 Somalis. Cadet officers are university graduates who join the force on the basis of their profession while junior officers are recruited after attaining an A- Level certificate. However, the cadets said they are also living in poor conditions and always lose their property during the rainy season. About 100 cadets, who used to stay in tents at Kibuli Police School had to be shifted to dormitories after their belonging were destroyed by floods. Some of the cadets were passed out last year at Kabamba and with the completion of the course; they hoped to attain the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police, a rank equal to that of a Captain in army."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1176786/-/c0u3gnz/-/index.html","content":"Sewage floods Lira street - Lira Lira residents cannot eat or drink along the Main Street as fast-flowing sewage floods the town. The recurrent overflow of toxic smelly sewage has lasted three years with municipal authorities doing little to rectify the situation. “We are suffering and yet none of the municipal officials have showed concern. Our leaders have brought us disgrace,” Ms Santa Ajok, a potato dealer, said. “The smell has chased away all our customers,” she added. Mr Patrick Okello, a boda boda cyclist, said it was the fifth time in two weeks they were experiencing such a problem. Mayor Moris Odung Omara said they would engage the National Water and Sewage Corporation (NWSC) to address the matter. The town clerk, Mr Paul Omoko, said they had failed to manage the system because some residents stole 17 sewage metallic covers. Mr Quirino Paga, the Lira Municipal principal health inspector, said he had prepared a report which will be presented to NWSC in a bid to address the long-lasting problem."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1164824/-/c1i0d8z/-/index.html","content":"Gun shots, teargas rock Lubigi as security disperse encroachers - Developments in Lubigi Wetland were this morning halted amid heavy gunshots and teargas that saw hundreds flee from the City main purifying wetland. Hundreds of suspected army veterans had encroached on and degraded Lubigi Wetland in guise of constructing a market but the security forces surrounded a two-kilometer stretch prompting the encroachers hurl stones at them. The eviction exercise paralyzed business at Namungona in Lubaga Division at the outskirts of Kampala as the crowds stood by the road side slowing traffic on Hoima Road.    Police responded by firing live bullets in the air and teargas to disperse the group that had turned rowdy and arrested eight suspects who were whisked away to the police station. The mid-morning shooting also left some people injured and other fainting prompting for the intervention of the Red Cross and a Police ambulance to handle causalities.  “We have occupied the wetland because it had been taken illegally. It is a public area and for one to acquire it, there are procedures that must be followed for it is criminal to occupy a land which does not belong to you,” said Mr Ibin Ssenkumbi, the Kampala Metropolitan Police Publicist. Mr Ssenkumbi told journalist from their station at the Namungoona that the police was also investigating allegations of unscrupulous people who have been extorting money in guise of selling plots and stalls for renting. “We are not allowing any one to come in now. Several efforts to talk to these people have been held but they remained adamant. We cannot tolerate this any longer and the structures will be removed to restore the swamp,” he said. Last week, the encroachers invaded one of the city’s major wetlands which regulates floods and sewerage and started constructing make-shift structures in the wetland, a move that threatens to destroy the wetland. The eviction comes hardly a day after outgoing Water and Environment Minister, Ms Maria Mutagamba reported that President Museveni did not sanction the destruction of the swamp before directing the encroachers to vacate immediately or face harsher penalties. But Mr Dennis Ssebuufu, one of the leaders denied the presence of veterans in the area saying they are traders who sought a working place after being chased from the road sides. “We are waiting for the senior Police officials and the ministry of lands to come as agreed in the meeting to allocate us another land. If they don’t come, we shall proceed to out stalls and resume working despite the deployment,” Mr Ssebuufu told journalists. He explained: “We occupied this place without asking for permission because we wanted to be heard and catered for by government. Poor people are not helped by government and it is not easy to get permission that is why we vow not to leave this place until an alternative is given to us.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1164754/-/c1i131z/-/index.html","content":"Lubigi encroachers face eviction - The alleged army veterans who have encroached on and degraded Lubigi wetland have been ordered to vacate immediately or risk harsher penalties including prosecution. Hundreds of people last week invaded the two-kilometre swamp and began constructing make-shift structures in the wetland, a move that threatens to destroy the swamp. They claim President Museveni “blessed” their encroachment. But outgoing Environment Minister Maria Mutagamba yesterday told journalists in Kampala that the President did not sanction the destruction of one of the city’s major wetlands which regulates floods and sewerage. Environment officials said yesterday stern action was underway. “As of now, consultations with government and the encroachers have been finalised. Our action is coming soon but we cannot reveal it to the public until it is done,” Dr Sawula Musoke, the Nema deputy Executive Director, said. Force outMs Mutagamba said Police had been directed to either persuade or force the encroachers off the wetland. “The current influx into the wetland by people whose origin is not known is not only a security threat but a danger to the heavy traffic plying the Northern By-pass as well as the health status of the surrounding communities. The ring leaders of this group are misleading their followers by peddling lies that government has given away part of this wetland to foreigners to put up a supermarket and factory,” Ms Mutagamba said. She explained that the back-filled site is a government project to construct a sewerage treatment facility which will ensure proper storage and treatment of sewerage and floods in Kampala. The minister’s remarks come amidst reports about the controversial land comprising a wetland allocated to the veterans and Kasubi Traders under their umbrella body, The Uganda Patriotic Voluntary Organisation, by the President who by yesterday were still constructing market stalls."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1160070/-/c1kxs9z/-/index.html","content":"No 10-year party for Teso chief - Celebrations to mark a decade in reign of the Iteso Paramount Chief, Emorimor Augustine Osuban, have been suspended indefinitely due to food shortage. The function organised by Iteso Cultural Union, an association of Iteso elders, had initially been slated for April 30, the day the Iteso cultural leaders was enthroned 10 years ago. Emorimor’s principal private secretary Andrew Ochole said the chief called off the fete arguing it was not proper to hold such a function at a time when the region is steeped in with food shortage and other calamities.“It is meant to be a day of happiness and merriment. We cannot hold it at this time food shortage is all over Teso,” Mr Ochole said. Teso sub-region has for the past two years been facing food shortage, largely due to drought and floods which destroyed food crops. Inadequate fundsHe said the function had been scheduled for last year but because of financial limitations it was not possible to hold it then.Emorimor was crowned Iteso cultural leader on April 30, 2000. The tenure of the Emorimor has since been wading through numerous hurdles including inadequate funds to build a royal palace."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/1158980/-/aku1lx/-/index.html","content":"FAO makes new warnings against food price increases - The world food prices are set to rise again as concerns persist over Chinese and U.S. winter crops and global production slows increasing demand, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation has warned. The UN agency also said the world’s population is growing faster than expected and predicts it will hit seven billion by the end of this year, warning that the population could triple by the end of this century, exacerbating problems of access to food and clean water especially in Africa. Persistent drought, high fuel prices and unemployment have contributed to the recent global food crisis, sparking off protests in east Africa and the Middle East states. Ms Hania Zlotnik, the director of the population division in the UN department of economic and social affairs, said on Wednesday that the rate of the world’s population growth has got the UN’s attention. “What is astounding is that the last two billion have been reached in record time,” Ms Zlotnik said, adding that it is not about how many people there are but where they are. “What is important is that most of these people are being added in the poorest countries of the world.” The poorest countries, according to UN, have the highest fertility rates driving the world population northwards. Australia has also been singled out for blame over its failure to fund family planning projects in the country. FAO Director General Jacques Diouf says the rising output of biofuels is also contributing to food shortages, consuming more than 100 million tonnes a year of cereals that would otherwise be used in food production. FAO’s global food index fell in March after eight months of consecutive gains, driven by political unrest across parts of North Africa and the Middle East and the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the major importers of grain. However, Diouf said this trend had already begun to reverse. “The fundamentals of supply and demand are still there,” he said. “There are concerns about the winter crops in China and in the U.S. In addition, demand has started increasing in Japan and in the Arab world.” Diouf said the extent to which food prices will rise will depend on the dollar’s value and world oil prices, currently exacerbated by climate change, droughts and floods. He said the world is moving towards high prices because of lack of investment in agriculture over the past decade. In the earlier report, FAO forecasts wheat production for this year at 676 million tones, 3.4 percent up from 2010, because of increased planting in many countries in response to high prices, and yield recoveries expected in drought affected areas.The global output forecast for 2011, however, would still be below the bumper harvests in 2008 and 2009. In the European Union, the overall wheat planted area is expected to be up by about 2 per cent, and with generally satisfactory conditions so far, the aggregate 2011 output is tentatively forecast to increase by 4 per cent. In the Russian Federation, the winter wheat area was reduced because of dry conditions but the decline is expected to be more offset by increased spring plantings. Coupled with an expected yield recovery after last year’s drought, a sizeable increase in the country’s 2011 wheat production over 2010 is expected. In Ukraine and North America, the wheat production is expected to remain constant."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1158796/-/c21rl2z/-/index.html","content":"Politicians and technocrats bicker as floods hit Kasese - Politicians and technocrats in Kasese have accused each other of being responsible for floods that affected 50 residents of Kilembe Quarters. Mr Israel Masereka, the area representative to the Municipal Council, said poor planning by technocrats is responsible for the misery of families affected by the floods. “More than 30 families have been affected 10 of them displaced,” Mr Masereka said.However, the Municipal Engineer, Mr Apollo Bamwine, attributed the problem to political interference in the planning of the town. He said politicians interfere in the tendering processs for construction works in the municipality. “People have been encouraged and supported by politicians to build in areas that are planned to be drainage channels and when you talk as a technical person, they shut you up,” he said.The downpour, which made caused runoffs from Mt. Rwenzori, to settle in lower lands, started at about 2am and stopped at 8am. Ms Hawa Kamalha, a mother of three, described the situation: “At about 3am, I felt water in my bed and when I touched the blanket it was totally soaked.”Ms Kamalha, who was by 9am still wearing a soaked night dress, said she woke up her children and rushed out before her house could be submerged by water. The Town Clerk, Mr Wilson Musabe, said there is a blocked drainage channel that passes through the affected area and originates from Kasese swamp which he said people had forcefully built on. “The problem is the 1998 Land Act which gives the citizens powers over ownership of land in the country. This Act has encouraged people to grab even pieces of land that had been set aside for government projects,” he said.He said the district needs Shs5 billion to solve the drainage problem. He said the Ministry of Works and Housing had promised support but had not yet delivered on its pledge.The Executive Director of Foundation for Urban and Rural Advancement, Mr Reuben Mbauta, advised residents in the affected areas to vacate, saying more rains are expected and the situation could worsen. However, environmentalists said poor agriculture methods on the slopes of Mt Rwenzori have affected the natural checks for runoffs."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/1143070/-/24j7nuz/-/index.html","content":"The food crisis: We either prosper or starve - A certain crazy group recently put off a much anticipated food-eating competition until further notice. They reasoned that they can no longer afford to do rehearsals due to escalating food prices. Uganda is an agricultural economy and most of our economic activity has its roots feeding from the agricultural sector. Agricultural products make the bulk of our exports. The effects of this food inflation and scarcity is therefore also hurting our exports and foreign exchange earnings. However, it is important to note that what we are experiencing today is not just a Ugandan problem, but a global one. The global food scarcity cycle is not about to end. According to the United Nations (UN), food prices will increase by 30 per cent by the end of this year. This is because, some of the world’s largest producers of food like China have just witnessed the worst droughts seen in the last 200 years, Brazil and Australia have been hit by terrible floods. Europe has suffered bad weather. Africa, and Uganda in particular, has suffered a combination of severe drought and floods in some areas. Though food production continues to be hampered, the global population (that also means food demand) is growing and is expected to reach 9 billion people by 2050. Today, the UN reports that about 1 billion people go to bed hungry every day; one person (especially a child) starves to death every 3.6 seconds. These events, though not new, present challenges and opportunities. Challenges, in the sense that if nothing is done, we in sub-Saharan Africa who derive our livelihoods from agriculture, will suffer the most, both from starvation and economic loss. The opportunity lies in our ability to rise up and improve our production so as to feed ourselves and the rest of the world. Since we are not good at making missiles, why not capitalise on producing more food to feed the starving world when it is needed? However this can only be achieved by completely changing our approach to farming. The truth is the weather patterns are not going to get any better, and the reliance on rain-fed agriculture is progressively going to fail us, as long as we continue destroying what is left of the natural forests and ecosystems. By now, we should have learnt a few lessons from the droughts and floods that we have suffered. While we continue to rely on the hand hoe, sing about fertile soils and good climate (in our national anthem), the rest of the world has developed and adopted better farming technologies to suit the changing conditions. In some cities of the developed world, people are starting to grow crops on the roof tops and sides of the skyscrapers using hydroponic techniques (growing plants in enriched water with no soils). The myth that Ugandan soils are fertile and therefore can grow anything with hardly any support, is a thing of the past. Recent research from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture revealed that the only regions that still have bragging rights over real soil fertility (rich in nutrients) are the Rwenzoris, Albertine, Elgon and a few others. Most of the current production zones are running low on essential nutrients. That partly explains why a Robusta coffee tree in Masaka will yield half a kilogramme of coffee while a similar tree in Vietnam will give four times more. If we are to remain in the business of growing food for domestic and economic reasons, we will need to use fertilisers. Mechanisation, irrigation and application of fertilisers are not luxurious habits of the rich, they are essential elements of farming today. These can and should be made affordable for our farmers. As a country, we need to either adapt and prosper or ignore and starve."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/FashionBeauty/-/691228/1140564/-/10mgdppz/-/index.html","content":"Squeezing your toes hard into those peep-toes - If I am feeling lucky, and by the slightest chance a pair of feminine feet with beautiful toe nails happens to lie about in the vicinity, I do not want my optical faculties to be starved of any part of the sight. I want to take it in entirely, toe by toe, till the ten toes are up, including the two small usually ugly ones at the end. Then, I will repeat the expedition all over again until I can’t have enough of the female assembly of metatarsal projections. Cue in the peep-toe shoe and my random pastime is crushingly brought to a halt. They come in strutting, hitting hard on the concrete and as if aware that the cameras are watching, they pause, and then it hits you that today’s show will cheat you out of the full display of female-toe attractiveness. The shoes make it look like I bought a ticket for only a quarter of the show. The shoes keep the toes out of sight, only allowing a small sneak preview, opening up just enough to allow at the most, two toes to peep through. And every woman out there seems to have at least pair. They have been praised as the definition of style by many and one blogger labelled them eternal elegance. They must have been joking!The peep-toe shoe will remind you of the basic science lessons you took back in elementary school on phototropism - the tendency of plants to grow in a direction following light. So in case you covered a maize plant under a bucket and cracked a hole through which sunlight could pass on the side, the plant grows with its shoot heading towards the hole. And if you had a couple of plants in there, then you would end up having a bottleneck battle at the hole. And the sight in the end is what floods your view when the palatable package of female toes comes wrapped in the peep-toe shoe. In an open air environment, the toes seem to thrive in a laissez-faire set up. But with the peep-toe shoe, a sense of depravity can be read in the air. The natural laws of scarce resources amid excessive demand come into force. The peep-hole seems too small for two toes and yet too big for one toe. So the two toes come off as if they are fighting for breathing space, like the two plants in the bucket. If at all the shoe is itself small and hence squeezes all the other toes as well, the two unfortunate toes at the cavity are rubbed tightly against each other and in some cases, and the index toe is nudged slightly up and looks like it is struggling to go on top of the big toe. You pity the toes, not because they are being squeezed, but because they have to make such a public display of their destitute state. That is all considering that factors are remaining constant and that the toes in question here are indeed beautiful. But factors do not remain constant for long. Sometimes, a pair of cracked, shapeless or terribly coloured nails comes along in the peep-hole and right then, tears roll down your eyes. If they are cracked, thanks to the encompassing cavity walls, the toes give off a wrinkled disposition, and come off looking like a wrinkled face that is being squeezed even further. It’s not that I want to see the ladies wear open shoes all the time. It’s just that when I am exposed to female toes, I want to see the entire lot and I want to see them thriving, not fighting for breathing space, or be reminded of fish with an open mouth for that matter."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1136914/-/9h2ah2/-/index.html","content":"Trigger-happy police should be restrained - Tony Lukyamuzi and Augustine Rubingo – Ugandans on the street - met their untimely deaths on Monday this week when two police officers sprayed live bullets into a crowd in Ntinda town, on the outskirts of Kampala. The circumstance of their deaths was itself bizarre. A mob gathered around an alleged motorbike thief ready to lynch him and when the Police arrive to supposedly rescue the beleaguered man, the situation turns horribly wrong. The mob turns against the Police and the Force, afraid or due to lack of proper training on crowd management, turn their loaded guns at the crowd. Within minutes, two men lie dead. Cases of police failure to control crowds or shooting into crowds have in recent weeks escalated with catastrophic results. During the just concluded general elections, the Police made ad hoc recruitments to beef-up security during the polls. Some of these recruits were hardly taken through the required standard training of maintaining law and order except to wield a gun. Though the next general election is five years away, it raises a bigger question of how, as a country, we prioritise human resource development and therefore its capacity, not just for security purposes, but for all our national needs. The Police is a critical public security institution which requires highly specialised training and discipline. The failure of the patrol police unit to manage a simple crowd of say 20 people is symptomatic of how poorly trained and prepared we are as a nation to deal with even more serious situations. Our experience in managing the ravages of floods, disease outbreaks, landslides, and other human-engineered catastrophes point to one fact - that we are never prepared and prefer piece-meal treatment to situations. The Police, like the crowds they come into contact with, could be as traumatised, let alone being ill trained. The institution needs professional skills, including specialities in crowd management and psychology as well as criminal psychology. This will reduce incidences of the Force resorting to the gun to solve crime-related problems."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1132606/-/13bkkvtz/-/index.html","content":"Kikiga ways crucial for natural resource conservation - Long time ago, the Bakiga had a traditional way of conserving natural resources. It is said they used to reserve specific wetlands and forests for specific cultural roles. They ensured that these resources remained intact. This was their way of promoting morality and conservation ethic in society. It was also a way for them to regulate and control population growth. Forests were conserved because it is where girls who would get pregnant before they married would be taken, tied on a tree and left to be eaten by wild animals. Others were thrown over a cliff down a waterfall (Eibanga) at a place called Kisiizi found between Kabale and Rukungiri districts. The victim would be carried by the father and the elder son. This way, the Bakiga promoted morals and ethics among the girls, who would then guard against sexual immorality. Today, this would be regarded as gross violation of human rights. According to one source, the practice stopped because a victim pulled her carriers along with her and they all perished. Wetlands were strictly preserved in Bakiga culture because of the belief that twins were a bad omen. So these wetlands were a form of grave where unwanted twins would be disposed of silently at night as a cleansing exercise. This was reminiscent of how albinos were treated in ancient Africa because they were regarded as a curse or bad omen. Today, the culture of the Bakiga has become greatly modified as a result of the white man’s education, religious influence and agricultural practices whereby people started to cultivate in swamps and clear forests. Consequently, many young girls are giving birth without getting married. There are also many cases of twins. Population boom is threatening Kigezi and there is now a continuous outflow of people to other parts of Uganda, where in some areas they are called Bafuruki. There are no more cultural leaders to ensure adherence to the traditional cultural practices. Landslides, mudslides, floods, food shortages, excessive loss of soil fertility and poverty are multiplying. Natural resources are under ever-increasing pressure. As a mitigating measure, Bakiga society has allowed its girls and women to marry into other cultures in Uganda. Women, especially the unemployed, have suffered the repercussions. They have to go to the gardens of the few better off to dig for food to get what to feed their families. They travel very long distances in search of firewood. By so doing, a large number of women have remained very poor, unproductive, ignorant, heavily dependent on men, and cannot make any independent decision.Looking at the Bakiga ways of conservation, one realises that the application of traditional knowledge is crucial, even today, in natural resources conservation. Therefore, every effort should be made to preserve culture if we are to be successful in ensuring sustainable management of natural resources in Uganda. Unfortunately, many Ugandans and modern institutions regard our culture as primitive and out-dated. The current commitment of government to globalisation, privatisation and modernisation is anti-traditional culture and is undermining the conservation value of culture. When our traditional culture clashes with foreign values, which emphasise big infrastructure and money, government easily and quickly sides with the latter. This way government seems to have plotted and decided to undermine the cultural basis of both conservation and development. The consequences are grave: erosion of community resilience, cohesion, sustainability, environment and loss of cultural future. Ms Kyomugisha works with National Association of Professional Environmentalists shillarkyom@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/1131702/-/cdyek7/-/index.html","content":"Budongo’s award nomination could boost tourism sector - Kampala The Budongo ecotourism site has been nominated for the upcoming ‘Tourism for Tomorrow’ Awards scheduled for May in Las Vegas, USA. The site, nominated among the 12 finalists, is credited for creating and implementing a business model that protects the environment and delivers tangible social and economic benefits to local communities. The Budongo ecotourism project is operated under a tripartite agreement of Great Lakes Safaris, Jane Goodall Institute and National Forestry Authority. The Awards held on an annual basis are organised by the World Tourism and Travel Council. The nomination could be a welcome publicity boost for Uganda’s tourism sector that is struggling with low global rankings. The poor ranking according to analysts is a result of government’s failure to prioritise the sector. Mr Amos Wekesa the director of Great Lakes Safaris said the project is intended to create channels through which, people around the forest would earn without cutting the trees. He said, the facility that was hired to Great lakes pays up about Shs150 million to National Forestry Authority up from a dismal Shs12 million that NFA used to make from the facility. The facility employs about 63 people out of which 95 per cent local inhabitants. Reserved sections The project has sections reserved for forestry with over 406 species of trees and a newly launched section of bird watching that was launched last week. Ms Maria Mutagamba, the minister of Water and Environment commended the project’s managers during the launch of the bird watching section for complementing the government’s efforts of promoting tourism in the country. She said: “Uganda loses up to 90,000 hectares of forest cover annually due to unsustainable tree-cutting.” This she said has adversely affected climate resulting into prolonged drought, receding water levels and floods in other parts of the country."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1128960/-/13c2vdlz/-/index.html","content":"Bahrain: It’s painful to be in the eye of the storm - Gone are the days when well informed experts would predict what might happen tomorrow on the world scene. It also seems that mother earth now has a partner in its natural eruptions – floods and earthquakes - for humankind is also roaring. And talking about the unpredictable, all of a sudden I found myself in the eye of one of the storms now engulfing the world, the one in Bahrain. Who would have thought that this tiny, peaceful and relatively well-to-do Gulf state will join protests that eventually led to injuries and death? While on a short visit there we never imagined that the Pearl Roundabout that we crossed on the way to Manama City would become the camping place of protesters! People in the region are not used to disputing with their leaders, but it seems that the wind has changed course; they are now turning against their leaders, which was previously unheard of. As one elderly man put it, “We are not used to saying ‘people want to;’ we are used to ‘leaders will do.’ So for us this is such a drastic change that will take time to fathom.” With this breathtaking unfolding of events, there is always someone whom you wish was still around to witness its greatness. In my case I remembered my departed friend, Dr Abdul Raheem Tajudeen, who left this world abruptly mid-2009 and did not get to see what humanity has not achieved for a very long time. How I wish I could write him again! I can imagine his excitement with what nations are doing these days; he was so keen on freedom. But if I was to write I would have so many questions. The way some leaders were evicted from power leaves you with mixed feelings. Some of us would not sleep if someone insulted us just once; now these leaders who were supposed to be role models to millions of people have been insulted, shoes have been thrown at them, and they have been asked to leave and never to come back! How can they live with this? And what kind of life will they have after being thrown out of their own countries in disgrace? As I become even more puzzled I wonder if other leaders are watching. Are they planning their escape routes; are they thinking of an early and dignified departure, or are they asking themselves what led to these uprisings and how they can avoid following the same path? The most pressing question would be about the intending candidates for any leadership post. Does anyone still see these positions as rewarding if the intentions are anything besides serving the people? What does it take to convince them that nations will no longer tolerate nonsense and injustice? My friend, though you are no longer here to answer my questions, time will tell, and new circumstances will prove if humanity is finally learning something and moving towards maturity, or simply, not yet. Ms Ebrahimi is a social criticnafhamaani@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1124910/-/1099k1e/-/index.html","content":"How prepared are we for disasters? - Since time immemorial, Uganda has suffered untold disasters, including the 1994 earthquake, floods in Teso, landslides in Bududa, and droughts and famine. Lives and property have been lost. In some cases, survivors such as those of Bududa were forced to take refuge in Kiryandongo District. All these have been happening when we have a fully fledged Ministry for Disaster Preparedness under the Prime Minister’s Office. People have always wondered what the problem is with this ministry whether it is a brief case ministry. Disaster Prepared Minister Tarsis Kabwegyere and your team, have you ever imagined being relocated from your homes to a distant place where you are provided a tent as shelter. How about feeling the pain of losing family members simply because of the responsible people’s failure to warn you about a pending danger? Will the concerned ministers account for the death and loss that occur as a result of their omission or commission? Let us value people’s lives and do whatever we are expected to do. I appreciate the Disaster Ministry for using media and mobile phones to warn us early about the ongoing drought season. However, this is still not enough simply because even if one stored food and water, there is no guarantee, depending on the duration of the drought, that what is stored cannot be exhausted. What happens when the stores dry up? Disaster Preparedness ministers and their team should leave the comfort of their offices and start sensitising people about the values of protecting their environments instead of clearing forests, swamps and wetlands for agriculture purposes, if they are to avoid future droughts. Let the ministry partner with other stakeholders to encourage the planting of trees by possibly giving out free tree seedlings to farmers. Let them send alert messages calling for environmental protection. Ambrose Kubitwiire, ambrosedingin@yahoo.co.uk"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/1120520/-/aitr3h/-/index.html","content":"World Bank turns focus to corruption and job creation - The World Bank has adopted a new strategy that focuses on fighting corruption to attract investments to Africa. Ms Obiageli Ezekwesili, World Bank’s vice-president for the Africa region, said last week that the new plan, which emphasises job creation, a key element to stability in the region, seeks to push the continent to middle level income status in 10 years’ time. “In light with the recent unrest in North Africa clearly show that youth unemployment, if unaddressed, can increase the risk of urban unrest and possibly violence,” read a World Bank report describing the bank’s new approach on Africa. In Uganda, over 400,000 graduates join the labour market each year and only 80,000 are absorbed in both government and private sectors. The report further noted that Africans have the lowest level of skills acquired through training in the world, with only 5 percent of the eligible population enrolled in universities - the same rate seen in Asia and Latin America 40 years ago.The Strategy shifts from a more general focus on seeking economic stability and sound fundamentals to emphasising the need for attention in three key areas. They include; competitiveness and employment under which countries would be assisted to diversify their economies and generate jobs especially for the 7-10 million young people entering the labour market each year and focus on building skills of workers.. The approach would also help to close the gap between infrastructure needs and investments, which currently stands at about $48 billion (Shs122 trillion) annually, and support efforts to make it easier for businesses to operate. The World Bank says Africa has significant potential to increase its role as a producing continent rather than a consuming continent, especially through agriculture, the biggest private-sector activity on the continent. Investing in improved water management and access to cheap energy will make the farming less susceptible to the effects of droughts and floods. Ms Ezekwesili added that the bank would deploy its partnerships, knowledge and finance to work with governments, private sector, civil society and other partners and help countries to speed up the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, expand economic prosperity and reduce poverty. “We are excited about Africa’s future. Today’s Africa is exemplified by the many success stories and stronger economic growth being driven by the dynamism of its people and economies. “We, therefore, used the opportunity of our new African Strategy to listen, learn and define how we could better support the continent’s aspiration as it maintains the momentum of economic reforms over the next decade,” she noted. Africa is the world poorest continent, with 35 African countries ranking among the lowest 41 in the world in human development, according to the 2010 United Nations Human Development Report. The World Bank’s updated approach also involves strengthening citizens’ voices through social accountability to emphasize anti-corruption and government accountability. “By working together with the citizens and promoting good governance, the people will be able to view evidence of a World Bank project actually working, rather than being informed by only their governments,” she added."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1109144/-/c53wkoz/-/index.html","content":"Rising food prices push 44m into total poverty - Rising food prices pushed 44 million people into extreme poverty last year, and have reached “dangerous levels” according to a report released on Tuesday by the World Bank. The bank defines extreme poverty as living on less than the equivalent of $1.25 (about Shs2946) a day. Uganda, however, has nine million people currently facing an acute food shortage, according to Food and Agricultural Organisation. Food prices jumped 29 per cent this year alone. The bank’s food price index, which covers the costs of staples such as wheat, maize, sugar and edible oils, has seen sharp increases over the last six months, and rose 15 per cent between October and January. Food and riots That is just 3 per cent below the historic high in 2008 that sparked riots in several countries. The cost of wheat for example, has doubled since last year. Mr Robert Zoellick the World Bank President said: “The price hike is already pushing millions of people into poverty and putting stress on the most vulnerable, which spends more than half of their income on food.” The price of rice however, has not risen due to a heavy harvest expected this year. Further, the prices of maize in East Africa, where it is the most important food crop, have fallen by up to 50 per cent, as a result of bumper harvests, and the fact that the region doesn't rely on maize from disaster-hit exporters. Severe weather around the world, from floods in Australia, to fires in Russia, to major winter storms across the United States, have all contributed to the shortages, and hurt the leading agriculture producers. Mr Zoellick said although higher food prices were not the main cause of the protests in the Middle East; they were an “aggravating factor.” He is concerned that as countries such as Egypt – a major wheat importer -- and Tunisia, look to the roots of their social unrest, higher food prices may add to \"the fragility that is always there any time you have revolutions and transitions.\" The World Bank says there’s also concern that Egypt might increase its grain reserves in light of the political situation in the Middle East, and that in turn is pushing up the price of wheat and other grain futures on the commodities market. Just last week, in fact moments before former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak announced he was handing over power, Mr Zoellick told Bloomberg television that the World Bank has been \"trying to think of how to help the country get through to the next steps.\" He warned that a sharp rise in food prices across Central Asia and Africa could also have social and political implications for that region. The World Bank’s Food Price Watch report comes just days before a meeting in Paris of the Group of 20 finance ministers and central bankers from leading economies, including both developed and developing nations."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1106296/-/c55ym9z/-/index.html","content":"USE schools pass, quality still low - Kampala Results from the Uganda Certificate of Examination (UCE) indicate that 243,305 of the 260,080 candidates who sat in 2010 obtained a certificate. With 38.3 percent of these candidates being beneficiaries of the free Universal Secondary Education (USE) programme, Education Minister Namirembe Bitamazire described the results as “impressive.” This is the first set of candidates under the free secondary education programme to sit for UCE examinations. High passes registeredAccording to the Uganda National Examination Board (Uneb), a candidate is deemed to have passed and is eligible for the award of a certificate if they obtain grades of up to division four. A random snapshot of the results from different USE schools around the country illustrates this. Comboni College in Lira District had all its 135 students pass while at Balibaseka Secondary School in Wakiso District, 49 out of the 50 candidates obtained a certificate. Kinyara Secondary, another USE aided school produced the best student in Masindi District and had over 80 percent its students passing the examinations. At St. Joseph’s college, Layibi in northern Uganda, out of the 197 candidates 196 obtained a certificate. Higher failure rates with grades seven and nine were however registered in the districts of Koboko, Bududa, Butaleja, Bundibugyo, Moyo, Yumbe, Sironko, Manafwa, Nakapiripirit and Kamuli. Others are Zombo, Adjumani, Bugiri, Arua, Busia, Kasese, Kyenjojo, Bukwo Iganga, Bukedea, Namutumba, Maracha, Kaliro and Nebbi. In these districts, more than 10 percent of the candidates scored grades seven and nine. Majority of the districts with poor performance hail from regions that have been afflicted with war, floods and famine or are newly created with no basic infrastructure like proper schools, science laboratories and few teachers. The government says the introduction of free secondary education is essential in achieving social economic transformation and eliminting poverty. Commenting on the USE performance, Ms Bitamazire said: “These are indications that through education, government is investing in the development of the necessary human resource for accelerated development.” ChallengesBut education experts say an unacceptably high teacher-student ratio, teacher absenteeism, high school drop-out rate and insufficient classroom space are undermining the long-term prospects for the program. According to the ministry of education statistics, completion rates have been growing over the years but still below government’s expectations. “The number of candidates who absented themselves from examination is declining, which indicates that many more young people at that level are completing the secondary level of basic education,”said Ms Bitamazire. AdjustmentsThe minister admits though that some prerequisites need to be put in place to deliver a good education such as improving the quality of teaching. A March 2010 report by the parliamentary Social Services Committee recommended an urgent review of the USE to address falling standards. The report revealed that although USE and UPE have benefited many Ugandans, especially the poor, “This achievement has been grossly watered down by the often inadequate, inefficient and ineffective response to inherent challenges.” While Uganda is on track to achieve the target on universal access to primary and secondary education by 2015, the report says it will need to work hard to create conditions necessary to improve the quality of education."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1105326/-/9f6ts5/-/index.html","content":"Time to rethink free education programme - Uganda has graduated its first batch of Universal Secondary Education students. At least 101,495 of the 260,080 candidates who took last year’s Uganda Certificate of Education are pioneers of the USE. The Education ministry has acclaimed this as a great democratisation of education. We agree; but this rosy figure is blighted by pathetic statistics that one of every three of the USE beginners has dropped out.While we applaud the free post-primary education programme, we do not think it is a success story. True, the programme has expanded universal access to secondary education and consolidated gains of UPE but we must acknowledge the loopholes and address them. The admission by the Ministry of Education that non-USE schools are grades above USE ones is worrying. The officials’ admission that USE students are often required to repeat a class or are stopped from sitting UCE is lamentable. Education Ministry planning and policy analysts also accept that USE poses a challenge the higher the students advance and subjects become harder to internalise, forcing them to quit or branch elsewhere. USE poses a double tragedy that may frustrate Uganda’s development. First is the worrying attrition rate in USE. Second, USE graduates are ill-educated. We risk producing a literate society without the knowledge to participate in and deepen Uganda’s socio-cultural, economic and political life and unable to compete.The USE outcomes also show huge disparity between rural and urban schools, with most rural schools performing poorly. Regions that have suffered armed conflict, floods and famine or are newly-created are also victims of poor performance. A sad tally of 20 of these districts registered no girl in Division One while 19 others districts had less than five females in the same grade.Our current emphasis on enrollment without due consideration to processing is misguided as a measure of progress in learning, education and their outputs. Our children pass through the classrooms and years, aided by automatic promotion, thanks to UPE and USE, as half-baked without the requisite skills and desired quality. We need a thorough rethink of the implementation of the UPE and USE programmes. The system requires overhaul, provision of more teachers, curriculum update, building more classrooms and requisite infrastructure like science laboratories, reducing teacher-pupil ratios and increasing pay for teachers and provision of lunch to students in disadvantaged areas."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/1104076/-/efl1e6/-/index.html","content":"Kampala, Wakiso, Mbarara lead race in Uganda Certificate of Examination - Kampala Kampala, Wakiso, Mbarara and Mukono maintained dominance as the top performing districts in the 2010 Uganda Certificate of Examination (UCE), released yesterday. An analysis by Daily Monitor of the results released by the Uganda National Examinations Board, show that the four districts produced the highest number of students in Divisions One and Two, scoring over ten percentage points. Kampala emerged top with 16 per cent division one performance and 38 per cent performance for Division One and Two. Wakiso followed closely with 15 percent in Division one and 37 for a combined assessment of the top two divisions. Other districts that have over 10 per cent of their candidates scoring first grade are Luweero (13 per cent), Mpigi (10.5 per cent), Bushenyi (10.1 per cent), and Buikwe (10.1 per cent). Wakiso district scored the highest number of candidates in grade one at 3,675-representing 16 per cent of the total candidates who scored first grade. This was closely followed by Kampala District with 3,090 candidates in first grade while Mukono District registered 1,517 candidates in the first grade. Among the districts that scored lowly in terms of percentages of candidates who scored first grade are Amudat, Lyantonde, Zombo, Nakapiripirit, Amuru, Katakwi and Kalangala. Results for 2009 and 2008 shows similar trends. For instance, in the 2009 UCE results, Wakiso, Bushenyi, Kampala, Mukono, Mpigi and Mbarara topped the list of best performing districts countrywide while Katakwi, Bududa, Adjumani, Amuru, Nebbi, Namutumba, Kaberamaido, Bugiri and Manafwa were the least performing districts. In the 2008 results, Kampala came top of the list. Academic power houses in the districts of Mukono, Bushenyi, Masaka, Mpigi came among the top performers. In the 2010 results, higher failure rates of students who scored grades seven and nine have been registered in the districts of Koboko, Bududa, Butaleja, Bundibugyo, Moyo, Yumbe, Sironko, Manafwa, Nakapiripirit and Kamuli.Others are Zombo, Adjumani, Bugiri, Arua, Busia, Kasese, Kyenjojo, Bukwo Iganga, Bukedea, Namutumba, Maracha, Kaliro and Nebbi. In these districts, more than 10 per cent of the candidates scored grades seven and nine. This as been the same trend reflected in the 2008 and 2009 results. According to Uneb, candidates are deemed to have passed if they pass with grades of up to fourth division. But the results also show there is still a huge disparity in performance between schools in urban and rural areas, with most rural schools performing poorly compared to their urban counterparts. Geographically, most of these districts that registered a poor performance are in regions that have recently suffered armed conflict, floods and famine or are newly-created with no infrastructure like proper schools, science laboratories and limited number of teachers."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/-/688612/1312282/-/8e66tiz/-/index.html","content":"Road damages to worsen - road fund - The Uganda Road Fund has said it expects more road damages in the 2012/13 financial year, casting more gloom for the already poor transport infrastructure network. While presenting the Fund’s one-year road maintenance plan for the next financial year in Kampala last week, Eng Micheal Odongo, the fund’s executive director said: “We expect a decline in standards of several national and district roads. He said: “The key challenges we expect in the next financial year include; poor state of an extra 10,000 kilometre of upgraded district roads, extreme deterioration of urban, municipality and KCCA roads and a generally poor road safety.” According to the fund, the anticipated damages will result from poor road use, limited funds and rains in the second half of the year. Rains have become a menace to Uganda’s road users, washing away bridges and roads, blocking sewerage channels and cutting off roads due to flooding. Roads cutoffLast year Uganda experienced a series of floods in Kampala and most up-country locations cutting off a number of roads and washing away bridges, which hugely affected trade within Uganda and its neighbouring countries. Eng Odongo said in his presentation that although the fund had financial constraints in relation to the available work it would do whatever is possible to work on improving Uganda’s road sector. Speaking at the same workshop Ms Maria Kiwanuka the Finance minister, said the government would offer support to the Fund in the next financial year to assist in the country’s desire of prosperity. She said a number of options have been fronted to the Treasury with many suggesting the need to concentrate on priority road projects. The government recently commissioned the Mbarara – Katuna Road and will soon embark on the construction of the Entebbe Road that will run through Mpigi. Ms Kiwanuka said the government would ensure that there is a direct transfer of road users’ collections from Uganda Revenue Authority to the Uganda Road Fund so as to help the fund operate as a fully-fledged entity. nkalungi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/1091912/-/2kkfniz/-/index.html","content":"Rice farmers try to beat climate - Farmers in Kamuli district, with help from the district local government, have been testing a new variety of rice, the Narica 10, an early maturing rice variety suitable for areas prone to drought and floods. The new variety, a close relative of Narica 4 and Superica, which have been highly popularised by the Vice President, Gilbert Bukenya, has a short maturity span and is not adversely affected by lack of rain given the fact that almost all other rice varieties are rain-reliant crops. “Rice is a very labour intensive crop yet constraints like complex interaction of changing weather conditions have been led to low yields,” Mr James Felix Mpaulo, the Kamuli district agricultural officer says adding, “This rice variety has a short maturity period of between 100 to 114 days and even if it rains for a shorter time, the crop completes its lifecycle.” The seed released last year is suitable to all areas including highlands and has been found to yield between nine and 10 tonnes of unshelled rice if planted well. Farmers in the eastern region had their plantations dry up due to unpredictable rainfall patterns which caused food shortage thus leading to escalating fears of hunger and soaring food prices. Kamuli district local government injected Shs95m into the trials in the sub counties of Namwendwa and Bugondha along Nabigaga swamp. Kamuli district LCV Chairman and a former extension worker, Mr Stephen Mubiru, says the district acquired the variety from Naseco (National Seed Company). During a tour of farms benefiting from the project, Mr Mubiru said the project is geared towards increasing food security and improving the incomes and living standards of the locals in line with the Prosperity For All Programme. Mr Tom Kirizo, a farmer in Bugonhda who planted two acres of the rice variety said, “The district gave us free seeds, fertilisers and herbicides but some of my friends never bought the idea, I risked and accepted the offer from the district,” says Mr Kirizo. Mr Kirizo adds that he harvested over 5,000kg of milled rice as his friends who had planted the old varieties counted their losses due to the drought. “The variety matures very fast and if you plant it on time, you reap big,” Mr Kirizo notes. He advises farmers who want to grow the rice variety to prepare the land before the onset of the rains to allow early planting, spray the resistant weeds like couch grass and apply fertilisers in infertile areas. Mr Jill S. Shemin, a rice expert and agricultural supporter working with United Nations in conjunction with World Food Programme told farmers at Kamuli Kaida offices recently that there is market for all cereals including rice, globally, after the drastic drop in world food reserves. He said, “With the increasing and swelling population world over, prices for cereal crops, rice inclusive, will not fluctuate but indeed will go higher and this is the time farmers are to benefit from such an initiative.” Last year, Japan International Corporation Association expert, Mr Toshimasa Kobayashi of Sustainable Irrigation Agriculture Development Rice Programme praised the variety for its hardiness unlike the paddy varieties. The project deals with farmers in Kamuli mainly those upstream with a view of helping them access simple irrigation mechanisms. Mr Mpaulo says there is already market for the rice variety both as food and seed from many seed companies which are yet to acquire it like Jica and East African Seed Company among others. He said a new project called Leed under the auspices of Usaid is going to partner with Naads and buy the rice seeds from the farmers for distribution. The farmers could also benefit from selling their seed to community procurement by the Naads programme which will do seed dressing to increase on its quality and boost its market."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/1091318/-/a43gcj/-/index.html","content":"Zoellick was half-hearted on global food prices? - A letter appeared in the UK’s Financial Times in the first week of January. In it, Mr Robert Zoellick president of the World Bank Group outlined several measures that the global community needs to take to ensure that the current food price volatility does not escalate uncontrollably. Food prices, according to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation report, are already over the 2008 peak when food prices spiked to levels that constricted growth and led to social instability in some parts of the world. The weather picture that preceded the 2008 food crisis is much the same today with floods in Australia, Sri Lanka, parts of Latin America and prolong droughts in most parts of sub Saharan Africa. In Zoellick’s missive, the G20 is putting food price volatility on the agenda for 2011 and hopefully ensure there is cheap food on every table. Food price volatility is a matrix of many factors including all those that constrain food supply such as prolonged bad weather, high costs of transport, hoarding and speculative pricing mostly by greedy middlemen, poor food production governance – failure by public officials to account for food budgets as well as failing to put into place practical measures to protect the food value chain. On the demand side, a growing global population is putting a strain on available food resources and economies are finding themselves faced with more mouths to feed than they produce. Mr Zoellick’s shortlist is at best half- hearted. It does not go far enough to provide long term solutions to what has become a predictable catastrophe that mainly affect agro-based economies of Africa. These solutions are the same that the World Bank has always recommended time and time again. They haven’t worked. The volatile food prices of 2008 must act as a reminder of what actually happened and what the World Bank, the UN, the G20 and the IMF need to be looking at – at their own backyard. The hinge is the US inflation rate and the unstable currency market affecting especially the US dollar both of which lead to hoarding and speculative buying by greedy commodity dealers located mainly in the capital cities of the Western world. Sometimes, it is not the shortage of supply rather the uncertainties of the global commodity markets that lead to artificial shortage where dealers hope to make quick gains in the short term. All sub Saharan African countries depend on agriculture for a large share of jobs but the sector generates proportionately very little to their respective GDP. The worst catastrophe is that agricultural production has been totally abandoned to the free market which is more profit-orientated than provision of cheap and easily available food to the population. First, the World Bank, the UN, the G20 and the IMF need to tighten controls of commodity market dealers to avoid hoarding and speculators from taking advantage of a bad situation. Second, they need to think long and hard in encouraging African governments to return to public enterprising specifically to agriculture that has the potential to employ the most in these countries, generate more returns per capita without creating an unbalanced growth of few rich people and many poor ones. Asian countries that have been successful in realising greater and balanced economic growth in the last few decades were able to do so because their governments got down to work with their bare hands. Governments have the capacity to aggregate rare skilled labour, create food value chain linkages and seek out markets. The private sector in Africa is constrained by lack of investment capital and poor infrastructure which makes a good case for governments to get involved directly."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1085608/-/cjc0lqz/-/index.html","content":"City road works delayed over compensation fund - Kampala The reconstruction of a 14- kilometre city road and Lubigi drainage in Wakiso District have delayed due to lack of compensation funds for those who will be affected by the development. The $3.3 million (aboutShs77 billion) is supposed to be raised by the government and World Bank. Kampala City Council World Bank Coordinator Tamale Kiggundu said 200 families need to be relocated to give way for the widening of the nine kilometre Nsoba channel to solve the problem of floods in Kawempe division. “The required funds are not readily available. About 200 families will be evicted in Kawempe Division,” Mr Tamala told journalists in Kampala on Thursday. Recently, the World Bank demanded immediate action on the deteriorating city roads, drainage and garbage management in Kampala to improve the city status. While addressing KCC staff during the mid -term review workshop for Kampala institutional and infrastructure development programme, the bank’s senior urban station personnel, Mr Martin Onyach, said his institution was committed to supporting Uganda’s development agenda if the funds are managed properly. He said there is great need to improve the city road network immediately. KCC works committee chairman Abdu Mayanja said the entire city feeder roads require total reconstruction. Last year, World Bank approved $100 million grant to Kampala City Council to improve the city infrastructure in 10 years. Recent survey indicates that the situation is worse in Makindye, Lubaga and Kewempe divisions where majority of the roads are a no-go area for motorists. Out of the 900-kilometer road network in Kampala, 600 kilometres are gravel roads. Local Government Commissioner Charles Katalikawe said the government has also approved more funds to supplement the World Bank fund. He, however, did not reveal any specific figures. City council manages about 900 kilometres of roads but studies show that only 301 kilometres is tarmac and only 45 kilometres (15 per cent) are in good condition. Kampala Town Clerk David Naluwairo said KCC was committed to implementing the projects but regretted challenges emanated from the procurement process and compensation budget."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1078990/-/cjvdyfz/-/index.html","content":"Karamoja fire victims receive more help - The UPDF in Karamoja have joined development partners in helping the fire victims to reconstruct houses that were burnt last week in Moroto and Napak districts. The fire destroyed five settlements in separate incidents in Nawanatau village in Nadunget Sub-county in Moroto and Lotome in Napak.“We are the people’s army therefore it’s our responsibility to assist the population when disaster strikes,” the UPDF 3rd Division Spokesperson, Capt Deo Akiiki, said. Capt Akiiki said the army has also sent a lorry to enable the victims collect poles and grass for the reconstruction of their settlement. “This is not new to the UPDF. We have over the years helped people during catastrophic situations like floods,” he said. The fire left at least 500 people homeless and without any source of income. Meanwhile, the victims on Saturday received some relief items sent by the government. The items include 400 bags of maize flour each weighing 100kgs, 200 bags of beans, 400 blankets, 400 tarpaulins, 400 saucepans, 200 jerrycans, 800 plates and 500 cups. While receiving the items at the weekend, Ms Rose Naput, one of the victims, said: “We are happy because we now have somewhere to start from.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/1069900/-/19vm36z/-/index.html","content":"Infidelities so alarming - “Namuddu: Here we are dear husband, Shs100 for us. I couldn’t believe my eyes when he gave it to me. Barewa: Good God! That wasn’t as bad as you thought, was it? Going to bed with the professor and earning your first treat. I knew you’d make it. Why the devil didn’t I think of this before…?” Well, when desperation or exorbitant greed drives a man to fix his wife with another man for money, it says much about the force with which decadence and moral degeneration have infiltrated society. Yet this is one of the most disturbing realities in the late Prof. John Ruganda’s famous play - Black Mamba (1973). In this drama, as in some of his other plays such as The Burdens (1972) and The Floods (1982), the gripping style with which he tackles social concerns such as prostitution, corruption, domestic violence, hypocrisy, adultery and exploitation is arguably unmatched in this country. But it’s the clever use of symbolism and the eloquence of his characters that makes Black Mamba unforgettable; no wonder it’s a set book on the O’ Level literature syllabus. The symbolic title itself is action-packed and should prepare you for a rollercoaster reading experience. The play’s central figure, Professor Coarx, betrays his wife by shamelessly sleeping with Namuddu, his houseboy’s wife. She’s herself a snake and the Prof. doesn’t know her true colours; he’s clueless that she’s Barewa’s wife. When he turns against her, it’s her turn to spew poison back in his face, calling him an “infernal devil” who shouldn’t live with snakes without expecting them to bite him. The professor’s infidelities are so alarming. He has resigned to his own fate saying, “The shimmering thighs of a woman” would make any man fall. His sexual sins are symbolised by innumerable black mambas, which Barewa says “keep popping out” of his house “at odd hours now and again” as if “it was a zoo.” Overall, Black Mamba is a hilarious illumination of the evils that suffocate society. But there is a hint of hope at the end to the effect that despite the hardships and disagreeable state of affairs, love can help people go through it all as Berewa and Namuddu come clean and embrace in true love."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1070648/-/ck210dz/-/index.html","content":"Museveni promises to tarmack Butaleja road - President Museveni has told people in Butaleja to give him a fourth term in power so that he can tarmac Budumba-Kachonga road that links the district to Busoga and Mbale. Addressing a rally in Butaleja on Thursday, Mr Museveni also promised to increase Naads funding, extend piped water and increase the number of boreholes in the district to improve provision safe water coverage in the district. The President also reiterated his earlier pledge to establish irrigation schemes so as to control flooding which often devastates the district. In March, Butaleja District was affected by floods that displaced more than 60,000 households, led to closure of four primary Schools and submerged the Doho Rice scheme and other food crops in the fields. Mr Museveni was, however, riled by the revelation that while the government sends more than Shs750m to the district for sinking boreholes annually at Shs15m for every borehole, district officials claimed that sinking one borehole costs Shs60m. He also learnt that the number of existing boreholes does not match the amount of money that has been sent for the purpose.The President was also riled by a revelation that while the government sends more than Shs.5b to the district for Naads annually, there was no evidence of what the money has done on the ground. “When you wanted a district status, I gave you. When you wanted two parliamentary constituencies, I gave you. Now what is left is you to give me your votes. Just tick to the old man with a hat when that day comes,” he said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/1065454/-/bvt0k7/-/index.html","content":"Address poverty to improve food security, says report - A new report has called for an urgent need to address poverty as the best way to achieve food security in developing countries. The report conducted by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) says that if poverty is properly addressed poor countries will be able to adapt to climate change. According to the report, families with sufficient incomes have the capability to cope with drought, floods, and other climate shocks. Poverty first Mr Gerald Nelson, a senior IFPRI research fellow and the report’s co-author said: “Many have made a case for addressing climate change to fight poverty; however you must address poverty first as a key part of climate change adaptation.” This year’s severe drought in Russia and devastating floods in Pakistan offer a glimpse of a future negatively affected by severe weather. The report finds that between now and 2050, staple-food prices could rise by 42-131 per cent for maize, 11-78 per cent for rice, and 17-67 per cent for wheat, depending on the state of the world’s climate, economy and population.According to the report, climate change will cause lower rice yields all over the world in 2050, compared to a future without climate change. One of the climate change scenarios result in substantial declines in maize exports in developed countries, but small increases in yields in developing nations. Harmful impactWheat yields will fall in all regions, with the largest losses in developing countries.Using sophisticated computer modeling, the study assesses the harmful impact of climate change on food security through 2050. It presents 15 different future scenarios based on various combinations of potential income growth, population growth, and possible climate situations that range from slightly to substantially wetter and hotter. The study highlights poverty for three reasons. First, because the bigger consumers’ incomes, the greater their ability to afford higher food prices caused in part by climate change. Second, better-off families cope more easily with uncertainty. And third, farming families with higher incomes are better positioned to invest in new technologies that might be costly at the outset but improve productivity and resilience in the long run, thereby boosting incomes. The report also finds that improving crop productivity can counteract the negative effects of climate change on food production, prices, and access. “Investments in agriculture deserve high priority because without improved farm productivity, it will be impossible to meet the increasing demand for food from rising incomes and a growing world population,” Mr Mark Rosegrant, director of IFPRI’s Environment, Production, and Technology Division and report co-author. Mr Rosegrant added: “Greater productivity also means that more of this growing demand can be satisfied from existing land, limiting the environmental damage that results from plowing new fields from forests and savannahs. And productivity growth leads to the rural income growth needed to improve food security.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/-/688614/1063868/-/ceuwo9/-/index.html","content":"Finding value in home insurance - Home insurance also, known as homeowners insurance, falls under property insurance and covers private homes. It combines various personal insurance protection such as destruction of a home due to different causes (fire, floods, etc), loss of contents in a home, and expenses you can incur due to failure to use your home. This policy can extend to cover the liability a home owner can incur due to destruction. In the press these days, a week hardly passes by without a screaming headline of fire destroying property, even worse killing people. This is quite scarely, and it makes me think hard and wonder what I would do if I were in these people’s shoes. When you move outside Kampala, you see a lot of places with buildings - commercial and residential - of different sizes and at different stages of completion. This is a good sign of development and most people are struggling to have at least a place they call home. There is evidence of hard work and struggling to finish the house at least to a habitable stage and off you enter it and “survive” the monthly rent. Beautiful! As I have always said, look at the other side of the coin and wonder what can crop up to deter you from enjoying your hard earned happiness. When determining the premium for the homeowners policy, the value of the house and the property there is or agreed upon is put into consideration. This may not only be for homes, but also commercial buildings. By show of hands, if we were to count those of us with insured properties one would be engulfed by shock. The people who suffer silently after a calamity, are obviously many and of course once it happens, it is a whole new affair of other problems and the cycle of poverty may get a genesis. Every house, however small, needs insurance, so that In the event of a calamity, you are assured that it can be replaced. Like all other insurance types, your insurance agent can be of great help in this, or you can approach the insurance company directly. Kyokunda is a managing Partner at RODA insurance."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1061132/-/ckmyiuz/-/index.html","content":"Climate change activists misleading the public - Kampala A former commissioner with the department of Meteorology has accused climate advocates of misleading the public about the effects of the global weather phenomenon, by over exaggerating its predictable facts. Speaking at the Climate Change Research and Development networking workshop at the Imperial Royal Hotel on Thursday, Mr Abushen Majugu said the droughts, landslides, floods and other weather phenomena which have been experienced in some parts of the country recently, are a result of lack of information about the predictions of these events in the public domain. He said these informations are available at the meteorology department. Mr Majugu said much as it was previously difficult to predict exactly when the weather phenomena would befall, with advanced technology, it is now possible to get reasonably accurate information from the department to be used for economic planning. “Yes, we can forecast that there will be floods in the next rains or there will be a relatively long dry spell and we even tell the characteristics of such phenomena, but most times people do not use this information, yet it is vital. The weather forecasts you read in newspapers and television are useless in this case.” He warned the activists against continuing to misinform the public that weather patterns have changed and the rains have become unpredictable. “What is true is that temperatures have increased over the last few decades, and new diseases are emerging in places where they were not because of environmental degradation,” the meteorologist said. He said for the weather patterns to be determined, they need to be studied over a period between 30-60 years which has not been done here before because to various reasons."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/1053974/-/a1nt9k/-/index.html","content":"We should not wait for donors to revive the Shs - Money talks and anyone who says otherwise is either living in cuckoo land or is a little low on integrity. It is also true that he who has the money makes the rules. Towards the second half of 2009 and the beginning of 2010, there was rampant talk of donors cutting back on funding and we braced ourselves for the worst. That notwithstanding, a part of us hoped against hope that the impact would not be as bad as predicted. Well the Uganda shilling has really weakened against the dollar trading above Shs2,200 for most of the second half of 2010. Just when we thought that we would not go beyond Shs2,280, we have seen the rate threatening to cross to Shs2,300. So what has been the driver of this shilling weakness? First, has been the reduction of donor inflows to fund the Aid and Development organisations i.e. the UN family ,charities like Save the Children, Plan International among others, Secondly, lack of donor inflows to fund national calamities like the Bududa mudslides, which paled against the Haiti Earthquake and thirdly lack of donor inflows to help with famine in the eastern part of the country – you get my drift; for a long time we have had reasons to see donor inflows. If it was not HIV- AIDS, it was floods, in the absence of floods it was famine , then there was the war in northern Uganda, and the list went on and on and the donors were always there to come to the rescue. Well with the “absence” of these natural disasters, the end of the war in northern Uganda and the onset of the global financial crisis, the ever flowing tap of donor funds run dry and alas the Uganda shilling has taken the full brunt of these developments. To add salt to this festering wound, the absence of our dear offshore investors who being yield hunters will not so much as glance at us since until recently, interest rates on government treasury bills and bonds have been in single digits - their message to us: NO MONEY NO LOVE Recently in a speech delivered at the 4th Annual China Bankers Forum 2010, in Shanghai, Gerard Lyons, the Chief Economist and Group Head of Global Research at Standard Chartered Bank, made the following remarks:” A shift in the balance of power is underway. It is from the West to the East. And it will take time. The winners in this shift are countries that fit into at least one of three categories. The winners will be countries with the financial resources, the natural resources or the ability to adopt and change. Thus the winners will have the cash, commodities or the creativity”.So friends instead of waiting for the next big natural disaster or praying for the speedy financial recovery of our donors- indeed may God bless them for supporting us thus far and - give them wisdom and fortitude to recover - let us identify what we have as Uganda and yes as East Africa. Going by Mr Lyons’ three Cs East Africa does not yet have cash, and is still low on creativity. That said, we have commodities i.e. Oil and Gas in Uganda, various minerals in Tanzania and Uganda’s excellent weather and soil that has guaranteed continuous harvests of cotton, coffee, tea, grain, vanilla and horticulture etc in almost all the member states. If we are able to do all it takes to increase our resource exports in the coming years and invest wisely the revenues generated then there is no stopping us. I know for many of us this sounds like a pipe dream and I can only say this to you: oh ye of little faith! The writer is the Head of Global Markets at ’Standard Chartered Bank. GraceTibihikirra.Makoko@sc.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1041222/-/clv1jwz/-/index.html","content":"Museveni cautions on  degrading Mt. Rwenzori    - President Yoweri Museveni has warned people living around Mount Rwenzori against degrading the water catchments, saying this would cause a disaster. Mr Museveni statement was in response to the Rwenzururu Kingdom Prime Minister, Mr Constantine Bwambale, who last week requested the government to allow the kingdom subjects free access to the cultural sites in the Rwenzori Mountains. Road network Mr Bwambale said the kingdom has proposals to develop the cultural sites and wants the government to grant them permission to visit any time. He also requested government to improve the road network.“Some of our cultural sites are in Mount Rwenzori National Park. We have to seek permission from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to access them. We request the government to remove these conditions so that we access them without interference,” Bwambale said. But the president said, “That forest on Mount Rwenzori is very crucial, all these rivers are from that forest, so you should understand this and know that the forest is our mother not only for Rwenzori region but for other parts of the country”. One of the cultural sites in the park is the burial ground of the father of King Charles Mumbere, the Late Isaya Mukirania who was buried in Bulembe Hills, Ihandiro Sub-county in Kasese District on September 2, 1966. Every September 2, hundreds of Banyarwenzururu climb to Bulembe to commemorate the death of their first King, but with authority from UWA. The tomb has been earmarked by UWA as a tourism site and monument.Mr Museveni warned residents not to temper with the forest cover or risk floods."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1040426/-/clvob2z/-/index.html","content":"Museveni cautions on  degrading Mt. Rwenzori  - President Yoweri Museveni has warned people living around Mount Rwenzori against degrading the water catchments, saying this would cause a disaster. Mr Museveni statement was in response to the Rwenzururu Kingdom Prime Minister, Mr Constantine Bwambale, who last week requested the government to allow the kingdom subjects free access to the cultural sites in the Rwenzori Mountains. Road network Mr Bwambale said the kingdom has proposals to develop the cultural sites and wants the government to grant them permission to visit any time. He also requested government to improve the road network.“Some of our cultural sites are in Mount Rwenzori National Park. We have to seek permission from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to access them. We request the government to remove these conditions so that we access them without interference,” Bwambale said. But the president said, “That forest on Mount Rwenzori is very crucial, all these rivers are from that forest, so you should understand this and know that the forest is our mother not only for Rwenzori region but for other parts of the country”. One of the cultural sites in the park is the burial ground of the father of King Charles Mumbere, the Late Isaya Mukirania who was buried in Bulembe Hills, Ihandiro Sub-county in Kasese District on September 2, 1966. Every September 2, hundreds of Banyarwenzururu climb to Bulembe to commemorate the death of their first King, but with authority from UWA. The tomb has been earmarked by UWA as a tourism site and monument.Mr Museveni warned residents not to temper with the forest cover or risk floods."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1031488/-/cmhiptz/-/index.html","content":"Floods destroy 214 acres of crops - Gulu At least 214 acres of crops in Aswa County, Gulu District, have been destroyed by floods, officials have said. The affected sub-counties are Paicho, Unyama, Patiko, Palaro and Odek. The LC1 chief of Cwero village, Mr John Oola, said the situation is worrying as water levels from Lawiny and Apaya streams continue to rise, submerging nearby farmlands. The district Secretary for production, Mr Michael Onencan, said the disaster preparedness budget is not sufficient and appealed for help from humanitarian organisations."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/1031384/-/2o9sjvz/-/index.html","content":"UN agencies to aid Uganda in the fight against climate change - United Nations agencies in Uganda have committed $36 million (Shs72 billion) towards supporting government initiatives on climate change. The five-year programme is a joint initiative between six resident and four non-resident United Nations agencies. The funds will be channelled through districts and communities especially the ones most hit by climate change like Karamoja, Bududa, Teso, among others. “The compounded impact on health, economic development and food security will continue to grow in significance and severity if efforts are not made today to help communities, particularly those most vulnerable, to mitigate and adapt to a changing climate,” said Mr. Theophane Nikyema, the UN Uganda Resident Coordinator during a press briefing in Kampala. He explained that the project will help Uganda develop a national climate change policy, climate change research agenda, district capacity building programmes, sensitisation campaigns and to deter the calamites that might be caused by climate change. “Uganda is facing serious climate change with temperatures expected to rise up to 1.5 degrees by 2020. The impact includes droughts, floods, landslides and glacial melting causing severe disruption to the ecosystem,” he said.State Minister for Environment, Ms Jessica Eriyo said that the funds would be used to address calamities like drought, floods and landslides.She said that the UN Joint Action Framework will help, to partner with the government in its efforts to save its population, ecosystems and the economy from the negative impacts of climate change. She explained that the UN Joint proposal is in line with the overall National Development Programmes (NDP) objectives especially -increasing household incomes and promoting equity, promoting science, technology, innovation and ICT to enhance competitiveness, promoting sustainable population and the use of environmental and natural resources. It is also aligned with the NDP climate change objective to develop national capacity for coordination and implementation of climate change adaption and mitigation activities in the country. She said that the programme will also support Uganda’s Peace, Recovery and Development Plan for northern Uganda (PROP) which it addresses in the Karamoja region. According to the minister, Uganda’s immediate priorities include generation of relevant data and information as an input into research for adaptation and mitigation actions. She also revealed that the ministry is planning to make meteorology as an authority mainstreaming climate change into sectoral and local governments budgets and plans."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1025390/-/yp7e46/-/index.html","content":"Who are these armed wetland encroachers? - It seems the issue of the deteriorating wetlands in Kampala is not about to be addressed. The public should be concerned especially when the National Environmental Management Authority boss, Dr Aryamanya Mugisha admits to the failure in protecting wetlands from encroachers. When questioned by the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee, he said some of the encroachers are armed. The question then is: who are these individuals who are above the law? Dr Aryamanya should stop lamenting but rather embark on measures of stopping developers on sensitive catchment areas whose depletion is causing floods in the city. Take an example of the wetland opposite Spear Motors that is being filled up with soil by unknown developers. Another wetland between Kansanga and Bunga has been encroached and no one is concerned. As NEMA plans for an enforcement team which, I think ,there is urgency for, I urge the public to be vigilant and the police to play their role in saving the environment.Robert Creaven Rusaija, 0774694103"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1015656/-/cnmrqkz/-/index.html","content":"Nema losing battle for wetlands - They were once part of the natural beauty that typified Uganda as the Pearl of Africa for centuries, but wetlands are now fast disappearing. MPs have consequently put pressure on the government agency tasked with the protection of wetlands, saying it is not doing enough. Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) heard yesterday that the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) is losing the fight to protect the country’s biodiversity as politically-connected individuals continue to meddle in its operations. Appearing before PAC, the Nema Executive Director, Dr Aryamanya-Mugisha said lack of police collaboration in the fight against wetland encroachers, is another challenge. “We have tried to protect wetlands without any success,” Dr Mugisha said. “There is a lot of interference and we need Shs1.7 billion for an environmental protection unit. Some of the encroachers even have guns yet police has not helped us. In some of these cases involving wetlands (Children’s Park on Jinja Road) we cannot do much because I am also politically supervised,” he added. Experts have warned that if degradation of wetlands is not checked, the country is headed for an ecological disaster that may lead to shortages of clean water and increase in floods. Wetlands account for 13 per cent of Uganda’s total land area but with encroachment and degradation, it could now be 11 per cent. To protect the environment, PAC members led by Nandala Mafabi (Budadiri West) ordered Nema to gazette all wetlands in the country after it emerged that wetlands were not gazetted, a loophole they say, had been exploited by encroachers. “This move will help us protect this resource for our future generation before it’s too late,” Mr Mafabi said. The committee, who faulted Nema for “failing to bite”, asked the Criminal Investigation Department to investigate officials after it emerged that they have diverted money under the National Environment Fund to Real Estate Business. But Dr Mugisha said Nema had spent over Shs170 million, part of the money in question to plant 600 acres of trees in various parts of the country."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/1012338/-/bso7b0/-/index.html","content":"East African governments must do more to combat hunger - agency - Kampala An international aid agency, has warned that East Africa will face more devastating food crises in future unless regional governments take action. In an Oxfam report launched on Thursday, the agency urges governments to take action so as to divert the hunger crises. The report, “Halving world hunger: Still possible”, prepares regional leaders as they prepare to gather with other world leaders in New York for the review on the progress of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The report argues that halving hunger is still possible if governments take the lead with the right policies and invest in agriculture, food security, social protection, and projects that prepare communities in advance for disasters and mitigate their impact. This time last year, up to 23 million people in Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and Tanzania suffered severe hunger during a major food crisis that left over a million animals dead and cost regional economies hundreds of millions of dollars. Oxfam said now is the time for governments to invest properly to meet MDGs and protect their countries against even worse crises in future. Current forecasts warn of potentially extreme weather of drought and floods in the region again later this year. Mr Leo Roozendaal, Oxfam’s acting regional director, said: “The improved situation this year is more down to good luck than good judgment. Another bad rainy season or failed harvest could see the region plunged back into crisis.” He said: “Governments must do much more to address the underlying causes of hunger in the region, such as decades of under-investment in agriculture, chronic neglect of the most vulnerable communities, and the growing threat of climate change.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/1009156/-/dvlryy/-/index.html","content":"Education Ministry for insured schools - The Ministry of Education and Sports has asked school administrators to work hand in hand with parents and guardians to take on insurance cover to compensate some losses in case of a calamity. According to Dr Yusuf Nsubuga, the director of basic and secondary education in the ministry, a number of schools have experienced hazardous incidences which have led to loss of life and damage to property because of fires, storms, floods, strikes, theft, collapse of buildings and landslides. “As a way of minimizing and managing the effects of these hazardous incidences in schools, the ministry feels it necessary for schools to take insurance cover to help compensate such losses. Due to budgetary constraints, the ministry is unable to meet the cost of insurance cover of schools,” reads part of a statement issued by Dr Nsubuga. Mr Ernest Kavulu, the head teacher of Budo Junior School, where a fire claimed the lives of 20 pupils, says government should take responsibility for insurance cover since there are many schools which cannot afford the scheme. “Insurance is important but we are not responsible for certain risks like fires and floods. We are also aware that no payment can equal the loss of a loved one. But in case of losses, the government shouldn’t leave it to schools. It (government) is aware there are many schools which can’t afford. We ask them to come and support what parents are able to contribute and encourage others to take on the scheme,” he said. About 20 parents are seeking for about Shs5.1billion in compensation from government through the court of law. But the government last month asked for more time to discuss with parents, whose children died after fire gutted Nassolo dormitory as they slept.“We ask for an adjournment to allow us more time to meet the parents and discuss an out of court settlement,” Mr Elison Karuhanga, the Attorney General’s representative said while appearing before Justice Faith Mwondha."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/1005352/-/2q1n1uz/-/index.html","content":"Manafwa farmers pay for environment sins - Images taken in 1980s and 2010 shows that most hills in Manafwa District have lost theirforest cover in the last two decades. When Patrick Wasonsi was a young man, he could stand in the garden of his father on a clear, cloudless morning and stare at the forests at a distance. But last week, the 56-year-old said all the forests have disappeared and farming seasons have changed.“In the 1980s, all these hills were covered by forests. You could not see the soil because it was fully covered by tree branches,” Mr Wasonsi recalled as he moved up the Namukhokhe hill. “But now when you look at the hills, they are all cleared and you cannot see a single tall tree.”He says in the past, when temperatures rose, they knew that rain was about to fall but they no longer see it happen these days. According to the Ministry of Water and Environment, if nothing is done about deforestation, then the country is likely to experience more droughts. For farmers who depend on agriculture in the region, the change in climate coupled with increase in population has adverse affects on their production.“These days, we no longer rely on weather because seasons have tremendously changed. We used to receive rain from February to June and from August to October but these days it is unpredictable,” says Mr Wasonsi. This has forced some of the farmers to practice farming up on the hills because of the cool climate and fertile soils uphill.“The yield nowadays is very low because the fertile soils have been washed away by rain,” says 43-year-old Florence Mantu, whom we met weeding her garden on top of the hill. She had planted beans on the slopes despite warnings of soil erosion and landslides. Mr Paul Isabirye, the principal meteorologist in the Ministry of Water and Environment says the rate at which trees are felled, accompanied with the increasing industrialisation has increasing the amount of carbondioxide and methane in atmosphere resulting into global warming. “There is increasing level of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere because of too much emission of carbondioxide gas into the atmosphere,” Mr Isabirye said. He says Uganda’s temperatures which currently range between 15 and 30 degrees celsius are likely to increase further. He said approximately 20 to 30 per cent of biodiversity in Uganda is at risk of extinction if the world temperature grows by two degrees Celsius. “Uganda is likely to incur more costs due to loss of biodiversity, increase in disease, famine, floods and desertification,” he said. He says areas in south western Uganda are currently experiencing mosquitoes in the area, a phenomenon that was non existent. “When you go to Kabale where you used not to see mosquitoes, they are now there and this is as a result of climate change,” he says. “When you look at Mt Rwenzori, the ice is melting at faster rate than it used before and this is because of increase in temperatures which is likely to affect agriculture.” Mr Charles Wokule, Mbale District environmental officer claims that climate change was responsible for recent occurrences of severe landslides, prolonged drought and massive flooding as well as more erratic rain cycles. “The trees that act as carbon sink are being cut every day for farming, exposing land to erosion and emission of carbondioxide gas into the atmosphere,” Mr Wokule says. However, he accused politicians for failing to observe environmental issues saying they are the major stumbling block in the fight against global warming.“We are trying to sensitise people about the effects of global warming but our politicians are the major problems,” he says adding that government has done less in combating global warming."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/-/688322/1005778/-/37vbf6/-/index.html","content":"Insurance best security against tragedy, say insurers - Kampala Insurers have urged businesses to take insurance covers as a defensive measure against conditional losses and hedge possible risks that can lead to business interruptions. Speaking to journalists on Monday in Kampala, Mr Mathew Koech, the acting chairman of Uganda Insurers Association, urged the general public to insure against calamities that have of late led to the destruction of many businesses and lives. Markets including Kisekka, Park Yard and Kisenyi have in the past few months been gutted fire, destroying traders’ goods worth millions of shillings.Other upheavals that the country has witnessed and yet their damage can be circumvented if property and businesses had been insured include the Bududa, Kabale and Kisoro landslides, the September 2009 Buganda riots and the Eastern Uganda and Kampala floods that led to destruction of property, displacement of people and famine among others. Insurance transfers financial losses by disasters like fire and accidents among others to an insurance service provider upon payment of premium. The insurer then compensates the person when a loss occurs. Mr Koech said disasters can strike anytime and advised market vendors to form associations which they can use to insure their businesses with a single voice. He said: “Insurance softens the ground for a soft landing of any calamity when it occurs and avoids such incidents of financial impact.” “The cost of insurance is affordable; some businesses operate on borrowed capital and in such a calamity, the insurer takes on the responsibility of compensating them,” he added. Word of cautionHe also cautioned people with buildings and businesses in wetlands saying that is a disaster in waiting, given the increasing heavy rains in the country. Despite its enormous benefits, insurance penetration in Uganda is at a low of 0.6 per cent and the sector’s contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product is 1 per cent. Mr Koech attributed the low penetration to inadequate education to create public awareness and appreciation of the dynamics of the industry due to the association’s budgetary constraints. He was, however, optimistic that the industry is set for robust growth in the coming years."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1002728/-/cobdvjz/-/index.html","content":"Agents arrested over failure to deliver results - The police have arrested seven polling assistants in Moyo and Arua districts after they allegedly failed to return the results but kept them in their homes and bars. Some results were retrieved from a bar of one of the polling assistants in Metu Sub-county. Moyo District Police Chief, Mr Ahmed Kimera, said: “We combed their houses and bars and got the results. They will be charged with failure to furnish electoral returns under section 75 of Parliamentary Act 2005.” The police said the officials allegedly refused to sign declaration forms and kept the results in their houses. “Their acts has made declaration of results to delay hence causing tension among NRM supporters,” Mr Kimera said. In Arua, the police also recovered results for Vurra Sub-County on Wednesday evening from the returning officer. He is still being detained at the central police station pending further investigations. Mose Ali winsMeanwhile, in Adjumani, the former Deputy Premier, Gen. Moses Ali, has narrowly escaped defeat in the NRM’s party primary elections for East Moyo County seat, beating Mr Santos Erwaga Mulago, the incumbent MP by just 2,000 votes. Although earlier results indicated that Mr Mulago was leading, his joy was short-lived when results which were held up in areas cut off by floods were tallied. The district party administrative secretary, Mr Justine Kole, said Mr Moses Alli polled 11,030 against 9,053 of Mr Mulago."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1001570/-/coc4nfz/-/index.html","content":"Storm brings Kampala to halt - The heavens opened yesterday in Kampala unleashing a gush that soaked the dry and dusty land leaving many workers unable to get lunch outside of their offices. Other workers got a prolonged but upsetting lunch break. The downpour also saw several business premises soaked, roads temporarily blocked and school children stranded. According to a mini survey by Daily Monitor, the downpour which was accompanied by hailstorm, inconvenienced both pedestrians and motorists alike. It caused an early traffic gridlock in the city starting at 3pm. The city usually experiences heavy traffic starting at 5:30pm. Traffic In the city centre especially on Jinja Road, the flash floods took control of the road, at least for nearly an hour forming pools in low lying areas around the Electoral Commission offices and middle-class hangouts at Centenary Park. A disgusting smell possibly from broken sewerage pipes also conquered the atmosphere highlighting the serious drainage problems in the city. At Malcom X Avenue in Kololo, an upscale residential area, the rains brought down a tree which cut-off the road while the wind brought down electricity poles near the Russian Embassy sending the guards at the embassy scampering for safety. The city suburbs of Bwaise and Kalerwe, which are perennial sufferers from floods, received their usual dose with houses and trees being brought down by the ‘angry’ winds which accompanied the rains. SufferingIn Nakawa, a breakdown vehicle had to be brought to tow away a minibus belonging to the Office of the President which had got stuck at the junction near Shoprite. While the working class missed out on their favourite lunch dishes at their favourite food cafes, the rains never spared furniture dealers on Port-Bell Road near the sewerage treatment plant who were reduced to spectators after rain water took charge of their work stations. The timber dealers watched, for hours, as cars waded through the huge pothole nearby. On Kintu Road, motorists were forced to use the pavements after water dominated the middle of the road.It took 30 minutes after the rains for motorists to access the Queen’s Way because the area had flooded. Some business people lost property, taken by the running water. “I have lost four packets of cigarette, scholastic materials like books and pens as I tried to gather the items to run to a shade,” Ms Jane Nakakande said. The weather department spokesperson did not answer calls for comment but the department had earlier warned that there would be increased rains in Kampala and other parts of the country towards the end of August. In March, heavy rains were reported in some parts of the country causing landslides, especially in the eastern district of Bududa, leaving at least 300 people dead and thousands displaced. River Manafwa also burst its banks at several points rendering an estimated 37,000 people homeless. In 2007, heavy rainfall caused flooding, the worst in a decade, across eastern and northern Uganda. The most affected areas were eastern Teso, the north-eastern sub-region, central Elgon region, the lowlands of northern Lango and the Acholi sub-regions. No deaths were reported in Kampala yesterday by press time."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1000128/-/cocw8mz/-/index.html","content":"Preliminary NRM results - Countrywide No major surprises were on the cards in the few constituencies were NRM primaries for district and local council elections went ahead, but not without claiming their slice of controversy. In the northern region, where the elections were largely peaceful, the former Presidential Advisor for Northern Uganda, Richard Todwong was leading his cousin Tony Awany and George Mwaka in Nwoya County. But in Adjumani, the district NRM administrative secretary, Mr Justine Kole, said getting all results for the various positions was not possible by last night because some places had been cut off by floods. In Amuru District, the former Minister for Northern Uganda Reconstruction, Betty Bigombe was leading in the district woman MP race by press time. She is competing against Ms Betty Alimadi Ochitti, Concy Nyapolo and Jane Francis Okili. In Gulu District, preliminary results showed that Ms Grace Atim Oleyowiya was leading woman MP with 231 votes followed by Ms Lucy Larubi with 158 while Mr Michael Ochora polled 288 votes ahead of Dr Fred Oyat’s 91. More resultsIn Luweero, Justice Minister and Attorney General Khiddu Makubuya was still leading in Katikamu South Constituency with 2,770 votes against 217 and 72 of Mr Erasmas Mugerwa Musisi and Haji Sulayman Habib respectively. In Katikamu North Constituency, Eng. Abraham Byandala was leading with 3,040 votes against his rival Haji Kakande Musa, who had so far polled 102 votes in the tentative results from 64 polling stations. Prof. Victoria Mwaka was in an early lead in Makulubita and Nyimbwa sub-counties for the Luweero District Women MP seat with 517 votes against the incumbent Ms Rebbecca Lukwago who had so far garnered 412 votes. Both former Presidential Private Secretary Amelia Kyambade and John Bosco Lubyayi sailed through unopposed in Mawokota North and Mawokota Country respectively. In Butambala, Education Minister Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire was still leading her rivals Mariam Nalubega and Aisha Kabanda for woman MP flag-bearer. In Mpigi, NRM woman MP race, Ms Sarah Temulanda was also still leading while Mr John Mary Luwakanya was poised to take the party ticket to run for district chairperson."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/978112/-/xekcka/-/index.html","content":"UN joint programme to help fight against climate change - With current average temperatures in Uganda expected to increase by between 0.7 degrees (Celsius) and 1.5 degrees (Celsius) by the 2020s, and changing rainfall patterns, there are a number of concerning trends,” says United Nations Joint Programme on Climate Change in Uganda. The United Nations Joint Programme on Climate Change (2010 – 2014) has been drawn to enhance Uganda’s struggle against the highly vulnerable climate variability and change. According to the document, natural impacts in the country include glacial melting, drought, floods and landslides which are likely to affect food security in the country. The reports said that the Ugandan economy and the welfare of the population are linked to the natural environment and are highly vulnerable to climate variability and change. Therefore, temperature increases can lead to the emergence of new crop pests and animal diseases which will also endanger food security by affecting yields. “Already, climate change is thought to be adversely affecting the suitability of certain areas to the growth of traditional food crops such as beans, cassava, maize and matooke,” reads a 2008 report by Oxfam.For those that do not depend directly on utilisation of the land, such as the urban poor, the impacts of prolonged droughts, floods and temperature increases are still likely to impact on food security through increased food prices. To combat the effects of climate changes, the Joint Programme brings together a range of UN agencies offering expertise to support the Government of Uganda’s climate change priorities. The activities are organised through the Undaf framework for the country and seek to build Ugandan capacity for sustainable solutions. In support of the National Development Plan (NDP) climate change objective to the Joint Programme will engage in activities that seek to build both the capacity of Uganda to adapt to a changing climate whilst mitigating against future climate change. This Joint Programme will build capacity at the national, district and community levels for climate change adaptation and mitigation."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/-/689856/975958/-/ypxcsxz/-/index.html","content":"How do your children deal with the news? - Talking to your young ones about what they watch or hear will help them put frightening information into a reasonable context, writes Mary Gaviy Although news gleaned from TV, radio, or the Internet often is a positive educational experience for children, problems can arise when the images presented are violent or the stories touch on disturbing topics. News about a natural disaster, such as a devastating earthquake, could make children worry that something similar is going to hit home, or fear a part of daily life - such as rain and thunderstorms - that they’d never worried about before. Reports on natural disasters, child abductions, homicides, terrorist attacks and school violence can teach children to view the world as a confusing, threatening, or unfriendly place. One can deal with these disturbing stories and images by talking to their children and explaining frightening news stories to put them in context. What children make of the news Unlike movies or entertainment programmes, news is real. But depending on a child’s age or maturity level, he or she may not yet understand the distinctions between fact and fantasy. By the time children reach seven or eight, however, what they see on TV can seem all too real. For some youngsters, the vividness of a sensational news story can be internalised and transformed into something that might happen to them. A child watching a news story about a bombing on a bus or a public place might worry, “Could I be next? Could that happen to me?” Natural disasters or stories of other types of devastation can be personalised in the same manner. A child in Ntinda who sees a house being swallowed by floods in Bwaise may spend a sleepless night worrying about whether his home will be okay during a rainstorm. A child seeing news about a robbery on the highway might get scared of using public transportation around town. TV has the effect of shrinking the world and bringing it into our own living rooms. By concentrating on violent stories, TV news also can promote a “mean-world” syndrome and give children an inaccurate view of what the world and society are actually like. Talking about the news To calm children’s fears about the news, parents should be prepared to deliver what psychologists call “calm, unequivocal, but limited information.” This means delivering the truth, but only as much truth as a child needs to know. The key is to be as truthful yet as inexplicit as you can be. There’s no need to go into more details than your child is interested in. Although it’s true that some things - like a natural disaster - can’t be controlled, parents should still give children space to share their fears. Encourage them to talk openly about what scares them. Older children are less likely to accept an explanation at face value. Their budding skepticism about the news and how it’s produced and sold might mask anxieties they have about the stories it covers. If older children are bothered about a story, help them cope with these fears. An adult’s willingness to listen sends a powerful message. Teens also can be encouraged to consider why a frightening or disturbing story was on the air: Was it to increase the programme’s ratings because of its sensational value, or because it was truly newsworthy? In this way, a scary story can be turned into a worthwhile discussion about the role and mission of the news."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/973322/-/2asx9ez/-/index.html","content":"Stop destroying the environment - What is happening in Uganda? A couple of months ago, a forest in Mukono District was cleared by unscrupulous people who seem to know very little about the dangers of forest destruction. Sadly, the government has not brought the culprits to book. Now, Lufuuka Forest in Mpigi District has also been cleared. This has resulted into the drying of springs and extinction of various animals and tree species that have been a source of tourist attraction. Now all seems to be lost. What is the government doing about all this? Are there no government organs to oversee the conservation of our forests and environment, or if they exist, why are they not doing their work? Ugandans should be patriotic. They should not destroy through human activities. If we continue to cut down forests, then we shall face disaster in future. Environmental degradation should be stopped through effecting environmental laws.There is simple logic about the environment that people must know: Environment is living, but if we insult it through human activities such as quarrying, mining, deforestation, wetland reclamation and burning among others, we shall reap death, global warming, floods, drought etc. Joseph Udo,Iganga"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/967886/-/i1elsd/-/index.html","content":"Onion prices increase due to  shortage in supply - Kampala The dry season has scotched the production of vegetable, thus increasing prices. In Kampala, Markets like Nakasero, St Balikudembe and Wadegeya, the prices of green pepper (three pieces) has increased from Shs500 to Shs1, 000. The production of onion has also been greatly affected following the landslides and the floods in the Eastern parts of Uganda, a major supplier to most Ugandan markets. Onions are currently selling at Shs2,500 per kilogramme down from Shs1,500 just a few months ago. Mr Vincent Muhoozi, a price analyst at Nakasero Market, says traders are only getting onions from Kabale district, which as well supplies Rwanda. Traders say the prices will increase further towards September because it is anticipated that around this time most items get scarce. However, though the prices of most vegetables have increased due to scarcity, some items have instead registered low prices. According to Mr Muhoozi, pineapples are in plenty hence, they have attracted low market prices. He says at Nakasero Market alone, they are supplied with about 15 trucks of fresh pineapples form Masaka and Luwero, every day, which they must sell as first as they can to avoid getting wasted due to their perishability. Therefore, he says traders are forced to reduce prices as a result of increased market supply. Rice prices have also decreased in Kampala’s major markets with a kilogramme selling at Shs1,700 up from Shs2,500 a few moths ago."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/-/688614/962174/-/g8c3l0z/-/index.html","content":"The increasing need for getting insured - The Bomb blasts in Kampala (Kyadondo Rugby Gounds and Kabalagala), the land slides in Bududa and Kabale, the floods in Teso, the numerous accidents on our roads- have taken much space in our media. These incidents are not discriminatory; they affect the poor and the rich alike. Insurance on the other hand is one rare word in certain circles of people especially those who think they earn too little to be involved in insurance like the rich. A close look at all these unfortunate incidences, the need for insurance for everyone makes more sense. On Several occasions we think about today and we plan on what we will do in the weeks and years to come. We even have dreams of how our children and families will in a certain number of years be. We usually hold all other factors constant except the fact that we will make enough money to give our dear ones the life that befits them- education in posh schools, a holiday in a certain country and when a reminder that we may not be there to see all this is sounded, we only remember to quickly say “God forbid”. I think we need to do more than that. We need to plan ahead and put in our plans the constant- the must happen. And that is death. Can we start thinking about that life insurance for ourselves and our families, the education insurance for our beloved children? Of course one thing is a fact- a life cannot be replaced once lost, but the family should not go through double tragedy- loose a loved one, and then sell the small asset available to give the loved one a befitting send off, or the children should not drop out of school because their father or guardian has passed away. Organisations that employee many people, help them get this essential insurance- you can pay for them or you can facilitate them to contribute themselves, the election period has kicked in, politicians mobilise your electorate for sensitisation and allow them an opportunity to benefit from such products, which are possible when they are organised into groups. With the introduction of Micro Insurance on the Market, all people can have the insurance they need, irrespective of their income levels. There are individual policies for those who can afford, but there are group policies as well and the premium is usually affordable. Insurance ceased to be a rich man’s concern as we used to know, it benefits all. Please try to get more information on how you can protect yourself and your loved ones. It’s the way to go. The Writer is the regional marketing manager Africa MicroEnsure"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/958760/-/9yp6p6z/-/index.html","content":"Like the God of Israel, might our God be angry? - Recently, I listened to an argument between a Christian and a Muslim, during which each passionately defended his faith. I asked them why they were not defending the African faith. They both said it was satanic! I asked whether God came to Africa only 150 years ago through Europeans and Arabs and whether, for the thousands of years before that, only Satan had access to Africa, while God manifested himself to Abraham, Moses, Ishmael and John-the-Baptist? I asked whether the words Katonda (Luganda), Ruhanga (Runyankore), Rubanga (Luo), Ngai (Kikuyu), Mngu (Kiswahili), Kibumba (Lusoga), Allah (Arabic), Jehovah (Hebrew) and God (English), did not mean the same thing and whether the non-English, non-Arabic translations were also satanic? All these communities believe in the supremacy of the God in their various languages, they all pray, repent, offer gifts, sacrifices and believe in goodness on earth as an investment for a good life after death. It is estimated that there are 70,000 ethnicities on Planet Earth, each with its own language and culture, and I believe that God knows each language and its culture. Why is it, that only Africans believe that the “real God” could only descend to them through other cultures and therefore any faith they held before the advent of foreigners was satanic? The Jews have held onto Judaism, even when Israel was captured by the Philistines and they scattered into exile for 1,500 years. The Arabs, also biological grandchildren of Abraham, have held onto their religion. The Chinese, have held onto their belief, Confucius, for thousands of years, Indians have kept their faiths, Hinduism and Buddhism for thousands of years. Although Europeans adopted Christianity, they mixed it with a heavy dose of their various cultures, which is why there are many versions of Christianity. Some pray on Sunday and celebrate Christmas because Sunday was the day they used to worship the sun and December 25 was an important cultural day, and there are those who do not. Why is it that Africans found it easy to discard, despise and abuse the thousands-of-years faith, which their forbearers had revered with dedication? Popular belief is that African faith is heathen and associated with human sacrifices, but we must distinguish between African faith, African medical practices and cults. They’re literally as far apart as a church, a hospital and the underworld. In Luganda, traditional healers fall in the medicine branch, with practitioners known as “Abasawo”. Faith practitioners are “Abasamize”, yet cults or underworld practitioners are “Abalogo”. When Europeans demonised them without distinction, they went underground, practiced in the dark, without supervision, which opportunists, quacks and cults took advantage of to practice acts of murder, rape and reap-offs. The Bible further tells of God’s anger whenever His people turned from him, he destroyed them with ‘The Floods’, the fire of Sodom and Gomorrah and 475 years after Jesus, he delivered the Israelites into the hands of the Philistines, scattering them into exile, where they still live. It was only in 1947 that they began re-establishing the State of Israel, but are still at war with Palestine. Could it be that the gods of Uganda are also angry with us for turning away from them and worshipping a foreign God? We need divine revelation so that we are not a people who have discarded our past but have no future! Ms Kamya is the interim chairperson, Uganda Federal Alliance"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/948154/-/iyfnx5z/-/index.html","content":"Climate change forecast points  to decline in coffee production - Coffee production is expected to drop enormously in the east African region due to environmental degradation, researchers have said. Addressing coffee farmers and traders, the Director of Coffee Research Foundation Mr Joseph Kimemia said despite the growing demand for coffee, low yields are expected. He said climate change will affect both arabica and robusta producers. He said the rising temperatures are expected to render certain producing areas less suitable or even completely unsuitable for coffee growing, meaning production may have to shift backwards as incidences of pests and diseases will increase whereas coffee quality is likely to suffer, both factors that may limit the viability of current high quality produce. “More coffee may need to be grown under irrigation, thereby increasing pressure on scarce water resources. All the foregoing will increase the cost of production whereas in the future fewer parts of the world may be suitable for coffee production,” Mr Kimemia said during a stakeholders workshop organised by Livelihood Enterprises for Agric Development in Kampala on Tuesday. According to the latest research, coffee consumption has gone up by 2.4 percent per annum on the world market despite a drop of 10million bags in production due to climate change among other issues. “If we do not fight to curb the situation, by the year 2050, we shall have a deficit of about 30 million bags,” he said adding, “The already evident growth in concentration could become even more pronounced, bringing with it an increased risk of high volatility”. According to the Uganda Coffee Development Authority [UCDA] report for coffee year 2009/10, 217,809 60-kilo bags worth US $ 21.8million were exported in March indicating a 15% to 9% drop in volumes and value relative to the same month last year. The current change in global climate is largely due to the burning of fossil energy (coal, oil, natural gas) and to the mineralization of organic matter as a result of land use. These processes have been caused by mankind’s exploitation of fossil resources, clearing of natural vegetation (forests) and use of these soils for agriculture. These activities have primarily led to a measurable increase in the carbon dioxide (CO2) content of the atmosphere, an increase that results in global warming. This is so because CO2 hinders the reflection of sunlight back into space, thereby trapping more of it in the Earth’s atmosphere. Events such as floods and droughts that are expected to become more frequent and more severe as a result environmental degradation. A quick prediction of their impact will affect yields due to change in seasonal climate, reduce production potential in relation to factors such as yield, land availability and longer/shorter growing seasons."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/942196/-/2coan4z/-/index.html","content":"Destroying environment is costly - I have always expressed my concern about the criminal degradation of our environment by selfish individuals who include some Ugandans. It is disheartening to see people shamelessly reclaiming swamps, cutting trees without planting new ones, excavating hills etc. Already, we are paying heavily with floods, landslides, droughts, famines, respiratory infectious diseases, name it. And the poor are bearing much of the burden because they cannot afford the heavy medical bills. I was amazed to read in the press recently that the so-called developer who is reclaiming a swamp opposite Spear Motors has disregarded Nema directives to stop it . Surely, where are the law enforcement agencies? John Kaka,kaka.john@yahoo.co.uk"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/931994/-/a1333bz/-/index.html","content":"This talk about development without good governance is futile - Let’s put it this way; you have a swanky youth you support in school. At the end of the term, you are a little worried that his performance is below the mark. You advise that he should cut out video shows, watch less football and cut down the number of female friends that frequent the backyard. The youth tells you to back off, insisting that you should stick to paying fees, buying text books and since you are a teacher of Literature in English, you can also give a few tips on how he can excel in this subject without reading those voluminous text books! At the end of the year, the student does not get the expected grades; he is not in Universal Primary Education which guarantees automatic promotion. Depending on your relationship with him, you may again have to dig deep into your pocket for he has to repeat the class. This is the dilemma development partners find themselves, in dealing with African autocratic rulers. Mr Mugabe, for example, has consistently told western powers not to interfere in the affairs of Zimbabwe. However, when the country was struck with cholera, the same Mugabe remarked that the international community had neglected the people of Zimbabwe. This is the same story in Uganda. When floods threatened to wipe away the people of Teso, the State Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Musa Ecweru, appealed to the international community for aid or else, he said, people would die and they (international community) would be ashamed. The tendency to deliberately ignore the fact that there is a strong relationship between good governance and development is quite absurd. Countries whose leaders are accountable to people do not have three thirds of their population threatened with hunger; their citizens don’t drive on potholed roads and the women don’t give birth on dirty floors of hospital corridors. It is of no use even if development partners put resources in energy and roads, as advised, because such resources would be diverted any way.Take the example of CHOGM funds. In Lumasaba, they say Umukeni, ang’ono umwene ango. Meaning that a visitor indirectly benefits the host and thus, Ugandans are supposed to have benefited from hosting CHOGM. Today, we would be driving on well tarmacked and lit roads in the city and enjoying the greening from the beautification. But because of corruption, CHOGM merely provided an opportunity for a few people to swindle over Shs500 billion from the tax payer! The people PAC has implicated still walk with their heads high! Back to the development partners, according to 2010/2011 budget frame work paper, many ministries have already been affected because development partners announced a 35 per cent budget support cut. The health ministry has suffered a short fall of 105 billion. As a result, it is reported, there will be less medicine for diseases like diabetes, contraceptives and condoms are reportedly running out. The road sector is equally likely to suffer. If it is true, as reported, that the earliest the oil money can trickle in our coffers is 2014, then it is too early to tell off these development partners. I think we still badly need them. Ms Wokuri is a social criticwokuret@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/931132/-/x0q6g8/-/index.html","content":"British Council names icons to fight climate change - Kampala The British Council has named four people to enhance the campaign against the impact of climate change in the country through creation of innovative projects at the various community levels. The four are expected to use their positions to influence the society’s attitude towards human activities by demonstrating and explaining the realities of climate change countrywide. They are Bunyoro-Kitara Diocese Bishop Nathan Kyamanywa, Imam Iddi Kasozi, a lecturer at the Islamic University In Uganda (IUIU), Ms Aphwa Sebyala a consultant and director of Energising Solutions and singer Angella Katatumba, the founder of For You Gulu, a charity organisation. Described as ‘environmental icons’, the four were chosen to influence the society in different areas during their activities like preaching the gospel, teaching in schools, addressing climate change during conferences and board meetings, advocacy as well as performances. They officially started the campaign on Tuesday after a conference in Kampala to raise awareness and create demand for action among the citizens. The Operations Director at British Council, Ms Anne Babinaga, said the group of influential people “would inform the public about what they are doing and what they plan to do to mitigate the effects of climate change in the country.” Ms Babinaga said the group slated to run a 12-month campaign, was selected in response to a research carried out by the BBC World Service Trust in Sub-Saharan Africa which revealed that religious beliefs influenced the attitudes of many concerning their roles in climate change. The economy is already feeling the impact of climate change in areas such as water stress and deforestation. Other impacts are rain seasons increasingly becoming unpredictable, floods and mudslides. Bishop Kyamanywa said his selection would boost his eight year-old tree planting campaign in the diocese. He called on people to conserve the environment. “The gospel we preach takes care of the soul and body that needs good environment with clean water, good shades and where food grows well. I will dedicate 10 to 20 minutes to preach to over 300 to 500 people I talk to everyday,” said Bishop Kyamanywa. Environment firstFor singer Katatumba, it will always be environment talk first before entertainment. “Whether in the media or on stage, I will take minutes off to speak about environment before we can sing and dance,” she added. Ms Sebyala at the helm of sensitisation and distributing grafted fruit trees, said she would use her influence at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council to dedicate a green Friday to promote preaching about environment in mosques."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/927368/-/x08u4o/-/index.html","content":"NGO disowns health officials on drugs - Kampala Pilgrim, a local NGO, has disassociated itself from the evidence given to court by two Ministry of Health officers in regard to how many doses of malaria drugs they received from Malaria Control Programme. Mr Anthony Esemu, the vice president of the NGO, told the Anti-Corruption Court on Wednesday that they received only 89,000 doses of duocotexi and arco drugs (malaria drugs) to treat the people of Kumi and Katakwi districts but not 552,000 doses as claimed by Dr Richard Ndyomugyenyi and Dr Myers Lugemwa in their testimony to court. Officials accusedDr Ndyomugyenyi, the malaria control programme manager, Dr Lugemwa, a senior medical officer and Martin Shibeki, the programme assistant, are accused of mismanaging the requisition and distribution of anti-malaria drugs worth over Shs2 billion. The officials told court that the Malaria Control Programme gave Pilgrim 552,000 doses of malaria drugs to treat people in Teso sub-region. When asked about the allegation that there was no documentation of drugs used by Pilgrim’s patients, Mr Esemu said: “The allegation is not true because they have five big boxes full of receipts of every patient who got drugs from them. I can account for every tablet.” Court heard that in 2008, , Pilgrim partnered with the Ministry of Health following the floods that hit Teso sub-region, especially in Kumi and Katakwi districts that resulted into many malaria cases."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/926316/-/2dtjs8z/-/index.html","content":"Where are law enforcement agencies? - I wish to express my concern about the degradation of our environment by selfish individuals some whom include indigenous Ugandans. It is quite disheartening to see people shamelessly reclaiming swamps among other things. Much as they may earn profits in the short run, they will spend much of it on medical bills in the long run. Already we are paying heavily with floods, landslides, droughts, etc. I was amazed to read in the press that the so-called developers who are reclaiming a swamp opposite Spear Motors have disregarded NEMA directives to restore the place. Surely, where are our law enforcement agencies? My heart bleeds. John Kaka,Kampala"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/924844/-/x06v1k/-/index.html","content":"Floods cut off districts - Mukono River Lwajjali that separates Luweero and Mukono districts has burst its banks due to the heavy rains submerging a section of the Kabimbiri-Zirobwe Road. The traffic flow on the road that acts as a short route for travellers has been halted forcing vehicles to use the longer route to Kampala. Namuganga Sub-county chairman Mudde Nsubuga said heavy rains coupled with the poor state of the road were to blame for the predicament.“The road has been impassable especially at the section across River Lwajjali for a long time making it easy for the floods to submerge it,” Mr Mudde said. He said some residents have introduced canoes to enable travellers cross the one kilometre flooded section at a fee. He said three people, who were riding on a motor-cycle, survived death last week when their cycle plunged into the river as they tried to cross the section. “We urge the government to construct a bridge on the river before lives are lost,” he said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/921864/-/x04s4t/-/index.html","content":"1,200 relocated as residents flee landslides-prone Mt. Elgon - Sironko/Kampala At least 1,200 people were yesterday moved to Bugitimwa Primary School in Sironko District as authorities made the first steps to relocate some 3,700 residents of mudslide-prone areas in the vicinity of Mt. Elgon. The evacuation notice was issued on the day that the Uganda Red Cross Society said it had, together with Mbale District authorities, identified 796 households in Mbale to host more than 4,846 people that were displaced by landslides in Bubyangu Sub-county. East to westThe Uganda Red Cross has also compiled detailed effects of the landslides and floods that have affected Sironko, Butaleja, Tororo and Rukungiri districts. Over 1,500 people have lately been displaced in Mbale, Sironko and Tororo in eastern Uganda to Kabale and Kanungu in western Uganda where at least eight people have been confirmed killed by landslides. The Sironko evacuations, ordered on Tuesday by the State Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Mr Musa Ecweru, follow reports of huge cracks in surrounding hills and growing ominous noises of what appears to be separating rocks – a warning sign for another possible avalanche. Mr Ecweru, while visiting Bugitimwa Sub-county, the scene of the recent landslide, on Tuesday, ordered for immediate relocation of the people in the lowlands. “These hanging rocks indicate that there is great danger in the waiting. It has happened in Mbale, Bududa, Kapchorwa and now Sironko. The people must move to safer areas,” said Mr Ecweru.The displaced would be settled far from the hills but within Bugitimwa and Bumasifwa sub counties. Although the Sironko LCV chairman, Mr Wambi Kibaale, has asked people to relocate to Bugitimwa P/S, no contingency plan has been made for school children in the run up to the opening of this year’s second school term on May 22. Case of pupilsMr Kibaale said many schools in the hills are on the verge of collapsing due to hanging rocks and loose soils. “As we relocate the people to a temporary ground, we must think about the children. Where do they enroll for school? What about sanitation?” said Mr Kibaale. Residents had since 1996, been resisting orders to evacuate but the devastating landslides that killed three people in Bugiboni last week and lurking danger on the foothills have scared the population to escape before hand, simplifying work for authorities. In a related development, URCS Mbale Region Programme Officer Kevin Nabutuwa said 300 houses collapsed and are soaked in water. She said 10 sub counties are affected in lower Sironko with the worst being Bukhalu, Muyembe, Samasi, Nabongo and Sironko Town Council. Ms Nabutuwa added that all food crops have been destroyed and three schools have been flooded.In Tororo, according to URCS, in Paya Sub-county, 140 households accommodating 721 people are experiencing hygiene and water contamination as the main problems. URCS said a cholera outbreak had also been confirmed in Kirewa Sub-county, killing two people and leaving three admitted at Mbale Hospital. One patient was reportedly discharged yesterday.In Butaleja, two suspected cholera cases had also been reported, according to URCS, and samples have been taken to Mbale Hospital for further analysis. URCS says in Rukungiri, the 300 people in Nengo valley at risk of being washed away have refused to vacate their homes. Cadet Benjamin, an official, said the people need assurance that their land will not be taken away. Parliament on Tuesday directed the government to provide resources to the districts affected by the landslides and resettle the people from the danger zones. The Speaker, Mr Edward Ssekandi, asked government to produce before a comprehensive report showing efforts taken to help the affected people."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/921104/-/x04mhb/-/index.html","content":"Heavy rains to continue until June - Kampala Rains are expected to continue in many parts of central, western and eastern Uganda up to early June, the Meteorology Department has indicated. A review of the rainfall performance for March and April 2010 and an outlook for May and June from the departments shows that many parts of the country are expected to receive much rainfall throughout this month. “In general, the forecast indicates that much of the country is likely to receive enhanced (above normal) rainfall during the month of May, and the cessation of seasonal rainfall for most places is expected during early/mid June 2010,” a statement signed by the Commissioner of Meteorology Department, Mr Stephen Magezi, reads in part. Normal and above normal rainfall is when it is in the range of 75 per cent and 125 per cent and above 125 per cent respectively. Mr Magezi said the northern region which is currently receiving showers and thunderstorms punctuated with dry spells will start getting rains next month. “This weather situation is likely to continue up to around early June marking the start of the rainy season for this region,” Mr Magezi said. According to Mr Magezi, the outlook for May and June 2010 was based on regression of Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies on Ugandan rainfall as well as Sea Surface Temperature gradients and the expected evolution of global patterns. He said the forecast is supported by other regional and global forecast centres and was 70 per cent accurate. Recently, the government doubted the meteorological department’s ability to predict weather patterns, saying it needed to be strengthened. Floods caused by heavy rains have already battered some parts of east, central and west regions causing deaths and destruction of property. According to Kampala City Council records, over 60 per cent of city’s population stays in slums located in low-lying suburbs of the capital which makes them vulnerable to floods whenever heavy rains occur. Severe effectsIn many parts of the Lake basin, central and eastern regions, water levels in many lakes and rivers have gone up leading to abundant pasture and water for domestic use and production. On the other hand, outbreaks of water-borne diseases like cholera and typhoid are likely to hit areas with poor hygienic conditions."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Health---Living/-/689846/917102/-/re8qay/-/index.html","content":"Butaleja at risk of water borne diseases - “Amaji noganyiya sigangoma, no ganywa gaba oti mabotiboti.” This can be loosely translated as “Boiled water is not good, when you take it, it is does not taste good.” This was Amina Hasahya, 13, a primary six pupil at Busabi Primary School’s take. She adds that pupils like her have been taking the borehole water for over seven years and nothing has happened to them. “Our parents, relatives and adults take this water, we have seen them on many occasions at this well, at the rivers, at the spring wells and nobody has ever got sick. Our water is not boiled, not treated but we are safe, it is tasty, we like it,” she said. Mr Mike Ndiema, the brand manager Aqua safe was surprised when he heard this from the pupil who was taking water directly from a borehole in Busabi sub-county, Butaleja District. When Ndiema saw her taking water from the borehole, he wanted to talk but was at a loss for words when he saw another group of pupils and adults lining up at the same borehole to drink the water. This clearly show how the Banyole in Butaleja are not bothered about the poor hygiene of water in the recently flooded lowland area that exposes them to waterborne diseases like cholera, dysentry, diarrhoea and bilharzia. While addressing residents of Busabi sub-county in Butaleja District, Mr Apollo Olowo Khisa, the District Health Inspector revealed that floods destroyed pit-latrines in the homes and schools which in turn contaminated the water sources and destroyed spring wells and boreholes in the area. “Apparently, all the water sources are contaminated, it is no longer safe to take water directly from the springs, wells and borehole. This [taking this water] is why many a people are suffering from diarrhoea, dysentery and we are likely to have cholera,” said Olowo. He added that although Butaleja did not experience heavy rains to cause flooding in the area, the torrential rains that caused landslides in Bududa, flooded river Manafwa which flows through Butaleja. He said that the floods affected about 60,000 people in Butaleja, Hamitu, Mazimasa and contaminated all the spring wells, boreholes and rivers in the area.Olowo said that only 28 per cent of the people in Butaleja know how to treat water using the Aqua tablet and boil it, majority of the people still believe that boiled water is not good enough to drink. “When you talk to them about boiling water or even using a tablet to treat it, they regard it as a westernised way of living that destroys the water and claim that it does not taste well,” he said. “Our sanitation has deteriorated due to the floods since all the latrine facilities were washed away. Since about 55 per cent of the people in Butaleja use surface water, cholera and dysentery are likely to break out,” said Olowo.Uganda Health Marketing Group who started educating the people on how to make water safe for drinking using Aqua safe tablets or boiling it learnt that attitude and tradition are the greatest road blocks to hygiene and sanitation in the district. “Can you imagine people still believe that it is a taboo to take safe water which is boiled or treated by the Aqua tablet! And as long as this attitude is not changed, many people will die of water borne diseases in this area,” said Mike Ndiema the Aqua Safe brand manager. He urged the local leadership and teachers to play a leading role in helping the local population know drinking safe water will save people from cholera, dysentery, diarrhoea and bilharzia in the area."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/911914/-/xaqf8w/-/index.html","content":"Using plastic bottle bricks to fight soil degradation - Improper disposal of used plastic mineral water bottles has greatly resulted into environment degradation because they not only block water channels and cause floods in urban areas but also ruin soils since they don’t allow water to percolate down into it (soil). According to a survey done by Butakola Village Development Association (Buvad), a charity organisation found in Kayunga District , it was discovered that the increasing poverty levels among many Ugandans was due to the dwindling agricultural production given the fact that almost 90 per cent of Ugandans are dependent on agriculture for their livelihood.The diminishing agricultural productivity was mainly due to the loss of fertility by the soil due to the negative environment effects caused by, among other things, improper disposal of polythene papers and plastic mineral water bottles. Mr Steven Ssetumba the Buvad chairperson says a plastic bottle can take over 300 years in the soil before it allows water to percolate the soil. “At first, we thought of burning or recycling the polythene papers and plastic bottles but we realised that this will not in any way reverse the situation because by burning them, the gas will again affect the ozone layer, recycling them will only bring them back into the environment,” he says. Ssetumba says that they later decided that to get rid of plastic bottles from the environment, they had to find a way of turning them into a utility. They networked with a company called Eco-tek found in Honduras, South America which had already developed a technology of using plastic bottles to make bricks that could be used for construction of permanent houses and water tanks. Their aim was to get training on how they can apply the technology in Uganda. He says the new technology they are now using to build houses in Kayunga District is the first of its kind in Africa but says it is widely used in India, South and Central America and Columbia.Mr Ssetumba explains that they send their staff to the field to pick plastic mineral water bottles which they compact with soil and later fasten the lid to make a hard brick. “Well as it takes weeks to make soil- bricks, it only takes six minutes to make a plastic bottle-brick. The plastic bottle brick is ready for use as you finish making it because you don’t have to dry or burn it. This type of brick also conserves the environment because you don’t cut down trees to get firewood to burn them,” Ssetumba explains.He also says that during construction, little sand and cement are used to make a thick wall. Buvad has begun training residents on how to use the technology to build permanent houses while at the same time conserving the environment.“A house constructed using plastic bottles can last for over 300 years when still in good condition,” Ssetumba says.He however says the only challenge the new technology has is that one has to be so much skilled to use plastic bottle bricks for construction."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/909326/-/wy25us/-/index.html","content":"Minister  and land commission blamed over wetlands - Legislators yesterday said the Minister of Environment was doing little as encroachers attacked wetlands, a move that could trigger an ecological disaster for the country. “The situation is getting out of hand, what is happening in Kampala wetlands is spreading to other areas and the minister is just looking on,” said Mudimi Wamakuyu (NRM, Bulambuli). Ms Maria Mutagamba was put to task by MPs on the Natural Resources Committee to explain why wetlands were destroyed when it was her docket to safeguard them.“We want to know what efforts your ministry is taking to stop wetland encroachers,” Mr Mudimi said. While the MPs blamed Ms Mutagamba, Kampala Mayor Nasser Sebaggala separately told journalists that the Uganda Land Commission was to blame for the destruction of wetlands in Kampala and its surrounding.Mr Sebaggala said yesterday that ULC gave out land titles to people whose activities destroyed the wetlands. Mr Sebaggala, who was addressing the media after reports linked him to the destruction of a wetland near his home in Bugolobi, said: “It’s a pity that ULC has gone ahead to work against city council’s wish to protect this wetland. They have instead allocated this important swamp to industrialists to destroy it.” In Parliament, Kitgum Woman MP Beatrice Anywar said: “Wetlands are being destroyed by the rich people and the ministry is not doing anything.” Inadequate fundsBut Ms Mutagamba, who was presenting the 2010/11 budget for her ministry, attributed her failure to lack of enforcement and inadequate funding to her ministry, warning that unless funding is increased, the problem would persist.“We need at least Shs3.5 billion per year to implement environment regulations but we are only getting Shs500 million for this activity and this has caused a lot of problems on enforcement,” she said. “My ministry has been assertive on issues of funding but without any success.”Ms Mutagamba said her ministry had finalised a new Bill seeking to deter encroachment. Mr Ssebagala blamed ULC for the destruction of the Bugolobi wetland. He said the wetland was allocated to Ms Jane Nabukeera, Eddie Kalema, Patricia Akampurira, Patrick Dungu and Carolyne Mageni owning plots 83, 85, 87, 89 and 91 respectively on Mpanga Close. The mayor, who last week fenced off part of the same wetland, said he wanted to plant trees on it.He said city council had earlier leased part of the swamp to a local firm managed by Mr Abid Alarm to set up a tree plantation to restore the widely abused environment. When contacted, ULC chairman Mayanja NKangi declined to comment. “What is he [mayor] exactly trying to say?” Mr Mayanja asked before he hung up.Experts said last evening that wetlands account for 13 per cent of Uganda’s total area but with encroachment and degradation, it could now be 11 per cent. Kampala city covers 197 sq. kms of which wetlands account for 14.5 sq. kms. Open water area in Kampala account for 16.9 sq. kms while built up area account 82 sq. kms. The built up area has accounted for increased floods in the city because most building works were unplanned.According to experts, unplanned construction accounted for deteriorating water quality, due to contamination of water by pit latrines and human waste.At least 85 per cent of spring wells in Kampala are polluted with faecal matter."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/908278/-/b2uxci/-/index.html","content":"How to make your home look bigger feel bigger - When clients come to me and ask me to design a new home or a home addition, most have an idea of what they want to do, but don’t know how to design and organise the place. Also, some don’t understand the elements of perfecting a house without spending a lot of money. There are different things that make your house look bigger for the same amount of square area other than the common ones of using reflective surfaces, choice of colour, arrangement of furniture, shelving and use of large art pieces. There are a few design components you can use to make your small area in plan look grand. Design components Using an open plan concept will not only reduce the number of walls, doors, and make one large multi-purpose room instead of many smaller rooms. Combine the kitchen, living room, dining room into one large room. The effect you will have here is tremendous in making these living spaces look larger than they actually are. Did I mention that this will save you money as well? In the master bedroom suite, combine the bathroom and master closet into rooms that flow into each other rather than separate rooms. Using lots of glass and openings will create an effect where a lot of light floods the area. In the bathrooms, the use of translucent glass partitions for the shower will also work wonders. Use roof trusses to create cathedral-like ceilings. Letting the ceiling follow the profile of the roof covering is more advantageous if it is not a flat roof. The usual effect we have ceilings at three metres high and are flat leaving a lot of unused space between the ceiling and the roof covering. If we made use of that space, the rooms would appear much bigger yet we are working with the same floor area. Window sizeUse lots of windows; don’t skimp on windows. Place as many windows as you can on the walls, from low, medium to high. The purpose of the window is to eliminate the visual part of the wall, and make you feel part of the outdoors. For anyone who has built a home, right after framing the house, the walls are exposed. When interior walls are built, it seems like all the rooms get smaller. This is because you are losing the visual space into the next room, windows regain the visual space. As a cost-saving measure, not all windows need to be operable. Use a lot of fixed windows and only a couple of operable windows. The skylightsIn the cathedral-like ceilings, use skylights, especially near walls, which reflect the light off the walls and ceilings to disperse light in the room? Make a skylight channel as large as it can be, from the ceiling peak to the edge of the room. The channel can be much bigger than the skylight itself, and will throw more light over a larger area of the room. Don’t be bashful with skylights. You can use more than one skylight in a room. Storage areasHowever, if the area is small, include a lot of storage areas to it, it may be wall shelving from floor to ceiling, kitchen storage, kitchen cabinets and other storage areas you can create. Any form of clutter that you can get locked up will make your house look much bigger than it actually is. Think of your house as a sailboat. Everything you have needs to have a purpose for living in your home as well as a permanent storage place regardless of whether it is functional, necessary, sentimental, or aesthetic. A combination of this and the normal interior design features will guarantee you a wow effect. Mr Nuwamanya is a partner with Creation Architects josephnuwamanya@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/906656/-/wy05cb/-/index.html","content":"Environment watchdog and mayor fight over wetland - An environmental watchdog has accused Kampala Mayor Nasser Ntege Sebaggala of encroaching on a wetland in order to expand his private home in Bugolobi, a Kampala suburb. The National Environmental Authority Executive Director, Dr. Aryamanya Mugisha, told Daily Monitor at the weekend that Mr Sebaggala was using burly young men, commonly known as kanyamas to grab part of the Nakivubo wetland —Mpanga Close located next to his home. The move by the City Mayor has sparked off protests from NEMA officials and National Water and Sewerage Corporation after it emerged that the wetland in question had been planned by the latter to build sewage lagoons. “It’s unfortunate that the mayor who knows what the law says is now busy encroaching on the wetland,” Dr Mugisha, said. “Sebaggala has deployed his kanyamas to help him destroy the wetland in order to expand his residence.” When contacted yesterday, Mr Sebaggala said: “NEMA is there to make money. They are corroborating with the Uganda Land Commission to clear land titles in wetlands and I have evidence.” “This wetland covers 375 acres but to date about 97 acres have already been given away and 34 titles were issued to people who get clearance from NEMA and I have all the documents.” He cited Lubigi wetland which was measuring 470 acres but now 200 acres as one of the areas allegedly given away by NEMA. Wetlands serve as sponges and water filters in the eco-system. Waster filterMr George Lubega, a natural management specialist at NEMA, said the one-acre piece of wetland in question has been a nutrient-filtering area for wastewater from Nakivubo Channel and Wankoko Sewage Treatment Plant. “As water goes out of a wetland it is filtered and most of the bacteria and other harmful substances (effluents discharged from a sewage system) are cleaned out. This wetland is important because it also filters pesticides, wastes, nitrogen, phosphorous, and agriculture fertilisers,” Mr Lubega said. On accusation that NEMA connives with the ULC, Mr Lubega challenged Sebaggala to bring evidence. In January, NEMA released a list of at least 24 top wetland degraders around Kampala. The wetland degraders named included individuals and companies, many of whom were faulted for dumping gravel and debris and carrying out construction activities in wetlands. Experts have warned that if the degradation of wetlands is not checked, the country is headed for an ecological disaster that may lead to clean water shortages and an increase in floods."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/899816/-/wkie3a/-/index.html","content":"FDC Conference: voting begins - Namboole Voting for the Forum for Democratic Change Party president has begun in Namboole. Over 900 party delegates have lined up at ten polling stations to cast their vote for their favourite candidate. The race for the party presidency is between Dr Kizza Besigye, the current office holder and Gen Mugisha Muntu. A few minutes back, the two candidates where each given 30 minutes in which to convince the delegates to vote for them. Gen Muntu told delegates that his intention to stand for FDC president was not to split the party but to show demonstrate democracy within the party . He added that whatever the outcome of the election process, the party would emerge out of it as a formidable and strong party. Gen Muntu also promised to focus on improvement of health services and reduction in participation of the army in the country's politics. Dr Besigye asked the delegates to vote for him because he has proved himself a worthy candidate who also secured votes from people in various political parties in previous elections and was the right candidate to bring opposition into power. He added that he would continue to fight bad politics and leadership once he is elected. Dr Besigye also assured the delegates of total accountability of the party funds and zero tolerance for corruption. The party's electoral commission is now set to carry out a roll call of the delegates before voting kicks off shortly. The conference has also attracted members from other political parties including Uganda people's Congress Party president Mr Olara Otunnu and Democratic Party president Nobert Mao. The FDC Chairman, Mr Sam Njuba, who opened the conference in the morning promised other political parties that FDC will not overshadow them under the Inter-Party Cooperation, the umbrella body for the opposition parties. He called for one strong voice by the opposition to be able to cause change in the country as the 2011 presidential and parliamentary elections for 2011 draw closer. However, earlier, there was bickering as supporters of Gen Muntu objected to the idea of having the current FDC president Dr. Besigye open the conference. They argued that this would give him undue advantage over his opponent. Both Besigye and Muntu are vying for the party presidency. The delegates also observed a moment of silence in honor of all the people who died in the September city riots, Bududa landslides, floods and the Kasubi shoot out and called for an international commission of inquiry into the matter."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/889152/-/wjvos7/-/index.html","content":"More billions needed to aid landslide survivors - Mbale More Shs5 billion is needed to support people affected by floods and landslides in the eastern part of the country, the Uganda Red Cross has said. The relief agency made an appeal for more money to support victims of floods in Butaleja District and Bududa landslide survivors currently living in displaced people’s camp at Bulucheke. The Uganda Red Cross disaster management team was in Butaleja last week to assess the damage caused by floods that hit the district recently and to establish the amount of relief delivered. Mr Robert Sebuya, the disaster management chairperson, said the most vital items needed are fast-maturing seeds, medical facilities, safe water, food items, tents and mosquito nets. Meanwhile, at least 2,000 people in Manafwa District await to be relocated to camps after a vulnerability assessment report by officials from the ministry of disaster preparedness, revealed the presence of a five-kilometre crack on the hills."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/888574/-/wjv3no/-/index.html","content":"Floods destroy bridges and roads - BukwoHeavy rains in areas near Mt Elgon have destroyed five bridges cutting off Bukwo District from major business centres in eastern Uganda. District leaders have written to the Office of the Prime Minister under whose docket, the disaster management ministry falls, calling for help. One of the destroyed bridges is at a point where Kapchorwa - Suma Road crosses River Bukwo. The letter which Daily Monitor has states that transport through some routes that connect Uganda to Kenya has been affected because of the damages bridges. The letter also indicates that the floods have destroyed houses, forcing occupants to vacate them. According to the National Coordinator of the Disaster Team, Dr Julius Oketa, who was at the scene, about 25 families living on the banks of River Bukwo were affected. Although he regretted the damage the floods have caused to the people, he said it is abnormal for them to have settled at the banks. He said he was aware that communication in Bukwo District has been affected because major bridges have either been washed away or rendered impassable. “The office of the Prime Minister is arranging for emergency interventions to see to it that people in Bukwo District can access the rest of the country,” he said. He said an emergency technical team has been dispatched to the affected bridges."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/877760/-/wj8w04/-/index.html","content":"Legislators want day of prayer and mourning set - Parliament has passed a motion urging the government to declare a national day of prayer and mourning in memory of people killed by landslides in the various parts of the country. The MP for Tororo County, Mr Geoffrey Ekanya, moved the motion that was seconded by MPs for Ndorwa West, David Bahati and Oyam North MP, Mr Ben Wacha in a Parliamentary session on Wednesday. The legislators also called on the government to put in place a functional disaster management policy to prevent the occurrence of disasters. Slow response“The government’s response to the tragedy was rather very slow. This may not be the last disaster. Where is the budget for emergencies and when will the people be relocated from Mt Elgon?” Mr Patrick Amuria, (Kumi County), asked. Mbale Municipality MP Jack Wamanga Wamai criticised the government for spending taxpayers’ money on “unproductive ventures” without a contingent fund for emergencies. “The government is aware that there are cracks on Mt Elgon, what steps has it put in place to avert the likely catastrophe. Ministers’ cars cost about Shs250million but they have dispersed a mere Shs200million as emergence relief. This is a sad,” he said. The MP for Bunyole County, Mr Emmanuel Ddombo, reminded the government to institute early warning mechanisms so that people are warned about impending disaster. Resettlement planMeanwhile, the Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere, said the government is set to resettle an estimated 500,000 people living around the “risky steep slopes” of Mt Elgon, Rwenzori and Kigezi. While presenting to Parliamnet a ministerial report on the recent landslides and floods in Bududa District and other parts of the country, Prof. Kabwegyere also warned of a worse catastrophe that is likely to affect more people living around the cracked Mt Elgon if the rains continued. “There are indications of cracks in other parts of Mt Elgon in all the five districts. The government will continue warning the public to be on the lookout for the signs and move swiftly away,” Prof. Kabwegyere said. He said about 300 people are still missing and feared dead while only 31 survivors have been accounted for from the three affected villages."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/877080/-/wj8qjo/-/index.html","content":"IN BRIEF: Floods disrupt livelihoods - Following weeks of heavy rains in various parts of the country especially east and west, people's livelihoods have been threatened. BUTALEJAFour Primary Schools in Butaleja District have been closed following floods that have ravaged the district in the past three weeks. The floods have submerged school buildings, making it difficult for affected children to attend lessons. The schools are; Doho, Namaherel, Buyombe and Lumbere. KABALEAt least 90 people in Kaharo and Maziba sub-counties, in Kabale District whose crops were recently destroyed by floods and landslides have run out of food. Ms Flavia Kanagizi , the area woman councillor said on Tuesday that the residents are also worried of an outbreak of diseases since Nyaruhanga well was buried by boulders. She appealed for help from the government and well wishers. KABAROLEVictims of the March 7 landslides in Kabarole District have received blankets and maize flour. Only 70 people from the parishes of Mitandi, Mutumba and Bihondo in Kateebwa Sub-county, Burahya got the aid on Monday. The items were handed over to them by the district chairman, Mr Michael Mugisa. However,according to Mr Mugisa, the victims have no drugs and water. Also, a cholera outbreak has been reported in Katebwa, one of the sub-counties that was hit by mudslides in Kabarole district. 20 suspected cases of cholera have so far been recorded at Mitandi Parish in Mabwe trading centre which is home to about 300 displaced people. Steven Makondwe, the LC2 Chairman Mitandi, says his office has received several people complaining about severe headache and diarrhoea. Makondwe says the authorities in Mabwe trading centre have ordered all dealers in cooked food to close shop. The district health department has set up an isolation centre at Mabwe play ground to provide treatment and stop further spread of the disease.Joseph Mashuko, the Chairman Uganda Red Cross Fort Portal branch, says they are planning to set up mobile toilets at Mitumba Church and Mabwe trading centre."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/875928/-/wufp6q/-/index.html","content":"Mpigi District residents paying for forest reserve degradation - Kwoba Forest Reserve with acreage of about 1,000 hectares was until the late 80s one of the intact forest reserves in Mpigi District and the entire central region. The natural rain forest which had all types of indigenous trees ranging from soft to hard wood was however cut down by residents for timber and firewood while several parts of the reserve were also dug by sand miners, resulting in high levels of environmental degradation. What remains of what used to be a thick forest are dotted trees and shrubs. “The forest reserve which used to act as a water catchment for Lake Victoria suffered significant degradation due to its proximity to the urban areas of Kampala, Mpigi, Masaka and Entebbe,” the acting National Forestry Authority Executive Director, Mr Godfrey Achaye, said. Attempts to prevent encroachment on the forest reserve proved futile due to uncooperative residents and district local leaders, he says. Sam Male, one of the residents of Katende Village, Kiringente Sub-county in which part of the forest is located, says when he settled in the area in the late 70s, the forest was still undamaged and area was receiving heavy rains almost throughout the year. “Because of the destruction, rains are now unreliable and unpredictable, resulting in low agricultural productivity and increase in poverty levels,” Mr Male says. Like Male, many other residents in the area believe encroachment on the forest has resulted in many problems like high temperatures, erratic rains, floods and failing farm yields. “Before the forest was cut down, we had regular rains but now, we are almost dying of hunger due to poor crop yields and unreliable rains,” Ms Annet Namatovu, a resident of Kitemu, said. After realising the adverse effects the encroachment was causing, Uganda Revenue Authority and NFA recently partnered to restore the forest cover. Under the project “URA goes Green”, the tax body injected Shs18m in the restoration drive. URA commissioner general, Ms Allen Kagina, said the funds would be used to plant the now bare forest reserve with indigenous tree species and also ensure that the trees are well maintained. This was during the launch of the URA-NFA tree planting project in Kwoba recently. Area residents promised to protect the forest from encroachers by reporting them to NFA and the relevant authorities. “We have now realised how important this forest is to us and promise to protect the trees which will be planted,” Mr Samuel Lutwama, one of the residents whose home is near the forest, said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/875258/-/jgpu5vz/-/index.html","content":"ON THE BRINK: If Bududa was Kampala… - If we stop for a minute to think about what just happened in Bududa District, it looks pretty much like nature’s way of auditing itself, moving debris of existentials from the column of the living to the under rack of the none living and in the process wiping out whole villages of human beings. Of course the actual numbers of the dead, missing and displaced are neither here nor there, it all depends on who you speak or choose to listen to. I am told officials – from more than ten relief agencies and government departments - at the scene had to agree on a common working figure of 77 dead because the president had already mentioned that figure at a public rally. But that in itself is a telling anecdote of the bigger picture of how Uganda, as a political sovereign, survives almost by ‘nature’. Uganda has had a number of disasters in recent years including landslides in Bugisu and Kigezi areas, famine and floods in Teso and Karamoja, and epidemic ailments in various parts of the country. All these have been managed with significant scales of failure. The common denominator in all of them is the measure of efficiency or lack of it with which as a country we have responded to these disasters and the exposure of – as a country – our preparedness to handle such situations. In the event of such disasters, the frontline issues of concern are accessibility – or roads network, medical services, relief food and shelter supplies, and emergency and evacuation preparedness. This is followed by the ability to manage the long term post disaster developments such as the reconstruction of infrastructure, resettlement of the displaced and the psycho-social and economic support to affected communities. By some good luck, as some cynics would believe, Bududa is a remote area away from the glaring cameras of international media so not much of our incompetence is exposed. Nonetheless, some have succeeded to nose their way up the hills and flared the Bududa grounds turned inside out to TV stations worldwide. It has virtually been impossible to estimate how many deaths have occurred or how many are still missing from the homesteads because no one can actually establish the real number of possible residents of the affected villages. Rescue efforts are painfully slow because the devastation has left roads buried. Television pictures of emaciated villagers trying to dig up bodies only revealed the futility of the exercise and the lessening hope of finding any survivors.But that was Bududa; what if that was a cross section of Kampala buried twelve feet under? Bududa should mirror to Ugandans how vulnerable we all are and how much we continue to live under the utter mercy of nature. The meteorological department claimed after the disaster that it had issued warnings about impending heavy rains though the question being asked now is; to who did they address their findings? Who was responsible for alerting villagers and making them ready to duck when tragedy struck as it did last Monday? The fact that it has been difficult for relief supplies to reach the needy in the mountainous terrain of the disaster areas tells of why our policy makers and politicians need to rethink their priorities for the majority of those who live in rural Uganda yet contribute the votes that allow these same politicians to access the national grocery. In a paper to Parliament, Shadow Finance Minister Charles Oduman claims that the poorest 20 per cent of the population shares just 6.6 per cent of the national wealth and yet the top 20 per cent holds a chunk of 50 per cent. How hard it is for most Ugandans to believe he is wrong! fmasiga@monitor.co.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/875774/-/wj7idr/-/index.html","content":"Diarrhoea strikes Bukalasi camp - At least 104 people were yesterday reported admitted after contracting Diarrhoea at Bukalasi Heath Centre in Bududa District. The outbreak, described as not grave so far, is the first major indication that the suffering of the people is far from over and could indicate a beginning of post disaster challenges. Authorities, however, ruled out the more deadly cholera, which had been reported as having broken out. The Uganda Red Cross Society, which has been central in recovery and resettlement since the March 1st landslide, said in a statement yesterday that most of the victims have been admitted to Bukalasi Health Centre.The agency linked the Diarrhoea outbreak to lack of proper sanitation due to the large numbers of people crowding in the two camps created and contamination of water systems damaged by the landslide. Affected placesThe cases reported so far are among the people who were relocated to Bukalasi and Bulucheke camps. Meanwhile, the government announced a major plan for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the affected areas of Bududa and Butaleja districts. The State Minister for Disaster, Relief and Refugees, Mr Musa Ecweru, announced what he called a three-month plan for the displaced people which would run from March to May 2010. Mr Ecweru told a news conference in Kampala that the government would also take care of the displaced victims for three months on a Shs10 billion budget.“As we mourn the demise of over 300 dear ones, we are at the same time experiencing massive displacement by landslides and floods in all the six districts of Mt Elgon. Over 300,000 people on the Mt Elgon region and the neighbouring low lands of Butaleja, Budaka and Tororo districts have left their homesteads due to fear of landslides and floods. Many gardens have been washed away,” Mr Ecweru said. He said another half a million face displacement in the Rwenzori and Kigezi highland areas. He said the planned government intervention is “a short-term intervention as we look for a permanent solution. We shall keep feeding them, supporting them in health facilities and education,” he said. With the uncertainty over actual numbers of bodies recovered and actual victims possibly still buried under the rubble, Mr Ecweru put the official government figure of bodies retrieved at 83 and 300 still missing. He said efforts to recover more bodies would continue. DebateThe new position continues a major dispute between health experts and political actors on the wisdom of continuing or ending search efforts. “It will continue until such a time when we feel all bodies have been recovered…we have made an appeal to the UN to avail a heavy duty helicopter that can airlift a motorised buckle scooper,” Mr Ecweru said. The disaster erupted from 800 metres above Nametsi Trading Centre and the landslide buried Matuwa, Nametsi, Kubehwo, and Namangasa villages.With about 300 people still missing and presumed dead, the locals’ wish to end the search would mean that those people would never be given a befitting burial. It would also make it difficult for the government to ever know how many people actually died. “The locals want us to stop and declare the place a mass grave but we feel all remains should be removed,” Mr Ecweru said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/874550/-/2tux1gz/-/index.html","content":"Ugandans should embrace tree planting - It’s now clear to Ugandans that global warming is for real. Floods, landslides, high temperatures, changing weather patterns and droughts among others are proof of this. Surprisingly, our government still has no policy on how to curb global warming. Are we again waiting to be woken up by donors and act after disasters have occurred? Planting trees is the sure way of preventing climatic disasters. Trees absorb waste gasses like nitrogen and carbon monoxide thereby controlling temperature levels. Trees also help hold the soil firm and prevent disasters like landslides. We should get an annual national tree planting week. To start with, every Ugandan should this week plant a tree. This would be a historical step in the right direction. Concerned Citizen"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Insight/-/688338/874502/-/7f7ji0/-/index.html","content":"Landslide buries hundreds, government warns of floods - From Haiti through Chile, thousands succumbed to the cruel hand of nature through earthquakes. But the latest cruelty was witnessed in Bududa District on the slopes of Mt. Elgon where hundreds were buried by landslides. Official figures trickling in on Friday indicated that 83 people had been confirmed dead while hundreds were still missing as aid workers and UPDF soldiers continued in their effort to rescue them from the two-metre deep mud. Three villages were affected after a heavy downpour that carried rocks and chunks of land down Mt. Elgon. Two schools and a health centre were also buried together with their occupants who had run to a nearby trading centre. As President Museveni visited the death trap, area politicians had no kind words for the government describing its response as tragic. The President told those who survived to vacate the slopes of the mountain saying God was not foolish to arrange the area the way it is; and whoever went against his [God] engineering skills was bound to face it rough. However, relief items like blankets, cooking utensils, jerrycans and others are still coming in although more than Shs30 billion is required to cater for the victims. Floods comingJust as the rescue work continued in Bududa, the government issued another warning; the country would face dangerous floods even as less disaster preparedness was in place to counter the after-effects. Already bridges in Kabarole and Kasese districts were being washed away by the massive floods with more rains expected to devastate crops. Those who reside in low lying areas were advised to shift to higher grounds to avoid the looming catastrophe. LDC failuresAway from natural disasters, at the Law Development Centre, more than half of the students who sat their final exams last year could not make it to become ‘learned friends’. The LDC Board Secretary, Ms Joyce Werikhe, released results which indicated that out of the 409 students who did their final papers, only 166 passed. But all was not gloom; 12 students passed with first class diplomas while 85 came out with second upper. Vomit cashThe noose gripped harder on those suspected to have misused funds that were supposed to be used in 2007 during the Commonwealth Heads of government Meeting. The Public Accounts committee ordered the owners of Saatchi & Saatchi and Terp Consult to pay back Shs544 million that had been meant to publicise the occasion. The companies are owned by Mr Odrek Rwabwogo and Patrick Quarcoo whose managers were also arrested.Pac Chairman Nandala Mafabi said part of the money was received without signing a contract while the rest was an evaded tax. It was also not good news for some engineers from the Ministry of Works as Pac found out that they spent Shs22 billion on fake street lights. The lights never worked at all. Killing signaturesReligious leaders and activists managed to collect 450,000 signatures to petition the Speaker of Parliament to kill the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. The activists claim that once passed, the Bill will threaten the health, peace and well being of Ugandans. But in his response, MP David Bahati who wrote the Bill, said activists can only make their contributions but not force the Speaker to drop it. Speaker Edward Ssekandi advised the petitioners to feed in their views. 1 | 2 Next Page»jtugume@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/872724/-/2twa6fz/-/index.html","content":"How prepared are we for disasters? - It is not long ago when I questioned Uganda’s preparedness to disasters. Then it was about lack of blood in hospitals, electricity blackout in Tororo Hospital, landslide in Bududa and floods in Butalejja. One would almost want to say prayers that God intervenes for us. Uganda cannot handle many disasters but looking at the trend, we may be in for a rude awakening. It is wrong to regard disaster preparedness as Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere and Musa Echweru do. It is not long when Prof. Kabwegyere said people of Teso should dry Mangoes in preparation for famine. He even castigated them for being drunkards instead of growing food and only wait to beg. Farmers in Butalejja have had all their rice fields washed away to Lake Kyoga. They are now crying for help. Disaster preparedness means preparing for such calamities, not the rhetoric we hear in Parliament. As a country, we seem to be relying much on prayers and believing that God will help. Ugandans simply plant crops and pray for the rains. Now we have so much rain that crops cannot even yield. But there are people in other parts of the world who would harvest this abundant rain for future use. Yet for us, rain is now a very big problem that we are asking God to save us from it. Yet harvesting rain would mean preparing for disaster. Maize from Uganda is now taken to Sudan and Kenya and yet our silos are empty. Disaster preparedness would mean government buying from farmers and controlling its local export in preparation for situations like we have in Butalejja and Teso. Amuria and Teso region are not experiencing flooding for the first time but what do we have in place to show that we expected these floods? The talk that the government had been warned about Bududa is surely embarrassing. Does the government heed these warnings? Should we appeal for international help? What are we up to? We do things in a manner that we may fail to attract international attention. Imagine if we had the Haiti situation? Now Bududa, Amuria and Butalejja are alitmus test. Uganda’s situation reminds me of a story my mother used to tell about a maize cob and the maggot called ‘Ndiwulira’. She said this maggot is warned leave the cob from the time the maize is in the garden but it insists in postponing its departure until the maize is cut and boiled.Ugandans; sleep is good but for how long do we want to sleep? Mr Ecweru is a State Minister for Disaster but how much has he mobilised people from his disaster-prone Teso region for disasters? What are windvanes, dykes and the likes for in the Netherlands? When the President says he is the only visionary leader, you want to believe him. He has ministers but ask any minister what their roles are and you will get something close to keeping government in power. James William Mugeni,wmungadi@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/872190/-/wj5ar6/-/index.html","content":"MPs say government response a ‘disaster’ - Kampala The government rushed to Parliament yesterday to explain relief efforts it has taken to victims of the landslide disaster in Eastern Uganda, but the response drew round condemnation from several Members of Parliament. The development came as reports trickled in that President Museveni will today visit Bududa District, where the landslides have hit hardest, for an on-the-ground assessment of the natural disaster. Disaster Preparedness Minister Tarsis Kabwegyere informed the House that a government team of doctors, military and police officers had flown by helicopter to the disaster-hit areas yesterday morning to “provide first aid and clean drinking water for the survivors.” He also said that the UPDF 3rd division in Mbale had dispatched an ambulance and a rescue team with “relevant equipment such as shovels, hand hoes and spades”, adding that “a trailer loaded with 26 metric tonnes of relief food” had been sent to the tragedy scene. However, it appeared Prof Kabwegyere expected criticism over the government’s handling of the crisis, which he admitted had claimed 80 lives by last evening and displaced an estimated 3,000 people, after he told MPs: “Now is not the time to blame anyone.” But his plea fell on deaf ears as MPs from both the opposition and the ruling NRM party criticised Prof Kabwegyere and the government’s response. “It is true this is not the time to blame but we have always told the government that there is a serious problem there,” said Bubulo MP Fred Bukeni. “We have told the government before to buy land and relocate these people especially those who live in the national parks who cut down trees which are used to hold the soils.” Budadiri MP Nandala Mafabi questioned the veracity of government statement over the extent to which the floods and landslide had hit the eastern Uganda region from where he hails. Blindfold report“This report must have been made to blind fold us,” he said as he refuted the Minister’s report which concluded that three villages had been buried by the landslides and that 307 people were still missing. “In Bugisu a village has 200 homes,” said the MP. “I am feeling the pain because they are not telling us the exact number of people who have died,” he added. At one point emotions got the better of Mr Mafabi after he took a swipe at Prof. Kabwegyere and sneered at the Disaster Minister. “We should scrap that ministry and know that we have nothing to prepare for,” he said. “Anyway, if you look at the minister himself, he is a disaster.” The comment prompted Makindye West MP Hussien Kyanjo to implore Speaker Edward Ssekandi to call his opposition colleague to order, a prayer the Speaker duly answered. “Hon. Nandala, the language you used is not acceptable,” ruled the Speaker. Mr Mafabi withdrew the comment. MPs Geoffrey Ekanya, Beatrice Anywar, and Florence Ekwau blamed the government for doing little to prepare for natural disasters and said district disaster committees were non-functional. Help survivorsProf. Kabwegyere said the government would come up with a more comprehensive statement on the crisis, a revelation that inspired Speaker Ssekandi to suspend debate on the subject until that report is presented to the House. 1 | 2 Next Page»“But our appeal to government is to take every step to help the people and address the needs of those who have survived,” he said. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/871634/-/wj4p83/-/index.html","content":"51 die, 300 missing in Bududa landslide - Mbale Authorities in Bududa district are digging through heaps of mud in search of survivors and bodies after a landslide swept through an entire village killing more than 50 people on Monday night. The landslide that was triggered off by a heavy downpour from 12pm to 7pm, began in the Mt Elgon National Park and buried three villages including Nametsi, Namakansa and Kubewo in Namesti parish. More than 350 people are feared dead and are still missing after the disaster that hit immediately after the downpour. About 45 bodies have been retrieved from the rubble while eight people have been rushed to Bududa Hospital. Disaster Minister Tarsis Kabwegyere has said that the landslides are expected to continue as the rains intensify in the region. \"Everybody is dead. 320 people are unaccounted for. I don't know if we shall get any survivors out,\" Minister David Wakikona, MP for Manjiya County in Bududa district has added. A health worker from a medical centre in the area has been rescued while the search is on to find his colleagues. Another six bodies have been retrieved from Mabona village, Buheki Sub County after the landslide buried worshippers in a church. Watira Wilson, the Bududa district chairman says most of the bodies have missing limbs. Residents who have survived the landslides have been advised to evacuate immediately. Kabwegyere said a government response team was on the ground with food and the Red Cross had sent doctors. Police and volunteers were also helping in the rescue. According to the Uganda Red Cross Society Secretary General Mr. Michael Nataka, the distribution of non food items like tarpaulins, blankets, jerrycan, soap, saucepans, cups and plates is to commence immediately to provide survivors with basic needs. Meanwhile, landslides have also been reported in Sironko in Buluganya village where a cow was washed away but no human beings have been affected. In Bukwa district, the road has been blocked by mad slides while wide spread flooding has been reported in Butaleja, Budaka, Pallisa, Tororo, Mbale and Manafwa districts. In Butaleja, 4 sub counties housing 6, 023 households have been affected. They are-Kachonga, Masimasa, Kimuntu, Nawangofu.  Two Primary Schools ( Nabehere & Lubembe in Mazimasa S/C have over flooded affecting school programmes while the Mbale-Busolwa road has over flooded and is now blocked, a statement from the Red Cross says.  Potential floods are expected in Moroto, Katakwi and Nakapiripirit districts."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/869414/-/wino9g/-/index.html","content":"Storm causes building to collapse on mother and child - Masaka A young woman and her five-month-old baby were killed Friday morning after a rainstorm that hit Masaka town caused a building to collapse on the two. The area LC1 chairperson, Remmy Kasule, says 22-year-old Sarah Nakintu was walking past a dilapidated building when strong winds caused it to collapse. Mr Kasule says the two died shortly after at about 8 a.m. The collapsed building belongs to a resident of Nsereko Zone. Mary Nayigga, one of tenants of the residential property, says tenants have complained consistently about the poor state of the structure, but the landlord has not heeded to their cry. Mr Noah Sserunjogi, the Southern Regional Police Spokesperson, says several other buildings in the area are in a poor state. He blames the Masaka municipal authorities of doing nothing to close condemned buildings and of failing to uphold basic construction standards. The bodies of the two are at Masaka Referral Hospital for a post-mortem. More havoc Meanwhile, the rains that started in February in various parts of the country have also caused considerable damage to major roads in Kabarole district. Particularly affected are the sub-counties of Kasenda and Buhesi. Over the past few days, heavy rains forced the rain of Mpanga River open causing flooding on Mugunu stream. This later led to disruption on road transport between Fort Portal and Kamwenge, as well as key routes into Fort Portal town. Bridges across Mugunu are impassable. Bodaboda cyclists are making a killing from the crisis, charging huge sums of money to ferry people through the water to the other side. In Kasenda Sub-County, the bridge connecting Kasenda with Buhesi across Mahoma River, was washed away by the floods. Deus Katuramu, the LC3 councilor of Kasenda, says the floods have cut residents off from markets and other vital public services. He says the floods are a particular danger to children and urges parents not to send their children across the bridge to school. Mr Katuramu is also concerned about the possible outbreak of water borne diseases. He requests the Kabarole district leadership to come to the aid of his sub-county before the worst effects of the rain are felt.Also, about 68 people in Bugiri district have been left homeless by a heavy rainstorm that blew through the district on Wednesday. The storm, which lasted more than three hours, leveled several grass thatched huts in Nabukalu, Iwemba and Buluguyi sub-counties."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/-/690266/869208/-/157px1pz/-/index.html","content":"Balyejusa replaces Nsumba against Zanaco - Tomorrow - Nkoloma (4p.m)CAF Champions League Zanaco (0) v URA (1) Protecting a slim 1-0 lead can be such a conundrum for any coach in football and URA’s Moses Basena is no different. Ahead of tomorrow’s Orange Caf Champions League return leg against Zambia’s Zanaco, Basena will make tough choices in order to hang on to captain Manko Kaweesa’s injury time goal at Namboole a fortnight ago. Playmaker Augustine Nsumba, signed from Iceland’s IBV FC last month, has been dropped following a lackluster performance in the first leg with defensive midfielder Emmanuel Balyejusa coming in. “My focus is lasting the entire 90 minutes. Nsumba has the quality but his endurance is not yet there so (Emmanuel) Balyejusa will start. We need staying power,” Basena said in an interview with Daily Monitor. Balyejusa was part of the URA side that wrestled for a goalless away draw with Zambia’s Zesco under coach Frank ‘Video’ Anyau in 2008 after losing the first leg 2-0 at Namboole. He will play in a five-man midfield alongside Kaweesa, Patrick Ssefuka, Jimmy Kidega and Mike Sserumaga. Henry Kisekka is set to lead the line on his own with Kenneth Igama dropping to the bench. Lusaka floodsHowever, floods in Lusaka have disrupted URA’s training. The floods have also prompted Zanaco to move the game from Sunset stadium to Nkoloma. “Apart from the rain that interrupted our morning training session today (yesterday), everything is fine and we can’t wait to get the job done,” Basena stressed ahead of the mandatory training set for the match venue this morning. “The game has been moved to Nkoloma because the playing surface there is in a better condition,” Zanaco secretary Jordan Maliti said. Zanaco lost 1-0 to Zesco at the same venue on Saturday in the Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu Charity Shield semi-final, the traditional opener for the Zambia soccer season. Nkoloma is home to KCM Premier Division side Red Arrows. Meanwhile, Zanaco coach Wedson Nyirenda took his team to Miller Farm in Lilayi on the outskirts of Lusaka to conduct his final touches."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/865452/-/ju5x0iz/-/index.html","content":"BOOK REVIEW: Infidelities so alarming - Namuddu: Here we are dear husband, Shs100 for us. I couldn’t believe my eyes when he gave it to me. Barewa: Good God! That wasn’t as bad as you thought, was it? Going to bed with the professor and earning your first treat. I knew you’d make it. Why the devil didn’t I think of this before…? Well, when desperation or exorbitant greed drives a man to fix his wife with another man for money, it says much about the force with which decadence and moral degeneration have infiltrated society. Yet this is one of the most disturbing realities in the late Prof. John Ruganda’s famous play - Black Mamba (1973). In this drama, as in some of his other plays such as The Burdens (1972) and The Floods (1982), the gripping style with which he tackles social concerns such as prostitution, corruption, domestic violence, hypocrisy, adultery and exploitation is arguably unmatched in this country. But it’s the clever use of symbolism and the eloquence of his characters that makes Black Mamba unforgettable; no wonder it’s a set book on the O’ Level Literature Syllabus. The symbolic title itself is action-packed and should prepare you for a rollercoaster reading experience, particularly if you are a Christian and know that the snake is the most cunning, dangerous creature in the Bible. Indeed, all the characters in this 70-page play are black mambas in one way or another; no one is to be trusted, as is difficult to simply confide in anyone today. As Odiambo laments, “I’m ashamed of my own country; I’ve lost confidence in the individual.” The play’s central figure, Professor Coarx, betrays his wife by shamelessly sleeping with Namuddu, his houseboy’s wife. She’s herself a snake and the Prof. doesn’t know her true colours; he’s clueless that she’s Berewa’s wife. When he turns against her, it’s her turn to spew poison back in his face, calling him an “infernal devil” who shouldn’t live with snakes without expecting them to bite him. The professor’s infidelities are so alarming that in a self-aloud, he asks what it is that enslaves a man to a woman. Sex is his guiltiest pleasure; he has resigned to his own fate saying “the shimmering thighs of a woman” would make any man fall. His sexual sins are symbolised by innumerable black mambas, which Berewa says “keep on popping out” of his house “at odd hours now and again” as if “it was a zoo.” Overall, Black Mamba is a hilarious illumination of the evils that suffocate society, society so rotten to the core and the people at the helm who should be helping change the contemptible situation are perpetrating it instead. But there is a hint of hope at the end to the effect that despite the hardships and disagreeable state of affairs, love can help people go through it all as Berewa and Namuddu come clean and embrace in true love."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/853228/-/2v4rk2z/-/index.html","content":"Karamoja homesteads endangered - From about 6 p.m., some Karimojong start commuting from their homesteads safe havens in schools, churches, trading centres and health units. This problem is most evident in Moroto District. The Karimojong have become destitute even in their land. The disarmament exercise has so far led to the recovery of many guns. Nobody would wish to undermine the efforts of UPDF in protecting peoples’ animals. However, UPDF seems to be overwhelmed as they seem to be unable to provide security to the homesteads. The Karimojong are known for enduring droughts, famine and floods. But for about a year now, they have been overcome by night attackers who storm houses to beat, rape women or kill people. The fear is that the situation can only worsen if we continue burying our heads in the sand. The thugs even grab relief food and coupons used for accessing aid. What worries me most is that some people think that things are all right. They celebrate peace that prevails on the roads and kraals while homesteads in the villages are destroyed by thugs.We appreciate the efforts of the State Minister for Karamoja Affairs and UN agencies aimed at boosting development in the region. However, I wish to draw their attention to the issues raised in this article. Emma Angolere,ingolere@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/-/690266/847330/-/1590dlsz/-/index.html","content":"CAN DIARY: Day 12: Luanda covered by floods - This is more like Kalerwe or Bwaise, two of the many Kampala slums. For over six hours, it has been raining and roads in Luanda have become impassible. Some houses, like is the case in Kampala, are flooded with rain water. Waking up this morning, our residence is submerged in water. Luckily, the water doesn’t find its way into my room. But my colleagues haven’t been spared. Kenyan Charles Nyende of Daily Nation is among the victims. On his first night at the Journalist’s Village, Nyende wakes up to find his room full of water. It’s a rude welcome for him to the country and weird weather. Weird, because not even the locals expected rain at this time of the year. Fuel crisisOn our way to the stadium, long queues of cars are commonplace at fuel stations. People are equally lining up with containers and loading them on pick-ups. It reminds me of our own fuel crises in Kampala. People here, though, don’t admit there is a fuel crisis. They think it’s normal to line up for fuel. The heavy rain also spoils internet connections in the city. Internet at the stadium and Journalists’ Village is off for good hours. Journalists are now stranded, they can’t keep in touch with their colleagues back home. Last eight The quarter-final line-up is taking shape with Nigeria the latest to make it from Group C to accompany defending champions Egypt who made it with a perfect record. Nigeria’s 3-0 win over Mozambique eases pressure on coach Shuaibu Amodu for the moment. But at least one of Africa’s representatives to South Africa will exit the tournament by the end of this week. Ivory Coast are taking on Algeria while Angola engage Ghana on Sunday and two of them will be eliminated after the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, after losing to Nigeria, Mozambique striker Manuel ‘Tico Tico’ Bucuane looks like he has played the last match for his country. At 36 (making 37 in August), the Mozambique captain has been the oldest player at this tournament. fkmusisi@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/845818/-/10yp9c5/-/index.html","content":"Boys scored more first grades - Kampala Results of the just released Primary Leaving Examinations continue to show huge disparities in performance between girls and boys. An analysis of the results indicates that more boys passed in first, second and fourth grades compared to girls who dominated the third, U and X grades. Of the 513,219 candidates who sat for PLE last year, 19,810 boys passed in division one compared to 13,030 girls while in the second division, there were 106,325 boys compared to 90,623 girls. The disparity in performance between girls and boys is not different from the previous years. In the 2008 results, there were 6,355 girls who passed in first grade compared to 10,666 boys. A further 85,460 boys passed in second grade compared to 69,314 girls. Dismal showingLike previous years, in 2008, more girls passed in division U and X at 50,030 and 11,633 compared to 39,276 and 10,488 boys respectively. In 2007, out of the 31,969 candidates who passed in first grade, only 12,230 were girls while 19,739 were boys. The 2009 results show more girls passed in the third division at 66,234 compared to 55,156 boys. Girls also dominated the U and X grades. U and X are the worst grades that a candidate can score and one is not entitled to a Primary Leaving Certificate. Candidates who score these grades are usually advised to repeat Primary Seven. The cut-off points for secondary school under the Universal Secondary Education is division four. “Any candidate who obtains divisional grade U and X is deemed to have failed and shall not be allowed to register for any post-primary examinations conducted by Uneb,” said Mathew Bukenya, the Executive Secretary of the national examination body. Some districts like Bukedea, Buliisa, Dokolo, Kaabong, Gulu, Nakapiripirit and Yumbe did not have any female candidate passing in the first grade. In each of the districts of Adjumani, Amolatar, Amuria, Amuru, Bukwo, Butaleja, Kaberamaido, Kalangala, Kapchorwa, Katakwi, Koboko, Kotido, Manafwa, Moroto, Nebbi and Oyam, the number of girls who scored first grade were less than 10. Geographically, most of these districts that registered a poor performance are in regions that have suffered armed conflict, floods and famine or are newly created with no infrastructure like proper schools and teachers. These districts, according to Education Minister Namirembe Bitamazire will be monitored closely to ensure they catch up with the rest of the country. “These are the districts we have put on drip and we shall continue monitoring their progress because they have not made headway in improving their performance over the years,” she said. However, Ms Bitamazire said this year’s performance of girls is a marked improved from previous years. Ms Bitamazire urged the districts to analyse the results according to the performance of individual schools so that they can trace the progress made by girls so as to address the gaps. Chasing MDGsThe poor performance of girls presents a huge challenge for government to meet the millennium development goal 3 that aims to eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education. While Uganda is on track to achieve the target on universal access to primary education by 2015, it will need to improve girls’ performance. Uganda’s MDG progress report shows the primary school drop-out rate is higher among girls at 43 per cent compared to 35 per cent among boys."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/844194/-/g2klwuz/-/index.html","content":"World pledges quake aid, Haitians still waiting - PORT-AU-PRINCE World leaders have stepped up to pledge aid to rebuild a devastated Haiti, but on the streets of its wrecked capital quake survivors were still waiting on Sunday for the basics: food, water and medicine. Four days after a massive quake killed up to 200,000 people international rescue teams were still finding people alive under the rubble of collapsed buildings in Port-au-Prince. Hundreds of thousands of hungry Haitians were desperately waiting for help, but logistical logjams kept major relief from reaching most victims, many of them sheltering in makeshift camps on streets strewn with debris and decomposing bodies. In the widespread absence of authority, looters swarmed over collapsed stores on the city's shattered main commercial boulevard, carrying off T-shirts, bags, toys and anything else they could find. Fighting broke out between groups of looters carrying knives, ice-picks, hammers and rocks. Many Haitians streamed out of the city on foot with suitcases on their heads or jammed in cars to find food and shelter in the countryside, and flee aftershocks and violence. Many others crowded the airport hoping to get on planes that left packed with Haitians. President Barack Obama promised help as U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton flew to Haiti, where the shell-shocked government gave the United States control over the congested main airport to guide aid flights from around the world. \"We're moving forward with one of the largest relief efforts in our history to save lives and deliver relief that averts an even larger catastrophe,\" said Obama, flanked at the White House by predecessors George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, who will lead a charity drive to help Haiti. CHAOS But on the streets of Port-au-Prince, where scarce police patrols fired occasional shots and tear gas to try to disperse looters, the distribution of aid appeared random, chaotic and minimal. Downtown, young men could be seen carrying pistols. And heavily armed gang members who once ran Haiti's largest slum, Cite Soleil, like warlords returned with a vengeance after the quake damaged the National Penitentiary allowing 3,000 inmates to break out. \"It's only natural that they would come back here. This has always been their stronghold,\" said a Haitian police officer in the teeming warren of shacks, alleys and open sewers that is home to more than 300,000 people. There were jostling scrums for food and water as U.S. military helicopters swooped down to throw out boxes of water bottles and rations. A reporter also saw foreign aid workers tossing packets of food to desperate Haitians. \"The distribution is totally disorganized. They are not identifying the people who need the water. The sick and the old have no chance,\" said Estime Pierre Deny, standing at the back of a crowd looking for water with his empty plastic container. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/843424/-/584wa9/-/index.html","content":"Bad policies and nature punish Haiti - Everything bad has happened to Haiti, which, among others ranks as one of the poorest countries where the privileged babaric rulers of its past have created a living hell of social and economic problems - all before the earthquake a few days ago which has killed tens of thousands.Natural disasters and man-made ones go shoulder to shoulder here. Haiti has seen some of the worst storms and hurricanes. In 2007 and 2008- rains and floods led to a food crisis with some of the most violent food riots seen during that period. According to reports, however, the legacy of history has made this patch of earth hell. Social inequality means that a majority black and Creole-speaking population remains mired in poverty while the wealth of the country is held by 1 per cent of a French speaking minority. During the 29 year rule of the Duvalier family that ended in 1986, thousands of people were reportedly killed. Then came the leadership of Jean Bertrade Aristide who was overthrown by a military coup in 1994. He is now in exile in South Africa where he mixes freely with the Ugandan Diaspora and ministers [he is a former priest].The problems of Haiti have seen a record number of Haitians leave their country for greener pastures elsewhere."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/835272/-/10y3kv8/-/index.html","content":"Battling stigma for an education - Kampala“I some times do not go to school because I am sick of malaria (sic), but most of the time I go to school,” says nine-year-old Hussein Karamagi (not real name). Although his HIV status was only known when he was four years old, Karamagi was born with the virus and thanks to antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), today he looks as healthy as any of his school mates. His mother, Ms Grace Kanyola says her children do not fall sick anymore since they started taking ARVs. With a beaming smile, Karamagi interrupts his mother and informs me of how he participates in the school’s sports gala each year. Karamagi is just but one of the many children living with HIV/Aids who are beating the odds to stay in school. According to the HIV/Aids epidemiological surveillance report 2005-2007 released in June this year, there are 120,000 children under-14 years living with HIV in Uganda. 30,000 children are born with the virus each year, with the majority of them succumbing to the epidemic during infancy. An additional 2.5 million children are orphaned by HIV/Aids.Many parents of children afflicted with the virus do not take them to school because they think it is a waste of time.This is a mistake, according to Ms Mary Anyango Oyo, a teacher at St. Jude Primary School. Ms Oyo has two HIV positive children in her class and says these children are as productive and competitive in class like as counterparts who are negative. From her experience, Ms Oyo explains that these children even rarely fall sick and attend class everyday. “The children only miss class on those afternoons when they go to pick their drugs. In fact, they even look healthier than those who are negative,” says Ms Anyango. “Even when giving punishments we normally give then the same punishments because they can handle them and also so that their friends do not find out about their status,” she adds. These children are often encountered by discrimination at home and school, according to Mr Kalule Sande, a councilor with Action for Fundamental Change and Development (AFFCAD). “At school, the teachers do not want to attend to the children properly. This is so especially because most of the infected children come from poor families,” Mr Kalule says. He explained that the environment is hostile to children during the rainy season when it floods. This he says increases their susceptibility to attacks by malaria. AFFCAD is a non government organisation that gives scholastic and health assistance to vulnerable children in Kawempe Division in Kampala. Currently the organisation is taking care of about 50 children who are HIV positive. On December 1, the world commemorated World Aids Day, with a group of Ugandan children petitioning Parliament for more ARVs in health centres. Even though progress has been registered in the fight against HIV/Aids related stigma, much more needs to be done to bridge the gap for infected children."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/831200/-/wgngf8/-/index.html","content":"Flooded wells leave salty taste in mining business - Salt mining in Lake Katwe has been halted after heavy rains flooded the salt wells. The lake lies in Katwe-Kabatooro Town Council, Kasese District. Over 1,000 people depend on the salt lake for their livelihood. Business is on mainly during the dry season when the salty waters in the dug up wells evaporate leaving the salty rocks underneath the shallow lake. According to the salt miners, since the beginning of December, the area has been faced with heavy down pour and the salt lake has flooded causing all businesses to stop. Mr Lawrence Baingana, one of the salt well owners said the situation has forced many people to suffer, financially.“We depend on the lake but since the beginning of December we have been moving with empty pockets,” he said over the weekend. The town is inside the Queen Elizabeth National Park and by law, no cultivation or fire wood fetching in the park is allowed apart from fishing on the nearby Lake Edward. Another businessman dealing in salt, Mr Baguma Baaka, said, “The floods have left us with no option of survival.”Ms Mary Biira who has been in the salt mining business for 10 years said this has never happened during all that period. Lost revenueThe area LCIII chairperson, Mr Kagoro Kiiza, said the Council gets Shs20 million every month from the salt lake and as a result of the floods they are not expecting to raise that sort of money. “This means a lot of projects will be put on hold because much of the money collected from the trade funds these projects,” he said. According to Mr Kasunzu, the chairperson of Dawood, the company contracted to collect revenue at the lake said they expect to resume business in July 2010. This is when the miners will start clearing the affected wells and extracting the salt. Shared mishapThe mishap has not only affected Uganda but the neighboring Rwanda, Kenya and Democratic Republic of Congo that have been importing the salt from Katwe. Lake Katwe like any lakes is infected by physical and chemical factors. Man with his complex activities in agriculture, industry and urbanisation has had far reaching environmental impact on the lake hence natural geo-chemical cycles that take place there are often affected by man’s influence and with time, Lake Katwe Chemical status is bound to change. These changes could result in quality and water-characteristics and due to the local population usage there is a need for environmental protection. The Nema western region Focal person and public awareness officer, Mr Jeconious Musingwiire, observes that there is poor management of the catchment around the lake. “There is an unchecked run off of rain water coming from the hills around due to poor vegetation either by bush burning, this is just surface run off and the catchment is poorly managed,” said Mr Musingwiire on Wednesday."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/830582/-/wgmtnk/-/index.html","content":"Drought to hit cattle corridor - MbaleThe cattle corridor is expected to be hit hard by the effects of climate change unless the government adapts the recommendations that were recently made in the Climate Change summit in Denmark.The Executive Director of Uganda Land Alliance, Ms Esther Obaikol says climate change predictions by the meteorology departments of the United Kingdom and Uganda indicate fewer rains and greater intensity of un-seasoned erosive storms in coming years due to climate change.“In order to limit the vulnerability of local pastoral communities arising from the sudden erratic climate changes, there’s dire need for greater risk-averting and coping strategies like mixed cropping, agro-forestry and the production of dry season livestock feeds,” she said.Ms Obaikol said this can be boosted by the cultivation of drought-resistant crops and the establishment of woodlots in the cattle corridor. She was speaking to pastoralists, MPs from the cattle corridor and environment officers during the Uganda Pastoralists Week. The cattle corridor covers Karamoja region, Teso, parts of Lango, Busoga, Buganda, and western Uganda. It is a semi-arid transition that registers an annual average rainfall of between 500-900 mm. The area is highly vulnerable to prolonged drought alternating with floods and erratic rains. Productivity has steadily declined over the decades and poverty levels are high and the region has been described as a severe poverty hotspot. Ms Abaikol urged leaders to desist from politicising issues of climate change because it is the biggest known danger to human life. She told them to design approaches that will avert the problem."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/828972/-/g3pq7yz/-/index.html","content":"Iran nuclear trigger report fabricated- Ahmadinejad - WASHINGTON A reported confidential Iranian technical document describing Tehran's efforts to design an atomic bomb trigger was forged by Washington, Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told a U.S. news program on Monday. Ahmadinejad was asked by ABC News about a Times of London report last week on what it called a confidential Iranian technical document describing a four-year plan to test a neutron initiator, the part of a nuclear warhead that sets off an explosion. \"They are all fabricated bunch of papers continuously being forged and disseminated by the American government,\" he told the U.S. network in an interview in Copenhagen, Denmark, after he attended the United Nations conference on climate change. Reports that Iran is working on a bomb trigger are \"fundamentally not true,\" said Ahmadinejad. The Times of London published on December 14 what it said was the Farsi-language document, along with an English translation, entitled, \"Outlook for Special Neutron-Related Activities Over the Next Four Years\". The document describes steps to develop and test parts for a neutron initiator, a device that floods the core of highly enriched uranium with subatomic particles to touch off the chain reaction of a nuclear explosion. Last week Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast called the report \"baseless ... not worthy of attention, intended to put political and psychological pressure on Iran.\" Iran, the world's No. 5 crude oil exporter, says its uranium enrichment program is aimed at generating electricity so that it can export more gas and oil. The West believes Iran wants bombs from enrichment because of its record of nuclear secrecy."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/823038/-/akq6acz/-/index.html","content":"COP15: Emphasis should be on action plan - According to the recent World Population report, 2009, in the last century the world population increased from 1.65b to 6b and is expected to surpass 9b by 2050. Since the invention of steam engine, humans have replaced muscle, wind, and water power with the profligate use of fossil fuel. The use of fossil fuels to meet ever increasing demand, coupled with the culture of conspicuous consumerism has exponentially increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This has resulted in the depletion of natural resources, and transformation of the environment. That Global Warming is due to increased concentration of greenhouse emissions in the atmosphere is certain. Uncertainty lies in the magnitude, cause and future impacts due to global warming. To what extent will average global temperatures increase by 2060? Whether humans account for most percentage of the global warming trend and whether the earth will sustain humans by the turn of this century? Nevertheless, the science available provides enough clarity to move forward.The non uniformity of current and anticipated effects of global climate change shows that many areas such as sub-Saharan Africa, India and much of Latin America will become drier, experiencing more frequent and intense droughts, floods and land slides and other extreme weather events. Other parts of the world, formerly too cold for agriculture, will be suitable for growing crops. On an optimistic view point “success” in COP 15 is highly likely. This “success” will be focused on re-forestation and deforestation; substantial build up focusing on adaptation and the need for a new funding package for developing countries. The COP15 hailed the five countries; Britain, France, Germany, Greece and Sweden as carbon heroes, for substantively reducing their greenhouse emissions towards Kyoto Protocol commitments, other countries are far behind targets. Africa, being least developed and lowest insignificant emitter or green house gases will insist on compensation towards mitigation and adaptation measures to climate change impacts. China has made a big leap through developing ultra-high-voltage transmission lines from wind and solar generation sites and will most likely have the comprehensive package of measures to reduce its “carbon emissions.” For the US and Russia the recession and economy collapse, respectively, could bring about further reductions in greenhouse emissions. Indisputably, for “real success” there must be real actions on climate change. The world’s industrialised and industrialising nations must lead the way by setting targets and living by them through significant reductions in greenhouse gases emissions. “Real success” from COP 15 becomes dimmer by the day since for China and USA, the world’s biggest GHG emitters, balance between environment and economy is still a puzzle. Additionally, commitment to support climate mitigating action must consider a well spelt out financing mechanisms. Emphasis should be on actions, time frames, management, monitoring and auditing. Accountability must be paramount. Mr Bakamwesiga is secretary, Ecological Society for Eastern Africahbakamwesiga@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/822954/-/jjuh3vz/-/index.html","content":"KCC has eaten enough on the roads, try Nasasira - Works Minister John Nasasira has taken a lot of stick for the deplorable state of Kampala City Council roads because many people presume he is in charge of all roads in the country. Try as he can to explain himself out of the confusion, it has stuck. In the meantime, KCC the real ‘owners’ of these potholed roads, continues to lie in bed with the tried and failed Zzimwe Construction company.Well, finally City Mayor Haji Nasser Sebaggala has acknowledged it after an arm twisting threat that would have taken the roads away from his jurisdiction to the ministry of Works. He probably realized he would lose a whole section of his cash cow. These rag tagged roads have for long been what some families ‘feed’ on and any attempt to take them away is to ignite a street battle. It is therefore not surprising that when Nasasira asked to ‘lend’ a hand on the Mayor’s roads, the latter quickly sought the legal advice of the Solicitor General who recommended against Nasasira getting involved. So, final result: We shall still have these roads as messy as they can be as long as Haji and his cohorts still have empty tummies to fill. Obviously, the ministry of Works is not a bunch of saints. In 2007, in the time leading up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, the ministry temporarily took over control of city roads; repaired a few, carpeted others and simply painting other with bitumen. The job was so shoddy that it lasted only for the period of the meeting. Today, only an outline of some of those jobs on the roads still exist and yet from the current Parliamentary probe on how money was spent for Chogm, billions of shillings are unaccounted for. First however, I believe that where credit is deserved it should be given. The ministry of Works is in charge of National roads only which make up about 21,000 kilometers. These exclude city and district roads. The ministry is one of those that receive the biggest budget annually to construct and maintain these roads. After putting up with public scorn, the ministry has been doing a publicity stunt to get the monkey off its back. For those who have travelled to any direction outside Kampala in the last six months, there is a remarkable difference that is recognizable on the roads. The Fort Portal stretch through Kasese to Bushenyi literally begs for respect. And somebody said recently that an aero plane under distress can safely land on; Jinja-Bugiri; Soroti-Dokolo; Busunju-Hoima, Sironko-Kapchorwa; Masindi-Kafu, Karuma-Arua; Gayaza-Kalagi; and Ntungamo-Rukungiri. It’s been a painfully daunting process to get Works to show any work for all the money they have received over the years. For close to 10 years, Nasasira kept explaining away the Jinja-Bigiri situation. Kabale-Kisoro, Dokolo-Lira, Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara; Matuga-Ssemuto-Kapeeka; Kampala-Gayaza-Zirobwe are finally under construction. For that record, however late, Nasasira deserves to take up KCC’s roads. KCC lacks the moral will to do the job even if, as Sebaggala says, he only needs to be supported with ‘capacity and machinery’. The institution is ridden with shoplifter that any attempt towards development has been thwarted. Millions of dollars literally went down the Nakivubo Channel yet there is little to show for it and every time Kampala has a drizzle, the city floods. Although I don’t think government’s attempt to snatch the city from KCC would make much difference in terms of cutting out corruption, I want to give it the benefit of the doubt on roads simply because KCC has sung the same song for so long that we would rather do with another one. fmasiga@monitor.co.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/819594/-/al8f75z/-/index.html","content":"Mabira to Mau; let’s protect East Africa’s environment - The UN Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen, Denmark that kicked off yesterday is a significant occasion in environmental diplomacy as the international community commits itself to new strategies to combat global warming. The Summit comes at a time when severity of climate change is being felt in all corners of the world. Global warming is already affecting biodiversity, water resources, rain-fed agriculture, food security, public health and coastal systems, among others. Effects of climate change can be seen in the form of unpredictable weather conditions such as prolonged droughts and disastrous floods. Moreover, encroachment of deserts is a reality in African several countries. Why is the world being overwhelmed by the ravages of climate change yet environmental agenda has been at centre stage in world affairs since early 1970s? Depletion of ozone layer was one of the global environmental problems raised in the United Nations Conference on Human Environment in Stockholm, Sweden in 1972. The Stockholm conference played a critical role in creating awareness world-wide. How has this awareness translated into action? Do our governments have environmental policies that could help in addressing environmental degradation? The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June 1992 was another important environmental forum in which the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity were formally signed after some years of negotiations. The Rio Summit was a historic event as the international community noted that sustainable development could only be realised if environmental challenges are meaningfully tackled. Under UNFCCC, governments were to share information on greenhouse gas emissions, national policies and best practices; launch national strategies for addressing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to expected impacts and cooperate in preparing for adaptations to the impacts of climate change. Despite its ambitions to tackle the challenges of climate change, UNFCCC did not have mandatory limits on the greenhouse gas emission. It is for this reason that the international community came up with the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 to establish legally binding obligations for industrialised countries to cut down their greenhouse gases emissions that are mainly responsible for global warming. Interestingly, United States signed Kyoto Protocol but failed to ratify it. The Obama administration is, therefore, expected to demonstrate in the Copenhagen Summit that the US is wholly committed to global environmental governance systems that should enhance the interests of the present and future generations. Similarly, other developed countries should walk the talk. At regional levels, our governments in East Africa must put concerted efforts to address environmental problems that the region faces today. The 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Prof. Wangari Maathai, has clearly demonstrated that environment can be conserved if there is a will and commitment. Environmental problems such as deforestation, misuse of wetlands, overgrazing, pollution of water sources, soil erosion and the like, should be dealt with effectively if our countries are to achieve sustainable development. Let us do our part to mitigate the impact of environmental degradation whether in Mabira Forest, Mau complex, Ruwenzoris, Kilimanjaro, Mt. Kenya or Lake Victoria basin. Mr Odhiambo is a researcher based in Nairobi, Kenyaodhiodongo@yahoo.co.uk"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/818786/-/jx6h3fz/-/index.html","content":"LETTERS FROM INDIA: Camels, buffalos and elephants walk the streets - Winter by night, summer by day. That is how best I can describe the current weather in Rajasthan. I hate having weather talk, as it is notorious for being a lame ice breaker, but if you have to toss and turn, clutching your heavy covers trying to find a warm spot in your bed, you can’t help it. Ironically, the days are still hot, though not close to the summers. With the media awash with stories of floods and cold temperatures, it’s hard to believe I am in the same country. Once, my family called me, very worried about my safety. See, India is one big country and Rajasthan is in the desert region, in the North! It’s not unusual to see camels carrying their loads and strolling on the streets in my town Alwar (which is two hours away from New Delhi), despite the crazy motor activity. While it is not your typical desert, the temperatures are extreme and folks clad in white suits and turbans make most of the rural population. Rajasthan’s capital, Jaipur, an hour away, takes pride in a rich heritage. It’s famous for its majestic forts and intricately carved temples that were built by Rajput Kings in the past. From a distance, the stone curved forts that surround the city create an illusion of the medieval ages but on entering the city, which is pink by the way and called “Pink City”, you witness the fusion of the ancient and modern world. I must confess the thought of pink all over a city was awesome, but away from the girlie me, the sand stone buildings dominated by a pink hue are quite a sight. The incredible architecture is breathtaking, I lost count of the arty buildings. The city is hyper with a lot of trade going on. Amidst the traffic frenzy, we were shocked to see three elephants, decorated with colourful patterns strolling on the street. It was amazing to be that close so easily, especially because I spent a long cold night in one of our National parks tracking elephants in vain. I managed to see buffalos that night, but did I mention that in Alwar, just about anyone owns a buffalo? And yes, buffalo milk is tasty, just in case you are wondering. Jaipur is also famous for its textiles, semi precious stones and handicrafts. We had trouble convincing the vendors that we didn’t want to buy any handicrafts. The Jai Mahal Hotel where we had our lunch stood magnificently at the end of a well-manicured lawn, it looked a lot like its sister hotel the Taj Mahal. We indulged in the cuisine and watched a puppet show and dance, which amusingly was similar to Ndere Troupe’s famous pot dance except for bigger single pots and more subtle dance moves. For all the beauty, I am still not over the elephants, not until I ride one."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/815448/-/wfi7ky/-/index.html","content":"Road accident claims life of Budiope legislator - Kampala The carnage on Ugandan roads yesterday claimed the life of another MP prompting angry reactions and calls for radical reforms of the road sector from his colleagues at Parliament. Budiope MP Henry Balikoowa died in Mabira Forest along the Kampala-Jinja highway at around 10:30pm on Sunday night. His vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado collided head-on with a sugar cane truck. He was driving alone returning from a burial in his home district of Kamuli. Mourning the death of another colleague, saddened and angry MPs said they would ask the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication to consider some radical changes to bring sanity back to the roads. They suggested among others that heavy vehicles’ travel be restricted.“During Idi Amin’s time (1971-79), heavy vehicles were banned from travelling from a specific time especially at night, we should meet the ministry concerned and see if that can be returned on our roads,” Speaker Edward Ssekandi suggested. He added: “We must find medicine to these accidents and do away with the road carnage.” Mr Ssekandi, however, said, such a proposal would first be subjected to wide consultations to see if it will not affect the economy. Uganda has one of the worst road safety records in the world with road accidents claiming at least 2,000 lives annually and some 10,000 injuries. Poor road designs, poor lighting, human error and indisciplined motorists as well as the poor condition of some vehicles have been blamed for the bulk of the accidents. Second deathMP Balikoowa becomes the second member of the 8th Parliament to die in a road accident after former Isingiro woman MP Vicky Kyokuhaire Kyaka who died at Buwama along the Kampala-Masaka High way in November last year. The former Speaker of Parliament, Francis Ayume was also killed in a car crash. A Daily Monitor journalist who reached the scene of the accident said the MP’s four wheel drive vehicle was mangled beyond repair. Witnesses said the MP was speeding and probably did not see the on-coming truck. Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said an investigation into the cause of the crash was underway. She said the driver of the sugar cane truck owned by Mehta Group of Companies, identified as Emmanuel Mambo had been arrested. These memories returned in floods at Parliament yesterday as some MPs openly shed tears as they absorbed the shock of yet another tragic loss. MP Hood Katuramu (PWD) said Balikoowa was an excellent member and key striker in the Parliament Football team. “He was loved by almost all of us here and we shall surely miss him. I have been the head of the football team where he was playing number 11 and he was a good boy,” Mr Katuramu said. Busiki County MP Mukoosi Mutabali observed, “These trucks carrying sugarcanes always travel at night and unfortunately they have one light. When you are moving towards it, you think it is a motorcycle. That is where the trouble is,” he said. “We have lost an excellent mobiliser who was very committed to NRM issues,” said Daudi Migereko, the Government Chief Whip. Parliament will receive his body today at midday and from there a special session will be held to pay tribute to him from 2:30pm to 4:30pm from where the body will leave for it final resting place in Kamuli. He will be buried on Thursday at 2pm at his home in Budiope. The months towards Christmas have seen a spike in road accidents. On Jinja Road at Nakawa, Spear Motors junction a lorry on Saturday killed one person and left several injured. About two weeks ago a lorry rammed into a commuter taxi on the same road between Jinja and Mukono killing at least six people."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/848794/-/wheyp4/-/index.html","content":"Corruption floods water, sanitation sector - A report commissioned by the Ministry of Water and Environment has revealed that about Shs51 billion is lost to corruption. Evelyn Lirri explores how this money is abused. Most Ugandans pay bribes to have water flow into their homes, a new survey has revealed. Although the survey does not mention how much people pay in bribes to have water services extended to them, it says at least 56 per cent of respondents interviewed for a survey conducted for the Ministry of Water and Environment reported having paid, or knowing someone who paid a bribe to have water connected to their homes. The baseline survey, on integrity in the Uganda water supply and sanitation sector, was funded by the World Bank’s Water and Sanitation Programme.It was presented recently at a water sector review meeting held in Kampala.With the government already battling poor management in the water sector, it hopes this survey will be used to improve transparency and accountability in the water sector. If it is true that 10 per cent of the money invested in water is lost to corruption as the survey found, then the water sector may have lost as much as Shs51 billion between 2002/3 and 2008/9 financial years. The price of this corruption is now being paid by the 37 per cent –about 10 million Ugandans who still do not have access to clean and safe water. State Minister for water Jennifer Namuyangu confirmed to Saturday Monitor that there is corruption in the sector. Culprits netted“That’s true; we have been arresting several people. I personally arrested the water officer for Kotido recently when over Shs200 million meant for water disappeared in one year,” she said. “The water officer for Apac was arrested, the one in Ntungamo was suspended and we shall continue arresting more people.” She said some people contracted to offer connection services end up cheating customers by inflating the prices. “We are now looking at several options of how we can deal with this issue including our own manpower. This could cut down the costs,” Ms Namuyangu said. She said some customers don’t know their rights and end up bribing in an effort to get faster services.“We have to sensitise the people that to get connected, you don’t have to bribe,” Ms Namuyangu said. According to the report, the national water coverage stands at 63 per cent- a figure Ms Namuyangu said has since jumped to 65 per cent. However, more than half of the country’s districts are still below the national average.For example, the survey found that huge disparities still exist in water coverage throughout the country, ranging from 12 per cent in the least served district of Kaboong in north eastern Uganda to 95 percent converge in the south western district of Kabale. Ms Namuyangu says high water coverage has been achieved in some areas but low funding remains a challenge in increasing access to the whole country. “With the current funding of 2.6 per cent of the national budget, we cannot do much. Taking water to some areas where there is no ground water is more capital intensive and so we need much more money,” she said. In urban areas, access to safe water stands at 61 per cent; this breaks down to 72 per cent in 23 large towns, while for 160 small towns it averages 46 per cent.This low water coverage has also affected access to sanitation facilities, with the national average population with sanitation facilities standing at 69 per cent.But this figure is way below the target of at least 70 per cent. Respondents were chosen from rural and urban water consumers, local government staff, water authority representatives, contractors, National Water and Sewerage Corporation staff and private water operators. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/722108/-/10ec7c6/-/index.html","content":"Govt acquires machine to detect weather - Uganda has acquired a satellite machine that will be used to detect weather patterns and natural resources information in a move to monitor the environment throughout the country. Mr Yazidhi Bamutaze a Geography Expert at Makerere University said arrangements to secure the Geonetcast have been finalised. Mr Bamutaze, said the acquisition of the technology would help to get timely information at short intervals for analysis and give accurate and timely information to the public about disasters like drought, floods and available mineral resources in the country. The cost of the system was not revealed ."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/719852/-/b5b3o4z/-/index.html","content":"Support national tree planting drive - Under the 2009/2010 Budget, the government allocated one billion shillings through the National Forestry Authority (NFA) for a national tree planting programme that was launched on Saturday at Lwamunda Central Forest Reserve in Mpigi District. Aptly themed ‘Greening Uganda for Prosperity’, this exercise is intended to replenish this country’s rapidly vanishing forest cover. Uganda’s rate of deforestation is said to be one of the highest in the world. According to NFA estimates, over 80,000 hectares of Uganda’s forest estate is lost annually. The untenable tree cutting and encroachment on forest reserves has comprehensively affected efforts to plant and sustain our forests. Officials of environmental agencies responsible for enforcing regulations against destruction of forests have severally been attacked and others killed in line of duty. The remedy to this lies in forest conservation. The national tree planting programme is the first step that, we hope, will rescue the vulnerable forestry sector. This effort will however require a strong push from the relevant ministries and environmental bodies as well as support from all Ugandans. The devastating effects of climate change, worsened by deforestation, is evident in the erratic weather patterns experienced in most parts of the country like the protracted drought and recurrent floods that have led to crop failures and subsequently, famine. With warnings of imminent El Nino, authorities must not just find quick fixes such as delivering supplies to affected areas, but explore long-term solutions to climate change. By spearheading tree planting, the government has shown willingness to protect the environment. The authorities must now move to heavily punish forest encroachers. It is crucial that politicians also refrain from protecting encroachers for political gain at the expense of the environment. Ugandans need to support NFA in this exercise by planting as many trees as possible. We should not just aim at planting the targeted three million trees to achieve the programme’s initial five-year target. We must strive to surpass this goal and double the target in the next phase of this exercise. Encourage every member of your family to plant a tree today as part of our collective approach to climate change intervention."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/718984/-/b5br54z/-/index.html","content":"I already miss the ‘Kibazo on Friday’ talk show! - The Observer called it a ‘Reign of Fear’; the late John Ruganda could have called it ‘The Floods’ - Floods of tear gas, of  blood, of fear and anger- when Ugandans suffered and died because of a relationship gone sour between the presidency  and the Kabakaship. While addressing Baganda MPs, the President said that the Kabaka had not picked his calls for two years. He did say the same on Thursday when addressing parliamentarians. You wonder why there is this seeming pent up anger from both parties. But why should innocent people suffer incursions because of differences that two people can resolve?   The people  that were lucky to escape with injuries (lucky because others died) still lie in pain, while others like myself are now  condemned to listening and watcing broadcasting  programmes I do not like.   Wouldn’t it have been prudent that people (alleged to be abusing the regulatory frame work) are taken to court rather than suspending some of those talk-show programmes?  By clamping down on current affairs broadcasts like ‘Ekimezza and Kibazo on Friday’, the media council is not just punishing panellist and talk show hosts, they are punishing innocent Ugandans like me who do not enjoy the widely covered ‘European Champion Leagues’ the   several marriage ‘I Dos’ and worse of all the UBC  Presidential Press Unit!  I do not believe in institutions that privilege people just because of their birth lineage. I believe that people should be born equal, be accorded equal opportunities and use their competences to excel.  I therefore laughed so hard when a one Kanyanya came up to profess that he was the ‘King’ of Bugisu.  This, however, is not reason for me not to listen to Robert Serumaga or Semujju Nganda as they passionately speak for their Kabaka and Kabakaship. And the reason being paraded for the banning of the talk shows is that they are used to incite people. Talk of hiding one’s head in the sand like the proverbial Ostrich!  How about the core causes of the increasing restlessness in Uganda?  I have severally said before, that our so called astronomical development figures are just cosmetic.  Robert Guest observed in his book ‘The Shackled Continent’ that it doesn’t take a lot to convince a poor person. The scenes on the streets last week depicted the anger and desperation of the unemployed youth in our midst. Just to share the story of Florence (not real name). She is a 20-year-old girl working with a security company. Florence sat for her S.6 exams and scored 14 points. She could not join a higher institution because the parents could not raise her tuition. Desperate, she chose to join a security company hoping to raise money before she can continue with her education; like many Ugandan employees, Florence is a frustrated girl for she says her working environment is very harsh. She is not sure she can stay long enough to mobilise the money that she needs for her education. The question then is; how many Florence(s) are out there, some on them on the streets, just waiting for an opportunity to vent out their frustration and anger?  How unfortunate that the opposition (as alleged) took  advantage of the feud between the President and the Kabaka to incite youth into causing mayhem, but the solution to riots is more than just blaming the opposition, least of all shooting to maim as the President has proposed.    wokuret@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/716886/-/b5d6juz/-/index.html","content":"Trees disappearing with our milk and food - If you have “huntedâ€Â� for and found milk lately, you will have noticed a price surge from Shs1,000-2,000 a litre. Its supply from the “cattle corridorâ€Â� has been drying up. It is another situation we don’t need, as parts of eastern and northern Uganda grapple with famine and starvation. Ironically, places facing shortages today were our “food basketâ€Â� barely a decade ago. Abundance in the “cattle corridorâ€Â� is well captured in allegorical tales of milk flowing along village foot-paths, particularly in Ankole. Teso sub-region was the “national granaryâ€Â� for millet, maize, cassava, beans and groundnuts.   Ours being a largely agro-based economy, such shortages have potential for nock-on dire effects on other sectors and livelihoods. It is telling that extreme drought is wreaking havoc as the environment gets more degraded. National Forestry Authority (NFA) estimates that Uganda loses 80,000 ha of forest cover annually. 73,000 ha are lost to rapid tree-cutting on private land while 7,000 ha are lost in Protected Areas (PAs) like forest reserves. Trees act as water catchments and absorb carbon which traps heat. Deforestation is therefore linked with soaring temperatures and drying of water sources. Recently, a TV station aired footage - of cattle emaciated and dying for lack of pasture and water in Kiruhura District. I have also noted reports of farmers transporting water from Kampala to Kiruhura for animals. Like the famine, milk shortage in the “cattle corridorâ€Â� has its roots in environmental degradation. Deforestation, in particular is linked with erratic rains and prolonged drought and receding water levels. Incidentally, Teso sub-region and the “cattle corridorâ€Â� are among the least forested parts of Uganda. The Department of Meteorology forecasts that the drought will make way for el-nino, another extreme weather condition projected to feature heavy rains, devastating floods, landslides and waterborne diseases. Some specifically targeted interventions are required. Government and humanitarian agencies have done well to avail emergency food supplies to ease famine in the east and north. Exploration of irrigation and drought resistant crops is another option. However, a pro-active and long-term strategy should address the underlying “driversâ€Â� of extreme weather conditions. Action points should include orderly eviction of encroachers from PAs, rooting out illegal timber logging and improving resources and security for forest personnel. Elsewhere, District Forestry Services should be strengthened to control tree-felling on private land. Alternatives to fuel-wood derived from forestry produce should be explored to ease pressure off the declining forest estate. Tree-planting to restore lost forest cover should be a must for able-bodied Ugandans. NFA’s appeal for support has yielded a billion shillings from government to activate the Tree Fund – a significant leap forward. With corporate bodies involved, September’s planting season should be some bee-hive action. 1 | 2 Next Page»Each tree planted retains that little more water for milk-producing animals in the “cattle corridorâ€Â� - and for crops to replenish “national granariesâ€Â� in Teso. The link between trees and food (milk) is that close. Have you planted a tree? Mr Watasa is the Public Relations Manager, National Forestry Authority mosesw@nfa.org.ug « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/716066/-/b5dcvaz/-/index.html","content":"Pass the Food and Nutrition Bill - Officially, at least 51 of some 97 districts in the country are faced with severe food shortages. A July report by the Office of the Prime Minister notes that 66.67 per cent of districts are grappling with hunger with 21.7 per cent (17 districts) experiencing full blown famine, while 31 districts-- representing 39.7 per cent-- are characterised as facing “acute food shortages.� The government has made intervention efforts by, among others, releasing Shs10 million from every sub County’s Naads budget in the affected areas to go towards emergency relief interventions apart from the ongoing relief food distribution. Going by reports on projections for the planting season ahead, the cycle of inadequate food production is likely to persist for the foreseeable future. However, as we carry on these firefighting measures to mitigate an already full blown crisis, discussion on the government scheme of Bonna Baggagawale seems to have taken a back seat in the affected areas. While resources are being refocused to deal with the crisis at hand, the government is saying little about the future- the post drought, post floods period and future sustainability of these communities. Civil society groups led by ActionAid International have opened a dialogue and a campaign to end hunger in the in the country. Top on their demands is presentation of a National Food and Nutrition Bill which is said to be stuck in cabinet. This Bill, if presented to Parliament and passed into law, would go a long way in directing the country’s planning to ensure food security. Talk in cabinet corridors is a fear by government to jeopardise votes if it introduces stricter rules on food production. That kind of thinking, though politically convenient, is not sustainable and in many respects, inward looking and selfish. A clear plan is needed and needed now to help the country not only deal with future food crises in the face of a more volatile and unpredictable environment but also the overall financial improvement and empowerment of households."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/715112/-/b5e1jjz/-/index.html","content":"Prepare for El Nino phenomenon - The Metreology Department has predicted a tough end to the year for Ugandans. In a far reaching report, the department says that heavy rains in October and November will cause floods leading to the destruction of crops, roads and an outbreak of diseases like malaria, cholera, dengue fever and east river infection which hasn’t been experienced in the country in the last 40 years. (see Special Report on page8). The report, which blames El Nino for the prolonged drought currently ravaging Uganda, also warns that the heavy rains will affect the entire country, unlike previous years in which only parts of the nation were affected. The only positive aspect of the report  is that water levels will rise, improving hydro-electric power generation and allowing farmers and pastoralists to harvest water resources for future use. Our principal challenge as a nation is to ensure that we prepare well to assuage the negative impact of the floods. Government should take the lead in preparing a response to this potential disaster. Its response was lackadaisical the last time floods ravaged Teso sub-region in 2007, leading to the present famine.  Such a scenario should not be allowed to recur. It is much cheaper to take corrective measures in advance than to engage in fire-fighting measures. As a first step, community leaders ought to launch a public information campaign to educate farmers about the need to delay their planting, as the second season, which usually begins in August will be delayed with only alarm rains falling. Secondly, agricultural extension workers should go into overdrive in educating farmers about the right choices of crops to plant and farming methods. Crops like beans that react poorly to water-logging can be replaced by potatoes which have natural ridges. Government should also protect the road network in the most vulnerable areas by building culverts and dams to divert the water from peoples homes and farms. Besides, disused valley dams must  be rehabilitated to act as reservoirs for future dry spells.  As a long term measure, all Ugandans must be encouraged to plant trees. Most critically, government must ensure citizens’ food security. Export of agricultural produce must be regulated and food silos constructed in all districts."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/714894/-/b5ek6dz/-/index.html","content":"Food insecurity will affect antiretroviral therapy - With famine affecting many parts of Uganda, the success of  Anti Retroviral Treatment will be greatly affected. Hunger reduces efficacy of medication among people living with HIV/Aids and often affects drug adherence especially to ARVs, hence poor responses to treatment. Similarly, food insecurity can lead to adoption of riskier behaviours (migrant labour and transactional sex) by food-insecure household members, increasing the prevalence of HIV/Aids.  Food security is achieved when all people have both physical and economic access to sufficient food to meet their dietary needs, at all times, for a productive and healthy life. Scholars define household food security as a state when the household has access to the food needed for a healthy life for all its members, and when it is not at undue risk of losing such access. This is not a reality among most Ugandan households. Many factors have negatively affected the food security situation of household in Uganda. These include droughts, floods, seasonal variation in production, price fluctuations, lack of production and purchasing power, lack of knowledge about nutritional needs and dietary practices, among others. Most households in the country no longer grow traditional famine food crops like millet, sorghum, maize, cassava and potatoes. The good tradition of every household with food in store for lean seasons is long gone. One no longer sees granaries as you take a walk in the villages.  The current trend is that majority of the households grow food crops with a major aim of selling produce for cash than for their food security. A household can harvest 30 bags of cereal and sell it all. Such households are unconsciously predisposing themselves to food insecurity. To avert the prevailing undesirable condition, Uganda needs to redirect focus on food security from macro level towards the household and the individual, protect and preserve the environment to avoid floods and drought and come up with policies that restore and improve agricultural practices, food storage and preservation methods at household and national levels and controlling the volume of food that leaves the country in trade with neighbouring countries. The population also needs to be educated on their roles in attaining and maintaining their own as well as their household food security so as to make informed decisions.  Otherwise the prevalence of food insecurity in the country might reverse the gains Uganda has made in providing antiretroviral therapy to eligible clients. Ms Tumwine is a MUSPH-CDC HIV/Aids Fellow attached to Baylor-Uganda"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/714534/-/b5emo2z/-/index.html","content":"Floods: Government can now redeem itself - The State minister for Disaster Preparedness Musa Ecweru has put what is left of the reputation of his department on the line with the claim that government is ready for the expected flooding when unseasonal rains again turn vast stretches of eastern Uganda into a veritable waterscape. This past week the minister quoted from a report of the Meteorological Department which he said predicts that we shall be having another deluge between October and December. The last time something of this sort struck the eastern region in 2008, the government was caught flat-footed and yet it had been given fairly good warning. The consequences were disastrous for Teso. Farms were swamped which later resulted in acute food shortages. People’s homes and schools were washed away while waterborne diseases spread unrestrained. Typically, State-driven emergency relief efforts were hopelessly inadequate. This time the situation is complicated by the fact that Teso sub-region has already borne the brunt of one of the worst droughts to hit the country in recent years. The first season harvest has died in the fields and the government has already been forced to make a Shs6 billion promise to make food available to vulnerable communities. The reason most rational people will take Minister Ecweru’s remarks with a pinch of the proverbial salt is that his government is notorious for making such pompous statements in the face of national challenges. The same government has an unhappy history of supplying ‘air’ as the people of Teso will eloquently recount of their sad 2008 experiences. So, faced with a government whose word is not reliable; a government that has to be literally dragged kicking and screaming before it can lift a finger to help the citizenry in times of disaster, what are our options ahead of the looming catastrophe? The priorities will of course be to ensure availability of relief. The question then is who will supply these vital necessities of life? Well, Mr Ecweru has promised that this time round the government he serves will be prepared to stand up to its responsibilities like any self-respecting and accountable government should. We hope so. But in the not-unlikely event that all the talk turns out to have been a lot of hot air, then we must hope that the international community will have been alerted to this looming calamity and arranged to step in."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/714050/-/b5eqjoz/-/index.html","content":"Agricultural modernisation will transform Uganda - Over the last few weeks, Uganda has been engulfed by hunger and, more precisely, famine blame talk. Depending on which part of the country you are talking about, famine’s causes range from civil insecurity, drought, floods, landslides, human disease outbreaks, livestock epidemics, crop diseases, price fluctuations and population influx. All the same, Uganda remains a country of opportunities and challenges. Since 1986, economic growth has been extraordinary and poverty has decreased substantially from a whopping 56.6 per cent in mid-1990s to 31.1 per cent by 2005. Due to sound macro-economic management (low inflation, stable exchange rate, and large foreign reserves that can sustain up to 6 months of imports), savings, exports, and foreign direct investments have been increasing. Within East Africa, Uganda has led the fight against HIV/Aids, with prevalence dropping to single digits during the past decade. It has also has also been a leader in promoting decentralisation as a means to improve service delivery. The World Food Summit in 1996 reaffirmed that food security can only exist when all people have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs.  At the macro-level this implies that adequate supplies of food have to be available through domestic production or imports to meet the consumption needs of people. At the micro-level, i.e. households or individuals, food security is influenced by a number of inter-linked factors. These include various forms of income and food producing assets. Also included is the link between local and foreign markets and the transmission effects on the small, low income and resource-poor producers and consumers. Thus, food security is not just a supply issue but also a function of income and purchasing power. Hence, its strong linkage to material poverty. Agricultural modernisation around the world has resulted in significant increases in productivity; more crops and livestock yields per acre; more meat and milk per animal and more food output per person employed. However, this good news stopped somewhere: the majority of the chronically hungry are the small-holder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa who produce much of what they eat and are often too poor to purchase inputs. Consequently, they are marginalised from the products market. This is the point where agricultural modernisation could help graduate this lot out of the vicious circle of poverty. It is better than the school of thought that wants to pass bylaws and ordinances on export of foodstuff from the Ugandan farm gates. Even in these tough times of food shortage, it is the small-holder farmers in rural Uganda such as we hear in Teso and not the wage labourers, of say, Soroti Town, who are hard-pressed. This is because the latter has options (most formal employees regard agricultural incomes as residual) now that the crops have withered in gardens. Opportunities for large scale commercial farming exist in the country as long as we deal with the headache of communal land ownership. There exists wider opportunities in the manufacturing of agricultural inputs, processing, and even packaging equipment and accessories. While these opportunities exist for Uganda, the most important issue to address is to increase total farm productivity based on the country’s ten  agro-ecological zones. This is the overriding measure to pursue if Uganda is to achieve its 2017 target of reducing mass poverty to 10 per cent. Dr Odoch is a Member of the Daily Monitor Panel of Experts; gstarinternational@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/-/688614/713068/-/hejl14z/-/index.html","content":"Insurance can be a form of saving - Kampala Although the vast majority of Ugandans do not take insurance seriously it can be a great help incase an accident occurs by paying the bills that inevitably follow. Only six out of every 100 Ugandans have an insurance policy while just three out of the same number have an insurance cover to their name in the rural areas, according to the National Survey on Access to Financial Services in Uganda produced by the Steadman Group. Yet, according to a market survey done by Smart Money different insurance companies have insurance policies which are quite affordable. Mr Richard Mwebesa of Lion Insurance says the penetration  at 0.55 per cent is still low “in Uganda. There are many affordable insurance policies offered by different insurance companies, for instance,\" small and medium importers can benefit from marine policy. This cover is recommended for businesses whose operations involve regular importation or exportation products and it covers all risks. Ms Fiona Magezi, an under writer at UAP insurance says there are many risks involved in the process of transporting goods.“  For example, flowers are very fragile and incase of an accident, great losses could be suffered.\" For instance, flowers worth $10,000 taken to Mombasa in two days will attract  a premium of between 0.5 to 1 per cent of the total value. UAP also offers comprehensive insurance for students in learning institution and the package covers student property to the tune of Shs200,000 for a secondary school student and Shs100000 for a primary school child. The compensation can be made just 24 hours after the incident with a minimum premium chargeable at  Shs 3000 per month. According to Mr Patrick Abalo, UAP Life and Health underwriter, insurance can be a form  of saving and life assurance; for example,  a parent can begin saving for the education of his/her child when the baby is one day old. In the agricultural sector Lion Assurance Company has a crop insurance policy which caters for loss of profits due to bad weather which can include drought, floods, pests and diseases. “The insurance cover will cover the farmer until the product reaches a point of sale,\" added Mr Mwebesa. Insurance is a defensive measure used against future conditional losses to hedge the possible risks.   It is a legal contract that protects a person from contingent risk of losses through financial means and provides a means for individuals and societies to handle some of the risks faced in daily life."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/712708/-/10dps5l/-/index.html","content":"Famine: 51 districts hit as govt seeks Shs170b - Kampala At least 51 districts across the country are affected by the current famine, Daily Monitor can reveal. In an interview with Daily Monitor on Saturday in Katakwi, Disaster Preparedness State Minister Musa Ecweru acknowledged that the famine condition was very grim in Teso and Karamoja regions but added: “the situation is not out of hand.â€Â� “By the time I left Kampala, 51 districts, including some in the central region and south western Uganda, had sent in their appeals.â€Â� Mr Ecweru named Abim, Katakwi, Kotido, Moroto, Moyo, Koboko, Adjumani, Amuria and Arua as some of the districts affected. Others, Mr Ecweru said, are Kibaale, Soroti, Kaboong, Nakapiripirit, Yumbe, Sironko and Kaberamaido, Bukedea, Kumi, Gulu, Pader, Lira and Kitgum. About 35 people are said  to have died from starvation as the government recently announced an extra Shs10 billion on top of an earlier Shs10b to buy food. Disaster  Preparedness Minister Tarsis Kabwegyere last week announced that the government is cash strapped and in need of at least Shs170 billion to fight famine. Mr Ecweru said the government has so far managed to make an emergency response in most hit areas like Teso where over 1,000 metric tonnes of maize grain have already been sent. “We have been able to make some response to push off the pain. The emphasis is that we must also do as we give out planting materials because meteorological experts say the second rain season is expected to be a lot more reliable and long,â€Â� he said. He added that part of the relief money will be used to buy agricultural input like sorghum seeds and potato vines. The food shortage, Mr Ecweru, said is far from inadequate rainfall. “The famine has been as a result of the 2007 floods which destroyed crops and over the years, we lost the culture of granaries which used to be a food reserves,â€Â� he said. He said there is an effort by local authorities to revive the culture of granaries at homestead level to prevent the same trend from happening. The minister pointed out the growth of new food markets in Kenya and Southern Sudan where most agricultural produce are sold at a higher price. Katakwi District chairperson Robert Ekongot described Agriculture State Minister Henry Bagiire statements that the Iteso are lazy and drunkards as unfortunate. “We are not lazy people. When we ask for food aid it is because the situation has gone beyond us. Some of the problems are external,â€Â� Mr Ekongot said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/709226/-/b5wrcpz/-/index.html","content":"We need to promote sustainable development - While natural resources conservation has not ranked high on governments’ priorities, financial resources, corruption, wars, weak and incapacitated institutions, among others, have made it difficult for institutions and organisations to adequately address emerging environmental challenges. Faced with current global challenges such as the economic crisis, climate change, pollution, poverty and food insecurity, there is need for East Africans to search for implementable solutions. The time is ripe for integrated science-based policies and natural resources and environment conservation plans and programmes in the East African region. Throughout much of eastern Africa, and particularly in Uganda, unregulated and inappropriate natural resource exploitation have been major causes of environmental degradation in recent decades. Although increase in demand for natural resources utilisation is mostly due to the rapid rate of human population growth, poor resource management has also contributed. As a result, there are major threats to natural resources and the environment such as desertification, pollution, soil erosion, climate change and overgrazing. Consequently, ecological tragedies and human tragedies have overlapped in some parts of eastern African. Landslides, floods, droughts, and associated diseases and pests that affect humans, livestock, crops as well as wildlife are not uncommon. Tragedies not only threaten the security and sustainable development of the region but also serve as reminder that natural hazards know no political borders. Most of eastern African economies are natural resource based - relying on agriculture and tourism which together contribute close to 50 per cent of the gross domestic product and tourism being the main foreign exchange earner in most of the countries in the region. This calls for concerted effort to conserve borderless natural resources. Unless we exchange experiences, it is unlikely that eastern Africa will meet the Millennium Development Goals. Bringing together scientists, developers and natural resource managers, researchers, policy makers, NGOs and government agencies to deliberate on environmental issues could pave the way towards reducing environment problems in the region. Although a number of organisations in eastern Africa are involved in conservation of natural resources and environment, there is need for them to coordinate their actions through joining forces, networking and associating, and sharing experiences as way of addressing environmental issues, advocating and promoting new approaches. That is why the Ecological Society for Eastern Africa (ESEA) will be holding a Regional Scientific Conference at Makerere University on June 18-19. This annual event arose from the growing concern of the significant role natural resources and environment contribute to sustaining national economies and peoples’ livelihoods in the region. The aim is to bridge the gap created by limited public awareness and insufficient dissemination on environmental issues by facilitating exchange of information; contribute to the strengthening of national environmental plans, policies and programmes and contribute to ecological research. It is important that Uganda and the entire eastern African region address sustainable natural resource management issues, enhance technological skills and contributed to building partnerships and networks with other relevant organisations and associations. Mr Bakamwesiga is the secretary, ESEA hilary@ecsea.org, info@ecsea.org"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/708846/-/b5xbwdz/-/index.html","content":"Why ‘Prosperity For All’ turned famine for all? - One of the staggering ironies in the world is that while 3,500,000 children die prematurely due to malnutrition, 2,600,000 people are at a risk of premature death as a result of obesity.  Logically if there was fair distribution of resources, then deaths from malnutrition and obesity would all be averted resulting into 6,100,000 lives saved the world over. Scale this scenario to the Ugandan level. There are reports about deaths resulting from hunger from the countryside yet at the same time; other reports say that there is an increasing risk of diabetes and obesity in the country. There was a recent one that said children from Entebbe were increasingly becoming diabetic and obese as a result of changed life styles. All said, we empathise with those at the risk of   obesity and hope that they can change their lifestyles, but condemn government for failing to put up control measures that can avert consistent episodes of famine in the country. Duncan Green in his ‘From Poverty to Power’ cites the economic guru Amartya Sen who said    that famines are so easy to prevent that he is surprised that they happen at all. According to this renowned economist, unlike other calamities, causes of famine can be predicted and mitigated.  Effective states, it is said,  often avert such crises by reading early warning systems such as armed conflicts that displace people, long spells of drought and/ or floods that destroy crops. At another angle it is argued that in a century of technology, solutions to food stocks range from making the soils more productive to having quick maturing foods.   The NRM has had 23 years of uninterrupted leadership; while in power the regime has witnessed war incursions in Northern and West Nile regions, long spells of drought in Karamoja and floods in areas of Teso. A responsible and responsive government would have therefore predicted that as a result of these disasters, people in these areas were likely to experience severe famine and thus mapped out preventive measures. Whether our government has done this, we are yet to tell but  reports are that people in the countryside have started dying from hunger! Ironically our legislators are in the process of passing a legislation that would incriminate parents who fail to provide for their families. Hopefully government has expanded prison services to take care of the hordes of parents countrywide failing to do so. This law assumes that government has done its best to provide employment and other social welfare to its citizens and perhaps more importantly that working   parents have a reasonable take home package. Yet at this year’s Labour Day, when workers voiced their demands for a minimum wage, government response was that they (workers) should wait for 2050!   This is why am compelled to act the devils advocate.  Why should we want to punish parents who fail to provide for their children when we can’t punish a government that fails to provide for its people? Last year, a law that sought to hold the President accountable for failure to deliver on his promises was defeated on the floor of Parliament. Three years into the ‘Prosperity For All’ rhetoric, people are dying from hunger and Hepatitis B, who deserves punishment? wokuret@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Health---Living/-/689846/706076/-/qag10u/-/index.html","content":"Uganda commemorates World Health Day today - “Can you imagine some hospitals in Uganda do not have water and soap for washing hands before and after examining a patient without mentioning protective wear like gloves?â€Â� Dr Jackson Amone, the Assistant Commissioner in charge of curative services at the Ministry of Health tells me while talking to me about the theme for this year’s World Health Day. Dr Amone says this concern falls directly under this year’s theme for the worldwide organisation which is; “Save Lives: Make Hospitals Safe in Emergencies.â€Â� He says the focus is on the safety of health workers and on the adequacy of health facilities in responding to emergencies like accidents and epidemic outbreaks like swine flu which is a current global scare. “Lives that could have been saved during emergencies are sometimes lost because hospitals or health workers are not adequately equipped with Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) to attend to emergencies. Dr Amone is among the key organisers for this year’s World Health Day as the theme this year falls directly under his jurisdiction. He is quick to add that he is not the one who organises the World Health Day every year though.***image1*** WHO usually chooses which sector among their development partners will be in charge of the celebrations. “By the time we were informed that Ministry of Health was to take charge this year, we already had a number of activities lined up like the World Malaria Day celebrations’ and couldn’t rush the whole thing, otherwise this would leave out so many major stakeholders in health,â€Â� said Dr Amone. For this reason, World Health Day in Uganda was not celebrated on the anniversary of its foundation, April 7th, but is celebrated today. The celebrations will take place in the park of Mulago Hospital and the general public is invited. There will also be political leaders, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and health workers attending. It will be preceded by a march from the city centre in the morning to Mulago Hospital before the day’s celebrations that will include exhibitions by different health sectors, demonstrations on how different hospitals handle emergencies and speeches from the Minister of Health and the WHO representative in Uganda, Dr Louise Gomes Sambo. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/703810/-/10d4ydk/-/index.html","content":"MPs warn State House on huge spending - Parliament Members of Parliament yesterday warned State House against spending beyond its allocated budget saying the country cannot afford the huge budget. While discussing and analyzing supplementary budget reports for different sectors, the legislators on the budget committee said State House should stick to its allocated budget to avoid unnecessary expenditure. The members argued that the supplementary budget is meant for emergencies such as earthquakse, floods and diseases. State House recently asked for an additional Shs21.3 billion after revealing that it had spent, within the first three months, all the Shs66.6 billion allocated to it for the 2008/09 financial year. But the MPs said the public is not happy with State House’s big budget and its unclear expenditure. The MP for Rubanda West, Mr Henry Banyenzaki questioned the “adhoc manner “in which State House carries out its business. “State House must restrain itself from spending beyond its budget because this business of using money within three or four months is not tenable,â€Â� Mr Banyenzaki said. According to the Budget Committee report on the supplementary budgets, State House’s supplementary budget covered travel expenses, fuel, and maintenance of State House (Entebbe), medical treatment for traditional and religious leaders, progressive farmers and donations to senior citizens. Members questioned why President Museveni involves himself in funding treatment of religious and traditional leaders, a role played by the National Medical board (NMB). “What business is State House doing in paying medical bills and donating money to the progressive farmers yet the NMB and the ministry of agriculture can do that .How do they decide which religious leaders and special people to give money and those to leave out?,â€Â� Erute North MP, Mr John Odit, a member of the committee said. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Odit said the huge budget and expenditure was as a result of State House’s unplanned activities. “We for example need a clear definition of which senior citizens, religious leaders and progressive farmers that State House gives money. Progressive farmers should be funded under the ministry of Agriculture,â€Â� he said. The MP for Katikamu North, Eng Ibrahim Byandala said State House’s Accounting Officer should be cautioned to put in place a clear working plan “to avoid embarrassing State Houseâ€Â�.  Jinja Municipality woman MP, Ms Ruth Tuma said people have always complained about State House budget. According to the Chairperson, Budget Committee, Ms Akol Rose, State House activities should be planned for during normal budgeting process. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/700784/-/vupisu/-/index.html","content":"Storm destroys Soroti health unit - Soroti Patients at Katine Health Centre in Katine Sub-county, Soroti District on Tuesday survived death after a storm hit the unit, ripping off the roof. Ten people including children had been admitted to the hospital while several others were still lining up to receive medical attention at the time the storm struck, health officials said.   “The incident happened at around 6:30pm. We had patients in the ward and others were outside waiting to be attended to,â€Â� Ms Mary Kevin Amongin, the in-charge of the unit, said. Eye witness said the heavy storm affected patients’ and health workers’ property including drugs. With already an acute drug shortage being the order of the day in most health centres in Katine, the Tuesday’s storm has simply worsened the situation. When Daily Monitor visited the scene, a room with an open roof formerly used as a store, was serving as the dispensing room. The storm also affected the mud and wattle houses being used as the health workers’ quarters. The incident comes at the time the government has warned of serious floods next month. Daily Monitor yesterday reported that a storm had destroyed six schools and a hospital in Kumi District. Several homesteads were also destroyed ."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/-/691192/700644/-/fdtadvz/-/index.html","content":"Climatic changes finally reach home - Climatic changes are happening in Uganda, according to Turning up the Heat: Climate Change and Poverty in Uganda, a recent report by the charity Oxfam GB in Uganda. “On the one hand there is more erratic rainfall in the March to June rainy season, bringing drought and reductions in crop yields and plant varieties,â€Â� the report reads. “On the other hand the rainfall, especially in the later rains towards the end of the year, is reported as coming in more intense and destructive downpours, bringing floods, landslides and soil erosion.â€Â� With such changes already in place when global average temperatures have not even exceeded a one degree centigrade rise above pre-industrial levels, the report warns that as temperatures rise further, risks will be magnified. So what does the future hold? The report has some forecasts for the country. Experts believe that future climate change will likely have the biggest impact on the later short rains. “During October to December there will likely be a big increase in the frequency of heavy rainfall, with the number of significantly wetter years rising considerably as a result; indeed, as many as one year in five may well be much wetter than is currently the norm,â€Â� according to the report. “Indeed, a wetter climate is likely for the whole country, including the arid and semi-arid regions. Farmers believe rainfall is already becoming more intense, and the particularly heavy rains of late 2007 across northern and central Uganda may be a foretaste of this future climate regime.â€Â� However, the report authors say for the long rains from March to June, the modeled effects of human-induced climate change seem much weaker and less predictable. “So warming may not alter the current pattern, which is of more erratic rainfall effectively making the growing period shorter.â€Â� 1 | 2 Next Page»Therefore future generations may see a switch away from the current pattern of two rainy seasons across much of the country towards a new pattern, of a much more pronounced rainy season (with heavier rains) later in the year, with the rest of the year hotter and drier than at present. The report further notes that if Uganda becomes wetter, “Floods will become more likely, a product not only of higher rainfall and run-off but also of land use changes such as the draining of swamps, and in cities, blocked drains.â€Â� Foreseen is that rainfall changes may begin to become noticeable within about 12 years from now but could become particularly big from mid-century. Meanwhile, temperatures will increase and this will become particularly noticeable within the next 10 years. All seasons are likely to become warm to extremely warm, the report concludes. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/-/688612/698614/-/swyy9t/-/index.html","content":"African forests reducing rate of climate change - Kampala A team of scientists has discovered that Africa's rainforest trees are getting bigger and storing more carbon from the atmosphere in their trunks, which has significantly reduced the rate of climate change. Trees and plants use carbon dioxide (CO2) to produce food thus ridding the earth from the harmful effects of the gas. It is believed that the emission of gasses like carbon dioxide, which comes chiefly from burning coal, oil and gas and from destroying forests and ploughing grassland into the atmosphere is warming up the earth by trapping more heat, causing global warming. Developed countries such as USA, China, and Russia are some of the world's greatest emitters of dangerous gasses into the atmosphere. The discovery was made after a 40 year study of African tropical forests which also included Budongo Forest in Uganda. At least a third of the world's total tropical forest is found in Africa. \"It shows that for at least the last few decades each hectare of intact African forest has trapped an extra 0.6 tonnes of carbon per year,\" the researchers said in their article published in the science journal, Nature on February 19. The researchers also showed that remaining tropical forests remove a massive 4.8 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions from the atmosphere each year. This includes a previously unknown carbon sink in Africa, mopping up 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 each year. \"We are receiving a free subsidy from nature. Tropical forests are absorbing about 18% of the CO2 added to the atmosphere each year from burning fossil fuels, substantially buffering the rate of climate change.\" says Dr Simon Lewis, a Royal Society research fellow at the University of Leeds, and the lead author of the paper. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/-/691192/694350/-/frag4pz/-/index.html","content":"A place to call home: IDP returnees rejoice - Over 30 families received free houses constructed by the government under its Peace Recovery Development Plan. The families had been displaced by the LRA insurgency and floods, writes Joseph Miti Ms Spola Asege, 80, has been living in an Internally Displaced Camp for over seven years now. She has been squeezing her family in a small mud-wattle hut since the Lord Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency displaced them in 2003. Asege and her five daughters have lived without privacy since they joined the camp though they are all adults. At 80 years, a single mother who lives in Angole village had lost hope of attaining a better living since the first attempt to resettle was frustrated by floods in 2007. Angole, often described as one of the poorest villages in Uganda, is just 10kms off the Soroti-Katakwi highway in Wera Sub-county- Amuria District. The village is occupied by mostly Bakenyi - one of the marginalised tribes in the country, who depend on fishing as a main economic activity. Many of the inhabitants here earn less than a dollar. However, the aging mother managed to live longer to witness what she describe as a ‘miracle’, when the government offered her a modern house. “It’s a miracle to me. At my age, I had lost hope of sleeping in such a big magnificent house made of bricks and iron sheets,â€Â� an elated Asege said as she pointed at a nearly completed house. She currently survives on handouts from good samaritans since her four daughters are also jobless. “I am now saved from arsonists and floods that normally affect the village,â€Â� she brags. Asege is among scores of IDPs who received three-bed -roomed modern houses constructed using hydra-form bricks and iron sheets. Over 30 families received free houses constructed by the government under its programme, Peace Recovery Development Plan (PRDP), a framework through which funds for rehabilitating 40 districts of northern and eastern Uganda are channelled. PRDP aims at eradicating poverty and improving the welfare of the populace in the 40 districts. Residents, some of whom were dressed in worn out cloths, ululated and sung songs of joy as the Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi commissioned the houses on December 16. According to State Minister for Disaster Preparedness Musa Ecweru, also the area Member of Parliament, the disadvantaged residents were displaced twice by the LRA insurgency and then floods which caused havoc in Teso region in 2007. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/694048/-/yyllt2/-/index.html","content":"It was a bad year for girls - Kampala Girls registered a higher failure rate in the 2008 Primary Leaving Examinations, with majority score in divisions U and X compared to boys. The results released yesterday indicate that 50,030 girls, compared to 39, 276 boys scored grade U while 11,633 girls compared to 10, 488 boys were in grade X. U and X are the worst grades a candidate can score and one is not entitled to a primary school certificate. A candidate who scores these grades is advised to repeat Primary Seven. “Any candidate who obtains divisional grade U is deemed to have failed and shall not be allowed to register for any post-primary examinations conducted by Uneb,’’ Mr Matthew Bukenya, the executive secretary Uneb, said while releasing the results yesterday. The cut-off point for enrolment in Senior One under the government-backed free Universal Secondary Education is aggregate 28 (Division Four). The results also show wide disparities in performance between girls and boys for the first, second, third and fourth grades. Of the 17,021 candidates who passed in first grade, only 6,355 were girls while 10,666 were boys. A further 154,774 passed in Second Division, of these 85,460 were male while 69,314 were female. This trend is not different from the 2007 PLE results which showed that of the 31,969 candidates who passed in first grade, only 12,230 were girls while 19,739 were boys. The trend is also similar to performances in other grades in the previous years.   Overall, Mr Bukenya said the performance of candidates in the 2008 PLE shows a slight decline compared to that of 2007 and 2006. The results also show that well facilitated urban schools continue to post better performances compared to the rural counterparts. In the 2008 results, statistics indicate that in some districts, especially in the wider north and northeast, no single girl passed in first grade. Amolator, Amuru, Bukwo, Buliisa, Dokolo, Gulu and Kaboong are some of the districts that did not produce any candidate in grade one. Others are Yumbe, Nakapiripirit, Nebbi, Oyam and Kalangala. In 2007, Yumbe, Kaabong and Kalangala are some of the districts that did not produce any female candidate in grade one. In each of the districts of Moroto, Nakaseke, Pader, Pallisa, Sironko, Tororo, Adjumani, Abim, Apac, Kiboga, Kitgum, Manafwa, Lira and Katakwi, the number of girls who scored first grade was less than 10. Other districts that had less than 10 girls scoring first grade are Kabarole, Kaliro,Kamwenge,Butaleja,Bududa,Kotido, Koboko, Kapchorwa, Bukedea, Moyo. Geographically, most of these districts are in regions that have seen armed conflict and, recently, floods - sometimes both. Some are new, formed in the run-up to the presidential elections of 2001 and 2006, and still trying to find their level. The Millennium Development Goals’ target 3 seeks to eliminate gender disparities in primary and secondary education and increase school enrolment of girls and boys. While Uganda is judged to be on track and is very likely to achieve that target by 2015, it will need to work hard to create conditions necessary to improve girls’ performance."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/-/689856/760986/-/10tstp0z/-/index.html","content":"Defending nature through art - “We can’t survive without nature but nature can survive without usâ€Â�. Those words by Ugandan artist Louis Ssemalulu summarise his resolve to continue advocating for the preservation of the environment through art. From his ongoing exhibition at the National Theatre, you can tell that the painter is a man in love, if not obsessed, with nature. His impressions of waterfalls, forest glades, mountains, crater lakes, clouds in the sky, open savannah and generally flora and fauna, are convincingly captured on large canvases. And when I examined them from a distance, I was amazed at how real they appeared. Katwe Crater Lake, Bujagali Falls, Botanical Gardens Entebbe and Matada Volcanic Lake are part of the physical features and other scenic spots the painter brings to life in a simple but very impressive style that would appeal to anyone who finds abstract art too sophisticated to comprehend.***image1*** “Nature speaks; nature mesmerises me. And as you can see, my favourite theme is Idealistic Landscape,â€Â� he says. “My concern is the way nature is being defiled and all other greens encroached on by man.â€Â� The painter’s distaste of environmental abuse is best depicted in one of the paintings showing a typical Ugandan setting; a dusty road on which is a lorry overloaded with sacks of charcoal, with men atop, emitting fumes – which of course are dangerous to human health. “I’m worried about where we are going with all the global warming, forest fires, floods, poaching, polluted environment and all such things,â€Â� he says. “And in my work I give people a glimpse of the joys of nature, hoping that my work will convict them to stop corrupting nature.â€Â� His paintings also extend to other vulnerable groups in society like the disabled and the children. My Heart Weeps for example, is a moving portrait of a pretty little child wet with tears. A diploma holder in art and design (specialising in drawing and painting), Ssemalulu says after touring sceneries, it takes him over two weeks to finish a painting: “I don’t sketch; I do everything realistically,â€Â� he says. “I view myself as a simplistic and impressionist kind of painter, and sometimes a romantic because I like experimenting with colours.â€Â� 1 | 2 Next Page»You will find it peculiar or interesting, but Ssemalulu paints only at night: “It’s calm then and that’s when I’m in a state of mind to exercise my calling in the best way I can.â€Â� « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/760268/-/vyen7s/-/index.html","content":"800,000 in Karamoja face starvation - Kampala Close to 800,000 people in drought-hit Karamoja region face food insecurity that could result into starvation, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has said. UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Uganda Theophane Nikyema said the food insecurity in the region is largely as a result of years of drought, failed harvests and outbreaks of animal and crop diseases. “A third successive year of extended dry spells and failed harvest have left some 800,000 people faced with food insecurity,� Mr Nikyema said while announcing an aid appeal to secure $225 million (about Shs427 billion) for displaced people in Karamoja and northern Uganda in Kampala on Thursday. Karamoja region, in northeastern Uganda, has for a long time experienced long dry spells, drought, a fast-growing population, severe environmental degradation, poor infrastructure and cattle rustling, all of which have eroded the people’s coping capacity over the years. In 2007, Karamoja suffered a long dry spell, floods and animal and crop diseases, all of which have affected the population negatively. According to Mr Nikyema, 46 per cent of the money will go to the Acholi sub-region, 30 per cent to Karamoja, 13 per cent to West Nile and five per cent to Teso region. The Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere, said the situation in the north has improved and as a result, over 80 per cent of IDPs have returned to their homes. “We can progressively reach a point where we shall not need humanitarian help because we can run our own affairs,’� Prof. Kabwegyere said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/757678/-/vxx2pe/-/index.html","content":"Oryem apologises for bad Gulu road - Gulu The Foreign Affairs State Minister, Mr Henry Okello Oryem, last Friday apologised to travellers stuck in the mud on the Gulu-Kitgum road over its bad state. About 30 cars were stuck in the mud while others had veered off the road at Lapuda in Paicho Sub-county, Gulu District. “I am very disappointed with the road condition. It is abominable. I apologise on behalf of the government for what you are experiencing,� Mr Oryem told the travellers. He said the government would grade the highway in the next two weeks. “I talked to the roads minister just now and he told me that contractors will start work in the next two weeks.� Some of the drivers said their vehicles had been stuck in the mud for more than three days. “If they can not repair the roads, let them bring aeroplanes for traders,� a man who asked not to be named said angrily. Another road from Gulu to Juba in the area of Pawel-Atyak Sub-county has remained impassable since last year when it was destroyed by floods."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/756818/-/vxwest/-/index.html","content":"Fresh flooding looms in Teso - Soroti Barely a year since last year’s floods rescinded in Teso, the heavens have broken loose once again bringing back harrowing memories of the last disaster. Several parts of the region are already experiencing first-round effects of the rains similar to those that preceded the floods  last year. “There are already signs that some parts of the region will again suffer like last year,â€Â� Soroti District chairperson Stephen Ochola said. Communities living along the marshy areas surrounding Kyoga and Bisina lakes have particularly been affected by the rains. The unusually prolonged spell of rain has also affected most feeder roads in the sub region rendering transport a nightmare. Low lying bridges have been crossed by running waters putting pedestrians, especially school going children at risk of drowning. In Soroti, the sub-counties of Kateta, Pingire, and Bugondo are already sending in emergency appeals. “I have already received reports from the grassroots but the Office of the Prime Minister which is charged with the mandate on disaster should come and verify the facts,â€Â� Mr Ochola said. State Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Musa Ecweru said the government would soon issued an alert to road users. “I don’t think it will be as serious as it was last year but the government will certainly embark on major repairs of the roads that have been damaged,â€Â� Mr Ecweru said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/755294/-/vxvkyv/-/index.html","content":"Hailstorm destroys crops in Sironko - Sironko Food shortage has struck  Sironko District following heavy rains and floods in Bulambuli County,  which has destroyed  crops and infrastructure. The unusual rainfall pattern characterised by hailstorms has ravaged crops in Bulegeni, Masira and Buginyanya  sub-counties causing  fear of famine. The heavy  rains also destroyed property worth millions of shillings.   When Daily Monitor visited Bulambuli  on Monday,  gardens were still covered with soil eroded from the hills. Roads  were still  covered with stones rolled from the hills and mud eroded from the hills, making transport difficult. Bulambuli residents told Daily Monitor  that  all their crops have been destroyed. They said  they are  surviving on handouts from friends, relatives and good Samaritans. “We are stuck after the floods and landslides last year, our steps to recover from these disasters have not yielded any results as unusual heavy rainfall from June to  October has swept our gardens, destroyed property and rendered us helpless,â€Â� said Mr Ambrose Zebolo, a resident. The Director of Wake Up Ministry, a local  NGO which is providing assistance to the victims, Mr Martin Nangoli, urged the government to intervene.   Sironko LC5 chairman  Wambi Kibale said the district was in the final stages of preparing a report on the extent of the disaster and the number of families affected to be sent to the Prime Minister’s office for possible assistance. “People have suffered since last year when there were floods and this has been worsened by recent heavy rainfall patterns that have seen people lose their crops, domestic animals and even houses,â€Â� Mr Kibale said. The disaster report for Masira Sub-county alone accessed by Daily Monitor indicates that a total of 3,163 people have been affected by the heavy  rainfall."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/754430/-/vxux37/-/index.html","content":"Residual spraying starts in Teso region - Kampala The Ministry of Health has started indoor spraying in Teso this week. The exercise to introduce Indoor Residual Spraying of mosquitoes in the region is done in partnership with Pilgrim, a local NGO.  “We are using Icon in its liquid form instead of the powder because it lasts nine months. This will allow us to spray a few times in a year and deal with malaria parasites in human beings and the vector through a combination of indoor residual spraying and treatment of the people in the endemic areas,â€Â� Mr Anthony Esenu, the Managing Director of Pilgrim, said. “We will spray houses to cut off contact between the parasite and the occupants, test and treat all persons having the malaria parasite and treat patients within 24 hours of showing signs, especially women and children under the age of five.â€Â� The programme targets 120,000 households in Katakwi and 2.5 million people in Teso sub-region. Mr Esenu said the floods that hit Teso late last year have caused malaria prevalence to increase. In Katakwi for example, the prevalence increased from 40 per cent to 63 per cent. Mr Esenu said apart from indoor residual spraying, they will de-worm, and immunise children against the killer diseases and also give them Vitamin A supplements. Dr Myrs Lugemwa, an official from the Malaria Control Programme, Ministry of Health, urged the community to cooperate to combat malaria, the number one killer disease. Malaria claims 320 people everyday, majority of whom are children and pregnant women. Dr Lugemwa said malaria also accounts for 30 to 50 per cent of out-patient attendances."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/754428/-/vxux2j/-/index.html","content":"Rains ravage southwestern districts - Isingiro The torrential rains that have hit the southwestern districts have left thousands of locals staring hunger in the face following the destruction of their crops. The rains, which started in September, are also likely to force many of the residents to seek alternative accommodation since many homes have been destroyed.   In Isingiro and Mbarara districts, over 3,000 homes lost their gardens of beans, cassava, Irish potatoes and bananas in a series of stormy rains that hit Kabuyanda and Mwizi sub-counties.   Isingiro South Member of Parliament Alex Byarugaba (NRM) last Friday delivered 200 bags of maize flour and 100 bags of beans to the victims. “This is not enough but that is what we have managed to get. You will share it as it is,â€Â� Mr Byarugaba told resident of Kanywamaizi Parish.   Residents said the lack of food is likely to interfere with the class attendance as pupils cannot go on empty stomachs. In Ntungamo; Kajara, Rushenyi and Ruhaama counties are the worst hit. Roads, bridges, houses and a school have been destroyed by the rains, which according to the minister of water and environment are not about to relent.   “Do not think that this region is safe from floods. You should prepare yourselves, so that when the disaster strikes, you can handle it,â€Â� Ms Maria Mutagamba said during her visit to the region. In Bwongyera and Kibatsi sub-counties, banana plantations, cassava, beans, potato gardens and livestock have not been spared by the torrential rains. Local leaders say many homes have been going without food until recently when the Disaster Preparedness Ministry intervened with 180 bags of maize flour and 80 of beans.   Delivering the relief items on Monday at Bwongyera Sub-county, area MP Steven Tashobya (NRM) called on the affected homes (about 800) to focus on increasing production. “Do not lament but focus on how to come out of this tragedy,â€Â� he said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Entertainment/-/812796/808530/-/bs7bju/-/index.html","content":"Happy belated birthday - We start by congratulating Uganda upon making 46 years divorced from Britain. I can’t say for sure that this divorce has been stress free, but the children have seemed to enjoy life so much more now that daddy and mommy are no longer together. We would also like to congratulate the government of Mengo who according to some Luganda radio station bought a state of the art “grass slasher.â€Â� Justice comes calling That is what happens when you no longer have the money to pay the dream team anymore. 61-year-old O. J. Simpson could be jailed for life after he was found guilty of kidnapping and armed robbery in Las Vegas, 13 years after he was acquitted of killing his wife and her lover.   What is good for the goose Now the Nakivubo channel situation will be dealt with urgently. President Yoweri Museveni’s convoy stuck in floods at Clock Tower on Wednesday afternoon. The presidential cars had to be pushed through the rising waters as Museveni waved to the crowds. Or maybe he can choose to always travel only during the dry season. Terror alert Apparently, Al Qaeda people are not happy with Uganda for sending troops to Somalia so they just might bomb us one of these days just to show off their muscle. I am taking this opportunity to say that I was not part of the team that made that decision, so feel free to spare me. Otherwise, you are all urged to be on the alert and in case you see anything suspicious, please call the police on 999 or 112. R.I.P State Minister for Agriculture, Israel Kibirige Ssebunya passed away on Wednesday. There're many ways to fall Now if we only knew how to address the get-well soon card. Doubt over singer Jose Chameleone’s leg injuries. Was he (a) Beaten up by a rival? (b) In a drink driving accident? (c) Hurt when he fell off a balcony? And if you believe what one tabloid says, then there is also (d) Witchcraft from rival musicians. Say we believe the story that he fell off a balcony sleepwalking, does that mean he landed on his feet like a cat? What a special, special singer. Whatever it is, we loved seeing him jump up and down on stage.  Hopefully, he’ll recover soon."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/751112/-/4om9f6/-/index.html","content":"Contemporary African opposition, incumbents lack grand vision beyond power - After the Kenya and Zimbabwe election debacles, progressive forces in Africa and their allies should have no illusions about the true drivers of Western, particularly British and American interests-global/African domination. It is clear, the forcefulness with which Bush or Brown invokes democracy, freedom and good governance, have little to do with morality and African wellbeing, than state realism. This truism was well understood by decolonisation generation of Pan-African leaders, from Kwameh Nkrumah, to Robert Mugabe. However, post-independence generations of African leadership, most coming to power - with Western connivance - by overthrowing nationalist, anti-imperialist leaders like Nkrumah in Ghana or Milton Obote in Uganda, are clueless about the global structures of state power and trans-national modes of production and imperialism. They and post-nationalist opposition leaders have internalised neo-liberal theoretical, normative triumphalism, and taken them as one-size fits-all, standard templates for resolving every socio-economic question everywhere. In the case of their opposition antagonists, the fight has become not one over grand ideas and vision, or substantive policies that are thought to be more responsive to the objective needs and aspirations of their citizens, but over procedural matters of electoral processes. In the end, opposition’s only grand agenda is to defeat the incumbent; and for those in power, the struggle is to hold and retain power at all cost. Consequently, post-perestroika, post-bipolar global political economy saw opportunistic African leaderships abandon their people’s dreams for national liberation, consolidation of hard-won economic and social justice policies, including racial equality, by latching onto theoretical and analytical precepts of development economics –dusted and resold by Western neo-liberals-as magic panacea to Africa’s problems. These problems are perceived simply as lack of or poor economic development and the prescription for this malady is economic growth. The notion of economic development, as transformation of economic conditions and causes of unemployment, subsistence livelihood, low growth, low levels of national incomes/savings, high levels of indebtedness, low levels of domestic investments, high levels of urbanisation, and depleted rural/agricultural sectors, are recited as mantra without normative and theoretical explanations. Faced with expectations that outstrip possibilities, it becomes a matter of faith, rather than theoretical and practical relevance, how these problems are overcome, or national economies register economic growth and development, as a result of efficient use of domestic resources, improved levels of economic productivity, accelerated economic growth, which in turn must stimulate rising national income, domestic savings and internal investments. By focusing on the technical aspects of development economics, African leaders and their policy advisers miss the important interconnections between socio-political institutions and economic growth, and the need for the outcomes of development or growth to promote human dignity, wellbeing, and engage the socio-political and moral challenges which are beyond the grasp of market economics, but the prime concerns of political economy of development. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/745614/-/gvym5q/-/index.html","content":"World Trade Organisation talks collapse over farm imports - Kampala After long hours and days of hard talking, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) trade talks have again collapsed following the failure by negotiators to agree on agriculture, a very contentious issue in the talks. Reports from Geneva said yesterday that marathon talks on a new global trade pact collapsed on Tuesday after the US, India and China refused to compromise over a proposal to help poor farmers deal with floods of imports   \"Ministers have failed in their effort to agree on blueprint agreements in agriculture and industrial products,\" WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy told a press conference in Geneva after speaking to members that out of a to-do list of 20 topics, 18 had seen positions converge but the gaps could not narrow on the 19th\" the special safeguard mechanism for developing countries. The failure to reach a breakthrough at the WTO after more than seven days of  talks means the prospects of pursuing the Doha talks to free up world trade-- if they can be resuscitated after the setback--could be put back several years.        \"Someone from another planet could not believe that after the progress made, we would not be able to conclude,\" Brazil's Foreign Minister Mr Celso Amorim said.\"This is a very painful failure and setback for the global economy at a time when we really needed some good news,\" an emotional European Union (EU) Trade Commissioner Mr Peter Mandelson told reporters, adding that developing countries would suffer most. But Mr Lamy said in a statement that the ministers wanted him to revive the talks quickly and he would not \"throw in the towel\" He said the deal would eventually have saved the world economy $130 billion just in lower tariffs."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/-/688612/742710/-/tduueb/-/index.html","content":"Are biofuels taking away your food? - Nairobi The Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Luc Gnacadja warned April that the current food security crisis needs to be examined in line with the environmental change such as desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD). \"We need to greatly intensify efforts on combating land degradation and drought impacts in areas affected by this emerging global crisis,\" as Mr. Gnacadja told Africa Science News Service. \"Global rise in food prices will continue if measures on sustainable land management and soil protection are not implemented and if the decreasing of arable land is not halted.\" According to Gnacadja, the current food security crisis only aggravates the problem that is already dire today, when 800 million people do not have enough food to eat, and more than 25,000 people die every day from hunger or related illnesses. The best arable land for the agricultural use constitutes only 11% of the earth surface, which only ensures the food for 6.3 billion people today and 8.2 billion predicted in 2030. FAO forecasts that a 50% growth is required in food production by 2030, but arable land are shrinking due to DLDD. A report released on Tuesday on the International Assessment of Agricultural Science and technology development (IAASTD) says the energy crisis is in part debated as a matter of food security versus energy security. \"While high oil prices seem to be major immediate causes of this alarming situation in the agricultural economy, one cannot ignore the looming trend of natural resources scarcity like water and arable land, worsened by the recent climatic impacts of increasing floods, prolonged droughts and chronicle shortage of water resources,\" said the IAASTD report. 1 | 2 Next Page»The report added that the growing demand for bio-fuels is now competing for land in a context of declining eco system services. Whether bio-fuels are threats or opportunities, the critical issue of land use and its productivity needs to be addressed within the inter-linkages of DLDD, adaptation to climate change and biodiversity loss and sustainable livelihood. Mr Gnacadja said \"a long-term strategy to address food crisis is to increase land ecosystems productivity and make agriculture a priority through pro-poor policies in view of adaptation to climate change.\" africansciencenews.org « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/738172/-/4nj212/-/index.html","content":"Food flap at State House - The less than appealing quality of food on the menu provided by State House kitchen whenever the first citizen travels upcountry is causing more than stomach discomfort as the presidential aides are now up in arms. Initially, they were supposed to be fed on beef but the situation has of recent changed, to the aides’ bitterness. The aides are currently fed on what sometimes tastes like boiled cabbages, usually without a trace of appetite-enhancing spices. Highly credible State House sources have told Grapevine that the problem is not with the President but the people holding the purse – to their personal advantage? And because of the poor feeding some of the aides have resorted to either going hungry or digging into their pockets. Bukenya’s bungle in Buikwe South As more details emerge as to why the ruling NRM party candidate, Anthony Mukasa, lost the recent parliamentary by-election in Buikwe South, insider information further reveals that the loss was essentially self-inflicted. The story goes that when the VP arrived in Buikwe South to campaign for Mr Mukasa, a senior party official was not impressed - saying that Prof. Bukenya would claim all credit in the event the NRM candidate won. This senior official is then said to have organised a clandestine counter-campaign to undermine the vice-president, who doubles as the NRM vice-chairman for Central Region. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/733172/-/gvbku2/-/index.html","content":"IMF predicts robust private sector growth - KAMPALA THE International Monetary Fund has predicted that Uganda's robust private sector-led expansion is expected to continue over the medium-term at around 7 per cent.  The IMF officials however noted that raising growth, a further notch to deliver higher employment creation and faster poverty reduction requires significant investment to alleviate infrastructure constraints. In this respect, reaching financial closure for the Bujagali hydroelectric project was an important step towards augmenting Uganda's electricity supply. The IMF Mission issued a communiqué to Daily Monitor after their successful ten-day visit to Uganda. During the visit the IMF officials held meetings with Uganda's Finance Minister Dr. Ezra Suruma, Governor of the Bank of Uganda, Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile, and other senior government officials and on March 21 agreed with the government that similar investment in roads and rural development are also needed.  They further advised in a statement that: \"The 2008/09 budget, currently under preparation, needs to balance the allocation of resources to these areas with competing priorities and within a framework that supports macroeconomic stability\". \"Bank of Uganda's continued focus on low inflation will provide an enabling environment for private sector development,\" the statement said.  The IMF's Executive Board is tentatively expected to discuss the third review of Uganda's economic program under the Policy Support Instrument (PSI) by end-June 2008. PSI is a programme that was created to provide a support framework for low-income countries that no longer need IMF financial assistance.   1 | 2 Next Page»About the country's economy, the group observed: \"Uganda's economy continues to expand at a brisk pace. Economic growth in 2007/08 is expected to be around 7 percent, as earlier envisaged. Strong revenue performance, rapid credit expansion, and high import demand confirm the buoyancy of economic activity\".  Kenya crisis  IMF observed that the impact of the unrest in Kenya on economic growth appears to have been very limited as the disruption to the all-important routes for Uganda's exports and imports was short-lived.  \"Nonetheless, together with higher international oil prices, it has contributed to a core inflation rate of some 7 per cent, somewhat above the authorities' 5 per cent target,\" the statement said. \"Sound macroeconomic policy implementation is continuing. For the government budget, good performance in revenue collections and expenditure adjustments in non-priority areas are being used to offset spending pressures elsewhere, including for emergencies (the floods in the North and East and Ebola outbreak) and for larger-than-projected spending on the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. However, the Bank of Uganda is addressing the upward pressures on the money supply from large foreign exchange inflows in order to move inflation back in line with the target. The Shilling has appropriately appreciated against the US dollar in recent months, particularly bearing in mind the dollar's weakness against major currencies. Current a dollar is trading at Shs1660/1690. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/-/690254/732578/-/14qvsly/-/index.html","content":"utl commits Shs15m to Kobs tourney - KAMPALA Telecommunication services provider uganda telecom have committed Shs15m to the second edition of utl Kobs invitational rugby tournament that will take place at Kampala Rugby Union Football Club on Saturday, March 22.  The Easter festival will see twelve local teams come together in an extravaganza of matches expected to attract large crowds. utl Communications Manager Mark Kaheru told Daily Monitor that the company is committed to strengthening rugby which they regard as the fastest growing spectator sport in Uganda. “We shall also use the tournament to give to the less fortunate in Northern Uganda who are living in dire situations such as the victims of last year's floods and the war. Donations of clothes and other items will be received with gratitude,â€Â� Kaheru said.  There will also be a blood donation drive in which people who want to donate to the National Blood Bank will be free to do so.  Last year's tournament saw the mighty Kobs win after beating G4s Pirates in the Main Cup final.  The Most Valuable Player (MVP) award was shared between Kobs' Edmond Tumusime and MTN Heathens' Scott Olwoch."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/730912/-/gv9o0v/-/index.html","content":"EABL posts Shs168bn pre tax profits - KAMPALA EAST African Breweries Limited has announced a pre-tax profit of Shs168 billion in its un-audited results for the half-year ending December 31. The Managing Director of Uganda Breweries, a subsidiary of EABL, Mr Baker Magunda, attributed the 22 per cent increase in profit to stable economic growth and high sales of beer brands especially Guinness Lager. \"EABL hopes to continue to reaping the benefits of its investments and continue to post even better result in its coming second of their financial year,\" Mr Magunda said.Revenue increased to Shs411 billion up from Shs321 billion in same period last year. Guinness sales increased 63 per cent, making it the best performing brand.  EABL comprising Uganda Breweries, Kenya Breweries, International Distillers Uganda, East African Malting, Central Glass Industries, and UDV Kenya is one of East Africa's most profitable companies cross-listed on Uganda Securities Exchange, Nairobi Stock Exchange, and Dar-es-Salaam Stock Exchange. Following the half-year performance, the company board proposed dividend of Shs61 .61 per share. The company will as a result pay about Shs487 million to its share holders. Mr Magunda said, , the outlook for beer market in 2008 is brighter and that the company plans to increase sales through exports in the region. \"There are huge opportunities in the region especially in Rwanda, which has inefficient beer plant, and in Burundi where per capita consumption of beer is high,\" Mr magunda said. Three million out of about seven million Burundians drink beer. He said the company also plans to invest an additional Shs15.3 billion on more IT Systems in the coming months, which is expected to increase output. However, Mr Magunda said the company's growth and profit were negatively affected by Ebola fever and floods in eastern Uganda as well as the Kenya post-election violence. 1 | 2 Next Page»\"The calamities led to decrease in beer drinking in bar especially Ebola, while floods in north eastern Uganda affected grains (cereals) used for manufacturing beer brands and affected trade on consumption and a change in domestic demand for other non beer product,\" he said. \"The impact of Kenyan political unrest in January and February led to one week and half closure in some Kenya bar was a big was not a small time and it was a set back for us. Raw material cost pressure impacted through (Malt, Barley Hops and other inputs) is also giving pressure,\" he said. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/-/688612/727534/-/tcq7oi/-/index.html","content":"Taxing our oil for cleaner environment - Amidst great resistance from local and international civil society, Uganda, under the East African Community (EAC) signed the framework agreement on Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). These agreements bind Uganda to a free trade arrangement with the European Union. Increased liberalisation and investment agreements or related trade policies alter the economic activities in ways that accelerate climate change. These impacts are largely categorised as scale, composition, technological and direct effects. In this context, trade encompasses production processes, global transport and other economic activities that produce substantial Green House Gases (GHG). The recent conference on climate change in Bali, Indonesia and the informal G8 ministers meeting in the same country have shown a growing consensus that climate change represents the world's most pressing long-term threat to poverty and prosperity. Indeed, the Stern (2007) Report put the impact in perspective by calculating that the costs of actions on climate change were in fact less than the costs of inaction, and noting that failing to address the problem creates the equivalent of a 20% loss of GDP globally, with losses falling disproportionately on poor countries. For instance, in 2007 Uganda suffered heavy flooding in the Eastern regions. Similarly Mozambique and Zambia have experienced catastrophic floods this year. The latter governments estimate the loss in agricultural produce and investments in excess of $100 million. All studies and research point to trade as the chief contributor to climate change. But to think outside this box we to need reflect on how trade can contribute to climate change mitigation. Trade policy has a potential to play an important role in supporting climate change efforts especially within multilateral trading arrangements such as EPAs but broadly within World Trade Organisation, United National Framework Convention on Climate Change and Kyoto Protocol. Uganda, under the EAC, could in-build within the comprehensive EPA due 2009 mechanisms of ensuring that trade results in better climatic conditions and environment. For instance, lower tariff and non-tariff barriers to low-emission technologies. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/726586/-/vw2pxn/-/index.html","content":"Poor PLE results irk Bukedea - BUKEDEA PARENTS in Bukedea are disappointed after the district passed only 12 candidates in division one out of 1,886 who sat for 2007 Primary Leaving Examination. Both parents and the community say although the district was recently hit hard by floods forcing most schools to close, it was not enough excuse to exonerate the teachers for their poor performance. Those in Kocheka Parish in Bukedea Sub-County wrote to the district authorities demanding the transfer of Mr Jimmy Odumale, the head teacher of  Kocheka Primary school whom they accuse of poor performance. In a letter addressed to the acting District Inspector of Schools, Mr Daniel Ochan, the parents accuse Mr Odumale of chronic absenteeism, and drunkardness, something they said has caused poor performance at the school for the last six years. Mr Odumale  denied the allegations saying he simply has misunderstanding with a few parents who want to take advantage of the poor results to throw him out of the school."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/726042/-/10eexwr/-/index.html","content":"PLE: More  boys score  first  grade - KAMPALA RESULTS of the just released Primary Leaving Examinations continue to show huge disparities in performance between girls and boys. Of the 31,969 candidates who passed in first grade, only 12,230 were girls while 19,739 were boys. In some districts, especially in the wider north and northeast, statistics indicate that no single girl passed in first grade. Yumbe, Kaabong and Kalangala are some of the districts that did not produce any female candidate in grade one. In each of the districts of Kotido, Moroto, Nakapiripirit, Kitgum, Moyo, Koboko, Adjumani, Katakwi, Kaberamaido, Amolatar, Amuria, Bukwo, Butaleja, Manafwa, Abim, and Amuru, the number of girls who scored first grade was less than 10. These districts also turned out to be amongst the worst performers. Geographically, most of these districts are in regions that have seen armed conflict and, recently, floods - sometimes both. Some are new, formed in the run-up to the presidential elections of 2001 and 2006, and still trying to find their level. \"While the overall gap is narrowing, it is important to eliminate the [gender] disparity completely,\" said Mr Gabriel Opio, the minister of state for higher education.  \"The communities and families must be sensitised and continuously made aware of the importance of equitable opportunities for the girl-child in the education system.\" Another 192,757 candidates passed in division two, and of these 107,367 were male while 85,390 were female. Overall, however, the Uganda National Examinations Board, the body that administers national exams, says the performance of candidates in the 2007 PLE shows a slight decline compared to that of 2006. In the whole country, more boys (51 percent) than girls (49 percent) sat the secondary school entrance exams. 1 | 2 Next Page»The Millennium Development Goals' target 3 seeks to eliminate gender disparities in primary and secondary education. While Uganda is judged to be on track and is very likely to achieve that target by 2015, it will need to work hard to create conditions necessary to improve girls' performance. More girls, however, passed in divisions three, four and U compared to boys. For example, of the 90,060 who scored division three, 46,643 were female compared to 43,417 males. A candidate is deemed to have passed if he or she obtains divisional grades one, two, three and four. The cut-off point for enrolment under the government-backed free Universal Secondary Education is aggregate 28 for PLE candidates. Out of the total number of 419, 206 candidates who sat for PLE last year, 72 percent obtained at least aggregate 28 or better thereby qualifying for the USE programme. UNEB Executive Secretary Matthew Bukenya said candidates who obtain divisional grade U are deemed to have failed and will not be allowed to register for any post-primary examinations conducted by Uneb and must repeat Primary Seven. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/725168/-/vw1xfx/-/index.html","content":"Court halts work on city car deport - KAMPALA THE   construction  of a privately  owned  inland  car  deport  by  Chartha Investments  is  in  balance  after  court temporarily issued interim  orders  to  halt any development. The interim order,  sanctioned by Kibuka Musoke and company  Advocates, says, \"the plaintiffs avers that the erection of the perimeter fencing of the suit premises  will  interfere with the way  leaf  carrying  septic tanks\".  The  order  further states  that erecting the fence  would   be    against    because it will block the access to the sewage system and channels and any other  residents  from  accessing the way leaf.  The  interim order has a shelf life of 60 days after which a renewal is enforced as court prepares an injunction before making it permanent after hearing  and  passing judgment.  The  inland car deport is situated on plots 1-5 Cornwall crescent and M.589 Mukabya road  in Kyambogo, Nakawa division.  Residents of Kyambogo lower estate, under the  chairmanship of  Mr   Tim Kabaza    are  fighting  the  multi-million Investment, arguing that Kyambogo  lower estate  is purely  a privately  owned entity not an industrial area. \"This  project is out of character with  the  environment and indeed an abuse  of  orderly planning,\"Mr Kabaza says. The residents claim that access to the project site is improper as it tantamounts to an encroachment on the estate  and uncalled for infringement of the resident's privacy.  The residents also argue  that with  the car bond operational  in their  estate,  insecurity,  disruptions  and  inconveniences  will  follow  as  there will follow as be no proper channels of handling  idlers  and drug dealers, prostitutes  among  others.  They  also argue that noise, dust, oil spill and fuel emissions will contaminate the air  around them.  The  residents say the construction works  by Chartha Investments have   created a sharper  gradient,  interfering  with the  water drainage  systems  thus   persistent floods  at  the  valley  bottom  on the Kampala-Jinja  Highway.  But  the  chief   Executive  officer  of  Chartha  Investment, Mr  Tariq Aziz  Mohamed,  said the  proposed  inland car deport would   be  developed without causing damage to the environment or inconveniencing any party in the  immediate  vicinity. Mr Tariq said  they  had  held subsequent  deliberations with  National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), Uganda Electricity  Transmission  Company Limited, Umeme and Ministry of Works who are  major  stakeholders  in  the saga.  Mr Tariq further said his company has  taken the necessary  precautionary measures to avoid  any problems. Mr Moses Ogenyi, a safety environment Engineer who represented Umme reportedly cleared the car deport  project  if  only  Chartha could meet costs to  change  the cables around the  area."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/724276/-/10edlx4/-/index.html","content":"2007 highlights in  eastern Uganda - Feb. 3: About 1,200 Uganda Pokot warriors fleeing a UPDF disarmament exercise in Karamoja region moved to western Kenya to settle amongst their kin. Feb. 9: Mbale District Chairman Bernard Mujasi and the Minister of State for Tourism,  Mr Serapio Rukundo disagree on Mt Elgon National Park encroachment. Feb. 13: In bid to widen the tax base and fill the graduate tax gap, Bududa District announces plans to levy a new tax on Kwanjula [traditional marriage] ceremonies. - UPDF and Karimojong warriors clash in Kotido, leaving 80 warriors and four soldiers dead.   March 23: Results of a study conducted by a Dutch researcher, Ms Joanne Leerloijer, reveals that 43 per cent of girls in Manafwa District are defiled, impregnated and forced into motherhood before they reach 16 years. April 17: The number of Kenyans fleeing tribal clashes hits over 5000, camping in various places in Bumbo, Bubutu, Kaato, Bupoto and Buwabwala sub-counties of Manafwa District. April 19: Tourism State Minister, Serapio Rukundo says the over 8,000 encroachers in Mt. Elgon National Park will be forcefully evictedApril 20: The LC5 Chairman, Sironko, Mr Kibale Wambi says research in the district reveals that 61 per cent of the women in Sironko cannot read and write. May 5: An unusual rainfall pattern accompanied by heavy hailstorm ravages plantations in Bududa District causing fear of famine. The heavy torrential rains also flooded rivers affecting transport.May 15: National Resistance Movement historicals from eastern Uganda ask for the immediate review of the party's organisational structure.  In a 14 page document to the party chairman, the historicals described the party as stagnant and lifeless.  May 17: The Uganda People's Defence Forces rescue a Karimojong warrior from death after he was sentenced to life imprisonment by a kangaroo court presided over by the traditional leaders and the LCI chairman. May 31: A landslide buries two children in Bukhone village, Bushiriwa parish in Bulucheke Sub-county on the slopes of Nusu ridge in Bududa District. June 1: In bid to improve on the investment environment in the country, President Yoweri Museveni announced suspension of four taxes. Mr Museveni who opened the Eastern regional trade fair, said Value Added Tax, Stamp duty, import duty and Withholding tax on all inputs, plant machinery and raw materials, would be suspended with effect from the 2007/2008 financial year.  June 20: The army launches a forceful education exercise for all school going children in Karamoja. Lt Col. Patrick Kankiriho, UPDF 3rd division commander says the programme targets reducing on the high illiteracy rates in the region and re-directing the region on the road to development.  July 11: Effects of floods in Teso begin to be felt as houses, roads, bridges and plantations are destroyed.Aug. 26: Kapchorwa witnesses the worst fatal accident in Ugandan history where 73 people lost their lives. 56 UPDF soldiers, 13 women and 4 children died in a motor accident along Kapchorwa -Sironko road Oct. 9: During an occasion to mark the 45th Independence celebrations at Lukhonge in Mbale, presidential advisor on political affairs, Maj. Kakooza Mutale launches a fourth term presidential bid for President Museveni and promises to kill anybody who stands in his way. Dec. 6: The Bugisu Sub region is thrown into panic as  Sironko District Information Officer, Ms Olive Mukite who has just been to western Uganda, dies exhibiting Ebola like symptoms. However tests later show that she did not die of Ebola but pregnancy complications."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/800550/-/hdhp1c/-/index.html","content":"IMF warns on oil exploration - KAMPALA THE International Monetary Fund has cautioned the government of Uganda to exercise transparency if the gains from oil exploration in the country are to be maximised.\"Transparency and an appropriate balance between spending and saving will be key elements to maximise Uganda's benefits from future oil production,\" said the Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, Mr Takatoshi Kato, in a press release on Wednesday.\"The government's comprehensive approach to the management of oil resources and the plans to introduce a national energy policy are encouraging steps toward these objectives,\" he added.Oil exploration is underway by three companies around Lake Albert in western Uganda where huge oil reserves have been reported to exist, raising high hopes of income in millions of dollars for the economy in the next few years.The press release also announced the IMF's approval of a three-year Policy Support Instrument (PSI)  that is aimed at cutting the cost of doing business in the country  and improving competitiveness. The IMF said non-essential current expenditure and boosting revenue collection are essential if economic growth is to be sustained. Mr Kato said the economy has continued to perform strongly, owing to appropriate fiscal and monetary policies and the country's structural reform efforts. \"A positive economic outlook, however, hinges on addressing key infrastructure bottlenecks, financial sector development, and maintaining sound economic policies in the face of volatile foreign exchange flows and budgetary pressures,\" he said. Forex markets He said a continued focus on price stability as the primary objective of monetary policy has allowed inflation to ease after temporary supply shocks last year but that this focus will remain essential as increased volatility in foreign exchange flows poses challenges to the conduct of monetary policy.But Mr Kato called for \"restraint\" on unnecessary public expenditure, which he said has serious implications on public saving and poverty reducing spending and avoiding high domestic arrears. He said expenditures associated with the Chogm   in Kampala last month, floods, and peace in northern Uganda have already led to some expenditure overruns this fiscal year, and left limited space to accommodate additional budgetary pressures.He said a strong focus on public investment is needed to eliminate “infrastructure bottlenecks\"  and increase productivity and projects should be evaluated carefully in terms of their cost effectiveness and impact on debt sustainability. The statement said the IMF has completed the second review under a three-year PSI aimed at  macroeconomic stability, debt sustainability and  public sector management."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/800292/-/10w5hn7/-/index.html","content":"Govt gets Shs10b to repair roads - GULU THE government has received a donation of Shs10 billion to facilitate the repair of roads and bridges that were washed away by the recent floods that swept across northern and eastern Uganda. The State Minister for Works, Mr John Byabagambi, is carrying out a spot assessment of the emergency repairs of the damaged roads in the region.  \"The ministry has received Shs10 billion for emergency repairs of the affected roads. We could not start the repair of the roads then because the roads were impassible,\" he said adding, \"However, emergency repairs are currently going on well in all the affected areas,\" he said recently. Mr Byabagambi identified some of the roads under emergency repairs as Gulu-Pabbo, Pabbo-Atiak, Rwachikoko-Gulu and Corner Aboke-Bobi. He said the work on Corner Aboke-Bobi and Rwachikoko-Gulu, which were heavily damaged, are now near completion, adding that the supervision of the road repairs is jointly being done by the district and Ministry of Works. Mr Byabagambi said Gulu Pabbo and Pabbo-Atiak would be upgraded to first class marrum roads. He said Gulu-Patiko-Palabek Road would be upgraded to central government road status in the next financial year. Mr Byabagambi said emergency repairs are also being done on Awoja and Agu bridges in Teso. The minister said he is compiling data, to be submitted to donors for long-term interventions. The northern and eastern parts of the country were recently hit by floods following heavy rains that washed away roads, submerged bridges and destroyed gardens and property worth millions. Several districts in the region were entirely cut off and hundreds residents displaced. As a result, President Yoweri Museveni declared a state of emergency in the region."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/799636/-/h053xt/-/index.html","content":"Deloitte celebrates 100 years in E.A - Kampala DELOITTE (U) Ltd has marked its 100 years of operations in East Africa by donating items worth Shs7m to the Naguru Remand Home. The auditing firm also donated Shs5.5m to the Uganda Red Cross Society in response to the floods victim appeal for the people in Eastern Uganda. Mr George Opiyo, the  managing partner while presenting the donations to the Red Cross, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development officials, said the gesture is an annual event:  \"This is just another way through which we endeavour to give back to society.\" \"It's an annual undertaking at Deloitte and one we value.\" He urged other corporate firms to support the children at the Remand Home and the other vulnerable members of the population."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/797924/-/10iqmij/-/index.html","content":"Govt urges f lood victims to vacate - KAMPALA THE Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Mr Musa Ecweru has advised city dwellers who were hit by foods to temporarily vacate their homes and erect structures on nearby grounds. Mr Ecweru told reporters on Friday that the move was suggested to save the residents from contracting diseases like cholera. Last week, the minister on the directive of President Yoweri Museveni made a field  tour in the affected areas and distributed non -food relief items from the Uganda Red Cross to over 556 households in  Nateete area. The heavy rains that lasted for nearly seven hours on November 16 caused mayhem in various parts of Kampala. The unbearable situation consequently interrupted Mr Museveni's motorcade at Zzana along Kampala -Entebbe highway as rising waters limited the movement of vehicles. When Daily Monitor made a survey in some areas on Saturday residents were still grappling with the aftermath of the floods. In Nateete, some houses were still covered in water and people were busy flushing it out   from their houses."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/797300/-/10iqhqw/-/index.html","content":"Government tackles flooding in Zzana town - zzana THE  government has contracted Enaco and Nbh construction companies to de-silt the blocked drainage that was the main cause of the floods in Zzana last Friday.      This  followed a directive from President Museveni  after he  witnessed the calamity that  had befallen the residents of Zzana. On Friday morning last week, Kampala was covered in floods caused by a heavy down pour that began at 3.00am. Business came to a standstill in areas like Nateete, Bwaise ,Kalerwe ,and  Zzana. Mr Jackson Luhiirwa, the headman of earth works at Enaco says that the tenants are to blame for  unplanned construction of houses leaving no room for the drainage system."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/797152/-/10iqgbh/-/index.html","content":"Floods cut off  Rainbow International School - KASANGA FLOODS on Friday cut off Rainbow International School in Kansanga from the rest of the area following a heavy rains.  School staff, parents and students were unable to access the premises after severe floods made the road impassable leading to cars being submerged. School authorities told Daily Monitor that for the last six years the school has been trying to get the Kansanga - Lukuli Road upgraded and tarmacked but officials in Kampala City Council made it difficult for them to do this. Kampala City Council spokesman, Simon Muhumuza said KCC has several arrangements to repair the roads.  However he did not mention any specific road. \"We have several plans for implementation of road repairs in the city but right now I can not name any.  I can not give you a specific answer,\" Mr Muhumuza said. Rainbow International School offers British Curriculum from Kindergarten to University. Most of its pupils and students are Ugandan citizens. School officials who preferred anonymity said they spend Shs30m on average annually to up grade the road, to enable staff and students get to the school. They said KCC has continuously refused to help. \"We have received no assistance or co-operation from any other establishment along this road. We have contacted the Ministry of Works, the city engineer and Makindye Division but nothing has been done,â€Â� the officials said. 1 | 2 Next Page»When this reporter visited the place, the road had been submerged and two vehicles had been swept off the road by the speeding water. Residents urged the government to come to their rescue. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/797164/-/10iqgcf/-/index.html","content":"Poor city planning, floods anger Museveni - KAMPALA President Yoweri Museveni has directed the Works Minister, Mr John Nasasira to immediately sort out the planning mess that resulted in devastating  floods in Kampala on Friday. Mr Museveni who toured the worst hit areas in Lufuka, Kajjansi and Abaayita Babiri on Saturday ordered that structures erected on road reserves - thus blocking roadside drains be pulled down.   “The President told the Minister of Works and Transport  that the blocked channels should be cleared by going round the permanent buildings or demolish them and compensate the owners because they [ structures] were approved by local authorities,â€Â� a statement from State House said. The lack of a clear Urban Planning policy in Uganda and reluctance by local authorities to enforce existing outline and detailed planning schemes, have turned most of the country’s organic towns into a muddle of unplanned and disjointed settlements with jumbled infrastructure. Since much of the urban land is usually built up or covered with concrete material that limits percolation of run off water, floods usually occur where street side drains are non existent or clogged with indiscriminately disposed plastic products and biodegradable wastes. Mr Museveni who returned from South Africa on Saturday attributed the massive flooding in Kampala to negligence by city authorities to unblock drainage channels and the haphazard developments where developers encroach on the road facade. “The President said local government authorities, which have the responsibility of maintaining the drainage channels, do not do so,â€Â� the 2-page statement quoted Museveni as saying. At least three people were reported dead in the floods occasioned by five hours of disastrous torrential rains on Thursday night. Several weak dwellings, especially in the city’s low-lying areas, collapsed. Substantial areas were cut off that day after interlinking bridges crumbled and general merchandise - worth millions of shillings - stacked in stores was soaked."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/796588/-/4r6ywh/-/index.html","content":"What Katuntu is up against in Bugweri - DECEMBER 13 is the day when the people of Bugweri constituency in Iganga District will go to polls to determine who between the ruling party's Al-Hajji Ali Kirunda Kivejinja and Forum for Democratic Change's Abdu Katuntu will represent them in Parliament. But from what Grapevine has gathered, the FDC strongman has a big task ahead. NRM gurus have vowed to ensure that veteran Mr Kivejinja retains his seat. Matters have been placed in a particularly interesting context since Mr Katuntu announced himself “Kingâ€Â� of Bugweri. This assertion awakened the NRM to the fact that if Mzee Kivejinja is not helped, \"King\" Katuntu would summon his \"royal\" prowess and thoroughly humiliate the veteran politician. Grapevine has it on good authority that State House has adequately deployed cadres in Bugweri to ensure that Katuntu's 'kingship' is abolished. The entire youth desk 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/796660/-/10ipuxf/-/index.html","content":"President Museveni decries high brain drain in Africa - Arusha AFRICA has lost one third of its human capital and continues to lose skilled personnel to developed countries at an increasing rate, President Yoweri Museveni said in Arusha on Monday. He told the 4th African World Business Congress that an estimated 20,000 doctors, university lecturers, engineers and other professionals have left the continent annually since 1990. \"There are currently over 300,000 highly qualified Africans in the Diaspora, 30,000 of which have PhDs,\" he said in a speech read for him by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr Isaac Musumba. The Ugandan leader said at the time Africa is losing its skilled workforce, the continent was spending $ 4 billion a year to employ 100,000 experts from the Western countries \"performing work generically described as technical assistance\". President Museveni told over 400 business executives from across the world that the amount of money spent by African countries in hiring foreign technical experts represented 35 per cent of total official development aid to the continent. Mr Museveni said for Africa to advance, it must tap and utilise the scientific and technological know-how and skills of the African Diaspora that has already been declared by the African Union a formidable force for the continent's transformation. The World Bank, in its Global Development Finance 2005 report, said remittances to developing countries from overseas residents and non-resident workers increased to $126 billion in 2004. Mr Museveni said for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and capital to bring any meaningful transformation to the continent, international trade must be transparent and relevant. He said although Africa’s export growth has more than doubled in the last 10 years and the demand for her manufactured goods increasing in Europe and the US, poverty remained high. The situation, according to Mr Museveni, has been compounded by natural disasters such as floods and droughts, external shocks such as the recent increase in oil prices and cross border spillovers of civil conflicts. The President said Uganda has opened doors to foreign investors to attract the requisite investment and capital. Recently, the country licenced close to 4,000 entrepreneurs of various sizes committing over $8 billion in actual investment for various projects. Uganda received $307 million in FDI in 2006 which was an increase of $50 million from 2005. The Director General of Tanzania Investment Centre, Mr Emmanuel Ole Naiko, said Tanzania received FDI worth $473 million."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/FashionBeauty/-/691228/796378/-/7itl7n/-/index.html","content":"The sun and rain games - If like me, you lived in one of the dustiest constituencies in Uganda, you would understand why despite the fact that this all-year-round-rain has caused floods in certain parts of the country, for me it’s been such a breath of fresh air. Because of the continuous downpour, we as committed Ugandan voters have managed to forget about our politicians who had promised us some semblance of a road, the time they begged us for votes. God has consistently watered our dusty roads and for that, I’m so grateful. Somehow although the roads sometimes proved impassable, there has been some rest from the huge clouds of dust that continued to choke us day in day out. The rain has been like the surprise my daughter gave me last night. Can you imagine 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/792948/-/4r4ao3/-/index.html","content":"Mukula’s take on govt response to the disaster - What the people of Teso are going through now requires the intervention of the Head of State. If the President can intervene in Kampala market riots, what about the people who are dying and losing property,â€� Mukula said. “We need firm assurance from our President because we are also his electorate. This is the time that we need him.â€� Mukula, who is also NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern regionsaid that Mr Museveni should visit the people who have been affected by the floods. Teso largely voted against the President in the 2006 general elections preferring FDC President Dr Kizza Besigye. Then ministers, including Capt. Mukula, also lost their parliamentary seats to opposition candidates. Mukula said that the region needs a faster action, which can only be taken by Museveni. “The President camped in the North at the height of Kony’s insurgency just to be with the people. Schools are being closed and people are returning to the camps. We also need the President’s presence at this time,â€� he added. He said the government response has been slow and called upon development partners to intervene and feed the displaced people. He appealed to the government to form a national disaster committee and find a supplementary budget to address the consequences of the calamity. “With or without Chogm, there is need for immediate action. The rains are continuing and things might worsen. People need immediate shelter, food, blankets and drugs,â€� Mukula said. He said that despite limited resources, the government has to ensure that the aspirations of the people are taken care of. He added that it’s important for the Disaster Ministry to have a budget to be able to handle disasters."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/791314/-/w19yut/-/index.html","content":"Buveera banned; what are the options? - KAMAPALA At least we all love window-shopping or actual shopping. Very often, everything we buy -- ranging from food, clothes and liquids come cased in various plastic materials. Plastics are preferred because they provide easy protection for products. They are cheap to manufacture and are in most cases given free of charge at shops and shopping malls. Above all, they are preferred because they last longer. However, their quality has proved a menace to the environment; most of them end up in drainage channels causing blockage and resultant floods. When carelessly disposed, they become breeding grounds for malaria spreading mosquitoes. But worst of all, they end up in agricultural fields where they remain for years making the soil impermeable and less suitable for plant growth. In an effort to improve soil conservation, the government has banned buveera (polythene bags) of not more than 30 microns effective today [July 1, 2007] but with a grace period of up to September 1, 2007 to allow traders clear their existing stocks. The government has also declared the buveera a hazardous waste (dangerous to health and the environment). The government is now encouraging citizens to come up with environmentally friendly alternatives to buveera. An impromptu survey by Sunday Monitor, discovered the possible cheap alternatives. Here we go: Paper bags were the most common shopping containers, years back before buveera came onto the scene. They were used for packing sugar, salt and other dry foodstuffs. The manager of Natural Leaf, a company that makes hand- made and 100 per cent recycled paper products, Mr Timothy Mayinja, says they make these paper bags out of natural fibre like pineapple tops, banana fibre and elephant grass. The company is located in Namulanda, on Entebbe Road, off Lutembe Beach. Paper bags are also obtainable at Banana Boat Creative African Crafts Uganda, at Garden City. Each bag costs Shs500. Banana fibre boxes are long lasting and can be reused. They are ideal for wrapping special gifts. Some of these banana fibre boxes come with compartments that can hold fragile items like glasses. For a long time, banana leaves have been used in Uganda for wrapping food like Matooke, potatoes and cassava. Other edibles such as beef, white ants and grasshoppers (ensenene) are normally wrapped in these leaves. They do not last long but they are clean and environmentally friendly. They dry up and eventually decompose to form manure - unlike plastic bags. They are locally available in banana gardens. But for urban dwellers, they are obtainable in markets at Shs100 a pack. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/791630/-/10ime9w/-/index.html","content":"Who will succeed Ssebaana? - KAMPALA WITH the elections for the local council leaders taking place today,  most of the attention will be on Kampala City. Who will replace former mayor John Ssebaana Kizito? The candidates for the seat are; DP's Hasib Takuba, NRM's Wilson  Kyambadde, and independents; Ssenseko Kulubya, Nasser Ntege Sebaggala, Peter  Sematimba and Naiga Sserwanga. Kyambadde and Naiga are new entrants on the city's social and political  scene. Kulubya has stood and lost the previous two elections. On February 19, the Sunday Vision commissioned an opinion poll which  indicated that Sematimba was leading with 43% followed by Sebaggala with  26% and Takuba with 14%. Ms Naiga had 4% while Kulubya had 7%. Not new Like Takuba, Sebaggala is not new to City Hall. Popularly known to his supporters as 'Seyaa,' he was elected Kampala  mayor in 1998 but lost the seat when he was jailed for fraud in Boston,  USA. Kampala has served as the political and administrative capital of  Uganda since independence in 1962. But 44 years later, the city is bedeviled with numerous maladies. Mountains of garbage and filth, unlit streets, floods, environmental  degradation, falling revenues and traffic congestion among others have  taken their toll on the city. Challenges As veteran Kampala lawyer, Mr Peter Muliira, has put it, most of the  city's maladies stem from the fact that Kampala was granted a district  status governed under the provisions of the Local Government Act like  rural local authorities, yet the demands of a modern city are quite  different from those of rural districts like Kapchorwa or Moroto. There have been proposals that this should change so that the city's  management goes under the President's Office, but wherever it goes, the  management of the city poses numerous challenges. Made of five divisions, Lubaga, Central, Kawempe, Makindye and Nakawa,  the city has been ruled by the opposition. The majority of the MPs and  local councillors are from the opposition and the city has suffered as  a result of rivarly between the central government and the city  leaders. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/790450/-/w19bfj/-/index.html","content":"Nasasira threatens to stop city roads work - KAMPALA WORKS minister John Nasasira has threatened to withdraw over Shs7 billion budgeted to maintain roads on Kampala, if city politicians continue what he describes as blackmail. Mr Nasasira called Kawempe Division Councillors who are planning to demonstrate over the delayed completion of the Northern By-pass road as \"ungrateful people.\" The leadership of Kawempe Division has planned \"a massive\" demonstration over the delayed completion of the Shs89 billion road which they say has caused endless floods in the areas of Kalerwe, Kyebando, Bwaise and Nabweru. He said Kawempe politicians have failed to appreciate that his ministry recently spent over Shs10 billion for emergency roads repairs on top of the Shs7 billion that is available to maintain the rehabilitated roads. \"If these Councillors don't stop fooling us, we shall withdraw our services and support to KCC since we have enough work to do in the countryside,\" Nasasira told journalists on Thursday in Kampala. This implies that if the standoff between City Councillors and the minister is not settled, Kampala dwellers should brace for worst roads in future. Mr Nasasira accused Kampala politicians of hiding their own failures by instigating the public into \"meaningless\" demonstrations. \"Last year, we [ministry of works] came in to help Kampala City Council because they failed to rehabilitated the roads, that were impassable, he said. \"We do not expect the councillors to reciprocate by antagonising us.\" \"I'm aware that KCC has meagre resources but councillors and technical people should account for the taxes being collected in the city,\" he said. \"I'm tired of absorbing insults on radios stations over pot holes in City roads. Enough is enough.\""}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/788676/-/10i5ppi/-/index.html","content":"Teso schools to close over flooding - KATAKWI PERSISTENT flooding in Teso region have left local leaders with no choice but to close down some schools as a temporary measure to save students' lives. Of the 72 primary schools in Katakwi, one of the worst hit districts in the region, about 45 schools have already been lined up for immediate closure just a few days ahead of the beginning of the third term school calendar. This means that about 30,000 students are unlikely to start their third term on time, if nothing is done to rescue the affected schools. All schools in the country are expected to re-open for third term on September 17. District authorities say 1,528 pupils, who registered for this year's Primary Leaving Examinations in the district, will not be examined at their schools due to the devastation caused by the floods. PLE exams will take place on November 6 and 7. Mr Robert Ekongot, the district chairman, told Daily Monitor over the weekend that due to the devastation in the area, closing down the schools was the only logical thing to do. \"In fact any failure on our part to close down these schools would be risking students' lives. This is because pit latrines, roads and classrooms have been swept away by floods and the situation is worrying,\" he said. \"Human waste has contaminated water and any time there is a possibility for cholera, malaria and diarrhoea outbreaks in the area. Teachers' houses in several schools have already crumbled and classrooms are soaked.\" Some of the schools that face closure include Atoroma, Ngariam, Ocwiin, Abwanget Toroma Boys, Orimai, Magoro, Olelai, Abwokodia, Usuk Boys, Ngariam, Aakum, Okolimo, Ocorimongin, Omosingo, Adacar and Akoboi Akwamor, Amorungora primary among others. Some schools in safer zones have also been occupied by the displaced persons who are looking for any dry area to stay on. These include Amusia, Adodoi, Ongatunyu, Apuuton, and Kokoryo and several others. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/788646/-/10i5pmu/-/index.html","content":"FDC gives up on poll petitions - KAMPALA UGANDANS may not see the opposition Forum for Democratic Change going to court anymore to protest presidential election results. FDC Spokesperson Wafula Oguttu told journalists at the party’s weekly press briefing yesterday that FDC cannot win a presidential election petition when the ruling National Resistance Movement is still in power. “It doesn’t make sense to go to court when there is evidence and you lose the petition. We may not go back to court, especially for presidential elections,â€Â� he said. FDC President Kizza Besigye lost two presidential election petitions against President Yoweri Museveni in 2001 and 2006. However, the Attorney General, Dr Khiddu Makubuya, said, “That’s their decision. But the problem with FDC is that when the ruling is against them, then the Judiciary is not independent. Independence of the courts does not mean being pro only.â€Â� Dr Makubuya said the Supreme Court rulings in 2001 and 2006 “are clear and nobody should confuse Ugandans.â€Â� Mr Oguttu said, “There was enough evidence in 2001 and 2006 that the elections were rigged but the results were not nullified. So why should we waste time in the future.â€Â� He said Mr Museveni’s recent remarks while at a rally in Luweero that, “We could not allow bad leaders who kill people to be in control. If you had not elected us (NRM) in 1996, we would have gone back to the bush to fightâ€Â�, show that he does not want to leave power. In 1996, former Democratic Party President Ssemwogerere Kawanga, Justice Forum’s Mohammed Kibirige and Kyapa Karuhanga ran for president against Mr Museveni. Mr Oguttu said Mr Museveni should name the killers, he was talking about during the rally. He also appealed to the government to send relief items to the 200,000 people in Teso sub region who have been displaced by floods. “The government has not done much in terms of relief to help citizens. These people need blankets, food and drugs,â€Â� he said. But State Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Musa Ecweru said he is in the region to coordinate the relief activities. 1 | 2 Next Page»Ã¢â‚¬Å“As I speak now, we have just finished distributing food and seeds to the displaced people,â€Â� he said. Mr Ecweru said the government is distributing a nutritious local seed variety called Ngobe that matures within three weeks and can be eaten. Meanwhile, FDC Electoral Affairs Secretary Rubaramira Ruranga has described over 2,000 votes received by Mr Bazira Bwambale, the party candidate during last week’s by-election in Ntoroko County as “a successâ€Â�. NRM’s Chris Asiimwe won the parliamentary seat formerly held by the late Kabagambe Mugala with 9,247 and DP’s Misaili Mukwenda got 88 out of over 11,000 voters.   « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/787306/-/b11t3uz/-/index.html","content":"Bank of Uganda policies are killing the economy - Bank of Uganda is holding Treasury Bills worth Shs1,400 billion ($770 million). The largest investors in these Treasury Bills are commercial banks. This is wrong economic policy and it is killing the economy. There are two problems here: One; it is wrong for Bank of Uganda to issue Treasury Bills. This is how it should work: If the Uganda government decides on an expenditure for which it does not have money, then it is the Treasury -- not Bank of Uganda -- which should issue Treasury Bills. The Treasury Bills should first be sold to the public, so that at the end of the year when the government redeems the Treasury Bills, with added attractive interest payment, that money should as matter of priority go to our people. It makes a big difference when the government borrows domestically because it enriches its people and builds a formidable local middle class, compared to when it borrows externally because it enriches foreign investors, and perpetuates poverty at home. When time comes for payment, Bank of Uganda, (lender of last resort) should print money and lend it to the government for on-ward payment to domestic creditors. If domestic lenders do not have enough money to invest in huge Treasury Bills issued by the Treasury, then the government should sell the Treasury Bills to Bank of Uganda as a (buyer of last resort). All Bank of Uganda has to do is to just print money and give it to the government for Budget Deficit Financing. This sort of money, as long as it is used to finance national projects like building public hospitals, public colleges or highways, it does not need to be paid. It can only be entered as entry in the national expenditure books as an \"out standing budget financing deficit\". It means nothing. The only cost involved is the US 3 cents charge for printing every bank note, or better still, it is the cost of the software programme that credits money on credit cards just as the one which loads money and air time on you mobile phone. The USA budget deficit financing debt is an astronomical $8.6 trillion while that of Japan is $8 trillion. These figures do not mean much for the USA and Japan -- and will be written off or \"paid\" at a convenient period. However, private borrowing from both local and foreign investors, are paid promptly and are given attractive interest on their money. In the USA, this totals to about $650 billion annually. BoU serving foreign banks The second problem is that it is wrong for Bank of Uganda to hoard Shs1,400 billion in Treasury Bills, in which the largest investors are commercial banks. The Bank of Uganda is confusing microeconomics issues with macro-economic policies. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/784112/-/w0phd2/-/index.html","content":"Fifteen perish in city fires - At least 15 people died and 19 sustained injuries from fire accidents within the city over the last three months, police have said. \"In January, four people died; in February six and in March five people,\" said Chief Fire fighter officer Joseph Mugisa on Friday. A report, compiling a list of emergencies handled by the Fire Brigade over the last three months attempts to explain the regular causes of infernos in the city. But the underlying cause, according to Mr Mugisa is lit candles - which are now predominantly used by many a home due to load-shedding. He said: \"There is a slight increase in the number of fires that broke out in the last three months compared to that which occurred last year in the same period because of careless use of candles during load-sheding. Power shortages and lit candles remain the major causes of fire outbreaks,\" he said. He also said that another 15 people had died while 12 were rescued from other emergencies such as collapsed buildings, pit latrines, floods, water bodies, road accidents, wells, trenches, locked promises, jammed lifts and electric poles over the said period. Mr Robert Kisubi, the Umeme publicist, said some cases of fire could have been avoided through safe practice. He defended the power company, saying their customer service department had done enough to sensitise clients against unsafe power appliances. According to last year's fire report, the Fire Brigade fought and suppressed a total of 129 fires -- 80 percent of which could be directly traced to load shedding, the compilation shows."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/782194/-/4qhkmf/-/index.html","content":"Kampala set to get new Mayor - KAMPALA Six candidates are taking part in tomorrow's elections for a new mayor of Kampala; Nasser Sebaggala (independent), Peter Sematimba (independent), Hasib Takuba (Democratic Party), John Ssenseko Kulubya (independent), Wilson Kyambadde (NRM), and Dr Justin Naiga Sserwanga (independent). All indications are that the contest is between Sebaggala, a businessman and former mayor of the city, and Sematimba, a radio owner and entrepreneur. Sematimba, who lived in the United States for a couple of years, has promised to clean up the city. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/-/689856/780710/-/10sksnnz/-/index.html","content":"Bachelor, Judith move to Mbarara - Sunday Travelled to Mbarara early morning. I need to find a house before I can shift. Booked into Pelican Hotel for the night. What struck me is that the bed here has been protected with a water proof sheet. When I asked the bellboy, I was told that it is because the girls in this part of town have a lot of water. I then remembered a story Biggie told me a few days ago, about a kyana he had cornered from Mbarara who showered him. Who knows, one day I will also get showered. Monday Got an early morning call from Judith, giving me specifications on the house she wants. She wants at least a self-contained house with three bedrooms, a kitchen and in a fence with grown gardens. This is what I was also thinking about. Spent the whole day running up and down with property brokers. Failed to find Judith's specifications. Later linked up with some old boys, for a drink at Another Life Bar. These guys know how to sip their Lager. We kept the Lager flowing deep into the night. The guys are elated that they have another of their kind joining them. They even granted me an automatic membership to their drinking club. Tuesday Another day with the brokers. This time we are successful, though the house is slightly out of town. I decided to settle for this. Had another boozy night at Another Life, with my new found booze-buddies. This time I was even luckier. The guys 'wired' me some cutie with wide hips. One of the guys joked that it is such wide 'hippies' that have a large tsunami potential. I hope their speculations are on the mark. Went to bed slightly after midnight, as I have to make an early journey back to Kampala. Besides, the kyana (her name is Grace) has agreed to give me company over the night. Wednesday Had it not been for Grace, I should have left early in the morning, but she kept me busy in the first quarter of the morning. Though I did not strike floods, what I got was more than I expected. I hope Judith revisits her intention of moving with me to Mbarara because if she does, I could be missing more of these away matches. Thursday Called headquarters to inform them I will be moving on Saturday. Also informed the boys that I will be moving on Saturday. Almost all of them say they will be coming for the house warming in Mbarara. Meanwhile, Judith has invited two of her friends to assist her in the packing. I wonder what I would have done without her. Biggie called me to say he has found a goat for the house warming. Friday Judith is almost done with the packing. Besides, she has to prepare the last supper. Biggie is also coming over to give a hand in the roasting. Called all my neighbours for the last meal. Thank God Umeme did not loadshed us. We danced and partied late into the night. Saturday The truck is at my house by 7a.m. sharp. In a few minutes, Biggie and the boys also arrived. By 10a.m. we were done with the loading and hit the road. Arrived in Mbarara at 3p.m. Looked around for some mercenaries to do the unloading. Judith kept watch over the unloading while the rest of us, started slaughtering the goat. By six, the stuff is in the house and the party is on."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/781750/-/gyd1c7/-/index.html","content":"How to buy your home - What is the difference between a home and house? The answer to this question is not necessarily technical. The more acceptable definition emphasises the psychological dimension, thus; where you go \"home\" after a hard day on the job. Some say, it is where you raise your kids and lovingly watch them grow, blah, blah, blah. The opposite of this should be a house. Too much for definitions. So you have saved enough or \"cracked\" a deal and have come up with enough to buy a home? It would be easier to walk over to your landlord and dangle the keys to his/her house, and say \"am off\". But it's quite challenging wadding in the floods of the real estate/ property market and escape without giving someone more than a deal, but a steal. We are all largely unschooled and unprotected when looking for a roof over the head; whether for first or sixth time buyers. Why? It's a brokers' market: buyers and sellers largely passively pay or receive the money involved. Normally, at the point of looking for a roof over the head, one would be expected to have done their homework (homework without a home?). The information is there but only available to those who know what they want and where to get it. And they're hard to come by. Get help You have to search or seek help. Most property and real estate buyers and sellers negotiate over unverified claims; appraisal reports have no place in most transactions. Also, properties are seldom inspected by experts. So before you shout \"show time!\" make sure you know where you are heading. For home buyers or sellers in upmarket areas like Kampala City's Kololo and Nakasero, the market is more organised with real estate agents acting professionally, financing options are in place, and property valuers a call away. The lower market side is a minefield; it's infested with quacks, hot-air merchants and \"steal\" mongers. 1 | 2 Next Page»But, like they say, this is our country with its peculiarities. What buyers and sellers have to look out for are five main things: Location, condition, marketing, the market, and the price. Location is obvious and condition is verifiable. Marketing efforts are also visible, though, a lot of marketing occurs behind the scenes. The devil in this business, lays in the other two things left; the market and the price. Houses were never meant to be liquid investments - you buy it...and you hold it. But that, today, could be a story of the past. How about the market? Can you tell that the \"demand\" is high or it's a \"low\" season? That lone broker won't tell you. Don't rush, move widely and don't get owned by any one of them; get the best deal and then go home. The writer is a consumer rights activist. shabanmail@yahoom.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/-/691192/774988/-/f9fndyz/-/index.html","content":"A rat’s enemy is cow’s too - The Chinese have a saying: \"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me\". That is the premise from which I begin my reflections on the last presidential elections. We have allowed ourselves to be fooled more than once by President Yoweri Museveni and it’s time to examine what we have been through. The 2001 election was for all intents and purposes a two-horse race. While Dr Kiiza Besigye had a strong organisational machinery, this was nullified by Mr Museveni’s heavy reliance on the state apparatus. The top brass of the army made pointed statements showing intolerance for a victory other than Mr Museveni’s. Dr Besigye encouraged this militarisation of the process too. He held out as the \"hammer\" capable of removing the \"cotter-pin\". Thus the voters lost confidence in any other candidate no matter how good their manifestos were. But all along it was clear that Dr. Besigye’s tough rhetoric was caged in a reformist attitude. If he had come out as a true hurricane of change, seeking not to reform but to demolish the Movement, he would have even done better. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/773076/-/b1q7g1z/-/index.html","content":"Stop the pain of picking kids from school - On Friday, business in Kampala came to near paralysis as a result of massive traffic jams. And the cause this time was not the usual suspect - floods - but just too many vehicles turning out to pick children from school as the second term holidays begun. True the city is currently heavily dug out with several roads closed and traffic diverted but this has not caused significant traffic snarls. Traffic jams at the beginning and closing of the school term is not a new thing, it has been like this every term of every year. The traffic snarls do not only inconvenience the parents but also the business community who have nothing to do with picking children. These jams cost both the parents and the country a lot of money. Most offices were half full on Friday as a result. Government and private employers paid for a full day's salary while their employees were either in schools or held up in jams. The cost of fuel both to individual parents and to the country as a whole is also enormous. Yet these are jams that can be avoided. One solution is for schools in Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono and Mpigi to phase their opening and closure over three or four days. 1 | 2 Next Page»But more importantly should every parent be driving to school to pick children? It is understandable that some children will have to be picked, like those with disabilities but the majority of them shouldn't. Schools, parents, the city authorities, and maybe even government need to find a solution to this. One way to do so is for a bus fare to be included onto the fees. Shillings 3,000 to Shs 10,000 depending on the distance from the city will sure be cheaper than a half tank of fuel. Students should then be dropped at the city centre or divisional centres, like Nakawa, Kawempe, Nambole, where security can be arranged. The children can then pick taxis, walk home or be picked by relatives. Many of these schools have only 300 students who can be picked up by four or five bus trips which will be much cheaper than 300 parents driving to school. Namasagali College has been dropping students at the National Theatre for several years now and that has not made them more foolish than those who are picked in the four-wheel drives.       « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/-/691192/769118/-/f9xw5az/-/index.html","content":"In the cabinet mirror, west is fairer than all - It is hard to tell whether it is a blessing or a curse to be included in or excluded from President Yoweri Museveni's brand new cabinet. It will depend a lot on the direction in which Mr Museveni is pointing his regime's campus in the last three years of his reign. But for Ms Miria Matembe, she of the Ethics and Integrity fame, the dismissal was a huge blessing. Her words, not ours. Speaking on WBS television on Friday night shortly after news went out of her sacking, the outspoken Ms Matembe said she was relieved because she had been frustrated in her anti-corruption crusade which she called a \"one-handed\" struggle. She said she had fought a lonely battle against the Rakai LCV chairman Vincent Semakula and was ultimately betrayed by her colleagues when, at his swearing-in after re-election, she saw a guest list that read like a who-is-who in top leadership. \"In fact I am happy... what would people think of me? A barking dog that can't bite?\" she said with agitation. Ms Matembe, it will be remembered, complained bitterly when her brief of Ethics and Integrity was reduced to state minister level in the July 2001 reshuffle As far as politics is concerned, the past week will probably go down as the most spirited this year. So far, anyway. In a space of five days, the country had been treated to a top minister's defiant utterances, a move to register a major political party, a vice president's 'resignation' and ultimately a reshuffle whose magnitude knows no competition to date. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/768956/-/gx9ucu/-/index.html","content":"Europe's labour shortage may be good news, but.. - Europe's current demographic crisis should be good news to the millions of jobless in Africa. Two weeks ago, the continent was paralysed by demonstrations as millions of pensioners took to the streets protesting planned reforms that would give them two equally unattractive options: spend old age in poverty, or work till you drop. The problem is that there are more old people in Europe waiting to retire than there are young people entering the job market. This is the price of modernity. Due to advancement in modern medicine, people are living longer, so they collect pensions for longer. And with more and more women getting into professional jobs, less and less are choosing to have babies. The result? Negative population growth. For example, Sweden's population has been growing at about 1 percent over the past decade, but immigrants mostly from Eastern Europe account for this. Without them, it has in fact been declining. In Italy the population is forecast to fall by a third over the next 50 years. To prevent a catastrophe the government is rolling out programmes that offer women two year's paid maternity leave to stay home and have children. The Pope has joined the campaign by begging Italians to \"rediscover\" their divine duty and reproduce. In Britain, a 2001 census counted 11 million people over 60 years, out of a population of about 58 million. In five years, they will all be collecting pensions - at least £79.60 a week each. Governments have all come up with nearly uniform solutions: to increase the retirement age from 65 years to 70 - and extract an additional five years from the old people as policy makers buy more time (no doubt hoping they drop dead at work); or to dramatically cut down pension payments by almost a half; and to double the amount of money young workers pay for social security. Predictably, no one is happy. Many old people have been working for the past 40 years and cannot wait another five years to stop. And realistically at 65 years, they need a break. On the other hand young people are being asked to pay more of their earnings into pensions for today's old people without the guarantee that their own old age will be protected. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/-/690254/765478/-/14sshgy/-/index.html","content":"Rain disrupts Corporate League - Heavy downpour for over four hours could not allow for a complete day's programme when the 2003 Corporate League kicked off at the Kyadondo Rugby Football Ground on Sunday. A few games were played before it started raining heavily, causing floods all over the area that the league committee called off all the games that were remaining. However, Uganda Telecom Limited kicked off defence of their title with a 2-0 victory over new entrants Allied Bank in the morning. They also beat Balton 2-0. In other games before the rain, AES lost 0-1 to UKI (the makers of Sleeping Baby), while WBS, led by their general manager Nicholas Simani, managed a 1-0 win over AAR. Also claiming victory were Bank of Uganda with a 1-0 win over new entrants Total, Threeways defeated Barclays 3-0 and Surgipham fell 4-1 to Celtel. The Monitor also started well with a 1-all draw with Lonrho and a 1-0 win over AAR, thanks to Jessie Kamara's lone goal. Coca Cola and Stanbic Bank also settled for a barren draw while Datanet lost to Shell. On pitch three, P&O Nedloyd gave Knight Frank a warm welcome to the league with a thorough 6-0 beating. Eric Van Veen's MTN also scooped a 1-0 win over newcomers Resorts, while Nile Bank beat KPMG 2-0 and Pernell FF defeated Knight Frank 2-0. 1 | 2 Next Page»The leading scorers of the day were John Sseruwagi from UTL and Richard Tugume from UBL with two goals each. Rose Nakilanda was the lady scorer with only one goal. The league resumes 27 April. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/688536/-/vgpm3p/-/index.html","content":"Famine: Museveni comforts Teso residents - Bukedea President Museveni’s impromptu visit to Malera Sub-county, Bukedea District, to assess the magnitude of famine culminated into an opportune political tool to dialogue with part of the region that voted otherwise in the 2006 polls. “Your Excellency, we have a saying that a person who helps you in need is your friend,” said area MP Rose Akol on Sunday. “When we had floods in 2007, you came and shared the problem with us and now again as we go through this famine you have come to be with us. We recognise you as our true father.” What was expected to be a somber mood turned into a scene of jokes and laughter as residents sang songs praising President Museveni. Malera Sub-county is one of the hardest-hit areas.Like the Tsunami catastrophe that made headlines in the media in the past, the Iteso have christened the current famine ‘Aiyeya’. Ms Akol said: “The situation here has been so bad that the people here have decided to name this famine Aiyeya which literally means whispers.” Apparently, people have been whispering to each other asking for help so that no body can hear them for fear of shame. The residents demanded planting materials such as cow-peas, cassava stems and sweet potato cuttings as well as appropriate tools especially hand hoes and tractors. They also want the three valley dams in Bukedea de-silted to pave way for irrigation. The President visited several gardens where crops like sorghum and maize have dried up. “Don’t panic, the people will not die of hunger because crops have failed,” Mr Museveni told the residents who had gathered at the sub-county headquarters. “We have solutions because we are a government that knows how to handle people’s problems. If you can handle things by Aiyeya, that’s good but if that fails, you make an alarm.” He added that in the short-term, the government will distribute food, adding that plans for irrigation projects from Sironko to Bukedea and Ogino through gravity, are underway. He instructed for food to be distributed to schools as the district education officer had earlier reported an exodus of children in schools because they could not study on empty stomachs. Mr Museveni added that plans to repair Tororo-Soroti Road before the end of the year are also in the pipeline. He advised every household to maintain a three-acre garden for food crops. In a subtle show of change of heart, 96 youth including Forum for Democratic Change chairman for Kolir Sub-county were paraded as new NRM members."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Isimba-dam-to-swallow-rafting-site/-/688334/2768926/-/ffx5rc/-/index.html","content":"Isimba dam to swallow rafting site - Kayunga. The Isimba Hydro power project and its 132KV transmission line will destroy 18km of space used for whitewater rafting on River Nile, MPs heard last Friday. Rafting is a popular sport on River Nile and attracts many tourists due to massive frothy waves colliding at different angles. The 183mw dam is under construction in Kayunga District by China International Water and Electric Corporation (CWE) at a tune of $500 million (about Shs1.3 trillion). The dam, 40kms downstream, from the newly built Bujagali Hydropower Dam, is being funded by the Chinese Export and Import Bank (Ex-Im). Ms Caroline Aguti Mugisha, an official from the ministry of Energy, said it was unfortunate that the rafting site will be lost. “Eighteen kilometres of the rafting stretch will be lost, but 18 km will be left intact,” Ms Aguti told MPs on the Parliamentary National Resources committee and officials from the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) who were inspecting the progress of the dam construction. Ms Aguti said rafting sections that will still be used stretch between Bujagali and Kalagala falls, Point Break, Overtime, Retrospect, Bubugo/Super hole, Itanda rapid, and Vengeance. Other affected areasThe dam will also cause flooding of up to five rapids (Weleba, Malalu, Nile Special, Kulu Shaker, and Hair of the Dog). “Two of the rapids lost – Weleba and Malalu are of less rafting value or attraction, and not usually used being downstream of the outtake point at Kisozi,” Ms Aguti said adding, “the lake that will be created will provide alternative tourism activities and opportunities such as boat rides and sport fishing.” Mr Dennis Ntege, one of the people who do water rafting business on the river, asked Energy officials to work with the affected people so that the rafting and the dam co-exist in harmony. Dr Tom Okurut, the Nema executive director, said before they approved the construction, many considerations were made to minimise its impact on environment and in conformity with the Indemnity Agreement for Bujagali IPP.The deal restricts any developments on the offset area to the environs of Kalagala Falls.doors DoorsMr Zhao Xiao Chao, one of the top project managers, said they were training young Ugandan engineers to take over the management of the dam after its completion. At the commencement of the project, ministry of energy officials said 1,500 permanent and 3,800 casual job opportunities were expected to be created during the 34-month period. Mr Chao said 70 jobs are filled by Ugandans. ptajuba@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Government-end-illicit-financial-flows/-/688322/2768138/-/14y7h71/-/index.html","content":"Government asked to end illicit financial flows - Nairobi. A crusade to end illicit financial flows (IFFs) has been rolled out with the warning to the Ugandan and other African governments to end the criminal activities.The campaign dubbed “stop the bleeding” is a continent-wide initiative to stop IFFs from Africa.Uganda is one of the African countries that is affected by illicit trade which occurs in several forms including; overpricing, transfer pricing, tax evasion, money laundering, corruption and false declarations, all denying the country the much needed revenues that could save it from donor dependency. Illicit financial flows refer to money illegally earned, transferred or used. It is also known as the flow of money that has broken laws. These activities are propagated by complex networks that cross multiple jurisdictions, draining foreign exchange reserves, reducing tax collection, canceling investment inflows and worsening poverty. Currently, Africa is estimated to be losing more than $50 billion (about Shs162 trillion) a year in Illicit Financial Flows, an amount of money the member of the Pan African MPs network on IFFs and tax, Ms Kanyisile Litchfiled Tshabalala, said can transform health facilities across the continent.Civil societies in Uganda, among them SEATINI, Action Aid and CSBAG estimated that Uganda alone loses an average of $509 million (more than Shs1.5 trillion) in illicit outflows every year. This amount is an equivalent of 60 years budget for the National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), a government institution mandated to, among others, get rid of substandard and potentially life-threatening counterfeit products flooding the country. Speaking at the launch of Stop the Bleeding campaign last week in Nairobi, Ms Tshabalala, said African leaders need to be more accountable and also wake up to stop IFFs because they explain why African countries, among them Uganda, is not transforming as fast as she should compared to the Asian tigers.Representing US-Africa network, Ms Reggy Anyango, said IFFs have the potential to support terrorism which is a global problem now. Ms Nelly Busingye, the programme officer SEATINI-Uganda said the entire population should appreciate the dangers that IFFs pose to their livelihoods. ImpactEffect of illicit financial flows. The effects of these losses on IFFs from mean loss of jobs, income, decent education, health facilities and other basic infrastructure critical to transforming the economy. These resources, if retained, could be invested in productive sectors of economies to lift Africa’s growing population from poverty.iladu@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/When-my-toddler-locked-himself-in-the-house/-/689842/2741488/-/3n1rriz/-/index.html","content":"When my toddler locked himself in the house - It was a normal sunny Monday when it happened. I went to work as usual and everything was fine, until I received a call from my husband at around 2.30pm to say that Brian (not real name) our son, one year and two months old then, had locked himself inside the house. It was a two-roomed house enclosed with a wall fence. It had a wooden door leading to the bedroom and a metallic door outside. There were two bolts on the outer door; up and down on the inside, and another on the outside. Each room had two glass windows. In panic, I quickly called my maid but she wasn’t answering the phone. I called several times but no response. I got restless and confused; the client I was attending to noticed my discomfort and distraction; he allowed me some time to settle. I did not. My maid still didn’t pick up the phone; I paced up and down the office floor uneasily then decided to call my husband who was my only link. I kept wondering where the maid was when Brian locked himself in or why she wasn’t picking. A lot of questions went through my mind; what if he hurts himself in desperation to get out? What if he pulls wire cables and gets electrocuted? All these and more questions kept flooding my mind. I excused myself from my client who understood my situation and I left the office hurriedly; I got into a half filled taxi along Kampala road bound to Wandegeya and with its constant stops, I felt I would reach the next day. Meanwhile at home, the maid too walked up and down the neighbourhood desperately trying to get someone to bang the padlock on the outside open, which was locked from the outside, since its keys were inside too. Brian had by now climbed onto the sofa by the window, and was yelling in fright as he strained to look outside the closed window, crying.She found the neighbourhood watchman who struggled to break the padlock but failed. After about two futile hours, he used a metallic rod to the door slightly open so that he could reach the bolt Brian had playfully shut. I reached home, and knocked at the gate frantically. The maid opened it with Brian in her arms.‘Where were you?’ I asked angrily as I grabbed Brian eagerly. ‘ I…I … was…’ she stuttered.‘Why didn’t you pick your phone?’ I impatiently cut her short. ‘In the kitchen…my phone was also locked inside,’ she explained timidly. ‘Then how did you know my husband’s number?’ I asked suspiciously. ‘From the watchman…he had it…I don’t have yours off head,’ she explained. Deep inside I was glad that she used common sense to solve the problem and that she knew she had a responsibility. Brian laughed and played like nothing had happened. After this incident, I now open the outside padlock so as to allow access to the bolts from the outside, if bolted to avoid a similar occurrence. I also discovered that it is very necessary to give your mobile phone numbers to a few of your neighbours such that in case of an emergency such as this, a problem can be solved even if you are physically absent. On the other hand, I found out that my security was fine because my door was made of very hard metal that even if burglars came to attack, they would be caught, this was due to the fact that the padlock couldn’t be broken within five minutes."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Invest-mitigating-climate-change/-/806314/2716722/-/p7pnhvz/-/index.html","content":"Invest in mitigating climate change - Uganda’s vulnerability to climate change remains a key reminder of the need to evaluate her readiness and preparedness to counter these negative effects. Over the years, drought, flooding and landslides, among others, have affected communities in many negative ways. Diseases are rampant, poverty is on the increase, development is stifled and Uganda’s population, one of the highest in the world, continues to grow at an estimated rate of 3.1 percent according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics.All this shows that climate change should be handled carefully since it affects our lives and most especially the indigenous people in our communities. Currently, many districts are in the process of drafting the District Development Plans (DDPs) feeding into the National Development Plan II. For that matter, it is crucial for all our district local governments to handle very well climate change mitigation measures and integrate them in their DDPs and other district planning document. It’s high time the environment and natural resource sectors at the district level be looked at as important like other sectors since they support agriculture. Having in mind that Uganda’s agriculture depends on rainfall apart from very few districts that have embraced the use of irrigation, its high time we invest in mitigating climate change impacts and adopt its measures. As important as the governance systems are for sustainable environmental management, central is the role of local governments in the political and social-economic arrangements. Environmental governance should consider the needs of citizens and, therefore, people’s participation in environmental management is key. Districts should work closely with the Climate Change Unit, Ministry of Water and Environment and other government agencies to ensure its integration and compliancy. Uganda can easily achieve sustainable development and a green economy by focusing on sustainable management and use of land and water resources owing to the high dependence on natural capital particularly agriculture and other land based natural resources if all its policies are implemented well. Building the knowledge base on the state of natural resources including their valuation, assessment of the cost and drivers of land degradation and the benefits of investing in sustainable land management are also very important. Land use planning should be promoted and land use change especially the conversion of forests and wetland areas to other uses should be minimised but there should be a call for stronger political will. Therefore, as local governments plan for the next five years, these questions are very important to inform all stakeholders; i) Where is climate change-related expenditure happening across district local governments? ii) What share of expenditure has its primary objective in the delivery of specific outcomes that improve climate resilience or contribute to mitigation actions?Edward Natamba Natamba, eddienatamba@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Mpigi-locals-protest-poor-state-of-road/-/688334/2712302/-/y6ctx3/-/index.html","content":"Mpigi locals protest poor state of road - Mpigi. Police and army spent the better part of last Saturday morning battling residents of Buwama Sub-county in Mpigi District who were protesting the poor state of Mbizzinya- Jalamba road.Residents, armed with machetes, hoes, knives and sticks blocked the road with logs, banana stems and stones. The demonstrators said the road had become impassible with the heavy rains thus affecting the transportation of their produce to the market.Motorists were forced to use other routes to connect to the Kampala-Masaka highway while those heading to Mbizzinya Market used the Bulo-Kayabwe route.Mr Joseph Ssempijja, the sub-county youth chairperson, convinced the residents to halt the protests on condition that the district authorities rehabilitate the road in 14 days. UltimatumMr John Mary Luwakanya, the district boss, said the road will be rehabilitated soon and fitted with new culverts, especially at sections, which are prone to flooding.“We are not neglecting our people, but we have a plan we are following and very soon we will fix that road like we have done in other sub-counties,” Mr Luwakanya said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Masindi-vendors-decry-stench--low-sales/-/688334/2680720/-/14dxpwqz/-/index.html","content":"Masindi vendors decry stench, low sales - MASINDI. Vendors in Masindi Central Market have decried the poor sanitation in their market, accusing the municipal council authorities of failing to put up mechanisms of ensuring cleanliness in the area. The vendors’ chairperson, Mr David Asiimwe, said on Tuesday Masindi Municipal Council delays to collect the garbage and people who reside nearby dump rubbish in the market at night. The problem has been exacerbated by the heavy rain which have led to flooding because the market has no proper drainage system. Sales affectedMr Asiimwe said the stench from the garbage repels customers and affects the vendors’ sales. “We want the municipal authorities to procure enough garbage bins and place them in strategic areas where they can easily be accessed by members of the community,” Mr Asiimwe said. He also criticised the municipal authorities for failing to install security lights, which he said is exploited by some people to sneak into the market and steal goods. There are more than 1,000 vendors in the market. The mayor, Mr Joshua Amanyire, expressed ignorance about the matter. He wondered why community members have to dump rubbish in the market when there is a truck which is supposed to collect it. “Such people should be arrested and prosecuted because a town should be very clean,” he said. Mr Amanyire said he would direct his technical staff to sensitise members of the public and vendors on how to dispose off garbage. The numbers1,000The number of vendors in the market."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Vendors-leaking-new-Jinja-market/-/688334/2677340/-/rias7cz/-/index.html","content":"Vendors lose millions in leaking new Jinja market - JINJA. Vendors in the newly constructed Shs28 billion Jinja Central Market are counting losses after their merchandise was soaked by rain water last Friday as a result of a leaking roof.The traders said the leakage resulted in flooding of sections of the building. The market was commissioned by President Museveni on November 17, 2014 and opened to the vendors in February.Vendors said water seeped through stores causing extensive damage to merchandise, including sugar, rice, maize flour and beans. The losses suffered are estimated to be in millions of shillings.“I am finished. I don’t know what to do now. My entire stock was purchased using a loan from a micro finance body. What do I tell them now? They will just imprison me,” lamented Hajati Masitula. She said she lost goods worth Shs1.5 million. The vendors spent most of last Saturday morning clearing the market of the water. The discovery of the damaged roof comes after massive cracks were seen in parts of the market walls.It was constructed with funding from the African Development Bank (ADB) the under Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Programme (MATIP- 1). Jinja Resident District Commissioner Richard Gulume and the mayor, Mr Muhammad Baswari Kezaala, who toured the market and addressed the traders, said it is high time government put the contractors, Ms Vambeco to task to explain the defects on the market. “Less than two weeks ago we were here to see the massive cracks on the structure. Now we are here only to find that the market is leaking and there is no drainage to mitigate effects of flooding yet billions of shillings were spent here. The contractors surely must provide an explanation for this,” said Haji Kezaala. Mr Kezaala and Mr Gulume called on the town’s physical planning committee, Parliament and the Ministry of Local Government to expeditiously evaluate the work on the market lest traders lose their lives.“We want Ms Vambeco Enterprise and other responsible bodies to come and forge a way forward because vendors might run away. We also need to protect their lives,” Mr Gulume said.Efforts to reach the director of Vambeco Enterprises, Mr Budget Mugabiirwe, proved futile. His mobile phone went unanswered all weekend. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Entertainment/Kigozi-prays-for-rain-through-art/-/812796/2667598/-/rdt7xb/-/index.html","content":"Kigozi prays for rain through art - Resonating with the poetry on the first page of his catalogue, David Kigozi’s paintings displayed at Afriart Gallery in Kamwokya, a Kampala suburb, late last month, are an emotional, nostalgic and psycho-physical trail of beauty of rain. Their multi-coloured outlook, both acrylic on canvas and mixed media, leave the eye longing for a drop from the sky. Kale Kaaka (It is too hot). Gwaaka nemumpale, ngamba ensaawo (Shines in the pants, rather pockets) are three verses beginning the poetry in Luganda, with matching translations in English. All Seasons Begin with You reflects these ideas. This 84cm x 95cm painting is the face of a girl with a cheerful sun at the forefront, gleaming her face, yet darkeningly green and blue to the forehead and rare cheek. Her bright eye speaks life. Kigozi says apart from recording events of the time, he looks at day-to-day things around him, surroundings, environment, and what he’s more attached to for inspiration. “My paintings are of chicken…kids; hoping the world sees their innocence, the turmoils of life…,” he intimates. The journey through Etonnyeko (Let it rain) is manifest of his thoughts. Rain on Our Wedding Day shows an African bride with beads round her neck and head. Under that red umbrella, she does not seem to be too happy about it raining as an aura amidst the colours surrounding the unhappy bride shrives. Rain Down In Bwaise definitely tackles the unbearable flooding situation in that part of Kampala; a cyclist peddling a passenger across the mess of water, with his legs raised to the back to avoid dirty splatters. The tyres are halfway submerged. Clock Tower studies traffic on that rainy day. The verses “As it spoils the day play and trade, Let it rain patience and tolereance, Let it rain joy and hope” pretty sums up those pieces. Infusion of Luganda in Titles like Eryokanga Netonya, or the inscriptions of And God Said alluding to biblical scripture maintain his Ugandan heritage. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Govt-targets-creation-of-640-000-new-jobs/-/688334/2664632/-/48qwudz/-/index.html","content":"Govt targets creation of 640,000 new jobs - PARLIAMENT. Government yesterday unveiled an ambitious development plan, highlighting achievements and challenges Uganda is grappling with in its quest for realisation of middle income status by 2020. Estimated to cost Shs185 trillion, the draft National Development Plan II (NDPII), the second in a series of five-year development agenda preparing the country for Uganda Vision 2040, commits the government to creating at least 640,000 jobs annually. Dr Joseph Muvawala, the executive director of the National Planning Authority, yesterday said: “There is need to address implementation bottlenecks and strengthen existing institutional arrangements to speed up service delivery and reforms.” The new plan prioritises investment in agriculture, tourism, minerals, oil and gas as well as two fundamentals; infrastructure and human capital development. Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah said it would inform the government priorities in the 2015/16 Budget proposals. If the proposals are adopted in the new Budget, the government annual expenditure in the 2015/16 financial year and two subsequent years to come will increase from Shs16 trillion to at least Shs20 trillion. Ambitious targets have been set for the next five years. For instance, over the planned period (2015/16- 2019/20), the government of the day must increase per capita income from $788 (Shs2.3m) to $1,033 (Shs3m); reduce the poverty rate from 19.7 per cent to 14.2 per cent and reduce the number of uneducated young people and those without jobs by at least 50 per cent. In five years, the government is also supposed to increase manufactured exports from 5.8 per cent to 19 per cent; increase access to electricity from 14 per cent to 30 per cent; increase access to safe water from 65 per cent to 79 per cent, in rural areas; from 77 per cent to 100 per cent in urban areas; increase national paved roads from 3,795km to 5,000km; reduce infant mortality rate from 54 to 44 per 1,000 live births and maternal mortality rate from 438 to 220 per 100,000 and reduce stunted children from 31 per cent to 25 per cent. Under NDP I (2010/11- 2013/14), the NPA said Uganda achieved a growth rate of 5.5 per cent down from 7.2 per cent envisaged over the same period. The poor performance was attributed to climate change; drought; flooding and severe storms on productivity and infrastructure. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Establish-national-data-centre/-/806314/2659592/-/n6lr2lz/-/index.html","content":"Establish national data centre - A national archives and records service centre provides and manages the proper care of records of government bodies, the preservation and use of a national heritage. Uganda has a rich collection of primary source documents known as archival records. Primary source documents are important because they give us first- hand evidence of people, places, objects and events.Uganda has a population majorly made up of the youth who have no knowledge of Uganda apart from the history lessons they get in classes. In February, two incidents happened in Uganda which did tickle me into thinking of this article. Archbishop Janani Luwum was remembered and a public holiday was gazetted in his honour and the remains of former army officer Bazilio Okello were returned home. However many youth did not know the two personalities!Records were originally created for specific purposes as evidence of transaction. By preserving public records created by government bodies as archives, the national archives and records centre will preserve the memory of what a government body, an organisation, church, mosque did , as well as the circumstances and context surrounding the activity. Archival records will help the young to understand who we are, as individuals and as a country. A public archives centre is, therefore, a special resource.Organisations such as Bank of Uganda, Uganda Revenue Authority, government ministries, political parties, media houses, urban authorities, etc should have archival record centres where people can look at the past of these organisations. BoU should have a centre where the youth can have a look at the different currency notes and coins that have existed through the years. Information in public records serves as a major channel for accountability and is a cornerstone of democracy. Through access to public records and archives, transparency is promoted. The digital world has eaten up all systems of information management and record keeping. We need a resource centre in Uganda where one can find sources of information such as personal letters, government records, photographs, speeches, maps, diaries, newspapers and magazine articles and film or sound recordings.These records should be kept in custom -built , access controlled strongrooms to ensure their safety and optimal preservation. Various systems are used to protect the records from fire , flooding and pests as well as from degeneration by the regulation of the temperatures, humidity and lighting and the use of special storage facilities.Percy Mulamba,pmulamba2008@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/UNBS-installs-new-board/-/688610/2627860/-/9ki6ne/-/index.html","content":"UNBS installs new board - KAMPALA. Trade minister Amelia Kyambadde has inaugurated a 10-member board to serve on the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) council, with the main task of fighting counterfeits currently flooding the market.At the Tuesday event held in Kampala, the minister reminded the new board that “the role of UNBS is to protect consumers against dangerous, fake and substandard goods”, a duty she said the council should execute diligently.“I emphasise the need for more vigilance to tackle the enormous challenge of counterfeits and substandard goods on the Ugandan market,” she said.Counterfeits affect the economy as they subject locally manufactured goods to unfair competition because they are cheaper.This is in addition to posing health hazards especially when the fakes are food items or drugs. The minister singled out the agriculture sector as one that needs urgent interventions as majority of inputs being sold are of substandard quality. Ms Masitula Munyaami, the new chairperson, whose team will lead for three years, noted that there are gaps in monitoring and enforcement that needs to be closed. ptajuba@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/EAC--regional--standards--body/-/689364/2622654/-/10bmjsn/-/index.html","content":"EAC needs a regional standards body - It’s undoubtable that weight and measures play an integral part among the necessities of life for all citizens in our region but this needs to be clearly communicated and understood. Whereas I find it vital to underscore the contributions made by each Standards Bureau in all the EAC partner states towards facilitation of trade, quality control and enhancing productivity, I find the formation and commissioning of a regional standards bureau that is well facilitated and clearly mandated as a far better approach to address the loopholes we are experiencing in quality control in our imports and exports as a region. This could go a long way in addressing the flooding of fake and low quality goods currently distributed across the region. Ideally, most of our imports and exports as a region are handled by two major ports; Mombasa and Dar-es-Salaam since Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi are landlocked states. I, therefore, find it justifiable for EAC partner states to jointly set up a regional standards bureau with modern laboratories in Mombasa and Dar-es-Salaam, fully equipped with modern equipment and jointly recruit staff and mandate them to execute their duties without political influence. This, I suppose will see wanainchi get access to quality goods and services. Our patriotism levels as citizens of EAC partner states differ significantly, so a regional team of officers who are carefully selected from each state and strongly recommended and thereafter appointed to this body will work best. I believe this team could constitute a non-corrupt body that fronts a regional agenda of enabling citizens access quality and affordable goods and services as opposed to the current situation where some if not all our states have been turned into dumping sites and China flooding our markets with substandard goods. What is so disturbing still is that it’s our very own traders who order for such goods. One then wonders how such goods find their way into our market given the presence of national bureaus in each state. Who then are we to hold responsible for this; corrupt officials, political influence, lack of patriotism, poorly equipped laboratories, insufficient funding, lack of full mandate to these bodies, level of exposure, etc. Whereas one may probably have an excuse for the importation of sub-standard electronic products, textiles and other general merchandise, I find it deadly when it comes to the influx of fake medicines and other consumable food stuff that easily find their way into our markets. In retaliation, I strongly believe that once there is a regional standards body with strongly recommended and approved staff from all partner states fully mandated and protected genuinely from political influence together with sufficient facilitation and fully equipped laboratories at Mombasa and Dar-es-Salaam ports then we will have a way out of this challenge to support the current Customs Union and the Common Market Protocol being implemented in the region. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to visit China and India among exporters into our region. In these countries, quality control departments especially those handling exports are in place but end up being compromised by traders due to greed pretending that we East Africans can’t afford better quality products so manufacturers make goods varying basing on which market the trader is taking them The earlier we embrace regional integration, the better Mr Kisembo is a project director Afrika Mashriki Test and Director Tendo Gcll Ltd."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Score/-/689854/2622986/-/15hf41gz/-/index.html","content":"Nations Cup belonged to Ivorian keeper Barry - The recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) will be remembered for many things. To start with Morocco, who wouldn’t even touch it with sanitation gloves due to fears over Ebola.Then the spectacularly named Teodore Obiang Nguema Mbasogo came to its rescue and Equatorial Guinea effectively demonstrated how to put together a major tournament within eight weeks. The inevitable stories of flooding hotel rooms and pitches in a sorry state were to follow but not even that surpassed the chaotic scenes of the second semi-final between the host and Ghana. Insanity & riotsI am not sure whether Equatorial Guinea genuinely believed they ought to win this one, or if they were plain unimpressed by Ghana’s disregard for their generosity. Either way the ensuing riots served to divert attention from what was relatively a decent event. All this while, however, the gods after watching the many sub plots still decided they would work to ensure that one man was going to define this tournament. And that man is Boubacar Barry, the 35 year old Ivorian goal keeper, who was not supposed to even be playing last Sunday.Barry, who joined the Elephants in 2000, started his football at Asec Mimosa and now finds himself at Belgian outfit Lokeren via Rennes B and Beveren. He will be the first to admit he isn’t that talented. But what he lacks in talent he has compensated for in weirdness.He actually looks mad and doesn’t give the impression he is the kind of guy one entrusts with the matters of winning major tournaments, let alone keeping goal. During the final, for instance, when he wasn’t grimacing like something was caught in his teeth, he was sticking out his tongue like the weight of the occasion or some unseen force was choking him. Remember all this from a man, who once celebrated a goal against Greece at the 2014 World Cup by eating a mouthful of grass. He is mad this Barry chap! Tried & testedYet Ivory Coast has trusted him for 15 years, if not as number one, at least as a substitute like we saw during Afcon 2015. He has generally been part and parcel of Ivory Coasts’ so - called golden generation. When the Didiers, Drogba and Zokora retired many Ivorians felt he should have followed them. He opted to stay with the other ‘seniors’, theToures, even if that meant as a backup keeper. As it is though Slyvian Ghobouo got injured and the final was handed to barmy Barry.As we all know, and just like 1992, it ended up in nerve wracking spot kicks - all 10 of them for each side. Barry not only saved a couple, he also had time to fall and call for medical help in between. It could have been genuine but knowing Barry, it was probably gamesmanship.But what stood out is that with both countries quickly running out of kickers Barry, a veteran of the 2012 Afcon spot kick heartache, stood his ground to save from Ghanaian keeper. He followed that up by converting the ensuing decisive kick. banturakim@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/Facebook-resolutions-2015/-/689856/2601200/-/evfi61z/-/index.html","content":"Facebook resolutions 2015 - Unlike many of us, I have not made resolutions for this year 2015. What I would like, instead is to kindly ask you, my dear readers, to make one joint resolution. And that is, to spend more time in the real world and less on Facebook. Firstly, I would beg you to learn how to write sentences, complete sentences that do not have to have hashtags, for example, Goodmorning#Beautifulday#Sunisout#Livingmybeautifullife#Lookatmeandmy clothes! is not a sentence but a collection of odd phrases and a disturbing cry for attention. I also plead with you to focus more on nation-building activities than posting pictures of yourself every day. I can assure you that 24 hours is not long enough for your friends to forget what you look like. Also, to the young girls out there, why are you posting pictures of your behind on Facebook? Even your mother has one! Yet hers is not on display like overripe bananas swinging from a market stall. If you are pregnant, please do not bare your stomach on Facebook. You might catch a cold and besides, I don’t think Father Lokodo would be pleased. At any rate, isn’t your condition already obvious? If you insist on flooding my wall with daily and month-by-month pictures of your offspring, how will I ever open the Facebook page? I admit that my phone, though smart, is not a genius, so please make life easier and mail the pictures to interested parties only. Keep in mind, too, that Baby might not be pleased 17 years from now to discover that the internet is flooded with his photos. Finally and most sincerely, I don’t know how posting pictures of amputated, gangrenous limbs and mangled accident victims on Facebook will help them get better. I am not a doctor, just to clarify, nor a mganga from Tanzania. All these pictures cause is horror, revulsion and the instant desire to ‘unfriend’ you on Facebook. I will neither ‘like’ nor ‘share’ these pictures, my friend, so count me out of those guilt trips. Looking forward to a new year without the Facebook drama!"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/Freedom-and-its-tricks/-/689856/2601232/-/13fkxkh/-/index.html","content":"Freedom and its tricks - One of the most prominent clichés that stuck in my mind, was one I learnt at a very young age. This was about a group of people who were sitting in a boat. One of them brought out an axe and started breaking the area where he was sitting. The other passengers who were caught by surprise asked him to immediately stop this action. Carefree of their concerns, he went on breaking the corner of the boat where he was sitting while justifying that this was his side of the boat, and he had freedom to do what he wanted in his area. What is freedom?Of course, this statement did not go down well with others who reminded him that by breaking one part of the boat, they were all going to capsize. Then they had to take a common action to stop him. This very simple and unsophisticated, example leaves one wondering: Should we leave the man to do what he wants with his side of the boat because we should respect individual freedoms? Or should we stop him because this freedom will bring harm upon others? The recent events in France, the attack on ‘Charlie Hebdo’ and the unfortunate killings of editors and journalists of this weekly French magazine has made sensational news, and an unprecedented condemnation by millions of people including a march in Paris and other parts of France. These included political leaders and heads of states, even from the Arab world. ReactionAlthough this is not the first time this magazine is attacked for publishing cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, it surely was the most devastating. This also allowed thousands of people who had never heard of this weekly, to become aware of its existence. Commentaries started flooding the social media, tweets were flying faster than light. Most people were categorically condemning the act, while others followed their condemnation by a question of why should they provoke Muslims and abuse their Prophet. Columnists and political affairs savvy, wrote lengthy articles on why this event happened and on whose shoulder the ultimate responsibility falls. One expert even blamed one of the previous United States Presidents Jimmy Carter for developing policies that created such groups, this is the extent to which some analysts went. Where are we headed for?On the other hand the magazine producers stayed defiant and went ahead to reprint the magazine intriguing more anger and protests from Muslims. This will go on for some time, and then everyone will go back to their daily lives until another sad happening brings us back to this question: where is our world heading? editorial @ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Elgon-region-will-be-hot-till-March--say-experts/-/688334/2589564/-/4cdmv2z/-/index.html","content":"Elgon region will be hot till March, say experts - Mbale. Meteorology experts have warned that the eastern region is bound to experience high temperatures between this month and March. This comes barely a week after the Uganda National Meteorological Authority warned of fewer rains and greater intensity of unseasoned heat waves across the country this year. The Mt Elgon national park area manager, Dr Adonia Bintorwa, said the prevailing heat in eastern region will continue to February and March, and that the region will witness droughts, heat waves and low humidity. Speaking to Daily Monitor on Monday, Dr Goretti Kitutu, the environment systems specialist at the National Environment Management Authority, said people have destroyed the country’s forest cover and wetlands for settlement and economic livelihoods. Dr Bintorwa also said the prevailing heat in other parts of the country is likely to hit the cattle corridor harder due to the effects of climate change. THE BACKGROUNDThe eastern region is prone to torrential rains and flooding which affects food security by washing away crops and cutting off access to affected areas. In Bududa and Butaleja districts, landslides have in recent years washed away villages. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Stop-destroying-swamps-in-urban-areas/-/806314/2583852/-/u6smcp/-/index.html","content":"Stop destroying swamps in urban areas - Many people have destroyed swamps mostly in urban areas and this has always been done to create space for settlement and agriculture. What we usually do is put either sand or dirt or gravel to dry up the swamp, push the land back and then go ahead to use that land for housing developments or for business expansions. Therefore, we are taking precious land from animals and possibly endangered species that may be located in the swamp and killing off any animals that may be living in the swamp at the time. Similarly, a lot of wetland loss is attributed to agricultural activities that necessitate draining and plowing of wetlands. Swamps are important because they filter, prevent erosion and flooding, for animals, provide food, recreation, research and education. The can take the bad chemicals out of our water, making it safer for us to drink though not 100 per cent safe for drinking It may be very hard to stop people from clearing swamps, especially for settlement, but this problem can be solved by Keeping the wetlands near where we live protected and clean. Encourage our family members and friends to do the same The local government should work hand in hand with Nema to stop people from destroying swamps.Sngobi54@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/MPs-ask-water-body--KCCA-to-deal-with-Lubigi-stench/-/688334/2560318/-/2nee5i/-/index.html","content":"MPs ask water body, KCCA to deal with Lubigi stench - KAMPALA- Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has asked the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to work closely with National water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) to solve the issue of unpleasant smells from Lubigi Sewage Treatment plant. The request comes after some people living near Lubigi sewerage plant complained about a stench they claim is emitted from the point. The residents asked the MPs to compel NWSC to devise means of stopping the stench. However, Ms Florence Namayanja, the vice chairperson of COSASE, exonerated NWSC, instead blaming cesspool truck owners for pouring raw faecal matter directly into the wetland. “The problem is not NWSC but those cesspool trucks that pick faecal matter from latrines and pour it into the wetland. “The actual treatment plant built by NWSC does not smell but other parts of the wetland,” Ms Namayanja said recommending that KCCA and other authorities work hand in hand to solve the problem by stopping such trucks from pouring dirt in the wetland. Mr Sam Apedel, the NWSC public relations officer said residents of the area continue to falsely accuse NWSC yet the plant has prevented the area from flooding and purified large amounts of faecal matters disposed in it. In a telephone interview with Daily Monitor yesterday, KCCA spokesperson Peter Kaujju warned that the Authority would prosecute anyone found dumping waste in the wetland. However, he was quick to add that “we are currently not aware of people pouring faecal matters,” Meanwhile, Mr Apedel said that NWSC is constructing a €51million (about Shs221.8b) sewerage plant in Bugolobi. After its completion, it will produce bioenergy to reduce the expenditure on electricity currently at Shs2.5bn per month incurred by NWSC. jptajuba@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/World-Bank-approves-Shs2-3-trillion-for-Uganda-s-key-sectors/-/688610/2560216/-/a33840z/-/index.html","content":"World Bank approves Shs2.3 trillion for Uganda’s key sectors - Kampala The World Bank Group has approved a $823.8 million (about Shs22.819 trillion) loan to finance five projects critical for the country’s economic development. The bank officials say once the projects get completed, they will boost Uganda’s economic development and result into Uganda achieving economic transformation. In an interview with Daily Monitor recently, outgoing World Bank country manager Ahadou Moustapha Ndiaye said Uganda needs inclusive economic growth and transformation and as such there is need to develop sectors that are critical for the process. Giving a breakdown of the recently approved loans for projects in Uganda, Mr Ndiaye said: “The World Bank has approved $175 million (about Shs484.750 billion) for second phase of greater Kampala Institutional and Infrastructure Development Project (KIIDP-2) to support infrastructure development with Kampala city.” Mr Ndiaye said phase two builds on the $33.6 million first phase which was designed to strengthen the city governance both institutionally and fiscally and has yielded positive results. Mr Ndiaye said the Kampala Institution Infrastructure Development Project phase one has helped the Kampala Capital City Authority make much-needed repairs in form of improved drainage systems to reduce flooding, rehabilitated roads and the extension of the Kitezi landfill. The bank has also approved a $145 million (about Shs401.650 billion) Albertine region sustainable development project. Mr Ndiaye said: “The objective of the Albertine region sustainable development Project is to improve regional and local access to infrastructure, markets, and skills development in the Albertine region.” The third approval is the north eastern road-corridor asset management project worth $243.80 million (about Shs675.326 billion). Mr Ndiaye said the development objective of the project is to reduce transport costs, enhance road safety, and improve and preserve the road assets sustainably by applying cost effective performance based asset management contracts along the Tororo - Kamdini road corridor. abagala@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/Character-traits-of-slum-urbanism/-/688616/2557222/-/nluhhoz/-/index.html","content":"Character traits of slum urbanism - The last two weeks of November 2014 were not good for Kampala. First an infant, whose mother was facing charges related to illegal vending in the city, was tragically killed when a Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) vehicle ran over him as he wandered the KCCA compound.A week after that tragedy, the city experienced a downpour which caused flooding along many streets in Kampala, including some of the roads that have only been recently resurfaced by KCCA. The KCCA has been in existence for about three years now and has done a commendable job of making the city cleaner and more organised. The two incidents cited before however cause one to pause and ask, “What is the real problem of Kampala and are the solutions being employed likely to be effective?I spent most of the last week of November 2014 at the MS Training Centre for Development Cooperation in Arusha, Tanzania as part of a team developing a course in media and land governance. During my Arusha visit, I came across the work of Professor Edgar Pieterse, a South African urban planning expert, who says countries in the global south are experiencing a phenomenon he calls slum urbanism.According to Professor Pieterse, slum urbanism is a vicious cycle characterised by six factors; an inverted economy, low and erratic household income, small tax base, insufficient private and public investment in critical infrastructure, skewed allocation systems and demand for services outstripping supply. Inverted economyAn inverted economy is one where the majority of the working population are in informal employment. For many years now, it has been reported that Ugandan universities and other tertiary instituions are producing more graduates than the rate at which formal jobs are being created. One often quoted figure is that there is only one formal employment opportunity for every four graduates. Many urban dwellers are therefore pushed to find means of livelihood in informal activities. Kampala has its multitudes of informally employed people that include the throngs of market traders; bodaboda motorcyclists, people in business centres such as Kikuubo and Kisenyi, patrons of sports betting and street vendors. To get an idea of how many residents of Kampala depend on informal employment just look at who was the winner the city mayoral election in the past 20 years; certainly it is not the candidate favoured by the formally employed. Low and erratic incomeMany of the people in informal employment have low and erratic income. While formally employed people are assured of regular income, perhaps a salary; those in informal employment can only hope for a lucky day when they are able to make a sale or find a wage earning job. Most of the informal earners are simply urban peasants who live from hand to mouth and if they cannot earn they have to either starve or borrow or steal to make ends meet. Small tax baseAlthough the urban population is burgeoning, the tax base remains small, why? Folks in the informal sector do not pay taxes because often they are below the radar of the tax woman and even when they are caught their income is too little to be divided between food at home and government coffers. Somewhat confusing for Uganda is that there are also people who have informal money such as a person with a gross salary of Shs2 million who is ‘miraculously’ able to build a Shs400 million house and acquire a Shs60 million debt free!In response to the small tax base, the government may come up with proposals such as taxing parafin and salt too. James Abola is the team leader of Akamai Global, a consultancy firm based in Ntinda, Kampala. Email: james.abola@akamaiglobal.co.uk editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Arua-leaders-blame-residents-for-poor-roads/-/688334/2534576/-/95pj6ez/-/index.html","content":"Arua leaders blame residents for poor roads - Arua. Arua District leaders have accused residents of failing to maintain roads and encroaching on road reserves.The district chairman, Mr Sam Wadri Nyakua, and the Resident District Commissioner, Mr Peter Debele, said during construction of roads, most residents refuse to leave road reserves, making it difficult to set up drainage channels that would prevent roads from flooding during rainy seasons.“We are blaming you (locals) because the owners of land refused us to open their land for off-shoots,” Mr Nyakua told residents of Offaka and Anyiribu sub-counties. “You have refused us to have access to road reserves, now when it rains the water has to remain on the road and it becomes impassable,” he added. Blame-gameMr Debele added: “Why do you wait for us to come from Arua Town to maintain it for you? And of all things, you refused to recruit road gangs, let us be fair to ourselves.”The leaders made the remarks during a recent dialogue at Offaka Sub-county headquarters, about the state of the 31km Ullepi-Offaka-Anyiribu road.The leaders were responding to concerns by residents and non-governmental organisations that the poor road network had increased the cost of doing business in the two sub-counties.However, the district leaders urged the residents to play a role in maintenance of their roads, arguing that the district no longer has enough funds to periodically maintain the roads.The district engineer, Mr Joseph Mademaga, said the Uganda Road Fund had cut its budget to the district from Shs3 billion in 2012 to Shs600 million, which is not enough to rehabilitate 601kms of roads in the district.Mr Stevenson Ssevume, the coordinator of World Vision in the area blamed people’s refusal to leave the road reserves on lack of sensitisation. Recently, the district leaders came up with plans to recruit youth grups who would help the sub-counties monitor the roads that are not in good shape. But the youth argue that the money for the work is not enough for maintenance. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/All-about-Santa-s-Kitengelicious-collection/-/689842/2530750/-/x1l0juz/-/index.html","content":"All about Santa’s Kitengelicious collection - Why did you call it the Kitengelicious collection?Kitenge is the commonly known brand name for this particular fabric, seeing that ancient kitenge has made its way back to vogue, I chose to modify and rebrand the kitenge to suit current modern trends, kitengelicious suited the bill 100 per cent. How long did you take on this collection?In total, two months. First, I had to build a concept that would fit well within our afro-fusion line. The greatest challenge though was finding the original certified kitenge pieces that would differentiate Arapapa products from the African pieces that are currently flooding the market. The prints had to be unique, timeless, vibrant, and bold! Once that was achieved it was then easier to create and design the desired fashionable pieces. What does this collection represent?The true spirit of Africa; bold, vibrant and beautiful. Is it an all-female collection?Oh no. We are just about to launch the kitenge-Gents fine pieces, meticulously made for the gents. I must confess that this line will be very special. The UK-based musical group, the Ganda Boys, will be the very first to wear Kitenge Gents. What is the price of the items?They range from Shs120,000 to Shs550,000. Who are you targeting?Kitengelicious is a collection for everybody, children, teenagers, young professional as well as age 35-90 years. What do you like about kitenge?Original kitenge is timeless, that is key for me and most of my clients would rather buy an outfit that, like a pair of Levi Jeans is never out of fashion. What accessories would fit well with these designs? My personal rule in accessorising is the saying that “less is more”. You do not have to crowd yourselves with accessories! The human body complexion in itself is a very unique design, our clothing and accessories must enhance it rather than horde it."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Ntoroko-leaders-reject-relief-items-from-Tooro/-/688334/2526890/-/14u4j2g/-/index.html","content":"Ntoroko leaders reject relief items from Tooro - Ntoroko. Local leaders in Ntoroko District have rejected relief items from Tooro Kingdom, sparking off a debate on ethnic diversity in the Rwenzori sub-region.More than 5,000 people in Ntortoko were displaced following flooding after rivers Semliki and Lamia burst their banks recently.Since then, the victims have been receiving relief items from different organisations, including the Uganda Red Cross Society.However, last week, the local council officials of Budiba Parish rejected items from the Tooro youth group, saying they were under strict instructions not to receive them before the delegation reported to the LC3 chairperson of Butungama Sub-county, Mr Omuhereza Ruhweza.The relief items included food, clothes, shoes, blankets and cups. “Once our people accept and receive the relief items from Tooro Kingdom on behalf of their king (Oyo), this would mean that we have accepted to subscribe to their kingdom,” Mr Ruhweza said.The district chairperson, Mr Timothy Kyamanywa, said the people of Ntoroko do not subscribe to Tooro or any other kingdom apart from a few from the Queen Mother’s family, adding that there was no need for delegations from Tooro to come on King Oyo’s behalf.However, the Tooro minister for culture, the Rev Richard Baguma, condemned the action, saying: “What the local leaders did was inhuman and Ntoroko District is part of Tooro Kingdom, according to Article 246 of the Constitution of Uganda. “Divisionism is not applicable here. We are all Batooro from different counties.” editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Leaders-want-govt-to-build-bridges-on-R--Nyamwamba/-/688334/2524412/-/3hl0owz/-/index.html","content":"Leaders want govt to build bridges on R. Nyamwamba - Kasese. Leaders in Nyamwamba Division, Kasese Municipality, have appealed to government to construct permanent bridges to enable residents access services in other areas and prevent loss of lives following regular flooding of River Nyamwamba.The river previously burst its banks, leaving more than 20 people dead and property destroyed.“We lose 10-15 people every year as they cross from here to town for services. We have no alternative ways apart from moving through the water with patients,” Mr Robert Bwambale, the Kihara Cell village chairperson, said.He said residents of Kihara, Misika, Rukooki, Basecamp and Kibenge villages have often been trapped in the river as they cross to their gardens.“We do not have any health centre in this area and therefore we pass through this river when we are going to Kasese Municipality Health Centre III and Kilembe hospital for health services,” Mr Bwambale said.In May, government announced that it needed about Shs30 billion to de-silt the river to stop the bursting of its banks so that water can flow freely.The State Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Mr Musa Ecweru, said they had partnered with the management of Hima Cement to carry out minor de-siltation in some areas, pending acquisition of the money. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Spam-messages--UCC-should-crack-the-whip/-/689360/2520034/-/4qeayz/-/index.html","content":"Spam messages: UCC should crack the whip - Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) should punish, not just warn entities that continue to push unsolicited messages and promotional calls. These telecoms companies, information and content providers have pursued their interests against those of consumers, despite repeated warnings by UCC.As things are, the warning by UCC has done little to stop the barrage of unwanted SMS and calls. UCC should enforce its mandate now, instead of giving the entities reprieve until November 21. Enough is enough; the operators have violated a moratorium on telecom promotions imposed by UCC in June. The providers have also failed to ensure consumers are not subjected to mobile spam and calls as defined by UCC Guidelines on Content, Services and Applications. What is more, the complaints by consumers are not limited to unsolicited SMS but extend to poor quality of data and suspect subscription to callers’ tunes. Plainly said, the mobile phone service users are sick of the game telecoms companies, information, and content providers play. Many would be happier to hear of the punitive action by UCC against these entities than hear of more warnings, minus a profound change. This vice and same old-song of warnings have gone on for far too long and must stop. The phone users should not be saddled with Shs150 to Shs500,000 costs of unsolicited SMS and promotional calls at every instance.In June, we urged UCC to stop these telecoms companies, information, and content providers pushing spam SMS and promotional calls. We then proposed an opt-out option for clients to stop these nuisance and endless complaints. Commendably, UCC has now cleared most grey areas and streamlined its oversight. The free-of charge opt-out option short code 196 is a great move. UCC should ensure the entities don’t poke holes into this to abuse clients. Similarly, the ‘Do not Disturb’ register proposed by UCC should be activated by all telecoms and breach of application duly penalised. As UCC broadcasting Commissioner Fred Otunu said, these rules were agreed upon after consultations, are in public domain and breach should be squarely punished. Even spam messages from Internet and other sources should now be easy to check as all telecoms, information and content providers are under UCC supervision. And UCC should not hesitate to withdraw licences and punish non-compliant entities that fail to fix unsolicited calls and SMS flooding clients’ inbox. The decisive point is for UCC to apply its mandate, enforce compliance and ensures no more spam SMS and unsolicited calls by November 21 deadline. The issue: Unsolicited messagesOur view: And UCC should not hesitate to withdraw licences and punish non-compliant entities that fail to fix unsolicited calls and SMS flooding clients’ inbox."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Mt-Elgon--Heavy-rains-threaten-PLE-exercise/-/688334/2508186/-/26my6az/-/index.html","content":"Mt Elgon: Heavy rains threaten PLE exercise - BULAMBULI. The onset of heavy rains in the Mt Elgon area has left many leaders worried as to what effect it will have on the national Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) that starts today.Almost all the five districts of Bududa, Bulambuli, Manafwa, Sironko and Mbale are susceptible to flooding and landslides. The torrential rains pounding the region have already caused flooding, submerged some roads and made access to some schools in Bulambuli difficult.Bulambuli District inspector of schools, Mr Simon Wakiwa, said even with the on-going Uganda Certificate of Education examinations, access to some schools has been challenging due to flooding.He said the road from the examination collection centre to some schools in upper Bulambuli had been cut off at Sisiyi Bridge. Vehicles cannot use this section of the road while pedestrians use a make-shift bridge (ladder).“We fear that this (heavy rains) will disrupt the transportation of examinations to schools in upper Bulambuli. We also fear that if it rains heavily, some pupils who are supposed to start their PLE exams on Monday (today) could fail to cross the flooded rivers to their schools,” Mr Wakiwa said.He appealed to Uneb to consider the district as a hard-to-reach area and open more exam storage centers. Uneb secretary Matthew Bukenya said at the weekend the examinations board had put in place measures to ensure no child misses exams. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Mbale-engineer-stopped-from-supervising-roads/-/688334/2483768/-/g9faju/-/index.html","content":"Mbale engineer stopped from supervising roads - Mbale The Mbale Municipality chief engineer has been stopped from supervising ongoing road works in the municipality over alleged incompetence. On October 7, the municipal authorities stopped Mr Edson Kasata after complaints of shoddy work on the ongoing rehabilitation works of Republic Street, Pallisa Road, Nabuyonga Rise and Bugisu hill roads. Plinth Technical Services is carrying rehabilitation works on the roads at the cost of Shs12 billion. But the municipal council accused Mr Kasata of failing to effectively supervise the roads amid reports of shoddy work. The roads have developed defects, including reduction of the road size and have been raised higher than the previous level, leading to flooding of people’s shops whenever it rains. When contacted, the accused declined to comment. “Talk to the municipal council spokesperson, I am not supposed to comment on matters in the municipality,” said Mr Kasata, before switching off his phone. Council remains optimisticThe council has now replaced him with the environment officer, Ms Rhoda Nyaribi. Despite the poor works, municipal leaders insist the construction will continue. The municipal spokesperson, Mr James Kutosi, consented that there was poor workmanship but said this should not be blamed on the contractor. “We can’t blame Plinth Technical Services but we must blame Prome Consultants who designed the road. That is why we have dismissed them and contracted Blessed Consultants to continue with the work,” said Mr Kutosi. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/UPDF-surround-al-Shabaab-base/-/688334/2442256/-/cf2pv2z/-/index.html","content":"UPDF prepares for final assault on al-Shabaab’s last stronghold  - Kampala The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Katumba Wamala, is in Mogadishu to oversee the UPDF final assault on the al-Shabaab’s most strategic Somali port of Baraawe. By Thursday evening, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) had laid siege on Baraawe and cut off all links to and out of the port, leaving the al-Shabaab insurgents only one escape route through the Indian Ocean. The UPDF has been in Somalia to fight the al-Shabaab under the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom). On Thursday, the spokesman for Uganda’s Amisom contingent in Somalia, Maj Deo Akiiki, told Saturday Monitor by telephone from the UPDF’s forward base of Subley, 174km south of the capital Mogadishu, that by the end of September there will be no area controlled by al-Shabaab in the UPDF operational sector of Central and Middle Somalia. The territory Al-Shabaab controls a stretch of 79kms from Subley, where the UPDF had established a forward base by Thursday night, to Baraawe port which is the main supply point and source of revenue for the insurgents. The ongoing Operation Indian Ocean has already forced the al-Shabaab to flee battlefields and escape through the Indian Ocean. “If Amisom had good maritime capability, they [al-Shabaab] would as well be cut off from escaping by sea. But before this month ends, there should be no area controlled by al-Shabaab in our sector,” Maj Akiiki said. Ugandan troops are fighting without airpower after the four attack helicopters meant for the Amisom operation crashed in Mount Kenya two years ago. The UPDF are now only using infantry artillery like tanks and armoured vehicles to fight the insurgents. To block the advancing Ugandan troops, al-Shabaab were flooding the roads by opening irrigation water canals but the UPDF engineers were deployed to fix the damaged roads. Gen Katumba joined his troops at the frontline on Thursday and held meetings with commanders to make final preparations for the assault on Baraawe port. “He has come to the operational area to give morale to the troops who are preparing for an assault on Baraawe,” Maj Akiiki said. “It’s like an island now. We have cut off all roads connecting the port to Mogadishu,” he added. But before they enter Baraawe, the UPDF will have to secure the town of Sablale which American drones hit on Monday. The town is still controlled by al-Shabaab and lies between Subley, the UPDF forward base, and Baraawe port. Americans hit a convoy of al-Shabaab insurgents in Sablale town on Monday and it is suspected their spiritual leader, Abdi Godane, also known as Mukhtar Abu Zubeyr, was driving in the motorcade. It is believed he was killed in the assault although no confirmation has been made. rkasasira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Meteorology-lacks-capacity-to-reduce-climate-change/-/688334/2426896/-/d71lq8z/-/index.html","content":"Meteorology lacks capacity to reduce climate change effects – Minister - KAMPALA- The National Meteorology Department has limited capacity to handle the impacts of climate change due to inadequate funding, State minister for Environment Flavia Munaaba, said yesterday. The minister said this while opening the outreach workshop in Kampala meant to discuss the findings of the fifth assessment report released by the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and its impact on Uganda’s development yesterday. The report cites an unprecedented increase in the global warming rate caused by human activities. The main activities causing climate have been identified as Greenhouse gas emissions, burning of fossil fuels, extraction of minerals, mushrooming urban settlements in Africa, among others. “As we make efforts to address climate change, the National Meteorology department should be supported in terms of equipment to assist in averting the impacts of climate change,” Ms Munaaba said, adding that there has been lack of priority to climate change in terms of budget support. According to the report, African countries lack climate data and information, which creates difficulties in assessing the overall risks and vulnerabilities triggered by climate and non-climate factors “At even relatively low levels of warming of one degree centigrade to two degrees centigrade, many unique systems are threatened and food productivity, human health and water resources could be negatively affected in some regions,” reads the report in part. According to the report findings, sea levels have risen faster than any time during the previous two mellennia with many regions including Africa witnessing changing rainfall or melting snow and ice altering fresh water systems, affecting the quality and quantity of water available. Impact on UgandaDespite the efforts by government to mitigate impacts of climate change, Uganda has had its share evident through the landslides in Bududa, the bursting of river Nyamwamba banks in western Uganda, the melting of snow at the highest peaks of the Rwenzori ranges, the flooding of roads in Kampala city, change in rainfall seasons across the country. However, environment experts attending the workshop warn that if the local public is not sensitised about the impacts of climate change and how to mitigate it, the country will face adverse effects of global warming. eainebyoona@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/Cheap-sugar-imports-threatening-domestic-factories/-/688610/2328416/-/15a77g5z/-/index.html","content":"Cheap sugar imports threatening domestic factories, says official - Kampala The Uganda Sugar Millers Association has raised an alarm over tax-free sugar which is flooding the local market saying local factories could soon shut down due to lack of protection. In an interview with the Daily Monitor on Monday, Mr Jim Kabeho, the chairman Uganda Sugar Miller’s Association, said local factories are facing closure if nothing is done to clamp down on tax-free sugar which mainly comes from the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) member states. “Tanzania is not monitoring its borders and cheap sugar which is not attracting taxes is coming in from SADC member states. Uganda is the only country currently producing sugar in surplus of 150,000 tonnes meaning we shall not have where to sell the surplus sugar,” he said. He added that Kenya is still barring Ugandan sugar from entering its market yet authorities claim the East African Community is an open market to members, a situation that has worsened Uganda’s sugar dumping problem. “The sugar coming from the SADC member states does not attract taxes because the farmers get subsidies from the exporting companies and this will kill our market yet in Uganda, we have to pay taxes,” he said. When contacted, Mr Cyprian Batala the commissioner external trade in the Ministry of trade, disputed the claims and urged the sugar manufacturers to carry out research before making allegations. “Our EAC common external tariff on sugar still stands at 100% or $200 per ton of imported sugar cash in freight whichever is highest and this has worked for us since 2006 to protect the local industries from sugar imports,” he said. In response, Mr Kabeho said all sugar coming through Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo is imported without paying taxes. “What do they mean that URA is collecting taxes when all the sugar coming through Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya and DR. Congo is imported without paying taxes,” he wondered. Kenya’s protectionism against sugar imports Kenya was first given the protection from cheaper sugar imports from the Comesa region in 2004. The safeguards, extended in 2008 and 2012, expired in February this year. In 2012, the Kenya Sugar Board barred Ugandan sugar from entering Kenya citing concerns over itsorigin. The neighbouring country claimed that Uganda was repackaging duty-free sugar which it imported in bulk at the height of sugar deficit which resulted into public demonstrations over high sugar prices. According to the authorities, Kenya is merely protecting her local market from competition. sotage@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Let-s-adopt-renewable-energy-now/-/689364/2320640/-/auigi8/-/index.html","content":"Let’s adopt renewable energy now - Uganda’s renewable energy potential is capable of addressing most of the country’s energy needs such as cooking, heating and lighting. This potential would enable access to better social services and industrial production, thus improving livelihoods. But currently, energy production and use poses health dangers on the public through industrial hazards, environmental pollution, and injury risks, among others. Disturbingly, the way energy is generated and used in Uganda is clearly moving the country into accelerated climate change and the poor suffer associated impacts such as drought, famine and flooding, which has been experienced in low-lying areas such as Bududa, Gweri in Soroti and recently in Kasese. Plantations on which large populations depend for their livelihood, have been destroyed. This is worsened by some of the efforts meant to address the climate crisis. Certain measures adopted sometimes affect people’s health directly. For instance, raising energy prices forces people to adopt highly polluting fuels. A high proportion of the population, especially in rural communities, use high polluting fuels, which is dangerous. We urgently need to find ways of curbing the effects of high polluting fuel through efficient use of energy, clean technologies and switching to clean energy sources. Although we recognise the potential health benefits of other energy sources such as hydro and nuclear power, energy use in form of oil, gas, coal, and fossil fuels have grown in use exponentially since the industrial revolution. This, too, has health risks at various points in their fuel cycles, yet Uganda has limited capacity to mitigate the effects. Renewable sources of energy are attractive. For example, solar, wind, hydro and bio-power energy offer the prospect of satisfying energy demands without contributing much to air pollution or climate change. Every potential energy future is made safer from a health standpoint by placing emphasis on development of renewable energy sources. Uganda has renewable energy potential of up to 5,300 MW. This can power every household in this country and provide energy for rapid industrial development and job creation (can employ more than 40,000 graduates each year in different sectors). Time is now to adopt renewable energy."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Excitement-in-Karamoja-as-rains-start/-/688334/2318480/-/u6w411/-/index.html","content":"Excitement in Karamoja as rains start - Karamoja. Karimojong and Turkana pastoralists now have cause to smile after the arid region received rains this week. The rain saved the pastoralists from the drought which hit the region and dried several water points. Livestock died due to scarcity of water and pasture. The seven-month drought had dried up water dams including Kobebe, which government built at Shs7 billion. The dam had been serving a population of 90,000 head of cattle, sheep, donkeys, goats and camels of both Karimojong and Turkana from neighbouring Kenya.Mr Paul Lokut, a Turkana pastoralists grazing his animals in Moroto, said some of the seasonal rivers that had dried up are now full.“Drought in Turkana had forced us to run away from our land and to graze our animals in Moroto. We didn’t know where to go next if the rains had not come,” he said. However, the rains have created secondary problems. Roads have become impassable due to flooding. The road connecting Moroto to Mbale via Nakapiripirit has been closed after the rains washed away the bridge. The Okukudu Bridge that connects Nakapiripirit to Mbale has also been washed away leaving vehicles stuck. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Post-war-Acholi-needs-leaders-who-will-drive-devt-initiatives/-/689364/2265910/-/77vag1z/-/index.html","content":"Post-war Acholi needs leaders who will drive devt initiatives - My Global Health practicum in Kitgum and Pader has given me unimaginable opportunity to traverse these districts. In my sojourn, I have been humbled by people’s resolve to self mobilise so as to build their communities from the debris of more than 25 years of anarchy. In Latanya Sub-county, Pader District, an impoverished community is silently struggling with an aspiration and a priority to start a secondary school. They have resolved to grow the secondary school to the point where the government may take it up. In the whole of Latanya, there is no secondary school and yet there are so many primary schools. The lack of a nearby secondary school also means children from these impoverished rural peasantry households are limited to primary school education. This Latanya community seed secondary school, represented by two small buildings, is all that CARITAS and USAID sponsored for them. This year, Senior Three is to be introduced, which means they may not have a classroom to accommodate this growth. It is amazing how community members are willingly donating land for the expansion of this school. Listening to the narratives of the parents, the principles of community empowerment and community networking comes alive. However, the lack of imagination and concrete realities of poverty strains such resolves. Beyond Latanya’s community initiatives, I was taken aback at the amount of alcohol being consumed here. Here, death occurs by the crude drinks in sachets. In one week, more than seven deaths had been associated with alcohol. Drinking alcohol has potential negative implications across these communities. It is lessening the workforce as would-be able-bodied folk turn to drinking the moment they are awake. Domestic and gender-based violence are on the increase. Cases of murder resulting from petty quarrels at drinking joints are also rampant. Another major challenge here is that men are not actively seeking healthcare services. This means women have become the gatekeepers to healthcare, nutrition and to security for the household. Women in the post-conflict Acholi have become the pillars of homes and communities, which is unusual because in Acholi tradition, men have always shaped social and economic discourses, while women played supervisory and support roles. Today, women are doing it all while the men are drinking. It is sad that women are the ones actively seeking for HIV tests. The men, who are most likely to have multiple partners, acquire and spread HIV, are not involved in healthcare seeking. You will only find women at antenatal clinics. Stories have been told where some men living with HIV have the audacity to forcefully grab the antiretroviral medication from their wives to share the dose. One of the major problems of the post-conflict Acholi region is the lack of imagination among local leaders. People vie for leadership positions as routine job seeking venture. There is need to eliminate the obviously unhelpful symbols of past conflict. People need to be wired to a hopeful future. The environment here is rapidly diminishing so communities should be prepared to build water reservoirs to harness the excessive flooding. In short, post-conflict Acholi is badly in need of people with imagination to catapult this region to a new economic order. These leaders ought to mobilise the people to spur development, to break from the traditions of fear and pessimism. Unfortunately, everything here is linked with politics, which renders most elected leaders ineffective. Mr Komakech is a practicum student at Maternal Child Health facility in Kitgum, northern Uganda. mordust_26@yahoo.ca"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/A-chance-to-care-for-mother-earth/-/688334/2261892/-/8qjpiq/-/index.html","content":"A chance to care for mother earth - It is an unfortunate fact that in the 21st century, nine out of every 10 homes in Uganda still use either firewood or charcoal for cooking. Put simply, if you visited 100 homes today, only one out of every 10 will be using either Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) , electricity, biogas or any other form of “clean cooking” technology. The result of such inefficient use of wood fuel is the alarming rate of deforestation that may see Uganda with no forest cover by 2050. Through Earth Hour, we can reverse this trend. Earth Hour is a global environmental movement started by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) with the goal of uniting people to protect the planet. WWF recognises that conservation is the responsibility of everyone across the planet. The first Earth Hour took place in Sydney in 2007 when more than two million people switched off their lights for one hour to show they wanted action on climate change. Earth Hour is now marked in more than 5,000 cities and towns in 134 countries throughout the world. It is marked annually in the last week of March and this year it will take place this Saturday. Uganda’s caseIn Uganda, it is organised by WWF Uganda Country Office, and the priority issue has been reforestation to reverse the current trend of 6,000 hectares of forest cover lost every 30 days. It is through this campaign that WWF, in partnership with National Forestry Authority (NFA) started the Earth Hour Forest. The Earth Hour Forest is located in Bozza village, Mpigi District, where more than 2,700 hectares have been set aside for tree planting. A number of corporate partners have come on board and made contributions toward this forest. More corporate companies are encouraged to join. Uganda’s current consumption of energy for production or household use has a strong bearing on the future of the nation and its people. The CEO and co-founder of Earth Hour, Mr Andy Ridely, summarises the essence of Earth Hour: “What makes Earth Hour different is that it empowers people to take charge and to use their power to make a difference. The movement inspires a mixture of collective and individual action, so anyone can do their part.” There is a saying that everyone’s problem is nobody’s problem. The reality is that environmental degradation and climate change threaten life as we know it. Up to a quarter of all species could become extinct. Whole ecosystems, like tropical rainforests, could disappear. And hundreds of millions of people will suffer from flooding and extreme weather, food shortages and disease. It’s not too late to avoid the worst. Earth Hour is an opportunity for every individual, young and old, rich or poor, households, communities, institutions and businesses, to make a contribution towards the conservation of the environment. This is about joint ownership of the problem and the solution. As an individual, it might be tempting to think that one person’s action cannot do much. But actually, it is in the individual commitments where the impact really is. Did you know that by using an energy saving stove instead of the ordinary and wasteful metallic stove for at least a year, you save up to 33 mature trees from being cut down? With the energy saving stove less charcoal is needed to prepare meals. This year, as millions of people watch lights going out around the world, famous landmarks confirmed to participate in the event include the Empire State Building, Tower Bridge - London, St Pauls, Edinburgh Castle, Brandenburg Gate, the Eiffel Tower, The Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow, the Bosphorus Bridge connecting Europe to Asia, the world’s tallest building the Burj Khalifa, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore and many more."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Makerere-targets-students--farmers-in-climate-change-project/-/689860/2257468/-/10r5gvb/-/index.html","content":"Makerere targets students, farmers in climate change project - Most farmers’ wish is to carry out their work in an environment where they can deal with drought, diseases and pests, which is why scientists at Makerere University are looking at mitigating deforestation to conserve the environment. Scientists at School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, in Department of Forestry and Biodiversity, are implementing a $2.9m (Shs7.2b) Norwegian-funded project. It targets students from Uganda and Tanzania, who will be sponsored for courses related to climate change and environment conservation for the benefit of the rural communities, particularly farmers. Prof John Tabuti, the co-ordinator, explains the sponsorships will be spread out as follows: in Uganda, 42 students at Masters’ and 14 at PhD level while in Tanzania, it will be 12 and 6 respectively. Create knowledgeThe project is an expansion of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (Redd+), a programme that the department has been implementing over the years to enhance forest sustainability mainly by farmers in the country. “Redd+ in the current project is trying to share benefits of the forest resources and if our development partners in other countries pay us for carbon stock, this will directly benefit farmers who are growing the trees,” Prof Tabuti said. He believes that if the university can to create knowledge by educating students who will be in position to carry out research from the grassroot communities, the farmer will benefit because the information collected will be disseminated back to them through sensitisation activities. While the Redd+ project is focused on conservation of forests, it will also have the benefit of handling some areas in agriculture. This includes intensifying agricultural output per unit for increased food production. Principal of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, under which the department falls, Prof Bernard Bashasha adds that training students with the right skills will enable or boost the outreach to the farming communities with the right knowledge. Proactive measures“When we build capacity in environment conservation especially the forest sector, it will enable farmers to access knowledge from a global perspective. Through investigation and research, new knowledge will be identified from the farmers for mitigation of climate change because the communities will inform the student scientists about things affecting the natural resources,” he observes. In the same vein, Flavia Munaaba, state minister for environment, pointed out how much climate change affects the farming community. “It is also a disaster to the farming communities who are faced with new pests and disease burdens, flooding during the rainy season, prolonged dry spells and some countries experiencing cyclones, rise in sea levels as well as landslides.” If proactive measures such as adaptation to ecosystems, and reduction of greenhouses gases by increasing the forest cover are taken, it will help in mitigating adverse effects of climate change. Munaaba also urged the implementing institution to focus on the grassroot farming communities for them to feel its impact."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/Unblocking-a-clogged-sink/-/689858/2249142/-/10hvksy/-/index.html","content":"Unblocking a clogged sink - Sinks are very helpful kitchen accessories that are used for washing utensils and at times vegetables and fruits. They are necessary in today’s modern-day kitchen. Most kitchens these days are constructed with provisions for a kitchen sink which is usually large enough to cope with the considerable volume of washing. However, the sink which is usually connected to a drainage system of the house is a delicate unit and as such, requires proper care and maintenance. James Mugisha, a plumber says sinks are prone to blockage when they are used for washing plates and in cases where you pour food remains in the drain. He also adds that at times a blocked sink blockage can also be due to blockage in the drainage system usually around the inspection chambers.Mugisha says undisciplined home owners do not sieve the water they pour in the sink and as such, end up pouring in everything including food remains. “These food remains build up over time and eventually clog up the pipes preventing water from flowing thus causing flooding in the kitchen,” he says There are signs of a blocked sink; the first sign as Mugisha puts it, is blockage of the water from flowing out. This causes water to accumulate in the sink because it’s not getting out. Another sign is a stench that usually comes as a result of stagnation of water in the drainage system. This usually forces the water to flow back up causing an overspill and the production of a bad smell. If you find yourself faced with any of the above, do not despair as you can fix this problem yourself, by simply following the steps below as presented by the plumber. 1. control water flow You should start by putting the plug in the plughole. This is done to prevent water from flowing back up. 2. drain the water Place a bucket under the sink pipe to collect any water that may still be flowing to avoid wetting the floor. Position it properly. 3. Open the pipeCarefully unscrew the pipe and check for any clogged debris. 4. Checking the cap : Check the bottle cap for any accumulated dirt or blockage material. 5. clean the pipeRinse the pipe out thoroughly, remove anything that is blocking it. Try using a stiff wire to poke out the blockage. This will push out any dirt clogging the system. 6. put bottle cap back Carefully replace the bottle cap and screw back the pipe before removing the bucketpipe and check for any clogged debris 7. wash plughole Pour boiling water and liquid soap down the plug hole to clear any remaining debris."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/Military-Barracks-zone--A-small-and-secure-zone/-/689858/2249100/-/13wn32pz/-/index.html","content":"Military Barracks zone: A small and secure zone - Like the name suggests, Military Barracks Zone is within the parameters of the Makindye Military Barracks. The area is opposite the Madirisa Zone in Makindye Division next to KCCA headquarters. The division has 245 zones of which Military Barracks Zone is part. The zone has 10 villages. OriginMilitary Zone got its name in the 1970s during Amin’s regime when a military barracks was built in the place. Maureen Nalubwama a resident says “I remember those days I was a little girl. The soldiers used to forcefully enter houses and take all our belongings, including mattresses. If you insisted on chasing after them, they would beat you up or even shoot you.” DevelopmentBut with time, things changed. Since the zone is located along the main road, a number of businesses have sprouted around it. There are medium size businesses. There are kiosks, grocery shops, hotels, restaurants and bars. The area also boasts of Jomo Construction Ltd, a company that supplies water pipes and fittings. PopulationAccording to the the LC1 chairperson of the zone, Mr Shadat Shambe (a.k.a Babalu), the area has a population of 18,000 people but majority are teens and youth and 8,000 mobile military personnel guarding Kampala. Schools He says the zone only has one Universal Primary Education school, Military Barracks Primary School. “There are two non-governmental institutions, that is Makula Foundation for adult literacy and business training and Viannate institute,” says the LC 1 chairperson of the zone. Garbage collectionAs regards sanitation, “The funds collected from people when they want to get LC recommendation letters and identification is used for garbage collection.” He adds, “Apart from the few people who do not handle their rubbish well, Military zone has lesser heaps of garbage piled along the road as compared to the neighbors.” Babalu also says his zone does fumigation every after three months, “We also have hand washing campaigns as well as youth campaigns on stopping idleness and drug abuse in this zone.” Security and crime.The area leader further says they have good security because they are near the barracks. “The military and the police work hand in hand to ensure good security hence an added advantage to the residents. Apart from petty thefts, there has not been a big burglary problem in the past five years where thugs broke into a shop. There are also household disputes and conmen since there are many youths who are not employed.” Water and electricityThere is piped water in the area. But not every one has it in their home. So fir such people, they buy a 20-litre jerrican at Shs200. Electricity supply has been constant although a few people have bought solar panels.NeighboursThe zone is neighboured by Madirisa, Mubarack, Katwe, Lukuli and Buvuma zone. TransportIf you are going to Military Zone, a taxi from the Old Taxi Park drops will charge you Shs1,500 but if you are in a hurry, a boda boda will charge you Shs3,000. Drainage systemSince the place is located on the lower side of Makindye, there is always flooding when it rains because there are few sewer tunnels. The one that was dug by the soldiers at the barracks gets blocked when it rains so the water sometimes enters people’s houses and the barracks as well. land and housingHousing. Renting a single room in Military zone is Shs200,000 and a four-bed roomed house can go for Shs600,000 to Shs800,000.Land. Buying a plot of land depends on the situation of the seller. However, since Military is a small zone, it is very expensive to get a piece of land in the area. It is between Shs30 to Shs50m to get a 50x50 feet plot."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Young-people-can-save-environment/-/689360/2244114/-/2aqyp3z/-/index.html","content":"Young people can save environment - Over the years, Uganda has experienced devastating effects of climate change such as extreme weather patterns, leading to prolonged drought and heavy flooding. This is a clear indication that climate change is one of this country’s most pressing challenges that calls for collective ideas on how to educate the public about it. There are several challenges: Bad farming practices, deforestation, lack of awareness, among others. Also, climate change is largely discussed at workshops and communities who are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change are often left out. Debates about the scientific explanation behind global warming are useful but not enough. The crucial thing is to help communities adopt environmentally friendly lifestyles. The government’s latest environment awareness campaign launched in Nakasongola District is an impressive strategy to address threats posed by climate change. We have had several campaigns in the past but this particular campaign – Energy Explorerz – is different and potentially exciting because it target school-going children. By taking the campaign to primary and secondary schools, the Energy ministry has started a sustainable effort in two ways. One, young people can be very powerful agents of change in communities when armed with the right information. Two, the youth comprise the biggest percentage of Uganda’s population, which makes it possible for them to trigger change.For this campaign to succeed, a parallel plan should go beyond schools. It is fair enough to target young people but that should be a long-term plan. In landslide-prone areas such as Bududa in eastern Uganda where there is massive encroachment on Mt Elgon National Park, urgent measures are required to reverse the extreme damage already done to the environment. In the short-term, community leaders should work with environment bodies, especially the Uganda Wildlife Authority, to draw a gradual plan – with full participation of community members – to end encroachment and degradation and stop communities from clearing the natural vegetation on the mountain. The long-term solution lies in the campaign targeting young people. The Energy ministry should expand the awareness to all schools countrywide. Emphasis should also be put on teaching farmers better farming practices and empowering them to adopt simple environment conservation strategies."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Time-up-for-special-interest-in-House/-/689360/2241208/-/l3tiykz/-/index.html","content":"Time up for special interest in House - The pettiness with which some of this country’s citizens approach our politics continues to be exasperating. A latest example of this small-minded tendency was brought out in all its shady glory when yet another ‘interest group’ turned up in Parliament and petitioned to have seats allocated to them. Until their sudden appearance at Speaker Rebecca Kadaga’s door on Tuesday, little had previously been heard of the so-called ‘Uganda Association of Uneducated Persons’. They seem to have appeared out of the blue like others before them. They should be ignored. Uganda is unable to afford another layer added onto the already impossibly high cost of public administration. In Parliament alone, the annual wage bill for the 370-plus MPs runs into the billions. It gets worse when you reflect on the long list of regime flunkeys moonlighting as district commissioners, deputy commissioners, unelected councillors, intelligence officers or pseudo-security agents. Money expended on them would be more profitably spent in improving the poor quality of education.And when you consider that the expanded 9th Parliament is a shadow of its predecessor, which was itself a poor imitation of the vibrant 6th and 7th Parliaments, one inevitably arrives at the conclusion that we are victims of over-representation: One consequence of which is the low quality of debate prevalent today. Some attribute this retrogression to the flooding of the chambers with individuals who would be better off doing less demanding jobs.But the problem actually derives from the exuberance and self-interest which informed the inclusion of Article 78(1) b,c in the 1995 Constitution under the guise of expanding the ‘broad base’ of government. The article provides for representation of special interest groups to wit; the army, youth, women and persons with disabilities in the House. Their inclusion and number, which is more than half the 238 constituency representatives, is subject to review every five years. Regrettably, though, to-date any attempt to question their presence has been firmly resisted. Critics drily observe that the resistance is down to the fact that they are in Parliament to do the bidding of the incumbent leadership, which returns the favour by assuring their continued dubious existence.Today, we should be whittling down their numbers instead of tolerating fresh petitions for more inclusions."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Government-cancels-all-land-titles-on-wetlands/-/688334/2229554/-/pv6dt8/-/index.html","content":"Government cancels all land titles on wetlands - Kampala The Attorney General has instructed the National Environment Management Authority and the Ministry of Water and Environment to recall all land titles that were issued on protected areas for cancellation. While addressing Kampala MPs, city divisions councillors and National Water and Sewerage Corporation staff in Bugolobi, Mr Freddie Ruhindi, the deputy Attorney General, yesterday said he is perplexed that NEMA and the ministry are not implementing a Cabinet directive instructing them to recall all land titles which have been issued on protected areas like swamps, wetlands and forests yet degradation and encroachment on them going on at an alarming rate. “I know and I am aware of a cabinet directive cancelling all the land titles which have been issued on wetlands and protected areas but I do not know why these agencies have not acted on the directive,” he said. Response to complaintsMr Ruhindi was responding to complaints from fellow politicians about the rate at which wetlands around the city were being degraded yet they act as sponges to sieve all the pollutants pouring into Lake Victoria. He was speaking at the launch of the Water Community Communications Clubs at the NWSC International Training Centre in Bugolobi. “As an MP, the decision has already been taken so the land titles should be cancelled. If they want my legal opinion, I can as well give them. I am putting you on notice but it is again unfortunate that leaders are involved,” he said. According to Dr Silver Mugisha, the NWSC boss, the Water Clubs comprise of 20 members including divisional mayors and water professionals and it is among the many strategies the Corporation is using to engage communities living around Lake Victoria in protecting the lake because of the high costs of treating the water which the corporation is encountering. “We are mandated to supply water and sewerage services but we want the communities to understand the challenges we face when producing the water. We want them to start reporting incidents of degradation and pollution so that we may reduce losses coming from non-revenue water,” he told journalists. The Attorney General’s comments come at a time when wetlands around Kampala have literally disappeared after encroachment by powerful developers. The impact in Kampala has been felt in terms of flooding around the city, depriving the lake of rain it depends on. City wetlands Kampala has an area of about 238 square kms, a big part of which was once a wetland. Today the wetlands in Kampala are on the verge of extinction as they are being threatened by the increasing population in the city. Kampala’s wetlands are mostly located on the shores thus their waters are collected and poured in the lakes like Victoria which is the largest in East Africa. What has remained of these places is the drainage channels which have diverted the flow of water out of these wetlands. The expansion of the city from its old self to the current location has greatly led to the depletion of wetlands around it. Historically, Kampala’s wetlands go back before 1900 when they belonged to the Kabaka. Under the colonial rule, these wetlands were turned to the Queen of Britain in the name of crownland and were supervised by the colonial governors. No person during that time was allowed to encroach on these wetlands. sotage@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Create-regional-cities-to-ease-Kampala-s-load/-/806314/2158916/-/tiiawy/-/index.html","content":"Create regional cities to ease Kampala’s load - Allow me to put across the following observations about the state of our nation’s capital city-Kampala, vis-avis operations of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and its Greater Kampala Metropolitan Authority/Area (GKMA). No matter what KCCA does, including expanding the city environs to GKMA, as long as the central government of which KCCA is now part does not solve problems where they occur (in rural areas), i.e. unemployment, rural-urban migration, rural people seeking better education, health, immigration services, land-title certificates, trade and economic opportunities etc, Kampala’s problems will persist. These should be controlled from flooding the city by elevating some major towns, currently of municipality status to regional city status (e.g. Arua, Gulu, Mbale, Jinja and Mbarara. The elevation should include better transport, housing and medical infrastructure; education, employment via regional city jobs; agro-processing industries, hotels, trade and commerce, among other avenues of employment and service provision. Without deliberately equipping the regional cities with all the necessary amenities, we shall see no significant positive results/long-term impacts from KCCA/GKMA’s good efforts. Elevation of these municipalities to regional city status should also go along with the establishment of bikuubo’s or trading hubs in all the new regional cities—whereby traders from those regions and beyond purchase in bulk merchandise and will no longer have to come to Kampala’s kikuubo as is the case today. This move alone would save Kampala and GKMA, the mess of damaged roads, horrible time-wasting and sickening traffic jam and fuel-fumes, deaths from motor accidents, pollution from all the trucks that daily ply the incoming routes to purchase from kikuubo. Our neighbours Kenya and Tanzania have regional cities (Mombasa and Kisumu for the former) and (Dodoma, Arusha and Mwanza for the latter) that greatly support Nairobi and Dar-es-Salaam, respectively, to ease the load. KCCA’s short, medium and long-term plans, programmes and strategies aimed at improving the central business district and the immediate CBD neighbourhoods, shall bear little positive impact if the government does not deal with Kampala’s problems originating from outside the city. Peter Wamboga-Mugirya, pwamboga@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/City-taps-run-dry-in-Kawempe-as-works-delay/-/688334/2156584/-/14b9ossz/-/index.html","content":"City taps run dry in Kawempe as works delay - KAMPALA Residents of Makerere, Kawempe, Bwaise, Kanyanya and Matugga suburbs have suffered a four-day water shortage following a disconnection at the weekend to pave way for sewerage works. The National Water and Sewerage Corporation disconnected water supply to lay sewerage pipes in the areas, hoping that the exercise would take two days. Mr Andrew Sekayizi, the general manager Kampala Water, said the pipes were disconnected because they hang above the sewerage lines meant to convey sewerage from the affected places to Lubigi sewerage plant which is expected to be ready in two month. “We informed the residents about the operation and we expect them to have stored emergency water during the four days until we have completed the works,” he said in an interview yesterday. ChallengesThe areas have been prone to flooding and cholera outbreaks during torrential rain. According to Mr Sekayizi, the completion of the Shs29 billion World Bank-funded project, will address Kampala’s perennial sanitation problem occasioned by irresponsible disposal of sewerage and solid waste. “We have provided cesspool trucks to empty pit-latrines from some affected places so that the sewerage can be taken to Lubigi for processing into manure and biogas,” he said. Mr Paddy Twesigye, the project manager of the Lubigi sewerage treatment plant, said the water reconnection was supposed to be done last night. “When they started the work on Monday, we found that the sewer lines were seven metres below the water pipes but I have just left the site. I am confident that by mid-night, we shall have reconnected the water,” he said. sotage@ug.nationmdia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Mubuku--scheme-now-in-final-stages/-/688334/2110462/-/a6bl3z/-/index.html","content":"Mubuku  scheme now in final stages - Kasese- Mubuku Irrigation Scheme is in the final stages of renovation as the government seeks to increase its capacity and efficiency. The rehabilitation that is expected to cost more than Shs19 billion will be commissioned by President Museveni once complete. However, farmers that the Daily Monitor spoke to said they are worried because the scheme’s rehabilitation might have been done without the approved bills of quantities. “There are signs that the rehabilitation works are soon getting finished yet a section of the scheme, including the drainage system has not been or has been poorly worked on,” Mr Frank Twinamatsiko, the chairman Abasaija Kweyamba Mubuku Farmers’ Co-operative Society, said. Mr Twinamatsiko made the remarks recently while presenting the beneficiary farmers’ report to Mr Vincent Rubarema, the Permanent Secretary, ministry of Agriculture at a meeting in Kasese Town recently. According to the report the rehabilitation undertaken by Coil Limited started about two years ago. In the report farmers appealed to both the Ministry of Agriculture and Water to ensure that the issue of drainage is addressed The report also notes with concern the delays in the project that had been scheduled to take one year but was now in its second year. However, in his address to farmers, Mr Rubarema, said the rehabilitation of the scheme is part of a wider government programme that seeks to forge a partnership to help in the increment of agricultural output that can accommodate farmers’ consumption and export needs. He said a policy on Irrigation Schemes was in the offing and would spell out the roles of the government and farmers in order to strike out a proper understanding between stakeholders. Farmers including, Mr John Rubandema, and Mr John Baluku, said the government should ensure that the system is efficient before it is launched. For instance, Mr Rubandema said: “The yet to be tested system had been flooding nearby areas including roads due to poor draining.” Other farmers also complained of water that spills on roads instead of gardens. However, Ms Vero Murungi, the officer-in-charge of the scheme, said, The fact that the dry season had been too long, the scheme had been forced to only do night irrigation. “The issue of water not reaching many of the gardens under the scheme is being handled,” she said. The scheme The cost. The scheme, once complete will cost about Shs19 billion. It seeks to boost farmers’ production capacity and efficiency. Wider plan. The government says the renovations works on the Mubuku Irrigation Scheme is part of a wider plan to improve agriculture productivity in Uganda. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/You-can-still-utilise-wasted-garden-corners/-/689858/2079960/-/cfagis/-/index.html","content":"You can still utilise wasted garden corners - Have you ever wondered what to do with wasted corners around your garden? They need not be unsightly either. Some are just drab and could do with a little brightening up. They could even end up being the focal point the garden needed all along. Vantage points“Homes have corners around the house and in the garden. Some are too small for car parking, especially the parking lot corner points. It may be spots where perimeter walls meet and you cannot plant a tree or place a seat there. You can plant a rock garden in these corners,” Stephen Kigwe of GAN Design Services, a landscaping and gardening company located in Kabalagala along Muyenga Road says. Another vantage point to place your rock garden is the bottom of the house corner, where water from the roof gutters ends up. “You prevent flooding by trapping water within it, so that it seeps into the soil without damaging any plants or flowers. It could also prevent the flooding and damage of the parking lot because of this high speed water,” Kigwe advises. Plant choicesOn the reasons for his choice of plants, Kigwe says, “I planted sisal and cacti, both succulents, because they can grow among stones and they don’t need a lot of fertiliser or manure. They are also low-maintenance. They don’t need trimming, their roots can grow in thin soil and they can survive dry conditions. Remember that you are going to put gravel over it. I also planted Hybrid Roses, Feather Grass and Cyperus (Cyperus Papyrus), which are beautiful.” Kigwe mixed succulents and flowers., although most people associate rock gardens with only succulents. This, he says, helps accentuate the garden. “The Hybrid Roses make the garden look attractive. The sisal and cacti keep the garden alive, especially during the dry season. The grasses on the ground help cover up. The Rusellia, which has red flowers, is a beautiful plant among stones. When you plant them together, they make an attractive rock garden.” Wait for the plants to mature in the flowerbed, then choose rocks and stones that complement them. Rocks, stones, pebbles“The rocks and stones keep the place cool and beautiful. Rocks that are high, thin and sturdy are best in the middle of the garden, because they stand out to give it meaning. Rain washes dust off them so that they glitter in the sun. Place smaller rocks around the boundary of the rock garden. You will need beautiful stone pebbles to cover the ground.’ The rock, stones and pebbles have to be of the same kind; that is part of the accentuation. The ones in the picture are greyish, giving the garden a grey accent. Find your rock and stone in quarries around the country. A tonne goes for Shs30,000 to Shs40,000, excluding transport. So, instead of plonking flowerbeds in awkward places like the middle of your lawn in the name of creating focal points, think wasted garden corners first. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Understanding-typhoons--hurricanes--cyclones/-/691232/2071870/-/7fcofb/-/index.html","content":"Understanding typhoons, hurricanes, cyclones - The super typhoon Haiyan has been in the news a lot recently. As the media runs stories on the death, destruction and desperation it has left in its wake, we almost feel we have heard the word typhoon too much.But do we know what it means? Can we answer an inquisitive child why a typhoon is different or not different for that matter from a hurricane, a tornado, a cyclone or a tsunami? Cyclones, hurricanes and typhoons According to Khalid Muwembe, a senior meteorologist and spokesperson of the department of Meteorology at the ministry of water: “A cyclone, hurricane and typhoon are the same thing.” He says they are tropical storms that form over the ocean and gain strength of over up to 119 kilometres per hour. And whether such a storm will be called a hurricane, cyclone or a typhoon depends on the ocean it comes from. “If the storm is from the Indian Ocean it is a cyclone, if it is in the Atlantic Ocean it is a hurricane and those on the Pacific Ocean are called typhoons,” he says. Generically all of them are called tropical cyclones. How they happen“A precondition for them to happen is warm water about 25.3 degrees centigrade, which is only found in the tropics,” he continues. He adds that usually the tropical cyclones occur far from the tropic lines, not more than 10 degrees north or south of them. According to the Nasa website, the tropical storm comes about as a result of warm air over a part of the ocean rising. And as it rises, it creates a vacuum that cooler air rushes to fill. This cool air also heats up and rises as well and more air moves in to occupy that vacuum, and cycle goes on. The site also says the storms north of the equator spin anti-clockwise while those south of the equator spin clockwise. On Monday, a cyclone hit the coast of Somalia reportedly killing about 100 people. The Philippines is still reeling from the shock of Haiyan and who can ever forget Katrina and the havoc it wrecked on New Orleans in the US. Whatever place they occur, hurricanes, typhoons or cyclones are reported to leave destruction of epic proportions. However, not all tropical cyclones are as strong or as destructive. “Their strengths depends on weather conditions in the area. If there are strong winds, for instance, they fan them along,” says Muwembe. The storms are also able to gather energy as they cover long distances over open water making their landfall (which is when a tropical cyclone hits the land), a violent affair with strong wind accompanied by heavy precipitation (rainfall, sleet, hail or snow). This explains the deluge we witness after a cyclone hurricane or typhoon. Haiyan for instance was a category 5, which is the strongest type of storm we have. “Normally, when you find this type of storm the wind at the centre can be travelling at 150 kilometres per hour,” he explains. How long a tropical cyclone takes from when it is formed over water to make a landfall depends on a lot of factors. If energy is persistent as the tropical cyclone moves over the ocean the tropical storm will make a big landfall. “Sometimes they make a landfall, sometimes they lose energy and are too weak to cause significant impact on land,” says Muwembe. The landfall is also the death of the typhoon or hurricane or cyclone. Much as it is destroying anything in its path, the friction with those obstacles like houses, hills and mountains, trees and so forth weaken it and it loses strength,” elaborates the meteorologist. This is probably why they do not make it that far inland on large land masses like continents. But islands in a tropical storms path will be little deterrent and as we have seen in the Philippines, the typhoon can sweep right across a whole island. Tsunami When one hears tsunami, memories of Fukushima or the 2005 Indonesian tsunami come to mind. But that was the aftermath mainly. A tsunami is in essence an unusually large wave caused by a huge displacement of water in a waterbody.The dictionary says it is also caused by a quake or a volcanic eruption. As such, a tsunami is preceded by a disturbance like an underwater quake, or the eruption. However, the tsunami may reach coastlines far from the place the quake or eruption happened or was felt. For instance, the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami was triggered by an earthquake on Sumatra Island in Indonesia but the waves travelled as far as the Seychelles, Reunion islands and the East African coast. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/Our-heroes-and-villains-at-work/-/689856/2066524/-/xc4omr/-/index.html","content":"Our heroes and villains at work - It has been long since anyone brought me flowers. The gesture my sister Agnes and I share. We love flowers but we never get to be given any of them. Yesterday, someone brought me flowers. It was not a rose or sunflowers which are my favourite. I do not even know their name but they are the type that grow along hedges of houses with white petals. He probably must have stolen them from the neighbour’s hedge but I did not ask. What did you do for your friends this week? Most times when I am feeling low, an email from a friend talking about their day or reminding me of my personal goals keeps me going. Once in a while when we remember our different connections and appreciate those who have been in our lives long enough and still remain relevant to our growth, we need to pause and send them a thank you message or any message that we find fitting! Those that inspire us…The different people that we acknowledge define the type of people our energy attracts. I do not like people who lie about their emotions towards their colleagues. This especially applies to bosses or , that workmate that does everything to please people in their department when inside they are dying of depression. I like my boss to be honest, share their opinion on how things can be done better and no to dragging my spirit low. Over years I have served under different people that I would call “my boss”. I have seen the mean ones, the always agitated, those I never talked to except by email and meetings and recently the nice to hang out with but the worst to work with. These are the ones I write to warn you about.Ever hangout with your boss? Yes, the one that makes witty jokes at everyone. The first time you were not comfortable with and now you are into them. When it comes to work, they will not reply to your emails, will meet you in the corridors acknowledge your mail but that is the last of it. They will commit to supporting you with your workload from time to time but the time for deadlines when they have not done their part: they will blame you for not prioritising your job. I can go on and on but the ultimate of this person is , they think they are the most friendly boss ever. With their friends they will brag about your incompetence at the same time still call you to catch a beer over the weekend with the same friends that know you as an incompetent employee! When one of them asks you about it, you are surprised. You do not know whether to confront your boss or not, to resign your job but the bills at home keep flooding and you need the money. You applied and got this job because you had passion for it. But now you are hanging in the position because you have to pay bills. Such has become your life, the only time dedicated to yourself; you get on your knees and sob into sleep! Whether you have ever been in such a situation or not, know your friend might be going through the same and all they need is just one email or sms to lift up their spirit. If you are going through this same situation, let this be my message to you “No fellow human should intimidate you, just talk to your manager and you will find a solution!”editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Farmer-s-Diary--How-science-is-vital-for-future-farmers/-/689860/2061468/-/b2nr96z/-/index.html","content":"Farmer's Diary: How science is vital for future farmers - When teaching of sciences emphasised in schools, most people think about the need to reduce the shortage of health workers, engineers, other science-oriented professionals. But few realise the ordinary farmer will need to be grounded in science to keep pace with the emerging food production challenges. The future farmer will, for example, need to understand how methane gas is produced as a by product of agricultural activities and its contribution to climate change. He or she will need a clear understanding of the advantages of biotechnology applications such as tissue culture, which generates disease free and clean planting material. It is one thing for a smallholder farmer to plant hybrid seed because he or she has been told to do so and quite another when he or she chooses hybrid seed because he or she fully understands its advantages and the process of its breeding. Dr Margaret Karembu, director of the Nairobi based International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, has written that Africa’s agriculture remains backward due to limited application of modern science and technology. So, producing enough food for the growing population will require technologies that demand the least amount of land with the least aggregate of external inputs in extremely harsh conditions such as drought and flooding. For these are some of the future challenges that climate change portends. Future agricultural production therefore has a relationship with how well equipped and prepared the school teaches science. Our best science students need not be oriented only towards conventional ‘good’ professions but also towards farming which, if scientifically practiced, can be productive and well paying. The youth can turn their large numbers into the big labour force needed to revolutionise agriculture if only they can change their attitude of regarding farming as the occupation of the uneducated and ‘unemployed’. Ministry of Education is expected to play a leading role in this effort by making sure that every school has a school garden, where the youths get introduced to climate-smart farming technologies. A school garden at every school makes sense since farming and agriculture-related industries are the country’s biggest employers. ssalimichaelj@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/KCCA-to-re-introduce-containers-to-stop-waste-/-/688334/2052714/-/f1iv38/-/index.html","content":"KCCA to re-introduce containers to stop waste dumping in drainage - Kampala- Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has revealed that it will re-introduce containers to deal with the garbage problem in the city. In many informal settlements in the suburbs like Mutungo, Biina, Namuwongo, Kawempe, Bwaise, Kamwokya and Kabalagala, people keep rubbish until it threatens to rain then they dump it in drainage channels. And when it eventually does not rain, the rubbish is left in the drainage channels. As a result, many channels are clogged with rubbish which partially contributes to the flooding that is synonymous with Kampala whenever it rains. According to Dr James Semuwemba , the acting deputy director in the directorate of Public Health and Environment at KCCA, dumping garbage with the hope of rain washing it away is one of the vices that is curtailing attempts to collect garbage and keep Kampala city clean. Dr Semuwemba estimates about 1,800 tonnes of waste are generated in Kampala a day but only about 1,100 tonnes are collected. “Some people are simply lazy and resistant especially in the slum areas. They do not want to come out of their comfort to bring rubbish when our trucks come by and prefer to dump it in the drains when it rains,” Dr Semwemba said. “Another challenge we face is accessing these slums; it’s hard to reach every one’s door step. Because of the poor planning of these areas, there are no access roads for our trucks to use,” Dr Semwemba said. New systemPreviously, containers or skips were stationed in the suburbs and were carried away every day or every two days. Currently, garbage is collected through what is called a community self-loading programme where trucks move in communities at least twice a week collecting rubbish. However, this in away poses a challenge for the working people who are unable to bring their rubbish to the trucks since they move during working hours. Polyn Obwona, a resident of Biina Mutungo, says that the old system where containers were placed at strategic locations then picked every few days used to work best for them. “The KCCA trucks sometimes come when we are away in town or in the market and our rubbish ends up not being taken. This people will have piles of rubbish and others just find a short cut and pour in the drains,” says Ms Obwot adding: “These drains are so near our homes, children keep going there to play, it is a challenge here in Biina,” Ms Obwot says. Dr Semuwemba says people were grossly misusing the containers including dumping fecal waste and other inappropriate materials which led to the authority to withdraw them. He, however, says they will soon reintroduce the skips with someone to monitor and that the Authority has purchased eight new trucks in addition to the 42 in use to reinforce garbage collection in the city. The agreementKCCA last year signed a Transaction Advisory Services Agreement with the International Finance Corporation to provide advisory services with respect to contracting private operators to implement an Integrated Solid Waste Management system for Kampala. This was in regard to: Waste collection, Recycling and composting, Landfill operations and closure of the existing landfill, Construction and operation of a new landfill and beneficial use of landfill methane for the generation of electricity and potential generation of CDM carbon credits. flanyero@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Is-history-repeating-itself-/-/689844/2047844/-/m9ri1iz/-/index.html","content":"Is history repeating itself? - Scholars have variously stated that history repeats itself. And others have said leaders learn nothing from history. The enactment of the Public Order Management Bill 2011 by the Parliament of Uganda on August 6, 2013 is one of the best such examples. About 46 years ago, in 1967, Milton Obote, the then president of Uganda faced a lot of resistance and demonstrations. There were many dissenting voices against the emerging trends of dictatorship. Obote had recently overthrown the government and sought to arrest the president Sir Edward Mutesa II who was forced to flee into exile when his palace was ferociously attacked by the Uganda Arm. Obote had just declared himself executive president of Uganda. In a bid to ruthlessly deal with dissenters Obote hurriedly convened Parliament and tabled the Public Order and Security Bill 1967 which gave the PresidentPowers to issue detention orders without trial against persons who spoke against the growing dictatorial tendencies in his government. The Bill was passed hurriedly without serious debate. Having got the leeway to detain without recourse to courts of law since S.13 of the said Act provided that the detention orders issued under the said Act were not to be questioned in any Court Obote issued so many detention orders to such an extent that by 1969 Ugandans had become so desperate that one person attempted to kill the President. Incensed by the assassination attempt Obote gagged the opposition further When he banned other political parties save his UPC and issued more detention orders such that by 1971 Luzira Prison was flooding with political detainees who had been detained under the Public Order and Security Act without trial. Following the February 18, 2011 Presidential Elections, which the opposition, like the opposition in 1980, claimed were massively rigged, Kirunda Kivejinja the then third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs on April 29, 2011 came up with a law titled “the Public Order Management Bill”.Like the 1967 Public Order and Security Act, the Public Order Management Bill seeks to gag dissenting views. The new law also has 17 sections. So, will people obey this law or will they resort to acts of desperation? Ngaruye Ruhindi Boniface is a lawyer."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Is-history-repeating-itself-/-/689364/2048172/-/rl7q4q/-/index.html","content":"Is history repeating itself? - Scholars have variously stated that history repeats itself. And others have said leaders learn nothing from history. The enactment of the Public Order Management Bill 2011 by the Parliament of Uganda on August 6, 2013 is one of the best such examples. About 46 years ago, in 1967, Milton Obote, the then president of Uganda faced a lot of resistance and demonstrations. There were many dissenting voices against the emerging trends of dictatorship. Obote had recently overthrown the government and sought to arrest the president Sir Edward Mutesa II who was forced to flee into exile when his palace was ferociously attacked by the Uganda Arm. Obote had just declared himself executive president of Uganda. In a bid to ruthlessly deal with dissenters Obote hurriedly convened Parliament and tabled the Public Order and Security Bill 1967 which gave the PresidentPowers to issue detention orders without trial against persons who spoke against the growing dictatorial tendencies in his government. The Bill was passed hurriedly without serious debate. Having got the leeway to detain without recourse to courts of law since S.13 of the said Act provided that the detention orders issued under the said Act were not to be questioned in any Court Obote issued so many detention orders to such an extent that by 1969 Ugandans had become so desperate that one person attempted to kill the President. Incensed by the assassination attempt Obote gagged the opposition further When he banned other political parties save his UPC and issued more detention orders such that by 1971 Luzira Prison was flooding with political detainees who had been detained under the Public Order and Security Act without trial. Following the February 18, 2011 Presidential Elections, which the opposition, like the opposition in 1980, claimed were massively rigged, Kirunda Kivejinja the then third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs on April 29, 2011 came up with a law titled “the Public Order Management Bill”.Like the 1967 Public Order and Security Act, the Public Order Management Bill seeks to gag dissenting views. The new law also has 17 sections. So, will people obey this law or will they resort to acts of desperation? Ngaruye Ruhindi Boniface is a lawyer."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Fighting-famine-is-a-responsibility-for-all/-/806314/2046000/-/rd3s2p/-/index.html","content":"Fighting famine is a responsibility for all - There is a growing concern over the rate at which the energetic youth are flooding towns looking for white collar jobs. Agricultural production has been left in the hands of the very few people who are mainly the aged, women and children. This poses a challenge to our survival. The discovery of oil in the Albertine region has also attracted youth from the villages to engage in the oil sector. A recent discovery of oil fields in sub-counties of Muhokya and Katwe-kabatooro in Kasese District and the rehabilitation of Kilembe Mines are likely to cause a big blow to the agriculture and fishing sectors in Kasese District. It is not uncommon these days to find the cost of food stuff on the rise but not matching the earnings of most people. The end result will be a vicious cycle of poverty, suffering and misery among Ugandans.Combating famine is a responsibility of everybody. My plea is that every family engages in food crop production irrespective of whether it lives in village or not. Yehoyada Banaki byehoyada@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Where-are-Makerere-s-private-students-having-their-meals-/-/691232/2044532/-/v0xmxm/-/index.html","content":"Where are Makerere’s private students having their meals? - For a long time, Makerere University had proposed to outsource meals for students residing in the institution’s halls of residence. However, when this did not happen, the university opted to scrap meals for its private students this academic year, which started on September 14. Although the university may have had genuine concerns when the policy was effected, this decision has affected many students. Although they are allowed in the halls, they cannot have meals there. Their government sponsored counterparts, on the other hand, are not affected by the policy. The breakdownInitially, for a semester, private students would pay Shs460,000 for both meals and accommodation for four months; 240,000 for meals and 220,000 for accommodation which has remained unchanged. Not only has this policy turned out to be inconveniencing but it is also costly for the students and certainly for their parents too. Yes, there are a number of restaurants in the university like Guild Canteen and Staff Canteen among others, but most students cannot afford their food prices on a daily basis for four months. The other alternative could be the food vendors and the canteens in the halls of residence but these do not have the capacity to cater for the large number of private students in the halls. Joshua Nsiimenta, a third year student of Actuarial Science, says the university’s decision to suspend meals for private students has changed his lifestyle. “I sometimes have to choose between having lunch and a lunch-time lecture. If I have a lecture at 2pm, it gets hard for me to go to Wandegeya to have lunch.” An unbearable situationWhereas a student can afford a decent meal once in a while, this may prove hard due to the high food prices. “When I have money, I go to Guild Canteen or Wandegeya because that is where I believe I can get good food but I can’t afford to go there everyday. At times, I have to go to kikumikikumi (a popular food joint for students at the University) to look for low-priced food which is sometimes poorly prepared,” Nsiimenta shares. Because it is not possible to have lunch and supper daily due to logistics, some meals are forfeited. “In case I miss lunch, I wait up to about 4pm when I have a meal that then serves as both lunch and super,” he says. Nsiimenta estimates that he will spends more money than what he would have, had he topped up on the university’s proposed structure. The university had initially proposed to have an increment. “This would have been unfair because the standard of meals was going to remain the same. Nothing was to be added or improved,” Nsiimenta says. This semester alone, he estimates that he will spend about Shs600, 000 on meals alone.The alternatives are not any better. The hygiene of the food vendors is questionable but it does not stop students from rushing for the meals they bring. At one of the food selling points inside Mitchell Hall, by midday, the women who sell the food had already set up their mobile kiosks displaying their food packed in small transparent plastic dishes. Because the students are aware that the food will be sold out in a few minutes, there is usually a mad dash for it. There is a variety of food on offer. In the transparent food containers, there are beans, groundnuts and the most expensive item is chicken, which is sold at Shs3,000. But before 2pm, the food is sold out and the frustration of those who have missed out is visible. A student who has missed these affordable meals shares his plight: “At times, you do not have an alternative but to eat buns or cakes and a soda before going for lectures.” Posing a health threatSome students, however, have resorted to preparing their own meals in their rooms. Students who cook do not follow the right procedure to ensure hygiene in the hall. “They pour leftovers in the sinks causing them to be clogged hence flooding in the hall.” 1 | 2 Next Page»Enock Kayondo, a resident of Nsibirwa Hall shares, “That food sold by vendors is sometimes cold and the dishes are not very clean, something that may cause health issues.” University takeHowever, the university management says, the decision to stop giving meals to privately sponsored students was well thought out. The Dean of Students Cyriaco Kabagambe, said, “We always involve our students in formulating policies. We had hope, that we would agree with them to double the amount they paid from Shs240,000 to Shs480,000 but they declined.” This decision was actually long overdue; it was only passed last semester because it became increasingly difficult for the university to meet the market price demands. A student would pay Shs2,016 per meal and this was no longer enough.” He argues that this is what prompted the Council to scrap giving meals to private students. But these changes come at a time when no more food outlets can be accommodated due to lack of space at the university. “If there is no space for lectures, then what about that of restaurants,” he wonders. However, Kabagambe adds that there are plans to turn halls of residence into restaurants that will cater for the food needs of all students in the university. “Next year, the university will withdraw from cooking completely even for government students,” He says. He says the policy was not a means to cut costs by the university. “It was just because the university couldn’t meet all the costs involved in buying, transporting and preparing the meals.” editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Tighten-checks-on-oil-products/-/689360/2041570/-/s16fjez/-/index.html","content":"Tighten checks on oil products - An importer of oil products has revealed that 20 per cent of fuel and lubricants on the Ugandan market are sub-standard. This means there are attempts by dishonest traders to litter the local market with non-compliant fuel, among other products. Such products are not only a threat to public transport but also the government in terms of lost revenue. Adulteration, which is used to maximise profits through indirect tax evasion, occurs when one petroleum product is mixed with another, blending relatively small amounts of distillate fuels like diesel or kerosene into automotive petrol. It could also involve mixing small amounts of lubricants, which would be costly to dispose of in an environmentally approved manner into petrol and diesel. That this practice remains rampant calls for stringent measures to rid the country of adulterated fuel products. There is also a blame game on where exactly the products are adulterated since it was revealed that most of the fuel is adulterated while in transit. According to the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), adulteration usually occurs between the loading terminals in Eldoret and Kisumu on the Kenya side and the Ugandan border areas of Busia and Malaba. It is, therefore, crucial that truck drivers remain alert at all check points to curb the vice. For instance, in case a truck is found transporting sub-standard products, such a truck driver should be tasked to explain.Additionally, all oil imports must undergo a pre-shipment inspection for quality, quantity and price. The number of mushrooming petrol stations in close proximity of already existing ones should also be checked because they may give room to those who sell adulterated fuel to flourish over licenced petroleum dealers. We appeal to the government and institution tasked with ensuring only quality products enter the Ugandan market to tighten controls. The authorities should clamp down on perpetrators of the vice and bring them to book. So far, UNBS says it has only four mobile laboratories used in testing products. This number is inadequate to check oil products countrywide. Unless the government institutes tougher control mechanisms while testing oil products entering the country, fake petroleum products will continue flooding the market and hurt the transport sector."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Travel/Jinja--A-place-where-adventure-tourism-comes-to-life-on-R--Nile/-/691238/2038490/-/16u5o5/-/index.html","content":"Jinja: A place where adventure tourism comes to life on R. Nile - It is the source of the Nile and some say, the source of adventure. With the long line of adventure activities on offer, there is enough evidence to support Jinja’s claim to adventure fame. When you speak about adventure in Jinja, many will immediately think of white water rafting and they would be right. Rafting is probably Jinja’s oldest and widely advertised adventure sport. It dates back almost 20 years to the time when the Bujagali Falls, a series of cascading rapids, was still in place. Even though the construction of the Bujagali Dam submerged some of the rapids on the rafting circuit, the sport is very much alive, thanks to the amazingly bouncy River Nile that has a string of rapids stretching for miles across Buikwe and Kayunga districts. After the changes that have taken place on the section of the river between Owen Falls and Bujagali dams, tourism operators are thinking harder on how best to utilise the new expanse of flat water left behind after the flooding of Bujagali Falls. It is this effort to make use of the flat water that has given rise to the Nile Cruise, a boating experience where tourists are treated to a two-hour ride on a 50-seater double-decker boat as they sip their drinks and watch the sunset. Extreme sportingFor those more inclined to extreme sports, jet boating might appeal to your wild side. On the few jet boat rides I have taken, I have seen young and old people alike, screaming their lungs out as the boat captain swung the craft this way and that at alarming speeds, narrowly missing rocks. In fact a ride on the eight to ten-seater jet boats often feels like a series of near misses and head-on collisions with small river islands. You get to fly over water falls, spin around and splash but unlike a journey on the bus, there is no getting off before the journey is done. If you like the feeling of falling out of the sky, sky-diving or however you prefer to describe free-fall, then bungee jumping is the thing for you. The bungee jump is quite literally a cliff-hanger because the platform is suspended over the edge of a cliff at the Adrift River camp near the bottom of Nile Resort Hotel gardens. Even after the demise of Bujagali Falls, there is still plenty of adventure to be experienced in the area; including a ride on the all-terrain quad bike just like your favourite action movie heroes riding through the jungle. There are kayaking schools that offer amateur lessons on how to paddle along in a kayak on the calm river waters; mountain biking through the villages neighbouring Bujagali and river boarding, among others. Approximate cost of adventure in Jinja Whitewater RaftingFull Day Rafting – $125 (Shs313,750)Half Day Rafting - $115 (Shs288,650)Extreme Rafting - $145 (Shs363,950)2-Day Rafting - $250 (Shs 627,500)Bungee Jump - $115 (Shs288,650)Raft / Bungee Combo$195 (Shs489,450) – Full day rafting – can only be done over 2 days !$185 (Shs 464,350) – Half day raftingWild Nile JetExploding up the Nile$75 (Shs188,250) Adult / $50 (Shs125500) Kid (under 12 years)Ex Kampala, including lunch @ Wildwaters Lodge – $135 Adult / $105 Child under 12 yearsRaft / Jet Combo$180 (Shs451800) – Full day rafting and a jet boat ride$170 (Shs426,700) – Half day rafting and a jet boat rideThreesomeFull day rafting, bungee and jet-boat - $250 (Shs627,500)Half day rafting, bungee and jet-boat – $240 (Shs602,400)River and Lake Cruise Nile sunset cruise – $45 (Shs112950)Nile lunch cruise – $30 (Shs75,300) anampewo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Heavy-rains-destroy-homes--crops/-/688334/2030892/-/m9c0yi/-/index.html","content":"Heavy rains destroy homes, crops - Kampala Seven people from one family were recently admitted to Masaka Hospital with injuries after their house collapsed during heavy rain. The heavy rain characterised by hailstorms also destroyed 32 other homes in Dogwa and Kisekka villages in Lwengo District. According to the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS), the afternoon downpour also destroyed 17 houses, hundreds of acres of crops and a number of animals died in Kyanamukaaka and Bukuda villages in Masaka District. “We carried out assessments in the two districts through our branch and our team is on the ground assessing the actual damage and the number of people affected to enable us provide relief,” URCS director of communications Catherine Ntabadde-Makumbi, said in a statement yesterday. According to the statement, the URC is currently responding to a range of disasters in the central region with Luweero, Masaka, Mubende, Mityana, Rakai, Lwengo districts the most affected. Bonghoho in Mbale District has also suffered heavy rains and flooding. Ms Makumbi also said URC has started distributing relief items to survivors of last Monday’s hailstorms that destroyed 11 villages in Madudu Sub-county, Mubende District. The night downpour left at least 33 homes and crops destroyed. The various disasters in the country have so far affected 141, 974 people, of whom URCS says it has been able to assist only 76,215. It has appealed to the government for more. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Aqua-farming--Starting-and-managing-fish-ponds/-/689860/2015418/-/quuk3s/-/index.html","content":"Aqua farming: Starting and managing fish ponds - Fish farming is becoming a lucrative business with a good number of farmers engaged in this activity with the view of increasing their household income. And to earn big from this business, farmers are advised to construct a number of ponds to enable a good harvest taking into account the element of proper management. When preparing a fish pond, farmers must take into consideration the lowest possible risk surrounding the land such as rainwater run-off and flooding that may end up destroying the pond. Setting upBefore building your structure you should assess the design of the foundation, the ridges, inlets and outlets. The intake and discharge points should be built using concrete blocks possibly rock armouring and other design solutions to minimise erosion and leaks around intake and discharge points. Mark Mubiru, a fish farmer in Mpigi District, says constructed ponds should be treated with lime to ensure no water leaks. The lime should be left for three to four days before water is introduced. In addition, the farmer can fertilise the water by either using chicken droppings or artificial fertiliser. It will turn the water green and after two weeks, the fingerlings can be introduced into the pond. The application of fertiliser is meant to neutralise the acidity in the water. Most of the ponds constructed are 40 by 20 metre ponds and the stocking of fish should be three to five fingerlings per metre. Inspections“When the fingerlings are put into the pond, begin feeding them straight away. The best feed is the one made at the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFRRI) in Kajjansi,” he said. It is necessary for farmers to monitor their pond structures after they have been built to make sure they are working properly. This is also to assess the impact of the structures on the environment by checking for potential leaks, embankment instability and contamination of pond water. Regular visual inspections should be carried out to identify any potential problems. And groundwater monitoring helps identify significant problems with the containment structures. Fish farmers in Uganda mostly breed Tilapia and catfish species because they are the most consumed by customers although Tilapia is economically viable. Farmers are free to keep both tilapia and cat fish species in the same pond but the Tilapia must be mature to avoid the catfish from feeding on them. However, if a farmer feels his or her Tilapia fish pond is overcrowded, catfish can be put into the same pond to feed on the young Tilapia to reduce their population. CostsA number of farmers keep catfish because it is cheaper to feed them and they are capable of feeding on anything including chicken intestines. By the sixth month, farmers can harvest fish from their ponds depending on how well they were being fed. The costs of constructing a fish pond may range from Shs1m and upwards depending on how big the pond is. It is influenced by the hire price for the excavation and managing the pond is also labour intensive. Fingerlings can be purchased from NaFRRI with each one costing Shs200. However, according to Mubiru, using cages is more yielding than the open pond because a farmer is capable of monitoring growth of the fish in a cage and it is not labour intensive. 1 | 2 Next Page»The other advantage is that at harvest time, the cage(s) is/are pulled out of the water and loaded into a vehicle/vehicles, ready to be taken to the market. Fish farmers should seek expert advice on fish farming from scientists at NaFRRI, which is located in Kajjansi. The institute is involved in breeding species such as Tilapia, Nile perch, African catfish and common cap fish species, the latter were imported from Asia. EstablishmentIn order for the scientists to supply farmers with quality fish seed, they carry out laboratory tests to establish the quality of the water before filling the ponds for the breeding process. The research team also ensures that once in the pond, the different fish species are fed with the right type of feed, which comprises mixtures of sunflower cake, cotton seed cake and soy bean. Godfrey Kityo, a research technician at NaFRRI, says apart from breeding the different fish species and supplying them to farmers, the researchers also sensitise them on the best aquaculture practices for managing and getting the best from the fish ponds. The farmers are also trained on construction of ponds, breed the different fish species, marketing them both locally and internationally as well as produce the feeds. They are advised to establish ponds where there is a nearby source of water and the pond must have clay soil and contain the necessary nutrients for the fish species that the farmers have opted to rear. Breeding“Apart from supplying the farmers with the fish seed, we also make the different types of feeds both in powder and crystal form which we supply to the farmers. We sell one kilogramme of the feed at Shs2,500,” Kityo says. The breeding process of Tilapia, Nile perch and African catfish takes place naturally but the common cap fish species do not breed naturally in the water bodies here. What the scientists do is to induce a hormone in the fish to activate its feeding characteristics. The head of aquaculture research, Dr Dismas Mbabazi says the institute is mandated to breed and supply disease-free fish seedlings to the farmers and as such, the scientists usually test for bacterial diseases, which cause rotting in the gills and intestines of the fish. features@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/2006-NRM-manifesto--An-account-of-/-/688334/1984296/-/orsibf/-/index.html","content":"2006 NRM manifesto: An account of sidetracking and broken promises? - The NRM insists it has delivered while the opposition and civil society highlight failures and say a lot remains to be done by the ruling party Kampala Eight years ago, during the 2006 general elections, the National Resistance Movement Organisation (NRMO) made promises to the people of Uganda. In the Prosperity-For-All manifesto, the promises ranged from setting up an independent, strong Parliament, construction of new tarmac and laterite roads, improving services in the health sector, education to increasing the citizens’ monetary emancipation. But with 1,129 days (as at August 6) remaining to the next polls, the performance is rated differently. In government, there is the not-unexpected belief that the NRM has kept true its promises, continues to fulfill them and where there is failure, “a satisfactory reason will always be given.”The polar opposite view is also not unexpected. The ruling party, its opponents insist, has come up short in not keeping the 2006-2011 promises and, therefore, should not be trusted with elective office again. The party is said to have spent the last five years politicking, and not implementing its manifesto. Education In 2006, the NRM promised to improve the education sector by, among other things, increasing salaries of primary teachers, monitoring/regulating private schools to ensure they pay a decent wage to their teachers, put a university in eastern Uganda and build one laboratory for a secondary school per sub-county.Subjective evidence shows that the new Busitema University in eastern Uganda is up and running, at least each sub-county has a secondary school with a science laboratory. However, teachers still spend over three months without pay and the situation is worse in some private schools. Civil society opinion is almost unanimous that never before has Uganda’s education sector been in such terrible situation. Quality at almost every level of learning has slumped with each passing year, leaving the country in grave danger of becoming home to a large mass of functional illiterates. “The products from Universal Primary Education (free primary education in public schools) cannot be employed by government itself, which is ironical and defeats the intended purpose. (Point 6) the Ten Point Programme of the NRM was improving [and restoring social services], but 20 years down the road the situation is actually worse than they found it,” Ms Cissy Kagaba, head of the Anti-Corruption Coalition of Uganda, says. “The education budget has continuously been cut down and you cannot claim to want to improve education when teachers are demotivated because of poor pay, children are studying from dilapidated buildings or under the trees.” Ms Kagaba observes that there is, at times, something of a dilemma in rating the performance of the NRM because the party gives with one hand and then takes away with the other.“Lack of patriotism by the Members of Parliament (MPs), that only care about their welfare and not fulfillment of the manifesto is the reason funds that would have been used to implement the manifesto are instead diverted to personal welfare,” she said. But Information Minister Rosemary Namayanja said the NRM has, between 2006 and today introduced the Universal Secondary Education and set aside Shs3b for 47 centres of excellence to focus on restructuring traditional schools. “If you put Shs3b in a project, you expect that the quality will improve but quality is not achieved overnight. “We are focusing on sciences and we have at least equipped laboratories in government schools around the country and the quality will be perfect in the long run,” she said, adding that the public university quota system introduced in 2006 now means that at least nine students from each rural district are assured of university education. In ‘Prosperity-For-All’, the party then promised that once its policies were in place, each household around the country would be earning Shs12m annually from the Bonna Bagaggawale initiative. However, eight years later, official data actually shows that the people have instead become poorer and programmes put in place by government have not worked. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/Real-Madrid-present-Shs344b-Bale/-/690266/1977322/-/wtit7s/-/index.html","content":"Real Madrid present Shs344b Bale - MADRID- Gareth Bale has been presented to Real Madrid supporters following his world record £85.3m (100m euros) transfer from Tottenham. The Wales forward received a rapturous reception after stepping out on stage in a dark suit in front of more than 20,000 fans at the Bernabeu Stadium.Speaking in Spanish, the 24-year-old told fans: “It is a dream to be here in Madrid. Thank you for this welcome.” Bale was then paraded on the pitch wearing the number 11 shirt.Bale, who scored 21 league goals for Tottenham last season, agreed a £300,000 per week, six-year deal with Real on Sunday evening and passed a medical on Monday morning. Confirmation of the transfer, which eclipsed the £80m Real paid Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009, followed a summer-long saga involving extensive negotiations between the player, Spurs and Real.Real fans queued up outside the Bernabeu on Monday before flooding into the stadium to greet their new idol. They wore replica shirts emblazoned with the player’s name, waved scarves and chanted Bale’s name during a 10-minute welcome speech from club president Florentino Perez. “Bale is an exceptional player,” said Perez. “The negotiations have been intense, complicated and prolonged, but finally we have achieved our aim and we are delighted to welcome him as part of our team.” Addressing Bale directly, he added: “We are the most demanding club in the world but we will always be by your side. “Many of the best players in the world have graced this pitch and you are now following in their footsteps. “This is your stadium, this is your shirt, these are your supporters. From today on, this is your home and that of your entire family. Welcome to your team, welcome to Real Madrid.” After a short address in Spanish and English, Bale was joined on stage by his family, including baby daughter Alba Violet, for photographs, before heading off to change into his new kit. Acknowledging applause from the terraces, Bale reappeared to show off his skills on the pitch, and kicked numerous footballs into the stands.With fans chanting his name, he kissed the badge on his shirt and lashed a left-footed shot into the net. Bale, who was also given a tour of the club’s trophy room, is the latest in a long line of so-called “galacticos” to have played for Real, including former France captain Zinedine Zidane, ex-Brazil striker Ronaldo and David Beckham. Bale’s season-by-season Premier League statistics 2012-13: Played 33, goals 21, assists four2011-12: Played 36, goals nine, assists 102010-11: Played 30, goals seven, assists one2009-10: Played 23, goals three, assists five2008-09: Played 16, goals 0, assists 02007-08: Played eight, goals two, assists 0 THE ELITESBale is the latest in a long line of so-called “galacticos” to have played for Real, including former France captain Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and David Beckham"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/manifestos-and-whether-or-not-NRM-has-been-true-to-its-promises/-/688334/1976140/-/dnkpf9/-/index.html","content":"Of manifestos and whether or not NRM has been true to its promises - In a two part series, Isaac Imaka chronicles the promises and achievements under the NRM 2006-2011 manifesto, and whether Ugandans should keep faith in such covenants. In this first part, he begins with the promises made and whether manifestos are still a relevant integral part of Uganda’s politics. Das Kommunistische Manifest, or the Communist Manifesto, 1848, is one of, if not, the oldest and most referred to political manifesto in the world today. It proclaims in its opening line that: “the history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles”. The Internet open source information website, Wikipedia, defines a manifesto as a published verbal declaration of the intentions, motives, or views of the issuer, be it an individual, group, political party or government. Each election year, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) rolls out a lengthy document detailing promises to voters if the party is re-elected into power. But are these manifestos worth the debate, or are they just opportunities for the NRM top leadership to guarantee coverage in the day’s media? In more literate communities where civic awareness is more pronounced, manifestos remain the primary documents by which the electorate can differentiate the political parties with respect to positions on a wide range of issues. It is also the document by which the party is held to account in case it is elected. It is supposed to offer guidance and indication of what should be expected if elected to government. In it, supposedly, lies a well which never runs dry; which, especially in times of forgetfulness, transcends all momentary prosperity and is a constant reminder of the past and whispers softly of a new future. Manifestos, the Kibaale MP and Minister for Presidency, Mr Frank Tumwebaze, says are very important.“It’s those cheap politicians who have no serious issues to commit themselves to in a manifesto so they want to run sentiment driven politics. Sentiments should never be used as a stepping stone for leaders without providing alternative solutions to the underlying problems,” he says. But some political watchers of Uganda’s politics think manifestos are no longer important because voters, especially in the countryside, do not cast their votes based on the issues. At the same time, those in power rarely stay true to promises made. They also argue that manifestos have been turned into instruments to hoodwink unsuspecting voters. That many a time, they have been defined to mean an itemised recitation of lies designed for the gullible by the unprincipled for the sole purpose of attaining political office. “Once the primary purpose of the manifesto is attained then all promises in the manifesto will become secondary,” Ms Cissy Kagaba, the executive director of Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda, says. This is a view which Kanungu legislator Chris Baryomunsi identifies with. “People don’t follow manifestos to make political decisions during general elections but they are good because they are the contracts governments make with the people and people can hold their leaders accountable on the basis of the pledges made in the manifestos,” he says. Ms Kagaba says the situation is different in Uganda because manifestos are rarely given to the general public beyond the fanfare launches at press briefings. The documents are also written in English, which is not necessarily easily accessible to the wider majority of the potential electorate. “Ignorance of the public regarding these documents has worked to the benefit of those who hold power in that they can afford to recycle the same document with minor changes, after all the peasants/voters will not know the difference,” she says. Ms Kagaba says the failure to deliver on the promises is due to the multiple organ failure in NRM although those in the system seem not to see the situation. Seasoned politician and NRM thinker Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, however, says in the NRM, the manifesto is the most important political document in as far as delivering services to the people of Uganda is concerned. “I am surprised that people take the manifesto to be just a mere document. Ours is not just for a photo opportunity,” he says. “It’s a well-considered and well-internalised document that guides our service delivery and implementation of government programmes,” he adds. In the 2006 manifesto, Mr Museveni, the then party flag bearer, said the document was different from the first two because it builds upon, and consolidates, the work and achievements of the previous manifestos in “many aspects and it attempts to provide long-term perspective, laying a firm strategic agenda for Uganda’s development under the multiparty competitive political system”. Information minister and NRM Young Turk, Rose Namayanja says: “As NRM, if we had not done anything in 2006-2011, it would have been difficult to ask people to vote for us again. “We want to move from politics of sentiments to politics of issues. Now if you (as a party) don’t have a manifesto which issues would you be talking about? Manifestos emphasise issue-based politics, which is a good thing for democracy,” she said. Cash politicsIn the paper, “More Money, Less Manifesto: The Monetisation of Electoral Campaign in Uganda”, researcher Xavier Ogena argues that manifestos are no longer useful. He heaps the blame for their loss of value on the politicians because of the increased monetisation of the country’s elections. He argues that by the time politicians of the ‘new school’ of politics emerged - where politicians are no longer voters’ ‘big chiefs’, but ‘servants’, who have to visit their constituencies on a regular basis, identifying with them and being expected, more often than not, to help solve their problems - voters had already become accustomed to the rather cynical idea that electoral campaigns are more about money, less about manifesto. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Travel/Kidepo-national-park-/-/691238/1975028/-/11k5krkz/-/index.html","content":"Kidepo national park: Where lions roll to welcome, entertain tourists - It may not be as prominent as other savannah national parks like Murchison and Queen Elizabeth. The beauty of Kidepo Valley National Park makes it a true African wilderness.On your way from Kitgum District to the last trading centre at Karenga, before entering the park, one observes an inaccessible place. This is so because of the slippery roads and the near-flooding valleys, coupled with the potholes.However, having been forewarned, about the roads, we travelled by a 4x4 vehicle, making our journey to the park easier. Herds of buffaloes, waterbucks, warthogs, among other animals welcome you to the park through Lukumoit or Nataba gates. Accomodation was setThe vehicle then heads to the Apoka bandas or lodges, to check in for our accommodation before handing us over to Uganda Wildlife Authority guides for a game drive.“You are welcome to Kidepo Valley National park, stretching 1,442 square kilometres with two seasonal rivers Kidepo and Narusi,” Phillip Akorongimoe, the park head guide says, adding, “this is a wilderness where animals are not stationed in one place thus the fun in moving to find them where they are.”He jokingly says Kidepo National Park’s lions always love visitors and will welcome them by rolling down and presenting themselves for photo opportunities. We then take the southern route through Kalabe and Narusi River where I see a variety of animals and birds ranging from buffaloes, water bucks, Jackson heartbeasts, warthogs, zebras, monkeys, baboons, mongoose, monitor lizards, side-striped jackals, among others. We later climb the steeply rocky hills of the Amampwas, a Sudanese name from the Mening tribe which means “he threw a spear at” that has a scenic view of the park to end day one. Day twoOn day two, we take a drive to the northern part of the park where we find several animals, this time with a wider variety like the tower termite mounts and ostriches. We then go to Kidepo river, which we discovered has dried up.Akorongimoe says this river just changes from flowing on top to flowing underground but it never dries and proves his point by scratching the sand to show us traces of water. The northern side also has the forests of the Borassus palms, where Kidepo derives its name. Karimojongs used to go to this park to pick fruits from Borassus palms and named the place “Kidep” a Karimojong word translated to “pick”.From the river we head to the hot springs called Kanango rock. Archeological findings of bones covered by rocks show that the volcanoes which formed the rock could have solidified with these bones. We also come across the klipspringer, a small animal found in rocks that Akorongimoe said violates the African cultures because it mates with only one partner. Another animal of interest is the black-bellied bastard. No lions in sightWe later spend the afternoon looking for the king of the jungle but the search is fruitless because there were no lions in sight. We do not take this kindly, so the group asks UWA rangers why we can not see the lions. Akorongimoe says the park is not a zoo, where animals are found in a cage, and that he has no “contact number” for these lions to fix an appointment but people should remain hopeful. After a fruitless search, the group resolved to go to the park headquarters and meet the managers for general interviews about the park. As if in response to the group’s disappointment, we return at around 9pm to find lions lying besides the road. Hitherto frustrated, the guide gains the courage to crack yet another joke, saying the lions must have heard the group’s anger.The third day is the most tedious as the group was led to Moronoru mountains to visit the most reclusive tribe, the Ik, about 2900ft on top of the mountain. The hiking is a little tedious stretching for about six kilometres on a steep slope.The Ik welcome the group with traditional dances and a walk through their homesteads. The return route from the mountains is different and we trek for 20 kilometres on a steep route from Amarongole. The tedious return from the hill involved climbing and descending on four different mountains. msebuyira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/REFLECTIONS--The-unfasting-muslim-faithful/-/689856/1975018/-/12yg0hxz/-/index.html","content":"REFLECTIONS :The unfasting Muslim faithful - Feasting comes after fasting in the Muslim religion; it is the same even in Christianity. It is a dominating culture around the world. The Arabs go around butchering different species of animals. It is a celebration, I mean Mecca witnesses an upsurge in population. The unique costumes are flooding the streets. Mosques have efficient water supplies because Wudhu is a highlight in their religion. When the 30 days are over, the moon is a big deal and as usual the echoes of Sheiks are sounding over the hills saying Allah Akbar. The problem is those that feast yet they are unworthy of feasting. After 30 days, there is even a possibility that some Muslims get ulcers. In their Kanzus, some move with their bellies inches ahead but after the four weeks of fasting most have small-sized bellies due to the irregular meal time they adopt during fasting. To them, fasting brings hope and a return to a righteous path but also reduces a distance between Allah and themselves. I don’t care if your name is Abdul or Aisha, as long as nothing hindered your fasting, and you didn’t fast, I don’t think you should join the after party (Idd celebrations). The devoted worshippers have short nights and wake up at around 4am to worship. They see food in the daylight but can’t touch it no matter how famished they feel. After sun down, they always get relief and get to give their intestines some activity. The routine continues for more than 20 days while they go through intense prayer and special devotion to fulfill their cause to righteousness. Not everyone follows the necessities of religion especially the ones that involve ignoring three meals a day. Those Muslims that are intimidated by fasting are many but they are always the first to point out the bulls that are supposed to be butchered and they probably stay up at night to spot the moon in order to justify the day Idd should be celebrated. I’m not shaking up false facts, I have some friends called Musa and Mohammed that were eating three meals during fasting but later fought for the Iddi shopping list. As a Muslim has the right to be present at the feasting events after the 30 days, under the shelter of logic, we all know that people who fasted deserve the front row at the table of buffets. They are the ones that are worthy. They ought to drown in the plates of pilau and pay back for their days of hunger. Christians, however, should control how they cross boundaries on Idd Day."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Landlords-invade-wetlands-in-West-Nile/-/688342/1972906/-/rvvnj8/-/index.html","content":"Landlords invade wetlands in West Nile - Arua- Mr John Aliga, a resident of Lajopi Ginnery in Adjumani District recently bought a piece of land. But he says he has received a notice from local authorities that the plot he bought from a village landlord is on a wetland. “I have received the notice, but the person who sold this piece of land to me said they were preparing to take up the matter to court, I am waiting for the outcome,” Mr Aliga says. Mr Aliga’s problem is part of a wider concern of customary ownership of wetlands in West Nile region. Wetlands cover approximately 2.8 per cent (152 km2) of the total land area in Arua District alone. But urbanisation has resulted in direct loss of wetland acreage. With the region having more than 2.5 million residents, according to the to the 2002 population census, wetlands are being used for growing crops, grazing and some have semi-permanent houses and mansions built on them.In Ajia Sub-county in Arua, wetlands are customarily owned. Land acquisition is through inheritance and the land is allocated to sons who in turn assign it to their wives to cultivate. Not awareBut some residents claim they are unaware that wetlands are a public property. They use the wetlands for cultivation and livestock grazing. Crops such as sugarcane, yams, rice, maize, beans and sweet potatoes are grown along the edges of the wetlands. During the dry season, grazing and watering of livestock mainly takes place in the wetlands. In Adjumani Town Council, hundreds of people in the villages of Forua, Surumu, Odrueyi, Cesia and Molpowda have deliberately constructed permanent and semi-permanents structures in some of the wetlands. The wetlands that have been used for cultivation include Ala, Warike, Enyau in Vurra, Popoa, Mvetrei in Terego and wetlands in Maracha. Most of the wetlands in the district with the exception of Gazi (Ala) and Nyakayondo, which are in gazetted Ajai Game Reserve, are customarily owned. Excessive grazing of livestock in the wetlands of Acha, Ala, Obei, Nyakafundo and Ibizi, has led to soil erosion. Bush burning during the dry season is a common practice by the hunters and livestock grazers. This has led to removal of vegetation and exposure of soils. That has evident in Ala, Enyau, Ora, Nyagak and Uyu wetlands.Other underlying threats to wetlands include excavation of clay for brick making and sand mining without refilling of the pits. Extension servicesHowever, environment departments in the eight districts in West Nile say they have limited control over most of the wetlands. Officials say in order to reduce the misuse and abuse of the wetlands, there is need to put in place sound management through appropriate extension services. The Adjumani senior environment officer, Mr Charles Giyaya, says illegal human activities are not allowed in wetland areas measuring up to 30 meters from the highest point where flooding has occurred.Mr Giyaya says they do not have the exact number of wetland encroachers, but says numbers are high because of laxity of the laws. Ms Anjella Kaba, the chairperson of Adjumani Elder’s Forum, says previously elders usually frighten people that carrying out any activity in wetlands or forest will disturb the spirits which will bring catastrophe in the society. For now the people could be benefiting from turning wetlands into farms and plots of land, but environmentalists say the effects could be felt for years to come. 1 | 2 Next Page»Bylaws Arua District Food and Nutrition Bill Part IV (15) states that: Subject to section 44 of the Land Act Cap 227, the sub-county local council and the lower local council chairperson shall ensure strict observation and protection of wetlands. And 14 (3) provides that a person who contravenes this section commits and offence and on first conviction shall be liable to a fine of a fine not exceeding two currency points and in addition, trees shall be uprooted and for a second offence shall be liable to community service for not less than two months. But no one has been punished yet mismanagement has continued unabated. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/The-risks-of-building-in-wetlands/-/689858/1970004/-/cju9dd/-/index.html","content":"The risks of building in wetlands - In 2005, Kampala Central Division chairperson Geofrey Nyakana’s house in Bugoloobi was demolished because it was erected in a wetland-Nakivubo channel to be exact. These happened in a move by NEMA to recover Wetland. A lot of wetlands are being drained today for purpose as settlement and industrialisation.But before you go ahead and buy that plot of land that you have dreamed of, have you considered the fact that it’s on a wetland? A consequence of poor planningWhile the rest of the country joins in celebration for the rain, those settled in wetlands would curse instead. Christine Akello was ecstatic about setting up her house, more so given the luck she had in acquiring the plot at a relatively cheaper price. She rushed to a contractor she knew and he gave her a house plan and quoted for her prices and the costs she was going to incur. But her joy would not last as even before she moved in to the house, the foundation of the house had weakened and water could easily access the house. She decided to seek an expert opinion from an architect who told her she had built on a wetland and as such the foundation was not properly built. Akello is just one of many other people out there who are suffering with poor planning as a result of setting up homes on a wetland. Peter Tuhairwe who built on the drainage in Kinawataka, a designated swamp complains of flooding around his house. Efforts to channel the water are sometimes futile as the water sometimes over powers the barricades built. The associated risksHowever, Catherine Muyinda an architect with KK Partnerships says most home owners are oblivious of the dangers of building on wetland gazetted areas. She says constructing on such areas comes with a lot of risks. “First of all, the cost of constructing on the areas more than doubles,” she says before explaining that its brought about as a result of the need for a lot of remedy effort. You will have to spend more on building the foundation using more robust materials. “You may end up using what you could have spent on the whole house on just building the foundation,” she warns. She also says the soil in wetland areas is not the best for building because its structure is weak and mostly made of clay. A contractor will therefore realise the need to strengthen the foundation with gravel to make sure it’s not affected by water.But more to this whole circus is the fact that what many people don’t get is that building on wetlands directly tampers with the natural flow of the environment by blocking the water passages which were naturally instituted by the free flow of the water. Draining the swamp will not only block the natural water collection areas but also lead to flooding as the water will lack where to flow. The wetlands are usually drainage areas for the water but when they are misused causes flooding as the water tables rise because water struggles to find where to go. What are worse are even the provisional channels constructed once lacking clear designated destinations tend to fill up and also lead to flooding. The right way to build in a wetlandHowever, with the right consultations and following an agreed pattern and code of conduct, all this can be avoided by simply seeking advice from the authorities. In which case National Environment Management Authority plays a big role in advising the intending developers follow the right procedures. Naome Karekaho the NEMA public relations officer says before one goes ahead with developing any structure on a wetland, they have to first apply to NEMA. There are rules and regulations which guide and give procedures on how to go about it. She says the National Environment Lake shores, river banks and wetlands provides procedures that must be followed by all stake holders to get clearance and approval from NEMA. However, the activities which one intends to set up on the wetlands must be accepted. ProcedureThere is a form which must be filled out by instructed stake holders. The NEMA on the ground team in that particular area will then survey the land give clearance. “This form will then finally be approved by NEMA before any developments be allowed to progress,” she says. Wetlands are protected under clauses 37 and 38 of the National environment act of 1995. Without a written approval from NEMA, its an offence to reclaim or drain a wetland, erect, construct a structure that is fixed in or over any wetland.Kampala for instance has an approximate size of 195 square kilometers of which 31 square kilometers is covered by wetlands according to the Uganda National wetlands and management program drafted in 1995, however most of these have been given off to pave way for development and accommodate the population pressure. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Karamoja-roads-remain-in-bad-shape-as-rains-return/-/688334/1958016/-/t7kd5mz/-/index.html","content":"Karamoja roads remain in bad shape as rains return - Moroto. The government intervention to improve the infrastructure in Karamoja regoin is still wanting as the region’s roads remain impassable.The persistent rains and surface flooding have destroyed several roads in the sub-region in the last one month, making movement difficult. The Moroto-Mbale Road via Nakapiripirit, which is still under construction by a Chinese firm, has become impassable in some parts such as Naitakwae, Nadunget and Okudud. While on the side of the Moroto -Soroti road, bad spots have been identified at State Lodge area in Napak District and Olilim in Katakwi.Mr Stephen Okiror, a lorry driver, said the condition of the roads to Karamoja is worsening. He said in the last five days, most sections of the roads have become inaccessible due to surface flooding.“If the conditions of the roads continue to worsen, most people will resort to footing or using boda bodas,” he said.The Sunday Monitor has learnt that travelers from Amudat District have resorted to passing through Kenya to Mbale.“The section from Namalu to Bulambuli has been demolished by flowing water and the road is too slippery,” he said.Meanwhile, the Gateway Bus operations have suspended operating on the Mbale - Moroto route via Nakapiripirit due to the bad condition of the road. Mr Hassan Ssentamu, the Moroto UNRA Station engineer, acknowledges the worsening condition of the road but blamed it on the weather. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Soil-erosion-is-the-real-land-grabber/-/689860/1941080/-/ugd6pgz/-/index.html","content":"Soil erosion is the real land grabber - My maternal grandfather passed away 10 years before I was born but the “atrocities” he committed during his lifetime continue to haunt me. One of them was mobilising people to plant paspalum grass to fight soil erosion, which was a big problem in Bulemeezi, where he was a gombolola chief. More than half a century after he passed on, I keep bumping into bitter old men who have never forgiven my grandfather for forcing them to grow paspalum “as if they were going to eat it”. Up to now it has not dawned on them that the man who forced them to grow paspalum was helping them save their land from being “grabbed” by soil erosion. Land abuseSome things never change. Currently, there is a “land grabbing fever” in the country, which is causing individuals and communities to take extreme measures to defend their land against grabbers. Cultural leaders are discouraging their subjects from selling off land. At the same time politicians are mobilising their supporters to fight off land grabbers. However, there is no warning that the same people will have no land to defend, if they continue abusing it the way they are doing. The rate and scale of land abuse in this country is scaring. Trees are being felled, swamps are being drained, hill slopes are being cleared of vegetation cover and deadly chemicals are being used in the name of increasing food production. As a result of these unsustainable farming methods, land is being degraded at a very high rate, posing a big threat to food security. This is a form of land grabbing that no one is addressing. If land which used to yield 100 bags of maize now yields only 50, it means its size has been reduced by a half. Where has the other half gone? It has been lost through unsustainable farming methods. Unknown to most farmers, it takes a few years of abuse to turn rich arable land into wasteland where nothing can grow. Degraded land is as good as lost since it is barren. Causes havocUganda was once home to the most fertile soils, probably on the continent. That is why fertiliser use remains very low among farmers. They had no need for it but the situation is changing. Soil nutrients are being depleted at a very high rate without being replaced. Every rain season, tonnes of top soil are eroded and deposited into water bodies where it causes havoc ranging from silting to flooding. In places like Nakasongola, where trees and other vegetation have been cleared to create open grazing land, strong winds carry off tonnes of rich top soils during the dry season. Primitive viewStrangely, while land owners spend millions to protect their land from encroachers and grabbers, they will hardly make an effort to protect that land from erosion caused by wind and water. The problem stems from the way we view land. In most cultures, it is treated as a measure of wealth not as a resource to create wealth. The more land, the wealthier you are considered to be. A farmer with 10 acres of overgrown bush is considered wealthier than the one with an acre of intensively farmed land. Whenever I introduce myself as a farmer, the first question is: How big is your farm? Very few bother to ask how productive it is. 1 | 2 Next Page»This primitive view is unfortunately affecting our farming sector. Many would-be farmers, especially the youth, are their dreams on hold because they do not have land. They think that to be taken as a serious farmer, you have to own land, the more the better. Some buy land and then get stuck because there are no resources to develop it. Bigger threatMeanwhile “mercenary farmers” come in from as far as Kenya, hire or lease land for a few seasons, and earn a lot of money. They find the price for hiring or leasing land in Uganda laughable. In Nakaseke, the going rate is Shs100, 000 per acre a year (two seasons). From that one acre, the enterprising mercenary farmer can easily make Shs1m in a year. They do not have to use fertilisers since, in most cases, the land has been idle for a long time, and they will use the most deadly chemicals because they do not own the land. When the land gets “tired” they move to another landlord. In such a situation, they do not need to waste money buying land, when they can get it almost free. They leave that to local farmers who have sentimental attachment to land. We need realise that unsustainable farming methods and poor soil management are a bigger threat to land than encroachers and grabbers who we are being warned about. The author is a farming journalist and consultant. akndawula@gmail.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/-/688342/1925384/-/1052q12/-/index.html","content":"Are the breakaway chiefdoms trimming Buganda’s influence? - Kampala At the time colonialists invaded the kingdoms that constitute present day Uganda, the central kingdom of Buganda was facing its first major expansion from around the Lake Victoria basin. The fortune of the central location that saw the first foreigners find base in the kingdom and quick wit to choose collaboration over rejection allowed for a rapid spread, west into Bunyoro kingdom, a traditional rival, and parts of Ankole and Busoga kingdoms. By the time boundaries for the territory known as Uganda were finally marked to include kingdom and non-kingdom areas, Buganda’s collaboration had paid off and the subjugation of, especially Bunyoro saw it handsomely rewarded not just by traditional expansion but also the gift of the counties of Buyaga and Bugangaizi that later came to be known as the “lost counties.” To date, Banyoro nationalists still claim present day Mubende District and are wont to pronounce loudly that despite the wide usage of Luganda, Runyoro remains the mother tongue of a large section of the area dwellers. These nationalists say, King Kabalega’s main palace was in the area before he was pushed out in his war of resistance against colonialism. The period of colonialism allowed Buganda to grow as a significant national force within the territory called Uganda, a position it used to negotiate a much better entry into post-colonial Uganda compared to other kingdom areas. The exposure to colonial largesse and proximity to the colonial authority aided by getting a larger share of the colonial infrastructure, Buganda was also able to have a large number of well-trained individuals to fill both technical and political positions both in the negotiations for independence and for impacting the politics of independent Uganda. This also included having the traditional head of the kingdom, Kabaka Frederick Mutesa emerging as the head of government, albeit without the same authority as the President. Buganda also secured an early independence on October 8, 1962 which affirmed Buganda’s special position in Uganda. However, this situation was to change hardly two years after independence. Keen to consolidate his position, independence Prime Minister Apollo Milton Obote went ahead with a controversial referendum that returned the counties of Buyaga and Bugangiazi to Bunyoro Kingdom in 1964. This was to be followed two years later, in 1966, with the exiling of the king and then President, Freddie Mutesa, and the subsequent abolition of kingdoms throughout the country. The kingdom, alongside all the others like Tooro, Bunyoro, and Busoga were to remain in limbo until the current government took power in 1986 and set a plan for the restoration of cultural institutions in 1993.Threats to BugandaHowever, the Buganda the President Museveni returned, side stepping a constitution process and Parliament to announce a decision by the army high command sitting in Gulu, northern Uganda has been a different Buganda. Emasculated of all political power, Buganda, under Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi who celebrates 20 years on the throne on July 31 (celebrations for August 3) has seen the biggest threat to its territorial expanse under President Museveni than ever before, thanks again to a deterioration of relations between the powerful political centre and a cultural institution yet to get over the hangover of yester years when it welded lots of political influence and the king was an absolute. Under Mutebi, Buganda’s critics have accused the most central and organised kingdom of believing the rest of the country owes it a lot and that it owes the rest of the country nothing. This feeling is shared by many Baganda who, however, in equal measure feel threatened by other tribes, especially as Kampala continues to expand with more tribes from across the country migrating in ever larger numbers to the central region. Cattle keeping peasants and cultivators are taking over Buganda’s rural counties in Bulemezi, Luweero, Nakaseke Gomba among others; petty traders, the young educated, skilled and unskilled are flooding the Kampala and neighbouring towns in many cases managing to even change the language dynamic in many locales. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Pakwach-Railway-line--The-ignored-link-to-development/-/688342/1924710/-/pnhke2/-/index.html","content":"Pakwach Railway line: The ignored link to development - West Nile In 1969, Uganda launched one of its greatest investments ever. To witness the birth of the Pakwach Railway line, was Jomo Kenyatta, then Kenyan president and Julius Nyerere, then Tanznian president, standing besides their Ugandan counterpart Milton Obote. The railway line, which today remains in sorry state, could have come in handy, boosting trade for Uganda and its neighbours South Sudan and DR Congo. However, years later, the billions of money spent in construction of the railway line have gone to rot after it was consumed by bush fire 20 years ago. Recently though, a couple of people have been seen tracing the rails in the thicket bushes of the Murchison Falls Park, probably to rejuvenate it?If the railway resumes operations, it would cut costs of road maintenance.During the Obote I regime, construction of the railway line saw an instantaneous improvement in transportation, rapid growth of factories such as the Pakwach Ginnery and significant establishment of new technologies to increase agricultural production. The railway was predominantly run by Africans and a few Indians. According to an April 1964 document on East African Railway Developments by A.M O’Connor, the Ugandan government was anxious to have a bridge constructed at Pakwach and the railway extended further into West Nile.This was, however, seen as more of a political rather than economic move, as the traffic prospects for such an extension were poor. “There is no doubt the railway to the north whether or not it is taken beyond Pakwach, will provide a more convenient transport route to northern Uganda than the former route required four trans-shipments before the main line was joined,” the document reads in part. From the early 1960s to 90s, there was abundant cotton for the South West Nile Co-operative Union and Arabica coffee from Okoro Coffee Growers’ Union. Both cooperatives were grounded following the collapse of the railway line and the eventual death of cooperative societies in Uganda. To date, tobacco, cotton and coffee companies incur high costs of transportation using trucks. Moreover, unlike other industries which become modern over a period of time, railways changed technology at a much faster scale. It brought distant towns closer to mainstream cities such as Kampala and helped in improving commerce. Tobacco transportation from Arua was boosted. In June 2006, the Chinese government pledged to build a railway extension from Pakwach to Juba. This failed, considering Juba is about 600km from Sudan Railways’ southernmost station at Waw. Revival of the Railway business would help improve cross-border trade, should the Uganda and Sudan railways ever meet. There would be a break of gauge problem, which can be reduced by building the new tracks, with gauge convertible sleepers. For 75-year-old John Ogenrwoth, a farmer, the railway would be an ideal means for transportation of bulky goods. “It was cheap for even a farmer in a village to transport goods to the cooperative society and later transport them to the railway point, which connects to other distant districts,” Mr Ogenrwoth said. He added: “Our agricultural products such as cotton and food crops would be easily transported to other regions. And this will open market opportunities because most farmers cannot afford high transport costs, for example from Nebbi to Juba.” In a recent press release, the general manager of Rift Valley Railway Uganda, Mr Mark Rumanyika, said the northern line was an important part of their concession and would play an increasingly strategic role in moving business forward. He said since the landlocked South Sudan had recently become independent, commercially viable hydro-carbons discovered in the Albertine Graben and peace returned to the north, potential for business growth was virtually unlimited. “Work on the northern line, expected to cost almost $2 million (Shs5b), commenced on November 19 last year and will undergo a three-phased approach. The first phase includes clearing bushes, and removing anthills,” Mr Rumanyika said. 1 | 2 Next Page»The second phase will involve restoration of washed out areas due to flooding, especially in Soroti and installation of new culverts where required, while the final phase will involve replacement of vandalised locations. Opening opportunitiesOnce reconstructed, the railway would also open up job opportunities for many. Most South Sudanese still use the Mombasa route to transport their goods either through Nimule, Bibia or Koboko-Yei routes. Essentially, the Pakwach Railway line could offer a dramatic social, economic and cultural change, playing a pivotal role in development. Finance Minister Maria Kiwanuka in this year’s Budget reading, said: “We are fast-tracking rehabilitation of Tororo-Pakwach and Kampala-Kasese railway lines.” According to a feasibility study carried out in 2009 by Canarails Company, the upgrading of the 500km Tororo-Pakwach railway line, which has been inactive for decades, will cost Shs1.5 trillion. While campaigning in Pakwach in 2011, UPC President Olara Otunnu, said: “West Nile was an island that was connected to the rest of Uganda in 1969 when the UPC government constructed the bridge and railway. We value the importance of railways and we will revive it.” He noted that the transport system is now expensive due to the non-functionality of railways, which he says, provides cheap and faster transport network. wokello@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Health---Living/Health-benefits-that-herbal-remedies-offer/-/689846/1914832/-/3l651o/-/index.html","content":"Health benefits that herbal remedies offer - From tree roots to plant leaves, it is common to find medicinal concoctions made out of these products by traditional herbalists. Many, they say are used to treat and cure illnesses such as cough, diabetes and hypertension among others. Increasingly, a large proportion of the population also uses these herbal medicines, with a recent study by the World Health Organisation estimating that about 80 per cent of people in the developing world still use herbal medicine to treat various ailments. According to Mr Kizito Mulwana of SEFA Organics which specialises in extracting herbal medicine from wild plants, the use of medicinal plants in Uganda, like in most developing countries has been wide spread for centuries. “Many people are continuously flooding our medical centres, after they have tried and failed with the conventional hospitals,” he claims. Mr Mulwana said herbal medicines extracted from a wide range of green plants and tree roots cure a wide range of diseases such as asthma, epilepsy and pneumonia. According to Mr Muhammad Kasirye, director at Hannah Islamic medical centre, a single plant concoction can treat more than one condition. “Therefore it is possible for us now to establish standard herbal formulae for the given conditions,” he says.The medicinal plants can be found in various places especially forests which have various plant and tree varieties. Here are just a few examples and what they doLemongrass or Chai SsubiLemongrass can be extracted for its oil and it can be used to treat digestive tract spasms, stomach ache, high blood pressure, convulsions and relieve pain among others. In food and beverages, it can be used as a flavouring ingredient Euphorbia hirtaThis hairy herb that is grown in open grasslands, roadsides and pathways, is commonly known as asthma-weed (kasandasanda) and it is used for treating diseases such as bronchitis, cough, asthma, dysentery and respiratory tract inflammations. Elymus repens or couch grass It is largely used in treating cough, bronchitis and infections. Taraxacum officinale UgandensisIt grows mostly in tropical areas and is locally called abaki or mukuzanumme. It is said to be effective in treating cough, urinary infection and memory loss. Ocimum tenuiflorum/OmujaajaThis is a common plant grown in home gardens and used as flavouring for tea. It is said to have several medicinal benefits including treating malaria, ring worms, dog bites and insect bites. Artemisia annuaIn ancient times, it was used by chinese herbalists to treat fevers and headaches. A sweetly aromatic herb with small, yellow flower heads, sweet wormwood contains the chemical artemisinin and its aerial parts are used by scientists as an agent for making anti-malarial drugs. Disclaimer:While these herbal plants may have medicinal benefits, we don’t take responsibility for those who rely on them as their main source of medicine. fmukisa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/1910002/-/w5y0hxz/-/index.html","content":"What causes cracks in buildings? - There are many causes of cracks, anything, from natural causes like the recent tremors to using wrong or inadequate building materials. Its easy to ask whether a crack is serious but a professional will find it difficult to give you an instan answer. This is because cracks are not serious and are easy to repair whereas some may be a sign of serious defect, that may result into expensive repair costs, or danger of the building collapsing. Taking cracks seriouslyCracks may appear in the walls bricks/block mortar plaster, beam-wall joints, columns –wall joints, slabs, beams, columns, foundations and in many other places.Much as it’s not a simple task, it’s essential you take any cracks seriously and get assessment done in order to specify their significance.Most buildings will develop cracks at some point in time during their service life due to the following causes. Poor workmanshipPoor mixing of building materials, like cement sand and aggregate will cause cracks in the walls, beams, slabs etc. Normally poor workmanship is as a result of ignorance, carelessness, negligence, lack of proper supervision and many others or worth still a combination of all these. Temperature variations It’s important to know that most materials tend to expand when subjected to direct sunlight and contract in cooler temperatures this process, and therefore end up causing cracks. The cracks will be severe, especially in thin walls that are exposed to direct sunlight. Structural designPoor structural design and specifications are another cause of the cracks in concrete works. It’s important that the designer considers all the environmental aspects that include soil (Geotechnical) investigations that will enable the designer to come up with a proper design of the foundation. Normally, buildings are designed for particular uses, and also to withstand a given measure of weight (loading) for example a building designed as residence will have different structural specifications from the one designed to operate machinery. Lack of (or) poor maintenance It’s always important to take good care of your house, by doing maintenance works after a lapse of certain periods. This will keep the building intact and also extend their life span. Natural forces Earthquakes, tremors like the ones that were experienced in Kampala recently, winds, rains, flooding and many others may cause cracking in the buildings.There are many other causes and types of cracks in buildings therefore always look out for them and take the necessary actions. Please note that, the remedies or solutions are not discussed because, of the various technical reasons, and therefore the solutions can be provided by technical people, However knowing the causes will help you to ask some crucial questions, and also have helpful awareness before, during and after the construction of your house. jodyeri4@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Positive-outlook-for-food-supply-and-prices/-/689860/1894188/-/10chw6uz/-/index.html","content":"Positive outlook for food supply and prices as harvest season approaches - Most regions have experienced the first seasonal rains, which begun in mid-March to early April. Normal to above average rainfall was received as projected by the Meteorological Department. From mid-April to mid-May, much of the country received 80 to 150 per cent of normal rainfall. Declining rainfall amounts were received in the last two weeks of May as the season comes to an end. FloodingHowever, for Karamoja region (which has one season), rains are yet to peak before they considerably decline in June. To date, cumulative rainfall in the area is higher than each of the last three years during the same period and the long-term average. In the west, flooding and water-logging occurred following heavy rains in the Mt Rwenzori sub-region, especially in Kasese, Kabarole, Ntoroko and Bundibugyo districts at the beginning of May. Destruction of roads, bridges may interrupt flow of food commodities causing temporary shortage in urban areas. The extent of crop area damaged by water-logging and potential impacts on food security this season is yet to be assessed. PricesAcross the country, weeding and field maintenance are underway as crop growth progresses normally leading up to the June/July harvest period. Normal to above average harvests are expected. There are favourable conditions for livestock production. Good pasture and water availability continue to favour above-average body conditions for livestock and milk production is at normal levels across the country.Against this backdrop, the situation of the markets indicates nominal price increases for food staples. While prices in March were lower than usual, April retail prices increased moderately for several staples across markets, following seasonal declines in both market and household stocks. These increases were most notable for bananas in Mbarara (42 per cent) and in Kampala (22 per cent), sorghum in Soroti (15 per cent) and Lira (17 per cent), millet in Lira (12 per cent) and Soroti (10 per cent), maize in Masindi (10 per cent), beans in Lira, Mbarara and Gulu markets (3-11 per cent). This increase is consistent with seasonal variations observed during this time of year as household stocks decline, resulting in less marketable supply. Price volatility may be somewhat influenced by surging demand from traders of South Sudan and Kenya. However, prices of most staples were the same or remained below the price levels observed last year at the same time. Markets remain sufficiently supplied with most staples and poor households are expected to access sufficient food from the market to meet their basic needs. Likely scenarioThere is stable food security in most areas, with the exception of Karamoja, which remains at stressed food insecurity levels. Therefore, the assumptions used to develop the most likely scenario for the period, April to September 2013, remain valid. Stable food security outcomes will continue in most of the country, although household food stocks will decline seasonably until the first main harvest in June/July. ProspectsReduced market supply combined with sustained local and regional demand for food staples will continue to gently increase prices across markets until significant supplies replenish stocks. Already some green harvest and consumption of beans is available on the market from farmers who planted early, particularly in the wetter lowlands around the Lake Victoria basin and in the south west. Prospects for first season harvests from other staples, such as maize, cassava, sorghum, Irish potatoes and bananas, are expected to be favourable."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Basketball/LeBron-elevates-beauty-of-game-with-Spurs--help/-/690268/1891004/-/lo9wooz/-/index.html","content":"LeBron elevates beauty of game with Spurs’ help - MIAMI- The best player on the planet doesn’t run and leap onto scorer’s tables, fire his fists into the air and declare himself a champion for the ages. For everything LeBron James had once represented to the world about self-indulgence and hubris, his back-to-back championship moment had been a true testament to his transformation, a salute to those San Antonio Spurs responsible for making demands of his talents, bringing out the best out of the MVP, the best out of basketball. Through the bodies flooding the floor and the confetti falling out of the rafters, James found Tim Duncan on the floor, wrapped two arms around him and squeezed him tightly. Six years ago, James had been obliterated and Duncan had thanked him for letting the Spurs win one more title before James completely controlled the sport. Six years later, it belonged to James, and soon they handed him the Finals MVP trophy on the podium for the second consecutive season – after a colossal 37 points and 12 rebounds in a 95-88 Game 7 victory for the Miami Heat on Thursday night – and the first words tumbling out of James’ mouth were about the Spurs. “They pushed us to the limit,” James said. They pushed the Heat to the limit and elevated the elegance of the sport, the grace, the competitive ferocity and sportsmanship. As epic as these seven games had been – a Game 6 that’ll be remembered as maybe the greatest Finals game – this series was a referendum on everything basketball ought to be at the highest level. As broadcaster and former NBA coach Jeff Van Gundy walked out of American Airlines Arena, he said, “You know, it shows that you don’t have to be an [expletive] to be a competitor, to be a great champion.” In defeat, the Spurs demand a respect out of opponents, demand a behavior that meets the standards of Duncan and Gregg Popovich, a professionalism of R.C. Buford and Manu Ginobili. They’re the pinnacle of programs, owners of the most precious possession in our transient sports culture – staying power. As dramatic as James had been in victory – as alone as he stands above everyone in the sport – he has come to find a grace in victory that’ll carry on far beyond the closing down of these Spurs’ franchise core. When it was over, Popovich didn’t respond with despair, but gratitude. He could’ve asked for no more out of these Spurs, no more resilience to reach the NBA Finals – never mind to reach down for something more after that devastating Game 6 loss. He met the Heat’s stars on the floor with big smiles, congratulating them and even planting a kiss on the cheek of Dwyane Wade. GAME 7 FINAL RESULTMiami Heat 95-88 San Antonio SpursHeat won finals playoff series 4-3)"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/Why-I-shall-not-be-braiding-my-hair-anytime-soon/-/689842/1890334/-/71oahrz/-/index.html","content":"Beauty experience :Why I shall not be braiding my hair anytime soon - • Because it is damn expensive. Every salon sitting I miss is worth not less than Shs50,000. And that is not considering the expenses of the other hair accessories like hair oil and holders. Now, as a mother and wife, I cannot tell you how much else I can use that money for. • Uncomfortable and painful, although most women will sit it out anyway. That is not to mention the discomfort of spending a few hours tucked away between some strange woman’s thighs. Shshhhh, a woman can only hold her breath for so long!• Oh, then there is the comfort of sleeping without the bulk of braids getting in your way! • The trouble of keeping up with trends and which ones work for your head and face type, class and so on and so forth. Now, one of the hardest things about keeping hair long and braided for me was deciding what to braid each time. As this hairstyle was being weaved on, I worried about what I would be putting next. That part of my brain is in reserve now, thank goodness.• My head cannot take the weight anymore. My forehead stretches, my face muscles strain and I can feel my scalp muscles protesting against the weight of the synthetic.• My baby girl would rather she did not have those braids flooding into her face every time I toss her on my back. “Ah ah, Mommy remove,” she wailed irritably the last time, shoving the braids out of her face over my shoulder before resting her face on my back, and shoving her two fingers in her mouth. After I put her to bed that night, I got down to unbraiding the hair, and making a mental note not to inconvenience her with them again. • What I hate the most about braiding though, is unbraiding the hair! The ladies, some, know what I mean. It is a whole ritual altogether, which is why we always save it for the weekends. And then, of course, there are those two or three days before you get to do whatever next with it; those usually mark the bad-hair days usually. All those, for me, are long gone.There are things I miss about plaited hair too, but that would be a story for another day, and I won’t be telling it; lots of other girls that could share that same story."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Environmental-conservation-is-key/-/806314/1875660/-/4vvgdoz/-/index.html","content":"Environmental conservation is key - It is prudent for students in every institution particularly schools, colleges and universities to be sensitised about environmental conservation and management because there is high environmental degradation resulting from human activities in many parts of Uganda. According to the National Environmental Management Authority and Inter-Governmental Panel on climate change assessment, global warming has accelerated in the recent decades due to increase in greenhouse gas emissions associated with negative human activities which have intensified climate change and extinction of Flora and Fauna. The report indicates a net loss of over 22m acres of forest cover in the world with over 15 hectares of forest being lost every minute in the world. Research from the forestry department indicates that in the Albertine region alone, at least 7,000 hectares of forests are destroyed annually through encroachment for settlement, agriculture and charcoal burning. Students are agents of change and can spearhead tree planting and good farming practices as mitigation and adaptation measures against desertification, flooding, pollution and deforestation. The 2009 Nema report indicates that in 1990, Uganda had over five million hectares of forest cover but by 2005, only 3.5 hectares were left. It further reports that if deforestation continues, Uganda is likely to lose all its forested land by 2050. It is estimated that the world’s population is about 7.6 billion while Africa’s total population is about 670 million people and in Uganda we are close to 34.3 million people. Predictions indicate that by 2050, Uganda’s population is likely to clock to over 300 million people with Africa ranging from 4000-6000 million people. This means population is growing at a fast rate with no reverse in environmental degradation. At least if one tree is cut, about five should be planted to replace it, otherwise we are headed for danger. Andrew Musinguzi, musinguzia2007@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Traders-should-support-goods-inspection/-/806314/1873208/-/i6apf9z/-/index.html","content":"Traders should support goods inspection - Ugandans have always been exposed to poor quality products because of failure to abide by set regulations and also enact consumer protection laws. The Ugandan consumer has always been left at the mercy of traders that have given bribes and kickbacks to government officials in a bid to ease restrictions. This in the process has led to poor quality and dangerous products flooding the market. The trader’s defiance of the pre inspection verification of conformity is in bad faith and should not be taken lightly. Much as the traders may have a valid point that the verification process is costly and marred with corruption that should not be a ground to hold Ugandans at ransom and expose them to poor quality products. Two wrongs do not make a right. The traders should instead organize themselves and ensure that the process is free of corruption since the said corruption has to some extent been instigated by them through collusion with government offices such as the bureau of standards. One can only come to equity with clean hands. Most of the traders put profit first and quality is secondary no matter the health and environmental hazards of their products. The traders therefore have no moral authority to blackmail consumers by threatening not to import goods for two months. The traders should understand that ‘It is difficult but not impossible to conduct strictly honest business .What is true is that honesty is incompatible with the amassing of a large fortune.’ - M.K.Gandhi Non-violence in Peace and WarHonesty in Uganda is becoming a taboo and it is therefore not surprising that the traders are in a defiance mode because most of them are surviving on dishonesty. Substandard products have easily found their way into the country because corruption has become institutionalized within the government systems. Laws to ensure that Ugandans are protected against substandard products are in place; however enforcement, weak and selective prosecution has been the order of the day. It takes two to tangle therefore the enabling corrupt environment within the government structures has made it easy for the traders to expose the consumers to dangerous products and get away with it. Enacting of laws does not solve the problem of corruption but actual implementation will rid the country of any corruption related vices. We therefore urge those in position of authority to cease the rhetoric and instead embark on actual implementation. Our prayer is that government will demonstrate its willingness to protect its citizens by not giving in to the traders.Cissy.N.Kagaba, kagabac@accu.or.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/KITOORO--A-shanty-place-on-the-fringes-of-Nsambya/-/691232/1872216/-/uabs5az/-/index.html","content":"KITOORO: A shanty place on the fringes of Nsambya - A thin air of stale garbage in a nearby pit and decomposing peelings relay a certain unpleasant invitation for any stranger in this small, messy and quite rudimentary small slum. And yet the residents seem unbothered by the foul stench surrounding them. The half- starved dogs sit lazily around meat stalls waiting to crunch a few pieces from the butchers’ chopping board. Hawkers can be seen ferrying their goods, hoping to make a sale before twilight and the mean-looking young men in their late teen years gang around probably looking for a bag to snatch or some rival gang to start a fight with while food stall attendants strive to attract a few customers that pass around. This place is characterised by shanty houses streaming vertically and close by as if in a race. It has been a hub for the low income earners around the city for more than five decades. LocationSuch is the daily life of an area whose buzz portrays a very strange notion of a diverse precinct with its unique way of life and interesting cultural affiliation. The area stretches from Kevina Road in the west, the cemetery in the north East, Audi stage in the south and Makindye road in the north. It covers over eight acres of land, an area half owned by Mengo government and the other by the Catholic Church. Getting its nameThe name “Kitooro” is said to have been given to the area by the indigenous Baganda who lived in the area, almost 20 years ago. According to a senior residents, the name was a result of the flooding of the area by ethnic Batooro people from western Uganda in search of jobs in Kampala. Although the specific time of their arrival is not clear, it is said to have been in the late 1980s. According to 45-year-old Ssalongo Kakooro, a Mutooro who has owned a bar in the area for the last nine years, the start of Kitooro area dates way back during the early 1990s.One man who is acquainted with the area is Mzee Dominico. A Mugwere by tribe, this 82-year-old has spent over 35 years in the area and claims to have seen the birth of the place. He says the area got its name during the Obote I regime in the mid-1960s. According to him, before the coming of the Batooro, this area was called Katwe and it bordered Makindye barracks in the south. With time, this once bushy, abandoned area started going through a transformation, with a sprouting of small semi-permanent residents which became associated with the new people. Why they chose this areaThe reason for Batooro’s choice of area was generally its closeness to the city centre and the cheap accommodation. According to Ms Sabiah Sabiiti Zainah, who has spent 12 years in the area, these newcomers chose this area basically because, “the houses were much cheaper compared to the other suburban areas….and the place is just a stone throw away from the city…a walkable distance indeed!” she says. I have just interrupted her from her work that earns her daily bread –selling fried cassava and samosas. She has just finished dipping raw cassava into the cooking oil when I ask her why more Batooro continue to stream in, years after settling in the area. She says it is due to their unwavering solidarity and the need to help their own tribemates that pushes them into constantly beckoning them to quit the countryside and join them in the city. She is quick to note that they were not the only “invaders” that arrived here. “There were lots of Sudanese people a few years ago, who mainly dealt in hawking bananas but they started relocating to nearby Nava Maria and the outskirts. Kakooro claims the large influx of Batooro was as a result of the cheap transport offered by the railway which stretched from Kasese, their place of origin to Kampala; where odd jobs especially carrying luggage was what most of them did. He says those that succeeded rushed back to Tooro and invited their mates and by the time he came to the area in 1987, the name was truly befitting due to the high Batooro population. Mixed feelingsThe dialect here is majorly Rutooro and it is not surprising to hear pet names like Abwooli, Araali and strangely, it has turned out to be the accepted way of life around and not even the Baganda who are the original occupants seem bothered by any of what goes over in their former land.But one of the oldest Baganda residents who prefers anonymity, much as they (Baganda) have lived harmoniously with the Batooro, says some conservative Baganda yearn for their expulsion from the kingdom. “Unlike other tribes in Buganda, the Batooro have remained glued to their norms, even while in another kingdom…especially their language! That’s why they should leave,” he says in a bitter one. The Batooro are also said to have a penchant for engaging in fights. There is also a perception that they are great drunkards and always pounce on each other after evening booze binges. Ms Norah Katushabe, a Mukiga who has lived in the area for the last 25 years, however, has a different view. She owns two pool tables and sells chips in the area. She says the Batooro are a social tribe, always yearning to succeed as an entire contingent and are very selfless. A leader’s perspective“They never forget where they come from and always strive to earn a living…they are hardworking people,” says Asiimwe, the youth chairman, Nsambya West. He, however, stresses that they possess a penchant for liquor and at times end up in dangerous duels with other ethnicities especially the Baganda. He also claims that they do not think highly of education as a fundamental key to succeed and prefer “making money” which he says is very dangerous, and has led to high school drop-outs in the place. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Make-our-roads-safer-for-pedestrians/-/806314/1846316/-/fdp5x1/-/index.html","content":"Make our roads safer for pedestrians - This week is the UN Road Safety Week, and Uganda will be joining the rest of the world in marking the event, under the theme “Pedestrian Safety” as part of the decade of action for road safety leading to 2020.A pedestrian is a person who travels by foot, and this could be anyone of us. The term pedestrian applies not just to the poor, but also to those who own and drive vehicles because at some point in time, they are bound to abandon the vehicle and walk to access markets, shops or any other hard to reach areas. According to the World Organisation Global status report on road safety 2013; worldwide, 27per cent of all road traffic deaths occur among pedestrians and cyclists. In low and middle-income countries, this figure is closer to a third of all road deaths, with less than 35per cent of low- and middle-income countries having the necessary policies in place to protect these road users. Thirty-eight per cent of all road traffic deaths in Africa occur among pedestrians. For Uganda, pedestrians were the largest class killed in road traffic crashes, accounting for 39.2 per cent of all casualties in 2011. At 27 per cent, they also form the largest category of injuries sustained during road traffic accidents. The rapid motorisation of Uganda has resulted into an increase in motor traffic with vehicles and motorcycles flooding the streets. This is made worse by the fact that our roads are not being expanded to meet the increased usage and yet pedestrian lanes are largely non-existent. In urban areas, the lanes are abused; turned into taxi and commuter-motorcycle stages, and used to display trade items by vendors. This has resulted into pedestrians fighting to share space with vehicular traffic. With pedestrians making up almost half of those killed on the roads, this warrants them more attention. As a nation, our road safety laws need to be made more comprehensive, enforcement needs to be strengthened and data systems linked to policy and programme action. The government urgently needs to legislate on all key risk factors to promote and ensure pedestrian safety, such as policies to promote walking and cycling, and protecting vulnerable road users by physically separating them from high-speed road users, roads with lanes, safe routes and crossings for pedestrians, driver discipline, and speed limits. There should also be sufficient investment of financial and human resources in the enforcement of these laws, through increasing traffic police presence on the roads, and equipping the police to increase their efficiency and capacity. We also need to raise public awareness and understanding of the legislative and enforcement measures as a means of increasing participation, ownership of pedestrian safety mechanismsLastly, a concerted effort is needed to make road infrastructure safer for pedestrians. In particular, governments need to consider how non-motorised forms of transport can be integrated into more sustainable and safer transport systems. While we have taken some steps to improve road safety, significantly more action is needed to make our roads safer for the all pedestrians because all road traffic deaths and injuries are preventable and avoidable. Joseph Magoola, josephmag24@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/City-traders-fault-Tanzania-over-rice-dumping/-/688610/1754558/-/869rb1/-/index.html","content":"City traders fault Tanzania over rice dumping - Kampala Kampala City Traders Association leadership is up in arms, accusing Tanzania of flooding the country with cheap imported rice from Pakistan. The city traders’ (Kacita) spokesperson told the Daily Monitor that the Tanzanian traders are dumping rice they imported at zero tariffs (tax) from Pakistan at the expense of Ugandan traders who are subjected to 75 per cent import duty. “Our traders cannot compete anymore, We have petitioned government and we hope this matter is taken care of urgently,”said Mr Ssekitto. Sometime last year, the Tanzanian government lifted taxes on imported rice (outside East Africa) on grounds that the country was facing a food shortage as a result of prolonged drought. The Tanzanian government also arrived at that decision without consulting other partner states. “When I received the complaint from the traders, we checked with EAC secretariat and there was no record for waiver on importation of rice for Tanzania,” Mr Richard Kamajugo, the Uganda Revenue Authority Commissioner for customs said last week in an interview. He continued: “We are in touch with Rwanda and Tanzania trying to verify this matter.” However, Mr Kamajugo also said that the tax body’s record so far do not show sharp increases in the volumes of rice imported from Tanzania. iladu@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/Drainage-in-and-around-the-house/-/689858/1749896/-/71uigpz/-/index.html","content":"Drainage in and around the house - Whenever it rains, do you have water slowly leaking through your walls or flooding the compound and even entering the house at times? These are common problems faced by people especially those living in a wetland or on a slope. This is caused by having a poorly planned drainage system for the house. The water has nowhere to flow to since your house is constructed in its final destination or along the way. Or the construction engineer did not put a polythene paper before the slab was cast. A slab is a common structural element of modern buildings. Horizontal slabs of reinforced concrete are typically between 100 and 500 millimeters thick. But such only apply to floors or ceilings. Thinner slabs are used for exterior paving. So if they are too thin then they cannot withstand the water flowing over them hence leading to a flooded room. In case you do not know where the water is coming from but whenever it rains your house is damp or there is always a dampish feel to your wall that may be cause the damp-proof course is low. Richard Kigongo, a landscape designer explains how this occurs. “A damp-proof course is a horizontal barrier in a wall designed to resist moisture rising through the structure by capillary action which is also known as rising damp. So if you look at the inside of the walls and see they look damp then the water is slipping through the foundation and keeps rising till it reaches the surface of the wall.” This contact between the water and the walls may lead to cracks, breaking cement-paint bonds and creates dark spots on the walls. “It is advised before constructing your house, you get a technical person to survey your property and take levels. They should ensure all the slab foundations are taken care of plus the damp-proof course too so that you do not suffer in the future with such problems,” he added. However if you are already living in a house/renting and you are experiencing this, there are a few things you can do to prevent them from continuing: •Make water ways where the water can pass when it rains. Give it direction away from the house by digging these water ways around the house or besides the compound or a specified portion of land.•You can also construct a “French drain.” A French drain is a small trench with a perforated pipe surrounded by sand or gravel that directs the water flow away from the house following the grade. Not only will it get the water away from the house, it will do it without any possibility of water runoff damage or erosion.•Trenches would also be helpful in directing the water to a final destination. Though these may require a lot of labor and take more time to construct. •Where the Damp-proof course is inadequate, you can drill walls through the walls at regular intervals and inject a penetrating liquid preferably silicon that will go into the holes. The chemical will be absorbed and form a water proof barrier hence stopping the dampness of the walls and floor. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Nakivubo-Channel--where-good-and-bad-meet/-/691232/1737368/-/10x7p67/-/index.html","content":"Nakivubo Channel, where good and bad meet - Nakivubo Channel is one of the major drainage channels in the city. It has its source at the foothills of Makerere hill, and is about nine kilometres long. It runs through slums such as Makerere Kivulu and Kisenyi, and busy markets such as Kisekka and St Balikuddembe. It also runs through Industrial Area, a wetland, and then discharges its water at Murchision Bay in Lake Victoria. In Pictures: Making a living from Nakivubo Channel. Today, the channel is defined by large culverts, bridges, silt traps, stone and concrete linings, filth and water. But, the description was different 30 years ago, according to Dan Bubeerwa Lubaza, the general secretary LC 1, Owino View village, who has worked along the channel for that period of time. “The channel was small in width, the few foot bridges on the channel were not made of concrete but, timber and metal scrap. There were no rubbish filters. The drain linings were natural, “says Bubeerwa, adding that: “The filth in the channel has not changed. Even back in the day, the channel was a dump centre for garbage. Maybe the quantities differ.” He also states that activities along the channel – particularly from Nakivubo to Kisekka Market stretch – were different. “These arcades that you see were not there then. There used to be evening markets which used to run from 5pm to as late as midnight. In these markets, you could find all sorts of commodities ranging from clothing to food stuffs,” he says. The LC 1 general secretary notes that the merger of the channel and the evening markets bred theft, a vice that is still identified with the channel to date. How? Bubeerwa says that the channel offered a safe haven to the thieves who would steal from people along the channel. “The thieves used to mingle with the buyers and sellers while looking out for their next prey. After stealing from either party, they would then dash and hide at the spots of the channel which their chasers could not reach because of their squalidness.” The channel still harbours thieves, according to Salim Uhuru, the LC 3 councillor, Kisenyi, but efforts have been made to flush them out. “We have worked hand in hand with the police to identify loiterers’ hideouts underneath the channel as well as arresting the loiterers,” the councillor says. Uhuru says a lot of work has been done around the channel, to ensure proper drainage in the city, but adds that there is more to be done. “In 1999, [then] KCC got a loan from the World Bank for rehabilitation of the channel. This involved widening the culverts, putting more bridges, construction of large storm water catch pits etc. But, the channel requires more expansion in order to be able to carry the large amount of water that pours into it especially during the rainy season. The flooding you see at the Clock Tower roundabout and other parts of the city is because the channel is not big enough to carry all the rain water. So, if more expansion is done then this flooding you see will be no more,” says the councillor. He also states that the channel is morphing into a sewer line because of the sewerage from broken pipes and latrines, which ends into the channel. A walk along the channel leaves one wondering whether it is the members of the public who need special classes about garbage dumping or if KCCA is not doing a good job to de-silt the channel. Robert Kalumba, the deputy spokesperson for KCCA, says that the city authority is playing its role in de-silting the channel only to be failed by members of the public. “KCCA contracted companies, which remove the garbage from the channel. And they do their work. However, members of the public have failed to make use of the gazetted garbage collection points and instead, relentlessly opted to continue depositing garbage in the channel. As usual, we call upon members of the public to make use of the garbage cans that are in the city, and desist from dumping garbage in the channel,” says Kalumba. It is easy to put the blame on KCCA after listening to a woman who complains about the government doing nothing in regard to the dirt in the channel, but after seeing two boda boda riders urinating in it, it seems like there needs to be a concerted effort on the public’s part to do something about the city they live in. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/President-flees-as-Central-African-rebels-seize-capital/-/688340/1729722/-/sblhve/-/index.html","content":"President flees as Central African rebels seize capital - Central African rebels seized control of the capital Bangui as the president fled, but promised to respect a January peace deal that provides for elections within three years. Looters and armed gangs roamed the streets of the city and there were casualties as South African troops clashed with the rebels. But after the fighters from the Seleka rebel coalition occupied the presidential palace Sunday they declared victory. Seleka coalition leader Michel Djotodia told Radio France Internationale (RFI) they would respect the terms of a peace deal signed with the regime of Francois Bozize, the president they have just overthrown. Opposition figure Nicolas Tiangaye, appointed prime minister of a national unity government formed as part of that deal, would remain in the post. \"I met Mr Tiangaye. We have spoken with him,\" said Djotodia. They would also hold free and fair elections within three years, as set out in the deal, he added. And he had not ruled out keeping some ministers from Bozize's clan in the government. \"We are not here to carry out a witch-hunt,\" said Djotodia. UN chief Ban Ki-moon condemned their seizure of power, calling for \"the swift restoration of constitutional order\", according to a statement from his office. Rebel fighters resumed hostilities last week in the former French colony after they accused President Francois Bozize of reneging on the terms of the latest peace deal. They moved into the capital overnight Saturday and on Sunday clashed with South African troops stationed there. South African Brigadier General Xolani Mabanga told the SAPA news agency there had been casualties, but he was unable to provide any figures. South African radio station SAFM carried unconfirmed reports that up to nine South African soldiers had been killed and others wounded in clashes at a checkpoint on the outskirts of Bangui.  South Africa deployed 200 soldiers to Central Africa in January to support the poorly trained, ill-equipped government troops following an offensive launched by the Seleka rebel coalition in early December. The rebels renewed their offensive last week and seized the capital Bangui, forcing Bozize to flee the country. Armed men roamed the city Sunday, looting homes, shops, restaurants and offices -- including the premises of the UN children's agency UNICEF, which Ban also condemned in his statement. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Take-action-against-deforestation-in-Kisoro/-/806314/1712492/-/tsged5/-/index.html","content":"Take action against deforestation in Kisoro - In addition to timber and paper products, forests are a wildlife habitat, they prevent soil erosion and flooding, and help provide clean air and water, etc. Unfortunately, some natural forests in Kisoro District have been cleared for wood fuel, timber products, agriculture etc. If this backward practice is not controlled, the forests will gradually disappear. The major cases have been registered along the Bwindi impenetrable Forest stretch in Nyabwishenya and Kirundo sub-counties, Kisoro District. Let’s take action such that the forests are not depleted. Alex Kwizera,Kisoro"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bwaise-gets-piped-water/-/688334/1707756/-/nuihd1z/-/index.html","content":"Bwaise gets piped water - Bwaise, a Kampala City suburb that has for long been dogged by safe water woes, has acquired a piped water system. The new water system, that cost Shs1. 6 billion, was inaugurated yesterday by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) board chairperson, Mr William Oketcho. He said the corporation had undertaken a five-year strategic plan to increase piped water coverage in urban centres. He said lack of access to clean water was one of the leading causes of diseases which hinder people’s productivity and cause poverty. Mr Oketcho, who commissioned 10 water vending centres, said unplanned settlements and rapid population growth due to rural-urban migrations are among the major factors impeding urban communities from getting access to clean water and sanitation services. “We started installing prepaid water meters in Kamwokya and Ndeeba and now we are in Bwaise I & II. We estimated that 15,000 people would benefit from this programme but we have ended up serving 22,000 and a jerrycan of water will cost Shs23 instead of Shs500 they have been paying,” Mr Oketcho added. He urged corporate organisations and companies to partner with government institutions to improve service deliver to people. Bwaise is one of Kampala’s largest urban slums facing housing, drainage, water and sanitation challenges. The area, which faces severe flooding after heavy rains, has experienced several cases of cholera outbreak. Previously, Bwaise residents have been relying on underground water streams for water for domestic use. A jerry can of water has been going for Shs500. sotage@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Creation-of--urban-forests-will-help-maintain-good-weather/-/689364/1697906/-/k91lvh/-/index.html","content":"Creation of  urban forests  will help maintain good , predictable weather - With temperatures soaring over 30 degrees Celsius, its easy to joke that frying an egg under Kampala’s heat is possible. One question to ponder over is, what is the solution to this problem especially in the urban areas? Its a great pity that our towns are mostly lined with buildings, many of which are poorly planned, curving out any chance for existence of green belts. Why are we quick to plant ceremonial trees which hardly even survive longer than a year rather than embarking on reasonable environment protection and conservation through projects like urban forestry? We should stop bickering over the extremely hot weather, especially during the hot seasons and the consistent flooding during rainy seasons, and roll up our sleeves for action. Otherwise, we shall wake up to a polluted, desert-like Uganda which we have all participated in inviting. According to Internet sources, an urban forest is a collection of trees that grow within a city, town or a suburb. In a wider sense, it may include any kind of woody plant vegetation growing in and around human settlements. While in a narrower sense (also called forest park) it describes areas whose ecosystems are inherited from the wilderness. The benefits of urban trees are numerous which among others includes beautification, this contributes to an attractive, orderly and eye catching surrounding. Tree shades and other urban green spaces, for instance recreational parks, make place for people to meet, relax, socialise and play thus connecting with nature and basking in its pacifying ambience. Other benefits of urban forestry include:- Reduction of the urban heat island effect: Urban heat island is where a metropolitan area is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas. This is mainly a result of modification of the land surface by urban development, often using materials that effectively retain heat. Another secondary contributor is the waste heat generated by energy usage. And since there are no urban forests or enough trees surrounding our buildings, there is lack of evapotranspiration. Mitigation of the urban heat island effect can be accomplished through planting and maintenance of sizeable urban forests. These will also help in cooling our cities and improving air quality.Reduction of air pollution: The most serious pollutants in the urban atmosphere are ozone, nitrogen oxides (NOx), oxides of sulphur (SOx) and particulates in air. Ground-level ozone, or smog, is created by chemical reactions between NOx and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight. High temperatures increase the rate of this reaction. Vehicle emissions, emissions from industrial facilities, gasoline vapours, and chemical solvents are the major sources of NOx and VOCs. These can be inhaled and retained in lung tissues causing serious health problems. Trees help to reduce pollution by actively removing pollutants or by partially mitigating the effects of atmospheric pollution. Leaf stomata, the pores on the leaf surface, take in polluting gases which are then absorbed by water inside the leaf. Ideally, trees should be selected that take in higher quantities of polluting gases and are resistant to the negative effects they can cause. A study across Chicago region determined that trees removed approximately 17 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2), 93 tonnes of sulphur dioxide (SO2), 98 tonnes of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and 210 tonnes of ozone (O3)Reduction of storm-water run-off: Storm-water run-off is rainfall that flows over the ground surface. It is created when rain falls on roads, driveways, parking lots, rooftops and other paved surfaces that do not allow water to soak into the ground causing stream impairment in urban areas. Trees and forests reduce storm-water run-off by capturing and storing rainwater in the canopy and releasing water into the atmosphere through evapotranspiration. In addition, tree roots and leaf litter create soil conditions that promote the infiltration of rainwater into the soil. This helps to replenish our groundwater supply and maintain stream flow during dry periods. Reduction of energy costs through increased shade over buildings, enhancement of property values; Urban forests also act as wind-breakers, and mitigate the overall urban environmental impact. Let us all care for our environment. Politicians and leaders should not only be bent on winning elections but also on patriotic issues like environmental protection and nature conservation. KCCA is trying hard but the public is not supportive. It is not uncommon to see people along Kampala road stepping on the grass even though its protected. Embracing urban forestry in Uganda is crucial considering the ever growing effects of global warming.rkatham@yahoo.co.uk"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Improve-waste-management-methods/-/806314/1686744/-/6pek4mz/-/index.html","content":"Improve waste management methods - Poor waste management poses a great challenge to the well-being of city residents due to the potential of the waste to pollute water, food sources, land, air and vegetation. The poor disposal and handling of waste thus leads to environmental degradation, destruction of the ecosystem and poses great risks to public health. With increase in the global population and the rising demand for food and other necessities, there has been a rise in the volume of waste being generated regularly by each household. The waste is ultimately thrown into municipal waste collection centres from where it is collected by the area municipalities to be further thrown into the landfills and dumps. However, either owing to resource crisis or inefficient infrastructure, not all the waste gets collected. At this stage, if the management and disposal is poorly done, it causes severe impacts on health and environment. The dangers are many. For example, organic domestic waste in our urban centres poses a serious threat, since they ferment, creating conditions favourable for the survival and growth of microbial pathogens. Direct handling of solid waste can result in various types of infectious and chronic diseases. Waste from agriculture and industries also cause grave health risks. Uncollected solid waste also obstructs storm water runoff in drainage systems, resulting in flooding and stagnant water bodies that become breeding grounds of diseases. Waste dumped near a water source also causes contamination of the water body. Disposal of hospital and other medical waste such as syringe needles, bandages, swabs, plasters, etc., require special attention since this can create major health hazards. Also, poorly operated incineration plants cause air pollution and poorly managed landfills attract insects and rodents that spread disease. Ideally, these sites should be located at a safe distance from all human settlement. Landfill sites should be well lined and walled to ensure that there is no leakage into nearby ground water sources. Hence, good waste management involves much more than ensuring that wastes are safely and legally disposed of. The aim should be to achieve the best practicable environmental option for each waste stream, because the environmental risks associated with poor waste management are well known and understood. As it is, waste management in Uganda is a big challenge. At the household level, proper sorting of waste has to be done and all organic matter kept aside and then used as a fertilizer, which is undoubtedly the best method for the correct disposal of this segment of the waste. In fact, the organic part of the waste that is generated decomposes more easily, attracts insects and causes disease. Maurice Enenu,mauriceenenu@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Encroachers-evicted-from-Ggaba-wetland/-/688334/1654478/-/p8f8c8/-/index.html","content":"Encroachers evicted from Ggaba wetland - Environment officials have evicted encroachers on a wetland that filters sewage from Bunga and Munyonyo in Makindye Division to restore the swamp. The land measuring approximately 100 acres is part of the 300 acres of Kyetinda Wetland in the valley between Bunga, Munyonyo and Ggaba Water Treatment Plant. A team of officials from the Ministry of Water and Environment Police hired porters last week to destroy semi-structures, pig sties, crops and a flower farm on the land. “The farming activities are meant to create a raised ground for future use of construction. We are destroying these developments to allow the restoration of the swamp,” Mr Joseph Ongoli, the principal wetland officer, said. He also said the activities by encroachers were threatening water quality and the levels of flooding in the city suburb by creating drainage channels in the swamps. Local authorities said the encroachment could have led to blockage of filtering of water thus exposing the public to unhygienic conditions. Mr Taire Idwege, the commandant of the Environment Police, said the eviction comes after four months since the encroachers were asked to vacate the swamp. “This is not part of demolition exercise but rather a follow up activity to protect the wetlands against the encroachers who are increasingly abusing the environment laws,” Mr Idwege said. The water and environment sector performance for the Financial Year 2011/2012 indicates that there has been a general decline in wetland coverage. This was mainly attributed to encroachment for expansion of urban centres, settlement, industrial development and agriculture. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/It-is-government-s--mandate-to-provide-services/-/806314/1653708/-/jqce0r/-/index.html","content":"It is government’s  mandate to provide services for it’s citizens - I am not only continuously puzzled and emotionally infuriated whenever I hear someone asking for help from Government. The use of such phrases as ‘gavumenti etuyambe’ (Government should help us) has become a common statement. The statement is mostly used whenever there is a disaster for instance landslides, fires outbreaks, flooding among others. I have observed that these pleas are made by poor people in slums or even learned people like doctors who are working in dilapidated hospitals with no resources. However, I ask myself, is this just a humble way Ugandans ask government to provide services or is it sheer ignorance of the fact that Government is mandated to provide services not only after disaster has occurred. I am forced to believe that 99 per cent of Ugandans are not well sensitised on the demand for service delivery from government. Just as citizens are mandated to pay taxes such as PAYE- which is automatically deducted, business licenses, trade taxes etc, the government is also mandated to provide services to them. So the next time a news telecast is broadcast for an unfortunate event or one tending to develop, look out for utterances of ‘gavumenti etuyambe’ because someone will definitely say it. John Kavuma, jkavuma8@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Kenya-turns-away-from-EAC-free-trade-treaty/-/688322/1650690/-/81ng4iz/-/index.html","content":"Kenya turns away from EAC free trade treaty - Kenya, a member state of the East African Community (EAC) has opted out of the free trade deal. Kenya Sugar Board (KSB) last week, refused to bow to pressure by Tanzania and Uganda to resume issuing sugar import permits to Ugandan and Tanzanian sugar importers, four months after it suspended the permits. This followed reports that the two countries have flooded the Kenya sugar market with cheap sugar suspected to have been imported tax-free from the Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) region to stabilise sugar shortages and sky rocketing prices that hit them last year. They then imported sugar in surplus of the agreed quota and are now repackaging and selling it cheaply to Kenya, hurting the domestic sugar market. While Tanzania and Uganda sugar millers deny the anomaly, the traders are accusing the KSB chairperson who has a stake in Kinyara Sugar Works in Uganda and another sugar company in Nairobi, of deliberately denying the traders permits to create artificial shortage of sugar in the country. This means Kenya is slowly breaching the free trade area protocol that together with Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi— the EAC member states— assented to, allowing free movement of goods and services in the region. In a meeting convened by sugar companies’ representatives from the three member states on Thursday last week in Nairobi, it was resolved that KSB resumes issuing permits by Friday evening. However, reports from KSB indicate that the board has refused to resume issuing permits until the origin of the sugar flooding the Kenyan market is investigated. The meeting was convened following reports that Kenya was forced to raise a red flag over a sudden upsurge of sugar into Kenya from Uganda and Tanzania during the International Sugar Conference held in London in October this year. “We suspended issuing permits for imports from Uganda and Tanzania because they enjoyed some window to import duty free sugar and we fear that this is the same sugar finding its way back into the Kenyan market,” Ms Rosemary Mkok the KSB chief executive officer said. Asked to identify the brand of the sugar in question, she mentioned Mayuge Sugar Works in Uganda, which Ugandan traders denied knowledge of. sotage@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/Recapture-the-magic-of-Christmas/-/689842/1648416/-/7tgiks/-/index.html","content":"Recapture the magic of Christmas - Do not give up on traditionWhen we are young, Christmas is all about traditions, such as making decorations for the tree and receiving and sending cards for relatives and friends. Although you may feel too old for these rituals now, by re-living your childhood traditions, the Christmas magic will soon come flooding back. Do something selflessAs we get older and become more aware of the financial side of Christmas, it is easy to get consumed by the commercial side of the season, which can take away some of the joy and magic. This year, take some time out from the hustle and bustle and stress of the season and spread some love and joy instead! Take part in some seasonal voluntary work, such as helping out a homeless shelter, helping with charity Christmas collections or getting involved with a sponsored Santa Run. Not only will this make you to feel all warm and fuzzy inside this festive season, but you can also help somebody else to recapture the magic of Christmas. Be frivolousAs children we generally ask for what we want, rather than what we “need”. However, as we get older presents become a lot more practical and our wish lists are full of useful – but entirely unexciting – items such as socks, kitchen gadgets and stationery. This year, try to put the excitement back into Christmas by asking – and giving – some fun and frivolous gifts that you can really look forward to. This doesn’t mean necessarily requesting novelty items you will never use, but maybe try swapping that fancy new frying pan for a pair of high heels or your favourite DVD boxset. Alternatively, ditch the list and hint-dropping and see what fun surprises you end up with! Immerse yourself in the magicIf you want to fully experience the Christmas magic, it’s important to immerse yourself in the festivities and get involved with as much as you can. Try to take in a pantomime, attend a carol service and visit as many Christmas markets as you can, for example. To truly immerse yourself in the Christmas magic, filling your playlist with Christmas songs and watching as many festive movies as you can is also a must – and if you want to do it all while dressed in a Christmas jumper and reindeer socks... well, all the better! Do something differentAs children, part of the reason why Christmas is so magical is because everything is new and exciting. We get swept up in the mystery of Christmas – the sights, the sounds, the smells and the atmosphere. Recapture that sense of wonder this year by visiting somewhere you have never been before or doing something you have never done. Depending on your budget you could head off to Lapland for the ultimate festive experience, visit a Christmas market in a location you have never visited before, try a festive activity such as ice skating or carol singing, or simply bake something new. Trying something new and exciting this Christmas will guarantee it is one to remember. www.realbuzz.com in partnership with Saturday Monitor"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/NicholasSengooba/Courtesy-of-the-Western-donors--Uganda-is-childish-and-impotent/-/1293432/1646120/-/129piyez/-/index.html","content":"Courtesy of the Western donors, Uganda is childish and impotent - In the late 1980’s and most of the 1990’s there was a strange common argument about foreign aid. Ugandan politicians would tell the critics of the Movement system of government that Uganda, being the number one recipient of foreign aid in sub-Saharan Africa, meant that donors considered it a well-governed country. In other words, whatever other people thought, including Ugandans, was not relevant. Then a time came when that assistance was not as forthcoming. A humanitarian situation caused by flooding led a Minister for Disaster Preparedness to cry out loud in an interview on BBC that if those affected died, the ‘international community’ would be held responsible! Put differently, we were not expected to cater for our own children. This tells us how foreign aid has affected our thinking and behaviour as a country. We have become like helpless destitute children looking up to a guardian for everything to keep our skins together and alive. Politicians give the excuse that the road or bridge in the constituency has not been repaired because the donors have been too slow to deliver on their promise to provide the funds. And this attitude is in almost all the spheres of life. There was a popular institution called the Uganda Society, which used to organise meetings at the Uganda Museum on the country’s history, culture and other matters pertinent to Ugandan society. Ironically, many of the faces there were of White people. The same applies to most of the health, conservation, and most philanthropic efforts. You find the most successful and passionate attempts being funded and staffed by white people, yet they are on matters concerning indigenous Ugandans. Our children are immunised courtesy of Unicef/WHO. Most of the HIV/Aids programmes are from out of this country. The heritage sites and national parks are where they are because of, you guessed right, the donors. All the way to agriculture, the main stay of our economy, the foreign element is very prominent and outshines the domestic effort. Foreign aid has bestowed upon us an overwhelming feeling of impotence and a misguided sense of entitlement. We are sitting in the middle of a great, rich and well-endowed land. But here we are concentrating on receiving free things from the so-called donors. We complain when they are not forthcoming. This feeling and thinking is what has contributed to the ‘I don’t care’ attitude towards the abuse of public finances. Both the government and the public know deep down that the money is ‘not our money.’We might lynch a thief who takes off with our phone or side mirror but not one who siphons billions of shillings meant for a health project that is supposed to benefit us. This is because we attach more ownership to what is bought out of our pocket and not that given to us by some kind foreigners. In the end analysis, we generally attach little or no value to what belongs to the public for it appears not to belong to us. That is what determines the low civic awareness towards public matters. The government similarly listens more seriously to the complaints of donors over misuse of aid than to the cries of the citizens over the same because they know who owns the money. Unfortunately, the State also becomes of secondary importance, especially in the rural areas where the most visible providers of social services are the NGO/donor community. People do not take the State or government seriously anymore for it appears as a compliment to the donors. That is where Uganda finds itself after being on a fat donor diet for over 26 years. We are weaker as a nation. We are ever under threats of withdrawal of donor funds if we do not behave ourselves as the donors want us to. We cannot decide on most matters independently before we get the approval of the donors. The opposition that is supposed to counter the excesses of the ruling government is funded by the donors. Their effort is then guided by the wishes of donors and appears like is part of a foreign agenda. That is the bane of depending heavily on the donors. It spoils nations into becoming impotent and childish. That is where Uganda finds itself 50 years after independence. Mr Sengoba is a commentator on political and social issues.nicholassengoba@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Museveni-begs-donors-over-aid-cuts/-/688334/1624432/-/qp2mt3z/-/index.html","content":"Museveni begs donors over aid cuts - President Museveni Monday afternoon back-peddled on his characteristic attacks against donors, choosing in a dramatic U-turn to plead with them to continue financing his government currently in a reputation crisis over graft. The NRM leader made the humbling request at a “frank and lively” two and a half hour meeting he held with ambassadors from 20 development partner countries under their loose coalition, Partners for Democracy and Governance (PDG) at State House Entebbe Monday  afternoon, his press office said. egyezaho@ug.nationmedia.com ================================ President Museveni’s full statement; Greetings to all of you, Excellences You cannot talk, seriously or credibly about the fight against criminality and corruption in Uganda in the last 50 years and the period before without talking about the vanguard role of the NRM in that fight. Until 26 years ago, stealing Government funds was the least of Uganda’s problems.  The main problems were: extra-judicial killings (that resulted into the death of 800,000 Ugandans between 1966 and 1986); looting of property of the population by the soldiers; raping of women; brutalizing of the population through beatings by the soldiers; uprooting of whole communities by the soldiers, like Idi Amin did with the Indian community, or like the colonial system did with the  Banyoro, Baruuli, Banyala and others; the poaching of animals by Government soldiers in the National Parks; the grabbing of private and communal lands by those in power; and, of course, the stealing of Government funds.  The NRM, which started as a student Movement in the 1960s, was the vanguard and pioneer of the fight against all this criminality and corruption since, at least, 1965 todate.  We started by defending the land of the peasants between 1966 and 1970 ― at least, in some parts of the country.  Who were the agents of criminality, corruption and extortion?  It was the State ― both the Colonial and the post-Colonial State.  During the colonial times, for instance, the system of mailo was created where 8,000 square miles was taken away from the indigenous owners and was given to 1,000 collaborator chiefs, each one getting 8 sq. miles.  When this grand theft almost caused an uprising in 1924, the Governor, Mitchell, appointed a Commission of Enquiry, which resulted in some reforms of 1928.  However, the problem was not fully eliminated.  We are still grappling with it.  We shall definitely solve it. Apart from the grabbing of land, extra-judicial killings were massively used, especially between 1966 and 1986, as already pointed out.  There are 37 mass graves in the Luwero Triangle, preserved to capture this criminality.  Your Excellencies could go there and visit some of them.  Therefore, the main task of the revolutionaries was to destroy the rump of the colonial State ― the colonial Army, headed by the likes of Idi Amin and to build a people’s Army.  It is this intervention that made Uganda to resurrect and chart a new course.  Many people have been praising the conduct of the UPDF in Somalia.  That is a consequence of that Revolution ― destroying the colonial Army and replacing it with a people’s Army as part of reforming the colonial State.  Incidentally, this was not unique to Uganda.  Throughout the whole of Africa, this was the problem. The terrible civil war in Nigeria, Mobutu in Congo, Siad Barre in Somalia, Bokassa in Central Africa, Eyadema in Togo, the recent problems of Ivory Coast, the genocides in Rwanda and Burundi can all, in one way or another, be traced to the colonial State and its Armies.  Some go a bit further to link up with the African feudal systems of the pre-colonial times as exploited by colonialism. Therefore, our revolution was both anti-colonial and anti-feudal.  The most dangerous element of the Colonial State was the Colonial Army and its post-colonial mutants ― Uganda Army (UA), Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA), etc.  This Army was sectarian, illiterate, unpatriotic, etc.  Our Revolution, on the other hand, was based on four principles: Patriotism;Pan-Africanism;Socio-economic transformation; andDemocracy By destroying the colonial Army and replacing it with the Revolutionary Army, we, immediately, cured the following criminalities: Extra-judicial killings;Raping of women;Looting of people’s property;Brutalizing of people and rudeness to them;Poaching of animals from the National Parks; andGrabbing people’s land; etc. That is how Uganda resurrected and started the recovery process, which has been witnessed in recent years (the last 26 years). 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/World-Bank-raises-red-flag-about-devastating-global-warming/-/688340/1624004/-/11dbled/-/index.html","content":"World Bank raises red flag about devastating global warming - The World Bank warned Sunday that global temperatures could rise by four degrees this century without immediate action, with potentially devastating consequences for coastal cities and the poor. Issuing a call for action, the World Bank tied the future wealth of the planet -- and especially developing regions -- to immediate efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions from sources such as energy production. \"The time is very, very short. The world has to tackle the problem of climate change more aggressively,\" World Bank President Jim Yong Kim said on a conference call as he launched a report conducted for the global lender. \"We will never end poverty if we don't tackle climate change. It is one of the single biggest challenges to social justice today.\" The study said the planet could warm 4.0 degrees Celsius (7.2 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels as early as the 2060s if governments' promises to fight climate change are not met. Even if nations fulfill current pledges, the study gave a 20 percent likelihood of a four-degree rise by 2100 and said that a three-degree rise appeared likely. UN-led climate negotiations have vowed to limit the rise of temperatures to no more than two degrees. \"A four-degree warmer world can and must be avoided. We need to hold warming below two degrees,\" Kim said. \"Lack of ambitious action on climate change threatens to put prosperity out of reach of millions and roll back decades of development.\" UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement that the study showed the need to hold nations to their commitment, made last year in Durban, South Africa, to put in place a legally binding new climate agreement by 2015. The more than 190 nations in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change start their latest annual talks on November 26 in Qatar. Global temperatures have already risen about 0.8 degrees Celsius. The planet has charted a slew of record-breaking temperatures over the past decade and experienced frequent disasters some experts blame on climate change, most recently superstorm Sandy, which ravaged Haiti and the US East Coast. The report said that, if temperatures rise by four degrees, regions will feel different effects -- recent heatwaves in Russia could become an annual norm and July in the Mediterranean could be nine degrees higher than the area's warmest level now. Under that scenario, the acidity of the oceans could rise at a rate unprecedented in world history, threatening coral reefs that protect shorelines and provide a habitat for fish species. Rising sea levels could inundate coastal areas with the most vulnerable cities found in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mexico, Mozambique, the Philippines, Venezuela and Vietnam, the study said. \"Many small islands may not be able to sustain the communities at all. There would be irreversible loss of biodiversity,\" Kim said. The study found that the most alarming impact may be on food production, with the world already expected to struggle to meet demand for a growing and increasingly wealthy population that is eating more meat. 1 | 2 Next Page»Low-lying areas such as Bangladesh, Egypt, Vietnam and parts of Africa's coast could see major blows to food production, with drought severely hindering agriculture elsewhere, the study said. Flooding can also contaminate drinking water, increasing illnesses such as diarrhea. The dire warnings were designed to encourage bolder action, but the report did not focus on potential steps. Identifying one area, Kim called for less reliance on coal, which is the dirtiest major form of energy but is politically sensitive in the United States and China due to industry jobs. Kim said that the World Bank was determined to support renewable energy in its lending, saying: \"We do everything we can not to invest in coal -- everything we possibly can.\" The fight against climate change has faced political obstacles in a number of nations including the United States, where many conservative lawmakers have called action too costly and cast doubt on the science. Kim, a physician and former president of Dartmouth College who was tapped for the World Bank by US President Barack Obama, said that 97 percent of scientists agreed that human activity was causing climate change. \"As someone who has lived in the world of science for a long time, 97 percent is unheard-of consensus,\" he said. The report was carried out by German-based Climate Analytics and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. The World Bank said it did not consider the study a substitute for next UN-backed scientific assessment on climate change expected in 2014. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Pact-adopted-to-curb-global-illicit-tobacco-trade/-/688340/1617982/-/12rcd6q/-/index.html","content":"Pact adopted to curb global illicit tobacco trade - More than 170 countries Monday adopted what World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Margaret Chan called a \"game-changing\" global pact to combat the illegal tobacco trade. The treaty envisages an international tracking system which aims to halt the smuggling and counterfeiting of tobacco products -- a trade which accounts for 11 percent of the total tobacco market and costs governments an estimated $40 billion in lost tax revenue. \"This is a game-changing treaty,\" Chan said in an address to a meeting in Seoul of the WHO's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which has been ratified by 176 countries since coming into force in 2005. \"This is how we hem in the enemy,\" she added, calling the pact a major step towards \"eliminating a very sophisticated criminal activity\". The protocol gives signatory states five years to establish a tracking and tracing mechanism on cigarettes and every other tobacco product. The system will use non-removable markings and will be coordinated globally to detect illegal tobacco trading. Agents, suppliers and tobacco manufacturers will all have to be licensed. Manufacturers will have to carry out checks on customers to ensure they are genuine or if they have associations with criminal organisations. In her address Monday, Chan lambasted the tobacco industry for seeking to \"maintain its profits and kill at the same time\" and accused it of complicity in the illicit tobacco trade. \"It is a ruthless industry that quite literally cannot afford to lose. \"It behaves like a corrosive substance that can eat and slip through any cracks or fissures in the armour of our defences,\" she said.Monday's pact marks a departure for the FCTC, whose main focus so far has been on curbing demand for tobacco products rather than controlling the supply chain. The Framework Convention Alliance (FCA), which groups around 300 non-government organisations working for tobacco control, said it was \"excited\" by the adoption of the pact, which required four years of intense negotiations. \"The illicit trade in tobacco feeds the worldwide tobacco epidemic by flooding markets with cheap producers and keeping tobacco taxes low,\" said FCA director Laurence Huber. The six-day FCTC meeting in the South Korean capital will also review guidelines on tax measures to reduce tobacco demand, recommendations on promoting alternatives to tobacco growing, and regulation of smokeless tobacco products like e-cigarettes."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/We-need-a-strong-competition-egulatory-body-for-fair-growth/-/689364/1617456/-/xrkc4f/-/index.html","content":"We need a strong competition egulatory body for fair growth - In a rapidly globalising world, Uganda finds itself in a complete dilemma. With oil companies knocking at the door all the time, telecommunication companies flooding the market, banks fighting for space, international conglomerates’ and brands struggling to dominate the market, Ugandans are exposed to all kinds of practices prevalent in unregulated competitive environment. A Competition Commission Or Authority is an independent and non departmental public body responsible for investigating mergers, markets and other enquiries related to regulated industries under competition law. It ensures healthy competition between companies for the ultimate benefit of consumers and the economy. In countries like the UK, the Enterprise Act 2002 gave the Competition Commission wider powers and greater independence to make decisions on inquiries rather than giving recommendations to government and is also responsible for taking appropriate actions and measures following inquiries. In Africa, South Africa, Zambia and Kenya have competition commissions that regulate the market for the benefit of the consumers. Uganda has experienced challenges with the telecommunication companies fixing hoax adverts at the expense of unsuspecting consumers. In the end the government and individuals lose to the gambling tactics called marketing. These underhand methods can be checked by such authority. A good example is the dispute between MTN and UTL on interconnection rates and so with other competitors. This specialised area is not for the communication regulator but competition watchdog. In banking and financial services industry, the situation has been worsening for the consumer. Financial institutions charge unfair interest rates even where the Bank of Uganda clearly reduces the base lending rates. Who cares? It is not the role of the BoU to regulate and fix competition standards. It is the work of the competition regulator to prevail and enforce punitive measures geared at creating innovation and affordable financial services for the people. For the worst part, the micro finance institutions, the Savings and Cooperative Societies and the loaning companies and individuals have been and will continue to have a field day without a regulatory body to prevail upon them. When the lending rates fluctuated up wards, banks even raised the interests of clients who had borrowed before the turbulence. When the interests went down, most of the banks refused to lower the interest. This is the role of the competition regulator. In the education sector, parents have complained of unscrupulous tendencies by school proprietors to raise fees, construction fee, development fee, etc. These institutions, including universities, have no limit on how much they can fairly charge. Once you enroll for a course, they can easily increase fees since it’s not easy to transfer to another university or institution. Ugandans are held hostage and have no institution to report too. After all, there are no established methods of grading the cost of degrees by different institutions. The regulator would set this standard and ensure equitable access to education by all. In the area of agriculture, everybody wias unhappy about farm gate prices. More than 80 per cent of Ugandans depend on this sector yet it’s the least regulated in terms of farm gate prices for goods and produce. A farmer in a village in Mbarara sells a bunch of banana at Shs2,000. The same bunch costs Shs25,000 in Kampala or Mbarara town! Who benefits? The middlemen and women rip big. They claim transport and fuel costs; they earn well in the field of no fixed rules. They know that no one is there to tabulate and prevail upon them on the actual costs vis a vis abnormal plunder or primitive accumulation of wealth as political economists say. The pricing at farm gate is the role of the competition commission. In the land and property sector, the regulator develops indicative values based on the available amenities as return on investment. Currently, speculative brokers are selling properties way and beyond their actual market value. In the end, there is fatigue in the saturated market and resell value is lost. This is not good for the economy that wants to join the first world in 50 years to come. Its amazing how Ugandans manage to remain resilient even when all odds are against them, when what they would be making as profit in trade get wiped out through unfair practices. The competition regulator normally receives application from agencies before they increase charges. A public review is then undertaken to establish the rationale. This is still lacking in Uganda. Fair trade practices such as tax waivers should cut cross competitors, investment incentives for both local and foreign direct investors, technical skill availability in industries vis a vis the local capacity. Recently, some public transport operators protested against KCCA over what they consider high and unfair dues as per KCCA rating. The competition regulator would have been at the forefront of settling this issue as the final burden may be borne by the consumer. The competition commission helps to set standards for market fair play hence enhances corporate governance and accountability. In developing economies like Uganda, a strong economic regulatory framework is vital for stimulating fair growth and equitable development. Since there are no hard rules of creating wealth, consumers may end up losing all they ever could have saved in unscrupulous unregulated competition practices. This in the end erodes and deprives saving and exacerbates poverty at household and individual level. 1 | 2 Next Page»Economies in the West and East have been driven by the spending and purchasing power of their people. Depriving Ugandans this purchasing power is a policy paradox and an unforgiveable practice. Mr Mujuni is a policy analysis expert. benardmujuni@gmail.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Who-is-responsible-for--fake-phones--on-the-market-/-/806314/1607288/-/s25k7nz/-/index.html","content":"Who should be held responsible for ‘fake phones’ on the market? - A couple of years ago, for only Shs180,000, I got a phone with an in-built television, radio, camera, MP3 player, and a torch. The day I bought the phone, everything worked well, but in subsequent days, various parts became dysfunctional.Chinese phones are attractively designed with many features. However, their short life span is frustrating. Uganda Communications Commission plans to switch off all fake phones in future, unfortunately this will leave millions of Ugandans without phones. Before these phones are switched off, we need to ask, how did these phones get onto the Ugandan market? Secondly, does the Commission expect all consumers to have the technical ability to tell which phone is fake and which one is genuine? Thirdly, in the event that someone is responsible for flooding our market with fake phones, how will Ugandans be compensated? I support switching off of fake phones ,however, there must be a deliberate effort to educate Ugandans on how to distinguish between fake and genuine phones, before unscrupulous business people take advantage of the looming crisis to further rip-off hapless citizens. Deo Tumusiime,tumusiimedeo@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/NicholasSengooba/KCCA--when-one-opts-for-a-nice-hairdo-but-wears-dirty-underwear/-/1293432/1606224/-/naty1v/-/index.html","content":"KCCA; when one opts for a nice hairdo but wears dirty underwear - Kampala Capital City Authority will soon have a law compelling all city dwellers to take part in the monthly city cleaning exercise. The resort to coercion is an apparent response to the reluctance of Ba Nakampala to take KCCA seriously. Initially, this communal effort was portrayed as a patriotic gesture. The people of Kampala were being accorded an ‘opportunity’ to own and show their love for ‘their’ city. By this forced communal effort, KCCA is served thus: first, it coerces those who ignore KCCA activities because they feel this city is a garden for a clique to enrich themselves at other people’s expense. Secondly, it gives the fat cats in KCCA an opportunity to jump out of their multi million shilling cars -bought from the sweat of the city dwellers- and pretend that they are hand and glove with the common folk in the sun, dust, rain and mud. Suffice to say; almost all of the major cities - London New York, Paris, Berlin, etc. that the managers of Kampala aspire to emulate, (what with the recent carnival) do not have this compulsory cleaning business. Yet they are clean and fairly well managed working cities. For many years, there has been a perception in Kampala that a working city is just a clean one in which garbage is collected. There is little mention about the provision of security, health, education, employment opportunities, housing, good roads and recreation facilities for the residents. It would be nice if KCCA instituted a workable compulsory health, employment and education plan. KCCA has instead concentrated on the simplest of its tasks – cleaning the city. By laying so much emphasis on cleaning the city (which is a good thing,) the city authorities are trying to show that they are ‘working so hard.’ In this vein, they have succeeded to a great extent with Kampala’s impressionable, mediocre pseudo middle class. Trees and grass have been planted on the stretch of Kampala Road. This has made some applaud KCCA as ‘changing Kampala’s image.’ The truth is that many of us do not visit the other parts of Kampala like Mengo Kisenyi, Kimombasa, Kyebando Kisalosalo, Katwe mu Nkere, Naguru Katali, Makerere Kivulu, Kansanga Nabutiti, Makindye, Kasubi Kawala, Wankulukuku, Natete, and of course perennial flooding Bwaise. In many of these places with their ramshackle hovels, to say that the sanitation is so poor is an understatement. The levels of prostitution, idleness and unemployment are appalling. Children are busy drinking or smoking banned substance and the security situation is out of hand, with iron bar hit men mugging and murdering people. Almost all the roads in the city are not lit and provide good cover for criminals. Most of the schools owned and run by KCCA are in a sorry state. So are the hospitals. The green areas are inaccessible as they have been given to ‘investors’ for ‘development.’ A city that is clean but does not provide social services is like the one who washes their face and has a nice hair do but does not brush their teeth, shave their armpits and change their underwear. KCCA’s major challenge is that most of the people masquerading as managers of the city from the Lord Mayor, his nemesis the Executive Director right down to the councillors and the sweepers; have limited or no knowledge or experience of living or managing an efficiently working city. Like many of us, the concept of an organised city for the people at KCCA is a recent one. Most leave the village at the age of 20 to come to the university and the city for the first time. Then they become councillors, mayors and directors responsible for running a city. In the village setting that has been their life hitherto, lighting is by the moon, disposal of waste in the bush contributes to fertility of the soil and a village path is maintained by simply treading on it so they don’t understand the need to expensively maintain roads. They simply buy cars to ride over the pot holes. 1 | 2 Next Page»It is this rural mindset (where the Gombolola chief compels people to clean the village,) that they excitedly carry with them to solve urban problems. Mr Sengoba is a commentator on political and social issues. nicholassengoba@yahoo.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Lightning-kills-three-children--injures-two/-/688334/1594424/-/mk7xu4/-/index.html","content":"Lightning kills three children, injures two - Lightning struck three children dead and injured two others in Dufile Sub-county in Moyo District on early this week. The survivors have been admitted to Dufile Health Centre III in a critical condition.Stephen Unzimai and his younger sister Rose Chandia, and one Daniel Moga, all died shortly after reaching the health centre. An eye witness, Mr Richard Iranya, said the five children were playing under rain in the absence of their parents before the tragedy befell them. The deceased sustained severe burns and a series of fractures after being struck by lightning. The two casualties who were briefly admitted at the health centre were later referred to Moyo Hospital.The hospital superintendent, Dr Franklin Idi, said medical examination indicates that the three children died of shock and severe burns that resulted from lightning.More disastersIn a related incident, more than 300 pupils and seven teachers of Mada Primary School in the same district are unable to access their homes after running-water which accumulated in Ebihwa stream submerged the only community access road connecting Moyo Sub-county to Moyo Town Council. One of the teachers at the scene, Ms Jane Aserua, urged the district authorities to consider constructing a bridge on the road so as to avoid unexpected death of pupils who may risk crossing the stream during the rainy season. Ebihwa stream is known for frequent flooding especially during the months of April and May, including late October as well as early November. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Biogas-introduced-in-Kasese/-/688334/1539624/-/j5tnqn/-/index.html","content":"Biogas introduced in Kasese - Kasese World Wide Fund, an international conservation NGO, has introduced biogas fuel in Kasese District to help reduce environmental degradation. The NGO, in partnership with Centre For Research in Energy and Energy Conservation (CREEC), are implementing the biogas projects in institutions and homesteads to reduce the demand for firewood and charcoal. Biogas is produced from decomposing organic human and animal waste and dead plants. The spokesperson of CREEC, Ms Rehema Namukose, said most schools in Kasese did not provide lunch to their students, thus creating less human waste for biogas fuel. “Out of the 55 schools we visited, only three qualified for the project. Most schools do not provide lunch to students, therefore, the rate of going for long calls is limited,” Ms Namukose said at the launch of the project last week. “We have spent Shs25 million on the biogas plant at Karambi Secondary School,” Ms Namukose said. The development comes at a time when deforestation in the mountain slopes of Kasese has caused flooding in rainy seasons. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/Was-Jesus-Christ-really-married--Is-it-possible-/-/689856/1538314/-/m2ed5u/-/index.html","content":"Was Jesus Christ really married? Is it possible? - A response from Vatican on this article appeared in Sunday Vision. The Vatican challenged the authenticity of the fragment of the ancient papyrus. “Do not be Afraid” were the words of the angel and Jesus used to the women who were looking for him after his resurrection (Matt. 28:5-10). Jesus again used them when his disciples were terrified seeing him walk on the lake (Matt. 14: 26). Keeping the values intactWe read from the Bible that even when Jesus was still on earth, there was much opposition to him, anti-Christ elements which resulted into his death. In an environment of opposition, mixed feelings, uncertainty and hatred. It is logical to believe that there are many different versions of birth, life and death of Jesus. Many writers wrote false accounts of Jesus. These false accounts or false gospels were challenged by the Catholic Church as the custodian of Christian Faith to “end of time” (Matt. 28: 20). Even in our time today, no association will allow others to dilute their values without challenge. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us...” (John 1: 1-18). This is what the church calls “Incarnation”. Jesus Christ is true God and true man. The first clear message that Jesus was God, was after his resurrection when Thomas, one of the Twelve, called him “My Lord and my God” after Jesus showed him his pierced hands and side (John 20:28). “My Lord” he was addressing the human nature and “My God” the divine nature. During the great commissioning of the Apostles (Matt. 28: 17), “When they saw him, they worshiped him,..”. We only worship God. During the first centuries, the Church as the custodian of Christian Faith had to defend and clarify this truth of faith against the heresies that falsified it, such as that of Gnostic Docetism, which this article quotes. The first ecumenical council of Nicaea in AD 325 confessed in its Creed that the Son of God is “begotten, not made, of the same substance as the Father”. It condemned Arius (Arianism) which taught that the Son of God had a beginning and was a created being. This heresy threatened to divide the Christian Church. St. Cyril of Jerusalem (AD 315 – 386) for instance, instructed his faithful, “If ever you are sojourning in cities, inquire not simply where the Lord’s House is (for the other sects of the profane also attempt to call their own dens ‘houses of the Lord’), nor merely where the church is but where is the Catholic Church…(Catechetical Lecture, xviii, 26). Flavious Theodosius (AD 347- 395) was a Roman Emperor who entered the term Catholic Christian into Imperial Roman Law. He reserved that name from adherents of “that religion which was delivered to the Romans by the divine Apostle Peter, as it has been preserved by faithful tradition…as for the others, since in our judgment they are foolish madmen, we decree that they shall be branded with the ignominious name of heretic…”. Flooding of false doctrinesThe fragment of ancient papyrus being quoted in the article is by no means authentic. During the second half of the fourth century AD, according to the Nag Hammadi, other gospels were written. These include the gospel of the Twelve (AD 200), the gospel according to the Egyptians (AD 150), the Gospel of Peter (AD 140), the Gospel of Mathias (AD 125), the acts of Peter (AD 165). Other people took up the writings of these false gospels. Take for instance, the Acts of Peter, which was written in AD 165 but Peter had died in AD 67. We must admit that there was a lot of confusion among the different sects at the early Church; what Christ himself prophesied. We have confidence in the Catholic Church because of the promises Jesus made. During The Great Commission, Matt. 28:16-20, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, teach them to obey. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Christ built his Church on Peter (Rock). Peter was a name given to Simon, son of John, by Jesus as we find in John 1:42, “Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas’ (which, when translated, is Peter)”. In Matt. 16: 13-19, “…And I tell you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys...” Jesus singled Peter out and told him “Feed my sheep, take care of my sheep”, John 21: 15-17. Even in the Acts, Peter gave lead to the rest: he over saw the election of Matthias to replace Judas who betrayed Jesus (Acts 1:12-26); he addressed the crowd to explain about the crucified Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 2:14-41); he performed the first miracle of healing the crippled begger (Acts 3: 1-11). Peter was recognised by his colleagues as their leader: the disciple Jesus loved could not enter the grave of Jesus before Peter (John 20:308) “Do not be afraid”. Jesus was not an ordinary person and he proved his divinity and humanity beyond doubt. Therefore, he could not have married. Christians are taught not to revenge: In 1Peter 3: 9- 10, “Do not reply evil with evil or insult with insult, but with a blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” josokoth@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Stolen-government-drugs-sold-in-Kenya-and-Southern-Sudan/-/688334/1534786/-/wdswwq/-/index.html","content":"Stolen government drugs sold in Kenya and Southern Sudan - Kampala Medical equipment and drugs stolen from government health facilities in Uganda are being sold in the neighbouring Kenya and Southern Sudan. Mr Mpaata Owagage, the Assistant Director Medicines and Health Service Delivery Monitoring Unit in charge of eastern region, said on Tuesday they have found out that the region is the main transit route for stolen medical equipment from Uganda. He said from 2009 to date, about 70 per cent of laboratory equipment delivered to government hospitals across the country have been stolen which has cost the government about Shs5 billion. Mr Owagage explained that the thieves are mainly interested in vaccines for immunisation, contraceptives, malarial drugs mainly coartem, oral rehydration salts, and cough syrups. Mr Owagage, however, said since 2009, they have arrested and secured 60 convictions, recovered drugs and other health equipment worth about Shs2 billion. He said they are working with authorities in Kenya to fight the illegal trade since drugs from government hospital in Kenya are increasingly flooding Uganda."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/20-year-old-paper-bag-entrepreneur/-/691232/1532842/-/eq7gwk/-/index.html","content":"20-year-old paper bag entrepreneur - Just 20 years old and still studying, Andrew Mupuya who employs people older than him recently won the second annual Anzisha Prize, the premier award for Africa’s young entrepreneurial leaders. The awards ceremony was held on August 29, 2012, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mupuya won $30,000 (Shs75m), and was among 13 exceptional entrepreneurs, all under the age of 22, selected from 270 youth in 23 countries. His first big win, however, came in 2008 when he was a student at Kololo SS and participated in the now annual Junior Achievement programme. “We were over 200 students collecting plastic bottles and selling beads to companies in Norway and Uganda. Our company, Quapack was the best that year. I got inspired by my entrepreneurship teacher, Timothy Mugerwa. I consulted him and he encouraged me to draft the business plan,” he explains. The second win was in 2011, when his own company, Youth Entrepreneurial Link Investments (Yeli) won $1,000 (Shs2.5m) for the International Labour Organisation business plan competition. His winning plan was about the extension of the paper bag business. Yeli has now produced over half a million paper bags in its four years of operation. Mupuya’s claim to fame so far has been through his undying passion for entrepreneurship. The Makerere University third year Commerce student majoring in accounting won’t be on the streets searching for a job as he is already an employer. When his parents became unemployed, Mupuya struggled to balance his school fees with the need to support his family. In 2008, then aged 16, he saw a market opportunity in paper bag production, as the government considered a possible ban on use of polythene plastic bags. After he had raised his initial capital of Shs36,000, Mupuya started making paper bags on a small scale basis while still in high school. Business plans“We learnt how to make these plans at school but I had to inquire from my teachers whether the paper bag plan is viable. I sold the idea to the students. I had done market research so they got convinced. During my Senior Six in 2009, I employed 30 students at the school. It was too much work. The school gave me premises. During my free time, I would train the students. They would sell the paper bags and I would give them commission,” he recalls. In 2010, Mupuya officially registered Yeli. His Mulago-based business has grown to employ 14 people, the eldest of whom is a 53-year-old father of eight. Yeli’s customer base includes local hospitals, retail shops, roadside sellers, supermarkets, restaurants, pharmacies and major local flour manufacturer companies like Maganjo grain millers and Akamai Foods. From his earnings, Mupuya is able to pay for his tuition, salaries and support his family in Mbale by opening up a distribution outlet run by his mother. “In March this year, I was watching news on TV then I saw an advert about celebrating young innovative African entrepreneurs. I applied, and two months later, I emerged a semi-finalist. “The organisers visited my project and interviewed my employees. They visited markets and the community to see if I have created an impact. They took the information and I was later among the 13 finalists. While in Johannesburg, South Africa, we presented our projects to the judges whose criteria included impact, ingenuity and scalability. I expected to win. I was so happy,” Mupuya narrates. In addition to managing his growing enterprise, Mupuya has found time to train over 500 individuals, mostly young people, on how to make paper bags through which 16 other projects have been set up. His personal goal is to employ 60 people by 2015 and set up a paper bag making plant in order to achieve a vision of a cleaner Africa. “The grand prize is a great honour for me. With this money I plan to expand my production capability and also build a paper recycling operation,” he explains. He hopes to have the plant at Namanve Industrial Park.“I have done my research on the necessary machinery for the plant and on the production process. The recycling machines are expensive but I will get them gradually,” he explains. He adds that he is in touch with paper suppliers in Kenya. “Uganda’s paper material is not good and the distribution is poor. Ugandan suppliers have disappointed me. They are inconsistent. The poor quality paper in Uganda is more expensive than the good quality paper in Kenya,” Mupuya argues. Asked how he manages to balance books and business, Mupuya says he tries as much as possible to maximize his time relevantly. Because of his achievements, some of his friends ask for money or loans but he always asks them how they are going to invest it and they fail to explain. “I know how to handle people who ask me for money be it girls. I will be interested in girls when I am settled. Right now relationships can distract me,” he argues. When asked how managers older than him feel about his being their boss, Mupuya says it is something they have to live with. “Some of them feel intimidated but when I talk to them I tell them that it is the business employing them, not me,” he says. On if he has any diversification plans, he says that is what kills some Ugandan businesses. “In Uganda, we like diversifying a lot. People should first take time and grow one business then go to another. I want to expand my business first. Rwanda is a potential market for me. Although Uganda hasn’t fully banned polythene bags, I will look to Rwanda,” argues Mupuya. “They also block drainage channels and this causes flooding, but the blocked channels also act as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. I believe I am doing something good. I want to partner with UIA, Nema among others to promote paper bag use and lessen polythene usage,” he summarises. 1 | 2 Next Page»jkatende@ug.nationmedia.com ---------------------------Who is Mupuya With the experience garnered, creating business plans is a side job. Mupuya says he has done over 100 business plans in the last two years. He usually gets in touch with someone who wants a business plan and then he creates a road-map for them on how their businesses should move. However, planning is not all rosy. “Sometimes when I put the plan on paper, some people say they won’t do the business and therefore won’t pay me. If I see that you are not capable or worthy of doing a particular business, I advise you to avoid it.” “Some people foresee themselves making a killing in the early times of the business yet I think it will be later so they get frustrated. I tell them about bank inflation rates, taxes and how these can impact on their businesses but some people don’t want negative news,” he notes. His charges depend on the workload because some plans require him to do feasibility studies. “I usually charge two to eight per cent of the estimated capital. When I encounter some challenges along the way, I consult my lecturers,” Mupuya says. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/Ticket-prices-keeping-away-Ugandan-fans/-/690266/1531236/-/3gw0l8z/-/index.html","content":"Ticket prices keeping away Ugandan fans - KAMPALA With two days to the Uganda Cranes-Kenya match last year, there were hardly any tickets on the market. Yesterday, most selling centres were still flooding with tickets for tomorrow’s crucial Uganda-Zambia 2013 Nations Cup qualifier at Namboole stadium. Although most ticket agents refused to speak on record for fear of reprisal, it is clear the high prices are keeping fans away. Fufa are charging Shs40,000 for ordinary tickets, Shs75,000 and Shs120,000 for VIP and gold tickets respectively. “We are not here to disclose how many tickets we have so far sold but a very impressive number has been sold,” Fufa spokesperson Rogers Mulindwa said in a defiant tone yesterday. “But we appeal to Ugandans to go and purchase the tickets, because we won’t have tickets sold at Namboole.” Also hard hit are businessmen dealing in Cranes merchandise like jerseys and caps.“Ahead of the Senegal and Congo Brazaville games, I would sell 15-20 jerseys a day but now it’s hard to even sell five,” Max Muhire, a Cranes jersey trader, said yesterday. The modest sales could be a result of the current tough economic times most Ugandans are facing. ckyazze@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/Safety-Tip--Why-timing-belts-need-regular-check-up/-/688614/1530368/-/l6ygoyz/-/index.html","content":"Safety Tip: Why timing belts need regular check up - Timing belts are one of the engines most critical components that must be taken proper care of without out waiting for them to wear out. Eric Kiyiti, a mechanic in Kampala says if they are allowed to wear out or break, serious engine damage and general car break down can happen. “The timing belt connects the crankshaft that controls the engine pistons to the camshaft which opens and closes valves. It wears out the entire system if affected and the engine simply switches off itself,” he says. He adds that it is the same object that drives other components, including the balance shafts as well as oil and water pumps. Mr Kiyiti further says that belt replacement varies by vehicle make and mileage. “Every motorist should therefore check the owner’s manual from the manufacturer for suggested maintenance,” he says. He however says for the majority of the vehicles, the recommended mileage is after 100,000 kilometers. “Some of the other signs that the belt needs replacement are; rough idling, chattering and other strange engine noises as well as difficulty in starting the engine,” Mr Kiyiti says. He further advises that it’s a good idea to check the timing belt regularly even if your car is free from any symptoms because its vital in preventing the losses one would incur if the whole engine collapsed. “While changing the timing belt it requires a number of parts to be removed and these include the radiator hose, water pump, and alternator,” he says. He also says when you change the timing belt one should also consider replacing any other worn-out parts such as other belts, hoses, and clamps if the engine perform effectively. Mr Kiyiti says that when maintaining any vehicles engine, timing plays a key role especially in sustaining mileage and high-performance. Jackson Kaija, another mechanic in Kasubi Kampala says while checking the belt one must ensure that there is no oil leakages on the belt in case the seals are broken. “Leaking oil should not get into contact with the timing belts because this greatly affects their durability,” he says. He urges motorists to ensure that they buy the belts from recognised spare parts dealers since there are a lot of counterfeits products flooding the market. He says if counterfeits are used they will not last for the recommended mileage and would in turn affect the entire vehicle. jbahingwire@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Musisi-would-concentrate-on-tarmacking-all-city-roads-first/-/806314/1520018/-/oyhxbrz/-/index.html","content":"If I were Musisi, I would concentrate on tarmacking all city roads first - I want to express my concerns over the manner in which Kampala Capital City Authority Executive Director Jennifer Musisi is handling city matters. My advice to Ms Musisi is that it would have been better for her to have started implementing constructive actions, not destructive ones. This would help her build confidence among city residents. If I were the executive director, I would first concentrate on tarmacking all city streets and roads; pave all walkways and plant trees and grass in empty spaces. By doing so, I would achieve the following: There would be less dust in the city hence there will be less sick people. This would also have eased traffic jam thus less stress for motorists and other road users. I would also have paved all the walkways. This would lead to increase in the number of people walking, which is a necessary exercise for body fitness and improving one’s health. A healthy population is more productive and the reverse is true. Less traffic congestion would lead to reductions in time wasting, air pollution, and fuel consumption by motorists. As result, people’s savings would increase. I would also construct proper drainage, reducing chances of flooding, therefore reduced chances of water borne diseases. After tarmacking all the roads in the city, I would embark on more intense garbage management and ensure that the city becomes clearer and cleaner than ever before. And it is when many residents and visitors start seeing (being relaxed) and feeling (being healthy) the changes in the city’s fortunes as a result, then I would take another step. When they start realising that the changes are meant for their well-being, they will be more willing to accept other plans and policies KCCA introduces than they are doing now. They would be able to support and own demolitions and evictions. Today, residents do not seem to support the ongoing demolitions and evictions which they view as targeting them and aimed at chasing them out of the city. So, I am appealing to KCCA to reprioritise their actions for the benefit of many instead of creating many conflicts and hatred in an already over-stressed society. Federica Nshemereirwe,fnshemereirwe@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Slums-get-Shs24b-housing-project/-/688334/1516356/-/rfb2qlz/-/index.html","content":"Slums get Shs24b housing project - Kampala Capital City Authority has commissioned a 6.7 million euros (Shs24b) housing project to improve the quality of houses of urban slum dwellers in Kampala. The project, which forms the second phase of the Kampala Integrated Environment Management and planning project which ended in July this year, is targeting the construction of low cost houses for urban dwellers using stabilised interlocking bricks. Speaking at the launch of the project at Nakivubo Blue Primary School in Kampala yesterday, Eng. Emmanuel Kizito, the coordinator of the project, said the project is being funded by both Belgian and Ugandan governments to improve living conditions of slum dwellers. Eng. Kizito said the second phase was initiated from studies of the first phase of the project which involved improving drainage channels, water supply, sanitation, solid waste management road works and urban agriculture. “We have trained artisans from within Kisenyi, Katwe and Bwaise areas who are going to be using this technology. We zeroed on interlocking stabilised bricks because they are cheap and we want to educate the public that you can have a very durable house cheaply,” he told journalists. Using interlocking stabilised blocks is a fairly new type of technology that government is promoting to move away from burnt bricks which deplete forests because of the wood they are fired with. Most Kampala urban slums have houses without proper planned housing and are located in the swamps which are prone to flooding and disease outbreaks."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/Economic-crisis-affects-vermiculite-exports/-/688616/1515808/-/12e79vm/-/index.html","content":"Economic crisis affects vermiculite exports - Effects of the economic crisis in Europe are gradually hurting Uganda’s vermiculite exports as orders have been cut by 20 per cent. Dupré Minerals Limited, a leading UK based vermiculite distributor and the purchaser of Uganda’s vermiculite has cut its purchase to 18,000 tonnes down from 22,000 tones. Officials from Gulf Industries Limited, the company operating the Namekhara vermiculite project in Uganda in a document from Dupré said: “Difficult economic conditions in Europe indicated purchases of approximately 18,000 tonnes on an annualised basis which is 20 per cent less than the Gulf’s budgeted production this year.” This takes immediate effect and will look to restructure and streamline operations to reduce costs at this lower production level. “Gulf and Dupré would continue to work together to obtain new vermiculite customers both in Europe and worldwide to increase sales,” the statement said. This news comes after Gulf Industrials Limited in its last quarter that ended on June 30 2012 disclosed, it’s advancing programme at Namekara with the intention to increase its capacity to 30,000 tonnes per year. Due to the factors set out below, Gulf was unable to achieve its target but instead received 22,000 tonnes per annum. “The months of April and May 2012 have been difficult with the operation being severely hampered by an abnormally wet season. This heavy rain has led to the pit being flooded and, as a result, the plant running out of ore on numerous occasions as the flooding has limited mining. This uncharacteristically wet weather has also markedly restricted the ability to deliver Gulf’s product to port. As a result, a large stock build-up on site has occurred as roads in the surrounding areas have been affected by the wet conditions. Increased production has also tested road capacity. UsesVermiculite is used as an insulator, in making fireproof boards, as a replacement of asbestos in brake linings, packaging materials, and lightweight concrete in construction. The poorer grades of vermiculite are used in horticulture (flowers), tea nurseries and golf courses, due to its ability to retain water over long period. BackgroundHistorically, Uganda’s economy has been based on agriculture, relying heavily on coffee, tobacco and fish exports. Approximately 70 to 80 per cent of the population is employed by the agricultural industry. The country’s extractive industry activities have focused on commercial mining of cobalt, gold, copper, iron ore, tungsten, steel, tin and other industrial minerals such as cement, diamond, salt and vermiculite. Uganda’s production of vermiculite accounts for one per cent of worldwide production and is an ongoing source of revenue. The country has sufficient reserves to continue its current production for another 100 years. Vermiculite is found at Sukulu in Tororo district and Bukusu carbonatite complex in Mbale district. The main occurrence at Bukusu is on a 10 km long semi-circular ridge (Namekhara, Nakhupa, Surumbusa, Kabatola and Sikusi), where vermiculite flakes occur in residual concentrations (from the leaching of phlogopite in carbonatite) below a surface cover of three to five metres of magnetite rubble. 1 | 2 Next Page»Apart from Namekhara, it is only Kabatola that contains appreciable quantities of vermiculite . “Recent exploration at Namekhara has delineated a resource of approximately 4 million tonnes of high quality vermiculite, which is probably one of the best known at present in the world,” according to the Uganda Investment Authority industry profile. Gulf Resources (U) Ltd is currently mining and processing vermiculite with a planned output of 40,000 tonnes per year. Previous mining and processing activities were carried out by NPK Resources Ltd, Carmin resources Ltd. of Canada and Rio Tinto of South Africa. dnakaweesi@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/MPs-tour-degraded-Kampala-wetlands/-/688334/1512168/-/1maq61z/-/index.html","content":"MPs tour degraded Kampala wetlands - The Parliament committee on Presidential Affairs yesterday toured some Kampala suburbs to get hands-on information and evidence on wetland degradation following the city authority’s petition. The committee also ordered immediate action on the areas that have seriously been degraded. In Kansanga, along Ggaba Road a local investor is erecting a fuel station under tight security provided by private guards. The legislators and KCCA officials accompanied by Parliament police officers were not allowed into the construction site where work was ongoing. The same investor is said to be erecting another fuel station opposite Spear Motors at the Ntinda-Nakawa junction also under heavy guard. “This investor hasn’t got any documentation, be it a permit or permission from KCCA. You cannot even be sure if he owns the land,” said KCCA Physical Planning Director Joseph Ssemambo. The site is located under a heavy voltage power line and had previously housed women tending to flowers and roadside trees- but were evicted by National Environment Management Authority (Nema). The committee, which recommends that all such structures be immediately demolished to save Kampala from pollution and heavy flooding, has summoned Nema and police, to explain why investors invade such areas, contrary to environmental laws. In another area, the size of close to four football pitches, where papyrus has been cut and sand heaped for future construction, blocking water channels, a police personnel guarding the ground refused to discuss anything with the MPs. Those holding the plots, however, say they have been cleared by Nema and Uganda Land Commission, which issued them with land titles. “We shall ask the police why they formed the environmental police and the former Minister of Water and Environment (Maria Mutagamba) should also be investigated because all these people have claimed her ministry cleared them,” said committee chairman Barnabas Tinkasimire. The field visit was meant to acquaint MPs with what is going on in and around the more than 200 plots which according to KCCA are in wetlands and some in lagoons. Ms Jennifer Musisi, the KCCA boss, told Parliament that much of this land is encroached on because of the conflicting authorities which allocate land to different people. snaturinda@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/MPs-tour-wetlands--order-for-immediate-halt-to-construction/-/688334/1511784/-/15dy30iz/-/index.html","content":"MPs tour wetlands, order for immediate halt to construction - The Parliament committee on Presidential Affairs on Wednesday toured some Kampala suburbs to get hands on information and evidence on wetland degradation following KCCA’s petition over the same and ordered for immediate action on the areas that have seriously affected the city In Kansanga, along Ggaba road a local investor only known to KCCA as Imaniraguha John his erecting a fuel station under tight security of private guards. The Legislators and KCCA officials, and Parliament police officers weren’t allowed in the fence, although construction went on inside. The same investor is erecting another fuel station opposite spear motors firm at the Ntinda-Nakawa junction also under heavy guard. “This investor hasn’t got any documentation, be it a permit or permission from KCCA. You cannot even be sure if he owns the land,” said KCCA physical planning director Joseph Ssemambo. The sites is located under a heavy power line and had previously housed women tending to flowers and roadside trees- but were evicted by NEMA. The committee, which recommends that such all structures be immediately stopped and demolished to save Kampala of pollution and heavy flooding, has summoned NEMA and police, to explain why such investors invade such areas, contrary to environmental laws. Another, a size of close to four football pitches that has cut off the four channels of water and all papyrus cut off by the sand heaped in for future construction has a police post guarding the open ground- police in charge refused to discuss anything with the MPs. Meanwhile the wetland behind prisons and quality chemicals factory also in Luzira fecal matter is openly seen, also guarded by Elite Guards, one of them who reveals to the team that the open vast lands are owned by Tal Investments, yam gardens are also evidently being harvested amidst the heavy stench. “We shall ask the police why they formed the environmental police and the former Minister of Water and Environment (Maria Mutagamba) should also be investigated because all these people have claimed her ministry cleared them,” said committee chairman Barnabas Tinkasimire. The field visit was meant to acquaint members with what is going on in and around the more than 200 plots which according to KCCA are in wetlands and some in lagoons. Ms Jenifer Musisi the city boss told Parliament that much of this land is encroached on because of the conflicting authorities which allocate land to different people. In Kampala private mailo accounts for 45% Buganda Land Board at 27%, public land formerly managed by Kampala Land Board at 15%, Uganda Land Commission at 10% and 3% under free hold by institutions such as churches and schools. snaturinda@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/Want-to-make-bricks-on-your-site--Here-is-how-to-do-it/-/689858/1510866/-/a60vsnz/-/index.html","content":"Want to make bricks on your site? Here is how to do it - Uganda’s current population is approximated to be at around 31 million Ugandans thus signifying a high demand for housing facilities. Yet the country’s population continues to grow which makes construction a fast growing industry with a growth rate of 13 percent. The housing deficit is approximated to be at of 550,000 units according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics. However, many Ugandans continue to have lots of redundant chunks and plots of land. Brick-making is one of those economic activities that can be carried out at such plots. Such bricks can then be sold off or used to build a house in that particular plot thus the need for information as regards the necessary steps needed to venture into making fired bricks. What it takes to make fired bricksBosco Kibirige, a brick maker in Kamuli –Kireka, explains that the best person to venture into making fired bricks at their site would be one whose land is unlevelled. “Making of fired bricks helps cut costs that one would spend hiring a grader to level the land before construction can begin,” he explains. The soil type at the site also matters. According to Kibirige, murram soils cannot make good bricks. “Sandy loam and other soils with rich clay content make high quality bricks,” clarifies Kibirge. Yet it is not only the soil to put into consideration, water costs also count a great deal. 30 jerry cans of water with a 20 litre capacity on average are used to make around 1,000 bricks. On sunny days, the jerry cans can even go beyond 40 since the soil needs more water to bind together. The other prerequisite to make the bricks would be labour that comes in at the different stages of making the bricks. Many times top soil has to be removed before one finds the right material. On average, the personnel who do the digging ask for an average of Shs5,000 to Shs10,000. The next process in line involves mixing the soil; loam is mixed with water until it has the right consistence. At this stage, the specialized brick maker for this process will ask for around Shs5,000. Materials needed to make bricksAmos Mulumba, another brick maker along the Northern Bypass just overlooking Naalya and Kamuli explains that one needs wooden frames (obutiiba) to form the bricks, a hoe to dig up the soil, dry grass (essubi) and a table of sorts upon which the bricks are slaked. Mulumba explains that the wooden frames come in different shapes and sizes-some are meant to make a single brick and others it’s two bricks per act. One wooden frame costs Shs12,000 and this is used to make a brick of 20 by 10 by 10 cm. “The wooden table is usually made by the brick maker himself at only Shs3,000,”says Mulumba. Time it takes to complete the processWith man power of two to three brick makers, 8,000 bricks can be made in about a week (including the 2 to 3 days period they take to dry when being covered with dry grass. )“The bricks are then dried for an additional 3 days being piled in heaps before setting them for the Kiln (Tanuulu). A standard kiln usually contains around 5,000-7,000 bricks according to the brick makers. How much you save When tasked to explain what’s cheaper between buying readily made bricks and making one’s own bricks, Bosco Kibririge explains that buying readily made bricks is better. “Even if you save by making your own bricks, it is a very insignificant amount thus making it better to directly buy bricks,” says Kibirige. Constructing a three bed-roomed house with rooms at an average size of 10 by 10 inch takes around 5000 bricks while a two bed-roomed house takes around 3,000 blocks. The current market price of a fully-baked brick is Shs120-130 per brick depending on the quality. Kibirige offers site owners an option of simply selling off the bricks at the half-baked stage. Selling bricks at this stage saves one the extra costs of getting people to arrange and fire up the kiln. Firing a kiln takes Shs30,000 without including the firewood costs. . Kilns are plastered with mud to avoid that comes in from the side. They are fired continuously for two days. Once the grass that was put on top catches fire one knows that bricks are ready. But for those who plan to have basements as part of the house plan, then making fired bricks helps eliminate costs of digging up the basement hole. “Making fired bricks also makes sense in case one is building somewhere with poor road access or where brick sellers are situated at a faraway distance,” asserts Kibirige. Effects of making bricks at your siteThough it is a great business prospect, it comes with its own effects. The big holes left by the brick-making process hinder movement on top of creating artificial flooding areas. Lillian Akello, an environmental engineering lecturer at Kyambogo University explains that such big holes result in recurring extra costs as far as re-filling the holes with soil. “The fires that characterize the kilns imply that the fertility of the soil is destroyed in the process and thus for a home owner with plans to do backyard gardening this may come at a cost,” affirms Akello. Commercial benefitsDespite all the environmental effects, in case one wants to go commercial as far as brick making is concerned, then adopting Dr Moses Musaazi’s brickmaking technique can be the way forward. The Makerere University engineer developed a technique which, by mixing soil and cement and then compressing the dampened mixture, produces an interlocking block that is stronger and uniformly shaped than a conventional traditional brick. With this technology, 35 bricks are produced every eight hours, and it saves 10 tonnes of trees because firing is not required. All in all, whether to make fired bricks at your site or not- the redundant site serves you no value leaving it un utilized for a period of time. In times when lots of passive incomes are needed, in times when cost cutting is paramount, brick-making may be one of those activities one can undertake on their site."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/Davidsseppuuya/One-down--much-impunity-and-many-demolitions-to-go/-/1268850/1509892/-/uauk1t/-/index.html","content":"One down, much impunity and many demolitions to go - The demolition last week of an illegal structure in a swanky part of Kampala brought to the mind the adage, coined by Abraham Lincoln, that “you can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time….” Thus far the above has been occurring with alarming frequency in public life in this country, but there is some hope yet. The quotable quote is completed thus: “….but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time”. Have we reached this point yet? Probably not, but we shall surely get there some day, ‘si ndio?’ The levels of impunity, as exemplified by brazen disregard of rules, by-laws, public morals, collective standards, and the whole range of the Law, by many of us have resulted in a state of chaos. KCCA’s resolve is giving fresh hope to what had become a resigned population that sanity could yet reign in the management of public affairs. I once lived in a neighbourhood where a man simply constructed one part of his wall fence and a considerable portion of his front gate in a strip of land that had been designated for a road. Frequent representations to adjust the bounds of his property to fit the lawful dimensions would not sway him. Even LC meetings had no impact on his stubbornness. But the LC1 chairman, a wise man, did not entirely give up and pronounced that one day the rule of law would return and this neighbour would have to reckon with it at much greater cost. I hope that the issue has long been resolved. It is the sheer selfishness and disregard for the welfare and rights of the wider society that leads such people to act that way. And because of a weak state and a fearful accommodating society, unable to impose and invoke the very rules they have on the books, or the beliefs that have long governed it, impunity reigns. KCCA has made some commitments to iron out a lot of the chaos in Kampala today. Let us see those through. Besides the road reserves, in which many so-called ‘developments’ have been made, a lot of mess has been visited on wetlands, of which Kampala and surrounding areas are well-endowed with. These need urgent attention – Nema, the environmental agency, would do well to borrow a leaf from KCCA. Just in Kampala alone, more than 90 per cent of wetlands that had been in existence in 1994 have now been encroached upon, owing to a variety of developments, including incessant rural-urban migration in the poorer areas and outright land-grabs for real estate in the richer parts. Most of these do not have any environmental management systems to speak of, so the price will be paid, and by all of us, not just the complicit persons. Already the cost is seen with flooding whenever it has rained, exacerbated by unregulated use and poor disposal of ‘kaveera’ (polythene bags). Another big cost, the slow and steady endangering of the Crested Crane, the national symbol, is looming, as this gracious creature breeds exclusively in swamps. The other price being paid is rising temperatures since wetlands, in their expanse and with their plant variety, act as coolants to the environment. Do we sense some political will to set right what has gone wrong for so long? Or is it a false dawn? What unravels in the near future will tell us more. **********How is she going to handle this? Will she ‘cut’ class to be at important legislative occasions? Will she petition the Speaker to stay away for a month to do her exams? Come to think of it, will she take her boyfriend to the swearing-in (will the boyfriend be permitted to travel?) Okay, does she even have a boyfriend? Kudos to Proscovia Alengot Oromait who, at 19, became Uganda’s youngest Member of Parliament ever and, quite possibly, Africa’s most juvenile as well. She is obviously a go-getter and is, indeed, going to go places, but there could very well be many places where she will not want to go. The photographs show a girl of teenage innocence (if at all there is a teenager who is innocent), all girlie short hair and schoolgirl poise. But teenage is also a time of experimentation, a time of great possibilities, and potential pitfalls. But, by winning a full-fledged Parliament seat against her elders, she has shown that she is a person of quite some mettle, so she should survive. Go, girl, go! dsseppuuya@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-Made-In-China--does-not-necessarily-mean-fake/-/691232/1503526/-/ayn1m6z/-/index.html","content":"'Made In China' does not necessarily mean fake - One of the most resilient myths about consumer electronics on the market suggests that products manufactured in China are of lesser standards compared to those manufactured in, let us say, US, Japan or Europe. This myth dates back to the time when Europe and other markets were overrun by the first wave of consumer electronics from China that started in the early 90’s—very cheap devices in plain plastic bodies that very often had famous brand names on them. No one was expecting quality and the only perk they had was the price. I must add that even if the Chinese wanted to produce quality stuff then, they would have failed. Back then, China did not have the necessary technologies like production lines or the expertise including engineers and designers. But in a decade, China made a breakthrough in quality and quantity. By creating a free economic zone, China has managed to attract virtually all consumer electronics manufacturers from around the world with the availability of cheap labour and financial privileges. Today, European, American and even Japanese manufacturers like Sony, HP, Dell and Apple operate in China for reasons mentioned above. The result is that as far as one brand is concerned, Sony, for example, there is absolutely no difference where the products are manufactured, the quality is the same. It is achieved by simply following the thoroughly tested production line manuals and use of competently trained staff. The goal of any manufacturer is to follow the quality standard regardless of the factory. Moreover, all the parts of a single device are all the same at any factory with almost no exceptions. All this allows you to create identical products and quality issues usually arise due to improper factory quality control or faulty production lines and very often the ever-present human factors. The vast majority of the production of electronics parts is outsourced to contract manufacturers operating in so-called low cost countries and of course, China takes a lead. Quality depends on manufacturer not country of originMany are fixated on the “Made in China” stereotype and they associate everything Chinese with the devices that used to break down immediately after the purchase. This attitude has been changing very slowly in the recent years. You should always draw a line between Chinese products manufactured by major international companies like Sony and Apple that guarantee quality, and the tiny Chinese cottage industry, which manufactures anything from four-sim card phones to radio watches. Both are Chinese and will have Made in China on their products but the quality will differ significantly. Nonetheless, because of the thriving manufacturing industry in China, it is not difficult for anyone with the right machinery to open up a production line and make knock-off electronics that are of poor quality with popular brand copying. These items are usually miles away, in terms of the price difference, with the real thing. And this is what exactly pushes up their demand. I must add that these items are not always a bad thing, so long as you know what you are getting. See, China is a land of endless factories—with many pumping out the world’s most desirable gadgets, from iPhones to portable computers to digital cameras and much more. Plenty of other goods, both electronic and otherwise, are routinely copied in China. The most common on the Ugandan market are the phones, specifically known as Chinese phones. Manufacturers of these phones have interesting marketing strategies that are quite simple. They copy the designs and brand names. For instance, you shall come across things like Sumsung for Samsung or Nckia for Nokia. Some are bold enough to print Nokia on the phone, using a different font. This has now changed and you shall see generic logos. It might look like a Sony Ericsson, or Apple’s latest, but turn it on and you will hear a strange Chinese techno ringtone. Turn on the 8-Megapixel phone camera, take a photo, and see something of a 0.5-Megapixel quality. Then scroll through the operating system and you shall shockingly find English grammar and spelling mistakes and the worst case scenario is some parts of the operating system being in Chinese. Why fake products thriveThe biggest selling point for most of these fake phones is the price in contrast to the intended use. There prices are more often than not way lower than the real thing that they are a compelling choice for many buyers who just want to make a phone call. It is significantly important that awareness of fake phones be raised, as it can be very difficult for buyers to tell the difference between a fake and genuine product. The quality of fakes has reached the point where many buyers will assume they have the real thing. They sometimes look, feel and behave like the real thing right down to start up sequences and graphics. We all ought to raise a glass to Uganda Communications Commission for their recent declaration of war on these kinds of phones and by logical extension to other fake electronics that have been flooding the market. That said, keep in mind that the Made in China stamp does not necessarily mean it is of any less quality than that made from elsewhere. 1 | 2 Next Page»Spotting the fakesWith the influx of genuine-looking fake gadgets hitting the market, here are a few tips that might just helping you spot the fakes;• Packaging: Check the packaging to make sure it is in good condition. Also, make sure the batch number on the packaging is the same as that on the product. • Colours: Check packaging and products for colour consistency, and depth. Quality is key. • Spellings: Check for misspellings or bad English, grammar etc, on manuals or labels. • Labels: Fake electronics don’t often have inner labels. When they do, these scratch off easily. • Price: If it’s so cheap you can’t believe it, then it probably is fake. Research on the current market price and if the price being offered is nowhere close to it, then it might be fake.(Tech News Daily) editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Two-pupils-drown-on-fishing-adventure-in-Gulu/-/688334/1501296/-/12iore4z/-/index.html","content":"Two pupils drown on fishing adventure in Gulu - Two children drowned in Abango Swamp in Bar Ogal Parish in Koro Sub-county, Gulu District last Friday as they attempted to catch fish. The tragic incident took place when a group of eight boys decided to explore the water for more fish following a downpour that caused the swamp to burst its banks.In the process, 15-year-old Alfred Odokonyero and 14-year-old Sylvester Ochen lost their grip and drowned. “We were all holding each others hands as Odokonyero dipped a papyrus stick two or three times into the water. As he tried to move further, he lost his grip and fell into the water while clinging onto Ochen’s hands,” narrated Denis Opiyo. Opiyo said the remaining members broke away from the duo and managed to drag themselves to the banks before making an alarm after waiting for the two to come out for nearly 30 minutes.Within minutes, residents had rushed to the scene. Denis Ojok, Ochen’s father, said they scaled the banks in vain hoping to find the boys’ bodies.The Resident District Commissioner, Mr Nobinson Kidega, and the LC5 councillor, Ms Grace Akello Ouma, led police to the scene late in the evening but rescue attempts were futile as the Force in the region lacked marine divers. In a desperate attempt, on Saturday afternoon, residents requested five youth with swimming skills to help. They managed to recover Ochen’s body a few metres from the scene while Odokonyero’s body had not yet been recovered by press time. The duo were in primary five at Otema Public and Koro Abili primary schools and it was unclear why they did not go to school that day. Ms Akello said they have never seen the swamp burst its banks, adding that the sub-county had submitted plans for a bridge to be constructed in the parish a few years back but the district had not responded. Police have now urged parents to monitor their children’s movements. “In these situations (of heavy flooding), children will continue to be tempted to go swimming and fishing and yet the water is flowing at a very high speed,” the district police commander, Mr Denis Odoch, said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/Inconsistent-supplies--spur-chicken-imports/-/688610/1489728/-/84xut5z/-/index.html","content":"Inconsistent supplies  spur chicken imports - Inconsistent supply and limited production on the local market have forced some local dealers to opt for imported chicken. In an interview with Daily Monitor recently, Fresh Cuts managing director, Stephan Duyck said constraints of supply by local farmers is one of the major factors that has forced Poultry products dealers to opt for chicken imports. “There is no local farmer that can supply consistently in large quantities for a given period of time. As a result, we have lost a lot of market for live birds going to Sudan because our farmers could not consistently supply us.” Besides the limited supply, the quality of the birds on the local market has come under question, creating another reason forcing dealers to opt for cheap quality imports from Brazil and South Africa. The Uganda National Bureau of standards acting chief executive, Ben Manyindo said the quality of birds on the market is appalling; something partly attributed to the low quality feeds. He said this could be a threat to local producers as the country embraces a free market economy which allows in products from other countries. Cheap dressed chicken imports on the Ugandan market have steered controversy, following complaints by farmers over increased imports that are flooding the local market. In a report to President Museveni recently, over 200 poultry farmers complained over the increase in chicken imports. The report indicates that about 45 per cent of dressed chicken sold on the Uganda market is imported. It states that between 2011 to date, about 728,000 kilogrammes of dressed chicken entered Uganda as imports. However contrary to the report, Fresh Cuts, says it imports chicken meat, but not whole dressed chicken. “What we import is chicken meat - mechanised deboned meat which we use to make better quality and cheaper sausages. Besides these imports, other raw materials we use, like whole chicken is bought from the local market. We buy between 1,500 to 2,000 birds daily from local farmers,” Mr Duyck said. Ranchers’ boss Mr Hussein Jivraj, another chicken products dealer, said the firm supports local farmers and does not import chicken. “We buy our chicken from Bright chicks, which are a local company.” The Farmers’ Choice managing director, Mr Sam Patel told Daily Monitor that his company imports chicken parts partly because local dealers cannot consistently supply the company with the product. Statistics from the Poultry Farmers, Dressed Chicken Processors and Suppliers Association shows that Ugandans consume about 30,000 kilogrammes of dressed chicken every week while local production is estimated at 40,000 per week, quantities. The Agriculture minister Trace Buchanayandi said Uganda has enough chicken to feed both the local and external market."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/Low-quality-hurts-sausage-market/-/688610/1485424/-/x48r5l/-/index.html","content":"Low quality hurts sausage market - The sausage market has dropped as allegations of low quality products continue to spiral. Players that Daily Monitor spoke to indicate there has been a drop of about 30 per cent in sales as consumers opt for other meat products at the expense of sausages. “We used to sell at least three tonnes of sausages every week but since the entry of low quality sausages my sells have dropped to one tonne a week,” Mr Stephan Duyck, the Fresh Cuts managing director told Daily Monitor on Tuesday. Sausage King, one of the seven players told Daily monitor that there has been a noticeable drop in its sales despite continued efforts to maintain quality. Sausage King general manager, Teddy Asiimwe said; “Our sales have been affected because of course consumers’ love for the product has been lost.” Recent reports indicate that some players have been involved in the manufacture of low quality sausages so as to earn profits. Most of the fake sausages identified are reportedly made using offals mixed with a little bit of meat and sold along roadsides and some supermarkets. This as a result has affected sales of genuine manufacturers including Sausage King, Imperial Gourmet Products, Quality Cuts Butchery, and Your Choice among others, according to UNBS. No standardsReports also indicate that the market lacks approved standards which can guide as a guideline for the manufacture of the product. An official at Uganda National Bureau of Standards, who asked to remain anonymous, told Daily Monitor that the agency had not yet developed standard for sausages. However, he said discussions were underway to have a workable standard for the product. “We use the standards on hygiene requirements for food-processing industries to enforce proper sausage standards and punish those who make substandard products because the sausage standards are not yet fully operational,” the official said. Early this week, Fresh Quality Cuts, a major sausage producers, published a media notice distancing itself from the increasing rate of low quality sausages flooding the market. UNBS' TakeAccording to UNBS sausage standards are measured by the rate of cleanliness, a key factor the agency uses to guide meat and beef handlers. Companies including Quality Cuts Butchery, Your Choice, and Sausage King among others have some of the best quality of sausages in the market, according to UNBS. 1 | 2 Next Page»fnalubega@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/EU-lines-Shs183-billion-to--expand-Northern-Bypass/-/688322/1481072/-/ob866nz/-/index.html","content":"EU lines Shs183 billion to  expand Northern Bypass - The European Union and European Investment Bank (EIB) will inject 60 million Euros (about Shs183 billion) in increasing the number of lanes on the Kampala Northern Bypass and construction of six flyovers, Daily Monitor has learnt. The expansion, which seeks to further decongest Kampala is set to start in the first half of 2013, with the procurement process of contractors for the second phase set for December. In an email to Daily Monitor, Mr Simon Kasyate, the press and information officer at the EU, said a total of 60 million Euros was expected from different stakeholders with 40 million Euros (about Shs122 billion) coming from the European Commission (EC), 15 million Euros (about Shs45.5 billion) from EIB and 5 million Euros (about Shs 15.5 billion) from EC subsidy on the EIB rate of interest. In 2004 the first phase of the bypass was kicked off with Salini Construttori taking on the project as the lead contractor.EU invested more than 52 million Euros (Shs159 billion) in the first phase while the Uganda government availed funds for the acquisition of land which was required for the construction. Since its opening in 2009, the bypass has helped reduce traffic as travellers continue to use it as an alternative link to different Kampala suburbs. According to a statement from the EU there has been a significant improvement in traffic flow in Kampala with travel time being cut by between 20 and 30 minutes. However, while the bypass has improved transport and decongested the city, it has by the same token become a haven for city criminals. Reports available indicate that suspected criminals continue to take advantage of the darkness and shortage of security on the road to mount illegal road block which they use to steal from motorists and travellers. Far still, the roads drainage system is equally poor with cases of flooding witnessed in some of Kampala suburbs along the Bypass. Uganda continues to face a road network problems with Kampala alone, having a number of impassable roads due to potholes, narrow lanes and flooding on roads every time it rains. The same goes for up country roads where bridges are washed away during rainy seasons. nkalungi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/KCCA-to-repair-drainage-systems/-/688334/1468898/-/2du9qc/-/index.html","content":"KCCA to repair drainage systems - Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), in response to the frequent flooding within the city will, beginning this month, embark on the updating and implementation of the Kampala drainage master plan. “While the authority continues with evaluation, design and extensive clearing of drainage systems throughout Kampala, certain areas have been identified as flooding black spots and therefore need immediate infrastructural improvement,” KCCA spokesperson Peter Kaujju said. Roads that are to be worked on include Jinja Road, Ben Kiwanuka Street, Dastur and Channel streets, SIKH, Bugolobi, Kintu and Corydon road, Jjuko drain and the Clock Tower. Mr Kaujju adds that the works will majorly be within the walk ways and along road edges adding that areas such as the clock tower and Jinja Road will be prioritized since they normally experience the most flooding.He also says that repairs will be carried out bearing in mind the need not to disrupt traffic flow in the city. However, for areas where disruption is unavoidable, regular public updates and notices will be provided along with relevant diversion plans, he addedAccording to the authority, the construction of the Bwaise- Lubigi drainage channel, which is expected to be completed soon, will partially ease the drainage problem in the city. This newspaper understands that this is the second attempt by KCCA to improve the flow of water in the city. Last year, the authority allocated at least Shs7.8 billion to widen and de-silt the Nakivubo drainage channel. However, enlargements to the 9km channel, which holds approximately 95 per cent of the water from the developed central area of the city into the swamps adjacent to Lake Victoria, is yet to be realised. The city has at several times become flooded putting business and transport at a standstill after access to several roads and buildings are submerged by water. At times deaths have been recorded after motorists fail to identify demarcations of drainage systems. It is estimated that it requires 100 million dollars to implement the proposed Kampala district master plan to work on drainage. akiyaga@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Northern-Bypass-now-a-haven-for-city-criminals/-/688334/1445758/-/5dmf4yz/-/index.html","content":"Northern Bypass now a haven for city criminals - The Northern Bypass constructed to decongest the city has now turned into a torture trap where motorists and pedestrians are attacked by criminals. Suspected criminals are reportedly taking advantage of the darkness and shortage of security officers on the road and block the road with cattle before attacking their targets. “When the targeted motorists stop, the thugs run with weapons and order the drivers to move out of their cars. The thugs then rob money and property before taking off,” Mr James Kalanzi told this newspaper this week. Mr Kalanzi said female pedestrians are also attacked by rapists. “Sometime you hear cries but can’t come to their rescue because the road has very few roads connected to it,” he added. The Inspector General of Police, Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura, attributed the problem to lack of coordination between the police divisions that share the road. “Since it is a major highway, we have given it to the Integrated Highway Patrol Unit to manage it. They have motorcycles and cars. They will also be backed by foot patrols that will operate 24 hours,” Gen. Kayihura said. In another development, Kampala Capital City Authority will spend Shs20b in redesigning the drainage channels on the Northern Bypass after residents complained of increased flooding along the road. Daily Monitor has reliably learnt that both KCCA and the Uganda National Roads Authority are prioritising the redesign of the newly-constructed 25km highway which cost $50 million (about Shs120 billion) but now needs bigger water drainage channels and an Inter Change instead of the roundabout at Kalerwe, a Kampala suburb. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/A-pilau-pro-feeding-kampala/-/691232/1441424/-/3lrchg/-/index.html","content":"A pilau pro feeding kampala - If you thought celebrities are only musicians, actors, politicians and sports personalities, you may need to think twice. When you walk down town especially to places like Arua Bus Park, Old Taxi Park, Cooper Complex and the surrounding streets, and ask for Kassim, the first thing you will be asked is, “you mean the Pillau chef?” Kassim, a simple but famous person, on the streets and in the taxi parks in Kampala, has gained popularity in the last five years he has been in the business of preparing pilau– a common specially flavoured rice meal mostly a delicacy among Arabs and Muslims. However, it has turned into a favourite meal of many in Kampala. Located on Cooper Complex House, at the lower rentals, is a well organised food kiosk that hosts hundreds of Kampalans flooding in to have breakfast, lunch as well as super, served by Kassim. At 9.15am, one by one, customers begin to walk into Kassim’s food kiosk to receive their share of the morning breakfast comprising mainly kikomando (beans with chapatti), matooke with offals (ebyenda) and white rice with meat. Commencement of the cookingA few minutes past 10am, the six by six square metre room is filled with clients having their meals and a large number patiently standing as they wait for whoever finishes eating to give them room to be served. At this hour, Kassim is cautiously mixing ingredients, ensuring that the different spices are mixed into the right saucepans. you may mistake him for a chemist in an open laboratory if you watch him do it. Behind him, a huge charcoal stove of a circumference of about 60cm and a height of 30cm is completely heated up and a large saucepan of a circumference of about 200cm and a height of 100cm is warming with five litres of cooking oil and onions. That way, he starts preparing Pilau. After two hours of preparation, Kassim rests to have a heavy dish of two chapattis, matooke, rice and meat mixed with beans. He jokingly tells me: “I have to eat heavily; you know for all the energy out, there must have energy replacement,” he jokes. “A good chef has to look what he cooks!” During lunch time, Kassim’s major work at the kiosk is done and a young man comes in to serve the pilau as more clients move in to give their orders. “I have been eating at this place for over two years, and I keep appreciating the Pilau that Kassim prepares,” one of Kassim’s clients remarks when asked why he had to bear queuing for food in the hot sun. Kassim says the size of his room can serve about 1000 people a day. “when I count the people I serve, on average both who take-away and those eating from the kiosk on a daily basis, over a thousand people eat food from my kiosk,” Kassim proudly says. “Even my competitors buy Pilau here to serve to their customers, and that gives me an upper hand in the market. “Since I had operated a separate kiosk near William Street before I moved here, I receive hundreds of calls from people who want deliveries, and that forced me to have a separate boy whom I prepare for Pilau at William Street so that I do not disappoint my old clients,” Kassim narrates of his business. His team componentHis business employs on average 12 workers, six on a permanent basis and the rest on a casual basis. Kassim is not yet willing to quit this business because of the benefits he has accrued from it. He says on a daily basis, he earns a profit of not less than Shs200,000 after deducting all the operational costs of the business. He boastfully questions me, “how can an office worker equate to me?” He says due to the quality of his food and fair prices especially the Pilau and chapattis, he is able to serve all kinds of people regardless of their status. At Kassim’s food kiosk, the cheapest item on the menu – beans and chapatti goes for Shs1,300 while the highest priced item goes for Shs4,000. The prices keep varying depending on the type food a person prefers. Before he moved to Kampala, he was working at his father’s butchery. However, Kassim says he never liked the way the business was running. “At my father’s butchery, we used to cheat clients, something I didn’t like,” Kassim narrates. In regard to people operating butcheries, he says most of them cheat clients in order to get profit. “Imagine, you bought meat in the morning while it is fresh, a day after, that meat is dry and it has lost weight, how would you count for the lost kilograms in order to earn a profit – it is through cheating your clients. They put many bones when measuring so that the weight measurements seem high,” Kassim tells of the tricks used butchers. “So, by doing that, I felt terrible and I decided to contact my uncle who was already in Kampala to arrange for me to come. In July 2004, I arrived in Kampala, but life was not so pleasant for me since it was my first time in the city. I had to find ways to survive. I could not depend on him all the time since he already had a family to look after.” The humble beginningHis uncle booked for him a small place in Kinamwandu, a slum of sorts in Arua Bus Park, where he started frying chapattis for the passersby. He started with one carton of wheat flour, but due to the expertise he had in frying chapattis, clients picked interest in buying from his kiosk. He advanced from one carton to three and that would yield him profits of about Shs60,000 per day. “With changing times in Kampala, I realised they would sweep us out of the place one day since it was not hygienic enough so I decided to hire brokers to get me a small place that would suit a small restaurant. With the little money I had saved (about Shs8m) for over two years, I knew I could start up with it. The brokers got me a place in Cooper Complex, though it was not so good. But because I was already working in Kinamwandu, which was more unhygienic than this one, I realised I could do some upgrading on it and that is what I did the next day.” Market research is key“I paid rent for three months, bought all the necessary simple requirements and tried to make the place look a little bit modern.” “But as in business, I did simple research, in all the restaurants that were already in operation at this mall, and from the high prices of their food, it seemed their clientele was of high class people.” 1 | 2 Next Page»On getting to the complex, he realised his new competitors’ chapattis were not better than the ones he was making at Kinamwandu. “The first day I started with a short menu of matooke with offals, and Pilau, and the turn-up was indeed pleasing, he narrates. Due to the high client turn up, Kassim is planning to open up another restaurant at the new building on William Street in July if all goes well. Kassim never had the chance to complete school due to financial constraints at home. he stopped in primary six but that did not hinder him from persuing his ambitions. He plans to join adult education so that he can upgrade his education standards. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Time-Western-donors-borrowed-from-Africa-to-aid-African-projects/-/689844/1440704/-/iovg74/-/index.html","content":"Time Western donors borrowed from Africa to aid African projects - Liberia takes the biscuit when it comes to stashing Africa’s cash away in Swiss banks. The third poorest country in Africa and second in the world has $4.3 billion in Swiss banks, according to The Swiss National Bank (SNB), the central bank of Switzerland, in its latest report on the country’s banking sector. According to SNB, 43 African countries held $16 billion in Switzerland, or 36 per cent of the total aid Africa received in the past 44 years.Over the past four decades, aid to Africa quadrupled from around $11 billion to $44 billion, with a net increase of almost $10 billion during the period 2005-2008 alone. The Seychelles follow with $2.6 billion. Unlike Liberia with income per capita estimated at $500, Seychelles is characterised as a middle income country with per capita income estimated at $8,700. The second stasher is South Africa with $1.9 billion. The country is the richest in the continent, but it is the second biggest aid recipient. Swiss banks have a reputation of secrecy and are, therefore, popular with owners of ill-gotten wealth and discreet investors who do not wish to disclose the origins of their money. There is no evidence to indicate whether the money was acquired through legitimate or illegitimate means. Money acquired while in powerHowever, the banks have long been a favourite of Africa’s kleptocrats seeking a safe place for money they acquire while in power. According to a Wall Street Journal article published in 2009 and titled “Why foreign aid is hurting Africa”, money from rich countries has trapped many African nations in a cycle of corruption, slower economic growth, and poverty. To support this premise, author Dambisa Moyo of Zambia says the most obvious criticism of aid is its links to corruption. Most money in Swiss bank accounts is believed to be earnings from graft, especially kickbacks from Western firms to secure contracts in Africa, and stolen aid money. “Aid flows destined to help the average African end up supporting bloated bureaucracies in the form of the poor-country governments and donor-funded non-governmental organisations,” writes Mr Moyo. In a hearing before the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in May 2004, Jeffrey Winters, a professor at Northwestern University, argued that the World Bank had participated in the mishandling of roughly $100 billion of its loan funds meant for development. In total, West African countries are leading in the continent with $7 billion carted away to Swiss banks. According to some rankings attributed to the International Monetary Fund in 2011, from the world’s 20 poorest countries, West Africa has seven on the list, which is equivalent to 35 per cent.Cote d’Ivoire has $909 million in Swiss banks followed by Nigeria with $691 million, Senegal $155, Ghana $95 million, Benin $45 million, Gambia $23 million, Mauritania $21 million, and Burkina Faso $20 million. Given Nigeria’s history, the amounts recorded to be in Swiss bank accounts are a drop in the ocean considering the scope of corruption in the populous oil producing West African giant. Nigeria is the world’s seventh largest oil producer but it still imports the commodity.Chances are that Nigerians have chosen to stash their money elsewhere after people like strongman Sani Abacha were forced to repatriate $1.2 billion from Swiss banks after a lengthy legal tussle. The money was stashed in different safe havens in Switzerland, Luxembourg, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Belgium, and the UK. In addition to freezing about $640 million, the Swiss judicial authorities indicted Abacha protégés Mohammed Abacha and Atiku Bagudu under Swiss legislation on money laundering, fraud, and taking part in a criminal organisation. 1 | 2 Next Page»So, what else do these countries have in common? They appear on the regional top list of the Transparency International 2011 corruption index of African countries. Zimbabwe is the third poorest country in the world while Madagascar is eleventh. Kenya tops the EAC list with $857 in offshore banks followed by Tanzania ($178 million) and Rwanda ($29.7 million). While Kenya does not feature on the world’s 20 poorest list and top 10 aid recipients in Africa, Tanzania, The Citizen reported recently that it is the world’s third largest recipient of Official Development Aid (ODA). While the cash classified by SNB as foreign liabilities held by Swiss banks in 2011 is not necessarily listed as dirty money, EAC countries have been grappling with capital flight, with individuals said to have set up dummy companies to operate accounts in tax havens. The Citizen quoted the International Police Organisation (Interpol) in Dar es Salaam as having associated the country’s political bigwigs with colossal amounts of money in Swiss banks. According to Interpol, the money was not deposited by account holders but certain oil exploration and mining firms operating in the country.According to The Citizen, the money is held in six different accounts owned by people who have never personally deposited a cent since they opened the accounts. Moyo writes that in order to advance a country’s economic prospects, governments need an efficient civil service. But the civil service is prone to bureaucracy, and there is always the incipient danger of self-serving cronyism and the desire to bind citizens in endless, time-consuming red tape. What aid does is to make that danger a grim reality. He notes: “Say, there is a mosquito net maker in small-town Africa. Say, he employs 10 people who together manufacture 500 nets a week. Typically, these 10 employees support upward of 15 relatives each. “A Western government-inspired programme generously supplies the affected region with 100,000 free mosquito nets. This promptly puts the mosquito net manufacturer out of business and now his 10 employees can no longer support their 150 dependents.” Donating mosquito netsIn a couple of years, most of the donated nets will be torn and useless, but now there is no mosquito net maker to go to. They will have to get more aid. And African governments once again get to abdicate their responsibilities. In a similar vein has been the approach to food aid, which historically has done little to support African farmers. Under the auspices of the US Food for Peace programme, each year millions of dollars are used to buy American-grown food that has to be shipped across oceans. One wonders how a system of flooding foreign markets with American food, which puts local farmers out of business, actually helps better Africa, he writes. According to Moyo a better strategy would be to use aid money to buy food from farmers within the country, then distribute it to the local citizens in need. Moyo talks of the “Dutch disease,” a term that describes how large inflows of money can kill a country’s export sector by driving up home prices, thus making their goods too expensive for export. Aid has the same effect. rnaluyaga@ke.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Are-we-receiving-too-much-info-than-our-heads-can-take-/-/689844/1440660/-/pbmtpgz/-/index.html","content":"Are we receiving too much info than our heads can take? - Every single day, an endless number of financial analysts, stock brokers, hedge fund managers, asset managers, investment experts, currency dealers, emerging markets specialists, financial editors and reporters are assembled before the world’s TV cameras to explain what is going on. Every market analyst has given his or her view of what’s going on in the stricken Eurozone economies and the United States economies. They explain and give their “take”, but within hours the stock exchanges are all down when these world-class experts had forecast significant rises. Elite western university business schools are charging a premium for MBAs, none of whom at the end of the course is nearer knowing what is going on than they were before they enrolled. The reason usually given for the nose dives in the stock markets is that investor “sentiment” was hit by the latest twist in the Greek debt crisis or that the interest on Italian bonds has just reached seven per cent, the point after which borrowing costs become prohibitive. You would think that in this day and age of minute-by-minute news flooding our desktop, laptop, tablet, smart phone and TV screens, investors would have enough information to stop acting on “sentiment” but rather on the basis of hard financial data that they pay heavily to receive. Heavy blowLast week, Barclays Bank and several other major international banking institutions were fined for manipulating interbank lending rates. Barclays’ share price took a heavy blow, falling 17 per cent in trading on the London Stock Exchange on Thursday. Since the Eurozone crisis became full-blown in 2010, there have been 19 summit meetings by European Union leaders. Smart leaders with smart advisers with MBAs and political science degrees from top universities, with pressure from voters and the money markets piling on them. But despite this, they can’t seem to find a solution to this crisis. Meanwhile, the same pattern is at work in the realm of geopolitics. The West since September 2001 has been on a roll, aggressively taking the jihadist war to its doorstep in Afghanistan, Iran, Somalia, Pakistan, India, Gaza, Indonesia, and everywhere in Muslim-majority countries. Huge amounts of money have been put into intelligence-gathering and reports whose purpose is to get as close to exact information as possible on terrorist targets and masterminds. After the first two-week and three-week “shock and awe” campaigns in Afghanistan in October 2001 and Iraq in March 2003, the world’s most formidable military, the United States, was surprised to find itself bogged down in a decade of intractable fighting. Several jihadist leaders, including Osama bin Laden, have been captured or killed since 2001 but there is no end in sight to the end of international terrorism. In fact, it has now spread to places that in 2001 few would have expected, notably northern Nigeria, Niger and Mali. Nearly all the major Western newspapers confidently predicted that the Islamists in Egypt would not be elected as their popularity was on the wane and Egyptians after 50 years under military rule thirsted for Western-style liberal democracy. The “Arab Spring”, we were told, had been facilitated by the social media websites Twitter and Facebook and so this indicated that the young people on the Arab street wanted to be like their counterparts in the West. Before this, virtually every one of the major Internet giants, with the exception of Amazon.com, has been fined by US regulatory authorities or the European Union trade commission. Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, Google, Facebook and others are regularly in the news for either abusing their market dominance or stealing each other’s designs or patents. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/FashionBeauty/The-case-for-women-flooding-men-s-salons/-/691228/1438240/-/1037aax/-/index.html","content":"Beauty experience: The case for women flooding men’s salons - There is an influx of women going to male salons these days than never before. This is because most ladies have resorted to keeping their hair short rather than the long and treated one. Annet Kemigisha says besides being expensive, treated hair is an inconvenience to her. She said that she now spends little money on it. “I have had treated hair for the last seven years. It was like being a slave to it but since I cut it short, I feel liberated,” Kemigisha, who cut her hair three months ago, said. Most working women have these days changed the trend. When young girls are in school, they talk of having long hair when they leave school. But these days women who have the money think otherwise. “It is a good experience to explore and fulfill those teenage wishes. But then you realise later that it is not worth it. I feel free with this short hair and it has saved me a lot in terms of time and money,” Annet Kenema said. Robert Kamusiime a barber in Bushenyi town, said this has increased on his customers, boosting his business. “The much influx of women in our salons is giving us great business. We charge them highly because they are given detailed attention to compare to men,” Kamusiime says. He said that although he takes a lot of time on them, it has been a blessing. Beth Magara a female saloon attendant says that although their customers have left them, they get new ones and business goes on. She said that they have not felt the impact yet."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/10-people-feared-dead-in-Bududa-landslide/-/688334/1435372/-/eh3kvu/-/index.html","content":"15 feared dead as Landslides bury two villages in Bududa - Officials from the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) have this Monday evening confirmed 15 people dead after heavy downpour triggered several landslides in Bugisu sub-region, Eastern Uganda. Two villages of Namaga and Bunakasala in the Bumwalukani Sub County, Bududa district have been buried. In an afternoon statement to this newspaper, URCS said it’s Secretary General, Mr Michael Richard Nataka had also joined an emergency ground team in the conducting of a rapid vulnerability capacity assessment. “The Uganda Red Cross Society has sent a team of volunteers to assess the situation and establish the number of people affected although local authorities have told Red Cross that there could be about 80 people in each of the villages,” URCS head of communications Catherine Ntabadde said on Monday. Efforts to reach officials from the Disaster Preparedness Ministry were futile as they were reportedly locked in an emergency meeting all afternoon following reports of 3.12 p.m. landslide. This is the third time landslides are affecting these areas.  In August last year, URCS declared Bududa a disaster area after landslides injured eight people and left 420 others homeless. Among the affected areas was the Simuyu village in Bulucheke Sub County. In March 2010, at least 100 people were killed and over 400 people displaced after a six hour downpour triggered off landslides in several villages on the slopes of Mount Elgon. The affected villages included Nameti, Kubewo, and Nankobe. An estimated 90 homes were destroyed in Nameti village alone. The affected villages were buried by fast moving mud, with houses, markets, and a church destroyed; many roads were also blocked. In Butaleja, over 6,000 homes from the sub-counties of Kachonga, Masimasa, Kimuntu and Nawangofu were affected.  Two primary schools in Nabehere and Lubembe had to be closed. The Mbale-Busolwa road was also closed due to flooding. And in the suburbs of Kampala, motorists and pedestrians struggles to get to their homes after rain water flooded various parts of the city, making access impossible. jnjoroge@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Kenya-urged-to-deepen-regional-integration-to-grow-economy/-/688340/1430570/-/lqc6e5z/-/index.html","content":"Kenya urged to deepen regional integration to grow economy - The World Bank on Monday urged the Kenyan government to rebalance its financial system and deepen regional integration to spur economic growth. The Bank's Lead Economist for Kenya Wolfgang Fengler said strong growth of the now enlarged East African Community (EAC) creates expanded opportunities for Kenya to reduce its vulnerability from external shocks. \"Deepening Kenya's intra-EAC trade would help reduce its widening current account deficit, cushion it against global turbulence and open the economy to more Foreign Direct Investment, \" Fengler told journalists during the launch of the Kenya Economic Update report in Nairobi. The Bank said the country's economy which is gradually recovering from last year's shocks is expected to grow at 5 percent in 2012. But the report which was launched in Nairobi said the economy remains vulnerable to domestic and external shocks that may reduce growth to 4.1 percent. The move comes as East African leaders are expected to receive proposals on how to create a Political Federation but the fear of losing absolute state control is slowing down the pace of progress. Beatrice Kiraso, the EAC Deputy Secretary-General in charge of the Political Federation docket, said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua that before her departure from the regional economic bloc in May that the leaders are expected to meet in November to discuss the proposed structure of the Political Federation. \"We are talking about the Political Federation in the abstract. We need to be clear on what kind of Federation we are talking about so that some certainty can be allayed,\" the outgoing Deputy Secretary-General said. Efforts to create a single state in East Africa have been ongoing since 2004 when the leaders of the region met in Nairobi and agreed that its creation should be the ultimate goal of a process that started with the gradual opening of the borders to trade. The EAC Common External Tariff (CET) harmonized the region's taxation regime for raw materials, charged at zero duty, 10 percent for semi-finished goods and 25 percent for finished industrialized goods, adopted in 2005, kicked off the unity race. \"Political Federation will now cease to be looked at as a big monster that is coming to swallow us, but as a means to enhance sustainable socio-economic development, as a vehicle to push this region from a low income to middle-income,\" Kiraso said. The economic report, the sixth in a series published by the Bank in Kenya, highlights the rapid growth of EAC, which is one of the fastest growing regions in the world. The Kenya Economic Update indicates that the economy has stabilized following the actions taken by the government at the end of the third quarter of 2011, which included raising interest rates to bring inflation down. The region grew by an average of 5.8 percent in the past decade, recording the second highest growth rate of any economic block. Foreign Direct Investment to the EAC states also increased three-fold during the decade. But the full potential of the region remains untapped and the business climate in the region is still poor due to non tariff barriers and infrastructure bottlenecks. \"Increased trade in the region will contribute to food security, develop regional production chains in food and manufacturing and open up new markets in services,\" Fengler told journalists in Nairobi. The report focuses on the fine line between economic stability and maintaining the growth momentum, with a special focus on the opportunities that the EAC present to Kenya to mitigate its external vulnerability. The Bank's Country Director for Kenya Johannes Zutt said the East African nation's per capita income has exceeded 800 U.S. dollars for the first time. He said Kenyans have an opportunity to enjoy better standards of living as the economy progresses towards middle-income status in the coming years. \"The challenge for the government, particularly in an election year, is to continue to run the economy well, to support private sector efforts to increase manufacturing and exports, and to remove bottlenecks to regional trade, so that Kenya stays on a higher growth path,\" Zutt said. Analysts say Kenya's economy has been experiencing turbulence caused by internal and external factors. High food and fuel prices, the recent drought in the Horn of Africa which has been followed by heavy rains and flooding and the euro crisis have further weakened Kenya's external position this year. But the analysts noted that if Kenyans manage these challenges well, they may set the foundation for a more prosperous future. Jane Kiringai, the Bank's Senior Economist for Kenya and one of the lead authors of the report said Kenya is living beyond its means, adding that it was time to use policy tools to increase savings and exports. \"Structural weaknesses, including a widening current account deficit, pose a significant risk to Kenya's economic stability. Another oil price shock, poor harvest, or contagion in the Euro zone could easily create renewed economic turbulence and reverse the recent gains,\" she said. The report said the return of macroeconomic stability gives hope for 2012 and 2013 and projects that inflation, will remain below 10 percent during the second half of 2012, from a high of nearly 20 percent early in the year. According to the report, interest rates are expected to fall and the exchange rate to return to \"more competitive levels\" that will spur economic activity. The debt level has also fallen below 45 percent of the GDP. According to experts, Kenya's policymakers will need to create the space necessary to deliver on the promise of devolution, while protecting public investment in responding to the economic crisis. The devolution program, one of the most ambitious of its type in the world, introduces reforms that will impact Kenya's social stability, service delivery and fiscal health for the foreseeable future."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Ethiopia-forcing-pastoralists-off-land--Human-Rights-Watch/-/688340/1430096/-/dyhoxr/-/index.html","content":"Ethiopia forcing pastoralists off land: Human Rights Watch - Ethiopia is forcing thousands of pastoralists from their land in the southern Omo valley to make way for sugar plantations, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report Monday, a charge denied by the government. \"The Ethiopian government is forcibly displacing indigenous pastoral communities in Ethiopia's Lower Omo valley without adequate consultation or compensation,\" the New York-based group reported. Pastoralists are communities whose main livelihood is raising livestock. An official with the group estimated that between 5,000 and 10,000 people have been displaced. About 100,000 hectares (250,000 acres) of land has been earmarked for commercial agriculture in the Omo valley, where several state-run sugar plantations and cotton farms are already in operation. The government denied the accusation and said any relocation in the area is happening voluntarily. \"There is no forcing out of people from their residence, the direction of the government in this regard is to engage the public, if there is any reason to relocate people, then it is based on... open communication,\" government spokesman Bereket Simon told AFP. The rights watchdog accused Ethiopian authorities of intimidation, arrest and violence against those who oppose the plans. \"Government officials have carried out arbitrary arrests and detentions, beatings, and other violence against residents of the Lower Omo valley who questioned or resisted the development plans,\" HRW said. But Bereket said the sugar plantation schemes in the Omo valley will develop and modernise the region. \"We are concerned with (community) wellbeing, their cultural heritage and this is not a project to dismantle their cultural heritage, it's the opposite actually,\" he said. Most of the 200,000 people living in the Omo valley are agro-pastoralists using the land for cultivation and animal grazing. The Omo river is also a lifeline for the communities in the valley who rely on its annual flooding for growing crops. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Museveni-orders-arrest-of-engineers/-/688334/1422224/-/eq86yb/-/index.html","content":"Museveni orders arrest of engineers - KAMPALA/KANUNGU President Museveni has ordered the “immediate arrest” of Ministry of Works engineers after a report by the Auditor General implicated them in approving Shs4.5 billion in dubious payment to bridge contractors. The forensic audit raises questions about inflated construction material billing or unexecuted works as well as doubtful and multiple payments for works on 18 bridges mostly in western and eastern parts of the country, including Karamoja region. The return of torrential rains across the country has inundated farmlands, eroded carriageways, blocked drainage channels and washed away bridges, exposing substandard infrastructure works. In yesterday’s statement, State House said Mr Museveni directed Works minister, Eng. Abraham Byandala, to take action against his senior staff after a Kanungu district delegation he met on Tuesday, informed him that road contractors were being paid for no work. “President Yoweri Museveni has directed the Minister Abraham Byandala to cause the immediate arrest of officials involved in swindling funds meant for the construction of bridges,” the statement read in part. The delegation led by MP Chris Baryomunsi (Kinkiizi East, NRM) cited the overpass over River Birara, connecting Kanungu to Rukungiri district, whose contractor M&B Engineers Limited was, according to the Auditor General, paid Shs661million for doing no construction. This newspaper understands that Commissioner Baalamu Bisutti in the Works ministry yesterday held an emergency meeting with some seven bridge engineers at their Old Port Road offices, demanding their prompt response to the audit queries. Ministry of Works spokesperson Susan Kataike last evening said Shs136.3 million irregularly paid to contractors for five different road/bridge projects had been recovered. According to Ms Kataike, a German consultant firm hired by government, varied the payments for Laroo-Katekekile, Girik-Lokales and Lokichar-Turtuko bridges - all in Karamoja -but the company has to answer under terms of the agreement he signed. The contractors for Birara and Okokor bridges in Kanungu and Kumi districts, respectively, have been directed to dismantle the substandard structures they erected and re-build them at their own cost, she said. The dire state of roads nationwide has recently stirred public angst and turned into a hot political issues, especially after parts of Karamoja sub-region and western Uganda became inaccessible due to flooding and broken infrastructure. Legislators from Karamoja, which falls under First Lady Janet Museveni’s ministerial docket, were yesterday scheduled to meet the President days after they formally accused government of neglecting their region. It is understood that Mr Museveni got worked up to order arrest of the Works engineers after receiving a petition signed by 70, 000 Kanungu district residents who reminded him that he had failed to make good on a 1989 pledge to upgrade the 74-kilom etre Rukungiri-Ishasha-Kanungu gravel road to bitumen standards. The President reportedly said government had 20 other priority roads to work on yet it was short of cash, and then questioned Minister Byandala on what action he had taken against his accused officials. tbutagira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Cholera-kills-100--more-hospitalised-/-/688334/1411510/-/x45tje/-/index.html","content":"Cholera kills 100, more hospitalised  - About 100 people have died of cholera, although the Ministry of Health put the death toll at 73, while thousands are being hospitalised in different health centres. The number of people affected has increased to 3,111 from 2,200 in March in 13 districts of northern, eastern and western Uganda. With the public health services under pressure to contain the epidemic, the Ministry of Health is, this weekend, also preparing to launch a mass immunisation campaign to combat an outbreak of measles which has spread from 18 to 46 districts. So far, the ministry has confirmed the death of 73 people from cholera since March although data from the districts indicate that more than 100 people have so far died. According to the ministry spokesperson, Ms Rukia Nakamatte, more cases are being recorded around fishing areas, especially in the Albertine region, around Lake Albert, slums and congested areas where the level of hygiene and sanitation is very low. She also attributed the outbreak to the onset of the rainy season that has seen rivers bursting their banks and flooding occurring, saying contaminated water finds its way to domestic water points, posing a great danger to communities. In Nebbi District, at least 20 people are reported to have died and 820 infections recorded at various health units since March. In Mbale District, 17 people have succumbed to cholera while more than 400 infections have been registered.In Hoima, the death toll by yesterday, had risen from 8 to 14, while those still hospitalised are 444. Other districts that have suffered the outbreak include Bududa, where five people died, Kasese 14, Zombo and Moyo 2, Masindi 3, Kibaale 6, Bulisa 2, Manafa 7, Sironko 8, Bududa 4, and Bundibugyo 10. While the communities have been blamed for failure to control their personal hygiene and ignoring preventive measures given to them such as use of chlorine for disinfection and boiling drinking water, district authorities have asked government to urgently address the cholera situation, warning that very little is being done to suppress the disease which continues to spread. Community health experts say the role of each family member in promoting hygiene remains a better measure to control the spread. However, medical officials told this newspaper that their work has been affected by insufficient medicine. The Hoima district disease surveillance officer, Mr Bonny Tinkamalirwe, decried the appalling sanitary conditions in the affected areas, saying many locals lack pit-latrines and proper personal hygiene practices. Meanwhile, as of April 30, data from the Health ministry showed that about 3,270 children between four and 14 years had been recorded suffering from measles in 18 districts. But Ms Nakamatte has told Daily Monitor that: “To-date, 46 districts including Kampala, Namayingo, Jinja, Busia, Bugiri, Nebbi, Sheema, Wakiso, Iganga, Luuka, Lwengo, Masaka, Mayuge, Buikwe, Mityana, Koboko, Mitooma, Mbale, Bukomansimbi, Bukwo, Butaleja, Buvuma, Gulu, Kalungu, Kiryandongo, Kole, Mbarara, Namutumba, Rakai, Sironko, Buliisa, Buyende, Kalagala, Kamuli, Kanungu, Kiruhura, Luweero, Yumbe, Nakaseke, Ibanda, Kibaale, Kayunga, Bushenyi, Kyankwanzi, Budaka and Mukono have surpassed the measles epidemic threshold. “We have not confirmed any deaths but our data shows an increase in new cases, with 630 measles cases recorded in May alone,” she said. 1 | 2 Next Page»Ministry of Health says at least 42 per cent of measles cases are not vaccinated, with nearly all suspect cases in children below nine months not vaccinated for measles, which has prompted an additional nationwide mass measles campaign that will be conducted from May 26 to 28. Ms Catherine Ntabadde, the Uganda Red Cross Society spokesperson said the exercise would target more than one million children in 14 districts that have been identified as the most affected by both polio and measles. These include Kampala, Hoima, Nebbi, Pallisa, Tororo, Jinja, Mbarara, among others.aayebazibwe@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/Cut-down-your-home-garbage-management-cost/-/689858/1411364/-/txlnh5z/-/index.html","content":"Cut down your home garbage management cost - Can you imagine that in the dead of the night, some of those smartly dressed people you see in Kampala drive out of their posh homes in their posh cars and dispose of their household garbage by some roadside or in deserted areas? Totally out of their minds you would think but this tendency is common among respectable members of our society. Of course they know it is wrong, which is the reason they wait for the cloak of darkness to do it. Sometimes, they pay a small fee to some jobless chap in the neighbourhood to do the illegal dumping on their behalf with the full knowledge that in a radius of so many kilometres, there is no dumping site. And as expected, the chap, sometimes high on a narcotic, dumps this rubbish by someone else’s gate. So, to your horror, you wake up and find a heap of foul-smelling rubbish teeming with flies a few metres from your gate. Such is the attitude of this city’s dwellers, something which Dr Judith Tukahiirwa Tumusiime, a solid waste management consultant at Kampala Capital City Authority, describes as selfish and unpatriotic. Most of the culprits, she notes, are rich people who lack the spirit of loving our country. “To them, as long as their homes and their families are clean and far removed from the garbage, as long as the rubbish is not in their compound, they do not care,” she notes. However, Dr Tumusiime says the resulting dangers of such behavior like disease outbreaks, a dirty city and flooding do not discriminate between the rich and the poor. Why, because when the poor man’s relatives from the village visit him in Nabisaalu and your friends from abroad visit in Munyonyo, all of you will suffer the flooding at Queen’s way due to the blockage of water channels by this rubbish washed down from wherever you dumped it. Burning more dangerous than illegal dumpingPeople like Dorothy Gulume who stays in Najjera clearly appreciate these dangers associated with illegal dumping but yet feel that the monthly fee of private garbage collectors simply drives up the cost of living. “Electricity and water tariffs went up. Paying a monthly fee for rubbish will make life even more expensive,” she complains.So, to avoid the cost of garbage collection services, Gulume, like many other people, manages her household waste by burning. The solid waste expert however says that burning rubbish in your home is way worse than illegal dumping.“The pollution of the fumes and smoke not only endangers the environment but can also cause respiratory diseases like asthma for your family,” she warns. Creative ways to reduce your garbage collection costWith burning totally out of the question, Dr Tumusiime says there is really no way around paying for private garbage collection services. But, if you get creative, you can limit the cost of garbage collection for your home to a bare minimum. Aggrey Kinyera Otori, the chief operations officer of Bin It, a private garbage collection service provider that operates in the five divisions of Kampala, says their charges are tailored to their clients’ needs. “If we collect three bags of garbage every once a week from a client we charge a monthly fee of Shs29,000. If we collect three bags each time twice a week it is a monthly charge of Shs42,000. For thrice a week, it is Shs55,200.” But if you pay up a year in advance, you can get a discount. Take advantage of this discount to cut down on the cost of running your home.Justifying these fees, Kinyera says Bin It distributes the black polythene bags in which clients put the garbage. “We do quality professional work. We maintain the trucks, pay salaries, and our staff wears protective gear like helmets, gum boots, gloves and overalls,” he says.Dr Tumusiime also suggests that you can greatly reduce the volume of your garbage by sorting the organic from the inorganic garbage. Organic waste comprises of anything that can rot like leftover food, food peels from matooke, sweet potatoes. In the beginning it may be hard for family members who are used to throwing everything in one bin. But it will become much easier with time especially if you explain its benefits to everyone.“Most homes have a small garden, so you can compost this organic waste and use it in your garden,” she suggests, as thus cutting down on your garbage volume and the subsequent cost. Boiling drinking water is a bother for most people that can afford bottled drinking water. But these bottles greatly increase your garbage volume. However, a number of companies that recycle polythene bags and plastic bottles have come up. But you’re probably not looking at this amount of money, Shs600 – 800, for a kilo of kaveera. In fact it might take you a very long time to accumulate this volume. Dr Tumusiime, however, suggests that communities can come up with an initiative, a central place, for collecting these items and selling them. Clean Paper Uganda Ltd located in Kyambogo is one such company that buys used papers and plastic bottles from communities. 1 | 2 Next Page»“We buy them, compact them and bale them before selling them to recycling companies here in Uganda or in Kenya,” Noorali Mangalji, the owner says.There are people who earn a living walking through affluent neighbourhoods collecting these items to sell to companies like Clean Paper. Support them by giving them this waste whilst reducing on your garbage volume. Alternatively, decline any plastic packaging at your supermarket. Pack all your purchases in one or two of them if you can. Or, push the trolley all the way to your car. Because all those polythene bags become the garbage you have to pay for. If you must use a polythene bag, recycle; wash and re-use the ones at home. If you are not one to be embarrassed, pull them out while at the supermarket counter. Of course this is for people who determined to reduce on their garbage costs. Without illegally dumping garbage or harming the environment and your family through burning it, you can reduce your monthly garbage fees by having a compost pit for your organic waste and trash. knamaganda@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Environment-agency-investigates-developer-over-Bugolobi-wetland/-/688334/1408580/-/11feeh1/-/index.html","content":"Environment agency investigates developer over Bugolobi wetland - The National Environment Management Authority (Nema) says it is investigating the developer Delmas, whose officials were found filling the Bugolobi wetland with murram. Mr Paul Mafabi, the commissioner in charge of wetlands, said his officers were presented with a document the developer said was an Environment Impact Assessment of the wetland. “We are investigating the authenticity of this document and how it was acquired,” Mr Mafabi said. “And even if the document is genuine, there is a clear breach of Nema regulations. The entire project is in a wetland,” Mr Mafabi added. Breaching Nema regulations is subject to legal prosecution, Mr Mafabi said. “We will hand over our finding to the police. The environment police are still on site,” he added. On May 7, the Environmental Police Unit, a newly created unit for environmental protection, swung into action, stopping additional dumping of soil in the wetland. No arrests have since been made, although the unit’s commandant Taire Idwege is said to “be awaiting further instructions”. Though, the individuals behind the activities in the wetland are not yet known, Bugolobi residents living near the wetland have, however, allegedly seen businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba supervising the filling up of the swamp with murrum. Speaking to this newspaper on condition of anonymity, a prominent resident living in the area said: “I have personally seen him (Basajjabalaba) supervising the dumping of soil there. At first we thought the dumping was being done by errant construction works but we later realised, on seeing him there, that he is reclaiming the wetland.” A road leading to the swamp has since been blocked using iron sheets to obstruct view of what has been happening. When contacted last week, Mr Basajjabalaba denied being interested in the wetland. “I have been in Dubai for three weeks. Who saw me and when? Where is that land you are talking about? I do not know what you are talking about. In fact you are just telling me a story. I don’t think there are any of my people appearing in those companies,” he said. According to environmentalists, the wetland plays a major role in preventing flooding during and after heavy rains in Industrial Area, Bugolobi, Kitinatale and Mbuya. It also serves as a sewage collecting lagoon for the above areas. Ms Joanita Majimbi, the proprietor of St. Kizito Primary and Secondary Schools in Bugolobi, which is one of the affected facilities in the area, has vowed to fight against the degradation of the wetland. On Wednesday, pupils from the school blocked roads in and around the Bugolobi area in protest over the wetland degradation. 1 | 2 Next Page»In an interview with this newspaper, Ms Majimbi said: “I will fight with this so called city tycoon. I am ready to die. Look! Where is the water which used to be here?” “This is Basajabalaba. He has been here supervising the filling of soil here every day from 7pm to midnight,” she said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/Dora-s-Diary--Offer-solutions-your-customers-can-use/-/688616/1405758/-/11nqdxv/-/index.html","content":"Dora's Diary: Offer solutions your customers can use - LOSERS Do you give your customers irrelevant offers? The organization my friend Harriet works for uses Airtel for all its corporate mobile phone lines under some kind of corporate group plan. According to Harriet, lately Airtel has been sending out a barrage of sms and voice promotions to all its subscribers. Out of curiosity, one of her co-workers responded to one of the sms promotions, hoping to win a prize. Instead, the sender received a text message back indicating that the number from which the text message had been sent was not eligible to participate in promotions. I stand to be corrected but my guess is that the promotions are only open to individually owned lines, making company owned lines ineligible. Harriet’s question is this: if Airtel has the technology to determine which numbers are ineligible to participate in a promotion, should they not also have the technology to determine which ineligible numbers not to send promotions to? Harriet is tired of having to clear the junk out of her text message in-box. The exercise is a poor use of her time. What makes Airtel a loser here? Flooding the text message in-boxes of ineligible numbers with promotional messages the recipients cannot use. How about excluding those ineligible numbers when the promotions go out? Moral: Send offers to eligible participants WINNERS When did you last go the extra mile to offer a solution? Last week I had to swap my dstv smartcard for an updated one. Just to be sure that the cards were in stock, I called the Multichoice customer service line to confirm card availability. The Buganda Road representative who answered my call that Sunday informed me that I could either go to Garden City that very day or wait until Monday when the Buganda Road office would be open. I therefore headed to Garden City where I waited in line for about 15 minutes. When I finally got to the counter, Ronald apologized because they did not have any smartcards left. After delivering that blow, Ronald sat there silently, for at least two minutes. Just as I was beginning to lose my patience, Ronald asked when I would be leaving the mall. He would make a quick trip to Buganda Road for some smartcards and return within the hour. Fortunately for me, I was meeting a friend in the Food Court upstairs so coming back in an hour would be easy. Doubting that Ronald would even leave his seat, I left for my meeting and returned an hour later ready to be disappointed. To my great delight however, Ronald had kept his word and had a stack of new smartcards! What makes Ronald a winner? Making that trip to Buganda Road even though the easier thing to do would have been to ask me to come back the following day! Moral: Offer useful customer solutions dorasdiary@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/KaroliSsemogerere/Collapse-of-rural-economies-has-long-term-implications/-/878682/1402740/-/45d8w3z/-/index.html","content":"Collapse of rural economies has long-term implications - It’s three years since the passing of the Land Bill. “Land stories” are gaining traction in the press. In Acholi, community farmers are up in arms against plans to convert rich Acholi farmland into plantation agriculture. The soils north of Kafu are black cotton soils, both sunshine and precipitation are ample. Gulu has the second highest rainfall totals in the country after Kalangala. The topography is conducive for mechanised agriculture. Luweero is another flashpoint- another big sugar project has riled residents of north Buganda, once the capital of dairy farming in central Uganda. Virgin land in north Buganda is not as fertile as Acholi’s cotton soils but has been lying fallow due to another problem: the total failure of the post-war Luweero economic project that sent the first opposition MP to Parliament from Luweero since 1986- DP’s Brenda Nabukenya. The drive to colonise Lake Victoria’s islands by big oil palm giant Bidco, after covering 50 per cent of the main island in Kalangala District, now has its sights on Buvuma Islands. Island soils are favoured for phosphorus, an essential ingredient in fruit formation. Bunyoro’s gold rush is being accentuated by large scale land sales in the vast hinterland of the oil-zone. Most of the growth in the agricultural sector-- paltry by most standards-- is attributable to growth in large scale agriculture. Small-scale farmers cannot be said to be doing well in spite of an abundance of rain in both 2011 and 2012. Farmers’ primitive technology and lack of access to inputs, including fertilisers, pesticides or the unfavourable marketing terms mean they, for example, cannot survive even the shortest of intense dry spells. A 45-day dry spell early this year caused food prices to skyrocket. The agricultural sector, in spite of employing more than 40 per cent of the nation’s population and producing 90 per cent of the country’s food, still operates without any major form of insurance against drought, flooding or other natural disasters. Outside the metro-region and western Uganda, the picture in many villages is humbling. Grass thatched huts and malnourished farmers. Ground zero of this state of affairs are districts like those in Teso sub-region. Uganda’s costly experiment in decentralisation that sought to localise investment and production decisions has not worked the wonders it was supposed to do. For example, potholes in a town like Gulu may take years to fix because the municipality and the district--both independent entities-- cannot pool resources together to fix roads. President Museveni often points out how various sectors have overtaken coffee in their contribution to the Ugandan economy; yet the much riled coffee has contributed more than $3 billion to export earnings since 1986. It seems the most outrageous stories come from Busoga region, one of the headquarters of poverty: less than 30 per cent latrine coverage, jigger epidemics, coffee farmers are desperately selling green berries and mixing them with foreign material to make bulk (the government regulator UCDA reported last month that coffee out-turn in Busoga was about 40 per cent- a huge risk for hullers and traders). Under-investment or neglect of the coffee sector means the economic opportunity for the five million Ugandans dependent on coffee will have to wait for big agriculture to have its fill. Cotton farmers are not faring any better. Cotton is more labour-intensive than coffee. Cotton farmers have been engaged in a futile discussion with government over price stabilisation to protect them against low world prices for lint. Uganda’s dependable medium staples; a staple for expensive cottons don’t have a local textile industry to talk about and are no different from the collapse of leather tanning in the country. No one wants to recognise the long-term implications of the collapse of rural economies. The boda-boda economy thrives because youth, distraught at the lack of change and promise in the villages, will sell their inheritance for a pittance in order to give rides in the city on the back of their motorcycles. The richer ones will buy the kamunye, the backbone of mass transit and the savvier ones will dabble in small business. Most will come head to head with the realities of urban life: costly, insecure with few opportunities to save and invest. The shopkeeper model is facing its biggest test from consolidation in retail. The rural relatives left behind are few and far between and entire rural sub-economies built on rural schools, trading centres remain precarious. Mr Ssemogerere, an attorney and social entrepreneur, practices law in New York. kssemoge@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/Why-I-signed-the-true-love-waits-card/-/689856/1399900/-/sfyjebz/-/index.html","content":"THE OPTIMIST: Why I signed the true-love-waits card - The subject of sex has never ceased to rouse interest. And the question of abstinence ignites some of the most passionate responses. In this day of pornographic literature flooding the streets and the internet; of vibrant night clubs without strident restrictions; of parents busy chasing the quick buck than raising their children, and church leaders focusing on the prosperity gospel than inspiring us to live blameless lives; many believe it’s impossible to refrain from fornication. Nevertheless some are leading sexually pure lives. At a recent abstinence campaign, I watched hundreds of youths signing true-love-waits cards. The card reads: “Believing that true love waits, I make a commitment to God, myself, my family, my country, my friends, my future mate, and my future children to be sexually pure until the day I give myself only to my marriage partner in a covenant marriage relationship.” No doubt some will stumble but being the optimist, I choose to focus on those that will keep the promise and live up to the challenge of taking purity into consecrated marriage that gives them the license to enjoy unrestrained sex with their spouses. I too signed the true-love-waits card after a girl known to me got pregnant. Faced with rejection from her boyfriend, she quit university to suffer alone. And she was the stronger type because she chose to keep her baby where others sometimes lose their lives in the process of abortion. And I’m saying from experience that with sex-refusal skills, it’s more than possible to live without the bother of sexual urges. In fact, it’s such a beauty to discover the power of self-discipline and restraint, and so liberating to be the captain of your life and lead a sober life away from wrong influences and risky behaviour like premarital sex, drug abuse, gambling and alcoholism. The condom has been tested and found wanting. Now circumcision is being associated with reduced chances of getting infected with HIV/Aids. But the real deal that even has the endorsement of heaven is abstinence for the unmarried, and faithfulness for the married. It’s on the basis of these that Uganda was once a success story against HIV/Aids. Anyway, when you do see me bumping along the streets of Kampala donning a T-shirt with an inscription, ‘It’s Cool to Abstain’, know it is, and join me in leading responsible lives for the good of us and the world. muhumuzadd@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Uganda-s-best-and-worst-employers/-/688334/1399618/-/jv4g4ez/-/index.html","content":"Uganda’s best and worst employers - Nattily dressed in a white and navy blue uniform, matched with black boots, holding his gun, patrolling all corners of one of Uganda’s corporate premises in Nakasero is Mr Odoki Onapito, a security guard. He has held this job for the last seven years and he exudes commitment at work. Onapito and many other workers in Uganda this week joined the rest of the world to mark Labour Day. Speaking with confidence; one would think all is well until he is asked whether he is comfortable with his job and working environment. “One common character trait in the two companies I have worked for is unfavourable working conditions. We work long hours on empty stomach,” Onapito said. Onapito’s complaint is one of the criteria used by the Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE) to judge the best and worst employers in the country. Large companies today spend billions of shillings to manage their public image. And with the growth of cooperate culture, many have mastered the art, covering for the dirt inside its daily dealings with employees. According to FUE, that ranks best employers annually, in addition to salaries, allowances, holiday, pension schemes and benefits, a firms is judged on their ability to grow talent, how they manages communication with staff and clients, relationships and ability to inspire hope and self-confidence among employees. FUE states that part of being an excellent employer is also providing room for individual employees to have their contribution recognised and creation of an environment that places decision making responsibility with staff, making them to feel as part owners of the organisation. “The organisation should also be able to support talent development through full sponsorship of training courses of its employees,” said FUE spokesperson Shaffi Manafa. In its survey, for the best employee 2011, FUE said it looked at training and development, having HIV/Aids policies at the workplace, employee motivation initiatives, performance management, occupational safety and health, human resource management and communication systems. Century Bottling Company leads [see graphic] In its most recent survey in 2011, Century Bottling Company finds its self at the top of several companies. It excelled in provision of formal training for its employees in addition to provision of medical insurance, allowances for travel and extra hours worked and careful management of talent. By developing local talents, Century Bottling Company reduced the cost of doing business and saved the firm the cost of sales force by 90 per cent.This was followed by East African Breweries Ltd, the Citibank and Standard Chartered Bank tied in the third position, whereas the firm with best pay and benefits was Mpanga Tea growers. Strong relational human resource system, where people share information and opinions about the places where they work, was found as a winner for Mbale Resort hotel. The hotel managers were found to inspire hope and self-confidence among employees.Firms that made it were also found to have developed or provided formal employee training and a talent development programme that has made employees multi-skilled to ensure continued efficient service delivery. Unlike many workplace-related awards, which require firms to self-nominate, the Mbale Resort Hotel, Parliament, Jinja Nile Resort and Century Bottling Company and Mpanga Tea Growers employees’ awards rely solely on the input of employees, who anonymously provide feedback through a survey. For a country like Uganda where several foreign companies are flooding the economy and slowly laying off nationals, the East African Breweries Ltd and Standard Chartered Bank proved that teaching local employees international skills can pay off.As a result of re-deploying talent, East African Breweries increased the company’s Net Sales Value by 43 per cent in six months, beating all other firms in the Group of Companies operating in East Africa last year. “The company has cut costs by developing local talent that has replaced expatriates and saved one billion shillings from its annual payroll,” said FUE. Standard Chartered Bank on the other hand, leapfrogged to the fifth position in its group of companies in Africa and become part of the first league performers as a result of formal training provided to employees. 1 | 2 Next Page»The survey shows that the firm has developed specialist talent that has been exported to sister companies with a brief to turn around business and build capacity in the group. Another proactive measure adopted by some firms in Uganda that has propelled them to one of the best to work with is the provision of medical scheme for staff, spouse and dependants. Parliament and Unilever Uganda are considered the best in this area. In addition to medical insurance, the companies have implemented HIV/Aids initiatives. Unlike other firms who allow their employee to use boda-boda, Unilever Uganda Ltd employees are not allowed to use motorcycles while on company business. It also takes it upon its self to discipline any employee found driving while on phone. Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson Igne Igundura says they have a vibrant union in which most employees are members, they give car loans, and spend heavily on training and providing transport to and from work in Entebbe. However for many Ugandans working outside the corporate companies, the findings by FUE are a dream. Dr Tanga Odoi, the chairman of Makerere University Academic Staff Association, says a professor at the institution gets allowance of Shs100,000, money not enough to get a descent home. “Labour must be respected. How can you give a full professor that little money as house allowance and worse still pay him peanuts for salary,” he said.Mr James Birungi, the Kampala Serena Hotel human resource manager, says the firm offers food, medical care and transport to employees, spouses and four children plus life insurance. However, the story is different in small restaurants where employees only get their day’s pay averaged at Shs3, 000 inclusive of transport, food and medical care.The leadership of the Central Organisation of Free Trade Unions notes that although workers have tabled demands to government such as introducing minimum wage, increasing workers’ representation on the NSSF board, as well as improvement in the general welfare of workers, the government has turned a deaf ear. COFTU and other trade unions have been demanding that government aligns salaries by enforcing the minimum wage law. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1388482/-/aw1qt0z/-/index.html","content":"Residents invade wetlands as land shortage hits Arua town - Arua town residents have encroached on wetlands as land for settlement and expansion of infrastructure within the municipality dwindles. Residents have established semi-permanent and permanent structures in the wetlands and opened up gardens, as municipal authorities express concern over the destruction of the environment. The Municipal Environment Officer, Mr Fred Asedri, told Daily Monitor yesterday that land shortage was responsible for the encroachment on the wetlands. The municipal council has now moved to enforce a no encroachment zone of five meters and stopped all developments on the wetlands. “Because of encroachment, some water which used to be constant throughout the year has all gone. And during dry season, there is no water,” Mr Asedri said. The municipal has also formed a local environment committee that will be charged with verifying all upcoming buildings to ensure none is built in the wetlands. “We stopped the construction of Swalia Cell because we have not approved the plan. We need to stop encroachment on the fragile eco-systems,” Mr Asedri added. A plot of land within the municipality in an upscale area is now Shs10 million, up from Shs5 million, five years ago. In 2008, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics estimated the population of the town at 53,600. Mr John Acidri, a resident who has built a house along River Enyau, said failure for people to acquire land in better areas, pushes them to construct in swamps. “The high number of people who want to stay in town and shortage of land, automatically forces people to settle in wetlands,” Mr Acidri said. The 2009 National Environment Regulations requires owners or operators of facilities, whose activities are likely to have a significant impact on the environment, to establish environmental management systems to the National Environment Management Authority (Nema). The District Environment Officer, Mr Joachim Andiandu, said waste being dumped in the wetlands are adding to their degradation. Experts warn that the high temperature and constant flooding, especially during the rainy season, is a result of the destruction of wetlands which are supposed to act as absorbers for excess runoffs. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1384672/-/aw4hjnz/-/index.html","content":"Adjumani to close dirty water sources - The authorities in Adjumani District have launched an operation to rid the district of contaminated water sources and check water-borne diseases. The district has in conjunction with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees purchased equipment and reagents worth more than Shs13 million to conduct the exercise. OperationThe Assistant District Health Officer, Mr Godfery Manga, recently said they will visit water sources in 10 sub-counties and carry out tests to determine if the water is fit for human consumption. He added that contaminated water sources will be closed. “We are targeting water sources which have high chances of underground contamination, especially those located downhill near pit-latrines, those with cracked platforms and the ones that are prone to frequent flooding,” Mr Manga said. The District Health Officer, Ms Ann Adunia, said the exercise is aimed at safeguarding the health of residents.District officials said the they have not been carrying out the water quality inspection due to shortage of funds to procure equipment and reagents. Contaminated waterMany households in Adjumani, especially in rural areas, depend on unprotected springs, rivers, ponds and boreholes for both commercial and domestic purposes. Many residents do not boil water before drinking it. A woman in Adjumani Town Council, Ms Rose Adania, said: “My children have been feeling stomach pain but for me I thought it is a normal pain not until one was discovered to have bilharzia.” Residents of neighbouring Nebbi District are also experiencing the same problem. Many Nebbi residents, especially in rural areas drink contaminated water. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1382806/-/aw5ts6z/-/index.html","content":"City wetlands on brink of extinction - Kampala More than 90 per cent of the wetlands that existed in Kampala had been encroached on by 2008, according to statistics from the Wetlands management department of the Ministry of Water and Environment. Of the 345,330 square-kilometers that existed in 1994 only 22 were still existent when a survey to map wetlands resumed in 2008. This newspaper understands that Kampala sits on wetland and due to the rural-urban migration in the country and unemployment rate of more than 80 per cent, the non-renewable sources have been encroached on. Population pressureIn the past decade, a series of shopping malls, entertainment centres and office buildings have cropped up in the 189 square-kilometre city. “There has been a lot of pressure from population growth. This was a city that was designed to hold very few people,” the Commissioner for Wetlands, Mr Paul Mafabi, told this newspaper at the weekend. Last year’s Uganda Bureau of Statistics figures indicated that Kampala had a population of more than 1.5 million people with more visiting it daily. The encroachment on wetlands, according to experts, is responsible for the increased high temperatures, constant flooding and epidemic diseases, especially during the rainy season. On average Kampala weather is at 21 degrees Celsius. “We no longer have coolants and resources that would absorb the wastes in the city. Drainage has also become a major concern because areas where water would be disposed of are now filled with arcades and this is why we at times we get Cholera outbreaks in slums,” Mr Mafabi said. RequirementThe National Environment Regulations of 2009 require owners or operators of facilities, whose activities are likely to have a significant impact on the environment, to establish environmental management systems to the National Environment Management Authority (Nema). However, Nema spokesperson Naomi Karekaho, said the issue of wetland encroachment is diverse and needs all stakeholders to pull resources in order to overcome it. “It is squarely a Nema responsibility but it is a shared responsibility to ensure that the law is enacted. When people bring environmental assessment reports, we send them to the ministry and they have to tell us the next step,” Ms Karekaho told Daily Monitor in an interview. However, Mr Mafabi, said it is the work of Nema not his ministry to confirm whether the area is fit or not for construction. “When we receive the reports here, our job is to either say yes or no. However, we have nothing much to do because there are so many other factors at play before you say no,” Mr Mafabi said. He added: “When the Ministry of Lands issues a land title to a person who has bought his piece of land they do not first consult with us. So in such a case, even if you say no, it cannot work.” ScandalsThe problem of wetland degradation has had scandals of different individuals, including top government officials. In 2005, Kampala Central Division chairperson Geofrey Nyakana’s house in Bugoloobi was demolished because it was erected in a wetland. 1 | 2 Next Page»In January, the water ministry received from the Ministry of Finance Shs1.2 billion to demarcate all areas that are considered to be wetlands in the country. They also received an additional Shs500 million to establish an Environment police force to check encroachers. Although there have been no tangible results, Mr Mafabi said: “We are already through with sensitising councillors and local division chairmen who have been always a major problem in our process of evicting people who are their electorates.” akiyaga@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1377556/-/125uhw9z/-/index.html","content":"Fare thee well then, James Bahinguza, the incorruptible - The mourners who attended the funeral service of the late and much loved James Bahinguza of Ruhinda, Rukungiri, on Tuesday at Nakasero Cathedral will never forget the majesty, the love and blessings that engulfed us all as we listened to and felt the living testimonies of relatives, friends and workmates who had the privilege to live, interact, play and struggle with him throughout his life on this earth. The Vicar, who presided over the ceremony, was equally wonderful. James had lived and worked as a principled no-nonsense individual, who abhorred pompous, hypocritical and corrupt people of any age, status, post or influence. He despised them all and loathed their misdeeds and falsehoods. Whenever occasion arose, he never hesitated to tell them what he thought of them to their faces. Consequently, his genius, brilliant intellect and academic excellence were never trusted or utilised to their optimum for the benefit of his motherland and compatriots. Nonetheless, the levels of employment and the heights of performance he was allowed to operate constitute undeniable and compelling evidence of his character, integrity and achievements of a person of his humble beginnings who at the very end became to be known and admired by the notables and the famous. His dear wife and children eulogised him movingly and narrated their times and happiness together. He was a loved father, mentor, friend, guardian, home maker and family provider. With loving and moving narration, one by one, they each testified about James’ integrity, courage and candour. Then more stories of his remarkable life and achievements came flooding in from other relatives, big and small, titled and unknown, the high and the mighty people, believers and non-believers. Nakasero Cathedral, including open spares outside it, was filled to capacity. A stranger looking at such a mammoth crowd would have thought that it was a wedding or funeral of a President or some other national personage of high rank. Thus, James, the humble, ordinary free-born Ugandan became, at his final farewell, from this world, a subject of great admiration and tense national feeling befitting of popular heads of state, pop stars or renowned national heroes. The mourners were a mixture of representatives from the highest to the lowest in all the three branches of government. They included the young and the old, all tribes and races and professions. They included the innocent and the incorruptible as well as the guilty and suspects in crime. That one free Ugandan with courage, pride and integrity should attract one of the largest crowds ever seen at the Cathedral can only be a divine testimony that good will always triumph over evil. The service will always be remembered for the family values and legacies that one honest citizen can bestow on a nation. The open and sincere love and anguish shown by Joy Bahinguza and her children, the remarkable expressions of love and devotion to her fallen partner and promises of continued support to her and his orphans by relatives and friends are the manifestations of what James stood for and meant to all of us who had the privilege to know him. Jonathan, the youngest son who proved himself to be a young orator with flawless English, solemnly promised for himself and his siblings that they would always emulate their dad and complete the developmental projects he started before departing from this world. The climaxing end, though instantaneous and not rehearsed, was like a scene from an emotionally draining drama play. Joy invited all the children begotten of James and they all clung to her and one another at the altar for a minute or two as if their own lives were about to end. Joy then calmly and with assured courage and pride in her late husband addressed the children loudly for all of us to hear and understand. “I wish to assure you, my dear children, that your father worked very hard and saved enough and invested it. We are fully endowed with enough wealth. None of us shall need or want anything else to live happily and comfortably. I love you very much, my children.” Thereafter, there was not a dry eye in the Cathedral. Then suddenly, Joy collapsed in great pain and anguish of the irredeemable loss of her dear husband and dear friend. She was carried by her children and others back to her seat literally in a faint condition. Most speakers had emphasised that this was not so much a service to mourn as much as to remember the life, integrity, humour and service of James. In the end, that is what it was. Justice Kanyeihamba is a retired Supreme Court judge.gwkany@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/1374134/-/ctg7m/-/index.html","content":"Government Wants Health Warnings on Soft Drinks - You have seen them before. Claims of fresh fruit, vitamins and supplements in a juice – which after you drink it, tastes sweet and sugary instead. The taste is nothing like that of the mango or pineapple you see on the colorful and inviting label. Nor does it help you to distinguish what makes one drink “herbal” over another, or what is different from one energy drink to the next. These types of imitation drinks on shop shelves and taxi parks around the country will be forced to fall in line with East African Community (EAC) standards by April 1 this year, to tell the consumer exactly what they’re drinking. As the regional market aims to increase free movement of goods, labour, services and capital to ultimately boost trade and investment across the region, it has also forced a closer look at existing regulation and standards. Though Uganda has already had its own guidelines in place since 2004, Winnie Atugonza in the surveillance division at the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) says the standards have not actually changed from what they had written down eight years ago. Rather, it was a matter of implementing them. “It wasn’t enforced then because the industries were still few that were dealing in imitation drinks. However, they have now increased in number. So we really need to regulate what goes on the market for consumption,” she said. Ms Atugonza says the companies producing real fruit juices had filed complaints against the imitation drinks taking over the industry, and they had cause to complain. “The prices for the fruit juice are the same as those of the imitation drinks or even higher,” she explains. “The fruit juice producers weren’t getting value for their money.” Samuel Balagadde, the manager of imports inspection at UNBS says, this time the bureau will crack down on any imitation drink found on the market. Companies have been warned that according to the standard, any imitation drink discovered will be destroyed and won’t find their way to the market again. “The EAC wants the labelling of the imitation drinks not to be deceptive. We also need to protect our consumers,” Mr Balagadde said. Though he adds that UNBS has received few direct complaints from consumers about immediate health complications due to the drinks, one health professional says it is the long-term impacts that Ugandans should be looking at. An unhealthy lifestyleAccording to Dr Vincent Karuhanga, a general physician with Friends PolyClinic in Kampala, too many Ugandans are already taking too much of a fake thing. The imitation drinks could be causing health problems due to their main ingredients: high sugar levels, too much vitamin C, artificial flavours and preservatives. The artificial sugars are dangerous because when taken in excess, they may lead to obesity, while large amounts of Vitamin C can cause stomach upsets and peptic ulcers. The high intake of these types of drinks are emblematic of an “eat first, ask later” lifestyle that has led to the incidence of diabetes and high blood pressure reaching “epidemic proportions”, Dr Karuhanga says. The luxurious lifestyle that energy drinks have come to be associated with are also questionable, the doctor says. He calls drinks such as Red Bull a “drink of the rich” – which people often drink in excess, or mix with alcohol. Though that particular energy drink has been banned in some European countries, people here are unaware of the health risks it may pose. Though athletes are a group that might want this drink for the energy for instance, it often does more harm that good. It can put an athlete especially at undue risk as the drink dehydrates at the same time the physical activity is. The drink also speeds up one’s heart rate due to the high caffeine levels and the stimulant taurine are dangerous especially if you already have heart problems, diabetes, unstable liver and kidney conditions or high blood pressure. LoopholesDr Karuhanga says even the amount of ingredients in a drink can be unreliable. “It depends on if the man running the machine is happy or not,” he said. But UNBS insists testing of the product’s contents will no longer let ingredients slip through the cracks. 1 | 2 Next Page»Among the ingredients that are mentioned on imitation drink labeling is that they offer vitamins and supplements. Dr Karuhanga says consumers are lured into thinking that they will get the vitamins that they are lacking, while imitation drinks producers have then abused tax loopholes which allow them to make more of a profit, as supplements are taxed while drugs are not. So supplements also end up flooding the market as they can be sold off cheaply. Mr Balagadde defends by saying sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference as, “There is a very thin line between drugs and supplements. For example, you have vitamin C as a food supplement and also as a drug, so that one is hard for authorities to come up with proper assessments. But Mr Balagadde that with regulation, these loopholes will be no longer. And while imitation drinks will stay, with labeling comes a more informed consumer. “We want the consumers to make a choice, but know what they are taking,” he says. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1369892/-/ax924qz/-/index.html","content":"Besigye home not surrounded by Police - There was heavy police deployment at opposition leader Kizza Besigye’s home this morning, but it was later withdrawn. Reports suggest that the police was acting on a tip-off that Besigye was slated to address a press conference at the IPC offices on Katonga road, and had deployed to stop him from travelling to the venue. The press conference is in commemoration of the International Day Against Police Brutality, that started at 11.00 am. It will be addressed by Victims of Police Brutality, IPC and A4C activists, and a peaceful demonstration is slated for after the conference. However, Dr. Besigye tells the Daily Monitor that he has no plans to leave home today, and was surprised to see so many journalists flooding his home in concern. The usual roadblock on the junction leading to Besigye’s home is in place, although police says he is free to leave his home if he wants. The police has however deployed heavily around Kasangati town centre."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1369538/-/11eykl6/-/index.html","content":"Nile Breweries Limited not responsible for Jinja bridge flooding - On March 1, the spokeswoman for the Ministry of Works claimed on NTV news that Nile Breweries Limited (NBL) was responsible for the flooding at the Owen Falls Dam bridge, after a downpour that day. Following the wild allegation, the management of NBL invited a joint team of engineers from the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and Ministry of Works in Jinja to our plant in Njeru. The team, in the company of our site engineers, found out that the storm water flooding the bridge was not running off our brewery. Similarly, the team did not find that NBL had blocked any drainage channel, contrary to the claim by the Ministry of Works spokeswoman. NBL in 2000 undertook a major upgrade of its storm water drainage system, channelling the water underground at four major points in the brewery. What our site engineers witnessed during the joint investigation with UNRA and Works engineers was that the drainage channels on the sides of the main Kampala-Jinja highway, as it enters the bridge, were heavily blocked at various points. This was what caused the storm water from the surrounding areas to gush onto the road hence the bridge flooding. NBL is, therefore, not responsible for the unfortunate situation and asks the Ministry of Works and UNRA to expeditiously unblock the drainage channels, which is their responsibility. NBL is ready to contribute in any way possible to the unblocking of the drainage channels, in line with our sustainable development commitments. Onapito-Ekomoloit,Corporate Affairs Director- Nile Breweries Limited"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1365816/-/axbtlez/-/index.html","content":"Museveni directs ministry to intensify anti-fake seed fight - President Museveni has directed the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries to license seed agents regionally to enable it trace origins of fake seeds currently flooding the market. The President also ordered the ministry to intensify its crackdown on fake seed sellers. “The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries should license people by region and in case anything goes wrong, they (those trading in the region) will be the ones responsible,” Mr Museveni said. The President made the remarks on Monday while addressing leaders from Busoga Sub-region at the on-going Zonal Conference on Poverty Eradication and Enterprise Selection at State House, Entebbe.President Museveni’s directive followed complaints from several participants. According to the Uganda National Agro Dealers Association (Unada) estimates, 40 per cent of the agricultural inputs on the market are fake. Seeds, fertilisers and agro-chemicals are the most counterfeited products. Mr Wilfred Thembo, the Unada executive secretary, recently said farmers are incurring heavy financial losses and experiencing low production due to counterfeit seeds and other input. Mr Thembo added that the vice is hindering agriculture which employs about 80 per cent of Uganda’s population.He attributed the problem to failure by seed companies to produce and supply enough quality seeds to satisfy the market demand. President Museveni also asked the ministry to develop a programme for the distribution of decatex drug and pumps to famers to protect their livestock against disease-carrying tse-tse flies. He urged leaders to guide people on how to eradicate poverty from their homesteads. The President accused political and church leaders of failing to guide people to adopt commercial farming. “The elite, politicians and church leaders, who have a lot of access to wanainchi (public), do nothing in guiding subsistence farmers to abandon their traditional way of life. The priests have been abroad, to Canterbury and they have failed to guide their followers,” Mr Museveni said. The President cautioned Busoga leaders against land fragmentation.jmiti@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Insight/-/688338/1363402/-/s9hdwa/-/index.html","content":"LRA leader Joseph Kony and Western hegemony - In the wake of the collapse of the Holy Spirit Movement rebel uprising in Acholi in 1986, an offshoot called the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) was formed to fight the brutality that the victorious NRA guerrilla army of Yoweri Museveni had unleashed on the Acholi after 1986. The LRA was led by a former Catholic altar boy named Joseph Kony. Kony became infamous in Uganda and later in many parts of the world for his reported barbarism against the very civilian population on whose behalf he was supposed to be fighting. Several reports, however, had a parallel story of how many of the best-publicised Kony massacres and atrocities were actually by the NRA (later UPDF) dressed up in the rag-tag appearance of the LRA, in order to further destroy Kony’s reputation. Many peace initiatives were advanced. Betty Bigombe was named Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister in charge of pacification of the North. There was a Northern Uganda Reconstruction Programme, various pressure groups like the Acholi Parliamentary Group, the Gulu Peace Walk, efforts by Bishop John Baptist Ondama, and Kacoke Madit, a gathering in London called by the Acholi. They all came and went with little to show for it. Then came Jason Russell and the new documentary titled Kony 2012. The West’s publicity geniusWhatever criticism that we level at it and the objections we raise about its naivety, we cannot take away the most important fact about Kony 2012 - it has worked. It is one of the most brilliant and successful marketing and distribution achievements of 2012. It is this, rather than the contentious angle of the film, that has shaken me the most. By 1pm Ugandan time on Friday March 9, 49,639,775 views of this video had been registered on the YouTube video-sharing website. It is this ability to totally dominate the media, the advertising and distribution channels that has led to the worldwide popularity of the English Premier League and the global instant facial and name recognition of otherwise unremarkable American socialites such as Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian and even, to a large extent, Oprah Winfrey. One of the things that make the video so compelling is its opening four minutes. It sounds like one of those scary, end-of-the-world scare stories. It starts off with a suspense-filled narration that gives an overview of how the Internet is changing the world and into the fourth minute, one starts sensing the direction it is about to take. The film, directed by Russell, is full of the stereotyping of Tropical Africa and the Black world so familiar to Africans. It is narrated through children’s eyes and seeks to or manages to tug at the heart. In many ways, it is a continuation of the 2007 film The Last King of Scotland, in which the former Ugandan president Idi Amin is portrayed through the eyes of a White westerner who spent some time in Uganda: Africans having their own history told to them through the lenses of Europeans or Americans. Kony 2012 is part a “Lost Boys” of Sudan type documentary centred on the suffering of Black Africans living in almost Aboriginal backwardness. It is part a Band Aid (Do They Know Its Christmas) and USA For Africa (We Are the World) famine relief effort, part amateur home video, part Oprah Winfrey on-camera confessional. It is part a commentary the impact of Facebook and other social media on global society, part a ringing clarion call to America not to retreat into isolation but continue to be a moral force for good in the world. Growing trendsFinally, it is part the familiar post-1990s, patronising White Western obsession with fashionable, feel good social causes and human rights crusading. A 21st Century Internet Woodstock, featuring the efforts of lonely, liberal, young Western (White) citizens whose creed - now that they live in essentially secular societies - is the news religion of doing anything “to make the world a better place.” As it is with most Western, English-speaking portrayal of the world’s distressing situations, Kony 2012 starts off from the point of defining everything as good guys and bad guys. As simple as that. Hardly any background and in depth research. Just an appeal to the side of human beings that gets outraged by appalling evil. Russell the narrator gets into recommendations on what should be done: the United States must send troops to Uganda (Uganda, by the way, is located in East Africa, not Central Africa, as Russell states) to apprehend Kony. 1 | 2 Next Page»This particular part in the documentary urging America to put its boots on the ground in Uganda struck many Ugandans as suspicious. This is the way the “Arab Spring” started and how the hysterical reporting on the Syrian “activists” started off. For more than 20 years, Uganda’s best-educated political, academic and media elite had tried their best to report on, analyse and publicise the story of Joseph Kony. Annual meetings, the Kacoke Madit of the Acholi community in the Diaspora made this their top concern. And yet here we are, a 29-minute, 59-second film shot by three young Americans led by cinematographer Jason Russell debuts on Monday March 5, 2012 and by Thursday night March 8, 2012, the video has spread into every nook of the Internet, trending on Twitter, flooding Facebook and discussed on most of the top entertainment and news television channels in the United States. This is a lesson that Africa must learn from this video, that is if most Africans are not already painfully aware of these cold facts. Much more investment should be made in the media, in marketing and in understanding how these shape Western public opinion. For years, Africans have had to get used to world news bulletins from Western TV and radio stations that highlight the disappearance of a White tourist on a hitch-hiking trip in Namibia or surfing on the beach in Indonesia. Whatever the Western world sets its mind upon becomes the interest - or is made the interest of the rest of the world. However, as said before, the main focus of this article is looking on, intrigued, at how central a media narrative and reporting angle is in shaping Western public opinion and this opinion later turns into concrete state policy. It was this social activism, this organisational ability especially of White Americans, that in 2008 created the phenomenon that became Barack Obama. The Spice Girls in the 1990s, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Madonna and Michael Jackson in the 1980s, the Beatles in the 1960s - all these were global sensations created by this concept of an idea “going viral”. That is partly the way huge global brands like Apple, Coca-Cola, Nike and Fruit-of-the-Loom were created. The video Kony 2012 is not striking in any particular way, be it in the cinematography or script. Its main strength might be in the moral appeal to an indifferent world. But as has now happened, its absolute success has come about mainly because there exists a marketing, distribution, publicity and fundraising machinery in the West that drives much of everything. timothy_kalyegira@yahoo.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/1355374/-/10cup7nz/-/index.html","content":"Fencing ideas that suit your wallet, style - According to Pearson Rubaramira, an architect, a fence is an enclosure or barrier. “A fence is basically used to divide space or used as a boundary marker. It can be used for any kind of establishment from a home, hotel, school or game park” he explains. Rubaramira adds that in most countries including Uganda, there are no specific rules on fences but general building rules are usually followed when fencing. “However for estates, the owner of a plot is required to demarcate where his land stops in order to avoid conflict” he says. Types of fences According to Rubaramira, there are generally two types of fences Common fences:These are mainly found in urban areas or commercial centers because they usually border an area owned by another person. It is therefore located in the center of a boundary leaving no allowance. Own fences:These are usually found in villages. In most cases, it is a division of land owned by the same person but who wishes to divide it. It is therefore done at will and not under any obligation. In this case, the demarcation/fence doesn’t necessarily have to be at a boundary.Fence designs Simple wooden fencesThese are fences made out of wooden poles or posts for the simple purpose of dividing space. They are usually used for simple purposes such as dividing rentals. Materials used can range from timber, steel rods, blocks and are usually not more than 120cm high. Rustic fenceThese are usually used in rural areas. They are simple hedge-like fences that are not well thought through. They do not last long because they are mobile. One can use trees to make rustic fences. They are usually about 1.5 meters high. Ornamental fenceThese have a more elaborate design and are usually solid perimeter walls. They usually have a minimum height of 1.8 meters. Hedge with wire nettingThis is a simple fence with a chain link or wires with poles. One can also plant creeping plants to add beauty to the fence. Adding a touch of nature to the fence is an environmentally friendly practice. Its minimum height should be 1.2 – 1.8 metres long. It can also be made with a solid concrete bottom made of bricks with poles erected in it. The height of the base should range between 30-50 centimetres.Factors to consider when choosing a fence The locationThe type of fence chosen should suit the area’s location. If it is an urban area, then it will follow suit with the commonly used fences in the area which in this case are solid perimeter walls because of the security. For rural areas, the fence can be simple. Security of the areaThe security of an area has a big influence on the kind of fence a house should have since a fence is a protective covering to a home. Most urban areas are insecure and that is why most have solid perimeter walls, which should be at least 1.8 meters. It is not so insecure in rural areas which is why the fences are mostly simple. The nature of the land on which the fence is to be built also matters a great deal. If the land is slopping, it affects the design of the foundation or the sub structure. Sloppy areas are prone to dangers of flooding and landslides, which increases pressure on the foundation of the fence. It also affects the height of a fence because if a house is on a hill, the fence would be shorter than if it were on a flat landscape. It also affects the kind of materials used because if it is sloppy, solid materials like quarry stones have to be used in order to support the topography. Appeal/appearanceThis is entirely dependent on a home owner’s choice and this in turn affects details like design, height, colour of paint and décor used. A shorter fence is generally more appealing because we are relational beings by nature so they are more suitable for homes. 1 | 2 Next Page»Size of the compoundIf a plot is big enough, it is ok to have a high perimeter wall since it also acts as a wind breaker but if it is small, it isn’t advisable to have a high solid fence because it limits ventilation by boxing in the home. Usually, with small plots, the wall is very close to the home because of lack of space which becomes a blockade to natural light. MaterialsThis is an important factor because it determines the strength and life span of the fence. They include timber, steel aluminum, wrought iron, bricks, concrete blocks, quarry stones or plastics. Rubaramira advises that the timber used has to be treated to prevent it from rotting or insect attack. This can be done by immersing it in oil. For steel, it can be protected against rust by applying red oxide or by painting. Galvanised steel comes already treated. Blocks and bricks must be plastered to protect them against water. DesignThere are several fence designs but a design of the fence normally depends on a home owner’s personal taste and the architect usually makes a fence design that rhymes with that of the house. For the wooden fences, designs include concave, convex, dog ear cut, regular point, gothic point etc. Iron fence designs include Essex, concord, concord deluxe or arche. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1320042/-/b0vmymz/-/index.html","content":"Tourism facilities degrading wetlands  - minister - Irresponsible development of tourism facilities is watering down government efforts to protect wetlands, the Minister of State for Environment has said. Ms Flavia Munaba listed unplanned recreation centres and tourism facilities, infilling, drainage, poor waste management and unregulated agricultural activities ass source of the development that compromised the benefits of wetlands to the tourism sector. Ms Munaba was officiating at the World Wetlands Day in Rakai District on Friday under the theme “Wetlands- Supporting Tourism for Our Survival. Make It or Break It.” “This year’s theme challenges us to think deeper about the immense value of wetlands to eco-tourism sector. We need to take into consideration the different events and human activities that are taking place in and around these valuable wetlands and relate this to whether 50 years from now we will still have the wealth we are enjoying from them currently,” Ms Munaba said. “Despite all the tremendous work government has accomplished in the area of wetland conservation and management, wetland abuse still continues in a number of areas in the country in particular activities related to irresponsible tourism.” Massive destructionAt least 570,000ha of wetlands have been lost in the past 15 years alone, a 2009 National Biomass Study reveals. This has been largely due to disregard of the environmental laws with impunity. The ministry of Water and Environment estimates wetland value to local households at $11.4 million (Shs22.8bn) per annum. Part of this income is generated through eco-tourism activities in various communities. This is in addition to the natural benefits of the natural resources like water filtration and retention balancing of the hydrological cycle by maintaining both surface and underground water supply among other benefits. But with continued degradation, scientists fear, the country could face adverse water scarcity, flooding and loss of biodiversity if the trends are not checked. flanyero@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/KaroliSsemogerere/-/878682/1318268/-/3sx927z/-/index.html","content":"Too many crusaders, not enough crusades - Ugandans are very religious people. Christianity, introduced only about 125 years ago, claimed more than 80 per cent of Uganda’s population, Islam claimed 15 per cent of the rest. Uganda is unique on the African continent; it had the first ideology-based conflict namely the religious wars between the different believers that caused tumult in the founding of modern Uganda. Uganda’s politics and social life seem to have inherited this curse of belief-based conflict. There are values that Ugandans seem to agree on: democracy, good governance, elimination of corruption, improvement in their way of life, etc. Politicians have mastered the language they package to voters. Mr Museveni’s long rule, of course, has provided a backdrop for some of these aspirations. In fact, the end of Museveni’s now eternal presidency is a burning issue linked to all these issues. Outside of politics, every so often one public servant or another seems to capture the public’s fantasy with drastic reform for a short period of time prior to sinking into oblivion, or being pushed aside. The list of one-time crusaders now villains is long: Dr Shem Masaba, the Minister for Animal Industry, who resigned in 1987 for suggesting every public servant was corrupt. David Wasswa Lule, former Deputy IGG, who was forced to resign after writing that human rights atrocities continued under NRM rule. Basoga Nsadhu, the former Busiki MP, who ran from police while barefoot and died a firm establishment politician. In the 1990s, the public tuned in to several commissions of inquiry- the Justice Ssebutinde inquiry into corruption in the Police Force that ended with zero criminal convictions. These were later in the 2000s followed by inquiries into corruption at URA, Gavi and Global Fund. The 2000s saw the return of some fighting zeal at the IGG’s office. Justice Faith Mwondha seemed to find chronic problems in Uganda’s energy sector but paid a dear price for stepping onto many toes. Of course, in 2011 the country began dimming again and Justice Mwondha, who in her dying days at the IGG’s office asked the Fountain of Honour to rescue her with a presidential pronouncement, has long retreated to obscurity at the Nakawa Courts. Her assistant, Raphael Baku, may go the same way or has learnt his lesson after bungling the prosecution of former VP Gilbert Bukenya and aiming to prosecute three ministers at the same time for Chogm related offences. Once Bukenya stood in the dock, the same Ugandans who are obsessed with corruption began painting victimhood all around him and Baku had to fold his tail. 2011 and 2012, it seems, will belong to the latest new generation of crusaders at City Hall. Kampala Capital City Authority’s objectives are very lofty: implementing the law, efficient service delivery and cutting generations of waste and graft at City Hall. KCCA arrived on the back of the Nasser Sebaggala administration (former Democratic Party turned independent turned Liberal Democratic Party turned NRM). Mr Ssebaggala, in a popular recording, states he left City Hall with a spotless record, not even the IGG investigated him. Right up there with Mr Ssebaggala is Uganda’s most famous state minted billionaire Hassan Basajjabalaba. In Basajja’s wake lie ministers, officers of State, including the Central Bank Governor. The high and the mighty fall to his feet when he shows up with the right paperwork. In Basajja’s awe lie many of the paper tiger opposition politicians whom he treats well and does business with. The cries for Mr Basajja’s head are so few and far in between and from the look of things the latest public space to enter his empire-- Clock Tower-- will remain his with official police protection. KCCA’s zeal to enforce the law began hitting a rocky stretch when they began systematically, for the first time in years, publishing violation list(s) of the powerful and mighty who have set up concrete time bombs on the streets of the city. Some of these concrete time bombs include security walls which gravely disturb the in-situ soils and are responsible for the increase in street flooding. For sometime, it has become major news that labourers die at construction sites for all sorts of reasons. Some death traps remain for all to see. A young officer, George Agaba, who set out to enforce the law is probably on his way to Luzira facing capital murder charges for responding to a cry from his bodyguard, Santos Komakech, to recover his firearm in a physical eviction exercise that set one ill-armed group against another ill-armed group. YouTube shows a cool and calm Komakech operating the tools of his trade- shooting something at close range. You-Tube does not show that someone was advancing with a panga and heading for this firearm. Of course, one of the audibles on YouTube is yelling “Piga Rapid” to which Komakech responds with more fire. Today, Agaba for all his efforts, is now one of the nation’s most wanted. His career has possibly ended with so many dream terms- the Roads Act, Public Health Act, and Physical Planning Act, etc. We are now ready for another crusade. Mr Ssemogerere, an attorney and social entrepreneur, practices law in New York. kssemoge@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1314020/-/b1fen3z/-/index.html","content":"Wakiso roads to suffer more rot as government cuts funding - Wakiso Roads in Wakiso could suffer more damage after government announced a cut in road funds from Shs1.7 billion last year to Shs1.1 billion this year, district chairperson Lwanga Bwanika, has said. Mr Bwanika said although poor road network is a national concern, President Museveni informed district leaders in a State House meeting last week that it has cut funds it invests in roads as economic hardships worsen. He said the cut means, “we shall do less road maintenances and constructions”. Mr Bwanika made the revelations while launching the upgrading of two feeder roads, Kyengera-Nabaziza- Nabingo (2.5kms) in Nsangi Sub-county and Gombe- Kakerenge (10kms) in Gombe Sub-county. His fears came days after Uganda Road Fund (URF), a government agency responsible for managing road funds, announced that it expects a decline in standards of several national roads due to limited funds. Eng. Michael Odongo, the URF executive director, said some of the key challenges they expect in the 2012/13 financial year include: poor state of an extra 10,000 kilometers of upgraded district roads, extra deterioration of urban, municipality and KCCA roads and general poor road safety. According to the fund, the anticipated damage will result from poor road use, limited funds and rains in the second half of the year. Wakiso District records highest traffic flow after Kampala since it connects all regions to the city. Most of the district roads are murram, making them vulnerable to destruction by rain, which usually washes away bridges, blocks sewage channels and cuts off roads due to flooding. Mr Bwanika asked residents to reinstate voluntary community service (bulungi bwansi) as an alternative to maintaining the roads. “The district will try to utilise the little it will receive, but residents should also supplement our efforts with bulungi bwansi,” he said. jmiti@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Travel/-/691238/1311328/-/njp507/-/index.html","content":"The delights of a coastal town - Every city has its own characteristics that distinguish it from others. However, sometimes these characteristics leave you with a smile. If you are walking in the streets of an African city and you hear whistles behind you, then you know you are in Dar es Salaam, but don’t worry no one is after you, they are just drawing people’s attention to the cold water bottles they are selling. A much needed drink in the tropical weather of this coastal town that used to be the capital of Tanzania. Many years after my initial visit to Dar, there seems to be little change in terms of infrastructure, a few new malls, some modern villas built along the coast line, but much more traffic than ever before. If you happen to arrive in the city after a rain storm and on a working day, then you should prepare yourself to sit in a car that is “floating” in water, in a jam that does not seem to be moving anywhere any time soon! And it happened that just a few days before our visit, the worst flooding in 57 years hit the city, causing human causality and leaving thousands of people homeless. Apart from a few new high-rise buildings, there are no skyscrapers shooting up on the scene, but what seems to have sky rocked is the prices of land and real estate.While here in Uganda people rush to sell their land as soon as an offer knocks the door, Tanzanians tend to favour long or short term leasing of their land which allows them keep the land title, get a rent and at the end of the day they are still land owners. How Ugandans have by now missed on this point, is now beyond repair! Our hotel had an amazing view of the harbor where one could see ships, and cargo vessels docking. I was hoping to see more traffic here than on the roads, but that was not meant to be. Coming from a landlocked country like Uganda that depends totally on its neighbours Kenya and Tanzania in terms of sea cargo, I wished there was more activity in that port to take away some of the pressure from long queues in Mombasa port causing the late arrival of cargo in Uganda, but that seems to be a long term project, or a far-fetched one for now. One of the best attractions for most tourists seems to be taking the ferry from Dar to Zanzibar, the legendary island of spices and white sand beaches. Just hop into one of the most prominent carriers- Azam marine and costal fast ferries- and two hours later you arrive in this magical island mentioned in tales that kept us mesmerised in our chairs. When adults were telling us stories, hoping to keep us busy and away from mischief, little they knew that as soon as the story came to an end, we had already created our own version of the adventures. Buckets of water were our ocean and broom sticks our swords, there was no wall too high to climb and our ultimate treasure hunt was to find the sweets meant for visitors that our parents hid away from us. Back to life in Dar es Salaam, I think the historical background of the country seems to influence its present, it is still living in a sort of cocoon. While they are kind and welcoming to visitors, encouraging new investors seems not to be a priority. A large tax payer told us that the constant increments of taxes and the ‘little flexibility’ of the Revenue authorities is pushing new investors to think twice before making a move. I hope the future brings better news, having new blood in the economy has its advantages. In our world today there is no more room for vacillation. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/Davidsseppuuya/-/1268850/1308308/-/h0atd0z/-/index.html","content":"Fundamental issues dog interest rates, inflation - Inflation is notorious - it sticks closer than a skin rash and is difficult to defeat: Germany endured Hitler, costly war defeat, and finally the generosity of its conquerors to shake off inflation and prosper. Zimbabwe suffered the indignity of adapting a foe’s currency, the US dollar, as its official cash when the Zim dollar crashed. Uganda’s inflationary problems are far from the hyperinflation of 1920s Weimar Germany or 1990s-2000s Zimbabwe. But there are lessons. To tackle inflation, Bank of Uganda has, understandably, used the usual tools – raising the central bank lending rate which, in turn, leads to a rise in commercial bank interest rates. If inflation is too much money chasing too few goods, raising interest rates means that less money is borrowed from banks and injected into the economy, “mopping up” excess money. That is what BoU believes has happened since revising the CBR every month, with the subsequent fall of headline/overall inflation from 30.5 per cent to 27.0 per cent between October and December. In that sense, maintaining high lending rates has yielded results. But there are other sides to this: first, high (unattractive) lending rates lead commercial banks to ‘store’ their money (that the general public fears to borrow) in Treasury Bills, which are safe, risk-free investments (there is no hassle in collecting them, like the banks would have in recovering loans from you and me). But, while that takes money out of circulation, it stifles productivity, and low productivity is our key weakness. Secondly, TBs attract offshore (foreign) investors, who have brought in about $222 million recently, flooding more dollars into the economy. On the face of it this is good, for it has contributed to the shilling strengthening against major currencies. But a cheap dollar also encourages importing, resulting in imported inflation. Now people like our traders who feel they have been locked out of internal trade by the high rates of borrowing would be attracted to the import trade, which militates against home –grown productivity. Disillusionment with banks could push traders out of the formal economy and, by implication, reduce an already narrow tax base. But most fundamentally, BoU’s efforts only target aggregate demand and core inflation, and not the inflation that comes from food, and energy, fuel and utilities (EFU) – Uganda Bureau of Statistics figures differentiate them. Core inflation (from salaries, government spending on goods and services, etc) is easily controlled by BoU (that is why teachers’ salaries will not increase to demanded levels), but food and EFU is beyond the central bank’s jurisdiction. For instance, this week power tariffs will increase, petrol could increase, and food prices will probably increase in the next few months as the dry season consolidates – BoU cannot control these three. Close scrutiny of UBOS figures shows that while headline/overall (which is core + food + EFU) inflation fell from 30.5 per cent in October to 27.0 per cent in December, food inflation alone fell from 35.3 per cent to 20.4 per cent in the same period (bigger harvests, Christmas sales). This implies that food probably contributed more to the drop than BoU’s core inflation/lending rate control. The strategy, therefore, should be on controlling food, energy, fuel, and utilities-related inflation. These are poorly managed. Take food: we have no stores/silos to mitigate drought and its inevitable price rises. The banana wilt is being tackled by asking farmers to slash their crops – without a stabilisation fund, what options will farmers be offered if they cut their plantations? The banana wilt that decimated Masaka in the 1980s will inevitably devastate Bushenyi. I am part of a group that planted cassava in Mubende for food and industrial purposes, but we had to transport cuttings 200km, from Namulonge. If neighbouring peasant farmers want similar cuttings (all farmers need high-yield varieties, but these are not readily available), I cannot supply them, for I am not Government. The Agriculture ministry is, instead, spending billions on renting in Kampala (leaving free facilities in Entebbe) yet it should be operating strategically placed outposts and giving services that will stabilise food supply and therefore contain food inflation. Electricity, meantime, has been undermined by the failure to optimise the under-utilised second dam at Owen Falls – Nalubaale Power Station has capacity for 180MW, Kiira Power Station is 200MW; total 380MW but we get only 80-220MW. Something is amiss. The Bujagali delay is not the main energy constraint. We hardly have any strategic fuel reserves to mitigate possible problems that could come this year, like war in the Middle East (if US/Israel fight Iran), or if the Kenyan elections go awry. We are an agrarian economy and so we need agrarian reform. We have big structural problems, including corruption, in the food, energy, fuel and utilities components, which contribute most to inflation. Sort them out and we’ll finally be on the way to an integrated self-sustaining economy. dsseppuuya@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/1299718/-/1h9g7ez/-/index.html","content":"FARMER'S DIARY: Effects of climate change on farming - Farming may be described as the process of caring for plants, insects, and animals that are valuable to us. It is a process that depends on many factors such as climate which has to do with the weather conditions of the location where we practice farming over a long period of time. For crops, insects, and animals to do well, issues such as temperature, wind, topography, and rainfall among others have to be considered. This makes it imperative for us to pay more attention to the climate change debate that has become so topical these days. Some of the crops we grow are adapted to certain temperatures and a prolonged change in temperature may render their production difficult or even impossible. Temperature is important for plant growth, flowering and fruit formation. Some plants need low temperatures for normal growth while others require high temperatures. That’s why Arabica coffee does better in the cooler Mount Elgon areas than in the warmer central region which is more suited to Robusta coffee. Scientists say that a plant loses water through a process called transpiration. Therefore abnormally high temperatures will cause excessive loss of water for the crops and lead to crop failure. High temperatures, without rainfall, not only kill grass, they discourage animals from grazing freely in the fields which retards their growth, reduces their milk production and lowers their body weight. In this kind of situation the plants do not flower well and bee keepers make losses as the bees fail to make enough honey and even starve. In the region along the equator where we live, we generally have two rain seasons from March to June and from around September to December which is a big blessing. We also have plenty of fresh water bodies in form of rivers, swamps and lakes. High temperatures cause evaporation which in turn leads to cloud formation and then, rainfall. Rainfall is important for successful growth of our crops and it also supports other plant life such as the trees and the grass which are food for our animals, the birds, and insects. Most of our favourite crops such as bananas, maize, Robusta coffee, and beans are well suited to this kind of climate. However even within the equator region, there are areas that often have high temperatures without getting any rain for long periods and may be described as useless for agriculture unless irrigation and natural or artificial fertilisers are applied. As you purchase landAnyone intending to purchase land for farming must therefore pay attention to a number of considerations apart from its mere financial cost. It could be located in the rain shadow and always miss out on relief rain which, as you remember from your geography lessons, tends to fall only on the windward side of the high hills. If your land is located on the leeward side of such hills then you might have to budget for irrigation equipment. Its topological location is another factor to consider. If it is located on a steep hill or any other open space where a lot of wind passes all the time then get prepared for your fruits being blown off the trees and becoming damaged before they are ripe. Scientists say that strong dry winds are harmful to both plants and animals because they cause plants to lose more water by evaporation and transpiration. The wind could also cause the ripe fruits to fall onto the ground and break before they are normally harvested. Strong winds often break and uproot crops, causing untold losses to farmers. They are also a strong agent of soil erosion. If the land is located in the valley where rain water normally collects and stays for months it might not be suitable for such crops as maize, millet, or even bananas which cannot withstand flooding. On the other hand crops such as rice or cocoyam may flourish there. It is important to pay attention to such matters as a permanent source of water especially if you want to go in for animal husbandry or bee keeping. With more education and development our farmers will hopefully engage in daily weather record-keeping so that after some years they will be in a better position to cope with the climate induced risks facing their occupation. In their jointly edited book Experimental Agriculture PJM Cooper, R Coe, and RD Stern said, “Rainfall variability, both within and between seasons, creates an underlying risk and uncertainty for current farm-level production as well as for potential impact of innovations designed to improve crop, soil and livestock management practices. This uncertainty discourages the adoption of improved farming practices.” 1 | 2 Next Page»ssalimichaelj@gmail.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1271188/-/12p2hm5z/-/index.html","content":"Something must be done about the looming lake catastrophe - There is nothing without advantages. Going to the Women’s Prison to visit Ingrid Turinawe showed me how much the wetland behind the prison has been encroached on. Buildings are sprouting and eating up the wetland between Kitintale and Bugolobi. It is as if the iron sheet-roofed Kitintale valley tectonic plate is sliding towards the Bugolobi tiled posh mansions on the slope falling from the former National Housing flats. As you continue beyond the Women’s Prison, construction has already crossed the Port Bell railway line rapidly moving towards Namuwongo. The valley between Kitintale and Mbuya has already been bridged by houses of various shapes leading to periodic flooding between Kitintale and Silver Springs Hotel. A combination of these housing developments with developments in the Industrial Area, which is also slowly creeping towards the lake, means that the lake is slowly being suffocated from the southern end of Nakawa Division. These uncontrolled and largely unplanned developments near the lake are replicated in all areas of Kampala and its environs. We are watching a catastrophe developing and nothing is being done by all the authorities charged with the duty to make sure that such things don’t happen. In the short run it is the pollution of the lake that is obvious and the frequent flooding that takes place every now and then in various places of Kampala. However, Ugandans may recall that in 1961 the lake rose by a few feet and large areas around the lake were inundated for a long time. That is the time the rail connection to Port Bell was disconnected only to be rebuilt in the 1980s when the lake had returned to its previous level. If, therefore, the lake ever rises again, there could be heavy loss of life and property. A government in place must be alert to such possible eventualities and prevent them from ever happening. In Nigeria recently, an overnight heavy rain killed more than 100 people and destroyed a lot of property. This should be a warning to us. I have heard the sad news of Prof. Dani Wadada Nabudere death. I first knew the professor when I was in S5 at Ntare in 1965. He came to Mbarara with Professor Yoweri Kyesimira to give a public lecture and as curious young people, some of us went to listen to them at the Catholic Social Centre. He was then a young man full of energy and revolutionary zeal. Trying to find out who he was, we were informed that for being outspoken he had got into trouble with UPC, the then ruling party. When Amin took power he was appointed Chairman of the East African Railways Corporation, a position that earned him some amount of criticism. I first really knew him when he started teaching law at Dar es Salaam University and also became very active in the anti- Amin struggle. Dar of those days was the centre of revolutionary politics in East and Southern Africa and Prof Nabudere was at the centre of the debates between the different revolutionary strands in Dar es Salaam. He was such a prolific writer and hard worker than anyone I know. If he felt strongly on an issue, the next day he would have produced a hundred-page treatise on the matter. When the war against Amin broke out, he eventually became central to the organisation of the Moshi Conference and the formation of UNLF. More recently, though he has not been a member of any party, he has been very active advising and facilitating the opposition whenever he was called upon. I also know that he has been interacting with numerous members of the ruling party. He has frequently written long articles in the press on many topical issues. Recently when involved in some work relating to the Tanzanian Union experience we found out that he had made some contribution to the formation of Tanzania as a legal expert. For more than 50 years, Professor Nabudere has therefore not only made a big contribution to the political development of Uganda but to Africa as a whole. He was virtually the godfather of revolutionary (Marxist) politics in this region. May God rest him in eternal peace. Mr Ruzindana is a former IGG and MPa_ruzindana@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/1268752/-/b5j9lh/-/index.html","content":"Expanding market stirs up water business competition - When a young investor of Indian origin decided to start a water bottling company called Rwenzori Beverages, his own family reportedly laughed off his request for a loan to kick-start his business. The banks were apparently not any understanding either, with many of them asking who would buy merely “packaged water” in a country where one could easily go to any home and ask for it. Nonetheless, Mahmood Somani persisted with his dream and managed to get it off the ground in 1993. With a unique marketing strategy that turned drinking bottled “mineral water” into a status symbol, the company quickly grew in leaps and bounds. By the time Somani cashed in his chips in early 2010, selling the company to beer giant SABMiller, he reaped a reported $18 million. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the entry of at least two dozen companies into the water bottling business within a little over 15 years after the launch of Rwenzori provided a crucial pointer to the continuously growing market for bottled water not just in Uganda but across at least five neighbouring countries. The five countries are Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with some companies saying DR Congo could in the near-future become an even bigger market than South Sudan currently is. As local and foreign markets grow, one of the latest entrants into the water bottling sector is Vero Foods Ltd. The new company is owned by local investors led by Emmanuel Katongole, who is more renowned as one of the brains behind ARV manufacturing firm Quality Chemicals. So what would draw an investor like Katongole into what already seems like a crowded sector? Mr Katongole was not around to respond to that question, as he was reportedly out of the country. However, the General Manager of Vero Foods Ltd, Robert Ssemakula, said the studies they had carried out returned positive information. “We analysed the market and the players who were in the market when we entered did not have the capacity to satisfy the growing demand for water,” he said. Vero Foods Ltd launched their products on May 6 this year and, according to Mr Ssemakula, their sales have steadily tripled with every passing month since then. The company introduced a 0.3 litre bottle, which is now the smallest and most handy bottle in the Ugandan market, to create an altogether new market segment. In total, 27 water bottling companies had been certified by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) by the end of September 2011. The UNBS Quality Assurance Manager, Gyaviira Musoke, also told Prosper that the standards body is currently processing the certification applications of another 10 companies. The influx of water bottling companies on the Uganda market has however brought with it a series of attendant challenges, mainly stemming from the stiffer competition. Chief executives of some of the leading water bottling companies complained that due to the intensity of competition, some firms were engaging in unscrupulous practices. During an interview at his company headquarters in Namanve, the managing director of Rwenzori Bottling Company, Kirowi Suma, for instance argued that some of the companies were flooding the market with sub-standard products. “If you have people who are not adhering to the standards, definitely they bring in water which is not up to the standards,” he explained. “The water produced below the standards is sold cheaply and people will usually go for the cheap water without knowing about the quality and the hygiene.” Mr Suma, who doubles as the vice chairman of the Uganda Water Bottling Companies Association, wondered whether UNBS has the requisite capacity to monitor the operations of all players in the sector. UNBS official Musoke however said in a separate interview that the water sector is one of those that the standards body is confident it is monitoring well. He showed Prosper a set of standard requirements that each water bottling company must fulfill periodically in order to receive and maintain its certification licence. In addition, according to Mr Musoke, all companies must carry out microbiological and chemical analysis of their water at least twice a month in UNBS laboratories as an additional measure to ensure the safety of the water. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/DanielKalinaki/-/878782/1266278/-/sf97jyz/-/index.html","content":"We’re gifted by nature but God won’t tend to our farms - Finance minister Maria Kiwanuka has recently attributed the woes of the Ugandan economy to troubles in the European Union. It all started around 2008 when the US credit crunch and resultant economic crisis affected large swathes of the western world. How would it all affect us and what, if anything, could we do to protect our interests? ‘There is nothing to fear,’ the Men in Suits told us. ‘We are too strong, too clever, too far away from the cancer, and too gifted by nature to be affected.’ Then the price of food started rising.‘It is the drought,’ the Men in Suits said. ‘Once the rains come we shall have food growing all around us, the prices will go down, and everyone will be happy, well fed, and have some change in their pockets.’ The rains came but the prices of food continued to rise or stayed high. ‘It is the rains,’ the Wise Men in Suits countered. ‘They were heavier than expected and have caused flooding so we can’t harvest the food and even if we try the trucks will get stuck in the muddy roads.’ Other, Even Wiser, Men in Suits added: ‘Stop eating imported food. It is bad for your cash flow and your cholesterol.’ So we went in search of potatoes, cassava and bananas only to find that they, too, now cost more because of the drought and the rains and the roads and maybe God. So almost a year after the wicked, pocket-emptying ogre of inflation reared its ugly head, the prices of food remain high and have now ‘infected’ the prices of non-food items, which have also risen sharply. At current inflation rates, if one kept their money in the bank it would be wiped out in three years. ‘It is the Euro zone crisis,’ the Wise Men in Suits now tell us, looking not-so-gifted-by-nature or smug anymore. ‘And those greedy Chinese buying up everything.’ 2008 feels so far away, yet so near. We have blamed God, we have blamed the sun, we have blamed the wind, we have blamed the rain but maybe it is time we blamed the last remaining thing on the list; ourselves. Let us ignore the macro-economic debate this time and focus on the most basic of issues: the rising cost of food. In theory, the higher prices are driven by higher demand from new markets such as South Sudan and Kenya, and are leaving farmers with more money in their pockets. In reality, while some farmers at the start of the food chain are selling their produce more expensively, most of the higher margins are either kept by middle-men due to a lack of cooperative marketing groups among farmers, or eroded by the parallel rise in the cost of transport, farm inputs, and household items. While we boast of our comparative advantage as the region’s food basket, the numbers tell a different story. For instance, while cultivated land area increased by 18 per cent between 1990 and 2005, the population grew faster, by about 45 per cent over the same period. During the same period, the land area under commercial farming remained stagnant, at about 685 square kilometres. We sing about Naads and Bonna Bagaggawale and show off so-called Model Farmers (some standing in front of goats and cows borrowed from their neighbours) but the facts cut through these publicity stunts. Banana production fell from 9.6m tonnes in 2004 to 9.5m tonnes in 2009 according to the latest official figures available from Uganda Bureau of Statistics. Rice production grew from 121,000 tonnes to 181,000 in the same period, while livestock and milk production increased by three per cent between 2008 and 2009, which looks a tad impressive – until you consider that a million Ugandans, each of whom has to be fed, are born every year. 1 | 2 Next Page»We celebrate agriculture’s declining share of GDP and fail to acknowledge that it is not followed by a commensurate fall in the number of Ugandans living off the earth, currently more than one in seven. We need to stop paying lip-service to agriculture and realise that being a food basket does not mean holding out our national hands in the shape of a basket and waiting for food to fall from heaven. We need to invest more of the national budget in irrigation, fertiliser importation and manufacture, as well as mechanisation and organising farmers to achieve economies of scale. Our soils are so fertile that if you left a walking stick in the ground long enough it could grow into a tree – but in order to feed ourselves and make money out of agriculture, we need to invest in science, not hope for miracles. dkalinaki@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1262424/-/bhgqenz/-/index.html","content":"Uganda’s population to hit 100m in 2050 - Kampala Uganda, with its high fertility ratio of about seven children per family, is likely to see its population rise to 103.2 million by 2050, latest projections indicate. Government released the projections yesterday while launching a report that assesses the state of the country’s population, with a pledge that it is keeping a keener eye on the implications of Uganda’s high growth rate. The announcement coincides with the timing of a global report, which shows that the world population will hit the seven billion mark on Monday. The State of Uganda Population Report 2011, launched in Kampala yesterday alongside the State of the World Population Report 2011, paints a picture of a country whose rapidly rising population could have “negative impacts” for its per capita economic growth. Throughout most of that time, the majority of Uganda’s population is likely to be young – leaving a perpetually huge weight of dependence on a small number of productive Ugandans. Currently, according to the 120-page report, some 69 per cent of Uganda’s population is under 24 years of age. However, in a speech read by Finance Minister Maria Kiwanuka, Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi noted that the “government regards population as a crucial resource that can be harnessed for national development.” Estimates published in the report, whose focus this year was on reproductive health, show that if Uganda succeeded in reducing its population growth rate from the current 3.2 per cent to 2.4 per cent in the medium term, the country’s annual growth of per capita GDP could rise by between 0.5- 0.6 per cent. Fertility“If we additionally consider the impact of the population dynamics such a reduction would entail, per capita economic growth could increase by between 1.4 and 3.0 percentage points per annum as long as Uganda would be in the phase of the ‘demographic gift’ with falling population growth but still substantial labour force growth,” it adds. The report also adds that Uganda has an unusually large discrepancy in fertility between the highly educated (3.9) and the women with low education (7.8), which it says makes Uganda’s poor prone to being caught in a poverty trap which keeps poverty high, widens inequality and reduces economic growth. In its analysis of the impact of population growth on resources, the report says more than 80 per cent of Ugandans rely directly upon land, agriculture, and fishing for their livelihoods, but environmental indicators reveal trends of degrading agricultural lands, soil erosion, deforestation, drainage of wetlands, loss of bio-diversity, reduced range land capacity, and increased pollution. The report also indicates that the growth of urban populations throughout Uganda is placing particular stress on municipalities that already lack the infrastructure to meet current water and sanitation needs. “In these urban areas, flooding, poorly constructed latrines, and the resultant run-off of solid waste contaminate water ways and further exacerbate diarrheal disease outbreaks. As such if the trend persists, there shall be several challenges to future growth and structural transformation unless serious measures are taken to convert it into a population dividend,” explains the report, which adds that even in densely populated Kampala, 85 per cent of households rely on pit latrines. Comparing Uganda’s socio economic indicators with those of other countries in Africa and Asia that have lower population growth rates, the report says Uganda’s high population growth rate exacerbates poverty and constrains the household’s and the government’s efforts to provide quality social services such as education and health. “The problem with a fast-growing population is not the growth itself, but “rapid, unplanned growth,” concludes the report. “It is conceded that growth is a natural process that guarantees continuity of existence of living things. However, the process of growth is determined by important variables, which include; age structure, sex and distribution. The decisions and policies we make today, and the options available to young people, will ultimately determine the quality of the population in 2050.” In his statement, however, Mr Mbabazi said the government is now closely monitoring the country’s population trends, “not only in numbers but also in terms of what implications such numbers mean to the provision of services such as health, education, housing, food, [and] employment.” 1 | 2 Next Page»holuka@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1237892/-/13wscvwz/-/index.html","content":"A situation report seven months after the 2011 general election - Uganda’s general elections were held on February 18. In the time between the polls and today, September 18, one is hard-pressed to find any positive news in the seven months since. It has become standard commentary in Uganda’s news media to take a critical and even cynical view of politics and public figures. However, this time alarm and cynicism are more than warranted. President Yoweri Museveni has remained at the centre of most national news, often coming across as a one-man government. The President visited Rwanda and donated $300,000 to a school there, even after Uganda’s long-suffering school teachers had appealed for a pay rise and were told by the government that there was no such money for them. The Kampala businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba returned to the news and as is usual with him, not for his investment achievements but because he is once again is the recipient yet another stimulus package on the orders of the President. Then, State House was reported by the Daily Monitor last week to have requested another supplementary budget, this one of Shs190 billion. The President got into the act of giving away part of the Mabira forest in central Uganda to the sugar producer Sugar Corporation of Uganda, even when the company’s owners declared they had no interest in it. Yes, there was also the public outcry that the government was planning to purchase Russian-made SU-30 fighter-bomber jets for an undefined future war. In commenting and reporting on these developments, most of the country’s radio and television talk shows, as well as newspaper news reports and editorial comments have failed to capture the true import of what is going on. John Nagenda and the WikiLeaks cables Just when it had seemed the US diplomatic cables published by the website WikiLeaks.org starting last year had dried up, a fresh batch has started to come out over the last three weeks. In a separate but related development, the Senior Presidential adviser on the media, John Nagenda, gave an eye-opening, mouth-watering exclusive interview with the paper he has always bashed and scorned, the Sunday Monitor of September 4, 2011. The only significant element in Nagenda’s interview was that Nagenda now no longer cares about concealing his views on the state of affairs within the NRM and within State House. Equally, what is significant is that the American government, through its embassy in Kampala, is fully aware of the degenerate state that Uganda has turned into. With the media having harped on this for years, the outcry by the opposition and now the internal mummerings from within the NRM, it is now clear: whatever had been expected of the NRM in 1986 when it first came to power, it has proved a failure. Western diplomats in Kampala are aware of it all --- the massive corruption, the cynical manipulation of the constitution to remove the limits to President Museveni’s terms in office; the kickbacks surrounding Uganda’s oil exploration contracts; the rumoured moves to place Museveni’s son, Lt. Col. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, in line of succession; the fact of Museveni’s declining popularity and of rigged elections in Uganda. What Ugandans have read so far are the cables from US embassies to the State Department. We have not read or heard of the cables that the largest foreign donor and group of embassies to Uganda, the European Union, sends off to the European Union headquarters in Brussels. The cables are formal, well-written, matter-of-factly, and broadly reflect the common knowledge within political and media circles in Kampala. All personalities named in the cables are correctly identified by name and title. There are none of the usual western errors in spelling African names. None of the cables so far published reveal any surprise at the information given to them by insiders from the NRM. Even the claim by Mike Mukula that the funds intended for fighting malaria and HIV in Uganda were diverted by the First Lady do not take US diplomats in Kampala aback. Most of the cables were transmitted to Washington, D.C. in 2009. This means that even within the ruling NRM government, senior officials well knew the true state of affairs within the country long before the February elections. Many Ugandans in Kampala, living abroad or in the main upcountry towns have been aware of the true nature of the debauchery and corruption within the NRM government for several years now since the emails of a one Smart Musolin and the dissident website Radio Katwe first burst on the scene in 2005 and 2006. If these cables published by WikiLeaks are mostly from 2009, we can assume that cables of a similar nature have been regularly sent to Washington since the 1990s. And yet what are we constantly told by various United States administrations? Uganda is a model of fiscal discipline, Museveni a heroic leader who rescued Uganda from the “dark days” of Idi Amin and Milton Obote, Uganda’s economy is one of the most vibrant in Africa. 1 | 2 Next Page»What next after leaked cablesAssuming the cables had not been leaked by WikiLeaks, when did the State Department plan to do with them? Issue warnings to the Uganda government? Press Museveni to sack corrupt cabinet ministers? Use the information to blackmail the president into continuing to support their now 10 year “War on Terror”?If the WikiLeaks documents should remind the country, the western governments in whom many place their hopes to pressure the government to reform, will not be the solution. Notwithstanding their calls for better governance and a clampdown on corruption, western political, commercial and military interests in Uganda are not necessarily the same as Ugandans’ own national interests. That Uganda is fast approaching state collapse is now no longer an opinion. Every day, thousands of small businesses sit idle without electricity. The rains of the last six weeks and the flooding on Kampala’s roads are a motorist’s first-hand experience. At the last count, national inflation was at 21.4 per cent and to most ordinary Uganda’s, it feels more like 40 percent. By now, the news media should have started making the switch from simply reporting the depressing things going on to starting to prepare Uganda for the reality of state collapse and so, a discussion either how to cope with it or how to prepare for the aftermath. Since it is now obvious to the media, the foreign embassies in Kampala, the opposition, academia, civil society and an increasing number of senior NRM leaders that the great hope of 1986 has now come to this, it is time for the closing arguments, time to start some closure on the Museveni presidency. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1171714/-/c0xk8rz/-/index.html","content":"10 key issues new Cabinet must fix - From insecurity to corruption, galloping inflation to fast disappearing forest cover, President Museveni’s new Cabinet has its work cut out. Can they break decades of incompetence and inefficiency to deliver? SECURITYThe incoming Security minister, Muruli Mukasa, is best remembered for declaring Rwanda an enemy state around 2001 when relations between the two states were at their lowest. He will offer the President a trusted hand on the country’s intelligence agencies, which have been fraught with turf and money wars. The job of keeping a leash on the increasingly militant police falls to Eng. Hilary Onek at Internal Affairs. After trying to reform the sector and finding a cobweb of vested interests, Mr Onek’s departure must have sparked off champagne parties in the oil and power company’s boardrooms. ECONOMYMaria Kiwanuka, the surprise appointee as Finance minister, has the academic qualifications and the technical experience as a businesswoman. What she lacks is the political nous to run a ministry that hosts some of the country’s best brains – but also its most skilled thieving pencil pushers. Hers is the thankless task of trying to keep the patronage wheel cart-pushing politicians and comprador businessmen out of the Treasury. She also has to manage the oil money and work with the Central Bank to keep inflation at bay while trying to get growth closer to double digits. UNEMPLOYMENTWith high levels of youth unemployment, job creation ought to be a top priority for the government and a ministry dedicated to creating jobs (say through pushing for pro-business reforms) would have been more useful than, say pork-barrel ministries of Bunyoro, Teso, etc. It remained under the Syda Bbumba’s new ministry of Gender and Social Affairs (did not even feature in the name of the mother ministry) and will be overseen by Mwesigwa Rukutana as state minister for “Youth, Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations”. A long mouthful of a name with very little substance behind it. ENVIRONMENTDuring the last government, then Finance Minister Syda Bbumba banned the sale, importation and production of thin polythene bags (kaveera), which are hard to recycle and clog up drains, leading to flooding in the city. Those profiting from the sale and use of buveera soon started opposing the ban on the grounds that the bags can be recycled. Their biggest supporter? Water and Environment minister Maria Mutagamba. Several months later, the recycling plants are a thin, plastic dream and the bags are still in use. Expect more of the same from the reappointed Mutagamba and more environmental woes. CORRUPTIONFor a country that has spent decades building a “legal framework” to investigate and fight corruption, there are too many institutions and not a single oversight minister. The former nominal oversight minister, for Ethics and Integrity, James Nsaba Buturo spent most of his time chasing after gays and commercial sex workers. His replacement, the Rev. Fr. Simon Lokodo, a Catholic priest, will certainly have more sermons but hardly any more action. With corruption at the highest levels of government, a state minister will have as much impact on graft as a pocketknife on a Mvule tree. INEFFICIENCYAmama Mbabazi’s elevation from self-appointed “super minister” to Prime Minister is President Museveni’s trump card to deal with the inefficiency of his government. He has his work cut out trying to supervise ministers he does not appoint and has no power to fire, and trying to breathe life into a lethargic, corrupt and unmotivated civil service. Having the President’s ear will, of course, help, as well as his good work ethic and personal discipline. However, Mbabazi will have to overcome his legendary aloofness and arrogance to get government teams to work for results and value-for-money. RULE OF LAWMaj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire has made noise in every ministry he has been deployed to but rarely for the right reasons. His stint in Lands saw widespread and controversial give-aways of public plots in the city while his stint in Trade, Industry and Tourism has seen more fights than you can shake a gorilla permit at. He is only the second [first being Janat Mukwaya] non-lawyer to hold the Justice and Constitutional Affairs docket, and while that is not a fatal flaw, his legendary poor work ethic and his need for incentives to give his best has many worried at a time of threats to constitutionality and the rule of law. OILAlthough President Museveni has received parliamentary approval to create a new Oil and Petroleum ministry, the Cabinet list did not name the minister. Deals signed with oil firms in dark, smoke-filled rooms and without parliamentary approval have led to disputes over taxes and widespread allegations of corruption. A minister needs to be named soon to push through the relevant laws – even though many say the horses might have long bolted from the barn door. Whoever is named to the job will need to have the ear of the President but the independence of mind and purpose of duty to reform a corrupt sector. EDUCATIONUnder outgoing minister Namirembe Bitamazire, the Education ministry was in safe, if not unexciting hands. It needs to be in reformist hands that are able to clean up the mess in the free education system and add quality benchmarks through the chain. The new minister, Lt. Jessica Arupo, is anything but a tested administrator. Not only is the former soldier still a Master student at Makerere University, she is much younger and much less experienced than her junior ministers. Age, of course, is not everything but building a competitive education system is more complicated than reassembling an AK-47 rifle. FOREIGN POLICYForeign Minister Sam Kutesa has many critics at home – and plenty of unanswered questions about his legendary wealth – but he has done fairly well in defending Mr Museveni’s regime abroad. With Uganda heavily involved in Somalia, Sudan, the AU, etc., it probably makes sense to have some continuity in the ministry, hence keeping Kutesa and junior minister Okello Oryem, at least for now. It is the questions at home, however, including over his role in Chogm (where he denies accusations of influence-peddling in the award of contracts), that will ultimately determine how long he stays on the job."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/909-mallinga-tours-bulambuli.html","content":" - Disaster preparedness minister Dr. Steven Mallinga walks cautiously to his official car while stepping on bricks to avoid water that had flooded the compound of Bulambuli district chairman’s office on September 15. Many areas in the northern and eastern Uganda have been affected by floods"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/623067-young-starsâ-hearts-bleed-for-bududa.html","content":" - By Joseph Ssemutooke SEVERAL artistes will, on Monday, stage a concert to raise aid for the victims of the recent landslides in Bududa. Dubbed “Moment of Silence — Bududa”, the concert is organised by Young Talent Uganda (YTU), a non-profit organisation comprising young artistes from the realms of music, dance, drama, media, visual art, sports and comedy. The concert is scheduled to take place at the KCC Grounds behind Game, at 7:00pm. Entrance fee is sh2,000. Proceeds will go towards the people of Bududa. The artistes will also lead a ‘Moment of Silence Walk’ through Kampala on Monday. In addition, a camp has been set up at the National Theatre to collect aid for the same cause. Mowzey Radio and Weasel, GNL Zamba, Michael Ross, Viboyo, Rabba Daba, Aziz Azion, Cindy, and Grace Nakimera. Poets, instrumentalists and comedians will also perform."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/623205-govt-to-plant-trees-in-landslide-prone-areas.html","content":" - By Josephine Maseruka THE Government is to embark on an aggressive tree-planting programme in the degraded mountainous areas to prevent future landslides. Disaster preparedness state minister Musa Ecweru on Monday said the Government is soliciting assistance from development partners to get tree seedlings to rejuvenate trees on slopes and mountain tops to reduce erosion and soil degradation. “This is an ambitious plan which we are committed to undertake at whatever cost if we are to avoid further calamities from landslides,” he said. Ecweru made the remarks at his office in Kampala recently while receiving a sh25m donation from the Madhvani Group of Companies to the victims of the Bududa landslides. The two cheques for sh15m and sh10m were handed to Ecweru by Enock Nkuruho, the Group’s executive director, who was accompanied by K.P. Eswa, the corporate affairs director. Nkuruho said Madhvani Group of companies was concerned about the Bududa tragedy and decided to make a contribution. The minister, illustrating with a map, showed the potentially dangerous areas where people must be re-located from. These areas include mountains Elgon and Rwenzori, areas of Kapchorwa, Sironko and Kigezi. He said the contribution by the Madhvani Group, which is one of the biggest employers in Uganda, shows that they are not only interested in the local labour but also stand with the public in difficult times. On criticism that the ministry had not done enough for the Bududa victims, Ecweru stated: “I appreciate some people feel that we have not done enough. We are not there to score credit but to offer services. We accept positive criticism that will propel us to deliver and we are committed to that.” The minister advised the organisations that are handling the resources contributed by various people to the victims to be transparent in their work."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/600185-censure-if-lotto-win.html","content":" - UGANDA LOTTO is suing government for $40 million for breach of contract. The Ministry of Finance claims that the contract was stolen but that does not explain how government ministers came to sign the contract. The Ministry of Finance should make absolutely certain that it has a watertight case. If government loses the Lotto case, then MPs would have every right to demand censure of finance ministers. Ends"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1142292/-/13ay4whz/-/index.html","content":"Big power dams not the answer to underdevelopment - Two articles in Daily Monitor of April 7 attracted my attention. One was ‘Egyptian Delegation visits Kla’. President- elect Yoweri Museveni is quoted saying: “The issue should not be the building of dams. Uganda will go ahead to construct dams for electricity generation at Bujagali and Karuma dams and elsewhere. The real threat is underdevelopment, deforestation and firewood and farming”. I don’t know the context in which the President brought in farming but I am convinced beyond reasonable doubt that he has never given himself the opportunity to explore the enormous contribution of big dam-building to underdevelopment, deforestation and food insecurity. However, I am sure he is aware that construction of Owen Falls Dam (Nalubaale) in Busoga in the late 1940s and early 1950s did not assure the majority of Basoga of a gateway to abundantly lighting their houses, working in the now collapsed industries of Jinja or to escape underdevelopment altogether. Indeed, the presence of Nalubaale and its sister dam, Owen Falls Extension Dam, has not stemmed darkness, underdevelopment, deforestation or food insecurity for the vast majority of Basoga. Not only has deforestation, food insecurity and underdevelopment sky-rocketed, mainly due to factors ranging from absolute poverty and denials of one kind or another to rising greed and corruption, including land-grabbing by a few people lucky enough to have political power and military hardware, or to access public financial resources. They are using military prowess to scare citizens into surrendering their land along with resources such as forests and swamps. Or else they are using unfairly acquired financial resources to buy public and private land at will. Besides, the people of power are making policies, laws and development choices which serve their narrow political, social and economic interests thereby promoting underdevelopment, deforestation, food insecurity and absolute poverty. Take, for example, the choice and promotion of big dams and genetically modified organisms. Usually big dams will submerge whole indigenous forests and even render neighbouring farmland unproductive by flooding and consequent silting. Most likely populations, which would otherwise be engaged in farming become internally displaced, a burden and unable to work the land because the land is more or less unavailable. Since GMOs do not entertain intercropping, they will require large tracts of land, heavy use of pesticides and fertilizers to raise their vitality, and may not allow replanting with same crop on same land. This way, they contribute to food insecurity, deforestation and underdevelopment. In the long-term, therefore, emphasis on GMOs is likely to breed desertification, food dependency and socio-political imbecility. Don’t be surprised that those in the West encouraging GMOs will, once our food granaries are dry, use food as a political weapon to demand that we toe their preferred lines in geopolitics. Buying fighter jet is no escape! The other article was ‘Bujagali power project will spur growth –govt’. The claim is that by increasing availability of electricity ,the Bujagali Power project will not only support the government’s economic growth and poverty alleviation efforts but it will also facilitate the conditions for private sector development! Hmm! Familiar stuff! What happened to Yugoslavia and Liberia is now happening to Libya! That claim doesn’t hold water. Non-economic factors may ultimately render electricity not enough to spur development. Issues of justice, human rights, equity, good governance, democracy, low corruption levels, population control, accountability, transparency, respect capacity to prioritise use of resources, and capacity to manage environment may collectively be more critical resources in determining success in development. Are big dams the answer to underdevelopment? NO! The big-dam strategy needs rethinking. Alternative energy such as solar and biogas for majority poor! Mr Owegha-Afunaduula is an environmental, social and political critic afunaduula2000@yahoo.co.uk"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/-/688342/1136946/-/us37xu/-/index.html","content":"The waning beauty of Mt. Elgon - Many years ago, Mt. Elgon slopes were green, animals enjoyed their habitat and the rivers flowed gently on its slopes. However, all that has changed, writes DAVID MAFABI. As we prepare to depart from River Soloko in Bumasifwa on the slopes of Mt. Elgon, which is one of the rivers flowing from the Mt Elgon area in Sironko, Mr Charles Giduno, our tour guide, takes a look across the segmented river in a contemplative mood. Mr Giduno stood straight in front of us as children and women went past us carrying firewood, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, vegetables, firewood while the men carried timber. He looked at all these people in disbelief; it was as though the entire strength had gone out of him. Then as a sigh of relief, he guided us slowly along empty paths, past willows and scattered forest trees, to “Jackson’s hole of death”, where we could clearly see the hitherto fertile valley, beautiful scenery as small rivers meandered downhill. “Like many of the rivers that flow from Mt. Elgon, River Soloko used to be big and was filled up with water throughout the year but it is now just no more,” he says.Paul Gidongo, who works with the Mt. Elgon Conservation Tourism Information Centre as a guide, believes that most of the rivers that provided a livelihood to about 500,000 people in Bugisu and Sebei sub-regions face extinction due to a combination of several factors, especially as a result of anti-environmental human activities like deforestation and poor farming methods. “The rivers have become streams and have dried up. Soon the rivers will disappear because of human activity. People are farming on the slopes where the rivers flow from. This will make the rivers recede in size. We are going to lose the rivers and the entire beauty of Mt. Elgon,” said Mr Gidongo. Mr Gidongo says Mt. Elgon ecosystem which provides a catchment area for lakes Victoria and Turkana and River Nile, was a home for about 400 elephants, antelopes, leopards and the protected columbus and blue monkeys, some buffaloes, giant forest hogs and waterbucks. But that ever since encroachment took precedence over conservation, most of these are disappearing, pausing a threat to the tourism industry here. “Although the mountain is covered by red laterite soils which favours the growth of thick undergrowth, the huge Elgon teak and cedar trees, man has cut these down to secure land for settlement and farming to the disservice of the functions of the big mountain. I think environmental degradation on the mountain calls for immediate conservation interventions,” says Mr Gidongo. According to the Mt. Elgon Conservation Area Manager, Mr Adonia Bintorwa, the park neighbours (encroachers) have mercilessly hunted down wildlife for game meat, cut down trees for timber and settlement and farming thereby scaring away the valuable birds and animals that are a major target for tourists. He revealed that records at the Uganda Wildlife Authority reveal that the dykers, buffaloes, leopards, red tailed monkeys, antelopes and birds hitherto potential tourist attractions have all escaped to the Kenya side of the mountain due to massive destruction of their habitat. The fauna has not been spared too and some species are now at the brink of extinction. “Of course clearances of the park forest for settlement and farming has seen destruction of traditional medicinal trees like Prunus Africana, Fagalopsis, Spathodea and Olea which are as old as 300 years. This poses a great danger of extinction of the great traditional medicinal tree species,” said Mr Bintorwa. Soaring encroachmentField work survey reports and research done by UWA indicates that the encroachment has soared to about 25,000 hectares as far as high altitude plants called Lubelia signaling great danger of environmental catastrophe for Pallisa, Budaka, Tororo and Butaleja districts, which are found in the plains. Mr Richard Matanda, the conservation area manager at Mt Elgon National Park, says setting up of farmlands inside the national park is a major threat to the Mt Elgon eco-system. An encroachment report by UWA adds that an ecological system promotes opportunities for nature watching, hunting, wild flower viewing and other recreational activities and that all most of these activities are declining due to encroachment.According to Mr Bintorwa, the forest soils have adequate physical, biological and chemical properties to maintain and improve vegetation growth, hydrologic functions, nutrients cycling and slope stability. Mr Bintorwa adds that soil productivity is sustained through nitrogen and carbon dioxide fixation, mineral release from weathering parent materials, coarse debris and other decaying matter and translocation of nutrients and that all this is reducing because of encroachment along the steep slopes of Mt Elgon. “The increasing incidents of landslides in the upper encroached hills of Mt Elgon and flooding downstreams, high incidences of malaria, recurring incidents of incessant rainfall and threats of biodiversity indicate that human life living around the mountain is in danger if government does not develop guidelines for sustaining the ecological diversity at Mt Elgon,” said Mr Bintorwa. 1 | 2 Next Page»Ecological studyAn ecological study carried out by UWA and National Water and Sewerage Corporation indicates that although most rivers that flow from Mt. Elgon National Park are drying up, the water from most of the rivers is equally now unsafe for consumption once untreated. The study report says the water quality analysis from selected rivers at the national park reveals that massive encroachment beyond the bamboo zone were endangering the ecological functions of Mt. Elgon at a great rate thereby providing a perfect recipe for an environmental catastrophe. “Four of the rivers’ samples taken inside the park and its boundaries for physico-chemical and bacterial examination, showed that due to massive encroachment the rivers had a high number of dissolved solids that contaminated the waters,” reads the report. Most contaminatedThe report further says River Manafwa that supplies water to Mbale Municipality, Tororo, Busia and Butaleja has the most contaminated water. The other affected rivers are Chebonet in Kapchorwa and Sisiyi. The Minister in-charge of General Duties, Ms Janet Mukwaya, who was on the tour of the park to seek a lasting solution for the encroachers recently evicted from there, said Mt. Elgon zone districts used to receive rainfall as early as late January but that that ever since the increase in encroachment, the rainfall patterns have reduced, streams have dried and big rivers have turned into streams. She revealed that Elgon zone stands prone to heavy landslides, mudslides, massive soil erosion and desertification if the encroachment is not checked now. Local geographers have said Bugisu and Sebei region’s fertile soils are being eroded into River Nile, Lake Kyoga and various swamps in the low-lying areas without control because of the destruction of the vegetation cover at Mt Elgon Park areas. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/-/688614/1131342/-/cw2j4h/-/index.html","content":"Managing a crisis you tried to prevent  - Crisis does not creep in on you, there are usually tell tales signs of a crisis in the making. The reason it becomes a crisis is because most organisations do not plan to handle and manage them. For listed, manufacturing and energy companies, being prepared for crisis is not a choice. In developed economies several incidences have forced such companies to deal with serious impact and as such they have accustomed themselves to deal with crisis situations. To these organisations even government crisis management is a key strategic management responsibility. Remember the recent BP oil spill in the West coast, USA, what about the Toyota recall and the recent financial meltdown that caught most corporates pants down? Those are typical cases of full-blown crises. The day I wrote this article, CNN had reported another colossal crisis in Japan, after the Earthquake on the March 11. The subsequent tsunami and an explosion at one of nuclear plants have led to radiation above legal limits which may lead to serious environmental and health implications. The meltdown if not controlled will affect thousands of lives that might get exposed to the radiation. Not forgetting the devastation and loss of life caused by the tsunami. Was Japan prepared?Here in Uganda we are talking about a looming food crisis, however, it seems the country is not aware of any contingency government plan to handle the crises. In the past there has been flooding and landslides, however, despite the fact that the government is aware of disaster prone areas, it reaction to such disasters have obscenely been wanting. Communities in such areas are not provided with guidance on how to prepare and handle them in the event that a crisis occurs. There are several stages in crisis management and a prepared organisation may use the following to minimize the impact through proactive means. Norman H. Augustine of the Harvard Business Review lists the following below as measures to counteract a crisis. Avoiding the crisisThis involves preventive measure, which is mostly skipped altogether, even when it’s the least costly way to control a potential crisis. Prepare to manage the crisisMost time Chief Executives are so preoccupied with market pressures of meeting targets and not inclined to paying attention to planning for future crisis. It’s prudent to put in place a plan to deal with any form of an undesirable outcome from certain events.Recognising the crisisMost of the time, we are like the ostrich. We hide our heads in the sand but live other parts terribly exposed. Companies tend to misclassify the problem and focus on the technical aspects ignoring the issues of perception, which tend to take longer and have big impact on the organisation’s future. Containing the crisisAt such times the damage is already done, and management is trying to contain the hemorrhage. Fast decision is required, there is no time to go to the boardroom to analyze and clarify situations. At this stage some decisive action is almost always better than no action at all. Get a resolve on solving the crisis Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there. At this stage speed is of the essence, a crisis has no respect for any one and will not simply wait. It’s likened to wrestling a Gorilla; you only rest when it rests. Profiting from the crisisEvery cloud has a silver lining, or every problem carries a seed of opportunity. Therefore try to make lemonade from the abundance of the lemons. This stage offers lessons learnt for improvement, and in some bizarre cases has led to the introduction of completely new products or business lines. In conclusion, the key thing is to think through how the crisis will impact on your future position. The public perception must be handled with openness offering information is not a bad thing. When the public and customers feel you are honest with them they will trust you and accept the mistakes. 1 | 2 Next Page»The example of Johnson and Johnson, Tylenol recall is one examples of a bad crisis that turned out in better trust for the company. In an interview with Mr Jim Burke the firm’s executive director several after the experience said, ‘If you run a public company, you cannot ignore the public ‘secondly, ‘institutional trust is a lot more important than most people realise. The operative word is trust.’ The writer is the CEO Vantage Communicationgrace.achire@vantagecom.net « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/1127378/-/11htepmz/-/index.html","content":"Why you need a secret place - When constructing houses, very few home owners invest in the construction of hiding places and yet these are very important when it comes to safety. Sometimes a hidden door is used to disguise a safe or a panic room where residents can hide in an emergency. A panic room, safe room, or hidden rooms are sometimes called secret rooms. Depending on its use, it may be called any of the above. The use and construction of secret places dates back in the 1950s when royal families built them to ensure safety of their loved ones during wars. However, this trend is catching up in these modern times as people get to know their merits.According to Mr Joshua Kisalita, an engineer with Joshmark Contractors in Kampala, secret hiding places give the most security, especially during war and in times of other disasters such as tornados because they are built with very strong material that can resist earth quake impacts. The importance Hidden rooms offer a sense of security in that, not only can an entire family hide there, but they can hide there without the intruder noticing or knowing that the room exists. Some old houses have a hidden room that no one knows about but the owner. Since the existence of a secret room is not known to many, it can be the safest place to keep family treasures from generations to generation. The secret room will offer privacy from prying eyes and a safe haven for your family in times of trouble. Mr Mustapha Musoke, a home owner with a secret room in his mansion says that sometimes the walls of our homes can’t keep nosy neighbours away from prying and such a facility (secret room), will offer one the utmost privacy and comfort, especially when one needs concentration. Also, such places provide a quiet environment for study. As the rate of unemployment intensifies, some youths engage themselves in crime like burglary. Mr Musoke says that although the country is peaceful and crime rates are reducing daily, taking precautions is advisable just to tighten security and keep one’s loved ones safe. LocationThe idea behind building secret rooms is to maximise security and privacy but without letting the intruders notice it. Safe rooms and secret passageways have been keeping powerful people safe for hundreds of years and today is no exception. Closet According to Eng Kisalita, one can create a room between two rooms and access it through a closet while in some homes just moving the bookshelves opens the secret rooms. Kitchen One can build a secret room between the kitchen and another room and access it through a fridge size space or in the kitchen unit. The idea is to make the room secret and not easily noticed. Ceilings With the increasing use of concrete ceilings, some people are also opting to construct secret rooms on such ceilings. The void in between the ceiling and the roof can also make a nice safe room which is very difficult for intruders to spot. 1 | 2 Next Page»Basement Basements and under-ground rooms are the most preferred places by many home owners since all you need is to to cover the top surface with a carpet. No one can sense that that is a gateway to another room. In most houses, the presence of the basement can go easily unnoticed. You can create an entrance to the basement from a doorway created in the floor of the ground floor. Although underground secret rooms can provide maximum protection, ensuring that they are not prone to flooding should be a necessary precaution to keep in mind. Basic considerations After choosing the location of your secret room, there are things you should include, such as; Lighting The safety of the people who will use the room should be prioritised first. It should ensure safety just like ordinary rooms. Mr Musoke explains that having emergency generators to light up the room in case power goes off is a great idea. This is to ensure that you have power when you need it for lights and communication with the outside world. Space Although this varies from one home owner to another, having enough space is necessary to make life more comfortable if the stay in such a room would be prolonged by circumstances. You need to have enough space to put a bed, seat and food for your family for a period of at least a week. Ventilation Since most secret rooms are constructed underground, having a good air circulation is important. This can be achieved by installing a generator that runs an air filtration system to allow air circulation to flow normally. A secret room should at least have major facilities just like any other room to make life comfortable. This is done especially if one will spend a long period in such a room, it’s necessary to have good plumbing and portable toilet for proper sanitation. The whole idea behind having a secret room is privacy. Therefore it’s wise to have no handles or something that will suggest the existence of a hidden room. “The entrance should not be easily noticed if you want to keep your secret safe, instead, the use of sliding pocket doors is advisable for maximum strength and quick possible entry,” Eng. Kisalita advises. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/-/859108/1086428/-/jnc0md/-/index.html","content":"Questions about Museveni money - A disparate account by officials is raising suspicion over the source of the Shs900 billion that President Museveni directed technocrats to find for road works, which should have commenced by a December 15, 2010 deadline. Whereas deputy Treasury secretary Keith Muhakanizi, in interviews with Uganda Decides, said the money was available on demand, Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) indicated that only about Shs200 billion could be found for the prescribed purpose in the first year, under the current budget. It has emerged that no instructions were issued to Ministry of Finance technocrats to process the cash. Budget foreshadowsLate last year, Mr Ofwono Opondo, the spokesman for the Museveni campaign task force, suggested a supplementary budget may become necessary to expedite the construction works. Indeed Shs4.5 billion was approved for the Ministry of Works as part of Shs602 billion supplementary budget Parliament controversially endorsed last week. In his directive issued on September 29, the President who is seeking a fourth elective term, made clear he will not entertain any delays because he has to “account to voters” while on the campaign trail. As it turns out, the priority roads marked out for immediate surfacing are those Mr Museveni promised voters that his government would tarmac during either the 2001 or 2006 election campaigns. He won both elections before throwing his hat into the ring for the current contest, only to face voters unhappy about unfulfilled promises. His order will have forced policy implementers to waive some crucial vetting requirements and rush the procurement process, including handpicking contractors who should have been on the site by the December 15 deadline. The procurement rules allow for such waivers in emergency tendering. Mr Muhakanizi said that they already budgeted for the road works Tall order?The nine national priority roads the President wants upgraded to bitumen measure some 576 kilometres and are estimated to cost Shs800 billion to fix. Four of the said roads to be surfaced are in western Uganda, three in the central region and one each in eastern and Karamoja area. None connects to or through northern Uganda, the gateway to the lucrative southern Sudan markets.Additionally, there is some 10, 000 kilometres of district roads that have been converted to national roads following their recent takeover by UNRA for maintenance purposes. A scrutiny of the 2010/11 budget as approved by Parliament shows that nothing near Shs900 billion was provided for the road works required to be done immediately, suggesting then that whatever money will be expended on this development was politically driven.For instance, of the Shs1 trillion vote to Works and Transport, Shs117 billion goes to the parent ministry while UNRA, which is in charge of national roads, will receive Shs424 billion for both recurrent and development expenditure. There is some Shs283.8 billion under the Road Fund docket, which if added to allocations to UNRA totals roughly up to Shs700 billion, suggesting a shortfall of Shs200 billion that officials cannot properly explain where it will come from. And since funds given to the Roads authority will be used for other purposes or infrastructure development other than just the nine roads, it means the funds shortfall for the “priority” works was much more serious. ‘Not like bread’UNRA Spokesman Dan Alinange would say when interviewed for this article that they expect releases to work on the priority roads to be spread over three years since such construction on average take 30 months to complete. “Road works is not like going to a supermarket and picking bread. We shall only pay the contractors the equivalent of the works they will have done,” he said. Mr Museveni separately directed that Shs200 million should be availed by Treasury to compensate survivors and relatives of victims of the 1989 Mukura killings in which National Resistance Army (NRA) guerillas, the precursor to UPDF, alleged huddled villagers in train wagons and set them alight. 1 | 2 Next Page»However, Mr Muhakanizi says the more than Shs1 trillion required will be found. The assurances come amid warnings by experts that spending outside the thresholds endorsed by Parliament will be illegal and could stir “micro-economic instability”. Already, Shs113 billion to clear arrears of more than 29,200 pensioners, among them ex-servicemen has been ordered by the President. Makerere University Economics Professor, Augustus Nuwagaba, said; “If you spend on pressure, emotionally, politically or on ad hoc basis, it would mean other silent and yet more important sectors may never receive required funds.” According to him, all government expenditure should conform to financial allocations and schedules approved by Parliament, including supplementary vote. The central bank has, however, moved to calm fears that the pumping of huge sums of money into the economy during the campaign season could spark inflation. Cash has been flowing from contenders to their agents, transporters and makers of posters as well as promotional T-shirt and media advertisers, among a bunch making a kill this election period. Bank of Uganda’s communications director, Mr Juma Walusimbi, told this newspaper that they are tracking the inflation, exchange and interest rates and will suck up excess liquidity from the public through sale of treasury bills and bonds. The volume of Ugandan currency in circulation by end of August topped Shs1.5 trillion. “We believe the inflation rate will not go beyond the target threshold of 5 per cent,” he said, adding: “This (government spending) won’t be flooding the economy with cash because it was also projected and catered for in the budget. What we are doing now is front-loading.” Front-loading refers to the practice of spending on a budget item ahead of schedule, which Prof. Nuwagaba criticised as “unnecessary and likely to cause micro-economic instability”. Latest official figures show the November inflation rate climbed to 1.4 per cent, a percentage point higher than in the previous month. There is yet no evidence the rising election-related expenditure triggered the heating inflationary tendency. Oppositions saysShadow Finance Minister Oduman Okello said President Museveni should not seek to gain personal advantage over opponents by vending government programmes as if they were his personal or exclusive NRM party initiatives. “The President should simply demonstrate to voters that he can be trusted on his word. Where is the prosperity he promised for all Ugandans in 2005?” he asked. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Boxing/-/690270/1298866/-/6dk3sv/-/index.html","content":"Big-talking Golola blows hot and cold - Previously unheard of kickboxing got enviable column inches in the press and media coverage like never before thanks to one man – Moses Golola of Uganda.Kicboxing’s stock was raised so high, 2011 will forever be remembered as the year when the little known sport became one of the latest fads in town. Motor-mouth Golola won over a large fan-base because of his comical talk and showy style as witnessed when he fought South Sudanese champion Abdul Qadir Rahim for the vacant 75kg African Kickboxing title. Golola earned a second round knockout over Qadir to take the title but it had been an anti-climax for many of the fans as Golola had barely kicked nor thrown a worthy punch.The 31-year-old’s success by attracting the first-ever international fight in Uganda saw other fighters like Malik ‘The Hit Man’ Kaliisa emerge asking Uganda Kickboxing Federation (UKBF) for a match-up against the new pin-up boy Golola. UKBF did not guarantee Kaliisa’s wish but instead got him a quick fix in 2008 Uspa Kickboxer of the Year Titus ‘Hard Rock’ Tugume. It was a total mismatch as Tugume hit the living daylights out of a sorry Kaliisa, who looked clueless and evoked a lot of sympathy from his promoter Sylvia ‘Don Queeen’ Owori. There was no hefty cash prize for Tugume, who has celebrating his 10th anniversary in the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF), but at least there was a rank promotion. UPDF Chief of Education and Culture Col. Phinehas Katirima recommended Tugume to the rank of senior Non-Commissioned Officer. Tugume’s pleas to challenge Golola for the African title fell on deaf ears with the latter insisting that he would only fight a European. Golola’s manager Abbey Rafsanjan and promoter Patrick Kanyomozi granted their fighter his wish when they booked Hungarian Andras Nagy for a vacant Intercontinental fight on December 9. The fight would be a historic moment for the sport in Uganda and Golola was not going to play second fiddle on the looming massive night. The Ugandan stormed Kabale for intensive and high-altitude preparations after his Thailand stint had been called off due to civil strife and flooding there. Amid the hard work, Golola found time for banter and comics infront of cameras and it did well to promote the fight.After 20 days in camp, Golola returned threatening to turn Nagy’s skin to black and predicting a third round knockout. But with the cameras recording second-by-second of the big fight, Golola was nothing like the ‘Hot Temper’ he claims he is. He fought like an uncultured brawler, unleashing one too many unsportsmanlike illegal body blows and getting penalised points on at least five counts. Golola’s frailties as a professional athlete had been exposed greatly. Golola had lost but everyone including the fast-talking African champion was shocked when emcee Roger Mugisha announced a unanimous decision in favour of the Ugandan. WKF Chief Executive Director Fritz Exenberger, the referee on the night, was irked and took it upon himself to reverse the result. He survived lynching by a patriotic Ugandan mob and needed police to escort him to his room in Hotel Africana. The night took an ugly twist when Golola’s camp ‘stole’ the belt although it had been clear that there was no way Golola would win. The Uganda’s reputation was dealt a double blow when some sections of the media revealed that Golola had fought under the influence of drugs. More dirty linen was unleashed when it emerged that top UKBF officials had connived to interchange the results and award the fight to Golola. Amid all this chaos as Ugandans sought to know who the official winner of the fight had been, Pastor Evans Mayambala, an older brother to Golola, surfaced claiming that Kanyomozi had made off with his brother’s prize money. The terms of agreement for paying Golola were never reached and with no proper documentation both factions maintained their stances. Golola, already battered in the ring, watched his career reach a new low when his brother ill-advised him to storm the Ugandan Parliament seeking sympathy votes. He left with his tail between his legs after the MPs made him a laughing stock.Moving forward, Golola will be looking to kiss and make up with his manager, promoter and fans. For now his rematch is heavily in doubt but at least there is a ray of hope for Tugume, who has four international fights lined up in the New Year. With an international referees seminar lined up in April and Uganda set to host the African Cup in March 2013, there is optimism that kickboxing will recover and forge ahead. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/1053956/-/a1nt7u/-/index.html","content":"Mixed reactions as expected EPA deadline hangs in balance  - There has been a lot of speculations about the outcome of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the East Africa Community and European Union. The negotiations have now reached a critical stage for signing a comprehensive EPA but the reluctance still drags on as the civil society maintains that Uganda is still not prepared as the Business Power team found out. The November deadline for signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between East Africa and the European Union still hangs in balance.The EPAs are trade deals that the EU is negotiating with 76 African, the Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries. Under these agreements, tariff and quota free market access to the EU market is guaranteed for the private sector in Uganda for all products including value added products. This means that the European market will offer duty and quota free access to imports from EAC partner states save for sugar and rice, while the EAC states would be required to liberalise their markets by up to 82 per cent to allow in imports from EU for a period of over a 25 year. The EAC member states of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi - with a combined gross domestic product of $73.3 billion – have for many years dragged on with the talks without reaching a consensus after initialisation in 2007. The bloc signed interim EPAs with the EU in November 2007 covering reciprocal liberalisation of trade in goods, comprehensive EPAs on bilateral trade in services, investments and other trade-related issues. The negotiations have now reached a critical stage for signing a comprehensive EPA but the reluctance still drags on as the civil society and private sector still maintain that as a country, Uganda is still not prepared for the trade deals and has nothing to offer to European markets.Ms Jane Nalunga, the country director of Southern and Eastern African Trade Information and Negotiation Institute Uganda, said liberalising EAC economies further could depress local industry and render local products uncompetitive in the face of cheap EU products. She added that EU products flooding EAC markets would also hamper value addition and increase unemployment in the region. For Uganda, which is trying to grow its export market, the EPA might present a big blow to the growing manufacturing industry and this comes at a time when the region is not yet acquainted with the Common Market arrangement which is just a few months into implementation. Mr Elijah Njoroge Kang’ara, the general manager of Star Café, a company which deals in adding value to coffee, said: “EAC should first consolidate and first register gains from the Common Market before opening up to the EU.” “The EU just wants to export more raw materials to their countries but not invest in the region.” He expresses fear that once this deal is signed, brands like Star Café won’t be in position to compete with EU brands that have been in existence for over 100 years. Some experts have warned that East African states should go slow on signing the EPA until they are satisfied with its content to minimise challenges that it might have on regional trade. Mr Silver Ojakol, the commissioner for external trade at the trade ministry said: “It is better to delay signing an agreement than sign and get to understand the contents later.” “There is still time for East African states to sign the EPAs.” The East African Trade Union Confederation (EATUC) says elimination of tariffs by 80 per cent of its products is too high. EPA, for instance, has a clause that prohibits increase in export taxes, which Ms Nalunga says would have been important in stopping the flow of certain goods out of the country to build local industries. “The governments tend to charge high taxes on exportation of raw materials so as to deter their exportation and encourage value addition and industrialisation of a country. “But the European Commission wants the clause that prohibits increases in export taxes and that might not be good for EAC,” Ms Nalunga said. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/-/688342/1053674/-/ua6erg/-/index.html","content":"Bagamoyo: East Africa’s gem of heritage - Even the history lessons couldn’t have prepared John K. Abimanyi for what he beheld in the town where East African explorers, John Speke and Henry Morton Starnley first set foot when they came to East Africa in the 19th Century. It is in this town that the first church in East Africa was built. It on this town’s port that East Africa’s colonial explorers, including John Speke and Henry Morton Stanley, first landed in the 19th century. This was one of the first towns along the East African coast where Arab traders from Oman and Persia settled. It is here that German imperialists built their centre of colonial rule for Tanganyika until their empire fell after the First World War. And, it is in this town that the last stop for slave trade caravans from all over East Africa was located; offering room for the largest slave markets before the slaves were finally sold off to Zanzibar and the Arabian and Indian worlds. Such is the heritage that this non-assuming sun-lit breezy town possesses; encompassing the history of all East African peoples. It sits 70 kilometres above Tanzania’s capital, Dar-es-Salaam, along the Indian Ocean shore. The drive up the coast is a near-scenery-panorama-experience, with growth expanses of palm trees and glimpses of the sea on the right hand side flooding your view in bright and yet friendly sunlight. 13th century tombsAt the Eastern end of the town, stands a unique burial site, dating back to as far as the 13th century in a town called Kaole. Tourist guides at the site say the graves are of Arabian traders who had settled in the town around the year 1200. An ancient mosque also stands in the graves’ midst. The look on the tombs’ faces is antique indeed. Large grey rocks, which look like coral rocks at the sea, are piled together and stuck together with some sort of concrete. Guides say this ancient architecture was so strong and so the tombs have lasted this long. It is also a representation of the migrant Arabs’ culture. There are distinct features on the graves that distinguish women’s tombs from men’s. Some tombs have special ornamental symbols and utensils which, legend has it, are used for one spiritual reason or other. A well whose water has not been changed for over 200 years, and yet remains fresh according to the guides, also complements the graveyard. It’s said that the well has supernatural powers and many a pilgrim trek to the well for a drop of the healing water.Just when you think the surprises are through, you are shown a giant tree trunk, heavily laden with tree branches and foliage, which is said to be 500 years old. Fine, it is a widely stretching trunk, with more than a metre in width, but the duration of 500 years for any tree is a hard feat to fathom. On the way back from Kaole to Bagamoyo, is a school campus which was used to train guerrillas for the Frelimo movement, of which, Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni, was a member. German fortsThe remains of the German garrisons and forts were undergoing reconstruction work, and were thus out of bounds with photos strictly forbidden. However, the buildings’ discoloured and peeling walls gave off the signs of a place that was once grand in its day. In one of the forts where entrance was secured after bribing a construction worker, the entire structure had been evicted, with only a 19th century cupboard inside. One of the forts was built by migrant Arabs but was captured by the Germans. Slave marketOn a map at a fort called The Caravan Serai, trade routes from as far as Central Uganda, Western Tanzania, and Kenya as well, connect and converge at Bagamoyo, making it the one point that united East Africa’s wing of the evil trade. It details the great kings of the 18th century; of Buganda’s Kabaka Mutesa I and Nyamwezi’s Mirambo empires as some of the greatest slave providers in the trade. Photos of former Emperors ruling over Bagamoyo who were also massive slave dealers, like Tip Tip, are plastered on the walls. The slaves were raided from as far as Congo and Burundi then the trek began from Ujiji at Lake Tanganyika, before meeting the trek from Buganda at Tabora in Central Tanzania. A further route from Kenya met the main route later on before finally arriving at Bagamoyo. This fort, the Serai Caravan was the largest slave market. A large sculpture of a slave carrying an elephant’s task is raised at the front. Bagamoyo’s name is literally translated from Kiswahili to mean ‘lay down your heart’ as a result of the depth of the suffering that slaves witnessed as they were bundled onto ships; losing all hope of ever returning home. East Africa’s oldest churchIt’s simply a tall pale-white pillar block that’s still standing, of the original structure. Built in 1872, it was the first church to be constructed on mainland East Africa. Its construction was supervised by slave trade abolitionist, David Livingston, on land given to him by the natives. Although most of the building was destroyed about 80 years ago to allow for the construction of an even bigger church, the section at the entrance was preserved as a souvenir. Inside the pillars are two statues of the Virgin Mary, from the original church. They however look cracked and worn, like a piece of wood infested by termites. When David Livingstone died, his body spent a night in the church en-route England. By the church’s side is a museum detailing a series of slavery experiences. It used to be a rehabilitation ground for freed slaves, built by Livingstone. In this museum, just like at the Serai Caravan, bondage apparatus like chains and whips are on display. It’s however important to note that there are schools of thought that dispute whether David Livingstone built the church or if he ever lived in Bagamoyo. The town has gone to great lengths to retain its valuable ancient look, especially in tourism attractions. 1 | 2 Next Page»It has maintained the Stone-Walk series of roads that navigate through its centre, just like it did scores of years ago. That same friendliness that endeared Arab and other settlers to converge on the town centuries ago is very much still alive. Even with the limited use of English, natives in the town will get out of their way to communicate with a foreigner, and not with intentions to fleece you. Bagamoyo is arguably the one East African town whose heritage includes signatures from the entire East African region and beyond. Its tales of slavery make it a living museum of the effects of slavery as a large number of its natives now, are descendants of freed slaves. The town basks in the radiance of its sunlight, not frowning about its cruel past, but as a town that is glad to have made it this far. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/-/688614/1051034/-/ce7ss6/-/index.html","content":"Boosting SMEs through promotion of local goods - In the last three decades, Ugandans have slowly but steadily suffocated the development of their own Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) due to unwarranted obsession with imported products. It has become trendy to consume imported goods and services where by local products have been relegated to those assumed to be lacking in taste or even worse backward. This in essence has not only enriched foreign economies, but has stunted the growth of local SMEs over the years. Experts fear that if the state of affairs continues like this, it will not be long before the few resilient local SMEs wind up operations or seek other alternatives that might be less beneficial to job creation and the general growth of the economy. However, as they attempt to reverse the trend, the Private Sector Foundation of Uganda (PSFU) with support from the government and other development partners have for the last three years engaged in an aggressive campaign to not only promote consumption of locally made products but also change the attitude of Ugandans towards the consumption of locally made products. “In the 1960s Ugandans were proud of wearing Khaki clothes that were made right here, however along the way so many things have happened and now we are consuming products largely from the west,” said Mr Gideon Badagawa, the Executive Director PSFU. According to Mr Badagawa, the unemployment question will only be plugged if the population consumes more of local products than is the practice now. Mr Badagawa who is also an economist by profession argues that with more consumption of local products, SMEs will thrive, more jobs will be created and the government treasury will get more funds, ultimately the reliance on external funding will steadily drop and eventually there will be no need for donor budget support. With the “Proudly Uganda campaign” and a carefully chosen theme “Promoting the value of Ugandan products and services on the EAC market” PSFU believes the profile of locally manufactured goods and services will rise. The campaign is also expected to enhance sustainable production, competition and income. Other objectives of the campaign include, seeking to create visibility and raise awareness of the quality of local products and services and also to translate this into actual purchases of these goods and services. The Programme, also, encourages product certification so that it can be easy for local goods to make it to other regional markets. Mr John Ssempebwa, a trade specialist recently told Smart Money that Uganda imports about $3 billion worth of goods, however about $1 billion of these are produced in Uganda. Upon this background, PSFU intends to undertake a long term campaign complete with educational debates on how to improve the quality of Ugandan products. Mr Charles Ocici, the Executive Director of Enterprise Uganda believes that SMEs should first achieve their agenda-to attract the local consumption. They can thereafter formalise operations for it does not only make businesses more organised but also assists in branding of the business. Ocici says if SMEs want to be attractive to buyers and therefore win their loyalty, they must begin the journey of branding. “Start the branding journey now because in the long run it will be the brand to speak for itself and note you,” Mr Ocici says. In an effort to implement that, PSFU insist that local manufacturers and service providers give their best shot in terms of quality and affordability as this is a crucial determinant in influencing consumption. “In the Proudly Ugandan campaign the issue of quality is so crucial that we are not going to compromise it,” said Mr Badagawa, adding that: “We should also be mindful of pricing as quality does not mean exorbitant charges.” According to local companies that exhibited during the Proudly Ugandan compaign last week at Lugogo, they argued that although the private sector has nothing to offer in the EAC common market, it is time Ugandan traders begun to capture the attention of the home market and later turn to foreign competition. Traders at the exhibition acknowledged that joining the Common Market was no longer an option, because it can potentially provide a good market for Ugandan goods. Institutions like Bank of Uganda have also been urged to lend support because of continued complaints about issue of imported inflation, which normally comes through as a result of expensive imports flooding the country. Shifting Ugandans to consume locally produced goods is bound to ease the pressure on BoU to control inflation, which is currently in double digits. The challenge of having Ugandans to put in a few extra hours is just part of a wider challenge that PSFU has to sort out if the “Proudly Ugandan” campaign is to achieve anything. 1 | 2 Next Page»Also the government needs to do more in terms of supportive policies and these should be properly implemented instead of gathering dust. Branding is on top of the PSFU Proudly Ugandan campaign as it can stimulate emotional and impulsive buying. The Ugandan government consumes more than three quarters of imported goods. However, even though companies tighten their management of costs, PSFU’s efforts could fail if the country’s poor road network makes it difficult for traders to reach potential customers. Also, for as long as Ugandan traders feel that the tax regime is still on the high end, then such costs are bound to make it difficult for them to set a competitive price that beats regional counterparts. Increased costs make it difficult for a company to advertise a product or expand production. Government’s failure to offer incentives to local companies is also said to make it difficult for them to compete. While there have been calls for the government to guarantee loans to SMEs, this has not been the case. Instead, the government continues to guarantee loans selectively to a few, while many others face the burden of servicing high interest loans. Further, the government’s failure to turn crucial economic bills and policies into law continues to undermine efforts to make local companies competitive. Bills such as the Competition Bill, the Pension Bill, the Anti-money laundering Bill, the National Housing Policy - some of which could improve the business environment and also shield traders from unfair competition - continue to gather dust as the government concentrates more on political bills. Meanwhile, the Uganda National Chambers of Commerce and Industry wants SMEs to begin serious investment in business development so as to register meaningful and long term achievements. In a statement issued recently, the agency said skills development is not only key in business progress but will help the private sector market their goods within and outside the EAC market. “A number of local businesses are struggling because of low capacity in business skills,” the statement said. In a recent workshop, organised by the Chamber to enhance small business skills development, much emphasis was put on attitude change, which demands that value should be attached to vocational training institutions. Top officials from the Chamber argue that with skilled labour, the country will not only boost job creation, but the quality of products and services will ultimately pick up, making the Proudly Ugandan campaign much ore fruitful. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Jobs-Career/-/689848/1019624/-/gcopggz/-/index.html","content":"Why applicants miss out on lucrative jobs - You have probably applied for all sorts of positions, done interviews but sat for re-interviews, but still remain jobless. Mr Roland Kadooli, a resident in Mutungo, a city suburb applied for jobs until he almost thought he was an outcast before employers. For five years, he moved the streets of Kampala dropping his application at various offices. The few times he was shortlisted amounted to nothing; until he was recruited as a caterer in a prominent Mbale hotel. So why do people miss out on jobs? Poor marketing: Many applicants fail to tell the story about themselves systematically during interviews. Despite their ability to deliver, they don’t know how to sell themselves before the interview panelists. “When interviewing candidates, we find candidates with good papers but failing to speak about themselves according to what the job requires,” says Mr Edgar Mbahamiza, the human resource and administration manager at Uganda Bureau of Statistics. Others don’t even know where to start when they are requested to talk about themselves. According to Mr Stephen Jjingo, the director of marketing and membership development at Federation of Uganda Employers, inability to market oneself is one of the greatest challenges for job seekers. “When interviewing applicants, we find them telling you their names, age, marital status, schools attended, yet we’re looking for the specific elements that match up the position advertised,” he said. Job seekers must approach interviews like a political campaign if they are to convince the panelists that they are the best people for that position. Wrong positions: Some applicants are so ambitious that they apply for positions for which they lack the experience needed to execute tasks required. Recently, a hotel proprietor advertised for different positions and received a multitudes of applicants. Unfortunately, many of them were fresh graduates from university, applying for managerial positions for which they had no experience. Sometimes, it might turn out that you’re either too qualified or less qualified. One who is overqualified needs a bigger package and salary benefits compared to one who is simply qualified for the job because the employer is likely to save.“When you’re too qualified, the employers are not sure if you’ll be ready to accept a lower pay than what you were earning at your previous job. If you’re less qualified, your application will be pushed aside during the selection process; making it easier for the recruiters.” For instance if you’re at director level and you applied for the job of a cook in a restaurant, you might not get through. If the job requires someone with a Masters Degree and you apply for it with a Diploma, chances are high that you’ll miss out on the job. Poor presentation: How good is your body language? You must dress inappropriately for the job you’re vying for because you don’t know what attire fits where. “If you dress too smartly for the job of the mechanic, one may think you’re not hands-on; meaning you might not be experienced in that field,” Mr Mbahamiza says. Jjingo also recalls an interviewee who was wrongly attired. “There’s a time a candidate came for an interview dressed in very tight jeans with a tight shirt and a tie. Even though he had a first class degree, I could not shortlist him for the position of a liaison officer who interacts with high profile people,” he told Jobs And Career. When it comes to conduct, the things that seem simple might get you in big trouble. “When you enter the interview room, do you assume and take a seat without an offer? Do you come in chewing in the name of reducing tension, yet it is not etiquette to do so?” Jjingo questions. Course of study: Job seekers who studied general arts would struggle to compete with graduates with professional qualifications. It is important to pursue courses which match job requirements listed in the jobs sections of newspapers. Mbahamiza testifies that a course like Information Technology was a hotcake a decade ago but IT graduates are today flooding the streets. Limited research:. Imagine going for a job interview without any knowledge about a company’s mission and what it does. There is no way you’ll convince the panelists beyond reasonable doubt that you’re the best candidate for a position. Mbahamiza advises that if you’re applying for a position with MTN, it’s important for you to study its competitors in terms of their strengths and weaknesses then cut out the niche. Most employers are looking for people who are problem solvers. “What gives you an advantage over others is when you start stipulating business in line with the employer’s company concerns,” Jjingo reveals. Attitude: There is a tendency among First Class degree holders to think that their papers alone will speak for them. “It’s very prestigious to have a First Class degree, but can it assist you to shine among the many applicants?” Mbahamiza cautions. Ideally, such a candidate should be able to convince the panelists that if they fail to consider him or her, they’ll have missed something. Unless they see that, they’ll think you’re like any other applicant. Poor career planning: Many job applicants apply for positions just for the sake of getting a job. Others just want easy work, yet they want huge salaries as well. It’s also unfortunate that many of them don’t know where they would want to be in the next five years.. Poor resume: Some people are fond of applying for different jobs with the same résumé; forgetting that each job has its specifics. This usually results from job seekers who think that they can do anything. Bad temper: Some people are provoked during interviews just to test their patience. If you fall prey to this, you’re likely to miss the job. Applying for jobs where you’re never considered can be a nightmare unless you always look out for opportunities that demand your skills and endeavour to list them clearly in your resume. However, there are fewer jobs yet the number of people willing to work is higher than the available positions. You must be well prepared and smart."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/-/688612/1002998/-/a20resz/-/index.html","content":"The often forgotten cooling system is one of the vital systems of the engine setup - It is quite impressive the kind of cars that are flooding the market today - with modern engines compared to those around early to mid 90s. This is both a good thing and bad thing. It is good because these engines are more durable and reliable and rarely fail. They have highly sophisticated self-diagnosis and engine management systems that in some instances self-correct a problem as soon as it pops up. On the other hand, it is not such a good thing, because many drivers take this reliability for granted. I know of people who drive their cars for over four months without ever looking under the hood as long as the car starts in the morning and moves. The thing about engine technology and design is that it fundamentally has not changed much over the years. Of course there are improvements in the way of efficiency, where engines are now smaller and more powerful, yet fuel-efficient. So you, my friend, shall still need to look at the oil dip stick once in a while. There are a number of systems that keep an engine running including the fuel system, exhaust system, cooling system etc. Failure of any of these shall morph your car into a glorified metal container. For instance the cooling system, for many average Joe and Jane drivers, simply cools the engine. And they are largely right. As mentioned earlier, engines have improved a lot, but they are still not very efficient at turning chemical energy into mechanical power. Most of the energy in the fuel (perhaps just over 60 per cent) is converted into heat and it is the job of the cooling system to take care of that heat. The primary job of the cooling system is to keep the engine from overheating by transferring this heat to the air, but this system also has several other important jobs. The engine in your car runs best at a fairly high temperature. When the engine is cold, components wear out faster and the engine is less efficient. So, another important job of the cooling system is to allow the engine to heat up as quickly as possible and then keep it at a constant optimum temperature. A cooling system consists of a water pump, thermostat, hose clamps, radiator, radiator cap, hose and coolant. Conceivably, the radiator is the most prominent of all these parts as it is where the actual cooling of the engine occurs via heat transfer. It is designed to transfer heat from the hot coolant that flows through it, to the air blown through it by the fan. Hot coolant meanders its way from the engine into the maze of channels and passages inside the radiator and returns to the engine considerably cooler. Most radiators are made of an aluminum core and plastic side tanks, but in older cars, they may be an all-metal construction. Front-wheel drive cars have electric fans because the engine is usually mounted transversely, meaning the output of the engine points toward the side of the car. The fans are controlled either with a thermostatic switch or by the engine computer and they turn on or off when the temperature of the coolant goes above or below a set point. Rear-wheel drive cars with longitudinal engines usually have engine-driven cooling fans. Part of any routine maintenance schedule should be the inspection of the cooling system including the hoses, coolant level and leakages. Low levels of coolant can lead to problems related to engine overheating. Check the radiator when the engine is cold as when hot the system is pressurised and the hot liquid can easily scald you. Always drain and refill your cooling system regularly. Have a glance at your temperature gauge occasionally as it could be your redeemer; if it indicates a temperature anywhere above midway, stop the car without delay and have it looked at. Your car’s cooling system is crucial to making the engine last longer and perform better. An improperly maintained cooling system can result in the overheating of the engine, which in turn can cause major component failures within."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/996460/-/b8dgas/-/index.html","content":"CREATIVE LIVING: Pay attention to your site layout - Many people put the cart before the horse when planning their new homes. In many, they tend to fall in love with a floor plan and pay little or no attention to the site where the plan is to be built. Instead of treating the floor plan and the site as different elements, it is important to understand the relationship between the two and how they can work together to produce spectacular results. By accentuating the positive aspects of a site, you will gain the best views and allow yourself more privacy and control over “problem” areas that may need camouflage. The considerations Many of the issues to consider when selecting a site have little to do with the land and everything to do with lifestyle. Some important aspects include school locations, proximity to work and recreation facilities, among others. When you start to shop, you will discover that sites are as individual as the owners. After considering what it is you are looking for in terms of land, it is time to evaluate the site’s physical characteristics. Ask yourself the following questions: Is the site heavily treed? Is it level or sloping in appearance? Is the site susceptible to flooding due to poor drainage? What are the deed restrictions and setbacks? Problems arising Problems crop up in unusual places. For instance, your home site may have a beautiful, natural appearance now, but when cleared for construction, the top six inches of soil will be gone. This means that the grass, natural shrubbery and small trees will be removed from the construction area, and may leave you with land that looks different. Heavily treed home sites are appealing to many people, but can present additional construction costs. Builders will need to remove all the trees within two metres of the house, as well as the trees in the areas of the driveway, sidewalks and septic tanks. Sloping sitesLow-lying or sloping sites can also add considerable construction costs to a project. The costs of fill or cut away and special construction requirements add up quickly, especially if the home is susceptible to drainage problems.If the sloping home site has a great view, you may want a custom floor plan developed that follows the lay of the land. In the case of a steep elevation, for example, you could have some rooms on the lower ground floor like garages, or storage. Authority approvalBeware of setbacks and title deed restrictions. Before you purchase a site, make sure that it can accommodate the home you want to build. Setbacks are regulated by the local approving authorities such as Kampala City Council (KCC) and Kira Town Council, among other authorities. KCC has a minimum distance of 1.5metres for majority of the residential building as the distance between the boundary site and any building. (Still you have to check with the division approving authority). The restrictions Title deed restrictions can contain requirements on the size, how big the home should be and the percentage the house should cover, how many families are allowed to live on that particular land, style and appearance of a home. It may be a good idea to check with the planning and zoning authority to disclose any restrictions before you buy. This information is actually available with the planners at the different divisions if you are in the Kampala area. You don’t want to compromise the style of the house you intend to build. Design options If you own property, but are not excited about the view, don’t worry. There are many creative floor plans that can be designed to create spectacular views. One quick solution is the courtyard design. By opening the front, middle or rear of your home onto a courtyard or garden, you can capture a view and transform it into a personal oasis. Many urban residences utilise this concept around a swimming pool or garden, while metres away, the fencing or shrubbery hides adjacent homes. Other captured views with which you may be familiar with include atriums and private gardens. We use these features to enhance the plans, private sitting areas and other interior areas that require natural lighting and privacy. Land survey If you are fortunate enough to have property that overlooks a lake, golf course, wooded area or town, you will probably want to take advantage of its positive attributes. First, study the land carefully. 1 | 2 Next Page»Have a land survey conducted and, in heavily treed areas, consider a tree survey. The site should be visited and photographed from the position of the house looking out in all directions. By considering all angles of the property, the architect will be able to adapt the floor plan to the site. Blending a perfect floor plan and a home site is not easy, but you will be glad you made the effort. By taking educated steps and by working with your architect, you will see that the results can surpass your wildest dreams.josephnuwamanya@gmail.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/970138/-/xees2u/-/index.html","content":"Kawaala residents turn garbage into wealth - Over 1,800 tonnes of garbage are generated in Kampala City daily and Kampala City Council’s inefficiency has not saved the situation with poor disposal and collection centres around the city.Three quarters of garbage rot uncollected on pavements, streets, sewerage outlets and water channels. This tragedy can be witnessed on almost every corner of Kampala, in markets, blurring the city’s image and posing a serious health danger for its inhabitants. However, one place people are turning this hazard into wealth is Kawaala. Through the Sustainable Neigbouhood Focus in Kawaala Parish, Rubaga Division, a project was born of a partnership with Kampala City Council, Makerere University, Environmental Alert, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Canada-based International Centre for Tropical Agriculture. The International Development Research Centre provided the funding. A people driven initiative, residents in the area have been brought on board through Kasubi Parish Local Community Development Initiative and Kawaala Recycling and Manufacturing Development Group. Dr Gordon Prain, one of the researchers and implementers of the project says the area was chosen as a pilot project because it is low lying and exposed to flooding during rainy seasons which worsened levels of poverty and environmental burdens. He said their approach was responsive innovative option for management of waste with the community with enhanced re-use and reduced contamination of the environment. “The project has helped people turn the burden into benefits because residents now use waste to make briquettes that are used as alternative energy to cook,” he said. The briquettes projects have been improved because machines were bought to help members make better briquettes compared to those made manually. Some of the members, he said, turn banana peels into banana bran, because they observed that chicken, pigs, and cows ate the raw peels. He said the banana peel bran is a good substitute of maize bran which is becoming very expensive for poultry farmers because it is highly nutritious. Mr Prain said garbage is no longer thrown anywhere because residents know its value. Apart from selling the bran to poultry farmers, group members like those under Kasubi Parish Local Community Initiative started poultry and piggery projects that have helped them improve their incomes.“Because most of the targeted people have small plots of land, we came up with innovations of using small space to create wealth through projects where members grow mushrooms and vegetable,” said Mr Moses Nadiope, the coordinator of the group. Prof. George Nasinyama added that innovations have reduced the volume of contaminants and flooding. “The community has been empowered because members are involved in decision-making. Linkages and team work have also improved,” he said. He said technical support that was provided on appropriate mixture of raw materials used in production of briquettes and seven machines that are used in the production of briquettes were given to various groups. The said lessons learnt from the project is that existing initiatives and innovations have been built and the use of multi-displinary approach has also proved to be key in up-scaling the innovations. He said although the project is winding up, the participatory approach used in the interventions increased ownership of the initiatives by the community and will allow members to sustain it. He said since 74 per cent of the garbage in Kasubi, Kawaala, Nakulabye and neighbouring areas are banana peels making the sourcing of the raw material for making the banana peel bran easy. “Our project even reduces the burden of garbage in our neighbourhood because we buy dried banana peels from residents at Shs120 per kilogramme,” he said. Mr Nadiope said the burden now is to popularise the message to residents not to throw the banana peels at garbage hips but to sell them to the group. Mr Nadiope said every day, they produce one tonne of peel mill from six tonnes of dry banana peels."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/-/688342/951156/-/fy4f9x/-/index.html","content":"The sad story of Lake Victoria - Waste management remains a problem in Uganda. This has caused pollution of the environment including the soil and water. Edwin Nuwagaba looks at how pollution has impacted on Lake Victoria and how environmentalists are dealing with the problem. Back in my secondary school days, we were taught the properties of water. We were told by the chemistry teacher that water is actually colorless. And in geography, we were told Lake Victoria was one of the world’s fresh water bodies and that the areas surrounding it received regular rainfall with high crop yields. This appears to have drastically changed. First, when I visited Murchison Bay in Luzira recently, I found something different about water. The water here had turned dark green.Reason? The experts said Lake Victoria had been polluted. And the pollution had put the entire lake at risk of drying up. The surrounding areas now experience long spells of heat. And according to experts, Lake Victoria, is now greatly at risk of environmental degradation because unplanned development around it has destroyed the lake’s catchment area. The wetlands and swamps around the lake have been encroached on and some wiped out. “More and more people have been moving towards the lake because of its fertile soils and its reliable rainfall,” said Mr Simon Thuo, a water expert at Nile Basin Initiative. Expert opinion According to Mr Thuo, the biggest urban centres in the country like Jinja, Masaka Municipalities and Kampala City are located around the lake, therefore, releasing effluent into the lake. Moreover, the effluent is normally inadequately treated hence causing significant pollution. This pollution is worsened by the lack of virgin land around the water body. Human activities like construction, cutting of trees and poor methods of farming have denied the lake enough ability to store fresh water. “The lake needs some virgin land so that the water can be able to infiltrate and percolate. Water naturally needs to move at a surface flow for it to be able to come out as sub-surface flow, and this is the water that feeds our streams,” said Mr Fred Kyosingira, a commissioner at the Directorate of Water. The water expert added that when human beings mess with the catchment area, the hydrological cycle is rendered incomplete, therefore; the water does not get to filtrate. According to Mr Kyosingira, if the water does not infiltrate the ground, it causing conditions like flooding during wet seasons because the rain water simply runs off the surface. According to experts, unchecked destruction of Lake Victoria’s catchment area has exposed the lake and left it vulnerable to siltation and possible drying up. Lake dries up The experts worry that unlike Lake Tanganyika which is 1,470 metres deep, Lake Victoria’s depth ranges from 80 metres to 140 metres, therefore; the latter’s exposure to siltation and pollution, makes it more vulnerable to extinction. According to the study entitled “Dropping water levels of lake Victoria 2005” conducted by the Water Resources Management Department in the Ministry of Water, the surface flow by far represents the largest inflow of water to Lake Victoria, accounting for 82 per cent of the inflow with the rest being contributed by land discharge (water that comes from the land after it has rained). This explains why it is very important not to tamper with the catchment area. And Mr Oweyegha Afunaduula, an environmentalist at Uganda Nile Discourse Forum, says the lake’s catchment area has been destroyed by people who have illegally reclaimed wetlands around the lake.“Our lake is not so deep. If it continues to lose more and more water and if siltation continues, it may dry up,” he said, adding that “And whenever the water becomes less, it also becomes dirty, and creates a dirty environment where diseases such as cholera, tuberculosis, typhoid, fever, diarrhea, anthrax, dysentery and others emerge.” Besides diseases, Mr Afunaduula said: “Lake Chad was the eighth largest lake in the world but now it is more of a swamp than a lake.” According to Mr Afunaduula, Lake Baringo in Kenya has become shallow because of siltation. He said the lake has since reduced from its original depth of nine metres to about a metre. 1 | 2 Next Page»The adverse effects of the mismanagement of Lake Victoria’s catchment area are not just for the future. They are manifest even now. For instance, at Murchison Bay where the water has turned green, National Water & Sewerage Corporation draws the water which it supplies to the city and its suburbs. According to Mr Christopher Kanyesigye, the quality control manager at the NW&SC, over time, the costs of treating the water skyrocketed. To purify water today, he said, requires huge amounts of chemicals. Yet in 1992, Mr Kanyesigye said, 25mg of a chemical known as alum (Aluminum Sulphate) was used per litre of the water they supplied. By 2003 the alum dose used to treat a litre of water had increased to an average of 36mg. In 2006, it shot to 50mg and in 2007 it shot to 65mg. Today, an average of 75mg is used per liter. A kilogram of alum costs Shs950 and NW&SC supplies at least 150million litres to its clients in Kampala daily, according to Mr Kanyesigye.To cut on the huge costs on water treatment, NW &SC has also moved at least a kilometer deeper into the lake. But experts warn that if the discharge of untreated waste into the lake continues unchecked, NW&SC will find itself needing to move deeper into the lake again. And that is costly. Although local factors were largely responsible for the threats the lake faces, a 2005 study on Lake Victoria also found out that that global warming was a contributing factor since it has led to increased evaporation of water due to extremely hot conditions. Studies have also shown that since 2003, the net water supply into the lake has been declining. The 2006 study by experts reveals that there has been decreased flow in all rivers flowing into Lake Victoria from the Uganda catchment. Some of these are rivers like Katonga, Bukora and Kagera. Some environmentalists like Mr Afunaduula argue that besides deforestation, the introduction of genetically modified crops was also responsible for the damage of our water bodies. Mr Afunaadula said for the GM crops to be sustained, there is always need to apply more and more fertilisers and pesticides. “Consequently these chemicals end up in the lake. And not only are they dangerous to plant and animal life in the lake but also animals on the land which drink from this lake,” he said. All is not lost though. According to Mr Kyosingira, the government plans to introduce water catchment based resources management strategy. The government also plans to sensitise people around the lake on the best practices. The experts agree though that without concerted efforts to deliberately protect and preserve Lake Victoria, the future of this lake looks depressing. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/945152/-/b5a04u/-/index.html","content":"Use man-made wetlands to get rid of waste - The water treatment systems like oxidation ponds will help to improve sanitation around houses, writes Pauline Kairu As the country embraces rapid industrialisation and a construction boom as population numbers take an upward spiral, it is apparent that more pressure is exerted on the national water and sewerage waste water management systems.Despite the gains anticipated with this growth, it is difficult to ignore the environmental degradation challenge; as this will mean new sources of pollution and increased demand for clean water across the nation. Sewage challenge But all is not lost; a low cost sanitation alternative involving on-site oxidation ponds and aerated lagoons has been introduced in Uganda and is being taken up particularly by institutions. Millions of litres of untreated sewage effluents flow into water bodies every day from major urban centres. Indeed, it is estimated that about 80 per cent of all waste water is being fraudulently discharged partially or completely untreated and without adherence to the existing waste water treatment regulations.Rapid industrialisation has deteriorated water quality. Mr Ernest Nabihamba, the principal environment officer of Jinja Municipal, introduced technology that involves the construction of man-made wetlands that cleans the discharge before it is released into the lake or other water bodies and he hopes developers can adopt it. Besides, with the continuous overpopulation in town, the sewerage systems, some of which were built in the past decades may not be able to handle the pressure and may fail in preventing sewer pollution and flooding in the near future. The solution “All the waste water including grey water (kitchen and bathroom run-off) and storm water run-off being produced in the town is diverted into the sewerage systems of national water,” Mr Nabihamba explains.This, he adds, “Puts more pressure on the sewage treatment works to store and treat waste water, often leading to inefficiency and pollution incidents.”Also, it serves as a sand filter that traps most pollutants to produce recycled water that is good for tertiary use including agricultural and recreational purposes without undue wastage. “This is an efficient, safe, and eco-friendly solution and is a more sustainable way of pre-treatment of sewage as well as industrial waste than attempting to employ expensive conventional waste treatment options,” he explains.Unlike methods which include under-performing western-driven standards involving high-technology treatment plants with costly waste water treatment systems, the man-made wetland requires minimal operational attention. Besides, connecting many properties to municipal sewers is too costly, in the long run.These technologies could turn around otherwise menacing storm-triggered discharges from combined sewer outfalls and illegal sanitary sewer overflows that contaminate the lake with bacteria, pathogens and other harmful pollutants that degrade water quality killing aquatic life and threatening public health.“This initiative removes contaminants from the waste water reducing them to permissible levels, to replenish the reservoir of water as the water is directed back into the water body,” he explains.Often, untreated sewage flows into water sources, carrying organic waste and nutrients that lead to oxygen depletion, as well as disease-causing bacteria and parasites making resources vulnerable to contamination. “This waste consists of decaying organic matter, but technological fixes to alleviate the continued threat is sometimes expensive so going it the natural way offers a cheaper solution,” Mr Nabihamba explains.Here, pollution and eutrophication of water bodies is guarded against as would - be releases of nitrogen, phosphorus, organic compounds and chromium from especially developments such as factories is done by the on-site pre-treatment, so that they remain within non-critical levels. In cases where the facility is installed for industrial waste treatment, chemicals such as cadmium and chromium, and other elements such as mercury that creep into the ground water from the industrial waste posing a serious threat to public health are also strained. Mr Nabihamba who started constructing these wetlands in 2005 has installed this alternative on - site sewage treatment systems at Bidco, the oil-producing factory in Kasese, at SKYFAT, a leather tanning factory for polishing tannery effluent and is advancing a campaign for more factories to take it up.“Like in many other cases, the developer of Bidco was faced with a challenge of how to treat sewage from the factory. The factory was situated at a low level and the only option available would be to pump sewage into national water and sewerage, which would have been very expensive and un-sustainable,” he says. Clean water He adds that in a time when we are increasingly seeing droughts causing water shortages, we should be making proper treatment and water re-use more of a priority. Also, the great beauty of fully treating sewage by this process not only guarantees clean and safe recreational water, but also allows it to be recycled and not wasted.Constructed wetlands are artificial wastewater treatment systems consisting of shallow (usually less than one metre deep) ponds which have been planted with aquatic plants, and which rely on natural microbial, biological, physical and chemical processes to treat waste water. They have impervious clay or synthetic liners, and engineered structures to control the flow direction, liquid detention time and water level. Some contain an inert porous media such as rock, gravel or sand depending on type and purpose. Constructed wetlandsIn terms of technical specifications; a rectangular trough is made. At the one end is the inlet of the influent and at the other end is an outlet. The influent is introduced at the top and effluent let out at the bottom, while in another design, the influent enters at the top and leaves at one end at the same level.In both cases however, vegetation is planted over a matrix of sand and gravel. The performance is such that 80 to 95 per cent improvements on the influent quality occur.The constructed wetland will be lined with solid material to prevent filtration and infiltration of water from below. The rest of the body will be reinforced concrete blocks. Materials used The structure will be filled with sand, soil or gravel to up to two thirds of the depth and then planted with reeds or papyrus. It is however recommended that for efficiency, before the effluent is fed into the constructed wetland, it should fast be preceded with a settlement tank or septic tank. Constructed wetlands have been used to treat a variety of waste waters including urban runoff; municipal, industrial, agricultural and acid mine drainage in developed countries.They have also been used to treat petroleum refinery wastes, and fish pond discharges, and pre-treated industrial waste waters such as those from pulp and paper mills, textile mills, and sea food processing factories.Though the public sector across the country is yet to appreciate this potential and have underinvested in sanitary efforts, Mr Nabihamba says this would also be the best option for not only real estate developers constructing in lots, but also for large institutions like schools and hospitals for sewerage treatment to ease the pressure on municipal systems. The cost For a factory like Bidco, with a water discharge volume of 80 metric litres per day at time of its installation, the constructed wet land would be constructed at an area equivalent to a quarter of a football pitch and at a cost of approximately Shs40m to Shs60m. The cost varies depending on size.However, sufficient care must be exercised with regard to the on-site disposal systems on problem soils to alleviate any possible contamination threat to the ground water through transport of bacteria and other water-borne pathogens."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/912766/-/b3df85/-/index.html","content":"Get home potted plants and flowers - With a variety of attractive flowers and plants, choose ones that suite your comfort, writes Rachel Kabejja A colleague at work recently sent an email warning us about the danger caused by a certain plant which is common in most offices and homes. This plant is called cane dumb. It is an attractive and popular green plant. The email read, “It is a deadly poison, mainly for the children. It can kill a child in less than a minute and an adult in 15 minutes. If touched, one should never touch the eyes; it can cause partial or permanent blindness.” According to www.the-baby-safety-site.com, chewing this plant’s leaves causes immediate pain and swellings in the mouth and throat. “In severe cases, speech may become unintelligible, hence the name dumb cane. The effects are almost instantaneous, before the plant material is actually ingested. The plant juices can also cause inflammation and contact dermatitis in some individuals.” Many people would love to live in a spacious environment where they can grow plants and flowers of different shapes and colour for purposes of décor, freshness and a general touch or feel of nature. Potted plants However, due to limited space, especially in rental apartments or houses, people who love greenery in their houses or compounds have to often resort to potted plants and flowers. Potted plants and flowers are an ideal option for those who live in compact apartments and wish to be in touch with nature. They are space-effective and bring freshness in the home. But since most of these plants are kept indoors, they require lots of special care. Mr Eric Wandugo of Royal Gardens at Garden City gives tips and methods that will help you grow beautiful plants in pots. Number one rule in keeping potted plants is your health. Always consider your health to avoid infections. Some plants are allergic while others are poisonous or thorny. This is dangerous for your health and those around you. Choose plants which have green leaves, are straight out and look healthy. Check under foliage for any signs of infection. Yellow leaves are a sign of infection or disease in the plant. Always water your plants more than often because potted plants tend to dry out frequently than those grown outdoors. However, be careful not to pour lots of water to the extent of flooding the bucket. The size of the bucket or pot will determine the size and growth of the plant. The bigger the bucket/pot, the bigger and stronger the plant will grow because of the wide circulation of roots. Whereas ceramic/clay pots provide a great aeration for the plant roots because they absorb and lose moisture easily, they need continuous watering. Plastic containers like buckets of late are becoming more common and efficient because they are easy to handle and not porous, so they do not need constant watering. Always provide the right kind of environment required for potted plants. These plants need a good source of natural light for their growth. The amount of light to be given to the plant will also depend on the kind of plant. Indoor plants require less amount of light while outdoor plants need sunlight. Keep potted plants at such a spot, which gives it a moderate amount of light. Placing them on a window is preferred or you can sometimes carry the plant outside for a few days before bringing it back. 1 | 2 Next Page»Knowing the type of soil is also important; the soil should allow proper drainage of water because excess water can cause the roots to get damaged with all the moisture. Black soil is the best for most plants. Adding manure in form of chicken residues or any form of fertiliser to the soil will keep the plants healthy for a long time. Maintain the shiny look of the leaves by whipping dust off them with a damp soft tissue. Dust makes the leaves look dull. Quick care tips According to www.bloomdepot.com, although every plant is different, there are some general rules to keep in mind when caring for house plants:Water the plant from below. Set the plant in a dish of water or a sink periodically so that it can take water up through the soil and the roots. This will prevent rot in the leaves and stems. Most plants prefer to dry out a little bit in-between watering. Where possible, place the plant in the environment it would most likely thrive in if it was growing in the wild. Specific care tips below will help determine this. Feed with plant food to maintain the nourishment it cannot receive through water alone. Avoid both direct heat and chilly drafts. Check the plant regularly for signs of pests, disease, or stress. Dead foliage and blooms should be removed for appearance as well as health. Pinching the tips off of the plants can encourage them to grow bushier. By keeping them a little more pot bound (a little too big for their pots) they can be encouraged to flower more. Best locations Potted plants add nature to the room they are put in. Potted plants and flowers can be placed anywhere in the house. However, the most common avenues are; reading rooms, dressing rooms, living rooms, balconies and verandas, and dining tables. Buying guide Not all potted plants are meant for indoors. Always inquire from the dealer about the difference so that you accord them proper care.Most dealers in potted flowers and plants don’t have company names; however, they are strategically located along side roads or trading centres. At Mukwano round about, Mr Pius Kamya, a potter and dealer in plants sells his products in the following ranges. Outdoor potted plants range from Shs500 to Shs50,000Indoor potted plants/flowers cost between Shs5,000 and Shs20,000Pots range from Shs10,000 to Shs50,000 depending on the size and design.At Nsambya and Kibuli roundabouts, prices for plants remain the same although their pots range from Shs6,000 to Shs70,000 depending on size and design. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/MuniiniMulera/-/878676/910908/-/ris90lz/-/index.html","content":"Presidential retirement and the colour yellow - Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, has done Uganda a good service by reporting to the US Congress that the Museveni government has not done anything to create conditions for genuine democratic elections in 2011. However, those excited by this development should suspend the celebrations until the US government, one of Gen. Yoweri Museveni’s most important constituencies, takes meaningful steps that will force the NRM regime to abandon its anti-democratic practices. Meanwhile, I invite you Tingasiga to celebrate the real heroes of this story, namely Princess Kabakumba Masiko (KM), Uganda’s Minister for Information and National Guidance, and Mr Ofwono Opondo (OO), the ruling party’s deputy spokesman. Their reaction to the news of Clinton’s report revealed a sophisticated ability to confirm a truth while pretending to dismiss it. When contacted by Sunday Monitor, Ms Masiko declared that there was “nothing new” in the report. Reacting with his customary honesty, Ndugu Opondo said “these accusations are not new.” In other words, Tingasiga, when Clinton reports that the government of Uganda gets a failing grade on the independence of the Electoral Commission; on the need for an accurate and verifiable voter registry; on the announcing and posting of results at polling stations; on the freedom of movement and assembly; on a process free of intimation; on the freedom of the media; and on the security and protection of the candidates, she tells an old truth that is not news. In fact Masiko and Opondo could have saved the American the trouble of compiling her report. Furthermore, they could have added more meat to the report by affirming that the regime’s plan to recruit 6,000 police and the President’s plan to appoint so-called assistant RDCs for ‘patriotism’ was part of the strategy to use state resources to employ his chief campaigners in districts. Ditto the proliferation of armed militia, such as those who recently ‘graduated’ in Kayunga District. Likewise, the reappointment of a chairman of the Electoral Commission, a man who is either irredeemably politically compromised, or grossly incompetent (we leave the choice to him), was self-evident insurance against any surprises by the citizens. You see, Tingasiga, in case the militarised police and other armed agents fail to intimidate and coerce voters either to stay away or to vote for Gen. Museveni, the EC can be counted on to ensure that the ‘results’ favour the ruling regime. It was effectively done in 2006. The party of “no change” is not about to abandon an effective strategy. Do you now see why OO and KM found Ms Clinton’s report so terribly boring? Why waste time with “this Hillary”, as Ms Masiko, at her diplomatic best, referred to the US Secretary of State? Surely they have more urgent business to attend to, such as figuring out how to craft some conjurer’s tricks to hoodwink Ugandans over the latest NRM scandal. Speaking of conjurer’s tricks, did you not die of laughter when you read that President Museveni had informed some employees of the Central Broadcasting Services (CBS) that their radio station was still shut down because some of his hardliner ministers were opposing its reopening? I don’t know about you, Tingasiga, but I am beginning to see a perfect retirement occupation for our tireless President. Stand-up comedy, with Museveni as the main act, would earn him millions of dollars, bring tourists flooding to the Rwakitura Casino, and fill up all those Chogm hotel rooms which are currently struggling for revenue. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome my hardliner ministers!” (Enter Tarasisio Kabwegyere and Janet Museveni.) Why, he might even afford to buy himself a Gulfstream G650, the latest model of his favourite mode of transportation. Well, of course he does not have to wait until retirement to get the new model as a replacement for the ancient Gulfstream G550 that he has been flying since December 2008. The G650, described as “the most technologically advanced business aircraft in the sky,” is the perfect jet for any serious African president. This jet should not be hard to buy. Simply backdate the order to November 2007, put it on the Chogm tab and inform Ugandans that the thing was needed to fly Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on a tour of her East African possessions. Ah! I am beginning to understand how this corruption business works. About that Chogm thing, was that not a masterful performance by our President before the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee? First, I liked his yellow shirt, that being my top favourite colour since my youth. Oh, yes, given the importance of such immaterial symbols like colours and thumbs up and clenched fists and two-finger salutes and khaki hats in the political and policy debates in Uganda, I will understand the distress of those who may feel betrayed to learn that when it comes to colour, I am in full solidarity with the President. You must admit, Tingasiga, that President really looks very good in yellow, especially when he complements it with a nice navy blue suit. However, I do not really care what colour you wear or what symbols you flash. What I care about is whether or not you are telling the truth to the Ugandan people. And if what I read is true, the President’s denial of knowledge of details of the various Chogm deals leaves me wondering. Just wondering, that’s all. I mean, Gen. Museveni is the great micromanager of the age. That he only knew about various contracts and mega-dollar awards “in principle,” leaving the details to his folks like Vice President Gilbert Bukenya, Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa and Security Minister Amama Mbabazi, is as true as Simon Peter’s claim that he did not know Jesus Christ. Poor Bukenya is about to be thrown under the Yellow Bus. You read it here, Tingasiga. The great master from Rwakitura is planning his next act. Blame some hardliner ministers for thwarting Buganda’s demand for its radio station. Wait a few days and announce the lifting of the ban on CBS. All is forgiven. Then throw Bukenya under the bus. After all, you will not tolerate anything that smells like corruption. The other “accused” must be let off the hook, because the investigation has “become too politicised.” Gotcha! There is only one problem. The Baganda, like the rest of Ugandans, are not fools. Dr Mulera is a consultant pediatrician and neonatologistmkmulera@aol.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/910012/-/a2c2gdz/-/index.html","content":"Anti-Movement woman collapses - I am still impatiently waiting for my two Sh410 million trucks I ordered through my Pakistani vehicle dealer. I should be grateful that political opportunists exist for without them my programme would not be progressing so well. But because 44 greedy MPs believed the silly rumour that I can help them get appointed as ministers, I got from them all the money for the mixer truck, tanker and the powerful mortars to use in cleaning up Kampala. I don’t think there will be any reshuffle and even if there is, I am not the appointing authority and anybody who doesn’t get appointed cannot blame me. After all, I never took their money on any written condition that they would become ministers. All I told them was the pure truth that I needed some money for my clean Kampala exercise. And that is nothing but the complete truth. It is not my fault that they imagine I can influence ministerial appointments. If I cannot even influence the appointment of a tea girl in a government office, what about a minister! God should send me more greedy fools so I make more money to serve His people. It is two weeks since we ordered the trucks and they should be arriving into Mombasa any time now. Once they are here, my yellow boys will look more serious and profession as they go about their work in all the five divisions of the city. In the past two weeks, I have been paying more attention to my profession of political mobilisation, and have been teaching them movement songs that they sing during work breaks and sometimes when they are carrying out a difficult task. This has even made us more popular and people in the neighbourhoods where we work are joining into the singing. Of course we always take the opportunity to slot Mzee’s name in the songs, especially those we compose. “The rain came and cholera attacked people; Mzee saw this and said is it not acceptable;He told yellow boys to do what is possible; To clean the city with labour not payable!”In the early mornings when my head is very clear, I work on the translations of the songs so that whichever language we sing them in, their meaning remains intact and yet the rhythm and rhyme are also there. We have them mostly in Luganda, Swahili and Rutoro. I still have some 10 vacancies on the teams since I have not replaced all the weaklings who dropped off after the first week. So my labour budget is still intact and I have more cash to facilitate the yellow boys for over six months. I am seriously considering making music a serious component of these cleaning and building exercises. It seems to be such a powerful tool in making the public associate with our movement. I think instead of getting more masons for those 10 vacancies, I should hire an expert to arrange the songs professionally so they endure for longer and keep our opponents at bay. Some of the songs are made spontaneously by the yellow boys and giving them an expert’s touch would enhance them. Like the song they have made about the vibrator we use to compact the mortar. I bought it from the balance of the MPs’ money after I had paid for the trucks that are now on the high seas. The vibrator is a grey cylindrical metal about an inch in diameter that weighs like a tonne. It is long, about a metre and the end the user holds is softer and flexible which ends up as a cable connecting to its power unit. The most fascinating thing about it is its weight, about 12kgs. Instead of crudely using poles and pieces of timber to compact the ‘nkokoto’ wherever we lay it, we use a vibrator to do it perfectly as it creates a homogeneous mixture that gets compacted without leaving any gaps of air. Concrete compacted using manual methods can occupy as much as twice the space than that compacted with a vibrator – the resultant strength being obvious. Now the yellow boys have created a song about their vibrator which says something like .. “omwana wa yellow alina ekyuma ekyakabi…” that the yellow boy has a tool to contend with. It was on Friday afternoon in Bwaise as the boys were trying to finish a rather long ground beam they had delicately fixed between the wall and foundation of a primary school that was otherwise set to collapse anytime due to repeated flooding and of course an initially shoddy design. A large woman who obviously doesn’t like the movement and had never been impressed with our work could no longer stand the praise of the “yellow boys’ tool” and came and shouted them down, saying she could throw away the yellow ‘akuuma’ – small tool. The young man who had been handling the vibrator handed it to her without a comment.The aggressive woman tried to pick the vibrator with one hand and realised it couldn’t move. She employed both hands and tried to be casual about it as she pushed it into the concrete mixture. But the weight and the vibrations were too much for her and she staggered and fell like a sack on her back. The boys and the slum crowds had a very long laugh as they sang loudly about the yellow boy’s tool. The embarrassed woman bully left the place with jeers and small boys taking pot slaps at form but jumping out of the way before she could slap them back as she walked with her head down. Afande Chama is a die-hard NRM supporter afandechama@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/-/688342/906466/-/fv59rh/-/index.html","content":"When the angel of death strikes - On the same date, in a space of two years, the Wesongas in Jinja have lost two daughters; one to Budo Junior inferno and another, in an accident on her way from school, writes Pauline Kairu People sit on mats outside. Inside the house, it is a bevy of activity as youthful volunteers prepare and serve food and refreshments to mourners. The grief that hangs over this neighbourhood is plain to see. Two years ago on the same day, and same month, Dickson Wesonga’s family lost a daughter to the Budo school fire. Now as they observe the second anniversary of their younger daughter’s death, they are once again mourning the death of an older one who died in a school bus accident in Jinja in which their two other sons were injured. The Wesongas are not only grief stricken, theirs is more of bewilderment.“What disturbs me most is the coincidence in the time. Both incidences happened on a Monday, one in April 11, 2008 and the other on April 12, 2010,” a grieving Ms Mabel Wesonga relates. Their two daughters were only two-years apart and both of them were in Primary Four.” “Why? How did it happen this way...I keep asking myself,” she pauses. Her facial expression is flustered yet so calm as though she knows something the rest of the world does not. Jacqueline Nabuduwa, an 11-year-old pupil of Victoria Nile Primary School, died at Jinja Hospital where she had been rushed following an accident that took place at Mailo Mbili on the Jinja-Iganga highway after a drunken driver driving students of Bubulo Girls Senior Secondary School to Kampala to get visas for a trip to Sweden, crashed into the former’s school bus while on their way to school in Jinja town. Her sister, Mellissa Wensonga died in the infamous Budo Primary Boarding school fire in which 19 other children died. “I am yet to come to terms with Jackie’s death. At the back of my mind, it’s as if she is just away and will be returning,” says Ms Wesonga as she fights back tears.When she got to the hospital after the accident, the mother of 10 children, some of whom are adopted could not trace any of her children. “People were pushing and kicking at the entrance to the room where the casualties had been rushed and I was not seeing any of my children,” she recalls, “But after a while, I saw Isak and got stuck there, too afraid to find out the fate of the others.” She tells of how after losing Mellissa to the fire, they withdrew their other children from boarding schools and made a deliberate decision not to enrol another of their children in boarding schools until they reach secondary school. “And yet, the reason we had been taking them to boarding schools was because we feared for their lives. But now after this I see things differently.”She adds, “This has got me thinking; we are merely human beings and we cannot control things. I have learnt we own nothing in this life. We have to leave things to God because he knows the beginning and end of everything,” the born again social worker who is a member of Deliverance Church Bugembe says. Before murmuring, “We had so much hope in them both. Mellissa always emerged top of her class and the worst she ever performed was coming in position two while Jackie always made it among the top 10 in class,” she states. Double tragedy She recalls with such fondness the report card they received from Mellissa’s class teacher weeks after she had passed. “I still remember when my husband went to the school, they gave him her report and it said, “Mellissa has been an exceptionally bright girl”, and you can imagine they did this after such a traumatic experience.At this point it is hard for her to hold back her tears probably as the memory of her daughter comes flooding back. “You know when they called us and told us about the fire my husband left for the school immediately, I did not go straight away. I was somewhat convinced my daughter could not have been among the ones who had been burnt to ashes....because when such things happen you always imagine no one you know is involved,” she narrates. She arrived at the school the following day and at first they were made to believe their daughter was still alive. The scene was still very disorganised and the information coming from officials was uncoordinated. “We could not locate her and the whole place was a mess. If you asked the school staff, they’d refer you to the police, when you went to police they told you to go to the mortuary,” she recalls, “At some point, I walked over to the head teacher of the school and she told me that she had seen my daughter running around on the day of the fire.” 1 | 2 Next Page»It took them six days to realise their daughter was among those had perished in the inferno following the release of the DNA tests. “I went in denial and refused to accept the loss. I was so devastated. I lost all hope and wanted to die too,” she admits. Then, she had to get help and support from counsellors from South Africa. As of now, she says, “God should strengthen me in the faith that I will not waiver. I pray that He can give me the grace to come to terms with this,” as she declares that were it not for family friends, fellow church members and other sympathisers they would not be able to get through this traumatic experience. Joel Wesonga, 9, also of Victoria Nile primary school, who sustained head and leg injuries in the ill-fated school bus that killed her sister, says he did not register much of what happened on the unfortunate morning. An elder brother, Isak Kagoda, 20, of Jinja SSS was also badly injured in the accident. They were both discharged days later from Jinja Hospital and are home recuperating. He says the day started normally except they were going to start exams that day and Jackie had been overly excited. “She was very enthusiastic about the tests. It was weird I didn’t understand why,” the boy notes, “I am very sad these are the only two sisters we had.” « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Heart-to-Heart/-/691230/904400/-/rcg11v/-/index.html","content":"Finding time for each other in a busy world - For Angelina Twinomujuni who’s been married for seven years, the need to improve their financial standing as a family forced her husband to take up a job in Tanzania six months ago. “But the arrangement is not something I would recommend; neither do I think I can handle staying like this for many years. My husband flies in once every two months and I also plan to visit him sometime. We keep our relationship going through phone calls; we talk every morning just to know how we slept and every evening to catch up on how our each other’s day has been. I should also say that the foundation of our marriage was good and it’s what has kept us going. But it isn’t easy at all,” the mother of two admits. With the rate of unemployment shooting through the roof, many Ugandans are doing everything to hold fast to their jobs.But have you noticed that the requirements in job advertisements just keep piling by the day? Writing reports, being creative, beating deadlines, supervising this or that, attending meetings, working long hours and being able to travel upcountry at any time you’re required. As if the duties stipulated are not enough, some still have the annoying, “and any other duties as may be assigned” clause. But even with such conditions, the applications come flooding in. This means that whatever an employer comes up with, there are so many people out there willing to do it. However, these employees’ lives are not only about their jobs; they have families. Well, after signing up to such rigorous and time-sucking jobs, there’s no energy and time left to nurture their intimate relationships whose importance to the general wellbeing of an employee cannot be underscored. You get that job right out of school and the pay is sufficient. You marry your campus girlfriend. Two children down and the family finances are hardly enough to go around for the month. And to get a job that delivers the fatter paycheck you badly need requires more qualifications. So you hit the lecture room again and start on weekend or evening classes to increase your demand on the job market. Result: more time scooped out of the already time-dehydrated marriage. It’s worse if your spouse’s job is not that demanding such that your absence is very much felt. Allan Male, a friend on facebook puts it this way: “Career development and social networking is one of the elective courses in marital breakdown.”And he can’t be more right; careers are taking over people’s lives. Though we can’t run from the fact that it is because of them that there’s bread on the table. And it’s not only employed people that are busy, so how does someone keep their marriage working whilst pursuing their calling in life? Different married people tell about how they make it work while handling the pressures of work. John Bosco Mayiga, the national co-coordinator of Uganda Media Development Foundation admits that it is sheer luck that his wife is equally busy and thus understands when he has to be away for say, three consecutive days on upcountry trips. “But even when you’re working, you always keep it at the back of your mind that you’re married. So when I come back, I create time for my family,” the proud father of three beautiful girls, says. On the other hand, Christine Kiggundu, a mother of four says that as part of their daily routine as a couple, they talk every day before going to bed because getting the luxury of a one whole day of going out is sometimes hard. Mr Geoffrey Kyeyune who has been married for 12 years but has been working upcountry for some time now, has successfully convinced his wife that she does not need to worry about his faithfulness to her. “Right from the beginning, I told her that coming from a poor background I needed to work very hard to break the hold of poverty. Sometimes she calls the office lines and not my mobile to crosscheck and she’s now very contented.” Fears of unfaithfulness may arise, admits Dr Tony Kapsandui, for jobs like mine where you work long hours but if you have built trust right from the beginning, then even when you’re out with friends, it’s easy for your spouse to believe you."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/899422/-/aocsf3/-/index.html","content":"How to fix a plumbing problem - Some piping systems in a home are prone to blockage or leakage, but such nightmares can be solved with plumbing solutions, writes Sarah Tumwebaze. The plumbing system which is the utility consisting of the pipe lines used for the distribution of waste water in a building and for the disposal of sewage is that one thing in the house that has to be given some kind of consideration while going on with our day to day activities. A mere blockage in this system may cause the whole house to have an offensive smell because it’s the same system which transports waste water from the sink, toilet and bathroom. This is why you need a professional plumber to do all the pipe lining in the house. According to Mr James Mpuga, a mobile plumber, plumbers come in handy when you want to install plumbing works like the bathroom, toilet and sink for either commercial, housing or industrial purposes. He says they also help in maintaining installed systems like pipes, connections in the pipes plus leakages and clogs in pipes. Plumbers also perform duties such as cutting and bending pipe and repair of systems that have been previously set up. Professional helpAccording to www.streetdirectory.com, if you are looking to hire a plumber to do a big job, it is smart to look for a plumber who specialises in the kind of work you need. No matter what kind of plumbing work needs to be done, people should always make sure the plumber they hire to do water pipe work or gas line work has been licensed by the state or the appropriate local authorities. Mr Mpuga explains that in Uganda, we mainly have two types of plumbers who are mainly those who lay and fit the pipes in the house or the building and those who unclog pipes. He however explains that those who fix the pipes can easily unclog pipes because this can also be done by a lay person. Plumbing problemsWhen fixing pipes, there are common problems that may occur like leakages which are one of the common plumbing problems. He says leakages occur in different ways because some leakages might be as a result of a loose end in the joints whereas others might be a result of the leaking pipes which can always be replaced. However, he advises that these should strictly be replaced by a plumber because a slight mistake might require that the pipes be laid again. Another common plumbing problem is clogging which mainly occurs in toilets, bathtubs and sinks. Mr Mpuga advises that to unclog the sink, bathtub and toilet, you need to hire a plumber to remove foods, hair, papers and other materials that might be blocking the way of the water. Mr Ivan Kabisinguza, a plumber with National Insurance Company (NIC) also explains that the other causes of blockages, flooding or clogging of the plumbing systems are the utensils we wash from the sink. These have a lot of grease and whenever it goes into the drainage system, it keeps on piling in one place and after some time, this will lead to the blockage of the system. Some people pour food particles into the sink which are carried into the pipes of the sewers and these keep on piling with time they form a ball-like shape thus blocking the passage of waste water through the pipes to the sewerage system. Also, there is poor disposal of sanitary towels, paper and plastic into toilets. “These pile up in the pipes and hinder the smooth flow of waste into the sewer,” he says. Even in cases where the manholes are not well covered, things like garbage and stones are most likely to fall inside leading to a blockage. Apart from the blockages, some of the sewers leak which leads to the flooding of certain areas with water full of waste. Some of the causes of these leakages are the use of poor material while building the sewers and poor fittings used on the sewer pipes which leaves space for water and air to escape. “In some cases, plumbers use poor quality PVC solvent cement while connecting the sewerage pipes. After a short time, this cement starts cracking thus leading to the leakage of the pipes,” he says. The recommendationsMr Kabisinguza says leakages normally come with an odour and thus recommends that people make their sewers water and air tight to prevent leakages. Plumbers should use the appropriate gradient while laying the sewer pipes as a way of allowing the smooth flow of waste from the pipes to the sewerage system thus preventing the flow back of water into the pipes that connect to the different units like the bath room, toilet and sink in the house. For pipes that run under heavy traffic areas, use of a sleeve (a strong pipe put on top of the sewer pipe) for protection measures will help. Also, put concrete on top of the pipes. Use professional plumbers because they will know the rightful materials to use and how to use them. He says while digging tunnels for the pipes, there are certain minimum standard metres that should be maintained. “In cultivation areas, the minimum depth is 1-1.5 metres and in heavy traffic areas, the minimum depth is two metres.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Travel/-/691238/888424/-/l9wu8z/-/index.html","content":"The caves of Nakawoza shrine - As the nation comes to terms with the shockwaves of the Bududa landslides, one finds it inevitable to reflect a little on the landscapes and the other geographical features in our neighbourhoods. After burying the Bududa inhabitants, the ugly and deadly mud on the slopes of Mt Elgon will grow grass and trees, sadly, life will continue. But could any of the geographical features- like a familiar huge stone midway on a hill in our various home areas known to have existed for centuries, or a lake like Kijanibarola in Rakai District that is said to have formed not long ago - have had a tragic story at its beginning similar to that of Bududa? Kijanibarola means in traditional Koki language. It came about when they were seeing it. Like in the case of Bududa, heavy rains are said to have been behind the historical flooding of the River Rwizi that flows all the way from Western Uganda which reportedly resulted in the formation of the lake, a couple of centuries ago. We don’t know whether people lost their lives as the lake was formed. This takes me to geographical features such as the caves of Nakawoza located near Kazilu Fishing Village along Lake Victoria in Masaka District. They are two huge caves, “a male and a female”, formed in a great brown rock in a dark forest. One of the caves is called Nalongo (the title for a mother of twins among the Baganda people) and the other about 30 metres away is Ssalongo (title for the father of twins). The rock in which they are has the appearance of a cliff although the lakeshore is a mile or so away. Nalongo is a seemingly endless frightening dark tunnel that no stranger could easily walk in unaccompanied. From time immemorial, the caves have been known as the Shrine of Nakawoza and the seat of the Kasimba clan, one of the 52 clans of the Baganda. The path that leads to the caves is clear and trodden. A priestess known as Nalongo Nakawoza sits at the entrance of the Nalongo cave where there are baskets containing beads, cowries, rat skins, birds’ feathers, spears, ornamental sticks, drums, bark-cloth sheets, mats, and other regalia. Nobody enters the caves wearing shoes. A fire burns all the time just at the entrance. Whoever goes into the caves must pay homage to the priestess. Tens of metres into the cave is the altar where Nalongo Nakawoza makes offerings to the spirits. For the members of the Kasimba clan, this is a place to go to pray for special blessings. The spirits here are said to offer good luck in marriage, business, politics, education pursuits, and employment. People going into the shrine, make offerings ranging from coins in an ever present basket to large amounts of money and animals such as goats and cows. It is understood that the priestess in her special way finally presents the offerings to the spirits. The other smaller cave, Ssalongo, has a visible end, and is less frightening but both caves are equally important. There too, is a priest, Ssalongo, who receives pilgrims and their offerings. Further away to the left on the same rock what appear to be manmade steps on the same huge rock leading to a plateau. There, holes for playing the traditional mweso game have been engraved. It is believed that people long ago would go there and relax playing that game. Masaka Woman MP, Ms Sauda Namaggwa Mugerwa, wants the shrine developed into a modern national tourist attraction. She has taken on tour the British High Commissioner, Martin Shearman, to this place. Her idea is to draw the attention of the world to enlist Nakawoza among other wonders of the world, where tourists can go visit. Twenty miles away in Buwunga District, is a similar cave, Kajuna. It is also a seemingly endless dark tunnel in a brown rock. Some people claim the tunnel at Kajuna is connected to the tunnel making up Nakawoza Shrine. No one is known to have traversed the entire length of the dark tunnel but people keep saying some people have done so and ended up at Nakawoza Shrine, miles away. Interestingly, the cave at Kajuna is also said to be the seat of the Nyonyi (birds) clan. It is also a shrine located on a village well that never goes dry no matter how serious the drought might be. In the days gone by, a man called Sserwanga who lived all his life in the forest covering the shrine in total solitude was the custodian of the Kajuna Shrine. He died a few years ago and hopefully some other person will present himself as the in charge of the cave at Kajuna.One question however stays, how did these strange geographical features come to be?"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/863956/-/ai9sl9z/-/index.html","content":"Schools should offer parents customer care service - The trials and tribulations of finding a good school have already begun. Parents and guardians are all out on the long, tedious and dreadful journey of trying to find schools for their children whose PLE and O’level results were released recently. As it has always been, parents whose children didn’t score aggregate four or five are desperate and anxious to get their children in the schools of their choice. This time round, technology has proved what seemed impossible possible. As soon as the results were released, parents sent messages with index numbers to 6600 and in what looks like confirming accuracy; they received messages including the full names of the child. So there was no doubt that one could have been given another child’s results. It is true that every parent wants their children to go to schools of their first choice. But the reality is that the schools (both government and private) can only take in a limited number which is frustrating to parents and students/pupils. The challenge to the school head teachers is enormous. They should be well prepared for this kind of situation as parents try to find schools for their children. Public relations and customer care are required at this time and if used well, the interactions will lead to relationship building between the schools and parents. Head teachers should know that even if hundreds of parents are flooding their schools, some of them also know that a school can admit only a limited number of children. Therefore, saying “good No” will be necessary. A school may not admit a student, but the parent will still praise its administration, if the administrators treated them well. Much as the head teachers, or school administrators will face some difficult parents, they should understand that parents are now desperate and it’s vital that they use all the necessary techniques that do not worsen their situation. Good communication reduces tension. Schools should empower their secretaries, administrators and askaris to handle parents well. For instance, it is unfair to make a parent wait at the head teacher’s office for almost a whole day and later be told that the head teacher will not come after all. Consistency by the school authorities is very necessary. For instance, if there is official communication that the head teacher will not be in office for a week, then that position should apply across board. It’s not good for a head teacher to meet some parents within that time when they are presumed to be away. If that happens, the school’s credibility suffers. Also the way the school communicates to parents is very important. A convincing rather offending interaction with parents is the way to go. It is also important for parents be open to their children; tell them whether they will be admitted and if not, involve them in the next decision you may want to take. This reduces tension between them. Remember that even the brightest child can be disappointed with their grades. However, tell them that such disappointments are temporal. Many traditional schools have been associated with exemplary performance and discipline and values. Therefore, the many new private schools should also brand themselves with the right values, academic excellence and discipline that most parents are looking out for. We have already seen some exemplary private schools but we still need more. It is important for schools to build good customer service as this will lead to strong relationship building. Head teachers should build a better image of their schools. One of the ways to achieve this is to handle their customers well. Say “No” to a parent with a smile when you can’t admit their child. Ms Lumonya is the deputy chief marketing and communications officer, NSSFolumonya@yahoo.co.uk"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/855124/-/alss7t/-/index.html","content":"Environmentally friendly homes come closer and cheaper - Building a quality environmentally friendly and easily constructed structure would be every Ugandan’s dream but the high end priced building materials make it a far-fetched one. This could end with the arrival of cheaper, yet environmentally friendly building materials on the market. Mamba Bggys, Homes Technical Services has come up to offer a solution with their prefabricated construction materials to raise a house in less than three months, without the hassle of getting timber, sand or bricks. According to Mr Bashir Mayombwe, the company’s executive director, the ultra modern method of construction adopted by many developed countries in Europe and America makes one’s house durable and cheap compared to the construction materials that are available. “It saves 70 per cent of the total costs needed for comparable site built structures yet it has up to 100 years warranty”, he says. Mr Mayombwe adds that the construction that only takes three months to complete can resist the wind of up to 2090km/hr and has 80 per cent chances of a person surviving in case of a natural disaster. Several civil society organisations in Uganda have been agitating for environmental protection but constructing a homestead requires timber, sand and bricks that are all a cost to the environment. Sand mining at the lakeshores causes lake silting and cutting down trees for timber has been criticised as the leading environment destructive force in the age of climate change outrage. Mr Mayombwe relates a two bed-roomed 80 square house that could cost Shs150m, to a prefabricated home that goes up to Shs120m. The Maple homes on line company shows that there are several software to support and facilitate the design and drawing of constructions in light gauge steel. It also shows that profiles of the prefabricated homes are divided into five different categories, these include; studs, cladding, battens, and fittings, among others. The word “prefab” according to the Real Estate Journal, is used to describe any type of home that is made from easy-to-assemble building parts that were manufactured off-site. In Japan, the extremely high levels of population density, demands building standards for earthquake design and fireproof construction, and a moderate climate alleviating the problems that a colder climate creates for the use of steel, thus making it possible for a market with dense housing construction with steel. The processMr Mayombwe reveals that the homes are generally designed to be initially stronger than traditional homes by, for example, replacing nails with screws and adding glue to joints which helps in maintaining their structural integrity. He adds that prefabricated buildings can be assembled on top of multiple foundation surfaces, such as a crawl space, stilts (for areas that are prone to flooding), full basements or standard slab at grade. “They can also be built to multi-story heights. Motels and other multi-family structures have been built using modular construction techniques. The height that a prefabricated structure can be built on depends on jurisdiction but a number of countries, especially in Asia, allow them to be built to 24 floors and possibly even more,” he says. The exterior wall surfaces can be finalised in the plant production process or in case of brick/stone veneers, field applications may be the builder’s choice. Mr Mayombwe says they are designing a memorandum of association with national housing to kick start a project for them and have already signed a deal with DFCU bank to avail mortgage loans to people willing to get these homes. “We hope to crack more deals with several banks to aid able Ugandans get these ultra modern facilities to stop the hassle-stealing building materials and quarreling with construction engineers,” he reveals. This process is the best answer to protect the environment in Uganda because the structures are suitable for tropical regions."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/816388/-/alajqcz/-/index.html","content":"Important lessons to learn from climate change - It has long been known that development and advancement of mankind is indefinite provided the laws of economics stated by renowned economists are correctly followed. These laws favour use of quantification because it makes the comparison of costs and benefits easier. Economists further argue that the use of numbers make value judgments explicit and convinces decision-makers to think about values in a more systematic and reasoned way. This decision making that depends only on economic variables when put to intellectual scrutiny is found to be wanting because the way the numbers are arrived at can be subject to manipulation. They may only reflect the value judgments of the analyst. Some environmental resources can’t be assigned a precise monetary value but may have great intrinsic value. There are many examples of things we value but can’t be assigned a monetary value. For instance, what is the monetary value of one’s parent or friend or water at its source? Mr John Bowers in a report prepared for the British Association of Nature Conservationists, says the problem of valuing environmental resources lies in the difficulties of determining the value of any particular species or example of habitat type to the system as a whole. Others argue that the reduction of decision-making to economic variables will enable the progressive destruction of the environment. Good decision-making should involve moral judgments as well as judgments of cost effectiveness. History teaches us that civilisations collapsed mainly through careless destruction of the environment and natural resource base that support life systems in pursuit of economic gains. The recent lesson is climate change which is purely a man-made phenomenon that has the potential to wipe out life on earth. Is it not industrialisation and modern technology that should have come with all the benefits of a better life? Instead this industrialisation has caused climate change that is reversing the achievements so far made in health, agriculture, science and technology over generations. The collapse of the Arctic and Antarctic ice sheets, disappearance of glaciated mountain peaks, extinction of valuable wildlife, drying of Lake Chad and recent flooding in northern Uganda are examples. The ongoing human starvation as a result of drought in many parts of the world and submergence of coastal lands in Bangladesh as sea level continues to rise are all reminders that human quest for development can outstrip nature’s ability to sustain our greed. It calls into question the Enlightenment Principle that human progress will make the future look better than the past. Therefore, converting all the natural resource capital into consumable goods does not automatically lead to development that can stand the test of time. Sustainable development demands that we place ecological imperative at the heart of economics. According to David Ehrenfeld, a biology professor; “It does not occur to us that by assigning value to diversity, we merely legitimise the process that is wiping it out, the process that says; “The first thing that matters in any important decision is the tangible magnitude of the dollar costs and benefits. People are afraid that if they do not express their fears and concerns in this language they will be laughed at; they will not be listened to. This may be true...But true or not, it is certain that if we persist in this crusade to determine value where value ought to be evident, we will be left with nothing but our greed when the dust finally settles,” Sharon Beder, Contract with America: Costing the Earth, Technology and Society, Spring 1996.Our national budget emphasises huge investments in agricultural production, Naads, hydropower production, roads and other infrastructure. Good investment isn’t it? It should go a step further to emphasise integration of environment conservation principles in these projects which should be evidenced in the budgetary allocation for environment and natural resource conservation. It should show high levels of inter-sectoral coordination and huge commitments to environmental restoration and preventing damage to have meaningful development as these programmes proceed. Our quest for development that neglects ecological principles will not stand the taste of time Mr Mugyengyi is a member of Daily Monitor Panel of Experts"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/-/688614/719456/-/hefc07z/-/index.html","content":"Fishing money from the pond - Kampala Fish farming is not embraced by many people simply because they perceive it as an expensive venture to engage in. However, compared to other investment ventures, fish farming is far cheaper. Whereas the sector would have provided employment to many, it has been neglected as a fisherman's zone. Research reveals that there is still very little awareness about fish farming across the country. According to media reports, this lack of awareness mars the benefits of fish farming; an otherwise profitable sector. For Amina who ventured into fish farming three months ago, fish farming not only requires little capital but less time as well compared to the benefits accrued to it. “I spent Shs1.3million to start rearing fish in my home which is cheaper unlike in other businesses and I can go to job as well,\" she said. She also adds that the venture does not need a lot of attention and therefore saves time as fish live and grow naturally. Fish farming or aquaculture, if taken seriously doesn't only benefit individuals but the entire economy as well. It is a source of income to households like Amina's. The rich in protein product not only lives the fish farmers healthy but can act as a source of foreign exchange if reared on large scale. Did you know that fish ponds can reduce pressure on the lakes? When many people rear fish, the supply in the market will be high and therefore, fishermen will not be in dire need to overfish from water bodies to feed the ever growing demand. Customers will divert from buying fish from lakes and start buying from neighboring ponds,\" This will  eventually help (guard against) extiction,\" says Amina. At the beginning of this year, media reports indicated that Uganda which has been earning more than $100m from fish exports will get less revenue this year due to over-fishing of immature fish. This explains that the demand for fish is higher than its supply. If individuals and groups venture into fish farming, then we can save the innocent species today, for tomorrow's income and exports. Before one ventures into fish farming, they also have to consider the nature of the land. Water logged land is the most appropriate as it is easy to dig unlike breaking hard ground. However, Amina adds that not all water logged land is suitable for aquaculture; the land should be flat, with a dependable water source. Excavated ponds are the commonest and most recommended countrywide where the pond should have a water inlet and outlet. The sides of the pond should also be covered by fertile soils to provide rich nutrients to the fish. Feeding the fish is not a big problem since most of them feed on plants.. Although it's a generally cheap venture, the overall expense includes hiring people or a tractor to dig the ponds and then buying the fish fries. “The people digging at times are very expensive, they ask for (protective gear) to avoid bites by insects in dumpy grounds which adds to the expense,\" says Amina. After digging the fish pond, one has to add lime to the pond to kill any germs which might otherwise be harmful to the fries. The pond is now ready to house the fries. The fingerlings are not costly either.  Amina says that they are affordable at a Jinja-based tilapia producing organisation where she bought hers. “Each costs Shs77 and I bought 2,500 of them for one fish pond,\" she says. Such investment would in future bring greater returns as the cost of fish in the market today ranges from Shs2000 to 20,000 depending on the size. The venture is also cheap because it does not require education or experience like other businesses. It only calls for understanding on how to feed fish, maintain the pond and keep the water clean and harvest them. Depending on where you buy them, the source at times gives the client a technician who helps carry the fingerlings home. “The technicians have their own way of lowering the fingerlings into the water without any death occurring,\" adds Amina. However fish rearing does not come along without challenges. “If it rains heavily, there is a possibility of over flooding of the ponds and fish might be swept away,\" says Amina. Fish doesn't feed on much food and therefore two sacs are enough for Amina's pond in a week. She however has plans to use poultry waste as fish feeds. “If one builds a poultry house over the fish pond, then it would save the farmer from buying fish feeds as the poultry waste will fall into the fish pond and act as fish food,\" she says. Being a small scale fish farmer does not limit the farmer to sell his product to the retailers only but to big entities as Amina explains. “One can target hotels and whole sale buyers which can earn one a huge income at once,\" she concludes."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/-/691192/714828/-/fd4womz/-/index.html","content":"Vanishing wetlands put Uganda at risk of ecological disasters - Once a town that had numerous wetlands to show for it, Kampala’s wetlands now count for only 16 per cent of the total cover. Al-mahdi Ssenkabirwa writes about the dangers that await us as a consequence. Wetlands are a vital resource because they serve as sponges and water filters. They also prevent destructive flooding along lakes or rivers. But this resource is considerably disappearing by the day. Reason - excessive pollution and encroachment. The growing industrialisation, particularly in Kampala, has seen several informal and formal factories crop up to take advantage of the increasing demand for products. These industries are set up in almost every corner of the city. Whereas the factories have created jobs for thousands of Ugandans, poor disposal of industrial waste has put the health and livelihood of thousands of city dwellers at risk. At this rate, if the degradation of wetlands is not checked, the country is headed for a vast ecological disaster that may lead to persistent clean water shortages, according to Dr Gerald Musoke, the deputy executive Director of National Environment Management Authority. “We have tried to do our work but some industries are reluctant to comply on the issue of untreated wastes. And if we discover that one industry is simply releasing untreated water into wetlands, we shall automatically penalise them,â€Â� he said in an interview last week. Dr Musoke says some wetlands where a variety of staple food crops are illegally grown in the city have of recent been converted into dumping sites for industrial wastes and oily substances from garages. Consequently, many of these effluents end up in water bodies and infiltrate water wherever it rains. Kampala has several wetlands covering about 16 percent of the district. But what is perplexing is that there is no statistical data on the existing wetland area. The last national land cover with detailed wetland information was produced in 1996. Massive contamination It is estimated that about 5.3 tonnes of faecal waste with concentrations of 430mg/litres of chemicals pour into the Lake Victoria via city channels daily. According to the recent survey done by National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), the concentration of organic waste matter transported to the lake is comparable with that received at Bugolobi Sewage Treatment plant. Some of the wetlands include Nakivubo, Lusaze-Kosovo, Nsooba Nalukolongo, Kirombe and Lubigi swamp system. Some people in Kampala have gone to the extent of growing crops in wetlands like the Murchison Bay wetland system near Luzira Prisons that are used as effluent treatment centres. Dr Musoke says the waste usually contains toxic chemicals, metals and oils. When they get into wetlands where crops are grown, they are extracted and absorbed by the crops.   Danger to health   He explains that even if these effluents are dumped into a water source or on a dry land, they will still end up in the food and a person who takes water contaminated by these chemicals may end up getting cancer and other skin diseases, adding that a recent study conducted by the Department of zoology and Botany of Makerere University proved it. “Some of these wetlands absorb a lot of effluent and I don’t encourage anyone to grow crops in such areas because the crops will be contaminated,â€Â� he says. Urban farming has taken the city by storm and the residents here offer ready market for the farm products including yams, maize and a variety of vegetables. Agriculture in Kampala is practiced mainly in valley slums where the impoverished live in informal settlements. Nema however says urban farmers should be organised and desist from growing crops in wetlands especially those that act as effluent treating centres. Consumers assume that whatever is grown in the city is contaminated with either faecal matter or chemicals. “I have never bought vegetables from Kampala because they are grown in areas where garages and factories are emptying untreated wastes, which are then absorbed by the crops and when you eat them, you definitely end up getting health complications,â€Â� says City Mayor Nasser Ntege Sebaggala, adding that it has been cumbersome for city council to protect city dwellers from consuming contaminated foodstuffs due to influence from some powerful quarters he declined to mention. “Whenever we attempt to close industries that are emptying raw effluent into the wetlands and those that are unhygienic, you get endless calls from different people. We have attempted to evict encroachers from wetlands and close unhygienic abattoirs but our efforts end up being frustrated by those above,â€Â� Sebaggala says.  If people were respecting the law, they would not be encroaching on wetlands as it is the case today under the pretext of practicing urban farming, he adds. “We don’t discourage urban farming, but let it be done in a proper manner. We have opened up a well organised area in Kyanja where such activities can take place,â€Â� he says. On the issue of garages, Dr Musoke admits that whereas Nema has tried to encourage factories and petrol stations to establish waste management systems, it has not done much for the garages. “We have left the issue of garages to the city planning authority but as the industry takes root, we shall concentrate on this issue. This is a land-use matter which I must admit that we have not handled. Garages should be away from water sources and wetlands and they should be able to effectively manage their waste,â€Â� he says. Musoke says Nema will not continue creating awareness to change the current situation. The major sources of environmental degradation and pollution in the city include solid waste, abattoir waste, sewage, industrial pollution, traffic pollution, atmospheric pollution, urban agriculture, rapid urbanisation and washing bays. Oil from vehicles especially those that are washed along the river and lakeshores also contaminate the water. The ever-increasing population in the city has exerted pressure on land and forced some people to reside or farm in wetlands . Currently, Kampala’s population stands at about three million people. According to a United Nations Human Settlements report, four out of 10 city residents live in unplanned and under-serviced slums around Kampala, while less than six out of 10 Kampala residents have access to clean water. Also according to a study conducted by Chemiphar in 2007, 90 per cent of the natural springs are contaminated especially during rain seasons. This puts residents at higher risk of contracting water-borne diseases like cholera, typhoid and dysentery. Despite the significant importance of water, the percentage of the total national budget going to the water and sanitation sector has been dwindling  over the years from 4.8 per cent in 2004/05 to 1.8 per cent last financial year. A survey conducted by the Anti Corruption Coalition –Uganda (ACCU) in October last year revealed that the trend in rural water coverage shows a progressive increase to 63 per cent by June 2008, there is need for concerted efforts among stakeholders to avert corruption so that the targeted 77 per cent coverage in rural and 100 per cent in urban areas are achieved."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/-/688614/708646/-/hf2innz/-/index.html","content":"Consider exports to better income prospects - As the dollar continues its appreciation trend against the shilling whilst pushing importers in a tight corner, exporters are laughing their way to the banks. Many Ugandans have shied away from export trade and opted to import Chinese products which are flooding all shopping malls in Kampala City. Although exports have grown at a significant pace over the past 4-5 years, the trade deficit has also increased. The trade balance widened due to mounting prices and rising domestic demand for both raw materials and intermediate goods, in particular oil products, vehicles, equipment and machinery. The trade deficit was $1 billion (Shs2.2 trillion) in 2006/07 (or 11 percent of GDP) and expanded to a deficit of $1.3 billion (Shs2.8 trillion) in 2007/08 (or 12 percent of GDP). However, hope is not lost to change this trend if more people turn their investments into export business. Government through Uganda Export Promotions Board (UEPB) has increased its campaign to increase the country's exports, by diversifying from traditional crops like coffee, cotton, tea, tobacco to fish, flowers, horticultural, handcrafts and services all geared towards increasing people's incomes and reduce poverty. One of the initiatives government has embarked on in partnership with the private sector is the implementing of the National Export Strategy. NES is a five-year work plan geared towards boosting and taking the export sector forward. With the necessary logistics in place their are hopes that export earnings are expected to jump from the current $2 billion (Shs3.4 trillion) to $5 billion (Shs8.5 trillion) by 2012. Hundreds of Ugandans have been exporting different types of commodities and those who have practiced and seen its benefits have never looked back. Mr Stanley Mulumba the managing director of Ugarose a flower firm situated along Entebbe road says; “I was inspired into the export business by the President Museveni's lectures that were urging Ugandans to seriously invest in the export business\". Mr Mulumba is now one of the leading exporters of flowers in the country. Ugarose exported 558 tons or approx. one tenth (9.4 percent) of the total tonnage exported by all the 20 flower growers / exporters in 2006. Today the Uganda flower sector has matured and stabilised. There has been a rapid growth from zero in 1992 to 5,912, tons exported in year 2006 and 4832 tons in 2007.  Mr John Kavuma says; “I first heard about export of horticulture products by reading a story written in the then Uganda Argus. They highlighted on how the KK Wholesalers an indigenous company had made money by exporting of vegetables to UK in late 60s\". In 1996 Kavuma started exporting non-traditional products like; fruits and vegetables to Europe and has he been successful. Ms Florence Kata, Executive Director UEPB says; “Export trade is making the world a highly competitive trade platform for the foresighted people to exploit\". She says UEPB has numerous programmes and strategies to encourage people to start export and these include; training people about the markets, counselling those who are already in the business, and sourcing for information about the various markets. With these in place, the main question one should ponder is the general mix, which he or she can apply to his/her company in order to succeed in this international trade. However there are several recommendations which those wishing to engage in export should keep in mind so as to achieve successful marketing. Ms Kata says; “On needs to obtain appropriate export advice and develop an export marketing plan before going for any export business\". The plan should clearly define goals, objectives, and the problems encountered in the business. Secondly; management should have a real commitment to overcome the initial difficulties and financial requirements of exporting. “This means companies or exporters must be ready to accept the early delays and costs involved in exporting. These may seem difficult to justify in comparison with established domestic sales, but the exporter should take a long-range view of this process and carefully monitor international marketing efforts, Kata explains. Anyone wishing to start exporting and being successful has to take sufficient care in selecting overseas distributors. Kata says; “The complications involved in overseas communications and transportation require suitable international distributors to act more independently than their domestic counterparts\"."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/702738/-/b62imoz/-/index.html","content":"Enforce strict building standards in all schools - Since the Ministry of Education and Sports expects to receive a grant from African Development Bank for building schools countrywide, it is important that health and safety issues arising out of construction need to be a high priority. Over the past years, we have followed with pain the horrific events that have arisen out of substandard construction of buildings across the country, including school buildings. A report commissioned by the government in 2005 indicated that most buildings in the districts of Kampala, Mpigi and Wakiso do not meet basic building standards and are likely to cause deaths, injury and loss of property. In the face of these unfortunate events, it is a relief to know that the Ministry is committed to supporting a safe, secure learning environment for students. A majority of the country’s traditional schools are between 40 and 90 years old and most health and safety risks to children and staff, found today in most school buildings are primarily due to the ravages of time. Many traditional schools exhibit sick building syndrome. Dangerous fire hazards such as exposed wiring, crowded hallways and blocked exits, leaking ceilings, shattered windows, broken toilets mar the learning atmosphere and endanger students and staff. Thus, the Ministry of Education and Sports should, with the assistance of licensed architects and engineers, set out a strategy for the construction industry to move towards building more sustainable school structures and working in a more efficient and socially and environmentally responsible manner. This will help reduce the dangers of shoddy school construction. The crucial first step is to closely monitor the work of the building contractors. The Ministry of Education and Sports or appointed architects and engineers should check the quality and competence of work on a regular basis to ensure they are satisfactory, and the contractors are complying with health and safety requirements. Perhaps, the most neglected area is the architectural design of school buildings and surrounding grounds. Today, in the rush to make quick economic gains, school safety and security has ceased to be a dominant concern when designing most school facilities. Therefore, design should be applied with considerable effectiveness so as to make school sites safer and more secure. 1 | 2 Next Page»Emphasis should be put on implementation of expected standards for the procurement of building materials, reliability, and durability and minimise any dangers. For instance, all doors, aisles, passageways, stairways or any other means of exit should be of sufficient width or size so as to provide safe and adequate means of escape in case of fire or panic. Further, the Ministry of Education and Sports should ensure that the constructors aim at fire resistive construction, suitable electrical wiring and avoid using materials that have been established to be a threat to health or safety of building occupants (like asbestos roofings) etc. The structures should also be strong enough to resist natural disasters like strong rains and winds. Special needs students should also be considered. For instance, an assisted evacuation plan form should be completed for any child who has limited mobility and for any other child who would require assistance to leave the building in the emergency. Further, if costs permit, buildings should be fitted with internal and external communication systems to cater for emergencies. For schools in urban areas, a sustainable drainage system is essential to minimise the impact of urban development on the flooding and pollution of waterways. And once the construction is done, the Ministry, with the help of building experts, should perform periodic inspections of school buildings, promptly investigate complaints of building safety violations and make timely repairs. With the above, we shall have made progress towards creating a safe and healthy environment in which every child is assured of safety and room for achievement. Mr Kalule is the programme coordinator Legal Brains Trustlegalbrainstrust@gmail.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/-/688614/761392/-/hbi7r1z/-/index.html","content":"Just how cheap are those Christmas sales? - Kampala Just the other day, I took some time and walked on Kampala streets, I would be a liar, if I told you I did not window shop, because even if you don't want to, the price offers tempt you to do so.   On one street, I came across a gentleman standing at the entrance of an electronic shop; he was clapping, dancing and singing Jingle Bells and calling people to hurry and grab something while stocks last. Apparently there was a 30 per cent cut on the prices on the appliances.   A peep through the shop revealed it was quiet busy, as people were having a glimpse of the different appliances ranging from energy saver bulbs, flat irons, fridges, fans, music systems and TV sets in different sizes among others.  I walked on along the same street into another shop with a big placard written on: 25 per cent sale and another shop directly opposite saying Christmas Offer, buy one win one mobile phone. It was getting more tempting.  Supermarkets have joined the Christmas bonanza offers.  To be exact, Uchumi Supermarket at Garden City has lined up close to 30 products mainly foods and juices among others in its Pre-Xmas offers, which started on November 28-Dec 7. In an interview with Smart Money Uchumi Manager Mr Eric Korir said; “The Pre-Xmas offer is just a starter and as soon as it ends\", a real Christmas offer will commence all through the festive season starting on December. He says in this one (Christmas sale), more special products from food stuffs, wines, and other ordinary home items would be brought in.  Korir says the discounts will vary from item to item but on average there will be a 5 per cent minimum discount. At the back of mind I kept on asking how business people benefit from such big offers especially around this time. Could it be that, what consumers think are offers is just a mere  veil on the actual subject or it's simply time for the traders to get rid of the old stock in preparation for the new year ? However, Korir quickly disagrees with this notion, saying that for Uchumi, Christmas is not the only time the supermarket gives offers to its customers; there are other discounts in the middle of the year. “Festive season is a time when everybody is craving to have or buy something good for their families\". This is when the offers we give play a big part because we want to accommodate everybody so they can buy something, Korir said. He says as a Supermarket, through the offers, they expect many people turning up to buy in big numbers and the more they buy the more profit they will make. Sloping downtown Kampala, you feel the festive mood, judging from the number of people congested around and within shopping malls and arcades. Many are inquiring about the prices; others want to try out the clothes and shoes before buying.  Ms Freda Bogere operating around the refurbished Mini Price along Ben Kiwanuka Street, mainly deals in ladies clothes, shoes and children's items among others. She informs Smart Money that early Christmas shoppers have started buying some of her items. Bogere imports mainly from China, Thailand and Malaysia and she has started stocking for the festive season.  “All my products cater for all ages, sizes and pockets\", Bogere said The prices and goods may sound and appear very attractive but during this time many unscrupulous people take advantage of this season to reap off the consumers hard earned money. They have always done this through flooding the market with expired and substandard goods. Uganda National Bureau of Standards Public Relations Manager Mr Moses Ssebunya sounds a warning to consumers to spend wisely. Mr Ssebunya said; “People should always be vigilant especially if the prices are substantially lower than the real market price\". This should ring a bell that something is not right about the product. He said usually traders use this season to get rid of the expired goods or those which are about to expire putting the lives of the consumers at risk. “Whoever is buying something must check the expiry date and not be taken up by the good price. It makes no sense to spend the money you have saved for months on something which would make you sick or worse still end your life, Ssebunya said. He adds that some unscrupulous traders use the festive season to reap off customers especially around the rush hours like in the evening along streets."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/-/691192/737132/-/fbtweyz/-/index.html","content":"Why safe water plans in Uganda choke - The provision of safe water to the population is one of the ways to not only curtail water related diseases, but also poverty levels. But the water service sector faces an uphill task in offering clean, safe and affordable water, writes Bamuturaki Musinguzi. ***image1*** Although the meagre earnings from vending water have enabled 28-year-old Hasifa Nandawula barely cope with the high cost of living in the city of Kampala – the single mother’s wish is to improve her income to support her three children. Nandawula, a water vendor in Church Zone, Kisenyi II in Kampala Central is employed by the owner of a public water stand tap, where she sells water worth Shs5,000 per day and is paid Shs1,000 as her daily wage. “The Shs1,000 I earn everyday is not enough,� Nandawula said, quickly adding: “But I have nothing to do.� “One time I was preparing breakfast meals where I made a profit of between Shs2,000 – 3,000. But because my customers reduced tremendously I can no longer supplement my income.� Left with no option, Nandawula took her children to her village home to reduce on the cost of feeding three extra mouths in the city but who would afford to attend school there. “I decided to take my children to Kawolo village, Lugazi in Mukono district where they attend school. The eldest 14-year-old boy is in Primary 7 while the youngest who is eight years old, is in Primary 3. I always go there after a month to check on them.� Nandawula with three other single mothers rent a one-roomed house in Kisenyi at Shs20,000 per month with each contributing Shs5,000 per month. The other three mothers also decided to settle their children in their respective villages to avoid the costs of looking after them in the city. Nandawula is among the hundreds of poor people in Kampala benefiting from the Urban Pro Poor project managed by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC). As a public utility NWSC has a mission to serve the poor. It has established the Urban Pro Poor branch that coordinates all the urban poor customers’ activities; new connections, billing, collections and other innovative services to this segment. This also includes water and sanitation, sustainable agriculture, advisory services and micro finance. NWSC’s definition of the poor is those households with incomes of less than Shs80,000 and in most cases earned on a day to day basis (piece meals), clustered settlements with high crowding index of 0.25 - 14 people per household, very low water consumption of between 0 - 20 litres per capita per day and customers who do not have their own connections and use mainly public water points. The overall goal of the Urban Pro Poor programme is to provide improved access to piped water services to poor households living in slum areas of Kampala city, through provision of public water points and yard tap connections. The central government represented by both the ministries of water and finance, maintains a performance contract with NWSC. In turn NWSC has developed a set of delegated area management contracts through which it monitors the performance of its 23 towns of operations or the water supply service areas. The Urban Pro Poor programme has been met with a number of challenges. “There is a problem of land scarcity and ownership to allocate facilities,� the Urban Pro Poor manager, J.B. Otema Adonga said. “Urban communities are too complex and ever shifting thus hindering sustainability of the set up facilities and services,� Adonga added. “Natural calamities like high water table, flooding and collapsing soils have disrupted the effective implementation of NWSC activities,� Adonga said. There is also bureaucracy of local government structures which affect service to the poor. “There is information gap between policy makers, service providers and local communities or beneficiaries in regard to water and sanitation service delivery to the urban poor.� Many of the beneficiaries have been disconnected by NWSC for failure to pay their water bills because of the poor incomes. According to the NWSC Project Manager, Eng. Paddy Twesigye, average sales on stand water points are Shs67,000 per month. A vendor will only be left with Shs50,000 as his income after paying a monthly water bill of Shs20,000. The Shs50,000 is not enough to meet one’s daily needs and therefore cannot be relied on as a livelihood and will therefore not provide quality service. “The temptation not to remit the Shs20,000 water bill is high and that is why several have been disconnected. It is high risk to deal with the poor communities because after connecting them do you disconnect them and yet this service has to make economic sense. Do we provide free water to these communities like South Africa does? Our economy is not at that level,� Twesigye said. “With low tariffs the intention is to have the poor man have access to cheap water but who benefits, the poor or the well to do? In the end it’s the poorest that have to pay dearly to get water,� Twesigye noted. Studies have shown that there is a relationship between water consumption and the distance involved from the water points; the further it is the less consumption even to cover basic health requirements. Ugandans consume five litres of water per day compared to the ten litres recommended by international bodies. The water and sanitation sector performance measurement target for water collection time in rural areas is 27 minutes, while for the urban areas it is 7 minutes. Drinking water collection time was considered as the waiting time at the source, and the time to and from water source. For the rural areas, the survey revealed 93 minutes during the dry season, and 63 minutes during the wet season. However, for the urban areas, the waiting time was 60 minutes during the dry season and 42 minutes during the wet season. The reasons for the long water collection time were unreliable water sources, long distances and long queues at water points. Furthermore, the 2000 NSDS revealed that households were on average spending 43 and 31 minutes at a water source during the dry and wet season respectively, in the rural area. Urban dwellers were paying more than four times higher than their rural counterparts. At regional level, the average monthly payments for water ranged from Shs2,020 in northern region to Shs8,580 in Kampala. Overall, households were willing to pay fees for water than what they were actually paying, with the exception of the northern region where residents were willing to pay Shs630 more for water. Women were responsible for collection of water in about a third of the total households. The findings also revealed that water vending was more common in urban areas (11 percent) than in the rural areas. The NSDS revealed inadequate safe water sources as a major constraint that limited access to safe water. Over 50 percent of the households reported inadequate safe water sources as the major limiting factor. The other important constraints in orders of their magnitude were; long distance and high cost of safe water. Overall, no marked variations were noted in the constraints reported by residences and regions. A 1996 Rural Water and Sanitation (RUWASA) study revealed that over 80 percent of contamination of drinking water in Uganda occurs either at the source, during transportation or at home. The country is still experiencing cases of diseases associate with poor sanitation such as cholera, dysentery, worm infestation and malaria. Poor sanitation is a serious drain on the economy as government and local authorities spend colossal sums of money on treatment and drugs for sanitation related diseases. Individual families also spend their hard earned, meagre incomes on treatment of sanitation related diseases. Parents or caretakers may also lose work-time as they look after the sick ones."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/MuniiniMulera/-/878676/729340/-/sl62bnz/-/index.html","content":"Does Museveni’s birthplace matter? - Dear Tingasiga: Question: Where was President Yoweri T. Museveni born? Answer: Who cares!  This is as much comment as I usually allow myself on this perennial question whose relevance to Uganda’s politics and future has always baffled me. However, now that Gen. Museveni himself has waded into the debate, one triggered by Rubaga North MP Beti Kamya, I find myself compelled to comment. Kamya wrote in this paper three weeks ago: “It has been whispered for long that President Museveni is not a Ugandan by birth, which I used to dismiss on grounds that it is enough that he is a Ugandan now and that it is his performance that matters. “Watching how he has systematically destroyed every sector of this country……., I am beginning to wonder whether a born national would do this to his country.â€Â� In response, Gen. Museveni, sounding thoroughly riled by Kamya’s charge, wrote: “For the information of Ugandans, I am of the Basiita sub-clan of the Bagahe clan, one of the most ancient in Uganda. That is why my clansmen must be involved in the coronation of the kings of Toro and Bunyoro. Kamya will have the opportunity to prove in court that I am not Ugandan by birth.â€Â� Pretty embarrassing, isn’t it Tingasiga, to read such exchanges between two of the most educated Ugandans, one a current president, the other a potential president of the Republic? First, Ugandan citizenship by birth has nothing to do with patriotism or good leadership.  Names of Ugandan-born men and women who have presided over the ruthless looting and disintegration of the country since 1962, come flooding out of one’s memory in depressing torrents. Gen. Idi Amin Dada and Joseph Kony may be the two most notorious indigenous Ugandans, but they are not alone in the Hall of Shame.  The killers and looters of the Muwanga, Obote, Okello and Museveni regimes were Ugandans by birth.  The thieves named by Justices Julie Sebutinde, David Porter, James Ogoola and Faith Mwondha in Uganda’s  endless scandals – junk helicopters,  Uganda Police, URA, plunder of Congo resources, Aids Global Fund, GAVI Fund etc- are Ugandans by birth. On the other hand, the greatest Ugandan leader in the last 100 years was not a Ugandan citizen.  Sir Andrew Benjamin Cohen, a British Jew, remains unsurpassed as the most committed anti-imperialist, anti-colonialist, pro-democracy and pro-development nationalist that has run Uganda. It was Cohen, governor from 1952 to 1957, who established the prototype of a representative parliament by reorganising  the Legislative Council to include elected African members. It was Cohen who established the once mighty Uganda Development Corporation, and put in place various policies favourable to African commerce. It was Cohen who encouraged the formation of political parties. He sowed the seeds of democratic competition and debate.  His handling of the 1953 political crisis between the Kabaka of Buganda and the Protectorate government was very tame compared with the way two of his successors dealt with Buganda’s leaders.   The correctness of Cohen’s vision to prepare Ugandans to make a very gradual transition towards self government has been affirmed by history. Had Cohen had his way, the transition to self-government would have lasted at least another 30 years, with independence feasible sometime in the 1980s or 1990s. In the event, Sir Andrew left Uganda in 1957. Within five years, the country was independent.  The rest is history. Mercifully, his death from a heart attack in 1968, aged only 69, spared him the pain of witnessing the collapse and disintegration of the prematurely born independent Republic. So, Tingasiga, one’s nationality, whether by birth or by choice, has nothing to do with patriotism.  Countries are usually betrayed by their own citizens, not foreigners. But if Kamya’s argument is flawed, Museveni’s response is even more painful to read. First, being a Musiita of the Bagahe clan does not prove that his placenta is in Uganda. The Basiita, nomadic pastoralists, can be found in the old kingdoms of Nkore, Karagwe, Ihangiro, Buzinza, Rwanda, Burundi, Bushubi, Rusubi, Kiziba, Kyamutwara, Kyanja, Rusubi, Gisaka,  and so on.  So the president’s clansmen are scattered in areas that are now shared by the post-colonial Republics of Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.  Second, after 22 years on the Ugandan throne, Museveni does not need to explain his ethnicity, except to his prospective in-laws, and to historians and social anthropologists. I, for one, take it as a minor point of pure historical interest that Museveni’s official place of birth is indeed Nyamambo in Nyaburiza, Ntungamo, Rwampara, Nkore. If that is incorrect, it is of absolutely no consequence to him or to Uganda. Had I been Museveni, I would not have wasted time explaining my ethnicity. Instead I would have pointed out that what mattered was that I was an African, indeed a human being, who had successfully and effectively established my reign over Uganda. I would have reminded my countrymen that the great rulers of the past had conquered territories and established kingdoms around Lake Nnalubaale without having to explain their DNA make-up. But then Museveni is not a fool. While he could have made a serious Pan-Africanist argument to counter Kamya’s position, he smelled an opportunity to divert the public’s attention from the more serious charges that the good lady had raised in her impassioned essay. So he went into descriptions of his government’s  programmes, threats of legal suits over inconsequential issues and name-calling.  The scribes and others took the bait.  And Museveni smiled, with a conjurer’s satisfaction.    mkmulera@aol.com Due to inevitable circumstances, we could not run this column on its appointed day, yesterday. We apologise to our esteemed readers-- Editor"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/793172/-/jylwh7z/-/index.html","content":"Uganda could lose opportunity to invest in southern Sudan - UGANDA could lose out on the Southern Sudan 'prey' if it remains sluggish in its approach to exploit the existing opportunities. Even with the broad range of advantages that Ugandan companies and entrepreneurs enjoy over their regional counterparts in exploiting opportunities in Southern Sudan, they still have been unable altogether to cash in on their strategic position. That sluggish approach to business, it emerged at a investment conference on Southern Sudan last week at Speke Resort Munyonyo, has already offered unchallenged power to the more swift and aggressive Kenyan and South African concerns that are currently fanning out across the region swallowing up one opportunity after another. Competition Commissioners from the Sudanese Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM/A) described what could be a sobering scenario for Ugandan corporations that still weighing whether to venture into Southern Sudan: countless Kenyan, South African, Indian and Chinese companies flooding into the so called New Sudan with amazing determination. The two-day conference was one in a series convened by the government of Southern Sudan in several countries to draw the attention of businesspeople to the lucrative natural resources in country awaiting exploitation and the nearly immeasurable potential of merchandise trade. Having emerged from a 20-year civil in which over two million were killed, Southern Sudan, according to its commissioner for Investment, Mr Angelo Tigeri, is in need of everything from a matchbox, cloth, plastics to fuel and machinery. The growing demand for goods and services has already strained the limited and erratic supplies, heating up the market with prices of basics and other items like cement soaring beyond the affordability of masses. Tigeri told the conference, attended by representatives of most of mid to big size corporations and independent new market investment consultants, that Ugandan enterprises could soon find the situation tightening against them as other regional businesses continue to claim all the lucrative opportunities. Opportunities With the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in Nairobi in January, which effectively ended the war, Tigeri said, the New Sudan had embarked on a massive reconstruction programme to cover nearly every known infrastructure facility. For instance Ugandan construction companies could sign up contracts to put up roads, housing projects in the major towns of Yei, Rumbek and Juba, clean water and energy production installations, airfields, schools and others. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Achol Marial, said the war destroyed every little medical facility that existed. Ugandan Entrepreneurs thus, he said, could also mull deploying their resources in the health sector, putting up clinics and hospitals and providing health services to the region's 11 million inhabitants that need them. The 680,000 square kilometers territory of Southern Sudan is also awash in dozens of minerals and gem stones: the Commissioner for Industry and Mining, Mr George Kinga, said geological surveys and satellite imaging had revealed massive deposits of gold, platinum, chrome, iron ore, copper, nickel, silver, diamonds, limestone, cobalt and others. Mining though might prove a somewhat tall order for the relatively inexperienced and small Ugandan companies for a sector that often requires expensive and highly sophisticated technology long mustard by the Western giants. The most exciting and proven natural resource though is oil whose production is poised to start in earnest as total peace prevails. Here still Ugandan businesses could be edged out by their Chinese, Indian and European counterparts. But at a broader energy sector level, Ugandan oil and logistics companies could bid for transportation business. For now all the petroleum products consumed in Southern Sudan are imported, being hauled from Kenya. Tigeri said the non-existent or impassable roads have hampered supply systems, creating scarcity in Rumbek and Yei where petrol and diesel prices are currently sold at premium prices. \"We need more tonnes of fuel to be delivered every day so prices cab be brought down,\" he said. The demand will almost be trebled when donor financed reconstruction and UN's peacekeeping efforts start in earnest. A total of $4.6 billion was pledged by the US, European and other donors to constitute the so called Multi Donor Trust Fund to be administered by the World Bank for funding UN activities in the area (peace keeping and relief services), rehabilitation programmes and running the government of Southern Sudan. Agriculture In agriculture, the area was presented as endowed with unrivalled potential for production of cotton, fruits, cereals, edible oil seeds and horticultural products. \"Our cows are not good for diary but investors can cross breed and improve their milk yielding capacity,\" said Pascal Badindi, commissioner for Agriculture Animal Resources and Forestry. Joan Sparacino, the Manager of Alexis International Limited an investment consulting company specialising on African markets, said Ugandans must also position themselves to take up jobs in the dozens of NGOs that are to execute much of the rehabilitation work in Southern Sudan. Already, she said, more than 10,000 Kenyans are working in New Sudan related organisations. But for all the boundedless world of opportunity that Southern Sudan is, there are an equally worrying host of encumbrances ranging from the poor infrastructure, risks of a relapse into war and the attendant destruction, difficult communication, a weak government system, limited effective demand, and several others which combine to hike costs of doing business there. Ugandan businessmen who attended also lamented the Ugandan government's low interest in aiding their penetration of New Sudan while Kenya was proactively instituting policies and other measures geared towards igniting an immediate, effective and broad response to the investment opportunities in the New Sudan."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/783740/-/10i29ta/-/index.html","content":"Kampala: City of chaos - KAMPALA WITH its potholed and unlit streets, rarely collected garbage, dust, and traffic jams set off mostly by drivers who leave you asking questions about their mental state, Kampala is not a city to write home about – let alone live in. The chaos that is Kampala truly boggles the mind. How did it come to be? It is all about planning. Or the lack of it. “The problem of Kampala dates from long time ago – since the 1970s,” says Local Government Minister Kahinda Otafiire. “It is over 30 years now. That is why I’m having problems because we are trying to undo what has been going wrong for over three decades. Look at Nakasero Market [in the city centre]. It is dirty.” Nakasero Market is in the news over its privatisation by KCC, a move that has turned controversial drawing in State House, the Ministry of Local Government, city businessman Hassan Bassajjabalaba and stall owners. Covering an area of 201 square kilometres, 80 percent of Kampala has not developed according to structural plans, a city council report says. The result, partly, is the growth of slums which are now home to nearly 40 percent of Kampalans. \"About 20 percent of the city is planned and the majority of planned areas include Nakasero, Kololo, Ntinda, Bugolobi, Naguru, parts of Luzira and Old Kampala,\" notes a report by KCC’s economic planning unit. According to the report, which is part of the Kampala District Development Plan 2006/07-2008/09, some areas of the city are planned but the plans are not properly followed or enforced. These areas include Buziga, Lukuli, Kikassya, Kiwatule, and Mutundwe. \"Enforcement of the plans has been limited by the existing land tenure system and compensation failure,” the report says. And Minister Otafiire agrees. “We have a problem of land ownership in Kampala,” he said in a recent interview with Daily Monitor. “You are talking about a lot of things you want to do but then it is all about who owns land. It is privately owned but even that land where you have no control, you have the responsibility of planning. If it is not publicly owned and it is not owned by city council, then all sorts of unplanned developments are taking place.” The Kampala Structural Plan of 1994 was supposed to help sort things out but for reasons of lack of adequate funding, sheer incompetence, and corruption, nothing has come of it. That plan, for example, emphasises protection and enhancement of natural vegetation within this hilly city to improve the quality and integrity of air, water, and land. But uncontrolled development has left natural vegetation, which was basically forests and swamps, destroyed by being replaced with residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Some of the green spaces gone to waste include Centenary Park, which is being turned into a concrete jungle yet it was intended to be a modern leisure park. The Children's Park in Wandegeya is now a market, and the arboretum in Bugolobi is no more. An arboretum is a “place where an extensive variety of woody plants are cultivated for scientific, educational, and ornamental purposes”. This has had a grave impact on the once rich vegetation and diversity of birds, plants and animals and hence loss of possible tourist attractions within the city. Also, the air quality is constantly getting worse as a result of fumes from industries and second-hand cars, whose number is rising fast alongside a reasonably decent economy.Wind that raises dust would be broken by trees but because most of the trees have been felled and not replaced fast enough, the city feels and looks dusty all the time. The 1994 plan further talks about conducting urban agriculture and forestry activities in appropriate locations. Some of those activities are indeed taking place – but in wetlands. This has left Lake Victoria vulnerable to pollution from effluent. All these un-coordinated activities are also exposing Kampala to the danger of increased flooding because rainwater can hardly seep into the ground. 1 | 2 Next Page»With a population growth rate of 3.9 percent per annum – more than the national rate of 3.3 percent – Kampala is growing at a rate faster than KCC’s capacity to adequately plan, implement plans, and provide infrastructure and social services. This is because it is largeyly underfunded. KCC’s budget this year is Shs57.4 billion although it would need four times that amount operate optimally. Kampala is a radial city – meaning that it has expanded outward from its historic centre of Old Kampala along the major roads leading to Jinja, Entebbe, Masaka and Luwero. Kampala’s origin dates back some 200 years ago when the first Buganda settlement was established on a number of the present city’s hilltops. But a relatively sophisticated “urban settlement, the Kibuga” or city was already in place when the colonial settlement called Kampala was established in 1890. Serious efforts to make Kampala a modern city began in 1912 but covering only the areas of Nakasero and Old Kampala hills, two of the original seven hills making up the “old” city. The other hills are Kibuli, Namirembe, Rubaga, Makerere, and Kololo. Another plan was drawn up in 1930 stressing zoning where residential, commercial, and industrial areas were developed separately. The plans prepared before 1972, however, focussed more on the well-being of Europeans and Asians. It is the 1972 plan that tried to focus on all the people of Kampala. But as the Amin regime descended into macabre dictatorship, that plan was never carried out. Basically, planning died with the birth of the Amin dictatorship and now the city is reaping the whirlwind. “Presently, in places like Nakivubo, Kisenyi, if KCC had planned properly and insisted on those developments,” says Minister Otafiire, “the developments would be slow but it would be according to plan and the owner of that land would know.” What to do? It appears the government and KCC are waking up to the enormity of the problem. They realise that if the Ugandan economy is to continue to function, then they must sort out Kampala, where about 80 percent of economic activity occurs. Accordingly, the government is now seeking $37.1 million to fix the drainage system, manage traffic, maintain and upgrade roads, manage solid waste, and develop urban markets infrastructure, The EastAfrican reported three weeks ago. The Kampala Institutional and Infrastructure Development Project says that about 90 percent of the money will come from the World Bank. Knowledgeable sources say the plan will fit into the government’s imminent take-over of the running of the city. “We are enacting a law that will enable the central government to take over management of the city from Kampala City Council,” said Minister Otafiire in the Monitor interview. “The Constitution demands us to take over the management of Kampala City Council.” The draft law is before Cabinet before it goes to Parliament for debate and possible enactment. Meanwhile, KCC together with line ministries, lead agencies, and donors are working on a decongestion strategy where various parts of Kampala will be developed into semi-cities with services moved there to relieve the city centre. The Nakawa-Naguru sub-centre development into a semi-city is going on. The sub-centre will service Nakawa Division. According to Mr Katebalirwe, Naguru will become a commercial area and Nakawa will remain residential. Other areas to be developed into semi-cities are Bwaise sub-centre, which will serve Kawempe Division; Natete sub-centre for Rubaga Division; and Kibuye sub-centre for Makindye Division. A slum improvement and urban community development venture is also underway at a cost of Shs15 billion. Katwe I, Kisenyi II, and Bwaise III slums are the first beneficiaries. Some 12 kilometres of access roads will be built, drainage channels dug, water mains laid, sanitation facilities established, water stand posts erected, and 16,000 trees planted. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/WarMemories/-/859092/858444/-/4a7f64z/-/index.html","content":"NRM BUSH WAR MEMORIES: Risking all to avenge a brother's death - Col. Ggwanga - Col. Kasirye-Ggwanga’s recollection of the 1981-’86 war continues our Bush War Memories series. From his house in Makindye, Kampala, the former LC-V chairman of Mubende told his story to Bernard Tabaire & David Kibirige on May 25: - I joined the bush war out of anger. After 1979, they took us [Amin soldiers] as prisoners of war. We were surprised because those exiled [Ugandans] who were with the Tanzanian army had sent messages that we shouldn’t run away because they needed us to start a new army. So we never ran away. We surrendered our weapons here in Kampala after fighting a heavy fight. I was in Chui Battalion. I was commanding heavy mortars. I fought against Kikosi Maalum in Lukaya and we chased them up to Mpugwe – about 9 miles from Masaka. Then the Tanzanians again came – [with] Saba Saba. Most of our boys were not used to it. [Anyway] I had already read about the Geneva Conventions. I knew when you were a POW there is nothing that can happen to you. So we surrendered. They told us that they were taking us for training. But we got suspicious when we got to Kyotera. That’s when they started undressing us. We had good shoes. They took them. We said, ‘Okay, if we are going for training why are they doing this to us?’ When we got to a prison in Bukoba [in Tanzania], we found some of our friends who had gone in first. After three days they shackled us – legs and arms. I told my friends we were in trouble. Most were so naïve. They said, no, no, no they are just shackling us for security. Security, my a***! They [the Tanzanians] drove us to the Indian Ocean into a prison called Maweni. We spent there one year and some 42 days. Then in June 1980 they brought us back to Uganda. I was transferred to Kirinya (we were more than 1,600. From Tanzania we returned about 2,900. Only one person died there). In Tanzania we were treated good. But when we got here, we used to eat maybe twice a week and people started dying. Everyday an average of nine people died. We said, ‘They are killing us. Why are they putting us here?’ We were young. I went to prison when I was 27 years old. [Yet] we were growing old, sick. We started getting really mad. We said this was unfair. We were just serving – like any other person in the army. I joined the army in 1972 and trained in Bombo. I was posted to Kifaru Mechanised in Bondo, Arua. I never worked in central region. We in upcountry battalions never knew what was happening here – people being put in the boot. So we were asking people with us in prison, those who were in State Research, in the marines, ‘what were you doing here for Gods sake? Why do they hate us?’ It started after losing the [1979] war. People were shouting, agasajja ago bagatte. Then we started dying one by one. I don’t have friends here. All my friends died. They were not tough like me. I told them you got to work out every morning. That little food you eat should be assimilated. If you don’t work out, you just s*** it. They didn’t believe me. Like people say Kasirye is a mad person, is what happened – and they died! And I got out. We were released on October 7, 1981. So here we were released with one trouser. I had a t-shirt with a cap given to me by the Red Cross and canvass shoes. Releasing us to where? To the wilderness! Like me I was working in the north (West Nile) when I went to war. All my property remained there. I never got nothing back. They gave us Shs 100. They were taking us to district headquarters. I come from Mubende so they took me to Mubende. The next morning I arrived home in Katakala in Mityana. My parents made a party – slaughtered a bull and invited people. The UNLA soldiers came and ate most of the meat. I was there. Amin’s soldier. I couldn’t say anything! Then I told my dad, ‘Look here father, I can’t stay here. I feel uncomfortable. These guys have known there is an Amin man who has been released from prison. Suppose they come back at night and pick me up? Let me go to Kampala.’ All the relatives were uncomfortable with us – having an Amin man in the house. When I got to Kampala a friend called Dan Kasule – he died recently – took me in at his home in Lungujja. A brother is killed I didn’t have any profession at training. Then a brother-in-law suggested that I go into maize milling. Being a smart person I had to do some research about maize milling. I came to Katwe. I talked to the people who were all looking white because of this unga thing. I stood and said, Oh Lord, from soldiering to maize milling! Why are you doing this to me? 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Mafabi-is-new-FDC-secretary-general/-/688334/2750548/-/wwf1db/-/index.html","content":"Mafabi is new FDC secretary general - Kampala. Budadiri West MP Nathan Nandala Mafabi overwhelmed his rival Terego County MP Kassiano Wadri with a landslide victory to become Forum for Democratic Change’s (FDC) secretary general in the party’s election results announced at the Delegates Conference on Friday night. Two legislators, Ms Nabilah Naggayi Ssempala (Kampla Woman MP) and Odonga Otto (Aruu County MP), pulled out of the contest with Mr Otto throwing his weight behind Mr Mafabi.Mr Mafabi polled 809 votes against Mr Wadri’s 161, the FDC election commission said, with Ms Nabilah scoring nine votes despite having said at a press conference earlier in the day that she had pulled out of the race. She cited irregularities in the grassroots elections in Kampala District and did not show up at the delegates’ conference. CelebrationsDonning his trademark short-sleeved white shirt, Mr Mafabi was carried shoulder-high by his supporters to the podium after he was declared the winner amid thunderous applause, ululations and dancing from his supporters led by Mr Otto, who had earlier stood down from contesting in favour of Mr Mafabi.Mr Mafabi had received similar treatment on Friday morning when he was called to address the delegates before the vote and the previous day at FDC’s headquarters in Najjanakumbi when he went to pick nomination forms.In his acceptance speech, Mr Mafabi promised to devote all his energies to the success of FDC and called for reconciliation within the party. “I ask for forgiveness from those I have wronged. I forgive those who have wronged me, let us put the past behind and move forward.” Barely six months since he crossed from the ruling NRM to FDC, Wasswa Birigwa was voted the national FDC chairperson, a post which until the elections, had been occupied by Rubaga Division mayor Joyce Ssebugwawo in acting capacity.Ms Ssebugwawo opted not to contest for the post, instead vying for deputy president central, which she won unopposed after her sole competitor, Mr Bulega Nkalubo, opted out in her favour.Mr Birigwa, a former Kampala Mayoral aspirant, beat Mr Wandera Ogalo, the outgoing FDC legal secretary by 49 votes to clinch the post. Mr Birigwa polled 434 votes, while Mr Ogalo got 385.In a suprising turn of events, Kyadondo East MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, who only publicly declared his candidature on the polling day, became secretary for information and publicity, defeating Mr John Kikonyogo, who has been serving in the portfolio and Sarah Eperu, who previously served in the same capacity.Mr Ssemujju, who ran on the promise of better service in the future rather than dwelling on his past achievements, polled 498 votes, while Mr Kikonyogo and Ms Eperu got 144 and 282 votes respectively.The election was not devoid of drama and threats. For example, Mr Mafabi promised a modern telephone to each district FDC secretary general. On his part, Mr Wadri warned the delegates of dire consequences to the party if the secretary general position does not go to someone from the northern region. More than 1,200 delegates participated in the delegates conference, according to Dan Mugarura, the FDC Electoral Commission chairperson. The results Secretary general Name ResultsNathan Nandala Mafabi 809Kassiano Wadri 161Nabilah Naggayi 09 Deputy Secretary generalWilliam Nzoghu 474Tindimweba Julius 488 TreasurerGeoffrey Ekanya 859Tibenda Samuel 116 Secretary for MobilisationAnita Among 162Ingrid Turinawe 497Alfred Oketcho 36Justin Juko 41 Meddie Musisi 25Ibrahim Kasozi 101Hassan Kaps Fungaroo 113 Deputy SG (Admin)Harold Kalija 546Florence Ibi Ekwau 394 Deputy President Western Mwijukye Francis 284Patrick Baguma 293 Katembeya Stenery 123Jack Sabiiti 230 Deputy President CentralJoyce Sebugwawo (Unopposed) Deputy President Eastern Alice Alaso Asianut (Unopposed) Deputy President Northern Ronald Okumu Regan (Unopposed) Information and Publicity Sara Eperu 282Sekajja Robert 45John Kikonyogo 144Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda 498 National Chairperson Moses Kasule 53Wasswa Birigwa 434Bwanika Baale 100 Dan Wandera Ogalo 385 Deputy Chair Western Turyahebwa Remegious 201 Ronald Mugwe 763 Deputy Chair NorthernLizzy Massia 313Buga Os Mayor 199Okello Okello John 457 1 | 2 Next Page»Deputy Chair Eastern Namutamba Zanubia 172 Salaamu Musumba 744Taaka Kevinah 67 Deputy Chair Central Nanyumba Faizal 243Baganda Ssenfuka 238 Rajab Kaaya 479 sdkafeero@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/British-polls-Class-warfare-versus-class-economics/-/689364/2715560/-/86wlatz/-/index.html","content":"British polls: Class warfare versus class economics - For 24 swift hours, Great Britain last week held the world captive as the results of the 2015 general election to the mother of parliaments rolled in. In the general election, David Cameron’s Conservatives swung from a plurality of 309 MPs to 333 MPs - a majority. Labour under Ed Milliband shed 26 MPs from 258 MPs to 232, its lowest numbers in two decades. In 1997, Tony Blair was elected in a landslide with 417 MPs. The Liberal Democrats were eviscerated, losing the count across England and Scotland shedding 49 MPs from 57 to just eight. The Scottish Nationalists, fresh from a referendum where they felt unfairly pummelled by London last year, won all but three of Scotland’s 59 parliamentary seats. The Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Labour were each left with just one MP north of the border. The Liberal Democrats’ seat is even more symbolic, Shetland and Orkney is a group of islands closer to Oslo than London; just 200 miles away. In the heartland - north England - an upstart, the UK Independence Party (UKIP), wreaked a lot of havoc, the Ssuubi way, pressing Labour in the northern English seats while the Conservatives kept nearly all swing seats, losing just one to Labour. Where Labour recovered, it was at the expense of the Liberal Democrats. Where the Liberal Democrats in opposition had promised to do good for the less fortunate aided by a 50 per cent income tax rate, Labour promised to do better. When Parliament adjourns after the Queen’s Speech, which is delivered in the House of Lords, the British will be carefully divided in not so subtle ways. The Irish and the Welsh have had their own parties for decades. The Scots will now occupy the middle opposition front bench where the Liberal Democrats once sat. Sinn Fein’s four MPs still refuse to swear allegiance to the Queen so they don’t sit in the Commons. Labour, representing the most of London or the modern diverse England, stands a chance of being led by a 37-year old solicitor of Nigerian descent, Chuka Umunna. Cameron, of course, knows this is his moment. He has sustained Britain on net capital inflows, some $167 billion in 2014 alone. There are many crazy things about the ruling party: they are descendants of the imperial class and the land owners devoted to fox-hunting but their economic record in tough times has surpassed that of Labour. When Margaret Thatcher famously said Britain is not working, she retooled the British economy. Tony Blair succeeded by stealing the same themes as “New Labour” but is mortally wounded by the Iraq war. The core ideological argument of Labour - better conditions for the working class - got lost in their drive for bigger government and higher taxes. Voters generally vote with their pockets in mind. And down to the fact that multi-party systems have a polarising effect on society, the British did not do much better than others. 1 | 2 Next Page»In the United States, the White male and Black folks have pulled levers in opposite directions for over a generation with devastating effect. The American consultants in England, raised on this politics, left their trails in England. The Scots, angry with Labour for throwing them under the bus during the referendum, voted the Mt Kenya way almost down to the last man for their party. Unlike Kabaka Yekka’s victory in Buganda in 1961, which was contrived in a meeting hall, they pulled the levers almost for just one party pointing to inevitable independence. Parties do recover sometimes after years of self-damage. The Conservatives overcame the bitter infighting that followed their first years in the opposition. In Kenya, Kanu splintered before reuniting in power as Jubilee. The Liberal Democrats, dispirited in defeat, were proud of having served in government - itself a dream only a few years ago. Mr Ssemogerere is an Attorney-at-Law and an Advocate. kssemoge@gmail.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/KaroliSsemogerere/British-polls-Class-warfare-versus-class-economics/-/878682/2715572/-/elecl2z/-/index.html","content":"British polls: Class warfare versus class economics - For 24 swift hours, Great Britain last week held the world captive as the results of the 2015 general election to the mother of parliaments rolled in. In the general election, David Cameron’s Conservatives swung from a plurality of 309 MPs to 333 MPs - a majority. Labour under Ed Milliband shed 26 MPs from 258 MPs to 232, its lowest numbers in two decades. In 1997, Tony Blair was elected in a landslide with 417 MPs. The Liberal Democrats were eviscerated, losing the count across England and Scotland shedding 49 MPs from 57 to just eight. The Scottish Nationalists, fresh from a referendum where they felt unfairly pummelled by London last year, won all but three of Scotland’s 59 parliamentary seats. The Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Labour were each left with just one MP north of the border. The Liberal Democrats’ seat is even more symbolic, Shetland and Orkney is a group of islands closer to Oslo than London; just 200 miles away. In the heartland - north England - an upstart, the UK Independence Party (UKIP), wreaked a lot of havoc, the Ssuubi way, pressing Labour in the northern English seats while the Conservatives kept nearly all swing seats, losing just one to Labour. Where Labour recovered, it was at the expense of the Liberal Democrats. Where the Liberal Democrats in opposition had promised to do good for the less fortunate aided by a 50 per cent income tax rate, Labour promised to do better. When Parliament adjourns after the Queen’s Speech, which is delivered in the House of Lords, the British will be carefully divided in not so subtle ways. The Irish and the Welsh have had their own parties for decades. The Scots will now occupy the middle opposition front bench where the Liberal Democrats once sat. Sinn Fein’s four MPs still refuse to swear allegiance to the Queen so they don’t sit in the Commons. Labour, representing the most of London or the modern diverse England, stands a chance of being led by a 37-year old solicitor of Nigerian descent, Chuka Umunna. Cameron, of course, knows this is his moment. He has sustained Britain on net capital inflows, some $167 billion in 2014 alone. There are many crazy things about the ruling party: they are descendants of the imperial class and the land owners devoted to fox-hunting but their economic record in tough times has surpassed that of Labour. When Margaret Thatcher famously said Britain is not working, she retooled the British economy. Tony Blair succeeded by stealing the same themes as “New Labour” but is mortally wounded by the Iraq war. The core ideological argument of Labour - better conditions for the working class - got lost in their drive for bigger government and higher taxes. Voters generally vote with their pockets in mind. And down to the fact that multi-party systems have a polarising effect on society, the British did not do much better than others. 1 | 2 Next Page»In the United States, the White male and Black folks have pulled levers in opposite directions for over a generation with devastating effect. The American consultants in England, raised on this politics, left their trails in England. The Scots, angry with Labour for throwing them under the bus during the referendum, voted the Mt Kenya way almost down to the last man for their party. Unlike Kabaka Yekka’s victory in Buganda in 1961, which was contrived in a meeting hall, they pulled the levers almost for just one party pointing to inevitable independence. Parties do recover sometimes after years of self-damage. The Conservatives overcame the bitter infighting that followed their first years in the opposition. In Kenya, Kanu splintered before reuniting in power as Jubilee. The Liberal Democrats, dispirited in defeat, were proud of having served in government - itself a dream only a few years ago. Mr Ssemogerere is an Attorney-at-Law and an Advocate. kssemoge@gmail.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Anger-reforms-MPs-reject-voters-register/-/689364/2704280/-/h5u5ua/-/index.html","content":"Anger at reforms as MPs reject voters’ register - We were in Washington last year chatting about politics in Africa. We focused on the role of elections in peace processes and the need for major constitutional reforms. As the discussion delved into the political drama, a maverick statesman told us how she had no idea who will win the American election of 2016, but said she had a pretty clear idea about the outcome of the Sudan election. She confidently told us how president Omar al-Bashir would be the winner if he chose to contest again. And indeed, last week, her prediction came to pass. President al-Bashir won the poll with a landslide. The country’s main opposition parties boycotted the elections, saying they would not be free and fair but this did not stop the 71-year-old from being re-elected with 94 per cent. She told us unlike the floundering opposition in Sudan and other countries on the continent, incumbents have discovered a whole armoury of technology that enables them to retain power despite the need to hold elections. From this discussion, it became obvious that as we go into the elections next year, we need to put in place a credible system to ensure that elections don’t play out in the context of weak checks and balances, ethnic divisions and post conflict tensions. On Thursday Justice minister Kahinda Otafiire tabled the proposed constitutional amendments. The new amendments to the 1995 Constitution have angered the Opposition after the ruling party sneeringly explained that they were not under any obligation to take on the citizens’ proposals. MockedThe new amendments contained in The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2015, have been extensively derided as “a travesty of democracy” after it emerged that the core amendments the country wanted were ignored and that the possibility of incorporating the Opposition proposals in the government Bill are negligible if not imaginary.The Opposition wanted the current Electoral Commission (EC) disbanded and replaced with an independent electoral body. They also wanted the term limits return in the Constitution; the President’s statutory powers clipped and the army out of Parliament. Some had demanded for a lean Parliament to cut on the huge cost of public administration. In the new Bill, the government has allowed independents to cross the floor and at the same time made it extremely hard for them to run as independents. For one to contest as independent you need 1,000 signatures at nomination as opposed to 10. The government has also proposed to give a new name to the EC, “Independent Electoral Commission” (IEC), whose members shall be appointed by the President with the approval of Parliament. This means that the status-quo remains; the President will continue to appoint the commissioners with the approval of Parliament and with powers to suspend and remove them on the counsel of a tribunal he appoints and only reports to him. While it’s not clear how changing the name to the IEC without restructuring its membership and the appointment process will ensure the integrity of the electoral process, what all this political kerfuffle means is that the authorities still have a long way to go in accommodating alternative views. But it’s not too late for Parliament to advise the Executive on the best way to deal with the constitutional challenges ahead of the 2016 elections. Credible register To ensure the credibility of the 2016 voters’ register, EC must compile and maintain its own register as the law demands. Also, the issue of using data from the citizens register is going to confuse the electoral process. The deadline for updating and registering voters should be extended to enable Ugandans vote leaders of their choice. The extension of the deadline for four days (ending tomorrow) is unrealistic and unreasonable. The fundamental mistake of our approach to constitutional reforms has been to forget that any meaningful reforms must be built on shared interest regardless of our political conviction. The gaps in the proposed reforms aside, it will be wrong for Parliament to proceed with the Bill without giving MPs opportunity to consult Ugandans. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Mateke--Museveni-s-Mr-Fix-in-Kisoro-rewarded-/-/689844/2645478/-/jtn44s/-/index.html","content":"Mateke: Museveni’s Mr Fix in Kisoro rewarded? - Philemon Mateke. That was one of the most discussed topics this week since President Museveni officially announced his much anticipated Cabinet reshuffle. Who is Mateke? Where has he been all this long? Questions of Ugandans trying to understand the man and put his new job in context characterised the appointment of the new State minister for Regional Cooperation. And with social media’s limitless freedom of expression, the man was on the receiving end of an avalanche of ridicule, all critics taking a swipe at the digit 92. That was the age social media and sections of print and broadcast media allocated him. Online news websites and pages on social media would later circulate a photograph of a light-skinned Mateke, with eyebrows that gave way to bare skin and a man whose sad face spoke no more volumes than fatigue and urge to go home and have a good rest.Hours after debate on his age stirred ripples in the public, his family members called in to newsrooms, seeking to correct the record. Their father, they said with emphasis and contagious passion, was actually 20 years younger. He told this newspaper in an interview this week that he is 72 years old. When our reporter, based in the western Uganda, visited him at his Kisoro home, Mr Mateke’s voice and handshake oozed life and effervescence that attested to the popular notion that age is all but a number. He was armed with his expired and current passport that confirmed his age is 72. One can confidently say the age debate, if ever any was called for, is as good as settled. Mateke, unless one can adduce evidence to the contrary is 72, the age 92 can pass for an amateurish job at hyperbole. But beyond the age, it is important to capture the political undertones in Mateke’s appointment. Clearly, right from last year’s retreat of the NRM Members of Parliament at the National Leadership Institute at Kyankwanzi, things started to fall apart, at least in the ruling party’s ceiling of command. The MPs’ ‘sole candidature’ resolution seems to have dealt a blow to the 40-year-old working relation between Museveni and Mbabazi. Or so we think? Former prime minister and NRM secretary general Amama Mbabazi and chairman Yoweri Museveni continue to speak in tongues and subtle body language about their latent contest for the presidency of the country. Some say Museveni is in early campaign mode disguised as Operation Wealth Creation while Mbabazi’s actions and those of his camp signal a man ready to take on his former boss and political ally. Every move made therefore, in this rather intricate game of political chess game, has repercussions on the political roadmap of either political player. It is in this context that political analysts have read the recent Cabinet reshuffle. Mr Augustine Ruzindana, a senior member of the Forum for Democratic Change, for instance, opines that the reshuffle is good for the Opposition since it confirms that the west and Buganda regions are the areas of contention, wherein the Opposition needs to do its homework better. It is through these lenses that Mr Mateke’s ascension to the Cabinet is viewed. Veteran politician and former minister of marketing and cooperatives in the Milton Obote II government Yona Kanyomozi reads Mateke’s appointment as an attempt by President Museveni to consolidate his grip on Kigezi sub-region where Mbabazi’s influence is traceable. Kigezi sub-region consists of Kabale, Rukungiri, Kisoro and Kanungu districts. Mbabazi is from Kanungu and represents Kinkiizi West while Mateke comes from Kisoro which his daughter Sarah Mateke serves as the Woman MP. Mr Kanyomozi says, “Like all other ministers appointed, his is a political appointment, Museveni wants to consolidate his position in Kigezi. He wants to keep that region intact where he thinks Amama Mbabazi has a following.” He backs up his opinion by singling out the appointment of MPs Jim Muhwezi (Bujumbura County in Rukungiri) as Information and National Guidance minister, Chris Baryomunsi (Kinkiizi East in Kanungu) as State minister for Health in charge of General Duties and David Bahati (Ndorwa West in Kabale) as State minister for Planning. The President, now in power for 29 years, kept his Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda (from Kabale), Henry Banyenzaki (State minister for Economic Monitoring), the Rubanda County West MP in Kabale. Kigezi has one of the most solid associations. The International Community of the Banyakigezi is a glue among the Banyakigezi that transcends political lines. Mbabazi recently hosted them at his country home where Bahati and Baryomunsi were part of Mbabazi’s audience and guests. There is also the Kigezi Elders’ Forum, though NRM (read Museveni leaning) is a solid association. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Kabarole-expects-a-two-horse-race-between-Businge-a/-/688342/2537998/-/crwomu/-/index.html","content":"Kabarole expects a two-horse race between Businge and Mutuzo - Kabarole- In Kabarole District, an interesting sub-plot is emerging where the Woman MP Victoria Businge Rusoke race is likely to tussle it out with four other contestants in the 2015 NRM primaries as the first hurdle to jump in a bid to retain a seat she easily won in 2016. This seat was first warmed by Ms Joan Kakima Rwabyomere before Beatrice Kiraso came in through a by-election in 1996 and run it for two terms before she threw in the towel and Ms Margaret Mugisa Muhanga Abwooli found a gap to fill in 2006. Much as the voting has tended to maintain NRM dominance, elections in Tooro have been determined by socio-cultural, economic and political factors in the past. This time round, a combination of other factors are at play including party affiliation, the former premier Amama Mbabazi factor, individual merit, ethnicity, religion and service delivery. Also, the existance of very many opinion leaders, and money will also be a determinant because of the poverty levels. Asked whether people would again choose candidates based on party affiliation or individual merit, Ms Nyakato Rusoke, the FDC secretary for women in Kabarole District, said: “None of those will count for voters; politics in Uganda has completely changed. The NRM party has highly commercialised elections to the extent that now people follow money not the best candidate addressing issues or choose on party affiliation.” However, Mr Yakubu Gowoni, an opinion leader who was delegated powers to hold the docket of the party’s chairperson in Kabarole, disagrees. “Party affiliation and the dominating person of President Museveni in Tooro region, particularly Kabarole, will again affect the result of the vote,” he insists.Evidence from past elections show that the NRM enjoys overwhelming support and representation in Kabarole and Tooro at large. As such, the Opposition is likely to find it difficult to breakthrough in 2016. In 1996, President Museveni got 97 per cent of the votes cast. In 2001, he got 89 per cent then 87 per cent in 2006. The victory determinants“This is definitely an NRM area where there has always been landslide victories from local to national level. Party affiliation and the person of Museveni takes precedence here than any other factor,” says Gowon, adding: “Services takes number two, individual merit and then money last. Here, few people follow the money to decide who to vote for unlike their counterparts in urban settings.” However, the LC I chairman in Karambi Sub-county thinks there has been a slight shift. He says all village chairpersons in Karambi met last month and resolved that they will mobilise for any candidate who brings money. “We voted for the MPs and asked them to push government to raise our monthly allowances but to our surprise the first thing the MPs did in Parliament was to raise their personal pay, they are very selfish,” one of the LCI chairpersons, who preferred anonymity, told Saturday Monitor. Ms Joan Kebirungi, a resident in Fort Portal, believes that the Mbabazi factor will trickle down and will affect the voting pattern both at national and local levels ahead of the 2016 elections. “This is very clear, whether Mbabazi stands for presidency or not, his factor in the current politics will definitely affect the voting pattern in Uganda starting with the NRM primaries in 2015 up to the national level,” Kebirungi says, reasoning that: “People are just quiet but will choose some candidates basing on the Museveni-Mbabazi factor, the differences are there [though] very silent.” Meanwhile, Mr Patrick Baguma, an opinion leader, says: “people in Kabarole tend to vote for candidates who they think are close to Museveni but not NRM, however, here ethnicity and religion are the other factors. The Bafuruki (Immigrants) have higher numbers than Batooro and tend to vote as a bloc that is why people like MP Kagwera (Burahya) will remain in Parliament until he retires”. Although four aspirants have declared to stand against the incumbent, political watchers in Kabarole say it will be a two-horse race between the incumbent and Peace Mutuzo, senior private secretary in charge of welfare in State House. Ms Nyakato Rusoke, the FDC secretary for women, indicates that her party is yet to decide whether it will field a candidate in this race. “FDC is yet to decide whether it will participate in the 2016 elections until the push for electoral reforms is effected,” Ms Nyakato said. “It is still early now for FDC to say we shall field a candidate for any position.” The incumbent’s contributionMs Rusoke counts her lobbying for President Museveni’s support to Saccos in Kabarole, distributing culverts to different sub counties, lobbying for a tractor and heifers for Tooro babies home from First Lady Janet Museveni. She has supported education too, buying examination printing machines for schools in the district. 1 | 2 Next Page»But Ms Mutuzo, Rusoke’s biggest challenger, is busy donating coffee seedlings to farmers and has organised some women and youth groups into self-reliance projects such as apiary. She says she is doing this in phases in Bunyangabu, later in Burahya and Fort Portal municipality. “My survey so far is that families in Bunyangabu use three jerrycans of contaminated water per day instead of the required eight, they live on Bilharzia tablets. They spend so much more on firewood, I have trained the locals in simple technology to tap safe rain water, use energy saving stoves, engage in baking, brick laying, soap making and bio gas,” says Mutuzo.But Helen Kasande points at what she calls poor service delivery as the reason she is offering herself for election. “There is poor mobilisation of women in this district if you compare it with other districts like Mbarara; the youth here don’t have jobs, there is no programme to cater for the youths who never went to school,” says Kasande. In that respect, Kabarole is not very different from other constituencies around the country, but it still stands out as the one area where the President Museveni’s personality could still tilt the balance. Who is likely to contest for Kabarole Woman MP seat? Peace Ragis Mutuzo. Holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Management from Uganda Management Institute (UMI); Makerere University bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and a Diploma in Education at Bishop Stuart from NTC, Kakoba. At Bishop Stuart, she was elected guild president. Before President Museveni put her in charge of Youth (National) in 2005, she was an assistant private secretary in charge of the Youth (Western).Ms Mutuzowas promoted to senior private secretary in charge of welfare in State House in 2008. Nestor Basemera. Holds a diploma in education from Bishop Stuart NTC Kakoba and a Kyambogo University Bachelor’s in Education. Worked at Mountains of the Moon University and Makerere University as a teaching assistant and at Nyakasura School as a senior woman. Sylvia Rwabwogo. Is a journalist plying her trade at Hits Fm in Fort Portal town. Is deputy speaker for Kabarole council and a councillor representing East Division. She advocates for women emancipation through her radio programme and also encourages people to work hard for the development of their families. Holds a diploma in journalism and a Bachelor’s degree in Social and Community Development from Mountains of the Moon University. Helen Kasande. Is the human resource manager at Mpanga tea grower’s factory. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Makerere University; a diploma in community-based rehabilitation from Kyambogo University; diploma in human resource management from UMI, and a certificate in administrative law. Victoria Businge-Rusoke. A first term MP, the Kabarole Woman representative holds a Master of Education from Makerere University (2001), Bachelor of Education, Makerere University (1991), Diploma in teacher education from Institute of Teacher Education, Kyambogo (1986), Grade II teacher certificate, Makerere University (1980), East African certificate of education, 1977. Was District Education Officer, Kabarole from 2003 to 2010; head teacher Kalinaabiri Primary School February to July 2003; head teacher Old Kampala Primary School 1997 to 2002; head teacher City Primary School 1994 to 1995; deputy head teacher Nakasero Primary School 1991 to 1993; tutor Kibuli TTC 1986 to 1990 and teacher Shimoni Demonstration School 1980 to 1985. She sits on Parliament’s committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry and on the Appointments Committee. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Wadri-expects-landslide-victory-again-in-Terego-County/-/688342/2530834/-/1i0irs/-/index.html","content":"Wadri expects landslide victory again in Terego County - ARUA A difficult question voters in Terego must answer is whether they should give the incumbent MP Kassiano Wadri Ezati another term or vote in a fresh face?Equally interesting are the subsidiary questions whose answers would probably suggest greater concern on why people voted the way they did or what are the implications of the results are. These questions are not always easily answered in Terego. Mr Wadri is brimming with self-confidence two years away from election night. “Even if elections are organised today, with or without my posters or campaigns, as long as my name is on the ballot paper, I am ready for my opponents,” he told Saturday Monitor during an interview recently. Mr Wadri, a charismatic leader, has built formidable electoral machinery through the Forum for Democratic Change grassroots support in Terego that easily outguns the ruling National Resistance Movement. Adding to his existing advantages are a compliant electorate, wide support from religious institutions, schools and health centres that would be happy to ‘pay back’ for the good he has done for them. In Terego, voting behaviour is fairly enlightened. People’s choice depends on how well a candidate articulates public policy issues, evaluates government performance and individual candidate characteristics. The word on the street or village paths of Terego is that Mr Wadri could have another term in office. The bunch of votes that have made it possible for him to occupy this seat three terms seems unshaken. His star shone bright for his credible performance as chair of the House Public Accounts Committee where he asked searching questions of government officials suspected of corruption. It seems neither the money nor effort of NRM diehards such as Mario Obiga Kania, who petitioned his 2011 election victory, will not be enough to cause a change of personnel.Going into 2016, it would be great for aspiring candidates to know that voters also value party identification and ideology. Not many voters change their party affiliation midstream in this part of the country.In the meantime, Mr Wadri is also keeping an eye on development. “My role is not to construct roads and bridges, bring water or construct schools. I am there to effectively represent my people. But if a road in my constituency is to be tarmacked, they will look at the viability and economic opportunities that emerge there like the Vurra-Arua-Koboko road under construction is because of huge economic opportunities in South Sudan,” he said. Seeing them by their works, not bribes“I have bursary schemes for bright and needy students, I do fundraising in schools, churches, mosques and these may not be my roles. But I feel supporting developmental activities is not bad for a politician,” he said. Mr Kania who has been the face of NRM since 2001, always losing to Mr Kassiano Wadri, remains in the mood regardless of the odds. “I will still contest; we shall continue to expound our old ideas which we have never been given time to implement. We want to take government services to the people and ours is to deliver service to them through modern Saccos.” Mr Kania’s is not an enviable task, especially since Terego has gained the reputation of being an island of Opposition sympathy in the West Nile sub-region which has historical reasons not to throw their weight behind the NRM. In parts of this sub-region, old grievances against sections of the Opposition that were in the government in 1980s – and thrown out of office by Mr Museveni’s band of bandits in 1986 -- linger on. Mr Kania, a former Constituent Assembly (CA) delegate, worked as director for research in the defunct NRM Secretariat when he lost his seat many years ago. He has struggled to recover ground and the terrain appears to be getting more crowded with each passing election cycle. A law student at Islamic University In Uganda aligned with the Democratic Party, Mr Elia Alitia, this time plans to use 2016 to introduce himself to the people. He will run on the youth unemployment card. Mr Alitia should, however, also expect to confront the wider social and demographic factors, such as social class or socio-economic status and religion on the campaign trail. He could find some favour amongst the women and young who have shown an inclination to side with the opposition. The trouble for Mr Alitia is that Mr Wadri, who is quick to protest that he is not building a political dynasty, has intimated since he is not the only man with Terego, he is quietly grooming a replacement to carry on the good work in the constituency. At the other extreme, is former Ambassador to Brussels, Mr Harold Acemah. An articulate individual whose patriotic credentials have been well enunciated through his regular writings in the newspaper, one wonders why Mr Acemah has not been given a chance. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/AllanTacca/Is--Why-not-Muhoozi-in-2021--a-plot-to-damage-/-/878694/2507240/-/129dh95z/-/index.html","content":"Is ‘Why not Muhoozi in 2021’ a plot to damage Museveni in 2016? - I don’t know why people take any notice of what President Museveni says on the BBC. Or, rather, I know; it is because it is on the BBC. This iconic British media organisation has established itself as a source of relatively accurate and balanced reporting. Not a small achievement, considering that it is a government-financed outfit. A BBC commentary also will usually command some respect, even when the position it takes is not necessarily definitive or universally pleasant. Because of its broad credibility, many statesmen and other public officials relish a date with the BBC. What they propagate on the BBC would not only get wide publicity, but they hope it would be more believable, especially if the subject tempts them to be economical with the truth. When the BBC interviewed Mr Museveni last week, the President made some interesting remarks about his wife’s present role in national politics and about the possibility of his son’s future in power. As he has in the past consistently said, he maintained that the First Lady first stood for a parliamentary seat against his advice. I will not comment on that act of “defiance”. Anyhow, Mr Museveni noted that his wife won the (Ruhaama) seat by a margin (as a percentage) bigger than that of any other winner in the country. So, was this not the democracy everybody was yapping about? About Brig Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Mr Museveni said it was an insult to suggest that he was grooming his son to replace him, because Uganda was not a monarchy. Now...now, here we must proceed very carefully. The BBC is the media outfit on whose air waves Mr Museveni would want to be at his best as a statesman. You can’t wrong-foot him there. The logic is exactly as Mr Museveni put it. However, the facts could be different from the logic. When the Papa Doc-Baby Doc insult was played out in Haiti, this Caribbean Island was not a monarchy. Neither did those father-to-son nasties of North Korea claim that their country is a communist kingdom. Also, Col Muammar Gaddafi had enough contempt for his people to impose on them his son as the next ruler, if he had been left to follow through his designs on the country, although he had deposed King Idris and turned Libya into a republic. However, in a gesture of grace, we can accept President Museveni’s assurances. We agree – as vegetables are expected to do – that President Museveni has no such designs. Fine; but then what about these creatures creeping in the dust, and seemingly so loyal to the President that they have pledged to support his son for the presidency in 2021 AD! Those are your Africans; they sometimes come out with an idea so ridiculous that it can only make sense if its real purpose is not what it seems to be. So you have a bunch of these creatures travelling under the cryptic name, “Why Not?” Yes, why not the son of the President in 2021? Now, with the current near-turmoil in Uganda’s politics, it verges on insolence for someone to come up openly with such an idea. It is an insult only second to suggesting that the President himself is engineering something along that line. I therefore want to speculate that in this period of heightened intrigue, these creatures may be masquerading as pro-Museveni and pro-First Family sycophants when in fact they are enemies of the President. They want to scare our people with a 2021 Brig Muhoozi presidency so that the citizens figure out how to prevent it. You see, if Mr Museveni is still the President in February 2021, such a scheme would be almost child’s play, regardless of Brig Muhoozi’s pre-election popularity ratings. You remember how the First Lady scored the mother of victories for a parliamentary seat. We could witness a historic presidential landslide victory in the most interesting of democratic times. \\Preventing that eventuality, therefore, implies electing someone other than Mr Museveni in 2016. This being Uganda, these “Why Not?” creatures probably want President Museveni himself to pay for their malice! 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Tacca is a novelist, socio-political commentator altaccaone@gmail.com. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Is--Why-not-Muhoozi-in-2021--a-plot-to-damage-/-/689844/2507048/-/rwm3t9/-/index.html","content":"Is ‘Why not Muhoozi in 2021’ a plot to damage Museveni in 2016? - I don’t know why people take any notice of what President Museveni says on the BBC. Or, rather, I know; it is because it is on the BBC. This iconic British media organisation has established itself as a source of relatively accurate and balanced reporting. Not a small achievement, considering that it is a government-financed outfit. A BBC commentary also will usually command some respect, even when the position it takes is not necessarily definitive or universally pleasant. Because of its broad credibility, many statesmen and other public officials relish a date with the BBC. What they propagate on the BBC would not only get wide publicity, but they hope it would be more believable, especially if the subject tempts them to be economical with the truth. When the BBC interviewed Mr Museveni last week, the President made some interesting remarks about his wife’s present role in national politics and about the possibility of his son’s future in power. As he has in the past consistently said, he maintained that the First Lady first stood for a parliamentary seat against his advice. I will not comment on that act of “defiance”. Anyhow, Mr Museveni noted that his wife won the (Ruhaama) seat by a margin (as a percentage) bigger than that of any other winner in the country. So, was this not the democracy everybody was yapping about? About Brig Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Mr Museveni said it was an insult to suggest that he was grooming his son to replace him, because Uganda was not a monarchy. Now...now, here we must proceed very carefully. The BBC is the media outfit on whose air waves Mr Museveni would want to be at his best as a statesman. You can’t wrong-foot him there. The logic is exactly as Mr Museveni put it. However, the facts could be different from the logic. When the Papa Doc-Baby Doc insult was played out in Haiti, this Caribbean Island was not a monarchy. Neither did those father-to-son nasties of North Korea claim that their country is a communist kingdom. Also, Col Muammar Gaddafi had enough contempt for his people to impose on them his son as the next ruler, if he had been left to follow through his designs on the country, although he had deposed King Idris and turned Libya into a republic. However, in a gesture of grace, we can accept President Museveni’s assurances. We agree – as vegetables are expected to do – that President Museveni has no such designs. Fine; but then what about these creatures creeping in the dust, and seemingly so loyal to the President that they have pledged to support his son for the presidency in 2021 AD! Those are your Africans; they sometimes come out with an idea so ridiculous that it can only make sense if its real purpose is not what it seems to be. So you have a bunch of these creatures travelling under the cryptic name, “Why Not?” Yes, why not the son of the President in 2021? Now, with the current near-turmoil in Uganda’s politics, it verges on insolence for someone to come up openly with such an idea. It is an insult only second to suggesting that the President himself is engineering something along that line. I therefore want to speculate that in this period of heightened intrigue, these creatures may be masquerading as pro-Museveni and pro-First Family sycophants when in fact they are enemies of the President. They want to scare our people with a 2021 Brig Muhoozi presidency so that the citizens figure out how to prevent it. You see, if Mr Museveni is still the President in February 2021, such a scheme would be almost child’s play, regardless of Brig Muhoozi’s pre-election popularity ratings. You remember how the First Lady scored the mother of victories for a parliamentary seat. We could witness a historic presidential landslide victory in the most interesting of democratic times. \\Preventing that eventuality, therefore, implies electing someone other than Mr Museveni in 2016. This being Uganda, these “Why Not?” creatures probably want President Museveni himself to pay for their malice! 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Tacca is a novelist, socio-political commentator altaccaone@gmail.com. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Aswa-County--Reagan-Okumu-expects-to-retain-seat-for-5th-term/-/688342/2442486/-/qsgt3d/-/index.html","content":"Aswa County: Reagan Okumu expects to retain seat for 5th term - GULU Aswa County MP Ronald Reagan Okumu, is one of a rare and privileged group of politicians: he is almost making two decades in Parliament. Not everybody is happy about the Opposition’s stranglehold on the constituency and a plot is thickening within the ruling party’s ranks through which they hope to stop him from returning for a fifth consecutive term in 2016. A member of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party, Mr Okumu entered Parliament as a young man following Uganda’s first general elections conducted under universal adult suffrage in 1996. He was 27-years-old. He has been the scourge of the government down the years; making his mark as an unflinching voice of the suffering masses in northern Uganda during the debilitating war years. The Acholi of Aswa and beyond love him. They refer to him as society’s safety net and one who always had the interest of his people at heart. Under pressure from President Museveni over a plan by the Madhvani Group of Companies to set up a controversial sugar cane plantation, his role in defending the land rights of the people in neighbouring Amuru District is also well known. He will also forever be extolled for advocating for scholarship programmes for vulnerable children whose education was interrupted by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency. His initiative has seen scores of children furthering their education in both lower and higher institutions of learning. ProjectsThrough his friends in the US, in 2012, he lobbied for funds and procured hospital equipment worth Shs300 million for Gulu Regional Referral Hospital. Each year, he brings specialists from the US to carry out operations on people still suffering from the scars of the war. Mr Okumu, who is also the chair of Acholi Parliamentary Group, earned the wrath of the government when he refused to give up on efforts to bring peace to his homeland through dialogue. At one time, he was labelled a rebel collaborator, framed for a crime he denies ever committing and thrown behind bars. His popularity soared, resulting in successive landslide victories. But today, NRM politicians think they can cut short his blooming career. Months ago, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah, who, ironically, is himself likely to face a stiff battle to hold onto his Omoro County seat in Gulu, jumped into the fray. While promoting the so-called Kyankwanzi resolution of having Mr Museveni as the NRM’s sole candidate come 2016, Mr Oulanyah asked the locals to drop Mr Okumu and return a ruling party candidate in 2016. Mr Oulanyah claimed that the NRM government has supported the locals in the area over the years, yet they refuse to render overwhelming support to the party. “Why are you not appreciative to this government?” he asked. “The government has done its best, but time and again you vote Mr Okumu come 2016, show him exit.” As would be expected, Mr Okumu lashed out at Mr Oulanyah’s remarks, noting that the NRM has fought him over the years without success. “Mr Oulanyah has no moral authority to convince anyone in my constituency to vote me out. Instead, he should embark on convincing people in Omoro County, through service delivery, to save himself from being ousted in 2016.” Confident of victory Mr Okumu spoke with pride about his tenure in office; pointing out the visible projects he has initiated in Aswa that have improved lives. He is especially proud of what he has done through the education and health projects that have benefited numerous individuals. “I strongly believe the people of Aswa know their leader and come 2016, it won’t be a surprise that they will overwhelmingly vote me back to Parliament,” added Mr Okumu. Born on July 15, 1969, the father of three had briefly worked as an investigating officer in the Inspectorate of Government before diving into politics. In Parliament, he has chaired committees and served as shadow minister for foreign affairs. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/NicholasSengooba/Lukwago-is-bound-to-be-the-people-s-mayor--not-Lord-Mayor/-/1293432/2430512/-/148082e/-/index.html","content":"Lukwago is bound to be the people’s mayor, not Lord Mayor - Embattled Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago is still out of office and in the corridors of the courts of law. Whatever the outcome of the legal processes, it is very hard to see him being the Lord Mayor that the law envisages him to be. When Lukwago entered office about three years ago after a landslide victory in the mayoral race, he vowed to overhaul Kampala. He would rid it of corruption. Ensure that taxpayers’ money was put to good use. Have a city that delivers services to its occupants and fight for the rights of the poor and the down trodden. Now Lukwago is desperately fighting for his own survival. Not many thought Lukwago would see such days; after all he had the people’s mandate. Politics has that unpredictable side to it, mainly because not all that happens in politics depends on the will and mandate of the people. Neither does it depend on the law. There are so many competing factors that have to be considered in different circumstances. Some of these may sound childish and simplistic. But they matter. One of the factors at play in the battle for Kampala is egoism. When Lukwago defeated the NRM candidate Peter Ssematimba to become mayor; after jumping so many hurdles, including bogus queries regarding his academic qualifications, Lukwago emerged chest-thumping and declared that in reality, he had defeated President Museveni. In that statement, Lukwago not only served to lend gravitas to his victory but it also increased the stakes in the battle for the control of Kampala. Kampala has been a thorn in Museveni and the ruling NRM’s flesh for years. The opposition has carried the day in most of the past elections. The decision to turn Kampala into an autonomous ‘authority’ because it is the capital city was ostensibly for government to find a way of going round the issue of controlling Kampala. The election in 2011 seemingly scuttled that plan by returning opposition candidate Lukwago and seemed to maintain the status quo. If Lukwago got into celebratory mood, it was premature. He had just won a battle in a long war as we shall see later. The new law creating the Kampala Captial City Authority (KCCA) had created another dominant power centre headed by the executive director - the enthusiastic Jennifer Musisi. Her power is buttressed by the fact that she controls the money. The Lord Mayor was supposed to lead the political arm to formulate policy and ensure that the technical wing headed by Musisi funds and implements the same. The fact that he who pays the piper calls the tune has never changed. The executive director who was handpicked by Museveni would call the tune with ‘her’ and by extension ‘Museveni’s’ money. That is where Lukwago lost the war. From then on, it was going to be victories in pitched battles like the one that brought him to office but not the war to control Kampala. You can be sure that whatever the outcome of the issues in the courts, Lukwago is likely to remain a lame duck Lord Mayor who will have to take his issues, lamentations and defiant speeches to the voters seeking a shoulder to cry on. That will make him the peoples’ mayor. Otherwise, he will have no practical solution for those who voted him to power. Already, the city has taken so many decisions and done a lot of work on roads, markets, demolitions etc. (Whether rightly or wrongly) without the input of the council that is headed by the Lord Mayor. It is hard to see that changing. The law helps regulate society. Politics manages it. Politics has many options and one of the most notorious of them is to ignore or outrightly break the law to achieve an end. Matters in KCCA have tended to take that direction. The days of the Lord Mayor seem to be over. Mr Sengoba is a commentator on political and social issues. nicholassengoba@yahoo.comTwitter: @NICHOLASSENGOBA"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/KaroliSsemogerere/MP-loan-repayment-scheme-sets-wrong-precedent--sends-bad-signal/-/878682/2418030/-/12lpgd5z/-/index.html","content":"MP loan repayment scheme sets wrong precedent, sends bad signal - It has been three years since the 2011 General Election. On paper, the results were conclusive. NRM won the presidential election and a two thirds majority in Parliament. Electoral landslides are not an infrequent occurrence even though they are misleading. An electoral landslide may come from a generational change. In the United Kingdom, Tony Blair and the Labour Party in 1997 swept to power in an electoral landslide winning 415 seats in the 651 seat House of Commons. Power swept from the generation of the colonists and marquees to the university educated generation, people with university degrees with smatterings of old working class. Even when power swung back to the Tories and rested in an even more youthful generation born in the 1960s in 2010, the common denominator of a change in intellectual circumstances still held true. It has and still remains an irony that the grandchildren of the colonists and palace courtiers are still the same ones in power albeit with new credentials, including liberals. At least a dozen MPs in the current House of Commons – a significant feature of which is the paneled wood from Budongo Forest in Bunyoro graces its debating chamber – were born in East Africa during the colonial era. This excludes the British Asians. In South Africa, the 2014 General Election still hews close to the 1994 victory of Nelson Mandela; the ANC total vote share lies somewhere in the mid-60s. Generational change at the top has been slow but it is very clear that at the next election, South Africa may take a momentous leap forward in its politics. A drastic overhaul is sometimes a necessary dosage to effect change. Such infusions of change normally require a critical mass of people to agitate for change at the ballot box as opposed to smaller entrenched groups of individuals. Kenya today is going through the same; as messengers of change consistently become part of the status quo. Younger people are always joining politics imbibed with idealism to cause change. Older people normally join for more seasoned reasons. My Harvard professor, Elizabeth Warren, literally held students at her feet as she worked the lecture hall with her perspectives on American law. At Harvard, she was the non-elite of the most elite of American society. Where 80 per cent of the faculty had had their entire education inside the Ivy League, Warren had gone to public schools and graduated from a state university - Rutgers. But Ms Warren had a freshness about her that still seems to be part of her popular appeal. Middle America speaks very good English in a plain accent. That Middle America comprising of a large swathe of states from Oklahoma, Nebraska, Minnesota and the rest of the Plains State had done big and small things in the United States. The aviation industry relies on them for customer service. Banks rely on them for the same. So does the defense-intelligence establishment for obvious reasons. Everyday people in politics are a necessary balance; and it should not be a lifetime profession. People should enter and freely exit political life without putting too much demand on the working public. Secret schemes like the loan repayment scheme for Members of Parliament kill that dose of pragmatism necessary for a fair and just society. For MPs like Wafula Oguttu, the freshman MP from Bukhooli Central who worked his way up first as a banking officer before joining journalism and together with his colleagues gave some of us an opportunity to express our views in a newspaper, it must be a culture shock. So would my grandmother to believe that the paradigms of success would be passing along one big sausage with no time to work for it. Mr Ssemogerere is an Attorney-at-Law and an Advocate. kssemoge@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/India-polls--Modi-s-government-now-needs-to-/-/689364/2333182/-/t6jitf/-/index.html","content":"India polls: Modi’s government now needs to look at equal growth - Narendra Modi was sworn in as the 14th Prime Minister of India last Monday in the country’s capital, New Delhi. He took the oath of office along with other members of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a right-wing Hindu nationalist party that was elected by a landslide by India’s voters. The party will form a federal government after 10 years of sitting on the opposition benches. It is the first time since 1952 that a party other than the Indian National Congress, which led India’s anti-colonial freedom movement, has got a majority on its own in India’s 543 seat Parliament. The BJP, led by Modi, won 282 seats in an election that they fought on the issues of “development” and “good governance”. The Congress party, which ruled India in the 10 years to 2014, was reduced to 44 seats. The mandate gives the Modi-government a free hand to implement its agenda. Narendra Modi, a three-term leader of the Western Indian state of Gujarat, is a highly polarising figure, who is considered decisive by some and divisive by others. He is wildly popular among India’s middle classes for his perceived no-nonsense attitude to governance and for turning his home state Gujarat into one of the best economic performers. Critics allege that the so-called “Gujarat model” of development is a corporate-led model with generous help from the state in terms of tax breaks and land acquisition. They also say that Gujarat lags behind in human development indicators. The incident that cemented Modi’s reputation as a hardliner was an outbreak of violence in 2002 where a train carrying Hindu pilgrims was burnt, allegedly by a Muslim mob. The reaction to that was a violent rampage by alleged Hindu mobs. More than 1,000 people died and critics allege that the government did nothing to control the fury. However, his supporters point out that government and judicial committees appointed to investigate the riots have found no evidence against Modi. Modi was declared the Prime Ministerial candidate by his party last year and led an energetic campaign targeting the Congress party for its alleged corruption and mismanagement of the economy. He addressed over 5,000 public meetings and travelled 300,000 km during the campaign. By contrast, the Congress campaign looked listless and confused. Modi’s message of Hope and Change (one of his campaign slogans was “Good days are upon us”) resonated with India’s nearly 850 million voters who were angry about inflation, lack of jobs and corruption. Multi-trillion rupee corruption scandals involving Congress and coalition ministers cemented this feeling. From the issuance of telecom licences to coal mines and from the commonwealth games preparations to government appointments, it seems everything was up for sale. It was this deep vein of discontent that Modi and the BJP targeted with a relentless campaign promising “Development”. The campaign was so effective that voters in the Northern heartland of the country, which sends the maximum number of MPs to Parliament, voted for Modi’s vision instead of the usual trend of voting along caste and community lines. The BJP gained votes from almost all sections: low income groups, the youth vote, urban and upper caste votes. So what will the immediate priorities of the new government be? Kick starting economic growth, creating jobs and reining in prices, especially food inflation, will figure at the top of the list. Boosting manufacturing and creating the infrastructure to support it may be part of the plan to revive the economy and create jobs for the estimated 10 million people who enter the Indian workforce every year. Reviving confidence in a stalling economy will be utmost on Modi’s mind. However it will have to ensure that the fruits of growth are shared by all sections of society, and not just by those at the top, if it hopes to be elected for a second term in five years. The author is an India-based journalist and writer who lives and works with rural communities on issues of Right to Information."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/India-polls--Modi-s-government-now-needs-to-/-/689844/2333102/-/15bg5hg/-/index.html","content":"India polls: Modi’s government now needs to look at equal growth - Narendra Modi was sworn in as the 14th Prime Minister of India last Monday in the country’s capital, New Delhi. He took the oath of office along with other members of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a right-wing Hindu nationalist party that was elected by a landslide by India’s voters. The party will form a federal government after 10 years of sitting on the opposition benches. It is the first time since 1952 that a party other than the Indian National Congress, which led India’s anti-colonial freedom movement, has got a majority on its own in India’s 543 seat Parliament. The BJP, led by Modi, won 282 seats in an election that they fought on the issues of “development” and “good governance”. The Congress party, which ruled India in the 10 years to 2014, was reduced to 44 seats. The mandate gives the Modi-government a free hand to implement its agenda. Narendra Modi, a three-term leader of the Western Indian state of Gujarat, is a highly polarising figure, who is considered decisive by some and divisive by others. He is wildly popular among India’s middle classes for his perceived no-nonsense attitude to governance and for turning his home state Gujarat into one of the best economic performers. Critics allege that the so-called “Gujarat model” of development is a corporate-led model with generous help from the state in terms of tax breaks and land acquisition. They also say that Gujarat lags behind in human development indicators. The incident that cemented Modi’s reputation as a hardliner was an outbreak of violence in 2002 where a train carrying Hindu pilgrims was burnt, allegedly by a Muslim mob. The reaction to that was a violent rampage by alleged Hindu mobs. More than 1,000 people died and critics allege that the government did nothing to control the fury. However, his supporters point out that government and judicial committees appointed to investigate the riots have found no evidence against Modi. Modi was declared the Prime Ministerial candidate by his party last year and led an energetic campaign targeting the Congress party for its alleged corruption and mismanagement of the economy. He addressed over 5,000 public meetings and travelled 300,000 km during the campaign. By contrast, the Congress campaign looked listless and confused. Modi’s message of Hope and Change (one of his campaign slogans was “Good days are upon us”) resonated with India’s nearly 850 million voters who were angry about inflation, lack of jobs and corruption. Multi-trillion rupee corruption scandals involving Congress and coalition ministers cemented this feeling. From the issuance of telecom licences to coal mines and from the commonwealth games preparations to government appointments, it seems everything was up for sale. It was this deep vein of discontent that Modi and the BJP targeted with a relentless campaign promising “Development”. The campaign was so effective that voters in the Northern heartland of the country, which sends the maximum number of MPs to Parliament, voted for Modi’s vision instead of the usual trend of voting along caste and community lines. The BJP gained votes from almost all sections: low income groups, the youth vote, urban and upper caste votes. So what will the immediate priorities of the new government be? Kick starting economic growth, creating jobs and reining in prices, especially food inflation, will figure at the top of the list. Boosting manufacturing and creating the infrastructure to support it may be part of the plan to revive the economy and create jobs for the estimated 10 million people who enter the Indian workforce every year. Reviving confidence in a stalling economy will be utmost on Modi’s mind. However it will have to ensure that the fruits of growth are shared by all sections of society, and not just by those at the top, if it hopes to be elected for a second term in five years. The author is an India-based journalist and writer who lives and works with rural communities on issues of Right to Information."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bukenya-reveals-why-he-was-sacked/-/688334/2325188/-/jhkv3tz/-/index.html","content":"I rejected Museveni’s deal to keep me as VP - KAMPALA- President Museveni asked Gilbert Bukenya to quit the 2011 race for the NRM Secretary General slot or lose his position as vice president. Prof Bukenya reveals this in his new book titled “In the Corridors to Power” which Sunday Monitor has a pre-release copy. The former vice president on Tuesday shocked the ruling NRM party establishment when he climbed the podium and campaigned for Opposition DP candidate Brenda Nabukenya in the Luweero Woman MP by-election instead of rooting for his party’s candidate Rebecca Nalwanga. The opposition candidate won the seat by a landslide. This is the second book in which the former vice president is documenting his political journey. The first, titled Through the Intricate Corridors to Power was published in 2008 by Fountain Publishers and largely dwelt on his humble beginnings as a peasant child and skirted around the political controversies understandably because he was still a member of the executive. In his latest book, Prof Bukenya comes off less inhibited and makes some startling revelations about his interactions with his boss, President Museveni. The big decisionOne incident he dwells on is the events in 2009 which he describes as “perhaps the most formative” one for his political life at the vice presidency. He says, that year, he made a decision to run for the slot of Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party that many scoffed at or at the very least, were puzzled by. Prof Bukenya says at one time, he felt stuck as vice president because the office of the vice presidency is to a large extent a ceremonial one and as months and years went on, he found himself increasingly limited to roles that were of less value and useless to the nation. Prof Bukenya says for the previous six years, he had tried to involve himself in activities that were of value to the poor but the vice presidency office had limited him to do so and therefore, he hoped by clinching the post of Secretary General, he would be able to reach out to the poor and help uplift their standards of living. But this revealed a side of his party that he had never known.He tells of an incident at the peak of his secretary generalship campaigns when one of his friends, whom he identified as Madvani, called him and advised him to think twice before he offered himself for that post because he (Mr Bukenya) was “an outsider” whom they would use and dump at anytime. “Gil, you are an outsider to the NRM. They will use you but will never accept you. This thing of Secretary General, you will never get it and they will do whatever it takes to fail you. Don’t you see your friends, Sam Njuba and Wapakhabulo? When time comes, they will knock you down”, Prof Bukenya quotes Madvani telling him in one of the meetings. Prof Bukenya reveals how President Museveni summoned a meeting to ring fence the post of Secretary General at State House that had attracted three party heavyweights that had joined the race. The three were Mr Bukenya, then Security Minister Amama Mbabazi and then Trade Minister Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire. Mr Bukenya says the President was not pleased by his declaration to take on his then blue-eyed boy. “In June 2010, the President called me in for a meeting. I had already formally told him of my plans to contest. The moment I walked into his office, I could see that he was not happy with me. He scanned my face with a somber expression before asking, ‘Why are you scrambling for this small job as Secretary General while you are vice president?’ I was caught up over which response to give to him. I wanted to participate more actively in consolidating the party in rural areas, and I wanted the party to be a participatory organ for change. I then asked him if that was not what he wanted to see happen. He looked absent minded,” Prof Bukenya writes. He continued: “I took a deep breath and said to him “I can do away with the ceremonial position of Vice President, Sir.” He locked eyes with me instantly. I could see that he was shocked by my statement. He merely looked at me, neither supporting nor dismissing my wish. Just silence. I was puzzled because I had prepared myself to hear him say at the very least “Do not vie for that position”. 1 | 2 Next Page»Why come out nowWhen this newspaper on Saturday asked the former vice president his motives for writing the book and making these revelations now, he said: “You need to write down your experiences because it helps others to further their knowledge. People should not be afraid to write because they held sensitive positions. Writing these experiences helps future generations to learn and make correct and informed decisions”. Prof Bukenya’s fall out with his party, according to his new book, seems to have been cemented by the manner in which he exited the country’s number two job; through a telephone call by a junior State House official on the directive of President Museveni. “On May 30, 2011, at 8.15 pm, a telephone number from State House rang my phone. I answered it to find a woman’s voice on the other end. At that moment, I knew the reason that this phone call was coming. I said, ‘Hello PPS” thinking that it was the PPS at the time, Grace Akello. She replied, Your Excellency, I am not the PPS, I am Miriam Kankunda, the Secretary to the President.’ What is it? I asked,” Prof Bukenya writes in his new book published by Editorial Kimpres Limited-Bogota-Colombia. The disturbing callProf Bukenya says though he expected a call from State House at that moment, he did expect it to come from the Principal Private Secretary to the President, but not a mere secretary. “The voice that had started so sharp suddenly seemed timid as she stammered the rest of the words “I have….. I have…… have been directed by the President to tell you that he will not be nominating you for the job of Vice President at tomorrow’s party caucus meeting. He thanks you very much and he will be writing a personal letter to thank you. I paused for a long moment, and then simply replied, “Very well. Thank you for the message and tell the President thank you as well,” he writes. Prof Bukenya says up to now, he has never received the thank you note from President Museveni, which his secretary said the President would write. Basajjabalaba delivers hard message Prof Bukenya discloses that three weeks to the National Executive Committee, in a meeting called to harmonise the election of Secretary General, there was an interesting debate chaired by the President where it was proposed that some candidates pull out of the race. “Everyone that was contesting was asked to move out of the room to give space for a decision to be reached. As I gathered my things and turned to walk out, a secretary tapped me on the shoulder. “Your Excellency,” she said “The President is requesting your presence in the lounge”. “I stepped into the suggested room, where I found a young businessman that I recognised from previous meetings. His name was Basajjabalaba. I took a step back thinking that I was in the wrong room but as I began to walk away, he said to me: “Sir, I have a message for you from the president…the President says he will retain you as the vice President if you pulled out of the race”. Prof Bukenya said at the moment, he was lost for words as it had turned out that it was barter trade of sorts. He says he felt demeaned but thought Mr Basajjabalaba was acting on behalf of Mr Mbabazi, which turned out otherwise. “As [Basajjabala] ended this statement, the doors swung open. The President strode into the room and asked with visible irritation, “Gilbert, why are you scrambling for this job when you are already vice president? You really are not pulling out? He turned and walked out of the room to continue with the meeting.” rwanambwa@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/BernardTabaire/If-only-Bukenya-had-spoken-out-while-still-Museveni-s-deputy-/-/878688/2325574/-/bom2lgz/-/index.html","content":"If only Bukenya had spoken out while still Museveni’s deputy! - Imagine Vice President Edward Ssekandi laying into the NRM for not allowing “fair competition”. Imagine him going on to say: “If my party intimidates and does not allow free competition, I will fight it. If a candidate is nominated in law, they are free to go to their constituencies and campaign. If you [police] go and shoot at people, that is [unwarranted] behaviour.” Thanks to Daily Monitor for the quotes. Dr Gilbert Bukenya, former vice president of the Republic of Uganda, used those exact words this past week in relation to the by-election for Luweero woman MP.Prof Bukenya is today the ruling party’s chairman in Wakiso District and MP for Busiro North. He is a party man, as it were. But he is a party man with scores to settle. President Museveni dropped him as vice president after the 2011 general elections. He had served in the position since 2003. Being the gifted community organiser he is, Prof Bukenya acquitted himself well. Upland rice would very likely not be the big crop it is in Uganda without Dr Bukenya’s efforts as vice president. If Prof Bukenya, while still at the peak of his political career as holder of the visible job of vice president, had uttered the words he is now uttering, wow, they would have carried so much weight. If he had then proceeded to resign in protest, well, who knows, he would possibly be the undisputed presidential candidate for the Opposition today. Maybe the hoopla his act would have raised would have even contributed to the enactment of electoral reforms. But he played safe while “eating”, like all committed careerists do. Now while saying sensible things, he sounds opportunistic – even in a profession where opportunism is a virtue. It looks like he is seeking attention by daring the NRM to discipline him for both the criticism he is levelling and for campaigning for the DP candidate in the Luweero by-election. (The DP candidate won). The NRM seems to be falling for the bait. The political buzz seems, however, to be more focussed not on Prof Bukenya’s words, but on President Museveni’s political fortunes. An opinion poll, whose results Daily Monitor is drip-dripping on us, suggests Mr Museveni would score a landslide today against any of the leading potential contenders for State House. The contenders include Prof Bukenya. Predictably, Opposition leaders have reverted to their default line of attack of any poll whose findings they don’t like. They say the poll findings are defective because Ugandans, especially in rural areas, are too scared to give researchers answers that reflect their exact thinking because President Museveni has created a climate of fear; that he has made it known that if the people dare choose someone else, bad things will happen to them. So people will always say they support him as some sort of insurance policy. They may well be right.But the 0pposition leaders’ line of reasoning would not sound so bogus if the same group also routinely cast doubt on poll findings that show their side in positive light. To do so would amount to saying all polls are useless, which, of course, would be crazy. I hope the Opposition’s trashing of negative poll results is merely for public relations purposes, but that quietly leaders study the results and try to draw up plans to improve ratings. Previous polls (especially ahead of the 2011 elections), which the Opposition dutifully trashed, were very much on the mark regarding Mr Museveni’s score in the presidential elections – money or no money, intimidation or no intimidation. (Of course, someone will argue that the entire thing was cooked carefully from beginning to end – from opinion poll findings to election results. But let’s sidestep this line of argument this time.) Let’s just say that instead of wishing away reality, the Opposition should conduct its own internal polls. Several of them at regular intervals. And someone, especially media houses and civil society organisations working on democracy issues, should fund credible and independent research agencies to do quarterly polls until elections in 2016. Hoping that all concerned would take the findings seriously. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Tabaire is the co-founder and director of programmes at African Centre for Media Excellence in Kampala bernard.tabaire@gmail.comTwitter:@btabaire « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Luweero-by-election--The-barometer-for-2016/-/689844/2325500/-/1qdwvyz/-/index.html","content":"Luweero by-election: The barometer for 2016 - The results of the Luweero Woman MP by-election of May 22, were in by Thursday night. To the surprise of very few analysts, Brenda Nabukenya, the broody-faced youthful and militant DP activist and winner of the same seat in another by-election in 2012, has regained it. A slightly weird, non-conformist personality, Nabukenya last year appeared on Record TV’s breakfast show. Questioned in her language Luganda by the interviewer, Nabukenya decided to reply all the questions in English, much to the caller’s puzzlement. Speaking to KFM news on Friday May 23, Nabukenya, in her flat, bored voice, simply said: “Of course I knew I would win.”By-elections in Uganda since 2006 have become presidential elections by other means. The reason is that no matter how genuinely one defeats President Museveni in the presidential vote, the perception, of course not tested, is that such a victory can and never will be permitted. Army tanks will roll out on the streets to make sure it does not. Thus, in the absence of any realistic change in the presidency, the Opposition works around that obstacle by investing in by-elections as the next best thing. SignificanceA win for an Opposition candidate in a by-election is treated as a moral victory and an indirect way of saying that the presidential election results would have been the same too, but for the fear of army tanks.The re-election of Nabukenya is more significant than other recent by-elections for two reasons. First and most obvious, is that this is Luweero, the district that is historically regarded as the spiritual birthplace of the NRA guerrilla war, what Trent Town in Jamaica is to Reggae music, Lord’s in England is to Cricket and Silicon Valley in the United States is to the computer. If there is one place in Uganda where the NRM party should, in theory, be guaranteed victory, Luweero is that place. For a candidate backed by Museveni to lose in Luweero is like President Milton Obote losing an election in Bushenyi in 1980. Secondly, this is the first national or nationally-watched election since the presumed power rivalry between President Museveni and the Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi erupted into the public eye and became mainstream news. It comes in the wake of the many moves, from the Kyankwanzi resolution in mid February by NRM MPs to declare Museveni as the party’s preferred sole candidate for the 2016 general election, to the recent unabashed campaign to deploy NRM MPs to their various districts with money to distribute to the NRM district members and have this electorate similarly endorse a sole 2016 Museveni candidacy. Museveni personally, as he has been doing since 2006, campaigned for the NRM’s candidate Rebecca Nalwanga and as has mostly happened since 2006, the candidate whom he backed and for whom every resource was spent to secure a win, still lost, and lost by a landslide margin of more than 16,000 votes. This is certainly going to embolden the Mbabazi camp and complicate the tense atmosphere within the NRM. The Mbabazi camp will make the argument that the Luweero vote is proof that the Ugandan public is tired of Museveni and it is time somebody else carried aloft the party’s flag in 2016. Distorted pictureThis is where we start to see the distorted Ugandan political picture. At Kyankwanzi, Museveni is overwhelmingly endorsed by NRM MPs; but in Luweero he is rejected by NRM voters. In an opinion poll published last week by the Daily Monitor, 54 percent of those questioned say they want Museveni to stay on after 2016; but just a week later in an actual election, residents of Luweero beg to disagree with the Daily Monitor poll. These results confirm what many have argued for years: publicly conducted opinion polls in Uganda, especially polls that touch on the President, are futile. Given the climate of fear in the country, police teargas and unrelenting harassment of the Opposition, nobody is going to express their true opinion to a stranger who just stopped them along the roadside and asked if they would like Museveni to remain on as President. If the police can arrest youth from the NRM party, just because they support a Mbabazi presidency and all this reported in the national news, which ordinary citizen is going to risk stating their real views on Museveni after that? 1 | 2 Next Page»Another important lesson from this Luweero and previous by-elections seems to be one that the Opposition and civil society don’t grasp. It is about how credible general elections should be conducted in Uganda. Whenever the Opposition takes part in a general election, with most of their senior officials vying for parliamentary seats in their own constituencies and party agents spread thin across the country, the NRM party’s control of the state machinery easily hands victory to Museveni. But whenever there is a by-election in which senior Opposition officials, the news media and civil society activists all descend on the same district and act as election observers, the opportunity for rigging drastically reduced. That is why the Opposition usually wins by-elections even when faced with the same police harassment, intimidation by state intelligence operatives and the NRM’s use of state funds for its campaign that we see in the general elections. This means that the one election reform we most urgently need is to have polling days spread out over several days, as is done in India. Day One would be voting in northern Uganda, Day Two western Uganda, Day Three eastern Uganda and Day Four south-central Uganda.A staggered election like this would make it possible for all political parties to concentrate their full resources and manpower on a smaller geographical area that is much easier to monitor and so prevent rigging. Important pollAs for me, the one opinion poll I am looking forward to is one in which the Daily Monitor or any other media house asks Ugandans whom they think was or is a better president: Milton Obote or Yoweri Museveni, or Idi Amin or Yoweri Museveni? Museveni versus Mbabazi opinion polls or Mbabazi versus Rebecca Kadaga polls are contemporary. They don’t shed light on where in our historical understanding we are. I am burning with curiosity to see if or by how much the last 28 years have changed or maintained Ugandans’ understanding of their history, now that they have had enough time and experience to arrive at a broader judgment than before 1986. timothy_kalyegira@yahoo.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/If-only-Bukenya-had-spoken-out-while-still-Museveni-s-deputy-/-/689844/2325542/-/8lflyrz/-/index.html","content":"If only Bukenya had spoken out while still Museveni’s deputy! - Imagine Vice President Edward Ssekandi laying into the NRM for not allowing “fair competition”. Imagine him going on to say: “If my party intimidates and does not allow free competition, I will fight it. If a candidate is nominated in law, they are free to go to their constituencies and campaign. If you [police] go and shoot at people, that is [unwarranted] behaviour.” Thanks to Daily Monitor for the quotes. Dr Gilbert Bukenya, former vice president of the Republic of Uganda, used those exact words this past week in relation to the by-election for Luweero woman MP.Prof Bukenya is today the ruling party’s chairman in Wakiso District and MP for Busiro North. He is a party man, as it were. But he is a party man with scores to settle. President Museveni dropped him as vice president after the 2011 general elections. He had served in the position since 2003. Being the gifted community organiser he is, Prof Bukenya acquitted himself well. Upland rice would very likely not be the big crop it is in Uganda without Dr Bukenya’s efforts as vice president. If Prof Bukenya, while still at the peak of his political career as holder of the visible job of vice president, had uttered the words he is now uttering, wow, they would have carried so much weight. If he had then proceeded to resign in protest, well, who knows, he would possibly be the undisputed presidential candidate for the Opposition today. Maybe the hoopla his act would have raised would have even contributed to the enactment of electoral reforms. But he played safe while “eating”, like all committed careerists do. Now while saying sensible things, he sounds opportunistic – even in a profession where opportunism is a virtue. It looks like he is seeking attention by daring the NRM to discipline him for both the criticism he is levelling and for campaigning for the DP candidate in the Luweero by-election. (The DP candidate won). The NRM seems to be falling for the bait. The political buzz seems, however, to be more focussed not on Prof Bukenya’s words, but on President Museveni’s political fortunes. An opinion poll, whose results Daily Monitor is drip-dripping on us, suggests Mr Museveni would score a landslide today against any of the leading potential contenders for State House. The contenders include Prof Bukenya. Predictably, Opposition leaders have reverted to their default line of attack of any poll whose findings they don’t like. They say the poll findings are defective because Ugandans, especially in rural areas, are too scared to give researchers answers that reflect their exact thinking because President Museveni has created a climate of fear; that he has made it known that if the people dare choose someone else, bad things will happen to them. So people will always say they support him as some sort of insurance policy. They may well be right.But the 0pposition leaders’ line of reasoning would not sound so bogus if the same group also routinely cast doubt on poll findings that show their side in positive light. To do so would amount to saying all polls are useless, which, of course, would be crazy. I hope the Opposition’s trashing of negative poll results is merely for public relations purposes, but that quietly leaders study the results and try to draw up plans to improve ratings. Previous polls (especially ahead of the 2011 elections), which the Opposition dutifully trashed, were very much on the mark regarding Mr Museveni’s score in the presidential elections – money or no money, intimidation or no intimidation. (Of course, someone will argue that the entire thing was cooked carefully from beginning to end – from opinion poll findings to election results. But let’s sidestep this line of argument this time.) Let’s just say that instead of wishing away reality, the Opposition should conduct its own internal polls. Several of them at regular intervals. And someone, especially media houses and civil society organisations working on democracy issues, should fund credible and independent research agencies to do quarterly polls until elections in 2016. Hoping that all concerned would take the findings seriously. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Tabaire is the co-founder and director of programmes at African Centre for Media Excellence in Kampala bernard.tabaire@gmail.comTwitter:@btabaire « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Bukenya-flip-flops-as-Nabukenya-returns/-/689844/2325514/-/kt3kw/-/index.html","content":"Bukenya flip-flops as Nabukenya returns - Parliament is on recess, so the doors to the chambers remain closed until June 15. But Prof Bukenya made headlines last week when he joined the Opposition camp in Luweero District Woman MP by-election. He later addressed a press conference at Parliament, saying he had no regrets campaigning for Ms Brenda Nabukenya, the Democratic Party candidate. He also vowed to take on President Museveni in 2016 elections. In a congratulatory message to Ms Nabukenya on winning the election, Prof Bukenya warned leaders who judge others and reminded them that even the Bible refutes that. He said it is one thing to feel that you are on the right path but it’s another to think that yours is the only path. “What might have worked for you and your life is not the road others should strive for and please respect each other’s choices and do not judge them,” he said. That he always uses the stones they cast on him to build a solid foundation because he knows that once one is strong, he or she is unstoppable. Looking back, on a gleaming Monday morning of November 7 2011, Prof Bukenya described President Museveni as having been supportive and disclosed that the NRM leader personally stood by him all through what he called ‘a political problem.’ He was talking about his imprisonment in the wake of the Chogm scandals. Prof Bukenya was charged with abuse of office for his role in the award of a deal worth Shs9.4 billion to supply 204 executive vehicles to Motorcare, a private company. Minutes after the Anti-Corruption Court presided over by Justice Catherine Bamugemereire formally discharged him of abuse of office; he expressed unconditional gratitude to Ssabalwanyi. However, from this time on, Prof Bukenya, who is one of NRM senior leaders, stopped using the NRM symbol-- the thump and publically seen, clinching fists. After a stint of nearly three tumultuous years as a backbencher following a landslide victory in a flawless by-election in his constituency, in what now seems to be a “stab in the back”, Prof Bukenya, once a darling of the regime, removed gloves last week and turned the political sword on a man who stood by him in time of need. In a combative tone, he willfully reinforced the Opposition in Luweero by-elections when he openly scoffed at the NRM candidate, Ms Rebecca Nalwanga. He foretold DP’s Ms Nabukenya landslide victory. His antics angered NRM stalwarts in Parliament who have branded him a “quack” and “disgust to the system”. They asked NRM leaders to summon him to the disciplinary committee. But Bukenya hit back, saying the only person who can expel him from his right is his mother and that she is already dead. However, it’s not yet clear whether Prof Bukenya will be hauled to the disciplinary committee as the case with the four expelled MPs. In May 2011, President Museveni asked Prof Bukenya to resign from Cabinet, exactly eight years after he was first appointed to the job. He picked former Speaker Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi in his place. However, in a telephone interview with this newspaper, Prof Bukenya called his sacking a “relief”, pledged to continue fighting poverty and vowed to remain a faithful member of the ruling NRM party. Umeme bribeLast week, the Rules, Discipline and Privileges Committee started investigations into the allegations that some MPs on the Ad hoc Committee on Energy picked bribes from power distributor, Umeme, to defend its contract with the government. The committee report recommended that Umeme contract be terminated in public interest. Thus recommendation was adopted by Parliament. The Ad hoc committee was investigating the operations of the company and the allegations of corruption in the energy sector. The allegations were made by Kyankwanzi District woman MP, Ms Anne Maria Nankabirwa, a member of the Ad hoc committee during the NRM caucus meeting and the matter was later discussed on the floor and referred to the committee. It was alleged that each MP received Shs5 million in two installments at Hotel Protea to block the recommendation that the contract of Umeme be terminated. When these allegations were made, the committee leadership attempted to acquire recordings of the CCTV camera at the hotel but detectives said the footage had been tampered with and that the management of the hotel could have erased other recordings on which the MPs had been filmed picking the money. Some members of the Rules Committee last week demanded that the Committee Chairperson, Mr Jacob Oboth Oboth, who was also the chair of the Ad hoc committee ,steps aside, citing conflict of interest in the matter. However, Mr Oboth Oboth has since refused to step aside. The probe continues this week. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/If-only-Bukenya-had-spoken-out-while-still-Museveni-s-deputy-/-/689364/2325568/-/og7mdp/-/index.html","content":"If only Bukenya had spoken out while still Museveni’s deputy! - Imagine Vice President Edward Ssekandi laying into the NRM for not allowing “fair competition”. Imagine him going on to say: “If my party intimidates and does not allow free competition, I will fight it. If a candidate is nominated in law, they are free to go to their constituencies and campaign. If you [police] go and shoot at people, that is [unwarranted] behaviour.” Thanks to Daily Monitor for the quotes. Dr Gilbert Bukenya, former vice president of the Republic of Uganda, used those exact words this past week in relation to the by-election for Luweero woman MP.Prof Bukenya is today the ruling party’s chairman in Wakiso District and MP for Busiro North. He is a party man, as it were. But he is a party man with scores to settle. President Museveni dropped him as vice president after the 2011 general elections. He had served in the position since 2003. Being the gifted community organiser he is, Prof Bukenya acquitted himself well. Upland rice would very likely not be the big crop it is in Uganda without Dr Bukenya’s efforts as vice president. If Prof Bukenya, while still at the peak of his political career as holder of the visible job of vice president, had uttered the words he is now uttering, wow, they would have carried so much weight. If he had then proceeded to resign in protest, well, who knows, he would possibly be the undisputed presidential candidate for the Opposition today. Maybe the hoopla his act would have raised would have even contributed to the enactment of electoral reforms. But he played safe while “eating”, like all committed careerists do. Now while saying sensible things, he sounds opportunistic – even in a profession where opportunism is a virtue. It looks like he is seeking attention by daring the NRM to discipline him for both the criticism he is levelling and for campaigning for the DP candidate in the Luweero by-election. (The DP candidate won). The NRM seems to be falling for the bait. The political buzz seems, however, to be more focussed not on Prof Bukenya’s words, but on President Museveni’s political fortunes. An opinion poll, whose results Daily Monitor is drip-dripping on us, suggests Mr Museveni would score a landslide today against any of the leading potential contenders for State House. The contenders include Prof Bukenya. Predictably, Opposition leaders have reverted to their default line of attack of any poll whose findings they don’t like. They say the poll findings are defective because Ugandans, especially in rural areas, are too scared to give researchers answers that reflect their exact thinking because President Museveni has created a climate of fear; that he has made it known that if the people dare choose someone else, bad things will happen to them. So people will always say they support him as some sort of insurance policy. They may well be right.But the 0pposition leaders’ line of reasoning would not sound so bogus if the same group also routinely cast doubt on poll findings that show their side in positive light. To do so would amount to saying all polls are useless, which, of course, would be crazy. I hope the Opposition’s trashing of negative poll results is merely for public relations purposes, but that quietly leaders study the results and try to draw up plans to improve ratings. Previous polls (especially ahead of the 2011 elections), which the Opposition dutifully trashed, were very much on the mark regarding Mr Museveni’s score in the presidential elections – money or no money, intimidation or no intimidation. (Of course, someone will argue that the entire thing was cooked carefully from beginning to end – from opinion poll findings to election results. But let’s sidestep this line of argument this time.) Let’s just say that instead of wishing away reality, the Opposition should conduct its own internal polls. Several of them at regular intervals. And someone, especially media houses and civil society organisations working on democracy issues, should fund credible and independent research agencies to do quarterly polls until elections in 2016. Hoping that all concerned would take the findings seriously. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Tabaire is the co-founder and director of programmes at African Centre for Media Excellence in Kampala bernard.tabaire@gmail.comTwitter:@btabaire « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Opinion-poll--Lukwago-still-has-strong-backing-in-Kampala/-/688334/2323850/-/7rhn4iz/-/index.html","content":"Opinion poll: Lukwago still has strong backing in Kampala - Kampala. Embattled Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago would sweep to a landslide victory if elections were held today, a new survey shows.Mr Lukwago was impeached from office last November after 29 councillors against three voted to uphold the findings of a tribunal that concluded that the Lord Mayor was incompetent and had abused his office. Mr Lukwago, who has since been locked out of office and has taken his fight to the courts, blames his woes on the National Resistance Movement (NRM), which he says wanted to fail him as a Lord Mayor. But if results of the survey commissioned by the Daily Monitor and the Uganda Governance Monitoring Platform are anything to go by, Mr Lukwago still remains a force to reckon with 60 per cent of the respondents saying they would return him to office. Lukwago strongholdsThe survey conducted by Research World International sampled a total of 120 voters based in Kampala across the city’s five divisions. The survey had a margin of error of +/- three per cent. Researchers asked the question; “If Kampala Mayoral elections are conducted today, who would you vote for?” Mr Lukwago’s strongest showing was in Makindye Division where 73 per cent respondents said they would vote for him and the least support came from Kawempe Division where 38 per cent said they would vote for Mr Lukwago.However, Kawempe also has the highest number of undecided voters with 38 per cent returning the answer “don’t know” when asked whom they would vote for. Kawempe Division has traditionally voted for the Opposition and is currently led by a Lukwago loyalist, Mr Mubarak Munyagwa. Respondents in Nakawa and Rubaga divisions returned support at 67 and 57 per cent respectively, while Kampala Central returned 40 per cent support for Mr Lukwago. The survey showed that Mr Lukwago’s rival, the NRM-backed Peter Ssematimba, would come second, with 13 per cent of respondents backing him. A similar percentage of respondents (13) indicated that they “didn’t know” whom to vote for. In third place was Kampala Central MP Mohammed Nsereko and former minister and area MP Capt Francis Babu getting three per cent backing each, while former Mayor Nasser Ssebagala had support of two per cent, placing him in fifth position. NRM’s work cut outThe undecided, those who refused to reveal whom they would vote for, make out the remaining 9 per cent of the respondents.While the results may provide some comfort to Mr Lukwago’s supporters who accuse the ruling party of orchestrating his political troubles, they, on the other hand, portend hard work for the NRM which was moving ahead with plans to replace Mr Lukwago. The by-election plans were put on hold by a court ruling which is yet to resolve whether the impeachment was conducted within the law or not. The NRM had already held primaries and Mr Sematimba picked as its candidate for the by-election. Mr Lukwago is separately challenging the report of the tribunal and the process that recommended his impeachment.A further analysis shows that Mr Lukwago draws most of his support from women (62 per cent) while 58 per cent of men support him. Divided according to social class, Mr Lukwago has block support among the C1 and C2 classes which constitute the lower middle class, drawing 68 and 64 per cent respectively. He managed to draw only 44 per cent of the section of Kampala categorised in the DE class. In the 2011 election, Mr Lukwago garnered 229,325 votes (64.41 per cent of the total votes cast), almost doubling the votes got by his closest challenger, Mr Ssematimba, who scored 119,015 votes (33.43 per cent).After winning the hotly contested mayoral race, Mr Lukwago boasted that he had defeated President Museveni and the entire state machinery, statements now believed to have set the stage for his run-ins with the State that culminated into his censure last year. Mr Medard Ssegona, Busiro East MP who has also been representing Mr Lukwago in court as he attempts to save his office at City Hall, says the Lord Mayor’s approach to politics endears him to the Kampala electorate.“He came with a people-centered approach. He had to choose between the people and personal well-being and he chose the people. The approach of the government was that Kampala should be left to the rich but he insisted that the rich can exist with the poor. Consistence and resilience have also played in his favour because he has been specific in fighting for the issues of rule of law and justice,” Mr Ssegona said. The Kyadondo East MP and a keen watcher of the Kampala politics, Mr Semujju Nganda, agrees that Mr Lukwago’s ratings remain high because of his emphasis on issues that matter to Kampala residents in the lower tier.Mr Godfrey Nyakana, the Kampala Central Division Mayor who subscribes to the NRM party, argues that the impasse at City Hall has earned Mr Lukwago sympathy among the electorate. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Mubarak Munyagwa, the Kawempe mayor, says voters view Mr Lukwago as the solution to the often not-so-clean processes at City Hall. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Affirmative-action-is-still-necessary-for-women/-/689364/2303436/-/1gbbhc/-/index.html","content":"Affirmative action is still necessary for women to participate in governance - As the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party flag bearer Rose Masaaba Mutonyi was pronounced the winner of the Bubulo County West Parliamentary by-election in Manafwa District, after a landslide victory recently, the women movement did not only celebrate her triumph but were also enthusiastic given the few number of women MPs on direct/constituency ticket. Ms Mutonyi’s victory brings the number of such powerful women to 13 out of the 135 female legislators in Parliament. The majority of the female MPs are voted to Parliament through affirmative action provision. Article 32 of the 1995 Constitution provides for affirmative action in favour of groups marginalised by gender or other reasons created by history in order to redress imbalances which exist against them. In line with this provision, most party structures have put constitutional provisions for affirmative action at 40 per cent. Therefore, without this provision, it would mean that we would have only half or less of all female legislators in Parliament today. And yet as we near the 2016 general elections, there is an unceasing spat and thinking by a few Ugandans, quizzical of the relevancy of this affirmative provision. One of the commonest points of contention is that this provision should be amended to have term limits to enable as many women to benefit from it. In fact, they go ahead to state that there are female legislators who have over ‘stayed’ in power and, therefore, hamper the chances of other beneficiaries. However, one may also question why the problem of clinging on to power should be tagged to this provision and not to all leaders whether, on affirmative action or not. Secondly, this kind of argument could have made sense if the same reasons for which the affirmative action was constituted were 100 per cent achieved. Despite the affirmative action and quota system, majority of Ugandan women do not have any major and effective say in the decision making and priority setting. And yet, not involving women in decision-making is against the democratic framework. The other angle of argument is that the electorate should be left to choose a candidate of their choice. We ought to be reminded that Uganda upholds the equal participation of women and men in public life as one of the cornerstones of the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW) adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 1979.Additionally, whether we like it or not, there are special interest groups in every contemporary setting and this should be incumbent of any government to take care of them; and in this speciality, women come first. In 1995, the UN Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing generated renewed pressure for the implementation of the CEDAW provisions: the Beijing Platform for Action identified ‘inequality between men and women in the sharing of power and decision-making at all levels’ and ‘insufficient mechanisms at all levels to promote the advancement of women’ as two areas of significant concern where action was critical for the advancement of women. In order to enforce the above, Uganda has come up with laws, policies and frameworks like the Uganda Vision 2040, National Development Plan, the NRM Manifesto, the Uganda Gender Policy and other several sectoral policies in addition to the affirmative provision where programmes for equality and women empowerment are enshrined. As a result of these concerted efforts, participation of women in the politics has progressed steadily. At the national level, the current Parliament comprising 375 members with 129 (34.4 per cent) women, an increase from the 31 per cent in the 8th Parliament, but still lower than the parity target set by the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. However, the numbers of women MPs who competed with men fell from 16 in 2006 to 11 in 2011; and of the 129 women MPs, 112 represent districts as a result of affirmative action. This shows that women have not yet broken through the barriers of competing with men for political positions. Therefore, it is important to bridge the gap that exists by bringing more women to Parliament and Local Government councils and condemn all those against this democratic strategy of women emancipation and empowerment. Ms Iyamuremye is the Communication and Advocacy Officer, Uganda Women Parliamentary Association."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Can-the-UPC-KY-alliance-rise-from-the-ashes-/-/689844/2272222/-/a1c0ej/-/index.html","content":"Can the UPC-KY alliance rise from the ashes? - Uganda as a political idea expressed in geographical terms was born in 1894 and this year marks the 120th anniversary of that idea. One need not be a genius to realise that this worthy idea, which was conceived by the British in the 19th Century, is now seriously threatened by corruption and gross mismanagement of Uganda’s national affairs by the NRM regime. Since extraordinary challenges demand extraordinary solutions, a revival of the UPC-KY alliance to save Uganda from degenerating into a failed State, is not altogether a far-fetched idea. The name Uganda was coined by the British from Buganda. Politics has been defined as the art of the possible and one of its primary goals is to win power peacefully and democratically for the purpose providing public goods and services to the wananchi. In the pursuit of this objective, there are no permanent enemies. A strategic alliance between two previously bitter political rivals such as Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto for the specific goal of winning an election happened in Kenya on March 4, 2013; such a coalition of strange bedfellows are the stuff politics is made of and has always thrived from time immemorial. Against this background, a revival of the 1960s strategic alliance between the Uganda Peoples’ Congress and Kabaka Yekka, a social movement, for the purpose of ridding Uganda of a corrupt and mafia-like regime (to borrow a leaf from former Vice President Gilbert Bukenya) should not be unthinkable. It is possible, desirable and overdue. I believe it is our patriotic duty to forge such an alliance which has the potential to rescue Uganda from impending disaster. A revival of the UPC-KY alliance, like the Jubilee Alliance which won Kenya’s 2013 elections, would save Uganda from the shameless coalition of imposters, thieves, tribalists, conmen, liars and men of violence who have for almost three decades taken the good people of Uganda for a rough ride. It is feasible, viable and a winning ticket for 2016, especially if the alliance is led by a patriotic and charismatic Ugandan with a national outlook. Since winning elections is to all intents and purposes a question of numbers, a massive support for a revived UPC-KY alliance from Buganda, the greater north and parts of eastern Uganda would result in a landslide victory and unleash change of tsunami proportions in Uganda. It may sound like wishful thinking, but that wish can and should be realised for the sake of Uganda. UPC, which is a nationalist party, has learnt the bitter lessons of Uganda’s post-colonial history to the extent that it cannot afford to repeat the mistakes made in the 1960s which culminated in the 1966 crisis whose dire consequences cost Ugandans dearly. One hopes our fellow citizens in the kingdom of Buganda have done likewise because we have a lot more in common than our differences. Ugandans cannot change or rewrite their history, good, bad and ugly, but we must learn and draw the necessary lessons from our history so that we can march forward with confidence, united and free for liberty. It is possible and it can be done. In addition, we must learn to forgive each other and coexist peacefully. One of the things which we Africans find difficult to do is let bygones be bygones. Too many Africans find it difficult to implement that part of the Lord’s Prayer which says: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”. We tend to have long memories and hold petty little grudges for ages, not realising that hatred and all negative thinking drains our energy and is unhealthy for the body, mind and soul. We all make mistakes, but we should not be held hostage by the past because of the hardness of our hearts and a wholly unforgiving mindset. If Ugandans can find the heart and strength to make a clean break with the past, I believe we can build a bright future for the Pearl of Africa, which God has blessed with abundant human and natural resources. You don’t have to be a genius to see that the NRM regime has no useful agenda and programme for the wananchi of Uganda who have been hoodwinked and exploited mercilessly by the regime since 1986! Time has come for Ugandans to peacefully and democratically free themselves from bondage and the best way forward is for the north and south to bury the hatchet and open a new chapter based on common interest and mutual respect. One issue on which we are now agreed is the need for a federal system of governance for Uganda. The quest for a “Nile Republic” is a manifestation of the greater north’s yearning for a loose association within Uganda. The north has been humiliated like Buganda whose king cannot even move freely within his own kingdom and the north has further been marginalised for so long that most northerners feel time has come for them to struggle on their own to rebuild the shattered lives of their impoverished people without unnecessary mental anguish, harassment, torture and exploitation. Our common desires and wishes can be realised peacefully and constitutionally if we join hands and form an alliance to contest the 2016 elections. We shall address all pending issues and burning questions on the national agenda after the elections but let us, first and foremost, strive to win a decisive victory at the polls in order to be equipped with our peoples’ mandate to transform Uganda and Africa for the better.Aluta continua!Mr Acemah is a political scientist, consultant and a retired career diplomat"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/NRM-founders-should-join-forces-of-peaceful-change/-/689364/2254922/-/obfouez/-/index.html","content":"NRM founders should join forces of peaceful change - Dear Tingasiga:Change is coming to Uganda. The Greek Philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus predicted this truth 2,500 years ago, for it is he who said: “The only constant in life is change.” It may be hard for many to believe this, even to imagine it in a country so totally dominated by one man that nothing moves without his implied or overt consent. Yet a post-Museveni Uganda is on the horizon, and not just on account of human mortality. Whether the Ugandan ruler likes it or not, the countdown to his exit is a reality born of the natural decay of a personalised, institutionally neutered regime. No doubt, the process of stealing the 2016 election is already in full swing. The recent purge of Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) was not only designed to remove perceived pro-Amama Mbabazi folk in that group. It was also a strategic placement of cadres who will ensure that the Museveni re-election machine is well-oiled and ready to deliver the landslide result. We fully understand the skeptics who dismiss the possibility of politically defeating Mr Museveni and his favoured courtiers. Yet there is enough opportunity for upsetting the President’s plan that it would be foolish to surrender without a political fight for the hearts and minds of the citizens. We learnt from Kenya in 2002 that all it took to destroy a seemingly invincible political machine was a resolute determination by a united front to take the bull by the horn, propelled by a desire for change. Granted, the Kenyan political milieu was more conducive to a successful opposition alliance than in the militarised Ugandan state that does not hesitate to use violence against the incumbent’s opponents. However, unlike North Korea and Cuba, for example, where the ruling families have maintained a hereditary grip on realms through old-fashioned dictatorship, Uganda under Museveni has gained enough political breathing space to deny the ruler his wish for an unshakeable formal feudal arrangement. That space, albeit restricted, has offered citizens an opportunity to attempt to reclaim their country from those who hold it hostage. In the 13 years since Dr Kizza Besigye launched his historic challenge to Mr Museveni, many members and supporters of the ruling party have been emboldened to abandon the President and join the opposition. Notwithstanding the efforts of the ruling regime to intimidate, harass and buy off opposition voices, the number of those who overtly express their desire for change continues to grow. However, change cannot bring itself about. Certainly change cannot come from within the fossilised ruling party that is held hostage by a President who is eager to dismantle its wobbly institutions. The spectacle at Kyankwanzi last week when the President midwifed a coup of self-endorsement as the NRM’s candidate for 2016 elections is one example of bypassing the party’s legitimate institutions. That 222 MPs participated in the scam reflects the morbid state of the ruling party, a club of anti-democrats who are not ashamed to humiliate their party secretary general simply because he is rumoured to be interested in becoming president of his country. Yet the coup at Kyankwanzi also served a useful purpose. By erasing the hopes of those who still thought that change could be effected from with the NRM, the Kyankwanzi coup invites the historical founders of that party to seize the moment and openly join the forces for peaceful change.The NRM historicals – if they truly desire a legacy that honours and redeems the blood of comrades who died in battles for freedom – should gather the courage to walk out en masse, putting Uganda’s interests ahead of their personal needs for groceries and borrowed security. Change will take place in Uganda if the majority of citizens – whether in uniforms of the security organisations or in civilian attire - choose to claim their full rights of citizenship. Change will take place when Ugandans discard the socio-cultural traditions that make them subjects beholden to the ruler, not citizens with an equal claim and right to being Ugandan like the ruler. Change will come when we clearly understand to whom we owe allegiance – to individuals or to the state? Change will come when we free ourselves from the slave mentality that tells us that our survival depends on demonstrated loyalty to the ruler.We are encouraged by the news that Maj Gen Benoni Biraaro, a veteran of the NRA rebellion in Luweero who enjoys a reputation for independent thought and integrity in his long military career, is in the process of forming an opposition party. We hope Biraaro will unite with like-minded leaders in a coalition, for small multiple parties guarantee Mr Museveni’s re-election. However, we believe Biraaro’s move will encourage fence sitters to jump on board the train for change. Whether or not this will happen is hard to say. NRM leaders, however senior in rank, are prisoners in an organisation that is dominated by one man who uses his power of incumbency and his control of the national treasury and institutions of violence to stay on the throne. However, there is a window of opportunity for these leaders to gather the courage to claim their freedom and join the groups that seek peaceful change. It is now or never.muniinikmulera@aol.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Pay-the-price--former-VP-Bukenya-tells-Mbabazi/-/688334/2245604/-/815kgz/-/index.html","content":"Pay the price, former VP Bukenya tells Mbabazi - KAMPALA. Former Vice President Gilbert Bukenya has hit out at Ms Jacqueline Mbabazi, the wife of Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, and also chairperson of the NRM party’s Women’s League, after she castigated her party for “fascist tendencies” and mistreating her husband over his alleged 2016 presidential ambitions. Prof Bukenya said if such tendencies exist in the party, then the Mbabazi family is responsible for nurturing them. In a lengthy and strongly-worded statement, Prof Bukenya said Ms Mbabazi’s cry that President Museveni got doctored intelligence reports against the Mbabazis about their alleged clandestine mobilisation for the presidency, exposed the duo’s “extreme hypocrisy”. “I would like to right away counsel my dear sister Jacqueline that what goes around comes around. You reap what you sow. Even the Bible tells us that when you kill by the sword, you will die by the same sword,” Prof Bukenya said. “I am very happy that Jacqueline and perhaps her husband are beginning to reap from their very own dirty handiwork of misusing intelligence structures to engineer and doctor maligning reports against their opponents (real and perceived) to the President,” the former VP added. Prof Bukenya remarked that the said doctored intelligence reports are similar to the ones Mr Mbabazi’s security apparatus used to malign him, on grounds that he was mobilising Baganda army officers, the cardinal, clergy and entire Catholic flock to build power bases against Mr Museveni. ‘I Will never forget’“I will never forget a scenario when Mr Mbabazi and his sister-in-law Hope Mwesigye unfairly and without shame, accused me before the President with purely made-up stories. That while on my prosperity-for-all tours in Kigezi, in my capacity as Vice President, I only visited homesteads of Catholics and that I was sleeping at the Catholic Bishop’s residence for night political campaign meetings,” Prof Bukenya lamented. He continued: “I watched in utmost disbelief, Ms Mwesigye and Mbabazi both boldly tell blatant and cooked-up lies to the President in my presence.”In his statement this week, Prof. Bukenya further wondered why Mr Mbabazi refused to relinquish the post of Prime Minister as recommended by the NRM’s National Executive Council and Central Executive Committee in 2010, which suggested that whoever takes up the Secretary General post was to resign the other job in government. He said despite this party position, Mr Mbabazi has refused to relinquish his portfolio as Secretary General and his wife has gone ahead to accuse other senior people like the President and the Speaker who hold party posts together with other state jobs. “NEC resolved that whoever becomes Secretary General shall not hold any other political job in government save for being a Minister without Portfolio. Personally I offered myself to run as Secretary General well aware that I was doing so at the risk of losing my “big job” of Vice President (as my supporters called it),” he said. Prof Bukenya said contrary to the known view that Mr Mbabazi defeated him and Gen Kahinda Otafiire with a landslide victory for the post of Secretary General, the reality is that he should have won more resoundingly since the elections were manned by his daughter. “How can Amama Mbabazi without shame then brag of a landslide [win] in an election that was organised and directly manned by his daughter? Indeed he should have got 100 per cent and beyond. Who would expect President Museveni or Kizza Besigye to lose or perform poorly in an election organised by Muhoozi or Anslem respectively? Who doesn’t know that the polling register of the NRM delegates was and is still in the hands of Nina Mbabazi, the daughter of Amama Mbabazi? She accredited whoever she liked to Namboole [venue of the party elections] and whose vote she was sure of,” Prof Bukenya charged.We tried to contact Mr Mbabazi for a comment but he did not answer our calls to his cellular phone. rwanambwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/You-reap-what-you-sow--Bukenya-tells-Mbabazi/-/689844/2245744/-/fwbvw1/-/index.html","content":"You reap what you sow, Bukenya tells Mbabazi - I have read with much interest the article written by Ms Jacqueline Mbabazi, the wife of Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, attacking the NRM for displaying what she called “fascist tendencies”. I would like to right away counsel my dear sister Jacqueline that what goes around comes around. You reap what you sow. Even the Bible tells us that when you kill by the sword you will die by the same sword. I am very happy that Jacqueline and perhaps her husband are beginning to reap from their very own dirty handiworks of misusing intelligence structure to engineer and doctor maligning reports against their opponents (real and perceived) to the President. For her to cry foul of how the President was getting doctored intelligence reports and recordings against their alleged clandestine mobilisation against him, was the most interesting of all, and it exposed her extreme hypocrisy. Why call them doctored now, yet the same were used not many years ago, to malign some of us and falsely tell of how we were mobilising Baganda army officers, the Cardinal, clergy and entire Catholic flock to build power bases against the President? Recorded voicesAt least, in their case I am made to learn (as per media reports) that the President played for them recordings with their own voices that they couldn’t deny, unlike in my situation where there was absolutely nothing. I will never forget a scenario when PM Mbabazi and his sister-in-law, Hope Mwesigye [then State minister for Agriculture], unfairly and without shame, accused me before the President with purely made-up stories. They told him that while on my Prosperity-For-All tours in Kigezi in my capacity as Vice President, I only visited homesteads of Catholics and that I was sleeping at the Catholic bishop’s residence for night political campaign meetings. I watched in utmost disbelief as Ms Mwesigye and Mr Mbabazi boldly told blatant and cooked up lies to the President in my presence. Fortunately, President Museveni listens and does so patiently without panic and emotion. Otherwise, he would have sealed my fate there and then as a treason suspect. I challenged them to produce evidence of their allegations, but they had nothing. It was only their word against mine. My response to the President was, “Your Excellency, use your intelligence machinery, including the PGB soldiers you gave me as guards and with whom I moved with to Kigezi, to know where I went, which families I visited and which place I stayed in.” You cannot imagine national leaders fabricating stories and feeding them to the Head of State, fountain of honour and commander-in-chief for their own selfish agenda. I was, however, not disappointed by the conduct of Hon Mbabazi and his sister-in-law given their previous consistent schemes against me, right from the time I was elected chair of the Movement Caucus in Parliament and eventual appointment as Vice President. They did everything possible to undermine and portray me as a traitor and sell-out to the appointing authority. It is therefore not surprising, that after having successfully maligned others and pushed them far, they are now targeting the man himself. The fascism that Ms Mbabazi cries of now was and has never been a founding principle of this mass liberation party called NRM. Otherwise, some of us would not have left our good academic careers to come and serve under it. Openness and working for public interest above self were among those great fundamental principles of the NRM that endeared some of us to join President Museveni. It was therefore the Mbabazis and their type that slowly introduced those “fascist and mafia-like” tendencies in the party for selfish political gain. I must confess though that my disagreement with President Museveni and the entire NRM party of late has never been on the leadership style of the leader Museveni, but rather on his and the party’s failure to resist selfish schemers, who want to feel good victors all the time as others get trodden down. Treating all members of the party equally and giving them equal attention is the issue. I was in prison not because I had stolen any penny, but because someone wanted me there. He schemed and worked for it using the IGG’s office to take me to Luzira prison and thus subdue me. I am, however, happy that time is slowly vindicating most of us and many others in the NRM that share this frustration but without the courage to speak. I will not end this article perhaps without mentioning a word about this so-much-traded issue of a secretary general not holding another office so as to concentrate on running the party work full time. I wonder why it is even debated now when it was long resolved by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) at State House Entebbe in 2010, just days to the NRM national delegates’ conference.It is wrong to give an impression that it is now a new subject being brought out for discussion by the NRM Parliamentary Caucus. Not at all! I offered myself to run as secretary general well aware that I was doing so at the risk of losing my “big job” of Vice President (as my supporters called it). In fact, I told some people who were convincing me to opt out of the race for secretary general so as to keep my “big number two” job that it’s okay, I was ready to become secretary general of the party and forfeit other jobs for the sake of devoting my time and mobilisation skills to the party. So why would Hon Mbabazi, fully aware of all this fact, send his wife (as he admits) to covertly undermine a resolution of NEC? And why wouldn’t this constitute an offense for the NRM disciplinary committee to look at? Secretary general pollThen there is also this issue I hear about that Hon Mbabazi and his people brag so much about that he won as secretary general at Namboole with a landslide. It’s indeed laughable. The fact that myself as well as Hon Kahinda Otafiire, who contested for secretary general then with him, chose not to speak against the shameful and glaring manipulation at Namboole, did not mean all was well or even fair. We chose to keep quiet, concede all that had taken place for the sake of our party. We did not want anything to divide our supporters as we entered the general elections. How can Hon Mbabazi, without shame, then brag of a landslide in an election that was organised and directly manned by his daughter, Nina Mbabazi? Indeed, he should have got 100 per cent and beyond. 1 | 2 Next Page»In fact, if Mbabazi had then even wanted to stand as party chairman against President Museveni, he was also going to “win” against him with a big “landslide”. It is therefore not surprising that indeed Mr Mbabazi and members of his family are once again said to be scheming and conspiring for selfish advantage within NRM. They have been at it for long. What is new is that they have now targeted the person at the top, that all along protected and pampered them most, as others became victims of their own actions. The question, however, many Ugandans and mostly NRM members should ask is; why allow individuals to promote selfish scheming and personal interest within a mass liberation party that has reasonable trust and following of many Ugandans? Why not declare openly one’s political ambition and thus be subjected to open competition instead of resorting to covert manoeuvres? If Mr Mbabazi wants to contest for president, what is wrong with it? I too want to contest for president and I have made my intentions open and public. But why disguise his ambition and only work covertly to divide the party? He denies his ambition in the public but again sponsors proxies to go around campaigning. Open competition is healthy because it is based on common rules as opposed to clandestine scheming and backstabbing of perceived opponents for selfish gain. Prof Gilbert B. Bukenya is the Busiro North Member of Parliament « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/How-DP-shaped-Uganda-s-politics-outside-power/-/689844/2245762/-/7qjctdz/-/index.html","content":"How DP shaped Uganda’s politics outside power - The launch of the celebrations to mark 60 years of existence of the Democratic Party (DP) two weeks ago looked like a reunion of the old boys of a traditional secondary school. It brought together many, including members who have not participated in the party’s activities for years, and those who have since left the party. The leadership under Norbert Mao was most eager to use the occasion to rejuvenate the party and reclaim their position as a potent opposition party. Kawempe North MP Latif Ssebaggala says the realistic target for DP in the 2016 election is to win the most parliamentary seats among the opposition parties in order to be able to name the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament. Ssebaggala’s ambition is a telling expose of how DP views itself currently, because an opposition party, especially the oldest political party, should aim to form the next government. Ssebaggala, however, is probably aware that his party has been able to play a big role in Uganda’s politics even from the opposition.This may sound cynical, for it is widely believed that the party in power writes the history and those in opposition are always at the fringes of things. But DP has had something to say in shaping the political culture of Uganda, has acted as a nursery bed for leaders and has contributed fundamentally to the shaping of the judicial system and the laws of Uganda. Living examplePaul Kawanga Ssemogerere, who celebrated 82 years of life recently and led DP for over two decades, is a living symbol of what his party has managed to do in shaping the politics of Uganda. His less fortunate colleague and predecessor as DP president-general, Ben Kiwanuka, was killed in 1972 when he was Chief Justice, presumably on the orders of Idi Amin. Kiwanuka is believed to have been killed due to his commitment to judicial independence. Ssemogerere took over the baton and, in retirement, he believes that DP “is overly misunderstood.” However, he says history “is always on hand to vindicate those who stand for what is fair and just and what is right.”Ssemogerere was most castigated for choosing to lead his party’s MPs as the opposition in Parliament after the 1980 elections, which some said his party had won but had been rigged out by Milton Obote’s UPC. Yoweri Museveni, who had led the newly formed Uganda Patriotic Movement into the 1980 elections and performed dismally, took to rebellion and eventually took over government. Ssemogerere says he was convinced from the start that “nothing good can come out of fighting,” something he thinks many have since realised “going by how the victorious rebel fighters have governed.” “I suspect that those who castigated us for our preference for peaceful political engagement over war have started to revise their views about us. Once we agree that peaceful political engagement is the basic minimum, we can then start discussions on other governance issues and hope to forge forward. That is the DP way I know,” Ssemogerere says. Model opposition party?Ssemogerere’s wish that DP always pursues non-violence politics, however, is not always realised. Wasswa Ziritwawula, a “life-time” DP member who was a former MP and party leader, fears that a form of militancy is creeping into DP.“The younger people who have now taken over the party have been misled to believe that militancy is the way politics is done,” Ziritwawula says, “I have seen them fighting with the police.” Ziritwawula is a generation younger than former party leaders Ssemogerere and Sebaana Kizito but a generation older than the current party leadership. Most of the current party leaders, including president-general Mao, are in their 40s. Ziritwawula, who is in his 60s, would still want to hold a leadership position in the party but he did not get the opportunity during the party’s most recent delegates’ conference in 2010. Ziritwawula argues for “a healthy mix of ages in the party leadership to have the right blend of idealism, experience and institutional memory.” The current leadership of the party, he reckons, is too young to lead the party forward. Party politics Another DP member in Ziritwawula’s generation who probably feels the same way is Kampala-based lawyer JB Kakooza. Kakooza was asked by Mao’s team to contest the Kampala Lord Mayor position in 2011 and he accepted, only to change his mind on the eve of nomination day. He later told this reporter that he “feared to be misunderstood.”Other members like Joseph Balikuddembe and Prof Frederick Ssempebwa, who in the past played key roles in the legal field for DP, are currently on the fringes, busy with private practice. Yet a lot more members who have their roots in DP moved on much earlier and found homes in other parties. Grooming leadersVice president Edward Ssekandi and former vice president Speciosa Wandira Kazibwe, for instance, were groomed by DP, just like a number of other former ministers in the Museveni government. Other former DP members – Prof Ogenga Latigo, Reagan Okumu, Odonga Otto and Kassiano Wadri – are currently in FDC. The battle in the courtsThe current withdrawal of many of those older members who still subscribe to DP, Ziritwawula says, “points to a disconnect between the different generations within the party.” In as much as Ziritwawula may want to argue that there is a generational problem within the party, however, it is also true that there is feuding even among the members of the generation currently leading the party. Lawyers of Ziritwawula’s generation, most notably Balikuddembe and Prof. Ssempebwa, argued a number of court petitions that many say cleared the way for the restoration of multiparty politics and the deepening of basic rights.In a series of constitutional petitions, Ssemogerere and other top party officials; Zachary Olum and Rainer Kafire, for example, challenged the constitutionality of the referendum of 2000 to decide which system of governance would be adopted between multiparty and what was called the Movement system.DP argued that it was wrong to subject the rights to associate and to assemble to a vote through the referendum. They said what was called the Movement was actually not a system of government but a political party and that the referendum was aimed at entrenching one party rule in the country. After the back-and-forth between the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court as the different petitions were heard, the Referendum (Political Systems) Act of 2000 was declared null and void and consequently the referendum carried out under the Act and the Movement “system” which had won were also declared a nullity. The referendum of 2000, which the Movement had won by a “landslide”, had been boycotted by the main pro-multiparty forces led by DP. 1 | 2 Next Page»The DP leaders had further targeted what they referred to as “the worst aspects of the Movement system.” Constitutional Petition No. 5 of 2002 argued that political parties had been prohibited from functioning like political parties do in democratic societies and that the Movement had been shielded from any political challenge and had been given monopoly of political space. The petition sought to nullify sections 18 and 19 of the Political Parties and Other Organisations Act (PPOA) on the grounds that they violated basic constitutional rights and freedoms. Section 18 prohibited political parties from sponsoring candidates during elections, carrying any party identification symbols, operating party offices below national level and conducting public meetings and seminars outside Kampala. Section 19 prohibited political parties from carrying out “any activity that may interfere with the operation of the Movement political “system”. Both sections were nullified. Balikuddembe says of the gains made by this petition: “A precedent was set for the courts to strike down any law on political parties or on political activity if such a law was found to be in violation of rights or freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution. Even if the Movement were to be restored in the future, it would only be a shadow of its past when it was under the secure fortress of its original legal framework,” Balikuddembe says that the legal battle against what was called the Movement system “pulled the rug from under Museveni’s feet and he had no option but to embrace multiparty politics.”The legal battle against the entrenchment of the Movement “system”, reckons Balikuddembe, “contributed immensely to the backtracking by President Museveni to eventually allow the multiparty system in 2005.”The Constitution had been set in such a way that a referendum would be conducted one year to the general elections to decide which political system Ugandans favoured. By the time the 2005 referendum was due, however, Museveni had turned around and campaigned for the restoration of multiparty politics. Another success In another petition, Ssemogerere, Olum and Kafire successfully challenged the constitutionality of Constitutional (Amendment) Act No. 13 0f 2000. They argued that the amendments to the Constitution were by implication in violation of human rights provisions in the Constitution, especially the right to a fair hearing and the right to access to information in the possession of the state.They also argued that the amendment would undermine the independence of the Judiciary. The petition succeeded on appeal to the Supreme Court.Subsequent legal brains, notably Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and currently Fred Mukasa Mbidde, have taken over from the older generation the push to make the laws, especially regarding politics and governance, better. A few years ago, Mbidde filed a successful petition that enabled other opposition parties to send representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), which had previously been preserved for the Forum for the Democractic Change, because it is the strongest opposition party in parliament, and the ruling NRM. Mbidde is now the Ugandan DP representative to EALA, which came after an internal quarrel, with some members contesting the way Mao chose Mbidde as the sole EALA candidate from DP. This quarrel is not out of the ordinary in a party that has for decades now been characterised by intense jostling for positions. And when DP members squabble over positions and the like, the public seems to forget that this party has played a uniquely important role in Uganda’s politics over the past 52 years. DP icons KiwanukaHe took over from 1958 and led DP into the independence politics. Kiwanuka won the pre-independence elections of 1961 and became Uganda’s chief minister. Bataringaya Basil Bataringaya was in 1960 elected a member of the Legislative Council to represent Ankole on the DP ticket. He later crossed to UPC while he led DP in Parliament. SsemogerereSsemogerere became the natural leader of DP after Kiwanuka’s death in 1972 but effectively took over after Amin’s ouster. He led the party until 2005. Ssekweyama Anthony Wagaba Ssekweyama’s death in 2000 is thought to have destabilised DP’s plans for the 2001 polls, for he had been expected to take over from Ssemogerere. SsebaanaJohn Ssebaana Kizito became the first Anglican leader of DP, having served as treasurer-general for decades. He did five years between 2005 and 2010. Norbert MaoMao’s ascendancy to the DP presidency was also a first; the first non-Muganda to take over DP. He took over the oldest party in 2010. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Obama-wants-landslide-win-for-Museveni-in-2016-polls/-/689364/2226948/-/kcycu0z/-/index.html","content":"Obama wants landslide win for Museveni in 2016 polls - The minister’s maid was in buoyant spirits and I could not help asking what was happening. “We have already won the 2016 elections,” she said cheerfully. “These days it is party mood at our house and my honourable is no longer depressed.”“How can you win the elections a whole two years before they are held?” I asked. “We thank President Barrack Obama for the victory,” she burst out. “Honourable says the moment Obama threatened us over the homosexuality law and other western donors started following suit, Mzee’s victory was sealed. Unless something goes terribly wrong, we shall win with a landslide margin.”“Are you sure?” I challenged. “Positive!” she swore as she pointed her finger to the ceiling. “Honourable says Obama must have issued the warning in appreciation for our President’s role as a valuable ally in the war against terror.”“I am not sure I understand,” I confessed. “Well the Americans are very clever,” she explained. “You should know that they collect a lot of intelligence information in the country all the time. Honourable says the US embassy spends colossal sums of money buying all types of information from government officials and careless politicians. They know what everybody thinks from ministers to peasants on the villages. And since they have advanced systems of processing and sorting data, they can call up information on any subject in Uganda faster than our own government. So they must have worked it out that since the last three general elections were quite gruelling and had to be fought bitterly, they decided to reward Mzee with a landslide win in the next elections so that he continues undisturbed.” “I agree the Obamas may want Mzee to win, but what has the warning over the ant-homosexuality Act got to do with it?” I asked, still puzzled.“I have told you they gather all sorts of information,” she said becoming a bit impatient. “They needed to create something that can passionately touch the majority of the voters today, according to honourable. So the anti-homosexuality Bill was not an accident. Some of the people arguing so passionately against or in favour do not even know this. By issuing the stern warning to Uganda over an issue that does not give Ugandans even one sleepless night, Mr Obama aroused interest in the phenomenon – and made an election issue out of it. For unlike America, Uganda’s elections are not issue driven, unless you call the packets of sugar and soap that the honourables distribute to the voting villagers issues. Previously, the big issue of the elections was security, and Mzee won big because he was seen as its guarantor after ending insecurity in the country. But now, most voters have been born under his rule the security question is taken for granted by them. Honourable said that the young peoples big concern which could have turned into an election issue is unemployment. However, none of Mzee’s opponents has managed to make an issue out of this. The other would be corruption, but Honourable swears that even the opposition are not too clean either.” “So you people believe that homosexuality is going to become an election issue?” I queried. “It already is but is set to become much more crucial,” she predicted. “With the 2016 polls two years away, the only serious danger Mzee could face would be a challenger from our own NRM for the party nomination. So as soon as Mzee secured the overwhelming endorsement by our party’s MPs, the news of his decision to sign the anti-homosexuality law came and followed immediately by Mr Obama’s ‘warning’. And so an issue to galvanise support for our Mzee was born. Now Mzee has become and will remain Uganda’s defender of religious and African moral values. Whether it is balokole or basamize, everyone will campaign for him so that he continues defending us from the bullying Americans. 1 | 2 Next Page»What a neat pass Obama has made to our man! Anyway, Mzee has been a strong ally of America in dealing with those al Qaeda fellows and their allies like al Shabaab. He really earned and deserved the clever pass Obama has given him. buwembo@gmail.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/MuniiniMulera/NRM-founders-should-join-forces-of-peaceful-change/-/878676/2219786/-/q4x022/-/index.html","content":"NRM founders should join forces of peaceful change - Dear Tingasiga:Change is coming to Uganda. The Greek Philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus predicted this truth 2,500 years ago, for it is he who said: “The only constant in life is change.” It may be hard for many to believe this, even to imagine it in a country so totally dominated by one man that nothing moves without his implied or overt consent. Yet a post-Museveni Uganda is on the horizon, and not just on account of human mortality. Whether the Ugandan ruler likes it or not, the countdown to his exit is a reality born of the natural decay of a personalised, institutionally neutered regime. No doubt, the process of stealing the 2016 election is already in full swing. The recent purge of Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) was not only designed to remove perceived pro-Amama Mbabazi folk in that group. It was also a strategic placement of cadres who will ensure that the Museveni re-election machine is well-oiled and ready to deliver the landslide result. We fully understand the skeptics who dismiss the possibility of politically defeating Mr Museveni and his favoured courtiers. Yet there is enough opportunity for upsetting the President’s plan that it would be foolish to surrender without a political fight for the hearts and minds of the citizens. We learnt from Kenya in 2002 that all it took to destroy a seemingly invincible political machine was a resolute determination by a united front to take the bull by the horn, propelled by a desire for change. Granted, the Kenyan political milieu was more conducive to a successful opposition alliance than in the militarised Ugandan state that does not hesitate to use violence against the incumbent’s opponents. However, unlike North Korea and Cuba, for example, where the ruling families have maintained a hereditary grip on realms through old-fashioned dictatorship, Uganda under Museveni has gained enough political breathing space to deny the ruler his wish for an unshakeable formal feudal arrangement. That space, albeit restricted, has offered citizens an opportunity to attempt to reclaim their country from those who hold it hostage. In the 13 years since Dr Kizza Besigye launched his historic challenge to Mr Museveni, many members and supporters of the ruling party have been emboldened to abandon the President and join the opposition. Notwithstanding the efforts of the ruling regime to intimidate, harass and buy off opposition voices, the number of those who overtly express their desire for change continues to grow. However, change cannot bring itself about. Certainly change cannot come from within the fossilised ruling party that is held hostage by a President who is eager to dismantle its wobbly institutions. The spectacle at Kyankwanzi last week when the President midwifed a coup of self-endorsement as the NRM’s candidate for 2016 elections is one example of bypassing the party’s legitimate institutions. That 222 MPs participated in the scam reflects the morbid state of the ruling party, a club of anti-democrats who are not ashamed to humiliate their party secretary general simply because he is rumoured to be interested in becoming president of his country. Yet the coup at Kyankwanzi also served a useful purpose. By erasing the hopes of those who still thought that change could be effected from with the NRM, the Kyankwanzi coup invites the historical founders of that party to seize the moment and openly join the forces for peaceful change. The NRM historicals – if they truly desire a legacy that honours and redeems the blood of comrades who died in battles for freedom – should gather the courage to walk out en masse, putting Uganda’s interests ahead of their personal needs for groceries and borrowed security. Change will take place in Uganda if the majority of citizens – whether in uniforms of the security organisations or in civilian attire - choose to claim their full rights of citizenship. 1 | 2 Next Page»Change will take place when Ugandans discard the socio-cultural traditions that make them subjects beholden to the ruler, not citizens with an equal claim and right to being Ugandan like the ruler. Change will come when we clearly understand to whom we owe allegiance – to individuals or to the state? Change will come when we free ourselves from the slave mentality that tells us that our survival depends on demonstrated loyalty to the ruler. We are encouraged by the news that Maj Gen Benoni Biraaro, a veteran of the NRA rebellion in Luweero who enjoys a reputation for independent thought and integrity in his long military career, is in the process of forming an opposition party. We hope Biraaro will unite with like-minded leaders in a coalition, for small multiple parties guarantee Mr Museveni’s re-election. However, we believe Biraaro’s move will encourage fence sitters to jump on board the train for change. Whether or not this will happen is hard to say. NRM leaders, however senior in rank, are prisoners in an organisation that is dominated by one man who uses his power of incumbency and his control of the national treasury and institutions of violence to stay on the throne. However, there is a window of opportunity for these leaders to gather the courage to claim their freedom and join the groups that seek peaceful change. It is now or never.muniinikmulera@aol.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Score/Kobs-stars-dominate-best-15/-/689854/2216394/-/hu2sbrz/-/index.html","content":"Kobs stars dominate best 15 - Kampala- With 112 games played in the entire season, we witnessed non-stop scintillating rugby for just under three months. The action came with a full package of side steps, stools, hand offs, tackles and lots of brilliant plays. Below are the most outstanding players of the season, the majority of who turn out for DMark Kobs. 1. Timothy Kabonero (DMark Kobs)The start to his Kobs career after moving from Makerere Impis in 2011 wasn’t the best. He struggled to hold his own especially on the second row. The lack of the players at some point pushed him to the front row. Here, he has finally found his place and his consistency has kept the pack intact. Kabonero is a solid defender too. 2. Cyrus Wathum (Kobs)Another youngster who has enjoyed his maiden season as a regular for Kobs and has not disappointed. Drafted from Boks, the lad is one of the next big things in Ugandan rugby. Strong and industrious, accompanied with perfect line out throws, Wathum is now more than a full package. Surely he has taken lessons from MTN Heathens and Rugby Cranes hooker Alex Mubiru. 3. Brian Odong (Kobs) CaptainWhen Odong was injured last year, Kobs’ scrum struggled even though he shouted himself hoarse on the touchline. It’s no coincidence that they look better with him fit. A dominant front row with mercurial ball carrying skills, Odong is also the pivot that kept the Kobs’ machine rolling. For all his abilities, his five tries are few. 4. Ogwal Romano (MTN Heathens)In the midst of Heathens falling apart like flowers in the summer, Ogwal stood his ground to cement his ‘best lock in the country’ tag. His support play is everything you want in a player. Ogwal has also had to jump at line-outs with Mathias Ochwo out injured and you hardly felt a dip in performances. 5. Ramathan Govule (Kobs)His mature displays make him one of the contenders for MVP. Rock solid in the line-out and the ability to beat defenders like a backline player have made him a nightmare for his opponents. Govule crossed the line five times in his maiden season as a Kobs starter. His coach, Fred Mudoola, rates him highly. 6. Ronald Musajjagulanyago (Kobs)Musajja is the most tenacious player in the league. He never ducks challenges as his character has improved following the persistence of Mudoola to field him. Running off the blindside flank, Musajja scored 10 tries and this is the year when he should be considered to play for Uganda. 7. Roland Bahendeka (Heathens) Bahendeka narrowly edges out Kobs’ Brian Asaba. Though both a stout defenders, Bahendeka has finally delivered following so many average years at G4S Pirates. Heathens miss Ochwo but Bahendeka has taken the mantle and hole left by the Rugby Cranes captain. The curve is looking only up. 8. Scot Oluoch (Kobs)A back rower suited for any forward role, Oluoch was Kobs’ standout forward for the just concluded campaign. The best eighth man in Uganda is indefatigable. A tireless runner, Oluoch joined from Heathens and turned Kobs’ fortunes around. 9. Davis Kiwalabye (Kobs)Kobs forwards, especially Oluoch, must love playing with Kiwalabye. Some call the scrumhalf who returned to Kobs after a stint with Pirates, an ATM. He recycles the ball quicker than anyone and tackles like a lock when the opposition anticipates him as the weak link. Just don’t attack Kiwalabye with the ball. You could be embarrassed. 10. Ivan Magomu (G4S Pirates)After missing out for most of the first round because of school, Magomu showed up for Pirates to revive their season in the second.Pirates did not lose a game when Magomu was on the pitch and in that period he picked three man- of-the-match awards. He made more line breaks by a fly half in the season. It is so sad he announced his retirement after the final game of the season against Mongers.11. Eric Kasiita (Toyota Buffaloes)Selecting Kasiita here probably represents the lack of wingers. Jonathan Onen has stagnated. Lawrence Wakabi, arguably the best wing, chooses when he wants to play. Rhinos lack the killer instinct. Denis Etuket has lost his legs. Kasiita uses raw power to beat defenders and isn’t easy on the eye. He is an excellent defender with fine tackles. Eight tries in the season is evidence of how he can transform defence into attack. 12. Alfred Bijik (Buffaloes)How was Bijik not selected for the national team last year? They will say he was too young. He is now one year older and cries for him to start at 12 from now on will grow. The Buffaloes captain, now a first year university student, broke the line like a poet except against Kobs who drew their game plan around suffocating him. Bijik was the calming presence and has improved his defensive game to become the complete centre. 13. Oscar Kalyango Oscar (Kobs)If the Daily Monitor sports desk was to vote an MVP, Kalyango would win by a landslide. Now 23, the centre has done a 360-turnaround to become one of the very best. Kalyango initially had a difficult time while starting on the Kobs’ wing but has found himself as a centre. Besides being a good defender even at a young age, his attacking has improved. He finished the season with 11 tries, only behind teammate Kimono, also his closest friend at Kobs, and Arthur Mukama. 14. Justin Kimono (Kobs)Kimono was so unlucky to miss out on setting a new record for most tries in a season but equaled legend Allan Musoke’s tally of 22 tries. After carrying Kobs on his back for two years, Kimono is now receiving support and a rest is everything he deserves to lead the next chapter of their dominance. 15. James Odongo (Buffaloes) When Odongo was handed the responsibility of filling in for Solomon Okia who had exams, he never looked back. He seized the opportunity. Okia found it hard to get back into the team. In his first season, he touched down seven times to keep James Musiitwa out of this team only because the Rhinos’ fullback’s season ended early through injury. 1 | 2 Next Page»Substitutes16. Paul Sserunjoji (Heathens)17. Victor Wadia (Kobs)18. Eziekel Okol (Buffaloes)19. Arthur Mukama (Heathens) 20. Andrew Olweny (Mongers) 21. Ambrose Kamanyiire (Kobs) 22. Micheal Wokorach (Heathens)23. Joseph Aredo (Kobs) editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Will-Kadaga-listen-to-the-people-s-call-and-run-for-presidency/-/688334/2135430/-/s6qy3a/-/index.html","content":"Will Kadaga listen to the ‘people’s call’ and run for presidency? - KAMPALA Every once in a while, in the election euphoria, a popular candidate emerges and excites the voters. Certainly, in the early years of his uninterrupted rule, President Museveni was widely written about in endearing terms. Twenty eight years ago, Mr Museveni brought relative stability to most of the country after decades of dictatorship, spearheaded the fight against HIV/Aids pandemic, kicked polio out of Uganda and promised a “fundamental change”. Then, the Ugandan economy in 1986 was $1.55 billion. Today it is more than $24.5 billion (Shs64 trillion). Uganda’s tax collection in 1986 was only Shs5 billion compared to Shs9 trillion this financial year. Therefore, the poverty and unemployment in the country today notwithstanding, Uganda’s economy has grown 16 times since Mr Museveni took power. Almost 18 years since Mr Museveni’s 1996 landslide victory in the first election since the controversial 1980 polls which he lost, analysts say because of runaway corruption in public service, the popularity of his regime has plunged. The President of today is different from the one of 1986. Senior politicians who spoke to the Daily Monitor are of the view that even with the peace in the country, over the years, Uganda has steadily reverted to a brand of divisive and vindictive politics not dissimilar from the factionalism which ruined the country between 1966 and 1980. LudicrousOpposition politicians like Nandala Mafabi (Budadiri West) and Reagan Okumu (Aswa) lament that the President has split the country through “nepotistic tendencies”, a claim Presidency minister Frank Tumwebaze dismissed as “ludicrous” and “total lies” intended to “mudsling” the President. But in the shadow of Ssabalwaanyi (master of fighters) — President Museveni’s pet label -- some observers say other political darlings have started to emerge. One of such ‘pets’ is the current Speaker of Parliament, Ms Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, also the woman MP for Kamuli District. In recent weeks the volume has been turned up by those who think her time has come. The Kadaga-for-President drums were first beaten in Parliament late last year. But Ms Kadaga waits in Mr Museveni’s wings as the country searches for possible successors to her boss, whom the opposition want to retire in 2016. Probably, it is not by coincidence that the President has taken to visiting Kamuli District, in deed some remote corner of Busoga sub-region, every two months lately. Perhaps no politician has had a better 2013 than Ms Kadaga, the chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians – International, has drawn attention and praise for her relatively sober stewardship of the 9th Parliament. Her supporters speak about her “pro-people” and “pro-poor” approach to issues of national importance. Ms Kadaga has allowed free debate in the House, and fights for transparency and accountability. Her reward: the rising calls from people asking her to run for President in 2016. Eastern Uganda is the only region never to have produced a President for this country. This could partly explain why the calls for a Kadaga presidency are loudest in her Busoga sub-region. Other pundits, however, suspect that the push for a Kadaga presidency could be a “handiwork” of tribal politics. People like retired Bishop of Busoga Diocese, Cyprian Bamwoze, have counselled caution, telling the Speaker to beware of the likely traps lurking behind this push and asked her to concentrate on her current job. Bishop Bamwoze said quite famously that he was putting “the bell on the cat” because he knows how to handle its jaws. He asked her to delay her candidacy, fearing that “these are dangerous waters, you don’t dare swim upstream because the stream will wash you down”. The former bishop went as far as to say that those pushing Ms Kadaga to run for President “are stupid”. Typically, the Speaker responded with equivocation to Bamwoze’s warning, saying she cannot control what people think or say about her. “I know how leadership is ascended to. We have party structures and a political timetable. My interest is in serving the people and I think am doing it as a Speaker,” she said. Within the ruling party, the official position appears to be: dismiss the excitement as a passing fancy. Party faithful are confident Mr Museveni will again present himself as their flag-bearer in what promises to be an even more intense contest with an opposition that has not stopped campaigning since the disputed February 2011 polls. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/2014-will-be-a-crucial-year-for-Uganda-s-future/-/689364/2131454/-/cp5lmjz/-/index.html","content":"2014 will be a crucial year for Uganda’s future - The number 13 has long been (superstitiously) associated with bad luck. It would appear that the year 2013 lived up to that reputation. Most aspects of public life seem to have suffered serious shortage of luck. The lives of ordinary Ugandans continued to get steeply harder. Incomes dwindled or remained the same for most; while the expenditures continued to rise. Taxes on goods and services that poor Ugandans depend on shot up. Underpaid public servants, especially in the Education and Health sectors, resorted to strikes that worsened the already despicable service delivery. Stealing of public money escalated to unprecedented levels; including the Prime Minister’s office scandals, Pensions money. Land-grabbing cases continued soaring. Special minister to deal with land problems, Ms Idah Nantaba, soon got caught up in the State House tragicomedy. Tens of thousands on Kampala’s Parkyard Market vendors suffered the fourth consecutive fire disaster. Natural disasters arising out of Uganda’s scandalous environmental degradation claimed a huge toll. Possibly, the greatest setback of 2013 was in the political sphere. Politically motivated gross abuses of human rights continued to rear an ugly head. The Uganda Police Force’s unprecedented brutality against unarmed citizens remained routine. A shoot-to-kill policy was formally commissioned for certain “suspects”. Illegal detention, “preventive” detention, and home sieges of political opposition leaders was routine. Critical voices within the ruling NRM were severely attacked; with four MPs thrown out of the party and every effort pursued to remove them from Parliament. The coordinator of Intelligence and UPDF MP Gen David Sejusa fled to exile amidst claims of an impending purge of those against the alleged Muhoozi project. He has since revealed how Mr Museveni has been stealing elections and that in 2006, a landslide victory was stolen from me. Media houses were illegally closed and rampaged by the police and military for long periods; further clumping down on media freedom. The obnoxious Public Order Management Bill was passed into law; to set the stage for further clampdown on the enjoyment of political rights and freedoms. Law to legalise tapping of private phones was passed. Mr Museveni, in complete disregard of the Constitution, appointed the Chief of Defence Forces as the Minister for Internal Affairs and he assumed office as an NRM minister while still a serving officer of the UPDF. Museveni went ahead to re-appoint retired Chief Justice (CJ) Benjamin Odoki into the CJ’s office; though he was beyond the retirement age and the Judicial Service Commission had not forwarded his name to him as required by the Constitution. The ensuing controversy has meant that, for close to a year, Uganda has no substantive head of the Judiciary! As we closed the year, a military coup had been carried out against the Lord Mayor of Kampala! The NRM orchestrated a campaign for the impeachment of the Lord Mayor. In the extreme zeal to remove the “stubborn” opposition leader, a patently fraud process was undertaken from the beginning to the end. Eventually, the High Court issued two orders unequivocally declaring that Mr Erias Lukwago must remain in office until there is a review of the processes that were complained of. The NRM instead deployed heavily armed men around the KCCA offices and declared the offices out of bounds for the Lord Mayor. The emoluments and facilities of the Lord Mayor were withdrawn. The Attorney General and the Minister responsible for KCCA declared that they were not going to implement the court orders. We are closing the year with a very precarious situation in the South Sudan. Violent conflict is raging; with strong ethnic overtones. Mr Museveni was quick to deploy our soldiers to intervene on the South Sudan government side; unduly endangering the lives of Ugandans in the “rebel-held” areas. As has been the case previously, parliamentary approval for deployment of our soldiers abroad will not be sought. The year 2013 also closes with loss of very notable political leaders. Former Deputy Prime Minister Eriya Kategaya and minister of Health Stephen Mallinga passed on; as did two sitting MPs. I and my colleagues in FDC got the biggest shock of the year with the sudden demise of our esteemed party chairman Sam K. Njuba on December 13! The above situation clearly shows that our country is entering 2014 with every reason to be worried. On the bright side, Uganda continued to celebrate the unique achievements of Mr Stephen Kiprotich; who resoundingly won the Moscow world marathon, adding it onto his Olympic championship. Ugandans are encouragingly more aware of their rights and power and they are increasingly more assertive. Civil society organisations have stepped up to actively agitate for better governance; the Black Monday campaign has been inspiring. With the fast growing political consciousness on the one hand, and the intensifying repression on the other, 2014 is set to be a very determinant year for the future of our country. My best wishes for success and the changes our country deserve in 2014. Happy New Year. For God and My Country! Dr Besigye is a political activist"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Political-parties-2013--Factions--infighting--and-intrigue/-/688334/2124850/-/2wvamk/-/index.html","content":"Political parties 2013: Factions, infighting, and intrigue - Kampala In the first week of December, Forum for Democratic Change president, retired Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu, was involved in a public show of unity with his predecessor, Dr Kizza Besigye.At a gathering in Rukungiri, Dr Besigye’s birth place, the party’s supremos rallied its faithful and provided a glimpse of what many of its supporters spent 2013 wishing for.A number of people threw in a heap what they said were membership cards and T-shirts of the ruling NRM party, which they said they had abandoned and joined the FDC. President Museveni and NRM officials had in the earlier months claimed to have eaten away at the heart of FDC in Dr Besigye’s birth place as the leading opposition party threatened to degenerate into a feuding wreck over its founding leader’s succession. In the second half of the year, Gen Muntu held a series of town hall-style meetings in western Uganda in an attempt to consolidate his hold onto the party. But his efforts were almost always overshadowed by internal wrangles stemming from his election. Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Nathan Nandala-Mafabi was not satisfied with the manner of his loss to Gen Muntu towards the close of 2012, leading to a quarrel like nothing the eight-year old party had ever seen. Team Nandala petitioned party chairman Sam Njuba (Mr Njuba passed away on December 13) over the election, who in turn set up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission chaired by Kampala lawyer Ladislaus Rwakafuzi to look into the matter. Upholding Gen Muntu’s election aside, Mr Rwakafuzi’s commission made a recommendation which rattled feathers within Gen Muntu’s camp as much as it gave hope to Mr Mafabi’s side – to hold a fresh presidential election in 2014 so that Gen Muntu would only complete the two years by which Dr Besigye cut short his second and last term. The recommendation set the two camps on a fresh collision path with some members from either side speaking out, sometimes violently, against a possibility of changing their positions.The party’s leadership insisted on having no repeat election in 2014, with secretary general Alice Alaso and two deputy presidents – Mr Amanya Mushega (western Uganda) and Prof Ogenga Latigo (northern Uganda) going public about it even before the party pronounced itself on the matter. On the other hand, Maj Rubaramira Ruranga, who had led Mr Mafabi’s campaign, led the group that pushed for a re-election in 2014, even threatening to leave the party should the leadership hold its ground. The decision on the matter was delayed as much as possible, but after several postponements and setting up of another committee, members were told that Gen Muntu would serve a full five-year term. Maj Ruranga, perhaps in fulfilment of his threat to quit the party should Gen Muntu have a full term, returned to the ruling party, but claimed that he had gone back to help President Museveni re-energise the fight against HIV/Aids. The year, therefore, closed as it opened, with Gen Muntu looking to start all over again and kick the party into gear as the race to 2016 shapes up. At the Rukungiri rally, Dr Besigye talked about plans for a reconciliation meeting probably as a pointer that he could in future take a more active role in the party. Ruling party pains The ruling National Resistance Movement has a lot of pending business as the year closes. It has also shown growing signs of divisions between the ‘progressives’ who want to re-focus it as a party with the people’s interests at heart, and those who prefer first allegiance to Mr Museveni. The stage was, thus, set for much squabbling, intrigue and back-stabbing between the factions mostly expressed in the NRM parliamentary caucus. There is a suit challenging the ouster from the party of four dissenting MPs and the party has a counter court petition to have the same MPs thrown out of Parliament due to having been sacked by the party. The four MPs – Mr Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga), Mr Muhammad Nsereko (Kampala Central), Mr Barnabas Tinkasimire (Buyaga) and Mr Wilfred Niwagaba (Ndorwa East) – were accused of going against the party’s positions in Parliament, campaigning against the party’s candidates, among other charges. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Mugabe-begins-7th-term-amid--controversy-and--uncertainty/-/689844/1974588/-/d8k19g/-/index.html","content":"Mugabe begins 7th term amid  controversy and  uncertainty - African leaders never cease to amaze, amuse and disappoint in almost equal measure. At their last summit held in Lilongwe, Malawi on August 18, the presidents of SADC declared Zimbabwe’s July 31 elections free and fair. They appealed to the EU and the USA to lift all sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West a decade or so ago, which sanctions have effectively crippled the economy of the country, leading to the collapse of its national currency. During my posting at the Embassy of Uganda to the EU in Brussels from 2003 to 2008, I was for two years chairman of the ACP’s committee on sanctions and in that capacity I tried, as a pan- Africanist, to convince the EU to lift sanctions against Zimbabwe on humanitarian grounds, but they refused; much as the EU agreed with us that the primary victims were the wananchi of Zimbabwe, not Mugabe and his cronies. For anybody to declare that Zimbabwe’s recent elections were free and fair is the height of deception and hypocrisy! The AU observer mission led by former Nigerian President Gen Olusegun Obasanjo issued a similar report soon after the elections took place which did not surprise me. What surprised me was the AU’s choice of Obasanjo as head of its observer mission; a man who is not committed to constitutionalism and rule of law. Just before the end of his second and last term as President of Nigeria, he attempted to lift the two-term limit provision in Nigeria’s constitution and to achieve this diabolical end he bribed Nigerian senators to do the needful. The senators were paid a hefty $380,000 each to amend the Nigerian constitution to grant the General a third and “sad” term, but unlike Uganda’s cheap MPs who betrayed our country for a mere 5 million shillings ($2,000) each, the Nigerian senators ate Gen Obasanjo’s generous petro- dollars and voted en masse against removing the two- term limit. Bravo! Against this background, Comrade Robert Gabriel Mugabe was sworn in as President of the Republic of Zimbabwe on August 22, 2013, for a record 7th term in a classic theatre of the absurd scenario with thousands of predominantly ZANU/PF members and his fellow Shona tribesmen and women in attendance. Opposition political parties, notably the MDC, rightly boycotted the jamboree. In a country where a good meal is now a rare commodity, wananchi took advantage to feast, booze and dance all night long! Why not, considering that the next time they will feast like this again will be in 2018 when Mugabe will be 95! Many SADC presidents flew to Harare to grace the occasion and lend an aura of legitimacy to the 89-year-old life president. President Mugabe did not disappoint his dwindling, but diehard supporters. In a hard-hitting and eloquent speech at the inauguration, he denounced American imperialists whose dollars keep his economy afloat; he blasted the British and the EU for imposing economic sanctions which have devastated Zimbabwe’s economy, which sanctions do not affect him and the First Lady Grace whom Zimbabweans cynically call Ms “dis- Grace Mugabe”. She is an extravagant shopping addict like former Philippino First Lady Imelda Marcos. An old friend, who like me, has retired from Zimbabwe’s diplomatic service and is now a quiet observer of his country’s tribulations, shared with me Uncle Bob’s secret weapons for winning elections; he rigs massively, makes full use of Zimbabwe’s partisan army and police to intimidate the opposition and if need be physically beat them into submission; he bribes and plays the ethnic card. Coming from the majority Shona tribe, Mugabe has an inbuilt majority which in Africa’s tribal politics makes a major difference. To make assurance doubly sure Mugabe has appointed only loyal supporters of ZANU/PF to Zimbabwe’s electoral commission. Is it any wonder that Mugabe won a landslide and as I argued in my column of July 28, 2013, his victory was a forgone conclusion! That opinion generated plenty of feedback - mostly positive, but there were a couple of negative ones as well. One Zimbabwean took me to task for claiming to know what is happening in Zimbabwe with its “complex politics” from far- away Uganda; he seems to be unaware that we live in a global village and in the dot- com age, Harare, Kampala and my home town of Arua are neighbours. The other negative comment was from a Ugandan who obviously misunderstood the essence and substance of my opinion; he accused me of being an “apologist of colonialism”! Now that is a big one, but nothing can, of course, be further from the truth. For his information, I have been in the vanguard of the African people’s struggle against colonialism, neo- colonialism, racism, racial discrimination, apartheid, injustice and indigenous tyranny all my adult life! God willing, I shall never retire from our noble and heroic struggle for justice, peace, freedom, democracy, change and African unity. Aluta continua! Events unfolding in Zimbabwe since the July 31 elections have proved me right. Uncle Bob played the game as I predicted; if anything, he performed a lot worse than I thought, but as usual, I adopted a moderate and reasonable stance towards him. May the Lord have mercy! Mr Acemah is a political scientist, consultant and a retired career diplomat. hacemah@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Is-Bukenya-becoming-a-political-comedian-/-/689364/1966328/-/13kfwnj/-/index.html","content":"Is Bukenya becoming a political comedian? - Political scientist and media expert Alison Dagnes once described political comedy/satire as an anti-establishment art form. “Political satire really is the weapon of the underdog. It is the weapon of the person out of power against the forces in power. It is supposed to take down the sacred cows of politics and differentiate between what is and what should be”, he remarked. Reading and watching the recent frolics of former vice president Gilbert Bukenya one can’t help but be reminded of another political comedian called Ainebyona but who was popularly known as Vicks Kingo in and around town. For those who might not remember, Vicks Kingo used to walk around the city streets telling people how he is the God-chosen person to lead Uganda. Usually in his smart white Kaunda suits, Kingo had this long white beard that reminded people of those 15th Century European explorers who first came to Africa. He was fun to meet and he used to spice the drama during the presidential election nomination days. Of course he would show up at the Electoral Commission venues pleading to be nominated whenever presidential candidates were being selected. Kingo in his true flamboyant style would come to the venue minus fulfilling any single standard as required by the commission, and he would be told that he can’t make it. Prof Bukenya first threw a revelation when he recently appeared at Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi’s 20th coronation anniversary with body guards a.k.a. Kanyamas. These are people usually hired by the showy local celebrities like Bad Black, her boyfriend Meddie Sentongo, Bebe Cool and a host of other local musicians.If indeed Bukenya was trying to mind about his personal security, he really knew very well that the place was fully secured by the hundreds of policemen deployed and the President’s security details that were there. Politically, I tried to figure out what Bukenya was trying to achieve and I failed to find the plot. Before we could figure out the Bukenya shenanigans at Lubiri coronation venue, he was in the papers telling whoever dared to read how he intends to stand against Museveni come 2016. He is vowing to teach his former boss a lesson of his life. In the interviews he says President Museveni is so scared of his intentions to stand and that he is already panicking. Yet, not long ago, Prof Bukenya told all and sundry that he “can never stand for presidency for as long as President Museveni was still interested,” because “He is the only one with the correct vision to move this country to greater heights.” Now all of a sudden and after being pushed from the “high table”, he is telling the world how things have gone from bad to worse and that Uganda needs him as a savior. In all his ranting, Prof Bukenya keeps telling the world how his life is in danger and how he is prepared to die for this cause. He is also saying no amount of pressure can make him retreat. Of course Bukenya forgets that he is not the first politician to oppose Museveni. Veterans like Kawanga Semogerere, Sebana Kizito, the “tsunami” of Rwakabengo Dr Kizza Besigye, Norbert Mao, Olara Otunnu, Amanya Mushega, e.t.c., have all robustly opposed Museveni but they are here alive and active. In all Prof Bukenya’s expressions, one notices a naïve exaggerated view of himself which is typical of the man from Busiro. In 2011, Prof Bukenya while still vice president competed with Amama Mbabazi, then a Security minister, for the post of secretary general of NRM. In his interviews then, he assured Ugandans that his victory was going to be a landslide. He told people that his upland rice project had made him a very popular figure across the country yet the reverse was true. Besides, why does Bukenya think that he will be standing against President Museveni? There are many people who have expressed interest, including the now renegade Gen Sejusa. If he is not unserious as he sounds, he had better factor in other players because they are many, and perhaps even more serious than him. Bukenya should stop sounding like anybody is against his idea to stand as president. Far from that. This is because his decision to stand is his legitimate right as an adult citizen. What Ugandans want to hear from him is his prudent manifesto if they can offer alternative view. Stories of how his competitor is scared of him or how his life is in danger are not relevant now. Of course, Ugandans know that his life can’t be in danger because the most livid opposition figures are here with us. Further more, if he is the serious politician he claims to be, he had better hit the road and begin marketing himself across the country. Like the saying goes in one of the local dialects, “he who does not know that they have left him swims in the comfort of assuming that they are still waiting for him”.Over to you Hon. Bukenya. The writer is a Monitor Contributor"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Landslides-bury-five-villages-in-Bududa/-/688334/1944328/-/ji1lwz/-/index.html","content":"Landslides bury five villages in Bududa - Bududa/Kampala. Landslides yesterday afternoon covered up five villages in parts of Bushiyi Sub-county in the eastern Bududa District, but there was no immediate report of deaths. The Sunday Monitor was told some 17 badly-injured survivors had been admitted to Bududa Hospital. One person was confirmed missing, the district chairman, Mr John Bosco Nambeshe, said. A huge mass of soaked soil broke off from uphill, knocking down trees and toppling houses on its path in the third such blanket punishment by Mother Nature in the same district. In 2010, landslides flattened villages in Nametsi Parish, burying an estimated 350 residents. And where tragedy struck yesterday is close and adjacent to Nametsi. Yesterday’s 3pm landslide which severely affected five villages in Namurumba, Bushiyi and Matuwa parishes, followed three days of heavy downpour and hailstorms that Uganda Red Cross Society secretary general, Mr Michael Wataka, said had earlier destroyed at least 10 homes and vast crop fields. Preliminary estimates showed some 3,000 people were displaced and in immediate need of assistance, although up to 10, 000 of those living on the foot of Mt Elgon may eventually require relocation. Many survivors were reported stranded on one of the high-risk villages cut-off by River Manafwa that burst its banks.Government last evening said it was unable to evacuate the survivors using helicopters as requested by local leaders. Maj Gen Julius Oketta, the disaster and relief coordinator in the Office of the Prime Minister, advised them to move to safer areas uphill. “I have told them [Bududa leaders] to tell survivors to move away from the river bank and relocate to higher areas that are safe,” the General said. “They should at this time forget about rescuing personal property in the house because they first need to keep alive.” Survivors shiftDozens of survivors were last evening spotted with mattresses and other salvaged household items on their heads, and trekking perilously to the safety of their relatives’ homes. Some hesitated, preferring they would rather die on their fertile ancestral land to which they profess a sturdy bond. According to Wanjusi Kalisto, a local elder, it had been raining daily since Thursday but yesterday’s intensified downpour, which began falling around midday, combined with heavy hailstorm to wreak the nastiest havoc. Vast gardens of coffee, banana and maize remained blanketed white with hailstones as dense cumulonimbus clouds drifted in the mountainous expanse, a warning sign of likely more rains and associated hazard. A recent hazard mapping by Uganda Red Cross Society, the National Environment Management Authority and Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, indicated a deepening uphill fissures running several kilometres across Mt Elgon ridges, potentially considered a trigger for landslides.By press time, an emergency response team comprising police, UPDF soldiers and Uganda Red Cross volunteers led by Manafwa River Basin project manager Tumuwa Wanambwa was reported on ground to help in rescue efforts.Officials said it was still too early to ascertain the extent of the damage, or how much resources would be required to restore normalcy. The director general in the ministry of Health, Dr Ruth Aceng, last night dispatched a team of different health professionals to Bududa to do on-the-ground assessment and determine first-line of emergency response.The Sunday Monitor understands both the government and other humanitarian agencies were considering supplying survivors with water purification tablets and household items as well as tarpaulins, as a temporary measure as discussions continue about their resettlement. In 2010, the attempt to shift Mt Elgon area settlers to Kiryandongo District in Bunyoro suffered a setback after the survivors of the Nametsi landslide complained of improper shelter, lack of land as well as food and water in the new settlement, with hundreds returning to the landslide-prone homes voluntarily. Yesterday’s disaster struck after the government announced it had released Shs8 billion for leaders in Bugisu sub-region to identify land for resettlement of the previous landslide victims after they preferred to relocate within the area so they can be able to cultivate their rich soils. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/CharlesOnyangoObbo/Uganda-and-Zimbabwe--elections-have-become--big-harvest-seasons/-/878504/1939286/-/xnl52r/-/index.html","content":"In Uganda and Zimbabwe, elections have become  big harvest seasons - Some say that 89-year-old Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe stole the latest election – again. Others that he won fair and square this time from a hapless opposition. All I will do is recommend The Jewish Daily Forward (http://blogs.forward.com/forward-thinking/181670/robert-mugabes-made-in-israel-landslide) which reports that Mugabe, the great anti-imperialist and anti-Zionist, resorted to a clever Israeli firm Nikuv to fix the election. Anyway, Mugabe now goes into eighth five-year term, and became the oldest African leader to win competitive elections. He was, by no means, the oldest to seek re-election. That honour, belongs to Malawi’s president Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda who lost in an election in 1994 at what some say was his real age of 101, although his official age was 96 then (he was supposedly born in 1898). If President Yoweri Museveni were running in an election in which he, at 69, went against Mugabe or a modern-day Banda, he would have been disqualified for being under-age! But there is a more serious point here. Unlike the late 1980s and the 1990s, elections in which the Opposition defeats incumbent parties or presidents have all but dried up in Africa. What is going on? Is it that African governments have become more zealous vote cheats? Or is it that the continent’s Oppositions are in decline? It might be that a bit of both is going on, but the real devil is somewhere else I believe. I was reading the Ugandans-At-Heart discussion site sometime back, and something struck me. There was an article that noted: “If you look at the 1,000 top tax payers in Uganda, you will find that the top two, MTN and Shell BP pay 12 per cent of all the taxes. The top 10 pay 28 per cent of all the taxes. And those top 10 are petrol vendors (Caltex, Total, Shell), mobile phone vendors, soft drinks and beer makers (Century Bottling, Uganda Breweries, Nile Breweries), cigarette makers (BAT)…all foreign. No real production, no [majority share-holding] indigenous stake holder…” The point the writer was making was that the Museveni government could afford to ignore Ugandans as they didn’t have a stake in the cash-rich sectors of the economy that kept the Treasury fat. He is partly correct, but I think a more interesting thing is the nature of the industries themselves, irrespective of the owners. Nearly all the industries he cites can thrive with bad politics. A Ugandan who worked in Liberia during the last days of the war there, tells me an interesting story. There was a brewery that was sitting on the edge of the capital Monrovia close to the front lines. In the morning, the government army would send trucks to pick beer for the soldiers. In the afternoon, the rebels would send in their trucks to pick their beer for the day too. There was a rule that all sides observed; rebels were never to attack the government beer convoys, and the government never to attack the rebel beer run. Ceasefires and agreements were broken in Liberia, but not the beer truce. Cigarette factories are some of the few industries that supply both sides in wars in some countries. And in parts of strife-torn Eastern Europe and Asia – even the Middle East – among the few installations rebels don’t destroy are mobile phone towers because they use them for their communication too. The top tax-paying sectors in Uganda (like telecoms in war-torn Somalia) tend to thrive where there is kavuyo because it reduces competition and State regulatory oversight, allowing them to make them more money. You can’t really prevent cigarette advertising, nor stop children from smoking and drinking, in times of conflict. Prices also tend to be higher. It might be that the economic liberalisation of the last two decades in Uganda, as indeed in most of the rest of Africa, has not produced a dynamic middle class that pushes for open, honest and stable electoral outcomes. The middle class has emerged all right, but the liberal regimes they would fight for are not that critical for the largest taxpayers, so their activism is confined to the fringes of civil society action. It seems the free market has bequeathed an economy in which government, as an entity that makes good policy, is not critical, and an Opposition whose trade is transparency is not necessary. It might have been different if the main taxpayer in Uganda was an industry that makes semiconductor chips. But that is not so. The functions of elections have therefore changed, especially in countries like Uganda and Zimbabwe that have no presidential term limits. Thus election time is the period of the largest budget allocation, and the only time the disbursements are actually made. Maybe the people know that, and elections are no longer a vehicle to change leaders. It is the harvest season. cobbo@ke.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/On-TV--the-older-non-fashion-conscious-/-/689842/1855566/-/tyuplu/-/index.html","content":"On TV, the older non-fashion-conscious   survive on passion and courage - When she was approached about joining NTV, she was not very sure. “Television is about skinny light-skinned women who are fashion trendy,” Agnes Nandutu thought. Nandutu describes her style as “not trendy, just suits. I like being official.” She is not skinny nor is she light-skinned but the mother of six has now made her own mark on the media world as many will humourously call her “Aaaaaagnes Nandutu” from NTV-Uganda ’s Point Blank, a satirical news feature. After applications and interviews, she joined NTV-Uganda on April 1, 2008 and found out that TV is not about skinny light-skinned women who are fashion suave. “It was a misconception. TV is about passion and courage. If you have that, you get good at it.” Nandutu observes that because it requires passion and courage, there are currently a lot of young people in the media. She has not run out of steam yet as she still has a lot of passion. Her most memorial stories include one on family planning and another on the Temangalo-NSSF land scandal. The story on family planning was written while she worked at Daily Monitor. The feature was centered on a family in Busia that had 23 children. Nandutu got a UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) Media Award for it. The Temangalo land scandal was more tumultuous. She reveals that she was friends to many people who were close to Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi who was involved in the scandal. “I got several requests to tone it down,” she says. Nandutu had just joined NTV at the time and here was a case involving high profile people. “I went up to the site and discovered things that were not in the report.” Parliament would ask for her footage when they later investigated the issue. “If you want to do something worthwhile, you have to take many risks,” she says. There are stories she has not covered and one such story is the Bududa landslide in which she lost some distant relatives. Her immediate family was not hurt although they lost a lot of property. Nandutu, who calls herself “Bududa-baked”, says she was too close to the disaster to cover it without bias. Your “pro” on ParliamentariansIt is clear why her colleagues would re-entrust her with the presidency of the Uganda Parliamentary Press Association for the 2013-2015 tenure. Nandutu will give you information on many of the Parliamentarians because she has worked on the Parliament desk for a very long time. “I am always on parliament stories,” Nandutu, who was also on the parliament desk for the Daily Monitor, explains. However, she expresses a desire to do more feature stories, especially about the ordinary Ugandan. She talks excitedly about Parliament issues, until the late Cerinah Nebanda comes up. Nandutu’s voice lowers and the mood in the room considerably goes low. She explains that they were friends and Nebanda would bring her jewellery whenever she travelled. “I heard about on my way home from work, turned around and went straight to Mukwaya hospital.” On the controversy that surrounded the matter, all she says is “I have questions but only God can know the truth. If indeed someone else was involved, then God and that person are the only ones who know.” Journalism is my calling Nandutu says she is a born-again Christian and believes that all of us are assigned to a job. Hers is journalism. It is a very tasking profession and to be both a mother and a journalist, she says, is something else. It is not a job where you walk out at 5pm. While she tries to make time for her family, believing that no mother should leave it to the community or the maid, she confesses that she has never made it to a Speech Day. However, she breastfed all of her children, commuting back and forth from work. “I was the pregnant woman jumping on a boda boda to look for news and chase after sources,” she says and jokes that all her children must have “journalism DNA” to survive her schedules. Her roles as news producer at NTV, is a demanding one that does not allow her time to contribute to the print media, as she would have enjoyed. Down the road, she does not see herself doing anything else but journalism. “Many people have speculated that I will go into politics but I have no political ambition.” She would like to see herself as a consultant in the media instead. She hopes that several years on, people will have questions about what media was like before, what the political atmosphere was like and she will have all those answers. She wants to be that authority. On the larger scale of life, she wants “enough for me and my family,” she says, quoting John Bosco Katutsi, former Anti-Corruption Court judge’s prayerful desire at his retirement in 2011: “God, don’t make me poor. Give me enough. Don’t make me too rich so I don’t forget You.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Score/Rewarding-the-game-s-2012-13-terrific-players/-/689854/1855432/-/h25ry1z/-/index.html","content":"Rewarding the game’s 2012/13 terrific players - In a season where most football was played in the boardroom, we will give the actors the recognition they so much deserve for the outstanding displays. So good they have been they could face Liberia Now that the shaggy dog story of the 2012/13 football season has ended, on the pitch, that is; it’s a great time to reflect on what a great campaign it has been.For starters, we broke barriers and set global precedents. Who else can run two topflight leagues to a full conclusion? Or, if you think that is not a precedent enough, where in the world do you see a champion get ‘promoted’ to a lower league? We did it, with Maroons. Forget the talk of an illegal league. Forget the convincing that they dodged Association Football classes as their crime, unless you are oblivious of realities in Ugandan football.But anyway, the season created lots of talking points and as always, certain individuals have stood out from their peers. Join me in awarding these amazing footballers – in alphabetic order - that have made the just concluded USL/FSL season quite a spectacle, so much a spectacle they were spectacular.Abbas KawaaseAfter conducting a scouting mission codenamed after him on why the game is funny, the player surprised observers by signing-on for a team whose legality he had questioned in his report. His heroics were so startling his new club made him a titular head. Asaph MwebazeFirst, he ‘fails’ coaching exams conducted by the nation’s football Tsars after helping some of his colleagues pass the same papers, then he wins the title, and gets ‘promoted’ to the lower tier. Crime? His club skipped FA classes. Charles BakkabulindiThe gentleman is quite gifted. He is the only Ugandan to play every sport without playing it. But his dazzling skills have been more prominent in football, a case of a counter-attack that never reaches the goalmouth. Fred MuwemaHis skills on the ball are a combination of uncomprehending defiance and a learned friend’s arrogance. He can be a pain for the opponents if he sees a legal loophole in the formation. Jessica AlupoA case of Benfica dominating Chelsea in a Europa League final but for some reason not scoring. And against the run of play, Chelsea score the winner in injury time - a disputed winner at that. Julius Kavuma Kabenge Ever had of nine lives? The player has been banned, unbanned, and banned. But in his life, he has never been banned and completed last season without missing any game. His opponents detest his guts. And yes. He can be a pain. Lawrence MulindwaThe ‘father’ of football. You either join the headmaster or you are finished. He topped the poll of our best footballer with a landslide victory for successfully having the ball played his way. Not even government survived. Moses MagogoThe engine of the team. Lethal with Association Football tactics and has come out of some questionable games leaving everyone wondering how he pulled it off. He can play all positions. So gifted he will be coach player of this bunch of wonderful footballers Mujib KasuleThe country’s best signing for the past two years. Even as a free agent, having parted with teammates Kabenge and Muwema, his transfer to bitter rivals across town turned heads. Many accused his double face as an act of betrayal but two years on, he is steadily winding up his former club. Like he says, time will judge his career. Rogers MulindwaHe plays most of his club’s football on the terraces. But no one spins it better than him even if he wakes up to watch his opponents live on international TV having ended their broadcast deal with a touch of a mouth days earlier. This group of players is so replenished one wonders why they cannot turn out against Liberia on June 8. And for the sentimental you, this column will not help if you do not see life in more ways than one. amwanguhya@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/When-political-Seats-become-a-family-affair/-/691232/1758068/-/13o0vjdz/-/index.html","content":"When political Seats become a family affair - It was three days after the interring of her husband that Beatrice Mallinga announced her candidacy for the freshly vacated seat of Butebo County, that fell vacant after the death of Dr Stephen Mallinga, the Disaster Preparedness Minister. Now, if it was a matter of inheriting property, for example, this would have been the point other people call her out: “Hey, the body is still warm!” It would definitely be considered in bad taste on any other issue. But this is politics where with tight by-elections and cut-throat competition, decorum seems to take a back seat. And besides, she is not the first family member to aspire to take over from where the deceased relative left off in terms of a political career.In fact, the idea of family members succeeding their relative’s political seat seems to becoming the norm, mostly in death but also in life, as you will see from our recap. Proscovia Alengot Oromait, daughter of Michael OromaitHer win after the death of her father in 2012 may have set the ball rolling showing that sympathy equals votes. Alengot’s father had served little more than a year as Member of Parliament representing Usuk County, Katakwi District, in 2011 before he died. His 19-year-old daughter, Alengot, an S6 leaver at the time, surprised the country by seeking to continue with his term. She expressed interest in running in the by-election and thus launched a political career. The attention she grabbed then, increased as she seemed to be advancing towards victory, after winning the post of the NRM flag bearer in the primaries. Despite lack of experience in politics, Alengot trounced eight opponents to become the youngest MP in Africa. It took less than three months for her to go from daughter of Usuk Member of Parliament to Usuk Member of Parliament. Talk about a successful take over. Florence Andiru Nebanda, sister of Cerinah NebandaIt took the sudden death of the younger sister for the elder one to discover her political ambitions; at least that is how it seems. After the dust had died on Nebanda’s death and it was apparent that people had to move on to who will succeed the deceased firebrand MP of Butaleja, Andiru who is said to have been living abroad, was immediately fronted to take over the seat and continue with the good work. Misunderstandings and suspicions of conspiracies regarding the cause of her death forgotten, the battle became about ensuring that the other opponents who were outside the family did not defeat the sister of the late Nebanda, with several incidences cropping up in the run-up to the election. Andiru won by a landslide and was sworn in on February 21, two months after the death of her sister. Beatrice Mallinga, wife of Stephen MallingaThe Disaster Preparedness Minister passed away on April 11 from heart failure leaving the Butebo seat vacant. His widow Beatrice Mallinga, a former teacher has expressed interest in running in the by-election slated for June 6. She seemed at pains to explain how she was a part of her husband’s career, albeit from the sidelines, saying her entry into the race was an answer to requests by constituents who wished that she takes her husband’s mantle. Interestingly, the widow promises not to run again after the term her husband was not able to complete, will she win. Susan Lukyamuzi, daughter of Ken LuykamuziThis is one of the happier succession stories. Nobody had to die. It, however, sounds like a game of musical chairs by Lukyamuzi and his daughter Susan Nampija. When the man was barred from running for Rubaga South Constituency by the Inspector General of Government in 2005 after failing to declare his wealth, he fronted his daughter, Susan Nampijja, to run in his stead. She won and held the seat for five years, from 2006 until 2011, after which Lukyamuzi contested again and took over.cwanjala@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Government-hits-at-Tullow-over-bribery-claim/-/688334/1723802/-/12i7077z/-/index.html","content":"Government hits at Tullow over bribery claim - Kampala Government yesterday firmly rejected insinuations made in a London court that Tullow Oil was considering making payments to President Museveni in return for favourable treatment. In the first official response to the allegations, government spokesperson Fred Opolot said revelations in a London court room that one of Tullow’s top executives mooted an idea to make an “undocumented” $50 million (Shs130b) payment to President Museveni were false. “Whoever is mooting an idea of a bribe or anything of that nature to any official of the government of Uganda will only be making a fool of him or herself,” Mr Opolot said in a statement issued yesterday. The Uganda Media Centre, which Mr Opolot heads, falls under the Office of the President and speaks on behalf of the government. He added: “Uganda’s oil is a rare resource and the President has made it very clear that he will not accept any sort of arm-twisting to relent to a raw deal in this sector.”Information about the proposed pay-off came to light during cross-examination in a separate tax dispute case between Tullow and Heritage over $404 million capital gains tax due to Uganda government, which Heritage disputes. Tullow, desperate to unlock its stalled business in Uganda, paid one third of the amount and deposited the balance in an escrow account with a bank in London in 2010 before separately suing government and Heritage in an attempt to recover the tax paid. At the height of the protracted tax bargains, Tullow, whose chief executive Aidan Heavey reportedly made financial contributions to campaigns of ruling Conservative Party, rallied UK government officials to leverage on Ugandan officials. This included President Museveni, whom Foreign Secretary telephoned on August 30, 2010 to push for Tullow’s commercial interests. During proceeding in the London court last Thursday, UK media quoted Heritage legal counsel, Kwahar Quereshi, submitting that Tullow’s Exploration Director Angus McCoss in an August 2010 group email suggested the idea $50 million be paid to “meet the short term needs and demands” of President Museveni, referred in the correspondence by the acronym M7. In the alternative, lawyer Quereshi told court Tullow toyed with the idea of financing Mr Museveni’s campaigns for the February 2011 presidential and general ballot, which the President won by landslide. Tullow company secretary Alan Graham Martin, while giving evidence at the same commercial court presided over by Justice Burton, said the suggestion they mooted an idea to act unlawfully was “outrageous”. There is no evidence to show that any money was subsequently paid. Tullow’s officials in Kampala yesterday declined to go on the record that Mr McCoss never sent the mail, arguing instead that he “did not suggest making any payments whatsoever to the President or to any political campaign.” “This point has arisen out of false allegations made by Heritage Oil’s legal team during this trial which Tullow has firmly rejected,” Tullow Uganda Spokesperson Cathy Adengo noted in a reply email enquiries from this newspaper. “Tullow has not and does not pay bribes under any circumstances.” She declined to comment further so as not to prejudice an on-going judicial matter.This is the second time officials of the London-listed company are linking Mr Museveni to irregular payments over oil deals, something the President described as “despicable.” In one of several US diplomatic cables released by whistle-blower website, Wikileaks, in August 2011, Tullow’s then head of external relations in Uganda, Mr Andy Demetriou, reportedly told an official of the US Mission in Kampala on November 24, 2009, that: “Tullow believes ENI made personal payments to President Museveni and Ministry of Energy officials in return for Tullow’s offshore exploration rights.” Asked by this reporter about the allegations during an October 12, 2011 press conference at Nakasero State Lodge, the President said: “[For] General Yoweri Museveni Kaguta, Ssabalwanyi (master fighter) to get money from a Mzungu or anybody for my personal use! It is contempt of the highest order for somebody to say that.” 1 | 2 Next Page»The President then dismissed Mr Demetriou as an “idiot”, adding: “Even if you found me asleep and put money with a note [saying the payment] is from ENI, then ENI must have made a very bad investment because ENI did not get anything for it.” An ad hoc parliamentary committee headed by Bungokho MP Michael Werikhe is investigating separate allegations made in Parliament that Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa and his then Energy counterpart Hilary Onek, could have received irregular payments from Tullow and Eni. The allegations remain unproven to-date and the three officials robustly deny the allegations. A police investigation has already cleared them of the allegations. In yesterday’s statement, Mr Opolot raised questions about the motive and timing of the revelations from the London court. Mr Opolot cited the President’s unwavering insistence on building a domestic refinery ahead of oil production – something foreign oil firms initially rejected – as demonstration of Mr Museveni determination to safeguard Uganda’s interest. tbutagira@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Tullow-tried-to-pay-Museveni---lawyer/-/688334/1721994/-/vtisgpz/-/index.html","content":"Tullow tried to pay Museveni - lawyer - Top Tullow officials toyed with the idea of making an “undocumented” $50 million (Shs130b) payment to President Museveni before switching to consider financing his re-election campaign, UK media reported on Thursday. They were quoted in proceedings at ongoing tax arbitration case in London. Officials in Kampala however said they were “unaware” of such gestures. The Company’s Exploration director Angus McCoss, reportedly told fellow executives in a group email in August 2010, that the firm should pay for an oil licence to “meet the short term needs and demands” of President Museveni, referred to in the correspondence by the acronym M7. It was not clear whether the money offer was solicited or made voluntarily by Tullow, and neither could we establish if any cash changed hands afterwards. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, Ms Lindah Nabusayi, had by press time not replied our Friday email enquiries on the subject. The Irish Times reported that Tullow executives considered paying the President of Uganda to “help settle a tax dispute against a rival firm”. Uganda government demanded $404 million in capital gains tax from Heritage for sale at $1.45 billion of its 50 per cent stake in the oil fields to Tullow. Heritage disputes the tax liability. Tullow, however, paid part of the bill to Uganda before suing both parties in London with the aim of either recovering what it paid from Heritage or Uganda should court decide against the levy. During the Thursday hearing, Heritage lawyer Kwahar Quereshi argued that Tullow chose to pay the tax his client disputed for their selfish economic interest. “[Tullow Exploration director] Mr McCoss is saying [in the email] it is worth thinking about meeting M7’s short-term needs and demands, and he has already indicated the things he is addressing is his election campaign,” he said. “This can only mean one thing: The provision of assistance and funds to Mr Museveni in his election demands,” the Irish Times quoted the defence lawyer as having argued. Uganda held its perhaps most expensive presidential and general elections in February 2011, which incumbent Museveni won by landslide, but none of the eight candidates has declared the source of the vast monies spent during campaigns. Tullow Company Secretary Alan Graham Martin, while giving evidence in court this week, shot back that the suggestion that there was an idea to act unlawfully was “outrageous”. Lawyer Graham said he could not read Mr Angus’s mind to determine what he meant in his email to group executives. “My guess [is] he was using M7 as shorthand for the whole country (Uganda),” he said, “There is no suggestion on Angus’s part that we were somehow going to pay funds to Mr Museveni’s election campaign. I would say that is an outrageous suggestion.” Yesterday, Information Minister and ruling NRM party spokesperson, Ms Karooro Okurut, said she travelling up country “but I never heard something like that [Tullow financing Museveni’s re-election campaigns].” 1 | 2 Next Page»Party Treasurer Amelia Kyambadde, who before joining elective politics was the President’s Principal Private Secretary in 2010 when Tullow reportedly made the considerations, said “I have no idea about it.” Around that time, Tullow had run-ins with government after the Ministry of Energy at the behest of President Museveni demanded it pay the capital gains tax before renewal of its expired exploration licence or any signing new deals. The company capitulated, making partial tax payments, and regaining the oilfields resulting in the forced February 2012 ‘farm-down’ to China National Offshore Oil (CNOOC) and Total. Tomorrow, we will explore the behind-the-scenes maneuovres and how UK ministers in London and diplomats in Kampala pressed the President, both in writing and through telephone calls, to guard Tullow’s commercial exploits. tbutagira@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Women-s-Day--Time-to-reflect-on-the-past/-/688334/1714434/-/ku9d4mz/-/index.html","content":"Women’s Day: Time to reflect on the past - Jackie Asiimwe, a member of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), has attended many Women’s Day celebrations. “I cannot remember which year I attended the first one,” she says. However, she will forever remember the one that was celebrated on March 8, 1998. “The land Bill was still being debated in Parliament and it looked like the women were losing out in some of the clauses. This is an issue which is very close to a woman’s heart. That year we did not celebrate,” she says. Instead, Asiimwe and other women opted to dress in black and head for the national celebrations in Rukungiri. “Every stall the President visited, he was met with the same glum women in black with T-shirts printed with messages pushing the women’s agenda on the land Bill. It was exciting to think that our actions may have influenced the President changing his speech that day to address the land issues. We had a women’s message to press and we used Women’s Day to do that,” she says.Today will be the 27th time Uganda joins the rest of the world in marking international Women’s Day. According to Pamela Batenga, the senior cultural officer at the Ministry of Gender, the first Women’s Day in Uganda was observed in 1986 and it was not a public holiday. “That came in the 90s,” she says.Asiimwe says Women’s Day is also a time to reflect on what more needs to be done. Her concern is that while public decision making for women is steadily improving, private decision making may still be at the same place. “I believe that a woman is only empowered if she is able to make decisions on her body, finances etc,” she says. She also notes that that question cannot be completely answered if we do not desist from looking at Ugandan women as Kampala women. “Majority of rural women still do all the work yet they do not even own the land they till. The rural woman still has a very long way to go in her search for justice,” she opines. The journeyOne of the most visible cases the activist sees as a clear indicator of how far we still have to go is the highly publicised court martial of a soldier who allegedly shot his wife and her two friends in Luzira. “The way people rallied around the man was saddening. It only goes to show violence against women is still condoned by our society,” she says.Last December was also when the demographic health survey which reported 60 per cent Ugandan women as condoning violence was released. “While the maternal mortality rate has reduced over the years, 16 women dying every day is still a big number. Other countries have managed to reduce it to two,” Asiimwe says. That is not to downplay achievements because there has been progress. People generally accept that women can be leaders. There have also been steps made in education and land policies that favour women and the girl child. According to a United Nations Girl child Education Initiative (UNGEI) report, girl child enrollment improved from 82 per cent in 2000 to 90 per cent in 2009. The transition to S1 for the girls also improved from 56 per cent to 60 per cent in the same years. There has also been a marked improvement in the enrolment of girls in post-secondary institutions (university and non-university) with female students accounting for 45 per cent of the student population at Makerere University. cwanjala@ug.nationmedia.com ************************************************************************************** 1 | 2 Next Page»Pioneers 1954 [First female to earn a University degree]. Education then, was a preserve for only males, until Dr Sarah Nyendwoha Ntiro broke the barriers to become the first female to hold a degree in Uganda, when she graduated from St Anne’s College Oxford, UK. She has an honorary doctorate from the Spellman College in Atlanta, Georgia. 1994-2003 [First female African Vice-President]. Her feat stretches beyond Uganda’s borders. Specioza Naigaga Wandira Kazibwe became the first woman Vice President in Africa when she was appointed in 1994. She is currently a presidential advisor on Micro-Finance. 2006 [First Female Presidential candidate] Ugandan Presidential elections had always been a male contest until Miria Kalule Obote stood for presidency on the Uganda People’s Congress [UPC] ticket in the 2006 polls.2011 [First female Speaker of Parliament] Rebecca Kadaga became the first woman Speaker for Uganda’s Parliament after getting 302 votes to hand her a landslide victory against Nandala Mafabi’s 57. Compiled by Solomon Arinaitwe ************************************************************************************* Celebrations in Nakasongola Today marks 97 years since Women’s Day was first celebrated. It is also on this day that Uganda joins the rest of the world to observe achievements made by women and forge a way forward to improve their lives. To commemorate this day under the theme “The Gender Agenda: Connecting Grassroots Women to Development”, Ugandans have today expected to gather at Nakasongola District sports ground, Wabinyonyi. The Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, Mr John Nasasira, yesterday said the theme was formulated with the aim of sensitising the population about the role of women in national development. “We note that women form the majority in the primary growth sector of agriculture as stated in the National Development Plan. They form a bulk of the labour force in agriculture for food and cash crop production.” Mr Nasasira said the celebrations are also aimed at reflecting on the challenges facing women’s empowerment so that they can lay strategies for continued advancement of the majority of the rural women in Uganda. By Sarah Tumwebaze « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/MPs-discover-more--ghosts---substandard-work-at-OPM/-/688334/1711610/-/wfcmccz/-/index.html","content":"MPs discover more ‘ghosts’, substandard work at OPM - Lawmakers investigating theft allegations in the Office of the Prime Minister have found evidence of ghost and substandard work in the post-conflict recovery projects in northern Uganda and Karamoja. Officials should have spent more than Shs50 billion in foreign aid in these sub-regions. But shocked members of the House Public Accounts Committee, which last week split into two groups to carry out field trips, say evidence so far confirms their worst fears. The MPs, who went to northern Uganda, told the Daily Monitor yesterday that people in Lamwo, Kitgum, Gulu and Zombo districts asked the committee to ensure that culprits in OPM, Bank of Uganda and Ministry of Finance are “punished without pity” “We have just come from Lamwo district and other areas in Acholi Sub-region but there is nothing to be proud of as far as Peace, Recovery and Development Programme (PRDP) projects are concerned,” PAC chairman Kassiano Wadri, who is leading one group of MPs, said. “We have found byoya byanswa (meaning phantom projects). There is nothing on the ground and we can conclude that there was no value for money.” Asked to respond to the preliminary conclusions from the field, Mr Pius Bigirimana, permanent secretary at OPM yesterday replied by text message, saying: “Surely, that’s not correct. I am in touch with the teams.” Mr Bigirimana’s response comes a day after President Museveni assigned him even wider duties to monitor ministries and government departments despite MPs demands that he be relieved of his duties because of the OPM scam. Other members on the team to northern Uganda, who requested not to be named in order to speak freely, also said some projects such as the 54 houses for chiefs in Acholi and the houses for teachers and health workers do not measure to the expenditure. The verification tour in these areas come after Police in January indicated that they had failed to find evidence of various workshops and activities for which millions of dollars worth of foreign aid was paid out. The Daily Monitor has reported that some of the suspect activities include purchase of fuel from non-existent service stations and media programmes that never took place. Yesterday, the Wadri group crossed over to Kiryandongo where hundreds of Bududa landslide survivors were supposed to be resettled by the government in October 2010. The exercise which was overseen by the Office of the Prime Minister saw about 406 people taken to start a new life in Kiryandongo after the March 1 2010 landslides killed over 300 people in Bugisu. Each family was to get 2.5 acres of land, agriculture inputs and equipment and given food items to last six months as they prepared to plant for their own food. But the Auditor General’s findings, which sparked PAC’s investigation, found ghost food deliveries and questionable expenditures for ploughing and harrowing in the area. The Auditor General reported that at least Shs8.6 billion was lost to suspicious private companies in deals involving the “air supply” of food items to disaster-stricken communities in Kiryandongo, northern Uganda and Karamoja Sub-region. PAC is expected meet the alleged beneficiaries in Kiryandongo and will attach the cost to the acreage ploughed by Farm Engineering Ltd, a private firm which took about Shs23 billion. Project under scrutinyOne of the projects under scrutiny is the Shs13 billion paid out to Farm Engineering Ltd to plough in Karamoja, Teso and northern Uganda. According to Auditor General’s report, there were no appropriate records to support the billions paid to the company for ploughing in Karamoja. Mr Wadri’s deputy, Paul Mwiru yesterday reported confirmation of earlier suspicions.“As is the case in northern Uganda, even in Karamoja, the projects are not visible on the ground yet money was spent. We visited teachers’ houses, gardens they alleged to have ploughed. All these projects were implemented by the same people in OPM and that’s why the situation is not different,” Mr Mwiru said. OPM under Pacification and Development department undertook to implement the Karamoja Action plan for food security by providing tractor hire services and ploughing various parts of Northern Uganda and Karamoja particularly in the seven districts of Moroto, Amudat, Kotido, Kaboong, Nakapiripirit, Napak and Abim. OPM runs 18 projects funded by both government of Uganda and development partners. However, a review of the project implementation revealed that the projects had overlapping activities with duplication of efforts and payments which led to the loss of public funds. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/Mbidde-learned-to-challenge-authority-while-in-high-school/-/689856/1682662/-/duexv2z/-/index.html","content":"Mbidde learned to challenge authority while in high school - I was born in 1974 at Nakyenyi Primary School in Masaka and that is where I was raised. School determines much of my history and childhood. I am the second child of my mother. My father was a pure African man who had several women and children. Perhaps, that is why I did not grow up with him. I only visited him during holidays. In any case, I was fonder of my mother because of her warmness and care. I adored walking behind her as she run her school errands. One day, as she distributed exam papers, I picked one, did the exam and passed it highly and that is how I went to P.2 without ever attending P.1. Those days, teachers commanded respect from all corners of society; they were icons in every sense of the word. Being a teacher’s child, I was always a different child. I had no choice but stand out from the rest. For instance, while others walked on bare feet, it was a golden rule for me to wear sandals. Most kids packed to school the previous day’s food, popularly called mawolu but I always had delicious and fresh breakfast from the staffroom. That was not inequality but privileges. Today, I can travel to any country without the ordinary hustle and bustle. That is because of the privilege that comes with my position; it is not inequality. In a way, I created a personality of always being above others though my biggest undoing was my tiny size. In a school where leadership was measured by the ability to beat others, I could only stop at fantasising about being a prefect. Rowdy at secondary schoolAt Kabwoko High School, we formed a clique with two friends of mine and called it The Dandified. We searched for the hardest words in the dictionary and for every word, we had five meanings. By S.2, words like ‘extraterrestrial’, which I hear older people proudly speak today were nothing to us. We derived fun in teasing brains at school with our bombastic words; luckily we were all academic giants. In 2001, when I stood for the guild presidency at Makerere University, I realised students were impressed by my S.2 Standard English. They flocked my campaigns because they always voted for persons that were possessed of the necessary oratory skills to speak what the electorate would not even understand. I created new buzzwords that were to last to this day and won with a landslide. I was potentially riotous in high school but rejected and despised smoking and drinking alchohol. Dancing was always my main problem. I often got suspended for escaping to dancing expeditions. Mbidde the revolutionaryHowever, I finally got expelled from Masuliita Boarding School and joined Kampala High School where I finished S.6. I ran a weekly newspaper at school called Mr Observer where I attacked the appalling school meals using colourful language. I wrote that the school instead ‘cooked stones and only added in little rice’ then the milk provided was not always ‘watery milk but milky water’. This excited students into a strike that started at night and by morning, there was massive destruction. I made the school ungovernable and being the chairman, Debating Council and a prefect, this was a thorn in the school administration’s flesh. But I have never regretted my actions because I believed in the cause. On minting money at an early ageI got my first job in senior four vacation. I was a newspaper vendor and by S.5, I had saved enough money and I bought a Toyota Carina Kiyengye. My parents condemned me, arguing I should have first built a house but I told them I have never seen anyone driving a house. To me a car is not a symbol of wealth but only a tool. By S.6 vacation, I bought the Financial Times newspaper, changed the name to Financial Trends but Ugandans were not interested in reading economics so I closed shop and ventured into other businesses. At university, I went for a degree in Mass Communication one month late as I was not sure I had been admitted on government scholarship. But during my study there, I met Dr Monica Chibita, the most motherly figure I have met in my academic life. She encouraged me to catch up. I was later to meet Dr Sylvia Tamale at the Faculty of L aw with the same values. They are such angels. She advised me against standing for the guild presidency as Mass Communication students did not usually make it to the guild. When I won the race, she shook my hands in disbelief. My happiest moment was when Mr Nobert Mao, who I always admired, but had only heard about, came to the university to canvass votes for me. I also admired Charles Rwomushana though now we keep arguing that I have bypassed him and I am his role model now. As a child, I had other role models like Kahinda Otafiire, Amama Mbabazi and Amanya Mushega. I admired their deadly debating skills. Out of politics, they still inspire me because they have maintained a degree of success. Human rights defenderMy saddest moment was when a math teacher gave me 100 strokes of the cane for failing 100 numbers out of 300. It was such a terrible experience that it shaped me into the human rights activist I am today. For that reason I never beat my children and that is why I applaud Fagil Mandy and his team for working to abolish corporal punishment in schools. Today’s children are growing up under the flower garden theory. They carry milk bottles to school and they are driven to and off loaded at school gates. We walked eight miles to school and that was good training! But I personally have no problem with it because that is development. They are luckier than us as they have computers and all the nice things technology comes with. 1 | 2 Next Page»Any regrets?Do I really have childhood regrets? May be missing out on the big schools of the day but then I found all their products at Makerere and ruled them instead. If I were to rewind my life clock and become a child once again, I would study astronomy because I am done with earthly matters. I want to see what lies beyond this earth. As told to Ivan Okudaeditorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/YasiinMugerwa/A-little-change-in-Speaker-s-office-could-do-us-good/-/878670/1675882/-/1ylef2/-/index.html","content":"A little change in Speaker’s office could do us good - House reforms. The wheel of change moves on and those who were down go up and those who were up go down. Likewise, in a chronically leaking boat, energy devoted to changing vessels is more productive than energy devoted to patching leaks - Jawaharlal Nehr and Warren Buffett. Like a ship sailing out on a misty trip, so bumpy and so long, far from the seashore and far away from home, Speaker Rebecca Kadaga finds herself in the eye of the storm. In trying to live up to her inaugural promise to be “a just judge”, Ms Kadaga, the most revered political figure in the House, is seemingly trapped in the murky world of our frivolous politics. For blocking the petition to recall the House from recess to discuss the separation of powers, rule of law and constitutionalism, Ms Kadaga has been labelled “a spineless Speaker” and called all sorts of things. The lawyers said by allowing some MPs to withdraw signatures, she set a terrible precedent. Others said Ms Kadaga was following “orders from above” and that as one of the card-holding leaders of the ruling party; she was under obligation to obey. I am told the former Speaker, James Wapakhabulo (RIP), made a different ruling on withdrawing signatures, but this was ignored.The politics aside, to protect the integrity of Parliament, the petitioners resolved to petition the Constitutional Court for legal interpretation. Having said that, those who followed the politics in Ms Kadaga’s election will agree with me when I differ with some political commentators who have called this woman a “coward”. If, indeed, she was faint-hearted, she wouldn’t have weathered the storm that bordered her candidature. A friend in government told me last year that the feeling in the Cabinet was that Ms Kadaga had “jumped the gun”. Mr Kiwanuka Ssekandi was their ideal candidate for the job though God had other plans for him. Even before the NRM MPs went to State House, Entebbe, to select the Speaker of the Ninth Parliament, Ms Kadaga was already a darling of many. In a private chat with friends in government, it became clear to me that in the eyes of ministers, Kadaga was no more than an opposition sympathiser. But her progressive approach to issues in the Seventh and eighth Parliaments, patriotism and dependability explain why some opposition lawmakers voted for Ms Kadaga and not Mr Nandala Mafabi, the opposition challenger. Ms Kadaga’s landslide victory reflected the public feelings. Ugandans wanted an independent Parliament, with a valiant speaker, who could tell the king that he is naked. Many Ugandans had given up on the previous spineless Parliament. Mr Ssekandi had some accomplishments, but his failure to stand up on corruption is partly the reason why the vice is unrelenting. But in trying to change this situation, Ms Kadaga and her deputy Jacob Oulanyah needs to be reminded that the honeymoon is over. If we agree that by changing nothing, nothing changes, then, it is time for us to change our garments and be clean. The petition has collapsed and the petitioners should forget the recall and move on. But looking forward, Ms Kadaga’s ruling should be an opportunity for members across the political divide to stop calculating which way is safest to jump and effect the amendments to the Constitution and the rules of procedure to make the Speaker’s office independent in its real sense.It has not been easy for Ms Kadaga but with the public, the allies in the Parliamentary Commission and responsive backbenchers across the political spectrum on her side, she has a big shoulder to lean on. Political impartiality As I have already told some members, the problem is not Ms Kadaga; it’s the loopholes in the rules of procedure and our unwillingness to follow the practices in serious democracies. Those who think Ms Kadaga can “go to war” with her party chairman are mistaken. She will certainly be tough on some things in the House, but on others, where the party chairman has an interest, she will be required to conform. No one can serve two masters. Either Ms Kadaga, or any other speaker, will offend public interest or please the party with majority in the House. This is not seeking an Utopia, partisan politics will always remain but the Speaker’s office could be removed from the bickering. Ms Kadaga does not want us to believe that there was political pressure exerted on her but from the underground meetings she had with the President, to allow a special sitting of the House would require an independent speaker - the one who does not have apologies to make. Until we effect the crucial amendments to the Rules of Procedure, more controversial decisions will continue to be made and because the NRM controls the majority in the House, the independence of Parliament will remain a crazy dream. This political gamesmanship we see in the House these days has demeaned the office of the Speaker and further eroded the dignity of Parliament. We all have things we need to change in the Constitution and in the Rules of Procedure of Parliament and today we start out by talking about the Speaker’s office. As the case in the House of Commons, the mother of all parliaments, a Speaker must be politically impartial. On election; the new speaker must resign from his or her political party and remain separate from political issues even in retirement. However, the speaker will deal with their constituents’ problems like a normal MP. The speaker is the chief officer and highest authority of the House and must remain politically impartial at all times. To achieve such a goal it is therefore necessary to provide safeguards against politically inspired interference, which is making Parliament ludicrous in the eyes of Ugandans. This will ensure sovereignty of Parliament and the chief executive will be constrained to uphold the constitutional equilibrium between the Executive, Parliament and the Judiciary. Let’s not forget that in a reality, a fair and impartial Speaker is fundamental to the proper functioning of any democratic parliament. A speaker, free of the pressures of party affiliation, can conduct the affairs of parliament without fear or favour, free from directions from the government or attacks of bias. Ugandans are supportive of a strong and independent speaker as a means of returning greater accountability to Parliament. The reluctance of governments, therefore to even consider it must be a matter of public concern. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/DanielKalinaki/To-win--Museveni-must-sometimes-lose-to-MPs/-/878782/1651876/-/g1k7mv/-/index.html","content":"To win, Museveni must sometimes lose to MPs - Now that the former Butaleja Woman MP, Cerinah Nebanda, has been laid to rest, let us try to reflect on the controversy surrounding the matter and what it tells us about the state of contemporary politics in Uganda. The first thing the brouhaha reveals is that the government has not learnt how to handle, let alone manage, a controversy. When a crisis breaks out, people want to see their government in charge. They want to know that the people paid to keep things in line are doing their job and know what they are doing. That does not necessarily mean rushing the President or the Inspector General of Police to the scene, as often happens. It means allowing the technical people to compile credible information and present it through credible channels, before the top officials can turn up for the cameras to show empathy towards the survivors and relatives. Rushing the President to Bududa after the landslide showed him as a caring President (if you can forgive the snide remarks about him totting his AK-47 rifle) but it did not translate into much to the survivors, many of whom are still trying to rebuild their lives years later. The events of the last two weeks also suggest that the government has not learnt how to read the public mind. We live in a time of untold suspicion towards those in power. As unfair as it sounds, we live in a time when the suspicious death of any politician or critical voice will be attributed to the state, until the state can prove its innocence. In the same way that opposition politicians are kept under house arrest because the police believe they are likely to commit crimes, the court of public opinion keeps government in the holding cell until it brings forth witnesses to prove it was not involved. In this kind of environment, fighting rumours plays right into the hands of the conspiracy theorists. The smarter way is to ask those who believe foul play was involved, to come forth and assist the investigations, while being transparent in the handling of the process. The arrest of pathologists and MPs might help demonstrate the might of the state but it can never prove that the state is right. In the days of Idi Amin, the thin line between fact and fiction gave rise to Radio Katwe, an underground rumour mill that was constantly fed by titbits of information. Many of the rumours on Radio Katwe were false or heavily exaggerated, but it was also a useful way to find new information about the regime and its agents. The banning of the Bimeeza open-air talk shows was supposed to suppress rumours and misinformation about the government. Instead it has pushed it underground and allowed it to flourish on social media and the mobile phone, which are considerably harder to police or shut down. As the Executive attempts to contain the growing number of anarchists in Parliament, it is likely to move beyond the usual means of stuffing their greedy mouths open with banknotes, to trying to keep them in jail. The Executive has grounds to feel aggrieved. Parliament’s refusal to listen to its side in the special sitting was at the very best unfair, and the decision to disengage from further post-mortem exercises could have been premature on the part of the MPs. Such confrontation is only likely to continue throughout the term of the current Parliament. The government can choose to spend the better part of its current term trying to contain Parliament, as it has attempted over the last two years, or it can get on with the more important business of governing the country and implementing its manifesto. An efficient government, especially one that has a majority in the House, can do both, but efficiency is an accusation one would struggle to sustain against the government. The Executive must be willing to lose some small battles to Parliament in order to win the upcoming war of re-election. There is a danger that, given an inch, Parliament will demand a mile but the alternative is that the government will spend its current term responding to what MPs say and do, even when it is based on misinformation. Uganda does not have the time to waste as politicians score political points. Twitter: @kalinakidkalinaki@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/The-two-blacks-in-the-Polish-parliament/-/689844/1616804/-/r0lo4l/-/index.html","content":"The two blacks in the Polish parliament - In a country where you can walk on the streets for close to a week without meeting a black African, John Abraham Godson and Killion Munyama stick out, but there is more to their visibility. They are members of the Polish parliament, Sejm, which is the lower house. Poland has a bicameral parliament Senat being the upper house. “The fact that we can be elected to parliament in a country that has less than 5,000 Africans tells a lot about the level of acceptance in this country, when it comes to the issue of minorities,” says Godson. Just about 4,000 black Africans live in this former communist dictatorship and satellite state of the defunct Soviet Union, whose population has hit 39 million. Many Poles know little about Africa. The most they have heard of the continent is South Africa, the leading economy on the continent. Two years ago, Godson, now a Polish citizen, was sworn in as the first black member of the Sejm. A year later, he was joined in the house by Munyama, a 51-year-old-Zambian, who has lived almost half of his life in Poland. Godson left Nigeria in 1999 after graduating from university to preach and teach English in Poland. But after four years of lecturing at the University of Poznan, he resigned and for the next 10 years, alongside his Polish wife, Aneta, spent their time preaching and doing social work. “It is then that a political party approached me and asked if I could run for a political seat. I declined. At first I was apprehensive because I was not a politician. I only enjoyed preaching and doing social work,” he recalls. People make demandsBut in 2003, when he moved to the city of Lodz, pressure from the electorate forced him to run for a district representative’s post. He won by a landslide. Godson later served as a councillor in the same city before taking up a parliamentary seat in 2010, vacated by a party colleague after local elections. He garnered over 30,000 votes, one of the best voter returns in the elections. “Winning the district representative’s position inspired me. Later I went for a council post and in 2007, for a parliamentary seat. I lost but in 2010 I became the first black MP in Poland.” He has four children with Aneta. “I love it here and I want to live the rest of my life here. I have become used to living in a country where I am in the minority. I have learnt Polish though at times my daughters have to correct me,” says Godson, who is a member of the centre-right Civic Platform party. It is still quite rare to see black people even in the Polish capital Warsaw, the country’s most cosmopolitan city. There have been cases of racism, but Godson says this is a rarity today. Godson was twice beaten up in racist attacks in the early 1990s, but he says attitudes towards black people are changing for the better, particularly since Poland joined the European Union six years ago. Godson, 42, was recently joined in the Polish parliament by Zambian-born academic Munyama. The 50-year-old Munyama stood in a rural constituency near the northwestern city of Pila for the governing centrist Civic Platform. Born in 1961, in Makala, outside the Zambian capital of Lusaka, Munyama went to communist-era Poland in 1982 for an economics degree course. As Poland shifted rapidly to the free market, he stayed on to do a PhD on the role of the International Monetary Fund in Zambia’s economic reforms, graduating in 1994. He has since been a lecturer in International Finance and runs a consultancy preparing bids for funding from the European Union, which Poland joined in 2004. In 2002 he was elected a councillor in the town of Grodzisk Wielkopolski. Days before Zambia celebrated its 47th independence anniversary, Munyama was celebrating his political victory, not in his native country, but across the seas and oceans. “I came to Poland on a scholarship and studied international finance and upon graduation in 1987, I returned to Zambia. I was employed in the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry for almost half a year. Then I returned to Poland for a PhD programme. Ever since, I have worked here. I have been a lecturer in International Finance since 1994 at the Poznan University of Economics,” he said. “It was not very easy being a student here during the communism era, but we managed to live on and you can see what we are achieving as Africans although we are a small community,” he says. “The situation in Poland before the 80s was totally different from what we have now and this is what has enabled us foreigners to assimilate and participate in politics,” says Munyama. “I was young when I came here, and I have learnt a lot living here. I feel so Polish. Growing up here was never easy but I was focused on my studies, but slowly I fell in love with the country and decided to return for my PhD and later made up my mind to live here,” says Munyama, whose wife of 20 years, Elizabeth is Polish. They have three children Jeffrey, 21, Pamela, 18 and Phillip, 10. 1 | 2 Next Page»“I have established some roots in Polish politics because this is not my first election but the fourth. I started at local government level in 2002 in a small city called Grodzisk. I was a councillor there for four years. Then I stood for the elections of Wielkopolska regional Parliament. “I have grown to be a politician here and I feel so much at home. I can only visit Zambia because that is where I was born and I keep in touch with some friends there. Poland is my home.” Munyama and Godson now sit in a committee to foster ties with Africa. “Our mission to market Poland as a destination Africans can come to live, work and even invest,” says Godson. A Polish/Africa chamber of commerce is being set up as part of the mission to build strong ties with the continent. Do they believe that a black man will one day be the president of Poland? “The country is growing to accept blacks as equals. It may take long it took America many years to have a black man as president, now we have Obama. Poland may also one day just have one,” says Godson. oayieko@yahoo.co.uk « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/1972-landslide-survivors-recount-horror/-/688334/1603926/-/104wj0mz/-/index.html","content":"1972 landslide survivors recount horror - When you talk about Mt. Elgon landslides, most people today will point at Bududa, Manafwa, Sironko and Bulambuli districts as the scenes of the worst mudslides in 1997, 2010, 2011 and 2012 in Bugisu sub-region. But Samuel Mukhwana, 74, and his wife Alice Nekesa, 67, say the the worst landslide they witnessed in Mt. Elgon sub-region was in August 8, 1972. Mukwana says many people dancing ‘Kadodi’, a traditional dance that accompanies male circumcision, had crossed over from Budadiri [Sironko District] to Bushiyi to visit maternal relatives for an official traditional send-off for the candidates to undergo circumcision. Mukhwana says then ‘Kadodi’ used to have big procession because the ‘Imbalu’ was still strong. People treasured it more than today where a number of people have gone to school and have become Christians so they do not regard the culture in high esteem. “There was dancing the whole night, we joined them, we rejoiced and drank before sleeping. So early in the morning, I got up and went to Shikkholo trading centre to go and meet a friend but somehow my friend delayed so I waited up to 11am and met him,” says Mukhwana. “Although it was raining so heavily, I covered myself with a banana leaf and set off on my journey back home at about 11.30am. The rain was heavy, it had actually rained heavily for about five days consecutively,” Mukhwana says. He reveals that villagers went about their businesses unknowing that tragedy was about to befall them. Mukhwana says: “At exactly 12:20pm, we heard a loud bang as rolling rocks shook the villages.” Alice Nekesa recalls hundreds of people had gathered and where dancing ‘Kadodi’ to accompany the candidates. “We heard a loud bang up in Mt. Elgon ranges. Then suddenly big stones and a mass of soil came lumbering downhill, scattering the already terrified people in all directions. After a while, it went quiet after many people had been buried,” she says. Mukhwana recalls that when he arrived at the scene, the ground looked like a freshly dug garden ready for planting, but that there were cries of children and adults. “We just stood and looked on as nobody could help us, the place was impassable and a slight drizzle, noise and thunder would trigger the fear that a landslide might strike again, then occasionally we took off, then gather the courage to come back,” he says. “I gazed at the sky to say a prayer after losing my entire family. And as I stood on the sides crying, I saw my wife gasping for air while lying in a pool of mud. I ran to her,” he adds. “This is the only soul I saved, we lost all our children. Nobody ever got them to give them a decent burial. My wife was admitted to Bududa Hospital before being transferred to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital,” says Mukhwana, breaking down into tears. Nekesa, visibly scared, sobbing and unable to move due to her permanent disability caused by the landslide, says whenever she hears about a landslide, she recalls the devastating landslide in 1972. “Although we can say that about 100 dancers from Budadiri and Bushiyi died, there are also people who were in their homes who died,” says Nekesa. “Actually this landslide could have killed about 500 people but nobody came to our rescue as Red Cross was only operating in Kampala, government was in Kampala, there was no newspaper that reported nor radio, it was in darkness,” Nekesa adds. Mukhwana and his wife, the only living survivor of the landslide say although they have got more children, “The thoughts of our dead children is still alive and we shall never forget because we did not give them a decent burial.” Previous incidentsLandslide have been striking this rugged part of eastern Uganda at least once each year since the 1950s. The 1972 landslide killed an unknown number of people but the most recent landslides are: The March 2010, landslide that struck Nametsi Village in Bududa District, killing about 350 people and displacing thousands, most of whom were resettled in Kiryandongo District. In 2011 there was another landslide in Bulambuli that killed about 28 people, In March a landslide in Sironko District killed six people. In June, there was another landslide that killed 18 people in Bududa District besides several small ones in Manafwa, Bududa, Sironko, Bukwo, Kapchorwa, Kween, Bulambuli and Bududa. 1 | 2 Next Page»dmafabi@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/How-OPM-staff-stole-from-the-poor/-/688334/1598494/-/1314nbsz/-/index.html","content":"How OPM staff stole from the poor - Monitor ReporterKampala Billions of shillings meant to help Ugandans affected by two decades of war rebuild their lives ended up building mansions for corrupt OPM officials in Kampala and buying luxury vehicles. As parents in war-ravaged northern Uganda tied their children affected by nodding disease to trees, corrupt technocrats in the ministry were flying off to exotic holiday destinations. Such was the impunity of the scam that a cashier, whose monthly salary is less than Shs1.5 million, regularly ‘lent’ the government hundreds of millions of shillings, which were paid back to his personal bank account. “Funds advanced to the cashier’s personal account were described as a refund of borrowed cash, making it appear as if the cashier lent government money from his personal savings,” the audit report noted. The cashier, Isaiah Oonyu, withdrew Shs3.2 billion in cash over a period of many months, often withdrawing as much as Shs100 million per day. More than half of the money was withdrawn using what might have been forged documents but another Shs1.5 billion was withdrawn with the authority and knowledge of the accounting officer and permanent secretary, Mr Pius Bigirimana, according to an audit by the office of the Auditor General. The multi-billion corruption scandal at the Office of the Prime Minister might never have been uncovered had it not been for a disagreement between two senior officials (names withheld for legal reasons) over sharing the loot. After mastering the system, rogue civil servants in the Office of the Prime Minister, in probably collusion with officials in the Finance ministry and the Central Bank, had managed to create a secret account to which they squirrelled billions of money in a few months. Meeting difficultiesStealing the money from the Treasury was the easier part, however. Collecting it and sharing it would become fraught with difficulties and lead to a fight that led to the unravelling of the scam. The Shs20 billion that was paid into the ‘secret’ Crisis Management Account (CMA) was gone within a few months. About Shs1.5 billion was withdrawn in cash. Another Shs2 billion was sent to the personal bank accounts of OPM staff, ostensibly to carry out government work. Another Shs1.8 billion was spent on buying motor vehicles, including, sources say, a state-of-the-art Mercedes Benz official car for the Prime Minister, Amama Mbabazi. The contracts for the purchase of the car had been signed before the money was sent to the account, the audit found, raising questions as to why the technocrats at the OPM would use money fraudulently obtained to pay for a budgeted activity. Another Shs4.6 billion was paid out from the CMA using what appear to be the forged signatures of Permanent Secretary Pius Bigirimana. An audit report by the Office of the Auditor General, however, suggests a wide conspiracy by several officials in the OPM to steal from taxpayers or, at best, mismanage public resources. Over the two years covered by the audit, Shs35 billion was paid into the personal accounts of OPM staff to carry out government work with the knowledge and authority of the accounting officer. Auditors did not find any accountability documents for the money and the payments into personal accounts was in violation of government regulations on managing public finances.Around the time the government could not find enough money to feed and treat children affected by nodding disease in northern Uganda, or rebuild homes for landslide survivors in Bududa, the OPM spent Shs6.9 billion on drafting a policy on disaster management. 1 | 2 Next Page»ImpunityIn the all-you-can-eat corruption buffet that was served up in Postel Building, the home of the OPM, thieving technocrats forgot to cover their tracks. A clever scam that was built on the ability to game one of the most sophisticated financial control systems ultimately foundered on the rocks of impunity and carelessness. The thieving technocrats did not expect the CMA to be audited, since it was ‘off budget’ and had, in many cases, not bothered to create accountability for the money they took. When the investigators came knocking, the hurriedly-assembled accountability stood out like a sore thumb. The hurriedly-assembled accountability An officer claimed to have bought 50 cartons of salt for the survivors of the Bududa landslide from a hardware shop. Shop owners confirmed they are not in the business of selling salt or other food items. •Another claimed to have used two trailers and Shs3.6 million in fuel to transport 35 bags (one tonne) of nails yet each trailer has the capacity to transport 400 bags (20 tonnes). •Two trailers were allegedly hired from Kampala, driven to Kigumba and then used to transport some firewood to the nearby town of Kiryandongo, only 10 kilometres away. •Receipts for money paid to a firm to plough a field in Kiryandongo were dated December 2010 yet payments were made in February 2011. •Officials claimed that 28 people had attended a workshop in eastern Uganda – the same number of OPM staff (11) and facilitators (17) who received Shs340,000 each. •A ministry vehicle reportedly used in supervision of a building project was serviced twice in the space of three days. •Accountability documents presented showed that a trailer that was delivering food in Kiryandongo, was also in Rakai, over 300 kilometres away, on the same dates. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/KaroliSsemogerere/The-economy-will-settle-US-election-scorecard/-/878682/1594376/-/dd4fxk/-/index.html","content":"The economy will settle US election scorecard - In about two weeks, Americans go to the polls to elect a President and Vice President, 435 Members of the House of Representatives and one third of the Senate. Americans routinely elect the sitting incumbent to a second term. Since 1960, only President Jimmy Carter and President George HW. Bush have failed in their bids for re-election. In 1968, Lyndon Johnson dropped out of the race for re-election as the unpopular war in Vietnam escalated. In 1976, President Gerald Ford narrowly lost to Jimmy Carter - in part a hangover of the public disgust with his predecessor Nixon’s political crimes. Carter lost re-election even though he brokered a landmark peace treaty between Egypt and Israel that to this day guarantees the right of Israel to exist. The historic Camp David Accord probably prevented an all-out war on the Arabian Peninsula and the Egyptian President Anwar Sadat may have paid for this treaty with his life in 1981. George Bush the elder lost in 1992 to Bill Clinton after prevailing over Desert Storm that routed Iraqi troops from Kuwait. His sky-high approval numbers came to earth in a sagging local economy, perhaps an economy that has never really recovered for decades ever since. Mr Bush, the last President to occupy the Oval Office from the House of Representatives, suffered from an image problem. He “was unfeeling” and “ignorant” of the day-to-day travesties of the ordinary folks. Bill Clinton, a talented politician, narrowly edged him to the White House. Carter narrowly lost to Reagan in 1980 in response to the same question, “Are you better off today than four years ago?” In summary, pocketbook issues trump all other issues in these elections. Reagan won in a landslide in 1984 (even though evidence was beginning to mount that Alzheimer’s was taking its toll) because the American electorate believed the economy was starting to recover after a decade of malaise, high oil gas prices, high unemployment and even missteps in Latin America and the Middle East did not seem to matter much. In 1996, Bill Clinton spun a tale for re-election by promising Americans he was better qualified to lead Americans across the bridge to the 21st Century over 72-year-old Senator Bob Dole. He left the White House with sky-high ratings having presided over the largest peacetime expansion of the American economy in history. It mattered little that the American economy came crumbling in 2001 and has remained in the doldrums ever since. While the American economy continues to grow nimbly and has fared better than the EU economy or Japan, new economies are growing much faster and laying claim to a greater share of the world’s economic resources. Before 2020, the Chinese economy will be larger than the American economy, having overtaken all the G-7 economies, including Japan in the last decade, in size. Brazil, India and to a lesser extent, Russia, have made great strides to transform themselves into global powers of the future even though none of them will reach the heights of the Great Americana. It is only one by one measure that the American economy seems set to remain at the top of all the others - defence spending. America’s nearly trillion dollar defence and foreign operations budget is more than 25 per cent of its federal budget outlays and is more than twice the next 10 countries’ defence spending combined as President Obama ably pointed out. China and Russia can only afford about $40 billion apiece in national defence spending. Projection of American power has exacted important economic advantages for American foreign interests but the law of diminishing returns seems to have caught up with this model. Unilateral exercise of American power seems to have been a big failure even though defence guarantees for countries like South Korea has fostered their unique place in the global economy. Ignoring Africa for so long as a potential partner due to the continent’s troubled past has limited its ability to participate in what is likely to be Africa’s century, the growth of a common market of more than 1 billion people. Europe in its inward expansion failed at this as well and China has been able to cherry pick the crown jewels of the economy by retaining its foreign exchange reserves to build an independent financial system capable of matching the West dollar for dollar and more in Africa. Candidate Mitt Romney, now favoured on the economy by a double point margin, seems to understand the state of disbelief and confusion that American voters have found themselves. Everything costs more but incomes are flat or falling. The mighty US dollar has depreciated by more than 50 per cent in real value since 2001. Romney, the Law/MBA graduate, seems to think domestic America is ready for more painful hammer and sickle cuts to get rid of the excess. These things, as Obama, the eloquent interlocutor says, are painful. It is equivalent to throwing Grandma on the street. The first Tuesday of November will report the final score on this one. Mr Ssemogerere, an attorney and social entrepreneur, practises law in New York. kssemoge@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/MuniiniMulera/In-memory-of-Katono--Citizen-of-the-Year-1968/-/878676/1538544/-/5tkst5z/-/index.html","content":"In memory of Katono, Citizen of the Year 1968 - Dear Tingasiga: Corruption in Uganda has evolved unique traditions, including a class system that apportions how much the members can fleece the victims. The three classes of the corrupt – the commoners, the aristocrats and the royals – enjoy a symbiotic relationship and protect each other’s interests from the nosy folks who are forever trying to expose their rot. The commoners take kitu kidogo (small amounts) from public or private transactions. When caught, they are swiftly prosecuted and jailed. The aristocrats, who populate the largest segment of the white-collar class, take kitu kikubwa (big amounts), usually from public transactions, up to 40 per cent of the official value. When caught, they are put through the motions of public interrogation. Some end up in jail though most seem to disappear into the noise of new scandals. The royals, a small fraction of the ruling class, help themselves to kitu kyote (the whole thing) as and when they see fit. When caught, they enjoy presidential protection, for they are good cadres in the No Change project. Not a single one of them has done time in jail. We do not know how many Ugandans enjoy membership in each of these classes. The corruption in the land is so pervasive that one is almost tempted to agree with Mr Green in Chinua Achebe’s No Longer At Ease in which the colonial Englishman claims that the African is corrupt through and through. “They are all corrupt,” repeats Mr Green in reaction to the arrest of Obi Okonkwo, a promising pre-independence Nigerian civil servant, recently returned from England, who has taken a bribe. I recall the anger with which I reacted to the fictional Mr Green’s statement the first time I read Achebe’s classic novel in high school. My youthful patriotism and anti-colonial passion did not allow room for doubt about the racist explanations for such statements. Time and experience have sobered my cocky dismissal of the Englishman’s observation. The mega-corruption scandals of the past 25 years in Uganda alone leave one breathless. And these are just the tip of the landslide. Trillions of shillings have been stolen in a national orgy of pinching from the public purse, the rot starting at the top and trickling down to the littlest of the citizens. It is enough to honour Chinua Achebe’s Mr Green for his accurate diagnosis of the African condition. However, that too would be an over-reaction. The truth is somewhere in between. Like all societies in the world, Uganda has a population with a rainbow of morals. We have many morally upright men and women who have neither stolen a cent from the public purse nor accepted the groceries that the rulers have used to control the population. They have faithfully discharged their duties and met their contractual obligations to others. We need to hear their stories alongside those of the corrupt which have become predictable and tiresome. I honour one man today for his exemplary conduct in the face of a most tempting opportunity in n August 1968. Mr Katono of Sindi, Rukiga, Kigezi, was a labourer and headman for the maintenance crew on the treacherous road through the Rukiri Mountains. He was my parents’ friend, having previously worked as a labourer under my father’s supervision at Mparo Health Centre. Early one morning, Katono arrived for work and discovered an overturned Barclays Bank Land Rover high up on the mountain, with bags of cash in the vehicle and a lot more scattered around the scene of the “accident.” Katono summoned Kuribakanya and Bangyendereire, his teenage sons, to hurry up the steep hill and keep watch while he hastily rode his bicycle to report his find to the Ssaza (County) Chief. The latter soon took charge of the situation and Katono continued with his work as a labourer. He later appeared as a state witness in the case of the Great Bank Robbery that has now entered legend. It was an inside job that involved collusion between the civilian robbers, the police and the bank staff responsible for transporting the millions of shillings from Kabale to Mbarara that morning. A couple of chaps went to jail. Other suspects are said to have got off scot-free, though one surmises that they too probably remain haunted by that great crime that shocked Kigezi out of its innocence 44 years ago. Even back then many people ridiculed Katono for foregoing this entandikwa that might have lifted his fortunes. “You will die poor,” they taunted him. To Katono, the question of stealing the loot never arose. The money belonged to Barclays Bank and that was that. Katono died a poor man, ridiculed and unappreciated but with a clean conscience. His little homestead at Sindi has since disappeared. Few locals recall him. But to me he remains the citizen to emulate. I honour Katono and immortalise him through the digital record. Let his story be told down the ages, along with those of the numerous Katonos that populate our land and labour in obscurity but with clean hands. Not all Africans are corrupt, Mr Green. Dr Mulera is a Daily Monitor columnist based in Canada. muniinikmulera@aol.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Wait-a-minute--here-comes-Somalia-with-a-blank-page/-/689364/1507784/-/4pjidtz/-/index.html","content":"Wait a minute, here comes Somalia with a blank page - Somalia As they gathered to welcome the newly-elected President of Somali, Prof. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, my mind wandered a little bit, landing at the country’s national theatre. I love imaginative stuff and where else, if not inside a theatre? Before the action on the stage, a bit of the theatre’s recent history rolled through the mind. Last March, the facility that mirrors the country’s rich heritage came back to life after more than two decades of inaction. At the reopening ceremony, colour and ululation rent the air. The international media that has seemed to followed a certain script on Somalia went ecstatic about it, painting an image of a new dawn. They were not entirely wrong. Like last Monday’s ceremony to usher in the new President, the theatre event was a great milestone; sort of a metaphor of the reconstruction going on in Mogadishu. A month later, in April, trouble struck: Militants from the Al-Shabaab group that has caused Somalia sleepless years, hit the national facility, killing top sports officials. The then premier, Dr Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, survived narrowly. At the event to welcome the new occupant of the Villa Somalia, the country’s seat of power in Mogadishu, was a very interesting twist. Former President Sheikh Ahmed Sharif Ahmed, who was initially expected to win the polls by a landslide, conceded defeat saying it was the first fair election in Mogadishu for 42 years - since Mohamed Siad Barre took over in 1969. That was another great reason for the country to ululate. A few other quick observations: There was a huge presence of the Somalia Diaspora participating in the poll, as legislators and youthful energy, plus a variety of skills in the house. TerrainBack to my woolgathering. Does this youthful crowd have an idea how much responsibility it is putting on their shoulders? Does it understand the rough terrain of Somalia politics, especially due to the diverse interests that converge there? The conclusion on this matter is that Somalia is a long way to go; elections were just a step towards the right direction, but the real test is not. But it can be managed with the right mix of factors, with Somalis leading the way, not the so called international community whose interest is in their pockets. And there are quick lessons from recent African history. South Africa is under great pressure from the ruled majority. The mine workers are up in arms against oppression and years of betrayal by their own brothers, with whom they fought against the apartheid system. With Julius Malema’s show of solidarity, as he seeks relevance after he lost his political home to the ANC kingpins, the workers are on the roll. The military also seems to be warming up to Mr Malema too, if their applause during his address last Wednesday is anything to go by. In short, it is an act against betrayal by their own leaders. South Sudan that celebrated its first independence anniversary last July, has some lessons for Somalia too. In the bush, while the SPLM struggled to liberate the then southern Sudan, from northern Sudan, it was total solidarity. The young, even women, were involved, without considering classes if indeed they existed. Then the colourful flag went up. At that point, social classes became clear. Those who took charge had their interests to satisfy. So far, there are a number of pending corruption cases, and very little progress to report, a year after the country first played its national anthem. The theatre in Mogadishu may still be rusty, but there are efforts to keep the shows going. What may not be immediately clear is what kind of shows, for the ordinary Somalis or the high and mighty, mostly weaned on foreign productions somewhere in London, Washington or Nairobi? It is a blank page for Somalia, the youthful leaders decide what they want to put on the pages. The world is watching with great interests, what are your interests?"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Best-gift-to-Uganda-50-is-restoration-of-term-limits/-/689364/1501364/-/du9u9y/-/index.html","content":"Best gift to Uganda@50 is restoration of term limits - As we approach the celebrations of 50 years of Uganda’s Independence, our focus should be on how to ensure a bright future for our country. The first half of these was coupled with insecurity, dictatorships, coups, wars and bloodshed - a real false start - for the country. Among the few achievements we can talk about in the last 50 years so far is the 1995 Constitution. This Constitution was made with the aim of ensuring peace and democracy in Uganda. Sadly, this noble was desecrated in 2005, with the removal of Article 105(2) which restricted the presidential term limits to two five-year terms. Our history has been characterised by violent transfer of power. The removal of the term limits provision from the Constitution created uncertainty as it pulled Uganda back into politics of survival. This kind of politics has led to the suffering and death of many Ugandans. Reinstating term limits will thus ensure a peaceful and regular transfer of power and authority for the first time ever in Uganda’s history. Like Archbishop Cyprian Lwanga said, “the greatest gift that Museveni can give to Uganda is a smooth transfer of power”. There is a group of people saying what Uganda needs is electoral reforms, not term limits, because leaders can be changed through regular elections. I agree. However, merely holding regular elections are not enough, especially in a situation where these elections are not only rigged at the ballot box, but also by other means, including the stifling of alternative opinions. A scenario where political opposition to the government is criminalised, not funded, denied a platform, marginalised, and confronted with the full force of State, does not point to the use of election as a means of changing power peacefully. Tunisia’s Ben Ali and Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak had ruled their countries for decades. Interestingly, there were regular elections in both countries in which their parties would emerge victorious with landslides. Yet shortly after overwhelmingly ‘winning’ elections, citizens of both Tunisia and Egypt started demanding for change of leadership. The question is, from where were both Mubarak and Ali getting their landslide victories? Who votes them into power? Today, many Ugandans have lost hope in elections as a means for changing leadership, most especially at the presidential level. For instance, in the last elections (2011), the voter turn out in Uganda reportedly stood at 59 per cent. But this figure was much lower compared to that of the previous election which reportedly stood at nearly 70 per cent. It is apparent that the youth who constitute the majority of our population are slowly but surely shying away from participating in the country’s elections. In such a scenario, the removal of term limits is an endorsement to de facto life presidency in Uganda. As the current leaders in Uganda try to entrench themselves in power, there is evidence of growing patronage system. For our leaders to continue ruling despite the otherwise waning support, citizens are subjected to enduring the burden of a bloated public administration and the accompanying high expenditure. Consider the more than 70 ministers, many presidential advisors, 112 district chairpersons, more than 200 RDCs, and about 400 MPs, among other public servants. Of what value is such public administration to citizens? The sad part is that all these are financed at the expense of vital public services such as health, education, electricity, and roads all of which are currently in a very sorry state. Those who advocate for the restoration of term limits across the board, not only at presidential level, should know that it is a president who is vested with constitutional powers to oversee how the country is managed. They determine more than anyone else how jobs and resources are allocated. Therefore, changing the president means a changing the entire political landscape as well. It is also worth noting that the Judiciary, as the arbiter in elections cases, find it easier to pronounce themselves on lower level elections petitions than on presidential petitions.Term limits will restore hope in Ugandans that it is possible to effect regime change without resorting to unconstitutional means like the NRM was forced to do in 1980.It will also encourage citizens effective participation in the politics of their country. Healthy competition brings about the best in leadership - better ideas, skills, dynamism, vibrant political parties, etc, all of which lead to development of the country. Therefore, I call upon our to our MPs to speed up the process of reinstating presidential term limits in the Constitution to ensure stability and growth of democracy in Uganda. Ms Kyomugasho works at Centre for Constitutional Governance -Kampalakyomugasho3@yahoo.co.in"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/DanielKalinaki/-/878782/1497696/-/ra8bvtz/-/index.html","content":"Instead of Kabwegyere why don’t our MPs reject some of these ministries? - The Appointment’s Committee of Parliament has been playing cat-and-mouse with President Museveni after it declined to uphold his nomination of Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere as Gender Minister.The committee also declined approval for a one Aidah Nantaba, state minister-designate for Lands. Ms Nantaba appeared to have been tripped up by some ghosts lurking in her academic closet but at the time of writing it appeared like the Uganda National Examinations Board had exorcised them and saved her from returning to school and the unending search for ‘x’. Prof. Kabwegyere, on the other hand, appeared to have tripped over his past record in Cabinet where he left with his foot permanently stuck in his mouth. The women’s lobby group said Kabwegyere had opposed the Marriage and Divorce Bill and was therefore unfit to run the Gender ministry. The committee is wrong. Kabwegyere should not be punished for his views – whatever they are – on a piece of legislation, especially one as contentious as this one. Dialogue and civilised disagreement are at the heart of democratic processes. Proponents of the Bill have a duty to try and convince as many people, both in and out of Parliament, about why this would be a good, progressive law. They have no right to single out and target opponents of the Bill, real and imagined, or lobbying to frustrate their appointments. This is not to suggest that Kabwegyere was necessarily a brilliant minister. During his stint as Disaster Minister, Prof. Kabwegyere was never once successfully accused of being competent. His handling of Pangagate, when flimsy tin-foil-like toys were handed over to people in camps in northern Uganda to clear the bush from the homes they were returning to, was as accomplished as a fish hopping between tree branches. For many, the enduring image of his, well, disastrous time in that ministry was footage of him effortlessly putting away one beef samosa after another in Parliament while urging the people of Teso, then starring famine in the face, to be adventurous, remain steadfast, and go find themselves some mangoes and other wild fruit. The committee can challenge Prof. Kabwegyere’s competence but it should not stifle his views.The bigger danger around the work of this committee is the secrecy with which it conducts its affairs. MPs on the committee have for many years rejected attempts to bring the daylight of transparency to their proceedings, such as having their hearings held in public. What do they have to hide? Citizens have a right to know about the ministers, ambassadors, and other political appointees that are nominated to represent their interests. Holding these hearings in camera has turned them into a lobby shop in which well-connected but slimy characters can emerge untouched, while unpopular but competent folk could get sledge hammered on the anvil of political showmanship. Here is how the committee can make itself very useful: How about they reject, not just the nominees to some of these positions, but the positions themselves?Why do we need a minister for disaster preparedness? What exactly is this person and their assistant ministers supposed to do? Lead a national fire drill every six months? Ensure we are all fit and ready to run from the next riot or landslide? What about the minister for Teso affairs? Or Bunyoro affairs? What is so delicate about those matters that they have to have dedicated ministers suckling off the national breast? Why then don’t the Samia or the Alur have their own ministers to delicately handle their totem poles and recite their cultural lines? Instead of playing games with nominees, the committee should draft a well-worded letter to the appointing authority, advising him to attach a job description to each of the nominated ministerial positions, as well as key performance indicators, including how many people they have to lift out of poverty every six months or how many disasters they have to prevent. I would have offered my services (for a fee, of course) to draft the letter, but I suspect the committee might have a problem approving me, seeing that I have not seen my O’level certificate in many years (and do not wish to be reminded of it, either). I am sure the Appointing Authority, on the other hand, would have no objections to any professional support your columnist would render to the committee. After all we have a small pool of good people to choose from, no? dkalinaki@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Nyanzibiri--Breathtaking-twin-lakes-separated-by-a-road/-/691232/1488942/-/k8fkdiz/-/index.html","content":"Nyanzibiri: Breathtaking twin lakes separated by a road - How do I get to Nyanzibiri?” In Magambo Parish, Rubirizi District, this is a question that most of the residents seem to have heard before, and have always eagerly answered. Why? Because Nyanzibiri is their pride. Located two kilometres from Nyakasharu trading centre, along the Mbarara-Kasese highway, Nyanzibiri are explosion crater lakes in the Bunyaruguru crater field which are about 300 metres apart (a road runs between them). It is about 10,000 years since the lakes were formed, as a result of volcanic activity. Jamil Sewaya, a geographer, explains that the volcanic activity was a result of intense heat and pressure in the upper mantle or interior of the earth. “The heat was brought about by geochemical reaction and radio activity in the earth. Later, gaseous explosions occurred, blowing off the surface rocks, forming a round shaped and fairly flat depression. Over time, the depression was filled with rain water, leading to the formation of the explosion crater,” explains Sewaya. “Nyanzibiri” is a Runyankole word which means “two lakes”. One of the lakes is called Kamweru and the other is Kyeema (its full name is Kyeema ky’enzubu). There is no factual explanation for the origin of either names but, myths have it that Kamweru, which is a Runyankole word that means “productive of”,was called so because before the formation of the lake, any crop cultivated in this area would yield. Kyeema ky’enzubu, is a Runyaruguru name which means “a school of hippos”. Likewise, myths suggest that before the volcanic activity, the area where Kyeema sits was always frequented by hippos, thus the name. A view of the lakes from a nearby hill leaves with you a snap decision about the next photo to upload on your facebook timeline or twitter page. The panoramic view is one to behold, stately, yet quiet and gentle lakes. Kamweru, has green coloured water and Kyeema, blue. Beauty that speaks to the soul! The view is complemented by the sounds of birds tweeting and whistling, together with crickets chirping, all from the surrounding green plantations. Back in the dayHowever, 50 years ago, the twin lakes offered a different view- albeit better, from today’s. Daniel Katugano, an elder who has been living in Magambo Parish for the last 70 years, says there was a forest where the plantations at the shores of the lake lie today, “Both lakes were surrounded by a forest which was home to a big number of monkeys and chimpanzees. Around the 1960s, people began encroaching on the forests to create more land for cultivation. Since there was nobody to stop this trend, what started as morsels being taken went on until when the entire forest was cleared,” narrates Katugano adding: “Aside from losing the forest, most of the monkeys and chimpanzees also migrated. Nevertheless, there are few left. Although the plantations guarantee food for the members of the community, clearing of the forests weakened the soil and rock materials beneath which made the surrounding slopes susceptible to landslides when it rains heavily.” The elder recalls that around 2007, there was a landslide and the resultant soil poured in Lake Kamweru, leading to massive death of fish. The local community’s pride in Nyanzibiri is not only in its being a popular spot for tourists, but also a source of fish and water. The popular fishing method which is used to catch fish types like tilapia and mudfish here is gill net fishing. The caveIf Nyanzibiri is cake, then its icing is the beautiful historic cave at the shore of Lake Kamwezi that has a stream flowing through it, a neat and splendid site that oozes mother nature’s sense of art and design. Morris Ayebare, a manager, at Nyanzibiri Community Eco- Campsite, which manages the cave, says before morphing into a tourist destination, the cave preliminarily served other purposes. “In the past, the cave was a used as a sacrificial ground as well as other rituals performed to cleanse off misfortunes. Then during Idi Amin’s regime, it offered refuge to those fleeing the brutality of the then government as well as wars. Currently, it is only serves the purpose of being a tourist site.” The cave’s serenity merged with the gurgling stream offer a frequently sought and rarely found environment for meditation. Eco Campsite offers a number of facilities to tourists, such as accommodation (in both the cottages and tents), meals, entertainment and a cultural museum in which one learns about the Banyaruguru culture. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/ugandaat50/Rebecca-Kadaga--A-woman-of-all-political-seasons/-/1370466/1485864/-/158wu9wz/-/index.html","content":"Rebecca Kadaga: A woman of all political seasons - Anyone who knew Rebecca Kadaga in the early years of her career would remark at how ironic her initial aversion to relying on a government position as her road to success transformed into a 22-year-long exodus as a National Resistance Movement (NRM) politician. When she opened Kadaga and Company Advocates in 1984 after a stint as legal assistant at Obol Ochola Law Chambers, she seemed set for a life away from government and direct participation in politics. But, the government service she started as the Member of Parliament for Kamuli District in 1989 built up to her current position in the third-highest political office as Uganda’s first female Speaker of Parliament. Madam Speaker Her landslide victory of 302 votes to Nandala Mafabi’s 72 on 19th May 2011 signaled Ugandan MP’s readiness to follow her example of putting national interests above party politics. Validation for “the people’s speaker” tag came quickly. In April 2012 when Uganda became the first East African country to host the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the world’s largest union of 159 national Parliaments, she called on NRM and non-NRM support in showcasing Uganda’s positive attributes to the visiting delegates. But the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and Activists for Change (A4C) staged a walk-to-work protest during the assembly that was, in her opinion, the 9th Parliament’s contribution to Uganda’s golden jubilee celebrations. Many opined the opposition had taken advantage of her accommodative attitude. The style with which she referees parliamentary sessions is evenhanded, a trait so unusual among party-affiliated politicians that she has publicly said she will not give in to pressure from fellow NRM party members to muzzle opposition voices. The example of her conduct, and directly marketing a Ugandan candidate to other states helped Margaret Zziwa become a speaker at the East African Legislative Assembly. For such efforts she won an award for helping the East African integration process, and also earned the respect of most Ugandans for being the voice of reason in a Parliament fraught with political frictions. Kadaga the fearlessTwo weeks after her election, the Hansard of May 25th 2011 quoted her thus, “You know hon. Members I did not want to apply the rules strictly during this orientation. I am waiting for you to have maiden speeches before I start hitting people on the head. The whip will be later; for now let us just listen to each other.” When the hitting began, she was accused of selectively interpreting house rules to her advantage when she initially refused to recall Parliament until MP’s stipulated the agenda for the discussion on Uganda’s oil agreements, even though they had the one-third required for reconvening. By the time of reconvening on October 10th 2011, her argument of not meeting only to greet each other in order to save taxpayers money on MP’s sitting allowances won admiration from most Ugandans for standing her ground even when they threatened her with a censure motion. When she instituted investigations for oil-bribe allegations on 3 ministers—Premier Amama Mbabazi, Foreign Affairs Sam Kuteesa, and Hilary Onek of Internal Affairs, it seemed like a betrayal to the party since, like them, she too was an NRM MP. Ugandans appreciated her readiness to fight beyond lip-service what she called crisis-level corruption that cost East African member states a combined annual loss of 500billion and with 20% of government budgets being diverted for private use by officials. That she still maintains objectivity which is a rare quality for lawyer-legislators who lose any they ever had with the deal-making and appeasement that attend the political process is another reason why many, including even opposition Attorney General Abdu Katuntu who led the reconvening-for-oil crusade, call her the “best speaker Uganda has ever had.” Uganda’s next top leader?Even with the hurdle of NRM primaries to jump past if she ever heeded popular opinion and vied for Uganda’s presidency come 2016, Rebecca Kadaga is being encouraged to announce her candicacy, which she told Busoga region leaders she will do only if other regions backed her up. 1 | 2 Next Page»Consistency of objectivity in political decision-making, and social justice for grass root wanainchi, the qualities she is currently adored for position her as a viable option for female president, which many think is the elixir that will positively transform Uganda’s politics. Results of a survey conducted by Research World International from March 19th to April 6th 2012 showed 62% of respondents seconded her being Uganda’s next President. This resonated with Kabale Diocese’s Rev. Fr Gaetano Batanyenda’s assessment of her as “the best woman candidate for the presidential race come 2016.” Whether her political career will survive the in-fighting in NRM created by such speculation, or whether the party will survive the succession debate she has been sucked into remains to be seen. Factfile:• Born 24th May 1956 in Kamuli to George Wilson Madali and Eve Kadaga.• Attended Shimoni Primary School and Namasagali College• Bachelor of Law, Makerere University (1978)• Diploma Legal Practice, Law Development Centre (1979)• President, Federation of Uganda Women Lawyers (1986/1989)• Secretary General, East African Women Parliamentarians Association (1996)• Uganda Minister for Regional Cooperation ; Africa and Middle East (1996-98)• State Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Cooperation (1996-1999)• Minister of State for Communication in charge of Aviation. (1998-99)• Minister of Parliamentary Affairs (1999-2000)• Diploma in Women’s Law (2000) and MA; Women’s Law (2003), University of Zimbabwe. • Deputy Speaker of Parliament (2001-2011). editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kasese-by--election--who-is-telling-the-truth-/-/688334/1481708/-/kdcunv/-/index.html","content":"Kasese by- election: who is telling the truth? - Kampala. Who is telling the truth and who is lying?That is the question whose answer Kasese voters and the public are waiting to hear from the two seemingly warring national institutions—the Uganda Police Force and the Electoral Commission (EC). This follows two separate midweek statements issued by the police and the EC, countering each other’s version of what transpired in the recent Kasese District Woman by-election. The seat fell vacant after court nullified the election of FDC’s Winfred Kiiza over election irregularities in June. Ms Kiiza emerged winner of the August 8 polls, beating NRM’s Rehema Muhindo, and DP’s Rosemary Masiko with a landslide victory of more than 60 per cent. Ms Muhindo conceded defeat and subsequently announced her retirement from politics—citing lies as having cost her the victory. Ms Kiiza, has not yet been gazetted though EC on Thursday promised to speed up the process. The ping-pong between EC and police has raised eyebrows among the public. In a statement, the police dismissed arguments that the arrest of Kasese District returning officer Valley Kanzira, (on August 11) interrupted the timely transmission of election results. The police further described the EC claims that it took away all documents required to gazette the election results as “false.” “Our version of what transpired during and after the Kasese District woman by-election is nothing but factual information,” said police spokesperson Simon Kuteesa on Thursday. He added: “What the statement contains is the chronology of events as it unfolded. So we did what we are supposed to do and that should not mean that we interrupted the operations of the EC in any way.” Mr Kuteesa wondered how police in its investigations can stop the election prefect from transmitting results that it has declared free and fair. “We do not have those documents that are needed to gazette the election results. It is with the driver of the returning officer who is at large. However the returning officer is now free, so he should tell EC where he kept the tally sheets.” Mr Kanzira was arrested over alleged fraud during the elections and it is understood that the police, while arresting him, took with them forms the EC headquarters needs to order for a gazette. Earlier in the week, EC spokesperson Willy Charles Ochola said the commission had noted the interruption caused by the police affected the final process of gazetting the results. “Our hands are tied. We cannot gazette her (Ms Kiiza) not until police releases the returning officer and the documents which they took with him.” The EC statement falls short of telling the police to mind its boundary and obligations. “Police is lying to the public. Its version of what happened is not true at all,” FDC party spokesperson Wafula Oguttu told Saturday Monitor on Thursday. Ms Kiiza also accuses the police of delaying the process of transmitting the results and misguiding the public. “The police picked documents containing the results from the returning officers and that is why up to now it has not been gazetted,” she said. However, both Ms Kiiza and Mr Wafula said they have assurance from EC boss Badru Kiggundu that by close of Friday (yesterday), the result would have been gazetted. Election observers have also weighed in on the Kasese polls, with Democracy Monitoring Group, saying the confusion surrounding the transmission of the result was created after the official exercise. DEMGroup director John Mary Odoy said what is happening now could have probably been created by external influence—with politicians lurking behind the scenes. “Certainly there is something wrong happening, because by the time the tallying was done, everything was alright, prompting the EC top boss to declare the exercise as well done.” Citizens Coalition for Electoral Democracy In Uganda, on the other hand, said the confusion seems to have been sorted out with the release of the returning officer. “I am aware that the results are now being transmitted and the process for gazetting the result is also underway,” said project coordinator Crispy Kaheru. 1 | 2 Next Page»editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Kasese-by-election-was-between-Winnie-Kiiza-and-security-forces/-/689364/1480994/-/10kwfk5/-/index.html","content":"Kasese by-election was between Winnie Kiiza and security forces - I was in Kasese for four days until the day after polling day and therefore I am witness to the climax of the election campaigns and the activities of polling day and after. The national leaders of NRM, FDC and DP campaigned for their respective candidates in the final days of the campaigns. During the night of August 6 which was the last day of campaigns, the Police launched raids and arrested many FDC supporters who had come to assist their candidate. An attack on Hon. Christopher Kibanzanga’s house, which developed into a 10-hour siege, was launched at about the same time. About 50 FDC supporters were arrested during those raids and transported to Fort Portal, presumably to make it impossible for them to assist the candidate of their party. The siege of Kibanzanga’s house attracted hundreds of onlookers who were dispersed with tear gas. The use of excessive force by Police eventually backfired and it is one of the reasons that contributed to the defeat of NRM in Kasese Municipality, which hitherto had been an NRM stronghold. For the Kasese people, these unnecessary acts of violence exposed the Police as a partisan instrument of the NRM party. Kibanzanga is a highly respected brother of Iremangoma, the king, and is considered among those who led the struggle for the recognition of the kingdom. It was, therefore, a major error to attack his residence and attempt to break down his gate. The numerous arrests also attracted adverse publicity for NRM and clearly indicated that there was panic in the NRM camp. In fact, some of the NRM leaders who had come to Kasese actually went back to Kampala prematurely. It was also good luck for FDC because the timing of the attack gave us enough time to evaluate its impact and take corrective measures that neutralised its intended objectives. The world was quickly informed of the excessive police violence and the publicity forced the Police to release the political prisoners they had transported to Fort Portal without charging them with any offence. Later at a pre-polling day meeting convened by the Electoral Commission, this issue was not raised since the Police leadership had decided to send a junior officer to the meeting, who probably had nothing to do with ordering the arrests. On polling day more arrests of FDC supporters were effected by the Police, mainly of polling agents who came from outside the district. As everyone now knows, the FDC candidate scored a landslide victory as expected. But the NRM seems to have been caught off-guard, which is quite surprising. In Kasese they did everything wrong. They had no appropriate message, they took the wrong actions and when their tramp card, the President, went there they did not brief him properly about what he should say. They transported people from as far as Bunyaruguru to his last rally in Kasese Municipality and these were not voters at all. All in all, there was no way NRM could have won in Kasese. The FDC even took three of the four Local Government posts which were up for grabs that day. Therefore, it is surprising that the returning officer was arrested, presumably for not ensuring an NRM victory. But how could he have done it? There is no doubt that FDC had no contact with the man. When the numerous arrests took place we contacted officials of the EC headquarters and the top leadership of the Police. Until the pre-polling meeting we did not have his telephone number and since he is new in Kasese, probably the Kasese FDC leaders were not yet acquainted with him. So why was the man arrested? Why are the election results of Kasese not gazetted yet, since the Police deny interference? Although the law provides for one polling constable at a polling station, in Kasese there were about five officers at every polling station. The voting materials were under Police guard at all times. So how can anyone imagine a possibility of rigging by FDC? It is high time NRM realises that the people are just tired and want change. Just take back Bihande for another by-election and the margin will be even wider. Mr Ruzindana is a former IGG and former MP. a_ruzindana@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/NRM-in-crisis-meet-after-Kasese-defeat/-/688334/1475542/-/ai77t9z/-/index.html","content":"NRM in crisis meet after Kasese defeat - The re-election of opposition Forum for Democratic Change candidate Winfred Kiiza as the Kasese District Woman Member of Parliament with a landslide appeared yesterday to have thrown the ruling National Resistance Movement party into panic. This newspaper understands that top party stalwarts, some hankered down in Kasese and others in Kampala, were locked in a series of meetings since the declaration of Ms Kiiza’s resounding victory early yesterday morning. Sources indicated that the meetings were characterised by attempts to comprehend why the opposition has white-washed the ruling party at yet another parliamentary by-election. Ms Kiiza trounced her closest challenger, NRM’s Rehema Muhindo, with a commanding 61.3 per cent—and a margin of close to 40,000 votes between the two women. The result marks six wins for the opposition out of seven parliamentary by-elections held in the current term of the 9th Parliament. NRM party spokesperson Karooro Okurut, who was attending one of the soul-searching meetings, said she was not at liberty to comment on the Kasese defeat and said a decision was taken to leave that responsibility to the party’s Deputy Secretary General, Ms Dorothy Hyuha, who is camped in Kasese. Ms Hyuha later told Daily Monitor that the party was yet to “appreciate” the outcome of the Kasese vote and was still analysing returns from various poll stations before making a conclusive analysis of its misfortune. “I cannot easily appreciate that this is the real outcome of this election,” she said. “We are still analysing the situation.” However, Ms Hyuha was coy when asked to say what could have inspired this latest by-election defeat. “Every by-election has had its own peculiar situation and challenges,” she said, dismissing suggestions that the electoral losses are a reflection of waning support for President Museveni and his administration. “It cannot be a worry. Are you aware that in Parliament with slightly over 300 MPs we [NRM] have 256? There are parties like Conservative Party which have one member and they are represented,” she said, adding, “Kasese has had its own challenges; the geography, the past experience.” Although the ruling party maintains that these losses may not matter given its numerical strength in the House, the opposition victories are the most current indicator of the NRM’s popularity in places they were understood to be competitive. “There are serious problems in NRM, starting from the secretariat to the leadership at grassroots level. They are divided,” said veteran politician Aggrey Awori. Mbabazi factorHis comments echo repeated reservations by party faithful over the mobilisation skills of the party’s Secretary General, Mr Amama Mbabazi, and his team. Touted by many as aloof and lacking the verve to sway voters, Mr Mbabazi has not been seen in the campaign trenches, preferring instead to keep to the demands of his Prime Minister’s job while President Museveni, labelled the charmer-in-chief, has hit the campaign trail to draw in the votes. At a recent meeting with ruling party mobilisers in Buganda region, however, President Museveni said he would appoint a substantive full time secretary general on grounds that the party was losing many by-elections due to lack of an active secretary general. However, NRM Vice Chairman for Eastern Region, Mr Mike Mukula, said it would be wrong to blame Mr Mbabazi for the party’s recent misfortunes even when the presence of President Museveni campaigning for party candidates has done little to sway voters. “I wouldn’t blame the Secretary General. This is even beyond the Secretary General,” he said. “Now, if a bigger gun [Museveni] goes to campaign, who is the secretary general?” Mr David Bahati, the acting NRM caucus chairman in Parliament, yesterday said the party’s performance in recent by-elections had left stalwarts agreed on “the need to strengthen the functionality of the Secretariat.” 1 | 2 Next Page»Both Mr Awori and Mr Mukula, however, put the NRM losses down to growing public angst over the Museveni administration record on corruption, service delivery, poverty and unemployment. “Corruption is polluting the atmosphere,” said Mr Awori. “Even when there is a little hope [for victory] it evaporates.” egyezaho@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/Uganda-s-coffee-shipments-nosedive/-/688616/1461162/-/fcybv7/-/index.html","content":"Uganda’s coffee shipments nosedive - Uganda is on the brink of suffering a decline in her overall exports now that coffee-the country’s leading commodity, has recorded a drop in both volume and value. Statistics from the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) for June, the ninth month on the coffee calendar show that 275,057 (60-kilo) bags of coffee worth $36.62 million were exported. “Cumulatively coffee exports for the first nine months of 2011/12 totaled 2,011,961 bags valued at $293.6 million. This was down from the 2,124,133 (60-Kilo) bags valued at $300.6m for October,” the UCDA report said. This performance represented a 5.28 per cent and 2.33 per cent drop in volume and value respectively. Experts say the situation is further aggravated by the declining global prices which will have a ripple effect on farmers at the grassroots, who are already battling high poverty levels- currently rated between 34 to 24 per cent. With barely three-months to the close of the coffee year-running October-September-Uganda is running behind schedule. Farm-gate prices for Robusta Kiboko averaged at Shs1,800 per kilogramme; FAQ Shs.4,000 per kilo and Arabica parchment Shs.4,800 per kilo. UCDA further says: “Year-on-year cumulative coffee exports from July 01, 2011 to June 31, 2012) totaled 3.04 m bags worth $441 million comprising of Robusta (2.24 million bags) and Arabica (0.80 million bags).” Coffee exports in June 2012 amounted to 275,057-kilo bags worth $36.6 million. This comprised 215,946 bags ($ 26.61 million) of Robusta and Arabica, 59,111 bags ($ 10.00 million) Looking at the species performance, Robusta posted a decline when it dropped by 29.5 per cent and 35.3 per cent in terms of volume and value, respectively. While Arabica which has been showing growth in the past months, this time around dropped by 8.4 per cent and 41.57 per cent, in volume and value, respectively compared to the same period last year 2010/11. The International Coffee Organisation (ICO) monthly average composite indicator price further dropped to US cents/lb 145.31 in June down from 157.68 in May, 160.46 in April and 167.77 in March 2012, depicting a negative trend. The 2012/13 Brazilian crop is estimated to be 50.6 million bags, putting pressure on the coffee prices. World total Production for 2011/12 is estimated to be 131.31 million bags, a decrease of 2.3 per cent from 134.4 million bags in 2010/11. Global consumption for 2011 is estimated at 137.9 million bags, an increase of 0.6 per cent from the previous year despite the prevailing high retail prices and the economic turbulence in some major importing countries. During June, Robusta exports accounted for 78.51 per cent of total exports. 1 | 2 Next Page»Average Robusta price was $2.05 per kilo, 0.5 cents higher than in May 2012. Washed Robusta fetched the highest price for Robusta at $2.50 per kilo, followed by Organic Robusta at $2.36 per kilo. Arabica fetched a weighted average price of $2.82 per kilo lower than $3.07 in the previous month. The highest price was for Sustainable Organic Bugisu which fetched US$ 3.68 per kilo followed by Sipi Falls which fetched $ 3.53 per kilo. Farm-gate priceCoffee prices in the internal market were in the following ranges: Shs1,500 – 2,000 per kilo of Kiboko (Robusta dry cherries); Shs4,000 – 4,500 for FAQ; Arabica dry parchment was sold at an average of Shs4,500-5,000 per kilo almost same as the previous month. “Compared to the previous month, there was a drop in farm gate prices especially with Arabica where the price for parchment dropped by about Shs500. This follows the international market trends,” UCDA said. July exports are projected at 280,000 bags as the harvesting season in Masaka and South-Western region is still ongoing. “Farmers and exporters are still holding onto to their stocks as they anticipate better prices at various levels of the value chain,” UCDA adds. UCDA attributes the poor performance to a generally lesser amount of rain in June than the previous month. In the Northern region, the ample and well distributed rainfall has favoured steady berry development. The anticipated yields will be expected to be generally good. In Central and South-Western regions, though the harvesting season was tapering off, incidences of poor drying were less as manifested in reduction of Moisture Content of coffee being processed at the factories. In Eastern region, there were heavy rains that resulted in landslides in Bududa District. In Sebei sub - region, heavy rains resulted into severe soil run offs, leaf fall and yellowing of poorly managed coffee. The landslide that occurred on June 25, 2012 in Bulucheke Sub-county, Bududa District and three villages of Bunakasala, Bumamulebwa and Walwanyi were affected with over 15 homesteads being buried. A wide range of crops were destroyed including an estimated 15 acres of coffee with an estimated production of 5.1 tonnes per annum dnakaweesi@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Ten-most-influential-people-in-South-Sudan/-/688342/1459240/-/i0tapz/-/index.html","content":"Ten most influential people in South Sudan - Influential South Sudanese. South Sudan just celebrated its first independence anniversary, Monday July 9, after it separated from Sudan last year. Over the period, a lot has happened: Some quarrels with the Sudan over oil, currencies and boundaries. Construction is also booming with new institutions popping up in Juba. On the flipside, rebels and tribal outfits also want a share of the national cake, complicating the national equation. There is also the country’s on-going public show featuring suspected corruption officials, who recently received letter from President Salva Kiir, has become a major hit. These, among others, are incidents shaped by the different actors starring in the country’s social, political and economic fronts. As the country celebrated its first anniversary, we put pen to paper and here is the list of what we are calling Africa Review’s list of most influential South Sudanese: 1.Salva KiirHe is the chairman of the ruling party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of South Sudan. A year into his administration, he has attempted to prove his critics wrong. He succeeded South Sudan hero Dr John Garang de Mabior, who was killed in a helicopter in July 2005, barely six months after signing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that led to formal independence in July last year. During the war, he became the second in command to Dr John Garang. The army loved him. It is his endurance, tolerance and forgiveness that is seen as glue that keeps the country united As a result, Kiir won the ABETO ward last year. However, Kiir is also seen as a reluctant leader who would prefer to have his hands off in controversial matters. He was ranked among the top 100 influential Africans in 2011 by the London-based New African magazine together with those of Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, late Prof. Wangari Mathaai, writer Chinua Achebe, Koffi Anan, among others. 2. Pagan Amum OkiechHe was a senior leader in the military during the war and was active in the political wing of the then rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Army.He was among the key negotiators of the historic CPA that granted the right to self-determination for the people of South Sudan, which later culminated into formal independence last July, after a landslide vote for secession earlier in January.Pagan was also Minister for Cabinet Affairs in Khartoum before he felt out with President Bashir for referring to Sudan as a “failed and corrupt state.”In 2009, he led a demonstration at Khartoum national assembly to pass the referendum law that Bashir’s party had decided to sit on, in a bid to curtail the plebiscite.Currently, he is the South Sudan’s lead negotiator in the African Union-led talks with Sudan on post-independence issues, including the demarcation of borders, the status of the disputed Abyei region, oil transit fee, and citizenship, among others 3.Rabecca Nyandeng de Mabior She is the widow of late Dr John Garang, former Minister of Roads in the Government of National Unity in Khartoum ahead of independence, and currently the Presidential Advisor on Human Rights. She has also positioned herself as the advocate for late Garang’s vision of taking towns to the people. Although she would turn emotional at times over the current state of affairs, Nyandeng has been reaching out to the hearts of many in her campaigns for the orphans, widows, war heroes and heroines and the delivery of basic services. She is innovative and enterprising. So far, she has set up Dr John Garang International School. She also owns Akok Hotel along the Nile River in Juba, various shops and saloons. She is famously called ‘Mama Rabecca’ for being seen as the mother of the new nation. She also head campaigns to keep Juba clean. 4. Dr Riek Machar Teny, Vice PresidentHe was a senior member of the SPLA and became the leader of the rival faction during the split of the SPLM/A in 1991. In 1997, Dr Riek signed a soft Khartoum Peace Agreement after failing to secure arms for his rebel faction during the split. Dr Riek rejoined John Garang in 2002 when the agreement he signed with Khartoum was dishonored. Today, Dr Riek is the deputy chairman for the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM). In 2009, Riek took a low profile from his party when he agreed to a 66.7 per cent threshold for secession in the referendum. He was pushed out from leading the negotiation team and was replaced by Pagan Amum. Dr Riek has been named in numerous controversial matters, including running parallel to decisions passed by the Council of Ministers in which he is the deputy chair, most notably rooting for his own version of the constitution in 2011 which he tabled to parliament. In some instances, he was accused of running “a government within a government.” His influence was at stake when the Lou-Nuer marched in his face in Likwangole in Pibor, Jonglei state, to kill thousands of the rival Murle tribe in December last year. Dr Riek also admitted responsibility for the deaths and abuses of human rights when the 1991 split turned into a tribal rivalry. 5. James Wani Igga, National Assembly SpeakerHe was a diehard of the SPLM/A during the war and is currently ruling SPLM party vice chairman. He commands loyalty from MPs as the House speaker since 2005 but has never been associated with serious controversial matters related to power struggle. Seen as a humble politician, Wani has vast outreach skills, and because of this, he headed mobilisation teams for his party during the 2010 general elections and the 2011 referendum, both of which the party won comfortably. As it stands, Igga is the beacon for Greater Equatoria. He has forged close ties with the youth wing of his party. 6. Dr Lam AkolHe was a senior member of the then rebel SPLA and was active in the diplomatic front. He was seen as the key architect of the split within the then rebel SPLM/A in 1991 with the aim of ousting the then chairman and commander in-chief late Dr John Garang. He later took a central role in the split of the same faction opposed to Dr Garang and later defected to Khartoum, where he hoped from one party to another before rejoining John Garang in 2003, just two years to the landmark peace deal. Dr Lam became the first South Sudanese Foreign Minister in Khartoum on the SPLM ticket, but he was later sacked from the position after he allegedly moved astray from the party principles and objectives. He defected again in 2009 and launched the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC). He is widely seen as an intelligent brain and strategist. However, Dr Lam is equally viewed as too flexible character that prefers not to directly confront tough endeavours. From his book The Nasir Declaration, he appears a softie, who would rather persue the easier things in life, as opposed to confronting challenges. Dr Lam lost elections to President Salva Kiir in 2010 by a wide margin. 7. Kuol Manyang JuukHe was one of the senior commanders of the movement before the country’s peace deal was signed in 2005. He became Minister for Transport in Khartoum before he was appointed as Jonglei State governor in 2008. Kuol won 2010 general elections on his ruling SPLM ticket to maintain his seat, beating by a wide margin the late rebel leader George Athor Deng, who contested as an independent candidate. Since then, Kuol has endeared himself to the youth as the leader who shaped their future after mobilising them in the mid-1980s to walk to refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya to go for studies. When Dr Garang died in 2005, it was unclear who would replace him, with Dr Riek Machar and Dr Lam Akol angling for the job. Kuol broke the ice in the meeting room in New Site, Equatoria State, by nominating Salva Kiir, citing his resolute commitment to the liberation struggle, to become the heir. Today, Kuol remains the President’s right hand man. 8. Rebecca Nyandeng Malek DelichShe worked with humanitarian aid agencies during the war. After the 2005 peace agreement, Malek held various ministerial portfolios in the Warrap State government.In 2010, she won the trust of the ruling SPLM party to contest elections as state governor, winning the race without much challenge. Ms Malek is a darling of many Sudanese women who has greatly influenced the country’s women movement. In 2011, Nyandeng triumphed after failure by MPs in the state assembly, who wanted her impeached on charges of lack of development plan, covering up hunger that had claimed more than 350 returnees and corruption in her government. Among 10, she is the only South Sudanese woman state governor and the first woman to take over governorship through elections. She remains a role model to many young women. 9. Lt. Gen James Hoth MaiHe was a senior member of the rebel force before peace was signed in 2005. He served in various positions in the army before becoming the Chief of General Staff of the army in 2009. By then, there was spiraling corruption in the army, with soldiers, wounded veterans staging strikes across the country against delayed payment. Hoth is widely believed to have restored calm and discipline in the army and has seen the salaries of the army doubled since last year. In his reign, rebel outfits sprang up, tracing their cause to political dissatisfaction, but the rebel groups were either dismantled militarily to force them to sign peace deals with government or their leaders have been arrested. Other rebel leaders have been eliminated. Across South Sudan, Hoth commands unwavering loyalty and respect from the Armed Forces of South Sudan. He rarely speaks in public but his military strength is widely praised in the army. 10. Emmanuel Kembe, musicianWhen the war broke out in 1983, he was in Khartoum, where he composed and sang many songs on the need for the freedom of South Sudan. Some of his inspirational songs include Khartoum is sick, a sickness unconfirmed and Bad, Bad. Both songs were banned in Khartoum and anyone found listening to them was subjected to arrest and detention by the authorities in power. Later, Kembe was arrested before he escaped to Ethiopia, where he met Dr Garang, who went with him to rebel training camps inside South Sudan. At the training centres, Kembe continued inspiring trainees with his music to fight on. He was seen as “Garang’s musician.” His peace songs made him an icon for peace. They advocate for unity of the people of South Sudan and against tribalism, power greed and corruption."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/AugustineRuzindana/Threats-against-teachers-must-stop-now/-/887296/1457966/-/qey86o/-/index.html","content":"Threats against teachers demanding a fair remuneration must stop now - The teachers are striking once again and they are supported by foundation bodies which in the first case founded schools long before government got interested in education. Most parents support them too because they are interested in a good education for their children. Job satisfaction is important in any work place, especially in a school environment. A happy teacher is a good teacher. Part of the explanation for falling education standards is poor remuneration of teachers, who see their peers prosper through corruption avenues that are not available to them. Government cannot plead inability to pay when it is creating superfluous new districts which no significant section of the population considers a solution to any of the myriad problems facing the country. For example, how has the status of a district given Bududa an early warning system about an impending landslide or preparedness to handle a landslide when it occurs? How has possession of a district contributed to the reduction of high levels of HIV/Aids in the Sese Islands or how have the very many districts of Karamoja uplifted the region from abject poverty and underdevelopment or how have the innumerable districts of Busoga helped to resolve the impasse over the selection of a Kyabazinga or the reduction of the highest level of the incidence of poverty in the country? The level of remuneration of civil servants is generally very low and needs to be appreciably improved to, among other things, make it possible to control corruption. In a corrupt system, public officers like teachers, most soldiers and others without opportunities for corruption must be properly remunerated upfront. This is the point which the teachers have consistently made. The recent PAYE threshold increase is too low as the figure was proposed more than 10 years ago before the value of the Shilling had fallen so badly. The minimum PAYE threshold should be at least Shs500,000. If one favoured public officer can be paid more than Shs40 million plus extravagant benefits then the outcry of the teachers must be heeded as a plea of shortage of funds sounds hollow. The premise that teachers are expendable is false as in fact more teachers are needed since most schools are understaffed. Threats against teachers demanding a fair remuneration for their labour must stop. Peaceful strike action is within their constitutional rights to highlight the effects of the worsening cost of living in the country. ****For ages, there has been a government advert that “water is life”. As if the economic situation is not bad enough, government has recently imposed a Value Added Tax of 18 per cent on this “life” without indicating what value has been added this financial year which was not there the year before. This is yet another effect of the over expenditure on the last general elections, which created the lack of funds that is being felt across all government ministries. But it is stretching matters too far to tax water merely because government knows that no one will abstain from using water because of the imposition of a tax. However, this being largely an urban issue, it could spark off street protests and the usual collision with the Police. Government should therefore rethink this measure. The issue is not whether the tax is high or not, it is whether water should be taxed at all. ****The demand of Bunyoro for a share of oil revenues is legitimate but it should be made in conjunction with other legitimate demands. For example, the impact of oil and gas extraction on the environment can be quite serious. Therefore, Bunyoro must insist on environmental provisions, in the oil agreements, which ensure high standards commensurate to those in developed countries and which impose stiff noncompliance penalties and make it mandatory for the oil companies to restore polluted areas so that the oil companies are discouraged from the temptation to cut corners. If the provisions for training Ugandans to manage oil provisions are weak, this will also affect Bunyoro. Therefore, besides the share, Bunyoro should be concerned that the agreements with oil companies are fair to the country. In addition, Bunyoro should also work out a development plan indicating what the money will be used for. Mr Ruzindana is a former IGG and former MP. a_ruzindana@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Govt--experts-issue-warnings/-/688334/1436652/-/13firv8/-/index.html","content":"Government, experts issue warnings - Officials from the Uganda Wildlife Authority yesterday warned of an impending “human catastrophe” if people living on the slopes of Mt. Elgon do not relocate. The Mt. Elgon Area Conservation Manager Adonia Bintorwa said Bugisu and lowland areas near the mountain could suffer a third landslide in as many years if the on-going encroachment onto the delicate slopes and the degradation of its forest cover continues. “The cause of this landslide, I am not ashamed to say, is encroachment of Mt. Elgon where trees have been cut down for farming and settlement leaving the ground bare,” he said. “This massive encroachment at Mt. Elgon national park coupled with deforestation, poor farming methods signals an environmental disaster to the entire area. We must design ways of relocating from the landslide-prone areas.” Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi echoed the warning yesterday during the opening of the second session of the Ninth Parliament. “We just want to sound a word of caution to all those people who have settled in the mountainous areas that with these heavy rains, they should move to areas which are safer,” he said. “It is a fact that warning signals appear before the landslides. In Bududa, there were clipping sounds heard.”Mr Mbabazi was responding to a request by the Speaker, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, to update Parliament on what government is doing to help survivors of Monday’s landslide, which left at least 18 people feared dead. Government is expected to table a comprehensive statement before Parliament today in connection with the matter. Meanwhile, Dr Mary Gorretti Kitutu, an environment specialist at National Environment Management Authority told Daily Monitor that the relatively small landslides that are being observed at the slopes of Mt. Elgon are a sign of the gradual weakening of the rock structure. She said: “Volcanism affected the basement of the mountain. We have more weathered and clay soil and when it rains, water cannot infiltrate the clay and it stagnates which causes a slide in the rock and later cracks that give way every time poor farming activities and settlement are done on the mountain.” =================== survivors accounts Shaban Khatiya, 58,Lost a child“At about 2pm, the earth trembled like there was an earthquake, then the soils started moving slowly down the valleys. I ran out to go and inform police but before I reached the station, there was a very loud noise like thunder and then a loud thud before I heard cries of children. When I ran back, I found the village covered in mud. One of my children was outside but when he heard noise and soils moving, he ran to the house to carry the baby but was hit by a falling tree. His body could be here (as he points at the soil).” Ms Margret Khainza, 46 – Relocated after early warning “Besides the crack Uganda Wildlife Authority has been talking about, another crack developed and many of us moved away in fear of a landslide but others remained and most of these have been buried. I had relocated but other people stayed in the village when no landslide came. Some people came back but I was hesitant and I kept telling people to leave the place because the crack kept growing. On the fateful day, I came back but then somebody called me in the neighbourhood and when I went to meet her, I heard a lot of noise like a bomb, then there was something like thunder. We ran but when we looked back we saw a mass of earth moving down the valleys, ferrying trees and burying houses.” Ms Scola Namutosi, 23 – Lost parents and relatives “Daddy, I wish I would see you to give you a decent burial,” she yells, bending and tearfully pointing at the place where her father’s house once stood. Married and living in the neighbouring village of Bunabutsale, Ms Namutosi returned too late to save her parents and relatives.“I need help. UWA told us to move away; there were clear signs that the mudslide would be here but nobody paid heed, I told my father and now he ends up being buried alive, please help us, relocate us.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Rawlings--The-rough-edged-reformer/-/689844/1434060/-/10r1gptz/-/index.html","content":"Rawlings: The rough-edged reformer - In a sea of well-cut Savile Row suits and ladies in mourning black and hats, the thickset, elegantly greying man cut an impressive figure in a black open-neck African shirt. That was during the requiem mass and burial of Kenya’s Internal Security minister George Saitoti. During the burial, the former president of Ghana impressed mourners with his eloquence, especially when he regretted humanity’s inability to harvest the brain of a dead man and transfer it to a living one. But unlike his friend Prof. Saitoti, whose manners he extolled Kenyans to “imbibe” and who was handpicked from a lecture theatre by retired President Daniel Arap Moi and handed high profile State jobs, Rawlings is a bare knuckle politician who learnt his tricks from the school of hard knocks. As a junior airforce officer, he narrowly cheated death after being condemned by a court-martial for leading a mutiny. As a military president, Rawlings survived numerous coup and assassination attempts. After joining the Ghanaian airforce in 1968, where he distinguished himself by winning the coveted “Speed Bird Trophy” for excellence in aerobatic skills, the man who confesses to have had an obsession for drawing gorgeous women during his youth burst into the limelight when he led a mutiny in 1979. EloquenceIn a statement read in court on his behalf by his defence counsel, the 32-year-old Flight Lieutenant won hearts across the country by sensationally explaining that his actions were prompted by the social injustices bedevilling Ghana at that time. Apparently inspired by Rawlings’ courtroom oratory, a group of officers with whom he had good rapport instigated a successful putsch in June 1979 and released him from prison. Through a ruling body named the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), Rawlings and his men executed two former military heads of state, General Ignatius Acheampong and Lt. Gen. Fredrick Akuffo and five former generals, whom he accused of committing crimes against the people and the country. Other prominent people executed under what Rawlings and his junta termed as “house-cleansing exercise” included Supreme Court judges Kwadjo Agyepong, Frederick Sarkodie, and Cecilia Addo. Some Ghanaian historians have attempted to exonerate Rawlings from this heavy-handedness by claiming that the country was in a state of anarchy, with both civilians and lower cadres of the military baying for the blood of the deposed rulers. AFRC yielded power to civilian leader Hilla Limann, but returned through another coup in December 1981 to get rid of what it called a “weak civilian rule” which had led “the nation down to total economic ruin”. After imprisoning Limann and another 200 politicians, Rawlings established the People’s Defence Committees in neighbourhoods to monitor economic management in local factories. “When the failure of these and other populist measures had become clear by 1983, Rawlings reversed course and adopted IMF-friendly policies, including dropping subsidies and price controls in order to reduce inflation, privatising many State-owned companies, and devaluing the currency in order to stimulate exports,” Encyclopedia Britannica notes. “These free-market measures sharply revived Ghana’s economy, which by the early 1990s had one of the highest growth rates in Africa”. Despite ruling the country with an iron fist for a decade before being democratically elected in 1992, economic experts have credited Rawlings’ regime with initiating radical policies like decentralisation of government services from Accra to the rural regions, which created the foundation on which the Ghanaian democracy and economy stand today. After the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War, Rawlings aligned himself with the West, which saw the IMF and the World Bank pumping more than $5 billion into the Ghanaian economy, leading to a huge business growth and improved standards of living. This led to his being accused of “betraying the revolution” by his left-wing comrades. To qualify as a candidate in the 1992 multiparty elections, “JJ” retired from the army and founded the National Democratic Congress (NDC), on whose ticket he won the presidential race with a landslide majority of 58.3 per cent. The figure remains the highest score in the country’s history and an endorsement of his policies. Although foreign observers declared the poll free and fair, the opposition, led by John Kufuor, who later became president, claimed there were widespread irregularities and urged their supporters to boycott the subsequent parliamentary elections. This saw the NDC win 189 of the 200 seats available in the national assembly, giving Rawlings a four-year term backed by a rubber stamp parliament.By the time he was seeking another term in 1996, Rawlings had already made history as the first democratically elected Ghanaian president to complete his term. His 19-year reign as both military dictator and elected leader were characterised by eccentricity and flamboyant displays that made him a household name not only in Ghana but also across the continent. Besides mobilising his wife and ministers to join citizens in digging trenches, cleaning sewers, sinking boreholes, and constructing roads, Rawlings’ presidential motorcade would often give lifts to people on the road. Other times he would stop his entourage to borrow a cigarette from a man on the street, take a few puffs and put the stub behind his ear in a quest “to be equal with everyone,” as he would later explain. 1 | 2 Next Page»When he reached his constitutional eight-year term in 2000, Rawlings endorsed his vice-president, John Evans Atta-Mills, who was defeated by John Agyekum Kufuor of New Patriotic Party (NPP) in a run-off. Atta-Mills won the 2008 elections by a one per cent margin in a run-off. But the fact that his National Democratic Congress (NDC) and former vice-president is in power has not stopped the outspoken Rawlings from criticising and pointing out what he terms as weaknesses in the Ghanaian society. Sounding warning bells“I remember I used to warn ourselves that if we didn’t restore the moral behaviour and ethical values of our society, we would sink deep,” he said during a gala ball to honour a testimonial match for former Bayern Munich and Black Star player Sammy Kufuor. With his initials JJ tweaked to mean “Junior Jesus” by fanatical supporters or “Junior Judas” by opponents at the height of his power during his two-decade reign, many Ghanaians appear tired of his “big brother” attitude. Despite sharp criticism at home, Rawlings remains relatively popular across the continent, as evidenced by invitations to major gatherings and being accorded respect by sitting heads of state, as was witnessed when he visited Kenya last week. In October 2010, the 64-year-old was appointed the African Union (AU) Envoy to Somalia by the union’s chief Jean Ping with the task of “mobilising the continent and the rest of the international community to fully assume its responsibilities and contribute more actively to the quest for peace, security and reconciliation of Somalia”. Besides being an AU envoy, Rawlings also gives lectures and talks around the world, the most famous being the one he gave at the prestigious Oxford University in the United Kingdom under the title “Security and Democracy in Africa”. Asked about what he would like to be remembered for, Jerry John Rawlings turned philosophical in what many believers would term blasphemous form. “My legacy to the people of Ghana is that I never let God do anything for me. I did it first.” « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Uganda-does-not-have-to-emulate-superficial-devt/-/689364/1407898/-/ahtw8hz/-/index.html","content":"Uganda does not have to emulate superficial devt - A talk show on one of the Ugandan TV channels, NBS, recently grabbed my attention. The show, titled the Morning Breeze, is hosted by a young lady and a gentleman with a baritone voice who pokes his guests in the studio without fear or favour. The boldness of this programme is slowly drawing me away from my favourite channel, Aljazeera. Although I missed the better part of the May 15 show, the guest of the day was Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, one of the public figures who fascinates me. Naturally, the astute lawyer and politician who was elected Kampala Mayor a year ago with a landslide victory, immediately piqued my interest. The male host, after telling the mayor that he hasn’t done much for Kampala City except politicking and engaging in a tug-of-war against his nemesis, Jennifer Musisi, the Kampala Capital City Authority executive director, asked him whether he has ever received any foreign dignitaries on behalf of Kampala. Mr Lukwago, after explaining that he doesn’t have to put all his meetings on record, threw a question to the journalist as to why they were not there a day ago when he received the ambassador of Ethiopia. Well, the name of my country, Ethiopia, immediately rekindled a buzz in my head. A piece titled “Why Ethiopia is building highways and dams Uganda can only dream of”, authored by Joachim Buwembo in the Sunday Monitor of November 27, 2011, came to mind. I wondered whether the issue of building highways, dams and skyscrappers by displacing residents with mere pittances and sometimes nothing at all has cropped up in the discussion between the Lord Mayor and our “good ambassador” from Ethiopia. Notwithstanding the environmental havoc these “big projects” of these big men is said to have caused, I also wondered whether the mayor and other Ugandans are aware that Ethiopians have no right on the lands in their own country, unlike here in Uganda and certainly in the Kingdom of Buganda. In other words, while a great deal of persuasion is expected of the central government of Uganda to expropriate land for the “public interest”, no such thing is needed in Ethiopia since Ethiopians have been in serfdom to a tyrannical regime that owns all the land under a slogan, “land to the tiller”. The tiller has no land, hence a perennial victim of famine (food insecurity). But most of all, I wondered whether Lukwago invited the Ethiopian ambassador after paying attention to what Buwembo exhorted Ugandan officials in his piece mentioned above. Buwembo, after narrating how dazzled he was by the infrastructure boom and after heaping praise on the “visionary leaders” of Ethiopia whom he portrayed as above board and whom he said rallied the public-- from far and near-- behind their “intended purpose”, concluded with the following advice to Ugandans in the higher echelons. “Rather than hanging around boardrooms and hotels, why don’t they visit the Ethiopian Embassy in Kampala for some sensible answers to electricity production?” Though Buwembo’s primary objective, in my understanding, was to thrash his own government that wrecked the state of affairs in Uganda, I was nevertheless disappointed that he employed a method so unbecoming of “a Knight International fellow for development journalism.” He fell into the trap of what his fellow journalist, Timothy Kalyegira, described of “those Ugandan journalists” in a piece titled “Is Rwanda an African success story?” Kalyegira aptly showed us the tendency of people who compare the sorry state of Kampala with Kigali and now Addis Ababa, in what is to be the normal outcome of the duty of a government by portraying it as a result of something “visionary or revolutionary”. Buwembo’s piece, in fact, was misleading on several counts. Grand corruption in Ethiopia, which he says is not allowed, is rife but not reported because the free press is completely muzzled, with independent journalists either thrown into jail or forced to flee. The military he described as “economically useful” alongside the ruling party affiliated business monopolies has destroyed private entrepreneurship. In the process, senior officers and top brasses amassed wealth for themselves. After closing all forms of space since the 2005 election by rendering the opposition totally ineffectual, the Ethiopian regime turned to extorting money from Ethiopians overseas, just like its counterpart in Eritrea. In spite of innumerable ugly facts like these, if the Lord Mayor received the Ethiopian ambassador in the spirit of Buwembo’s article, then he would be like the heifer described in the Ethiopian saying that learned to fart publicly after spending time with a donkey. I know the Lord Mayor is too intelligent to subscribe to exhortations in the media. I know he knows that Kampala, and Uganda at large, need not emulate superficial “developments “such as the one in Ethiopia. Mr Hussain is an Ethiopian human rights defender exiled in Uganda. kiflukam@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1395542/-/13a2twfz/-/index.html","content":"How The Lizard duped the First Lady - I really don’t yet fully know what to make of Hon. Janet K Museveni’s 1,667-word article in the New Vision of April 23, 2012. It had an angry tone, many distortions, contradictions, ironies and generalities that reflected unfairly on the Daily Monitor and Afrobarometer, the newspaper and pollster she was apparently unhappy with respectively. I also don’t know whether the First Lady has a press/communication officer or a speech writer. If that is the case, he or she should have helped with a little research. There is nothing of course that legally bars the First Lady from joining active politics like she did, and commenting on issues of the day. However, those that steer clear from the mess that is politics have very good reasons to. They know how it affects their standing with the public, how even well intentioned efforts they take on behalf of their people will be treated with suspicion. This kind of trash talk work is best done by Kintu Nyago, David K Mafabi, Karooro Okurut, Ofwono Opondo, Tamale Mirundi… (I have to stop here because I have a word limit). Even when these advisers are ridiculous, nobody really cares. However, many of us cherish a word from the First Lady (by the portfolio with which she chose to write the said article, I presume she wanted to write as a Member of Parliament which I understand). We still like you JanetFor some of us who are her fans as First Lady though, this MP and minister ‘thing’ has somehow refused to stick. We still like our First Lady and any indications that she feels bad or angry dazzles our feelings too. First I have to say that I was Janet’s biggest admirer and supporter during her “mother of the nation” years. Her elegance and modesty complemented her husband’s tougher side. I miss the patron of Uganda Women’s Efforts to Save Orphans whose focus was on the plight of the defenceless and the needy. The lady whose “Janet cut” hairstyle we were crazy about as teens. Modern First Ladies the world over, or at least in democracies are normally the softer sides of their husbands. No wonder they are always far more popular public figures. In America, Michelle Obama is generally more popular than her husband, with her ‘favourability ratings’ in the high 60s compared to her husband who is viewed favourably by only 43 per cent of Americans. Samantha Cameron is a hit with British People; Carla Bruni Sarkozy is highly regarded by the French despite her history as a former model who once posed naked for magazines.Close to home are also a few examples. Who hasn’t noticed the grace with which Mama Salma Kikwete handles herself? There are a few bad apples too, however. We have heard of a Lucy Kibaki next door whose record includes storming newsrooms and assaulting journalists. And down South in Zimbabwe there is Grace Mugabe who revels in shopping trips to London’s high price stores on a presidential jet. Syria’s Fist lady, Asma Al-Assad in recently leaked emails apparently claims she is “the real dictator”. I still think Janet is a great First Lady. Like anybody, I think she understandably feels very bad every time her husband is attacked, sometimes unjustly from all corners. Many spouses of public officials feel the same way. But presidents know that this comes along the presidential menu and that is why most of them take it easy. I like that our First Lady at least takes to the pen when she is not happy about something. Unfortunately, that is also where the problem lies. In her New Vision article incredulously titled, “Trust in Museveni drops, rises in MPs?” the First Lady questions the findings of Afrobarometer, a research project that measures public attitudes in sub-Saharan Africa, and goes further to suggest that there may be hidden motives of Afrobarometer. She wonders how this “faceless” institution is funded and how it can be put to task to explain its findings. Well, the ‘faceless’ organisation is actually not that faceless. It has an extensive website where a lot on its work is explained, its methodologies detailed, has a page dedicated to it on Wikipedia and works in several other countries. Its findings are largely considered accurate, and its work is quoted and relied on in several publicationsIndeed when this ‘faceless’ Afrobarometer predicted sometime last year that her husband would win the 2011 election in a landslide, the First Lady didn’t complain and she even ironically references this in her article as well!I think what Janet, and indeed many politicians in Uganda do not understand is the whole idea and science behind opinion polling, given the way they react when data deemed unfavourable to them is published. The opposition went haywire when Afrobarometer last year predicated that Museveni would win. In developed countries, opinion polls, or “polls” as they are simply known have been used for decades and have many times accurately predicated outcomes of political contests. I agree with the First Lady that sometimes organisations whose sole aim is to police governments in Africa are sometimes voyeuristic and condescending with their paternalistic and holier-than-thou attitudes. However, it is unfair to view all of them with suspicion. That Afrobarometer claimed that trust in Museveni is waning shouldn’t be a problem. Some people’s attitudes change like weather and losing trust in someone may not mean you hate them or that you don’t like them. Attitudes and opinions are sometimes underpinned by the challenges people are facing in their own lives like the current economic upheavals, which, the world over, people tend to blame on their leaders, even when, realistically presidents have nothing much to do with such situations. But a president is not called “president” for nothing. People expect him or her to show leadership almost in everything, and most importantly, to be empathetic. That is why in Uganda we even call a president a “Fountain of honour”. Hence Americans will blame high fuel prices on Obama and he will attempt to make a statement here and there, explain his energy policy, etc. in Uganda, we will blame bad harvests on Museveni. In reply, he will visit a number of successful farmers around the country, re-emphasise his Naads programme and encourage farmers to grow more and reap from the high food prices. In actual sense, however, those of us who are sane enough know that there isn’t much he can do. But we still will expect him “out there”, “doing things” on behalf of his people. That’s all. This doesn’t, however, mean that presidents can’t do some things. In Africa especially, they wield ridiculous power and, being heads of the executive can do a lot of good in policy shaping, having their priorities right. They can crack a whip on corruption, name it. Therefore, when people begin losing trust in a leader, it’s not because they are fed up with him. It’s even not because they will not vote them next time. Which is why Janet agreed with “The Lizard” which proclaimed, on the day Daily Monitor reported on its front page that trust in Museveni was falling, that “It [the trust] will rise when it matters most - 2016”. I will take her to her word that she said this in jest. Otherwise it would be really funny if she hadn’t got the Lizard’s tongue-in-cheek message. The Lizard concept is one of those rare creative inventions of newspapers I have ever seen. In one line, it summarises in rib breaking banter the news of the day, or at least the paper’s (Or the Lizard’s) editorial opinion. What the Lizard meant, if any one cares to know, is that the trust will rise only when Museveni’s power is threatened. And that happens every five years, when election time is nigh. All the things he is accused of, as listed by the First Lady will appear again and push “trust in him” higher. So don’t be surprised when, in January 2016 the Afrobarometer which is “faceless” publishes a poll that says Museveni will get 68 per cent of the vote. If Mrs Museveni didn’t read this in The Lizard’s statement, then the reptile should be congratulated for landing one of the high profile victims of his (or is it her) satire. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/ugandaat50/-/1370466/1386650/-/uix35qz/-/index.html","content":"Nyangweso: An avid boxer, committed soldier and shrewd politician - Kampala Few would swank the late Major General Francis Were Nyangweso’s exploits in some notable spheres of life. A boxer, soldier, and politician – he did it all to some telling heights and his name remains a mark in Uganda’s sport, albeit, with annotations of controversy. “Sports has taught me to be disciplined and tolerant, to value public relations, and to keep my nerves, a thing that is very important for soldiers,” said Nyangweso in his prime. “…but above all, to remain natural at all times,” he added, as quoted in a book titled Sports In Uganda, published by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in 1975. Born on September 29, 1939 in the eastern border town of Busia, Nyangweso’s boxing talent won him friends with former President Idi Amin and he would go on to become such a prominent figure in both local and international sport. In his mid 30s, Nyangweso was already a successful boxer internationally. He also went on become chairman of the National Council of Sports (NCS), Chief of Staff in the Ugandan army, serve as Defence Minister, plus Minister of Culture and Community Development in Amin’s government. But it is boxing that cut him his forte. It is boxing that endeared him to former light heavyweight Ugandan champion, President Amin, a bond that saw Nyangweso run through military ranks, ministerial positions and ambassadorial posts at a breathtaking pace. “He was also a very shrewd sports administrator,” shares Fredrick Musisi Kiyingi, a veteran journalist with the Daily Monitor, “Of course when money came in during his Olympic chairmanship days, he had his neck turned but he put heart to whatever he did.” At home, Nyangweso was a lightweight national champion from 1954 until he retired undefeated in 1963. Across the border, he represented Uganda in the Millington-Drake Trophy against Kenya from 1958-1963 during which six-year period Nyangweso won all his bouts by knockouts. On the international scene, he lost “controversially” – according to Sports In Uganda, at the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff and at the 1960 Rome World Olympics but was later to make ammends, winning a Gold Medal in the Israel Hapeal Games a year later. The Uganda boxer had by now established himself in the sweet science sport to the point that invitations from Europe started pouring in. In 1961, the London Amateur Boxing Association invited him to the UK for three months during which he became their champion. He was also voted Ugandan Sportsman of the Year in the same year. Nyangweso also participated in the UK-wide British ABA Championships where he lost in the finals. Captain of the Ugandan boxing team from 1958 to Independence year 1962, Nyangweso then went on to win Uganda a Bronze Medal at the 1962 Commonwealth Games at Perth, Australia. Uganda was the only African country to win a boxing medal that year.Politics and sports administrationHe had done his bit with boxing and in 1963; the shrewd Nyangweso was to embark on another calling, joining the Ugandan army which consequently forced him to hang up his gloves. He rose through the ranks rapidly until in 1974 when he became Army Chief of Staff at the rank of Major General. The same year, he was appointed Minister of Culture and Community Development. But it is in sports administration where Nyangweso had his impressive boxing career clash with his new found role. Having also held the NCS chairmanship in 1971, Nyangweso had remained relevant internationally in his later years as IOC delegate by virtue of being the Uganda Olympic Committee president.His alleged misdemeanors in sports politics soon had a renowned BBC whistle blowing programme, Panorama, claiming Nyangweso, an IOC delegate, was one of two Africans, who were induced to back Sydney’s 2000 Olympic bid (against Beijing). As UOC president, he lived by example of most African leaders, clinging onto the job for three decades. But like all things come to an end, his stranglehold was loosened despite him remaining active as a member. Like incumbents have always proved worldwide, the February UOC presidency polls were supposed to be a straightforward continuation of Maj. Gen Nyangweso’s 32-year reign. Current embattled UOC boss Roger Ddungu had duped Nyangweso into believing that a one Moses Twesigomwe was to be his challenger at the February polls. And true to Ddungu’s word, Twesigomwe presented himself on Election Day. 1 | 2 Next Page»Nyangweso was to later find out the real challenger was actually Ddungu. It is said that some new blood in UOC had infiltrated Nyangweso’s camp eight months before the polls and convinced several members to throw him out. Come Election Day, Twesigomwe stepped down and immediately Ddungu stood up for election, winning with a 15-5 vote landslide. Nyangweso was married to Rosemary, a former athlete, and together they had six of his children. The Observer once quoted Michael ‘Undertaker’ Wandera, a rugby player and one of Nyangweso’s children, saying his dad was a very liberal and objective man.“He always (let) us do the things we like,” he said. The giant of Uganda’s boxing was to pass on in February 2011, a death triggered by kidney failure and diabetes. He may have had his poor vintage points in sports administration but few will doubt his service to the game. amwanguhya@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1372696/-/13bcyqkz/-/index.html","content":"Tumukunde salvo opens unhealed wounds, tells of trouble ahead - After years of hibernation, Brig. Henry Tumukunde returned to the limelight this week kicking off dust with a tirade that could have far-reaching repercussions. Dividing opinion, some have questioned the timing of his remarks, others the motive while sceptics have accused this newspaper of blowing “things out of proportion” in its reportage of the initial story that told of Brig. Tumukunde’s observations from Rukungiri District. (See Daily Monitor, Wednesday March 21, Tumukunde: We want freedom.) As it were, the former Internal Security chief spoke out against what he said was a betrayal of some of the ideals (read: freedom) that inspired the 1981-1985 bush war but have since been thrown into the dustbin under the stewardship of President Museveni. “Those who reach people who deny us free competition please communicate this because we fought for freedom such that freedom may rain on us,” Brig. Tumukunde said. “I am a victim of not getting free competition. If I was given free competition, I am sure I would have made an impact.” Ambiguous comments; perhaps! But despite the veil, it is not difficult to relate to the Brigadier’s apprehension. The comments, not uncharacteristic or surprising, come from a man known for his tenacity and assertiveness which is why there is more to his speak out than meets the eye.For one, Brig. Tumukunde joins a growing list of senior officials who have mourned the “death” of the NRM’s famous Ten Point Programme and the ensuing reversals which include the loss of respect for human rights and freedoms, disregard for the rule of law and collapse of accountable government. His comments also speak volumes about the anxiety and uncertainty that behold this country and tell of silent disquiet over the ailments afflicting the ruling NRM party, Sunday Monitor understands. At a January meeting of ruling party MPs in Kyankwanzi, former premier Kintu Musoke struck to the core of what he said were three major evils hurting Mr Museveni’s reign after more than 25 years in power: corruption, impunity and lack of ideological direction. A month later, Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Kahinda Otafiire offered his two cents on why he believes support for the NRM is fading. “We need rekindling of the revolutionary spirit. It is the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to go back to the original plans as stipulated in the Ten Point Programme. The problems affecting the party today are rooted from failure to respect this,” he said, speaking ironically, on the first anniversary of Mr Museveni’s successful fifth term re-election, won by a landslide 68 per cent of the vote. “For the welfare of this country, we have to stay focused... This country cannot be run in zigzag. I am firm and principled. We have to go back to our core values that took us to the bush in 1981, where many Ugandans sacrificed and shed their blood,” Gen. Otafiire said. Put in perspective, the comments by these senior officials and others, lend credence to the suggestion that the ruling party is not merely struggling with the usual tensions which have at various levels marked its 26-year presence at the helm of Uganda, but a deeper expression of a hankering for change. A small but increasingly influential faction of mainly young party cadre inside Parliament have betrayed a similar nostalgia when they say they are unhappy at the way Mr Museveni, who came to power after a five-year bush war fought on the promise to restore democratic government and respect for the rule of law, is running things today. Dr Kizza Besigye, who today heads the opposition Forum for Democratic Change party, represents the more visible first wave of separations when he fell out with Mr Museveni in 2001 upon publishing a hard-hitting critique which pointed out how undemocratic the system had become. Today, he is joined by several former regime insiders and remains an uncompromising critic. Central to the criticism is the discussion of how much of Uganda today represents regime failure, a matter that is open to debate. Some critics have argued that what is said of the Idi Amin and Milton Obote regimes is just as true of the Museveni regime. However, unlike Brig. Tumukunde and his ilk, many within the establishment, especially the military, have not collected the courage to speak out openly about what they see has gone wrong for fear of retribution. In any case, to do so would be a contravention of the UPDF Act [Section 133 on disobeying lawful orders and 137 on spreading harmful propaganda] and the army’s code of conduct. Some senior ranking UPDF officials this newspaper spoke to cited standing military orders that restrain them from speaking to the media without authorisation. One such officer said: “We all know these things Tumukunde and others are talking about and what is happening but honestly I don’t want to go to jail. There is a lot of confusion but for me I come from a small tribe I cannot talk. Others can break the rules and talk and get away with it. Not me.” In an interview on Wednesday, Army Spokesman Felix Kulayigye said Brig. Tumukunde was behaving like an unguided missile. “He is a serving brigadier and not a politician. Every professional soldier knows that if you have any issue to talk about, we use meetings called Barazas,” he said. “It is not only the UPDF but these are general military rules world over. You ask Gen. Stanley McChrystal. He was relieved of his duties in Afghanistan because he publicly attacked Obama administration.” 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/1363070/-/c77b4/-/index.html","content":"Being a lawmaker not really a bed of roses - They are in our faces on a daily basis; debating on this, censuring that one and talking tough on radio and television shows. They address mammoth crowds on rallies, and going by the contestants for these positions during elections, being a Member of Parliament is a much coveted and envied position in our society. The money, the big cars, the limelight, talking to droves of journalists busy scribbling notes, others behind cameras and all those microphones hoisted infront of you as you speak, really, some people can kill to be in their shoes - atleast to have the privilege to be perceived as important. But the bed of an MP is littered with thorns and a few scattered roses. Social pressures and expectations of the electorateIt is almost a norm now that an MP has to look after some orphans here and there, pay fees for some children and attend to the personal needs of the electorate. The sick, those who do not have food at home and the broken down borehole deep in some village will all wait upon an MP. One MP laments that one of the people whom he doesn’t even know that acted as a campaign agent had the nerve to ask for contribution towards dowry when his son was getting married. He was insistent and the MP couldn’t refuse. “Most institutions are corrupt and people will come to you like you are some sort of charity,” Betty Nambooze, the MP for Mukono Municipality, explains. “For every 100 people, only one comes with a genuine concern that involves consultation on an issue that you are supposed to attend to as MP.” Vincent Bagiire, the Bunya West MP, explains that voters lack awareness about the responsibility of legislators. This is the reason they will go to an MP say, when a borehole breaks down yet this is the responsibility of the district, which receives this kind of money from government. Previously, it was a privilege for an MP to grace an occasion, nowadays, this is not enough. At burials, weddings, funeral rites and other such events, MPs are not only expected to attend but to contribute handsomely with the strength of a consequent handclap corresponding to the amount contributed. An MP will get booed if the audience feels that he has contributed very little or nothing on an occasion. And there is the risk of negative spin-offs if an MP is considered tightfisted. The constituents want generous people who will give and give without feeling a pinch, which is when you will be considered as more than equal and worth being the leader (read MP). If you cannot, do not stand for MP, will you? For whatever reason, the MPs play to their tunes and try as hard as they might to meet these obligations even though they rightly know that these demands fall outside their line of duty. If they don’t, another willing party will come by, get a loan, impress them with a kilogramme of sugar per home and the voters will vote him with a landslide. How do MPs handle this pressure? Bagiire says, “if a borehole has broken down and needs Shs300,000 for repair and I know it will save my people from collecting water 2km away, then I will work on it.” That doesn’t mean that he responds to every need in his constituency. He explains that when he turns down any monetary request, it is done tactfully and decently. “You need to communicate decently that on this occasion, I am sorry, I cannot be of help,” Bagiire explains. Betty Amongi of Oyam South has devised means of dealing with constituents who expect her at their functions even on parliamentary days. “I have political assistants who represent me and I spend a minimum of Shs200,000 on burials every week for transport and a condolence of Shs50,000. Because of poverty levels, our people see us as the only link to government,” she argues. Shrewdness with money is importantFor Nambooze, an MP has to have other sources of money otherwise, with all the demands from the electorate, it is easy to end up broke. And broke MPs fear going to any functions in their constituencies, so they hide, something that inadvertently leads to losing the next election as the voters will complain about their absence. Amongi who is serving her third term in parliament says it is very easy, especially for the new MPs to lose their bearing once they receive their first payslip, something that can lead to a financial catastrophe. “Many new MPs get excited after receiving the first salary. They see lots of money but really this is little money considering the needs of the constituents. So, they start buying very expensive cars on loans yet a Landcruiser TX can do really well, looking good in the city, able to travel upcountry and with readily available spare parts. Some of these cars do not have spare parts, it breaks down deep in some village and the mechanics can’t find the spare parts.” She laments about MPs who have to buy clothes on credit, are constantly broke and those who left parliament but have already run bankrupt with no means of transport. 1 | 2 Next Page»“Save at least Shs4m a month,” she advises, “and use it for an investment after two years. This will prepare for the next election when most MPs are too broke to run their campaigns. This money is so little and you have to handle it well.” It is important to lead a simple life even as MP and desist from getting addicted to a life beyond your means, is Lwemiyaga Mp, Theodore Ssekikubo’s two pence on managing money. An end to personal privacy and family lifeAmongi says she has somewhat given up on the privilege of just being a woman who can wake up and pamper herself with a salon visit and some me-time. “Sometimes, I just want to enjoy being a woman, to relax and go to the salon, then I get a call that someone has died and I need to be there. It is hard to find time for your family, even for your spouse,” she complains. In a day, she says she has parliamentary committee work, about three invitations to workshops by NGO’s who want help from MPs to help them push their causes, and people who are doing researches and need MPs to respond to their interviews. But when given a call at 5pm on a Friday evening, Bagiire says he is actually home with his family and that this time cannot be compromised and must be found. However, he goes upcountry every weekend to catch up with the voters in the 141 villages in his constituency. For another MP who prefers anonymity, the constituents do not know her residence in Kampala. She recently shifted and will not let any of them in her new home. “I want my children to have a semblance of a normal family life. They do not even know that I am an MP. But these people come, fill your living room reluctant to go back to the village, and then your children can’t even watch any programme they like on TV because they take full charge of the remote. They just do not know where to stop. I have a home upcountry where I meet them over the weekend and they can call me on phone or come to parliament.” Again, an MP has to tactfully avoid questions about where she stays in Kampala without giving her constituents the answer; a tight rope to walk indeed. The allure of the limelightNow, with all these impediments, you would think MPs would be running scared from standing again for parliament but not so. “We cannot all resign and throw our hands in the air because of all these challenges. Ours is a calling just like journalism, teaching and medicine. We love being a part of the solution,” Nambooze exaplains why she would stand again and again. For Ssekikubo, it is an opportunity to serve and contribute to your country. “It is a privileged position yet most holders do not recognise and appreciate it. We wield the powers to turn a man into a woman and vice versa, a very big role entrusted upon us.” Abdu Katuntu of Bugweri says MPs derive a lot of satisfaction from making good laws that are appreciated by the communities. For example, he initiated the right to access of public information law and people are forever congratulating him which gives him contentment. Secondly, “even in professional circles, people give us a lot of respect. Society is ready to listen when you speak because they take you seriously, which is really great honour.” Other opportunities include travel, interest free loans from their savings cooperatives, and the VIP treatment in banks, at the airport and at functions. But are these opportunities worth the costs that come with it? Well, some people think so. However sharp the thorns are, they are worth the roses. anamaganda@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/-/689856/1315062/-/c6yqhp/-/index.html","content":"Grinding millet is still a piece of cake for Prof. Nuwagaba - I was born in Kabale North Division in Kabale Municipality in 1964. I grew up as an orphan after losing my father at the age of four. My mother was very hardworking and a strict disciplinarian with a firm Christian foundation. One time I went to explore what it felt like to dance to music played on a record player and danced till the wee hours of the morning, only to return for a session of uncountable strokes of the cane from her. However, I was a very disciplined child though of course like any other teenager, very vulnerable to peer pressure. But thanks to the orphan element, somehow I changed and realised the importance of getting serious at an early age. Unlike the other children who had parents, I had no fallback position and I did not want to disappoint my mother. I ensured the house is clean, fetched water and fire wood and accompanied mummy to church where she was a member of the church choir. Being the second last born in a family of seven, I found myself doing work otherwise considered feminine because my elder sisters were already married. I was a star at grinding millet, even at my age and with all my degrees and profile, if there is a grinding stone I can still do it. I aspired to be a teacher because those days teaching was the most admirable profession. I recall the female teachers were the icons of the community because of the smartness and character they exuded. Little wonder, when I got a Bachelor’s degree, I got a job with Ministry of Finance, as a Research Coordinator for the National Council for Science and Technology, and another as a teaching assistant at Makerere University. After one year, I dropped the ministry job to concentrate on my teaching. Even after my Masters degree at London School of Economics, I would have gotten a fat job with a global organisation like World Bank, but because of the lasting impression I had of teaching as a child, I went back to Makerere to teach. It is gratifying to mentor people and see them mature into responsible citizens. My childhood was not simple because amidst this aspiration, I became a total orphan at 16 years when my mother passed on. It was terrible, considering that she was my last card on top of missing that fatherly love and authority.Because most of my elder sisters were married in Kampala, I remained in Kabale with my younger brother and had to struggle with life. That dark cloud however, had a silver lining because it created independence in my thinking, I became a parent and child at the same time and this shaped the Augustus Nuwagaba you see today in terms of developing resilience and moral character. I did not have a life of luxury like other children because I knew I had to work tooth and nail for my own survival. After all, even my sisters could not remit financial support to an unserious fellow. In Senior Three at about 17 years, I became a business man. I would go to Kasese, buy maize flour for sale in Kabale. At that time there was wide spread insecurity in the Rwenzori area and at one time, I slept under the tyres of a lorry as sleeping in the hotel was deadly. The risky nature of this trade was a blessing in disguise because I made so much money that I seriously contemplated abandoning school. I began with half a bag of maize flour and within a year, I had accumulated 12 bags. Interestingly, when Senior Four results were released, I emerged the best in Kigezi High School with 14 aggregates in six subjects. At A-level, this made me the natural choice for the post of head boy at the great school though it was a stiff race among four aspirants, but because debating was my hobby, I maneuvred my way to a landslide victory. Throughout my time at the school, Bishops, my house was the debate champion. Of course I was a book worm, just like today. Being a day student, I would stay in the school library till 8pm, reading a wide range of literature, from Chinua Achebe, George Orwell’s Animal Farm to books like Kigezi and Its Peoples. That self discipline of not reading from home is a virtue I stick to to-date, even if I have an examination, I never read from home. There must be a line clearly drawn between family and office. My idea of fun was watching Bruce Lee and Ringo films from the community cinema; seeing Bruce Lee beat up everybody in the film was such a thrill. The other was swimming. Our home is near the river, so we would stand on the river bank and jump into the water and swim until we got exhausted. One time, I forgot that I had to balance swimming with house chores and got a thorough beating from my mother which made me give up swimming. Perhaps, I would have become the best swimmer in the continent or even a global star! At school, we derived fun from standing at a place called “album” to intimidate young Senior One girls (freshers) by calling them silly names and teasing them about their looks. Oh poor innocent girls! I wish they knew that I was an amateur when it came to skills of socialising with girls because I did not grow up with my sisters."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1314114/-/b1fdvez/-/index.html","content":"Museveni on the spot after 26 years in office - KAMPALA Today, President Museveni celebrates 26 years in power amid accusations by opponents and independents that he has betrayed Ugandans. Mr Museveni promised the country as he ascended to power on January 26, 1986 that “No one should think that what is happening today is a mere change of guard; it is a fundamental change in the politics of our country.” This promise stirred a lot of expectations within a traumatised populations. Twenty-six years after, and about 15 years since Mr Museveni’s 1996 landslide victory in the first general election since the controversial 1980 polls which he lost, the popularity of the regime has waned. In 2005, the 1995 Constitution was amended to remove presidential term limits after some MPs in the 7th Parliament received Shs5 million each to vote for removing term limits, paving the way for Mr Museveni to run for office in perpetuity. Former bush-war comrades like Maj (rtd) John Kazoora and the Forum for Democratic Change leader, Dr Kizza Besigye, have long abandoned Mr Museveni, accusing him and other “liberators [of] becoming establishment reactionaries”. Such criticism is, however, thought too harsh by some political analysts. “Any fair-minded person would give Museveni and the NRM credit for the good things they have done, or those that have happened because of the relative stability they brought to this country’s politics,” political analyst and Makerere University researcher, Dr Fredrick Golooba Mutebi, said. “And one should not forget to mention the economy which has grown thanks to management by very competent technocrats at the ministry of finance and the central bank.” Available figures indicate that in 1986, the government was collecting only Shs5 billion as opposed to Shs6,000 billion today. But the economy is presently struggling. Dr Golooba says significantly security personnel no longer kill and rob on the scale Ugandans used to see before 1986. “We have also seen continued attempts at improving the lives of ordinary people. Educational and health facilities have been built, attempts have been made to modernise agriculture, micro credit has been made available,” he said. These interventions have generally brought the regime some goodwill. The fact that Mr Museveni was also originally enthusiastic about a broad-based government which encompassed all shades of political opinion including the then Democratic Party president, Dr Paul Ssemogerere, would have formed good ground for future political stability. But Uganda has steadily reverted to a brand of divisive and vindictive politics not dissimilar from the factionalism which ruined the country between 1966 and 1980 as Mr Museveni consolidated his position. Opposition politicians bemoan their conviction that the President has split the country through nepotistic tendencies. No change“Nepotism is a reality in Museveni’s government,” Uganda Peoples Congress’ Okello-Okello told Daily Monitor. “If we may carry out an audit of all public employees in juicy ministries and agencies you will appreciate what some of us have been talking about all along. One cannot be employed on merit.” The veteran Chua MP believes that: “the President’s failure to combat corruption is making matters worse. The fat cats in his government are busy amassing wealth as Ugandans get poorer. The economy is messed up and service delivery is in shambles because of corruption.” To opposition politicians and independents, say the celebration of the NRM’s liberation day has lost its appeal. Countrywide poverty, restrictions on democracy under Uganda’s pseudo multi-party political dispensation, entrenched corruption, patronage, police brutality and widespread unemployment are some of the reasons Mr Okello-Okello feel “fundamental change” was lost. Maj. Kazoora, now a senior member of Uganda’s largest opposition group, FDC, notes that the country lost its way when Mr Museveni chose to cling onto power. “President Museveni wrote a book ‘What is Africa’s problem?’ and answered himself, saying ‘it’s overstaying in power’. Unfortunately he is about to clock 30 years in power and he doesn’t see any problem with that. He wrote in the 2005 manifesto eight times, saying that it will be his last term in office but it appears this was a lie”. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Museveni, the longest-serving leader in East Africa, declared in his inaugural address that “the problems of Africa, and Uganda in particular, are caused by leaders who overstay in power.” Dr William Muhumuza has since published a compelling treatise: “From Fundamental Change to No Change: The NRM and democratisation in Uganda” in which he proposes that Uganda’s transition to democracy under Museveni’s NRM is a typical case of a flawed democratic transition that has fallen prey to vested political interests and manipulations. An associate professor in the Department of Political Science at Makerere University, Dr Muhumuza argues that despite the initial democratic promises by the NRM government, there has occurred a slow but steady reversal of democratisation since the mid-1990s. There have been clear signs of growing authoritarianism and the hopes of a transitioning to democratic rule have become remote. Secure country?But the NRM spokesperson Ofwono Opondo said, in spite of challenges, the country is more democratic and secure. “NRM is not here to satisfy personal demands, we are working for the majority. NRM has no regrets for the 26 years we are cerebrating. Many Ugandans are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.” “We have delivered on our 10-point programme. We have established popular democracy in the country and Ugandans from village to national level elect their leaders freely. We have ended institutionalised violence and impunity. We have resettled the displaced persons, invested in infrastructure, improved healthcare, rehabilitated the economy and put in place relevant laws to deal with corruption.” Mr Opondo believes the NRM is actually a victim of its own success hence the challenges Mr Museveni faces today. He cites the liberalisation of education that has increased universities from one in 1986 to 13 today. “Our challenge is to find jobs for the unemployed graduates. We never used to have schools, we have them but we don’t have enough teachers. We have assisted Ugandans to increase production but we don’t have enough markets.” But Dr Golooba maintains that: “the problem for the NRM and Museveni is that very little of what they have attempted has been terribly successful. Agriculture has not been improved much.” He said schools were been built but educational standards have generally fallen. The health sector is in a shambles. There may be concerted efforts at road building and repair, but that has only come after years of neglect.” The fundamental change promised, Dr Golooba said, “cannot be said to have been fully realised.” “Security personnel still misuse fire arms. Generally the security forces behave as if brutalising civilians is part of what they are there to do. Politically they remain as partisan as of old, treating the political opposition as enemies not only of the state, but theirs as well.” Although President Museveni is praised for having introduced free education which increased enrollment figures, particularly under the Universal Primary Education, the current automatic promotion and lack of facilities in these schools have compromised standards. Nevertheless, Mr Opondo is persuaded that the country will be fine once: “We reform our legal system focusing on accountability, attract investors to help us create jobs, streamline the tendering process, deal with political indiscipline in government and opposition and ensure that our financial system is predictable to avoid economic shocks such the high interest rates.”More promises 26 years after the fact. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1305512/-/12a7nwgz/-/index.html","content":"Uganda at 50: The challenge of Independence and development - Uhuru na umoja and uhuru na kazi were the popular slogans of East African nationalists and political leaders 50 years ago at the dawn of independence. Unity, democracy, hard work, good governance and prosperity for all citizens were the goals of the times. This was the romantic vision of independent Africa of the 1960s and how we relished and enjoyed it, while it lasted! Africa’s ruling elite of today, a.k.a the ‘eating class’ are the only ones who are contented with what the first Kenyan President, Jomo Kenyatta, used to call matunda na uhuru - the fruits of independence. For the overwhelming majority of Africans, it is not yet uhuru; words aptly coined by Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s revolutionary and illustrious father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga in a classic book of similar title. The days of the wananchi are yet to come. What went wrong? Why did African leaders degenerate from advocates of genuine multi-party democracy at independence in the 1960s to tyranny, rule by one man in his personal interest? In the 1960s African nationalists and some liberal Europeans assumed that the suffering Africans endured during the colonial era, exemplified by the Mau Mau rebellion in Kenya and armed liberation struggles in Rhodesia, Angola and Mozambique, would give birth and rise to ‘a new man of virtue’ committed to provide the maximum good to the maximum number, including genuine democracy. Alas, barely a decade after uhuru, personal and dynastic rule set in and the dark age of coups, counter coups, bush wars, tyranny and anarchy began in Africa. Today various shades of tyranny pass for democracy in most African countries. In this typically African democracy, incumbents never lose elections. They guarantee permanent victory by ensuring that the electoral commissions are not independent of the executive branch, especially the strongman who allocates votes according to his whims. The end result is that we have ‘selections’ in most African countries instead of elections. Why do millions of educated and enlightened Africans put up obediently and subserviently with such absurdity and nonsense? It has taken us 40 years to wake up from deep slumber and sheepishly start to demand our inalienable rights from lawless and shameless men who usurped our human rights a long time ago. I guess better late than never. The tyrants are now surprised that their docile subjects are at long last standing up for their rights without fear. They are at a loss and do not seem to know whom to blame for this ‘indiscipline’ – a popular word with these types. After shooting dead several unarmed demonstrators, one African minister had the guts to blame those countries which manufacture the guns and bullets used by the police to commit heinous atrocities against the very people they are supposed to protect! One African strongman blamed the media for reporting what he believes is none of the media’s business. He dubbed some media outlets as enemies of the state. Well, you cannot beat ‘Our Masters’ in original thought, especially those endowed with monopoly of vision. The African intelligentsia has for too long sat and stood on the sidelines, contented to practice the old dictum that if you cannot beat them; join them in eating the left-overs of the animal the big man killed primarily for his clan. How cowardly, disgusting and despicable of the African elite who have no civic spirit left in them. All regimes, including tyrannical regimes, depend from time to time on legitimacy and some form of coercion for survival. The application of coercion may fall on the army, the police, the prisons and even the courts of law. Most African governments suffer from a crisis of legitimacy and this explains why a politician who claims he won elections by a landslide acts more like a loser. With electoral fraud, more or less, in vogue, most African governments are actually illegitimate. Our development partners have turned a blind eye and deal with these illegitimate governments in the absence alternatives, except in Libya where there were two governments in one country at on time; in Tripoli and Benghazi. The two governments have now merged. Fear of the indiscriminate use of force to crush any protest, however minor is an essential aspect of tyranny. When citizens cease to fear the strongman and the coercive state apparatus, the big man’s days are numbered, as happened in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen. I predict more dominos will fall in 2012.To be continued next weekend... Mr Acemah is a political scientist, consultant and a retired career ambassador. hacemah@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1305668/-/13flo4uz/-/index.html","content":"The party is not over for Africa’s grand party but... - Last Sunday the central South African city of Mangaung, known as Bloemfontein in Afrikaans, came to life as current and future heads of states, distinguished guests and thousands of ordinary people converged in its conference halls and streets to celebrate the hundredth birthday of the oldest political party in the continent, the African National Congress (ANC). The city, whose name means “a place of cheetahs” in Sesotho, reverberated with dance, feasting and speeches as presidents and other dignitaries praised the party of Nelson Mandela. Apart from the numerous milestones that mark the ANC’s journey of a hundred years, the gathering also provided an opportunity to take a hard look at the party. As ANC celebrates, critics say acrimony, backstabbing and corruption are festering in the giant party. The ability of the party to hold together will be tested during the 53rd National Delegates Conference at the same venue in December to pick its presidential flagbearer for the 2014 elections. However, in spite of internal fissures, the ANC remains one of the most organised parties in Africa, boasting huge grassroots support besides resounding victories in three post-apartheid elections. With fanatical members like its chief whip Mathole Motshekga claiming that “the ANC has a responsibility to rule until Jesus pays us another visit,” being a successful politician in South Africa more often than not means being a member of this monolithic party. The ruling party has 264 seats in the national assembly, which is more than double the opposition’s. But figures in the last general elections offered a glimmer of hope to the opposition in a democracy where the essence of single party rule dominates but in name. Many were quick to claim the tiny percentage ANC has been losing the opposition was an indication of a population, whose faith in the ruling party is waning. “South Africans have become less and less happy with ANC,” Radio Netherlands reported after the 2008 polls. “While the majority of the people still live in poverty, ANC officials are seen as squanderers driving luxury cars, living in mansions and eating sushi. Many local politicians are corrupt and, according to South Africans, just want to fill their own pockets.” This observation was vindicated by an annual survey published by South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR), which indicated that the ANC has lost a sizeable number of ward seats to Democratic Alliance, whose support is strongest among white South Africans. “Between the last local government elections in 2006, and up until August 2010, ANC managed to hold 306 ward seats, gaining 17 new ones and losing 55, giving it an overall loss of 38 seats,” the survey said. “By contrast, the DA retained 61 seats, gained 29, and lost only five, resulting in an overall gain of 24 seats.”Although ANC controls major cities across the country, DA, whose leader Helen Zille is the premier of the Western Cape, controls Cape Town. But party stalwarts and sympathisers have dismissed these reports as exaggerations, citing the landslide victory during the local government elections in May last year where ANC garnered 62 per cent of national vote. “Attempts by some writers and analysts to pour cold water on the overall performance of the ANC are strange indeed,” opined Sandile Zungu, spokesman of the Black Business Council, in the Times Live. “Clutching at the decline of three percentage points and trying to stir the pot with false headlines such as “ANC is left shaken”… was a mischievous attempt aimed at inciting the membership of the ANC to bay for the blood of its senior leadership.” However, Zungu admits that the party lost its influence in its traditional strongholds like Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape Province. This apparent loss of support from a section of the majority black electorate that once looked up to ANC as its only vehicle for political salvation is being blamed on infighting, corruption and greed in the party. What is happening?Before his ascendancy to the presidency Jacob Zuma was charged with several cases of corruption which led to his dismissal as both the national vice-president and the party’s deputy leader, with his long-time business associate Schabir Shaikh being handed a 15-year jail term. Schabir served 28 months of the term before he was released on “medical grounds”, while Zuma was reinstated after charges against him were dropped. Currently, several provincial leaders are facing graft charges in court, which has prodded the party to launch a series of anti-corruption awareness seminars across the country. But some members have claimed that a clique of powerful party leaders, dubbed the “Alex Mafia”, is using the anti-corruption war to settle political scores. “Although the organisation’s struggle for liberty was supposed to have ended with the 1994 election that defeated apartheid, rampant unemployment, income distribution as skewed as anywhere on earth, catastrophic corruption, plummeting education and healthcare, and lingering racial tensions have cast shadows that lengthen with each passing year,” said Heidi Holland, author of “100 Years of Struggle: Mandela’s ANC”, which was published to coincide with the centenary celebrations. “Clearly, ANC’s struggle to deliver “a better life for all” is going to take longer than 100 years.” The battle for supremacy between former and current presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma, respectively, saw the party experience one of the most devastating internal conflicts in its history, culminating in the forced resignation of Mbeki and the formation of the splinter Congress of the People (COPE). This was followed by another equally stormy conflict between Zuma and youth leader Julius Malema, which ended with the latter being hounded out of the party by its disciplinary committee. But even opponents agree that despite all these shortcomings, ANC has managed to achieve one of the best development records in sub-Saharan Africa that include overseeing the continent’s biggest economy.“ANC’s success outweighs its failures in the eyes of the majority citizens, most of whom still vote for the party in regular, well-organised elections,” Holland says. “Apart from the ascendancy of black rule having purged South Africans of the pain and indignity of apartheid, government has provided welfare benefits for 15 million people, cut its murder rate dramatically over recent years, almost eradicated severe malnutrition among the under-fives, increased primary school enrolment to nearly 100 per cent and established the world’s biggest anti-retroviral treatment programme for HIV/Aids patients.” The long walk to eyBut the journey has been long and treacherous since a grouping of chiefs, people’s representatives, church organisations and others congregated in Bloemfontein in 1912 to form a vehicle through which Africans could fight for their rights and freedoms. Among the ANC founding fathers were John Dube, Pixley ka Isaka and Sol Plaatje. ANC adopted the philosophy of national inclusion where people from all races and political views were accommodated as long as they shared the common goal of fighting apartheid. This did not go down well with radical black supremacists, leading to the formation of a breakaway Pan African Congress. 1 | 2 Next Page»The liberation movement at that time advocated passive resistance against the whites, It was modelled along what Gandhi had done in India, but the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960, where 69 Africans were shot dead by police during a protest against the restrictive pass laws, forced ANC to embrace violence. Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) or “Spear of the Nation” was formed with Nelson Mandela, who missed the celebrations due to old age, as its first leader. At the beginning of the violent resistance, Mandela and seven other high-profile ANC figures were condemned to a life in prison during the infamous Rivonia Trials, thrusting the anti-apartheid struggle in the hands of radical individuals such as Steve Biko, Chris Hani and Hendrick Musi. Through a consistent campaign of bombings, sabotage and targeted assassinations, MK and its allies made the townships ungovernable, where apartheid collaborators were arraigned in kangaroo courts or summarily executed by “necklacing”, which entailed setting them on fire using car tires. With ANC banned, intrigues of the cold war joined the conflict, with MK getting the backing of USSR and Cuba to wage a guerilla war against apartheid. Combined with the students’ uprisings of the 70s and 80s which claimed at least 600 lives, the era ushered in what was called as a “decade of violence.” The escalation of violence and the bite of sanctions slapped by the international community led to the capitulation of the apartheid regime and eventual freedom in 1994. Kwazulu-Natal, one of the most volatile regions during the struggle, has always been the hardest nut for ANC to crack because of the presence of Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) led by Mangosuthu Buthelezi. Being an apartheid sympathiser, IFP was always a thorn in ANC’s flesh during apartheid, which was manifested in the many bloody conflicts between supporters of the rival parties. But perhaps as a sign of ANC’s rising fortunes in recent years, it has been ruling the province since the 2004 general elections. This is partly credited to ANC Imvuselelo (Revival) campaigns and the influence of Jacob Zuma, who hails from the region. However, if the current trends of infighting and balkanisation of the party into competing cliques continues, experts warn, ANC will find it hard to avoid going the way of its peers like Kenya’s Kanu. Even the opposition seems to have sensed such a possibility for they have started talking of a future ruled by coalitions. “What many people and analysts forget is that when we say we believe we will be a party of government in 2019, we are not saying we will achieve the 50-plus majority,” said DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko. “We are saying we can push ANC below the 50-plus per cent majority and that will give us the opportunity to form a coalition government.” But ANC spokesman Keith Khoza dismisses Mazibuko’s claims as daydreaming, saying she represents “a minority of black people who are comfortable with white rule or domination.” « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1296856/-/bfj98hz/-/index.html","content":"Do we need 70 ministers? - Kampala Seven months ago, President Museveni unveiled a Cabinet laden with professionals. The President won the February election by landslide against a backdrop of his scores in the 2006 and 2001 ballots, each dropping by roughly 10-percentage points. Towering inflation, a rapidly sliding Ugandan currency and sudden eruption of civil rebellion in the appellation of walk-to-work caught the then lapsing government unprepared. Separate strikes by public transporters (taxi drivers), lawyers, teachers and Kampala traders also left the country yearning for tangible solutions. Besides, the sight of elderly women hammering empty saucepans during a street demonstration as a sign they could no longer put food on the table for their families cast Museveni’s leadership as out-of-touch with people’s teething troubles. More professionals on boardHis answer in the May Cabinet reshuffle was starkly contrasting as well as assuring. He appointed accomplished women such as Ms Maria Kiwanuka, Pediatrician Christine Ondoa and Ms Irene Muloni - and gave them the big ticket ministries of Finance, Health and Energy respectively. But the public expectation that a dream Cabinet lineup would turn things around sadly remains unfulfilled. Load-shedding is at its worst, stifling businesses; a teacher in Mbale made headlines when she died in labour, reportedly ignored at Mbale Hospital; an under-reported strike by intern doctors and nurses caused dozens of avoidable deaths at Mulago Referral Hospital while inflation jumped to 30 per cent, the highest in 18 years, eroding previous economic gains. Inflation might have started cooling in recent weeks amid the central government’s tightened fiscal policy and the Shilling is bouncing back against the US dollar after months of free fall, but the damage has already been done. Now a resurgent war against corruption, waged by NRM-leaning MPs said to be pawns for historicals in rival cliques, has dragged government to a political gridlock. Presidency Minister Kabakumba Masiko threw in the towel when she could no longer endure the heat fanned by legislators energised by police detectives’ unearthing that King’s FM, a private FM in Bunyoro in which the minister holds majority shares, illegally tapped a UBC mast and transmitter. Ms Masiko’s resignation brought to five the number of vacant Cabinet posts. Parliament’s Appointments Committee had, during vetting in June, questioned the designation of Henry Muganwa Kajura as substantive Public Service minister (although Mr Museveni clung to him) and former city mayor Nasser Ntege Ssebagala as Minister without Portfolio. Others included James Kakooza (Primary Health Care), Mbabali Muyanja (Investment) and Saleh Kamba (Bunyoro Affairs). Besides, three ministers have “stepped aside” to face trial for corruption. That means eight ministers are effectively not in office. With MPs baying for the blood of Gender Minister Syda Bbumba, her Information counterpart Karooro Okurut and Prof. Khiddu Makubuya, ministerial vacancies could soon reach 11 or 13 per cent of the 79-member Cabinet including the President. The lack of a dent in running of government as a result of missing ministers has offered ammunition to critics that Mr Museveni appoints many ministers for patronage, and not effective service delivery as purported. Matembe’s take“Museveni’s Cabinet ceased to be of competence and service delivery long time ago,” said Ms Miria Matembe, a former Ethics minister. The appointments, she said, are either to lure or silence critics or reward loyalists. The Constitution allows the President to assign junior ministers to take charge in the absence of their seniors, reducing the risk of leadership vacuum and political oversight. Presidential Spokesman Tamale Mirundi said where bureaucrats led by permanent secretaries are efficient and a budding private sector demystifies the necessity for government, absence of ministers cannot be felt because service delivery continues uninterrupted. He agrees a lean Cabinet is possible but says the “problem is that a government is seen as a mirror and each tribe, religion and interest group wants to feature.” “That is how we have a big Cabinet. The alternative could stir civil strife and is worse,” he said. tbutagira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/YasiinMugerwa/-/878670/1294896/-/4mkin2/-/index.html","content":"A tale of two elephants: Kadaga Vs Mbabazi - When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. This ancient proverb of the Kikuyu people, a tribal group in Kenya, is as true today as when the words were first spoken, perhaps thousands of years ago. Its essence is simplicity— when fights happen, the surrounding environment is greatly affected yet it had nothing to do with the fights. Regardless of which political elephant wins, or loses, the grass beneath their feet will always be destroyed, so is service delivery. While the exact source of this proverb is lost in the distant past, this adage is not just a quaint figure of speech. It plainly describes the absurdity that has rocked the 9th Parliament. It aptly describes the fight between Speaker Rebecca Kadaga and our beleaguered Prime Minister, Mr Amama Mbabazi. The two “elephants” are not fighting per se; they are playing a precarious political football that has left the Executive sleeping and many Ugandans upset in the process. In English literature the story of Rip Van Winkle is famous. An easy going fellow who slept for 20 years only to wake up when the world he knew had completely changed. Rip was a man of the people and most importantly, a family man. However, laziness, for which his nagging wife (Dame Van Winkle) rebuked him all the time, was the only reason why his family fell apart. Dodging proceedingsLaid-back, just like Rip, a henpecked man who loathed gainful work and chose to slumber; it appears the front-bench is gradually losing the balance. Some ministers have either resigned or stepped aside over corruption scandals, others are refusing to go. Other front-benchers continue to dodge the proceedings of the House as their colleagues sleep on the job. Sadly, in all this, Parliament has not been spared either. But who is to blame? Well, blame our politics. The Prime Minister, who is also the Leader of Government Business in Parliament, is among the ministers who are facing corruption accusations. He appears pre-occupied. But that’s not much of an issue. In any case, the matter is before courts of law. The political football between the Prime Minister and Speaker of Parliament is ever more affecting the work of Parliament. Already Ms Kadaga is complaining that unlike the former Prime Minister, Prof. Apolo Nsimbambi, Mr Mbabazi does not seem to comprehend how Parliament works. She further accuses Mr Mbabazi of plotting her downfall. I am not sure about the exact cause of the acrimony between Ms Kadaga and Mr Mbabazi but I know the fact that the Speaker’s election angered some people in some ways. First, former Speaker Edward K. Ssekandi (Vice President) was fronted by a clique of ministers to frustrate Ms Kadaga’s bid. However, realising that it was too late to block her, they craftily endorsed her landslide victory against the opposition leader, Mr Nandala Mafabi. Having been voted Speaker against the wishes of the Executive, some ministers now accuse Ms Kadaga of being anti-government. Though the anti-Kadaga elements within Cabinet have not come out openly to challenge her in Parliament, I am told they have recruited cohorts among responsive members. Luckily, Ugandans and MPs across the political spectrum still think with Ms Kadaga and the 9th Parliament is already biting. If she does not backtrack, this Parliament will certainly make a difference particularly in the fight against corruption. Kadaga take on Mbabazi From a vantage point of this column, I read Ms Kadaga’s translated version of her Lusoga interview published in a local newspaper this week where she puts this fight into perspective. First, this is how Ms Kadaga assessed Mr Mbabazi’s performance: “The Prime Minister came with a lot of bbugumu [overzealousness], but he doesn’t understand what is going on in Parliament, although he has been there for a long time. He used not to attend Parliament; therefore, he doesn’t understand its rules and procedure. He admitted to that. “When I try to guide him, he never cooperates; that is his problem. He doesn’t understand how Parliament works. After the State of the Nation address, I wrote to him, telling him that there are no bills [submitted by government] to be passed in this session; I need them. He simply kept quiet. He asked me to call Parliament’s business committee. I asked him, what are we going to discuss? The reason I sent MPs on recess was because there was no business; therefore, I could not call the business committee. He insisted that I do, but I said no, we cannot meet just to greet one another. That is not how we operate.” Indeed, before the House went for Charismas break, there was no serious work going on in Parliament because the government had failed to bring business. Since the State of the Nation, the government has brought only one business: the controversial Public Order Management Bill. The rest was created by backbenchers to make Parliament busy. We are paying these MPs millions of Shillings for no work done yet Ugandans need better services. By shouting that the King is naked, Ms Kadaga is not fighting the government; she is helping the “sleeping government”. The Executive should wake up and bring Bills to Parliament because there is a manifesto to execute before 2016. The promises made to Ugandans are too many and timely. It is the job of the Speaker and those who care to whip those who are sleeping. I do not want to believe that there is a conspiracy to fail Ms Kadaga though many Ugandans of good will think, by refusing to bring business in the House, the Executive wants to depict Ms Kadaga as a non-performer. But the animosity between Mr Mbabazi and Ms Kadaga is a small misunderstanding which needs urgent fix before the situation gets out of hand. Fundamentally, Parliament has two inherently contradictory roles – first, to sustain the Executive, which it would appear to do well and second, to hold the Executive to account between elections, which it does rather less well. The fights we see in Parliament today are not taking us anywhere, we just need to learn how to cultivate a new path in the New Year and look for ways of ensuring that the government in power serves the people without bias. Otherwise, we cannot afford to have the luxury of sleeping through the hardships our country is facing today. Merry Christmas to you all. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/AllanTacca/-/878694/1267788/-/9frebuz/-/index.html","content":"Of today’s kondos, corrupt politicians and NRM power - Without wasting time, who is a kondo? Folklore puts it down to a robber who referred to smashing door bolts (obukondo) in broken Luganda. So a kondo is not only a serious thief, but one who breaks into houses and uses violence. Because of the speed and efficiency required, kondos generally operate in groups. By contrast, although, say, the embezzlers of Chogm 2007 funds were very serious thieves and operated in groups, they are (strictly) not kondos. No locks and bolts were broken; no violence was involved. Now, in the olden days, the kondo and the embezzler were both despised. In addition, the kondo was feared. In President Museveni’s era, the kondo is still feared and despised, but the embezzler is enjoying a kind of image renovation, coming out looking much better than the kondo. The untutored victim does not need special lessons to feel the pain caused by a kondo’s body blow or the effects of instant property loss. It takes much longer to grasp the connection between the disappearance (into private pockets) of public funds and an unbuilt hospital somewhere in the country, and therefore the death of people who might have been treated and cured. One also needs no lessons before relishing a chunk of roasted meat. So, a clever embezzler who uses a small part of his loot to buy several bulls for the villagers around him to roast becomes a “man of the people”, who can pull off a landslide victory in the next election. That, indeed, is one reason why the political embezzler is worse than the kondo; like a blood cancer compared to a knife wound. Not only does the embezzler usually steal much more than the kondo, and his actions affect whole communities, but the embezzler can actually get politically rewarded for giving away a small part of his loot, repeating the cycle to extend his tenure or even climb to a higher position. Furthermore, not only does the embezzler suck the resources that would have been spent on fighting kondos (among other things), but he quickly realises that he actually needs kondos. The existence of a criminal class that is generally perceived to be more evil than the embezzler makes the latter feel more comfortable. Indeed, periodically, the political embezzlers gang up with special police squads to attack and make a big show of killing kondos. Similarly, the spread of corruption and any evidence of greed in the opposition ranks make the ruling elite look more “normal”. In his radio guest shows, the most talkative and most dedicated self-praise-singer of the President’s spokesmen, Tamale Mirundi, has been implying (perhaps unintentionally) that the exercise of political power under the NRM has been reduced to intrigue and malicious scheming. Powerful figures are pitted against each other, plotting or peddling influence to make serious money for themselves and their rackets, which increases their political clout, which opens the doors to even more cash vaults. Then again, powerful politicians sometimes rise or sink because of the media handlers they have or have not hired. Internal critics of the regime who demand accountability are presented by ruling clique spin-doctors as moles or traitors and rebels who take bribes from rival Mafiosi or the opposition. Against this backdrop of a vampire-eats-vampire game played out in a real society that hates kondos, we are invited to appreciate president Museveni as a shining leader. The quality of governance has been virtually pushed off the scale, except on the now tiresome matter of “taming the army”. Tiresome; because, where in the five East African countries is the army not comparably tame? The horrendous excesses under Milton Obote and Idi Amin were directly related to the peculiarities of the two rulers. The youth who join the UPDF are not potentially any more (or any less) savage than those in other countries. Anyway, with the quality of governance rendered almost irrelevant, President Museveni is validated, not for the sparkle of new ideas targeting economic or social problems, but by his skill at controlling, intimidating or manipulating different sections of the population; by the sheer ability to hold them down and cling to power. Mr Tacca is a novelist and socio-political commentator. altacca@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1263940/-/12pmgp8z/-/index.html","content":"Warning: Cemeteries are full of big men - Kampala The fall of Col. Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan strongman and the inhuman treatment, was not because he did not buy weapons to shoot down some hostile planes. Those who sell weapons to Third World countries, however friendly, and however oil rich the country might be, never sell the state of the art. They never sell weapons they cannot jam, or destroy. Even the experts who come to install them are more loyal to their countries and fellow developed countries than us; the wretched of the earth, who produce what we don’t consume and consume what we don’t produce and feel proud. But before we learn from Libya, let us look at just three African success stories. The first is Ivory Coast. It became independent from France in 1960 and was led by Felix Houphouet - Boigny from then till his peaceful death in 1993. He started well by joining African planters protests against discriminative French settlers by forming the African Planters Syndicate in 1944, which was against the policies of the Vichy regime. Later he headed a democratic party which was influenced by Marxism. He joined the French Assembly. As President he was fondly called PAPA. At the peak of his regime, the country was conspicuous for its ethnic harmony and well developed economy leading in the production of cocoa and coffee. It was referred to as the IVORIAN MIRACLE. He had strong ties with the West especially France. But Boigny ruled with an Iron feast. He built the world’s largest church, the Basilica of our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro at a cost of $300 million. He participated in the overthrow of Kwame Nkrumah and later the killing of Thomas Sankara. Suffering from prostate cancer, he had arranged for his life support system to be turned off at the dawn of December 7, 1993 the 33rd anniversary of Independence Day. At the time of his death, he was Africa’s longest surviving ruler. Just 33 years only. Though he died peacefully, ethnic harmony turned into Zen phobia and the miracle into ruins and chaos. Things fell apart. The second is Ghana. Jerry Rawlings ruled with an Iron feast. But he had good manners to obey the term limits that had been put in the constitution under his rule. His party lost the election. The outcome was accepted. Recently the party that took over from him, lost in the Presidential elections by the thinnest of margins. There was no vote recount, no petition, no cries that where will Ghana be without the party that ushered in civilian rule. Both Rawlings and John Kuffor are in Ghana. There has been change of leaders peacefully and democratically. Ghana has not, only discovered oil, it is producing oil. The third success story is South Africa. African National Congress is the oldest party in Africa. It will be 100 years next year. When Nelson Mandela won elections with a real landslide, he stepped down after one term. He was and still is hugely popular. He demystified the syndrome of “I sacrificed” “the country still needs me to stabilise”; “without me there will be chaos”. No threat at allHis supporters did not threaten that they would take him to court, if he did not stand again. He proved that the country is far more important than any individual, that the African strong man syndrome rather than the strong Nation was false. Mr Thabo Mbeki took over the leadership of ANC and country. He was removed from the leadership of the party and hence the country’s presidency. He stepped aside. Many speculated that he was going to split the party and form his own. A new President is in power. Mandela and Mbeki are respected former Presidents. Mbeki proved that the party is more important than its sitting leaders. In addition, a very popular and strong leader of the party’s Youth League did some wrong. He was submitted to the party’s disciplinary committee, proving that institutions are meant to work even where the untouchables are involved. Western powers, however friendly, have their interests to serve. It is the duty of our leaders to provide no cracks to be exploited by having governments that follow the law, are accountable, that change peacefully, that are not only quoted for good growth figures in Gross Demotic Growth (GDP) terms, but that, I propose, should consider the Gross National Happiness (GNH) if its population, where Public Safety Units and Safe Houses are never heard of. That not only sing sectarianism and teach patriotism but do actually separate State from family resources and family from the State. I quote the late Prof. Samwiri Rubaraza Karugire: “I also submit that you have a vicious circle here: you have committed crimes in order to stay in office and therefore you have to stay in office because you have committed crimes so that you are not called to account. What this will mean for the future, I leave to those who have a flair for regressive analysis and to our distant younger cousins, the political scientists.”He continues: “In tandem with this numbing corruption, or indeed because of it, the continent is also saddled with nepotism. Because of these gross malfeasances, our rulers become insecure in their sumptuous offices and therefore they surround themselves with their own relatives with whom, of course, they loot the national treasury.” 1 | 2 Next Page»The conclusionHe concludes: “You wonder, do you not, how such a country composed of plural societies, could be held together when its public offices are dominated by members of one family. If you remove such a family, then you have also removed the country’s government.” This was during his inaugural lecture as Professor of History at Makerere University entitled, ‘Wind of Change or Merely a Change in the Wind’ On June 18, 1986. I was present. I could not imagine that gruesome killing of Gadaffi would awaken me, to what he said then that looked so distant and ephemeral. The main lesson is that Africa should eschew the strong, indispensable leader mentality. We need strong system and institutions that serve the national interest. After all cemeteries are full of indispensable men, if they are lucky. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/YasiinMugerwa/-/878670/1246026/-/4jj1cy/-/index.html","content":"Speaker Kadaga must ‘ride the tiger’ - When Rebecca Kadaga, was elected Speaker of Ninth Parliament on May 19, she won hearts and minds across the political spectrum. Call her “the darling” of the August House. Indeed, many Ugandans including those in the Diaspora eulogised the rise of a “female Messiah” with a lot of optimism. In the fading shadow of former speaker Edward Ssekandi, patriots as well as lawmakers saw Kadaga as a harbinger of hope. The bipartisan support to Kadaga’s candidature, explains why the opposition lawmakers who abandoned runner-up Nandala Mafabi in the race for the same job were never condemned in anyway. In fact, many opposition MPs campaigned for Ms Kadaga. They wanted to salvage the independence of Parliament in a democracy. In this significant poll presided over by Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki, unsurprisingly, Ms Kadaga garnered 302 votes while Mafabi - now Leader of Opposition - managed to raise 57 votes. By any measure, this was a landslide victory. Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure. This is why Mafabi right away conceded defeat and submitted to Kadaga’s authority, in a historic shrug that inked Kadaga’s name in the history books and ultimately ushered in what many called a new era. To cut the story short, Kadaga, 55, an accomplished lawyer, became the first woman Speaker since independence in 1962. In her acceptance speech, Kadaga said: “Before you (Chief Justice), I want to pledge that I will be fair and objective to all. I promise I will be a Speaker for all MPs. Much is expected from us, the public want value for money, accountability, transparency, good governance and better services. This should be the main focus of Parliament and we must make Parliament relevant to the people.” In her leadership, the Chief Justice asked Kadaga to be as good a listener as a judge. Today Kadaga marks her 137th day as Speaker. Forget the dishonesty we saw in Parliament’s handling of this year’s budget. On a weighing scale, it was so far so good until 166 MPs sought to invoke Article 95 (5) of the 1995 Constitution, requiring Kadaga to recall Parliament for a special sitting on corruption in the oil sector, the secrecy of the oil deals the government signed with foreign companies and the confusion in the country’s nascent sector. On Monday, Kadaga asked petitioners to tell her why Parliament should be recalled from recess amid reports that the President had stopped the debate on oil deals due to the confidentiality clauses. On Tuesday, the Speaker met selected government officials in a closed meeting that discussed the petition. To my surprise, on Wednesday Kadaga called a sarcastic news conference where she gave a string of comic excuses and vowed not to recall Parliament unless she is satisfied that the issue at hand is of an emergency nature. To put you in the picture, these are the conditions Kadaga gave; indicate specific matters that make it inevitable to recall Parliament, “before pre-empting the work of the (Legal and Parliamentary Affairs) Committee which is studying the arbitration case of Heritage Oil and Gas Ltd. Vs Government, I need to know the urgency of the petition”, and there are proceedings going on at the Tax Appeals Tribunal in Uganda and The Permanent Court of Arbitration in London, United Kingdom. Kadaga also said the Oil Sharing Agreements were already in Parliament, therefore, no need to demand for the same. Kadaga also reminded the petitioners that under Section 59 of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act Cap 150, “no information furnished, or information in a report submitted pursuant to this Act by a licensee shall be disclosed to any person who is not a Government Minister or an Officer in the public service except with the consent of the Licensee.” While Kadaga is playing hide-and-seek for reasons unknown, Article 95(5) of the Constitution is very clear, and it reads, “… at least one-third of all members of Parliament (125 MPs) may, in writing signed by them, request a meeting of Parliament; and the Speaker shall summon Parliament to meet within 21 days after receipt of the request.” From the wording of this Article, there is nothing like Speaker’s descretion. Whether Kadaga has forgotten the promise she made before God and Chief Justice or not, I can’t bet on that. But as we shall see in this column, by refusing to recall Parliament to discuss the corruption and confusion in the oil sector, Kadaga tempts us to believe that Article 95 (5) is subject to her discretion which is not the case. It’s only Section 16 of the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure where the Speaker’s discretion applies. Even with that, the Constitution is supreme. I agree being a Speaker in a one-party dominated multi-party Parliament is not an easy task, but to survive this political tide, Kadaga has no choice, but to ride that tiger. At a time when our country is facing serious problems, we cannot afford to have an “apprehensive” Speaker and a rubber stamp Parliament at the same time. Ugandans want solutions and Parliament has the key to prosperity. Most of our youth are jobless. Our Shilling is the third worst- performing in the world. Our country is virtually run on generators since we cannot guarantee power. Both health and education systems are in shambles and our economy is doing badly. We are all gripped by corruption in private and public offices. Our industries have stagnated and professionals are fleeing the country for Kyeyo. In a country where integrity, strength of character and commitment to the people’s wishes and aspirations are in short supply, Parliament needs Kadaga’s steadfastness in spite of the pressures and the schemes in the corridors of power. A spineless Speaker is bad for democracy and at worst kills institutions, accountability, good governance and transparency. The principal metaphor of the book Ride the Tiger by by Italian traditionalist philosopher Julius Evola is its title. Likewise, the relevance of any Parliament rests in an independent Speaker. While the one who rides the tiger can never get off because he or she is always afraid to dismount, a rough interpretation of this credence would be once a dangerous or troublesome venture is begun, the safest course is for individuals, like Kadaga, to carry it through to the end and reckon. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1227718/-/13xewrlz/-/index.html","content":"Landslides: the curse around Mt. elgon - They all went to sleep just like it was any other night but the next morning, many families were less by one person or many people. A mudslide had changed their lives forever. Many people move slowly through the remains of their gardens, now covered by the mudslide in the seemingly abandoned places. Some pause for a few minutes by the big stones that rolled down Namwidisi hill at the slopes of Mt Elgon in Kimuli village, Mabono parish, Sisiyi sub-county. Others walk past, seemingly unmindful of what befell people’s houses. A woman comes wailing from a distance. She is being consoled by others who are walking with her. Although Ms Anna Nabuduwa survived the mudslide after her house was demolished, her two children and relatives were all buried under the rubble. The buried Kimuli village, that is located under a cliff on the lower part of Mt Elgon looks at a distance, like a freshly dug garden ready for planting. You will only notice that there was a mudslide when you see the remains of mattresses, iron sheets and old mud and wattle debris scattered everywhere. Except for these and some clothes in the gardens as well as other debris scattered everywhere, everything has been buried. The surroundings look like an abandoned place with no crops. When Daily Monitor approaches Mr Jacob Nasami, a local council one chairperson in Kimuli village and a survivor of the devastating mudslide, he says, “We had all gone to bed and were deep asleep. After the rains reduced, I heard a sound like that of a bomb and all of a sudden, mud and stones started rolling. I woke up my family and we went outside and stayed there in case anything happened to the house. When we came back, we found everything buried. I don’t know what will happen next. We are stuck, there is no food. The gardens and crops were all buried by the mudslides. We will undoubtedly need relief food throughout as we mourn the dead,” Mr. Nasami says. Nasami, says the greatest problem that remains unresolved is hunger and the daunting task of recovering those buried under the rubble. As I move towards the centre of this devastated area, a woman, Angella Mwambu 29, is wailing alone. She gets onto her knees and points at the place on the ground under which she suspects her children are buried. Then she starts using her hands to try to retrieve the bodies. “My child is gone, buried oh God!” Mwambu cries again and then starts to yell as she raises her head. The bodies buried seem to be mostly those of children. There is one of an unidentified old man. There is also a pair of severed limbs of varied sizes while at a close distance a body of another person sticks out. Armed with spades, pickaxes and in some cases bare hands, the rescuers lift or crash stones and scoop the mound of wet soil. They seem to be losing hope. LCV councilor for Sisiyi sub-county Mr. Namwata Nagimesi, 79, says the absence of fork lifts and graders or other heavy machinery to blast or remove huge rocks has let them down adding that they have so far recovered 16 bodies. “We would have loved to give our people a decent burial but our hopes are fading. The ground is getting hard as the rocks have covered the bodies and there are no hopes of getting better equipment,” said he says. The LCV chairman Mr. Simon Wananzofu says, “Despair, hopelessness and helplessness are the three words that can describe the feelings of the people in Kimuli village after the mudslides buried 43 people in separate places.” 1 | 2 Next Page»He said the landslides have also destroyed houses, domestic animals and birds and peoples’ crops sending people deeper into poverty. As sad as the situation is, perhaps the residents should have seen it coming. Uganda Wildlife Authority says that the massive encroachment at Mt Elgon National Park coupled with deforestation and poor farming methods signalled an environmental disaster in the surrounding areas but the people never heeded to the advice given to them to leave the park.“We knew there would be an environmental catastrophe because of encroachment on this mountain which had seen the water catchment belt at Mt Elgon destroyed thereby posing great danger of mudslides. And there is more trouble in the waiting as it continues raining. The people must vacate the areas,” Mt Elgon area conservation manager Mr Adonia Bintorwa says. He says the local residents of the neighbouring villages Mabono, Masabasi, Nakidibo and Bumwidisi should relocate out of the affected areas and other places were the landslide is threatening to occur again. As the local council leaders give their advice, people keep digging the ground, hoping against hope that they shall find the bodies of their loved ones. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1206302/-/13yns2az/-/index.html","content":"GRAPEVINE: Behind Oulanyah’s troubles - The proposed censure motion against Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah is as interesting as the ugly scenes behind it. Grapevine has learnt about some motivations to the petition. First, Mr Oulanyah is allegedly politically-ambitious man, according to those who have tracked his political rise. And because of this, the sharp lawyer is reportedly capable of doing whatever it takes to achieve his dreams. For this reason, he allegedly ends up making wrong moves, sometimes. Every achievement attracts both friends and enemies – and Mr Oulanyah’s elevation to Deputy Speaker can only be seen as such. Grapevine has learnt that enemies Mr Oulanyah’s alleged enemies are largely from the north, his home region, where there are few NRM party members, a party to which he too is a recent convert. Apparently, several NRM bigwigs from the north had anticipated to eat big in Cabinet. They include Internal Affairs Minister Hillary Onek (who was allegedly tipped he would be named vice president), State Minister for Water Betty Bigombe, Mr Richard Twodong and Henry Oryem Okello. But after the taking the Deputy Speaker job, Mr Oulanyah has apparently emerged as the most powerful man from the north. This, it is alleged, has caused discomfort in some quarters. In FDC, there is also alleged serious feud between Mr Reagan Okumu and Prof. Ogenga Latigo. The fight is reportedly pegged on what appears to be a struggle for ‘who is who’ in Acholi. Mr Odonga Otto also wanted to remain a big bull and indeed he contested against Mr Oulanyah for Deputy Speaker post, but lost. It is reported that due to the power struggles, sections want Mr Oulanyah out of his Speakership job in the hope that another Acholi would be elevated. It is alleged that Mr Oulanyah’s ‘enemies’ cannot fathom how the former UPC firebrand’s star has risen dramatically. ------------------------------------FDC: Security zero on Mafabi With Dr Kizza Besigye having declared that he will retire from the helm of FDC in 2015, security operatives are allegedly on the lookout for a person they hope he will back for presidential elections in 2016. It is reported that in all their investigations, so far, findings point fingers at the Budadiri West legislator Nandala Mafabi. The operatives allegedly believe that Dr Besigye seem to be favouring Mr Mafabi more than other FDC leaders. They allegedly point to the surprise appointment of Mr Mafabi to the powerful and well-facilitated slot of Leader of Opposition in Parliament. It should be recalled that Mr Mafabi defeated then Minister for Presidency Beatrice Wabudeya in the last parliamentary race. Much as Ms Wabudeya had the money and military hardware behind her, the trained accountant cum-politician defeated her with a landslide. Dr Besigye was recently in Bugisu to celebrate Mr Mafabi’s victories. -------------------------------------- Why is Kiyingi a minister? In a surprise move, President Museveni reportedly used the recent NRM Caucus meeting at State House Entebbe to tell his audience why he appointed Mr Asuman Kiyingi as State Minister for Regional Cooperation. A charged Mr Museveni allegedly started by reprimanding his party MPs for trying to isolate Independent MPs. He told them that some independents are more NRM than party MPs. The President singled out Mr Kiyingi, whom he showered with praises. He said he appointed Mr Kiyingi, an Independent, to Cabinet because Kiyingi had managed to defeat FDC vice president for eastern Salamu Musumba. He reportedly informed the MPs that some NRM leaders in Busoga had connived with FDC to ensure that Mr Kiyingi loses in the NRM primaries. This move was successful given that Mr Kiyingi was defeated in the primaries by a little known NRM member. According to Mr Museveni, the move to isolate Mr Kiyingi was allegedly aimed at handing Ms Musumba victory. Mr Museveni narrated how he listened to Mr Kiyingi’s case and backed his move to run as an Independent. This move was also reportedly backed and financed by Mr Amama Mbabazi and Mr Sam Kutesa."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/BernardTabaire/-/878688/1202080/-/na4o5d/-/index.html","content":"Don’t count on it, IGG Baku will not resign although he should - It will not happen. I mean the resignation of Mr Raphael Baku as Inspector General of Government, or is it acting IGG – whatever the man’s position. He has effectively lost the confidence of President Museveni, the person who appointed him. Although the Constitution says the Inspectorate of Government “shall be independent in the performance of its functions and shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority”, the President’s very direct and pointed comments on a major case matter a lot. Mr Museveni’s comment to his party’s parliamentary caucus on Monday that the IGG’s prosecution of former VP Gilbert Bukenya for abuse of office in relation to the 2007 Commonwealth Summit lacked merit seriously undercut Mr Baku’s work. He will have to second-guess himself before going after any other prominent political figures. The Presidential view piled pressure on Mr Baku. Already there were loud complaints, fair or not, amongst wananchi and MPs, to who he is responsible, that the IGG is biased in picking who to prosecute amongst the ruling elite. Why did he bring charges against Prof. Bukenya only after he had been dropped from Cabinet? Those who read in Prof. Bukenya’s fall his elimination from the succession contest charged that Mr Baku was doing the bidding of the former VP’s perceived rival, Mr Amama Mbabazi, who was elevated to prime ministership. Besides, had Mr Baku not been a protégé of Mr Mbabazi? And would he have pressed charges had Prof. Bukenya kept his job? It is difficult to see how Mr Baku can continue to inspire confidence and operate effectively with all the negative chatter around him. The President does not see him as competent; the people and Parliament do not see him as fair. He must go, notwithstanding his statement to MPs on Wednesday that “the final position on who has a case or not will be made by courts of law not any other person”. I am not betting on Mr Baku handing over office next week of his own volition. If Mr Baku will not act with decency, he is not alone. Mr Museveni’s behaviour is worrying many times over. He claims Prof. Bukenya does not even have a prima facie case to answer. How does the President, who is neither a judge nor lawyer, know this? Through consultations, he says. But he does not name whom he consulted. Presumably, though, the IGG was not one of those star legal brains that were picked. Absent names, we cannot independently judge how smart the people Mr Museveni consulted are. Yet he invokes anonymous advice to undermine the work of a public official, and running afoul of the sub judice rule while at it. This is reckless. In more other ways as well. The President has taken to the habit of conflating political and legal matters. Often, as we saw during the NSSF-Temangalo case involving Mr Mbabazi in 2008, Mr Museveni is quick to smell political sabotage whenever some senior people in his government are mentioned in corrupt dealings. He never lets the investigative process proceed to logical end. A president determined to fight corruption does not act that way; he swiftly asks the accused individual to step aside to allow for “smooth” investigations. Any guilt or innocence is left to the courts to determine. Otherwise the President is saying he has no confidence in the institutions of the State he runs. There appears to be, however, a clear objective to the puzzling presidential behaviour. The man wants to directly fold all State power – Executive, legislative, judicial – into one fist - his own, as Mamdani was wont to say while discussing the immense dictatorial powers the colonial chiefs had until, ironically, Mr Museveni dismantled them through the introduction of resistance councils. His current obsession with curtailing bail for suspects charged with offences such as economic sabotage (read holding a political demonstration on Kampala’s streets) is further evidence of his selfish intent. Mr Museveni wants such suspects to be held for not less than 180 days (six months) before they can be granted bail. He wants a referendum on the issue if Parliament, where members of his own party are for once beginning to balk although I am sure that stance will fizzle out, does not indulge him. As many have noted, should this manoeuvre succeed, it will weaken the Judiciary by taking away its current discretion to grant bail on top of messing with due process and Ugandans’ civil and political rights and liberties. Apparently, Mr Museveni’s landslide victory at the February polls was not good enough. He must augment it by grabbing wider powers. A most disturbing thing indeed, and it is polluting the larger environment, including the inside of the Inspectorate of Government. Mr Tabaire is a media trainer and consultant with the African Centre for Media Excellencebentab@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1192342/-/137vervz/-/index.html","content":"Government is open to citizens for better service delivery - I want to salute M. W. Watasa over the issues he raises in his letter, “Information key in budget implementation” (Daily Monitor, June 21) . The underpinning of his submission is that the 2011/12 budget is “among the more service-delivery-oriented ones in many years”. And that structured communication about its implementation is a prerequisite and will bring more dividends to targeted beneficiaries. I couldn’t agree more. The 2011/12 budget is progressive not by accident, but design. The NRM government won a re-election in February by landslide based on a contract – a package of promises made to the electorate. These included, among others, fast-tracking programmes to provide jobs for our unemployed youth, prioritising frugal government spending and investing in key sectors; infrastructure, health, agriculture and education to spur the country’s advancement to ‘take-off’ stage by 2016. Each citizen has a right to know how the budget provisions on paper will translate to their practical benefit – and government ministries/departments shoulder the responsibility to disseminate that information promptly. It is imperative that technocrats communicate on quarterly basis to Ugandans on the progress in budget implementation i.e. which planned activities have been implemented, at what cost and those pending and why? This encourages transparency and accountability as citizens will be empowered to follow up with relevant authorities. Compliance will result in better public relations for both the central and local governments and eliminate the temptation by opponents to deliberately misinform/mislead the public. James Madison, the Fourth US President, once said: “A popular government without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy; or, perhaps both.” The NRM has had a progressive record in legislating to promote free media to facilitate communication between bureaucrats and citizens, and giving feedback. Now with more than 200 private FM stations, slightly more than a dozen Television stations and several newspapers, every part of the country, however remote, has some access to either print or broadcast media. The National Optic Fibre Backbone Infrastructure comes in handy to link most parts of Uganda to faster and cheaper Internet connectivity and lessen the cost of doing online business. As the Minister of Information and National Guidance, I am focused on harnessing the effective use of all these communication platforms to enhance wider interface between and within government and citizens – the tax payers. I am aware government reduced the budget for media advertising by 30 per cent in the new budget and trimmed spending on workshops, seminars and travels. We have not chosen to suffocate the media but the cutback is part of overall austerity measures – in response to public demands - that will enable more rewarding public investment. Communication officers across ministries will be required to regularly update their ministry websites with information such as on drug allocation, roadworks, UPE/USE disbursements, Youth Entrepreneurship Capital eligibility criteria, predicted rainfall pattern and daily or weekly prices of agricultural outputs (so that farmers are not cheated). This information should cascade through government structures and displayed on public and market notice boards. My ministry intends to work with mobile telephony service providers on utilising SMS to facilitate communication between citizens and the government. Government will continue to advertise in mainstream media but proprietors should, as part of their responsibility, take interest to obtain and disseminate information that benefits the communities in which they operate. Together, we will empower citizens to meaningfully participate in government programmes designed to improve their welfare and ensure, as President Madison said, that “Knowledge will forever govern ignorance...” Ms Karooro Okurut is the Minister of Information and National Guidance"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1167642/-/c1fxwwz/-/index.html","content":"Manafwa weeps as mudslide kills pupil - Samuel Wabweni should this morning have been smartly dressed in Busulwa Primary School’s bright-colour uniform, playing and chatting merrily with fellow pupils about tales during a month-long holiday. Today is the first day schools across the country officially re-open for second term. So the anxiety to catch up among peers is abundant, and even greater is the desire to blurt accumulated stories, some mischievous. Unfortunately, the reunion will not be jubilant for Busulwa Primary School pupils and staff. As the school bell tolls this afternoon, if it does, summoning upper classes for lessons, two kilometres away – in the home of 57-year-old Emmanuel Wonwanwa - relatives will be weeping and cursing as Wabweni’s body is lowered into the grave. Shattered lifeWabweni’s future was shattered after a mass of soaked soil came crashing down the family house on Saturday evening, covering the pupil. He had dashed to bed immediately after supper – perhaps to catch sufficient rest and wake up in time for the early morning trek to school. His parents, who were yet to go to bed, escaped hurriedly after hearing the threatening rumbling of the mudslide that hit part of Nashefu village, in Bupoto Sub-County, Manafwa District. “When I ran back [to the house],” said Mr Wobunwanwa, “I found a huge layer of mud had completely covered my boy.” “I made an alarm and my neighbours came and dug up the mud but found the boy already dead.” Wabweni, 13, died on a day and at a time when doomsayers, among them American broadcaster and head of Family Radio Harold Camping, predicted the world would come to an end. It may not have been the Armageddon predicted in their doctrine, but for the Primary 5 pupil and Mr Wobunwanwa, it was. The soil and rock tumble ended one life this time around unlike the estimated 350 residents a massive landslide buried alive in the neighbouring Bududa District on March 1, 2010. It, however, resurrects a divisive debate raging among residents, passionate about their culture entitling them to die and be buried where the ancestors too were entombed; against a government demanding they exit their unsafe settlements on Mt. Elgon ridges in eastern Uganda. Government and experts, among them Dr Mary Gorretti Kitutu, the environment information Systems specialist at the National Environment Management Authority (Nema), have been warning residents of imminent disaster since sightings of 40 kilometre-long fissures on the mountain. Reason: Locals have invaded the protected area on the mountain, opened gardens and removed the vegetation and tree cover that held runoff water. Now the bare soil is loosened and being shredded into small valleys.“This speedy deepening is attributed to the increased encroachment on Mt. Elgon National Park,” Dr Kitutu said. “Hundreds of people have moved up, above the ridges that form the park, encroachers have stripped the ridges naked, creating increased runoffs that are likely to result in a land slide.” Some 420 families in 32 villages in Bupoto settled on the mountain slopes are at risk of another mudslide, sub-county chairman Fred Masaba said, pleading for intervention of the central government. He said: “It is tragic we have lost a child and there are signs all over the ridge that landslides are imminent. Our appeal is that government relocates the people away from this mountain.” Three weeks ago, outgoing Tourism Minister Kahinda Otafire asked residents in the affected areas to vacate. “I am asking Uganda Wildlife Authority, local leaders, resident district commissioners to evacuate the people from the cliff and gorge forcibly, nobody should be there,” he said during a visit on May 5. 1 | 2 Next Page»Minister warnsSome residents who spoke to this newspaper, however, said they have nowhere to go. Mr Wobunwanwa is sticking to the ancestral land even after losing a son at the weekend. In March last year, he survived a mudslide that killed eight people in Manafwa. He said rescuers later transferred him without assistance to Bunamunsu Primary School from where authorities evicted him weeks after, forcing his return to face fate in Nashefu Village as happened on Saturday. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1157996/-/c22fcbz/-/index.html","content":"Tinyefuza joins Aronda in faulting police - Just days after Chief of Defence Forces Aronda Nyakairima faulted Kizza Besigye’s brutal arrest last week, another UPDF general has weighed in blaming police for its high-handed crackdown on walk-to-walk demonstrators. Gen. David Tinyefuza, the coordinator of national intelligence agencies, said whereas Dr Besigye is “provocative”, the police officers deployed to stop his disputed drive to work through Wandegeya suburb made mistakes because the operatives are “young and inexperienced”. Gen. Tinyefuza speaking for the first time about the arrest of the Forum for Democratic Change leader, in an exclusive interview with Sunday Monitor acknowledged that mistakes were committed by a young and inexperienced Force. He said whereas police could have committed mistakes, Dr Besigye and his group were bent on causing violence and terror in the city. Over the past three weeks, police and other security organs have engaged opposition leaders who organised a walk-to-work campaign against what they say is the scourge of rising food and fuel prices in the country. “These young people in the police don’t have experience to handle a man who claims to be a peaceful demonstrator. And this is what has made them to make these mistakes like shooting people,” he said. Detailed interview with Tinyefuza You are the Coordinator of Intelligence agencies in the country. How do you view the situation?The security situation has been turbulent in the last one or two weeks but really I don’t think Ugandans should worry. When you listen to these radio stations and read newspapers, people are worried, but this government will handle this situation and I can assure you this is not impossible to handle.I am sorry for those who lost their dear ones. I want to assure the people that this is a strong government and it will contain the situation and our people should settle down and go about their businesses. Why was Col. Kizza Besigye treated so badly by a government that has just won an election by a landslide?Col. Besigye is not a threat to government and I want our people to understand that Besigye is an agent of all these other forces who feel threatened by the resounding defeat the opposition suffered in the just-concluded elections. And I think their mentality says it is like “now or never”. But there is no way anyone can gain through illegitimate means what you failed to gain legitimately and these ideas that those groups are a threat are not much. But do you support the manner in which he was treated? On how our police handled the situation, yes there could have been mistakes but that is Besigye’s plan to provoke the State to make mistakes so that he gains political capital. These mistakes of the police which I am talking about should be put into perspective. Uganda has been peaceful for the last 25 years and our people know how to handle armed insurgents like Kony or violent demonstrators.However, these young people in police were not prepared for the cocktail of the two and this is to say violence sugarcoated as peaceful. But again, you see Besigye and his group posed as peaceful demonstrators, while at the same time they use violent means.What does that mean?Yes, they started their walk to work as peaceful demonstrators but they engage in acts of terrorism, threats, violence and the like. For instance, on terror acts we have arrested several of them who had fuel and wanted to burn the headquarters of MTN and petrol stations including buildings. They are targeting non-Ugandans like investors but even Ugandans of Indian race, wanting to burn their businesses and you hear them talking about it openly. But they haven’t burnt anybody yet?You remember in 2009 riots they targeted Indians and in places like Bwaise, they burnt a factory belonging to Indians. Even when you want power, we don’t want you to come after destroying our country by destroying its economic base, its social harmony and political progress. This doesn’t mean that there are no mistakes made by the government. Therefore, these young people in the police don’t have experience to handle a man who claims to be a peaceful demonstrator but at the same time using terror and violence. And this is what has made them to make these mistakes like shooting people. So who is to blame?The judicial system; policemen arrest these people who cause mayhem and take them to Court. They are released the same day and tomorrow they repeat the same acts. This is frustrating to the security forces and if you are not experienced in how to handle these matters, you are bound to make mistakes. So the problem still begins with rioters who are basically not peaceful and go on committing acts of terror. Why don’t you allow Besigye to walk?If Besigye was a peaceful demonstrator, I have no doubt that he would have been allowed to walk like they allowed Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu and others. Why not, you can be allowed to walk but if you have followers who are looting, who want to torch buildings and who want to kill foreigners, how can a serious government allow you to pass through streets so that you kill and burn people? It’s not possible. So if Besigye wants to walk, he must discard acts of violence and advice his followers to be peaceful. You saw the saga when he was being arrested by police, of the hammer and pepper. Yes, those young police people could have made errors but look at the behaviour of Besigye. He didn’t only refuse to obey police orders of using that road but he goes ahead to disobey police orders to get out of his vehicle. You saw him handling the hammer in the vehicle and for me it’s not important like they are arguing whether it was his hammer or government agent hammer, I am happy that Ministry of Internal affairs and Parliament are handling this issue. But the point I am making is, Besigye is a national leader aspiring to be our president; why should he threaten police? But police was too confrontationalBesigye should know better as he is a retired Colonel; he should know that confronting police is irregular and unacceptable. So while it’s unfortunate that some of those acts were committed by our people, it doesn’t give Besigye a license to misbehave and break the law. There is talk that you are under house arrest[Prolonged laughter] Why am I under house arrest? Did I commit robbery? I don’t know who is bringing that rumour and for what purpose. Just dismiss it; it’s nonsense. But you have not been near the recent events…This situation is being handled by the police force; and once the ministers of Internal Affairs, the IGP and others are talking, there is no reason for me to come to talk. This is not such a very huge problem yet. So the people of Uganda should know that the state is secure and that their security shall be guaranteed to the maximum as we give the politicians time to resolve their issues peacefully. One thing that we shall not accept is this situation to continue to hurt and injure our innocent people. It must stop and it will be stopped."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1146408/-/10aiwif/-/index.html","content":"Give me hope, my President - A lot has been said and written in the media about worsening economic situation in the country. We have seen coping skills ranging from “walking to work” to having a single meal a day, if you are lucky. Some of us are hopeful that things will get better soon. This country has gone through a lot lately, from the heated elections to the unbelievable inflation, hunger, disease and biting poverty, with no clear end in sight. I’m beginning to get worried, that is why I need to hear from my President. I will start by congratulating you upon your landslide victory in February, even though this is neither the time nor occasion for jubilation. Please tell me the media reports of Shs4 billion for the swearing-in ceremony are not true because when our socio-economic situation is moving in a serious downward spiral, we, the citizens, should take first priority. The fuel costs are high leading to exorbitant transport costs, food prices have soared, people are dying from diseases that are treatable, etc. It’s still a shocking reality for me that Shs10,000 can barely take me through half a day. This leaves me wondering how my neighbour, whose basic survival budget was Shs3,000, is coping. This is surely heartbreaking, Mr President Sir! When Marie-Antoinette was told that the citizens of France were starving, she arrogantly said: “if they can’t buy bread then let them eat cakes.” Is this the attitude I should construe from the statement from Minister Kabakumba Masiko, that Uganda is not a welfare state?I do appreciate, Mr President, the global nature of this problem and how challenging it is to come up with a single solution. No doubt some have localised the problem to “drought” which I highly doubt. It is therefore against this background that I’m surprised at your long silence on this matter, until the walk-to-work campaign took a violent turn. Mr President, knowing that you are a pro-active leader who is out to serve his people and stands by them at all times, I need you to show me that same zeal, charisma and vigour I saw you exhibit during your campaigns and fully exhibited whenever there is political unrest like the Kabaka-Kayunga saga, when you convened a press conference within hours, held an emergency Cabinet meeting in a matter of minutes, and sought a solution and in no time, the unrest was tamed. I remember within days of the coalition forces bombing Libya, you wrote a full page article giving us your opinion and thoughts on what was really unfolding in Libya. Should it take opposition’s walk-to-work campaign for you, my President, to call a press conference to address critical issues of rising costs? Your guidance on this matter should have come much earlier! Don’t you think our socio-economic wellbeing should be given more priority and consideration? I don’t expect a solution from you right away, but re-assurance that everything is being done to better the situation. At the end of the day that is all a leader is anyway, one who gives hope and re-assurance.Thank you and God bless Uganda. Nancy AnyA lot has been said and written in the media about worsening economic situation in the country. We have seen coping skills ranging from “walking to work” to having a single meal a day, if you are lucky. Some of us are hopeful that things will get better soon. This country has gone through a lot lately, from the heated elections to the unbelievable inflation, hunger, disease and biting poverty, with no clear end in sight. I’m beginning to get worried, that is why I need to hear from my President.I will start by congratulating you upon your landslide victory in February, even though this is neither the time nor occasion for jubilation. Please tell me the media reports of Shs4 billion for the swearing-in ceremony are not true because when our socio-economic situation is moving in a serious downward spiral, we, the citizens, should take first priority. The fuel costs are high leading to exorbitant transport costs, food prices have soared, people are dying from diseases that are treatable, etc. It’s still a shocking reality for me that Shs10,000 can barely take me through half a day. This leaves me wondering how my neighbour, whose basic survival budget was Shs3,000, is coping. This is surely heartbreaking, Mr President Sir! When Marie-Antoinette was told that the citizens of France were starving, she arrogantly said: “if they can’t buy bread then let them eat cakes.” Is this the attitude I should construe from the statement from Minister Kabakumba Masiko, that Uganda is not a welfare state? I do appreciate, Mr President, the global nature of this problem and how challenging it is to come up with a single solution. No doubt some have localised the problem to “drought” which I highly doubt. It is therefore against this background that I’m surprised at your long silence on this matter, until the walk-to-work campaign took a violent turn. Mr President, knowing that you are a pro-active leader who is out to serve his people and stands by them at all times, I need you to show me that same zeal, charisma and vigour I saw you exhibit during your campaigns and fully exhibited whenever there is political unrest like the Kabaka-Kayunga saga, when you convened a press conference within hours, held an emergency Cabinet meeting in a matter of minutes, and sought a solution and in no time, the unrest was tamed. I remember within days of the coalition forces bombing Libya, you wrote a full page article giving us your opinion and thoughts on what was really unfolding in Libya. Should it take opposition’s walk-to-work campaign for you, my President, to call a press conference to address critical issues of rising costs? Your guidance on this matter should have come much earlier! Don’t you think our socio-economic wellbeing should be given more priority and consideration? I don’t expect a solution from you right away, but re-assurance that everything is being done to better the situation. At the end of the day that is all a leader is anyway, one who gives hope and re-assurance.Thank you and God bless Uganda. Nancy Any"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1141672/-/14gdra2z/-/index.html","content":"Bunyoro’s list of expectations - President Museveni, who is expected to announce a new Cabinet in May, has directed the creation of six new ministries, including a Ministry for Bunyoro Affairs and Ministry for Petroleum and Gas. Bunyoro region, which voted overwhelmingly for the ruling NRM party in the just concluded general elections, has several expectations from the incoming government, including several political rewards which have started to trickle in. Bunyoro Kingdom’s publicist Henry Ford Mirima says Bunyoro expects a share from oil revenues, reparations from Britain for alleged colonial injustices meted out against Bunyoro and implementation of the Ruth Mukama Report, which recommends how the ethnic, political and land concerns of Bunyoro should be addressed. The kingdom Katikiro, Eng. Yabeezi Kiiza, says Bunyoro expects various political appointments of Banyoro in Museveni’s government and the fulfilment of his pledges as a reward for the support he got from the region to the kingdom. “We need a new Bunyoro which is vibrant socially, economically and politically,” Eng. Kiiza said.The government seems to be responding positively to Bunyoro’s demands. More RDCsHoima Municipality NRM chairman David Maxwell Kaboyo, who stood for the Hoima mayoral seat as an independent and lost to the NRM candidate, Ms Mary Mugasa, has been a beneficiary of the latest government appointments. Mr Kaboyo has been appointed RDC for Rakai. Kibaale RDC Adrian Mbabazi and his deputy Oliver Kiiza also come from Bunyoro. The Lyantonde deputy RDC, Mr Ben Ruberantwale, also comes from Hoima while Ms Evelyn Tinkamalirwe, a former activist of Mubende Banyoro Committee, is the RDC for Mubende. Mr Josephat Tumwesige from Kibaale District is RDC for Lubirizi District, Mr Michael Mwanje, a former Kibaale NRM chairman is now RDC Buyende District. The creation of new administrative units in the ethnically volatile district of Kibaale has widened the political space which was the main cause of the rift between the indigenous Banyoro and the immigrant Bakiga. In 2010, the government split Kibaale District by introducing new constituencies. Buyaga County was split into Buyaga East, dominated by Banyoro and Buyaga West dominated by immigrants. Bugangaizi County was also split into two to create Bugangaizi East and West counties. During his campaign rallies in the region, President Museveni created Kagadi and Kakumiro districts out of Kibaale District and elevated Buhaguzi County to a district status and announced the creation of Kigorobya District. He won the hearts of some voters who were advocating creation of these districts to bring services nearer to the people. The Hoima District chairman, Mr George Bagonza, said the district is pleased to note that in 2011, a hydro-power project which is under construction at River Wambabya in Buseruka Sub-county, will be finalised, according to reports from Hydromax Ltd, a company contracted for the project. Bunyoro foresees increased power supply in the region. Pastoralists evictionIn December 2010,in an operation led by the Coordinator of Security Services, Gen. David Tinyefunza, pastoralists were evicted from a piece of land over which they were bickering with the native Bagungu in Buliisa District. The more than 50 square mile piece of land covering the villages of Waiga, Bugana, Kichoke and Kataleba has in the past resulted in bloodshed between the feuding ethnic communities which had threatened to vote out the NRM. “When the land problem was addressed, there was no way we would fail to win with a landslide,” the Buliisa County MP, Mr Stephen Mukitale, says. However, independent analysts say the government may have to spend considerable time dealing with the opposition which has squarely rejected the outcomes of the general elections, claiming widespread irregularities in the polls. It is intriguing to the opposition-leaning analysts how a region that has poor infrastructure, low education standards, ugly effects of colonialism as well as poverty can vote overwhelmingly for the ruling NRM party. The Hoima FDC chairman, Mr Jackson Wabyoona, sees the Bunyoro population as being unable to assert itself and demand for a share on national resources. “People in Bunyoro are resigned. They don’t have the bargaining power to demand for better services from the government. They have been manipulated to concede that poverty and suffering is tolerable. This is very unfortunate to a society which once championed the cause of liberation,” Mr Wabyoona, who is also a deputy secretary in the FDC president’s office, said. Bunyoro, where oil has been discovered, will be a major focus of the government as well as international players, especially as Uganda joins the list of oil producing states. The Hoima Town Mayor Mr Francis Atugonza, who lost the Hoima mayoral seat to NRM’s Mary Mugasa, insists that he will continue pointing out the wrongs the government makes using the FDC as a platform. But he has to battle cases of abuse of office and obtaining money by false pretence which the State has brought against him. He denies the charges and claims that they are politically-motivated. Boycott activitiesMr Wabyoona, who is urging opposition leaders to boycott any political activities as a way of leaving NRM leaders to fight among themselves, is under prosecution at the High court over cases of embezzlement and abuse of office, which he too denies. 1 | 2 Next Page»The cases are yet to be disposed of by the Anti-Corruption Court. Anti-corruption crusaders in the region who have carried out a research on voters expectations foresee several demands which the government has to address in the region. The demands are contained in the Citizen Manifesto, which is currently being disseminated by the Mid-western Anti-Corruption Coalition in Bunyoro region. The MIRAC programme coordinator, Mr Geoffrey Sseruyange, said according to the manifesto, which collected the views of the electorates countrywide on what ordinary citizens expect from the next government, the people of Bunyoro decried the poor state of roads which they said are impassable and muddy in the rainy season. They want the winner next President to ensure quality road construction, including feeder roads. Mr Sseruyange said people in Bunyoro want a proper sharing of oil proceeds. They also want the next President to bring out the oil sharing agreements with the entire citizenry. “They (citizens) want the next president to ensure that investors in the oil industry factor in corporate social responsibility in their activities and carry out a cost-benefit-analysis of oil exploration before it is too late,” reads part of the manifesto. Oil proceeds The citizens requested that MPs in the 9th Parliament put in place a law that gives priority to citizens to access jobs in the oil industry. They further want legislators to institute a legal provision for citizens from the oil-rich regions to have sufficient benefit from the oil proceeds. The people of Bunyoro decried the poor health facilities in the region and want the next president to upgrade them, increase medical supplies to all public health facilities and set up a national health insurance scheme. Information and National Guidance Minister Kabakumba Masiko says Bunyoro’s development concerns will be addressed. She said besides tackling the educational, health and energy demands of Bunyoro, NRM will also develop oil resources and ensure that Bunyoro gets a fair share in terms of royalties. Ms Kabakumba adds that there will be infrastructural development which will facilitate the exploitation of oil resources, promote tourism as well as agriculture. “Government will also address the historical injustices which the Banyoro have suffered and most importantly, help the Banyoro to secure titles through systematic demarcation and titling of their land,” Ms Kabakumba said. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1141098/-/c2sc7pz/-/index.html","content":"Bududa, it will take years to heal the wounds - govt - The Office of the Prime Minister is not taking the looming natural disaster at Mt. Elgon lightly. Mr John Martin Owor, the commissioner for Disaster Preparedness and Management, says the ministry is making full use of its annual Shs5b budget. Efforts such as radio and information campaigns are already running in high-risk areas across the country, and deployed teams are keeping informed of those who most urgently need to resettle. “We have a duty of making sure there is no person that is left to die,” he said. The rainy season has brought renewed warnings of degraded soils and cracked foundations in the eastern mountainous region. Environmental experts say these factors could easily lead to a repeat of last year’s landslide in Bududa that killed more than 300 people. Environment Systems Specialist at the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Ms Mary Gorretti Kitutu, said last month that it is only a matter of time, and heavier downpours before the precarious natural balance in the region collapses once again. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has confirmed that boulders have already started shifting, and say the ever-deepening crack that runs 40km from River Lwakhakha on the Uganda-Kenya border through Manafwa, Bududa, Mbale, Sironko to Kapchorwa districts, threatens the lives of at least 30,000 people. But while Mr Owor says the government has succeeded in making everyone aware of the real danger at hand, many have chosen to ignore the warnings and stay in their homes. Cultural attachmentsLt. Col. Wilson Kabera, rescue task force commander at the original Bududa landslide site, says many have deep cultural attachments to the area and accept the risks - despite the danger at hand. He concedes, however, that many may not be fully aware of just how immediate that danger is.“I think they should be forced out, otherwise we’ll have another catastrophe like we did last year,” he said.Mr Owor says an evacuation is not yet necessary. “It is not that the whole mountain is at risk – one home here is at risk, the next home is not,” he explains. “If you see your house is at risk when it’s coming to rain – you move to the next home, which may not be at risk.” Mr Owor acknowledges this to be a short-term solution, and that the longer-term plan will require mass resettlements across the country. “We have developed a five-year plan for resettlement… we can call it depopulating the mountainous area,” he said. “We plan to resettle from the beginning of next year 10,000 people every year – so that will take us to 50,000 (by the end of the five-year plan)”. KiryandongoThough government last month began construction of permanent homes for the 602 families that have been successfully moved to Kiryandongo, they do not expect to complete the project until the end of next year.Mr Cyprian Dhikusooka, the principal disaster management officer at Kiryandongo settlement, says despite the 180 empty plots still available, “you can’t bring a burden when you have not solved what is existing”. He says the priority of the initial registration was to close Bulucheke Camp in Bududa, and insists the October exercise successfully relocated everyone interested at the time. But the timeline on relocation promises has faced significant delays since the initial plan was hatched after the tragedy last year. An August 17, 2010 petition filed to Parliament from 119 Bududa survivors complained that the government had breached an earlier promise, which should have seen everyone moved by May. The petition also stated a preference for available land in Kayunga but Mr Dhikusooka says the signees were influenced by self-interested landlords there looking to profit from government. Since, he says the Bududa community has been consulted and was fully behind the decision to move to Kiryandongo. Though some 2,500 have now been moved, they represent less than half of the estimated more than 8,000 displaced by the landslide. Changing attitudesMr Dhikusooka says the attitudes in Bududa are changing, and that more and more people are realising the government will in fact fulfill their promise to award the families a 2.5-acre plot of land and permanent home at Kiryandongo. 1 | 2 Next Page»“There are a number of people who remain in the mountains who up to now are even desperate to come, they keep on calling us, asking us when they are going back to register again,” he said. Ms Jennifer Mutonyi, a mother of eight and one of the first expected to have her home complete, says she is happy at the settlement. “I feel my life is no longer in danger,” she said. “When it rained (in Bududa) we would all be scared.”Commissioner Owor says a new registration exercise to remove more people immediately in danger from the Mt. Elgon region is imminent - but says it will likely take years before everyone affected can be moved, as new relocation settlements must be identified and prepared first. As of now, he says there is no other resettlement with the same infrastructure to host internally displaced people like there is at Kiryandongo. “We are putting money into the budget so that we can buy land, and land is available in all parts of the country,” he said. “We only have government land which are not very many... where money is involved, we can get land anywhere in the country.” « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1134940/-/c3cl82z/-/index.html","content":"State House fronts Kadaga for Speaker - The race for the position of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker yesterday took shape after information from State House indicated that President Museveni had settled on Ms Rebecca Kadaga and Mr Fox Odoi to head the 9th Parliament. Sources close to State House, who requested not to be named because the changes were still being kept as “a top secret”, said the current House Speaker, Mr Edward Ssekandi, was headed for the Vice Presidency - replacing Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, who is reported to be retiring from Cabinet. Other sources, however, said Prof. Bukenya would be retained in Cabinet, probably as minister of health. President Museveni is currently plotting re-alignments in his next Cabinet at his private home in Kisozi. “A decision has already been taken to have Ms Kadaga as the new Speaker and Mr Odoi as the deputy. There are people who were insisting on regional balance but the President is not after tribes, religion and where people come from, he is after credibility and capability to perform,” said the source. Both Ms Kadaga and Mr Odoi come from eastern part of the country. Parliamentary rules of procedure direct that a Speaker is elected by the MPs from among their number. Ms Kadaga, the Kamuli Woman MP, has been Deputy Speaker since 2006 while Mr Odoi, a former presidential assistant on legal affairs, is the MP-elect for West Budama North. While Ms Kadaga was reported on a trip in Switzerland, Mr Odoi yesterday said he was running for Deputy Speaker job. “I am going to contest. I have been persuaded by my generation and I must win with a landslide,” he said. “We cannot leave the affairs of the State to grandfathers.” Prodded yesterday on his future political plans, Speaker Ssekandi remained tight-lipped. “I am still doing my work. I haven’t thought about contesting for Speaker job again,” Mr Ssekandi said. “I don’t want to talk about that now. I will take a decision when time comes. I hear some people are already campaigning and I wish them well. But for me I will decide at an appropriate time.” Whiles sources at State House indicated that Mr Ssekandi was still reluctant to accept the VP job, the Speaker said he was not aware of the planned move to appoint him to the position. “That I don’t know,” he said. “Like I told you, for me I am still doing my work and I am not bothered whether some people are already campaigning or not.” But reports in Parliament point to the fact that the race for Speaker is not just a Ssekandi-Kadaga-Odoi affair. Talk doing the rounds indicates that Security Minister Amama Mbabazi and Attorney General Khiddu Makubuya are also eyeing the top House job. Another entrantMr Mbabazi, however, is in a precarious position considering that he is also NRM secretary general, a position the party thinks should be held on full-time basis—with no other state engagements. And yesterday, a first-time MP, Vincent Mujuni (Rwampara, NRM) threw the spanner in the works by declaring his interest in the Speaker job too. Addressing the press in Mbarara over the weekend, Mr Mujuni said he respects the senior cadres in NRM that are standing for the same post but describes them as old guards who cannot handle young, vibrant opposition MPs like Mr Nandala Mafabi. “The problem with the NRM party is lack of intergenerational recruitment. We have to match quality with quality. The opposition has new, vibrant guards, the likes Mr Nandala Mafabi but my party (NRM) is still sticking with old guards,” Mr Mujuni said. Budadiri West MP Nandala Mafabi (FDC) has expressed interest in the Speaker job, promising to bring transparency and accountability to the office. Mr Odoi is expected to tussle it out with Nakasongola MP Peter Nyombi who is among the 77 MPs who were recently sacked from the 8th Parliament over political indiscipline. Mr Nyombi, who was re-elected to the 9th Parliament, confirmed yesterday that he will contest for the Deputy Speaker job. Additional reporting by Rajab Mukombozi"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1134194/-/c3crd6z/-/index.html","content":"Another landslide looms on Mt. Elgon - At midday, the clouds over Bwandyambi Village in Manfawa District thickened, an early warning of a downpour after an earlier morning one. However, this did not deter Yusuf Wabomba a 40-year- old man from tilling his land, three km from the forest boundary on Mt Elgon. It is his only source of livelihood to support his family of five. He grows bananas, coffee and some legumes. Wabomba has done this for the past 15 years but today, he is not a happy man. His house crumbled to the ground last year due to what he said was too much water underneath and his yield is not the best too. “My house collapsed in February last year, there was a lot of water coming from under it so I shifted downwards but the problem has continued and even worse because small streams of water also flow into the new house,” Wabomba says. It is also in his piece of land that a crack in the rock was discovered last year by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the National Environment Management Authority (Nema). The crack has since deepened by 30cm. It stretches 40km from River Lwakhakha on the Uganda-Kenya border through Manafwa, Bududa, Mbale, Sironko to Kapchorwa districts. “I have nothing to do, I don’t have enough money to buy land on another side of the mountain and I cannot also go to the forest,” Wabomba says.Another resident, Jesica Mayoka, a few metres from Wabomba has a huge crack in the middle of her house. “When it rains, I open the door so that water passes through, water also comes from underground, so I have to scoop it out whenever it collects,” Ms Mayoka narrates. And as the Environment Systems Specialist at Nema, Ms Mary Gorretti Kitutu explains it is poor farming methods and overcultivation of land by residents on this mountain that is weighing down on the rock. “The trees hold the soils together but when you over cultivate and not plant them, it exhumes too much clay which when met with heavy rains, water infiltrates the clay. When it reaches down, it stagnates and cause a slide and when layers move from down, it creates tension which results in a crack on the rock,” Ms Kitutu says. “It is a matter of heavy rain and time before these rocks start sliding. Already there are boulders that are on their way down the mountain,” warns Ms Kitutu. The Uganda Wildlife Authority estimates about 30,000 people are at risk of being affected by the looming catastrophe, should the rocks come down. The people are cutting trees without planting news ones. They have also encroached on the forest. The villagers have cultivated crops on Mt. Elgon slopes up to 200m above sea level. The mountain slopes that used to have forest cover have now been transformed into gardens. At the moment, only 12 per cent of the mountain cover is intact while about 250 hectares of Mt Elgon Forest land has been encroached on despite numerous warnings from the authorities. Ms Kitutu attributes this to ignorance of the people and failure of the authorities to educate people on the importance of forests. Last year, a landslide in the neighbouring Bududa District claimed about 350 people, as a result of environmentally unfriendly farming methods on the mountain slope. In Sironko, Bukwo, Bufumbira, it is reported that landslides have already killed some people although in small numbers. The people here, however, say they have no alternative of survival except on the mountain as they have to support their families with food and shelter.“When we were growing up, we never cut down the trees, but now we are many we have no where else to go and food is not enough so we are forced to extend our gardens to the forest,” Mutere Ndoha, a resident of Matua Village, said. As per 2009, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics estimates that Manafwa District population was about 153,000, with a density of about 339.2 people per square kilometre. 1 | 2 Next Page»Political interferenceDuring the just concluded general elections, politicians seemed to have used the gift of the mountain to their advantage to woo voters from constituencies around here. And as the Mt Elgon Conservation Manager Adonia Bintoora puts it, it has been hard to enforce laws due to this sort of meddling. “During the campaigns, President Museveni, while in Bumbo, Mbale, told residents to follow the 1993 boundaries. But the local politicians fuelled the issue, resulting into the encroachment behind the boundaries in the inner forest area,” said Mr Bintoora. “The Kenyan side of the mountain is intact because when laws are passed, they are strictly followed. We had recovered all areas by 2009 but now with the election, people were encouraged back to the forest,” Mr Bintoora says.Some people have embraced tree planting. Already 11 families have started planting trees. However, it is still hard to convince others to join as the chairman of the Budware Honey Enhancement and Development Project, Wayiga Muzamiru explains. “We so far have 11 families growing the trees, at first people thought that UWA wanted to take away their land but these trees are ours. So more are likely to plant,” Mr Muzamiru says. As the government struggles with the resettlement of the Bududa landslides victims, UWA and Nema have appealed to the government to relocate some people on the slopes of the mountain to at least 500m away. “We want the slopes of the mountain to be gazetted as a disaster area,” said Mr Bintoora. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1128280/-/13c31t1z/-/index.html","content":"Why the contradictory political choices in Kampala?  - Thank God election of the Lord Mayor is over. And by a landslide win, Erias Lukwago is the Lord Mayor. It seems all democratic forces and elements in the various political parties threw their weight behind Lukwago, an independent candidate. Lovers of democracy should really congratulate Lukwago for defeating the anti-democratic and deceptively democratic forces in our country. Most importantly, Lukwago should be commended for exposing the myth that Kampala, perennially anti-Movement, suddenly voted President Museveni and then, in a twinkle of the eye, endorsed him (Lukwago) as the first Lord Mayor. Are our people of Kampala such fools that they will ignore their adversities, denials and marginalisation over the last 25 years, which they have been protesting through the ballot box, and choose to continue protesting through a Lukwago win, but simultaneously embrace these vices through a Museveni win? Lukwago has for the last five years stood by the wretched-of the-Earth, providing free legal services, in the name of equity, humanity, justice, and enjoyment of rights befitting a human being. Simultaneously, the overzealous military, para-military and political elements, and hence the government, eager to ensure the now perennial and classical “No Change”, set it as a goal to hound, disable and disconnect him from the masses. The People were noting. They endorsed the new Lord Mayor. How then could the same people choose the opposite during the parliamentary and presidential elections? Is it a case of “the spirit is willing but the body is weak?” I know our people are embarrassingly docile, fearful and complacent. Despite this, through Lukwago, a known anti-establishment crusader, they opted for human rights, justice and democracy. What a contradiction that they vote both Lukwago and Museveni! Two human facets of Kampala! There is something grossly amiss with our democratisation process, at least as far as Kampala is concerned. Is it that in the political process we should never trust ourselves? Is it that democracy is confused –fighting its crusaders while endorsing its adversaries? Is democracy a terrible prostitute that will lie in bed with adversaries to equal satisfaction? Are Kampalans still practicing individual merit political choice? Who is fooling who? Might the answer lie in the Electoral Commission? Well, that being the case, we need to look forward and see where Kampala is headed. With an immensely politically and socially popular Lukwago and a Museveni who is a crusader for big business, globalisation and privatisation of everything public - which is seen as disguised official robbery – Kampala might be more of a theatre for two bulls to show their might and influence. Perhaps not!Already President Museveni has a head start. He has reared his head in the affairs of the city. Through the political power to appoint a so-called Chief Executive of the Kampala City Council Authority, he has ensured that his government, most likely a few people therein, will have direct access to and control over the money. So while Lukwago has, in the short-term, won the political war, he has not won the war of control over money. He has been financially deflated and is unlikely to deliver on his political promises. Financial power in Uganda today is also political power. That is why the powers that be say the poor will never rule. Political head of Kampala without control over human and financial resources is a bad start for Lukwago. He is politically disempowered. He is just a political paper-tiger. Chairing meetings, providing guidance to the division administrators and performing ceremonial and civic functions! The people too have been disempowered. Democracy defeated! What next? Oweyegha-Afunaduula is an environmental, political and social critic afunaduula2000@yahoo.co.uk"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1119098/-/c4hecaz/-/index.html","content":"Why Buganda voted Museveni - Kampala Even after clipping Kabaka Ronald Mutebi’s wings, President Museveni still managed to win in all the 24 districts of Buganda Kingdom in an election State House described as a “referendum” that officially turned the tables on Mengo administration. With at least 62.7 per cent of the valid votes cast, central region, including Kampala City where Mr Museveni has never won before in an election surprisingly tilted in the favour of the incumbent. The main opposition challenger, Dr Kizza Besigye of the Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) only managed 31.7 per cent —a result that substantially made the Buganda factor immaterial in determining the winner. While the Leader of Opposition Prof. Ogenga Latigo insists that President Museveni “bought success in this election”, analysts say the NRM’s “impressive” performance in Buganda will help President Museveni turn the tide in a love-and-hate relationship with the Buganda Kingdom—making him a “frontrunner” and the people of Mengo the “vagabonds” in the periods to come. “This was not a genuine win. President Museveni used public money to bribe voters in this election,” Kawempe South MP Richard Ssebuliba Mutumba said. “What has changed to justify Museveni’s win when poverty is increasing, corruption is at its best and unemployment is seen everywhere in Buganda? This means there is something wrong with his victory.” But latest figures show that President Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for 25 years, his political clout in Buganda Kingdom, a cosmopolitan region with the biggest number of voters estimated at three million, only grew by a 0.9 per cent, a negligible performance in a region that appears to have failed to play a kingmaker’s role as expected. Over the years, analysts say Mr Museveni has succeeded in isolating Buganda Kingdom, with an in-your-face frankness and nonstop aggressiveness that appears to have angered the Buganda but that did not stop him from winning. But why even with such aggressiveness, did Mr Museveni still managed to have his way? “Museveni didn’t win in Buganda,” Mr Medard Ssegona, the MP-elect Busiro East and a former deputy information minister in Kabaka’s government said. “He manipulated his way. He set his exams and excelled in it. Museveni answered his questions to perfection and everybody knows this including the international community.” “Paper success cannot be transformed into reality and the people of Buganda didn’t vote for him. The results you see were as a result of his rigging machinery and bribery. He used public resources to buy votes in Buganda and other areas. He donated boda-bodas, cars and bicycles all in the name of bribing voters under the guise of presidential donations. Central Uganda, home to the Kingdom of Buganda and the capital city, Kampala, was traditionally the home turf of the Democratic Party. But since 2001, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has also made serious inroads. While this time the NRM dominated the region, Kampala has over the years overwhelmingly voted for the opposition. ReferendumIn 2006, the Electoral Commission (EC) Chairman, Dr Badru Kiggundu, said results from 1,050 of the 1,083 polling stations in Kampala District gave Dr Besigye 238,535 votes representing 56.89 per cent, while Mr Museveni bagged 164,789 votes, representing 39.31 in the city. But in last week’s elections, President Museveni did not only managed to take Kampala Central and East seats from the opposition, he also nailed Dr Besigye to a draw-- each getting 46 per cent. “This election was a referendum in which the people of Buganda voted in favour of the government in power,” President Museveni’s Private Secretary on Political Affairs at State House, Mr David Mafabi said. “The people of Buganda love their Kabaka but they have moved on and voted a President who restored their Kabaka. “There was no bribery. By concentrating on bread and butter issues in his campaign, President Museveni genuinely won the hearts of the Baganda. President Museveni is not like the opposition candidates who were opportunistically promising Buganda a federal status. The people of Buganda have realised that President Museveni is not an enemy to Buganda and that’s why they voted for him in big numbers.” Buganda grievancesBy forcing through the Land (Amendments) Bill 2007, stopping the Kabaka from visiting Bugerere County in Kayunga District, which is one of the areas of Buganda Kingdom, that resulted into the September 2009 riots in which 27 people died, the closure of the kingdom’s radio, CBS FM for almost one year and later the passing of the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Bill, 2010, President Museveni provoked acrimony among the Banganda. However, by refusing to appear on CBS FM during his campaigns, analysts say President Museveni never wanted to swallow his pride, a gamble that worked for him in the process. But Kampala mayoral aspirant and MP Kampala Central Erias Lukwago, said: “It would have been shameful for Museveni to appear on a radio he illegally closed. The people of Buganda were too annoyed with Museveni to vote for him. Unfortunately, Museveni knew he was going to win this election even in hostile areas because of the money.” Tabled on December 17, 2009, the Cultural Leaders Bill passed in the middle of the campaigns and now pending Museveni’s endorsement before it becomes a law, seeks among others to ban traditional and cultural leaders from engaging in partisan politics. The Bill, however, described as unconstitutional and targeting the Kabaka of Buganda, kicked off a storm with protests most vocal from Buganda Kingdom. Faced with unresolved Buganda question—the return of Ebyaffe among others, the quest for a federal status and the return of the 9,000 square miles of land-- including the 18 counties, political pundits had projected a difficult election for Mr Museveni especially in Buganda. But like the case in other perennial difficult regions for Museveni, such as in northern Uganda-- the NRM leader easily swept Buganda in an election, the opposition leaders have described as corrupt, fraudulent and sham.Money factor By asking voters to take NRM money and vote against the regime, analysts believe the opposition shot itself in the foot as many voters in rural areas opted for NRM for fear that the government might know how they voted even with a secret ballot. 1 | 2 Next Page»But analysts such as Dr Sallie Ssimba of Makerere University Faculty of Social Sciences said that district politics helped Mr Museveni cruise to the victory in some areas including Buganda. Dr Simba said in all the new districts in Buganda and in other areas, the NRM leader performed well but was guarded to describe Mr Museveni’s 68.38 per cent win as increased popularity. Dr Tanga Odoi, a historian from Makerere University said: “Buganda is a complicated constituency with diverse interests as the nature of the population. The people in rural areas respect the Kabaka and vote Museveni because anti-government messengers live in towns. With money powered in areas of Buganda, there was no way the opposition would win. The people of Buganda voted to maintain the status-quo. They did not want to go back to uncertainty and the opposition did not have the machinery to match Mr Museveni.” However, the government chief whip, Daudi Migereko who was on President Museveni’s campaign taskforce said: “NRM didn’t bribe voters, we worked for our victory. We have improved service delivery and we had a clear and consistent message to the voters based on the NRM manifesto. This is why we won by a landslide in all regions.” « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1116712/-/c4jc0uz/-/index.html","content":"Bidandi Ssali’s letter to President Museveni after 2011 polls - You have been declared winner by the Electoral Commission and Your Excellency is obviously jubilating. All the political parties that participated in the electoral exercise have termed the exercise a sham because of malpractices that have characterised the entire process dominantly perpetrated by the NRM under your leadership. Political parties, civil society organisations, including all religious leaders and international partners, cautioned you well in advance about the need for your government to create a level ground for the 2011 general elections. I personally wrote to you about the need to amend the relevant electoral laws well in time. Your response was that “there was no need for any amendments except the cleaning up of voters’ registers to prevent the opposition from stealing votes”. Now your “cleaned up” voters’ register is one of the major tools that the NRM and the Electoral Commission used to produce the current electoral debacle in the country. The result has created despair and disenchantment over elections in the country for many Ugandans. This has produced a politically explosive situation in the country which has even forced you deploy mambas and other kinds of artillery at almost every sub-county in Uganda ready to maw citizens who dare raise a finger expressing their discontent. As I chaired the Executive Committee of the People’s Progressive Party last week discussing the way forward for the country and our party, I recalled a meeting you chaired as Chairman of the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM) at Kintu Musoke’s residence in 1980 discussing the way forward for Uganda and UPM. This was after what we then termed sham election results announced by the military commission following an electoral exercise that had been characterised by vote falsification by the UPC leadership in control at the time. The UPM Executive Committee discussed two options that is, going back to the people and build the UPM or going to the bush to take up arms to fight the Obote regime. In anticipation of what would be the cost in human life that had to be paid by Ugandans, the Executive Committee resolved for the former option to which some of us stuck. You stormed out of the meeting declaring that you had taken the armed option. To date your decision is epitomised by a devastated Luweero Triangle scattered with monuments of human skulls, and a devastated northern region still wailing the massacre of more than one million Ugandans with more unaccounted for. As I write, other political parties are also discussing the way forward for the country and their parties. Some of them have resolved as a preliminary reaction to the rigged election results, to call upon the disgruntled people of Uganda express their displeasure through a peaceful demonstration. Your response has been “Anybody who dare goes to the streets for demonstration will be killed” and your armed groups are already deployed in positions ready to execute the order! Your Excellency is so imbued with military prowess that you are convinced that you will be able to preside over a police state you are creating pitched on patronage, the might of the gun and the power of money. The sustainability of such a state Mr. President is not borne out by any example in recent history. My concern Mr. President is what is next for our country. You are convinced that the situation is very much under your control and that every Ugandan will be cowered down because of the presence of the military hardware and threats you keep dishing around. They remind me of a similar scenario by the Obote regime as you went to the bush! They were so sure of their invincibility. You are so sure! Many Ugandans are convinced that the situation is politically volatile and that it needs a statesman’s approach to avert a chaos that can anytime turn bloody during or even worse, after our lifetime you and I. Surely Mr. President, Uganda should never be subjected to another spate of blood-letting and self destruction. We need to create a political environment in which all seeds of hatred and strife amongst the people of Uganda are never given opportunity to germinate. In Kenya and Zimbabwe, such seeds were allowed to sprout into blood-letting and destruction of property. It was after extensive loss of human life, destruction of property and the intervention by the international community that Kibaki of Kenya and Mugabe of Zimbabwe came to their senses and a formula was struck for each country which have kept their countries in relative peace to date. But then the said formulae would have been reached before hundreds of thousands died and many communities displaced. It is amazing the way you brag over what is going on in the Arab countries such as Egypt, Tunisia and Libya. “None of those people spent 13 years fighting to defend their country” you are quoted by the media. To you the almost three weeks street battles in Cairo between citizens and the armed forces without the latter opening live bullets to the demonstrators was lack of your 13 years experience on the part of former President Mubarak! No Mr. President, I believe it was because much as he wanted and stuck to power, the lives of Egyptians far outweighed his unbridled lurk for power. This stance was fortified by the same consideration by the leadership of the Egyptian armed forces. They did not shoot citizens in the streets or in their houses like was the case with your armed groups during the September riots in Nateete and Busega. Mr. President, you have put the future of our youth and the country at large in jeopardy. Because of extreme poverty in the country, the youth are being lured into political thuggery perpetuated by your leadership. Recently, you recruited hundreds of youth at almost every sub-county in the country ostensibly for security during the elections. Some of them executed their duties during the postponed Kampala mayoral elections when they beat up innocent voters with sticks embedded with nails. I am sure you watched the debacle on TV. What will be the fate of their future with such training? 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr. President I have a belief that the euphoria that currently engulfs the NRM over the so called landslide victory contains seeds of self destruction incubated within the subdued emotions of hate and revenge in the hearts of many Ugandans. Some are only temporally gripped with fear and others by the lure of money given the abject poverty in which the bulk of the population is trapped. But sooner or later fissures will develop along which those emotions may volcano out Rwandan style. Mr. President this must not be allowed to happen. It is not your style of the brutal might of the gun and torture that will prevent it but through the power of the human heart of a leader as he feels for the people he leads. The way forwardMr. President with due respect I appeal to you to try and develop a new stance towards the opposition in Uganda. Start considering the leaders of other political parties as colleagues and not as enemies vying to snatch “your” power, your mutual deep rooted abhorrence between Your Excellency and my younger brother Besigye not withstanding! As my colleague Mao has been reported to have suggested, you may wish to consider a transitional national unity administration in which all the dominant political shades will participate. This olive branch will bring about an environment which will engender reconciliation and harmony. Should some parties rebuff the branch, the door should be left open for any future change of mind as tempers calm down. Obviously, this will leave you at the helm until a fresh election considered free and fair by all stakeholders is organised. Needless to say under such election to be organised under a new Electoral Commission as soon as practical, you would definitely have no fear of losing, “after all the just ended elections gave you almost 70%”. This will be a home grown solution not imposed by the international partners after people of Uganda have once again murdered themselves silly.For God and My Country. Bidandi-Ssali JaberiChairman,PPP « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1115148/-/14i5po3z/-/index.html","content":"An obituary after elections - Last week, Ugandan went to the polls to elect their president as well as their members of Parliament. The Electoral Commission declared Gen. Yoweri Museveni winner with 68 per cent of the vote. The rest is history! Museveni won the elections, but the issue is not whether he was the right person to win, rather whether Uganda as a country is mature enough to hold a free and fair election conducted by an impartial EC. Prior to the elections on February 18, Museveni predicted a landslide victory and also hinted on being around when the next calling for the presidency arrives in 2016. In contrast, when Museveni took over in 1986, he promised to end the president-for-life syndrome in Uganda not by a “mere change of guards” but through “fundamental change”. ‘Elusive’ change.Ironically, 25 years later, Uganda still has Museveni trying to bring about that ‘elusive’ change. Be as it is that Museveni won the elections, I personally think a re-run was a possibility that was outmanoeuvred by a desperate NRM party. First, it is estimated that Museveni and party spent over half a trillion shillings and they also had other state resources at their disposal even though the Ministry of Finance announced that the government was officially bankrupt at the time. Government borrowingWhen the government borrows huge sums of money from foreign governments to spend on unproductive ventures like elections, there comes a time to pay back and over the years, we have seen national assets conceded to other governments such as giving away of National Housing Corp to Libya in return for the money borrowed from Col. Maummar Gaddafi. For now, we can only wait to see what else will be given out for the election debt. Second, the opposition parties did not help the democratisation process and allowed the NRM to wallow through. These parties remained divided, they never had a clear single strategy and their messages were disjointed. They made a fatal mistake of running as separate parties rather than as a united front. They also failed to insist on their demand for the reconstitution of the EC. Kizza Besigye as the flag bearer of the IPC was an FDC agenda. Like Museveni, the depth of Besigye’s offer is shallow partly because of their converging philosophy. Both have been at the helm of their respective parties since formation, and Ugandans see very little difference between the two men. In the end, Ugandans decided to remain with the one they know least about (Museveni) than the one they know nothing at all (Besigye) about. Museveni is reputed for lambasting past leaders especially, Apollo Milton Obote and Idi Amin, about how they kept Uganda backward. The level of backwardness in the country has not changed in any significant measure in his 25 years as president. Uganda still has jiggers, there are as many ghost workers in government as there are unemployed youths on the streets, and corruption is at an all time high, featuring high profile cases like Temangalo, Swipco, Bidco, Chogm, Agoa, junk helicopters, Global Fund and the wastefulness of NAADS funds.The education system is one area where Museveni has received positive feedback. The numbers of pupils and schools have risen almost tenfold but that is where it stops. UPE schools produce half-baked graduates who can hardly read, write, and count. Teachers are poorly paid and their welfare not catered for. Schools lack scholastic materials. Laboratories lack chemicals, scientific apparatus and equipment; libraries lack books and publications. The best schools are now private schools. Most of Uganda’s population is rural-based and cannot afford to pay for the high tuition fees at universities. This in turn limits their opportunity to better employment. They are therefore perpetually held in poverty by the education system. The health services are just in toe with the education system. Ugandans die of some of the flimsiest and simplest curable illnesses because of the rudimentary facilities in medical centres. Museveni has succeeded in creating 112 districts. The effort is methodical but is doomed to failure than bring services closer to the people because of the high cost of running these administrative units. Some of the districts can hardly raise revenue from local sources, adequate enough to build five boreholes. Shrewd politicianBut don’t take away anything from Museveni, he is a shrewd politician. He used the Internet to his advantage. Text and voice messages directly to voters played the trick. Some people were excited or panicked thinking Museveni knows them personally. Despite the obvious hoodwink by politicians, Ugandans have themselves to blame. As they say: “when you lay a bed, you sleep in it” and Ugandans have their bed for another five years. Mr Kisangara is a London-based Ugandan freelance journalistSunday430@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1113952/-/c4ldawz/-/index.html","content":"Early results nationwide: Col. Ochora trailing, UPC’s Kanusu in lead for Jinja seat - From Gulu, James Eriku & Cissy Makumbi report that Forum for Democratic Change party flag bearer for LC5 seat in Gulu District, Mr Martin Ojara, is trouncing the NRM’s Col. (Rtd) Walter Ochora by a big margin, according to preliminary results from selected polling stations. In 10 polling stations from the Municipality, Mr Ojara, who is the current District Speaker, got 1,008 votes to Col. Ochora’s 328 votes.Earlier in the day, reports of ballot-stuffing swept across the district as three trucks of gun-wielding police took charge to investigate the reports in those areas. Hudson Apunyo in Lira says preliminary results still indicate Alex Oremo Alot of UPC leading in Municipality in big margin, while in Alebtong, Franco Ojur NRM was still leading after sweeping most of the polling centres, according to early results. From Kitgum and Adjumani James Eriku & Stephen Komakech reports that preliminary results from the town council indicates that Mr Jackson Omona, an independent candidate, is leading with 2,021 votes, while Mr Bosco Ochola, another independent is following closely with 1,400 votes.Results from most parts of the district were still trickling by press time yesterday. In Adjumani District, incumbent Mark Angel Dulu was leading his only challenger, Mr Nixon Owole, in most polling stations in Pakelle and Dzaipi sub-counties. Rajab Mukombozi in Mbarara reports that the police have arrested a 32-year-old man of Nyaruhandagazi in Rwampara over allegations of raping a woman who had been working as a polling assistant in the recently concluded presidential and parliamentary elections. The police spokesperson for Southwestern region, Ms Polly Namaye, said the accused waylaid the victim on her way home from her duty where she was working as a polling assistant at Nyaruhandagazi polling station in Mwizi Sub-county, in Mbarara. He allegedly robbed her of unspecified amount of money and later raped her. Ms Namaye said since the incident, the suspect has been on the run until recently when he was arrested. She said the suspect will be produced in court soon and charged with rape. According to the preliminary results, in Nakaseke District, incumbent Ignatius Koomu Kiwanuka (NRM) was in landslide lead in most sub-counties by over 90 per cent against former Mulago Hospital publicist Eliphaz Ssekabira (independent). Mr Kiwanuka was by last evening leading with 20,258 votes against Mr Ssekabira with 634 votes from six of the 14 sub-counties. Provisional results from Masindi District indicated that Mr Wilfred Byakagaba (Ind) was leading Mr Wilson Isingoma (NRM) by 7pm in the seven polling stations in Masindi Municipality with 959 votes against Isingoma’s 383. In Bundibugyo District, Mr Jolly Tibamanya (NRM) was leading the incumbent Mr Jackson Bambalira (independent) by 7pm at most polling stations.In Kayunga District, NRM’s Steven Dagada was ahead of his three competitors in Kayunga West, Kayunga North, Kayunga Central and Kisawo Kibira polling centres. In Wakiso District, Democratic Party’s Mathias Bwanika was neck and neck with NRM’s Jonah Nsubuga who scored 813 votes against Bwanika’s 797 votes in Kakiri Subcounty polling station and Kigaga Namubiru Play Ground polling centre. In Luweero District, NRM’s Hajj Abdul Nadduli was in early lead ahead of long time rival Ronald Ndawula and FDC’s Absalom Bbaale Bwanika. He was leading in Katikamu Sub-county and Wobulenzi town council, while Mr Ndawula was winning in Kalagala Sub-county. Results indicated that Hajj Nadduli polled 1,591 votes against Mr Ndawula’s 1,525, while Mr Bwanika polled 82 in Kamira Sub-county, while in Wobulenzi Town Council Hajj Nadduli polled 4,495 compared Mr Ndawula’s 2,709 while Mr Bwanika scored 94 votes. NRM’s James Wandira Muruli, the incumbent candidate in Nakasongola District was ahead of his opponent after winning most polling stations. Results from six sub counties of Kalungi, Lwampanga, Nakasongola Town Council, Kakooge, Wabinyonyi and Kalongo put Mr Muruli in the lead with 12,121 votes against Mr Kirabo’s 6,466 votes. 1 | 2 Next Page»Abubaker Kirunda in Jinja reports that Uganda Peoples Congress flag bearer, Mr Robert Kanusu, took an early lead in the Jinja LC5 polls.Mr Kanusu had polled 3,322 votes against 2,400 votes for his closest rival and NRM flag bearer, Mr Fredrick Ngobi Gume, from the partial results got in the three divisions that make up Jinja Mucipality. Results from sub-counties of Budondo, Butagaya, Buyengo , Kakira and Busedde were still unavailable by press time yesterday. The district returning officer, Ms Flavia Mujurizi, had by 10pm read out the results of the Municipality. The race attracted eight candidates, including a woman, Ms Florence Biruma, who contested as an independent. Others are Mr Fred Katakuwange (independent), Mr Moses Batwala (independent), Mr Samuel Gabula (SDP), Mr Paul Kibwoigo (FDC) and Mr Rogers Balyakumani, also an independent. Also from Masindi Municipality;- Masindi Stadium A-LWilson Isingoma (NRM) 90 Wilfred Byakagaba (Ind) 149 Rogers Kanti (Ind) 24 Adaku Peter (Ind) 02 Masindi Stadium MWilson Isingoma (NRM) 37 Wilfred Byakagaba (Ind) 81 Rogers Kanti (Ind) 10 Adaku Peter (Ind) 00MASESCO I Wilson Isingoma (NRM) 49 Wilfred Byakagaba (Ind) 121 Rogers Kanti (Ind) Adaku Peter (Ind) MASESCO II Wilson Isingoma (NRM) 66 Wilfred Byakagaba (Ind) 173 Rogers Kanti (Ind) - Adaku Peter (Ind) – MASESCO III Wilson Isingoma (NRM) 41 Wilfred Byakagaba (Ind) 125 Rogers Kanti (Ind) - Adaku Peter (Ind) MASESCO IV Wilson Isingoma (NRM) 38 Wilfred Byakagaba (Ind) 106 Rogers Kanti (Ind) - MASESCO V Wilson Isingoma (NRM) 62 Wilfred Byakagaba (Ind) 204 Rogers Kanti (Ind) - « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/-/859108/1110656/-/k2ytte/-/index.html","content":"LIVE TEXT: Day 2 of Uganda elections update - 0105 EAT: Eight Preliminary Results: Museveni 68.71%, Besigye 25.38%, Mao 2.01%, Otunnu 1.76%, Bwanika 0.65%, Kamya 0.64%, Bidandi 0.44%, Lubega 0.43%. 2308 EAT: Defence Minister Dr Crispus Kiyonga has asked the Electoral Commission to recount votes obtained by all NRM flag bearers at different levels in Kasese District. Our correspondents in western Uganda report that Kiyonga, the incumbent MP (NRM) for Bukonzo West claimed some NRM candidates have lost to Opposition under dubious circumstances. Kiyonga has retained his seat. “I want all our party votes to be recounted because even the percentage Museveni got is not the real one,” Kiyonga ,who is also the Kasese District NRM chairperson, said shortly after the district results were declared at Rukoki District headquarters. He said he wants an explanation as to why one ballot box was retained in Nyakiyumbu Sub-county by a parish supervisor. “How can I be sure that our votes were secure since they were left in the hands of one person?” he asked. Three opposition MPs won three of the six seats, splitting the seats equally with the ruling party. 2256 EAT: Warom Felix Okello reports that The State Minister for Transport, Mr Simon Ejua, has lost the Vurra Constituency seat to his archrival, Dr Sam Okuonzi. The Arua District Returning Officer, Ms Rose Atima who declared the results at 9:30p.m., urged the candidates to forget their differences. Sam Okuonzi (Ind) got 14522 (52.09%), Alima Santos (DP) scored 613 (2.2%), Dramadri Louis (FDC) 1979 (7.1), Ejua Simon (Ind) 10291 (36.92%), Agupio Samson (UPC) 472 (1.69%). As the results were announced, supporters of Dr Okuonzi went into jubilation. After Ejua and Okuonzi were both declared winners during the chaotic NRM primaries, the latter sought court injunction that barred the minister from being nominated as NRM flag bearer. The case is still in court. 2246 EAT: Francis Mugerwa reports that Second Deputy Premier and Public Service Minister Henry Muganwa Kajura (NRM) has won the Hoima Municipality parliamentary seat. In results announced by the Hoima District Returning Officer Mr Erasmus Kimbowa, the veteran politician polled 13,235 votes (51.83%) while his closest rival, Dr Patrick Mwesigwa Isingoma,(Independent) obtained 8,608 votes (31.60%). FDC’s Patrick Baguma polled 2,878 (15.19%), Mr Hillary Bisoborwa (Independent) polled 149 votes (0.58%) while Mr Safian Kandole (UPC) polled (0.80%). There were 1658 invalid votes while 716 votes were spoiled. 2148 EAT: Ismail Musa Ladu reports that Uganda Human Right Commission (UHRC) has declared the 2011 presidential and parliamentary election free and fair. Speaking at a news conference, the UHRC chairman, Mr Med Kaggwa, said the election was largely peaceful and calm. “The Commission is so far satisfied with the way the elections have been conducted and we would like to commend the Electoral Commission, police, security agencies and all Ugandans at large,” Mr Kaggwa said, stressing that those aggrieved should turn to courts of law instead of taking the law into their hands. 2145 EAT: Lt Gen (Rtd) Moses Ali (NRM) has bounced back as the new MP for East Moyo County in Adjumani District after a tight contest between him and the incumbent, Piro Santos Eruaga (Independent). Adjumani District Returning Officer, Mr Peter Todu, announced that the former 3rd Deputy Premier won with 43 per cent after polling 15750. His closest challenger, Mr Piro got 15476 votes (42 per cent). Earlier, Police fired teargas and bullets in the air to disperse agitated supporters and voters who had gathered at the tally centre, demanding immediate release of the election results in Adjumani. 2125 EAT: Angry youth who were recruited by incumbent Gulu Municipality Member of Parliament, David Ochieng Penytoo, have stormed his office demanding to be paid for working as his agent. 1905 EAT: The IPC candidate Dr Kizza Besigye addressed journalists today evening and said there was massive rigging in the just concluded elections.  Highlights:  Besigye will be meeting with other IPC members tomorrow and thereafter announce the next stepHe said the late arrival of voting materials in many areas was deliberately done to frustrate voters. At 1pm, he said, the IPC tallying system was brought down by the governmentDr Besigye tells journalists that the rigging of votes was on a much greater scale compared to the previous electionsDr Besigye displayed ballot papers which he said had been pre-ticked in favour of the incumbent, President Museveni 1855 EAT: The NRM has won all four seats in Kabarole District 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1109726/-/13dabicz/-/index.html","content":"Tunisia, Egypt exposed the defects of democracy - Western governments, which usually project themselves as patrons of democracy and the rule of law have reacted positively, or passively, to the events in Tunisia and Egypt. Shortly after protesters had forced Ben Ali to surrender the reins, American President Barack Obama lauded the courage and dignity of the Tunisian people - and, by people, he presumably meant the protesters, who were only a small fraction - certainly a minority fraction - of the Tunisian population. There is nothing to prove that, if an election had been held in Tunisia at the time of the protests, Ben Ali wouldn’t have won with the same landslide with which he had emerged from previous polls. Al-Jazeera described the clashes between rival groups of civilians on the streets of Cairo as clashes between pro-democracy protesters and pro-Mubarak protesters, leaving some of us wondering how to reconcile that description with the fact that Mubarak was in office by the majority will of the Egyptian people, expressed in an election. It’s his supporters that Al-Jazeera should be describing as pro-democracy protesters, if democracy still means what it has always meant. Interestingly, the self-appointed patrons of democracy seem to be reading from the same book as Al-Jazeera. Obama was calling for a speedy transition - from the official will of the people to the will of the so-called ‘pro-democracy’ protesters. Besides exposing the inconsistency of western governments, the riots in Tunisia and Egypt have exposed the defects of democracy. It was, perhaps, in recognition of these defects that Obama said, “each nation gives life to the principle of democracy in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people.” He could have gone further and conceded that there are times/places when/where the minority should take matters into their own hands if the majority are making suicidal choices. In 1981, the majority of Ugandans would have voted against a civil war. They would have rallied behind Semwogerere’s stance of peace at any price. A group of 41 (Uganda’s population at the time was 12 million people) opted to take matters into their own hands. They came to be hailed as liberators, and to win elections with landslides! When you put that into perspective, you stop thinking that the tens of thousands on the streets of Cairo are not many enough. If, in the Uganda of 1981, only 41 men had a vision of an effective solution and the courage to pursue it, who can be sure that the Egyptian protesters - even if they were only one hundred thousand - are not on the right side of their country’s long-term interests. Sometimes it is the minority that sees things clearly, or that has the needful courage. Winston Churchill was spot-on when he said, “The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter.” In Uganda, one doesn’t even need all the five minutes! What this means is that the majority can be awfully wrong, and the minority justified in taking matters into their own hands. If Museveni and his 40 friends were right, and the rest of the country wrong, in 1981, it’s possible that Museveni and his millions of Movementists are wrong, and the opposition right, in 2010. There is nothing infallible about majority opinion. A great difference between 1981 and 2010, of course, is that, while in 1981, the 41 could only communicate through landlines or physical meetings, communication and mobilisation are today much easier with Facebook, Twitter, and mobile phones. If the majority chose to drag the county down, the minority would, today, be aided by cyber technology if they opted to take matters into their own hands. Indeed, what has been happening in northern Africa has been more of cyber revolution than Tunisian or Egyptian revolution. The Internet is proving a more effective tool than the gun at achieving regime change. nicklison@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/BernardTabaire/-/878688/1105862/-/mq47l3/-/index.html","content":"One good city road reveals lots of bad things about our leaders - Ggaba Road is supposed to be one of the better roads in Kampala. It is pothole-free, to the extent that such a thing can be said of any city road. It runs from the traffic lights at the Mukwano/Ggaba roads junction in Nsambya to the landing site in Ggaba, about 6km away. Less than a kilometre to Ggaba Trading Centre is a junction with a neat spur (although the CHOGM street lights have finally blacked out, obviously without anyone bothering to repair them) leading to Munyonyo, home of the Commonwealth Resort. I use Ggaba Road everyday because of where I live in Makindye Division. Maybe I had not looked properly before, but the last two months have seen a rise in the number of cattle crisscrossing the road, ambling and sometimes trotting alongside the road, or even in the middle. Most times, they are unattended. A scary thing. Ggaba Road is not the widest of roads. Driving on it in the best of times is challenging, doubly so given our patchy driving ways. Introduce all manner of cattle and you have an accident waiting to kill someone. The scariest moment is when you happen upon a lone bull in a half-trot in the middle of the road. Kampala being a city, no driver factors in random bulls and cows and calves. But, behold, there goes one! Even the best of a motorist’s reflexes may not save you. City ordinances prohibit keeping of animals such as cattle in busy commercial and residential neighbourhoods. No matter. We live in a splendidly unruly city, run by the mediocre and the irresponsible. Ex-cons too. If it is not the mostly ill-fed cattle that get my goat and wear down my brakes, it is the occasional road cleaners. First, they allow the soil that the runoff deposits on the road from the adjoining hills and dirt roads to accumulate, dry up, and turn into lots of dust. Then they show up, our cleaning friends from Nippon. (How frequently should this road be swept? And who is supposed to pick up the litter from the road reserve because Nippon never touches it? And replacing the manhole covers on the pavement?). They come, reluctantly, to do some really strange stuff. They sweep chunks of dried up soil right into the roadside drainage channels. They do so in broad daylight. This renders the channels useless when next the downpour descends. And so the cycle continues. Even then, I refuse to accept that Kampala is run by cynical and corrupt incompetents and populated by the meekest of human beings. I am mistaken. Unfortunately. The campaigns did it for me. Some candidate decided that the best spots to pin her campaign posters is the traffic signs on the roadside. These posters are not on the reverse side of the signs. They are on the front. Granted, very few motorists notice let alone obey these signs, but, damn, can’t we just let them be? I complained more than a month ago to the chairman of the Electoral Commission and the Inspector General of Police about this defacing of traffic signs. They, especially police chief Kale Kayihura, promised to look into the matter with a view to bringing sanity to bear. Nothing! This means as a citizen, I have obligations to the State but no rights against the State, like the right to a clean environment. It hurts. From the opinion poll findings, we the people are clear about what we want. The number one thing is “improving public services such as education and health”. I suspect keeping cattle in the right places and keeping the drainage channels clear are some of those things that need doing to ensure good health. Ensuring that Mulago behaves and acts as the country’s national referral hospital is another. Things are bad at Mulago, but who knew they were so bad that patients could protest neglect, endangering their already broken bones in the process? That Health Minister Stephen Mallinga and Mulago chief Edward Ddumba still have their jobs after such a scandal is one of those uniquely Ugandan mysteries. It takes a little breath away. By now, maybe, it should not. The second big issue that we the people want tackled is corruption. All the manifestos talk about zero-tolerance for corruption. The political class finally has found some consensus – the use of the phrase “zero-tolerance for corruption”. Applause. Applause. Empty phrases or not, may the candidates who demonstrate in the coming week that competence and merit count, that high standards in public office count win. May all those candidates who have slapped their posters on roadside traffic signs lose – with a landslide. Mr Tabaire is a media trainer and consultant with the African Centre for Media Excellencebentab@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1097764/-/14w9lukz/-/index.html","content":"‘President’ Muhoozi would give Museveni a half-life - A photograph of a lean and mustached Museveni holding the holy Bible in his right hand marked a solemn inauguration as he became the President of Uganda on January 29, 1986. Twenty-five years later, the photograph – available on the Internet – is a vivid symbolism of a nation coming to terms with pitfalls of nationhood and nation building. It captures the popular expectations of most Ugandans who, having lived under terror and fear for close to 15 years, were for the first time, as a drowning man would do, holding onto a barren reed and hoping against all odds that this was their only opportunity to see the sun rise the next day. It was a time of reckoning in which President Museveni set a roadmap laid in his Ten-Point Programme to restore democracy, restore security of person and property, consolidate national unity and eliminate all forms of sectarianism, defend and consolidate national independence, build an independent, integrated and self-sustaining national economy, restore and improve social services and rehabilitate war-ravaged areas, eliminate corruption and abuse of power, and embark on an economic strategy of a mixed economy. Glorious yearsUnder President Museveni, Uganda is preparing to hold its fourth presidential elections in three-weeks time and the common denominator in each of them being Museveni himself. Twenty-five years later, it is retrospective to ask: Who ever knew that the President, the same one, would be contesting for yet another term to bring his total to 30 years at the helm? A certain school of thought argues that the early years of Mr Museveni were “glorious”. That, for the first time in so many years, Ugandans were proud to be identified as Ugandans even with the tag of Idi Amin on the flip side of their history. Even the most enlightened Ugandans sang his praises because he represented a new trajectory of democracy, growth and development. The likes of Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere, John Ssebaana Kizito, Evaristo Nyanzi, Robert Kitariko, Kafumbe Mukasa, Brig. Moses Ali, Dr Andrew Kayiira and Mayanja Nkanji from political groups other than the NRM/A were part of the early political marriage that gave Museveni’s government of the time a semblance of a broad-based arrangement. These faces have all but disappeared from the political scene. The atmosphere of political cooperation officially came to an end in the first general elections under the NRM in 1996. Although Museveni won with a landslide on that occasion, Ugandans expected that subsequent elections would allow for new faces coming from within the NRM ranks or other parties to take the country to a new level of democratisation. It did not happen that way. The rest of the story is a familiar path in most African countries. As the threat to state power and occupancy became more evident with subsequent groups breaking away from Museveni, the harsher level of intolerance and persecution became a tool of submission. Most Ugandans would, perhaps, as they have lately become, hide their heads in the sand believing that even the tree that once had the best shade in the village market, would one day be cut down for firewood. Unfortunately, another familiar pattern of African political manoeuvres is in the works. In his last 10 years, Museveni has basically been in a government maintenance mode leaving his colleagues to play hard chess over who will succeed him. In the process some of the hungry ones have gotten exposed and damaged their political presidential ambitions considerably. While they continue to fall over each other, Museveni’s son is emerging from a hatchery and a process to test public sentiments is underway code-named Muhoozi Generation Network. This election is important for Museveni because therein are the last details to tie up the end knots. It is the reason why Museveni is so bent on funding independent candidates – NRM members who lost in the primaries - for the next Parliament. This group of actors will in the grand scheme of things provide an antidote to NRM internal critics who think the First Son project is unacceptable. The trajectory of loyalty in the next Parliament will be crucial to the dot because if Museveni plans to step aside for his son to take over, then he needs an overwhelming show of loyalty to force through Bills and create new laws to provide necessary cushion for his son as well as cater for the selfish needs of his supporters. If that were to succeed, it is futile to imagine that 30 years of one man in power would end abruptly. He would have a half-life presidency. Mr Masiga is the managing editor - Weekend editions of the Monitor Publications Ltd.fmasiga@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1090076/-/14wemk1z/-/index.html","content":"Poverty, jiggers: Will Busoga be the swing vote region in polls? - Busoga The battle for the Busoga vote is as intense today as it was in the 2006 elections. NRM presidential flag bearer Yoweri Museveni, while campaigning in the region two weeks ago, denounced two of his opponents who had already traversed the sub-region accusing his government of being responsible for the extreme poverty prevalent there. President Museveni was talking about the FDC leader, Dr Kizza Besigye and UPC president Olara Otunnu. While campaigning in Busoga, the two opposition leaders attributed the problems of the region, including poverty, jigger infestation and unemployment to NRM’s failed policies. To defeat the NRM, Busoga is seen as one of the swing regions that the opposition must take. The ruling party knows this and is working to keep its electoral fortunes high using local government structures there that it dominates. The Kyabazingaship also remains a key electoral issue in Busoga. Both opposition candidates who campaigned in this area accused the government of using the Kyabazinga succession battle to divide the Basoga, claiming that the kingship confusion plays directly into President Museveni’s “divide and rule policy”. Dr Besigye made his message to the Basoga clear: “You are the poorest region in the country and it is President Museveni who has caused it.” World Bank reportThe 2005 Spatial Trends of Poverty and Inequality in Uganda: 2002-2005 that was prepared by Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) with support from the Department for International Development (DFID) of the UK, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Faculty of Economics and Management, Makerere University and the World Bank, shows that Busoga is one of the poorest regions in Uganda. Indeed, the poverty card is once again at the centre of all the presidential candidates’ game plan though it is still unclear if it will turn out to be the trump card that can rout the NRM fron Busoga. “That is the best price he (Museveni) has found to appreciate you. It is now your turn to tell us whether you are comfortable with the system or not, it is high time you joined us,” Dr Besigye told the people of Iganga town. “I come to ask whether you are ready to say no to poor health facilities, poor roads, poor education system and the extreme levels of corruption.” If the poverty card did not work out in 2006, Dr Besigye and Mr Otunnu are determined to make it work this time round. While referring to Busoga as “the headquarters of poverty”, Dr Besigye said the solution to Busoga’s problems lays in reviving its education and industries. Dr Besigye said teachers deserve a pay raise of up to Shs400,000 per month from Shs200,000 they earn today. He said the resources are profuse and should be released to the “proletariats”. Dr Besigye also explained that school children under the Universal Primary Education will get free lunch under his leadership. Mr Otunnu, the first presidential candidate to visit the region, insited that the current widely-reported jigger infestation in the area will be President Museveni’s legacy in Busoga region. “Museveni’s legacy in Busoga are jiggers, ask him where the hospitals he built are. Busoga was the second most prosperous region in the country but where are the riches?” Mr Otunnu asked his audience at a rally. “After all this poverty and humiliation, who will vote Museveni? And that is why he moves with envelopes because he has no roads, hospitals and schools to show.” Like Dr Besigye, Mr Otunnu asked the Basoga to see the relationship between poor service delivery and corruption, indicating that ministers in the two former UPC governments like area politician Patrick Mwondha never amassed wealth unlike the unexplained opulence which today characterises the lifestyle of some of Museveni’s ministers and other “well-connected” individuals. Museveni respondsCampaigning in Namayingo, the President rejected Dr Besigye’s proposal that public funds should be spent on providing food for pupils in UPE schools, a drastic policy shift from the FDC leader who insists that free lunch can ensure that children remain in school and improve their performance because they would study while healthy. “The people in Busoga are very poor. Most of them have no money to meet their basic necessities and I do not think that the Basoga will vote to keep the same government which has compounded them into economic slavery for the past 24 years,” Mr Nasser Mudiobore, MP candidate for Iganga Municipality, said. Since 1996, Mr Museveni and the NRM have registered landslide victories in Busoga sub-region with the exception of Jinja Municipality. In the 2001 election, Mr Museveni defeated his main challenger, Dr Besigye in all the districts of Busoga. He won in Kamuli District by 90 per cent of the total votes cast while he scooped 70 per cent each in Iganga and Mayuge districts. It was only in Jinja that he got the lowest votes (60 per cent). 1 | 2 Next Page»In the 2006 election, Mr Museveni registered his biggest win in Kaliro District with 89.4 per cent against Dr Besigye’s 9.2 per cent. In Kamuli District, he had 80.84 per cent while the FDC leader had 17.51 per cent. Mr Museveni won in Mayuge District with 63.6 per cent against Dr Besigye’s 34.4 per cent. In Bugiri District, the NRM leader beat his rival with 63.7per cent while the FDC president got 33.7 per cent. It is in Jinja that Mr Museveni’s margin was reduced to 54.5 per cent against Dr Besigye’s 44 per cent. But Museveni (68.37 per cent) maintained the lead in Iganga District while Dr Besigye got 30.18 per cent. Opposition parties are aware of the challenges that they are facing. For example, Mr Mudiobore says though Dr Besigye won in Iganga Municipality both in 2001 and 2006 elections, the party could not field any single candidate in local council elections in these areas. He attributed this to the fact that most people were scared of identifying themselves as FDC supporters due to the fear of revenge from the government functioneries. “Unlike in the previous elections, this time we have fielded candidates at all levels and they are all doing well,” Mr Mudiobore said. “I think the FDC will do better this time because even our candidates for MP seats are doing well.” Since 2006, the opposition, especially the FDC, has made several attempts to defeat the NRM in Busoga but without significant success. By-electionsFor example, NRM has won four out of the five by-elections in Busoga since 2006. During the Kamuli District LC5 by-election in 2008, the NRM’s candidate, Stephen Mubiru, narrowly defeated Ms Salaamu Musumba - polling 47 per cent and 44 per cent of the total votes respectively. Ms Musumba is the FDC vice president i- charge of eastern region. But FDC’s win in the Bugweri County in Iganga District parliamentary by-election, in which Mr Abudu Katuntu, defeated aging Kirunda Kivejinja, seems to have lifted the party spirit in the region. It remains to be seen how the opposition will this time round perform in Busoga region. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/-/688342/1081308/-/ubykal/-/index.html","content":"2010 REVIEW: 12 biggest news events of the year - Any year preceding an election year is bound to be dominated by politics. Even those news events that have no close relation to politics are likely to be politicised. However, 2010 was different as it had many stories that were not political but were equally significant in determining the kind of year that Uganda had. Benon Herbert Oluka reviews them – in no particular order: Bududa LandslidesThe early part of 2010 had passed off without any major incident until news spread across the country that several people living on the foothills of Mt. Elgon in eastern Uganda had been washed away by landslides. The landslides struck on March 1 after days of relentless rain. An assessment by the government of the damage caused by the landslides later revealed that it had buried the entire village of Nametsi in Bududa District, killed at least 350 (although rescuers retrieved less than 100 bodies) and displaced about 712 families. Some of the displaced families were later relocated by the government to Kiryadongo District in western Uganda. Shortly after the landslides struck, among the first people to go to the scene was President Museveni, who arrived in the area in military fatigues an assault rifle. While the President’s Office later clarified that he went armed due to the lightweight nature of the security team in Bududa, the sight of Gen. Museveni with a gun at a scene where people needed relief aid more than anything, still sparked off a lot of debate. However, one man whose decisions were swayed by human error was the pilot of the police helicopter that transported Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi, to and from Bududa. Prof. Nsibambi was being flown back to Kampala after receiving relief items meant for the landslide victims from Kenyan government officials when the helicopter carrying him crash-landed on a tree near Bugiri Hospital playgrounds. This incident would have been a double-tragedy for Uganda but, thankfully, Prof. Nsibambi and other passengers received medical attention and were soon out of harm’s way. Kasubi tombs/Kisekka market fires The same cannot be said of the Kasubi Tombs, the revered burial grounds for fallen Kings of Buganda, which were right in harm’s way when a fire razed them down on March 16. Many witnesses deemed the efforts of the Police Fire Brigade in putting out the fire at the UNESCO world heritage site unsatisfactory, a situation that further stoked the anger of Buganda loyalists. Consumed by anger, the crowd disrupted the police fire brigade in their effort to put out the fire. Then when President Museveni visited the scene the next day, the crowd made its feelings felt. The situation, however, turned bloody when soldiers belonging to the UPDF Special Forces that protect President Museveni shot at the crowd, killing three people. The army later claimed it shot at the crowd in self-defence after it tried to block President Museveni from reaching the burnt tombs. This incident also led, for the first time, to the implausible sight of Kabaka Mutebi crying for the first time in public. While incidences of fires in public places were less than those of the previous year, another market in Kampala was engulfed in a fire later in the year. The fire, which started on August 30, in Kisekka Market, razed down more than 40 shops and destroyed property estimated to have been worth billions of shillings. City bombingsThe losses at the Ethiopian Village Restaurant in Kabalagala and the Kyaddondo Rugby Club Grounds, where bombs went off in the midst of a crowd watching the 2010 World Cup football final on July 11, were more than just property. The twin bombings, for which the Al-Qaeda linked al-Shabaab later claimed responsibility, killed at least 76 people and wounded hundreds of others.The maiden attack by the al-Shabaab outside their base in Somalia, not only shook the country to the core, but re-ignited debate about the presence of the UPDF troops in Somalia as the major contributors to the African Union backed Africa Mission to Somalia (Amisom) force. By the time of that attack, only two of the seven countries that had promised to contribute troops for Amisom had done so. Many analysts said this resulted in the two countries being singled out for terror attacks since they were looked at as occupying forces in the war-torn Horn of Africa state. President Museveni, however, stuck to his guns, even in the midst of accusations that he was using the presence of the UPDF to milk political capital from western countries that had increasingly got disenchanted by his politics, and said Uganda would instead go on the offensive against al-Shabaab with the backing of global and continental allies. Mr Museveni was banking on support from other countries during the African Union summit that took place in Kampala about a week after the attacks. However, after the initial proclamations of urgency in the need to help out Uganda and Burundi in Somalia, no other African country has sent troops to Somalia. Instead, the two countries already providing troops to Amisom have had to send even more soldiers. The results so far are threats from al-Shabaab of more attacks on the two countries and a December grenade attack on a Kampala-bound bus from its station in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, which claimed the life of one passenger and inflicted injuries on several other people. Rage over anti-gay lawThe attacks from the international community over a proposed law that criminalises homosexuality in Uganda may not have led to the death of anyone yet but the ferocity with which they have come have forced government to back track on its initial intentions for now at least. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1073786/-/cjyw5wz/-/index.html","content":"Opinion poll places Museveni at 66% - The opposition parties have ceded political ground to the ruling NRM party in the past five years and President Museveni would win with 66 per cent if the February 2011 ballot was held between November 18 and December 6, a new opinion poll to be launched today shows. The survey conducted by Afrobarometer, a research organisation operating in some 20 African countries, indicates that the Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) presidential flag bearer, Dr Kizza Besigye, would garner 12 per cent of the votes. MethodologySome 60 research assistants collected data for the latest findings, according to lead researchers.The results show both Mr Norbert Mao and Mr Olara Otunnu, who respectively are flag bearers for the country’s oldest political parties, the Democratic Party and Uganda Peoples Congress would each pick only 3 per cent of the votes. Uganda Federal Alliance’s Beti Kamya, the only woman in the presidential race, would take 1 per cent while other contestants --- Mr Bidandi Ssali, Mr Abed Bwanika and Mr Samuel Lubega would, Afrobarometer officials will say, get some votes but not enough to quantify to a wholesome percentile. Mr Robert Ssentamu, the managing director of Wilsken Agencies Ltd, the Ugandan partner of Afrobarometer, said in a pre-launch briefing to newspaper editors in Kampala yesterday, that they interviewed some 2,000 randomly-selected respondents in 71 of Uganda’s 112 districts. Almost nine in every 10 registered voters say they will turn up to vote, he said, with more voters in rural than urban areas willing to cast the ballot. The survey findings, which gave NRM an icing on the cake by saying the party is the most liked and more than half of the voters will tick for its parliamentary candidates, is a heartbreaker for the opposition that says it is working round-the-clock to at least deny Mr Museveni victory in first round of voting. Constitutional thresholdUnder the Constitution, a candidate can only be declared a winner if they pick 50 per cent-plus-1 vote of the valid ballot.Mr Wafula Oguttu, the spokesman for Forum for Democratic Change party whose leader Dr Besigye is the IPC joint candidate, offered early misgivings about the results questioning the kind of drastic change in Mr Museveni’s governance style to warrant such favourable swing. He said: “The government has the ability to know when a political opinion poll is coming up and it would wish to influence, but I am not saying it influenced [the outcome] of this report. I would be very surprised if President Museveni gets even 40 per cent of the votes in the first round.” The Electoral Commission says it has registered some 13,954,129 voters to participate in next year’s general elections, opening with the presidential and parliamentary vote on February 18.Out of these, according to Afrobarometer, 89 per cent (12,419,174) will turn up at the polling booth and with 66 per cent ticking for the incumbent, it would mean President Museveni’s votes will topple the 8 million threshold, double the 4,078,911 votes he obtained in 2006. “This means all the new voters (more than 4 million) voters, or those who absconded in the 2006 elections, have suddenly decided they will vote for Mr Museveni,” said Mr Oguttu, “I don’t see any sense or reason to believe this.” Core desiresThe top four issues, highlighted in the survey, on which voters will base their choice of the next President are improving social services such as health and education; maintaining order in the nation, fighting corruption and growing the economy. In the past few months, the issue of whether the upcoming presidential vote could head for a re-run has been dominating debate with some political pundits predicting so based on the 10 per cent point fall in the incumbent’s score in the last three successive votes. Mr Museveni, now running for a fourth elective term, in 1996 won with 75 per cent but his score plummeted to 69 per cent in 2001 - when Dr Besigye, his former bush-time physician, ran against him for the first time. In the subsequent poll roughly five years ago, the President would only garner 59.3 per cent. Last night, NRM spokesperson Mary Karooro Okurut said there is an upswing in support for the party in northern and eastern parts of the country, where it has been performing poorly, because residents’ fortunes have changed with the 2005 end of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency that also adversely affected Teso. 1 | 2 Next Page»“There are no more IDP camps and reconstruction has begun,” Ms Okurut said. “In fact, candidate Museveni will win by landslide, not just the 66 per cent projected.” The respondents listed, in descending order, personality or leadership skills; ability to deliver jobs or development; candidate’s party and ethnicity as top attributes for a presidential candidate when asked: “Which of the following is most important to you when deciding who to vote for President or MP?” While for prospective lawmakers; the interviewees ranked ability to deliver jobs or development top most followed with personality/leadership skills while the candidate’s party and ethnicity rank bottom low. This would mean individual merit, a hangover from the ‘No-party Movement’ system of governance ditched in 2005, will most likely determine whether or not a flag bearer triumphs. Afrobarometer’s Ssentamu, who holds a Masters Degree in Behaviour Science from the University of Cape Town in South Africa, said their survey, the fifth since 2000, provides “a scientifically-reliable” information. Asked if the predictions would come to pass, co-consultant Logan, an assistant Professor of political science at Michigan State University in the US, said the situation is still “fluid” and any of the variables could change anytime. “There’s fluidity in people’s views and views can change between now and election days depending on what’s constantly happening on the ground.” Today’s report titled; Uganda 2011 Elections: Campaign Issues, Voter Perceptions and early Voter Intentions, shows Mr Museveni, in power since 1986, is the most popular candidate across different geographical regions, age groups and among rural and urban voters. The Afrobarometer which conducted the survey is an independent, non-partisan research project that measures the social, political, and economic atmosphere in Africa, according to information on its website. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/-/859108/1066876/-/jm413x/-/index.html","content":"Why new districts may matter in poll - Civil society organisations are up in arms over President Museveni’s shelling out of new districts. During his 25-year-rule, the number of districts in Uganda has risen from 33 to 112, exerting pressure on the public purse. The NRM presidential aspirant has recently promised to create seven new districts if he is re-elected. Official explanations are that the districts will bring services closer to the people. Independent observers have instead accused Mr Museveni of wasting taxpayers’ money. Speaking in Amuria district where he promised to create the district of Kapelabyong last week, the Head of State reportedly said he is not in favour of creating new districts but he is doling them out because it is what people want. “It is what the people have asked for and I am obliged to grant it to them,” he said. The opposition thinks otherwise. Mr Abdu Katuntu, the Bugweri County MP (FDC), who chairs the Committee on Local Government Accounts, says: “the President is creating districts for political expediency. “These new districts only create a political class which hopes to get jobs as LCV chairmen, RDCs and assistant RDCs. Such people are supportive of new districts and become like Museveni’s agents,” he said. Katuntu wants the money spent on building new administrative structures and in these new units to go to training more manpower, building schools and hospitals. “50 per cent of districts in Uganda don’t have enough human resources to man the vacancies created in them. You find assistant accountants acting as chief financial officers. In a district like Moyo, there is only one medical doctor,” he told Uganda Decides. An examination of voting patterns and the regional distribution of new districts reveals their creation is largely informed by numbers politics. For example, since the turn of the century, five new districts (Kaabong, Nakapiripirit, Abim, Napak and Amudat) have been created in the Karamoja sub-region despite having a collective population less than Wakiso District’s. The same region will be beneficiaries of state largesse if Parliament approves Mr Museveni’s campaign promise to grant district status to Pian, Nabilatuk and Karenga. That would be eight new districts in one region in a space of just one decade. Conversely, Wakiso, which had roughly the same population as Karamoja in 2002 (957,300 compared to 966,455), has not been split despite having its population growing faster than Karamoja. Because it surrounds Kampala, a good majority of people who work in the city reside in Wakiso, making service delivery a critical election issue. Latest estimates put the number of people living in the entire Karamoja sub-region at 1.1 m -- a whole 210,100 less than those living in Wakiso. Deeper meaningA further probe into this districts bonanza and the manner of their distribution points to a clever strategy by NRM apparatchiks. Take the 2006 presidential elections as an example. Candidate Museveni collected 99,142 votes in the four Karamoja districts of Kaabong, Kotido, Moroto and Nakapiripirit. More importantly, he garnered over 87 per cent of all votes cast, with his support peaking 92 per cent in the then newly created district of Nakapiripirit. It is thus safe to argue that Karamoja is a safe region for the NRM candidate. Mr Museveni’s support in Wakiso district, on the other hand, fell from 303,492 or 57.7 per cent of votes cast in 2001, to 128,620 or 47.74 per cent in 2006. So, even though the NRM flag bearer collected more votes from Wakiso in the last election, it pays more dividends to give the people of Karamoja what they want. But if it is true new districts are a reward for voting patterns, the NRM secretariat is missing a crucial point by failing to attach district creation to voter turnout. Only 56 per cent of registered voters in the Karamoja region bothered to cast their ballots during the 2006 elections. Such a problem (on NRM’s part) was not experienced in districts created in western Uganda between 2001-6. Once again Mr Museveni averaged 87 per cent (289,412) of the votes casts in the four newly created districts of Ibanda, Isingiro, Kanungu and Kiruhura. The harvest was even bettered by a voter turnout of 77 per cent, peaking at 86 per cent in his home district of Kiruhura. In Buganda, the newly created districts of Mityana and Nakaseke bagged for Museveni 89,085 votes or 75 per cent of votes cast. There were similar rewards in eastern Uganda districts of Bukwo, Kaliro, Butaleja and Manafwa where he picked up 169,655 or 77 per cent of votes cast, and an average turnout of 71 per cent. NRM, however, failed to get any mileage from districts created in the Teso sub-region and northern Uganda. Kaberamaido and Amuria (Teso) gave Museveni just 15,611 votes or 17 per cent of the votes cast. Koboko and Amolatar (West Nile/North) meanwhile gave candidate Museveni 17,455 or 32 per cent of the vote. Twelve out of the 16 districts newly created between 2001-6 voted Museveni by a landslide (80 per cent). He, overall, collected 67.798 per cent of the vote in these newly created districts. This is way above his national average of 59.28 per cent. If voters are to repeat the same voting pattern in the 2011 elections, the NRM flag bearer would win in 27 out of the 39 districts created since 2006."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/-/859108/1053548/-/jlfbt5/-/index.html","content":"The thorny issue of poor pay in the poverty puzzle  - Presidential candidates need to pay attention to the millions of poor, unempolyed youth says Dr Augustine Nuwagaba Pursuant to Article 67(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda (1995), the country is in the process of holding another round of Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government elections. This is against a backdrop of critical issues in economic and social sector management which ideally constitute the lynch pin and benchmark for election of political leaders. I particularly emphasise the latter because in an ideal election, a ballot is cast in the market. An individual will cast their ballot basing on what they consider the most beneficial policy direction. It is a game of aggregate numbers but buttressed by individual interests. In Uganda’s case, I would consider the following six major elements to comprise election issues: Economic welfareIt is undisputed that Uganda’s economy has grown over the last two decades with a growth rate averaging six per cent and is currently growing at an average rate of 8.4 per cent per annum which is above the Sub-Saharan African average of 2.4 per cent. This rate is one of the highest in the world and the Uganda government must be congratulated. However, one pertinent question is: How many Ugandans can identify with this growth? The answer is clear to everyone as the majority are excluded from the benefits of this growth. The point is that the level of inequality has increased. Technically, this level is measured by what is referred to as Gini-Coefficient and this index has increased from 0.43 in early 2002/2003 to 0.47 in 2007, demonstrating a serious contradiction in the current high economic growth where wealth is concentrated in the hands of few at the expense of the majority of the people. Such a high growth rate amidst exclusion is not sustainable because it embodies discrimination which catalyses resentment and, if not addressed, effectively breeds conflict. Poverty levelsIt has been put to us that poverty in Uganda has been drastically reduced from 56 per cent in 1992 to 31 per cent in 2005 and 23 per cent now and therefore, the government deserves a pat on the back because this is one of the fastest poverty reduction rates in the world. The conventional measure of poverty focuses on household income using the proportion of the population that lives on less than $1 per day. Of course, this index has a lot of flaws because 68 per cent of the total Ugandan population is subsistence and non- monetised but never mind. On the face of it, it is easy to say that there has been tremendous achievement in poverty reduction but wait a minute! What was the total population in 1992 and what is the population now? The answer is simple. In 1992, Uganda’s population was approximately 16.5 million people and now, it is 32 million. So, by simple calculation, what exactly is the achievement in poverty reduction if one considers the absolute number of people? Furthermore, notwithstanding the romanticised poverty reduction statistics, the Chronic Poverty Study done in Uganda in 2005 indicated that 7,000,000 people were living under chronic poverty -- failure for a household to have a basic meal in 24 hours! If this is the situation, then where exactly has poverty reduction taken place? It should be re-iterated that our mothers or any ordinary person in Uganda is neither interested in high GDP growth or statistical poverty reduction. People are concerned with whether their children had breakfast before going to school; if they had lunch; or can afford treatment in the current expensive private health clinics, since most public health facilities neither have drugs nor qualified health workers. Similarly, expectant mothers are concerned with whether they can find qualified and welcoming midwives where they can safely deliver, while farmers are concerned about the very low prices for their produce given the currently impassable community and feeder roads which the middle men exploit to their advantage. If those elements are absent, then any talk or statistic on economic growth or poverty reduction will be meaningless. People do not eat statistics, they eat food. Similarly, it is not statistics that treat people; treatment is given by qualified health workers, availability of appropriate drugs etc. Similarly, agricultural produce will have no value unless production and consumption centres are linked via appropriate marketing infrastructure. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/-/688342/1038452/-/u91qxx/-/index.html","content":"Landslide victims find home away from home - The government recently relocated residents of Bududa from the landslide prone area to Kiryandongo. Harriet Anena caught up with some of the people to see how they are coping in their new home: - “On this land I will raise and educate my children.” This is the resolve of Francis Kigenyi, one of the Bududa landslide survivors who were relocated to Kiryandongo District. As he slashes grass on his two and half acre piece of land, sweat of hard work can be seen dripping down Kigenyi’s face. To him, memories of the March 1 Bududa landslides, will gradually fade in his new home- which he describes as “immensely fertile”. “I don’t regret coming here at all. I will no longer worry about landslides because this land has a flat terrain,” he says. Kigenyi, who has two wives and nine children, is also preparing part of his land to plant cassava, potatoes and cabbages. “I will grow the crops for both sale and consumption. That is how I will fend for my family,” Kigenyi adds. Kigenyi is among the 900 people who were a fortnight ago relocated to Panyadoli Village, about 15 kilometers from Kiryadongo trading centre. Although they are still staying in tents at the camp, each family is working on their piece of land and putting up houses to start a new life. Some families are planting vegetables and Irish potatoes which have a fast-maturing period. The camp chairperson, where they are temporally living, Mr Julius Weleka, says the fast maturing crops will come in handy when the government stops food supply six months from now. Michael Wabwomba, a father of five, has already planted vegetables and onions and hopes to plant more if he gets seedlings. But for now, his comfort lies in the favourable climate. “The climate here is the same with that of Bududa. The vegetation is also the same,” Mr Wabwomba explains. “But unlike Bududa, this land is not affected by erosion and will suit all types of crops we used to grow back home,” he explained. As parents are tirelessly tilling the land, children are also registering at Panyadoli Primary School so that they can resume their education. Located just about 200 meters from the camp, parents are hopeful that their children will find it easy to commute to the primary school. Students who are in secondary school will also enroll in Panyadoli Secondary School-located about three kilometers from the camp. But as the new residents till the fertile land, challenges lurk about the seemingly friendly environment. CultivationThe crops the new settlers hope to sell in future may rot at home if the road from Panyadoli Village to Bweyale Market is not worked on. With heavy rains currently hitting the area hard, the 15 kilometer road is largely swallowed by water. A boda boda ride from Panyadoli to Bweyale Trading Centre and back, costs Shs8,000 and the charge rises whenever it rains and the road becomes muddy. “The road is so bad. There is no public vehicle in this area. The government should construct the road and also bring a vehicle for easy access to the trading centre and hospital,” says Kigenyi. Some residents have been forced to walk to the trading centre to buy basic household items. But for Ida Wambeo, a widow with five children, her biggest worry is accessing healthcare. The nearest centre, Panyadoli Health Centre III, is about eight kilometers away from the camp. With transport problems at hand, the new residents will find it difficult to take the sick to the centre. “When i consider the distance of the health centre from here, it makes me wonder how I will transport my children in case of emergency,” Wambeo explains. Other than the bad roads and distant hospital, the Bududa landslide survivors also want their farming efforts supported by the government. Most residents have been given farm tools but no seedlings have yet been distributed. A delay in delivering seedlings may mean when the government stops the food handouts in six months, residents will still have no ready food stuff to support their families. Food donationsAt the moment, the locals have to tolerate the daily menu of beans and posho being distributed by the government to every household. But being the caretakers of the kitchen, most women have resorted to going into the bushes to gather vegetables and fruits left behind by Sudanese refugees who lived in the area about two years ago. Wambeo is one such woman. She usually collects dodo (vegetables) and prepares some for sale to her neighbours who are eager for a change of diet. It no longer matters that the vegetables were gathered from the bushes and not from a garden. Even as the residents brace to tackle the challenges above, a much bigger problem lies ahead in this multi-ethnic region of Bunyoro. Kiryadongo- recently curved out of Masindi District, has over 52 tribes but has nonetheless been the most peaceful region in the country. However, with the discovery of rich oil deposits in the region, cultural analysts now say conflicts may arise over how oil proceeds should be shared between indigenous Banyoro and the immigrants. Will the indigenous people allow the settlers to eat from their oil table? Henry Ford Mirima, the Bunyoro Kingdom spokesperson thinks it was a bad idea for the government to have relocated the Bududa landslide survivors to the area without consulting the kingdom and indigenous people.“I think the local people won’t accept that. Even if it is public land, the government cannot just give out Bunyoro land to the Bafuruki [immigrants] just like that,” says Mirima. “I foresee a big conflict in future over the oil benefits,” he adds. Recently Heritage and Gas Company discovered huge oil deposits in the Lake Albert Rift Valley, in Hoima District and Bunyoro Kingdom has been pressing the government to reveal how much locals will get from the oil wealth. Putting the challenges aside, the Bududa landslide survivors can in the meantime find solace in their “new home” which many believe will be a haven of peace and prosperity. Ethnic diversity 1 | 2 Next Page»There are over 50 tribes in Masindi and Kiryadongo districts. Most immigrants came to the area due to war while others migrated to find better living conditions. But even with the low standard of living and available fertile land here, the migrants have tasted the dose of both difficult and easy life in Bunyoro. * Loum George Yoorach came to Kiraydondo district 10 years ago when the LRA insurgency was at its peak in northern Uganda. Life here has been enjoyable for him and his three children. “Land here is very cheap, and people are free to do what they want. There is no oppression or discrimination from the indigenous Banyoro,” he says.At Shs200,000, Loum bought a plot of land in Bweyale Trading Centre two years ago. With the money he gets from photography and farming, Loum says he sees a bright future for his family, which left at the height of the LRA insurgency. * For Livingstone Omusiriza, life has not been good since he left his home in Bulemezi, Luweero in March. Omusiriza used to tend people’s cattle for a fee but was convinced life in Kiryadongo would be much better. But while in Kiryadongo, Omusiriza lives in one grass-thatched hut with six of his children and a wife. Two of the children are in secondary school while the rest are in primary school. Omusiriza buys milk from cattle owners and sells it at Bweyale Trading Centre, but this business is not changing his life as he had anticipated.“I have to pay rent, pay fees and take care of other family needs. It has not been any better here. Sometimes we even sleep hungry,” Omusiriza says. “I cannot even buy land, which is relatively cheap here,” he adds, saying that if he had his own land back in Luweero, he would have gone back there. * Hellen Bwangamoi, a widow with three children, came to Kiryadongo 11 years ago. She is a potato vendor in Bweyale Market. The saving scheme she and her fellow vendors are involved in, has been a stable source of income.“Food stuff is relatively cheap here. The land is also good for farming,” she says.Bwangamoi says she has no plans of going back to her home district in Gulu because her parents were killed during the LRA war and culturally as a woman, she did not inherit any piece of land. “All I can do is stay here with my children. If only I can get a sponsor for my children’s education, life would be even better,” she says. * Walter Kilama is a teacher at Panyadoli Secondary School in Kiryadongo. To him, life has been made easy by the cheap prices of commodities. “Life here is okay, there is no discrimination based on tribe,” he says. But even with the comfort in this foreign district, Kilama says he will return to his home district in Amuru. “Ngom Kwaro [ancestral land] is where I will return. I cannot leave home for good,” Kilama explains. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/CharlesOnyangoObbo/-/878504/1036188/-/gly2yq/-/index.html","content":"What if the trapped Chilean miners had been Ugandan? - The rescue last week of 33 Chilean miners who spent 69 days trapped underground after the mine they were working collapsed, was one of the most viewed television events ever in most parts of the world. It is, therefore, a story that does not need to be repeated. The question that interests us today is; what would happen if a similar mine incident occurred in Uganda? How would we as a society, and then our government, respond? We have had a few small and biggish national disasters and emergencies, and they provide us with some clues as how we might act if we had had a Chile-type mine accident.1. The proper place to start is how the First Citizen, President Yoweri Museveni would react. We saw Chile president Sebastian Pinera at the mine several times. However, at all times he stood a respectful distance away in a corner, and was always among the last people to greet the rescued miners. In his speech, he said the historic rescue was proof of the tenacity and courage of the miners, and the greatness of the people of Chile. In Uganda, I think President Museveni would do as he did with the landslide disaster in Bududa early in the year—he would show up at the mine with an AK-47 rifle strapped to his chest.Secondly, he would not stand aside like Pinera. “Mzee” would take over and direct operations. Or if he were able to stand back, certainly he would have the first honour to greet the rescued miners. Thirdly, he would argue that the rescue was a statement about the fundamental change brought by the NRM government. The Uganda people would not be mentioned. At this point, I think it is important to state that we are not interested in judging whether the Chilean approach is better than Uganda’s would have been (that the readers can do for themselves). We are content only to point out the differences. 2. I sense though, that we have started on too optimistic a note. I think a Ugandan mine rescue attempt would not get off smoothly like Chile’s (which was achieved a month earlier than some of the world’s leading experts had predicted). If the Chogm conference of 2007 were anything to go by, the decision to buy the equipment to begin drilling would be delayed until at least one miner had died.Then a Chogm-type crisis would be created, in order to allow for the suspension of procurement rules. The Ugandan mining minister, his permanent secretary, and a range of political fixers would all get a cut on the purchase of specialised mining equipment. Like Chogm, there would only be enough money left to buy second-hand equipment, which would arrive late. The stage would have been set for a monumental catastrophe at that point. 3. My friend Pastor Martin Sempa and MP David Bahati would show up at the rescue site. They would allege that one of the miners is gay, and therefore he should not be brought to the surface, as it was God’s plan that he stays in the ground. Only the heterosexuals, they would argue, should be rescued. 4. A range of criminal activities at the rescue site would also have distracted the police. Being Uganda, both the mine owners and the relatives of the trapped miners would carry out child sacrifices in the night, in the expectation that such rituals would bring luck to the rescue operations. 5. Not all relatives, of course, would carry out rituals for the rescued miners. There would also be quite a few of them sabotaging the recovery equipment in the night, and bribing the rescuers to mess up the operation. Why? So that they can inherit the trapped miners’ properties, and even their wives. 6. Another of the things that would starkly have been in Uganda is that, as we are wont to do, we would bring politics into it. In Uganda, the miners would have been mostly opposition supporters. Ruling party members have a lot of ways to make easy money, than undertake the risky business of mining. I know of two or three pro-government columnists who would condemn the mine owner for employing opposition supporters, in the first place, and propose that the opposition miners repent for their “misguided” ways first. The FDC would stage protests near the mine, accusing the government of a plot to bury the opposition-supporting miners. The Kiboko Squad would be called in to beat them off. 7. Finally, the event would never have been covered by such a wide array of local and international media. For local media, only the pro-government outlets would have been allowed. The independent, sometimes labeled “opposition” and “monarchist”, media would be locked out. 8. Likewise, the international media wouldn’t have got a shot at covering. The new regulations governing accreditation for events where the President is involved are so Byzantine; it would take six months to clear. In the end, the miners would be rescued. However, only three would be rescued. The other 30 would have died. Going by our standards, even the three would be a miracle enough. cobbo@nation.co.ke"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1012916/-/cnosg9z/-/index.html","content":"Polls: Bunyoro will be a two-party race - Hoima The ruling NRM party has completed conducting its primaries in several places in Bunyoro region where it has selected its flag bearers for the 2011 general elections. “The stiff competition in our primaries shows the seriousness of our candidates and voters to select the best (candidates) whom the opposition cannot match,” the Hoima Municipality NRM secretary general, Mr Muhamad Kiyimba, says. But Mr Jackson Wabyoona, the Deputy Secretary in the FDC President’s office feels the bickering in the NRM stemming from the recent polls shows a party that is disintegrating and cannot therefore effectively challenge the opposition. Ministers Henry Muganwa Kajura (second deputy premier), Kabakumba Masiko (Information), Matia Kasaija (Internal Affairs) as well as Lands Presidential Adviser Kasiriivu Atwooki sailed through for the Hoima Municipality, Bujenje County, Buyanja and Bugangaizi West parliamentary seats respectively. They are likely to play a leading role in canvassing support for their party President and other ruling party candidates in the districts of Kibaale, Hoima, Masindi, Buliisa and Kiryandongo. Unhappy NRM candidatesHowever, some NRM candidates are not happy with their interventions and are busy working hard to support their respective rivals who are standing as independents. The division in the ruling party is likely to be an advantage to the opposition if it fields credible candidates who can deliberately and tactically use the division to their advantage. “We shall go back to the drawing board (after the primaries), re-organise and bring our people together. The opposition is too weak to threaten us” Hoima NRM Spokesman Yunusu Mugabe says. In Hoima Municipality where Mr Kajura won, his rival, Dr Patrick Mwesigwa Isingoma, did not concede defeat and has declared intentions to stand as an independent in a race which has also attracted the FDC’s western regional vice chairman, Mr Patrick Baguma. Mr Kajura, a veteran politician who won with a landslide in the NRM primaries, feels the race is getting easier for him. “The people here appreciate my contribution to Hoima, Bunyoro and Uganda as a whole. My interventions to uplift the infrastructure, incomes, education and the kingdom make me increasingly popular as we draw closer to the general elections,” he says. In Bujenje County, Ms Kabakumba is facing a daunting task given the fact that the supporters of Lt. Patrick Kasumba, who was not discharged from the army to contest for the seat, accuse the minister of being behind the move, a claim she denies. Some have vowed to support the NRM leaning Mr Fox Kaheebwa, a sugar cane out grower who will vie as an independent whereas FDC’s Justo Olema is warming up for Ms Kabakumba’s seat too. While Ms Kabakumba hopes to use her support to women and youth groups in the county as well as improving household welfare through mobilising people to utilise government programmes such as NAADS, UPE, USE, the opposition wants to use the unresolved concerns of sugar cane out growers and raging land disputes in the area to win support from voters. The Buliisa County MP, Mr Stephen Mukitale Biraahwa, who won the hotly contested poll against a Makerere University don, Dr Godfrey Kamugisha, will have to go into yet another contest with him since he is standing as an independent. FDC is to field Mr Naftali Bigirwenkya, the former Bunyoro Kingdom’s spokesperson who resigned the post to join active politics. Mr Biraahwa has been at the forefront of advocating the protection of Buliisa’s oil-rich communal land from being parcelled and acquired by the wealthy business bureaucrats at the expense of the locals. He is likely to face cash loaded opponents whom he accuse of being supported by oil strategists. “Oil is already a factor here. People who want to grab land (which) is adjacent to oil sites are already supporting candidates from LCI to LC5 offices in this district,” Mr Biraahwa says. However, some of Mr Biraahwa’s critics accuse him of covering up what he has not done for his electorates under the guise of fighting to protect Buliisa’s land from being grabbed as he often alleges. The Buliisa Woman MP, Ms Beatrice Mpairwe, is likely to face either Ms Lucy Atim or Ms Sarah Mudede, the two FDC aspirants from whom the party will select a flag bearer after conducting primaries. Buliisa Chairman Fred Lukumu, who faces a stern challenge from FDC’s Abel Kaahwa, claims he can win the poll just as he has done on two occasions. In the newly-created Kiryandongo District, the chairman, Mr Ben Moro who lost in the NRM primaries to Mr John Kaija, is back as an independent. Kibanda County MP Sam Otada lost the contested primaries to the former area legislator, Mr George Baitera Maiteki but has not conceded defeat. He is expected to contest as an independent if NRM does not nullify the poll outcome and organise fresh polls. Mr Otada’s candidature widens the contest for the seat where FDC has fielded Mr Hakim Muhumuza. In Masindi, FDC will hold primaries to pick its flag bearer where lawyer Moses Tugume will tussle with Sheikh Muhamoud Katuramu, the Kyambogo University Lecturer. The winner will square off with the NRM’s flag bearer who is yet to be voted. In the race is former Reform Agenda regional coordinator Ernest Kiiza, football philanthropist Kenneth Atugonza and fresh Makerere University graduate Sam Businge. In Kibaale, FDC is yet to conclude identifying its candidates although the FDC’s deputy spokesman, Mr Toterebuka Bamwenda, has already began grassroots mobilisation for the Buyaga East parliamentary seat of which Kamwenge RD Ignatius Besisira is the NRM flag bearer. In Bugangaizi East County, FDC’s Godfrey Barugahara is ready to square off with the Bugangaizi County MP, Ms Marble Bakeine. While FDC is yet to openly declare its flag bearer for the LC5 seat, the district FDC chairman, Omuhereza Ayebale Kanyarutooke, is widely rumoured to have been endorsed by the party strategists to vie for the seat where NRM has selected incumbent George Namyaka as its flag bearer. But his rival, Mr Henry Baguma, is expected to run as an independent in a race that might be too close to call. Electorates’ responseIndependent analysts argue that the massive turn out of voters in the NRM primaries in Bunyoro sub-region shows the readiness and value the electorates have tugged on the upcoming polls. However, it remains unclear if they will vote basing on party manifestoes and policies rather than basing on the personality of candidates as the practice has commonly been. 1 | 2 Next Page»This creates a challenge to parties to adopt manifestoes and policies that are appealing to the voters and also select candidates with credible character, competence and expertise. The contest for political seats in Bunyoro is mainly between NRM and FDC. NRM which has hitherto enjoyed massive support in this region has some homework to do amid a resurgent opposition that seems determined to grab it from the ruling party’s arms, which the NRM strategists here say they cannot sit back and watch. The Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom Prime Minister, Eng. Yabeezi Kiiza, said the Banyoro will vote candidates basing on how best they plan to address Bunyoro’s concerns. “The Banyoro want land titles, a share on oil, better infrastructure, education and eviction of pastoralists from Buliisa District,” he said. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1009640/-/co6je9z/-/index.html","content":"Gang of Five tackles Mbabazi at Namboole - Namboole A political assault by five men laced with acerbic explosions yesterday failed to stall incumbent NRM secretary general Amama Mbabazi from a probable victory. The party’s Electoral Commission Chairperson Felicitus Magomu opened campaigns for the competitive positions around midday beginning with candidates for the secretary general post. She gave each contender only two minutes to convince voters, sparking some disquiet among delegates. The contenders were Mr Mbabazi, Trade Minister Kahinda Otafiire, Vice President Gilbert Bukenya, academic Prof. Elijah Mushemeza and one Apollo Kibira. Otafiire attacks MbabaziAfter Mr Mbabazi who was the first to speak declared he had given “my best” to NRM, Maj. Gen. Otafiire who was second speaker instead threw organisers into disarray by questioning alleged irregular accreditation of delegates. This, he said, was the first step to rig the vote in the absence of verifiable voters’ registers for each district and multiple accreditations of delegates. He piled the blame for what he called “disorganisation at the NRM secretariat” on his political nemesis Mbabazi who he said as chief convener of the conference was manipulating the process to his favour as a contestant. “There are reports these [delegate’s accreditation] cards were being replicated and sold in town yesterday [on Saturday],” he said, “And non-delegates are in here while genuine delegates are languishing outside the stadium.” This forced President Museveni, who is also the NRM chairman, to interject by asking Mr Mbabazi to explain the highlighted anomalies, among them allegations that some delegates had been underpaid. At this point, the harsh under-currents of political rivalry between Security Minister Amama Mbabazi and Maj. Gen. Otafiire bubbled as the two went bare-knuckle with counter-attacks. “My style of work is to share with colleagues. Mr Otafiire should have come to me. Unfortunately, he came here to be exposed and I will do just that,” Mr Mbabazi said before calling the party secretariat administrator, Dr Hassan Galiwango to explain the variation in allowances. Dr Galiwango said a “decision was made” to pay Shs300, 000 as allowance to delegates from far-flung corners of the country and Shs250, 000 for their counterparts nearby. He, however, did not say who took the decision. The clashMr Mbabazi said: “I am here and available to serve the party as I have done in the last 30 to 40 years, and I am still strong to serve. So give me your votes.” Maj. Gen. Otafiire seized on Mr Mbabazi’s declaration of being “hard working” and pointed to “individualisation” of party activities to discredit the security minister. “The people organising the elections are candidates themselves; they are the ones who compiled the voters’ register and how can this register be transparent?” he said. “This puts our democratic credentials as a party in very bad light.” The litany’s of the general’s complaints and vicious attacks overwhelmed but he was scant of how to accelerate the party forward, invoking most of the time an urgent need to re-invigorate the movement’s original revolutionary ideological orientation and discipline. “We made mistakes before and this is the time to correct those mistakes,’’ he said. Mr Mbabazi in a rejoinder said persons who purport not to “err” should go to heaven because they don’t belong to the real world where every mankind strays. But Maj. Gen. Otafiire’s criticism in which he scorned the NRM secretariat under Mr Mbabazi’s watch provided the fodder for other candidates who spoke afterwards, among them Prof. Bukenya. The VP said: “I’m 100 per cent committed to the NRM party and its good driver President Museveni, but I must say although this commitment is there, our party has been mismanaged at the secretariat.” Party members, he said, had suffered due to a dearth of strategic and operational planning by the secretariat which is not “people-centred”. In his view, NRM’s future anchors on reactivating grass root political mobilisation and enlisting cadres fed on a clear party ideology. “We must have fair and free elections to tackle the problem of intrigue,” he said, promising to be only a telephone call away from members. For all the good they spoke about themselves and the evil of rivals, a sixth candidate for the secretary general’s slot said it’s greed spoiling the political executives that occupy multiple offices. “If it was not for greed, these people would stand down for me,” he said to applause from delegates. “We should work together as a team, but not individuals. I will bring that glory back.” Mr Kibira, whom NRM EC chairperson Magomu had skipped, but only got to speak after Mr Museveni’s intervention, said the ruling party must erect its office complex instead of being harboured at the “poultry house” on Plot 10, Kyadondo Road. And Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo, who’s built a reputation as an open-minded internal critic of his party, did not disappoint. “We are on a very dangerous and declining line in our popularity [rating],” he said, citing staggering scores in past national elections. President Museveni won the 1996 vote by a landslide, but his score dipped in the subsequent election of 2001 by about double digit and he polled 59 in the last elections. “We cannot look on as things move from bad to worse. We need leaders with clean hands; [NRM] cannot be a party of a family,” said Mr Ssekikubo. 1 | 2 Next Page»Revival ideasHis ideas for reviving the party revolved around rebuilding waning good will of members; cadre identification, training and management, empowering lower tier leaders and offering them special recognition and generating rewarding policies. The academic angle to the debate, which whirled more around personality than issues, came from Prof. Mushemeza who said NRM’s repetitive mistakes had strolled from accident to coincidence and now evolved into a dangerous behaviour. He said: “I bring you the hope that we need the right people to do the right things.” « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/951510/-/11jbobw/-/index.html","content":"When newspapers become the best learning tool - The best way to get students learn faster is have them involved in classroom activities. That is why teachers in Pader District have resorted to using Daily Monitor newspapers as one of their teaching tools. As STEVEN TENDO writes, the project has borne fruits:- Oscar Okello of Lanyotono in Pader District is clear about what he wants; after school, he wants to be a doctor. He wants to study and get out of the situation he is now; poverty in order to help his family and community. At least what he believes is possible, given what he has been reading in the newspapers he receives every Monday of the school term. Looking a little uneasy, probably because it is threatening to rain and he has to trek four kilometres home, he explains his ambitions in relation to the news. “I see many professionals in the newspapers and I know they got there because they read,” he tells Sunday Monitor. He marvels at the many clever things these people in the news say. Best experienceLike many of his counterparts in rural Pader District, reading newspapers, even when they receive them once a week is probably their best educational experience. Beyond being just another classroom tool that could help pupils to brush up their reading and writing skills, newspapers have been identified to be an agent for enhanced understanding. The more the children read the papers, the more they get to appreciate their situation and the more they think about making it better. Teachers in Pader have long realised the gem that newspapers are in their classes; they follow the activities in the activity sections for children and they long for more academic material. Not that they do not have other materials. Pader Town hits the newcomer as a dour frontier town, and it is. According to the few inhabitants who have decided not to go the rural areas many kilometres away, even the food comes in from Lira District. Ghost town?There is a fierce determination to keep the town alive even if it is by opening the forlorn shops to the countable customers. In the outskirts, teachers have to find ways of upping education levels. During market days; on Tuesday and Thursday, children relegate school to a position lower on their priority list and other problems. This is, however, just another headache when coupled with any other issues, from scarce female teachers to reluctance of women to teach in rural areas, experts think, because they will not attract suitors. Being a region inundated by non-governmental organisation programmes, especially to do with war emergence education, chances are that there are text books in some of the schools. The teachers, though, confess that newspapers are more current and using them gives pupils a sense of unity with the rest of the children in other parts of the country. Teachers speak“As teachers, we are always trying to learn new ways of applying the newspaper in class. We appreciate there are many ways and it depends on the creativity of the teacher,” Mr Simon Peter Akena, the headmaster at Anga Katoke Primary School, says as he picks newspaper copies for his school. “We have noted that when the papers arrive, there is less talk and the level of concentration has increased.” And the excitement among the pupils in the schools is real. When the drop-off vehicle arrives at Ogago Primary School, it is immediately surrounded by children, eagerly looking inside to see the prized possessions they will be holding onto for the next week until a new paper comes. “The newspaper gives them a lot to think about. On Friday, they debate and what they have been reading in the papers is top on their agenda,” Mr James Okoyo Bobo, Ogago’s head teacher, says. He reveals that generally, he has noted children are forming better sentences since last term. The efforts of various groups, the teachers, the parents and community leaders, are continuous. Nongovernment organisations are key in taking the newspapers to the different schools in Pader. Sometimes, a snag is hit where teachers might say they do not know how best to use the tool but there is always a solution. Mr Denish Walter Ocen who teaches Mathematics, admits he is stumped on how to use newspapers in a Maths lesson. “I usually find only things like the page numbers or maybe to just tell them to count pages. Other than that, it is difficult to use them,” he says. His colleagues offer advice that he could find whatever topic he is teaching in the newspaper always. Mr Ocen and other teachers who find such problems is the reason the organisations like ZOA Refugee Care spend time training and retraining teachers.In many of the ZOA-sponsored schools in Pader, English is still a problem with teachers resorting to the local language. That is the only way the children will understand the topics. When they started receiving newspapers last term, the teachers found it very difficult to relay the information in the papers. Two terms into the programme, the children seem to have caught on. Appeals for big pictures and less text are not as many as they were at the beginning of the first school term. Teachers have started seeing an increase in interest in what is written other than what is depicted in pictures. With the advantage of living his life in two worlds, Pader and Kampala, Mr Robert Otim, who drives to different schools every Monday to deliver newspapers thinks the programme is a lot more important than can be seen on the surface. “These children have nothing else. They do not have access to what my children in Kampala do. Here, small mercies are very big indeed,” he philosophises as he drops off some children he met on a muddy road to Ogago. Mr Otim observes giving newspapers to the children is probably the highlight of their lives in the week. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Benjamin Stephenson Okole, the headmaster of Olung Primary School in Lokole Sub-county, believes his teachers are benefitting from the programme because they have access to current affairs, something they did not have before. “The children can be slow but when their teachers are well versed, they will get better in a shorter time,” he says. It’s raining heavily but Dan Owana Tokana of P7 and Christine Acen have to wait a little longer to get their copies of Daily Monitor. He has a long distance to go home, about 3km but he, like many others in his school, are used to that. “No one else at home can afford newspapers,” he tells us. “We read them at school and get as much information as we can. We tell those in the community what is happening.” For instance, he brought them the news of the Bududa landslides. He also told them what a landslide is all because of what he had read in the newspapers. Mr Lauben Mwetware, the education manager for ZOA Refugee Care, points at more problems hindering education development in Pader District. No female motivation“Female teachers are scarce in this region,” he says. “One would find them concentrated in the towns.” According to the manager, this renders the education experience of many girls doomed because they have no one to relate to, with only male teachers. Dropping out by females is common. Lower primary classes have parity of the sexes but about Primary five, the girls start leaving school. “By P7, we have as few as 15 per cent girls of the classes. For instance, there’s a school in Okoro where I found 22 boys and three girls,” Mr Mwetware says. Newspapers in Education programmes can help bridge this gap, Mr Mwetware believes. “If the girls can go home with the papers and share with their parents, especially if the newspaper contains information related to their situation as girls, we would achieve some level of stability where their education is concerned.” « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/943426/-/iyj398z/-/index.html","content":"Uganda insurers face a mentality jinx - Insurance experts are urging players in the industry to roll out more innovative products and price strategies to accelerate the growth of the sector in Uganda. “For more people to value and buy insurance there is need for insurance companies and brokers to design products that match the needs of the customers,” Mr Maurice Amogola, the chief executive officer of AON Uganda, told Business Power in an interview. Mr Amogola said insurance service providers should turn to solutions that respond to current problems in people’s environments in addition to peddling text book products like; fire, burglary, theft and accidents. He cited as an example, UAP Insurance’s Polisure – an insurance cover that secures businesses and people against losses that could emerge from a riot or terrorism, as an innovative solution. He further suggested that insurers should focus on designing products that respond to losses caused by disasters like; Iceland’s volcanic ash cloud and the Bududa, landslide in Uganda. “These are problems that cause business losses but there are no covers to respond to them when they happen. People have lost a lot of money because of the volcanic ash in Europe,” he said. Insurance is one of the most essential services that businesses or individuals ought to put in their shopping baskets every year. In developed countries like Germany or Netherlands, citizens and visitors must be insured in their lifetime there. However, in Uganda insurance is treated as a luxury and perceived as a service that is only meant to benefit the service providers. A national survey on access to financial services in Uganda – carried out in 2007 by Synovate, a research company - revealed that only six out of every 100 Ugandans had insurance cover. Insurers say getting insurance provides security and safety to the buyer (Insured) against uncertainty; besides giving peace of mind to the beneficiary through transfer of risk and its consequences to the insurer. Most Ugandans still don’t make sense of the service because most of them are poor and consumed by trying to get the most basic necessities of life. In the West it’s a different case because people have invested a lot in their lives, Dr Olli Pekka Ruukskanen the former chief executive officer of the Uganda Insurers Association (UIA) recently told Business Power. Experts believe that the perceptions are due to the low level of awareness about the benefits of insurance in the country. Mr Amogola said that the low level of penetration is also due to the lack of innovativeness in the insurance sector. Although growing, Uganda’s insurance sector is rated among the least developed in the world. In 2008, the sector underwrote Shs167 billion (about $75 million) in premiums, from Shs129 billion in 2007. This figure was generated by the 22 insurance companies, 24 insurance brokers, 8 Loss Assessors Surveyors and over 600 insurance agents that participate in the industry. But the total income compares poorly with the South African insurance industry which contributed close to 10 per cent ($6.5 billion) to the country’s wealth last year. Closer to home, Kenya’s insurance sector accounted for 2.6 per cent of $30.2 billion, the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) -the value of all goods and services produced in 2009 according to the Business Monitor international, Economic survey 2009. The sector accounts for less than 1 per cent of Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) -the value of all goods and services produced within the country annually. In 2009, Uganda’s GDP was estimated to have reached $15.7 billion (Shs34.5 trillion) –about five times the national budget. Penetration of insurance services in the country is at 0.6 per cent compared to 4.5 for Kenya, according to Ms Evelyn Nkalubo-Muwemba, the Commissioner Uganda Insurance Commission. According to the UIA the average real growth rate of the insurance industry in Uganda has been around 9 percent since 1996. The top four performing companies including; Chartis Insurance, Jubilee Insurance, UAP, and the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) record growth of between 18 to 26 per cent annually. In a bid to add value to their products, insurers like NIC have also introduced unique quality customer centric products to suit the changing needs of the public. Ms Josephine Zhane Aguma, the corporate communications manager, partly attributes their performance to innovative products by the firm. The company has products like; dividend plus plan, employee insurance plan, teachers insurance plan and education endowment, aimed at promoting insurance and savings. The products target consumers in the range of 1 to 60 years. 1 | 2 Next Page»To enhance the performance of the sector, Ms Nkalubo, the Commissioner Uganda Insurance Commission, has also called for price innovation in the industry among insurance brokers, who are tasked by insurance companies to sell the service to people and businesses. Although the commission has reined in an unfair price competition in the industry by setting minimum rates, Ms Nkalubo said, it remains very important that insurers actually show that they have an edge over their colleagues despite the minimum rates. “You should show some professionalism, and that you are able to produce the right products tailor-made for your clients. Products that really meet their needs,” she told brokers at awards event to honour the top insurance companies and brokers recently. Exercising professionalism which is acquired through training of staff is seen as key to fair and transparent pricing in the industry. Transparency in pricing builds customer confidence towards a service provider and is seen as tool that can draw weary consumers to take up the industry’s products and services. And as the East African Community (EAC) becomes a common market where the region’s governments are working towards harmonised regulatory policies, Ms Nkalubo has urged Uganda’s insurance providers to cooperate with their counterparts. The EAC will become a common market on July 1, 2010 to facilitate the free movement of goods, capital, labour and services the five states including; Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi. In her view, cooperation between the parties will enable them to enjoy the same benefits that accrue from adjustments in regulations of the bloc like exemption from certain taxes. “It is important that you all work together with your colleagues so that we are all reading from the same page. Otherwise, you would be doing different things from your colleagues,” she said. Reduction in taxes paid by insurance providers and brokers are then expected to be passed on to consumers as lower prices. Besides using tax waivers as a tool to reduce the cost of insurance, Uganda is also finalising plans to set up a re-insurance company that will cushion the industry against very costly risks, saving the economy at least Shs40 billion in capital flight.While reading her 2010/11 budget speech, Ms. Ms Syda Bbumba Uganda’s finance minister commended the industry for its progress and contribution to the economy in the recent times. However, she also called on the players to take advantage of the insurance policies available at African Trade Insurance (ATI) Agency. By joining the agency, the minister said the players will increase their competitiveness and profitability of their businesses by hedging against insurable risks in the region. ATI is a multilateral financial institution providing export credit insurance, political risk insurance, investment insurance and other financial products to help reduce the business risks and costs of doing business in Africa. Even with the above suggestions, Mr Isaac Mutekangthe the chief executive at UIA adds that creating awareness is another important element needed to increase penetration in the industry. “We are planning sensitisation campaigns especially with the media and launching micro-insurance products which can serve the needs of the low income groups,” he told Business Power last month. These initiatives are expected to increase the penetration of insurance in Uganda and also help insurers to compete favourably in the region, while enabling consumers to enjoy lower cost of insurance. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Travel/-/691238/942860/-/4rfdiz/-/index.html","content":"Mbale town has lost its glory days - I’ve always been told or heard that Mbale is one of the cleanest towns if not the cleanest in Uganda. So I had high expectations. I approached the town from Tororo and it took about one and a half hours to get there. If you thought roads in Kampala had potholes, then try the ones leading to Mbale; it is hard to believe that Hoima Road is in the same country. Does this place have a Member of Parliament or a mayor or is it that this side of the country does not pay taxes? I mean, doesn’t anyone care? Originally it must have been tarmac, but currently it is safe to call it murrum with bits of tarmac spread here and there. The road is so bad that at some points, it was children filling the holes with soil. And being the entrepreneurs that they are, the children create a road block at some points or stand at the side of the road, wave at very passing car to ask for money for the work well done. The town is no better than many I have seen, and forget about its cleanliness. The only relief is the view; in the far distance of a prestigious hill, the stretches of land covered by maize gardens and the green vegetation on the slopes. To separate Tororo from Bududa are tall brick poles on either side of the road thanks to Tororo Cement while River Manafwa separates Mbale from Bududa. Mbale is generally a busy town. On the calmer side of the town, one is likely to come across accommodation. And in Mbale, it is not surprising when your neighbour turns his house into an Inn; most of the places were once residential.For some, you just do not want to be seen near them, the rooms are dingy, expensive given their quality and well, they remind you of lodges. In one place, we were told, given that they use a generator; the maximum it would run for was until 12a.m. Then for the rest of the night, you had to figure out what it was you were going to use for light. This however does not seem to be a problem because there is a lot to choose from on all sides of the town. Some places had karaoke, others were just located in scary places; the kind you do not go to if it is at night and you are new. We eventually settled for Mbale Resort after checking about 10 places; it had a nice view and well it was not only sports on DSTv; the food is splendid, the view breath-taking. But every positive has a negative side and so did this place. One particular waitress, Sharon, if I remember ought to take some lessons on pleasantness. Many may not like their jobs but they should try to put on a good look, just for the customer. And then, I get that it is a hotel and all, and profit must be maximised, but really do I have to buy over-priced toothpaste because the hotel cannot or does not provide it? Or perhaps, I’ve been spoilt by places that provide it. Hotels aside, there was nature too and not Mt. Elgon as many may think. It is a majestic hill called Wanale, very breathtaking. As one goes higher up the hill by way of the roads that go around, water can be seen flowing over the rocks, and as they say, the higher you go, the cooler it becomes. At the top of the hill, the temperatures are not more than 160 degrees celcius despite how hot the sun is. We were told, other than go-around, the natives simply go up the steep hill and to access those very high points, they climb ladders, the school-going children too! Their gardens are vertical too; they do not fight to create a horizontal gradient. The architecture is similar, simple houses. They rare animals, but the cows are clearly not what I expected; I could swear their height is only three-quarters of the cows in the central region. Unfortunately, we could not get to the top of the hill, because there had been a landslide somewhere and the ground was too soft. All in all, it was a worthwhile visit, a place that leaves you with many tales to tell."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/937350/-/5qnuog/-/index.html","content":"Is Uganda headed for political stalemate? - With nine months left until the much-anticipated 2011 Ugandan general election, there is much that is starting to become clear and some that are not. There are three well-known players in the unfolding Ugandan drama -- the United States of America, President Yoweri Museveni, and the formal political opposition. And, despite appearances, these three power centres share one thing in common: they are all in a weak position. The weakness of these three parties ahead of the forthcoming election means that Uganda is most likely headed for an impasse in the next nine months until and after the election. How so? The first player to examine is the United States. Obama anticipationWhen Barack Obama became the first Black President of the US in January 2009 and in July paid his first visit to Africa as president, there was much anticipation that he would insist on the flourishing of democracy in Africa and be tough on the continent’s many autocrats. Many Ugandans took the decision by the US Congress to task Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with keeping a close eye on Uganda as a signal that the Obama administration was going to act as the election watchdog in the run-up to the 2011 polls. A recent visit by Johnnie Carson, the administration’s main point man for Africa, appeared to confirm this view. However, as millions of Americans are discovering, President Obama’s somewhat passive leadership style is starting to exhibit itself and nowhere more so than in Africa. The year 2010 could well be one of those years in which Africa demonstrated that 20 years of the post-Cold War experiment with democracy has achieved little. Elections in Africa suddenly seem to be turning more, not less, messy with time. Sudan held an election in April that saw many opposition parties boycott it. Ethiopia arrested and harassed many opposition leaders and despite the anger still simmering after the 2005 demonstrations, the ruling EPRDF regime in Addis Ababa claimed to have won the sort of landslide usually associated with autocratic Communist governments. All eight opposition presidential candidates in Burundi’s June 28 general election have now pulled out, citing rigging, leaving President Pierre Nkurunziza as the sole candidate. In Rwanda, the main challenger to President Paul Kagame, Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, was summarily arrested and charges of denying the 1994 genocide and collaborating with Hutu rebels brought against her. In Uganda on June 9, opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye was roughed up by police and a state-associated vigilante group nicknamed the “Kiboko Squad” when he tried to lead a demonstration in Kampala against the widely criticised Electoral Commission. In all this, the Obama administration has been, at best, mild and ineffective in its protests and intervention and at worst, silent and almost absent. What complicates matters further for Washington is that with Ugandan peace-keeping troops forming the bulk of the African peacekeeping force, Amisom, in the war-torn Horn of Africa nation of Somalia and Burundian troops also deployed, the United States is in some ways hostage to the governments of Uganda and Burundi. The US is already too bogged down in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and watching over rising tensions in the Korean Peninsula, Persian Gulf and Obama’s popularity at home sagging for America to risk any further engagement in Africa. Uganda and Burundi have become Washington’s sub-contractors in Somalia. The Ugandan opposition is weak financially, weak in organisation and weak in its reading of the national mood. Even with all signs glaring that the 2011 election will not be free or fair and will probably see much violence meted out to opposition leaders and supporters, the opposition still goes through the motions of registering its members, holding rallies and protesting at harassment by the NRM government. Many opposition figures are hoping that the United States will act as the arbitrator and main pressure group in the election but, as noted, Obama has so far shown none of the decisive voice that Africans had hoped for a year ago. President Museveni, for his part, is in his weakest position since acceding to power in January 1986. Where he once was comfortable enough to allow opposition rallies to take place, today he is not even sure that FM radio station talk shows, left to their own, will not become a rallying point for the millions of disgruntled Ugandans. Campaigning PresidentIn every parliamentary by-election or even Local Council 5 and (as with Rubaga Division in Kampala) Local Council 3 election since 2007, he has had to campaign in person and throw all his weight behind the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidates just for them to win or not to be totally routed. An illuminating example of President Museveni’s weak position came in January when he explained to grumbling NRM party leaders at a meeting at State House Entebbe why he had to take a cautious position on the proposed anti-gay Bill. 1 | 2 Next Page»The President personally, his family, army Generals, senior party leaders and political aides, and others who form his core power base, as well as over 90 per cent of the Ugandan public, seem united in their opposition to granting legal recognition of homosexuality. Biting pressure But he told the NRM leaders the pressure on him from several Western leaders necessitated that he weighs what he called “foreign policy implications.”By giving in to Western demands to reconsider the anti-gay Bill, President Museveni demonstrated the proof that his real power base lies in the Western capitals and that he cannot rely on the sentiments of even his most ardent loyalists to withstand Western pressure. Incidentally President Museveni’s understanding of the role Western diplomatic, financial, and military support plays in maintaining him in power might explain his curious silence in the face of the defiance of police summons by the UPC party president Olara Otunnu. Mr Otunnu, a former UN under secretary and believed by many to have powerful political backers in Washington and New York, has so far gotten away with statements and allegations that, if or when uttered by Dr Besigye, would lead to immediate action by the police or State House. Unknown variable The only unknown variable in the lead-up to the 2011 election is that of the Ugandan population. The public’s passivity is fairly well-known. It is the degree of anger and desperation since last September’s riots in Buganda that is unknown and, depending on how deep or not the disenchantment runs, could be the determinant of the post-election outcome. The dilemmaIf ordinary Ugandans accept the result of the election or at least do nothing to challenge the outcome, the impasse and lapse into a five-year period of stagnant stability will start. If they are adamant enough to challenge it and have no fear of state reprisals, then Uganda could erupt into the violence seen in Kenya in December 2007. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/MuniiniMulera/-/878676/919442/-/rim3xyz/-/index.html","content":"Let’s deal, Mr President - Dear Tingasiga: As a certified Chinua Achebe addict, I am forever hearing the voices of his varied characters in his great novels. Reading the Chogm Report last week promptly triggered the voice of Mr Green, the detestable European boss of Obi Okonkwo in No Longer at Ease. Mr Green, in conversation with his British Council friend, assures him that he understands why Okonkwo, a UK-trained Nigerian bureaucrat, took a bribe, for which he now stands accused. “The African is corrupt through and through,” Mr. Green says. Oh, how I hated that statement the first time I read it more than four decades ago! Yet how many times our continent’s rulers have given reality to the fictional Mr Green’s damning of my race! One gets depressed reading through a catalogue of the known corruption scandals of the Museveni regime. Bank Paribas, Marubeni, Uganda Commercial Bank and Westmont, Uganda Grain Millers sale, privatisation of X, Y and Z, Entandikwa, Rural farmers’ scheme, valley dams, junk helicopters and junk tanks. Did I mention Copper Rivets, Congo gold and timber, Veluppillai Kananathan and Tri-Star, NSSF-Onegi Obel, NSSF-The Sequel (starring Jamwa, Kagonyera, Mbabazi and Suruma), HIV/Aids Global fund, GAVI Fund, ghost soldiers, Uganda Airlines/Enhas, National Medical Stores? That is just what I can remember. My humble apologies to Mr Green! This Chogm thing is nothing new and it only skims the surface of what was actually stolen in the name of Chogm. The only news is the comedy of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) trying to block the tabling of the report before Parliament. First, their resistance suggests guilt. Second, while Deputy Speaker Rebecca Kadaga and her NRM comrades were struggling to block the report, an electronic copy had already arrived in my Inbox and those of many Ugandans in the world. Now, one understands the fear that has gripped the Museveni ministers who have been named in the report. It threatens their livelihoods and, perhaps, their freedom, something they do not associate with their elevated status in their version of a government. Tabling the report exposes the nakedness of these ‘liberators’ who have become accustomed to feeding their insatiable greed over the unmarked grave of a ‘revolution’ they first corrupted and then killed in infancy. Enter Rebecca Kadaga, the Joan of the Nile riding her horse in aid of her beleaguered comrades. “That Chogm report can wait!” she shouts amidst the chaos that has engulfed her Parliament. Kadaga speaks an unintended truth that hits home to those who spare a moment to think about it. The country’s rulers are too busy sucking the blood out of the nation’s carcass to attend to the Chogm report. It can wait! In case you missed it, the names in the report are the usual suspects. Gilbert Bukenya, Amama Mbabazi, Samwiri Kutesa, Hope Mwesigye, Ezra Suruma, John Nasasira, Mwesigwa Rukuutana…, in short, the patriotic courtiers of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. These patriots have a striking resemblance with their predecessors in what Museveni calls the buffoon regimes. Where the Amin-Muwanga-Obote ministers were glorified merchants who issued chits to cronies to get cooking oil, beer, bicycles, foreign currency and such, the Museveni ministers were salesmen promoting brands of motor vehicles or ‘security’ services or other firms that drank deep at the national trough. Indeed one suspects that some may have been partners in the companies that were supplying real or imaginary goods and services to the Chogm-fest. None of this is surprising, of course. To paraphrase Achebe’s Mr Green, the Museveni regime is corrupt through and through. Incidentally, did you notice that these ministers disobeyed Museveni’s directives? Don’t you wonder what other presidential directives they have disobeyed? Worse still, what else might they be up to behind the President’s back? If I were President Museveni, I would not sleep easy tonight. But that is none of my business. My business is to point out the arrogance of this lot which sucks the blood out of the country, even as the citizens face worsening challenges. Imagine, for example, how many Ugandan lives could have been saved by the money that these kleptocrats stole in the name of Chogm. While the country’s hospitals were, and remain, death centres, not health centres, these chaps loot the treasury, pave roads to their private properties and award tenders to cronies at inflated prices. They are born lucky. Had they been ministers in a country like Rwanda, you can bet that Gen. Paul Kagame would have already had them locked away in prison, awaiting trial. That will not happen in Uganda. A few minor actors will go to jail, of course, but Bukenya, Kutesa, Nasasira, Mbabazi and Mwesigye will continue to enjoy presidential protection. Of course I will be happy to be proved wrong on this one. Indeed, this scandal offers Gen. Museveni an opportunity for self-exoneration. His refusal to act against his friends whose corrupt activities have been clearly exposed has always raised the suspicion that he was part of the looters. Indeed many of us parted ways with the President because he was an enabler, if not a participant in Uganda’s most corrupt regime since 1962. 1 | 2 Next Page»However, I am willing to offer him a deal he cannot refuse. Let Museveni fire Bukenya, Mbabazi, Kutesa, Nasasira, Mwesigye and all the other ministers that have been named in the Chogm rot. Then let him cause each of them, with no exception, to be prosecuted for crimes they have committed against the people of Uganda. I promise you, Tingasiga, if Museveni puts Uganda first by doing just these two things, I will erase the catalogue of his regime’s scandals from my database and immediately instruct the LC1 chairman of my village in Kahondo to prepare my NRM membership card and a yellow T-shirt. Seriously, Tingasiga. If Museveni does the right thing, he can take a long nap, tend his cows and let the Besigyes and Maos campaign for President, knowing that a landslide victory awaits him next year. I, for one, will appoint myself his chief campaigner in Kigezi. On the other hand, if Museveni does nothing or, as is his usual way, defends these fellows, then I will confirm my suspicion that he is at the head of the looting cabal. Over to you, Mr President. Dr Mulera is a consultant pediatrician and neonatologistmkmulera@aol.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/BernardTabaire/-/878688/900472/-/flyu7x/-/index.html","content":"Otunnu, Besigye utterances and the same politics of spite - The Forum for Democratic Change just held its delegates conference, the last of the major opposition parties to do so. The stage is now left to the ruling NRM to close out the delegates conference period come June. And looking at the state of political speech today, the 2011 general election season will not be unlike what has occurred before. There is a lot of loathing amongst the top politicians. They seem to despise each other real good. This latest season of political detestation could be said to have started on December 20, 2009. That was the day President Museveni and Mr OlaraOtunnu, now president of UPC, avoided shaking hands despite finding themselves under one roof for the first time in several years. As the President shook hands in the tent where Mr Otunnu sat, all stood. Except Mr Otunnu. Returning the favour, the President declined to bend over to shake the man’s hand. The earlier exhortation by Gulu District Chairman Norbert Mao that the two political opponents should reconcile, even if symbolically, had made no impression. Mr Museveni had already retorted: “It is possible for reconciliation to take place but, first, troublemakers must repent.” That the solemn occasion was the consecration of a new bishop for the Diocese of Northern Uganda did not inspire a feeling of tolerance and simple courtesy – things we teach our children. So much for the one being a fountain of honour and the other an international diplomat, even if former. Things have become more heated since. “Troublemaker” Otunnu has called for an inquiry into the widespread civilian killings in the Luweero Triangle during the 1981-1986 civil war. While Mr Museveni was leading his fighters in the bush, Mr Otunnu was serving the government as ambassador to the United Nations and later foreign minister. Mr Museveni has always said that the killings in Luweero were carried out by the government forces to punish the people for hiding his guerrillas. Also, Mr Otunnu has long alleged that the Museveni government carried out genocide in northern Uganda during the 20-year armed conflict that mostly affected Mr Otunnu’s Acholi people. He recently added another perspective: that Mr Museveni sustained the war through funding the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels led by Joseph Kony. “The LRA war was a war of convenience,” he said in additional remarks to Daily Monitor. “It was a war that was sustained for political reasons. Somebody had interest in it and that person was Mr Museveni and the NRM government. It wasn’t the opposition parties, people in northern Uganda or anyone else.” By “anyone else” he supposedly means that the LRA were spectator angels in the whole deadly thing. The logic is intriguing. If the NRA, as rebels, had the capacity to kill wananchi in Luweero as they fought against the government Mr Otunnu faithfully served, one would assume that the LRA, as rebels, had some capacity as well to kill wananchi in northern Uganda as they fought Mr Museveni’s government, which Mr Otunnu has faithfully denounced. Of course, I do not know which side killed how many people and for what motive in both wars. That is why Mr Otunnu’s call for an exhaustive inquiry is welcome if we are ever going to have a political history we can begin to agree on. His questioning by the police, therefore, does not make sense. Another opposition leader, FDC’s Kizza Besigye, who as of this writing has scored a landslide victory over Gen. Mugisha Muntu at the delegates conference to be his party’s presidential candidate, has lately earned Mr Museveni’s ire and thus police questioning, as is usually the order around here. His transgression is that he said that President Museveni has sold everything in Uganda in the name of privatisation and has now turned to water bodies like Lake Kyoga. He added soon after that FDC supporters should chop off the thumbs of NRM fans as they flash their party’s thumb salute. He says he was speaking metaphorically.Not having the facts, it is difficult to agree with or contest much of what Mr Otunnu and Dr Besigye said. The President’s response, however, has been to unleash the police on them. The back and forth seems tinged with anger and spite. This is an atmosphere that cannot produce adult politics where opponents have basic things they agree on. Even if there were things they could agree on, say some electoral reforms, the nastiness makes one side or the other to stall. And the status quo continues. Not to worry, though, because the three “gentlemen” are not the only ones who want to wake up as President of Uganda the day after polling in February next year. There is Mr Norbert Mao, and possibly Dr Abed Bwanika. There is also you. You simply need to be aged 35 to 75 and have a minimum academic qualification of Senior 6 or its equivalent. Mr Tabaire is a media trainer and consultant with the African Centre for Media Excellencebentab@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Health---Living/-/689846/899374/-/r04r49/-/index.html","content":"WHO says Bududa victims need rehab - The shock and anguish of losing their loved ones in a space of minutes has led the survivors of the landslides into depression. The health body says they urgently need counselling, writes David Mafabi. “A woman delivered a month ago at this camp before she became apprehensive. She rejected her child and attempted to throw the child away. She kept crying until we got her and transferred her to Bududa hospital for a mental check up.” She is not the only one who needs help. The internally displaced people’s camp at Bulucheke is populated with about 3,800 people. Dr Francis Okot who works as the focal person for epidemic preparedness and response at World Health Organisation (WHO) describes mental health as one aspect of medical attention that is unattended to. He says that many of the survivors of the March 1 devastating landslides are traumatised, depressed and still recall the events of the incident and occasionally, you find them breaking down and crying. Dr Okot who is overseeing the training of about 108 village health teams to do the surveillance of the camp for possible outbreak of epidermics says, even at the camp, there are people who seem “mad”. They don’t want to eat, but they sit and stare in one direction for the whole day. There is an urgent need for counselling and guidance to help people come to terms with reality, without which, many people are likely to run mad due to trauma. He said the government should consider sending one clinical psychologist and one clinical psychiatrist to start the work of counselling at the camp to help the people come to terms with reality of the landslides. “There are people who lost their entire families, without a clan to settle in, no other relatives, they are confused and many contemplate death most of the time. At the Bududa hospital, those who were admitted there have refused to be discharged because they have nowhere to go,” said Dr Okot. One woman who was moving around the camp when I visited seemed to be singing but she was not. She was mourning her her dead. She was moving throughand around the camp and then came back to sit, put her head in between her hands and kept quiet. When I asked her what the matter was, she said, “Leave me alone. Go away. I am not ready to talk to anybody, please go away,” and she burst into tears before entering her tent. Ms Zipola Wamoto, the nurse in-charge of Bumasata health centre II which serves the camp says many people come to the health centre sick, complaining about various illnesses like headache, malaria, stomachache, dizziness, but on testing them, they find them normal. “I think majority of them could be traumatised because of the landslide,” said Ms Wamoto. The chairman LCV, Mr Wilson Watira says, there are many people who wake up every morning and move back to Nametsi, their ancestral home that was covered by the land slide on March 1. They spend the entire day crying. Mr Martin Kubewo alleged that the camp is attacked by evil spirits. He says that people occasionally fall down while making a lot of noise and speaking strange languages. But when they are asked later what had happened, they look surprised. “I think the spirits of the dead people are attacking people here, there is a lot of noise then silence at night before you hear noises and until our people are buried decently, we might never rest even if government took us somewhere else,” said Kubewo. Dr Okot revealed that although WHO has hired one medical doctor, two clinical officers and four nurses to provide necessary medical attention to the landslide victims at Bumasta Health Centre II, the greatest problem is that the contracts expire in a months time and how to continue is another problem. He revealed that WHO has trained 30 health workers in epidemic preparedndess and response and 108 village health workers to take over from them but they will not be well equipped to handle an outbreak of diseases. Ms Janat Mukwaya, Minister in charge General Duties in the office of the Prime Minister has urged the people in the camps to ensure that there is hygiene and sanitation to avoid outbreak of diseases. “(The) government is aware of your plight, many of you have not yet forgotten what befell your children and relatives, you (are) traumtised but this should not stop you from ensuring that you are living in a clean environment to avoid outbreak of diseases,” she said. Ms Mukwaya said the government was considering cutting down on the budgets of various ministries to save money to cater for the resettlement of the displaced people."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/CharlesOnyangoObbo/-/878504/898766/-/xij8jb/-/index.html","content":"Sylvia Owori and the tale of Stone Age Kampala - If you have been reading Ugandan newspapers long enough, you have no doubt read the interesting and, often, delightful provocative views of Mr B. D. Bwanika. I don’t know how much of his “Declare Kampala a Disaster Zone”, which he distributed via email following the Bududa landslides got play in the mainstream media. Bwanika argued that: “One-day Mutundwe hill, Kinawataka, Naguru, Banda, Kazo and other hills in and around Kampala, if unplanned excavations for stones, earth, and roads combined with unplanned human settlements on hills do not stop, some of these hills will one day become deadly bulldozers that will sweep away thousands of people into valleys. “Kampala, filled with unplanned human settlements, lacks proper waste deposal system, of over a million tonnes, of human excrement, deposited on it daily. Kampala has no sewage handling system. In addition, Kampala totally lacks, solid waste disposal system, entailing, Kampala is chocking, on solid waste including, dead animals and medical waste. “Motorised vehicles, and thousands of diesel power generators, in a closed area, are emitting tonnes of improperly, burned fossil fuels… The National Environment Building on Jinja Road, has turned black as a result [you can’t beat the irony of that]!” If Bwanika is to be believed, then recent reports that Muyenga Hill might come down in a landslide were only the tip of the iceberg. When I was last in Kampala a few weeks ago, the city was quite bad. I returned there last weekend and was quite shocked by how so shambolic it looks after the recent rains. Even President Yoweri Museveni seems to have finally fled to Entebbe and left the madness of Kampala behind him. The problem with Kampala City Council and the government’s attitude toward it is that they both have a peasant approach towards the capital. This approach then permeates every other institution’s approach to infrastructure. For example, even the roads at until-recently war-ravaged Monrovia University are actually better than the ones at Makerere University today! If you are a student at Makerere University and live, especially in Livingstone and Africa halls, you cannot wear contact lenses or a white shirt or blouse. Peasants often spruce the home and wear their best clothes at home when visitors are coming, so does Kampala. Basically Kampala has undergone three major touch-ups in the last 25 years. In 1993, if my mind serves me right, for the PTA (now COMESA) Summit. Then the place went back to the Stone Age until 1998, when then US President Bill Clinton visited. Things were so serious, even First Lady Janet Museveni took a broom and led people in sweeping the streets. The place then went into nine years of waste, until 2007 for the Commonwealth Summit. That said, good news still comes out of the hellhole that goes for Kampala. Three weeks ago, the South African company, Media24 , sent shock waves in the media industry in Kenya when it closed down its East African editions of the magazines True Love and Drum.With that, they left the glossy fashion magazine market in East Africa to our own Sylvia Owori’s African Woman. One of the striking things about Africa Woman is how its snazzy looks feel like they could never have come off Kampala’s dusty streets. The success of African Woman, where Media24 has failed, is remarkable when you consider the numbers. Media24 is owned by Naspers, whose turnover in 2009 was over $2 billion, almost equal to Uganda’s annual exports. I don’t know how much Africa Woman makes in a year, but if we take a generous figure of $1.4 million, then Naspers’ turnover is 1,400 times larger than madam Owori’s. Yet they went down, and she is still standing. Two years ago, we begun researching some concepts for an Africawide current affairs magazine, and that is when we first looked closely at, among others, African Woman, to figure out why they work. Someone came up with the theory that it was the photography. It’s really first class. It is done by Owori’s husband, so you can argue he has incentives to excel that a photographer who is not married to a publisher can never have. Secondly, and this is surprising knowing Owori, African Woman is not pretentious. It recognises that there is really no big celebrity world to speak of East Africa, and thus the magazine tells many stories of ordinary people. In that sense, you can never quite predict who will appear or what the next subject might be. Amidst the usual skinny models who look like they were never meant to be pregnant is a feature entitled ‘When Falling Pregnant is Impossible’, and a thoughtful story ‘Confronting Infertility in a Society of Fertile People’ (clever headline), based on an interview of the impressive, but matronly Rita Sembuya. Finally, from where I sit, is that Owori dared do the magazine at all. I remember the first time I learnt of it; I thought she was recklessly bold. Also, I didn’t quite think that Owori had the mojo to make it work. How wrong I was. Leafing through the latest African Woman, and thinking about Kampala, it reminded me of the movies when the hero emerges from under a car wreckage to the cheers of the audience. Kampala is the wreckage. And African Woman the hero.cobbo@nation.co.ke"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/893556/-/wke5wf/-/index.html","content":"Bududa Survivors still hope to bury their relatives a month after landslide - Although majority of the survivors from Nametsi village and the surrounding ridges prone to landslides have relocated to a temporary camp at Bulucheke Sub-county headquarters, Ms Agatha Nabulo is yet to make the move.Ms Nabulo, who lost her entire family of 16 in the March 1 disaster, is refusing to leave Nametsi until all the bodies of her relatives are retrieved and given a decent burial. She is not alone; there are about 20 other survivors who have stayed at the ruins where between 250 and 350 people are believed to be still buried underneath. Every morning they look up to the skies, let their eyes dart around the vast waste hoping for some miracle to dig up their loved ones buried under tonnes of rock and soil. Promised help of large earth moving equipment and a presidential directive that everyone buried under must be retrieved and accounted for are yet to materialise. “I only go to Bulucheke to get food and I come back here, look through this place every day hoping to find my dead relatives,” Ms Nabulo said last week. “I know they are dead now but it is important in our tradition to get the remains whether bones or even ash and give a decent burial in order not to be attacked by spirits.” Waiting for miraclesMs Nalubo says she understands the difficulties in retrieving the bodies and more so identifying people buried now for more than 30 days, but she is still holding onto the hope of a miracle. Many others are waiting too, especially after reports that the United Nations Mission in Congo (Monuc) is to help airlift earth movers to the site.“We were told the UN was coming with big helicopters (carrying bulldozers) to start exhuming the bodies but we are still waiting,” says Mr Michael Natseli who also lost three children and a wife. Although the ground leveling to pave way for a landing pad is complete, a helicopter from the UN last month only came, hovered around the ridges and went back without any sign that they would come back with the promised equipment.The national director for emergence coordination and operation in the Office of the Prime Minister, Maj. Gen. Julius Oketta, however, says there is a lot of technological aspects supposed to be considered before airlifting of equipment to the site. He revealed that the hovering of the helicopter at the ridges was meant to make final surveillance, take the coordinates and determine the weather changes in the area before landing can be effected. “We expect them (Monuc) anytime from now because the UN and the government have now taken over exhuming of the bodies,” Gen. Oketta said.He said once the bodies are exhumed, chance will be given to the locals to identify relatives and the remaining shall be buried in a mass grave. A national day of mourning would be declared and a monument in memory of those killed is to be built. Activity at the scene of devastation has since gone silent but the shock is still clear. Instead, the place has turned into a sort of pilgrimage where relatives and other survivors return every morning, huddle in groups and still talk in low tones. No moreExcept for remnants of iron sheets; wattle, stones, brick, a few remains of the clothes in the gardens and other debris scattered, everything has been buried; the surroundings looks abandoned. Bududa District chairman Wilson Watira is siding with the survivors, maintaining hope that every individual will be accorded a descent burial. “My people are still buried under the rubble. The only thing I need is to have them exhumed to be given a decent burial,” he told Daily Monitor over the weekend. “This is what everyone is craving for and if Monuc does not come, we shall continue with our local efforts to have the bodies exhumed.” But for locals like Ms Nabulo, time is a slow healer and only a decent burial for lost relatives will exorcise the ghosts of the tragedy."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/AllanTacca/-/878694/883402/-/unpqgaz/-/index.html","content":"When water and fire tested Buganda’s strength - In early March, far away from Buganda Kingdom, after the rains had thoroughly pounded the slopes of Bugisu’s Mt. Elgon, an avalanche of muddy soil rolled down a span of three villages in the Bududa area and buried hundreds of people alive. Thousands more were left homeless and destitute. The tragedy was of biblical proportions, but almost three weeks later, if it was not for the assistance given by international relief agencies, the government may have had nothing substantial to show by way of helping the people of Bududa, even though the President (gun in hand) visited the scene of destruction only a few days after the tragedy. But the National Resistance Movement government was very swift in deciding to condemn for human settlement the mountain slopes and (very forcefully) expressing the resolution to evacuate thousands of the dispossessed. They were to be resettled in Kayunga District in far-away Buganda Kingdom. Ah, Kayunga! That of course is the district where just over 2 per cent (yes, two) of the population are identified as of the Nyala sub-ethnic group. It is where a section of these Banyala installed their own “cultural” leader, the Ssabanyala, and (apparently in cahoots with Gen. Museveni’s government) stopped the Kabaka of Buganda from visiting the area in September last year, with very messy consequences. The decision to relocate Mt. Elgon’s landslide survivors to Kayunga District seemed to be tinted with mischief. Although reasons (some sound, some laughable) were given for the choice, one got the impression that part of the thinking behind the decision might be in the arithmetic of decreasing Buganda’s authority by increasing the number of non-Baganda in the area, with potentially troublesome effects for generations to come. There was a huge irony (but a touch of mockery too) when government ministers argued that the main reason for Kayunga was that the Baganda (who by far form the majority in the district) are welcoming and very accommodative people. Why, because the government has recently invested a lot in the thinly disguised propaganda that the Baganda are arrogant and discriminative. You have to live in Uganda for several years to properly grasp the subtleties and contradictions in Uganda’s tribal and inter-ethnic relationships! But this latest move – even if the NRM regime may not have the resources or the competence to implement it successfully – was a test at which Buganda’s Mengo establishment and most of the Kabaka’s subjects acquitted themselves very well. They refused to get emotional at the provocation. After the water and mud victims, enter the fire that destroyed the thatched mausoleums of some of Buganda’s departed kings this week; another harrowing event that left millions of people agape or in tears. Early suspicion suggests the fire could have been an act of sabotage. If it was, the easy assumption (not necessarily wrong) would be that government goons could have had a hand in the crime, given the current friction between President Museveni and the Mengo establishment. However, it would be just as “rational” for cynics among Museveni’s political enemies to perpetrate the crime, knowing where the suspicion would be directed, thereby sealing the divorce between Museveni and Buganda’s people. At this difficult time, the Kabaka’s multi-ethnic subjects would benefit from the calmest reflection. The destruction of the Kasubi tombs creates a physical vacuum and another vacuum in people’s hearts. The job of reconstruction must be thoroughly thought through. The temptation to erect a “replica” must be resisted. Thatched shelters had their time. Baganda architects, artists, cultural historians and administrators have to put their heads together and conceive of a mausoleum for their departed and possibly their future kings that reflects the dignity and resilience of Ganda culture, testifying – perhaps in concrete and glass – that, like the great phoenix, the spirit of the Baganda can rise from the ashes and shine again.Mr Tacca is a novelist, socio-political commentator and artistaltacca@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/883422/-/5al2ug/-/index.html","content":"Otunnu’s 7-month transition from exile to party boss - Kampala Quite some landslide! How did things change so dramatically from what was expected to be a tight race?” read the SMS text I received from a political observer who had been closely following the Uganda People’s Congress Delegates conference from Saturday evening. Former United Nations Under-Secretary General Olara Otunnu had, hours before, easily shoved aside seven other contenders to win the UPC presidency in what commentators called the only real political contest in the political primary process in the major political parties. Otunnu polled some 623 votes while the man he was supposed to be in a tight race with, Jimmy Akena came a distant second at 181 votes. Yona Kanyomozi was even farther with only 35 votes. Henry Mayega, earlier also seen as a possible challenger, had only 17 while the pack of Joseph Ochieno, Sospater Akwenyu, Dr Dickson Opul and Samuel Luwero had less than ten votes each and a combined total of less than 25 votes. But does a win of the UPC presidency alone make Mr Otunnu a key factor in the 2011 presidential election? Is it enough to change the fortunes of a Uganda People’s Congress which five years ago, recorded less than 60,000 votes for its flag bearer and turned less than ten MPs into Parliament? Dr Christopher Twesigye, a political science lecturer at Uganda Christian University Mukono and Kyambogo University believes Mr Otunnu’s win is critical, looking at the times ahead. When Mr Otunnu first returned home in August 2009, his main mission, it was said, was not to plunge into the political contest as a major participant but as an understudy of the veterans. For strategists at the main opposition party, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Mr Otunnu still needed time to familiarise himself with the situation and make up his mind. He was still an outsider with limited knowledge of the local political landscape, a landscape he would find difficult to navigate, let alone endear himself to in just a few months after more than 23 years as an international diplomat more attuned to the comforts of New York and shuttling between world capitals. ‘ DP’s indifferenceThe Democratic Party was still too engrossed in her internal bickering to pay attention and the UPC itself was still stuck in sorting itself internally to pay any real attention. Besides, what claim would Mr Otunnu have to UPC’s top seat with his still unexplained role in the 1985 coup against his mentor Milton Obote? A visit to Obote’s grave to pay respects was rebuffed a sure sign that he had much more to do than just assume his big international profile had ordained him UPC’s savior. A handful of mainly young UPC activists had reportedly contacted him and met him in Nairobi. He had also been in touch with leaders from other political parties in the country who “urged him to return and play a role” in Uganda’s political recovery.Speaking in his first live radio interview on the Kfm Hot Seat soon after arrival back in August, Mr Otunnu said he was here to study the situation, and “join hands with other Ugandans in the struggle to remove Museveni and take back our country.” He then shuttled away to Turkey, greater Europe and back to New York. It was during his time in New York that Kampala erupted with the riots of September 10 to 12. Mr Otunnu made the best of it drumming up his campaign against an “evil” regime in Kampala that had long gone beyond its days of glory. On returning home, Mr Otunnu chose to enter by road, landing in the Kenyan capital Nairobi and making his way through the Busia border to camp in eastern Uganda for at least two weeks. The eastern tour, unlike his home coming did not attract as much national attention—and he complained of being ignored by the media. He again shuttled out of the country to return in the new year and make another quiet entrance, this time landing in the Rwandese capital Kigali and again entering by road through Katuna, spending another two weeks traversing the west. In interviews both on radio and in newspapers Mr Otunnu took the hard-line stance, attacking President Museveni like those that have lived here all the time had not punched hard enough. Museveni’s compatriotTo thousands of UPC supporters, Mr Otunnu, a compatriot of Mr Museveni during the early years as they looked to Obote as a political teacher, presented the ingredient they needed to push Mr Museveni. Dr FredericK Golooba Mutebi, a university don, says Mr Otunnu’s win as UPC leader changes the equation of the inter-party cooperation that brings together UPC, the FDC, Justice Forum Party (Jeema) and the Conservative Party (CP). According to Dr Mutebi, Mr Otunnu, having earlier endorsed the IPC and with his party already a member, will find it easier to have his views considered to be a lot more serious. This is at the expense of, for example, Mr Norbert Mao of the Democratic Party, who has not individually or through the party endorsed the IPC idea. Dr Phillip Kasaija, a lecturer of International Law at Makerere University who spends time studying Ugandan politics also says the Otunnu factor cannot be ignored either by the opposition or the ruling party. Spanner in worksBut other observers say, as the second leader of a party with eyes on the presidency from the same Acholi sub region and the larger northern Uganda, chances that the vote will be split between them and the FDC are now even higher. But a possible consolidation of the opposition vote means President Museveni will necessarily reap from an apparent offer of too many choices to voters in the region."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Insight/-/688338/879244/-/7faxu3/-/index.html","content":"Picking up the pieces - Many people move slowly through the remains of their gardens under quiet environs of the seemingly abandoned places. Some pause for a few minutes by the crude stones, mudslides that swept through Namesti Trading Centre, gardens, destroying houses and burying families on March 1 while others walk past, seemingly unmindful of what befell people’s gardens and houses; now reduced to debris. From a distance, the buried Namesti Village looks like a freshly dug garden ready for planting, you will only notice there was a landslide from the horrid stench of the bodies that have started decomposing. Legs and heads of human and animals can be seen poking through the clay soil. Except for remnants of the iron sheets, wattle, stones, a few remains of the clothes in the gardens and other debris scattered everywhere, everything has been buried; the surroundings look like an abandoned place and gardens are becoming bushy with no crops. Mr Dison Muluwe is a local councillor in Nametsi Village and a survivor of the devastating landslide that buried an entire trading centre, families and a health centre III in Bududa, says although the landslides seem to have ended, the greatest challenge that remains unresolved is recovering the dead from the debris, and also food because all gardens have been buried. When I approach him, he simply says, “I don’t know what will happen next, we are stuck, there is no food. The gardens and crops were all buried. We will undoubtedly need relief food.” The most visible and active group of workers that we see tunnelling through the heavy soil and stones that have covered the earth are uniformed UPDF soldiers, Uganda Wildlife Authority, URCS as well as local well wishers. As I move towards the centre of the devastation, a woman, Margaret Namono, 56, is wailing alone and stooping and gesturing over the corpses of her son, James Nalume, and grandson, laid on a torn mattress under an avocado tree. Between the two bodies and another of an unidentified old woman was a pair of severed limps of varied sizes while at a close distance, there is merely the head of another person, the limbs of another spread on ground. Armed with spades, pick axes and in some cases bare hands to lift or crash stones and scoop the mound of wet soil, the rescuers seem to be losing hope as a horrid stench emerges from the ground. “Since we started digging, we have recovered about 80 bodies, but the ground is hard and covered with stones, we cannot make headway, we might have to stop here,” Mr Muluwe says, as he raises the hoe in the afternoon heat to cut deeper into the marsh before clearing beads of sweat on his face. Up the surrounding hills, ominous cracks of separating rock formations can be heard in the distance, prompting the rescuers and I to occasionally take off, for fear of another landslide, then gather the guts to come back to the area to resume work. The LCII chairman of Namesti, Mr Patrick Wakooba, says in the absence of fork-lifters and graders or other heavy machinery to blast or remove huge rocks, the exercise of locating and salvaging bodies remains a nightmare even for the most courageous of volunteers, some 500 UPDF troops, UWA, Red Cross and local rescuers. “What do we do now? We would have loved to give our people a decent burial but our hopes are fading. The ground is getting hard as the rocks have covered the bodies and there are no hopes of getting better equipment,” he says. He then tells of how Nametsi was first hit by a landslide in 1997, which killed 16 people. With this mudslide, he now has another fear. “Next, the people will suffer famine because all their gardens have been destroyed,” he says. Whereas main farmlands in Nametsi and Tunwatsi villages were once filled with bananas, cassava, maize, Irish potatoes, cabbage and beans, a tour through the villages shows that all that is left is bare ground. When the president visited, he told the locals that the deaths should help the people draw appropriate lessons from the tragedy. “God was not foolish to arrange nature the way He did and when mankind goes against God’s engineering plan, it becomes very dangerous and disastrous the way it is now. We need to tell our people to live in harmony with nature, we can co-exist, we can’t oppose God,” President Yoweri Museveni said. “This place is called Nametsi, meaning the granary of water and this is what God intended. But look at it, you have destroyed all the trees on the slopes of the hills that hold the soils, you have cultivated and settled on the hills, what do you expect? Once you harass nature, it also harasses you,” he adds. UWA maintains that the massive encroachment at Mt Elgon National Park coupled with deforestation and poor farming methods signalled an environmental disaster to surrounding areas. “We knew there would be an environmental catastrophe because of encroachment on this mountain which had seen the water catchment belt at Mt Elgon destroyed, thereby posing a great danger of landslides. More trouble is looming as it continues to rain. The people must vacate the areas,” says UWA chief warden, Mr Adonia Bintorwa."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/879186/-/wja5yn/-/index.html","content":"Otunnu is UPC’s next president - Namboole/KampalaDr Olara Otunnu has been elected Uganda Peoples Congress president, wresting control of the party leadership from the family of former president Apollo Milton Obote in a landslide victory that brought the curtains down on its 50-year reign at the helm of Uganda’s second oldest party. In official results declared by UPC electoral commission chairman Nelson Opono, at Mandela National Stadium at 3 a.m. the former UN under secretary general for children and armed conflict polled 623 votes with nearest rival Jimmy Akena, the son of Dr Obote, trailing in his wake at 180. As counting ensued after a few minutes to midnight, congressmen had waited nervously at the venue which had been the scene of hostile exchanges between supporters of rival candidates earlier in the day amidst accusations and counter accusations of rigging allegedly intended to parachute Mr Akena, the Lira Municipality MP, into the party’s top position. Conceding defeatMr Akena, like all other candidates, has conceded defeat and thanked those who have supported him all the way and promised to work with Dr Otunnu. “I will fully support UPC and see that the congress takes the right place. I see this as an opportunity to work harder and take the struggle to the grassroots,” Mr Akena said. Party faithful had held their breath in nervous anticipation of an Otunnu win. Those who could find time to speak maintained that it was not just about bringing an end to the Obotes era at the top of UPC politics, but more in the interest of getting a high profile flag bearer ahead of the 2011 general elections. Dr Otunnu now becomes a potential candidate of the Inter-Party Co-operation (IPC), a loose political coalition of four other opposition parties in the country seeking to present one opposition runner against President Museveni. Whereas Dr Otunnu is optimistically viewed as a threat to President Museveni’s political foothold in the 2011 general elections, his aptness for what promises to be a bruising contest according to political analysts might be impacted by the stature of Forum for Democratic Change president Col. (rtd) Dr Kizza Besigye --- a leading opposition vote earner in various parts of the country. Dr Besigye has over the years come to terms with the adversity of competing with President Museveni in hotly contested races in the 2001 and 2006 elections.Late afternoon yesterday Dr Otunnu had taken to the podium for a few minutes before voting, which began at 5pm, and told the assembled 1,020 Congress delegates that he would listen, pursue reconciliation, dialogue and work for unity of the party. He also promised to reach out to Buganda Kingdom in an effort seeking to cultivate a new political path and end historical angst between Mengo, the seat of Buganda, and the UPC which was created by the 1966 Lubiri attack by Obote regime that led to the 1966 crisis. Others who were running against Dr Otunnu for the top UPC job include Mr Sospater Akwenyu who managed 15 votes; Dr Samuel Fredrick Luwero, 11; Joseph Ochieno, 9; Henry Mayega, 17; Dickson Opul 2 and Yona Kanyomozi, 35. There were four invalid votes. Not all the delegates cast their vote though with a total number of votes adding up to 892. Dr Otunnu has replaced the embattled UPC president, Miria Kalule Obote, the widow of the late Milton Obote, whose leadership has been openly criticised by some party members on allegations that she was preparing the seat for her son Akena. Controversial returnOne of the controversial issues about Dr Otunnu’s return in August last year after an exile lasting over three decades was more on the claims that he had renounced his Ugandan citizenship in order to compete for the top job at the United Nations. This would have put out of contention as the law under which the multiparty political dispensation was returned to the country provides that Ugandan citizens form the body of any political organisation seeking to present candidates for public office. Inside the UPC, his harsher critics and opponents also sought to farther the allegation that Dr Otunnu, an Acholi, was part of the coup plotters who engineered the 1985 putsch that saw Dr Obote kicked out of power by his army.Before the elections began, Dr Otunnu threatened to stand down in protest, citing an orchestrated plan to rig for Mr Akena, a claim Obote’s son described as a scapegoat. Rigging claimsOur correspondents at Namboole yesterday talked of an election in a crisis, with presidential contenders and other congressmen trading claims of a conspiracy coordinated by the party’s electoral body to manipulate the result. “We are suspicious of a secret plan to rig this election,” Dr Otunnu said, adding, “For instance, as I talk now there are three different lists of delegates being circulated around instead of having one list yet other delegates names are missing.” Central to this claim was the report that multiple voters registers were circulating on which names of illegitimate delegates had been smuggled to facilitate the ballot tampering. It was only after this matter was resolved with one elections commissioner (Ms Margret Kirunda ) withdrawing from the process that Dr Otunnu agreed to be a part of the proceedings. Mama Miria congratulated Dr Otunnu and thanked the faithful for their support. She immediately handed over to Dr Otunnu after he was sworn in."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/876940/-/wj8973/-/index.html","content":"Experts issue new landslide warning - Kampala Experts have put government on notice that another devastating landslip is likely within the Mt. Elgon range if invasive human activities there are not halted immediately. The warning came hours before Mr Musa Ecweru, the junior minister for disaster preparedness, told this newspaper last evening that the government is looking for Shs200 billion to buy land to re-settle some 500,000 people presently living in “high-risk areas” countrywide. Deadly rocksEarlier, Ms Mary Gorretti Kitutu, the environment information systems specialist at the National Environment Management Authority, said settlers below “hanging rocks” on the mountain slopes risk being hit by “debris flow” following intensified rains. “Constant cultivation has loosened the soils; they are easily washed downhill by runoff water,” she said, adding: “Debris flows (mudslides) are one of the most dangerous of all mass wasting events. They can occur suddenly and inundate an entire village in a matter of minutes - a case of what should have happened at Nametsi.” On March 1, broken wet uphill soils; powered by rolling rocks and gurgling storm water thundered in Bududa District, flattening three villages and killing an more than 300 residents, most of them in Nametsi. 91 bodies recoveredBududa Chief Administrative Officer, Mr Oswan Vitalis, said UPDF soldiers and volunteers, who have been working only with garden tools to dig trhough the thick sludge, had, by yesterday morning, retrieved a total 91 bodies. The number of confirmed school children among the dead has risen to 57 from the 35 earlier reported. And officials say more than 1, 000 pupils in the affected area remain stranded after three primary schools there closed temporarily in the wake of the disaster. On Wednesday, Ms Kitutu, who is also studying the landslide phenomenon in Manjiya County – where the latest mudslide occurred for her PhD degree programme, told this newspaper that scientists had anticipated and warned government of an impending catastrophe there due to rapid destruction of the surrounding vegetation. “The grass and trees that hold the soils together have been cleared for agriculture whereas not much water can flow downhill if there’s a lot of vegetative cover,” she said. Last Monday’s mudslide, drifting from 800 metres high and pushing down significant amounts of debris, cracked from weakened water concentration point in the protected area which Uganda Wildlife Authority marked out in 1993 and re-planted a year later. According to official accounts, the local communities, indoctrinated by elected leaders that their land was up for grabs, moved to chop the trees; set up farmlands and built huts in what in later years became permanent residences. Prior warningWhen contacted, Mr Moses Mapesa, the executive director of Uganda Wildlife Authority, referred this newspaper to an opinion article run in a local daily on Tuesday in which he argued: “This (interference) resulted into several cycles of fresh encroachment in 1996, 2001 and 2005 fuelled by elective politicking. There have been several warnings and landslides in Bududa before.” Minister Ecweru said high population growth and the people’s culture that binds them to the place of birth derailed previous attempts to relocate them from the foot of Mt. Elgon after a landslide there in 1997 killed 48 people and displaced 10,000 others. “I want to tell the people settled in the high-risk areas that they must love their lives more than the place of dwelling,” the minister said as reports emerged of local resistance to plans to settle residents in affected villages at temporary camps in Bulucheke. Reluctant victimsOther sources, however, indicated that the lack of alternative land derailed the initial re-settlement programme that some donors this time round are eager to bankroll. Bududa District chairman Wilson Watira said last evening that they are trying to inform the reluctant people, particularly in Nametsi and neighbouring villages, of the lurking danger so that they vacate the place. “Do you know that here when a person dies, relatives sleep near the body because they believe that [the dead person] is still theirs?” Mr Watira said of the odd but locally magnetic practice. “These people are inseparable with their culture and land and the sensitisation will take time.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/875148/-/wj7dlh/-/index.html","content":"Bududa rescue efforts near end - Bududa/Kampala Officials in Bududa are considering ending the search for victims from last week’s landslide that left at least 89 people dead and thousands displaced. The search effort should end today or tomorrow, local authorities said yesterday, although President Museveni has reportedly given orders that it must continue. With at least 350 people presumed dead, ending the search would mean that more than half of the dead will never be given a decent burial. More significantly, however, it also means that it will be forever impossible to know how many people actually died in the tragedy. Within the humanitarian effort, which has attracted support from many quarters, including some United Nations agencies, there were lingering doubts about the accuracy of estimates given in the aftermath of the disaster. The uncertainty over how many people died was also being carried over into the discussion of how many survivors now need emergency help, with the local officials presenting a figure seen by the authorities in Kampala as inflated.Wake-up call“It is very difficult to place a figure [on how many people died],” said Mr Musa Ecweru, the junior minister in charge of disaster preparedness. “We have had to rely on the local leaders, who have given a different account of the situation. That is how we came up with the figure of between 300 and 350. It is a wake-up call to all of us [to have reliable statistics]. It is a pity.”Even when offered as mere estimates, some of the available figures make for grim reading and, if accepted as the truth, depict the search operation as a failure if it was intended to recover the dead. Maj. Gen. Julius Oketa, the national director for emergency coordination in the Prime Minister’s office, yesterday told a crisis meeting in Bududa that only President Museveni could authorise an end to the search operation. “The President has directed the Ministry of Works to send graders to level the road as retrieval of the bodies continues until he (stops) it himself,” said Maj. Gen. Oketa. Such a decision flies in the face of expert advice, according to Dr. Peter Wakooba, Bududa’s top public health officer. “The landslide was very deep and the chances of retrieving the bodies have (slimmed) through the days,” he told Daily Monitor. “Hygienically, we are supposed to have stopped because after about five days, it is not healthy to continue removing the decomposing, smelling bodies.” According to a summary report, dated March 4, compiled by the office of the Prime Minister, the village of Nametsi lost 250 of its 365 inhabitants, yet only 60 bodies had been recovered. Rescuers, many using bare hands, hand hoes, sticks and pick axes, have described the mountainous area as fragile as it is hard to reach -- slippery terrain is made all the more precarious by its apparent inaccessibility as well as the ominous threat of more mudslides. Hopes fadingBy yesterday, nearly a week after the landslide, hopes of finding bodies were fast fading, with search teams more likely to come across body parts. Only two bodies were recovered yesterday, according to Mr Ecweru. “You could exhume a leg here, a hand there,” he said. Mr Wilson Watira, the Bududa LC5 chairman, yesterday insisted the search operation would be called off soon, in part because further probing of the ground could expose survivors to health risks. “It is coming to (the) medically recommended seven days after the mudslides buried an entire village of Nametsi and killed about 350 people,” he said. “The rescuers have only managed to retrieve only about 89 bodies and they seem to have lost strength and hope. We are thinking about officially stopping the retrieval on Tuesday and then we shall be advised on what next.” Nametsi, the most affected of the Bududa villages, now looks like a freshly-dug construction site from afar, with human limbs and body parts of animals piercing the earth, the stench getting ever more offensive. Mr Vitalis Oswan, the Bududa chief administrative officer, yesterday said plans were underway to take care of at least 5,000 survivors in need of urgent accommodation, and to dispense help to those who most need it. His estimate, at 5,200, differed slightly from that given by Mr Ecweru, who said the government was planning for at least 4,000 of the most vulnerable people, including unaccompanied children and the elderly. Behind the scenes, Mr Ecweru said, there was disagreement with the local authorities over how many people should be resettled in the two camps being created. Some local officials were looking at a figure in excess of 10,000 people, he said, speculating that the tendency to exaggerate figures may be motivated by a desire to bring even more help to the survivors. But getting the survivors to live in these camps for the internally displaced, under tarpaulin tents, is turning out to be a hard job. There were reports that some of the survivors were occupying the camps during daylight, perhaps encouraged by the opportunity to get supplies, and then disappearing at night to go and live in the homes of friends or relatives. “We are trying to convince people to move (into these camps),” Mr Oswan, who heads the crisis committee, said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/873748/-/wj64nv/-/index.html","content":"Over 250 confirmed missing - Bududa The number of landslide victims whose corpses have been retrieved since Tuesday was up at 83 by 12 p.m. yesterday, according to Mr Oswan Vitalis, the Bududa District Chief Administrative Officer. Slightly more than 200 people remained unaccounted for by press time. Mr Vitalis told Saturday Monitor that six more bodies were dug up on Thursday, by UPDF and local volunteers who are using hoes, pick axes and spades – and in some instances bare hands - to open up more than two-metre thick sludge over 3.3 square kilometres of flattened area By press time, the Prime Minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi had just arrived in Bududa and was due to tour two sites in Bukalasi and Bumayoka sub-counties where government hopes to re-settle some 4,000 residents presently living in mudslide-prone areas on the foot of Mt. Elgon. “Our biggest challenge is trying to convince these people in the hills to come down to safer areas,” said Mr Vitalis, “We are grateful to the government of Uganda and donor community for responding quickly.” But the lack of reliable data on population continued to stagger information on number of people missing after the disaster as Bududa officials, on Thursday, launched an appeal for nearly Shs3 billion to rebuild buried villages. The appeal fund, which excludes monies required for relief assistance and re-settlement, is about a-quarter of the district’s Shs12 billion 2009/10 budget.Figures released by Mr Vitalis’ office indicate that 255 people have been confirmed as missing, lower than the hitherto 350 reported earlier, from among the 871 known residents in four villages. Missing peopleOfficials said Nametsi, where 250 people are still unaccounted for, was the most affected area while five people in Matuwa out of a population of 180 are also missing. No figures were available for those who could have perished in Kubewo and Ilira villages while officials said cumulatively, some 68 people were injured.It is estimated that more than 50 people, many being school children, who had taken shelter from rain on porches of shops in Namatsi trading centre all died.The avalanche triggered by days of heavy downpour that weakened rock formations up hill, rumbled down in two phases and Local Council officials say the first heap tumbled down around 6p.m., killing five people. Two hours later, a larger mass yanked downhill by aggressive force of fast-rolling huge rocks came crashing with torrent of run-off water, which buried the three villages covering 3.3 kilometres, wholesome. Four days since tragedy struck, the poorly-resourced Bududa District local government overwhelmed by the disaster, for the first time put figures to the scale of destruction, announcing a preliminary cost of Shs2.95 billion to compensate a few survivors and fix broken infrastructure. Questions lingered over who the beneficiaries of compensation would be in instances where entire families and relatives all perished. The official computations, reportedly corroborated by LC officials as well as Gombolola Internal Security Officers (Gisos), indicate some 176 cattle, 50 goats and an estimated 2,000 chicken were buried alive with their owners. It would cost Shs153 million to restore the livestock, Mr Simon Peter Walumeri, the Bududa District planner said, while presenting the first comprehensive report by the local government on the ruin to a joint meeting of dozen humanitarian agencies on Thursday. Fast response“The losses and damages are extensive and a construction process will need a fast swing to action,” he said, adding: “The challenge is that the existing resources are inadequate to address this grand scale disaster and we still appeal to government and partners to scale up humanitarian assistance and rescue operation since our own capacities are wanting.” 1 | 2 Next Page»Shs300 million would be required to repair 4 kilometres of damaged community road and another Shs484 million to re-build and equip Nametsi Health Centre III that was swallowed up together with in-patients and two medics. Estimate of damage Road sector Shs 300 millionAgro processing Shs19.8 millionSmall and micro shops Shs1.55 millionWater and sanitation Shs304 millionLivestock Shs 153.3 millionCrop sector Shs 632 millionHealth Shs 484.3 millionTotal Shs3 billionSource: Bududa District Local Government Some of the Bududa dead Nasiru YefusaMukwana WalakataKimono EverlyneSelenyi KyeleMuyama JosephWomaniala KulobaRobina MuseneWandeba CharlesNamukono WaburtwaWandeka KiwumiWandukwa NamatatiNadunga MukhutsaWakhata NasiruMakwali EmmaMrs Nalume KibalasiNabatsele WandukwaWatenyeri BonyMusene JosephRobina KhalibuNabulwala AgathNamutosi MagreteNabuwa AgnesNamasobo MakaNabwema LoyceWanzama PhillemonKamoti KolotoKimono SeraMalisa NakhokhoNamwano Pheobe « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/872806/-/wj5g1k/-/index.html","content":"Bududa death toll rises to 81 - Nametsi, Bududa Volunteers yesterday retrieved six bodies, mainly of children, in Nametsi parish, and rescued a 12-year-old girl but hopes for finding more survivors of the landslide were fading fast by last night. The six bodies found yesterday bring the death toll of Monday night’s landslide to 81, according to the Uganda Red Cross Society, but other sources put it as high as 103. More than 340 residents of three hamlets on the slopes of Mt. Elgon that were swept away by the landslide remain unaccounted for. Ms Kevin Nabutuwa, Uganda Red Cross’ regional programme officer for Eastern Uganda, said seven bodies, including that of a pastor, trapped in the smashed Mabono Church of God building, had been retrieved. “Therefore, the total number of dead bodies found so far is 81, according to our tally,” she said. There had, throughout the day, been confusion on the total number of bodies retrieved, partly because some corpses identified by friends – and in rare cases relatives who survived the devastation – are quickly ferried away for burial. President Museveni, after a short visit to the scene by helicopter in the morning, flew to address a rally at Bukalasi Sub-county boma ground and announced that 77 bodies had been pulled out. Other accounts, that we could not independently verify put the figure much higher at 103. But Maj. Gen. Julius Oketta, the head of the military disaster management team on the ground in Nametsi Parish, said his records show that only 57 bodies have so far been pulled out. Sixteen survivorsOf 16 survivors, he said, six were being treated by the UPDF health team near the scene of the mudslide while the rest were evacuated to Bududa Hospital. The conflicting figures highlight the haphazard manner of rescue work on the ground characterised by the lack of equipment and treacherous and rainy conditions. Earlier reports on Tuesday said as many as 80 bodies had been recovered from the scene. Our reporters who arriwho arrived at Nametsi at 1p.mved at Nametsi at 1p.m. found a woman, Margaret Namono, 56, wailing alone and stooping and gesturing over the corpses of her son, James Nalume, and a grandson, laid on a torn mattress under an avocado tree. Between the two bodies and another of an unidentified old woman was a pair of severed limbs of varied sizes. At the scene, soldiers and volunteers used new hoes, spades, pick axes and in some cases bare hands to lift or crash stones and scoop mounds of wet soil. “I started digging in the morning and up to now, I cannot make headway,” said Abdullah Wambete yesterday, as he raised the hoe in the afternoon heat to cut deeper into the marsh before clearing beads of sweat on his face. The previous day, he had trekked some 32 kilometres from Bududa to Nametsi. His failed mission was to rescue Ms Annet Nekhesa, a former colleague student at Balucheke SS, who visited an aunt in the danger zone a week earlier. Now he will not leave the flattened area before finding the body of “my friend and ex-school mate”. Up the surrounding hills, ominous cracks of separating rock formations could be heard in the distance, prompting authorities, who fear another landslide could occur, to order for immediate evacuation of residents. Some 45 URCS volunteers yesterday made rapid assessment in those neighbourhoods and Ms Nabutuwa reported last night that up to 1, 000 families - with an estimated 6, 000 members - are at risk. With danger lurking once again, it emerged that the army could be drafted to uproot reluctant residents after President Museveni made clear they must leave. In the absence of fork lifters and graders or other heavy machinery to blast or remove huge rocks, the exercise of locating and salvaging bodies remained a nightmare even for the most courageous of volunteers, some 300 UPDF troops among them. Stench The buried villages, which looked from a distance like a freshly graded construction site, were beginning to emit a horrid stench as the humid sun and wet conditions began to decompose the bodies. Limbs and other body parts could be seen sticking out of the sludge on the mountainside. Dr Jason Amone, the assistant commissioner (Integrated Curative) in the Ministry of Health, said shortly after visiting the devastated area that an epidemic such as cholera could erupt in the neighbourhood if rotting bodies and animal carcasses are washed downstream. “And in coming days, the smell in the place will be terrible,” he said, “And we are trying to arrange to conduct counseling for the survivors and people in the neighbourhood.” With three villages damaged, there were not many left to wail for or bury the dead in a community where funerals are events for communal mourning but there was a cloud of sadness that descended over the area, with the incessant rain adding a grim layer of grey. 1 | 2 Next Page»A few relatives who spotted their own among the dead organised for coffins, and our reporters saw a dozen being carried by volunteers on their heads up and down the winding and slippery mountain slopes made more precarious by mid-morning rain. All vehicles had to stop about 12 kilometres aware, at Luwanda, because the stretch of the road up hill is not motorable – a trekking that takes some two hours. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/-/688342/862624/-/ffo1l9/-/index.html","content":"ROAD TO 2011: It is all about NRM in Bukoto - This week, Yasiin Mugerwa looks at Bukoto Mid-West, where the NRM is destined to win since no opposition party has so far indicated fielding a candidate. The death of the State Minister for Internal Affairs, Dr Lawrence Kezimbira Miyingo, on March 11, 2006 occurred after he collapsed on learning that he had lost to Isaac Ssejoba, the current MP for Bukoto Mid-West. In the days that followed, postmortem details from Mulago Hospital, where he died, indicated that Dr Kezimbira, 56, who was the NRM flag bearer, had actually died of kidney complications but his 7,128 voters in the constituency blamed it on the defeat. Nearly five years later, Mr Ssejoba (Indep./NRM) faces yet another mounting contest from two ‘unexpected’ political ‘comrades’ - all from the ruling NRM party - vying for his seat in the next parliamentary election expected next year. Electoral Commission (EC) official results for 2006 Parliamentary elections indicate that Mr Ssejoba, a then independent politician who lost in the NRM party primaries to the late Dr Kezimbira, won the seat by a landslide victory of 15,057 votes, Dr Kezimbira with 7,128 and Mr Henry Bazira Ssewangana (Democratic Party) with 3,987.While it’s still not clear whether leading opposition party Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) or any other opposition party would have a contender to race for the constituency seat, three contestants from the NRM party, including the current MP, Mr Ssejoba have already expressed interest in the seat. Isaac Kayiira Junior, 29, an MBA graduate who currently lives in the USA and Mr Joseph Muyombya Kasozi, the current Youth MP for Central Region, are said to be discretely scheming to unseat Mr Ssejoba who is also working hard to retain his seat ahead of the NRM primaries expected in August this year. As the race for 2011 heats up, there are theories indicating that Mr Kasozi is a resident of Kaganda (Kingo Sub-county) in Bukoto South, another constituency represented by Opposition MP, Mathias Nsubuga of the DP.But the Youth MP says such a claim will not deny him the opportunity to contest again on the youth ticket. Who is Kayiira?Mr Kayiira is a son to Hajj Isaac Kayiira and Hajjat Hawa Kayiira of Kyeyagalire Ndaggwe, in Masaka District. “I have spoken with countless voters who share my vision and are just as eager to bring change to Bukoto Mid-West,” Mr Kayiira says, adding, “I will run for a Parliamentary seat in Bukoto Mid-West in 2011 so as to bring a change in leadership in the constituency.”Mr Kayiira says poverty alleviation through improving the Universal Primary Education and agriculture - the major source of income for many a people in the area - are the issues that made him declare his candidature. He says over the past years, he has been slowly but quietly building his profile. “Together with my family, we have done a lot uplift ordinary people. We have funded schools, churches, mosques, clinics, and roads as well,” he says. Inspite of the challenges ahead, Mr Ssejoba seems not threatened, saying competition is healthy. “Why should I fear these people. I am just waiting for primaries in August to be confirmed as the NRM flag bearer for 2011. Our people will make their choice when election time comes,” he explains.He says when re-elected, he would open a savings credit scheme in Ndagwe Sub-county to help fight poverty in the area. “After this Sacco, I will also distribute mega phones in each village in the country to help our people disseminate information for development purposes,” Mr Ssejoba says. He adds: “I also intend to organise the youths in groups so that they can benefit from development projects in the area through income-generating activities. I have already embarked on this programme and when elected I will just consolidate it.” But Mr Kayiira also seems confident, saying he is riding on peoples’ endorsement to contest for the constituency seat. He says: “I have received many endorsements from community leaders and elected officials, but nothing has honoured me more than the many voters across Bukoto Mid-West who told me that they believe that I am the person who can win this seat and bring about change, development and unity in the constituency.” 1 | 2 Next Page»Opposition’s take Opposition Forum for Democratic Change spokesperson Wafula Oguttu, says although FDC is yet to announce their candidate, they will certainly field one when the right time comes. “You’re going to hear from us in a few months to come,” Mr Oguttu says. However, DP Secretary General Nsubuga says he was not sure whether Mr Ssewangana would contest again. But added that they will decide after doing away with the delegates conference. While meeting leaders from Masaka at his country home in Rwakitura recently, President Museveni reportedly agreed that Kalungu East, Kalungu West and Bukomansimbi constituencies be merged to form Kalungu District, while Bukoto South, Bukoto Mid-West and Bukoto West constituencies will form another district to be named either Bukoto, or Lwengo District. However, as it emerged from President Museveni’s meeting, Mr Kasozi is reportedly against the creation of a new district and intends to carry on the message even during the campaigns yet Mr Ssejoba and Mr Kayiira on the other hand, support the President’s idea. Not aloneWhile the decision to split Masaka could have been politically motivated, Mr Kasozi is not alone in his bid to stop the process. Mr Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja and Parliament Speaker Edward Ssekandi are against the split, saying bringing services closure to people does not mean creating a new district. But Ssejoba says: “A new district comes with many advantages than disadvantages. It is common knowledge, that our people will be helped a great deal and we shall get more funds from the government in terms of service delivery.” He adds: “Some of us believe this should be our campaign tool, the voice of the people of Bukoto South and we have the backing of the President to get a new district.” « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/856668/-/58sksn/-/index.html","content":"The DP factor in Uganda’ s politics - Inside Politics Team A widely held view is that the Democratic Party (DP) won Uganda’s first general election following the overthrow of Idi Amin on December 11 1980. But the actual authentic results of that poll have never been made public following allegations that then chairman of the Military Commission, that organised the polls, Paul Muwanga, is alleged to have hijacked the role of the Electoral Commission and decided to announce his own results that declared the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) winner. This was the second time DP was being outfoxed in the political game, having first been tactfully edged out by an alliance of the UPC and Kabaka Yekka at independence. The period in between seemed to both help DP grow and win more support in its core base of Buganda following the natural death of Kabaka Yekka, but also brought with it the biggest tragedy the party has suffered, after a second attempt at political accommodation that saw its charismatic leader, Benedicto Kiwanuka, join the Amin government that later murdered him. Undeclared winnerIn 1980, despite being largely acknowledged as the undeclared winner of that year’s polls, it was Yoweri Museveni of the Uganda People’s Movement, which polled an undisputed distant third in the polls, that instead went to the bush ostensibly to fight against those that had stolen the election. Political observers say, while a faction of DP under Andrew Kayiira also went to the bush as the main faction under Paul Ssemogerere agreed to join the second government of Milton Obote, both factions helped further the isolation of DP as a second tier player on the political spectrum. In 1986 when Museveni shot his way to power, DP was politically weaker and Museveni weakened it further - first by setting his base in Buganda, the heart of DPs support, and his alliance and eventual return of Ronald Muwenda Mutebi then a prince, to be crowned ceremonial king of the Baganda. Mr Museveni is said to have nailed DP’s coffin when he lured key DP leaders into his umbrella government under the Movement system including the party leader Ssemogerere, who became a minister and other top officials, many of whom never returned to the party. When Mr Ssemogerere resigned from government to return and try to reconstruct DP in 1994, the party was all but dead. His bid for the presidency in the general elections of 1996 gave him less than two per cent of the vote while handing Museveni and landslide of 75 per cent. But the party performed fairly well as some of its members were elected to Parliament and local government position under the individual merit Movement system. Participating in electionsBy 2001, a faction of the party was opposed to participating in that election. Francis Bwengye, a former secretary general, insisted and contested but only with support from a few members. He performed poorly and literary abandoned the party. But a large number of party supporters defected and joined Dr Kizza Besigye, who had just broken away from Museveni and offered to contest against him, emerging a close second with at least 2.8 million votes. The DP members who supported Besigye’s Reform Agenda in 2001 and many newer and dynamic younger politicians stayed first to form the Parliamentary Advocacy Forum (Pafo), which formerly merged with Reform Agenda to form FDC. Key figures include current Leader of Opposition in Parliament and FDC deputy president for north, Prof. Morris Ogenga Latigo. At KCCIn 2006, Mr Ssebana Kizito returned home less than about 100,000 votes when he contested on DP ticket in the country’s first multiparty elections in over two decades. In Parliament, the party only secured eight direct seats while a few more of its supporters arrived as independents. At Kampala City Council that DP had dominated both at the centre and in the divisions, the ruling National Resistance Movement took away Central Division while Moses Kalungi, who won in Makindye Division, defeated a DP diehard and official party candidate, Deo Kijjambu. At City Hall, the official party candidate, former deputy mayor, Dr Hassib Takuba, lost to an independent, but DP-leaning Nasser Sebaggala. Party insider accuse Sebaggla of being too close to President Museveni and members of the NRM. National politicsA key question that remains is; does DP still matter in Uganda’s politics. Will it resurrect in time for the 2011 election and will it survive the storms if it remains a third tier party after 2011? Mr Norbert Mao, a youthful and two -term MP and now chairman of the Gulu District, is vying for the party presidency. 1 | 2 Next Page»While the headquarters is marred in controversy and had failed to fix a date for a delegates conference, there appears reasonable support, especially among the party’s younger supporters, that Mao could present the much needed break of a Catholic and Ganda party that has defined DP over the years. But cut-fights, especially over the position of secretary general left vacant by Prof. Ebil Otto, who went back to the Diaspora. Young and dynamic, the two members engaged in a tag of war over the SG job, Mathias Nsubuga and Dr Lulume Bayiiga, seem to be fighting over a party in its last days. Or will it revive itself in time. Everyone waits to see. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/815740/-/g4eepfz/-/index.html","content":"Namibia ruling party's two-thirds majority at risk - WINDHOEKNamibia's ruling party was heading on Tuesday for a big election win but results so far showed the two-thirds majority which gives it the power to change the constitution is under threat. Initial results from nearly 92,000 of 1.18 million registered voters in the arid state show the South West Africa People's Organisation, a former guerrilla movement that led the country to independence in 1990, leading with 64 percent. SWAPO is widely expected to secure another five-year term following last week's presidential and parliamentary elections. But the two-thirds majority that it has held since 1995 is less certain due to the emergence of a stronger opposition party. The electoral commission said the final results of last week's voting would be published on Tuesday but counting has been subject to a series of delays. SWAPO's sternest political challenge yet comes from the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), which split from the ruling party in 2007, and holds 12 percent of the votes cast. \"By any standards, it will be a landslide victory ... and although it's too early to say if SWAPO will get the two-thirds, the RDP, by Namibian standards, will be a strong opposition,\" said Graham Hopwood, director at the Institute for Public Policy Research. Namibia's politics have been dominated by SWAPO since independence and opposition parties struggled to make an impact. Altogether 72 National Assembly seats up for grabs in Namibia, one of Africa's wealthier states because of diamond and uranium exports. In 2004 elections SWAPO won 55 seats and needs to secure 48 seats to retain the two-thirds majority. SWAPO has managed to keep most of its traditional support in the central-northern regions, where 60 percent of the population live, but some votes went to RDP. PRESIDENTIAL VOTE In the presidential vote, President Hifikepunye Pohamba, who succeeded founding president Sam Nujoma, leads with 67 percent, with RDP's Hidipo Hamutenya taking 12 percent. Analysts said Pohamba's popularity has been growing and the 74-year-old leader might even enjoy more support than his party, which has been battling internal disagreements. As in other southern African countries, from Angola to Zimbabwe to Mozambique to South Africa, the former liberation movement has kept a tenacious hold on power, but it has faced a greater challenge since its internal split. The RDP, which accused SWAPO in its campaign of failing to do enough on unemployment, health and education, appeared to have taken many votes from SWAPO's other rivals and looked set to become the official opposition, political analysts said. Counting of the results from the polls held on Nov 27-28 started slowly over the weekend due to a tendered ballot system. Under this, votes from people cast in areas where they are not registered have to be tallied with ballots cast in their respective constituencies before being published. 1 | 2 Next Page»Observers and opposition parties alike have criticised the delays, alleging voting and counting irregularities which they say the electoral commission failed to address. Six opposition parties said they would seek legal advice to determine if the election was legitimate. Nico Horn, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Namibia, said there were doubts about the verification process conducted by the electoral commission, with no observers and party agents present to observe the process. \"Nobody knew about the verification centres and what it means ... and how can verification take place without those who did the counting to be present?\". Lying between economic powerhouse South Africa and oil-producing Angola, Namibia has enjoyed a long period of political and economic prosperity. But the economy in Namibia, which produces 10 percent of global uranium output, is expected to contract 0.6 percent in 2009, before recovering in 2010 on higher commodity prices and a rise in mining output. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/692306/-/yykafh/-/index.html","content":"KAZINI'S LIFE: An officer with extra ordinary skills - Kampala Afande Kazini, as he was fondly referred to by his  charges and friends, was a brave and no-nonsense commander who together with his late brother, Lt. Col Johnson Jet Mwebaze  were some of the Luweero bush war veterans that were  deployed by President Museveni to end the Allied Democratic Forces, (ADF) rebellion in western Uganda, in the mid 90s. Unlike many other senior military officers, Gen. Kazini was  never  afraid of being in the company of journalists, taking them to the war frontline to have first hand information and later dining and wining with them as he looked forward to another day of battle  field work. He took his security and that of his troops and civilians (including journalists) under his care seriously to the extent that he would arm “the Mchaka Mchaka graduatesâ€Â� as he routinely referred to some of  us –in case things went out of hand.   Passionate soldier His  passion for good journalism was unrivalled- that on one occasion, when a landslide blocked the Fort Portal –Bundibugyo Road, he gave up his seat on a military helicopter to allow a journalist fly to the remote district to get the ‘real feel’ about the progress of the war. Such are the sad twists and turns of life that the man who survived countless enemy bullets and bombs in the bitter cold  Rwenzori Mountains and the inhabited jungles of  DR Congo, yesterday morning  succumbed to death in such a bizarre  non-combat situation. ***image3*** A soldier with extra-ordinary military skills but short on academic credentials, Kazini was still very articulate in explaining his military strategies. He always found time to talk to journalists- to let the general public know about what went on in the war zone. “We in the military should be accountable to the people who pay our salaries and they need to know what we are doing,â€Â� he once stated. One of the post bush war  popular Generals, Kazini’s  presence at the frontline was such a morale booster to the UPDF troops- that they would walk long  distances-  at times on empty stomachs to secure the Rwenzori region. And his high military rank and achievements notwithstanding, at the battle field, Kazini joined his troops to sing army victory songs  and would  share a plate of posh and beans  with privates.  These are some of the fine attributes of the fallen war hero that will perhaps mark his place in history. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Mr Sserwanga covered the ADF war  for three years  and is Saturday Monitor Editor. Sad ending to the life of war general Tabu Butagira Kampala He survived the fiercest of fights as a rebel and later built a solid military reputation by vanquishing guerilla groups fighting President Museveni’s government. Yesterday, however, Maj. Gen. James Kazini, a former army commander, described by comrades as a “disciplined officer of actionâ€Â�, died in a civilian’s hand – tragically a fiancée. Lydia Draru, a resident of Namuwongo, a Kampala suburb, has reportedly confessed to Police that she hit the general with an iron bar three times, inflicting deep cuts on the head. He bled and died in an unlikely place; a modest bungalow on the fringes of one of the city’s sprawling slums. The pair had spent an eventful day, according to Ms Draru. She cried – yes. But they also ate and drank at different bistros, among them the International Hotel in Muyenga, a city outskirt, before the dawn quarrel that ended in bloodletting.  ***image2*** Such was not an expected felling of an illustrious, often controversial, military officer and successful guerilla fighter - both with the then Lt. Gen. Moses Ali-led Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF) I in South Sudan and later the National Resistance Army in Luweero bushes. “He was a good fighter and respectfulâ€Â� Lt. Col. John Onaa, the former administrator general of UNRF I, who linked Gen. Kazini to NRA, said yesterday. The rise Gen. Kazini distinguished himself as best performer in military drills during his induction in the army in 1979, instantly earning the rank of Lance Corporal. He was posted to West Nile as a Company Sergeant Major but at the rank of Corporal. He fought under the Uganda National Liberation Front/Army but got trapped in the region. Fearing possible capture or killing by enemy forces, he, together with 11 other men, one being Corporal Jackson who later died in South Sudan, escaped through Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). They eventually joined UNRF I that was at the time controlling vast parts of the now semi-autonomous South Sudan. Gen. Ali told Daily Monitor by phone from Adjumani District that his forces hosted the Kazinis for three years, restraining them to the guerilla headquarters since “we expected them to be with us temporarilyâ€Â�. Gen. Ali and President Museveni, who then commanded the NRA, had struck a gentleman’s agreement in Libya, to fight as comrades and Milton Obote II government, considered a common enemy. In 1984, Gen. Kazini connected to NRA lair in Luweero, serving as the Aide de Camp to Commander Salim Saleh, the President’s younger brother. After NRA captured state power on January 26, 1986, Kazini was appointed commander of the 14th battalion in Gulu, before being recalled to Kampala on promotion as the commander of the brigade based in Lubiri and later of the Military Police. His career rise became a whirlwind, trapping in its trail controversy and scandals, many social in nature. But nothing would go wrong as long as President Museveni, as the Commander-in-Chief, had faith in him. He was elevated to command the NRA Mechanised Brigade in Masaka District, replacing Col. Kizza Besigye. The army High Command quickly decided that his field skills were handy to tackle the myriad rebel groups causing trouble mainly in West Nile from bases in eastern DRC and South Sudan. ***image1*** Kazini was then assigned as the zonal commander overseeing West Nile and proudly obliterated the Col. Juma Oris-led West Nile bank Front and its successor outfit commanded by Maj. Gen. Taban Amin, son of former dictator Idi Amin. Career success courts with it both rewards and hate. He reaped the former. Increasingly a trusted officer, Kazini was appointed the army Chief of Staff in 1998, and tasked to crack down on the Allied Democratic Forces rebels in western Uganda, a job he did with distinction. It later emerged that operational funds at the time were recklessly spent, leading to Shs61 million loss. On March 27, 2008 the General Court Martial convicted Gen. Kazini, the Rwenzori-based Albertine Brigade commander Lt. Col. Dura Mawa and Capt. Michael Baryaguma. The trio was sentenced to three years in jail for mismanaging the funds by creating ghost soldiers on payroll. Own army This was, however, a lesser indictment. Gen. Kazini, accused of building a semi-autonomous army unit, the 409 brigade in West Nile, was facing trial for allegedly plotting to stage a coup. The military Court ruled in April 2008 that Gen. Kazini had a case to answer for “disobeying the Commander-in-Chiefâ€Â� in relation to deployment of troops. He was fired as army commander in 2003, just three years of being at the helm of the military, a surprising feat for a man of modest academic credential. In fact, his professional weakness and run-ins with subordinates emanated from the feeling that the elite soldiers were increasingly undermining and sabotaging his efforts. Student Kazini The fighter that he is, Gen. Kazini got back to school graduating with Masters Degree in Strategic Studies from military college in Ibadan, Nigeria. Already, he had tripped from the luminous command summit to the disgrace of embarrassing trial by juniors. Frustrated, Gen. Kazini who up until his death yesterday was un-deployed took to heavy drinking, occasionally fighting at bars with patrons. He shot to the limelight when he exchanged blows with a doctor over a woman. These transgressions notwithstanding, the army leadership hailed him, rather posthumously, as fine officer. “He never believed a soldier could fail in anything,â€Â� said Lt. Col. Felix Kulayigye, the military and defese spokesman. He added: “Gen. Kazini was an ardent believer in discipline and action.â€Â� Indeed it was a tragedy in life, as in death, that the illustrious career soldier was a social failure, getting disrepute in his twilight for wayward conduct. Uganda’s fights with Rwadan forces in Kisangani were blamed partly on his misjudgments. Gen. Kazini’s life, too, has an awful end.  May the soul of the former kindergarten teacher at the Kabamba Infantry Training School in 1975, rest in eternal peace."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/710768/-/b5hdb2z/-/index.html","content":"Elections: What lessons does Iran teach us? - President Museveni recently poured water on the smouldering embers of electoral reform by announcing, in a letter to People’s Progressive Party Chairman Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, that there would be no changes to the way our elections are conducted. The only reform, Mr Museveni said, would be the computerisation of the voters’ register “to stop the opposition from engaging in multiple registration of voters in Kampala, the north and other areasâ€Â�, ostensibly those in which the opposition has performed well. “Which other reforms are you talking about?â€Â� Mr Museveni asked Bidandi. The Supreme Court, in its ruling on Dr Besigye’s petition following the 2006 presidential election, found that the poll did not comply with many aspects of the law, failed to uphold the ‘free and fair’ principle, had exposed incompetence in the Electoral Commission, and that security agents had intimidated opposition supporters. It highlighted several areas that must be reformed to improve the fairness of our elections. The Inter-Party Cooperation, which brings together FDC, UPC, Jeema and the Conservative Party, last month presented to Parliament a dossier of proposed electoral reforms including the restoration of presidential term limits, changes to the way the electoral commissioners are appointed, the banning of the army and other security agencies from partisan politics, including elections, and a generally more transparent process. While it is unfathomable that President Museveni is not aware of these reforms, it is naive to expect him and the ruling National Resistance Movement to fix a broken system which delivers them the presidency and a majority in Parliament. It is just not in their self-interest. Being able to appoint the organisers of the election, its supervisors and the arbiters of any dispute, on top of having the sizeable benefits of incumbency is not a position from which you withdraw easily. Compare this, however, with the speed and resoluteness with which NRM MPs this week dealt with a proposal to ban party members from standing as independents. They all realised that doing so would keep those rigged out in the party primaries or who lose to more popular candidates, from standing for re-election. So they acted in their self-interest and rejected the proposal. Electoral malpractices are not the preserve of the government; there is evidence of opposition members rigging albeit on a much smaller scale. This, however, does not justify putting party and self-interest above national interests. A free and fair election that represents the will of the people is the cornerstone of democracy. It is not the alpha and omega, mind, but it allows the masses to choose who leads them and throw them out when they opt to rule them. This brings us to Iran. Supporters of the opposition candidate, Mirhossein Mousavi, took to the streets of the capital, Tehran, to protest against what they viewed as the flawed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad by a landslide. About a dozen people have been killed in the fighting which has sparked off a diplomatic row with the Iranian administration accusing Britain and the United States of sponsoring the protests. 1 | 2 Next Page»Iran is an autocratic regime where real power is held by the Supreme Leader and his fellow clerics but even then, its people want their votes to count and are willing to fight, prepared to die, for that right. The Iranian clerics have ruled out an annulment of the election and the protests will die away with time but a line has been drawn in the sand; that the people will strike back if they feel their votes are stolen and it will be harder to do so in the next election. Uganda does not have to go that way or the way of Kenya after its last election; President Museveni and the NRM can still allow some of the bi-partisan reforms that will make our country and its governance institutions stronger – but we must all be prepared to stand up and fight for our right to vote and for our votes to count. If we are unwilling to defend our votes, why should we bother to vote in the first place? dkalinaki@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/MuniiniMulera/-/878676/755716/-/sje4u2z/-/index.html","content":"Excitement, depression as Americans go to the polls - Dear Tingasiga: Barack Obama will almost certainly be elected president of the United States tomorrow, capping an extraordinary rise of a man from a barely known junior senator from Illinois to the most powerful person on earth. However, even if he loses the election to Senator John McCain, a possibility that cannot be discounted until the official results come out tomorrow night, Obama has already won a high place of honour in the annals of human history. No African-American politician has galvanised Americans to a cause the way Obama has done. No single politician from any country has captured the hearts and minds of so many people on all continents the way Obama has. Not Britain’s Sir Winston Churchill. Not America’s John Kennedy. Not even the iconic Nelson Mandela of South Africa. If the world’s citizens could vote in tomorrow’s US election, there is no doubt that Obama would defeat McCain by a landslide.  To be sure, here in Canada, poll after poll have consistently shown Obama enjoying the support of over 70 per cent of Canadians. More than the political, economic and military impact that Obama will have on the United States and the world, his biggest and most important impact will be on the attitude and self-worth of the African-American child and youth. If an African-American can become president of the United States, then there is no vocation that will be considered to be beyond the reach of African Americans. From now on, all American children, not just those of European stock, can dream of becoming presidents of their great country. Truth to tell, older African-Americans will also walk with their heads high, with that uniquely African body language that will silently sing, in the words immortalised by Dr Martin  Luther King Jr., “free at last, free last, thank God Almighty, we are free at last!â€Â� If there is one sad aspect to Obama’s meteoric rise to the top of American political leadership, it is the fact that the people who sired him or raised him and prepared him for his future role as leader of the world are not witnessing his exceptional accomplishment. Dr Barack Obama Sr, his Kenyan father, died in 1982. Dr Stanley Ann Dunham, the European American mother died of ovarian cancer in 1995. Mr Lolo Soetoro, Barack’s Indonesian step-father, died of liver disease in 1987.  Mr Stanley Armour Dunham, Barack’s European American grandfather, died in 1992.  Only Barack’s maternal grandmother, Ms Madelyn Payne Dunham, is still alive. However, she too is reported to be too ill to travel or to be otherwise engaged in her grandson’s triumphs. One simply wishes Barack’s parents and grandparents had been able to savour this moment with their son who has done everything that was asked of him. Meanwhile, an American friend of mine has just sent me an e-mail which has tempered my building excitement over Obama’s anticipated victory. Reflecting an unbearable anxiety that has millions of Americans in its thrall my friend wrote: “Seriously, Muniini, you must count your blessings that you live in Canada and not the USA. Everyone I know here in the USA cannot wait any longer for November 4, 2008 to find out if we are condemned to another four years of a Republican administration with John McCain as the early president and, with a strong possibility (given McCain’s health), of a Sarah Palin presidency! I have lost count of the number of people who have told me that they are going into a deep depression if McCain wins. Contrary to any polls you might read, the election is going to be very close. There is a possibility of a surprise victory by McCain. I remember as a child in Uganda seeing the Belgians fleeing Congo into Uganda at the time of Congo’s independence. There might be a similar flight to Ontario of despondent former USA citizens after November 4, 2008.â€Â� My friend is so terrified of a McCain win that he is planning to turn off the TV and his telephone from the morning of November 4th to the morning of November 5, 2008 lest he should hear bad news. This sentiment is probably as widespread as is Obama’s passionate support around the world. One worries about the potential for mass depression hitting millions of people, with unpredictable consequences. People have invested a large chunk of their emotional health in an Obama victory. This is as good a time as any to remind ourselves that in a functioning democracy, which the American version is, the citizens have a duty to accept as leader, any person who wins the election, even when we cannot stand the thought of it. The likelihood of McCain winning this election is infinitesimally small, at least according to the polls. But surprises could occur. Sarah could find herself a heartbeat away from the presidency of the United States. It is a scary thought, but true democrats have a duty to accept the people’s verdict, even a nasty one, and must live with it for the next four years.  Even if that choice is Sarah Palin, the real candidate of the Republican party. mkmulera@aol.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/791338/-/10imbwr/-/index.html","content":"Why Museveni’s NRM won in Busoga - KAMPALA THE NRM political strategists in Busoga have attributed the party's  recent landslide victory in the region to good organisational and  mobilisation skills of the party’s parliamentary group, lower local councils  and a network of 4,000 cadres scattered all over the region. Better planning \"It is not true that it was a last minute intervention by the big wigs  like former Vice President, Specioza Kazibwe or Lt. Gen Salim Saleh  that President Museveni and NRM registered such a high number of votes in  Busoga,â€Â� said Moses Kizige, the head of administration at the NRM party  secretariat and MP for Bugabula North. “It was better planning by the region's parliamentary group and the  Movement political cadres.\" Museveni won in Busoga with over 65% of the votes cast in the region.  Although he did not do very well in Jinja with slightly over 56%, the  President performed better in Kaliro, Kamuli, Iganga and Bugiri where he  won with over 65% of the votes cast. Busoga is one region where nearly all the influential opposition MPs  apart from the Jinja Municipality West legislator, Harry Kasigwa lost  their seats to the NRM candidates. The losers Opposition party losers included the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)  Vice President, Ms Salaamu Musumba, who polled 7,778 votes against NRM  candidate Asuman Kiyingi's 20,508, FDC's Frank Nabwiso (Kagoma), UPC's  Mwondha Patrick, Mr Abdu Katuntu (Bugweri). Katuntu lost by a narrow margin to NRM's Ali Kirunda Kivejinja. Workers  MP and FDC candidate for the Bukholi South Martin Wandera lost to  NRM's Peter Ochieng. The Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism, Mr Daudi Migereko, who is  also in charge of Research at the NRM Secretariat, said while the FDC  had organised well in the region, NRM prepared the population far  better. \"Busoga is the only region where copies of the NRM Constitution was  distributed down to the village level,\" Migereko said. 1 | 2 Next Page»Right Message \"We also chose the right message for the campaign. We addressed social  problems like unemployment, improving household income and  reconstruction of infrastructure like roads, health centres and schools.\" He said Busoga is the only region, which rejected the opposition before  the political campaigns started. In 2004, a rowdy group of youth allegedly organised by Migereko and  Kizige disrupted a seminar organised by the Parliamentary Advocacy Forum  (PAFO) members led by Ruhama MP, Mr Augustine Ruzindana. The First Lady, Ms Janet Museveni trounced Ruzindana in the recently  concluded parliamentary elections. Weak spots Kizige admitted that some of his party's failures like the delay to  implement the rural electrification in Bugiri and the micro finance  project would have worked in favour of the opposition. But the opposition failed to see through that and capitalise on it. He said with the help of Deputy Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, a network of  lower level local councils headed by Mr Richard Gulume, the NRM party  defied the odds. \"Some weeks before the campaigns started, we convened a four-day  conference at Mayuge of 4,000 cadres from Busoga during which we reviewed the  NRM programmes in the region,\" Kizige said. \"We identified our needs and sent our cadres into action. Last month's  victory is a products of the mobilisation.\" He, however, acknowledges that in the process of mobilising for  victory, the party suffered casualties. Casualities \"I am one of the casualties at the party primaries, but this did not  stop me from steering the NRM secretariat as the head of administration,\"  he said. The chairman of Jinja Municipality, Mr Fred Gume Ngobi, another  casualty of the recent electoral process said his devotion to the party cost  him his seat. \"I am a leader and not a politician. I will continue to pursue and  steer NRM programmes in the district,\" Ngobi said. He said industries like  Bidco, the Steel Corporation, Picfare / Nytil, Grain Milling, BAT,  Papco, Mulco and a number of hotels have been revived under his party's  leadership, which means NRM will continue enjoying support from the  region. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/790896/-/w19eo3/-/index.html","content":"Is Amama's star falling? - From the moment President Museveni named his new Cabinet, eyebrows have been raised over his appointing Mr Amama Mbabazi as security minister, an indisputably lower post from the powerful Defence portfolio he held before. The talk has been fuelled further by subsequent media reports that Mbabazi, once referred to as a super minister, had rejected his new office space for being too small and basic, a mockery of what he occupied as Defence minister. Some observers believe the minister's new posting was aimed at clipping his wings as various key players within Mr Museveni's ruling NRM party position themselves to succeed him. But others argue there was never and there is not going to be a succession queue in the near future, and that Mbabazi's apparent relegation to taking over Ms Betty Aketch's job was strategic to free him to build the NRM party where he is secretary general. Just after swearing in as minister on June 2 and before being assigned a docket, reporters asked Mbabazi whether he would concurrently run the Ministry of Defence and the office of secretary general of NRM. He answered rhetorically thus: \"Didn't I perform?\" Whether he performed or not, the work of running the Defence ministry this time round was handed to Dr Crispus Kiyonga, the man Mbabazi defeated for the post of NRM secretary general. It turned out that as minister of state for Security in the President's Office, Mbabazi had to move into the back office assigned to that ministry at Parliament Building. He did not. Instead, he spends most of his time at a tactical NRM office at Plot 18A Aki Bua Road. The Parliament Building office is the same one his predecessor Betty Aketch used. As Defence minister, Mbabazi had a palatial office at the International Conference Centre, and later at the UPDF headquarters at Bombo Barracks. Former Ndorwa West MP Steven Bamwanga has reportedly been detailed to look for a decent building to house NRM headquarters away from the current Plot 10, Kyaddondo Road. As the man who runs the day-today affairs of the NRM party, Mbabazi will have his secretary general's office in the new block. \"He will also use it for his ministerial work,\" said an MP familiar with what is going on in the party and the government. Making sense The office matter has had many analysts trying to make political sense of Mbabazi's fortunes given the new ministerial assignment. \"Maybe Museveni wanted to humiliate Mbabazi by appointing Kiyonga who he had defeated,\" said Mr Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi, an independent political analyst. \"Mbabazi obviously poses a bigger threat to Museveni than Kiyonga who hails from the Bukonzo sub-region.\" Besides, others add, the Security post is much weaker today given that Gen. David Tinyefuza, as co-ordinator of the intelligence services reporting directly to the President, is effectively doing the minister's work. But even before Tinyefuza was appointed to his current position, the individual heads of intelligence agencies - ISO, ESO, CMI - always bypassed the minister to report directly to the President. Mbabazi's predecessors are people like the late Balaki Kirya, Muruli Mukasa and the immediate former holder of the office, Aketch. Spinning things This is where State House political managers are coming in to spin things and say, well, the Security portfolio may be quite lowly compared to Defence but the appointment of Mbabazi to it does not mean the man himself has been diminished in stature. Emphasising that Mbabazi remains very powerful and influential in the government, NRM publicist Ofwono Opondo said the appointment as Security minister, a less demanding job, was a positive thing as it would help him concentrate efforts on building structures for the party. Other sources say that actually, Security allows Mbabazi access to resources needed for his job at the party. \"If you want to build a party, you would need a place where there is money and as minister for Security he can access those funds,\" a source with close government ties said. Intelligence agencies, which fall under this ministry, operate classified budgets reportedly with large amounts of money at their disposal. But this view carries the insinuation that the secretary general is expected to abuse his ministry's resources by diverting them to the party, something Museveni would not permit in the first years of his anti-corruption kisanja rule. It also assumes that Museveni is keen on creating another powerful structure outside State House under a powerful Mbabazi, which is unlikely. Political analysts with an eye on the future, therefore, say that things are not as clear-cut as NRM and State House publicists are presenting them. They say that to understand Mbabazi's real situation today one needs to go back to the NRM Delegates Conference held in Namboole last year. The arrest of Museveni's key challenger Kizza Besigye on November 14, 2005 coincided with the beginning of the Delegates Conference. As Museveni and his top commanders struggled to contain the public riots that erupted after the Besigye arrest, a silent power struggle within the NRM for the second most powerful post in the party - the secretary generalship - was taking shape. Whoever won the battle would be in position to take over as party chairman and run for President in 2011 should any circumstances deter Museveni from standing. Hours before delegates voted by secret ballot, Museveni met Mbabazi and Kiyonga and suggested that one of them opts out of the race. It is unclear why he did not want the two men to go neck and neck. But what was clear is that the President wanted Mbabazi to leave the post for Kiyonga, who as National Political Commissar was more like the secretary general of the Movement, the NRM's precursor. The man already had experience for the job. The party's Central Executive Committee supported Museveni's position if only to avoid an acrimonious campaign for the job. But Mbabazi - who had quietly built a power base amongst the delegates, mainly those from the countryside, with help from his savvy sister-in-law Hope Mwesigye, then Parliamentary Affairs minister - knew he could beat Kiyonga at the polls. He stuck in there. But for refusing to back off, another plan was hastily hatched to send him a message. It was the last-ditch entry into the race of then Lands Minister Kahinda Otafiire. The strategy calculated to catch Mbabazi off-guard came too late. Mbabazi had used his powers as the organising chairman of the Delegates Conference to subtly campaign for the post before the official day of campaigning. He built a sense of inevitability that delegates were heard saying, oyo omusajja wa muzeeyi tumuwe. He defeated Kiyonga in a landslide. Maj. Gen. Otafiire came third. When Sunday Monitor reached Ms Mwesigye, she said: \"How could I lobby for Mbabazi? He is so popular. He is the second most powerful person next to the President. Whoever is saying that is peddling his/her own agenda. Those are wild allegations. They are misconceived and utter rubbish.\" Mbabazi, the first person in the current government to be Defence minister after Museveni, had out-witted his adversaries in the party. He is also the first NRM official ever to indicate publicly he wants the country's top job. In 2000 Mbabazi admonished Dr Besigye for jumping the NRM queue to run for the presidency. It was quite clear he meant that he was ahead of Besigye in the Museveni succession queue. Built clout Mbabazi went into the Delegates Conference having carefully built his clout in the NRM establishment earning the sobriquet of super minister. This came especially after the death of Attorney General Francis Ayume in 2004 when Mbabazi concurrently held the Defence and AG jobs.\"The SG win put Mbabazi on cloud nine,\" another NRM MP said. He had more or less placed himself in the right place in the queue. But a State House source said: \"There has never been a queue and there is not likely going to be one. And Mbabazi's relegation now drives that point home.\" Efforts to talk to Mbabazi failed because his known cell phone number was switched off over the last several days. Mbabazi's apparent fall out of favour may also be related to intrigue in the highest reaches of the government, something the President has warned his new ministers against. When Vice President Gilbert Bukenya wailed publicly a year ago that there was a mafia fighting him in the government, fingers pointed to some influential people close to the President: Mbabazi and Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa. By having Mbabazi out of the influential position of \"super minister\", the \"anti-mafia\" group appear to have won. But that doesn't take them any closer to power either. Mbabazi fact file Mr John Patrick Amama Mbabazi was born on January 16, 1949 in Mparo in Kigezi sub-region. He holds a law degree from Makerere University (1975) and a post-graduate diploma in legal practice from the Law Development Centre. He is an advocate of the Courts of Judicature of Uganda and a member of the Uganda Law Society. He worked as a state attorney in the Attorney General's Chambers, rising to the position of secretary of the Uganda Law Council. He was one of the first people to join President Museveni when he started the guerrilla war against the Obote II government, serving as external co-ordinator mainly based in Nairobi. After the war in 1986 he was appointed director of the External Security Organisation and later on joined Cabinet where he held various ministerial positions including that of state for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Co-operation. He previously held the portfolios of minister of state in the President's Office in charge of Political Affairs and later minister state for Defence from where he ascended to become full Defence minister. He also worked for a while as Attorney General, while still holding the Defence job."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/784758/-/4qj3v3/-/index.html","content":"Why Amama Mbabazi is the best for NRM party - So Super Minister Amama Mbabazi is facing the music? Atleast according to some NRM National Council circles, the minister should resign. It's not clear whether those who want Mbabazi out want the minister to either resign his cabinet post or as NRM Secretary General or both! Because, according to their crusade, Mr Mbabazi is being kept away from his NRM duties by his engaging ministerial appointment for which he should resign the cabinet post yet they also say he is not fit to occupy the post of Secretary General. Accordingly those sharing the thinking that Mbabazi is unfit for the NRM Secretary General, are angry that the NRM is losing ground to the opposition because \"Mr Mbabazi is so sophisticated which makes him a bad mobiliser.\" The same group of thinkers or wishful thinkers at the moment, argue that the stature of the secretary general is supposed to be someone who is down to earth and that Mr Mbabazi could be a good and experienced public administrator, which is good for diplomacy, but not for mobilisation purposes. What a pack of contradictions! If the people baying for Mr. Mbabazi's blood are raising the above arguments, I could not agree more that he then is the best-suited person for the post they want him leave. By saying he is a sophisticated and experienced public administrator, Mr Mbabazi's tormentors have thus painfully conceded that he is the right man for the job. This exposes the contradiction advanced by the wishful thinkers who want the man to resign. In any case, the position held by Mbabazi is an elective position. All of us may remember that Mr Mbabazi even surprised some of his closest challengers who had underestimated his capacity at elective politics when he won the post by a landslide in November 2005. So, I am inclined to believe that the current wave sweeping through the public raising questions about Mr Mbabazi's ability is either borne out of the behind the scenes succession competition or is at best, a minority view. However, Mr. Mbabazi remains the best person suited for the overall administration of NRM. Why should you trade a sophisticated, experienced administrator for anything? We are talking about party administration issues here. In any case, as we said, the post of the Secretary General is elective so, those unhappy with Mr Mbabazi's performance can wait to vote him out, while the ministerial position is a presidential appointment - again those unhappy could wait for the President to drop him. I don't know how patient they can wait! So is the Judiciary now impotent?Somebody speak to us please! 1 | 2 Next Page»The judiciary is at the moment unable to exert its independence in the wake of the saga involving 11 of the 22 suspects of the shadowy People's Redemption Army (PRA) still incarcerated in Luzira prison, 14 months after they applied for and were granted bail in the High Court. On January 12, the Constitutional Court again ordered the immediate release of the other suspects but the prison authorities, holding them on orders of the military have confirmed that they would need orders from the military and not just a production warrant, to release the suspects. When asked about such a state of affairs, the Chief Justice Banjamin Odoki argued that his comments would amount to subjudice. \"I have been advised that the proceedings of the contempt of court relating to the failure to release the 22 persons accused of treason is still in our courts and is therefore subjudice. I also understand that the matter is coming up before the High Court on January 25, 2007. In view of the above, I find it inappropriate to discuss the matter with you until further notice,\" Odoki said in a letter to Besigye. But as Erias Lukwago, the Shadow Attorney General in the opposition Cabinet says, \"there cannot be litigation in vain\" and we are inclined to agree with him. Because as he says, if there are orders to be enforced and they are being by-passed by applications seeking to met more punishment on the people who are supposed to have been enjoying this constitutional right to bail 14 months ago, then we would be happy to see the head of the judiciary come out and giving us a way forward. So, we are right to ask for answers from the head of the judiciary. So, is the judiciary dead, completely impotent or irrelevant as Besigye says? AS my boss Charles Onyango-Obbo likes to ask; can the big boys speak to us please? There is alot we would like to hear om the matter. aatuhaire@monitor.co.ug      « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/What-next-for-Addis-after-Meles-Zenawi-/-/689844/1487008/-/vvyruxz/-/index.html","content":"What next for Addis after Meles Zenawi? - A number of political coincidences and opportunities have occurred in that country to forge national unity since the overthrow of the military regime in 1991 but none have been seized upon to bring about the political sanity required. All previous opportunities have been squandered one by one mainly by the ruling party headed by Meles Zenawi. The opposition has also had its share in this when it squandered the political opportunity created as a result of the 2005 elections. Like many politicians in the continent, Ethiopian politicians are also amazingly dogged. They easily opt for rejections, come what may. Despite the claims for an 11 per cent annual economic growth and the eulogies by Mr David Cameron, Ethiopia is still one of the 10 most impoverished countries in the world. Its people still live in abject poverty of biblical times. On top of this, they have never been crowned with any sort of dignity but ruled by a series of regimes whose rule has been characterised by gross political and human rights violations. Despite the claim for a history of 3,000 years, Ethiopians have never had any sort of freedom and practiced any of their civil and human rights even those proclaimed in the three Constitutions that they knew. The country has been at war of one sort or another for the last 400 years. One can easily imagine the prevalence of the culture of violence which is most often reflected in the functioning of governance. The country has never seen and experienced a comprehensive peace. Reigning over such a situation, literally all governments, both of the traditional and the self-styled ‘modern’ governments, have practised extreme forms of violence to enforce their rule. Freedom, democracy and human rights did not exist in the vocabularies of these governments and the people have been ruled by iron fists (political repression, mass imprisonment, torture and official state terror against outspoken individuals and institutions) while the West (the champion of human rights and democracy) looked the other way. The consequence of such authoritarian rule has been grave: it turned the country into a perpetual beggar even amidst the government’s claim of a bumper harvest. Poverty and under-development have been the hallmarks of Ethiopia if not famine and starvation. The political rule has been and still is the main culprit behind Ethiopia’s poverty. To undo poverty and under-development, the key is freedom and democracy. To generate social change in Ethiopia, i.e. in face of such colossal poverty and extremely repressive rule, there is no way out except creating an enabling environment for everyone, i.e. political parties, civil society organisations and social movements. Opting for the single will of one political party to prevail has always constituted a recipe for disaster and it will continue to be one. Ethiopia is a huge country with a large population (85 million) and is multi-ethnic and multi-religious. Heterogeneity in all its forms is Ethiopia’s description. Amidst such heterogeneity, claiming the prevalence of one over the rest is simply unnatural. No wonder why Ethiopia has all sorts of conflicts the more various political forces attempt to enforce their single will. They have all failed one by one. That is why the salvation of Ethiopia lies in democratisation and prevalence of freedom as a guarantee for the respect for heterogeneity. A social change can only succeed if only it is based on democracy. The country has gone through feudal autocracy, military dictatorship and ethnicisation of politics that have all denied freedom. They have all failed. Now more than ever, Ethiopia needs national reconciliation. Despite official assurances for calm and composure, it is in a deep political crisis marked by the pitting of society as a whole against the government, danger of religious fundamentalism looming over as legitimate religious demands are met with killings and repression, colossal poverty still prevails, the apathy of the public is worrying, prevalence of armed rebellions and possibilities of more break outs of rebellion, and worst of all, an ethnic cleansing targeting the Tigrean people is a major threat once hell is let loose. In face of such crisis, national reconciliation between the ruling party and opposition parties on the one hand; and between the ruling party and the nascent civil society (professional associations, private media, NGOs, etc...) on the other is absolutely essential. If Ethiopia has still to restore the respect it deserves internationally, play a more constructive role in regional peace processes and crown its own people with the dignity they deserve, its politicians have the greatest historical responsibility ever. Both the ruling party and opposition parties have to realise this and be prepared to retreat from their ossified positions and views and be ready for a national reconciliation. Repression and armed resistance have to give way to a peaceful political transformation. The main goal of the national reconciliation must be to restore the pre-2005 status quo ante as a minimum to create rapprochement between the warring factions. For this to be attained, the principal initiative should come from the ruling party. It has to declare its readiness for a national reconciliation. It has to take a few confidence building measures such as rescinding all post-2005 laws and proclamations that limited freedom in general (anti-terrorism law, press law, NGO law, etc...), release political prisoners and journalists, declare amnesty for refugees and invite them to return to the country, and express its desire to sit in a national conference to discuss the country’s political future. The opposition on its part, has to resort to cessation of all sorts of hostilities and propaganda war and express its readiness for a national conference of all parties. If Ethiopia’s politicians fail to seize the time and opportunity for a national reconciliation once again, let there be no doubt that the ruling party will never reconcile with the people hence invite more rebellions; and opposition politicians will never lead society towards democratisation. In that case, the current opportunity will once again slip out of their hands in which case they will eventually lead the country astray and we won’t cease asking “Quo vadis Ethiopia?”. The future of Ethiopia’s economy While Ethiopia remains one of the world’s poorest countries (ranked 174 out of 187 on the UN’s Human Development Index) real growth in GDP has averaged 11 per cent over the past 6 years, well above the sub-Saharan Africa average. 1 | 2 Next Page»With low integration into world financial markets shielding it from the 2008 crisis, Ethiopia has been one of Africa’s most rapidly expanding economies, despite a lack of minerals or hydro-carbons which have boosted many of Africa’s other fastest growing economies. Although the economy is insular compared to its east African peers and the state remains its key actor, Ethiopia was selectively opened to foreign investment, building ties to the west while also attracting FDI from major emerging markets such as India, Turkey and China – Meles cited the latter as his development model. This investment has been directed towards a huge modernisation programme for Ethiopia’s infrastructure and public amenities. Alongside an expansion of the road network, built by the Chinese, 2,395km of railway are planned. This investment has added 0.6 per cent to annual GDP growth, according to the World Bank. Energy has been a particular focus. The government’s five-year Growth and Transformation plan unveiled in 2010 targets an increase of electricity production from 2,000MW to 10,000MW. A series of huge dams – the $4.8bn Grand Renaissance dam on the Blue Nile is the largest hydro-electric project in Africa – will make Ethiopia a regional electricity exporter if completed. Mr Tegegn is the regional director of PANOS East Africa editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Sky-s-the-limit--says-Museveni--despite-dark-clouds-overhead/-/688334/1423176/-/b45x45/-/index.html","content":"Sky’s the limit, says Museveni  despite dark clouds overhead - A few minutes after President Museveni arrived at the Serena Conference Centre to deliver his State of the Nation address yesterday, the skies suddenly opened and doused the city in a brief but intense thunderstorm. Half an hour earlier and it would have rained on the parade, literally, laid out as a Guard of Honour outside the conference centre, but it did not dampen the President’s mood. “The sky is the limit,” he proclaimed, highlighting the country’s agricultural, manufacturing and natural resource potential.“Those who were predicting doom last year are embarrassed. Shame on them.” Mr Museveni struck a bullish tone yesterday, highlighting the impending commissioning of Bujagali Hydropower Dam and the reliable power it is expected to provide, as one of many positives for the economy. Yet compared to a year ago when Mr Museveni, buoyed by a 68 per cent electoral result, applauded the “phenomenal growth” of the economy, yesterday’s speech revealed the precarious nature of an economy scarred by a year of battling inflation and falling growth. In a break with tradition where he throws up the impressive numbers of growth President Museveni yesterday went straight for the jugular, outlining the areas he intended to cover; delays in prioritisation of expenditure, political sabotage of government programmes, as well as corruption and selfishness. He could not be denied the ever-present reference to 1986 (when he took power) and how things have improved since but President Museveni was more realistic yesterday about current challenges and future threats, especially the lack of employment.Hair salons, Mr Museveni said, had grown by 9.7 per cent in the previous year while agriculture, which employs seven out of every 10 Ugandans, had only grown 1.4 per cent. Growth, the President said, was not creating employment, and was instead spawning a consumer culture built on imported products. But while the President was spot-on in his diagnosis of jobless growth, his policy prescriptions were neither clear nor comprehensive. Factories can create jobs – and the President gave an example of the three sugar factories at Lugazi, Kakira and Kinyara – which directly employ 19,000 people but he suggested few ways by which we can build more factories. Increased electricity is one important ingredient in creating a manufacturing base and the government has, with Bujagali due for full commissioning later this year and Karuma, also due for ground breaking within a year, finally put the blame game aside to increase generation capacity. Yet while the President wistfully reminded us that we would need 11,554MW to catch up with Malaysia, it is not clear how we plan the required quantum leap after we exhaust our hydropower potential. The biggest letdown from the speech on jobs, however, will have to go down to agriculture. The President rightly pointed out the unexploited potential of the country’s 40 million acres of arable land and the potential to become the region’s food basket. Yet it is potential that has been highlighted in several policy statements in the past but which consecutive programmes, from the Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture to the ubiquitous National Agricultural Advisory Services, have failed to implement. The President had spoken at length about agriculture last year, highlighting promises on irrigation, agricultural finance, value-addition and marketing of agro-produce. Apart from a passing, wistful reference to what could happen “when we start using fertilisers” the speech was devoid of a clear way out of the structural crisis that the agricultural sector finds itself in; employing many people who are producing less every year. 1 | 2 Next Page»The President, long a fan of infrastructure development, outlined key roads that need to be rebuilt in order to support productivity in the countryside, as well as the financing gap – over $3.5 trillion– that exists. The President proposed two possible solutions, both progressive, around the problem. The first, a proposal to borrow a trillion shillings from the National Social Security Fund, could unlock a lot of domestic liquidity if done smartly but is subject to the financial returns that the government would offer on infrastructure assets with long-term (and sometimes unclear) returns.The second proposal – a voluntary salary cut by public servants – met with stunned silence and uncomfortable squirming by the MPs and ministers, who are some of the best-paid public servants. The President was probably half-joking but other countries have done it as part of their austerity measures and there is no saying what could happen should the economy stay longer on its knees. The promised salary increase to civil servants of about Shs250b next financial year will go ahead but further demands for more money will not be entertained, the President said. In addition, there should be an end to the creation of new villages and sub-counties in order to keep public administration expenses in check. In theory, this was an admission by the President of the economic costs (albeit with political rewards) of creating more districts across the country. In practice it means that new districts can (and probably will) be created, but their administrative structures left intact. Never one to jump over the sprawling forms of his political opponents, Mr Museveni threw in a combination of jabs at the Opposition, targeting Dr Kizza Besigye, Nandala Mafabi, and former army commander Mugisha Muntu. Mafabi, given a vantage seat by virtue of his position as Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, took the whipping in stride, as Museveni congratulated Parliament for “administering democratic political kiboko to the FDC” opposition party during elections of representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly. The opposition leader did not cover himself in glory in the matter in which his party was left holding the can instead of a seat in the regional Parliament and the public roasting crowned a frustrating fortnight that Mafabi will want to forget. And he will need to bounce back soon. Between lavishing the Police Force with praise for their (brutal) break-up of political protests, Mr Museveni indicated his intention to push through the Public Order Management Bill to keep a tighter lead on dissent and the Opposition, which he accused of trying “to overthrow the Constitution by insurrection”. He threw in a thinly veiled warning to the media, pointing out, “the power of licensing [radio and television stations] belongs to the state” and promising to “show” those that fail to be balanced. It was still cold and wet outside from the afternoon rain when the President’s entourage left Parliament after the customary cocktail reception with MPs. The sky is the limit, but it had a distinctly dark feel about it yesterday. Ugandans will be hoping that the Budget Speech next week offers some silver linings. dkalinaki@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/-/689856/1395170/-/cbw3gi/-/index.html","content":"The path to making Kampala beautiful - Seated in the shade of one of the new bus stops in the city. One would assume that they are waiting for a bus to take them to their destination. But three buses later, all of them are still firmly fixed to their seats, staring blankly into space. In fact, the only people who board the buses are the ones that come running after them, or the ones standing. Yet the seated people are not there by mistake. The bus stops are the only public sitting space the city has to offer. There are no public parks or green patches of land to rest from the scorching sun, no place to take a break before they go back to their work places. Centenary Park has been forfeited to bars, and the old children’s park in Kamwokya is now yet another commercial building. The lack of space is only the first challenge facing the Kampala City Council Authority’s plan to beautify the capital. Though the KCCA has made some headway in its first year under its Executive Director Jennifer Musisi, it has largely focused on function. Some roads have been repaired, street lights installed, a litter ban imposed, and they are now aiming to tackle parking by requiring owners to provide space for cars inside their buildings. Transport remains the main concern for Ugandans.Betty Namale, a businesswoman, says she does not like anything about Kampala. Especially the taxis. Actually, it is better we stayed with the buses alone as a form of public transport.” Namale is not the only one who has an issue with the transport system. Sarah Mbabazi hates boda bodas and thinks they should be put out of the city because they make the city very disorganised. “We can do without those boda bodas. I would rather we walked the long distances.” She adds that the schools in the city centre should be moved to the out skirts because they create unnecessary traffic jams. But functionality does not equal beauty. Richard Kaweesa, a musician and the Director of Kampala City Yange, a local NGO whose primary aim is to see the city looking good, says he believes there is nothing that gives value and beauty to a place like trees. “The government should put a law on cutting trees,” he says, adding that they also add market value to land.Kaweesa says Kampala can be as good as other cities or even better. While Kigali is known for its cleanliness and Nairobi for being the green city, the KCCA still has a chance to define itself beyond its potholes. It can create anything – art, beautiful buildings, lighting – you name it. According to Ms Mary Karooma, the head of the KCCA landscape department, a strategy is already underway to ultimately beautify Kampala. Though it is still a piecemeal plan without a budget, it has Kampala’s views in mind. Kampala has several hills where you can stand and get a good view of the city. However, a big part of the view consists of slums and ramshackle houses. According to Ms Karooma, these slums should be gotten rid of, though she acknowledges the people living in them have not yet had a say. On the other end of the spectrum, when Worker’s House was opened, many people were excited about the tall attractive glass building. Videos are shot in the country are not deemed genuine without it in sight. Ms Karooma says the plan now is to have more colourful buildings in the city. The buildings will also be devoid of advertising, which seem to plaster the sides of most city structures. Ads have started to become an eye sore as they are often placed in close proximity to each other and with no concern for their surroundings. Ms Karooma says this will stop because the authority will introduce poster policy that advertisers will have to follow.Kampala’s drainage system is another sore sight. The system carries anything and everything, which usually chokes it and everything ends up being spilled on the streets. Ms Karooma says the drains will be covered; meanwhile, she says rain water should be redirected to create a dam or a man-made lake. “There are so many things that can be done in a lake. We can also use this lake to beautify the city,” she explains. In 2007, solar street lights were installed by Kampala City Council under Mayor Nasser Ntege Ssebagala. But these failed after a few months. For long, it was dangerous to move along any street in Kampala for fear of being robbed. Apart from beautifying the city, the lights also help to prevent crime. However, the city’s life was brought back last November when Ms Musisi commissioned 2,180 lights for Kampala’s streets. Although a few streets have not yet had the lighting, Ms Karooma says plans are underway to have every street sparkle in the night. For some primary schools, touring and getting to know one’s country means passing via the independence monument on Speke Road. Why? Because it tells of a history of the country. Below that monument is a large sculpture of Sir Kabaka Edward Muteesa II with scribbling telling of who he is; the King of Buganda and the first President of Uganda. But that monument is guarded jealously that no idlers are allowed there without permission. Ms Karooma says art does not have to tell a history of the community only but it can also tell a story of the people that are living. It could be an activity that community engages into. Or it could be an art that educates people. She insists more historical and cultural displays will also be encouraged to tell the story of the country.“Art is to celebrate Uganda,” Ms Karooma says. somurungi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/-/690266/1081406/-/lpye0c/-/index.html","content":"2010 IN REVIEW: Clubs share honours, Rugby Cranes decline - Kampala A fainthearted pundit could have equated MTN Heathens’ dominance of local rugby to an unwelcome habit. So dominant was the Kyadondo RFC-based giant in 2009 that it was easier to forget about challenging them. One of Uganda’s two most successful clubs had swept the local calendar, winning the Nile Special Premier League, Uganda Cup, National 7s circuit and the inaugural Super Cup. Their fears and envy were not too far off as Heathens retained the core of the winning team. Michael Wokorach, Benon Kiiza, Arthur Mukama and Jude Keremundu were only getting better under coach Peter Magona - also a former Heathens and Rugby Cranes captain. “This is the best blend of players I have seen over the years in terms of youth, seniority and talent,” Magona often said. The result was cruising to the league title, losing only once in the process to utl Kobs. Magona moved on giving way for Brian Tabaruka. This provoked others into fighting from then on. Unpredictably, Makerere University Impis led the way in knocking Heathens off their perch. Not long after ending a near-eternal partnership with Hima Cement, Impis cruised to the National 7s circuit which was sponsored by the former backers of the university side. Rejuvenated ImpisMarlon Ondiegi, Juma Hillary, Romano Ogwal and Rodney Turyatemba led Impis brilliantly as they won in Entebbe and the home leg at the ‘graveyard’ before finishing as runners-up in the Kitaka Memorial 7s at Kampala RFC and Namboole. The latter two showcased a bright future for the local game. Toyota Buffaloes triumphed against the odds in the penultimate event much to the delight of the huge crowd that ran onto the pitch to join captain Jasper Ochan as he converted the final try to defeat Impis. It was bound to get better with rugby breaking new ground in taking the game to Mandela National Stadium, Namboole. Kobs crowned the 7s season with another Allan Musoke-inspired victory. “It’s always been our target to take the game to a wider mass other than the elite and in doing so, we become the first country in Africa to host rugby in a dominantly football stadium,” William Blick, the Uganda Rugby Union (URU) chairman, said. Adding; “more is yet to come because we want to take the game to Nakivubo stadium in the heart of the city soon.” The 7s were gone and Kobs were quick to continue their late season renaissance by defeating Heathens 14-10 in the Uganda Cup held at Dam Waters ground, Jinja. Much of the success earned by Uganda’s most illustrious club came through the growth of sensational winger Lawrence Wakabi plus the return of senior players in Richard Lumu, Tony Luggya and Adrian Bukenya. Still promisingOn the other hand, G4S Pirates remained a club with great promise even after they snatched Hillary, Kenyan Ondiegi, Turyatemba and re-signed Mpuga ‘wiggie’ Rugumayo from Impis. Joel Kimuli headed for Heathens leaving Pirates needing answers at fly-half which they never found in time to break their three-year trophy drought. Many could have forgotten the fact that Pirates started the season with a South African coach Andre Barnard who returned to his home country during the season in a manner yet to be properly explained. The Kampala RFC-based team slid to almost falling into the same boat as Entebbe Mongers. The latter have made significant strides in recent years in a bid to end the stranglehold of the ‘big three’ to no avail. This time, Mongers managed to defeat Kobs at Kampala and run close to Heathens and Pirates in narrow losses. Ambrose Kakuru, Andrew Olweny, Adrian Wasswa, got maiden calls to the Rugby Cranes to cement Mongers’ rise under coach Sam Nikoma. All this was happening on the backdrop of the national team’s worst display in years. Dismal CranesHome and away losses to neighbours Kenya failed to mask an unconvincing victory over Zimbabwe in the expanded Victoria/Elgon Cup. Kenyan coach Ham Onsando barely improved anything when it came to the 2007 African champions envisaged in the loss of form of last years’ best player Scot Oluoch. Bomb blasts at Kyadondo brought a premature end as Uganda couldn’t travel to Harare in order to protect players mentally. 1 | 2 Next Page»The efforts of Kiiza at fly-half and fullback were almost unnoticed. It all culminated into Onsando losing his job following an abysmal four-month stint that took rugby eight years backwards into the second tier of the Confederation of Africa (CAR) Cup. Uganda last played in this division in 2002 but the decline in the International Rugby Board (IRB) rankings made it inevitable with Kenya, Namibia, Tunisia and Morocco being the four nations in the first tier. Rugby Cranes will now have to contend with Ivory Coast, Zimbabwe and Madagascar next year. Perhaps, they were only picking a page from the national 7s team. Little impressionCoach John Musoke’s team barely made an impression at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India. An exit in the Bowl semifinals remains the only positive for a side that lacked adequate preparations beyond the annual Kenya Safari 7s where they reached the Main Cup quarterfinals for the first time in four years. Actually, Delhi is mainly referred to in remembering the expulsion of Lenny Kikonyogo from the team following his refusal to train and eventual ban by URU upon returning. To crown a horrendous year that left Uganda with only two victories in the past 24 months, Kenya’s Mwamba came to town to seal the deal by winning the Makerere 10s tournament. They routed Kobs 38-7 like a knife cutting through butter to silence the optimistic crowd at the ‘graveyard’. Clubs structures remain strong even though Rugby Cranes have developed a sinking feeling that must be arrested soon. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/981076/-/9x0kpkz/-/index.html","content":"The UPDF cannot kill civilians - We wish to state categorically that we never killed civilians in Lokitelangilam, Rengen Sub-county, as the front page headline of the Daily Monitor of August 18 said. We did say that our investigations proved that 10 people were killed during exchange of fire. Note that exchange of fire is not the same as crossfire, as the writer seems to have misconstrued. The UPDF is a conscious, well trained, disciplined people’s force that is admired both locally and internationally for its record of service both at home and abroad. Attempts by politicians who have failed to deliver to their electorate, maligning our long cherished and dearly earned reputation are anti-people, backward and reactionary. Pokot MP Francis Kiyonga is in the news again, for bluntly lying that forces under Lt. Col. Muhoozi Kainerugaba “killed a dozen innocent Pokot people” in Kosiroi and Loroo in Amudat District. It is imperative to note that dragging Col. Muhoozi’s name and subsequently the name of the President, has cheap political motives intended to malign the commander-in- chief’s name in a region that is a heartland of his support. We say again because the last time we checked, [Kiyonga] had paraded to Parliament and the media, a Kenyan Pokot elder, one Aramtori, claiming he is a Ugandan from Katikekile Sub-county in Moroto. Aramtori staged a hunger strike at Parliament until the North Pokot District Commissioner in Kenya, Mr Joseph Mutari, confirmed that Aramtori was a Kenyan citizen from Lokitanyala Village in Alale Division in Kenya. Kiyonga was also in the news in September 2006, when his name came up among those decampaigning the disarmament process. Women were handing in their husbands’ illegal guns, searching for communal solutions to the problems that arose from cattle rustling; Kiyonga thought it wise that they keep the guns. And so he re-directed his energies to convincing his people to keep the guns. It was a convenient lapse that one gun in the hands of the warriors was, in simple arithmetic, many steps backward in developing Karamoja. He was in the news again when in 2008, he was literally made to apologise to the regional council (where all MPs of the region and district leaders were present) for his negative stance towards disarmament. In February 2010, he was forced to apologise before the Nakapiripirit and Moroto District security committees for inciting violence after openly telling the Pokots to raid Moroto. It is not surprising that Lt. Col. Muhoozi is the victim of the MP’s latest engagement with the press and Parliament. Do you notice that we are not at fault to question his motive this time around? There are good things happening in Karamoja. Let us stop for once to think about the resources being diverted to Karamoja; what they could do in terms of social services, infrastructure and development in the rest of the country. Let us stop for once to imagine if we put politics aside, what today, the Office of the Prime Minister is working with communities to create sustainable efforts for feed production. Today, over 2,000 acres of land have been opened to increase food security. If Kiyonga commended the efforts of the communities and worked with them, not against them, then we would move one more step in the right direction. I remember my last visit among the many to Karamoja, where I met an 11-year-old Primary Six pupil from Kalas Boys Primary School, Hussein Hashim, from the Pokot Community- Amudat, bordering Kenya. Hussein admitted what the MP has failed to do: that cattle rustling is not just backward, but diverts resources. Now that the government has embarked on the implementation plan for electricity and roads with the prevailing relative peace, law and order, the Karimojong leadership should guide their people to support these services. It is easy to understand why Lt. Col. Muhoozi’s name would attract headlines, but is it worth the energy or does the legislator feel victorious in all this? Obviously, I cannot make any claims that I know the people in Karamoja more than their leaders, but what I am aware of is that the residents are working almost twice as hard to reverse the conditions that have in the past worked against them. And they are supporting the UPDF, Anti-Stock Unit and other agencies. (I don’t need to mention the beauty and elegance of their women and everything else about the men). Kiyonga should thus be his area’s best ambassador to break prejudices that exist. Some Ugandans still think “we cannot wait for Karamoja to develop”, and the good MP is not making any amends to reverse that falsehood. To date, the government has started on the project of providing a dam at every parish level and digging up more boreholes. The government has initiated massive pilot project to create a man-made lake estimated to have a stretch of 1.8kms, to tap water as a constant source for food production and for animal stock. Several projects like the ones in Longolomit in Kaabong, Kobebe and Arechek in Moroto as well as Kawomel dam in Abim are part of the process to increase water storage, while wind-milled and solar-powered boreholes are based livestock watering systems in Karamoja that are under implementation. 1 | 2 Next Page»Obviously, disarmament is still a challenge, but to insinuate that the special forces group was on a killing rampage is to betray the good will that exists between the local population and the army, and more so, to portray the UPDF in the MP Kiyonga’s rag tag UPC army. That, of course, does not mean the UPDF has been perfect in the disarmament exercise. Lt. Col. Kulayigye is the UPDF spokesman « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Travel/-/691238/827618/-/oyt05z/-/index.html","content":"Where to have fun this festive season - Here’s a guide to the the places where one can enjoy the festive season with family, writes Edgar R. Batte KAMPALAPlace:Lake Victoria Serena Resort Location: 10kms off Entebbe Road on Lweza-Kigo Road, on the shores of Lake Victoria.Main highlights: Check out this newly opened resort that’s surrounded by the Lweza hills and offers an ideal place to unwind and escape the stresses of city life this festive season. A new addition to the Serena hotels , they will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the festive season starting on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day, there will be a family buffet menu, party favours, music by an in-house band, Santa Claus and children’s activities like face painting, ballooning, a bouncing castle and water polo. Prices: Breakfast on Christmas will cost Shs40,000 for adults and Shs25,000 for children (five-12 years). Lunch and dinner will go for Shs70,000 for adults and Shs40,000 for children. Reservations: You can call 0414 7121 000 Place: Pyramids Restaurant Location: Plot 7A Yusuf Lule Road, formerly Kitante Road, opposite the Golf Course in Kampala.Main highlights: Go experience elegance at The Pyramids where an exciting array of Afro-European fusion cuisine of a three-course Christmas Special Dinner Menu will be served. There will be a choice of two starters, three main courses and two desserts served with a bottle of wine starting at 7p.m. It is advisble to make reservations. Call 0414-234840/20 or 0414-235082Prices: All this will be charged at Shs145, 000 per couple. Place:Kampala Sheraton HotelLocation: Ternan Avenue- within walking distance from Kampala city centre. There is parking space for those using private means of transport.Main highlights: The five star hotel will be serving a traditional feast, complete with all the family favourites including seafood cocktailed with brandied thousand island dressing, an arrangement of cold cuts, choice of two soups, honey- glazed ham, roasted turkey, grilled Nile perch and Christmas pudding with crème Anglaise.The Paradise Grill and Terrace will be decorated and themed to match the festivity. There will also be Christmas carols from the resident pianist, a special appearance by Christ the King Church Choir and Santa with presents for the little ones. These will be followed by perfomance by the resident band. Prices: Christmas Day lunch will go for Shs95,000 per adult and Shs47,500 per child. Place: Ekitoobero Restaurant and BarLocation: Plot 40, Nakasero Road, opposite the Kenyan High CommissionMain highlights: Catch delicious Ugandan authentic cuisines including chicken luwombo, groundnut/smoked fish luwombo, tilapia and catfish (fresh semutundu). These will be accompanied by a variety of foods; matooke, yams, sweet potatoes, rice, chapatti, posho and cassava among others. The festive options will cover a variety of fresh Ugandan vegetables and patrons will be free to pick an after-meal assortment of fruits like pineapples, pawpaw, sweet bananas, mangoes, etc all organic and freshly picked from the garden. The food can be washed down by a glass of fresh banana or passion fruit juice. Prices: Shs 20,000 for adults and Shs 15,000 Place: Café BalletLocation: Nakasero Road Main highlights: There will be a late Christmas buffet served for family, with a bouncing castle and face painting for the little ones. Prices: Adults will part Shs28,000 and Shs18,000 for childrenReservations: You can call 0414266319/0772483156/0772903767 Place:Imperial Royale HotelLocation: Plot 7, Kintu RoadMain highlights: It will be a traditionally set Christmas family barbeque luncheon with lots of fun and food options, spiced up with a lively performance by the Bantus band, from noon till 4p.m Prices: Adults will part with Shs50,000 while children will pay Shs25,000. Place: Forest CottagesLocation: Plot 17/18, Naguru Hill, Old Kiira Road- Bukoto, KampalaMain highlights: It is not exactly a forest but has a forest environment that explains its unique setting and serenity. There will be a Christmas a’ la Carte lunch in the gardens where guests will be able to enjoy food with beautiful African forest environment. Prices: Meal prices will range from Shs15,000 to Shs25,000. Their accommodation options include deluxe single rooms that go for $60 (Shs115,200), Deluxe Double Room at $ 68 (Shs130,560), one Bedroom Cottage at $85 (Shs163,200), two Bedroom Cottage - $105, among others. JINJAPlace: Safari Inn- Jinja Location: Nalufenya Road Jinja, a few metres from the roundabout- opposite Cool Breeze HotelMain highlights: The Children’s Christmas Party that takes place on Boxing Day. There will be music, children’s games and Christmas gifts. You might consider an out of town experience here. Prices: Lunch buffet is available at Shs10,000 but it is free entrance. Gates open at midday till 6p.m. There is accommodation; singles go for Shs30,000, doubles at Shs55,000, twin rooms at Shs55,000 and family rooms at Shs75,000. Reservations: You can contact 0772 400955 or 0782 816741. Place: The Haven Location: It is about 20km Northwest of Jinja Town on the west bank of the River Nile. Turn off to the road opposite Nile Breweries and sign posts will guide you to the hideoutMain highlights: This will be a good out-of-town option, for a serene and deserving break for the Christmas holiday. The river lodge that overlooks the river Nile is a great hideout that provides a camping experience, forest walks, fishing, bird watching or simply sailing around the river at sundown.Prices: You could go for a mid-range banda (single) for $60 (Shs115,200), or the luxury bandas for $90 (Shs172,800) per person or family bandas for $90 per adult and $30 (Shs57,600) per child – full board. Making reservations would be a good idea. Place: Nile Horseback SafarisLocation: Approximately four kilometres along Kayunga road through Naminya Trading Centre before crossing the Owen Falls dam. Main highlights: Go enjoy horse riding as you get up close the river and check out the fantastic scene from the hills. Nile Horseback Safaris is open over the Christmas and New Year Period, shut only on Christmas Day and will be offering horse riding along the White Nile, on the Kayunga Road. Riders do not need to have any experience. Children from six years of age can participate. Prices: For a two-hour ride, which is the minimum, you’ll pay Shs90,000 per person and for three hours- Shs130,000.Reservations:You can call 0774 101 196 or 07702 101 196. Place: Gately on the Nile Location: Kisinja Road, Jinja, on the shores of Lake Victoria- past the Sailing Club opposite the pier.Main highlights: You could choose to spend the festive season at this uniquely renovated grand colonial guest house situated on the shores of Lake Victoria in Jinja. There will be a special Christmas brunch.Prices: Lunch will be available at Shs50,000 per person excluding drinks. Singles go for $110 (Shs211,200) and $170 (Shs326,400) for doubles. Reservations:You can call 043-122-400. MBARARALocation:Mbarara townMain highlights: Arch Rwizi Hotel has made this a discount Christmas. There will be a special Christmas buffet served, in their popular Rwizi Valley. And later on in the evening, there will be music and movies entertainment. Prices: Christmas buffet will go for Shs13,000 and accommodation will be available at Shs64,000 for single occupancy, double occupancy for Shs85,000 and Shs40,000 for the twin per personReservations: Call the motel on 0752648980. Place: Sisiyi Falls Camp and Resort 1 | 2 Next Page»Location: 19km along Sironko-Moroto Road Main highlight: A cultural Christmas with local music, traditional foods and local attires, bird watching, nature walks, swimming in a natural pool and rock and mountain climbing. Catch the Bugisu traditional chicken, Malewa, Goobe with traditional mashed among other food varieties.Prices: Customers will spend between Ushs10,000 to 20,000 for Christmas and the New Year Place: Mbale Resort HotelLocation: Mbale TownMain highlights: There will be local and international buffets. Father Anthony Musaala is expected be the main performer. There will also be in-house entertainment by a local deejay and a visiting music groups.Prices: The lunch treat will go for Shs30,000Reservations: You can call 0782-787 333. The Haven about 20km Northwest of Jinja Town provides a serene setting, good for a Christmas break. PHOTO BY EDGAR R. BATTE « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/828098/-/wg6qfe/-/index.html","content":"DRAFT FOUR: The National Land Policy - Send your comments to dennisfo@mlhud.go.ug EXECUTIVE SUMMARY   This is Draft 4 of the National Land Policy, issued in September 2009. It consolidates and synchronizes views and opinions received on Draft 3, issued in 2007.  Draft 3 was subjected to comprehensive and participatory countrywide stakeholder consultations through ten (10) Regional Consultative Workshops, which covered all the districts of Uganda, and several Special Interest Groups Consultative Workshops and other consultative exchanges. Draft 4 is a combined outcome of all consultations which have taken place, on the National Land Policy, to date. Additionally, views expressed in written memoranda and other submissions received from the public in general, and specific special interest groups (in particular) have been incorporated.   Land is a highly volatile and political issue. In Uganda, land continues to be a critical factor, as it is the most essential pillar of human existence and national development.  Uganda has never had a clearly defined and / or consolidated National Land Policy since the advent of colonialism in the nineteenth century.  This policy, therefore, seeks to consolidate a number of scattered policies, which do exist on various aspects of the land question, but are diverse, sectoral and inconclusive in many respects. Additionally, efforts have been made to offer politically and socially acceptable and technically feasible solutions to Uganda’s land question, which has defied legislative norms over the years.   The land question in Uganda has origins in the legacy of colonialism, wherein historical injustices deprived communities of their ancestral lands. The result is legal dualism in the property system, a multiplicity of tenure regimes, multiple rights and interests overlapping in the same piece of land, and a heritage of evictions, arbitrary dispossession, land disputes and conflicts. The phenomenon of land disputes and conflicts have broken across national boundaries, spread to tribal and ethnic groupings, and merged with contemporary phenomena such as the discovery of extensive deposits of mineral wealth to generate overwhelming uncertainties in land rights resulting in tenure insecurity.  In addition, land rights of vulnerable groups and land resource-dependent communities are either inadequately protected or poorly enforced. As if to aggregate the situation, land dispute resolution mechanisms have broken down and land justice has become a nightmare to many to land holders.   In the current era, Uganda has to face the challenges of a rapidly growing population by devising means to relieve pressure and competition over scarce land resources. Such an objective would not be elusive to attain if land management was premised on a policy paradigm emphasizing sustainable and productive land use and development. However, no such policy direction is in place.  Thus, land resources have been chronically under-utilized and inefficiently managed. In the past, the Government has demonstrated continued and selective arbitrariness, inefficiency, and lack of transparency in the exercise of trustee powers over public land, government land, and public trust natural resources. Lastly, land administration is bedeviled by corruption, is inadequately resourced, and is performing very poorly in service delivery. As performance standards are eroded, the public is slowly losing confidence in the entire land administration system, which is increasingly becoming moribund and dysfunctional. The entire land sector is, therefore, in dire need of urgent reforms.   To address these problems, the Government embarked on the process of formulation of a National Land Policy, through a widely consultative process.  The vision of the policy is: “A reformed land sector contributing to the transformation of Uganda from a subsistence – agrarian economy to a modern economy within 30 years”. The goal of the policy is to: “ensure the sustainable utilization and management of Uganda’s land resources for wealth creation, poverty reduction and overall socio-economic development”.   Policy proposals in this draft of the National Land Policy, among other things, seek to re-orient the land sector in national development by articulating, management co-ordination between the land sector and other productive sectors to enhance the contribution of the sector to social and economic development of the country. The policy proposes a bifocal emphasis on ownership of land and land use for orderly land development. It stipulates incentives for sustainable and productive use, as well as fiscal measures to achieve the land management and land development objectives.   1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 75 | 76 | 77 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 81 | 82 | 83 | 84 | 85 | 86 | 87 | 88 | 89 | 90 | 91 | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/-/688324/793252/-/bpum7p/-/index.html","content":"Museveni admitted electoral offences, says Besigye lawyer - VERBATIM FROM 23/03/06 IT’S day two at the Supreme Court in Mengo where hearing of the presidential election petition filed by former presidential candidate, Kizza Besigye challenging among others the declaration of Yoweri Museveni as president elect, is being heard. All seven judges of the court, led by the Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki, are hearing the petition. Others on the panel are; Arthur Oder, John William Tsekooko, Alfred N. Karokora, Joseph Mulenga, George William Kanyeihamba and Bart Katureebe. Dr Besigye is the petitioner, the Electoral Commission is the First Respondent while Mr Museveni is the Second Respondent. SIRAJE K. LUBWAMA, LYDIA MUKISA, EMMANUEL MULONDO, SOLOMON MUYITA AND HUSSEIN BOGERE recorded the proceedings. 9:41 judges led by Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki enter court. Mr Wandera Ogalo leads the Besigye’s legal team, the Electoral Commission team is led by the Solicitor General, Mr Lucien Tibaruha and Museveni’s team is led by Dr Joseph Byamugisha. Besigye has added lawyer Kavuma Kabenge on his team. Byamugisha: Yesterday we prepared the affidavits but we were unable to respond to 14 affidavits, which we have put on record. We did not get the witnesses as you can see they come from Rukungiri, Masaka, Mbarara , Nebbi, Sembabule, Pallisa, Yumbe except one in Kampala. So we could not respond to them. Odoki: Do you have any chance of filing them? Byamugisha: If you give us more time like two days, we can respond. They (affidavits) are not very important but we thought we could respond. Odoki: Do you intend to trace them? Byamugisha: If you gave us today and tomorrow we could be able to respond otherwise they can be expunged from the record. Odoki: Let us see what other side have to say. Ogalo: I did not understand my learned friend right. Did he mean expunging our affidavits from the record? Odoki: Yes, he meant the affidavits. You can respond to both. Ogalo: It could be unfair to expunge our evidence from the record just because he failed to reply to them. Odoki: What is fair? Ogalo: it could be fair to keep give them one day. Karokora: (Waving a copy of the affidavit) Whose affidavit is this? Byamugisha: Edith Byanyima. We need to get someone from Mbarara to respond to it. Kanyeihamba: To each of the 14 affidavits, you need to go there? Byamugisha: We don’t go there, we summon them here as we have been doing. Odoki: Can we give you up to tomorrow morning? Byamugisha: Tomorrow noon. Odoki: Fine, are these 14 affidavits in reply or rejoinder? Byamugisha: In reply. That is all from my side. Odoki: Now court management - I would like to advise you on how we shall proceed. Yesterday we spent a lot of time on preliminary objections. How much time do you need so that we have some idea on how to proceed? Ogalo: Two days as we had indicated and one day for reply. Odoki: What about other parties? Tibaruha: Depending on the presentation of submission, may be the first respondent will need one or one and a half days. Odoki: Dr Byamugisha you also need the same time? Byamugisha: The same time. Odoki: That means today and tomorrow for the petitioner and Saturday for first respondent starts. Ogalo: Mr matovu will now argue issue No. 4. Odoki: What do you have down as issue No. 4? Matovu: it is whether the illegal practices and other offences mentioned in the petition were committed by the second respondent or his agents with his knowledge, approval or consent. We wish to start with a short background. The petitioner rtd Col. Kizza Besigye was a candidate in the elections held on 23rd February 2006 in which these four candidates, Abed Bwanika, Obote Kalule Miria, Ssebaana John Kizito and Yoweri Kaguta Museveni the second respondent participated. The Electoral Commission, the first respondent declared the second respondent winner with 4,780,911 votes which represented 59.28 percent of the results that were received by the first respondent on the date of announcement 25th of February 2006. The petitioner obtained 2, 570,603 votes which represents 37.36 percent of total votes received by the EC by the time of the announcement on the 25th of February 2006. Kanyeihamba: Is 37 percent of the total votes cast or votes received by the first respondent(EC)? Matovu: Of the total received by the Commission not the total votes cast. The petition was aggrieved by the declaration of the second respondent and has now filed the petition under Article 104 (1) of the Constitution and Section 59 (1) of the presidential Elections Act 2005. The petitioner raises fundamental issues about the respondents and major issues: One, the validity of the declaration of results itself; Two, the irregularities during the elections contrary to the Constitution and the Presidential Elections Act; Three, illegal practices or offences made either by the second respondent personally or by his agents with his knowledge, approval or consent. In our submission we want you to note as we argue this petition that unlike the past elections between 1996 and 2001, this one was held under the multiparty political system. It is important as we will argue later, issues of agency in terms of illegal practice and agents because the candidate was sponsored by parties - they took benefit or advantage of the petition. I will submit that they (candidates) take the blame of the agents. Issue No 4. Before I get to the issue I want to say something about the burden of proof . I am looking at provisions of Section 59 (6) of the Presidential Elections Act. This court, while considering election petition of 2001, the judgement of the learned Chief Justice as he then was and as he is now, at page 32, the Chief Justice stated thus (reads), ‘The standard of proof is above the balance of probability but not beyond reasonable doubt. In our view, the balance of proof still lies with the petitioner to the satisfaction of court.’ Having said that, I now turn to issue No. 4, that is to say, whether the illegal practices or offences were committed by the second respondent personally or with his knowledge, consent or approval. Our submission is that the Presidential Elections Act has various categories of offences, which are intended to keep the candidates who are campainning limited to the issues which would enhance their chances of succeeding in the elections for example discussing their manifestoes. During the Movement Political System some of the offences were geared towards ensuring the sectarian tendencies are eliminated from campaigns. You find that some of the offences are still coming up even after the change of the political system. An example is Section 24 (5) (b) of the Presidential Elections Act which outlaws sectarian statements or innuendos. Then the other category of offences are ordinary offences, to ensure the public is safe, they are not incited and to maintain discipline among the candidates. All those fall in two broad categories. One, offences with no strict liability like those laid in the petition contrary to Section 24 (5) (b) to (g). Those offences, which are listed in, paragraph 11 of the petition or offences of strict liability. So if an allegation has been made by the petitioner that a successful candidate made mudslinging or insulting statements at a rally he has made an allegation. What the respondent does is not to admit or to justify the statement made. To deny so would amount to admission which is automatic conviction. Why do I say this? I am looking at section 24 (5) (b) for instance (reads). ‘For as long as the petitioner proves that while campaigning, the candidate made a statement contrary to Section 24 (5) the second respondent cannot say ‘I said it because I was replying to what he said’. The intent is not necessary. The moment he admits the statement, he is guilty. Mulenga: Guilty or liable? Matovu: Liable my lord, thank you. In this category, the petitioner needs... Odoki: Did you finish the aspect of law? Do you have any authority? Matovu: Yes, the Section (24) is an authority itself. Odoki: What supplementary legal authority do you have? But you can go to the next part. Matovu: I will present them (authorities. Reads out section 24 (5) (a)). And also very similar to the statement which was made in the elections of 2001 alleging reasonable knowledge of an element of sickness of a candidate. And the respondent there succeeded because of having known the petitioner for sometime and that because he was aware that the disease existed. Justification of a statement can be presented as a defense, which is not the case now. In para 11 of the petition, the petitioner contends that the second respondent personally committed illegal offences while campaigning - he used words which were malicious, sectarian, abusive and insulting, derogatory statements against the petitioner, FDC (Forum for Democratic Change) and other candidates. He made mudslinging words - these are allegations of strict liability and we want to prove that they were committed in the meaning of the section. Looking at paragraph 8 of the respondent’s reply (reads): ‘During the campaign period I personally read and heard from the media and my supporters that the thrust of the petitioner and his party’s campaign was based on the “agende�[let him go] slogan meaning that “ I must be removed from the presidency� and the reasons they were giving included the falsehoods, namely; Universal Primary Education (UPE) popularly known as “Bonna Bakone� in Luganda meaning: “let them be stunted� and “Boona Beinare� in Runyankole/ Rukiga meaning “let them be doomed�; Universal Secondary Education (USE) would also fail like UPE; I had sold Lake Victoria to foreigners; Uganda Revenue Authority was full of my relatives; I was keeping people in IDP camps because I had sold off their land to foreigners, their land in Acholi, Lango and Teso; all the fish are being eaten by me, members of my family and village while the people had been left to eat “migongo wazi� meaning fish skeletons; I was responsible for the death of the late Francis Ayume, the late James Wapakhabulo; If I were elected president, Uganda would be plunged into chaos and war, and I had to counter these falsehoods and misleading statements during my campaign’. First my submission without analysing that statement on the face of it is it is an admission. Odoki: You have to analyze first. Katureebe: What has been admitted so far? Matovu: Accoridng to him (Museveni) those statements were made by FDC supporters and he heard them. He says he had to reply to them. He says he had to make clear the smear campaign made against him thus he goes on to say in paragraph 13 ( reads): ‘The problem of electricity tariffs; that problem was created by FDC when they were still controlling parliament...’ To start with, the manner in which he (Museveni) is explaining is like admitting. He was very generous, he volunteered more information against his case. The second respondent made a statement regarding the cause of failure to construct an extra dam. Instead of denying making a statement, he said he made the statement because he was answering the allegation. The petitioner does not talk about the failure to build the dam. There was no reason defending himself against a statement not made. The statement first of all is false. It is false that the FDC was controlling parliament before. At the time, parliament was considering construction of an extra dam, there were no parties. The statement is not only false but defamatory. Odoki: Defamatory of who? Matovu: The petitioner and the known members of FDC. It is also derogatory. I don’t think he is giving them in good faith. Remember he is talking at a campaign rally where most of the citizens is the countryside are very illiterate despite UPE. I want to go to paragraph 15. Odoki: Let’s adjourn for 30 minutes. (Court re-convenes at 11:36 am). Matovu: I want to look at the offence... (Odoki realises that Matovu has not put on his rob). Odoki: Do you want to be seen by the court? Matovu: I apologise my lord. (puts on the rob). I want to turn to the offence under section 24 (b) - malicious statements (reads). We submit that the second respondent made malicious statements while campaigning (passes to the judges photocopies of an Oxford dictionary where the word malice is defined). My understanding with this are words made without justification or excuse. Now paragraphs 12, 13, 15, 17, 18, and 19 of the petitioner’s affidavit in support of the petition, he makes allegations against the second respondent which he made at various rallies. In paragraph 12, he makes an allegation about the hydro electric dam. The second respondent made an allegation that the petitioner was working in alliance with LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army a rebel army led by Joseph Kony), a terrorist organisation. In paragraph 13, the second respondent states that the petitioner called opposition politicians to have entered an alliance with a rebel group. And in paragragh 16 and 17 the second respondent says the petitioner is a rebel, he works with a terrorist organisation. The second respondent has respondended to these allegations in paragraphs 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 25 and 26. Kanyeihamba: And your submission is that the second respondent did not refute the allegations? Matovu: Our submission is that the respondent’s reply in the paragraphs I have mentioned, are admissions. To start with, paragraph 13 talks about the Bujagali dam. It says the problem of electricity tarrifs is FDCs - I have demonstrated that this is a false and malicious statement. Now paragraph 15 of the second respondent’s affidavit he purports to be replying to contents of paragraph 13. This is an allegation of mental sickness where he (Museveni) alleges that the members of the opposition are mentally sick. First of all, that this (Museveni’s) statement (mentioning the death of Ayume, Wapakhabulo and Toko) was not provoked, there was no need of making it. Mulenga: He (Museveni) said (on rallies) that these are liers who came here to tell lies. Is he mentioning any particular persons? Matovu: he is referring to opposition leaders. He would have said ‘I never said anything to the petitioner or opposition leaders’, but he was so generous. Mulenga: he didn’t say ‘I called opposition leaders liers’. He said ‘there are some people who come here and tell you lies’. Matovu: paragraph 17 of the second respondent’s affidavit is another malicious statement made by the second respondent (reads). That is another very malicious statement. It is alleging that the petitioner has committed a crime of tresaon and he is making this during a campaign on mega FM which covers Gulu town where people of Gulu town and Northern Uganda have been killed by Kony and attacks of other terrorists of that group. So my lord, I know that he has brought affidavits of Brig. Sam Kolo and another of Brig. Kenneth Banya, who allegedly worked with Kony. Now, first we state that the answer itself on the face of it, the offence is complete if it is admitted because this is an offence of limited liability. In paragraph 17 of the second respondent’s affidavit, he (Museveni) is confirming, and when he contests, it is made worse. Mulenga: I have not heard an opportunity to read those(affidavits) of Banya and Kolo. Matovu: They are found in volume 5 of the second respondent. The problem in these two affidavits is that it is all hearsay and have no evidential value. He (Kolo) is saying how he met James Opoka (RIP) who the second respondent says he was seconded by the petitioner. Its only value is only for prosecution purposes if it is true that Opoka was killed, it does not assist the second respondent’s evidence. The eveidence of Banya is even worse. Kanyeihamba: How are the two affidavits committed? Matovu: They are justification of the second respondent. Kanyeihamba: Are they committed with the malicious statement of the second respondent? Matovu: They are of no value. I want to go to paragraph 19 (reads). The petitioner has made a reply to this allegation. My understanding is that the scattered millet (seeds) is FDC and the main heap is the NRM. That statement is not only malicious but derogatory. It is also defamatory and abusive contrary to Section 24 (5) (d). Mulenga: Is that all? Matovu: Those I have stated so far. To allege that somebody is a rebel is defamatory, abusive, derisive and malicious. And above all, the statements are false contrary to Section 24 (a) Byamugisha: Section 24 (a) was not pleaded by the petitioner. Matovu: We pleaded all electoral offences. We specified some of them. We indicated in our affidavits in support of the petition that we shall show that electoral offences were committed. We made a general statement for example the issue of Bujagali. Katureebe: where is the pleading? Matovu: That is para 8 of the petition. We made a general allegation, we listed some of them. We had this in our mind. Katureebe: Don’t talk about those you had in mind. Matovu: The evidence is already on record. Kanyeihamba: My understanding is ‘malicious’ means it was false. You gave us a dictionary which defined malice. If something is not true, it is false? Matovu: Yes but I would rather make a specific oral application to make an amendment in effect of paragraph 8 of the petition - making false statement contrary to section 24 (5) (a). Odoki: Which paragraph are you amending? Matovu: Paragraph 11 (a). It shoud read: “If one candidate made false statements knowing them to be false or made recklessly contrary to Section 24 (5) (a)...� Byamugisha: We object to the amendment in the way it is proposed. It is part of the second respondent’s case and this was going to be our defence that since it was not pleaded on, there couldn’t be mudslinging, defamatory, abusive and so on. That was a signinficant defect in the petition which was going to relieve the second respondent of many offences of committing election offences - this defence is in our pocket and we don’t wish it to be taken away. The second Respondent did not answer on the question of falsity of the statements. He can’t do so at this stage. These are two good reasons that an amendment at this stage could be prejudicial and such amendment which course prejudicial should not be allowed. The law says the petition should be filed within 10 days from holding of licence. And within 10 days, the grounds must be set out. The proposed amendment is time barred - that is a very strong ground for refusing a proposed amendment. Tsekooko: Does the rules allow court to permit a party to amend even if the days are expired? Byamugisha: It brings a cause of action, it wouldn’t be allowed (reads rule). The time for the framing proceedings is 10 days. My submission is that court should not amend a Constitution to bring in a new cause of action. Kanyeihamba: What is the cause of amending? Byamugisha: Amending to introduce a new ground is not allowed. Even if it has, justice does not allow because it is a defence we had since we received the petition. Mulenga: Is it because the respondent would not have an opportunity to respond? What is the prejudice? Byamugisha: We relied on our grounds that the statement were not false because Section 24 (5) (a) was not pleaded. It was going to be our complete defence to those accusations. Responding to them, it wouldn’t arise. So, we would have to go and draw a different answer to the petition - different affidavits. Matovu: I just want to say one thing with all due respect, we’re not applying to create a new ground. The grounds are electoral offences were committed. This is just specifying the ground which is pleaded to in para 8. There is actually no prejudice as my learned friend submits. Clearly Section 24 (5) (a) the requirement of ingrediant of knowing is only for (a). The second respondent’s affidavit has no connention with (a). This is minor. Odoki: You can abandon it. Matovu: If there is no prejudice on the other side as we have demonstrated, then it can be allowed. We have to prove that his client made the statement recklessly. Mulenga: The burden is to prove knowledge. Matovu: I am applying to make the amendment. Odoki: Why was it not put there in the first instance? Matovu: We had 10 days to present it, it is crash programme. Tsekooko: why did you have to jump subsection(a)? Matovu: It was an oversight. We would have naturally started with it. The affidavit of Salaam Musumba talks about the pleading. Odoki: The affidavit is supposed to support what you pleaded. We shall consider your application in good faith. (Consults): We’re reserving the ruling until after lunch, you can continue up to 1:00 pm. Matovu: should I submit as if I am allowed? Odoki: You can submit on other issues. Matovu: The statements which were made by the second Respondent don’t only fall in one category. In para 22 the second respondent states: (reads the paragraph in which Besigye is alleged to be connected to a rebel group, says the statement is abusive). Kanyeihamba: How is it abusive if I say someone is connected to a rebel group? Matovu: This is a person standing for presidency of Uganda and you allege that he is connected to a rebellion, if that is not abusive then what is it? Kanyeihamba: It is malicious. Matovu: (Reads defination of abuse) If you say a person standing for a presidency is a rebel, you reduce him and it is an abuse. Odoki: You still have these descriptive words to demonstrate your point. Is one description not enough? Matovu: They are all in one section. They are not my words. Odoki: I thought you could plead your point with one. Matovu: Much obliged. Then the same paragraph makes another allegation. It says Besigye is an opportunist. Kanyeihamba: Do you know of any politician who is not an opportunist? Is this what you should be quarreling with? That is a normal word for politicians? Matovu: But under the law, it is an offence to refer to someone as an opportunist. Kanyeihamba: That law should be amended. Odoki: Which law? Matovu: It says making abusive, insulting, derogatory statements. Kanyiehamba: I have never known a politician who succeeded without being opportunistic (prolonged laughter in court). Matovu: Paragraph 25 of the second respondent talks about a petitioner as a deserter. The petitioner was formerly discharged in the army and he attaches a certificate of discharge. He says he pays tax, which is used among other things to pay the soldier’s salaries. The expression desertion is malicious, insulting, it is also derogatory of course and defamatory because first of all desertion is a crime. Odoki: He should be convicted of all the offences? Matovu: yes, I am inviting you to convict him on all although one is enough. Under Section 24 (5) (b) to (g) all the petition must prove is that the second respondent has made a statement to anyone of the those provisions. So like I stated, the only thing a respondent can do is to deny because conceding or trying to explain why such a statement was made, would only confirm the offence has been committed and that you had reasons why you committed that offence. Now what is the motive - it is the only mitigating statement court should consider before sentence. Kanyeihamba: Is the second respondent allowed to defend himself in law? Matovu: Not under the provisions of Section 24 (5) because the issue is if I cheated you, do you come in my house, break it and take your money? Odoki: If you call me a thief, I can’t call you a lier? Matovu: You can call me if I don’t win (the elections). The moment I win, then you’re in trouble. This ground I believe is enough to nullify the elections. We don’t need to prove the substantial effect. I have another ground. Odoki: (Adjourns court for lunch). Matovu: I wish to go to the last bit of issue number four. Tsekooko: I thought we said we shall issue a ruling after lunch. (Matovu sits) Odoki: The application to amend the petition is allowed. The respondent should be given time to reply. [Matovu bows] We expect Mr Matovu to indicate the statements he wants to amend in the petition. Kanyeihamba: You want to amend the petition [to show the falsehoods]? Matovu: Yes my lord. The statements that FDC controlled Parliament and frustrated efforts to construct the power dams; in paragraph 12 of the petitioner’s affidavit, the allegation by the second respondent that the FDC was in alliance with LRA, a rebel group and terrorist organisation; in paragraph 15; Paragraph 18 – which says that the second respondent alleged that the petitioner was responsible for the Barlonyo massacre, and my lords, paragraph 16 – which talks about the article that the second respondent published in The New Vision newspaper that the petitioner is a traitor, an opportunist and rebel. It was published on February 10. Odoki: We would like you to redraft your paragraph? Matovu: My lords I am amending paragraph 11 (g) Byamugisha: My lords to the extent that the petitioner does not say in his affidavit that these statements are false; we shall not labour with that. I have nothing to add. Matovu: My lords I now go to the last leg of issue No. 4 – whether the second respondent or his agents committed acts of bribery, with his approval. Under Paragraph 12 of the petition, the petitioner contends that the respondent or his agents, or with his knowledge or consent, committed acts of bribery…According to the law, it’s an offence once a person gives a bribe with a view of influencing somebody to vote for that person…this can be done by the candidate or his agents. My lords the evidence we have is that the second respondent gave bribes personally and we have affidavits of two people who received a bribe from the second respondent personally. My lords we look at the affidavit of Umar Bashir - Paragraphs 2,4,5 and 10. He states that he, with others, on December 24, was taken by one Esther Najjemba to a hotel called Sam Sam in Bakuli, where the said Najjemba addressed them and asked them to vote for the second respondent. She later took them to State House [Nakasero] where Umar says, “We met the President (Museveni).� He says Museveni asked him why they did not like to vote for him and later gave them Shs100,000, each. Odoki: So his political value is Shs100,000? (Laughter ). Matovu: Then we go to the affidavit of Henry Lukwanga. He also says he met Esther Najjemba, who arranged to take him in a group of 40 youths to State House in two vans. The meeting and giving of the money was admitted by the second respondent. Katureebe: Where is the admission? Matovu: In the affidavit in reply of the second respondent, he concedes. Byamugisha: It is not on oath. Matovu: Whether on oath or not, my learned friend has time to reply on that. Odoki: Which affidavit? This one? (waves pamphlet). Matovu: The affidavit of Umar Bashir talks about people distributing money. It also talks of others being arrested. Katureebe: No voter is being named as having received money from those who got the money. Matovu: The four people, who were arrested, were NRM members and the second respondent is the leader of NRM. Then there’s also the affidavit of Salaamu Musumba – that is volume I (The affidavit cannot be traced by the lawyer, confusion among the petitioner’s counsel. The CJ adjourns t court for 10 minutes to enable lawyers organise themselves.) Matovu: My lords the affidavit of March 21 of the second respondent admits... Odoki: Which volume? Matovu: My Lords it was given to us as a loose copy. So I don’t know which volume it is. In this affidavit, the second respondent admits he instructed his aide to give money to a group of youths to hep them form associations and to transport them back home. Umar Bashir lives in Lungujja, less than 10km from the city. Umar says each was given Shs100,000. It is our wisdom that the respondent is not expected to admit that he was giving a bribe. Court infers from the conduct of the parties and the intentions. You cannot require Shs100,000 to move from Nakasero to Lungujja unless you are travelling by plane. My humble submission my lords is that court should read from the circumstances. Kanyeihamba: Is there evidence that voters from the constituency where Umar lives shared this money? Matovu: My lords the people who received the money are the opinion leaders in their respective areas. They are the ones who influence things in their areas. You give them an envelope to influence others, because they talk a lot…certainly this money was not given by the aide but by the second respondent who instructed him. We now move to the second issue…we look at the affidavit of Kamateneti Ingrid Turinawe, the FDC national women leader. (reads affidavit in which Turinawe says that on February 21, 2006 each LC III chairperson in Rukungiri was given Shs4 million by the NRM allegedly to buy items for distribution) This could not be money for mobilisation but certainly to bribe voters. Just to add to this picture we have another affidavit of Maj. Rubaramira Ruranga, in which he says Salim Saleh (brother to the President) distributed money buying off structures (supporters) of the FDC. A videotape of the incident has been supplied to this court. In one incident Saleh also acknowledges being the main man to give out money. He was telling these poor souls in Kamuli that he had finished giving out tractors and money in Kayunga and if they could do the right thing he was going to give them also the big things. Byamugisha: Evidence must be in form of affidavits but not videotapes. Matovu: The tape was an annexure to the affidavit. Odoki: Is it transcribed? Clerk: (Interjects) We have never received the tape. Matovu: My lords my clerk told me he filed it in this court. Mulenga: Did you serve the counsel to the respondents with this tape also? Matovu: We are going to serve them my Lord. (Byamugisha objects, saying that time for submission of evidence has already expired and new evidence cannot be allowed in at this time). Matovu: We want to apply my lords that tomorrow we show this recording. It is a simple thing. These are short recordings of about 10 minutes. Odoki: Did you provide for this in your submission time? Byamugisha: My lords if you allow this application, then we shall also apply that we call Saleh and we don’t know whether Saleh is in town. In which case we shall apply for an adjournment. Clerk: I have asked the Registrar and she says she does not have it (tape) and I also have never received any tapes. Odoki: So counsel (Matovu) where does that leave you? Matovu: We shall produce them (tapes) tomorrow. The reasons we brought Turinawe and Umar Bashir’s affidavits was to show that the second respondent also attempted and interfered with the franchise of the voters. [Explains how NRM agents went in villages asking voters for their voter’s cards and whom they would vote for and thereafter jot down particulars of the voters. The second respondent by this conduct attempted to interfere with the voters’ free franchise…my lords in our situation, this amounted to intimidation of voters. Kanyeihamba: Which situation? Matovu: The African situation. This is another form of intimidation. That is all I had. Mulenga: Did you bring this attempted obstruction of the voters’ franchise to the attention of the Electoral Commission (EC)? Matovu: Yes. And there was no reply. Kanyeihamba: Do we take it that we shall see a film tomorrow? (laughter) Odoki: We adjourn until tomorrow."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/CharlesOnyangoObbo/What--The-Hostel--TV-drama-and-other-2012-stories/-/878504/1655504/-/9xy50o/-/index.html","content":"What ‘The Hostel’ TV drama and other 2012 stories  reveal on Uganda - So we say farewell to 2012. There was the trademark rampant corruption; beatings of the opposition; murders; a State House running amok over oil; Ebola and bizarre ‘nodding’ disease outbreaks; kill-the-gays madness; the banning of plays like “State of the Nation”. There were all that and twice more. But I look to the good side of 2012. The Bujagali Hydroelectric Dam in Jinja was finally launched, the first project of that magnitude since the Owens Falls Dam was opened in 1954. However, a foreign investor built Bujagali dam, and I am looking to see the side of Ugandans shone through.Well, there were quite a few. There was Emmanuel Katongole, still producing affordable life-saving drugs for HIV and malaria at Quality Chemicals. There was the moving story of those wonderful little Ugandan boys who played at baseball’s Little League World Series in the US. In AfricaReview.com, Nation Media’s Group’s Africa portal, there was a profile of the young queens of Uganda tech innovation. One of my favourites was the youthful Victor Kawagga of Fundi Bots, who dreams of making Uganda a big player in robotics, and has taken important baby steps in making it come true. There were a couple more, but we shall close the list with the big one; Stephen Kiprotich bagging the gold medal at the London Olympics. In so doing, he ended a 40-year losing-streak, and lifted his country. If it had been left to the iniquitous Ugandan state to start to pick these winners and stars, not a single one of them would have emerged top. Some mediocre chosen because of who his father or mother is, which political party he supports, which part of the country he comes from, or whose mistress he or she is related to, would have been picked. A lot of the debate in the Ugandan newspapers, FM radios, on blogs and social media, often say everyone seems to know what the problems are, but few offer solutions. They only whine. It is a perfectly valid criticism. That said, there is, of course, something profoundly democratic about whining, making noise, pointing fingers at crooks, and generally getting angry. Action only starts from there. Yet if 2012 tells us anything, it is that Uganda’s best and brightest can no longer emerge through a system controlled, or even refereed, by the State (or more precisely the present government). They can only rise in an environment where everyone gets a fair shot; in short in a meritocracy. If you asked me if there is one thing that can be done to solve all of Uganda’s problems, I would say there is. Create a meritocracy. This is a system that allows everyone to try out their talent without hindrance; it lets them pay the price if they fail and learn from it; and allows them to enjoy the fruits of their success without confiscating it. The results can be nicely unpredictable. One day a few years ago shortly after Conrad Nkutu returned to Kampala after working for Standard Group, and later Nation Media Group, we had a long chat about what he was planning to do. He said very many things. The one thing he didn’t mention was that he would try his hand at film production. On Monday I was talking to a group of Kenyan women who dropped by my office. Because I am a Ugandan, the conversation eventually drifted to their hottest Ugandan product in Kenya; “The Hostel” TV series, that airs both on NTV (Uganda) and NTV (Kenya). I had just read “Marketing Africa” a magazine of these marketing types published in Nairobi, and a top advertising Kenyan executive referred to “The Hostel”. “The Hostel” is produced by Conrad Nkutu. I don’t watch “The Hostel”. So if Conrad had asked me to invest in it, or sought my views, I would have discouraged him from doing it. Likewise, I gather, there were a few institutions that thought he would fail when he ran the idea by them. So part of a meritocracy is not only about the State creating a level playing field. It is also about a society being free from the paternalism of its Establishment private sector institutions, and the stifling orthodoxy of its “opinion leaders”. 1 | 2 Next Page»It can be depressing reading Ugandan news, and watching the shocking smallness of its supposedly fashionable and elite society. But that is only if you don’t look for its stories from elsewhere. This is also country of clever (albeit cynical and sometimes cruel) people, free spirits, pretty women, and beautiful lands. Its politics is crass and greedy, and often these wonderful things are repressed, shielded from the public limelight, or denied their just reward. However, 2012 taught us that you could never kill or bury them. So will 2013 be. *cobbo@ke.nationmedia.com & twitter@cobbo3 « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Col--Kulayigye--land-grabbing-is-a-reality-in-northern-Uganda-/-/689364/1535724/-/ystbwrz/-/index.html","content":"Col. Kulayigye, land grabbing is a reality in northern Uganda! - I read Col. Felix Kulayigye’s article, ‘Uganda’s 50 years of visionless visions’ (Daily Monitor, October 5), in which he wondered why politicians from northern Uganda do not lobby the government and investors to take projects to their region but instead accuse investors of land grabbing. I have basic questions for Kulayigye. How much lobbying do politicians from southern region carry out for the government and investors to take projects there? How much do you know about the investment portfolio of northern Uganda at the moment? People of Mbale, you said, are ‘rejecting’ water dam project; what is happening to Karuma power project that would serve the northern region’s investors? Is the south saturated with progress that there is no more land and electricity for investors except in the north? I know for sure when people travel to northern Uganda, they admire the ‘vast’, ‘plentiful’ land! I beg to report that there is no excess land in northern Uganda. Just like the Hong Kong CEO you, Kulayigye, mentioned in your article, northern politicians have looked 300 years ahead and seen no land available cheaply! Land grabbing in the north is a reality. If you think it is a joke, call the former 409 brigade commander and ask him about my encounter with him in a place called Odraka in Madi Okollo County, Arua District! Should politicians from the north welcome cattle grazers as investors? What employment opportunities will they provide for people of the north when it is the savannah employing them? Why do some of these ‘investors’ come at night, carrying guns as they graze in the communities with absolute arrogance? Pay a visit to the communities in and around Bondo barracks! Northern Uganda may have a God-given comparative advantage over the south as far as land is concerned; it is a fact that 27 of the 50 years of Uganda’s independence have seen tremendous man-made comparative advantage of some regions over others. I wonder if this was premised on the lobbying capacity of politicians from those regions, or a singular vision originating from there. (Check the regional distribution figures of paved road surface, rural electrification, safe water access, higher education access, not forgetting regional distribution of the famous State House scholarships). May be this will help us understand why one would defend reckless statements at all cost and fail to see visionary leadership in others. If seeing is a problem, then listening is even a compound crisis! For example, how much lobbying took place for considering a peaceful end to the war in the north without success? If the Madhvani Group indeed wants to invest in northern Uganda, why doesn’t the group accept lease conditions? The company wants to produce sugar, the raw material is sugarcane, people of the north are willing to grow and supply his factory while retaining their land ownership, why is this unacceptable? Most of Madhvani’s current cane workers today living in squalid conditions and earning peanuts are from the north, and their representatives don’t want them to go through the same conditions on their ancestral land in the name of investment. Anyone who understands the politics of multinationals will steer clear of such hallucinations! No wonder, the Parliament of South Wales abolished election financing by multinationals and corporations as a safeguard to citizens’ interests. Is it only now that the north needs investors, be it cattle grazers or multinationals? The northern region is not opposed to investment. We welcome genuine investors who are able to incorporate our own people as shareholders, not spectators. Those reflecting belated passion to invest in the north must not forget how long it took to capture Kony’s Kaunda suit and saucepans in this ‘plentiful’ land? The future is longer than 300 years! Ms Abia-Bako is the Woman MP, Arua District"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/DanielKalinaki/easier-for-Uganda-to-buy-military-jets-than-to-build-a-power-dam/-/878782/1505640/-/p7tu3iz/-/index.html","content":"Why it is easier for Uganda to buy military jets than to build a power dam at Karuma - In the mid-1990s the government decided to buy helicopter gunships to use against Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army rebels. A judicial commission of inquiry later found that the process had been riddled with corruption, leading to the supply of junk choppers that could hardly fly, let alone fight. A few years later, plans to build a new hydropower dam at Bujagali on the River Nile went belly-up amid concerns about the environmental impact of the dam, and allegations of corruption.Fast-forward a decade. Last year the government announced that it had bought new Russian-made fighter jets at a cost of about $740 million. President Museveni had struck a quiet – and illegal – deal with Bank of Uganda Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile in which the money was spent and approvals sought retrospectively. Around the same time details of the fighter jet purchase were being made public, the government announced that it would build a new hydropower dam at Karuma. Bujagali II finally came through seven years later and at a much higher cost than Bujagali I. More than six months after construction is supposed to have started, Karuma is embroiled in widespread allegations of corruption and the procurement process has been stripped of whatever credibility it might have had. At a recent lunch a friend from the media argued – passionately – that institutions set up to deal with corruption, such as the Inspectorate General of Government, and the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority, PPDA, only make it worse. He argued that recurrent procurement scandals such as Karuma, or the ID scandal before it are because of these institutions, not in spite of them. To an untrained ear, it sounds simple and believable. Like roadblocks on a highway, the more checkpoints one sets up, the more bribes a motorist – or in this case a bidder – has to go through.This argument has two major flaws. The first is that it is false. The second is that it offers no alternatives, beyond throwing our hands up in despair and waving them like we just don’t care. Corruption flourishes when leadership fails. And only good leadership can deal with corruption. Whatever you make of the decision to buy the fighter jets, the decision showed what determined leadership could achieve. I would be very surprised if there were no kickbacks or no profiteering middlemen in that transaction, but the jets were bought and delivered. Why haven’t we seen similar results in some of the other projects that President Museveni has been personally involved in, such as Karuma or the National ID scheme? My suspicion is that the President has spent so many years managing vested interests and managing patronage networks that he now finds himself hostage to them, the circus ring master unable to get the lions back into their cage. Museveni can turn a blind eye to the middlemen and push through the purchase of fighter jets because they are a strategic asset to national security and his own regime survival but things get a bit more complicated on Karuma, for instance, where each of the warring parties has friends, relatives or political allies pushing rival bids. The calculations therefore shift from which bidder offers the best technical and financial bid, to which bidder is more acceptable politically and more willing to ‘support the cause’ which is usually a euphemism for regime survival. At the lunch my friend argued that this has turned Museveni into a powerless victim, held hostage by the cunning and the corrupt. To the contrary, I think the President is simply presiding over The House That He Built. Public procurement contracts do not suffer because we have plenty of red tape; they suffer because the red tape was never meant to act as a check but to paper over the cracks caused by patronage.The reason PPDA, the IGG and oversight bodies like the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament are ineffective is that they were never meant to work! Those bodies were set up to appease donors and punish the odd civil servant or politician who fell out with the regime and was then found to have stuck their hands in the cookie jar. Institutions thrive or fail depending on whether the leadership wants them to work or not. We can get our procurement systems to deliver fighter jets because we believe them to be vital to our interests. If we felt the same way about the Northern By-pass, the National IDs, the refurbishment of Entebbe Airport, etc., we would get them done. The costs would be inflated, no doubt about it, but we would get them done quick. dkalinaki@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/955240/-/5ruj1e/-/index.html","content":"We may delay but shall not fail in Karamoja – Gen. Nyakairima - As the focus remains on Karamoja, alleged widespread human rights abuse by soldiers and the Army’s conduct of the disarmament exercise, some journalists were this week embedded with the troops and are currently travelling around parts of the sub-region. Risdel Kasasira caught a moment with Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima. Excerpts:- What would you call UPDF achievements in Karamoja in the context of disarmament and restoring sanity?Gen. Nyakairima: There are many parameters to show great improvement in the region. One; the enduring parameter is the security in neighbouring communities. As long as the people of Sironko, Bukwo and Sebei can have peace, then that‘s achievement number one. There were camps that had existed for 25 years in Teso because of [armed] cattle rustling but they are no more. You can go to Lango, Teso and investigate this. People will tell you, there is peace. Parameter number two, is the safety on roads. Karamoja roads had completely closed but now, you drive from Moroto to Soroti without seeing any gun. All Justice Law and Order elements have been established in Karamoja. You have prisons, police, and courts operating. This had never happened before. The nearest magistrate’s court to Karamoja was in Mbale. But as we sit here now, the courts are sitting and trying suspects arrested by police, which had never happened. Previously, you would hear humanitarian agencies, development partners leaving this place because of insecurity on the roads but all roads leading to and out of Karamoja are secure and open. Some years back, the only government face in Karamoja was UPDF. However, schools have been built. We have 14 secondary boarding schools. The installation of medical facilities is going on. We have divided Karamoja into two parts for us to easily stop the raids and the proliferation of small and light weapons. We now have North East Karamoja under the watch 5 Division because the area was too big to be under 3 Division alone. Under this area, we have sealed-off the routes at the border with Southern Sudan to stop the Topotha and Didinga from bringing in guns. We seal the borders to make sure that there is no or less inflow of guns and recover those that are already in the hands on these criminals. I can confidently tell you that Karamoja will soon start exporting food to Kenya. Ultimately, what would be the final solution to this problem of armed cattle rustling?I can say: take away the gun, take away the gun and take away the gun from the region. If there is no gun, there will be peace. Naturally, what follows peace is development because peace is a permanent ally of development. No gun means development. Less guns means more children going to school, it means business and investment in the area. Government is not doing disarmament alone, there are other programmes going on. What I can guarantee Ugandans is that UPDF efforts in the region to bring peace are irreversible. If we had not been delayed by the Lord’s Resistance Army, if we had not been delayed by UPA of Peter Otai, if we had not been delayed by Alice Lakwena and ADF -- all supported externally, the remaining guns in Karamoja would have been taken away. Is the army facing geographical challenges like terrain and weather in the region?No, no, no. we, who have been fighting in Rwenzori Mountains, Imatong Hills [in south Sudan], Napak Hills [in Karamoja] cannot be a problem. This is our terrain, we know it; it cannot be a problem to us. We can delay in ending this hooliganism but we cannot fail to end. Does it make security sense, as the President recently directed, to recruit and arm Local Defence Units from a group of people who have a history of rustling?Everything has its own time. But this time, they are going through real training in political education, marksmanship and others. They will be under strict and robust command and control of UPDF. It will be teamwork and I’m confident that they will come out of training better and changed. Intelligence will be tracking them down. We will train a limited number of LDUs to complement UPDF operations to complete the mission. I want to assure the neighbouring communities that there should not be any fear because they will be working under UPDF. Before they are recruited, there will be vetted by our own. They will train with our soldiers and they will eventually be part of the mission. We want to give confidence to the neighbours [of Karamoja] that none of these LDUs will disturb them. There have been allegations that soldiers are not vigilant at night when rustlers commit the crimes?No. tThat is not true. The soldiers are alert 24 hours. If they are doing that, let the warriors attack them. That’s not true because soldiers are required to operate 24 hours. Say something about the regional efforts to end the proliferation of small and light weapons …For us, we are doing part to make sure that Karamoja is free of the gun. We coordinate with Kenyan authorities on the other side of the border. But recently during the meeting of Defence Forces Council, the Commander-in-Chief, said we should look for “medicine” to this problem, which is stop inflow of the guns which has tremendously reduced. When 10 guns come in, we recover eight. When five come in, we recover three. With reduced inflow and constant disarmament, the gun in Karamoja will be history. A final word on the strategy to pacify KaramojaWe are not doing disarmament alone. There are other government programmes going on. Recently, the Irish Foreign Affairs Minister was here to tour 13 schools funded in collaboration with Uganda and Irish government. Water scarcity, which has been an endless debate, is being fixed. Government has constructed a dam with capacity of 10 million litres of water. The other day [Uganda Peoples Congress deputy chairman for national mobilisation David] Pulkol was saying that the president abandoned Karamoja when LRA attacked Teso. I don’t know whether he wanted Kony to continue killing. rkasasira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/937892/-/x0ui0r/-/index.html","content":"PRESS GALLERY: Bbumba ensures ministers and MPs stay awake - She sauntered into the conference room armed with a briefcase and a swagger to enthral her audience. It was her moment to revel in the limelight. Click, click, click, camera flashes flickered away. Standing well above 6 feet, Finance Minister Syda Bbumba raised her briefcase in the air, almost above shoulder length, and strolled to the front bench to deliver that all important statement of the revenue government expects to collect over the next 12 months and how it plans to spend it. Speaker Edward Ssekandi wasted no time opening proceedings of the day by proclaiming that the Kampala Serena Hotel, where the budget reading would be taking place, and its surroundings (especially the gardens) be turned into precincts of Parliament, before inviting the Nakaseke County MP to deliver that much-anticipated speech. Second chanceIt was Ms Bbumba’s second budget reading, after that historic first last year, when a woman finally ventured into territory that had hitherto been a preserve of men. Even former Finance Minister Gerald Ssendaula was in attendance and he grinned somewhat enviously when she went about her task. But before she delved into reading her prepared speech, Ms Bbumba beseeched the Lord Almighty to pour His grace upon her audience, especially cabinet ministers and MPs, “to listen attentively” as she took on the drab task of reading 64 pages of text. There was loud chattering. And you all know why. Remember a week earlier, President Museveni addressed Parliament to deliver a report on the state of the nation but for some reason, several cabinet ministers and MPs found moment to sleep on duty right in front of the big man and they did not flinch at all. So here was Bbumba praying, Oh God let them not sleep! The prioritiesShe got into her speech, reporting that the thrust of her budget this financial year would be based on prioritising investment in infrastructure development in roads and energy, promotion of science, technology and innovation, enhancing agricultural productivity, private sector development and improving public service delivery. In truth, there was little departure from last year’s government priorities with science, technology and innovation the only inclusion this year. Just like last year’s budget reading, there was as a giant screen in the conference hall projecting events live on screen. This time round, we experienced no technical hitches unlike last year when the slideshow just went dead. In fact, the presentation was even better this time round. Ms Bbumba’s speech was backed by video evidence of what she spoke about. For instance when she talked about government investment in the energy sector, there were pictures of ongoing construction at the Bujagali power dam. When she spoke about schools, there were pictures of children in class. And when she spoke about government intervention in the roads sectors, yes there were pictures of Kampala’s pothole riddled roads. The image of a lone traffic officer struggling to contain a gridlock of cars thanks to a huge pothole on one of Kampala’s busy roads seemed to excite Ms Bbumba’s audience. It appeared there was no room to dose off. I don’t know whether the guys who were covering this event and relaying it live on the giant screens were out to find new victims of the slumber-on-duty vice, but the cameras were out for a kill. At one point, the gaze switched from Ms Bbumba’s presentation to Vice President Gilbert Bukenya, Ministers Maria Mutagamba, Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, and Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi. Gen. Otafiire chuckled as if to suggest, “Sorry mate, not this time.” But moments later, he was seen yawning despondently. Security Minister Amama Mbabazi wore a grumpy look, while Prof. Bukenya seemed irritated by the camera’s continued focus on the ministers. Everybody was on watch. No one wanted to be caught napping live on camera. And when the camera’s focused on Work’s Minister John Nasasira, he opened his eyes even wider. Self reliant“We are becoming self reliant under the National Resistance Movement,” Ms Bbumba said excitedly, imploring MPs to applaud the ruling regime for its latest exploits after she had announced that the government would finance at least 75per cent of this year’s budget. “The NRM is delivering,” she insisted to the chagrin of several opposition MPs. President Museveni smiled in contentment. And then finally, someone was caught napping. Maracha MP Alex Onzima was the villain. He sat near Aswa MP Reagan Okumu who saved him from further embarrassment and woke him up when he realised that the camera gaze was focused on them. Whenever Ms Bbumba made mention of what she thought was an achievement, she wasted no time demanding applause from her audience. And they didn’t disappoint. But then there was a group in the audience that appeared more enthusiastic to applaud than everybody else. Whenever Ms Bbumba mentioned the name Nakaseke, their applause was deafening and that betrayed just where their loyalty lay. Even Mr Museveni looked on curiously every time the group loudly clapped. It emerged they were guests specially invited by the Finance Minister. EntertainerWithout question, Ms Bbumba entertained. She spoke with such gusto, such confidence and such conviction. Her speech told of the good health of the Uganda economy, painting a picture of steady progress. “The bright is very future,” is how Mr Museveni summed up things, as he spoke of a bright future for Ugandans. But when the curtains fell, the talk among several MPs was mostly about how the good health of our economy can translate into better living conditions for millions of Uganda’s impoverished citizens. 1 | 2 Next Page»Ms Bbumba appeared to deliver but then, not really. One cheeky fellow moved to sum up her individual exploits, and said Ms Bbumba had moved from “Madam Nzikiza (darkness)”—as former Energy Minister, to “Madam Poverty”, as Finance Minister. Very Funny! FROWNS Police Chief Gen. Kale Kayihura has beaten stiff competition to scoop this inglorious award. Not even the misdemeanours of some contenders at the Budget reading will deny him this dishonour. Last week we watched in horror as stick-wielding goons of the infamous Kiboko squad beat up several opposition members including FDC leader Kizza Besigye on Heroes Day. And what is infuriating the more is that these thugs executed their disgraceful acts right in front of the police. It would seem they were acting on orders from powers above. Remember in 2007 when the Kiboko squad first emerged at the height of the Mabira forest demonstrations? Well, Gen. Kayihura promised to arrest these chaps and moved to distance the police from this notorious gang even though reports indicated that their convergence point had been the Central Police Station. There is no excuse whatsoever that can justify this embarrassing act and the police must be held squarely responsible for aiding this havoc. For reportedly passing by as these goons whipped people and not ordering their arrest, frowns for you Afande Kayihura. FLOWERS Truth be told, Finance Minister Syda Bbumba did not fail to deliver as she read her much anticipated estimates of revenue and expenditure for the 2010/2011 budget. She threw money in the right places, with allocations to transport and energy infrastructure projects, investments in science, technology and innovation, and a much needy kitty for Uganda’s unemployed youth. For an assignment that is often drab, where a minister reads thousands of words in several pages of text, Ms Bbumba kept her often sleepy audience awake, cracking jokes here and there and used the aid of large projectors to make her presentation colourful. On paper, her budget looks good even though sceptics are questioning the timing of some of the government interventions in the context of next year’s general election. For Ms Bbumba however, it is yet another job well done. For doing women proud and meeting expectations, flowers for you Madam Bbumba. egyezaho@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/898868/-/wvpu8y/-/index.html","content":"FARMER'S DIARY: Fighting soil erosion as a community - Rain and water are very important for successful farming but they are the greatest agents of soil erosion, a process that impoverishes the fields, by taking away good soil and plant nutrients. Crops require sufficient amounts of good soils and nutrients with capacity to retain moisture. When the fields are devoid of nutritive soil due to erosion no crops will flourish there and, in extreme cases, even weeds or other vegetation may fail to grow, leading to further soil erosion. Where severe erosion takes place the crop roots are left bare and vulnerable while the other crops down the valley may be totally buried. The soil carried may be deposited in water reservoirs in the valley such as public wells or fish ponds possibly covering them up altogether. In most cases however, soil erosion whether by rainwater runoff or by wind is gradual and the effects may take time to be noticed. But they are real, and typical symptoms of soil erosion manifests in large gullies formed along the slope over time. Soil erosion depends on a number of factors including rain frequency, steepness of the slope, type of soil, and the human activities of a given area. River banks and hill slopes are most vulnerable to soil erosion. Rivers always carry soil away and the river bed grows deeper as the bank gets wider. The communities that live along such places have a responsibility to minimise, as much as possible, chances of soil erosion. A women’s group and fishermen at Kyabirwa Village, Budondo Sub-county, in Jinja District close to the new hydroelectricity dam under construction at Bujagali along the Nile, are a good example of people determined to ensure that they reduce soil erosion. Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL), which is the company constructing the dam, has undertaken, as a measure of corporate responsibility, to teach the two groups the importance of soil conservation. It has allocated to the communities an environment expert, Ms Rebecca Nanjala, to work with them on a number of soil erosion prevention measures at the River Nile bank. Their activities involve afforestation, bench terracing, and environment friendly cultivation practices. Under Nanjala’s supervision, the women of Kyabirwa Village led by Robinah Byakiika and Florence Nakayita are making bench terraces which means reshaping the slope along the Nile bank into numerous steps. The lower parts of the steps are then planted with grass such as elephant grass, lab-lab, or calliandra, which also serve as fodder for cows and goats. A ditch is dug along the contour while the soil is heaped along the upper side of the ditch. It is on the soil that the grass is planted. “Some people use stones to protect the soil heaped along the upper side of the ditch,” said Florence. “But since we are farmers it is better to plant grass on which we can feed our animals.” The advantage with this method of soil erosion reduction is that the slope is sub-divided into shorter slopes and when it rains the runoff momentum is reduced and whatever soil that would have gone down the sub-divided length of the slope is trapped by the growing grass. Any water that will go past the grass will first get trapped into the ditch before proceeding, further reducing its strength and capacity to carry material down into the valley. Mulching is encouraged in any form of crop cultivation on the terraces to mitigate the strength of raindrops on the soil and to further reduce chances of soil erosion as the mulch will hold the soil in place. Furthermore when the mulch decomposes it helps to re-introduce soil nutrients robbed by runoff during the process of soil erosion. Here and there in the terraces recently planted trees were growing along with cassava and beans. “We encourage them to plant trees and we provide them with the seedlings actually prepared by farmers groups in the neighbourhood where we carry out environment protection activities,” Nanjala revealed.As the trees grow along the slopes their roots somehow act as nails to keep lumps of soil in place. So BEL has supplied thousands of tree seedlings to the fishermen of Budondo Beach Management Unit (BBMU). About 40 households earn their living by fishing along the River Nile. “Absence of vegetative cover over large areas of soil such as what you see around here in this river bank is the main cause of soil erosion,” explained Nanjala. “So our greening efforts include planting not only trees but also fodder grass all along the slope.” Mr Suleiman Mpango, chairman of BBMU said, the fishermen had agreed to plant the trees and to take care of them as one of the group’s money generating projects. ssalimichael@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/896816/-/5b9rtc/-/index.html","content":"‘Uganda is being robbed’ - On Tuesday, former Ethics and Integrity Minister and a renown woman activist, appeared on KFM Hot Seat show. Among other issues, she discussed Vice President Gilbert Bukenya’s snubbing of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) invitation to explain his role in the Chogm Shs9.4 billion car-hire deal. Sunday Monitor’s Ismail Musa Ladu captured the proceedings: As a former minister; what is your view on the VP’s refusal to appear before PAC? I want to speak as a senior Ugandan, who is extremely sad, about what is going on. We expected that the Chogm money would be for grabs and it has shamelessly happened. Constitutionally, government is accountable to parliament. Parliament can do anything except turning a man into a woman. You can see that amount of power. So if somebody says he is part of the presidency and therefore cannot come to PAC, I do not understand. VP Bukenya was called by PAC in his capacity as the chairperson of the committee that chaired Chogm that messed Uganda. There is already a precedent set by former vice president and Minister of Agriculture, Ms Specioza Wandera Kazibwe, who appeared before the PAC during the Valley Dam saga. But any way, the whole government is hiding behind positions. Some of them are so rude because they have been given the strength and authority to undermine Parliament. The VP’s position is based on the legal opinion of Attorney General?You are talking to me about the Attorney General of Uganda, who follows his boss instead of the law? The advice he usually gives to Cabinet or the President; he first gauges to see what the big man wants and also opinion that will safeguard his job. In essence, his opinions are political opinions. Then how will you expect the monkey to judge a case regarding the forest? Many of them are being implicated including reported cases that link the AG’s advice that saw some contract causing losses to the country. So his legal opinion could be in a bid to protect himself too. So is there drama in the Chogm investigation in Parliament?Not in Parliament, but in Cabinet where there are some thugs stealing the country’s money and playing together around. But PAC is doing very well and I know it will be defeated by the mafia of the majority in Parliament in the name of the Movement Caucus. Nevertheless, the report and what they have done will be on record and Ugandans are listening. What is wrong with PAC members moving to the VP’s office, which is just nearby? I am here as a sad Ugandan; here is a situation where the Committee is probing huge losses to Ugandans and now the VP, who should be looking forward to clear the name of the government on these issues, since he chaired the committee, is now involved in asking who is bigger than the other. This make me feel very nauseated. If the Committee goes to the VP’s office, it would have undermined its authority because he would be the one in authority, meaning that Parliament has given in and that he would be starting at the wrong footing. By the way, it is easier for an individual to walk to PAC. What is the fate of the VP now?After the President had protected [Amama] Mbabazi [Security Minister], do you think he will fail to protect theVP? People will say is practicing tribalism. The President’s Press Secretary has disowned Bukenya, saying he should shoulder his own problem.Is the press secretary the President? When he [President] wants to threaten us, he comes out and talks; he does not do it through the press secretary. Do you see, for instance, the President not exonerating the Minister of Foreign Affairs and his son-in-law, who is also involved? This is a racket of these people because they know Ugandans have nothing to do to them. What is your take on the claim that the Committee is a torture chamber? The problem here is that institutions in this country have been swallowed, personalised, and undermined. In the end, there is only one institution called the Executive. A person would expect the Speaker of Parliament to support Parliament and not what I am reading in the papers - siding with the Executive. Ugandans should know that these are ethical matters and when people take legal perspective in such issues, just forget that government. People should relate the money lost in Chogm to lack of medicine in hospital and the high fees they are paying in higher institutions of learning. However, because of poverty and lack of political education, it is hard for people to appreciate why some of us are talking about these issues. Any hope of possible censures? Our Parliament is faced with a terrorist majority. The NRM, will through its Caucus, work to defeat justice. All the ministers who are about 80, will gang up to defeat the motion of censure because they all face similar accusation. I wish I could castrate all these thieves.So what do we do?Prayers; as for me, I use my mouth to talk and challenge injustice and wrong things. What I can tell you is that Uganda is being robbed and being eaten right and left using guns and authority and we have no government that is taking care of our interest so use the strength God has given you. The President said he is ready to face the Committee He should first prevail upon his Cabinet and ensure that they all appear. Birds of the same feather flock together. He should first tell his ministers to go and clear their names because they are shaming his government."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/878920/-/5a34h8/-/index.html","content":"Chogm ghosts haunt Uganda - Without a shred of doubt, today one would be at fault to talk about the glamour and optimism that came with hosting the Commonwealth summit here. With Chogm scandals surfacing day after day, taxpayers will be regretting why Queen Elizabeth II ever came to Uganda. The Queen’s royal white-and-stripped jet touched down at Entebbe International Airport at 5:30pm on November 20 as she arrived to open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. However, what happened after the Queen left the country has turned into a nightmare tale. To government critics, the Queen’s second visit to Uganda was a lot different from her first visit in 1954 before Uganda became independent. This is in a sense that at least when she first came, she commissioned the Owen Falls Dam and there was no such massive looting in her name. In order to find the extent of the theft, President Yoweri Museveni immediately after Chogm ordered for a hardnosed audit by the Auditor General whose snooping resulted in a mind-numbing report which is now the subject of the ongoing Chogm inquest in the Public Accounts Committee. In December 2007, the Auditor General began a value-for-money evaluation on Chogm activities following complaints from MPs over alleged diversion of public funds by officials including ministers. The Public Accounts Committee chaired by Nandala Mafabi (FDC, Budadiri West) has since October unearthed scandal after scandal.The Executive Director Anti-Corruption Coalition, Ms Sissy Kagaba, whose organisation focuses on the fight against graft in the country, told Sunday Monitor on Friday that officials who fail to account for public funds including ministers should be arrested straight away. “The evidence is glaring and for us as civil society, we don’t see why Pac is not arresting these people,” Ms Kagaba said, adding: “What is coming out from the probe is shameful and there is hard evidence to punish these officials who hid in Chogm to steal public money.” As Mr Richard Kyeyune, 28, a graduate vending airtime cards on Kampala Road explains, Ugandans want Pac to recover the billions of shillings stolen in the name of Chogm. “We got nothing in Chogm, it was a summit only for them to eat, they have cheated us; these are hyenas. They should vomit our money at all cost,” Mr Kyeyune told me on Friday when I asked him whether Ugandans benefitted from Chogm and his expectations in the on-going parliamentary inquiry. However, when I asked Kyeyune to explain to me further, what exactly he meant by “them” and “hyenas”, in relation to Chogm accountability, he almost apoplectic. “I am not ashamed to call them hyenas, you told me you’re a journalist and don’t you know what is happening in Parliament? These people in government stole our money and we want it back. Some of us are struggling and have no jobs because of corruption in the system,” he added. Matembe attacksTo the former ethics minister, Miria Matembe, Pac should demand accountability and nothing less. “We said it before Chogm that taxpayers’ money will be swindled when President Museveni is watching,” Ms Matembe told Sunday Monitor on Friday. “They are now busy trying to dodge Pac yet they collectively stole our money. President Museveni would have ordered his corrupt ministers to appear before Pac if indeed he was serious about fighting corruption but he is just looking on.” Ms Matembe added: “Ugandans should wake up and call these ministers to order, otherwise, in Chogm, one undoubtedly sees that this government is a thief, evil and is stealing with impunity. Where Pac has hard evidence on corrupt ministers, the President should sack them in public interest.” A number of accounting officers who have appeared before Pac to account for public funds declined to go on record for fear that they might be misconstrued by the Chogm investigators to be interfering with committee proceedings. PAC warnedAsked whether the Chogm investigation was moving in the right direction, Ethics Minister Dr James Nsaba Buturo, whose docket handles the fight against corrption, instead warned Pac members against politicising the matter and asked MPs to respect Vice President Gilbert Bukenya who is implicated in the questionable Shs9.4 billion Chogm car deal. “Pac members should remain focused, impartial and apolitical in handling Chogm accountability,” Dr Buturo said. On VP’s expected appearance before the committee on March 25, Dr Buturo said: “The committee should respect the Vice President and find him in his office not the other way round. The VP is number 2 in this land and should not be dragged to the committee [like a criminal].” The Chogm inquiry has already heard evidence suggesting that Prof. Bukenya and other senior ministers “arm-twisted” permanent secretaries in respect to various procurement deals in which billions of shillings in public funds was lost.For instance, on November 4, 2009, Ministry of Works Permanent Secretary Charles Muganzi told MPs: “The Chogm Cabinet sub-committee chaired by the Vice President was exerting pressure on us and that’s why we moved from an ideal method of international open competitive bidding to restrictive bidding and later resorted to direct bidding.” Face ChogmProf. Bukenya denies personal responsibility and says President Museveni was aware of the tendering. However, State House spokesperson Tamale Mirundi recently told the Vice President to “stop hiding behind the President and face Chogm probe like a real man”. Some of the ministers who have so far been implicated by their relevant permanent secretaries include; Sam Kutesa (Foreign Affairs), John Nasasira (Works), Serapio Rukundo (Tourism) and Attorney General Khiddu Makubuya. Asked about the objectives and principles of the probe, Mr Mafabi said: “The purpose of this inquiry was to ascertain whether there was value-for-money and how officials spent taxpayers’ money. We are using the Auditor General’s report as a guiding principle even though we have so far established that some money was hidden from the auditor.” 1 | 2 Next Page»In reference to Dr Buturo’s concerns, Mr Mafabi added: “There is no politics in accountability. Our principles are clear; honesty and fairness. This is the principle guiding the Chogm proceedings. The rules of natural justice dictate that we give people in the Chogm scandals an opportunity to defend themselves.” In the wake of the Chogm scandals, the Acting IGG Raphael Baku demanded that officials in administrative positions should exercise their powers and sack those involved in the abuse of public funds without necessarily going to court for criminal prosecution. “In this Chogm inquiry, what we want to see is prosecution. The DPP should work with CID to make sure that all the people involved in the misappropriation of public funds face the law. “Even though we are not directly involved in Chogm matters, in case of any assistance, the Office of the IGG is willing to take up some Chogm cases if Pac wishes to involve us. Sometimes political decisions interfered with the fight against corruption but those in authority should take action without referring the IGG.” On many occasions, President Museveni has repeatedly said that he intends to stamp out corruption in his government, and urged the Opposition to join his government in fighting the vice. On the 2007 Chogm theme, “Transforming Societies”, which the Queen said in her historic speech, conveys a clear commitment to change for the better, MPs on Pac believe that Chogm changed Ugandans for the worse after it emerged that several roads allegedly repaired in its name were substandard and washed away immediately after Chogm. While in her speech, the Queen said no single society has achieved perfection, and that there is no single recipe for success, to Ms Kagaba the findings so far are too glaring, adding that in such cases Pac should proceed and impound ministers’ passports. “I agreed with Pac when they proposed to impound ministers’ passports until they have accounted for public money. There is clear evidence that these people abused Chogm money. For instance, to stop impunity, I don’t see why Pac doesn’t arrest these ministers who used Chogm money to grade their own roads,” Ms Kagaba said.Edward Ssenyange, the policy officer at Uganda Debt Network, a civil society organisation working to promote national development and transparency in the country called upon the donor community to get interested in Chogm expenditures. “We are pleased with Pac and we are following this Chogm inquiry keenly and we would like to call upon the donor community to do the same because there is evidence that public money was misappropriated,” Mr Ssenyange said. “Our concern is that ministers are not appearing yet they were summoned and this is not good for accountability. Where misappropriation of public funds took place, MPs on the Chogm inquiry should make sure that such money is paid back otherwise a lot seems to be at stake as far as Chogm is concerned.” « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/-/691192/736046/-/fbumhlz/-/index.html","content":"No energy to generate energy - Kampala Visitors to Uganda who fly into Entebbe International Airport at night are often struck by how dark the place it. Night flights these days also show something else; the bright lights of the Chinese-rebuilt residence of the President which stands out in contrast to the kerosene powered homes around it.   Darkness could be amusing for tourists on their first trip to Africa who fantasize about elephants leaping out of roadsides and whose only introduction to Uganda are paperback digests ( mostly written by former tourists or resident ones) that fail to inform the thrill seekers that Idi Amin is no longer President here. However the lack of electricity to light streets, homes and businesses is not a funny joke propped up as a tourist accessory. For its 31 million people Uganda generates and uses less electricity than a small division of Hyundai industries, just one of the many big enterprises in a country with which Uganda was at par a short forty years ago. Since the use of electricity is an important measure of how economies are performing Uganda's case has been one of stagnation and regression. Whenever critics of the government single out the power sector for bludgeoning the government at pulpits and radio studios, they are told to be optimistic because Uganda has made a \"recovery\" from a politically darker past when Amin was actually an Entebbe resident himself. \"You cannot always be pessimistic\" said Energy Minister Daudi Migereko in a phone interview on Monday about the state of the energy sector. But even he admits the present situation is trying on the patience of the discipleship or cadres who are the foot soldiers of the revolution started by Yoweri Museveni. Uganda has registered negative growth in the energy sector.  Electricity production today is lower than at independence 45 years ago and much lower in the last half decade when a series of unpunished blunders turned load shedding into a way of life. But a far more serious problem facing the country is not its candlelight economy: It is the affliction of low expectations and even lower standards that have made mediocre performance acceptable particularly within the government. Even if the administration wanted it simply does not have the energy to take the country to another energy production level. It must be noted that the back peddling in the energy sector is occurring in a period dominated by what many Ugandans, their neighbors and the world community consider the most progressive government in the country's history. The World Bank, which according to Migereko (and his predecessor Syda Bbumba) has been a lousy partner, has been selling Uganda and its reform process one of the brightest spots in Africa. However progress tended to be measured in terms of a stable currency, stable government and tons of paper reforms. Uganda remains one of the biggest missed opportunities in Africa and the energy sector is a microcosm of this colossal squander. According to Engineer Hilary Onek, a leading authority on hydro-power dams, the country's potential is in the region of 28,000 megawatts of electricity. The distance between the 120 megawatts being produced today and that potential is what a new government would have to cover. Add to this are commercially viable oil deposits which could theoretically power the country, with its young and enterprising population into a truly great industrial nation.  There is also talk of exploiting uranium for power generation, but this is viewed by some as an alarming prospect to allow a country that cannot not even keep inventory of military arsenal to handle radio-active material. The crisis of Uganda has therefore been the inability of its managers to reel in progress and it is on the change in management and not the conditions that progress will ultimately depend. Ironically the hamstring on progress has come on the back of too much politics and too little government. The Museveni government reaped where it sowed. Both human and material resources in the hands of the state have been disproportionally allocated to regime maintenance and if progress were to be measured by longevity in power then NRM and Museveni have been extremely successful. The energy sector has been a victim of this politically purposed state which has prioritised spending on defence and political projects. The reality is that lack of electricity itself does not affect the stability of the state or Mr. Museveni's ability to  staying on for 20 more years if he so wished. Only 6% of the country is connected to the national grid - not enough to turn the lack of energy into an electoral issue but more of a middleclass nuisance. Uganda's rural electrification program has been an expensive joke, sucking in as much money as would build another dam on the River Nile. Logic would have it in fact that rural progress is ultimately a political risk for states with weakening legitimacy like that of Yoweri Museveni whose electoral margins have been dropping by 10% in the last three elections. Peasant to commercial farmer transitions, which require increased electricity for semi-processed value addition, come with consolidated demands for better and more reliable services from the state which ultimately translates into political pressure. Weak state structures in a fluid political system easily buckle under this kind of pressure. The question then arises whether or not the current administration with its huge political wage bill which has been the price of stability will be able to mobilise future legitimacy on economic progress which would require re-awakening the economy with its potentially volatile political stakeholders without serious risks to regime stability. The answer is no. Only a new administration will have the political capital to recalibrate the purpose within the state from one in which political stability is not an end in itself but simply a requirement for economic and social progress. Current energy projects can therefore not succeed in unlocking their own potential or the wider gains of reliable electricity for a country starved of it. Framers of Uganda's soon to be launched National Industrial Policy have emptily written that the \" political leadership in Uganda is unequivocally committed to industrialisation, economic transformation, modernisation, and diversification\" on one hand and then go right ahead in the next section to say that \" electricity [is] judged to be the most severe impediment\". The somewhat muddled policy paper has all the fluff that accompanies a dreamy government document but is a good example of how Uganda is running on optimism and little else. In the energy sector these good intentions have been extended to sheer fantasy. Uganda has drafted a nuclear energy bill even if just a quarter of a million Ugandans have a power connection compared to over 3 million who carry cellular phones and can therefore afford electricity connection if only they had access. The nuclear gebnerated electricity would be transmitted by wireless, perhaps? The demand is there but without mobilising it through a grid, it remains a dream. According to Migereko the strategy of the country is to generate enough electricity from the various hydro, thermal and biofuel projects so that supply is forever ahead of demand but the truth is that government today subsidises power consumption in billions of shillings every year- in effect sustaining demand by paying for it. So what is this talk of 11% growth in demand? Clearly demand itself must be mobilised. Official figures in \"Discover Uganda\" a public relations document produced for the Commonwealth Summit last year puts Uganda's labor force at 13 million. It is anyone's guess what percentage of the able and willing do work in an environment where there is at least one light bulb. One of the biggest scandals in Uganda is not the corruption or impunity of state-based actors but underemployment of those able and willing and skilled which like the country's vast energy potential remains locked up and chained to the vagaries of leadership in government. Most Ugandans may have only heard of the National Oil and Gas Policy which is the framework for managing the exciting prospect of oil in the Albertine graben (western Uganda). Again the policy itself has been excellently written but the potential problems in the sector [which have all to do with the politics of oil in Uganda] are telling of what is to come. Some of these problems are immediate. According to the government it will build a mini-refinery by Christmas next year. Such aggressive timelines have dominated the rhetoric of President Museveni and in the energy sector embarrassingly so.  The Oil and Gas Policy requires setting up of a national petroleum company and a regulatory agency first. This is unlikely to be accomplished properly in the next 18 months. The proposed refinery according to Migereko will \"happen\" on time but judging from the speed with which procurement of badly needed thermal energy has taken (an average of 3 years for heavy fuel generators which are yet to be set up) there is very little hope here except for the uniquely optimistic. The Minister admits that the capital intensive sector he is heading attracts the corrupt like hyenas to a deer feast – one of the major headaches for any Ministry - but truth be told, a serious government or one desperate to succeed would not be stopped by rent seekers who are everywhere in the world. Instead corruption - inspired load shedding has become a Ugandan way of life. One of the biggest heists in Ugandan history will be the fake dam extension project at the Owen Falls Dam for which reliable information suggests Ugandan officials from the Ministry simply (hopefully inadvertently) acted to avail more  water from Lake Victoria to downstream countries. The dam extension known as Nalubaale has been draining the water from lake leading to a drop in levels but despite all the blabber about fighting corruption, no investigation was instituted and the Minister in charge at the time ( Syda Bhumba) was sent to the Labor and Gender Ministry instead. This scandal is a low even for the notoriously corrupt Ugandan government described by peer reviewers at the World Bank as a government of \"Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves\". When a new President sits at Mr. Museveni's desk his biggest challenge will be to inspire genuine change, something Mr. Museveni has been talking about for 21 years.aizama@monitor.co.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Even-if-guilty--it-s-a-bad-move-for-China-to-hang-Ugandans/-/689364/2373366/-/1wqk8j/-/index.html","content":"Even if guilty, it’s a bad move for China to hang Ugandans - At the office nearly two weeks ago, former New York Times journalist Howard French gave a lunch-time talk on China and Africa. It revolved around his new book, China’s Second Continent: How a Million Migrants are Building a New Empire in Africa. China does not see Africa only as a source for raw materials such as minerals or timber. China, he said, is more interested in Africa’s growing population, which in a few decades may have morphed into nearly two billion consumers. Yes, Africans generally may be poorer today, but they are growing richer. With rising income and wealth will come increasing levels of consumption. The Chinese want those Africans to be buying Chinese. The minerals thing and the construction of roads and railways and dams and stadiums with fairly cheap loans from Chinese banks is a way for China to get in here, settle, get used to the place. In the process, the Africans also will get used to Chinese people and everything else Chinese. The big people in Beijing are betting that the sense of familiarity will yield dividends for a China that seeks to be a pre-eminent world power at some point not too far away. That sounds like a reasonable plan. It may unravel, however, because China likes to kill people it considers criminals. The corrupt. The drug traffickers. News broke this week that the Chinese had recently hanged two convicted Ugandan drug traffickers. Yes, the Chinese courts gave the order. Even then, did the authorities have to follow through and execute the hapless chaps? Ugandan authorities say they attempted to have the guys’ sentences changed to life. That failed. Or maybe have them serve their sentence in Uganda. Zilch. I suspect China is sending out the message that it is tough on crime and that it respects court orders. Domestically in China, that makes sense. In Uganda, where we have not executed anyone in more than a decade and as things stand the death penalty is essentially dead, we may take in a different message. We may start to “look at Chinese people differently”. Any Chinese who commits a crime, regardless of gravity, may not survive mob justice. It may not happen immediately. But people do not forget this sort of thing. The two Ugandans, Andrew Ngobi and Omar Ddamulira, were caught hustling to make a living out there in China when they met their end. The Chinese hustling to make a living in Uganda may be treated similarly. They are moving into African countries in numbers as Mr French suggests. His book is, in fact, built around telling individual stories of individual Chinese settling and hustling in the different sub-Saharan African countries. An early chapter talks about a Chinese man, Hao Shengli, arriving with nothing and speaking neither English nor Portuguese. He settles in rural Mozambique and tries his hand at agriculture. To secure the fortune he hopes to make amidst the poverty of the “natives”, he plans to have his children marry Mozambicans – especially his two sons taking local brides. He brags that his older son was already living with a local girl. Intermarriage as saviour! The reality tends to be slightly different. As numbers of Indians and other South Asians in East Africa and their wealth grew, they lived apart and married amongst themselves. They still do. Not much different with the Lebanese in West Africa. Save for the occasional interracial marriage and despite the good intentions of the pioneers such as Hao, the Chinese are likely to go the way of the Lebanese and Indians. Chinese enclaves are likely to develop. A rich (racial) minority living apart is never a good thing. Uganda’s history, from which many are not learning a thing, offers sobering lessons. 1 | 2 Next Page»A number of Chinese settling in Africa initially come to work on infrastructure projects. Once a road or dam has been built, some choose to stay. When they start to make more money than they did back home, word spreads and their neighbours follow them not to work on an infrastructure project but to try their luck in trade, small business or agriculture. The locals think these should be their preserve. If a Chinese or any foreigner should play in these areas, he or she must be coming in big, not at petty level. Chinese engaging in petty commerce has already caused problems for them in several African countries. Those troubles can only grow if China continues killing Africans, even if they are guilty of smuggling narcotics. At some point their guilt becomes a detail no one remembers when part of a charged mob. And wouldn’t all be nice if China simply abolished the death penalty? Mr Tabaire is the co-founder and director of programmes at African Centre for Media Excellence in Kampala. bernard.tabaire@gmail.comTwitter:@btabaire « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/BernardTabaire/Even-if-guilty--it-s-a-bad-move-for-China-to-hang-Ugandans/-/878688/2373374/-/nglyut/-/index.html","content":"Even if guilty, it’s a bad move for China to hang Ugandans - At the office nearly two weeks ago, former New York Times journalist Howard French gave a lunch-time talk on China and Africa. It revolved around his new book, China’s Second Continent: How a Million Migrants are Building a New Empire in Africa. China does not see Africa only as a source for raw materials such as minerals or timber. China, he said, is more interested in Africa’s growing population, which in a few decades may have morphed into nearly two billion consumers. Yes, Africans generally may be poorer today, but they are growing richer. With rising income and wealth will come increasing levels of consumption. The Chinese want those Africans to be buying Chinese. The minerals thing and the construction of roads and railways and dams and stadiums with fairly cheap loans from Chinese banks is a way for China to get in here, settle, get used to the place. In the process, the Africans also will get used to Chinese people and everything else Chinese. The big people in Beijing are betting that the sense of familiarity will yield dividends for a China that seeks to be a pre-eminent world power at some point not too far away. That sounds like a reasonable plan. It may unravel, however, because China likes to kill people it considers criminals. The corrupt. The drug traffickers. News broke this week that the Chinese had recently hanged two convicted Ugandan drug traffickers. Yes, the Chinese courts gave the order. Even then, did the authorities have to follow through and execute the hapless chaps? Ugandan authorities say they attempted to have the guys’ sentences changed to life. That failed. Or maybe have them serve their sentence in Uganda. Zilch. I suspect China is sending out the message that it is tough on crime and that it respects court orders. Domestically in China, that makes sense. In Uganda, where we have not executed anyone in more than a decade and as things stand the death penalty is essentially dead, we may take in a different message. We may start to “look at Chinese people differently”. Any Chinese who commits a crime, regardless of gravity, may not survive mob justice. It may not happen immediately. But people do not forget this sort of thing. The two Ugandans, Andrew Ngobi and Omar Ddamulira, were caught hustling to make a living out there in China when they met their end. The Chinese hustling to make a living in Uganda may be treated similarly. They are moving into African countries in numbers as Mr French suggests. His book is, in fact, built around telling individual stories of individual Chinese settling and hustling in the different sub-Saharan African countries. An early chapter talks about a Chinese man, Hao Shengli, arriving with nothing and speaking neither English nor Portuguese. He settles in rural Mozambique and tries his hand at agriculture. To secure the fortune he hopes to make amidst the poverty of the “natives”, he plans to have his children marry Mozambicans – especially his two sons taking local brides. He brags that his older son was already living with a local girl. Intermarriage as saviour! The reality tends to be slightly different. As numbers of Indians and other South Asians in East Africa and their wealth grew, they lived apart and married amongst themselves. They still do. Not much different with the Lebanese in West Africa. Save for the occasional interracial marriage and despite the good intentions of the pioneers such as Hao, the Chinese are likely to go the way of the Lebanese and Indians. Chinese enclaves are likely to develop. A rich (racial) minority living apart is never a good thing. Uganda’s history, from which many are not learning a thing, offers sobering lessons. 1 | 2 Next Page»A number of Chinese settling in Africa initially come to work on infrastructure projects. Once a road or dam has been built, some choose to stay. When they start to make more money than they did back home, word spreads and their neighbours follow them not to work on an infrastructure project but to try their luck in trade, small business or agriculture. The locals think these should be their preserve. If a Chinese or any foreigner should play in these areas, he or she must be coming in big, not at petty level. Chinese engaging in petty commerce has already caused problems for them in several African countries. Those troubles can only grow if China continues killing Africans, even if they are guilty of smuggling narcotics. At some point their guilt becomes a detail no one remembers when part of a charged mob. And wouldn’t all be nice if China simply abolished the death penalty? Mr Tabaire is the co-founder and director of programmes at African Centre for Media Excellence in Kampala. bernard.tabaire@gmail.comTwitter:@btabaire « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Even-if-guilty--it-s-a-bad-move-for-China-to-hang-Ugandans/-/689844/2373350/-/3c5um4z/-/index.html","content":"Even if guilty, it’s a bad move for China to hang Ugandans - At the office nearly two weeks ago, former New York Times journalist Howard French gave a lunch-time talk on China and Africa. It revolved around his new book, China’s Second Continent: How a Million Migrants are Building a New Empire in Africa. China does not see Africa only as a source for raw materials such as minerals or timber. China, he said, is more interested in Africa’s growing population, which in a few decades may have morphed into nearly two billion consumers. Yes, Africans generally may be poorer today, but they are growing richer. With rising income and wealth will come increasing levels of consumption. The Chinese want those Africans to be buying Chinese. The minerals thing and the construction of roads and railways and dams and stadiums with fairly cheap loans from Chinese banks is a way for China to get in here, settle, get used to the place. In the process, the Africans also will get used to Chinese people and everything else Chinese. The big people in Beijing are betting that the sense of familiarity will yield dividends for a China that seeks to be a pre-eminent world power at some point not too far away. That sounds like a reasonable plan. It may unravel, however, because China likes to kill people it considers criminals. The corrupt. The drug traffickers. News broke this week that the Chinese had recently hanged two convicted Ugandan drug traffickers. Yes, the Chinese courts gave the order. Even then, did the authorities have to follow through and execute the hapless chaps? Ugandan authorities say they attempted to have the guys’ sentences changed to life. That failed. Or maybe have them serve their sentence in Uganda. Zilch. I suspect China is sending out the message that it is tough on crime and that it respects court orders. Domestically in China, that makes sense. In Uganda, where we have not executed anyone in more than a decade and as things stand the death penalty is essentially dead, we may take in a different message. We may start to “look at Chinese people differently”. Any Chinese who commits a crime, regardless of gravity, may not survive mob justice. It may not happen immediately. But people do not forget this sort of thing. The two Ugandans, Andrew Ngobi and Omar Ddamulira, were caught hustling to make a living out there in China when they met their end. The Chinese hustling to make a living in Uganda may be treated similarly. They are moving into African countries in numbers as Mr French suggests. His book is, in fact, built around telling individual stories of individual Chinese settling and hustling in the different sub-Saharan African countries. An early chapter talks about a Chinese man, Hao Shengli, arriving with nothing and speaking neither English nor Portuguese. He settles in rural Mozambique and tries his hand at agriculture. To secure the fortune he hopes to make amidst the poverty of the “natives”, he plans to have his children marry Mozambicans – especially his two sons taking local brides. He brags that his older son was already living with a local girl. Intermarriage as saviour! The reality tends to be slightly different. As numbers of Indians and other South Asians in East Africa and their wealth grew, they lived apart and married amongst themselves. They still do. Not much different with the Lebanese in West Africa. Save for the occasional interracial marriage and despite the good intentions of the pioneers such as Hao, the Chinese are likely to go the way of the Lebanese and Indians. Chinese enclaves are likely to develop. A rich (racial) minority living apart is never a good thing. Uganda’s history, from which many are not learning a thing, offers sobering lessons. 1 | 2 Next Page»A number of Chinese settling in Africa initially come to work on infrastructure projects. Once a road or dam has been built, some choose to stay. When they start to make more money than they did back home, word spreads and their neighbours follow them not to work on an infrastructure project but to try their luck in trade, small business or agriculture. The locals think these should be their preserve. If a Chinese or any foreigner should play in these areas, he or she must be coming in big, not at petty level. Chinese engaging in petty commerce has already caused problems for them in several African countries. Those troubles can only grow if China continues killing Africans, even if they are guilty of smuggling narcotics. At some point their guilt becomes a detail no one remembers when part of a charged mob. And wouldn’t all be nice if China simply abolished the death penalty? Mr Tabaire is the co-founder and director of programmes at African Centre for Media Excellence in Kampala. bernard.tabaire@gmail.comTwitter:@btabaire « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Of-Uganda-s-unrealistic-experts-and-specialists/-/689844/2150460/-/b8xfxn/-/index.html","content":"Of Uganda’s unrealistic experts and specialists - Much of the retardation and ruins in Africa are the consequences of engaging bogus experts and specialists. With all due respect, African heads of state and government and other leaders are not necessarily experts or specialists in anything other than what they may have studied, if any, at all, but nevertheless they have made themselves experts and specialists in almost every subject on earth. Yet, their specialisation is nothing more than their status and political power in their respective countries. A specialist has been defined as a scholar or a professional who, having been trained in general principles of a given discipline, decides to abandon every other aspect of that discipline and selects a tiny bit of knowledge about it, studies it in depth and knows more and more about less and less until eventually he or she knows everything there is to know about practically nothing. On the other hand, some African leaders who only specialise in the politics of manoeuvres and the art of staying longest in power use their status and importance to deceive themselves that it is not the experts who studied the subject in depth but themselves simply because of their political or military power and the fear of the real experts and specialists to dissent or oppose the mistaken news of their political masks, even though they are undigested, not tried and speculative or mere dreams paraded as researched findings. At one time while in government, I differed from a leader who wished to advance and adopt his own wished policy that was unresearched, unhelpful and wrong but which differed greatly from what the specialist ministry had researched into and adopted the collective opinions of its experts in and outside the ministry. I was reminded to remark that “If you own a dog, let the dog back for you, but never let other animals bark because they are not dogs. If the dog you hired cannot bark or bark correctly, hire another dog, but never bark yourself because you are not a dog. It cannot be treason to state boldly that yet many world leaders have often barked as if they were dogs themselves.” Early this year, the offices of the Kampala Capital City Executive Director and the Lord Mayor, in unprecedented unity cried against an illegal structure now in its stages of completion at Hole No.12 of the Uganda Gold Club. The Club’s management petitioned against the same monstrosity.The Inspector General of Government was asked to investigate. No one knows what experts or specialists she consulted, but as quick as a tennis ball, her verbal professional answer came back with the words, “The construction of the structure was approved”. She did not disclose who approved it. However, she totally failed to appreciate why everyone including NEMA and the Water and Sewerage Corporation were against it. It is not because it had not been unauthorised but because it is offensive against the City’s Building Regulations. It is being constructed in a road reserve and is founded on a vital city water pipe. Investigations reveal that it was authorised by corrupted and intimidated city bureaucrats masquerading as specialists. False rumour had circulated that the construction belonged to a relative of the President. This columnist met that falsely accused person, and he denied having anything to do with this illegal structure and I honestly believe him to be telling the truth. In a previous column, I bemoaned the fact that many illegal structures and developments are often attributed to the ownership or decisions of the President, the Prime Minister or their respective relatives, political friends or paymasters of political parties. When one UPDF General read the comment, he wondered why none of these leaders or their chosen spokespersons do not publicly deny these rumours. One truth that cannot be denied by anyone is the manner in which this country lost billions of shillings on the construction of a second dam next to the Jinja Owen Falls as ordered by politicians and administrators against the clear advice of real experts in hydraulic power. I, like so many Ugandans who love nature and beauty, miss the wonderful spectacle of waters that used to gush through the turbines at the Owen Falls bridges all because of politicians and intimidated bureaucrats masquerading as experts. God, the Almighty do save the Pearl of Africa from leaders who pose and act as if they are experts or specialists! Prof Kanyeihamba is a retired Supreme Court judge. gwkany@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Of-Uganda-s-unrealistic-experts-and-specialists/-/689364/2150476/-/nkokgc/-/index.html","content":"Of Uganda’s unrealistic experts and specialists - Much of the retardation and ruins in Africa are the consequences of engaging bogus experts and specialists. With all due respect, African heads of state and government and other leaders are not necessarily experts or specialists in anything other than what they may have studied, if any, at all, but nevertheless they have made themselves experts and specialists in almost every subject on earth. Yet, their specialisation is nothing more than their status and political power in their respective countries. A specialist has been defined as a scholar or a professional who, having been trained in general principles of a given discipline, decides to abandon every other aspect of that discipline and selects a tiny bit of knowledge about it, studies it in depth and knows more and more about less and less until eventually he or she knows everything there is to know about practically nothing. On the other hand, some African leaders who only specialise in the politics of manoeuvres and the art of staying longest in power use their status and importance to deceive themselves that it is not the experts who studied the subject in depth but themselves simply because of their political or military power and the fear of the real experts and specialists to dissent or oppose the mistaken news of their political masks, even though they are undigested, not tried and speculative or mere dreams paraded as researched findings. At one time while in government, I differed from a leader who wished to advance and adopt his own wished policy that was unresearched, unhelpful and wrong but which differed greatly from what the specialist ministry had researched into and adopted the collective opinions of its experts in and outside the ministry. I was reminded to remark that “If you own a dog, let the dog back for you, but never let other animals bark because they are not dogs. If the dog you hired cannot bark or bark correctly, hire another dog, but never bark yourself because you are not a dog. It cannot be treason to state boldly that yet many world leaders have often barked as if they were dogs themselves.” Early this year, the offices of the Kampala Capital City Executive Director and the Lord Mayor, in unprecedented unity cried against an illegal structure now in its stages of completion at Hole No.12 of the Uganda Gold Club. The Club’s management petitioned against the same monstrosity.The Inspector General of Government was asked to investigate. No one knows what experts or specialists she consulted, but as quick as a tennis ball, her verbal professional answer came back with the words, “The construction of the structure was approved”. She did not disclose who approved it. However, she totally failed to appreciate why everyone including NEMA and the Water and Sewerage Corporation were against it. It is not because it had not been unauthorised but because it is offensive against the City’s Building Regulations. It is being constructed in a road reserve and is founded on a vital city water pipe. Investigations reveal that it was authorised by corrupted and intimidated city bureaucrats masquerading as specialists. False rumour had circulated that the construction belonged to a relative of the President. This columnist met that falsely accused person, and he denied having anything to do with this illegal structure and I honestly believe him to be telling the truth. In a previous column, I bemoaned the fact that many illegal structures and developments are often attributed to the ownership or decisions of the President, the Prime Minister or their respective relatives, political friends or paymasters of political parties. When one UPDF General read the comment, he wondered why none of these leaders or their chosen spokespersons do not publicly deny these rumours. One truth that cannot be denied by anyone is the manner in which this country lost billions of shillings on the construction of a second dam next to the Jinja Owen Falls as ordered by politicians and administrators against the clear advice of real experts in hydraulic power. I, like so many Ugandans who love nature and beauty, miss the wonderful spectacle of waters that used to gush through the turbines at the Owen Falls bridges all because of politicians and intimidated bureaucrats masquerading as experts. God, the Almighty do save the Pearl of Africa from leaders who pose and act as if they are experts or specialists! Prof Kanyeihamba is a retired Supreme Court judge. gwkany@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/Energy-demand-increases-as-Uganda-faces-load-shedding/-/688616/2114116/-/kdetd8/-/index.html","content":"Energy demand increases as Uganda faces load shedding - Panic gripped the country between December 3 and 6, when two of the five turbines of the newly-constructed 250 Megawatts (MW) Bujagali Hydropower Power Dam shut down due to a technical fault. Places in and out of the central business district started experiencing loadshedding for long hours and the majority power distributor Umeme, revitalised its call to government to switch to thermal generation plants as the alternative. One turbine reportedly produces a total of 50MWs but critics have maintained that the dam does not produce up to the installed capacity. One turbine was later restored but another broke down, and Bujagali Energy Ltd management has since remarked that the entire episode was a result of the scheduled maintenance works. Several areas on the main grid which consume 97 per cent of electricity produced are still experiencing blackouts and according to Mr Henry Rugamba, the head of communications at Umeme, “this is a big cause for worry.” Mr Rugamba notes that current power generation in the country is not enough while considering such periodical breakdowns in production. Tough times ahead“Between now and 2018, the country is headed for the tough times because current generation cannot sustain demand,” he says, adding, With projects like Karuma (600MWs), Ayago and Agago hydro power stations in the offing, Mr Rugamba adds that as the distributor [Umeme], they raised the ‘red flag’ over the current crisis which “will affect the expanding economy.” Against this backdrop, Umeme feels the need to switch on the thermal plants which the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) suspended last year due to exorbitant costs after electricity subsidies were crapped by government. The thermal generation plants are; Aggrekko Lugogo (50MW) Namanve (50MW) and Mutundwe (50MW). Latest revelations show that the distributors have caused a wave of anxiety amongst Ugandans on the sustainability of the current power supply. But state minister for Energy Simon D’juanga told this newspaper recently that the reported load shedding was temporary and should not worry Ugandans. “I am not saying supply is enough but at least it can take us up to the commissioning of projects like Karuma,” he said. In the late 1990s, government controversially unbundled the monopoly state-run Uganda Electricity Board (UEB) to create efficiency in the electricity sector, which critics say has not been realised. The unbundling led to enactment of a new Electricity Act of 1999 and the birth of Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL), Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) and Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL). Electricity woesThe country’s electricity woes have been pinned on Umeme and a recent study by a Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee on Energy recommended the termination of Umeme contract, a process which has since been mixed up in politics and “bribery allegations.” 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Dickens Kamugisa, of Africa Institute for Energy Governance [Afiego] holds the view that “If Umeme has failed efficiency tests with the current level of power supply, Ugandans should not expect them to do any better when the much-anticipated Karuma comes on board.” Low access to electricityThe estimated population with access to electricity stands at 12 per cent accessing grid-based electricity, a two per cent increase from 10 per cent in 2005/06. Mr Kamugisha notes the company has failed to increase electricity access; reaps heavily from inflating customer electricity bills, among others, and the issue of cancelling their contracts being mulled by some Members of Parliament is an “impossibility.” In an interview, UETCL’s head of communications Kenneth Otim explained that current power generations stands at 516MWs from all the producers, and Umeme buys the bulk. “We are aware the economy is growing and demand increases everyday but that does not call for switching on thermal plants. They are very expensive, especially when there is no subsidy,” Mr Otim said, adding, “Bujagali recently got a problem but we couldn’t turn to thermal because it was on short notice.” Thermal power costs Shs779.5 a unit compared with Shs268.8 for hydropower. Growing demandAccording to UETCL-the-in-charge of transmission and selling bulk, projected demand has shot up from 470MWs recorded early this year to 494MWs at peak hours (between 8-10pm). Supply has increased from 504.2MWs to 516MWs. Mr Otim added, “These figures are accurate because we are always monitoring from our substations.” Umeme concurred with the aggregate and supply figures but stressed the need for more supply “to prepare for a situation when demand will outstrip supply.” Some industry players, say some Umeme’s managers had invested in the same thermal plant before they were suspended so they want to recoup their previous investments, a claim Mr Rugamba denied. musisif@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Uganda-s-geothermal-energy-requires-investment-boost/-/689364/2024126/-/10qcaic/-/index.html","content":"Uganda’s geothermal energy requires investment boost - Uganda has an estimated 400MW of untapped geothermal energy. Kabale, Hoima and Kasese districts in western Uganda, where the Great Rift Valley and escarpment are located, have the greatest potential for generating geothermal energy. Earlier this year, the government, through Uganda Electricity Transmission Company, signed a power purchase agreement with AEE systems, an American-based firm, in joint venture with a local company, Katwe Geothermal, to start the exploitation of geothermal energy in Kasese District. This was a remarkable step in terms of diversifying Uganda’s electricity sector. Currently, Uganda mostly relies on hydropower with current generation capacity at 800mw. However, climate change impacts such as droughts and erratic rainfall have made hydro-power unreliable, reducing the country’s adaptive capacity. Hydropower dams in Uganda have continuously produced less power than initially projected capacity. For instance, Owen Falls currently produces 74MW instead of planned 180mw and Kiira Dam produces 50mw instead of the planned 200mw. In turn, this has seen Uganda’s electricity demand rise above its supply electricity tariffs have more than doubled over the past five years, load shedding is the order of the day and electrification rates are still low. Also, transmission from major generation points like Bujagali in Buikwe District, to other parts of the country mean higher costs and greater risk of energy loss. All these problems necessitate dedicating efforts to geothermal energy development to diversify Uganda’s electricity sector. Geothermal energy has numerous advantages over other energy sources. It is at the forefront of low-carbon options as it is green energy with no adverse effects on the environment and it is not affected by drought and climatic variability. This makes geothermal the most suitable source for electricity generation in the country. In the meantime, our neighbours in Kenya boast of having the biggest geothermal plant in East Africa. Olkaria geothermal plant cost Kenya a lot to put up but the country has benefited in terms of lower operation costs and increased generation of electricity. The plant supplies 167MW of electricity, enough to serve 500,000 households. By 2030, the plant is expected to supply 7000MW. Yet, it was not all smooth for Kenya. Olkaria was built in the 1980s, at a time when Kenya’s hydro electricity supply was being threatened by severe drought and the country’s power rationing stood at 70 per cent. The project stalled in 1992 and was only revived in 2003 when the government took the initiative to exploit geothermal potential. Kenya’s geothermal project is a model other African countries can learn from and transform the lives of the common man and woman. Today, in terms of geothermal energy, Uganda is where Kenya was nearly three decades ago. It does not help that the history of investment in the energy sector in Uganda is mired with corruption and lack of transparency. The Karuma Dam project was clouded by inflated costs, unfair resettlement policies and unexplained delays. The complicated political-economic investment climate in Uganda, coupled with high initial set up costs, discourages any would-be investors in the geothermal energy sector. A few efforts have been geared towards solar energy and even fewer to wind energy. Both efforts are remarkable but, like geothermal energy, they have failed to capture the government’s interest. Intensive efforts in investing in geothermal energy, alongside other sources are needed to increase electricity generation, boost supply and meet the ever growing electricity demand. This will secure and sustain Uganda’s electricity sector. Ms Taremwa works with Africa Institute For Energy Governance. dtaremwa@afiego.org"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kiwanuka-reads-tax-filled-budget/-/688334/1882436/-/hbajbhz/-/index.html","content":"Kiwanuka reads tax-filled budget - The Maria Kiwanuka yesterday inked her name in the country’s history books as the first Finance Minister to unveil a record budget of Shs13.1 trillion, almost entirely funded by Ugandans but full of tax hikes meant to plug the funding gap left by donors. Ms Kiwanuka increased tax on kerosene by Shs200, petrol and diesel by Shs50, introduced 18 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on water for domestic consumption, VAT on wheat and flour and imposed an excise tax of 10 per cent on fees charged on transfer of money by mobile network operators and other money transfer operators. A litre of kerosene in Kampala costs Shs2, 900 but with an additional Shs200 in excise duty with effect from July, it will jump to Shs3,100. In the country side, because of the transport costs, a litre of kerosene varies from Shs3,000 to Shs4,000. The implementation of these taxes is subject to Parliamentary approval.In order to meet the funding gap in public finances, the minister increased Motorcycle (Boda-Boda) registration fees from Shs130,000 to Shs200,000 and increased Motor Vehicle registration fee by Shs200,000. The minister has also imposed an extra Shs30,000 on stamp duty on Third Party insurance policies for motor vehicles. In a historical budget that will be funded by 81.1 per cent of domestic revenue and only 18.9 per cent from the donors, Ms Kiwanuka also increased excise duty on cigarettes from Shs22,000, Shs25,000 and Shs55,000 for Soft cup (whose local content is more than 70 per cent of its constituents), other soft cup and Hinge lid respectively to Shs32,000, Shs35,000 and Shs69,000 to collect more revenues. Ms Kiwanuka’s budget seeks to rise above the country’s short-term economic needs and focuses on the big picture — allocating the bigger part of the available resources to the key sectors that seek to defuse the bottlenecks to socio-economic transformation. The hugest chunk of the budget goes to the works and transport sector, which received Shs2.3 trillion up from Shs1.6 trillion, perhaps in response to increasing public outrage on the decayed state of the road network and the mounting carnage. Shs1.8trillion has been allocated to the education sector and an additional Shs5b allocated to the students’ loan scheme. The minister also allocated another Shs5b to support teacher SACCOs across the country. “The challenge of service delivery in Uganda is not lack of sufficient financial resources, but the achievement of maximum efficiency and effectiveness in the utilisation of limited resources,” Ms Kiwanuka said. Ms Kiwanuka prioritises the continued creation of an enabling environment for growth, development and socio-economic transformation. The budget will focus on investing in infrastructure development particularly in transport and energy; support increased agricultural production and enhancing productivity. Focus will also be on industrializing through scientific innovation and private sector competitiveness. The budget also seeks to improve the quality and access in social service provision in health, water and education while enhancing transparency and accountability to improve value for money and fight corruption. Development plansMs Kiwanuka’s budget is meant to support the National Development Plan that seeks to turn Uganda into a middle income country by 2017 and a first world nation within the next 50 years. For this dream to be achieved, focus will be on transport infrastructure, energy, education, health and agriculture. As a result of a 93 per cent reduction in budget support from the foreign donors due to corruption concerns, Ms Kiwanuka delivered the ‘bad news’ to the teachers, health workers, UPDF and other lower-cadre civil servants that she was unable to raise the Shs365 billion needed to increase their salaries in the next financial year. The withdrawal of budget support according to the minister implies that to create the spending room to finance new investments, “we will require drastic measures to boost our domestic revenue mobilisation.” Ms Kiwanuka reported that last year, the economy grew at 5.1 per cent up from 4.1 per cent in the previous year. Inflation subsided and was recorded at 3.6 per cent as at end-May 2013, a marked reduction from double digits at the start of the financial year. The volatility of the Uganda exchange rate subsided and currently averages around Shs2575. However, the minister failed to explain why some of the promises she made last year, especially on transport infrastructure and energy, have hardly been met. The roads are still in shambles, 600MW Karuma project has stalled due to corruption allegations and even with additional 250MW from Bujagali Hydro Dam power outages are still the order of the day in some parts of the country. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Museveni-paints-rosy-picture-of--country-s--economy/-/688334/1874734/-/86g8xdz/-/index.html","content":"Museveni paints rosy picture of  country’s  economy - President Museveni yesterday painted a rosy picture of the economy and seemed unmoved by the failure to fulfill promises he made to Ugandans last year. Quoting the Book of Genesis, a jovial President said Uganda is moving forward but reminded those blaming him for failing to deliver on the promises he made in his previous State-of-the-Nation address that some things take a bit of time. The President said even God took six days to create the world. “Of course not all the things I talked about last year have been fulfilled because many of them take time, and in any case the resources are limited,” Mr Museveni said. While critics said the President failed to give accountability to the nation, which is the whole point of the State-of-the-Nation address, Mr Museveni said in spite of the bottlenecks to social transformation, the country’s GDP rate of growth stands at 5.1 per cent up from 4.3 per cent. He added that Inflation rate is 3.6 per cent; foreign exchange reserves are $3.3 billion; export earnings are $4.9 billion; remittances from Ugandans abroad are $767.26 million; the total size of GDP of Uganda is Shs54.7 trillion and GDP stands at $21.2 billion. He said “in the next 50 years, certainly, Uganda will be a First World country and a middle income country by 2017”. The President, who described himself as “an expert in fighting corruption”, said the National Agricultural Advisory Services (Naads) programme, which was suspended after years of bedevilment by corruption scandals, will be re-organised. He promised a special address to the House on corruption. “The evil of corruption is being handled. You saw what happened to the officers who were accused of stealing money in the Office the Prime Minister and in the Ministry of Public service by holding ghost seminars, in 2011,” Mr Museveni said, attracting shouts of disbelief and laughter. “In the past, NRM has handled bigger problems than bunches of thieving public servants. These are easier to handle,” he said. On the oil sector, the President relaxed his opposition to the pipeline. He said production has taken long because his government has been ‘haggling’ with the oil companies. “Our plan is clear and unequivocal – it must include a right sized refinery of 60,000 barrels per day, built in two phases according to the dictates of the market,” the President said. The President said the country’s commercial partners, the oil companies seemed unwavering on the pipeline because of their financiers who he said were not convinced the local market would consume enough of the product to make it profitable. Mr Museveni undertook to deal with the catching of premature fish which he described as an act of greed that has greatly undermined the sector and significantly affected revenues. He also promised to cause an amendment to investment code to criminalise people who sabotage investment in the country. This is not the first time the President is making this threat. He is on record for saying that he would push for a constitutional amendment to deny economic saboteurs bail. However, yesterday’s speech, which the opposition criticised as a “repeat of last year’s promises”, lacked detail on the country’s democratic credentials and was silent on human rights issues and the security situation in the country. The President did not explain the closing of media houses, including this newspaper and the controversy surrounding his spy chief, Gen. David Sejusa. Gen. Sejusa, formerly Tinyefuza, stoked the fires last month after he wrote a letter to the Director General of Internal Security Organisation, calling for an investigation into allegations that certain individuals opposed to an alleged “Muhoozi Project”, which seeks to replace Mr Museveni with his son, had been targeted for assassination. On a lighter note, the President, probably the first time, revealed to the country that he was born in Mbabara Hospital in 1944. This means that is 69 years old. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Kizza-Besigye-should-find-something-more/-/689364/1758286/-/re85l8z/-/index.html","content":"Kizza Besigye should find something more useful to do - Col. (rtd.) Kizza Besigye, the former president of Forum for Democratic Change, continues his futile struggle to remain visible on the political scene - even if this means grossly misleading the Ugandan people. His latest attempt is in the form of an article carried prominently by the Observer newspaper of April 24, titled “How Museveni has sabotaged the energy sector”. In his article, Besigye purports to examine the “whole energy sector”, the “implementation of power projects”, and dramatically presents the reader with obviously contrived “conclusions” and “recommendations”, including: “theft/corruption and dysfunctional systems and institutions in the energy sector are responsible for the power crisis in Uganda’, and “MPs should revive impeachment proceedings against the ‘President’ …”! Now, we should not be blamed for questioning whether Besigye is qualified to comment at all on the subject - not given some of the sweeping and erroneous statements that he makes. One such statement is that “there was no energy policy at all (emphasis ours) between 1986 and 2002!” The good Colonel then adds, amazingly oblivious of its import, “Government only depended on annual policy statements made by the minister …” A few paragraphs later he ventures, “the power sector was fundamentally (again, emphasis ours) ‘reformed’ and largely privatised under the Electricity Act 1999, before there was any form of energy policy!” The statements we quote above are a damning indictment of the former FDC leader himself who, at the “no energy sector policy” period, was a minister, and even more, a National Political Commissar. Was he then as early as 1986 to 1990 already unhappy with the government in which he was serving as a senior leader, or does he have a unique comprehension of the category “policy”? Did he gain nothing from proximity to the NRM/A leadership in all those years in the bush, and all the discussions then about what was required to transform backward reality? And, how can anyone seriously discuss “energy sector policy”, outside discussion of overall national development policy. Incredible. We, who were not in government then, can still clearly discern that the period in question was essentially one of achieving minimum stabilisation and recovery in the economy and polity at large. How could it have been otherwise after the turbulence of the 1970s and a shooting war?Where Dr Besigye possibly expected grandiose 5 to 15 year national development plans right from 1986, his leader Yoweri Museveni had no illusions that in the interim, the country needed: disciplining the army and security forces (has then State Minister for Internal Affairs Besigye forgotten?), controlling inflation, rehabilitating infrastructure, attracting industries, starting immunisation and education programmes for all. Has the then National Political Commissar forgotten the prioritisation demanded by an extremely complex situation? Is it possible that in the daze of dealing with immediate challenges he failed to see the strategic trajectory in the energy sector - and possibly, in the entire economy? More about this later. Besigye, after his diatribe on the “absence of policy”, condescends to turn his guns on, “The biggest failure and sabotage of the energy sector, however, was in the conception/misconception and implementation of the power sector.” We do not know where he got his information from, but cannot get rid of the uncomfortable feeling that we are dealing with a poor copy and paste job. The evidence of this lies in the article itself. Let the reader consider: “The second power project constituted the rehabilitation of the Owen falls (sic) dam … The project was approved in March 1985 … This was the project which was undertaken during the first years of the NRM regime. There is very little information regarding the implementation of this project, save that it is reported to have been completed 10 years later in 1996.” Very little information reported? This, from a Cabinet Minister, a National Political Commissar, a very senior officer in the UPDF, and a war hero? Was Besigye an active participant in government, or a distant observer? Does he qualify to be our guide in this conversation? The energy sector and the entire economy are firmly on course, in spite of inevitable challenges. Mr Mafabi is the private secretary/political affairs- State House. kdavidmafabi@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Uganda-in-2013--the-first-100-days/-/691232/1755892/-/ei0dto/-/index.html","content":"Uganda in 2013: the first 100 days - President Museveni said in his New Year message that the past year had been a difficult one, citing; runaway inflation, high prices of key commodities such as sugar and fuel, a slump in economic growth, corruption and sabotage by “some elements” of the political class were some of the troubles that blighted his government. He, however, said the economy had recovered after 24 months of upheaval and noted that inflation that had hit an all-time high in 2011 at 30 per cent stood at 4.9 per cent, while annual rate of growth, which was at 3.4 per cent would riseto five per cent and eventually seven per cent. OPM scandalWe ended the year with allegations of financial misappropriation in the Office of the Prime Minister. Billions of shillings meant to pacify northern Uganda and Karamoja had gone missing under the watch of government officials. OPM Principal Accountant, Geoffrey Kazinda, remains in Luzira Prison over the matter. Following the revelations, donors such as Ireland, demanded that the government refunds the aid it had wired to the economy but was not accounted for. Eamon Gilmore, the Foreign Affairs minister for the Republic of Ireland, said Uganda refunded Shs14b. This newspaper also broke a story that the government had raided the Treasury with a secretive Shs21b supplementary budget to use taxpayers’ money to refund the stolen aid. However, the deputy secretary to the Treasury, Mr Keith Muhakanizi, later told journalists that the government had secured up to Shs38.3b to refund donors. TaxmanThe Uganda Revenue Authority also listed top tax defaulters from whom it demanded Shs30b, in a move that attempted to raise revenue to plug the holes created by aid cuts and faltering revenue performance. Pension scandal The aftermath of the revelations that billions of shillings at the Public Service Ministry had been paid to non-existent pensioners also painted a largely grim picture for the country riddled with corruption. That more than Shs60b had been paid to dubious people. Police detectives, swung into action, arrested ministry officialsand the Permanent Secretary Jimmy Lwamafwa, was interdicted. This newspaper also published photos of alleged beneficiaries, a thing that saw an old man and woman walk to police to claim faces, which stared at them with different names. The Auditor General’s December 2012 report also said Shs88.2b, largely attributed to ghost beneficiaries from the police, prisons and the army formed part of a total Shs165.4b paid as gratuity to 3,000 non-existent pensioners. NSSF, however, denied receiving part of the cash [Shs88.2b]. Police are still investigating the pension scandal, even as the first quarter of the year is gone. No salariesFor the past three months, the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service Ministry again have been in the spotlight over non-payment of salaries to civil servants. Secretary to the Treasury, Mr Chris Kassami asked Public Service to explain the salary delays, and the ministry in response said, Shs2.1t allocated for salaries for this financial year was not enough and requested for a supplementary budget. The oil corruption spillAlthough, oil production is expected in three years’ time, the government is still involved in political and legal gymnastics over setting up a refinery here.Recently, while meeting of ficials from Tullow, Total, China’s Cnooc Ltd and Ministry of Energy officials, President Museveni threw barbs at Parliament, saying negotiations on the Memorandum of Understanding on building a refinery and a pipeline had taken too long [seven years]. The oil companies and the government agreed to start with a refinery with a capacity of 30,000 barrels per day, under the 200,000 barrels per day the government dreamt of and Ugandans will own 40 per cent of the oil refinery while Bunyoro will get an airport and a railway line from Pakwach. Death of big wigsIf there is a word to describe the first quarter, one would say, it has been one of “death”. From a great servicemen, First Deputy premier and Minister for East Africa Eriya Kategeya, businessman and entrepreneur James Mulwana, to the President’s father, Amos Kaguta. We also lost Brig. Patrick Kankiriho, the man who tormented LRA rebels in the operation “Lightning Thunder” in late 2008. Corruption jail birds An attempt to fight graft saw Soroti Municipality MP, Mike Mukula sent to Luzira for four years after he was found guilty of embezzling Shs200m Gavi funds. He has since got bail. Businessman Hassan Bassajjabalaba was also remanded for days in Luzira Prison for forging a consent statement in the Shs142.6b compensation scandal. ParliamentThe year began with the Parliament in recess. But the nasty spillovers of the events in the previous year kept the House alive. A section of MPs put Speaker Rebecca Kadaga on pressure to recall the House from recess to debate the controversial death of former Butaleja Woman MP, Cerinah Nebanda.President Museveni would later say Parliament would only be recalled over his dead body. Like he had said, the Speaker did not recall the House. Adam Kalungi, the alleged boyfriend of Nebanda was arrested in Mombasa, Kenya, and was handed over to Ugandan authorities. He remains at Luzira Prison on charges of manslaughter. The Nebanda storm took with it Pathologist Silvester Onzivua who was interdicted for allegedly stealing body samples of the former MP to take to South Africa for toxicological tests. Coup talkThe storm, was however, tamed by the emergence of coup talk. While at the NRM retreat at Kyankwanzi, some MPs asked President Museveni to reinstate term limits and retire. He reportedly told them the armed forces were closely watching the political developments and would not hesitate to take over power should the ‘confusion’ in the political class not end. The Army Commander, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, together with the Minister of Defence, Dr Crispus Kiyonga, re-echoed their boss’ claims. 1 | 2 Next Page»Stuck on the shelves The Public Order and Management Bill remained on the shelves. The Oil Bill and the Anti-Homosexuality Bill also stared in the faces of lawmakers, who had largely started the 9th Parliament as one inclined towards fighting graft. Then, the Marriage and Divorce Bill came wagging, and it got all MPs pacing up and down. Realising that the MPs had pulled strings over the Bill, the President through the powers of the Executive, ordered that Finance looks for Shs1.69b to be paid to MPs to go and consult their constituents. Each MP got Shs5m. More deaths, only that these were murders A wave of killing is sweeping across the country. In Kampala alone, two businessmen have been killed in Kamwokya and Kisaasi, both city suburbs under mysterious circumstances. A Briton, Derrick Coggon, was also killed in cold blood in Entebbe recently. The Inspector General of Police, Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura, has had to make rounds to areas affected, reshuffled police officers, but the vice remains in the dark. In areas such as Rakai, Masaka, and neighbouring districts, about 15 deaths have been reported in the last three months and the assailants are yet to be brought to book. Looking backA set of investigations carried forward from last year remain unfinished.First, it was the death of Buyaga West MP Barnabas Tiinkasiimire’s estranged wife, Agnes Tinkasiimire, who died of burns she sustained from a fire at her Mukono home late last year. Detectives are yet to dig to the bottom of the death months later. Another death that occurred this year that remains unresolved is of Juvenal Nsenga. Police have petitioned the Attorney General to block murder charges against Ms Jackie Uwera, saying, they had found no evidence of intentional killing by the accused. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Richard Buteera, had brought the murder charges. Other initiativesThe education sector has got some misdemeanours; Makerere University students battled for their future when the university introduced a 60 per cent tuition policy. It resulted in strikes, looting and some arrests. This would be settled when the university relaxed the policy. Teachers continue to demand salary increment; but they can teach for now, even when Shs200b, enough to pay 56,000 teachers for a year, is being thrown away in dubious court awards to individuals and companies by the government. Reports recently indicate that consumers could experience power cuts in six months’ time and not two years as had been expected. Yet, the construction of Karuma Dam, which is expected to produce 600 Megawatts to add to the existing 250MW from Bujagali plant, and 210MW from Nalubaale and Kiira plants, has failed to take off. Media reports indicate that China will fund the construction of the dam. The construction works should have started last year, but the tendering process was rocked with graft allegations and shoddy tendering process. We are not yet half way the year, but the above events, and others, largely paint a picture of the government caught between a rock and hard place. achekwech@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/KaroliSsemogerere/As-2013-wears-on--are-we-entering-a-dark-age-/-/878682/1751210/-/ruhdnf/-/index.html","content":"As 2013 wears on, are we entering a dark age? - In 2012, Ugandans with gratitude settled two major debts. First was the retirement of a shareholder loan that Umeme took out to finance its operations in Uganda. This shareholder loan was paid off using the proceeds of the IPO. In the same year, the Ugandan taxpayer “received” the 250MW Bujagali project, prompting the turning off of thermal plants, some of which left the country with a trail of unpaid domestic debts. These thermal plants are supposed to enjoy direct backing of the taxpayer who, until last year, paid a direct subsidy to settle their bills. As Bujagali came closer to fruition, the government lost the urgency to settle their bills in a timely manner. As a result, many former noise and air polluters are gone- but with a cost. No sooner had the thermal generators left town than the warning bells came in. First was the news that load-shedding would begin mid last year. The second warning has been directly related to the failure of Bujagali -- for various highly technical reasons -- to generate the full 250MW. The reserve power is more expensive and the water flow rate insufficient to support higher generation. Hydro-engineering has been in the news in the past with highly inflammatory debates taking place in the media. The public still remembers the spat between Internal Affairs minister Hilary Obaloker Onek and Energy Permanent Secretary Kabagambe Kaliisa over the metrics and soundness of constructing a parallel dam at the site of the Source of the Nile. Bujagali has claimed a number of high profile casualties. First is the taxpayer- delays in constructing Bujagali and its economics brought its final cost way above the conventional cost of a unit of hydro-electric power. Primary school pupils and those in lower secondary school spend a lot of time parroting how cheap hydroelectric power is; and how responsible it was for Uganda’s past industrial growth. In Museveni’s Uganda, this has unfortunately not been the case. Our domestic capacity, partly due to brain drain and partly due to the backwardness of our economy, has made it difficult for us to ‘procure’ that cheap hydroelectric power. Nyagak, a mini-hydro, almost failed to take off after a contractor abandoned equipment under water. This week, Karuma is making headlines after Cabinet endorsed the recommendations of the Inspector General of Government, Ms Irene Mulyagonja, in which she asked that the procurement be set aside. Two Chinese companies have been battling each other to construct the dam. A vibrant debate on social media -- Facebook -- has highlighted the shortcomings of the IGG’s report. Due to “lack of funds”, the IGG and her team were not able to conduct on-site due diligence to verify the claims of the complainants and accused. At least Judge Mulyagonja was honest in making this observation. Everyone remembers how a team of officials from the Ministry of Finance and Bank of Uganda visited ‘Westmont’ in Asia before handing over the nation’s largest commercial bank to them and the bleeding that followed, almost shutting down the nation’s financial sector. Sound procurement requires some form of capacity building and sharing knowledge. Karuma, like Bujagali, are hell-bent on optimising nature or waterfalls to produce electricity. Uganda’s mass power model is still dominated by costly transmission over long distances of the final product. This model looks at power consumers as ‘markets’ who are able to buy a product at the market rate at will. So, as long as people in Kampala can still afford to pay for power at whatever price Umeme and the Electricity Regulatory Authority say, the role of the distributor -- Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited -- is to deliver power to them. Unfortunately, the power consumer does not have options to dump expensive power in favour of cheaper alternatives. A distribution monopoly like the one Umeme enjoys also makes it easier for the government to collect ‘lazy’ taxes like VAT. By enforcing higher rates, Umeme is unlikely to lose revenue from load-shedding, it continues to sell less power at a higher price. But there is another new class of electricity consumers served by the Rural Electrification Agency and independent power cooperatives. Their power is locally generated. The deal is that it does not run 24 hours but it is 100 per cent on for 18 hours. It costs more but these thermals are always running unless the generator breaks down or someone steals the money meant to purchase fuel. This model, if well managed can compete with the unreliable misbranded cheap hydroelectric power. As it is, unreliable power will soon take its toll on the fragile economy. Already, the remaining virgin forest is now being ravaged for charcoal. Demand for the “black electricity” has never been higher. The commodity that once cost Shs3,000 a sack is edging closer to Shs100,000 retail. Very soon we will buy it in paper bags and all the attendant strain on the environment. If this is not a dark age, then what can it be? Mr Ssemogerere, an attorney and social entrepreneur, practises law in New York. kssemoge@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/DanielKalinaki/Uganda-is-not-a-failed-State-but-we-are-a-State-that-fails/-/878782/1738496/-/ilqva0/-/index.html","content":"Uganda is not a failed State but we are a State that fails - Last week, your columnist argued that the failure and threatened closure of the National Agricultural Advisory Services programme was a symptom of a much larger problem: State inefficiency and failure. Now, every time one puts the words ‘State’ and ‘failure’ in the same sentence one is bound to provoke all sorts of attacks so before we start frothing at the mouth let’s frame the argument. States fail in many ways. Some States simply collapse and implode back into the confines of their constituent parts, such as happened in Somalia, unable to find a common purpose to hold the disparate parts together. Others, like DR Congo, stagger along with the surefootedness of a drunken panda, too big, too diverse, and too weak at the centre to hold things together. Others, like North Korea, give the semblance of strength, rattling cages and firing off missiles while they beg for aid to feed their starving people. We do not belong to those categories. But there is a far more nuanced form of failure, in which States become hostage to internal (and sometimes external) vested interests and are unable to implement pro-people programmes, unless they directly contribute to the survival and perpetuation of those vested interests.Like a hairline fracture, this form of failure is hard to see, often because there is always a semblance of progress on the surface masking the rot and incompetence underneath. Let’s look at our education system, for example. The introduction of free Universal Primary Education saw school enrolment jump from two to seven million overnight, as children previously unable to afford fees suddenly turned up.However, while those students are going to school, they are not receiving an education. Thus many of them drop out and go off to do more rewarding menial jobs as soon as they can, while those who stay are part of a great social experiment to see whether you can develop a country with half-baked, semi-illiterate graduates who have benefitted from the institutionalised cheating of exams. Getting children into school is a means to achieving success but not giving them an education is failure, however impressive the enrollment statistics might be.Let us look at smaller examples of failure in day-to-day life. Despite Kampala city expanding far and wide beyond its original seven hills, city and municipal authorities still can’t name roads, enforce their minimum sizes, or other aspects of the Building Code.The successful building of those fancy bungalows in suburbia (if you discount questions about the source of money for many and the absence of a sense of community) only masks the failure of the State to ensure physical planning. Or take the failure to enforce traffic rules, from wearing seatbelts in the car to wearing helmets on boda bodas. In fact, traffic management on city roads is an apt metaphor for this failure: during off-peak hours the police arrest motorists and boda boda riders who jump the few working traffic lights. Then in peak traffic, the same police officers direct the same motorists to disregard the same traffic lights, some times even directing them to drive on the right. This unpredictability is at the heart of our form of State and social failure. Countries develop when they have the rule of law; a predictable set of rules and regulations, which are consistently and fairly applied. Naads will die not because we are incapable of building and implementing large-scale agricultural enterprises, after all we set up cooperatives before; it will die because it has become easier and more convenient to hand out the money to farmer groups comprised of regime supporters, than to subsidise ‘rebels’ who might sell their maize and campaign for the opposition. The money still goes to Naads but it is siphoned out and handed out in brown envelopes. Such patronage and support allows the State to survive but it can never thrive because ultimately the failure of well-intentioned programmes, be it Naads or UPE or PMA adds up to the collective failure of society. The irony then is that the more successful the State is in entrenching itself, the more successful it is in failing us all. ***** President Museveni constantly blames the Opposition and the 6th Parliament for the delays in the Bujagali power project. Karuma Dam is now at least two years behind schedule and has been retendered because rent-seekers, some very, very close to him, backed different Chinese factions. Shall we see similar public blame and action against these “economic saboteurs” and “enemies of Uganda’s development”? Don’t bet your house on it. dkalinaki@ug.nationmedia.com Twitter: @Kalinaki"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/The-NRM-blackguard-regime-s-effect-on-the-economy/-/689844/1709094/-/hd20twz/-/index.html","content":"The NRM blackguard regime’s effect on the economy - RIP Mzee Kaguta. As I was about to finish writing this piece, I heard news of the death of Mzee Amos Kaguta, the father of Mr Museveni. It’s therefore fitting that I start by expressing my sincere condolences to the Kaguta family, relatives and friends. Due to what has been happening in the politics, most people may not believe that I have many personal friends in the Kaguta family, writes . These are people who are not involved in government and who are generally dismayed at how politics has turned out in Uganda. May God rest Mzee Kaguta’s soul in peace, Amen. Natural justice requires that one is not a judge in his/her own cause. Evidence, by way of facts and collaboration ought to be presented to an impartial body for a fair judgment to be made. In politics, the ultimate judge is the public. The media offers platforms for all facts, views, opinions, ideologies to be expressed for the public to consider and make up their minds on them. It’s very unfortunate that Mr Museveni who occupies the highest office in our country publicly demands (and writes) that people he considers as liars should be denied access to the media. When the Monitor newspaper publishes my views (or of those he considers as saboteurs), it is condemned (as an enemy paper) for our views and even told that it will fail in its schemes. Mr Museveni’s responses to my interview with the Daily Monitor are dominated by his subjective judgments (we’re liars, malicious actors, saboteurs, egocentric actors etc), instead of offering convincing evidence to refute the facts we present. In response to his missives last week, I presented precise evidence; facts and collaborating evidence to show that NRM is essentially a corrupt military dictatorship; that UPDF is not run as a professional State institution provided for under our laws, but principally a Regime Protection Force (RPF); and that Mr Museveni’s son, Muhoozi, was illegally recruited, commissioned and abnormally promoted in the UPDF. I presented what the UPDF Act and regulations require. In the latest response from Mr Museveni, he didn’t attempt to respond to the facts and evidence I presented. Instead, he said that in future he won’t respond to “all the distortions put out by Dr Besigye or his colleagues unless there is something fundamentally different they bring out”. I therefore consider that the facts and evidence I presented are not challenged (indeed they’re incontrovertible) and settled. Mr Museveni laboured to explain that the UPDF Special Forces Command (SFC) was not created for his son, Muhoozi. He asserts that it evolved from the group that used to guard/escort him in the bush. In the bush, Mr Museveni explains that he had the guards as the Commander of NRA; moving in dangerous operational areas. Since 1986, the NRA/UPDF has been having a Commander doing what he used to do in equally dangerous war situation, why don’t these commanders retain the same or remotely similar protection forces? The SFC is a recent creation (Muhoozi is its very first leader); when there was no war on Ugandan territory. Why would the specialised forces of UPDF get concentrated in the force that guards the President of Uganda at this time?Why has Muhoozi exclusively led the rapidly expanding forces protecting the “President” since he illegally joined the UPDF? Satisfactory answers to these questions would put this matter to rest. Mr Museveni, in his latest missive, dismisses my contention that we went to the bush to fight Army (military) rule. He says that we fought because of election rigging, extrajudicial killings and arbitrary arrests. Mr Museveni must have conveniently forgotten that the Military Commission (of UNLF), of which he was the Vice Chairman, overthrew the Moshi Agreement (transitional constitution) and Binaisa’s government and installed themselves as the rulers of Uganda. It was this Military Commission that rigged the 1980 elections. What was Paulo Muwanga’s source of power in dismissing the Electoral Commission and taking over all its powers? As I pointed out earlier, whenever there’s unchecked power, as occurs under military rule; sooner or later such a regime violates and abuses peoples’ rights and freedoms. The rigging of elections, extrajudicial killings and arbitrary arrests are a consequence of the military rule. Even under the present Museveni military rule, there have been extrajudicial killings and arbitrary arrests; for which we have extensive evidence. The location and extent of such crimes normally corresponds with the threat the regime faces. Whereas the NRA may have been a vanguard force in a people’s liberation struggle, the NRA in government and certainly the UPDF changed character to become the foundation and protector of a corrupt military dictatorship. That is why it has been at the centre of election rigging. The Uganda Police, which was essentially turned into an extension of the military, is more visible in the arbitrary arrests and violations/abuses of rights and freedoms. That’s why it’s wrong for the UPDF to masquerade as similar to NRA, for which the February 6 Army Day was intended. It should stop observing the day. It seems that Mr Museveni, in his latest missive, is even questioning the very first Article of the Constitution: “All power belongs to the people and shall exercise their sovereignty in accordance with this Constitution”. The limited power given (delegated) to the military (by the people of Uganda) in Art 209 is to preserve and defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Uganda. The Constitution is also very clear in Art 208 that the UPDF is “subordinate to civilian authority as established under this Constitution”. The military is employed by the people to defend their sovereignty and territory; it’s a servant and not the master. The army being a part of the people cannot give them a right over them as happens in military dictatorships. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Cost-of-2013-census-up-by-Shs10-billion/-/689844/1653704/-/15qvlh9/-/index.html","content":"Cost of 2013 census up by Shs10 billion - The inefficiency of your government, people, keeps reeking, although this is stale news for those who’ve been picking up newspaper copies regularly this year. An effort to wipe the teachers’ payroll of ghosts was handled haphazardly and instead saw legitimate teachers deleted; the resulting circus had some teachers missing their salaries for a number of months. Meanwhile, although government can afford to send regime cronies abroad for expensive treatment, it cannot maintain the ICU unit at its own national hospital. UPE and USE are doing more harm than good, and we continue throwing more money at them. And, we could soon have more new districts. And, apparently the national census is to cost Shs10 billion more because, surprise surprise, it was postponed after government failed to raise money so it could be held this year. So it was postponed and as a result, the cost went up. Why? “Additional costs arose from the creation of new districts, the need for rebranding, among other costs.” Even then, officials are not sure if they’ll manage to get money for the exercise to be held in 2013, meaning it could be pushed to 2014. And then what, an additional Shs10 billion? Because by then we’ll obviously have new districts. ---------------------------------------------- Museveni chastens legislators for doubting report According to Police, or whichever foreign laboratories Police used, Cerinah Nebanda’s death was caused by narcotics: heroin and cocaine were mentioned. Now, you of course have a right to believe this or express skepticism – we’re a democracy, right? – and a good number of MPs, including the Speaker of Parliament, have expressed doubt about the findings. They have their reasons: probably, since we shall assume they knew the deceased MP well, they are shocked at the drug reports. Maybe they don’t trust Police. Or, they just want to express doubt just for expressing doubt’s sake.Thing is, in some countries expressing doubt in what government says, especially in the esteemed and efficient police force, might land you into trouble. That’s more so when the Presidents in those countries believe the Police report. Because of this, they will confidently say the dead MP was in the company of “drug sellers” and “drug users,” and tell the mother of the deceased to swallow the bitter pill. Woe unto you, then, if you don’t believe what those Presidents believe. For thou shall spend Christmas worried about prison, especially if you intimated that his government is hiding something. Thou shall be called an “idiot” and a “fool” for refusing to fall in line, and arrested to tell the Police what they don’t know. ---------------------------------------------- 2012 report card is deplorable The end of a year and the appearance of a new one just around the horizon offers us a chance to evaluate what we have been up to in the expiring year. As a nation, the evaluation is less than flattering. Although the economy has picked up, that’s if you’re to use inflation and the stability of the Shilling against the dollar as benchmarks, its foundation is still fragile. In the energy sector a new dam was opened at Bujagali, handing us a reprieve to load shedding, but demand still overweighs the available power.Away from the economy it’s hard to pinpoint other sectors in which we have improved. Government approved pay rises for some medical workers, but these workers were a minority already earning more than most of their colleagues. Health units are in deplorable conditions. Education, meanwhile, will only get worse unless meaningful and informed efforts are taken to address governments universal schemes, UPE and USE: don’t bet on this to happen anytime soon, though. Government still claims it is committed to fighting corruption, a deplorable lie. Things would be different only if we had an accountable government. The sort of government that, you know, takes into account it’s (informed) citizen’s views on mooted oil laws. This was absent in 2012, and looks set to be no different in 2013. --------------------------------------------- Police question premier’s office PS Bigirimana And then, with some of us seething at those nonsensical stories newspapers throw at us during this season about how many babies were born in what hospital in what district, the curious (and unquestionable, according to some Presidents) mechanism that is “police investigations” threw something at us to restore our faith in humanity (and in “police investigations”): Police on Friday was scheduled to question the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr Pius Bigirimana. Mr Bigirimana was the top ranking bureaucrat in the Office of the Prime Minister when Shs50 billion, most of it money given to us by donors and meant for the reconstruction of war-stricken northern Uganda, was stolen by people under him. Other officials with an awareness of their obligations would have resigned out of shame had they been in his shoes, but Bigirimana, with the support of powers from above, has stayed on as Permanent Secretary apparently because he is the whistle-blower who partly exposed the scam. It’s probably because of this elevated role that he was spared the inconvenience of driving to CIID headquarters for the investigation, with Police chief Kale Kayihura saying Police instead has to go to his office. An office he should not even be sitting in!"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Rugby/Outstanding-Ochwo-leads-Elgon-Cup-reclamation/-/690276/1652586/-/16bymn/-/index.html","content":"Outstanding Ochwo leads Elgon Cup reclamation - The performance of Mathias Ochwo is perhaps the best individual showing by a single Uganda Rugby Cranes player in ages against rivals Kenya. The national captain was outstanding as Uganda reclaimed the annual two-team Elgon Cup, edging the eastern neighbours 19-16 on aggregate over the two legs. Uganda won the home tie 19-5 through tries from lock Romano Ogwal and wing Justin Kimono before losing the Nairobi leg 12-0. Fittingly Ochwo, an open-side flanker, was named the player of series which put him in prime position to lead a combined team, the Elgon Warriors, for the visit of the England Counties. However, an injury kept the talisman out of the high profile tour. Rugby Cranes hooker Alex Mubiru got the chance to captain the Warriors on their first leg of the tour at Kyadondo ground. The Counties routed the combined East African team, featuring the best players from Uganda and Kenya, 39-5 in an unforgettable lesson. The scoreline told the story completely. The visitors had clean scrums, executed their line out routinely and kept the ball very well. They didn’t look special but all the basics of rugby were evident. Warriors improved in Nairobi a week later but still lost, 34-14. The tour was to raise funds and awareness for the Tag Rugby Trust as it celebrated a decade of existence here.The national team headed north to Tunisia to pursue the dream of winning a second Africa Cup, five years after they won another in Madagascar.Fullback Benon Kiiza was the hero, kicking a last minute penalty as Rugby Cranes defeated Kenya 21-19 in the semifinals. They lost the final to Zimbabwe 22-18 despite tries from Scot Olouch and Felix Lubega.Contests between Uganda and Kenya remain the hottest rugby tickets in the region and the Bamburi Rugby Super Series offered another slice.This time, Uganda got a team to the final as Dimension Data Rwenzori, helped by having a home semifinal against Kenya’s Cheetahs, won 25-0 at Kampala ground. Buoyed by a capacity crowd, coach Fred Mudoola’s Rwenzori scored through tries from fast rising back row Marvin Odong and halfbacks Ambrose Kamanyiire and a returning Edmond Tumusiime. The Ugandan side lost 25-14 to UAP Rhinos at the Rugby Football Union of East Africa ground in Nairobi, leaving a bad taste for wing Justin Kimono and utility back Anthony Kinene. Kimono failed to deal with a high ball to allow Victor Sudi score whereas Kinene missed two penalties and two conversions as his kicking diminished through the year. Dominant HeathensOn the local scene, MTN Heathens continued their perfection in winning a fourth successive Nile Special Rugby Premier title. It came down to the penultimate weekend of the season as Heathens hosted foes DMark Kobs at Kyadondo seeking revenge for the first leg loss at Kampala. A second half show of pace gave Heathens 22-10 victory and all they needed was to beat Toyota Buffaloes in the first televised league game to clinch the title. They did. Jinja-based Nile were taken out of their pain of the past few years with relegation to the low tier with Summerkamp replacing them in the top tier. Kobs can claim to have had a fantastic league since they have barely given Heathens any kind of competition since 2009, the year when the latter did a season clean sweep. The bar will definitely be raised next season after Kobs beat Heathens 14-13 at Kyadondo to win a third successive Uganda Cup and end the latter’s three-year unbeaten run at home. 1 | 2 Next Page»A combination of steely defence and an error-strewn finish from Heathens secured the victory. Fullback Joseph Aredo, a replacement for the hamstrung Simon Wakabi, scored the winning penalty. It was normal service again for Heathens as they easily retained the Ecobank national 7s title, winning two of the four legs. Later, coach Brian Tabaruka’s side, the most dominant team of recent years, won a poorly attended Makerere 10s tournament beating Buffaloes in the final 31-5 as Kenyan teams stayed away. There was also growth in the Fun Rugby front besides the Nile Special Fun event which takes places during the Easter weekend. Kenyan side Kisumu beat Kiboko Squad 7-0 to change the guard entirely at Dam Waters ground in Jinja and end a three-year losing streak in the final.Beach Rugby also rolled out a fifth edition after the game was played under floodlights for only the second time during the “One Night Stand” attended by a mammoth crowd. Former Rugby Cranes prop Bobby Bibagamba continued to organise the growing Western Sevens in Mbarara. The women also had a shot at the 2013 Rugby World Cup 7s in Moscow, Russia which would have been a huge achievement as they made the 2009 edition in Dubai, UAE. It fell flat. Lady Cranes must wait at least until New Zealand 2017 to make a return to the Rugby World Cup 7s after failing to qualify for next year’s edition. A 17-5 semifinal loss to Tunisia in Rabat, Morocco prevented Uganda from challenging for a place to join South Africa in Moscow as the second African representative. ikigongo@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/The--new-10-point--agenda/-/688334/1530458/-/yn8vncz/-/index.html","content":"The ‘new 10-point’ agenda - Speaking at the Golden Jubilee celebrations in Kololo on Tuesday, President Museveni, in 26 minutes, outlined a new 10-point programme, which he says will turn Uganda into a first world country in the next 50 years. We review the promises-and as we note-it will need more than just pronouncements for these plans to turn into realities. Uganda’s many devt plans The new 10-point plan unveiled on Tuesday is one of several development strategies that President Museveni says will potentially get Ugandans out of poverty and lead to economic growth. It is the latest in government’s several strategies put in place mostly in the last decade. Others include the Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP), Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture, National Agricultural Advisory Services (Naads), the National Development Plan and Vision 2040.But experts now say Uganda has so many development plans which it is having trouble implementing effectively. Dr Bernard Mugisha Tayebwa, an economist and development consultant said the National Development Plan, for instance, which replaced the PEAP can help transform Uganda into a middle income only if it is in line with the national budget. “All of what is contained in the NDP has to be harmonised and reflected in the national budget. If this is not done then it renders the plan useless,” Dr Tayebwa said. He says most of the NDP focus is on the public and private sector partnership without paying much attention to the cooperative sector where majority of Ugandans belong. “Most of the people are not part of the private sector but the cooperative sector. They need to be included in these plans,” said Dr Tayebwa. Inside the National Development Plan Even with the discovery of oil in mind, the architects of the National Development Plan (NDP) set an ambitious target for government to transform Uganda from a peasant to a modern and prosperous country within a period of 30 years. However, the 30-year- target appears to negate President Museveni’s golden jubilee pledge to the nation, in which the NRM leader said overcoming what he called 10 key “bottlenecks” would make Uganda leap into the middle-income category within a “few years”, and gain a first-world status within 50 years. The plan (2010-2015) which was launched by President Museveni on April 19, 2010 seeks among others to unlock the country’s development potential. The plan replaced the Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP). The PEAP guided the formulation of government policy between1997-2007. This blueprint sets out in detail the key measures that the government needs to take in order to put public finances to order. It identifies the areas of economic activity which would provide growth and employment to stir economic development. It specifies the reforms the government must implement for the country to takeoff. The NDP covers the fiscal period between 2010/11 to 2014/15 and stipulates the country’s medium term strategic direction, development priorities and implementation strategies. 2010 NDP plan • Physical infrastructure development mainly in energy, railway, waterways and air transport.•Human resource development in areas of education, skills development, health, water and sanitation.•Facilitating availability and access to critical production inputs especially in agriculture and industry.• National Defence and Security is a prerequisite for sustainable socio-economic development, stability and national unity 1 | 2 Next Page»Abandoned PEAP vision • Economic Management• Production, competitiveness and incomes • Security, conflict-resolution and disaster-management • Good governance • Human Development ========================================== IDEOLOGYFighting ideological disorientation is first in the new plan. Whereas the President is keen on issues like Pan Africanism some critics argue that the NRM has no concrete ideological grounding to be propagated. INFRASTRUCTUREThe President rarely makes a speech without mentioning this - and rightly so - but he needs to do more to cut through the red tape and incompetence on the railway, pipeline, roads and Karuma power dam. VALUE ADDITIONLawrence Bategeka of the Economic Policy Research Centre says this is a key to unlocking jobs but it will take a lot more than words -- and some strategic funding -- to add value to what we produce. AGRICULTURENAADS, PMA and many other fancy programmes have failed to put tractors in the field and significantly raise yields. Time for less talk, more fertiliser and more market-oriented production. GOVERNANCEThe country is no longer at war but that does not mean the presence of stability. Constitutionalism remains vulnerable and the rule of law is often replaced with the rule by law. Can a regime reform this in its third decade? SERVICE SECTORRwanda, with little flora and fauna but plenty of smart marketing, has shown how tourism can help pay the bills. Uganda, which is gifted by nature, can learn a few lessons here and in other service sectors. REGIONAL MARKETSSouth Sudan shows how the region can provide opportunity for local producers but low productivity and lack of value-addition mean a lot of value is exported raw or not exported at all. SECTARIANISMPart of the original 10-point programme, this vice has now been renamed “ideological disorientation” in the new plan. A mere change of name, or a fundamental change? Only time will tell but don’t count on it. EDUCATIONDid not feature in the original plan but free primary and secondary education has given the government bragging rights. However, while it scores an ‘A’ on quantity, it is a dismal ‘F’ on quality, despite throwing money at it. PRIVATE SECTORAfter its early Marxist leanings, the NRM government is now ultra-capitalist but infrastructure remains poor and cost of doing business high. The coming oil industry will either speed up reforms or kill innovation. Compiled by Ismail Ladu, Eriasa Mukiibi & Agatha Ayebazibwe « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Museveni-threatens-to-halt-Karuma-dam-deal/-/688334/1500408/-/qy3j68/-/index.html","content":"Museveni threatens to halt Karuma dam deal - President Museveni warned about two months ago that he may pull the plug on the scandal hit Karuma hydro-power project after officials at the Ministry of Energy failed to heed warnings of suspected irregularities in the procurement of a contractor for the multibillion shilling project. The President admitted that he would “be forced to oppose this whole poorly done effort” if Energy Minister Irene Muloni and her team failed to measure up and find a “credible” company to build the 600 Megawatt dam. However, it would appear that despite Mr Museveni’s reservations, the Ministry of Energy is yet to remedy further delays up to an earlier one on July 5 to Ms Muloni in which he told her that the issues whistleblowers had raised about the competence of the Chinese company and misrepresentation of facts in its bid for the project were correct. In his letter to Ms Muloni, Mr Museveni expresses disappointment at the collective failure of her ministry and its top technocrats to detect reported anomalies in the procurement process. He questions why, following a tip-off from a whistle-blower, technocrats failed to discover that China International Water and Electric Corporation (CWE) presented alleged falsified facts about its ability to execute the works. “Your evaluators should have detected that,” wrote Museveni. “These facts should have been clear in the documents but apparently they were not and it took the whistle-blowers to discover these and inform us.”It would, however, appear that despite Mr Museveni’s reservations, and written instructions, ministry officials were proceeding to award the firm a contract. The procurement process is now the subject of a High Court injunction after it emerged that despite earlier orders by the PPDA to halt the opening of financial bids; defiant bureaucrats were proceeding with the procurement process. The letter, also shows Museveni’s concerns about the likely consequences for the project should two companies, CWE and Iran’s Perlite that had made it past the pre-qualification stage proceed to win the construction bid. He observes that besides having no experience and demonstrated EPC capacity outside Iran, Perlite Industries is currently the subject of international sanctions and said he did not want to see Uganda drawn into disputes between the two countries. “I would not like our dam to be caught up in those politics of USA and its enemies,” wrote Museveni.He also emphasises that he will not accept CWE without a guarantee from more competent Chinese Companies or the Chinese government. It is apparently on the basis of this clause in Museveni’s letter that ministry officials belatedly got CWE to present its parent company Three Gorges– a utility, as a guarantor.In their protests to the PPDA last week, dissatisfied bidders pointed out that Three Gorges could not provide a competent guarantee since it was not a construction firm but rather the manager of an already build power station. This week’s developments in which the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) ordered a halt to the tendering process for the dam’s construction, however, suggest that Museveni’s reservations and concerns to the Energy ministry had been ignored. PPDA slapped a caveat and ordered Permanent Secretary Kabagambe Kaliisa to “address” allegations of irregularities in the procurement process before a green light can be issued to allow the Energy ministry to proceed to opening financial bids, a critical stage in the final selection of a contractor.Both Ms Muloni and Mr Kaliisa were unavailable for comment despite repeated calls. A spokesperson at the Energy Ministry, Mr Matovu Bukenya, said he remained in the dark over the Karuma deal. The Karuma hydropower deal is Uganda’s most ambitious hydro-power project whose inception dates back as far as 1995 and one that has had a start-stop process. Delays will rekindle memories of the troubles that engulfed the 250megawatt Bujagali hydropower project which faced resistance over concerns about environment issues. While President Museveni has repeatedly blamed the opposition for delaying Bujagali and hurting the economy given the recent power outages, it would appear the delays to Karuma deal boil down to incompetence or impropriety by elements in the Energy ministry. Officials of the 12 technical evaluation committee were the subject of police investigations in April after allegations emerged that they had accepted inducements to favour CWE for the Karuma contract.Both in terms of capacity and cost Karuma is Uganda’s most ambitious hydro-power project. It was first conceived as a 250MW power station back in 1995 before Norwegian developer Norpak pulled out after failing to raise finance. While President Museveni has repeatedly blamed the opposition for delaying Bujagali and hurting the Ugandan economy as the country experienced large spells of power outages, it would appear delays to the Karuma deal are now down to incompetence or sheer mismanagement on the part of the Ministry of Energy. 1 | 2 Next Page»egyezaho@ug.nationmedia.com ================================== MISSED PROCUREMENT DEADLINE Sales/ Issue of Bid document --------------------------- September 12,2011Site Visits by bidders --------------------------- September 26,2011Pre-bid meeting --------------------------- September 5,2011Bid closing date --------------------------- September 29,2011Evaluation process (Technical) --------------------------- December 8,2011Notification to all bidders of technical report --------------------------- December 30,2011Evaluation process (financial) --------------------------- January 16,2012Negotiations --------------------------- January 25,2012Display and communication of the best evaluated bidder notice --------------------------- February 8,2012Contract award and signature --------------------------- March 5,2012Reporting on site --------------------------- March 28,2012 « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/The-government-should-leave-the-workers--money-alone/-/689364/1445678/-/ftdhq5z/-/index.html","content":"The government should leave the workers’ money alone - None other than the President of Uganda has mooted the idea of borrowing from the NSSF trove of billions of shillings to enable government finance infrastructural developments like hydropower plants, railways, roads, etc. The Managing Director of NSSF, Mr Richard Byarugaba, has welcomed it, since the government is already borrowing from NSSF through government bonds. Investing in infrastructural development was thus a win-win situation. Other prominent personalities have also weighed in, arguing that NSSF is sitting on too much idle cash while the country is in dire need of locally generated funds to wean it from overreliance on external donors. On the face of it, all this sounds very logical indeed. Not everybody though is convinced by the arguments that NSSF money should be availed to the government. One reason cited is the glaring corruption in government. If donor money with all its conditionalities can be stolen, what about NSSF money over which government already has a sway? It appoints both the Board and the Managing Director of NSSF. The workers representatives are in the minority and the manner of their selection leaves a lot to be desired. Although employers contribute two-thirds of the money that goes into the Fund, their influence is less than that of the government which incidentally contributes nothing. To some employers though, this contribution is more of a legal obligation than concern for the welfare of their workers. It is not surprising that some have already agreed that it is legally correct for the government to access NSSF funds through borrowing or any other means at its disposal. A few years ago, Uganda was one of the first beneficiaries of the multi-lateral debt write-off for the Highly Indebted Poor countries; which saw Uganda’s debt of $ 4 billion disappear overnight. The country’s external debt has, however, since then climbed back to $ 4 billion plus and is still going up, judging from Finance Minister Maria Kiwanuka’s Budget for 2012/13. Uganda has still failed to achieve the desired position of fully financing its Budget in spite of the infusion of billions of dollars of aid and soft loans, particularly in the last 20 years. The donors are getting fatigued, not only by the endemic corruption but by Uganda’s human rights and governance deficits. As a result many have announced that they are scaling down on their budgetary support to government, until they are satisfied that all the ills stated above have been addressed by government. Could this be the reason why government has now resorted to borrowing from the NSSF? What guarantees do workers have that their money will not be routinely stolen like it has happened with funds from donors? Since there are fewer strings attached to NSSF borrowing, accountability is likely to be less stringent and stealing with impunity will again rare its ugly head. Before Mr Byarugaba ‘donates’ the workers’ money to the government, he must convince the workers about his ability to swim in shark infested waters. Otherwise, he should leave the workers’ hard-earned savings alone. This is not to say that NSSF should keep out of infrastructural developments. NSSF can go into joint ventures with external financiers and even with the government to invest in a number of projects, including hydro electric dams, railways, etc. It should not be just a lender but a co-owner of these and other projects. Government teamed up with the World Bank and Aga Khan to build the Bujagaali Hydro power dam, why can’t it do the same with NSSF? The Board of NSSF should wake up and develop a bigger vision on investments both externally and internally. Since it is not allowed by law to set up its own bank, it should either fight to change that law or increase its holdings in various commercial banks. Keeping large sums of cash seated in commercial banks it doesn’t own, only attracts poachers. On a lighter note, President Museveni once jokingly castigated those who were doing business with government and then turning around to complain. According to the President, it is not good to do business with government because it doesn’t pay and if it does, it is long after the event. For him, when he sells his cows to government he insists on receiving the money first. Museveni was “right on the money.” As NSSF contemplates lending money to government, it should bear in mind the words of wisdom from the fountain of honour himself. Mr Naggaga is an economist, administrator and retired ambassador"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/Why-the-budget-is-unlikely-to-deliver-the-7--projected-growth/-/688616/1429888/-/3s3olwz/-/index.html","content":"Why the budget is unlikely to deliver the 7 per cent projected growth in this financial year - Nathan Were 2012/13 Budget review With the theme; “Priorities for renewed Economic growth and development” the 2012/13 Budget sets infrastructural development especially roads and energy; strengthening public private partnership, promoting critical sectors such as Agriculture and Tourism, improving public sector management and efficiency as key areas that will deliver a 7 per cent economic growth. The budget comes at the time when the economy is limping with the Uganda shillings depreciated all low, inflation at a double digit, youth unemployment at 32.2 per cent, Central bank lending rate at 21 per cent, general decline in purchasing power due to high cost of living and losses of government resources due to theft and waste. The priorities set out on paper by far can deliver Uganda, to greater heights but with a weak implementation framework, nothing much maybe realised. The major source of financing for the budget will be domestic revenue accounting; for 76 per cent of the total national budget. This is a good move and step in the right direction to lessen dependency on donors. Although URA has improved tax administration, little has been done to widen the tax base. The government is only recycling tax policies and imposing simultaneous taxes on the same taxable persons. In addition to the already existing taxes, the budget proposes a 10 per cent tax to persons with chargeable incomes in excess of Shs120 million annually. This is a disincentive for savings and investment. It will either discourage hard-work or curtail peoples’ savings and affect investment and growth in the long-run. What government should have been focusing on is scouting for avenues to widen the tax base, create incentives for existing businesses to increase production and eventually up their tax contributions; but not squeeze the already struggling enterprises to raise taxes to fund its budget. Job creationOn employment creation, the budget provides for an additional Shs3.25 billion towards an already failed youth venture capital making it even worse by creating another Graduate Venture capital fund with allocations totaling to Shs16 billion. The administration of the youth venture capital failed to deliver results from the onset and its administration was flowed with lack of clear guidelines and procedures for young people to access funding. Infact, just a-day to the budget speech, police was battling rowdy youth in Kampala contesting the failure of banks to release money to them. These schemes are good, but they are not being sought out well before implementation. Without a thorough evaluation of the challenges of the scheme in the financial year 2011/12, government has gone ahead to allocate more funding to the scheme which will also turn out to be a debacle. The timing of certain taxes is equally not good especially at a time when the country is struggling to attract off-shore investors to tap into growing oil sector. The withholding tax increase to 14 per cent on government securities is likely to disincentivise international investors, affecting foreign direct investments and will eventually curtail growth. Social developmentOn social development, the introduction of 18 per cent VAT on water; the only incentive the poor people have been enjoying is likely push them to using contaminated and unsafe water. This equally contravenes elements of the Millennium development goal of halving by 2015 the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water. On Agriculture, government allocated Shs585.5 billion in the financial year 2012/13 down from Shs434 billion in the financial year 2011/12. The priority areas in the sector have equally not been sought out well. The problem of Uganda’s small-holder farmers is not access to seeds or zoning but the paltry prices they receive for their enterprises, managing post harvest processes and exploitation by middlemen. Supporting and strengthening farmer production and marketing cooperatives would sort out many of the farmers’ problems. These can coordinate access to better seeds, acquisition and use of irrigation facilities, value addition and marketing. The government will not achieve significant impact especially at house-hold without the cooperatives as part of key drivers of the sector. Government will successfully add 250MW of power once the Bujagali dam is fully operational. This is a step in the right direction and guarantees availability of energy to power businesses. Considering that the businesses have been limping due to high production costs, the 2012/13 budget should have pushed the power tariffs low. Despite the fact that power is now reasonably available, its cost is still very high and this is affecting the cost of doing business and is likely to slow growth.By and large, the 2012/13 budget may not deliver the 7 per cent projected economic growth. Although government has the priorities right, the economic situation and volatilities in Euro-zone will weigh hard on our performance and with new tax policies and absence of incentives to support business growth, we can’t expect much. Mr. Nathan Were is a market and product specialist.E-mail: were.nathan@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1379060/-/awmoksz/-/index.html","content":"Police investigate graft claims in Karuma project - KAMPALA The police yesterday confirmed they are investigating bribery allegations in the tendering of the 660MW Karuma hydropower project, a development that closely mirrors the hasty withdrawal by AES Nile Independent power from the first attempt to develop Bujagali power project in 2003. Chinese firm cited in scandalThe story was broken by our sister publication, The East African in its latest edition. At the centre of the current investigations is a whistle-blower’s allegation that members of a government 12-person bid evaluation committee accepted bribes to allow a bid by a Chinese firm to proceed to the pre-qualification stage – just a step away from winning the contract for construction of the dam- despite queries about its ability to execute the works. Industry sources who did not wish to be quoted admitted that members of the bid evaluation committee drawn from the ministries of Energy, Finance, Water and Environment were last week quizzed by the police over accusations that they received about $1.2 million (Shs2.3b) from agents of the firm. Criminal Investigations Director Grace Akullo yesterday said detectives had interrogated at least a dozen officials at the CID headquarters at Kibuli. “We are proceeding with making further enquiries on whether there was influence in the evaluations process,” she said, adding, however that the authorities were yet to establish precise amounts involved in the alleged bribery scam. The same allegations had earlier been investigated by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority, which confirmed anomalies, in a report sent to Eng. Kabagambe Kaliisa, the Energy Ministry permanent secretary, who in turn forwarded them to the police. The firmsTwo Chinese firms and one from Iran made it to the pre-qualification round after Salini, Vince in partnership with Group 5 of South Africa and Egypt’s Orascom were eliminated. Although the firm in question has been involved in a number of projects around the world including Sudan where it won a contract for the 1250mw Merowe Hydropower Project, it is understood that its Ugandan bid raised suspicion after it was found that it varied figures related to output and cost of some of these projects, to suit conditions set for qualification to bid for Karuma. Police are trying to understand how a committee of highly qualified officials could have failed to do due diligence which could easily have uncovered discrepancies in the facts reported by the firm. ProposalsIn August 2010, the Ministry of Energy sent out requests for proposals for the construction of Karuma Hydro Power Plant. Some of the conditions for eligibility required the prospective contractor to demonstrate capacity by listing three examples of projects it had executed in the past five years. These included previous construction of an engineering procurement and construction project with an underground power house, a tunnel length of at least 20 kilometres with suitable excavation technology and generation capacity of 600MW or more. In its January 26, 2012 bid, the firm listed an impressive catalogue of 23 previous power projects. It emerged, however, that numbers pertaining to at least five of them with the closest credentials required for Karuma appear in disagreement with information about the same projects from alternative sources, including its own website. InconsistenciesFor instance whereas the firm claimed to have built a 640MW hydropower dam in China with four generation units, takeover certificate signed by the station’s operator on June 26, 2006, put the plant’s capacity at 20MW derived from two 10MW turbines. And while the station cost $20 million (about Shs44 billion) to construct, documents filed by the firm to support its bid for Karuma claimed a contract value of $351 million (Shs842 billion). 1 | 2 Next Page»The firm under investigation also reported that it designed and commissioned a 300MW Hydropower Station in Kazakhstan that involved tunnelling to a length of 21 kilometres, even though its website states a tunnel length of only 9.2 kilometres. These inconsistencies have led to questions about the firm’s ability to execute to satisfaction the $1.6b (Shs3.8 trillion) Karuma contract. Critics say Uganda now faces difficult options as it tries to extricate from mistakes it could easily have avoided if it had not opted to lock key development partners such as World Bank and German concessional lender Kfw out of the bidding process. Last January The East African reported that western donors were puzzled that the Ugandan government had locked them from the procurement process for Karuma and even turned down offers of free advisory services. Additional reporting by Andrew Bagala and Esther Nakkazi editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1325636/-/b0s1osz/-/index.html","content":"Outsmarted, MPs seek response to Museveni - Kampala MPs who led the oil debate in Parliament last year are expected to address a press conference this morning after President Museveni outmaneuvered them to sign fresh contracts with oil company Tullow. Early indications are that the MPs will try to hold Energy Minister Irene Muloni responsible for side-stepping parliamentary resolutions on the matter but a lot of it is likely to be a case of shutting the barn door after the horses have bolted – or more appropriately, crying over spilled oil. This high-stakes game of money and politics goes back to the night of February 2, when a Western diplomat based in Kampala called one of the MPs who, a few months earlier, had led Parliament to debate allegations that top ministers received bribes from oil companies and pass several resolutions on the matter. The diplomat had, through his country’s intelligence service, learnt that government was scheduled to sign two new Production Sharing Agreements and a production licence with Tullow Oil the next day and wanted to know if the MP was aware, since one of the resolutions imposed a moratorium on signing new agreements or contracts with the oil firms. The MP was not aware. He made a couple of phone calls to other MPs and none of them had a clue. They agreed to meet the next morning and apply for an injunction against the signing, which was scheduled at 2pm the next day. Intelligence agents monitoring their conversations quickly alerted President Museveni who, as he later confessed publicly, ordered the signing to be brought forward to between 9 and 10am. By the time MPs finished drafting their application for an injunction, news of the deals was already on radio and international wire agencies. On Friday President Museveni addressed a special session of Parliament to explain the hurried signing and – ostensibly – explain why he had connived with a foreign firm to sabotage the MPs’ plans. The President argued that it was important to move quickly to unlock the oil production process and maintain a pro-investor reputation. He cited oft-repeated delays to the Bujagali Dam and to defence spending and said the MPs came close to committing the country to a “historic” mistake by delaying Tullow’s $2.9 billion farm-down to Total and CNOOC, which will pave way for oil production. Sources familiar with the matter say the Chinese and the French have been getting restless over the delays and threatening to walk away from the deal. However, the President’s speech was silent on the fact that the delayed resolution of the parliamentary inquiry is due, not to the MPs, but to a constitutional appeal orchestrated by Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, one of those accused in Parliament of receiving bribes from the oil companies. Mr Museveni’s speech was also silent on the Executive’s failure to draft and table comprehensive oil legislation within 30 days of the resolutions passed four months ago. A related Bill was tabled days after the signing with Tullow but the Petroleum (Exploration, Development, Production and Value Addition) Bill 2010 is yet to find priority in the House. The President’s speech was triumphant and self-congratulatory, casting Mr Museveni as “the one who successfully makes fire using wet firewood” and in so doing inadvertently echoed concerns about presidentialism and the lack of institutional oversight over the oil sector. Not only did the President decry the oversight delays introduced by the 1995 Constitution (wistfully hankering back to the NRC days when decisions were made by hand-picked comrades), he casually dropped details of the Production Sharing Agreements which government has previously declined to make public, claiming that they were confidential. In fact the 5,178-word speech did not have a single mention of “transparency” or “accountability”, although it mentioned “NRM” at least eight times. That will worry many who have, over the past four months seen promising signs of parliamentary bi-partisanship eroded by caucusing within the ruling NRM party. President Museveni met NRM MPs in Kyankwanzi in October and December to try and convince them to allow the signing to take place. However, some NRM MPs led by Theodore Ssekikubo stayed away from the meetings and accused their colleagues who attended, of hypocrisy.With a comfortable majority in the House and after working his charm over the months, President Museveni found little resistance in Parliament on Friday. 1 | 2 Next Page»“You made those decisions, we went to Kyankwanzi and NRM caucus said no, we cannot go by those mistakes,” he told MPs who hang onto every word he said and chuckled at every joke and face he made. Today’s press conference will give the few dissenting MPs a chance to respond, albeit belatedly. “What is the relevance of Parliament if we can debate and come up with resolutions only to be disregarded by the President with impunity?” an MP asked afterwards. Another, asking not to be named, added: “We resolved that ministers who pocketed bribes step aside immediately and the President said no. Then we resolved that no oil agreements should be signed until oil laws are put in place, again the President defied Parliament on this. This is a clear indication that the President doesn’t respect people’s representatives.” However, State House Publicity Secretary Tamale Mirundi told this newspaper that the President was acting in the best interests of the country. “It is insensitive for any serious president to wait for a decision of a Parliament that has not even bothered to ask court to expedite its ruling on a case challenging the proceedings of its ad hoc committee on oil,” Mr Mirundi said. “We are dealing with oil for the first time; those MPs who are blaming the President for ignoring parliamentary resolutions don’t know how to handle oil. In any case, oil is not only in Uganda, if we delay, these companies will go somewhere else. Parliament failed to do its work and we cannot wait forever; even a pregnancy has a time limit beyond which the doctors can recommend a caesarean.” Ugandans will be hoping that in its haste to produce oil government does not throw the baby out with the bath water. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/YasiinMugerwa/-/878670/1311412/-/51nqwq/-/index.html","content":"Why hiked power bills add insult to economic injury - The bitter truth. The surge in the price of electricity, which became effective last week, has been criticised as inviting more problems to the already troubled economy. By increasing tariffs without adequate hydro-power, we are risking economic decline. Let us get serious about the challenges facing our nation’s power sector and stop looking for silver bullets and convenient scapegoats. Let us begin this week’s column with the good news from the most populous country in Africa - Nigeria where President Goodluck Jonathan agreed to restore the fuel subsidy that had threatened stability in this resource-rich country. Many ordinary Nigerians complained that the removal of fuel subsidy was insensible as it was the only regular benefit they received from the government. Faced by hundreds of demonstrators and the demands for his removal and a weeklong general strike that tested his authority, President Jonathan abruptly conceded defeat. His government immediately restored the fuel subsidy that had become a centre of controversy and announced that the petrol prices will be immediately cut by at least 30 per cent. This West African nation on January 1 announced the removal of fuel subsidies leading to petroleum prices rising from 65 naira to 140 naira as a cost-cutting measure. However, Nigerians argued that instead of removing the subsidy as a cost-cutting intervention, the government should tackle corruption in the petroleum industry as well as other sectors of the economy. Museveni’s take Back home, the bad news is that President Museveni rejected calls to restore subsidy on electricity. Parliament had tentatively stopped the rushed decision to scrap the power subsidy at a time when most Ugandans are suffering with inflation, high interest rates and the volatility in the financial markets. But the President is insisting that the hiked power tariffs announced last week must proceed whether we like it or not. Too bad. Well, let us stop mourning and weigh the price we are going to pay for scrapping this “necessary evil”— the power subsidy. In view of the fact that the costs were depleting state coffers, officials in the ministry of Energy with the backing of the President authorised Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) jointly with private dealers like Umeme to balance their books on the backs of poor Ugandans. As such, with effect from last Sunday, power tariff regime for domestic consumers was increased from Shs385.6 to Shs524.5 per unit, commercial tariff (Shs358.6 to Shs487.6), Medium industries (Shs333.2-Shs458.9), large industries (Shs184.8 to Shs312.8) and Street-lights (Shs364.3 to Shs488.7) per unit. Unlike in Nigeria where attempts to remove fuel subsidy angered the poor, in Uganda, the silence of the deprived has persuaded officials in the ministry of Energy to believe that all is fine. I entirely agree, we cannot keep losing trillions to thermal power generation but how did we come to this? And what are the options available? We cannot suspend subsidies when the economy is still on drip. It will make the bad situation worse. Since 2005, the government has spent about Shs1.5 trillion subsidising electricity. So much needed For instance, this Financial Year at least Shs608.5 billion is needed to subsidise power consumers. This money is always shared between power generators and distributors even though Kampala Central MP Muhammad Nsereko has already reported to Parliament that crooked big wigs in government are cutting deals. The Parliament’s Ad hoc Committee, investigating allegations of corruption in the energy sector is closing in on these culprits who have turned the ministry of Energy a hunting ground. The government is complaining that the subsidy bill is unsustainable but it is also true that the same government has been paying for ‘air’ through corrupt deals. It appears Ugandans are paying the price. For instance, in 2009, President Museveni assigned his younger brother, Gen. Salim Saleh, to investigate the situation in the country’s power sector and make recommendations to stop leakages. Gen. Saleh found that power was too expensive in this country and Ugandans were being overcharged by the fat cats in the power sector. What Energy officials did For reasons we don’t know, officials in the ministry of Energy led by Kabagambe-Kaliisa (the Permanent Secretary) sat on this report. The investigators had found out that more than Shs300 billion was being swindled by some unnamed bureaucrats and officials of private electricity firms each year through tariff manipulation. Officials from ERA are suspected to be part of this scam. This is why the subsidy bill has now become unbearable. The report had projected that the financial leak, if bunged, would enable a 44 per cent fall in electricity charges for domestic users from Shs426 per unit to about Shs238. While there is a school of thought arguing that this bloated bill helps about 12 per cent of the population who access the power grid, it does not make economic sense to suspend power subsidies without assurance that savings will reach other critical projects in the energy sector. Subsidies are a financial burden removed from Ugandans by government, because it failed to supply enough power. Therefore, whoever caused the shortage must pay the subsidy. In any case, subsidy remains the only sure way Ugandans benefit from their government. 1 | 2 Next Page»Bujagali dam (250MW) might start generating electricity next month. Other mini-hydro dams are also being completed. They include Ishasha mini-hydro (6.5MW), Buseruka mini-hydro (10MW), Nyagak mini-hydro (3.5MW), Maziba mini-hydro (1MW).I hear, the government will soon start on Karuma though Finance Minister Maria Kiwanuka now says it is going to delay. All the same, it makes a lot of sense to remove power subsidy budget only when hydro power meets demand. Then, the citizens can take responsibility for paying the natural market price. Should we proceed on oversimplification that because Bujagali is coming on board and therefore, power bills must be hiked even when the economy is under duress, then, we must prepare for the consequences. This is not a bare threat, it’s the reality. As power becomes costly, economic growth will stunt further, fuel cartels will thrive, the cost of doing business in Uganda will go up and serious investors will flee the country. But in all this, a few people will certainly get rich and the100,000 new consumers expected to join the national power grid will stay in darkness. Energy has a direct impact on the cost of production, which determines the level of return on investment. flowerskintu musokeNot long ago, Senior Presidential Adviser on Media Affairs, Mr John Nagenda, gave an interview in which he candidly noted that the President had changed over the last 25 years, and become “all powerful” and had since lost the courageous and independent-minded advisers he previously had. But this week former premier Kintu Musoke used Kyankwanzi retreat to demystify Nagenda’s outburst. Mr Musoke who is a senior presidential adviser publically asked President Museveni to disband a corrupt Cabinet and clean the image of the NRM party before it’s too late. For being courageous, flowers for you Mzee Musoke. frownsstephen mallingaIt has emerged that the escalation of the nodding disease syndrome in northern Uganda could have been avoided if government had implemented research recommendations availed to it in 2009 by health experts. Because ministry of Health officials shelved the findings and recommendations of these experts, hundreds of lives have already been lost and hundreds of other victims and their families have been subjected to devastating levels of pain and distress, while government still appears confused and contradictory in its response to the nodding disease. Frowns for you Bwana Stephen Mallinga (former Health Minister). ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/BernardTabaire/-/878688/1294864/-/nfp42j/-/index.html","content":"From Cranes to blackouts, 2011   was year of underachievements - Unless you are in the business of selling stuff like fuel or booze or to some extent food, things have slowed down at this point. But 2011 was generally far from slow. There was Bad Black, or maybe Bad Bluck. There was the Cranes. There was inflation and there were protests. Ministerial stepping asides and resignations and a newly resurgent Parliament were on the rich menu too. It was the general elections, however, that got us going. The dramatic thing about those elections was not that they were contested. That was to be expected in a country that has never quite figured out how to live with itself. The weirdest thing was that one presidential candidate who was “dying” to render Mr Yoweri Museveni jobless did not even bother to vote for himself. If you made that up, people would say you are a lousy purveyor of wolokoso. No wonder Mr Olara Otunnu is in serious trouble as president of UPC. With clueless leaders like that, no surprise we underachieved on a range of fronts. Tears rolled when The Cranes fell just short. We will never know if things would have turned out different had David Obua played against the Kenyans at Namboole on that Independence anniversary eve. Maybe if boss Lawrence Mulindwa had played it differently, held back a little, looked at the bigger picture, he may have decided against throwing Obua out of camp when he did. Fast forward to Moses Golola/Golola Moses. I rooted for the dude, but his punch was not as fluid as his mouth. Methinks though that Golola has a future once he works on his technique. Hope must not die. Our two representatives in Big Brother failed to bring home dough. Sharon O had a decent shot, but, again, that Ugandan thing: always on the cusp, always on the cusp. We don’t kill off the thing. The economy is still underachieving. The April protests demonstrated, literally, the people’s unhappiness with their pockets. With hindsight, the government’s attempt to pin things on the political opposition looks terribly ridiculous. The men and women who run our economy, however, insist to-date that the fundamentals are okay. Yeah, right, with inflation and interest rates staying put up there in the skies. And power rationing has only added to the gloom. Bujagali, much-anticipated lighter of our lives, is nowhere near roaring to life. The December deadline was pushed to February and now the latest date is April 2012. Damn the dam! We want electricity now. Okay, a mall opens every other month. Good economic thing, but only just. As many have noted, that only proves that we are a country of consumers not producers. That is dodgy ground to walk on. Better if a big factory, using mostly Ugandan materials and labour, were opening every other month. Maybe oil Shillings will come sooner and save us. Don’t bank on it though. Those monies will not surface for many years indeed. And that revenue will only make sense to you and me if we do in all the thieves in government now. On the flip side, though, it is this oil business that brought the best out of Parliament. A patchy grasp of the issues notwithstanding, Madam Speaker and the members acquitted themselves honourably. This Parliament has done well pushing back against an arrogant Executive. Beyond the special session on oil, it is highly unlikely that we would have seen the stepping aside of three ministers and the resignation of one if MPs, especially that small band within NRM, were not making hell. While corruption is weakening the Executive it appears to be strengthening the legislature. Even if all MPs are no angels, it is good they are up in arms. Elsewhere, music and stand-up comedy circuits continued to explode. Performance poetry is beginning to catch on. Kampala now has a dedicated jazz haunt – the exquisitely laid out Jazz Ville. Transition, that great publication of the 1960s now ensconced in the United States, turned 50 in November. To mark the anniversary, a number of interesting contemporary Ugandans contributed to a special section on Uganda. The UN General Assembly and Security Council elected Justice Julia Sebutinde to serve as one of 15 justices on the International Court of Justice. On this one, Uganda campaigned hard and achieved. We can do it. Because we can, let’s all have a Merry Christmas. Mr Tabaire is a media consultant with the African Centre for Media Excellence. bentab@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Entertainment/-/812796/1203098/-/3bcvb9/-/index.html","content":"An encounter with an untamed river - It was a ride of a lifetime as Rose Lau Cheaw and a group of friends went the whole nine yards, rafting in the River Nile’s mighty rapids. The top section of River Nile was to be closed to rafting as preparations were being made for the new dam. This would shut off all flow down Silverback and sadly we would lose some of the world’s best rapids. As soon as that advertisement was put in the papers, I called a friend, Emily, and asked her to join us in one of the list of things I had to accomplish: a life time opportunity of 45km of fantastic sport full of fun and one of the most exhilarating rollercoaster rides of our life. We called Adrift to inquire what the cost and essentials were, we were told we needed a pair of shorts, a T-shirt and the spirit of adventure. So we made the necessary arrangement and on that day, we were driven down to the Adrift camp at Jinja Nile Resort. At 9a.m., we gathered and were given our gear. I was taken aback when Sardur, the guide, handed me the oar. Emily laughed out aloud and asked if I thought the rafting was a beauty contest on the Nile. Why was I shocked? Because I thought we would sit back and enjoy the ride while other people rowed the dingy. We put on our gear (helmet, life jacket and sun screen cream) and were told to walk down to the edge of the river. The adrenalin began to build up while in the background I could hear people jumping off the bungee. The raft was ready when we reached the river, we climbed in and were told to row to the middle of the river where the guide ordered us to jump into the water. I will not forget Emily’s expression when she asked, “Which water?” And the guide answered “Which water do you see?” Meanwhile the flow of the river was powerful and then it dawned on us the kind of adventure we were getting ourselves into. We jumped into the river and the guide began giving us life saving lessons on what we would do if: the raft flipped over, how we were to row at the rapids, how to get down when ascending the rapids, and how to row. There were many lessons and I kept asking myself if we would remember them all. Our trip started on the rocky waterfall rapids: Overtime, Retrospect, Bubogo, the famous Itanda Falls and the Bad Place, all Grade-three rapids. When we reached Bujagali dam, we had to wait a few minutes as each group was given a lesson on how we had to safely raft through this Grade-five rapid. We were cautioned to look to the left while we rowed with all our might as if the rapid pushed us slightly away from our target. If we flipped over we could have serious injuries due to the protruding rock that had been exposed due to the rapids. I do not know what to call that feeling after we had successfully gone over it, neither can I put a finger, to it but it was both exhilarating and yet awesome. After a floating lunch (sandwiches, fruit and tea) we had at the island, we carried on into Vengeance rapid, two huge wave trains. Hair of the Dog splits into multiple jungle islands after you are through the foaming whitewater, and Kulu Shaker is a mighty S-bend where you have to thread between holes and rock island. The scenery was fantastic, time and again I had to pinch myself to believe this is for real. While on the calm water we were ordered to jump into the water and swim, this would prevent us from getting muscle pulls due to the long distance rowing. My memory will always remember the Grade-five rapid (I think it was called Condolence). We did not see its sheer size but from miles away we could hear it thundering and when we got close, our guide reminded us of the life-saving lessons. I was not paying attention, I was dying to get to it. When it was our turn to go and we came over the edge, it is then that I saw this white giant’s power as we plunged into the rapid. My last memory of encountering the wave was the water whizzing past me, my limbs twisted like a pretzel and my face grimacing like a halloween mask, with resignation I let go the rope that was our only anchor to the raft. Subconsciously I thought this is what death must be like, a lull moment and then I felt trapped between rocks and the cascading movement was pulling me further at the bottom. Rather late to remember the life saving lesson: lie flat on your back with hands to your stomach to avoid being injured in case there were sharp rocks at the bottom. The life jacket finally pulled me to the top; my first encounter of consciousness was my head thumping the raft while I choked on the water. At that point I panicked as I was trapped between the raft seats and became claustrophobic. Then distantly, I heard a call from afar, the guide ordered us to swim away from underneath. With the speed of desperation, we swam to the side of the raft and hang on as if our life depended on it. After all nine had got to the side, the guide flipped back the raft and then the funniest part unfolded. The guide ordered us to get back to the raft as quickly as possible because if we were swept over to the next rapid without the raft it would have spelt disaster. I failed to climb over as fear had drained all energy. He looked at us pitifully and began lifting us by the jacket onto the raft, within seconds I realised my shorts felt loose. The last rapid was called Death and it was as scary as its name. It is rated a Grade-6 and we asked the guide if we could go through. It thundered like a wounded lion and he ordered us to paddle fast and hard to get to the far right of the hill. He cautioned that if we accidently went thru that rapid which no one had ever accomplished, only pieces of flesh would be collected from the end of it. I thought he was joking until we climbed over the hill and got down to where the raft was waiting for us then I looked back and I froze with shock. This was the first time I had seen the front view of a rapid before we sailed onto it. I refused to get into the raft so he advised me to begin walking and pointed at a far distance where we were all to meet. I was too exhausted to walk so I got onto the raft resigned to my fate. That day God had destined that it was not my time to meet Him, we made it thru though Carol, one of the persons on the boat, was hurled out of the raft and sucked into the rapids for a few seconds. For the first time during that ride, I noticed how the guides and kayaks rushed in panic to rescue Carol from the violent rapids. When we arrived at Kayunga, we found a barbeque and the expert photographer who captures all the smiles and action on camera so that you could relive the adventure for years to come. This safari was an encounter with this untamed river that had left an unforgettable impact for many years to come."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1192912/-/byoqk4z/-/index.html","content":"No one can bring me down, says suspended Kazibwe - Describing herself as a “political bulldozer”, suspended former Vice President Speciosa Wandira Kazibwe has warned those attempting to bring her down that they risk being excavated out of Uganda’s political scene. Dr Kazibwe, who was suspended by the new Finance Minister, Mr Maria Kiwanuka, as board chairperson of the government-owned Microfinance Support Centre (MSC) Ltd along with another top official until investigations into their alleged mismanagement of the organisation have been completed, said she is being witch-hunted by her political opponents who want to send her into a political grave. “I am not dead and buried as some people may wish,” Dr Kazibwe said. “You never bury Naigaga Wandira Kazibwe. Nobody can ever burry me politically because even before NRM, I was very political.” Dr Kazibwe and acting MSC Executive Director Iggy Rwabukuku’s suspension took immediate effect as ordered by acting Inspector General of Government Raphael Baku in a May 20 directive First incidentAppearing on the Kfm Hot Seat show on Wednesday evening, Dr Kazibwe said her enemies first tried to bring her down during her tenure as Vice president by dragging her into the valley dam saga but failed and that they are now scared of her popularity even as she is not into active politics. “In the valley dam sage, the report by the IGG did not implicated me at all. In this (MSC) saga the real crux of the matter is to hide those who are supposed to be put in books, just like in the valley dam saga,” she said. “I do not know why they have been following me…I have a mission and I don’t have to be in government to fulfil that mission.” Dr Kazibwe warned that she will not be brought down easily because everything she has done has been supported by the president and that he always “turns to her whenever he needs someone to make things happen”. “In the valley dam saga, I was accountable but not responsible. That Live Stock project had started many years before I went there and over $24m has never been explained. The real essence behind the valley dam saga was to make sure that people don’t get to be asked what happened to the $24m. This business of MSC is also to hide the people behind the saga.” Dr Kazibwe, who is accused of drawing funds from MSC for foreign trips which she did not take and for using MSC resources for personal activities not related to the institution, denies any wrong doing and blamed Mr Charles Byanyima, the MSC executive director, of incompetence and mismanagement of the institution. She sent him on forced leave over his alleged refusal to remit Shs2b which Dr Kazibwe allegedly said was to be used for election campaigns in Busoga. It is alleged that Dr Kazibwe, who headed President Museveni’s re-election technical taskforce, told Mr Byanyima that she would personally guarantee the re-pay of the funds once the President fulfilled a pledge he made to the Busoga People’s Forum, an organisation Dr Kazibwe also heads. Still going on“I want to tell you that while this controversy is going on, the real syphoning of the money goes on as well. All this started when we started investigating fraud in MSC. There was a project of over $0.5m for management of information system. The Executive director told us that everything is okay but we instituted forensic audit which went into the details of what happened during the projects and the results were very bad.” “I will not apologise for the money I took and I was entitled to for carrying out my work,” Dr Kazibwe said when asked to defend the controversial payments she regularly withdrew from the institution.She also denied reports that Uganda’s taxpayers were forced to pay Shs2.5b for her education at Harvard University. “At Harvard who actually spends Shs2.5 billion to be educated there?” Dr Kazibwe asked. “It’s the same empty talk to discredit me and the President. If you go to Harvard for my course, it will cost about $15,000 per semester and then you get to pay allowances for accommodation and up-keep. I have never sat down to calculate how much I paid in total.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/BernardTabaire/-/878688/1184194/-/mv0o0x/-/index.html","content":"As Museveni takes knocks, domestic and foreign, shilling roles into gutter - Uganda last had governors under Idi Amin. Today, however, there is one man who zips around potholed Kampala in a sleek Mercedes with a number plate that proclaims: GOVERNOR. Mr Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile is a powerful man, although not in the sense in which Amin’s governors like Nassur Abudallah were. His power lies in his acclaimed economic policy record, first at the Treasury and now the Bank of Uganda. Mr Sebastian Mallaby dedicates, approvingly, a chapter to the “hulk of a man” in his 2004 book, The World’s Banker: A Story of Failed States, Financial Crises, and the Wealth and Poverty of Nations. One morning early in 2007, I sat listening to a high profile, and dead gorgeous, Oxford don sing praises of Emmanuel, Emmanuel. At the same university two weeks later, a talk on some complicated economic stuff began with an extract from a then-forthcoming economics paper co-authored by Mr Mutebile. Mr Mutebile, as has been the case for nearly two decades, is one of a select few practicing economists from the so-called Third World that is listened to in economic policy circles all over the place. He knows that. So his public criticism of his boss, President Museveni, is instructive. First, he chose to air his concerns through a powerful media outlet. The Financial Times is one of two of the world’s leading newspapers on matters of finance, economics and business. What is carried in its yellow pages travels far, and reaches some important ears. Mr Mutebile’s choice of the FT must have been deliberate – he wanted to get something off his chest and for that something to reach a certain international audience. It would be nice to know, though, whether it is the FT or Mr Mutebile who broached the interview. As to the message, the Governor would rather his boss did not raid the reserves to, as he has said before, over-invest in non-tradeables like Russian Sukhoi jet fighters, however fancy. A lot of government expenditure has, in fact, hurt the Governor’s heart over the years. He quipped outside a radio studio about eight years ago: “Where is the money going?” Not that he did not know. He just did not approve of some of the expenditure priorities. Said the FT: “He cited several factors that were causing problems between him and the former guerrilla leader, including a planned $2.2b hydropower plant, a policy to spur population growth, a swath of questionable tax exemptions and woeful agricultural performance.” I do not understand why the Governor’s opposition to the dam, assuming the money is not coming from the reserves. Energy is critical infrastructure that we should spend on – prudently, which, of course, is to ask for too much in present-day Uganda. Runaway population growth, lack of fuel reserves, shady tax exemptions, and an agriculture reliant on hoes and erratic rains. All these things lay Ugandans have complained about and been dismissed by government functionaries as ignoramuses. Yet we see and feel these things. We may not have the sexy economic language through which to express ourselves, but we know when things are going wrong because we live them. I would pay to hear what the NRM revolutionaries say in response to the Governor for giving powerful voice to the burning issues of our economic times. According to Governor Mutebile, if only the President completely expunged from his system the continued love for “elements of Marxism”, things would be better. Hard to argue because the Governor knows a thing or two here. He defeated Mr Elly Karuhanga and Sulaiman Kiggundu (RIP) in the race for president of Makerere Students Guild at the start of the ’70s by casting himself as a Marxist opposed to the monarchists. Did the change come while at Durham or Oxford? “Youthful exuberance” is not acceptable as an answer. For the President, it has been a torrid seven days in the international media. If it was not his Governor giving him grief in the FT – even questioning his ability to honour his word on restoring reserves (hey, remember term limits?) – and sending the shilling further into the gutter while at it, it was the Mail Online of the UK going on about how the man used donor money to buy himself a “top-of-the-range Gulfstream G550 private plane”. Across the Atlantic, the Washington Post weighed in with an exaggerated editorial titled ‘Uganda could be close to an African Spring’ – meaning the country is ready to erupt in the style of Tunisia and Egypt, or worse Libya and Yemen. In the Mail and the Post, words like strongman, dictator, repression, were used. We may not care for the rest of the world, as NRM diehards are likely to respond, but, damn, words like democrat, freedom, and statesman, to refer to one’s government and leader would read a lot better. Mr Tabaire is a media trainer and consultant with the African Centre for Media Excellencebentab@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1176454/-/c0u5vqz/-/index.html","content":"LIVE FEED: Museveni Addresses Uganda in State of the Nation Address  - 18:20 EAT: President Museveni concludes his over two hour speech by remarking that, \"Every Ugandan should always be conscious of the fact that nobody owes us a living,\" A cocktail dinner is next on the list of activities as government business officially begins as the 9th Parliament can now begin sitting. 18:12 EAT: President Museveni says that government is dedicated to fighting corruption. However his statement is interrupted by murmurs of dissent from the few opposition members present. The opposition members led by Leader of Opposition Nandala Mafabi and John Ken Lukyamuzi stand up and walk out of the meeting room in protest. President Museveni tries to downplay their walk out and asks the remaining guests if thy still have quorum to which they roar in laughter. Goes on to wonder if they receive allowances when they walk out. 18:05 EAT: President Museveni asks the assembled guests listening to the speech on the state of the nation to stand for a moment of silence in memory of all those who died in the July 11, 2010 terrorist attacks in Kampala. He also remembers the burning of the Kasubi tombs during the same year mid March. Notes that fortunately only the super stucture was destroyed and the tombs themselves were saved, reconstruction underway and supported by government. 17: 39 EAT: Enactment of KCCA act means central authority fully responsible for road network in Kampala. 3 year road repair plan underway. Says newly appointed Executive Director Jennifer Musisi has already excavated brand new equipment which the former city council had failed to utilize to maintain the roads. As an aside says he has never talked to the new mayor Erias Lukwago and has no idea what he is doing. 17:23 EAT: Final relocation of Shimoni Demonstration School should be complete by 2012. 17:21 EAT: Another university to be opened in West Nile to further meet the demands for higher education. Should open gates in August 2012, government will give special consideration to students from northern Uganda and make special entry allowances for them. 17:20 EAT: Has not yet receieved report on the misuse of public funds meant for programmes like UPE but a report is being compiled. 17:19 EAT: Under Universal Post Primary training programme, Pres Museveni reveals that plans areunderway to construct houses for teachers, hostels, libraries and more schools. 17:12 EAT: Says it’s unpatriotic for some leaders to mislead the public that Uganda’s fuel costs are the highest. 16:40 EAT: President says Final commissioning of Bujjagali Dam-250 megawats-will be in Aprl 2012 16: 30 EAT: walk to work is not infrastructure. it is an abuse of infrastructure- Museveni 16: 27 EAT: President Museveni goes on to add that when we start drilling our own oil- which will be by the end of this term- all these problems will not be there and it will definitly help the Uganda shlling to be strong. \"The recent increase in prices can partly be blamed on imported inflation,\" he says. 16:24 EAT: Museveni blames inflation on the increase food prices which he says are dictated by domestic, regional and internaional factors. and even the speculative tendencies in the run up to the 2011 elections. 16: 14 EAT: In State of the Nation speech on-going, President Museveni cites the rapid construction going on in areas around Kampala and Entebbe as signs of the 9% growth boom that some government critics dispute. Says that Kampala and Entebbe are almost merging because of the construction going on, and quite soon Kampala will be attached to Mukono too. Jocularly remarks he wishes he could lend his glasses to those who claim they are unable to see this development. 16:01 EAT: President speech begins. He congratulates Speaker and the leader of opposition upon elevation to their offices in a democratic governance. However he says that though there some were some media houses determined to tarnish the image of Uganda, the people who escorted the MPs during their swearing-in showed how Ugandans were happy the successful completion of the campaigns, elections and results. \"Yes there are problems but there are also happinesses,\" he says. 1 | 2 Next Page»15:54 EAT: Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga officially opens the meeting by declaring that through the powers vested to the Speakership, parliament was by necessity declared to be Parliament precincts at Serena Conference Center on this particular occasion to enable the President of Uganda address the parliament. The parliament is reportedly undergoing renovation to accommodate the increased number of MPS who now number 375. She invites President Museveni, as required by the constitution before the opening of the new Parliament, to address the state of the Nation. 15: 40 EAT: With President Museveni set to enter the Serena Conference Hall, First Lady and Minister for Karamoja Affairs Janet Kataha Museveni and Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki take their place at the high table reserved for them. An announcement is then made and President Museveni enters accompanied by the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga. The Uganda National Anthem is played. 15: 25 EAT: President Museveni has just arrived accompanied by his wife, Janet Kataha Museveni. Mrs. Museveni is the Minister for Karamoja Affairs. He is received by the speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga and her Deputy Jacob Oulanya. He is accompanied by the chief of protocol Rwankonte. 15:18 EAT: The vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi has just made his entrance. He has been attending a cabinet meting at State House, Entebbe. President Museveni is expected to arrive shortly. 14: 58 EAT: The newly sworn in ministers have started arriving, a sign that the president will soon make his entrance. When President Museveni arrives, the National anthem will be played and he will inspect a guard of honour mounted by the Uganda Police and he will be led into the hall by the protocol team to address the Nation. 14:42 EAT: Ten minutes past the scheduled time, President Museveni and most of his ministers have not arrived but the diplomats and almost all MPs are seated and awaiting their arrival for the highly anticipated speech. 14:32 EAT: Apart from Abed Bwanika, People's Development Party leader, no other party leader from the big political parties has reported for the function. The Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has also arrived but not in her official gown and hood. 14:22 EAT: The leader of opposition, Nandala Mafabi, has just checked and has received a standing ovation from the opposition legislators, mocking those of NRM. He has been followed by the Parliament Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanya. 14:17 EAT: The IGP Major General Kale Kayihura arrives for the state of the Nation address. He is accorded the guard of honour before he makes his way towards the hall where the other assembled guests are are waiting for the arrival of President Museveni. The Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura was received by FDC's Ssemujju Nganda and DP's Medard Ssegona. No minister has arrived yet but Mufti Mubajje and Bishop Cyprian Lwanga are among the religious leaders who have so far arrived. 14:00 EAT: The red carpet has just been laid, the Prisons band is entertaining the guests as army officers slowly march besides the carpet waiting for the commander of the armed force who is expected to arrive any minute from now. MPs and Minsters inside the conference hall are involving in tittle tattle. The Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki has just arrived clad in his traditional red judicial robes and has just bowed to the army parade before being escorted to the conference hall by the protocol team. 13:55 EAT: At Serena Hotel, security is tight and the guests are arriving to attend President Museveni state of the nation address. Members of parliament are trickling in, many just crossing from the other side of the venue-the parliamentary buildings. In his 2:30pm address, the President is expected to addressing the escalating inflation among other things. In his last address, the NRM leader praised the performance of the countries albeit the global economic crisis saying that the country’s economy had “grown on average by 8.4% per annum over the last five years, which is a much faster rate than the remarkable 7.0% over the last 24 years.” « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1146538/-/c2oqtvz/-/index.html","content":"Museveni refuses to hold talks with opposition - President Museveni, in his first address to the nation on the crippling inflation and walk-to-work campaign, yesterday said he will not seek a dialogue with his main political challenger, Dr Kizza Besigye, to end the growing opposition that has engineered several unrest over increased living costs. He said to reduce taxes on the fuel or subsidise the sowering food prices would be “bad on the economy”.The ongoing opposition walk-to-work demonstration of which Dr Besigye has become the face, he said, is an “idiotic” approach since protests do not bring down prices. “Is Besigye going to bring rain by walking?” he asked, “We shall deal with them (demonstrators) decisively. They will not cause any trouble, nothing.” OpportunistHe chided Dr. Besigye, who during campaigns promised to increase food prices arguing that farmers were losing out due to very low crop market rate, as an opportunist to lead public demonstration when prices of agricultural commodities increase. In a two-hour press conference at his country home in Rwakitura, Kiruhura District, Mr Museveni said: “We cannot subsidise consumption.” “What I will call on the public to do, is to use some of these resources sparingly.” He said the inflation, which has jumped to double digits within a month, was accelerated by failed crop yield due to drought late last year, and upward spiral in oil prices internationally. “Farmers are happy with high food prices because they can now earn more,” he said. The President rejected views raised by other leaders that food exports to regional neighbours such as South Sudan, DR Congo be regulated, saying such a move will make Ugandan farmers “captive” to presently griping urban dwellers who buy on the chit. He said the inflation is short-lived and prices will stabilise in the interim when the rains begin falling heavily and farmers open their gardens countrywide. In the long term, Mr Museveni said, his government will between 2014/15 embark on major irrigation scheme to guarantee all year-round agricultural production. At the moment the government, he said, is concentrating on the construction of hydroelectric dam sites to boost the country’s electricity supply to 3800MW by 2015 and also upgrading the national road network to bitumen standard. On the demonstrations, the President condemned police’s hauling of teargas into people’s houses. “If somebody has run away or hidden in the house, why follow them? Unless you saw that person kill someone, in that case you can follow to arrest them” he said. Last week, the anti-riot police came under attack from human rights activists and Uganda’s principal development partners for their alleged high-handedness in querying the masses during Monday and Thursday protests that saw Dr. Besigye shot in the right hand with a rubber bullet. Asked if he worried that he could be prosecuted for the alleged death of civilians in the hands of armed forces, which he is Commander-in-Chief once he leaves power, Mr Museveni said, “Not at all. In fact I will be given a Nobel peace prize for managing this country, and especially the army, very well.” On LibyaComing to the ongoing conflict in Libya, Mr Museveni said he and other African leaders reject foreign military intervention by Europeans and Americans without authorisation by the African Union. “Africa will defeat the nascent military intervention by the West to change regimes on the continent as it did to colonisation,” he said, adding, “They should prepare for another ‘Vietnam’.” Prior to the press conference, Mr Museveni held a meeting with the deposed Thai Prime Minister, Ms Thaksin Sinawata, whom he said, he was lobbying to establish fruit processing factories in either central Uganda or Soroti. The President defended the budget for his swearing-in, calling it “economic” since he is going to discuss business “not just politics” with the visiting heads of state and said the Inspector General of Government, will go after Chogm thieves as opposed to “shadow political boxing” in Parliament. Mr Museveni said those wondering whether he would leave power, are being “diversionary and lost” because “what matters is what the leader does while in office not personality”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/-/859108/1102630/-/k2eoih/-/index.html","content":"Will West Nile sub-region stick with Besigye? - He arrived clammy and his palm reeking of fresh lubricant. The green bathroom sandals he wore stirred dust in the searing temperatures of Dufile sub-county in Moyo district. 28-year-old Ali Moses, a resident of Kochia village, blew his red vuvuzela with energy, before lifting his heavily scarred, part paralysed right leg to kick in the warm air. Then he flashed a V-sign with his right hand, trembling. “I am expecting a new dawn with change of this NRM government. I am a disabled man who has not been helped,” he said, his pitched voice dwarfing all in a crowd that gathered to hear Dr Kizza Besigye, the Inter-Party Cooperation flag bearer, speak. Moses added: “I repair bicycles and motorcycles, but the work tools I have are not enough; that is why I want change.” Change is what Dr Besigye promised to bring. Moses’s shouts mirror just how the hyped emancipation of persons with disabilities under the ruling NRM is part mirage, half success. Successful because instead of being neglected and confined at home, as it were previously, because of his deformity, Moses is empowered to be among people and speak out his mind. The failure is that the government’s enabling policy on PWD rights has, by Moses’s account, neither brought food to the family’s table nor opened the gateway to improved living. Thus, the father of four was telling any of the eight presidential candidates that the plight of PWDs, less spoken about during the ongoing presidential campaigns, deserves to feature prominently. Dr Besigye, now stumping for votes in Kigezi-Ankole sub-regions, western Uganda, began his tour of West Nile in Adjumani district on January 24. Until the main rally in town, the reception he received in rural areas was rather jaded, underlining organisational weaknesses in the district dominated by NRM’s Jessica Eriyo, the state environment minister, and lately a resurgent Lt. Gen. (rtd) Moses Ali. A number of FDC supporters there, some of them standing as district councillors, are on the Independent ticket, which signals the likely difficult political terrain for IPC to navigate. But as Team Besigye crossed west of River Nile, the mood began to visibly change. Ecstatic crowds received him in Moyo town and later in Lefori trading centre before he made a grand entry into Obongi constituency of MP Hassan Kaps Fungaro. Mr Fungaro, a first-time FDC legislator, has cut a niche as an effective mobiliser, straddling distant areas such as Yumbe and Koboko districts to rally opposition supporters for Dr Besigye. In 2006, President Museveni, contrary to popular expectation, lost both districts, which were new then, to Dr Besigye in part because questions, still valid today, lingered about the death in a reported car crash of Francis Ayume, the former Attorney General. The death of former Vice President Col. (rtd) Gad Wilson Toko, also in a motor accident, left residents grumbling as they did when Mr Museveni refused for late President Idi Amin’s body to be returned for burial home in Arua. Amin died in exile in Saudi Arabia in August 2003. Mr Museveni has severally said that Amin, who ruled from 1971-79, killed many Ugandans and he would not dare “touch his body even with a long stick”. This to West Nilers was an uncharitable remark about one of their own whom Dr Besigye would, at a rally in Arua town on January 29, praise as a developmental nationalist, citing standing infrastructure such as schools and military barracks the former president built. “Museveni has been very proud of his soldiers. He says power comes from soldiers but up to now, all his soldiers sleep in barracks built by Amin and those who do not find room in Amin’s barracks sleep in mama ingia pole (huts),” Dr Besigye bellowed. Arua district woman MP, Christine Bako added spin in the translation to Lugbara language. The crowd that filled more than a football pitch roared. It would certainly be a hard sell to persuade people who have tasted the sweet trappings of state power that Mr Museveni, who brags about working to topple their son as President, and with it overturn their fortune, is tick. An estimated 50,000 ex-servicemen, as the Amin and Milton Obote-era soldiers are called, are struggling to get their terminal benefits. This campaign season, President Museveni has offered them a token after the former soldiers lost their claim for full pay at the Supreme Court. Government had appealed against their victories in lower courts. Power problemsBesides, local concerns about the lack of government’s will to connect West Nile to the national electricity grid or complete the delayed construction of a hydro-electric power dam on River Nyagak in the new Zombo district have added to NRM’s electoral burdens. Dr Besigye called it at all his rallies and radio talk shows there as the “deliberate marginalisation of the region by the Museveni government”. Some residents appeared to imbibe that line, just a fortnight to the February 18 poll. Mr John Ochan, a voter in Pakwach, said the broken transport infrastructure coupled with lack of clean water supply, electricity and the indifference to revive the cotton ginnery in Pakwach town council make NRM look bad in his eyes. “We look a forgotten people because the railway system has collapsed. And we have been deceived for long about it,” he said. Yet in the distance, he sees the imposing, white Albert Cook Bridge on River Nile, the gateway to West Nile, built by the Obote government Mr Museveni prefers to malign. In Yumbe, residents griped that up to 300 families of their colleagues had sought refuge in southern Sudan after their eviction from Keyi Mountain area that officials say is a protected forest. The IPC flag bearer was quick to exploit the bitterness, promising that change is coming and the dignity and welfare of all Ugandans will be restored if people vote out President Museveni. “Land is the last thing we depend on when everything else is not there. It is criminal for anyone to remove people from land without an alternative - just throwing them there,” he said at a rally at Aliodra-anyosi in Yumbe. 1 | 2 Next Page»In the past month, tension had already been brewing in the neighbouring Arua district, the political and nerve centre of West Nile, after Russians linked to Gen. Salim Saleh, the President’s younger brother, forcibly cleared vast acres of Barifa forest within the municipality for planned developments unknown to authorities there. Gen. Saleh was, as it turns out, a likable character in Arua owing to his military charisma and involvement in 2002 peace talks that ended the insurgency by the defunct Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF) II rebel group then commanded by Maj. Gen. Ali Bamuze. Arua Municipal Council has been pushing, without success, to have Parliament de-gazette the peri-urban woodlot so the land can be used to build a well planned, satellite town. The region’s elite and middle class, employed within and outside, was also hoping to acquire plots and erect structures there. Now, their hopes have been dashed and they are bitter. Yet, Arua Resident District Commissioner, Ibrahim Abiriga, whom we failed to get to speak for this article in spite of repeated efforts, is severally mentioned as the spoiler of things for NRM. His abrasive work style has put him on a collision course with other government officials and many residents. It is alleged he is now moving around markets and every trading centre, distributing money allegedly to persuade residents to shun campaign rallies of opposition candidates or have their posters pulled down as well as impressing them to vote for candidate Museveni. Each group of 30 women gets anywhere between Shs200,000 – Shs250,000 in the present cash bonanza, some reports suggest. The money-thing may not be working though. Local NRM strategists continued through last week to ponder how a huge crowd turned up to receive Dr Besigye in much of West Nile yet a lot of cash has reportedly exchanged hands. Bleak viewThings look bleak for NRM even in the new, one-constituency Maracha district where incumbent MP Alex Onzima, and former top FDC official, who fell out with his party is running as an Independent but campaigning for Mr Museveni. NRM’s official flag bearer, Moses Angualia, is not amused that State House is channelling funding to his challenger Mr Onzima, and not him. Disappointed too are said to be NRM ideologues envious that a new-comer like Mr Onzima is cashing-in courtesy of the government. There, a lively band of women, some clasping babies in their hands, withstood the searing temperatures to lead musical processions to receive Dr Besigye’s entourage in villages. In youthful Alice Mawaka, the FDC has found an eloquent parliamentary candidate for Maracha Woman parliamentary seat as is Mr Oguzu, both of whom are reportedly only constrained by lack of resources. Flexing musclesThe pair can worry less, and IPC could nip the two seats, if last week’s Constitutional Court ruling that an MP who stands on another party ticket, or as an Independent, without formally quitting the official party be disqualified drives Mr Onzima out of the race. The euphoria was palpable. At a rally in Mijjale primary school in Yumbe district, which left the head teacher Nathan Abiriga disappointed, Rev. Clement Gubgo of the Pentecostal Church in Kerwa translated the IPC flag bearer’s speech, the first by a serving cleric during the campaigns.Yet at that rally, Dr Besigye accused his rival Museveni of drafting senior religious leaders - to whom he offers new vehicles and cash during consecration - as “brokers” for the bus, the symbol for NRM. It’s a paradox where the clerics look good to politicians as long as they support them. Opposition mobilisers such as Ms Deogratious Munguriek, a candidate for Nebbi District Woman parliamentary slot, said they have intensified outreach to rural voters. She said: “We realised that votes come from rural areas where we didn’t have strong structures in the past that is why the support is massive. The task is now to change the mindset of the people from the political propaganda being spread by some NRM supporters.” One such propaganda that Dr Besigye said is being spread to discredit him is the threat that Sudanese nationals resident in Uganda would be expelled if the opposition wins. “It would be a very grave mistake for the leaders of south Sudan to think that their ally is Museveni and not the people of Uganda,” he said, stressing his commitment to the pan-African agenda. With huge crowds turning up to welcome Besigye, including in Nebbi nd Zombo which until the last elections were heavily NRM-leaning, President Museveni’s agents in the region suspect some of their colleagues, among them those rigged out of last year’s primaries, could be covertly de-campaigning the party. They may as well be building the justification for failure in the event the opposition takes the region as it did five years ago. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/-/859108/1046544/-/jkuuv8/-/index.html","content":"Mao’s vision for a new order - Democratic Party presidential candidate Norbert Mao, who now heads the country’s oldest party, is next week scheduled to release a manifesto that will highlight plans for what he calls a “new political order for a new generation”. Possibly the youngest leader of a political party, Mr Mao whose day job has been chairman of Gulu District will tout the document with DP’s pledge to live up to its promises as highlighted in the draft currently available. Mr Mao is racing through eastern Uganda, reminding audiences that the old political order has failed the country – hence the call for a new beginning. A quick look at the draft manifesto reveals highlights of an agenda which includes – in no particular order -- ensuring zero tolerance to corruption, creation of jobs for the large masses of the unemployed especially the youth, directing more resources to the agricultural sector and granting a federal system of governance. Reviving education sectorOther key proposals are on how to revive Uganda’s deteriorating education system through motivation of teachers with high pay and promoting merit, establishing a full ministry for games and sports, preventing disease at community level, adequate funding for health care and religious institutions, introducing a minimum wage and promoting local industries and dialogue. Mr Mao’s manifesto borrows portions from the document used by his predecessor at the DP helm, Mr John Ssebaana Kizito, who ran for office in 2006. Two days ago, Mr Mao announced his campaign team to be headed by Mr Ssebaana as the national chairman, Kyaddondo North MP Issa Kikungwe is the campaign manager. “We shall ensure zero tolerance to corruption because only 40 per cent of our national budget is put to proper use; the rest of the resources land into the hands of corrupt officials. If we tighten our noose on corruption, the money in the budget will double for service delivery,” says Mr Kikungwe. DP proposes to fully employ the services of existing anti-corruption institution. The focus on corruption dovetails with close attention being paid by all candidates to the vice which is costs Uganda hundreds of billions of shillings annually, let alone its adverse effects on delivery of social services. Mr Mao attacks the President for being unable to go beyond “blaming” top officials involved in corruption. “We are also emphasising job creation because universities in Uganda produce so many people who have remained unemployed for a long time. The President’s business of giving out envelopes to some individuals has not helped either. With the available micro-finance institutions, they have not helped much. We want to change the people’s mind set and engage them in a gear which will propel them to action,” Mr Kikungwe said. There is promise to immediately make available 5,000 jobs for the youth in the public service. At the same time, to put a cap on run-away public expenditure by abolishing the political office of Residence District Commissioner and their deputies which sucks hundreds of millions of shillings every month. He also promises to reduce the number of presidential advisors so that the resources currently spent on them are re-directed towards creating employment for the youth. Mr Kikungwe said DP also “also believe sport is a process not an event. We must invest in it in order to get more medals. Instead of investing millions in CNN to have the country’s image revamped, let us invest in sports and the country will market itself automatically”. “Also, concentration on polytechnic and apprentice trade academic programmes and investing in sciences including computer, mechanical and engineering and tapping into global trends using science and technology as well as harnessing the power of the Internet to create opportunities, supported by a strong ICT policy would offer alternatives to the unemployed,” says DP secretary general Mathias Nsubuga. Like some other candidates, DP has promised to grant a fully fledged federal system of governance with a power sharing agreement in place for those states that wish to come together. This, the DP believes will take power and services closer to the people. “Federalism democratises society, and it provides an additional layer of checks and balances thus deepening democracy. The unitary system of government has failed Uganda and is partly responsible for the zero-sum politics which has turned our politics into a life and death struggle for the capture of power which largely lies at the centre,” reads the draft manifesto. There is a telling intention to immediately review the Constitution to offer what they called a “viable and well- coordinated form of federal government and guarantee the minimum but meaningful income and sources of funding for local governments/federal states”. 1 | 2 Next Page»President Museveni has also offered a more elaborate version of federal system of governance if re-elected echoing an unfulfilled promise to Buganda Kingdom spanning most of two decades. Now the Uganda has discovered oil, DP has promised an oil policy that will benefit everyone. The faith groups have Mr Mao’s attention too. He proposes budgetary allocations for their private Not For-Profit institutions. Supporting churches“We pledge to give religious institutions all necessary cooperation and financial support to increase efficiency and effectiveness in their respective institutions while at the same time respecting their independence and integrity. We also want to return ownership of religious founded institutions [to their owners],” reads the manifesto in part. In the health sector, DP means to empower communities through awareness creation and training to prevent disease, cutting down incidence at household level reasoning that at least 70 per cent of diseases are preventable. In the education sector, DP proposes a review of the entire educational system with a view of making it relevant to the needs and aspirations of Uganda’s human resource needs. They hope to achieve this through using resources saved through controlling corruption. Mr Mao has promised to pay a living wage to all teachers starting in 2012, feeding pupils in primary schools by 2013 and maintaining free and compulsory primary school education, without compromising quality and establishing a scholarship scheme for high performing Ugandans. Plans for securityHis vision for Ugandans’ security includes a plan to phase out two spy agencies; Internal Security Organisation, External Security Organisation and their affiliates. They would be replaced with a properly facilitated National Security Service to handle all tasks of an intelligence gathering nature. Diplomats presently deployed to handle security matters would take over duties formerly undertaken by ESO, for instance. He blames the palpable feeling of insecurity in the country on the proliferation of security organisations. The DP has a view of the country’s communication system modernised with a rehabilitated Entebbe International Airport to attract more international airlines, spruced-up in-country airfields to boost domestic flights and conduct a study on the viability of another international airport in the country. On energy, Mr Mao said he would rectify the architectural and management mess at Owen Falls Dam to ensure optimal production of hydro-electric power. “We will also enter into partnership with private investors to invest in the production and supply of alternatives and renewable energy in both urban and rural areas,” Mr Mao suggests in a manifesto whose catchword conjures images of a new future. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/-/859108/1046540/-/jkuuv4/-/index.html","content":"Mao’s vision for a new order - Democratic Party presidential candidate Norbert Mao, who now heads the country’s oldest party, is next week scheduled to release a manifesto that will highlight plans for what he calls a “new political order for a new generation”. Possibly the youngest leader of a political party, Mr Mao whose day job has been chairman of Gulu District will tout the document with DP’s pledge to live up to its promises as highlighted in the draft currently available. Mr Mao is racing through eastern Uganda, reminding audiences that the old political order has failed the country – hence the call for a new beginning. A quick look at the draft manifesto reveals highlights of an agenda which includes – in no particular order -- ensuring zero tolerance to corruption, creation of jobs for the large masses of the unemployed especially the youth, directing more resources to the agricultural sector and granting a federal system of governance. Reviving education sectorOther key proposals are on how to revive Uganda’s deteriorating education system through motivation of teachers with high pay and promoting merit, establishing a full ministry for games and sports, preventing disease at community level, adequate funding for health care and religious institutions, introducing a minimum wage and promoting local industries and dialogue. Mr Mao’s manifesto borrows portions from the document used by his predecessor at the DP helm, Mr John Ssebaana Kizito, who ran for office in 2006. Two days ago, Mr Mao announced his campaign team to be headed by Mr Ssebaana as the national chairman, Kyaddondo North MP Issa Kikungwe is the campaign manager. “We shall ensure zero tolerance to corruption because only 40 per cent of our national budget is put to proper use; the rest of the resources land into the hands of corrupt officials. If we tighten our noose on corruption, the money in the budget will double for service delivery,” says Mr Kikungwe. DP proposes to fully employ the services of existing anti-corruption institution. The focus on corruption dovetails with close attention being paid by all candidates to the vice which is costs Uganda hundreds of billions of shillings annually, let alone its adverse effects on delivery of social services. Mr Mao attacks the President for being unable to go beyond “blaming” top officials involved in corruption. “We are also emphasising job creation because universities in Uganda produce so many people who have remained unemployed for a long time. The President’s business of giving out envelopes to some individuals has not helped either. With the available micro-finance institutions, they have not helped much. We want to change the people’s mind set and engage them in a gear which will propel them to action,” Mr Kikungwe said. There is promise to immediately make available 5,000 jobs for the youth in the public service. At the same time, to put a cap on run-away public expenditure by abolishing the political office of Residence District Commissioner and their deputies which sucks hundreds of millions of shillings every month. He also promises to reduce the number of presidential advisors so that the resources currently spent on them are re-directed towards creating employment for the youth. Mr Kikungwe said DP also “also believe sport is a process not an event. We must invest in it in order to get more medals. Instead of investing millions in CNN to have the country’s image revamped, let us invest in sports and the country will market itself automatically”. “Also, concentration on polytechnic and apprentice trade academic programmes and investing in sciences including computer, mechanical and engineering and tapping into global trends using science and technology as well as harnessing the power of the Internet to create opportunities, supported by a strong ICT policy would offer alternatives to the unemployed,” says DP secretary general Mathias Nsubuga. Like some other candidates, DP has promised to grant a fully fledged federal system of governance with a power sharing agreement in place for those states that wish to come together. This, the DP believes will take power and services closer to the people. “Federalism democratises society, and it provides an additional layer of checks and balances thus deepening democracy. The unitary system of government has failed Uganda and is partly responsible for the zero-sum politics which has turned our politics into a life and death struggle for the capture of power which largely lies at the centre,” reads the draft manifesto. There is a telling intention to immediately review the Constitution to offer what they called a “viable and well- coordinated form of federal government and guarantee the minimum but meaningful income and sources of funding for local governments/federal states”. 1 | 2 Next Page»President Museveni has also offered a more elaborate version of federal system of governance if re-elected echoing an unfulfilled promise to Buganda Kingdom spanning most of two decades. Now the Uganda has discovered oil, DP has promised an oil policy that will benefit everyone. The faith groups have Mr Mao’s attention too. He proposes budgetary allocations for their private Not For-Profit institutions. Supporting churches“We pledge to give religious institutions all necessary cooperation and financial support to increase efficiency and effectiveness in their respective institutions while at the same time respecting their independence and integrity. We also want to return ownership of religious founded institutions [to their owners],” reads the manifesto in part. In the health sector, DP means to empower communities through awareness creation and training to prevent disease, cutting down incidence at household level reasoning that at least 70 per cent of diseases are preventable. In the education sector, DP proposes a review of the entire educational system with a view of making it relevant to the needs and aspirations of Uganda’s human resource needs. They hope to achieve this through using resources saved through controlling corruption. Mr Mao has promised to pay a living wage to all teachers starting in 2012, feeding pupils in primary schools by 2013 and maintaining free and compulsory primary school education, without compromising quality and establishing a scholarship scheme for high performing Ugandans. Plans for securityHis vision for Ugandans’ security includes a plan to phase out two spy agencies; Internal Security Organisation, External Security Organisation and their affiliates. They would be replaced with a properly facilitated National Security Service to handle all tasks of an intelligence gathering nature. Diplomats presently deployed to handle security matters would take over duties formerly undertaken by ESO, for instance. He blames the palpable feeling of insecurity in the country on the proliferation of security organisations. The DP has a view of the country’s communication system modernised with a rehabilitated Entebbe International Airport to attract more international airlines, spruced-up in-country airfields to boost domestic flights and conduct a study on the viability of another international airport in the country. On energy, Mr Mao said he would rectify the architectural and management mess at Owen Falls Dam to ensure optimal production of hydro-electric power. “We will also enter into partnership with private investors to invest in the production and supply of alternatives and renewable energy in both urban and rural areas,” Mr Mao suggests in a manifesto whose catchword conjures images of a new future. cap: MAKING THE PROMISE: Mr Mao addresses a rally in Mbale yesterday. PHOTO BY DAVID MAFABI « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/893144/-/jfj6t2z/-/index.html","content":"Uganda’s energy relief still a long way - About 97 per cent of Uganda’s population does not have access to electricity. Load shedding remains rampant countrywide and prospects for a lasting solutions are not in the horizons as Benon Herbert Oluka reports.Electricity consumers will continue to pay for expensive thermal power for the unforeseeable future, according to a study. The finding is based on delays experienced in the development of more than half of 28 mini hydro power, biomass and solar power projects licensed by the Electricity Regulation Authority between 2007 and 2009.The projects are expected to produce a total of 700 megawatts of electricity, nearly two times the current peak demand countrywide. However, mini projects with the potential to produce a combined total of 230 MW – nearly the same capacity expected to be generated at the Bujagali Hydropower Project after its anticipated completion next year – are running behind schedule, according to the ERA study that was released in January. The study, titled: Status of Electricity Projects under Development, reveals that three of the developers had not carried out feasibility studies or other initial activities by the time their one year permits expired. Another five are yet to fulfill all requirements for acquisition of permits and cannot, therefore, start any work. For others, the delays have been occasioned by a series of setbacks, including increasing development costs, delays in sourcing sufficient funding and difficulties in connecting to the national grid. The Counsel/Secretary of ERA, Mr Johnson Kwesigabo, said the delays are likely to affect long term national planning and lead to the continued use of tax payers’ money by the government to subsidise the production of the more expensive thermal electricity. Mr Kwesigabo said the government currently spends about Shs92 billion per annum to subsidise electricity prices. Impact of the delays“The delay will impact on us because we shall continue to use expensive power,” said Mr Kwesigabo. “About 150 megawatts of the current power is thermal. We want that to be removed. We want to replace expensive thermal starting with Aggreko and then eventually other thermal plants.” Over the years, Uganda has suffered from power shortages exacerbated in recent times by significant reductions of water levels on Lake Victoria. Attempts to alleviate the situation with thermal power have only led to increased tariffs for both domestic and commercial/industrial use. Aggreko produces 50 MW of thermal electricity in Jinja District, which Mr Kwesigabo said the government plans to phase out as soon as there is a cheaper and cleaner source of electricity. This will be followed by the 50 MW plant in Mutundwe, which will be shut down once the three-year period that the World Bank is financing it ends. However, the one plant at Namanve will be maintained for use during peak hours. Mr Kwesigabo said only four of the mini hydro power projects are expected to be ready within the next two years. They include Buseruka project in Hoima District, which is being developed by Hydromax Ltd to produce 9 MW, the Mpanga project in Kamwenge District - that is being developed by Africa EMS Mpanga Ltd to produce 18 MW - and the Ishasha project in Rukungiri District that is being developed by Eco Power to produce 7 MW. The other is the thermal plant at Kaiso Tonya, in which Tullow Oil and Jacobsen Elektro have partnered to produce 52 MW. Mr Kwesigabo said the feasibility study is complete and it will be commissioned next year.While Africa EMS Mpanga plant will be completed this July, Mr Kwesigabo said the company will take at least another six months before they can supply the power to the national grid due to problems with the construction of their transmission lines. “The transmission line was bided (sic) out but the process got problems so they are re-bidding it out. The line is likely to delay because from the time they give out the contract, it takes about six months to construct the line. So the dam is going to be ready but the line will not,” he explained. According to Mr Kwesigabo, the West Nile Rural Electrification Company, which is developing a 3.4 MW plant at Nyagak in Nebbi District, has resolved the problems that had derailed it and could be ready early next year. The ERA report says the hydro power companies whose permits expired and did not apply for extension include: Ziba Ltd (8.3 MW at Kyambura hydro electricity project (HEP) and Bushenyi District. Expulsion on contracts “We have not been happy with the progress so we have not renewed their permit. There is potential but Ziba is not going to manage. By the time their permit expired, they had not really done much work with the studies,” said Mr Kwesigabo. The other is the Norwegian company Tronder Energie AS (5 MW at Waki HEP, Masindi District), who abandoned the project “owing to other commitments.” Hydromax Ltd, who are about to complete the 9 MW Buseruka project in Hoima District, have now applied for a permit to develop Waki. In an ironic twist, Tronder Energie bought the interest of the 10 MW Kikagati project at the Uganda-Tanzania border from China Shan Sheng International (U) Ltd. The Chinese firm reportedly failed to resolve cross-border issues with the Tanzanian government. According to Mr Kwesigabo, Tronder Energie wants to increase the capacity of the project and have applied to review its designs. The biomass/waste project developer, whose permit expired, is Sesam Energetics 1 Ltd (33 MW in Kampala). Mr Kwesigabo explained that they intended to generate electricity from garbage in the city but had to shelve the idea following runs in with officials of Kampala City Council. 1 | 2 Next Page»“They wanted to work on garbage from the city but for some reason City Council does not want them to touch their garbage. They have been having a problem with people who want to use garbage,” he said. Solar power companiesAmong the solar power developers, Energy Systems Africa applied to set up a generation plant at Namugoga on Entebbe Road to produce 50 MW but are facing a major stumbling in the form of the tariffs that they propose to charge. “They can generate power at 15 cents,” explained Mr Kwesigabo. “Now if they don’t get a subsidy that will be a high tariff. We can’t afford that price. They are still negotiating with the government to give them some subsidy. The hydro power plants we licence, their long term tariff are around 7 cents so that of Energy Systems is twice as much. Solar technology is expensive although it is still cheaper and cleaner than thermal.”Nearing completionThree other solar developers are yet to complete their applications. They are Stewards Net Uganda Inc. Ltd (50 MW solar-PV plant in Kampala), Micro Power Group (0.24MW solar-PV in Mbale, Arua and Lira), and East African Energy Technology Development Network (60kW and 150kW at River Dirigana in Sironko District). “When people apply, the law requires you to provide certain documents; legal capacity, financial status, technical ability, etc. Many people apply and they don’t fulfill that criteria; that is why you see that their applications are not complete. Usually, we communicate with them but others usually fall off,” explained Mr Kwesigabo. Although the 250 MW project Bujagali is expected to be commissioned next year, only the first unit – with a capacity to produce 50 MW – will be operational initially. Thereafter, the developers expect to bring the other four units online one-after-another until completion in 2013. However, even then, the perennially low water levels on Lake Victoria are likely to hinder Bujagali – like Nalubaale and Kiira on the same Rive Nile – from operating at full capacity. Experts predict that Bujagali’s generation potential could fall to 175 MW due to water shortage. Similar problems have befallen Nalubaale and Kiira dams, whose total capacity is 380 MW but have been generating an average of 160 MW. According to government projections, the demand for electricity, which is currently stands at 400 MW during peak hours, is expected to grow by an average of 10 per cent every year — up to 2035 when it will reach about 4,000 MW. Mr Kwesigabo, however, says that when all these projects come on board, along with the 700 MW Karuma dam that is expected to be ready after 2015, Uganda will have sufficient electricity to meet the demand.“There is a lot of interest in electricity projects. It is so much that our worry is whether we are going to absorb that power and the tariff implication because the distribution network still has issues,” he said.Mr Kwesigabo said they are currently carrying out a study that will inform future plans. “Once we have the results of that study, we want government to come up with a policy and maybe set a ceiling for these small projects because while the small projects stabilise tariffs because they go near consumption centres, their tariff tends to be a bit higher,” he said. One of Mr Kwesigabo’s firm beliefs for future electricity generation projects is that Ugandans should play active role. This, he thinks, will ensure that Ugandans benefit from more than just the electricity generated – and also share the blame if things are not going according to plan. “I wish the government could have either a bond or shares, and have the public invest in Karuma,” he said. “After all, the government can guarantee them like we guarantee foreigners. That is the best way to involve people. I think it is a good thing when more people are involved. But when they remain foreign dominated projects, when something happens we shall always blame foreigners.” « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/887388/-/wjucsl/-/index.html","content":"Why govt wants to keep journalists under control - Last week, Nation Media Group (NMG) celebrated its 50th anniversary. To celebrate the long walk, NMG organised the first Pan- Africa Media Conference themed ‘Media and the Africa promise; reflecting on the past, present and prospects for the future’. Information Minister, Kabakumba Masiko attended the event and spoke to Isaac Imaka on the sidelines of the conference. Excerpts:- What is your take on the conference?The Nation Media Group is marking 50 years of existence. The way I looked at the topics, it emphasized freedom of the press and good governance. But how do we bring in voices of various people, especially in terms of governance but also to ensure press freedom. The consensus to me is that there must be media freedom and there is a role media can play in development. But there must be press responsibility. We should not forget the past history where media played a role in some countries to bring down governments. People should not report for the sake of making money while inciting people, distorting information. Do we need the Press and Journalists (amendment) Bill?For any law to be proposed there must be a mischief that has to be cured. It has been realised that after we liberalised the press, we have not had a responsible media and now we are looking at how we can regulate the media. We are talking of a media which will not incite people in its reporting. For instance, in the burning of Kasubi tombs, the media rushed into conclusions instead of asking what happened. They were quoting a boda boda rider who was not even at the scene. Which loopholes are in the 1995 law?We are now providing for all newspapers to register and be licensed, they should tell us their physical addresses which was not in the 1995 law. We are also providing for offences and their sanctions. But journalists have been charged before?There are some papers that are promoting sectarianism, stories that hamper national interest in terms of security and economic development. It has taken the government over 15 years to realise these loopholes and choose to bring the amendments now?This law has not just come. I even found the principles in place by the time I came to office. I believe journalists have forgotten that they were consulted on whatever is in the law. Now it turns out that by the time we table it, it will be time for elections and people think we are targeting the elections. Who specifically did you consult in the media?All of them right before writing the Bill; the media owners, practitioners, and all stakeholders. The bad thing is that now most of them are new players in the field, and the old ones have forgotten. Explain what exactly is meant by inciting the public?Mobilising and working on people’s psyche to cause civil disobedience. If you are going to mobilise people to fight each other, instead of reporting issues in public interest, definitely that’s incitement. What is this public interest?Here we mean social cohesion, where people live peacefully without unrest. If you are going to incite people, and think you are doing so in public interest, then you are missing the point. Who determines public interest?Us as Ugandans; you can determine it through the people’s representatives or government through its structures. At the end of the day it must be public interest. The Bill talks about economic sabotage. Elaborate…It is as broad as that. Anything to do with hindering [the progress of] our economy we shall not tolerate. Like the Bujagali [power] project we would by now be having the dam and wouldn’t be having load shading but the journalists reported recklessly until they delayed it. Between corrupt government officials and journalists who report about them, who would you think is the greater economic saboteur in Uganda?Corruption, corruption and corruption! We are going to work together. It cannot be fought by government only.But if you say there are faeces in Uganda’s milk, are you fighting corruption or sabotaging the economy? I want us to shift the debate. How can we deliver services to our people? Let’s empower our people to demand for services, to hold government accountable. Sensitise them, empower them. If we do that, there will be no corruption; there will be no dictatorship. The problem is that people are equating good governance to fighting corruption. That’s not true. How will you determine economic sabotage?The law will. We shall put it in the regulations. We shall also give the judge some leeway to determine it. We are also going to agree on how to define economic sabotage. 1 | 2 Next Page»Isn’t the same government which liberalised the economy the one now targeting investors by making it difficult to start and run a newspaper business in Uganda by restricting foreign ownership?We want serious investors in this sector. We do not want any Tom, Dick and Harry to come and start producing a paper. We want to know the equipment you have, where you are located. We want to be sure of the investor. Who is a serious investor?Someone who will put money in his business but also take time and caution and ensure that he or she protects his investment. If you have not invested anything, you can be as careless as you can imagine.In developed countries governments bail out independent media houses in financial distress.We have not had that problem and I cannot tell you that there is a plan. They [Uganda media] have not complained and [I think] they are doing well. There are private investors who have been bailed out before so even the media will be considered on a case by case basis. You want to put over 90 per cent government-appointed members on the Media Council. How independent shall it be?Whether it’s 100 or zero percent, it’s all government. You know as [former Mozambican] President Joaquim Chissano has said, journalists were given the freedom but could not come up with ideas. We hoped that the media could be able to control themselves but they have failed even with the several media associations. Instead of utilising the National Institute of Journalists of Uganda, they are fighting it. Who do you think is a professional journalist?That’s what I have asked them and have failed to get an answer. Is it someone who learns on the job, or the one who has a degree? I am sure most of those top people in the media are not qualified. They were given a grace period after the law was enacted in 1995. Journalists are bitter about this proposed law. What do you want them to remember about you?As someone who was for clean journalism; factual and timely reporting without distortion. Emotions and opinions [should be] removed from the factual stories. If I can help reorganise, professionalise and uplift the standard of journalism in Uganda, I would have done my work. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/753330/-/10g7jym/-/index.html","content":"Independence; country divided at heart - Kampala Forty-six years after the British colonialists transferred political power to Ugandans, there is much talk today about what indigenous leaders failed to achieve or mismanaged than how their stewardship empowered nationals to achieve the dreams envisaged under self-rule. The promises by pro-independence fighters of economic prosperity for all through elimination of ignorance and disease has failed, as an estimated 9.3 million Ugandans remain stuck in poverty, making it difficult for parents to feed, clothe and house families. Much of the country’s basic infrastructure – road, rail and bridges, including the Owen Falls dam overpass connecting the vital eastern import/export trade route through Kenya – are in shambles and so blighted are public health facilities, among them Mulago National Referral Hospital, a colonial relic. In a public debate on the eve of the 46th Independence celebrations, academics and political analysts gave a divided opinion on the dividends of independence thus far, while agreeing, in unison, that ending the White man’s authoritarian, sometimes dehumanising rule, was in the first place a good deed.   Mr Ndebesa Mwambutsya, a political historian at Makerere University, said the public hullabaloo and disdain over independence observance, was a result of varying definitions and interpretations of the 1962 transition, which has rewarded sections of the population while disadvantaging others. “A peasant will celebrate independence as having the freedom to sleep in his house; an intellectual will consider it in terms of how fair the governance system is, in relation to regional balance and the transition of power from one government to another,â€Â� he argued. This was a pointed statement. Peaceful transition of State power has eluded Uganda to this day, and all the eight presidents from Sir Edward Mutesa to Gen. Tito Okello Lutwa, whom President Yoweri Museveni toppled in 1986, were kicked out forcibly. It is a failing blamed on greed for power and declining patriotism marked by tribalism and massive official corruption, where even health workers steal drugs from government medical facilities, which they then sell for personal enrichment in private clinics. The Uganda Governance Monitoring Platform, a civil society organisation, aimed to strike a consensus on the actual meaning of Independence and how Ugandans could use the day to demand greater freedoms and justice during the Hotel Africana debate. It never did. Instead the outcome of the October 8 discussion was a cocktail of inclusive opinions, which mirrored the varied interests of the participants and discussants. Mr Adolf Mwesige, the Minister of State for General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, said Independence for Uganda only gained meaning when the ruling government came to power 22 years ago. That way, the minister appears to be badly editing the country’s illustrious and equally torturous post-independence historical detail. Mr Mwesige said the NRM government has built more schools and health centres at sub- county levels, tarmacked more roads and introduced regular elections for democratic choice of leaders - thus empowering citizens to actively engage in governance of their country. These achievements, he said, were true manifestations of liberty for which President Museveni should be credited after past leaders such as Milton Obote and Idi Amin misruled the country, shattering its economy and terrorised the citizens. “The NRM government liberalised the economy; introduced reforms in education, developed infrastructure, and (encouraged direct foreign) investment, which has brought employment. Uganda has truly undergone socio-economic and political transformation,â€Â� the minister said. Not many agreed.  Dr Frank Nabwiso of the Opposition Forum for Democratic Change party criticised the governance and electoral system as weak, giving the incumbent President opportunity to rig elections and entrench his rule. This way, he said, people’s legitimate choices are not gauged and respected. To him, the Electoral Commission acts in favour of the NRM government and has been registering President Museveni as a candidate under different identities since the 1996 elections.“In 1996, the President was registered as Kaguta Yoweri Museveni. In 2001, he was registered as Museveni Yoweri Kaguta, and in 2006, he was Yoweri Kaguta Museveni,â€Â� Dr Nabwiso said, adding, “Is this one and the same man that Ugandans have been voting or they are three different people?â€Â� Even when the debaters disagreed on the fundamentals of governance, including whether or not independence should be celebrated anymore, one thing which so surprisingly united them across the political divide was the soaring cases of corruption. In the end, it appears, each Ugandan divested from national interests of patriotism, will interpret independence based on personal convenience, if not confusion."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/741818/-/10fjqbp/-/index.html","content":"Allow Ugandans in diaspora to vote in 2011 polls - opposition - Parliament The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament on Thursday made a passionate plea to the government for the need to allow Ugandans in the Diaspora to vote in the 2011 presidential elections. Presenting the opposition’s response to President Museveni’s June 5 State of the Nation Address, Prof. Ogenga Latigo said the NRM leader’s status report on the nation failed to recognise the importance of the weight Ugandans living abroad bring to building “a democratic Uganda.â€Â� “The President has not acknowledged the contribution of these Ugandans whom in the past he castigated for being unpatriotic because they left the country,â€Â� he said. The Opposition salutes Ugandans in the Dispora, Prof. Latigo said, “for their hard work and commitment to their motherlandâ€Â�, and would continue “to support their rights to vote while abroad.â€Â� Although it is still not clear how many Ugandans are plying their trade abroad and how many are eligible to vote, the law doesn’t provide for their participation in national elections while outside the confines of Uganda, a sticky issue Prof. Latigo said should be reviewed. His comments followed a motion by Nakasongala Woman MP Rose Tibwita, moved to pass a vote of thanks to the President for executing his constitutional duty of delivering a report on the state of the nation, one that precedes the opening of a new session of Parliament. Justifying her motion, Ms Tibwita said President Museveni is “not a desk presidentâ€Â�, but a “field presidentâ€Â�, who listens “to the people’s outcry and responds accordingly.â€Â� Seconding the motion, Northern Youth MP Denis Obua saluted Mr Museveni for the “good ideas he gave us on how best we can help our people,â€Â� telling MPs that the NRM administration’s programme on prosperity for all, where six model farmers at each sub county will do pilot projects to commercialise their agriculture, is one such good idea. In his analysis of Mr Museveni’s speech, however, Prof. Latigo said unlike the President’s previous two addresses, “this year’s is less blunt in its criticism of those he holds as the ‘negative forces’ in the country.â€Â� 1 | 2 Next Page»Ã¢â‚¬Å“However, while his perennial targets-the Opposition, the media and the 6th Parliament remained the main focus, this time around the Cultural Leaders, Donors and even the peasants have not been spared,â€Â� added the Agago MP. Prof. Latigo equated Museveni’s last year pronouncement that he would not have handed over power in 1996 if former Democratic Party President Paul Ssemwogerere had won the general election, to Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe’s recent proclamation that it is only God who can remove him from power. Prof. Latigo picked issue with the government’s defence of police action in roughing up some MPs all in the name of maintaining public order, telling MPs: “Yes, the reign of the ‘moral hypocrites’ has truly arrived in our country.â€Â� The L.O.P also dismissed, as claims, Mr Museveni’s statement that Uganda is experiencing hydropower shortfall because the “6th Parliament sabotagedâ€Â� an earlier plan to construct the Bujagali hydro power dam. “Hon Members we would like to appeal to the President to end this gamer of blaming the 6th Parliament and everyone but himself for the current power shortage,â€Â� Prof. Latigo told the well attended House. Tackling the issue of security and peace, Prof. Latigo heaped praise on the government, for “quickly bringing under control, the wanton robberies in Kampala and elsewhere that sadly led to the death of many,â€Â� as well as the progress made in bringing under control armed cattle raids by Karimojong warriors. Debate on Mr Museveni’s speech continues today. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/731988/-/10ex8e2/-/index.html","content":"Power blues and lullabies - During a national function at the Kololo Independence Grounds in 2005, President Museveni derided his then Minister of Energy Syda Bbumba for continuing to sing “lullabiesâ€Â� as the country’s energy crisis got worse. The President even asked the brass band to play some lullabies from his native Runyankore language â€â€� as he sang along. In 2001, I stood in the hot sun at a campaign rally in Boma in Fort Portal as the President ticked off 15 smaller power stations to be built as the crowd of supporters cheered – partly because they had enjoyed uninterrupted power supply for the two days the big man was in the area. He said the smaller power stations would provide at least 100MW to the national grid and supplement the rural electrification project. By 2005/2006 (another election year), the story had changed, the country’s economy had suffered with the manufacturing and agricultural sectors posting negative growth. While the politicians at the Ministry of Energy sold the Lake Victoria drought story to explain the power crisis, the President had a whole different story: that opposition MPs in the Sixth Parliament had failed his plans to complete a 250MW power dam at Bujagali. At the time, he deliberately blocked out hushed whispers about the fact that the Seventh Parliament and its predecessor carried no political parties and that actually the majority on the committee on Natural Resources, which questioned the Power Purchase Agreement the government wanted to sign with AES Nile Power, the company originally billed to build the dam at Bujagali, were and are still strong supporters of the President’s political side. The power woes continued. Under pressure, the government carried on with a mixture of lies and unfocused crisis management. Several companies employing hundreds of Ugandans relocated operations or simply shut down business. Bata Uganda moved its shoe manufacturing line to Kenya, fish export firms moved into other business and many small scale operators, especially local artisans, could not cope with the crisis and simply folded. During his swearing-in speech at Kololo on May 12, 2006, President Museveni vowed to end the country’s power woes in 44 months. 1 | 2 Next Page»But in the meantime, he added, emergency power sources would be found, citing specifically more thermal power, and the smaller hydro projects in the rural electrification programme. As of today, we are counting 22 months since the presidential pledge on the Bujagali power project – which, to his credit, is underway. But what could explain the underlying challenges to fixing the country’s power crisis? Ugandans have thus far failed to build a critical mass that would put adequate pressure on the government to mange this country in an enlightened way – to anticipate problems and plan effectively to solve them instead of paying too much attention on the need to simply retain power.   When the President last made a major shake up of his Cabinet in the immediate aftermath of his re-election in 2006, he brought on board the man – Mr Hillary Onek – who had persistently challenged hydrologists who designed the second (Kiira) power station at the dam in Jinja at a cost of well over $80 million but has since turned into a white elephant. Surprisingly, Mr Onek, a water engineer who had made his mark criticising the government’s approach in dealing with the power crisis, was posted to the Ministry of Agriculture.  Some of his supporters argue that informed debate on power and its challenges died the moment Mr Onek accepted to join Cabinet. He can now not speak his mind publicly about power issues. Critics say that the country has never been short of qualified people to advise on the power question but public corruption, partly encouraged by multinationals bent on taking advantage of poverty stricken and troubled countries, has greatly contributed and sustained the current crisis. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/730774/-/3ghk0cz/-/index.html","content":"Tax all houses and land - The Uganda government has a great problem  in collecting public revenue for they go for the easy or cheap taxes. They walk into a fuel station and tax it because this is an easy tax to collect. Shell Uganda builds a gas station and it imports fuels and Mr X drives into the station and buys fuel. The government does not invest anything into the deal, all it has to do is to tax Mr X when he drives in. I used to bring containers of goods into Uganda to create jobs for my relatives. I stopped for one simple reason. When I considered the number of people involved in the delivery chain up to Kampala and the government that taxes it, I found that the government gets more money than all of us involved. The government looked at it and targeted it for it was a simple taxing system; they invest nothing in it but tax it to death.  Why has the government failed to be creative in collecting taxes that involve investment? Uganda is the only country where land and properties are free. The moment you buy land from someone and get a land title, you are a free man and you are not obliged to pay any tax on it. When you build a house on it, you are not required to pay any tax on it. So you as owner of the house, whom do you think will pay for the maintenance of the road to your house?  The minister of finance or the President? When you elected this president did he assure you that he would use his personal money to build a road going to your house? I challenge the ministers of finance and local  government to introduce a property tax. I live in Canada but I own  huge land in Uganda with its title. When my father died, I got another huge chunk of land, but I have never been billed for its tax. All I have is to own the land and use or abuse it as I so wish. The minister of finance must start to knock at every door of every land owner and tax them yearly. We must change this debate from owning land to developing it. I know many people out of Uganda with titles of land they will never develop. Yet you cannot touch it for someone in Auckland owns the title to it. But this fellow is not even paying a tax on it. The minister of finance must start taxing every house and land title in Uganda. It is a very fair tax for everyone pays it. This is the only way we will know where everybody’s house is and how much it is worth. Lazy as we are, the ministry of finance has failed to make that investment and has decided to attack you and me at Entebbe airport and charge us an airport tax so that they can use that money to build a road going to a house you have in Bugolobi which does not pay a property tax.  Edward Mulindwa Canadamulindwa@look.ca UNEB; address real issues Uganda National Examinations Board Secretary Mr Matthew Bukenya has cited several issues as causes of poor performance in A-Level exams. He cited lack of adequate subject matter or content necessary for handling the whole range of questions in the exams; failure of teachers to complete the syllabus; and cramming notes from pamphlets or model answers instead of using one's cognitive skills. This attracted my attention more than all this high-profiling of schools and individual candidates that have scored high grades. In fact, even these high scores should be questioned for what they are worth. A question that we need to ask is what type of product we are churning out of our schools and the type of education our children are getting. What do we have to say about the broader curriculum that includes social skills and creativity? What about the teachers and schools themselves? Are they facilitated enough to deliver the contents of the syllabus.  Instead of focusing on results in science, for example, we should ask how science is taught. Are the schools' science labs  equipped properly to enable students do experiments? Do students ever visit a farm, a slum, a hospital, or an industrial plant as part of their education or do they learn only or mostly from books and the notes dictated by the teacher? How many pupils in a class can a teacher adequately handle in terms of teaching, providing individual help and marking scripts?  Rev. Amos Kasibante Leicester, UK It’s water hyacinth hurting Ankole I wish to add my voice to two articles  in Daily Monitor; one on February 5,  titled: “Kiruhura District Hit By Droughtâ€Â� and the second one on March 3: “Individualised Land Ownership Is Killing Ankole Water Bodies.â€Â� While I agree with the articles, I  caution strongly those who are spreading the water hyacinth weed to dams in Ankole and to any other water bodies in the country. It is a fact the water hyacinth is about 95% water, and to remain normal it sucks up tremendous amounts of water, which evaporates into the atmosphere. This is contrary to the false belief that the water hyacinth conserves water, which belief, according to several people that have been interviewed, led to the distribution of the weed to many dams in Kanyaryeru and most likely to other dams in other areas. The Kanyaryeru dam is totally dead under a thick mat of water hyacinth, and unfortunately, it will be hard to get rid of the weed because its seeds once dropped are known to survive for 15 to 20 years. Research has proved that water in a pond that is infested with the water hyacinth will be lost at 30 to 50% faster than that in a pond of open surface. So those who introduced the weed into their dams to conserve water were ignorant. It’s the worst water weed in the world and distributing it will exacerbate problems such as those in Ankole. Dr Gadi Gumisiriza National Coordinator Invasive Alien Species Project NARO, Uganda Punish Kazini for the Buziga bloody incident With all respect to the Ugandan army and the NRM government, everyone should stand up to condemn the act by  former army commander James Kazini who is reported to have  beaten up a doctor in the city suburb of Buziga. In this modern world if anyone wants people’s support politically, he should openly condemn wrongdoing and in that respect I suggest the President comes out openly to condemn the act. Any one would wonder why the president should be the one to condemn this act and below are my reasons; the president and commander in chief  has a lot of respect not only from the army but the  entire Ugandan population; Kazini’s private social dealings should not be used  to hurt civilians using a gun. If the story about his conduct is true, Kazini should apologise publicly to all Ugandans especially the doctor he assaulted. And if it were here in the developed world, anyone would tell you that Kazini could have faced disciplinary actions which include losing his military ranks. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/728960/-/10egjnx/-/index.html","content":"Museveni unveils free Shs60b poverty cash - - Cabinet unlocks frozen NAADS cash - Six homes per parish to be given free capital KAMPALA THIRTY homesteads selected from every sub-county in Uganda will be given free capital for investing in high value agricultural products. The radical programme starts this financial year and the first phase will see government distributing some Shs60 billion, already budgeted for under the National Agricultural Advisory Services project. The dramatic strategy was disclosed by President Yoweri Museveni on Wednesday while on a working tour in Bushenyi District. The decision was arrived at during a recent Cabinet retreat in Entebbe when the ministers drew up a framework for fighting poverty this financial year. Shs60 billion for NAADS, which had been blocked by Parliament, is to be immediately unlocked for disbursing to homesteads this financial year. On average, six homesteads per parish will receive the money. The selection of the six families shall be done by the parish members themselves. There are 961 sub counties, which means that on average, each homestead would get capital inputs worth about Shs2 million. The recipients' incomes are expected to be boosted when they invest in activities like fruit-growing, poultry, piggeries, bee keeping and zero grazing. In the second step of the strategy, the government shall inject seed capital in each sub county's SACCO, which members will borrow to invest along the same models of the pioneers who received the free capital. In the third phase, the government will encourage and get involved in the primary processing of the produce so that the farmers receive yet higher returns for their products. However, processing will rely heavily on power, and the cost of electricity is still quite high. President Museveni recalled how the sixth Parliament delayed the construction of Bujagali Dam and as a result, the country is now spending enormous sums of money on thermal power generation. He said some politicians were saying \"agende\" (let him go) but he told them he was going nowhere at the time. The Presidential assistant for political affairs, Mr Moses Byaruhanga, clarified that Mr Museveni did not say he would not go in reference to the present day as the headline of Thursday's newspaper implied, but that he was referring to 2001, and that the voters had rejected the calls of \"agende\" and returned him to office. He said they instead voted out those who were frustrating the power generation plans.  He said that the decision on whether President Museveni is to go or stay is made by his party conference. While meeting the farming communities, the President interviewed several farmers and local leaders, and found that the intervention can quadruple earnings of a family that cultivates a one to two acre plot from Shs400, 000 a month, to about Shs20 million a year. But Mr Museveni also found that those making reasonable amounts of money from farming are still very few. In Shuuku, Sheema, only 80 of the 3,000 farmers could be said to be well off. When he asked who the richest man in Ryakasinga Che in Sheema County was - it emerged it was a one Mugisha, a supporter of the opposition FDC who wasn't at the rally. Mzee John Mubona, the second richest was instead picked. Model farmer Mzee Mubona told Mr Museveni he sells 100 bunches of matooke a month and 42 litres of milk a day. President Museveni then told farmers that he would give out money to the impoverished - to help them improve their livelihoods to the standards of people like Mzee Mubona. In 2007, President Museveni suspended funding to NAADS after he discovered that its officials were misusing the money. The President noted that the government had released Sh48 billion last financial year and over Shs60 billion this financial year for the NAADS programme but that there was nothing to show for it. The President, while touring Masaka in 2007, said if NAADS money had been used to buy pigs for farmers, they would not find enough food and instead feed on the people. \"Or if we had used it to buy birds, the number would overwhelm us. But you cannot see anything done,\" he said. The new plan is a follow up on the 2007 promise by President Museveni that he would give emphasis to farmers who will become models and give practical examples to others now that the Kony war is over. Previous loan-based plans to inject capital into the farms like Rural Farmers Scheme and Entandikwa failed as the criteria for selecting the beneficiaries were not rational."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/-/688612/786558/-/tgeqs4/-/index.html","content":"Failed horsenomics are our problem - The developing world, Uganda included, has too many grand planners and too few searchers. This is the inevitable conclusion that economist and former senior researcher at the World Bank, William Easterly draws in his book, \"The White Man's Burden.\" Easterly castigates the West for relying on grand visions and fixed goals to end global poverty instead of asking what can aid really do. He gives the analogy of trying to train a cow to win the Kentucky Derby (one of the prestigious horse races that mark the three most valued horse races in the United States) rather than asking what the cow can do. Knowing that a cow will never win a horse race is as important as knowing that throwing billions of dollars at global poverty will never end it. It isn't grandiose plans and promises to raise spending on aid that will end poverty. It isn't the setting of eight magic goals and saying that they will be met by 2015 that will make these goals a reality. Rather, answers to these global issues Easterly wrote, are going to come from those directly involved. If this is a lesson that Western governments and aid agencies need to learn, it is a lesson that developing countries themselves also have to learn. It does seem that developing countries also fall into this trap of grand plans that require finding money to make them work. And so Uganda under the NRM has gone from \"Entandikwa\" to \"Bonna Bagaggawale\", to giving losing NRM politicians Shs45 million each in the hope that somewhere along the line people will find ways to become self-sustaining and in the process spark economic development. This is why local economists such as Mr Teddy Cheeye (DM, August 23) and strategists like Mr Moses Byaruhanga can justify these schemes. Contrary to Cheeye's assertion, economic development does not occur through bankrolling a \"useless\" portion of society (losing NRM politicians) and making them the cornerstone of an emerging middle class. What it does is to continue to buy loyalty and thus perpetuating political incumbency. This is neither the price for democracy nor the price for genuine economic development. This dependence on the 'Big Man' for economic progress is another manifestation of 'Big Plan' mentality and the belief that \"only others can solve our problems.\" A more useful purpose of available monies would be to raise the salaries of those who are gainfully employed so that they can engage in productive activity. It is why Uganda continues to dream of one day striking it rich through the production of thousands of barrels of oil, not recognising that dependence on minerals for economic growth is fraught with harmful consequences. It is why instead of searching for possible new answers to the shortage of energy, our leaders are willing to mortgage the country's future to the building of another dam. No one has bothered to ask why nearly 40 years of big plans and 20 years of NRM rule have (except for a sense of stability and a degree of peace in the southern half of the country) left much of the country in worse shape than it was in 1985. Countries need more searchers - people on the ground who look for ways to apply what they know to finding solutions. In Easterly's terminology it means spending less time trying to train a cow to win a horse race and more time asking what useful things can a cow do? We must create a community that will support the country. Building the base is going to require going back to the basics and asking in the words made famous by former US President John F. Kennedy: \"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.\" 1 | 2 Next Page»It is astonishing to realise how much wananchi are marginalised from the process of policy making and implementation in many developing countries and how they have come to accept that. And so instead of the solution to the constant suffering of the poor from malaria, the answer is often let the government spray DDT and let the donors figure out ways to provide treated mosquito nets. What would happen if in each village there was a person skilled in the making of mosquito nets combined with a group of people who could manufacture the anti mosquito treatment? It is going to take the empowering of local communities from village to village and the following of a local need /local response framework that will turn developing countries around. Setting of vague goals and spending $2.3 trillion on aid will not end world poverty, eliminate illiteracy and disease and overcome many of the other major problems of the world. Solutions are the outcome of serious search and the empowerment of local communities to find answers to their own problems. This at the moment seems to be a task beyond the scope of both global organisations and developing country governments. 078 2 676 942 davidkashangakicsc@yahoo.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1634466/-/10l5k0dz/-/index.html","content":"How Robert Serumaga would exploit our raw material for 100 Skyfalls - The latest James Bond movie, Skyfall, is reputed to have made over $400 million in its first week. Good for the film makers who are still milking Agent 007 half a century after he was first created by Ian Fleming and ably acted by Sean Connery. When I watched Skyfall in Dar es Salaam last week, I was happy nobody in the darkened cinema knew where I come from when that rogue ex agent Silva boasts that he can facilitate any operation, including rigging an election in Uganda! Let me also hope we are not going to have the type of hysterical reactions that greeted the Spanish minister’s saying that Spain is not Uganda (as if it is) or the histrionics that greeted the Kony video which set the Youtube record of 100million views in a week. But as near real as James Bond appears, he remains a fictitious character. And real historic figures too, if well scripted, also tend to create epic movies and turn their actors into phenomenal successes. Great pictures have made out the careers of Mahatma Gandhi (Ben Kingsley), Moses (Charlton Heston), our own Idi Amin (Forest Whitaker) and to a less extent, Jesus Christ (Jim Caviezel). We need to reflect on this deeply for an opportunity is staring us in the face.Most Ugandans under the age of 40 have never heard of world beating Ugandans like Robert Serumaga. So let us tell them. Serumaga was an economist who started writing and directing plays in the 60s. By the early 70s, his Abafumi Theatre Company was a world class phenomenon, that in a few years of acting all over the world was watched by physical audiences amounting to over a million people. So ingenious were his productions that President Idi Amin is reported to have applauded loudly after watching a Serumaga play that was criticising his bloody regime. Serumaga later joined the anti-Amin armed struggle, became a minister in the first post-Amin government and died mysteriously in Kenya in 1980, barely 40 years old. Today when I see fictitious movies making so much money is a short time I can only ask, ‘Where is Robert Serumaga, now that his desperate country could so use him?’ Can you just imagine what a man who had the world’s theatre at his feet could do with the real historic scripts that Uganda has since generated? After seeing the blockbuster movies some muzungu can create by writing a few exagerations about Amin and Kony’s video record, do you still have any doubts what Serumaga would have achieved with authentic productions? Wonderful non-fiction scripts from the last two decades that Robert Serumaga would direct to make billions in invisible exports and compensate for the disappearing aid would include: ‘The Armed Crane’ depicting Uganda Airlines in its dying days used to smuggle arms from South Africa to Yugoslavia. Another Serumaga movie ‘The Congo Briefcase’ depicts a junior army officer who disappears with a briefcase containing a million dollars meant for salaries of soldiers operating in the dense jungles of the Congo. As security agencies mount a hunt for the officer, his commander also hunts for him, for different reasons. In ‘Flightless Birds’, some clever men make the government purchase pieces of scrap metal disguised as combat aircraft. The plot for ‘The Invisible Dam’ involves millions of dollars paid out to a clique of clever men and women for constructing valley dams to water livestock in semi arid areas. The crooks skillfully convince the authorities that the non-existent dams actually exist.In ‘The Chogm Games’, Shs 5 billion go missing as the Queen of England visits the country. ‘The Secret Accounts’ would feature a complicated web of thefts that empty the Office of the Prime Minister of billions of shillings. ‘The Ghost Soldiers’ would probably not sell well in Uganda as its contents are too well known to the public here. But it would amaze the world audiences as they watch the army leadership deploying hundreds of ghosts to chase after the notorious Joseph Kony, and failing to catch him. ‘The Empty Tanks’ features the national petroleum reserves in Jinja which are perpetually empty while some clever people convince government that they are always full to keep the country safe in case the supply route to the sea gets disrupted – until it actually happens. The beauty of these great Ugandan movies is that most characters are still alive and would play their own roles in the bestsellers! 1 | 2 Next Page»buwembo@gmail.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1298116/-/13t3kw1z/-/index.html","content":"I won’t be in power for ever, says President Museveni - Mr President, eight years ago you took power to do a job guided by the NRM’s Ten-Point-programme, How much ground have you covered so far and what still remains to be done?Eight years ago the biggest problem was disharmony in the society. Conflicts, either physical or emotional, or mental; people were not together. This disharmony was caused by the old politics, the old opportunistic politics which started exploiting religions especially and, to some extent, tribes. We think that we have healed (this disharmony). The [people] who are out of the national alliance are out on their own free will. Who are these people who are out?A few elements like Obote and some of his followers, but even these are very few as you know, because all the others have come back and are participating in politics. So I think that is achievement No. 1. People in parties like UPC have always maintained that they are not part of your arrangement.They are not serious. (UPC) say that when you say that NRM has formed an alliance, they would have wanted to participate as a group like you did.I don’t agree with that approach. It is not useful to have factions either under one roof or under two roofs because they will all lead to unprincipled struggles. However, the alliance I am talking about is that your background does not prejudice your chances of participation in this process. The old polarisation was not on good grounds. If it was on good grounds I would not mind. If it was a conflict on principle, between right and wrong like the conflicts between us and Amin. Were you against Amin the individual or Amin the system; because you have been working with people who worked with Idi Amin?Not Amin as a person. What he represented. Amin represented a wrong position. He used the army to take over power. The army is a small group of people; what right do they have to govern the rest of society without the society’s consent? But you also took government using the military.Yes. As a temporary measure to restore democracy; that is why we call this government a transitional government, an interim government. We never said we have a right: to stay in power indefinitely. But we had to put out the fire and we could not put it out by peaceful means. This is where our legitimacy comes in. We are transient. We are not permanent. You have given yourself a lot of time for a transitional government. Because even unelected (rulers) like Idi Amin were here for about eight years. Now you have also been in power for about eight years? Well, first of all our transitional government has not been without participation. Very early on, we opened up for people to participate in (the political process in the) form of the RCs. Later on they went up to the national (parliament) level, the National Resistance Council (NRC).In any case even if we had not opened up, it was clear that our programme was a transitional one. But ours was not only transitional, but also participatory. You cannot say that Amin did any of that! So, apart from uniting Ugandans...That was one. The second achievement was the economy. But the peasants, if you look at them, have become poorer.I don’t believe that the peasants have become poorer. They have not become richer in a number of cases, but I don’t think they have become poorer. Because they are not even able to send their children to school. More and more kids are not going to school?Were they able to do it in the past? But wherever you have gone Mr President, people have told you they have “obwavu” (poverty) in their home.Yes they have “obwavu” but your argument and other people’s false position is this “bwavu” is a new phenomenon. That there was opulence in the past; that poverty has come now. My argument is that there has always been poverty. There is still poverty now. Poverty in the past was in an economy that had no hope of even overcoming that poverty. Poverty now is in a stable, macro-economic framework where there is hope that (we shall come) out of poverty. I am…May I... [Gestures to be left to finish his point] Let me first finish my point. The second point on economic recovery is that we have made achievements in infrastructure. We have repaired 1,500 km of roads. This is physical; you cannot (dispute that). Power generation: We have so far increased power generation by 60 megawatts since 1986 and soon we shall have it increased by another 30 megawatts which will make our contribution to the power output in Uganda in the last seven years to 90 megawatts. We are also planning to build another 200 megawatts dam. Then the stability of the currency, getting rid of the hunger for foreign currency. Now the tendency is not to reject the Uganda currency but actually to look for it. This is a (major achievement) because in the past whoever had the Uganda currency wanted to get rid of it in order to get dollars. They were willing to pay any amount of the Uganda shilling to get one dollar. What was the logic behind all this? So that they take the dollar out and invest it abroad. Now the attitude is the opposite; people are dying to get the Uganda shilling in order to invest it here. That is why you journalists need to be a bit more serious in your analysis, not superficial. It has been argued elsewhere that the middle class has benefited more from this arrangement than the ordinary people, the peasants, and you can see how they (the middle class) are building.Before you start to argue about who has benefited and who has not, you need to have stability. You cannot argue about who has eaten more than the other without having order in the dining room. The cooks must cook; there must be a dining table, there must be a place so that we can start arguing now who has eaten more and who has eaten less (laughter). But there was disorder and there was no possibility of cooking. There was no way you could generate wealth. So eating, eating what? There was nothing to eat. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Insight/-/688338/1188790/-/r7njek/-/index.html","content":"Kazibwe defiant in suspension as government stalks Col. Muzoora ‘killers’ - For all 7 Days cares, former Agriculture minister and Vice President Specioza Wandira Kazibwe should be volunteering to serve the peasants Why? We simply don’t need the “why”; this lady owes us a lot, yet she is still “arrogant” despite the mess she is allegedly causing. Dr Kazibwe is said to earn Shs500,000 daily allowance as the manager of Microfinance Support Centre Ltd, an earning that would make a medical doctor in Mulago Hospital contemplate suicide for living in a “wrong country”. The same ex-VP saw the taxpayers cough Shs2.5 billion to foot her fees at Harvard University. Add the valley dam funds saga and you know there is a problem at the MSC, where she allegedly asked a director for Shs2b as campaign funds to Busoga. But the new Finance minister Maria Kiwanuka must have read Dr Kazibwe’s “bio” with keen interest. So, when the IGG this week recommended her sacking, Ms Kiwanuka was swift in wielding the panga.Not to be undone, Dr Kazibwe, while addressing the 9th Parliament on Friday, said only President Museveni can sack her. May be she should ask Seya what is happening to his appointment as minister since he said the same when the vetting committee threw him out. Perhaps the Shs500,000 daily allowance could have been put to better use in fighting the HIV/Aids scourge, seeing that the US government is unhappy with our failure story. Now the donor muscle power is threatening to stop funding treatment and care for patients because of the failing war on Aids pandemic. Mad rush for circumcision But on the undercard of the war against HIV/Aids spread is the mad rush for circumcision. Medical male circumcision is now widely seen as a key HIV prevention tool after scientific evidence showed it could reduce the risk of infection by up to 60 percent. Many countries including Uganda are embracing it and as a result, a mobile clinic is giving men in rural areas a chance to be cut at no costBut as men rush for that knife, the army was rushing to western Uganda to arrest opposition figureheads it accuses of having a hand in the death and dumping of renegade UPDF officer, Col. Edison Muzoora, whose body was found at his doorstep on May 29. MR William Mukaira, the FDC party chairman for Bushenyi District, and Dr AggreyByamaka, a professional pharmacist. The army says it wants to dispell rumours that the government had a hand in Col. Muzoora’s death. Seya forced out of KCCA town clerk residence Former Kampala mayor and once ministeral appointee cum reject Nasser Sebaggala completes the list of embattled NRM echelons this week after the two former VPs Kazibwe and Gilbert Bukenya. Seya, who occupied the town clerk’s residence on Ssezibwe Road, had refused to vacate it, saying President Museveni had given it to him. But Seya is Seya. Period. He has no revolutionary blood. He should have known that house would be repossessed as long as he is not Gen. David Tinyefuza.Gen. Tinye, the coordinator of intelligence agencies, currently occupies the official mayor’s residence at 2, Mabua Road, Kololo. But as the Seyas, Spes and Bukenya’s are fighting differently battles with one eye cast pleadingly to the President to step in and rescue them, former NSSF managing director, Chandi Jamwa did not need any mercy but constitutional mandate to secure his freedom through bail. Jamwa, who was in March sentenced to 12 years in prison by the Anti-Corruption Court, successfully appealed before Justice Augustine Nshimye of the Appellant Court and got some lease of life outside Luzira Prison. While Justice Nshimye did not have much scrutiny to do on Jamwa’s file, the Auditor General is not having sleep over state of our national reserve amid the rising expenses. The AG says the country’s capital reserves in central bank have declined by 48 per cent due to the bank’s rising expenses and government expenditures. Faces in the news ADVISER:Former Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi has not left government to whine and dine, seeing as he has a lot to offer in terms of advice to the current leaders. Prof. Nsibambi urged the 9th Parliament during their induction to consider making Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the house none-sitting MPs and if an MP wins either of the top seats, he or she should resign. Ruffled feathers? CAGEY CASE:Thomas Nkulungira, a.k.a Tonku’s murder trial has taken shape with more upheaval being thrown about after a lawyer representing him survived a gun attack near his home in Kawempe. Mr Nsubuga Mubiru later said he was pulling out of the case for security reasons. Tonku is accused of killing his girlfriend Brenda Karamuzi in 2010 and dumping her body in a septic tank. SERIOUS:If anyone was in doubt of her credentials to handle the new Kampala City Council Authority top docket, they had better wait for another reason. The KCCA Executive Director, Ms Jennifer Musisi, has not only fought out Seya over council property but is also getting fair good coverage over uplifting the image of Kampala. We can only hope her partnership with Lord Mayor Lukwago yields more! jodongo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1176260/-/c0u7fvz/-/index.html","content":"Museveni explains Cabinet choices - Entebbe President Museveni yesterday swore in what he described as a “cross-generational” Cabinet of “balance, unity and expertise” at State House Entebbe and immediately highlighted the challenges facing his new government. “The country needs jobs for the young people,” Mr Museveni told the new record-size 76-person Cabinet, which includes elderly ministers who, like the President, have been in office since 1986, as well as youthful faces including, Ms Nekesa Oundo, the new state minister for Karamoja, who was only three when Mr Museveni took power. Priorities listedPresident Museveni, who is expected to reaffirm the top priorities when he delivers a State of the Nation address today at the opening of the Ninth Parliament, said the country also needs to widen its tax base, improve its export earnings and increase household incomes. He said the new government would invest in transport and energy infrastructure to reduce the cost of doing business and attract more investment. “Uganda is now finally getting on a very unequivocal course in terms of dealing with these bottlenecks,” Mr Museveni said. The President promised to increase Uganda’s per capita energy consumption from about 70kwh to 500kwh over the next “five or six” years. The new dam at Bujagali, which should produce its first 50MW out of 250MW this year, should raise the average but after promising – and failing – to build two new dams in 42 months at the start of his last term, the President’s projections might be overly ambitious. Balancing actMeanwhile, President Museveni yesterday defended his recent Cabinet appointments, saying he focused more on striking a balance in regional distribution and age when choosing his ministers. “These ministers that I selected are not necessarily the best,” Mr Museveni said. “They are good but you should know that many factors were considered like balancing regions. This represents stability and fusion.” The President, however, sought to defend the quality of his appointees, saying he had appointed many “people of knowledge” to key ministries. He pointed out new Energy minister Eng. Irene Muloni who once ran the public power distribution firm and Prof. Zerubabel Nyiira Mijumbi, a scientist who was appointed to the agriculture ministry. Four nominees who were rejected by the Parliamentary Appointments Committee missed yesterday’s swearing-in ceremony that was witnessed by Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki. The nominees who missed are MP James Kakooza (state minister for Health), Nasser Ntege Sebaggala (without portfolio), MP Saleh Kamba (state for Bunyoro Affairs) and MP Muyanja Mbabaali (state for Investment) and Interim Kampala Minister Beatrice Wabudeya. Newly-appointed Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Maj. Gen. (rtd) Kahinda Otafiire was also not sworn in as he was said to be out of the country. President Museveni said his Cabinet is a cross-generation one representing ministers from the various age groups. “The grandparents are here like myself, parents are here and grand children,” he said. At least two out of three ministers are above 50 and the average age of Cabinet is about 54 years. The 1st Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Henry Kajura, 77, is the oldest while Mr Ronald Kibuule, 28, the state minister for youth, is the youngest. The President said his appointments were partly informed by the need to unite the ruling party, which was left deeply divided after its acrimonious primaries that chose party flag bearers last August. He cautioned ministers against fomenting disunity – “don’t be arrogant, listen and where necessary apologise. Don’t offend people, don’t abuse them and be careful how you use your tongue,” he told them – and warned public servants, particularly permanent secretaries, against corruption Holiday over“The holiday is over,” he told the permanent secretaries. “You are the accounting officers in charge of money, contracts and personnel. Even if ministers tell you to do something bad don’t accept but if they insist, tell them to do it in writing. You should be the one to guide these ministers not to fall into temptation but deliver them from evil.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/KaroliSsemogerere/Namungoona-tanker-inferno--Politics-of-the-poor-and-scarcity/-/878682/1903582/-/ejppy1/-/index.html","content":"Namungoona tanker inferno: Politics of the poor and scarcity - Over the weekend, a petrol tanker was set ablaze in a freak accident on the Northern Bypass in Namungoona, a Kampala suburb. The petrol tragedy left scores dead and more injured at Uganda’s largest referral hospital Mulago. When this inferno happened, two things came to mind. Nigeria is the first image that comes to mind. For many years, communities in the Niger Delta have wreaked havoc on the facilities of Royal Dutch Shell and the Nigerian Pipeline Company. The Ijaws and other minority communities have wrestled with big oil over the failure of the federal government to equitably share oil revenues with the locals in the Niger Delta. Force majeure declarations by operators of the pipeline, depending on the period, can be as regular as thunderstorms in a Kampala weather forecast. As oil moves from a pipe dream to reality, take note of the concerns of the Bagungu and the Banyoro who are unhappy with their royalty share from the sale of oil. Also take note of the Basoga along the Nile complaining of paltry royalties from Bujagali and the former Owen Falls Dam.The second thing that comes to mind is the plight of the urban poor. The Northern Bypass is a bold engineering feat that cut across some of Kampala’s most blighted neighbourhoods. They are a reality check that moderate the paramour or propaganda of a city on 19 hills still growing dotted with mansions and castles, depending on where you look and new money. Each of these hills has an alternative narrative: The poor and downtrodden in communities along the bypass - Masanafu, Lubya, Lubigi, Kaleerwe, etc. They tell the story of urban self sufficiency; water comes from a stand pipe, sewage is non-existent and earth roads quickly disappear into footpaths and structures that barely have enough daylight between them, let alone fresh air to breathe. The great Kenyan author, also a guest here last week, Ngugi wa Thiongo in his masterpiece Petals of Blood, described this new urban standstill in a fictious setting - New Ilmorog - a few metres from where the new railway line stood. In Nairobi, there is no shortage of the reminder of the cannibalism in New Ilmorog, Mathare, Kawangware or the new emerging slums in Kiambu County that surrounds Nairobi. This life of destitution and hopelessness pervades urban life everywhere. New York and most of America’s great cities; the underclasses in London have their own versions of decaying inner cities. In Uganda, the Northern Bypass captures the same. Life stuck in single gear until random events like a free gas fill-up that turned tragic on Saturday. Politicians sometimes try to behave like canny masters and readers of fate. Namungoona is far more complicated than whether the burn victims belonged to the wrong political party or were devoid of morals and common sense. Namungoona is the other side of the city that is often ignored where the poor go hungry or sometimes have to engage in petty trade and theft - to survive. The tragedy unfolded like a joke. A leaking tanker was accosted by boda boda cyclists imploring the driver to stop. He had been leaking the contents of his tank for sometime. Somewhere along the way he got into a freak accident with a van driver tail-gating him. As in such cases, everyone after notifying the driver - and the driver stopping - began preparing for the bountiful harvest of fuel. The driver unsuccessfully warned the crowd to leave the truck alone. He went to report to the police station what had happened. One version of events then blames a match-stick or cigarette; another version blames sparks from a boda boda cyclist who had just successfully refuelled free gas. Before long everyone predictably so became a fireball. In dire circumstances such as those faced by the city’s underclass, the lure of every break counts. In this case it was a tragic break because free fuel turned up at a very high human cost. When the dead have finally been put to rest, it maybe time to look more closely at the Northern Bypass and the frequency of accidents. It is the big escape from snarling traffic on city roads but should not become a death-trap. Highways normally design safe curbsides where troubled motorists can park before seeking help. Rest their souls in Peace! Mr Ssemogerere is an Attorney-at-Law and Advocate. kssemoge@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Child-abandonment-on-the-rise-in-Mbarara/-/688334/1893840/-/96rmy7z/-/index.html","content":"Child abandonment on the rise in Mbarara - Mummy! Daddy! Aunt! Uncle! These are shouts that greet you when you enter Devine Babies Home on Booma Hill in Mbarara Town. Tales of how these kids ended up there and the care they receive are both harrowing and uplifting. Jasper Aine, now 9 months old, was picked from a cattle dam in Ruti, Nyamitanga Division, where he had been abandoned.Luckily, the quick intervention by the locals who reported to the police saved him. “It was at around 9am when I was called by Police that they had found a baby dumped in a cattle dam, I had to stop all I was doing and rush to pick the baby. We found he was a just one day old and we had to put him in an incubator. Thank God, he has now grown into a normal child though asthmatic,” says Ms Esther Atukunda Mugyenyi, who runs the home. Aaron Aheebwa, a one-year-old, was picked from a pit latrine in Kijungu, a Mbarara Town suburb, after being dumped for almost two days. “The Police Fire Brigade called me past midnight that a baby had been dumped in a latrine. I wonder how heartless a mother can be, enduring a pregnancy for 9 months and later throw the child in a pit latrine where there are less chances of surviving”, Mr Mugyenyi added. The extent of the problem“It’s very challenging but touching at times. I feel like why did I join this and feel like giving up but when I look at some of the new kids being brought I realise there are heartless people and therefore someone has to step in,’’ she adds. These and countless others are a reflection of a growing problem of child abandonment in Mbarara Municipality. Ms Polly Namaye, the Rwizi Region police spokesperson, says: “We receive approximately five cases of dumped babies every month and most of these are picked from pit latrines, garbage pits, along the roads and Mbarara Hospital.” Ms Mugyenyi says she perceived the idea of setting up the babies four years ago while doing her internship at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. “I realised there were newly born babies being abandoned at the hospitals and were being taken care of by cleaners. I got touched and decided to start a babies home. I then sold it to one of my mentors Fr John Baptist Bashobora,” she narrates.Fr Bashobora then offered land at Booma Hill and some infrastructure and the home started. Ms Mugyenyi says the home, which has 57 children who are all below five years, has become a regular visiting place for probation officers, the family and child protection unit of the police, hospitals and communities that come to secure care for abandoned babies. Authorities then secure a court order to have the babies settled legally. “We have to be careful in settling these babies. They might be abandoned but if you are not careful in settling them, you might end up in conflict with the law. So, all the children you see here we have files for them and court orders that allow us to look after them,” she says. The children are educated from the home until they are ready to join other schools. “We used to take them to a nearby school but they were bullied. A child would come back and ask you: “Is it true I was picked from a dustbin (kasasiro)?” says Ms Mugyenyi. However, Ms Mugyenyi says the home suffers from failure to maintain the employees since their resource envelope is small. 1 | 2 Next Page»The hospital has 20 staff members who comprise caretakers, laundry, cleaners, a gate keeper, nurses, teachers and cooks. “Workers come and leave when the situation becomes over whelming because looking after these children is not an easy job. Some of these people have their own children to take care of and there is no consistency of workers,” she says. Home overwhelmedAnother problem is congestion. “We have many children below one year and sometimes we make them share a bed,” the caretaker adds. Food is also a problem, especially where the children need to change diet. But they give children the ordinary food that is easy to buy. The children consume about 40 litres of milk each day but Ms Mugyenyi says this is still not enough. The diapers are also very costly yet needed all the time. Mbarara Municipality community officer and acting probation officer Henry Mugabe told the Daily Monitor that cases of child abandonment are a big challenge and that Devine Babies Home, the only baby’s home in the district, needs support in terms of infrastructure, financial support and manpower since it is overwhelmed. He attributes the increasing cases of child abandonment to entering relationships when not ready, poverty, and prostitution, among others. Ms Mugyenyi encourages people to visit these children. ““I advise people to come and show these children love. Some need to be held close and to play with them. It means a whole world to them,” she says. Donations are also allowed so as to help these children and make them feel like they are in a true home setting. The extent of child abuse in Uganda In Uganda, the problem abandonment has become unbearable so that even foreign NGOs have been forced to intervene in order to prevent and decrease the burden. The effective protection of children has remained a big challenge for the government and civil society organizations because of the lack of comprehensive data on child abuse and neglect in the country. Without comprehensive data on the problem, policy makers and programme implementers risk making decisions that on interventions that have not been proven effective. This has continued to deprive children of their rights. Despite the various interventions and myriad actors in the child protection and welfare sector, child abuse and neglect is still high with 20,100 and 4,968 cases reported by the Uganda Police Annual Crime and Traffic/Road Safety Report for 2011. On one hand, the police report mentions child neglect, defilement and child desertion as the most common forms of abuse of children; primary data on the other hand mentions child neglect, domestic violence and defilement as the most common form of abuse of children with 1,718 and 1,208 cases reported. In both cases, child neglect and defilement feature in the list of top three abuses committed against children which is an indication of how widespread these offences are across the country. Actually, the Uganda Police Annual Crime and Traffic/Road Safety Report for 2011 notes an increase in defilement cases from 7,564 in 2010 to 7,690 in 2011. Monitor reporter editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Child-abandonment-on-the-rise-in-Mbarara/-/688342/1893844/-/90au5uz/-/index.html","content":"Child abandonment on the rise in Mbarara - Mummy! Daddy! Aunt! Uncle! These are shouts that greet you when you enter Devine Babies Home on Booma Hill in Mbarara Town. Tales of how these kids ended up there and the care they receive are both harrowing and uplifting. Jasper Aine, now 9 months old, was picked from a cattle dam in Ruti, Nyamitanga Division, where he had been abandoned.Luckily, the quick intervention by the locals who reported to the police saved him. “It was at around 9am when I was called by Police that they had found a baby dumped in a cattle dam, I had to stop all I was doing and rush to pick the baby. We found he was a just one day old and we had to put him in an incubator. Thank God, he has now grown into a normal child though asthmatic,” says Ms Esther Atukunda Mugyenyi, who runs the home. Aaron Aheebwa, a one-year-old, was picked from a pit latrine in Kijungu, a Mbarara Town suburb, after being dumped for almost two days. “The Police Fire Brigade called me past midnight that a baby had been dumped in a latrine. I wonder how heartless a mother can be, enduring a pregnancy for 9 months and later throw the child in a pit latrine where there are less chances of surviving”, Mr Mugyenyi added. The extent of the problem“It’s very challenging but touching at times. I feel like why did I join this and feel like giving up but when I look at some of the new kids being brought I realise there are heartless people and therefore someone has to step in,’’ she adds. These and countless others are a reflection of a growing problem of child abandonment in Mbarara Municipality. Ms Polly Namaye, the Rwizi Region police spokesperson, says: “We receive approximately five cases of dumped babies every month and most of these are picked from pit latrines, garbage pits, along the roads and Mbarara Hospital.” Ms Mugyenyi says she perceived the idea of setting up the babies four years ago while doing her internship at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. “I realised there were newly born babies being abandoned at the hospitals and were being taken care of by cleaners. I got touched and decided to start a babies home. I then sold it to one of my mentors Fr John Baptist Bashobora,” she narrates.Fr Bashobora then offered land at Booma Hill and some infrastructure and the home started. Ms Mugyenyi says the home, which has 57 children who are all below five years, has become a regular visiting place for probation officers, the family and child protection unit of the police, hospitals and communities that come to secure care for abandoned babies. Authorities then secure a court order to have the babies settled legally. “We have to be careful in settling these babies. They might be abandoned but if you are not careful in settling them, you might end up in conflict with the law. So, all the children you see here we have files for them and court orders that allow us to look after them,” she says. The children are educated from the home until they are ready to join other schools. “We used to take them to a nearby school but they were bullied. A child would come back and ask you: “Is it true I was picked from a dustbin (kasasiro)?” says Ms Mugyenyi. However, Ms Mugyenyi says the home suffers from failure to maintain the employees since their resource envelope is small. 1 | 2 Next Page»The hospital has 20 staff members who comprise caretakers, laundry, cleaners, a gate keeper, nurses, teachers and cooks. “Workers come and leave when the situation becomes over whelming because looking after these children is not an easy job. Some of these people have their own children to take care of and there is no consistency of workers,” she says. Home overwhelmedAnother problem is congestion. “We have many children below one year and sometimes we make them share a bed,” the caretaker adds. Food is also a problem, especially where the children need to change diet. But they give children the ordinary food that is easy to buy. The children consume about 40 litres of milk each day but Ms Mugyenyi says this is still not enough. The diapers are also very costly yet needed all the time. Mbarara Municipality community officer and acting probation officer Henry Mugabe told the Daily Monitor that cases of child abandonment are a big challenge and that Devine Babies Home, the only baby’s home in the district, needs support in terms of infrastructure, financial support and manpower since it is overwhelmed. He attributes the increasing cases of child abandonment to entering relationships when not ready, poverty, and prostitution, among others. Ms Mugyenyi encourages people to visit these children. ““I advise people to come and show these children love. Some need to be held close and to play with them. It means a whole world to them,” she says. Donations are also allowed so as to help these children and make them feel like they are in a true home setting. The extent of child abuse in Uganda In Uganda, the problem abandonment has become unbearable so that even foreign NGOs have been forced to intervene in order to prevent and decrease the burden. The effective protection of children has remained a big challenge for the government and civil society organizations because of the lack of comprehensive data on child abuse and neglect in the country. Without comprehensive data on the problem, policy makers and programme implementers risk making decisions that on interventions that have not been proven effective. This has continued to deprive children of their rights. Despite the various interventions and myriad actors in the child protection and welfare sector, child abuse and neglect is still high with 20,100 and 4,968 cases reported by the Uganda Police Annual Crime and Traffic/Road Safety Report for 2011. On one hand, the police report mentions child neglect, defilement and child desertion as the most common forms of abuse of children; primary data on the other hand mentions child neglect, domestic violence and defilement as the most common form of abuse of children with 1,718 and 1,208 cases reported. In both cases, child neglect and defilement feature in the list of top three abuses committed against children which is an indication of how widespread these offences are across the country. Actually, the Uganda Police Annual Crime and Traffic/Road Safety Report for 2011 notes an increase in defilement cases from 7,564 in 2010 to 7,690 in 2011. Monitor reporter editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1874140/-/87cgr9z/-/index.html","content":"LIVE UPDATES: Museveni delivers State of the Nation address  - EAT 4: 35: The size of GDP is now Shs54 trillion which is about $20.2 billion dollars. I told Ugandans that inflation would go down but some people doubted this. The evil of corruption is being handled by the government. You saw what happened to people who stole money in the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Public Service. I told I would give a speech on corruption and I will do it. You wait for the expert in fighting corruption and criminality. If we didn’t fight criminality, you would not do what you are doing. NRM in the past has handled bigger problems and handling a mere bunch of thieving civil servants is not impossible. There several bills like the Public Finance Bill and other bills that will be communicated to the Speaker to ensure that solutions to problems like corruption got. EAT 4:20: It is a big shame. It is a type of suicide. Our people eat fish and we must protect it for them. To kill fish because of greed is suicide. Polluting the lakes and rivers should also stop. The Ministry of Environment should ensure that people don’t farm or set up near edges of water bodies. Drug-resistant ticks have been a problem to cattle keepers. Drug manufacturers in Europe will come up with a solution to this problem. We are also working with regional neighbours to fight this. Not all the things I talked about last year were fulfilled because some of them take time and the money sometimes is not available. Some people think that Ugandans have not read to book of Genesis in the Bible to understand that even God took time to create the world. That’s why he did not create the world on one day. EAT 4:10: We are going to re-organise NAADS and it concentrates on giving materials to people. There are two disappointments in agriculture and fishing. There is a problem of overfishing on Lake Victoria and the failure to control ticks in areas where cattle keeping is the main economic activity.  If only you allow the fish to survive for nine months, it will lay eggs that sustain the fish resources. I am told that the migrants who come from other areas of Uganda and East Africa who push aside the locals and deplete our heritage. Those who don’t respect our heritage should not be tolerated. I will discuss it in Cabinet and NRM caucus to find radical solutions to this problem. We used to get $196 million from fish exports. Now we get about $122 million because of these parasites.  EAT 3: 55: I will introduce amendments in the Investment Code to criminalise those who sabotage investment projects. Uganda Investment Authority and National Investment Authority should approve or disapprove projects faster. We need to build wealth. Even if you build roads and other investments, wealth will not be realised. Wealth is in the homes and gardens. All the factories in Uganda belong to Uganda whether they are owned by Ugandans or non-Ugandans. EAT 3:52: We need a refinery (middle-size) that can produce 60,000 barrels per day. It will be expanded. Although we did not have interest in a pipeline, our partners in the oil sector are interested in it. I have agreed to this repackaging because much of the money will be ours. Paralysis is also costly. I recommend that we support the pipeline provided the refinery is also built. 1 | 2 Next Page»By 2017, we shall be a middle income country. If you don’t want to live in such a country, you should migrate and go away. EAT 3:39: The physical facilities are available. What’s missing is the software like medical workers at these health centres. We need female midwives because our people do not understand that a man can work as a midwife.  The ministry of Health and local governments should handle this. Under age marriages should be addressed by informing people that somebody is not supposed to be a mother before she is 18 years. The radios should be used by the health ministry to sensitise people. This will reduce maternal mortality. Malaria is still a problem. We should get rid of the mosquitos. I am proud that the NRM has expended energy to improve human resource development in Uganda. We are working on roads. Kaluma Dam will be built. It will give us 600 MW.  Ayago will also give us 600MW. We have good investors who will fund these projects. There are other power stations like Isimba that will be built. The railway will be built. We have good offers from reliable financiers to fund these projects. EAT 3:37: We have successfully introduced UPE and USE and free vocational education. The student loan scheme will be introduced in the next budget. The diligent implementation of these schemes by eliminating all the corruption is necessary. The issue of lunch should be handled in a voluntary manner but I would prefer parents providing lunch to their children. Maternal mortality is still high and it must be brought down. EAT 3:30: My main concerns apart from peace is economic and political integration of Africa To ensure development in Africa, we need to end ideological disorientation, building State pillars, developing human resource, promoting the private sector, developing infrastructure, modernising agriculture, modernising services, integrating the African market and ensuring democracy. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Uganda-s-investment-in-dams-hasn-t--greatly/-/689364/1756414/-/prw8cb/-/index.html","content":"Uganda’s investment in dams hasn’t  greatly improved electricity access - The government and Uganda’s development partners like the World Bank have done well to promote and support rural electrification. So far, Uganda’s electricity access in rural areas is six per cent, though the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) had targeted a 10 per cent access for rural Uganda by 2012. According to REA, currently there are more than 6,000 solar connections and 426 grid extension projects that have been implemented countrywide to support social and economic projects for rural transformation. Rural electrification is important because it increases electricity access to rural areas, thus improving the standard of living and the economic competitiveness of people in rural areas. An estimated 90 per cent of Ugandans live in rural areas with less than three per cent electricity access. There is, therefore, need for rural electrification to cover the biggest percentage of Uganda’s population. However, it is uncertain whether the rural electrification programme is meeting its objectives of reducing inequalities in access to electricity and the associated opportunities for increased social welfare, education, health and income generation. Access to electricity is vital for development for electricity serves as a catalyst, making the other pillars of development, education, modern healthcare, agriculture and other income-generating activities possible. It has also been noted that for a society to move out of subsistence, conventional energy is a precondition. Therefore, access to electricity is not an end in itself but constitutes an important tool for development when we consider its linkages to agriculture, education and health. In addition, the media recently reported that the West Nile Rural Electrification Company (WENRECo) wants to increase its power tariffs, a move that was opposed by the legislators from the region, citing irregular power supply. Under the Rural Energy Infrastructure, WENRECo signed a 20-year concession with the government to construct Nyagak hydropower dam and supply power to West Nile. However, despite the fact that various dams have been commissioned across the country over the years, the increasing rate of power tariffs in Uganda is alarming. Despite heavy investments and reforms, Uganda’s power tariffs and power losses still remain one of the highest in Africa. Increments in tariffs should ideally be matched with improved service. If in 1990, the population of Uganda was less than 17 million and today, we are 34 million, what does the rural electrification access increase from two per cent to six per cent in 12 years mean? How many people are connected to electricity and can use it profitably compared to those without access to power or those with access but cannot benefit from it because of poverty or ignorance? According to the REA, in Oyam, Pader, Abim and other districts, connection costs have been subsidised and people can pay in installments. But we need to take into consideration that after installation, there are high tariffs to pay! Are we, therefore, getting value for money from our investments in the rural electrification projects? What is the best way to make electricity relevant to the needs of the poor? What is the impact of tariff increase on the efforts of the poor to use electricity to overcome poverty? If power consumers in urban areas are disconnected due to failure to pay bills, how do we expect those in rural areas to benefit from electricity? Is there any case study that can help us demonstrate how the poor can access and profitably use the current expensive electricity? It’s at this critical time in the lifespan of the rural electrification programme (12 years) that these critical questions should be answered. More so, despite the good laws, the government has continued to implement good initiatives through closed processes with no input from the beneficiaries - the poor to whom such reforms were intended to benefit. As a result, the rural electrification projects have continued to miss out on the much-needed popular support of the public, a key ingredient of success for any project aimed at providing the common good. In the end, the government and development partners have to continue providing unsustainable support such as subsidies to the private sector. 1 | 2 Next Page»Remember, electricity is a right and Ugandans have a duty to demand accountability, accessibility and affordability. A well functioning governance mechanism such as effective implementation of laws, strong institutions, public participation, access to information and to justice would allow for better decision-making about the goals of rural electrification initiatives. It will also ensure that such goals are tailored to the needs of the rural poor who are the beneficiaries of such projects. Ms Atwijukire works with Africa Institute for Energy Governance. datwijukire@afiego.org « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/Plugging-Uganda-s-energy-shortfall/-/688616/1755182/-/klyebmz/-/index.html","content":"Plugging Uganda’s energy shortfall - It has been months of respite since the country last experienced major power cuts that had a crippling effect on the economy. However, reports indicate the ‘honey moon’ is likely to be rudely interrupted as power cuts might resume soon.These reports are attributed to the increasing unmet demand and the switching off of two thermal plants, whose combined generation capacity is 100MW. But according to the Ministry Energy, such reports are ‘unfounded and misleading’ because Uganda has enough electricity with a number of back-up plans to cover deficiencies. Speaking to Prosper, Mr Simon D’ujang, the state minister for Energy says the government has already put in place strategic interventions to forestall electricity shortages for the next five years. Within the next five years, Mr D’ujanga notes a ‘comprehensive’ plan has been instituted to commence electricity generation from the vast gas reserves estimated at 12 billion standard cubic feet (339 million cubic meters).He says, initially close to 50 (MW) could be generated and added onto the grid, which might also save the country from the costly thermal power generators. Following government’s decision to scrap power subsidies; which shot up tariffs, the Electricity Regularity Authority (ERA) switched off two thermal plants, that had been generating close to 100 MW. However, Mr D’ujanga maintains “the government continues to foot between Shs40 and Shs70 per unit,” which as he says justifies the fact that the subsidies were not wholly scrapped.“We have adequate power in stock, but cuts might come in a years time due to technical failures including water shortages,” he says. Raising concernsThe minister’s statements come at a time when the business community and investors at large continue to experience intermittent power supplies, even as the government claims that available electricity supply outweighs demand. Even with the commissioning of power dams including Bujagali (250 MW) and Buseruka (9MW) among others, many parts of Uganda are still engulfed in absolute darkness. About 72 per cent of total electricity supplied is consumed by about 12 per cent of the domestic population particularly in urban and peri-urban areas. Only 12 per cent of Ugandans have access to electricity. This has only increased by about 2 per cent since 2006.Similarly Mr Kenneth Otim, the spokesperson for Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL), which buys and sells electricity in bulk, argues that the possibility of power cuts are far fetched. He says presently electricity demand at peak is projected at 490 MW, according to the Ministry of Energy, and 470MW by UEDCL which does not call for alarm. “When combined, Uganda generates about 504.2 MW from hydro and mini-hydro stations, out of which only 470 is consumed.”Mr Otim says, if there is any power scarcity at the moment then Umeme should be held responsible for the shortfall. “I can not rule out any future power cuts but it will not be substantial because we have done enough forecasts,” he says. However, he adds any slight increase in power intake at the moment would be manageable with a supply excess of 34 MW. “Thus he says ‘any power cuts , particularly due to a decrease in water flow at main dams, will be addressed through a request to the Directorate of Water Resources (DwD) to grant an increment in water flow.” 1 | 2 Next Page»Recently water flow at the Owen Falls Dam was increased from 800 cubic metres per second to 1,000 cubic metres per second.Since the commissioning of the 250 MW Bujagali Dam in October, demand for electricity at peak hours has increased from 450 MW to 470 MW. However, generation capacity has since then only increased around stations not linked to the national grid.This implies, there is relative power to drive the economy up to a certain level given the annual growth consumption of only 5 MW. Eng D’Ujanga continues to be optimistic with the expected launch of the Karuma Hydropower project with a generation capacity of 600 MW. However, the commissioning of the project is two years behind schedule with numerous allegations of bribery. Other projects include Ayago mini hydro project whose feasibility studies was completed by the Energy ministry, is yet to take off. However, UETCL attributes the current power woes to service providers like Umeme; which operates an outdated system, whose rehabilitation is taking too long to be completed and the failure of other agencies including Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to meet its core mandate of extending power to rural areas . « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Insight/-Corruption-has-scared-US-investors-/-/688338/1702382/-/14a7bj6z/-/index.html","content":"‘Corruption has scared US investors’ - Good afternoon,Thank you Kelley [Mactavish, President of the American Chamber of Commerce] for your warm introduction, and let me say again, as I noted last night, how much I value and applaud the tremendous work of the American Chamber of Commerce in organizing this event. I couldn’t be prouder of our American business community or more grateful for your efforts. Thank you as well to the representatives of the Government for your support and engagement. And, of course, this event would be meaningless without the participation and contributions of so many distinguished women and men from the private sector. Thank you for your presence. Today’s seminar has highlighted opportunities in energy and infrastructure development in Uganda. I hope, after a long day of discussions and brain-storming you are filled with a sense of the possibilities for profitable partnerships that are both commercially viable and that will shape a new and better future for Uganda’s citizens. Uganda, as should be evident to any new-comers, has tremendous potential and the recent track record is full of promise. Uganda is blessed with a vibrant culture, hardworking people, and abundant natural resources. This country has incredible natural beauty and parks and wildlife that – if well-managed – will attract millions of tourists and contribute to the national economy for generations to come. Uganda has two growing seasons, fertile soil, and a strategic location that gives it the potential to be the breadbasket of East Africa. Uganda has the headwaters of the Nile River and vast potential to harness hydropower to fuel its economic growth. And, as we all know, Uganda has oil – enough to double its national budget when oil and revenue begin to flow. Meanwhile, with the completion of the Bujagali Dam, Uganda’s power sector is largely able to meet its current energy needs – a major step forward. Uganda has also enjoyed a tradition of strong macroeconomic management which has served the nation well, and the Central Bank’s active policy engagement helped it to tame spiraling inflation in a relatively short time frame last year. These positives are good news indeed for Uganda…but they are not enough, by themselves, to ensure economic prosperity, growth and job creation. Bujagali Dam has certainly helped meet energy demand, but the vast majority of the nation remains off the grid. I’d wager that it would take many hundreds of megawatts of additional power in the national grid just to meet the suppressed demand from those who have given up pursuing entrepreneurial dreams, for now, due to the overall low levels of national electrification. The Central Bank has indeed performed well and responded effectively to macroeconomic challenges but, in the process, credit has become prohibitively expensive and inflation threatens to make a comeback, creating a new challenge for economic growth. In the months ahead, the Ugandan government must make important national decisions about the country’s development. It must take the lead to not only define a vision of economic growth that is relevant to the needs of a modern Uganda but must also offer a viable plan for its implementation. Moreover, that implementation plan must be backed by a focused government commitment to actually act upon it, and to provide the resources and sustained engagement necessary to make the vision a reality. Otherwise, the vision, however lofty and commendable, will never be more than a dream. Governments, however, cannot do it alone. They need the energy, the resources, and the dynamism of private sector partners to fuel the process. The task of government is to find a way to open the door for the private sector to play that role --but in a manner consistent with the national vision of Uganda’s future. That, ladies and gentlemen, is not an easy task. It is, however, a challenge that I think everyone here recognises is at the heart of what you have discussed today. I believe that everyone in this room, whether from government or the private sector, recognises that the dream of a strong, stable, and productive Uganda requires -- as a base -- the development of essential infrastructure and energy resources to drive economic growth and to unleash the potential that is inherent in this nation’s tremendous natural gifts. In today’s Uganda, leaders must identify new, creative ways to finance the infrastructure needs of the coming decades to build prosperity for the nation. And one undeniable truth that has been discussed today is that Uganda needs more power to fuel its growth and development. The resources are there. Hydropower. Geothermal power. Oil. Solar. Wind. All must be addressed and all must be considered as Uganda seeks to ensure access to power in all corners of Uganda so that investors can tap into the potential of the entire nation and not just a small percentage of the country. It is not enough to meet the needs of urban centres. Power must be provided across the country to allow productive growth in all regions. To achieve that, Uganda will have to consider options that are more financially and technically complex, options that will preserve the environment, and options that will win the consent and participation of local populations. The Ugandan government recognises that it must encourage the investment necessary to create jobs for millions of young Ugandans who need the skills and steady work to support their families and aspire to a better future. It must create regional trading networks to access the tremendous trade opportunities available to Uganda within the East African community market because that broad access will also attract investors and spur growth. The challenges are many. How to ensure credit becomes more easily available to businesses and entrepreneurs who rely on it to start, grow, or change? How will the government reassure investors that it is serious about improving its business climate, serious about cutting red tape, serious about championing the role of the private sector in Uganda’s development? How will it stop the insidious threat to the nation’s future posed by pervasive corruption? I know that we often hear these concerns voiced, but you, as potential investors, need to add your voices to the chorus of those who insist on change. The Ugandan government must, as a critical first step, be crystal clear in its message that it will not allow, will not tolerate, individuals seeking to enrich themselves at the expense of the interests of the nation and its citizens. Although I know that no panel today was assigned the topic of corruption, we cannot speak seriously and candidly about developing infrastructure or energy projects if we avoid discussing this issue. We have all read the tragic stories about the way donor development funds were diverted away from their intended purposes to the detriment of the nation and its citizens. The government’s partnership with the donor community is seriously threatened by this and other incidents of pervasive corruption. Moreover, I fear that remedial efforts to address the most immediate donor concerns, although important steps, will do little to tackle the underlying reality that this unchecked virus is inextricably linked to the framework of governance in Uganda today. Aid and investment may still come, but if real changes are not made we risk the same results of unfulfilled expectations, misdirected and stolen funds, and a failure to advance the national agenda. President Museveni has said he is determined to tackle corruption in Uganda. I commend him for that. As former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, “Corruption is the cancer that eats away at the entrepreneurial spirit and hopes of millions of people.” To be frank, executives from US companies tell us corruption is a major deterrent to coming to Uganda, and the IMF reports that one in five businesses list corruption as the number one problem they face doing business here. American companies want to do business here and, as they have in so many other nations, they can be tremendous drivers of growth. And by doing business with American companies, the private sector can help in the fight against corruption. Our companies abide by our Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and are held to the highest standards of transparency and fairness. They won’t undermine Uganda’s institutions. American companies want to do business in Uganda, but they can only do so if there is a level playing field ensured by policies that enshrine good governance and transparency. 1 | 2 Next Page»We must recognise that this disease of corruption violates the basic trust between citizens and the government, undermines the development priorities that we are all working so hard to achieve, and causes investors to turn their backs on Uganda seeking destinations where bribery, kickbacks, and other forms of corruption are not the subtext of every negotiation. Over the next few months, the donor community will be watching carefully to see what steps Uganda takes to ensure that the perpetrators are punished regardless of their status or station, and that systems are repaired so these unfortunate actions can’t be repeated. I believe that the business community will, and should be, watching with similar concern. Even if Ugandans and their leaders begin to turn the tide on corruption, their partners, like the United States with its tremendous commitment to working in partnership with Uganda on development priorities, will continue to seek assurances that the nation’s vision of the future is sound. Do they have the political will to manage oil revenues in a way that will ensure sustainable, inclusive economic growth? Will they make the right decisions about how to best use scare resources to nurture a healthy, productive, educated society so their country can move forward? Will they plan well for their explosive population growth and create jobs for the millions more young people who will be searching for work each year? These are all challenges currently at the centre of vigorous debate in Uganda as the country charts its path to a more prosperous future. And healthy democratic societies need to engage in debates like this. However, while many questions merit debate there is one issue on which everyone can agree: in order to meet those challenges Uganda must grow its economy, and the true driver of economic growth in Uganda will not be government. It will be the private sector. It will be people like you gathered here today who will bring to Uganda the entrepreneurial vision and investment that will expand and diversify Uganda’s economy and increase its exports. It will be investors like you who bring more power to Uganda’s national grid, expand the use of renewable energy, refine and export Uganda’s oil, and build the infrastructure Uganda needs to improve its business climate and enhance the productive sectors of its economy. In his new strategy for sub-Saharan Africa, President Obama makes clear his commitment to Africa: He says, “We will work with our African partners to build strong institutions, to remove constraints to trade and investment, and to expand opportunities for African countries to effectively access each other’s markets and global markets, to embrace sound economic governance, and diversify their economies beyond a narrow reliance on natural resources, and—most importantly—create opportunities for Africa’s people to prosper. As we support these efforts, we will encourage American companies to seize trade and investment opportunities in Africa, so that their skills, capital, and technology will further support the region’s economic expansion, while helping to create jobs here in America.” And this – encouraging US companies to seize trade and investment opportunities in Africa - is what our American Chamber of Commerce has done today in hosting this Energy and Infrastructure Investment Summit. The US government is also doing its part to encourage more American companies to invest in Africa, and last year launched a number of new initiatives to increase American commercial ties to Africa: The US and East African Community announced a new Trade and Investment Partnership; President Obama launched his Doing Business in Africa Campaign, and; former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the US-Africa Clean Energy Finance Initiative to drive private sector investment in the renewable energy sector last year. I will work tirelessly to support these efforts and encourage American investment in Uganda during my tenure as Ambassador here. And I hope to work together with you in those endeavours. Uganda needs investment in energy and infrastructure to arrive at its bright future and everyone with a stake in seeing Uganda’s economy grow has a role to play. I will work closely with the American Chamber of Commerce and I want to meet regularly with the broader Ugandan business community to discuss the challenges and opportunities here. I want to coordinate with the donor community to make sure our efforts are having maximum effect in enhancing trade and development. I want to ensure we do our part to nudge Uganda closer to that bright future. In fact, in recent months, I have been working closely with an American firm who wants to brighten Uganda’s future by investing $1.2 billion dollars in a geothermal project that would bring 2000 jobs to Uganda and 150 megawatts to the national power grid. I have spoken to the President and numerous Ugandan officials about this project, and with the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the company and the Ministry of Energy, I think the deal is very close to being concluded. And I eagerly await the announcement. As President Obama has so eloquently said, “Africa is a fundamental part of our interconnected world. Africa and its people are partners with America in creating the future we want for all of our children.” With your investments, your vision and your engagement, you can move Uganda forward and ensure that the bright future we all want for Uganda arrives soon and doesn’t linger forever just over the horizon. I know that my remarks today have moved beyond the specifics of infrastructure and energy but you have addressed those throughout the day, and I hope have identified key opportunities, built partnerships, and begun to shape partnerships that may define a new future for Uganda. We must, however, ensure that it is a future that is built indeed on a shared vision and commitment. We must insist on a future in which corruption does not undermine our goals before we even begin to move forward. And we must work together to create a future that all Ugandans aspire to and share in. Energy and infrastructure development are essential to unlocking the door to that future. But good governance, transparency, and true partnership between the government and the private sector are critical capitalising successfully on the opportunities. Let me again thank the American Chamber of Commerce for making today possible and let me encourage all of you to commit to a new engagement in Uganda in which all participants, including the citizens of Uganda, can benefit and prosper. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/CharlesOnyangoObbo/Pope-resigns--and-one-wonders-what-Big-Men-like/-/878504/1692186/-/2me0iq/-/index.html","content":"Pope resigns, and one wonders what Big Men like Museveni are thinking - So, in a surprise statement, Catholic Pope Benedict XVI announced on Monday that he is resigning at the end of February. A true black swan event, because it is the first papal resignation in nearly 600 years. Benedict said he is resigning after eight years, because he was too old to continue at the age of 85. Correct, but age did not force his predecessors to resign. For Uganda, and Africa in general, I sense that the significance of Benedict throwing in the towel is more political than religious. It casts new questions on Africa’s presidencies-for-life; like our own President Museveni’s 27 years in office (three times longer than Benedict’s reign); Cameroon’s President Paul Biya (30 years now); Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe’s 33 years (who at 89 is five years older than the Pope); and Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema (34 years now). John Paul II, whom Benedict succeeded in 2005, visited Uganda in 1993. In less than a month, the Catholic Church will have a new leader. This means President Museveni has gone through an experience that no other Uganda leader will live through possibly for the next 500 years – being president through the life of three popes. And, who knows, he might even see off a fourth pope. Why does any of this matter? Because whatever else, Pope Benedict, a clever man, would have figured that the world has moved far beyond him. And, perhaps, for him, this could not have become more apparent than when he joined Twitter and within weeks, without mediation and handlers, grew his following to over 670,000. Huge, yes, but hopefully the Pope must also have wondered why musicians like Justin Bieber and the eccentric Lady Gaga have more than 34 million followers each. Lady Gaga, for one, is the opposite of everything Pope Benedict stands for, and when she launched her perfume “Fame”, she said she created it because she wanted a scent that made her “smell like a slut”. And women are buying it in droves. In this kind of world, a Pope Benedict is most definitely not the man to attract a new following – and keep the faithful flock – in the Catholic Church. Africa too is changing along. For years, most African professionals took the first chance to flee the continent for the West. The trend is reversing. A recent survey found that 70 per cent of Africans currently studying towards an MBA at leading Western business schools would return to the continent to work after graduation. And, even more interesting, half of them said they are returning to Africa to become entrepreneurs and start their own companies – not to work for someone else! Then The Economist magazine dug through Africa and reported that this year Lagos will overtake Cairo to become Africa’s largest city. Within the next 10 years Lagos will have 16m people. Also, this year, over half of all African city-dwellers will, for the first time, be under 18 years of age. African cities will be the most informal economies in the world in 2013, where some 70 per cent of workers will live on their wits. That, The Economist argued, will make cities dynamic and mobile, but also combustible. This poses a challenge no African leader has ever had to confront, and that few of the existing ones, let alone our President, can provide creative solutions for. But there is something commentators don’t touch on much. Though Nigeria seems to be chaotic and besieged by murderous Boko Haram terrorists, the economy of Lagos State is bigger than the whole of Kenya’s – East Africa biggest economy. If Lagos were a country, it would be Africa’s fourth largest economy. In its madness, and an inept government, Nigeria continues to defy the odds. We are having these new situations in many parts of Africa where states that are approximating failure, exist side by side with dizzyingly creative groups and societies. These tensions become more pronounced if you consider that sub-Sahara Africa combined, excluding South Africa, still consumes as much electricity as the city of New York per day - about 40 terawatts. Just imagine the headroom for growth, and the shake-up that will come with that. Indeed, recently I met with someone who is close to the new Bujagali Dam. Bujagali produces 250MW of electricity. The highest consumption it records is 200MW. On many occasions, especially at night, consumption plummets to just 100MW. Uganda truly goes to sleep. There are few factories running, and the biggest consumption is by nightclubs and five-star hotels. 1 | 2 Next Page»The chap looked me in the face and said: “You guys need to industrialise your country.” To inspire the movement that makes that happen, I suspect our Big Men and Women will need to follow Pope Benedict and allow the space for that to happen to open up. cobbo@ke.nationmedia.com & twitter@cobbo3 « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Live-Feed--Museveni-addressing-parliament/-/688334/1643070/-/sk3g9k/-/index.html","content":"Live Feed: Museveni addressing parliament - 16:45 EAC: I will tell you about fighting corruption when you come back from recess. You wait, my kick takes time to produce results. Only the one with experience to solve previous problems can solve the current ones. It the NRM that stopped road blocks, that stopped corruption in Uganda Revenue Authority that built a professional army. It is the NRM that will eliminate corruption in the public service. We have now entered that phase. The exposure of corruption in the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Public Service, Bank of Uganda, the Ministry of Finance, was mad by NRM cadres, police and me when I was informed. The dishonesty of people who are talking about corruption is shocking. The Auditor General did not discover corruption in public service and the Office of the Prime Minister. It was NRM cadres who made the alarm and moved in before involving the Auditor General. When I hear the lies on the radio, I get shocked. The NRM is the one which fought the previous battles and has started fighting the current one (corruption). NRM members should be proud about this. NRM cadres have stopped the theft of drugs in health centres across the country. If the drugs are finished but not stolen, that is another matter. The theft of the Basajjabalaba money was discovered by NRM supporters even before Parliament was informed. Therefore, stay tuned, you will hear how NRM will kick corruption out of the public service. End of session 16:30 EAC: Foreigners always get it wrong. They supported Idi Amin but we opposed him. When we were disarming the Karimojong, they opposed us through a UPC member David Pulkor. At the end of the day, we were right. I don’t listen to foreigners. I listen to them when they are right and talkin in a nice way. If they don’t talk in a nice way, I tell them to go to hell. Then there are some who have bad manners. Let’s talk about Bishop Niringiye for example. I did not hear his efforts in defence of Ugandans who were being slaughtered during the bad past regimes.  He was found wanting at the crucial hour. Ssekikubo was around when Kony was killing, maiming and raping Ugandans. What did this young fighter do to help us? I did not see Ssekikubo volunteering to help us. The situation in the country has stabilised. Inflation has come down. Besigye was saying the economy will not recover but inflation now is less than 5 per cent despite his riots. Load shedding has reduced after completion of Bujagali Dam. 16:15 EAC: The malignment by some internal sabotage on behalf of foreign parasitic interests should be fought legally, politically and in the media. Do you know how CNOOC from China came in, there was ENI, if Mbabazi ate their bribe, he ate for nothing (laughter) because they didn’t get the licence. I am not saying he (Mbabazi) did. 16:02 EAC: They resort to Ssekikubo, Nuwagaba , Katuntu and others. This is part of giving licences because if you don’t do what I want you to do, I cancel the licences. I punish you by revoking the licences. The success of oil programme will mean economic independence for the country. At these seminars in various hotels in Kampala, they were giving Shs1 million per person who attended. The so-called facilitators were being paid Shs5 million per person. Some of these are leaders in the politics of Uganda. I have written to the IGG about these foreign agents. I am told one  NGO spent Shs1.5 billion to organise a seminar in Kampala. Where do they get this money? 16:02 EAC: All these are funded by foreign interests. The recent circus on clause 9 on whether the minister should issue permits or revoke them is not about the minister. It is about the scientists we have. The minister is an electrician. These people they wanted to avoid were the petroleum scientists in the ministry of energy because they have blocked so many of the schemes by foreign interests. The clause is not about the minister but the ministry. By the time they went to Ssekikubo, they had approached me. They argued that the scientists although they discovered oil, they didn’t know how to negotiate. Ssekikubo is the new route. When they say avoid the minister, they are targeting the scientists who have blocked many criminal schemes. For example, one of the schemes is the recoverable oil. There is  1 billion barrels but what you can pump out is only a portion. Recently, one of the oil companies in their field development plans, said they would recover only 7% of the oil. They put this in writing. The scientists said that was impossible and they started saying the scientists are not co-operative. We have documents where someone is proposing pumping only 7%. These companies are interested in quick money and go away after damaging the wells. That’s why they are resorting to these various oil fora 15:45 EAC: The other area we need to look at is real estate owned by the government. Idi Amin bought a house in New York and it is bringing in more than one million dollars per annum to Uganda. What if we had property in other countries like Brazil? 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/KaroliSsemogerere/The-challenge-of-utilising-private-talent-in-public-life/-/878682/1511940/-/a2w6a7z/-/index.html","content":"The challenge of utilising private talent in public life - Yesterday morning I placed a call to my classmate Fabian Ahaisibwe to congratulate him on a job well done. He has finally been able to evacuate electricity from Nyagak to power lines in West Nile. Nyagak a mini-hydro almost became a high profile and costly failure. Talent from near and far came to rescue the mini-hydro from total collapse. As late as last September, engineers were battling to keep dry the floor of the dam after it flooded. The first engineering firm fled site and abandoned their equipment. All this time the government was stuck announcing that power would be forthcoming and the Energy State Minister Simon D’Ujanga almost lost his shirt over it. Simultaneously Bujagali was not necessarily the happy ending it is today. Cost overruns and equipment failures up to the last minute. One of the final risks was a fear that part of the dam had begun settling out of the tolerance threshold thus increasing the risk that the entire mass of concrete could crumble like a house of dust. Politics, procurement procedures and corruption have all conspired to limit innovation amongst our scientists, engineers, doctors and nation’s vital IQ. Once a decision to construct Bujagali was made that did away with the beautiful and scenic Bujagali Falls all of the government’s braintrust was focused on putting up the dam. No one looks good at the end of the day when Bujagali’s initial estimated cost of $400 million jumped up to $1.2 billion producing some of the most expensive electricity in the world. Ugandan consumers forever and they already are sweating some of the highest electricity tariffs in the world. Karuma has run into a speed bump. Someone is arguing that the process is flawed and another contractor removed from the shortlist is complaining that they should not have been removed from this list. Under Karuma, the same approach will get rid of the falls forever as if our science trust cannot be given a chance to think of alternative solutions. A week ago, I took a weekend out to the Zambezi Falls, this name is actually a “political” name - there were never called the Zambezi because the two entities Zambia and Zimbabwe did not exist in modern nomenclature as names until the last century. Underneath the Zambezi Falls is an engineering feat - there is a power station producing 7 per cent of Zambia’s electricity supply and a huge power station adjacent to the falls. Yet the falls are in place and are protected as a World Heritage Site. We always rush to drown out the trained professionals if their voices are likely to dissent from the status quo or conventional wisdom. Sometimes solutions are not too far away for all to see although it is likely our consultants will have travelled all the way from North America or Europe rather than Tanzania or Zambia or Zimbabwe. In fact, trips in the region are frowned upon; by government officials unless of course they are discussing the spoils of war. The list of gems around us is long and a column is not enough to highlight them all. I will conclude with the great team of surgeons and cardiologists running the Heart Institute in Mulago. I am not sure they remain nameless for there is no good reason why they should. Heart failure a product of our modern sedentary lifestyles is replacing other forms of heart disease as a chronic disease. In fact, infectious diseases are diseases for the less privileged while chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes are illnesses of the well off. Many patients and their families leave the Heart Institute incredibly grateful for their great staff working round the clock to save them. Yet we always wonder why should the doctors have a social scientist leading them at the Ministry of Health or worse still as in the past a minister who could barely pass the bar at the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education. We want to have Generals in charge of our lives who may have trouble reading and interpreting a log table. It is the same mystery why all the time of Parliament of Uganda be spent vetting a Lands minister who is relying on questionable academic credentials to sit in what was once the August House. These limitations make us worry what kind of country we are building and why parents should tell their children to work hard in school rather than sit on the street and graduate into Special Advisors on Special Duties to cement or find themselves in riches. Think again. Mr Ssemogerere, an attorney and social entrepreneur, practices law in New York. kssemoge@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Will-the-real-Museveni-please-stand-up-and-fight-corruption-/-/689844/1499938/-/gns9jkz/-/index.html","content":"Will the real Museveni please stand up and fight corruption? - On one side, looking at him nervously from the backbench, are the opposition, the media, donors, the nation’s educated but jobless, the 10 million Ugandans in serious poverty (government says they are 7.1 million) and a ‘stubborn’ legislature. On his other side are much of the politically connected capitalists, bush war comrades, suspected ministers and crafty civil servants. Caught in the middle is President Museveni and the issue is financial indiscipline. When I asked a liberal cabinet minister recently why the President re-appointed the ministers who are facing graft accusations and why it had taken him so long to deal with financial indiscipline in government, the response was categorical. That the President risks being damned whichever side he chooses. Damned by the “bad elements” in his government if he implements Point No.7 of the Ten-Point programme—a policy document written by NRA rebels to guide them once in power or, if he chooses to continue posturing, damned by impoverished majority whom he may need to win re-election if he contests in 2016. In a muddled fight against corruption, one thing the President can’t be accused of, is perpetual silence. He is an outspoken anti-graft crusader whose lip-service has now become a stumbling block in the fight against financial indiscipline. The President’s stance has been rather blurred and confounding particularly in his “ambiguous” approach to corruption. The NRM policy is zero tolerance to graft, but for years, the President, who is the party chairman, has been neither here nor there. On many occasions, if not in all the scandals, he has been at the forefront, covering-up suspects in his government even where he is convinced that mistakes were done. Well, the President can be forgiven on this, in any case; the accusations have touched the fabric that holds any government intact. His failure to provide leadership in the fight against corruption is the tricky part. His lukewarm response to graft has cost the country trillions of shillings. ScandalsThere are several scandals which are likely to form part of his legacy if nothing is done to reverse the situation. These include; the loss of nearly Shs300b injected in the botched National Identity Cards project, the Shs500b lost in Chogm deals, the procurement of fighter jets using Shs1.7 trillion withdrawn from Bank of Uganda without the parliamentary approval, the procurement of the new presidential jet using a $48.2m (Shs88.2b in 2009) loan from Bank of Uganda and compensation deals where Ugandans lost more than Shs200b. Others are; the loss of Shs70b to 4,000 ghosts on the government payroll, the loss of Shs3b meant for the fight against malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/Aids, the financial turmoil in the Office of the Prime Minister and the loss of Shs5b to a ghost company (Amman Industrial Tools and Equipment Ltd, in the botched procurement of bicycles for village councils. The continued abuse of the Budget Act by government agencies led by State House is also a major concern of MPs. The Act puts a three per cent carp on government spending provided for under the supplementary requests. But due to financial indiscipline, supplementary spending last financial year rose to nearly seven per cent of the total approved budget. In all these scandals, the President should have taken action but has not for either political expedience or other unexplained excuses. This kind of irresponsible spending, the highlight of corruption scandals would be a dangerous image for Mr Museveni’s legacy at a time when the country is expecting huge sums of oil money soon. It’s apparent that even with stringent anti-graft laws and the Oil Bills in Parliament, the country badly needs the political will to fight graft and this is where the President comes in. Financial indiscipline is only the latest issue that is beginning to create the dangerous impression that the President is delineated to the extent that some of his ministers and public servants think they are too powerful yet they are smaller than the events, factions and tides of public opinion that swirl around the government. In all this, the best present Mr Museveni could give Ugandans as they mark the 50th Independence Jubilee, is to cleanse his government in a renewed war against graft. This is what he promised 26 years go. He should take a decision now. This is what Ugandans would like to see- the highlight of his the Fundamental Change speech. During the swearing in ceremony on January 29, 1986, Mr Museveni promised Ugandans a fundamental change. In his speech, he said: “No one should think that what is happening today is a mere change of guard; it is a fundamental change in the politics of our country.” Twenty six years later, because of increased financial indiscipline, some Ugandans think “it’s from fundamental change to no chance”. The President promised many things because the country had gone through tough times due to bad governance from 1966 to 1986. This period witnessed unprecedented authoritarian rule characterised by institutional decay and political insecurity, which adversely affected the economy. 1 | 2 Next Page»The NRM government has scored highly on peace and stability, rule of law, the economy has grown (from 0.946 per cent of GDP in 1986 to 6.4 per cent last year )and many other achievements. But due to graft, this growth doesn’t make sense to the majority of Ugandans who are trapped in abject poverty. In part, this is what the President said: “Of course, we may have some bad elements amongst us — this is because we are part and parcel of Ugandan society as it is, and we may, therefore, not be able completely to guard against infiltration by wrong elements. It is, however, our deliberate policy to ensure that we uplift the quality of politics in our country. We are quite different from the previous people in power who encouraged evil instead of trying to fight it..” The more the President remains irresolute, the more the ‘bad elements’ continue to steal. Those who are stealing from the people have become permanent structures blocking the much needed reagents to unlock the development potential of the people. This is why the President should join parliament in the fight against financial indiscipline and restore public confidence. In the face of the widespread graft, the country has managed to overcome some challenges but the lack of adequate resources for development and service delivery programmes has kept millions in poverty. Service delivery has broken down at the districts and a sense of ‘hopelessness’ at the centre is crippling once ‘honest’ and ‘robust’ civil service. Government offices have now become hunting grounds and the Auditor General’s findings (June 2009, 2010, 2011) attest to this conclusion. The trillions of shillings lost through graft in the procurement deals and other tricks public servants play to enrich themselves could help Ugandans in many ways. For instance, to date, only 12 per cent of the population has access to electricity and there is no adequate funds for the construction of 750MW Karuma hydropower dam project. The estimated total cost for this project is about $2.2b. The oil production cannot start without a refinery estimated at $600m. Some road projects cannot start due to lack of funds and some hospitals have no drugs, doctors, ambulances while some districts have no access to clean water. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/DanielKalinaki/A-different-State-of-the-Nation-address/-/878782/1421876/-/trjypu/-/index.html","content":"A different State of the Nation address for those citizens with dodgy visions - My people, at around this time last year, instead of getting on with whatever people do after losing elections, the Opposition were busy making life ungovernable for us with their Walk to Work protests. I am aware that many of my supporters do walk to work every day because they cannot afford motorised means. I salute them for their patriotism and their physical fitness. What I can’t stand are those opportunists in the opposition who park their cars and try to cause confusion by attempting to walk to work. How shall we support the development of the petroleum sector if people with cars abandon them and choose to walk? How can we create employment for our young people if drivers are left sitting around idle while their masters cause traffic holdups on the roads with their bloated tummies? I would, therefore, like to commend the Police Force for working overtime to end these protests. Our police officers have made a heroic sacrifice, putting themselves in harm’s way, without any arms or protective gear, and bravely confronting these protestors who are armed with teargas, dogs, hammers and guns. Fortunately, the heavily armed protestors lack experience in using their weapons and often tear-gas, shoot and arrest themselves. Imagine if they were running the State with such incompetence! Competition is not good in these areas. These protests had managed to scare away tourists and investors. When was the last time any of you saw Kananathan and Basajjabalaba? We shall soon be announcing a new partnership, under Agoa, to increase our massive exports of cotton products to the United States. Those who say they cannot see these exports are sinners who need to repent, join the NRM and see the light. We defeated the opposition opportunists in the sixth Parliament who had blocked Bujagali Dam. We are going to commission it soon and immediately work on Karuma. There is going to be enough electricity, especially for those who can afford it. However, the same opportunists within the opposition have been working hard to frustrate our Naads programmes as well as Universal Primary and Secondary Education. In the case of Naads, I have intelligence information, which indicates that they have been working with rainmakers to ‘tie’ the rain and stop our crops from growing, or stealing our hybrid goats and selling them to pay school fees and meet medical expenses. Others, who seem to have supernatural powers, have been turning themselves into ghosts and teaching classes in our UPE system. How do they expect our students to pass exams if they can’t see or hear the ghost teacher in front of them? I am directing, with immediate effect, for all these ghost teachers to return to their graves. Failure to do so will compel us to deploy ghost soldiers to hunt them down and exorcise them! I am also warning all those causing inflation through their primitive, backward, flatulence-inducing, criminal, compulsive consumption to stop it immediately. As I summarise, I would like to appeal to my fellow citizens to keep their heads up. I know the economy is not doing very well but that is no excuse for proud and patriotic citizens to walk with a hunch, slouched as if they are surviving on one measly meal a day. Walk tall and straight, smile a lot, offer a firm handshake and look everyone, including poverty, straight in the eye. This is all a temporary interference in our happiness. Our oil is coming soon. After the oil companies have recovered their expenses, after the politicians have recovered their signature fees, after the technocrats have recovered their commissions, and after we have invested in more whips to teach those meddling Sudanese a lesson, there shall be more than enough to share.I would also like to commiserate with those people in northern Uganda suffering from nodding disease. Initially we did not act as fast as we could have because I thought it was the same nodding disease that affects my ministers whenever a brainless proposal is made to them. We shall solve the problem with our own money this time since we are tired of begging donors. ********** 1 | 2 Next Page»Disclaimer: This silly speech can only have been written by someone with a dodgy vision. The proper speech, which HE the President will deliver today, will offer deep insights into our collective national challenges and the strategic initiatives to overcome them. dkalinaki@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/-/689856/1372158/-/calwnt/-/index.html","content":"The Kayunga Five: drunkards and proud of it - Kayunga town needs no introduction in Uganda. It was in this settlement that the Kabaka in one corner, and the President in another, took their battle of the titans in September 2009 when they dared each other over a cultural visit to the area. We all know what followed, two days of complete pandemonium in Kampala as Buganda youths protested against the state’s refusal of Kabaka Ronald Mutebi to visit the town. But that is not the complete argument making up the case for why Kayunga is famous. It is in that constant conveyor belt that somehow manages to spill forth only news of the bizarre from the district – the kidnappings, the rapings, the (gross) defilements (we are talking 90-year-old man on 5-year-old girl kind of defilement here), the witchcraft, the mysterious murders and many of the kind. It could be that this portrayal is a media misconception- because all these actions happen in other towns too. But their occurrence, as a combination, gives the town an edge over the rest, in the race for most-bizarre accolade. Right in the centre of Kayunga town, is a bunch of fellows that have manufactured fame for themselves as drunkards, yes, and they are proud of it. They are the Kayunga Five. They are time-tested alcohol consumers; call them professional alcoholics if you may. They debuted onto nation-wide television for the drinking competitions they hold, early last year, causing the expected mixture of shock and disapproval. Alcohol is a central part of their lives. It remains within arm’s reach even when they go to work. And this is what they retire to at the end of the day. National TV starsAlex Gwamba; he of the “full-full condition” fame, became a comical sensation in East Africa after video clips of his drunken antics aired on NTV, and later on YouTube. Gwamba would easily fit as a poster face for Uganda’s alcoholics, in a country that according to last year’s World Health Organisation figures, was the biggest consumer of alcohol in East Africa, at an average of 11.9 litres of alcohol per person in a year. The Kayunga Five’s fame emanates from drinking competitions, held at Bivamuntuyo bar, owned by Rose Nanyonjo. After the drinking binges, and the competitors are totally stoned with intoxication, they then compete in athletics, soccer or even wrestling, to the utter shock of whoever cares to watch. On one of the earliest videos of the binges aired on NTV, a smiling Nanyonyo, in a red-dress that overlaps a pair of cream pants, starts the competition by announcing the brands of liquor that the competitors are to consume. The competitors are jumping up and down in preparation, and then settle down onto shots of whisky, then bottles of beer, one after another, then even more tribes of strong liquor. When they drank beer, the bottles, tilted into an upside down position, did not leave their lips until its contents had emptied. Nanyonjo, herself a drunkard of no simple degree, tries her luck on beer too. Then the alcohol takes its effect. “Am with yang...M...NTV. I like my senga (aunt). Nze, nywera wano omwenge (this is where I drink alcohol) (sic),” says one. Not many things should be as funny as watching a Ugandan, who does not usually speak English when sober, attempt it when they are drunk. And this was all too visible on the clip too. “Eh...this ah...this ah ...occasion has been ah...very paw...paw powerful (sic),” says another, as he sort of shivers. And as he continues, the alcohol eats up almost every word he speaks, transforming it into some form of gibberish. “It is rirry, very impro...pro...ahh, it had covered...in kind of...in need of...of culture. It is all corrected. Thank you (sic),” he concludes. When these events went onto the airwaves, town officials from Kayunga were not pleased. “They were concerned that the town was being portrayed in bad light,” a resident says. And consequently, the bar was closed, and its owner and patrons arrested. They were later released and the bar reopened. On NTV’s report, the patrons celebrated the reopening of the bar, with, as doubtless expected, another night of heavy intoxication. One patron said thus, “If at all we take our waragi, even if waragi, even if beer, that’s our mandate. We are licensed and we have to make sure that we booze pakalast (sic).” There have been other such binges, also captured by NTV. On one, the alcohol brings out the musical side of the drunkards. A one Original Waga Dam, aka Yaga Dam, aka Ragga Dam, aka Fanta, aka Mr Yopa Yopa, aka Mr Kalevu, who says he is a celebrity and a musician, sang a few lines about a Munyala girl, Betty, who turned down his offer of love. His mates, like back-up singers on cue, join in on the choruses. Meeting the custodianIt is commonplace for one to have a beverage with which to wash down a lunchtime meal. Seated on the wooden-railing-fenced veranda at her bar, Nanyonjo, using bare fingers, dug into what remained of her sweet-potatoes-and-beef-stew meal, on a blue plastic plate. 1 | 2 Next Page»Just by her right-hand side, on a small one-and-a-half-foot tall wooden table, was a glass, with a golden liquid inside. No, it was not passion fruit juice. It was not even orange juice, or any soft drink that you would naturally expect most people to take with their lunch. Nanyonjo is not like most people. She consumed her meal alongside sips of the high alcohol percentage beer, Eagle Extra Lager. She sat back and refused to talk. “My mind is in a freeze right now. If you want me to talk, buy me a drink, and my mind will loosen,” she said. The extra bottle of beer was bought, and Nanyonjo indeed, loosened up. She talked of how far her bar had come, from the year 2000 to this day. “Since I started, my customers have been faithful and have never shunned me. So, I decided that it was time for me to do something to thank them,” she says. And just like that, the famous drinking competitions were born. Nanyonjo insists that the competition was supposed to be athletics or soccer, and that the winner would then walk away with 10 bottles of beer. How then it ended up being a drinking competition first, before the soccer and athletics came in, is hard to conjure. She says the first competition included her patrons and workers, both men and women. The competitions have since become periodical, with one at every festive season. The most recent was on Christmas Day last year and the next is expected to happen on Easter weekend. What remains of the Kayunga Five The Kayunga Five, are, rather sadly, not five anymore. Misfortune, a lot of it self-inflicted, has driven through the group, shaking up its formation. One of its members, whose name we could not get, is said to have died, a direct result of alcohol intoxication. Another is said to have got arrested for an un-revealed crime, before fleeing back to Masaka. But some remain, and they are not running out of steam just yet. Michael Kiggundu is the self-appointed councillor of drunkards in Kayunga town. He says he represents drunkards on the district’s town council where he voices the issues that concern them. “We are many consumers of alcohol in Kayunga and I am there councillor. They voted me to be their representative,” he says. “I debate on their behalf. For example, in case there are unfair license fees and taxes for people running bars, I voice out their issues,” he said. His association boasts over 60 members, with each member parting with Shs2,000 per year, he adds. Of course, that was all rubbish. He is no councillor. And there is no such association for alcohol consumers. It is a reflection of what his state is, even during the day. Kiggundu sells fish in the town’s market. He drinks six mini bottles of waragi across the day, and by the time we found him, he had consumed two already. He spoke with a very unsteady tone, and an even more unsteady chain of thought. This, however, gave way for a nearly razor-sharp mental alertness whenever he saw a potential customer walking about. He touted for and begged fish customers to come purchase of his stock, just like any sober merchant would. The other of the Kayunga Five was King Oberete, aka Source Patel Kasozi, aka Musajja Mekete. “I am the winner,” he boasts loudly, hinting at the drinking competition. He is a cleaner at the Town Council’s offices. He counts himself as a severe alcoholic too, taking obvious pride from the assertions. He says there is no estimate and limit to the amounts of alcohol he can drink. Paul Omanga, aka Makanika, is another. His hand looks limp and scarred. He says it was injured in a bodaboda accident, while testing a motorcycle he had just repaired. Having gathered them at Nanyonjo’s bar, they insisted on getting a beer each. And together, they sat, toasted, cheered and drank their beers away to the taste of fried beef. So much was the excitement that as they toasted, they broke beer bottles and spilled the beer instead. Bivamuntuyo bar, and its most faithful breed of clientele, is atypical of a lot of Uganda’s alcoholic class. It looks simple, with not enough space to sit more than 10 people at the most, under a shelter. It is your typical local bar. In the place of sitting shelters, seats are provided in the open, and the drinking resumes. It forms a key link in the chain that is the life of people like the Kayunga Five, who cannot find sleep at the end of the day, until they have had one or two drinks. Their behaviour is a major cause for concern. Kibuuka Lumu, the NTV correspondent who recorded the drinking sprees, says most of them descend onto the hard liquor before eating any food, leading to stomach and ulcer complications among others. There is also concern about how the men manage to fund the daily swings at the bottle in their very evident impoverished state. “No wonder they remain poor,” Lumu says. Some of them do not even go back home, choosing staggering into video shacks and making that a lodging for the night. Charles Magumba, Kayunga town council’s town clerk, says the drinking competitions are illegal. He said, “It is murderous to engage a drunkard in a marathon (like Nanyonjo does).” The competitions also led to commotion in the town as the road along which the bar sits would be closed, disorganising traffic. It is clear that the officials want to bring an end to the activity. Thoughthe bar was reopened after it was closed last year, Magumba told us that it was no longer operational, until we told him otherwise. The Kayunga Five are an embodiment of just what alcohol has come to mean to us – the long hours away in the fields as one works hard and longs for a drink, the excitement and gratification that comes with consumption and the deterioration that is a result of a failure to control its amounts. jabimanyi@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1371466/-/125yokuz/-/index.html","content":"To Muniini: Thieves have only one ethnicity or tribe - Dear Muniini,I read your letter to Tingasiga of March 5 and was hesitant to respond to it since it was not addressed to me. But for two reasons and after a long brainstorming and hesitation, I have decided to use the same means to write to you. You start by correctly stating: “What I know is that, Ugandans were robbed by somebody in what will be another forgotten scandal.” You continue, “With two ministers discarded, the mob now wants [Bank of Uganda governor Emmanuel Tumusiime] Mutebile’s head.” Now you are calling those who don’t want this “robbery” to be “another forgotten scandal”, a mob. Then you shift, “that Mutebile is Museveni’s ethnic kinsman has given greater incentive to many, both on Government side and opposition to seek his dismissal as a therapeutic sacrifice in a land where people no longer hide their intolerance for Banyankole, Bakiga”. You continue to say, that until you see “evidence” the gentleman is innocent. You continue: “If we take his word, Mutebile had been uncomfortable as he wrote the letter of comfort to the banks.” Call them guarantees please, and where is the evidence. You continue, “we may challenge the wisdom of Mutebile’s blind obedience, to the boss. We may question his judgment and competence. However, we cannot criminalise that.” My long time friend, thieves have one ethnicity or tribe, that of thieves. Second, the money they are plundering does not belong to them. In fact, they guard theirs jealously. It belongs to Ugandans. You talk of refusing to follow orders. You state that the original figure was Shs96b, in fact the original compensation by experts was Shs22b. Among these experts was one Mr Bwiragira, the Government valuer. When they were directed to revise the figures, he refused to join and he still holds his head high. I know him as a staunch practicing Catholic and a competent professional. When we were young, we used to be told that Catholics were good at keeping public money and assets. Then ministers Syda Bbumba and Khiddu Makubuya served at the President’s pleasure. The Governor is fortified by law and cannot be fired by a radio announcement. The authority of the bank is vested in the board which consists of the Governor, deputy and board members. The bank is not “subject to any direction or control of any person or authority.” To those who a lot is entrusted, more is expected of them in their performance. There is nothing to show that the Governor consulted the board prior to his decision. I mean prior, not retrospective approval. There is no evidence that he consulted his technical staff for their input for which they are handsomely paid. It is the same Governor who earlier approved the release of $11m to a businessman and opening the Bank vaults releasing $700m without approval of Parliament or even without consulting his board. This amount would have built not less than 500 new schools with a balance to refurbish the public universities or Karuma dam for industrialisation and job creation. What evidence do you need that our friend did not act willingly? Why fire the planners of the plunder and leave the one who pulled the trigger or opened vaults. Was such a person innocent? I was once taught that circumstantial evidence is capable of proving a point with the accuracy of mathematics. Don’t forget that good people search for good ones and the corrupt seek their own bad ones and can build a real mafia. As the late Samson Kisekka used to say, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Our friend developed the feet of clay when firmness was required. One of the reasons given for removal of the Governor is misbehavior, misconduct or incompetence. In my researched but humble opinion, failure to say no to wrong directives, let alone requests, is a sign of incompetence. Opening public vaults entrusted to you for which you are well facilitated and protected, is not a mark of competence. Never before, has so much been plundered with alacrity, and shameless conduct, by so few, in such short a time, as cheerleaders caucused and the concerned public watched with awe. In the Bible the letter from Jude says: “For the sake of money they have given themselves over…They care only for themselves…These people are always grumbling and blaming others, they follow their own evil desires, they boast about themselves and flatter others in order to get their own way.” Finally, I’m always bewildered when a chicken thief or a mobile phone thief is beaten to pulp while those who steal workers money and open public vaults to fortune seekers are not only exalted but vehemently defended. 1 | 2 Next Page»But don’t lose heart, my brother, as John said in his third letter. “My friends do not imitate what is bad, but imitate what is good.” “I have so much to tell you, but I do not want to do it with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and then we will talk personally. Peace be with you.” Mr Mushega is a veteran politician « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1358418/-/13cgxe4z/-/index.html","content":"Government cannot be trusted with oil money, says Suruma - Long-term plans. Dr Ezra Suruma, the former Finance minister, is an eminent Economics scholar; currently based at the respected Brooking Institution in Washington D.C. Senior Reporter Tabu Butagira interviewed him on Wednesday and below brings the academic’s altercations with dodgy government technocrats when minister; a surgery of the phony Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture and NAADS schemes and impassioned arguments why oil money should be offered to citizens in direct cash transfers when a government cannot be trusted. After the February 2011 elections, Uganda’s economy dramatically lost its health characterised by rapidly depreciating shilling and soaring inflation. What in your view went wrong? That’s a big question. The first is the world aspect; the fact that the whole world has been experiencing so-called financial crisis and Uganda is part of the world. There was some delay in Uganda being affected, but I think it is not surprising that we have experienced effects of the financial crisis. The second aspect I would like to point out is that of business – the fact that all economies do fluctuate in their rates of growth, production, investment and trade. They experience prosperity and recession or depression. So, while the economy of Ugandan had been growing steadily for about 20 years, I did expect at some point this growth would slow down. The causes of the slow-down are political shocks as in this case we have had some political issues; it can be external shocks such as weather, drought affecting agricultural production; it can be issues like the price of oil which has been going up and it can be indigenous such as monetary pressures if there is increase in money supply that is a bit rapid than the growth in the economy, forcing prices to go up. A combination of factors such as (reduced) rainfall affecting agricultural productivity; oil prices going up, political pressures, I think, are responsible for the situation that we are experiencing. Most MPs say they spent an average Shs60m during the campaigns. Besides other politically-merchandised government development projects, there was the rushed Shs600b-plus supplementary budget that is believed to have all gone into elections. This was money pumped mainly for consumption, not production. Would you put a finger and say election financing caused the inflation?You have stated the point. If there is an increase in money supply; if there’s an increase in demand that is not matched with an increase in supply, and as in this case, there was not only an increase in demand but there was also reduction in supply of maize and other food crops because of drought. Certainly an increase in prices will tend to result from these things. I believe that is what happened. Last year’s inflation affected all East African countries. Some countries such as Kenya responded by reducing tax on fuel. Uganda government rejected that proposal. Do you think reducing tax on fuel, which is the main driver of production and haulage expenses, is a prudent thing?That’s difficult for me to answer. That’s a politically-loaded question. Naturally as a consumer, I would like lower prices. But there is another side of government revenue. Uganda government revenue is roughly about only 14 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is lower than the average for Africa that I am told is at 18 per cent. Secondly, if the government is already short of money, which is the reason for the supplementary (budget), then if you reduce its income further, that means it will be even in deeper deficit and I think that tends to make the situation worse. Certainly the issue of higher fuel prices all over the world is a recurring issue and we need to do some strategic thinking on how we are going to face it. Hopefully, we are going to have our own oil in the foreseeable future (and) that will help in alleviating the effects of oil price fluctuations, especially on production and transportation. What action-points would you suggest government undertakes to put the economy back in shape and on the highway to growth?That’s a very difficult matter. I have been in the US recently and they have been battling with bringing the economy back since 2008. Bringing the economy back is like reviving a person who has been very ill. There is no quick magic action that you can take and the patient recovers. You (only) wish it could be done and it usually doesn’t work that way. My view is that while indeed the macro-economic (read monetary aspect) deserves to be made right by reducing the liquidity which the central bank is trying to do, I think I would like to focus on production and supply side – on ways by which we can increase production and productivity. Households on farms need to produce so that they can sell more, have more.Productivity is a key issue. Uganda uses too little fertilisers and there is need to increase fertiliser utilisation. There are countries that use up to 500 kilogrammes of fertilisers per hectare, but Uganda is using less than 10 kilogramme per hectare and, I think for Africa, the average is less than 50 kilogrammes per hactare. We have to increase fertiliser utilisation because our people must produce more, sell more and eat more. And this is elementary. We should at least pass the elementary before we go for more advanced lessons or methods. That brings me to the much-touted Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture (PMA) and National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS). It appears it’s not that the right thinking about agriculture hasn’t been there. What makes action wet in the wings? It’s a very complicated issue. We struggled with introducing proper planning in the agricultural sector and we didn’t seem to make much progress.I believe we should learn from Malawi and Zambia that have introduced programmes for distributing fertilisers to the ordinary people; the farmers. As a result, there has been a dramatic increase in output of cereals.We should go away from very theoretical, complex programmes that don’t seem to work and adopt pragmatic ways – import fertiliser in bulk and distribute it to farmers. Experience shows that this type of activity really pays. PMA was too complicated. When I asked what the purpose was, consultants told me in Jinja that it was to introduce institutions. I couldn’t understand what they were talking about. Why not just introduce better seeds and fertilisers? Because the ordinary person is suffering; he can’t pay for malaria drugs, and can’t wait for government to supply him with malaria drugs because he goes to the government hospital and there are no drugs. He needs his own income so he can buy the drugs for himself. This in my view is where we should focus: Increase agricultural output because that is where most of our people are. To tackle inflation, Bank of Uganda adopted increased lending rates to suck up excess liquidity. Some economists argue that higher bank rates punish the wrong segment of the population since they seek to borrow because they have no money in the first place. So the tool doesn’t affect those with much money already. Isn’t increasing lending rates counter-productive?I hope that this is a short term measure. Clearly, we need cheap credit to be competitive in our exports and in competing with imported products. Secondly, if they cannot make a profit because the interest rates are too high, again they will go out of business. This is a double-edged sword. Whereas it is necessary to reduce the liquidity, it needs to be short-term so that we quickly move back to affordable credit because that is key to increasing production and to increasing investment. Affordable credit is key for growth of the economy. We already had high interest rates anyway and we always hoped we could find ways to bring them down, not up. So I hope that in the near future, we shall find ways of lowering these interest rates even lower than they were before the crisis. Otherwise we won’t compete, we won’t invest enough. Let’s go to the elephant in the house: Oil. Following the recent farm-down between Tullow, China National Offshore Oil Company and Total, the firms announced they would begin small-scale oil production in 2013 and expand within 36 months. What are your views on how the oil resources should best be managed?Definitely oil is going to bring in revenues that are much bigger than we have ever known. We are looking at government revenues that are going to perhaps double, triple or even quadruple. The issue is how to manage the revenues in a way that will benefit Ugandans most in both the short, intermediate and long term. It’s right that people see an opportunity to invest more of this money in infrastructure. I think that that is good. But I think that the capacity of our country to absorb large amounts of money quickly is limited. My own brief experience in the Ministry of Finance suggested that, for example, that the Ministry of Works could not absorb a large increase. The Kampala-Masaka Road which is part of the northern corridor is just being completed now yet we put the money in the 2007/8 Financial Year budget. This was merely Shs200m extra each year and a total Shs600m over a period of three years. But now we are talking about billions of dollars and the absorption of this money is an issue in my opinion because there is a danger of the money being wasted or misapplied and we don’t want this to happen.My view is that we should have modest application of these funds in infrastructure, and the balance – about half of it - should go into Permanent Fund similar to what the city of Alaska (in the US) has and Norway. This Fund should be permanent in such a way that only the profits from the Fund are distributed to the people in form of pensions for the elderly or disadvantaged people according to agreed formula. The people would be the owners of this Fund, the money would be invested by professionals, for example, in long-term US bonds. We can debate how the reserves or profits from the Permanent Funds should be shared. I believe that a Permanent Fund would benefit the people of Uganda as well the future generation because the Fund would keep growing and some of the profits would be ploughed back and we would all have a chance to benefit as citizens of Uganda. I don’t agree with those who say it must be saved only for tomorrow so that we don’t get anything today. I think that we have many deserving people who are very poor, have no income, are destitute and we are obliged to assist them. And we have this opportunity to assist them, why don’t we? The Center for Global Development, a US think-tank in a report released in August last year, argued that due to the risk of weak institutional capacity, corruption and likelihood of political patronage using oil money, the proceeds should instead be distributed in cash transfers and beneficiaries taxed. Do you buy this idea?Yes I would. I would not support all of it be given out in form of cash transfers, but I think that some of that money should be in a Fund which is invested and the profits should be distributed to Ugandans according to an agreed formula. For example you can say when a Ugandan turns 50 or 55 years, then they should be entitled to some pension so that they are able to have some income because they would be aged. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/1189720/-/ampavt/-/index.html","content":"Uganda shilling meltdown calls for lessons from Mexican Peso crisis - The recent political protests in Uganda are to some extent reminiscent of the broader revolutionary process in the Middle East and North Africa. Whether “walk to work” or “free Uganda now” protests are spillover effects from the Middle East and North African revolutions, it is still quite inconclusive what our final destination will look like. As an economist, I find it interesting that the success of walk-to work campaigns will very much depend on how fast the macroeconomic fundamentals degenerate. It is true to some extent that the recent inflationary pressure and the ensuing drag-down on the value of the shillings that the country is experiencing are a result of the fundamentals outside of the economy such as the rising cost of energy, acute shortage in foreign exchange earnings. But it is wrong to suggest that our domestic policy goes without blame. The major challenge that has been facing the NRM regime over the course of its life is accepting responsibility for its extreme political arrogance and rudimentary dogmatic economic policies that seem alienated from pre-requisites that can drive us out of abject poverty.More of the explanations to today’s inflation have to do with lax fiscal policy that favors corruption as opposed to spending on infrastructure that can lay a strong foundation for long term economic growth. You can ask a million questions ranging from the valley dam saga, the chopper deals, the CHOGM mess to the recent passing of a supplemental budget in the midst of a presidential campaign and will never get an answer where our government really invests. You cannot have a government that controls more than three-quarters of the parliament for nearly 2 decades and must worry more about its reelection calculus as opposed to development and still expect a healthy economy. What is more worrisome in our present economic predicament is the instability in the value of the Uganda shilling. Given that we import most of our essentials from other countries, a volatile exchange rate with the possibility of speculative attacks on the currency in a turbulent political environment poses severe risks to our entire economic system and could lead to a potentially dangerous currency crisis. While Mr. Museveni in a recent interview mentioned that higher food prices is actually good for farmers and that he is not ready to lower prices on food products for people playing cards (matatu) on the streets of Kampala, Masaka, Jinja, Mbale, Gulu and elsewhere, the president needs to be educated that the farmer only produces one or two crops but must buy 20 other essentials whose prices have more than doubled if not tripled. While Mr. Museveni must play a game that does not see him slipping back into the import substitution industrialization strategy of the pre-structural adjustment reform policies of the 1970s and the 80s of directly setting lower prices of agricultural products to appease his elite urban populace, his best proximate strategy must focus on how to subsidize the cost of imported food and other essentials whose prices are fuel-driven. This will keep his urban buddies who are now whittling down on him happy while also keeping the smiling rural poor peasants who now see the prices of their agricultural products rise, at the same time leaving the cost of other essentials like sugar, soap, rice, gasoline etc usually imported subdued. Since the U.S. dollar and other major hard currencies have established themselves as the driving currencies, it is obvious to project that their cyclical movements due to recent global financial crisis will continue to determine the disequilibrium in the exchange rate markets of many small open economies including ours. Note that traditional fundamentals of exchange rate determination such as export volumes, capital inflows/outflows and more recently remittances are partly determined by the volatility in the value of such hard currencies. But a large part of today’s depreciation must be attributed to speculative pressures in the exchange rate market, driven mainly by expectations about the future trends in the economic and political fundamentals that would explain the volatility in the exchange rates, a self-fulfilling prophecy. The latter problem is a major challenge facing many premature central banks especially in emerging markets and developing countries today who are experimenting with a floating exchange rate regime. This challenge is further exacerbated by the increasing level of sophistication in the global financial system and the complications involved in managing expectations in this market. It is quite clear that the political events that have been played in Uganda before, during and after the presidential, parliamentary and local government elections and the dramatic decline in the value of the shillings have so much in common to the events that happened in Mexico that culminated to the peso crisis of 1994. In the early part of 1993, Mexico had a bright economy and there was a sharp increase in capital inflows following U.S. approval of North American Free Trade Alliance (NAFTA). Soon after these positive developments, the Mexican government ran amok with corruption. The degenerating political events including street protests during the presidential election marred by widespread corruption took precedence over legitimate economic considerations in Mexico. Many investors put a premium on Mexican assets and the beginning of capital flight ensued. The Mexican peso depreciated significantly against other international currencies. The initial response by the Mexican central bank to prevent this depreciation led to its reserves dissipating just within weeks. In Uganda, shortly before the current economic predicament, there was discovery of oil that led to massive inflows of foreign capital. Had it not been because of speculators and foreign investors betting on the bright future of our economy, we would have received a significant blow from the 2007/2008 global financial crisis. The inflows in foreign capital kept the economy afloat. Despite all the positive developments on the capital account side of our balance of payment accounts, government was busy running unproductive spending with wide spread corruption that would soon see a reversal in capital inflows. Typical of any third world politics and drawing precisely from the Mexican experience in particular, the last election in Uganda was probably the most highly monetized single political event in the history of our country. This is slowly leading to what I term as “a naive-voter-paradox.” What the naive voter did not foresee was that more cash in his pocket actually meant more holes in the same pocket via hyperinflation. Now, wait when the same foolish voter starts to match on the streets joining his cousin on the opposition side to demand government to mend the hole in his pocket or to demand for a new wallet altogether. While it is quite clear that the Ugandan street protests did not cause the current inflation and a loss in the value of the shilling but only a reaction to faltering economic conditions, some NRM cadres will soon begin to argue otherwise. The continuity of the protests will only exacerbate the situation if no concessions between government and the opposition are reached. But the success of the protesters will only depend on how fast the macroeconomic fundamentals fall apart and for the naive voter to realize that they too need to jump on the streets. What is the rescue mission if the value of our currency moves closer to Mexican peso crisis of 1994? Mexico almost had a guaranteed bailout mechanism through USA, NAFTA and the IMF. In the present time, the survival of the Ugandan currency will very much depend on Bank of Uganda’s accommodation strategy to counter the laxity and craziness on the fiscal side of policy. The acceptance of the presumptions that traditional fundamentals will always continue to determine the devaluation of the shillings, such as declines in export volumes, oil price shocks, diaspora remittances without ever incorporating rational expectations and including newer events that drive such expectations would be colossal misjudgment that could lead to a monumental failure on the part of the monetary authority to precisely predict and respond when the crisis becomes imminent. In fact, the Mexican crisis of 1994-95 was magnified by unsustainable fiscal and monetary policies implemented prematurely in the midst of unexpected shocks not closely related to measured fundamentals. The question is how sustainable is the sterilization policy of the Bank of Uganda of trying to mop out the excess liquidity created by the fiscal authority? The Bank of Uganda must choose to play a game that does not see its reserves disappear in weeks if the currency crisis worsens and must look closely at the wrong things the Mexican Central Bank did that ended up escalating their mess. Andrew Ojede, Ph.D. Department of EconomicsCalifornia State University aojede@csulb.edu"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/-/859108/1109080/-/k2jf6d/-/index.html","content":"Where the election will    be won and lost - Tomorrow’s election is historic for at least two reasons. It has been the most expensive in history with the ruling NRM party spending mind-boggling sums to try and stay in power. Whichever way the election goes, it is also historic in the sense that it marks the third and final electoral battle between Mr Museveni and Dr Besigye, his former ally and personal physician, who has declared this to be the last election he participates in as a candidate. With 13,953,296 voters and an average voter-turn out of 75 per cent, we can assume that about 9.7 million voters will turn out on Election Day. If we assume invalid votes at three per cent, then we are looking at about 9.5 million valid votes cast. This means that the magic figure is 4,750,001 votes that the winning candidate will have to garner. This means that President Museveni, who scored 4,078,677 votes in the last election, will have to hold his vote and pick up an extra 671,324 votes. For Dr Besigye, it means he will have to almost double his vote from 2,570,572. Here are some of the key regions to watch – for their voting patterns will determine the eventual winner. When kings,generals clashIf there is an issue that could singularly determine the direction of the election, it is the fall out between the Central Government and the Kingdom of Buganda. Buganda has the largest block of votes (3,277,471) and has become openly hostile to a government it believes is out to destroy its 600-year kingdom, forming Ssuubi pressure group led by a former prime minister in the kingdom to campaign for Dr Besigye. Museveni won Buganda with 70 per cent in the last election and the NRM strategy is to keep its grip on the cattle corridor districts of Kiboga, Nakaseke, Nakasongola and Ssembabule where its average score was 83 per cent. Marginal districts like Wakiso (47.4%), Mukono (57%) and Masaka (59%) are likely to edge towards the opposition on the back of growing literacy and urbanisation in those areas. For Buganda to swing to the opposition fully, Dr Besigye will have to win in at least two of the four cattle corridor districts and improve his share in the urban areas of Wakiso, Mukono, Masaka and Mpigi. The cattle corridor districts, however, have much smaller populations and a big gain in the big three of Mukono, Wakiso and Masaka might shift the region to the opposition. Peace in north?The North has always been the bastion of opposition support – Dr Besigye got about 75 per cent of the vote in the last election – but the end of the LRA insurgency has put votes on the table for Mr Museveni to pick up. With people returning to their homes after several years living in camps, there is a massive reconstruction programme that government has tried to get political capital out of.The list of government and donor-funded programmes running in northern Uganda (Naads, Nusaf2, PRDP) would send NGO types, with their love for acronyms, giddy with excitement. NRM is hoping that the excitement of seeing new schools, health centres and roads will translate into votes. The NRM has also tried to conceal its failure to end the war over 20 years behind the new peace prosperity gospel. “I think the problem of this region is that the people have been voting for the opposition that does not help the people,” says Richard Todwong, a presidential adviser who is also an NRM candidate for Nwoya County parliamentary seat, “but after many realising that the NRM party is practical, they are now embracing it”. Aswa MP Reagan Okumu (FDC) insists that the opposition will hold the northern vote inspite of “continued intimidations and harassment and vote buying by the NRM party officials in the region”. The opposition has also tried to point out the development gaps between the north and the rest of the country. For instance, Acholi sub region had less than 800 pupils in Division One in PLE and less than 500 in Division One in O-level exams. Land could also influence voting intentions, especially in Amuru and Kitgum where there is suspicion towards government and army officers. Although two presidential candidates, Mr Norbert Mao and Olara Otunnu hail from Acholi, they are underdogs and unlikely to sway significant voters away from the two frontrunners. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Insight/-/688338/892136/-/7ge5l8/-/index.html","content":"A tale of Jinja city is not sweet to those who knew it about 50 years ago - The story of Jinja town is a heartbreaking one narrating a fall from glory as the country’s industrial hub is a tale many elders recollect with emotion. In fact its loose description for ‘a rock’ is but a gone tale only quantified by its partially rocky soil texture, writes EDGAR R. BATTE:- As many elders and former industrial workers share, the notion that it is actually on the blind alley is visibly demonstrated by a broken road network in the once vibrant industrial area of the town as well as concrete shells for walls that used to house numerous factories and workers who came from different parts of the country to earn a living in the country’s industrial capital. “Jinja was a wonderful place. All the roads were very good, most roads were tarmaced. All buildings were in a good state, shops were very busy. The entire business structure was organised and there were so many Asians by then but over the years the town has been run down,” Mr David Mubiike, a stakeholder in Jinja, shares. All the buzz of activity elderly Alfred Wandera was inured to as a middle-aged worker in Jinja, has been replaced by inactivity and what’s left is the legacy of the now defunct factories. And it is with little hope that the young generation can ever qualify the rosy recollection elderly chaps share of a vibrant Jinja town given seemingly solitary new face. The Queen would certainly be ashamed if she were to revisit the once magnificent Ripon Falls Hotel where she first stayed on her first visit to the Pearl of Africa and Jinja town, during the inauguration of the Owen Falls Dam. It is now an abandoned and shabby structure which could have last seen a coat of paint during her Majesty Queen of England Elizabeth II’s last visit on April 28, 1954. Embarrassing siteRipon Falls Hotel stands out in this vicinity where new individual structures have been erected which makes a distinctive look from the old hotel that’s turned into an embarrassment. Further down the road is the pier and docking area that used to be another point that buzzed with activity in days when water transport was still a very active means. Locals at this shoreline have turned the dock as a trade route for charcoal, a mistake Mr Mubiike, blames on poor government policy. Part of the mistakes current leaders are making, he says, is borrowing a lot of money to work on roads whose life span is no more than five years where they will deplete very fast. “It is because of the failure to address proper policies that can protect our roads. The whites planned that our cargo and the heavy trade from the Mombasa port to the hinterlands of Rwanda, Burundi, Zaire, Sudan and Uganda would come by water transport and railway transport. Now, what has happened over years is that we have neglected water and railway transport,” Mr Mubiike explains.“There is need for government to seriously consider reviving the water transport,” he adds. Mwalimu Mazinga is one of the longest surviving locals at this Ripon landing site where he first docked and settled in 1976. He explains that there was a fine road that used to transport goods to the flourishing business in Jinja town. But times have changed and so have careers for a few locals like Mr Wilberforce Menya, a former Nytil industrial worker. He is also trying to earn off charcoal trade but that is after the privatisation of Nytil in 1997 when working conditions changed and many of them found their way out. FEW JOBS: Few industries like Nytil still exist in Jinja. PHOTO BY EDGAR R. BATTER For Mr Menya, this also marked an end to a 15-year tenure at the biggest industry in Jinja. “It was a good place to work. We would be given free clothing every fortnight, be entitled to lunch and also got a half-month payment,” Mr Menya, who joined Nytil in 1975, recollects. “I worked there until 1997 when things began changing for worse. We were told we had to cater for our lunch, we were not entitled to sick leave and even when you lost someone, you wouldn’t be helped in any way,” elderly Menya explains leaning on his left souvenir, an old bicycle. But for many factory workers, leaving their work stations did not offer much relief. In fact many were left at crossroads. “Sometimes factories would be abruptly closed and when business changed hands, workers were not sure who was to pay them,” Mr Mubiike adds. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/823524/-/akq2e2z/-/index.html","content":"Mr President, access to quality services is a right, not a favour - Your Excellency, When you visited my constituency--Arua and Maracha-Terego districts-- during your tour of West Nile region in May 2008, you made commitments to urgently address pressing issues brought to your attention through a memorandum. These, among others, included the expeditious construction of Nyagak mini-hydro dam, upgrading the Arua-Koboko-Oraba road from gravel to bitumen standard and carving Terego and Maracha constituencies into a new district. Mr President, the dam project has stalled and the thermal plant at Euta that supplies electricity to Arua and Nebbi towns chronically breaks down, subjecting residents to agonising darkness. You promised, emphasis mine, that before Nyagak Dam--already two years behind schedule-- is switched on, the thermal plant run by West Nile Rural Electrification Company (Wenreco) would supply power to the region for a minimum of 18 hours each day. This only happened for eight months. Mr President, you may wish to know that, whenever you are in the region, electricity runs for 24 hours daily. But as soon as you depart, darkness sets in. As an elected representative of my people, I am obliged to notify you that the consequences of electricity failure are so grave, and in some cases, fatal. In October this year, a 10-year-old child who swallowed a piece of bone that obstructed breathing was put on oxygen at Arua Regional Referral Hospital but later died following a power outage that momentarily halted functioning of the support system. Note that Arua Hospital, that serves more than three million people in West Nile and additional health care seekers from the neighbouring South Sudan and DRC, has no Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist to handle emergency cases such as that of the child who passed on helplessly. In many instances, expectant women with delivery complications undergo C-section under dim light of torches or mobile phones. This is the depressing condition at a referral medical facility in Uganda that you proudly proclaim to be on the rail of rapid socio-economic transformation! Because Arua Hospital is under-funded, as is the case with its equivalents countrywide, money to service and fuel the standby generator is always lacking, resulting in death of patients trapped on the theatre bed during power blackouts. Relatives that have resources fuel the plant to save lives of loved ones in such crisis. Such deplorable state of affairs should not be permitted to perpetuate the suffering of a section of the population that has, not as a favour but a right, to enjoy quality services from the government that picks taxes from them. If as the Head of State you do care about the welfare of all Ugandans, as I am inclined you should, it would serve a patriotic purpose that the electricity problem in West Nile is fixed, not talked about anymore. Alternatively, I invite you as a permanent guest in my constituency so that you prevail over darkness here and ushering prosperity for all my people! Secondly, Mr President, the operationalisation of the new Maracha-Terego District, carved out of Arua, has stalled due in part to opportunistic sabotage by your ruling government, desperate for an urgent political dividend. I am aware creation of new districts is the constitutional mandate of Parliament, of which I am a member. But many of the recent district creations have been an outcome of your unilateral, and sometimes controversial declarations, many of them either while on the campaign trail or for vote harvest. It is this motivation that has sucked your government to polarise the people of Maracha and Terego, bringing endless suffering to residents now unable to access basic social services due to a non-functioning bureaucracy. The final point I seek to engage you on is the deplorable state of the thoroughfare to South Sudan, particularly the jagged stretch between Arua and Koboko. The increased trade opportunities in South Sudan and heavy traffic volume on the highway, following the 2005 signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement by the SPLA/M, has wrecked bridges and further damaged the already potholed road. 1 | 2 Next Page»If not for the cosmetic reason of keeping our country’s reputation high, the billions of shillings collected at Oraba Customs through import/export charges should motivate economically alert leaders to do the needful: promptly surface the gateway. It will be on the strength of the deliverables on these benchmarks that my people will judge your even handedness - or the lack of it - in distributing national resources and reward you accordingly. I thank you, Mr President. For God and my country. Ms Bako is the Woman MP for Arua and Maracha-Terego districtsabiachristine@agric.mak.ac.ug « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/710890/-/b5hcg6z/-/index.html","content":"We can disagree in a decent manner, can’t we? - I was surprised by the choice of words in the response (Sunday Monitor June 21) of the Minister for National Guidance to General Mugisha Muntu’s interview (June 14) on various issues. The minister accused Muntu and his “collaboratorsâ€Â� of “debaucheryâ€Â�, that is “immoral behaviour involving sex, alcohol or drugsâ€Â� or “excessive sensual indulgenceâ€Â�. It is alright to disagree with a person, especially in politics, but when you do so, it should be in a decent manner. Of course the minister could have some first hand information of the alleged depravity of the general. But the general is not only a debauchee but he also wants “to appear that the Ugandan nation is awryâ€Â�. May be the Daily Monitor missed some words, but the Ugandan nation cannot be “awryâ€Â�. She further uses such other words as “frothingâ€Â� (usually associated with epileptic fits) and “hollerâ€Â� to indicate the extent of her anger. The minister’s anger was apparently sparked off by Muntu’s assertion that Museveni is hanging around in order to have enough time to make amends for his failure to transform Uganda, which is the usual criticism Museveni has levelled at all other African leaders. The minister would have been within her rights to disagree with Muntu on this. But she then goes ahead to rebut Muntu’s contention with a recital of the achievements for the period in which Muntu and his “collaboratorsâ€Â� are also major contributors/shareholders. She talks about the achievements of UPDF, the Constituent Assembly, the rehabilitation and reconstruction period and UPE which was introduced when Muntu was an MP and Amanya the minister of education etc. There are no substantial achievements since the formation of NRM (2003) other than numerous corruption scandals (Global Fund, Gavi, Temangalo etc), attacks on law courts, arrest of political opponents on tramped up charges, proliferation of illegal safe houses, arbitrary public funds and land handouts to favourites etc. Then on falling popularity of Museveni, she resorts to the results of the last by-elections where less than 100,000 people voted and more than half of the NRM unopposed seats were of persons with disabilities (PWD) whose electoral colleges are not legally constituted and therefore no elections actually took place for the rest of the PWD seats. On shortage of electricity she accuses Muntu (not Kazoora this time) of having blocked the construction of Bujagali Dam. At the end of her tirade she does not make a reasonable case why Museveni should seek to be a life president in the 21st century. The cause for worry, however, is that the regime could be planning to frame Muntu and his “collaboratorsâ€Â�, the only one identified being Justice Kanyeihamba, with acts of debauchery. There is a South American dictator, recounted in the “Feast of the Goatâ€Â�, whose security agents used to kidnap his opponents and only later to be discovered, in the full glare of the press, in brothels beaten up by prostitutes for failure to pay. We may also recall that in 2001 the woman, who later starred in the rape case against Dr Besigye, had been slated to announce in a press conference that he had infected her with HIV only to turn up in 2005 with allegations of rape. In the years of campaigning against the removal of presidential term limits, those of us who frequently travel by air were warned by friendly insiders that there were plots to insert drugs in our luggage and then tip off security at the port of destination.  So the ferocity of the attack against the general cannot be taken lightly. a_ruzindana@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/708814/-/10d8fyj/-/index.html","content":"Mixed reactions to Museveni’s address - President Museveni attracted praise yesterday for his determination to solve the country’s energy problems and improve the economy but also drew criticism for ignoring the country’s political challenges. Delivering his State-of-the-Nation address at the opening of the 4th session of the Eighth Parliament, a jovial and bullish President Museveni said the economy had grown despite the global economic slowdown on the back of growth in the industry and services sector. ***image1*** Mr Museveni said despite the global financial crisis, the Ugandan economy remained “alive, well and strongâ€� and had grown at a “robustâ€� rate of seven per cent in the financial year, expanding from Shs24.7 trillion in June last year to Shs29.8 trillion currently. This, he said, was more than eight times the size of economy since 1986. To sustain the growth, President Museveni said the government would go ahead with its planned investments in transport and energy infrastructure, including building a 750megawatt hydropower dam at Karuma along the River Nile. Mr Museveni said the dam, which is estimated to cost more than a billion dollars would be built with or without the help of donors as part of an ambitious plan to double the country’s energy supply. The President’s speech was twice as long as the New Year’s speech he delivered to the country in January. It was warmly received by MPs from the ruling National Resistance Movement who gave him a standing ovation and cheered “no changeâ€� as the President, who is planning to run again in 2011 after 25 years in power, left the Parliamentary chambers with First Lady Janet Museveni, Speaker Edward Ssekandi and Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki. Despite the President’s optimism about regional demand from Southern Sudan and Rwanda for Uganda’s manufactured products, and which rose to over $800 million worth of exports this financial year, many MPs remained sceptical about the economy’s ability to withstand the effects of flagging international demand for our exports, a weakening shilling and falling remittances from Ugandans in the Diaspora. The President’s pledge for zero-tolerance to corruption, including his pledge that only the NRM government could fight graft was met with heckling from the opposition benches and uncomfortable silence by many on the government side. Hoima Woman MP Beatrice Byenkya told Daily Monitor afterwards that the government’s failure to apprehend “the big corrupt fishâ€� was telling of the NRM administration’s inequity in curbing the vice that has frustrated the country’s development efforts. “I don’t see what has been done to curb corruption; really I don’t see it,â€� said the NRM MP. “We have heard this statement about zero-tolerance of corruption for donkey years. All that has been done is curb the small fish, what about the big corrupt fish?â€� Prof. Ogenga Latigo, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, accused the President of offering lip service and said Mr Museveni “must walk the talk on corruption.â€� The President’s speech touched on many issues including job creation, health, reconstruction of the war-affected areas of northern Uganda and Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army rebels which he said “will never attack Uganda againâ€�. The President also noted that the dispute with Kenya over Migingo Island “can and must be resolved peacefullyâ€� but many MPs across the divide – and many of the invited diplomats – were disappointed that Mr Museveni said nothing about the state of democracy or good governance in the country. Prof. Latigo said: “The President has talked nothing about the politics. We expected him to tell us about the electoral reforms and whether the ground is levelled to ensure that the elections shall be free and fair.â€� Johnson Anders, the Swedish ambassador to Uganda spoke for many when he said: “We want more accountability from the government on fighting corruption and those implicated should be brought to book.â€� Several other MPs who spoke to Daily Monitor later said the President’s optimism in the economy will be tested next Thursday when Finance Minister Syda Bbumba presents her Budget speech. President Museveni, who had a faint smile as MPs and guests queued to shake his hand at the reception afterwards, will have left Parliament yesterday very pleased with himself and his performance. Reported by Emmanuel Gyezaho, Yasiin Mugerwa and Mercy Nalugo. Find the full report of the state of the nation address on epaper"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1288384/-/12ob1wtz/-/index.html","content":"Moses Golola and the Ugandan phenomenon of unfinished business - Five days ago Uganda’s ‘loud mouthed’ Moses Golola and Hungarian Andras Nagy tussled it out for the World Kickboxing Intercontinental belt at Hotel Africana in Kampala. Like a man who did not know what had hit him, our very own Golola emerged dazed and bleeding. He had visibly taken more than his fair share of the beatings in the ring. What followed was a dramatic fiasco, as Golola was first declared winner by the master of ceremonies. Then the referee of the day gave the victory to Nagy. But Golola went home with the belt! The much anticipated fight ‘ended inconclusively!’ That put a ‘made in Uganda’ mark on this fight; a mark that signals unfinished business. Many things in Uganda more often than not, have a proclivity for either being inconclusive or ending up in controversy. For instance, the number of people who died under the eight-year reign of former President Idi Amin (1971-9) is variously recorded as one million; to others, 300,000; to some, 10,000 and a friend says it was 600! If you asked how many people attacked Kabamba Barracks at the start of NRM’s five-year bush struggle, some will tell you they were 27. Others will claim over 40 and that the figure 27 only represents the number of people who were armed. Some people claim when Buganda’s Kabaka Ronald Mutebi toured the bush during the war mentioned above, he drummed up support for the war on the strength of an agreement that his kingdom would be restored as a fully independent federal state. Others dismiss this as nonsensical. So meetings for the granting of federo are a perpetual feature of our politics. Five years after Chogm was held in Kampala, the news is still being dominated by matters financial and legal related to the November 2007 event. From national elections, to university guild elections to beauty pageants, it is rare for matters to be settled on the spot in record time; once and for all. The results remain the subject of disagreements for many days and months to come. The same applies to physical infrastructure like the building of the Old Kampala Mosque, the Church House, the Workers House, the Northern Bypass, Bujagali Dam and information gathering, including voter’s registration and the national ID project, among others. Deadlines are extended, costs are inflated, modifications made and at times the project is handed over before completion and remains incomplete. Besides the obvious venality and duplicity that pervades almost everything in our society, the basic reason for the phenomenon of unfinished business and lack of closure is that Uganda has finally settled in as a malfunctional society. It has broken down and is grinding to a halt in all aspects. There is seemingly no capacity to do anything perfectly and see it through to its logical conclusion. Almost nothing seems to ever really work. And if at all something must be made to work, it is done haplessly, haphazardly, and half-heartedly. All is embedded in the hallmarks of mediocrity. We are all too busy running after daily bread to have time to concentrate and probe anything to its logical conclusion. There is no attention to detail and very little intellectual input is considered. Records, facts and figures are hardly kept for reference and quantitative analysis of progress. There is heavy reliance in general and empty loud political statements. Form and appearance as opposed to substance is enough basis for decision making and the formation of opinion. That is how we get to hear statements like “Uganda is a food secure country and green through out the year” yet the stories of hunger and famine abound with a lot of people relying on food aid. Many crooks have come to this country with business proposals as ‘investors’ and without any background checks, their stories have been bought, many times making a quick buck and withdrawing without a trace. That lack of scrutiny is how Moses Golola raised our hopes and managed to capture so much of our attention and imagination. Not much is known of his previous 18 fights, where they took place and the names of his opponents. Neither do many of us know much about kickboxing. We simply took him for his humorous words and joined the bandwagon. Now we are left licking our wounds and wondering what could have gone wrong. It is a subject that will endure for a long time until we hastily jump on something else and pursue it as usual without serious scrutiny. Nicholas Sengoba is a commentator on political and social issues. 1 | 2 Next Page»nicholassengoba@yahoo.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/-/689856/1201640/-/bm7t8v/-/index.html","content":"Busoga’s spirits find a new home - In retrospective of Chinua Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart, one of the characters Obierika remarks; the white man has placed a knife on the things which held us together and we have fallen apart. This is shortly after Okwonkwo returns to Umoufia only to find a church erect on the evil forest land wondering where all the warriors had gone. Watching the cultural chiefs conduct the relocation rites of their spirits from Bujagali to Namizi village in Budondo SubCounty, paving way for the power dam construction these same words would sting a Musoga ‘Okwonkwo’ hard. Gone are the days when people from all walks of life trekked the Bujagali route in search for life, wealth, wife, husband and children. Kikubamutwe Island is no more. And no longer shall people flock the Nile river spot to curse away the drought, pray for good harvest or academic excellence for their children. It was the centre of all activities. It is where the gods in the rock, under water and those on dry land gathered to listen to their “children’s” prayers. Today, the island has been left bare, minus vegetation, exposing its rock foundation. The right river bank waters were diverted leaving its bed gaping open, the rough rocks stare very rudely at the two high-mighty-gated-spillways made of rock and lime, yet these look down on the rocks so humbly yet confident and proud. Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL), a company spearheading the construction of the Dam, entered several covenants with the residents especially given that they were giving up too much for the sake of the whole country. Residents asked for a school or two, a health unit but most importantly they demanded their gods are secured a new home. BEL kept their promise. By June 29, three new shrines had been constructed at Namizi village Budondo subcounty in Jinja for the gods to inhabit. The relocation ceremony was punctuated with speeches especially testimonies from Busoga clan chiefs. The silent listeners“This is our ancestors’ new permanent home. Every time we mention the word spirit, many people think about witchcraft but these are our fore fathers who brought us into this life. Though invisible, spirits are people who passed on but still live in our midst. They are the silent listeners in our conversation, the invisible guest at our table,” Yasin Ntembe one of Busoga’s 11 chiefs said echoing some Bible verses. After the national and Busoga anthems, followed a prayer - not the usual “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.............” No. It went thus; “Our gods, Budhagali, Lumbuye, Lubaale, Mukasa....and all grandfathers come in our midst...” Various assortments of fetishes, beads threaded together on backcloth in different measures were carefully placed the corners of each shrine one after the other amidst loud chants, drumming and vigorous dancing. The chief custodian, Benedicto Infudu danced while shaking his head allegedly possessed, kicked hot coals with bare feet and put fire into his mouth as way of demonstrating his might. Infudu, says those who think these are lies, superstitions have lost their roots otherwise why do they find it easy to believe Jesus was son of God, he walked on water and performed several miracles including healing the sick but can’t believe a thing as Budhagali in their own land. What proof do they have? Mr Stephen Nantamu, the Minister of Culture and Inter kingdom cooperation in Busoga Kingdom said, “Budhagali is Busoga.” Source of livelihood“People came from across the country to visit this place seeking solution to individual problems. It gave life; people got children, wealth, wives and husbands from this place. The custodian of the spirits (also called Budhagali) would spread a backcloth on the water, sit on with his grandchildren (those who will have come for healing), sail across the river, help them make their wish and pledges then sail back,” he said. Adding people would bring gifts in form of chicken, goats, money, depending on what they pledged. It was in June 2007 when the first foundation stone for construction of the Bujagali power dam was laid. This was, is and shall always be a landmark in the lives of people who live near to and far from Kikubamutwe. Thirty-year-old Aisha Mpango, a peasant at Namizi village says we have a new home for Budhagali and we have a new dam. She is optimistic the new shrines become a source of tourist attraction contending it is all about development. But to some residents, talk of job creation, economic development is farfetched compared to the attachment they had to this spot on the Nile River. It was a divine island, home to Budhagali, the benevolent god to the people of Busoga, in whom their life’s essence pullulated. Yusuf Wekesa, a 45-year-old working at the dam construction site says the construction of the dam, particularly at that spot changed everything about people’s life and believes. “The dam has been constructed but relocating the shrines, jeopardises their divinity. Originality has been lost; the clamorous falls, it was alleged were controlled by Bujagali, so what will they say? Myth is a major ingredient of belief. To me one feature has been broken by building of the other.” 1 | 2 Next Page»The $860 million project is set to generate the first 50mega watts of commercial power in late October this year as the turbines and transformers are in final stages of assembly. By April 2012, 250 megawatts of electricity will be switched on to the national grid. According to Eng Kenneth Kaheru, this will translate into reliable power and lower tariffs. The project is expected to transform lives of millions of Ugandans by boosting the country’s industrial potential. To conclude the relocation ceremony, mounds of food and chunks of meat were heaped on people’s plates which they described as “a very important phase” in any particular rite. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/947210/-/5rador/-/index.html","content":"‘We feel bad to see Mbabazi, Kutesa cited in Chogm probe’ - Of recent, the Police have been clashing with members of the Opposition who have been organising political rallies and demonstrations especially in Kampala to call for reforms in the Electoral Commission. Sunday Monitor’s Risdel Kasasira sought the views of the NRM deputy spokesman Ofwono Opondo on this and other developments in the country. Excerpts:- What is the NRM’s position on the brutal handling of demonstrators by police as the country prepares for elections next year?I think demonstrators have no right under any pretext to violently disrupt public order, cause arson, sometimes injure and kill innocent people. If they do that like they have been doing since October 2005, police and other security agencies will be right, and are right to use maximum force to subdue them. There is no reason why a law abiding citizen should be pleading for criminals hiding behind a democratic struggle using demonstration to cause mayhem. They should use peaceful channels like courts, Parliament, the media and other government machinery but no looting shops, burning buildings and destroying property. What is the current dispute that the Opposition is talking about? It’s Electoral Commission. It was put in place when they were seeing and agreed with the decision of its formation. Let them go to court or Parliament and challenge it but not burning buildings. I think police is right to use appropriate force to disperse these rioters. The Inter-Party Cooperation says government has militarised the Police and that’s why the Force is brutal.Gen. Kayihura is using international and Commonwealth policing standards. We have not reintroduced training manuals from Kaweweta or Kyankwanzi. If you dispute this, go and check it out. The Constitution does not say the head of police must be a career policeman. Gen. Kayihura went through the right channels before he took that job. He was approved by Parliament. But how come police is not brutal to the Opposition in Gulu, Arua, Lira, Apac and Teso where it is strong and they have been demonstrating? Why in Owino, Kisseka, Kampala Road? The Opposition is trying to discredit government institutions. The other day they confessed that they had broken the door of Parliament. Was the Speaker brutal to them? Why do they insult judges? For us in NRM, we have lost cases in court but we have never insulted judges. What do you think the NRM has done in the last four years it has been in power that will convince Ugandans to vote for the party again?First of all in 2005/6, there were three things being fronted by the Opposition. One was that the country was sliding back into anarchy. They said the investors were fleeing the country because the economy was doing badly. They said social service delivery - primary health care, roads, Universal Primary Education and Universal Secondary Education and energy would be worse. They also said Kony would return to northern Uganda and more people would be displaced. All these predictions have come to nothing. In fact, on the contrary, the economy is better today and more children are going to school. Under USE, we have over 600,000 students. The number of UPE students has increased from 6.4 million in 2006 to 8.2 million today. The first USE children are sitting for UNEB exams this year. The major roads - Kabale-Kisoro, Fort Portal-Bundibugyo, Soroti-Lira have been worked on. Bujagali Dam is coming on board in July next year. It’s actually seven months ahead of schedule. The whole country is peaceful. People in northern Uganda have reason to vote NRM because there are no rebels in the area. In 2005, there were lies that the NRM was planning to grab people’s land. But those who lied have been ashamed because no single acre of land has been grabbed by the government. That’s why a number of Opposition members have been crossing to NRM. Recently the Speaker of Soroti, Mr Osato, his deputy and chairpersons of local government committees have crossed to NRM. The achievements are across the board. People who never voted Museveni thought they would be discriminated but they benefited from these developments. However, there are areas like unemployment and poor social security sector where we have challenges. But we are going to explain to people and they will understand us. Don’t you think the NRM parallel registration with that of Electoral Commission caused confusion among the public who couldn’t differentiate between the two? And why carry them out at the same time?Absolutely not. On the other side, we have no complaints. NRM registration has been smooth. Ours is being done by the party officials in the villages. Secondly, the Electoral Commission registrars wear identifiable insignia. They have caps and cameras labelled with EC insignia. We don’t register at the same venue. It’s parish chiefs and local council chairpersons doing EC registration. But we think that’s a false effort by the Opposition to discredit the process. In any case, the national Constitution makes political party registration a continuous process. Parties are free to register its members continuously. It’s a half-clever move by the Opposition to cry foul to justify their pending loss in the next elections. But it will fall flat. For us in NRM, we have no problem with other parties registering anywhere when EC registration is going on. If there is evidence that NRM registrars have interfered with EC registration, table it. The President has been talking about zero tolerance to corruption but there is seems to be a disconnect between what he says and the behaviour of many government officials. Why?The President has been consistent. The problem has been on the side of the law. Where he has had powers to interdict, he has done so. He interdicted the former Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Every commission of inquiry has had its recommendations implemented. The Ssebutinde Commission saw 30 police officers sacked. But the fight against corruption is a collective effort. I have been hearing some Opposition leaders like Augustine Ruzindana, Dr Besigye and John Kazoora accusing the President of not fighting nepotism and corruption. But we know what they did. I remember Dr Besigye was sacked on January 22, 1991 as National Political Commissar while in France. He had been given Shs22 million to do political commissariat work in northern Uganda, but diverted the money and went for a holiday in Germany and France. He was sacked on orders of Gen. Muntu who said an active soldier can’t go out of the country without permission. For Ruzindana, ask him whether he ever advertised any job when he was still working at IGG. For Kazoora, he was convicted for five years for stealing money meant for extension of power from Busunju to Kakajo. The President knows all these but he just keeps quiet. Has there been a deviation by the current NRM from the ideals like patriotism that the NRM of 1986 reportedly believed in?No. The party has not deviated. It has just broadened interests. And those who fought think they should remain on top. They do not want to accommodate the interests of the new-comers. But broadly, there has been restoration of democracy. We cannot divert because we are well guided by the party constitution. Under rule four of the party constitution, we are clear on corruption. We have good neighbourliness. However, we feel bad to see our ministers like Mbabazi, Kutesa and vice president’s names be constantly mentioned in Chogm probe. I would wish this matter to discussed in NEC and we solve it. Do you think politicians both in NRM and Opposition are catching up well with the concept of multiparty politics? I think so. While we disagree, we have not seen cases of killings like it used to happen in 1980s. There were a few conflicts anticipated at the time when we were allowing political parties. There were fears that people would fight and burn each other but it has not happened. That shows that people are accepting political divergence. For us in NRM, we have tolerated the dissenting MPs and they were not sacked. But we have seen Kamya, Onzima being sacked from FDC.rkasasira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/CharlesOnyangoObbo/The-trouble-with-Uganda-s-economic-gangsters-/-/878504/1685922/-/55y27oz/-/index.html","content":"The trouble with Uganda’s economic gangsters… - I have just finished reading a wonderful book titled Economic Gangsters: Corruption, Violence, And The Poverty Of Nations by Raymond Fisman and Edward Miguel, two American economists.To Ugandans, some episodes described there would be very familiar, given our recent fight over the Oil Bill, and the dust over corruption. Ugandans would particularly be intrigued by the story of the Indonesian strongman Suharto. We are told that despite the big time corruption by the Suharto regime, Indonesia still managed to turn in very impressive economic growth rates of 6 per cent over the 30 years of Suharto’s rule, “making it one of the great economic success stories of modern history”. Sound familiar? Then you haven’t read this yet: “While the Suharto clan may have taken more than its fair share, poverty levels fell dramatically in the Suharto years, and public education, health…were also greatly expanded. “Plenty was left over to trickle down to everyday Indonesians,” Fisman and Miguel write. The authors suggest that Suharto made sure stealing never really got out of hand, and he played by the rules in the crooked book. “For better or worse, the Suharto regime had a reputation for holding up its end of bribe transactions, at least removing the uncertainty that is a part of most illicit transactions.” The post-Suharto years have sometimes been messy, and a foreign business executive in Jakarta laments the state of affairs today: “There was a price for everything [during the Suharto reign] and everyone knew the price and what he was getting for what he paid.” However, today “you see chaos instead.” Read that and reflect on the runaway corruption in Uganda. The corruption itself is bad, but what seems worse is that no one is managing it as Suharto did. There is chaos. Secondly, Uganda’s crooks seem to have also broken another golden rule of corruption. Don’t eat everything, let some trickle down to the people. The chaps at the Office of the Prime Minister who stole the reconstruction billions meant for northern Uganda, and those who robbed pensioners broke every rule in Suharto’s book. This brings us to a strange place. While everyone is cursing the rot in government, perhaps they should worry more that its corrupt officials and leaders cannot steal well. It seems their inability to be smart crooks, is a wider reflection of how incompetent they are.Indeed few leaders and bureaucrats can be very corrupt, but still build roads, have hospitals stocked with medicine, increase teachers and nurses’ pay, and so on. The path the Kampala government has chosen is a very difficult one. Corrupt government is hard work. It is far cheaper and easier to have an honest government. Look at Tanzania’s founding father Julius Nyerere. He was an honest simple much-respected man, and whenever he called on Tanzanians to sacrifice, they did so willingly. After the collapse of the first East African Community in 1977, Tanzania had no international phone system. To raise money to build one, 25 per cent of public servant’s salaries was cut for many months. It caused hardship, but Tanzanians became more nationalist, because they had given up their salary to build a national institution. They felt ownership. Nyerere could do it because he had integrity. The late Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi docked civil servants’ salaries to finance a giant hydro-electricity dam. Though Zenawi had his critics, his development credentials were well established. DR Congo’s thieving dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, on the other hand, couldn’t call on his people to sacrifice precisely because he was corrupt. The Congolese didn’t believe in him, and I suspect like many Ugandans view their government today, believed that he was stealing their money for himself, and would have kicked him out much sooner. In addition if you are lazy, incompetent, you are better off having an honest government. You don’t have to find a lot of money to build a coalition of the corrupt that keeps you in power. Finally, since not many people will give a corrupt leader their affection willingly, he needs to buy their love. So a corrupt big man needs economic growth. Uganda’s Big Men, on the other hand, are undermining growth. 1 | 2 Next Page»Malawi’s President Joyce Banda is one of the African leaders who is highly regarded. First, she took a salary cut. Now she is selling the presidential jet because, she says, Malawi can’t afford it. She has been praised for that. The Indonesians would have trusted Suharto.In Uganda, few would believe that the proceeds of the sale of the presidential jet would go into the Treasury. And if it did, that it would be safe there. cobbo@ke.nationmedia.com & twitter@cobbo3 « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Consider-economic-geography-in-infrastructure/-/689364/1677862/-/glcswv/-/index.html","content":"Consider economic geography in infrastructure development - Last week, I had an interesting trip across several districts of eastern Uganda. My journey started in Busia, where I drove to Mbale through Tororo. From Mbale I went to Sironko from where I embarked on my journey to Kamuli, passing through Budaka, Pallisa, Luuka, Buyende, and Kaliro districts. Through this journey, I had interesting observations. Almost all these districts are connected to electricity but few people had the power connected into their houses. At night, large parts of these areas are in darkness. The reason why the majority of the people here are not connected to electricity is, of course, not difficult to figure out. Very few can afford the over Shs1 million connection fee, plus sustaining the regular bills which are very high due to high tariffs. Also, there isn’t much going on in terms of industrial activity. Which brings me to this question: was electricity the most pressing need of these people? Would the government rather have invested into other more critical areas first? This is not to trivialise the work done by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). I think REA does a great job. However, my view is that a little more economic and social spatial analysis of these areas perhaps needed to be adequately carried out to ascertain the potential of the people to benefit from this initiative. This is where Economic Geography-- the study of the location, distribution and spatial organisation of economic activities-- comes in. This definition shows how the quandary of investing in development doesn’t stop with electricity. It goes further to other infrastructural developments as well. Last year, the World Bank published an interesting report titled “Uganda: Promoting Inclusive Growth”. One of the chapters of the report tackles ‘Geography’ of production and living standards. The report, for example, states that more than 80 per cent of Uganda’s formal external trade uses the eastern border through Busia and Malaba! One can only pray that the bridge at Owen Falls dam in Jinja does not collapse, as there is currently no alternative route to handle our export trade. Of late, South Sudan is increasingly becoming an important trading partner for Uganda, even threatening to overtake some of the traditional ones like Rwanda and DRC. The road network connecting Uganda to South Sudan should, therefore, be among the priorities of the government. While the National Roads Development Plan (FY 2009- 10) stated this would be the case, (the plan lists these roads as those whose upgrade was to ‘commence’: Gulu – Atiak – Bibia-Nimule (104km), Vurra – Arua – Koboko – Oraba (92km), and Atiak – Moyo – Afoji (103 km)) most of them have, as of writing this, not been worked on. Interestingly, the same World Bank report also notes that Oraba, the northwest connection to South Sudan and DRC is “the fastest growing route for regional trade in Uganda” accounting for an annual $400 million in informal export value. This is far more than Mpondwe in Kasese ($100 million), Busia ($80 million) Mutukula ($50 million) and Katuna ($30 million). Uganda’s road network, the World Bank report suggests, is “neither fully operational, nor sufficiently coordinated to drive economic transformation”. Does that suggest there are some roads which would rather have waited and priority given to others? Absolutely. Since our country’s economic potential doesn’t allow us to work on all the country’s infrastructure, we should prioritise. Investments in infrastructure should be done based more on economic than political considerations. When one considers electricity generation again, and the fact that 70 percent of the energy generated in the country is consumed in Kampala, Jinja, and Entebbe, it becomes pivotal that government priotises its investments in infrastructure connecting far-flung areas to the major industrial and service centres, while wisely investing its resources where their returns make more economic sense. Mr Sabiti is a programme officer with Development Research and Training. bsabiti@drt-ug.org"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/What-does-the-death-of-Zenawi-mean-to-East-Africa/-/689364/1488284/-/8nqqou/-/index.html","content":"What does the death of Zenawi mean to East Africa, the West? - The sudden death of Ethiopia’s Prime Minister plunged one of the West’s key African allies into a succession crisis and raised fears of increased insecurity in a volatile region. Meles Zenawi, 57, who reportedly died in Brussels hospital had not been seen in public since June and speculation about his health had increased, despite consistent statements from his government that he was “resting” and would return to work “soon”. But great concern about his health rose when he missed a summit in Addis Ababa last month. Some sources say he had been struggling to be healthy in the recent past adding that there were fears that the country would be plunged into uncertainty. Having taken power from dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam in 1991, Zenawi became a pivotal member of the “new generation” of African leaders, who had overthrown dictators and would embrace democracy. Most described him as despotic and autocratic, crushing dissent, jailing critical journalists and bloggers and, during the 2005 election, deploying troops who opened fire on protesters, killing as many as 200. Despite the fact that Ethiopia is a non-oil dependent economy yet rated among the fastest growing in the developing world, good strides had been realised towards the UN Millennium Development Goals through his stewardship. States like Britain has pledged more than 1.3b pounds to the country between 2010 and 2015, making Ethiopia one of the largest beneficiaries of British aid in the world. Nevertheless, Zenawi’s government was frequently being accused of killing and displacing members of traditional groups who live along Omo River valley of southern Ethiopia so that the it can build a hydroelectric dam and lease land to foreign sugar companies. Best known for his shrewdness, intelligence and a voracious reader, his tireless efforts with the West to combat Muslim extremism in the Horn of Africa despite the ever growing complaints, even among his backers, about his penchant for violence in quashing dissent, will remain a legend. US have been well-known to be close allies of his leadership. US military spy drones are based at Ethiopian airports and they still patrol East Africa. In East Africa, Ethiopia has seen Eritrea secede, and then fought a war with the new country. It also twice sent troops into Somalia to fight militants linked to al-Qaeda and with the most recent being trying to help broker peace between Sudan and the newly independent nation of South Sudan and still has peacekeepers camped at Abyei. His death therefore, leaves national leaders in most of these countries carrying out hasty computations about what Zenawi’s death means for them. Great attention will toggle to whether Zenawi built strapping systems to outlast him. But with such statements like “sure Ethiopia will collapse” coming from among their greatest enemies, the al-Shabaab militants in Somalia, where Zenawi twice sent troops to fight, leaves a lot to be done. While other political transitions in Ethiopia have always been incredibly violent and chaotic, mainly because they have had strong men in charge who do not have succession plans because they consider themselves as the only extremists in the country. And taking from the constitutional procedure of the transitional Ethiopia that allows the country to continue with the Deputy Prime Minister acting as Prime Minister means that the elections cannot take place. This thus creates a political vacuum that would see armed groups agitating for self-rule, reignite their war by regrouping and try to win support from the low earners, who are many. This clearly defines a gaping hole in the country and a distress indicator for the fate of not only his leadership, but also those he strongly supported and perpetrated for. Mr Mbatia is a freelance journalist – East Africamcmorrislaw@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1371018/-/125yru2z/-/index.html","content":"No, China will not usher in the Renaissance Africa dreams of - When the new Chinese-funded African Union headquarters was recently unveiled in Addis Ababa, Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema hailed the $200 million spectacle of marble and glass as “a reflection of the new Africa .” Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi called it a symbol “of the African renaissance.” Indeed China’s infrastructural push across Africa – taking the form of smooth highways, gleaming towers, and generic multi-purpose stadiums – can make for an uplifting contrast on a continent where a lack of infrastructure is estimated to shave off three percentage points of growth a year. But it’s a myth that Chinese infrastructure is opening Africa up to its economic potential, and it may in fact hinder it. As with the AU headquarters, many Chinese projects use Chinese labour and materials, minimising skills transfer and stunting local production. The sheer extent of Africa’s infrastructure needs poses another problem. The World Bank estimates that Africa will have to spend $93 billion a year to close its infrastructure deficit. It’s currently spending about half that, of which Chinese projects comprise 20 per cent. As a construction manager working in the Sudan and Ethiopia told me, “You finish one project and by the time the next one is done, the first one needs repairs.” This is limiting synergies and raising the host country’s cost burden. The scope of China’s projects do little to overcome this challenge; most are on a bilateral basis and are not accompanied by a realistic, long-term vision or investment plan. Here in Uganda , China is building a four-lane toll road from the capital to the airport and a hospital. Mostly, though, it’s undertaking prestige projects meant to gain influence with decision makers. There’s also a strong likelihood that Chinese interest in Africa’s infrastructure will wane in time. One, because China is not in Africa out of magnanimity, but rather to extract resources and boost its soft power reach; once secured, there will be less reason to invest in infrastructure. Two, because returns on infrastructure projects tend to be very long-term; and the economic and legal risks are high in many African countries. A number of Chinese-sponsored projects-– including an oil refinery in Angola, a dam in Namibia, and a railway in Nigeria-– have stalled due to funding or legal wrangles with the host partner. Once these projects are handed over, the host partner often lacks the culture of maintenance and funds to sustain them. One of China’s biggest infrastructural projects on the continent, the $500m Tan Zam Railway connecting Tanzania and Zambia, is instructive here. Completed in 1975, by 2008 it was reportedly “on the verge of collapse due to financial crisis.” Another problem is that Chinese projects too often respond to symptoms, not causes. Take the 100-bed Naguru Hospital the Chinese turned over to Uganda in January, meant to ease congestion at Mulago. Once a regional star, Mulago now as everyone knows frequently runs out of medicine and electricity. Patients lie in hallways. At the heart of this life-threatening dysfunction is corruption and mismanagement, something more financing won’t fix. Chinese plans often don’t look deeply enough at what ails Africa. In other words, China’s infrastructure projects, tangible and conspicuous, often obscure the continent’s more pressing needs from good governance to access to health and relevant education. Isaac Shinyekwa of the Economic Policy Research Centre at Makerere University sees foreign direct investment that cultivates local expertise and production as a greater force for development than Chinese infrastructure. “If we can’t add value to our products and export them, how will the infrastructure benefit us?” None of this is to suggest China’s infrastructural work on the continent is for naught, nor that only China will reap benefits. China’s $3.3 billion investment in ten hydropower projects across Africa could help boost the continent’s hydropower potential. Highways like the 16-lane one being built between Nairobi and the satellite town of Thika should boost efficiencies and productivity. The planned light rail in Addis Ababa should ease congestion. The Benguela Railway refinanced with Chinese money is improving commerce in Angola. But China won’t usher in the “renaissance” Africans are dreaming of – nor leave the legacy China is yearning for – unless it looks beyond concrete and steel to address Africa’s deeper needs. 1 | 2 Next Page»Ioannis Gatsiounis is an international author and journalist based in Kampala. igatsiounis@yahoo.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/Going-smart-with-waterproof-phones/-/688612/2604000/-/dw2mr2z/-/index.html","content":"Going smart with waterproof phones - As the cost of smartphones goes up, so has our wish to keep them safe, leading to purchasing of protective cases and more recently opting for waterproof phones that will a not be rendered useless in case they land in water.Most mobile phone manufacturers have made progress in making these appliances durable by using tougher materials and stronger glass. Manufacturers such as Sony have even made some of their newer smartphones fully waterproof. Other companies such as Samsung have also followed suit and made their newer versions waterproof too. However, these devices do not come cheap.According to www.trustedreviews.com, a technology forum, for a phone to be classified as water proof, it has to have an IP code. IP stands for Ingress Protection and is basically a rating system developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission, an organisation that prepares and publishes International Standards for all electrical, electronics and related technologies collectively known as “electro technology”. According to www.sonymobile.com, the IP rating is an international standard for measuring device levels of resistance to dust and water. The IP is made of two numbers and the first number in the two digit IP code which indicates the level of protection against solid objects such as dust. The second digit shows how resistant the device is to water. Dust-resistance levels go from 0 to 6 while water-resistance goes from 0 to 8. The higher up the scale, the better the smartphone is at offering protection. So if you have a smartphone that is IP68 certified, that means it is fully dust-proof and water-resistant. Wondering how you can find out what your phone IP address is, simple, go to your WiFi Settings, and hit Menu > Advanced. It’ll show up. The variations Meddie Nsubuga, director of Mr Gadget, says Samsung Galaxy S4 and Samsung Galaxy Note 4 have the same IP67 certification, which means according to the IP rating scale it is dust-proof and can be submerged underwater up to one metre depth for 30 minutes. However, all the ports on the phone must be sealed off not to allow water to get into the phone. The Galaxy S4 is about Shs1.6m in most Samsung shops while the Galaxy Note 4 costs about Shs1.9m. According to techradar.com, a tech website, the Sony Xperia Z1 and Sony Xperia Z2 and the XperiaZ3 are also water proof phones. The Xperia Z2 has a protection rating of IP55 while Xperia Z3 has IP58. The more recent Z3 has IP68. This affords it protection against water jets, and from total, continuous submersion beyond one metre. At Sony World you can get Xperia Z1 at Shs1.3m, Z2 at 1.6m and the Z3 at Shs1.8m. Lagging behindUnfortunately, for iPhone fanatics, these appliances are not yet water resistant. However, all hope is not lost yet. Nsubuga says you can invest in a phone case such as the sealed cases that have a IP68 rating that will then allow you to keep your phone safe. At Mr Gadget, you can purchase such cases at Shs100,000. It is recommended that you have this fixed by a professional to ensure it is properly sealed before testing it out in water. How to protect your smartphone If you have a smartphone that is not water resistant, take note of the following;•Keep your smartphone in a waterproof case.•Don’t swim or bathe with your smartphone.•Store your smartphone indoors in a dry place away from water sources.•Before you touch your smartphone, wipe your hands so they are as dry and clean as possible.•If you’re using your smartphone outside and it’s raining, protect it under an umbrella, or keep it inside a waterproof pocket or bag and use a headset.•If you’re exercising with your smartphone, protect it from sweat. Immediately wipe off any sweat you see on the surface with a soft dry cloth.•If your smartphone’s surface gets wet or damp, pat off all surface moisture with a soft dry cloth.•When cleaning the surface of your smart phone, use a dry or slightly damp (not wet) soft cloth. If using a damp cloth, use a soft dry cloth afterward to remove all traces of moisture.•If you think that water may have seeped inside your smartphone, turn it off and remove the battery. Remove external devices too, such as the SIM card. This will prevent damaging the phone’s circuits and battery corrosion. Next take it to a mobile device repair shop for professional cleaning to ensure that all water is removed.digitaltrends.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/WHAT-HAPPENED-TO-THE-KOREAN-SHIP-/-/691232/2290592/-/13o7ehu/-/index.html","content":"WHAT HAPPENED TO THE KOREAN SHIP? - It is now over a week since the ill-fated South Korean ship, Sewol, sank. With hopes of any more rescues of the still missing passengers dwindling, questions on what happened take centre stage. What caused the ship to suddenly grind to a halt, and immediately start sinking? How come so few of those on board were rescued despite the communication gadgets being still functional and rescue teams arriving on the scene before the ship had gone underwater? The superstitious may find a link between this and the Titanic’s sinking which incidentally happened 102 years ago on April 14, two days before the Sewol sank. Comparisons between the two ships came up almost as soon as the news broke, and before the ship even submerged. But if the Titanic taught the world anything, it is that, yes ships however big do sink and there is always a reason besides fate. And sometimes it happens fast, too fast to save majority of the passengers.Livescience.com says the sudden sinking of huge vessels such as the 6825-tonne (6.8 million kilogrammes) Sewol could be brought about by a number of things including running aground and hitting the ocean floor or cargo shifting, causing it to capsize to one side. The first theoriesThe first pictures of the now sank ship show it severely tilted with one side already in the water. From a transcription of a conversation between a member of crew and control towers on two islands near the location of the accident, the ship tilted to one side sharply and started taking in water. “The ship is too tilted for people to move,” the crew member who has not yet been identified, told the control tower just a few minutes after what is said was the time the ship ground to a halt. What later emerged as the first distress call made by one of the students to the fire department which in turn forwarded him to the coast guard, gives an idea of how fast the situation escalated. “Help us. We are on a ship and I think it is sinking,” Reuters reported quoting him from Yonhap news agency which first broke the news.Initial reports said survivors and a number of the 339 high school students on board who managed to communicate to their parents via text reported hearing a loud noise or a bang. “The ship ran into something and it’s not moving,” a message sent by one student to a parent read in part as reported by BBC.This fuelled speculation that the ship hit something that tore out a part of the hull causing it to start taking water. A reef or the ocean floor were suspected to be the problem but the theory has since been discredited as the captain reportedly denied hitting any reef. By the end of last week that theory had pretty much been argued out. ABC news reported last Friday that while the route the ship was taking was known to have rocky shoals and shallow reefs, South Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said the ship sank at a place the water was over 30 metres deep and the ship’s hull was not anywhere close to the ocean floor.Reuters reported the now disgraced captain, Lee Jun-Seok, who was among the first people to abandon ship, mumbled something to the effect that there was a mistake while executing a turn and steering gear which might have broken. There have been several reports of the 20-year-old Japan-made ship making a series of sharp turns just before it started foundering. Apparently, the ship’s Captain was not at the controls at the time things went awry and the ship was being steered by an inexperienced 26-year-old third mate who it turns out had not navigated those waters before. Only identified by her surname Park, she has since denied making any sharp turns saying she made a normal turn but the ship turned too much. A story carried by The Independent on Tuesday reported that investigators have found out the ship did not turn sharply before capsizing and there had been an error analysing the first data as it was incomplete. The ship reportedly made a gentler turn before it capsized. The latest theoryThe line now seems to be taking a theory brought forward earlier but was ignored, of renovations to expand the ships capacity affecting the ship’s centre of gravity. Arirang News gives a detailed explanation of why this theory is more plausible saying with the renovations, the ship’s capacity for cargo was just 1,000 tonnes (one million kilogrammes) but it is believed to have been carrying about 3600 tonnes (3.6 million kilogrammes) when it went down.These reports take us back to where we started. It is still a mystery of what happened to that ship that sent many to death. It may take a while to figure out what caused the disaster. In the meantime, it holds the world at attention. Come to think about it, in that way, the Sewol’s disaster is similar to the famous Titanic that sank 102 years ago. what went wrong?The president of South Korea Park Geun Hye did not mince her words when she visited the relatives of the dead and missing. She said the actions of the captain and other crew members during the disaster were akin to murder. Her comments more or less placed the 104 confirmed deaths and possibly 150 others still believed to be trapped within the ship on the captain and his mates.The now infamous Joon Seok is said to have plotted a route out of the recommended one. According to the messages some of the students sent to loved ones, they were ordered to stay put in their cabins even as it became more apparent the ship was in serious trouble. By the time the first responders arrived about 30 minutes after the ship made a mayday call to nearby coast guards, the ship was almost vertically on its starboard side and passengers who had been asked to stay wherever they were, were trapped and unable to move. Divers who have been bringing up bodies since they broke through the submerged hull have reported how they have found most of bodies converged on the second and third decks hinting that the passengers may have gathered in certain places as the ship went down. 1 | 2 Next Page»Only two of the 46 lifeboats on the ferry were deployed and criticism poured out on the captain’s claims that he delayed giving an order to abandon ship as he was concerned the passengers were unlikely to survive in the very cold water and strong currents until they were rescued.CNN reported a first mate to one of the distress calls first responders as saying, “If the passengers had jumped into the water sooner, more people could have been rescued.” Recent passenger ship disastersThe MS Estonia. The ship was sailing from Estonia across the Baltic sea en route to Sweden with 989 passengers on board on September 28, 1994. About 20 minutes into the voyage the ship tilted to starboard side. In moments it was practically impossible to move inside the ship which was fast taking water. A power outage made it impossible for the ship to give its position delaying rescue. Only those who were on the deck were rescued. There were only 137 survivors. MV Le Joola. This was a Senegalese government owned vessel plying the country’s southern cost and its capital Dakar. At around 11.00pm on September 26, 2002 it ran into a storm around the Gambian coast and capsized dumping cargo and passengers into the sea. Le Joola was designed to carry 580 passengers but on this trip had around 2000. Only one lifeboat had been deployed with 25 people. Over 1800 perished in the sea and majority of those who survived the sea survivors were rescued by fishermen who responded in the night. Government rescue teams only showed up the next morning. Al Salaam Boccacio. On the of February 2, 2006 a fire broke out on the ferry which was heading from Saudi Arabia enroute to Egypt .The ferry then sank killing over 1000 of the estimated 1400 passengers. The ship reportedly sailed on for 90 minutes since the first sign of trouble which had occurred just a little ways after leaving port in Saudi Arabia. Princess of the Stars. This ship was carrying over 800 hundred passengers to the Philippine city of Cebu on June 21, 2008 when it ran into a typhoon and sank. Only 32 people survived, and majority of the bodies of those presumed dead or missing were never found. What if this had happened in Uganda?How would Uganda cope if a similar incident occurred to a vessel 2.7 kilometres from the shore of one of the large water bodies within the country?The commander of Marine division Uganda Police Service Senior Superintendent Engineer James Apora says his department has very highly trained divers and diving equipment for water rescue operation. “That is how we were able to respond to the Lake Albert incident last month and rescued 108 and eight bodies within the time were able to,” he said. But he admits that there are challenges that would make it difficult to respond to a water disaster on the scale of the South Korea ferry sinking.The divers Apora can put his money on are 25, highly accomplished deep sea divers and they are the ones who are spread over the major water bodies in the whole country. They would be an integral part of any rescue operation on water, be it in rescue or body recovery. Needless to say, they are spread thin. So are the speed boats which are meant to be dispatched on an emergency response. Apora says the department got two new ones recently.He talks of a lack of proper landing facilities in many areas the response and rescue teams are stationed which is why the boats are not dispatched there. So for those far off bases, the marine team makes do with the 75 horse power engines. There are the ones the team of Police divers used in the Lake Albert incident. “We also try to work with the local communities and our divers are always ready to work with the available equipment,” he said.The emergency response teams are currently stationed at the gazette landing sites in major water bodies. “But many of the landing sites that have been established in recent years have not been gazette and we have no stations there. But we are in most of the islands on lake Victoria and the major landing sites as well as near ferry docking points,” said Apora. Distance between response stations is vast. Lake Albert which had the most recent casualty has only one station. Even Lake Victoria which has several stations owing to its numerous landing sites and islands is not nearly properly covered. “As you know some of these places are very far apart,” said Apora.And the final nail in the coffin, an air response component to the emergency response by the 15 year old division is non-existent. We are just working to have an air rescue aircraft,” said Apora. cwanjala@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Meeting-the-Bujagali-seer/-/691232/2284648/-/wp9fiq/-/index.html","content":"Meeting the Bujagali seer - Tracing Dada Budhagali’s home was easy, as he is known by many in Budhagali village, Budondo Sub-county, Jinja District. In fact, one motorcyclist said he would take me directly to the home of the 84-year-old Nabamba Budhagali, the 39th caretaker of the once famous Budhagali (Bujagali) Falls. When I finally reach the place, I am welcomed by an elderly woman who also works in the shrine. At Nabamba’s place, that has five shrines named after spirits from Busoga, business is as usual. Five “patients” are seen in the compound, some on mats under the trees, others seated on the verandah. I had to wait a short while before seeing him because Dada (grandfather), as he is referred to, was attending to a “patient”. My efforts to chat with them were fruitless. Entering the shrineAs is the tradition, I am requested to remove my shoes as I enter the shrine. I am a bit apprehensive due to the dusty floor, but gladly, I am ushered to an orange tarpaulin, which works as a red carpet of sorts heading to the spiritualist. My stomach feels strange and my palms are sweaty. Having many negative opinions about witch doctors stamped on my mind, I am terrified. My guide, as if sensing my uneasiness, tries to put me at ease by letting me know that this particular shrine is not dark. Inside the shrine Inside the main shrine, said to be the “home” of Budhagali, Nabamba is clad in a blue shirt and army green trouser with his full traditional attire of bark cloth and beads, wrapped around him. A look at things, it is evident that Nabamba is still in control and has maintained his spiritual status up the present three years after his relocation from the falls. Smoke and heat swirls around the room as I make my way in. A fire place for lighting Nabamba’s smoke pipe, one of the tools he uses to call on the spirits keeps a glow all the time. As I sit down to start the interview, Nabamba grabs a small black pipe. He then drops herbs into the pipe, before adding a hot piece of charcoal. He quickly starts blowing it my direction. In addition to the smoke, there are four decaying rats, which smell terribly. The stench is unpleasant but I have to brave the moment. Coughing, and squinting of teary eyes are to be the highlights of my interview. He tells me that the place has about 30 spirits and while I can see five shrines, there are many more invisible ones. His patients, I learn, visit the visible shrines depending on the spirits they want to consult. Life after the dam construction Until 2011, Nabamba was one of the most influential traditionalists in the country. However, when he lost the battle over the construction of Bujagali Dam, many, who believed in his powers, lost faith in the spiritualist. The oracle skipped the spirit re-location rituals. “As a spiritual leader of Budhagali, it was upon me to advise the government and those that were constructing the dam. Much as everyone thought I was against development, I was not. All we wanted as traditionalists was to preserve our site,” he says in reference to being looked upon as a saboteur of the dam project. For several years now, Nabamba’s mystical powers have been a tale told in Uganda and yonder. Until about 2005, he was believed to be so powerful that he could sail across the famous Bujagali cascades on a piece of bark cloth. His father, from whom he is believed to have inherited the powers, is believed to have often ridden a motorcycle over the waters to the western banks of the River Nile, where he is believed to have had a harem of concubines. Not proven, of course. Such are the tales about Nabamba that he has remained a powerful, if not mysterious figure, around the Budhagali area. The power of the spiritsAsked the whereabouts of his spirits after the construction of the power dam, he rhetorically responds. “Who said the dam washed away the spirits? Of course not, the Budhagali spirit still reigns on the dam. Our only worry was annoying the spirits, the same way I believe was the case. That is why you see all the problems affecting Busoga and Uganda are partly a result of failure to obey the spirits. Nevertheless, one should never lie to you that the spirits can ever be washed away. 1 | 2 Next Page»Our spirits are still there and are still working very hard to save the community. Even as we talk now, our spirits are looking upon us to guide and protect us. So no one should be worried that our fathers are not working.”Nabamba claims he treats his patients using the powers from the spirits. Trying, however, has been the fact that the vegetation from which he derives his medicines was affected. “After the construction of the dam, many trees were cut, bringing down the number of herbals we give to clients. In the jungles of Budhagali Forest, one would find every kind of root as would be directed by the spirits, but now I have to look for herbs elsewhere,” says Nabamba. Opportunists have also taken advantage to lure some of his would be clients. As he goes about his trade, the oracle laments the changed status quo. About the bujagali falls and its spiritsWhat it is. Bujagali Falls (also spelled Budhagali) was a waterfall near Jinja in Uganda where the Nile River comes out of Lake Victoria, popularly known as the source of the Nile. Starting November 2011, the falls were submerged by the new Bujagali Dam. Importance. Bujagali Falls has for long been held as spiritually important by people living in the area of Busoga. It was named after the River spirit called “Budhagali”. This spirit has manifested itself in more than 30 human spiritual leaders. It is claimed that to be the new spiritual leader, one was given a task of floating across the river on a piece of bark cloth to demonstrate one’s magical powers. If one managed to perform this task successful, then one was acclaimed as the new spiritual leader and given the title “Mandwa Budhagali”, meaning being reincarnated by the Budhagali spirit. The installation ceremony took place in the presence of other spiritual leaders, the local chiefs and the residents. Nabamba Budhagali. In early 1970, the ceremony saw the installation of the 39th Dada or caretaker of the once famous Budhagali Falls. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/The-new-Hilux-is-up-to-task/-/688614/2272692/-/swinv8z/-/index.html","content":"The new Hilux is up to task - Back in 2003, Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson set out to disprove the “myth” that the Toyota Hilux is indestructible. So he devised a series of “challenges” that the Hilux needed to pass in order to be declared truly invincible. This British motoring journalist who I believe might really just be a demolition expert then proceeded to utterly and comprehensively destroy that poor Hilux. First, he dropped an entire caravan on it from about 50 metres. Then he drove it down a flight of stairs, deliberately crashed it, into not one, but several solid walls, and then into a tree. (The local church slapped a hefty fine on him for that. Turns out It was a very old, very valuable tree). He was just getting warmed upHe then sent a wrecking ball through it, parked it in the ocean for about six hours, set it on fire, and then, just for good measure, demolished a building on top of it. Surely, no vehicle can survive such a battering. And yet with a few minor repairs and no spare parts added whatsoever, the pick-up was running. You might think I am making this up but I promise you, I am not. On this back drop, I set out to test the new Hilux. Is it still the tough, indefatigable marathoner it was billed to be? Obviously, I cannot think of any insurance company that would be insane enough to cover wanton destruction, and I do not have $44,000 (about Shs112m) clamouring to be spent, so the tests were going to be pretty standard. What Toyota Uganda gave me was the 2013 model. A 2.5 litre, turbo charged straight four with a five speed manual gearbox. I have got to say, it looks good. Toyota obviously took their time to improve the aesthetics. But make no mistake. Vehicles do not get any more macho than this. My imagination tells me, if this were a man, he would be a big beer drinking rugby player, that lists slapping contests and free for all street brawling as his favourite pastimes. The one we tested had been altered by an Australian company named Minecorp. They take the Hilux and pump it full with safety equipment specific for the mining industry. It came with snorkels for when the engine is submerged under water, titanium enforced roll cages, fire extinguishers, a spare wheel carrier and lots of extras you will definitely not find in a normal road vehicle. Everything else however, like engine size, performance and interior is pretty much the same as the standard pickup. In the basic model that Minecorp has not touched, you even get a few toys to play with like the Bluetooth connectivity.Handling As far as handling is concerned, the chassis is solid, and because the Hilux is not too high riding, cornering at speed does not challenge your sense of self preservation. The steering wheel, though a bit weighty, still manages to chuck the car into corners with relative ease and there is hardly any body roll to write home about. It really is easy to drive. The gear changes are also fluid, the clutch is soft and the brakes are responsive, but not in that uncomfortable way that threatens to send you through the windshield.Ample space What’s more, you get acres of leg room at the back so you can fit three properly sized people there in relative comfort. I daresay, the seats in this Hilux may even be more comfortable than the bucket seats in that Fortuner I drove recently. Not a rosy affair all through There are a few drawbacks though, chief among them being ride comfort. When you inevitably hit a delightfully bad patch of road, you are going to notice. There is a reason for this. At the front, you get that complex, but very efficient double wishbone suspension. At the back however, because this vehicle is going to be carrying weight throughout its lifetime, you get spring leaf shock absorbers. These are the kind you find on light trucks and lorries. They look like five or six flat steel bars set on top of each other. They are extremely durable, but you pay the price for durability with a very bouncy ride at the back. No luxuries Also, and I might be nitpicking here, I felt a hint of turbo lag. Vehicles with turbo chargers sometimes suffer from this. When you are fully on the accelerator, the turbo charger is supposed to give you more power, but it takes about two seconds to kick in. The interior is also pretty basic. You do not get too many luxuries, but that is because of the kind of vehicle you are buying and what you are going to use if for. This is not a luxury accessory by a mile. It is not a status symbol or something you buy out of ostentation. What you are getting is a workhorse with lots of pedigree. This is a pickup that is going to run on forever and yet hold onto its value. It will carry and haul massive loads, take all kinds of beatings for years and consume so little fuel you will think the fuel gauge is broken. I think this Hilux lives up to its billing."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/-/688342/2092194/-/yi2kr9z/-/index.html","content":"Kyazanga struggles to provide social services - Lwengo- Kyazanga Town Council, located on the Masaka/ Mbarara highway, is struggling to provide social services to its rapidly growing population. According to the town council chairperson, Mr Abdul Rashid Mulindwa, the official population figure is 13,000 as given by the 2002 census. He, however, says: “Today we believe that the population is well over 40,000 and we are not even quite sure of how many households we are supposed to provide social services to since we don’t have current official figures.” The town is facing a water shortage crisis. A facility in Nakateete Ward, which was commissioned four years ago, cannot provide enough water for the residents of the town. This has compelled the town authorities to ration piped water, which is given to the wards in phases. Each ward receives piped water for a day while others are cut off. A 20-litre jerrycan of water from the public water system costs Shs300. Vendors, who get water from Kyazanga Dam, a few kilometres away from the town, sell a 20-litre jerrycan at between Shs500 to Shs700. The town is also facing shortage of public toilets. The town clerk, Mr Badru Mayanja, attributes the absence of public toilet facilities to lack of organised administration among the people who first settled in the place. “Everyone planned for their personal buildings and they never imagined that the place would grow into the commercial centre it has become today,” he says.Mr Mayanja says most parts of the commercial centre are in a valley where rain water collects during the rainy season, making it difficult to construct and maintain pit-latrines. “The soil composition does not favour pit-latrine construction. Some of the buildings and actually many latrines, get submerged in rainwater during the wet season,” he says. He adds that the town authority does not have funds to construct suitable type of toilets. Due to shortage of public toilets, some people have restored to easing themselves behind buildings and by the roadsides. This has caused concern of a possible outbreak of diseases such as cholera and typhoid. The town seems to have only one public toilet facility in Central Ward. The town also faces a water drainage problem. During the rainy season, there is a lot of stagnant water almost everywhere between buildings and behind them, which facilitates breeding of disease-spreading mosquitos. The town’s rapid population growth has come with urban evils such as prostitution and drug abuse. The Lwengo District chairperson, Mr George Mutabaazi, has often called for increased police vigilance to trading in and abuse of drugs such as marijuana, especially in the Central Ward. Commercial sex workers are often seen in the evening around drinking joints. They often give the impression of being bar clients and seep slowly at their drinks as they wait to begin a conversation with a prospective clients.Mr Mayanja is of the view that the whole town should be redesigned by perhaps the Local Government buying all the land from the present private owners and have the entire town planned anew. Mr Mulindwa wants the Ministry of Health to help with the construction of public toilets. He said the town, whose annual budget is about Shs500 million, cannot afford to construct the recommended eco-sun public toilets. 1 | 2 Next Page»But he is optimistic that most of the challenges facing Kyazanga Town are the problems of a young town which are by no means insurmountable. Growth of Kyazanga Town Kyazanga’s commercial development is said to have started with a small cluster of roadside shops a few years after Uganda’s Independence. Kyazanga is a name of a town as well as the entire area stretching tens of square miles around the town. It is impossible to talk exhaustively about the town without talking about its neighborhood. Origin of nameThe name Kyazanga is said to have stemmed from the area’s initial failure to sustain cattle keeping due to its chronic water shortage. Pastoralists from Ankole region would drive their cattle there lured by the presence of green nutritious grass in the rainy season only to recede later after realising that the area lacked water to sustain the cows. They called the place Kyazanga which in Runyankole means: “It has rejected them--the cattle.” ResidentsThe colonial government constructed Kyazanga Dam, which taps rainwater and keeps it throughout the year, and it is that dam that made Kyazanga more habitable to the cattle keepers who later diverted their farming activities to include crop production. The people are of mixed tribe --- Baganda, Banyankole, Bakiga and Banyarwanda. They grow bananas, Irish potatoes, maize, beans, onions, cabbages, and ground nuts, among other crops which they take to Kyazanga Town, where traders from Juba, Kampala, and other towns buy them, especially on Thursday, the main market day.Most analysts attribute the town’s growth to the presence of the highway that passes through it and the market. CommerceWhen the farmers sell their produce in the market, they get money to spend and so some people have set up shops over the years to sell to the farmers the items that they need. Some entrepreneurs have put up bars, lodges, and restaurants.Some of the traders have to spend the night in the town and they need comfortable accommodation. Nowadays, heavy commercial vehicles carrying merchandise to Rwanda, Burundi and the DRC stop over for the night, which has invited more investment in the hospitality industry --lodges and guest houses. Today Jovia Hotel, a little upon the hill and away from the main road, is the town’s largest hotel. Kyazanga is the birth place of prominent people such as Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander, Andrew Felix Kaweesi, and Kyaddondo East MP, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda. It is represented in parliament by Mr Abdu Kitatta (Bukoto West), who replaced Mr Mulindwa Bilimumaaso, now a hotelier in Kalangala District and presidential adviser. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/The-mystery-of-Pakistan-s-new-quake-island/-/688340/2008584/-/10kvq6h/-/index.html","content":"The mystery of Pakistan's new quake island - A small island created in the Arabian Sea by the huge earthquake that hit southwest Pakistan has fascinated locals but experts say it is unlikely to last long. The 7.7-magnitude quake struck on Tuesday in Baluchistan’s remote Awaran district, killing more than 200 people and affecting hundreds of thousands. Off the coastline near the port of Gwadar, some 400 kilometers from the epicenter, locals were astonished to see a new piece of land surface from the waves. “It is not a small thing, but a huge thing which has emerged from under the water,” Gwadar resident Muhammad Rustam told AFP. “It looked very, very strange to me and also a bit scary because suddenly a huge thing has emerged from the water.” Mohammad Danish, a marine biologist from Pakistan’s National Institute of Oceanography, said a team of experts had visited the island and found methane gas rising. “Our team found bubbles rising from the surface of the island which caught fire when a match was lit and we forbade our team to start any flame. It is methane gas,” Danish said on GEO television news. The island is about 18 to 21 meters high, up to 91 feet wide and up to 36 meters long, he said. It sits about 200 meters away from the coast. Gary Gibson, a seismologist with Australia’s University of Melbourne, said the new island was likely to be a “mud volcano,” created by methane gas forcing material upwards during the violent shaking of the earthquake. “It’s happened before in that area but it’s certainly an unusual event, very rare,” Gibson told AFP, adding that it was “very curious” to see such activity some 400 kilometers from the quake’s epicenter. The so-called island is not a fixed structure but a body of mud that will be broken down by wave activity and dispersed over time, the scientist said. A similar event happened in the same area in 1945 when an 8.1-magnitude earthquake at Makran triggered the formation of mud volcanoes off Gwadar. Professor Shamim Ahmed Shaikh, chairman of the department of geology at Karachi University, said the island, which has not been named, would disperse within a couple of months. He said it happens along the Makran coast because of the complex relationship between tectonic plates in the area. Pakistan sits close to the junction of three plates - the Indian, Arabian and Eurasian. “About a year back an island of almost similar size had surfaced at the similar distance from the coast in the Makran region. This would disperse in a week to a couple of months,” Shaikh told AFP. 1 | 2 Next Page»Gibson said the temporary island was very different from the permanent uplift seen during major “subduction zone” earthquakes, where plate collisions force the Earth’s crust suddenly and sometimes dramatically upwards. For example, in the massive 9.5-magnitude earthquake in Chile in 1960 - known as the world’s largest ever - whole fishing villages were thrust “several meters” upwards and wharves suddenly located hundreds of meters inland, Gibson said. Such uplift events are relatively common in the Pacific’s so-called “Ring of Fire,” a hotbed of seismic and volcanic activity at the junction of several tectonic plates. A thundering 8.0-magnitude quake in the Solomon Islands in 2007 thrust Ranogga Island upwards by three meters, exposing submerged reefs once popular with divers and killing the vibrant corals, expanding the shoreline outwards by several meters in the process. During the massive 9.2-magnitude earthquake off Sumatra which triggered a devastating tsunami across the Indian Ocean in 2004, several islands were pushed upwards while others subsided into the ocean. The Aceh coast dropped permanently by one meter while Simeulue Island was lifted by as much as 1.5 meters, exposing the surrounding reef which became the island’s new fringe. online@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/A-people-that-keep-a-low-profile/-/689856/1856304/-/vfyflgz/-/index.html","content":"A people that keep a low profile - It is 5.30pm on a Tuesday evening. Exhausted and disappointed, Sheila Petel and a group of three other girls head out for a late lunch at one of their canteens at John Garang Memorial Hostel located just a few metres away from Kampala International University (KIU). The hostel is a residence to various foreign students studying at the University. Petel, a 25-year-old Zulu South African and her colleagues had just come out from an examination paper which she admits was quite a tough one.“Everything that I read did not come,” she says in a sad and heavy tone. “I just want to eat something, go rest and then prepare for another paper which I have tomorrow morning,” she adds. Even in such a somber mood, Petel still manages to open up a conversation. First, she introduces her three friends to me. The trio is Ugandan. The South African mentions that the reason why the three girls are her close friends is because they are very friendly. “Most people in this country are very approachable and that is why I found it easy to bond with these girls,” she says. Petel came to Uganda three years ago to join her mother, also a South African who works as a marketer in one of the telecom companies. “My mother came to Uganda about 10 years ago on a job transfer. I did not come with her at that time because I was not yet ready to leave my country,” she explains. Petel reveals there are very few South African students in Uganda. A rare communityInfact, unlike other foreign communities living in Uganda, South Africans are fewer. My visits to the South African Embassy in Nakasero to see if the Cultural Attaché could help me identify some South African families living in the country were futile. A tip from some friends however led me to some of their favourite hangout spots. One of the prominent bars around Kampala, Fat Boys, which is situated in Kisementi, a Kampala suburb, is where some usually take time off to relax after a day’s work. I met Peter Baker Simmons, a South African Business Consultant there. Simmons, a resident of Muyenga, says one of the reasons why he loves hanging out at the bar is because that is one of the favourite drinking joints for other South Africans. “As a foreigner living and working in this country, at times it gets lonely for me since my family is back home. Therefore, I hang out at the bar with the intention of meeting my other country mates just to have a chat with them about home,” he explains. Simmons has been staying in Uganda for the past five years. He attributes the less crime rate levels as one of the reasons that has made him stay in the country for this long. “There are even days I take late night walks alone without worrying that someone is going to attack and snatch something away from me,” he says. Unlike Uganda, the 47-year-old reveals that the crime levels in his country are very alarming. “People are always stealing and killing others back in South Africa and this happens both during day and night,” he says. The most gruesome crime incident that gripped him the most was that of the late South African Rastafarian musician, Lucky Dude who was killed by car hijackers in October 2007. “I was very saddened by Lucky Dube’s death. If they were really after his nice car, they would have just stolen it and let the man go,” he says sadly. “The late Lucky Dube would still be dishing out very good music if those men had spared his life,” he adds. An inquisitive lotDickson Davis Emolu, a Ugandan Waiter at the bar says some of the South Africans he has related with on a few occasions are very friendly and inquisitive people.“They ask a lot questions especially about the different Ugandan cultures and tribes,” he says. Just like Simmons, Anderson Nieu, another South African I found chatting with a group of friends at Just Kicking, another hangout joint adjacent to Fat Boys, loves the tranquility in the country. “I love having my holidays in Uganda because it is very peaceful and has all sorts of magnificent landscapes as well,” he says. Nieu may be in love with the serenity in the country, but his words are not kind enough when he mentions the state of the Ugandan roads.“The roads here are very bad. There are potholes everywhere,” he says. Nieu says this is different back home where most roads are smoothly covered with tarmac. Lovers of game meatJean Marie, an Afrikaan who has been living in Entebbe for the past one year with her husband explains that pap is just one of them. “Pap is simply soft white posho made from maize that various South Africans love to eat with a combination of either sour milk or with barbeque such as meat, chicken, steak, beef and sausages,” she says. Marie mentions that the preparation process of pap is just like any other way of preparing posho only that this one is made softer by putting in a bit of more water.Another delicacy which she says most South Africans love, is game meat which they commonly refer to as Biltong. “It is mostly meat that most South Africans enjoy either roasted or boiled,” she says. In the past, Marie states that most natives loved sun drying the biltong before eating it. Boerowors which is a kind of big and round sausage either made out of meat or chicken is another favourite food among the South Africans.Because of the enormous size that the boerowors has, most people love serving it at social functions. 1 | 2 Next Page»Since the delicacies are quite rare in the country, Marie states that most of her fellow South Africans go to buy the food stuffs at various Game and Shoprite Ugandan outlets where the food items are sold.Besides local foods, Marie mentions that South Africans also love eating junk food. These include French fries which we Ugandans commonly refer to as chips, burgers, sausages and deep fried chicken. In fact, Marie mentions that back home in various provinces, most restaurants serve most of these junk foods items.Here in Uganda, some of the fast food restaurants where one will find this category of South African junk lovers are Steers and Nandos.Otherwise, she mentions mashed Irish potatoes and rice prepared in any form as other favourite delicacies of the South Africans.In case you have interacted with a native South African on numerous occasions, one thing that you will appreciate is the way they pronounce certain words. A distinct tongueBarbara Nekesa, the Managing Director of Dress em Rite, a clothing store that mainly deals in children and women’s garments from South Africa, who stayed in the country from 1991 to 1996, says most of her South African friends pronounce certain words in a totally different way. “If a word starts with the letter X, they mention it with a clicking sound,” she says. Also, their V is pronounced as F. “For example if the word is valley, they do not read it as that. Instead, they mention it as Falley,”Nekesa explains.The other letter is W which is pronounced as V as well as J which is read as Y. She finds this intriguing because such words always capture her attention instantly whenever she is talking to a South African. As much as there is a diversity of cultures in South Africa, Linda Ndhola, another South African who has lived in Uganda for a period of two years states that various cultures are slowly being submerged because of influence of urbanisation. “Most South Africans nowadays speak English and not their native mother tongues. There is also the case of intermarriages between some of whites and blacks,” he says. Regarding religion, she states that the majority are Catholics, Protestants as well as followers of the Zion Church which is abbreviated to ZCC. When it comes to traditional wear, the women adorn necklaces that reach up to their breasts as well as wrists and ankles. The men on the other hand may put on a piece of hide on any cloth that they may be wearing at that particular time. The Zulu and Xhosa men are known to cover themselves with cheetah skin when attending certain social gatherings even weddings. eoluka@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Muntu-settles-into-FDC-top-job-amid-challenges/-/689844/1669702/-/354shm/-/index.html","content":"Muntu settles into FDC top job amid challenges - In his early 20s, a young Gregory Mugisha Muntu walked out of his last examination paper at Makerere University and trekked tens of kilometres to join a budding rebel group that was to take power five years later. That was in 1981. An unlikely recruit, according to many who knew him, given his family’s connections with the then government, Gen. Muntu was to emerge from the bush to head the powerful Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence before becoming the army commander – before clocking 30 - a position he held for nearly nine years. At least two decades later, Gen. Muntu has moved on. After disagreeing with his former Commander-in-Chief, Gen. Muntu is now in the opposition and was in November elected president, not of the party or system he fought to bring to power, but the Forum for Democratic Change. As president of FDC, Gen. Muntu, who retired at the rank of Major General (many think he would have commanded a higher rank had he either stayed in the army or retired to a quieter existence), replaced another war-time comrade, Col (Rtd.) Kiiza Besigye. Well-fought battle To rise to the helm of the country’s biggest party in opposition (on the strength of votes garnered at the last two general elections and number of elected officials), Gen. Muntu fought a gruelling battle. But his victory was overshadowed by cries of foul play from his main opponent, Mr Nathan Nandala Mafabi, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament. After a quiet December, Gen. Muntu started to emerge from the shadows of the controversy into his new role, announcing what appeared to be a major departure from the character the party has built over the last years as a militant and confrontational outfit that battled State security agencies in street battles, with Dr Besigye at the forefront. According to Mr Francis Mwijukye, a member of the party publicity committee, under Gen. Muntu’s leadership, the party wants to “focus more on what it is for as opposed to what it is against”. Mr Christopher Kibanzanga, the secretary in the party president’s office, notes: “Under the leadership of Gen. Muntu, we are planning to rebrand the party, in the rebranding we are trying to redefine it on the basis of the ideological, political outlook on what we want to do for the country as opposed to exposing the rot.” Mr Kibanzanga, a former MP for Busongora South, argues that the FDC’s focus on exposing the rot has run its course. “Previously, we concentrated too much on pointing to the ills and we succeeded, it’s no longer us talking, it’s now other people,” Mr Kibanzanga says. He adds that the party’s focus will be to pick from its platform a few specific policy ideas and party principles that will be summarised and packaged in small consumable beats that will become the key talking points for the party. Ms Alice Alaso, FDC’s secretary general, says the move to rebrand is in part an effort to “cope with the times.” Though Ms Alaso does not explain exactly what she means, for a party whose members have been repeatedly battered and arrested in fights with the police during demonstrations, coping with the times could easily be interpreted to mean a realisation that street engagement is not a winner and cannot win the desired change the FDC and its founders have been pushing for. Fundamental challenge The position, if true, could present the fundamental challenge that the post-Besigye leadership at the top FDC faces. Despite having two years on his term, Dr Besigye opted to retire early, announcing that he felt more comfortable engaging in civil activity, challenging the regime and particularly the police for the cringed space for the public. The two apparent divergent positions between Gen. Muntu’s approach and that of his immediate predecessor raises the question observers have put across about whether there will be two FDCs in one and how deep a hole Dr Besigye leaves in the brand of FDC he had built is. A section of party supporters, especially those who supported the candidature of Mr Mafabi, feared that under Gen. Muntu, FDC would be turned into another meek opposition party like older parties, especially the UPC and CP. This group preferred Mr Mafabi whom they say embodied Dr Besigye’s militant style. Gen. Muntu supporters, on the one hand, say his perceived weakness is utterly misplaced, saying behind the calm and quiet individual lies a tough and organised persona now seeking to build the party as an institution. Party secretary for research Augustine Ruzindana is still mourning the fallout within party ranks over allegations of electoral malpractice, which followed Gen. Muntu’s assent to power. He says the ruckus that followed forced Gen. Muntu to move more cautiously, saying it presented a “restraining aspect”. “Our assessment was that the change of leadership (from Besigye to Muntu) was well received by the public but got undermined by the fallout,” Mr Ruzindana, a party elder, observes. “We didn’t want to lose the momentum,” he says, suggesting the tight work plan that Gen. Muntu has now rolled out was meant to partly catch up with lost time, especially in December. To sell his new ideas, Gen. Muntu has held meetings with, first, the four deputy presidents, on January 7, in Kampala, all mayors elected under the party flag in Mbale, on January 11, which was followed by a meeting with the party caucus in Parliament at the party headquarters, while other meetings are to follow. 1 | 2 Next Page»While the party chairman, Mr Sam Njuba, announced a committee to investigate claims of electoral malpractice raised by Mr Mafabi after the November elections, Gen. Muntu has for now decided to retain Mr Mafabi as Leader of Opposition in Parliament. As Gen. Muntu begins to ease into his new position and fit into the big shoes of Dr Besigye, the elephant in the room, this newspaper understands that the party does not want to discuss what happens in 2016. Will Gen. Muntu, whose popularity has shot up as a potential candidate in the General Election offer himself or engage in a third duel with Dr Besigye who is yet to rule himself out of contention? It is a question the party must resolve. Gen. Muntu contested twice against Dr Besigye; once seeking the party flag to contest in the General Election as a presidential candidate and once for the party presidency being trounced on both occasions, a fact Dr Besigye alluded to at the hand over, noting that Gen. Muntu had persevered until victory. But part of the fuel that fired the big fallout during the party elections was that wide perception that since Gen. Muntu had previously demonstrated ambition to run for the national presidency, then he was unlikely to give way in 2016 to Dr Besigye to have another shot after three unsuccessful attempts. Linking Mafabi to Besigye Gen. Muntu’s supporters openly and otherwise tried to link Mr Mafabi to an extension or at once simply a surrogate to keep the chance open for Dr Besigye. And strong endorsement from the leader of rival opposition party, the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), could just come in handy. Mr Olara Otunnu, a retired diplomat, says of Gen. Muntu: “I think he is a strong person, which is a big plus. He is an honest person another big plus, he is serious also a big plus, when he says he will do something I believe he will do exactly that.”Mr Otunnu, however, cautions against the idea of shifting focus from criticising the regime, saying it has over the years submerged the country in layers upon layers of lies and misinformation that need to be peeled off and exposed. “Don’t assume people know what they are against, there has been a lot of indoctrination,” Mr Otunnu says, “Promoting what the party stands for and exposing the mistakes of the NRM should go side by side. There is a lot that needs to be cut through to expose what (the regime) is and then present the alternative.” While Gen. Muntu inherited a divided party, encouraging news for his team came in on Thursday after the Mafabi camp accepted and welcomed the reconciliation committee appointed by Mr Njuba and pledged to work for party unity. Human rights lawyer Ladislus Rwakafuzi chairs the commission. “We trust that the committee, headed by Counsel Ladislus Rwakafuzi, will get to the bottom of the issues raised with diligence. I pledge my continued support to the entire process and call on all members of the party – those who supported me and those who supported my colleagues – as well as the entire opposition fraternity in the country, to be calm and wait for the outcome,” Mr Mafabi said in a statement. “We believe that this exercise marks the start of a new and better chapter for the party; united in our quest to offer better leadership to the country, to take on the challenges that confront our citizens, through means built on the founding values of democracy, accountability and transparency at all levels, to which we shall seek to re-commit ourselves,” Mr Mafabi added. Another contestant in last year’s election, Mr Geofrey Ekanya, conceded defeat, pledging to work for the good of the party. He was unavailable for comment for this story. The FDC website has not been updated in quite a while, a fact Mr Kibanzanga admitted to, meaning interaction with members, especially in the diaspora and a new Internet fan base is low. But literally working as Gen. Muntu’s Chief of Staff, Mr Kibanzanga is maintaining a rather highly active Facebook page in line with today’s communication that is highly social media based. A peek at the page indicates regular updates with pictures and sometimes cheeky statements, but mainly an update of where the party president is and what he is up to. To win the party presidency, Gen. Muntu presented himself as a moderate person with strong connections in the ruling movement to which FDC is looking to harvest more members. The party, his critics and admirers alike, will be looking to how much he achieves in getting new recruits. While his potential to swing a national vote is still unknown, given the amount of messages of congratulations he got from people within the Movement, including the his former Commander-in-Chief, sources in the ruling party say he is somewhat a source of concern as he is likely to be seen as a safe bet for a post-Museveni era.Though he won the FDC election, it was among less than 1,000 people, meaning he remains untested in a real big election. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Religion/-/689744/1368094/-/h36oru/-/index.html","content":"In the face of trials - A series of terrible tragedies could have left Monica Chicha, a mother of two, devastated and angry with God. Instead, her strong faith and trust in God and His goodness helped her to see that tests and trials have a purpose in life. She now looks back with thankfulness for everything she endured. Chicha has always felt and known of God’s presence in her life since she was a child. But it was not until recently that she learnt the power of God’s love. “My life started taking turns that I could have never anticipated. It began in September 2000 when the car I was riding was hit by a truck that was over speeding. I was in the back seat and my friend Stella was driving. It hit us twice, and we overturned to the other side of the road. We had to be cut out of the car. Miraculously, we were transported to the hospital where we were treated and later discharged. We walked away from this awful crash with minor injuries. Everyone who saw us was puzzled. They assumed they would find us dead because the car had been damaged beyond recognition,” she said. Six months later, a fire gutted her home and her family lost everything, thankfully she was able to get her children to safety before the place submerged in flames. Her story is one of the many featured testimonies of afflicted people. Paul Musisi, a businessman, woke up early one morning to have coffee and catch the early news. The lead story that day was about a man who had walked into a local supermarket and shot himself. “I thought there would be nothing else for me. But I just kept trusting and praising God, it was all I could do. I am not only healed, but I can be thankful for my trials. God has great plans for me, and for us all, if only we believe,” explains Musisi. He later learnt that the man was actually his uncle (mother’s brother). “I went to the hospital where he lay unconscious. When the doctors pronounced him dead, my mum and grandparents were not here. They came two hours late. I did not have the courage to walk to them and break the news that uncle was dead. Melina Agaba, a beautician, was diagnosed with cancer and ended up having multiple surgeries over the next two years on her abdomen. “I lay down for seven weeks. I was tested repeatedly and just when I thought it was over, I was back on the operating table! Since then, there have been other problems, but not as dangerous as these. I can hear once again and I’m able to do what I enjoy most, running my daycare Centre. The only thing that keeps me going is my faith in God. I have learned to trust in the truth- if God brings you to it, He will certainly deliver you through it,” says Agaba. However in the face of trials, not all believers remain grounded in their faith like Agaba. Many get eaten up by temptations and are thus driven far from God. Christine Mirembe, a warden of the Anglican Church in Bwaise, says trials never make us humble but it is our attitude towards them that do. If we choose not to be humble, we will only draw further away from our Saviour. “At times we may feel that our trials would be easier or our temptations would be less if the Lord would bless us with heavenly miracles or signs and wonders. One of the elders in the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints,” President James E. Faust said. “Seeing an angel would be a great experience, but it is far greater to come to knowledge of the divinity of the Saviour through faith and the witness of the Spirit”. Pastor Alex Okoboi of The Church of God, Pallisa District says although life is full of struggles, trials, and temptations, we should know that despite any suffering, we are not alone. “We can turn to our Heavenly Father, Jesus, the scriptures, our family and friends, and other resources such as books, church leaders,” he says. Life’s temptations and trials test our worthiness, our faith in Christ, and our obedience to God’s commandments. Trials and making choices between good and evil are necessary to God’s plan. sachen@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Travel/-/691238/1361126/-/nmrrvs/-/index.html","content":"Know Uganda: The Owen Falls Dam at 58  - As the colonial government made advances at consolidating its stay in Uganda, the desire to live a comfortable life presented a new challenge to the queen’s emissaries in black Africa. Besides the need to ease their access to mineral resources and cash crop fields through good roads and later railway, there was urgency to find an alternative source of white energy. Coal, which they used was incessantly becoming costly as it had to be imported from Britain. After several surveys and consultations, in 1947, the government at Westminster dispatched their engineer, Sir Charles Redvers Westlake who recommended the construction of a hydroelectric dam; just an estimated 4kilometres from the point the river leaves Lake Victoria. The dam was named Owen Falls dam because it was constructed just below [north] and these had been named after Dr. David Owen the then British foreign secretary by Sir Church hill Winston. Before the construction, it is said the two falls existed. The Ripon Falls and the Owen Falls as the biggest. At the spot there where huge rocks that naturally controlled the flow of water out of the lake, though rapid and violent, it attracted a myth and earlier chiefs in Busoga, like Lubas frequently paid homage. On completion in 1954, the dam submerged the Ripon falls and supplied electricity to Uganda and western Kenya, also a British colony and a more industrialised one [it is said this was one of the primary reasons for the Dam construction with funding sourced from both colonies].Later named Nalubale power station, its rating is 180 megawatts (MW). Originally it was designed for ten turbines rated at 15 MW each (giving a total of 150 MW). The station was refurbished in the 1980s to repair the accumulated wear from a decade of civil disorder. During the repairs, the output power of the generators was increased. According to Mr Steven Kisubi the UNRA Jinja station engineer says the bridge, running over the dam, is 0.8km, 58 years old but has not out lived its life because of the periodic maintenance and repairs. This bridge which acts as the main connection between the country’s two regions; East and Central ferries an average of 2,000 cars daily, an equivalent of 732, 000 a year. When the current dam was built, a treaty between Uganda and Egypt was signed to ensure the natural flow of the Nile would not be altered by the dam thus obliging Uganda government to at all times inform or make consultations with their Cairo counterparts every time a major activity is under taken along the River. With concrete as its major material for construction, it has been found fit to build an alternative bridge as repairs are continuously getting strained due to technological evolution. The new bridge with constitute mainly steel plates as opposed to concrete. The Dam is under a concession to Eskom, a South African with its region offices below the Dam. According to elders and available records, the Dam was officially opened in 1955 by Queen Elizabeth at a time she had just ascended to the throne following her father’s [King George viii] death. She resided at Amber Court which was the official residence of the Eastern regional provincial commissioner, 650 meters from the Dam. The only two times, the head of British government has visited her former colony. The Dam is built in such a way that water flows through it as per the electricity demand. Water is let through or blocked by huge metallic spill gate ways which are operated automatically. This helps in fulfilling the National Environmental Management Authority requirement of letting through a certain amount of water at a given time. Located north of Lake Victoria, all the natural geographical features, and man-made ones by nomenclature, assert our colonial masters presence and influence on the country; Lake Victoria, Ripon falls, Owen falls, Amber court. Today, Jinja town came to be [then] an industrial town because of the Dam. It has easy access to electric power a major motivation for factories. Dam history In 1947, Sir Charles Redvers Westlake (an English engineer) reported to the Colonial Government of Uganda recommending the construction of a hydroelectric dam at Owen Falls near the city of Jinja, which in turn led to the establishment of the Uganda Electricity Board (UEB), with Westlake as its first chairman. The dam was completed in 1954, submerging Ripon Falls. It supplies electricity to Uganda and parts of neighbouring Kenya and Tanzania. Maintenance and availability of the station declined seriously during the government of Idi Amin. 1 | 2 Next Page»Before that, water levels on Lake Victoria were moderated by a natural rock dam on the north side of the lake. Rising lake waters would spill over the natural dam into the White Nile, which flowed through Uganda, Sudan, and Egypt before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. When water levels dropped too low, flow into the river ceased. When the current dam was built, a treaty between Uganda and Egypt ensured that the natural flow of the Nile would not be altered by the dam..editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1324570/-/13eebf7z/-/index.html","content":"Uganda after Museveni and NRM: Part II - Based on the image of principle and revolutionary that the NRM government projected in 1986, there are not many people then who would have expected that the NRM would still be in power to this day. Also, when the NRM took power in 1986 most of the state structure inherited at independence in 1986 was intact. Ugandans took for granted that they should have a nationally owned airline, railway and commercial bank. It was assumed that hospitals and schools owned by the government would receive the first priority of the government. It was assumed that civil servants and other officials who worked for the government or its related corporations would live in houses built decades ago by the government. It was assumed that the army would be housed in good barracks and have its own efficient transport system and soldiers’ children, just as it had been in the 1960s and 1970s, would enjoy a decent middle class or lower middle-class life. Of course, for the prestige of the country, not only was it important to have a national airline but it was taken for granted that any normal country should have a string of embassies and diplomatic missions around the world to handle the country’s political, military, commercial and cultural interests. It being Africa, many would not have been surprised that Museveni would wish to cling onto power or would want to dominate the political stage. Even reports of election rigging would not have entirely shocked Ugandans or watchers of Uganda. Disappointed citizensBut what was taken for granted was that the NRM would be better in public administration, delivery of social services and accountability for public funds and property than any of its predecessors with the exception of the first Obote government in the 1960s. Given the above assumptions, most Ugandans alive and of age in 1986 would have expected that all these institutions that even the governments headed by the semi-literate Tito Okello and Idi Amin had been important enough to maintain, would either crumble to ruins, be sold off or stolen under the NRM government, the one viewed as being led by some of the best-educated men and women in Uganda’s post-independence history. Very few people indeed would have expected in 1986 that the NRM would prove to be not only by far the most corrupt government in Uganda’s history but one of the 20 most corrupt in the entire history of Africa since the start of the independence wave in the late 1950s. The bitter reality of what has happened is one of the most important effects the NRM has had on Ugandan history. The second effect has been on the way the population views the military. Because the army, from the days of the Kings African Rifles in the 1940s until 1986 had been dominated by tribes from the north and north-east regions of Uganda, the southern and central tribes had come to assume a stereotype about northerners as being somehow genetically inclined to violence and brutality. The now very public stories, TV footage and newspaper photographs of the NRA (now UPDF) beating up, shooting, raping, setting granaries on fire, torturing opposition supporters and leaders in safe houses has caused the old stereotype to get revised. Now an army is viewed as an army, no matter its ethnic composition. By 2011, this great disillusionment with the NRM and with President Museveni had started showing itself in patterns in national elections with opposition candidates taking over places considered to be NRM strongholds. These telling victories by the unlikeliest of candidates reveal the new understanding Ugandans now have of their history and nation since 1986, and how much they have had to come to terms with what befell them. After the Museveni government one day goes, the post-NRM Uganda will be a different one in the “fundamental change” sense that Museveni declared at his swearing-in in January 1986. 1 | 2 Next Page»Most likely, there will be a public outcry for a repossession of some, if not most, of the state-owned corporations that the NRM sold off to foreign “investors” or NRM leaders sold to themselves. The national political mood after Museveni is gone will incline toward social democracy, if not a downright state-led economy. Whoever succeeds Museveni, if he or she is not from within the NRM, will have to placate the public anger and hope to win widespread national support by doing some of what Idi Amin did in 1972 - announce a Ugandanisation or re-Ugandanisation of the economy. As mentioned last week, so great will be the resentment against western Uganda by the rest of the population that only the absolutely most honest and deserving westerners will win government tenders, scholarships and contracts for the next 20 years. Western against other regionsIn interviews or bids, even if someone from western Uganda scores 75 per cent and the runner-up from, say, eastern or northern Uganda scores 69 per cent, the pressure and overwhelming public opinion will be that the job or contract or tender or scholarship should be given to the one who scored 68 per cent. Ugandans will start to respect their national assets much more after the departure of Museveni, now that they have had the bitter experience of seeing what they took for granted, taken away from them. Right now in 2012, there is still a good deal of complacency within Ugandan society and it is clear that not all the lessons that need to be learnt have been learnt. However, at the present rate and from the trend that the country is taking, in which public land is being grabbed by the acre every single day, billions of shillings stolen daily, the true “fundamental change” is going to set into society over the next five years. But 2016, Uganda will be in an acute and desperate state of mind. To have driven Ugandan society to that state of total despair, total loss of faith in the NRM and in educated people who can’t respect the law and who loot with impunity, will be the ironical lesson Museveni will have bequeathed Ugandans. The Italian historian Benedetto Croce, in his 1932 book History of Europe in the Nineteenth Century, in which he examined that tumultuous century in European affairs, painted a picture of a political climate not unlike what we see in Uganda today in 2012. He wrote on page 202, of an atmosphere of “mental restrictions, compromises, and fears and terrors and desertion of friends and cowardly denunciations, insensibility to the violation of justice and to daily wrongs, the pretence of not seeing and knowing, in order to silence the pangs of conscience, what everyone saw and knew perfectly well, ignorance concerning the conduct of public affairs with accompanying and ceaseless whispering of scandals, supine applause for every statement or assertion coming from above and at the same time incredulity for all news of an official character; and in the midst of this general timidity, the boldness of the bold in taking fortune by storm, the readiness to seize private advantages or to satisfy private hates under the semblance of political zeal…” Local angleThat passage alone is one of the best descriptions of the current Uganda as almost being submerged in primitive 19th century political intrigue, and Croce summed up the broader reason for why a society can sometimes sink to this level: “Liberty is a divine gift, and the gods sometimes take it away from men, who are eternal children, and remain deaf to their supplications, and do not give it back until they have once more become worthy of it.” (page 203) Yoweri Museveni, the man who has done the most to destroy the infrastructural foundation of the country is going to be the man, by these very actions, who will give Ugandans the desperation of circumstance to really undertake deep soul searching and out of that soul searching, will emerge a new, much more sober nation. If these 26 years and counting - some would say 50 years - have been a divine punishment, then let us drink of the bitter cup of hemlock until our lesson has been learned. timothy_kalyegira@yahoo.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1228150/-/bjsscpz/-/index.html","content":"Government fails to help mudslide victims - Bulambuli Relief assistance to mudslide victims in eastern Uganda has delayed and planned relocation of thousands from Mt. Elgon escarpments hangs in balance because government has no money for the purposes, a top government official said yesterday. Mr Musa Ecweru, the junior Disaster minister, said he is yet to present a case before colleagues during today’s Cabinet meeting to secure emergency financing, more than 48 hours after the disaster struck in Bulambuli District. “We did not anticipate this (mudslide); in fact we do not have money, he said. “The good thing is that Cabinet is flexible and we are working our way around to get some money.” The Disaster Preparedness ministry is supposed to take up one per cent of the national budget but Finance has never allocated it that cash, forcing line officials to scratch from other votes. Mr Ecweru said technocrats in his office were by yesterday still calculating the amount of money required to handle the Bulambuli disaster even as Maj. Gen. Julius Oketta, the emergency coordinator in the Office of the Prime Minister, was dispatched there virtually empty-handed to face nervous survivors. Gen. Oketta on arrival announced that government would not establish ad hoc camps for displaced persons – as it did last year following the March 1 Bududa mudslides - and advised families settled on mountain slopes likely to collapse, to immediately take refuge with friends or relatives in lowlands. After an on-the-spot assessment, he directed Bulambuli local government leaders to register all affected families and “help them find relatives to stay with them as we provide food for them until a lasting solution is sought by government”. The government plan, although looking good on paper, appeared far from deliverable partly because it provided no other detail of what assistance would be offered and there is no budget or timeline for implementation of the proposal. The likelihood of another imminent avalanche dawned on residents after a Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) official reported observing huge cracks on parts of Mt Elgon and hearing overnight ominous noises of what appeared to be rocks separating. Contrasting figuresMt. Elgon Area Conservation Manager Adonia Bintorwa, whose interest is to see encroachers leave as soon as possible, told this newspaper random cultivation and construction by settlers had depleted vegetation cover, exposing the place to slides. He said: “The people are cutting trees without planting news ones. They have also encroached on the forest. The villagers have cultivated crops on Mt. Elgon slopes up to 200m above the sea level.” Some 30 people died in Bulambuli’s twin mudslides on Monday, according to minister Ecweru. A child was smashed dead by another unreported avalanche in Chema Sub-county of neighbouring Kapchorwa District. The government said 26 bodies had been retrieved and the search is on for four other corpses swept downstream when nearby Biritanyi River burst its bank. “We gave coffins for the bodies and directed that they should be accorded decent burial,” Mr Ecweru said by telephone last evening. Local officials, among them Bulambuli District chairman Simon Wananzofu, and Mr Jacob Nasami, the chairman of the battered Kimuli village, however, maintain the mudslides killed up to 43 residents. Uganda Red Cross spokesperson Catherine Ntabadde sent an update yesterday indicating 27 people perished; 16 in Sisiyi and 11 in Buluganya sub-counties. The disparity in fatality figures highlights the hazards of imprecise official demographic statistics and this in part is because local council officials do not register people living in their neighbourhoods. Thus when disasters strike - as in this case - most accounts about victims is premised on assumptions. Students stare at uncertaintyThe updated Red Cross report shows that some 127,571 people in 26,115 households have been affected by disaster in Bulambuli, one of the newest and poorest districts. Bunambutye, Bwikhonge, Nabbongo, Muyembe, Bulambuli TC, Simu, Bukhalu, Bukise, Sironko TC are the most battered areas. There is growing concern over sanitation, particularly in Mabono parish, in the wake of submerged pit-latrines. Food supplies are running low as runoffs have destroyed substantial farmlands. Excavators would be required to open blocked roads, cutting off entire villages, and without urgent rehabilitation, it might be impossible for students of Buluganya SS and Buluganya, Sooti, Budyeki nursery school pupils to resume studies when schools re-open for Third Term next week."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/1190228/-/o5ny8z/-/index.html","content":"Rescuing Hamukungu, the baby elephant - At about a week old, a tired and dehydrated Hamukungu was rescued by a fisherman, who later handed it to UWA rangers. Martin Ssebuyira tells his rescue story and how they are helping him get back on his feet again. The convention on international trade in endangered species of wild flora and fauna categorises elephants as endangered species facing extinction because of their ivory that is on high demand on the world market. They are listed as endangered on the world conservation union’s red list of threatened animals. Poachers always kill them for their tusks and meat that is loved by bush meat eaters. Others are killed while defending their habitats lost to ranches, farms and desertification by both man and climate. Charles Hamukungu is a two months baby African elephant rescued from Hamukungu Island on Lake George near Hamukungu fishing village in Katunguru trading centre, Kasese district. By the time it was rescued, it was about a week old or less as he had the umbilical cord on, implying it had just been born and did not know how to suckle, neither did it know the taste of milk. The fisherman only identified as Charles found the elephant abandoned on May 29 at the shores of Hamukungu Island on Lake George in Queen Elizabeth National park. “It was trying to swim but about to drown and I rescued it, loaded it on my canoe and sailed it to Hamukungu landing site before calling UWA rangers,” Charles says. Two days later on June 1, a carcass of an adult male elephant with six bullet wounds in the head and thoracic regions was found submerged under water in the shores of the same island where the baby had been found. Because of the findings, it was suspected that ivory poachers who killed the male elephant could have scared the family and caused them to disperse leaving behind a newly born baby that had not yet acquired survival skills. “They had tied the elephant with the rope on the left front leg to prevent it from escaping and that caused a dysfunction in the fetlock joint and made it slightly limp,” Mr Alex Egawu, an animal caretaker, who looked after the elephant at Katunguru where Uganda Wildlife Authority offices are located said. He says that Charles (the elephant) had extreme thirst, fatigue, weakness and moderate dehydration upon arrival. It also had scar wounds at the spot where it was tied with the rope and was slightly limping so they took it to Dr Margaret Driciru, a veterinary doctor, at Queen Elizabeth National park. While there, she administered the animal with 4ml of oral enrofluxacin for three days, offered it Vitamin C tabs (about two per day orally), antibiotic wound spray (Supona) and Oral Rehydration Salt (about one litre per day for three days) before taking it to Uganda Wildlife Educational Centre where it is going to be kept for conservation education. Driciru kept the elephant for two months until it was ready to be taken to Uwec. At Uganda Wildlife Educational Centre, baby Hamukungu was received with lots of excitement and was immediately introduced to new medication.Ms Belinda Atim the Uwec spokesperson says that they started offering Hamukungu Ferro B Complex syrup because he had a stomach upset. “He was being fed on human baby formula milk (SMA) as per age-specific manufacturer’s formula recommendations until June 12 when they started mixing SMA with fresh diary UHT milk from which the cream is removed after boiling in a ratio of 1:1,” Ms Atim says. Hamukungu apparently feeds on 2.5 litres of milk per meal (pictured left) four times a day at intervals of 6a.m., 11a.m., 2p.m. and 8p.m. The milk is always warm, clean and offered in a feeding bottle following specific prescriptions.Atim says that the wounds are steadily drying up and Hamukungu will soon be fine enough to offer conservation education to people who visit Uganda Wildlife Educational centre. Uwec Executive Director Mr James Musinguizi says that they are keeping Hamukungu in the quarantine for at least 30 days to ensure that he is in proper condition before taking him to his new home in a seemingly natural environment where people can get education about African elephants. Because of Hamukungu, the centre now has all the big five animals namely buffalos, rhinos, lions, elephants and giraffes. “We last had an elephant in 2004 but it was taken to Kenya. We will let the keeper stay with it for company until it gets used to the place,” he says. Musinguzi commends the relationship between Uwec and UWA that enabled UWA Executive Director Dr Andrew Sseguya to quickly call them to take the animal from Katunguru after rescuing it. “We recently rescued 220 parrots that were confiscated and we were feeding at a tune of Shs300,000 a day that was quite expensive. We call upon stakeholders who can lend a hand to join the struggle to conserve the endangered African elephants,” he adds. 1 | 2 Next Page»Hamukungu weighs about 100kgs and drinks 10 litres of milk every day. The volume will increase to 20 litres in the third week. He likes bathing that is done between 11a.m. and 1p.m., and drinking water. That is done at 10a.m. and he can drink up to 10 litres of water when thirsty. He loves being walked (pictured right) or run around that is done most of the time at the centre and playing. If left unattended, he gets upset and cries loud. When cold, he is dressed in hard cotton shirts that came with him from the park. Mr Alex Egawu, an animal caretaker says that the routine is he sleeps in the house, wakes up at 6a.m. or 7a.m. ready to be fed the first meal of the day, takes a nap and is walked or run around and he spends the day playing with him while being fed in several intervals. He notes that long hours between feeds cause him to gnaw on objects and it should be avoided because he may hurt himself. Over the past 150 years, ivory hunters have ruthlessly hunted elephants for their tusks. Between 1979 and 1989, Africa’s elephant population plummeted from 1,300,000 to 750,000 due to ivory hunting. Since the 1980s, an international ban on trade in ivory helped many populations hold steady or rebound. UWA remains sceptical about the remaining number of elephants in Uganda saying it’s quite hard to count elephants in mountainous parks. UWA publicist Lillian Nsubuga says all savannah parks with the exception of Lake Mburo National game and Muhanga national game park have elephants. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1163994/-/c1inpqz/-/index.html","content":"Mad rush for Lubigi wetland - A middle aged man is submerged in the marshy Lubigi wetland. He is busy hammering away at what he says will be his new market stall in a few days. Hajj, as he is repeatedly referred to by his colleagues, says he is a former soldier who lost a used-clothes vending business when fire gutted parts of Owino Market in Kampala last year. “This is new hope for me and my family,” he said, allowing this reporter to take several pictures of him. “My family and I have suffered since I lost my business. Now I can start all over again.” Oblivious of the environmental implications of their actions, Hajj and more than 2,500 other encroachers have since last Thursday allocated themselves portions of Lubigi wetland. Located between the Namungoona roundabout and Sentema Road junction in Kampala, the wetland connects Lubigi Channel to River Mayanja, one of the main tributaries to L. Victoria. Who allocated wetland?In what is now turning out to be the worst environmental invasion in Uganda’s recent history, the encroachers have erected semi-permanent structures across a stretch of 2 kilometre of the wetland and are mobilising truckloads of soil to reclaim the ecologically important natural physical feature. Environmentalists are outraged by the move and have called on government to quickly evict the encroachers to avert an imminent disaster. The encroachers are, however, adamant. “We have nowhere to go. This land was given to us by Mzee (President Museveni). If they (government) want us out, let them give us land,” they insisted, adding that the wetland is in fact part of Buganda Kingdom’s land, which they were entitled to. “If government is setting up a sewage plant, why can’t we set up a market?” a woman shouted. As President Museveni was taking oath of office last Thursday, the encroachers, claiming to be veterans and Kasubi Market traders under the Uganda Patriotic Voluntary Organisation (UPAVO) descended on the wetland and a Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) road reserve nearby. Attempts by UNRA and National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) officials to peacefully remove the encroachers fell on deaf ears. Not even Environment Minister Maria Mutagamba, who visited the wetland over the weekend, was listened to. At one point, Ms Mutagamba had to be whisked off after the encroachers turned rowdy and tried to attack her for “interfering with their entitlement.” Ms Mutagamba, however, said she had not received any communication from Mr Museveni to that effect, a thing that infuriated the encroachers, forcing her to be whisked away. Minister heckled“If I can see anything in writing that the President has given you this wetland then I will go back to him and say I have received this,” she told them but she was heckled. As news continues to spread of the mad rush, thousands more continue to stream in, grabbing whatever marshy portion they can lay their hands on. Those already at the wetland told this newspaper they are determined to build permanent structures for a market while others proudly said they would erect residential structures. By 3pm yesterday, over 2,500 encroachers had received UPAVO Beneficiaries’ Registration Forms, a sign an individual had identified and allocated himself portions of the swamp. The encroachers hurriedly constructed semi-permanent structures measuring between 4-by-5 feet to 5-by-6 feet. 1 | 2 Next Page»“Powerful” persons within the group have, however, encroached on even larger portions, the encroachers said. By press time, long queues of thousands more could be seen patiently waiting to receive registration forms for which they paid Shs1,000. Hundreds more could be seen wading through the marsh, others submerged in the water but determined to carve out their own space. The encroachers have already set up businesses in and around the wetland with people selling foodstuff and alcohol. Construction materials for the makeshift structures are also readily available as makeshift structures are erected. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/1151022/-/23y2j9z/-/index.html","content":"Farmer’s Diary: A cost effective way to fight external parasites - Farming in Uganda is at continuous war with pests. The farmer’s success virtually depends on how effectively and economically they fight the pests, parasites and diseases that they cause. Our tropical climate is not well suited for exotic animal breeds whose milk and meat production rate is far superior to that of local animals. Dangerous parasites like worms, tsetse flies and ticks are more prevalent in this part of the world than anywhere else and the farmer who wants to succeed must have the best means to fight them. The Friesian cow, so well known for milk production, large calves, and long lactation periods, originates from Holland and is by nature unused to East African parasites. Other breeds such as the Ayrshire, Jersey, and Guernsey, which we have tried to localise, originate from European countries that don’t have our type of parasites and climatic conditions. To raise such animals here, especially at a commercial level, the farmer has to apply the right measures to prevent the parasites from attacking his animals. Ticks seem by far the most common parasites that we have responsible for the spread of serious cattle diseases like red-water, gall-sickness, anaplasmosis, heart-water, and East Coast fever. They normally hide under the leaves, grasses and plants where animals graze. They climb on their victims, causing disease and untold losses to the farmer. The tsetse fly is notorious for spreading trypanosomiasis which, if untreated, may wipe out entire herds. Ticks and the tsetse flies are dangerous to the health of our local cattle breeds as well. Just as East Africans are known to be resistant to malaria, which is spread by the female anopheles mosquito, it is still our number one killer disease. Hence even farmers who keep local cattle that are known to be resistant to the diseases caused by our local parasites must take extra care to fight them and to keep the animals in good health. Traditionally, the African cattle keeper has destroyed parasites – rather inadvertently – by burning the bush, actually, to get new and greener grass. Fencing and practicing rotational grazing could help discourage parasitic multiplication, just as ploughing and harrowing the land could. The most effective control measure however is the use of acaricide, which not only kills ticks, the tsetse fly, and nuisance flies, but also sticks on the animal’s skin for some days, preventing external parasite attack. Many farmers still depend on a hand sprayer to apply the acaricide on the animals held in a crush. Plenty of time is often used up to ensure that all sides of the animal are sprayed and in the process the animals waste time that would have been spent feeding in the field which, for dairy cows, leads to low milk production that day. However, more money and time saving acaricide application equipment has come to the market, making animal husbandry practices a lot easier and cheaper. In the not -so-distant past, most commercial farmers built dip tanks into which the cattle would be forcefully submerged. By the time the cow comes out of the acaricide in the dip tank, practically every inch of it will be wetted and touched by the acaricide. This has its disadvantages though. Even when a farmer has just a few animals, he must use the same amount of acaricide. Some young animals not yet used to swimming may accidentally swallow the acaricide which is poisonous. Moreover, given today’s prices of building materials, close to Shs100m could be used up to construct a proper dip tank, not by any means a cheap venture! Spray races are now much more commonly used as a better and cheaper alternative to the dip tank. In the spray race, the acaricide is showered on the animals from nozzles spraying it on all areas of their bodies. Originally they were powered by electricity or heavy engines. Electric power or fuel costs were issues to worry about. Not any more! One of the most recently devised spray races much used in Lyantonde and Ssembabule districts actually uses half a litre of petrol to spray some 250 animals in just 40 minutes. Its cost ranges between from Shs14m to Shs16m. Manufactured in South Africa by Taltec it is distributed by Kwewayo, a local vet pharmacy company. The spray race is advantageous because if a farmer has just a few animals, he will only use the acaricide needed for just those few. It has no risk of calves swallowing the acaricide and much of it is saved when it drips off the animals as they wait in the drainage race."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1057582/-/cl598vz/-/index.html","content":"Aids fight: What we have got     from 20 years of research - The first HIV/Aids case was identified in the country along the shores of Lake Victoria in 1982 when Uganda was experiencing political unrest. For the next five years no research about the virus was done because leaders were submerged in power struggle. But as Benon H. Oluka writes, the Uganda Virus Research Institute got down to serious business in 1987 and has never looked back:- As he reflects on the more than two-decade journey of the Entebbe-based Uganda Virus Research Institute in HIV/Aids research, Executive Director Edward Katongole-Mbidde beams with restrained satisfaction. In that time, UVRI, which began HIV/Aids research around 1987, has registered a number of significant milestones. In a series of collaborative research initiatives with partners from different countries in Europe and the Americas, UVRI has tracked the spread of HIV/Aids for more than 20 years, carried out the first HIV vaccine trial in Africa, and undertook a trial which showed that the most common disease of the central nervous system in HIV-infected people in Africa could be prevented with a pill.Propped up by support from the Medical Research Council (MRC) of Britain, UVRI also undertook a trial to develop specialised anti-retroviral therapy for Africa, which helped save money. In addition, UVRI was the first to isolate more than 20 new arboviruses, including West Nile Virus, Bwamba Fever, Semliki Forest Virus, Orungo, Kadam, and O’nyong’nyong. While UVRI has grown to become the centre for virus research in the country and one of the most renowned on the continent, Dr Katongole-Mbidde says its beginnings were quite modest. Research neglectedThe senior researcher explains that in a country that was still embroiled in seemingly endless political turmoil and civil wars up to the 1980s, research and academic pursuits were the last things on the minds of leaders whose tenures were far from guaranteed. Until, that is, the HIV/Aids virus opened a new war front against the people of Uganda. “At that time the infrastructure in the country was probably at its worst, but luckily enough we had new leadership which had come into the country under President Museveni and because of the openness of the President and his government regarding the HIV/Aids epidemic, a lot of help started flowing into the country,” he said. Initial support for HIV/Aids research at UVRI came from the World Health Organisation’s Aids Control Programme, which later became the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids (UNAIDS), and the UK Overseas Development Agency (ODA), now the Department for International Development (DFID). The two provided the support that enabled UVRI to become a national reference laboratory for HIV testing; to isolate and characterise the HIV/Aids virus, as well as train its staff. With that support, UVRI started its ground-breaking work on the HIV/Aids virus in Rakai District in 1987; the research that opened the window of opportunity in the fight against HIV/Aids, which eventually saw Uganda receive world-wide recognition as a model in Africa for fighting the disease after halving its prevalence in the 1990s. However, according to Dr Katongole-Mbidde, the funding at the time was not sufficient given the magnitude of the problem. When the situation became increasingly desperate as the effects of the HIV/Aids virus escalated, the government sought more help from research-savvy countries and organisations. Foreign assistanceConsequently, in 1989, after the government invited their British counterparts to offer assistance, the Medical Research Council (MRC) of the UK set up an HIV/Aids unit at UVRI premises. Then, in the mid-1990s, the United States Centre for Disease Control also set up its own centre at UVRI.Such support helped build research capacity at UVRI and, in 1999, Uganda became the first African country to get involved in HIV vaccines trials – with the institute playing an integral role in that effort.In early 2000, according to Dr Katongole-Mbidde, the International Aids Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) started collaborating with UVRI on HIV/Aids vaccine research, with their special interest being the potential contribution of Ugandan researchers and the country in general to the initiative. “Earlier on we really advocated for Africa not to be left behind in this endeavour so each time we went to meetings, we reiterated to the international community and to our own governments to make sure we participated in HIV/Aids vaccine trials,” said Dr Katongole-Mbidde.However, while there was evident commitment by the Ugandan researchers to lead the HIV/Aids vaccine trials, it was not matched by equipment and human resource capacity needed to be involved at different stages of a vaccine trial. Whenever the UVRI needed to carry out more comprehensive tests, according to UVRI officials, samples had to be shipped to laboratories in the United Kingdom or the United States, wasting valuable time and money.In a bid to reduce such inefficiency, the Uganda government and other partners of UVRI set out to provide the Institute with better equipment and to develop the capacity of its employees. The Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Kenya Mugisha, says the political instability in the 1970s and 1980s had denied Uganda opportunities to train scientists. He explains that while UVRI is semi-autonomous, the health ministry is mandated to provide guidance and oversee its activities. However, according to Dr Mugisha, the government lacked the institutional structures to equip UVRI. “Virus research is a very expensive area,” said Dr Mugisha. “That is a highly specialised area. There is no way we can fund all their activities. What we do is work with partners [and then] oversee what they do.” 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Travel/-/691238/1028538/-/lx8dia/-/index.html","content":"Where jazz musicians delight - Submerged in torrents of hurricane Katrina waters is New Orleans. During a recent visit, Tabu Butagira discovered that though violent crime still rules, rocking jazz bands on Bourbon Street still liven up the city The plane twirled and the land below appeared, sharply slanted to my side. The left wing of the US Airways aircraft then rose and the plane bounced to steady before bending again in the opposite turn. “Passengers, please, fasten your seatbelts and cabin crew, take your seats in preparation for landing,” came the announcement. The ominous feeling of being nowhere - up in the skies - where the clouds underneath look like loads of floating cotton lint, was beginning to disperse as ground objects cleared in full form. This is New Orleans, the predominantly black city in Louisiana State, still reeling from the harsh after-effects of a disastrous hurricane Katrina five years ago. The residential buildings, although neatly arranged, look quite modest - somewhat blighted - compared to the grand skyline of Washington D.C., the nation’s capital, where we had been two hours earlier. We were 12 African journalists, guests of the US Department of State on a Community Policing programme - with enviable fun on the sidelines. Evidence of New Orleans’s multi-cultural character is manifest at Louise Armstrong International Airport, where we touched down. Here, unlike at major aerodrome facilities in other world capitals, directions and signs were in English, Spanish and French i.e. Damas and Femmes for women in Spanish and French respectively and or Caballeros and Hommes for men. It was balmy summer weather on the shores of Mississippi River, but the humidity drafted heat into one’s body quite disturbingly. The sun set around 10p.m. We checked in at The Marriot Hotel, one of the dozen high-rise buildings in the central business district, which from the air had appeared imposing, as if announcing its unassailable primacy. The highway from the airport is 12-lane wide and narrows on approach to the city centre, where street beggars sharply contrast with shoppers taking plenty groceries home in humongous, customised cars. In 2005, the powerful Hurricane Katrina killed scores of residents in this city, founded by French King Louise in the 1700s; exposing an unfamiliar American backyard prone to poverty and crime. Official statistics show that by August 2005, about 123 mainly-young African-Americans had been murdered in New Orleans since the year began. The reasons: drug addiction plus low education and job skills as most students drop out between nine and 12 grades. Powdered and crack cocaine is the prized hard stuff. “Arrest, incarceration, prosecution and imprisonment never stop crime,” said New Orleans Chief of Police, Ronal Serpas. Yet, this is what authorities have gambled on to tame runaway felony. “Education and economic success of people is what stops crime,” added Mr Serpas. It’s not that one can’t take a dozen steps on New Orleans streets without turning back to look over the shoulder. In fact, I relished an unguided tour of the city, taking evening strolls on the promenade on shores of River Mississippi’s murky waters. In the distance, the engine of a double-storied boat gurgled water as the vessel fully loaded with ecstatic tourists warmed for a pleasurable evening sail. At the nearby French Quarters, which bustles with activity day and night, my colleague, Charles Mwanguhya and I, could not escape the allure of Jambalaya and Gumbo (sea foods), New Orleans’s prized traditional cuisines. The District Attorney, Leon Cannizzaro, would later say, rather bluntly, that the failure of the local justice system makes imprisonment in New Orleans – and the inmates are mostly African-Americans - akin to “warehousing people”. “It’s putting them on shelves; there is no training and they gain no job skills. The only talent or ability they acquire is to be tough; to fight other people,” he said ruefully. Solicitor Tracie Washington of Louisiana Justice Institute, a private legal think-tank and advocacy group, considers the morass an outcome of unfulfilled re-development promises after hurricane Katrina. 1 | 2 Next Page»“There is systematic and institutionalised racism coupled with lack of courage on the part of African-Americans to take advantage of opportunities,” she said. Thus British Petroleum (BP) company’s recent oil spill, the worst deepwater horizon exploration accident in US history, which ejected hundreds from lucrative fishing and beach business, only helped pile more misery on a resilient people struggling to re-build their ruined lives and city. I found an aging African-American, who’s a former US serviceman, knifing and biting raw slices of cabbage with a draft board on a small table. “Come on my man,” he says, unaware I was blank on the game. All the same, I engaged him and after a little chat, he told me that children of indicted blacks were likely to eventually also get jailed! That as it may be, many African-American teenagers earn a living the hard and honest way too! Their jazz bands rock the lively Bourbon Street all night through and coupled with dazzling lights and non-stop nude dances for bar patrons, they dissolve the stress of social volatility and make sleeping a betrayal of self-enjoyment. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1010284/-/cnqcenz/-/index.html","content":"Shs200b lies idle as roads rot away - Over Shs220 billion was returned unspent to the Treasury while many national roads, whose repair the money was supposed to fund, continued to fall apart, MPs heard yesterday.The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament heard yesterday that the Uganda National Roads Authority returned Shs226 billion to the Treasury after failing to spend all the money allocated to it. PAC chairman Nandala Mafabi said it was “unacceptable” to return money unspent when there are potholes “in every part of the country”. He said: “They told us that they lacked capacity to use the money. We cannot tolerate incompetence when our people are suffering with potholes. This is unacceptable.” Appearing before the committee to answer to queries raised by the Auditor General, UNRA Executive Director Eng Peter Ssebanakitta said they had failed to find roads on which to spend the money. “It’s true a sizable amount was not utilised and was returned to the Consolidated Fund; we didn’t have the projects to absorb the money,” he told MPs. “We found ourselves with money without projects and this caused the problem.” The unspent money was allocated to UNRA in the 2008/9 financial year. The Authority was set up in July 2008 to take responsibility over an estimated 20,000 kilometres of national roads.The unspent money was part of Shs745.7 billion that UNRA received in its first year of operation. The government has identified infrastructure as a key driver of economic growth and has allocated a large portion of the national budget to roadworks. However, the latest revelations will raise questions about the efficiency in planning and executing government projects. They will particularly annoy Kampala City residents who have some of the worst roads in the country – but who do not benefit from money allocated to UNRA because most city roads are under the cash-strapped City Council. Inflated pricesUNRA officials also came under scrutiny yesterday over glaring variances in the amount of money different roadworks contractors charge to do similar work.Shadow Finance Minister Oduman Okello (Bukedea) told MPs that while it costs about $400,000 (about Shs800,000) to build a kilometre of road in Sub-Saharan Africa, in Uganda the cost is about $1m (about Shs2b). The Auditor General’s report also noted that, “costs of construction for a number of (road) projects were noted to be on the higher side. Comparison of project costs against the cost of other similar works indicates that the rates of constructing a kilometre of a road vary by great margins.” The AG noted that Soroti–Dokolo Road cost Shs1.1b per kilometre while Dokolo–Lira cost Shs1.4b. Maintaining Kyapa–Kasensero Road cost Shs29m yet Masaka–Bukakata Road cost Shs50m.Also noted were the significant variances of unit rates being quoted by contractors for same work items for similar projects. Unit costs differ, in some cases, up to 300 per cent, the AG noted. For instance, installing a culvert on Rakai-Mbarara Road is Shs186,000 but the same culvert on Hoima–Kizirafumbi road costs Shs705,000, or 279 per cent higher. UNRA officials said most of the roads projects in question were awarded under the Road Agency Formation Unit, which was replaced by UNRA. Meanwhile, residents of Katakwi district say passengers, stranded when their buses get stuck in the mud on Soroti–Moroto Road, are stealing cassava from their gardens.Ms Jane Akol, who like many of her neighbours in Orungo village, Ngariam Sub-County Katakwi District, is trying to replant her roots after returning from an internally-displaced person’s camp, said stranded and hungry passengers have eaten all the cassava from her one-acre garden in the last week. “I do not know how my family will survive during the rest of the year,” she said. Heavy rains have made the road impassable. In neighbouring Nakapiripirit District, the road to Muyembe has been temporary cut off after being submerged by floodwater. Mr John Nangiro, the Nakapiripirit district chairman, said travel had become very difficult in and out of the area. “We are cut off completely, for you to leave Nakapiripirit to Kampala; you must prepare to sleep on the road for three days.” Additional reporting by Steven Ariong in Moroto"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/-/689856/955392/-/yr6k7xz/-/index.html","content":"Make bathing your newborn baby a beautiful experience - Washing a slippery newborn can be a nerve-wracking experience. Your baby may not like it much, either. But stay calm. With a little practice, you’ll both start to feel more comfortable at bath time, writes Stella Nakakande Medically, newborn babies are less than seven days old, while young babies are less than three months. Dr Jolly Nankunda, a paediatrician with Makerere University College of Health Sciences in Mulago, says given how small and fragile these children look, mothers are not often clear on so many things regarding taking care of them, one area being the best way to bathe them. “Babies less than a month are quite delicate, they become warm quite easily and cold just as easily. This is because they are not yet able to maintain the required temperature,” Nankunda explains. For this reason, it is advised to wait 48 hours after birth before they are bathed for the very first time. “When you bathe them immediately, the temperature drops very quickly and it is hard to warm them up. At 48 hours after birth, it is better to dry clean them with clean towels and cloth them immediately. There is not much you are trying to get off the skin,” Nankunda adds, further explaining that when they are kept cold, newborns may not gain weight, especially the pre-term babies, because their bodies use all the food they get to keep warm. And as far as the actual bathing is concerned, babies should not be overexposed before a bath. Nankunda advises that everything should be prepared and ready for the baby’s bath beforehand. The water should be at the appropriate temperature - neither hot nor cold; hot will scald the child and cold water has very low temperature. Parents are advised to avoid medicated and strongly perfumed toilet soaps. “You need to use gentle soap on the baby’s skin. A mother should wash their hands in order to control infections. Our hands are always steaming with germs and the baby’s skin is not well protected yet,” advises the paediatrician. Baby baths are better done in plastic basins as opposed to metal because the former is said to conserve the warmth of water. Lined with a towel or rubber mat, the kitchen or bathroom sink may be another option. There is no need for a basinful of water for a small child, nor should it be too little. Until the umbilical cord and circumcision, if one was performed, are healed (a couple of weeks, more or less), baby should not be submerged in water because it increases the risk of infection. Instead, use a washcloth or sponge to keep your baby clean. The eyes are cleaned first with pieces of cotton or soft cloth and then the baby is undressed quickly and bathed. Only wash your newborn’s hair if it seems dirty or your baby develops cradle cap - a common condition characterised by scaly patches on the scalp. If your baby has cradle cap, loosen the scales with a soft-bristled baby brush or toothbrush before rinsing off the shampoo. Nankunda advises that the baby should be supported in a semi-inclined position and not flat because they can easily drown and food can come back. Support both the shoulders and neck and bathing is done in a closed room (both doors and windows). If you’re interrupted, take your baby with you. Never leave your baby alone in the water. When bathing is done, babies should be dried off and dressed quickly. The skin is then oiled with petroleum jelly as opposed to powder. This, Nankunda notes, retains the warmth of the skin and keeps it soft. “In the early days, babies do not need powder because it makes the skin dry and the warmth is lost.” Even for older children, she advises that powder be applied cautiously. When the weather is not so good, babies should only be cleaned with a damp piece of cloth incase of soiling. When it comes to the ears, do not use ear buds on newborns; let the natural ear cleaning mechanism take its course. “You should clean dirt where you can see it, using a soft cloth.” This applies to the nose too. Preterm babies need a lot more attention. They are quickly bathed and only mopped with a wet warm cloth as opposed to dipping. Thereafter, they are dressed in clothes open at the chest and held in a kangaroo position (skin-skin) against the mother’s bare chest, between her breasts, in an upright position. This gives them extra warmth and they easily dose off. It is time to stop doing this when they begin to cry instead of sleep. “The child regulates the temperature,” Nankunda says."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/887954/-/5any55/-/index.html","content":"‘Free media must stand together’ - With the government proposing new measures to further restrict freedom of the media in its Press and Journalists (amendment) Bill 2010 now before Cabinet, Sunday Monitor’s Risdel Kasasira spoke to Makerere University political science don, Prof. Aaron Mukwaya. Read on:- Why do you think government has brought a bill that seeks strong punishments for media houses and journalists that publish materials that are deemed to be prejudicial to national security, stability and unity at this time? But in a modern age, there are many forms of media which are hard to gag. If they think they can control information flow by introducing prohibitive measures against the traditional media, they are mistaken. Will they control the Internet? Will they ally with telecommunication companies to listen to peoples’ conversations? The other thing is; the media has been a victim of itself. People, who are in charge of the media at the state level, have been in the media and when the decisions are being made, these people are consulted and they recommend such prohibitive laws and whatever these people say, government will listen. But there is lack of solidarity in the media fraternity. The media has failed to reorganise itself in order to resist such bills. When there is a problem between Daily Monitor and government, others keep quiet. When CBS is closed, others keep quiet. Even when such a bill comes, there is no solidarity. Many journalists are not trained and you may find that 90 percent of journalists are not aware that this bill is there. That’s why some government officials have a low opinion of journalists and the president likes these weak journalists. But if we had a strong media fraternity, government would listen. Secondly, it’s the right of government to produce bills; the argument should not be why the bill has been brought, the media should not ask these questions. You must present what you think is good because you can win the argument. Don’t just sit and lament. Don’t wait for government to bring the bills and you are trapped. But now that it has happened, resist it. If all the news outlets in Uganda, decided to run stories on the bill on the front-page for a week, government can be forced to amend or withdraw. But what do the media do? They publish these stories and they are not given prominence. If this Bill is passed into law, don’t you think we are most likely to see critical journalists going to prison?In my view, the media should bring a blue print and propose how they want the media to behave, when it comes to issues the government calls national interest and security. If you demonstrate without proposals, it won’t helpThe government is coming up with such Bills because of fear of incidents like Kasubi. That is why the government comes up with such Bills. It may not be interested in arresting journalists, but to create fear among the them. But if it the Bill passed the way it is, yes, they will be arrested. What do you make of the Bill’s intention to give the minister of information powers to appoint a disciplinary committee for the media?Already there is a question of electoral reforms and they have now brought the bill on the press. For them, what matters is not getting media satisfied, but the donors. Because they know that by accumulating these bills, others will be submerged and be forgotten. In many countries using a parliamentary system of democracy, that’s what a minister is supposed to do. But here, we have no confidence in our ministers that they can make independent decisions. That is why I was saying that in your blue-print, you must describe how you want the minister to be. But if you don’t principally state what you want, things won’t work out. You must present conditions required for a minister to make independent decisions. If you look at this bill critically, it has many similarities with that of Kenya. So, we are more of less copying what has been going around. These proposed licensing conditions appear to be targeting independent journalists...And without mincing my words, most of the media houses in Uganda are either foreign or controlled by foreign enterprises or personal. The minister may want to make money out of the new media houses coming up. However, it will increase corruption because if you know you have done a lot that annoys government, the process to renew your license will be longer and expensive. The Bill is coming up because of things which are cumulative like the question of reforming the Electoral Commission, registration of voters, questions of security. With the above background in mind, how should government relate with the media?In any form of relationship, there is need to recognise that the two parties are important to each other in a democratic dispensation. The media must understand what the national interests are. But government thinks the media is not aware of this. The media should also have a sense of solidarity. That is extremely important. A modern media must have capacity to advise and warn government. It should also predict things which will happen. The media must also be consistent in whatever it is doing. Sometimes I have read good stories published, but you don’t know how they end up. For example, a newspaper comes out with a good story on Monday and they stop there. They do not make follow-ups. In the Western world, the media do follow-ups. You must put the government under pressure to do things. When the media reaches that level, it will be an independent and strong partner of government. But the government looks at the media which is impoverished. You cannot have an independent media or journalists who are impoverished and you expect to have an independent media. The poverty element has affected the media greatly. Poverty is very critical when it comes to having an independent media. I know there are people in government who know the strength of the media, but they know your camp is incapable. When government comes up with such Bill, you must resist it. You must mobilise. If it means writing about it everyday, do it. If Daily Monitor, New Vision, Bukedde, Red Pepper, Etop, Rupiny, TV stations and radios made it a point to publish and broadcast stories on the bill for a week, government can withdraw it."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/857442/-/wi0qse/-/index.html","content":"FROM THE PRESS GALLERY: 2010: Gloom and more gloom - The advent of a new year is often greeted with a lot of pomp, merrymaking, high expectations and a general belief that good times lie ahead. But these are sad times; troubling times we are witnessing this New Year. Doors to the parliamentary chambers opened for the first time last week after a two month closure, signalling the beginning of the last journey in the life of the 8th Parliament. There were visible signs of the holiday hangover in the House as Speaker Edward Ssekandi opened this year’s parliamentary calendar. They dodged No more than 50 MPs graced the opening and we can only imagine where the other 282 were. Lounging, busy in their constituencies, perhaps! The corridors appear eerie, abandoned and lonely. Traffic is at an all time low and you would be forgiven to think that Parliament is still in recess. The battle for political survival has officially begun. With an election less than 12 months away, lawmakers are relishing the prospect of returning to Parliament. Of course not all will make the cut to the 9th Parliament. In fact, judging from trends right from the 6th Parliament, do not be surprised if half of the current crop of MPs is kicked out of the House at the 2011 polls. When that happens, I hope our electorate make better informed decisions and elect leaders that will uphold their aspirations, politicians that will not betray their trust. But if the ‘No-change’ syndrome dictates the flow of events, blame no one but yourselves and please do not complain when your leaders fail to propagate your needs. We will have opportune moment, however, to make a thorough assessment of the performance of the current Parliament in the months ahead. Many of you must have questioned where I had wandered off this past month. I have been away on leave, recuperating from a difficult year. I returned full of spirit and energy, optimistic that 2010 would be better than last year. Well, it hasn’t. Murder most foul The hand of death came and plucked one of the finest my parentage had to offer. She was such a loveable person, jolly at all times, humble and decent. A well groomed woman, Brenda Karamuzi would have turned 26 yesterday had she not been taken away from us in the most foul of murders, submerged in a septic tank. We are mourning. The entire episode is straight out of a horror movie. It is as chilling as it is hard to believe. Her mother, my dear auntie Joy is devastated, so is uncle Henry and her siblings Ian, Brian, Amelia and the little one. Our prayers remain with you and may God comfort you in these trying moments. Mr Edward Ochom, the Director of the Criminal Investigations Directorate at the police attended Karamuzi’s requiem service at the All Saints Cathedral last week and carried a message from his superiors. “We will get to the bottom of this and find all those responsible,” he pledged quietly into Amelia’s ears. She was sobbing profusely but nodded and received the communication. Arrests were made and a prime suspect was charged with her murder on Friday. We all pray that justice takes its course and the perpetrator (s) of Brenda’s murder pay for such a heinous crime. To my beautiful, lovely sister, I know you are in a better place; may the good Lord rest your soul in eternal peace. Police BrutalityAfter more than a year of investigations, Parliament’s probe committee into allegations of police brutality finally released it’s much awaited report. Buruli County MP Peter Nyombi handed Speaker Ssekandi a copy of the report which indicts the Uganda police for using excessive force in the execution of its mandate in keeping law and order in the country. Mr Nyombi has declined to share the contents of his report with the media, even though it is now a public document and insists he wants to present it on the floor and hand President Museveni a copy before any public release can be made. It’s his choice; I got no qualms about it. In retrospect, however, we would not be attaching much importance to this investigation, given the amount of time Mr Nyombi’s select committee has taken to complete its enquiry and also the extent to which the media covered all the public hearings the committee conducted. But, if you consider recent events in the country detailing more acts of high handed police activity, then Nyombi’s work finds fresh relevance. Bebe Cool shootingKampala MP Nabila Ssempala may cry foul over the way she was manhandled by goons in police uniform that steamy afternoon in Owino Market but local musician Moses Ssali a.k.a Bebe Cool is harbouring lifelong scars from bullet wounds allegedly inflicted by a cop. We are told Bebe Cool arrived at the crime scene under the guise of a lawyer to bailout a colleague who had been apprehended for allegedly having sex in the back of his vehicle. While the circumstances of his shooting are shrouded in confusion, there is no reason to justify the use of such force on civilians. I personally know Bebe Cool and admittedly, he is not such a cool guy especially because he holds repellent superciliousness. But he is now wondering whether he will remain the entertainer that sparked on Uganda’s music scene. 1 | 2 Next Page»I would have been a little indifferent had his case been about the daft rivalry involving his competitors but the police’s hand in this matter leaves me horrified. People, public safety is at stake here. There’s a joke doing the rounds that now that President Museveni has visited the bedridden artiste, Bebe Cool will certainly walk again—his doctors had feared he wouldn’t. But we all know why he visited? Remember Bebe Cool’s Kisanja song in 2006? Expect another one for the fourth term. The week past * As the election fever grips the House, it emerged last week that Parliament had set itself the ambitious target of passing all the necessary electoral laws by March 15. Legal Affairs Committee Chairman Mr Steven Tashobya claimed his committee would fast track the consideration of all critical legal reforms as Parliament moved to thwart concern about delays in fixing electoral law loopholes with less than a year to the next general election. It is doubtful whether Parliament will pull off such an assignment given the pace with which we know how our MPs work. But whatever the case, the earlier these reforms are debated and passed, the better. There are five bills before the House which are critical to the 2011 general election. * Odrek bouncedMr Odrek Rwabogo, a son-in-law to the President, received the short end of the stick from MPs on the Public Accounts Committee who are probing allegations of misappropriation of funds during the 2007 Kampala Commonwealth Meeting. The high flying PR honcho was kicked out of the House, along with Mr Patrick Quarcoo after the duo failed to show up with key staff to explain how they spent Shs6 billion on Chogm publicity. MPs are questioning the tendering process which awarded the two gentlemen the lucrative deal. Disgusted by the kick-out, Mr Rwabogo said he would consider running for a parliamentary seat come 2011. Interesting! egyezaho@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/-/688612/856718/-/txmwba/-/index.html","content":"Ever thought about the gauges on your car’s dash? - Probably the first time you entered a car, the car’s gauges fascinated you and logically you could easily understand what they meant. The minimum number of gauges on a passenger car dashboard is the speedometer and the fuel gauge. The most common additional gauge is the temperature gauge, followed by the tachometer (usually the size of the speedometer), a voltmeter and oil pressure gauge. If your car does not have, say, a temperature gauge, you will have a warning light for this function but you need to get out of the 70s. In the past, the most used gauge was the speedometer. A cable that spins inside a flexible tube usually drove the speedometer. The cable is connected on one side to the speedometer and on the other to the speedometer gear inside the transmission. Today, just about all vehicles have eliminated the cable and use an electronic sensor to measure wheel speed and send the signal to an electronically driven speedometer. The accuracy of the speedometer can be affected by the size of the tyres. If the tyres are larger in diameter than original equipment, the speedometer will read that you are going slower then you actually are. cSometimes, I believe the fuel gauge is deliberately designed to be inaccurate. After you fill up the tank, the gauge will stay on full for a long time and slowly drop until it reads 3/4 full. After that, it moves progressively faster until the last quarter of a tank seems to go very quickly. When the needle drops below E, there is usually one or two litres left in reserve, so girls, don’t get too worried when the fuel warning light goes on. To find out for sure, look up your car’s specs and find out how many litres of fuel your tank holds, then the next time you fill up an empty tank, check how many litres it took to fill it. The difference is your reserve. It is not a good idea to let your tank drop below 1/4. This is because your fuel pump is submerged in fuel at the bottom of the tank. The liquid fuel helps to keep the fuel pump cool. If the fuel level goes too low and uncovers the pump, the pump will run hotter than normal. If you do this often enough, it can shorten the life of the fuel pump and eventually cause it to fail. The temperature gauge measures the temperature of the engine coolant. When you first start the car, the gauge will read cold. Most temperature gauges do not show temperature numbers, instead they will read cold, hot, and have a normal range, which is usually half way. It is very important to monitor the temperature gauge to be sure that your engine is not overheating. If you notice that the gauge is reading much hotter than it usually is and the outside temperature is not unusually hot, have the cooling system checked as soon as possible. If the temperature gauge moves all the way to hot, or if the temperature warning light comes on, the engine is overheating. Safely pull off the road and turn the engine off and let it cool. Usually it’s because of a leakage in the cooling system. An overheating engine can quickly cause serious damage. The tachometer (that thing usually next to the speedometer), also known as revolution-counter, measures how fast the engine is turning in RPM (Revolutions Per Minute). This information is useful if your car has manual transmission and you want to shift at the optimum RPM for best fuel economy or best acceleration. It is one of the least used gauges on a car with an automatic transmission and as a matter of fact, I honestly think it’s useless. You should never race your engine so fast that the gauge moves into the red zone as this can cause engine damage; nonetheless, most engines are protected by the engine computer from going into the red zone. Usually, the tachometer shows single digit markings like 1, 2, 3 etc. Somewhere, you will also see an indicator that says RPM x 1000. This means that you multiply the reading by 1000 to get the actual RPM, so if the needle is pointing to 2, the engine is running at 2000 RPM. Those are the basic dials you’re bound to find on a car. And as much as these are very easy to understand, think of them as an ECG machine (that machine that shows heart pulses in hospitals in movies) for your car."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/828276/-/akmn13z/-/index.html","content":"Parties must build strong alliance - I want to congratulate the four cooperating parties-- CP, FDC, Jeema and UPC-- for establishing a cooperation through which parties agreed to work together to transform Uganda into a just and democratic nation. The fact that we have managed to work through the Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) since the first protocol was signed on August 5, 2008 is a clear demonstration that we can indeed work together to change the political situation of Uganda. We are happy with the overall direction of cooperation. However, IPC still has a long way to go in reaching out to the grassroots. Although the formulation of the electoral reforms and development of the private members bills will remain one of our solid achievements, IPC needs to do more to position itself at the centre of the political struggle in Uganda. We need to make an in-depth analysis, to identify the possible areas of weaknesses. During the first Inter-Party Conference I suggested that IPC should have a separate think tank. The role of the think tank is to look at IPC in terms of the broad picture. This includes putting the IPC at the centre of the political issues in Uganda. The think tank ought to generate new ideas, evaluate various options and explore various alternative sources of funds to implement IPC programmes. It is the think tank which should generate strategies to make IPC dynamic so that it is felt to be a stronger organisation than the mother political parties. By agreeing to form a cooperation/alliance we are forming an organisation which is similar to a federal arrangement. We want to preserve the parties, which will be like the federal states, while also working under the alliance which is comparable to the central government. The constituent parties will raise their funds separately and fund their candidates. If we had formed a merger, we would have gone into a unitary relation, where the constituent units would be submerged. All our funds would have been put in one basket. But it also happens that the partners in the alliance, cannot be at par in all respects. Each partner has its own strengths and weaknesses. Two issues rise in these relations. First the public expects an overall alliance which is stronger than all the constituent units which make the alliance. Secondly, just like in any federal system, the issue of inequities amongst the federal states is going to create disharmony. Those who are conversant with the East African Federation, will tell you that the issue of unequal benefits has always remained a thorny issue in EAC. The disadvantaged partner may not be fully committed to the federation if its benefits are monopolised by other partners.We need to be fully conscious of this core weak spot which is likely to affect us just as it has bedevilled various efforts to form federations and alliances. In our contribution to Joint Electoral Platform (JEP) which formed part of the basis for the Draft Protocol we tried to deal with this issue. We hope that it will get the seriousness it deserves. The attempts to intimidate the press in the last three months by the NRM government have revealed the government’s ill intentions to limit and control access to the media in the run up to the general elections in 2011. The government in September closed down five radio stations within one day under the [on grounds] that they were inciting people to violence during the September demonstrations. Since then, all media houses were given new strict guidelines which gagged what the media had to broadcast. Three of the five radio stations have been opened, but the Central Broadcasting Corporation (CBS) and Radio Suubi still remain off the air. I have received invitations to participate in talk shows only to be cancelled at the last hour. Dr Kizza Besigye, president of FDC, was denied access to a radio station while in Karamoja. Clearly, the NRM government is determined to suppress the freedom of the press and deny opposition access to independent media. A cross sections of Ugandans have called upon the NRM government to reopen the two radio stations without any precondition. Recently, we called upon the government to reopen CBS by the end of 2009, or else, we mobilise Ugandans to go on a sit-down strike on January 4, 2010. Owing to pressure, the government announced the setting up of a cabinet sub-committee to explore conditions for reopening CBS. It looks like the cabinet sub-committee idea is a PR gimmick intended to hoodwink the public that something is being done. After the IPC Masaka rally in which we talked about the sit-down strike, we were requested to put in place measures to effect the sit-down. A suggestion was put to us that we should form a sit-down strike committee with various political parties represented to organise the strike. It was also proposed that we request opposition MPs in Kampala to organise rallies before the end of the year in their constituencies to sensitise the people about the sit-down strike. I want to propose to IPC that we consider the suggestion of forming a nucleus sit-down strike committee which should work to involve other parties to mobilise Ugandans to effect the sit-down strike in protest for the closure of CBS and Radio Suubi. If we had something like a think tank I mentioned above, this is the sort of idea that needs to be carefully studied and evaluated by such a body. However, in its absence, we can’t just sit down and see the freedom of the press being suppressed and buried. Our main task is how to build a strong inter-party cooperation/alliance that can deliver Ugandans from the current NRM oppression. Among the many suggestions we have raised is the issue of setting up a think tank for the alliance. Mr Mayanja is the president of the Justice Forum Party. This is an abridged version of a presentation at the Inter-Party Conference at Pope Paul Memorial community Centre in Kampala- December 13-15"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/law-arrests-protests/-/691232/2811504/-/5mnme1z/-/index.html","content":"What law says on arrests, protests - TVOOn June 8, police arrested Robert Shaka, an information and security analyst accusing him of promoting sectarianism on social media.It was alleged that Shaka violated the Computer Use Act through a Facebook account writing under the name Tom Voltaire Okwalinga, or TVO. Police then searched his home, taking some of his computer equipment.Police went on to also detain Shaka for several days until his lawyer got a court order for his release. At the time, the Daily Monitor contacted police spokesman Fred Enanga for a comment which he declined, saying it is only the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, who could talk about the issue. What the law saysArticle 23(4) A person arrested or detained—(b) Upon reasonable suspicion of his or her having committed or being about to commit a criminal offence under the laws of Uganda, shall, if not earlier released, be brought to court as soon as possible but in anycase not later than forty-eight hours from the time of his or her arrest. Article 27. Right to privacy of person, home and other property. (1) No person shall be subjected to— (a) unlawful search of the person, home or other property of that person; or (b) unlawful entry by others of the premises of that person. (2) No person shall be subjected to interference with the privacy of that person’s home, correspondence, communication or other property. Legal take“The case of Shaka was quite funny. Police did act within certain confines of the law because it has the power to arrest without an arrest warrant where it believes there is a felony about to be committed,” says Arthur Abaliwano, a lawyer at the Wagabaza law firm.“However, the mistake that they made is that he was detained beyond the required 48hours before arraigning him in court.” BesigyeOn Jul 9, hours to the launch of his campaigns for Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party presidential flag-bearer, police arrested and detained Dr Kizza Besigye.Dr Besigye had set off from his home in the company of his aide, Francis Mwijukye, and a few others at around 9am before being halted a few metres away from his home by Kasangati Division field force operations commander Fred Ahimbisibwe who emerged and gave Dr Besigye two options; to either go back to his house or get arrested.He chose the latter, observing that his home “is not a prison”.“I am a law abiding citizen, my home cannot be a prison. I have work to do and if I have broken any law, you (police) take me to prison,” Dr Besigye told the police officers who had barricaded the road to his home.Mr Ahimbisibwe told Dr Besigye that police had information he planned to incite violence in the city.“We have information that you plan to cause mayhem in the city, so go back home.” Dr Besigye asked police to escort him to the American Embassy where he said he had a scheduled meeting but that too was declined.Upon requesting why he was being prevented from proceeding to his daily duties, the police officer responded that he was acting on orders from above. Dr Besigye was then ushered into a waiting police pick-up truck and rushed to a police station where he was detained until late evening.In a letter the Daily Monitor saw on the day, police claimed in the retired colonel violated Section 5(1) of the Public Order Management Act 2013. “……An organiser of a public meeting shall give notice in writing signed by the organiser or his or her agent to the authorised officer of the intention to hold a public meeting, at least three days but not more than 15 days before the proposed date of the public meeting,” noted the letter signed by Mr Erasmus Twaruhukwa on behalf of the IGP, read in part. What the Law says;Article 23 (3) A person arrested, restricted or detained shall be informed immediately, in a language that the person understands, of the reasons for the arrest, restriction or detention and of his or her right to a lawyer of his or her choice. However denotes that, Article 23(4) A person arrested or detained— (a) for the purpose of bringing him or her before a court in execution of an order of a court; or (b) upon reasonable suspicion of his or her having committed or being about to commit a criminal offence under the laws of Uganda,And Section 10 of the Criminal Procedure Code: Any police officer may, without an order from a magistrate and without a warrant, arrest—any person whom he or she suspects upon reasonable grounds of having committed a cognisable offence, an offence under any of the provisions of Chapter XVI of the Penal Code Act or any offence for which under any law provision is made for arrest without warrant. Take“The charges should be read out to the person at the time of arrest, so that the person know exactly what laws they have violated in the constitution thus the cause for arrest,” Abaliwano notes.“Secondly, miranda rights also apply in this case. At the time of arresting someone, they must be informed of the reasons for which they are being arrested or detained,” he says.“Nevertheless they can detain someone in such a fashion if they have cause to believe that they are about to or have broken the law.” Vincent KaggwaOn July 16, Vincent Kaggwa, 24, the spokesperson of the NRM Poor Youth Forum, was picked up by security personnel from his home in Katanga, Wandegeya.For the next three days, friends and relatives could not trace him at any of the police stations in and around Kampala. Recounting his ordeal, Kaggwa says his home was visited by plain-clothed operatives who said they were from the Police Flying Squad and insisted on searching his house without a warrant. “I prevented them from getting in and immediately called for LCI chairman for Kimwanyi Zone Hassan Wasswa Ssempala to witness the search,” he says.Kaggwa narrates that when the chairman came the operatives were then permitted to search the house in his presence. I had a pile of Amama Mbabazi branded T-shirts, caps, calendars, brochures, stickers and other campaign material. Kaggwa adds that he was then notified that he was being arrested and was asked to come with the officers to the Central Police Station from where he recorded a statement.“When I finished, they escorted me back into the Noah and put a red hood over my head. They drove around for quite a while. I do not know where they took me but it was night when we reached the point where they detained me,” he explains.“It was an untidy cell. They then splashed cold water on me at an immense pressure. I was really worried for my wife and children. I was not sure whether I would see them again.” After three days, Kaggwa was charged with inciting violence and released on police bond. Addressing journalists upon Mr Kaggwa’s release, police spokesman Fred Enanga said Mr Kaggwa was arrested to prevent “likely breach of peace during Idd celebrations”.“This youth group where Kaggwa is a ring leader had planned to distribute materials which were of electoral significance to people participating in Idd prayers at selected mosques and other Muslim worship centres around Kampala,” Mr Enanga said.“It was in the interest of preserving peace that we caused the arrest of Kaggwa. This is a group that had not sought permission to organise activities.” What the Law says;Article 23 (5) Where a person is restricted or detained—(a) The next-of-kin of that person shall, at the request of that person, be informed as soon as practicable of the restriction or detention;(b) The next-of-kin, lawyer and personal doctor of that person shall be allowed reasonable access to that person; and(c) That person shall be allowed access to medical treatment including, at the request and at the cost of that person, access to private medical treatment.Article 24. Respect for human dignity and protection from inhuman treatment.No person shall be subjected to any form of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. 1 | 2 Next Page»Take “In Kiwanuka’s case, being hosed with cold water was out of line. Even when you are interrogating somebody, if they have not resisted, they ought to be treated in a humane way, you just do not bundle them,” Abaliwano explains.“And the police should have informed his next of kin and lawyers immediately after arrest.” RecourseDepending on the law prevailing within a community, there can be many ways in which the police are monitored. Larger cities have police commissions or police oversight committees. Smaller communities may rely on the State prosecutor to evaluate police misdeeds. In almost all cases, complaints against police are usually investigated by their own police department. “In Uganda’s case, it is the state attorney to handle such cases against the police. If you are arrested and handled in a way that the constitution does not condone, you can file a case with him,” he says. However, there is a problem. In most instances these cases take long to be resolved. There are many cases against police at the attorney’s office but they take a long time.”The constitution provides for such redress against police Article 23 (7) denotes: “A person unlawfully arrested, restricted or detained by any other person or authority shall be entitled to compensation from that other person or authority whether it is the State or an agency of the State or other person or authority.”Abaliwano argues that in the end the best way to deal with transgressors within police is to take on the individuals rather than the institution. “Remember the case of the journalist who brutalized a journalist and was arrested, charged and arraigned in court? That is how one should take on the police. Always try to identify your arresting officer and know your rights,” he adds.“It is always the citizens who need to hold the police accountable for their actions, or lack of action.” editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Askthedoctor-/mother-s-painful-death-Part-Two/-/691236/2806338/-/12to6pt/-/index.html","content":"A mother’s painful death - Part Two - When Irene Nanteza, 34, raptured her uterus and died in labour on May 5, 2011, at Nakaseke Hospital, her husband and children did not take it lying down. The family instituted a civil suit against Nakaseke District Local Administration. The family contented that since admission at the hospital, Nanteza had not received the appropriate medical care and attention because the assigned doctor was not on duty that day to attend to her. The cardinal issue was whether the deceased’s right to health was violated and whether the district Local Government was liable (responsible) for the death. Putting it the other way, the question which arose was whether there was professional negligence and breach of medical ethics in this case. The judge, in evaluating the evidence before him, sought to establish a credible timeline for the events of the day, including whether the doctor on duty that day had indeed been on duty as he had stated. There was no doubt in the mind of the judge that the mother was brought to the hospital at about midday, admitted to the maternity ward at 1.30pm and diagnosed with obstructed labour at about 4.30pm. All facts adduced during the case hearing were to the effect that the doctor, who was supposed to be on duty, was informed of the emergency. All witnesses, other than the doctor, testified that the doctor on call was absent from the hospital from 11am that morning and only returned to the hospital late in the evening. The judge had the occasion to visit Nakeseke Hospital to acquaint himself with the various locations such as the theatre, maternity ward, the gate, the HIV clinic and the doctor’s mess. The judge described as quite startling, astonishing and audacious the doctor’s claim that he was at the HIV clinic from 4.30pm to 5pm that day. It was even more outrageous that the doctor could claim, without remorse, that he walked around the hospital, out of the gate to his residence, and back when in fact the midwife and the hospital guards were looking for him to attend to the emergency. The judge put the death of the patient squarely on the shoulders of the doctor. The doctor’s explanations fell on deaf ears. The rulingThe judge had this to say: “It is understandable for the doctor to strenuously strive to place himself within the precincts of the hospital from 4.30pm onwards in order to avoid the charge of neglect of duty, and ultimately responsibility for the death of the deceased and her child , as the doctor who went missing while on duty.”The judge described the doctor as a consummate liar and the person who bore the most responsibility for the death of the deceased and her child and who, worst of all, tried to cover up the unfortunate death that arose out of negligence of duty. Clearly Nanteza did not receive the care and protection she was entitled to under the Constitution.”“The State shall protect women and their rights, taking into account their unique status and natural maternal functions in society.” Article 33(3). The functions of a District Local Government include the provision of medical and health services, including hospitals, health centres, dispensaries, maternal and child welfare, among others. The Constitution also provides that the local governments shall oversee the performance of persons employed by the Government to provide services in their area and to monitor the provision of these services. The judge found Nakaseke District Local Administration vicariously liable (responsible) for the death of Nanteza. The judge cited the basis for his conclusion on a previous judgment where it was held that: “(The District Local Government) will still be vicariously liable if the acts of the servant are negligent, deliberate, wanton, criminal or for the benefit of the servant. The acid test in deciding vicarious liability is whether the acts were done or committed within the scope of the servant’s employment. It is irrelevant if the act was done contrary to the instructions of the matter.” The Judge ordered Nakaseke District Local Government to pay Nanteza’s family a sum of Shs35m. The Judge also recommended that criminal proceedings be instituted against the doctor for neglect of duty resulting in the death of a mother under Section 114 of the Penal Code Act for deterrence purposes. In the judge’s opinion, the doctor ought not to hold any position of any responsibility in any hospital. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Police-have-no-powers-to-prohibit-peaceful-assemblies/-/689364/2791672/-/3i8ln9z/-/index.html","content":"Police have no powers to prohibit peaceful assemblies, public rallies - “Freedom of assembly enables individuals collectively to publicise and campaign for the causes they believe in more effectively than any of them could hope to do on their own” – Tom BinghamArticle 29 (1) (d) of Uganda’s Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of assembly and to demonstrate together with others in a peaceful manner. Police should not prohibit a public assembly in their own discretion but they should regulate the time, place, and manner of peaceful assembly, provided constitutional safeguards are met. The Constitutional Court, in Muwanga Kivumbi Vs Attorney General (Constitutional Petition No. 9 of 2005); held that subsection (2) of Section 32 of the Police Act authorising the police to prohibit assemblies, including public rallies and demonstrations, was unconstitutional as it would be giving the police powers to impose conditions, which are inconsistent with the provisions of Article 29 (1) (d) of the Constitution.Muwanga Kivumbi was a member and coordinator of Popular Resistance Against Life Presidency (PRALP), which on April 14, 2005, wrote to police informing them of their intention to hold a rally and demonstration in Masaka town. The DPC advised PRALP to hold a seminar or consultative meeting in a closed place. He warned them that if they went ahead to hold any rally or demonstration, police would disperse it. They held the rally and the police dispersed it. Muwanga Kivumbi and others were arrested. On May 18, 2005, the PRALP wrote to the DPC Mukono, informing him of their intention to hold a public dialogue in Lugazi, Nkokonjeru and Seeta towns. The DPC advised them to hold consultation meetings in a closed place. Police officers were quoting Sections 32, 34 and 35 of the Police Act and the now repealed Article 73 of the Constitution. Kivumbi, aggrieved by the conduct of police, filed the petition to have Section 32 of the Police Act declared unconstitutional.The Constitutional Court delivered its Judgment on May 27, 2008, nullifying subSection 2 of Section 32 of the Police Act. The nullified subsection provided that:- …if it comes to the knowledge of the Inspector General [of Police] that it is intended to convene any assembly or form any procession on any public road or street or at any place of public resort, and the Inspector General [of Police] has reasonable grounds for believing that, the assembly or procession is likely to cause a breach of the peace, the Inspector General [of Police] may, by notice in writing to the person responsible for convening the assembly or forming the procession, prohibit the convening of the assembly or forming of the procession.Their Lordships observed that subsection (2), which empowered the Inspector General of Police to prohibit the convening of an assembly or forming of a procession in any public place, on subjective reason contravened the fundamental right to freedom of assembly and to demonstrate together with others peacefully. However, the court carefully considered the limitation on fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in Article 43. That Article limits the enjoyment of rights and freedoms so that no person shall prejudice the fundamental or other human rights and freedoms of others or the public interest, in the enjoyment of their rights. Under Article 43 (2), public interest shall not permit; (a) political persecution; (b) detention without trial; (c) any limitation of the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms…beyond what is acceptable and demonstrably justifiable in a free and democratic society or what is provided in the Constitution.The salient points about this judgment to note are that:-As long as there is no contravention of Article 43 of the Constitution and the rights are exercised within the confines of the law, there is no convincing reason for restricting or stopping convening rallies or assembly or demonstrations.If thepolice entertain a “reasonable belief” that some disturbances might occur during the assembly, what needs to be done is to provide security and supervision. It is the paramount duty of the police to maintain law and order but not to curtail people’s enshrined freedoms and liberties on mere anticipatory grounds, which might turn out to be false. Powers given to the Inspector General of Police to prohibit the convening of an assembly or procession is an unjustified limitation on the enjoyment of fundamental rights. Government has a duty of maintaining proper channels and structures to ensure that legitimate protest whether political or otherwise can find voice. Of great concern is the fact that a provision in terms similar to the nullified subsection 2 of Section 32 of the Police Act, found its way into the Public Order Management Act (POMA) of 2013. Section 8(1) of the POMA gives powers to an officer to stop or prevent an assembly. This section is unconstitutional. As we go into elections, government should remember that peaceful dissent and dialogue is a hallmark of a free and democratic society. The conduct by police to prohibit peaceful assemblies, including public rallies or demonstrations, is unconstitutional. Ms Sebatindira is the president, Uganda Law Society"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Public-Order-Management-Act-Bad-law-or-poor-enforcement-/-/688342/2787698/-/ih56sez/-/index.html","content":"Public Order Management Act: Bad law or poor enforcement?  - Kampala- The contest between former prime minister Amama Mbabazi and his erstwhile political soulmate President Museveni has brought to the fore the Public Order Management Act (POMA). The law came into force in 2013 in the wake of the walk-to-work demonstrations and laden with the background of the Kayunga and ‘Save Mabira’ riots. Across the country, police have waved the law like a conventional flag in a war zone signaling ‘cease-fire’ to, especially Opposition activities. Perhaps, more than any other law, POMA’s prominence is highest on the pecking order of public debate. That means it has been understood and misunderstood, applied rightly and abused in equal measure. Do you need police permission to hold meetings?One of the misconceptions about the law, for instance, is that one requires police permission to hold a meeting of more than three people. Mr Mbabazi has particularly found himself in the defence witness’ dock, shielding POMA in local and international media interviews. “In my view or even law, nobody has the powers to stop the meetings. I refer you to the Constitution of Uganda, the Public Order Management Act (POMA), the Penal code Act, Chapter 120, the Traffic and Road Safety Act and Political Parties and Organisations Act,” he told journalists last week. In the POMA, Mr Mbabazi adds: “The powers of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) or authorised officer are restricted to regulate the conduct of all public meetings. Police neither have authority nor a role in the organisation or conduct of public meetings. In fact, Section 2(2) defined the meaning of regulate to be as to ensure that the conduct or behavior of those who are gathered conforms to the requirements of the constitution”. So what does the law state? Shadow attorney general Abdu Katuntu and Busiro East MP Medard Segona observe that the law in its current form, is actually refined compared to the restrictive law it was in its original form. “There is nothing in that law which I debated and wrote which gives police those powers (to stop public meetings). We provided for exceptions, among others, to activities of political parties and organisations,” says Mr Katuntu. So is the police wrong to cite POMA as a legal ground for blocking political activities?Section 4 of the law defines a public meeting as “a gathering, assembly, procession or demonstration in a public place or premises held for the purpose of discussing, acting upon, petitioning or expressing views on a matter of public interest.” Section 4(2) (e) states that a public meeting shall not include “a meeting of the organs of a political party or organisation convened in accordance with the constitution of the party and held exclusively to discuss the affairs of the party.” Police condemnedFor police to cite POMA as happened in Mbale last week where Mr Mbabazi’s supporters were dispersed with a police officer reading the Act, Mr Katuntu says, “is an opportunistic abuse of the law to go back to the original legal regime which provided that police had powers to stop public meetings. What we provided for is notification so they facilitate the meetings with security. What they are doing is to use the law to go back to the original position that was unconstitutional.” MP Kivumbi says: “One is only meant to give police a notice three days in advance and police respond in writing if they have a query. They can object if the venue has been booked, and if there are issues with traffic and crowd control, they have to write, inviting you to discuss an alternative.” Muwanga Kivumbi Vs Attorney General is the case Katuntu alludes to where MP Kivumbi challenged section 32(2) of the Police Act which stated: “If it comes to the knowledge of the Inspector General of Police that it is intended to convene any assembly or form any procession on any public road or street or at any place or public resort, and the inspector general has reasonable grounds for believing that the assembly or procession is likely to cause a breach of the peace, the inspector general may, by notice to the person responsible for convening the assembly or forming the procession, prohibit the convening of the assembly or forming the procession.” However, NRM lawyer Kiryowa Kiwanuka disagrees with Mr Mbabazi and Mr Katuntu, who argue that police have no power to stop public meetings under POMA. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Askthedoctor-/Doctor-duty-emergencies/-/691236/2774130/-/fnndarz/-/index.html","content":"The doctor’s duty in emergencies - A 10-year-old child, who was known to have epilepsy, got severe fits near the private practice of a General Practitioner (non-specialised doctor). The doctor was called to attend to the patient, but he declined as this was not his patient and he had no therapeutic relationship with the child. The child was the patient of a specialist pediatric neurologist for many years ever since he was diagnosed as an epileptic. However, the specialist was miles away from the place the child got the fits. The child suffered severe brain damage and lost the use of both the arms and legs as a result of these fits. He had thereafter to use a wheel-chair, in addition to having the services of an attendant for the rest of his life. Legal action takenThe two doctors were sued. In the course of the case, the judge made a number of observations:• The doctor was aware that the child faced a major, life-threatening medical emergency requiring urgent attention.• The doctor was only 300 metres from the site of the emergency.• The doctor was approached at his place of practice.• The doctor was ready to begin his day’s work and was not occupied in any professional activity, which would have precluded him from treating the child.• What was asked of the doctor involved no risk to him.• The doctor was not disabled by any physical or mental condition from travelling to and treating the child (for example, he was not tired, ill or inebriated). Court found it difficult to imagine any reasonable doctor failing to respond to a request for assistance in these circumstances. Although no doctor-patient relationship existed between the child and the general practitioner, the question was whether he owed the child a duty of care in these circumstances. Court found that the doctor indeed owed a duty of care to the child. This duty arose because the child was in urgent need of medical treatment. Court found that the doctor had been alerted to the need for emergency care. His failure or refusal to attend to the child without reasonable cause amounted to a breach of his duty of care. The general rule is that no person, not even a doctor, is under a legal obligation to rescue a stranger. However, circumstances may exist in which a medical practitioner comes under a duty of care, the content of which is a duty to treat a patient in need of emergency care. Indeed, it is misconduct in all Medical and Dental Practitioners Acts not to offer emergency care. There is an ethical responsibility for all health personnel to provide emergency care to the level to which one is trained and experienced. In most jurisdictions, health workers need not fear to offer emergency assistance for the fear of being sued if their attempts are not successful. Protection from civil liability is assured where help has been provided in an emergency without expectation of financial reward. The accusationsIt was alleged that the specialist was negligent in failing to prescribe rectal diazepam (valium) and in failing to instruct the child’s parent in its administration for use in emergencies where an epileptic fit occurred and professional medical care was not readily available. This was the situation which, in fact, arose. Expert medical evidence indicated that the course of treatment adopted by the specialist (of not instructing the parent to give rectal valium) was in accordance with accepted medical practice then. This decision was regarded by the peers of the specialist as proper standards. However, court ruled against the specialist. The court is the expert of experts, as the saying goes. The court ruled: “It is the law, not the medical profession which determines the standard of care which is required.” The judge had this to add: “It is incumbent upon (the specialist) in the exercise of reasonable care and skill as a specialist pediatric neurologist to instruct the parents about the use of rectal diazepam and to equip them to administer it.” Dr Sylvester Onzivua is a Consultant Forensic Pathologist. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/Dealing-fraudsters-real-estate/-/689858/2770350/-/106kywz/-/index.html","content":"Dealing with fraudsters in real estate - Having lost her husband in 2010, Justine Kawere tried all sorts of jobs which did not seem productive enough to raise money to sustain her and her five children.After struggling for almost two years, Kawere started looking for an opportunity to travel abroad to find casual work through which she would raise money to look after her children who had now dropped out of school. As fate would have it, in 2010, through a family friend, an opportunity presented itself for Kawere to travel to Dubai and work as a cleaner in a hotel. Her plan was to use part of the money she earned to buy a piece of land back in Uganda and construct rentals through which her children would get school fees. In 2012, Kawere thought her dream would come true when she responded to an advert on land placed in one of the local dailies by a real estate company after a tip from a friend in Kampala. She was now to return to Kampala to confirm and do a site visit of the land that they had agreed upon with the estate agents. The 50x100ft plot of land which was located in Kasangati on Gayaza road, Wakiso district was sold to her at Shs10m. She then signed a contract with the said estate agent and also paid for the land after which the former undertook to handover duly executed transfer forms and a certificate of title to Kawere. But despite several demands to have the documents handed over, the agents refused to perform their part of the contract. Kawere, on going to the lands ministry, discovered that the land belonged to a different person who was the registered proprietor and not her agents company. She says it took her one year before court could order the faulted agents to compensate her with Shs50m. But Kawere says she made a loss considering the income she would have made from the rentals. The problemCases of Ugandans that have been defrauded through land deals have brought the authenticity of many real estate companies under scrutiny.In some cases, land agents have been sued for selling land to more than one person and other agents have ended up in jail which has branded them as fraudsters.But whereas its common perception by most people that real estate agents have been the major impostors, land proprietors have come out to dispute the allegations. IgnoranceThe real estate agents who have been operating in the business for quite some time defend themselves that most of these cases crop up as a result of ignorance on the side of both the agent and the client. SellersLauben Muhabuzi, the Managing director, Semu Real Estate Business and Agents blames the people who sell land to real estate agents as the ones who in most cases dupe the latter by selling the same piece of land to more than two companies or people.He says, “Some land agents enter business without acquiring enough knowledge on land issues but not necessarily because they intend to dupe their clients.”“At times, some agents are also ignorant about the legality of the land they are selling which they end up being forced by the courts of law to compensate for and because of the heavy losses their businesses collapse.” Not paying fullyMuhabuzi adds that some real estate companies sell land to their clients before making full payments to the original sellers who later claim for their land after the breach of contact“Clients should therefore always first look at those documents which the agents used to acquire the land and also ensure that the land was fully paid for and transferred to the latter’s names,” he advises. Lack of sensitisationMuhabuzi also says government has not done enough to sensitise the citizens on land issues which has made them vulnerable to imposters because they can easily be manipulated. In the Diaspora Peter Semugema, the Managing Director of Jesus Property Agents says people who leave in the diaspora are advised to get trustees such as lawyers to do site visits and verification rather than trusting the land agents.“Our clients outside the country should endeavour to involve as many concerned people in the buying process as possible starting with police, surveyors and lawyers as this would scare away dubious agents. What is being doneIn the midst of such bad reputation in the real estate business, the proprietors decided to start an association in 2010 called the Estates Property Agents Association (EPAA). According to Simon Peter Kareekezi, the EPAA chairperson, the five-year-old association was formed to unite sellers and buyers of land and fight fraudsters who want to tarnish the business. IdentificationKareekezi says in order to distinguish between fraudsters and genuine agents; the organisation has introduced identity cards for the member real estate companies and individual agents.“Land buyers and sellers have for long been defrauded because they could not differentiate between genuine agents and impostors since they had nothing to identify them,” Kareekezi says. He warns, “Anyone planning to buy land through any land agent should first certify their membership with the agents’ association because our members have set guidelines which they follow.” MediationKareekezi also points out that the organisation mediates land conflicts between agents and clients, and also agents and land sellers to allow for compensation to anyone who is cheated. InvestigateLauben Muhabuzi, the Managing director, Semu Real Estate also advises clients and land agents to first research and verify the ownership of the land by inquiring from the concerned parties. He advises that it would be prudent for the buyers to first inquire from the neighbours in the area where the land is located as there is a high possibility of them knowing the real owner. Muhabuzi adds that the buyers can also consult include local council leaders, before verifying with the concerned land boards in whose jurisdiction the sold land falls. Target group 1 | 2 Next Page»From the previous cases that have been reported to police, while any one may fall prey to one of these scams, the groups most targeted by real estate scammers are the elderly and individuals with low income.These groups are targeted because the scammers contemplate that the groups at times can’t afford or even at times may not be able to file legal suits. PrecautionsVincent Mubangizi, the executive marketer, Arkright Projects Limited gives the best procedures one would follow in order to buy genuine land and also differentiate it from one which is not. Know what you want“If you are to buy land, you are required to identify which part of the country you would like to buy land. This will enlighten you on where to go for investigations on the authenticity of the land and its seller.” Site seeingMubangizi adds that the buyer then conducts a site view first by looking at the land using surveyors to get the rightful measurements and stop the sale agent in that case from inflating the price.“This should be done before looking at the documents and if the land titles are ready, the client is supposed to verify them as the negotiation for the price continues,” Mubangizi says. Know facts about the landRecently, Abbas Mubiru, husband to local artiste, Stacia Mayanja who is a land broker, was dragged to court last month by a one Ronald Ddanze for selling him a fake piece of land on Entebbe Road.Danze alleges that between October and November 2014, the former used fake documents through false presence and conned him of Shs45.5m for a piece of land in Lubowa, Wakiso district. During police interrogation, Mubiru did not deny the charges but claimed that he too was unaware of the controversies surrounding the said land. On this note, Mubangizi advises that in cases where the land being sold does not have a title, the agent must disclose this fact to the buyer.He adds that: “If it’s for example a lease hold kind of land, the buyer must be notified so that an agreement is signed and also the land owner notified about the new occupants to avoid clashes between the two.” Types of land tenureFreehold tenureFreehold is a tenure that bestows upon someone ownership of registered land in eternity Mailo Tenure Mailo tenure is predominantly in Buganda, with some minimal parts of Ankole, Bunyoro and Toro sub-regions having it. It is where permanent ownership of a large plot of land belongs to landlords who acquired it through the 1900 Buganda agreement, while at the same time tenants on the land are recognised and they also have rights to live on and utilise the land. Customary tenure Customary tenure is where land is owned communally, by a clan, or a tribe, among others. Lease hold The 1998 Constitution describes leasehold tenure as one where one party grants to another the right to exclusive possession of land for a specified period, usually in exchange for the payment of rent. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/EU-warns-agricultural-exports/-/689860/2761990/-/gw5fx5z/-/index.html","content":"EU warns on agricultural exports - European Union (EU) has issued another warning to Uganda about export of agricultural commodities that do not meet set regulations.This is in spite of interventions by government and it is against this background that EU issued the statement. A ban“It is prudent that the MAAIF [the ministry of Agriculture] implements the activities in the action plan to ensure compliance with the EU legislation and that the number of interceptions due to the presence of harmful organisms of agricultural commodities exported to the EU dramatically decrease.”“If this does not happen, as already announced to the competent authorities of Uganda, a temporal restriction of the trade for the problematic commodities may take place,” Celine Madsen, EU operations advisor for trade, added. “This is not what we want to happen. It’s not good for the relations we have had for years, but we have been left with no choice. A ban is likely to happen sooner than later if interceptions continue.”Such a measure has social consequences, such as loss of jobs, and will also affect the image of Uganda as an exporter of agricultural commodities. This is happening at a time when the currency exchange is in favour of the export sector. ImpactIf this matter is not dealt with comprehensively, the action will cost the country an estimated loss of more than $64m (Shs204b).The ban will impact about 2.5 million farmers, according to Hasifah Tushabe, coordinator, Uganda Fruits and Vegetable Exporters and Producers Association. Violate rulesThomas Yiga, the association’s chairman, noted that the most affected will be hot pepper farmers and exporters. Every week, nearly 40,000 tonnes are exported to mainly EU markets. But, for a number of years, some of the agricultural commodities exported to EU have been found to violate the Union’s plant health rules. A case in point was between January 2014 and February 2015, when EU border inspectors recorded a total of 163 interceptions of commodities with harmful organisms. “The most problematic commodities are red pepper and roses. Red pepper represents by far the majority of interceptions due to a pest called the false codling moth,” Ms Madsen said. Corrective actionsAs a result, official concerns were raised with Uganda’s Embassy in Brussels as well as with the ministry of Agriculture.The authorities were requested to investigate reasons for non-compliances, and thereafter to take corrective actions. The matter was also followed up at the Ministry of Trade, Industries and Cooperatives, Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as Uganda Export Promotion Board. Collective efforts On its part, the EU has been providing technical assistance and trainings under different support programmes on phytosanitary issues.In October 2014, the ministry of Agriculture, working with exporters, developed a National Action Plan for Phytosanitary Measures to address the aforementioned non-compliances. This action plan was presented to the EU in November 2014. In it, the ministry committed to implementing the action plan and also provide regular updates on progress. An auditKristian Schmidt, EU Head of Delegation, has since met Amelia Kyambadde, minister of Trade, who recently announced a self-imposed ban on the export of red peppers. The EU head also raised the issue before President Museveni at a recent Article 8 Political Dialogue with the EU. In addition, an audit of the phytosanitary controls of MAAIF by the EU is planned for November 2015.The EU rules on plant health are aimed at protecting crops, fruit, vegetables, flowers, ornamentals and forests from pests and diseases and to prevent their introduction into the EU or their spread within the EU.The regulatory basis for this objective is based on the International Plant Protection Convention. Measures to meet before exportStrengthening inspection system. Only exports that have been certified will be allowed. There will strengthening of the inspection system at the airport on the basis of 24/7 operation.Pack houses. Inspection at the farm level and at the pack houses will be undertaken.Each of the exporters should indicate to the authorities in ministry of Agriculture their pack houses as these should be gazetted as points where the inspection takes place. Certificate required. Each export consignment should be accompanied by or with a phytosanitary certificate and fast tracking of the rehabilitation of Entebbe Cold Stores ready for use by the exporters will be concluded.Traceability system. Developing a system in which produce can be traced to the exporter and subsequently to the farm from which the produce originated. Develop the sanctions and penalties systems for exporters in breach and strengthen the agricultural extension system. dnakaweesi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Government-rethink-trategies-priorities/-/689364/2751784/-/y6uyyqz/-/index.html","content":"Government should rethink its strategies and priorities - Teachers under the Uganda National Teachers Organisation gave up a spirited two-week strike it held last month in which it was demanding that government meets its obligation by paying the remaining 10 per cent salary increment due in Financial Year 2015/2016. In 2011, government agreed to a salary increment of 50 per cent (teachers had demanded 100 per cent), payable over three years; the last 10 per cent due in 2015/2016. The government reneged on the agreement and deferred payment to 2016/2017 because it had “no money”, since it had important priorities such as energy and roads to finance. This was a clear breach of agreement by the government. The strike was beginning to cause panic and government had to apply both carrot and stick to force the teachers to succumb. It promised an increment of 15 per cent in 2016/2017 instead of 10 per cent and also agreed that teachers’ Sacco money of Shs25 billion promised by the President will be channelled directly through teachers Saccos and not a national Sacco where teachers had no control. Teachers were also threatened with expulsion and some head teachers were arrested by the ever overzealous RDCs, some of whom even absurdly assumed the role of temporary teachers. The teachers didn’t get any thing new really. A 10 per cent increment this year is by my estimation better than a promise of 15 per cent next year, which promise may not be fulfilled. As for the teachers’ Sacco money, it was wrong in the first instance to deny teachers management of their own funds. Parliament has approved a Budget for 2015/2016 of Shs24.7 trillion compared to Shs15.4 trillion for 2014/2015. This is the biggest budget ever in the history of Uganda and for anyone to say government could not spare a few billion shillings to honour its obligations for a salary increment to teachers who are amongst the least paid in Uganda is mind boggling. The government has prioritised energy and roads but will all of them be completed in this financial year? Of course not and it is likely that these two will again be top priorities in 2016/2017. It is more than likely that in the middle of financial year, there will be a need for supplementaries, especially for Defence and State House. A few weeks ago, Daily Monitor published an article on a survey of educational standards in 76 countries. The top five were Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan, not necessarily in that order. These countries, which have the highest educational standards in the world, are also among the richest countries on the globe. They are highly industrialised inspite of not having natural resources of their own. They import raw materials from countries such as Uganda and turn them into finished products which are exported all over the world. These countries are all in Asia and have given the industrialized countries of Europe and America a “run for their money”, out-competing them in nearly all sectors. They are particularly good at ‘borrowing’ technology from the west and producing the same products for far less. The secret behind their success has been education. They realised from the very beginning that an educated and skilled population is the only weapon at their disposal and no money was spared to skill their people to perfection. Teaching to them is an honoured profession and teachers are well paid.It is well for Uganda to build super highways and generate more energy but without an educated population, who will utilise these services? How will Uganda become a middle income country with an illiterate population living in abject poverty? Our priorities should be education, health and agriculture, if we are to break out of the cycle of underdevelopment, and yet these are the areas most underfunded. Mr Naggaga is an economist, administrator and retired ambassador."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/New-NGO-Bill-will-ensure-transparency--accountability/-/689364/2745646/-/l52nr8/-/index.html","content":"New NGO Bill will ensure transparency, accountability - The Sunday Monitor of May 17 carried a story, ‘New NGO Bill: Rule of law or is it repression’? This was as a result of the joint press conference by the civil society organisations (CSOs). The CSOs made a number of allegations and I would like to comment on few of them since the NGO Bill 2015 is a public document, which every Ugandan ought to read and internalise. Some of the issues the CSOs raised are false. The first allegation was that “the Bill, among other provisions, requires all NGOs to re-register within six months after it has been passed”. This is not true because I have read the Bill and have not found such a provision. The truth is that Once the law is in place, all NGOs will have to be clustered and grouped under the new different types of NGOs being introduced - indigenous, regional, continental, foreign and international - and also to be clustered under different sectors.This exercise will not involve fresh registration. It will only involve issuance and replacement of new types of certificates that clearly identify the type of NGO, the sector, the area of operation they fall in, etc. The NGO Board already has all the records of the registered NGOs. This is a transition provision/requirement of transferring NGOs registered under the old law (Non-Governmental Organisation Registration Act, Cap 113) to the new law (Non-Governmental Organisation Registration Act, 2015). Another issue is on criminalising the Bill and imposing harsh sentence on the breach of the law. The NGO Bill imposes sanctions and penalties for organisations that are not accountable and transparent in their operations. This is to ensure there is respect for the systems in place. The amount of fines and the terms of sentence for the directors and staff are subject to discussion and improvement since the Bill is before the committee of Parliament. In the Sunday Monitor article, Mr Richard Ssewakiryanga, the executive director of the Uganda National NGO Forum, decried the role of the RDCs in monitoring exercise. He labels them partisan. However, Article 203(1) of the Constitution provides for appointment of RDC by the President. Article 203(3) (c) provides that RDC can be assigned such functions as may be prescribed by Parliament by law. The NGO Bill is, therefore, in line with Article 203(3) (c) by giving an RDC an additional role of chairing the district NGO monitoring committee. Article 203 (3)(a) provides that one of the functions of the RDC is to monitor by implementation of central and local government services. The functions of the RDC in the Constitution are not political in nature and make him/her a civil servant. The Bill proposes the structure of the district NGO monitoring committee as: the RDC, the chief administrative officer, the district community officer, the district internal security officer, a representative of organisations in the district and the committee may co-opt the technical officers to deal with specific issues. The NGO Bill intends to harmonise the NGO policy that was greatly accepted by the civil society and also cure some lacunas in the Act. All this is aimed at providing enabling environment for the NGOs to operate. The CSOs also raised the issue of public interest. This means the welfare of the general public which warrants recognition, promotion and protection by its agencies. The work of NGOs is meant to benefit mainly the general public. This means the NGOs are supposed to be accountable to the general public whom they serve. The NGO board takes into consideration the interests and concerns of the general public as the beneficiaries each time it executes its mandate. This involves ensuring that the sector is accountable to the public. Mr Katongana is a pan-Africanist. katonganajames@rocketmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Idi-Amin-decrees-on-mini-skirts--gonorrhoea-and-wigs/-/689844/2734504/-/gq7378/-/index.html","content":"Idi Amin decrees on mini-skirts, gonorrhoea and wigs - Earlier on February 2, Amin had signed a proclamation removing president Milton Obote and his ministers from office as well as from Parliament. Paragraph two of the proclamation read: “All the titles, privileges, prerogative, powers, functions and exemptions formerly enjoyed or exercised by the former president of the Republic of Uganda under the Constitution are hereby vested in me with effect from the January 25, 1971, and accordingly, the head of State shall be the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.” Paragraph three read: “Parliament is hereby dissolved and all legislative powers referred to in the Constitution are hereby vested in me.”The fourth paragraph instructed: “All legislative powers shall be exercised by me through the proclamation of decrees evidenced in writing under my hand and sealed with the public seal.” Decree on wigsOn February 1, 1974, a decree that outlawed the wearing of wigs was signed by president Amin, according to a press statement. After signing the decree, Amin said he had come under pressure from Ugandan elders to act on women wearing wigs, trousers and long skirts with deep slits. However, the statement said what prompted him to sign the decree was after he had learnt that wigs craved for by the Ugandan women were made by callous imperialists from human hair, mainly collected from the unfortunate and miserable victims of the Vietnam war, thus turning human tragedy into lucrative commercial enterprise. The statement read: “Wigs had generated a number of ailments. Wigs harbour articles injurious to life; from lice to lizards. Wigs promote health hazard besides making our women look un-African and artificial.” The decree, according to the press statement, did affect not court judges, lawyers or other persons whose occupation, profession, official function, cultural, theatrical or sports required them to wear a wig. On the same day, Amin signed another decree permitting town clerks to register customary marriage previously registered by the sub-county chiefs. The decree banning women from wearing trousers and long skirts was also signed on the same day. Only women in the armed forces were allowed to wear trousers in public, but only when on duty. Decree No. 11 of 1971The decree prohibited three or more persons travelling together at night while carrying offensive weapons. The decree stipulated that where three or more persons are found loitering, wandering, moving about or concealing themselves whilst one of them is armed with an article which is dangerous or offensive or housebreaking equipment of any kind, such a person shall be presumed to have an interest to commit an offence relating to property or an offence against a person, and upon conviction shall be guilty of felony and shall be liable for imprisonment for seven years. Decree on the joblessIn early April 1977, Amin signed a law popularly known as the decree of the jobless. The decree dealt with two categories of people; the vagrants (bayaye) and the unemployed. The law amended the Community Farm Settlement Decree of 1975. Under this decree, any person who was unemployed, but able-bodied and aged between 16 and 40 years may be trained on a farm or, in an industry for a period of 12 months. And after the training, he would be settled on land. On the vagrant persons, under the decree, any person found by an authorised officer wandering about without any visible means of subsistence, and unable to render a satisfactory account of him or herself, e.g. has no relevant graduated tax ticket or genuine school or employment identity card and has no parent, guardian or relative near, could also be trained on a farm or industry. Parents with children who could be classified as difficult cases could also send them for training. However, young persons between 12 and 16 years must be trained separately, the decree emphasised. Only members of the military police, police force and the prison service or other authorised persons such as ministers, district commissioners, and gombolola chiefs were allowed to effect the arrest. Decree on hoarding On February 20, 1974, president Amin signed the decree prohibiting hoarding of goods. Under the decree, a person is guilty of hoarding if, while having any essential goods to sell, including farm produce, he or she falsely denies that he or she has less such goods or refuses without reasonable cause to sell those goods or, does not make any reasonable effort to sell them. Upon conviction of the offence, the fine carried a maximum penalty of Shs20,000 or three years of imprisonment. Members of the police force not below the rank of inspector, members of the military police not below the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, all chiefs and town agents as well as produce inspectors and all persons under the Distribution and Price of Government Act were authorised to enter and search any business premises for hoarded goods. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Askthedoctor-/doctor-disclose-confidential-medical-health/-/691236/2733430/-/fg6b9kz/-/index.html","content":"When can a doctor disclose confidential medical info? - One of the cardinal principles that underline the relationship between a doctor and a patient is confidentiality. This forms the basis of the patient-doctor relationship. In the oath that must be taken at the initiation into the noble profession, the doctor thus avows: “I will respect the secrets confided in me, even after the patient has died” (The World Medical Association Declaration of Geneva). The trust of the patient enables him or her to provide the doctor with the information necessary for diagnosis and treatment. All medical associations have included the confidentiality clause in their codes of ethics. An exception did arise when a doctor felt in a particular case, he was duty-bound to protect the society and give out vital information about a particular patient with or without the patient’s consent. The story goes thus;An Englishman in the late 1970s shot four members of a neighbouring family and another neighbour, who had come to investigate the shooting. He then drove off in his car, throwing hand-made bombs as he did so. Later that day, he shot two more people. Five of the victims died of their injuries. The Englishman was diagnosed as suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, a severe mental illness. The illness involved vivid imaginations that he was being persecuted by his victims. In the circumstances, the Englishman pleaded guilty to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility and was convicted accordingly. He was taken to a top security mental hospital where he was to undergo a rehabilitation programme leading to discharge back into the community but on a recommendation of a doctor to the Secretary of State and/or the Mental Health Review Tribunal. A few years later, the resident doctor treating the Englishman recommended his transfer to a less secure unit and ultimately his discharge. The doctor reported that the patient’s mental illness had been controlled by medication and had been stable for the previous two years. The Secretary of State declined to give permission on grounds that there was need for uttermost caution to be exercised in this case, bearing in mind the patients indiscriminate violence towards his victims. Not satisfied, the lawyers for the Englishman appealed to the tribunal. They hired an independent and distinguished consultant psychiatrist, Dr Egdell, to evalute the Englishman and make a report to the tribunal. Dr Egdell’s report did not favour the patient at all. The doctor, in his report, noted a striking lack of remorse even at a simple verbal level. The doctor also noted that although the patient accepted medication, this appeared a move to avoid being labeled as a psychopath. The consultant also noted with concern the patient’s lifelong abnormal interest in home-made bombs that patient refers to as fireworks. Dr Egdell was of a strong view that the Englishman, was in fact a psychopath, still a danger to the community and should not be considered for a transfer to a less secure unit.Upon receipt of Dr Egdell’s report, the lawyers did what they do best; keep the report under lock and key and withdraw the application to the tribunal. Dr Egdell, however, found out that his report did not reach the tribunal and the responsible medical director. He then forwarded his report to the tribunal and the medical director, even after the Englishman’s lawyers strongly declined disclosure. The lawyers commenced proceedings against Dr Egdell for breach of his duty of confidence.Judgment was entered in favour of Dr Egdell. In one of the judgments, it was stated “A doctor called upon to examine a (dangerous) patient owes a duty not only to his patient but also to the public. His duty to the public would require him to place before the proper authorities the result of his examination if, in his opinion, the public interest so required whether or not the patient instructed him not to”. The judges also referred to the provisions of Professional Confidence under the Medical Act where the following exceptions favour disclosure;• If the patient or his legal adviser gives written and valid consent.• Confidential information may be shared with other medical practitioners who participate in the clinical management of the patient.• The doctor may, in particular circumstances, give, in confidence, information regarding a patient’s health to a close relative. This occurs when the doctor believes that it is undesirable on medical grounds to seek the patient’s consent. • In exceptional circumstances, the doctor may disclose information to a third party other than a relative if it is in the best interest of the patient.• Information may be disclosed to the appropriate authority if so demanded by law.• If the doctor is directed to disclose information by a judge or other presiding officer before whom he is giving evidence.• Disclosure may also be justified on the ground that it is in the public interest.• Information may also be disclosed for the purpose of a medical research if approved by an ethical committee. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Heart-to-Heart/Would-you-date-some-one--who-has-children-/-/691230/2731220/-/l5cs5uz/-/index.html","content":"Would you date some one  who has children? - Is there a problem with dating someone who has children?There is absolutely no problem. It is a normal thing. In case the man’s previous relationship did not work out and he happens to meet someone else he loves and thinks will be a great mother to his child, then he should go ahead. A child should never be an obstacle in the way two adults relate. Besides, there are many other factors out there that may prompt a man with children to look for another partner. Factors such as…Divorce. When the man has separated with the mother of the child and takes full custody. Sometimes you may find that the child has lost his or her mother and this pushes the father to find another great mother figure for the child. What if the man has several children and not just one?Even if they are more than 20, the fact remains that they are all your children and it is only fair that you tell your partner about all of them. What do you think of men who set terms and conditions on how the woman should relate with her other child? It is unfair for the woman. Men should let women relate with their child the way they feel like. What if a man discovers only in the course of their relationship that the woman has another child? Talk to your woman. Let her tell you everything concerning this child before making the next step. What if she denies the child?The truth eventually comes out. But what I know about most women is that they rarely deny their own children. She would rather struggle to raise the child by herself rather than stay with a man who distastes the child. What if the woman’s child does not like the man? If the child does not like you, do not distaste them. Love them as if they were your own. Eventually, they will like you. How many children do you have by the way?I have four. The eldest is a girl aged 18. I got her when I was completing my university. I am not with her mother anymore. She moved on and is happily married. The girl is under the care of my wife, Mariam Kazibwe and I. The children I have with Mariam are aged 14, 11 and six. How did Mariam get to know about your 18-year-old daughter? It was one of the first things I told her when we were getting into a relationship. And what was her reaction when you told her? She was very understanding and okay with her (my daughter) living with us. How do they relate now? Their relationship is like that of a mother and daughter. They are good friends. Is there any issue dating someone who already has children?Many people in Uganda have children before they get married, especially the men. They usually have a child somewhere. So, it creates issues because many times the child you find in a home takes a while to accept you. I must say, 90 per cent of those children, by the way, do not accept their new mother. The children just tolerate the situation at hand because they have nothing to do. So, it is an uphill task for the woman if the child is for the man. It is just too much work. Does it get worse if the children are older? Yes, it is. Those are the worst ones to deal with because the little ones might miss motherly love and cling to you for it. But the older ones do not really care. They usually feel like they own their father. So, when you join the family, it is like you are taking away his attention from them. That is a big battle. What advice would you give to a woman in such a situation? The woman has to really be patient and show them that she is not the enemy. Try to fit in and not rock the boat so hard. Walking into the home, changing things around and putting your stamp onto the home is likely to cause chaos. The children might start asking questions such as “dad used to dress or behave this way, why are you trying to change him?” A woman coming into the home and changing the status quo can turn out to be such a complicated issue. When you move into that home, try to understand where the family is coming from and how they do things. And while doing that, try to fit in. What if fitting in does not work out?The best case scenario would be for the man to have a separate home for him and his wife and leave the children in their mother’s home and visit them whenever he feels like. The only way of having peace is not being in the same environment. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/The-women-who-were-stripped--their-story/-/691232/2731544/-/15uypjb/-/index.html","content":"The women who were stripped, their story - If there are children of the revolution, then it is only fair to assume that street riots have spawned an entire generation of demonstrators. And what is a generation, but 20 years? Ever since, the police engaged in running battles with the Tabliq sect in the early 1990s, the rioters have become bolder over time. Last week, it became clear that as a nation, we are moving into stormy waters, when we were treated to a dreadful scene of a half-naked woman (Hamida Nassimbwa) being dragged on the tarmac at the parliamentary avenue, by a police woman. The Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs had invited the public and political parties for public hearing on their views on electoral reforms. However, besides Nassimbwa, there have been other women who have been similarly humiliated. There is the Woman MP for Kampala, Nabila Nagayi Sempala, and then there is the woman who was thrown onto a police truck like a sack of potatoes. These are their stories. Nassimbwa Hamida, 31, Political Activist How it all beganMy political activism began in 2007 when I was a food vendor in Kiseka market. There was a riot against the proposed takeover of the market by a businessman and the police who came to quell it ate our food. I rallied my fellow vendors and we tried to petition the Speaker of Parliament. I was instead arrested and spent three weeks at Central Police Station. The time I spent in the cell hardened me. I shifted to Park Yard market and the day after my kwanjula, the market was burnt by arsonists and I lost my merchandise. I was dealing in children and women’s shoes and I had just brought new stock from Nairobi.My husband’s stall, which was near mine, was also destroyed. We rebuilt our businesses but every time the market got burnt, our stalls perished. What annoyed me is that we were never given a police report yet a new arcade was built on the site of the market. I have always been an opposition sympathiser, and Dr Kizza Besigye is my role model, but after these tragedies, I joined them. I participated in the Walk-To-Work protests and I spent time in Luzira Prison because of my activism. Recently, because Park Yard market was burnt for the fourth time, I joined the Jobless Brotherhood. My story On the day we were supposed to appear before the Legal Committee, when we arrived at Parliament, CPS Commander, Michael Sabila Musani, blocked us from accessing the building, yet we were taking our proposals for electoral reforms. The police were trying to arrest Ingrid (Turinawe, Chairperson FDC Women’s League) and I was determined to stop them because she had done nothing wrong. We are free to move anywhere in this country. Musani called a police woman who works at the Ministry of Finance to arrest me. This woman had a tiny bottle of spray in her hand that she sprayed on me. The liquid burns like acid and when she sprayed it on my skirt; I tried to remove the cloth from my body. I was in terrible pain. Because they were holding my arms, I could not scratch at the pain; the only option was to kick back and in the process the skirt came up. The aftermath I ended up with a fracture on my right ankle. I felt insulted and humiliated. I was traumatised by the whole experience. The effect on my children is terrible. I have two sets of twins, and the youngest, who are five years old, keep asking me why the police wanted to cut off my legs. The older pair, who are seven years old, cry every time I leave home. They are convinced that the police want to kill me. I have to assure them that I will come back home. My husband is a calm man, but the fact that he was speechless shows how deeply affected he was. He only said he would pray for God to heal me. He is not happy with my activism, but he respects my decision. Plans When I have healed, I will return to activism. I now know that anything can happen to me but I have to fight for this country and our children. I believe that if all women went to City Square and undressed, we can force President Museveni out of office. If the police has started undressing us, then we will spare them the trouble and just come to the streets naked. I am ready to inspire others. I also intend to sue the police as an institution for violating my human rights. THE BACKGROUNDLast week, police arrested the FDC Women League leader Ingrid Turinawe in her attempt to join other Opposition members, including FDC president Mugisha Muntu, who had made it to Parliament. Turinawe was arrested together with Hamidah Nalongo Nassimbwa, an activist, who was stripped half-naked by police officers in attempts to restrain her. Rebeca Nanssukusa Lawyer,Makeera and Company Advocates Whichever way you look at it, this woman’s (Nassimbwa) case, her human rights were violated. There is freedom of expression in this country and she was at liberty to be at Parliament, because it is not a restricted area. She can sue for violation of her human rights and liberty because her right to movement in a public place were violated. The fact that she was publically mistreated by being undressed is enough ground to sue. Nabila Nagayi SempalaWoman MP, Kampala District It was in 2008 in Owino market when the police attempted to undress me when I had gone to address a rally there. During the entire fracas, I had gone into shock. I did not believe that this terrible thing was happening to me. At first I was in denial, but I soon realised that I could not make that argument because I was being victimised. It was like a scene from a horror movie. But when it finally dawned on me that the policemen behind me were bent on pulling my skirt upwards, I started fighting back. It was a fight for my dignity as a woman. And when they finally took me to CPS I felt safer in the police cell. At that time, the cell was better than the market where I was being undressed. It was a very emotional time for me. I cried a lot in the cell. My husband was one of the first people on the scene and he helped me deal with that trauma. I have always tried to protect my children so there was no way they could see me on TV because they were watching the cartoon channels. I am now more pro-active. If I am going to get involved in an activity that involves demonstrating, I wear trousers or shorts under my skirts. Concerning Nassimbwa’s situation at Parliament, I am confused. My reaction was quite different from hers. In my case, I was fighting to cover myself and not to be exposed. I want trying to protect my dignity.On the other hand she was pushing her dress up and exposing herself. I do not understand this reaction. What does the law say? Article 23 of the Constitution guarantees the right to personal liberty. This right is buttressed by several substantive, procedural and remedial guarantees, including Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.However, such a right is not absolute. It is only capable of being suspended if authorised by law. An arrest by a police officer is one of the means by which the right to personal liberty can be suspended.We have a civic duty under Article 4(b) of the Constitution to promote public awareness of our laws. The relevant laws that prescribe the procedure are the Constitution, the Magistrate Court Act (MCA) Cap 16, the Criminal Procedure Code Act (CPCA) Cap 116, the Police Act Cap 303. These must be read together with the Public Order Management Act and the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act 2012.Section 2 of the CPCA lays down the procedure to be followed in carrying out an arrest. A police officer is authorised to actually touch the body of the person to be arrested.Where the accused tries to resist or evade arrest, the officer is entitled to use all the means necessary to have the accused arrested, including the use of force. However, there is nothing in the Section that justifies greater use of force than is reasonable in the particular circumstances. From the news footage, Nassimbwa was subjected to excessive force than necessary.Police officers are also empowered under Section 10 and 11 of the CPCA to arrest suspects without a warrant of arrest in any of the following circumstances:If any person is suspected along reasonable ground for having committed a cognizable offence or any person who commits a breach of peace in his or her presence.However, on the basis of proper construction, for the police officer to invoke his or her powers under these sections depends on the facts of each particular case. The persons that the framers of this provision envisaged are those involved in demonstrations, protests, and fights in the police officers presence.Under Section 23(2) and Section 72 (3) of the MCA, a female person shall only be searched by a woman. A search may be extended to stripping a body of a suspect and if this is to be done, it must be a female officer and must be done with decency (Sec. 8 of CPCA). The section by no means permits a police officer to undress the suspect.Section 27(9) of the Police Act requires that searches be carried out in a humane manner. Unnecessary damage or destruction should be avoided. Be mindful of Rule 24 of the Disciplinary Conduct of Police Officers, which is to the effect that a police officer is guilty of unlawful or unnecessary exercise of authority if he or she, without a good or sufficient cause, makes unlawful or unnecessary arrest. Patrick OnyangoPublic Relations OfficerKampala Metropolitan Police First of all, those people were holding an unlawful assembly and our duty as police is to keep law and order. The fact that political parties were invited did not mean that everyone on the street should go there.Otherwise, every card holding member of the party in Uganda would have converged on Parliament. The Committee only invited heads of those parties. That woman was arrested because she was committing an offence. Trying to obstruct a police officer from arresting a suspect is a crime and she had to be stopped and removed from the scene to allow the police do their work. The policewoman who was arresting her did not carry any spray on her. No police officer carries around sprays to harm anyone, so her allegations of being sprayed with a dangerous liquid are lies. Last week, the police received intelligence reports that the opposition were planning to hold demonstrations in the city. The plan was to go where prostitutes stay and hire them for Shs20,000 to Shs50,000 to join their demonstrations. They had briefed the prostitutes that if police tried to arrest them, they should undress. But we foiled that plan. 1 | 2 Next Page»editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Politicians-honest-about-electoral-reforms/-/689364/2729200/-/y9buaj/-/index.html","content":"Politicians should be honest about electoral reforms - In a story published in the Daily Monitor of May 21, former premier Amama Mbabazi is reported as having said, albeit diplomatically, that changing the Electoral Commission’s name may not be a solution. He reportedly added that the EC is mandated to hold free and fair elections and that it must be non-partisan as a constitutional role. Many of us agree with him on this point. As of now, the nomenclature ‘Independent Electoral Commission’ is a misnomer intended to hoodwink the unsuspecting and the international observers, who usually okay elections that are alleged to have been rigged before taking the earliest flight out of the country to avoid the resulting melee, into thinking the EC is independent of extraneous political influence! As the government has insisted that the President’s powers in appointing the EC have to be maintained, the element of independence implicit in the name will effectively be demolished from the start if that kind of stance is maintained. This is because the President is not only the leader of a political party with the vested interest of winning the [next] election, which a partisan EC can deliver on ‘a silver platter’, but is also the incumbent whose party has explicitly indicated he will be their flag-bearer in the forthcoming elections which the so-called ‘Independent Electoral Commission’ will organise. Doesn’t the one who pays the piper usually also call the tune in Africa? The terminology reminds one of the often repeated mistake of saying ‘protocol observed’ which many public speakers make. How can anybody claim to have observed what they in fact haven’t observed? By the same token, to call the EC independent when technically and conceptually it isn’t, is misleading. If I may digress a bit for purposes of clarity and perhaps a humble extension of knowledge on a little known subject, protocol is observed when good manners are exercised, common sense applied, and formal procedures for effective handling of society, especially as it relates to the varying status of individuals are observed. This involves addressing people by their correct titles, correct names and in the order of their relative importance or status. In fact, it is deemed discourteous and a ‘breach of protocol’ to mention the titles and names of some officials but not recognising by title and name the presence of eminent citizens such as cabinet ministers, a cardinal, judges of the Courts of Judicature, archbishops, bishops or muftis, literati, among others. If there are people you don’t know, why not say ‘distinguished guests’ or ‘ladies and gentlemen’ and add ‘of distinction’, if you like? In the same vein, it is fallacious for an MC to invoke protocol when the correct sitting arrangement at an official function, dinner or cocktail has not been effected in accordance with the order of precedence based on official position or rank; when invited guests bring their uninvited spouses or companions to a working event; when simple rules of etiquette like: arriving on time, conforming to the dress code, waiting to be seated by the host(s), keeping voices low and not exhibiting disrespect by booing when the guest of honour is speaking, not jumping the queue on the buffet table, not drinking too much or too fast, not picking or openly blowing our noses or belching, lady guests not leaving their bags on the table, guests knowing which is the bread plate and water glass i.e. bread on the left, meal in the middle; water, coffee cup and saucer on the right; and of course, not leaving before the guest of honour, among others. To return to the main theme, politicians need not be deceitful. As one veteran politician once said, even politics needs good people; indeed politics need not be a dirty game. Mr Baligidde is a former Diplomat. sbaligidde@umu.ac.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Does-government-need-to-buy-back-Bujagali-/-/689844/2718260/-/ndu1k1/-/index.html","content":"Does government need to buy back Bujagali? - Recently, media reports indicated that government of Uganda would like to buy back Bujagali dam from Bujagali Electricity Limited (BEL). This follows recent trends by the State to own and manage the main electricity dams. Bujagali was tendered internationally to private companies to build, operate and transfer to government after 30 years. However, Karuma and Isimba dams are being constructed and will be owned and managed by the government through Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL). It has been the policy of government over the last 20 years to withdraw from those sectors where private investors were willing to venture. Uganda was the first in Africa to conduct a comprehensive privatisation programme. It privatised and liberalised sectors traditionally considered the monopoly of the State, such as electricity generation and distribution. This was preceded by privatisation and liberalisation of the broadcasting, banking and telecommunications sectors that had been the monopoly of the State. Successful policyThis policy has been very successful. Government used to own and manage Uganda Commercial Bank (now Stanbic Bank). Riddled with politically inspired loans, it had a huge non-performing assets portfolio and was relying on the State for bailouts. Government sold it for $19m (about Shs57b today) to Stanbic Bank. Thirteen years later, it has a value of $700m (Shs2 trillion) on the stock exchange, made Shs135 billion ($45m) profits in 2014 and paid Shs110 billion ($37m) in taxes. The State also was saddled with a moribund electricity distribution network that was inefficient and loss making. It concessioned it to Umeme, which now has a value of $380m (Shs1.1 trillion) on the stock exchange, profits of $60m (Shs180 billion) in 2014 and credibility in the market that is attracting top investors and creditors. As I write this article, government is moving towards the privatisation of major highways. The first private toll road is going to be the Kampala-Jinja express. This will be constructed and operated by a private investor in partnership with government. This trend has been successful because it addressed the core limitations of the State in Uganda i.e. corruption and inefficiency that results from political contestations in the process of government procurement. It has also released government resources to invest in those areas where the private sector is not willing to venture. This is the broader context in which government plans to nationalise Bujagali Dam should be seen. Those advocating for this policy reversal argue that it is the best way to reduce the electricity tariff. This is a powerful argument. The tariff is both economically and politically fundamental. Uganda is beginning to attract investors, especially in its manufacturing sector. The tariff impacts on competitiveness of manufactured products. And as more Ugandans get unto the grid, the electricity tariff has become a basis for political agitation. Therefore, the only justification for buying back Bujagali would be that such a move would reduce the electricity tariff. Theoretically, the argument for buying back Bujagali sounds attractive. The State would avoid two costs that contribute to the tariff. The first is that private investors borrow expensively an interest rate of 6-8 per cent, which is transferred to the final consumer through the tariff. Government borrowing is either concessionary (0.78 per cent for 40 years with a 10-year grace period) or commercial (at 3.5 per cent). With loans forming 70 per cent of the construction costs, interest costs have a big effect on the tariff. The second cost is return to private capital, which in the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for Bujagali is 19 per cent per year. Government owned and operated dams are expected to have low tariffs because of low interest rates and zero return on equity. If the electricity tariff is the fount and matrix of this debate, we need to compare the cost of electricity from Bujagali to the cost of electricity that is going to be generated from the two dams government is building at Karuma and Isimba. One of the factors that influence the tariff is something called “plant factor” i.e. the average capacity utilisation of a dam. For example, although Bujagali has installed capacity of 250MW, its does not operate at 100 per cent capacity throughout the day. It only reaches full capacity from 7 to 10pm when electricity consumption is at its peak. Today, Bujagali’s plant factor is 62.5 per cent. Therefore, when you compare Bujagali against Karuma and Isimba on the same parameters, Bujagali comes out with a better tariff than these two dams. Right now, the price of electricity from Bujagali is 11 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). If capacity utilisation at Bujagali were 100 per cent, the tariff would fall by 33 per cent to eight cents per Kwh. The 11 cents per kWh is also because BEL has a corporation tax holiday for five years. When it kicks-in in 2017, tariff will increase to 14 cents per Kwh. The tariff drops to about eight cents in 2022 when the senior debt is retired and then drops to seven cents in 2027 when the subordinate debt is paid off. In 2042 when the dam is transferred to government, the tariff falls to one or two cents per Kwh. Over the period of 30 years of the PPA, the average tariff for Bujagali is 10.1 cents per kWh. It has been argued that Karuma will have a tariff of five cents per kWh. But this can only be possible if the capacity utilisation of the dam is 100 per cent, which is impossible. Dam-utilisation at Karuma when commissioned will be 40 per cent for the initial years. This is because the electricity demand in Uganda will be low to consume all power that is generated. At 40 per cent dam utilisation in the initial years that grows to 60 per cent over seven years, the effective tariff would be 20 cents per kWh over 30 years – the same period as Bujagali. This is because the loan repayment period would be shorter and capacity utilisation would be lower. Stretched to 50 years at capacity utilisation of 62.5 per cent, the Karuma tariff would be 12.5 cents per kWh. Therefore, Bujagali, which was built and is operated by a private investor, is competitive on the tariff. The construction costs for Karuma dam are $1.4 billion (Shs4 trillion) for the dam alone. If you add the cost of the transmission line for 600MW, which is also part of the contract, the total bill goes to $1.7 billion (Shs5 trillion). This makes the cost of a kilowatt of power $2,333 (Shs7 million). Isimba will cost $530m (Shs1.5 trillion) to construct the dam, which will generate 187 MW. This makes the cost of a kilowatt of electricity $3,000 (Shs9 million). The cost of a kilowatt of electricity at Bujagali is $2,450 (Shs7 million). Karuma is cheaper because at 600MW, it enjoys economies of scale. Altering government policyIf the aim of government in seeking to buyback Bujagali is to reduce the tariff, there are better ways to do this without altering government policy towards private investment. For example, government can remove taxes on electricity generation, which contribute 23 per cent of the Bujagali tariff (corporation tax and withholding tax on dividends). The investor would not be asked to calculate this tax into the tariff. If this happened, the tariff would fall to 7.5 cents. Indeed, over the period of the PPA, government of Uganda will earn $1.8 billion (Shs5 trillion) in revenue from taxes and fees from BEL. For a government that needs cash to do a million things, it would be foolhardy to borrow $1.5 billion (Shs4.5 trillion) to buy back Bujagali from the current owners. The effect of government ownership of the dam on the tariff would be negligible yet the opportunity cost of $1.5 billion will be massive. For example, government can use such money to build another dam of 600MW (250 per cent the size of Bujagali). It can train 180,000 doctors, build 225,000 primary school classrooms, tarmac 2,000km of roads (more than two thirds of the total Uganda has right now and build three brand new international airports in each region of the country (west, east and north). 1 | 2 Next Page»There are so many alternative uses of this money that one wonders why government thinks of buying back a dam whose tariff is competitive and whose service is paid by the consumer, not the government. However, the most important thing with plans to nationalise Bujagali is the reputation of Uganda as a destination for private investment. At the time of tendering Bujagali for private development, the government of Uganda did not have money. Its debt sustainability position did not also give it much room to borrow and invest in a dam. It therefore put out an international tender which BEL won competitively. It offered to build the dam at $565m (Shs1.7 trillion) against the second bidder who had bid to build it at $746m (Shs2.2 trillion). The second major issue was the Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and again BEL gave the best bid. This means that at the time of securing the PPA, BEL had the best offer for Uganda. It would therefore be a serious breach if the government turned around and sought to nationalise Bujagali. We all know what this policy did to Africa in the 1970s. It greatly undermined our countries’ reputation as destinations for foreign investment, a factor that precipitated our continent’s economic collapse. One hopes that those in government arguing for nationalisation see the facts. About the Plant factors at 62.5 % Dam Plant Factor at 62.5% Plant Factor at 100% Bujagali under PPA 10.1 cents per kWh 6.31 cents per kWh Bujagali over 50 years 6.6 cents per kWh 4.13 cents per kWh Karuma over 50 years 8.52 cents per kWh 5.33 cents per kWh Isimba over 50 years 10.55 cents per kWh 6.60 cents per kWh « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Majority-Burundians-Nkurunziza--president/-/689844/2711394/-/13ijwabz/-/index.html","content":"‘Majority of Burundians still want Nkurunziza to run for president’ - Burundi is on the brink of war and president Nkurunziza stands accused of causing all this friction. Why doesn’t he respect the Burundi constitution and pull out?The ruling party, CNDD-FDD, had its congress on April 25 and endorsed president Pierre Nkurunziza to be its presidential candidate in the upcoming general elections. An overwhelming majority of the members of the party decided president Nkurunziza should run. Before they decided, they checked and were sure that the law provided for his eligibility as a candidate. So president Nkurunziza is not in breach of the constitution but if anybody contests this, they can go to the constitutional court and challenge it but not what we are seeing, going to the streets in violent protests. What we are seeing in Burundi are not peaceful protests but violent protests; they [protestors] are even using guns, they have attacked and injured more than 50 policemen and killed three soldiers and these are protesters - armed and violent. The protestors killing policemen? We thought it was the police unleashing violence on the protestorsThe narrative has been wrong, it’s the protestors attacking the police. And you can see, more than 50 policemen injured and less than 10 protestors injured. We regret that we have had three people killed but we have to investigate who killed them. That has to be resolved by an investigation but what we are sure about is that the protestors have been violent. While the police have been battling the protestors, the army has remained neutral and have in some instances supported them. Isn’t this a dangerous scenario? This is a wrong narrative of the situation in Burundi. The army and police are united in trying to secure the citizens of Burundi. However, the police being the lead agency in handling the protests have been at the forefront and the army has only come in to advice. It’s normal for the army to give technical advice, in whatever way they deem the situation. If they say lets negotiate with the protestors, it doesn’t mean that they are against the police. The truth is that the army and the police are working together to secure the citizens from protestors. If the population is against president Nkurunziza running for a third term, why is he causing all this chaos, why can’t he step down?Burundi is made up of 129 communes [districts] but the protests are happening in only four out of the 129 communes. This means the majority of the population supports president Nkurunziza to run for president again. So it’s a dilemma for those who are trying to stop him. But if they want to stop him, they should go and campaign and defeat him. If they think that he has violated the law, we have all the instruments and structures to resolve this, for example they can go to the constitutional court.By the way, what you have to know, it is not president Nkurunziza violating the law but it’s those protestors and people behind them violating the law. And they should know that it’s not Nkurunziza but the CNDD-FDD party which wants him to run for president again. You speak for the president, what is his personal opinion and suggested way forward out of this impasse? Mr Willy Nyamitwe, president Pierre Nkurunziza’s senior press adviser. PHOTO BY ALEX B. ATUHAIRE President Nkurunziza’s personal opinion amid all that has come up is that he will never violate the constitution; he will always abide by the Burundi constitution. But again, he is not ready to let the population down. If the population wants him to run and the some people say his candidature violates the constitution, then, the constitutional court can decide this.If the court rules that his candidature would violate the constitution, then he would not run. [Burundi’s constitutional court on Tuesday allowed president Nkurunziza to contest in this year’s presidential elections. However, the vice president of the court, judge Sylvere Nimpagaritse, refused to sign the ruling and fled the country instead, saying the judges had been put under pressure to deliver the ruling]. The international community, especially the US and the UK share the view of protestors and opposition politicians that a third term for Mr Nkurunziza would violate the country’s constitution and the Arusha Accord…Anyone who is concerned with what is happening in Burundi is welcome. We know that some of them are supporting Burundi and some are on the other side. For example, in the [UN] Security Council last week, America was against Burundi but Russia and China were on our side and this is normal. Each international power has its own interests. If the Americans and the Europeans say they don’t want Nkurunziza to run again, they have their own vested interests. If China, Russia, South Africa and Uganda support Burundi, they too have their own interest. But what we are seeing is that the international community is expressing their concern about what is happening in Burundi and they are responding to a request from the president of Burundi. So it’s normal. What has been the response of the East African region leaders, especially President Museveni who has been a key factor on the Burundi peace process?For the good of the region and stability, a secure and peaceful Burundi is of paramount concern because it means a peaceful region. President [Jakaya] Kikwete [of Tanzania] was in Burundi as the chair of the East African Community. In his speech, he urged all the Burundians to preserve peace and unity and to respect the law. Everybody has to respect the constitution – we have the constitution, the electoral laws, the Arusha Accord. So what I can say is that leaders in the region are asking all people in Burundi to respect the law and that is it. But president Nkurunziza is disregarding the constitution and importantly, the Arusha Accord. What is the way forward?What you have to note is that people are using the Arusha Accord in their narrative, and in respect to calling president Nkurunziza to leave. But what you have to note is that it’s president Nkurunziza who has put this Arusha Accord into practice since 2005. He respects that Arusha accord. The Arusha Accord which came in 2000 didn’t bring an end to the war but the ceasefire agreement of 2003, when president Nkurunziza who was leading the CNDD signed a ceasefire agreement with the Burundi government. So, the Arusha Accord and the 2003 ceasefire agreement led us to the 2005 constitution, which is the supreme law of the land. So people should understand that the 2005 constitution is supreme to the Arusha Accord and, indeed, all the other laws and agreements. The country is led by its constitution and every other country in the world must be led by its constitution. And actually, these people bringing in the Arusha Accord should know that the CNDD-FDD did not sign that accord. Even those who signed did so with reservations, meaning they did not agree 100 per cent. These reservations have never been removed. In any case, it’s a political accord. So a political agreement signed by politicians cannot be binding on the overall population in Burundi and replaces the constitution that has been voted by the whole population. Like it happens anywhere in the world, there is no contradiction for Burundi to endorse the provisions of her constitution, instead of a political accord. The international community has always urged for the respect to different country’s’ constitution and so it cannot change when it comes to Burundi. But whoever thinks president Nkurunziza has violated the constitution, can go to court."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Lands-officials-are-not-involved-in-fraudulent--giveaways-/-/689364/2693034/-/i7stk6/-/index.html","content":"Lands officials are not involved in fraudulent ‘giveaways’ of government land - There is a public misconception that Lands officials connive with investors and land owners to give away land occupied by or which has hitherto been occupied by government institutions. The misconception is that officials from the Lands ministry and the Uganda Land Commission, on their own wish, simply sell or give away government land anyhow. Unfortunately, the public interprets these unsubstantiated misconceptions as the “gospel” truth portraying all officials working in the Lands ministry and the Uganda Land Commission as people of impunity who neither follow any laid down guidance (laws and regulations) nor any political direction of government. Arising out of these misconceptions, many officials from the said institutions have been branded as ‘thieves’; ‘spies of thieves’, ‘land grabbers’, etc. It is important that Ugandans are educated on matters of government land. Government land is that land vested in or acquired by the government in accordance with the 1995 Constitution or acquired by the government abroad. It includes all land lawfully held, occupied and used by government ministries, departments and agencies for the purpose of carrying out their core functions. In the course of doing their work, government institutions enter into agreements, known as lease agreements, with private land owners who lease their land to government. Some of the private land owners whom government institutions have leased land from overtime include individual mailo owners, faith-based institutions and traditional institutions. On this leased land, government has gone ahead to develop its facilities. The agreements entered into between government and such private land owners provide for the payment of rentals, premiums, and ground rates, among others. The lease agreements also provide for remedy should one party or the other default on the terms in it. One of the remedies available to the private land owners is eviction of the tenant and re-entry into their land in case of failure by the tenants to meet the obligations stipulated in the lease agreements. Unfortunately, it is due to the failure or delay of government to meet its lease agreement obligations with its private land owners that government institutions on leased land have now found themselves being threatened with eviction or being evicted and the land re-entered by the land owners. These actions involving re-entries cannot be blamed on Lands or Uganda Land Commission officials being involved in fraudulent ‘giveaways’ of government land. Land owners re-entering their land A number of Institutions have been affected and have either lost the land they sit on or are about to lose it. These include the police stations at Buwama and Mityana; part of Makerere University Land; part of Ministry of Agriculture land at Kawanda and Ntawo in Mukono and Njeru farmland. Re-entering land by landlords when tenants fail to meet their lease agreement obligations is a legal and lawful measure that allows them to regain the physical possession and proprietorship of their land/property. The process is done through application to courts of law who will grant orders for such re-entry after perusing and studying the merits and demerits of the cases. The re-entry as granted by the courts is supposed to be noted on the Register book by the Commissioner, Land Registration, which in effect, terminates the relationship between the parties and the land/property in question may be disposed of by transfer, subdivision or any other way as the land owner may deem fit. 1 | 2 Next Page»As a condition for the re-entry, the party applying must have physically re-entered onto the land. However, in many cases as indicated above, the landowners have not done so and, therefore, the Commissioner of Land Registration has been reluctant to entertain them, and instead, has encouraged the parties to renegotiate and reach a mutual understanding with their tenants, other than evicting them.It is on this basis that government is currently undertaking a comprehensive exercise to pay off all arrears owed to land owners where government institutions are currently in breach of the terms of the lease agreement with their landlords. Government has also ordered the Lands Ministry and Uganda Land Commission to embark on the process of compiling a list of all lease agreements entered into by ministries, departments and agencies with various private land owners in order to ensure that they comply with the terms of the lease agreements. In this way, there shall be no more re-entries. Mr Obbo is the spokesperson, Ministry of Lands, Housing & Urban Development. dennisfo2002@yahoo.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/Drawing-the-line-between-personal-and-office-space/-/689842/2689014/-/3eavho/-/index.html","content":"Drawing the line between personal and office space - Family pictures are definitely good for keeping the love and all the blissful personal and family memories, but should they replace the out and inbox tray at one’s desk? One ought to ensure their children are well taken care off, but must they talk for long on phone to the nanny as a long queue of clients or colleagues wait to be attended to? Esther Namale, the human resource administrator with Cure Children Hospital, Mbale, says one should draw a line between personal and office duties. “I will not tell you what people should do but what I do,” says Namale. “If I am busy attending to a particular office assignment, I do not pick personal calls, for I do not know what the person on the line is going to tell me. It could be that I answer my call and because of the information relied to me, I fail to finish that particular task yet I am employed and paid to do that piece of work. I finish the task and call them back.” Namale says it is for this reason that some organisations do not allow their employees pick calls during working hours but during tea or lunch break. This is common with telecommunication companies in departments such as call centres. In an earlier interview, Doris Akol, the Uganda Revenue Authority Commissioner General, said sometimes it is not easy to find a perfect balance between work and personal duties but says one has to establish boundaries. “When it is family time, there has got to be no work. No work appointment on Sundays or Saturday afternoons, for example. Then when it is work, there is no family business. For instance, my family members do not just come into my office unless it is an emergency,” says Akol. Then think about this: holding a family meeting in the company’s boardroom because your kin came from home with a family matter and you choose to meet them at your office. “This is very unprofessional,” states Namale. “Personal meetings should not be held in office. Maybe at the reception, but even there, it should be very brief.” Rather than breach work rules, Namale advises, one should formally ask for a break from work to attend to personal matters or organise personal meetings outside official work days and time. One can as well utilise the official work break to attend to personal matters. The employment Act provides for at least one hour break in a day. Flavia Lwanga Ntambi, the director human resource at Airtel Uganda, recommends good planning. “There will always be personal and work issues,” she says. “If you ignore personal issues, your work will be affected so will your personal life be if you ignore work. What is therefore important is good planning. This should not be a rule but something to guide you. If you have a plan of deliverables, say, for a week, if personal issues come up, you will know how to handle them.” Personal etiquette, Ntambi says ,is also important, for one ought to know what and what not to do in an office, whether it is your office or not. She advises employees to follow company rules and ethics and managers to support their employees in handling personal and official work. Tips on keeping work boundaries• Tune out all distractions to increase your productivity at work.• Avoid checking your personal email, text messages and home voice mail while working. These activities steal time away from your productivity and, in many cases, can be taken care of after work hours.• Limit the time you spend online. Avoid surfing the Internet, checking social networking sites or posting on discussion forums related to personal matters.• Save private conversations with coworkers for lunchtime and other breaks.• Practise efficiency. Copy the effective work habits of the productive coworkers and managers in your workplace. This will help you accomplish more work in less time.• Overcome procrastination. Break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces. Use timers, electronic alerts and planners to keep you on task."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Do-schools-care-about-security-/-/691232/2684572/-/12elrjfz/-/index.html","content":"Do schools care about security? - The terrorist attack on students at a university college in Garissa, Kenya, shocked the world, for its brutality and senselessness. As in most cases in this age of overt terrorism, the terrorist’s religious ideology influenced their need to inflict as many casualties as possible.Loss of life is irrelevant; the more deaths the better, especially since they believe that non-believers deserve to die. And where else is greater physical devastation more conceivable than in schools? Herbert Arinaitwe, a criminologist in the Community Service Department of the ministry of Internal Affairs, believes that although schools should not be handled as an isolated case, they have a high propensity for attacks.“Terrorism is about showing presence. Terrorists believe that if they hit on a school, the impact will be felt more than if they attack a police station. The impact is far-reaching because schools have the numbers.” In the wake of the murder of Senior Principal State Attorney, Joan Kagezi, Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, said that the Uganda Police were in receipt of credible information indicating that terrorist group al-Shabaab intends to attack school, colleges and universities along Jinja-Kampala highway. He called for increased vigilance around schools, threatening sanctions against schools that fail in this regard. Nonchalant guardsSchools are a soft target because they are frequented by many people, assumed to be parents. Besides, students are drawn from all religious and social statuses, giving the terrorists mileage for their cause. A serene quietness welcomes visitors to St Mary’s Boarding School Kitende, a few meters off Entebbe Road. It is 9am and as I stand at the guardhouse, I can hear teachers getting on with the first lesson. I adjust my bag, in which I have placed two dresses, to make it look bigger. The guard does not give it a glance; instead, as he looks outside the gate, he asks whom I want to see.“You go to the office,” he says as I am still labouring to explain. As I walk up the steep incline, he walks out of the gate. I have not been checked, neither have I presented identification nor have I signed in the register. Patrick Onyango, Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesman says that schools on highways are susceptible to attack because they are easily accessible than other schools. “Village schools or those in the towns are in congested areas where any suspicious activity can easily be noticed. An added advantage is that on a highway, the roads are smoother and it is easier for the terrorists to get away quickly,” Onyango says. He adds that these schools, especially the private ones, are guarded by private security guards, who are trained in preventing attacks.However, Arinaitwe insists that some of these schools are poorly guarded. “The guards are not well trained and do not know that alertness and inbuilt suspicion is the first requirement when it comes to fighting terrorism.”Teaming with the communityAt Budo Junior School, there is a semblance of vigilance. There is a boda boda stage directly opposite the main gate. Besides calling for customers, the boda boda riders visibly scrutinise every visitor to the school. This falls in line with the police stance of deploying crime preventers. “We are in the process of training individuals in communities around schools who can get information on the ground that they hand to police officers,” says Onyango. This cannot be said for the small gate, which stands forlornly a few metres from the street level, devoid of any human activity. At the main gate, besides the gateman, there is a policeman sitting in the guardhouse. In 2008, suspected arsonists attacked the school, torching a girl’s dormitory. Nineteen girls perished in the fire. The tragedy marked the start of school fires that have since damaged property, in various schools, worth millions of shillings. I sign in the register and get directions to the administration block from the policeman, who remains firmly glued to his seat. The gateman pokes my bag playfully and asks what is in it. He backs off when I tell him it contains “women” stuff, and continues fine tuning his radio. Ernest Kavulu, the head teacher, says the school is doing everything possible to reduce the risks of an attack. “Our guards are on high alert and monitor the movements of every visitor. People have been netted and put in custody for lying to the security personnel. They are vigilant when it comes to unfamiliar faces and uncoordinated movements.” 1 | 2 Next Page»But herein lays the problem. Terrorists work in shadows; they do not come out overtly. Arinaitwe says that terrorists cooperate “with people who know the geographical location and loopholes of the places they intend to attack. It does not necessarily come down to suspicious faces. It could be a gardener, a cook or even a teacher.” Onyango says the Uganda Police Force will offer training courses to upgrade the skills of security guards. “We are encouraging them to perform searches on people entering their premises. They have to know the reason of the visit. In the training, we show them what bombs look like.”In the same way that the Westgate Mall was attacked in Nairobi, the university in Garissa, was attacked by gun-welding men who were shooting indiscriminately. “Security guards from private firms have guns, but some schools hire civilians as guards. In these instances, we provide the school with the telephone numbers of the nearest police station or post.” Teachers standing in the gaps“The number of schools is big and police cannot assign policemen to every school because that would leave the other institutions without protection,” says Arinaitwe. At Budo Junior School, teachers participate in the night patrols. “Our staff mans the gate, guards the dormitories and inspects the guards to make sure that they are alert and stationed where they are supposed to be,” says Kavulu. At St Mary’s Kitende, only the headmaster is mandated to talk about and oversee security.However, on the day Daily Monitor visited the school, although it was confirmed that he was on the school premises, he could not be located either on phone or physically for about an hour. However, when it comes to security, parents and children are an important partner. “Security measures should not be left to the school authority alone,” says Arinaitwe.“When stringent measures are introduced at checkpoints, parents should not take them as inconveniences or something to laugh about. Instead they should see these measures as the school’s effort to safeguard their children.” School setup Sometimes, because of the environment in which the school is set, it is not easy to physically secure the place. The Creamland Campus of St. Lawrence Schools is surrounded by thickets and a light forest, with no visible fencing in the thickets. Angela Nakimuli, the deputy headmistress, insists that the trees provide the best security for the school. “No one can penetrate that thicket. Besides, the houses near the trees belong to our guards so the area is well protected. The dormitories are difficult to breach by a stranger because every house is gated-off. The verandahs are sealed off with burglar proof (metallic bars).”She seemed bothered by the fact that although there is a metal detector in the gatehouse, the guards did not use it. In fact, as I approached the gate, they told me to open it for myself while they remained in the gatehouse. They did not ask for identification. “We always tell our gate people to be cautious and be alert to suspicious people,” says Nakimuli. “But besides the security at the gate, we also have other guards who carry out vigilant patrols at all times. Our students are also very alert because we inform them of the terror attacks around the world,” Nakimuli says. What school authorities must doUnderstand the school environment and look out for loopholes where security can be breachedConstantly run security tests to see how to bridge the gapsInvolve area local leaders and the general community in detecting suspicious activities in the school communityLook out for suspicious people masquerading as parentsAlways have a register that visitors should check into to after presenting identification « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Askthedoctor-/health-worker-accused-negligence/-/691236/2681730/-/7deujp/-/index.html","content":"When can a health worker be accused of negligence? - In 1954, an English gentleman by the names of John Bolam was diagnosed with severe depression and was advised to undergo a medical procedure known as Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT) to treat this condition, to which he agreed. This is a standard treatment for such a case and is generally considered one of the least harmful treatment options. This therapy is usually given when the patient is under anesthesia and a drug may also be given to relax their muscles. In the course of the procedure, Mr Bolam, however, had violent fits and the treatment had to be stopped. He fractured his hip in the process since he was convulsing. He sued the hospital for compensation. His arguments were thus: he was not given a muscle relaxant, he was not restrained and he was not warned about the risks involved in respect of this medical procedure. This has now become a landmark case in issues of medical malpractice and is known as the Bolam Test. This is a test for assessing the appropriate standard of care in negligence cases involving skilled professionals such as doctors. The Bolam Test states: “If a doctor reaches the standard of a responsible body of medical opinion, he is not negligent.” Medical malpractice literally means bad practice of medicine. These are acts or omissions on the part of the healthcare provider that cause injury or harm to their patients or even result into death. These acts or omissions, if willfully done, may lead to criminal proceedings and if proven, the healthcare provider may be convicted. Most forms of medical malpractice, however, take the form of professional or medical negligence. Here, the healthcare provider does not act intentionally, but fails to act in the way a reasonable colleague in a similar circumstance would have acted. A healthcare provider is expected to handle a patient with the degree of skill and care that a reasonably skilled colleague in his or her field of medicine would have. The question posed in determining the standard of care is how a reasonably competent practitioner in that branch of medicine would have acted in a similar condition and whether the likelihood of harm to the patient would have been foreseen and steps taken to guard against the harm occurring. Negligence is determined by establishing that there was a duty of care owed to the patient by the healthcare provider, and that this duty was breached and that harm resulted as a result of this breach and that the harm was not too remote to have been foreseen. The law also demands that this harm or damage is assessable monetarily.There are many areas in which negligence can occur. These include failure to disclose risks, failure to diagnose, failure to attend, failure to provide advice, failure to refer, lack of knowledge, lack of reasonable care, breach of confidentiality, among others. Greater skill and care is expected of a specialist than a general practitioner, and is also required where more complicated medical procedures are used. A healthcare worker will be deemed to be negligent if they undertake a task that requires specialist skill that they do not have or are not trained in. The duty of care is part of the contract between the healthcare provider and the patient. In most cases, the contract is between the patient and the healthcare unit that employs the healthcare provider. Today, more often than not, health care provision is teamwork. The healthcare provider may be directly responsible for, and to the patient, in a private setting. Health units are often liable (vicarious liability) for the conducts of their staff. In the case of Mr Bolam, the presiding Judge cautioned the jury not to give damages based on sympathy or compassion but to give damages if they were satisfied that the defendants had been proved to be guilty of negligence. Evidence brought forward showed that only one case of fracture of the pelvis had occurred in 50,000 cases and the Judge was of the opinion that this particular injury was of extreme rarity. The Judge also reasoned that ECT was a type of treatment that had given patients real hope of recovery and considered it progressive science. The Judge had this to say as a final word: “But we should be doing a disservice to the community at large if we were to impose liability on hospitals and doctors for everything that happens to go wrong. Doctors would be led to think more of their safety than of the good of their patient. Initiative would be stifled and confidence shaken. We must insist on due care for the patient at every point, but we must not condemn as negligence that which is only a misadventure.” The jury found the defendants not negligent. Mr Bolam lost the case. The Bolam Test has been perceived as being excessively reliant upon medical testimony. The standard medical procedure must be justified on a logical basis and must have considered the risks and benefits of competing options. There may be one or more perfectly proper standards and if a healthcare provider conforms with one of these proper standards, then they are not negligent. The mere belief that a particular technique is best is no defense unless that belief is based on reasonable grounds. Dr Sylvester Onzivua is Consultant Forensic Pathologist."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/-doctor-nurse-responsible--death/-/688342/2637604/-/bge73uz/-/index.html","content":"When is a doctor, nurse responsible for death? - In one of the legally enlightened countries, an anaesthetist had a very rough encounter with the law. The encounter arose from the death of a patient the anaesthetist was attending to during surgery. A disconnection of the tube (endo-tracheal tube) occurred during the surgery and the anaesthetist did not notice, for up to 10 minutes, that the patient was breathing. The endo-tracheal tube is used to deliver oxygen and anaesthetic drugs in the course of an operation. The anaesthetist only became aware that something was wrong when the machine monitoring the patient’s blood pressure sounded an alarm. The patient got a cardiac arrest shortly afterwards and died. It was only when the clothes covering the patient during the operation were being removed that the disconnection was discovered. And an alarm, which should have sounded as soon as the patient failed to breath, was not turned on during the operation. The anaesthetist was charged with negligent manslaughter. The prosecution alleged gross negligence when the anaesthetist failed to notice that the patient was not breathing, was becoming bluer and the alarm on the ventilator was not switched on. The doctor was found guilty of negligent manslaughter. He appealed but the higher court upheld the conviction on the grounds that in such cases involving a breach of duty, the issue should be how far the professional must depart from the accepted standards to be characterised as criminal and the risk of death involved as a result of this departure. I have had the privilege of interacting with all categories of the learned fellows. Some are my blood relations, some excellent friends and some that I have closely worked with. The latter group includes those who coined the phrase “unlawfully obtaining body parts”. I have even on a few occasions given professional advice to some of these fellows, who are now inspectors. My close relationship with these legal minds has made me look closely at deaths in the hospital of our country through the legal telescope. Health workers worldwide are supposed to register with a Medical Council and obtain a practicing certificate allowing them to practice within that particular area (country, state or province). However, when a health worker, who neither registers nor has a practicing licence, administers drugs to a patient or carries out surgery on a person, is this not an illegal act and in the course of such medical intervention, if the patient dies, is this not death as a result of an illegal act? Our law is clear; any person who by an unlawful act or omission causes the death of another person commits the felony termed as manslaughter. However, no health practitioner, to the best of my knowledge, has been successfully prosecuted for manslaughter. Many prosecutors and judges and magistrates are of the opinion that any medical intervention, however horribly wrong it may be, cannot be an unlawful act. The prosecution has on some very rare occasions charged health workers with causing death by rash or negligent acts. Specific rash and negligent acts under our law include giving medical or surgical treatment and dispensing or administering medicines that may lead to death. There is no doubt that the law worldwide protects medical practitioners. In Uganda, a person is not criminally responsible for performing in good faith and with reasonable care and skill, a surgical operation upon any person or upon an unborn child for the preservation of the mother’s life. In many jurisdictions, there are, however, two types of manslaughter; voluntary and involuntary manslaughter. Voluntary manslaughter is the killing of another person in which the offender has no prior intent to kill. 1 | 2 Next Page»Involuntary manslaughter occurs when someone dies as a result of the defendant’s irresponsibility or recklessness. Involuntary manslaughter is further divided in constructive manslaughter – when the death is caused by an act which is both unlawful and dangerous and negligent manslaughter – when death is caused by gross negligence that criminal law ought to punish. The British law defines such an act as that beyond a mere matter of compensation between subjects and to have shown such disregard for life and safety of others as to amount to a crime against the state and conduct deserving punishment. Another definition of such an act is that it must be of great falling short of the standard of care that a reasonable person would have excused and which involved such a high risk. Let us consider these two cases: A mother is brought at 11pm to a health unit to deliver. A health worker on night duty is called to attend to the mother. The health worker chooses not to come until morning. At 3am, the mother goes into labour and delivers a live baby but bleeds to death shortly afterwards. Would this not qualify as negligent manslaughter? And what about the case of a doctor who chooses to sit in his private practice to make ends meet, when on his ward, a mother gets obstructed labour, raptures the uterus and dies? « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Museveni-vs-Amama--Points-of-attack/-/688334/2624068/-/srow5bz/-/index.html","content":"Museveni vs Amama: Points of attack - Kampala. Mr Benjamin Alipanga, an NRM member from Paidha Town Council in Zombo District, has sued the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party in the Constitutional Court praying for, inter alia, than an injunction on the party and the Parliament not to tamper with the provisions of the Constitution relating to presidential age limit, and a declaration that the party’s endorsement of President Yoweri Museveni as its sole candidate in the 2016 presidential elections is illegal, unconstitutional and an affront to democracy. Mr Alipanga also further prays that the replacement of elected party officials, among them former secretary general Amama Mbabazi by handpicked and appointed officials, is against the constitution and that the amendments that facilitated this were done without following procedure as laid down in the party’s and national constitutions. The suit is backed by two affidavits of Mr Alipanga and Ms Hope Mwesigye, who is a former minister of Agriculture, and is also Mr Mbabazi’s sister-in-law. Below, excerpts from the two affidavits. EXCERPTS FROM HOPE MWESIGYE’S AFFIDAVIT1. That Mr Amama Mbabazi, the NRM secretary general and other members, opposed the passing of the proposed amendment as it was unconstitutional but were ignored by chairman Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and or heckled by the rest of the membership of first respondent’s NEC [National Executive Council].2. The [Namboole December 15 delegates] conference was virtually stage-managed by the party chairman… Those of divergent views were deliberately left out or were not offered opportunity to debate the said amendments.3. There was conflict of interest in respect of the chairperson, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who had previously openly stated his preferred position nonetheless presided over the proceedings to favour him against everyone else.4. The so-called legal committee of the first respondent usurped powers of the national Conference of the party and declined to entertain other bona fide amendments which were sent to the office of the secretary general.5. Delegates were by and large intimidated by the attendance of RDCs, GISOs, ISOs, officers of the UPDF and State House operatives and the massive deployment of members of Special Forces and the UPDF all of whom were heavily armed and refused delegates from participating at the conference.6. They were further intimidated by the display of the sole candidature posters, T-shirts, advertisements bearing the portrait of the national chairperson which had a veiled attack on the incumbent holder of the office of the secretary general, Mr Amama Mbabazi.7. Some of the prospective bona fide delegates were heavily vetted by and subsequently denied participation in the National Conference by overzealous DISOs, GISOs, RDCs, DPCs and other State operatives on the ground that they supported Mr Amama Mbabazi.8. That I am aware that the said acts complained of herein are unconstitutional and that unless restrained they are bound to breed fascism, impunity, anarchy and/or mayhem which will in the end stifle instead of engendering the fledgling multiparty democracy and rule of law. EXCERPTS FROM BENJAMIN ALIPANGA’S AFFIDAVIT 1. That the said Kyankwanzi resolution on sole candidature is an affront to intra-party democracy and runs against the principles of democracy in so far as the said Parliamentary Caucus of the first respondent usurped powers of the relevant National Resistance Movement organs viz the Central Executive Committee (CEC), the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the National Conference which are legally mandated to handle matters of policy and political leadership of the party.2. The above resolution is unconstitutional in as much as it goes against competition within the party, ring fences the position of the party chairperson and party presidential candidate and is a bar to civil liberties and the fundamental constitutional rights and freedoms of access to positions of leadership at all levels as well as people’s choice of who should govern them and how they should be governed.3. That the [Namboole] amendment which allows the national chairperson of the NRM to appoint the said designated offices [secretary general, treasurer, etc] goes against the principles of democracy and the rule of law and is therefore unconstitutional and the continued breach of the constitution is likely to plunge this country into anarchy and mayhem thereby occasioning irreparable damage.4. That I am aware that the amendment passed by the National Conference to have offices of secretary general, deputy secretary general, national treasurer and deputy national treasurer be appointive as opposed to elective are unconstitutional in as much as they were aimed at and/or was intended for one individual, viz, the secretary general, the Mr Amama Mbabazi.5. That I am also aware that His Excellency the President of Uganda Y.K. Museveni who is 71 years of age and will not be qualified for election in the general election of 2016 to serve a full 5-year presidential term because the constitutional age limit for a serving president is 75 years.6. That the first to fifth respondents are plotting to cause an amendment of articles 102, 105, and 107 of the Constitution to lift the current presidential constitutional age limit from 75 years for the sole benefit of only one individual Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and this is unconstitutional."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/Azam--to--walk-the-talk--as-league-broadcast/-/690266/2610794/-/13sastbz/-/index.html","content":"Azam  to ‘walk the talk’ as league broadcast returns - KAMPALA- Exactly a fortnight from today, Tanzanian pay TV, Azam will broadcast their first match of the 2014/15 Uganda Premier League season. SC Villa-Sadolin will be the first live TV game in the now renamed Azam Premier League following a Shs5.4bn ($1.9m). The three and a half year sponsorship deal was unveiled yesterday and comes with a further Shs11bn ($4m) that Azam will invest in broadcast facilities. “This is a massive step,” Fufa president Moses Magogo told a packed Nile Hall, Serena Hotel yesterday. “Leadership is about bold decisions.” Every club will receive Sh60 annually in a deal that the Azam TV chief executive officer Rhys Torrington described as “a no brainer” when approached last year. “We are here to change football in Uganda and grow football in Africa,” Torrington said, drawing so many parallels with the English Premiership. “We are in the (Tanzanian) Vodacom PL and Burundi. The Ugandan league is something that interests us. We can go lower into the Big League and further to drive the profile of Ugandan football. It’s always good to spot the underdog.” Adding that; “When Sky and the Premier League came together 20 years ago, both were broken entities but see where they have gone. Can it happen in African football? Of course not overnight. This is great theatre and I am enthused by it,” the Crystal Palace fan explained. Azam is the third television company to acquire ‘rights’ to broadcast the local league in the past eight years after UK’s GTV and South Africa’s SuperSport. The latter’s contract, signed in 2011, is now null and void, at least according to Magogo. Azam has been rumoured in recent months to take over the league. “As of today, we have terminated our dealings with USL (Uganda Super League),” he noted. League board chairman Abbas Kaawaase, accompanied by several club chairmen, whose faces beamed with ecstasy and clapped continuously. “This is a great day after three years of looking for money. We have been deceived left, right and centre but a bird in hand…,” Kaawaase said. Those chairmen will know that the old wars that started from some clubs, like when SCVU and Vipers refused to sign SuperSport’s deed of adherence, must end. “You are part of the league, you are part of the deed,” Magogo warned. “We want to move on.” SuperSport to legally challenge Azam deal MultiChoice will not watch on as their broadcast sponsorship deal with the Uganda Super League (USL) and Fufa is breached, the country General Manager, Charles Hamya, has vowed. Through their holding company SuperSport, the South African broadcasters in May 2011 penned a five-year topflight broadcast deal worth $5m (around Shs13b then) with the USL. Local football wrangles, however, led to a two-year slump in broadcast from the 2012/13 season until last April, when Fufa, SuperSport and USL signed an MoU to resume televising of games until the end of 2016. 1 | 2 Next Page»This never materialized as two of the 16 clubs refused to sign SuperSport’s deed of adherence. As a result, clubs through the defunct FSL and Fufa struck another deal with rival company Azam which saw the Tanzanian broadcasters announced as new topflight sponsors on a three-and-a-half contract yesterday yet SuperSport’s has a year-and-a-half left. “MultiChoice will not tolerate any unilateral breach of legally binding agreements entered into and reserve our rights to exercise any and all remedies at our disposal to ensure that the agreements are enforced and our rights protected,” said MultiChoice’s Hamya in a statement. “It would be unfortunate if Ugandan sports in general suffers being it is unable to showcase its abundant talent on the global stage because of the short-sighted mind-set of a few individuals who have failed to appreciate and respect the value of long term broadcast and sponsorship agreements.” By all means, this is not done yet. essenono@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/Littered-quality-will-lift-dark-cloud-over-Afcon-tournament/-/690266/2587194/-/2pg42a/-/index.html","content":"Littered quality will lift dark cloud over Afcon tournament - KAMPALA It all started with a two-year-old boy dying in December 2013 in the village of Meliandou, Guéckédou, Guinea after a mysterious fever. The boy’s mother, sister, and grandmother later succumbed to the same. But it was not until March 18, 2014 that Guinean health officials announced the outbreak of a mysterious hemorrhagic fever “which strikes like lightning.” It was later confirmed to be Ebola. At the time, it could hardly be envisaged that the scourge would go on to claim slightly over 20,000 human lives as of January 8 this year, with most deaths registered in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone. The plague was to see Guinea and Sierra Leone play their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying home matches from Casablanca (for Guinea) and Lubumbashi, Yaounde and Abidjan (for Sierra Leone). But the wider sporting victim was Caf and Morocco, the latter – after being denied an option of postponing the event to a later date - withdrawing from hosting the tournament citing Ebola spread fears, and the former – left in a spot of bother. Given that Morocco’s economy is heavily dependent on tourism, their fears were justified, yet their decision left Issa Hayatou’s Caf between a rock and a hard place as they had to get a new host within just two weeks. Ghana turned down the offer to host, so did Angola, South Africa and Nigeria among others. The situation was a gloomy as Cecafa’s. Cecafa had at the time failed to find a host of the 2014 edition after Ethiopia had pulled out. As it stands, it’s in history books that Cecafa failed to organize the 2014 event because of lack of a host. Travesty. But Hayatou, the Caf boss, is much shrewder than his Cecafa friends, and his purse of course deeper, let alone his better connections with fellow uncompromising acquaintance, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea. A quick flight to Equatorial Guinea saw Hayatou and Obiang strike out a deal and that ended the tragedy that would have been had Africa’s football governing body failed to successfully organize this year’s event. Joy platformThe spirits have been dim after such energy draining events to the extent that there has been little - off the pitch – to inspire or build up the excitement ahead of the tournament. But on the pitch, the qualifiers provided a sign that action in the four host cities will lift that cloud. Countries like coach Christian Gourcuff’s Algeria, the number one ranked team in Africa who impressed in Brazil, are odds-on favourites to win their second Afcon title since 1990. They are oozing class all over the pitch with majority of the players in their early and mid 20s. Porto’s 24-year-old forward Yacine Brahimi, who helped Algeria to five wins out of six in the qualifiers, should lead the service delivery in a group that includes Senegal, Ghana and South Africa. Cameroon are another rejuvenated side having discarded the old guard for mostly new, young blood. The Indomitable Lions have a new air about them having qualified unbeaten. And with 22-year-old Porto striker Vincent Aboubakar – widely seen as legendary Samuel Eto’o replacement (he scored four goals in the qualifiers) - leading from the front, coach Volker Finke’s outfit should play a big part in lifting the Afcon gloom. Yassine Chikhaoui-inspired Tunisia, Papiss Demba Cisse’s Senegal, Heldon Ramos’s Cape Verde, Yaya Toure’s Ivory Coast and Andile Jali’s South Africa also have enough quality to make this a memorable tournament. Indomitable lionsCameroon are another rejuvenated side having discarded the old guard for mostly new, young blood. The Indomitable Lions have a new air about them having qualified unbeaten. This unrelenting foolery; only football people can pull it off 1 | 2 Next Page»For the art of acting a fool and being up to it; look no further than at the selfish, egocentric individuals running down, literally, our football. Utter poppycock. First, because the setting favoured them at the time of heightened insanity, individuals with selfish interests riding on club names, and those at the Fufa helm abusing their powers, claimed clubs were wholly answerable to the federation, and not USL – league managers at the time. Consequently, their wish to do away with Kavuma Kabenge and USL were satiated when Lawrence Mulindwa’s Fufa – of course with the help of the current president Moses Magogo and ex-VP Mujib Kasule – orchestrated the formation of the FSL – against the Jinja Declaration. In so doing, the topflight league’s semi-independence was lost. FSL was never an entity, until another non-entity in the names of UPL was formed in last year’s MoU between Fufa, USL and SuperSport to run the league on behalf of the federation until the end of the 2016 season. Clubs surrender to FufaIn withdrawing the affairs of running the league from the USL in 2012 – with the support of the clueless clubs - and allowing a non-body corporate FSL to take over (it was Fufa running it on proxy); the clubs had surrendered themselves fully back to Fufa. It’s for that reason that before last year’s MoU, Fufa fully owned the top flight’s TV rights, and it is those rights they re-awarded, with the help of USL, to SuperSport after a two-year forced hiatus. Consequently, until the end of the 2016 season (SuperSport have an option to renew the contract), there are no TV rights to sell to anybody. As a result the foolery being traded on Ugandans that Fufa can jump from an existing contract to another one with Azam is total baloney unless the latter buys out the former. The buy-out thinking itself is ridiculous. Clubs ‘withdraw’ from SuperSport dealSo when eight out of the 16 clubs including Vipers, SCVU (these two have not signed SuperSport’s deed of adherence), Rwenshama, Simba, URA, Bright Stars, Entebbe and Lweza meet last Saturday and agree to withdraw their signatures from SuperSport’s deed, claiming breach of contract, you let them enjoy their circus. Especially when it turns out that it is Fufa in breach of the MoU having failed to avail to USL and SuperSport all 16 clubs. Fortunately, State Minister for Sports Charles Bakkabulindi met with Fufa and USL last week and asked them to follow through the MoU. Another meeting of the aforementioned is due Thursday, with one between SuperSport, Fufa and government slated for January 20. One will hope football administrators act outside a hoodwink, for once. amwanguhya@ug.nationmedia.com, @TheLoveDre on Twitter « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/Beware-of--deadly--routes/-/688614/2559930/-/12muu3z/-/index.html","content":"Beware of ‘deadly’ routes - According to police records, December continues to take the highest toll on human life due to motor accidents. It is the one month on the calendar year that accommodates the festive period where many cars are out on the road. Last year alone, police records indicate that about 17,283 persons fell prey to the festive season rush. Of that number, 2,937 lost their lives and the rest sustained both severe and minor injuries.Unfortunately for many Ugandans, that time of the year no longer beckons from a distance, it is here.Eric Musumba, a travel agent notes, “This is the worst season to be on the road. There is too much traffic on the road and to make matters worse, the speeds are often higher than usual.”Musumba points out that police has tried to curb recklessness on the roads throughout the year but mostly in December and try to bring down the accident rates. However, he adds that it is corruption within their ranks that has fostered the resilience in the death toll. BLACK SPOTS So far, there are an estimated 200 black spots along several routes that have featured some of the accidents. .Amongst these is the Kampala-Jinja, Kampala-Gulu, Kampala-Mbarara and the Northern Bypass roads. These roads are renowned for their having sharp corners, limited road signs, large potholes, and narrow sections.Last year, 29 people lost their lives in an accident where a Toyota Noah rammed into the back of a fuel tanker at Namungoona Kasubi along the Northern Bypass, causing a petroleum spill which upon ignition burnt all within the vicinity of the tanker. Police later attributed the cause to over speeding along a route that features sharp corners and narrow roundabouts.“As government continues to repair and better the highways, the road users are seeing this as an opportunity to test the speed limits of their cars,” Norman Kagolo, a traffic warden said.“It is insane how cars are pushed to speeds of even 150km, 160km per hour. It is madness. That is how people get themselves killed,” Kagolo says.Speed limits in built-up areas are generally 50km/h and out of town 80km/hour most routes across the country and breach of these limits can result in a fine, imprisonment or both by police.He singles out the Kampala – Mubende – Fortportal – Kasese route as one of the highly fatal roads when it comes to accidents involving over speeding. LEADING CAUSES Norman Kagolo, a traffic warden points to several factors as the major contributing causes to road accidents during the festive season. Amongst them is, reckless driving, speeding and over loading. Driving with full lights“It is baffling how some drivers at night move with full lights well knowing that they are making visibility for their compatriots on the other end hard,” he says Bad roadsKagolo says in other instances, it has been the poor road which have created the conditions for fatal and serious accidents.“Some of the roads have terrible potholes and drivers struggle to navigate through them, and in others, it is the dust that affects visibility.”Last year, Kampala Metropolitan Area (Kampala South, Kampala East and Kampala North in that order) stacked up the highest number of accident cases with 52.5 per cent numbering 9,651 of all crashes. While the Karamoja regions (Moroto and Kidepo) came in lowest. Many cars on the road“In my view, travelling on the up-country roads, particularly outside Kampala is more dangerous especially in this period when most people are travelling and should be treated with the most caution,” warns Kagolo.“It is where everybody will be heading and unless they proceed with caution, the chances of accidents are high considering there will be increased traffic on the road.” Mechanical problemsHe also points to poor driving standards and also pathetic maintenance of vehicles as the other reasons why the accident rate is high. “Some people embark on upcountry trips without fully servicing their cars and checking whether they are in the condition to endure these long distances,” he remarks.“And in the end you will hear of issues like brake failure resulting into collisions or some other form of accident.” Livestock on the roadThe Jinja - Kampala and the Kampala - Masaka roads as accident black spots have particularly been cited by Police for featuring road users that often drive without lights and also livestock roaming the roads.“The drivers these days do not take good care of their car lights and as such, you find cars with either dim or no lights at all travelling at night,” says Micheal Okot, a traffic officer. CAUTION Micheal Okot, a traffic officer, advises that for reasons of road safety and security, people should avoid travelling outside Kampala after dark, except on the road between Kampala and Entebbe that is well lit. He adds that drivers should only overtake in the right place and only when it is necessary. They should also wear seatbelts and avoid drunk driving.Therefore, as we get into the festive season, let’s all try to be careful when driving so that we are not part of the statistics. Situational causes • Under influence of alcohol • Careless pedestrian • Careless driving • Passenger falls from vehicle • Dazzled by Lights Conditional Causes • Brake failure • Tyre blow out • Steering wheel failure • Head light failure"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/The-general-s-return--how-we-broke-the-story/-/688334/2556226/-/kbfifw/-/index.html","content":"The general’s return: how we broke the story - KAMPALA. At 8am on Saturday, my phone rang. The caller was precise and to the point. She had a breaking story of national importance.“I want you to break that story. You can take my word that no other journalist both here and outside Uganda has it, you are the only one I am telling and please don’t break my trust,” she said.The anxiety and excitement that comes with breaking a story is one that sends the adrenaline surging; only one who has practised as a journalist can know.What was the story? The source was not ready to share for now. She laughed and said, “It is a big one, I will call you later.” Up until the afternoon, every phone call that came through stirred immeasurable anxiety.True to her word, she called in the afternoon, saying: “The story is that Gen Sejusa is coming back to Uganda tonight. I have done my part. Do the rest. He lands at 10pm.” The source, however, requested that the story is only broken after the general had landed. Anything short of that would be breach of trust.As I briefed the news editor, I could see his excitement, albeit restrained. The idea was that Sunday Monitor would change its late edition after the general’s flight had landed.“We shall be on standby so go to Entebbe and text us when you see him, and then we shall change the cover,” the editor said. As I struggled to fight the excitement of being the first to tweet and post on Facebook about the general’s unannounced return. I received information that there were changes in the flight arrangements. Gen Sejusa would land between midnight and 1am.I tipped off a senior colleague and photojournalist, hopped onto a company car and cruised to Entebbe, having our dinner at Lubowa. We kept resisting the urge to inform colleagues from other media houses and praying this was no hoax. This was a high-level operation.By 2am, we were at the airport’s arrivals lounge. There was no security deployment. Gen Sejusa’s sister, whose presence we had learnt about, kept pacing about and making phone calls. We also saw renowned human rights lawyer Ladislaus Rwakafuzi making endless calls.We approached Mr Rwakafuzi, who told us Gen Sejusa was his client. We also learnt that the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Katumba Wamala, was at the airport en route to Nairobi while the Police Director for Operations, Mr Andrew Felix Kawesi, was also around “positioned strategically”. Meanwhile, the presidential convoy had bypassed us at Zana on the Entebbe highway, at about 11pm headed to Kampala.As we waited for the general’s arrival, I could not help but wonder. “Would he be arrested? Would it be smooth sailing for him? Will he speak to us? What if he does not turn up anyway?”These were the questions I battled with when at 3.13am, information came that Gen Sejusa had landed and was at the VIP lounge. We could see Mr Rwakafuzi and Brig Ronnie Balya, the head of internal intelligence, at a distance. They were watching as Gen Sejusa’s sister hugged him.My colleague Isaac Imaka and I were the first to tweet about what we were seeing. I also made the announcement on my Facebook and Daily Monitor walls.We realised we would not be allowed near him. We called Mr Rwakafuzi asking if he could link us up. The general first accepted before declining and instead dictating a brief message through Mr Rwakafuzi, asking that we relay it on KFM, our sister radio station. It was a request we could not honour at the odd hour of 3am.Even if we had not gotten a detailed interview, we knew we could wake up with a scoop of a photo. As our photojournalist, Faiswal Kasirye, positioned himself strategically at the VIP Parking yard, ready to take a shot of Gen Sejusa boarding the waiting car, something happened. In a split second, the general was whisked away—leaving Kasirye helpless. He had missed the shot of a lifetime!Later, Mr Rwakafuzi would announce that the sleek jeep was taking Gen Sejusa to Sembabule. The clandestine mission was over. Our photojournalist was dejected but we encouraged him—saying we could still find solace in the fact that we had broken the news first. We had not braved the cold Entebbe in vain. politicians react to gen sejusa’s return ‘He did nothing wrong, he just wants to express his opinion and there is nothing wrong with that. I like him. Everyone wants to live home. Those making noise on social media speculating that he could have fooled them are the ones with problems because everyone is free to speak their mind,’Brig Kasirye Ggwanga, presidential adviser on security in Buganda ‘I woke up to the stunning news and it was like a dream. If it was April 1, I would have thought it was a fools’ day prank. His return is as dramatic as his exit was. It is too early to judge this enterprising development, so many things do not add up. Is he on amnesty? It is hard to tell what is happening,”Erias Lukwago, kampala lord mayor “I am very happy that he has returned to Uganda.We should live here and solve our issues in Uganda, especially those of us who went to exile once. We should not put other Ugandans in a situation where they have to go to exil,” (Rtd) Col Amanya Mushega, FDC Western region Vice president editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Sejusa-s-return--How-we-broke-the-story/-/688334/2556196/-/52qtyq/-/index.html","content":"Sejusa’s return: How we broke the story - At 8am on Saturday, my phone rang. The caller was precise to the point. She had a breaking story of national importance and was particular about the reason for the call. “I want you to break that story. You can take my word that no other journalist both here and outside Uganda has it, you are the only one I am telling and please don’t break my trust,” she said. The anxiety and excitement that comes with breaking a story is one that sends the adrenaline surging; only one who has practised as a journalist can know. What was the story? The source was not ready to share for now. She laughed and said, “It is a big one, I will call you later.” Up until the afternoon, every phone call that came through stirred immeasurable anxiety. True to her word, she called in the afternoon, saying: “The story is that Gen. Sejusa is coming back to Uganda tonight. I have done my part. Do the rest. He lands at 10pm.” The source, however, requested that the story is only broken after the general had landed. Anything short of that would be breach of trust. As I briefed the news editor, I could see his excitement, albeit restrained. The idea was that the Sunday Monitor would change its late edition after the general had touched down. “We shall be on standby so go to Entebbe and text us when you see him, and then we shall change the cover,” the editor said. As I struggled to fight the excitement of being the first to tweet and post on Facebook about the general’s unannounced return, my source called to announce there were changes in the flight arrangements. Gen Sejusa would land between midnight and 1am. I tipped off a senior colleague and photojournalist, hopped onto a company car and cruised to Entebbe, having our dinner at Lubowa. We kept resisting the urge to inform colleagues from other media houses and praying this was no hoax. This was a high-level operation. By 2am, we were at the airport’s arrivals lounge. There was no security deployment. Gen Sejusa’s sister, whose presence our source tipped us about, kept pacing about and making phone calls. We also saw renowned human rights lawyer Ladislaus Rwakafuzi making endless calls. We approached Mr Rwakafuzi, who told us Gen Sejusa was his client. We also learnt that the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Katumba Wamala, was at the airport en route to Nairobi while the Police Director for Operations, Mr Andrew Felix Kawesi, was also around “positioned strategically”. Meanwhile, the presidential convoy had bypassed us at Zana on the Entebbe highway, at about 11pm headed to Kampala. As we waited for the general’s arrival, I could not help but wonder. “Would he be arrested? Would it be smooth sailing for him? Will he speak to us? What if he does not turn up anyway?” Sejusa greets residents who thronged his home at Nkoma village in Sembabule. Photo by Ezekiel Ssewanyana These were the questions I battled with when at 3:13am, information came that Gen Sejusa had landed and was at the VIP lounge. We could see Mr Rwakafuzi and Brig Ronnie Balya, the head of internal intelligence, at a distance. They were watching as Gen Sejusa’s sister hugged him. My colleague, Isaac Imaka and I were the first to tweet about what we were seeing. I also made the announcement on my Facebook wall. We realised we would not be allowed near him. We called Mr Rwakafuzi asking if he could place us in touch. The General first accepted before declining and instead dictating a brief message through Mr Rwakafuzi, asking that we relay it on KFM, our sister radio station. It was a request we could not honour at the odd hour of 3am. 1 | 2 Next Page»Even if we had not gotten a detailed interview, we knew we could wake up with a scoop of a photo. As our photojournalist positioned himself strategically at the VIP Parking yard, ready to take a shot of Gen Sejusa boarding the waiting car, something happened. In a split second, the renegade soldier was whisked away—leaving our photojournalist helpless. He had missed the shot of a lifetime! Later, Mr Rwakafuzi would announce that the sleek jeep was taking Gen Sejusa to Sembabule. The clandestine mission was over. Our photojournalist was dejected but we encouraged him—saying we could still find solace in the fact that we had broken the news first. We had not braved the cold Entebbe in vain. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Paying-tribute-to-ex-president-Nelson-Mandela-first-anniversary/-/689364/2555140/-/lysvm9z/-/index.html","content":"Paying tribute to ex-president Nelson Mandela first anniversary - Friday, December 5, marked the first anniversary of the passing on of the much-admired president Nelson Mandela of South Africa whose legacy continues to loom large. He will always inspire and give hope to the youth of Africa whose hopes have been dashed by the corrupt, greedy, selfish and violent dictators of Africa. For the detractors and enemies of Africa who believe nothing good, useful and positive can come out of Africa, Mandela will remain a constant reminder that Africa is capable of producing world-class leaders and will do so again in future. May the Lord rest Madiba’s soul in eternal peace!As if to detract attention from events to mark that solemn day through prayers and meditation, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Ms Fatou Bensouda, chose to announce on the very day a decision to withdraw charges of crimes against humanity hanging over Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta like a guillotine since December 2010. As expected, there was both jubilation and disgust in equal measure in Nairobi and elsewhere in Kenya. Much has already been said and written about this scandalous case since the so-called “dynamic duo” was indicted by the ICC four years ago. Let me attempt to explain why despite available evidence at her disposal the prosecutor chose to withdraw the charges. According to a statement issued by the prosecutor, she withdrew the charges because the government of Kenya failed and refused to cooperate with her investigation in breach of its treaty obligations under the Rome Statute which Kenya signed and ratified. The Kenyan government refused, for obvious reasons, to provide crucial and incriminating documentary evidence which the prosecutor said she persistently sought to prosecute the case. She lamented before ICC judges that “Mungiki members said to have interacted with Mr Kenyatta in person during the post-election violence were killed or forcibly disappeared in an apparent clean-up operation after the violence. The pre-trial period was marked by attempts to bribe and intimidate key witnesses.” It became increasingly clear that as long as the accused were in power, the relevant Kenyan authorities would never cooperate with the ICC; hence the prosecutor’s decision to terminate the proceedings, for the time being.The ICC prosecutor’s decision was a pyrrhic victory for Mr Kenyatta, Africa’s Big Men, the AU as well as victory for impunity. It was a sad day for the cause of justice and especially for the thousands of victims of the 2007/2008 post-election violence in Kenya; about 1,300 Kenyans perished in that tragedy and 600,000 Kenyans were internally displaced while 4,000 sought refuge in Uganda. I suspect the ICC decided to let Mr Kenyatta off the hook to appease the AU and African leaders who unfairly and unjustly accused the court of practising racism against Africans, much as the prosecutor is a distinguished African lawyer from the Gambia. It is tempting to accuse the ICC of applying double standards in this matter; one standard for the civilised world which values the rule of law and a much lower standard for African leaders who do not understand and appreciate the rule of law, but prefer the rule of the jungle where might is right and survival of the fittest is the order of the day. On the quest for ethics and integrityFrom the look of things one gets the impression that the NRM regime could not have got a better candidate for minister of Ethics and Integrity than the highly- trained Catholic priest from Karamoja, Father Simon Lokodo, but his tenure at that inappropriately named directorate leaves a lot to be desired. Father Lokodo’s recent pronouncements on the sleazy Ms Desire Luzinda affair and previous positions on the anti-pornography law left many women activists and liberals disenchanted and up-in-arms. When the salacious photos and videos of Luzinda went viral on social media, Father Lokodo’s initial reaction was to demand the immediate arrest of the poor lady who was caught in the act, to borrow language from the Holy Scriptures. My unsolicited advice to Father Lokodo is that he should not take his work too seriously for two reasons. First, most unethical and corrupt Ugandans with no integrity at all are big men in the NRM regime and in his over-zealous pursuit of his mandate, Father Lokodo will sooner or later and perhaps inadvertently step on the toes of some of these men; he will regret the consequences of stepping on their big toes, as a former prime minister has learnt without bitterness. Second, the directorate he heads, like the office of the IGG, was not established to seriously fight corruption, but to deceive and hoodwink the donor community that the corrupt and decadent NRM regime has legal mechanisms to implement the so-called zero-tolerance policy towards corruption in the public sector. He should tread carefully and stealthily like a cat searching for a rat. 1 | 2 Next Page»In the final analysis, everywoman and everyman has a right to make a fool or an ass of herself or himself so long as it does not offend or infringe on other people’s rights and sense of decency. Leave the likes of Desire Luzinda to make an ass of themselves in the privacy of their bedrooms and the bedrooms of their many boyfriends. With regard to Luzinda’s Nigerian ex-boyfriend, I wonder which Ugandan laws he has violated and under which laws one can arrest and prosecute him. The minister is advised to let sleeping dogs lie and leave Luzinda to solve her personal mess with her estranged lover. Don’t waste public resources and your precious time on this tasteless saga; you could perhaps pray for the two former love birds to forgive each other’s trespasses as our Lord Jesus Christ taught. Mr Acemah is a political scientist, consultant and a retired career diplomat. hacemah@gmail.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Paying-tribute-to-ex-president-Nelson-Mandela-first-anniversary/-/689844/2555124/-/1022ey3/-/index.html","content":"Paying tribute to ex-president Nelson Mandela first anniversary - Friday, December 5, marked the first anniversary of the passing on of the much-admired president Nelson Mandela of South Africa whose legacy continues to loom large. He will always inspire and give hope to the youth of Africa whose hopes have been dashed by the corrupt, greedy, selfish and violent dictators of Africa. For the detractors and enemies of Africa who believe nothing good, useful and positive can come out of Africa, Mandela will remain a constant reminder that Africa is capable of producing world-class leaders and will do so again in future. May the Lord rest Madiba’s soul in eternal peace!As if to detract attention from events to mark that solemn day through prayers and meditation, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Ms Fatou Bensouda, chose to announce on the very day a decision to withdraw charges of crimes against humanity hanging over Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta like a guillotine since December 2010. As expected, there was both jubilation and disgust in equal measure in Nairobi and elsewhere in Kenya. Much has already been said and written about this scandalous case since the so-called “dynamic duo” was indicted by the ICC four years ago. Let me attempt to explain why despite available evidence at her disposal the prosecutor chose to withdraw the charges. According to a statement issued by the prosecutor, she withdrew the charges because the government of Kenya failed and refused to cooperate with her investigation in breach of its treaty obligations under the Rome Statute which Kenya signed and ratified. The Kenyan government refused, for obvious reasons, to provide crucial and incriminating documentary evidence which the prosecutor said she persistently sought to prosecute the case. She lamented before ICC judges that “Mungiki members said to have interacted with Mr Kenyatta in person during the post-election violence were killed or forcibly disappeared in an apparent clean-up operation after the violence. The pre-trial period was marked by attempts to bribe and intimidate key witnesses.” It became increasingly clear that as long as the accused were in power, the relevant Kenyan authorities would never cooperate with the ICC; hence the prosecutor’s decision to terminate the proceedings, for the time being.The ICC prosecutor’s decision was a pyrrhic victory for Mr Kenyatta, Africa’s Big Men, the AU as well as victory for impunity. It was a sad day for the cause of justice and especially for the thousands of victims of the 2007/2008 post-election violence in Kenya; about 1,300 Kenyans perished in that tragedy and 600,000 Kenyans were internally displaced while 4,000 sought refuge in Uganda. I suspect the ICC decided to let Mr Kenyatta off the hook to appease the AU and African leaders who unfairly and unjustly accused the court of practising racism against Africans, much as the prosecutor is a distinguished African lawyer from the Gambia. It is tempting to accuse the ICC of applying double standards in this matter; one standard for the civilised world which values the rule of law and a much lower standard for African leaders who do not understand and appreciate the rule of law, but prefer the rule of the jungle where might is right and survival of the fittest is the order of the day. On the quest for ethics and integrityFrom the look of things one gets the impression that the NRM regime could not have got a better candidate for minister of Ethics and Integrity than the highly- trained Catholic priest from Karamoja, Father Simon Lokodo, but his tenure at that inappropriately named directorate leaves a lot to be desired. Father Lokodo’s recent pronouncements on the sleazy Ms Desire Luzinda affair and previous positions on the anti-pornography law left many women activists and liberals disenchanted and up-in-arms. When the salacious photos and videos of Luzinda went viral on social media, Father Lokodo’s initial reaction was to demand the immediate arrest of the poor lady who was caught in the act, to borrow language from the Holy Scriptures. My unsolicited advice to Father Lokodo is that he should not take his work too seriously for two reasons. First, most unethical and corrupt Ugandans with no integrity at all are big men in the NRM regime and in his over-zealous pursuit of his mandate, Father Lokodo will sooner or later and perhaps inadvertently step on the toes of some of these men; he will regret the consequences of stepping on their big toes, as a former prime minister has learnt without bitterness. Second, the directorate he heads, like the office of the IGG, was not established to seriously fight corruption, but to deceive and hoodwink the donor community that the corrupt and decadent NRM regime has legal mechanisms to implement the so-called zero-tolerance policy towards corruption in the public sector. He should tread carefully and stealthily like a cat searching for a rat. 1 | 2 Next Page»In the final analysis, everywoman and everyman has a right to make a fool or an ass of herself or himself so long as it does not offend or infringe on other people’s rights and sense of decency. Leave the likes of Desire Luzinda to make an ass of themselves in the privacy of their bedrooms and the bedrooms of their many boyfriends. With regard to Luzinda’s Nigerian ex-boyfriend, I wonder which Ugandan laws he has violated and under which laws one can arrest and prosecute him. The minister is advised to let sleeping dogs lie and leave Luzinda to solve her personal mess with her estranged lover. Don’t waste public resources and your precious time on this tasteless saga; you could perhaps pray for the two former love birds to forgive each other’s trespasses as our Lord Jesus Christ taught. Mr Acemah is a political scientist, consultant and a retired career diplomat. hacemah@gmail.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Stop-harassing-Mbabazi---Rugunda/-/688334/2553078/-/8ma6nbz/-/index.html","content":"Stop harassing Mbabazi - Rugunda - KAMPALA Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda has called for an investigation into alleged harassment and attempted arrest of his predecessor Amama Mbabazi by security operatives.Dr Rugunda, a senior cadre of NRM and a member of the Central Executive Committee, said on Wednesday Mr Mbabazi, just like any other citizen of this country is a free citizen who is free to enjoy his constitutional rights as enshrined in the Constitution.Speaking during a dialogue organised by the Uganda Parliamentary Journalists Association in Kampala yesterday, Dr Rugunda echoed a similar message he had relayed in Parliament on Wednesday, saying “whoever is involved in such unlawful activities must be held to account”. “Mbabazi is a free citizen of Uganda, a former Prime Minister and is secretary general [of the National Resistance Movement] and MP for Kinkizi West. If in the course of his duty there has been a problem, it needs to be looked at and investigated,” he said.Journalists had asked Dr Rugunda to explain the continued harassment and embarrassment of the former PM at public functions by security elements.On Wednesday, Busiro East MP Medard Sseggona had taken advantage of Prime Minister’s Question Time in Parliament to demand for an explanation over the Mbabazi situation.“Mbabazi is a senior citizen of this country but he is being harassed and intimidated by police officers as government looks on. This is completely unacceptable,” he said.But Dr Rugunda said yesterday that in light of concerns raised so far, the perpetrators must be brought to book.Government spokesperson, Mr Ofwono Opondo, yesterday said Mr Mbabazi is not above the law and can be investigated or arrested just like any other Ugandan in case of breach of any law. However, he did not say whether Mr Mbabazi is being probed or suspected of any crime.Police spokesperson, Mr Fred Enanga was not available for a comment by press time as his official phone was unavailable.Mr Mbabazi was sacked from Cabinet on September 18 and the President later said, without elaborating, that he sacked him for involvement in divisive activities.His sacking has been interpreted as a punishment for his perceived presidential bid in 2016, although he has persistently denied the claim.Yesterday, the vice chairperson of the committee organising the upcoming delegates’ conference, Minister Richard Todwong told journalist Mr Mbabazi will not be allowed a platform to make any contributions during the meeting.Separately, Dr Rugunda yesterday blamed the delayed implementation of electoral reforms on some Opposition leaders whom he said asked for more time to have their proposals captured into government’s final electoral reforms.The electoral reforms are aimed at establishing a level playing field ahead of the 2016 elections but it is about a year into the national elections and Parliament has not adopted them.“We are trying to accommodate them before Cabinet considers them. All of us are anxious to ensure there are no delays and we know these reforms are not coming from the moon,” he said.The Opposition continues to consult widely to prepare proposals for electoral reforms they say are necessary to ensure free and fair elections.Suggested proposals among others, call for an independent and impartial Electoral Commission, seeking a total overhaul of the current EC, which they accuse of being in the service of President Museveni and the ruling party.Last month Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Kahinda Otafiire called on the public and MPs to submit their proposals to the Uganda Law Reform Commission for the forthcoming Constitution amendment setting December 21 as the deadline for submission of proposals. Note to delegates We are pleased to inform all verified delegates to the party conference … that all preparations are in place for the meetings of the party organs to be held as follows:• The Central Executive Committee December 13• The National Executive Committee (NEC) December 14• The National Conference (NC) December 15. Accreditation for the NEC and NC will be at Kololo Independence Grounds on December 13, starting at 7am and December 14, starting at 7am, respectively. Delegates, staff and service providers should also note that access to the grounds for accreditation is by invitation only, on presentation of special passes issued by the organising committee.....By Richard Tadwong mnalugo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Foul-play-suspected-by-founder-of-closed-Ugandan/-/688334/2550114/-/oqsel4/-/index.html","content":"Foul play suspected by founder of closed Ugandan activists Facebook group - Mid last week, Ugandans at Heart, a popular Facebook page where Ugandans from around the world have been conducting discussions on a wide range of issues, was deactivated by Facebook. Abbey Ssemuwemba, the UK-based political commentator and activist who founded the page in 2007, says he received a brief message from Facebook stating that the page had been closed down for breach of Terms and Conditions of Use, and that he has repeatedly tried to query Facebook over the closure. And now, as despite several queries Facebook has neither reactivated the page nor replied to the founders’ queries about its closure, the page founder says that himself and the page’s administration team are beginning to increasingly suspect foul play. Ssemuwemba reckons that the timing of the page’s closure only raises his suspicions further, saying the closure follows increased expression of discomfort with the page by Ugandan government officials.. “One time, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze attacked the forum in the Daily Monitor calling it all sorts of names,” Ssemuwemba says. “Then General Kale Kayihura was recorded bad-mouthing the page. Another policeman Andrew Kaweesi wrote an article in the New vision some time back, calling the forum a security threat that needed to be closed. All that means Ugandan authorities’ involvement with the page’s closure can’t be really ruled out yet.” In response, the Minister for the Presidency, Frank Tumwebaze, says has actually never known about ‘Ugandans At Heart’. “I really don’t know who those Ugandans at Heart people are, what they do, or even where they are based,” Tumwebaze says. “Those people are simply misled. I have no control over Facebook, I don’t even know where Facebook is located or how it is really run. Actually I’m so poor at social media as a whole, even my Facebook account was opened for me by someone else.” However, Hon. Tumwebaze’s response even makes Ssemuwemba more suspicious, as he says Hon. Tumwebaze is only denying knowledge of the group because “he was even a member of the forum and is on record blackmailing it in writing.” Amidst all that, what is indubitable is that Ugandans At Heart had become a leading online platform for Ugandans with a fondness for discussing the issues affecting their country, especially those with an inclination to the governance and political realms. The page members mostly discussed politics and governance issues, although there were also often discussions on history, cultural issues, health, among other disciplines.It is also worth noting that many people had been increasingly expressing discontent with the way different issues were being debated in the forum, many citing tribalism, hate campaigns against the NRM government and President Museveni, attacks on cultural leaders, among others. To that, however, Ssemuwemba responds that the page administrators were trying their best to keep within the Facebook terms and conditions, especially as it was a public forum where all Ugandans were free to participate regardless of their political affiliations. He says there were enough moderators who did everything possible to keep the group within limits, regularly disabling people who didn’t conform. The page founder says it is also important, however, to note that since the Arab Spring mass uprisings, Facebook has been closing down activists groups in different countries. Ssemuwemba says that in the wake of the closure and apparent non-response by Facebook, himself and other members of the old page have opened a new forum called Ugandans At Heart Stereo. The new group already had 17,000 members yesterday, but Ssemuwemba says after losing the old group with 67,000 members (whom they aimed to have multiplied to 150,000 by the time of the 2016 elections) it all looks bleak."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/SportsColumnists/MarkSsali/Draws-for-Man-City--United-and-Arsenal/-/805430/2545048/-/u08c74z/-/index.html","content":"Draws for Man City, United and Arsenal - PREMIERSHIP Newcastle vs ChelseaThe Premiership’s festive feast is upon all you fans and betting types, and I don’t envy you one bit as you try and sift through the mayhem and figure out who is going to get what. I don’t fancy too many of the top sides getting maximum points this weekend for one, but I reckon Chelsea will be one of the few to manage that however tough this trip might be, largely because of Newcastle’s defensive wobbles and the absence of Tim Krul. Away win Man City vs EvertonThe champions have the most lethal finisher in the Premeirship in Sergio Aguero, and such drive from a midfield that is likely to be further boosted by the return of David Silva after a long layoff. Yet I believe that Roberto Martinez can produce a disciplined tactical display to thwart them, while posing a threat of his own. Points to honours even here. Draw Southampton vs Man UnitedMan United have won four on the bounce and early season high-flyers Southampton have run into a tough fixture pile-up, giving the visitors a slight edge momentum-wise. But having lost to Man City here last weekend and then to Arsenal at the Emirates in midweek, the hosts are bound to bite back defiantly, and have proved they possess the quality to hurt anyone if they are up for it. Sort of cancels out, doesn’t it? Draw Stoke vs ArsenalLike Southampton, Stoke have run into an unenviable fixture mire and were unlucky to leave Anfield and Old Trafford without the rewards their efforts evidently deserved. It doesn’t get any easier with a resurgent Arsenal up next, but back home at the Brittannia they could be a little more fortunate. Just a little. Arsenal’s persistence is a great newfound quality helping them win games late, but Stoke have the size (Diouf, Crouch, Nzonzi), and technique (Bojan, Arnautovic) to breach them too. Draw Liverpool vs SunderlandThe battling qualities that saw Sunderland stage a most remarkable survival miracle at the back end of last season are slowing beginning to emerge again. But they run into a Liverpool side in midst of a revival of their own, and at Anfield they will be passionately urged on by a loyal following. Home win BUNDESLIGA Dortmund vs HoffenheimFinally a game Dortmund can and should win, right? Don’t count on it or on me, for I have miserably failed where Jurgen Klopp’s men are concerned, again and again. On this one I come with that huge disclaimer, because my gut feeling tells me they will win and yet my sensible head says the safe thing to do is go for the Over, which is almost a given for every Hoffenheim game regardless of opposition. Home win Bayern vs LeverkusenOne of the better tests Bayern are bound to get at the Allianz Arena all season, with Leverkusen playing a high-intensity pressing game and some brilliant counter-attacking football under Roger Schmidt. As is expected with this quality of opposition, Pep Guardiola and his charges will rise up to the challenge at both a tactical and technical level, and their better overall quality should prevail. Home win SERIE A Fiorentina vs JuventusJuventus are so dominant in Italy it is freakish, with a formation which gives them solidity at the back, midfielders who are so complimentary and compatible, wing backs who have mastered the art of bombing forward, and forwards who are in the habit of bombing at goal. But Fiorentna have been good over their last three games, and possess one of the few venues that can get the old Lady nervous. Draw Roma vs SassuoloHome win Napoli vs EmpoliHome win Genoa vs AC MilanAway win Inter vs UdineseHome win 1 | 2 Next Page»LA LIGA Barcelona vs EspanyolOne of several derbies in Europe that are suffering as spectacles because of the gulf in class currently exaggerated by financial muscle (think Juventus vs Torino). Barcelona might have arguably the world’s best academy, but each of Luis Suarez and Neymar cost more than the entire Espanyol squad. I only see the Catalunya derby going one way. Home win Real Madrid vs Celta VigoHome win & Over Elche vs Atletico MadridAway win Bilbao vs CordobaHome win LIGUE ONE PSG vs NantesHome win Toulouse vs MonacoAway win Bordeaux vs LorientHome win Marseille vs MetzHome win Evian vs LyonAway win ssalimark@gmail.com, @markssali on twitter « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Katosi-scam--Police-hunt-culprits-abroad/-/688334/2538122/-/icuxdf/-/index.html","content":"Katosi scam: Police hunt culprits abroad - KAMPALA- Police are pursuing at least 15 people suspected of involvement in the Katosi road scam with a view to attach their assets abroad to recover the Shs24b they are accused of stealing, Saturday Monitor has learnt. The development is a joint operation by the police, Inspector General of Government (IGG) and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), working with the foreign governments where some of the suspects come from. Police spokesman Fred Enanga said police have established who took how much and where the fraudsters invested the stolen money. Mr Enanga, however, declined to reveal the names or countries of the suspects for fear the move could jeopardise the investigations. “A joint team made of officers in the DPP and IGG’s offices are working out a procedure under the Mutual Legal Assistance treaty to trace and attach the assets of the suspects abroad,” Mr Enanga said Mutual Legal Assistance is an agreement between countries to cooperate on issues regarding enforcement of criminal law. President Museveni on Tuesday ordered that those who stole the Katosi road money should refund it. He made the remarks while addressing leaders from south western and western regions districts. The investigating team is also considering the option of plea bargain to recover the stolen money. Plea bargain is a justice process where the prosecution and the accused amicably agree for the latter to plead guilty to the alleged offences in return for a lenient sentence. Mr Enanga said attaching assets of culprits in Uganda would be “an easy sailing” because there are already empowering laws to do that but added that police would need other countries’ support, especially for the accused who are not Ugandan or do not live in Uganda. He said criminal offences against the suspects are now clear and the prosecution would facilitate the refund of the stolen money. The spokesperson of Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), a government agency in charge of road construction and maintenance, Mr Dan Alinange, said: “For us we are supporting the investigation in every best way we can. To infiltrate a system like ours means there had to be a line of people behind who must all be brought to light.” He said the number of suspects would grow bigger than 15 as investigations progress. While meeting local leaders from southwestern and western Uganda at State House on Wednesday, President Museveni ordered that the fraudsters in the Katosi road project must refund the money they stole. In 2013, Eutaw won the contract for the Katosi road project for Shs165b but it later sub-contracted all the works to CICO, a Chinese company, at Shs155b. Red flags were raised later after UNRA paid Shs24.7b to Eutaw’s account as advance payment in January this year. The Eutaw company in Mississippi, USA later said it did not know the people who held out as their representatives in the Katosi contract in Uganda. Eutaw later withdrew from the contract and its directors disappeared without trace, leaving CICO alone on the project. The UNRA head of corporate Communications, Mr Dan Alinange, said this was in breach of the procurement rules which bar the principal contractor from sub-contracting more than 30 per cent of the work to another party. CICO commenced preliminary works on the Katosi road but the IGG warned UNRA of a fraudulent contract. The IGG started investigating the matter and last month stopped CICO from proceeding with the project and ordered it to leave the site. 1 | 2 Next Page»The IGG said there was ample evidence that CICO and Eutaw colluded to defraud the Uganda government. “The two companies developed a very intimate relationship from which one can safely deduce that they both knew what was going on even before UNRA paid Shs24.7b to Eutaw,” the IGG ruled in her findings. CICO has since gone to court challenging the decisions of the IGG. A police report last week also cleared CICO of any wrongdoing in the Katosi transaction. Mr Alinange last week admitted that UNRA was conned in the Katosi project and said they were considering all means possible to recover the stolen money. He said UNRA did not know CICO as the contractor because they had no contract with the company. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Besigye-got-it-wrong-on-odious-debt-doctrine/-/689364/2532484/-/wqxkbrz/-/index.html","content":"Besigye got it wrong on odious debt doctrine - I read with interest Dr Kizza Besigye’s article in Daily Monitor of October 22 titled, “The citizens of Uganda will not pay Chinese odious debts”. However, his application of the odious debt doctrine is problematic and deeply flawed. Dr Besigye suggests that the doctrine offers a blanket opportunistic cover for any successive government to renege on Uganda’s contractual obligations in total disregard of other well-known and binding international law principles such as “pacta sunt servanda” (Agreements must be kept). Since its postulation in the post-World War I times by jurist Alexander Nahun Sack, in “The Effects of State Transformations on their Public Debts and Other Financial Obligations” in 1927, the odious debt principle has been punctuated with many exceptions as to its legal efficacy and applicability. The overriding principle is sanctity of contracts as legally binding agreements between parties, for example, states (within a Public international law context), or individuals (within a private international law and/or a domestic law framework). To avoid an arbitrary use of the odious debt doctrine, the following qualifications have been applied in various international tribunals. The new government would have to prove that:(1) The needs which the former government claimed in order to contract the debt in question, were odious and clearly in contradiction to the interests of the people of the entirety of the former State or a part thereof, and(2) The creditors, at the moment of paying out the loan, were fully aware of its odious purpose. Upon establishment of these two points, the burden of proof then shifts to the creditors, who must prove that the funds for this loan were not utilised for odious purposes – harming the people of the entire State or part of it – but for general or specific purposes of the State which do not have the character of being odious. All the examples cited by Dr Besigye (the Standard Gauge Railway, Karuma dam, the oil refinery and pipeline) are public infrastructure projects that are in the best interest of the domestic and regional population (citizens). Whereas it is true that there are legitimate public procurement process concerns in Uganda’s system, this does not make these projects “hostile debts”, or “odious” in nature that the Chinese companies and other contractors involved should not expect payment. This would be blatant breach of contractual obligations, and not even Dr Besigye would want to run a government that violates domestic and international legal norms. A lot of ink has been spilled on Uganda’s public procurement process and its attendant bureaucratic red tape emphasis on procedures, rather than results. This is an internal issue to be sorted out by Uganda’s policy makers, not the lenders or the companies undertaking to enter into contractual relations with Uganda. Furthermore, for the concept of “odious debt” to be applicable in the circumstances, there should be state dismemberment (for example, the case of the former Soviet Union), State succession or some other change that fundamentally alters the nature of the sovereign itself that international legal obligations are not thought to be automatically transferred to the new state. As a formal matter, the identity of the sovereign itself should be so fundamentally changed and the new sovereign must unequivocally express its will not to be bound by the prior contractual agreements. Contrary to Dr Besigye’s constant assertions, Uganda has witnessed some irreversible democratic gains since the NRM regime he served came into power.It is not easily foreseeable that there will be such a fundamental or radical change in the political structure of Uganda after President Museveni that it will greatly alter the Ugandan political and social structures to justify and sustain a plea of odious debt in light of that change. All the case studies cited by Dr Besigye are inapplicable to our situation. Therefore, we need to mobilise the population to rally behind these infrastructure projects, because ultimately, they are for the benefit of all Ugandans. Securing the assurance of those who have undertaken to fill our large-scale project finance gaps should not be seen as “odious”, but as a legally binding commitment on the respective parties to honour their obligations and see to it that these projects are successfully accomplished.Mr Kayondo is a legal researcher on Sovereign Finance and International law."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/MPs-move-to-block--8b-railway-deal/-/688334/2483824/-/8mbo5jz/-/index.html","content":"MPs move to block $8b railway deal - Kampala A new petition to President Museveni revealing ‘grave anomalies’ in the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the impending House probe into the breach of procedures, appear to cast a shadow over the official signing of the unprecedented $8.5 billion (about Shs22 trillion) deal expected to be sealed tomorrow. Four MPs have petitioned the President, Speaker of Parliament, the Prime Minister and the High Court of Uganda, warning against the signing of the disputed contract with China Habour Engineering Company (CHEC) before the House makes a decision on the alleged irregularities in the deal. Ministry faultedThe MPs, who are expected to address a news conference today to give new evidence on the abuse of procedures ahead of the signing of the deal, told Daily Monitor yesterday that the ministry of Works picked a confidential report on mechanical and engineering designs by Gauff, a consultancy firm hired by the government, and gave it to CHEC to come up with its consultancy report to be used by same government in evaluating the company’s project proposal and the final contract. Lwemiyaga MP Theodore Ssekikubo, the lead petitioner, told this newspaper the Gauff report was supposed to be confidential-- an internal marking guide against the feasibility study that was to be done by CHEC before the official signing of the contract. He said the President had given the Works ministry three weeks to resolve all the technicalities involved, but all this was ignored. “We have petitioned the President for him to know the mess in the Standard Gauge Railway project. He has been on record accusing MPs of sabotaging the government projects and calling us enemies of recovery which is not the case,” Mr Ssekikubo said. Mr Ssekikubo, Wilfred Niwagaba (Ndorwa East), Bernabas Tinkasiimire (Buyaga West) and Paul Mwiru (Jinja Municipality East) also addressed their October 6 petition to the Attorney General and the Exim Bank of China trying to block funding to the project. Daily Monitor in August broke the story of how a junior minister on June 8, wrote terminating a Memorandum of Understanding between the government and China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the upgrade of Uganda Railways’ eastern line. Court has since put on hold the minister’s actions. The latest development reinforces calls for an investigation into the alleged indiscretions of the SGR deal. Although the signing ceremony had previously been scheduled for October 8, it was temporarily put off to allow the contracts committee to go through the “nitty-gritty” of the deal. However, when contacted yesterday, the Minister for Works, Mr Abraham Byandala, told Daily Monitor “we are not anywhere close to the signing of that contract”. Minister speaks outWhile the petitioners said they had received information that “a high-profile decision” had been made to use the feasibility study by Gauff, Mr Byandala, whom they said “lacks information on what is going on”, said he had no control over the MPs petition and insisted, “the project has no problem”. “I’m getting ready to come to Parliament [any time] with the government explanation on the petition presented by Hon Ssekikubo and his group,” he said. Mr John Byabagambi, the State minister for Works, who is also the chairman of SGR ministerial committee, supports CHEC and is accused of cancelling the MoU the government had earlier signed with CCECC. Mr Byabagambi was not available to respond to fresh accusations that his committee had resolved to proceed without first allowing CHEC to conduct it’s own feasibility study and submitting engineering designs. On October 1, Speaker Rebecca Kadaga ordered the government to respond to allegations of influence peddling and conflict of interest in the railway deal within one week. The MPs had demanded that a select committee be set up to investigate the deal. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/Someone-make-Dick-smile-again/-/690266/2456868/-/p6n8et/-/index.html","content":"Someone make Dick smile again - Dick was not a happy man by yesterday. Dick could still be far from a smile even today, unless something has given way and he is on a plane to Italy. Dick Katende was, of course, happy to travel with the national boxing team – the Bombers – to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland where two boxing bronze medals were collected. But the veteran coach, Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) and the country had to collectively endure embarrassment as the Games officials, or rather rules, denied Katende access to the ringside to conduct his duties. As we know, it is no longer breaking news that Katende was barred from ringside because he was not a three-star coach, the minimum coaching qualification for the Games.Even more embarrassing is that Katende, UBF and Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) knew the rules even before boarding the plane to Glasgow. “We knew and we wrote to UBF about it,” Ambrose Tashobya, the head of the Ugandan delegation to the Games and UOC vice president told Daily Monitor recently, “But they assured us that the matter was under control. “By the time we realised what they were saying was not true it was too late to make any changes. As you saw, we had to rely on our friends from Kenya and Nigeria for help by the ringside.“I’m very sure if Dick Katende had been by the ringside, we would have also claimed gold in boxing.” That Uganda did not have a three-star rated coach was fruits of years of wrangles back home that saw the country’s most successful sport internationally miss out on not just several global events, but the classification of coaches. Now here is a chance for Katende to do an Aiba coaches course that runs from tomorrow to next Friday in Siracusa, Italy.The course would equip Katende with the required certification to coach in all international boxing events like the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, World Series of Boxing, among others.It would also see him be eligible for Rio 2016. But blimey! He cannot raise Shs8m for the trip having paid for the visa from his own pockets. UBF were by yesterday still in a hopeful world that they will have heard from the National Council of Sports – who oversee sports federations on behalf of the Ministry – and UOC; yet Katende should be out of the country like yesterday.The boxing body had earlier in a recommendation letter to a potential sponsor of the boxer made it clear to him that they were “not in position to meet the budget costs. UOC president William Blick also reiterated that government had promised to sponsor all such programs. “We can only offer one ticket in that regard,” he said.Now, to the ministry, NCS, UBF and perhaps UOC; why do we always have to wait for the agonizing final straight? FUBA, MTN, AIRTEL HAVE NO OPTION BUT WORK TOGETHERWhile we are at it, the quiet storm that is the MTN Arena - the beautiful stadium that sits atop the Lugogo sports hub - refuses to calm. Still the Airtel National Basketball League (ANBL) craves to have their first game of the 2014 season at the Arena refurbished by MTN in 2010. Still MTN’s heavy branding, well catered for in their MoU with National Council of Sports (NCS) entered in January 2009, abounds. To many, some clauses in this MoU could have been better – most notably branding rights to which MTN has unlimited control. But since Daily Monitor broke down for you the entire stand-off between Fuba on one side, MTN on the other, NCS the middle men, and Airtel caught in-between the sponsorship daggers; there has been some progress, or it has been seen to be. Of course basketball lovers, who in their mind are very sure it is because of MTN, or the telecom company legal boss Anthony Katamba, who some accuse of directly being the stumbling block, responsible for their beloved league being played out of the arena. They have since started a hash-tagged #BringBackOurArena campaign on social media. But the committee since tasked by NCS chairman Bosco Onyik to meet concerned parties regarding a possible review of the contentious MoU has also been at it and is expected to hand over their report to him next Monday. In some of their findings that I’m privy to, MTN breached nothing in the MoU by emphatically branding the entire arena to the detriment of Fuba, who annoyed MTN by shifting allegiance to their current sponsors Airtel. But as expected, the committee acknowledges that had NCS and MTN been clear on percentages of branding the former were entitled to; we would not have travelled this unromantic journey. It is also understood that in the committee’s consultations with MTN, the telecom company, or Katamba, mainly has issue with how the Fuba president Ambrose Tashobya approached the whole affair, with the latter also holding similar sentiments. It is because of those egos the matter escalated. But that should not divert us from the fact that reloaded branding early this year thanks to the contentious clauses in the MoU (the league was played in the arena last season) was the elephant that hurt the grass The encouraging news for the basketball fraternity is that through those consultations, whose details will be released in the report possibly on Monday, MTN is ready and willing to work out a way with rival sponsors and NCS. But Fuba have to first officially petition NCS their grievances on MTN’s overzealous branding, which Katamba earlier told us they did because their branding was last season being covered in breach of agreements in the MoU. It is from there that NCS and all parties involved will sit and forge a way of negotiating the branding to an effect that companies like Airtel will be able to cover parts of MTN branding during games, or the latter reducing their branding on some of the areas like seats. At the end of the day, the issue is having the basketball topflight league back in the arena, not fighting. And come to think of it, all involved have no option but to work together."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Call-for-mobile-hospitals/-/689844/2435456/-/ipwl5hz/-/index.html","content":"Call for mobile hospitals - In August 2012, more than 50 civil society groups petitioned High Court, demanding that the high rate of maternal deaths – said to be 17 deaths daily – be declared a breach of basic rights. The groups hoped that pronouncement could shame the government into taking action on the preventable cases of mothers who die while giving birth. This landmark lawsuit was impelled by two women who bled to death unattended while giving birth in hospitals. The petitioners talked of a crisis in the health sector particularly, the embarrassment of preventable maternal mortality and non-provision of essential maternal health commodities and services in public health facilities, an infringement of the right to life and to health. Unfortunately, the Constitutional Court ruled that the issue of maternal health was a political question and therefore, must be answered by politicians. The ruling was based on the doctrine of separation of powers in government. But what this meant in simple terms is that Parliament and Executive play a reciprocal role in the budgeting process, to the extent that, they can easily address the health concerns if they so wished. In any case, the Constitution they swore to defend and preserve, places full responsibility on the government to respect, protect, fulfil and promote the citizens’ rights to health. Maternal mortality is a major public health challenge in Uganda. Uterine rupture remains a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. The statistics also show that 106 new-born babies die every day in Uganda partly due to inadequate government investment in life-saving emergency obstetric and newborn care. At least 80 per cent of maternal deaths are caused by severe bleeding, infections, unsafe abortion, high blood pressure and obstructed labour. Lack of access to life saving HIV treatment is another major contributor to maternal deaths and this, results in high rates of mother to child transmission of HIV. The delay in seeking care, delay in reaching health facilities for care and delay in receiving adequate care when reaching a health facility have also complicated the situation. Mobile hospitalsIn the face of the challenges, in other countries like South Africa, Zambia and in Europe, authorities are fighting back. They have adopted new approaches to health care and the tide is changing. In response to an increased emphasis on quality and effectiveness of care, authorities in these countries are refocusing their efforts on the broader care continuum —the healthcare outside the traditional hospital walls. The mobile hospitals will bring affordable, cost-effective and quality healthcare to the people. A mobile hospital facility costs about Shs2 billion and is equipped with facilities such as X-rays, mini theatres, power and water supply, and run by trained medical staff. The van will have the capacity to reach the people who live in rural areas. Rural population (percentage of total population) in Uganda was last measured at 86.70 per cent in 2010, according to the World Bank figures. Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. In Zambia, mobile hospitals are making wonders. Parliament should help the government see sense in ensuring that ambulatory services form part of the core service and mission of our health system. For starters, each regional hospital should have a mobile hospital. With this, we would be killing two birds with one stone: Improving the health care delivery and decongesting the public hospitals. Indifferent MPsThe Shadow minister for health, Dr Lulume Bayiga, last week also fronted this idea while presenting his alternative policy statement in the health committee. Unsurprisingly, some MPs looked indifferent even as Dr Lulume asked the government to adopt the mobile hospital services to help Ugandans in under-served and hard-to-reach areas. The Opposition view is that such hospitals would deliver services at the community level—the level five health care service. According to Dr Lulume, mobile hospitals would consist of eight trucks, each designed to offer space for special services like, theatre, laboratory, pharmacy, outpatient and antenatal, among others. The mobile hospital should be equipped with a general doctor, a dental surgeon, a surgeon, an obstetrician‐gynecologist, eye specialist and a nurse. However, Dr Lulume said a glaring lack of health personnel is a serious barrier to health service delivery. He proposes a pay rise of Shs2.5m for graduating doctors, Shs1.2m for clinical officers and Shs1m for nurses as a motivation to stop the brain drain."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Govt-should-formulate-oil-pipeline-regulations/-/689364/2429334/-/15nb44yz/-/index.html","content":"Govt should formulate oil pipeline regulations - Oil pipeline transport is usually provided by private users mostly oil and gas companies for their own ancillary purposes or by a common carrier acting on behalf of all the shippers linked to the pipeline. Whether the pipeline is run and operated by the oil companies or a private common carrier, it is important to note in both scenarios their activities would be entirely guided by the need to maximise profit. The implications of this for the government and the citizenry are worth considering. Government must start exercising its mind on how best the pipeline can serve national economic and social interests whilst simultaneously addressing the commercial interest of oil corporations. For the oil corporations, although the initial construction of pipelines is difficult and expensive, once the pipes are built and properly maintained, they represent the safest and most economical means of transporting oil and gas products. The government on the other hand should be concerned with whether the pipeline once constructed is operated to meet safety and environmental standards. Before we consider the implications for the government, first we must reflect on whether the government has put sufficient regulations in place given the now realistic prospect of the oil pipeline. If not, what form would these regulations take and would they be regulated by a single government department, say the ministry of energy, or would this be regulated by different government bodies and authorities. Take the United States for instance, pipelines there are regulated by different government agencies. The department of transport regulates the operation of the pipelines, the environmental protections agency regulates spills and releases, while the occupational safety and health administration promulgates standards covering worker’s health and safety. In addition, there are a number of industry organisations, such as the American Petroleum Institute and the American Gas Association which along side the government agencies publish recommended practices covering pipeline operations. The Canadians appear to have veered towards a similar regulatory model. Compare that to the United Kingdom where the industry is substantially regulated by a single government agency. Similarly, in Nigeria all regulatory powers are conferred on the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. Another consideration for the government is who would be responsible for environmental disasters that are almost inevitable with the existence of such an extensive pipeline mostly expected to run over ground. Would it be the owner of the pipeline or the operator of the pipeline who is often responsible for managing risks and hazards on the pipeline? In the event of non-compliance, how would the regulations be enforced? In the United Kingdom breaches of regulations can result in criminal prosecution punishable by unlimited fines and terms of imprisonment or imposition of a prohibition or improvement notices. Further, breaches of regulations will often result in strict liability, that is, if it is proven that a breach has occurred, there will be no defence available. These implications and many others should be born in mind by the government when regulating the activities of commercial entities whose allegiance to the citizenry of Uganda is secondary to their need to reward shareholders or owners. From a social perspective, its important to note that unlike other modes of transport such as roads and railway that improve access for the communities through which they traverse, oil pipelines by their nature impose constraints on communities and when located close to villages are potentially hazardous to life. The pipeline regulations would require the input of the department of physical planning to review the pipeline routes and monitor its impact on local communities. In additional to strict environmental standards, the pipeline regulations need to review existing legal provisions and adequately compensate land owners as land is the major source of conflict and litigation in rural communities. These and other considerations need to form part of the government discussion when formulating oil pipeline regulations if we are to dodge the so-called paradox of plenty, where the resource development fails to generate the expected social benefits as seen recently in the Niger Delta Basin. Mr Makubuya is a barrister with Capital Law Partners & Advocates"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Athletics/Nsimbe-topples-Bobby-as-Cecafa-Kagame-Cup-tips-off-in-Rwanda/-/690274/2413552/-/9yt957z/-/index.html","content":"Another win away from home could augur well for Uganda - It’s 36 years now since Uganda’s last foray in the Africa Cup of Nations finals. Philip Omondi’s goals and guile remarkably dragged Uganda by its bootstraps to the final, which they lost 2-0 to hosts Ghana. The first weekend of September will see The Cranes return to the country where they scripted their most momentous footballing chapter yet. Ghana is an African football behemoth as its four Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) titles attest. It’s not, however, lost on many that the last of those titles came back in 1982. More fundamentally, Uganda managed to secure a 1-1 draw in Ghana during the 2004 Afcon qualifiers. The 2006 Afcon/World Cup qualifiers were more bruising, Uganda losing 2-0 in Ghana after David Obua’s goal had seen The Cranes draw the reverse fixture. But there are no yawning chasms in matches between Uganda and Ghana. Philip Obwin’s winners in 2000 and 2002 are testament to the Ghanaians’ fallibility. West African trioGhana of course won’t be the only country offering Uganda company in Group E of the 2015 Afcon qualifiers. Togo and Guinea complete a West African trio in what by all measures is a tough group. Togo secured a 3-0 win in a consummate display during their last visit to Uganda in June of 2001. Guinea were less successful during their last two visits here. Legendary forward Majid Musisi was among the goals during an en-thralling 4-4 draw at Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium in April of 2000. That match was a 2002 World Cup qualifier. Five months later, a brace from Hassan Mubiru and Andrew ‘Fimbo’ Mukasa’s stunning finish saw Uganda wrap up a 3-1 win at the same stadium; this time in an Afcon qualifier. Guinea will be hoping that it is third time lucky when they take to the Mandela National Stadium pitch in Namboole during the second weekend of September. Their squad is laden with an array of French-based players with the pick being Nantes forward, Ismael Bangoura. The 29-year-old has found the back of the net 13 times during his 47 caps. It’s hardly a statistic that should worry Andy Mwesigwa and company at Fortress Namboole. The deciding factor for The Cranes as always will be how they fare on the road. Thank-fully, Uganda shook the monkey off the back by securing a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Mauritania last Sunday. The win owed more to just the tactics coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic painstakingly taught in the run-up to the match. The win, Uganda’s first since one away to Guinea Bissau in March of 2011, was the product of what to the human eye passes off as unconventional, even awkward. The Cranes avoided food provided by their hosts and took to the Olympique Stadium without fear.They will have to do this and more when they make trips to Ghana, Togo and Guinea. Missed chancesIn Mauritania, The Cranes were profligate. Brian Umony uncharacteristically missed a one-on-one in the first half. It was also worrying seeing the hosts effortlessly breach Uganda’s rear-guard only to match their opposite number’s poor finishing. With only the top two finishers in each group - along with the best third-placed team - qualifying for the finals, a perfect home record for The Cranes might not suffice. A result away from home might well be the panacea to Uganda’s 36-year-long Afcon hoodoo. What we now know.... We know that Uganda will be throwing its weight behind incumbent FIDE president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov during next weekend’s election. We know that the election has been marred by accusations of irregularities. Garry Kasparov, the sole challenger, has made those accusations. Ilyumzhinov has on his part dismissed Kasparov’s whines as sour grapes from someone who wants to blur the line separating politics from sport. We nevertheless know that politics is occupying a disproportionate psyche of this presidential election. Kasparov’s decision to second-guess Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has triggered a proxy war. Putin has made no secret of his desire to ensure that Ilyumzhinov, the FIDE president since 1995, remains put.We know that Kasparov made two trips to Uganda in less than a year. While in Uganda, the Russian Grandmaster pitched his blueprint for popularising chess in a country that is predisposed to ball games such as football. Watching pieces fall on a chess board can be empowering, Kasparov said amidst warm applause from Uganda Chess Federation (UCF) officials. As a sweetener, the 51-year-old former world number one donated 70 boards under the auspices of the Garry Kasparov Chess Foundation. His overtures, though, seem not to have yielded fruit. Uganda, says UCF president, Vianney Luggya, will vote for Ilyumzhinov during the elective assembly in Tromso, Norway."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Kanungu-leaders-appeal-to-Museveni-over-iron-ore-ban/-/688342/2406248/-/34eo9c/-/index.html","content":"Kanungu leaders appeal to Museveni over iron ore ban - KANUNGU. Kanungu District leaders have resolved to petition President Museveni to lift a ban on exportation of raw iron ore, saying it has deprived the district of enormous financial proceeds and employment opportunities. The district officials and councillors made the appeal this week after visiting various sites of an iron ore extraction firm, Uganda International Mining Company (UIMC), which have become idle with heaps of redundant ore. President Museveni in October 2012 directed the Energy ministry to stop the exportation of iron ore. He said this was intended to raise enough raw materials for the local steel industry to fill its production capacity. “There is increasing demand for steel products in the country due to the booming construction sector. A big percentage of our iron ore was being exported, leaving some local steel rolling mills to operate below capacity. We expect this to change now that we have stopped the exportation,” Mr Edwards Katto, the commissioner for mines in the Energy ministry, said at that time. Kanungu District administration wants the government to allow UIMC to continue with its mining operations and exportation of the iron ore, saying the ban has rendered hundreds of residents jobless. The leaders say the ban has made the district lose billions of shillings in revenue, which they had negotiated with UIMCL.“UIMCL obtained a NEMA clearance in 2012, compensated the land owners and in May 2013, the investors were given a mining lease for the 262 acres. All these were done before the ban or with no information at all about the impending ban on export of raw iron ore. The ban was thereafter implemented yet investors had already invested at least USD 10 million,” district councillor Mr Frugence Muhumuza said during a council session on Tuesday. The company says it had established a camp, assembled machinery and mined iron ore ready for export.“We had cleared everything with the government and local people. We were cleared to start but government stopped us after a year yet we had invested a lot of money,” Mr Bnn Rao, the company’s chief executive officer, said on Tuesday. However, the spokesman of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Mr Matovu Bukenya, rebuffed the claims. He said when the ban was issued, the government allowed UIMC to export the iron ore stock they had already mined before the restriction would become effective but the period has now expired. He castigated UIMC of using “naughty ways” to force the government to allow the company to continue doing what it had been doing before the ban. Mr Matovu dismissed the complaints by Kanungu officials that the ban has caused loss of jobs and revenue to the district. “We lose more jobs and revenue in exporting iron ore,” he said. Mr Rao said the company planned to export iron ore but government put in a new demand for a steel factory. “Establishing a factory is very difficult, you need coal. In the absence of coal, you use gas, yet gas is not going to be available until 2018 or 2022,” he said. Kanungu District had already finalised a public-private partnership agreement with the investor and they were going to sign a Memorandum of Understanding. Under the MoU, the UIMC was to remit one dollar per tonne of exported iron ore to the district coffers. The loss“When you hear of the costs that have been incurred and jobs our people have lost, government should reconsider its position and let our people benefit,” Ms Justine Kakuru, Kanungu District secretary for finance, said. Mr James Kaberuka, councillor for Kihiihi Town Council said by reneging on the agreement with the company, government could end up paying heavy damages like was the case of Dura Cement company, which sued government for breach of contract and was awarded huge amounts of money in compensation. The deputy Resident District Commissioner, Mr Richard Ndyana, said the iron ore extraction project is important and asked the district leaders to lobby the government to reconsider its position on the ban. “I want to urge the district leaders to exploit all opportunities such that mining resumes with relaxed conditions for the benefit of our people,” Mr Ndyana said. The council resolved to petition the President. “This is a golden opportunity for us which we must fight for- for the benefit of our children, let us go and meet the President who put the ban and ask him to lift it,” said councillor Mr Frank Byaruhanga. How it startedIn May 2013, the government gave Uganda International Mining Company (UIMC), a 21-year mining lease to mine iron ore in Kayonza Sub-county. Under the terms of the lease, the company was to start mining operations within one year, produce iron ore within two years and have 80 per cent of its unskilled workers and 20 per cent of middle-level management staff from the locals. It was also obliged to engage in local community development through corporate social responsibility, among others. 1 | 2 Next Page»In January, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development announced a ban on exportation of iron ore and UIMC says the government changed its position and asked the company to set up a steel factory instead of exporting the raw mineral. Energy ministry respondsAsked why the ministry gave UIMC licence to mine iron ore after the President had already issued the directive for a ban on exportation of the mineral, the spokesman of the Ministry of Energy, Mr Matovu Bukenya, said there was no contradiction. He said the ministry gave the company a mining lease but not an export licence. This means that the company can mine and sell its raw iron ore to the local steel industries. In March this year, UIMC officials went to Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi to plead for the lifting of the ban on the iron ore exports but he told them that the option they had was to mine the raw material and sell it to the local industries. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/Domestic-borrowing-will-lead-us-into-more-trouble/-/878516/2405342/-/tlhe94/-/index.html","content":"Domestic borrowing will lead us into more trouble - Hardly two months have gone by since government announced a Shs15trillion 2014/15 Budget that now finds itself with a Shs2.7trillion deficit. Development partners insist that they can only fund selected projects within the Budget which they can easily monitor while government on the other hand wants them to contribute to the common basket. Faced with this hitch, government now wants to resort to domestic borrowing to curb the deficit. But have government bureaucrats considered the adverse effects of domestic borrowing?Domestic borrowing is more expensive than external borrowing. How? When you sell the treasury bills, Stanbic bank will for instance buy these bills for their customers who are non Ugandans. These foreigners will then lend the money to Uganda at 17 per cent per annum. This is as opposed to direct external borrowing of 1 per cent per annum. This means that local people will pay more by 16 per cent as a result of domestic borrowing. Remember that banks would also love that government borrows domestically because this is money payable just after a year without the frustration of running after borrowers. If government borrows locally, then local investors will be regarded as high risk borrowers and given tough conditions for accessing loans. Two scenarios will emerge; either people will fear to borrow and therefore not invest or they will borrow and fail to pay back the loans. Both scenarios can only stifle the economy and worsen the already bad poverty and unemployment levels in the country. Parliament should thus first approve domestic borrowing by scrutiny as they do external borrowing before appropriation. This is provided for in our Constitution.Overall, what is needed is sobriety while making fiscal and monetary decisions. For example, URA failed to hit the collection target last financial year and again this year they have increased the target. Where is the guarantee that they will hit the target this year?In my view, if we can’t raise Shs15 trillion, government would rather cut the Budget. Moreover we can achieve the same results with a scaled down Budget if the resources are prudently used. For instance, why should we have the so called patriotic clubs under the President’s Office when this can be handled under the Ministry of Education? Ironically, it is this very government that abolished the teaching of political education in secondary schools only to bring it back as a project in the President’s Office! Must we allocate 6.5 per cent of the Budget to security when a whole Shs14 billion will be spent on purchase of tear gas and riot gear instead of addressing issues that hurt the local person? Where are our priorities?Secondly, government needs to seriously address measures that plug the loopholes. Money is lost through inflated tax credits, tax incentives given to undeserving firms and tax evasions. Uganda loses Shs630 billion per year in tax evasions according to a report released by Danida in May this year. This same report recommends to governments among other things to; ensure that banks in the country know the true beneficial owner of any account opened in their financial institution; that Uganda should actively participate in the worldwide movement towards the automatic exchange of tax information as endorsed by the G20 and the OECD; and that government authorities should adopt and fully implement all of the Financial Action Task Force’s anti-money laundering recommendations. These are processes that need fast tracking and strengthening instead of going after the already burdened local person by imposing tax on kerosene and agricultural inputs. Importantly, government should recover the trillions of shillings lost in corruption scandals. From 2012 to date, Uganda has lost more than Shs1 trillion through corruption in form of breach of contracts, compensations to firms, botched deals or government ministries. This money should be recovered to finance the Budget.Finally, if we do not have the discipline to live within our means, we can only try to be disciplined and comply with the demands of World Bank, IMF, ADF, and/or BADEA whose lending interest rate is 0.5 per cent to 1 per cent. Creating short cuts through domestic borrowing can only make the already bad Ugandan economic situation worse! Mr Mafabi is the chairman of Bugisu Cooperative Union and Member of Parliament for Budadiri West."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Government-blacklists-90-companies/-/688334/2386662/-/12v2moo/-/index.html","content":"Government blacklists 90 companies - Kampala- At least 91 companies and their directors have been suspended by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) from dealing with the government over allegations ranging from forgery to breach of contract. The PPDA publicist, Mr Vicent Mugaba, said the companies and the directors will not be allowed to do business until the period of suspension has been completed. “During the suspension period, all procuring and disposing entities shall not: Award contracts to the suspended companies; sell or issue solicitation documents the suspended companies or in any way solicit bids from them; and enter into any other dealings or communication with the suspended companies except in respect to existing contracts placed prior to the suspension from Public Procurement and Disposal,” Mr Mugaba statement reads in part. Most of these companies were suspended for a period of between one year and five years. Some of the companies provided forged bid security, others submitted forged certificates of registration, which is illegal. Mr Mugaba said the affected companies and their directors will be obliged to fulfil the existing contracts placed prior to the suspension. For instance, M/s Baino Technical Services Ltd failed to complete works given to them by the Ministry of Works and Transport “having attained an overall physical progress of 60 per cent against the time progress of 400 per cent of the original duration of six months”. Another company, M/s Kabila Technical Services Limited was hired by Masindi District to construct a staff house for Kihagani Primary School but they abandoned the site without completing the work, thus causing financial loss to government. In the same light, the PPDA lifted the suspension on 12 companies that had earlier been suspended. The affected companies Syoka Sec Sch -Mutumba M/s Mwizi Techno Agencies LtdM/s Muganwa Contractors LtdM/s Seamok Services LtdM/s Bashira Investments LtdM/s Wiyeda General LtdM/s Dasen Agencies LimitedM/s Paddy EnterprisesM/s Kirima ContractorsM/s Naita Service DeliveryM/s Modern Construction CompanyM/s Jimmidim General EnterprisesM/s Uganda Tyre Distributors LtdM/s Ayoro Construction LtdM/s African United Co. LtdM/s Bulumba Nangwe LtdM/s Damasa General ServicesM/s Gomik Investments (U) LtdM/s Jorert Enterprises LtdM/s Kamukaro Gen ConstructorM/s Mukaaki Investment LtdM/s Muteco International LtdM/s WKK Contractors LtdM/s Zimbye Constructors LimitedM/s Allied Tec Engineers and ContractorsM/s Amman Industrial Tools & Equipment LtdM/s Baino Technical Services Ltd.M/s Capital General Agencies Ltd.M/s Care International (U) LtdM/s DaamiM/s Dankik EnterprisesM/s Eastern SitesM/s Femisa InternationalM/s Giant Plumb EnterprisesM/s Global Construction Co. LtdM/s Goodwill(U) LtdM/s GQ Investments Ltd.M/s Hamtex Services LimitedM/s Ibhacon Services Ltd.M/s Jackhim EnterprisesM/s Kabila Technical ServicesM/s Katama & Sons Contractors M/s Kesa Innovations LimitedM/s Khabusi Building Contractors M/s Klub 3 Investments Ltd.M/s L. B Construction Ltd.M/s L.B Construction 2000 (U) LimitedM/s Waala General ContractorsM/s Waguma General Contractors & Furniture Ltd.M/s M & B Engineers Ltd.M/s M.S.O Investments LtdM/s Madav Contra LimitedM/s Miracle Construction Company LtdM/s Mula Contractors LtdM/s Mutro Construction LtdM/s Namudira Multi-net.M/s Omolo Drive Contractors LimitedM/s Pent General Suppliers & Contractors Ltd.M/s Qualimax (U) LimitedM/s T-set Consult LimitedM/s RAPH II Contractors & ConsultantsM/s Rikim Construction Ltd.M/s Rodin Contractors LtdM/s Rotaj Enterprises Ltd.M/s Roynge Investment LtdM/s Rush Constructors Investment LtdM/s Samu General ContractorsM/s SCD Enterprises LtdM/s SD- Agri Hitech (U) LtdM/s Sualf Construction Company LimitedM/s Texa Solutions LtdArchmed International LtdFramo Engineers LtdPMK Earthwork LtdTalimb (U) LtdM/s Muriromu General Engineering & Construction Co.M/s Triangle Engineering and ConstructionM/s SDC Enterprises LimitedM/s Femisa International LtdM/s Ideal Engineering Services Ltd abagala@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/MuniiniMulera/German-victory-and-some-lessons-from-Brazil/-/878676/2383558/-/glihvz/-/index.html","content":"German victory and some lessons from Brazil - Dear Tingasiga:Germany’s triumph in Brazil was a beautiful ending to one of the most enjoyable World Cup soccer (football) tournaments in recent years. However, beyond the joy of one’s favourite team lifting the World Cup in Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium, were lessons that warrant further comment. Soccer, like all organised sports, has rules that have been agreed upon by all participants. The latter strive to obey these rules without trying to shift goalposts mid-play. Any breach of the rules results in consequences that are swiftly administered by an agreed upon independent, non-partisan referee, assisted by independent linesmen. There is no attempt to manipulate the process in order to give the champions a Kisanja (third term). That is why it was possible for Champion Spain to be tossed out of the series early, leaving the coast clear for others to pursue their dream on merit. Throughout World Cup 2014, the Germans demonstrated what I call the “5P principles of success.” These principles, about which I hope to write a book in a short while, are (1) purpose, (2) plan, (3) priorities, (4) practice and (5) perseverance. They are as applicable to our personal lives as they are to soccer and other human endeavours. Clearly, the Germans’ strategy was founded on clarity of purpose. Like all teams, Germany went to Brazil to win the World Cup. They were not prepared to settle for second-best. They devised plans that entailed thoroughly studying their opponents, and deploying their best players to maximise their advantages on the field. The German government and the German Football Association spared no expense to ensure success of their national team, as an essential investment for German pride and the economic opportunities. The German soccer team practiced for months before Brazil and throughout the tournament. Such disciplined practice ensured that they remained in top form, ready to meet the expected challenges from equally formidable opponents. This was the same discipline that had enabled the Germans to become one of the great economic powerhouses of the world, their engineering products such as cars and audio hospital and industrial equipment easily outclassing those by their competitors. It is that kind of discipline that will boost Africa’s economies and other contributors to development. The Germans’ perseverance, even after the surprise 2-2 draw with the lower-ranked Ghanaians, eventually took them to the semi-final match against Brazil that resulted in the great soccer “massacre” of Belo Horizonte. The 7-1 German victory left the hosts and their supporters around the world grief-stricken. The Cup was on its way to Berlin even before Sunday’s final match against Argentina. Of course at the core of Germany’s success was that theirs was not an individual-dependent effort but one that placed teamwork above everything else. No single individual claimed credit for their success or blamed others for any failures. Few moments were as moving as the post-match scene of Joachim Loew, the German coach, consoling Argentina’s Lionel Messi with a hug. It was a powerful sign of the victor’s sportsmanship. One longs for a similar sight after Uganda’s warlike elections. One sobering lesson from the Brazilian soccer “massacre” was that numerous Ugandans were as grief-stricken as the Brazilians themselves, some reportedly wailing and mourning the loss of a soccer match. Understandable, of course, until one pauses to consider that on July 5, nearly 90 Ugandans were massacred in cold blood in the Kasese-Bundibugyo areas. There does not appear to have been the kind of national mourning and outcry either in Uganda or on the internet social networks such as that which followed the harmless Brazilian soccer “massacre” at the hands of the Germans. Has humanity become so inured to actual death that fellow humans perish in that most horrible manner without triggering collective angst? What are our priorities? Dr Mulera is based in Toronto, Canada. muniinikmulera@aol.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/UCC-faces-off-with-telecoms-over-subscribers/-/688616/2383536/-/13f4wb7z/-/index.html","content":"UCC faces off with telecoms over subscribers - The story of the chicken and the egg scenario applies to be in play when it comes to telecom network subscribers/customers and the network service providers of Internet broadband, data calls and mobile money. Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) whose mandate is to protect both consumers and service providers seems stuck in the middle of a rock and hard surface on who should be first priority. The consumers at the receiving end continuously decry intermittent network quality, dropped call services, poor network access, unwarranted billing, mobile money complaints, poor Internet services and unsolicited texts. The service providers cum investors at the giving end are decrying network infrastructure vandalism that triggers the poor services, drop in revenues, unreliable power supply and what they describe as ‘unreasonable taxes.’ The result has been back and forth finger pointing from consumers to service providers to UCC.David Owor, a resident of Wakiso on January 9 this year filed a complaint with UCC’s office of the director for legal service affairs against Airtel Uganda Limited for unwarranted billing. He says, what astonished him was the nature of “unreasonable” customer reception at UCC. “An office receives a document and instead of stamping it to acknowledge receipt, the officer in charge just wrote on it indicating it has been received and told me to go back,” said Mr Owor. After relentless endeavours of writing to UCC, copies of letters that this newspaper has seen where Mr Owor was demanding compensation for his airtime; the matter was brought to the attention of the network service provider. UCC wrote back to him on April 28, indicating that the respondents (Airtel) established that, on the said dates when he claims his airtime balance was deducted, he made three requests (to Code 6773) for National Social Security Fund updates. Each request cost Shs220. The letter also indicated that Airtel had established that he had subscribed to the Magic Voice promotion on December 27 which cost him Shs850. “Following a review of the transaction logs, the Commission believes this matter has been sufficiently resolved,” Eng. Godfrey Mutabazi wrote, adding: “However, in the event that you remain dissatisfied with this resolution you are at liberty to seek legal redress.” Mr Owor says the communiqué was the last stroke to break his endeavour of pursuing justice. He denied “ever” subscribing to any of the said services but what struck him the most was UCC’s advice to go to court if he feels unsatisfied. But last month, some customers dragged both UCC and the mainstream players, MTN Uganda, Airtel, Orange and Uganda Telecom, to court over the “irritating” network services. UCC under principle five of consumers rights, says a consumer “has a right to complain” about the quality of services with regard to the nature of the communication service provided. “A consumer is expected to utilise or consume services knowing the terms under which the service is being provided. If these terms are not met, a consumer can complain,” UCC’s guidelines read in part. At a recent consultative meeting between telecom operators and the regulator against the backdrop of such consumer grievances, the UCC executive director, Eng Godfrey Mutabazi, on the sidelines of the meeting said tough penalties for the players are in the offing. 1 | 2 Next Page»At crossroadsMr Michael Niyitegeka, a communications consultant, says it is a matter of regulation. “UCC has to build consumers’ trust and engage the telecoms because these are investors.” The Uganda Consumer Protection Awareness Association has voiced consumers’ grievances, blaming the regulator for looking on. Mr Mutabazi added: “Our role is to ensure the interests of the two are represented and problems addressed constructively to modernise the industry.” Subscribers to waitBut the UCC Act 20ll is silent on any stringent penalties for the telecom flouting on its obligation. Currently, the regulator is “waiting” for Parliament to approve new guidelines that prescribe tougher measures for any player who delivers hot air. So subscribers have to wait a little longer. Attempts to reach the ICT minister John Nasasira and his deputy, Nyombi Thembo to comment on the matter were futile by press time as their numbers remained switched off. UCC’s Quality Service Report released in March this year indicates that all telecommunication service providers fell short of the 95per cent target for successful calls. At the meeting, UCC and the telecoms instituted a committee to scrutinise the problem on unsolicited messages and report back. Even recent attempts by UCC to tame the telecoms over poor services have wound up in futility. UCC, recently issued a ban against sending promotional messages to consumers but no penalty for breach was indicated. As a result, some telecoms keep sending these messages whenever it suits them. Telecom officials have however argued that “these promotional messages” are a way of raising revenue for operational costs. For unsolicited messages, telecoms castigated consumers for feigning “ignorance” saying some are warranted because in most cases, they sign up on so many forms to “receive notifications” which they turn around to disown. Some critics have urged UCC to borrow leaf from neighbouring Rwanda, where Rwanda Utility Regulatory Agency (Rura) occasionally issues warnings and penalises telecoms over the poor quality services. musisif@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Prepare-for-a-huge-budget-deficit-with-adverse/-/689364/2370940/-/nky5qoz/-/index.html","content":"Prepare for a huge budget deficit with adverse economic repercussions - If it is indeed true that Parliament approved 50 per cent of the current 2014/15 budget as “Vote on Account”, then this is a serious breach of the constitution. Of course breaches of the constitution and the law are routine but this particular breach poses serious dangers to the economy of the country. Article 154 (4) of the Constitution allows the President to withdraw “monies from the Consolidated Fund Account for the purposes of meeting expenditure necessary to carry on the services of government until the expiration of four months from the beginning of that financial year…” However, Article 154 (5) limits the maximum expenditure by providing that the sum (a) “shall not exceed the amount shown as required on account in respect of that service in the vote on account…” and (b) “shall be set off against the amount provided in respect of that service…for that financial year…”. This means that if government actually spends 50 per cent of the budget before it is approved, there will already be a short fall by that amount by the time the budget is appropriated by Parliament. Traditionally, the Vote on Account is based on the figures of the budget of the previous year and it is for only four months as provided for in the Constitution. Secondly, since the Budget Act came into effect many years ago, Parliament approves the budget by end of August, meaning that as a matter of fact government does not need the whole Vote on Account for four months as approved by Parliament. Therefore, there must be some abnormal and unusual emergency for government virtually to force Parliament to approve 50 per cent of the current budget estimates as Vote on Account.What might these urgent needs be? We are getting nearer to 2016 elections and the President is besieged from within NRM and from without in opposition to the life presidency project. This pressure is evidenced by such activities as the preparations for the President to inaugurate a bridge to Kanungu before its construction has even started. Secondly, the bribing of MPs is going to be a continuous exercise for the next financial year and beyond. But similar inducements must go beyond MPs to other levels –councillors, mayors, cadres, bureaucrats. business, religious and traditional leaders - of the ever deepening and broadening patronage network. This could be one side of the story. But there is also the unfunded involvement in the conflict in South Sudan. The deployment in Somalia is fully funded by the international community but our intervention on the side of the South Sudan President is carried on the not so robust shoulders of South Sudan which is hard pressed because its source of revenue, oil exports, has been drastically reduced. This means that the capacity of South Sudan to currently fully fund our intervention is limited and therefore Uganda must subsidise our involvement hoping to recoup this money at some future date. The implication of this is that Uganda must ensure the victory of the side of the President otherwise repayment by any other side becomes unlikely and we may actually end up with a hostile regime intent on revenge. The other implication is that there will inevitably be a huge budget deficit at a time government capacity to increase revenue collection is handicapped by electoral imperatives. Therefore, inflation will rise, interest rates will rise and government will incur financial obligations it cannot meet. With serious failure to deliver services while the regime must win elections by all means, the only avenue left will be repression. Therefore, we should expect serious economic hardships and hyper activity of the forces of repression, i.e. instability, before the next elections. Mr Ruzindana is a former IGG and former MP. a_ruzindana@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/AugustineRuzindana/Prepare-for-a-huge-budget-deficit-with-adverse/-/887296/2370934/-/106l6j2z/-/index.html","content":"Prepare for a huge budget deficit with adverse economic repercussions - If it is indeed true that Parliament approved 50 per cent of the current 2014/15 budget as “Vote on Account”, then this is a serious breach of the constitution. Of course breaches of the constitution and the law are routine but this particular breach poses serious dangers to the economy of the country. Article 154 (4) of the Constitution allows the President to withdraw “monies from the Consolidated Fund Account for the purposes of meeting expenditure necessary to carry on the services of government until the expiration of four months from the beginning of that financial year…” However, Article 154 (5) limits the maximum expenditure by providing that the sum (a) “shall not exceed the amount shown as required on account in respect of that service in the vote on account…” and (b) “shall be set off against the amount provided in respect of that service…for that financial year…”. This means that if government actually spends 50 per cent of the budget before it is approved, there will already be a short fall by that amount by the time the budget is appropriated by Parliament. Traditionally, the Vote on Account is based on the figures of the budget of the previous year and it is for only four months as provided for in the Constitution. Secondly, since the Budget Act came into effect many years ago, Parliament approves the budget by end of August, meaning that as a matter of fact government does not need the whole Vote on Account for four months as approved by Parliament. Therefore, there must be some abnormal and unusual emergency for government virtually to force Parliament to approve 50 per cent of the current budget estimates as Vote on Account.What might these urgent needs be? We are getting nearer to 2016 elections and the President is besieged from within NRM and from without in opposition to the life presidency project. This pressure is evidenced by such activities as the preparations for the President to inaugurate a bridge to Kanungu before its construction has even started. Secondly, the bribing of MPs is going to be a continuous exercise for the next financial year and beyond. But similar inducements must go beyond MPs to other levels –councillors, mayors, cadres, bureaucrats. business, religious and traditional leaders - of the ever deepening and broadening patronage network. This could be one side of the story. But there is also the unfunded involvement in the conflict in South Sudan. The deployment in Somalia is fully funded by the international community but our intervention on the side of the South Sudan President is carried on the not so robust shoulders of South Sudan which is hard pressed because its source of revenue, oil exports, has been drastically reduced. This means that the capacity of South Sudan to currently fully fund our intervention is limited and therefore Uganda must subsidise our involvement hoping to recoup this money at some future date. The implication of this is that Uganda must ensure the victory of the side of the President otherwise repayment by any other side becomes unlikely and we may actually end up with a hostile regime intent on revenge. The other implication is that there will inevitably be a huge budget deficit at a time government capacity to increase revenue collection is handicapped by electoral imperatives. Therefore, inflation will rise, interest rates will rise and government will incur financial obligations it cannot meet. With serious failure to deliver services while the regime must win elections by all means, the only avenue left will be repression. Therefore, we should expect serious economic hardships and hyper activity of the forces of repression, i.e. instability, before the next elections. Mr Ruzindana is a former IGG and former MP. a_ruzindana@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Fury-as-pigs-are-sneaked-into-House/-/689844/2357288/-/7ftwjd/-/index.html","content":"Fury as pigs are sneaked into House - Parliament resumed plenary sessions this week after a one month recess. The President officially opened the fourth session of Parliament on June 5. This week’s business can better be told through an anecdote of two courageous youth who beat security to sneak two pigs painted yellow to Parliament. The youth were demonstrating their resentment over what they called “rampant corruption” exhibited in Parliament and the worrying youth unemployment even as the Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi assured Ugandans that their security was guaranteed in the wake of terrorism attacks in neighbouring Kenya. The demonstration was organised by two youth who were dressed in T-Shirts with catchphrases that portrayed the magnitude of youth unemployment in the country. Pigs had tags with inscriptions “M. Pigs corruption constituency” . While the unusual demonstration, the first of a kind in the Ugandan Parliament, was foiled with the arrest of the two youthful men, it exposed the security lapses within Parliament, one of the few public institutions in the country that is heavily guarded. This raises eyebrows; if pigs can be sneaked into Parliament, how about explosives and any other dangerous equipment? Concerned about the wobbly security of legislators and that of Parliament staff, the Deputy Speaker, Mr Jacob Oulanyah, in his communication to the MPs during a plenary session he chaired on Wednesday, assured the lawmakers of their security and announced that the matter was being investigated. “I have had a meeting with security this morning and they have assured me that it was out of lapse on the part of security. Investigations are ongoing and the matter has been taken over by the Parliamentary Commission to ensure that the security of MPs and that of staff is guaranteed,” he said. Criminal Intelligence, Investigations Directorate officers and members of the Special Forces Command form part of Parliament’s security detail. Four Opposition MPs led by the Shadow minister of Youth, Mr Bernard Atiku, and William Nzonghu, (Busongora), Muwanga Kivumbi (Butambala County) and Joseph Ssewungu (Kalungu West) defended the youth, saying they were expressing their displeasure with the level of unemployment and the biting poverty in the country. The Opposition accused their NRM counterparts of being extravagant and sharing taxpayers’ money amongst themselves as the youth remain unemployed. The youth constitute 80 per cent of the population and the youth unemployment has remained a big challenge in the country. Kenya attacksIn the House still, as a way of expressing solidarity with Kenya, Uganda condemned the acts of terrorism as it assured citizens that the government was in control of their security. Al-Shabaab terrorists for two consecutive days attacked villages at the coastal towns of Poromoko and Mpeketoni in Kenya, killing more than 60 people. Reports have also indicated that at least 12 women were abducted during the latest attack on Kenya’s coast. The Prime Minister, Mr Amama Mbabazi, while responding to a question by the Bukoto South MP Florence Namayanja, who demanded to know how prepared security was in responding to any possible terrorist attacks, said the country’s forces were in control and everything was being done to ensure total security in the country. “The security threats by these terrorists cannot be underestimated. It’s here; obviously we have been talking about it. Our security forces have been talking about it,” said Mr Mbabazi, He said the Defence minister would come to Parliament with a detailed statement on security in the country and the continued deployment of UPDF soldiers in South Sudan and Somalia.Oguttu’s dayThe Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Mr Wafula Oguttu, in his official response to the State-of-the-Nation Address, urged the government to get the army out of South Sudan and Somalia. He emphasised that the army cannot be a permanent substitute for a Somali national army and that soldiers should not continue dying in what he called a “senseless war” but should return home.RotA report by Parliament’s select committee, which was set up in May to review recommendations made by the Public Service committee in salary anomalies among civil servants, unearthed rot in the ministry. The committee discovered that the total number of the current workforce in Public Service is unknown."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/AllanTacca/How-54--want-Museveni-to-stay-and-77--want-him-to-go-yesterday/-/878694/2333188/-/fl8y8l/-/index.html","content":"How 54% want Museveni to stay and 77% want him to go yesterday - With the turmoil tearing up the ruling NRM, President Museveni cannot be sleeping soundly. Around him he sees wolves, mercenaries and traitors, all of them licking his boots in pretence of loyalty during the day. And he cannot fire all of them, since he fears they might thereafter openly spit venom on his rule. When a young female stooge proposed that Mr Museveni should become the 2016 NRM flag-bearer without going through the party primaries, a self-assured incumbent would have retorted: “Oh, come off it, you pre-bush war youngster. The primaries are the rule and the right thing. You don’t understand what we fought for. None of us should breach the spirit of the established practice of our party.” Instead, President Museveni threw his conscience and all his pride out of a Kyankwanzi window and embraced the idea. Both mercenary praise-singers and genuine Museveni loyalists used to have a standard response when politicians and sensible ordinary people talked about Museveni voluntarily retiring, or the need to limit presidential terms. Disregarding the advantage enjoyed by an incumbent – including greater access to rigging opportunities – they have always parroted: If Museveni is no longer popular, his candidacy should make the Opposition happy, as it simplifies beating the NRM at elections. Intellectual decency would dictate the same logic over the Kyankwanzi resolution, that if other potential NRM contenders are not viable, Mr Museveni should be happy to have them in the primaries. Instead, the parrots are babbling about party cohesion and the divine gift Mr Museveni is, which makes the President look like a faded cult leader whose authority can only be sustained by cunning and command loyalty. And there is now a pair of statics that is not likely to improve the President’s sleep. According to a Daily Monitor opinion poll, 54 per cent of Ugandans want Mr Museveni to remain president in 2016. The other figure is a whopping 77 per cent who want the limit on presidential terms re-instated. Now, if over 50 per cent want Museveni back in 2016, why do so many more people also want a law that would have stopped him from contesting long ago? Has he proved to be an inconvenient or troublesome monolith? Of course, many often police-terrorised people may endorse a feared ruler in a “meaningless” poll but vote against him in secret in a real election. This would put in doubt that 54 per cent majority, leaving in sharp focus the 77 per cent who wish we had a limit. Again, of course, some of the 77 per cent would say they can trust Musesveni “unlimited”, but not any other future President. That has its absurdity. But let us suppose the two figures roughly reflect the true attitudes of Uganda; how would one account for the paradox? For the two pennies it is worth, here is my take: Recent events show that President Museveni is absolutely determined to keep his job. Some of his actions betray such desperation that failing to achieve his objective could pose a danger to the other citizens. 1 | 2 Next Page»So, much as they may hate themselves for doing so, the instinct for self-preservation prompts a good number to join true Museveni supporters who indicate (in the opinion survey) what they actually intend to do in 2016 – vote for their man. However, the self-preservation group probably wish that something bigger than them could save them; perhaps a law to ensure a peaceful transfer of power. Then they would be able to plead: “Sir, it is not our fault. We still love you. It is the law that stopped you from contending. We beg you to live with us in peace.” If this timid group is added to the bold ones who polled that they would not vote for Museveni, the total could also be in the seventies per cent. With all this before the main Opposition candidate has been identified, Mr Museveni is right not to sleep soundly on the dubious assurance of 54 per cent currently squatting in his camp. Mr Tacca is a novelist, socio-political commentator altaccaone@gmail.com. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/How-54--want-Museveni-to-stay-and-77--want-him-to-go-yesterday/-/689844/2333082/-/sag4fb/-/index.html","content":"How 54% want Museveni to stay and 77% want him to go yesterday - With the turmoil tearing up the ruling NRM, President Museveni cannot be sleeping soundly. Around him he sees wolves, mercenaries and traitors, all of them licking his boots in pretence of loyalty during the day. And he cannot fire all of them, since he fears they might thereafter openly spit venom on his rule. When a young female stooge proposed that Mr Museveni should become the 2016 NRM flag-bearer without going through the party primaries, a self-assured incumbent would have retorted: “Oh, come off it, you pre-bush war youngster. The primaries are the rule and the right thing. You don’t understand what we fought for. None of us should breach the spirit of the established practice of our party.” Instead, President Museveni threw his conscience and all his pride out of a Kyankwanzi window and embraced the idea. Both mercenary praise-singers and genuine Museveni loyalists used to have a standard response when politicians and sensible ordinary people talked about Museveni voluntarily retiring, or the need to limit presidential terms. Disregarding the advantage enjoyed by an incumbent – including greater access to rigging opportunities – they have always parroted: If Museveni is no longer popular, his candidacy should make the Opposition happy, as it simplifies beating the NRM at elections. Intellectual decency would dictate the same logic over the Kyankwanzi resolution, that if other potential NRM contenders are not viable, Mr Museveni should be happy to have them in the primaries. Instead, the parrots are babbling about party cohesion and the divine gift Mr Museveni is, which makes the President look like a faded cult leader whose authority can only be sustained by cunning and command loyalty. And there is now a pair of statics that is not likely to improve the President’s sleep. According to a Daily Monitor opinion poll, 54 per cent of Ugandans want Mr Museveni to remain president in 2016. The other figure is a whopping 77 per cent who want the limit on presidential terms re-instated. Now, if over 50 per cent want Museveni back in 2016, why do so many more people also want a law that would have stopped him from contesting long ago? Has he proved to be an inconvenient or troublesome monolith? Of course, many often police-terrorised people may endorse a feared ruler in a “meaningless” poll but vote against him in secret in a real election. This would put in doubt that 54 per cent majority, leaving in sharp focus the 77 per cent who wish we had a limit. Again, of course, some of the 77 per cent would say they can trust Musesveni “unlimited”, but not any other future President. That has its absurdity. But let us suppose the two figures roughly reflect the true attitudes of Uganda; how would one account for the paradox? For the two pennies it is worth, here is my take: Recent events show that President Museveni is absolutely determined to keep his job. Some of his actions betray such desperation that failing to achieve his objective could pose a danger to the other citizens. 1 | 2 Next Page»So, much as they may hate themselves for doing so, the instinct for self-preservation prompts a good number to join true Museveni supporters who indicate (in the opinion survey) what they actually intend to do in 2016 – vote for their man. However, the self-preservation group probably wish that something bigger than them could save them; perhaps a law to ensure a peaceful transfer of power. Then they would be able to plead: “Sir, it is not our fault. We still love you. It is the law that stopped you from contending. We beg you to live with us in peace.” If this timid group is added to the bold ones who polled that they would not vote for Museveni, the total could also be in the seventies per cent. With all this before the main Opposition candidate has been identified, Mr Museveni is right not to sleep soundly on the dubious assurance of 54 per cent currently squatting in his camp. Mr Tacca is a novelist, socio-political commentator altaccaone@gmail.com. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Shs34b-NSSF-Umeme-deal-sparks-fresh-row/-/688334/2329754/-/jty9wuz/-/index.html","content":"Shs34b NSSF-Umeme deal sparks fresh row - KAMPALA The National Social Security Fund’s Shs34b latest purchase of 100 million additional shares in power company, Umeme, has come under fresh scrutiny following questions raised by top government officials. The Ministry of Finance says it did not authorise this month’s transaction, which took NSSF’s stake in Umeme to 14.27 per cent, making the workers’ Fund the third largest shareholder after INVESTEC and Umeme Holdings, with a seat on the board of the utility company. Mr Pius Bigirimana, the Permanent Secretary in the workers’ arent Labour ministry, has also separately written to NSSF board chairman Ivan Kyayonka to “disassociate myself from the purchase”, citing procedural irregularities in tying the deal. NSSF’s board members, he noted, were divided over viability of the additional investment in Umeme, and the consensus was to do so only after approval by the Solicitor General and Finance minister Maria Kiwanuka, who instead queried the transaction. “The issues raised by the minister are pertinent and clearly reflect the concerns raised by some of the board members,” Mr Bigirimana, who was one of the dissenters at the May 7th meeting, noted. “I wish to submit that the procurement of the (100 million) shares from Umeme was done in disregard of conditions which were made. I, therefore, wish to disassociate myself from the purchase,” he said. The management of the Fund, however, said it did nothing wrong and received necessary internal and external approvals, including from the Solicitor General, before investing the Shs34b. “The Fund’s investment in Umeme Limited was executed in conformity with relevant laws, regulations and Fund’s internal policies and procedures,” acting managing director Geraldine Ssali noted. She cited no-objections by NSSF’s management investments committee, its board, the Solicitor General’s legal counsel and “consultations” with Finance minister Kiwanuka under whose docket the Fund falls. “There’s, therefore, no breach of law or Fund procedure. We believe this to be a good investment in the interest of growing returns for our members,” Ms Ssali noted in an email reply. In the May 9 legal opinion, Mr Henry Obbo on behalf of the Solicitor General cleared the transaction but subject to NSSF board’s “approval” and “authorisation” by the line minister. Instead when board chairman Kyayonka brought the matter to Ms Kiwanuka’s attention, first through a telephone call on May 8, the minister raised concerns about Umeme’s debt status, saying its total liabilities to equity ratio stood at 70:30. A securities transaction adviser, who asked not to be named in order to speak freely, said concerns over high debt are because if a company was to wind up, it would first pay debtors before shareholders such as NSSF. However, cheap debts if well invested in capital, could drive up revenue and profitability, bringing higher dividends for shareholders, the analyst argued. Another source said yesterday that Umeme is set to effect the actual transfer of the additional shares to NSSF tomorrow. The minister had also raised issue that Umeme’s monopoly position was under consideration following Parliament’s March resolution for government to terminate Umeme’s concession; that the firms profitability appeared derived from efficient revenue collection, and not growth in asset base, yet increased capital investment would determine its future revenue flows. “In summary, while the Umeme investment appears to be very attractive, I recommend that the board and management get an independent proven expert to review the whole investment proposal including the sustainability of financial projections and the risk concerns …which would affect the viability of NSSF’s long-term objectives,” Ms Kiwanuka said in a May 13 letter copied to chairman Kyayonka and the Fund’s acting MD. Ms Kiwanuka was not available for comment, but ministry spokesman Jim Mugunga said: “The ministry’s position is contained in the response and guidance the minister gave to NSSF board chairman in her (May 13) correspondence. I am not privy to any other communication after that (authorising the Umeme transaction). Mr Charles Chapman, the Umeme MD, yesterday said he could not comment on transaction involving NSSF “which is our big shareholder”. NSSF’s first investment in Umeme, which had been opposed on grounds of procedural breaches and unproven conflict of interests of senior officials, turned to earn the workers Shs3 billion in dividends. 1 | 2 Next Page»NSSF Officials yesterday cited this windfall as the basis for buying the additional 100 million shares. Mr Usher Owere, the chairperson of the National Trade Unions Organisations, said they had tasked the Fund’s board to evaluate and approve the Shs34b investment, adding that they would be to blame for any wrong decisions. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/KCCA-plans-to-ban-boda-bodas-from-city-centre/-/688334/2303590/-/3iqq6x/-/index.html","content":"KCCA plans to ban boda bodas from city centre - KAMPALA. The Kampala Capital City Authority is planning to abolish stages for boda bodas in the city centre as part of its efforts to streamline public transport and reduce congestion. KCCA spokesman Peter Kaujju said government offices, hotels and banks will under the new arrangement be no-go areas for the commercial riders.He, however, declined to discuss the details pending official announcement, which by some accounts could happen anytime this week. A senior official familiar with the new plans said boda bodas will be prohibited from staging in the city centre areas bordered by Wandegeya, Mulago round-about via Yusuf Lule Road to Jinja Road and Warid Clock Tower junctions, and Entebbe Road up to Clock Tower (see graphic). The riders will access the central business district only to drop off clients, but are to be banned from riding on Parliament Avenue, along which are located the Parliament, ministries of Justice and Trade as well as headquarters of the Inspectorate of Government. Following leak of the blue-print, would-be affected boda bodas secretly met at Nakasero primary school last Wednesday where they planned measures to counter the joint KCCA-police operation to evict them, which they were told starts this morning in Wandegeya. Mr Abdallah Kitata, the chairperson of the boda boda association, said the plans to restructure their activities are good, but they must be involved early in the preparations for it to succeed. “We understand the industry more than anyone else. We want development in Kampala, but KCCA should collaborate with motorcyclists’ associations if they are to have this industry streamlined,” Mr Kitata said.The planned abolition of boda boda stages comes weeks after City Hall stopped passenger service operators from picking up and dropping off commuters randomly on streets. Passengers in central Kampala can now only board or disembark at designated parks, but other transport sector players have voiced reservations about phasing out boda bodas without any feasible alternative.Dr Fredrick Omollo a Urban Planning lecturer at Makerere University, said any attempt to de-congest the still is welcome, but must not be executed hurriedly and to the exclusion of other stakeholders. “It is true the city needs to decongest but the solution should not be a surprise as KCCA intends it because it will create more problems --- there should be public involvement; those who use and or ride boda bodas,” he said. The Pioneer buses, introduced two years ago for mass urban transit under a public private partnership, are yet to resume operations after unpaid bills forced the government to take them off streets. It is not clear why they are not back on the roads after both the Uganda Revenue Authority and KCCA gave owners the green light to operate. In the interview on Sunday, Dr Omollo said: “It will be so bad of them [KCCA] to wake up and say, motorcycles can or cannot reach this area/zone without telling whoever goes there what the alternative is.”Mr James Sekitooleko is a boda boda rider who has for the past seven years staged between the Crested Towers and Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) buildings in central Kampala. The planned re-organisation, he says, have only filtered to them as rumours. “We have not received specific information from KCCA about what is going to happen to us but we have been told by other people that the plans to drive us out of the city have been finalised,” said Mr Sekitooleko, a diploma holder in tourism and hospitality. Most riders this newspaper interviewed for this article said they were in the business because of lack of jobs elsewhere.“If they say they will not allow us to work near banks, government offices and hotels, where in Kampala shall we park?” said Ssekitoleko. “I have been thinking about what do next in case we are actually kicked out of the city.”Uganda has one of the highest unemployment rates, with joblessness among youth estimated by Labour ministry at over 70 per cent. Many school leavers have resorted to boda boda business, and bank-facilitated acquisitions plus additional purchase scheme run by Kampala’s rich and influential individuals, have brought eased ownership of motorcycles for riders. The boda boda business, which initially started in the eastern Busia district for cross-border smuggling, became more in Kampala after President Museveni hitched a ride on one for a trip to Kololo ceremonial grounds for nomination as a 2001 presidential candidate. In later years, the boda bodas morphed into a powerful political constituency, with the president himself or those around him regularly intervening whenever police and city authorities come hard on them for breach of traffic rules and other violations.KCCA last year registered up to 53, 000 boda bodas, although their numbers in the city are estimated to exceed 100, 000.The Authority planned to issue helmets, reflector jackets and assign stages for the registered boda bodas, but the scheme ran into the wall last week when Uganda National Bureau of Standards declared thousands of helmets imported for KCCA as sub-standard. Mr Kaujju said their staff are already on the ground to delineate green and red zones, for boda boda stages and no-go area respectively.A senior presidential aide at the weekend called for caution in KCCA’s re-organisation so that it does not disrupt travel for commuters or disadvantage the rdiers. “It’s a good plan but it should be people-centered and not something originated by the authorities and imposed on them,” said Moses Byaruhanga, a senior political assistant to President Museveni. He denied reports he owns hundreds of motorcycles operating in the city, saying he has in the past only intervened to help the riders. He said: “Boda boda is a result of not having a better [public] transport system. Unless it [public transport system] is implemented, I think KCCA should move cautiously.” Individuals that spoke to this newspaper appreciated City Hall’s efforts to bring orderliness in the capital, but demanded that KCCA officials should act more transparently and involved them in formulation of the plans to ease implementation. PUBLIC TAKE “They should get them a gazetted area which is convenient to everyone because some people prefer them to taxis which cannot maneuver traffic jams,Yvonne Arao, Student, MUBS 1 | 2 Next Page»“There is need to gazette operational areas so that they restrict their services to those areas because their services are necessary,”Jamada Kazino, Khadi Naguru “Throwing them out of the city is not a problem but where will they go? This needs to be thought through. When they are out of the city, it will be orderly,”Carol Mulamuzi, Businesswoman “They should be chased away from the city centre because they are a menace even where people have private parking lots”Namakola Juma Welder Nakawa. Boda bodas’ reactionsEric Kawooya DFCU Bank Jinja Road Stage: “We have clients in Parliament, KCCA itself and surrounding offices. Already people are complaining about the distance to Usafi market. Chasing us away will not reduce congestion in the city. Let them remove street parking in the city because it is a menace. Grace Masembe, Railway Station Stage: “Are these people not planning to send us back to the villages? Where shall we find new stages? Let them sensitise us about the no-go zones and give us time to leave because we are ready to work with KCCA to have an organised city without antagonism.” Sula Nabule boda boda rider, Gonzaga Stage Kireka: “I do not support the idea of throwing out boda bodas from the city centre. Even some of us operating from the city outskirts sometimes have to go into the city and get business. Wilson Magumba, Spear Motors Nakawa Stage: It should be noted that most of the boda boda riders are bread winners of families that were frustrated by poor coffee yields, those who lost parents during the bush war and were jobless. This means killing their livelihood. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/IGG--bank-lock-horns-over-Shs28b-saga/-/688334/2208184/-/e2s6q3z/-/index.html","content":"IGG, bank lock horns over Shs28b saga - Kampala The long-running conflict between the board of directors and management of Uganda Development Bank (UDB) and the Inspector General of Government took a nasty turn this week when the bank’s chief executive officer spent two nights in jail. On Monday, Ms Patricia Ojangole went to the Anti-Corruption Court to attend trial on charges of victimising a whistleblower but was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate of the same court on fresh charges of conflict of interest. Particulars of the new charges presented in court by the IGG prosecutor Mr Sydney Asubo state that Ms Ojangole participated “in the various processes and proceedings that culminated in her own appointment” as CEO of UDB, which amounts to conflict of interest. In the earlier case, Ms Ojangole and two other officers of the bank, were accused of victimising Ms Charlotte Mucunguzi, a former employee of the same bank. It is said Ms Mucunguzi had raised a red flag on the improper handling of a $11.5m loan (about Shs28 billion) to Savannah Commodities Limited. However, on Wednesday, court released Ms Ojangole on a cash bail of Shs2 million on the third attempt after her lawyers had complained that the IGG was frustrating her bail application in “bad faith”. Ms Ojangole had been denied bail on Monday because the IGG objected to her being represented by the same lawyers of UDB and that she would “interfere” with witnesses. When she reapplied for bail on Tuesday, IGG prosecutor Asubo asked for time to present evidence that Ms Ojangole would interfere with witnesses. The trial Chief Magistrate Sarah Langa upheld the IGG’s plea and committed Ms Ojangole back to prison for another night. But on Wednesday, the IGG did not present the evidence. Instead Mr Asubo asked court to commit Ms Ojangole to the High Court for trial but keep her in jail. He again asked for more time to present proof that Ms Ojangole could interfere with witnesses, a claim her lawyers had refuted. Ojangole’s lawyers argued that none of the intended prosecution witnesses still worked with UDB and therefore Ms Ojangole had no control over them. Granting bail to Ms Ojangole, the magistrate alluded to a deep-seated friction between the IGG and the bank management. “In case there are any unresolved personal issues, and I hope not, between the parties in this case, this court should not be used as the stage for such battles,” court ruled. UDB complainsThe complaints by the UDB board and management on the IGG approach to the investigators are not new. On February 15, 2013, UDB’s lawyers Ligomarc Advocates, complained to the IGG on the way the investigations into the complaints against the bank were being conducted. Ligomarc said the inquiries lacked “clarity, were disruptive and disorderly” and bordered on “abuse of process” and raised concerns on confidentiality. The lawyers complained, for instance, that investigating officers were “ferrying significant amounts of confidential information” from the bank, which ADB feared would be leaked to unauthorised recipients. The bank’s request for investigating officers to inspect the documents on its premises and only make copies of specific documents they would require were “insensitively rejected,” the complaint added. It further added that the IGG’s officers had ignored information that the complaints by the bank’s sacked staff over their dismissal was already before the Labour Office, “which is legally mandated to make determinations on rights in relation to employment matters”. The lawyers argued that the IGG’s attempt to determine “whether the bank had acted in breach of the Employment Act when it terminated the former members of staff” was potentially illegal in view of an earlier High Court ruling that bars the IGG from making pronouncements on rights or interests of parties since this can only be determined by a trial before a court of law. The board had sacked the former management team led by Mr Gabriel Etou over financial losses of at least Shs5 billion in the development finance component of the bank. An internal investigation, which was done by Ms Ojangole, the then chief internal auditor, unearthed suspicious transaction in the management of trade finance loans and implicated several officials including the then CEO, Mr Gabriel Etou and the director for development finance, Mr Stephen Opeitum. The internal investigation was followed by another by the PriceWaterHouseCoopers, an international audit firm, which produced similar findings. Prof Sejjaaka’s board later asked the Auditor General to conduct a special investigation into the same issues. 1 | 2 Next Page»The audit also produced similar results only that some of the officers who had earlier been implicated were exonerated. In September Prof Sejjaaka wrote to Ms Grace Akullo, the CIID about the same matter but no investigation into the matter has ever taken place. Accusations The bank’s board chairperson, Prof Samuel Sejjaaka, faults the IGG for prosecuting suspected culprits yet investigations are still going on. “Why is the IGG more interested in investigating complaints made against the bank by individuals accused of causing loss of billions of taxpayer’s money and not in investigating their suspected wrong doing?” Prof Sejjaaka asks. Prof Sejjaaka claims some of the implicated staff who were sacked from the bank have relatives in the IGG’s office and says they are exploiting that personal connection to “pursue a vendetta against the bank’s board and management”. The battles became particularly intense when Ms Ojangole, who authored the internal audit report that blew the lid off the scandal, was appointed CEO. Critics claimed that her original intention was to have others fired and eventually take the CEO’s job. They accuse her of lacking the experience required to run a development bank. IGG Irene Mulyagonja says, however, that her office investigates any complaint they receive. “Did the management or board of UDB ever bring to our attention the existence of the Auditor General’s report (which implicated the sacked officers)?” Ms Mulyagonja asked. But Prof Sejjaaka insists the “unreasonableness” with which the IGG is handling the matter is “baffling”. He cites the incident at 3:30pm on Tuesday afternoon when Mulyagonja asked for certified copies of the minutes “of all UDBL shareholders’ meetings that took place prior to 20/06/2013 and any other subsequent meetings to date” plus certified copies of minutes of a general meeting by close of business that day”. Prof Sejjaaka sees it as unreasonable that the bank official would “compile all the documents and deliver them to the IGG within about an hour”. However, Ms Mulyagonja insists it is an easy task to do. “If you are the company secretary and the records are there, how long would it take you to get them? How far away is UDB from the Inspectorate?” she countered. In all, it gets back to where it started – UDB believes that the IGG should concentrate on pursuing individuals accused of causing loss to the taxpayer. Background to the investigations The IGG, acting on information from a “whistleblowers”, started investigating the activities of the bank more than a year ago and has over the months queried several actions of the bank’s board and management. Such actions include the relocation of UDB offices to Rwenzori Towers, the hiring of staff and a proposed $11.5m loan to Savannah Commodities Ltd. Eventually, the loan was not disbursed. The IGG received a complaint that UDB’s board had approved the loan sum to a single borrower which was much higher than the $3m ceiling within which the bank could lend. The IGG intervened to investigate the matter and blocked the disbursement of the loan. Minister of Finance Maria Kiwanuka, under whose docket the bank falls and appoints the board, asked Bank of Uganda (BoU) to investigate whether the loan approval was done in a proper manner. A report from BoU, a copy of which Saturday Monitor has seen, cleared the process that was followed in approving the loan.However, the IGG, Ms Irene Mulyagonja, told Saturday Monitor that her office is still investigating the loan matter and other issues regarding the running of the bank. “When this whole investigation ends, there will be a report,” said Ms Mulyagonja who declined to be drawn into further details. emukiibi@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Ministers-aid-foreign-investors-to-get-loans/-/688334/2084692/-/ykmkg7/-/index.html","content":"Ministers aid foreign investors to get loans - Top government officials, including a minister, messed up the operations of Uganda Development Bank (UDB) by helping ‘friendly’ investors and politically ‘connected’ individuals to access unsecured loans from the bank in breach of the financial regulations, MPs have said. On account of failure to prevent the abuse of loans at UDB even after it occurred to the authorities that a bank meant to finance key development projects in the economy was instead being used as a “conduit” to fiddle public funds, Parliament wants Bank of Uganda investigated on accusations of being an “accomplice” in the scam. Debating a key report on the operations of UDB (2001-2010) last week, the MPs named state minister for Labour Mwesigwa Rukutana, Secretary to the Treasury Keith Muhakanizi, BoU Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile among other senior government officials they want to be held responsible for the loss of billions of shillings. “It’s disheartening to see people stealing public money with impunity in the government I serve,” minister Without Portfolio Richard Todwong said. “As Parliament, we need to recover monies stolen from government by individuals. The recommendations in the committee report are weak, we need to shake the monkeys out of the mango trees and preserve the mango trees.” Mr Rukutana, now in charge of the Labour, docket, is accused of using his office to help a Chinese investor through Jinda International Textiles Corporation (JITCO) access to $1.5million (about Shs3.7billion) from UDB in 2002, and an additional Shs2.7 billion within the same year. The loans are said to be non-performing. However, Parliament recommended that the assets of non-performing borrowers that include GBK, Apparels Tri-Star, Phenix Logistics, Rutas Ltd and BM Technical Services Ltd among others, be attached to recover public funds. Minister Rukutana is also accused of stopping the bank from recovering more than Shs5.3 billion from city businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba’s Hides and Skins Company. Evidence shows that the minister on April 23, 2003 wrote to Dr Anthony K. Appiah, the bank’s chief executive at the time, instructing him to “hold any recovery action”. Parliament wants the minister to be held personally liable for causing the loss of taxpayer’s money through what the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Mr Nandala Mafabi called “influence peddling”. Mr Rukutana on Saturday scoffed at the MPs who accused him of interfering with the operations of the bank as “stupid and silly” and dismissed the accusations as “nonsense”. He said the investors he forwarded to the bank were companies investing in strategic areas of the economy. “What I did, I was not doing it as Rukutana, but as a minister for Finance and I did nothing wrong. They can go and hang.” In faulting Mr Muhakanizi and other officials, the committee chairperson, Mr Patrick Oboi (FDC, Kumi), tabled letters, detailing how billions of shillings would be sent to the bank with “stern orders” for onward lending to ‘pre-selected’ investors and individuals. “Gross interference by BoU and Ministry of Finance ruined the independent and professional running of the institution,” Mr Oboi said.BoU’s acting director Communications, Christine Alupo defended Mr Mutebile and distanced BoU from the UDB mess. She said the central bank does not supervise UDB. Bank used as a conduit?However, Mr Abdul Katuntu (FDC, Bugweri) said: “What we see in this UDB scandal is reckless management of the bank and a criminal cartel running a criminal racket and using the bank as a conduit.” NRM MPs Medard Bitekyerezo (Mbarara Municipality) and Ms Huda Oleru (Yumbe) said one of the letters from Mr Muhakanizi sounds as if there was a “secret business relationship” between him and Mr Yuichi Kashiwada, a Japanese investor he “assisted” twice to secure public funds from the Bank as a conduit. Mr Muhakanizi on February 8, 2002 wrote to UDB saying: “As you will recall sometime back, I told you government has decided to provide $1.5m (about Shs3 billion) to Ms Phinix (sic) to enable it manufacture and export garments under AGOA. I have learnt from Mr Kashiwada of Phinix that they needed $1m (about Shs2.5 billion) immediately and $0.5m (about Shs1.2 billion) later. I am now requesting you to apply for funds equivalent to $1m (about Shs2.5 billion) from this Ministry. ” Six months later, Mr Muhakanizi wrote another letter instructing the bank to give Phenix investor an additional $87,857.14 (about Shs220.5 million). On March 18, 2010, Mr Muhakanizi wrote another letter to the bank stopping the recovery of Shs3.5 billion from Mr Basajjabalaba. When contacted, Mr Muhakanizi denied any wrongdoing and wondered why the committee did not seek his side of the story. The Secretary to the Treasury said he was implementing the government decisions and that there is a Cabinet minute and a Parliament resolution. Who authorized what The expenditures Name Amount BeneficiaryMwesigwa Rukutana Shs2.7b and Shs3.7 billion JITCOChris Kassami Shs 6.2 billion Apparels Tri-StarKeith Muhakanizi Shs3.7 billion and Shs220.5m PhenixTumusiime Mutebile Shs24.5billion BasajjabalabaKeith Muhakanizi Shs3.5b BasajjabalabaDr Anthony Appiah Shs7.7b UDB in FY 2001/02 1 | 2 Next Page»============================ Reactions from Parliament Alex Ruhunda (NRM, Fort Portal). “The purpose of UDB was to transform the economy but what has transpired in the last 10 years is absurd. You cannot believe having a bank without clear systems. It’s a shame and I condemn those who have been involved in the scam.” Speaker Rebecca Kadaga. “This is not a Ugandan’s bank. It is a selective bank. Can you imagine I applied for Shs600m loan to complete my hotel in Kamuli and they tossed me around until I gave up! If they can deny the Speaker of Parliament, how about the ordinary Ugandans?” Nandala Mafabi, (LoP). “This bank is managed politically. If you want a loan, you go to State House or Ministry of Finance. If a Speaker can be denied a loan, imagine if a Leader of Opposition went to the bank seeking a loan. We must go for the people who authorised these expenditures.” Peter Ogwang (NRM, Youth Eastern). “JBK, Kumi Hotel and others have assets. Let us sell them and recover public funds. These people cannot be allowed to walk scot-free. There is something wrong with the government, this money must be recovered.” Medard Bitekyerezo (NRM, Mbarara Municipality). “I am going to debate like a Ugandan. How can UDB give out loans without documents? This is suicide in economics and the people involved must pay back taxpayers money.” Alice Alaso (FDC, Serere Woman). “The bank is run like a cattle market. Political interference is killing the bank and it’s unacceptable. What’s killing Uganda is systematic corruption. There is a racket of people who share the proceeds.” David Bahati (NRM, Ndorwa West). “The UDB would be a ray of hope for our economy. If SMEs cannot access capital (loans), then we have a serious problem. Corruption should not be politicised. Let there be no impression that we sit in the caucus and agree to steal public funds.” Gen Moses Ali (Deputy PM). “Now that we know what we didn’t know, it is not going to remain unknown and we must act on the issues raised on the floor and in the report. If we don’t act, then we become accomplices and this is not what we want. We are going to follow the law and act accordingly.” Cecilia Ogwal (former Board Chair UDB). “How come nobody is talking about former Finance minister Syda Bbumba and the current minister Maria Kiwanuka yet both ladies had roots in UDB? What’s the role of ministry of Finance in supervising the bank and who authorised the expenditures?” ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Money-fails-to-beat-Kampala-markets-politics/-/689844/2041634/-/du52hs/-/index.html","content":"Money fails to beat Kampala markets politics - The money to do most of the work is available but four years down the road, the construction of most of the markets within Kampala and elsewhere in the country has not started. This in a way takes the icing off the glamorous launching of Wandegeya Market on October 7, during which President Museveni asked opposition leaders Dr Kizza Besigye and Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago to apologise to him for “blocking” development projects. “We should be celebrating the launching of six markets in Kampala, that is why I could not join the party to launch the market,” said Mr Lukwago. The Lord Mayor says the project to rebuild markets – the Agricultural Improvement Project (MATIP) – “could turn out to be a big scandal.” LoansIn 2009, the government signed contracts to acquire loans amounting to $70m (about Shs175 billion) from the African Development Bank (ADB) and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) to finance the construction of markets. Apart from improving the conditions in markets, the government wanted to boost agricultural production by improving the marketing of agricultural products. But the markets, of course, would also be used for selling other commodities. MATIP comprises three major components – building markets, improving market management and agricultural trade and supporting project management and coordination. The biggest chunk of the money was earmarked for building markets. In total, the MATIP project was supposed to finance the construction of 21 markets countrywide. At least 31,000 lockups or kiosks were to be built, in addition to 8,200 stalls, hundreds of meat/fish units and cold storage units, restaurants, paved spaces and parking/ loading areas. In Kampala, the markets in Nakulabye, Wandegeya, Ntinda, Busega, Kasubi and Kansanga were to be redeveloped. The markets were expected to be built within five years from 2009, when the agreement was expected to come into force. In the agreement signed between ADB and the Uganda government, the government would receive the money in installments, with the last loan installment expected in on September 30, 2015. It is not clear, however, whether the loan funds continued flowing in despite lack of progress on most of the markets development. Away from Kampala, only three markets have been redeveloped – Jinja Central Market, Mpang Market in Fort Portal and Mbale Market. The Ministry of Local Government is supposed to lead the project but in Kampala, KCCA has been at the fore. Mr Peter Kaujju, the KCCA spokesperson, told us that work on the construction of Busega Market “will soon commence.” This was a reiteration of what KCCA Executive Director Jennifer Musisi said at the launch of Wandegeya Market. He, however, did not specify when exactly the work will start. Mr Kaujju added: “There have been land wrangles and these have delayed acquisition of land for Nakulabye and Ntinda markets. Thus the projects in these areas have not yet taken off.” Regarding the construction of Kasubi Market, Mr Kaujju told us in his emailed response that land for the project has not yet been acquired “due to lack of funds from GOU for this activity”. However, the status report by KCCA officials presented to Ms Musisi in June 2011 indicated that $2.6m had been acquired from BADEA to build Kasubi Market. Unresolved ownership issues But even Wandegeya Market which has been built still has issues. The African Development Fund of the African Development Bank (ADB), the lending bank, required the government to first sort out the ownership of the land on which markets were to be built, but in some cases it was not done. Part of the land on which Wandegeya Market sits – plots 200,245, 186 and 226 – belongs to Buganda Kingdom and a KCCA meeting that sat on September 21, 2012 unanimously resolved to return the land to the kingdom.Former Buganda Katikkiro Eng JB Walusimbi welcomed the KCCA council decision and in a November 20, 2012 letter to Lord Mayor Lukwago asked for a portion of the new market building to be allocated to the Kabaka.Buganda Kingdom acquired a 99-year lease on the land in 1934 before the central government confiscated the title in 1967. Mr Walusimbi suggested that the kingdom takes part of the market under the condominium property law.But this would most probably amount to a breach of the loan agreement the government of Uganda signed with ADB.In Section 5.03 of the loan agreement between the government and ADB, the government undertakes, within six months of receiving the first installment of the loan, to show proof that the sites on which Nakulabye and Wandegeya markets were to be built belonged to the government or KCCA. The construction of Wandegeya Market was completed without resolving the land ownership issue and it is not immediately clear what implications this could have as far as the loan agreement is concerned. The government, however, is understood to be in negotiations with Buganda Kingdom over how to resolve the impasse. Market land belonging to the Kabaka is part of what is supposed to be returned to the kingdom according to the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government and Buganda Kingdom. It still remains unclear, though, how Buganda Kingdom’s land on which part of Wandegeya Market sits will be treated. Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga said recently that a committee led by Prince David Wasajja is negotiating with the central government on how to implement the MoU. The most feasible option, insiders we talked to say, is for the government to compensate Buganda Kingdom and acquire the land. Stalled progressIn a June 2011 status report, Ms Musisi showed that the plans to redevelop the markets were being principally delayed by lack of spaces to relocate the vendors during reconstruction and challenges in securing land.Nakulabye Market, for instance, for which $2.7m (about Shs7 billion) had already been secured and had an architectural plan ready but part of the land on which it was to be rebuilt still belonged to private individuals while another part belonged to Buganda Kingdom. 1 | 2 Next Page»In the case of Ntinda Market, for which $3m (about Shs7.5 billion) was available, there was a law suit filed by one of the factions of the vendors, New Ntinda Market Cooperative Society. They had petitioned court over the Uganda Land Commission’s decision to withdraw a lease from them and award it to KCCA. The situation of Busega Market is a bit different. Some $ 1.4m (about Shs3.5 billion) for developing the market is available from BADEA and KCCA moved to buy land from Ms Josephine Nantaaya. We are told that a wrangle has since broken out between Ms Nantaaya and her late husband’s family members, who accuse her of selling off the land without their consent. KCCA paid Shs600 million for the land. Kasubi MarketAs far as Kasubi Market was concerned, land for the redevelopment had not yet been identified although three possible sites already identified. One of the plots which had been identified was along the Kampala Northern Bypass at Namungoona, but vendors said it was a bit far from the current location of the market. Also, the land was just opposite the newly constructed National Water treatment plant, which the traders feared could emit a bad odour and make the market unattractive. However, $2.6m (about Shs6.5 billion) was available for the redevelopment of the market. Kansanga MarketIn the case of the Kansanga-Nabutiiti Market, for which $1.4m (about Shs3.5 billion) was available, drafting of the designs had just started. Ms Musisi received this status report shortly after taking office in June 2011 and we were unable to get details of how much progress has been made since. What is known, however, is that the reconstruction of the markets has not started and the loan period is ticking away. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/When-strikes-affects-the-least-concerned-people-the-most/-/691232/1710172/-/slwq4f/-/index.html","content":"When strikes affects the least concerned people the most - Sad and frustrated. That is the definition of the demeanour of the shopkeepers in Makerere-Kikoni, who were victims of looting by students from Makerere University during the recent strike protesting against the tuition policy. When Vincent Byamukama opened a shop in Makerere-Kikoni, four years ago, it never crossed his mind that a photo of the shop would ever enjoy space in a newspaper. Never. But, fate had a converse arrangement in store for him. On February 19, it was on the front page of this newspaper, albeit for unfortunate reasons. It was a scene of looting by stick and stone wielding students. “It was an ugly sight. So ugly that sometimes words fail me when my friends ask me to narrate to them what transpired,” says Byamukama. “I was about 100 metres away from the shop when I received a call from a colleague. He alerted me that he had seen the striking students march in the direction of my shop. I called my wife, whom I asked to close immediately. I also dashed there. Hardly had I reached than the students also arrived. Fortunately, my wife had closed. But because she had done so hastily, she was unable to carry in the boxes of safi, a soft drink,” narrates the shopkeeper. Byamukama says when the students reached his shop, they wasted no time in scrambling for the boxes of safi. He reveals that six boxes were looted. “They did not stop at that. There was a truck, about 10 metres away, which was delivering soda that I had ordered for. When the students reached it, they jumped onto it and looted six crates of soda and three packs of the big 1.5 litre sodas. Luckily, the driver was able to reverse, and drive off. Otherwise, they would have stolen all the soda. While all this was happening, I was looking on helplessly. I did not even attempt to wag a finger at any of the students or restrain them because I reasoned that they could beat me up if I did so.” Whereas Byamukama looked on helplessly while the students made off with his merchandise, the story was different when the students broke into 58-year-old Eric Katusi’s shop. He was taking a bath when he heard his daughter calling, and informing him that their shop was about to be broken into by students. “I dressed up hurriedly, grabbed my panga, and then rushed out to establish what the matter was. I found about 30 students distributing amongst themselves three packs of mandazi which they had taken from the shop. They were also sharing the four crates of soda which they found outside the shop. I went towards some of them with the panga, threateningly some of them, while shouting at them to leave or else I would kill them. Perhaps, they sensed the resoluteness in my voice. Because they all scampered for their dear lives,” recounts Katusi. Byamukama, Katusi and their other colleagues are not the first victims of looting by the students of the university during strikes. In 2004, a strike protesting the killing of a university student during a hit-and-run accident turned violent, and the students ransacked stalls outside the university’s Main Library, as well as shops along Sir Apollo Kaggwa Road, and in Wandegegya. Protesters with wrong intentionsA year later, in 2005, in a strike against the increment in retake fees, students broke into the Makerere Senior Staff canteen using hoes and pangas and feasted on the beers and soda that they found in there. It was reported that some girls disappeared with a giant screen TV from the club’s bar. Other students broke into a Coca Cola depot, drank the sodas they found inside, and disappeared with over Shs780,000 in cash. Since strikes at the university have a history of often being characterised by looting, one would reason that the now-frustrated shopkeepers have themselves to blame: First, for not shifting their shops to suburbs away from the university; and second, for not closing their shops when there is a whiff of a strike at the university. Katusi says that for the 10 years that he has been running his shop, in Makerere-Kikoni, he had never seen the striking students come as far as its location. “Usually, they stop along Sir Apollo Kaggwa road. Well, even when they come to Kikoni they stop a few metres into Kikoni. They had never come this far. That is why we had never been bothered by strikes,” he says. Byamukama says, had he known that the protesting students could come as far as the end of Makerere- Kikoni where he runs his shop, he would never have set it up there. “In fact, if this building which houses the shop was not mine, I would shift the day after they looted my merchandise. But, I cannot shift because I cannot afford to go and rent somewhere else yet I have free space here.” Neighbouring community speaks outThe shopkeepers have no kind words for the students. Fransoise Mukamugenzi, a mother of four, whose eggs and bananas were looted, says the students’ acts were a disgrace to the education they are pursuing. “Of what benefit is education to them if they cannot tell what is right from wrong? Since they are educated, they are the ones who are supposed to be leading us in doing right. But, they are leading in doing wrong. I am so disappointed in them,” said Mukamugenzi. 1 | 2 Next Page»Students apologiseMoses Kyeyune, the Guild Information minister, says the guild condemns the looting. “We are so unhappy with our colleagues who participated in that ignoble act. It is not representative of the manners of the Makerereans. It was a regrettable act,” says Kyeyune adding that: “The businesses they were looting could be belonging to fellow students who were working hard to be able to pay the 60 per cent tuition in case the policy is implemented. So, by looting from such a student’s business they were dimming his ray of hope. Also, what if the foodstuffs they looted were poisoned? Imagine where those looters would be now. On behalf of our colleague we apologise to the victims of the looting.” Kyeyune, however notes that some of the looters were not students. They may have been hoodlums from the neighbourhood who took advantage of the chaos to steal the traders’ merchandise. He adds that as a measure to curb the manner of looting in the future, the students’ body is cautioning students about the importance of staying focused during strikes.Katutsi nevertheless pours cold water on Kyeyune’s claim. He wonders where the so-called hoodlums could have gotten the undergraduate gowns which the looters were donning. “I am fully convinced that those thieves were students of Makerere. To shift the blame does not erase the habit. So, the students should instead concentrate on redeeming themselves instead of shifting blame,” says Katutsi. The traders say they recorded statements with the police who promised to get back to them after it had concluded its investigations. The traders further add that since they do not have security of any kind from their landlords, they have resolved to always swiftly close their shops at the mention of a strike at the university. Francis Gimara, an advocate with MB Gimara Advocates, advises the traders on how they can use the law to seek redress. “If they are able to identify the individuals who participated in the looting, they can sue those individuals, because looting is an unlawful act. Alternatively, they can sue the government (Attorney General). The government has a statutory obligation to protect people’s private property. That these people’s property was looted was a breach of the state’s obligation, which makes it liable for the breach,” counsels the advocate. The history of looting by Makerere students, it is like a tradition. This is explained by the lack of action from either the students’ body or the university itself. As long as more effort is put towards simply writing off the culprits than breaking the habit, it seems looting is be here to stay. Students condemn looting at Kikoni, Makerere Paul Keishari, LawIt was very wrong for the students to participate in the looting. Some of those businesses belong to our colleagues (students of Makerere), who are trying to make ends meet. So, how does one expect such a student to raise their tuition fees yet one is stealing from the innocent fellow’s business? Kenloc Adams, Social SciencesIt was an unfortunate act. Because some of the people they were looting from could be parents of the students who work to get money to facilitate their sons or daughters here. But on the other hand, it was fun. Guys who were hungry would simply go to the shops, loot edibles like chapattis, mandazis, sumbusas, et al. Justus Anyebesa, Industrial and Organisation PsychologyWhat our colleagues did so was unethical. Someone who is at university should be morally upright enough to know that looting/stealing is unethical. What they did was as good as suggesting to parents that not even educating a child to university level can improve his/her morals. Felistas Nannono, Arts in EducationIt was uncalled for. The issue at hand was protesting against the 60 per cent tuition policy, how vandalising people’s property comes into the picture is unknown. There was absolutely no connection between the policy makers and the innocent traders’ goods. It should never happen. ” Micheal Kawooya, CommerceIt was really not good. It tarnished the prestigious image of Makerere University. Some people might think that instead of learning, we are taught how to loot. A parent who saw the images over the news may promise him/herself never to take their child to Makerere because “children of Makerere” are thieves. Filly Ayo, Development EconomicsIt was bad. Firstly, the people they were looting from were innocent, and had no idea what the 60 per cent tuition policy is. Secondly, the future opportunities of the students whose photos were shown while in the act of looting may be dim. Before doing “stuff like that” one should first put oneself in another’s shoes. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-Shs40b-Dura-deal--MPs-verdict-wrong-/-/689844/1702370/-/5plug9/-/index.html","content":"‘Shs40b Dura deal: MPs verdict wrong’ - What role did Kampala Associated Advocates (KAA) play in the Dura Cement Vs Government of Uganda suit?We were instructed by Dura to represent them after government illegally cancelled Dura’s mining licence for the benefit of another company. Under the laws of Uganda, cancellation of a contract attracts adequate and prompt compensation, which is also determined by the law. The law provides that when you cancel a business man’s contract, you “put him back in the position he would have been in had the contract been performed”. Under the laws of Uganda, you pay for lost expectation. Dura sued through our law firm and the one issue in court was: “over a 19-year-old period, what was Dura expecting.” The High Court ordered that Dura and government conduct a mediation to agree on the amount of compensation. Dura hired auditors who brought documentary proof that the company was expecting the sum of $103 million (about Shs272.95b) which was $13m (about Shs34.45b) per year. The government hired its own auditors, KPMG. KPMG looked at the cement business in the region and discounted Dura’s profits because it was a start-up business it would get a net profit of $14.5m (Shs38.42b) in the 19 year period. Through a lengthy mediation and negotiation, presided over by a registrar of the High Court, our client accepted the government’s offer of $16m (about Shs42.4b) as long as it was paid in a lumpsum. Our client was sure of getting a higher figure if the case went for hearing, but was worried that the case would take long to conclude in court. According to the report by Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on this matter, you are alleged to have peddled influence and misled the President in the settlement of this case. Is this true, what really happened? No, this is simply not true. It is also surprising coming first from PAC and later from Parliament. The fact is before Dura was paid, the then Solicitor General, Justice Billy Kainamura, and the then Attorney General, Hon. Khiddu Makubuya, presented a proposal to Cabinet. Thereafter, Cabinet, through the Ministry of Finance, brought a supplementary budget to Parliament with the sole purpose of paying Dura. It was taken before the Budget Committee of Parliament, scrutinised and debated on the floor of Parliament on January 4, 2011. MPs, including the present PAC chairman Kassiano Wadri even voted for this money to be paid to Dura. How can they now blame Dura’s private lawyer? But the MPs say you used the KPMG report to mislead the President. That is wrong. In a technical analysis covering over eight pages KPMG recommended the figure of $14.5m as what Dura was expecting over a 19-year period. They specifically quote this figure at pages 47, 48, 52 and 55 of their report. So how could I mislead the President by telling him the truth? Am I the one who hired KPMG? Even the assertion that I misled the President is wrong. How can I, a mere lawyer, mislead a President, who has a legal department in State House, a Solicitor General, an Attorney General and almost 100 government lawyers? In this particular case, he even had the advice of KPMG. Why aren’t they accused of misleading the President? Long before I met the President, his own Solicitor General, Lucien Tibaruha, advised the President and government that cancelling Dura’s license could cost the government over $1b as Dura had not breached its investment agreement. So how did I mislead the President? As for influence peddling, this phrase refers to a public officer using his public office for private gain. It does not refer to a private lawyer representing his client. For representing Dura Cement, PAC has recommended that KAA be blacklisted for its role in this matter and you be personally investigated. How do you react to this recommendation?This was an unfortunate abuse of parliamentary power and privilege. That resolution is clearly misconceived. Firstly, when Dura hired us to sue the government, we were not working for the government. We were working against it. So the issue of blacklisting and investigating lawyers because they have been instructed to sue you is the use of political power to really blackmail and threaten the legal profession. Our actions were to cater for the best interests of our client. By the way, even PAC condemns Hon. Makubuya for writing an opinion “as if he were a lawyer for Dura”. That claim is nonsense if you read the opinion. However, they concede that a lawyer for Dura should have advanced the argument for $14.5m and then they condemn us, the lawyers for Dura for doing exactly that. There was no fraud in this case as it was the government which decided to cancel Dura’s 19-year mining lease, and the government itself had stated that Dura was to be compensated. When the government did not pay compensation and Dura hires us as lawyers to fight for its deserved compensation, why should we be blacklisted? Regarding the recommendation that I be investigated, my interest was clear as a lawyer to get the best interests of my client. We did it professionally, accurately and as instructed. If there was anything wrongly done, why did people like Hon. Wadri vote for Dura to be compensated? KAA has handled a number of high profile cases both representing government and defending clients who have filed litigation against government. What is the fuss all about in this particular case?Virtually all of the work done by us and most law firms are done for private clients. The government has many lawyers it employs and almost 90 per cent of the time hires foreign law firms anyway as its transaction advisers on local deals. However, we do on occasion find ourselves representing government entities. Regarding the fuss about this case, it is simply a failure to address the real cause and an absolute failure of leadership on the part of our MPs. People who voted to compensate Dura now blame a lawyer who was pursuing that compensation on instructions of the client. The debate was really about the KPMG report. Yet the KPMG report was not even attached to the report of PAC. No MP who spoke attacking me had even read the KPMG report. No single page of KPMG is even quoted by PAC. So the chairman [of PAC] and his members, in a bid to look popular, went to the House and told lies, lies, lies and the rest of the members had not even read. If they had, they would have seen that the KPMG report was not even availed to Parliament. In representing Dura Cement, was there any breach of the Constitution?The Constitution was violated in many aspects. Cancelling Dura’s contract for the sole benefit of Hima Cement violated Article 26 which guarantees Constitutional right to property. The Constitution provides that when that right is violated, there shall be adequate compensation. Then the entire parliamentary process was unconstitutional and wrong. We now know from the Severino Twinobusingye case about the oil debate that abuse of Parliamentary Privilege is unconstitutional. By telling lies about us the chairman violated the Constitution. By saying we should be blacklisted or discriminated against on the basis of instructions we received from a client, Parliament violated Article 21, which prohibits discrimination. By saying that lawyers who once worked for government should be banned from suing government, Parliament violated the rights of those lawyers to practice their trade and profession. KAA is accused of defrauding the government as PAC reported that there was a deliberate move to avoid tax payments by changing the first draft consent judgment for the award of $14 million as compensation for cancellation of the mining lease to the award of special damages. How do you respond to that?Firstly, any lawyer will tell you that a consent judgement is drafted by both sides. Even the consent judgment itself says “Drawn by the Attorney Generals Chambers and KAA”. So why should KAA be held liable for an agreed draft with the other side? But the law as to what to tax is not dependant on the grammar of a consent judgement. If PAC had consulted a lawyer with any experience in tax matters, they would have known of the elementary tax principle in the case of Ducross vs. Inspector of Taxes. The principle in that law was stated to be that compensation for cancellation of an agreement is not taxable. URA raised an assessment against Dura, and Dura followed the objection procedure provided by the law. It paid 30 per cent of the tax assessed and lodged its objection based on the legal principal that damages for cancellation of a contract are not taxable. After due process, URA agreed with the legal position and lifted the assessment. There was nothing like defrauding the government. ============================== WHAT MPS SAIDNyabushozi MP Col. Fred Mwesigye, city lawyer Elly Karuhanga and Justice Billy Kainamura be held culpable for their role in the Dura Cement saga. Ex-Attorney General Khiddu Makubuya be held responsible for causing financial loss to the government by refusing to discount the offer of $16.5 million over 19 years to a single lump sum payment of $6.5 million.Col. Mwesigye failed to carry out due diligence before extending the cement lease from four years to 19 years, leading to a loss of $16.5m (about Shs40b). Justice Kainamura and Mr Karuhanga caused financial loss of Shs3.2 billion by “disguising the Dura compensation as special damages.”Kampala Associated Advocates (KAA) should be blacklisted from all government contracts for defrauding the country under dubious dealings with the Attorney General’s office. Justice Kainamura, the former solicitor general, leaked a draft report by audit firm KPMG to Mr Elly Karuhanga, used to “mislead” President Museveni on the amount of compensation for the deal."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/Women-in-2012--The-good--bad-and-the-unbelievable/-/689842/1653418/-/o91lsg/-/index.html","content":"Women in 2012: The good, bad and the unbelievable - The Good: Irene Mulyagonja’s appointmentShe was nominated for Inspector General of Government in April, becoming the fourth person to hold the office since its inception, and the second woman to do so. A no nonsense lady who did extremely well as a high court judge in the commercial section, Mulyagonja came at a time when the IGG’s office was being accused of only going after the “small fish”. She vowed to go after the “big fish” too, which can only be a good thing in the fight against corruption. Rebecca Kadaga’s pleasing stance The first female Speaker in Parliament has not had an easy second year in office. What with the Gays Bill and the even more contentious oil Bill, and on a personal basis, the passing of her father, George Wilson Kadaga Madaali, 85, on December 10. Yet still, she made us proud. Her response to the Canadian foreign minister’s demonising of Uganda because of the Gays Bill that is still in Parliament was refusing to be cowed followed by a vow to resurrect the Bill in Parliament. Talk about steely resolve! Judith Nabakooba’s promotionWho does not know the mellow voiced police spokeswoman, the one who actually makes the drab police uniform look friendly? This year she made a comeback as the PRO of the police and official spokesperson, a post she had lost twice in several reshuffles that saw her serve as deputy and at some point even leave the public relations office altogether. Her reappointment came just two months after the appointment of the last spokesperson . Now if this proves anything it is that Nabakooba is the best woman for the job. Proscovia Alengot Oromait’s electoral winThe youth was just an ordinary girl early this year, but the last quarter of the year has seen her join the league of extraordinary women as one of the youngest elected members of parliament in Africa. Oromait won the by-election to become Usuk’s Member of Parliament, a position left vacant after the death of her father in July. Besides putting Uganda on another of those first lists, it is great for a lot of young people contemplating taking leadership roles with more than 50 per cent of Ugandas population being below 18. We also like to see a fresh face among the parliamentarians, even better when it is a girl. Jennifer Musisi; a new iron lady is bornHer name should be changed to Iron Lady. Or The Woman-Who-is-Loved-and-Hated-in-Equal-Measures. This year she will be remembered for the steely determination with which she met her detractors, pushing ahead with the various changes she intends to effect on the city. Since her appointment as Kampala Capital City Authority(KCCA) director in April, Musisi has been taking no prisoners to improve the face of the city. And little bits of green are showing up everywhere in the city, which is promising. The Ugly:Ingrid Turinawe’s breast pulling sagaHer face is that of a sweet innocent girl who could not hurt a fly, but seeing her during the walk to work protest you know she is a force to reckon with. It was during these the leader of FDC women’s league was caught up in the ‘boob grabbing’ saga. A member of the armed forces who was trying to arrest her decided to grab the closest appendage, her breast. Any woman with breasts knows how bad this can hurt.And that a person can be this ruthless even if it is in the middle of an arrest is bad. Maama Fiina’s nude photosIf you have ever had a nightmare where you found yourself stark naked for all and sundry to see in broad daylight, then you may have an inkling of what this renowned herbalist went through when a tabloid published her nude photos. Never mind where they were taken, or the talk of infidelity and vengeful spurned lovers. Instead think of how long it takes to recover from that. Doreen Kabareebe’s bare bottomA woman’s body is beautiful; the ugliness starts setting in when her bare buttocks are plastered all over. This is what happened to video vixen/ glamour girl/ model Doreen Kabareebe at a music concert when she was snapped in all her bare bottomed glory. That this was no wardrobe malfunction or accidental occurrence but a deliberate clothing choice made it all the uglier. The Bad:Iryn Namubiru’ s batteryIt wasn’t her latest hit putting her in the news. Rather it is revelations of domestic violence which landed her in hospital. Now it may be a good thing that she spoke out, and said, no this cannot go on, but then she intimated that this had been going on for a while. It is bad for a woman, any woman much less on in the public eye who seems so liberated to suffer in the hands of a wife batterer. Cerinah Arioru Nebanda, gone too soonThe death of the 24-year-old Butaleja Member of Parliament was almost enveloped by the speculation on the cause of her death. She was pronounced dead at Mukwaya hospital in Nsambya, on the evening of December 14, after being dropped off by unidentified men. One of the men is purported to be her boyfriend. Her short stint at Parliament was an example of age not being a factor for a woman on a mission. Nebanda who had graduated with a degree in social sciences from Makerere was never one to be afraid of speaking her mind, especially when seeking accountability from fellow leaders for the people she represented. Her passing truly was too soon. Bad Black a.k.a. Shanita NamuyimbaShe may be the only woman who proudly carried the name ‘bad’. Known for her over the top spending and hard partying. No one knew the source of her wealth until it emerged she was embezzling it from a company she co-owned with her then lover. As the saga unfolded more and more details emerged which painted the former queen of the social circuit in even worse light bringing up her former life as a lady of the night. The bad part was the reckless abandon with which she spent money that did not belong to her by virtue of being in a relationship with the owner. A thing that saw her go to prison weeks after she had just had a baby. The Unbelievable:Mary NaluleThis septuagenarian excited the nation with her bold appearance on a lonely hearts on a local TV station show. Her declarations were even more exciting; she wanted a white man whom she could have fun with. Now, some suppose there is nothing wrong with a 75-year-old who, by the way, looks at least a decade younger, wanting to have a bit of fun, seeing as her children have already left the nest and she is genuinely lonely. But then, there is the whole idea of someone her age wanting to go back to the chaotic life of hitting clubs and dating. Which is which? Catherine Kalembe’s suit of her fiancéKalembe decided to shock her estranged fiancé, and the nation at large, in August, by suing him for breach of promise and causing her emotional strife. Turns out the accused had gone back on a promise to marry her and that is after Kalembe had made substantial investments towards him getting a job and the introduction ceremony. Last we checked, the fiancée was trying to offer a Shs2m out-of-court settlement, and Kalembe was hearing none of it. Now, it is may be a lesson to the man, and others like him, that you cannot just string a girl along. But then again, there is the argument that it is the fury of a scorned woman, which no court of law can settle. 1 | 2 Next Page»Jackie Chandiru and her adult dramaThe former Blu3 girl has more than her successful solo career and club ready hits to keep her in the limelight. Her romantic connection to city lawyer, Caleb Alaka, has inevitably placed her in a love triangle, one which features an estranged wife. Public drama has been a main feature of this relationship, from Chandiru being called a husband snatcher to never-ending accusations of harassment between the two, that sometimes end up at police stations. Now, while everyone is entitled to happiness and far be it from us to judge with who one gets it, there is the issue of there being another woman, a legally married one at that. Oh Chandiru, aren’t you too young for this drama? But then again, when the heart makes its pick, who are you to deny it? Jennifer Musisi and Amelia Kyambadde stand-offThe matter of contention was the eviction of Centenary Park leaseholders and subsequently their tenants. In trademark Musisi style, she was adamant that the lease holders had gone against the contract and was bent on reclaiming it as a public green space. For Kyambadde, it was in her capacity as Minister for Trade and Industry to protect the interests of local investors. With two strong-willed women, it became heated and the word “terrorist” in reference to Musisi was used. So, it was bad for a while, but then the storm blew over when the two ladies sat and talked it out in a meeting. Atleast that was the last we heard of it. fullwoman@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Why-Bigirimana-and-group-should-let-go/-/688334/1630550/-/dytec0z/-/index.html","content":"Why Bigirimana and group should let go - Fellow leaders, Jesus was castigating the leaders that: It is not enough to recall principles, laws, write manifestos, state intentions, programmes and policies, make heavenly promises, point to crying injustices and falsehoods and utter prophetic denunciations; these words will lack real weight unless they are accompanied for each individual by effective patriotic action. We must walk the talk. Often times some of us, either out of negative and primitive fear or being compromised, we have not walked the talk and our silence, indifferentism and fear is slowly but surely mortgaging our country. We must courageously overcome these sins if we have to save our pearl of Africa. On the eve of Uganda’s Independence Golden Jubilee anniversary celebrations, President Museveni, during the prayer service at Namboole Stadium, publicly repented for his sins and sins of other leaders, both past and present. I do not know whether God listened to his prayers and if he did, whether he forgave him because things are becoming unbearable day after day. During the prayer service, he religiously cited a litany of sins but forgot others, which are more mortal than those he enumerated, and these are: Greed for power, breach of contract, bribery, expropriation, primitive arrogance, impunity, deception duplicity, intimidation, theft, inconsistency, land grabbing, sycophancy, balkanisation of Uganda into tribal districts, blackmail, bad governance, bad leadership, possessiveness, fear to do good, indifferentism, divide and rule, institutionalising an individual and individualising an institution, inconsiderate, favouratism, insensibility, double standards, patronage, insincerity, kleptomania, dishonesty, manipulation, nepotism, suppression, torture, beackery, aggrandisement, pride, intolerance, extravagance, bigotry, abusive language, despotism and others. All the sins cited above, plus those cited by the President, are morally, politically, socially and spiritually deleterious and lethal to humanity and they are being committed in our presence, just before our eyes. What have we done to counteract them? So by keeping quiet are we not conniving with the devil in destroying Uganda? Are we not the devil’s agents? Are we not colluding with the devil in oppressing the oppressed? Here I salute those MPs, religious leaders and CSOs who have courageously and patriotically refused and rejected all forms of intimidation, blackmail and bribery, and stood up steadfastly with the suffering and downtrodden. These are the honest few who still have the courage and spirit of patriotism, to tell the emperor that he is naked. These people are not the enemies of Uganda, NRM and indeed President Museveni as some powers are trying to portray them. I honestly believe that the worst enemies of Uganda, NRM and Museveni are those MPs, ministers, advisers and lamentably and egregiously some religious leaders, who know the truth and see things going amiss, almost in all sectors of life, but fear to speak out because of either opportunism, sycophancy, sectarianism or egomaniacs. These are the enemies of Uganda and humanity. Among the sins cited above, I have chosen to comment on dishonesty because of the nasty and horrendous saga in the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr Amama Mbabazi, surrounding the Permanent Secretary, Mr Pius Bigirimana. According to the Concise Oxford Thesaurus Dictionary, other words for dishonesty are fraudulence, corruption, cheating, chicanery, double dealing, deception, duplicity, falsity, craft, trickery, artifice, underhandedness, subterfuge, skullduggery and criminality. If any leader degenerates to the level of being dishonesty, it means that his /her moral character and integrity are seriously questionable and doubtful. On November 1, 2012 , MPs, under the good and able stewardship of Speaker Rabecca Kadaga, overwhelmingly voted to have Mr Bigirimana kicked out over the scam that has since seen the country suffer aid cuts. It is my hope and prayer that this time our MPs will remain united and resolute in resisting all forms of intimidation, partisanship and bribery, be it at State House, Rwakitura or anywhere else. Other leaders like religious and civil society organisations must come out in the open cohesively and be counted to give encouragement and support to our MPs, and where necessary, criticise and lambast them for the good of our country. On the scandal at the OPM, nobody should be deceived that the unethical behaviour rests with Mr Bigirimana only. There are many and more powerful and influential Bigirimanas and these are the real problem of Uganda. These powerful Bigirimanas are his god-fathers who are determined to defend him, come what may and at any cost. In shielding Bigirimana, they are shielding themselves. In a similar manner, we should be prepared, as leaders, to tenaciously stand together as compatriots and patriots to defend our poor and vulnerable people of Uganda, especially those from the great north whose money was indecorously swindled. Our political leaders and their cohorts are very insensitive and callous. Mr President and Mr Mbabazi, why can’t Mr Bigirimana be interdicted? How about the former PS of Health, Ms Mary Nannono, Local Government PS Stephen Kashaka and the PS Ministry of Public Service, Mr Jimmy Lwamafa? President Museveni is reported to have said that he cannot interdict Mr Bigirimana because he is a whistle-blower and, therefore, a State witness. Who, among his advisers has told him that if Mr Bigirimana is interdicted he ceases to be a State witness? If he was a whistle-blower, as President Museveni wants us to believe, why did Mr Bigirimana try to control attempts, therefore to interfere, by CIID to interrogate him and other officers? Mr Bigirimana’s stay in office is a well calculated move of hiding and concealing some vital information! Then the Prime Minister is quoted to have stated that Mr Bigirimana cannot be interdicted because there is nothing in the Auditor General’s report that incriminates him. Maybe the PM has not read the AG’s report; and if he read it, then he was preoccupied with many things that he did not understand it; and if he understood it, then he is a liar. Secondly, PM Mbabazi is quoted to have stated in a press statement that because of the pressure from the donors and MPs, that the government has decided to refund stolen funds to the Peace, Recovery and Development Project (PRDP) donor account. The money to be refunded is about Shs50 billion. State of social servicesFellow leaders, I think every one of us knows how social services in our villages, parishes, dioceses and constituencies are in a very sorry state! I also believe that every one of us is sympathetic with the teachers, doctors and nurses, police officers and many others whose services are not appreciated. The response from the government to their misery is usually very repulsive and repudiatory. They are treated with primitive arrogance and impunity. In any case, why should the government use the taxpayers’ money to pay for the thieves when they are at large with their loot? Honourable Members of Parliament, your integrity and independence are at risk. This year you resolved to have the ministers mentioned in the oil scandal to step aside and your resolution was not honoured. Again you made another resolution to have PS Kagoda interdicted over IDs but nothing has happened. Now there is this saga of Mr Bigirimana. 1 | 2 Next Page»We are watching and are yet to see how far you can go to defend your integrity. On all resolutions, you start well but it seems on the way some of you are injected with kitu kidogo - you know better. The Executive has studied you and knows that when you are hard up financially, you make noise and are invited for the caucus meetings. What follows, you are silenced. This time let your No be No and your Yes be Yes. Lastly ,the Anti-Corruption Court acquitted the three ministers namely Sam Kutesa, John Nasasira and Mwesigwa Rukutana of Chogm funds cases. Now what next? Where is the money? Who stole the money? The onus is on the government to tell Ugandans who stole their money since, the fact is that the money was stolen!United we stand divided we fall, Unity is strength. For God and my country. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Background-to-the-Lost-Counties-crisis/-/688334/1473762/-/dn4iapz/-/index.html","content":"Background to the Lost Counties crisis - There has been a lot of confusion about the “lost counties” of Bunyoro. President Museveni once joined in the confusion when he said the counties are not lost; they are in Uganda. I would like to argue that the lost counties of Bunyoro were/are more than just territory as Museveni would like us to believe. To understand the matter, it is necessary for us to go back to the beginning of the “lost counties” issue. Since around 1600 when Buganda eclipsed Bunyoro as the dominant power in the region, the kingdom had not been challenged. Eventually, an empire, however powerful, gets to be challenged. This happened to Buganda in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. Bunyoro, under the able leadership of Kabalega, not only got reorganised but also acquired muskets from the Arabs. On account of these two factors, Bunyoro succeeded in driving the Baganda back, only to find that their final victory was frustrated by the arrival of the British who protected the Baganda with riffles and Maxim guns. The Baganda, who were being seriously pressurised by the Banyoro, had gone into alliance with the British who had come to colonise the Nile valley and were looking for an ally. The first operation the Anglo-Ganda alliance mounted was against their most serious threat, the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom. This was in December 1893 when Col. Colville led a full military campaign against Kabalega and the Kingdom of Bunyoro. After suffering a series of defeats, Kabalega was driven from his kingdom and forced to take refuge in Lango in 1894. As a reward for assistance against the Banyoro, Col. Colville in the early part of 1894 promised the Baganda chiefs that all Bunyoro territory south of River Kafu would be incorporated into Buganda. This was roughly the area comprising Buyaga and Bugangazi (or Bugangaizi as Banyoro call it) northern Singo, Buruli and the formerly semi-independent area of northern Bugerere, which had been part of Bunyoro territory. Col. Colville was forced by illness to leave Uganda before implementing this promise. However, when E.J.L. Berkely, who succeeded Colville was in 1896 appointing a Munyoro to be chief of this area, the Ganda chiefs present reminded him that his predecessor had pledged the area to be part of Buganda. Berkely consulted the Foreign Office, which instructed him to implement the promise. The incorporation into the Buganda Kingdom of this territory, which was clearly part of Bunyoro with Banyoro inhabiting, was so blatantly unjust that two British officers then serving in Bunyoro, Pulteney and Foster, resigned their posts in protest against the decision. Lost countiesBanyoro never accepted the situation and the loss was to become the festering “lost counties” issue that was a subject of many deputations by the Kingdom of Bunyoro to the British throughout the colonial period. This is what Berkely wrote to the Colonial Secretary on 19th November 1896: “The annexed provinces in becoming part of the Kingdom of Buganda, must of course recognise the sovereignty of the king of Buganda, the supremacy and authority of the chiefs selected to govern them and they must understand that henceforth they are subject to all laws, regulations, obligations as to local taxation and tribute, etc that are in force in the other parts of the kingdom. At the same time, however, that these provinces became part of the Kingdom of Buganda so would their native inhabitants become Waganda, and as such, entitled to all public and private rights of Waganda in any other part of the kingdom.” The obvious interpretation of Berkely’s words is that since these Banyoro had been transferred into the administrative sphere of Buganda, they were now Baganda. The Banyoro could not accept this and began putting up resistance. Matters did not get any better for the colonial administrators when they found out afterwards that the lost counties were home to all the tombs of all dead kings of Bunyoro. They dealt with this embarrassment by allowing the Bunyoro Native Government to appoint a special salaried chief (the Mugema) to reside in Buganda and take care of the tombs. The Banyoro in the lost counties were subjected to various forms of cultural oppression. They were not allowed to engage in Kinyoro dances. This kind of oppression was brought into the open by the area Member of Parliament, Mr N.K. Rugemwa, before the Uganda Constitutional Conference in 1961. He claimed that “if the Banyoro do anything in a way different from and practiced by Baganda, they are liable to be prosecuted for breach of Ganda customary law. These breaches included dancing and singing in their Kinyoro traditional style.” 1 | 2 Next Page»About this, Omukama Tito Winyi expressed himself in the following words: “Dancing in Kinyoro style is illegal, and all dancing must be in Kiganda style, which is foreign to the Banyoro people.” The use of Lunyoro, the language of Banyoro, was discouraged. In 1960, the Mubende Bunyoro Committee (MBC), a pressure group, noted: “The suppression of our mother tongue, Lunyoro, hurts beyond imagination. Our children are taught in a foreign language in the very first year of their education, and our language has been banned in courts, offices, and churches in addition to schools.” The Banyoro were being forced to register the births of their children with Kiganda names. In 1958, the Omukama addressed this issue thus: “…when the Banyoro go to register births at Gombolola (sub-county) offices, they are compeleld to enter in the register Luganda names for their children, and register their clans according to the Kiganda clan system. The Banyoro were also discriminated against in the award of scholarships. A British MP, Eirene White, who went to the area in 1957, reported to the House of Commons and it was recorded in the House of Commons Hansard of May 6, 1957, page 738-739 that the only way a Munyoro from the lost counties would get a scholarship is declare himself/herself a Muganda. The following year, in a petition to the Queen, Omukama Winyi claimed that only “pure Baganda” could be considered for a bursary or scholarship. “If an applicant for such a scholarship states on his application form that he is a member of any other tribe than Baganda, his application is not considered,” he said. Between 1931 and 1958 various Bakama of Bunyoro petitioned the British government nine times to have the matter investigated but their petitions were simply ignored. Prior to that in 1921, the MBC had been formed to: To fight for the return of Omukama Kabalega, to recover Banyoro land from Buganda which was registered as Mailo, Crown and Estates land, to reinstate socio-cultural freedom to Bunyoro society and to resist non-Banyoro rule, exploitation and other forms of subjugation. The group petitioned the Colonial Secretary in 1951, 1953 and 1955. The Legislative Council member for Bunyoro, Mr George Magezi, also petitioned in 1955. The British responses to the petitions took rather standard forms as exemplified by the response of two officials. In 1957 Governor Crawford, for instance, said: “...nothing can be done about that now” and later in 1931 the Secretary for the Colonies argued “it is a long time [since the lost counties were incorporated into Buganda] and this matter was settled during the time of fighting, so we cannot now do anything further in the matter.”The persistence of the petitions annoyed some British officials. In 1955 C.H. Hartwell, the Chief Secretary, was exasperated enough to burst out “...in a matter of this kind there must be a finality, and in this case it must be accepted that the final decision has been taken.” Eventually the matter came before the Constitutional Conference, which was preparing for independence in London in 1962. The matter was discussed and on June 27, as the Buganda delegation was walking out of the Conference, having sensed the dominant mood, the Colonial Secretary, Mr Maudling, delivered the verdict of the British government. Buyaga and Bugangazi were to remain part of Buganda while being administered by the Central Government, and “after not less than two years, the National Assembly shall decide on the date for a referendum - in which the people of the counties will say whether they prefer to be in Buganda or Bunyoro, or remain under the Central Government.” Continues tomorrow « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1377434/-/13b9jv0z/-/index.html","content":"You can resist change but it will still change you in time - In the old days many errant power groups ran illegal detention centres. When a person got arrested nobody knew where to look for him. This provided opportunity for government officials to extort money from those looking for their loved ones. Youth wingers had same powers as the ministers and the heads of intelligence to arrest and even kill.The whole population lived in fear and deeply traumatised. The media was merely a government mouthpiece. Having more reason, than time to focus on the myriad of tangled feelings that come with civil service, politics and corruption, our ever decreasing voter turn-out, disbanding parastatals, and thievery without impunity behoove us to ponder: what is next? I am not sure of what corrupt schemes I should or should not mention: Valley Dams, Uganda Commercial Bank, National Social Security Fund scandals of 2004, Nsimbe estate and/or 2008 Temangalo land transactions, the 1998 junk military chopper scandal, over-sized shoe consignment, increasing electricity tariffs, failed hydro power-dams construction, Poverty Alleviation Programme, the PEAP, Five Billion shilling immigration department scandal, the Julia Sebutinde report on corruption in URA, the Justice Porter report on DR Congo mineral plunder; the ghost soldiers payroll, Ministry of Health Global Funds misappropriation, National Identity Card scam, oil bribery scandal, Local Council bicycle scandal, the Hassan Basajjabalaba Shs142 billion scandal, etc… Emotions roll through each nauseating session of political and bureaucratic betrayal entwining with vast emotional fatigue realised from its cyclical nature despite the promises! Corruption is enormously entrenched, cloying, and persistent in Ugandan politics. It has become so foundationally entrenched that if it were a structural building no architect would be able to correct the defect without dismantling the whole building. That is what the next revolutionary must do - overhaul the entire system. The leadership in most of Africa has been a disgrace to the black race. Despite our natural resources, errant misrule and plunder have reduced the continent to tatters and a political laughing stock in a family of continents. Understanding ‘betrayal trauma’Psychologists can now explain that ‘betrayal trauma’ occurs when the people or institutions we depend on for survival violate public trust. This repetitive betrayal leads to chronic conditions running the breadth from physical to emotional dysfunction. Dr Jennifer Freyd has written a number of books on it, and currently leads the University of Oregon’s Psychology Department. A new buzz word, few people have taken notice of yet - “Political Betrayal Trauma.” When one notices this hydra s/he understands more, and is able to conduct soul searching. Once you recognise it then you have a moral duty to tell other people about it. I respect those who have continued to protect and preserve their integrity even when they are belittled and scorned by those whose bellies have been impregnated by bribes and taxpayers’ money. Corrupt officials continue to make Uganda a beggar nation when we would have advanced like most Asian nations have. The upright - you are the rays of light that shall deliver our nation to principle-centred leadership. It is only leaders who can adapt a Universalist political approach vis-à-vis vacillating irreconcilability between uprightness and gluttony. The repugnant deliberate design by politicians who change their campaign promises, swindle public funds, breach public trust, and carry a double-cross of treachery perfidy and faithlessness has morally crippled our nation. Some politicians and public servants labour to convince themselves that their individual isolated acts of corruptions are inconsequential. What they don’t realise is that the aggregate of those corrupt acts stagnate economic and political progress. Plausibly, many good civil servants suffer the trauma of political betrayal, when they are passed up for promotion for frenzied reasons. This happens even when they know their co-workers are corrupt but can’t open their mouths. Many of them succumb to preserving their jobs so as not to deprive their families their daily bread. Despondently, they stealthily and begrudgingly get coerced into that shameful graft culture. They reluctantly wake daily and go to their offices - their “spiritual slaughterhouses”. They are subservient to the betrayers secrete codes into perpetual pillage. Gone are the days of public ethics and integrity. Beyond individualEthnic tensions are exacerbated when one ethnic group steals more than the rest. The morbidity, which vitiates the inter-ethnic relations in Uganda requires commitment and not mere rhetoric. A convergence of approach, between the peoples’ and official channels, must be the essential objective and short-circuiting issues and ignoring the sizzling tribalism would be detrimentally superficial to the nation. Acts of desperation occur, often times, when all roads are blocked and hell is let loose on people who languish for freedom. President John F. Kennedy once stated that: ‘Those who make peaceful revolution impossible make violent revolution inevitable.’ This patent reality is manifesting itself in the ‘A4C’ activists attacking our police officers. It is high time conscientious objectors are given space if we are to avoid making violent revolutions inevitable. Interestingly, there are people who have served in every regime but manage to survive due to their chameleon-like political stands. Their transient interests enable them to survive in every regime, but they are the most intolerant characters of all times. While on TV and Radio, I interviewed many politicians. I discovered that most of them are double-faced. What they say during commercial breaks is not what they say on the air. Whenever I tried to pin them down to specifics they would either stealthily or deliberately evade. That is the genesis of corruption. Take a stance on graftUganda has gone through series of trauma, right from independence. Nonetheless, politicians, often, advise us to leave history behind. Yet, when it is convenient to live in history - instead of learning from it - they effectively recite only the ugly side of it – merely as a scare crow. The deeper reality is lost sight of when we actually fail to realise that the ‘present’, flows from the ‘past.’ The two cannot be separated, unless benign democracy manifests itself through positive actions and attitude transformation. We need to restructure our national perceptions and attitudes-not mere rhetoric and sermons. Integrity or lack thereof, is like a light house that guides a ship while high seas – it nurtures and breeds leadership. If you have it people will know – there is no smoke without fire. You can’t be accused of being corrupt when you are not. We need to say: If corruption, violence, injustice and discrimination are unjust and inhuman for me, so are they for all regardless of in whose favour those vices are meted. Instead, our politicians’ pre-occupation is quick gain at any cost. Cain, in the Bible, asked God: “Am I my brother’s keeper”? This is the untold Ugandan story! Today, there is a civil war going on in every Ugandan soul. The war manifests itself in the form of knowing what ought to be done but we end up doing the opposite. It is perplexing that we don’t know why that happens. 1 | 2 Next Page»St. Augustine once exclaimed that the human personality is like a “charioteer riding two headstrong horses - each pulling to the opposite direction”. St. Paul once lamented: “I do not understand what I do; I don’t do what I would like to do, but instead I do what I hate…. So I am not really the one who does this thing; rather it is the sin that lives in me. I know that good does not live in me – that is, in my human nature. For even though the desire to do good is in me, I am not able to do it. I do the good that I want to do; instead I do the evil that I do not want to do” (Romans 7:15-19). The only thing that is constant is change. If we resist change, change will inevitably change us, probably the way we would wish not. dmushabe@lawyers-mm.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/-/689856/1311296/-/c6w0up/-/index.html","content":"Looking back at polygamy among Buganda royals - News about the existence of a second prince fathered by Buganda King Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II this week struck like a bolt and was greeted with unusual excitement among Baganda. The young prince, Richard Ssemakookiro, born to an undisclosed Muganda mother belonging to the Nseneene (grasshoper) clan draws a sigh of relief to many Baganda, for he is now widely believed to be next in the line to the throne. The Kabaka already has a son, Prince Jjunju “Kiweewa” Suuna born in 1995 to a Rwandese mother, Venantie Sebudandi. Prince Jjunju being the first born son, the “Kiweewa” is traditionally ineligible to succeed his father on the throne, besides being born to a none muganda mother. The emergence of Prince Ssemakookiro has, however, confused some Buganda subjects especially staunch Christians who reason that the king being a Christian and above all having been wedded at the mother of all Anglican churches in Uganda, St Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe, should abide by Christian principles of monogamy and never look elsewhere or bear children outside wedlock. Polygamous cultureUnknown to such critics, is the longtime and rich polygamous culture in the kingdom which according to some Baganda conservatives should come first and above anything else including what Christianity teaches. “Christianity only came to Buganda in 1877 with the arrival of the first Anglican missionaries Shergold Smith and Rev. C.T Wilson. Long before that, the Baganda believed and adored polygamous families and their kings led by example,” commented Mr Samuel Luboyela of Namungoona who is in his 70s. Elizabeth Nankya of Wakaliga could not agree more. “In Buganda the Kabaka can never be questioned and is always right. We always regard him in high esteem and the entire kingdom is indeed proud of this,” she said. In contrast, Hassan Mutyaba of Mengo expressed surprise to learn that the Bishop of Namirembe diocese, Rt Rev. Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira is reported to have welcomed the good news according to media reports. “I doubt whether our king didn’t breach one of Christianity’s basic norms. I wonder why Bishop Luwalira didn’t see any problem with this. May be it’s me who is uninformed.” That aside, the main reason why former Kabaka, Mukabya Muteesa didn’t fully embrace the Catholic faith despite singling it out among others was its strong “single wife” requirement. According to one historian, J.F Faupel, sometime in 1879 when Muteesa saw the three religions which had arrived in his country, he examined them more closely, then he gave his impression to all his chiefs assembled in public session saying, “The true religion is that which is taught by those men from France clad in long robes, but our wealth in women kills us and is an insuperable obstacle, my friends what shall we do?” The reply of the chiefs, though disconcerting, was unreasonable. “Master,” they said, “Begin by sending away your women, perhaps we shall then follow your example.” Muteesa replied and agreed with them that this was totally impossible. Apart from Muteesa, many former Kabakas of Buganda had special attachments to women and valued marriage so highly. For instance, the 22nd King of Buganda, Ssekabaka Mawanda, would abduct as many wives as possible wherever Buganda invaded neighbouring kingdoms. One of these wives infected him with syphilis and Mawanda, it is said, introduced the disease in Buganda. Then there was the 28th Buganda King, Kamaanya, who is believed to have reigned between 1814-1832. He was a great fighter and together with his men would at times spend a long time at war. Because he highly valued marriage and realised that many wives would desert their absent husbands, he came up with a law referred to as “Kasagira” which barred all women in Buganda from deserting their husbands so long as they still needed them. Whoever defied this was never allowed to remarry so long as their former husbands still lived. One notable exception to being so keen at women was Ssekabaka Namugala, the 24th Kabaka who reigned between 1741-1750. Namugala was said to be a “great” drunkard who used to spend most of time feasting with his subjects, sparing no time for his families and wives. Little wonder he fathered very few children with only princes Kateregga and Kiboli being known. Enter the modern eraHaving many wives and fathering many children was up to last century still regarded as a sign of prestige among Baganda and members of the royal family. The 29th Ssekabaka Suuna II is said to have had 148 wives and fathered 218 children. One of his sons, late Prince Nuhu Mbogo was the father to late Prince Badru Kakungulu and grandfather to Prince Kassim Nakibinge of Tropical Bank. Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi’s grandfather Ssekabaka Daudi Chwa II, the first Buganda king to fully embrace Christianity, for instance had more than a dozen wives and fathered 37 children. Of the 37 children, only three daughters and a son, the vocal Prince David Ssimbwa of Kabowa, are still live. Elsewhere, Mutebi’s father, Ssekabaka Edward Muteesa II too, was considered a staunch Christian, but was said to have married 11 wives and fathered seven daughters and 11 sons. Of Muteesa’s 11 wives, five were from Buganda, three from Ankole, two from Toro and one a Kikuyu from Kenya. Among these was Winfred Keihangwe, a Munyankole princess from Ankole kingdom and the mother to Prince David Kintu Wasajja. She was imprisoned by former President Milton Obote and released only shortly before going into labour in 1966. Another wife of Muteesa II, Lady Ngatho, a Kikuyu from Kenya is mother to Princess Stella Ndagire who resides in Atlanta, USA. Notable among Muteesa’s sons born to the official wife Damali Kisosonkole is Prince Henry Kalemeera, an aeronautical engineer who works as flight engineer at American Airlines and residies in San Fransisco. As for the current Kabaka Mutebi II, despite not being born to the official wife, some Baganda like Mr Joseph Kitonsa of Mutundwe says right from childhood, he was the darling of his father, king Muteesa II. Kitonsa thinks that it’s not automatic that the king’s heir must be the one born to the official wife and predicts that this is likely to happen once again. For starters, Kabaka Mutebi II is said to have been conceived in Southern France in the summer of 1954 when Muteesa II was on vacation with Ms Sarah Kisosonkole. He was at the time in forced exile in Britain. In Buganda kingdom, the Kabaka has always been considered so powerful and not questioned by a commoner (mukopi). Ssekabaka Muteesa II, for instance, married two sisters, Damali Catherine Nakawombe Kisosonkole and Sarah Nalule Kabejja Kisosonkole. The king first married Damali Kisosonkole on November 19, 1948 at St Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe. Six years later he married Damali’s younger sister, Sarah Kisosonkole, the mother to the current Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi. Some Baganda like Doroth Nakawungu of Lungujja claim that Muteesa preferred the young one of the two sisters, but could not be allowed to take her. By then the Kiganda culture dictated that no daughter could be married off before her older sister was still around. Succession rightsIn Buganda, although one of the king’s sons in most cases takes the throne after the king’s death, there have been some exceptions. For instance, after the disappearance of Buganda’s second king, Chwa Nabakka and the death of his only son Kalemeera, Buganda spent sometime without a Kabaka until word went around that Chwa Nabakka’s son Kalemeera had fathered a son, Kimera while in exile in Bunyoro. 1 | 2 Next Page»Culture dictates otherwise, giving the king liberty to do as he wishes (okusajjalata). The conservatives will be heard supporting the king and reminding him of how his grandfathers used to behave. Actually, there is a popular saying in Buganda that all women here belong to the king and many can be heard addressing him as “Baffe” (Our husband). The writer is the author of The Kings of Buganda recently published by Fountain Publishers. ============================================= Who was Ssekabaka Ssemakookiro The former Buganda king Ssemakookiro after whom the new prince has been named was the 27th king of Buganda who is believed to have reigned between 1797-1814. To take the throne, Ssemakookiro had to fight and get rid of his brother Jjunju. In Buganda, Ssemakookiro is remembered for having been a good fighter who waged many wars against neighbouring kingdoms.He is also remembered for ordering his subjects to plant many mituba trees throughout the kingdom so as to enable Baganda get enough bark-cloth to wear. Ssemakookiro’s palace was at Makerere, the very place where the university is located today. By being named after the great warrior, it is possible the royal family wants Prince Ssemakookiro in future to emulate the fighting skills and determination of the former king. In this case not to fight and wage wars against neighbouring kingdoms, but may be fight for Buganda’s rights and lost property “Ebyaffe”.Coincidentally, Ssekabaka Ssemakookiro was a young brother to Ssekabaka Jjunju (26th Kabaka) just like Prince Richard Ssemakookiro now happens to be young brother to Kabaka Mutebi’s first son Jjunju “Kiweewa. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1284366/-/bg7anjz/-/index.html","content":"Basajjabalaba’s compensation claims: The inside story (Part I) - Kampala Haba Group, the holding company chaired by businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba, which has received almost $70 million (in cash and credit guarantees) in compensation, is not owed the Shs142.6 billion it claims from government and instead owes government Shs994 million. A verification report of the businessman’s claims by the audit firm KPMG on behalf of the Auditor General also reveals that many of the contracts upon which Haba Group’s claims for compensation rest are not legally viable and, in a couple of instances, supported by forged documents. The audit report, which this newspaper has seen, is one of the documents submitted by Auditor General John Muwanga to the Minister of Finance as well as Parliament where the matter is under investigation. Submitted in July, the report covers the period from January 2000 to December 2010 during which companies associated with Haba Group acquired leases over city properties, often irregularly, and then claimed compensation after losing them, even when the companies did not fulfil their contractual obligations. It is the first time the basis of the compensation claims are published, although the report is now a public document before Parliament. The audit report notes “a general lack of substantive support to the claims raised”, questions the legal basis of some of them, and notes “a general lack of reasonability for the amounts used in preparation of the claims”. Mr Basajjabalaba declined several requests by this newspaper to interview him on his compensation claims. The contractOn November 29, 2002, KCC entered into a management contract with Victoria International Trading Company Limited (VITCL) to manage, control and maintain St. Balikuddembe Market for three years although KPMG auditors were unable to obtain evidence that tender processes were followed in awarding the contract. The audit report indicates that the management contracts between KCC and Basajjabalaba’s companies could have contradicted Article 119(5) of the Constitution, which requires the Attorney General to give legal advice before agreements involving the government are concluded. The contracts were also done outside guidelines issued by the AG in June 1999, which required all contracts exceeding Shs50m to be vetted by his office or that of the Solicitor General. “We were not provided with any evidence that the management contracts and the sub-lease agreements were cleared by the Attorney General of the Republic of Uganda prior to the Mayor and Town Clerk signing the contracts on behalf of KCC,” the audit report notes. In a legal opinion on the matter, the AG cited Constitutional Petition No.2/2006 in the case of Nsimbe Holdings Vs Attorney General in which court held that entering a contract on behalf of government without clearance from the AG makes the whole transaction void.As a result, the audit report notes that, “The failure to have the contracts cleared by the Attorney General had the effect of rendering the management contracts for St. Balikuddembe Market and Nakasero Market and the sub-lease agreements over Nakasero Market, Nakivubo Market and Constitution Square void and no claims under the agreements are enforceable.” The report also cites specific instances in which the law was not followed. For instance, Joy Kalugonjo, the then-city advocate, told the KPMG auditors that sub-lease agreements between KCC and Sheila Investments Ltd over Nakasero Market were never fully executed by KCC because the relevant land titles “were, and still are, in the custody of the Ugandan CID”. Although Haba Group claims over Shs71 billion from losing its control over St. Balikuddembe and Nakasero markets, the audit report shows that its companies, VITCL and SIL were irregularly in-charge of the markets when vendors revolted against the company’s control. Former KCC Town Clerk James Ssegane told the audit firm that a contract signed by the Council could only be amended or extended by the Council. He, however, confirmed to the auditors that he had signed letters extending the contracts over Nakasero and St. Balikuddembe markets without the prior approval of the Council. 1 | 2 Next Page»“In the absence of Council minutes approving the renewal of the management contracts over St. Balikuddembe and Nakasero markets was done contrary to the requirements of Section 67(4) of the Local Governments Act,” the audit report notes. “We also noted that Ssegane acted in contravention of Council requirements by extending the contract for SIL though they were in arrears.” The auditors call for Mr Ssegane to be investigated for failure to comply with PPDA regulations over the two markets. The former Town Clerk was on Friday remanded to Luzira Prison by the Anti-Corruption Court over his alleged role in causing a financial loss of over Shs3.4 billion to KCC in an unrelated matter. Constitution SquareIn the case of Constitution Square, over which Yudaya Investments Ltd claims Shs55.4 billion in compensation, the audit found no evidence that YIL had complied with all the terms of the sub-lease and had only paid Shs235 million out of the Shs635 million ground premium. Before the sub-lease was signed, the Minister of Local Government intervened and set up a Commission of Inquiry, which recommended against leasing out the iconic public space to a private developer. Although the offer of a sub-lease from KCC and acceptance by YIL created a valid implied contract, the audit found that the award letter to YIL was only signed by Kayongo, the then Secretary to the Kampala District Land Board and therefore not valid. Local Government Council regulations require such a contract to be signed by both the Mayor and the Town Clerk. Unlawful renewalsThe audit found no contract renewals in respect of Shauriyako Market and Constitution Square. In the case of St. Balikuddembe and Nakasero markets, both contracts were unilaterally renewed by thenTown Clerk Ssegane without authority from the Council or a procurement process as required by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA). In the case of Nakasero Market, the contract was renewed despite SIL owing millions to KCC in unpaid fees. A key issue underlying the claims for compensation is that the companies lost control over the properties unfairly and lost money as a result. For Shauriyako Market, there was no contract between KCC and First Merchant International Trading Company to terminate. KCC had granted a sub-lease to vendors in the market, which interest FMITC tried to buy out. In the case of St. Balikuddembe, VITCL claimed it was prevented from managing the markets by rioting vendors in April 2007, culminating in KCC taking back the market while SIL claimed it was chased away by market vendors from Nakasero in June 2007. However, the audit report noted that there was no termination letter from KCC to VITCL, neither were the riots the responsibility of the former. “There is no law we know of what would require KCC to ensure that demonstrations and riots never occur,” an external law firm said in legal advice to KPMG. “That the demonstrations and riots occurred does not, and in our view, cannot amount to breach of the Management Contract by KCC.” When he met the KPMG auditors, Mr Basajjabalaba provided them with consent judgements purportedly reached between Haba Group and the Attorney General to pay compensation. However, the auditors were unable to find the said consent judgements when they searched through court records and the only one they found, dated February 1, 2008, was in favour of KCC against VITCL. “We therefore could not confirm the authenticity of the consent judgement in the case involving Haba against the Attorney General,” the audit report notes. Despite questions about the veracity of the compensation claims, a high-profile effort, involving President Museveni and several government officials, was conducted over the past 24 months to have Basajjabalaba’s companies compensated. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1263894/-/13v1ihlz/-/index.html","content":"Walk-to-work is no plot to kill President - 1. Treason is a very serious case anywhere in the world. What are the grounds under which someone can be charged with the offence in Uganda?Treason is a capital offence only triable in the High Court. It refers to breach of allegiance to State power and it consists of an intention to depose or bring war upon the sovereign State power coupled with an expression of such intention by printing or writing or by open and advised speech or by an overt act. It is defined in Section 23 of the Penal Code Act Cap.120 Volume VI. So any person who; levies war against Uganda; unlawfully causes or attempts to cause the death of the President; Aims a gun at the President, offensive weapon, pistol or any description of firearm; contrives any plot, act or matter and expresses or declares such plot by any utterance or by overt act in order by force of arms to overturn a government; Aids or abets another person in the commission of the foregoing acts; Commits the offence of Treason and shall suffer death. It includes; compelling by force or to constraint the government to change its measures including intimidation. Instigates any person to invade Uganda with an armed force and manifests such intention by overt act or by any utterance commits offence of treason. Any person who advisedly attempts to seduce another serving in the armed forces from his duty and allegiance to the Constitution. 2.Several walkers were remanded over what the State has deemed as treasonable offences. How does walking fall within such an offence in your opinion? Walking to work if done with no intention to cause death to the President or to overthrow the government by force of arms and without seducing persons in armed forces or police or prison services to breach their allegiance to the Constitution in my humble opinion does not constitute a ground for charging a person with treason. Walk to work in its form and purpose as declared by the people behind it is to allow citizens express their dissatisfactions and freedom of expression as enshrined in the Constitution. A peaceful demonstration is one of the ways in which citizens are entitled to express their views on issues which they think persons in authority are mishandling. Accordingly, the right to demonstrate peacefully cannot be construed as treason. 3.In the last couple of months, the country has experienced public disorder as a result of demonstrations. In your view do you think the justice system is well equipped to deliver justice instead of people taking the law into their own hands? The justice system of Uganda is fully equipped with the necessary laws to handle legal disputes arising from the public disorder or in breach of laws from the demonstrations. It is only ill-equipped in respect to manpower, motivation and support from the government. To date the Judicial Service Commission, a constitutional body to advise the President on appointments of persons to hold or act in offices of judicial capacity, confirm appointments, discipline errant judicial officers and to remove them from office including receiving and processing citizens recommendations and complaints concerning the Judiciary and administration of justice, has not been constituted. The last Commission including its Chairman expired last year. The President has failed, neglected or forgotten to exercise his constitutional duty to appoint a new Commission. In essence, with proper laws and no adequate manpower to handle judicial matters, it’s a recipe for disaster. But this does not justify Ugandans taking the law in their hands. Government needs to support and come to the rescue of the current under-equipped Judiciary in manpower terms urgently as we so beg the President to humbly appoint the Judicial Service Commission and appoint new qualified judges. 4.The Judiciary has come under the spotlight for not being vocal enough to defend the Constitution as well as confronting the Executive or the legislature to deliver on their promises to Ugandans. What, in your view, is the political tide working against the Judiciary making it difficult for it to be where most Ugandans expect them to be? I beg to defer. The Judiciary has effectively defended our Constitution and interpreted constitutional disputes effectively and in a timely manner when matters have been referred to it. The Judiciary can only be vocal on constitutional matters through its judgments not talk shows or social events. The Judicial officers have been very educative on constitutional matters. However, the challenges of the Judiciary include; inadequate manpower to handle the case backlog and workload, lack of competent research assistants for judges, [In Kenya the Chief Justice has undertaken to do this]. The judiciary should also be left to work independently without political interference and intimidation from litigants, politicians and us the lawyers. We should also have errant judicial officers disciplined and unqualified judges brought should honorably step down or retire. [We currently have a situation of a judge who has been recommended for investigation on grounds of lack of qualifications and antecedents which disqualify him from sitting on the bench] This requires urgent attention and resolution by the President of Uganda appointing a tribunal. 5.Apart from dispensing justice, what role would you deem the judiciary should be actively playing in the current political standoff within the ruling party? The Judiciary’s only role is dispensing justice. Judiciary should not get involved in political wrangles or political standoffs. Their role is to interpret the laws in disputes lawfully brought before them and no judicial officer should ever descend into the arena of the disputes to take sides. 6.Uganda is in the UK for arbitration with Heritage Oil Company; why did Uganda have to allow such a scenario and what message does it send about the competence of our own judicial system? Uganda is in UK for Arbitration because that is one of the recognised methods of dispute resolution, as provided under the law. We have subscribed to international conventions to submit disputes to Arbitration so it is lawful. The submission to Arbitration to a jurisdiction other than Uganda does not in any way undermine our judicial system or its competence. Arbitration is by agreement and choice of the parties and Uganda chose and accepted UK. No blame whatsoever should be put to our Judiciary for it because they are signatories to the agreement. 7.Recently, former VP Bukenya was released on a court bail, last week; three ministers received bail on a day they were charged with causing gross financial loss. It is a trend in Uganda that justice seems to be dispensed selectively. Political bigwigs get their cases heard and disposed of faster. Why does the Judiciary allow itself to seem to be an object of the Executive in such cases? 1 | 2 Next Page»Normally those with means get the best lawyers and as such access justice effectively. You are only correct to say it’s selective in so far as why fast track when there are other suspects waiting in the queue for the same service. It is still the issue of good lawyers who know what to do to get justice for their clients. This happens all over the world. When you go for burials in the village people from Kampala are served food first. This is selective service. I personally don’t see this as the Judiciary allowing itself to be an object of the Executive. I have during my 18 years of practice secured quick bail for my non-politically connected clients. It’s all about the attitude, aptitude and competence of the lawyer who is representing you. People should avoid using quack lawyers because At Uganda Law Society we can provide you with names of registered, qualified and competent lawyers with specialised competences for particular practice areas. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/YasiinMugerwa/-/878670/1203028/-/4h0rt9/-/index.html","content":"From the Press Gallery: Are ministers too busy or simply lazy to work? - It’s no secret that absentee employees cost public and private organisations billions of shillings in lost revenue each year. This “disease” has hit the public sector hardest. But exactly how much does absenteeism cost the taxpayer? Well, the answer to this question may not be straightforward, but as we are going to see in this column, what is obvious is that absenteeism is “killing” the brainwave of the public sector. n of absence from duty or obligation. It has been widely viewed as an indicator of poor individual performance, as well as a breach of a contract between employee and employer or for the case of public sector, what French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau theorised as the “social contract” between the electorates and their political leaders. AbsenteeismA number of public sector researchers have made attempts to understand the cost implications of absenteeism as an indicator of psychological, medical, or social adjustment to work. But in our case, time and again absenteeism continues to cause huge losses to industrial outputs and holding up key service delivery programmes. This may be due to lack of morale, poor remuneration, laziness and lack of interest or know-how in the assigned work or negative attitude towards work. Faking sickness or even the death of a relative are the tricks some people use to abscond from work. Although these tricks may not seem too much of a crime, when it comes to the public sector, such misdemeanour— all add up to a major headache for the taxpayer. Taxpayers are losing huge sums of their hard-earned coins to absentee civil servants, ministers and Members of Parliament. Dodgy ministersWhereas private sector players have instituted and implemented stout absenteeism policies, no distinction is made between absence for genuine and inappropriate reasons. In the end, the government each year, continues to pay out billions of shillings for no-work done. While absenteeism is deeply-rooted mainly in the education and health sectors, where teachers and health workers dodge work with impunity, a chronic ministerial absenteeism in Parliament has of late ruffled some feathers, with infuriated lawmakers across the political divide questioning the unexplained absence of ministers. Procedure dictates that when MPs ask questions on matters of national importance, line ministers are obliged to respond. But this was not the case last week as lawmakers debated President Museveni’s State-of- the-Nation address. The front bench was nearly empty on Wednesday and by the time the debate ended at 4pm on Friday, there were only two ministers- Gen. Moses Ali (Third Deputy Premier) and Sarah Opendi Achieng (State Minister for Lands). At least 70 ministers were noticeably missing in action. Realising that lawmakers were talking to themselves, Shadow Attorney General Abdu Katuntu (Bugweri County) mounted a point of procedure—demanding explanation from the Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah (in the chair) whether it was procedurally right for Parliament to proceed with a somewhat empty front bench. It was an embarrassment given that even the government Chief Whip John Nasasira was not in the House. As Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga County) and the opposition leader in Parliament Nandala Mafabi staged a peaceful in-house ‘remonstration’ over what they called an unserious and care-less attitude of ministers towards Parliament proceedings, Mr Oulanyah informed the House that although he had received some apologies from the front bench, other ministers were meeting the Speaker. However, it later turned out that this was a lie, as Ms Rebecca Kadaga was actually meeting Committee Chairpersons over an emerging absenteeism problem, among other issues. As a host of infuriated backbenchers pleaded with the Deputy Speaker to suspend the House proceedings until ministers appear, Mr Nasasira instantaneously entered the House and claimed he was receiving a phone call— throwing the House in laughter. The absence of senior ministers would not have been so much of problem if their juniors were in the House to respond to members’ questions as per rule 98. Parliament cannot work without the front bench. In the same way, MPs don’t ask questions just for the sake of it but to aim at improving service delivery- the embodiment of a representative democracy. For that matter, the Executive should know that progress will only come if they are willing to promote that ethic of hard work and a sense of responsibility. Flouting rulesRule 31 of Parliament procedure command ministers to answer questions from the members. For that reason, the office of the Speaker must take stern measures to ensure that the Leader of Government Business compels dodgy ministers whom the President earlier praised as “competent” to attend the House proceedings. At the same time, ministers shouldn’t just fill space but add value to the debate and avoid embarrassing the appointing authority the way Planning Minister, Matia Kasaija did last week. While the Auditor General’s reports are tabled by the respective chairpersons, Mr Kasaija made a fool of himself on the floor on Wednesday. Procedures notwithstanding, Mr Kasaja failed to spell SAICM in full. He wanted to present a report of the Auditor General titled: “Partnership initiative for the implementation of SAICM financial statement for the year ended December 31, 2008.” But when asked the to explain the acronym SAICM, the minister fumbled and later gave up. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Minister, SAICM stands for Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management. But Kasaija is not alone; the truth is that several ministers are just gambling and don’t seem to understand what goes on in their respective dockets. You may forgive Mr Kasaija but Minister Kamanda Bataringaya’s (Primary Education) antics on the floor last week, was absolutely nauseating. When the Shadow Education Minister Judith Akello Franca (Agago) asked the government to explain the plight of Ugandan students starving in Egypt and Tanzania, there was no line minister to provide answers. Even when Mr Kamanda came to Parliament on Friday, he didn’t have any written response as per the rules. He came with a verbal explanation which was dismissed by the House as “unserious”. South Sudan motionAgain, Cabinet ministers were in the spotlight—snoozing at noon as backbenchers Dennis Obua (NRM, Ajuri) and Betty Amongi (UPC, Oyam South) moved a crucial motion for a resolution of Parliament to congratulate the people of South Sudan upon the attainment of their independence on July 9. It was a slap in the Cabinet face for the backbenchers to “steal the show” when the Minister in- charge of Regional Cooperation, Mr Asuman Kiyingi, and his colleagues were simply looking on. Under normal circumstances, in a pulsating government, such a motion would not be tabled by a back-bencher as was the case. In fact, a friend who sits in Cabinet told me last week that the same matter was a subject of concern, highlighting the indifference of some ministers in the handling public affairs. Fulfiling obligationsMinisters and MPs have a responsibility to fulfil their constitutional duties by attending the House proceedings. For that matter, I would propose that if a minister dodges answering questions for three consecutive times, they should be punished. Rule 96 notwithstanding, same should apply to MPs who dodge committees and Parliament without the Speaker’s authority. We must seriously deal with absenteeism in government and other issues that are letting us down as a country. It is easy to dodge our responsibilities, but we cannot dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibilities. The price is rather too high. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/-/688342/1202132/-/va8dfb/-/index.html","content":"I am innocent, says former LRA rebel - In 2009, Thomas Kwoyelo, a former senior Lord’s Resistance Army combatant was arrested. On July 11, the International Crimes Division of the High Court in Gulu, began trying him on atrocities committed between 1996 and 2009. The trial comes three years after the formation of the Court. Sunday Monitor brings you the full version of the first day of the trial . The accused, Thomas Kwoyelo was led to the court room by three prison officer at 12:13pm, to a fully parked court room. At 12:16PM, the judges arrived in the room and by 12.18PM, Kwoyelo is led to the dock. Defence and prosecution asked to identify themselves. Senior Principal State Attorney Ms Joan Kagezi introduces the team including the prosecution team, led by herself and George William Byansi, the Principal State Attorney and Mr Lino Anguzu, the Senior State Attorney. She also introduces the defence team, Counsels Caleb Alaka, and Onyango John Francis. Mr Alaka identifies himself as the lead counsel. Ms Kagezi: My colleague Mr Byansi will address court concerning the indictment.Justice Kiiza: Interpreters?Interpreter: Abalo Agnes Oneka.Mr Byansi: Your Lordship, we applied to have the indictment amended in section 50 and subsection 2 of the rail of the act, caption 23 of the laws of Uganda.Mr Byansi: Your Lordship…Justice Kiiza: Defence is aware that it has been amended?Mr Byansi: We have provided them a copy of the proposed amendments. Effects in this amendment your lordships, state has introduced alternative grounds which falls under the penal code act. Justice Kiiza: They are under the..?Mr Byansi: They are under the Penal code act…Apart from count 8Justice Kiiza: Apart from count 8? Mr Byansi: Apart from count 8 where we have..Justice Kiiza: You have amended?Mr Byansi: We have amended and we are replacing it with another count under the Geneva Conventions. Justice Kiiza: So the rest of the counts?Mr Byansi: The rest of the counts are amended apart from count 8Justice Kiiza: With 8 is the Geneva Conventions?Mr Byansi: The Geneva Conventions Act. Therefore Your Lordship, on count one, we have introduced two alternative counts, which we have called 1 (a) and 1 (b). and to count two, we have introduced eight alternative counts of kidnap with intent to murder contrary to section 243 1A of the Penal Code Act. And count 3, we have introduced 1 alternative count of robbery, aggravated robbery….Justice Kiiza: That is three?Mr Byansi: Yes 3A My Lord. Robbery contrary to section 285 and 282 of the Penal Code Act. Count four, we have introduced three alternative counts, named 4A, 4B and 4C, all of murder contrary to section 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Act. And count five, we are proposing nine alternative charges of murder contrary to section 188 and 189, which we have named 5A to 5I. (Justice Kiiza shakes his throat)On count six, we have introduced nine alternatives-alternative charges of kidnap with intent to murder contrary to section 243 1A of the Penal Code Act. From 6A to 6IJustice Kiiza: Counsel, which page are you in?Mr Byansi: It’s on page 12 Your Lordship!Justice Kiiza: Count six? Mine is on page 11! Mr Byansi: Count six on page 11 and the alternative charges start from page 12 to page 14. Count seven, we have introduced two alternative counts of attempted murder contrary to section 204A of the Penal code Act, named count 7A and count 7B. And..Your Lordship, count eight, we are replacing the replacing the original count which was causing injury to body with inhumane treatment contrary to section 2 (1) (d) and (f) of the Geneva Convention Act, Cap 363 of the laws of Uganda. And….count nine, we are introducing 15 alternative charges of murder, contrary to section 188 and 189 of the Penal code Act, numbered 9 (A) to 9 (0), from pages 17 to 21. Count 10 and 11 have remained intact. And count 12, we are introducing 5 alternative charges of murder.Justice Kiiza: Which are the alternative charges? Mr Byansi: count 12 we are introducing five alternative charges of murder contrary to section 188 and 189 of the Penal code Act. Number 12 (A) to 12 (E).Your Lordships, I wish to correct my submission on count one. The alternative charge is only one, not two. Justice Kiiza: And it is 1A?Mr Byansi: It is 1A. So in total, those are 53 alternative charges. So these are my submissions to the court of the War Crimes Division.Justice Kiiza: 53 alternative chargesMr Byansi: 53 alternative submissions. Justice Kiiza: Defence has been served a copy?Mr Byansi: Yes My Lord, they will be provided a copy. (Silence)Justice Kiiza: So defence, do you have any objection?Mr Alaka: We don’t have any objection my Lord. Silence as Justice Kiiza turns to ask Kwoyelo. An expectant court room waits. Justice Kiiza: You are Kwoyelo Thomas alias Latoni, Kwoyelo: I am called Kwoyelo Thomas, I don’t know about that Latoni. My right name is Kwoyelo Thomas. Justice Kiiza: (writes).. Now there are 53 counts allegedly committed by you and I am going to read each one and then you reply what your response is to each count.Have you understood?Kwoyelo: I have understood. Justice Kiiza: The first count. It is alleged of willful killing constituting a grave breach under Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 12th August 1949, and which is an offence contrary to section 2(1) (d) and (e) of the Geneva Convention Act, Cap 363 of the laws of Uganda.It is alleged..Mr Alaka: My Lord I am sorry..I don’t know whether you are reading from the same page.Justice Kiiza: Page 2.Mr Alaka: Yeah page 2 My Lord! Willful killing constituting a Grace Breach, that is what mine reads. Mr Alaka: My Lord I confirm it is typing error. Much obliged My Lord. Justice Kiiza: So it is alleged that you, Kwoyelo Thomas and others still at large, in the month of March 1993 or thereabout (proposed giving a copy of the charge sheet to the translator after she stumbled) at Abera village, Parubanga Parish, Pabbo Sub-county, Kilak County in present day Amuru District in Northern Uganda, being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army commanded an attack on civilians taking no part in the hostilities and with malice aforethought, killed Albert Obwoya, a protected person under the 4th Geneva Convention of 12th August 1949 while you were aware that there are circumstances that of the existence of an armed conflict. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood? Kwoyelo: I have understood. Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction? Kwoyelo: I have heard!Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction to the allegation? Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head to show disapproval as an expectant court room waits) I did not do anything.Justice Kiiza: Now, an alternative to that one, it is alleged that you and others still at large in the month of March 1993 or thereabout at Abera village, Parubanga Parish, Pabbo Sub County, Kilak County in present day Amuru District in Northern Uganda, being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army commanded an attack on civilians taking no active part in the malice aforethought and killed Albert Obwoya.Justice Kiiza: Have you understood? Kwoyelo: I have heard!Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction? Kwoyelo: I did not do itJustice Kiiza: The second count is this: Taking hostage constituting a Grave Breach under Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 12th August 1949, and which is an offence contrary to section 2(1) (d) and (f) of the same act and of the laws of Uganda. It is alleged that you Kwoyelo Thomas and others still at large, on the fourth day of September 1994 at Abera Village, Parubanga Parish, Pabbo Sub County, Kilak County in the Gulu District in Northern Uganda, being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army commanded armed attack on a group of civilians taking no active part in the hostilities, and seized, detained and held hostage Akena David, Ochen Patrick alias Olokgiu, Odong Menya, John Ouma, Ongom son of Omoyo, Oko Charles, Okot Patrikc and Ogena Simon, all protected persons under the 4th Geneva Convention of 12th August 1949, while you were of factual circumstances that established such protected status and the existence of an armed conflict, and threatened to kill, injure or continue to detain the said Akena David, Ochen Patrick alias Olokgiu, Odong Menya, John Oouma, Ongom son of Omoyo, Oko Charles, Okot Patrcik and Ogena Simon, with intention to compel the government the government of Uganda to refrain from launching attacks against the Lord’s Resistance Army, as an implicit condition for the safety of all the persons named herein above. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood? Kwoyelo: I have heard!Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction to the allegation?Kwoyelo: I don’t know and it did not also happen.Justice Kiiza: An alternative to the indictment is 2A, kidnap with intent to murder, contrary to section 243(1)(a) of the Penal Code Act, where it is alleged that you and others still at large on the fourth day of September 1994 at Abera Village, Parubanga Parish, Pabbo Sub County, Kilak County in Gulu district in Northern Uganda, you being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army you commanded an attack, an armed attack against a group of civilians taking no active part in the hostilities, and by force abducted Akena David, with the intent that the said Akena David would be disposed of as to be put to danger of being murdered. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood? Kwoyelo: Nods Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction?Kwoyelo: It did not happen. Justice Kiiza: Now 2B there is another alternative of the same mention, kidnap with intent to murder, contrary to the same section. But this time it is alleged that you and others still at large on the same day, the same village, and the same Parish, and the same Sub County in Gulu district in Northern Uganda, being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army commanded an armed attack against a group of civilians taking no active part in the hostilities and by your force it is alleged you abducted Ochen Patrick alias Olokgiu with intent that Ochen Patrick alias Olokgiu will be disposed of as to be put in danger of being murdered. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood?Kwoyelo: I have understood. Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction?Kwoyelo: It did not happen and I don’t know.Justice Kiiza: Now, another third alternative is the same nature of the offence, the same person you, on the same day, the same village, the same parish, the same Sub-county, in the same district, the same rank of a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army you commanded an armed attack against civilians who were not taking part in the hostilities, here it is alleged this time you abducted Odong Menya with intent that this Odong Menya would be disposed of as to be put in danger of being murdered. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo? What is your reaction to those allegations?Kwoyelo: It did not happen and I don’t know.Justice Kiiza: Now the fourth alternative, a similar offence, the same person you Mr Kwoyelo Thomas, and others still at large on the same village, same parish, the same Sub County, the same county, in the same district, in the same Northern part of Uganda, you being a Colonel in the same Lord’s Resistance Army, you commanded an armed attack against a group of civilians who were not taking part in the hostilities and by force abducted John Ouma with the intent that the same John Ouma would be disposed of as to be put in danger of being murdered. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo? Kwoyelo: I have heardJustice Kiiza: What is your reaction? Kwoyelo: It did not happen and I don’t know about it.Justice Kiiza: Now the fifth alternative, this is the same offence. It is alleged that you and others still at large on the same day of fourth September 1994 in the same village of Abera village, Parubanga parish, Pabbo Sub County, Kilak County in Gulu District, you being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army commanded an armed attack against a group of civilians who were not taking part in the hostilities and by force you abducted Ongom son of Omoyo with intent that the same Ongom, son of Omoyo would be disposed of as to be put in danger of being murdered. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood? Kwoyelo: I have understood. Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction?Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval) I don’t know. Justice Kiiza: Now this is another alternative. It’s the same. The same section, the same offence, the same person you and others still at large. It is alleged that on the same day, the same village, the same parish, the same Sub County, in the same Gulu District, Northern Uganda, you being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army, you commanded an armed attack against a group of civilians who were not taking part in the hostilities and by force you abducted Oko Charles with intent that Oko Charles would be disposed of as to be put in danger of being murdered. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo? Kwoyelo: I have heard Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction? Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval) I did not do it Justice Kiiza: Now, another alternative is of the same nature, the same section that you and others still at large in the same village, the same parish, the same Pabbo Sub County, Kilak Sub County…Kilak County, in the same Gulu district, being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army, you commanded an armed attack against a group of civilians who were not taking part in the hostilities and by force you abducted Okot Patrick, with the intent that the said Okot Patrick would be disposed of as to be put in danger of being murdered. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: I have understood. Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction to these allegations? Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval) I did not do anything like that. Justice Kiiza: Now, this is another allegation of the same nature, the same section. It is alleged that you and others still at large on the same date, that is the fourth of September 1994, in the same village of Abera, Parubanga parish, Sub County of Pabbo, Kilak County in Gulu district, being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army, you commanded an armed attack against a group of civilians who were not taking part in the hostilities and by force abducted Ogena Simon, with the intent that the said Ogena Simon would be disposed of as to be put in danger of being murdered.Justice Kiiza: Have you understood this Kwoyelo? Kwoyelo: I have understood. Justice Kiiza: What is you allega..What is your reaction to this allegation against you?Kwoyelo: It did not happen!Justice Kiiza: Now the third count is extensive destruction of property constituting a grave breach under Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 12th August 1949, and which is an offence contrary to section 2(1) (d) and (f) of the Geneva Convention Act, Chapter 363 of the laws of Uganda. It is alleged that you Kwoyelo Thomas and others still at large on the fourth day of September 1994 being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army you commanded an armed attack on Abera village, Parubanga parish, Pabbo Sub County, Kilak County in the Gulu District of Northern Uganda and wantonly and extensively destroyed houses, bicycles, livestock, foodstuff and household property, all being protected property under the 4th Geneva Convention of 12th August 1949, such destruction not being justified by military necessity, and while you were aware of the factual circumstances that established such protected status and existence of an armed conflict. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo? Kwoyelo: I have understood. Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction to these allegations?Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval) I did not do it.Justice Kiiza: An alternative, they have indicted you with robbery with aggravation contrary to section 285 and 286 (2) of the Penal Code Act, where it is alleged that you Mr Kwoyelo Thomas and others still at large on the fourth day of September 1994 in the same village of Abera, Parubanga parish, Pabbo Sub County, Kilak County, Gulu District, being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army, you commanded an armed attack against a group of civilians taking no active part in the hostilities, and robbed Ouma John of three bicycles, six goats and foodstuff, and at, or immediately before, or immediately after the said robbery, you threatened to use deadly weapons, to wit guns and pangas on the said Ouma John. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: I have understood. Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction to these allegations?Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval) I did not do it.Justice Kiiza: The fourth count, it is willful killing constituting a grave breach under article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 12th August 1949, and which is an offence contrary to section 2(1) (d) and (e) of the Geneva Conventions Acts, Cap 363 of the laws of Uganda. It is alleged that you Kwoyelo Thomas and others still at large during the month of February 1996, or thereabout along Paibi-Atiak road, Parubanga parish, Pabbo Sub County, Kilak County in Gulu district Northern Uganda being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army commanded an attack on civilians taking no active part in the hostilities and killed Jackamino Oruk alias Jaki Occo, Okeny Wilson and Ojok Martin, who were protected persons under the 4th Geneva Conventions of 12th August 1949, while you were aware of the factual circumstances that established such protected status, and the existence of an armed conflict. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: I have understood. Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction to these allegations?Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval) I did not do it.Justice Kiiza: Now, alternative is still alleging that you committed murder contrary to section 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Act, where by it is alleged that you Kwoyelo and others still at large in the same month of February, the same day on the same road, the same parish, the same Sub County, in the same District of Gulu while you were a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army you commanded attack on civilians who were not taking part in the hostilities and with malice aforethought, killed Jackamino Oruk, alias Jaki Ocoo. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: I have understood. Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction?Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval and loudly with anger replies) I did not do it!Justice Kiiza: Another alternative in this case murder, of the same section, it is alleged that you and others still at large in the same month the same year 1996, along the same road, in the same parish, the same Sub County, the same County, the same District, and you being a Colonel, this time you killed Okeny Wilson. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: I have understood. Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction to this allegation?Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval) I did not do it.Justice Kiiza: Now, the next one is the same, murder. But this time it is alleged that you on the same month, along the same road of Paibi-Atiak, Parubanga, Pabbo Sub County, Kilak in Gulu district, being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army you commanded an attack on civilians who were not taking part in the hostilities, and with malice aforethought killed Ojok Martin. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Justice Kiiza: How do you plead, what do you have to say about these allegations?Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval) I did not do it.Justice Kiiza: Now the fifth count, substantive count is willful killing, constituting a grave breach under Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 12th August 1949, and which is an offence contrary to section 2(1) (d) and (e) of the Geneva Convention Act, being laws of Uganda. You Kwoyelo Thomas and others still at large, in the month of February 1996 or thereabout at Abera village, Parubanga parish, Pabbo Sub County and at Arebe hills in Kilak County in present day Amuru District in Northern Uganda, being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army commanded an attack on civilians taking no active part in the hostilities and killed Aceng Christine, Loum Acupale, Ngwe Julio, Obale Bicensio, Gwok Paulo, Arop Jeremiah, Obol Vincent, Arop Daniel and one Charles who were protected persons under the 4th Geneva Convention of 12th August 1949, while you were aware of factual circumstances that established such protected status, and the existence of an armed conflict. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: I have understood. Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction to these allegations against you?Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval) I did not do it.Justice Kiiza: Now also, they have put the alternatives. The first one is murder contrary to section 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Act. It is alleged that you and others still at large in the same month of February 1996, in the same village, the same parish, the same Sub County, in the same part of the country, you being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army commanded an attack on civilians taking no active part in the hostilities and with malice aforethought, killed Aceng Christine. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: I have understood. Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction?Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval) I did not do it.Justice Kiiza: Now, another alternative they are bringing against you is murder also, under the same Penal Code Act, the same sections. This time it is alleged on the same month, same village, same parish, same Sub County, in the same Arebe hills in Kilak County in present day Amuru district in Northern Uganda being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army commanded an attack on civilians taking no active part in the hostilities and with malice aforethought, killed Loum Acupale. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: I have understood. Justice Kiiza: How do you plead?Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval) I did not do it.Justice Kiiza: The third alternative is also murder. Its alleged that you Kwoyelo and others still at large in the same month, the same Abera village in Parubanga parish, Pabbo Sub County, in present day Amuru District in Northern Uganda, being a Colonel in in the Lord’s Resistance Army commanded an attack on civilians taking who were not taking part in the hostilities and with malice aforethought, killed Ngwe Julio.Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Thomas..Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: I have understood. Justice Kiiza: How do you plead to this allegation?Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval) I did not do it.Justice Kiiza: Another alternative here is murder contrary to the Penal Code Act 188 and 189. It is alleged that you Kwoyelo Thomas and others at large in the same month of February 1996 in Amuru village, in the same parish of Parubanga, Pabbo Sub County, Kilak County in Amuru District, being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army commanded an attack on civilians who were not taking who were not taking part in the hostilities and with malice aforethought killed Obalo Bicensio. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: I have understood. Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction to this allegation?Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval) did not do it.Justice Kiiza: Now, another alternative is that..(clears his throat)..under the same Penal Code Act, in the same area, the same month, the same year, it is alleged that in the same circumstances with malice aforethought, Ogwok Paulo was killed. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: I have understood. Justice Kiiza: What is your alleg..reaction to this allegation?Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval) I did not do it.Justice Kiiza: Another alternative to the above is also murder, contrary to the same sections in the Penal Code Act. It is alleged that you and others not here with us, in the same month, the same village, the same parish, the same Sub County in Arebe hills, the same County, Kilak County in Amuru district in all similar circumstances with malice aforethought, Arop Jeremiah was killed. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: I have understood. Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction?Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval) I did not do it.Justice Kiiza: Another alternative to the above is also of the same nature, murder contrary to section 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Act whereby it is alleged that you Mr Kwoyelo Thomas and others still at large in the months of February 1996 in the same area of Abera village, Parubanga parish, Pabbo Sub County, in the same hills of Arebe, in Amuru District now also you being a Colonel in the LRA, you commanded an attack on civilians who were not taking part in the hostilities, and with malice aforethought, Obol Vincent was killed. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: I have understood. Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction to these allegations?Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval) I did not do it.Justice Kiiza: Now, another alternative of the same nature, murder, contrary to section 288 and 289 of the Penal Code Act. It is alleged that you and others still at large in the same month, the same village, the same parish, in the same Sub County, the same Arebe hills and in the same County of Kilak, in Amuru district, you being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army, commanded an attack on civilians who were not taking part in the hostilities, and with malice aforethought you killed Arop Daniel. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: I have understood. Justice Kiiza: How do you plead to these allegations?Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval) I did not do it.Justice Kiiza: The last one in this count is an alternative which is also of murder. It is alleged that you Mr Thomas Kwoyelo and others still at large during the month of February 1996 in Abera village, Parubanga parish, Pabbo Sub County, Arebe hills, Kilak County which is in Amuru District, you being a Colonel in the LRA, the Lord’s Resistance Army, commanded an attack on civilians who were not taking part in the hostilities and with malice aforethought you killed Charles. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: I have understood. Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction to these allegations?Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval) I did not do it.Justice Kiiza: The sixth count is taking hostages, constituting a grave breach under Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 12th August 1949 and which is an offence contrary to section 2(1) (d) and (e) of the Geneva Convention Act, Cap 363 of the laws of Uganda whereby it is alleged that you Kwoyelo Thomas and others still at large at Abera village, Parubanga parish, Pabbo Sub County in Gulu District Northern Uganda, you being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army commanded an armed attack against a group of civilians taking no active part in the hostilities, you seized, detained and held hostage Rodento Ochola, Masimo Oboma, Oyet Smuel, Ocii Doctor, Sabin Obooli Oola, Oryem Quirino, Okot Antonio, Okoya Maurensio and one Onai, all protected persons under the 4th Geneva Convention of 12th August 1949 while you were aware of factual circumstances that established such protected status and the existence of an armed conflict, and threatened to kill, injure or continue to detain the said Rodento Ochola, Masimo Oboma, Oyet Smuel, Ocii Doctor, Sabin Obooli Oola, Oryem Quirino, Okot Antonio, Okoya Maurensio and one Onai, with intention to compel the government of Uganda to refrain from launching attacks against the Lord’s Resistance Army as an implicit condition for the safety of all the persons named herein above. Justice Kiiza: (Corrects the translator). But have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: I have understood. Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction?Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval) I did not do it.Justice Kiiza: Now the alternatives of the same count. The first alternative, kidnap with intent to murder contrary to section 243(1)(a) of the Penal Code Act whereby it is alleged that you Mr Kwoyelo Thomas and others still at large on the same day, in the same village, in the same parish, the same Sub County, in the same County in Gulu District, being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army, you commanded an armed attack against a group of civilians who were not taking part in the hostilities and by force, you abducted Rodento Ochola, with the intent that the said Rodento Ochola would be disposed of as to be put under danger of being murdered. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: I have understood. Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction to these allegations?Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval) I did not do it.Justice Kiiza: The second alternative is on the same nature, kidnap with intent to murder, the circumstances are the same, in the same area, the same date and the same circumstances, you are supposed to have abducted Masimo Oboma, with the intent that Masimo Oboma would be disposed of as to be put under danger of being murdered. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: I have understood. Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction?Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval as his voice continues decreasing apparently due to exhaustion) I did not do it.Justice Kiiza: Now, another alternative is the same nature, kidnap with intent to murder. This time it is alleged on the same day, the same area, village, of Abera, Parubanga parish, Pabbo, Amuru District while you were a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army, you launched an attack against a group of civilians who were not being involved in the hostilities, and by force, you abducted one Oyet Samuel with the intent that Oyet Samuel would be disposed of as to be put under danger of being murdered. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: I have understood. Justice Kiiza: What is your allega…reaction to these allegations?Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval as his voice continues decreasing apparently due to exhaustion) I did not do it.Justice Kiiza: Now, another alternative, as in the above, the same nature, kidnap with intent to murder. It is alleged in this one that you Mr Kwoyelo and others still at large on the same day, the same village, the same parish, the same Sub County, in a similar circumstances, this time, Mr Ocii Doctor was abducted by force and was intended that he be disposed of by murdering him. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction to these allegations?Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval as his voice continues decreasing apparently due to exhaustion) I did not do it.Justice Kiiza: Now, alternative as the above, the same day, kidnap with intent to murder. You and others still at large on the same date, in similar circumstances, in the same places, this time you abducted Sabino Obooli Ochola with the intent that Sabino Obooli Oola would be disposed of as to be put under danger of being murdered. Justice Kiiza: (Appears to be losing his voice) Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction to these allegations?Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval as his voice continues decreasing apparently due to exhaustion) I did not do it.Justice Kiiza: (Coarse voice) Another alternative is of similar nature, kidnap with intent to murder contrary to section 243(1)(a) of the Penal Code Act. It is alleged that you Mr Thomas Kwoyelo and others still at large on the fourth of March 1996, in the same village of Abera, the same parish, Parubanga, Pabbo Sub County, Kilak in Amuru District, being a Colonel in the LRA, you commanded an armed attack against a group of civilians who were not involved in the hostilities and by force you abducted Oryem Quirino with the intent that the said Oryem Quirino would be disposed of as to be put in danger of being murdered. (Policeman opens the door and consults a prison warder)Silence: Mr Onyango bangs on the table to alert judges:Counsel Onyango: My Lord, defence seeks to consult the judge. (he heads to the judges table)Justice Kiiza: (After it’s over) Mr Kwoyelo, we are not backbiting you. It’s purely a technical matter. We are simply stating what is here. (Mr Alaka seems assured and said: Yes Sir)Conversations begin also among the judges. This takes about 4 minutesJustice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: Any reaction?Kwoyelo: (Shaking his head in disapproval as his voice continues decreasing apparently due to exhaustion) I did not do it.Justice Kiiza: Another alternative, 6G, which is the same kidnap intent to murder contrary to section 243(1)(a) of the Penal Code Act. It is alleged that Kwoyelo Thomas and others still at large on the fourth of March 1996, at Abera village, Parubanga parish, Pabbo Sub County, Kilak County, Amuru District in Northern Uganda, being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army, you commanded an armed attack against a group of civilians who were not taking part in the hostilities, and by force, you abducted Okot Antonio, with the intent that the said Okot Antonio would be disposed of as to be put in danger of being murdered. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction?Kwoyelo: (His voice is inaudible and he just shakes his head in disapproval).Justice Kiiza: The next alternative is of the same nature. Mark these allegations. The next allegations against you is that you Kwoyelo Thomas and others still at large on the same day, fourth March 1996 at Abera village, Parubanga parish, Pabbo Sub County, Kilak County, Amuru District in Northern Uganda, while you were in charge as a Colonel, you commanded an attack on a group of civilians who were not part of the hostilities and by force, you abducted Okoya Maurensio, with the intent that Okoya Maurensio would be disposed of as to be put in danger of being murdered. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction?Kwoyelo: (His voice is inaudible and he just shakes his head in disapproval).Justice Kiiza: And the last alternative in count 6. Also the same nature, kidnap with intent to murder under the same sections of the Penal Code. It is alleged that the same village, the same parish, the same Sub County, the same County, the same District under similar circumstances you as commander, you attacked civilians and by force, you abducted Onai, with the intent that Onai would be disposed of as to be put in danger of being murdered. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction to these allegations?Kwoyelo: (His voice is inaudible and he just shakes his head in disapproval). Justice Kiiza: Now the seventh count is causing serious injury to the body constituting a grave breach under Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention on 12th August 1949, and which is an offence contrary to section 29(1) (d) and (f) of the Geneva Convention Act, CAP 363 of the laws of Uganda, it is alleged that you Mr Kwoyelo Thomas and others still at large during the month of February 1996 at Abera village, Parubanga parish, Pabbo Sub County, Kilak County in Gulu District in Northern Uganda, being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army commanded an attack against a group of civilians not taking part in the hostilities, and ordered forces under your command to inhumanely assault Ocan Vito Acore and Okello David, both protected persons under the fourth Geneva Convention of 12th August 1949, while you were aware of the factual circumstances that established such protected status and the existence of an armed conflict, thereby causing great physical pain, suffering and serious bodily injuries to them. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction to these allegations?Kwoyelo: (His voice is inaudible and he just shakes his head in disapproval).Justice Kiiza: An alternative to the above, contrary to sections 2049(a) of the Penal Code Act. It is alleged that you Kwoyelo Thomas and others still at large, during the month of February 1996 at Abera village, Parubanga parish, Pabbo Sub County, Kilak County in Gulu District in Northern Uganda, being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army, commanded an attack against a group of civilians taking no active part in the hostilities, and during the said attack attempted unlawfully to cause the death of Ocan Vitor Acore. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: How do you plead to this allegation?Kwoyelo: (His voice is inaudible and he just shakes his head in disapproval).Justice Kiiza: The last alternative under count 7 is also attempted murder, under the same section. It is alleged this time that, all circumstances the same in area and time, the attempt you made on the life of Okello David. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction to the allegation?Kwoyelo: (His voice is inaudible and he just shakes his head in disapproval).Justice Kiiza: Now, we are going to the 8th count. The 8th count constituting a grave breach under Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 12th August 1949, and which is an offence contrary to section 2(1) (d) and (f) of the Geneva Convention Act, of the laws of Uganda. Under this, it is alleged that you Kwoyelo Thomas and others still at large on the fourth of March 1996 at Abera village Parubanga parish, Pabbo Sub County, Kilak County in Gulu District in Northern Uganda, being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army, commanded an attack against a group of civilians taking no active part in the hostilities, and ordered forces under your command to inhumanely assault Achola Bendetta, Anjulina Oryem Ataro, Oceng Vincent Adigech, Auma Josca and Abalo Rose, all protected persons under the Fourth Geneva Convention of 12th August 1949, while you were aware of the factual circumstances that established such protected status and the existence of an armed conflict, thereby inflicting severe physical pain and suffering upon them. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction to these allegations of the 8 count?Kwoyelo: (His voice is inaudible and he just shakes his head in disapproval).Justice Kiiza: Now, this one does not have alternative. We go to 9. Count 9, the substantive count of willful killing, constituting a grave breach under Article 147 of the Geneva Convention of 12th August 1949, and which is an offence contrary to section 2(1) (d) and (e) of the Geneva Convention Act, of the laws of Uganda. The particulars bought are that Kwoyelo and others still at large on 16th of May 2004 at Oboo parish, Lamogi Sub County in Gulu District in Northern Uganda, being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army coordinated, ordered and directed armed attack on Pagak Internally Displaced Peoples Camp, and killed Nyeko Bosco, Amony Jennifer, Acan Shida, Atoo Suzan, Akwero Harriet, Amena daughter of Aloyo Concy, Martina Awoo, Oyella Betty, Edisa Lapobo, Akwero Nancy, Dorothy Akech, Acayo Josephine, Aciro Rose, Kilama Erick and Amal Ketty, who were civilians taking no active part in the hostilities and are protected persons under the fourth Geneva Convention of 12th August 1949, while you were aware of factual circumstances that established such protected status, and the existence of the armed conflict. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction to these allegations in the 9th count?Kwoyelo: (His voice is inaudible and he just shakes his head in disapproval).Justice Kiiza: Now, there are several alternatives to these 9. The first one is murder, contrary to section 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Act of the laws of Uganda, whereby it is alleged that you Kwoyelo and others still at large on the sixteenth of May 2004 at Oboo parish, Lamogi Sub County in Gulu District in Northern Uganda, being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army commanded an attack on civilians taking no active part in the hostilities and with malice aforethought, killed Nyeko Bosco. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction to these allegations?Kwoyelo: (His voice is inaudible and he just shakes his head in disapproval).Justice Kiiza: Now, the second alternative is also murder. It is alleged on the same day, village, parish, County, District and the same circumstances, this time it was Amony Jennifer who was killed. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction?Kwoyelo: (His voice is inaudible and he just shakes his head in disapproval).Justice Kiiza: The third alternative in the same similar circumstances, the same is murder. It is alleged that on the same day, time and place of the same similar circumstances, with malice aforethought, you killed Achan Shida. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction?Kwoyelo: (His voice is inaudible and he just shakes his head in disapproval).Justice Kiiza: The fourth alternative is of a similar nature, murder contrary to section 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Act. It is alleged that you Mr Thomas Kwoyelo and others still at large, on the same day of sixteenth May 2004, the same village of Oboo parish, Lamogi Sub County, in Gulu District, you being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army, commanded an attack on civilians taking no active part in the hostilities and with malice aforethought, killed Atoo Suzan. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction to these allegations?Kwoyelo: (His voice is inaudible and he just shakes his head in disapproval).Justice Kiiza: Now, for E, the fifth one, is the same. The same circumstances, the same date, the same place, you being a Colonel in the LRA, you attacked civilians who were not taking part in the hostilities, and with malice aforethought, you killed Akwero Harriet. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: How do you plead to this allegation?Kwoyelo: (His voice is inaudible and he just shakes his head in disapproval).Justice Kiiza: Now, another alternative is murder also. It is alleged that you on the sixteenth May 2004 at Oboo, Lamogi Sub County, in Gulu District, you being a Colonel in the LRA, commanded an attack on civilians taking no active part in the hostilities and with malice aforethought, you killed Amena, the daughter of Aloyo Concy. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: How do you plead to this alternative count?Kwoyelo: (His voice is inaudible and he just shakes his head in disapproval).Justice Kiiza: In G, it is alleged that that…it is also murder contrary to section 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Act. The alternative to the above. The same circumstances, on the same day, in the same parish, under similar circumstances, you being a Colonel in the LRA, you commanded an attack on civilians who were not part of the hostilities, and during the attack, one Martina Awoo, was murdered with malice aforethought. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: How do you plead to this alternative count?Kwoyelo: (His voice is inaudible and he just shakes his head in disapproval).Justice Kiiza: in H, it’s also the same, murder, an alternative to the above. It is alleged that under similar circumstances on the same day, you with the same capacity as the commander of the LRA during that time, you attacked civilians who were not part of the hostilities, and during the attack, with malice aforethought, you killed Oyella Betty. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: How do you plead to this respective alternative count?Kwoyelo: (His voice is inaudible and he just shakes his head in disapproval).Justice Kiiza: 9 I, is of similar nature, murder contrary to section 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Act. It is alleged that you Thomas Kwoyelo and others still at large, on the sixteenth day of May 2004 at Oboo parish, Lamogi Sub County in Gulu District Northern Uganda, being a Colonel in the LRA, commanded an attack on civilians taking who were not taking part in the hostilities and with malice aforethought, you killed Edisa Lapobo.Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: How do you plead?Kwoyelo: (His voice is inaudible and he just shakes his head in disapproval).Justice Kiiza: In J, it’s similar in the alternative as in the above. It’s alleged that you Kwoyelo and others still at large on the same day, same parish, same Sub County, in similar circumstances, you attacked civilians who were not part of the hostilities, and with malice aforethought, killed Akwero Nancy. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction?Kwoyelo: (His voice is inaudible and he just shakes his head in disapproval).Justice Kiiza: In K, it is also murder, an alternative to the above. It is alleged that you Mr Kwoyelo and others still at large in the same place, you being a Colonel in the same similar circumstances, with malice aforethought, killed Akech Dorothy. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction to this allegation?Kwoyelo: (His voice is inaudible and he just shakes his head in disapproval).Justice Kiiza: In L, it’s the same, an alternative to the above. This times it is alleged that in the same circumstances, same date, with malice aforethought, you killed Acayo Josephine.Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction to this allegation?Kwoyelo: (His voice is inaudible and he just shakes his head in disapproval).Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: How do you plead to this latest alternative?Kwoyelo: (His voice is inaudible and he just shakes his head in disapproval).Justice Kiiza: In M, it is the same, in alternative to the above. The same date and similar circumstances. This time you are supposed to have with malice aforethought, killed Aciro Rose. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: How do you plead to this alternative?Kwoyelo: (His voice is inaudible and he just shakes his head in disapproval).Justice Kiiza: In N, it’s also similar circumstances, murder. This time it is alleged that you Kwoyelo Thomas and others still at large on the sixteenth day of May 2004 at Oboo, Lamogi Sub County, Gulu District in Northern Uganda, being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army, commanded an attack on civilians taking no part in the hostilities and with malice aforethought, killed Kilama Erick. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: How do you plead to this alternative?Kwoyelo: (Shakes his head, but his words are inaudible).Justice Kiiza: The last one in count 9, it says that on the same day and place, in the same circumstances, with malice aforethought, Amal Ketty was killed. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: How do you plead to this latest alternative?Kwoyelo: (Shakes his head, but his words are inaudible).Justice Kiiza: The 10th substantive count, it’s alleged that you are charged with extensive destruction to property constituting a grave breach under Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 12th August 1949, and which is an offence contrary to section 2(1) (d) and (e) of the Geneva Convention Act, of the laws of Uganda whereby it is alleged that you Thomas Kwoyelo and others still at large on the sixteenth day of May 2004, at Oboo parish, Lamogi Sub County, in Gulu District in Northern Uganda, being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army coordinated, ordered and directed an armed attack on Pagak Internally Displaced Peoples Camp, extensively and wantonly destroyed 544 huts, foodstuff and household property, all being protected under the Fourth Geneva Convention of 12th August 1949, such destruction not being justified by military necessity, and while you were aware of the factual circumstances that established such protected status, and the existence of armed conflict. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: How do you plead to this latest alternative?Kwoyelo: (Shakes his head, but his words are inaudible).Justice Kiiza: Now, the eleventh count involves causing serious injury to body constituting grave breach under Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 12th August 1949, and which is an offence contrary to section 2(1) (d) and (f) of the Geneva Convention Act, of the laws of Uganda. You Kwoyelo Thomas and others still at large, on the sixteenth May 2004 at Oboo parish, Lamogi Sub County in Gulu District of Northern Uganda, being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Amry, ordered and directed an armed attack on Pagak Internally Displaced Peoples Camp, and by inhumane acts, intentionally assaulted Labol Sarah Abola, Opio son of Akena, Piloya Concy, Onek Constantino, Okoya Jenaro, Angee Filda Onen, Aber Nancy, Lukwiya Joel, Amono Evaline, Opira Charles, Alice Okot, Aceng Chrsitine Lakworingoto, Akuma Veronica Okot and Aciro Concy daughter of Kilama, who were civilians taking no active part in the hostilities and are protected persons under the Fourth Geneva Convention of 12th August 1949, while you were aware of the factual circumstances that established such protected status and the existence of an armed conflict, thereby causing great physical pain, suffering and serious bodily injuries to them.Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: How do you plead to this count?Kwoyelo: (Shakes his head, but his words are inaudible).Justice Kiiza: On the 12th count, you are indicted with willful killing, constituting a grave breach under Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 12th August 1949, and which is an offence contrary to section 2(1) (d) and (f) of the Geneva Convention Act, of the laws of Uganda. It is alleged that you Kwoyelo Thomas and others still at large at Kulu Pa Olyel in Bira Omba village, Parubanga parish, Pabbo Sub County, Kilak County in Gulu District of Northern Uganda, being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army, commanded an armed attack against civilians taking no active part in the hostilities, and killed Ocaya John, Ojara John, Oketayot Lawoko Charles, Acaye Okema Ocuke and one Ogwok who were protected persons under the Fourth Geneva Convention of 12th August 1949, while you were aware of factual circumstances that established such protected status, and the existence of an armed conflict. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: How do you plead to 12th substantive count?Kwoyelo: (Shakes his head, but his words are inaudible).Justice Kiiza: Now, there are five alternatives to this count. The first one is murder contrary to section 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Act. Whereby it is alleged that Mr Kwoyelo Thomas and others still at large on the sixth of January 2005 in Kulu Pa Olyel in Bira Omba village, Parubanga parish, Pabbo Sub County, Kilak County, Gulu District in Northern Uganda, being a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army commanded an attack on civilians taking no active part in the hostilities and with malice aforethought, killed Ocaya John.Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: How do you plead to alternative?Kwoyelo: (Shakes his head, but his words are inaudible).Justice Kiiza: The second alternative is also murder contrary to section 118 and 189 of the Penal Code Act. It is alleged that you Mr Kwoyelo Thomas and others still at large on the sixth of January 2005 in Kulu Pa Olyel in Bira Omba village, Parubanga parish, Pabbo Sub County, Kilak County, Gulu District in Northern Uganda, being a Colonel in the LRA commanded an attack on civilians who were not taking part in the hostilities and with malice aforethought, killed Ojara John.Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: What is your reaction to this alternative?Kwoyelo: (Shakes his head, but his words are inaudible).Justice Kiiza: Now the third alternative to the above, on the 12th count, is also murder. This time it is alleged that you and others still at large in the same day, same place, same parish, Sub County, same County and the same District, and while you were a Colonel in the Lord’s Resistance Army, you commanded an attack on civilians who were not part of the hostilities and with malice aforethought killed Oketayot Lawoko Charles. Justice Kiiza: Have you understood Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: How do you plead to this alternative?Kwoyelo: (Shakes his head, but his words are inaudible).Justine Kiiza: The last but one, alternative, is also murder. It is alleged that you Mr Kwoyelo and others still at large on the same day sixth January 2005, in Kulu Pa Olyel in Bira Omba village, Parubanga parish, Pabbo Sub County, Kilak County, Gulu District in Northern Uganda, being a Colonel in the LRA commanded an attack on civilians who were not taking part in the hostilities and with malice aforethought, killed Acaye Okema Ocuke.Justice Kiiza: Have you understood this Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: How do you plead to this alternative?Kwoyelo: (Shakes his head, but his words are inaudible).Justice Kiiza: Now the last alternative on the 12th count is also murder, whereby it is alleged that you Mr Kwoyelo and others still at large on the same day sixth January 2005, in Kulu Pa Olyel in Bira Omba village, Parubanga parish, Pabbo Sub County, Kilak County, Gulu District in Northern Uganda, being a Colonel in the LRA commanded an attack on civilians who were not part of the hostilities and with malice aforethought, killed Ogwok.Justice Kiiza: Have you understood this Mr Kwoyelo?Kwoyelo: (He just nods his head and mumbles an inaudible word to signal approval). Justice Kiiza: How do you plead to this last alternative?Kwoyelo: (Shakes his head, but his words are inaudible).Silence: Justice Kiiza: Now Mr Kwoyelo I have entered a plea of not guilty in all the substantive counts. I have entered plea of not guilty in all of them. Thank you for being cooperative. This comes three hours after he went to the dockDefence Counsel Alaka: Yes My Lord, we have some three issues of law to raise. My Lord, the first one is pertaining to an application made by the accused to the amnesty commission for amnesty. My Lord, the second one is pertaining to the issue of disclosure of mitigating and exploratory evidence against the accuse. Justice Kiiza: The second one containing what?Counsel Alaka: The issue of disclosure My Lord, about the exposure pertaining to evidence, both mitigating and exploratory evidence against the accuse. My Lord the last one will be on the issue of the charges based on the Geneva Conventions. My Lord, I will start on the first issue. My Lord, on the 12th day of January 2010, the accuse while in Luzira prisons denounced and abandoned involvement in war or rebellion against the governemnt of the republic of Uganda, persuance to section 3 of the Amnesty Act Cap 294 my Lords. My Lord, I copy of the form we filled, My Lord we have it.Justice Akiki: Defence want to use it as an exhibit? Defence Counsel Alaka: My Lord it will be an exhibitJustice Kiiza: Any objection? No one comes up.On the 19th March 2010, the Principal Legal Officer of the Amnesty Commission wrote to the Director of Public Prosecution in which My Lord the Amnesty Commission considered the accused as somebdoy who qualifies for the Amnesty Process.The Principal Legal Officer requested for certification from the DPP to enable the Amnesty Commission to issue the certifcate of Amnesty. Presents a copy, no objection by the prosecution. Under the Amnesty Act, CAP 294, Amnesty is defined under Section 1.A to mean a pardon, forgiveness, exemplification or discharge from criminal prosecution or any other form of punishment by the state. Section 2 of the Amnesty Act provides that an Amnesty is declared in respect of any Ugandan who has at any time since 26th January 1986 engaged in or is engaging in war or armed rebellion against the Government of the Republic of Uganda by actual participation in combat be it by collaboration with the perpetrators of the war or armed rebellion, committing any other crime in the further ends of the war or armed rebellion. Assisting or aiding the conduct of prosecution of the war or armed rebellion my Lord. And My Lord, in sub section 2, a person referred to under sub section 1 shall not be prosecuted. My Lord under Section 3, Sub Section 2 of the Act My Lord, that is now the grant of Amnesty My Lord. My Lord it is stated that where a reporter is a person charged with or is under lawful detention, in relation to any offence mentioned in sub section 3, the reporter is also deemed to be granted Amnesty if the reporter declares to a prison officer or to a judge or magistrate before whom he or she is being tried that he or she has denounced the activity referred to in sub section 3. My Lord, it is our exhibit 2, the defence exhibit 2 which was the application before the prison officer. My Lord Sub Section 3 of section 3 provides that a reporter to whom sub section 2 applies shall not be released from custody until the director of public prosecution has certified that he or she falls within the provisions of section 3 and that he or she is not charged or detained to be prosecuted for any offence not falling under section 3. My Lord, there has been no response from the DPP to the Amnesty Commission on whether they are satisfied or not. My Lord, the indictments read today to the accused this afternoon clearly indicate that these were all offences committed during rebellion which falls within section 3 of the Amnesty Act My Lord. My Lord, higher officers in LRA like Brigadier Kenneth Banya and Brigadier Kolo Sam were granted Amnesty. My Lord, Article 21 of the constitution of the Republic of Uganda provides for equality and freedom from discrimination. My Lord, clause 1 of Article 21 specifically states that that all persons are equal before and under the law, in all spheres of political, economic, social and cultural life and in every other respect and shall enjoy equal protection of the law.The accused, being a junior in rank of a Colonel, feels that since Brigadiers who were higher ino rank than him were given Amnesty, the denial by the DPP to certify or to respond infringes his constitutional right to fair treatment. (silence)Lady Justice Elisabeth Ibanda Nahamya: Counsel Alaka, Brigadier Sam Kolo and Kenneth Banya where they captured or did they willingly surrendered? Counsel Alaka: Brigadier Kenneth Banya was captured My Lord, he was captured! (murmurs in court as he ducks to the dock to consult Kwoyelo. This takes about 1 minute)My Lord, Brigadier Kenneth Banya was captured by the UPDF forces..(sounding and looking unsure).Asked about evidence,Counsel Alaka: My Lord, these are factual evidence that we can present before this court.Justice Kiiza: He was captured? Counsel Alaka: He was captured. My Lord, he was captured My Lord. Justice Kiiza asks him to give factual evidence. Counsel Alaka: My Lord, I would not want it to appear like something just from the bar. No!My Lord, there are factual fate, factual...notorious facts (laughter in court). Yes, it is a notorious fact My Lord that Brigadier Kenneth Banya was captured! My Lord, it is a notorious fact. My Lord, is also a notorious fact that..it is good we are having this matter in Gulu My Lord, Justice Kiiza: It is not, because I am hearing for the first time from you!Justice Alfonse Chigamoi Owiny Dollo: It is notorious that Brigadier Banya and Brigadier Kolo were in the LRA..Counsel Alaka: Yes it is notorious, yes they were in the LRA!Justice Alfonse Chigamoi Owiny Dollo: How they ended here is not notorious but the fact that they were in the bush is notorious!Counsel Alaka: It is also a notorious fact that they were captured My Lord! Including Brigadier Odong Acelam, these are all high ranking LRA officers. Justice Kiiza: Counsel, let us have the facts with evidence..We didn't expect them immediately after plea. We haven't even fearing the hearing yet. You just state the fact..Counsel Alaka: Probably the one of the Geneva Conventions I will submit to you. It is my humble prayer My Lord that this honourable court makes a declaration; first as to the response of the DPP to the application for Amnesty. The Amnesty Act provides that there will be a response. It does not give a leeway, because the DPP comes in as a process. Withholding that response is illegal. Upon hearing that response, the accused person will know the way forward for his case. I am therefore requesting this court to compel the DPP to give us a response to the letter from the Principal Legal Officer. We are praying that we should be allowed to put an application to this request.....Consultation goes on between the two camps of defence and prosecution as well as among judges. Counsel Alaka: It would be good if the application is made formally. Justice Kiiza: This is a very important case and to have this for a fair trial because this trail may take a long time. Counsel Alaka: I am withdrawing the application inorder to make a formal application. (Consults co-counsel Mr Onyango)Justice Kiiza: You sort it out (defence) and organise yourself and come back. At this point, Kwoyelo appears to be dozing off in the dock as he struggles to maintain his balance. Justice Kiiza: Then we go to the assesors, who are the assessors? One of them stands up and introduces herself as Ladur Sylvia, a retired police officer residing in Layibi Division in Gulu Municipality. At this time, Justice Kiiza asks Kwoyelo whether he is comfortable with the assessor. He says he needs to consult his lawyer. His counsel Alaka goes to him. He later nods his head to show approval.Justice Kiiza: (Turns to defence and prosecution) Any objection?Counsel Alaka: No objection My Lord. Second assessor is asked to introduce himself. He introduces himself as Mr Lalobo Justine, 58 years, a retired police officer residing in Layibi Division in Gulu Municipality. Lady Justice Nahamya: This court needs to have 3 assessors. Any objection?Counsel Alaka: You know My Lords, police offcers, even retired, are involved in investigations at certain times and are more professional. Justice Kiiza: Explains to Mr Lalobo the reasons why they court may not have him as an assessor. Justice Kiiza: We need to make agreement on when we should have Counsel Onyango: We need one month to make some investigations of our own and we feel 15th August is appropiate for hearing:Senior Principal State Attorney: The objections should be heard first. Consultations go on among the judges and as well between prosecution and defence. Later, an agreement is made to have the Preliminary Objections heard and disposed of on 25th July 2011 and the hearing on the 15th August 2011. At 3:56 pm, Justice Dan Akiiki Kiiza, the head of the court, makes final pronouncement.Justice Kiiza: The hearing of the PO will be on the 25th July 2011 and the hearing on 15th August 2011. The accused is remanded till then.Bangs the gavel to signal end of court. People stand up as the judges leave, and Kwoyelo is led away by two prison warders, as the people leave the court room."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1193028/-/14d9t05z/-/index.html","content":"Bid to scrap bail will bring President’s Office into ridicule - President Museveni’s proposals for bail law reform are a serious threat to freedom and democracy. I hear he wants the 9th Parliament to rapidly amend the Constitution to deny bail to persons accused of certain offences, including murder, economic sabotage, defilement, rioters and rape. Somebody bold enough in Parliament or State House should tell the President some hard truths. The Constitution requires him to seek the approval of the people in a referendum before he decides to put all of them in jail. Breach justiceEvery person is presumed innocent until, after a valid trial, they are found guilty. This is a fundamental principle of justice. The proposed Amendment, if passed by the 9th Parliament and approved by the people in a free and fair referendum, will breach this basic principle by allowing Parliament to make laws (at the behest of the President) directing judges to keep persons charged with certain offences in prison until completion of their trial. Many innocent Ugandans will languish in jail without trial and judges will be too powerless to cure this injustice. Ironically, this Amendment is not entirely new. It bears an unfortunate resemblance to ‘detention without trial’ laws, which were resorted to by Milton Obote and Idi Amin to stem opposition to their illegitimate stay in power in the late 60s, 70s and early 80s. These draconian laws agitated the people, brought the Office of the President into hatred, ridicule and disrepute and caused our newborn nation to plunge into political and constitutional instability. Uganda became a war zone as patriotic citizens, including Mr Yoweri Museveni, resolved to take up arms against Obote’s and later Amin’s forces of tyranny, oppression and cruelty. In practical terms, the proposed Amendment is a move in the wrong direction. Detention without trial is travesty of justice. It has no place in our legal system; yet, through this Amendment, it is sought to place it there. Bail importance Fundamental principles of liberty are involved in the law of bail. In granting bail to Dr Kizza Besigye in 2005, Justice James Ogoola said liberty is the very essence of freedom and democracy. The liberty of an individual must never be curtailed lightly, wantonly or arbitrarily. An arrested person has the right to be released on bond or bail, on reasonable conditions, pending a charge or trial unless there are compelling reasons not to be released. The right to bail is that inherent right, which every accused has to personal liberty and freedom until the completion of his or her trial. On March 26, 2008, the Constitutional Court delivered a very important ruling on bail in a public interest case brought by Foundation for Human Rights Initiative. The Court held, among others, that remanding an accused in custody is a judicial act, and bail is an important “judicial instrument” to ensure that an accused person appears to stand trial without the necessity of being detained in custody in the meantime. It should not be refused mechanically simply because the prosecution wants such orders. Courts are entitled to require sureties to guarantee the attendance of an accused person at his or her trial and to attach reasonable conditions to the bail. Excessive or unreasonable sureties or conditions amount to an unconstitutional denial of bail. Thus, an accused person must not be deprived of his liberty unless the prosecuting authority can show that there is a likelihood of the accused not attending the trial or interfering with witnesses. In the Sunday Monitor of May 22, Justice George Kanyeihamba referred to bail as ‘a sacred national treasure of justice’, and indeed it is. As the Constitution presently stands, judicial officers have unfettered discretion to grant bail or withhold it in accordance with the above mentioned principles. If the proposed Amendment is duly passed into law, the power to determine all issues relating to bail shall be removed from judicial officers and transferred exclusively into the hands of complainants, police detectives, security agents, state attorneys, the DPP, the IGG, the President or anyone else who can ostensibly influence the framing of charges, the pace of investigations and other criminal processes. In effect, bail shall cease to be a “judicial instrument”. No wonder Justice Kanyeihamba furiously declared in his article that we may as well abolish the courts now. Amendment consequences In the New Vision of May 23, Mr James Sebugenyi, the president of Uganda Law Society, clearly outlined the effects of the proposed Amendment. But it is vital to focus on the issue usually ignored by ruling politicians - prison conditions. According to Uganda Prisons Service, 54.4 per cent of all prisoners in Uganda are pre-trial detainees (accused persons who are refused bail and put in prison even though no crime has been proved against them), an absolute value of 16,658 prisoners. Convicted prisoners comprise 45.4 per cent or 13,823 prisoners; and civil debtors comprise 0.5 per cent or 168 prisoners. Thus, the overall prison population in Uganda is currently in the region of 30,649 prisoners. All these individuals are housed in 222 units countrywide, which altogether have a detention capacity of 14,334 prisoners only. There is, therefore, an “excess capacity” of 16,315 prisoners (114 per cent). Official statistics on prison morbidity and mortality are hard to come by, but that doesn’t mean that our prisons are free of needless suffering, sickness and death. Contrary to Section 64 of the Prisons Act, the government of Uganda has failed to provide separate wards, uniforms and other facilities for pre-trial detainees and convicted prisoners. Many prisons do not have any means of delivering prisoners to courts, and where prison buses exist, court sessions are not held for over one year. Where courts occasionally operate, court and prison officials misplace vital documents regarding prisoners’ welfare and other affairs. The majority of prisoners in Uganda do not have access to the services of a lawyer. Constitutional limits on maximum detention periods for pre-trial detainees are flouted with impunity. Prison conditionsFrom a health and safety perspective, prison conditions in Uganda are generally appalling, if not life-threatening. In the absence of adequate budgetary support for progressive prison reform, the implementation of the proposed Amendment will obviously cause persistent, severe overcrowding of our prisons with pre-trial detainees and subsequently bring about needless suffering and death, which violates the Constitution’s ban on cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and unusual punishment. 1 | 2 Next Page»Against this background, the proposed Amendment is premature and misconceived. Premature, because the government does not have safe, secure and humane remand centres or hostels to accommodate pre-trial detainees in accordance with universally accepted standards. Many convicted prisoners will have to be released in order to make room for people who will be refused bail. The Amendment is misconceived because it makes no provision for compensation of any accused person even though they may have lost their job or business or family relations or suffered from mental and emotional distress during his or her long stay in prison without trial. Amendment unnecessaryThere is no credible research to support this “fundamental change” in our legal system. The percentages of people who are likely to be denied bail is not known, but the over-breadth and likelihood of abuse of offences such as “economic sabotage” and “rioting” is indeed worrisome. The President’s allegations that the courts are too soft on criminals in granting bail are unfounded and misleading. Official prison statistics show that the number of people who are refused bail every year is already much higher than the number of people granted bail. This means that the courts demonstrably enforce the existing bail laws in so strict a manner that only a very small number of bail applications are successful. Indeed, in the case of DPP vs Dr Kizza Besigye (2006), the Constitutional Court held that the right to bail is “not automatic”. The proposed Amendment may give the state a broader scope to oppose bail applications but it will by no means stop criminal defence lawyers and their rich clients from fashioning countervailing strategies for seeking bail. Consequently, the immediate effects of the amended bail law shall be: Curtailment of access to justice for the poorIncrease in the number and complexity of bail applicationsDisproportionate pressure on the meagre resources of the courts; and Case backlog. ConclusionThere is no compelling reason to change the existing law on bail, certainly not in the terms proposed by the President, and any referendum called for this purpose shall be a waste of time and money. The President should use referendums as a democratic means to solve the most important issues concerning the future of Uganda, not for everyday political purposes. It is futile to introduce stricter bail laws, which are likely to aggravate the problem of congestion in our prisons. By expanding the traditional resource envelope for the Justice, Law and Order Sector and investing in bail hi-tech services, the existing laws on bail could be used or developed more effectively without changing the Constitution. Mr Kimaze is a community development and human rights consultant at Legal Brains Trust isaackimaze@yahoo.co.uk « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1143534/-/c2qtsiz/-/index.html","content":"Justice will prevail, says Besigye - How do you feel about the way police handled you?What happened was a very clear demonstration of a Police Force that has lost direction because it has chosen to do the bidding of a rogue regime. The police did everything they could to stop me from going to work and their reason was that by walking, I would attract many people to join me and that, that may lead to a breach of peace. And my question to them was whether that amounted to an offence --- that if I walk and people get attracted to me; that I am the one to suffer for their action. They said no, but nonetheless they have ‘orders from above’ and that I cannot go to town because of that reason. Then there was another police officer who clearly was presenting his political views. He said that I am trying to confuse people about prices of fuel yet I own a petrol station (Total, Nsambya) which sells fuel at the same high price. ‘Why don’t I cut my fuel price if I think fuel prices are high; why am I not telling people that it is the international fuel prices that are causing the problems here? Why can’t I know that this is a temporary thing and that it will go away? Why am I turning it into a big issue?’ I told this policeman; all things you are saying are your opinions. I have a different view. And that is why we have different political parties. If you think the economy is doing well, I don’t think so. And these are matters we can discuss in politics. But for you as a policeman, whether my views are right or wrong, what is it your business if I express them (laughs)? The guy said ‘We can’t allow you to cause confusion in the country; people want to go about their business; you can even see people have ignored what you are saying and they are busy moving to their work.’ I said if they have ignored me that would be wonderful for you. Why are you bothering with a person who has been ignored and stopping him from going to look for his own earnings because by obstructing me, you are being paid? Me the person you are obstructing, you are denying me from getting my own earnings, and do you think that that is fair? They told me I had three choices; turn back and go home, call my vehicle and it takes me to work or they provide me a vehicle to take me to work (laughs heartily). I rejected those options. I stressed to them that I am not inconveniencing anybody by my action. This is my right and I will not change. So they said, ‘Anyway, you are not going anywhere’. Some senior police officers ordered the anti-riot police to form a ring by holding each other’s arms and ring-fenced me. So I could not continue ahead, move backwards or sideways. I sat down in that ring of theirs. I said it is up to you when you decide to let me go where I am going. So we stayed there – there was a stalemate. In the meantime, residents started shouting: ‘Why are you interfering with the right of a person walking to work, what has he done? They brought a chair (saying). ‘You cannot let him sit down (on the bitumen).’ They brought an umbrella saying the sun was getting too hot. Police chased them with their seat and umbrella. The Rev. Fr. (Anthony) Musaala who stays right where the commotion was happening came out and pleaded with the police in vain. In the end they told me, ‘Ok, you are now under arrest, we are taking you to the police station.’ I kept looking at them. The senior officer ordered his men; ‘Put him in the vehicle’. They threw me on top of a patrol pick-up truck and drove like mad men, almost knocking everything and swerving dangerously until we got to Kasangati Police Post from where they threw me in a cell. Is that what you expected?I wasn’t expecting anything in particular. I had heard [Inspector General of Police Kale] Kayihura’s repeated statements how he will make sure we don’t walk, which were again statements incompatible with the police uniform. I had heard statements of [Information Minister Masiko] Kabakumba who is just a mediocre NRM extremist. Somebody rang me in the middle of [Sunday] night and said he had heard that they were going to besiege my house and stop me from leaving. That one I expected. When I got out of the house and there was nobody, I began walking at 6:30am. Is your resolve broken by what happened?Not at all! One thing the government will have to decide is either to let us enjoy our rights including our unfettered freedom of movement and right to peacefully demonstrate, or we shall continue agitating for those rights. In this particular case, it was my own decision and I have not asked anybody to join me or not said that if you are not going to do what I am doing, there is any problem. It’s not a decision of our party, no. Forum for Democratic Change party officials did not sit and decide that we walk. It is the non-partisan platform of Action for Change which made the clarion call. And I answered. If you were President today, how would you solve the present food and fuel price crises?A government is not worth its name if it cannot ensure food security for its people. This government has not made any plans to ensure food security. They have been having all kinds of haphazard programmes that appear only to do two things: Provide free corruption money for its officials, and for renting political support. We do not have any national food reserves in this country. We have been saying this must be done. We must look at irrigation. We have a lot of water but yet people are dying of hunger because there is drought. We are talking about mechanization of agriculture, not using hand hoes in the 21st Century. We are talking about investment in agricultural research to have better seeds, improved soil fertility as well as pest and disease control. All these are not there --- that’s why there is hunger. On the question of fuel, still, this country does not have fuel reserves. Any moment there is some temporary problem, we are immediately in problems. Taxes on fuel are also very high, which is why fuel in Uganda is even more expensive than in Rwanda and other more inland destinations. Worse [still], the money that is collected through taxes instead of going back to help the tax payers, it is stolen. These are the concerns creating the kind of desperate situation that our people are living in; who can no longer afford to have even one meal a day; that are walking from homes to town every day. We are just trying to walk with them in solidarity. They are already walking anyway. Do you plan to run into exile because things are bad for you at home?No, no, no, no! I was in exile, I came back. There is no amount of threat that will drive me back into exile. One thing that really does not take any consideration of mine is death. If they want to kill me, let them kill. As long as that process will lead to our people being free, I will be in my grave happy. But if we don’t do anything, even all those who have died before would have died in vain, including my brother, Musasizi Kifefe, with whom I was in prison. What is the endgame of this walk-to-work campaign?Well, the endgame is simple; that government will have to accept that we live in a country where there is justice. The central contention is the question of justice --- where citizens are treated fairly in their country; they can enjoy from their labour; that their taxes serve them; that leaders are accountable to them; that if leaders are not doing what they like, they can throw them out of office. That is the fair system that will bring peace. I have been telling (government) that you cannot say you want peace without justice. So we shall struggle until there is justice. How do you respond to criticism that your continued pursuit of civil disobedience after losing an election by a wide margin to incumbent President Museveni is disruptive, provocative and unnecessary? Maj. Gen. Kayihura called it arrogance. Those who say so are entitled to their views. We don’t accept that there was even an election. It was a total sham. That view is supported by all election observers. No one has said that there was a free and fair election in Uganda. Yet a free and fair election is the only election that is allowed by the Ugandan Constitution. So, we feel that we are perfectly justified to reject the election results and that civil disobedience against such a regime that has lost the legitimacy to govern, is equally legitimate."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/-/688342/1119052/-/uqw13e/-/index.html","content":"The rise and fall of Yusufu Lule, Binaisa - Prof. Yusufu Kironde Lule (1912-1985) will go down in history as the shorted-lived head of state in East Africa, having ruled for only 68 days in 1979. He was succeeded by Godfrey Lukongwa Binaisa (1920-2010) who ruled for 11 months. Saturday Monitor's Timothy Kalyegira examines the reasons why each of them fell from grace to grass. Professor Yusufu Kironde Lule (1912-1985) will go down in history as the shorted-lived head of state in East Africa, having ruled for only 68 days in 1979. He was succeeded by Godfrey Lukongwa Binaisa (1920-2010) who ruled for 11 months. Many Ugandans over the last 30 years have mused over these short-lived presidencies. In truth, the real story is not in why these two men ruled for a short time but rather how in the first place they came to occupy State House almost by accident. Vacuum after Amin's fallJust as how the January 1971 military coup had been a British military plot against Obote, the 1978-79 war had a lot of British backing. As a condition to Tanzania for financing the war and providing military equipment, Britain expressed its wish to President Julius Nyerere for Obote to not be allowed to succeed Amin. Furthermore, Baganda in London had also put pressure on Britain not to support the return of Obote to power after Amin’s fall. Efforts, then, were made to keep Obote away from the Moshi Unity Conference of March 1979, even though Obote remained the most influential figure in Ugandan politics. Had the natural political order been allowed to take its course, Obote should have played a key part in the conference. He was a friend of President Nyerere. He had been one of the original founders of the Organisation of African Unity and at the core of the East African Community, as well as having supported the independence and anti-apartheid liberation movements of southern Africa. The largest Ugandan armed exile group, Kikosi Maluum, commanded by Col. Tito Okello and Lt. Col. David Oyite-Ojok, was loyal to and essentially patronised by Obote. Many attending the Moshi Conference accused Obote’s Uganda Peoples Congress party of having created many of the 22 exile groups at Moshi to enable them gain extra votes and make it possible for Obote to be elected the president of the Uganda National Liberation Front (UNLF). As such, the Moshi Conference, although called to determine the composition of the new post-Amin government, took on the form of some kind of referendum on Obote. In fact, Obote and Nyerere are the two men who called and organised the Moshi Conference. Obote chaired a meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on November 28, 1978 at which he contacted Ugandan exiles in Europe, the United States, Zambia, Kenya and other countries to plan the post-Amin period. Even with this track record, the most influential Ugandan politician could not be permitted to attend a conference called to discuss the post-Amin Uganda. The rise and fall of LuleThis ban on Obote at the Moshi Conference left a political vacuum in Uganda after Amin’s government was finally overthrown in April 1979. To fill in this vacuum, the only recourse was to arrive at a compromise and head hunt compromise candidates. Since to appease Britain and the Baganda, Obote could not even set foot at the Moshi Conference, and since Buganda support would be essential to the UNLF government, the ideal compromise candidate would be a Muganda. But since there were powerful competing forces at Moshi like Paulo Muwanga of the UPC, Yoweri Museveni of the FRONASA group, Ateker Ejalu of the Save Uganda Movement and many others, the Muganda in question could not be somebody like Paulo Kawanga Ssemogerere of the Democratic Party or any other Muganda with a real power base inside Uganda. Makerere University was still a much-respected institution in Uganda and the rest of East Africa, having educated many prominent public officials, including President Nyerere, the Tanzanian Foreign Minister Benjamin Mkapa and the Kenyan minister Mwai Kibaki. A Tanzanian called Idi Simba, who had been the director of the African Development Bank in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, is the man who first proposed Lule’s name as a suitable successor to Amin. In their 1982 book, War in Uganda, journalists Tony Avirgan and Martha Honey noted that “While it is perhaps too strong to state that Lule’s selection was stage-managed by outside powers, it is clear that he became an increasingly attractive candidate to the British, Kenyans and the Commonwealth Secretariat as well as key Tanzanian officials” (page 108). This is how the Moshi delegates settled on Professor Yusufu Kironde Lule, the former principal of Makerere University College. As an academician, he had an unthreatening and decent image and no power base whatsoever. However, after he was sworn-in on April 13, 1979, Lule discovered what all politicians eventually discover: the intoxicating, self-actualising effect of power. The rise, fall of BinaisaLule, who had been politically active while in exile in London during the 1970s, felt comfortable in his role as head of state. However, there soon emerged a tension in the Ugandan body politic on what Constitution governed the country. The Moshi Conference had come up with a Constitution that appointed a president and a powerful body, the National Consultative Council (NCC) with the powers to remove the president among other powers. Although Lule was a conservative and had bitterly opposed the abolition of the traditional kingdoms in 1967, as president he discovered how much power the 1967 Constitution gave him. 1 | 2 Next Page»The Moshi Constitution gave certain executive powers to the NCC and placed many limits on the powers of the President. The 1967 Constitution gave the president wide-ranging powers, among which being that he could appoint his cabinet single-handedly. The Moshi constitution fobade such decision-making that did not consult the NCC. The tensions among the elite were over what Constitution should government the post-Amin era, the Moshi Constitution of 1979 or the Republican Uganda Constitution of 1967. Lule insisted that the 1967 Constitution had not been overruled by the Moshi Constitution of the UNLF while the chairman of the NCC, Mr Edward Rugumayo, said the Moshi Constitution had been agreed upon as ruling Uganda after Amin’s fall. Key Lule advisors like Semei Nyanzi, Dr. Arnold Bisase, and Grace Ibingira preferred Lule to govern Uganda under the 1967 Constitution. When Lule announced a cabinet reshuffle and appointment of new ministers in June 1979, the tensions over the Moshi versus the 1967 Constitution reached a head and the NCC called a vote of no confidence, resulting in the removal of Lule from office on June 20, 1979. The former Attorney-General and like Lule a Muganda, Godfrey Lukongwa Binaisa, was selected to succeed Lule. Like Lule, Binaisa with his high academic qualifications bore that air of western-educated respectability essential for a post-Amin Uganda. “We (NCC, in selecting a successor to Lule) also wanted a person with knowledge of how a government works. That is when we brought in Godfrey Binaisa”, said the NCC’s Chairman, Professor Edward Rugumayo, on why Binaisa had been selected. Binaisa’s rise and fall was similar to that of Yusufu Lule. Like Lule, Binaisa was an interim head of state, a stop-gap candidate selected for a period until the proper balance of political power could be restored. Exercising full controlBut as President, like Lule, Binaisa moved to exercise his full executive powers under the 1967 Constitution, leading in turn to the real political and military powers that had appointed him to remove them from power, which happened to Binaisa on May 11, 1980. In due time, with the return from nine years in exile on May 27, 1980 of Milton Obote and the announcement of a December 10, 1980 general election with the UPC and DP --- Uganda’s two oldest and most popular parties --- as the main contenders, the natural political order returned to the country. Why Lule fell so quickly from power Uganda’s political landscape has always been full of intrigue, scheming and rivalry. However, it has never been so acute as to cause a head of state to last only 68 days in power. Lule was a former university professor and his presidency was excitedly received in many parts of Uganda. African presidents had routinely being abusing their offices or overstepping the limits of their power since the start of the independence wave in the late 1950s. So whatever the National Consultative Council accused Lule of cannot have been the real reason behind his fall. Something extraordinary must have led to Lule’s fall from power so dramatically and so quickly. Some background can clear the mystery. After Lule’s swearing-in at the Parliament Buildings in Kampala on April 13, 1979 and his official address to the nation in English, Lule addressed himself to Baganda in Luganda by stating something to the effect that “Our turn has come”. Present that day was the Tanzanian Defence Minister Rashid Kawawa. In Tanzania, in the interest of forging national unity, it had been forbidden for government officials to speak their tribal languages at state events and only Kiswahili was permitted of the African languages. When Kawawa was told what Lule had told the thousands of Baganda that day, he got angry and expressed disbelief that the respected Lule could get so triba on his very first day as president. Others present like the new Minister of State for Defence Yoweri Museveni were angered by that. The new army chief of staff, Lt. Col. David Oyite-Ojok, found it amusing and laughed it off. During the first cabinet meeting at State House in Entebbe the next week, Oyite-Ojok attended. According to Super FM’s researcher and political historian Ssemwanga Kisolo speaking on his history show Emboozi Teba Nkadde, about Lule’s fall on Friday February 25, 2011, Lule did not know Oyite-Ojok. When he asked him who this man in a battle steel helmet was, Oyite-Ojok said “I am Lt. Col. David Oyite-Ojok”. Unable to grasp his names, Lule said “Okay, I’ll call you David. That’s easier”. The dismay at Lule’s tribalism and condescending attitude, coming so soon after many officials had held commander roles in the war against Amin, embittered the UNLF political establishment. This, more than a minor breach of presidential powers, was the real and unreported reason behind Lule’s fall from office in so short a time. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1116056/-/c4jheez/-/index.html","content":"Besigye: EC connived with Museveni to rob me of win - He aimed to become Uganda’s President and went out in 2001, 2006 and again this year to ask for the necessary votes to get to State House. Like the previous ones, Dr Kizza Besigye, the Forum for Democratic Change leader, contends the February 18 vote he had anticipated to win with 60 per cent, was rigged. Our Senior Reporter, Tabu Butagira, asked the retired Colonel what went wrong, his future plans and if going to the bush is an option to right the alleged electoral wrongs: Qn: Two weeks to the vote, you told this newspaper you could win the February 18 ballot with 60 per cent. The Electoral Commission (EC) announced President Museveni won the presidential vote with 68 per cent and that you got 26 per cent. What happened?A: What happened was that there was no election. If there was an election we would, I believe, get what we expected. Once the EC and their masters decided that there would be no election, what we were talking about could no longer be an issue. People voted and how can it be that there was no election?Yes, people went out to vote, but an election means that their vote counts. It’s not about people walking to the polling stations.The registers which were at the polling stations were different from those we had (as political parties). Many people were disenfranchised as a result. The EC decided that whoever comes to the polling station votes whether you are identified or not. So there was a lot of multiple voting, our polling agents were arrested and removed from polling stations in many areas and there was a lot of ballot stuffing. Many of our agents were denied the results declaration forms even where an election went on in an orderly way and results were announced. Different results were recorded from the results that were announced. All these were outside our control, whatever capacity we had, because of the involvement of the military and security forces interfering with the elections. There were the indirect influences which had a huge impact – the obscene amounts of money which were splashed throughout the campaign process, including on the voting day. The terror, you know, with the military everywhere, fighter aircrafts and helicopters hovering over people’s heads with the threats that you either vote for President Museveni or there is war.If people were allowed to vote by secret ballot, to have their votes counted and recorded accurately, we would still have won in spite of all those influences. Where is the evidence that your victory was stolen?We pointed out some of the ballot papers pre-ticked in favour of President Museveni that were seized. (Laughs) I understand the EC was saying I should be investigated for having them until they were all over the town (laughs heartily) in the suspended Kampala mayoral vote. These are ballot papers printed by the EC. Any decent commissioner should have done the decent thing and resigned because this is complete breach of trust that anybody can imagine. There was definitely ballot stuffing and also concrete evidence that they arrested many of our agents. Some of them are still in prison. This is an election observers always thin on the ground concluded was not free and fair. If you don’t have a free and fair election, you cannot talk about a result or winner. Even constitutionally, there is only one election that is allowed to produce a President of Uganda –a free and fair election. There is the argument that whereas you contend the elections were not free or fair, there are areas where opposition parliamentary candidates won. How do you explain that?Two things happened. There are areas the election riggers targeted. And in those areas, no amount of support or vigilance could deliver victory. When you get the winner’s results, they read a different one as happened in many areas. Our Woman Member of Parliament candidate for Tororo (Ms Keziah Nyakecho Ochwo) has all her results on the declaration form. They have announced a different person as the winner and they are saying she should go to court. And we have many such people, who have all their results, and they have won, but somebody else has been declared a winner. But there are other areas where they don’t put as much focus. And there if our people are vigilant enough, they can overwhelm the rigging and they can be announced as winners. Let’s take the case of Budadiri West MP Nandala Mafabi. His constituency came under siege by the military in armoured vehicles on Election Day; people were beaten and there was bloodletting, RDCs trooped in to butress Presidency minister Beatrice Wabudeya. But still MP Mafabi won.Nandala Mafabi is, I think, one of the extra-ordinary examples because his election wasn’t just about himself. It was also about the dignity of the people of Bugisu. The struggle in Bugisu has been beyond this election because President Museveni has been trying to decimate the only institution that the Bagisu identify with – the Bugisu Cooperative Union – which Mafabi happens to head. You heard during the campaigns, he (Museveni) directed that Nandala Mafabi should be removed from the union illegally (laughs) and that was reversed (by the courts). So there was a war-like situation in Sironko and I think the government realised that it could escalate beyond what they could handle and they eased off. Do you think there is reason to prosecute EC chairman Eng. Badru Kiggundu or any of his team members?I think really Kiggundu and his commissioners have been criminal in their actions because they have been doing things that they knew, that they were warned, were bound to create chaos in the country. They obviously fundamentally breached the trust the institution is to enjoy from the people of Uganda by the fundamental failures they have been engaged in. I hope at some stage they will be made to account for their grave mistakes. But you got fewer votes this year than in the 2006 ballot. What honest mistakes can you own up to in the campaigns for the poor show?That question is wrongly premised. I could even have been given zero votes. For instance, at a polling station they announced 200 votes for me, Eng. Kiggundu announced that I got four votes. For any election that is not free and fair, you cannot begin to talk of number of votes or why someone failed. There were no 5.4 million votes for Museveni – it is just fake. There is no way Museveni would get such votes. In fact you should ask the question: What miracle Museveni did to increase his fortunes (votes) by almost 10 per cent point when patients at Mulago Hospital are striking because they cannot receive treatment at a national referral hospital - I am a doctor but I have not seen anywhere patients striking because they are not being given medicines - when there is no power, roads are impassable and education has collapsed? UPC leader Olara Otunnu called for boycott of the elections whose results you now dispute so as to bring pressure on President Museveni to appoint a more representative EC and you disagreed. With the benefit of hindsight, do you think that was the right thing to do?No. no. no! I think a boycott by itself is not a useful decision on the part of political actors. Firstly, all dictatorships will have proxies which they will use as some kind of opposition (laughs). We have (38) registered political parties which are in people’s pockets. They can pull those out and put up a façade. Our people needed to know that they are participating in a flawed election and to try to be vigilant in trying to defend it – and failure of which, as it has happened, would then cause them to know and act about such a ridiculous thing. That’s why we said we would not go to court because we knew we were participating in a fraudulent process. We knew there were some things which could happen which would be beyond our control and so even in a fraudulent election, it is necessary to move with the people until people themselves are able to act.Because beyond elections, the only other avenue that is a constitutional option against electoral fraud is for the population to protest. You called for protests without saying when they begin and how this will be executed. How was your call supposed to be effected yet the voters are already back in the garden or at work and willing to move on?Well, even on Election Day, people were working. This isn’t a matter for Kizza Besigye as a (former) candidate, it is not a matter for FDC as a party, it is not even a matter for IPC as a group of parties. It can only be a matter for the people of Uganda who are sovereign - who have all the power. We don’t have power as political parties. Power resides in the people. In the campaigns, we were vehicles to deliver their aspirations in the elections. So, if we meet obstacles on the roads, we only have to tell the people that your vehicles cannot reach where you were going; there are these problems and in which case everybody then has a responsibility to re-direct the country back to the path of constitutional rule if the Constitution is subverted.And that is the duty we are informing the people of Uganda about. That the time is now to take up your duty and re-direct the affairs of Uganda to constitutional rule. The people have a choice to live as free citizens whose voices matter in determining how they are governed and who governs them or to live, as Museveni clearly wants them to do, in fear and subjugation by the guns Museveni happens to hold today. If they are willing to make it today, well and good. If they want to make in 10 years, it is up to them. It is not a matter we want to carry on ourselves as former candidates or as political parties. We have a duty to give the information as we have done. If our leadership is needed in that process for protest, we will avail our leadership but the people themselves must rise and protest by themselves. President Museveni was quoted in the media as telling his supporters at Kololo during the NRM victory celebrations that he will crush peaceful demonstrators and grab you “like a samosa and devour you like cake”. Are you ready to be swallowed?President Museveni is deliberately trying to deflect the attention of Ugandans from the real issues. Besigye isn’t an issue at all. Besigye would be dead today whether eaten by him – that’s if he has chosen to be a cannibal (laughs heartily) –it doesn’t matter. The reason people would protest is because they have no jobs, they have no health care, no good roads and their children cannot get decent education. All these are not there because the government is stealing their money – that’s what he has to confront and deal with whether Besigye is dead or not. He has superintended over a government that has robbed from its citizens unprecedented amounts of money and if the citizens become annoyed, he can kill many of them obviously, as we have seen. He has the capacity to order his soldiers to gun down the people who buy for them the guns. In the end, whatever he does, however many weapons he has, he will have to face the truth that this is a country that belongs to Ugandans - and not to himself, and certainly not to his guards. Your party recently raised a red flag over your safety. How serious is this threat.The threat is there. And if there was anyone not aware, President Museveni expounded on it (during his address to supporters at Kololo airstrip) on Friday. People came to kill me (while in exile) in South Africa and it was the government of South Africa that protected me. So are you considering running into exile again?No, I will not. When President Museveni alleged the 1980 elections were rigged, he went to the bush. Why isn’t pushing out the President by force of arms not an option for you since you say the opposition seems to have run out of contistutional options to remove him?I have not ruled out that as an option. I have never ruled out the use of arms to remove a dictatorship. But war is not something you walk into casually. War is extremely a destructive process and shouldn’t be entered into lightly. It should be the extreme option. The reason we are saying we should not go to war now is because we think there are still other avenues to bring the country back on the path of constitutional rule. One of the options is peaceful demonstrations. 1 | 2 Next Page»Most peaceful demonstrations succeeding in North Africa are with the tacit approval of the army. The so-called mass revolutions are sort of subtle coups. Critics say the UPDF is like Museveni’s personal army and won’t allow such civil disturbance. All those armies (in the affected countries) were also under the firm control of their presidents. At the end of the day, what the dictators forget is that those guns are in the hands of people whose brothers and sisters they are being asked to murder. They are not mercenaries. The people in the UPDF are our brothers and sisters. They live with us and they know that our grievances are genuine. It’s not that they are falling from planet Mars. So there is an extent to which they can be used to murder their citizens and that’s why they rebel against the dictators at some stage. Are you suggesting a coup is a possibility in Uganda?I don’t know if a coup is possible because dictators focus more on the military, making that possibility difficult. A dictator who has been in power for 25 years will know that and the means of conducting that coup are grossly undermined. I also don’t think a coup would be a solution. It could possibly mean a temporary respite from one dictator to another. The change we are advocating is where the military is totally subordinate to civilian authority, not the the other way round. Talking of alleged UPDF’s excesses, if people came to the streets and were gunned down, don’t you think you would be accused of having blood on your hands by leading defenceless people in harm’s way?That is why I have told you it is not me leading anybody onto the streets. It is me informing the people of Uganda that they have a duty to protest. Peaceful protest is completely legal and constitutional. If anybody kills innocent, legally-protesting people, the responsibility cannot be on my hands, the murderer must answer for his crimes. On February 24, US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Johnnie Carson told the BBC’s The World Today programme you should go to court to address your grievances and not the street. He also said President Museveni should not bully protestors because peaceful demonstrations are a “democratic, fundamental right”. What do you read of the contradicting statements?The US is known to make common blunders in areas where it is pursuing short-term goals. Clearly the US has some short-term goals in working with Museveni and this is the US government, not the people of the United States. And I think the government does that in betrayal of its own people because the people of the US have got a very, very clear solid view about people’s freedom everywhere in the world. But their governments, as you have seen working with all the dictators in the world for short-term gains. They worked with (late Zairean President) Mobutu Sese Seko when he was superintending over a government similar to the current one of Uganda; stealing from its population, killing and maiming its people.I seem to see the US government making a similar mistake in Uganda. What next for you?I will remain around as an activist. I am not going to seek another term to lead the FDC. The party has huge reserve of potential national leaders. I do not need any office as a political activist. Security Minister Amama Mbabazi, whom you accused during the campaigns of sabotaging the 1981-6 NRA bush war, said last week that you are a bad loser who should retire from politics. What is your comment?At least he didn’t respond to whether he sabotaged the struggle, but he was indeed subversive to our struggle. The person who complained about him most in the bush was not me but Museveni himself. That is why Mbabazi is now hostage to Museveni’s dictatorship because he knows that he is not serving as of right but as of privilege. He did nothing to warrant the positions he is holding in government. What do you say to your two million supporters countrywide?That they must remain firm. I was only an embodiment for change. They must renew their resolve. The time is now and they should stand up and make sure that the country is free and their will counts. Your last word?It is to the dictatorship and its cronies that they need to climb down from the cloud 9 where they live in opulence and detachment from the suffering of the people. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1114814/-/c4kouoz/-/index.html","content":"Greed,power struggles choke UWA - Tourism and Trade Minister Gen. Kahinda Otafiire has taken over executive powers at the Uganda Wildlife Authority in breach of the law. Our investigations reveal that the minister literally runs daily operations at the wildlife agency even after he appointed Dr Andrew Seguya as the acting executive director. Although Mr Seguya’s role is to oversee operations at UWA, this newspaper has learnt that Gen. Otafiire gives directives on what decisions to take and what should be done for instance on staff deployment. On January 28, the minister made senior staff redeployments, a role that is a preserve of the executive director as instructed by the UWA Act. “Immediately assign Mr Charles Tumwesigye the current Conservation Area Manager of Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area, the responsibilities of Ag. Chief Conservation Manager (deputy director conservation) based at UWA head office with ‘a special task of, among the others specific to the job, directly monitoring operations of all Wildlife protected areas country-wide and directly reporting to you on daily basis,” reads one of Gen. Otafiire’s orders. He also ordered that: “Immediately transfer Mr Nelson Guma to Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area to take charge from Mr Charles Tumwesigye, and then the current in-charge of Mgahinga National Park Mr Pontius Ezuma be assigned to take charge of Bwindi Conservation Area as Ag Conservation Area Manager.” Other movementsIn the deployment orders, the minister also assigned Mr Yunusu Musisi the responsibilities of finance and business services as acting director. The UWA Act assigns the duties of staff deployment to the executive director under the supervision of the Board of Trustees. The minister has not appointed UWA board after the Dr Boysier Muballe-led board was last year disbanded by court because they were unqualified to supervise wildlife conservation activities. The Muballe board is accused of bleeding UWA’s coffers through hefty allowances and also caused management chaos at the agency. They sacked six UWA senior managers including the executive director, Mr Moses Mapesa for reportedly standing in the way of the board’s financial mission in the agency. A court judgment secured by the employees faulted the board for their dismissal but also denied Mr Mapesa any compensation because he had been appointed by the minister without the board’s recommendation. Mr Mapesa had averred that when reappointing him, Gen. Otafiire was performing the functions of the board since the life of the previous board had expired. Justice Yorokamu Bamwine ruled thus: “This averment cannot hold because the minister could not exercise a power which he did not have merely because the board had expired.” The judge said the minister can only appoint on recommendation of the board. This implies that other than usurping the powers of the executive director, the current redeployments ordered by the minister were also illegal. Our investigation has also found out that the minister now uses the official stamp of the executive director to authenticate his directives. For instance, Gen. Otafiire has also personally promoted two employees: Ms Lilian Nsubuga and Yunusu Musisi into senior acting positions. “In the exigencies of UWA supervisory service, I have decided to appoint you as Acting Director Legal and Corporate Affairs effective 1st February 2011,” reads the minister’s letter to Ms Nsubuga. Ms Nsubuga is a journalist and has been the agency’s spokesperson. The minister also promoted Mr Musisi to acting Director Finance. Sources say the minister was acting on advice from some technocrats from the ministry who are silently working to break UWA’s semi-autonomous status. The source of acrimony between UWA and the ministry bureaucrats was the alleged desire by the government employees to partake of the wildlife conservation funds to which UWA has been tightfisted. Ministers’ fuelBut early this month, the ministry managed to land on the agency’s funds after the permanent secretary ordered the body to fund the minister’s fuel for three months. “As you might be aware, Government has not released any money to the Ministry of Tourism except subventions…The purpose of this memo, therefore, is to advise you to facilitate the ministers with vehicle running fuel for the period of January to March,” reads the memo to UWA. Several government ministries are broke after the budget was diverted to fund political campaigns. According to the memo, Gen. Otafiire was to pocket Shs2 million per month while state minister for Tourism takes Shs1.8 million. Two other institutions, Uganda National Bureau of Standards and Uganda Industrial Research Institute,under the same ministry were directed to give Shs1.8 million each to ministers Gagawala Wambuzi and Simon Lokodo for Trade and Industry respectively. This paper’s investigation also found out the pressure has come to bear on UWA because of the Shs10 billion trust fund that the agency’s past managers had built to sustain the agency in times of low donor funding. But the politicians and some board members wanted to take charge of the till. Fall outMeanwhile, our investigation shows Mr Mark Kamanzi, a legal officer, who had been rapidly promoted to act as executive director, fell out with Gen. Otafiire after he reportedly wrote to legal officers of UWA’s bankers to dishonor cheques signed by Mr Seguya. He is also accused of reportedly trying to withdraw Shs30 million without Mr Seguya’s knowledge and paying Shs50 million to his private law firm and trying unclearly pay out $500,000 (about Shs1 billion) to a contractor. It was also alleged that the man also plucked out $6,000 (about Shs12 million) from UWA to attend a wildlife convention in the United States but did not refund money as he did not travel. “I lost that money and someone must have stolen it but I had to take responsibility,” Mr Kamanzi told us on Thursday, “ I wrote and instructed them to recover from my salary.’’ 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Seguya confirmed that Mr Kamanzi had been suspended. “He was not suspended by me. He was suspended by the minister, Gen. Otafiire,” he said, “I can only tell you to get comment from the minister.” But, as Mr Kamanzi suspects, mudslinging and endemic poor governance reigns at UWA. “It’s within their powers to carry out an investigation, so let the inquiry go through,” said Mr Kamanzi, himself a subject of the ongoing investigation headed by Mr Emmanuel Olaunah, a bureaucrat at the Tourism ministry. Mr Kamanzi on Thursday distanced himself from alleged financial bad behavior, saying he did not pay his law firm neither did he make any illegal payment when he superintended UWA affairs albeit briefly. “I cannot pay Shs50 million to my firm,” he said, “When I was nominated to chair the evaluation committee that gave the job to that firm, I disqualified myself because one of the guys in that firm was a friend. “They have actually not paid the firm and I am not a director in that company.” Mr Kamanzi, who asked this newspaper not to write the story, said several people were looking at the $500,000 to hang him but “ there was a contract and under that contract, we (UWA) were paying a compound interest.” “To avoid paying compound interest, I recommended that we use money on the operations account to pay the contractor since other accounts had been blocked.” He denied trying to deep his fingers into the wildlife conservation cash reserve, saying: “Those allegations are absolutely untrue and in bad faith. Let them investigate and the let the truth come out.” Wildlife conservationists blame Gen. Otafiire’s abrasive leadership style for the governance crisis smoldering at UWA. cobore@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/-/688342/1114688/-/uqsoa4/-/index.html","content":"Greed, power  struggles choke UWA - More than half a year now, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has been embroiled in a management malady; six senior officials were sacked, the board was deemed illegal by the Court, two executive directors have emerged and gone, and the confusion of dubious appointments lingers on. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, the line minister, remains in the spotlight for being abrasive but more recently, as Chris Obore reports, the minister has literally taken over the day-to-day operations of the agency. Tourism and Trade Minister Gen. Kahinda Otafiire has taken over executive powers at the Uganda Wildlife Authority in breach of the law. Our investigations reveal that the minister literally runs daily operations at the wildlife agency even after he appointed Dr Andrew Seguya as the acting executive director. Although Mr Seguya’s role is to oversee operations at UWA, this newspaper has learnt that Gen. Otafiire gives directives on what decisions to take and what should be done for instance on staff deployment. On January 28, the minister made senior staff redeployments, a role that is a preserve of the executive director as instructed by the UWA Act. “Immediately assign Mr Charles Tumwesigye the current Conservation Area Manager of Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area, the responsibilities of Ag. Chief Conservation Manager (deputy director conservation) based at UWA head office with ‘a special task of, among the others specific to the job, directly monitoring operations of all Wildlife protected areas country-wide and directly reporting to you on daily basis,” reads one of Gen. Otafiire’s orders. He also ordered that: “Immediately transfer Mr Nelson Guma to Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area to take charge from Mr Charles Tumwesigye, and then the current in-charge of Mgahinga National Park Mr Pontius Ezuma be assigned to take charge of Bwindi Conservation Area as Ag Conservation Area Manager.” Other movementsIn the deployment orders, the minister also assigned Mr Yunusu Musisi the responsibilities of finance and business services as acting director. The UWA Act assigns the duties of staff deployment to the executive director under the supervision of the Board of Trustees. The minister has not appointed UWA board after the Dr Boysier Muballe-led board was last year disbanded by court because they were unqualified to supervise wildlife conservation activities.The Muballe board is accused of bleeding UWA’s coffers through hefty allowances and also caused management chaos at the agency. They sacked six UWA senior managers including the executive director, Mr Moses Mapesa for reportedly standing in the way of the board’s financial mission in the agency.A court judgment secured by the employees faulted the board for their dismissal but also denied Mr Mapesa any compensation because he had been appointed by the minister without the board’s recommendation. Mr Mapesa had averred that when reappointing him, Gen. Otafiire was performing the functions of the board since the life of the previous board had expired. Justice Yorokamu Bamwine ruled thus: “This averment cannot hold because the minister could not exercise a power which he did not have merely because the board had expired.” The judge said the minister can only appoint on recommendation of the board. This implies that other than usurping the powers of the executive director, the current redeployments ordered by the minister were also illegal. Our investigation has also found out that the minister now uses the official stamp of the executive director to authenticate his directives.For instance, Gen. Otafiire has also personally promoted two employees: Ms Lilian Nsubuga and Yunusu Musisi into senior acting positions. “In the exigencies of UWA supervisory service, I have decided to appoint you as Acting Director Legal and Corporate Affairs effective 1st February 2011,” reads the minister’s letter to Ms Nsubuga.Ms Nsubuga is a journalist and has been the agency’s spokesperson. The minister also promoted Mr Musisi to acting Director Finance. Sources say the minister was acting on advice from some technocrats from the ministry who are silently working to break UWA’s semi-autonomous status. The source of acrimony between UWA and the ministry bureaucrats was the alleged desire by the government employees to partake of the wildlife conservation funds to which UWA has been tightfisted. Ministers’ fuelBut early this month, the ministry managed to land on the agency’s funds after the permanent secretary ordered the body to fund the minister’s fuel for three months. “As you might be aware, Government has not released any money to the Ministry of Tourism except subventions…The purpose of this memo, therefore, is to advise you to facilitate the ministers with vehicle running fuel for the period of January to March,” reads the memo to UWA. Several government ministries are broke after the budget was diverted to fund political campaigns.According to the memo, Gen. Otafiire was to pocket Shs2 million per month while state minister for Tourism takes Shs1.8 million. Two other institutions, Uganda National Bureau of Standards and Uganda Industrial Research Institute,under the same ministry were directed to give Shs1.8 million each to ministers Gagawala Wambuzi and Simon Lokodo for Trade and Industry respectively. 1 | 2 Next Page»This paper’s investigation also found out the pressure has come to bear on UWA because of the Shs10 billion trust fund that the agency’s past managers had built to sustain the agency in times of low donor funding. But the politicians and some board members wanted to take charge of the till. Fall outMeanwhile, our investigation shows Mr Mark Kamanzi, a legal officer, who had been rapidly promoted to act as executive director, fell out with Gen. Otafiire after he reportedly wrote to legal officers of UWA’s bankers to dishonor cheques signed by Mr Seguya. He is also accused of reportedly trying to withdraw Shs30 million without Mr Seguya’s knowledge and paying Shs50 million to his private law firm and trying unclearly pay out $500,000 (about Shs1 billion) to a contractor. It was also alleged that the man also plucked out $6,000 (about Shs12 million) from UWA to attend a wildlife convention in the United States but did not refund money as he did not travel. “I lost that money and someone must have stolen it but I had to take responsibility,” Mr Kamanzi told us on Thursday, “ I wrote and instructed them to recover from my salary.’’ Mr Seguya confirmed that Mr Kamanzi had been suspended. “He was not suspended by me. He was suspended by the minister, Gen. Otafiire,” he said, “I can only tell you to get comment from the minister.” But, as Mr Kamanzi suspects, mudslinging and endemic poor governance reigns at UWA.“It’s within their powers to carry out an investigation, so let the inquiry go through,” said Mr Kamanzi, himself a subject of the ongoing investigation headed by Mr Emmanuel Olaunah, a bureaucrat at the Tourism ministry. Mr Kamanzi on Thursday distanced himself from alleged financial bad behavior, saying he did not pay his law firm neither did he make any illegal payment when he superintended UWA affairs albeit briefly. “ I cannot pay Shs50 million to my firm,” he said, “ When I was nominated to chair the evaluation committee that gave the job to that firm, I disqualified myself because one of the guys in that firm was a friend. “They have actually not paid the firm and I am not a director in that company.”Mr Kamanzi, who asked this newspaper not to write the story, said several people were looking at the $500,000 to hang him but “ there was a contract and under that contract, we (UWA) were paying a compound interest.” “To avoid paying compound interest, I recommended that we use money on the operations account to pay the contractor since other accounts had been blocked.” He denied trying to deep his fingers into the wildlife conservation cash reserve, saying: “Those allegations are absolutely untrue and in bad faith. Let them investigate and the let the truth come out.”Wildlife conservationists blame Gen. Otafiire’s abrasive leadership style for the governance crisis smoldering at UWA. cobore@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/724934/-/10edrbp/-/index.html","content":"Kabaka's response to Museveni letter on land - On December 18, 2007, President Museveni wrote to the Kabaka of Buganda on the contentious land issue. Today we bring you the Kabaka's response. December 29, 2007 H.E. Yoweri K. Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, State House, P. O. Box 25497, Kampala-Uganda. Your Excellency, Your Letter Ref. PO/8 of  December 18, 2007 on Unity and Stability of Uganda: Allow me to convey to your Excellency warm greetings and salutations from the government of the Kingdom of Buganda. I have been directed by Ssaabasajja Kabaka of Buganda, to respond to your letter of December 18, 2007 and on the issues raised in your subsequent press statement. Ssaabasajja Kabaka and the people of Buganda share your concerns about the need for stability, unity and good governance of Uganda. Indeed our concerns on land and demand for federalism are raised on that basis. And, whilst we recognise the NRM's and your contribution to the struggle against dictatorship and bad governance in this country, we find it regrettable that the significant contributions of the people of the Kingdom of Buganda to this struggle are often overlooked and our aspirations always thwarted. The people  of the  Kingdom of Buganda are particularly  disappointed  by the disparaging language and tone of your letter and statements, Mr President. Because Ssaabasajja Kabaka is the embodiment of our cultural identity, any attacks against him or his Government strike at the cultural identity and esteem of all Baganda. This is both deplorable and inimical to the unity, stability and progress of our country. lInvolvement in partisan politics It is not true that the Kingdom of Buganda or, indeed, our beloved Kabaka, has either joined or participated in partisan politics in breach of the Constitution. The Kingdom of Buganda has not and will never engage in spreading of lies, sedition, incitement or the propagation of sectarianism. It has other pressing matters at hand - not limited to the fight against the grabbing of its land; the restoration of a federal system of government, and the struggle against the poverty crisis that afflicts the majority of its people. The Kingdom of Buganda is several centuries old. It has legitimate interests some of which may or may not coincide with those of various political organisations. It is therefore not surprising that, on many occasions, the interests of the Kingdom of Buganda vary from those of political organisations such as the NRM. Be that as it may, the Kingdom embraces all Baganda regardless of their political, religious or other affiliation. It has made every effort: to accommodate all political actors in Uganda at Mengo - including but not limited to yourself and the NRM. Ssaabasajja Kabaka is aware that all political parties that wished to visit Mengo during past elections were welcome and none was excluded. It is not true that any political rallies were held in Bulange or the Kasubi tombs. Therefore, to demand that the interests of the Kingdom of Buganda be subordinated to those of any political organisation is to demand that the Kingdom become partisan, which would be both wrong and unconstitutional. Further, to demand that the Kingdom of Buganda should shun or discriminate against some of its own purely on account of their political beliefs, is equally wrong. l Buganda's right to engage in the land debate and the activities of the central civic education committee: Land constitutes Buganda's principal natural resource. It lies at the very heart of Kiganda tradition and culture - hence the following expressions and titles in our rich language: \"etaka\"; \"obutaka\"; \"abatakansi'; \"abataka\"; and \"Ssaabataka\". Further, the Kingdom of Buganda comprises bibanja holders and registered land owners, all of whom are Baganda under Ssaabasajja Kabaka. The people who suffer from unlawful evictions and the majority of those who will be adversely affected by hasty land reforms are Baganda Art. 246(3) (a) of the Constitution provides that traditional or cultural leaders shall have the capacity to hold assets or properties in trust for themselves and the people concerned. While Art. 26 guarantees the right to property. Indeed Ssaabasajja Kabaka is the registered owner of land, both in a private and an official trustee capacity. As such, the Kabaka and the institutions of the Kingdom are major stakeholders and they have everything to lose should unjust land laws and policies be enacted and/or implemented. ..It is clear to us that land is not a partisan political issue and that the Kabaka and the institutions of the Kingdom of Buganda have a legitimate right to comment publicly about any proposed changes in the land laws of Uganda. In fact, a failure by the Kabaka or the institutions of the Kingdom of Buganda to engage in the land debate would be a gross dereliction and abdication of their customary, cultural and traditional duty. After the Buganda Lukiiko had considered and taken a stand against the proposed amendments to the Land Act, the Central Civic Education Committee (CCEC) was established with a view to educating the people of Buganda about the Kingdom's position. The CCEC's activities have not breached any laws. The members of the CCEC and the people who attend seminars exercise their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly - as well as, the right to enjoy, practice, maintain and promote their culture as Baganda. I must point out that Buganda's engagement in the land debate has always been peaceful and lawful. I am sure that I do not need to emphasize to you, Mr President, the fact that some other communities in Uganda have resorted to naked violence to resolve issues of a similar nature. l Buganda's concerns about the proposed amendments to the land act: Buganda has legitimate and well founded concerns about the existing land policy and the proposed changes to the Land Act. Many of these are shared by religious leaders of all faiths, civil society organizations and other communities in Uganda. Many have appealed to you to address these concerns. To start with, the proposed amendments have been hastily put together and lie outside the ongoing process of establishing a National Land Policy. It is clear from the haste with which the amendments have been put together that none of the relevant stakeholders such as the bibanja holders, registered land owners, community and religious leaders have been adequately consulted. It is also clear that the long term implications of the proposed amendments on the rights of the tenants and the registered land owners have not been adequately considered. The Kabaka abhors the unlawful and often violent eviction of bibanja holders from their land by unscrupulous registered land owners. Such actions are not only illegal but they also violate the long established norms and traditions of the Kingdom of Buganda. However, the Kabaka and the Kingdom of Buganda are concerned about the fact that the government does not appear to have studied the root causes of the rampant violent evictions or taken any interest in the perpetrators of these abhorrent acts before proposing sweeping amendments to the existing law. Evictions on private registered land are being driven by complex socio-political and economic factors. The proposed amendments do not address any of these factors. Simply criminalising evictions will not stop evictions. The people carrying out evictions are imbued with levels of impunity hitherto unknown in this country. They are being aided and abetted by government functionaries as well as security agencies who are corrupt to a degree hitherto unknown in this country. Therefore, the Kingdom of Buganda is of the view that the proposed amendments to the Land Act will be of no use in stopping evictions of bibanja holders because they do not address the twin evils of impunity and corruption. Yet the proposed amendments will cause further and unnecessary friction between registered land owners and bibanja holders. The interests of the land owners and the bibanja holders will cease to be complimentary and become exclusively competitive. This is because the proposed and current law is biased against land owners. Ironically, the result may be increased evictions of bibanja holders as registered land owners divest themselves of worthless mailo tides and pass them on to those who can extract some value by other means. The problems in Buganda's land tenure system were introduced by the British colonialists, who imposed themselves on our land with a view to securing it for themselves and their imperialistic desires. To concentrate on the fact that 43 per cent of Buganda's land mass was distributed amongst 1,000 chiefs and land owners is to ignore the fact that the imperialists allotted to themselves over 50 per cent of Buganda's land purportedly to hold it in trust for the Baganda yet unborn. Further, to address the issues of mailo land upon the premise of addressing a historical injustice as if that said land is still held by only the said 1,000 chiefs and land owners is to miss the point entirely. Mailo land has long been a traded commodity and is now widely owned in parcels of varying sizes by Baganda and non-Baganda from all walks of life. You, Mr President, are a good example of a non-Muganda mailo land owner. Individuals have saved money and invested it in mailo land. The current proposals serve no useful purpose, save to undermine both the integrity and future of many people's investments. Besides illegal evictions of tenants off land, there are several issues that require urgent attention or legislative reform, including but not limited to, the land registry, powers and constitution of the land tribunals and land boards. The idea of bond fide occupants is also particularly problematic. It is used to facilitate people including immigrants who have illegally occupied other people's land without their consent to acquire a legitimate interest on the land. In many cases it is confused with the customary kibanja holding under kiganda tradition. We consider therefore, that there needs to be a holistic land reform and not a piecemeal approach at reform. Such reforms should follow nation-wide consultations and consensus. Needless to say, laws must follow policies and not vice versa l A Hidden Agenda? Mr President, the unseemly haste with which the proposed amendments are being pushed has raised concerns about a hidden agenda amongst Baganda of all walks of life.     The Kingdom of Buganda has reason to believe that the tension between registered land owners and bibanja holders may be an intended side effect of the proposed amendments to the Land Act.   It is widely held that the unspoken aim of the proposals may be to get rid of the mailo owners by pitching them against the bibanja holders. The tenants will then be cleared off the land and resettled in camps or urban slums  under a resettlement policy to  make way  for industrialization and commercial farming.   These fears have been exacerbated by the fact that all RDC's were recently issued with a map which demarcates Uganda into 15 economic zones, which include Ankole, Busoga, Lango and Acholi, amongst others, but ominously splits Buganda into four zones called \"Kampala\" \"Central\", \"Luweero\" and \"Lake Victoria Basin\".   The fears are further elevated by the manner in which the government has been parceling out and or condoning the depletion of forests, forest reserves and wetlands to all manner of people, in the name of industrialization and development, without adequate regard to the interests of the Baganda born and unborn. If it were not for Buganda's protestations, Government had a clear intention to abolish Mailo Land ownership in Buganda and also to give powers to the Minister of Lands to issue Certificates of Occupancy to all tenants. All these actions add credence to our suspicions of a hidden agenda on Buganda's land. Therefore the proposed amendments are widely feared to be the first in a series of measures which will see all the Baganda, both the tenants and the registered land owners, losing out to the powerful Central Government and foreign investors. Under such an arrangement the Baganda would become emmomboze or wage slaves to foreign interests in their own land and their Kingdom would even not exist on the map. Put in its most extreme, it is feared that the proposed amendments are but one of a series of measures which are to br inflicted on the Baganda with a view to bringing about their annihilation. Hence the expression \"ettaka ligenda\". l The absence of good faith on the return of Buganda's expropriated property (ebyaffe): The problems in the land sector in Buganda are complicated by the fact that the government has refused to return Buganda's communal land as well as other official properties, which comprise over 50 per cent of Buganda's land mass. Oddly, the Government has even refused to return Sseekabaka Fredrick Mutesa II's disused Rolls Royce! These properties were violently and illegally expropriated by Milton Obote's regime, a dictator that the NRM fought. We are at a loss as to why, 14 years after the enactment of the Traditional Rulers (Restitution of Assets and Properties) Act, your Government is ignoring Articles 26(2) and 246(3)(a) of the Constitution and choosing to hide behind obscurantist opinions of the Attorney General and others to hold on to what was stolen from the Buganda. The government's foot-dragging over the issue of the return of Ebyaffe and the recent arm-twisting attempts to use the Ebyaffe as a hostage to be returned only if Buganda accepts the rejected Regional Government are the cause of a deep sense of deprivation and discrimination amongst the Baganda. The Baganda wonder why they are being made to beg for what is rightfully theirs whilst the Asian Community's expropriated assets were returned a long time ago without any fuss. The Baganda are concerned that even as they wait for the government to come round to negotiations regarding the mode of return of these properties, these properties are being alienated to third parties on a freehold basis or being used by government to settle people who have been rejected from other parts of Uganda. The seemingly never ending Ebyaffe saga has brought the good faith of the government into doubt. This issue has an impact on the issues of the proposed amendments to die Land Act. First of all, from a general perspective, Buganda's communal land, which ought to be used with a view to easing the pressure on the mailo land and broadening die class of registered land owners in Buganda is being used selectively and unjustly to enrich a small class of people with connections to central or local Governments. There is no central planning for the distribution of such land and we are thus hearing of new \"Mailo Owners\" - that is people who are being allotted square miles of so called \"public\" land. These new Mailo owners were granted leases which they converted or are converting into freehold, without regard to the fact that there are many Baganda born and unborn who are without land. Also, there appears to be no protection of the peasants who are settled on the Ebyaffe land that is in control of Government and they are regularly evicted by Government agencies without any adequate notice or compensation. The absence of good faith on the part of the Government in the Ebyaffe saga has also caused many Baganda to doubt the good faith of Government in respect of any issues pertaining to land. This feeling only fuels our fears of a hidden agenda as outlined above. lSectarianism and alleged marginalization of minority communities: On sectarianism and alleged marginalization of non-Baganda, I would wish to refer you to Buganda's excellent and self-evident historical record of receptiveness, inclusiveness, tolerance and non-discrimination. We cherish and are rightly proud of our cultural heritage which recognizes unity in diversity under one King and in one Kingdom. Buganda is a multi-ethnic and multi-tribal Kingdom, embracing all who adopt its culture and accept the suzerainty of Ssaabasajja Kabaka. This has always been the case and was never as a result of colonial intervention. This reality is reflected in the name of our beloved Kingdom, Buganda, which derives from the word \" omugandda'- meaning a bundle. Buganda is a collection of several ethnic bundles, \" obugandda coming together to form one big unbreakable bundle. The idea of marginalization or discrimination was conjured up in the hate history which was invented during the Obote years in order to justify the abolition of our Kingdom and the exiling of our beloved Kabaka. There are countless historical illustrations of this fact of which I will highlight a few. Martin Luther Nsibirwa, a Munyala, was twice appointed to the high office of Katikkiro. The cultural leader of the Bakooki, the Kamuswaga, was and still is the only hereditary Ssaza Chief in Buganda out of respect for the culture of the Bakooki. Semei Lwakilenzi Kakungulu, hailed from Kooki. But the examples do not only come from history, Buganda still recognizes the role of all of its peoples and this is reflected in the multi-ethnic make up of the Kabaka's present Cabinet and the Buganda Lukiiko. Equally, the phenomenon of abalaalo is neither new nor intolerable in Buganda. What is new is a class of reckless and arrogant nomads with unmanageably large herds of cattle that has been chased from other parts of Uganda and \"re-settled\" in Buganda. Where they come into contact with sedentary Baganda, their cattle grazes in peoples plantations with abandon. Where they have come, they are threatening to overwhelm the natural resources of grass and wafer and stretching the human and animal health services. It is neither sectarian not derogatory to point out that this new class of nomads creates the risk of unnecessary conflict in Buganda and may use the rushed proposed amendments to the Land Act to make their stay in Buganda permanent. Therefore, claims that Buganda is ego-centric or practices ethnocide do not stand up to serious scrutiny. The tendency for some Baganda to see themselves principally as Banyala, Bakooki, Baruuli is of recent creation. Similarly, the clamor for and creation of an array of sub-kingdoms within Buganda is new. The State's hand in these matters is not invisible. Ssaabasajja Kabaka is most displeased by this divisive trend of affairs. Ssaabasajja can not therefore be either \"associated with groups that undermine the unity of Ugandans or Africans\" or be \"an enemy of the interests of Baganda\" as you suggested in your letter. l Accusations against CBS FM Contrary to your accusations, CBS does not have a policy of misinforming the public, inciting hatred for the NRM and the President or propagating sectarianism. CBS FM offers a platform to all political and other actors in the country to discuss regional, national and international issues that directly and or indirectly concern Baganda and all Ugandans. The radio broadcasts programmes where diverse political and social leaders interface with their audience and leaves it up to the audience to make up their minds. The NRM, for example, is represented by two cadres on the Kiriza-oba-gaana program every Wednesday. CBS FM does this because divergent - and some times opposing - views are a fundamental ingredient of a free and democratic country. On the very rare occasions when only one interest group is hosted on a program, the management ensures that groups with divergent views are also hosted in subsequent programs. The public is also able to contribute to on-air discussions without discrimination, ensuring that any views broadcast on the radio are subject to public scrutiny. Other radio stations also host vibrant discussion programs on political and other issues. This is one of the fruits of the NRM rule. We therefore do not understand why CBS is continually singled out and castigated. CBS has initiated and supported several developmental projects including Nsindika Njake, Nekolera Gyange, and Entanda ya Buganda and also has assorted programming catering to the issues of public health, education, culture and economic development. On the President's alleged clamor for a salary increment, we understand that the radio has time and again explained itself. The discussion on this matter followed a story in the Monitor Newspaper on September 13, 2007. What CBS did was to discuss the matter from a regional perspective by comparing the salary of the President of Uganda with that of the Kenyan and South African Presidents. What came to light during the debate was that the Ugandan President's salary was lower than the salaries of some African Presidents. During the same debate, NRM officials including the then Director of the Media Centre were given the opportunity to present the Government's position on the matter. On the land debate, the radio has hosted several state officials including, Hon. Daniel Omara Atubo, the Minister of Lands. l The Way Forward It is clear from the above matters that the issue of the proposed amendments to the Land Act cannot be viewed in isolation of the intricately related issues of the federal system of governance and the restitution of Buganda's expropriated communal and other land. We contend that the problems presently manifesting themselves in the form of hitherto unknown tensions between registered land owners and bibanja holders as well as rampant violent and illegal evictions are themselves but a surface manifestation of the disequilibrium that was brought about by the violent abrogation of the 1962 Constitution by Obote. Mr President, the imposition of further ad hoc so-called solutions on Baganda's land when the Baganda can resolve these issues for themselves in accordance with their cultural norms and traditions within a federal arrangement is worrisome. The Baganda, like the Acholi, the Banyoro or the Karamojong, for example, should be accorded the respect of being able to make valid and bona fide decisions about their own land. There should be no further tinkering at the edges or beating about the bush. The Baganda have persistently expressed their desire for a federal system of governance for themselves and any other communities that desire it. Their aspirations are expressed in the reports of Justice B. Odoki and Professor E.F. Ssempebwa. But despite this fact the Kingdom of Buganda has been consistently short-changed, first with decentralization and then with the Regional Governments law. The Buganda Lukiiko and the Abataka resoundingly rejected the Regional Tier system for being way short of Buganda's legitimate aspirations. The Baganda were particularly dissatisfied with the provisions on the election of the Katikkiro; the relationships, hierarchy and reporting structures of districts with and between the Regional Government and the Central Government; the management and control of land; the non-entrenchment of financial provisions for the regional government; the Presidents power to take over a regional Government where there is a failure-to recognize regional diversity; the absence of provisions on the benefits and privileges of traditional rulers within the regional government; the demarcation of Mengo Municipality and Kampala as well as the role of the regional governments over primary education and agriculture. In short, the Regional Tier law fell short of Buganda's aspirations. 1 | 2 Next Page»In the premises the Kingdom proposes that: 1. Government should immediately put in place a transparent National Dialogue Mechanism within which all communities which aspire to the federal system of governance may negotiate and agree upon the re-establishment of a genuine federal system of government. This mechanism must be set up in such a manner as will inspire the confidence of the Baganda and all communities of Uganda in order to ensure that the issues of governance and natural resource distribution are comprehensively addressed to the satisfaction of all the people of Uganda. Such dialogue ought to be free of intimidation, threats and patronization. 2. The government should immediately and unconditionally return all of Buganda's expropriated property including the 9000sq miles, 1500 sq miles of forest and wetlands, 160sq miles of County and Sub-County Headquarters, and other official estates and vest it in the institution of Ssaabasajja Kabaka wa Buganda to hold on trust for the people of Buganda in accordance with Article 246(3(b) of the Constitution. This should not be pegged to the outcome of the National Dialogue Mechanism described above. 3. The gazetting and tabling of the Land (Amendment) Bill 2007 or any other changes to the Land Laws of Uganda be suspended to await the outcome of the National Dialogue Mechanism so as not to complicate the task of the resultant Federal Governments in making laws and regulations to govern the issues of land tenure and land use in their respective territories. In the interim, the issue of unlawful and violent evictions should be tackled by strict and unbiased enforcement of existing laws relating security of tenure, property rights ( such as the law on trespass and malicious damage), violence (assault or firearms offences) and corruption laws. 4.   The gazetting and tabling of Bills relating to Mengo Municipality and Kampala be suspended to await the outcome of the National Dialogue Mechanism in which the status and boundaries of Kampala as the Federal Capital can be -negotiated upon and agreed. I wish to remind Your Excellency that all your previous meetings with the Kabaka have been informal and devoid of technical discussions or negotiations on Buganda's issues. The technical discussions have been made with a delegation appointed by the Kabaka. This approach has served a dual purpose namely, to ensure that the Kabaka is not drawn into technical matters and, that the Lukiiko, the Abataka and the people of Buganda fully participate in these very important discussions. Accordingly, the Kabaka has directed me to advise that your next meeting should follow the above procedure and should convene once we have received your response to our above concerns. The Kingdom of Buganda believes that once the above matters are discussed and mutually resolved, then we will achieve lasting peace, stability and prosperity for Buganda, Uganda and the Great Lakes Region as a whole. I look forward to hearing from you and wish you and your family a Happy and Prosperous 2008. Accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of the Government of the Kingdom of Buganda's highest regards and considerations. Amb. Emmanuel L Ssendaula Ag. KATIKKIRO. CC:    Ssaabasajja Kabaka wa Buganda « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/-/688324/793284/-/bpumaf/-/index.html","content":"A voter can legally be removed from a registration roll, says EC - VERBATIM FROM 25/03/06 BESIGYE PETITION It’s Saturday, Day Four, at the Supreme Court in Mengo where the seven judges of the court are hearing a petition in which former presidential candidate Kizza Besigye is challenging the February 23 re-election victory of President Museveni. Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki leads the panel. The others are Arthur Oder, J.W. Tsekooko, Alfred Karokora, Joseph Mulenga, George Kanyeihamba and Bart Katureebe. Dan Wandera Ogalo leads Dr Besigye’s legal team, Solicitor General Lucian Tibaruha the Electoral Commission team and Dr Joseph Byamugisha leads Mr Museveni’s side. Having closed the Besigye submissions on Friday, the EC as first respondent began its reply yesterday. Siraje K. Lubwama, Emmanuel Mulondo, Solomon Muyita and Hussein Bogere recorded the proceedings (It is 9:48 a.m. The judges enter court and clerk Khadijah Kimono calls the petition file). Tibaruha: My lords, yesterday’s list of counsel has not changed. Ogalo: My lords, I have been informed by my learned friend Dr Byamugisha that he has not been served by the affidavit of Dr Jonathan Odwee [a Makerere University statistician who testified for Besigye on Friday]. While we were in court yesterday my learned friend Mr Yusuf Nsibambi did pass on these volumes of the affidavits as well as the annexure in the box file. The learned Solicitor General acknowledged he had received his in court here but unfortunately it appears the one, which was for Dr Byamugisha appears not to have reached him. These are large volumes and we had produced the exact number of them. We’re now in the process of making an extra copy to allow my learned friend secure a copy. Kanyeihamba: Why don’t you serve him with yours? Ogalo: I also need it. Mulenga: Has a copy got lost? Ogalo: My belief is that it must have got mixed up while we were here and I do apologise for having not served him but during break time after photocopy, I will serve him. Odoki: You’re very formalistic. (To Kimono) Don’t you have an extra copy? Kimono: I don’t have one. Odoki: You should always make excess. Ogalo: I am sorry, my lord. Odoki: Okay, since you’re being honest this time and you have said this time it never reached him. All right, Dr Byamugisha, we’re sorry for this. We propose to sit up to 2 p.m. and close the day. How is that? You (Tibaruha) proposed you wanted one day and a half - today half and then on Monday full. Tibaruha: Okay. The first respondent [i.e. EC] is ready. This morning we propose Mr. Didas Nkurunziza will submit on the affidavit evidence already submitted and if he finishes in the allotted time, we touch on the framed issues. Nkurunziza: It is the case of the respondent that some of the affidavits are inadmissible and as we go along, I will show you why. I intend to address this honourable court on affidavit evidence filed by the petitioner in four categories. The first is affidavits which have been adduced in contravention of the law and should therefore be rejected or ignored by this honourable court. The second category is affidavits that do not disclose or prove a cause of action or any lawful complaint. The third category is affidavits which contain statements in them, which have no basis or any evidential value. The fourth and last category is the affidavits that have been specifically referred to and read by the petitioner and which have been answered by affidavits filed in response. Mulenga: These are affidavits, which have been replied to? Nkurunziza: Yes. I will start with the first category - those affidavits, which have been adduced in contravention of the law. The Evidence Act provided that any document that would be drawn or prepared relating to any legal proceedings must have the name and address of a person or persons who drew or prepared these documents or endorsed on it. The relevant section of the Evidence Act is 67 (1). A copy of the Act has been attached (reads the section). More relevance in sub-section 2. Karokora: Is punishment provided for? Nkurunziza: Yes. Karoakora: What is the punishment? Nkurunziza: The general one is for a fine but there is also another consequence of breach of the section, which is sub-section 2 (reads). Clearly, the sub-section is prohibitory. In this petition, most of the affidavits filed by the petitioner purport to have been drawn by one firm or another. One of those firms is the firm of Mwene-Kahima, Mwebesa & Co. Advocates of Mbarara. Eleven affidavits are purported to have been drawn by that firm. However, an affidavit has been sworn and filed before this court by the management partner of that firm Mr Mwene-Kahima Mwesigye in which he depone that his firm did not draw and prepare these 11 affidavits or any affidavit to this petition. The affidavit is found in volume 2 at page 32 of the affidavits in answer. Ogalo: I have an affidavit of Mwene-kahima but not in the volume. I was served with a loose copy so I was at a loss when my learned friend referred to volume 2. Nkurunziza: I am very sorry. In that affidavit, Mr Mwene-Kahima Mwesigye, an advocate of judicature, in paragraph five he swears that: “I am the only active lawyer in my chambers, Mr Jason Mwebesa, my only partner, having been appointed a commissioner, Public Service Commission.� He swears that he does not know the deponents of the affidavits alleged to have been drawn by his firm. And to use his words, he calls them “forgeries�. It is my submission that the endorsement of these affidavits is a false endorsement. As a result, they cannot be accepted or recognised by this honourable court to which registrar they were filed. The offending affidavits are found in the following volumes: seven of them are in volume 1C and the deponents are Turyasingura at page 5, Kainamura Bernard at page 9, Byaruhagi Johnson, Turyamureeba Monday at page 13, Kitwakura Edwar at page 18, Twinomukago Venice at page 21 and Ensinikwindi Godfrey at page 23. These are affidavits purported to have been drawn by Mwene-Kahima, Mwebesa & Co Advocates whereas not. My submission is that all these affidavits contravene the said Evidence Act and they should be rejected or ignored. I come to the second category, which is those affidavits that do not disclose evidence of any lawful complaint. Kanyeihamba: Disclose what? Nkurunziza: Any reason to complain. Kanyeihamba: Oh, is that for you to decide? Nkurunziza: Mine is to submit. I refer to volumes 1b and 2d in the petitioner’s affidavits. These volumes deal with disenfranchisement. Kanyeihamba: Can you give us one example? Nkurunziza: Yes, for example Mr Alegi Gilbert in volume 1b at page 3 says, “I registered as a voter and at the voting day I was denied the right to vote the candidate of my choice yet I had the voter’s card…� This is the gist on each of these affidavits. But nowhere do the deponents say that they went to check on the display. Kanyeihamba: If some people didn’t check, you can’t say they’re not entitled to vote. Mulenga: This very deponent you refer to says he was a valid voter because he had voter’s card. Nkurunziza: My contention is that it is not sufficient to have a voter’s card without checking your name during the display period. The Electoral Commission Act, Section 25, provides for a period of display. People are called upon in 21 days to go and scrutinise their names from their respective parishes of registration. Kanyeihamba: And thereafter? Nkurunziza: Confirm they’re on the voter’s roll and if they doubt, they raise a complaint. Karokora: And those who didn’t go for display? Nkurunziza: It was their fault. Mulenga: That is disenfranchising. Nkurunziza: Because this deponent never went to check his name during the period of display, he must have disenfranchised himself. Kanyeihamba: Does he tell he did not check or it is your assumption? Nkurunziza: I am saying he has not deponed that he checked. He does not disclose that essential statement. Tsekooko: Do you have evidence that his card is forged? Nkurunziza: I have not said so. Mulenga: Or it expired? Nkurunziza: Under Section 19 (3) of the Electoral Commissions Act, the right to vote is dependent upon being registered. Under Section 25 a display of voters’ role is provided - that is the time at which one may make a complaint as to the absence of his name on the register. If a voter wants to be safe and to ensure he will vote, he should check the register at the time of display. This is in the affidavit of Charles Nsimbi who is the head of the register. Mulenga: But before you go to this, you conclude, so that I understand. If a voter fails to check his name, you say he stops to complain again on the voter’s day? Are you saying by law he can’t complain because he didn’t check on the register? Nkurunziza: If he didn’t check and the register was used on the day of voting, he can’t complain. Mulenga: He is complaining that ‘I was disenfranchised’. Nkurunziza: It is a matter of prudence. Tsekooko: Is it not a matter of prudence to assume that when one registers, then his name must be on the register at the time of voting? Nkurunziza: The law is subject to check because after the expiry of the display period is when you get the voter’s card. Katureebe: This very voter depones that he holds a voter’s card. Nkurunziza: There is a certificate of registration card, which is issued first. After display is when you get a voter’s card so that you can identify yourself at the day of voting. Odoki: Is voter’s card evidence that you’re a registered voter? Kanyeihamba: On what basis is the issue of the voter’s card? I think you should concede that when one has a voter’s card then he is entitled to vote. Nkurunziza: I concede, my lords, that the possession of a voter’s card entitles one to vote. Tsekooko: Even the certificate of registration indicates that one is a registered voter and everything should go by law. Byamugisha: My lords, let’s have another counsel to supplement on this issue. (At this time, M Alfred. Okello Oryem, one of the EC lawyers, takes the floor to assist Nkurunziza). Oryem: My lords, I am part of the team representing the first respondent. A person properly registered as a voter can be legally removed from the register under Section 25 of the Electoral Commissions Act sets an elaborate process by which other registered voters follow the requirements of mandatory display period which must be determined by Electoral Commission. Before every presidential election, names are displayed at every polling station, and during that period, other voters can contest the inclusion of a particular voter from the register. This analysis is done by a tribunal set under this Section 25. The tribunal is composed of the leadership and elders from the parish from which that polling station is created. Kanyeihamba: Were these tribunals removing voters’ cards? Byamugisha: There is an affidavit, which my learned friend is going to refer to. Oryem: It is not conclusive that once a person holds a voter’s card and shows it to the presiding officer on the polling day, then he is automatically entitled to vote. Kaneyeihamba: Are voters informed in writing that they are not going to vote? Oryem: When the register informs them because their names must not be there. Kanyeihamba: You have already given him a voter’s card and they decide that the name be deleted. How does the citizen know he is not to vote? Oryem: The tribunal before taking a decision, its committee inquires. Kanyeihamba: Is [the voter] given chance to be heard? Oryem: The law presumes so. The law provides that one registers where he resides or where he originates. Then when it is found out that he does not belong to these categories or any valid reason, he becomes an ineligible voter. So, it is not enough to have a voter’s card because you can be legally removed from the register roll. Kanyeihamba: Do you have evidence to show how particular people were removed? Oryem: It will come. Kanyeihamba: We want it now. Mulenga: Is there a difference between a certificate of registration and a voter’s card? Oryem: There is no difference. Except that a certificate is issued when one registers and a voter’s card is issued after display. My submission is that, he who swears that he was denied to vote, must also swear that he checked his name on the register at the time of display and registered his complaint with the tribunal. Nkurunziza: My learned friend has relieved a bit. Kanyeihamba: He has left me more confused than before (prolonged laughter). Nkurunziza: I want to refer to Charles Nsimbi’s affidavit, which appears on page 183. He is head of register at the Electoral Commission and from paragraph 2 to 12 he depones about the display of voter’s register and its purpose and how objections are made and corrections are done. At the end of his affidavit, particularly paragraph 59, he depones that if the persons complaining had participated in display, complaints would have been attended to and anomalies rectified. Tsekooko: Does he anywhere talk about the establishment of the tribunals? Nkurunziza: Yes. Tsekooko: Does he talk about individual witnesses who were removed from the voter’s roll? Nkurunziza: I can’t recollect a particular one now. I can refer you to paragraph 8 of Nsimbi’s first affidavit (reads). Tsekooko: That is a general statement. Nkurunziza: I can refer you to volume 8 at page 4 the supplementary affidavit of Nsimbi particularly paragraph 6 (reads the affidavit in which Nsimbi states that some voters who claimed they did not find their names in the register were actually in the register and others were removed from the register because they did not originate from those parishes). Odoki: This is in Kampala? Nkurunziza: Yes. Katureebe: If these people turned up to vote with voters’ cards and were denied to vote, would they be right to say they were disenfranchised? Nkurunziza: They may have turned up at a wrong polling station. What intention would a presiding officer have to look at a voter and say, ‘you will not vote?’ Kanyeihamba: Because you’re not voting a candidate of his choice. Nkurunziza: That would not be a serious reason. Odoki: Let’s have a 30-minute break. (Time check: 11:08 a.m.) Nkurunziza: My lord asked me about the fate of that witness Gilbert Alegi. I refer you the affidavit of Mr Nsimbi, in volume 4, page 42… He was removed from the register following the recommendation of a tribunal after the display of the register. Karokora: Was he informed? Nkurunziza: That is not deponed to, my lord. Kanyeihamba: He was not given a hearing. How does he complain when he was not given a hearing? Nkurunziza: I refer to the affidavit of the presiding officer, Alfred Dungu Achem… He says he did not chase away any voters. If Alegi says he was denied to vote, did he complain? There’s a question of credibility. My lords, the affidavit of Mr Nsimbi deals with each and every allegation dealing with names missing on the register… In addition, there are affidavits dealing with answers from presiding officers or election officials from polling stations, which answer all these allegations. Ogalo: We are still having a problem in the affidavits being talked about. They don’t appear in the complete volume availed to us. They have only passed to us volume 2. (An emotional response follows from one of the EC lawyers, Mr Kandeebe, who says he served the petitioner’s lawyers. Kandeebe says he is not going to become a library. The judges ask the defence lawyers to make available the affidavits and they agree) Nkurunziza: The respondents have endeavoured to answer allegations from all polling stations where there are complaints. Even now we are preparing affidavits… I would like to address the third category of affidavits - which have no basis or evidential value. I am particularly referring to the affidavits where there are generalised statements of widespread bribery and rigging. Even if these incidents happened, the deponents could not possibly know each and every incident. I have given the affidavit of [Augustine] Ruzindana… where he alleges that “a week before polling day, Shs50,000 was given to all LC-I chairmen in Ntungamo District�. That is a very wide generalisation… It cannot be taken as evidence. It amounts to hearsay. There’s also the affidavit of [Ingrid] Kamateneti... where she says, “At some polling stations our agents were denied access.� Our contention is that this cannot be admissible evidence. She is adducing evidence from witnesses who would otherwise be the deponents. It is not from her own knowledge. I now go to the last category of affidavits - the ones we have responded to. The first affidavit is the one of Private Barigye… It is my submission that this one was not a witness of truth. He testified that he and his colleagues were ordered to hide 16 ballot papers up their sleeves and put them in the ballot box at the time they would be casting the 17th ballot paper. This meant that he was going to the presiding officer’s table with the 17th one, tick it and then get the 16 when he reaches the ballot box... To me it sounds illogical. Voting was in the open. How can somebody then… Kanyeihamba: Even where the polling agents have been chased away? (Laughter) Nkurunziza: Look at paragraphs 31, 32, 33 of Barigye’s affidavit… This witness has been answered by six witnesses whose affidavits appear in volume 4. These are the people mentioned in the affidavit of Barigye. They are Brig. Hudson Mukasa, Pte. Emmanuel Tumusiime, Pte. Kizza Moses, Lt. Balamu Byarugaba, Pte. Wandera Moses and Capt. Romeo Ndyabagye. Mukasa in his affidavit says that he established from the records that Barigye did join the [2nd] Division in 2003 as he alleges… He depones that the allegation by Barigye that soldiers were given more than one voters’ card is false. The Electoral Commission issues the voters’ cards directly to the soldiers. Neither the 2nd Division nor the army were involved in the issuing of voters’ cards. He denies that any of the individuals alleged by Barigye to have been locked up is true. He attaches a copy of the lock up book which indicates the individuals talked about have never been locked up. Emmanuel Tumusiime says he was not at the Division as Barigye alleges but was at his station in Bwindi where he voted. The annexure of the voters’ register of the polling station where he voted was printed with the consent of the first respondent and is attached. This is evidence to show that Tumusiime was registered in Bwindi. Kanyeihamba: Does that show that he was in Bwindi? Nkurunziza: My lord, he has sworn an affidavit that he was in Bwindi. Barigye swore two affidavits and we have just received the second one… In view of the affidavits of the six witnesses, I appeal to this court to disregard [Barigye’s] evidence. The other affidavit is the one of David Magulu. This witness was answered by Ochieng Edward Sunday in volume 6 of the respondents’ affidavits... Ochieng testified that in Uganda there’s no registration number of the vehicle Magulu alleges to have been driving. Kanyeihamba: Is he the registrar of motor vehicles? Nkurunziza: My lord, he annexes a letter from the central registry of vehicles. Kanyeihamba: Sometimes it is reported that somebody was driving a vehicle with fake registration numbers. Nkurunziza: My lord, there should be a question mark. Magulu is an impersonator. There’s an affidavit of the genuine Magulu. As I said earlier we are preparing a checklist of the affidavits filed by the petitioner and the responses filed by the respondents. These affidavits, my lord, are over 200 and it is not easy to answer them one by one. So we intend to avail court with the checklist on Monday morning and my learned friend [Tibaruha] shall submit on it. Tibaruha: With your permission, my lords, I would like to start submission on the issues on Monday. Odoki: Hearing of this petition is adjourned to Monday, 27th March 2006. (Time check is 1 p.m.)"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1669-govt-urged-on-landslide-victims.html","content":" - By Moses Walubiri and H. Ssekanjako MPs from areas ravaged by floods and landslides have warned of imminent famine and outbreak of waterborne diseases. Bududa district Woman MP Justine Khainza, Labwor MP Micheal Ayepa and MP Samson Lokeris of Dodoth East in Kaabong district asked the Government to continue providing support to families. “Government should avail emergency funding to provide essential household items, emergency medical services and water treatment to affected communities,” Lokeris said. Meanwhile, Khainza objected to the Government’s plans to relocate some of the affected people in Bududa to Kiryandongo, saying transplanting people was affecting their culture. “Let the Government buy land within the Elgon region to settle people in landslide prone-areas. This must be done without delay,” she said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1041966/-/cluuy2z/-/index.html","content":"‘Response to climate change slow’ - Kampala Climate change impacts have the potential to undermine and even undo progress made in reducing poverty to attain Millennium Development Goals, and improve the socio-economic wellbeing of the people, a water analyst has warned. Dr Nicholas Azza, a water policy expert with the Nile Basin Initiative said despite clear and undeniable impacts and scientific predictions of more serious problems in the future, there is little movement in Africa towards managing risks and taking adaption measures. We have increasing landslides, conflicts over water, land and other environmental resources but infrastructure for dealing with floods and droughts is inadequate,”Dr Azza said yesterday in Entebbe. He was speaking at the second international Nile Basin Research Programme conference organised by Makerere and Bergen universities."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/915228/-/wykvp1/-/index.html","content":"Disaster management policy in offing, says Museveni - Mbale The National Disaster Management policy has been finalised and will soon be tabled before Cabinet, President Museveni has said. In a speech read for him by the Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Pof. Tarsis Kabwengyere, during the Red-Cross and Red Crescent Day Celebrations in Mbale last week, Mr Museveni commended the Uganda Red Cross Society for supplementing government efforts in providing assistance to people affected by disasters. Red Cross commended “They have not stopped at providing relief assistance in Bududa but also to the people affected by floods in Butaleja, Tororo, Mbale and in the western Uganda,” he said. He added:“This is a wonderful gesture that should be emulated by other agencies. We are ready to give all the necessary support to such organisations which are working for the welfare of our people.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/OtherSport/UHF-need-Shs6m-to-complete-court/-/690284/1699886/-/15mx5ny/-/index.html","content":"UHF need Shs6m to complete court - Uganda Handball Federation (UHF) are looking for Shs6m to complete construction of a junior handball court at Kibuli Secondary School, Kampala. Construction of the facility started in April last year with UHF spending Shs7m collected from the handball family. “Last year we failed to host the national junior tournament because we did not have a court,” UHF president Sheilla Richardson said. “But this year, we are planning to have the tournament on April 28. Hopefully, we shall have completed construction.” Richardson also revealed they are searching for a centralised and reliable venue for league games. Last season, some games were not played on schedule due to flooding at Clock Tower grounds.Meanwhile, UHF, will hold their annual general assembly at Lugogo on Saturday. snakirigya@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/New-Taxi-Park-closed-for-reconstruction/-/688334/1503810/-/6ayl95z/-/index.html","content":"New Taxi Park closed for reconstruction - Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has offcially closed the New Taxi Park from public transport and commercial activities ahead of its reconstruction project starting on September 30. KCCA Head of Communications Peter Kaujju yesterday said pre-construction work is expected to start next week and work has been contracted to Stirling Construction Company at Shs4.7 billion. According to the contract terms, Stirling is required to concentrate on the carpet reconstruction and design new drainage patterns in the taxi park to check flooding. Under the arrangement, commuter taxis and vendors will be relocated to three other privately-owned parks, including Namirembe Road Bus Terminal, Namayiba Park and Kisenyi Bus Terminal. “All vendors and taxi operators must vacate the New Taxi Park with immediate effect to give way for the reconstruction exercise. We expect the site to be free by October 1 until the work is completed,” Mr Kaujju said. The about six months project will also affect pick-up trucks and lorry drivers who have been operating at the same park for several years. The New Taxi Park, which was constructed in 1992, is seated on about four acres of land after Kampala City Council under the reign of Hajj Nasser Sebaggala leased out part of the land to traders in 2009. There are 208 lock-ups in the park and at least 8,500 taxis use the facility.Meanwhile, the Old Taxi Park repairs were frustrated by the land ownership wrangles of the peripheral plots. In 2010, Zzimwe Construction Ltd was awarded a similar job at Shs500 million. Zzimwe has since abandoned the job claiming the funds were not in tandem with the work. Recently, local contractors under the Uganda National Association of Builders Civil Engineers and Constructors accused government of not employing them. rmwanje@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/999374/-/29gof9z/-/index.html","content":"Let’s save our wetlands - Wetlands, other than filtering waste water, are of paramount importance in ecological stabilisation and water retention. They are also a habitat for micro fauna and flora. One of the reasons why there is flooding in Kampala in places like Zana, Clock Tower, Bwaise and Kalerwe is partly because wetlands have been destroyed by construction and settlement and therefore can’t effectively drain flood waters. The responsible authorities (Nema and Wetlands Inspection Division) are trying their best to ensure that no further degradation occurs in theses wetlands and if at all development is to occur, it must be permitted and sustainable in regard to the wetland ecosystem. It’s important that we cooperate with them. The rate of degradation is so alarming that we need to support the lead agencies as they implement their work. After all, issues like climate change are bound to affect us all. It is against this background that I concur with other environmentalists that anybody acting contrary to regulations, especially after being warned, must face the law. A case in point is a recent news story about a tycoon destroying another city wetland. My advice to these wetland grabbers is to study the law before venturing into an ecologically sensitive area like Kinawataka and Kansanga. An environmental impact assessment must be carried out and approved before development is started in such areas. Unfortunately, in these two sensitive areas (Kinawataka and Kansanga), these projects have not been approved and yet the developers are being adamant.I urge the people destroying our wetlands to put the environment before their personal developments. Also, the environmental bodies must ensure that such developers abide by the rules and regulations and those who go against established laws must be severely punished. Sunday Peter,Environmentalist"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/727792/-/10efsuk/-/index.html","content":"Floods: Teso's road to recovery - KATAKWI Among the paths at Oongora Camp are the shallow craters and mounds of grass that mark the remnants of mud-brick homes lost during the flooding that surged through Teso Region late last year. They are constant reminders of what was lost, and how much work needs to be done before many here will be back to where they were before the rain began falling. \"I don't know what I'll do,\" said Ms Mary Idair, a widow in the camp. Her two houses were among the estimated 360 mud homes lost in the camp during flooding. Severe flooding last year killed dozens of people, cut off 25 districts countrywide and displaced thousands. Although the floodwaters have receded and the land is peppered with signs of lives being rebuilt, many residents are struggling to re-plant crops and rebuild homes that were lost during the worst flooding Teso region has seen in 35 years. ***image1*** Aid workers say they are in the first phase of the recovery effort, which is focused on getting food into the hands of the tens of thousands who lost their crops and homes in the floods. But many in the area say they lack the fundamental tools to re-start, namely seeds and building materials. Sitting on the remnants of a fallen grass roof, Ms Idair explains the economics of building a mud-brick home: 800-1,000 burned bricks from as far as five miles away, for Shs100 per brick. Then about 60 bundles of grass for the roof at Shs150  per bundle. Total estimated cost of rebuilding each house is about Shs109,000. \"We need support to pay for this,â€Â�  Ms Idair, who is sleeping at a friend’s house said.  The money is not there, but the recovery effort has focused thus far on teaching villagers better building techniques so their homes are more flood-resistant. In the compound of the Uganda Red Cross Society in Soroti, volunteers are hard at work building a mud-brick home with a reinforced and raised foundation that is meant to better withstand flooding. “I can go and teach [other villagers] how to make their houses using the modern techniques,â€Â� Mr Simon Jamian, who is among the volunteers being trained said. But people in the villages say they need more than the teaching, food rations and other non-food items they have received in the aftermath of the flooding. About three-quarters of the region’s crops were lost and more than half of the drinking water remains contaminated. Throughout Katakwi District, the roadside marshes are busy with people scavenging for fish because there is little food. \"The biggest problem is hunger,\" Mr Reuben Aine, the acting team leader for the Uganda Red Cross Society in Soroti said. He said malaria rates have also been a challenge. In three Katakwi District parishes (Magoro, Omasia and Kamenu), an average of 83 per cent of households were damaged by flood. “The situation has worsened,â€Â� said Stephen Obwalinga, Magoro Sub-County Secretary for Disaster Preparedness. Humanitarian officials say the recovery effort will be completed in August, one year after the flooding began. Mr Obwalinga said the challenges posted by the lengthy rebuilding period are compounded by insecurity. \"The flooding has forced many to leave the camps, where they had gone for protection from the Karamojong,\" he said, referring to cattle raids that have long destabilised the region. \"So they have gone back to their villages, or to their land to escape the flooding but that has put them in danger of cattle raids.\" Mr Patrick Elungat, 24, and his four friends know about that insecurity. They had been living in a camp, but fled when their houses collapsed. They have since returned to land near Kide Village in Magoro Sub-county, where they grew up. \"It is not safe,\" he said. \"But there is not much we can do.\""}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/876854/-/2tth1mz/-/index.html","content":"Why steal relief items for Bududa? - On Tuesday morning, I heard over the news that some of the aid-materials/goods meant for the desperate landslides survivors in Bududa were stolen and the residents took up the responsibility of arresting suspects. Our society has a lot of dishonest people including in the churches. When will Ugandans consider issues like disasters as very sensitive in order for the responsible people to do a good job to rescue the situation? Some people take advantage of vulnerable situations to make wealth. Some authority should ensure that what is being collected with the aim of helping the desperate Bududa residents is channelled directly to them. The authority should design very strict internal control systems so as to manage all the relief items and ensure that nothing gets into the hands of the wrong people. I was surprised to see in the papers a picture of the U.S army offices who had come to aid the Bududa survivors yet our neighbours in East-African community did not make immediate response. I hope the East African Common Market dream will help unite East-Africans as brothers and sisters for the common good.I would be pleased to see joint efforts being carried in the region in response to disasters. Let us not only wait for Americans and Europeans to come to our rescue before we ourselves try to help in situations where our own brothers and sisters are affected. A person living far away may take long to rescue the situation but a neighbour should always act very fast. When we experience a disaster, we should have solidarity in response. I hope that the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees has now put in place measures to avert possible floods in the Teso sub-region and any other place. For God and My Country.David Ariko,Entebbe ariko_david@yahoo.com.au"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/755844/-/vxvpk7/-/index.html","content":"EU gives north Shs7.5b for food - Kampala The European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department has allocated 3 million Euros (about Shs7.5 billion) for food assistance in northern Uganda. The aid is part of a multi-donor support to the 1.8 million people who are either still in internally displaced camps or are returning to their former homes. It is also expected to benefit residents faced with food insecurity due to unreliable, rains in Karamoja and last year’s floods in Teso sub-region. According to a statement by the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO) on October 31, the decision to release the funds followed an agreement signed with World Food Programme (WPF) in Brussels on October 24, to supply northern Uganda with food relief. According to WFP statistics, 939,000 Acholi, 707,000 Karimojong, and 144,000 Iteso are still facing food insecurity. ECHO has been working closely with various United Nations agencies, NGOs, the Office of the Prime Minister and districts in Acholi, Lango, Teso and Karamoja sub- regions to attend to the needs of these people. “The food assistance is a supplement to other support by the European Union for people to produce their own food as a long-term solution to the food insecurity,â€Â� the EU statement said. The 22-year old northern insurgency induced by the Lord’s Resistance Army has rendered would be productive people useless in the region. 1 | 2 Next Page»The war caused the displacement of an estimated 1.8 million people in Acholi, Lango and Teso sub-regions. Since the signing of the ceasefire agreement in 2006, at least half of the IDPs have returned to their original homes. There are still more than 623,000 persons living in the camps. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/787628/-/w0ro9w/-/index.html","content":"Floods displace 613 in Sironko District - SIRONKO HUNDERED S of people in Sironk Town Council have been lefte homeless following torrential rains that have pounded the area in the last one-week. The unusual precipitation that is punctuated by hailstorms has destroyed houses, killing domestic animals and plants.. The calamity has rendered 613 people homeless. Roads, lanes and plantations in Kibira, Bikajo, Makhonje, Salikwa, Naluwali and Mujuni were by yesterday submerged in water. An emergency assessment of the damage that was carried out by the Town Council leadership indicates that a total of 112 houses and 512 acres of gardens have been destroyed. Sironko Town mayor Issa Musiwa told Sunday Monitor that the floodwaters have contaminated spring wells and boreholes. He said the residents who have no other alternatives of treated water are risking contracting diseases."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/UNRA-builds-alternative-bridge-at-Malaba/-/688334/2605374/-/127g3a4z/-/index.html","content":"UNRA builds alternative bridge at Malaba - Busia- Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has finalised the bidding process to procure a contractor for construction of a temporary bridge at Malaba-Bugiri highway as an alternative to the broken Ndaiga Bridge on River Malaba. UNRA communications manager Daniel Alinange told Daily Monitor in a telephone interview that SBI Holdings was identified to undertake the construction of the temporary bridge as the government looks for resources and a contractor for a permanent bridge. Mr Alinange said they expect the contractor for the temporary bridge to report on the site by next week. He said SBI Holdings was sourced through direct procurement as an emergency measure because the highway is used as a transit route by long distance cargo trucks. RestrictionsThe UNRA spokesperson said UNRA early this month barred all heavy trucks weighing more than 20 tonnes from using the Malaba-Bugiri highway after it was detected that Ndaiga bridge had developed serious cracks. He said UNRA had to divert all heavy trucks to Busia-Busitema highway while others were directed through Malaba-Tororo and Mbale. “We had to immediately send a team of bridge engineers to assess the extent of the damage and advise us whether we should close the road to all traffic. But they advised that it was not dangerous for light vehicles and we diverted heavy trucks to alternative routes,” Mr Alinange said. UNRA Tororo station engineer Crissy Opuch said the erosion caused by flooding of River Malaba weakened the bridge’s main pillars. He said the bridge should have been repaired in 2011 when SBI Holdings was contracted to rehabilitate Busia-Bugiri-Malaba highway but construction of the new bridge was not included in the contract because the problem had not been detected. editorial@ug.nationmdia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bududa-mudslides-kill-three/-/688334/2341552/-/f16ude/-/index.html","content":"Bududa mudslides kill three - Bududa At least three people were last week buried by mudslides that also displaced more than 300 people in Bududa District. According to Mr Steven Wamukota, the regional Red Cross manager, the mudslides were triggered by heavy rains which pounded Bushika Sub-county for most of Wednesday and Thursday. He said the rain also led to the flooding of River Tsutsu that destroyed coffee and bananas plantations as well as other crops. The most affected are Bumushiso and Bufutsa parishes. Mr Wamukota identified the deceased as James Kusolo, 25, and two unidentified minors. He said Kusolo was buried by mud on Wednesday night and later discovered the next day. “The two minors aged 7 and 9 drowned in Tsutsu river as they returned home from Shanzou Primary School. Their bodies were discovered in Katto Sub-county about 10 km away from their homes,” he said. He added that about 50 households have now camped at Bushaki Primary School for fear that their villages of Bunabaana, Nasimba, Bunanyuma and Shello could soon be swept away. Mr Michael Matsyetsye, the district speaker, said those camped at the primary school are in urgent need of food, fresh water and shelter as plans to relocate them by the government are under way. National Environment Management Authority and Uganda Wildlife Authority have warned of more mudslides on Mt Elgon. Dr Adonia Bintora, Mt Elgon area conservation manager, said the 40km crack discovered on the mountain three years ago has now deepened from 19.2cm to 40cms, putting the lives of about 80,000 people living on the mountain slopes at risk. “People must move to safe areas. Otherwise they risk being buried by mudslides because the cracks indicate great trouble in the waiting for those living on the slopes of the mountain,” said Dr Bintora. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1388480/-/aw1qt2z/-/index.html","content":"Standards body wants counterfeit bill passed - The Uganda National Bureau of Standards has appealed to Parliament to pass the Counterfeit Bill in order to deal firmly with fake goods that are increasingly flooding the open markets. Mr Moses Ssebunya, the UNBS spokesperson, said the current laws in the 1983 UNBS Act are too weak to fight counterfeit goods. The bill, which is before Parliament, is intended to harshly punish people or companies dealing in sub-standard products. He says once this bill is passed into law, it will automatically help in the fight. The standards body has for long been cracking down on companies suspected to be selling fake products, with most suspect items being cosmetics, electric cables, detergents, juices and bread. Getting impatientSpeaking during an interview last week, Mr Ssebunya said once the bill delays to be passed into law, it will be hard for UNBS to check fake products because the current laws are too weak and offer minimal punishment.He explained that a number of goods have been impounded and destroyed by the department of quality assurance after their surveillance team carried out daily monitoring by. Mr Ssebunya also cautioned consumers to be on the look out for such goods and report such cases to them for immediate action, suggesting that once the bill is enacted, it will also help them inspect imports. The Counterfeit Bill was first tabled before the Eighth Parliament but was cut short after their term expired. The standards body, however, hopes that the current Parliament will most probably pass it into law. According to the Private Sector Foundation Uganda, while counterfeiting accounts for 10 per cent of international trade, Uganda’s market is one of the largest international recipients of counterfeit products, mostly from China and other Asia-Pacific countries. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/To-make-leaders-leave-office--let-us-make-retirement-attractive/-/689364/1922318/-/mjhbrmz/-/index.html","content":"To make leaders leave office, let us make retirement attractive - President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, while addressing a breakfast meeting in 2012 where former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice were in attendance, noted that many Nigerian leaders fight to remain in office because of fear of the unknown. Back at home, we now find ourselves locked in a bruising debate over retirement age, a Pandora box of sorts. This battle has seen MP Eddie Kwizera lock horns with Prof. Oloka Onyango of Makerere University with each reproaching the other of interpreting the Constitution selectively to perpetuate conceived opinions. Prof. Oloka contends that both the content and implications of the undated private members Bill titled the “Judicial Officers Vacation Office Act 2013” Bill by Kwizera are manifestly underhand, unwholesome and unconstitutional. Kwizera on his part argues that the current retirement age creates experience and knowledge vacuum in public service. What I, however, find puzzling is why our leaders abhor retirement. I do not believe that it is necessarily about service because that can be accomplished in various positions. To this end, I find two points responsible. The first is how serving officers choose to administer affairs while they are in position of power. Without specific reference to any leader, this point was well elaborated by senior counsel David FK Mpanga. When in office, leaders simply do little if any to improve the society and its systems and in the end, fear to return to that society upon retirement. As a result, they fight to remain in office with all the usual privileges and powers to cushion against the reality check. Secondly, as a country, we do not care about what happens to our senior citizens. A retired Justice, MP or president is often left to find his/her level within the society. This lack of reasonable retirement packages and possible senior offices where they can still remain of service while maintaining some level of VIP status leaves many startled at the thought of retirement. Retire and then do what? In Kenya, laws such as the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act in line with the provisions of the Constitution, which provides that “the retirement benefits payable to a former president and a former deputy president, the facilities available to and the privileges enjoyed by them shall not be varied to their disadvantage during their lifetime”, have ensured that retired presidents Moi and Kibaki access a befitting retirement package, which comes with a fully furnished office space of not exceeding 1,000 square metres, a fully equipped secretariat, allowances, VIP status and other benefits. In the United States, whereas constitutional provisions under Article III says Justices shall “hold their offices during good behaviour,” (technically meaning “for life”) unless a Justice becomes mentally incapable, in a move to encourage judges to retire rather than attempt to hold office during extended periods of potential senility and deteriorating health, the retiring Justices are entitled to a lifetime pension that is equal to their highest full salary. In 1937, President Franklin Roosevelt while, addressing Congress is quoted to have stated: “We think it so much in the public interest to maintain a vigorous judiciary that we encourage the retirement of elderly judges by offering them a life pension at full salary.” We need to candidly answer these questions if retirement is going to be a “viable” option. Otherwise, when faced with such a proposal to raise retirement age or even scrap it, we all know what can happen in the corridors of our law-making body. Trust me, we do not want to open this flood-gate. Mr Masake is a human rights defender. mskmas@yahoo.co.ukTwitter: @masakeonline"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Pope-urges-determined-action-against-sex-abuse/-/688340/1741024/-/6x682uz/-/index.html","content":"Pope urges determined action against sex abuse - Pope Francis has given his first pronouncement on the Catholic Church's pervasive paedophile priest scandal, urging Vatican disciplinarians to act \"with determination\" against the scourge. Meeting on Friday with Monsignor Gerhard Ludwig Mueller, the head of the Vatican department that disciplines predator priests, the pope asked him to \"act with determination in cases of sexual abuse,\" the Vatican said in a statement. It was the first official word on the issue from the new pope, who was elected March 13 to succeed Benedict XVI whose papacy was marred by relentless paedophilia scandals with tens of thousands of victims over several decades. The statement noted that the policy followed \"the line established\" by Benedict, who was the first pope to apologise to victims and called for zero tolerance against sexual abuse by priests. Francis asked for \"stepped-up measures to protect minors and help those who were subjected to such violence in the past.\" Also in line with his predecessor, Francis reminded the heads of national Catholic churches around the world that they had committed to formulating and implementing directives for addressing the problem -- including turning abusers over to local law enforcement. Mueller's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith published in May 2011, a document ordering bishops to turn in members of the clergy suspected of paedophilia and to prevent them from working in settings involving minors. It gave the bishops' conferences one year to come up with guidelines on combating the crimes and cooperating with police. As of September 2012, three-quarters of the national churches had complied, according to Monsignor Charles Scicluna, the Vatican \"prosecutor\" in sex abuse cases. The scourge of abusive priests burst into the spotlight more than a decade ago with a cascade of scandals rocking the Catholic Church worldwide, from Ireland to the United States and Australia to Benedict's native Germany. The Vatican says it continues to receive around 600 claims against abusive priests every year, many of them dating back to the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Sexual abuse by priests has often been coupled with cover-ups by their superiors, typically by transferring them to other parishes. In Latin America, Francis's home region, the most notorious scandal concerned the Mexican founder of the conservative Legionnaires of Christ congregation, Marcial Maciel, who was accused of sexually abusing children before he died in 2008. SNAP, a vocal support group for victims, reacted immediately to Friday's statement, demanding that the pope match words with actions. \"We can't confuse words with actions,\" said the Survivors' Network for those Abused by Priests. 1 | 2 Next Page»\"Kids won't be helped by a 'continuation' of the tiny symbolic gestures taken by Pope Benedict,\" it said. \"Kids will be helped by decisive changes. Thus far, Pope Francis hasn't even discussed, much less adopted, even a single reform.\" SNAP, which has asked the International Criminal Court to prosecute Benedict for crimes against humanity, has demanded that the Church publish the names of predator priests on the Internet. Also on Friday, the Vatican announced a donation of $50,000 by the new pontiff to help flood victims in his native Argentina, where at least 59 people have died in the record rains and flooding. Vatican envoy Emil Paul Tscherrig said Francis \"wants to express in this concrete manner his spiritual closeness with all those who suffer and those who are generously offering their help and support.\" And Francis will hold his first meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday to \"discuss the continuing cooperation between the United Nations and the Holy See,\" the UN chief's spokesman Martin Nesirky said. online@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Who-will-tame-Kasese-river-floods/-/688342/2783754/-/syrstnz/-/index.html","content":"Who will tame Kasese river floods? - KASESE-River Nyamwamba in Kasese District burst its banks again for the fourth time in three years over a week ago and left many families in tears and villages in ruins. River Nyamwamba flooded into Kilembe Hospital, leaving devastating impact. In the last three years, rivers Nyamwamba, Mubuku, Sebwe, Rwimi, Nyamugasani, Kitakena and Maliba have burst their banks and destroyed human life, property, infrastructure, crops and livestock. The rivers flooded on May 1, 2013, May 8, 2014, May 7, 2015 and July 1, 2015. One of the key causes of the flooding is the silting of the rivers. However, no deliberate effort has been made by government to de-silt the rivers. Silting narrows the river course and the surging water volumes burst the bank or change the course line. Since 2013, the central government has repaired bridges that were washed away in the previous floods but has not done the de-silting, which is the root cause of the flooding. Floods swept away Katiri Bridge and damaged Kilembe Road immediately after construction. “I think the rehabilitation of Kasese is solely the responsibility of the central government but it has not been serious with the flood problem. Ministry of Works and Transport should have brought on board other stakeholders like the Ministry of Water and Environment to assess the problem before wasting money on bridges whose lifespan hangs in balance,” the Kasese District Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, Mr Johnson Mutungwanda, said on July 1, when River Nyamwamba burst its banks and flooded into Kilembe Mines Hospital and the neighbourhood. Mr Mutungwanda grew up in Kilembe valley and knows a bit of the history of River Nyamwamba since 1970s when Kilembe Mines ceased operations.“It would not take a month before a bulldozer could de-silt the river and rechanneled the water. But over 40 years to date, nothing similar has ever been done and water now floods into the riverside. The actors must come on ground and work out a lasting solution,” he said. Kasese District environment officer, Mr Augustine Kooli, said after last year’s flooding, a comprehensive district recovery plan of at least Shs50 billion was presented to government for action. This is the fourth consecutive time River Nyamwamba has burst its banks since May 2013. The July 1 floods left patients and health workers at Kilembe Mines Hospital in shock. Water gushed into the hospital wards, the generator house and the incinerator before it split Kasese-Fort Portal road into two at Nyakasanga bridge, paralysing traffic on either side of the highway for hours. The district secretary for social services, Mr Richard Bomera, said critically sick patients were evacuated to other health centres but the rest remained at the facility. The Kasese District Police Commander, Mr Bob Kagarura, said no death had been reported.The floods again washed away the gabions (holding walls) that had been erected at both Kayanjuki and Nyamwamba bridges last year. Mr Michael Musinguzi, a resident, sensed danger and warned other locals downstream to evacuate immediately. 1 | 2 Next Page»“I saw five coffins floating on the water and I knew the water had exhumed some bodies upstream in Nyamwamba forest where people bury their dead. Then I warned people before the water volumes increased,” said Musinguzi, a boda boda rider. Kasese has been hit by floods every year since 2010, leading to loss of lives and property, but the magnitude of the damage has escalated since May 1, 2013. In May, 2013 government said it needed Shs30 billion to de-silt River Nyamwamba. Environmental and hydrological experts say floods are likely to persist for years. “The climate change phenomenon is always after a long period like 10 years. The challenges are expected to be around for more years,” said Mr Jeconious Musingwiire, the western region public awareness officer for the National Environment Management Authority. “The challenges are trans-boundary since some spill over from the Democratic Republic of Congo because the Rwenzori ranges span across the border,” Mr Musingwiire added. Solution Mr Musingwiire called for integrated water resources management through enhancement of natural vegetation cover by planting trees, reforesting bare grounds, restoring critical river line wetlands and promotion of soil and water conservation systems in the cultivable areas. He called on people to observe the 30-metre buffer zone along rivers to allow stabilisation of the banks and natural vegetation infiltration to slow the water speed. River Nyamwamba has flooded over years destroying buildings at Bulembia School and head offices of Kilembe Mines Ltd and other properties downstream. In 2014 Cabinet directed ministry of Finance to provide Shs39 billion for resettlement of people in all areas considered highly prone to floods and landslides following the May 1, 2013 flooding in Kasese that left many homes in ruins. The district administration has crafted a disaster recovery plan 2014/2015 which contains the recovery mechanism for the affected areas and measures to reduce vulnerability to floods and disasters of a similar nature. Rwenzori region Rivers Nyamwamba, Rwimi, Mobuku, Ssebore, Lhubiriha, Mpanga, Nyamugasani and several streams flow from Mount Rwenzori and most of them empty into Lake George. People living on the slopes of the mountain practice poor farming methods, which cause soil erosion and landslides that silt the rivers, causing flooding. Deforestation is another major problem facing the mountain ranges. More than 90 per cent of the communities on the mountain slopes depend on firewood for fuel, leading to extensive destruction of the vegetation. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Stay-away-from-Mt-Elgon-area/-/689360/2772992/-/b8y19rz/-/index.html","content":"Stay away from Mt Elgon area - The people living on the slopes of Mt Elgon should get off in good time before another mudslide brings disaster. Already, a recent report warns of imminent mudslides in Manafwa as the rocks are under tension, are exposing water openings, with grounds now soggy, and the soils sliding down. This early warning should give the Elgon highlanders ample time to be prepared. As the English adage asserts, forewarned is forearmed and the readiness should be ensured now. As acting Mt Elgon area conservation manager Patrick Makatu warns, districts in the Mt Elgon area risk suffering another devastating landslide.Already, geologists, geographers, and environmentalists say the crack has extended to 40-kilometres long and has deepened from four to 10 centimetres. Worryingly, this crack straddles three districts - Manafwa, Bududa and Sironko. But just how prepared are these at-high-risk Mt Elgon dwellers for the looming disaster?Tragically, similar warnings have done little to ready these people against this perennial disaster. The floods and landslide have struck with the same regularity, impact, and shock. In March 2010, mudslides hit Bududa District and killed 350 people and displaced thousands. In 2011, another mudslide in Bulambuli District killed another 28 people. In March 2012, similar mudslides killed six more in Sironko District and buried another 18 in Bududa in June 2012. Also 200 homes were buried in Sironko in 2014. Sadly, in all these cases, both local and central government emergency and relief services were ill-prepared. These horrific losses of lives should not be suffered in light of this early warning. So it should be now that at-risk Elgon authorities instituted local level disaster risk reduction strategies. These measures would likely avert the looming disaster. The authorities should dialogue, reflect on lessons learnt and share experiences to propose action to enhance community resilience and reduce risks from mudslide disasters.The authorities should step up surveillance and put aside contingency funds to resettle people from flood and mudslides prone areas. They should also educate at-risk frontline communities on identifying and reporting any cracks to reduce risks. The authorities should as well relocate affected residents to safer grounds. Better still, a collective approach from all disaster actors should be undertaken to build the resilience and rapid response to reduce disaster losses. But in the short-term, a workable solution is to get the people off the floods and mudslide-prone hill slopes and lowlands of Mt Elgon. The issue: Mudslide threatOur view: It should be now that at-risk Elgon authorities instituted local level disaster risk reduction strategies. These measures would likely avert the looming disaster. The authorities should dialogue, reflect on lessons learnt and share experiences..."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Burundians-fled-country-weekend-vote/-/688334/2771836/-/hg2e2bz/-/index.html","content":"10,000 Burundians fled country over weekend before vote - Nearly 10,000 Burundians fled the country over the weekend before Burundi closed its borders ahead of controversial and violence-wracked elections in the troubled central African nation, the United Nations said Tuesday. Since Burundi's political turmoil began in April, some 144,000 people have fled the country, with the numbers surging towards the end of last week, the UN refugee agency said. \"The pace this weekend spiked... We saw over the weekend 10,000 more Burundians fleeing the country,\" UNHCR spokeswoman Melissa Fleming told reporters in Geneva. More than 6,000 had arrived in neighbouring Tanzania alone over the two-day period, bringing the total there to around 66,600. Another 56,500 are in Rwanda, 11,500 in Democratic Republic of Congo and more than 9,000 in Uganda, UNHCR said. Burundian officials closed the borders late Sunday ahead of Monday's controversial parliamentary polls -- something they claim is common practice during elections -- and plan to reopen them late Tuesday. \"Over the last 48 hours, refugees and people trying to flee have been resorting to trying to cross informal border crossings through the forest to leave the country,\" Fleming said. People arriving in neighbouring countries have told aid workers that roads are being blocked and that people suspected of heading to the border are being forced off buses, she said. \"Many said they had to walk for hours through the bush without luggage so as not to attract the attention of the militia and the police,\" she said. \"We are concerned that people who want to flee to seek asylum, who fear their lives are in danger ... are not able to leave the country,\" she added. The troubled central African nation has been in crisis since late April over President Pierre Nkurunziza's controversial bid to stand for a third consecutive five-year term, a move branded by opponents as unconstitutional and a violation of a peace deal that ended 13 years of civil war in 2006. The opposition boycotted Monday's parliamentary elections, which precede the planned presidential vote on July 15. While the flood of refugees leaving Burundi initially consisted largely of women and children, Fleming said a growing number of men were now leaving. They had told aid workers they fled because of the breakdown in diplomatic negotiations and over fear the ongoing violence will escalate leading up to the July 15 presidential vote. \"They're very concerned that the country is going to break down,\" Fleming said, adding that international appeals for funds to assist the refugees was \"not meeting with much donor generosity.\" 1 | 2 Next Page»A month ago, UNHCR and its partners appealed for $207 million to help protect and help up to 200,000 Burundian refugees, but have so far received just 13 percent of that amount. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kalungu-vendors-reject-Shs2-billion-market/-/688334/2749432/-/odw2rtz/-/index.html","content":"Kalungu vendors reject Shs2 billion market - KALUNGU. At least 600 roadside vendors in Lukaya Town Council in Kalungu District have rejected the newly-constructed market, citing shoddy work. The Ministry of Works built the market in 2011 using a Shs1.9b grant from the World Bank.According to Mr Gerald Kiggundu, the councillor for Lukaya Town Council, the ministry of Works reportedly contracted Palm Construction Company to build the market. “...to our disappointment, the work is substandard. Even if they are to occupy it, only 200 vendors can get stalls,” Mr Kiggundu said on Monday. He said the market has a narrow drainage channel which leads to flooding during heavy rains and the stalls are too small.He blamed the Works ministry for failing to involve local leaders in the construction process. The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) is now evicting the vendors from the road reserve to clear the way for road works. Last weekend, some of the makeshift stalls vendors had erected in the road reserve were pulled down by police and UNRA officials. Mr Abubaker Ssenkindu, a vendor, said: “The market was constructed in a low area and flood waters enter the stalls easily. Part of the structure has several construction defects and we are not stupid to risk our lives.” The vendors had earlier complained, prompting the local authorities to petition the ministry of Works. But Mr Gerald Ssenyondo, the chairperson of Lukaya Town Council, said their petition had not yielded any result. Mr Ssenyondo said they notified the ministry about the shoddy works and halted the project to first fix the defects four years ago but no response has been received. Mr Harry Kazahura, the commissioner in charge of construction in the ministry of Works could not be reached for a comment as his phone was off. But his letter to Lukaya Town Council in 2012 indicated the ministry was looking for more Shs1b to complete the works. Mr Plan Mugisha, an official of Palm Construction Company, which is said to have been contracted for the works, denied knowledge of the market project. He said his company deals in drilling shallow wells. Ministry of Works spokesperson Suzan Kataike said the construction of the market stalled because the contractor failed to complete the work in the agreed period. She said the ministry was in the process of awarding the contract to another firm to complete the market."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Jobs-Career/Ask-your-life--insurance-adviser/-/689848/2748116/-/jom18p/-/index.html","content":"Ask your life  insurance adviser - Dear Sir, what role can the insurance sector play in the transformation of Agriculture from subsistence to commercial farming? Agriculture is regarded as the backbone of Uganda’s economy contributing to up to 30% of the GDP while providing employment and livelihood to majority of the adult population. But like all economic activities in Uganda, it bares inherent risks which have not allowed the sector to realize its full potential. Reading General (Rtd) Caleb Akandwanaho’s book on Operation Wealth Creation, a government initiative to see the transformation of the rudimentary subsistence farming into commercially viable farming, the book highlights that as of 2010, 57% of those below the poverty line as well as 43% of those above all depended on subsistence farming as a source of income. The paradox however is, almost all other sources of income such as, wage employment, property income, non-agriculture enterprise all possess robust and full proof disaster recovery plans using insurance. It is from this that we have policies like, marine and cargo, industrial all risks, group life protection, retirement pension. Only in subsistence farming therefore, can one suffer total absolute loss with no recourse to compensation e.g. in a flood. Moving from subsistence to commercial agriculture without mitigating these risks can definitely frustrate or even stall the intended motive of OWC and this is where insurance comes in. Taking a case study of the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme of India, positioning insurance to cater for not just the risks affecting inputs and yields such as crop yield protection but also the livelihood of farmers such as critical illness protection or retirement planning will make commercial agriculture an attractive investment and a viable source of livelihood. If you’re in doubt speak to your agent or contact us on, lifeadvisor@uap.co.ug, lifeadvisor@uap.co.ug, www.facebook.com/lifeadvisor or TYPE UAP (leave space) Message (Send to 6933) The writer is the corporate sales manager at UAP Insurance."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Our-ways-are-destroying-the-environment/-/691232/2740226/-/4gfvdtz/-/index.html","content":"Our ways are destroying the environment - Kavuma-Kaggwa, an elder from Kyaggwe, Mukono District, recalls how Kasala Forest used to beam with indigenous trees 50 years ago. The forest was breathing fresh air and provided all the wood (for construction and fuel) the community needed- on top of protecting the river that passes through it.Today, however, Kavuma says: “It is empty. All trees have been cut; I do not know where we are headed.”Kavuma’s observation of Kasala Forest’s destruction is just among the many ways our generation is depleting the natural resources to the disadvantage of the next generation. Can’t the laws help?And to Kavuma the current greed to acquire more land is worsened by inactive laws and implementation agencies mandated to protect the environment compared to the colonial era where “a forest was a forest and wetland was a wetland” meaning no body had powers to turn such areas into an industrial park, a garden or a homestead.“During the colonial era, there was the department of environment and it was working. Today we have Nema [National Environment Management Authority] but I do not know what it is doing,” he says.As Kavuma complains about the destruction of Kasala Forest, Agnes Najjemba in Kinawataka- Nakawa ponders which area she will relocate her family when the wetland floods.The wetland destruction started a few years ago despite playing a critical role in the filtering of water that goes to Lake Victoria and other water bodies.Millions of Ugandans depend on the Lake for fish, water for irrigation, tourism among others.This means that Najjemba’s fears are much bigger than she thinks. The bigger problemAccording to information from United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), “global and local water cycles are strongly dependent on healthy and productive wetlands, which provide clean drinking water, irrigation for agriculture, and flood regulation, as well as supporting biodiversity and propping up industries such as fisheries and tourism in many locations.”It further reads that wetland destruction is not only an African or Ugandan problem because, “Half of the world’s wetlands were lost during the 20th century - due mainly to factors such as intensive agricultural production, unsustainable water extraction for domestic and industrial use, urbanization, infrastructure development and pollution.”This problem is a global concern.Recently, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William met representatives from conservation projects across Africa in UK and is quoted in the statement issued thereafter as saying: “The plunder and destruction of Africa’s natural endowment remains one of the greatest challenges facing the world – and it is growing worse by the week.” CelebrationsNonetheless, Uganda today joins the rest of the world to mark the World Environment Day (WED) in Rakai District where other East African states are invited under the theme; “Seven Billion Dreams, One planet, consume with care”.The day was earmarked by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 and the subsequent creation of UNEP prior to the event.Dr David Babikwa, the director districts support and public education officer, said although the environment watchdog is mandated to protect the environment, the first environment defender should be you. What can be done?“Protecting the environment is every body’s responsibility;’’Dr David Babikwa, the Nema’s director districts support and public education officer said prior to the celebrations, on Tuesday.Dr Babikwa said this year’s focus will be more on kaveera use which is partly responsible for drainage blockage and degradation of the soils despite Uganda being an agricultural country and the rising cases of cancers.And getting rid of the non-degradable carrier bags in the country is one thing Nema is looking at a step in the right direction in achieving their mandate.Annually, about 39,600 tonnes of polythene waste is released into the environment and most of it accumulates in the soil.It is only recently that Nema implemented the kaveera ban after six years of lobbying from kaveera manufacturers and Trade ministry to have the ban halted. Frank Muramuzi, the executive director of the National association of Professional Environmentalists (Nape) says some Ugandans are ignorant about the dangers of environment destruction thus sensitisation should be carried out. However, he adds, “ but some are just greedy and do not mind about other people provided their needs today are met”.“If you look at people making kaveera, they are not ignorant but greedy but on this note we appreciate Nema for being bold in implementing the kaveera ban,” he said.Dr Saula Musoke, the deputy director of Nema, different activities including collecting wastes, public sensitistaion among others will be done across country to mark this day just like other East African member countries are expected to do.With increasing population, it remains to be seen whether the different policies both local and international will lead to sustainable use of the environment both the current and future generation. Background World Environment Day (WED) is the United Nations’ principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Over the years it has grown to be a broad, global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated by stakeholders in over 100 countries. It also serves as the ‘people’s day’ for doing something positive for the environment, galvanizing individual actions into a collective power that generates an exponential positive impact on the planet.The WED theme this year is “Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care.” The well-being of humanity, the environment, and the functioning of the economy, ultimately depend upon the responsible management of the planet’s natural resources. And yet, evidence is building that people are consuming far more natural resources than what the planet can sustainably provide.Many of the Earth’s ecosystems are nearing critical tipping points of depletion or irreversible change, pushed by high population growth and economic development. By 2050, if current consumption and production patterns remain the same and with a rising population expected to reach 9.6 billion, we will need three planets to sustain our ways of living and consumption.Consuming with care means living within planetary boundaries to ensure a healthy future where our dreams can be realized. Human prosperity need not cost the earth. Living sustainably is about doing more and better with less. It is about knowing that rising rates of natural resource use and the environmental impacts that occur are not a necessary by-product of economic growth.www.unep.org ptajuba@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/Property-insurance-guarding-against-disaster/-/689858/2730084/-/15t14luz/-/index.html","content":"Property insurance: guarding you against disaster - The pain Margret Nabwire, went through after her three roomed house in Kisugu, a Kampala suburb was razed down in 2008 is still fresh.Nabwire, a businesswoman in Kikuubo, who sells women garments, recalls how her neighbours called at 11am notifying her of a fire outbreak a few hours after she had left for work.“I could not believe what I was hearing and later what I saw [the burning house]. I had left home in the morning when everything was fine but returned and found ashes,” Nabwire says.The fire was started by her then eight-year-old son. The boy lit a candle that was left half used the previous night and left it burning resulting into torching the carpet that later spread to the house in a short time. “All the things in the house were burnt and we [with her husband] started buying everything afresh,” Nabwire recalls. It took Nabwire close to two years to rebuild the house starting with the roof and the reconstruction of the weakened walls then later household items. Like Nabwire, many other Ugandans continue to lose lives and property, with no compensation that lead to gross loses to the owners. SituationThe National Police Crime Report of 2013 indicates that 22 people died in 2012 from house fires while the number rose to 62 in 2013. The report cited electrical short circuits as a result of overloading power supplies, poor wiring and substandard electrical materials, candles and charcoal stoves as the leading cause of the fires. Candles and charcoal stove contributed to 90 cases in 2012 and the number shot up to 194 cases in 2013.The report reads in part, “…residential structures continue to have the biggest number of fires with over 34 per cent followed by commercial structures at 16 per cent.” But, unlike in developed countries where property insurance is compulsory for every house thus giving owners peace in case of a fire outbreak or other calamities, a few Ugandans have insured their property.This, according to industry players, is costing property owners a lot of money in trying to rebuild their houses in case of a fire as majority Ugandans consider insurance a luxury.However, if they had insured their houses, they would not suffer in case calamity razes their property to the ground. Property insurance According to Faith Ekudu, the public relations officer of the Uganda Insurers’ Association, insurance is the transfer of risk from yourself to a professional risk manager in return for a fee or consideration. She explains that, “Once the contract has been signed, you would be referred to as the insured or policyholder, or the risk manager the insurer, and the fee/consideration the premium that you pay.”But the type of insurance attached to property is property insurance. Pamela Abonyo, the head corporate communications, at National Insurance Corporation (NIC) Limited, explains property insurance as a contract. “It is an insurance contract which involves small periodic payments in return for protection against uncertainties and potentially severe losses,” she says.However, Ayub Mbidde, a landlord and a potential customer says buying property insurance is expensive and sometimes insurance companies do not want to compensate their clients in case their houses are damaged.“It is something new but why would I pay money for insurance? I rather be careful at home and avoid fires because I may pay for insurance but fire does not happen and will they pay back my money?” Mbidde asks Laboke however says property insurance premiums are affordable and dependent on value of the property. How it works Faith Ekudu, the public relations officer of the Uganda Insurers’ Association, says insurance can be purchased either directly from a licensed insurance company or through their agent or through an insurance broker. She explains, “An agent is employed by an insurance company to sell their products while a broker works primarily for the client, seeking out the best product available for them on the market. The broker therefore, sells insurance on behalf of a number of insurance companies.” Why you need itAccording to Faith Ekudu, the public relations officer of the Uganda Insurers’ Association, we all make plans hoping everything will go according to plan-however; the reality is that you can lose everything you have worked for in an instant. However, “Insurance offers the comfort of knowing that should anything happen, you will not need to pick from your hard earned savings to replace what you have lost.”She explains that in case you need to get insurance, you can contact a licensed insurance company or a broker and let them know exactly what you are looking for. ChallengesHowever, despite the different benefits of property insurance, Abonyo says it has been less attractive to majority Ugandans although NIC has offered it for 51 years.“The uptake of the policy is low yet it is comprehensive. The biggest challenge is that the market assumes [property] insurance a luxury.”Additionally, another industry player, Donato Laboke, the Lion Assurance Company marketing and strategy manager, says getting people to buy property insurance has proved to be hard throughout the 10 years the company has offered it. “I should say there is a slow uptake of this product on [the] market; this is due to the general low awareness and knowledge on insurance, “Laboke says.Property insurance takes the owners’ liability insurance in case of loss and damage caused to a house or its contents depending on the specifics of the insurance cover. Both Abonyo and Laboke, agree that there is need for intensified marketing of the said insurance policy to make it attractive to landlords. Abonyo adds that despite the low market, they will continue to make it attractive by offering aircraft damage, earthquake and volcanic eruption, storm, tempest, flood, explosion, bursting or overflowing of water tanks apparatus or pipes, bush fire, subsidence and landslip, riot strike and malicious damage among others. Types of property insurance cover Comprehensive coverDonato Laboke, the Lion Assurance Company marketing and strategy manager, says despite the low update, those insured are entitled to a Comprehensive Package cover that include the residential building, household contents including portable items such as laptops, mobile phones, LED screens, washing machines and compensation of domestic workers, among others. He adds, “The house premiums (cost) are paid annually basing on the value of the property being insured upon which a percentage is applied. For example, a house worth Shs200m would pay just Shs200, 000 in premiums annually.’’ Fire CoverFaith Ekudu, the public relations officer of the Uganda Insurers’ Association, says you can have a fire cover damage to buildings (residential and commercial) and contents therein (furniture, fitting, fixtures, stock and machineryamong others) resulting from fire or other causes of fire like explosions, lightning, malicious damage, riots and strikes, floods, earthquakes, landslides and volcanic eruptions among others. She adds, “It also covers escape of water which causes damage to buildings, damage to buildings by animals that don’t belong to the insured person and damage to buildings by objects failing from aeroplanes.” 1 | 2 Next Page»Burglary coverEkudu explains that burglary covers theft as a result of forcible entry into the premises and forcible exit from the building as evidenced by physical marks such as broken padlocks or doors. CLAIMING•File documents. In case of any damage to your property, you should file all the requirements that will be listed on your insurance cover. •Investigations. An insurer needs to make sure that the right person is making the claim and that the right person is being paid. For example, the insurer may ask for a letter of administration of the estate if a deceased policy holder has not left a will. The insurer also needs to check the validity of the claim, in order not to pay fraudulent claims. For example, an insurance company may ask for a police report to ascertain that an accident did occur or a death certificate to confirm that a person did die. •Payments. Once you have met all the requirements of the process and your claim is found to be genuine, the insurer will issue a discharge voucher, which has the detail of the claim amount to be paid. If you are in agreement, you need to sign and return the voucher so that the insurer can process the payment. The industry claims processing guidelines require that all claims should be settled within 10 to 20 working days after the claims settlement voucher being returned. The time frame is largely dependent on the amount of the claim. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Ill-guided-people-want-to-destroy-FDC--Alaso-/-/688334/2729480/-/w1hhvwz/-/index.html","content":"Ill-guided people want to destroy FDC - Alaso  - Kampala- Forum for Democratic Change’s secretary general Alice Alaso has scoffed at the party’s detractors. The Serere Woman MP also vowed to defend FDC at all costs. “I sense that some ill guided individuals want to destroy our party and we will defend it. To some Museveni is not the issue any more, their obsession is how to kill FDC. This we will not allow. Our commitment is to work passionately to stay alive, to grow, to expand and to work with others,” she said in her last address as party secretary general to the 9th national council at FDC headquarters in Najjanankumbi yesterday. Alluding to the biblical story of Noah’s ark, Ms Alaso said FDC was formed to liberate Ugandans and not an instrument of infighting. “Noah’s ark was meant to save people from a ravaging flood. The FDC party is meant to save Ugandans from a ravaging dictatorship, corruption, nepotism, personal insecurity and gross mismanagement,” she said. “It is not, therefore, time for the lion in Noah’s ark to begin hunting the antelopes in the ark. It is not. It is not time for the giraffes in the ark to begin stepping on the snails because all of them need that ark to be saved. It is even wrong for the rats in the ark to begin eating the ropes that anchor it because they will drown together.” The FDC leadership under Gen Mugisha Muntu has come under intense criticism from both within and outside the party for making FDC docile but Ms Alaso who outlined the party successes like the launch of the FDC policy agenda dubbed “Uganda’s Leap Forward” instead appealed for unity. “This party will only survive if you stick together, if you are disciplined and passionate about it. It is time to break camp and advance. I hope we have broken camp and understand that we are advancing.”She advised that before FDC thinks of collaboration with any other democratic movement it should be viable. “Today as you reflect on collaboration with democracy forces, you want to ensure that you are viable inside out before you even collaborate with any other person and this is your mandate.” During the same meeting, Gen Muntu asked the Opposition to develop a common agenda in order to win the trust of Ugandans. The former army commander said Opposition parties need to organise and rise above the petty party difference, observing that President Museveni is in charge of the national finances and security with the trust of Ugandans as the only way to outcompete the regime. “The more we do things in a mature and organised way, the more we will be able to change the perceptions of the public to see us as a credible alternative political force. Mr Museveni cannot fight that, we are in charge of that. That is why we must focus on it to ensure that we change the image in the public mind of who we are as the Opposition to see us as mature political actors.” sdkafeero@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Jinja-Market--A-new-building-cracking-away/-/691232/2724780/-/fx4fw9/-/index.html","content":"Jinja Market: A new building cracking away - He wriggles through the mass of bodies standing on either side of the narrow corridor leading to his office. Jinja Mayor, Haji Muhammad Kezaala, cannot freely access his office. He is a besieged man. The siege has been on since the night of April 3 following a downpour that resulted in flooding of the newly-constructed Shs28b Jinja Central Market. This left many traders counting losses after water leaked into hundreds of stores causing extensive damage to merchandise, mostly stuff such as sugar, rice, maize flour and beans. “My entire stock was purchased using a loan from a micro finance (institution). I have fallen back on payments. If I don’t sell the few household items I have, I will end up in prison,” says Hajati Masitula Namwebya. Help neededNamwebya is one of the many besiegers, mostly female market vendors, who are demanding that Kezaala either gives them financial relief or helps negotiate with the Micro Finance institutions that had lent them working capital.“I would love to help, but I don’t have the resources to generate the working capital that some of them are asking for. I am just trying to engage the financial institutions,” says Kezaala, with exasperation written all over his face.The flood came less than three weeks after massive cracks were discovered in parts of the market. The market, which was constructed through the African Development Bank (ADB) under Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Programme (MATIP- 1), was commissioned by President Museveni on November 17, 2014. However, it became operational in February. Within less than five months of occupying it, the vendors have jubilated and wept bitterly in equal measure. If the words of Muzamil Musenero are anything to go by, it is a facility that they love and hate.“We don’t know whether to laugh or cry or do both. Sometimes it makes us deliriously happy, but then something happens and we end up sad,” Musenero says. Matters of contentionKezaala, who claims the town’s officials were denied access to the site during construction, blames everything on Ms Vambeco Enterprise for carrying out substandard work. “We wanted to supervise this work as local leaders, but we were denied a chance. We weren’t even allowed to step inside during the construction. I am therefore not surprised when I see the magnitude of defects,” he says. Traders have since complained about the size of the stalls, which they claim are too small, adding that the structure’s drainage system cannot mitigate the effects of flooding. The resident director of Vambeco in Jinja, Budget Mugabirwe, denies having refused the town’s leadership access to the market during its construction. “Vambeco never did anything outside the plans, which were approved by Jinja Municipal Council, the Ministry of Local Government and the Ministry of Works. We were also supervised by Arch Design,” he says.An April 9 letter from the Acting Permanent Secretary Ministry of Local Government, Patrick Mutabwire, to Arch Design would appear to absolve Vambeco. “The drainage system was silted hence causing flooding of the market. Furthermore, the drainage of water towards the private developer’s plot were blocked causing backflow and consequently flooding of the market,” the letter reads in part. Game planJinja Municipal Council Engineer Saidi Muhammad, says much as the blockage was outside the construction site, it had a negative effect on the flow and that the council is working with Ms Birus Services Limited who are developing the adjacent plot to rectify the problem. Mutabwire’s letter, however, advises Vambeco to redirect water from the entire roof to discharge outside the market and construct new appropriate drainage channels, extend the roof near the open spaces and reinforce or replace the roof drainage gutters. So why didn’t the contractor do so?“We built according to the plans that were provided. We neither drew up nor altered the design. If you cared to look, you will notice that this plan and design is similar to other ADB funded markets in other locations and I am sure the contractors there followed the plans they were provided with,” he says. Where is the problem?This makes us wonder why the firm is implementing the directives issued by Ministry of Local Government. When asked about the same, Mugabirwe says: “Those are new designs, which were never part of the original contract. It is a new piece of work that we have to be paid for.” 1 | 2 Next Page»Sections of the citizenry accuse the Council of erroneously approving the plans of Ms Birus Property Services which controversially took possession of Plots 60 to 62 Allidina Road, which are adjacent to the market. On the night of January 16, a commercial building, which occupied the said plots, in which over 100 traders had been operating was razed down.The building, which had been under the control of the Privatisation Unit under African Trade Development Fund [ATDF], had been controversially allocated to Birus Services Limited by the Uganda Land Commission in 2011, but the allocation was rescinded on the orders of the Inspectorate of Government and a land title that had been issued to the firm was cancelled in December 2014.Under normal circumstances, building plans are only approved after a developer submits verified copies of a land title. That was not the case. Some of the traders who were affected by demolition accuse the mayor, councillors and technical officers in the town of having taken inducements to allow the illegality to proceed. Attempts to engage the Town Clerk, David Kyasanku about the matter proved futile as his official number went unanswered. Mugabirwe says until late in March when the cracks were first noticed, the private developer had not erected a retention wall, which weakened the soil structure and brought pressure on the walls around the food section, thus leading to cracking, an assertion Mutabwire agrees with.“The private developers should mobilise sufficient manpower, materials and resources to expedite protection of the market particularly, the space between his development and the market,” the letter to Arch Design reads in part. History of controversies The market, which was before its reconstruction gutted by two mysterious fires; one that occurred in April 2002 and another in June 2003, has always been dogged by one problem or another. Politically driven factional fights erupted among the market traders before the project could kick off. Matia Lubowa, who is a known fanatic of Kezaala, was deposed from the vendors’ leadership by Jackson Kabuzi. Kabuzi also accused Lubowa of having hatched a plan with the mayor to allocate stalls to members of the Opposition.The infighting only ended after Local Government Minister, Adolf Mwesige, appointed Kabuzi as Interim chairman and charged him with the responsibility of transferring vendors from the old site to the temporary site. Jinja Municipal Council had at the time of the minister’s intervention been calling for an investigation into the stalls’ allocation process amidst talk that stalls were being sold to non-market vendors at a cost of between Shs1m and Shs2m at the expense of old vendors. Members of the Kabuzi team had always denied any wrongdoing until it emerged that the former LCIII chairman of Walukuba Masese Division, Phillip Mabunda Bwambale, a former chairman of the Jinja Market Traders’ Association, had been denied a stall while new applicants who had never operated in the market had been allocated stalls. Early in April, vendors, angered by controversies involving the stalls’ allocation process, forced Kabuzi out of office and banished him from the market. Plans to revisit the allocation process are underway.Banishment may have provided a quick fix to the leadership and stalls allocation questions, but will Mutabirwe’s April 9 directives fix the leaks and cracks? imufumba@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/prepare-deal-floods-environment/-/689360/2719280/-/qce2ldz/-/index.html","content":"We should prepare to deal with floods - Last week, heavy rains brought the Kenyan capital, Nairobi to a standstill. According to media reports, this was possibly the worst the city has experienced in recent years. Scenes from flooded parts of Nairobi such as busy roads and offices shared on social media exposed the poor drainage and cluttered infrastructure development many African cities are grappling with.Nairobi’s case is not isolated. For several years, Kampala has been going through what our Kenyan neighbours went through last week. Rains in Kampala spell disaster for motorists and those who reside in flood-prone neighbourhoods such as Bwaise. Several lives have been lost as a result of heavy rains and flooding in Kampala over the years. City authorities need to have a critical look at the infrastructure developments and drainage system because they know where the problem is. In Nairobi, for instance, many motorists were stranded for several hours because some areas were cut off by the floods.In Kampala, everyone knows what follows a downpour – floods, transport crisis, submerged houses, cutoff schools and offices, and deaths. What is baffling is that we seem to have accepted to leave with this mess. Worse still, we are never prepared for these disasters, yet it has become a rainy season ritual. Deaths and destruction caused by floods could be avoided if we learnt lessons from past incidents and used early warning systems to handle the situation better. And the examples are several. We know which river in the country often bursts its banks; we know which bridges have collapsed; we know which areas are flood-prone; and, crucially, we know when the rainy season starts. For instance, weather experts have already warned that we should prepare for El Nino – long rains usually characterised by flooding and its related dangers such as landslides. For people in mountainous areas where landslides have buried villages in recent years, this is worrying. Beyond government’s usual warnings that people in such areas “should watch out”, or “move to safer places”, a comprehensive response to this problem must be found.Heavy rains have had too many devastating consequences in this country: Landslides in Mt Elgon region, dreadful floods in Kasese and other parts of the country, especially Kampala. Surely, the authorities cannot sit back and watch this happen year after year. And we are part of the problem: We have tampered with nature by cutting trees and cultivating on mountain slopes, constructing in wetlands, and littering drainage systems. The flooding menace must be sorted. The bigger responsibility lies with the authorities to devise a long-term solution. Ugandans have lived with this problem for far too long."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Betting-hots-Britain-royal-baby/-/688340/2695524/-/6klsit/-/index.html","content":"Betting hots up on Britain's royal baby - Punters are placing all manner of wacky bets on Britain's royal baby, chancing their cash on everything from the name of the new prince or princess to who gets their congratulations tweet in first. With the baby due any day now, bookmakers are taking wagers on whether Prince William or his wife Kate will carry it out of the hospital, and whether their first-born, toddler Prince George, will join them on the maternity ward steps. Bets are on too for the baby's weight, godparents and hair -- and even the time it will be born. Punters think the baby will be a girl, with Alice the clear favourite for the name -- though bookmakers have been taking a late flurry of bets on James. Bet365 has a baby girl at 1/2 -- a two in three chance of occurring, meaning a £2 bet would win £1 plus the £2 stake back if the prediction proves right. A boy is 6/4. \"The money has just been relentless for a girl -- nearly 90 percent of all bets,\" Ladbrokes spokeswoman Jessica Bridge told AFP. Bookmakers William Hill have Alice at 6/4, followed by Elizabeth and Charlotte as the next most likely names at 11/2. Then comes Victoria at 12/1, Alexandra and James at 14/1 and Diana, the name of William's late mother, at 16/1. Long odds on Prince Elvis The rush of bets on James, pushing down the odds, could be punters learning their lesson from backing a girl's name -- Alexandra -- when George was born in July 2013. \"I think people are just covering their bases,\" said William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly. The surge to back Alice has eclipsed some boys' names steeped in royal history. \"Our punters are convinced it's going to be a girl. In a two-horse race, that feels a bit crazy,\" Paddy Power spokesman Rory Scott told AFP. \"That means there's some very attractive prices for good royal boys' names: James and Arthur at 20/1, Henry and Philip at 33/1 is incredible value. \"Alice has come out of nowhere, from 33/1 to a ludicrous 6/4, which I wouldn't touch with a bargepole.\" \"Elizabeth would a nice nod to the boss,\" he added, referring to William's grandmother Queen Elizabeth II. 1 | 2 Next Page»However, the flood of bets on traditional royal girls' names is not stopping some from taking a long-range punt. \"Elvis is the one that always tickles me, people betting on a Prince Elvis -- very unlikely,\" said Bridge. \"Prince Wayne, Princess Chardonnay both at 500/1 -- I think you're best keeping your money on those.\" Princesses favourites for godparents As for the baby's weight, between seven and eight pounds (3.2 to 3.6 kilogrammes) is the favourite at around 6/4. For hair colour, bookmakers have brown trading at around 6/4, slightly ahead of blond at 7/4, with black and the red locks of William's brother Prince Harry at around 5/1. Grey is available as a 50/1 long shot. With a general election also due, Ladbrokes make Prime Minister David Cameron 5/2 favourite to be the first party leader to tweet their congratulations. Cameron is a 100/1 rank outsider to be among the godparents, where William's cousins Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are both 1/5 near-certainties with William Hill. Harry is 2/1 along with Kate's sister Pippa Middleton. Football icon David Beckham is 25/1. Paddy Power have Virgin tycoon Richard Branson at 50/1 and rocker Elton John at 100/1. Back in 2013, Kate emerged from the hospital holding the newborn George, and she is 1/3 favourite to do so again, with William 9/4. Paddy Power give odds of 1/4 that one-year-old George will join them for the first photo that will flash round the world. However, bookmakers cannot agree on the colour of Kate's dress for the occasion. Labrokes favour pink at 4/1, Paddy Power yellow at 7/2 and Coral blue at 3/1. \"Royal betting is fun because no-one really knows, no-one really has an edge -- unless you're called Harry and you're a little bit ginger,\" Scott said. He added: \"Someone phoned us up and said 'I'm giving birth around about the same time'; she wanted a price on their baby to marry the second royal baby. The price was exceedingly long.\" « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Migrant-shipwreck-survivors-arrested-UN-dead/-/688340/2692368/-/j9vwt1/-/index.html","content":"Migrant shipwreck survivors arrested as UN says 800 dead - Italian police have arrested two suspected people traffickers among the survivors of the migrant boat that capsized off Libya on Sunday, as the UN said 800 people were killed in the Mediterranean’s worst migrant disaster. They said they had detained a Tunisian man believed to be the captain of the vessel and a Syrian allegedly a member of the ship's crew, taken from a group of 27 haggard survivors who arrived in the Sicilian port of Catania on Monday evening. Both face charges of people trafficking. Under-fire EU ministers meanwhile agreed on a 10-point plan to double the resources available to the current EU border surveillance mission Triton, as the UN's refugee agency and the International Organization for Migration recounted what those onboard had witnessed. \"We can say that 800 are dead,\" said Carlotta Sami, spokeswoman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Italy on Tuesday, citing the survivors' accounts of the deadly crossing. Those who escaped with their lives described to officials the moment the 20-metre (70-foot) trawler carrying them capsized after a Portuguese merchant ship approached the vessel, causing a stampede. \"There were a little over 800 people on board, including children aged between 10 and 12. There were Syrians, about 150 Eritreans, Somalians... They had left Tripoli at about 8 am on Saturday,\" Sami said. The survivors hailed from Mali, Gambia, Senegal, Somalia, Eritrea and Bangladesh, she added, and all had been taken to nearby holding centres. One other survivor was taken to hospital in Catania, on Sicily's east coast. 'No more excuses' EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini had unveiled plans earlier Monday to tackle the growing migrant crisis after telling member states they had \"no more excuses\" not to act. Even as EU foreign and interior ministers met in Luxembourg to discuss ways to stem the flood of people trying to reach Europe, the International Organization for Migration said it had received a distress call from another boat -- but cautioned against concluding this was another disaster in the making. Italian Premier Matteo Renzi said separately that Italy's coast guard had asked merchant shipping to come to the aid of two boats off the Libyan coast with up to 450 migrants on board after they sought help. Police in Greece meanwhile reported three people killed, including a child, after a boat coming from Turkey sank off the island of Rhodes. Dramatic footage showed people trying to reach survivors huddled on a piece of wreckage as they were being swept towards rocks. Ninety-three people were rescued alive, police said. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Parents-of-roaming-children-to-face-punishment/-/688334/2679588/-/2vem3lz/-/index.html","content":"Parents of roaming children to face punishment - MOROTO. Authorities in Moroto Municipal Council are planning to punish parents who allow their children to roam the streets.Ms Mary Nachap, the women councillor representing North Division said the municipal council wants to check the growing number of street children in town.She revealed this on Tuesday during the training of boda boda and bar operators from Moroto and Napak districts on how to help guard against child trafficking.The training was organised by African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN-Uganda).Ms Nachap said the appropriate punishment that would force parents to take charge of their children is to pay a fine of Shs100,000 or face imprisonment of up to six months.“Most of these children who are loitering here in the municipal streets have their parents but they are not bothered and this is child neglect,” she said.Ms Prisca Adyaka Adome, the youth female councillor, attributed the increasing number of children on the streets to poverty and neglect.“The by-law must force these parents to know their responsibilities as parents, not to let their children to flood the streets,” she said.Ms Adyaka said this is fuelling child trafficking.According to Mr Robert Owiny, the coordinator of ANPPCAN, child traffickers are taking advantage of poverty in the region. The numbersShs100,000Amount proposed as fine on a parent whose child will be caught roaming the streets. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Museveni-survives-capture/-/689844/2676016/-/e5xvo4z/-/index.html","content":"Museveni survives capture - During the 1981 to 1985 Bush War, National Resistance Army/Movement (NRA/M) rebel leader Yoweri Museveni travelled from Luweero Triangle and went abroad, sailing through Lake Victoria twice. This he wrote in his book Sowing the Mustard Seed. On one occasion, the Uganda government got intelligence about the presence of Museveni around the shores of Lake Victoria, in Nkumba near Entebbe. But it was too late and the elusive rebel leader slipped through the security traps laid between Entebbe and Luweero to capture him dead or alive. The story that Museveni was once seen around Nkumba, dressed in faded jeans and canvas shoes during the Bush War is still vivid to some – especially those who had the government announcements made on Radio Uganda for his immediate arrest by whoever comes across him or to inform the authorities. President Museveni and now Maj Gen Pecos Kutesa mention the journey to and from Nairobi via Lake Victoria in their books: “Sowing the Mustard Seed” and “Uganda’s Revolution 1979-1986: How I Saw It”, respectively. However, the two wrote that the first trip from Luweero to abroad via Lake Victoria was in June 1981. And they returned in December of the same year. Museveni also mentions that his second trip on Lake Victoria from Uganda was in 1985 but that he returned through Tanzania after the coup that toppled Obote had occurred. Also worth to note, Museveni, Kutesa and Nnalongo (full names withheld on request) tell the tale of how they were scared when the flood lights from the radar at Entebbe airport beamed onto their boat.The daughter of the late famous fisherman from Ssese Islands who once received Museveni from Nsandzi Island on his way to Luweero, however, remembers the period being in early 1984. For the first time, this lady who sneaked Museveni from Nsandzi Island in Lake Victoria to Nkumba village near Entebbe Town en-route to Luweero recounts to Sunday Monitor how it happened. She preferred to remain anonymous. Nnalongo’s first contact with NRANnalongo, as she is popularly known in Wakiso, her home district, narrates: “In 1984, I was a news editor of [a Kampala daily English newspaper]. And during that time the guerrilla war was at its peak. So I used to assign my sharp reporters to get any hint about the war. And one of my reporters, Nelson Okuku, got a link in Kampala of somebody who was connected to the guerrillas. Henceforth, he used to get passwords (daily passwords) for going to Luweero; passing the different road blocks and reaching these people and interviewing them. And at times as a news editor I was curious, I was wandering whether he was giving me fake stories or not,” Nnalongo narrates. “But one day, I confirmed that when we had come out with a story referring to these guerrillas as rebels. They [rebels] made a call to office asking for Okuku. We didn’t have mobile phones at that time but they called our land line and they wanted to speak to him. He said he never wrote anything like rebels but he wrote guerrillas. And those people asked to talk to the editor although they never gave us their names – and I was handed the phone. The caller told me that they never wanted to be called rebels,” Nnalongo remembers with a smile. After a night and a day of resting at Kagezi’s home in Nkumba Mugwafu, Museveni decided to start off on foot and walked up to Rubaga in Kampala “They said they were guerrillas fighting to liberate Uganda – and that if I didn’t want to call them guerrillas I would call them liberators. And from that time onwards, the newsroom was made to understand that they had to be called guerrillas. They also never wanted us to reveal the kind of weapons they had,” she added. “It so happened that I started trusting Okuku’s stories more and more. My bosses [owners] did not know and I never told anybody about this secret in the newspaper but, they trusted that whatever I was putting out in the papers was worth peoples’ reading and – trusted that I ensured that it was a true story,” Nnalongo reveals how the NRA/M rebels penetrated and used the media for their propaganda. “It so happened that one day, Okuku went for such a mission [assignment] but never returned. Instead he sent a note with somebody who never told me his name but made sure that he delivered the note to me – which he [Okuku] had written to me and his wife saying he had taken a decision to join the guerrilla war and he was not coming back. And he ended the note saying in order to ensure that the struggle continues, I also must continue helping to give publicity to these people, and I must ensure that his family is taken care of and that his salary for that month should be handed over to his wife; which I did and kept in touch with his wife.” “Where is Okuku,” I asked. “After the war, Mzee [Museveni] sent him to America for further studies – but he decided to stay there. I used to communicate with him when he had just arrived in America,” said the retired journalist and civil servant. “The man who brought me the note [from Okuku] and never gave me his names continued coming to meet me. And that was the beginning of my involvement in the liberation war. I started getting communications, allegedly from Museveni. At that time I didn’t know his hand writing, I had never talked to the man.” “I would get others written in different hand writings but instructing me to organise transport on the water [Lake Victoria]. And I would move to my home island because by then, we had developed a relationship where these people [rebels] knew that I came from Nsandzi Island and that my ancestors, my father lived on Nsandzi Island. That is where my paternal grandparents came from. My maternal grandparents came from Bugala Island. So we are true islanders.” A message from Ruhakana Rugunda“One of the very memorable journeys I will never forget because it was a very dangerous, one which I never thought Museveni would survive, was somewhere in 1984. I believe it was early 1984 because my twin daughter – who was born in July 1983 – was still suckling. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Prosecutor-Joan-Kagezi-murder-DPP/-/688334/2671424/-/1397rh5z/-/index.html","content":"Prosecutor Joan Kagezi’s murder won't scare us, says DPP - The murder of Senior Principal State Attorney Joan Kagezi will not scare the directorate of Public Prosecution from doing their work and bringing criminals to justice, DPP Mike Chibita has vowed.Dr Chibita who, on Tuesday morning visited the scene where Ms Kagezi was murdered from said the DPP’s office has over 300 dedicated state attorneys ready to prosecute suspects in the interest of justice.“As a directorate (DPP) and Judiciary as a whole, this (Kagezi’s murder) took us by surprise. It is the first of its kind but it will not stop us from prosecuting criminals. In fact, it has given us more courage to ensure that justice prevails in this country,” he said.He further noted that his office has received a number of applications from private practicing lawyers interested in serving as state prosecutors. According to Dr Chibita, the cases that were being handled by the deceased will be handed over to another state attorney who will continue with the prosecution process until justice is served.“We will allow police to continue with its investigations as we wait for the suspects to be arrested,” he added.Shortly after the DPP’s departure, Minister of Internal Affairs, Gen Aronda Nyakairima also visited the scene but remained in his car and left shortly after without a word.The DDP’s remarks come just hours after the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura issued a statement in which he vowed to bring the suspects to book.In the statement issued on Monday evening, Gen Kayihura said Police has intensified its investigations, adding that Ms Kagezi’s murder should only serve to increase Police’s resolve to hunt down and bring to justice all those elements bent on disturbing the security and development of the country.Meanwhile, the crime scene remains sealed off by security and investigating officers, including the anti-terrorism personnel, scene of crime officers, forensic experts, among others as investigations continue.Mourners continue to flood Ms Kagezi’s heavily guarded home which is about half a kilometer from where she was killed. See Gen Kayihura’s full statement Below;POLICE INVESTIGATES DEADLY SHOOTING This evening, Monday 30th March 2015, Ms. Joan Kagezi, Ag. Assistant Director of Public Prosecution, was shot dead at 7:15 pm, near her residence in Kiwatule a city suburb as she drove home with her children. She had stopped at a fruit stall by the road side where she normally stopped to purchase fruits, when the criminals riding on a motorcycle of boxer type, red in color, stopped next to the parked vehicle and shot her twice in the neck and shoulder, through the widow on the driver’s side. She was driving the vehicle herself. The Director of CIID, Assistant Inspector General of Police Grace Akullo who by coincidence was driving some distance behind her, was the first police officer on the scene. She coordinated the evacuation of the deceased to Mulago hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival. Her three children who were with her escaped unhurt. Ms. Joan Kagezi was in charge of the International Crime Division handling international crimes such as terrorism, war crimes, and trafficking in persons. At the time of her tragic death she was the lead prosecutor in the case of the 2010 terror suspects now before the High Court. She was, also working with the Police in the prosecution of the suspects in the recent spate of murders, robberies and terrorism in Busoga region and Kampala. Her death is a big loss to the country. Immediately after the shooting, the police secured the scene, and interviewed eye witnesses who have given very useful information that will assist in the hunt for the murderers. We call upon any member of the public who may have any information relating to the incident to give it to the police, any other security officer or LC official. In spite of this tragic incident of criminality, we call upon the public to remain calm but vigilant. The murder of Joan Kagezi should only serve to increase our resolve to hunt down and bring to justice all those elements bent on disturbing the security and development of our country. GEN. KALE KAYIHURA INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE 30TH MARCH 2015 SEE RELATED STORY BELOW Government issues statement on the murder of terrorism prosecutor"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Police-woman-accuses-bosses-rape-torture/-/688334/2671280/-/qi5c64/-/index.html","content":"Police woman accuses her bosses of rape and torture - Kampala. Tracking Police Constable Jane Nyirarukundo in Nateete, a Kampala suburb involves passing through a noisy slum of loitering drunkards and gossiping women on shop verandahs, and jumping open sewers. When we locate her, the atmosphere in the compound where she rents two rooms, is serene, a far cry from the noise and bustle outside the gate. We find her preparing tea for her son’s lunch and she tells us her story. In 2007, a hopeful Police Constable Jane Nyirarukundo joined Uganda Police Force only to leave it acrimoniously, seven years later. “In 2007 while at the Police training school in Kabalye, Masindi, I contracted a cough that weakened me. I was unable to take part in the rigorous training. Another trainee thought I was dodging work and reported me to an instructor, who told me to put my finger on a mound of faeces and put it on my lips. I refused,” she says.A trainee refusing punishment was unheard of. Angry, the instructor reportedly told Nyirarukundo to carry a 20kg log and when she failed, he beat her. The torture beginsMs Nyirarukundo says he pushed her off a wooden plank that serves as a bridge above a stream. As she fell, she cut her eye, lost her front tooth and hurt her chest. Asked why she did not report the torture, she says she was threatened with death. Back in Kampala, Ms Nyirarukundo met ASP (then Sergeant) Fortune Habyara. “He was older than me but we both come from Mugihurwanda village in Kisoro District. He assigned me to Nateete Police Station. This was during The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm),” she narrates.During Chogm, constables who worked on the day shift were paid Shs100,000 while those the night shift received Shs200,000. To make ends meet, Nyirarukundo worked both shifts. However, what surprised her, she says, was that Habyara only paid her Shs100,000 per day. “When I inquired about this anomaly, he threatened me. When I pushed further for my money, he told me that he was in love with me. I rejected his advances.”Although she did not get her money, she continued working without incident. Her woes with Habyara resurfaced in 2011.“I was six months pregnant and had to go for training in Nagalama. When I informed Grace Turyagumanawe of my condition, he sent me to John Nuwagira, now director of field force police, who told me to go to Moses Kafeero for advice,” she says.Mr Kafeero advised her to go to the training and inform the commanders of her condition. During the morning parade, she informed Commander Mulondo that she was pregnant. Mulondo told her not to bother him.“I began attending classes but when the 2011 mayoral elections were approaching, we were told we needed to learn how to fire tear gas into the crowds. To teach us how to do it, they fired the tear gas at us on the training grounds.” Ms Nyirarukundo says she fainted and was carried into a tent and that while others who fainted were taken to hospital, she was kept in the tent. Police Constable Jane Nyirarukundo After two weeks, she began seeing discharge from her private parts. A colleague then told her that the baby had probably died, and was rotting in her womb.Mr Mulondo later authorised her to go to Mulago hospital for treatment. It was then that she discovered she had had a miscarriage. Daily Monitor has seen an In-patient discharge form 353073 from Mulago hospital dated February 23, 2011, in which the diagnosis is a miscarriage and hypertension. Later, she says, Mr Habyara opened a case of employing a minor against her. Then began an endless cycle of explaining her woes to different police bosses. Mr Tuyragumanawe, Deputy IGP Okoth Ochola, and Assan Kasingye all listened to her but advised her to take her complaint back to the PSU, where her accuser worked. “Finally I went to IGP Kayihura’s ADC Major Emma Muhoozi, who told me to write a statement. He also called Habyara to talk it over.”The next evening, on June 5, 2011, while at home, OC Busega police station, Kakuuku came calling. He wanted her to help him search a female criminal they had arrested.While we were talking, Oboth of PSU and another man came in and began questioning me about where I got the authority to report superiors.”As they were talking, Habyara came in with a pistol and pointed it at her head, threatening to kill her. Ms Nyirarukundo says they bundled her, with her eight-year-old daughter and four-year-old son into a car and drove them to Nsangi. “Habyara ordered the other men to spread my legs and he shone a torch in my private parts. I told them that I would report them to their superiors but they laughed at me. When we reached Kalagala forest in Mpigi, they took us out of the car and beat me again. After the beating, Ms Nyirarukundo alleges that Habyara raped her then invited the rest to have their fill of her. Her children were standing beside her as she was gang raped.Threatening her if she went public, they dropped her back in Busega and the next day, opened a case of forgery and employment of a minor against her at Mwanga II Court. Both cases were eventually dismissed. Demanding compensation Currently, through Lukwago and Company Advocates, Ms Nyirarukundo has sued both Habyara and Uganda Police Force for rape and torture, loss of employment and loss of her child, respectively. “Last year, I wrote to then CPS DPC Henry Kintu to reinstate me to my position and to pay my salary arrears. He sent me to Kibuli where I was told that my employment file was missing. It had been taken by ASP Habyara without even signing for it. He had also stopped my salary from being processed.”Nyirarukundo says her main plight is the education of her children. “I do not want reinstatement in the police force. I just want my salary arrears of one year and nine months, and compensation for the torture and rape I have been subjected to,” she says. Employment letterNyirarukundo claims that her employment letter from the Police Force was lost in March 2011 during a flood that swept through the Fire Brigade Headquarters at Clock Tower, where she kept residence.However, she still has a card issued by the police force (a copy of which the Daily Monitor has seen) on which is a reference number (IPPS: 794982 which was verified on 22 April, 2014) used during payment of salary. She also has documentation, from the force, the Security Minister Muruuli Mukasa, and her superiors, in regard to her training, treatment, and the cases against her. What police saysThe police deputy spokesperson, Ms Polly Namaye, when contacted yesterday said she (the police) are aware about the case, saying it has been around for nearly two years now. She also confirmed that Ms Nyirarukundo serves the police as special police constable, a position/assignment that is either renewed or terminated after every two years. On the alleged rape by her colleague—officer: “These are allegations and are yet to be proven. She made those allegations as an afterthought. There is no medical report indicating that she was raped—in a rape case, you must prove that there was forced penetration. That claim has not been proven yet. As far as we are concerned, this rape claim remains an allegation until she proves it otherwise. “A series of things happened. She didn’t want to go for training to upgrade her policing skills claiming she was pregnant yet she was not. She later claimed that she lost that pregnancy during the training but there was no proof backing that claim. There was another case involving a starved child, which she hoped to get money from and when it didn’t happen, she came up with these allegations that she is yet to prove.” On her unpaid salary:“She was not found on duty. And the policy is once the check is done and you are not on duty, your name will be blocked or deleted from the payroll. And that is what happened with her case. However, she could have followed up the case just the way others did. You explain your situation then you will be put back on payroll. She didn’t do all that despite knowing the procedures. If she wants, she can still present her case. The spot-check is done to weed out ghost officers and save the government millions of shillings paid to non-existent officers.”As a special police constable Nyirarukundo’s contract is renewed after every two years but Namaye could not confirm whether Ms Nyirarukundo’s contract is still running or not. editorial@@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/Treating-the--salary-earners-sickness-/-/688616/2647126/-/ud8gan/-/index.html","content":"Treating the ‘salary earners sickness’ - In my last column I wrote about a topic - Salary Earners’ Sickness (SES), explaining the financial affliction that hits many salary earners from the fourth day of the month until the next pay day. I listed three major causes of the sickness, namely: spending money according to peers instead of considering one’s financial reality, being driven by the “what will people think” mentality and not paying attention to investments. After reading the article, several readers wrote to me saying they were severely afflicted by Salary Earners’ Sickness and needed urgent treatment and asked if I had any recommendation for them. Two ladies did not stop at merely writing but signed up for the money management coaching and counselling service offered by my company. The remedies for Salary Earners’ Sickness that I have seen work for other people operate along the spectrum of practice, attitude and knowledge. Knowledge is the starting point; the foundation of financial success is laid with good knowledge and the grave for financial failure is dug using ignorance. As the Bible puts it “people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.” Lack of knowledge comes in many shapes: there is not knowing that you don’t know, there is knowing that you don’t know, there is knowing the wrong thing and finally there is knowing too little. The reason you need to know about money concepts and principles is not to fill your head but to enable you apply the principles to your financial affairs. Money concepts need not be complicated, otherwise, only very highly educated people would become rich. A simple illustration of cashflow management is using a funnel. When you are pouring something through a funnel you turn the wide side up and it is the narrow side that goes into the receiving container. Unfortunately when it comes to handling money many people turn their funnel upside down so that the smaller side is representing their income and the wider side is representing their expenditure. Money concepts and principles aside, you should know how financial systems work. If you want to grow your wealth then you have to learn to be intimate with financial systems in order to protect your money, move it around and invest it. Many of the get rich quick schemes that have left people drowning in a flood of tears usually prey on the ignorance of the victims. The only reason you believe a person who tells you that your investment can double in six months while yielding you monthly cash pay outs in between is because you possess a lot of greed mixed with a lot of investment ignorance. Unfortunately this scam plays out every year in Uganda with only the name of the scam changing. Seeking financial knowledgeFinancial knowledge is all around us. Read appropriate literature such as the Prosper magazine which is published in the Daily Monitor every Tuesday. Read good books such as Make Sense of Your Money written by my friend and colleague Philip Karugaba and yours truly or the timeless classic, The Richest Man in Babylon. Associate with people who can improve your financial knowledge either as friends or mentors or coaches. If you are ignorant about a subject and you keep friends who are also ignorant then there is no hope for you. The more financial knowledge you get the better are your chances of overcoming ‘Salary Earners’ Sickness’.James Abola is the Team Leader of Akamai Global, a business and finance consulting firm. Email: james.abola@akamaiglobal.co.uk."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Kole-Woman-MP--seat--race--momentum/-/688342/2637436/-/s8xc3l/-/index.html","content":"Kole Woman MP seat race gains momentum - Kole- Kole District Woman Member of Parliament Joy Ruth Acheng seems to be up against it in the 2016 general elections although she remains confident about her chances, insisting that her critics are blind to what she has achieved for the constituency. When this district was carved out of Apac in 2010, Ms Acheng became the first woman MP, winning election on a UPC ticket. She garnered 20,049 votes, defeating her closest rival, Molly Ayoo Obua (NRM) who got 14,087. Independent candidate Anne Alum Ogwal managed 13,586 votes. However, critics claim after getting elected, Acheng went to Parliament and has rarely been heard of since. They say things have got so bad, colleagues in the Congress party are already plotting how to unseat her in the forthcoming UPC primaries. Others claim she could have been compromised by the NRM, thus keeping silent on issues affecting the people who sent her to Parliament. One of the UPC members hoping to replace Acheng is Christine Oloi. Oloi, who works for one of the radios in Kole, says the incumbent has ashamed UPC by failing to deliver her campaign promises four years down the road.“We cannot sit back and watch when the leaders on UPC ticket are not doing what took them to Parliament; we are better substitutes and we know the issues affecting the locals better,” she said. A view gaining currency on the ground is that there are a lot of government projects which the people of Kole have not benefited from simply because there is no one to direct them to the district. “Ms Acheng cannot associate herself with any developmental activity in the area she represents,” Oloi says. The Uganda Peoples Congress chairman Kole District, Charles Okeng Olet, agrees with the incumbent’s critics. Olet believes Acheng betrayed them. He says it is indeed the unfortunate truth that ever since she went to Parliament, she has never returned to the district to share in the plight of the people that she represents. “Whenever we call her to share with her what is on the ground, she does not respond and she instead says we want her money. We have already identified our potential candidate Oloi, whom we think will help our people on the ground in addressing the most biting issues,” Mr Okeng says. Others in the race are Joan Apio, a regional general secretary for the Lango War Claimants Association.Apio, who holds Diploma in Public Administration, is currently pursuing a Diploma in Business Studies at the nearby Uganda College of Commerce Aduku. If elected, she says, voters will be her priority. “With my meagre resources, I have been able to support farmers through a coffee growing project and other projects to improve the livelihoods of the communities through agriculture,” Ms Apio points out as evidence of her reliability. These three faces are likely to be joined by Ms Anne Alum Ogwal who hopes to return on the NRM ticket. At the last elections, Ogwal stood as an Independent and lost to Acheng. She has been something of a political nomad having first contested in the UPC primaries where she lost to Acheng. Alum went to Nabumali High School, and holds a diploma in law. She volunteered at the Magistrate’s Court, Apac, between 2002 and 2004. Currently, she is Kole’s senior community development officer “The representation in Kole is so poor; the elected leaders have neglected the electorate. They are just working for their selfish interest, forgetting the interest of, and the mandate given to them by the electorate,” she says. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/Living-life-in-the-fast-lane-is-trendy/-/689856/2631344/-/3mekk5z/-/index.html","content":"Living life in the fast lane is trendy - For Anna Kobusingye, an accounts assistant, anything that makes life faster makes it easier. “Why would I choose the hard way in the name of upholding tradition?” she asks as we settle down to our coffee. “I might as well go back to using calculators instead of the new computer programmes.”Trendy in a pantsuit, she sets her iPad and iPhone on the table top with a quiet confidence. With two C-sections by choice – Kobusingye is a doyenne of everything chic. A single mother, constructing a house. Seated across from me is Irene Ouma, a psychologist. “I read The River Between when I was six,” she says. Anna’s cup stops mid-air. “Recently I asked some teenagers if they had read it. I was eager for an impromptu discussion about the plot and characters.You can imagine my shock when their first reaction was to Google the book. What happened to borrowing books from the library?”I secretly Google the book on my phone. Alas! There is no e-text of it. But Ouma is still speaking and from her tone, the memory still hurts. “Those boys claimed that it was not worth reading because someone had not put it on the Internet! And this from people who can hardly open a book at their own volition!”Alice Roosevelt Longworth got it right with her simple philosophy on life, “Fill what’s empty. Empty what’s full. Scratch where it itches.” The currents of this modern age will have you believe that life only exists in the microwave. From social media to fast food and fancy philosophies on success, if the results are not quick, then it is not life. Fast babies and movesWho has the time to dillydally when you can pack a million things into 24 hours? A tiny injection at the base of the spine and voila! You can watch your baby delivered by C-section and if you are so inclined, post status updates on social media. “You can only be advised by physicians to have a baby by C-section if your health conditions are not favourable for a normal delivery,” says Dr Ronald Ayebare of Care Clinic. But opting for a C-section without a doctor’s input is deadly.Carolyn Mutegevu, an accountant, buys into the fast life. “Look, if I want to travel and I have the money what is there to stop me?” she asks. “I don’t have the time to wait for the year end, to study the rates and seasons. I just call up my friends and travel.” Holding onto the last vestiges of conservatism takes a degree of courage. For all their posturing conservatives almost always end up sounding suspiciously defensive, fighting for lost causes – or worse, looking like ridiculous relics of times gone by. Get rich quick Sanity tells us sound investments produce dividends in 20 years, but just a click away, on the next station, a pastor is holding forth on how sowing a seed of Shs20,000 brings a flood of big monies. Not to be left out, sports betting companies are making a killing in a poorly disguised get-rich-quick scheme. Solomon Miggade, a bodaboda rider, is more likely to be found at a betting shop on Kampala road, than at his stage. “If I bet on 10 matches there is a chance that I might win Shs800,000. But if I ride a customer out of town, I will only make Shs4,000. Really, the choice is simple to make.” And the languageA recent post on a Facebook page, Kampala Express, is refreshingly strict on proper writing. No slang or street-speak. In the 1980s and early ‘90s, we acquitted ourselves with the Queen’s English. Of course, at the time, capital punishment was the norm and the thought of having a bell dangling at your neck was enough to keep you awake during English lessons. But trying to decipher social media I’m left wondering whose English is being taught these days. In a comment, a group member and a self-proclaimed journalist, posted, “Even writing legible English is now considered backward. Sure, life is much easier now, but do these changes necessarily make it better?” Grace Nanyonga, an entrepreneur, believes it is better to be slow but sure than fly with the modern times. “Technological advances make life okay only if it does not affect lifestyle choices. If you are looking to own a home, I would advise you to build instead,” she says. “It takes time and more creativity and it is more satisfying.” No strings attachedLess surprisingly, the glitter of a faster life is dulled by an ever-present companion: low morals. Time was when courtship would take months on end. Now the norm is no-strings-attached one-night stands. Where once tradition fixed sexual boundaries, now many are forced to define their own sexual identity. Of course, online match-making sites come in handy. You have no idea who you are chatting to; their background and what they do. Thanks to the affordable and accessible internet.“Young women are carried away by the exhilarating independence of being single mothers by choice, that they do not value marriage anymore,” says Nanyonga. In the café, Anna is adamant that her children will not be spoilt for choice when they grow up. “If they want to become footballers then it’s the football academy for them not 15 years in our school system.”“Your children must follow the path we all followed,” Irene advises sagely. “Even if footballers earn a lot what happens when they go off form?”A shrug from Anna sums up the attitude of those queuing up to join the fast lane. “Something always comes up.” And who is to blame? In an age where information is everywhere and everything, we have basic knowledge of many things, but scratch beneath the surface and you will come up with dirt underneath your fingernails.Since voluntary C-sections have become the in-thing, why aren’t they forthcoming about the health risks involved? Even our skins have not been spared. If black is beautiful, then brown is the new black. With skin lightening parlours mushrooming, why wallow in self-pity, hiding behind age-old adages, knowing deep down that you will go to the grave full of bitterness at genes that dictate colour?And the Internet? Without a degree in Chemistry, you will need it to decipher the ingredients in the instant drinks and fast foods flooding the market. And when you gain weight from an unhealthy lifestyle, you still need the Internet to look up drastic diets touted to make you lose 20 kg in a week. Who wants to spend their afternoons in the gym or God-forbid, running five miles a day? Counsellor’s takeJonathan Okori, a counsellor, says people must do what is right no matter the consequences. “Even God created life to follow stages and we cannot run away from that. There is fulfilment if we do things the slower and right way. We all can choose but we cannot dictate the consequences of our actions to others and to ourselves. It is not all bad news, though. With a dynamic world, the confines of traditional careers are being broken by advances in creativity. A career in the artistic world is suddenly something to be enormously proud of."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Counting-cost---boda-boda--accidents/-/688342/2624920/-/tntm9i/-/index.html","content":"Counting the cost of boda boda accidents - Kampala-Walking into the surgical unit of casualty ward 3B at Mulago hospital, there is no escaping the feeling of depression that overwhelms when one looks around. Men, women and children occupying most of the beds in the ward are covered with bandages stained with blood. Their groans and moans of pain rent the air. In the far left hand corner of the ward is a middle-aged man tossing about in his bed. Tears roll down his peeling, greyish face, which is bruised and patched. His attendant, Ms Sharifah Nakalema, narrates what happened to her elder brother, Twaha Walugembe, on February 3. “He was riding on the Northern Bypass in the morning when a car knocked and threw him off his bike onto the tarmac,” she says. Nakalema got to know of the accident in the afternoon when an unidentified person called her number using Walugembe’s mobile phone. She was instructed to go to Mulago hospital immediately where Walugembe had been rushed in critical condition. “I found him in a very bad state. He was soaked in blood with wounds covering almost every part of his body,” she says with teary eyes. It is almost two weeks now since her brother has been admitted. Nakalema says even if his condition is still unstable, she is hopeful that he will make a quick recovery soon and eventually be discharged. In the casualty ward, tales like this are commonplace. According to Dr Micheal Edgar Muhumuza, a consultant neurosurgeon at Mulago, the hospital which is supposed to be a 25-bed ward has more than 50 to 60 patients per day suffering from a number of conditions, including brain tumors, congenital abnormalities and trauma. “Of the 60 patients, we have at a time, 80 per cent of these are usually boda boda accidents,” Dr Muhumuza says. The overwhelming numbers, he says, has prevented most doctors from specialising in their respective fields. “Most of the victims are brought here when they are almost dying and any available medical practitioner has to leave whatever they are doing and rush to attend to the patient to save his or her life,” he says. The average age of boda boda victims they receive is between 18 and 35 years and the majority are admitted with facial and oral injuries, raptured ears a broken neck, chest injuries and fractures. Dr Muhumuza says the extent of injuries normally depends on how long the victim will stay at the hospital. “In case it is a very serious one, the patient can stay here for between two weeks to two months. We have even those who stay for six months.” The patients’ long stay in the hospital affects the quality of life they eventually live because some of their injuries are so bad that they live with some incapacitation. The boda boda patients do not need to pay for the medical expenses as the hospital takes care of them.“Payment may only come in if the patient is at the private wing or needs to buy a drug that the facility may not have,” Dr Muhumuza says. Rider’s experience In 2013, Mr Hamza Muteesa, a boda boda rider in Kibuli, a Kampala suburb, got an accident on Jinja Road after colliding with a pick-up truck. “My face hit the tarmac and I ended up getting bruises and wounds,” the 21-year-old says. He stayed at home for one month nursing his injuries. “I lost about Shs600,000 during that time. Clients would often call me to drop them off to respective destinations but I could not,” he says. Once he had recovered, Muteesa dashed off to town and bought a helmet at Shs35,000. He vowed never to ride without one again. THE NUMBERSShs1.2m: Amount of money Mulago hospital spends on each accident victim, including boda boda ones. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Uganda-needs-real-fundamental-change/-/689364/2623802/-/dv2v7cz/-/index.html","content":"Uganda needs real fundamental change - As I continue my travels around Uganda, taking photographs of the landscape, people, social and economic activities, the crushing disappointment that was independence in 1962 and the even more disappointing “fundamental change” in 1986 becomes painfully clear to me. On the one hand, one sees a country reduced to a ramshackle. There has been an attempt over the last four years to give a face lift to the central business district of the capital Kampala, in terms of main roads, street lighting, collection and disposal of garbage and a general effort at an image change. In Nakawa, Rubaga and Makindye divisions of the city, there is also some effort at improvement, but the results are still far from adequate or thorough. Kawempe Division remains the poorest and least-developed in Kampala. Outside parts of Makindye, Rubaga, Nakawa and Central divisions, one starts to get into the slum or ghetto side to the city. The raw sewerage. The shanty houses. The poor state of roads and paths. The shabbiness of the areas. The changesFormer government civil service pool houses are now NGO offices, restaurants and kindergartens and day care centres. Many Evangelical (or “born again”) churches are little more than makeshift huts and tents. When one goes outside Kampala, Fort Portal Town so far has put in the most noticeable effort at general cleanliness. That is as far as it goes. Elsewhere in upcountry Uganda, it is a sorry story. Towns such as Mbale and Jinja that were once at the same level as upcountry Kenyan towns such as Kakamega and Eldoret now show the neglect and wear and tear. A trip upcountry is a reminder of just how weak Uganda still is. What we have there is more like large trading centres than towns in the sense of organised settlement with character and pride. Uganda now needs change. Fundamental change. Yes, we heard the declaration made in 1986 about a certain new government ushering in “fundamental change”, but it is by now plain that this was all but the same as before. What we now need is fundamental-fundamental change. Uganda is now more directly dependent on foreign assistance and investment than it has ever been since the 1950s. Most Africans are in the same situation as Uganda, but that does not change the fact that we need fundamental change. That new and real fundamental change, it is now clear, cannot come about by politics alone. Uganda might now have regressed to one-man rule in recent years in the typical old 1960s style. But in Kenya, Tanzania, Senegal, Ghana, Zambia, Malawi, Nigeria and a handful of other countries, the 1960s and 1970s one-party rule has since been replaced by regular general elections of varying degrees of transparency but certainly with fixed presidential term limits, something Uganda can only dream about. And yet when one looks at these African sister states into which some modicum of democracy has been breathed, there is little to tell them apart from Uganda. This is because of the new reality since the start of the 21st Century – the final collapse of Africa’s internal capability. We now have, on one hand, an expansion of democracy, however imperfectly but on the other, a severe erosion of the technical and economic capacity of much of Black Africa. In December 2001, China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO). The entry of China into the WTO will prove to be a more significant milestone of 2001 than even the militant terrorist attacks on the United States that September 2001. The West that had urged China to join this global trading body had calculated that with China’s huge market open to international competition and standards, the West would conquer the East Asian giant and one day perhaps, also influence the spread of democracy to China. The reverse seems to have happened. Chinese goods or goods with the “made in China” label began to spread into the West and every corner of the world. China became the factory of the world and among the casualties of this incorporation into the global trading system was African industry. 1 | 2 Next Page»Africa at the end of the Cold War in 1990 had been described as the next frontier on the world stage, a “renaissance” of the continent declared, as country after country shed off its one-party system or military government and held multiparty elections. It was believed that with this political reform would follow economic revitalisation. Indeed for a few years, that seemed to be underway. The apartheid political system in South Africa, Africa’s most developed economy, ended in 1992.After the first majority election was held in 1994, South African businesses from South African Airways to MTN, Shoprite, Game, DSTV, and many others began to spread out northward across Central and East Africa. Telecommunications and other infrastructure that had long decayed received a boost from South African investment. The “African Renaissance” seemed to be turning into reality. But in came China and everything was turned upside down. Chinese products started to flood urban African cities and later the small towns and townships. Sometimes we critics of the NRM government point to how the state-owned enterprises like Nytil, Foods and Beverages, Lint Marketing Board and other entities collapsed under the NRM’s tenure.But given this onslaught by China, can we realistically expect that they would have been competitive? With Chinese clothes, suitcases, toys, textiles and others goods flooding Uganda in a quality and at a price that Uganda would simply not beat, one has to accept that even if we had remained with the parastatals, it would only have been a matter of time before they would close in the face of stiff competition from Chinese imports. Should we have imposed import bans on Chinese goods? Perhaps. But where would that leave the fact that Uganda and other African countries are signatories to the WTO? Chinese influence Kenya is Africa’s ninth-largest economy but despite this East African country being historically pro-Britain and pro-America since independence, today most of the country’s roads, airport and railway projects are being undertaken by the Chinese. If Kenya, an economy double the size of Uganda’s, still lacks the capacity in heavy industry, how much less Uganda? This is where my call for a fundamental-fundamental change comes in. We need to stand back and think through all our assumptions about statehood in Africa, our education system, our sense of national mission and our lack of technical capability.Regular elections, however free and fair, cannot begin by themselves to address this much deeper weakness in Africa. www.twitter.com/timkalyegirawww.flickr.com/photos/timothykalyegira « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Uganda-needs-real-fundamental-change/-/689844/2623554/-/42tnr8z/-/index.html","content":"Uganda needs real fundamental change - As I continue my travels around Uganda, taking photographs of the landscape, people, social and economic activities, the crushing disappointment that was independence in 1962 and the even more disappointing “fundamental change” in 1986 becomes painfully clear to me. On the one hand, one sees a country reduced to a ramshackle. There has been an attempt over the last four years to give a face lift to the central business district of the capital Kampala, in terms of main roads, street lighting, collection and disposal of garbage and a general effort at an image change. In Nakawa, Rubaga and Makindye divisions of the city, there is also some effort at improvement, but the results are still far from adequate or thorough. Kawempe Division remains the poorest and least-developed in Kampala. Outside parts of Makindye, Rubaga, Nakawa and Central divisions, one starts to get into the slum or ghetto side to the city. The raw sewerage. The shanty houses. The poor state of roads and paths. The shabbiness of the areas. The changesFormer government civil service pool houses are now NGO offices, restaurants and kindergartens and day care centres. Many Evangelical (or “born again”) churches are little more than makeshift huts and tents. When one goes outside Kampala, Fort Portal Town so far has put in the most noticeable effort at general cleanliness. That is as far as it goes. Elsewhere in upcountry Uganda, it is a sorry story. Towns such as Mbale and Jinja that were once at the same level as upcountry Kenyan towns such as Kakamega and Eldoret now show the neglect and wear and tear. A trip upcountry is a reminder of just how weak Uganda still is. What we have there is more like large trading centres than towns in the sense of organised settlement with character and pride. Uganda now needs change. Fundamental change. Yes, we heard the declaration made in 1986 about a certain new government ushering in “fundamental change”, but it is by now plain that this was all but the same as before. What we now need is fundamental-fundamental change. Uganda is now more directly dependent on foreign assistance and investment than it has ever been since the 1950s. Most Africans are in the same situation as Uganda, but that does not change the fact that we need fundamental change. That new and real fundamental change, it is now clear, cannot come about by politics alone. Uganda might now have regressed to one-man rule in recent years in the typical old 1960s style. But in Kenya, Tanzania, Senegal, Ghana, Zambia, Malawi, Nigeria and a handful of other countries, the 1960s and 1970s one-party rule has since been replaced by regular general elections of varying degrees of transparency but certainly with fixed presidential term limits, something Uganda can only dream about. And yet when one looks at these African sister states into which some modicum of democracy has been breathed, there is little to tell them apart from Uganda. This is because of the new reality since the start of the 21st Century – the final collapse of Africa’s internal capability. We now have, on one hand, an expansion of democracy, however imperfectly but on the other, a severe erosion of the technical and economic capacity of much of Black Africa. In December 2001, China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO). The entry of China into the WTO will prove to be a more significant milestone of 2001 than even the militant terrorist attacks on the United States that September 2001. The West that had urged China to join this global trading body had calculated that with China’s huge market open to international competition and standards, the West would conquer the East Asian giant and one day perhaps, also influence the spread of democracy to China. The reverse seems to have happened. Chinese goods or goods with the “made in China” label began to spread into the West and every corner of the world. China became the factory of the world and among the casualties of this incorporation into the global trading system was African industry. 1 | 2 Next Page»Africa at the end of the Cold War in 1990 had been described as the next frontier on the world stage, a “renaissance” of the continent declared, as country after country shed off its one-party system or military government and held multiparty elections. It was believed that with this political reform would follow economic revitalisation. Indeed for a few years, that seemed to be underway. The apartheid political system in South Africa, Africa’s most developed economy, ended in 1992.After the first majority election was held in 1994, South African businesses from South African Airways to MTN, Shoprite, Game, DSTV, and many others began to spread out northward across Central and East Africa. Telecommunications and other infrastructure that had long decayed received a boost from South African investment. The “African Renaissance” seemed to be turning into reality. But in came China and everything was turned upside down. Chinese products started to flood urban African cities and later the small towns and townships. Sometimes we critics of the NRM government point to how the state-owned enterprises like Nytil, Foods and Beverages, Lint Marketing Board and other entities collapsed under the NRM’s tenure.But given this onslaught by China, can we realistically expect that they would have been competitive? With Chinese clothes, suitcases, toys, textiles and others goods flooding Uganda in a quality and at a price that Uganda would simply not beat, one has to accept that even if we had remained with the parastatals, it would only have been a matter of time before they would close in the face of stiff competition from Chinese imports. Should we have imposed import bans on Chinese goods? Perhaps. But where would that leave the fact that Uganda and other African countries are signatories to the WTO? Chinese influence Kenya is Africa’s ninth-largest economy but despite this East African country being historically pro-Britain and pro-America since independence, today most of the country’s roads, airport and railway projects are being undertaken by the Chinese. If Kenya, an economy double the size of Uganda’s, still lacks the capacity in heavy industry, how much less Uganda? This is where my call for a fundamental-fundamental change comes in. We need to stand back and think through all our assumptions about statehood in Africa, our education system, our sense of national mission and our lack of technical capability.Regular elections, however free and fair, cannot begin by themselves to address this much deeper weakness in Africa. www.twitter.com/timkalyegirawww.flickr.com/photos/timothykalyegira « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Entertainment/Bobi-Wine-father-passes-on/-/812796/2619324/-/fsj7w8z/-/index.html","content":"Bobi Wine's father passes on - The father of the self-proclaimed Gheto President, Kyagulanyi Ssentamu popularly known as HE Bobi Wine has died. The father of Bobi Wine, also known as Omubanda Wa Kabaka, passed on this morning at Mulago hospital after succumbing to diabetes, Mr Amos Katumba a family source has confirmed. Mr Jackson Wellington Ssentamu has been in and out of hospital battling diabetes until he breathed his last at the national referral hospital. Bobi Wine could not be reached for a comment. His phone was switched off. However, there was a flood of condolence messages posted immediately the news circulated on the Facebook page of Bobi Wine's wife, Barbie Itungo Kyagulanyi. \"RIP Muzei Sentamu father to Bobi Kyagulanyi. May Your Soul Rest in Peace. Stay strong Bobi Kyagulanyi, Barbie Itungo, Mikie Wine, Banjo Man, Eddy Yawe, chairman nyanzi and the entire family,\" one message read. Bobi Wine has been close to his father just like any child would be. Mr Sentamu would occasionally attend his album launches and address his son's fans. When the world marked the Father's Day last year, Bobi Wine posted on his Facebook page a message extoling his father rich and eventful life. \"My father J.W Ssentamu aka Bulaya is Superman; 40 children,36 graduates, stars, celebrities, doctors, lawyers, pastors, leaders, businessmen and women etc. First born over 50-years, and youngest (not last) born two years ago.\" \"The most accomplished father I know. Father, if I could only be quarter the man that you are, I would be the greatest man in this generation. I might not be able to show you just how much, but I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. Happy Fathers’ day.” Bobi The arrangements for Vigil and burial are not yet confirmed, however, Mr Amos Katumba says that vigil could be held at Bobi Wine’s home in Magere or Kamwokya, but they will wait for the all the children to gather and decide."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/Bruised--battered-Kasese-Kilembe--floods-/-/689856/2615850/-/9g2jme/-/index.html","content":"Bruised and battered - For a long time to come, the people of Kilembe will remember the great floods that rummaged and ravaged their town twice in as many years. It was the common talk. It is easy for a reference, a memory or an opinion of the floods to slip in a conversation with these townspeople. I had seen the pictures on TV and the newspapers. But coming here several months after the second great flood happened in May 2014, it still felt surreal. Like it did not happen, I felt I was in a bad dream and that I would wake up to the quaint Kilembe of decades ago. Those wooden houses built on concrete stilts became a distinct feature that remained in the mind of anyone who visited this mining town. Somehow I could not help but compare with the first time we came over from Kasese for a picnic with my mother and sisters. This was in the 1980s. Though the copper, for which Kilembe was famously known, was no longer being mined, it was no ghost town like many mining towns become. I clearly remember crossing a bridge to a church across the river, and spending the afternoon in its serene environs, eating the snacks we carried for the picnic, chatting and playing. The river cascading over the rocks was like soft music played by a string quartet at an upscale restaurant. The next time I came here, was in 1994, for a night out. Then, I was a teenager, and was with my cousins. Boy, did we paint the town red! It was beer promotion, so the drinks were cheaper and in plenty. We hit the club later and danced till dawn. Coming back 20 years later, I could hardly recognise this place. It was not because of the devastation caused when River Nyamwamba, which flows through it, burst its banks into a torrent of water and boulders crushing everything in the way. It was the atmosphere that hung in the air; perhaps the people were still traumatised. There was no life, like some monster has sucked the soul out of the town and its people. I had been telling my sons about this town and how we would make the short trip from hot and dry Kasese to the cooler Kilembe. I had told them about the mountains, the river, and caves. I had told them about the wooden houses, about the bridges.When we were in Kasese for a holiday in December, a trip to Kilembe was on the programme. The plan was to do a walk through as I pointed out some of the landmarks. We took a taxi and alighted from Kilembe Secondary School which is at edge just before the trails into the mountains. From there, we walked down to Kilembe Mines Hospital, where we got a boda boda back to Kasese. Yes, we crossed two bridges, saw the mountains, stopped by the river. They had no previous experience, so they probably enjoyed seeing a new place. For me, it was an anti-climax…even if I wanted to, I could not miss the huge boulders spewed along the river banks, the buildings that had been destroyed during the floods. Kilembe is like a beautiful woman, who had been battered by a loving-turned-violent husband. Though the bruises would heal, the scars from the bad marriage still remain. Quick notes `Kilembe Mines, was a popular mining company for copper and cobalt established in Uganda during the colonial days. A relic of its former glory that, the mine’s dilapidated structures remain a mark in history."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/The-journey-of-an-unclaimed-body/-/691232/2596088/-/11nn5adz/-/index.html","content":"The journey of an unclaimed body - It is a quiet place. The mood is sombre. People huddle in groups along the driveway, speaking in low tones as they wait to claim their dead. An attendant opens the door and an overwhelming stench of rot escapes out of the reception room. As the people around move out of its range, seeking fresh air, the attendant stands firmly in the doorway, holding the door open. He is immune to the smell. Behind the building, conversation is in high gear. The usual banter of workmates sharing in a mid-morning break seems eerie in this place. It is a slow morning at the mortuary. And as serving girls move around handing out plates of katogo, the attendants, oblivious to the cloying smell around them, joke about their work. “Did you see the girls they brought in last night?” one of them quips, opening the flood gates to a long discourse on the various states of the human body in death. A tractor drives through the gate, forcing the men to abandon their food, half eaten, to troop back into the mortuary. From the look of the tractor, it’s easy to guess the kind of cargo it has come to collect. This is one of the days when unclaimed bodies are buried. 1. BODY IS FOUNDThe journey of an unclaimed body begins with a phone call placed by concerned citizens to the police. Patrick Onyango, spokesperson of Kampala Metropolitan Police says when a body is picked up by the patrol police it is taken to the city mortuary. “Our officers record the particulars of the body and the presumed cause of death in a Request Form, which is then filed. The place and time of pickup, the number of the patrol car, jewellery, birthmarks and the clothes are all recorded. Without a Request Form, we cannot accept a body in the mortuary.” When a thorough body search doesn’t produce any documentation, the body is stripped, tagged and a postmortem carried out by the resident pathologist. On why details of unidentified bodies are rarely published, Charles Aluma, a Forensics Liaison Officer attached to the mortuary says “the mortuary is the last resort for relatives looking for missing persons. After they have exhausted every police station, they usually end up here.” Seven days is the most an untended body is given in the mortuary. According to Aluma, the formalin solution injected into bodies to preserve them is too expensive to waste on bodies without owners. “Who will pay for it?” he asks. “At least nowadays, since the renovation of the building, we have refrigerators where we place them for up to a week.” Pressed on what the overwhelming stench of rot signifies, he is hesitant. “I don’t smell anything. I think it’s because I am now used to it.” Pressed further, he admits that the mortuary is a busy place and the fridges are always full. Almost all untreated bodies lie on slabs for up to a week before they can be removed. If no one claims them during this period, they are assigned for burial. 2. BURIAL DAYOn any given day, KCCA workers drive into the mortuary and inquire if there are bodies ready for disposal. If the bodies in question are related to police cases, Aluma points out those to be loaded onto the tractor. If the deceased died in the hospital but remains unclaimed, then the permission for burial is given by the hospital mortuary assistant. Gloves and disposable mouth masks are provided to those whose grim duty it is to handle rotting bodies. 1 | 2 Next Page»With blankets and bark cloth, the buriers troop into the mortuary. However, one of them, who did not want to be identified, claimed that on some occasions, they are not provided with these materials to roll the bodies in. In which case, they carry the exposed rotting bodies out and pile them on the tractor. 3. FUNERALThe city cemetery is located in Bukasa, Bweyogerere and burials are usually conducted on Mondays and Thursdays. Due to the nature of the deceased, no provision is made for a priest or any other religious person to say prayers for the dead before they are buried. “Every body that is buried in a mass grave bears a tag, indicating its details,” says Aluma. “The location of the grave is recorded, mostly to help in identification in cases of exhumation.” Unfortunately, the tags do not stay long on the bodies because the material used is flimsy. And because of the heat and fast rate of decomposition, they easily slip off the body and get destroyed. 4. EXHUMATION Since the mortuary is the last resort for relatives looking for a missing person, it is expected that they should have a fairly good description of the person they are looking for and the clothes they were last seen wearing. If their description fits the records, they are advised to go to court, through the city public health department, to obtain an exhumation order. “When we receive the order, exhumation is done in the presence of a pathologist and assigned police officers,” says Onyango. “As long as the records show that the person in question did not die of a contagious disease, there is no limit on the timeframe for when a body can be exhumed.” The presence of a pathologist is needed in case the body has lost its tag and or has decomposed beyond recognition. If this is the case, it has to be identified by marks and indentions caused by injuries to the bones or skull, according to the postmortem report. If the family is not convinced that it is their body, they can request for a postmortem, in which case the remains are returned to the mortuary. Although exhumation is a free service provided by the government, you need to have a token of appreciation in hand, of about Shs50,000, for those tasked with exhuming the body. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Do-more-to-market-practical-skills-courses/-/689360/2593698/-/gybw9h/-/index.html","content":"Do more to market practical skills courses - No doubt, vocational education offers practical skills and quickly sets up students in life. But little is known of our 56 business, technical, vocational education and training institutions (BTVET) that absorb Primary Seven leavers. Yet, this education is free in 40 government-aided and 16 private polytechnics. This year, government has sunk into the courses Shs2.5b in the non-formal training programme, according to Mr Patrick Byakatonda, the coordinator of non -formal skills training at the Ministry of Education and Sports. Despite these benefits, not many parents are aware of these polytechnics as pointed out by Mr Ilahi Mansoor, the assistant commissioner of BTVET. Moreover, these business, technical, vocational polytechnics offer ready practical skills, on-the job, and enterprise-based training programmes. Government should, therefore, do more to market these polytechnics. These hands-on courses, without a doubt, have several success stories of self-employment, and transformed livelihoods over theoretical learning. But these courses remain expensive for private students who pay up to Shs1.5 million per semester. This potentially frustrates enthusiastic take-up of the all-important courses. This exorbitant fees also potentially take away the seed capital for start-ups. These steep fees for plumbers, electricians, masons, carpenters, and welders also risk taking away any savings for start-ups. Yet, this hands-on courses should take root alongside theoretical learning. To redress these, government should provide some venture capital, or promote job placements for these artisans. These options should make the courses more attractive. This should also help erode the stereotype that vocational education is a career for the academically weak. With these inducements, parents and learners should begin to consider vocational education as first choice option over the traditional theoretical learning. Only a rigorous marketing of the BTVET programmes should remove the stigma and encourage more uptake of the practical skills courses. But acquiring these useful job skills is one thing and putting it into practice is another. Government should strike a smart balance between the annual enrolments of 3,360 students in these polytechnics and setting them up to do the jobs they were trained to do. Short of some of these alternatives, these skilled craftsmen and craftswomen will be wasted. Their turnovers are faster and complete the hands-on course within only two or three years. And the artisans are likely to flood the market and create a cyclic unemployment; adding onto the huge numbers of jobless youth. In sum, government should sell more to the public, the benefits of these practical skills courses."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Inside-Kony-s-base---Part-I/-/689844/2584550/-/qom7b7z/-/index.html","content":"Inside Kony’s base – Part I - It was one of those quiet Tuesday evenings. Most journalists had left office as we called it a day. With my head literally buried in my computer as I made that last submissions on Facebook before hitting the road home, Mr Charles Odoobo Bichachi – also known as COB - beckoned me as he talked inaudibly on his mobile phone. When we reached his office, he broke the news: “There are credible reports that Dominic Ongwen has surrendered.” There was a mixture of excitement (for the big story) and breath of a sigh! My mind raced, travelled thousands of kilometres northwest to Ri-Kwangba, the confluence of a piece of land that forms the border of South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)and Central African Republic (CAR). This is where I first met the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel leaders, Joseph Kony and his deputy Vincent Otti in 2006. We returned to this place a couple of months later to set off with a couple of other Acholi elders to visit the LRA main base, Camp Swahili, in the largely impenetrable Garamba Forest and National Park in the DRC. The journeyI had been in Juba, for almost a couple of weeks since the peace talks began in July 2006. I was beginning to even pick some Arabic words. Government delegation leader, Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda (then minister of Internal Affairs) and his deputy leader of delegation, International Relations minister Okello Oryem, would tease that it was as if I wanted to become an LC chairman in Juba. So, as we lounged at Civicon Camp, the equivalent of a hotel in the immediate post liberation war Juba, word trickled in that the chief mediator was travelling to meet Kony, the leader of tong-tong. The LRA had exported their infamous atrocities to South Sudan. Wherever they passed, or it found resistance, they would amputate people. This earned them the cognomen, tong-tong (cut-cut or the ones who chop) among the Arabic speaking South Sudanese. So when I learnt of this possible visit to Kony-land, I kicked myself, ‘gosh, here lies a lifetime opportunity of meeting the most wanted and most feared man.’ Maybe a song will be composed in my memory if I asked him the most pertinent questions, I thought. I quickly inquired about accreditation and security clearance. It was a walkover as I was a revered foreign journalist, moreover from Uganda. Day of travel:That Saturday morning, we arrived at Juba International Airport early, to book seats on the flight. It was a cargo plane. An Antonov! And the criterion of who went was purely dependent of first come, first serve basis. All had to be seated before the chief mediator, Dr Riek Machar – flamboyant then vice president of South Sudan, arrived to take his seat. Shortly, he joined us with a handful of escorts and they all entered unchecked with their guns and ammunition. The parties at the peace talks had signed for a cessation of hostilities and the rebels were required to assemble in preparation for disarmament. The rebels had not. Then there was the feeling that Kony and his men needed to ask for forgiveness from the South Sudanese for the atrocities committed in the area before they could assemble freely on their territory. This was the mission, and partly to convince Kony that the peace talks were real and good for everybody. There was a slight skidding of the cargo plane on board as we took off but all was well when the two Russian pilots attained the flight height. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/Limited-action-at-home-overshadows-international-success/-/690266/2561518/-/5ndpid/-/index.html","content":"Limited action at home overshadows international success - Kampala- Cancellation of the national regatta in February to prepare for the East and Central Africa Rowing Club Championships (E&CARC) at Kisubi Beach gave a glimpse of what could happen throughout the year in rowing circles.The ‘hangover’ from the events in March continued to be felt as Uganda Rowing Federation (URF) failed to organise a single local event. Only Nalubaale Water Sports Club organised a regatta at Kabaka’s Lake in October. Local clubs did well at E&CARC with Maroons Aqua and Green Belt rowing clubs finishing first and second respectively, fending off competition from Kenyan clubs Ruiru and Bumbe. Rowers from other clubs like Wellness, Nalubaale, and UPDF also collected medals at the championship. Umpiring and coaching courses were conducted by Swiss instructor Paul Daetwyler and Britain’s Jim Flood respectively, a week before the regional regatta were over 15 trainees were passed as level one coaches but URF has struggled to make use of the knowledge these trainee coaches acquired. National team engagementsRowers instead concentrated more on international events. The first came in Morocco in April where Betty Nabifo and Suzan Nabukenya won silver in the ladies’ lightweight double scull of the Lake Tunis regatta. URF promised to organise a local regatta in May but that didn’t see the light of day, instead rowers were summoned to prepare for the European Tour. This included ergometer tests at Kisubi Beach that lasted eight weeks from April. In June, male rower Gerald Ssemambo risked losing his bid for an Olympic scholarship and was banned from representing Uganda in any competition over indiscipline. According to URF president Hamza Kahwa, URF’s high handedness on Ssemambo started when the Green Belt rower refused to compete in E&CARC.However, Ssemambo heeded to demands from URF to apologise and the punishments were dropped. Ssemambo featured for Uganda at the Holland Beker regatta, finishing fourth ahead of Sweden, posting 07:26.26 in the lightweight men single scull.Sabotaged regattasHe later featured for Uganda at the July 21-27 World U-23 Rowing Championships in Varese, Italy after Alfred Okello, Arnold Omony, Felix Mukambya, Betty Nabifo and Susan Nabukenya were scrapped off the tour list.According to national team coach Rodrick Muhumuza, Fisa felt the five couldn’t secure visas in time. Okello and Omony were then selected as a double-scull team for the World Junior Rowing Championships in Hamburg, Germany. But Okello failed to secure a visa. Omony, was allowed by Fisa to compete in the single scull and he went on to set his personal best time, from 8:30.00, to 8:05.00 at the championships.Constance Mbambu was later included on this list to help her prepare for the Youth Olympic Games (YoG) but URF’s technical committee was again uncompromising as they scrapped her name off for missing training sessions. Mbambu competed at YoG in Nanjing, China but finished last in final D. Muhumuza labeled her performance wanting and blamed it on the federation’s failure to have her train regularly. Her club, Greenbelt, also said they tried unsuccessfully to get Mbambu train in Penne Sculling Academy, France but the federation never blessed this move even when her school St. Kizito SS, Luzira offered to get her ticket and fund her stay in France ahead of the Nanjing games. Douglas Kisalare, Raymond Adiga, William Mwanga and Samuel Mpiira were supposed to row at the Commonwealth regatta in Scotland before heading to Netherlands for the World Rowing Championships. However, Kahwa pulled them out of the championships faulting the URF technical committee for sending old athletes, especially Adiga and Kisalare- both 34 years old, to Europe. 1 | 2 Next Page»Kahwa opined then that URF had put its emphasis on developing young athletes ahead of the 2016 Olympics. But as noted in an email exchange between Solomon Muwonge, the chairman of Nalubaale and Jim Flood, a rowing instructor, the selection process for Scotland was tampered with to accommodate Ssemambo only to later realise the rower’s European visa had expired. “I believe the selection process was going smoothly until Gerald was reinstated as a team member which meant that some of the others had to be dropped from the team to make way for him,” Flood wrote back to Muwonge who had tried to inquire from him how the tour flopped even though they had invested personal monies to make it a success. The mail exchanges between Muwonge, URF’s former general secretary who was suspended from his duties after he turned up at the Annual General Meeting in February without minutes from last year’s assembly, and Flood only escalated a long power feud between the former and Kahwa. The wrangles and power contestations from last year came back to bite. Muwonge accused Kahwa of running a briefcase association. In turn the URF president accused the well-wishers and coaches Hillary Epes, Jim Flood and Thomas Friedhoff of trying to usurp his powers. Business at the continental level, however, continued amidst all this chaos. Okello (JM1X), Nabukenya (JW1X) and Ssemambo (LM1X) left for Algeria for the October 16-18 Africa Rowing Championships. Okello finished fourth on 08:28.34, in the finals of the men’s junior single sculls (JM1X). Ssemambo managed bronze in the men’s lightweight sculls after clocking 07:29.61, behind Algerian Sid Ali Boudina (07:12.30) and Tunisian Aymen Mejri (07:23.63). Nabukenya finished fifth with a time of 9:49 in the women’s junior single sculls but the federation wasn’t done with sending people abroad. Muhumuza, a beneficiary of an Olympic scholarship from the International Olympic Committee and the US Olympic Committee, went to United States of America, where he attend a coaching course for over one and a half months since October at the University of Delaware. mmuziransa@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/OtherSport/Limited-action-at-home-overshadows-international-success/-/690284/2561584/-/g9k2i8/-/index.html","content":"Limited action at home overshadows international success - Kampala- Cancellation of the national regatta in February to prepare for the East and Central Africa Rowing Club Championships (E&CARC) at Kisubi Beach gave a glimpse of what could happen throughout the year in rowing circles.The ‘hangover’ from the events in March continued to be felt as Uganda Rowing Federation (URF) failed to organise a single local event. Only Nalubaale Water Sports Club organised a regatta at Kabaka’s Lake in October. Local clubs did well at E&CARC with Maroons Aqua and Green Belt rowing clubs finishing first and second respectively, fending off competition from Kenyan clubs Ruiru and Bumbe. Rowers from other clubs like Wellness, Nalubaale, and UPDF also collected medals at the championship. Umpiring and coaching courses were conducted by Swiss instructor Paul Daetwyler and Britain’s Jim Flood respectively, a week before the regional regatta were over 15 trainees were passed as level one coaches but URF has struggled to make use of the knowledge these trainee coaches acquired. National team engagementsRowers instead concentrated more on international events. The first came in Morocco in April where Betty Nabifo and Suzan Nabukenya won silver in the ladies’ lightweight double scull of the Lake Tunis regatta. URF promised to organise a local regatta in May but that didn’t see the light of day, instead rowers were summoned to prepare for the European Tour. This included ergometer tests at Kisubi Beach that lasted eight weeks from April. In June, male rower Gerald Ssemambo risked losing his bid for an Olympic scholarship and was banned from representing Uganda in any competition over indiscipline. According to URF president Hamza Kahwa, URF’s high handedness on Ssemambo started when the Green Belt rower refused to compete in E&CARC.However, Ssemambo heeded to demands from URF to apologise and the punishments were dropped. Ssemambo featured for Uganda at the Holland Beker regatta, finishing fourth ahead of Sweden, posting 07:26.26 in the lightweight men single scull.Sabotaged regattasHe later featured for Uganda at the July 21-27 World U-23 Rowing Championships in Varese, Italy after Alfred Okello, Arnold Omony, Felix Mukambya, Betty Nabifo and Susan Nabukenya were scrapped off the tour list.According to national team coach Rodrick Muhumuza, Fisa felt the five couldn’t secure visas in time. Okello and Omony were then selected as a double-scull team for the World Junior Rowing Championships in Hamburg, Germany. But Okello failed to secure a visa. Omony, was allowed by Fisa to compete in the single scull and he went on to set his personal best time, from 8:30.00, to 8:05.00 at the championships.Constance Mbambu was later included on this list to help her prepare for the Youth Olympic Games (YoG) but URF’s technical committee was again uncompromising as they scrapped her name off for missing training sessions. Mbambu competed at YoG in Nanjing, China but finished last in final D. Muhumuza labeled her performance wanting and blamed it on the federation’s failure to have her train regularly. Her club, Greenbelt, also said they tried unsuccessfully to get Mbambu train in Penne Sculling Academy, France but the federation never blessed this move even when her school St. Kizito SS, Luzira offered to get her ticket and fund her stay in France ahead of the Nanjing games. Douglas Kisalare, Raymond Adiga, William Mwanga and Samuel Mpiira were supposed to row at the Commonwealth regatta in Scotland before heading to Netherlands for the World Rowing Championships. However, Kahwa pulled them out of the championships faulting the URF technical committee for sending old athletes, especially Adiga and Kisalare- both 34 years old, to Europe. 1 | 2 Next Page»Kahwa opined then that URF had put its emphasis on developing young athletes ahead of the 2016 Olympics. But as noted in an email exchange between Solomon Muwonge, the chairman of Nalubaale and Jim Flood, a rowing instructor, the selection process for Scotland was tampered with to accommodate Ssemambo only to later realise the rower’s European visa had expired. “I believe the selection process was going smoothly until Gerald was reinstated as a team member which meant that some of the others had to be dropped from the team to make way for him,” Flood wrote back to Muwonge who had tried to inquire from him how the tour flopped even though they had invested personal monies to make it a success. The mail exchanges between Muwonge, URF’s former general secretary who was suspended from his duties after he turned up at the Annual General Meeting in February without minutes from last year’s assembly, and Flood only escalated a long power feud between the former and Kahwa. The wrangles and power contestations from last year came back to bite. Muwonge accused Kahwa of running a briefcase association. In turn the URF president accused the well-wishers and coaches Hillary Epes, Jim Flood and Thomas Friedhoff of trying to usurp his powers. Business at the continental level, however, continued amidst all this chaos. Okello (JM1X), Nabukenya (JW1X) and Ssemambo (LM1X) left for Algeria for the October 16-18 Africa Rowing Championships. Okello finished fourth on 08:28.34, in the finals of the men’s junior single sculls (JM1X). Ssemambo managed bronze in the men’s lightweight sculls after clocking 07:29.61, behind Algerian Sid Ali Boudina (07:12.30) and Tunisian Aymen Mejri (07:23.63). Nabukenya finished fifth with a time of 9:49 in the women’s junior single sculls but the federation wasn’t done with sending people abroad. Muhumuza, a beneficiary of an Olympic scholarship from the International Olympic Committee and the US Olympic Committee, went to United States of America, where he attend a coaching course for over one and a half months since October at the University of Delaware. mmuziransa@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Bus-fares-double-again-this-festive-season/-/691232/2561170/-/xvk3i2/-/index.html","content":"Bus fares double again this festive season - Christmas is around the corner. It is usually the time at least many people plan to travel up-country for the holidays. “It has been over three years since I last visited my mother and some uncles in the village. It is not that I am broke; it’s about my tight work schedules. But now that I have got some time off work, I am going to travel to Lyantonde and spend the festive season with my mother and other relatives. I also want them to know my family,” says Raymond Mugisha, a friend and a business man in Mukono.Just like Mugisha, people are anxiously preparing to leave the noisy city. They are actually planning on when and how to travel to the different parts of the country.Before, passengers only knew about the Baganda Bus Park and new taxi park as the easiest places to find vehicles to their various destinations but after the city renovation, some buses and taxis were shifted to different places like Kisenyi, Nakivubo among others. So, apart from hiring a boda boda or a potter to carry your luggage to a particular park, have you thought of how the situation will be this time round and how much you’re going to be charged to reach your destination? When is your travel date? Increase in fareGeorge Barongo, the operations manager Kalita Transporter limited says the fact that ever since buses were banned from making return journeys, vehicles have become scarce and this has already affected the fares to the higher side. The ever flooding number of passengers day by day is another factor. “You find that buses that leave Kampala never return like it was before and those that come from upcountry can’t be used till the next day, meaning we have to hike the fares to compensate for that loss with many passengers that flood the park,” he notes.The other factor Barongo points out that has led to an increase in transport fares this season is about driving empty buses back to Kampala yet the vehicles have to be fueled and serviced at the same time. “It is not that we just want to increase the fares but it is because there are usually less or no people travelling back from the villages within this period. And at the same time, we are not allowed to go out of the regulated chart routes to pick passengers from other parts of the country where we are not authorised to work from or even pass,” he explains. Best time to travelApart from the Nairobi route whose fares that are still constant at Shs60,000, Barongo reveals that other upcountry route fares have already been increased and they are bound to double as Christmas draws crosser. Kampala- Kasese-Bwera-Kabale stands at Shs35,000 but expected to raise to Shs50,000. Fort portal-Kyenjojo is at Shs30,000 but expected to raise to Shs45,000.However, given the congestion in most parks, Barongo advises travellers to use the early morning buses. This will at least help them travel at a fair price as compared to those traveling in the evening when the whole park is congested. “Remember also the number of travellers determine the charges,” he says. In the same way, Jamilah Birungi, a booking clerk with Gate Way Services attribute the hike in transport fares to the shortage in buses due to the laid traffic rule and the number of passengers travelling at a given period of time. The different changes in fare“Although fares would be increased around this period, the situation was relatively okay given the fact that a number of buses would leave at the same time. “But now, there is bound to be a shortage of buses but with many passengers thus increasing fares. Sometimes, we are forced to squeeze passengers because we have no extra bus to use yet they all want to leave. Gate Way bus fares have been increased depending on one’s destination; like to Kabale, for example, it has increased from Shs25,000 to Shs50,000 and expected to raise to Shs80,000, Kisoro from between Shs25,000-Shs30,000 and Shs40,000 yet expected to raise between to Shs50,000 to Shs80,000 towards Christmas. Other routes like Moroto have increased from Shs40,000 to Shs55,000, Kotido, Shs45,000 to Shs50,000, and Tororo Shs13,000 to Shs20,000. Savana Coaches whose routes are to Mbarara, Ntungamo, Kanungu and Kihihi have also increased the fares. Mbarara has increased from Shs15,000 to Shs30,000 and is expected to raise to Shs50,000 Fare to Ntungamo has risen from Shs25,000 to Shs45000 but is expected to increase to Shs60,000. To travel to Kanungu, the price has increased from Shs30,000 to Shs50,000 and is expected to raise to Shs70,000. The fare to Kihihi has come from Shs60,000 to Shs80,000, Didus Kamugisha, the company transport guide highlights. However, as most bus owners hike the fares because of the over whelming number of passengers travelling at the same time, Abdul Kigozi, the manager Otada Coaches does not intend to increase the fares from Shs25,000 since there are a few people travelling on the Lira- Gulu route and does not expect the number to increase either even two or a day to Christmas. Long route taxisFor the long route taxi operators, fares will only increase by Shs5,000 or Shs7,000 because of the scarcity of passengers. It takes between one and half hours for a taxi to get full which used not happen in the past years, according to Edward Kyeyune, a driver, Masindi- Kafu stage in the new taxi park. He attributes the increment to the number of passengers in the park on a particular day. For example the Mbarara-Lyantonde-Rushere fare may increase from Shs15,000 to Shs25,000 depending on the destination just as Masaka -Kyotera –Mutukula where fares here range from Shs13,000 to Shs20,000. However, the highly increased transport fares are expected to go down after the festive season, according to most taxi and bus drivers. Meanwhile, Kyeyune advises all travellers to be vigilant because of the insecurity t around this period. “Take note of what you have moved with and also try to move during the day to reduce the risks of being robbed by thugs,” he cautions. The amount people travelling to Kabale are likely to pay for a bus ticket by next weekShs80,000 The amount people travelling to Tororo are likely to pay for a bus ticket during the festive season Shs20,000 the amount people travelling on the Lira-Arua route are likely to pay during the festive seasonShs25,000 ckatende@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Egyptian-water-experts-advise-government-on/-/688334/2541476/-/qh5wo8z/-/index.html","content":"Egyptian water experts advise government on Kasese floods - KAMPALA- Egyptian water experts have made recommendations to government, advising on how it can avoid the reoccurrence of floods in the area. This comes after concluding a one-week tour of the district, which was recently struck by floods. Dr Yosry Khasagy, the head of the Egypt Irrigation Mission in Uganda told Daily Monitor that the hydrologist team is part of their [Egyptian] $1.5m (aboutShs4b) offered to facilitate a study that will seek a long term solution to the flooding in Kasese. Affected“Approximately 1,800 households were directly affected and 30,000 people affected in one way or another. The floods washed away 29 road bridges and culverts affecting road network. There is no single early warning system on the rivers to monitor and alert the communities of river fluctuation and behaviour hence the need for a flood early warning system of the river systems,” reads in part some of the experts’ presentation to government. Kasese District located at the foot of Mt Ruwenzori, has three rivers including Mubuko, Nyamwamba and Nyamugasani rivers that usually burst banks during rainy seasons. The advice “Investors should share responsibility in development of Kasese District, resettle people in mostly flood-prone areas as well as sensitising residents to respect the setback distance from the river,” Dr Khasagy said in a report.The Egyptian government, according to Dr Khasagy, seeks to find both short-term and long-term plans, which can stop the floods in Kasese. However, the funding comes after Cabinet recently approved a request by the Disaster ministry to allocate Shs25b for relief to Kasese in the aftermath of the floods. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Who-can-save-Africa-s-giants-/-/691232/2530906/-/661jej/-/index.html","content":"Who can save Africa’s giants? - As elephant poaching reaches crisis point, Animal Planet (DStv Channel 183) is premiering a feature documentary: “Saving Africa’s Giants” with Yao Ming tomorrow (Sunday) night at 7pm. The one-hour special, which is narrated by actor Edward Norton, follows former basketball star Yao Ming on his journey to Africa to see for himself the evidence of a losing battle, where Africa’s elephants are slain everyday for their tusks. The show already premiered in China in August and it premiered in the US on Tuesday. “People (in China) are buying ivory thinking that the elephants died of natural causes and they are not causing any problems,” the WildAid co-founder, Peter Knights, is quoted on the show, “So it’s a lot about education and it is all about fashion. So what were are trying to do is change the societal attitudes to these things.” And it seems there could have been no better timing than now as the World Wildlife Fund says elephant poaching levels are currently at their worst in a decade, and seizures of illegal ivory are at their highest level in years. “The syndicate of the mafias involved in this poaching cannot be underestimated,” said Geoffrey Baluku, a tourism consultant in Uganda. “They are a greedy bunch capable of emptying the world and they are a security concern.” Global crime syndicates are intimately involved in the trade, while terrorist groups such as Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army and Somalia’s al-Shaabab have been cited too. Disguise?Although China allows a small, legal trade in ivory from old stockpiles, this provides the cover for a vast, illegal trade that has fueled a new wave of poaching in Africa. The value of elephant ivory has been on a sharp rise in recent years with a kilogramme selling for more than $2,000 (about Shs5 million), fuelling an increase in poaching. Such are the financial incentives that hundreds of poachers and rangers have died in gunfights. China is the biggest market, yet now, their own son once nicknamed the “Great Wall of China” aims to stop that flood through the power of persuasion.But while Yao believes that shutting the marketplace will pretty much solve this bad trade, it is also clear that the problem is deep-rooted at the source of the goods. The events at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) last week where more than 1,300 kilogrammes of ivory went missing from the conservation body’s vaults, confirmed just how dire the situation has become. Four UWA staff members have so far been suspended, including UWA director Robert Seguya after President Museveni ordered investigations into the missing ivory. But former tour guide and tourism entrepreneur Amos Wekesa says the problem is more than meets the eye and he blames all Ugandans. “Uganda’s water bodies, protected areas and wildlife in general are on their knees and UWA has failed,” said Wekesa. “If you ask for ‘charcoal’ in Karuma, they will give you hippo meat. That is their code. All animals are on the market. Ugandans are destroying Uganda.” When everything is said and done, however, one thing that is clear is the fact that some rangers have betrayed the very animals they are supposed to protect by turning into poachers themselves. 1 | 2 Next Page»“UWA should employ educated and well trained rangers, who will understand their duty and appreciate it,” said Herbert Byaruhanga, the president of Uganda Tourism Association. “It is totally absurd to find those paid by the government through taxpayers’ money to protect natural resources turn into poachers and traders of illegal ivory trade.” However, Abiaz Rwamwiri, the communications officer at Africa Wildlife Foundation, commended UWA for how they have handled wildlife protection.“I should tell you that UWA has done a tremendous job in protecting wildlife as poaching here is declining, “ he said. “The biggest elephant kills are done out of Uganda and Uganda is used as a transit point for both Ivory and drugs.” The acting executive director of UWA Raymond Engena, denied poaching being at an alarming rate and blamed people with hidden agenda of trying to tarnish the organisation. “People should come forward with credible information,” he said, adding: “If you find bush meat, please contact us. If you find an animal dead, why report to the media first? They do not even have evidence.” Engena, however, added that some animals have died of natural causes and a few at the hands of poachers. Rwamwiri adds that government needs to establish laws that make illegal wildlife trade a risky venture with hefty punishments. “Why should someone guilty of smuggling ivory worth $3m (about Shs7.5 billion), be fined Shs1 million?” he queried. “Our existing laws are not deterrent enough. They actually make it a profitable business.” Just like the essence of Saving Africa’s Giants with Yao Ming, all the concerted effort should be pretty forward: to wean people off their love of ivory and save Africa’s dwindling elephant population. But as the question goes, on Animal Planet, “can one man save a species”; I would like to answer that yes, but only if we all become one person for that matter. THE NUMBERS 25,000: The number of African elephants killed last year alone. 4.5 million: The number of African elephants killed in the last 60 years. 10 years: The number of years elephants could be extinct if poaching is not curbed. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Entertainment/Who-can-save-Africa-s-giants-/-/812796/2530826/-/135gpnwz/-/index.html","content":"Who can save Africa’s giants? - As elephant poaching reaches crisis point, Animal Planet (DStv Channel 183) is premiering a feature documentary: “Saving Africa’s Giants” with Yao Ming tomorrow (Sunday) night at 7pm. The one-hour special, which is narrated by actor Edward Norton, follows former basketball star Yao Ming on his journey to Africa to see for himself the evidence of a losing battle, where Africa’s elephants are slain everyday for their tusks. The show already premiered in China in August and it premiered in the US on Tuesday. “People (in China) are buying ivory thinking that the elephants died of natural causes and they are not causing any problems,” the WildAid co-founder, Peter Knights, is quoted on the show, “So it’s a lot about education and it is all about fashion. So what were are trying to do is change the societal attitudes to these things.” And it seems there could have been no better timing than now as the World Wildlife Fund says elephant poaching levels are currently at their worst in a decade, and seizures of illegal ivory are at their highest level in years. “The syndicate of the mafias involved in this poaching cannot be underestimated,” said Geoffrey Baluku, a tourism consultant in Uganda. “They are a greedy bunch capable of emptying the world and they are a security concern.” Global crime syndicates are intimately involved in the trade, while terrorist groups such as Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army and Somalia’s al-Shaabab have been cited too. Disguise?Although China allows a small, legal trade in ivory from old stockpiles, this provides the cover for a vast, illegal trade that has fueled a new wave of poaching in Africa. The value of elephant ivory has been on a sharp rise in recent years with a kilogramme selling for more than $2,000 (about Shs5 million), fuelling an increase in poaching. Such are the financial incentives that hundreds of poachers and rangers have died in gunfights. China is the biggest market, yet now, their own son once nicknamed the “Great Wall of China” aims to stop that flood through the power of persuasion.But while Yao believes that shutting the marketplace will pretty much solve this bad trade, it is also clear that the problem is deep-rooted at the source of the goods. The events at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) last week where more than 1,300 kilogrammes of ivory went missing from the conservation body’s vaults, confirmed just how dire the situation has become. Four UWA staff members have so far been suspended, including UWA director Robert Seguya after President Museveni ordered investigations into the missing ivory. But former tour guide and tourism entrepreneur Amos Wekesa says the problem is more than meets the eye and he blames all Ugandans. “Uganda’s water bodies, protected areas and wildlife in general are on their knees and UWA has failed,” said Wekesa. “If you ask for ‘charcoal’ in Karuma, they will give you hippo meat. That is their code. All animals are on the market. Ugandans are destroying Uganda.” When everything is said and done, however, one thing that is clear is the fact that some rangers have betrayed the very animals they are supposed to protect by turning into poachers themselves. 1 | 2 Next Page»“UWA should employ educated and well trained rangers, who will understand their duty and appreciate it,” said Herbert Byaruhanga, the president of Uganda Tourism Association. “It is totally absurd to find those paid by the government through taxpayers’ money to protect natural resources turn into poachers and traders of illegal ivory trade.” However, Abiaz Rwamwiri, the communications officer at Africa Wildlife Foundation, commended UWA for how they have handled wildlife protection.“I should tell you that UWA has done a tremendous job in protecting wildlife as poaching here is declining, “ he said. “The biggest elephant kills are done out of Uganda and Uganda is used as a transit point for both Ivory and drugs.” The acting executive director of UWA Raymond Engena, denied poaching being at an alarming rate and blamed people with hidden agenda of trying to tarnish the organisation. “People should come forward with credible information,” he said, adding: “If you find bush meat, please contact us. If you find an animal dead, why report to the media first? They do not even have evidence.” Engena, however, added that some animals have died of natural causes and a few at the hands of poachers. Rwamwiri adds that government needs to establish laws that make illegal wildlife trade a risky venture with hefty punishments. “Why should someone guilty of smuggling ivory worth $3m (about Shs7.5 billion), be fined Shs1 million?” he queried. “Our existing laws are not deterrent enough. They actually make it a profitable business.” Just like the essence of Saving Africa’s Giants with Yao Ming, all the concerted effort should be pretty forward: to wean people off their love of ivory and save Africa’s dwindling elephant population. But as the question goes, on Animal Planet, “can one man save a species”; I would like to answer that yes, but only if we all become one person for that matter. THE NUMBERS 25,000: The number of African elephants killed last year alone. 4.5 million: The number of African elephants killed in the last 60 years. 10 years: The number of years elephants could be extinct if poaching is not curbed. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Displaced-PLE-pupils--Early-planning-crucial/-/689360/2509262/-/138itlb/-/index.html","content":"Displaced PLE pupils: Early planning crucial - It is unfortunate that more than 400 children sitting Primary Leaving Examinations are displaced by floods in Ntoroko District. Yesterday, 474 pupils from 11 schools in the district sat their Mathematics, Social Studies and Religious Education exams in makeshift tents. They will again do so with Integrated Science and English Language exams, today. This is sad because Ntoroko and the central governments did not prepare well for these recurrent disasters. Yet, the risks of floods have been recurrent every October and November, year-in-year out. And the Department of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Management has for years known the patterns of the floods, yet has not saved the situation. The residents’ pleas to government to build valley dams across the stream and flood plains to control the floods have gone unheeded. This is not unique to Ntoroko as landslides and broken bridges cutting off schools are common in the Rwenzori and Elgon sub-regions. The rainy season has been prolonged and the authorities should have foreseen these risks and put in place contingency measures.Surely, this disaster in Ntoroko should not have forced our children into this predicament. Not when government has trained tens of district disaster management committees in the Rwenzori sub-region, on emergency preparedness. Does this mean the committees only respond to and not prepare for disasters? This also means even the multi-hazard risk and vulnerability mapping of the Rwenzori, completed in 2012/13, has not paid off. Nonetheless, the pledge by United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) to relocate the children to enable them do exams is a noble act. But the central and local governments should not shift their duty of care for our children to Unicef. No doubt, Unicef’s shuttling of tarpaulins to set up exams centres and provide temporary accommodation, are helpful. But even Unicef’s well-meant rescue efforts fall short of what truly needs to be done for the response to be substantive and meaningful. Ugandans demand better enduring results on disaster risk preparedness from the Department of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Management, and other relevant government agencies.As a quick fix, all concerned should cushion the shocks of the Ntoroko pupils, and PLE candidates in strenuous situations elsewhere, so they complete their exams.The issue: Disaster preparednessOur view: Ugandans demand better enduring results on disaster risk preparedness from the Department of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Management, and other relevant government agencies."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/A-fast-growing-trading-centre/-/689858/2495182/-/jui076/-/index.html","content":"A fast growing trading centre - Seven years ago, I went to Bulenga and it was very hard for me to get a decent restaurant. I had lunch in a crowded small room which was very hot. By the time I finished eating, I was all covered with sweat. However, a recent visit to this place revealed a different picture. The place had completely changed with a number of developments in place. Currently, there are a number of commercial and residential buildings constructed all over the place. Several businesses such as boutiques, retail shops, food stalls, salons, mobile money shops, hardware shops and photo studios, among others, have also been established in the area. LocationBulenga is located in Wakiso District. It is about 12 km from Kampala City along Mityana Road. The transport fare to Bulenga is Shs2,000 and Shs1,500 to Kampala City.According to Sarah Kalule, the chairperson of Bulenga B, the area covers about 530 acres. She says, “Bulenga is divided into A and B and has villages such as Gogonya, Kikaya and Biira. It is neighboured by villages like Busega and Bulaga.” HistoryAugustino Ssenkolooto, a resident says the name Bulenga came from the trading activities that took place in the area in the past. Ssenkolooto, 65, notes that traders from Bunyoro Kingdom would bring goods like salt and onions with the intension of selling them in Kampala. “However, at times Lubigi River (before Busega) would flood and there were no bridges for them to cross over. So they would sell their goods to nearby residents in different ratios. In this way, the place became famous and residents began describing it as gye balengera emiwendo gy’ebintu loosely translated as a place where goods are sold in ratios thus the name Bulenga. Security Hassan Musooba, the officer in charge of Bulenga Police Station, says, “We sensitise the communities about crimes such as domestic violence and theft among others. We also use crime preventers who inform us about the different happenings in the area.” Musooba adds that they also conduct night patrols with the help of crime preventers and area leaders, which have enabled them reduce the crime rate. Facilities Some of the schools in the area are Kikaya Secondary, Light Secondary, Nikaragwa Primary School and God Max Primary Schools. New Kampala Medical Centre and Biira Health Centre are the private health amenities found in the place. However, while in Bulenga, you can shop at Fair Price and African supermarkets and in case you want a place to spend a night, Rijo Motel and High way Pub are the places you can go to. Right now, Bulenga is developing at a high rate and if you have idle land, you are better off fencing it to keep squatters or land grabbers away. But on the whole, if you buy land in Bulenga, you can use it for both residential and commercial construction purposes. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/How-hydropower-dams-dry-up-Nile-River-tourism/-/691232/2475930/-/12q6jeqz/-/index.html","content":"How hydropower dams dry up Nile River tourism - JINJA. Bujagali was a different place before the dam opened in [July] 2012, locals lament. “I can’t even say how many customers I would have daily ... maybe 200 or more, now I only see one every few days,” says Peter Lumumba, who sells handicrafts at his shop in the area’s tourist centre. Every week, several coach buses would bring local and international tourists to see the whitewater of Bujagali Falls on the Nile River, says Francis Ochiti, who used to own Nile Café, one of the main restaurants in the area. The Bujagali hydropower dam’s reservoir flooded the Falls, the series of cascading rapids that used to attract tourists as onlookers and to raft and kayak, so tourism slowed, he says. “Six months after the dam opened, I had to close my restaurant. I couldn’t afford to pay rent or my workers,” Ochiti says, explaining his business depended on tourists. Now, I earn 10 times less than I did when I had Nile Café, he says. “I support 10 people here and in northern Uganda and can no longer afford to pay school fees for my brothers.” There’s a massive number of Ugandans who benefit from tourism directly and indirectly, Ochiti says, adding that his wife is a receptionist at a rafting company. Although tourism in Bujagali is waning, Ochiti, who grew up in Jinja, says he has managed to continue his lifelong work in the industry. He now sells packed lunches to tour operators. “We depend on tourism here,” agrees Fatiya Namugaya, a mother who lives in Bujagali, where she opened a souvenir shop outside the gates of a popular tourist camp 10 years ago. Along a road with no tourists in sight, Namugaya points to local restaurants and chapatti stands that didn’t survive the dam. They’re closed because few tourists come here now so the primary customers were lost, she says.

“I have children to care for. This new dam is going to kill my job,” Namugaya says, predicting the final blow to her business when Isimba dam opens about 40km away from the one built in Bujagali.

 A call to reduce Isimba dam size Namugaya’s cry was echoed by a petition with 15,000 signatures that was presented to Parliament on September 22. The petition, signed by vendors, tour operators, residents and others from Jinja District, asks the government to value the jobs tourism creates for communities around the source of the Nile and modify Isimba Dam plans; an initiative in line with World Tourism Day’s 2014 theme of tourism and community development, which was celebrated on September 27. An additional petition online has garnered nearly 3,700 supporters (as of October 2) from 68 countries, according to the lead petitioner and Jinja resident, Jeff Bidandi. Bidandi represents the collective, Save Adventure Tourism Uganda (SATU), that wants the wall planned for Isimba dam to be scaled down from 1055 metres above sea level to 1043 to protect local jobs and the environment.

 A lower wall would reduce the reservoir size, preserving the whitewater in the conservation area, which was created in 2007. It was created as part of an agreement between the government of Uganda and the World Bank’s International Development Association to offset the construction of the Bujagali dam. The protected stretch of rapids, called Kalagala Falls, became the alternative rafting and kayaking route, after the dam was built, locals say. Constructing Isimba dam in the planned size will flood most of the remaining rapids suitable for water sports, which attract tourists from around the world, Bidandi says. The industry won’t be able to adapt this time. “We want a win-win: the government gets power and we get tourism,” Bidandi says, stressing that tourism is integral to his region and country. Sustaining tourism versus increasing power

 Tourism recently became Uganda’s top export earner, drawing US $1.4 billion (Shs3.7 trillion) in the 2013/14 fiscal year, up from $1.11 billion (Shs2.9 trillion) in the previous year, the Bank of Uganda reported in August. The World Travel and Tourism Council “estimates that the Uganda tourism industry directly contributed 225,300 jobs in 2011.” Although, the number of jobs created by tourism jumps to 522,700 when considering positions indirectly supported by tourism, according to the WTTC. “We really appreciate the issue of tourism, we’re very mindful of it because it’s an important revenue earner, but at the same time, we really need electricity to develop the economy,” says Irene Muloni, the minister of energy and mineral development. Uganda’s current demand for electricity at peak hours is about 500 megawatts, but the demand is growing by an average of 10 per cent annually, the minister explained in a phone interview. “Hydropower is one of the cheapest sources of renewable energy so we are tapping into the potential in the [Jinja] region,” she says. The planned Isimba dam will generate an additional 183 megawatts, the majority of which will be fed onto the national grid, which provides power to 16 per cent of the country, according to Kenneth Otim, head of communications at Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Ltd. Electricity from the national grid is distributed to Kampala (about 60 per cent of it), Mbarara, Kasese, Lira, Soroti and Tororo, he says. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Score/Intrigue--sabotage-kill--rowers--European-dream/-/689854/2465742/-/98r5lyz/-/index.html","content":"Intrigue, sabotage kill  rowers’ European dream - KAMPALA- Local rowing is in a slough after rowers failed to make it for the European Tour to compete in the World Under-23 Rowing Championships earlier scheduled for July 21-27 in Varese, Italy. Alfred Okello, Arnold Omony, Felix Mukambya, Betty Nabifo and Susan Nabukenya were selected to represent Uganda but the regatta was scrapped off the tour. “Fisa (World Rowing Federation) felt the Ugandans wouldn’t get visas in a short time,” national coach Rodrick Muhumuza told SCORE.Instead Gerald Ssemambo competed in Varese finishing first in final D despite not being on the list that URF had sent to Fisa. Okello, Omony, Nabukenya and Nabifo were again selected for the August 6-10 World Junior Rowing Championships in Hamburg, Germany. But Nabifo and Nabukenya were apprehended for missing training sessions. Only Omony traveled then. Constance Mbambu was then included on the list only for her name to be scrapped off at the 11th hour for missing training sessions. Mbambu, though competed in the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing - China, where she finished last to spark off a blame game. Muhumuza labeled her performance ‘wanting’ and pointed a finger at the federation’s failure to have her train regularly. Her club, Greenbelt, say they tried to get Mbambu to train in Penne Sculling Academy (France) but URF never blessed this move even when her school, St. Kizito SS, Luzira, offered to pay for her travel ticket. According to Muhumuza, Okello, 18, needed Shs200,000 to pay for travel insurance to Germany. Muhumuza gave Greenbelt’s chairman Charles Batambuze Shs120,000 from a Shs300,000 loan he had acquired from Solomon Muwonge, the chairman Nalubaale Water Sports Club, to pay for Okello’s insurance. Batambuze had informed Muhumuza that he had Shs80,000 for Okello and only needed to top up. When put on the spot by SCORE, Batambuze neither denied nor accepted. “Alfred needed more than Shs120,000. He needed $89 (Shs231,400).Why was I expected to add anything when Muwonge had paid the money?” Batambuze questioned. That is how Okello’s trip ended up in the smoke. Elsewhere the quartet of Douglas Kisalare, Raymond Adiga, William Mwanga and Samuel Mpiira were selected for the Commonwealth Games Regatta (Scotland) and World Rowing Championships (Netherlands) but didn’t travel. The four successfully paid for their visas and travel insurance and were only awaiting air tickets from Fisa only for URF president Hamza Kahwa to request the world body not to issue them. “I looked at the list and we had rowers born in 1980. My view was that we shouldn’t be investing in them,” Kahwa said in reference to Kisalare and Adiga. “My emphasis is on rowers under 23 years because they are the ones that have a chance to compete at Olympics 2016.” However, in an email exchange between Muwonge and instructor Jim Flood, it emerged that the selection process for Scotland and Netherlands events was tampered with to accommodate Ssemambo. The latter was supposed to travel with coach Swaleh Kasibante but they didn’t make the trip as the rower’s visa had expired. “I believe the selection process was going smoothly until Gerald was reinstated as a team member which meant that someone had to make way for him,” Flood wrote. Muwonge has since promised to pull out of rowing because his rowers Nabukenya and Mukambya didn’t travel after he invested a lot. “Nearly Shs4.2million in this project,” reads one line in the email to Flood. Muwonge also discloses that a lot of money has been mismanaged by URF including $23,000 (about Shs57.5m) sent by Fisa for the regatta in Kisubi. “Everyone saw Flood’s report where he said this regatta was a success. People are now using baseless accusations to fight us,” Kahwa said without denying or confirming receipt of the money. Muwonge has also written to the Minister of Sports, Charles Bakabulindi and the National Council of Sports accusing Kahwa of running URF as a personal company. He questions the involvement of Kahwa and URF vice president Fharuk Baluku, as executive members in Uganda Canoeing/Kayak Association. 1 | 2 Next Page»“Most of the clubs that are registered have no athletes. Kisubi Beach has equipment and athletes but is not registered. Also clubs not doing any canoeing are registered as canoeing clubs so there is a problem in the two federations,” Muwonge explained to SCORE. “I gave clubs a chance to build themselves by giving them a center at Garuga. I told them that we can take rowing to Ndejje University, train students and distribute them among our clubs but they refused,” Muwonge, who also runs Garuga Country Resort, continues. Kahwa, however, says it isn’t his business to know how clubs run and URF will continue to lock out the clubs that don’t pay membership fees. He also says that URF signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kisubi Beach where the site only acts as a rowing centre. mmuziransa@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Govt-sets-up-floods-warning-system/-/688334/2464126/-/j3eknwz/-/index.html","content":"Govt sets up floods warning system - Butaleja. Residents in Butaleja District now have hope that they can sleep without fear of their property being destroyed by future floods that may be experienced in the area again. This is after a Shs780 million early warning flood system that uses a siren was launched by ministers fo ICT John Nasasira, Hilary Onek for Disaster Preparedness, and Flavia Munaba for Water and Environment, earlier this year. The project funded by the Uganda communications commission (UCC) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), is located at Namulo Bridge on River Manafwa in Himutu Sub-county, Butaleja District.The early warning flood system, the first of its kind in Uganda, aims at alerting the communities to shift to safer zones when floods are detected. Mr Nasasira said the system was key in helping the government fight deaths due to sudden occurrence of flood in Butaleja.“This is just the beginning of our scientific approach to overcome disaster and we are working closely with the meteorological department to be able to predict fourth coming disasters ahead of time,” said Mr Nasasira.He said government has also considered putting up another siren in Bududa to detect mudslides to save many lives in the Elgon sub-region.Ms Lydia Kagoya, the natural resource officer in charge of the project, said the system is easy to use. “It comprises of three main components, a sensor that is placed in the river, a solar-powered siren adjacent to the river and a control centre positioned at the district headquarters and once the water levels reach a certain point on the sensor, a signal is activated alerting people to shift,” said Ms Kagoya. How it worksAccording to the system uses a siren notification system to warm people about raising water levels. She said the siren which has a voice radius of five kms is followed with guiding messages from the operator at the control centre on what the next course of action is. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Save-Elgon-area-from-flooding/-/689360/2462896/-/5udm1k/-/index.html","content":"Save Elgon area from flooding - News that eastern Uganda has received a Shs870 million flood surveillance and early warning system (EWS) is well-timed. Computer-switched sirens can now sound alarms to warn people about rising water levels, once it hits the danger mark. The alarms warn affected communities to move away quickly to safer grounds. The siren and operator’s guide messages can be heard within a radius of five kilometres and ensure timely evacuation. This initiative should lessen current fears of disaster of floods in the Mount Elgon region. Already, River Manafwa has burst its banks, displaced 1,400 families in Bulambuli and another 1,294 households in Butaleja District, according to Uganda Red Cross Society. But what is crucial is for Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), as one of the key stakeholders, to make it very clear to the residents that the system will not stop but only minimise impact of floods - loss of lives and property, among others. This requires the guarantors of the project to work tirelessly to educate communities and allay their fear and misconception of EWS, referred to as endabusi (the one that warns). Creating awareness is important because some community members already have misconceptions about EWS. As UCC cited, some residents already fear the system will stop rainfall, while others think it is a spyware. Many more think it is meant to generate power or electricity. What the ministries of Disaster Preparedness, Water and Environment, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) as well as district leaders must do is to continuously educate the area residents on the benefits of EWS. The stakeholders should have given more time to raise awareness to create a broad buy-in and ownership among the residents. Campaigns to allay such fears should have gone on for more than the two weeks allowed ahead of the ribbon-cutting to commission the project by ICT minister John Nasasira. Equally important is the news that this EWS will be replicated in flood-prone Kasese District. Also crucial is the plan by the joint disaster agencies instituting EWS for landslides early next year. This should prove very useful as it will forewarn of earth movements and cracks six months ahead of occurrence. These two systems, as UCC’s communications director Fred Otunu says, guarantees early warning against floods by at least two days and foretell landslides by nearly six months. These ensure proactive steps are taken to lessen and manage floods and landslides. The two new initiatives also underline the key roles ICTs now play, not only as basic communication tools, but as tools to mitigate and manage disasters. Make the early warning system work to save Butaleja District and Mount Elgon region. The issue: Implementing early warning systems.Our view: Creating awareness is important because some community members already have misconceptions about EWS."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Heavier-rains-expected-in-the-Sept-Dec-season/-/689860/2457566/-/ykfvaiz/-/index.html","content":"Heavier rains expected in the Sept-Dec season - September to December constitutes the second major rainfall season in most parts of Uganda. In a review of the state of the global climate system, it was observed there are major physical conditions likely to influence the weather conditions. Based on the above considerations, Uganda National Meteorological Authority has come up with the following forecast. The major physical conditions likely to influence the weather conditions in Uganda in the September-December 2014 period include: Possible development of cyclones over the western Indian Ocean, anomalies in sea surface temperatures over eastern equatorial Pacific region and the Atlantic Ocean, and the evolution of the El Niño conditions. The breakdown of the forecast for each region is given as follows: WESTERN REGIONSouth Western (Kisoro, Kabale, Rukungiri, Kanungu, Ntungamo, Mbarara, Kiruhura, Isingiro, Ibanda, Bushenyi, Buhweju, Mitooma, Sheema, Rubirizi and Kasese districts)This area is receiving isolated showers and thunderstorm, which signify the onset of seasonal rains. From early September, the steady seasonal rains will set in. The steady rains are expected to intensify with peak rains around mid-October to early November and reduce around early/mid-December. Overall, near-normal rains are expected. Central Western (Bundibugyo, Ntoroko, Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa, Kamwenge Kibaale, Hoima, Buliisa and Masindi districts)Northern parts of this region, especially areas of Masindi and some parts of Hoima districts, received a substantial amount of rainfall in June-August. Now, the whole region is experiencing outbreak of showers and thunderstorms that signify the onset of seasonal rains. The peak rains are expected around mid-October/early November. The cessation of rains will be around mid-December. Overall, the region is expected to receive near-normal tending to above-normal rains. North Western (Moyo, Arua, Maracha, Nebbi, Okoro, Adjumani, Yumbe, Koboko and Zombo districts)The region is experiencing its main rainy season since June with continuous outbreak of showers and thunderstorm. Steady rains set in by early September with the main peak occurring late October to early November.Thereafter, a sharp decline is expected to occur around late November. Overall, near-normal to above-normal rains are expected. CENTRAL REGIONWestern parts of Central (Rakai, Lyantonde, Lwengo, Kalungu, Bukomansimbi, Sembabule, Mubende, Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Luwero, Nakaseke and Nakasongola districts) The region has started experiencing isolated outbreaks of light rains and thunderstorms. Steady seasonal rains are to set in around mid-September and reach the peak levels late October to early November. Cessation of the rains will be around mid/late December. In general, there is a high chance of near-normal rains. Eastern parts of Central (Mukono, Buikwe and Kayunga districts)The area is receiving outbreaks of showers and thunderstorms punctuated with short-lived dry spells, which will continue up to mid-September when normal seasonal rains are expected to set in. Thereafter, the rains will intensify and peak late October/early November. By late November, a steady decline of rains punctuated by dry spells is expected and cease around mid-December. Overall, there are high chances for near-normal to above-normal rains over most parts. LAKE VICTORIA BASINCentral and Western Lake Victoria Basin (Kalangala, Buvuma, Kampala, Wakiso, Masaka, Mpigi, Butambala, Gomba and Mityana districts)There have been occasional outbreaks of showers and thunderstorms punctuated by dry spells since early July. The showers and thunderstorm will continue to early September when steady rains are expected to set in. The peak occurs around late October to mid-November. Rains cease around late December. Overall, there is a high chance of near-normal to above-normal rains in this region. Eastern Lake Victoria Basin (Jinja, Mayuge, South Bugiri and Busia districts)Currently, there are some showers and thunderstorms over several parts. These are expected to continue until early September when steady rains are expected to set in and reach peak around mid/late October. The season is expected to end in mid-December. Overall, near-normal to above-normal rains are expected over most parts. EASTERN REGIONSouth Eastern (Kamuli, Iganga, North Bugiri, Luuka, Namutumba, Buyende, Kaliro and Tororo districts)There have been isolated outbreaks of showers and thunderstorms since July. Steady seasonal rains are expected by early September reaching the peak levels mid-October to late November and cease around late December. In general, near-normal to above-normal rains are expected to prevail over this region. Eastern Central (Pallisa, Budaka, Mbale, Sironko, Manafwa, Bududa, Kapchorwa, Kumi, Kaberamaido, Soroti, Serere, Amolatar, Butaleja, Bulambuli, Kween, Bukwo, Bukedea and Ngora districts)This region has been experiencing outbreaks of showers and thunderstorms since June with isolated cases of storms reaching flood levels along the slopes of Mt. Elgon. Steady seasonal rains are expected to set in by early September reaching the peak around mid to late October. Thereafter, the rains are expected to decline steadily with cessation expected around mid December. Overall, near normal to above normal rains are expected over this region. North Eastern (Katakwi, Moroto, Kotido, Nakapiripirit, Abim, Otuke, Napak, Amudat, Amuria, and Kaabong districts)The region has been experiencing its seasonal rainfall since June, which was punctuated by short-lived dry spells over several parts. The seasonal rains are expected to reach peak levels in mid to late October. Thereafter, a decline in rains is expected and stop around mid/late November. There are high chances for near-normal rains. NORTHERN REGIONNorthern (Gulu, Apac, Lira, Kitgum, Pader, Amuru, Lamwo, Nwoya, Oyam, Kole, Dokolo and Kiryandongo districts)The region is experiencing its major rainy season with isolated showers and thunderstorm in several parts. The current moderate seasonal rains are expected to continue up to early October when the peak of the seasonal rains is expected to set in.The decline is expected thereafter with the cessation around late November to early December. Near-normal to above-normal rains are expected. Advice for farmers 1 | 2 Next Page»The predicted rainfall season is expected to be long. Therefore, farmers are advised to do the following:* Plant long-maturing crops like millet, rice, sorghum, maize, cassava, sweet potatoes at the start of rains and fast-maturing crops such as beans, tomatoes, vegetables later on as rains progress* Prune crops like fruit trees (avocado, apples, mangoes, oranges), bananas and coffee trees* Construct drainage and diversion channels on crop plots and parcels in case of heavy rains* Put in place soil conservation structures to prevent soil erosion for those on slopes and highlands* Plant pastures and trees and improve the existing ones* Guard against tick-borne diseases and worms In general, farmers are advised to make use of the seasonal rains by optimising crop yield through appropriate land-use management. They are also encouraged to plant enough food for both domestic use and sale to emerging markets in the neighbouring countries. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Scotland-rejects-independence-in-historic-referendum/-/688334/2457962/-/rdlwtgz/-/index.html","content":"Scotland rejects independence in historic referendum - Edinburgh Scotland has rejected independence in a referendum that leaves the United Kingdom intact but opens the door to wider autonomy following a huge turnout, preliminary results showed Friday.The \"No\" camp was ahead by 55.42 percent to 44.58 percent for the \"Yes\" camp with 31 out of 32 local areas counted.\"No\" campaigners across Scotland cheered as the results came in, while \"Yes\" activists watched dejected and in tears.The outcome dashes the hopes of the hundreds of thousands of Scots who voted to break away on Thursday in an unprecedented vote that ignited debate about governance in Britain but will reassure those worried about the economic risks of a break-up. The financial markets rewarded the result with the pound rising against the dollar on the currency markets.\"We know that there's going to be a majority for the 'No' campaign,\" pro-independence First Minister Alex Salmond said in Edinburgh.\"Scotland has by majority decided not, at this stage, to become an independent country,\" he said.The result is a blow to the ambitions of a political lifetime for Salmond, although the strong result for the \"Yes\" leaves open the possibility of another bid for independence in future. - 'Well-fought campaign' -There were some big wins for the \"Yes\" campaign, including Sturgeon's home city of Glasgow, but the margin was not enough to mitigate a flood of \"No\" votes across Scotland.The indication was that better-off and rural areas had voted \"No\" while urban centres and poorer parts voted \"Yes\".The \"Yes\" camp had been behind by a huge margin for months but in the past fortnight enjoyed a surge in support in the opinion polls. In the end, it did not materialise.\"Clearly the 'No' side has won,\" said polling expert John Curtice, a professor of politics at Strathclyde University.The vote would have brought to an abrupt end a union with England stretching back to 1707 and has been closely watched around the world, giving heart to separatist movements from Catalonia in Spain to Quebec in Canada. Prime Minister David Cameron and Queen Elizabeth II were both expected to make announcements later on Friday, with British media reporting that Cameron would acknowledge the number of \"Yes\" votes and promise further devolution.The outcome will be a huge relief for Cameron, who many suggested could not have survived in the event of a \"Yes\" victory.In a tweet after the BBC called the result, Cameron said simply that he had spoken to the leader of the \"No\" campaign, Alistair Darling, \"and congratulated him on a well-fought campaign\".The historic decision gripped many Scots who previously took little interest in politics, including 16 and 17-year-olds allowed to vote in an election for the first time, divided families and lifelong friends between \"Yes\" and \"No\".There were queues outside polling stations on referendum day and many voters spoke emotionally about the most momentous political choice of their lives. \"Should Scotland be an independent country?\" was the simple question facing voters in the nation's 5,000 polling stations with \"Yes\" and \"No\" boxes below.Crowds later partied through the night in Glasgow and Edinburgh, draped in the blue-and-white Scottish flags and setting off flares, as ballot boxes were brought in by helicopter and by boat from remote islands for the count.- 'No turning back' -In the run-up to the vote, Britain's three main political parties promised greater powers for Scotland's parliament including on tax and benefits in a last-minute bid to convince voters to stay in the union.Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the referendum had shown a \"strong demand for change\" and insisted the British government in London must now make good on its promises.\"Scotland has changed forever, there's no turning back,\" she said on Friday. There were some big wins for the \"Yes\" campaign, including Sturgeon's home city of Glasgow, but the margin was not enough to mitigate a flood of \"No\" votes across Scotland.The \"Yes\" camp had been behind by a huge margin for months but in the past fortnight enjoyed a surge in support. In the end, it did not materialise.\"Clearly the 'No' side has won,\" said polling expert John Curtice, a professor of politics at Strathclyde University.The promise of greater powers for Scotland has prompted politicians in Cameron's Conservative party to call for the same treatment for England.Newspapers in northern England united to demand the devolution of powers to their regions in a \"fair deal after so many promises were made to Scotland during the referendum campaign\".A lot of the debate had focused on the economy, what currency an independent Scotland would use and whether it could be a member of the European Union.Scotland's Parliament, opened in 1999, holds some powers devolved from Westminster to set policy in certain areas of domestic policy, such as health and education."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/East-Africa-EU-trade-deal-to-be-sealed-this-month--says-official/-/688610/2452522/-/134e12pz/-/index.html","content":"East Africa-EU trade deal to be sealed this month, says official - Kampala After years of talks, the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), will be concluded by close of this month, East African Community (EAC) secretary general Richard Sezibera has said. The main objective of the EPA is to open up the regional market to unlimited European products, except arms. The EPA was conceived in the mid-1990s and the talks were supposed to have been closed about seven years ago. This did not happen because the targeted segment (least developed countries) needed time to develop capacities to trade on equal terms with the European Union (EU). No need to rushSpeaking at a news conference last week in Entebbe ahead of the 3rd EAC Secretary General’s Forum, Mr Sezibera said the EAC partner states, negotiating as a bloc, need not to rush before securing their interests in the deal. He said: “Negotiations have taken long because we wanted to ensure that EA interests were safe guarded and I am glad to say that the draft which we have now is clear about EA interest and it is also clear about the space the EA requires for her development and what EPAs will contribute to EA development and integration process.” He continued: “This is the first time East Africa is negotiating her trade relations with Europe under EPAs. The negotiations have been ongoing since 2007. I am hoping that we shall be able to conclude them this month of September.” Proponents of the EPA say African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) regions stand to benefit from the pact as it aims to promote fair trade between the EU and the least developed countries that endorse the deal. This means that products from the EU will have unlimited access to East Africa’s market and in return, the five regional countries will reciprocate in equal measure, a claim trade analysts like Nathan Irumba and Elly Twineyo say is not entirely possible. Experts warn regional states about the agreement The Southern and Eastern African Trade Information and Negotiations Institute country director, Ms Jane Nalunga, in an earlier interview warned the member states against rushing to sign the agreement before evaluating the consequences of the seemingly attractive deal. She said: “Most of these agreements, including the EPA, are templates that have interest of the European Union and we must not be trapped into signing something we cannot implement no matter how attractive it looks.” “Our capacity is not at the same level with EU. This means that whereas they can easily flood our markets with their products, we cannot do the same because we cannot meet the standards they demand of us.” Trade analyst Elly Twineyo also the executive director of African Centre for Trade and Development, believes the EPA in its original templates as fronted by the EU, is bad for the region as it will stifle the growth of local industries l. About EpAsEconomic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) are legally binding bilateral contracts between the European Union and individual African countries. Once signed, EPAs warrant that within a decade, about 80 per cent of that country’s market should open to European goods and services. On April 16, 2013, the European Parliament reversed an earlier decision to wait until the beginning of 2016 to have EPAs commitment. The deadline has now been brought forward to October 1, 2014, according to an extract from a publication authored by Mr Stephen McDonald, Mr Stephen Lande and Mr Dennis Matanda. iladu@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Live-updates-of-Uganda-Vs-Guinea-game--at-Namboole-Stadium/-/688334/2448204/-/p26iw4z/-/index.html","content":"Live updates of Uganda Vs Guinea game  at Namboole Stadium - 9: 34 EAT: FULL TIME: Uganda beats Guinea 2-0 to make four points in Group E of the 2015 Afcon Qualifier. Geoffrey Massa's brace earns him the Man-Of-Match accolade. ACROSS AFRICA Sierra Leone 0-2 DR Congo (FT) Cameroon 4-1 Ivory Coast (FT) Malawi 3-2 Ethiopia (FT) Congo. B 2-0 Sudan (FT) Angola 0-3 Burkina Faso (FT) Mozambique 1-1 Niger (FT) Togo 2-2 Ghana (89) Botswana 0-1 Senegal (75) Cape Verde 1-1 Zambia (71) Lesotho 1-0 Gabon (67). 9: 33 EAT: UGANDA SUBSTITUTION: Robert Ssentongo on for goal hero Geoffrey Massa 9: 31 EAT: 90'+3 Geoffrey Massa sees YELLOW from the referee, the first booking of the day. And ultimately, the last. 9:28 EAT: 88th minute. Few minutes to the final whistle and neither of the fans in the stands want to leave their seats. Coach Micho has his arms in the air, protesting lackluster defending by his lads. Cranes coach Micho Sredojevic yet to find his seat as he seeks a perfect mastermind of Uganda's win here. The scoreboard still lights UGANDA 2-0 GUINEA. Will there be a second blackout? It was a good sight being a dark stadium with only phone lights flashing… Anyone fancy a repeat? Cranes are edging closer to topping group E with four points, ahead of Ghana with the same tally. Two teams will qualify for AFCON 2015 in Morocco. Two teams from each of the seven groups qualify directly with the best third placed side joining them and the hosts. 9: 23 EAT: 80th minute' GUINEA SUBSTITUTION: Ibrahima Traore off for a player in Shirt No.18 that is not indicated on the line-up. Its less than 10 minutes to end the match. Can Cranes add another or Guinea force a point here at Namboole? A win means Uganda will level with Ghana on 4 points in Group E. 9:18 EAT: 78 minutes of the game. UGANDA SUBSTITUTION: Khalid Aucho off, Brian Umony on. By far, Denis Onyango has decent tonight. 9: 18 EAT: Kizito Luwagga bundles three defenders away but Khalid Aucho misses to tap in for the third on 77 minutes. 9:17 EAT: 75th minute. GUINEA SUBSTITUTION: Idrussa Sylla makes way for Ismael Bangoura He is Idrissa. 74th minute: Cranes trying to close up spaces as Guinea build-up play from the back. Fans glued to their seats. How will it end? 9:12 EAT: Uganda Cranes win a corner on the 69th minute to quench some thirst among the fans. But its wasted and another header by Baba Kizito goes wide. 9:09 EAT: 68th minute. UGANDA SUBSTITUTION; Moses Oloya makes way for Brian Majwega. Even though the floodlight returned after that MINOR blip, the stadium is not perfectly lit. This should be a lesson going forward. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Hundreds-displaced-as-rains-pound-Albetong/-/688334/2444408/-/l5aob4/-/index.html","content":"Hundreds displaced as rains pound Albetong - ALEBTONG. Heavy rains have destroyed crops and displaced hundreds of former Internally Displaced Persons in Alebtong District.The rains that started last month have pounded villages of Omanoabunga A, Omanoabunga B, Onuo and Olakotato in Omarari parish. Other villages include Olwero, Ajobi, Oringorwot and Alayaonenotur in Ocokober parish.In Alolololo parish, floods have pounded villages of Angeta and Abukamola all in Omoro Sub-county.A camp has been set at Omoro Sub-county to accommodate those whose houses have been destroyed and crops washed away.The Omoro Sub-county community development officer, Mr Franco Ocwer Elit, said the rains have almost washed away all crops in the affected areas.“Crops are rotting in the gardens and it may take long for the flood to subsidise,” he said.There are also fears that diseases such as malaria, cholera and diarrhea-related illnesses, might break out, since all water points have been affected. Mr Ocwer, said residents have been held up in remote villages and are currently cut off by water.“Even those that are still in their homes, their lives are in danger, since the foundations of their houses have been weakened,” he said.“I cannot move beyond my compound. I pray that no one falls sick because it would be a challenge to access treatment anywhere here. We have been cut off from roads,” he said.This means that children cannot go to school yet many of them are expected to resume school today [Monday].The Metrological Department in Entebbe last week announced that heavy rains could continue to pound much of the country throughout the month [September]. However, experts also warned that the rains would at the extreme continue up to December. Mr James Bond Opok, the district vice-chairman, told Daily Monitor they would be forced to ask schools and parents to postpone opening the new term as the rains subsidise. Most affected Counting loses. Villages of Omanoabunga A, Omanoabunga B, Onuo and Olakotato in Omarari parish are some of the most affected areas. However in other villages including Olwero, Ajobi, Oringorwot and Alayaonenotur in Ocokober parish residents are also counting loses. In Alolololo parish, floods have pounded villages of Angeta and Abukamola all in Omoro Sub-county.Expert analysis The rains which started late last month are expected to continue through September or might go up to December. A number of areas, including Kampala, have experienced flooding as a result of the heavy rains. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Fake-food-wrapping-paper-flood-market---UNBS/-/688334/2427734/-/uai6o1z/-/index.html","content":"Fake food-wrapping paper flood market - UNBS - Kampala. Did you know that the food wrapping paper you are using could be potentially dangerous to your health? According to the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), the market is flooded with food-wrapping papers whose specifications are below the required standards. This is further complicated by the fact that such counterfeit and sub-standard wrappers provide scanty or no details about the product, an omission that the standard prefect say is a tell-tale sign of a counterfeit and sub-standard goods.Without such details, it is difficult to trace the origin and verify the processes, let alone the materials that were used while manufacturing the products. “We have a duty to protect the population from the dangers and diseases, including chronic ailments (like cancer) that could emanate after consumption of food wrapped in unverified/suspicious materials,” the UNBS executive director, Mr Ben Manyindo, said recently in an interview.He continued: “We are aware about the issue, and one of the major problems is that most of the wrapping papers are way below the length being quoted and therefore the customers are being cheated. We have asked the genuine makers of the product to raise awareness around those challenges.” According to consumer activists, Ugandans have for a long time been forced to bear with imported wrapping papers such as aluminum foil, cling film and take away containers despite its implications both in terms of health and cost.And for that, the manufacturer of Fresh Wraps, one of the local manufactures of the wrapping paper products, Mr Akshay Agarwal, said: “As local players we want to do business with integrity and offer value for money.” Consumers urgedIn an earlier interview, Mr Shaban Sserunkuma, a consumer activist said Ugandans have for long been given a raw deal—paying more for less. And that it is time Ugandans collectively stand up and confront such blatant fleecing.According to Mr Agarwal, this exploitation, lack of responsibility and taking consumers for granted can be brought to a halt if consumers pay more attention while shopping for these products in the market. What to watch for in a wrapping paperLook out for specifications which must be well displayed on the packaging of the product. Address of the manufacturers’ details should clearly be visible. Other precautions include looking out for UNBS mark and reporting suspicious cases to the standard body as quickly as possible. iladu@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Lwanga--Badda-dominance-on-Kalangala-islands-to-be-tested/-/688342/2427774/-/bsxlkt/-/index.html","content":"Lwanga, Badda dominance on Kalangala islands to be tested - Kalangala. Will the charismatic and articulate Tim Mutekanga Lwanga retire or not? That is the vexed matter on the lush Ssese Islands district of Kalangala where he has served as MP for Kyamuswa County for eight years now. As the Kyamuswa folk contemplate that question, their colleagues across the rural paths in Bujumba are already witnessing the early signs of an unrelenting bid to unseat the hardworking Fred Badda. It could get very crowded: At least 12 politicians, four of them women, say the two gentlemen have done their time and should pass on the baton.Mr Lwanga served from 2001 to 2006. Then he lost the popular vote to Mr Moses Kabuusu who spent the 2006 – 2011 term in Parliament on an independent ticket. Mr Kabuusu was defeated in the closely run next election which saw Mr Lwanga return. Although Mr Badda is serving a third consecutive term in Parliament, he has always been taken to court for alleged vote rigging after every election. The list of contenders for the Kyamuswa seat includes Democratic Party’s Godfrey Ssekisonge Kabuusu (Independent); Ms Carol Nanyondo Birungi (Kalangala Woman, NRM), Ms Betty Nanyonjo Kabaalu (a councillor representing Bufumira Sub-county, NRM), Mr Frank Ssemakula (district youth chair), Mr Badru Ntulume (district councillor representing Bubeke Sub-county, FDC), Mr Isaac Ssali a journalist and Mr Vereriano Ssenabulya, the district speaker. As the debate about whether Mr Lwanga is still interested rages around him, there appears to be little doubt about his contribution to the district’s growth. Mr Ssenabulya recognises this fact, noting that: “he has been our link to the central government whenever there was need to raise matters of importance.” A former minister for ethics and integrity, the incumbent in Kyamuswa has stamped his mark on things, working very hard to get social services delivered to the islands; not least among which was extension of medical services to Kalangala’s hard-to-reach Islands which never had medical workers before. An elderly resident of the Kisaba landing site area, Mr Joseph Nkangi, told Saturday Monitor that it was only after Mr Lwanga “intervened that construction works for health centres begun in the constituency”. The man himself is quick to acknowledge his own contribution, boasting of having promoted the tourism potential of Kalangala through his untiring and ultimately successful lobbying of the government to provide a marine vessel to ease transport on the lake. “MV Kalangala is my initiative and that alone can show what Tim Lwanga can do,” he says. He is proud of what he has done and despises those who would “spend money buying cheap drinks for voters”. The man is confident that “even though I get 10 opponents, I can still win the forthcoming election because people know and understand how I am impacting their lives”. “Politics is not about spending many terms in Parliament, it is the art of changing and managing societies for further development. Many people fight to enter Parliament but if there is nothing you can do to help improve services in your area through your articulacy in Parliament, you consider yourself a poor leader,” he said. “I come from Ssese and I can even serve when I am not in politics. I remember when Mr Kabuusu won, I continued serving the same people,” he said, adding that “I do not earn from politics, I went into the game while driving a Mercedes Benz and it’s the same brand I am still driving.” Without confirming whether he will give it another go in 2016 or retire, Mr Lwanga cryptically responded to the question in a roundabout way. He said if the people find value in what he has done in the area, they will let him return and that doesn’t worry him even when the irresponsible voters who only need a bottle of soda to vote for a candidate flood the area. He signed off with a flourish: “People always understand and they will vote for me if I am to stand for MP again.” Mr Lwanga may be a hard act to follow Ms Nanyondo, the woman MP here, believes she would be a perfect replacement for a man she respects but who she also believes is worn out. “The woman MP seat is too disturbing and cannot let me help people in different communities easily since Kalangala is hard to reach. I have decided to move to such a constituency to help people in development related initiatives,” she says.However, Fred Katerega, an observer of Kalangala politics, lamented that Kyamuswa is a constituency that has some of the most irresponsible voters who do not place a premium on service delivery when deciding where to vote for a given candidate. “Since many of them live on landing sites and are regular migrants, many think that if they only received money and a few gifts from contestants who help them benefit during the campaigns then that would enough. Whoever gives more to the people gets the highest number of votes,” he said.Like the woman MP, youth chairman Ssemakula sees Lwanga moving onto the life of a senior citizen of Uganda who will still deliver to the area even when he is not an MP. Mr Ssemakula is in the running for Kyamuswa. He can expect a spirited challenge from the DP man Ssekisonge who presently resides in Britain. “One reason I must stand is that I cannot see a perfect replacement for Mr Tim Lwanga better than me. I have lived and moved with all Kalangala MPs and I know what it takes to debate in Parliament,” Mr Ssekisonge, who observed that the incumbent has lost his 2001 spark on account of ageing, said.In Bujumba, Mr Badda is likely to contest against more or less the same people he did battle with in 2011. Among them is Mr Rajab Ssemakula who came second. To this day, Mr Ssemakula is adamant that Mr Badda stole his votes to win the 2011 seat. Asked why he didn’t go to court, Mr Ssemakula said he was time-barred having listened to advice that it is better to wait for the next election (2016).The parliamentary elections law gives a dissatisfied candidate seven days within which to lodge a petition contesting an election result. Other likely opponents of Mr Badda, including Mr Andrew Kulazikulabe (DP), Ms Lydia Kizza Nakimera (Independent) and Mr Rajab Ssemakula (Independent) also agree he has not been visible. 1 | 2 Next Page»“We only see him when there is an issue NRM wants to pass in Parliament; then he comes to vote in favour of motions that the ruling party comes with,” Mr Ssemakula said. Possibly because he has been loyal to the establishment, the NRM remain happy with him. Good service deliveryThe party’s administrative secretary in Kalangala, Mr Mathias Kamya, contends that Badda’s work shows in the fact that he has helped Bujumba rise from the relatively very poor place it was, to become the seventh fastest growing constituency in the country. MR Kamya did not, however, substantiate this claim with any known statistical data reference. Among the projects the incumbent ascribes to his efforts is oil palm growth which was initiated while he was still a district agricultural officer. Mr Badda says the project has impacted on the livelihood of almost every household in Kalangala District. “If you do not have oil palm, you have still earned money from it by carrying out business with oil palm outgrowers who have come to you for your commodities,” Mr Badda observed. Similarly, Mr Badda believes the ongoing infrastructure works including the extension of piped water and electricity to all localities in his constituency; the improvement of Kalangala’s main road; and the introduction of two new ferries, MV Pearl and MV Ssese are the reason he is in Parliament and will still be after the 2016 general elections. “What more do people want? Good transport is here and all services are in the area; who else can reach my calibre in Parliament among all contestants?” Mr Badda asked.“I have now mastered the art of debating and culture of soliciting for developmental programmes from donors; this is what an MP is expected to do,” he added. The rich soils of this constituency must be exploited, enthuses Mr Badda. Agriculture is where the money lies which partly explains his drive to promote coffee planting. “This is a new initiative I am advocating for as a tool for future development,” he says. On the periphery of these twin races, however, there are some residents Mr James Matovu, the DP vice chairman in Kalangala, who lament that the great leadership skills of one Karooli Ssemogerere (son to former DP president Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere) have been greatly missed. Mr Ssemogerere has turned down the opportunity to comment on the matter. “I am still looking at the possibilities although the area has an MP who still appears good to lead the people,” he said. Possible contenders for the seatsKyamuswa countyName PartyGodfrey Ssekisonge DPCarol Nanyondo Birungi NRMBetty Nanyonjo Kabaalu NRMBadru Ntulume FDC Bujumba countyName PartyAndrew Kulazikulabe DP Lydia Kizza Nakimera Ind Rajab Ssemakula Ind editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Communities-should-guard-against-floods/-/689364/2423326/-/15njdr8z/-/index.html","content":"Communities should guard against floods - Every year, heavy rains cause flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in high-rise parts of Uganda, displacing communities and causing deaths. Worse still, some of the disaster-prone areas are hard-to-reach because of their natural terrain. This is why emergency response has been a major challenge. Clearly, the trend suggests that subsequent seasonal rains will always return to destroy livelihoods. Communities should, therefore, get involved to tackle arising challenges. Here are a few things we can do to enhance resilience against flood and landslide hazards. First, our settlement habits. When we put up housing in low-lying areas or on unstable areas, we increase the risk of hazards in the event of floods and landslides. In rural Uganda, housing is our single largest ‘asset’. Our households have granaries, which store mainly foodstuff. This sustains our livelihoods. Losing these livelihoods in floods negatively affects communities. Secondly, we have a role-play about activities on our environment. Our usage of land is completely eliminating natural courses for rainwater runoff. We are filling up wetlands by constructing impermeable materials such as concrete buildings on our wetlands. This impedes storm water infiltration into the earth. In the event of heavy rainfall, running water easily finds its way into people’s houses as it is difficult to seep through concrete material. This causes heavy flooding of surrounding areas and washes away roads, bridges, schools, markets and health facilities. Since movement of people, goods and services is affected; it increases vulnerability of communities and makes it difficult for them to cope. Thirdly, at-risk communities must get actively involved by participating in activities that increase resilience against floods and landslides. We can participate by paying attention to early warnings. Early warning systems help to predict looming hazards beforehand. This ensures that communities are aware of what to do in order to survive calamities. On receiving advice to vacate our homes due to imminent heavy rains, we should be able to promptly do so. Our fourth role as community members is to build houses that can withstand adverse weathers. We should design structures that will not give way to floods and mudslides. Let us play our part to make our resilience against disasters will be strong."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/A-year-later--Kasese-still-grappling-with-floods-menace/-/688342/2421234/-/3f30dfz/-/index.html","content":"A year later, Kasese still grappling with floods menace - KASESE. It is exactly one year and three months since Kasese District was devastated by flash floods, and the authorities are still unsure of what next as the sky opens up again. Both local leaders and residents are wondering why government has not bothered to come to their rescue as the rainy season starts this month. Kasese was hit with two devastating floods on May 1 and 8, 2013, which left close to 20 people dead, others injured while several people were displaced from their homes. The Kasese District environment officer, Mr Augustine Kooli, is worried that the district may be hit by yet another flood this month, saying it is the beginning of the long rainy season. “Though we have not contacted the meteorology office to know the amounts of rainfall we are likely to receive this season, there are clear indicators that any time we can be hit by the floods, given the volume of water we are experiencing now,” Kooli said on Wednesday. More complicatedThe environment officer added that issues of floods in Kasese cannot be solved by mere de-silting (removal of soil and waste materials) from the river -- which government has started by putting up gabions (large square containers in which rocks are packed) and retainer walls to control and redirect the water. “It is true government has released some money for de-silting, but I do not know the amount. But this will not solve our problem. Remember river erosion and deposition is carried out under the normal hydraulic verbosity and gradient is either the same or equal,” Kooli said. What Kooli means is that the volume and speed of the river is always the same, even if it is de-silted, the river will still carry and deposit objects. He says instead of de-silting the river first, government would have placed gabions so that the boulders removed are put behind them and this would have worked better other than removing soil that will be brought back anytime. The environment officer advised the government that the issue of human activities alongside the river banks must be tackled seriously if the problem of floods is to be handled at length. “We need to respect the river banks by stopping all human activities like cultivation, constructions and sand mining which weaken the river,” he said. A resident of Kilembe valley, Dr John Baluku, told this paper that people in the area have continued to drink contaminated water ever since the pipes collapsed last year during the first floods. Jetress Kabugho, who lost a brother during the first floods at Kilembe, blamed leaders for not implementing the presidential directive to submit the names of the affected families so that they could be helped. “It is now a year down the road since our loved ones died in the disaster, but to date no single leader has ever come to us to take the particulars of the affected families and we wonder why,” Kabugho said. Alex Kwatampora, the project manager Tibet Hima Company Limited, which took over Kilembe Mines Ltd, says they spend more than Shs2 million daily on the de-silting and rechanneling of the river. Kwatampora said Kilembe Hospital has had some renovations but that the security at the facility is at stake since the fence was washed away and some water still passes some few meters to Toto Ward. He noted that some temporary bridge was being put up at Kyanjuki that connects Kilembe mines offices with the rest of the area. However, the Kasese Municipality mayor, Mr Godfrey Kabyanga, says the district needs heavy machines to re-channel River Nyamwamba, otherwise the district could be sitting on a time bomb. Kasese District has been hit by floods every year for nearly the last five years, leading to loss of lives and property, but the magnitude of the damage caused by the large volumes of water has increased since May 1, 2013. In May, government said it needed Shs30 billion to de-silt River Nyamwamba to stop the bursting of its banks. There are several other rivers emanating from the Rwenzori mountain ranges that also burst their banks. And as such, some environmental and hydrological experts say the situation could be experienced for the next two years or so.“The climate change phenomenon is always after a long period of time like 10 years; by happening last year does not mean that it will not happen again in a subsequent year. The challenges are expected to be around for two years,” said Jeconious Musingwiire, the western region focal person and public awareness officer for the National Environment Management Authority. “The challenges are trans-boundary as some come from the Democratic Republic of Congo as the Rwenzori ranges spread far from the Uganda border,” Musingwiire adds. Solution Musingwiire says the best solution is to promote integrated water resources management through enhancement of natural vegetation cover by tree planting, restoration of degraded sections of bare grounds and critical river line wetlands, and promotion of soil and water conservation structures in the agricultural fields. 1 | 2 Next Page»He says there is a need to enforce the environmental laws, especially on observing the regulated area of 30 metres around the river banks to allow the stabilisation of the banks and to allow natural vegetation infiltration and stop the speeding water that eats up the river banks. “To achieve this, we need to bring all stakeholders on board and allow participatory planning and implementation, especially in the enforcement of laws,” says Musingwiire. Last week River Nyamwamba had a discourse, destroying blocks at Bulembia School and the head offices of Kilembe Mines Limited.Currently the river flows along the recently renovated Kyanzuki road, about 100 meters from its original course. About Mt Rwenzori region Rivers Nyamwamba, Rwimi, Mobuku, Ssebore, Lhubiriha, Mpanga, Nyamugasani among others, and several streams flow from Mt Rwenzori and most of them empty into Lake George, among other water bodies. People living on the slopes of the mountain basically practice poor farming methods, thus causing soil erosion and numerous landslides. Deforestation is another major problem facing the mountain ranges. More than 90 per cent of the communities living on the mountain slopes depend on firewood for fuel, leading to extensive destruction of forests, letting floods in the low lands and global warming as the glaciers have been greatly affected and are disappearing steadily. Govt approves recovery planCabinet noted the magnitude of destruction that had occurred as a result of heavy rains which caused floods in Kasese District on May 1, 2013, and directed the ministry of Finance to avail funds amounting to Shs39b to facilitate the relocation and resettlement of people in all areas that were highly prone to landslides and floods. Therefore, the Kasese District Disaster Recovery plan 2014/2015 is a comprehensive response to the recovery needs of the affected areas and surrounding communities by reducing their vulnerability and enhancing their resilience to possible disasters of a similar nature. The recovery plan also aims at reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing the resilience of the district and its populace. The recovery plan takes cognisance of the prioritised needs of the affected communities arising out of the local consultations.It will also promote recovery of Kasese after floods, rebuild and promote business, restore people’s livelihoods and build their resilience to disasters and enhance early warning systems. By Information minister, Rose Namayanja (August 14) editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/MPs-accuse-OPM-of-diverting-flood-victims-cash/-/688334/2411904/-/14b1sdwz/-/index.html","content":"MPs accuse OPM of diverting flood victims cash - Parliament. Lawmakers have accused the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister of diverting Shs8 billion meant to buy land for resettling people who are at risk of deadly landslides in the Mt Elgon area. Ms Christine Guwatudde Kintu came under pressure during a meeting with the Presidential Affairs Committee where Disaster Preparedness ministers (Hilary Onek and Musa Ecweru) warned that the country expects the extreme weather condition, El Nino, next month. The ministers asked Parliament to provide for contingency funds in the budget to help the people of Bududa, northern Uganda, Kasese and other flood-prone areas. Information before the committee shows that although in 2013/14, Budget Parliament approved Shs8 billion for land, only Shs4.17 billion was spent yet no land was procured. Another Shs8b has been approved for the same purpose in the 2014/15 budget for OPM. However, the committee members demanded the PS accounts for the earlier allocation.“The PS must explain why she diverted Shs8 billion for the people of Bududa,” Kyotera MP Haruna Kasolo said. “We gave OPM money last year to resettle our people who are at risk of being swept away by deadly landslides but instead, the PS decided to divert the money because she had other spending pressures. This is being insensitive to the people of Bududa.” Ms Helen Kahunde (Kiryandongo Woman) also complained that although last financial year more than Shs1.2 billion was released to OPM to build 100 houses for the Bududa landslide victims in her district, this was not done. The PS, however, said despite release of the funds, “this area never performed due to the fact that as procurement process was nearing completion, some unsuccessful bidders filed complaints to the procurement authority challenging the process”. Explaining why she diverted the money, Ms Guwatudde said: “Arising out of the civil strife in South Sudan, there were refugee influxes in Uganda which required emergency response by the relevant departments.” As such, “Shs4.178b was approved by Cabinet for use on this emergency. We submitted a request to ministry of Finance but we were advised to utilise part of the funds that had been released for land procurement for this purpose”. The PS also observed that the months of May, June and July were characterised by hailstorms leading to floods, displacement and destruction of property. Ms Guwatudde said she requested Finance again and the money was used to respond to emergencies. However, the PS assured the committee that the Procurement and. Disposal of Public Assets Authority has cleared the procurement of the land this financial year.There was also drama in the committee when General Duties minister Tarsis Kabwegyere, the leader of the delegation of eight ministers, was ignored after one of the MPs demanded that “the fresh ministers” respond to the issues raised in the committee. This angered Prof Kabwegyere who then refused to play the role as a team leader.He said since the legislators had called him “a worn out minister”, “the fresh ministers” should answer the issues. The BreakDetails on the expenditure of the first diversion of Shs4.1billion submitted to the committee yesterday shows that department of refugees took (Shs1.6b), disaster preparedness (Shs2b), Presidential advisory committee on budget (Shs343.8million) and more than Shs136million was spent on costs related to land procurement. The balance of Shs3.8billion was also diverted. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kasese-pupils-shun-schools-over-floods/-/688334/2359352/-/fvhonwz/-/index.html","content":"Kasese pupils shun schools over floods - Kasese The flooding of River Nyamwamba in Kasese District has reduced the enrolment of pupils in schools in areas prone to flooding, education officials have said. On Friday, pupils of Bulembia, Katiria and Road Barrier primary schools were ordered to go home after their schools were ravaged by fresh floods. The affected schools are located in Kilembe valley, which is most affected whenever floods hit. However, education leaders said since the flooding, many children have feared to return to the schools. Kasese Municipality education officer Emmy Kayiri said three primary schools in Bulembia Division have remained closed. Mr Kayiri said enrolment at Bulembia Primary School has since dropped from 720 to 513 pupils, adding it was difficult for the schools to continue operating amid fears of further flooding. “We have closed the three schools temporarily until the water subsides. We cannot close the already established schools but we must see where to relocate them to,” he said. He said Mburakasaka Primary School has been allowed to start classes at 9am since teachers and pupils have to wade through flood-hit roads to get to schools. “We are risking the lives of our children but we cannot help it now since education must continue. We have received tents from Unicef at Bulembia Primary School but the situation continues to worsen every day,” he said. However, the district police commander, Mr Michael Sabila Musani, has recommended that schools threatened by floods should be closed indefinitely. But the head teacher of Bulembia Primary School said they have Primary Seven candidates who will miss out on teaching yet national examinations are drawing closer. “We cannot close the school because we have a candidate class which must be prepared early enough,” Mr Mercy Alfonse said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Floods-bring-Kampala-to-standstill/-/688334/2342364/-/65ywqt/-/index.html","content":"Floods bring Kampala to standstill - KAMPALA Heavy rains yesterday brought activities in Kampala to a halt as the early morning downpour flooded markets, submerged shops and blocked roads in the heart of the city and its suburbs. Accompanied by strong winds, the rains pounded the city, sweeping away houses, billboards and ageing trees. Thick nimbus cloud hovered over Kampala and areas around Lake Victoria basin for half of the day. The rains, which started mid-April, were expected to recede this month. The Meteorological Department is expected this week to release the weather forecast for June to August – a period normally punctuated with dry spells. In most areas in Namuwongo Industrial area and Nakawa valley, the flood waters reached waist-high. People’s properties, including electronic gadgets from buildings were swept away. Some of them could be seen floating on flood water. Shop owners in downtown Kampala, Bwaise and Nateete grappled with the floods to save their merchandise. In Nateete, latrine slabs were swallowed up. Human waste could be seen floating away.In Kanyogoga, Kyaliwajala, Kawaala, and parts of Kyambogo, homes were flooded as strong running waters burst the drainage channels. At Katarima Road junction near Game shopping mall, Mr Patrick Kibuule, a traveller, was rescued by the Jinja road police officers from the strong running water, which nearly swept him away as he tried to cross from one end of the road to the other. KCCA officials said factors such as nature and human activities were responsible for floods in Kampala. “The increased human activities such as illegal encroachment on wetlands are partly to blame for the floods,” the KCCA spokesperson, Mr Peter Kaujju, said.“Many roads had no drainage channels and some had small culverts, which we are reconstructing to address such challenges. We have so far worked on many drainage black spots and continue to work on various drainage networks in the city,” said Mr Kaujju in a phone interview yesterday. According to 2012/13 KCCA ministerial policy statement to Parliament, government earmarked Shs10.5 billion for the road reconstruction, upgrading and drainage improvement networks in Kampala for the financial year 2011/12. An estimation of $100 million (Shs255.99 billion) is required to implement the proposed Kampala District master plan to work on drainage. editorial@ug.nationmedi.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Flood-victims-cry-for-help/-/688334/2329650/-/fwwnls/-/index.html","content":"Flood victims cry for help - Kasese More than 40 residents of Kyondo Cell, who were affected by floods in Kasese District, have accused the government of neglecting them. Led by their LCI chairperson, Mr Emmanuel Katuramu, they alleged that since the floods devastated their area twice, none of the district officials has bothered to visit them. “I have seen many trucks carrying relief items but I am surprised to see that the real victims have not benefited,” Mr Katuramu said. Early this month, River Nyamwamba burst its banks, displacing thousands of people, claiming eight lives.One of the victims, Mr Francis Chandia, 24, relocated to Salute Cell after floods destroyed his bricks worth more than Shs3 million that he had made for sale. “For the two times I have experienced floods, I only received a jerry can and a basin from Uganda Red Cross Society last week. I am in dire need like any person affected,” Mr Chandia said. Another victim, Mr Charles Kwetegyeka, 50, lost his two-acres of cabbage where he was expecting to earn more than Shs2 million.“I have lost income, food and shelter but no one has come to my rescue. How can a person who lost gardens be given a water guard, a jerry can and basin instead of receiving food and seeds for planting?” he asked. However, the assistant chief administrative officer, Mr Wilson Asaba, also the district chairperson of the disaster committee, said they had identified all affected people and they would be helped accordingly. Mr Asaba said only 10 households from Kyondo Cell were identified and given help. Renovations Meanwhile, the government plans to divert River Nyamwamba to its original course, the State Minister for Works, Mr John Byabagambi, has said. Addressing leaders and flood victims in Kasese last Friday, Mr Byabagambi said President Museveni has directed that works on the river and the construction of the new bridges start as soon as possible. The minister estimates that works on the river, roads and bridges will cost more than Shs50b. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Irrigation-schemes--Breathing-life-into-maize--rice-farming/-/689860/2328152/-/35upcw/-/index.html","content":"Irrigation schemes: Breathing life into maize, rice farming - Mubuku and Doho irrigation schemes are some of the largest in the country. Started in the 1960s, they run into difficulties and collapsed. They have been rehabilitated and thriving as Stephen Otage found out. For any farmer, neither heavy floods nor long droughts are good for agriculture but the question often eluding answers for any farmer, borders on how to control these natural phenomena especially in the face of climate change. Thomas Ngachebwa, a farmer and head water guard at the newly rehabilitated Mubuku irrigation scheme in Kasese District, believes that this question is no longer a big deal to them. He belongs to the 150-member Abasaija Kweyamba Mubuku Farming Cooperative Society, who are in business through the year inspite of the weather patterns because the irrigation scheme, which is fed by River Mubuku.“Dry weather is not a problem. During the dry season, we agree on who starts the irrigation but all the farmers are served. So, all benefit,” he says. Livingstone Sempala, who has been a member of the scheme since the 1970s, says they have been benefiting from production of seed for seed processing companies. “We have running contracts with seed companies like Fica and Naseco, where we produce for them rice, maize and vegetable seeds. Every farmer owns eight acres of land,” he says. Ssempala ended up in Mubuku after training as an extension worker from Bukalasa agricultural training centre. He says after seeing how good the scheme was and the potential to increase his income, he decided to remain there. He now earns between Shs2m-Shs5m per season when he supplies the seeds. Frank Twinamatsiko, who has been the chairman of the cooperative society for the last fifteen years, reveals that the cooperative has been exporting hot pepper mainly to Europe in addition to producing maize and rice seed. “After harvesting, we export the hot pepper unprocessed. As for maize and rice, we have contracts with FICA and NASECO seed companies who process the seeds. We export five tons of pepper every week earning us a total of $2m (Shs5b) in a season,” he explains. The irrigation scheme taps its water from River Mubuku, which is channeled into the 150 eight-acre farms, which have been parceled out to different farmers. The flood irrigation system is used here; it depends on the natural flow, where the water is directed into farms using the farrows found found across the land for the water to have an easy flow into the farms. Flooding in the farms is controlled using the very same farrows, along which the crops are planted to direct the water to the next channel where it will be required. According to Ngachebwa, the head water guard, the farmers follow a strict irrigation schedule because the crops do not need water all the time.“Crops do not require water all the time. Some of them need water twice a week, others need water three times a week,” he explains adding that when one farmer is not in need of the water, others will be irrigating their farms. Until recently, Butalejja District in eastern Uganda, was the epicentre of rampant land conflicts, which often resulted into loss of land and lives.According to Sylvia Nanyunja, a senior water officer, Kyoga water management zone, the deadly land conflicts were mainly caused by poor administration of the water from River Manafwa. When the Directorate of Water Resources management investigated the causes of the conflicts, they found that the demand for water to irrigate the rice gardens was so high but it was not regulated. “In 2009/2010, the farmers upstream the River Manafwa diverted water into their gardens, depriving the people downstream of water. This caused flooding in their gardens which destroyed their own crops,” Nanyunja says.She recalls that when the Doho irrigation scheme collapsed in 1997, there was a lot of flooding in Butalejja, which affected all the rice gardens. David Obong, permanent secretary, Ministry of Water and Environment, who has been steering the committee overseeing the rehabilitation of the scheme, adds that the scheme, which was started in 1965, has been revived at the cost of Shs21b. This was supported by a loan from the African Development Bank, . 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/why-nyamwamba-river-unleashed-its-wrath-again/-/691232/2323556/-/hyhvw9/-/index.html","content":"why nyamwamba river unleashed its wrath again - Richard Musinguzi is a resident of Kilembe, Kasese District. Last year, he joined the statistics of homeless people after a heavy flood destroyed his house. His employer, Kilembe Mines, saved him with an offer of another house. However, early this month, disaster threatened to return his name onto the list of the destitute. His current house barely survived destruction. His compound looks like a dumping site for debris. “These days, when it rains I carry my jacket and climb the hills. It is safer,” he says. What the floods left behindKilembe is a mining settlement located more than 20 kilometres from Kasese town. It is predominantly a valley. On May 8, the area dominated news headlines again. Not for the copper that it was once known for producing, but rather the harmful floods that have occurred there, two years in a row. The road to the notorious Kilembe Mines is only passable by hoping, skipping and jumping onto the boulders that shattered the tarmac.Some houses have no doors, windows, roofs and have been abandoned. Others only balance on a shaky foundation pillars. A strong wind would, without a doubt, send these crumbling like the proverbial pack of cards. Residents have not fully conceived the destruction. It is more than 10 days since the occurrence, but some still stop in their tracks, look at the extent of the devastation, shake their heads and proceed amidst murmurs. Non – residents also roam the area in bigger numbers. They observe, chat and pull out their cameras to capture the misfortune on their gadgets. The gurgle of the erratic River Nyamwamba is within earshot. The sound (which never seems to go away when one is in Kilembe) is a stark reminder, to the people, that as long as the solution to the problem is not established and addressed, more damage is bound to occur. What promises were madeThe residents say the problem is known but was simply not solved. “When the first floods took place last year, everyone including the locals and the authorities, knew the ruin would not have been terrible if River Nyamwamba was periodically dredged. So, we were all in agreement about the source of the problem,” Musinguzi states. “The Municipality leaders therefore promised that the river would be de-silted, first. Thereafter infrastructural repairs would be done.” Was this done? No. Why? Godfrey Kabyanga, the Municipal Mayor says the local authority did not have the resource capacity to correct the situation. “In turn, we wrote a comprehensive report to the Office of the Prime Minister indicating what had befallen the Municipality and what ought to be done. We emphasised that training or dredging the river should be done first before the affected infrastructure or people could be rehabilitated,” he says adding that the government responded.However, it did not follow the priorities as listed for it by the local authorities. Efforts were put into dealing with the effects rather than the genesis of the problem. How? The infrastructure - bridges and road - were catered for first instead of the River Nyamwamba as had been recommended,” he explains. Thus, the Kilembe bridge was mended. A gabion wall was put up. The damaged road to the mines was repaired at a whopping cost of Shs2.9 billion.Did the relevant authorities choose to ignore the recommendations from the folk who were the immediate victims of the floods? “Nothing was ignored. The challenge was the variation in availability of resources by the two players – UNRA and Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) - that were responsible for addressing the situation,” remarks John Kennedy Kasawuli, Uganda National Roads Authority’s station engineer in Kasese. UNRA was responsible for the bridges and the road while MWE was responsible for the river. “UNRA was fortunate to get some funds to undertake its work while MWE was not,” Kasawuli offers. “We could not sit back and wait for them to get their funds so that we could start at ago. So, we embarked on doing what was expected of us as UNRA.” The engineer explains the other reason why the road and bridge were given priority instead of the river; “We had not envisaged the floods re-occurring soon,” Kasawuli states. The last time river Nyamwamba behaved in the manner it has been behaving, lately, was in the early 1960s, 50 years back. There was a gap of many years between the two events. “Bearing that in mind, there was some confidence that we should fix the roads as a stopgap measure to facilitate activities in Kilembe,” says Kasawuli station engineer in Kasese. He adds, “We did not want to put business at a standstill. Divesture of the mines had just been done and it was necessary for the investors to access them. There is a hydro power station, which was taking off and we had to ensure that we open up the road to facilitate the project. There were also schools and other social amenities that had to be accessed.” 1 | 2 Next Page»Kasawuli refers to the recent phenomenon as unfortunate, sad and a big surprise. The re-occurrence of the floods, he said, was a rude-awakening that the priorities should be followed as had been listed by the local authorities. The mayor refers to it as a mistake. “And we do not want to repeat the mistake,” he says. Kabyanga adds that it is the reason equipment (two bull dozers) was immediately acquired after the May 8 floods. The impact of this effort is evident. The water is no longer running through the few surviving houses as it has been redirected to its usual course. Much as valid explanations are made by the relevant authorities about being caught unaware, the residents insist it was negligence, not “miscalculation” as the former state, which caused the river to cause the harm it did. The ball is now in the authorities’ court to act and mitigate the effects of the disaster, in the future, although some residents are pessimistic and believe they will tell another story of destruction next year, when the rains return. DREDGING THE RIVER NYAMWAMBA From 1954 to 1977, the Canadians under Falconbridge limited operated in Kilembe mines. They, among others, are recalled for their unwavering and efficient efforts to dredge River Nyamwamba annually. They had a stand by D8 bull dozer whose sole use was to clear the river of silt and boulders, says George Mfite Basaze, a former General Manager of Kilembe Mines Ltd. There was also a rescue team which was responsible for inspecting the river banks to identify and repair any cracks. After their departure, the system was gradually abandoned. “The company was operating on a minimum budget. The funds available were not enough to sustain the company’s administrative operations as well as training the river,” he says. “We had no alternative but to reduce the number of times the river was attended to.” Fred Kyakonye the current general manager adds that over time, the machinery that was used for de- silting run down, because of lying idle. Its spare parts was also expensive. Eventually some of them were sold off.Today the residents have hope in Tibet – Hima group, a Chinese company that took over the mines, to revive the old days when they worried less about the river’s “anger” by periodically maintaining it. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kasese-to-flood-for-2-years---experts/-/688334/2312512/-/e66vsbz/-/index.html","content":"Kasese to flood for 2 years - experts - KASESE- Government is asking for Shs30 billion to de-silt river Nyamwamba to stop the bursting of its banks, which has resulted in floods that have claimed lives and property. However, experts say this move, may not comprehensively deal with the problem since there are several other rivers emanating from the Rwenzori mountain ranges that also burst the banks not to mention other environmental factors in the region causing floods. Kasese District has been hit by floods every year for the last 5 years leading to loss of lives and property but the magnitude of the damage caused by the large volumes of water has increased since May 2013. Environmental and hydrological experts say that the floods may be experienced for the next two years or so, a situation that has been created by climate change. The western region focal person and public awareness officer for Nema, Mr Jeconious Musingwiire has warned that the challenges of floods should be expected a little longer. “The challenges are trans-boundary as some come from Democratic Republic of Congo as the Rwenzori ranges spread far from the Uganda border” Mr Musingwiire lists tree planting, restoration of degraded sections of bare grounds and critical river line wetlands, and promotion of soil and water conservation structures in the agricultural fields as the quickest solution to the dilemma. He also advises the environmental laws which regulate an area of 30 metres around the river banks be observed to allow the stabilisation of the banks. “To achieve this, we need to bring all stakeholders on board and allow participatory planning and implementation especially in the enforcement of laws” observed Musingwiire. The Kasese district environment officer, Mr Augustine Koli said by the time of the new floods, the district was waiting for the Office of the Prime Minister to fulfill a $10,000 (Shs25 m) pledge to take on disaster risk reduction programmes that include the river training. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Flyover-won-t-decongest-Kampala-city/-/689844/2302210/-/mvret3/-/index.html","content":"Flyover won’t decongest Kampala city - Kampala- On April 11, 2014, NTV Uganda, the sister television station of this newspaper, ran a story in its weekend edition news broadcast in which the director Transport Planning of Uganda National Road Authority made a revelation that the government needs [$150m or about Shs375 billion] to construct flyovers in Kampala as a move to decongest the city. Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, is also the country’s central business area. It is currently experiencing a large influx of people moving in from different parts of the country in search of a good living – ‘Ugandan dream’. Thus the value attached to Kampala has led to a drastic increase in the number of people coming into the city. To some extent, this has also attracted more street children and more pressure on the already existing slums. Every morning from 6:30am to 10am, all roads leading to Kampala city are filled with traffic jam. Motor vehicles, motor cycles (the commonly known as boda-bodas) and pedestrians are all seen trying to access the city centre. The same situation occurs in the evening from 5:30pm to 9:00pm as people retire to their homes after a busy day. In both cases, the situation worsens after a heavy downpour. Last week, the Sunday Monitor in an article titled, Why government can afford a train transport system for Kampala, indicated that a survey done in Kampala early this year by Iganga Foundation titled Smart Moving Kampala, said 24,000 hours are lost each day by commuters due to traffic jams. It pointed specifically at areas near the Old Taxi Park where many streets are blocked by taxis (matatus) waiting to enter the park. This happens daily and the flow of traffic is impossible in the nearby streets. Earlier reports indicate that Kampala was planned for only 500,000 people and that was soon after independence. At that time, Kampala city was designed as a business centre with a few public offices. Entebbe town was the administrative city, and Jinja town the industrial city. But currently, almost all government ministries and other public offices are located in Kampala and also a number of industries are cropping up. So what do you expect, congestion or decongestion? So the question is: Will the construction of flyovers put to rest the problem of congestion in Kampala city? The answer to that will come with time. This is where efficient planning is required. Big questionsBelow are some of the questions the city planners should ask themselves to efficiently plan for the city: What brings many people to Kampala? Where do they come from? And lastly why are other cities not congested? The answers to these questions will definitely change their way of reasoning that flyovers will reduce congestion in Kampala. As a matter of fact, if the above questions are not comprehensively answered, the flyovers will instead increase congestion. The 2013/2014 Uganda budget was estimated to be Shs12 trillion. This means that the flyover project is a representative of 62.5 per cent of the financial year soon coming to an end. Yet all this money is proposed to be spent on only a small portion of the country. This also questions the economic feasibility of the project. To this, I argue that people continuously flood Kampala city for only one aspect of life - improved livelihood. This is in terms of assured income, proper health care, quality education and other goods and services. This continuous influx is what I call “the socio-economic internal migration of Uganda” with Kampala city being the centre of ‘gravity’.A good example for this desire for Ugandans to be within and/or around Kampala is the PLE, UCE and UACE exams which were released recently. These results revealed that schools in Kampala district and those within 20 km radius, performed better than others combined. On the healthcare side, it can be estimated that morbidity and mortality rates are more in areas 20km in radius away from Kampala city. Health facilities in these areas are always experiencing problems of drug stock-outs, inadequate health personnel and many more others. Economically, these areas are retarded. What raises eyebrows most is that traders on Busia-Jinja highways travel all the way to Kampala to purchase different products. Yet these products get to Kampala city via that same route. A paradox, it must be said. Way forwardSo what is the way forward? Let the government invest that money to improve service delivery in areas vulnerable to internal migration. Currently, the best strategic sectors for investment in Uganda are energy and agriculture. Uganda has the potential of becoming the energy and food hub of Africa. Development of these sectors can create enormous job opportunities right from production, distribution, marketing and not forgetting the education and health sectors. The rampant influx of people, boda bodas and commuter taxis in Kampala city will be history. Improvement of city transport is equally important; but better planning is required. What still baffles is whether the colonial psyche is still affecting our minds to the extent of thinking that Kampala is the only city with development potentials of Uganda? A better city is where city residents can work, grow, live and be secure - these form the attributes of a better city. So why can’t government construct new cities in areas such as Lwela and Nakasongola? These are redundant areas yet they connect to many other towns in the country. Another option could be developing the existing towns. This will reduce pressure on Kampala.The author is a development consultant at Innovative Health Solutions editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/If-we-all-took-these-small-steps--we-would-save-our-environment/-/689364/2298648/-/gbv0gp/-/index.html","content":"If we all took these small steps, we would save our environment - We may try to put blame on others and come up with excuses for failing to meet our expectations or responsibilities, but the issue of protecting and conserving the environment doesn’t call for such trivialities. Environmental conservation and protection involves each and everyone and requires no blame or excuses. Instead, we should ask ourselves if each of us is doing their part in as far as protecting our environment is concerned. We simply can’t afford to have towns devoid of greenery like leisure parks, urban forestry and no preservation of ecosystems. Towns full of buildings of which human activities contribute to the greenhouse effect are causing harm to our environment. Wetlands that are supposed to be water beds are being traded for development, thus worsening environmental degradation. The consequences of encroaching on wetlands are evident: When it rains, the water has no outlets to reduce the downstream impact of runoff by filtering and holding water after heavy rains. Climate change affects all of us hence the urgent need for comprehensive measures and plans for resilience in case of unusual weather events. People in authority should use their mandate to ensure the whole country embraces the spirit of protecting and conserving our environment. We need good laws that should be strictly enforced if we are to succeed in environment conservation and fighting global warming. Even simple rules requiring every home to have a tree or two would make a significant difference. In addition, educating homeowners, builders and communities on the importance of tree cover, grading and proper disposal of garbage would help them develop plans that conserve the environment . Planting water-friendly plants that can develop larger root systems, especially in flood-prone areas, would be a bonus to our environment. The starting point, however, is not removing mature vegetation. This is a more effective remedy (a great way to preserve those mature trees with large root networks). Another key intervention to save our forests is for government to make electricity more affordable and investing in alternative sustainable energy sources. Uganda, like many other developing countries, uses little commercial energy for cooking. The widely used energy for cooking is wood and charcoal. In rural areas, people use wood for cooking because most of the areas are not connected to the electricity power grids or they simply can’t afford to pay electricity bills. The same applies to urban areas where the cost of living is quite high. Therefore, solid investments in renewable and sustainable energy such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal and biomass will provide affordable electricity across the country. By increasing competition and diversifying our energy supplies, general energy tariffs will consequently stabilise. Government should also urgently improve and streamline the transport sector so that more people can comfortably use public means instead of private vehicles to reduce carbon emissions. In regard to plastic bags, bottle manufacture and use, a law should be passed and implemented demanding that monetary value is added to them. This will prevent careless disposal of plastics. Uganda’s diverse sources of renewable energy have the potential to provide all the electricity the country needs as well as mitigate the unemployment crisis by creating jobs. Furthermore, extensive use of sustainable energy will widen the tax collection base, thus boosting the economy. Let all of us play our role in protecting our environment. Reduce, reuse, and recycle. We can do this by taking small but significant steps like reducing unnecessary consumption to avoid wastage and overproduction, proper disposal of garbage and wastes, grading plastics for recycling, carrying our own shopping bags, turning off electric appliances when not in use, maintaining cars in good mechanical condition to reduce over burning of fuel, opting for car pools when travelling to the same destination, and using both sides of paper while printing. 1 | 2 Next Page»Ms Nabuzale comments on social and environment issues. rkatham@yahoo.co.uk « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/SportsColumnists/MarkSsali/URA-project-can-spark-sports-revolution-to-change-Uganda/-/805430/2297506/-/g5hxpnz/-/index.html","content":"URA project can spark sports revolution to change Uganda - Suburban Kampala is an amazing maze of construction sites whichever direction you take, the speed of creation and the sheer numbers lending a beautiful if superficial face to the state of our economy. Slaloming through one of these suburbs in my jalopy recently, with a pal who doubles as a property agent, I couldn’t help but visualise my old friend Simon Ssekankya of the renowned Hardware World laughing all the way to the bank, what with the high demand he must surely have for his supplies. As we drifted through, my property-agent friend pointed to a near-finished hostel here, a sprouting mall there, a collection of apartment blocks further down etc; all the while he was name-dropping in reference to the owners, visibly disappointed that I didn’t seem to care about his detailed knowledge of the state of the finances and even private lives of Kampala’s tycoons, until one name finally caught my attention. Singling out a unit of rentals, my mate revealed that Timothy Batabaire had been the first ‘investor’ to build anything of significance in this particular area which before the advent of the Northern Bypass had been a remote bushy place in the middle of nowhere. Presently, his was surrounded by several newer structures finished and unfinished, in a sprightly neighbourhood. Quite impressed, in my mind I was thinking of this Ugandan footballer who had first made his name with SC Villa but had most certainly used the earnings and savings from a long illustrious career as a pro in South Africa; here he was rubbing shoulders with successful businessmen and a big-salaried few, expatriates and others reaping from the Diaspora, but mostly with people either struggling under the heavy weight of bank loans or others in privileged positions of access pocketing loot from tax payers’ or donour money. Regular visitors to these lines will have guessed by now that the Batabaire case had in that moment served to further strengthen my conviction that this country would be a lot better off if we took sport more seriously. So, imagine my pleasant surprise on learning that URA had acquired land in Luwero and was to build a complex to become home to the football club and its academy. Take a moment to think of number of people that will be employed to earn from an honest day’s work before and after completion of this project. I am not talking just players, their coaches, managers and physios. I am also talking construction workers, foremen and engineers, security guards, gate-minders, groundsmen and kitsmen, administrators, strategists, accountants, lawyers, the works…Compare that to Uganda’s demographics and the number of unemployed redundant youths either begging or stealing on the streets by day, or the night’s iron-bar brigade and the increasing numbers of armed robbers. Or the thousands (millions more likely, from what I’ve seen and heard) who have either run out of alternatives or are just taking the ‘easy’ route of making a living out of sports betting. Then think about ten other football clubs going the URA way and do the maths … If they do it well URA can build a fan base in Luwero and tap into all those football-loving people starved of action who identify with and support Masaza football en masse. And then the club can spread it to Kampala and the rest of the country as our traditional big three clubs once did. Despite all the financial hardships in this society, the same people who used to flood Nakivubo when Villa faced KCC or Express, the ones that throng Namboole when the Uganda Cranes play and pour in excess of a billion shillings into Fufa coffers, the ones who also swarm those stadiums for the local musician fetes hosted by CBS radio and others, the people who have made Jose Chameleon, Bobi Wine, Bebe Cool and the Good Lyf boys live large, will support this kind of causes if its architects get it right. When all those loss-making government parastatals were privatised to unload the burden off the national treasury, the first thing most buyers did in the name of cost-cutting and streamlining operations was to do away with sports budgets and kill long-living sports institutions, and I have always maintained that they were wrong. In a government parastatal or any one of these big private companies, just for one, the amount of money wasted and stolen in the name of fuelling company cars for ordinary staff an filling the tanks of the bosses annually can finance a sports budget for a team of great obvious and intrinsic value to the organisation, the community and the country. Replace fuel with any other of these organisations’ badly managed and oft-times unnecessary expenditures and the figures will read even worse. 1 | 2 Next Page»For that I am desperate for the URA project to scale the heights I know it can. It would cause the paradigm shift this country needs even more desperately. mmssali@yahoo.com,@markssali on twitter « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/May-it-never-happen-again/-/689856/2277384/-/bryq1v/-/index.html","content":"May it never happen again - In 1993, a blend of fate, destiny and choice led our path to the African continent and the Pearl of Africa, Uganda, became home. The first few months were spent getting revived under the African sun, thawing after freezing in the European weather for many years. Searching to rent a place for starting our business, we were accompanied by many real estate agents. One of these agents came across as a very gentle, kind and genuine man. One day, my husband told him how we appreciated the warmth and gentleness with which we were received in Uganda; his response to this statement is still resonating in my mind. He said: “Here in Africa we can look very calm but if time comes we can turn into roaring lions, and you will be surprised at the outcome. “By April 1994, we had settled a little bit, made a few friends, learnt how to navigate in and around Kampala City and managed to find a few good restaurants. Those days the Lions Bar in Sheraton Hotel had a tasty buffet, but our favourite restaurant was the Great wall Chinese Restaurant. A very dear friend, who has since passed on, introduced us to this place. Together we sat to have our favourite dish, the sweet and sour deep fried whole tilapia fish. I’m not sure when it was that we had our last meal there, but something very bad was just about to happen, and I remember that we did not eat that fish, for a very long time. Rwanda unrest Suddenly the sad news of unrest in Rwanda started trickling in. Then this turned into a flood of bad news and just a few weeks later, Uganda was receiving through its lake, bodies of victims, men, women and children slaughtered and mutilated as a result of the Rwandan genocide. No one ate fish from the lake for a long time. To me, this was a crash course on understanding the meaning of ethnic clashes in this part of the world.People outside Africa were watching with horror what was going on. For us it was just next door. I had never had such an experience so close to me and the worst part was to be totally helpless in front of such a tragedy. Poor girlSome years later, I met a young Rwandan girl who lived through this hell, her story like many others was heart breaking. I heard a tale of a little child who ran away in fear to the bush holding with both hands her injured neck that was still bleeding. It was this injury inflicted upon her with a machete that saved her life. The aggressors seeing the blood gushing from her neck left her for dead. Once she gained consciousness, she had to deal with seeing her whole family in a blood bath and fearing the return of the attackers, she hurried to a nearby bush and hid there for many hours. UnbelievableHer story was like a horror movie, and because we were always told not to believe suchmovies. I thought it was made up, but every time I looked at the deep scar on her delicate neck, I had to accept the fact that what the real estate agent told us was somehow true, not just for Africa but for humankind in general. Sometimes some tend to lose their humanity and turn into beasts. How I wish the agent’s words had remained a theory! A few weeks later, I got to see the beautiful girl perform a traditional Rwandan dance. It was her flying to freedom, to a new life. May it remain this way for her and the rest of the world. lifemagazine@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/Don-t-build-your-home-in-these-12-places/-/689858/2273004/-/yc4pekz/-/index.html","content":"Don’t build your home in these 12 places - Before you dig the foundation for your house, you neead to find out if you are going to build in the right place. You also need to ensure that you are following the reaquirements for the location of your land. Constructing a house is a long thought through project and by the time most people embark on turning the imaginary structure into something real and visible, several preparations and plans have been drawn. What a shame it would be therefore, if the area you choose to construct in does not only stretch the construction budget but happens to be against the law, or makes maintenance of the house difficult and living in it uncomfortable. This is why Moses Kinobe, an architect with Kinobe and Partners says, “You can build anywhere but whether you are building in the right place is a different thing.” He adds that there are some areas that are not suitable for building residential houses. Industrial areas O ne of such areas are industrial areas. Ms Gina Naluyima, an architect with Arch-Tech Consult explains, “Most cities or municipalities have been planned and zoned”. She says zoning is categorised in terms of residential, commercial, institutional or mixed use. When buying land for home construction, it is best for one to consider the zoning of the area the land is in. “For example, commercial and industrial areas are not a favourable choice for living in since you will experience inconveniences like noise and air pollution. The best choice for a home would be a residential area,” Kinobe says. Living under high voltage lines affected her health Diana Nakimuli, a resident of Nansana West II Zone A was recently forced to relocate from her dream home because of the electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted by the High Voltage Transmission lines (HVTL) that were passing over her house. “I bought that beautiful home house on a piece of land measuring 50 x 100 metres at Shs25m, little did I know that the previous owner was selling it off as a way of rescuing his family from the dangers of electromagnetism,” says Nakimuli. She says when she moved into the house, she could often feel dizzy and at times faint. Whenever she was taken to the hospital, she would always be told that she was anaemic (lacks enough blood). “The doctors often tested me to find out what was draining my blood but failed to come to a conclusion. Later when one of my neighbours told me that the previous owners of my house had similar problems,” she says. “My neighbour further said that the previous owners were compensated by Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited before they put the high voltage lines in place. So I was leaving in a dangerous zone called the way leaves corridor which is illegal,” she added. According to Dr Henry Bukenya of Hope Medical Centre in Wakiso District, many people overlook the dangers of staying in a house under electricity lines, forgetting that it has long term effects. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Stop-rape-of-this-wetland/-/689360/2269400/-/cpy9xbz/-/index.html","content":"Stop rape of this wetland - Despite several media reports highlighting the abuse going on at the Katoogo Wetland in Kinawataka, a suburb of the city, authorities have chosen to keep mute and look on as the wetland degradation goes on. Cognizant of the criminal nature of their activities, the people behind this degradation, who this newspaper has learnt are powerful businessmen with political connections, have decided to conduct their dubious activities in the night. Their trucks ferry murram in the dead of the night to the wetland, which connects to Lake Victoria from Banda, Kinawataka and Luzira. The importance of this wetland cannot be overstated. It is very critical in draining a large section of Kampala and Wakiso districts, which probably would be grappling with unending floods, if this wetland never existed. The drainage of Banda, Kinawataka, Mbuya, Kireka and Bweyogerere all depend on this wetland. A research conducted by several Makerere University lecturers from the College of Agricultural and Environment Sciences in 2005 established that the wetland purified wastewater and was important in retaining flood water. In a single year, the wetland retains 96 per cent of suspended solids and 99.9 per cent feacal matter. The wetland also acts as habitat for fauna and flora while the local communities harvest papyrus reeds for making mats, thatching houses, making fences and for use as a fuel. Of the 17 families of the plants identified in the wetland, nine have medicinal value and are being used by the local communities. All these functions of the wetland are under threat as shadowy investors move to degrade it with impunity. We do not believe the claim by line authorities—the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA)—that they have no idea what is going on. All one needs is a walk past that wetland to realise that all is not well. NEMA and KCCA should come out openly and explain why they cannot stop this blatant abuse of the environment. When NEMA complained about its inability to enforce environment laws, a whole unit in the police was created to do this. Where is this police unit as trucks continue to dump soil in a wetland in the dead of the night?"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Enforce-wetland-title-directive/-/689360/2233624/-/t3035gz/-/index.html","content":"Enforce wetland title directive - In a positive move, the Attorney General has instructed the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) and the Ministry of Water and Environment to recall all land titles that were issued on protected areas for cancellation. This move, though belated, is nevertheless a useful departure from past cosmetic promises. The general state of the environment in this country is worrying. Various reports highlight a troubling fact: the country is losing direction on environment protection. A 2009 Biomass Study paints a grim picture. Uganda, says the report, has in the last 15 years (as of December 2009), lost 569,021 hectares of wetlands in various parts of the country. Four years down the road, with marked increase in wetland encroachment, the general outlook could be far worse. In Kampala alone, practically all wetlands have been taken over by private developers who claim to have valid land titles, which is dubious because wetlands should not be allocated for development purposes. The situation in parts of the country is equally worrying, if not worse. The Biomass Study ranked Bundibugyo as the district with highest wetland loss, having lost 72,000 hectares between 1990 and 2005. Nakapiripirit has lost more than 42,000 hectares in the same period while Mubende lost 23,000 hectares and Amuria lost 19,000 hectares. While a few districts – Kiruhura, Masaka, Nakasongola and Bushenyi – have made gains in wetland size, wetland loss exceeds gains in many parts of the country. The positive ecological functions of wetlands – water purification and flood protection, among others – are far too crucial for a country like Uganda where access to clean water is still inadequate; as well as a flood-prone city like Kampala. Now that Cabinet has instructed Nema and the Environment ministry to recall all land titles issued on protected areas, immediate action should be taken. Beyond asking Nema and the ministry to implement this directive, Ugandans deserve to know why they did not act when it was issued, given that the deputy Attorney General, Mr Freddie Ruhindi, was equally perplexed that the directive was not operational. Nema and the Environment ministry should immediately cancel the land titles in question and begin an open process of evicting wetland encroachers. Consequently, environmental agencies should begin a deliberate effort to restore and preserve wetlands countrywide."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Score/Regional-championships-chance-for-new-dawn-in-Ugandan-rowing/-/689854/2225830/-/t6s2gdz/-/index.html","content":"Regional championships chance for new dawn in Ugandan rowing - Kampala- The East and Central Africa Rowing Championships slated for March 6-9 present a new avenue for reconciliation and growth of the young sport in Uganda. A lot of time was wasted last year as executives of Uganda Rowing Federation (URF) spent most of it wrangling instead of championing the sport. Only one national regatta was held. The inactivity came back to haunt on the international front as Uganda only registered one rower for the Youth Olympics Games in Nanjing, China slated for August 16-28. Constance Mbambu managed to qualify for the Nanjing event after finishing 26th out of 59 at the World Junior Rowing Championships in Trakai, Lithuania.Alfred Okello, 18, is the only other Ugandan that contested for the feat at the Africa Junior Championships in Tunisia but missed out. Had there been more local activities, perhaps the country could have sent and given more rowers a chance to contest at the Africa Junior Rowing Championships in Tunisia last year. But URF cannot sit back and cry over spilled milk. There will certainly be lessons they have to pick from next week’s regional meet that has already gathered momentum. Today, the federation in conjunction with the International Rowing Federation (Fisa) starts to train umpires and coaches not only for this meet but even for the future. The coaches will be trained by British instructor Jim Flood while Sweden’s Paul Daetwyler will instruct the umpires. You can clearly see where the federation is headed from the words of the president Hamza Kahwa. He says; “We want to use this championship as a benchmark to uplift our technical manpower and one on which we shall grow the sport in the country.” Adding; “These two courses will help us on ToT (Trainers of Trainees) basis. We want to empower those that will be trained to spread the sport all over the country.” This can be the start of something good for the rowing fraternity. Apparently this sport appeals to a certain class of people but there is no reason it can’t attract all and sundry. Thirty boatsFor starters, Fisa has sponsored the aforementioned training courses at $10,000 (Shs25m) each. According to Kahwa, URF also expects a contingent of 30 boats from the international federation by the end of June. Each boat costs about $8,000 (Shs20m). “We have boats in Luzira, Kisubi and Garuga. So with 30 new boats we can open another rowing center or maybe add more boats to the existing ones,” Kahwa said. While Kahwa will be looking at spreading the sport to at least every part of the country with a lake, he’ll also hope that taxes are waived off when the boats arrive. “Last year, we got some boats but National Council of Sports helped us meet tax obligations but hopefully government can waive off taxes from all sports equipment,” Kahwa said. 1 | 2 Next Page»But before the boats arrive, there are short term objectives that are fueled by the regional championships. “This competition should be a mouthpiece to expose the sport and to bury the bad blood eating up the sport,” he added. The federation has already spearheaded the theme of “working together” by facilitating over 30 rowers (at least three from each of the nine clubs) for the regional championships. While other countries will be represented by their finest rowers, Uganda will be represented by clubs. This is a move national rowing team coach Rodrick Muhumuza, has welcomed. “We’ll be assessing rowers who will represent the country in international events starting from this event. For them to compete against the best in East and Central Africa is a plus in terms of exposure,” Muhumuza said. The goodwill is well spelt but only time can tell whether it can be turned into action on the lakes. It will be quite sad to see another phase of inactivity after the championships close on March 9. WHAT TO LOOK FORToday, the federation in conjunction with the International Rowing Federation (Fisa) starts to train umpires and coaches not only for this meet but even for the future. The coaches will be trained by British instructor Jim Flood while Sweden’s Paul Daetwyler will instruct the umpires. While other countries will be represented by their finest rowers, Uganda will be represented by clubs. amwanguhya@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/The-stories-behind-Makerere-University-halls-of-residence/-/691232/2214534/-/15vsbnz/-/index.html","content":"The stories behind Makerere University halls of residence - LUMUMBA HALLHistory of the HallLumumba hall was built in the late 1960s and was opened in 1971. It was named after Congolese freedom fighter, Patrice Lumumba. It is the biggest hall on campus. It is located on Lumumba road just next to Mary Stuart.CapacityThe hall accommodates about 752 students, with 241 double rooms and two open blocks.Hall CultureThe Hall logo is an elephant and the students call themselves Elephants. The cultural symbol is Gongom. Gongom is addressed as His Majesty, Highness and dressed in an attire (a graduate gown). The Gongom monument was introduced by former students including the current Lt Gen. Elly Tumwine The Gongom monument has a protection brigade known as Gongom Protection Brigade of 10 members manned by a general. It is affiliated to Mary Stuart hall of female students. And this affiliation brings social, cultural and a solidarity known as Lumbox. It is located on Lumumba road just next to Mary Stuart hall of Residence. COMPLEX HALL (CCE)The hall originally started as the Old Mitchell hall and CCE main hall of adult education studies. The hall started in 1982 as complex It is located at the southern end of the main campus about 150 metres from the main gate, the first hall of residence one comes across as you enter Makerere.CapacityThe hall has 157 rooms, 101 are triple, 56 double, and a single. The hall is comprises four blocks.Hall CultureComplex hall is identified by the symbol of a crocodile. Hence complexers are referred to as the gallant guaranteed crocodiles. The origin of the symbol started way back when complex hall would flood a lot but the students persisted, therefore acquiring the title “crocodile”.“Harmony with Diginity” are the hall values that encompass all cultural norms and disciplinary values of complex hall.It is affiliated to Mitchell hall of male students. UNIVERSITY HALL University Hall is a service oriented unit for students and staff. It was opened as a Hall of residence in July 1957. It is among the oldest halls on campus. The first intake was second year students who were transferred from (Northcote Hall by then) now Nsibirwa Hall. The structure of the building was of a rectangular form. During the 1960/61 the original plan was alternated.Hall CultureThe students call their hall, the only hall on campus, with a culture of a special and strong meekness symbolised by their association with a goat–thus the language of goat land, “Heb! Heb! Heb!” In 2004 the goats decided to look for she goats, the hunting ended up at the hostel called Garden Courts which is found off Sir Apollo Kaggwa Road. They united both cultures and came up with a new name, “Unicorts Solidarity”. Since that day, all the cultural activities are carried together as “Unicent solidality” NKRUMAH HALL Nkrumah hall was named after the great African leader Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana. The hall was at first known as new Hall under the management of Northcote. Thereafter it gained its independence but it still shares a kitchen with Nsibirwa Hall. Nkrumah houses male students and is well known for the culture of Pan Africanism. In front of the hall you find Kwame Nkurumah’s monument. The hall also has regalia which are the undergraduate gown, a drum and a flag. Nkrumah Hall is located on Pool Road after the swimming pool opposite Faculty of Economics and Management. CapacityNkrumah Hall accommodates a total number of about 500 students.Hall CultureNkrumah Hall is a pure Pan Africanist like the name suggests. The hall derives its values from those that Kwame Nkrumah fought for. Nkrumah Hall also uses Osagyefo to mean Nkrumah. The hall is also in solidarity with Mulago View Hostel and Nkruview solidarity binds the two residences together. Hall Motto: “Forward we move”. MARY STUART HALLHistory of the hallThis was the first female hall that started in 1945 housed in a small house at the current Guest House. The hall was named after the wife of the missionary Dr Stuart of Mengo Hospital known as Mary Stuart The hall is the biggest female hall known as box due to the physical structure of the hall. It houses female students and they call themselves boxers.CapacityThe hall has a total of 208 rooms, in the eight-storied tower block and two wings.Hall cultureThe hall has a monument of Gongomesi a symbol of a woman believed to be wife of Gongom. It has solidarity with Lumumba Hall which houses male students. The solidarity is known as Lumbox. Hall Motto: “Train a woman a nation trained” LIVINGSTONE HALLThe hall was opened at the beginning of the 1959/60 academic year.Mr. Temple was the Hall’s first Warden and only 146 students occupied the hall at its first opening. Hall CultureLivingstone residents are referred to as “Gentlemen” and have a solidarity with the “Ladies” of Africa Hall called “Afrostone”. This solidarity was formed in 1976 and its activities became more pronounced in the 1980s. NSIBIRWA HALLHistory of the hallThis hall started in 1952, it was originally called Northcote and was named after Geoffrey Northcote, who was the Chairman of the University Council in 1948 at the time of his death. The hall had an anthem, culture of having generals, a drum (known as stereo) and a tractor (state car). Their history has been somewhat volatile and at one time 23 students from Northcote Hall were dismissed due to invasion of Livingstone and Africa where seven kilogrammes of red pepper were poured in their food. CapacityCurrent capacity of the hall is 475 residents, comprising government and private sponsored International Students on Inter University Exchange and other nationals.Hall Motto: “We either win or they lose” AFRICA HALL The New Women’s Hall as Africa Hall was called then, first opened its doors to 75 freshers on June 29, 1971. 1 | 2 Next Page»Today the hall is still an all exclusively ladies’ hall. CultureThe hall has solidarity, known as Afrostone, with the gentlemen of Livingstone Hall and the residents are therefore called Ladies. They celebrate this solidarity with the Afrostone Night. MITCHELL HALL Mitchell Hall traces its origins from the very first hostels that were built in the 1920s to house students of the initial technical school from which the present day University was founded. These hostels were merged in the 1930s to form one hall named Mitchell, after the then Governor of the Uganda Protectorate, Sir Philip Mitchell. When a new structure for Mitchell Hall was constructed in the 1960s, the old structure was referred to as Old Mitchell. It is the combination of Old Mitchell with the centre for continuing education (C.C.E) that formed what is now referred to as C.C.E Complex Hall (in full C.C.E and Old Mitchell Complex Hall). This explains the historic bond between students of Mitchell and Complex Halls, and a solidarity known as Mitchllex. CapacityThe hall is made up of six blocks It has a residential capacity of 500 students.Hall CultureMitchell Hall houses male students and they call themselves rats. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Flooding-feared-as-investors-reclaim-Kinawataka-wetland/-/688334/2209114/-/pbn1pjz/-/index.html","content":"Flooding feared as investors reclaim Kinawataka wetland - KAMPALA. Continued destruction of wetlands in Kampala and its suburbs has now claimed a swamp that filters sewage and emissions from various areas in Nakawa Division and Kira Town Council in Wakiso District. The reclamation of the wetland started late last year, according to residents. An unknown investor ferries trucks of murrum in the night. In one swift but well syndicated dumping, several lorries were used to ferry murrum from the shoulders of the Kampala-Jinja highway, at Kyambogo, and poured into the swamp.What was a flourishing swamp with papyrus and yams is now a large yard of red soil. Apart from the lost ecosystem uses, residents are now worried about the expected flooding in the hinterland.According to Mr Victor Ssegawa, a car washer at Kinawataka, whenever it rains, Kyambogo and Kireka areas flood. “I have been washing vehicles from here for years but since they reclaimed this wetland, the water is very black and it burns your legs and hands. And the stench it carries is worse,” Mr Ssegawa said.“The water has turned toxic in that whenever we use it, the skin peels off the feet and hands,” he added. Katoogo wetland, which stretches from Banda to Kinawataka connects to Lake Victoria through the inner Murchison Bay at Luzira, also drains suburbs east of Kampala whenever it rains. Areas which have been dependent on its existence include; Kyambogo, Kinawataka, Mbuya, Kireka and Bweyogere, among other areas. There are several factories located in the area. Farmers cry outAnother resident only identified as Eric who has been using the wetland to cultivate yams and maize alleges that due to the continued destruction of the natural filter, plants now rot before maturity while others turn poisonous. “Our yams rot before maturity. You till the land but at the end of the day you harvest nothing. We have nowhere to report because we are told that the wetland is being taken by people in high offices. If we try to confront them, police is there to protect them,” Eric claimed.Dr Tom Okurut, the executive director of the National Environment Management Authority (Nema), said he was not aware of any activity going on at the disputed wetland.“Authorisation for development and or construction is done by city authorities. As Nema, we have not approved or issued a certificate (Environment Impact Assessment) regarding that area,” Dr Okurut said in a telephone interview. Kampala Capital City Authority publicist Peter Kaujju said there was no approval for the development and said notices were issued by various government agencies to developers to vacate the wetland. “Last week we stopped the dumping and impounded some trucks,” Mr Kaujju said. Mr Kaujju who could not divulge the measures being hatched to halt the ongoing activities revealed that there are restoration efforts, including planned evictions.He said KCCA was aware that every month, about 10 new encroachers attack the wetland. On the matter of feacal contamination in the swamp, Mr Kaujju said KCCA in partnership with NWSC will build toilets in Banda parish. “This will help check the problem,” said Mr Kaujju. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/Floods-are-upon-us/-/689856/2207834/-/xeyxjcz/-/index.html","content":"FROM OVER THE SEAS: Floods are upon us - The experts have said it is one of the ‘wettest winters’ in many years. It is raining almost everyday amidst very low temperatures and extremely strong winds. Sometimes I think I just have to stand at my door step and the wind will just carry me into my lecture room. This reminded me of those childhood stories of strong winds… mbu a ghost, an angel or a ‘night dancer’ has passed. Just that would mean that I am in a place where ghosts, angels or night dancers are constantly in a competitive race. Besides keeping warm, one must keep watch of the weather alerts because a bright sunny day could end with a city under water as it has since happened in parts of the UK. Houses have been ruined, several people have been evacuated, and work and businesses have come to a standstill in some of the worst hit areas. This week the Thames River joined in the fray bursting its banks into homes and businesses further compounding the situation. One flood victim told the BBC that it was like going back to the Dark Ages. Yes think all those floods you have heard of or experienced and their effects and you have a fair picture of how life used to be in the dark ages. I could see from the television footage that some people with resilience made efforts to beat the odds with boats or kayaks to make emergency movements. In an absurd situation these are some of the images that come with either hope or a strong survival instinct. Just imagine waking up to a bad flood in a Kampala suburb and if you must, use a boat to work or to the store. Efforts are being done to respond to the victims’ plight. Yet, politicians continue to point fingers at each other and the technocrats on who is responsible for the inadequate preparedness or the floods for that matter. This is exactly the way our politicians always find or force a party angle to an absurd situation. One recommendation that struck was of a politician who called on the government divert its aid budget to fix the problem. I still don’t know what to make of it but probably it wouldn’t make any difference to some of the real beneficiaries because as we have come to know, it often never reaches its destination."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/We-should-know-Museveni-s-----successor-now---Nagenda/-/689844/2169010/-/hkxahwz/-/index.html","content":"We should know Museveni’s     successor now - Nagenda - Change of goal posts? John Nagenda is a Senior Presidential Adviser on Media and Communication Affairs. Recently, he wrote in his weekly column, defending amendment of the Constitution to scrap term limits, which was a U-turn since Nagenda had opposed the amendment of the Constitution. Sunday Monitor’s Richard Wanambwa caught up with the adviser on a wide-range of issues and below is the first segment of the two-part interview. Recently you wrote in your column defending the third term (amendment of the Constitution) which you had previously opposed. Why the sudden U-turn and what has changed?No, but it has not been of all of a sudden and when we last talked it was what, two years ago or maybe even more. I have been thinking about it, the America say, if it aint broken, don’t mend it right and that is one thing. The second thing is, let me be very honest; the President is doing a fantastic job as we shall see when we go on, he is really doing a very good job and for example, we went to Somalia which I think is fantastic of an African country helping another and then we have recently gone into South Sudan. And don’t forget that Museveni has always supported South Sudan to gain independence from Khartoum and we went there and we have been part of it under IGAD but it has been a good job done. The last thing we want to do is to get that country to be in terrible problems because those problems rebound on us. But two, we had to help the elected government of South Sudan against rebels. Now thinking of all the other people we have all around, who might have taken over from Museveni, I don’t see any of them having courage to go into these countries and partly funnily enough, ironically enough, the longer he has gone on, the stronger he has become and he is now definitely a leading person in Africa and I think in the third world.Now I ask myself, as I had been a very strong supporter of term limits for many reasons and especially the bad governance that we had in the past, what do you do with it and when I wrote this time, I said, let it be personal to the holder and I know that people might be skeptical and say who decides that it should be personal to holder or XYZ and that is the argument I see very well but you can say, let us stick to term limits. Actually, now we are really not controlled by term limits because they were removed with the approval of Parliament. However, my feeling now is that having given away on that one, which I have accepted quite honestly and I have kept quiet about it, then my conditionality is that as a country we should know his successor, it maybe that he knows him in one way or another, it maybe some of the bigger people in Parliament or in government, cabinet. But there should be a knowledge that all other things being equal, this person is being groomed to be a leader and that he /she should be acceptable to the party and hope also to the country. You know my nightmare and I am not joking, it is a nightmare, sometimes I wake up and say what if - and God forbid - Museveni died accidently or was overcome by sudden illness and he died, it would be so terrible after all these years when the movement has been in power, the country has been well-run, and of course, there are shortcomings and it would be terrible to think of us sinking back to what things were before the movement came in and before Museveni came. I have far more interests in seeing how we can decide on somebody to come after Museveni, so that we are not taken by surprise. Can you imagine if, as I said, Museveni died, and all of a sudden people [who have disagreed with him such as Sejusa] came out of the woodwork to takeover power by the gun, it would be a terrible shame and it would undo so much that have happened. You mean there is no credible person at the moment in government or opposition to take on the mantle from Museveni?There are people who could do the job yes, but whether they will do the job as well as Museveni is a different question. But in any case you can’t say Museveni is 90 or 100 or whatever that is... we must groom somebody very strongly. There hasn’t been grooming of some sorts. But that [lack of grooming] happens elsewhere. For example in United States, who do you suppose will take over when Mr Obama gives up? In England, who do you suppose will take over when Mr [David] Cameron quits? If you give somebody 28 years and counting, then in return he/she should be able to see your worry but who after all these time, will have the necessary qualities to takeover and therefore, definitely somebody should be involved. But as outsiders, we have been informed that Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi has been groomed to replace him?I don’t believe you for a minute. I know Mr Mbabazi very well, Mr Mbabazi is a very good speaker by the way in Parliament. He is easily the best but I don’t know if he thinks he is going to succeed [Museveni] but I think majority [of people] wouldn’t say he has been groomed. I don’t think he is being groomed, I haven’t seen him groomed, have you? Who do we apportion this whole blame on; don’t we blame it on President Museveni?No, because if all the people in the Movement, in the hierarchy, in the upper most hierarchy really felt very strongly that Mr Museveni should go then I guess he would go. One person cannot holdout against a whole flood of other people, and of course, having said that, I think Mr Museveni feels very strongly that he is the one who can do it and who will say he is not right? You see, as I have told you, think of other African countries, think of those around us. In Rwanda, you will find it very difficult to replace Mr [Paul] Kagame, in Tanzania they usually go by what has been written in stone that after two terms you go by CCM, the governing body, and in Kenya, I have to say, I am so impressed by Uhuru Kinyatta, he has the stamp of somebody who would do a very good job and he is the man of the people and the rest of it. But to go back maybe to Museveni, I have worked for the President for the last 17 years, and nothing makes me believe that he thinks there is somebody else who can take over from him at the moment. But I think this happens with certain leaders, he just feels conviction which is offset by what they hear from their cabinets or their junior people. They say, I am the one chosen and it is a very good thing when it happens because then they can act with great conviction and think it puts them on their metal if people give way and say you are the one to do it. Of course for me I believe and in Luganda we say Awakula ennume tewakula emu, which means where one bull has been born, it cannot be alone. Unfortunately for me, I am already 75 years old. I can’t stand but I could see myself I have been captain of teams and the rest of it. But there might be other people who feel the same way but when you say whose fault is it that nobody else has emerged, remember life occasionally follows biological substances. It is like a tree with very wide leaves and below it things don’t grow and in any case, it is not entirely a bad thing by the way, since it is so difficult to find good leaders and strong leaders. I think we are lucky to have Museveni, and unless there is a very strong reason that he can no longer run the government like illness, age and whatever, it is difficult to accept when you have an idea that there should be changes. But as I said at the beginning, I have now rested on this subject and I very much hope that it is not for ever and I mean Kamuzu Banda was 98 or 99. Jesus! I hope Mr Museveni does not stay that long. But I like so much that he has put Uganda on the map in some things because of the force of his personality and because of the love which most Ugandans have for him that we should not negate that factor when he obviously wants to go on. But some people allege that he is grooming his son to take over, how true are these allegations since you are close to him?I don’t buy that argument at all and I have heard it for the last 10 to 15 years and I don’t agree. But if he did that, he would be really uncharacteristically stupid because Uganda is not something to put in your pocket. Besides, he has got too much love for his son to really want to throw him into a thing where people might not necessarily want him and this is not a kingdom, right? Of course if, and I have written this, Muhoozi stood and people chose him freely you cannot punish him that because he is a son of Museveni he can’t succeed but what I am really 100 per cent against is if it was forced on Ugandans to accept him because he is a son of Museveni. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Heart-to-Heart/Is-getting-kinky-a-relationships-booster-or-simply-outrageous-/-/691230/2155900/-/t3v8pz/-/index.html","content":"Is getting kinky a relationships booster or simply outrageous? - Manuela Mulondo What is kinky sex?I believe it is a non-conventional way of pursuing your sexuality. There are various ways people view sex. Kinky is on the edge, a bit different, and for some, enhances their sexual lives. Are you comfortable with it?I am not necessarily a fan because of the fact that it is not conventional; there are certain things I am a bit wary of. Kinky sex is broad and there are a few things that I can do and others that are a no-no. For example, instead of going for a threesome, why wouldn’t I just pole dance for my husband? There are things that go against my beliefs and the institute of marriage. When it comes to things that make a sexual experience less boring, I would go kinky. Things like dressing up, role playing… but threesomes, sex toys, chains… not for me. Who should initiate it?I guess the one whose desire it is, should go for it. There is usually, between the two of you, one who will get tired of a routine thing and feels there is a need to pursue something different. How should you involve your partner? You should communicate it to your partner and just not surprise them. For example imagine you are in the middle of a session and your partner slaps you... [giggles]. They will be in total shock. If you are a communicative couple, it would be nice to talk about it so that you hear what the other party has to say. I believe sex is like many of the other issues that come with partnerships so there should be compromise between the two parties. So, if you are conservative and believe that you cannot do certain positions, the other partner can pursue it to a certain degree – one new trick at a time. You should not flood them with these new Aladdin tricks at a go and make them uncomfortable. The appropriate place?This is where parents, relatives and friends come in. Drop the children there for a day and maybe forget them there at night, by mistake [smiles]. It gives you an opportunity to spend time with each other. I would also suggest having sex dates. If you are into role playing, go meet at a certain hotel and pretend that you do not know each other. Next thing...game on. How often?For women, sex is very emotional. I do not agree to scheduling certain things. It is something that comes emotionally. However, for men, it is a need and thirst – it is like water. So, once in a while, throw in some sparkling or flavoured water. Surprise them. And the old folk?One of the greatest pieces of advice one of my ssengas gave me is to always have a young friend. They always have new tricks they discuss with each other. Sex is one of those things that is going to stay in a marriage or relationship – everything that I get in my marital home, I can get at my parents’ house, except that. Even as you grow older, try what works for you. However, do not go beyond what you cannot do. Do not get a heart attack trying to do a certain style. Do what is comfortable.The good thing with growing older is that it is less about activity and more about the relationship and a friendship. If you want to go kinky, do so but please don’t break your back. Bottom-lineIf you are both comfortable with how your lives are, then leave it at that. But if you want something more, discuss it and if it is fine by you, go for it. It is really about an individual’s interests. You can do without kinkiness but it is an additional something that would make the cake taste better. No mincing words. His views may come as no surprise to the NTV Men followers and trust Colin Asiimwe, to say it as it is. What is kinky sex? When most people think kinky, the visual of handcuffs, whips and chains comes to mind. But it can be as simple as blindfolds and a whole range of unusual, sensational feelings. The idea is to stimulate and spice up variety in the bedroom. This is important, especially for couples because love is not commitment. It is a feeling and decision that you make every day towards someone but that does not mean that they will not be boring after weeks, months or years. Kinkiness keeps your sex life alive. Kinky vs freakyMost people are unaware of the thin line between kinky and freaky. Kinky is good, freaky is scary and over the top. I personally don’t know how to handle freaks. How broad is kinky? Kinky is broad. It could be strip teases, lingerie and negligees. It could also be texting or sexting, like it is referred to lately. With the advancement of social media, like Whatsapp, sending selfies, videos or pictures of each other is a whole different level. Even talking dirty heightens one’s excitement. In other worlds, gifts precipitate the mood. Who should initiate it?In the world we live in now, either party can initiate it but in my view, because men are traditionally seen as the wooers and seducers, it actually would play well if they initiated it. Because men are supposed to be unfeeling, the kinkiness makes it more exciting and it is also pleasurable for the woman. Truth is most men are good at taking and women giving so it would be nice to be in a place where a man is giving. There are women who work hard to please but on some occasions, just lie down static because they are pretty. How should you involve your partner?It is proper to slowly introduce the subject to the other person, especially if your partner is conservative. There are people who admit they do not know some things. You have to be patient and take them through it step-by-step. Getting information online or buying books could help. Many couples read 50 Shades of Grey as a reference. I guess it is different strokes for different folks. For some women, watching a man cook is a turn-on while for others, there is so much stuff to learn in bedroom politics. But it should be agreeable by both parties. However, do not expect some people to embrace it. 1 | 2 Next Page»Appropriate place?For families with children, you can send them away for the weekend. There is an option of weekend getaways. But while the children are home, use sign language or codes. How often?The switch should always be on. There is no particular time for it. Flood him or her with texts any time of day. Because couples go through a lot, it always helps to create little highlights in someone’s day. Surprises at home come in handy. And the old folks?Well, just don’t hurt yourselves or break a bone or two. But it doesn’t have to be as crazy as the young ones. The older people are quite conservative so you don’t expect them to put a strip tease pole in the bedroom or wear dominatrix boots. There are things they can do like spending more time together, sharing jokes or calling each other pet names. It brings a whole new different light to the “conversation”. Bottom-line Speaking the love language often amplifies the response and how much kinkiness you can get out of your partner. Couples should put it at the back of their minds that in the end, kinkiness is part of a memory-building exercise. You are building interesting moments with this person and that is what makes the relationship grow stronger. How playing bondage choked one couple’s marriage Gad and Scarlett were a model couple and many people loved to be around them just so their optimism in relationships was heightened. They were an inspiration. So in June last year many people were left in shock when Gad told them that it was over. He was walking out of their marriage because he couldn’t bear living one more day with a double-faced wife. According to Gad, despite Scarlett’s reserved nature, she liked things a little different in the bedroom. He said his wife liked to put him on a leash, literally, before they became intimate. She would drag him by the neck on all fours and ask him to sniff the ground. He wasn’t happy. The first time she suggested it, he did it because he thought it would be a silly thing they would laugh about later. But she asked a second time, then another, and soon it was the only way Scarlett would get fulfillment. She would later reward him with a massage or whatever else he wanted. Everything was okay until Scarlett’s demands started changing. At first she used scarves to bundle him up but later started using chains – this explained why one of Gad’s friends had found him buying a dog chain yet the couple had no dogs. For Gad, the abuse had become unbearable. While Scarlett’s character only showed itself when they were in the bedroom, living with someone who treated him like a dog in another life became too much for Gad that he was left with one option - ending the marriage. counsellor’s take :Susan Badagawa, Hope in Life I don’t think kinky sex is normal because that’s not how sex was designed to be. But I guess people do it out of curiosity and exploration. For couples who enjoy what they discover about it, I guess it boosts their sex life and you find that they cannot enjoy intimacy until they indulge in it. However, if only one partner enjoys it, then it is worrying because it means they will go out of the relationship to find it. In my opinion, romance should not be so extreme. There are other ways of romance like massage and pillow talk, it doesn’t have to be kinky. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/what-s-up---Printing-art-the-brain-behind-hilarious-T-shirts/-/691232/2150016/-/ipn5e0/-/index.html","content":"what’s up : Printing art,the brain behind hilarious T-shirts - “Wolokoso”. “Make it nasty”. “Namalayo”. “I am so UG”. You have probably heard these catch phrases in conversation or seen them flashing about on a screen; they have been all over social networks. One shrewd mind, though, saw these not as a way to spice up conversation with his peers, but as a great investment idea. He went ahead, plucked these messages off your browser, and took them straight into your wardrobe. This is the story of Hillary Mugizi, an artist and the brains behind many of the message T-shirts you have seen around the city. Adding classMugizi has turned around the T-shirt from another bland clothing into a fashion accessory that reaches for your attention on first sight. You may find no excuse to wear a plain tee anymore, if you can have it spread with some very captivating and attention-gripping message engrossed across it. He says he was drawn to the idea of these quotes because they became favourite slogans in the public as soon as they came out. “Take for instance the Wolokoso line. It was on every one’s lips. So this is how the idea developed. I would get those quotes that were popular and would use these on the shirts,” he says. For those that are familiar with this bandwagon, you may have probably realised that majority of the message are always in Luganda. Mugizi explains that Luganda phrases catch the most, and are a favourite.He adds that although this work may seem easy, he has to come up with a concept that will not only sell, but also stand out. “I take months doing consultations amongst various people, asking what they think about whatever concept I may be working on,” he adds. “I listen to lots of music and also socialise with people from all walks of life. If I am hanging out with teenagers, then I bring up a discussion, find out what they like or don’t like and it’s during these conversation that some of my concepts are born,” he says. The artist points out that what sets him apart from the others in this trade is that he is out to make fans, not clients. “I want people to appreciate this work. This kind of work is very tricky, because I wouldn’t want these shirts to be all over the place. So, that is why I have limited editions. Usually, I will make about 200 pieces, and when these run out, I do not produce more of the same kind or with the similar message,” he says. This, he explains, is meant to create satisfaction among his clients, not flood the market with his products. Future plansOnly recently, Mugizi survived an accident, and is on his road to recovery. Although saddened by the setback, he is not giving up on his dream. He is in high spirits for his store, which he hopes to open up soon.“The new store, will not only be selling T-shirts, but also children’s shirts, branded maternity wear for the ladies, accessories and many other things,” he points out. The aim, he says, is to turn his label into a household name."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Skirting-real-issues-in-the-anti-porn-Bill/-/689844/2142510/-/f03a9m/-/index.html","content":"Skirting real issues in the anti-porn Bill - Last year, Ugandan Parliament hit international headlines for passing the Anti-Pornography Bill, 2011. In disparaging the proposed legislation, the people who love miniskirts and other incendiary outfits expressed outrage on social media, saying the Bill evokes the grim memories of Idi Amin’s reign of terror. Although some Ugandans oppose the proposed ban on wearing miniskirts and other inflammatory outfits, there is support for the protection of children from the horrible dangers of pornography. In the absence of a tougher law, grasping vendors in town have exploited vulnerable children, exposing them to a harsh world of sexual and physical abuse before they even reach adolescence. What the Bill is aboutThe Bill, which is awaiting President’s signature, is not all about miniskirts and skintight slacks—the infamous leggings. It’s also about “morality” and “decency,”. It’s also about fighting back in the face of the disguised dangers of pornography-- the most alluring trap of all for our children. In the draft Bill, the much touted miniskirt is just part of a vague definition of pornography; it’s not the heart of the Bill.The legislation seeks to protect children from the naughtiness of porn vendors. Researchers have found that children exposed to pornography cannot remove the traumatic images from their memories, and often delve into a cycle of addiction- the most dangerous disease. However, realising that even the ‘forbidden fruit’ was pleasing to the eyes; it becomes appropriate to establish a legal framework to regulate the vice and further clarify the offence of pornography in our laws. Although delving into the miniskirt debate will be skirting the real issues, it should also be clearly understood that even if President Museveni assented to the Bill in its current form, Uganda will not be the first and the last country to ban miniskirts. Police in Swaziland last year banned women from wearing miniskirts and midriff-revealing tops, saying they provoke rape and defilement. The law was enforced after a march by women and young girls calling for tougher laws to protect them against a spate of rapes.As responsible citizens, we have a moral obligation to do everything we can to protect our sons and daughters - the future generation - from this provocative snare. This flood of porn should terrify us all. What’s happening inside the fashionable city internet cafes is beyond the pale. For our children as young as seven years old to surf porn sites with impunity, is totally intolerable. How about the so-called street porn dealers selling CDs to minors with impunity? If we are not feeding a monster, then, what exactly are we doing? What kind of social order are we trying to mould? Precautions Precautions can be taken to protect children from the dangers on the Internet. It is very important that we tighten our laws to protect children from the dangers of streaming pornography materials. The enforcement will be another matter. Child pornography is an all-inclusive problem that needs collective efforts. For instance, the available data show that in the US, child pornography is the fastest growing crime in the country, increasing an average of 150 per cent per year. This is because of the proliferation of pornography and inadequate tools to track down a racket of pedophiles and porn vendors that prey on children. The Protecting Children From Internet Pornographers Bill, 2011 that seeks to fight online child pornography, is already before the Senate in the US. What this means is that in the face of this ravenous cancer destroying the social order, developed countries like US are fighting back. This is the exact reason why developing nations like Uganda cannot sit back and watch her children turn into freaks because we have allowed our love for min-skirts to cloud our judgment. Happy New Year ABOUT THE BILLThe proposed legislation, it defines pornography as any cultural practice, form of behaviour or form of communication or speech or information or literature or publication in whole or publication in part or news story or entertainment or stage play or broadcast or music or dance or art or graphic or picture or photography or video recording or leisure activity or show or exhibition. It also prohibits any combination of the preceding that depicts unclothed or under clothed parts of the human body such as breasts, thighs, buttocks and genitalia, a person engaged in explicit sexual activities or conduct; erotic behaviour intended to cause sexual excitement and any indecent act or behaviour tending to corrupt morals."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Score/Moyes-must-find-way-out-of-awkward-Man-U-mess/-/689854/2141164/-/3r5dke/-/index.html","content":"Moyes must find way out of awkward Man U mess - Last August it was difficult to know who wore the biggest grin in British sport.Was it Andy Flower, arranging his foot on Australia’s throat as he supervised his England team to comfortable victory in the Ashes? Or was it David Moyes, in his first Premier League game in charge of Manchester United, presiding over a 4-1 win against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium, suggesting the step into the most sizeable managerial shoes in the game was the smoothest thing in the world?Just four months on and the smile has long disappeared from the face of both men. After watching his side demonstrate the spinal consistency (not to mention the batting technique) of a garden slug in their whitewash by the same Australians they had comprehensively defeated in the summer, Flower resembles a fugitive hunted by every police force in the world, his eyes constantly scanning the horizon for the exit. On the touchline at Sunderland on Tuesday night, meanwhile, Moyes looked simply ill. The pressure of their calling has rapidly aged many a football manager. Usually, though, it is their hair that turns grey. In Moyes’s case, it is his face. Nothing is as inexplicable in sport as the sudden disappearance of confidence. England were bloated with it last summer. The moment they landed in Australia, however, it seeped away under the dressing room door, its departure making the previously competent suddenly resemble cack-handed amateurs. For Moyes, the decline has been even more precipitous. At the turn of the year, his team had just compiled six successive victories. Albeit not achieved with quite the panache of old, at least such a run spoke of promise ahead, of the steady accumulation of competitiveness.After a shaky autumn, it looked for a moment as if normal service had been resumed at United. If nothing else, it turned down the volume of guff surrounding the new manager. On the radio phone-ins and on Twitter the sound of toys being ejected from the prams of the spoilt was stilled. Since the New Year, though, any hint of optimism has dissipated and the shrieky volume of complaint has been turned up to 11. It was not just the fact that his Manchester United have lost every game in 2014 that will have alarmed the manager. It is the manner of the defeats.There has been a dispiriting lack of snap and fizz. Moyes has too many players lacking the assurance to seize hold of momentum and turn it their way. Confidence has evaporated. Given the way his tenure is going, on his drive in to Carrington Moyes must have run over every black cat in Cheshire. Anything that can go wrong has. He has been deprived of his best two players, officials have turned myopic on him, opponents have collectively exploited the rapid diminution of aura. As a result, on the touchline the manager resembles a hapless Dutch farmer in a flood, running out of fingers in the failed attempt to plug the holes in his crumbling dyke. Worse, if there is any light at the end of the tunnel, right now it appears to be generated by the full beam of an oncoming train. While the support from United’s hard core at Sunderland on Tuesday was magnificent, loyal and unswerving, Moyes’s problem is that he is the most significant executive in an organisation whose business model is built on pleasing the fickle. United’s profit – the only thing that interests the club’s absentee landlords – is swelled by persuading passing trade to associate with the brand. When foreign corporations sign up to become United’s official Malaysian potato chip manufacturing partner they do so on the assumption of success – and lots of it. The responsibility to deliver that rests entirely with Moyes. Now, the first hint of desertion by the capricious is becoming evident. This week, United sent an email to supporters announcing that tickets for the next three home matches were on open sale, available to anyone. This is unprecedented. In the recent past fans who did not have season tickets had to be members just to enter their name in a ballot for admission to league games. Whole communities have grown up on Twitter to help steer fans towards rare spares. Now, anyone with a phone and a credit card can pick them up. Not just one either. Four together? No problem, Sir. Old Trafford insiders insist there are special circumstances at play here. This weekend’s fixture with Swansea is a speedy repeat of last Saturday’s FA Cup tie. The game against Cardiff is on a Tuesday night. The club have always had to work hard to fill the house for the League Cup, so, while it may be a semi-final, it is no surprise the match with Sunderland is not a sell-out. These are all legitimate explanations. It is just that when United were in the mix for silverware, they never needed to be rolled out. In football, there is no better barometer of current commercial viability than casual ticket sales. At the top end of the game, the moment dissatisfaction is writ large in empty seats in the stadium a manager will find himself in trouble with his employers. It was not the fans moaning on phone-ins, it was not the grumbling from the Kop, it was not even the sight of his signing Paul Konchesky in a home shirt that ultimately did for Roy Hodgson at Liverpool. It was the large swathes of empty red plastic visible in the stands during a game against Bolton. Moyes is not there yet. There is time for the next three games still to sell out (though frankly the casual United fan is not exactly being overwhelmed with feel-good reasons to pay to watch). But what would best ensure the games after that are full is the sight of confidence returning to United’s ranks. 1 | 2 Next Page»As Andy Flower knows only too well, delivering that is not easy. The sight of Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney lining up for action would undoubtedly put a spring back in the collective step. An exciting January signing would invigorate morale. But one way or another Moyes – a good man who deserves to pull through this – quickly needs to find a way to restore United’s default settings. He needs immediately to turn the calendar back to December. Because it is on how he negotiates his way out of this fine mess that his Old Trafford career will be defined. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/Called-to-the-church/-/689856/2102908/-/nwo8j6/-/index.html","content":"Called to the church - “Who shall go for us?” This was the theme for the November mission month at All Saints Cathedral Kampala. The theme came from Isaiah 6:8, when Isaiah gets his awakening in the Lord. But what caught my attention was who the church chose as the main speaker for the final week of the month –the Most Reverend Dr Ben Kwashi. Or to be more specific, the way he delivered the message. His was a blunt sermon touching uncomfortable subjects in that comical way actors deliver their lines in Nigerian movies, without undermining the message he was talking about. When he talked about the clergy, it was to tell us not to be fooled by the robes they wear. He told the story of the little boy who was shocked to see his father as a calm man because he was used to a violent man back home. His father was a priest and the boy was commenting on his father humbly leading a procession. His point was that the people who are called to evangelism are not so extraordinary that they have no sin. And this was the same message he had about people who are in positions in power. “Don’t they go to the toilet like the rest of us?” he cheekily wondered aloud, emphasising just how ordinary they are. Which people are called? This brought it back to that point when we think of someone being called to do an important job, we usually think of an important person in this place – important in the sense that their stature in society is a high one. The Bishop shutdown his notion with his experience of awakening that involved a mad man on the streets who preached to him, reducing him to tears. Now the archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Jos in northern Nigeria, it is no wonder that he is impatient with people who develop airs after they have been in put in positions in power. “Suddenly, they are too busy to see the people who voted them into office. ‘You know being the boss is not easy,’ they say. As if you asked them,” the bishop illustrated, “all I want is for you to do what you are in the office to do.” And this is what anyone who is called to do the Lord’s work is expected to do –his work with little complaining or argument as Philippians 2: 14-16 points out. It is such leaders who stand out after all because their work speaks for itself. After you are calledBishop Kwashi therefore stressed the need for anyone who is called to have humility towards the people they are supposed to guide as Micah 6:8 stresses as what the Lord requires of anyone who has been shown what is good. “Pride will get you nowhere. There are situations which you will not have power over. Look at how natural disasters devastate millions of people,” he said, “A flood or hurricane can wash away all that property you have amassed. But the good you do will touch people and stay in their hearts.” So, instead of going around beating your chest that you have been called, spread the good news about the Lord who has put you in that position and the wonders he can do. And when it is time for you to pass on that responsibility to someone else, do so. The bishop gave an example of a time when he was at a restaurant with his wife. The restaurant was Chinese and dishes were served on a revolving table where you had to wait until the dish was in front of you before you served. The bishop kept on waiting for a specific dish and took several servings but his wife was quick to remind him to let others also enjoy the dish. The lesson here was that he had had his turn and therefore had to let others have theirs. This is a lesson many people have preached about in respect to our leaders. That and the call against corruption and taking advantage of the people you are leading.What the bishop preached about was therefore not new but it was refreshing to hear it from someone else. And that is what Bishop Kwashi is all about, taking the gospel beyond Jos, which is no wonder that he is the International Chairman of Sharing of Ministries Abroad (SOMA). For his closing remarks, he brought up a topic we don’t like to talk about –hell. He said he lives his life, believing that hell exists. “My life on earth has been terrible. My life has been threatened. I am not a wealthy man monetarily. So imagine if I died only to continue suffering in eternal life. I would be a very foolish man to let this happen,” is how he put it. A profound message. Lead your life while looking forward to prosperity in heaven instead of looking for it on earth, with all its troubles only to find more trouble in hell. Therefore it is important to make yourself available to be called so that you can share God’s goodness. 1 | 2 Next Page»Something to think about this Advent season, as we prepare for the birth of Christ. WHO IS BISHOP KWASHI? Born in the village of Amper in 1955He is the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Jos and Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Jos, Church of Nigeria. Married to Gloria, and together they have six children. They also have more than 30 orphans living with them. He grew up in a Christian home, and his father was a noted teacher and educationalist. He attended the Nigerian Military School, but when he received a clear call to go into the church’s ministry in 1976, he turned his back on a military career. He trained for the ministry at the Theological College of Northern Nigeria, and it was there that he met Gloria. After ordination and marriage they served in a variety of rural and urban parishes and settings in Kaduna Diocese (northern Nigeria) until in 1990 he was appointed Rector of St. Francis of Assisi Theological College. From there he was called to be Bishop of Jos, where he was consecrated and enthroned in 1992. He holds a Bachelor of Divinity degree. He is also a Doctor of Ministry and a Doctor of Divinity. The Bishop has held many positions on Boards and Trusts both within Nigeria and internationally. He is currently the International Chairman of SOMA (Sharing of Ministries Abroad). In 2003 he was conferred with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). gkenganzi@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/Weather-contrives-to-expose-Cecafa-frailties/-/690266/2099342/-/14n84psz/-/index.html","content":"Weather contrives to expose Cecafa frailties - Cecafa, just like any other tournament, comes with its thrills and mysteries. On the pitch, the thrills hit the suspense chords in Pool A’s first two games, only to be saved by the last group matches that have left Ethiopia and Kenya at the mercy of a coin, a first in recent memory, to decide the log leader.Fifa rules dictate that in a scenario where two teams are level on points, goal difference is considered first, then head-to head to decide the group leader. Goals conceded is the next step in case of another tie, and a toss of a coin is the last resort – a test Ethiopia and Kenya will face today to know the group winners. The crowds at the various stadia earmarked to host games also provided their sub plot to this year’s regional tournament. But this was not helped by the poor weather which successfully contrived to lock Machakos, the Eastern Kenyan town, out of further action after three games were played in abhorring conditions following sustained rains that put to waste the new stadium turf at the Kenyatta Stadium.That there was nature in action cannot be blamed on the tournament organisers. But what nature’s fury left exposed is Cecafa’s ill planning, which had been well documented, way before the tournament started.For example, from failing to interest sponsors early on to not having the stadiums in Nakuru and Kisumu ready in time, this never looked a tournament set for kick off. With Machakos all but ruled out of more games (you never know with Cecafa), the organising committee was left in panic mode.Swiftly, they moved Monday’s matches to City Stadium and Tuesday’s games to Afraha Stadium in Nakuru. Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi also hosted some unplanned for games. The question, however, remains, why wait until the last minute to decide where which games will take place? By the time of penning this (Tuesday night), for example, the Ugandan team and their Group C counterparts – Sudan, Rwanda and Eritrea - had no idea where their last group game would be played, while some of the next day venues have been announced as breaking news over the PA during games.This is not to mention last minute fixture changes, such as the case of the Somalia-Tanzania, which was supposed to be a late kick-off but started at 2pm.This surely is something that does not require lots of money, if any, to map out. And clearly it is not helping teams psychologically as a furious Zanzibar coach Salum Baus Nassor put it following his side’s 2-0 loss to Kenya on Tuesday. He was of the view that the last group games should have been played on the same day and time. “How come we played today yet Rwanda and Burundi didn’t,” he argued. “Cecafa should have done it like it happens elsewhere. In such situations, all teams involved play at the same time.” Nassor made his very valid point.As a result of Cecafa’s poor planning, his Zanzibari side could lose out to Burundi or Rwanda, who all have a chance to claim the slot for best third best team in their remaining group games. With exception of Machakos, which was built this year thanks to tax payers’ money put to good use by the province Governor Alfred Mutua, most of the stadia in Kenya have been improved. Kenya stadia leave Uganda soul-searching The heavy rains in Machakos may have created inconveniencing moments but it did see Kenya score some points on Uganda regarding stadiums. When downpours left Namboole unplayable in last year’s Cecafa edition in Kampala, options were clearly limited, local organisers opting for Lugogo, which had its share of mud, and the flood-famous Wankulukuku. Nakivubo was locked out because the limited space there, or lack of it, made it difficult for television broadcast. But even then, our very best, built thanks to a grant from the Chinese government, was one piece of substandard project, whose media centre is as old fashioned as they come. While the media wing’s one-roomed toilet must have stopped functioning on the day of the stadium opening, none of the other stadiums in the country can boast of a media centre.But after nature dictated, Kenya had options in Nyayo and City Stadium, all complete with media centres and free wifi internet. The last group games (most) were moved to Nakuru, with quarters, and perhaps semis, lined up for Mombasa.A montage back home and you see why we cannot even start talking of hosting a bigger tournament. Some answers for Africa Cup of Nations, questions for Chan Striker Daniel Sserunkuma might just be one of the few gems Micho Sredojevic has got at the ongoing Cecafa Cup.The Gor Mahia striker, who until this tournament had hardly been duly tested in national colours, has taken his chances with open hands; not only scoring the winner against Rwanda, but displaying a great degree of work ethic in setting up three goals in Uganda’s 3-0 win over Eritrea.After the Eritrea match, Micho said Sserunkuma had earned his place in the team to play the 2015 Afcon qualifiers, which increases healthy competition with Geoffrey Massa, Hamis Kiiza and Emmanuel Okwi.Khalid Aucho will also have given Micho food for thought in deep midfield, with the Tusker player displaying assuredness on the ball. Of course he will have to improve his inventiveness going forward.But the Uganda Cranes coach still has concerns ahead of Chan in January. While his front three have all been on the score sheet in Nairobi, Kiiza and Sserunkuma will not be in South Africa as they play from abroad, while Okwi is not sure yet whether he will travel as he is still considered an Etoile du Sahel player. amwanguhya@ug.nationmedia.com @TheLoveDre on Twitter"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/MuniiniMulera/Kende-malamu--Seigneur-Rochereau-Tabu/-/878676/2094994/-/oxxf02/-/index.html","content":"Kende malamu  Seigneur Rochereau Tabu - Dear Tingasiga:The death of Seigneur Rochereau Tabu Ley has turned off the lights and the music of my youth. There is a silent darkness that I see and hear even as I listen to some of his great songs that brought us immense pleasure more than forty years ago. Sawa Ayaka Mozemba, Fiesta Na Milano, Mwana Ya Tabu, Nin’zi, Mukala – yes, Mukala! -- and so much else that was etched in the grooves of scratchy 45 RPM black vinyl records flood black as though I was sitting next to the Grundig radiogram in the Common Room of Ghana House, King’s College Budo. I hear the melodious sounds of Dr Nico Kasanda & L’African Fiesta Sukisa, overshadowed by Rochereau and Franco (Luambo Luanzo Makiadi), but very much their equal. It was Dr Nico who brought us unforgettable songs like Biantonde Kasanda, Kiri Kiri Mabina Ya Sika and Nalingi yo Na Motema. Then of course I hear Bolingo ya Telephone, my all time favourite by Los Nickelos, which was the perfect music for a teenager infatuated with his first girlfriend, now deceased. It is dark and cold as I remember many deceased friends and family with whom I enjoyed the sounds that wafted our way from Radio Bukavu, completely oblivious to the political turbulence that was the daily life of the Congo Free State under Joseph Desire Mobutu. Through that darkness I hear voices, many long stilled in death, which belonged to Ugandan broadcasters whose work we did not appreciate as much as we should have. Our Saturday mornings were uplifted by the anticipation of a musical letter from a friend, delivered by the marvelous voice of Tom Nduga on Radio Uganda. Wednesday evenings were abbreviated by Enyimba Z’abalwadde, a Radio Uganda programme that delivered musical messages to the sick in hospital, equally enjoyed by healthy listeners. Then there was Matalisi, a daily programme that was the perfect dessert after dinner, the attraction of its musical offerings amplified by the informal lessons in Luganda that were delivered by hosts whose names are long forgotten. One notes in passing that it does not take much effort to find the exact names and other information about radio and television presenters who worked for BBC, VOA, CBC, CBS and other broadcast houses in Europe and North America many decades ago. We can easily find out who the director of music was at the court of some European monarch 500 years ago, yet it is difficult to find the records of those who contributed to our national story through radio and television less than 50 years ago. The stories and recordings of the musicians of my youth are largely lost in the smog that has engulfed our country over the last 40 years. They cry out for rescue by a visionary government that is willing to invest as much in the country’s cultural heritage as in destructive armaments and luxuries. One is grateful for the few recordings from the golden era of Ugandan music that have been restored to public audience. Yet even those that I have been able to find over the years have tended to be incomplete and of relatively poor sound quality. Surely a publicly accessible archive of the complete musical works of folks like Fred Masagazi, Freda Ssonko, Eclas Kawalya, Freddie Kigozi, Elly Wamala and Matiya Kyakamala should be easy to establish – in good sound. It is our story. The Congolese artistes have not done as badly as their Ugandan counterparts. One can find old recordings of Franco Luambo Luanzo Makiadi, Rochereau, Professor Joseph Kabasele, Dr Nico and so on, nicely transferred to modern playback media. The Internet has a large offering of samples of old Congolese records. As I listen to Rochereau singing about Savon Omo (extolling the wonders of OMO soap), I can’t but wonder what my father would have done had he known that his son was investing as much time to such musical pursuits as he was to the great library at King’s College, Budo. As if that was not bad enough, we were listening to “Satanic music” whose lyrics were suspected to be poisonous to our innocent minds. Listening to many of those records today one is impressed by the powerful social and political comment that would have been worthy of thorough academic analysis. These young musicians were singing deep stuff. One of Seigneur Rochereau’s greatest hits, Mokolo Na Kokufa, released in the mid-60s found him reflecting on a day that was decades in the future. “The other day I was wondering,” Rochereau sings. “I dreamt as I was sleeping, Ah mother, the day of my death. The day I die, who will weep for me?” That day finally arrived on November 30, 2013. Tabu Ley died after being felled by a stroke five years earlier. Millions of his fans, young and old, across the continents, weep for him, but grateful that he gave his best to us on stage and on record. Kende malamu Seigneur Rochereau. Your music will live on. Your name is a treasure, etched on the heart of your mother continent. muniinikmulera@aol.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Butaleja-Dsitrict--From-troubling-starvation/-/688342/2090774/-/lo29re/-/index.html","content":"Butaleja Dsitrict: From troubling starvation to top rice producer - BUTALEJA- Many people associate the district with rice growing. However, there is more to Butaleja than the expansive Doho Rice Scheme. Butaleja is a district in eastern Uganda. It’s named after its main town of Butaleja, where the district headquarters is located. Butaleja as a district is only eight years old. It was created from the greater Tororo District in July 2005. Once an embarrassment for Tororo due to its high number of deaths resulting from starvation, today the district stands tall with a five-fold increase in rice production since 2006. It is currently ranked fourth highest rice producing district according to statistics at the agriculture ministry. Administratively, Butaleja District is made up of 10 sub-counties of Mazimasa, Budumba, Himutu, Naweyo, Busolwe, Busabi, Kachonga, Butaleja, Busaba, Nawanjofu and two town councils of Butaleja and Busolwe. Population: According to the National Census of 2002, Butaleja District had an estimated population of 157,500. The annual population growth rate in the district is 3.3 per cent. Using those statistics, it is estimated that the population of Butaleja in 2010 is approximately 204,300 people. Economic activities: Rice growing is by far the major economic activity since it doubles as both food and cash crop. Butaleja is predominantly an agricultural district with about 95 per cent of the population involved in this activity.Rice growing gained prominence in 1970s, following the establishment of Doho Rice Scheme by government. The scheme was set up for commercial rice growing.Today, it is dominated by rural small-scale farmers living in areas adjacent to wetlands. Although the soils in the area have largely been described as sandy and are characterised by low organic content, the Doho Wetland is an important ecological flood plain for River Manafwa from the highlands of Bugisu where the fertile clay and volcanic soils are got. The view of many farmers is that agricultural utilisation of wetlands could be improved. It is, therefore, perceived as a prudent solution to their ever increasing demand for farmland. Doho Rice Scheme has more than 2,500 acres of land and more than 9,000 farmers involved as both out-growers and part of the scheme growers. Besides, the district is also involved in subsistence agriculture. The crops grown include: millet, maize, sweet potatoes, beans, bananas, rice, cotton, ground nuts, cassava, sorghum with a few people keeping livestock and poultry. The increasing population drives people to clear more trees to obtain alternative sources of livelihood as they begin to experience effects of climatic change like longer and hotter dry seasons and increase in tropical diseases. They have shallow wells and boreholes as water sources for household use and for their livestock but hardly any for supplementary irrigation. Primary schools: There are 111 primary schools, 18 secondary schools and four tertiary institutions distributed in all the 64 parishes that make up the 12 sub-counties of Butaleja. Each of the 64 parishes has at least one primary school and every sub-county has a secondary school. Number of children: There are 109,290 Children in the district of which 42,397 are vulnerable children with 12,761 being Orphans. A number of Civil Society Organisations are implementing Orphans and other Vulnerable Children (OVC) interventions in the district and these include; World Vision International, Child Fund and UWESOThere are 2,556 OVCs.The literacy rate is 64 per cent. Big players in Butaleja 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Peace-ushers-in-new-problems-for-Karamoja/-/691232/2081800/-/vepaw3/-/index.html","content":"Peace ushers in new problems for Karamoja - Sir Isaac Newton’s law of motion is one which has left the sphere of physics and now borders on everyday life because to every action, there will always be an equal and opposite reaction. Likewise, when Karimojong cattle raids intensified in Karamoja, it led to displacement of several people within Karamoja, neighbouring districts and villages, killings, inaccessibility of the region, loss of cattle and lawlessness generally as some of the consequences.Almost 50 years later, the region now has started enjoying peace since the guns have gone silent. Lokuru Lotujak is a former cattle rustler. He does not know his age but he looks like he could be in his 30s and estimates that he joined the (Karachuna) youths to start raiding cattle, when he was probably about two and half or three feet tall. They raided cattle from places like Kaboong, Kotido, Bokora, Pokot and Pian. He remembers once getting arrested with 20 colleagues and they were detained at the Quarter Guard of the UPDF headquarters in Moroto District but when they got an opportunity for escape, they returned to their game. Immediately after the escape, they raided cattle from the Turkana in Kenya and drove them to Kotido. On their way back, the Kenyan government troops together with UPDF subjected them to intense fire using helicopter gunships. He lost several colleagues and cattle, but was lucky he survived. A few days, they raided cattle in Kotido and this became his decisive raid because the fire exchange went on up to 8pm. He says they killed 40 Jie warriors while he lost five of his only remaining colleagues. “After that raid, I realised that each time we had an exchange with government soldiers, we were being killed and we were reducing in number because most of my colleagues had died. I thought I would be the next to be killed so I decided to hand myself to government soldiers,” he narrates. While he may now be a free man, he has not found a livelihood to sustain him. Health challengesAmuge Naci who also does not know her age but looks to be in her late 20s, is a mother of three, whose ages she does not know. Asked how she manages to space her children, she says Karimojong women are traditionally taught that after giving birth, they are discouraged from having sex with a man until the baby is able to fetch a cup of drinking water from a pot or carry a five-litre jerrycan of water on its head. Asked how she handles her menstrual cycles, she says hers is simple, when the blood starts flowing, she folds the very skirts she wears and pushes them into the bleeding area and the skirt soaks up the blood. However, it means that it affects the way she walks since she cannot walk comfortably and when the flow is too heavy, like fellow women, she collects a mound of sand where she will sit on so that the blood drips into it. Asked if she feels this is hygienic for her, she says this is the only method she knows since childhood for keeping herself clean. Lopua Dowan and his wife, are both HIV positive. As the first son in the family, when his father died, like culture demands, he had to inherit his stepmother since his mother had died earlier. The clan okayed him to have sex with his stepmother but she started falling sick every often, just like his late father had. Dowan decided to get another wife who also started falling sick every now and then and when they went to test for HIV, they found that all the three were HIV-positive and it is suspected that they acquired HIV from their late father. Culture still reigns supremeAccording to Helen Lorika a manager at Mt Moroto Hotel, a story is told of how officials with a non-government organisation built pit latrines in one of the Manyattas and after building them, they got padlocks, locked them up and handed over the keys to the community to start using the toilets. Six months later, when the officials returned to check the progress of their use, they found the toilets still intact and when the community was asked why they were not using the toilets, they said they belonged to the NGO. These and many more are among the challenges that the region is now grappling with. Right from basic hygiene and sanitation to education, economic empowerment, Karamoja region has opened to peace in a community where traditional beliefs of the people dictate their lifestyle. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Traders-flood-Karamoja-for-gum-arabic/-/689860/2079948/-/902amy/-/index.html","content":"Traders flood Karamoja for gum arabic - Gum Arabic, a natural product from a type of Acacia tree that is common in Karamoja and usually ignored by the locals could become an alternative source of livelihood. This follows the presence of foreign traders and companies, who have opened shop in the region and are buying large quantities of the gum. In addition to this, they are carrying out programmes or supporting initiatives to train the inhabitants on how to harvest, pack, and sort gum Arabic. One of these is Kenyan Assal Resource Agency Ltd. Wider marketMr Abdi Somo, the company’s chairperson, who is overseeing the trainings through Uganda Gum Arabic Cooperative Society, says Karamoja has a lot of gum Arabic but the people are not aware that it could improve their livelihoods. “If the Karimojong could harvest the gum Arabic, I can assure you that nobody in Karamoja will cry of hunger,” he claims. Grace Nachap, a mother of six children and a resident of Kautakou village in Napak District, is excited about the wider market for the gum. Training“I have been collecting the gum for about three years and selling it to the cooperative. The money that I get is used to pay school fees for my children and to feed them,” she says. Mr Jimmy Lomokol, chairperson of the cooperative society, adds that there are more than 600 women and men who have undergone the training on how to harvest, pack and sort the gum. The cooperative society was formed in 2002 and current membership stands at 2,000. It buys the gum from the harvesters at Shs1,700 per kilogramme and sells to traders and companies at $1.30 (Shs2,552) per kilogramme. PricesBut this price is only from traders who are from within East Africa. But for those from beyond East Africa, the price from $2.30 (Shs5,798) to $3.70 (Shs9,328) per kilogramme. “It is an exported product only that it lacks funding from government to enable the cooperative to boost local production,” he said. The foreign companies that have developed an interest in the gum Arabic include Hill Group Company, from Ireland, SNI Company which is based in France, and others from China, Thailand and India. ChallengesAccording to Lomokol, there are several challenges that affect the production of gum Arabic in Karamoja. Deforestation is a major one as over the last 10 years, many Acacia trees had been cut down by the local communities to make charcoal and for the constructions of settlements. The other is climate change. In the past five years, the rainfall in Karamoja has reduced from an average of 1,000mm to 600mm while the humidity has increased from 35 to 65 degrees. This is not favourable for the production of gum Arabic. 1 | 2 Next Page»High hopes“For the trees to release the gum they must be stressed by hot weather, which needs to be about 31 degrees for the period of 21 days and humidity should be bellow 40 degrees. There should also be enough wind so that the trees to rub against each other to create way for the gum to come out,” Lokomol adds. The rampant bush burning in the area is yet another one. Many trees are burnt by the inhabitants in hunting expeditions. In addition to this, are the occasional incidents of insecurity, which hinder the people from going into the bush to collect the gum. But with commercial potential of this indigenous resource, hopes remain high for larger quantities gathered, better prices for the product and, in turn, improved incomes and well being for the people. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Pakwach--The-town-that-hosted-the-eclipse-crowd/-/691232/2071002/-/hd1cq2/-/index.html","content":"Pakwach: The town that hosted the eclipse crowd - After kilometre upon kilometre of bush through Murchison Falls National Park, the steel structure of the Pakwach Bridge is a shock to the eye. It almost distracts from the river below, the Albert Nile, as well as the elephants grazing not so far away. It is also more than a promise of an oasis of modernity. The steel bridge is beautiful, imposing and iconic. Which makes the first glimpse of the town as one emerges from the bridge almost disappointing. The police station is the first, with its cream brownish walls and black paint and open courtyard, a “photocopy” of any other police station around the country. According to Chief Odong Padit Madhir III, Pakwach literally translates to the place where the leopard lives, named by the first inhabitant, Chief Puvungu who had to kill the animals before settling there. “Kwach is the Alur word for leopard. Even our emblem has the leopard in it,” says Chief Madhir. The town is also tied in with the story of Nyabongo and Nyipir. Legend has it that the two brothers who were to later father the Acholi and the Alur tribes parted not far from Pakwach town, at Wang Lei. Pakwach proper starts immediately after the police station and comprises of buildings on either side of the Gulu-Nebbi road. The buildings are of the simple, utilitarian type, set a respectful distance from the road and not more than three buildings deep from the road. Shops and eateries, bars and guest houses occupy these buildings. The tallest building seems to be a hotel –Windsor it is named— with its new windows gleaming in the sun. Its cream paint sticking out like a sore thumb. Doesn’t sound like much right? Well it isn’t. Yet this was the place that hosted thousands of people just 10 days ago. People who came to view the eclipse from the vantage point, Owiny Primary School ,located 15 kilometres from Pakwach. The few lodges ranging from the half decent ones with self-contained rooms and running water to fleabag places to only lay your head became dearer than gold around that time. Enter the eclipseHiking the prices in Uganda shillings was not enough, they turned to dollars. It was an unbelievable windfall, accommodations which previously have a hard time finding clients (apparently many travellers do not stop in Pakwach preferring to drive the 50km to Nebbi for a rest) had several people contesting and the price was for the proprietor to name and for the desperate people to pay. Business became brisk for those with restaurants. Fred Mugisha was running one of the busiest eateries Hope Family Hotel. It has been there for 30 years started by his father and ran by his mother when the former passed away. You can say the place and its proprietor has seen it all. But the last days of October were like nothing the restaurant had seen before. It does not matter that there was plenty of time to prepare. “I had heard about the eclipse last year and had also learnt it would come to Owiny. We heard people were coming to Pakwach,” says the 24-year-old. About a month ago, he packed his bags and left Kampala where he has been studying to go help his mother at her restaurant. He talks of Pakwach before the eclipse chasers descended on it. The most expensive plate of local food was going for Shs7,000. Before all this Shs5,000 could get you a meal and drink. However, with the clientele that week resembling a United Nations gathering, prices were through the ceiling. Ordinarily, it is locals or travellers en route to Congo, Gulu, or Sudan or back to Kampala. They were under no illusions either, fully aware that this boom was like the hybrid solar eclipse, a once in a lifetime opportunity, residents had risen to make the most of it. At the peak of the event, prices were not much different from your fashionable coffee house prices in Kampala with handwritten or printed temporary menus not a rare sight. “I am renting out my own room. I made Shs60,000 last night,” said Mugisha. Some ingenious woman had realised the selling potential of “rolex” and bought batches of wheat flour with eggs making the plainest “rolex” in the history of the Ugandan snack. But these were desperate times and people snapped them up. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Hope-fades-as-oil-companies-hit-dry-wells/-/688342/2069310/-/9geioqz/-/index.html","content":"Hope fades as oil companies hit dry wells - WEST NILE- After years of casting jealous glances at their oil-rich neighbours and hoping to be like them someday, the hopes of West Nile’s oil deposits have unfortunately crashed. The despair has remained among residents who had hoped for an economic boom once the oil started flowing. As a seismic survey to discover the oil prospects in Rigbo, Obongi and Pakwach sub-counties started, residents expected that once the oil starts flowing, money would flood the area and move the impoverished region to the next economic league. This was a notion shared by Ms Josephine Adaku, a resident of Rigbo, who said: “In 10 years’ time our region would be very prosperous and have a buoyant economy if the oil was found.” Having built an economy on people who are mainly engaged in agriculture, cross-border trade, dealing in timber and extensive fishing, residents also hoped that the region would have a new resource to sell. Key to the futureDeep down the remote area in Iti-1 well in Rhino Camp basin in Rigbo Sub-county rested what residents thought was the key to Arua’s economic future. They have now, however, been drawn back to hold their chins in disbelief as their neighbours in Buliisa District tap into the oil benefits. Neptune Petroleum announced that no oil has been found. The failure meant a major setback as many had started positioning themselves to tap into the benefits of the natural resource. Cultural leaders had started demanding for their share, pressuring oil companies to offer jobs to their sons and daughters on top of asking them to construct hospitals, schools and develop cultural sites. All these hopes have faded. Mr Pax Sakari, the executive director Rural Initiative for Community Empowerment, a local NGO, said: “If locals do not have the skills and access to the oil industry, then you end up with a situation where people are very aggrieved. So we should not sit back and relax that oil has not been found. The youths can still take up subjects marketable to oil.” Ms Glory Awekonimungu, a member of the youth forum in Panyimur in Nebbi, said: “Even if no oil is found in West Nile, information about scholarships should not be concealed. This discourages the youth, and besides there is no proper career guidance in schools for people to do sciences. But I think there is need for transparency if the oil is to benefit the citizens well.” The exploration zone in West Nile stretches from the Rhino Camp Basin–under Neptune Petroleum and to Wadelai in the north-eastern part of Nebbi District through Arua and Maracha-Terego districts up to Obongi County in Moyo District. Neptune hit its last dry oil well at Mvule-1 in Obongi in Moyo in February 2012.“The well reached its total depth at 590 metres – basement was penetrated at 576 metres. No significant hydrocarbon shows were encountered over the zone of interest and electric wireline logging and fluid sampling confirmed that the well was water bearing,” said Neptune in a press statement. “The well is now being plugged and abandoned.” The Tower’s chief executive officer, Mr Peter Kingston, said: “It is a great disappointment that the final commitment well was unsuccessful, for the Tower Board, Tower’s shareholders, the staff of Neptune Uganda and the people of West Nile who have been so supportive over the past six years.” The cursesIn Nebbi District, where there is prospect of oil, Alwi and Pakwach sub-counties started fighting over the oil well boundary. Before the discovery of oil in the area, Alwi was under Panyango Sub-county. The boundary question was worsened when Alwi was granted a sub-county status in 2010. The new Alwi, which is a dry corridor, has few sources of local revenue and is now aiming at the same oil to boost their revenue source. Both residents and the government were expecting to reap from petroleum and its related products such as gasoline, natural gas, propane, butane as well heavy lubricating oils. Petroleum and its products are used to make plastics, roadways, tires, life-saving drugs, textiles and explosives. 1 | 2 Next Page»Local government leaders had hoped to tap from the local revenue. Before announcing the failure, Neptune invited local government delegation to the site to give them knowledge on dealing with the oil. But shortly after, the high expectations turned out to be a curse. Tensions flared over Odupu area that shares Madi and Terego counties. People from Madi claimed the area belongs to them, and so did people from Terego. Rivalry on compensations and land grabbing cropped in as some turned violent. Despite the dry wells found in the region, the oil activity offered a one-off opportunity to boost the living standards of the poorest members of society. Some were employed as watchmen, cooks and clerks. Whereas oil will not flow out of the wells in the region, water is likely to flow continuously from the boreholes sunk by the oil companies.FAILED EFFORTS In the first well, Neptune drilled up to 592 meters and did not get economically viable oil. The only hope remains when the government renews license of the oil companies who would start fresh survey and drilling to establish if the region has oil. Neptune has so far carried out two seismic surveys, one in 2008 and the one concluded in Obongi in 2011. It then drilled two wells at Iti-I in 2009 and Avivi-I in 2010, although these did not have any commercially viable hydrocarbons. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/When-good-intentions-put-farmers-in-a-dilemma/-/689860/2052422/-/ktsxcoz/-/index.html","content":"When good intentions put farmers in a dilemma - If you visited Otuke District in northern Uganda this October you would describe it as fecund or simply green and beautiful. Do not be decided though. It will be dry and brown soon, and the people, again, will have shea pulp or mangoes for lunch. Otuke’s is a case of scarcity in plenty. When they come, the rains wash away bridges and flood the gardens, when they do not, the crops dry up. Carved out of Lira District in 2009, Otuke looks like a large kraal without cattle. Homesteads of grass-thatched houses are kilometres apart, squatting among shrubs. Standing tallest are shea trees, the source of shea butter, a precious element in the Langi cuisine. DamageHere, in the small village of Tecwao, Sophie Acen, 49, toils for a living as a farmer, assisted by members of her family. “We grow rice, groundnuts, millet, pigeon peas, simsim, sorghum, tomatoes and beans,” she says. “The rice we sell to get school fees for the children. I have a son in boarding school in Kampala, another is in Lira and others studying nearby.” Acen returned to Tecwao in 2008 after six years in Ngetta Internally Displaced People’s (IDP) camp in the neighbouring Lira district. She had fled the wrath of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a rebel group headed by Joseph Kony, which kidnapped, raped and murdered people in northern Uganda for 21 years. On a July evening this year, Acen watched in agony as the sun scorched the rice growing in her garden. She, however, kept removing the little weeds using a tiny hoe. As dust rose, forming a cloud that hovered over her face and head, she kept hoping that the rains would come soon. They started in September after much damage had been done to the crop. The puzzleIn Anepkide parish, about 50km from Acen’s home, the dry spell hit Lilly Awor’s pigeon peas during flowering stage. This meant there would be no harvest. “These millet fingers I am harvesting should have been bigger but there was little rain. When I look at my peas and beans, I feel like crying,” she said then. Acen and Awor are among the 80,000 inhabitants of the district, who annually face starvation due to climate variability. Otuke sits in a semi-arid zone. It sometimes gets too dry that the crops just have to die and when it rains, it is in form of flash floods. Many families confess to surviving on wild plants or one meal a day for at least three months in a year. “From April to June, we did not have food. We had to reduce the number of meals a day as well as the quantity consumed per person to cope,” Acen says. In 2011, the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) completed works at Akwera dam, just near Otuke town, to provide water for production, including irrigation during dry spells. Up to Shs8bn was spent on the 1.4 billion litre dam but for two years, residents have had to watch its water as their crops struggle in their gardens. How they can channel the water into their gardens is the puzzle. Coordination“When I look at this dam I feel very unhappy. It was dug and left there. We don’t even need more dams because why should we have them when we cannot use them?,” asks Helen Beatrice Anyait, the Vice Chairperson, Otuke District. Six dams of the same size have been dug in different water-stressed areas in Uganda. Another three, which are much larger, with capacity of 2.3 billion litres each, have been dug in Karamoja region and Rakai District. 1 | 2 Next Page»Critics point to lack of proper coordination among government ministries and agencies, leading to creation of white elephants. While the MWE may set up the dams, it is the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to see to it that the water gets to the farms. The cohesion is often, if not always, missing. Eng Richard Cong, the acting director of the Directorate of Water Development (DWD), says that by December, government is to put drip irrigation systems at Akwera and the other dams, to cover two acres at each, for demonstration purposes. “We are going demonstrate how drip irrigation works. When they have known how it works, we expect farmers to mobilise resources and install these systems at their farms,” Cong explains. Limited impactThis strategy will, according to Benson Ogwang, chairman, Otuke District, have very limited impact. “How many farmers are around the dam? Can they make an impact? If they had used that money to de-silt other dams it would have served better. We have 18 dams built in the 1940s and 1960s which only need de-silting,” Ogwang says. Following the end of the LRA insurgency, the National Agricultural Advisory Services and some international NGOs and foreign state agencies, including Care International and the US Department of Agriculture, are in Otuke supporting small scale farmers to improve their productivity. With climate variability, their impact will be predictably very limited, unless there is significant budgetary intervention on the part of the government. The solution is simple: tap the water during the rainy season and store it for use in the dry season, but the means is not easy. It calls for mechanisation. This involves huge amounts of money, and it is only a responsive government that can make that investment in agriculture. The writer is Chairman, Uganda Science Journalists Associationeditorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/Vivo-Energy-in-quality-drive/-/688614/2044474/-/rohhi6z/-/index.html","content":"Vivo Energy in quality drive - As sub-standard products flood the market, Vivo Energy Uganda is making sure the public knows all about Shell’s superior fuels and lubricants, and elaborate, unmatched product quality control mechanisms. Last Wednesday, Vivo Energy invited some of its key stakeholders and industry partners to a guided tour of its Kampala depot. During the tour, the stakeholders for the first time got to see the company’s upgraded laboratory, which has been kitted out with the latest, technologically advanced equipment. Vivo Energy, the company that distributes and markets Shell fuels and lubricants is the only fuel firm with a testing laboratory. Vivo Energy operates in accordance with Shell’s global health, safety, security and environment (HSSE) standards, while meeting all applicable local legislation. For this reason, the company sets and maintains the high standards in all HSSE. This applies no less to controlling product quality across its supply chain. It is this latter consideration that has come under the spotlight in Uganda recently, as Vivo Energy seeks to differentiate itself and its Shell product offering from substandard products.“Uganda’s petroleum industry has over the years suffered from adulterated fuels and counterfeit lubricants being sold on the market,” explains Ivan Kyayonka, Vivo Energy Uganda Managing Director, during the visit. “These products not only cause damage to the customers’ vehicles but also discourage fair competition among the operating oil companies.” Quality tests To ensure that Shell products reach the end-user in a perfect, uncontaminated state, Vivo Energy has in place elaborate quality control processes across the entire supply chain. One of these facilities is the modern fuel-testing laboratory at the company’s Kampala Depot. “Besides the laboratory at Uganda National Bureau of Standards, ours is the only fuel-testing laboratory in Uganda and we remain the only oil company in the country that tests our products,” says Kyayonka. “We took the opportunity to showcase our depot operations, demonstrating product testing procedures and how we control product quality at each point in the supply chain” “Customers who care about their engines, and are mindful of the integrity of the products that go into them and the company that supplies these products, should be looking no further than the next Shell service station.” Vivo Energy was established in February 2013. The Shell brand has been in Uganda for over 60 years. Vivo Energy operates in retail; commercial fuels (marine, mining and aviation in partnership with Vitol Aviation); Liquefied petroleum gas and lubricants in Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Mauritius, Madagascar, Morocco, Mozambique, Mali, Namibia, Senegal, Tunisia and Uganda. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/When-the-city-comes-to-your-village/-/689858/2043026/-/6dhg9z/-/index.html","content":"When the city comes to your village - A few years ago, many parts of this city were like any typical Ugandan village. There is no doubt that Kampala has expanded very rapidly and is eating into some neighboring districts; So what happens when the city comes to your village? Forest comes to lifeMzee Yusuf Musoke of Kyanja, Nakawa Division says he has lived all his 78 years in Kyanja village and is amazed at the development in the area. “All there was then were bushes and forests teeming with wild animals like foxes, monkeys, edible rats and some antelopes, there were also edible wild birds like the guinea fowl but now all that is there is a concrete forest” he said pointing at the new houses in the area. Most of my neighbours sold off their land and moved away so did my children whom l had given some land leaving me with only half an acre of land which also has our grave yard” Mzee Musoke says. Mzee Musoke says he has come to accept the fact that his village is no longer a village, but part of the city, “previously we had bad roads, there was no running water and electricity but now, l have running water and electricity at my house. Transport“Travelling was also very difficult there were no boda boda’s, taxi’s or buses in our area, to travel to Kampala read town we either had to walk to Ntinda trading center or Kitetika along Gayaza road to get commuter transport” Mzee Musoke says. But that is now a thing of the past as there very many boda boda’s and taxi’s working 24/7. PopulationThe number of people on the village has also gone up, before we were very few people and we knew each other, but today every where you turn there is a stranger. There also very many new buildings of all shapes and sizes this is very good because formerly we used to share the village with snakes and other dangerous animals. “We also did not have schools in the area and our children had to walk long distances everyday to go to school but now we have many schools on the village from nursery to secondary. House hold commodities were also difficult to come by but today, we have those big shops full of goodies and its only money that can let you down”. Accidents, crime and aloofnessBut all is not cozy as the invading city has come with it problems “because of the smooth roads in the area accidents are very high,” says Disan Kabogoza the LC1 chairman of central zone. He adds that crime is also on the rise as there many people in the area with different back grounds, with the big number of bars around people fight and those who do not have jobs waylay other and rob them off their valuables. House break ins are also rampant, “we have also lost some prominent people to armed robbers” Kabogoza says. “The other challenge we are facing now is that these days there no free things, everything is for buying including sugar canes, mangoes and guavas’ all these we used to share with neighbor’s” Mzee Musoke says. “I also miss my friends now l have to make new friends yet they are difficult to make because my neighbor’s seem busy l only see them moving in or out in their cars, they do not visit and when you visit they are either busy watching TV or say they are resting Mzee Musoke says. Am planning of also moving out of this place because l can not measure up to this place’s demands,” Other areas that have turned into townsKyanja is not the only Kampala village that has been invaded by the city, there is Kulambiro just after Ntinda, this place was a typical village but today its one of the most sought after residential areas’ in the city. KiwatuleKiwatule also near Ntinda owes its “invasion of the city” to former Local government minister Jaberi Bidandi Ssali who extended electricity, water and had the roads tarmacked triggering up people’s interest in the “village” today to buy a plot or house in this area you literally have to pay through the nose. Luzira KirombeKirombe is the other city suburb that has completely changed, transport was a nightmare for the few people that used to live there but today its one of the best places to call home what with all the fashionable houses mushrooming all over the place and a large modern housing estate. Not very far away from Luzira Kirombe is Luzira Port Bell, this too was more of a fishing village than a residential area, but today the reverse is true; it’s more of a modern residential area than a fishing village. BukasaBukasa after Muyenga, has blossomed into a modern city suburb with up to standard supermarkets and other social amenities previously like any other village it had a poor road network, full of bushes teeming with dangerous reptiles like snakes and others, today most roads are tarmarcked and those that are not have first class murram. 1 | 2 Next Page»KiwembeKansanga Kiwembe was the other city village but today to rent there you must have good money, being that it is located in a valley and would flood during the rainy season the city invasion took some time to get there but once the road and drainage system were worked on the village quickly disappeared. BuzigaIf you are air lifted from anywhere and dropped on Buziga hill today you may think you are out of this country but this hill was a typical village not many years ago. But after the main road leading up this hill was improved, many prominent people started to live on the hill including some members of the first family. MutundweMutundwe hill has also recently been “taken” over by the expanding city, with its panoramic view of the city below many people rushed to acquire plots there and with that the city quickly followed them there, the place has a good road network, safe, good schools and readily available house hold commodities. fkakembo@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/Astroturf-call-once-again-shows-Fufa-s-ineptitude/-/690266/2040180/-/dgnt4hz/-/index.html","content":"Astroturf call once again shows Fufa’s ineptitude - A mere strip of green it may be, but an astroturf Fifa recently dispatched to Uganda is increasingly making the Fufa top brass not earn its stripes. The astroturf apparently came as a high commendation for the strides Ugandan football has taken. Or so Fufa told all and sundry at one of its banal media briefings. That media briefing in question also heard that the tip from Fifa (the astroturf) was going to be rolled out in an upcountry outpost. Whilst fielding questions from journalists, Fufa officials opined that rolling out the astroturf upcountry would go a long way in spreading the tentacles of the beautiful game, so to speak. How great, some observers reckoned! It goes without saying that decent playing surfaces are in scant supply in Uganda. The red dirt pitches that dot the country have short-circuited the progress of the game as much as that of players. The heartrending tale of how Mike Serumaga’s professional football career at Sweden’s Helsingborgs fell flat on its face after he picked up an injury on a minefield of a pitch in Kajjansi is a telling reminder of the death traps that abound. A critical mass of seamless playing surfaces cannot come soon enough! Yet for some reason instead of building capacity in this threadbare realm, Fufa seems to be perpetuating a domino effect where dearth births dearth. Or death for that matter! A flood of swirling rumours has propagated the narrative that Fufa is seriously considering rolling out the astroturf now in their possession in the Philip Omondi Stadium at Lugogo. No doubt, the great man will turn in his grave if these rumours count for much. Why tamper with what by some distance continues to be the most well manicured and sustainable lush green this side of the year! Have our faculties of sense ceased appreciating that long-held ‘if ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ maxim? I desperately hope not. Unsurprisingly, the revelation that Fufa is toying with the notion of rolling astroturf at Lugogo has attracted lampooning bouts it wholly merits. Unsurprisingly, too, Fufa have in a hushed tone moved to distance itself from the revelation. Yours truly, nonetheless, has it on good authority that a cross section of Fufa officials who wield lots of clout believe the astroturf would best serve its purpose at Lugogo. This, of course, wouldn’t be the first -- and last -- time a rush of blood is gleaning a forgettable decision from Fufa. A few years back, when Nakivubo Stadium rejected a different astroturf from Fifa, it was hastily rolled out at controversial technical centre in Njeru, Jinja, where its idleness knows no match. I have never been the biggest fan of artificial grass surfaces. Their susceptibilities to injuring players are well-documented. Their drawbacks notwithstanding, I strongly believe Fufa has shortchanged us by not judiciously rolling them out. They are miles better than the red dirt, and have the ability to take us places if harnessed well.=====================Airtel Basketball playoffs: It’s DMark Power’s title to lose The basketball playoffs tip off next week, and what a mouthwatering proposition they hold! As far as competitiveness goes, this year’s regular season surely takes a beating. The photo finish that the men’s division one log mustered in the regular season denotes a competitive streak that neutrals desperately hope will be carried into the playoffs. While the women’s topflight league continues to be bossed by the still unbeaten UCU Lady Canons, seven of the eight teams that will be contesting top honours in the men’s fold can be classed as contenders. No doubt, these teams will keep fans on tenterhooks as the pendulum -- hopefully -- swings back and forth during the playoffs. This, of course, could be a big year for DMark Power who could restore parity with record league champions Falcons whose half a dozen titles make them Uganda’s most successful men’s basketball outfit. Power has by far the easiest quarterfinal playoff fixture. They take on the spent force that is Charging Rhinos. It will nevertheless be interesting to see how Power hold up in the semifinals. They have showed a disturbing fallibility about them by slumping to defeats at the hands of Ndejje and KIU this season. 1 | 2 Next Page»That said; the five-time champions are the punter’s safest bet for the outfit most likely to win this year’s gong. They tick many boxes (experience, big match temperament, et cetera) and the tragic demise of their coach, Bernes Ankunda’s wife will undoubtedly galvanise them. They will want to win the league title specifically for the affable Ankunda. It’s for these reasons that I tip them to come out top. But only just marginally.=======================What we now know... Well, we now know that Lawrence Sematimba will, remarkably, not be playing at the ICC T20 Global World Qualifier next month. The gloves-man has of recent shown what can be construed as green shoots of recovery, but his inability to bat sensibly with the tail during matches against Marylebone Cricket Club could well have given national cricket coach Johan Rudolph second thoughts. In Sematimba’s absence, we know for sure that Philemon Mukobe will stand behind the stumps. We are also cognisant of the fact that Hamza Saleh convinced the national cricket team’s backroom staff that his fitness, even under the sweltering Middle East conditions, won’t unravel. Plump and rounded, Saleh’s chances of going to the United Arab Emirates had been pegged on his ability to stand the heat when the slog is on. In a high octane version of cricket that often attracts aggressive, if gung-ho batting, cookie-cutter fielding is an utter no-no. We now know that Saleh confounded his critics by convincing Rudolph that he can throw his weight around -- literally and figuratively -- during a fielding display. Also within our contours of knowledge is the fact that Roger Mukasa and Arthur Kyobe (bottom) will open Team Uganda’s batting. Elsewhere, Patrick Ochan will wear the all-rounder’s hat (not a floppy one, sorry, but rather the metaphorical one!) as Davis Karashani directs traffic in the skipper’s role. Team Uganda needs to at least finish in the top four to keep alive its dream of playing at the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 in Bangladesh. robertmadoi@gmail.com@robertmadoi on Twitter « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Score/World-Cup-qualifiers--Lets-go-to-Brazil-2014-already/-/689854/2027778/-/rid2ia/-/index.html","content":"World Cup qualifiers: Lets go to Brazil 2014 already - International break is upon us again and, for the first time since the World Cup qualifiers started, I am visibly palpitating at the realisation that Brazil 2014 looms large. Uganda will not be there but not since my first full tournament as a viewing fan - Mexico ’86 - has that ever got in the way of the fun; I have never sweated it because I am certain our turn will come, and when we are truly ready for that stage it will be plain for all to see. For that and other reasons, I have not enthused about international breaks over the last one year or so, until now. It would have been different if the breaks brought Africa Cup Of Nations Cup qualifiers with them as they will next year, for that is a stage I am convinced we are ready to grace with our long overdue return. My hands were literally shaking as I ploughed into the keyboard to pen this piece Thursday afternoon, as for some reason the vivid visuals of what Brazil 2014 should be began to flood my psyche; and it is not the Copacabana or the Carnival, it is the football stupid! Thanks to Sepp Blatter’s brave move to do a rotation of the Greatest Show On Earth (again, not the Carnival but the World Cup), I realised the dream of literally being part of one in mother Africa in 2010. And even if Latin America is not as disadvantaged a host continent as Africa is, but for Blatter’s rotation they too might have had to wait a lot longer with Europe and to some extent Asia flexing their financial muscle. Now, God willing, Brazil beckons and I am chomping at the bit and (lest you have already forgotten), it is not because of the endless beaches of Rio de Janeiro or the night life of the Vila Madalena district of Sao Paolo.It is just that Brazil 2014 threatens to serve up the most sumptuous football feast in decades, a throwback to the good old days when attacking football ruled and greatly gifted individuals reigned supreme. Spain (read Barcelona) are largely to thank for the reminder that winners can play beautifully, and although things have changed so much since the romantic ‘60s and ‘70s that chess-style tactics and pragmatism will still hold sway, we are at the very least guaranteed more attacking football than was displayed at, say, the 2002 and 2006 editions. No favourites The promise of attacking football aside, perhaps the biggest cause of my newfound excitement is that there will be no favourites for the first time eons. Go back two decades for example and you will recall that Romario’s Brazil were favourites for US ’94, Ronaldo’s Brazil for France ’98, then France with the top scorers from all major European leagues (and Zidane) were tipped for Jap’orea 2002, Ronaldinho’s Brazil for 2006 and Spain were shoe-ins for South Africa 2010. With a select few nations significantly closing the gap on Spain, and a few others showing here and there that they can better, match or upset these incumbents in a one-off game, we go into 2014 without any one nation miles ahead of the pack. The open field and the unpredictability should make for a grand spectacle. Brazil’s sambaThe other reason for my suddenly heightened heartbeat rate is the prospect of witnessing firsthand the Brazil team and an entire nation gyrating to the beat of the Samba drums.The Confederations Cup gave us more than just a hint of things to come, and the atmosphere before and during the final, the passion with which the national anthem was sung and the game played and supported, more than took the breath away. If Neymar and co can play as well and perhaps step it up a further notch, if Felipe Scolari can pull it together for the real act as he did the rehearsal, then we are in for a treat. He will of course need to unearth a complimentary goal scorer (or get Hulk to chip in with good numbers), and usher in the Chelsea pair of Ramires and Willian despite the continued cohesion of Paulinho and Gustavo (Ramires should in fact join those two to start). There will also be the surprise late comer. Whether it ends in the tears of 1950 or the joy of 1970, taking the rollercoaster ride with the Selecao will be an experience like no other. Messi magicWhat better way for the world’s best player to eternally cement his legacy than to win it for Argentina on the home turf of their most bitter of rivals? 1 | 2 Next Page»If Diego Maradona could so captivate the world, and especially his country, with the magic of Mexico ’86, how about if Messi did it in Brazil? It would not be quite the same if he were to conquer the world on European soil (he already has anyway, and yet still some doubts linger), so the stage is set perfectly; at 27 and supposedly at the peak of his powers, this has to be the one. No wonder my heart is racing! European invasion A European nation has not won the World Cup on Latin American soil before and - Brazil and Argentina aside - Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile and Colombia will be motivated to keep it that way. The Europeans have however not had a representation as vastly strong as this going down there before, with champions Spain, a Germany coming of age, a revitalised Italy and an emerging Belgium leading the charge.France will need to improve, and a question mark hangs over the presence of Portugal who would for historic reasons be inspired, while with hype and fanfare of England will light up the tournament before the inevitable tragic exit that will only lend to the drama. Enter AfricaSeveral years on from when he first made the bold prediction, Pele is not likely to finally see an African nation win the World Cup in his own country. But other than on their own continent, there is no other for the African to better express himself than in free-spirited Brazil, culturally and all. Which is why (look away now if you are Egyptian or Ethiopian), at the risk of being politically incorrect and yet for no other reason than the purely sentimental, I would like for Ghana and Nigeria to be there. mmssali@yahoo.com@markssali on twitter « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/OtherSport/Big-steps-for-woodball-as-Uganda-begins-production-/-/690284/2028336/-/o8ixow/-/index.html","content":"Big steps for woodball as Uganda begins production of equipment - Very soon, Uganda will start producing sports equipment. Surprisingly, that equipment is for a sport that has been played in Uganda for less than 10 years – woodball. “Uganda is going to be the supplier of woodball equipment for all African countries,” Uganda Woodball Federation (UWbF) president Paul Mark Kayongo told Saturday Monitor in an interview early this week. UWbF, hitherto importing playing gear from Chinese Taipei, recently received woodball manufacturing equipment from the International Woodball Federation (IWbF). The donated machines have already been installed at Ndejje University and the production plant should be a beehive of activity in the coming months. “This is a milestone for the game in Uganda,” Kayongo, a pioneer of the sport in the country, said. He added: “If we start producing equipment, we’ll be able to generate reasonable income and develop the game further.” When production of the gear, which includes; mallets, rubber caps, balls and gates starts, the first 200 sets will be donated to selected African countries, according to Kayongo. “The donation is intended to encourage other countries to put more effort in developing the sport. But after that, whoever will be in need of equipment has to buy from Uganda,” added Kayongo. Each set goes for about Shs400,000. “We are going to set up a store at the federation offices where all those interested in playing can purchase the kit,” Kayongo revealed at the federation’s new offices along Balintuma Road in Kampala.The building where UWbF offices are housed will leave some older federations in shame. It’s magnificent. “Ndejje University has donated this building to the federation,” he said. “They have been with us since we started. They want to see us grow.” The latest are few of many developments UWbF has pulled off since the game was introduced to Uganda in 2005. Unfortunately, says Kayongo, one of the two internationally certified referees in Uganda, several of the feats have passed unnoticed. “The problem in Uganda is that people think that a good sport must be an old sport,” he remarked, “Ugandans only care about football and the like. But woodball is a very nice game. It has some semblance with golf but is cheaper to play.” In the past many months, UWbF has been running aggressive campaigns targeting the corporate class. Several corporate tournaments have been staged and others, including this weekend’s National Open at Nakawa, are lined up to promote the sport countrywide. “We need to get a striking ground for the sport,” Kayongo said. “We are sure woodball can become a major sport in Uganda.” Luweero, Wakiso, Kampala, Jinja, Mbarara, Gulu and Entebbe are some of the districts that have embraced the game. “When we started out, our aim was to take the game to the grassroots and we have achieved that,” Kayongo revealed. At the beginning, woodball was a university sport in Uganda. “Ndejje University were the pioneers,” Kayongo offered, “The university made it mandatory for all sports education students. The students did it as one of their examinable papers. These student teachers moved around the country and were able to spread the sport in different schools. The involvement of Ndejje gave us good mileage.” Ndejje’s involvement attracted the attention of other universities in Uganda and the region. Currently, the game is played at national and regional university games. In 2010, the country won her first international medals after finishing third overall at the World University Woodball Championship held here. Andrew Eteru and Saidi Barigeya were the heroes for Uganda as they scooped bronze in the men’s doubles. Chinese Taipei won ahead of Hong Kong. The same year, Sophie Namuddu and Shamusa Nantenge got silver in the ladies doubles for the country to rank second behind Chinese Taipei in the inaugural Uganda International Open. Since then, accolades have continued to flood in the country. In 2012, Collins Ssemanda grabbed silver at the Taiwan Open and Lillian Zawedde returned with bronze from the Hong Kong Open early this year, further buttressing Uganda’s prowess. While UWbF have not received many plaudits locally, their successes are not going unnoticed internationally. There is so much interest in Uganda’s success story in the outside world which probably explains why Japan Television are doing a live broadcast of the National Open ending tomorrow at Mubs. About woodball gear All the equipment is made of wood.According to John Baptist Kateregga, the local woodball federation administrator, mahogany trees produce the best wood for the playing gear. A full kit including a mallet, ball and gates, goes for about $150.UWbF hope to sell at a lower price when production starts at Ndejje. History of Woodball Woodball was invented in 1990 by Mr. Ming-Hui Weng from Taipei City.Uganda was the first African country to embrace the game. Paul Mark Kayongo and Peninah Kabenge are the only Ugandan coaches certified by the international body. They are also the pioneers of the game in the country. 1 | 2 Next Page»sbashaija@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Patricia-Kiprotich--the-down-to-earth-woman/-/691232/2016564/-/122ap8r/-/index.html","content":"Patricia Kiprotich, the down-to-earth woman - Ms Patricia Cherop shot to the limelight last year when her better half Stephen Kiprotich stunned the marathon world by bagging Uganda’s first Olympic gold medal in four decades. When she came from Kapchorwa District in August 2012 to receive her husband who was returning from London, Patricia had the typical house wife look. No fancy clothes or makeup. She looked so humble. Even when a city magazine, Flair, published makeover pictures of her with Kiprotich, it was for the camera, as a year down the road she is her old self again, and the public went on a ranting spree, mad that she had not upgraded her status. Well, Patricia, a mother of three, is a jolly woman whom fortune is just beginning to smile upon and quite unaffected by the public’s outcry.When I set out to meet her for this interview, I believed I would meet the woman with that smile that is ever on her face, and maybe a quiet persona. Patricia is a joyous woman. She cracks jokes at will and will initiate a conversation. She does seem a good match for her quiet although warm-hearted partner. When I approach her home in Cheptilyal Village, Tegeres Sub-county, she is wearing a navy blue skirt, with a matching sweater, maroon headgear and gumboots when she appears from her bamboo fenced home. She is singing a song perhaps her favourite gospel song. She seems lighter than when I last saw her. Patricia is holding a Nokia 1100 phone. “Oh, it seems I have a visitor and I am just here singing,” Patricia says, on seeing me, adding that she will spend only five minutes away. I wait for her at the gate. When she returns, Patricia immediately starts chatting about how her morning has been. “I have been juggling between attending to my sick children, feeding my cattle and making breakfast,” she says as she leads me through a thick coffee plantation into her compound. Her first born, Esther Chebet, six, is lying in the compound; she is sick with malaria. Her second born, Maxwell Musau, two-and-half years old, playfully welcomes us. He doesn’t speak yet. The last born, a three-month-old Elizabeth Chelangat is also unwell. Patricia said Elizabeth has undergone three X-rays already but they are not quite sure yet what the problem is. At this point she brings a chair for me. She then goes back to the kitchen and moments later returns with a chair for herself.“So how is life?” I ask. “Life has changed a lot. I no longer have many worries. At times I used to lack some household necessities like sugar and others, but now I am comfortable; the little money my husband gives me does wonders,” Patricia says as she bursts into laughter. When I ask, she says her husband leaves her with about Shs500,000 when away in Kenya to help her for a month. Before Kiprotich won gold, she would be left with Shs100,000 for the same period of time. It is this money that Cherop uses to buy second-hand clothes for her children and her wardrobe and occasionally goes to classier shops for trendy clothes. She prefers to shop alone because she says, her husband is not good at helping her pick out clothes. “When my husband gives me money, I plan on what to use it for. If there are no pressing issues at home, I decide to go to Branch Market in Tegeres Sub-county or to the market in Kapchorwa town to get some clothes. When it comes to buying classy clothes, I go to good shops around the town; there is no specific one for me,” she says. Just like her partner, Patricia now receives more phone calls than she used to two years ago. “Many people call me. There are those I know and then there are also new people, but I talk to all of them. You know the funny thing is that the telephone number I am using once belonged to my husband, so people still call and I have to explain to them and they understand,” she says. There are also several visitors to her home – her relatives and friends – and she says she is happy to see and receive them because, it is God who sends them. Patricia says she makes the visitors as comfortable she can. She, however, expects more visitors when the house promised by President Museveni is completed, arguing that they do not have enough accommodation at the moment. The flood of visitors and phone-calls however, just adds more to Cherop’s life, it does not make her feel extraordinary. “When I go to public places, everyone wants to greet me. I return all these greetings and they make me feel happy. However, people rarely ask me for money. They just tell me that I am now “well” with the fortune that has come upon us. But when I get rich, I would love to also help others.” 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Makerere-University--a-new-crime-hot-spot/-/691232/2007248/-/7610h1z/-/index.html","content":"Makerere University, a new crime hot spot - It could be blamed on the new semester, with a flood of new unsuspecting students. It could also be blamed on the university’s open-door policy, where anyone gifted with mobility can freely waltz into its gates, sans identification. But areas on Makerere University’s main campus in Kampala have turned into deadly crime hotspots with thugs attacking, robbing and maiming university students. The situation has reached a peak since the university reopened, for the 2013 academic year, with one police source saying they have been registering an average of 10 mobile phones lost per day, and that of laptop computers coming at half that. But the university’s chief security officer, SP Frank Martin Byaruhanga, says that is an inaccurate number, which maybe represents cases across the same period. The series of incidents, which may be more, considering that not all would likely report losses to police, highlight the need to prep new students on security needs at the university, and, improve security checks at entrances. The waves of deadly attacks have already afflicted many. Donald Massa said he was attacked along Livingstone Road at the university, together with a niece. They were 11 of them. “Without warning, (they) pounced on us, beating and reaching to rob everything we had, some of them carried stones,” he said.Thieving technics“They beat and robbed us for a number of minutes, while we struggled and shouted for help. No one came, not even the authorities who are supposed to patrol the place. They robbed everything I had, with my wallet containing my bank cards and ID, except my phone, which was in my front trouser pockets, because they didn’t reach it. They robbed my niece’s smartphone, bag and everything else,” he added. Another, a female quantity surveying student residing in Mary Stuart Hall, was attacked as she approached the hall. She was robbed and beaten, with the thugs making off with her bag containing academic documents and personal effects.SP Byaruhanga and police sources at the university, say these crimes usually escalate in the first weeks of the academic year, when new students report. These new students are usually young adults, many still in their teens, “immature”, and without any real life experience away from home and boarding school. Such students, in an unsuspecting mode, usually fall victim of gangs that prowl the university campus, any time of day. “It is a rough experience adjusting,” police sources say. They say the criminal gangs, who are usually made up of residents in Makerere’s neighbouring slums plus drop-out students at the university, usually aim for places like bazaars, where many a freshman student are found.“They pickpocket many of their gadgets there,” a police source said. “Then students come here saying their phones are lost but in reality, they were stolen,” he added. Other students were robbed at the freshman concerts held at the campus. “Last week a few girls were robbed when coming from seeing Chameleone perform,” the police source said. “They were walking with a group, thinking the group were also students from the show. But they were thugs and they robbed them of all their money and phones,” he added. The university’s security officer says other unsuspecting students have been robbed, simply by the criminal’s wits. “Some are conmen,” he said. “There was a situation here when one student went to be prayed for. After praying for a while, she was told to move to a quieter place. She was then told to put down all her bags, kneel down, close her eyes, and pray even harder. Then the thugs told the girl to and find more people to be prayed for. The girl went and returned to find the thief gone, with her bag, laptop, phone and money purse,” a police source said.Black spotsAnd in all this, certain spots have come up to be highlighted as crime hotspots at the university. These include the Veterinary Road, north of the University, stretching all the way to Makerere Business Institute (MBI) in Mubira Zone. There is the crossing around the Faculty of Education, both going to Nakulabye, and around the Makerere College School Sports Field, and, the road that branches off towards Lumumba Hall. There is also the swimming pool area and the rugby pitch, plus the little paths that drift away into the area famously known as kikumi kikumi, north east of the University. SP Byaruhanga says this problem is made even worse by the fact that many a university path and walk way, is poorly lit. True, the road from the Faculty of Education to Lumumba Hall gets as dark as an umbra chamber when the sun sets. On top of laptops and phones, cars too are a popular catch for thieves. “They will be in groups of twos. One will follow you to the office after you park, communicating with the other, who is doing the actual stealing,” police sources said. A series of suggestions for a solution exist, but none stands as a final antidote to these crimes. SP Byaruhanga says he has proposed having car registration cards at the gate to curb car theft, and, that this will soon start. 1 | 2 Next Page»He advises students to be vigilant, to look out for conmen, to fight the temptation of yielding to get-rich-quick scams and to avoid walking through dingy unofficial exists to the university. Police officers also advised that new students be taken through a thorough orientation to acquaint them with the security situation that awaits them at the university. Asked about checking the identity of entrants into the university, to avoid allowing thugs onto the university, SP Byaruhanga said this would be impossible to pull off, because not all university students have identity cards and that the university is an open place with many people running businesses in there, hence they are not expected to have identity cards.It should however be noted that institutions like Uganda Christian University insist on identity checks at the gate, whether for students or staff, and that if UCU can do this, so can Makerere. SP Byaruhanga says the university’s security team has intensified security patrols around the campus. And in this, it has increased on impromptu questioning of people found on the campus, to ascertain just what they are up to. The situation, he says, has stabilised, down to normal. These are reassuring words from someone paid to ensure the security of student, staff and visiting population at Uganda’s leading institution of higher learning. Donald Massa, and the countless others who have suffered these crimes, however, may need more than that for their situation to stabilise and return to normal. What fresh university students should look out for A fresh Makerere University student early this semester walked out of their university hall, to the bathroom for a shower early in the morning. By the time they returned, a new laptop computer was gone. The student had only left their roommate in the hall, police sources told us. Police arrested the roommate as a result. • The lesson from that incident is stark for all new students. In a situation where students are lumped up in rooms with students they hardly know, one cannot be wholly trusting of everybody, even their roommates. University chief security officer, SP Frank Martin Byaruhanga, says many university students are themselves, thieves. Some students are already thieves, even in high school.• Police sources caution students against letting gadgets like computers and phones out of their sight when they decide to walk with them. “You find students going to examination rooms with their laptops and phones, then they leave them outside (the lecture rooms). Many of them lose their gadgets like that,” a police source said.• SP Byaruhanga also advises students to be content with what they have and not fall prey to get-rich-quick scams. This has been a key channel through which conmen have fleeced students of money and property. “Some of them tell them that they will multiply their money. So, you find students who even give in their tuition for that,” he said. They should avoid traps set by conmen including avoiding anything that sounds too good to be true; anything that promises too big a reward, too quick.• Police sources say salespersons take new students’ phone numbers at the beginning of the semester, usually at the bazaar, then give these numbers away to conmen. The conmen then call students, with such offers as, “You have won Shs5m. Send Shs300,000 to this number to claim your prize.” If you are not expecting Shs5m from anyone, chances are you have not won any Shs5m or Shs1 for that matter. Instead, you may lose even the few thousand you have to your name.• Students are also advised to avoid walking in deserted, poorly lit, unofficial pathways leading in and out of the university. These may give you a quicker darting to and from the university, but so they may also give you a quicker darting into the merciless hands of unscrupulous individuals. jabimanyi@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Evolution-of-video-games/-/691232/2004318/-/rejyxw/-/index.html","content":"Evolution of video games - One of the most influential forces in shaping the course of modern video games is gone. Hiroshi Yamauchi, who led Nintendo from 1949 to 2002, passed away on September 19 at the age of 85. He was the great-grandson of Nintendo founder Fusajiro Yamauchi, who oversaw the company’s transformation from provider of trading cards to video game pioneer. It’s Yamauchi who hired Mario creator, Shigeru Miyamoto in 1977 helping to trigger an entertainment revolution in 1983 with the launch of the Famicom popularly known as the Nintendo Entertainment System or NES. This is considered as the first in “modern” video game generations. The genesisThe 1980s was the golden age of video gaming. With progressively advanced gaming technology, this was a period of innovation when the industry began experimenting with games like fighting and adventure. It is also this era that saw the release of all-time classic games such as Pac-man, Mario Bros, The Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy, Golden Axe etc. Both Sega, Nintendo’s main competitor and Nintendo dominated the video gaming scene in that decade. The first console released by Sega was the SG-1000 in 1983. It was not exactly well-known since it was mostly distributed in Asia. However, that machine laid the foundation for its top-notch successor in 1985, the Sega Master System. Nevertheless, the NES revealed in 1983 emerged victorious as the best-selling console of that generation. It is even fair to say that the NES single-handedly raised Nintendo to a company easily identified with gaming. As the struggle for domination continued between Nintendo and Sega, both released brand new consoles. Sega came up with its number one console of all time, the Mega Drive/Genesis in 1988. To counter the threat, Nintendo presented the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) two years later, the console next in line after NES. TransitionIn 1994, Sony finally made its entrance with the PlayStation. Sega with the immense success of its Sega Mega Drive/Genesis system, went on to expand it into a series, with the Sega Genesis 2 in 1994 and Genesis 3 in 1997. It also developed a completely new console, Sega Saturn, to rival the rest of the CD-based consoles. Nintendo, on the other hand, stuck to its cartridge system for its new Nintendo 64. It is this generation that saw many mushrooming gamers in Uganda. Sega Saturn was not a major success, so Sega thought of another new console for the next generation, the Sega Dreamcast in 1998, a console that was pioneer back in day including stuff like internet connectivity. Two years later, Sony progressed on with the next PlayStation, the PlayStation 2. In 2001, Nintendo switched its cartridge-based Nintendo 64 to a DVD-Rom GameCube. That same year, Microsoft entered in the video game console industry with its well-received Xbox, which featured online gaming services as well, the Xbox Live. By this time Sega was fading into obscurity. 2005 marked the start of the current generation of video game consoles. At the time, there was room for only three major competitors, Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii. With full HD graphics for both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and Wii’s innovative remote for sensing movement, video gaming had indeed came a long way. In addition to these, all three consoles had expanded with add-ons such as the MotionPlus for Wii, Kinect for Xbox 360 and Move for PlayStation 3. One of the latest releases, Grand Theft Auto Five commonly known as GTA V, like big budget movie releases, made revenues of $1b (about 2.5t) three days after its release, a statistic that show just how big the industry is. Now we have full on competitions such as the Mountain Dew Xtreme Gamers tours dedicated to gaming. Spoilt for choiceThe industry is at the start of its eighth console generation with Microsoft releasing the Xbox One, Sony with the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo having the Wii U. The Microsoft and Sony machines are planned for release later this year while Nintendo’s machine came out last year. For gamers, Yamauchi’s contributions to the industry and overall role in shaping the course of its continuing evolution cannot be underestimated. The Nintendo that gave birth to the NES, the SNES and a veritable flood of classic franchises continues to be one of the most important forces if not the most important force in gaming’s past, and Yamauchi played a big role in that success. 1 | 2 Next Page»editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/The-pros-and-cons-of-paving-your-compound/-/689858/1997210/-/12lrkjmz/-/index.html","content":"The pros and cons of paving your compound - I accompanied a friend of mine on a house-hunting spree recently; together with Jose our guide better known as a house broker we visited three houses. Although all the houses were beautifully done, in a good neighbourhood and well secured by a perimeter wall, my friend rejected them. Why? Because their entire compounds were paved. Not good for childrenJimmy Sembatya my friend said “I could not take any of the houses because I have children and with children around, the paved compound is dangerous for them, because as they play they keep falling down and could get hurt.” But why do people usually pave their compounds? They keep the home cleanStella Nakawombe a land lady says “pavers make the compound look beautiful and keep dust away”. “They also do not need full time attention like grass which you have to keep slashing” she says. “Cleaning pavers is easy, you just need to get a good broom and someone to sweep and may be once in a while someone to scrub the paves” Nakawombe adds. She says she decided to use pavers for her apartments because she did not want her tenants to be disturbed by rats, insects, flies or snakes and other reptiles that live and hide in grass. “People who can afford to rent my apartments have cars so if they keep driving in and out of the compound especially in the rain season the ground on which the grass grows becomes soggy and muddy making the whole place ugly,” Nakawombe says. They retain heatBut Vincent Semogerere a land lord and a construction engineer disagrees “pavers are good and beautiful but they retain a lot of heat especially during the dry season” he says. He adds that this heat is usually let off in the night when people are their houses which makes the house hotter. They aid flooding“They do not only let off heat but during the rain season if the house has not proper drainage the pavers may lead to a flood because the water does not sink into the ground but run off and if it does not have a proper way out it builds up and may either bring down the perimeter walls, weaken the house or fill the compound,” Semogerere says. Could be dangerousHe adds that “some builders do not know how to lay the pavers and do not want to admit so they end up doing a shoddy job, that is why when you visit some places you find the pavers are undulating which is dangerous to people especially visitors who may fall down.” Eng. Semogerere says badly laid pavers also hold water which may be a source of bad smell, mosquitoes and fungi. Where to lay paversIt’s not doom and gloom for the pavers, Semogerere advises that pavers could be laid at the gate and along the drive way, he also says a fraction of the compound could be paved like the parking area if there is not garage, a place for sitting or holding parties and the other left green. ExpensiveTitus Walusimbi says he can not use pavers in his compound because they are very expensive. BeautifulMiriam Asimwe says pavers are very beautiful, easy to clean, easy to walk on and they last long, it’s a one off expense. The prices vary according to manufacturer, quantity bought and quality. At the end of the day, it depends on one’s tastes and preferences fkakembo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/After-sharing-her-story--Naluyima-now-sells-40-more-piglets-/-/689860/1996376/-/ick8m4/-/index.html","content":"After sharing her story, Naluyima now sells 40 more Camborough piglets each month - The date was November 7, 2012. It was the first time Dr Emma Naluyima, a veterinary doctor, was sharing her experience in the Daily Monitor about how she makes a living from rearing camborough pigs. In that story, Naluyima explained how she started out small with only four piglets in 2006. These were imported at Shs200,000 each. She went ahead to explain some of the advantages of looking after this breed of pigs. They included the fact that the pigs grow up fast, their high resistance to diseases and the fact that the females gave birth to an average of 14 piglets , three times, in one year. She mentioned expensive animal feeds and diseases, mostly swine fever, as the major challenges she encountered while rearing the pigs. Fencing and providing disinfected gumboots to use while at the pigsty were some of her practical solutions to the problems. What has changedAlmost a year after her experience was published, Naluyima says: “I kept getting calls from different people who were interested in buying the pigs. That article really opened up opportunities for me,” she says. Naluyima used to get about four orders in a month. These were usually bulk orders. “One person out of the four would, for example, ask for 10 piglets and a sow,” Naluyima says. She sold the different sizes of piglets, sows and boars according at varying prices. For instance, she sold the four-month-old piglets at Shs280,000 each while the eight-month-old sows and boars were sold at Shs800,000 each. Because of fluctuations in the price of animal feeds, Naluyima decided to increase the prices of the pigs slightly. The eight-month-old sows and boars now cost between Shs850,000 and Shs900,000 each, while the four-month-old piglets are now at Shs300,000 each. She sells more piglets than sows or boars because they are less expensive. Besides selling pigs to interested buyers, Naluyima would occasionally slaughter a few for pork as well. She sold each kilogramme at Shs6,800 and would supply 50kg a week. However, at the beginning of this year, she stopped when the number of orders for the pigs became overwhelming. Now, Naluyima looks after 300 piglets, 30 females and three males on a plot of land just next to her house in Kawuku, a few metres off Entebbe Road. Two boys help her out in looking after the pigs. They have been with her ever since she opened the piggery farm. “They help out mostly in the feeding and cleaning especially while I am away at the animal clinic,” Dr Naluyima explains. The clinic is within Entebbe town. As the number of pigs increased, the sty became smaller. To sort this out, Dr Naluyima expanded the pigsty and now has target sales. “For example, I can decide to sell 30 piglets in a month and I make sure that I meet this target,” she explains, adding that, “The advantage of coming up with such targets is that it enables me to create more space easily for the other pigs.” Spreading her knowledgeWith more people hearing about the pigs, visitors mostly pupils, secondary and university students keep coming to her farm to learn more about them. Some of them travel all the way from the western and northern part of the country to study the pigs. For that reason, Dr Naluyima came up with idea of a practical school which is still in its first stages of construction. “The school will provide a good learning environment for such learners because it is where all the practical and theory lessons will be held,” Dr Naluyima says. On the day our interview, I noticed some people next to the fodder system taking notes. The doctor later explained that they were visitors from Kenya who had come to learn more about the fodder system. The master’s degree holder in health sciences is positive that by the end of the year, the pigs in the sty will be many enough to go back to her pork business. Whatever route she takes, Dr Naluyima has already proven how far farming can take you if you work hard at it. -----Branching into other farming activities Just a few metres away from the pigsty are 12 suspended ponds bearing black polythene bags which are a dirty greenish colour. Each pond has over 1000 fish containing either catfish or tilapia. She however separates them because catfish normally do have tendencies of eating tilapia. 1 | 2 Next Page»“I wanted to see the kind of different opportunities rearing fish would bring me as well,” Naluyima explains. The beginning was not smooth sailing for her though. Most of the fish she had acquired became stunted because she lacked the basic knowledge and skills to apply when looking after the fish. “I just did not know what kind of food to give them and the condusive temperatures appropriate for them to breed in,” Naluyima explains. It was only after carrying out a lot of research about fish that she later on got to learn the fundamentals of looking after them. At the moment, Naluyima is looking towards restocking more fish since five out of the 12 suspended ponds are empty. She sells each kilogramme of catfish at Shs12,000. She does not sell much of the tilapia because she started stocking them recently. Therefore, she feels that it is better to give them more time to breed and multiply before selling them on the market. She started fish farming in 2011. Cows At the moment, it is only one cow that Naluyima looks after. She is not planning on adding more any time soon since she finds the whole process of cattle keeping quite tedious. Vegetable growerIn 2012, she also started growing matooke (bananas), green pepper, lettuce and cabbage. Some of these are taken home for consumption while others are sold on the market. Each bunch of bananas goes for Shs30,000, the green pepper which is sold in kilogrammes ranges between Shs1,000 to Shs3,000, the lettuce ranges between Shs1,000 to Shs2,000 while cabbages are over Shs3,000. However, prices are allocated depending on the size of the vegetable. The biggest problem she faces however is stiff competition from other farmers. “Vegetables tend to over flood the market most of the time and this therefore affects one’s income greatly in the long run,” Naluyima explains. One of the things that she loves about them though is that they tend to mature quite fast. (Dr Naluyima can be reached on 0772589613.) editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/When-crocodiles-camp-and-terrorise-villages/-/691232/1993934/-/4hylbb/-/index.html","content":"When crocodiles camp and terrorise villages - “A crocodile in my farm in Migeera-Nakasongola has eaten two adults, a child, 10 of my goats and a dog, but my relentless cry to the Uganda wildlife Authority for help has not been fruitful. How serious should i sound to get help?” This was the message of desperation Bernard M. Ssesanga sent to the Daily Monitor. When I was given an assignment to follow up on this, my first thoughts were, “Crocodile on his farm? Does it live on land, in a pond? Is his farm by a river, or a crocodile farm, or a game park? How long has this been going on? How big is the crocodile and how does snatch the animals and people?” The answer lay in Migera, about 120Km from Kampala at the farm Ssesanga talked about. Paul Aleper, a herdsman at a farm belonging to Ssesanga, had his own story to tell. It was a few minutes past noon and he had taken the goats in his care to drink water. “I was standing there, by the water when it hit. There was a great splash, water everywhere and one goat was gone!” he says. The ‘it’ he refers to is the crocodile, the one that he says has been plaguing Nakayenje village in Migera, Nakasongola District. That was the first time Aleper saw the crocodile take a goat and in the four or five months since then, he says it has taken five more and a dog. The dog was grabbed at the beginning of August. He narrates, “We were standing by the dam, the boy who had come to fetch water and I. The dog had followed the boy and was sniffing around the water, when there was another splash of water that sent the boy flying back into that grass,” Aleper points to a mound of grass about four feet from the dam’s edge where the shaken boy fell then continues, “Next thing we knew the dog was gone. We only collected the head of the dog later.” What attracts the reptiles To reach Nakayenje village, one takes a winding track through incredibly flat land dotted with shrubs. Every once in a while, we pass by a homestead or a herd of cattle grazing peacefully. We see a truck piled high with charcoal and a few boda bodas ferrying sacks of the same. It takes us 30 minutes to reach Nakayenje from Migera trading centre by boda boda. How long it would take one on foot is anybody’s guess. Even Aleper who spends his day wandering through the farmland admits it is quite a distance to the shopping centre. Residents in the sparsely populated area are blessed with plenty of elbow space. Expansive lands perfect for grazing cattle. But with no hills or valleys, there are also no springs, streams or rivers. River Kafu is about 50kilometres away. So they dig big ponds that they call dams. During the rainy season when parts of the plains tend to flood, these dams fill with water. Over time, the dams have become sort of permanent features, getting deeper by the year and lasting through the dry season. The dams provide water for the animals and for home use, which solves the water problem in the area. “Almost every farm has a dam,” explains Geoffrey Khaweka who assists as a farm manager for Ssesanga. It is also these dams that the crocodiles have chosen to make a home and from where they have become a menace snatching goats from time to time. We are able to visit several dams in the space of one hour, two within 10 minutes’ walk of each other and one a little farther off and much older looking. Surrounded by trees, the dams look like havens of peace. Surely nothing sinister could lurk under the shallow looking water. Aleper says that assumption is the reason the crocodile’s attacks are so successful. “It lies in wait while we go about our business oblivious of its presence. The crocodile never takes a thin goat, always the fat ones,” he adds. He believes there could be one crocodile plying the two dams that are close to each other. “Sometimes it is here, and other times there,” he says pointing to the other dam. He and Ben Ssesang,a a son to the farm owner who alerted us to the crocodile problem, accompany us to see the dams and maybe the crocodile. They think the crocodile moves at night. Or there are two crocodiles .They claim in the other dam there are two adult crocodiles and a few young ones. When we visit in the late afternoon we do not catch a glimpse of a crocodile but the residents are sure it is somewhere. “Sometimes at noon, you will find it lazing by the water,” says Aleper. Esther Akiiki says she has lost 10 goats at the dam. “They go to drink water and it seizes them from there,” says the middle-aged woman, taking a break from cleaning her milk pots. She like the others does not know how the crocodiles came to be in their dams. “Maybe they came from dams in Minoni, they have many crocodiles there,” she says. She also supposes they could have moved from river Kafu, moving through the dams that tend to dot the area till they got to Nakayenje. After the recent incident where the dog was grabbed as the boy was fetching water, Akiiki is a worried woman. More so because avoiding the dam is out of question. “What if it had gotten the boy? It is where we get all our water. For home use and for the animals, we cannot stay away, even if we wanted to,” she says. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Travel/Why-damming-Isimba-Falls-will-destroy-tourism-on-R--Nile/-/691238/1991446/-/jxmuy5/-/index.html","content":"Why damming Isimba Falls will destroy tourism on R. Nile - JINJA In July, the governments of Uganda and China signed a memorandum of understanding to construct a 188 Megawatts hydro-power dam at Isimba Falls in Kayunga District, 40kms downstream from the newly built Bujagali Hydropower Dam. Following the May 2007 motion passed by Parliament authorising government to guarantee $115m for the Bujagali hydro power project, an Indemnity Agreement was signed in July 2007 between the government of Uganda and International Development Association (IDA), giving a partial risk guarantee on credit extended to the Bujagali project. In the agreement, the government undertook to set aside the Kalagala Falls site to protect its natural habitat and spiritual values. In addition, the government agreed not to develop hydro power generation that could adversely affect the protection of the Kalagala Falls site without prior agreement with IDA. Six years down the road, with the Bujagali dam completed and a sustainable management plan for Kalagala Offset developed and in place, a project has been approved that could erode all the efforts to preserve Kalagala falls and its associated natural features and attractions. Most likely to suffer because of the construction of Isimba Dam is the adventure tourism industry along the River Nile in Jinja and Kayunga districts. The 40km section between Bujagali dam and the proposed Isimba dam site is used by companies running white water rafting and river kayaking trips. According to the people operating on the affected section of the Nile, there has been very little consultation on the impacts of the Isimba dam and where it was done; many of the companies were not involved. “There was a stakeholders’ meeting about one year ago in which only two companies were invited, Adrift Adventure Company (who never attended) and Hairy Lemon Resort. The meeting had no prior knowledge of the tourism base in Jinja and was more concerned with the farmers or landowners that would be affected. It wasn’t concerned about the tourism industry at all,” says Jon Dahl, proprietor of Nile River Explorers white-water rafting company. Information accessed by the company at the initial stages of the Isimba dam feasibility study suggests three options were being considered for the dam reservoir size. In the first option, the dam reservoir would back-up to the base of the Hairy Lemon Island resort in Nazigo, leaving the popular river kayaking wave chain, Nile Special, intact. The impact on independent river kayakers would be minimal. However, commercial river rafting and kayaking operations would be the most affected since the major family rafting and kayak learning sections run from Hairy Lemon Resort in Nazigo to Busana, the Isimba Dam project location in Kayunga District. The second option suggests the dam reservoir would recede up to the top of the Hairy Lemon resort in Nazigo, flooding the popular Nile Special rapid and leaving the section of water between the flooded rapid and Kalagala falls. This option would have a huge impact on the number of visitors which would affect the kayak community badly. The third dam option would be flooding the whole section of the river from Busaana up to Kalagala Falls. According to the adventure companies on ground, the impact would be serious, resulting in a complete stop to independent kayakers visiting Uganda, which would be a major loss to river rafting and kayaking companies. In this option, the dam would flood into Kalagala offset, destroying the only viable section for white-water rafting as there are no more rapids between Isimba and Karuma. End of adventure tourismIt would end adventure tourism in terms of rafting and kayaking on the river causing a major drop in tourist numbers and affecting businesses around and thousands of people who benefit from it. In the July 2013 World Bank Economic and Statistical analysis of Tourism in Uganda, adventure tourism was cited as the third most popular trip activity for leisure tourists coming to Uganda. For the over one million non-residents who visited Uganda in 2013, the most popular trip activities among leisure tourists were; wildlife safari accounting for 39 per cent of tourist visits, gorilla tracking at 26 per cent, adventure tourism at 25 per cent, and backpacker travel at 17 per cent. As Jeffrey Gettleman summed it up in his 2009 New York Times article, ‘Wild on the Nile in Uganda,’ “Uganda is a wonderful place to experience Africa, and rafting is just a piece of it. You can trek deep into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and stand eye-to-eye with a 500-pound critically endangered mountain gorilla. You can scale mountain peaks in the Rwenzoris (also known as the Mountains of the Moon) and see wild elephants at Queen Elizabeth National Park. You can bungee jump, jet boat and kayak…” A kayak is a small, relatively narrow, human-powered boat designed to be manually propelled by means of a double bladed paddle. Following the completion of the Bujagali Dam whose construction submerged Bujagali Falls, kayakers use the stretch of white water from Kalagala or Itanda Falls down to Nile Special, a grade five rapid which is level with Nazigo, about five kilometres above Isimba Falls. 1 | 2 Next Page»This stretch is widely regarded among the best for white-water rafting and kayaking in the world. The main attraction is the Nile Special wave chain next to the Hairy Lemon Island resort in Nazigo, Kayunga District. Nile Special is the only wave of its size and quality in the world that can be surfed 365 days of the year. Adrift Adventures, a white-water rafting company, says on its website, “the water temperature on the Nile has made this rapid in particular a ‘Mecca’ for white-water kayakers.” Increasingly, people are looking to surf larger waves, like those of the Nile in Uganda and many of the world’s top athletes in freestyle kayaking train in Uganda prior to big competitions. Kayak the Nile, a kayaking company operating on River Nile, suggests that commercial kayaking accounts for approximately 7500 visits to Uganda per year. In addition, up to 800 kayakers travel independently to Uganda yearly, with numbers growing as Uganda becomes established as one of the world’s best kayaking destinations. Most independent kayakers stay in Uganda for two weeks or longer, some for as long as four months. Excluding flights and travel to and from the country, on average, each kayaker could spend at least $500 at a time; totalling to nearly $400,000 brought in by 800 independent kayakers per annum. The 2013 World Bank report on Tourism in Uganda also indicates that leisure and cultural tourists spend 30 to 100 per cent more than other types of tourists per visit to Uganda. This substantial difference in spending makes these tourists an attractive target in government efforts to increase the economic contribution of the tourism sector. According to the 2012 Tourism Expenditure and Motivation Survey (TEMS) done by the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry, roughly 500,000 foreign tourists spent at least one night in Uganda in 2012, and nearly 75,000 of these were leisure or cultural tourists. The total economic impact of the expenditures made by these half-million foreign tourists while in Uganda is large; expenditures totalled Shs1.1 trillion and generated Shs2.7 trillion of GDP.Depending on the dam model adopted for the Isimba hydro power project, Uganda stands to lose most of its revenue from adventure tourism. It is estimated that up to 100 tourism businesses in Jinja and beyond could be adversely affected directly or indirectly by the dam construction and these include banks, mechanics, boda boda cyclists, supermarkets, clinics, phone companies and farmers, among others. GOVERNMENT -IDA 2007 INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (Partial Risk Guarantee for the Private Power Generation (Bujagali) Project)Between International Development Association and the Republic Of Uganda dated July 18, 2007Section 3.06. Uganda shall: (a) Set aside the Kalagala Falls Site exclusively to protect its natural habitat and environmental and spiritual values in conformity with sound social and environmental standards acceptable to the Association. Any tourism development at the Kalagala Falls Site will be carried out only in a manner acceptable to the Association and in accordance with the aforementioned standards. Uganda also agrees that it will not develop power generation that could adversely affect the ability to maintain the above-stated protection at the Kalagala Falls Site without the prior agreement of the Association. In addition, GOU undertakes to conserve through a sustainable management program and budget mutually agreed by the Government and the Association (no later than expiration of the prevailing sustainable management program or such later date as the Association may agree), the present ecosystem of the Mabira Central Forest Reserve, as well as the Kalagala Central Forest Reserve and the Nile Bank Central Forest Reserve on the banks of Kalagala Falls (as such Reserves are included within the Kalagala Falls Site). Upon receiving the Association’s notice of a termination (or prospective termination) of the IDAGuarantee Agreement (whether by the Association’s payment thereunder or otherwise) which in turn may lead to a termination of the Project or this Agreement, Uganda will enter into discussions with the Association regarding an extension (and the terms of any extension) of the afore-mentioned setting aside of and undertakings in respect of the Kalagala Falls Site (including the Kalagala Central Forest Reserve and the Nile Bank Central Forest Reserve) and the Mabira Central Forest Reserve; anampewo@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Score/Positives-from-Marrakesh/-/689854/1991046/-/xkchwf/-/index.html","content":"Positives from Marrakesh - Yet another World Cup will come and pass without our involvement, not that we owned a divine right to be there – only deliberate effort takes you to such things you know. And I could go on and on with the self righteousness of a village priest and raise matters about how I always knew we would eventually fall short of the glory but instead I shall choose to dwell on at least four positives. To start with the game proper, I felt we gave a good account of ourselves. We were tactically decent and maintained shape throughout. Yes a match fit Emmanuel Okwi would have nodded in Tony Mawejje’s first half free kick and Hamis Diego should have scored. Senegal has also probably regressed but at least it wasn’t one of those disjointed shows we put up at away games in North Africa. Second and at the risk of actually sounding ridiculous it is now five tournaments in a row that we are failing at the wire. I am not promoting mediocrity here, but in its own strange way this is a statistic that represents progress considering that a decade ago we never even got out of the blocks during such qualifiers. So we do have a foundation to build upon. Thirdly going by our own low standards we did actually prep well for this game. We played warm-up games with more worthy opponents than the usual local select XI. Heck we even camped in Europe (Turkey) a few days to the game, where we had night training sessions to acclimatize and adjust to flood lights seeing our game was scheduled for 11pm (Ugandan time). This might be ordinary stuff but not when it is happening to the uninitiated. Fourthly and last, in the recent past I have seen countries like Zambia and Angola deliver fans to Uganda on chartered flights. I don’t recall Uganda ever chartering a flight to carry fans to a game but it looks like we are now waking up to the psychological boost travelling fans can lend to a team. One note though next time the selection of fans could be extended beyond Mulindwa’s Christmas cards list such that we don’t have to suffer from the situational irrelevance of partisan placards like ‘Mulindwa for CAF president’. It would be nice to have a cross section of Ugandans drawn using a lottery which by the way may have the unintended consequence of marketing the game beyond FUFA crony mobs. Having said that, the learning curve is still steep and there is a lot we could have done better. For instance how hard was it to get the right connections for our returning boys? And did the team psychologist check to see whether Jajja Walusimbi was in the right frame of mind? He appeared to be a ticking time bomb from kick off and that wasn’t his first awful tackle you know!! But going back to the positives let us make the preps that went into this game our minimum standards and if we continue to play as fearlessly as we did in Marakesh, qualification can’t be that far away. So here is to Micho and the boys and to moving on to CECAFA, CHAN and AFCON 2015. Upcoming for Uganda Cranes With The World Cup qualifiers ended, Cranes must shift focus to the December Cecafa tournament and January 2014 Chan in South Africa. It is hoped that these two competitions will leave the national team in good stead ahead of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers banturakim@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/How-the-water-purifier-works/-/691232/1985604/-/cq3pnez/-/index.html","content":"How the water purifier works - In Uganda, disasters such as mudslides, floods and landslides are becoming common. Whenever they have occurred, the victims are left fighting for the basic needs of life. Often when the call for help is sent out, other Ugandans think the victims only suffer lack of food, shelter and loss of property but the other important and most essential element is safe and clean water. When River Mobuku burst its banks causing floods in Kasese District in May, residents were left in dire need of help. Most of the water sources became contaminated with limestone meaning the water was contaminated and dirty. However, a new water purification technology came in handy. Water Purification Systems Limited, a company based in Kampala helped hundreds of residents there access clean water by purifying the flood water. So how did this happen? Mr Rolf Mueller, the director technical operations at the company, says the solar panel-enabled water purification equipment has the capability of purifying 1,200 litres of water per hour. “The system purifies water from lakes, wells, boreholes or flood water. The purification capacity of the smallest unit is 150 litres per hour while the largest machine dispenses more than 1,200 litres per hour of bacteria and virus free drinking water,” Mr Mueller says. He adds: “We do not use any toxic chemicals to purify the water. We have been testing the equipment for the past two years and we have had no major problem.” The processWhen this newspaper visited the company’s home in Kampala, we followed the procedure of water purification. The entire process is automated, with a solar panel enabled powering system. The machine incorporates self-cleaning stainless steel pre-filters and a large membrane filter. Mr Mueller, whose equipment has been tested by the health and water authorities, says the purifying system does not filter out the essential minerals of water such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, etc. It also uses an inbuilt computer to detect any faults and sends a text message alert to the technicians. 1 | 2 Next Page»How it worksThe machine receives water from a source, probably contaminated through a pipe and takes it through three pre-filters. The first pre-filter contains pores of 100 microns while the other two contain pores with 25 microns each. The filters trap the dirt particles in three phases and when the particles accumulate in the filters, the system has a backwash system which washes the filters clean before beginning to re-filter the water afresh. The pre-filters sieve the water and rid it of bacteria and other viruses. The activator carbon or carbon fibre then removes the odour. After filtration, one pipe will dispense safe drinking water while another will dispense the dirt elements. There is also a water reservoir which stores water for cleaning the system. Testing the watersWhen asked about who would benefit from this system, Ms Mariam Kiiza, the officer in charge of marketing at Water Purification Systems says, “Schools, hospitals, dairy processing plants, water packing factories and other industries need to adopt the technology so as to have safe water in the market.” She adds, “We want to sell the idea to disaster response agencies and the Office of the Prime Minister such that in case of disasters, they should have such equipment to provide water.” Ms Kiiza urges the government to come on board and budget for such equipment to avert health crises. achekwech@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Second-rainy-season-set-to-start-in-September/-/689860/1978178/-/rejnbf/-/index.html","content":"Second rainy season set to start in September - September to December constitutes the second major rainfall season in most parts of Uganda. In a review of the state of the global climate system, it was observed there are major physical conditions likely to influence the weather conditions. Based on the above considerations, the Department of Meteorology has come up with the following forecast. Overall, there is an increased likelihood of near-normal to above-normal rainfall over most parts of Uganda. The breakdown of the forecast for each region is given as follows: WESTERN REGIONSouth Western (Kisoro, Kabale, Rukungiri, Kanungu, Ntungamo, Mbarara, Kiruhura, Isingiro, Ibanda, Bushenyi, Buhweju, Mitooma, Sheema, Rubirizi and Kasese) districtsThe region is experiencing on-and-off rains that are likely to continue to mid-September when steady seasonal rains are expected to set in. These are expected to intensify with peak rains around mid-October to early November. End of rains is expected late November to early December 2013. Overall near-normal to above-normal rains are expected over this region. Central Western (Bundibugyo, Ntoroko, Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa, Kamwenge Kibaale, Hoima, Buliisa and Masindi) districtsNorthern parts of this region especially in Masindi and Hoima Districts experienced early onset of seasonal rains around early August. The rest of the region is experiencing on-and-off light rains that are expected to continue up to around mid-September when steady rains is expected to set in. The peak seasonal rains are likely to be realised around mid-October and continue to late November. The end of seasonal rains is expected around mid-December. Overall the region is expected to receive near-normal tending towards above-normal rains. North Western (Moyo, Arua, Maracha, Nebbi, Okoro, Adjumani, Yumbe, Koboko and Zombo) districtsThe region is experiencing its main rainy season with on-and-off dry spells. Steady rains punctuated by occasional dry spells are expected to continue through September with the main peak occurring around late October to early November. Thereafter, a sharp decline is expected with the end of seasonal rains likely to occur around mid-November. Overall, near normal rains are expected to prevail over this region. CENTRAL REGIONWestern parts of Central (Rakai, Lyantonde, Lwengo, Kalungu, Bukomansimbi, Sembabule, Mubende, Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Luwero, Nakaseke and Nakasongola) districts The northern parts of this region are experiencing isolated outbreaks of light rains and thunderstorms, although the southern parts especially Kalungu, Bukomansimbi and Rakai districts are experiencing dry conditions. Steady seasonal rains are expected to set in around early to mid-September and reach the peak levels around late October to early November. The end of the rains is expected around mid/late December. In general, there is a high chance of receiving near-normal to above-normal rains over this forecast period. Eastern parts of Central (Mukono, Buikwe and Kayunga) districtsThe region is currently experiencing outbreaks of light showers and thunderstorms punctuated with short lived dry spells which are expected to continue up to mid-September when normal seasonal rains will set in. Thereafter, the rains are expected to intensify with a peak around late October/early November. By late November, a steady decline of rains punctuated by dry spells is expected and cessation of seasonal rains expected around mid-December. Overall, there are high chances for most parts of the region to receive near normal rains. LAKE VICTORIA BASINCentral and Western Lake Victoria Basin (Kalangala, Buvuma, Kampala, Wakiso, Masaka, Mpigi, Butambala, Gomba and Mityana) districtsThis region has been experiencing occasional outbreaks of showers and thunderstorms punctuated by dry spells since early August. Onset of steady seasonal rains is expected in late August/early September, with a peak occurring around late October to mid-November. The season is expected to end around late December. Overall, there is a high chance of near normal to above normal rains in this region. Eastern Lake Victoria Basin (Jinja, Mayuge, South Bugiri and Busia) districts.The region is experiencing some showers and thunderstorms punctuated by dry spells that are likely to continue up to around early October when steady rains will set in and reach a peak around early to late November. The season is expected to end around mid-December. Overall, near-normal to above-normal rains are expected to prevail in most parts over this region. EASTERN REGIONSouth Eastern (Kamuli, Iganga, North Bugiri, Luuka, Namutumba, Buyende, Kaliro and Tororo) districtsThe on-going outbreaks of showers and thunderstorms, with on and off dry spells are expected to continue up to late August. Thereafter, steady seasonal rains are expected to set in by early September reaching the peak around mid-October to late November. End of rains are expected around late December. In general, near normal rains are expected to prevail over this region. Eastern Central (Pallisa, Budaka, Mbale, Sironko, Manafwa, Bududa, Kapchorwa, Kumi, Kaberamaido, Soroti, Serere, Amolatar, Butaleja, Bulambuli, Kween, Bukwo, Bukedea and Ngora) districts.This region has been experiencing outbreaks of showers and thunderstorms since late July, with isolated cases of violent storms reaching flood levels along the slopes of Mt. Elgon. The moderate rains, punctuated by dry spells are expected to continue reaching peak seasonal rains around mid-October to mid-November. Thereafter, the rains are expected to decline steadily until around early December. Overall near-normal rains are expected. North Eastern (Katakwi, Moroto, Kotido, Nakapiripirit, Abim, Otuke, Napak, Amudat, Amuria, and Kaabong) districtsCurrently the region is experiencing seasonal rains occasionally reaching flooding levels in the southern parts. The seasonal rains punctuated by dry spells are expected to continue reaching peak levels around mid to late October. Thereafter, a decline in rains is expected around late November. There are high chances for near normal rains over this region. NORTHERN REGIONNorthern (Gulu, Apac, Lira, Kitgum, Pader, Amuru, Lamwo, Nwoya, Oyam, Kole, Dokolo and Kiryandongo) districtsThe region is experiencing its major rainy season with isolated incidents of heavy showers reaching flood level in some areas. The current moderate seasonal rains punctuated by occasional short-lived dry spells are expected to continue up to early October. The peak of the seasonal rains is expected around late October to mid-November. 1 | 2 Next Page»Thereafter, the rains are expected to decline with cessation expected around late November to early December. Overall, near normal with a slight tendency towards above normal rains are expected « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/I-m-still-too-young-to-live-like-a-millionaire/-/689856/1974786/-/w5xy5xz/-/index.html","content":"I’m still too young to live like a millionaire - Fortune came his way when in the 2012 Olympics Marathon, Stephen Kiprotich dazzled in London streets, winning the first Olympic gold medal for Uganda after 40 years. He would in the subsequent days get donations and prizes for the feat. Again this year, more fortune rained on the 24-year-old Kapchorwa-born boy when he produced a stunning and skillful win in the recently concluded World Athletics championship in Moscow, Russia, to win his second gold medal in a space of one year. Like last year, donations, feasts, and prizes have poured his way. He is now “Kiprorich,” the word coinage from his name Kiprotich and rich. His official Prisons house in Luzira is tiled and from the look of it, it was recently renovated. In the sitting room, a 32-inch Startimes plasma screen sits on a cream wooden table just next to the door. A few chairs and a dining table at the farther side fill up the athlete’s sitting room. On the wall, there are several frames and portraits of him. But what does the hero say about his life. “So many things have changed. I used to receive about only two calls per day. But now (points to the table where his phone was charging from) I get a call every other minute; but I like them. I love to speak to people. I still talk to all the people I knew and even the new ones,” Kiprotich says at his Prisons house. Indeed throughout the interview, he frequently excused himself to answer a call, attend to visitors and would also borrow my pen and paper to write down a name or instruction from the other side of the phone. When asked about the financial bit, the golden Kip quickly responds. “I have my attention on my career. I am still young and I am looking forward to winning more medals. The time for money is not now. When I feel I have achieved enough is when I will concentrate on using the money.” The marathoner says someone else is in fact managing his finances, adding that money destructs and other people supervise how it is kept. But when asked who keeps his money, which according to media reports is in hundreds of millions, the slender dark skinned athlete bursts into laughter, and tapping me, says:,“Do you want people to kill that person? I will not tell you.” So does that explain why Kiprotich, when in Kapchorwa still prefers boda bodas to rush him to Cheptilyal village? The runner pauses on this, before saying, “people should know that I own a motorcycle which works as a boda boda to fetch income for my family when I’m not at home.” He also says he has a double cabin pick-up track which he uses occasionally when at home. When nudged further on how he could not be touching his money yet he needs money to run other errands, the marathon king, hesitantly, reveals that State House gives all athletes who have excelled beyond Africa Shs1 million per month to facilitate their training. And that, with his salary, keeps Kip running. When he returned from Moscow two weeks ago, he was reportedly booked into a top hotel in Kampala, but Kiprotich preferred to spend his night at his house in Luzira prison.He explains that the last time he slept in the hotel, he was inconvenienced by the flood of visitors, which did not give him enough time to rest. “You see, prisons have a tighter security. Not everyone comes anyhow. I can afford to have enough rest and do things privately,” he says. So how does the father and prisons officer balance his time?“I have time for everything. When there is no major competition, I come and do my work at prisons. For my family, it is quite private but when the training schedule is not packed, I give my family like one month and in most cases, I come home (from Kenya) at the weekends,” Kiprotich explains.He says in between trainings, he also takes time to be with his family. Winning tipsWhen asked why he zigzagged on the home stretch to beat Ethiopia’s Lelisa Desisa, the golden boy says like a footballer, he also has tactics. Posho is still my main mealTo run for more than 40kms is no easy feat. You must have the endurance and must be feeding well. “I normally have breakfast of milk tea, bread and chapatti at times. For my lunch and supper, I eat posho, rice, greens and beans but posho is my main dish,” he says. He, however, does eat other things when he moves to towns or out of the training camp. Photogenic starAfter the interview, the jolly athlete takes my photographer, Faiswal Kasirye’ and I to the car which State House acquired for him. He turns on the car radio and opens all the four doors before igniting the engine. His broad smile when he sits in the car The golden boy’s week in summaryMondayI wake up at 5am to prepare my training shift. I start training at 6am for about an hour and then return to prepare my breakfast. I then relax until lunch and in the evening I do light jogging. I sleep between 9pm and 10pm. 1 | 2 Next Page»TuesdayI wake up between 5am and 5:30am. I go for morning running, and return to have breakfast. I usually prepare it myself. From 8am to 9am, I go back to training. This is majorly road work and speed work on the truck. I then rest and have lunch.At 4pm, I run for an hour and from 6pm, I prepare my supper. I go to bed between 9pm and 10pm. WednesdayI wake up at 6am. I run for an hour on the road and at 7am return to do personal work like cleaning and making breakfast. I finish everything at 9am. The rest of the time is for chatting with friends and encouraging others. There is no training in the evening. ThursdayI wake up at 4am, shower, dress up and start the vehicle. I then set out to collect my colleagues at about 4:30am. We drive out of the camp to a different training ground. I then meet my coaches and receive instructions from them. It is after this that we run for 40 kilometres for two hours. This is done once every two weeks. The rest of the days are for endurance training. FridayI wake up at 6am then run for an hour and 10 minutes. This is because on Thursday, we would have done a lot of work. I then go back to the camp and have breakfast. After that, I rest and meet friends for a chat. We then prepare for lunch as usual at 2pm.From 3pm to 4pm, some people go for walks, but I go to run. In the evening, it is usually news time, super and sleep. SaturdayI wake up at 6:30am, we start running on the road. We do intervals on speedwork, like after every 400 metres. This can go up to between 10 and 15 sets. After that, some people take weekend breaks. For me, home is far, so I rarely get out of the camp. SundayI do my training at 6am. Being a Catholic, I go for prayers for an hour. I return home, have breakfast, and rest. achekwech.ug@nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Score/Gumikiriza-revels-in-2012-success/-/689854/1973434/-/9kvf2n/-/index.html","content":"Gumikiriza revels in 2012 success, hopes he can retain national crown - Kampala- Unless he defends his title, a feat no player has ever achieved, Alfred Gumikiriza’s tenure as the Nile Special National Open Pool Champion top-dog ends today as the grand finale rolls off at Lugogo Indoor Stadium. Approximately a year ago, the 27year old left Lugogo a changed man. For his outstanding day’s work, Gumikiriza’s wages were a trophy, two pool tables and Shs2m. It is therefore understandable that he looks back at the year, with only delight. The lanky champ reveals that the triumph re-energized his love for the game and drive to take it more seriously than before. Indeed his life took a finer turn. “The win did wonders for me. It inspired me and expanded my outlook towards the game,” says Gumikiriza. “With the prize money I was able to start a bar business somewhere in Kajjansi. This has considerably increased my income and can now meet many of my needs with a lot more ease.” The Skin Samona player reveals that he placed one of the pool tables inside the bar to tap into his customer base and eventually supplement the income generated. The other table, he gave to his club manager. Besides the bar and pool table, more doors opened owing to his fame that went through the roof. With advertisements in Newspapers, TV and billboards, Gumikiriza’s fame spilled over the confines of his club and pool fraternity, resulting in untold fortunes. “Many people come for training from me especially the upcoming players and women,” reveals the star among whose protégés is MP Odong Otto. “He can teach me politics but when it comes to pool, I am his teacher,” Gumikiriza brags with an unmistakable pride. “I don’t earn much from the training but it is okay to help out at times.” ClubGumikiriza is also planning to start a club in the foreseeable future that he hopes will one day feature in the national pool league given the large pool of players that flood his bar for training. And to ensure a constant conveyor belt of talent, he hopes to add an academy too.“At the moment people just come for training and go but I intend to start a club next year so some of these players that come for training will play for that club. But more importantly since I groom many players I intend to start an academy for them,” he reveals. But at the forefront of all these ambitions is the goal to become the only player to ever defend the Nile Special National Open Pool Championship title. Queried about his expectations, Gumikiriza sounds as bullish as ever promising to remain the last man standing at the end of the long day. “I am well prepared. Been training hard with my coach Bob Minani and I am sure I will defend my title. I know I am the man to beat and I promise my fans I will not let them down,” he vows. To his fellow players, Gumikiriza doesn’t have any tips to dish out for fear that they may use them against him but rather words of wisdom. He states that self-respect is the only means to earn respect; without the first, one should never expect the second. “When one wins the Nile Special Pool Open, he becomes a national figure. And with such fame and a bit of fortune, disciplined and respect are very crucial,” Gumikiriza advises. From a game some still consider a mere pastime, Gumikiriza has had his life changed, perhaps changed for good. The triumph last year, which many would have considered to be the end, was only a starting point to a new life. He has started a business, is inspiring many and it has opened up doors for him to dream big. In fact his ambitions, if fulfilled, would break the back of a desert-hardened camel. dkyeyune@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/What-is-wrong-with-my-car-sparks-/-/688614/1971824/-/w75igs/-/index.html","content":"What is wrong with my car sparks? - I own an old Toyota Corolla which has clocked 160,000km. This car of late does not pick speed, as soon as I accelerate the exhaust emits a strange smell.What is the problem? The other problem is with its fuel consumption,it uses too much petrol in few kilometers. Odongo There are a couple of renewable service parts which can fail due to wear and cause your Toyota engine loss of power or poor performance. Your technician Should verify the condition of your spark plugs, fuel filter and air filter. Your car has the canister type long life fuel filter that is often ignored. A replacement unit should be a genuine one to ensure good long service life. The spark plugs are probably worn out as suggested by the poor performance, smell of unburnt fuel in your exhaust and an increase in fuel consumption. When spark plugs are worn out, they don’t provide enough spark to sufficiently burn fuel in your engine combustion cycle. The demand for additional power will instead flood the combustion chambers with more fuel to compensate for the poor burning. This fuel wastage increases the fuel consumption as the un-burnt fuel air mixture is evacuated as exhaust to cause the smell from your exhaust pipe. A diagnostic check will also help to confirm the condition of your exhaust oxygen sensor. A broken down oxygen sensor can increase your fuel consumption when it fails to regulate the engine control module’s fuel delivery. I have just received a Mercedes E200 Kompressor 2004 model bought off the internet from Great Britain. This car has a mileage of 150,000km. I would like to carry out service but I have been cautioned to leave the gearbox because it is a life time gearbox. What do you advise? Enoch. At 150,000km, your Mercedes has a service clock that calls for service A, B, C, D depending on which one is due on the car’s service clock. These service inspection schedules are suitable for Britain’s less dusty conditions and better roads. Service A caters for the oil and filter change with inspection of basics. I would recommend that you check or renew the engine air filter depending on its condition. Refer to the service history in your Mercedes hand book to see which inspections have been done. In case the service portfolio is missing, carry out a precautionary check or replacement of all fluids (brake, coolant, engine oil), fuel filter and spark plugs should be considered. It is important to refer to the user manual for recommended fluid types and quantities, for instance engine oil should be the 0w30/40 fully synthetic while brake fluid should be dot IV. Automatic transmission service requires use of special Mercedes type gearbox oil or the fully synthetic Dexron iii in case the Mercedes one is not available. A gearbox filter and pan gasket are sold at the local Mercedes dealer which means that Mercedes acknowledges that at a certain age and mileage, that gearbox ought to be serviced. Your service technician should lift the car to inspect the front and rear suspension with wheels off to check condition of brake pads, discs and brake lines. Check for U.K snow /salt corrosion damage of fuel and brake lines, engine components and general body. Carry out an electronic diagnosis using the star or any suitable diagnostic tool which will reset the service clock. Warning: Special precaution should be taken when handling the brake service of your vehicle to avoid accidental injury as the pistons will be engaged when the door is opened. I drive a 1994 BMW 320 with 170,000km. It has been a reliable car so far but has started overheating and the engine emits smoke, and the smell of burning oil. I am reluctant to sell because of the poor BMW resale value in Uganda. Please advise. Aggrey. At 170,000km the 6 cylinder straight 2 litre engine is overdue due for level ii major maintenance inspection of engine,brakes, suspension, fuel, cooling and lubrication systems. For the overheating, you need to check whether the thermostat is corroded and not working. Ensure that the fan clutch system has reasonable resistance to engage the engine cooling fan. You can spin it with your hand or confirm that it kicks in when the engine running temperature is above 95 degrees. It is necessary to check the cooling hoses,reservoir expansion bottle or radiator for leaking. The radiator should not be clogged with rust due to delay to renew coolant fluid. Ensure that the water pump does not leak or make grinding noise which suggests damage. After all, necessary repairs, refill the cooling system with a reputable brand of coolant which with sufficient anti-corrosive agents and glycol to lubricate the water pump. Prime or bleed the system properly to avoid the infamous airlock which prevents coolant flow. The smoke and strong burning smell from the engine bay might be due to a leaking valve cover gasket or a worn out exhaust manifold gasket. Replace them and renew the engine oil with a reputable brand. Use this opportunity to check or replace the oil, fuel and air filters for a better performance."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/Rains-are-here--is-your-home-safe-from-floods-/-/689858/1961530/-/aar1ml/-/index.html","content":"Rains are here, is your home safe from floods? - Flooding is a danger to life and property as well as the environment. This is mainly due to the increased pressure on land for construction of residential houses has forced many to construct in flood prone areas. The manner in which developers put up their houses also create room allowing flooding to take place.Experts say that despite the flooding, owners of houses can keep their facilities safe from flooding. Mr Anthony Nakedde, an engineer says that it is possible to have a completely flood resistant home but there are measures to prevent water getting in and limit the damages. Location, location, locationNakedde explains that the first protection from flooding is a good location. “A house built on a raised plot is less likely to suffer floods than one in a low lying plot. The obvious reason is, when it rains water runs downhill and settles in the valleys or swamps”. He says that floods often come up quickly with almost no warning, so it’s imperative to have safe and secure designs, especially in places known for flooding. Even regions that aren’t known for rising waters can be taken by surprise.”Good flood design should first of all protect the lives of people who live there and then secondly be able to handle the force of the water and hopefully not be completely destroyed or ruined,” Nakedde says. He explains that there are two ways that homes can protect properties: “flood resistance” measures, and making a building “flood resilient”. Flood resistance refers to preventing water from entering in the first place. Sand bagsNakedde says that the traditional methods of using sandbags can help for short periods when used in conjunction with plastic sheeting, and they can prevent contaminated mud and silt from entering a property. Flood protection productsHowever they do allow water to seep through and are not as effective as purpose-designed flood products. The benchmark covers a range of product types, including removable products that act as barriers across vulnerable points, such as doors and airbricks; temporary, freestanding barriers which are assembled close to, but not in contact with, a building; and property flood skirt systems. LandscappingNakedde says that as well as fitting flood protection measures to your home, another measure is landscaping your garden in a way that helps divert water away from your property.He further states that for those in low lying areas or plains susceptible to flooding may build flood resistant or even flood proof houses which can be done with consultations with an architect or engineer to come up with an appropriate design.“This is the more challenging part of flood design and will deal with this mostly. A house can be erected above the ground level on piles which is done after establishing the Highest Flood Level. The floor level is then constructed above the Highest Flood Level,” Nakedde explains. Storm drains and sewersGood storm drains or sewers also counter flooding. “In Kampala sadly many of these sewers are used as dumping places for rubbish which blocks them. This renders them ineffective and increases the chances of flooding,” he says.Nakedde says that in some places, buildings have been erected in the channels themselves. Excavating channels around the house to direct the flood water away from the house helps counter flooding. jkigongo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/Window-treatments-to-spice-up-that-glass/-/689858/1961556/-/5wejbdz/-/index.html","content":"Window treatments to spice up that glass - When someone says window treatments, it’s usually curtains, or draperies, shades, window panels, valences that hide curtain rods, and a flood of other things. You know how you treat yourself with shoes, or a pedicure; well, windows get window treatments. The right window treatments can add warmth to your room, add colour and pizazz, and turn an ordinary small room into a spacious unforgettable one. So, here are a few tips on how to spice up that glass in your wall. Curtains or draperiesUgandans have proved to be quite partial to the draperies or curtains. Since it has become almost standard protocol, it shall the starting point here. When choosing curtains for your windows, it is important to choose the right colour, one that won’t clash with the room in that way that hurts people’s eyes. Christine Namanda, an interior designer with Nina Interiors says that she would consider the sofas in the room, the colour of the walls, the ceiling and the floor when choosing the colour of her curtains. “Ultimately, it depends on what the client wants, but you have to keep these things in mind,” she adds.The next thing to be considered, of course, is the material of the curtains. Joseph Wasswa, the proprietor of Citie Homes, an interior furnishing company, says curtains are usually either dark-out or non-dark out. “Dark out materials block out light and are good for rooms where you don’t want too much light, like the bedroom. Non-dark out materials allow in light and are suitable for those rooms that are poorly oriented, that don’t have direct access to the sun,” he explains. Wasswa recommends curtains made out of cotton because they are longer-lasting and do not fade easily due to continued exposure to the sun. Lighter curtains, also known as day curtains, are used during the day, are made out of light material like organza or polyester.Wasswa also cited the changing trends where different colours and materials of curtains are being used in different rooms of the homes. “Before, people used to paint the whole house the same colour and so used the same curtains. Now, different rooms have different colours to reflect mood and personality. So people are open to different colours in different rooms, or different materials.” It is very important to measure the windows and the materials for your curtains. Namanda says one needs to have the measurements in mind when choosing curtains for their windows, or it’ll look like the material wasn’t enough, or that the windows are too big.Wasswa says that the material should be about three times the length of the curtain rod.“Measurements tell you how much you need. Three times the length of the curtain rod is the best for those gathers in the curtains that display the material richly. The gathers can even remain when the curtains are closed,” he adds. Shades, shutters and blindsIt doesn’t have to be just curtains though. You could change it up all over your home. You could have shutters for your windows, preferably made out of bamboo because it doesn’t fade, even with the sun. Shutters could be for your kitchen or pantry windows, letting in light, and taking out the chance of cloth getting ruined by stains as would be the case for curtains or blinds. You could have window shades that roll up to let in light, and back down when you need to block out light. Shades are in several materials depending on what you want for your home: bamboo, matchsticks, silk, heavy linen, voile; whichever you fancy. Blinds, either vertical or horizontal, could be for those small windows, or places you don’t need too much light in.“You could have blinds in your study room, for corridor windows, windows in the stairway, the cloak room, bathrooms, laundry room,” adds Wasswa. Tips on how to creatively place curtainsPlace the curtain rod a few inches below the ceiling to add height to the room. Make the curtains sweep the floor, also to add height to the room. You could have a curtain box, or a valance to hide the curtain rods and add to the romantic feel of the curtains sweeping the floor. For two or more windows on the same level, use a single rod with several curtains to give a feel of one long, continuous window. If one has narrow windows, extend the curtain rod several inches past the edge of the window to make them appear wider. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/8-dead-as-heavy-rains-pummel-flooded-Philippines/-/688340/1961292/-/66pewe/-/index.html","content":"8 dead as heavy rains pummel flooded Philippines - Manila - More than 200,000 flood-battered residents of the Philippine capital fled their homes on Tuesday as relentless monsoon rains, which have killed eight people, submerged more than half of Manila. Streets turned into rivers with water rising above two-metres (seven feet) in some parts of the megacity of 12 million people, while vast areas of neighbouring farming regions on the main island of Luzon were also inundated. \"I was crying when I saw my house being filled with water,\" said Edita Selda, 68, a sidewalk vendor who was forced to evacuate from her home in a shantytown along a major river in Manila that burst its banks. \"I chained the door shut so our belongings wouldn't be washed away. But... the water is moving so fast.\" More than half of Manila was flooded on Tuesday morning although that figure subsided to about 20 percent by the evening, authorities said. In one part of the capital, 47.5 centimetres (18.7 inches) of rain fell in the 24 hours to Monday morning, according to Esperanza Cayanan, a meteorologist in charge of Manila for the state weather forecaster. She said this was the same amount which normally fell for all of August, already one of the wettest months of the year. More than 200,000 people have sought shelter in evacuation centres, the head of the Philippine Red Cross, Gwendolyn Peng, told ABS-CBN television. Countless others were forced to wait out the floods in their water-filled homes, while the less fortunate sat on sidewalks with only plastic sheets for protection from the rain. \"We have had nothing to eat, nothing to wear. A few people went to houses on higher ground, but most of us had nowhere to go,\" Dinah Claire Velasco, 44, a resident of a blue-collar coastal district on the outskirts of Manila told AFP. \"My children and other people were able to seek refuge on the second floor of my house but a lot of others had to just sit on their roofs... We're waiting for rescue, for help, even just food.\" While no-one was reported killed in Manila, five more people were confirmed to have drowned in flooded farming provinces to the north, according to the government's disaster management council. Among them were a one-year-old baby and a 64-year-old man, both of whom drowned in the rural province of Pampanga about an hour's drive north of Manila. This brought the confirmed death toll from two days of flooding across Luzon to eight. The economic toll has also started to grow, with the stock exchange, government offices and schools in Manila closed for a second consecutive day. 1 | 2 Next Page»More than 160 domestic and international flights at Manila's airport were cancelled. The state weather agency said the rain would continue into Wednesday, raising the prospect of another day of paralysis in Manila. The heavy rains were due to the seasonal monsoon being exacerbated by Tropical Storm Trami, known locally as Maring, which was hovering to the north of the Philippines. Trami has been nearly stationary since Monday, according to the weather bureau. The Southeast Asian archipelago endures about 20 major storms or typhoons annually, generally in the second half of the year and many of them are deadly. The extent of the flooding across Manila recalled memories of Tropical Storm Ketsana, which flooded 80 percent of the capital in 2009 and claimed more than 460 lives. However Ketsana took most people in Manila by surprise and its rain fell mostly in an eight-hour deluge. Residents and the government have also since taken many measures to be better prepared. These include extensive social media alerts informing people about places to avoid and offering a platform to appeal for help. online@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/AllanTacca/Dead-rats-may-also-be-going-to-heaven/-/878694/1957212/-/5iutp0/-/index.html","content":"Dead rats may also be going to heaven - As I have always maintained, there is nothing miraculous that happens anywhere in our universe. It is just we do not (yet) understand a great deal of things.Without wasting time, will you have life after death; whether in heaven, hell, or as a reincarnation of a pig? If you believe there is something (call it a soul) that remains ‘undead’ and separates from your body at death, then it is quite easy to visualise an afterlife. But if you believe that death is absolute, that all your consciousness, the whole of your mind and your “existence” are only possible when you have a living brain, which is (normally) part of a living body, and that when you die all these things die, then the idea of an afterlife becomes almost inconceivable. There is a phenomenon that afterlife believers widely bring up as evidence of the soul migrating and starting a new (and higher) form of existence. People who have been pushed by illness to the point of death, but recovered, often report sensations of leaving their bodies, encounters with spiritual figures (Jesus, Mary, angels, gurus and so on), and experiencing a kind of joy. So, the believers conclude, heaven is out there, complete with God’s holy staff, and that the near-death survivor had just explored a bit of it. Indeed, some will irrationally insist that they had actually died, gone to heaven for a while, before coming back to us. Now, the rat, that little thief who generally seems to know exactly when you have jumped into bed and no longer pose a serious threat, is also the laboratory friend (thanks to a biological kinship with us!) that may give us useful insights on visions of heaven. More precisely, nine rats. If you listened to the BBC August 13 report on the subject, you needn’t go further. Or maybe you do. University of Michigan scientists induced the nine rats into cardiac arrest. Their brain activity was already being monitored. Thirty seconds after the hearts had stopped, the brain readings were counter-intuitive. With the rats now unconscious and very near death, you would expect their brains to show only lingering traces of activity. Wrong. The computer monitors showed a flurry of activity in some areas of the brains that was actually more vigorous than when the rats were in normal health! Such is man’s pride that it takes quite a bit of humility to consider the possibility that he might after all die – and go to “heaven” – just like a rat.However, although tantalising possibilities and the direction of further research have been indicated, the scientists do not claim to have established that near-death visions in humans are similar to those in rats. Neither is the godly interpreter necessarily out of business. Your padre, pastor or imam can now argue that God is a huge dealer in bio-electricity and related chemicals; that is why man’s nervous system has observable electro-chemical mechanisms like in rats. And unleashing a flood of activity in the brain does not give you only passing hallucinations; it is how God shows you the chambers of heaven (or hell) before you are resuscitated – if you are resuscitated! But it would be intriguing if (both in man and the rat) the areas of the brain that light up at death are linked to those that fire their survival instincts and their dreams. Of course, the rat’s cultural universe is probably less elaborate than man’s; so there should be differences in their visions at these moments of extreme crisis. And the main difference may be that after you have delivered your last gasp in Intensive Care, surrounded by nurses, you may be inspecting a guard of honour mounted by angels, while after the rodent’s body has collapsed in a trap, the rat enters a huge warehouse with mountains of scrap paper and an infinite supply of red peanuts.Alan Tacca is a novelist and socio-political commentator.altacca@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Create-satellite-villages-to-curb-landslides--/-/806314/1956258/-/n2hxab/-/index.html","content":"Create satellite villages to curb landslides   - Since the occurrence of what people in Bududa call ingulurwe ye Nametsi (the Nametsi landslide) in March 2010, whenever I say that I come from Bududa, I evoke thoughts of landslides. People have always asked me: How did you survive? Was your family affected? Are there people still living in that place? Why have people refused to relocate to other areas? Friends and colleagues were at it again on August 9 when landslides hit Matuwa and Namirumba in Bushiyi Sub-County. One e-mail intrigued me when a friend wanted to know why we, the leaders of Bududa, have not come up to save our people. The message made me re-evaluate my own contribution to the wellbeing of these people and how our leaders have worked to mitigate the lives of those shattered by landslides in Bududa. Personally, I cannot do much but my leaders from both the local government and their counterparts in Kampala can. However, time and again, residents have been blamed by leaders who portray them as agents that accelerate the occurrence of landslides in Bududa. Since March 2010, stakeholders have made statements like: “How can one settle on a flood plain or strip the land of thick plant life?” “Residents have remained largely unresponsive to calls to move to safer areas and that is why they are always buried by landslides”. All the time apportioning blame. Does this problem need such approach? The rate at which peoples’ lives and property are destroyed in Bududa by landslides is a result of the unpragmatic nature of our leaders. Most of the people who relocated to Kiryandongo in 2011 returned to Bududa as a result of lack of basic services in the camp. I don’t think a mere statement over radio that those living in landslide-prone areas should relocate is enough to effect resettlement if basics are not put in place. Recent destructions in Bushiyi should be an opportunity for local leaders to demand for implementation of what was promised in 2010. Now should be the time to implement the Moses Ali publicised satellite village programme as promised during the aftermath of the Bumwalukani landslide in June 2012. If the Kiryandongo scenario is anything to go by, embracing satellite villages can be the most sustainable solution for mitigation of landslide problems in Bududa. Equipped with facilities like boreholes, health centres and schools, the government can hit several birds with one stone with this project: Save vulnerable populations from the wrath of landslides, avoid potential resistance on the part of residents when it comes to relocation to places outside their home area and drastically change the living standards of these people. Like in Scandinavia, satellite villages can turn out to be a resource for “expansion” of land for better agricultural practices as huge population can concentrate in the urban centres, only to return to their previous land for cultivation. In Bududa, it has only become fashionable for leaders; especially the Kampala- bound ones, to surface and offer condolences, only to return after the next landslide. “Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16).Dominic Makwa dominic.makwa@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/10-new-ways-used-to-con-public-of-money/-/688334/1944506/-/jgt9hbz/-/index.html","content":"10 new ways used to con public of money - Online Forex Trading There are reports that several people are making a lot of money from online forex trading. In this business, a trader buys shares online at a low price and can sell them within minutes at twice or more the original buying price. In Uganda, several potential investors are lured into buying shares with a promise that they will get at least 20.4 per cent a month of the deposited money for 24 months. Most of the victims are elites who can get at least $17,500 (Shs45m). The fraudsters target about 100 people whom they collect money from and then start giving them interest. A few months later, they disappear with the rest of the money. At least 1,000 people reportedly were conned by two companies since 2011 to date. Other cases are still pending with police. Cleansing and money multipliersSince some Ugandans are so spiritual, those who get colossal sums of money want it ‘blessed’ or cleansed so that they can get more. With this in mind, many fraudsters pose as spiritual leaders and invite their victims to shrines where they demonstrate to them using magic tricks how the money can be ‘multiplied’. The victims are told to put some notes of money in a wooden box and lock. The victims then open the box and find more money than what they had put which excite them. Con men then tell the victims to put the money to be blessed or multiplied in the same box, lock it and go home with it. Unfortunately, when victims carry the box to their home, they don’t find any money. Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Ibin Ssenkumbi put the number of complaints of this nature at Kampala Central Police Station alone at 10 every week. Most victims, especially local businesspeople, lose not less than Shs10m in each scam. Focus point bearing scams Con men involved in this kind of scam carry out a background search about their victims to know their contacts, workplace, schools they went to, friends, relatives and movement. Armed with facts, they telephone their victims claiming to be old boys or girls, but now work for an oil company and there is a good deal which can make both of them rich. They tell their victims that one of their machines broke down and it needs at least 100 new focus point bearings and his manager (probably of a White man) wants to buy them, but he doesn’t know that they are on the local market. “I can’t purchase them because it is unethical to deal in inside trading. So if you can buy them at Shs2m each and take them to my manager in a hotel in Entebbe, we shall share the proceeds,” the con men often tell their victims. By just calculating the profits in the deal, most victims agree to contact the manager on phone. The con men then direct the victims to a fake shop to buy a sample of the bearing and then take it to the manager. Incidentally, when they meet a white man, he confirms that it is the type of bearing he has been looking for, but he needs at least 100 pieces. The victims often then rush back to Kampala to buy more pieces at Shs2m each in the same shop and drive back to the hotel. It is at time that all con men switch off their mobile phones. The victims will neither find the white man nor the person who connected him or the owner of the shop they bought the pieces from. Most of the suspected focus bearing go for Shs30,000 on open market. Real estateThis involves real estate companies claiming to have several prime plots near major highways. They advertise aggressively in the media to attract unsuspecting buyers of land and also give confidence to suppliers that they mean business. They then contact local companies to supply their company new cars, materials such as sand, cement and iron bars promising to pay back after issuing local purchasing orders. When they receive enough money from clients, and goods from suppliers, they close business and disappear. The most recent case involved a company which allegedly conned 15 firms of Shs4 billion using the same trick. The same company opened two other companies - that defrauded other firms. Sacco and pyramid scheme scamsIf there are any fraudsters that have stolen from those who are trying to escape the vicious circle of poverty, they are the pyramid schemes and fake Saccos. They often operate both in rural and urban areas targeting market traders, farmers and retailers. They start pyramid schemes that accept deposits from a group of people to work in the same area with a promise of giving them interest above 25 per cent per month in addition to low-rate loans that are not attached to collateral.They give out loans and interests to a few members which attract a big number of people. When the group grows bigger and they have saved enough money, they close business and disappear. The most common organisations that fleeced thousands of people of their money were Caring for Orphans, widows and the Elderly and Dutch International that operated in Uganda for a decade. The managers of the pyramid scheme were convicted and jailed early this year. 1 | 2 Next Page»Bursary/sponsorship scamsIf you think everyone sympathises with poor families struggling to educate their children, then you are wrong. These families are among the most vulnerable group to fraudsters through sponsorship and bursary scams. Con men open ‘ghost’ NGOs and move around villages announcing that they are giving out bursaries to needy children. They then demand Shs100,000 from each child for an application fee and for processing the documents. After collecting the money from several parents, they disappear and open another ‘NGO’ in a different area. At least 2,000 police officers were reportedly defrauded of their money by an NGO with a promise to give bursaries to their children. Jobs and lost and found scams Often when people lose their valuable property, they run public announcements on radios with the view that someone who may have come across their property would contact them. But of recent, criminals are taking advantage of the desperation of those who have lost their property to con them of their money. After the person has announced his or her property in the media and indicated their contacts, they call the person, claiming to have recovered the property. The criminals will demand for rewards through mobile money transfers.They will use the same information to announce on the same radio that certain items (using the same description you gave) were found (in a place you mentioned in an earlier announcement) and the contact of the person who found them. When you contact them, they first demand rewards and refunds through mobile money transfers. ImpersonationImpersonators often target rich businesspeople who deal with government officials. These impersonators telephone their victims using mobile numbers similar to the one the person they are impersonating uses, they also mimic the voices of the person as they demand monetary help. When their victims accept, they then pretend that they are travelling out of the country but would send their personal assistants to pick the money. Mobile money fraud Fraudsters send short message of figures that appear like an authentic mobile money message to their victims. Shortly, they telephone the victim claiming that they mistakenly sent mobile money to them, but they request that the victim be kind and send half of the amount they sent back on money mobile and remain with the balance. Many victims are duped and send half the money only to realise later that they have lost money because the first message which they thought was genuine was fake. At least Shs200m was taken from victims last year according to Police Crime Report, 2012. ATM scams Fraudsters wait near Automated Teller Machine (ATM) booths for people who aren’t conversant with the machine’s operations. The fraudsters enter the booth as the clients try to withdraw money and willingly offer help. In the process, they access the password of their victims and later on help the clients withdraw money, but they swap the victims’ ATM cards for fake ones. Often clients don’t look at the name on their cards after receiving money. The fraudsters then go to another ATM booth and withdraw all money from the victim’s bank account. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/How-you-can-safely-drive-on-muddy-roads/-/688614/1940356/-/2eaya5/-/index.html","content":"How you can safely drive on muddy roads - Critics have continued to preach about how our cities have been poorly planned! It’s a rainy day and some places are known to flood while in other areas going by our poor road works, you are not sure where there is a pot hole, a trench or a pavement. Many people stay out of town because the roads are simply impassable when it rains. But we all cannot do that. It’s another working day and you have to make your way to the office. Here are a few steps here to help you through the mess and get to work just in time. What to do when stuck According to smartmotorist.com, the first way of avoiding skidding on a muddy road is by driving slowly and carefully, especially on curves! Steer and brake with a light touch before entering the curves. Paul Zziwa, a professional mechanic notes that cars get stuck because the road is really bad or just because earlier road users drove through badly and made the road way too slippery. “Some drivers are just aggressive; they want to drive through the mud in high gears and with great force; their cars dig deeper and the more cars, the more slippery the road becomes,” Zziwa says. But Zziwa advises that when driving through a muddy road, one should remain calm, ease their foot off the accelerator, and carefully steer in the direction they want the front of the car to go. Zziwa also cautions drivers to drive their tyres on the high areas of the road, not through potholes or channels as they are wetter and therefore more slippery. “When you start to slide, turn your wheels into the direction of the slide and start pumping the brakes slowly; if you can’t stop and are heading off the road, turn the car as gently as possible away from the edge without accelerating,” Zziwa warns that sudden turns can turn the car over! Manual and automatic cars The mechanic advises that one should try a lower gear if in a manual car. “Do not engage number one. It’s too strong and the car will dig deeper; balance between gear two and three and this should be done very smoothly; the main point here is; avoid over accelerating in all muddy conditions,” he says. He adds that controlling automatic cars is harder. “One doesn’t have control over the gears. But when driving through a muddy surface, one should use the gears below the (D) drive position; cars differ, but in most cases the gears below the D are the strongest gears in an automatic car. Use these gears with a light touch on the accelerator.” For cars with a four-wheel drive mode, he advises that it is vital to engage the car in that mode before it gets onto any slippery surface. “The car uses all its tyres with equal strength in four-wheel drive mode. But if engaged after getting stuck, the car might dig deeper because of the strength that comes with the mode,” he says. He adds that in cases where one realises that it is too slippery or one is going downhill, they should actually take their foot off the accelerator. If one is driving uphill, over accelerating, only makes your tyres spin faster. Zziwa also warns against over-braking, “pump it slowly. Zziwa says that the first step when completely stuck in the mud is to park; then calm down and get out of the car to survey the state of the ground as you plan on the easiest way out. “Get some stones, small logs and place them directly under the tyres with more focus on the rear tyres especially if your car is not a four wheel drive. “Get back in the car, go forward very slowly; if your tyres start to spin, try to reverse interchangeably; ricking the car back and forth until your tyres hopefully grab. In case they don’t grab, you might have to try more logs and stones.” Zziwa advises that lowering tyre pressure helps sometimes, but he discourages it because it might lead to damage of the tyre if not done by a person who knows enough about tyres! “But it is very important to have a phone and a breakdown contact; they are very helpful during a rainy season,” he says. Lastly, make sure you park on a surface that you will penetrate if the ground has been soaked with water. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Insuring-your-crops-and-livestock-to-avoid-losses/-/689860/1931560/-/15ennji/-/index.html","content":"Insuring your crops and livestock to avoid losses - Since time immemorial, farmers have always devise means to limit risks through measures like crop rotation, diversification and intercropping but residual risks still remain. Every year, thousands of acres of farmlands are destroyed by natural calamities. Output is mainly affected by weather conditions such as drought, floods, strong winds or hailstorms, which in many cases are unpredictable in frequency of occurrence and severity. This is in addition to risks of being wiped out by diseases and pests or even fires, which can erupt during dry seasons. In May, Kasese, mainly, and neighbouring districts were hit by floods and about 1,000 acres covered by crops were destroyed. It may be hard for the farmers to recover quickly as they may not be able to clear their gardens to resume farming. Such incidents can happen to any farmer and they definitely affect production. Agriculture has always been a risky business and thus to protect against adverse weather and other vagaries, it is now possible in Uganda to have insurance to provide agricultural risk management. When it comes to agricultural insurance, a farmer wants to understand how much it will cost, and how damages and losses will be assessed. A pay out does not restore the farm but covers the financial losses incurred. The farmer will be protected by way of indemnification. Rainfall will be measured at the nearest weather station and by use of satellite remote sensing tools. But how will it work?The coverage starts at the beginning of the rainy season, when rainfall is deemed adequate and ends at harvest. If there is a shortfall during any part of the growing period, the farmer will receive a payout to offset against the outstanding pre-determined production cost. For example, if you expect 100 bags of maize from your five acres and, because of drought, you yield 60 bags, the insurance company will pay out on the loss of 40 bags. Claims are paid at harvest time because that is when you can tell the total yield.To get this insurance, farmers will have to be part of an association or have no less than five acres. For the start, the product will provide cover for crops like maize, beans and cattle. For livestock, the animals should be kept on one farm with 50 being the minimum number. It will cover an animal within a specified geographical area from death caused by fire, lighting, flood, rainstorm, windstorm, drought, earthquake, diseases and surgical operations. This should be within the insured period. Payments are made equal to financial loss caused by the death of the insured animal (not exceeding the sum insured or its market value at the time of loss). The animals that can be insured must be six months to seven years old. Costing As mentioned earlier, at the beginning of each season, the farmer takes out a policy with sum insured as the value of expected revenue from anticipated harvest at the end of the season. Premium or payments are calculated using the value of the crops and livestock at the time of insurance. For example, if the value of the calf at six months is Shs300,000, the cover will be the value of the cow at the time of the loss. This means that if the cow dies after three years and its value is Shs1m, the insurance company will pay Shs1m. The premium rating stands at two to five per cent of the sum insured. A farmer who insured crops at Shs10m will pay Shs200,000-Shs500,000. So, the farmer pays the premium which is non-refundable. Agricultural insurance is a new area of business, which calls for information and knowledge in various aspects to be built up. The Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda (IRA) encourages the service providers to engage in continuous sensitisation and training to enhance awareness. This will help eliminate the fear of the unknown and unfamiliar that surrounds insurance business. Further still, creation of a data bank should also be considered where information about developed models, difficulties encountered and experiences gained will be stored for future reference. The writer is the Communications Officer, IRA.E-mail: mnalunkuuma@ira.go.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/How-to-execute-that-inspiration-in-you/-/688616/1930652/-/e43e6k/-/index.html","content":"How to execute that inspiration in you - Q: Where do you go to find inspiration? - Tomas Jonsson A: Most entrepreneurs dream of having an idea that changes the world - of inspiration that comes in a flash, like Sir Isaac Newton and his apple, and results in a business that transforms an industry. And a few ideas have come to me out of nowhere, as if someone had flicked on a light switch, but I’ve learned over time that most good ideas take a lot longer to formulate and are the result of steady observation. My best sources of inspiration comes from the everyday frustrations I encounter at work and in my personal life. Simply taking note of them can lead to great ideas, because if you follow up and find that you can offer consumers a better solution than the ones currently on the market, you may soon be running a successful business. When a group of friends and I were running Student magazine in the ‘60s, we all loved music and didn’t have much money, and since we knew that many of our readers were in a similar position, we rather casually started offering a mail-order record service in the back pages. The service was not a test case for a larger business - we were too inexperienced at that point to have such an idea - but over many months it became clear that there was a great demand among our readers for a record distribution service. We were offering cash-stricken students a better deal than they could get in the shops, and they didn’t mind the wait to receive their records by mail. The new business we created, Virgin Mail Order Records, quickly took off. Although the business was almost paralyzed by a postal strike in 1971, our knowledge about the strength of the market gave us the courage to push ahead. That first idea led to the discovery of more problems, along with the confidence to follow through on our solutions. Soon we opened our first Virgin Records store in London, which provided people with a place to hang out and talk about music. Our contacts in the music industry increased, and when we heard that musicians needed a place to stay when they were recording an album and no one seemed to be providing one, we created Britain’s first residential recording studio, the Manor in the Oxfordshire countryside. After we made that investment, we were approached by a young, unknown artist named Mike Oldfield, whose hit album, ‘’Tubular Bells,’’ would launch our label. The rest is history. That’s not to say that you will never be struck by sudden inspiration, but you can’t predict when it will happen. Richard Reed, the co-founder of Innocent Drinks, walks through Shepherd’s Bush in London each morning on his way to work. 1 | 2 Next Page»One day he noticed that a billboard had been covered with a beautiful picture, without any logo or branding. The picture stayed up for a month before it was replaced, during which time Reed noticed how great he felt after seeing it each morning. He soon realised that this was something a lot of people would love to see and the idea for Art Everywhere was born. On Aug. 10 the Art Everywhere project will flood the nation with huge reproductions of classic British masterpieces displayed on billboards, effectively turning the country into one big art gallery. Corporate sponsors quickly signed on because the project will increase foot traffic and highlight and beautify spaces that wouldn’t otherwise get attention. Reed’s experience just goes to show that even a routine commute to work can result in a great idea. I have mentioned before in this column that I always keep a notebook handy to jot down ideas for improving our businesses; the same applies for starting them. Whatever you use to record your questions and observations, the important thing is to make a practice of it, preferably every day. Curiosity is a great quality in an entrepreneur: Since there are countless problems to solve, we are all exposed to many different opportunities throughout the day - all you have to do is follow up. If you are looking for an idea for a business, consider: Is there something at work or at home that frustrates you? How much time do you spend on solving it? Is there an even better way of doing things? Why hasn’t it been done before? If the answer is ‘’Because that’s the way it has always been done,’’ pay close attention. Take notes. Mr Branson is the founder of the Virgin Group.RichardBranson@nytimes.com. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Quack-lecturers-flood-universities/-/688334/1929628/-/v0o1ipz/-/index.html","content":"Quack lecturers flood universities - On June 11, 2012, Mr Christopher Oyat, a lecturer at Gulu University, sought an evaluation of his academic papers from the National Council for Higher Education. He wanted to know the worth of his papers, obtained from foreign universities, by Ugandan standards so that he could vie for higher offices. “I request your office to verify, evaluate and determine my highest qualification and rank in academia. Christopher has been awarded a postdoctoral degree in management by Isles Internationale Universite: school of doctoral studies-European Union,” Mr Oyat wrote. His request was later followed by another from the university secretary, Mr V. M Okoth-Ogola, to NCHE on August 29, 2012 requiring that the body verifies and equates the qualifications for Mr Oyat. “The academic papers were submitted by Oyat to secure appointment and subsequent promotion to senior lecturer in Gulu University. The purpose of the letter is to request for authentication, validation of the certificates and equating the level of the qualification,” Mr Ogola requested. Four months later, Prof Moses Golola, NCHE executive director, replied Mr Oyat informing him that none of his qualifications at doctoral and postdoctoral level were recognised as the institutions he went to are not accredited. “Postdoctoral fellowship of management awarded by Isles International University is not recognised as the awarding institution is not accredited. The certificate of accreditation from Quality Assurance Commission (in the UK) pronouncing the credibility of the university can’t be recognised by NCHE as the credibility of the commission is highly questionable,” reads Prof Golola’s October 10, 2012 letter. NCHE also requested for more time to verify Oyat’s undergraduate papers he got from Makerere University in 1991 and a masters degree in Development Studies at Uganda Martyrs University. Prof Golola observed that in a period of one year, Mr Oyat had received two postdoctoral awards, three doctorates and postdoctoral fellowship. Such achievements seem practically impossible in academia. But Mr Oyat insists his papers are authentic. “I received my qualifications from recognised institutions. I would advise NCHE to verify these universities. They have been operating and the point of recognition should also be defined. Who should recognise what?” he said in a telephone interview. Mr Oyat denies receiving a reply from NCHE. “I haven’t received any feedback from NCHE since June. It was my initiative that they assess me and I paid for it. African institutions are so slow to responding to needs of the citizens and I don’t like it,” Mr Oyat said. However, Dr Cyrus Ssebugenyi, NCHE higher education officer, said they had used everything within their means to reach Mr Oyat but he had indicated he was busy. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Score/Cranes-must-pick-up-the-pieces/-/689854/1919760/-/762cgtz/-/index.html","content":"Cranes must pick up the pieces - KAMPALA- The Ugandan rugby faithful now know that their team - Rugby Cranes isn’t the strongest amateur team in Africa. But before their departure to the land of King Julien, no one could hear any of it. And it was hard to fault them. The coach preached belief and the players looked like they were up for a good fight. One word, the team seemed to be on the cusp of a resurgence. But that was false hope. If the minute the Rugby Cranes departed for Madagascar to compete in the Confederation of Africa Rugby (CAR) Africa Cup and the second they returned were rather alluring bookends, what appeared in the middle was a nightmare. A nightmarish and tedious read, one would have been tempted to skip a few chapters. But something things cannot just be pushed under the carpet like dust. The horror facts behind the semifinal between Uganda and Kenya still grate. The Rugby Cranes finished the rubber with their tails between their legs after the Kenya Lions pummelled them 52-11 in a one-sided affair. Poor shiftCoach Peter Magona’s charges were a lifeless bunch that seemingly just went through emotions on the match day. A close source to the team intimated to SCORE, the Cranes display was a sequence of uncoordinated plays.“There were many schoolboy errors,” said the source, that preferred anonymity. “There were dropped balls, wayward kicks, collapsed scrums, missed tackles and endless penalties given away. Such mistakes would have made many a schools league player blush.”The Ugandans were so poor the gulf in the score margin could have been bigger. Many games are won psychologically and the Kenya defeat had a heavy impact on the Cranes mental strength. Stand-in skipper Michael Wokorach and his teammates’ confidence took a beating they could not recover in time to save their status as an Africa Division IA outfit when they lost to hosts Madagascar 48-32 in the make-or-break third place playoff. The Cranes might have returned silently on Monday morning but the dust hasn’t yet settled on their performance. There are a number of debates in almost every gathering of rugby faithful.Many are still are wondering how the Cranes turned from strong favourites to mere participants in just a twinkle of an eye. The other contentious issue that has many heads are rolling is whether Magona is the right man to continue as Rugby Cranes XVs head coach.Barring all the discussions, it is paramount to separate the wheat from the chaff and make it clear to all and sundry that Uganda were not good enough to be African champions in the first place. It was a case of hoping and being patriotic without much conviction. The moment Uganda came up against a Kenya outfit packed with power, pace and precision, they were bound to crumble. The Cranes were injury-plagued and forthwith depleted for such an important clash. Magona deserves a round of applause for turning those available for duty into a committed and loyal group. Questionable selectionsUnfortunately but true, a good number of Magona’s selections have been questioned. Playing veteran Robert Seguya at scrumhalf during the Elgon Cup before reinstating to the flanker’s role in Madagascar was one of the many gambles gone bad. He also stuck to the fruitless centre combination of captain Wokorach and retiring Timothy Mudoola. The latter has actually been deployed as a flanker by DMark Kobs at club level for the last three seasons. The injured Jasper Onen and Aex Mubiru aside, Magona went on to make eight positional changes before the semifinal against Kenya. It takes a brave tactician to ring such changes at one go. Magona, a good eighth man and inspirational captain in his heyday, will be beating himself for the team’s recent failures at the big stage.Luck comes to those who are prepared and it would be improper for anyone to suggest that lady luck deserted the ruggers because their preparation was far from perfect. More worrying, the backline recital over the last three games has been wanting. The tries have dried up and the defence has let in a flood.The 2015 World Cup dream is over and the nearest chance is 2019. The Uganda Rugby Union (URU), though, have a chance to pick up the pieces. Like they always say, we have to get back to the drawing board. The game is ever-changing and URU must initiate the new technology and dynamics into the Ugandan game. 1 | 2 Next Page»Way forwardThe time has also come for some old faces to pave way for new blood. Several local analysts are also pointing a finger to the new league format for the Africa Cup mishap. They argue that it was too short, not competitive and was always going to be won by the team that got off the blocks first. Its shortness meant that national team players would be way below the required fitness levels and also lacking via match practice. Digging deeper, Uganda must go the Kenya way and employ a full-time professional coach who can impart with the skills and ethics of the modern game. Jerome Paarwater, the former Head of Talent Identification at South Africa’s Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU), has transformed the Kenya Lions from just a bunch of players to chest-thumping African champions. URU must take advantage of their good working relationship with South Africa Rugby Union (SARU) and bring in a coach with the technical ability and reputation to re-ignite the players’ ambition. From World Cup winner Chester Williams to David Dobela and Norman Mbiko, Uganda has scaled some heights under the tutelage of South Africans. Persuading over another tactician from the Rainbow Nation could be what Uganda rugby needs to start strong again. The glory days of 2007 are long gone but if URU can carry out an ego-free postmortem, Uganda has the potential of clawing back from Africa Division tier 1B to 1A. URU cannot afford to take their eyes off the prize. NEW RANKINGS AFTER CAR CUP Kenya 31Zimbabwe 32Madagascar 44Uganda 51 editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Monitor-wetland-activities-closely/-/689360/1908272/-/wurjd5z/-/index.html","content":"Monitor wetland activities closely - Residents of Kawuku on Thursday brought the Entebbe-Kampala highway to a standstill as they protested the dumping of soil in a wetland. The demonstration, led by Wakiso District chairperson Matia Lwanga Bwanika, was provoked by activities of Rosebud flower firm in Kawuku. The residents blocked vehicles ferrying soil supposedly meant to be dumped at Lutembe Wetland bay for the expansion of the farm. The Lutembe Wetland incident is not an isolated case. It points to a bigger problem of environmental degradation and wetland encroachment. While the Rosebud director, Mr Sudhir Ruparerila, said he obtained a certificate of approval from the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) agreeing to the expansion of the flower firm, the fact that residents are now up in arms calls for closer monitoring of the firm’s activities. According to the executive director of Nema, Dr Tom Okurut, Rosebud was permitted to carry out activities in the wetland since 2004 within a designated boundary. It should, however, be a matter of concern that area residents are accusing Rosebud of pouring murrum into Lutembe wetland. Nema should make it clear what the agreement with Rosebud entails. It is also crucial that the residents are informed about Rosebud’s designated boundary in the wetland. Given the numerous reports that have variously raised alarm bells over this country’s vanishing wetlands, we must not lose grip on our duty to protect our wetlands. In Kampala, most of the wetlands have been encroached on. Many developers have invaded wetlands in the city without requisite documentation of operation from environment agencies. In the past, environment agencies have reported difficulty in stopping developers in wetlands because some of them have land titles. Clearly, there are gaps in the country’s environment conservation efforts that must be bridged. The role wetlands play in the ecosystem, especially in flood-prone areas like Kampala, far outplays individual businesses and investments in wetlands. If, like in the Rosebud case, companies or individuals have been given permission by Nema to carry out activities in a wetland, the environment body must closely monitor them to ensure they operate within the designated boundaries and strictly adhere to environment laws."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Loan-sharks-targeting-victims-of-rising-poverty/-/689364/1898962/-/x64tw4z/-/index.html","content":"Loan sharks targeting victims of rising poverty - Debra Wilson wanted to buy a computer for her daughter as a Christmas present. The cost was £350 (Ksh46,580) so she borrowed £500 (Ksh66,550) from a money lender, accepting that there would be “a bit of interest” added to the repayments. A few days later, the lender said he wanted £750 (Ksh99,820) in return, payable the following month. Ms Wilson could not meet the terms and took out further loans, increasing her debt. At one point she was paying more than £2,000 (Ksh266,140) a month and over seven years the lender charged her a total of £88,000 (Ksh11.7 million), sometimes accompanying demands with threats of physical violence. The final straw came when her daughter returned home one night with a bag of food leftovers from her baby-sitting job and said she was tired of being hungry. The heating had been cut off, the house was freezing and Ms Wilson went to the police. In Newcastle Crown Court, Judge John Evans told Robert Reynolds, Ms Wilson’s lender: “You are a loan shark, a person without a conscience. Your behaviour was beneath contempt.”Reynolds admitted a charge of harassment with intent to commit violence and received a suspended prison sentence. He claimed the actual lender was another man he refused to name and that he was only a go-between. It is estimated that 165,000 households in Britain use illegal money lenders and that many thousands are in serious debt to them. The borrowers are people with a bad credit history or who cannot manage their finances or whose income is very low. The poor are fertile territory for doorstep lenders. “If you are desperate and the kids haven’t eaten for three days, a person coming to the door and offering a loan seems like the Messiah,” said Sharon Mills from Nottingham, Britain’s poorest city.In fact, they are “a pack of wolves,” she said. “They know when a person’s pay day is and they will come and kick the door in for their money.” The current recession is blamed for the squeeze on people’s incomes and State benefits are rarely enough to fill the gap. In extreme cases, parents resort to stealing food, though the opening of a food bank in Nottingham resulted in a downturn in shoplifting for basics like milk and bread. Demands for action against loan sharks led to the establishment of official Illegal Money Lending Teams across the country. They claim to have secured 222 prosecutions, assisted 19,000 victims and secured prison sentences on perpetrators totalling 150 years.As for the wider economic picture, all eyes are on the government’s cuts in hope of better times to come. * * * * *An offshoot of the economic climate has been a rise in fraudulent insurance cases. There has been a 70 per cent increase in motor injury claims, mainly for the neck injury known as whiplash, and a 10 per cent rise in claims for damage or loss by theft or mishap.Typical frauds are claims for non-existent cash or jewelry, designer goods which are not designer goods. What the fraudsters risk is having their whole claim turned down or being caught by police. Like Shaun Charters of Morpeth and his old army mate, Derek Robsertson.The two smashed toilets, basins and shower cubicles and caused flood damage to Charters’ gym and claimed £55,000 (Ksh7.2 million) from insurance, alleging burglary and vandalism. But a forensic team spotted a drop of blood in a broken basin and traced the DNA to Robertson. The two admitted making false claims. Charters was jailed for nine months and Robertson got nine-months suspension. More blatant was Ben Le-Blond’s cash-for-crash scenario in which a Peugeot and a minibus purportedly collided. Sixteen people claimed more than £134,000 (Ksh17.7 million) mostly for whiplash injury. But when ambulances arrived, the so-called injured were sitting around chatting. Only when they saw the paramedics did they suddenly clutch their necks and backs. The Crown Court heard that Le-Bond, who claimed he had been behind the wheel of the Peugeot, had not even arrived at the scene at that point, and that the Peugeot and the minibus were damaged beforehand. Le-Blond was given a 12-month suspended prison sentence with 150 hours of unpaid work. * * * * *More on crime: A pickpocket was taken to court for persistent thievery. “You are fined £100,” said the judge. “I only have £75,” said the thief, “but if you will let me have a few minutes in the crowd….” Mr Loughran is a UK-based correspondent.gerryo69@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Police-block-traders-from-encroaching-Lubigi-swamp/-/688334/1893770/-/3j64b2z/-/index.html","content":"Police block traders from encroaching Lubigi swamp - Police have once again blocked hundreds of traders from constructing stalls on a section of Lubigi Wetland two years after they first attempted to encroach it. The group under Uganda Patriotic Voluntary Organisation (UPAVO), armed with farm tools, had started cutting down papyrus reeds and other plants before demarcating and dividing the wetland located between Namungoona and Kawaala. The traders led by a one Lubwama Ntege stormed the area measuring about five acres yesterday morning. The vendors had started ferrying timber and other materials, saying they were cleared by both city and environment authorities.In 2011, the group had occupied a two-kilometre stretch of the wetland bordering Kampala and Wakiso District after splitting the swamp into plots. But the police forced them out to restore vegetation. The group claimed they had been cleared by State House before descending on the wetland, creating a possible environment calamity.Residents, who declined to be mentioned for fear of being victimised, told the Daily Monitor yesterday that the construction of the market posed a danger in the flood-prone area. Mr Stephen Tanui, the regional police commander in-charge of Kampala North, said they were investigating the circumstances under which the alleged vendors stormed the swamp. “We came to the area for security purposes after tip-off from the residents. We have asked the leaders of this group (UPAVO) to produce evidence to prove their legality in the area,” Mr Tanui said.“They have promised to provide us with the documents. We shall wait for them and verify as we also wait for advice from the government departments,” he added. Mr Dennis Sebuufu, one of the leaders of the vendors, said they decided to encroach the wetland due to delayed government intervention to provide them a workplace, after they were thrown out of the same wetland. “We approached authorities who asked us to fulfill certain requirements and they gave us clearance,” Mr Sebuufu said, promising the members that work would soon resume. Whereas environment experts warn that unchecked human activities on designated wetlands and forests could pose a looming disaster for the country, politicians have been criticised for backing encroachers. PLAN The commissioner in-charge of wetlands in the Ministry of Water, Mr Paul Mafabi, last week said the government was in the process of demarcating wetlands to reduce the high rate of encroachment. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/BAT-closes-factory-in-Uganda/-/688334/1889962/-/ebue51/-/index.html","content":"BAT closes factory in Uganda - KAMPALA- The British American Tobacco - Uganda is closing its tobacco-processing plant in Kampala, rendering at least 26 employees jobless immediately and hundreds others uncertain. The company is switching its manufacturing operations to Kenya as it de-commissions the 74-year-old factory, officials confirmed last evening. Affected staff members are those directly working in the Green Leaf Threshing Plant, the factory’s official name. Ms Diana Apio Kasyate, the corporate and regulatory affairs manager, said: “Our leaf growing and cigarrete marketing and distribution operations are not affected by this change”. “We will continue to focus our resources on marketing our brands to adult consumers, growing a high quality tobacco crop, and improving farmers’ capacity and scale,” she noted in a statement. BAT officials, including managing director Jonathan D’Souza, met Trade minister Amelia Kyambadde on Wednesday but it remained unclear if she was briefed about the factory closure. Our investigations show that the tobacco-processing machinery on Jinja Road, next to the Ministry of Internal Affairs headquarters, had become old and installing a new one would cost $75m, investment company executives deemed unnecessarily costly when BAT, the parent company, has an alternative plant in neighbouring Kenya. Investing in a $75m plant would not have also made economic sense because it has an installed capacity to process 50 million kilogrammes of tobacco each year yet BAT on average buys 15 million kilogrammes annually, according to sources. The firm’s board, after a meeting yesterday, addressed staff members to break news about the restructuring, which took them by surprise.It remained unclear if BAT would also shut down its upcountry silos in Arua and Hoima, which act as centralised outposts for buying, grading, sorting and doing a mini-processing of tobacco. Officials were still reviewing the full impact of yesterday’s decision on the firm’s future operations and the way forward amid a flood of unresolved staff concerns. Mr D’Souza told this newspaper on Tuesday that BAT is “definitely not leaving” as rumour swirled that the company, in Uganda since the 1930s, was mulling an exit. Ms Apio noted that the location of the Ugandan tobacco plant --- close to the central business district – is “restrictive and no longer suitable for our crop processing operations.” Environmentalists have previously faulted BAT over air pollution and the factory neighbours also complained over inhalation of discomforting tobacco smell. BAT this year contracted 17, 000 tobacco growers countrywide, who have just entered the phase of selling leaf, and disbursed Shs14b worth in farm inputs and cash loans.The firm said the shutdown of its factory is unlikely to affect its tax contribution which last year stood at Shs72b. Health advocates and environmentalists have, among other things, blamed tobacco firms for rapid soil degradation through excessive use of chemical fertilisers; deforestation for leaf curing; encouraging child labour on farms and the rise in tobacco-related diseases. Parliament is considering a draft law that outlines stringent measures of production and sale of tobacco products, making it hostile and riskier to invest in the sector. 1 | 2 Next Page»editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Heed-warning-on-looming-floods/-/689360/1885934/-/5pqs40z/-/index.html","content":"Heed warning on looming floods - Despite several warnings of possible landslides and mudslides, a number of residents refused to relocate to safer areas even when they are well aware that more than 400 people were killed as a result of devastating landslides in Bududa and Bulambuli districts in 2012. The Meteorology Department has done it again – warned the public and government about the looming extreme climatic conditions. The weather experts have forewarned that fresh floods are expected to ravage the country in July, especially the central districts of Kampala and Wakiso. Previous floods have resulted in deaths, displacements, and some roads being cut off due to poor drainage systems, and broken-down bridges. People who are, settled in flood-prone areas have also suffered. We have seen slum dwellers left homeless as floods washed away their houses and ravaged the neighbourhoods leaving property worth millions of shillings destroyed. It is likely that some of this destruction could be avoided if the relevant authorities could do what is expected of them. Unfortunately, like the authorities, some people also tend to dismiss such weather forecasts as meaningless. We can draw lessons from areas surrounding Mt Elgon in eastern Uganda. Despite several warnings of possible landslides and mudslides, a number of residents refuse to relocate to safer areas even when they are well aware that more than 400 people were killed as a result of devastating landslides in Bududa and Bulambuli districts in the recent past. The reasons they give for clinging on to the dangerous hills are that the government has not identified alternative places for them to relocate to. Others argue that they cannot abandon their cultural and tradition land. In Kampala, the drainage system is in a sorry state and whenever it rains or even drizzles, the roads, streets and structures – all get choked by garbage or get destroyed by the consequent ravaging floods. The city authorities have not done much to ensure proper drainage systems. Some city residents are also to blame for choking the drainage system. Even where dumping cans or areas are provided, residents continue throwing garbage into drainage channels, thus blocking the free flow of runoffs into Lake Victoria. Wastes such as used plastic water bottles as well as polythene bags thrown about pose a big danger to the drainage system. We should do whatever is possible and limit the dire effects of not only the anticipated floods, but also famine that may follow as a result."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Musumba--Mawanda-fate-to-be-known-Wednesday/-/688334/1885070/-/i31pgz/-/index.html","content":"Musumba, Mawanda fate to be known Wednesday - KAMPALA - A High Court in India will on Wednesday rule on a case involving Igara East MP Michael Mawanda and former junior Regional Affairs minister Isaac Musumba, paving the way for their possible return. The duo and businessman Matthias Magoola, armed with an arrest warrant, flew to India in April ostensibly to claim $20m (Shs51b) outstanding payment from directors of Videocon, an electronics company. The money accrued from a Ugandan mining deal gone-bad, according to the trio. On arrival in India, the Ugandans - two of who travelled on diplomatic passports - were instead accused of seeking to extort $20 million from Videocon directors, triggering a diplomatic incident. The facts of the case are difficult to establish because of disparate accounts by the victims and their relatives as well as Indian and Uganda government officials. For example, Mumbai Mirror had reported that Indian police on April 19 arrested and questioned Mr Musumba and his colleagues before authorities there restrained them from flying out or leaving Trident Hotel where they returned following Kampala’s diplomatic plea. The ex-minister, who said he was in India as defence lawyer, denied the arrests and told this newspaper by telephone last evening that he was in a mall shopping, and had “never even been near any Indian Police station”. “We are the ones who took these people [Videocon directors] to court and the ruling is on Wednesday,” he said, “And it is based on the outcome that we will determine whether to return, but I don’t have to rush back to Uganda because I don’t have an obligation to,” Mr Musumba added. Diplomatic passportsIn Kampala, a senior government official who asked not be named in order to speak freely, told this newspaper that the case involving the trio became complicated partly because the ex-minister travelled on a diplomatic passport he was no longer entitled to use.This pushed Uganda to decline a direct response to India government’s enquiries on whether the individuals enjoyed diplomatic immunity. The source said the long-running legal dispute was proving costly and diverted attention and resources of Uganda’s High Commission in New Delhi, because officials there have to make frequent trips to offer consular services as would be extended to any national in trouble abroad. Ms Salaam Musumba, the former minister’s wife and Kamuli District chairperson, criticised what she perceived was government’s uninspiring approach in resolving the dispute and helping the trio. She spoke of their painful struggles to cope with the flood of negative publicity about the family head, and took issue with some “public utterances” by the cabinet and junior foreign affairs minister, which she said seemed calculated to discredit Mr Musumba.“It’s even worse that he has been their colleague. If they can treat him like that, how about ordinary Ugandans abroad?” said Ms Musumba. Government criticised“This is a serious governance failure, which reminds me of Ugandan traders harassed and tortured in Juba and our government’s perennial promise that they will be helped. It’s shameful.” State Minister for International Affairs Oryem 0kello yesterday rejected the notion that Kampala had turned its back on the trio.He said: “The government is taking diplomatic steps to engage with the government of India through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to find a solution in which Musumba, Mawanda and others can return and other matters related to the case that took them there can be dealt with when they are at home.” Parliament would not confirm if the Igara East MP had overstayed his official leave with Ms Ranny Ismail, a director for media relations, saying she needed to first crosscheck the records. Last evening, Mr Musumba said they are fine, but “tired” of misrepresentations by some bureaucrats about their case, particularly reports of their arrest, and asked that they be left undisturbed. “We will give you a good story upon return, but for now one cannot argue a case through the press,” he said, “Life is normal here, I am well and doing my work.”This newspaper understands that the Indian government hesitated to discuss with Uganda over the fate of Mr Musumba and colleagues because doing so would be sub-judice since the trio refused to withdraw a case they filed against Videocon directors. 1 | 2 Next Page»tbutagira@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Fresh-floods--return-in-July/-/688334/1885094/-/isi2viz/-/index.html","content":"Fresh floods  return in July - KAMPALA- People living in Kampala and Wakiso districts should brace themselves for a fresh round of flooding starting early July, the Meteorology Department has warned. In a statement issued on Saturday, the commissioner for Meteorology, Mr Michael Nkalubo, urged residents to construct drainage channels around their homesteads and to de-silt the channels clogged up with garbage. “The probability is high for the central and western Lake Victoria Basin to receive near normal to above normal rains from early July to mid-August. Residents in these areas should construct proper drainage around their homesteads,” said Mr Nkalubo.Due to poor or clogged drainage channels, even not-so-heavy rains usually leave parts of Kampala submerged and cause heavy traffic jam. Mr Nkalubo further warned that landslide-prone districts in eastern Uganda – Bulambuli, Bududa, Sironko and Manafwa too – are likely to receive above normal rainfall.He said the accompanying violent winds could “collapse poorly constructed buildings”, especially where above normal rainfall is received. “Look out for any cracks in the strata and inform the local authorities about them. More importantly, relocate to safer areas,” Mr Nkalubo advised. Despite the death of 400 people in Bududa and Bulambuli from 2010 to 2012, many people in these hilly areas have not heeded the government’s call to relocate. They claim the government has failed to find them fertile land elsewhere for agriculture. Others say they cannot relocate because of sentimental attachment to the land. The meteorology report also indicates that a dry season punctuated with occasional showers over the same period will be experienced in the southern parts of Jinja, Bugiri, Busia and Mayuge districts. Residents have been urged to plant early-maturing crops such as vegetables and also dry harvested crops. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/AugustineRuzindana/Threats-of-war-over-Nile-waters-are-futile/-/887296/1882216/-/1vtannz/-/index.html","content":"Threats of war over Nile waters are futile, out of date and not helpful - In the last few days, there have been lots of media coverage of Egyptian statements about Nile waters, sparked off by construction works of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. There was a reported conversation between President Mohammed Morsy and senior political leaders of all parties, that was broadcast live on Egyptian State television, while the leaders in conversation were unaware that they were live on TV. One leader proposed destruction of the dam by “special forces”, another proposed buzzing the dam site with jets to scare the Ethiopians and another proposed supporting rebel groups fighting the Ethiopian regime. The background to these rather uncalled for belligerent views is an “Exchange of Notes Regarding the Use of the Waters of the Nile for Irrigation” between the Egyptian Prime Minister and the United Kingdom High Commissioner in 1925 and 1929, which gave Egypt exclusive property rights over the Nile waters without any obligations to all the downstream countries. Thus, whereas Egypt has built dams along the Nile, it expects no other country to do the same. In 1899, construction of the first “Low” Aswan Dam was began and completed in 1902. Its height was raised between 1907-1912 and 1929-1934 but it proved to have an inadequate reservoir. Subsequently, Egypt, with the assistance of the Soviet Union from 1960 to 1970, built the High Aswan Dam, which has installed power generation capacity of over 2000 MW and its reservoir, Lake Nasser, covering an area of 5250 sq km, is 550 km long, a third of it in Sudan. Overall, the impact of the dam has been positive on flood and drought control, increase in agricultural production, employment, electricity production and river navigation. These are precisely the benefits the downstream countries would like to have. Egypt fears that construction of dams upstream would reduce available water downstream but one of the negative effects of the Aswan Dam is that 10km3 of water is lost through evaporation on Lake Nasser. There are many other negative effects such as coastline erosion, soil salinity increase, etc. The prelude to the Nile Agreement was the occupation of Egypt in 1892 by the UK to protect its interests in Suez Canal and to address the shortage of cotton on the world market. The UK thus promoted the growing of cotton in Egypt and Sudan and this necessitated drawing up plans for the exploitation and control of the Nile Waters. The plans included two dams at Gebel Aulia and Sennar in Sudan, which Egypt viewed as a threat to its interests and the relations of Egypt and the UK soured. Then the British Governor-General of Sudan was assassinated in Cairo, leading to the Egyptian Prime Minister and the UK High Commissioner exchanging notes that became the main part of the 1929 Nile Agreement. Following its independence, Sudan repudiated the Nile Agreement on the basis of the legal doctrine of rebus sic stantibus, which provides an escape route from treaties that become inapplicable because of a fundamental change of circumstances. However, Sudan later in 1959 accepted the Nile Agreement. Upon its independence, Tanganyika and later Tanzania invoked the Nyerere Doctrine by which the UN Secretary General was informed that Tanzania would accept the treaties signed by the UK but that they would remain in force for only two years. Tanzania thus asserted that the Nile Agreement was not binding but also agreed to negotiate a new framework based on just and equitable principles. Uganda and Kenya followed the same approach. Thus the Nile Basin Initiative which includes Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Eritrea (observer) was formed in 1999. But “tired of first seeking permission from Egypt before using the Nile water for any project like irrigation”, in 2010 five upstream countries - Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda - signed a Cooperative Framework Agreement to seek more water from the Nile. This is the current reality, unacceptable to Egypt and Sudan, but nevertheless leading to the hydro electricity dam projects in Ethiopia and Uganda. The best approach for Egypt is to appreciate the changed circumstances and talk to the upstream countries and to transform and realign its economy. Threats of war are futile and not helpful. Mr Ruzindana is a former IGG and former MP. a_ruzindana@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kasese-residents-pick-up-life-after-the-devastating-floods/-/688334/1875832/-/pss3b7/-/index.html","content":"Kasese residents pick up life after the devastating floods - Kasese A month after floods killed eight people and destroyed property worth millions of shillings in Kasese District, residents who were displaced are slowly rebuilding their lives. Rivers Nyamwamba and Mubuku, which burst their banks on May 6, left 20 bridges washed away, schools, hospital, homesteads and roads destroyed. But a month down the road, residents of Kasese are picking up bits and pieces of what was not swept away by floods. The cacophony of excited school-going children playing in their classrooms or compound, fills the airs around their schools while the buzz from traders wooing customers echo through the town markets. Although most of the homes still lay in ruins, the fresh smell from sand mixed with cement from almost every corner of the town tells one the amount of reconstruction going on. Although the number of children reporting to school is still low, they are open. According to the municipality inspector of schools Tobia kyomuhendo, educationists have noted a decline in enrolment levels of schools that were ravaged by floods. For example, at Bulembia Primary School, out of 700 pupils, only 430 have so far turned up for second term. And of the 500 pupils that were at Road Barrier Primary School last term, only 57 have reported.Mt Rwenzori Girls’ SS has 241 students present out of the 320, while at Kilembe SS, only 400 of the 1,000 students have so far registered for term II. Hospital openedKilembe hospital, that had been closed for a month after the flood run through it, this week resumed operations with medics registering an overwhelming turn up of patients. However, River Nyamwamba still flows through the former nurses’ quarters, although the water levels have receded. Many people have returned to their homes that lay in the valley, at the foot of Mt Elgon. The residents told this newspaper that they are aware of the risk of settling in a valley that id prone to flooding, but that they have nowhere to go. However, those who were staying in the premises of Kilembe Mines have been advised to find alternative homes as the company will not rebuild the 50 houses. Kilembe Mines officials have restored the water and power which had been destroyed by the floods. In the Kilembe valley, residents have turned the sand and firewood carried by water into business. The Kasese chief administrative officer, Mr William Kanyesigye, said the district needs more than Shs50 billion to be rehabilitated. Appeal to governmentThe work at the main bridges of Mubuku, along the Kasese–Fort Portal highway, and Katiri on Kilembe road, which are still at risk of collapsing, They were abandoned after machines in the district failed to recourse the river. District authorities want the minister for Works to re-channel the river to its original route. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Tibabimanya--75--has-trekked-4-500km-in-the-past-10-years/-/688334/1870422/-/e4cs97z/-/index.html","content":"Tibabimanya, 75, has trekked 4,500km in the past 10 years - Ten years ago, John Tibabimanya and two of his friends decided to take the walk from Gongo village, Kyamuhunga Sub-county in Bushenyi District to the Namugongo Shrine. The journey would take nine days and they are the only ones from their parish who made the pilgrimage. A decade later, the 75-year-old has not missed an opportunity to join the faithful who flood the site days to the event. Speaking through a translator, the old man says one of the original three passed away, while another is incapacitated by ill-health. Tibabimanya says while the first three he started with are not there, the number of pilgrims from his parish has now grown to 79. Still fitWe find him sitting with about 15 of the 79, carefully brushing his short hair. While speckled with grey, it does not betray his age. Neither does his skin or his stance when he stands. Only his very slow movements may hint that his joints are a bit worse for the wear. His fellow pilgrims say the old man, who started the pilgrimage at 65 when he had already earned the title “old man”, is like the best of them when they begin the arduous 450km trek to Kampala. “Mzee is very fit,” one of them says. As if to support his statement, the father of six adult children thrusts his chest, moves his limbs a bit and says, “I do not feel any pain.” “I had so many problems before I started coming here,” says the tea farmer. He says that was the reason he came for the first trip, hoping the sacrifice would move the heavens and his tribulations will end. “After the pilgrimage, I went home and I had peace,” he says. In his year to year visits over a decade, he has seen the shrine go through several changes. “So many things were not here,” says Tibabimanya while making a sweeping motion. He means the protestant shrine and the landscaping. “This wall is new,” he points. Some changes excite him, like the bathrooms provided for pilgrims free of charge. “Some years back people used to bathe anywhere and available toilets and bathrooms had to be paid for,” he enthuses. “The celebrations differ slightly because the hosting dioceses change each year,” he offers finishing his grooming and rising to put on his shoes. The open pair has seen better days, but then again they hit the road for 450km; any shoes would be. Active memberAge has not slowed down Tibabimanya, he is still a very active and respected member at church, and good mobilise, his colleagues say. He is the chairman of the church wedding committee, something he is definitely proud of because he makes sure we write it down right. He is well aware he started making the pilgrimage a bit late in life, when many people want to take a rest from physically exerting activities. But he says it is a way of coming closer to Jesus. He tells people out there who see making the pilgrimage as difficult to know that nothing can fail with God. “It [age] is certainly not going to be my excuse to stop the pilgrimage. I will keep coming until death,” he says. cwanjala@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/More-rains-expected--A-breakdown-for-each-region/-/689860/1852312/-/550kb3/-/index.html","content":"More rains expected: A breakdown for each region - The rain season started as was predicted in most parts of the country during the third and fourth weeks of March and in the first week of April for the north. However, there has been heavier rainfall, which has impacted positively and negatively on various sectors. In agriculture, most farming communities took advantage to plant hence good harvests are expected. In pastoral areas, pastures improved and there was replenishment of water reservoirs. But in some areas, there were floods that claimed lives, displaced people and destroyed property.Increase in the wet conditions is expected as warm surface temperature across western Indian Ocean is likely to trigger the influx of moisture into Uganda. There is an increased likelihood of more rain than usual. This is a breakdown of the forecast for each region: Eastern regionEastern Lake Victoria and South Eastern (Jinja, Kamuli, Iganga, Bugiri, Luuka, Namutumba, Buyende, Kaliro, Busia and Tororo districts)Steady rains were experienced at by end of March to April punctuated by occasional dry spells. The seasonal rains with occasional heavy storms reaching flood levels are expected to continue in May with the end expected in early June. Overall, there is a high chance of near normal to above normal rains.Eastern Central (Pallisa, Budaka, Mbale, Sironko, Manafwa, Bududa, Kapchorwa, Kumi, Kaberamaido, Soroti, Serere, Amolatar, Butaleja, Bulambuli, Kween, Bukedea, and Ngora districts)There were steady rains experienced by early April but punctuated by occasional dry spells. The seasonal rains are expected to continue until late May up to early June. Near normal to above normal rainfall expected. North Eastern (Katakwi, Moroto, Kotido, Nakapiripirit, Abim, Napak, Amudat, Amuria, and Kaabong districts)The rains were delayed and steady rains experienced by mid April but punctuated by occasional dry spells. This region received the lowest rainfall totals for both March and April. Intermittent rains are expected to continue until early to mid June. Near normal rainfall expected. Northern regionEastern Northern (Lira, Kitgum, Agago, Otuke, Pader, Kole, Dokolo Kaberamaido,Otuke districts)The rains were as forecasted in April with steady rains and occasional dry spells. They are expected to continue until June. An updated forecast for June to August for this region will be released at end of May. Near normal to above normal rainfall expected.Central Northern (Gulu, Apac, Pader, Lamwo Nwoya, Amuru, Oyam and Kiryandongo districts)The rains were as forecasted with steady rains experienced by mid to late April but with dry spells. The rains are expected to continue until June. An updated forecast for rainfall performance for June to August will be released later. Near normal rainfall is expected.North Western (Moyo, Yumbe, Adjumani, Arua, Terego, Zombo, Nebbi, Koboko districts)The rains were as forecasted; coming at the beginning of April but punctuated by occasional dry spells. They are expected to continue until June. An updated forecast to be released later. There is a high chance of near normal rainfall. Western regionWestern Central (Bundibugyo, Ntoroko, Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa, Kamwenge, Masindi, Buliisa, Hoima and Kibaale districts)Steady rains were established by end of March. They were above normal occasionally experiencing heavy storms that reached flooding levels especially in the lowlands below the Rwenzori Mountains. The seasonal rains are expected to continue until June. Near normal to above normal rainfall expecetd. South Western (Kisoro, Kabale, Rukungiri, Kanungu, Ntungamo, Mbarara, Kiruhura, Isingiro, Ibanda, Bushenyi, Buhweju, Mitooma, Sheema, Rubirizi and Kasese districts)Steady seasonal rains were established by mid of April reaching peak by end of the month. Over the entire region received above normal rains with occasional heavy storms that reached flooding levels especially in Bushenyi, Mitooma, Buhweju and Kasese. The rains are expected to continue to end of May. Near normal to above normal rainfall expected. L. Victoria Basin & Central regionCentral and Western Lake Victoria Basin: (Kalangala, Kampala, Wakiso, Eastern Masaka, Lwengo, Mpigi, Butambala, Kalungu, Bukomansimbi, Gomba, and Mityana districts)This region experienced early seasonal onset and steady rains had established by mid March. Peak rains were experienced by end of March to early April, while late April was punctuated by dry spells. The seasonal rains with occasional heavy storms reaching flood levels are expected to end of May with cessation in early June. There are high chances of near normal rainfall to above normal rainfall. Western Central (Nakasongola, Luwero, Kyankwanzi, Nakaseke Kiboga, Mubende, Sembabule, Western Masaka, Lyantonde, and Rakai districts)This region experienced onset of seasonal rainfall by mid March and steady rains were established by early April. Peak rains were experienced by mid to late April, with dry spells. The rains are expected to continue until end of May up to early June. There are high chances of near normal rainfall over several parts of this region. Eastern Central (Mukono, Buikwe, Kayunga, Buvuma districts)This region experienced onset of seasonal rainfall by mid March and steady rains were established by early April peaking by mid April. There were occasional dry spells during the period. The rains are expected to continue until end of Mayto early June. Near normal to above normal rainfall expected."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Here-is-a-solution-to-floods--Plant-bamboo/-/689860/1852300/-/rga2nkz/-/index.html","content":"Here is a solution to floods: Plant bamboo - In the wake of the floods that have destroyed lives and property in different parts of the country, we need to discover bamboo as a useful resource that can help prevent or manage such disasters. While there are many stories of bamboo saving the day, from different parts of the world, let us start with those closer to home. Bamboo happens to be one of the unsung heroes of the decades-long war in northern Uganda. Internally displaced people fleeing from the conflict would cut down bamboo, which grows abundantly in this region, to set up makeshift shelters. Light but strong, the poles will make a sturdy house frame, while the branches serve as walls and the roof. To these people, this structure offered their only home while on the run. Across the border in South Sudan, an NGO came up with the Reciprocal Bamboo Frame Emergency Shelter, which they use to provide temporary accommodation to the homeless people returning from Sudan. It is built using bamboo poles and sisal ropes or recycled rubber tyre strips; it takes about seven bamboo poles to set up the shelter, which can easily be dismantled and relocated. By using bamboo instead of timber or metal, the NGO is saving resources, and they are able to help more people. . Following the floods in Kasese and other parts of the country, Uganda Red Cross Society and the ministry for disaster preparedness are mobilising resources to provide temporary shelter and other basic needs to the victims. As usual, the resources are inadequate. Kasese alone will require an estimated Sh1.8bn to sort out. The funds will be used to supply tarpaulins, construction kits, essential household items and planting material for resettling the victims.We need to borrow a leaf from our brothers in northern Uganda and South Sudan, who successfully utilised bamboo to deal with similar challenges. Besides using bamboo poles to erect temporary shelters, both the ministry and the Red Cross should give out seedlings to the victims to plant. One of the leading causes of floods is reckless clearing of vegetation especially along hill slopes. The ground remains exposed, leading to massive soil erosion; since there is nothing to hold back the rain water. The soils end up in the river, leading to flooding. There is a need to plant bamboo on the slopes of Mt Rwenzori and along the banks of River Nyamwamba, all the way from its source at the top of the mountain. With its dense and wide-spreading root system, it will help hold the soils in place. This will help control erosion and prevent mudslides. Since bamboo is easy to establish and can grow in every part of Uganda, communities in flood-prone areas such as Kasese, Bundibugyo and Bududa should include this fast-growing multipurpose grass in their disaster preparedness strategy. The bamboo will hold back and slow down the water, reducing the amount that reaches these areas. The same strategies can be applied to other regions of the country. Bamboo offers other benefits. The poles can be used as raw material for crafts, the shoots can be harvested for food, and the leaves make good forage for livestock. It is a sustainable and environment friendly raw material with the capacity to enhance people’s lives at every stage of its life cycle. Although it is stronger than many trees, bamboo is actually a grass. It is the fastest growing plant in the world and this enables frequent harvesting. Under favourable conditions, it can grow up to a full foot in 24 hours. A pole will achieve full height and thickness in three to four months.One hectare (two and a half acres) of bamboo stand can store over 30,000 litres of water in its culms during the rainy season and gradually release it back in the soil during dry season. Planted along a river bank or lake shore, it will act as a natural filter, its interwoven system of roots and rhizomes forming a wall to prevent the flow of soil sediments into the water, while its canopy provides a shade over the water and help reduce the rate of evaporation. In the rainy season, bamboo absorbs large amounts of water. This gives bamboo a very high water storage capacity. The leaves help reduce the impact of heavy raindrops, by dispersing them into smaller particles. It also adds a lot of organic matter to the soil. The large mass of leaves, twigs and dry stalks contribute to nutrient cycling, thus conserving soil fertility. So, besides putting a roof on your head, bamboo will ensure there is food on your table. The author is a farming journalist and a consultant. E-mail: akndawula@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/What-it-means-to-survive-A-flood-/-/691232/1852672/-/8bqx8t/-/index.html","content":"What it means to survive A flood  - I think I’m God’s message to mankind, particularly the people of Kasese, that He exists and that He is a Mighty God. The way He enabled me to slip from the grasp of death, still defeats my understanding. Well, I believe His message has been received, judging by the passion with which people congratulate me and praise Him whenever they see me. Of course there are the stubborn ones, those who see the lighter angle of my predicament. Whenever I meet this lot, they make jocular remarks like; my friend, the angel of death has asked me to remind you to go and “eat your hen”. Others tell me that I’m lucky that my ordeal took place on a public holiday (Labour Day), when the angel in charge of stamping visas on the passports of folk destined for death, had taken a day off. The start of an ordinary dayMy name is Yusuf Mulwahale, a 48-year-old father of six. May 1 was like any other day, save for the fact that it was a public holiday, which meant that I was not going to work. After having breakfast at around 9.30am, my wife and I left our house to buy food from Katiri market, which is a few metres away. After buying the foodstuffs, we intended to go to Kasese town where my other house is, to spend quality time with the children.On the way to the market, I noticed that River Nyamwamba was carrying more water than usual. Even its babbling had increased. When we reached the market, it started drizzling. The clouds were very gray, signalling that it was going to rain more. I suggested to my wife that we should return home and only come back after the rain had stopped. We ran. First signs of troubleHardly had we settled in the house when I heard a colleague in the neighbourhood shouting at the top of her voice that, “You people, run for your dear lives, the river has burst.” I responded by looking through the window, where I saw that the river had deluged but it had not yet burst its banks. I dashed to my bedroom, picked a bag in which I keep my valuable documents and moved out with my wife, heading towards the Kilembe Mines Hospital, which seemed safer.Meanwhile, the rain had increased. When we were about to reach the hospital, my wife reminded me that I had forgotten my childrens’ academic documents. Aware of the extent of the challenges they would go through, if the documents became drenched, I decided to go back and pick them. Besides, nothing signalled that my house was going to be affected by the overflowing river. I hurriedly walked to the house, entered the bedroom where the box in which the documents are, was, and I started picking them. Suddenly, my feet felt cold, despite wearing gumboots. I looked down and realised that the water had entered the house. Out of fear, I dropped the documents and scooted to the window. Water everywhereLo and behold! My house and those in the neighbourhood had been surrounded by water, which was flowing at such a high speed that I could not even consider the idea of crossing it. I grabbed my umbrella, waded through the little that had trickled into the house, and climbed on to the roof. When I reached the top of the house, the sight that met my eyes was unbelievable. The river had inundated, burst its banks and was now flowing through our houses. The water was dirty and “lugagged”. It was carrying radios, television sets, goats, chicken, sauce pans, furniture, trees, rocks, and iron sheets. These, it was sweeping away with a lot of ease. I had no doubt that I was going to meet my death shortly. Thus, I started praying. I was so focused in my prayer because I knew that the God I was praying to is the God that I was about to meet. I wanted to meet Him when He had forgiven my sins.Meanwhile, the water level was steadily increasing. It started rising beneath the window, then rose to the middle of the window, thereafter moved above the window. Holding on to hopeOur houses were arranged in rows and my house was the sixth. After the water rose to the roof and covered it, the house would crumble. I saw all the five houses crumble. Next was mine. I shifted from the end of the roof where the water had risen the most to the end where it was minimal. I saw the first room crumble, the second one, by then I was at the edge of the roof. Then, water abruptly rose and pushed me off the remaining part of my crumbling house. Fortunately, it pushed me towards a tree which was nearby. I grabbed the tree so firmly because my life, then, depended on it. I used all the strength in me and I managed to climb it. In the tree, I started developing some hope that God was going to save me. I fanned this hope by praying more. Hope prevailsEventually, out of the blue, one of the rocks that were being carried by the water stopped beneath the tree. It could not move further because the tree had blocked its path. About 20 minutes later, a flowing log stopped at the other side of the tree. At that point, I had unshaken faith that I was going to survive. I am told that a lot was done to try and rescue me, but in vain. First they wanted to use a grader. This failed because the only grader around was being used to clear a road in Kasese which had been cut off by the water. I’m also told that they tried to hire a helicopter from a rich man around. This also failed because his phone numbers were unavailable. At around 6.30pm, after staying in the tree for five hours, men from Uganda Wild Life Authority hatched a plan to rescue me, and they were successful. This, they did using ropes. My wife and all the people who had gathered some metres away from the water, to pray for my survival burst into ululation when I reached them. It was only God’s name being praised. I did not sleep that night because all that was running through my mind were the events of the day. Fortunately, I have since overcome the trauma. I am so grateful that I am still alive because as I speak now, my children might have been orphans and my wife a widow. I urge people to be faithful to God and He will be faithful to them when they need Him the most. As told to Abdulaziizi K. TumusiimeSend your experiences to features@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/The-kasese-river-that-got-angry/-/691232/1851156/-/2b1210z/-/index.html","content":"The Kasese river that got angry - “Those who did not want to the see the valley dams, did not see them.” During the infamous valley dams’ scandal, it was alleged that that statement was Dr Specioza Kazibwe’s observation about some parliamentarians who were seeing plain land instead of the valley dams that she was showing them. A slightly similar situation occurred when Peter Bwambale, who was residing in the currently razed nurses’ quarters, adjacent to Kilembe Mines Hospital, offered to show me his house that was destroyed by the floods. “That is where my bedroom was [he points at a rock in the middle of flowing water]. That is where my veranda was [he points at a spot in the flowing water], where my children would play from.” But Bwambale’s house is not visible. It was completely swept away by the water. Not even remnants of its foundation can be seen.He narrates that when it rained, he did not expect the river to flood to the extent of bursting its banks. “I thought that they were the usual sporadic floods which tend to have negligible effects, so I simply locked the house and walked to the community centre which is a few metres away. I did not carry anything from the house because I was sure that after it had stopped raining, I would be back. That turned out to be the last time I set foot out of my house. I lost Shs2.8m in cash, a car logbook, my academic documents and wife’s, as well as several household items. “So, my brother, as I speak, my sole possessions are what you are seeing with me. I am now preparing to go the village in Bwera to stay with my parents as I try rebuilding myself.” Whereas Bwambale has opted to leave Kilembe, Patrick Kabale says he is not going anywhere. “The first time the floods hit, they unroofed my house. With nowhere to go, I moved in with my friend whose house had not been affected like my own. When the river flooded for the second time, on Sunday, we were asked to leave and cross the bridge before it collapsed, since it was showing signs of doing so. I crossed with my friend. He told me that he was going to stay with his relatives in Kasese town. Unfortunately I do not know any other person around and I do not have any money on me to go to my relatives outside Kasese. We were promised free transport to town, but I have not seen the cars since they took the first group of people. Therefore, I am going to sleep on one of the verandahs of the shops around. Whatever we did to this river, someone should tell it to have mercy on us,” states Kabale. The river betweenRiver Nyamwamba has its source in the Rwenzori Mountains. It flows through Kilembe valley, Kasese Municipality, Queen Elizabeth National Park and pours its waters into Lake Edward. People living along the river say that it is of great importance to them in terms of providing water for irrigation, building, domestic use as well as influencing the climate in the area. They say that the river usually overflows during the rainy season but the floods that have happened this time round have been unprecedented. But is that really the case? Amos Mfiti Basaze, a former General Manager of Kilembe Mines and a geologist, who started working with the mines in the 60s, says that for over the 45 years that he has known the river, he has never seen it swell so much and bring about massive destruction like it has done recently. “However, in 1964, it broke its banks and destroyed some property like the police housing units, and it flowed in the mines’ hospital. It flooded again in the 80s. Nevertheless the destruction that it caused was not as massive as it has caused this time round. Imagine a commercial building being cleared by water! I’d never seen this, really,” says Basaze adding that, “the previous cases of the overflowing of the river were solely caused by the tampering with the river’s course, by debris.” Although Basaze is sure of the cause of the previous deluging of the river, he says he is not sure of what would have caused the recent one. Many theories about the cause of the flooding have been brought forward. Some claim that that water might have overflown from the aquifers beneath the mines, others claim that the river had not been sacrificed to, over a long period of time. Nonetheless, one theory that majority of the people talked to – the geologist inclusive – subscribe to, is at the top of the Mount Rwenzori, where the source of the lake is. They say it shone on the glaciers which in turn melted and the resultant water flowed into the craters. When the crater lakes overflowed with water, it gushed into the river. The water flowed down the Kilembe valley with immense speed and volume, where it found a lot of debris in its course. Unable to contain the obstruction in flow, the river consequently burst its banks, and started flowing throwing people’s houses and gardens, destroying them. With the destruction of gardens, one of the challenges people in Kasese face is hunger, at least, according to Erias Ssalongo, a farmer who lost his garden of beans, groundnuts, cabbage and sugarcane. Ssalongo’s garden was his source of food as well as income. “Now, I’m looking forward to the foodstuffs that I heard that the Red Cross is going to offer us,” he laments. Aside from farmers, school-going children have also been affected. Pupils of Bulembia Model Primary School had some of their classroom blocks destroyed and their reading materials drenched. Also, some sewer systems were broken and the sewage flowed into the river. So there could be an outbreak of diseases such as cholera. Some businesses in Kasese town which had Kilembe as their main market have come to a standstill since most of the people are deserting the area. To minimise the suffering of the affected people, Kasese’s Mayor, Godfrey Kabyanga, says they have received aid from the Office of the Prime Minister and a number of organisations such as the Red Cross, The World Health Organisation, United Nations Children’s Fund and UPDF. The relief is in form of beddings, medicine, cooking oil, tents, mosquito nets, and jerrycans, among others. rkasasira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Rains-to-pound-until-June--experts-warn/-/688334/1845454/-/x2erqsz/-/index.html","content":"Rains to pound until June, experts warn - Countrywide Heavy rains continued to pound many parts of the country with the meteorology department predicting that the rainy season could go on until June. “There is an increased likelihood of more rain than usual over most parts of Uganda. The eastern region around Lake Victoria and southern eastern region will experience seasonal rains with occasional heavy storms reaching flood levels until the end of May or early June,”said Mr Michael Nkalubo, the commissioner for Meteorology at the Ministry of Water and Environment. MasindiIn Masindi District, a hailstorm that hit Kituuka Village, Kihaguzi Parish in Pakanyi Sub-county has destroyed several acres of crops, houses and killed animals. The Masindi District vice-chairperson, Mr Kanaginagi Ateenyi, who is also the Pakanyi councillor, said about 480 households had been affected and were in need of urgent assistance. “We want the government to intervene very fast and help our people like it is doing in Kasese District,” Mr Kanaginagi said. The hailstorm destroyed about 250 acres of crops which included maize, bananas, Irish and sweet potatoes, cassava, beans and ground nuts. KaseseIn Kasese District, thousands of people have been displaced by the floods and several families are currently held up at a temporary camp at Kasese Primary School. The camp was established by Uganda Red Cross society but the government and various humanitarian agencies are supporting them. Meanwhile, residents in different districts have been cut off from the rest of the country by rains.Last week, passengers travelling to and from Kampala-Kitgum route were left stranded in Laguti Trading Centre in Pader District after buses got stuck due to bad roads destroyed by rains. Mr Morris Okana, the manager of Homeland Bus, said the situation paralysed their routine operations since some of their buses had failed to pass the spot after the stuck buses and other lorries blocked the road. “Our operations have been greatly affected and we are now looking at diversion routes which will also hike on transport fares,” Mr Okana added. The Gulu to Moroto road has also been affected, rendering transport difficult as some residents cannot even use their private cars. MasakaIn Masaka District, hundreds of families in three villages in Buwunga Sub-county have been cut off by increased volumes of water in the swamps which have submerged all the roads that connected the villages to the rest of the district. The affected villages are Mumpu, Mutemante, and Kitayiza. The sub-county chairperson, Mr Francis Kimuli, said it was risky for anyone to try to walk through the flooded roads as the bridges and caravans were believed to be washed away. In Kaabong District, 200 families that were affected by floods have appealed to the government to rescue them with relief food before the situation worsens. This follows the heavy rains that swept away houses in Capilan bar, Kaabong Central, Kampswahili, Biafra and Pajar parishes in Kaabong Town Council. Soroti deathsMeanwhile, in Soroti District, a downpour accompanied by lightning on Monday night killed two people and injured three others in separate incidents. The incidents occurred at 8:30pm in Olukei Village, Lale Parish in Kamuda Sub-county and Legends Pub in Central Ward, Soroti Municipality. The deceased include Simon Robert Elumu, 14, a Senior One student at Soroti SS and Josephine Asingo, eight, a Primary Three pupil at Opiyo Primary School. Various parts of the country have suffered floods in the past but the most memorable occurred in 2007, when heavy rains caused flooding, the worst in the last two decades, across eastern and northern Uganda. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/The-Kasese-river-that--angry/-/691232/1844240/-/okebx7z/-/index.html","content":"The Kasese river that got angry - “Those who did not want to the see the valley dams, did not see them.” During the infamous valley dams’ scandal, it was alleged that that statement was Dr Specioza Kazibwe’s observation about some parliamentarians who were seeing plain land instead of the valley dams that she was showing them. A slightly similar situation occurred when Peter Bwambale, who was residing in the currently razed nurses’ quarters, adjacent to Kilembe Mines Hospital, offered to show me his house that was destroyed by the floods. “That is where my bedroom was [he points at a rock in the middle of flowing water]. That is where my veranda was [he points at a spot in the flowing water], where my children would play from.” But Bwambale’s house is not visible. It was completely swept away by the water. Not even remnants of its foundation can be seen.He narrates that when it rained, he did not expect the river to flood to the extent of bursting its banks. “I thought that they were the usual sporadic floods which tend to have negligible effects, so I simply locked the house and walked to the community centre which is a few metres away. I did not carry anything from the house because I was sure that after it had stopped raining, I would be back. That turned out to be the last time I set foot out of my house. I lost Shs2.8m in cash, a car logbook, my academic documents and wife’s, as well as several household items. “So, my brother, as I speak, my sole possessions are what you are seeing with me. I am now preparing to go the village in Bwera to stay with my parents as I try rebuilding myself.” Whereas Bwambale has opted to leave Kilembe, Patrick Kabale says he is not going anywhere. “The first time the floods hit, they unroofed my house. With nowhere to go, I moved in with my friend whose house had not been affected like my own. When the river flooded for the second time, on Sunday, we were asked to leave and cross the bridge before it collapsed, since it was showing signs of doing so. I crossed with my friend. He told me that he was going to stay with his relatives in Kasese town. Unfortunately I do not know any other person around and I do not have any money on me to go to my relatives outside Kasese. We were promised free transport to town, but I have not seen the cars since they took the first group of people. Therefore, I am going to sleep on one of the verandahs of the shops around. Whatever we did to this river, someone should tell it to have mercy on us,” states Kabale. The river betweenRiver Nyamwamba has its source in the Rwenzori Mountains. It flows through Kilembe valley, Kasese Municipality, Queen Elizabeth National Park and pours its waters into Lake Edward. People living along the river say that it is of great importance to them in terms of providing water for irrigation, building, domestic use as well as influencing the climate in the area. They say that the river usually overflows during the rainy season but the floods that have happened this time round have been unprecedented. But is that really the case? Amos Mfiti Basaze, a former General Manager of Kilembe Mines and a geologist, who started working with the mines in the 60s, says that for over the 45 years that he has known the river, he has never seen it swell so much and bring about massive destruction like it has done recently. “However, in 1964, it broke its banks and destroyed some property like the police housing units, and it flowed in the mines’ hospital. It flooded again in the 80s. Nevertheless the destruction that it caused was not as massive as it has caused this time round. Imagine a commercial building being cleared by water! I’d never seen this, really,” says Basaze adding that, “the previous cases of the overflowing of the river were solely caused by the tampering with the river’s course, by debris.” Although Basaze is sure of the cause of the previous deluging of the river, he says he is not sure of what would have caused the recent one. Many theories about the cause of the flooding have been brought forward. Some claim that that water might have overflown from the aquifers beneath the mines, others claim that the river had not been sacrificed to, over a long period of time. Nonetheless, one theory that majority of the people talked to – the geologist inclusive – subscribe to, is at the top of the Mount Rwenzori, where the source of the lake is. They say it shone on the glaciers which in turn melted and the resultant water flowed into the craters. When the crater lakes overflowed with water, it gushed into the river. The water flowed down the Kilembe valley with immense speed and volume, where it found a lot of debris in its course. 1 | 2 Next Page»Unable to contain the obstruction in flow, the river consequently burst its banks, and started flowing throwing people’s houses and gardens, destroying them. With the destruction of gardens, one of the challenges people in Kasese face is hunger, at least, according to Erias Ssalongo, a farmer who lost his garden of beans, groundnuts, cabbage and sugarcane. Ssalongo’s garden was his source of food as well as income. “Now, I’m looking forward to the foodstuffs that I heard that the Red Cross is going to offer us,” he laments. Aside from farmers, school-going children have also been affected. Pupils of Bulembia Model Primary School had some of their classroom blocks destroyed and their reading materials drenched. Also, some sewer systems were broken and the sewage flowed into the river. So there could be an outbreak of diseases such as cholera. Some businesses in Kasese town which had Kilembe as their main market have come to a standstill since most of the people are deserting the area. To minimise the suffering of the affected people, Kasese’s Mayor, Godfrey Kabyanga, says they have received aid from the Office of the Prime Minister and a number of organisations such as the Red Cross, The World Health Organisation, United Nations Children’s Fund and UPDF. The relief is in form of beddings, medicine, cooking oil, tents, mosquito nets, and jerrycans, among others. Why it happened and what should be done Some people blame farmers like Erias Ssalongo and others who built in the path of the river, for having partially contributed to the extent of the floods’ destruction. This category of people is not in the Kilembe valley, but in the Nyamwamba valley and Kasese Municipality respectively. Wilfred Baluku, the physical planner for the municipality, says that since 1995, when land was declared as belonging to the people, residents in Kasese embarked on a land grabbing spree, including the land at the banks of the river. “Demarcations using poles were made to signal to people, the restricted river bank areas, but the people uprooted the poles, stole them and then illegally constructed their houses. Some would construct their houses in the night to avoid being stopped. Efforts to stop the illegal construction were not successful since some enforcement officials were bribed by the illegal developers. So the planner would be overwhelmed by fighting his own staff and the culprits as well. “People in the Nyamwamba valley created channels off the river, into their gardens. Others would divert it to get space for cultivation. So when the river floods, because its course has been tampered with, it creates new routes, some leading into people’s homes. Those on the river course are of course affected,” explains Baluku. He says the silver lining in the calamity is that this time round their message of urging people not to build on the river banks will most likely reach home, since they have a practical lesson of the negative effects of not heeding to the message. Baluku concludes that as a way forward, the Municipal council will soon pass a resolution on how to deal with people who are staying on the river bank. The geologist suggests that management of the river should be taken over by the Ministry of Water and Environment, since it is the one that owns the river’s waters, adding that a team from the ministry should be stationed along the river to ensure that the water flows smoothly. He further states that the Uganda National Roads Authority should enlarge the culverts through which the river crosses the Fort Portal - Kasese highway. “The reason why that road was cut off by water is because culverts were small and could not accommodate its speed and volume,” says the former General Manager of Kilembe Mines. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Environmental-awareness-is-key/-/689360/1842862/-/92gefd/-/index.html","content":"Environmental awareness is key - Kasese District last week received a torrential downpour that caused massive devastation. Patients had to be evacuated from Kilembe Mines Hospital after floods destroyed the hospital’s vital units, four lives were lost, property destroyed, four bridges washed away, and more than 800 people displaced. The Kasese disaster has again cast a spotlight on this country’s poor state of environmental awareness and management and disaster preparedness. The occurrence of floods across Uganda over the past few years has always been blamed on the pressure human activities exert on the environment. It is clear that climate change is part of the problem and people in flood-prone areas have to learn from their mistakes. According to leaders in Kasese, residents have degraded the banks of River Nyamwamba so heavy downpour and overflow from the snow-capped mountain burst the river banks. Environmental experts say if residents do not change their farming methods, the frequency and severity of floods could worsen because the vegetation cover on the hills has been replaced with houses built on the hills. The widespread abuse of our ecosystem is not unique to Kasese. Cultivation on the slopes of Mt Elgon has led to landslides in Bududa, eastern Uganda. This newspaper recently reported that 450 families in Tororo and Kaabong districts are living under trees after their houses were destroyed by heavy rains. In Nakaseke District, farmers are counting losses after floods cut off access to markets, destroyed gardens and homes. Similar incidents have been reported in Kisoro District. We have always had early warnings, which should prepare the country for natural disasters like floods. In February, climate experts predicted an above normal rainfall across Uganda between March and May. The 2007 African Initiative on Climate Change also identified Uganda among the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change impacts. These warnings should help us design comprehensive long-term mitigation measures. The effects of climate change on key sectors like agriculture, health and education can be disastrous. The action point is clear: create environmental awareness through education, plant more trees, especially on the hills and along river banks, and conserve the ecosystem, especially the wetlands."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kasese-river-turns-deathtrap-as-heavy-rains-continue-to-pound/-/688334/1842934/-/sgoq3bz/-/index.html","content":"Kasese river turns deathtrap as heavy rains continue to pound - Kasese Fresh floods yesterday hit Kasese District after River Nyamwamba burst its banks again, forcing more than 300 people out of their homes. The river, which flows from Mt. Rwenzori downstream through Kilembe Sub-county, flooded on Wednesday last week, killing six people and displacing an estimated 2,000. Authorities are now worried that the disaster may worsen if the river continues to flood, as is the case around this time of the year. After last week’s floods, many residents vacated the area but those who opted to stay were affected. The floods have also sealed off Kasese-Fort Portal Highway at Nyakasanga Trading Centre. “Two lorries were washed away and overturned on the flooded road,” Mr Peter Kule, a resident, said. One of the survivors of the last week disaster, Mr Pascal Kasoke, said he had nowhere to go since they grew up in Kanyaruboga Village in Kilembe Sub-county, the epicenter of the floods. “I managed to rescue my family but I know Nyamwamba (River) cannot flood consecutively, so we are here to stay,” Mr Kasoke, the LC3 chairperson for Bulembia Division, said. Sofia Masika, who was found at his broken house in Katiri Cell said her six children were starved: “My children are crying of hunger but I have nothing to feed them on; I have been selling palm oil but now I have no market since people have evacuated the place,” Masika, who has stayed in the area for 15 years, said.The district chief administrative officer, Mr William Kanyesigye, said fresh flooding had forced authorities to evacuate people. The district director of health services, Dr Peter Mukobi, warned of a likelihood of water borne diseases since the district lacks clean water. “I am assessing the situation with the World Health Organisation team and the Ministry of Health. We want to have short term outpatient services at Kilembe Hospital soon,” Mr Mukobi said, adding that Katiri Health Centre II will remain closed. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Askthedoctor-/Can-a-person-have-sex-when-asleep-and-not-know-about-it-/-/691236/1744738/-/3mp2z/-/index.html","content":"DOCTOR’S COLUMN: Can a person have sex when asleep and not know about it? - Dear doctor, in Arua, a priest slept with a woman and made her pregnant. The woman was banished because it was believed that she bewitched the priest to sleep with her unknowingly. The bishop accepted the priest’s version of the story. Can anyone sleep with a woman and not remember? Jacob Amandua, Arua Dear Jacob, it is true that a man with many sexual partners may not remember some of them. If the priest does not have many sexual partners and actually had coitus with this woman, this may be one of the few stories of a medical condition of sleep sex (sexsomnia). Abnormal or unnatural behaviours during sleep are called parasomnias. In some documented circumstances, women or men have undressed their sexual counterparts and even put condoms on themselves or on the men while in their sleep before having sex with them. Just like in sleepwalking, night dancing and sleep eating, either a woman or a man can have sex while asleep and not be aware of it. Just like sleepwalking, sexsomnia may start early in childhood and continue into adulthood. People with parasomnias are thought to be bewitched or even attacked by demons requiring exorcism or prayer and yet this is a recognised medical condition. That the bishop believed the priest but not the woman may indicate that the bishop may have been aware such a problem exists and as such gave the priest the benefit of doubt to the priest. A DNA test may be necessary for paternity but will not rule out sexsomnia. -------------------------------------------------------- Dear doctor, acid was thrown at me by thugs two years ago but the attack was not bad though I now have scars, which I want removed. Where can I do this? Immaculate Dear Immaculate, acid burn injuries represent a special kind of injury, with the effects depending on the type of acid, concentration, strength, quality, duration of contact, and penetration power. In Uganda, the common causative agent is sulphuric acid, which is used in batteries. The face and neck are mainly targeted for maximum psychological torture. When the airway is involved, there may be death due to breathing problems. It is likely you developed bad scars called keloids which may require a plastic surgeon, who you can get from big hospitals like Mulago hospital. -------------------------------------------------------- Dear doctor, people say that bazungu doctors cannot treat etalo, which is said to result from witchcraft. As such, it requires an “African solution”. Are there recent advances in medicine to treat this? Nike Sserumaga Dear Nike, the skin is the largest organ of the body and it helps protect the inside from germs and therefore body infection. Sometimes, the skin gets breaches some of which we can see with our naked eyes (wounds) but some are too small to see (microscopic). 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Methods-of-irrigating-a-garden/-/689860/1748052/-/chludlz/-/index.html","content":"Methods of irrigating a garden - Good crop growth needs sufficient soil moisture as a healthy plant is composed of 90 per cent water, which is used for its vital functions, notes Mr Stephen Okajje, a researcher and a farmer in Nyenga, Buikwe District. “Throughout the first few weeks of growth, as plants become established, they must have water to build strong root systems. For example, if one is growing crops like carrots or tomatoes, one should make sure that the crops get about two inches of water from the top-soil level into the ground whenever watering. This when the crops are still young or have just been planted,” he says. The watering can be done at least thrice a week and the soil moistened to a depth of six to seven inches at each turn of watering. It is advised to do it again when the water starts to dry out. Okajje notes that there are different types of crop irrigation that are used depending on one’s capability and soil type. Commonly used forms include rotation, drip, centre pivot, sprinkler, and surface flooding. With rotation method, sprinkler equipment is used to move from one place to another within the garden until the whole crop has been sufficiently watered. Drip method is where water is delivered to the root area of plants. A container filled with water is tied to a pole next to the crop with water dripping through tiny holes. This method is mostly used by those with small gardens and helps to minimise water loss to evaporation. In sprinkler method, the water is pumped to points in the garden where sprinklers rotate and spray water at high pressure over the crops. The water is distributed through a system of pipes to the crops. Surface flooding is where the water is allowed to flood across the land through channels. The method is mostly used by rice-growing famers. And with the centre pivot method, the sprinklers are rotated around the garden during watering. A high-pressure water tube is connected to an irrigating machine and the sprinklers are supported at various points, either manually or by electrical means. Therefore, in considering irrigation, take note of the following points: Know the irrigation method to use, secure a water source before starting, always consult experts for advice, know the type soil, and most importantly, cultivate and mulch first for better results. ckatende@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Expert-warns-MPs-against-law-on-GMOs/-/688334/1726070/-/5g259uz/-/index.html","content":"Expert warns MPs against law on GMOs - Uganda risks compromising the health of its citizens and the environment if Parliament enacts the bio-safety and biotechnology Bill in its present form, a Kenyan specialist on Genetically Modified Organisms/seeds (GMOs) has said. Uganda is among countries that are quickly adopting the technology with field trials for banana, maize, cotton, potatoes and rice at Namulonge and Kawanda Research Institutes. If enacted, the law will guide the introduction and commercial production of GMOs in the country. Analysts say foreign multi-national companies would take advantage of the situation to flood the local market and suffocate local farmers. “Uganda should not fall in a trap like Kenya did. You (MPs) should ensure that government funds sustainable agriculture and slow down on passing this Bill,” said Dr Daniel Maingi, the director Kenya Biodiversity Network in Kampala on Tuesday. Dr Maingi said Uganda should emulate Tanzania’s regulatory framework on GMOs that has a liability clause that protects its citizens.He said Africa lacks safety data on genetically modified foods and condemned the patenting of life and the privatisation of agriculture that is threatening to dispossess African food producers of control over their production systems. However, Dr Maingi’s call was received with mixed reactions by MPs on how to proceed with the Bill that is expected to be tabled soon. Maracha Woman MP Lematia Ondoru expressed disappointment that the Bill is before Parliament. “In USA, organic food is very expensive. You have to travel miles to get organic food. This Bill is not ours, it should be thrown out.” Mpigi Woman MP Sarah Nakawunde and Gomba Woman MP Kyabangi Nakato said the Bill should be dropped and government invests money in research for indigenous crops. However, Kyadondo North MP Kasule Sebunya said GMOs can only be fought from the laboratory. “The people I represent in Kawanda and Namulonge have spent more than 20 years researching. As Parliament, we have to find a way to help our people,” he said. Kasese Woman MP Winnie Kizza called for more debate to educate legislators and farmers to make informed decisions.“We should not just trash the Bill but give people time to interact and learn more.” editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Samia--Straddling-two-countries-but-keeping-their-bond-intact/-/691232/1725782/-/c81j55/-/index.html","content":"The Samia: A tribe straddling two countries but keeping their bond intact - The date is January 1. Residents of a town called Sio Port, on Lake Victoria’s north eastern shores, across the Uganda borders, await the day’s events eagerly. It is here that the 2013 leg of the Samia Bananda Cultural celebration is taking place. On this day, travel restrictions, which require one to have a visa into the other country, are waived for a team of elders and young people travelling across the border for the event. By midday, traditional chiefs, clad in their traditional cream shirt and trousers, plus a maroon cap (an outfit that makes them, look like law enforcers), are already circulating around the sunnily lit town and at Bujwang’a Primary School, the venue for the day’s event. The visiting team of Uganda’s Samia community arrives towards 3.pm, heading straight to Hon Paul Otuoma’s home for a luncheon. Hon Otuoma is Kenya’s Minister for Local Government. Samia Bugwe South MP, Julius Maganda, leads the Uganda delegation, consisting of no less than four over-capacity mini-bus taxis, among other vehicles. Here, the visitors and Samia elders are treated to a heavy meal, in which matooke and ugali, plus beer are not in short supply. They then return to Sio Port town for the actual celebration. When the special guests arrive at Bujwang’a Primary School, just in the centre of the town, they are ushered into a procession of dance, song and drama that sees elderly women leading the way, waving tree branches as they chant traditional folk songs. They swamp and cloud the guests, forcing the dignitaries to step out of their high-end SUVs and proceed to chant and dance and sing along with the women, in the midst of biting heat and choking dust, as they head to the primary school’s sports field. It is probably the norm that young people, especially today, are not exactly excited about cultural events. But not in Sio Port; not in Samia-land. Here they came out in full force, crowding the dignitaries and singing and dancing along with the older women. They flood the small sports field, some climbing and staying up in the trees to behold below. Carnival does not quite do the atmosphere justice. Soon it is time for sport. The sports in which teams take part are netball, ajua (a mweso-like game) for elders, football and tug-of-war, where the arrangement is simply that a team from the Busia community of Uganda competes against a team from the Kenyan Busia community. The highlight is the youth’s football game, where one of the event’s Master of Ceremony decides to commentate the game in Luganda, Samia and Kiswahili, in such comical fashion – he names some players after Lionel Messi. The Kenyan team beats Uganda’s team 1-0. And in the tug-of-war, which pits Kenyan politicians against Ugandan politicians, the Kenyan team also carry the day. The events, last only a day. But they are a form of symbolism for the connection that the two communities have maintained regardless of the division brought about by the borders. Each year, the Samia communities from Uganda and Kenya join hands to hold this day of cultural celebration at the beginning of the year. The festival takes the form of cultural expression in art, music, sport and dance. It brings out the young and old charging in an atmosphere of utmost gaiety. The two countries take turns at hosting the event, and next year’s will be held in Busia, Uganda. The desired end for all this activity is to maintain the cultural ties between two communities with a shared ancestry. Jacklyne Vihenda Makokha, treasurer of the organising committee, wbeen part of the Samia tradition for many years. Therefore, by doing it today, it is a continuation of a tradition that their fore fathers had started. In another world, there would be no Uganda. There would be no Kenya either. Maybe then, the Samia people would not stand on one side of the fence, unable to cross over and say hello to a brother, sister or in-law on the other side, without a government hand rising to grant permission. 1 | 2 Next Page»But alas, in this world, they do. The 1926 colonial borders, and their foreign master-minders, bare the blame. They tore the Samia community right down the middle, straight through Busia on Uganda’s Eastern border with Kenya, cutting through it like a pair of scissors running through weak fabric. The Samia people were no longer just Samias anymore, but two separate people given no choice but to pick up new identities. Their loyalty to ethnicity now had competition, from Republics that demanded they pay homage to national identity over and above their tribal ties. It is a deed that in consideration, went as far as pitting sections of the same community into rivalries of such things as sport, economics or even worse. DefianceIt is the tragic order of life that colonial borders, imaginary European creations that shattered cultural ties, have levied on the social fabric in traditional Africa. But in true testament to that enduring strength of the human spirit of communion, the two Samia communities have grown to defy the demarcations that colonial borders assert. The border exists, yes, but it is only an imaginary line patrolled by passport-stamping and cargo-searching immigration officials on either side. It has not permanently detached the communities from each other. “The two sides have stayed in constant contact, contributing to each other’s livelihood,” Makokha says, citing moments when the Kenyan Samia community has been faced by drought and has got help from the community on the other side. On a leadership level, there are attempts to gather the communities around symbols of unity like a cultural centre, and, the enthronement of a king. Hon Otuoma, the Kenyan minister, said his government had put aside KShs40m (Shs1.2b) for the construction of a cultural centre, which would also promote tourism in the area. Hon Maganda also said that the community was in talks with the Ugandan government for the reinstalling of a kingdom. Many a Samia took the day seriously, and consider it a part of their identity. One of these was Douglas Wafula, a dramatist and comedian in his 20s. He spoke of how important the event is for the communities to keep together and for the strength of their cultural unity, before coming around to himself. A Kenyan, he said, “I feel like a Ugandan. I visited Uganda last year, now the Ugandans also came here. I enjoyed the Ugandan experience, it makes me feel part of them.” Divided loyalty?In all this, there lies the question of divided loyalty, and whether, they feel more Ugandan than Kenyan. For instance, in reply to the question of whether to support the Uganda Cranes or the Harambee Stars in a football match, Morris Were, a man in his 20s also, said, “I am Kenyan. I will support Kenya but also support Uganda to win other games if we don’t go through.” Wafula then took it further, when asked about whether he would easily swap citizenship. “Each country is different,” he says. “We have our own constitution and Uganda has its own constitution. Life is also somehow different. I would remain Kenyan,” he said. Even then, the cultural roots still hold strong, and seen in the young people at Sio Port, are going to hold longer, defying the colonial boundaries that do not exist. jabimanyi@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/EU-to-withdraw-from-Awoja-bridge-project/-/688334/1720994/-/gsx18o/-/index.html","content":"EU to withdraw from Awoja bridge project - Kampala The European Union (EU) has said it will withdraw its funding from the construction of the Awoja Bridge, whose works has taken longer than expected. The construction of the 60-meter long composite deck bridge, located on River Awoja along the Soroti-Mbale highway in Eastern Uganda, was supposed to be finalised last year but shoddy works and blame game by the parties involved, has mired the project. According to a statement from the EU, they were, “considering terminating the contract following poor performance of the contractor [Spencon Services] on the front of the physical progress”. The project jointly supported by the EU and the government, started in early 2011 and was supposed to be completed by January 2012 (as agreed in the contract) but since then only, 59 per cent progress has been made instead of expected 208 per cent. “The contractor was given up to February 13 to extend the performance guarantee, and demonstrate commitment by improving his resource deployment (equipment, materials and labour) to the required level and increasing execution of works on the site but has (to-date) remained sluggish,” the statement added. The main works involve construction of bridge abutments, two piers, a bridge deck, removal of the old bridge and the realignment of access roads. Mr Dan Alinange, the spokesperson of Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), said the contractor -Spencon, is to blame for the mess. “I am not aware that EU is withdrawing [funding] but I would regard it as a threat. The work on the bridge is progressive but it is not to say that we are happy with the rate at which it is being handled,” he said. Mr Alinange, however, noted that, UNRA and officials from the Ministry of Works had commenced a number of consultative meetings, to either stick with Spencon or issue the project to another contractor. The EU publicist, Mr Simon Kasyate, told the Saturday Monitor, they would not disburse any more funds to the government once Spencon is suspended for another contractor, since even the decision to terminate further assistance is in thought. The construction works is part of the physical infrastructure component of the “Post Flood Rehabilitation of Rural Roads and Social Infrastructure in Northern Uganda” programme. musisif@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Pope-Francis-faces-busy--difficult-start/-/688334/1720510/-/un0nuc/-/index.html","content":"Pope Francis faces busy, difficult start - Pope Francis yesterday began his first day at the helm of the Catholic Church, attempting to set out his vision for his papacy amid a testing schedule. He led cardinals in his first Mass and was expected to begin appointing senior Vatican staff and visit his predecessor, Benedict, Pope Emeritus.The first Latin American and Jesuit pope has received a flood of goodwill messages from around the world. But the Argentine also faces a series of tough challenges. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio has had a growing reputation as a very spiritual man with a talent for pastoral leadership serving in a region with the largest number of the world’s Catholics. Since 1998, he has been archbishop of Buenos Aires, where his style is low-key and close to the people. He rides the bus, visits the poor, lives in a simple apartment and cooks his own meals. To many in Buenos Aires, he is simply “Father Jorge.” He also has created new parishes, restructured the administrative offices, led pro-life initiatives and started new pastoral programs, such as a commission for divorcees. He co-presided over the 2001 Synod of Bishops and was elected to the synod council, so he is well-known to the world’s bishops. The cardinal has also written books on spirituality and meditation and has been outspoken against abortion and same-sex marriages. In 2010, when Argentina became the first Latin American country to legalise same-sex marriage, Cardinal Bergoglio encouraged clergy across the country to tell Catholics to protest against the legislation because, if enacted, it could “seriously injure the family,” he said. He also said adoption by same-sex couples would result in “depriving (children) of the human growth that God wanted them given by a father and a mother.” In 2006, he criticised an Argentine proposal to legalise abortion under certain circumstances as part of a wide-ranging legal reform. He accused the government of lacking respect for the values held by the majority of Argentines and of trying to convince the Catholic Church “to waver in our defense of the dignity of the person.” His role often forced him to speak publicly about the economic, social and political problems facing his country. His homilies and speeches are filled with references to the fact that all people are brothers and sisters and that the church and the country need to do what they can to make sure that everyone feels welcome, respected and cared for. While not overtly political, Cardinal Bergoglio has not tried to hide the political and social impact of the Gospel message, particularly in a country still recovering from a serious economic crisis. Since becoming archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998, Cardinal Bergoglio has created new parishes, restructured the administrative offices, taken personal care of the seminary and started new pastoral projects, such as the commission for divorcees. He has mediated in almost all social or political conflicts in the city; the newly ordained priests are described as “the Bergoglio generation”; and no political or social figure misses requesting a private encounter with him. Jorge Bergoglio was born on December 17, 1936. He studied and received a master’s degree in chemistry at the University of Buenos Aires, but later decided to become a Jesuit priest and studied at the Jesuit seminary of Villa Devoto. He studied liberal arts in Chile, and in 1960 earned a degree in philosophy from the Catholic University of Buenos Aires. Between 1964 and 1966 he was a teacher of literature and psychology. In May 1992 he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires and on February 28, 1998 as the new archbishop of Buenos Aires. Some controversy had arisen over the position taken by Cardinal Bergoglio during Argentina’s 1976-1983 military dictatorship, which cracked down brutally on political opponents. Estimates of the number of people killed and forcibly disappeared during those years range from about 13,000 to more than 30,000. Citing a case in which two young priests were detained by the military regime, critics say that the cardinal, who was Jesuit provincial at the time, did not do enough to support church workers against the military dictatorship. Others said he attempted to negotiate behind the scenes for the priests’ release, and a spokesman for the cardinal, quoted in the daily newspaper La Nacion, called the accusation “old slander.” 1 | 2 Next Page»AFP « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kenyans-block-Ugandan-sugar-from-entering-their-market/-/688334/1696600/-/149qtfkz/-/index.html","content":"Kenyans block Ugandan sugar from entering their market - Kenya Revenue Authority has stopped over 220 metric tons of Uganda-manufactured sugar from entering the country, fearing that it could either be duty free sugar that Uganda imported, or it is being exported to bribe voters. The development comes barely a month after the Kenya Sugar Board resumed issuing sugar permits to importers buying sugar from Lugazi and Kakira sugar works after a similar ban last year. The sugar board says it is suspicious that “Uganda is repackaging duty free sugar and re-exporting to Kenya as Ugandan-manufactured sugar”. Sugar manufacturers from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania were last December forced to convene a crisis meeting at the Kenya Sugar Board, following an impasse where Kenya accused Uganda and Tanzania of flooding its market with cheap sugar accusing them of exporting 26,000 metric tons into Kenya in 2012 compared to four tons in 2011. More costs incurred by tradersAccording to Mr Mwine Jim Kabeho, the chairman Uganda Sugar Producers Association, Kenya Revenue Authority has refused to clear sugar worth $190,000 (Shs494m) since January 8, which has since attracted high demurrage and interest costs to both the manufacturers and the importers, adding that despite several letters to Kenya Revenue Authority, requesting for explanations why the sugar is not being cleared, the requests have been turned down. “We are right now in a single customs territory meeting in Mombasa with Kenya Customs officials and they claim nothing wrong is happening. Last time it was the Kenya Sugar Board claiming we were re-exporting duty-free sugar, now it is KRA. “The Ugandan government needs to do something because we cannot allow Kenyan goods to flood Ugandan markets yet they don’t allow us to access their market,” Mr Kabeho said. According to him, this time, Kenyan authorities fear that some politicians are stockpiling Ugandan sugar for bribing voters as elections draw near, an allegation Mr Kabeho says is invalid. Kenyans will be going to the polls on March 4. The 11 trucks belonging to Midland Hauliers carrying sugar from Uganda to Kenya were impounded. Some of the trucks have been at the Kenyan yard for over two months now. Mr William Were, a clearing agent attached to Chasah Logistics Ltd, a Mombasa-based clearing firm, said some trucks have been held up at the yard in Busia - Kenya side by KRA since December, last year. He said his clients had imported the sugar from Kakira, Lugazi and Mayuge, and was in transit to Kisumu, Nairobi and Mombasa where they have distribution points. “Although we paid the necessary dues to KRA and had relevant documents, the officers went ahead to impound the trucks, saying that each truck was supposed to pay 100 per cent taxes in order to be allowed to proceed,” Mr Were said. Despite the fact that the trucks have been stuck at the border for two weeks now, Uganda Revenue Authority said the tax body was not aware of the ban. “The commissioner general was in Busia and Malaba on Thursday and there was nothing like that. Even the customs manager, Busia and Malaba, came to Kampala on Friday morning and he does not know of anything like that,” said Mr Paul Kyeyune, the manager public corporate affairs at URA."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/The-best-education-for-your-children/-/689844/1689202/-/6ow9v5/-/index.html","content":"The best education for your children - In Uganda there are annual rituals of P.L.E, O’Level and A’Level exam results being released by the Uganda National Examinations Board, as well as university graduations. The prominent front-page space given to “P.L.E stars” or the top-performing schools in the Ugandan media, is a commentary on what kinds of people run Uganda’s media and a reminder of the lethargic and exasperating nature of Ugandan society. Clearly as the Ugandan news media, the government, the schools and parents, we don’t know what we are doing. Most of us, and perhaps the rest of the world too, still think in terms of a fixed world as it was before the 1990s. You saved money, sent your children to the best possible school within your means and hoped that this “good school” and the child reading hard at school would guarantee their future success. Then came the 21st Century.What is the point in spending so much money on school education for our children or in celebrating a first grade or a AAAA score in UNEB exams that one sat in November, when by February when the results are announced, all that information that one read for and passed in November is already obsolete? What is the point in celebrating a First Class or Upper Second university degree (as much as achievement as that is), when within seven months of the graduation ceremony, the content of that degree has already expired and within a year is irrelevant? At first came the Internet into general global use in 1994. Suddenly the world moved from a certain, fixed, slow-moving age into one in which we were assaulted by information.Alongside this came rapid changes in digital and electronic technology so fast that they are now more than even the best of the world’s best can cope with. This is why when one listens to or reads business news, every major company seems to be in trouble these days. Not because of incompetent management or poor products but because even for the best of the best, nothing is enough these days to satisfy the market for longer than a few months. The best example of this continuous up-and-down is Apple. Nobody would have dreamed even six months ago that any question could be raised about this, the world’s most valued company by market capitalisation. But now there are concerns among financial analysts that Apple’s best-selling iPhone 5 and iPad electronic tablet might either be at their peak, with the only way to go being down, or that these two products will have to struggle for market share in a global smart phone and tablet computer market that is one of the most competitive of any in the world and which is seeing an increasing number of brands targeting an already over-saturated market. No matter which school in the world one takes one’s children, the speed at which the 21st Century is unfolding means that whatever they are taught will be outdated within six months. Whether you enroll at Harvard University or Oxford University, at best the textbooks they use for instruction will have been published in the previous year and with this dizzying speed of change, anything that is one year old is already obsolete. You don’t check your email for two weeks and the next time you open it there is so much of it, it takes a day to read it all.Cameras that had 10 megapixels in 2007 were quite good for the average user. By 2009, they had gone up to 12 megapixels. In 2010, many cameras now came with 14.2 megapixels, in 2011 it was now becoming 16 megapixels.By 2014, 24 megapixels will start looking like a basic entry camera. The training manual I am trying to develop hopes to address this question of education in the 21st Century Internet and information age. What does a child or a young professional need to know in a world of constant rapid change and a flood of information, more than the ordinary human being can cope with? The first fact is that no matter who we are, in what field we are trained or what profession we work at, the further we get into the 21st Century the more we shall be writing. 1 | 2 Next Page»Be it sms or entering terms and queries into Internet search engines or writing email, office reports and filling in online forms, banking, legal and other official documents, writing is now something art and science students now do in equal measure. So writing well and clearly is now becoming more important than ever. Then, because we are going to spend the rest of our lives in the online world, the second feature of a “relevant” education in the 21st Century will have to be a fairly detailed knowledge of Internet security and other technical details. The online world is highly technical and one small mistake can cost you your money, reputation, opportunity, data and time. So there is no way around this. We shall have to become knowledgeable about the way the Internet works, especially in how to protect ourselves from fraudsters, pedophiles, crooks trying to uncover our passwords, distinguishing real email from “spam” and many more such matters. The third feature of the world of the 21st Century is tied in with the first two: We are going to live with information in mega quantity. You make the mistake of not being in touch with the news, the latest technology or global trends for three months and you immediately fall back by two years in your competitiveness. And because the Internet is a universe of ever-expanding knowledge, with no end in sight yet we only live within a fixed 24 hours each day, the other feature of true education in the 21st Century will be how to find what one is looking for (or ought to be looking for) out of millions of websites. Already being on the Internet feels a little like living in a library all day and night. We are constantly surrounded by more books, newspapers, links, posts and uploads than we can possibly read or attend to.Most of what we encounter on the Internet is irrelevant, petty, fleeting, shallow or inaccurate. Mental concentrationTherefore, the ability to concentrate mentally will become increasingly vital in the rest of the 21st Century. One will need to be able to discern credible sources from fluff, accuracy from opinion, what’s valuable from what’s time wasting. As the US-based Christian magazine, the Philadelphia Trumpet, put it is last year, the most important application or “App” we have is not the many Apps we are constantly downloading onto our smart phones and tablet gadgets but our minds. The human mind is the most important App in the world. Training this mind to think creatively, focus, concentrate, reflect and digest all the tons of incoming data that assault it day in, day out, will be more than ever the role of true education in the 21st Century. The best possible education, then, in this 21st Century of ever-changing world political alliances, constantly evolving electronic gadgets, too much information, stiff competition in world business and time getting more and more difficult to find, is not that which we get from MBAs, certificates, diplomas, O’Level or A’Level pass slips, but it is that found in a state of mind. It is in the direct education of a mind in the fundamentals of thought, attention to detail, the ability to sieve through heaps of information, constant reading and curiosity about the world around us.That is the training manual and technique I’m trying to work on right now. timothy_kalyegira@yahoo.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/MuniiniMulera/An-old-man-s-crisis-of-patriotism/-/878676/1684150/-/pqu6pd/-/index.html","content":"An old man’s crisis of patriotism - Dear Tingasiga: My elderly friend, a retired school teacher in Mparo, Rukiga, Kigezi, tosses and turns in his bed, his insomnia a consequence of many unanswered questions tagging at his heart. What does it really mean to be a Ugandan citizen? Does he have the same rights and privileges as all these other people he reads and hears about? For example, does all the stuff in the Constitution which talks about the right and duty to defend and resist any group of persons seeking to overthrow the established constitutional order really apply to him? Would he not be whipped senseless if he tried to peacefully resist the plans by the current military rulers to overthrow the parliament of Uganda?  To think that his son gave everything in the struggle for freedom!  He switches to more practical concerns as stories of the colonial and immediate post-colonial period flicker in and out of history’s mist. His children attended school way back then at a cost that was so affordable that his teacher’s salary, supplemented with profits from his banana plantation enabled him to educate four of them and meet his other expenses. The bright fellows received the best education at two of the finest government secondary schools, before going on to the world-famous Makerere University, their entire stay paid for by the Uganda government. Fifty years later, the old man hears from his neighbours and other acquaintances that their children cannot afford to go to college or university.  Their examination results are so abysmal that they cannot compete with students from the rich-schools in the Kampala area. The cycle of poverty which used to be broken by a good education is back in full swing in Kigezi. “I am sure this is the same story in every district in this country,” the old man mumbles. Memories of free health care at Mparo Health Centre flood back, as though emerging from a smoky tunnel to a distant land. The care they enjoyed was better than that offered in many hospitals today. These days he does not even bother to go there. Why bother when he knows the answer: “The drugs are out of stock, Mzee.” If consultation with other doctors was necessary in the old days, he was always assured of an affordable and predictable bus ride on a well-maintained road from Kangondo to the big town 50 km away where prompt and free medical attention awaited him at Kabale Hospital. Now he does not even think about Kabale Hospital. Not even his enlarging prostate has persuaded him to take the trip to Kabale. He has no money to spare.  Oh, there was a time when his efforts at banana farming benefited from free consultation with local agricultural and veterinary officers. He had free access to a weekly market at Kangondo where he could count on a moneyed local clientele, including the wives of miners who received regular remittances from their husbands at Kilembe Mines. Nowadays he is not sure how he survives. He remembers the days when he was assured of justice and  he felt that the government actually cared about him those days. Perhaps that is why he used to receive his salary on time. He did not enjoy paying the graduated taxes, of course, but he knew that the chiefs did not steal the money and that it was always put to good use for the common good. Perhaps corruption existed back then. How come he had not heard of the word? How is it that he respected the elected officials and other big men? He could never have imagined any of the big men being sent to the “place with no fire” (prison). The old man suddenly remembers a lecture he heard on radio a few months earlier. It was a monologue about patriotism. “Of course I know my duties as a citizen of Uganda,” he mumbles. “I respect the national symbols and the rights of others. I am always ready to do my part in the service of my community and my country.” 1 | 2 Next Page»What puzzles him is what he gets in return. What happened to his rights and privileges? For example, are these fellow citizens who are flown abroad for medical treatment, all fees paid by the government, more Ugandan than he is? “My God, I cannot even get a Boda Boda ride to a decrepit old hospital in Kigezi!”  The old man startles, sits up in his bed and reaches for his copy of the Constitution. He turns to Article 17 and reads the list of his duties as a citizen, all straight forward stuff, with which he agrees. “But what about my rights?” he asks. He thumbs through the document. “Do I really have a right to defend and resist anyone who seeks to overthrow the constitutional order?” he asks. What does it mean to be a citizen anyway?” The walls remain silent. Then he suddenly bursts out laughing. “It is a strange world in which we live,” he mutters. “This is what my son would have called a crisis of patriotism.” His son died in the struggle for freedom. It is just as well. muniinikmulera@aol.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/The-world-could-end/-/689856/1657958/-/iibnppz/-/index.html","content":"The world could end - If you have been spending a bit of your valuable time in that small suburb in our galaxy called planet earth, you will have noticed that there is a dangerous addiction on the loose, gripping one mad man after another, at the beginning of every New Year, all the time. And every time any of these wackos does their thing, they get the whole lot of the world’s media following in their tracks, counting down their hours and minutes to Armageddon together. They trend on Twitter, worldwide. They get mentions on the BBC World Service. CNN does a 30-minute special on their prediction, complete with interviews and expert analysis from religious scholars. Even our local TV stations over here go to the streets and ask ordinary folk what they think about the looming disaster. Taking my turnYou see, I also crave such attention. I also like to be fashionable. I want to be the talk of the town, heck, talk of the world even. I also want the world to take a break, for busy bankers and stock brokers on Wall Street to pause their trading and cashing of payments to see if it will all come tumbling down like dominoes, at just the exact time I will have created, at which the world will end. I will predict the end of the world. And yes, according to me, I, the master seer who communes directly with the almighty on a direct uninterrupted line, all the time; I, the holy man who has spent my whole life in prayer and supplication in preparation for the coming of the Lord; I, the benevolent prophet who does not want to see you useless sinful creatures reading this to go and burn away in hell forever, vehemently declare, that the world will end in the year 2013. There you have it. Now please, start panicking. As soon as you read this, I want you to get in touch with me and find out how on earth you can be saved when the day of complete annihilation finally comes beckoning for your poor soul. I want you to pray. I want you to seek the Lord like never before. I want you to shun all worldly pleasures and turn to the lord; and by that I am meaning all possessions of vanity like fancy smart phones, computers, cars, fancy clothes, and the lot, should be shunned for items of modesty. It is all in the number 13Such fancy possessions will not get you through the tribulations when they finally start. God frowns upon vanity. He hates vanity like it is sin itself. As a way of saving your soul, just gather all those items and drop them at my door. I, and I alone, know how to cleanse such items of the untold evil they wield. I do not need to do a lot to prove that the world will end this year. There are many proofs lurking around that I could use. The first and foremost proof is that the year 2013 ends with the digits “13”. There you have it. The very numerical representation of all the bad luck in the world is fully represented in the digits of the year. I know the bad luck theme occurs on Friday the 13th, but hello! 13 is already part of the bad luck formula. You see digits of dates mean a lot to people who make up end of the word dates, remember 12-12-12, or even 21-12-12? So I will also choose a date with repeated digits. Something like Friday, September 13, 2013 would be a very good idea. In fact, it is even better because it will be Friday the 13th. The end of the world will occur at about 11 pm on Friday, September 13, this year. Many of you sinners are likely to be out in the bars, drinking and sinning like there is no tomorrow. Well, there will be no tomorrow. And those of you found frolicking and feeding your body’s sinful urges, will suffer the unbearable torment of everlasting damnation. The nuclear warStill not convinced that the world will end this year? Here is more proof. There could be a nuclear war. I am meaning here a nuclear world war. We all suspect that Iran is creating a nuclear weapon. And that it does not have a lot of love for Israel. We also know that North Korea, which tested a long-range rocket (missile), is nuclear armed and does not have a lot of love for the West. And the West is nuclear armed. You look at these scenarios, put two and two together and you get five. One nuclear strike after another and we are all rubble. Under the huge waves of Lake VictoriaAnd what about climate change? You don’t think it’s serious? When was the last time you saw it rain on Christmas Day? Christmas used to be a hot sunny affair, now it rains all day long. That, my dear readers, marks the end of civilisation as we know it. Things could start by having a tsunami on Lake Victoria, which would then flood the entire country. So I am going to book advertising space on billboards across major capital cities in the world, asking people to repent for the day of the Lord is coming. I should not worry about funding for the adverts because the multibillion-dollar industry called the church would not mind sparing me a few hundred thousand to pay these off, as long as I will deliver more customers, sorry, souls for Christ. And on Friday, September the 13, I will go in hiding and watch the world end from a discreet location. I will need to hide because, well, you never know. God works in mysterious ways, he may change his date of return on the last minute. He usually does that. And if by any chance he changes his mind, then we will gather on September 14, and then look forward to another date of the Lord’s return. jabimanyi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/Young-female-legislators-in-the-9th-Parliament/-/689842/1656926/-/s5742w/-/index.html","content":"Young female legislators in the 9th Parliament - Toward the end of last year, the ninth Parliament lost one of its youngest legislators, Hon Cerinah Nebanda, at 24 years. Her sudden death was shocking but it also drew our attention, once again, to the young women already making their way in the world of legislative politics in their 20s, who the vocal Nebanda represented. Proscovia Alengot, 19 [NRM, Usuk]Born in 1993, the Usuk County MP inherited her father’s seat in Parliament following his death. Although she came with much vigour raising people’s expectations, this teenage MP has gone silent. She is rarely in the House and when she appears, she hardly speaks. Ever since she was sworn-in over five months ago, she has spoken twice: the first while giving her maiden address and the second when complaining of how her voters are dying of flood. One day during the oil debate she bumped into a hot discussion and after listening to MPs Abdu Katuntu, Medard Ssegona and the Attorney General Frederick Ruhindi submissions on the pros and cons of the powers of the minister, she just picked her bag and moved out. Joy Kaliisa Arinaitwe, 26 [NRM Buhweju]She has not yet made a mark. A first timer in Parliament, Kaliisa spent almost the whole second session indisposed after surviving a terrible accident. But even before, she had been one of the quietest MPs. A graduate of Business Management from Makerere University, she worked as a trainee in the procurement department of Parliament. She is always seated at the back, one of the little known legislators in this Parliament. Barbara Nekesa Oundo, 28 [NRM, Busia]One thing this youngest minister has mastered is the art of being smart. However, she falls short of doing what MPs do in parliament- talking. Ms Oundo is a graduate of Human Resource Management from Makerere University. She is serving her first term as Woman MP for Busia District. She has not done much on the floor of Parliament but her colleagues in cabinet say that she is a good performer in her docket as the junior Minister for Karamoja. For her obedience and allegiance to the NRM leadership, she may stay longer in the House. Lyndah Timbigambwa, 29 [Kyenjojo District]She has a diploma in Human Resource and worked as a field officer in charge of HIV/Aids before joining Parliament. She is also a neophyte in Parliament but she has made tremendous contributions on matters of national importance. In one of her contributions, she alerted the House to the fact that health workers were running away from Kibaale district and some residents were on the run due to Ebola. Timbigambwa talks, heckles, bangs seats and votes anything NRM, and, in Hon Katuntu’s words “she is a voting machine in Parliament. If she continues like that, she treads the risk of being used by the NRM’s political top echelons and later dumped”. Justine Khainza, 30 [NRM Bududa]She is a first timer in the House, but is a dedicated MP. I usually meet her as early as 9am (too early for a Ugandan MP) entering her office. She is one of the few MPs who attend the House daily and at least contribute to debates. She is very quiet though outside the House. She pushed so hard to have government send aid to Budada when disaster hit the district. She does not subscribe to any political cocoon, at least not publicly. Monicah Amoding, 31 [NRM-National Youth MP]Having worked as a coordinator for the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association, Amoding just crossed over to the House to represent the Youth. Being the National Youth MP, she is the highest paid MP because she gets more mileage allowance than any other MP. Amoding has been very vocal in the House on especially matters of the youth fund. She is a staunch NRM member but independent on matters that affect the people. She has on several occasions disagreed with her positions. She recently voted against the move to give the energy minister unlimited powers to govern the oil sector. Jennifer Mujungu, 29 [Indep Ntoroko]A lawyer by profession, Ms Mujungu contributes once in a while, on different matters on the floor. However, there is no substantive contribution you can easily point to as most of her contributions are to augment debates on the floor. Before becoming an MP, the always smart MP worked as a legal assistant and her parliament profile shows her as a mender of the Rules and privileges committee and the Budget committee. She is a first timer in the House and since she doesn’t belong to any political grouping, at least publicly, it is hard to project on her future political life. 1 | 2 Next Page»Evelyn Anite, 28 [NRM - Youth, Northern region]This youth representative for northern Uganda is a young, happy, and friendly legislator who keeps true to her party discipline- she does not oppose what the NRM caucus, where she is a spokesperson, decides. She is serving her first term but before becoming an MP, the Mukono University Mass communication graduate worked at the Uganda Media Centre as a Public Affairs Assistant (International Relations). She is also at the centre of President Museveni’s fifth term project. However, she was also at the centre of pressuring government to release the close to Shs10Bn meant for the Youth fund project. Mariam Patience Nalubega, 31 [Indep.- Butambala]Hitherto a quiet smiling MP, Ms Nalubega has morphed into an anti- corruption activist. She attends and addresses press conferences and calls for resignations of senior government officers, including the President. To take the Butambala seat, she had to tussle it out with a veteran politician whose name had become synonymous with the Ministry of Education - Namirembe Bitamaziire. She has been in the House since the eighth Parliament where she served as a youth MP for central region under the NRM. Although she is now independent, she has not forgotten her NRM roots [She was in the Party in the eighth Parliament as a youth]. She sometimes hobnobs with NRM and votes in favour of their arguments. Looking at her performance in the House, her political life is still bright. Jackline Amongin, 30 [NRM Ngora]She is active in the House; heckles, bangs seats, interrupts rather good debates by her constant points of procedures and yes, she is another voting machine. But she has also campaigned for the increased salaries of health workers and teachers only that she quickly coiled and changed the tone when her party leadership took a hardline stance. She is first timer in the House. But before joining parliamentary politics, she was working as the Executive Director of Hope Foundation Uganda. Because she is an asset to NRM, owing to her loyalty to the party and her young age, I believe chances are high that we will have her around for some time. Susan Namaganda, 28 [DP- Bukomansimbi]She is also a first timer in parliamentary politics. However, Lobby journalists have on several occasions asked why Ms Namaganda does not talk in the House albeit attending sessions daily. Just like the members in the public gallery, Ms Namaganda sits in the House and does not say a word. The first time I saw her speak in the just concluded session is when she stood up to shout “no vote” slogans during the November 27 oil bedlam. She is a CISCO Certified Network professional. If her constituents expected her to talk in Parliament, then her political life in the House may be short. Annet Nyakecho, 31 [NRM Otuke District]Although she has only spent two sessions in Parliament, she is one of the active young legislators. She is a regular contributor in the House, raising both substantive arguments and also raising points of orders and clarification. A graduate of Development Studies, Nyakecho has also been in the middle of land wrangles back in Otuke where she has been battling to explain the importance of a proposed cattle project, which was going to cost the district 200 acres of land at the request of the President. She is one of NRM die-hards in Parliament. iimaka@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/SportsColumnists/MarkSsali/No-luck-for-English-sides/-/805430/1649192/-/5t6om6z/-/index.html","content":"No luck for English sides - There was a time when I thought the goose bumps I got when that European Champions League theme song played were unique to me, but now I know it was a truly silly thought. I have since felt the thickness of the air of anticipation around my mates before kickoff, literally seen the butterflies crawl up their - in some cases - very big stomachs, and even total strangers have confessed to a bout of the jitters on these special nights for those eternally wedded to the beautiful game. That all too familiar tune didn’t have to play Thursday lunchtime to flood the system, the joyous agony of the draws was music enough; so the rich fulfillment of Christmas will come and go, get replaced with the ‘dryness’ of dragging January, and then those nights will be upon us once again.But not before the conspiracy theorists make every attempt to fill the void, perhaps with claims that Michel Platini has it in for English clubs and has connived to see them prematurely exit the world’s most awe-inspiring and lucrative club football competition. You see, having ‘ensured’ that English champions Man City were handed the group of death and unceremoniously bundled out, the UEFA president ‘instructed’ Shaktar to let Juventus through and relegate Chelsea to the Europa League, before ‘handing’ Liverpool man Steve McManaman the ‘opportunity’ to spite hated rivals Man United and Arsenal by pitting them against the mighty Real Madrid and Bayern Munich machines. As conductor of the draw, all McManaman had to do was pick a heavy ball here, a warm one there … Seriously, the luck of the draw (or the lack of it in the case of the English) only serves to lend more drama to an already intriguing competition, and in Manchester and London they are going to have to live with that.Man United vs Real Madrid Have the odds ever been stacked so heavily against one side in a battle of two giants as they are against Man United in this one? I don’t recall that ever being the case. Move over Barcelona and AC Milan, this really is the glamour tie of the round. With twelve Big Ears trophies between them to go along with their global fan bases, institutional size, brand power and marketability, Man United and Real Madrid tip the scales; throw in the romance of Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to an old home and Jose Mourniho’s visit to what some believe will soon be his new home, and you have yourselves one hell of a banquet. Yet Real Madrid are the stronger squad with the better quality overall; the better tactician in one-offs like these who is rumoured to be leaving the Bernabeu next summer and is desperate to leave a legacy as the man who won La Decima; a man seemingly pre-ordained to have fling after fling with the Champions League, and who is left with little else to fight for with his La Liga crown virtually gone; a club with a great head-to-head record with Man United which once failed to do the job at home and finished it off at Old Trafford thanks to another Ronaldo … Not even having the second leg at home seems to be an advantage, and for all their firepower, great wing play and the larger-than-life stature of their manager, the only thing United can really do is cause an upset. Because that is exactly what it would be.Arsenal vs Bayern Munich This one has mismatch written all over it, and by the look of thing the English Premier League will have no interest in the Champions League as early as the Final Eight. If ‘upset’ would describe the unlikely two-legged victory for Man United over Real Madrid, ‘massive shock’ would be the phrase deployed were Arsenal to topple Bayern Munich. Never mind the miles that separate the two in the pedigree stakes, Bayern are simply stronger across the field, from back to front.Barcelona, Dortmund and Shaktar might play the most free-flowing stuff in Europe today, but no team left in the competition has as much firepower and as many regular goal scorers; Mario Gomez, Mario Manduzkic, Arjen Robben, Frank Ribery, Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos all scorer on any given weekend, while Claudio Pizarro, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Javi Martinez, Gustavo, Alaba, Xerdhan Shakiri and even the skipper Phillip Lahm are not averse to pulling the trigger either. Over two games that will end up being end-to-end affairs whichever way the managers initially set up stall, contrast those munitions with the ones at the Emirates where - outside of the hit-and-miss Olivier Giroud - the only reliable goal scorers are Lukas Podolski, Santi Carzola and Theo Walcott. The Englishman had better not leave town before Feb …Barcelona vs AC Milan There are nine trophies here with Milan just ahead in the count, but the balance of power has since shifted as underlined by the fact that the Catalans have won three of the last six and only been denied a near-clean sweep by the huge upsets that saw Inter Milan and Chelsea past them in recent times. Milan might be the least intimidated by Barca of all their European foes and produced some sumptuous stuff over two legs last season, but a young team in transition is likely to find this chore a touch beyond them, never mind their recent resurgence. Not even cancer will get in Barca’s way, although an injury to the mesmeric Messi surely would … In pure footballing terms Dortmund vs Shaktar will be the most thrilling; the Iberian clash between Porto and Malaga should make for a feast too; the Celtic-Juve duel will be a battle of grit from the terraces to the turf; the Turkish connection will add flavour, flair and flares to the Schalke-Galatasary contest, while PSG-Valencia will go by largely unnoticed. The two surviving English teams would have hoped for draws as unattractive as some of those, but without the adrenaline rush where would I, my mates and all those strangers be? … and then the dj played that song …mmssali@yahoo.com 1 | 2 Next Page»« Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Is-the-ANC-losing-its-grip-on-South-Africa-/-/688340/1645640/-/fs1qx1/-/index.html","content":"Is the ANC losing its grip on South Africa? - Stunning beaches, impoverished townships, vast potential and a persistent sense of crisis - welcome to Bitou, a place that seems to encapsulate many of South Africa's enduring contradictions. But could this isolated, sun-drenched, struggling municipality also represent something more intriguing? Might it just be a weather vane for the nation's future political direction at a time of growing uncertainty? Memory Booysens is rather hoping so. Mr Booysens - a lean, nattily dressed 43 year-old - is the new mayor of Bitou, a township in Western Cape province, 530km (330 miles) from Cape Town. He is also, in the colourful assessment of his former colleagues from the African National Congress - the party that has run South Africa since democracy prevailed 18 years ago and meeting for a key five-yearly conference - \"a perpetual liar, a traitor and a political prostitute\". Mr Booysens earned those insults by swapping sides. And winning. He used to be a senior official in the local branch of the ANC. But he says he became horrified by, and outspoken about, the endemic corruption he believed had come to define the town's ANC-run administration. He was expelled from the party, joined the opposition Democratic Alliance, and in short order became mayor when the ANC abruptly, and unexpectedly, lost its majority in the last local election 18 months ago. \"When we took over it was shocking. We hadn't realised the municipality was insolvent. It was corrupt from top to bottom - councillors were doing business with the municipality,\" said Mr Booysens, who is now bogged down in a series of legal battles against former employees and suspect tenders, in a forlorn effort to claw back some money. The previous mayor, Lulama Mvimbi, told me the allegations of corruption were lies, deliberately spread in order to boost support for the DA. Death threats Mr Mvimbi earned some notoriety for leasing a top of the range BMW. He said it was needed for security, and wasn't his personal choice. The car has since been returned, but it evidently touched a nerve among voters tired of seeing the ruling elites flaunt their new wealth. \"This was endemic - it was part of the fabric of how the ANC was running the town,\" said Mr Booysens, arguing that the councillors were simply emulating the corruption that they saw in the ruling party's national leadership.  Today, a bodyguard walked behind the mayor, as he set off into the narrow alleys of a local township - wooden shacks precariously balanced on a steep hillside. \"I'm very fortunate to be alive,\" says Mr Booysens, who wore body armour for several months after his election, because of fears that his political rivals would try to kill him. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Firm-demands-Shs2b-for-Bududa-rescue-mission/-/688334/1642044/-/5ohmraz/-/index.html","content":"Firm demands Shs2b for Bududa rescue mission - Kampala A firm that provided earth moving machines to rescue victims of the 2010 mudslides in Bududa District, has threatened to sue the Office of the Prime Minister for nonpayment. BCR General Limited alleges that despite being hired to provide earthmoving equipment, they have never been paid. They are now seeking Shs2 billion compensation for breach of contract, and their equipment. Through Victoria Advocates and Legal Consultants, the firm has also served a notice to the Attorney General. “In furtherance of these objectives, on March 2010, officers from the Ministry of Defence, entered into a contract with the intended plaintiff, whereby they hired earth moving equipment from the plaintiff at an agreed hire price of Shs1.9 million per day, exclusive of taxes,” read part of the notice, and copied to the Ministry of Defence. “As of August 8, when the last official demand was made, the amount due and owing to the intended plaintiff was Shs1,826,631,050 which even the said ministry have refused to pay,” it added.When approached, State Minister for Disaster preparedness and Refugees Musa Ecweru referred the Daily Monitor to the Permanent Secretary, Mr Pius Bigirimana. Bigirimana denies Mr Bigirimana denied knowledge of the existence of any contract between the ministry and BCR.“If there was such contract, I would know as I am the only person authorized to sign contracts,” he said yesterday in a telephone interview. The director for emergence coordination and operation for Disaster Preparedness in OPM, Maj. Gen. Dr Julius Oketta, said the Cabinet sat on March 11, 2010 to discuss the the retrieval of bodies trapped under the rubble and approved hire of earth moving equipment. “As a coordinator, my job was to ask for equipment and stop at that. Whoever was supposed to pay was not my problem,” Maj. Oketta said. “But I will find out later who, between the government and OPM was supposed to pay,” he added. He said the government, through MONUC in April, using a Russian-made M126 helicopter, delivered two tractors, a water pump, a Back hoe arm, 20 drums of diesel, two caterpillars and flood lights to help in the rescue of about 250 people trapped underground. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Market-Watch--No-major-price-increases-before-festive-season/-/689860/1641856/-/vi93ue/-/index.html","content":"Market Watch: No major price increases before festive season - Around this time as the festive season approaches, almost all commodity prices are still stable because of the high supply on the market. It is only a few items such as onions that are out of season with high prices. “At this time, the prices are still normal but we expect them to rise a week to Christmas because the farmers would have increased the prices, they are expecting that everybody will be shopping for foodstuffs during that time,” says Christine Agwena, a fruits seller in Nakasero Market. VegetablesCurrently, a box of tomatoes in Nakasero Market costs Shs160,000 and a kilo at Shs2,000. Starting next week, a box of tomatoes is expected to rise to Shs230,000 yet a kilo will cost between Shs2,500 and Shs3,000. Agwena says it is not only tomato prices that will go up but all items like carrots and other vegetables and fruits. Onions are now out of season, a sack costs Shs230,000 and a kilo is at Shs2,500. During the Christmas week, traders will be purchasing a sack of onions at Shs300,000 and a kilo will go for Shs3,000 or Shs3,500. A sack of carrots now costs Shs120,000 and a kilo at Shs2,000 but towards Christmas, a sack could go as high as Shs150,000 and a kilo at Shs2,500. In the mean time, Joseph Kamya Lule, a chicken dealer at Nakasero Market, says prices have not been raised yet because the demand is still low. For purchases by hotels and restaurants, the prices are reduced because they buy in big numbers. Chicken and other fowlsLule notes prices for chicken like broilers might not be hiked because many people have reared their chicken targeting Christmas time. “For broilers, we might increase the prices a little, say, from Shs7,000 to Shs10,000, that’s if people do not hawk them around the streets like it’s usually done. But if chicken hawkers flood the streets, we will be forced to sell at the same price, I can’t sell at Shs10,000 yet the other is selling at say, Shs7,000 or Shs8,000,” he says. Chicken prices are expected to rise according to the breed. Broilers that cost Shs7,000 now will go for high as Shs10,000, off layers from Shs13,000 to Shs15,000, parent stock (big in size) from Shs30,000 to Shs35,000. Prices for ducks, which he says, are most consumed by Chinese, will rise from Shs15,000 to Shs25,000. Lule adds that turkeys are one type of bird that people do not usually shop for, be it on normal or big days like Christmas. “Turkeys are quite big birds that a small family can’t think of buying because of the size. In most cases, it is people with parties that buy them. A turkey goes for Shs80,000 and the price is expected to increase by Shs20,000 during Christmas,” he asserts. However, for local chicken breed, Lule notes the price will be a little bit higher than any other breed because they are usually few on the market but with a high demand. A cock that costs Shs30,000 will go to as high as Shs40,000 or Shs45,000. A hen that is now at Shs18,000 will cost Shs25,000 closer to Christmas. 1 | 2 Next Page»Beef “Because the market prices for most commodities are still favourable, it would be better for people who are likely to purchase things like chicken now before the prices are hiked,” Lule advises. For beef, which most people will opt in the festive season still costs Shs8,000 a kilo. The price is expected to rise by Shs2,000 or up to Shs5,000 depending on the demand from customer as Brian Sserunjonji at Bbunga Market observes. “Usually, we increase the prices of beef by a small percentage during Christmas but return to the normal prices after the season,” he says. ckatende@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/YasiinMugerwa/Oil-law-left-in-the-hands-of--chameleons-/-/878670/1628094/-/rdmiq5z/-/index.html","content":"Oil law left in the hands of ‘chameleons’ - I have said here before that our Parliament has become a joke. It’s a place where people say something today and, within minutes, eat their words as if they have got amnesia. They make serious decisions and reverse them the following day. This is why the Executive no longer takes them seriously. In any case, they are spineless and they know it. Its very fabric has been examined and found wanting. The truly awful situation is - even after our outrage - they are carrying on as normal. It is a joke because it is not a true Parliament. It’s a House full of chameleons. The 9th Parliament is a noble frame jam-packed with submissive individuals there to push through political expedience, while at the same time placating Ugandans that they are doing something about corruption.They are, in some respects, comedians, more of the flavour of a sick system in our warped politics of numbers with a scrawny opposition swimming in murky waters. When you critically study the conduct of our MPs, particularly in times of challenge and controversy, you should be able to appreciate the creeping sense of repugnance. These matters were brought to the Speaker’s attention by Kawempe North MP Latif Ssebaggala when he asked her whether she is really in charge. After spending a lot of time haggling over the amendments in the proposed Oil law, they reached a consensus that the minister’s powers to grant and revoke licences, negotiate and endorse petroleum agreements after the authority has taken a position as stated in Clause 9 of The Petroleum (Exploration, Development and Production) Bill, 2012, be scrapped in public interest. The motive was to protect the independence of the Petroleum Authority and ensure transparency. On Thursday, the ruling party called a Caucus meeting where they agreed to over-turn their position. In the afternoon, they came to a House without the FDC members and persuaded Speaker Rebecca Kadaga to proceed amid protests from independent-minded legislators. The FDC members were in Namboole voting their new party president. By proceeding without FDC in the House Ms Kadaga ignored the bigger picture — the national interest in the Bill. She should have used her discretion as a Speaker to postpone the debate instead of bowing to the vagaries of people who behaved like a hired mob. Mr Theodore Ssekikubo, the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Forum on oil and gas, and other members who worked so hard to ensure that Uganda gets a good law were let down by the mob. They sat for long hours under the guidance of deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanya and went through amendments clause by clause, fixing loopholes as well as making concessions in some cases. In the end, a decision was reached that the minister’s powers be limited to policy. But people who have never even read the Bill — the chameleons — joined ministers who were absent all the time to re-open a matter that had been closed in public interest. In a system where corruption is pervasive, it becomes risky for any serious Parliament to grant infinite powers to a minister. This is why one of the corrupt and cursed oil producing nations wants the minister out of oil deals. Just last week, Nigeria’s lower house began debating its long-delayed Petroleum Industry Bill, but the event was marked with bottomless anger from the lawmakers who have rejected the government plan to grant sweeping powers to the oil minister. This new piece of legislation in Nigeria is intended to transform the oil sector in this Africa’s largest crude producer after decades of mismanagement, conflicts and endemic corruption. In trying to do something about the curse, the new Bill provides for a community fund (10 per cent of oil revenue) to people living in the oil producing Niger Delta. The contention in the Bill is a ludicrous section that gives oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke wide-ranging supervision over all aspects of the industry, including the regulator. In Uganda, Energy Minister Irene Muloni, with the backing of the government hiding behind oil as a strategic resource, is hankering after even more robust and tempting powers in the proposed Oil law. The minister wants powers to license, grant and revoke licences, and to approve data - a move that would inevitably undermine the autonomy and the relevance of the Petroleum Authority. In trying to appreciate why ministers should not be given vast powers in the Bill, let’s look at what’s happening in Africa’s oil producing nations. Because of boundless powers, Nigeria and Angola, Africa’s biggest oil producers, have granted very lucrative stakes in oil fields to companies that may be acting as fronts for government officials, stifling development in both countries. The powers we want to give the ministers in the proposed oil law will not only choke them but will certainly lead politicians into the temptations. While increased oil output has generated billions of dollars for Angola and Nigeria, the misappropriation of public funds by corrupt officials remains one of the main causes of poverty in those countries. Looking at historyWhether the government is giving the minister powers for political expedience or otherwise, we should not forget that African countries with mineral resources have for long been held back from prosperity by a baleful history of collusion between corrupt and incompetent rulers. In these countries, too often private ‘shell’ companies with opaque ownership structures are awarded lucrative concessions, with little information available about the owners of the company. I am not a prophet of doom but am afraid if our Parliament defies the wise counsel and grants enormous powers to the minister; we are going to open flood gates of corruption in the oil sector. It’s my humble prayer that when this Bill returns to the House on Tuesday, we forget the politics and think for the nation. We must not give the minister powers because we want to mollify the government of the day. It will be dangerous. The minister’s powers should be limited to policies aimed at promoting and sustaining transparency in the sector. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Flood-victims-in-Nigeria-face-new-hardship/-/688340/1624822/-/11rjs2sz/-/index.html","content":"Flood victims in Nigeria face new hardship - Nigeria's worst flooding in decades has submerged houses and displaced hundreds of thousands of people, so Gibson Orlu was shocked when authorities at a relief camp told him to return home. \"To where?\" the 54-year-old told a reporter when recounting the exchange later at a crowded and rudimentary relief camp in the southern state of Bayelsa, where authorities have stopped providing food to the displaced. \"I have nowhere to go. My house is gone.\" According to estimates from Nigerian authorities, surging waters this rainy season in Africa's most populous nation have killed at least 363 people and left another 2.1 million homeless. The flooding also slashed crude production by about 20 percent for a period in a country that is home to the continent's largest oil industry. Red Cross figures released so far on deaths and the displaced are much lower than Nigeria's, but the relief organisation still says the flooding has been the country's worst in four decades and has appealed for funding to help. The flood waters have now largely receded as the rainy season comes to a close, but vast areas throughout Africa's most populous nation had been inundated. Some of the worst flooding was in the oil-producing Niger Delta region, the central state of Kogi and the northeastern state of Adamawa. President Goodluck Jonathan's private home was submerged in the Delta's state of Bayelsa. Some of the state's residents, including Orlu, said they feared being left with nowhere to stay. \"My wife and three children are squatting with my brother in Port Harcourt. The kids are out of school because of this problem and now they are asking me to leave,\" he said. Inside the camp at a sports complex where he was staying, some slept on mattresses while others were on the bare floor. Several hundred people were there when an AFP journalist visited last week, and some asked for change so they could buy food. Other camps are outdoors, with the displaced sleeping under tents. Relief workers insisted that the camps were set up as temporary solutions, using borrowed land. \"They have to leave whether they like it or not because this complex has to be used as a training venue for the state contingent to this year's national sports festival,\" said Nikki Maweruya, the camp coordinator at the sports complex in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa state. On November 15, officials announced that all camps in the state were to be closed in part because the facilities being used as temporary shelters, including classrooms, were needed for their regular purpose. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Floods-displace-Bunyoro-residents/-/688334/1617464/-/5yloyi/-/index.html","content":"Floods displace Bunyoro residents - Floods caused by heavy rains have rendered several roads impassable and displaced about 700 families in Bunyoro sub-region. Several swamps and rivers have burst their banks, paralysing transport on major roads in the region. The floods have also destroyed several acres of crops. Travellers were left stranded after River Nkusi burst its banks hence cutting off the Kagadi-Hoima Road. Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) officials have confirmed that floods have also washed away culverts at one of the tributaries of River Wambabya in Hoima District, rendering Bugambe-Katasiha road impassable. “Vehicles cannot cross the flooded spot about 11 kilometres from Hoima Town,” Mr Jonathan Wazimbe, the UNRA station engineer in Hoima, said at the weekend. River Wambabya burst its banks, killing one person and cutting off the Muhwiju-Kiryamba road. The Kikwaya-Bugwara-Isunga road in Kibaale District has also been rendered impassable. More than 500 families in Kibaale have been displaced by floods which killed two people. “We are waiting for water levels to reduce so that we rehabilitate the affected areas. We shall reinstate culverts that have been swept away, improve drainage systems and also work on ditches that may be lefty behind by the flooding,” Mr Wazimbe said. The head teacher of Kyabaseke Primary School in Hoima, Mr Arthur Kamugisa, said they were forced to relocate Primary Leaving Examination candidates to sit for the examinations at Kitondoora Primary School due to the floods. In Kibaale District, residents staged a demonstration last week over what they said is the delay by the roads authority to repair the flood-ravaged roads. In Ntoroko District, River Semuliki has burst its banks, displacing several people. Floods in Ntoroko have destroyed several acres of crops and displaced more than 100 people. Residents of Kamuga landing site on the shores of Lake Albert have been forced to relocate to Katanga. Other flood affected areas include Bweramule, Kiranga, Budiba and Nyamwobe. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/World-Bank-is-not-funding-any-hydropower-project-in-Manafwa/-/806314/1613990/-/12l3hhm/-/index.html","content":"World Bank is not funding any hydropower project in Manafwa - We wish to draw your attention to an article that appeared in the Saturday Monitor of November 3, titled ‘Politics at play in World Bank project’. The article states that the land along River Manafwa has been under contest following plans of the construction of a Shs55 billion World Bank project. We wish to clarify that the World Bank Group is not financing any hydropower dam project in Manafwa. The article’s headline, therefore, provided wrong information, which could damage our reputation and affect our support to development programmes in the country. The article may actually be referring to the Sio-Malaba-Malakisi River Basin management Project, which is undertaking feasibility studies for the Bulusambu Small Multipurpose dam as well as an independent Environmental and Social Impact Assessment study. This is a Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) project benefitting from a small grant under the World Bank administered Nile Basin Trust Fund. In any case, the small multipurpose dam was never intended for hydropower but to support flood mitigation, irrigation and improved access to quality water supply by the surrounding communities. We are informed that due to the challenges experienced in undertaking the feasibility study, the NBI has written to the government formally suspending its activities on the site in Manafwa which would have benefitted the local residents to access water for agriculture. However, we are further informed that the NBI and the government, are discussing with the communities in Manafwa ways to promote sustainable agriculture in the region. We, would, therefore, like to correct the wrong impression created that the world bank is planning to build a hydropower dam in the area. We have very rigorous environmental and social safeguard standards, including extensive stakeholder consultations, that we undertake as part or due diligence before financing activities such as hydropower projects. Ahmadou Moustapha Ndiaye, Country Manager"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/When-a-punishment-becomes-a-blessing/-/689856/1610638/-/v4fvye/-/index.html","content":"When a punishment becomes a blessing - It is 9.30am and we are standing in the parking lot of the ministry of Internal affairs. With me are the officials from the department of Community Service. Brian Iriho is dressed in a sky blue suit and has a laid back demeanor which I later learn sparks when he begins to talk. His colleague, Moses Amese is different, a chatty fellow who having learnt I’m interested in information, volunteers it unsolicited. The third gentleman-whom I have not met before and will be driving us for the day-introduces himself as Ajasi after which he proceeds to inquire what could be the shortest route to Gayaza. Our destination is Kasangati in Gayaza and we are going to visit (supervise) convicted offenders who are doing community service in the area. We settle into the double cabin pickup which is to ferry us on our rounds. Nothing is left to chanceIn Gayaza, we stop at the Court premises where Esther Kadondi, the court assignee for community service, is waiting for us. Esther guides us to the market where the first offender we are visiting, Karim Nsubuga is working. First though we meet his supervisor, Badru Sewanyana, a local defense official. Sewanyana tells me why he has to oversee the sentence very strictly, “Sometimes when they (offenders) are put under your charge, they will disappear, sometimes as far as the Islands even taking with them the working tools. Sometimes they will show where they live and later you realise that is not where they live.” The remorseful offenderNsubuga, is a 42-year-old avocado seller in the market. He was convicted for selling stolen Nakati (greens). We find him cutting grass at what might have been 100 by 70 metre piece of land at the back of the market. He is immediately remorseful when I ask how he felt about his sentence, “I deserve the punishment. It is easier to work for five hours then I can move around so other people notice what I am doing.” Nsubuga who supplements his income by doing odd jobs says, “Occasionally after working, someone will give me a kilo of posho for some casual job.” Nsubuga is a Primary Five dropout and father of seven. He tells us he cannot afford to leave his punishment undone. He has a responsibility to look after his children, “It was due to the children that I asked the judge for leniency and he gave me a lighter sentence; I will stay and work.” By the time we left, he had cleared a third of the demarcated land.Our next destination is the Courthouse at Kasangati where Kadondi told us two other offenders had been sentenced to cut the lawn on the premises. One had not shown up in the morning. We could however visit the other. The irritated offenderRonald is a hairdresser in Wandegeya who had been charged alongside a bodaboda bicyclist for illegal possession of opium. He studied at Makerere University for two years after which he dropped out for health reasons. He quickly lifts the leg of his left trouser to exhibit a brutal patch of burns which he tells me were caused by hot water. Ronald has been doing Community service for nine days and he says he found his sentence inconveniencing, but he felt he had to finish it. About his sentence to Community Service, Ronald cites foul play, “They found me taking porridge at the boda boda stage and then they found a jacket (with opium) and they said it was mine.” Suspicious of foul playAs if to demonstrate this, he asks me, “I was arrested with a bunch of others, where are they?” Kadondi says Ronald’s co-offender was still serving his punishment; he had only failed to show up because he had domestic troubles. Ronald has one son but doesn’t stay with its mother. I asked how they were coping now that he was serving a labor sentence and away from his job. “My family knows that I’m easy (peaceful),” he replied. In the meantime, Ronald’s co-offender Morgan Kiwanuka has arrived. He is short and his orange and lime green highlighted Community Service jacket is like a kanzu on his frame. An ugly scar runs from his eyebrow and curls down to his cheek bone. The few teeth his mouth reveals when he speaks are of a pitiful brown colour. Unsolicited, he tells us why he is late: his children had been sent home from school for non-payment of school dues and he had to go to their school to bargain for their reinstatement while he looks for money. He narrates what ensued on the day of his arrest, “I work as a boda boda man (bicyclist). This one here (Ronald), came and told me ‘Will you take me?’ I told him to first take porridge and while we were at it armed policemen came and ferried us away. At the police station they told us we had been in possession of a drug.” I asked him what drug they had been accused of possessing. He told he did not know. I wondered what first time offender forgets his charge however trumped up. Was it possible Morgan was feigning ignorance on purpose to give of an air of innocence? It appears I was not the only one unconvinced. Looking up from his notes Amese of the Community Service Commission suggested we pay Kiwanuka’s home a visit. He said some of the offenders on community service lie to their families about their sentences and that it is always better when they have the support of their families. We agreed to visit Kiwanuka’s family. When a quarrel led to punishmentBefore that however, we stop by the hospital where another offender, a young woman this time, is serving her sentence. Shanita Suubi, 22, who sells chips, quarrelled with another vendor from a neighbouring stall. Esther shows us a levelled patch of land where Suubi had worked the previous day. Suubi claims the other woman called her a prostitute and had initiated the barrage of insults yet still managed to get her charged because her husband is a policeman. The Community Service officials advised her to be the one to report first when next such an incident occurred. She told us she intended to finish her sentence which she had done for three days so far. We left her weeding the gardens at the back of the hospital. Visiting one of the offender’s homesAt Kiwanuka’s home where a path more accustomed to goat’s hooves and human feet leads, we are brought face to face with a naked bricked unplastered two roomed house. A courteous and amiable woman welcomes us kneeling next to a blank eyed child. This is Kiwanuka’s wife and she tells us the other child is asleep in the house and the remaining two are at school. When we ask her whether she knows of her husband’s sentence, she tells us, “They arrested him and one of us (relatives) stood bail but they also told us they had given him a job (labor sentence) to do.” Meanwhile two neighbours- an old woman walking with the aid of a staff and a young lady- no doubt wondering at the rare visitors, had joined. The old woman having ascertained that our errand had nothing to do with re-arresting Kiwanuka, walked away silently. We asked the young lady what she thought of Kiwanuka. Was he a good neighbour?“He is good...somehow.” “What do you think of his charge? Are the things they are saying about him (opium possession) true?” “You take him to work.” I wasn’t convinced, so I asked again. 1 | 2 Next Page»“Uhmmn...yes. But you let him work and he comes back home.” We left Kiwanuka at the Courthouse where he was continuing his sentence.Community Service can best be summarised in Moses Ameso’s words that he uttered as we made our way back to the city, “In life, every one is a potential criminal. Some are people who are simply caught in the challenges of living life. You cannot imprison a woman for quarrelling with another over business space or another for stealing something small. You give them something that will allow them to know they have done wrong and then let them back into society.” Working in Mulago changed his life He enthusiastically tries to help patients, wheeling some to their respective wards. He then moves from bed to bed, counselling the parents and praying for the children. Mothers go to him for comfort and prayer. One by one, they line up for a blessing. For a minute there, this scene at Mulago Hospital seems like an outreach, part of his ministry. However, Pastor Solomon Male is not carrying out his usual pastoral duty. He is serving a punishment, community service, accorded to him by Buganda Road Court for “conspiring to tarnish Pastor Kayanja’s reputation”. Pastors Martin Ssempa, Michael Kyazze and Robert Kaira, together with Deborah Anita Kyomuhendo, a businesswoman and David Mukalazi, a musician, were also convicted by Buganda Road Grade I magistrate, Julius Borore. Mr Borore sentenced them to a fine of Shs1 million each and community service of 100 hours or serve six months in prison upon failure to pay the fine and perform community service. Ps Male spent the first week at the Mulago Customer care Centre, with his colleague David Mukalazi, the second and third week in Mwana Mugimu children’s ward. “The punishment has turned out a blessing. I was wrongly convicted, but here I have found need and I’m going to come to these people’s heed,” a cheerful Ps Male who completed his sentence on October 25, said during a phone interview. He also plans to lobby for funds to meet the needs of the mothers of the malnourished children and the sick people who cannot access funds for treatment. He says there are many sick but poor people who cannot afford drugs, most of who are single parents. He says his target will now be to help such people. “On my last day, I realised there was still need and decided to dedicate one day every week to providing psyco-social support to the patients at Mulago because it contributes greatly to fast healing yet they hardly access such services,” he said. Community work though a punishment, enabled him discover a new section that has been neglected by the religious leaders. “I cannot imagine pastors tell well-to-do people to pay for prayers while there is a big lot here that needs such prayers more than anyone. Helpless mothers with ill babies flood Mulago with neither hope nor money to pay for treatment. Such are people who need pastors’ intervention more than any other people.” He says government should equip national hospitals with free medicine to be accessed by the poor who cannot afford it. He also plans to set up a foundation with a goal of helping needy patients access medication.As regards community work as a punishment, he says it is the best transformative kind of punishment only if accorded fairly. It not only transforms the punished but also contributes greatly to community. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Group-efforts-boost-Namayingo-fish-farmers/-/689860/1593428/-/45ygicz/-/index.html","content":"Group efforts boost Namayingo fish farmers - Small holder farming requires a lot of commitment yet its productivity is typically low. Some farmers in Namayingo District, however, have found a way around it. They are making millions of shillings using an old trick – communalism. Sibawo syahaya ohuba, which can be loosely translated to mean “something prevents me from becoming what I want,” is a group comprising 24 peasant families which in 2006 came together to boost their food security and farm incomes. Six years later, they jointly owned 16 acres of land on which they practice mixed farming – including aquaculture. Benefits of team work“I started a circle in 2006. Then in 2009, we acquired a grinding mill from the district community development fund. That is when I believed that working together would improve our incomes,” says Duncans Onyango, the group’s general secretary and a former primary school teacher in the Sigulu Island of Lake Victoria. “Maize, millet and cassava are mainly for our food consumption,” Onyango says. He adds: “The fish, tomatoes, and pigs bring us money which helps us pay children’s school fees.” The group was originally growing crops and rearing pigs just a few metres away from the lake. Sometimes heavy rains would flood their gardens, destroying crops. From this challenge, however, came the opportunity to start fish farming in 2009. They now have the largest fish farm in the district – and this is their largest source of income. “We started fish farming partly to save our gardens by channelling the water back to the lake. Now we are doing fish farming on five acres of land because it is profitable,” Onyango says. Their first fish harvest in 2010 was Shs4m. In 2011, they earned Shs20m from seven ponds. “Out of the Shs20m, about half was profit. We are expecting about Shs20m this year,” he says. “Our life has been dependant on the lake for fish. Now that it is scarce, it makes more sense to farm it,” he adds. The different families supply the labour. As some people are weeding crops, others are feeding the pigs or clearing the ponds. On this land, they have a group house as well as a store. Each family member has a turn to oversee the farm. During his or her turn, each head of family chooses any member of their family to live with at the farm house. Efforts rewardedFollowing its success, the group has now received funding of Shs58m from the Lake Victoria Environment Management Project to enable it improve the productivity of their fish farm. On a recent visit to the fish farm, Mujib Kambo, a researcher from the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (Nafirri), noted that although the group’s aquaculture was commendable, it still had to make improvements for better yields. “For example, I would like (it) if they are integrating fish farming with other things, they don’t do it with tomatoes as is the case now- may be rice which does not require spraying. Fish is very sensitive to chemicals,” Kambo says. “We have a new programme through which we will teach fish farmers how to do it best, including how to mix the ideal fish feed on their farms.” editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/EA-loses-huge-sums-of-money-in-counterfeit-products/-/688616/1558452/-/mejott/-/index.html","content":"EA loses huge sums of money in counterfeit products - KAMPALA East Africa loses over Shs1.3 trillion—an equivalent of $500 million— in revenue annually from product imitation. Counterfeiting is the act of imitating and duplicating the already existing product brands and services on the market. SourceThere has been a tremendous influx of different imported products on the market since Uganda’s economy was liberalised in 1996, and later EAC integration. These imported products face various quality and standard related challenges that have greatly affected the business environment in Uganda. “Counterfeit and sub-standard products in the East African market are largely imported and they come into Uganda at low cost than the locally made goods,” Mr Vinay Dawda, managing director Britannia Allied (U) Limited said. These products mostly come from Asian countries, such as China, India, Dubai, Indonesia, Thailand and Taiwan, and African countries like Egypt and Nigeria. They include alcoholic beverages, biscuits, fruit juices, shoe polish, toothpastes, toothbrushes, soaps and detergents, pens, books, toys, electrical and electronic items like electrical cables and percolators. Others are building materials, personal care products, cosmetics, medicines, clothing, construction materials, shoes, vehicle spare parts and computers. “Counterfeits have threatened the collapse of several manufacturing companies in the region due to price wars in addition to discouraging investors,” he noted. Cheap and sub-standard products supplied through foreign and local traders and manufacturers are illegally replicating well-known brand names and designs on their packages. “Imported food products from India are given a shelf life of two years whereas the same products that are made for the Indian markets are given a shelf life of six months. This is a clear indication that the manufacturers of these products are aware that they cannot stay on the shelf under normal conditions for over one year,” Mr Dawda said. He added that contrary to the requirements of the standard US clauses 4.4 which require that the name and address of the manufacturer is indicated on the packet, most of these imported biscuits only bear the country of origin. The other products are those that don’t comply with the Non-Conformity, for example; aseptically packed juices have a shelf life of one year whereas some of the imported juices have continuously declared a shelf life of two years and others 18 months. Mr Dawda added: “The percentage of juice content is also varied and the consumers are misguided with words like ‘Nectars’ , ‘Only Fruit’ , No sugar added.’’ Some juices have thickeners and sugar added to increase thickness.” LegislationThe private sector alleges that the counterfeit vice has been on the rise in Uganda and East Africa due to weak Intellectual property law and policies including the enforcement framework and institutional arrangements. In Uganda, there are relevant laws, institutions and policy frameworks on checking fake goods and counterfeits. Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is the statutory organisation responsible for regulating and enforcing standards and quality assurance of goods and services. Counterfeits are managed under different legal frameworks, the patents Act and Regulations, 2003, the copyright and neighboring rights Act, 2006; and the Trademark Act and the Trade marks (/Amendment) Rules, 2005, in collaboration with the Trade ministry. “There is no specific law against counterfeits in Uganda creating a big challenge towards fighting the vice,” Dawda said. However, the Trade Minister, Ms Amelia Kyambadde said her ministry had forwarded the anti-counterfeit Bill to Parliament, which she hopes will be passed by the end of October. We are lobbying for it [Anti-counterfeit Bill] to go for the third reading. We thought at least by July it would be passed but parliament has had a number of interruptions of other bills,” Ms Kyambadde said. However, the Secretary-General of the EAC, Dr Richard Sezibera said handling the counterfeit vice as individual states would not do much. “The EAC anti-Counterfeit Bill should be handled collectively,” Dr Sezibera said. Experts say that’s how East African Communications Organisation (EACO) has handled the issue of counterfeit mobile phones flooding the region. The Uganda Communications Commission November deadline to switch off all counterfeit mobile phones is drawing closer. This campaign that kicked off in Kenya and saw over a million counterfeit handsets switched off is spreading to other member states like Rwanda and Zambia. The initiative supported by the EACO is geared towards fighting the counterfeit vice collectively and has seen other member states take action. EACO’s objective is to end the menace which is eroding businesses and threatening investments in the region. 1 | 2 Next Page»LossesSpeaking at the regional Chief Executive Officers’, meeting in Kampala, the chairman, Standard Chartered Bank and a renowned manufacturer, Dr James Mulwana, said: “Counterfeits are affecting the local investment in the region and our appeal is for the EAC member states to sort out this issue by making it a policy which is strong and easy to enforce.”Dr Mulwana urged the EAC to emulate United States which has successfully stopped importing counterfeit products. Mr Dawda, said: “Counterfeit products pose serious adverse effects to registered businesses and may lead to their collapse.” Counterfeit products damage the reputation of genuine industries, dilute their brand value, reduce their market share and bring down their profitability. “Manufacturers spend colossal sums of money on research and development of their product, advertising it, obtaining licenses, paying wages and taxes and constructing a plant and equipping it unlike the counterfeiters,” Mr Dawda added. With counterfeits, job creation and tax base expansion is frustrated while innovations and research towards new products is also stifled. This hinders economic growth and development. This vice does not spare the general public or government because either of them may fall victim to the counterfeit trade by unknowingly buying fake materials such as foods, drugs, construction materials and endangering consumers. ChallengesBeyond the limited staffing, lies a far bigger problem- the weak law. The UNBS Act, according to Ms Barbara Kamusiime UNBS Public Relations manager, is close to useless as far as the fight against sub-standard products is concerned. She says that the fine, when arrested over trading in these products ranges between Shs3,000 to Shs10,000, a fee too low to serve as a punishment to such grave acts. She said that as a result, substandard products find their way into the market.‘Recently we were at Yamaha Centre for an inspection and we found so many fake electrical equipment. These products are so many on the market and some of them are manufactured by our own traders but we are on our toes, trying to do the ground work to fish out the culprits,” She said. Despite the weak law, UNBS inspects products and in case any manufacturer does not meet the standard, the standards body liaises with police to have them arrested. Ms Kamusiime says that all hope is not yet gone since the proposed amendment UNBS Act is before Parliament awaiting passing. Meanwhile the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity to Standards Programme (PVoC) facilitates the process of testing for standard products. Ms Kamusiime explained that with the PVoC regulation in place, efforts will be targeted towards joining hands with other East African states to do away with substandard products.And on Counterfeited goods, she says whereas substandard goods are illegal, most counterfeit goods are acceptable on the market- particularly those that meet the standards; “There are so many counterfeit products that are of standard. We let them into the market since they tick the standards boxes.” The private sector remains optimistic that this will be one of the main agenda during the next EAC Heads of states meeting scheduled for November. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Binaisa--a-powerless-head-of-state/-/688342/1593426/-/10w02ipz/-/index.html","content":"Binaisa, a powerless head of state - The stage and the curtains had been set, but were the props and the audience ready for President Godfrey Lukongwa Binaisa’s show?As noted in the previous article, Binaisa had already accorded a second thought to the intentions of the National Consultative Council, which probably, had able-bodied leaders, but did not select a president among themselves. Besides, the audience, the Ugandans (some), had protested his ascendency to power. But did he have the props (power)?Just at the sunrise of his presidency, it was certainly written all over the sky for Binaisa that he was a powerless President. When he tried to piece together his first Cabinet on June 23, 1979, he learnt that the responsibility belonged to another man; Prof. Dani Wadada Nabudere, the then minister of culture and chairperson of the Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA). Binaisa’s alienation from the political programmes would soon embarrass him at a donors’ conference in mid July that year. The donors, having received documents from Prof. Nabudere proposing a communist kind of political structure called the ‘Mayumba-Kumi’, wanted more clarifications which Binaisa did not have. Consequently, the meeting was delayed for two weeks but with no impressive developments. Binaisa was to lead a government without adequate resources. And the seeds of disillusionment had been planted very early. As Phares Mutibwa notes in Uganda Since Independence (A Story of Unfulfilled Hopes) : “In spite of his international standing as a lawyer and his experience as a national politician in the 1960s – factors which led to his being chosen to replace Lule as president – Binaisa proved to be an inept and amateurish leader”. The book adds: “Indeed, it is remarkable that he survived for so long.” In the first three months, the presidency and the NCC, as a surrogate parliament, worked cooperatively. As one of the immediate priorities of the new government, the then Local Administrations Minister, Mr Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, made arrangements to expand the NCC from its initial 30 members to 90. The plan was to accommodate those who had not gone into exile and, therefore, had not attended the Moshi Conference of March 1979.UNLA was accorded 10 seats and the occupants were to be selected by the Ministry of Defence. However, like it has continued to characterise contemporary Uganda, the methods used to select members to the council, raised eyebrows. The atmosphere was rife with complaints that the Uganda Peoples Congress, a party to which Mr Ssali belonged, had been favoured . Democratic Party’s Paul Ssemogerere complained that the NCC was biased. The enlarged NCC would be opened on October 8, 1979. President Binaisa did not even have the power to make decisions over his own life. It is said during a Cabinet meeting early in his reign, it was decided that the new president visits all districts in the country. However, albeit he received warnings not to visit Acholi, Lango, Teso and Busoga, the lawyer-cum-politician did not even have the presidential power to cancel the trip. Oh Lord! This matter endangered his life but he could do little, if not nothing. So was he given power or was he arrested but in disguise? While in Busoga, a shooting emerged for 20 minutes and the crowds scattered for dear lives. Again, the security detail called off the rally without informing him or seeking his thought! Uganda’s Presidents: An Illustrated Biography, notes that he was even unable to lay off two presidential aides – Tumusiime-Mutebile and Aggrey Awori – who reportedly insisted on knowing whatever the president did. Binaisa had believed the two were spying on him. To consolidate the throne, Binaisa moved nearer to the masses. UPC elements and the UNLF through the Mayumba-Kumi structures had started supplying commodities to citizens. So Binaisa met the mafuta mingi, the wealthy class created by Amin, who promised to flood the market with goods.He had also started defending freedom of speech, human rights and befriending the media. Binaisa was beginning to raise his head high; but he could also have been exposing it to the axe. When he attended the OAU summit in Monrovia, Liberia, from July 14 to 15 in 1979, Binaisa met another embarrassment. Uganda was denied full participation basing on the fact that Tanzanian forces still occupied the country and therefore was not independent and could not sit at the high table of independent states. With a bruised ego, Binaisa, on the sidelines of the summit, lobbied for an OAU peacekeeping force and therefore, the subsequent withdrawal of TPDF troops. But he did not know that Oyite-Ojok had led a delegation to Tanzania to chart a way forward to build a new army. Meanwhile, murky reports have it that President Kenneth Kaunda organised an Obote-Binaisa meeting in which Binaisa reportedly failed to talk and collapsed. Binaisa later denied such allegations. To expedite the formation of a new army in which he would be commander-in-chief, Binaisa kicked out Yoweri Museveni as minister of defence on November 18, 1979 and dumped him to the Regional Cooperation docket. Having attempted, as defence minister, to meet the UNLA commissioned officers in vain, Binaisa said the UNLA Military Commission had been coordinating the liberation war and its role had ceased. 1 | 2 Next Page»The exit door for Binaisa was ajar; UPC, DP in 1980 said they would no longer recognise his leadership. Tanzania’s President Julius Nyerere, the Tanzanian Resident Minister Nshekalango and TPDF commander Maj-Gen. David Masuguri assured Binaisa that he had lost respect, authority and control over Uganda. President Binaisa had literarily shifted from the comfortable chair in the corner of the house and was seated on a battered one just next to the exit door. WarningOn April 1, 1980, is that Fools Day? But Lt-Col. David Oyite-Ojok was not fooling. He warned of a rebellion and the end of Binaisa’s regime and the political group, the Gang of Four: Wadada Nabudere, Edward Rugunayo, Yash Tandon and Omwony Ojok. President Binaisa now attempted to appease the army by paying visits and promising better services and good days ahead. Dissent started and in Bushenyi, UPC’s Chris Rwakasisi had declared that Binaisa was no longer president. In May, it was crystal clear that Binaisa would leave. He was a wet blanket to his masters, but according to Aggrey Awori, it was an issue of not replacing him with a soldier from north. President Binaisa, incensed that his press secretary, James Namakajo, had been arrested and details of his plans for external military assistance seized, summoned Oyite Ojok. He ordered for Namakajo’s release but the soldiers would not take it. He then appointed Oyite Ojok as an ambassador to Algeria. The Military Commission chaired by Paulo Mwanga called for a meeting with the president over the army boss’ sacking but Binaisa refused. He, having failed to distinguish friends from enemies, had opened wide his exit door and tampered with the dangling axe. The Military Commission decided to drop the axe. The next day on May 10, 1980, the curtains fell and a door behind the stage was opened for Binaisa into the lounge where he stayed under detention until Obote released him after the December 1980 general election.Like he was woken up for the job (easily), he was also woken up out of the job (easily). Continues tomorrow. achekwech@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Entertainment/Dramatic-display-of-the-nation-s-state/-/812796/1532862/-/pv15bhz/-/index.html","content":"Dramatic display of the nation’s state - In the event of a liberation war, lives are lost, wives are shared, and children are orphaned as some people land themselves big deals. In the play State of The Nation (ku Girikiti) by Afri Talents and Bakayimbira Dramactors, the playwright puts it clear that the “we -fought and thus need-to-eat more syndrome” has to stop for a country to share the national cake equally. The State of the Nation is a play that speaks sardonically showing what has become of the country from Independence to the Jubilee celebrations. Phillip Luswata acts as a war veteran who keeps on lamenting about the fight that was in vain. You cannot watch the play and fail to see the Ugandan political repertoire that it casts. In boisterous tongues, even the love scenes that strike through speak the political language through the Biblical quotes. At one point, a general who had no input during the struggle claims to be one of the ardent fighters that liberated the country and are now fierce and blind to their cause.Though the play started half an hour late, it was worth the wait. To capture the plays’ drift, a scene is shown where, after the Ugandan National anthem is played, a number of patrons refused to sit down until the Buganda anthem is also played. No wonder when it got to the weighing scale of the government’s achievements, the term limits and Buganda factor attracted ululations.The ark built by Ddungu (Charles Ssenkubuge), a concept from the Bible, suggests a flood to wash away the old brigade and a new nation gets created from a scratch. The house was almost full despite each ticket costing Shs50,000. The cast, Leila Kalanzi a.k.a Kachapizo, Charles Senkubuge “Siasa”, Andrew Benon Kibuuka, Aloysius Joy Matovu, Abby Mukiibi, John Segawa, Phillip Luswata, and Aisha Kyomuhangi fit in their shoes – they were suitable for the characters they assumed. Giggles, cackles, display of emotions all rubber-stamped the theatrical ingenuity of this professional cast. ------------------------------------ABOUT THE DRAMA GROUPSAfri-Talent. It is a professional drama company started by Abby Mukiibi who is their artistic director with Bat-Valley Theatre as their “home”. Mukiibi has been directing and acting for theatre since 1994. He has acted and directed over 30 plays acted by his acting company. Mukiibi is also the Programmes Manager of CBS Fm and also a presenter of Kalisoliso, a very popular radio comedy with CBS FM. Bakayimbira Dramactors. This group is managed by Andrew Benon Kibuuka. In 2007, they were forced to vacate their “home” of 26 years, at Pride Theatre following rental increment by landlords, Lohana Community, from Shs2.3m) to about sh6.1m per month. Kibuuka said it was unrealistic for them to pay that amount as it would slow down their efforts to build their own theatre along Entebbe Road. Kibuuka popularly known as Dube willing fully resigned from presenting on Radio Simba this year but promised to continue acting in the group."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Saving-your-soaked-electronic-device/-/691232/1522874/-/1wr1ptz/-/index.html","content":"Saving your soaked electronic device - On Friday last week, there was a heavy downpour that as usual left many flood-prone areas in a bit of a mess. Question is what do you do when the electronics are submerged by floodwaters? Electronic items and water do not go together well, (unless of course they have been designed to be waterproof). More usually, things such as computers, radios, televisions, hard disc drives, digital cameras, survive best in dry conditions and will malfunction. Sometimes, electronics and electrical machines can be saved from water and can recover and become functional again. Just because it is electrical and it is flooded does not mean it is dead. There are no guarantees, but there are some techniques, which will increase the chance of recovery, and some mistakes to avoid which will reduce the chances. The chances of anything electrical surviving being in water are very considerably better if switched off at the time. I cannot verify this but I have heard that Umeme turns off the power in flood prone areas during heavy downpours, quite smart. So, whatever you do, do not switch it on. If it is a battery-powered device, take the battery out. If it is mains-powered, it should not be plugged in.Strange as it may seem, water itself is not what destroys electronics. It is what is in the water that is the problem. Floodwater, as we have all seen it, is a cocktail of all the mud, rubbish, refuse, waste, and debris etc, stuff that surely shall not go down well with your electronics. Do not panic. Wash the device out thoroughly using clean tap water. I know it sounds odd, washing an electronic device in water, but it makes more sense than it sounds. The machine is not going to get more wet by it, and the important thing is to get rid of the dirty water. Replacing the dirty water with clean water is an improvement. When you are sure that you have got rid of all the dirty water, dry it. Put the electronic in a dry place for a few weeks. You cannot really hurry the drying process. You might be tempted to use a blower or hair dryer. Some areas in the tightly packed electronics of say, a camera, may not be easy to reach. Patience is essential. The way to think about it is to consider how long a damp sponge would remain damp in those circumstances, clearly not indefinitely, but quite a while. Even if the device still does not work, it may be that the residual damage is minimal and it may be worth getting it to a repair shop, which will charge you considerably less than if you had taken it, immediately it had been soaked."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Why-the-Centenary-Park-wrangle-nails-Urban-Planners-on-the-cross/-/689844/1520894/-/ntmxi0z/-/index.html","content":"Why the Centenary Park wrangle nails Urban Planners on the cross - On Thursday, KCCA’s exercise to level about half of Centenary Park ended up in brouhaha: Trade Minister Amelia Kyambadde stormed the place and allegedly branded the Authority’s Executive Director Jennifer Musisi a “terrorist”. The manner of execution was coarse; the operation began at around 4am and KCCA enforcement officers made violent arrests – one of the suspect’s shirt was shredded and the central Division Mayor’s wife Sarah Kizito, who had the park’s management contract under Nalongo Estates, half-stripped. On the other end of the city, in the New Taxi Park, other KCCA enforcement officers simultaneously knocked down transient structures there and businesses to secure its vacant possession for re-development. Ms Kyambadde at 9am sprinted to Centenary Park (and not New Taxi Park), fuming in the defence of the tenants, whose business is serving refreshments and food to bar patrons and other merrymakers. Why Centenary Park?The Trade Minister said she intervened because Ms Musisi was unilaterally destroying businesses (that fall under her ministerial docket) and pay taxes to government. Ms Kyambadde, however, did not invoke the same reason to address the plight of those who ply their trade in the demolished taxi park, rendering her to accusations of harbouring undeclared interest in Centenary Park. Centenary Park is centrally situated and home to the city’s most popular (open air) entertainment centres patronised by middle and high-income earners. Organisers prefer the venue for wedding and other social meetings owing to its accessibility. Ms Musisi, minister Kyambadde said, was a heartless woman to move to raze improvised business premises whose construction in the park was reportedly authorised by KCC, the precursor administrative entity to KCCA. This was not the first time the ED was being criticised for her resolute – or is it? - stance to strike hard in implementing urban planning standards so long as the law was on her side. Except this time, it was a minister, a former long-serving Principal Private Secretary to President Museveni and daughter to a wealthy property owner publicly vilifying the ED acclaimed by associates as a brilliant lawyer, ex-legal head at Uganda Revenue Authority and cake supplier to city merrymakers. These women – who are each sort of technocratic and political juggernauts - are both understood to be close to the President, have his listening ear and thrive on power borrowed from him. In the politics of urban planning, this is the tragedy. True, implementation of spatial designs and zoning standards requires utmost political support because it generally is an unpopular exercise due to adverse ramifications such as displacement. Because Ms Musisi’s power is not institutionalised, and she consults most not with the Urban Planning/Lands or Kampala Affairs minister but State House while doing her work, she’s likely to be handicapped in enforcing planning regulations where the President’s interest is directly or indirectly threatened. Worse, (and God forbid!) if President Museveni was to suddenly drop dead, how would Ms Musisi push forward the agenda to revamp and transform Kampala as an attractive, livable capital – the kind of city that would charm dwellers and visitors? One could argue that the KCCA boss has innate indomitable will power that got her tear down illegal structure on Plot42 Nile Avenue flattened after a short-lived obstruction by VP Edward Ssekandi and amid reports the President’s younger brother, Michael Toyota, was a shareholder in the investment that had Chinese investors at the forefront. Mr Museveni has publicly warned his relatives to stop smudging his reputation by involving in shady deals after his brother, Gen. Salim Saleh, allegedly confessed to him that he had pocketed $800,000 in the jinxed purchase of junk military choppers in the late 1990s. The problemLet us return to the Centenary Park demolition saga. What is the real planning problem there? Is it just about creating a green? First, the planning mis-step was of KCC allowing erection of massive buildings – Golf Course Hotel, Garden City and Nakumatt shopping malls - in a valley or green belt that should drain run-off water from Nakasero and Kololo hills. This obstructed flow of storm water through the natural course, which would drain into the Nakivubo channel and onward to Lake Victoria, resulting in frequent flooding on Jinja Road (particularly the main junction) in the aftermath of even the slightest falling rains. Matters are not helped that the side-drains are clogged and not regularly de-silted. Once the northern part of the contested area was parceled out as plots to powerful people in government or their associates for building malls, it became impotent to argue that the remaining stretch of the green belt needed to be conserved more. 1 | 2 Next Page»It is strange that KCCA wants only half of Centenary Park, leaving safe investments in the same area owned by regime associates, because it badly wants the green park restored. How do you, as a physical planner, explain the irony of seeking to keep, including permanent structures, in about half of the Centenary Park when at the same time rolling graders to tear down temporary structures in another part? Has the lease for the targeted part expired and somebody wants the prime land, but prefers to take it under the guise of restoring the green park, which is a popular public and environmental justification? In any case, the drivers of the graders toppled flower gardens and did not pull down any structures as had been envisaged. So was the Thursday exercise – abortive as it was – worth tax payers’ money expended to fuel the machines, assembling security reinforcement and other logistics? Public open spaces are good utilities in urban design for beautification; they serve as aesthetic places for people to relax and engage in civic activities. And as such they must ordinarily be protected and properly manicured. Other green beltsThe City Square, probably the city’s best open space maintained using public resources, is a no-go area to the public because police have sealed it off claiming opposition activities want to use the area as a base to stage mass demonstrations to topple the regime! KCCA has looked the other way when wealthy investors have snapped other green parks to erect, among other things, fuel stations. And the proprietor of Imperial Royal Hotel whose frontage extends on the road reserve, instead of being penalised for, is being afforded unqualified privilege by having Shimoni Road he encroached on blocked to public. The other open space on Nakasero Road adjacent to the Rwenzori Towers has been snapped up under KCCA’s watch as a private car park, depriving city dwellers access. Kampala faces more depressing planning problems; many aged roads are broken due to poor maintenance, newly paved roads are cut by service providers because they lack under-ground tunnels for piping telephone and cables, car owners park on the streets (transfer their private costs onto the public and squeezing further the driving lane on already narrow roads) because buildings are erected without underground parking. The carriage ways routinely flood as a result of backflow because the side drains are blocked with polythene and garbage, jams eat up man-hours reducing the city’s productivity while authorised and illegal buildings sit on access lanes, impairing reach by tender engines in the event of fire disasters or rescue with ambulances. Now there is the epidemic of unregulated and mostly Pentecostal churches mushrooming like bars in every neighbourhood (one such is ‘The Living Word Assembly’ church in my backyard on Lumumba Road), competing unrestrained with night clubs in noise pollution through earsplitting overnight prayers.So, where and how should Ms Musisi start? The purpose of spatial planning is to produce space for competing urban land use activities and planning authorities have the responsibility to assign developments in a manner that minimises conflict among urban dwellers. Chasing hawkers is good, but in good urban governance, it must be balanced with alternative sites for them to ply their trade. Otherwise, unemployed town dwellers can be live conductors for crime. Thus, the right approach to urban planning must be participatory because some of the manifest problems and solutions as well as enforcement are beyond the scope of a single individual or institution, however mighty. The KCCA director runs a risk of isolation if she chooses to work alone. The tragedy is that Uganda lacks a national urban planning policy as such piecemeal intervention, however well-meaning, can only be accomplished as much. For Kampala, the absence of flower gardens may be important but not primary. Ms Musisi has a choice to tackle the big ticket assignments – fixing broken roads, waste management, sort traffic jams and enforce planning standards uniformly – or deal with cosmetic issues, of beautification, to mask the musty reality. In the meantime, she should leverage through structure and detailed plans as well as zoning to juxtapose compatible uses and separate incompatible. tbutagira@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/Christine-Mawadri-s-enduring-impact-on-radio/-/689842/1513034/-/qnmbjh/-/index.html","content":"Christine Mawadri’s enduring impact on radio - The opening of airwaves in 1992 was an epoch-marking event in Uganda. Soon afterwards, there was a flood of FM stations all fighting for the attention of the listener. This was in a way a good thing because it meant those who could not cut the grade had to fall off the line. FM radio brought with it a new kind of celebrity whose claim to fame was really the effect their voice had on the listeners. Christine Mawadri-Olok could be defined in those days as the definitive voice of radio. Though she was not seen, the number of those who thought they knew her, believed in her and could do anything for her was big, at least going by the frequent calls from admirers on her shows. When Mawadri-Olok’s voice debuted on Radio Sanyu in 1993, the year the station was opened; there was probably no expectation for what was to come. Uganda was used to Radio Uganda and its officious presenters who many times sounded tired. To give even more credence to this, there were breaks in the programming where the presenter would say, in a guttural voice, “We shall take a break to rest.” Apart from the indefatigable Ssalongo John, many listeners will remember the presenters with not a little difficulty. That was then. In those days the restlessness had already started. The listenership of foreign stations was growing. But, the business community probably sensed that there was need for a more dynamic medium that would assuage the demand already noticed. When Sanyu hit the airwaves, closely followed by Capital Radio, it was clear that the days of tired- sounding presenters were long gone. There were no breaks; it was music and energetic presenters the whole day long. It was a whole new world of competition for listeners and bosses who made it clear that the presenters had to earn their pay; maintain the high ratings or ship out. Enter Mawadri-Olok. She had a big role back then, even if it might not have been obvious. She had to make the listenership believe that a woman could be as informed as any man. She had to dispel prejudices against females, especially in a job that involved long working hours and rigorous research. Mawadri-Olok was the “partner in crime” of another radio veteran, Alex Ndawula, and together, they showed Ugandans that there was more to this country than the official position. This could never have come out without the composition of the team. The veteran presenter was the voice of reason. Always analysing any problem and making it clear to the listener; she served as the counterfoil of her co-presenter, who has over the years carved out a niche as an abrasive brawler who takes no prisoners. Mawadri-Olok was the one charged with bringing the debate back on course and extinguishing the fires. “She is probably the most important voice on radio because of her demeanor,” Bettina Tumuhaise, music director at KFM, says. “Unlike some presenters today who show they are unprofessional, this could never be said of Mawadri. To the listener, she was the best of friends with her co-presenter but being in radio, I know that was just the action of a true professional.” Tumuhaise says after a voice break, many times she knows the two presenters on a station have been having a verbal fight and they are straining to sound civil. With Mawadri, she says, this could never be detected even when she had big fights with Ndawula off air. Many debates in boys’ schools raged about the obviousness of the fact that a person with an angel’s voice must be an angel. It was a running joke on Sanyu and later Capital FM where she relocated with Alex Ndawula. This was before the days of radio presenters became renowned MCs at events. She was “the voice” and that is all that mattered. Yet clearly, listeners wanted to put a face to the voice. She is probably held in high regard by many radio women today for many reasons. She is a trail blazer in an industry that could have been “hijacked” by the men, just as they have many other professions throughout the ages. But because she understood her brief – to show how a woman can do it even better – there are many women on radio today who carry the same weight of punch as their male counterparts. =================================Career arc In a world where only the violent take the kingdom, Mawadri’s career has been marked by cool decisions that could inspire many women. She was part of the big walk-out at Sanyu FM when a faction of employees demanded better pay. They included Rasta Rob, Gloria Kamba, Samson Bill, RS Elvis, and Yusuf E. E. She always knew what she was worth and she was not taking any suggestions for her to sit still. She left Capital later on to join Monitor FM (now KFM) then Dembe FM, where she served as Programmes Director. Today, she serves as the Country Manager at Zuku TV."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Action-must-follow-weather-warnings/-/689360/1508906/-/15rjfht/-/index.html","content":"Action must follow weather warnings - Last week, the Ministry of Water and Environment warned of unusual rains across the country between October and December. Weather experts are predicting more flooding, landslides, lightning and epidemics that may be caused by rains as the season moves from ‘steady’ to ‘abnormal’ rains. This is not the first time the government is sending out such warning. In fact, it has become a predictable yearly ritual. Though these warnings are good for precautionary purposes, they are rendered inconsequential if not followed by appropriate measures. Around this time last year, a similar warning was issued by the Department of Meteorology that cautioned the country about above normal rainfall characterised by lightning and flash floods. Indeed, many parts of Uganda experienced heavy flooding, cutting off roads, destroying homes and gardens. In areas like Teso, flooding has been a persistent predicament for several years. We therefore find it odd that flood prone areas continue to endure the same nightmare every year yet simple, practical measures should have been put in place to minimise the problem. Beyond issuing these weather reports and warnings, the relevant line ministries and departments must use the otherwise instructive reports from the meteorologists to formulate disaster response strategies. Following the warning last week by Water and Environment Minister Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu that the country is expecting floods even in the areas where the rains will be below normal, what is the action being taken by our Ministry of Disaster Preparedness? Kamuntu’s statement that “the public should act first in order to manage the risks that come with this type of rainy season” is timely but not enough. Experts suggested precautions such as resettling people from low lying areas to high lying areas, constructing flood-proof houses, constructing proper drainage systems around houses, identifying and reporting any mountain cracks to authorities, relocating to safer places, and the need to increase health surveillance, among others. These are useful proposals that should immediately form part of the Disaster ministry’s action plan. A more sustained action should, however, rest on the local leaders in flood prone areas to sensitise their communities not just on disaster preparation but environment conservation."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Brace-for-heavy-rains--says-government/-/688334/1504588/-/11ditytz/-/index.html","content":"Brace for heavy rains, says government - KAMPALA The Ministry of Water and Environment, through its Metrological Department, yesterday warned of unusual rains across the country October and December. Weather experts are predicting more flooding, landslides, lightning and epidemics that may be caused by rains as the season moves from ‘steady’ to ‘abnormal’ rains. The Minister of Water and Environment, Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu, while addressing a press conference at the Media Centre in Kampala yesterday, called upon the population and the government to enforce a number of precautions in order to reduce the disaster risks. Below normal rains“We are expecting floods even in the areas where the rains will be below normal rainfall. Therefore, the public should act first in order to manage the risks that come with this type of rainy season,” Mr Kamuntu said. The precautions suggested by experts include, resettling people from low lying areas to high lying areas, constructing flood-proof houses, constructing proper drainage systems around houses, identifying and reporting any mountain cracks to authorities, relocating to safer places, and the need to increase health surveillance, among others. During the 32nd Climate Outlook Forum for the greater Horn of Africa held in Zanzibar last month, regional climate scientists observed that the evolving weak El-Nino conditions and the activities of the Indian and Atlantic oceans, are the two factors likely to influence the regional weather forecast for September, October, November and December. Affected areasThe areas which expect rains above in this period include central, western and eastern regions, while northern Uganda will experience steady rains until mid-November. Eastern Uganda, which has experience a number of landslides, is one of the regions that are expected to receive more than normal rainfall, with the rainy season in the area continuing up to February next year. The eastern region has already been experiencing outbreaks of showers and thunderstorms since July. The moderate rains punctuated by dry spells are expected to give way to the beginning of more rains around early October. The peak of the rains across the country is expected around mid-next month and early November. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/Fake-phones-flood-Uganda-as-Kenya-nears-their-deactivation/-/688612/1496330/-/17a5ma/-/index.html","content":"Fake phones flood Uganda as Kenya nears their deactivation - The number of counterfeit phones on the Ugandan market has surged as Kenya closes in on the deadline to deactivate sim-cards carried in such handsets. Beginning September 30, the Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) will deactivate sim-cards used in counterfeit mobile phones. In Uganda today, three in every five phones being used by mobile phone subscribers are counterfeits, and are allegedly imported illegally into the country. Obed Bagyenyi, a phone dealer on Kampala road told Daily Monitor importation of phones believed to be from China has increased significantly in the past three months. The CCK directed telecom operators in Kenya to switch off all sim-cards carried in counterfeit handsets to stem out a flood of counterfeit phones. The deactivation of sim-cards used on counterfeit handsets in Kenya leaves Uganda as a favourable destination for such phones as there are no deterrent measures. Handset maker Nokia and Samsung are the hardest hit by the counterfeit problems because of their brand popularity. Mr Richard Kamajugo, the Uganda Revenue Authority commissioner for customs, said for any device to be deemed counterfeit, a manufacturer ought to have registered its brand name in that particular country. “I am not sure if mobile phone manufacturers registered their brand names in Uganda. So we can’t just wake up and say this is counterfeit,” Mr Kamajugo said. According to URA data, Uganda imported about 120,258 pieces of mobile phones estimated at Shs5.87 billion in July 2012, up from 81,650 pieces in May 2012, estimated at Shs3.87 billion. The move by CCK to deactivate such devices seeks to stem out the use of counterfeit phones on the Kenyan market due to their numerous health and revenue risks. The Uganda Communications Commission executive director, Eng Godfrey Mutabazi said the commission is in the process of establishing a brand approval laboratory that will among others deal with the mobile handset counterfeit problem. “We will build an authentication centre next year to among others cater for that (counterfeit problem), so at the moment we can not move in Kenya’s direction,” Eng Mutabazi told Daily Monitor in a telephone interview. Brand authentication seeks to prove that a product is not an imitation. Once an authentication centre is established, he said, guidelines will be put in place and enforced to ensure that everyone complies.Mr Mutabazi, however, decried the high taxes on handsets which have contributed to the high rate of illegal importation in the country. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Plaudits-flow-as-Monitor-celebrates-two-decades/-/688334/1493448/-/15gtpynz/-/index.html","content":"Plaudits flow as Monitor celebrates two decades - Corporate leaders, top politicians, academics and a horde of former and current employees gathered at the five-star Serena Hotel in Kampala on Friday for a glitzy event to mark 20 years of the existence of Monitor Publications Ltd, the publishers of Daily Monitor newspaper. With the Nairobi-headquartered Nation Media Group as its parent company, MPL recently acquired Dembe FM to add to its existing stable of KFM, the Nation courier services and Monitor directory – in line with its vision to become Uganda’s leading multi-media company. In a country where most businesses collapse before their first anniversary, surviving and thriving for two decades, amid a host of challenges, was worth celebrating and the flood of congratulatory messages from across the world stood witness to the newspaper’s extra-ordinary contribution to transformation of the media industry in the country. Majority of Uganda’s leading print journalists, including those who moved on to found the Observer newspaper and Independent magazine, cut their professional teeth and niche while at The Monitor, before it was renamed Daily Monitor in 2007. Managing Director Alex Asiimwe singled out Red Pepper’s Arinaitwe Rugyendo, who once served as Monitor’s bureau chief in Mbarara, as some of the ex-employees who imbibed innovative professional and business ideas under the aegis of MPL. The Serena event was the highlight of the celebrations, and speaker after speaker walked guests down the memory lane; recounting the modest 1992 start of the publication where reporters sat on beer crates while filing stories; the government squeeze; days when salaries were delayed to pay taxes and the publications’ evolution into a formidable media house, with its head office on 8th Street, Industrial Area, Namuwongo. Information Minister Karooro Okurut, who was the chief guest, conceded a love-hate relationship between government and Daily Monitor over the years. She commended the newspaper for influencing policy, providing employment, holding those in power to account and contributing to Uganda’s overall development. But a politician cannot take eyes off or fail to exploit an opportunity. When two beneficiaries of a Monitor scholarship scheme, dubbed ‘The Monitor Bus’, in a poem recited personal benefits they have enjoyed and extolled the media firm’s innovativeness, the minister got some ideas. In her speech, Ms Okurut would say in spite of many differences, the ideas of Monitor and that of the ruling NRM government, dovetail on the choice of a bus: a “stable and reliable vehicle” that slowly, but surely, delivers. It was understandable why guests burst into laughter at such a witty surmise. Besides the great traditional performances, there was serious talk too. Key Speaker John Githongo, who made a global name as Kenya’s anti-corruption tsar, lauded Monitor’s contribution to the democratisation process of Uganda, and urged the media house not to buckle, whatever the level of intimidation. The newspaper, which employs hundreds, was founded by journalists; Wafula Oguttu, Charles Onyango Obbo, David Ouma Balikowa, Ogen Kevin Aliro, Jimmy Serugo and Richard Tebere, most of who were at the Weekly Topic. More than a dozen ex-employees, including Independent’s Andrew Mwenda, former News Editor Robert Crispin Mukasa, Opinions editor Peter Wa Mucoori, Nile Breweries’ Communications director Onapito Ekomoloit and Arua correspondent Kefa Atibuni, were given plaques for their outstanding performances. akiyaga@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Time-to-take-back-our-green-spaces/-/689360/1492208/-/najtnpz/-/index.html","content":"Time to take back our green spaces - In slightly more than 20 days, Kampala Capital City Authority ought to have repossessed the much-abused Centenary Park, one of the few remaining areas of the city’s green spaces. In the meantime, a private company says it must first be compensated before it vacates that park despite a July 1 ultimatum from city authorities. This is disingenuous. That park was irregularly parcelled out to small businesses at the height of the land bonanza frenzy which shook the city during the term of disgraced former mayor Nasser Sebaggala. That era at City Hall will be remembered mostly for the wrong reasons. There was total disregard of planning and zoning regulations, grabbing of public land, questionable allocation of resources, resulting in the collapse of public services within the city. It is partly the reason most of Kampala and its surrounding suburbs have been reduced into a veritable slum under the cover of the euphemism of urban sprawl. The expression ‘concrete jungle’ aptly applies to Kampala in all its negative senses. The beauty bequeathed to the city at Independence is gone, principally because reckless development was allowed to occur. Green spaces not only add to the aesthetics of any intending metropolis, but have been proven to have infinite environmental benefits. This is the reason why modern cities around the world place a premium on, and maintain open areas as essential elements of their development plans. Construction on Centenary Park is one of those eyesores in Kampala that came into being on the coat-tails of corrupt allocation of wetlands to persons known to enjoy political patronage at the highest echelons of government. This happened in shocking disregard of knowledge that it formed an essential component of the natural drainage system for surface run-off from the surrounding hills. When developers were let loose on it, the city witnessed an almost immediate rise in flood waters whenever there was a downpour. The no-nonsense approach to attempting to restore a semblance of order to Kampala that has characterised KCCA’s operations is crying out for the support. The same approach should be adopted by other urban districts in the country which have unhappily been merrily following in the ill-advised footsteps of a construction boom gone haywire in Kampala."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Thousands-flee-tropical-storm/-/688340/1491688/-/ntj72/-/index.html","content":"Thousands flee tropical storm - Authorities warned people in a handful of towns outside of New Orleans to get out early on Thursday ahead of rising water brought on by hurricane-turned-tropical storm Isaac, which dumped more than 20 inches of rain in some areas. The warning came as the storm claimed its first fatality. A tow truck driver attempting to clear debris on a road in Mississippi was struck by a falling tree, officials said. The incident took place at midnight, said Amanda Harris, deputy director of the Pearl River County Emergency Management office.The National Weather Service said it received reports of the fatality in Picayune, Mississippi. On Louisiana’s border with Mississippi, residents of Washington Parish were alerted that the Bogue Chitto River was expected to rise by 14 feet overnight.To the southwest, in St. John Parish, National Guard troops looked for people stranded after thousands were forced to flee when a surge forced water over the banks of Lake Pontchartrain. “What we are doing is we have got law enforcement and fire personnel who are going door-to-door to notify people,” Tommy Thiebaud, the Washington Parish director of emergency services, said. Meanwhile, in Plaquemines Parish, southeast of New Orleans, 3,000 people remained in an area close to an 8-foot tall levee that waters were threatening, Gov. Bobby Jindal’s office said. About 100 people who had ignored an evacuation order were rescued on Wednesday in a flooded part of the parish, officials said. On Thursday, authorities from the sheriff’s office and National Guard “will begin looking house to house to make sure they got everyone,” said Parish President Billy Nungesser. “We did not have time to panic,” Rafael Delgadillo of Braithwaite, Louisiana, told CNN on Thursday. He, his wife and daughter were rescued by a neighbour on Wednesday. “We were in survivor mode,” he said. Nearly a million customers were without electricity across Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Utility companies reported more than 978,000 customers without power. Water boiling advisories were being issued in a number of towns and cities along the Gulf Coast. Isaac was centered 55 miles southeast of Alexandria, Louisiana, early Thursday, moving slowly at about 8 mph with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, the National Weather Service said. EmergencyA flash flood emergency was issued for Slidell, Louisiana. Surge flooding from Bayou Bonfouca and the W-14 canal gushed into parts of the city, and sudden inundation of up to five feet was possible in low-lying areas. Evacuations were under way in the city Thursday morning. Authorities expected some street flooding in a few subdivisions on the south side of town, “but at present, that street flooding is minimal,” the city said in a statement Thursday morning.At Mississippi’s Lake Tangipahoa, a dam is “expected to fail,” the National Weather Service said, issuing a flash flood warning until 11:15 a.m. CT. Water levels could reach 8 feet. If that happens, pastures and woodlands, along with some crops near the river, would be inundated, and parts of a highway would become impassable, forecasters said. Throughout parts of the Gulf Coast, the NWS warned, “life threatening hazards from storm surge and inland flooding are still occurring.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Athletics/Managing-fame-is-Kiprotich-s-next-task/-/690274/1481666/-/i5620e/-/index.html","content":"Managing fame is Kiprotich’s next task - Kampala Before last Sunday, Stephen Kiprotich was like any other ordinary runner trying to make a name on the world stage. Not today. Not after defying odds to win Uganda’s first Olympic gold medal since the late John Akii-Bua’s four decades ago. The 23-year-old is now the most prominent sportsman in Uganda. That is the fame Sunday’s gold in the 42.195km marathon at the London Olympics has brought to Kiprotich. Since that victory, he has hardly had quality time of his own as everyone wants a piece of him. That fame has also come with money and opened gates for even more to flood in, but first he must learn how to manage both the fame and money in order to build on this success for further years to come. Managing fame & fortuneFortunately for the Assistant Superintendent of Prisons (ASP), he is already under a reputed international company, Global Sports Communication (GSC) based in Netherlands. “The truth is this the first time this whole fame thing and money is happening to him,” admitted Godfrey Nuwagaba, GSC’s country representative and Kiprotich’s manager. “But the good thing is Kiprotich is not the first we are managing. We manage even bigger stars, so he will handle it.” Haile Gebrselassie and Kenenisa Bekele are some of the top athletes managed by GSC. One extreme story of an athlete that was allegedly destroyed by sudden fame and money is of Kenyan gold medalist (marathon) from the Beijing Olympics Samuel Wanjiru. Multiple relationshipsThe runner had resorted to multiple relationships with women, a habit that is connected to his death last year when one of his wives, Triza Njeri, found him in bed with another woman and locked them in the bedroom. Wanjiru then jumped off the balcony to his death but police could not confirm at the time whether he had intended to commit suicide or jumped out of rage. “The good thing with Kiprotich is he is one of the well behaved boys we manage,” said Nuwagaba. “After his victory we met with our company in London and agreed that we shall set a program to keep him focused. “For the start we agreed to let him celebrate with his people, the good thing is he understands and listens. Before he meets anyone, for example, he first consults.” amwanguhya@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/On-Parenting--My-greatest-weakness/-/689842/1481616/-/kgci27z/-/index.html","content":"On Parenting: My greatest weakness - There is a way in which our typical Ugandan seasons have changed lately but I will not even begin to attempt to apportion blame. Back in the day when I was a child, July/August were very dry months but these days the rain descends with a vengeance that I cannot explain. We seem to be entering a new season in my parenting experience. One child is now exhibiting pre-teen tendencies and is closely observed and copied by her younger brother. There are early signs of mood swings and since the younger sibling very much follows in her footsteps I’m not sure we shall not be receiving mood swings even from his quarter as well. Sometimes the thought of parenting a teen, let alone a pre-teen scares the living lights out of me but then again I remember that even navigating the early years was not as a result of any prior experience. I tell myself I’m not the first neither the last parent; if other parents have successfully walked the road then why not me. That way, I temporarily dispel my fears only for them to come back like a raging flood. So, the pre-teen keeps popping up with interesting developments. Some days she is so full of smiles and all so loving. Other days she is edgy and does not want to be told what to do. She continually sulks and they loudly argue with her brother. Sometimes they play and laugh together, but that normally does not last long. When they are around other places, the pre-teen is normally an angel. She exhibits such traits of maturity, very easily leading and guiding the younger children. She mobilises and organises them. The young one on the other hand sometimes uses such times to show his darker side. He becomes loud and sometimes out rightly disobedient. So, I look at them, obviously embarrassed by the young man and yet very proud of the older child. I remind myself that they are both mine and I have to deal with it. My greatest weakness (and this is something I’m really working at overcoming) is I feel very inclined to be gentler on the younger child and very tough even without thinking about it with the older child. So, I try and find a balance; sometimes I get it right, many times I totally fail and I beat myself up for it. Then, I pick myself up and hope for a better season the next time round. jmabola@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Entebbe-schools-stopped-from-reopening-over-spilling-sewage/-/688334/1480340/-/pd88awz/-/index.html","content":"Entebbe schools stopped from reopening over spilling sewage - Entebbe Municipal Council yesterday issued notices barring two schools from re-opening over poor sewerage system that has seen dirty water and sewage flood homes around the institutions. The affected schools are Entebbe Christian School and Entebbe Junior School.“You are hereby told to urgently work on the sewerage system of your schools before the forthcoming term starts,” municipal council health inspector Idi Busajja said in a letter yesterday. InconvenienceMr Charles Kayanja Kamya, the municipal council youth chairman, said he will mobilise the youth to demonstrate when schools open for third term to show their displeasure with the inconvenience the institutions’ neighbours are experiencing. “We first received complaints and talked to Entebbe Christian School administrators who have since kept a deaf ear,” he said. Mr Kamya said they will mount pressure on the school until it constructs a soak pit to keep running dirty water from the school kitchen and bathrooms from flowing outside the premises. Ms Rosemary Nakato, a resident of Kiwafu East since 1990, said all was well until Entebbe Junior School was constructed in early 2000s. She said the school first fenced off a community road without compensation and afterwards started releasing dirty water into their homes. “We have spoken to municipal leaders over our plight but no solution has been availed to us,” she told a visiting team of Entebbe Municipal Division B leaders and health inspectors. Ms Pros Nantongo, another resident, said they have suffered from malaria that breeds in the stagnant water from the school, and yet their pleas to health inspectors yielded no results. “We have spoken in vain and we are thinking of a demonstration to put some sense into our leaders and the school administrators,” she said. Efforts to get a comment from Entebbe Junior School head teacher, Mr George Takayisa, were fruitless as his known phone number was switched off yesterday. However, the director of Entebbe Christian School, Mr George Ochen, said they received the notices and are working hard to rectify the problem before the term begins.Second term closed on August 8 and schools are expected to re-open for the final term of the year on September 3. At least 150 residents from Kawoto B Village in Sisa Sub-county have also petitioned Entebbe Resident District Commissioner Sarah Bananuka to stop St. Mary’s Secondary School, Kitende from contaminating their environment with sewage. mssebuyira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Facts-and-fiction-in-Syria/-/688340/1471100/-/ce4bkg/-/index.html","content":"Facts and fiction in Syria - As an autocratic regime and a disorganised opposition seek to steer the message their own way in coverage of the Syria conflict, journalists face an almost impossible task in sifting the truth from the “facts” presented by both sides. Journalists are basically faced with two choices: enter Syria illegally as most do, through the largely rebel-held north and under their escort, or try to obtain a visa from the trickle that are issued by the government. As under every autocratic regime, “official” reporters must be accompanied by a ministry of information “guide” at all times, which seriously limits contact with the opposition and discourages people in the streets from speaking freely.And if the journalist has the bright idea of trying to lose this minder, the likelihood is high of being stopped and interrogated by any one of the many intelligence service agents roving the streets. If for any reason work by such a journalist displeases the authorities, his or her press visa will be revoked and any future trip will then have to be made clandestinely.Because of such restrictions, the bulk of daily coverage on the conflict in Syria is based on information gleaned from social networks, activists contacted via Skype or from official media sources, which are often removed from reality. As the conflict has spread, media outlets are often forced to rely on freelancers whose reliability must be tested over time. Since the beginning of the revolt that broke out in mid-March last year, journalists have been trying to sift through and authenticate a daily flood of information that arrives at their desks by email and YouTube. Confronted by both regime propaganda and the sometimes biased narratives of activists, many have come to rely on the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights which counts on a wide network of activists, doctors and lawyers, among others. Rami Abdel Rahman, who directs the Britain-based NGO, said its daily death toll and other information is gathered from different sources in the same cities, from people who do not know one another. So far, the Observatory does not appear to have made any major blunder with its counts, although the death toll among rebels does appear to be unrealistically low. Unreliable countThe UN stopped providing a toll at the end of 2011, making it even more difficult to come up with a reliable count. When it comes to reports of massacres, the work of journalists is even more delicate: figures often differ considerably between activists, the Observatory and sometimes international organisations. It is especially difficult to authenticate the circumstances of such killings, especially when a sectarian dimension -- often present -- is added into the picture. In the Houla massacre in central Syria, where around 100 people were killed, the opposition accused Alawites, an offshoot sect of Shiite Islam, of slaughtering the inhabitants of the Sunni village, while the regime spoke of “terrorist” gangs. For journalists, there was no real way of proving which version was correct. Sources include those in the highest echelons of the security services, with regime officers providing information about imminent attacks or “a victory against the terrorists.” While such tip-offs must be treated with the utmost caution, they do sometimes overlap with information from the opposition. Those who enter the country without a visa, aided by “smugglers,” often rely on the rebels to transport them to where the action is taking place.This not only restricts a journalist’s freedom of movement, but also leaves him or her exposed to attack on the rebels by regime forces. ================================================= The difficultiesJust getting around is a major obstacle in itself. While large swathes of northern Syria are in rebel hands, also in their midst are towns or checkpoints controlled by the military or by pro-regime militiamen. To reach one town that was otherwise nearby, an AFP team was forced to zigzag past certain villages and navigate back roads to circumvent an army-controlled zone, all under the cover of night. Fuel and electricity shortages have to be taken into account, as well as Internet and mobile phone cuts. Satellite communications are not always reliable, and the use of satphones can be tracked and thus alert regime forces to a reporter’s position, with potentially deadly consequences."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Population-control-policy-vital-to-reduce-poverty/-/689364/1466134/-/d1hl9jz/-/index.html","content":"Population control policy vital to reduce poverty - I read the article by the Danish ambassador Ms Nathalia Feinberg in the Daily Monitor of May 23 with great interest. It succinctly provides a bird’s eye view of the Danish perspective on environment and sustainable development. Indeed, Denmark is, along with the rest of the Scandinavian countries, one of the very few countries where official policy discourse is firmly grounded with reality. When it means “going green”, it means it both for its own and for developing countries. Will Africa draw lessons from Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland in this respect? Ms Nathalia’s article raises highly crucial issues of development with immensely historical significance to Africa. Some 20 years ago, the Earth Summit held in Rio came out with earth-shaking declarations, conventions and the famous Agenda 21 as a global plan of action on environmental protection and sustainable development. Rio was a culmination of the new evolving discourse that relates protection of the environment with sustainable development. But where is the world on the environment and sustainable development fronts today? Has it traversed along the Rio declarations and attained development? And for those of us in the developing world, has poverty been reduced since Rio? Have livelihoods been improved or even secured? These are grand questions that deserve serious examination. As far as Africa is concerned, sustainable development needs to be defined through the prism of certain domains. First of all, sustainable development cannot take place without a policy environment which brings the question of prevalence of political democracy as the spatial domain for sustainable development. Space for political pluralism and accountability at the macro level and unrestricted freedom for civic actors below is the political precondition for development. Political democracy in turn creates the policy environment required to make the other domains of sustainable development as the principal agenda of development in a given country. In this respect, the environment as the physical domain of development is the crucial link. Development cannot take place in the abstract; it requires a physical space to occur which is the environment. Therefore, preserving the environment must constitute the fundamentals of development. And this is strongly connected to livelihoods and rural development. Macro policies on rural development, be it in a form of agrarian reform/revolution coupled with social change, needs to be spelt out clearly. Ill-informed policy prescriptions on development have thrown Africa literally into the abyss. Africa is predominantly traditional, i.e. farming, pastoralism and hunting-gathering. How to generate rural development and social change in such contexts should be a subject of research and reflection. The dominant discourse on development that prescribed policies to African government has miserably failed to take into consideration that what Africa needs to take as the first step forward in terms of rural development and social change is devising policies that generate accumulation from the traditional sector in the main. Instead, Africa has so far been doing the impossible; namely aiming at industrialisation at the cost of neglect or destruction of these traditional sectors. This inflicted an irreparable damage that Africa still pays for. Development should be humane; it should not come at the expense of anybody. The gender dimension of development is pivotal for a number of reasons. Because women are the objects and subjects of gender, the gender discourse normally sets off from the conditions of women in society. But, at the end of the day gender is not just about women, it is also about men. The emancipation of women cannot be attained without ideologically and culturally liberating society at large and without the participation of men. Nevertheless, equality between the two sexes is the most natural relationship. Gender constitutes the social domain of sustainable development with women as the principal agent. Speaking of development, we cannot afford to forget the challenges that humankind face with respect to access and availability of the natural resource base to sustain life. Two principal challenges bring this issue to the fore: the shrinking pattern of the natural resource base due to climate change and unregulated population growth. The world has reached a stage where its natural resource base cannot sustain life at the rate population is increasing. Ethiopia, for instance, is one of the most impoverished countries in the world. Its population round the 1990s was a little over 40 million. It is now 85 million. Ethiopia faced a series of famine breakouts in the past 50 years and climate change seems to take its toll. With the process of climate change still continuing, extreme forms of weather such as drought and/or flood, any country can fall in the category that Ethiopia is in. In brief, population has become the demographic domains of development. Africa cannot do without a policy of population control if poverty has to be reduced and social development to be attained. Mr Melakou Tegegn is the director, Panos Eastern Africa, Kampala"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/BernardTabaire/A-President-passes--a-country-holds-it-together--I-say-amen/-/878688/1465172/-/i8249t/-/index.html","content":"A President passes, a country holds it together. I say amen - Sometime in the late afternoon of Tuesday last week, a hush swept through the room affecting only Ghanaians. But amongst them were journalists, and the need to spread news, or some version of it, quickly overcame them. Kwami, seated a table away in a meeting room at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) in Accra, passed me a note. President Atta Mills was in a bad way. Then I got another note from another Ghanaian. About an hour later, the Ghanaian journalists in the group had stopped paying attention to their compatriot who was leading a session on how oil is metered. Their BlackBerrys, smart phones, iPads and tablets were aflame inside the room and on the balcony. The President was dead. Later in the GIMPA dining room, debate revolved around whether the presidential passing had altered the dynamic heading into the December presidential election, already handicapped to be a tight affair. And, by the way, who would in-coming President John Mahama pick for vice-president? I fled to my room at that point to go make sure, via TV of course, that there would be no power play and that Mr Mahama would actually be President and get to choose his VP. Of course, the Ghanaians had no doubt. They trusted the ability of their state system to work. It worked. And so it was that within hours of his 68-year-old boss’ passing, Vice President John Dramani Mahama, 53, took the oath with simple but powerful dignity in the parliamentary chamber. Ghana has handled itself extremely commendably, and it is great to watch things from out here. The only cacophony anyone is talking about is within Mr Mahama’s party, which has already decided it will sit in October to name him flag bearer. The cacophony, though, is that a certain Nana Konadu, former President Jerry Rawlings’ wife, may resurrect to challenge for power. No one serious about Ghanaian politics and the country’s future gives a damn about her, but the woman will not go away. It is her right to hang around though. In some countries, openly ambitious politicians like her get harassed, jailed and whatnot. Interestingly, it is Mr Rawlings, having grabbed power using fire and bullets, who helped set Ghana on a firm path to what we are seeing unfold. Of course, Nigeria and Malawi have recently had Presidents dying in office. The difference is that in both cases there were attempts at cynical power play, a scheme to subvert constitutional provisions that mandate the veep to take power when the chief passes. If Ghana keeps doing its thing quietly and without swagg, it stands a good chance to address the poverty I have seen around a number of gold mines. Last weekend’s visit to the Tarkwa area in the western region, my second in as many months, witnessed palpable anger amongst members of one of the communities. Tempers rose so high, right in front of the chief and a mine official that elected local leaders stepped forward to calm down the young men. And there was a young woman who took the floor toward the end of proceedings and spoke so articulately about the community’s problems all of us visitors from more than 10 countries swarmed her for pictures. She needs to learn how to sign autographs, this madam. As a Ugandan, I wait with bated breath the first peaceful transfer of presidential power in our history, whatever the circumstances. We need this sense of predictability to have the confidence needed to deal seriously with how to organise our society to make everyone wealthier and happier – in that order or not. The last time I was in Accra, in October 2011, the heavens dumped a flood killing a few, displacing some and taking a shine off this otherwise decently run city. The events of last week have since restored that shine. As they mourn the death of their polished President, the Ghanaians and the rest of us should take time off to enjoy the Olympics. Life comes, life goes. The Olympics stay on. Mr Tabaire is a media consultant with the African Centre for Media Excellence. bentab@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/Rains-leave-Hippos-tie-at-Nakivubo-in-danger/-/690266/1463302/-/a9toui/-/index.html","content":"Rains leave Hippos tie at Nakivubo in danger - KAMPALA Last year, overnight rains left the Nakivubo Stadium playing turf flooded and a Caf Confederations Cup game between Victors and Motema Pembe was moved. The Congolese waited here an extra an extra day as the continental tie was postponed by 24 hours from Friday.Earlier this year, the Bell Uganda Cup final in Gulu involving URA and Bunnamwaya was played on a derelict surface with negligible grass. The state of Nakivubo is again under the spotlight just days before Uganda Hippos, the national U-20 side, host Ghana in a 2013 Africa Youth Championship qualifier. The continuous heavy rains this week have seen the stadium flood. Uganda will host the West Africans there on Saturday. The middle patch and the two goalkeeping areas were lakes when Daily Monitor visited. Also, the grass needed trimming. Actually, coach Paul Nkata was forced to shift yesterday morning’s training to Kavumba ground in Wakiso. In a worst case scenario, the game could be moved to another venue, perhaps Namboole. In April, 2011, the sorry state of Nakivubo compelled Fufa to shift an All Africa Games qualifying game against Tanzania to Namboole at the 11th hour. “The referees have to inspect the stadium first before we decide,” Fred Katende, the team’s media manager, reasoned.“If the state of the pitch is bad like it was on the Victors game, the only option would be Namboole but basing on the referees’ decision,” he added. Playing surfaces definitely do affect performances and Hippos, just like the visiting Black Satellites, who arrive tomorrow, won’t be an exception. Clear skiesEveryone must hope the skies hold up from today through to completion of the game on Saturday whose winner advances to the final qualifying round. However, Nkata and his team can only concentrate on preparations. Vietnam-based Godfrey ‘Baba’ Kizito, one of the latest arrivals, has his focus in the right place. “I feel good having joined the team,” Kizito, 19, told Daily Monitor. The combative youngster has trained with Express before. “I have played with some of these players before and l won’t find a problem fitting in,” he added. Nkata is banking on his work rate as Uganda seek a first leg cushion. “The way he plays and links up with the strikers is really eye-catching and he is more experienced than the other midfielders we have,” Nkata said. Kizito is not a stranger in camp. “His coming has lifted the mood in camp. You can think he has been with the team for two weeks,” noted Nkata. Ghana delayed their arrival to take part in mourning former president John Atta Mills who died on Tuesday. Here, Hippos thrashed ex-internationals 9-0 with goals from William Wadri (2), George Abege (2), Gift ‘Gigi’Ali and Erisa Ssekisambu. Robert Omunuk, George Ssimwogerere (own goal), Hamisi Katende completed the rout in a friendly played at Kavumba yesterday morning. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/Juba-trip-delivers-sports--finest-moment/-/690266/1452550/-/11pb33uz/-/index.html","content":" Behind the  scenes: Juba trip delivers sports’ finest moment - This weekend in Ugandan sport should be defined by the Shell Pearl of Africa Rally and the Rugby Cranes. Thousands of rally enthusiasts flood Lubiri race circuit every year to watch the biggest event of the motorsport calendar. Day One is never definitive but as the dust settles tomorrow, the national rugby team will be chasing a continental title. It will be a lot quieter in Jemmel, Tunisia when Uganda face Zimbabwe hoping to upset the odds to reclaim the Africa Cup. Those events’ significance is measured by reaching the podium or lifting the trophy. Something almost as good happened in Juba, South Sudan on Tuesday. A Ugandan select side took part in a friendly game to mark the first independence anniversary for the world’s newest nation. The final result was 2-2. And even if striker Ceaser Okhuti scored a goal then got sent off, the scores mattered little. The reminder of how much sport transcends everything will stay. South Sudan were only admitted into the Fifa family recently. Caf is yet to accept them. To play there, some dollars moved from north to south for both Fufa officials and players. Their bank balance is better today than last week but the purpose of playing in Juba is far from making an extra buck. The visit helped Uganda make a positive contribution to the independence happiness. Last year, national basketball champions DMark Power were invited for a similar occasion. The club forgot the results sheet the moment they returned to their hotel and the stats of that game remain scanty, one year on. Power opened doors. The South Sudan national basketball team is coming here this year before Uganda return the favour in 2013. In the long term, both nations are bound to benefit. After all, this is an Olympic year and the spirit of those Games is way beyond Gold, Silver and Bronze.Uganda, call it Cranes or U-20 Hippos, go neither of these. At least, they got endless mentions on international media houses, CNN, BBC and Al Jazeera. The BBC reporter even stretched it by citing South Sudan as the only unbeaten international side. For those who think winning in sport is everything, a 2-all draw with a nation as small looks bad. Whisper this; “winning is not everything”. Football, like basketball before, healed some wounds, or at least buried a few temporarily. ikigongo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Climate-scientists-saw--year-of-extremes--in-2011/-/688340/1450530/-/7go966/-/index.html","content":"Climate scientists saw 'year of extremes' in 2011 - Severe droughts, floods and heat waves rocked the world last year as greenhouse gas levels climbed, likely boosting the odds of extreme weather events, international scientists said Tuesday. The details are contained in the annual State of the Climate in 2011 report, compiled by nearly 400 scientists from 48 countries and published in the peer-reviewed Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. The report itself remains \"consciously conservative\" when it comes to attributing the causes of certain weather events to climate change, and instead refers only to widely understood phenomena such as La Nina, it said. However, it is accompanied for the first time by a separate analysis that explains how climate change may have influenced a selection of key events, from droughts in the US and Africa to extreme cold and warm spells in Britain. \"2011 will be remembered as a year of extreme events, both in the United States and around the world,\" said Kathryn Sullivan, deputy administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). \"Every weather event that happens now takes place in the context of a changing global environment,\" she said, adding the reports shed light on \"what has happened so we can all prepare for what is to come.\" Last year was among the 15 warmest since documentation began in the late 1800s, and the Arctic warmed at about twice the rate of lower latitudes with sea ice at below average levels, said the report. Greenhouse gases from human pollution sources like coal and gas reached a new high, with carbon dioxide emissions exceeding 390 parts per million -- up 2.10 ppm from 2010 -- for the first time since modern records began. Despite the natural cooling trend brought by back-to-back La Ninas, which chill waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, 2011 global sea surface temperature was among the 12 highest years on record. The double La Nina punch influenced many of the world's significant weather events, like historic droughts in East Africa, the southern US and northern Mexico, said the report. La Nina trends also were associated with the wettest two years on record in Australia, it said. An accompanying analysis in the same journal, titled \"Explaining Extreme Events,\" examined the links between climate change and six selected weather crises in 2011, including the Texas drought that lasted half the year. By comparing it to extreme heat events during La Nina years in the 1960s, the authors found \"conditions leading to droughts such as the one in Texas in 2011 are, at least in the case of temperature, distinctly more probable than they were 40 to 50 years ago.\" Looking at Britain's unusually warm November 2011 and the cold snap of December 2010, scientists found that cold Decembers are half as likely to occur now compared to 50 years ago, and warm Novembers are 62 times more likely. However, a close look at the floods along the Chao Phraya River that swamped Thailand last year showed that climate change was not to blame, rather human activities that increased construction along the flood plain. 1 | 2 Next Page»The damage caused by the floods was unprecedented, but the amount of rain that actually fell \"was not very unusual,\" said the analysis, by experts from the NOAA and Britain's Met Office along with international colleagues. While it remains hard to link single events to human-caused climate change, \"scientific thinking has moved on and now it is widely accepted that attribution statements about individual weather or climate events are possible.\" The key is analyzing what extent climate change may be boosting the odds of extreme weather, said the report, likening the phenomenon to a baseball player who takes steroids and sees his hit production rise by 20 percent. Scientists can consider steroids as the likely cause for the increase in hits, but must still take care to account for natural variability in the player's swing. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/Davidsseppuuya/Save-Uganda-s-crested-crane-in-Jubilee-Year/-/1268850/1449360/-/uhyimxz/-/index.html","content":"Save Uganda’s crested crane in Jubilee Year - Had this country been China, we probably would have called 2012 ‘The Year of the Crested Crane’. As the Year of Jubilee, the bird that is the national symbol has assumed greater prominence. Even the national football team, the Uganda Cranes, stand on the threshold of qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations finals. The ruggers, the Rugby Cranes, are on the upward. But behind all the symbolism and bluster lies a very frightening possibility – the extinction of the crane. The way in which we have abused wetlands, the crane’s primary habitat, is such that with their place of abode receding with not much done to mitigate the situation, these beautiful birds will hardly survive. It is like draining all lakes and rivers, and expecting fish to thrive. In 1975, Uganda had between 50,000 and 70,000 crested cranes, while today they are estimated to be less than 10,000. Meanwhile from 1994 to 2008, more than half of Kampala’s wetlands were lost to ‘development’, according to the water and environment ministry. Cranes breed exclusively in wetlands. The receding of wetlands combined with the drop in the birds’ numbers points to possible extinction in the not too distant future. Of course Uganda, certainly the central, the near east, the north east, and the south west, is hill country. That topology means that you will have valleys and, because of high rainfall precipitation, many flood-plains and wetlands. This unique topology calls on us to manage it more carefully – keep the wetlands intact, for they store the water on which we survive, and are also home to our national bird (alongside good food like the sitatunga/‘enjobe’ antelope, together with mudfish and lungfish/‘emmamba’). The trouble is unregulated development. We have chosen short-term convenience, in the superficial glitter of buildings in the name of development, at the expense of critical things like water supply and fundamentals like preservation of human, animal and plant life. This column has argued about misplaced developments like homes, factories (Kampala’s Industrial Area is almost exclusively in wetlands, hence the regular flooding), shopping centres, and churches and other places of worship, being put up in swamps and wetlands. Many people who have lived in Kampala for the last 15 years will tell you how cranes used to breed in the Nakivubo area. A random sampling shows the following ecosystems – the crested crane’s breeding grounds - being heavily affected by the above: • Kampala: Kansanga, Kinawataka, Nakivubo, Namanve, River Mayanja (Bwaise/Nansana up to Lake Kyoga), Nakivubo Channel into Lake Victoria. Wetlands and forests that are Victoria’s catchment are depleted• Arua: Enyau and Anyafio wetlands• Mbale: the wetlands of Nashibiso and Namatale• Jinja and Mayuge: Walukuba and Katwe swamps• Mbarara: Byafura and Kisenyi swamps• Fort Portal: Kitembe and Mugunu wetlands• Masaka: Kyoja swamp• Gulu and Lira: Ojwina, Adyel, and Laroo wetlands. As a believer, for me it often disappoints to find churches built in wetlands (some may have a mandate to be there) which, in my humble opinion, is a negation of the divine calling of God entrusting the earth and all His creation to man to look after (the Creation story in Genesis talks of God creating the earth and filling it with water, vegetation, birds and animals, after which He made man, and then asked him to steward them). The Church of England’s Board for Social Responsibility says that “despoiling the earth is a blasphemy, and not just an error of judgement, a mistake”. It is a sin against God and against mankind, according to John Stott, the eminent Christian thinker (who lectured in Kampala in 1999). I have often wondered about the England national football team. Dubbed ‘the Three Lions’, (the joint UK/Ireland rugby squad is ‘the British Lions’) you try to work out the lion bit, given that you will not sight this animal anywhere on safari in Britain. It turns out that many centuries ago, Britain was home to the now extinct cave lion (felis spalea), a cousin to the African lion (panthera leo). Was it hounded or hunted to extinction? Whatever it is that happened, we should not reach a point when the Ugandan football team will be known by the name of a bird that does not exist; when the symbols on the national flag and the coat-of-arms will be difficult to explain to school children because they cannot touch, see and feel. 2012 also happens to be the year when the International Union for Conservation of Nature moved the crane from “vulnerable” to “endangered” status. It may be of greater everlasting value if we used the celebrations of 50 years of Independence to kick-start the rescue of our national bird. Then we shall get to 100 or 500 years without shame. This could yet be ‘The Year of the Crested Crane’. dsseppuuya@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Russian-official-sacked-over-slack-flood-response/-/688340/1449680/-/i95l23/-/index.html","content":"Russian official sacked over slack flood response - The first head rolled Monday over the floods in southern Russia that killed at least 171 people as the authorities blamed local officials for failing to warn locals in time of the looming calamity. In the worst-hit town of Krymsk where most of the deaths occurred, the locals' anger at the authorities did not subside over lack of information and help as the first victims were laid to rest in a nearby cemetery. Monday was also a day of mourning for those killed by the country's worst flooding disaster of recent history, with flags flying at half-mast over the Kremlin and entertainment programmes shelved on national television. The region's governor Alexander Tkachev attempted to moderate public fury Monday by firing the head of Krymsk district, accusing him of failing to carry out responsibilities in a crisis. Initially he was quoted by his press service as saying that the Krymsk mayor was also fired, however his quote was later modified on the Krasnodar region administration website, explaining it only as a \"technical mistake\". \"It has been proven that the (Krymsk) district officials received a flood warning at least three hours before it began,\" Tkachev said at a meeting. \"Why do people even need local authorities, who have shown their inability to work in a critical situation?\" Tkachev said, complaining that the region had to \"accept all responsibility\" for handling the crisis. Tkachev earlier on Sunday faced emotional Krymsk residents who shouted at him \"Why are we always flooded?\", and was severely criticised for implying the locals would not have believed a flood warning anyway. \"You think we had to go door to door?\" he asked. \"And would you just pack up and leave?\" The force of the flood along with lack of warning and information bred theories that it was caused by an opening of sluice gates at a nearby reservoir. The rumours persisted even after President Vladimir Putin was told on national TV that this was impossible, forcing the governor to take a group of locals to the reservoir in a helicopter. Mistrust of official information remained Monday as Krymsk residents suspected the real toll was being covered up. \"I am sure the toll is much higher (than the official number),\" said Alla Antonova, adding that four people died just in her immediate neighbourhood. Most of all, people are angry at the lack of flood warning in the area that was last hit in 2002 by a similar flood, which had a lower toll. \"They could have turned on sirens, but there was nothing,\" she said, denying that there were any text messages as claimed by officials. \"People would not have gone to bed if they were told something,\" she told AFP. 1 | 2 Next Page»Krymsk district had lost at least 159 people in the floods. The other deaths occurred in the port city Novorossiisk and resort town Gelendzhik, where some of the victims died of electrocution in a thunderstorm. Putin held a meeting in Moscow to discuss the floods aftermath, observing a moment of silence and calling for a \"detailed and absolutely objective\" investigation into possible violations by responsible officials. Several funerals took place at a cemetery outside Krymsk, where tractors had to be used to dig graves. Grieving relatives told AFP that many bodies had to be taken to morgues in other cities as the local one quickly overflowed. Russian investigators were looking into documents and questioning officials for \"further legal assessment of how officials responsible for preventing the scope of the tragedy carried out their duties,\" the Investigative Committee said Monday, continuing its negligence probe. Nearly 35,000 people lost part or all of their belongings in the flooding, Russia's emergencies ministry said Monday. Emergencies minister Vladimir Puchkov confirmed that \"certain officials and services made clear mistakes\" and failed to warn people adequately. The tragedy also mobilised volunteers nationwide in a drive that was similar to the summer of 2010 when Russia was devastated by wildfires and many people lost their belongings. Krymsk is about 200 kilometres (120 miles) northwest of the Black Sea resort of Sochi where Russia will host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Six-killed--scores-injured-in-Sierra-Leone-rains/-/688340/1448718/-/5x87a0/-/index.html","content":"Six killed, scores injured in Sierra Leone rains - At least six people have died and scores injured after two days of torrential rain caused severe flooding in Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown. Scores of families have been left homeless as water invaded homes, even in areas not normally prone to what has become a seasonal occurrence. The city’s many slums were hard-hit. Two young children died in one incident in the west end of the capital when a huge rolling boulder smashed a house made of corrugated iron sheets (common in most of Freetown’s shanty settlements) inside which was a family sleeping.At another point, the water current was so strong that it drifted a moving jeep. A car veered off its direction and crashed as a result of the rains in a separate incident. Television pictures showed schools and hospitals have been left in ruins. Work was brought to a virtual standstill at the country’s foremost hospital, Connaught Hospital, which entirely flooded.Apart from visible property damages, there are concerns of disease infection with filth carried away by running water across the capital’s hilly topography. In one area, inhabitants complained of bad construction work as causing the flooding. They claimed after more than 20 years they had lived there were no prior incidences of flooding except after a recent road rehabilitation work. Sierra Leone experiences a hot and humid tropical climate with a 6-month split wet and dry seasons. Most of the downpour is experienced in the month of August which has in the past seen continues rainfall for two weeks nonstop. The major concern now is for the capital`s hundreds of thousands of slum dwellers who live at the mercy of the weather. Poor housing planning worsened by over population in particularly Freetown have made most of the city prone to disaster every year as a result of flood. And the fact that this level of damage has been caused in July therefore causes concern among inhabitants, who are calling on the authorities to act quickly. It is not certain though what can be done at this point. Some people are now seeking divine intervention. Last year, experts warned of severe food shortages as a result of flooding. That followed the so-called 2009 West Africa flood that affected 12 countries in the region, causing over 190 deaths and an estimated US$150 million in damages."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Here-is-how-to-tackle-Kampala-floods/-/806314/1441390/-/wtew3az/-/index.html","content":"Here is how to tackle Kampala floods - I wish to submit my views to Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) on how the problem of flooding in Kampala can be handled. 1. Encourage or actively plant vegetation to retain the excess water. The plants (trees and grass) would help in reducing silting and mud. Tree /grass planting can be incorporated in the monthly cleaning exercise in all the city divisions. By-laws should be instituted to compel developers to plant trees and other plants around their premises and trees cutting must be discouraged. 2. There is need for attitude change by city residents. KCCA should, therefore, continue tirelessly to sensitise residents about proper disposal of used mineral water/plastic bottles/containers which often end up blocking water channels and drainages. 3. License more recycling factories/plants to recycle plastic products and rid the city of used mineral water bottles and polythene bags. 4. Construct more drainage channels to divert flood waters. 5. Work with organisations such as NEMA to prevent wetland encroachment and, where necessary, demolish property built in wetlands which affect water flow. 6. Procure de-silting equipment/tools for all the city divisions. 7. Encourage institutions, especially schools under KCCA jurisdiction to harvest rain water by acquiring water storage tanks. 8. Acquire more garbage trucks to ensure that once drainage channels are cleaned, the rubbish can be disposed of expeditiously. 9. KCCA officials should tour other flood-prone cities in the region or other parts of the world to compare notes and experiences on flood control and management. 10. KCCA should work with government to develop the city’s infrastructure such as reconstruction of roads with drainage outlets. 11. Administer stiff penalties such as hefty fines, shaming offenders in the media or imprisonment for anyone found littering the city, especially with polythene and plastic products or mineral water bottles. 12. KCCA should work hand in hand with the existing Local Council structures to ensure residents play a role in keeping their environment/surroundings clean. 13. Lastly, more rubbish bins should be obtained and distributed around city markets so that rubbish generated from the markets does not end up in water or drainage channels.Mao Cat,maocat67@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Rains-to--extend-in-most-districts-/-/688334/1427882/-/3pkn0kz/-/index.html","content":"Rains to  extend in most districts’ - Due to continued change in climate, meteorologists have predicted that most parts of the country which usually experience dry spells between June and August will receive substantial rainfall. Weather experts say the condition is as a result of the unusual inflow of moist air from the Atlantic Ocean and DR-Congo air mass. “There is an increased likelihood of near normal conditions over most parts of Uganda with a tendency of above normal rainfall in the northern part of the country,” reads part of a statement issued by the Uganda Meteorological Centre (UMC) on Wednesday . Months June to August is a major rainy season for only northern and north eastern Uganda which has already been witnessed in some areas where torrential rains have already caused severe destruction of property and road infrastructure. UMC said the current climate outlook for June to August is based on predictions approved by World Meteorological Organisation and other world forecasting centres. For the central and the Lake Victoria basin, showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue up to around late June /early next month. Jinja, South Bugiri, South Busia and Buikwe districts will receive above normal rains. A UMC statements also adds that localised episodic flash flood events may also be observed in areas that are expected to receive below normal rainfall.as a result of sporadic heavy down pours and similarly, poor rainfall distribution may occur in localised areas expected to receive above normal rainfall,” the statement adds They also predicted increased incidence of malaria outbreak during this season. Weather experts had earlier in April predicted that the rains were to subside in most of parts of Uganda in the first week of June while for others it was to continue till mid month. Uganda has two major rain seasons (March-May) and (September –December) but due to climate change, rainfall these days delays and comes unexpectedly.Recently, government doubted the meteorological department’s ability to predict weather patterns, saying it needed to be strengthened. assenkabirwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Score/Namboole-stadium-impasse--Is-this-who-we-are-as-a-people-/-/689854/1423562/-/ihtwu4/-/index.html","content":"Weave to Tell: Namboole stadium impasse: Is this who we are as a people? - At a time when the nation was looking forward to a good qualifier against a formidable opponent, Namboole and Fufa conspired to attract avoidable headlines. I recently read an interesting article by a certain Jeremy Laurence entitled ‘Nature, Nurture or Neither’ in which while acknowledging that our genes are almost an “irreversible inheritance”, he tends to also agree with those who say that “we and our genes are more flexible than we think”. That peoples’ collective traits can be genetically configured by their environment. Now in much the same way that these guys believe a famine can trigger off obesity genes in future generations (biological coping mechanism), perhaps there is a remote possibility that the abundance of food in our land has triggered a gene responsible for mental deficiency in us. No need to be ‘clever’ if it is easy pickings for your most basic need (food), right? I mean what else explains our total inability to overcome the simplest of challenges? And I am just saying this not because of the million examples apparent to me, but the current impasse between the Namboole stadium management and Fufa. Why, would these two parties choose of all times to discuss and fail to agree upon a revenue-sharing model with the qualifications looming? Timing or tact aside how, unless we are indeed mentally challenged, can we threaten to sacrifice the qualifications or take them abroad (neutral venue) because we don’t like how the purse splits? Has anyone worked out the cost implications of such selfish thinking anyway and how that compares to the Shs80m now at stake? And what does this handsome figure represent, expenses? Do we need flood-lights for a game kicking off at 4pm or a giant high- maintenance electronic sign to remind us of the score-line in a game we are at? Are we paying water bills for toilets that don’t flash or a maintenance fee for an arena that looks increasingly un-sanitized since Lucky Dube (RIP) brought us to our collective feet in his ‘Kiss a Frog’ concert? On the other hand, what expenses are Fufa incurring that they don’t want to reveal or share with the Stadium management? Are they wary of the 160% hike in the asking price? Or have the thick (in many ways) men and ex-players (a devilishly creative pension fund?) who manage crowds upped their price? All simple questions that would take basic management skill to solve or so you would think! Instead in the place of awareness is an inflexible arrogance from both parties. I know Namboole fetches more from religious crusades, but it is an arena built to have football as not only its least costly (most profitable), but also its eternal (most loyal) client. Fufa also surely must know they have no alternative venue for their lucrative CAF-sanctioned games. In the circumstances, common sense would dictate that the two parties agree that above all else they complement each other. That both parties are yet to appreciate this, serves to prove beyond doubt that our environment is yet to engineer within us the instinct to think beyond the petty and ordinary. In the meantime, expect the two parties to appeal to some big-shot politician who will come bearing a bag-full of short term solutions to familiar and recurrent problems. And you wonder, do we ever learn or have we been wired not to, by a kind environment? banturakim@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Teso-civil-society-wants-audit-of-2007-flood-funds/-/688334/1418474/-/dtd78i/-/index.html","content":"Teso civil society wants audit of 2007 flood funds - Civil society organisations in Teso Sub-region have demanded for accountability of the post-floods funds given to the area for rehabilitation. At the peak of floods in 2007, several roads in Teso Sub-region were destroyed, prompting the government to come up with a Shs20 billion rehabilitation plan for the region. According to a 2010 report by members of the civil society operating in Teso, Shs1.3b was released for repairs of the damaged in 2009. Despite the huge funding, the state of roads in Teso has continued to degenerate, raising concern of management of funds. Bad roadsTeso Dioceses Development Organisation (TEDDO) good governance officer Amos Okello this week said Magoro-Ngariam (30kms) and Toroma-Magoro (18kms) in Katakwi and Orungo-Amuria (23kms) in Amuria were among those earmarked for repairs but the roads are still in sorry state. He said key specifications for the road repairs included enlarging narrow sections of the roads to a width of 5kms and creation of water drainage channels. “Most of the specifications contained in the contract documents that we have were flawed. There was no seriousness on the side of the contractors,” Mr Okello said. Other areas hitAmuria and Katakwi that also lost food had their roads devastated. “When you get to the ground now there is nothing to show for what the billions have done. There was no close supervision from government that is why the roads have been fixed,” Serere MP Stephen Ochola said. He said Serere received Shs117 million as part of the post-floods roads rehabilitation support and the contract was awarded to Mukalazi Technical Services to work on a 30-km stretch from Atiira to Kamod. “The political arm (at the centre) and the technical persons are not serious. There is no value for money and they should show what the funds have done,” said Mr Ochola. AssessmentsAn assessment, however, conducted by a technical team from Soroti in 2010 to ascertain the quality of work done on the roads, found out that work on the Atiira-Kamod road was not satisfactory. “Specifications indicated in the contract were not followed. Culverts and bridges along the roads were not constructed to the required standards intended to withstand heavy rains,” said Mr Onega. The district engineer, Mr Opio Onega, said works on the roads had been awarded by the central government and local government could not supervise what they were doing. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Assange-can-be-extradited-from-UK---but-not-yet/-/688340/1417084/-/3a3bhq/-/index.html","content":"Assange can be extradited from UK - but not yet - Britain's Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange can be extradited to Sweden, but put his deportation on hold to give his lawyers a final chance to reopen the case. The court, which handed down its decision after an 18-month legal marathon, rejected Assange's argument that the Swedish prosecutor who issued the arrest warrant over sex crime allegations was not entitled to do so. \"The request for Mr Assange's extradition has been lawfully made and his appeal against extradition is accordingly dismissed,\" Supreme Court president Nicholas Phillips said as he delivered the ruling to a hushed courtroom. The seven judges were split five to two but their majority ruling was that the prosecutor was a rightful judicial authority, and therefore allowed to issue the warrant for the Internet whistleblower. But in a new twist, Assange's lawyer Dinah Rose asked for 14 days to consider whether to apply to reopen the case, on the grounds that the judgment referred to material that was not mentioned during the last hearing in February. The judge granted the request, which is highly unusual in the three-year history of the Supreme Court. \"With the agreement of the respondent, the required period for extradition shall not commence until 13th June 2012,\" the Supreme Court said in a statement. Assange, a 40-year-old Australian national, was not in the central London court for the judgement. One of his supporters, journalist John Pilger, said he was \"stuck in traffic\" with his mother, who flew in from Australia for the verdict. The Swedish lawyer for the two women who accuse Assange of rape and sexual assault said he would be extradited eventually. \"The decision was what we expected... It's unfortunate that it has been delayed further, but he will ultimately be extradited,\" Claes Borgstroem told AFP. Assange is at present wanted for questioning over the sex crime allegations, but Borgstroem said he expected an indictment perhaps within a month after he gets to Sweden. Australia said it would closely monitor the case and added that consular officials were available to help him if he wished. \"The Australian government cannot interfere in the judicial processes of other governments but we will closely monitor the proceedings against Mr Assange in Sweden,\" said a spokeswoman for Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs. Assange, whose website enraged Washington by releasing a flood of state and military secrets, has been living under tight restrictions on his movement for 540 days, including wearing an ankle tag and reporting daily to police. He has said he fears his extradition would eventually lead to his transfer to the United States, where US soldier Bradley Manning is facing a court-martial over accusations that he handed documents to WikiLeaks. 1 | 2 Next Page»Outside court, Assange's principal lawyer Gareth Peirce confirmed that the extradition was stayed while his legal team considers whether to apply to reopen the case, although the judgement still stands. The point in question is the interpretation of the Vienna Convention on the law of treaties, \"which was never addressed in the hearing, one way or another, by either side,\" Peirce added. If Assange fails to have the case reopened in Britain, he still has the option of a last-ditch appeal to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. The white-haired Assange does not deny that he had sex with two WikiLeaks volunteers in Sweden while attending a WikiLeaks seminar, but insists the sex was consensual and argues there are political motives behind the attempts to extradite him. Assange's mother Christine told Australian television ahead of the judgement: \"It's a 24-hour nightmare because we know he is not safe and the biggest governments in the world are gunning for him.\" The former computer hacker has been fighting deportation since his arrest in London in December 2010 on the European arrest warrant issued by Sweden. The Supreme Court is his final avenue of appeal under British law, after two lower courts ruled he should be sent to Sweden for questioning. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/1406454/-/yvtxvmz/-/index.html","content":"Where to buy lights, lamps, bulbs - Light is the source of life giving us energy, it also helps to uplift our spirits. Lighting is also one of the most essential elements in decoration in a home. Light also takes your home to another level, because without light your house remains gloomy. There are different types and sources of lighting that can be used for both the interior and exterior of your home; Interior lights includeWall lamps; these can also be used as accessories and are usually used on walls in the rooms that don not receive enough light. They can also be used to light hallways and bathrooms. There prices range from Shs25,000-40,000 at Kas electricals in down town along kiyembe street. At Sebagala electrical centre, they have a variety and prices range from Shs45,000 to Shs150,000 depending on the type. Ceiling lightsThey come in different types and are single light fixtures placed closely to the ceiling without a drop. They are in glass covers of different shapes and sizes. They are used for lighting hallways and bathrooms. These can be got from Kas electricals, Musana Electricals and at Sebagala and son Electro Centre all in down town Kampala. Prices range from Shs20,000 to 200,000 depending on the place and type. Table lampsThese are used in the bedrooms as bedside lamps or in the corner in the living room. They are mostly used for mood lighting and come in different shapes and sizes. A table lamp goes for Shs20,000 at Kas Electricals in town. But you can get a variety of more sophisticated lamps at Sebagala and sons from Shs60,000 to Shs120,000. Some table lamps are also used as reading lights for reading. Children’s lightsthese are usually used for the children’s rooms; they are usually dim and are more child friendly. Dining lamps These come in different types and shapes. There are those that can be adjusted and those that are fixed. They usually have full light and are used for the dining rooms. One light ranges from Shs60,000 to 120,000 depending on the size and shape in most electrical shops, such as Ssebaggala and sons. Chandeliersthese are also commonly used as accessories in dining rooms and living rooms to add beauty to the rooms. They take centre stage and as such become a focal point. Chandeliers also help reduce on the brightness of light giving you a fine dining experience. Chandeliers come in different designs and shapes. The prices also range according to the designs and shape. But you can get one Shs170,000 at Kas Electricals. You could also check out the various types at Sebagala and sons, prices range from Shs230,000-400,000. Spot lightsThese are usually used in the kitchen cabinets and also dining places. Exterior lights They are usually used for security purposes to light up the compound at night. They include sodium lights, flood lights, arch lights, wall fence lights and garden lights to light up the gardens. These lights range from Shs50,000 to 600,000 depending on the type and shape. 1 | 2 Next Page»editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Jobs-Career/Employ-locals-to-survive--says-Chinese-investor/-/689848/1403348/-/of92rm/-/index.html","content":"Employ locals to survive, says Chinese investor - While the flood of foreign companies seeking to invest in Africa has sometimes been seen as an outlet for excess labour force in their home countries, a Chinese company is seeking a new approach. The company believes developing local capacities is the only sustainable approach to long term profitability in Uganda. Speaking in an interview with Jobs and Career in Kampala Huawei Technologies Public Relations Director for East and Southern Africa David Wang Shunli says the company an 80 per cent local content among its employees in the countries where it is currently operating. He says on-job training, specific needs training and targeting of undergraduates in universities is part of the strategy to build capacity that will enable the company hit its target of employing local skilled manpower. He however says the target though ambitious is not easy to achieve given the significant need and the available skilled human resource even with the training offer. “Even the local sub-contractors still do not have enough skilled people to provide consistent quality of work in areas such as telecommunication engineering,” he said. “We have to constantly provide them with skills development and close monitoring to ensure that final project works are executed within the specified quality standards.” Mr Wang added. Huawei employs over 200 people directly and over 1000 people through sub-contractors. Uganda’s ICT sector is still developing and with the discovery of oil, more specialists will be required as the country is expected to attract aflood of new investors. Huawei looks at Uganda as a major potential market, the reason it is taking a long term view to its investment. But Mr Wang says their first strategy has now been to provide specialised ICT training and scholarships to a number of Ugandans who will be provided with jobs as the company works on a knowledge transfer programme. jtugume@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/Clergy-hold-key-to-ending-unemployment/-/689856/1399854/-/17en1o/-/index.html","content":"LETTER FROM KIREKA: Clergy hold key to ending unemployment - Alfredo: Colleagues, I think finally the President realizes this thing is beyond human ability. We need divine intervention to create jobs. Rusaniya (our waitress): But we have been having prayer breakfasts before at State House. Were those not enough to seek divine intervention? Musoga: Look, God has many needs to listen to daily. We can’t use a once-in-a-year event like the prayer breakfast to make a case for a cancer we struggle with daily. We must knock at God’s door every day until this unemployment thing is solved. Araali: Are you proposing that the President asks religious leaders to form a pressure group that can place the Almighty on tenterhooks? Something like Clergy Activists for Jobs (CAJ)? Masaba: Exactly, then this pressure group can bombard God with questions on why our young people can’t find jobs. They will ask why despite us having a national planning authority, we still have students studying courses that no employer can recognise. God will also be asked to explain why universities duplicate courses and flood the market with holders of the same degrees but clothed in catchy titles like Bachelor of Business in Rural and Urban Income Inequalities. God should also help us understand why despite singing songs about vocational education we still look at it as a non-issue. Iculi: As they pray and fast, these religious leaders will also cry out to the Lord about the non-productivity of programmes like Bonna Bagaggawale, Entandikwa and now the Youth Fund. God must help us understand why despite all these noble ideas, they all come to naught. Why Uganda? Rusaniya: I am not a religious leader but can I answer that? Do you remember how the Jews paid for the sins of their forefathers in the Bible? I think that is what is happening to us. All these problems must be because of the sins that our past leaders committed. The failure of Naads, NUSAF, Bonna Bagagawale and all their cousins boils down to Obote and Amin. God has never forgiven us for allowing them to rule this country. Alfredo (as he sips a Nile Gold): Rusaniya, no wonder you are a waitress. Anyway, as you know, such international conferences must come with a friendly title and theme. We must help Mzee coin one. Iculi: I loved Chogm, it rolled off the tongue like chewing gum. I am not sure IPU was well thought-out. We need an acronym that journalists and editors can pronounce easily. What about Men Of the Robe Symposium on Unemployment (MORS)? Araali: MORS sounds good. We then can have a conference theme. Something like “Seeking Divine Intervention in Uganda’s Unemployment Crisis 2012”. Musoga: With the title and theme done, we can focus on preparations. First of all, attendance must be only by invitation. Here, we can sideline the guys who have made it a habit to call for restoration of term limits. I don’t see us allowing Archbishop Cyprian Lwanga and Bishop Zac Niringiye anywhere this conference. They might attribute unemployment to term limits—yet the two are obviously like oil and water. Masaba: I think we must give precedence to prosperity preachers. We need to invite pastors who ask their flock to sow in order to reap. These are very practical preachers. It takes a genius to drive a Hummer, own mansions and still have a miserable flock continue to give you money every Sunday as you feed them on hope of a better tomorrow. At times you wonder why the congregation does not riot. Alfredo: Do you think we should charge something for participants? A small fee that we can then use to start a Fund to create jobs thereafter? Iculi: Oh yeah. That would be a fantastic idea. In fact, we can ask the thousands of unemployed youth to pay a small fee of Shs5,000 to attend this conference where divine intervention will be sought to help them. We can coin a promotional line, “Miss MORS, miss jobs”. Rusaniya: How then shall we share the proceeds? 1 | 2 Next Page»(Bar erupts into noise as everyone offers an opinion) dwanyama@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/1396256/-/e3xgv/-/index.html","content":"Bududa landslide survivors, two years later - On March 2, 2010, when the fragile wobbly volcanic soils of Mount Elgon’s slopes gave way in Bududa, creating what we now know as the Bududa Landslides, water, that mighty giver of life, was a central part of the disaster. It came down in endless thunderous torrents of rainfall, soaking up the soils, weakening and loosening them and allowing the fault-lines to default. Entire villages mutated into graveyards in an instant, burying their inhabitants beneath.That was two years ago. March 2, 2012 passed by quietly, in as far as matters Bududa were concerned. In that time, lightning had struck the same place twice, for more landslides claimed more lives on the slopes last year, at Bulambuli. March 2 this year found survivors of Bududa’s landslides nearly 450km away by road through Kampala, in the refugee camps of Kiryandongo district. It is here that water, once again, in both its absence and presence, has continued to haunt the lives of Bududa landslides’ survivors. This has manifested itself in massive rainfall shortages, which have made the survivors’ survival attempts at agriculture a severe joke, plus, the few showers of rainfall that flood the makeshift collections of tarpaulin sheets that some of the survivors call houses. This is just one, and probably most ironic problem among many, that has done its damndest to make the lives of the survivors a dreadful experience. Rains have failed agricultureThe slopes of Mount Elgon are fertile. Rainfall is abundant, probably too abundant as this is what led to the landslides in the first place. Its soils are of the volcanic type, highly conducive for crop growth. Some of Uganda’s best coffee has been cultivated on these trouble-laden slopes. It thus offers a natural haven for any interested farmer. But Panyadoli town in Bweyale, Kiryandongo District, lying right on the boundary of the Nakasongola cattle corridor, a semi-desert, does not have such a blessed résumé for farming. But it is here that Bududa survivors were resettled, a solution that they agreed to. And this geographical disparity of the terrains of the areas they stay in has turned to haunt the survivors in their new abode. Mr Johnson Mututa, one of the survivors, says that upon arriving at the resettlement site in September 2010, they were told that agriculture would be their preset shot at survival. Each household was equipped with tarpaulins for a temporary tent as housing, an acre of land and maize plus bean seeds to start cultivating the land. A tractor was even brought to plough the land, although it only ploughed part of it, he says. The first season went well, Mr Mututa says, and farmers who had grown large quantities of maize especially, were able to reap big, selling off some and starting small market stalls in the settlement. During this time, monthly rations of 12 kilogrammes of maize flour and eight kilogrammes of beans were handed out to each adult. Then this was reduced to 8km of maize flour per month. And in July 2011, the supplies ran out altogether. It was like being dealt a double-hand by the devil, for July last year coincided with the start of a long dry season that has seen little or no rainfall in the area since. As the months ran on last year, and now into this year, survivors who tilled the land, hoped that a little rain would descend from the clouds and nurture the crop. But the rains did not come. The crops died, Mr Mututa says, and the entire season went to waste. The end result is that there has been a food shortage, one that is getting more acute by the day. We had drought, now we fear we are going to have famine, he adds. “If you go into peoples’ houses, you will not find food. There is nothing. People are suffering.” What has made it worse is that the food rations they were receiving do not come any more. And now the survivors are asking government to come in and help. The prolonged dry season does not make the area in which they resettled a bad one. “The place is good,” Mutula says. “It is just bad luck but we usually have rains.” Housing disasterWhen the survivors moved into the camp, they had tarpaulin tents donated from a wide range of relief agencies. This was a temporary housing arrangement with a plan to construct permanent houses later. The houses finally came, sometime mid last year, but only for 100 of the over 600 households in the settlement. They are brick-and-mortar iron-sheet covered structures with two bedrooms inside, a definite forward step of comfort for the lucky 100. Except that, it was not entirely comfortable. When they were opened to the survivors, the houses had no window panes or even doors fixed into the frames. Windows came four months later. But to this day, doors have not been fixed. The survivors have had to make do with the situation, improvising with temporary doors made of iron sheets fastened onto pieces of wood and bricks. If that has been tough luck, it becomes a heaven when you consider the lives of the other 500 household that do not have permanent houses. The tents were in fact, made out of thin layers of sisal and did not last long. Many survivors thus resorted to constructing temporary mud and wattle houses, and it is in these that most stay right now. 1 | 2 Next Page»Others have had worse experiences. One particular household has a house that is made up of jointed pieces of cloth and polythene-sisal sheets. It is a shocking sight. The clothing is wrapped around a cross-section of tree poles that form the house’s structure. And for a roof, a blue sisal sheet is placed on top with dry grass haphazardly placed on top. The house is bent towards one side. It looks like it is about to fall, as if it is readying itself to run off. A pole slants against the wall to stop the thing from crumbling to the floor. The house’s residents, a young man and girl, probably in their early 20s, say that when it rains, water soaks up the entire house like a sponge. And on such events, they stand up, and find a shelter within the house, usually a jacket, to shield them from the rain. The State Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Musa Ecweru said, he had just dispatched a team of senior officers to establish the challenges faced by the survivors, adding that it will take a bit of time before the survivors are completely weaned off government support. Asked about the inadequate housing, Ecweru said the ministry depended on releases from the Ministry of Finance to fund the housing project, but that the money ran out and many ministries had been short of money. He added that this will be sorted out in the next financial year. Settled downMr Mututa says most survivors have resigned to settling down in Kiryandongo for good. Bududa is home, yes, but it has become problematic. It is better to stay where it is safe. The survivors have turned the place into a community, complete with schools (or at least plans to build schools) small markets and trading centres where artisans like mechanics and cobblers are learning to ply their trade.There is one primary school in the settlement. There was a nursery school, but it was taken over to create room for a Health Centre II. A new structure of tree poles is now taking form; it is meant to be the next Nursery School. The one primary school is said to be inadequate as families from the farthest parts of the settlement, of about two kilometres away, are strained having to walk the distance twice every day. The challenges in the community remain though. Mr Mututa says there is no midwife and nurse in the settlement as the ones who were there have since fled to the city in search of better employment. There is also, a leadership problem. The very chairperson that the survivors had elected to lead them, was later arrested as he tried to help rob one of the survivors of Shs3m. Of the 36 boreholes in the settlement, only two work, and this makes water harvesting tough for far-away households. Having fled an area by heavy rains, now they are faced with severe water scarcity in the place they sought refuge. jabimanyi@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Heart-to-Heart/-/691230/1395220/-/ldw8tkz/-/index.html","content":"What do men really fear? - Fear would be defined as a feeling of anxiety concerning the outcome of something, or it can also be a negative sensation induced by a perceived threat. The Japanese have a proverb which says “fear is only as deep as the mind allows.” Men, by virtue of their societal evolution, are expected to be courageous, fearless and therefore the fabric that holds society together. Men, being human, also have fear, but at times it’s not for the common things. Men love to be dominant and make their own decisions; it is therefore their responsibilities that will most likely bring about fear in them. Andrew Muhima says men definitely have fears that range from a variety of issues; failure, irresponsibility, and image. He says a man has to look and act responsible to be able to hold his place in society. He also adds that a man in a family setting is the ultitimate provider in the family. Failure to impress in the in the relevant areas renders him less of one, which will end up breeding the greatest emotion of human beings, fear. Daniel Mukisa, another conscious man says a man’s most powerful asset in society is his image. Some men want and also avoid to be seen in certain type of cars, holding certain gadgets because they bring about a certain angle that you will be seen. Allan Lubiite jokes that if a lady sees a man hustling with a Chinese phone she might even doubt whether his real( not made from china) because of prevalence of many fake Chinese products. Fredrick Ametto says he would be worried of the kind of reputation he is living behind, “how you live your life as a man matters a lot in society,” he says. He also adds that your achievements as a man can help boost your confidence and as such help to reduce on some of your fears. Ivan Lukwago sites the area of commitment as being a man’s biggest fear in relationships, some men always live conscious about what the other party things of him, “we are afraid of rejection as men and this breeds a lot of fear in most men. He says some men fear public opinion, who wants to be known as a sissy, living under society’s opinions also leads to so much fear. Joseph Musaalo a counsellor and psychologist says all human beings have fear and that there are certain factors that breed fear depending on one’s value of beliefs, type of back ground, and general out look towards life. If you’re the type that cares about what people say then, you will live life in fear of the public opinion. When it comes to family, some men fear how their children are going to grow. They live in constant fear of tomorrow, what if i die, who will raise them up. Others men fear for their reputation. Musaalo also notes that some of these fears can be overcome by being confident about the decisions you make as a man. He also advises that you avoid issues that spark off fear and try to live your life not based on beliefs, because too much superstitions also breeds fear. He shares that men should also be responsible, respect yourself and know who you are in society. Being true to yourself saves a lot. Every man ought to borrow from the ancient style of weaving a basket from a spider web by weaving your nymph of courage now so that you can be able to hold back the flood of fear when it comes. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/1392896/-/125pxq9/-/index.html","content":"Floods wreak havoc in Kenya - Massive flooding in many parts of Kenya has lead to the loss of several lives and destruction of property of undetermined value. On Sunday, a church retreat turned tragic when seven people drowned in flash floods at the Hells Gate National Park in Naivasha, a two hours drive form the capital Nairobi. They were part of a group of 35 young men and women from the Mukara Presbyterian Church of East Africa in Dagoretti, Nairobi, who had gone on a trip at the park. The group left Nairobi in the morning and was expected back at 4pm, according to the Rev. Nancy Muthoni, the parish minister. Survivors told the Nation that a group of 15 had entered a gorge at the park just before dusk, but were trapped by sudden floods. Guides accompanying the youth group rescued eight. The area MP John Mututho blamed Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), saying the group should have been guided properly. “They run the park and they know how safe or unsafe it is, we cannot call it bad luck. Someone must be responsible and KWS is to blame,” he said by phone. Elsewhere, four people died and hundreds were left homeless in flash floods across the country. Three were killed after a downpour in Gwassi, in the western part of the country at the weekend. Seven others are missing. Kenya Red Cross officials and Administration Police recovered three bodies in Suba District. In Wiga Valley, East Gwassi, the flood waters swept away houses, crops and livestock, it said. In Migori to the west, a 12-year-old girl drowned while swimming in River Migori on Saturday. In Kisii, the heavy rains destroyed five toilets of Ebiosi Secondary School. “We have been forced to cut short the holiday remedial classes because we cannot operate without toilets,” said the school’s principal, Mr Enock Makori. In Maragua in central Kenya, 15 families were rendered homeless when a landslide destroyed their houses, the Red Cross said. 1 | 2 Next Page»A storm blew off the roof of several houses, in Mlolongo and Machakos County to the east. A number of families were rendered homeless in Syokimau, Beijing Road Phase Three and near Mlolongo Police Station.The homeless families are camping at Mlolongo Primary School. Several families living near River Nzoia and Lusumu in Kakamega County suffered heavy losses after floods destroyed their crops and swept away bridges. The Kenya National Highways Authority chief executive Meshack Kidenda (KeNHA) promised that reconstruction of roads and bridges destroyed by heavy rains will begin after the rains subside.By Maurice Kaluoch, Jackline Moraa, Otieno Owida and John Shilitsa. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1390316/-/anroop/-/index.html","content":"Where is our early warning system? - The first rains of the year are here in earnest as all parts of the country emerge from the December-March drought. It is a very welcome development as parched lands open up to the rains, as farmers get the much needed moisture in the ground, as water supplies for domestic consumption rise in places where there is no piped water, and as dams used to generate hydropower are replenished. Good news. But there is also a downside when the rains come, a downside that we should blame less on nature and more on our human failures. The rains, heavy as they seem this season, come in great torrents that cause flooding. Our failures include a recurrent inability to dam the waters and, let alone, use them to irrigate, leaving our agriculture to depend exclusively on rain-fed watering. This has its obvious disadvantage in that we end up surrendering the fortunes of farming to the vagaries of weather, yet we could be in greater control. The other major failure is the inability to tame wild waters, which leaves many places open to flooding. This week, the First Lady, Janet Museveni, was touring Ntungamo with Jeanette Kagame, the wife of Rwandan President, but part of their trip was foiled by flood waters. There are countless other misadventures, many with great consequences, that people are enduring around the country. There could yet be others with deadly effect, like landslides. Yet in these weeks, there has not been a word in early warning, for either places that are prone to flooding, or for mountainous regions that are heavily inhabited. Yet as surely as night follows day, there will be landslides somewhere, and life-threatening floods elsewhere. It is for such probabilities that the Disaster Preparedness ministry was established. It should presumably be working with Department of Meteorology to work out forecasts of the gravity of rain and its possible effects. Between them, Disaster Preparedness and the Met Department, should be sending out early-warning measures to the provinces.We should not wait for disaster to strike and then act."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/1388782/-/1258jxi/-/index.html","content":"US lawmakers seek to boost exports to Africa - US lawmakers on Tuesday called for a push to boost exports to Africa, saying that both sides would benefit if the United States sells more products to the continent's growing middle class. Lawmakers from both major US parties teamed up to introduce bills in the House of Representatives and Senate that would set a goal of expanding US exports to Africa by 200 percent over the next decade. The United States is a major donor to Africa and takes in one-fifth of its imports, but trade in the opposite direction has slipped in recent years with $21 billion worth of US exports to sub-Saharan Africa in 2011. Representative Chris Smith, a Republican who co-sponsored the House bill, said that the trade drive would create US jobs and help the United States step up its presence in Africa at a time of growing Chinese involvement. \"Some have expressed concern that such an expansion of US exports to Africa could flood African markets and damage their economies,\" Smith said at a congressional hearing. \"However, many of these US exports, such as in the agricultural sector, will enable African producers to become more efficient and profitable and create jobs for their workers as well,\" he said. The bill would require that 25 percent of US trade financing be devoted to Africa, create a new position of US-Africa trade coordinator, and encourage African American businesses to be active on the continent. Representative Bobby Rush, the Democratic co-sponsor of the bill in the House, voiced hope that the effort would create jobs in his district in Chicago which has more than 60 percent youth unemployment. Rush said he saw \"the expansion of the American marketplace to Africa as being not only an opportunity to help the growing middle class in Africa, but also to help expand\" jobs at home. Testifying before the committee, Johnnie Carson, the assistant secretary of state for Africa, said: \"It is my firm belief that Africa represents the next global economic frontier.\" But Carson warned that many African nations needed to do more to encourage investment, including fighting corruption, improving infrastructure and making regulations more efficient."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/1383990/-/xwdi8z/-/index.html","content":"Farmer’s Diary: Why farmers must protect natural water sources - Water should have more value to the farmer because without it his or her job is jeopardised. Crops and livestock need water to flourish and indeed our existence is impossible without water. A big percentage of plant tissues are composed of water and it is a major component of animal body cells. The plants usually absorb it from the ground through their root systems and use it to carry nutrients from the soil to all parts of the plants, before it is let out into the air in a process called transpiration. Some of the plants such as pineapples, oranges, passion fruit, mangoes and sugar canes preserve and store the water. A fundamental roleThe most important source of water to the Ugandan farmer is rain. When we have enough rainfall, our crops grow well and there is plenty of pasture for our animals to feed on. Shortage of rain for long periods nearly always results in food scarcity and farming hardships. For people to practice crop irrigation or to carry out successful agriculture, there must be a good water source within reach. Natural water sources such as rivers, swamps and other forms of wetlands are important for rain formation and they play a fundamental role in sustaining agriculture and feeding the nation. It is therefore very important for farmers to participate in all campaigns and efforts to protect natural water sources. Nearly everywhere in Uganda today, there are people harassing wetlands by settling in them or by building factories, or doing cultivation and other environmentally hazardous economic activities without our leaders taking any action to prevent this dangerous trend. This is taking place at the time when our population has risen to more than 33 million, when we have more people to feed, and when our weather conditions are becoming increasingly hostile to agriculture. In their International Water Day message, on March 22, the Food and Agriculture Organisation said: “Feeding a world population expected to reach 9 billion people by 2050 will require better management of water, building up farming communities’ resilience to climate change impacts, reducing food and water waste, and getting more crop per drop of water used.” Some people hold the view that, in the absence of sufficient rainfall, irrigation will be the way to go. They even argue that rain-fed agriculture is fast becoming outdated--forgetting that for large-scale irrigation to take place, there has got to be a reliable source of water such as a permanent swamp, a river, a lake, or a spring in the vicinity. When permanent natural water sources such as these are mismanaged and destroyed, we stand no chance at all to practice successful irrigation. Besides that, not all individual farmers are in a position to afford effective irrigation systems. Nature’s servicesSubstantial evidence has emerged that it is a lot cheaper for us to maintain our natural water sources so that we get sufficient rain to support agriculture than spending millions of shillings on the hardware used for irrigation. Swamps store, filter and purify water naturally if they are left undisturbed. They are a natural habitat for fish and wildlife that also support food security and tourism. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) report of March 16, 2012, indicates that there is increasing need to place nature at the heart of all strategies for improving and maintenance of water resources. “Nature provides many services that are vital to sustainable water management. Forest soils, aquifers, lakes and wetlands provide water storage. Wetlands filter water, floodplains and wetlands lower flood peaks in downstream cities, while mangroves and coral reefs protect coasts from floods,” the report says. “Natural infrastructure is the backbone of the green economy and the benefits of investing in it often exceed the costs. New York spent $1.5b (Shs3.7tn) on ecosystem management rather than $6b (Shs14.8) on a water filtration plant.” Inexpensive solutionsIt quotes Mr. Mark Smith, Director of IUCN’s Global Water Programme, as saying: “Most countries still prefer to invest in hardware such as dams and canals, rather than in software such as research and policy, monitoring and public education. But these examples clearly show that such relatively inexpensive solutions can lead to large improvements in the health of rivers and the economy.” Other measures that need to be taken by farmers as we talk about natural water sources protection include prevention of water loss from the farm, like mulching, planting grasses and trees, terracing, absorption banks, and contour cultivation. ssalimichaelj@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/1383450/-/12550wk/-/index.html","content":"Fresh demands threaten Syria peace plan - A UN-brokered plan to stop the bloodshed in Syria effectively collapsed on Sunday after Bashar Assad’s government raised new last-minute demands that the country’s largest rebel group swiftly rejected. The truce plan, devised by UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan, was supposed to go into effect today, with withdrawal of Syrian forces from cities, followed within 48 hours by a cease-fire by both sides in the uprising against four decades of repressive rule by the Assad family. But on Sunday, Syria’s Foreign Ministry said ahead of any troop pullback, the government needs written guarantees from opposition fighters that they will lay down their weapons. The commander of the rebel Free Syrian Army, Riad al-Asaad, said while his group is ready to abide by a truce, it does not recognise the regime “and for that reason we will not give guarantees.” Annan’s spokesman had no comment on the setback. The envoy has not said what would happen if his deadlines were ignored. Even before the setback, expectations were low that the Assad regime would honour the agreement. Russia, an Assad ally that supports the truce plan, may now be the only one able to salvage it. The rest of the international community, cagey over military intervention, has little leverage over Syria. Shelling stepped upIn recent days, instead of preparing for a withdrawal, regime troops have stepped up shelling attacks on residential areas, killing dozens of civilians daily in what the opposition described as a frenzied rush to gain ground. Activists said at least 21 people were killed in violence on Sunday and as many as 40. “Mortar rounds are falling like rain,” said activist Tarek Badrakhan, describing an assault in the central city of Homs on Sunday. He spoke via Skype as explosions were heard in the background. The regime is exploiting the truce plan to kill and commit massacres, he said.Syria said its acceptance of the Annan deal last week was misunderstood and suggested it would not be able to withdraw its troops under current conditions. In addition to demanding written guarantees from the opposition, Foreign ministry spokesperson Jihad Makdessi said Syria also wants assurances from Annan that Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia – Assad’s most active critics – will halt “financing and arming of terrorist groups.” Qatar and Saudi Arabia are said to be creating a multimillion dollar fund to pay rebel fighters, while Turkey has floated the idea of creating buffer zones for refugees in Syrian territory, near the Turkish border. While Annan’s plan calls for eventual negotiations between the government and the opposition over Syria’s political future, anti-regime activists say huge numbers of protesters would probably flood the streets and topple Assad if he were forced to halt his year-long crackdown. Makdessi suggested that a truce without guarantees would give rebels the upper hand."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1382504/-/an7kyp/-/index.html","content":"When will flood problem be fixed? - Flooding has become a permanent problem in Kampala during rainy seasons. With the Ministry of Water and Environment recently warning of heavy rain-- likely to be characterised by flooding, thunderstorms, lightning and landslides--from March to May, it is a expected that the authorities will use such predictions to appropriately prepare sufficient response to minimise loss of life and damage to property. Kampala’s flooding problem is not just an occasional inconvenience to residents but also poses danger to lives, with motorists and pedestrians often failing to see the road. At the weekend, just like it has been for many years, some homes and businesses were virtually cut off by floods following the weekend rain. Many people have, for years, complained that the value of their properties in flood-prone areas have been drastically lowered and businesses have been affected. The major problem, of course, is the loss of lives. In February alone, eight people were reported killed in Kampala and Lira following heavy rain. Given our disastrous record of disaster preparedness, early warnings on rainfall patterns and the unpleasant prospect of flooding are never put to use, partly because some of the causes of flooding, especially in Kampala, require an overhaul of the city’s drainage system. The filth that engulfs the entire city following rain and flooding brings to light the issue of blocked sewage systems. We find it curious that year after year, nothing tangible is done about Kampala’s drainage system. Granted; it may take a while-- given the poorly planned nature of our city and unregulated development-- to overhaul the drainage, but for how long must city residents endure this distress? Waste management, no doubt, remains a major challenge the city constantly grapples with, mainly because garbage mostly generated from non-degradable polythene bags and disposed carelessly block the drainage channels, causing flooding. It is important that the city authority handles waste management challenges as part of the wider effort to manage floods in Kampala. In December last year, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) announced a Shs7.8 billion plan towards the rehabilitation of Nakivubo drainage channel as part of the measures to avoid excessive flooding in the city. We hope this plan will, together with other measures, help reduce Kampala’s flooding. KCCA should urgently fix this recurring flood problem."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1374432/-/awq34fz/-/index.html","content":"KCCA to sue Mulago over waste disposal - KAMPALA Kampala Capital City Authority has given Mulago Hospital 28 days to rectify its water waste disposal in the surrounding communities or face legal actions. This follows Mulago’s failure to rectify the problem of toxic water that oozes from its premises into the neighbouring villages. The 28-day ultimatum is contained in a March 14 two-page letter. “You are hereby given 28 days from the date of service of this notice to disconnect all the hospital waste drainage system from the public storm water drainage system and connect it to a sewer line,” the ultimatum reads in part. The Authority also wants the hospital to assign a cleaning team to regularly clean and de-silt all the terminal silt traps within the hospital compound that connect to the public water drains. The letter, addressed to Mulago executive director Byarugaba Baterana, follows two others issued to the hospital earlier on, drawing attention to its illegal water disposal. The first is dated June 1, 2010 and the second was on June 17 of the same year. However, Dr Byarugaba said the waste drainage system was repaired earlier this year. The waste water, according to Mr Siraje Ndugga, a KCCA drainage worker, contains ‘foul material’, which he said include cotton swabs, gauze, syringes and spittle. He said the waste clog the drainage channels at the hospital causing the dirty water to flood the nearby area. Legal decisionThe decision to threaten legal action against Mulago follows continued public outcry against the hospital’s waste, which they say is contaminating their water sources. Katanga, Kimwaanyi, Mawanda and Kifumbira Zone villages are some of the most affected areas. “When it rains, the rainwater mixes with the dirty one from the hospital and it slopes to a well serving Kimwaanyi and a large part of Katanga,” said a resident of Kimwaanyi only identified as Nalubega. Ms Lydia Basalirwa, the estates manager in-charge of drainage at the national referral hospital, confirmed receipt of two notices to that effect which were ignored. She blamed the problem on what she called “unethical” character of the patients and caretakers, who throw solid waste into gutters. The hospital spokesperson, Mr Dan Kimosho, said they have received more than Shs20 billion from the World Bank for renovation, and that the drainage system is part of the plan although the date when the said renovation will start is not yet clear. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/1361106/-/c5ta7/-/index.html","content":"What it means to work in flooded Bwaise - Whenever it rains, Naalongo Betty is sure but losses because floods take over her shop and destroy her merchandise. My name is Nnalongo Betty Namakula, I operate a hardware store in Bwaise I sell cement, nails, paint, ropes, and many other building materials. I started working in Bwaise in 1990 when my twins were only five years old. In those days, the place would never flood like it does today. These days the situation is really bad; we dread the rainy season a lot. Nowadays when it rains, it floods to the point that the small cars cannot pass. The roads are filled with water all the way into our shops. The water is so much that when someone stands inside the shop, it reaches up to the waist. I find all my merchandise flooded by water. which soaks them up. The water takes long to dislodge. If it rains like at 12pm, it will clear up at around 4pm, leaving the place very muddy and dirty. Most people jhear of Bwaise but do not know what exactly goes on. When it rains, this place is like a real river. To work in Bwaise, one has to be very patient because we make a lot of losses. How we deal with the floodsThere is really no absolute way to combat the situation, but we have devised mechanisms of how to work in such rough conditions. First, most people, including myself, regularly pour fresh layers of concrete in our shops because the water soaks and destroys the floor so we have to repair it often. We also raise the verandas or entrances to our shops. This holds back water from the road from entering the shops as much as it would have if they were not raised.After the rain, I have to scoop water manually using either a basin or bowl, pour it out of the shop and then mop the floor praying that the next rains are not heavier. I also make sure I leave all my merchandise up on the shelves. We have to make raised wooden stands in order to protect our merchandise. Whenever the level of water increases, I increase the height of the stands too. For those that work out on the verandas, they have to wait for the water to dry and then place bricks in the mud on which they then mount boards to place goods. I count myself lucky because I have an understanding landlord who trusts me because I have been here for a long time. So, I pay rent when I can since it is hard due to the losses I make duringthe rainy seasons. People generally do not care about sanitation. They throw sacks of rubbish into the drainage and when these fill up with rubbish, they block the water, making it stagnant. People are no longer responsible. One offloads matooke and decides to dump the rubbish in the drainage. How it affects our healthRight behind my shop is the famous kimombasa (A slum), during the rains, they release sewage to flow and you know what that means. Whenever I get sick and go to the hospital, I find that I have typhoid so I ask the doctor how come yet I do not take unboiled water. The doctors tell me it is the environment I work in that makes me sick. There is so much dirt. It is, however, rare for the children to fall sick. I guess God protects them by giving them a high immunity. They are true African children. The main reason the place floods is because of the increase in population. Long ago, Bwaise was not as densely populated as it is now. People are so many, they have built in every small space available yet this is a swamp. Thus, the water practically has proper outlet. Before, there were no markets in front of shops like it is now. I also think the authorities are to blame. 1 | 2 Next Page»When the government tried to put drainage funnels, its plan was to chase away people near them so as to increase the sizes of the trenches but people bribed the authorities so that they would not be evicted which explains why the drainage trenches can only do so much. There is a lot of corruption so instead of the water going through the trenches, it finds outlets which are ,sadly the road, people’s houses, and shops. What can be done to helpWe need the government to make for us drainage funnels that can take care of the dislodged water from the swamp which causes flooding. I also think as residents of Bwaise, we need to learn how to appreciate and respect the little that the government has done for us. We need to be more responsible and desist from habits like reckless dumping of rubbish. The government should also give people the authority to work on or renovate their own roads if they can. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/1360464/-/10ccm5mz/-/index.html","content":"Would you have a prayer room in your home? - Astonishment is what runs through the minds of many visitors who make an appearance at Mr. Stanley Byaruhanga’s compound. I was no exception. Within his home compound in Kisaasi, a team of five builders busy themselves plastering a three roomed extension near the main house. When he tells me that the incomplete structures are the family prayer rooms, I look at him in bewilderment and at the same time wonder why on earth anyone would build an extension of three rooms dedicated to family prayers and yet any part of the main house would be convenient for invocations. “The thought of building a sacred place for worship crossed my mind when the children started complaining that I was inconveniencing them most of the time with the loud noises that were being made while praying from the dining room area,” the devout Anglican says. The thought of erecting up separate rooms away from the main house sounded crazy not only to him but to other family members as well but he eventually effected the plan into reality. Byaruhanga is among the many growing number of home owners who are setting aside private rooms in their houses to meditate, pray or just to have some quiet time to themselves. The outstanding reasons for this trend stem from how nervous people get if they pray in public.and also limited privacy because of the number of guests who flood people’s homes hence leave one with no time nor privacy one to go on his knees and personally communicate with God. Simply put, these are places that are set aside for prayer. Though of late they are becoming part of the majority of home construction plans, they are mostly found in mosques as well as churches. In various homesteads, they vary in appearance since some are small and simple while others are elaborate. However, most of these rooms have several things in common. According to Pagril Marino, an interior designer based in Ntinda, he says that these rooms are usually strategically located in the quietest part of the house with less decorative spiritual images attached to them. “Simplicity is the sole outstanding feature of this room and therefore if it is embedded with all sorts of designs and artistry, then it will turn out to be like any other room in the house and not therefore serving its sole purpose, “he says. On the advantages, he cites out three basic ones which include making a statement to other individuals about the importance of prayer, promotion of creativity and talent since singing and writing are involved and most of all, inconveniences are avoided since privacy is paramount. Ms. Rachael Kakooza, a born again Christian from Ntinda dedicated one of the last rooms , upstairs of her house as a praise and worship ground for her and the rest of the family members especially for Sunday’s sake when they have failed to attend the church services. Inside the family prayer room, there is a two-inch mattress which acts as the place one kneels as well as other sorts of literature ranging from bibles, inspirational and biographical books. A radio and recorded gospel music are taken into the room on occasion. “It feels like we are having a church service in an obviously different environment every time I am in that room with other individuals,” she says. 1 | 2 Next Page»Much as people like Kakooza testify about the overwhelming experience such home facilities give them, others actually detest them. “Why on earth would I have such a room and yet I can easily do whatever I want in a mosque. It is such a big inconvenience,” Asuman Keki, a Moslem asserts. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/1359806/-/bo16f8/-/index.html","content":"Shilling struggles to find balance - When the shilling nosedived to its lowest levels in the second half of 2011, importers not only slashed or postponed their import orders but also demonstrated to compel government to intervene and stabilise the local unit. The exporters’ fraternity on the other hand, however, small, was jubilating for the dollar’s appreciation. This was hinged on the fact that as importers needed more dollars to buy a single dollar, the currency in which purchases of products in international markets is made; exporters would instead get more shillings for every unit of the dollar as a result of the depreciation, resulting into increased earnings. This indeed, is a complex puzzle for the government and the central bank. Analysts, however, say that the government needs to protect the interests of both importers and exporters—the two sections of the business community to ensure that there is growth and continuity in the economy. Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) managing director, Albert Odongo, however, told Prosper in an interview that the country needs to strike a balance between importers and exporters’ interests. “There is need for a balance to stimulate exports so that the country earns more foreign exchange but it should again not be too weak and prohibitive to importers,” Mr Odongo said. Mr Moses Ogwal, the director policy, Private Sector Foundation Uganda, also echoed similar sentiments, saying that the country should have a medium and stable currency to allow both import and export transactions. “A weak shilling may be good to a certain extent for exports but it is prohibitive for imports including; raw materials to support local production processes, so you need a balanced currency,”Mr Ogwal said. He adds that despite some people urging that a weak shilling is good for export activity, it should be noted that even for sectors with significant portfolio of export, there is a significant import content which in turn pushes up the costs of production. Although the shilling has consolidated its recovery in the past few months from the mid-September 2011 dip of Shs2,950, climbing by about eight per cent against the dollar since January this year, it is now said to be trading in a tight band against the greenback. The unit was on Friday quoted at Shs 2,451/2,41 buying and selling respectively. This is, however, weaker than the Shs2,315/2,325 buying and selling respectively that the unit was quoted at on February 27 this year. Analysts, however, say the local unit may slide further with expected start-of-month demand for dollars from the energy and manufacturing sectors, with end-month dollar inflows expected to the aid sector offering some support. Mr Dickson Magecha, a forex trader, Financial Markets at Standard Chartered Bank, attributed marginal depreciation of the local unit to increased demand for the dollar mostly emanating from the energy, manufacturing and telecom sectors, coupled with minimal inflows in the market. What favours Uganda?Mr Faisal Bukenya, head of marketing making, Barclays Bank, on the other hand, however, says being a net importer, a strong shilling would be good for an economy like Uganda. About three quarters of goods used in the country are imported, meaning that a shortage of imports due to exchange-related challenges could push up the price of goods and services in the country. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Insight/-/688338/1358414/-/s8ybmr/-/index.html","content":"Development: What is Africa’s problem? - As the minds of more and more Ugandans focus on the meaning of this year as Uganda’s 50th Independence anniversary, we are groping about for answers to the problems that continue to resist any solution. The answers remain elusive and each answer and solution comes with a built-in hurdle. If Africa’s problem was colonialism, how come Ethiopia is not Africa’s most advanced economy? If it is the incessant wars and military coups that occupied most of the post-1960 period, how come countries like Malawi and Zambia that have never seen coups or wars are no different, in real terms from Uganda or Ghana? If it is leaders who refuse to relinquish power, how come the Senegal of Presidents Leopold Sedar Senghor and Abdou Diouf who voluntarily stepped down from power is the same Senegal as that of President Abdoulaye Wade who seemed determined to cling on? If it is the lack of term limits, how come Tanzania that has stuck to its two terms since 1985 ranks little differently in health, roads, literacy, and income per capita from others in Africa whose leaders have been around for more than 20 years? Could the Internet and “social media” have helped us?With the arrival of the Internet in 1995 and the first service providers like InfoMail, Starcom, the Makerere University effort called Mukla and others, there was hope that at last the Information Superhighway would integrate us into the world economy and we would have solved the problem of our isolation. The Internet is the nearest thing that Africa has ever known or will ever know to equality with the West and the fast-rising Far East. All Hotmail, Gmail and Yahoo addresses are the same no matter where in the world. Nearly all information online is free and up-to-date. Because English is Uganda’s official language, Ugandans if anything seemed positioned to enjoy an advantage since the Internet has the English-speaking United States as its birthplace. Then when “social media” started making their way into the Ugandan mainstream around 2010 with the increasing popularity of websites like Twitter, Linkedin and Facebook, I thought they might help us break out of our international isolation. The results are they have helped many Ugandans re-discover old friends and establish new contacts abroad. But overall, the picture remains the same and the pattern continues to follow what most Africans are familiar with: the lack of adequate access. Following New York Pop singer Lady Gaga on Twitter (she had an incredible 19,859,058 followers on Twitter by Friday morning) or American actress and famous-for-being-famous society busybody Kim Kardashian (13,498,484 followers) has not resulted in their followers in Uganda or the rest of Africa themselves getting thousands of followers as a result. It is the same story at Facebook and so the same story for Africa. The Internet has helped most Ugandans in the general sense of making us feel connected, feel modern, global and “happening”, and perhaps find information much faster and in much more abundance than our decaying public and school libraries would have made possible. But in the overall, big picture sense, we are still faced with major disadvantages for those who seek a serious commercial use of the Web. Access to informationWhen it comes to visibility in the Internet search engines, the same pattern of lack of access to the world’s major centres of technology, mass consumption and production stalks us. I’ve recently launched a website, WorldRadioArchive.com, which is supposed to be a global library of recorded radio programmes; an audio version of the YouTube video-sharing website. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1329070/-/b0pe1hz/-/index.html","content":"Lives put at risk as algae invades Lake Victoria - Parts of Lake Victoria shores have been invaded by a thick algae, posing health risks to water users and aquatic animals. The algae has caused a sickening stench in Luzira, Ggaba, Munyonyo, Guda and Bukakata landing sites among others. The fishermen, who refer to the chlorophyll substance as ‘Mubiru’, attribute the algae infection to a process where the lake gets rid of any affluent dumped into it naturally. “It occurs every January and February between 7am-2pm as the lake dumps its waste on the lake shores,” Mr Isaac Mutimba, a fisherman in Entebbe, said. Pollution citedThe National Environment management Authority (NEMA), however, attributes it to increasing pollution of the largest water body in the country. “The algae mass, which looks like green oil paint on the lake surface, is a result of increased pollution from human disposal and industrial waste,” Ms Naomi Karekaho, the NEMA spokesperson, said in an email to this newspaper.She said the waste water from the city, which flows into the lake through the Nakivubo Channel, has overtime made the lake more polluted. “This has a negative impact on the fish industry since it leads to silting up of the breeding grounds for fish,” she added. Ms Karekaho said the ongoing process of gazetting Nakivubo wetland system for water purification needs to be finalised and enforced and the similar process be undertaken for the Nsooba – Lubigi wetland system to help sieve water before it reaches the lake. She adds that the long-term interventions would be to resettle people from the flood-prone areas and safe-guard the natural drain pattern of the City. “There should be plans for the establishment of a wastewater treatment plant. The sources of silt such as roads and built up areas should be stabilised and Physical planning should be improved and enforced,” Ms Karekaho said.State Minister for Water Betty Bigombe declined to comment on the matter, saying she had lost a niece and referred this newspaper to the commissioner Water Quality in the department of Directorate of Water Resources Management, Ms Florence Adong. Ms Adong as well declined to comment, saying she was on leave and did not have much information about the development. mssebuyira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/1325868/-/121h9cy/-/index.html","content":"Video of Chinese boy crying in snow sparks uproar - A home video showing a four-year-old Chinese boy being forced by his parents to run almost naked through the snow in bitterly cold New York has sparked an online uproar in China. He Liesheng told AFP he was only trying to train his son to be strong and manly, but the footage has ignited debate about the tough parenting style for which China became known after Amy Chua's book \"Tiger Mother\". In the video, the little boy runs towards his father, who is filming him, in thick snow with only his shoes and underpants on, at times crying and pleading with his dad to take him in his arms. On several occasions, both parents tell their son to lie down in the snow, which he does eventually when his mother presses him. \"He agreed to go out to run in the snow naked or else it wouldn't be possible for me to take his clothes off,\" said He, who runs a bed linen company in the eastern city of Nanjing. \"He wasn't very happy when he felt the cold.\" It is not clear who posted the video online. He's personal assistant, a woman called Xin Lijuan, told AFP that He had sent the video to \"a few friends\" but didn't post it online himself. The footage has been viewed by tens of thousands of people on video-sharing websites including www.tudou.com/programs/view/geBPh4pIl3U/. \"I don't agree with this... We should give children a happy childhood, those terrible parents say they do this for their child's own good, but I think their purpose is just to be able to brag in the future,\" one netizen said. \"I really don't support this, poor kid. Does the kid's mother let the father do whatever he wants to do?\" another person said on Sina's popular weibo microblogging service.The father has been given the nickname \"Eagle Dad\" in reference to Chua, who sparked controversy when she wrote a book extolling the benefits of tough parenting. He, who also claims to teach his son Kung Fu, dancing, cycling and mountain climbing, said he was trying to help his child develop a \"masculine temperament\". \"I also give him cold ice cream on cold winter days to train his stomach to get used to the cold,\" He told AFP by phone. \"He rarely has a cold or fever.\" Xin said He was on holiday with his family in New York during the Lunar New Year holiday last month and decided to see in the Year of the Dragon with this unusual method. \"The child agreed and before the run, he did half an hour of slow running to warm up,\" she said by phone. \"This child has received all sorts of forms of training since he was small. When he was one, he started swimming in water that was 21 degrees Celsius.\" Xin said that the boy was born prematurely with several health problems including water in the brain that prompted doctors to say he may have cerebral palsy. \"But now he has no problems,\" she said, attributing this to He's intense education method. Chinese parenting has come under the spotlight recently, with many of the country's children forced to study harder than their Western counterparts, often at the expense of sports and other leisure activities. In her controversial book \"Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother\", Chinese-American Chua, a Yale University law professor, tells how she and her husband elected to raise their two daughters the \"Chinese\" way. That meant heavy pressure for top school marks, no sleep-overs or watching television and mandatory piano or violin study. In one incident, she made one of her daughters stand out in the cold for falling short on piano practice, while in another she tells guests at a dinner party how she once called her daughter \"garbage\" -- shocking the room. An excerpt from the book was published in the Wall Street Journal last year, sparking vicious criticism and, Chua says, death threats. Most of the responses to He's parenting methods were critical, although some Internet posts said teaching one's child about the cold and fortitude was a good thing. 1 | 2 Next Page»\"But if this method becomes a feature of everyday life, then the child's life learning process is just cruel,\" one person said. Another blogger said: \"His father is cruel, but what he did is for the boy's good. He won't be like today's children, who are only able to play with cell phones and computers.\" Xin said He had disregarded the flood of online criticism.\"He says he doesn't care what others say... that the fact that the child lived showed that he has tenacious vitality,\" she said. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1324590/-/13eebdfz/-/index.html","content":"Why Syria can’t be treated like Libya by the Western powers - In Washington on Tuesday, Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, said the United States “should consider all options, including arming the opposition. The blood-letting has got to stop.” So far, the international community’s response to the violence in Syria has been limited. There has been diplomatic censure, with envoys withdrawn or “recalled for consultations,” and Syrian ambassadors expelled from several Arab states. A growing raft of sanctions is draining the Syrian regime’s coffers but only gradually sapping its strength. This is not a country that has relied on international trade for its survival. An Arab League monitoring mission is in abeyance, after a much criticised few weeks on the ground that drew ridicule even from within its own ranks and fury (for its perceived complacency) from protesters. And back in November, France floated the idea of humanitarian corridors that would be protected by armed observers - while ruling out military intervention. So far the idea has not gained traction. None of this amounts to the sort of pressure that will make the al-Assad regime buckle, especially when it perceives as divided both internal opposition and the international community. Compare the situation to that in Libya - almost a year ago. As then-Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was about to unleash his forces on the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, the world came together in the shape of the UN Security Council to authorise international intervention and prevent a bloodbath. Big moversThe French and British were prime movers behind UN Security Council Resolution 1973; the United States an enthusiastic supporter. Russia abstained, but at the time its ambassador noted that many questions remained “unanswered, including how it would be enforced and by whom, and what the limits of engagement would be.” Russia later complained that a humanitarian mandate had become a blank cheque in support of the rebels. Perhaps in part because of the bad blood over Libya, the world body has reached no similar consensus over Syria. Rather, the opposite, with some of the harshest diplomatic language traded for years. To the United States, the vetoes were a “travesty.” German ambassador Peter Wittig essentially said that Moscow and Beijing had Syrian blood on their hands. “China and Russia will now have to assume that responsibility in the face of the international public opinion and especially in the Arab world, the Arab citizens and, of course, in face of the Syrian people,” Wittig said.Beyond the rhetoric, the vetoes had a more practical consequence. NATO officials have made it clear that the alliance cannot act, by enforcing a no-fly zone for example, without UN support. Writer Derek Flood, recently in Syria with elements of the Free Syrian Army, says NATO officials envision no role for the alliance in Syria this year. But they have not ruled out a “coalition of the willing” outside the NATO orbit. Both Russia and China are wary of any international action supporting protest against authoritarian rule. And Syria has been first the Soviet Union’s - and now Russia’s - key ally in the region after Egypt ‘defected’ in the 1970s. As it has for decades, Russia still supplies the Syrian government with weapons. One Russian analyst, Ruslan Pukhov, told CNN: “Once the Assad regime vanishes, we have zero influence in the region.” According to Andrew Tabler of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, al-Assad has ably judged the “diplomatic red lines” to keep Moscow onside. There have been no massacres on the scale of what happened in Hama 30 years ago (when thousands were killed after a brief uprising against his father’s rule) that might have forced Russia into a corner. The persistent drip of civilian casualties over almost a year has not unleashed a tide of irresistible outrage. Last weekend’s casualties in Homs, which opposition activists said numbered in the hundreds, may have changed that. But what can be done? In Bosnia, the international community declared “safe havens” for Muslims but failed to protect them. The result in July 1995 was Srebrenica, the worst massacre in Europe since 1945, when some 8,000 Bosnian Muslim civilians were killed by Serb forces. Havens are only safe when protected against superior forces.Others support Sen. John McCain in arguing for arming the fledgling Free Syrian Army. Anne-Marie Slaughter, professor of politics and international affairs at Princeton University, told CNN that is “the most likely [option], that the Arab League countries, Turkey and probably NATO as well arms the Free Syrian Army, gives them the means to fight back. “But then you’ve got a long and bloody civil war,” Slaughter says - reminiscent of Bosnia. Analysts say that even setting aside the lack of international will, successful intervention in Syria would pose problems not present in Libya: Geography: Most regime targets in Libya were close to the Mediterranean coast and within easy reach of NATO air bases in Italy. Even so, NATO warplanes flew some 21,000 missions over nearly six months to enforce the no-fly zone, suppress air defenses and destroy command centres and armour. 1 | 2 Next Page»Military analysts say that, while no match for the best NATO members could summon, Syrian armed forces are better equipped and coordinated than anything Gaddafi could muster. Every man on his ownNeighbouring states: Few of Syria’s neighbours would likely allow their territory to be used to pre-position supplies or military units. Certainly neither Iraq nor Lebanon, both countries with their own volatile sectarian mixes. The Hezbollah militia, strongly allied with Syria, remains powerful within Lebanon. The presence of foreign troops on Jordanian soil might have repercussions for a monarchy that already has plenty of problems domestically. Using Israeli territory would send the wrong message altogether. That leaves Turkey, a NATO member that has run out of patience with al-Assad. Last month, the Turkish foreign minister compared the Syrian president with former Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic, and on Tuesday Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned al-Assad -- pointedly in Arabic -- “What goes around, comes around.”Topography: Libya was flat desert; there was little cover for regime forces and most of the fighting was along a narrow coastal strip. “Target acquisition” was relatively simple. Syria’s physical geography is more challenging; and much of its northern border with Turkey and Lebanon is mountainous, with few major roads. Getting aid into any safe havens within Syria would be a logistical nightmare. The opposition: The Libyan rebels, for all their military shortcomings, quickly grabbed a swathe of eastern Libya and major air and seaports in Benghazi and Tobruk that became their resupply hubs. The Free Syrian Army (FSA), at best, controls a few neighbourhoods in Homs and elsewhere. Poorly armed opposition‘The FSA has established very small slices of liberated territory,” says Derek Flood, who has just left Idlib province close to the Turkish border. He says the FSA is poorly armed; he was told the price of weapons on the black market has soared, “with a used AK-47 fetching as much as $2,000 - $3,000.” Crucially, the regime retains control of Syria’s frontiers, and its armed forces appear cohesive, according to analysts in the region. There have been military defections, mainly of low-rank conscripts, but not of entire units with their armour. Against all this and the political risks of western military action in yet another Muslim country, some argue there is a moral imperative -- as there was in Libya and Kosovo (done), Rwanda (ignored) and Bosnia (eventually.) Writing last month in The Atlantic, Steven Cook argued: “If there is no intervention and political will to stop Assad’s crimes remains absent, the world will once again have to answer for standing on the sidelines of a mass murder.” Adapted from CNN editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Score/-/689854/1323838/-/mq1p3x/-/index.html","content":"Six Zambians die ahead of Nations Cup final - Six people on Wednesday night died during celebrations of Zambia’s victory over Ghana and qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations final. People in Lusaka burst into wild celebrations after the final whistle with some soccer fans seen riding on top of vehicles. Both young and old came out of their houses in numbers to sing and dance in support of their national team, the Chipolopolo. Zambia’s largest University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka recorded two deaths and 33 road traffic accident cases arising from peoples’ excitement following the 1-0 semifinal victory. The hospital’s casualty ward also recorded 13 cases of assault as Lusaka residents celebrated. Hospital public relations manager Pauline Mbangweta confirmed the accidents to journalists. “This is the highest number of casualties that the institution has recorded from the time the Africa Cup of Nations games started,” Mbangweta said. Also an unidentified man in his early 20’s the same night sustained serious injuries after jumping off a moving vehicle along the Great East Road. Meanwhile, the Zambia News and Information Services reported that three jubilant juvenile soccer fans in Mazabuka, about 215Km south of Lusaka died on the spot after being hit by a vehicle during the celebrations. It reported that the soccer fans, most of them boys and girls from nearby compounds, took to the streets singing victorious songs after the match. “The fans were knocked down by a fast moving car as they descended into town from Radio Mazabuka where they had gone to register their excitement, leaving three of them dead while more than 20 are battling for their lives at Mazabuka District Hospital,” the news agency reported. It said among the dead are two boys and one girl whose parents were not known by 23:00 hours. It reported that a check at Mazabuka District Hospital around 21:00 hours found medical officers attending to a huge number of casualties while the police had a tough time controlling soccer fans clad in national colours and sympathizers that thronged the hospital to check for relatives among casualties. It also said a 12-year-old boy died on the spot last night after he was hit by a vehicle along the Great North road. The accident happened as a crowd of soccer fans took to the streets of Kapiri Mposhi, approximately 280Km north of Lusaka. Tomorrow’s final against the favoured Ivory Coast is undoubtedly an emotional outing for the Chipolopolo. In 1993, a plane carrying the Zambian national soccer team crashed into the Atlantic Ocean soon after take-off, off the coast of Libreville. All 30 on board died. Soccer fans in Zambia are bubbling with confidence that this final may be the Chipolopolo’s first time of lifting the elusive Cup. “We are winning. Ivory Coast’s game is physical, ours is free-flowing and attacking. They will have difficulties,” Lenganji Sikapizye, a Chipolopolo soccer fan in Lusaka said.“They [Ivory Coast] are just good on paper, we just need to marshall the defence.” In a dramatic turn of events, Zambian women who rarely openly cheer football seem to have been converted this time around. “This encounter seems tough. I was very positive with the Ghana one but this one I can’t predict though this Cup looks like it is for Zambia,” Hellen Kashinga, 26, a mother of one and a Kitwe resident, said. “Whatever the outcome of Sunday’s match against Ivory Coast, our boys deserve a pat on their backs. On the other hand, I would like to urge Chipolopolo to be careful on set pieces because Ivory Coast seems very strong in aerial attacking. Viva Zambia…go for it boys!” read one of the Facebook postings by one fan Chandwe Kabange. Messages of goodwill, best wishes and predictions in favour of Zambia have continued to flood social network sites. This will be Zambia’s third appearance in the final after 1974 and 1994. On both occasions, they finished second best. This time around, Coach Herve Renard reckons Zambia are good enough to take gold. Zambia captain Christopher Katongo told the Zambian media the team was ready to go ‘all the way’. “As a captain this is the greatest moment any player can ever feel,” Katongo said. “This is our Cup, we have to take this Cup. This moment is the greatest feeling.” Meanwhile, the kick-off time for the final has been delayed by a half an hour, due to “technical and logistical reasons”. The game had been due to start at 1900 GMT, but has now been pushed to 1930 GMT (1):30 Ugandan time). The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has not given any further explanation for the delay. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1321098/-/b0uxiuz/-/index.html","content":"28,000 landslide and flood victims to benefit from relief items - At least 28,000 victims of the 2011 landslide and flood victims in eastern Uganda will receive household items from the Uganda Red Cross Society to help them recover from the disaster. The individuals, from 4,000 families, are those who lost shelter and essential items during the landslides and floods. Also to receive support are vulnerable families who are hosting the affected people who cannot go back to their original homes because they were partially or completely destroyed. The support, which comes from the United Kingdom Department for International Development (Dfid), has also provided £2.6m (about Shs9.1b) to URCS for 2011-14 to help reduce vulnerability to disaster in 30 villages in Bududa, Manafwa, Bukedea and Bulambuli in Mount Elgon and Teso regions. “It is a tragedy that disasters are continuing to happen in Uganda and affecting the livelihood of most vulnerable and poor people. We are working with URCS not only to provide emergency relief, but also to find sustainable ways of helping the affected people and their families live a decent life,” Ms Jane Rintoul, the Head of DFID in Uganda, said in a press statement at the weekend. According to URCS assessments, more than 655,000 people were affected by disasters of various sorts across the country last year. Landslides in August 2011, killed more than 50 people and injured several others in Bulambuli. The slides were triggered by a heavy rain. flanyero@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1317524/-/b1d7r6z/-/index.html","content":"10 schools fail to open over latrines - At least 10 primary schools in Nakasongola District have failed to open for their first term, which started on Monday, due to lack of pit-latrines. The pit-latrines in the schools have either collapsed or several of them are filled up. The district authorities have now been compelled to suspend the commencement of the term in the affected schools which include Busone, Kigarambi, Moone, Kyakadoko and Zengebe primary schools among others. “We petitioned the Ministry of Education and Sports for assistance early this year for emergency funds to construct pit-latrines. The estimated cost of a permanent VIP pit-latrine with plastic panels is about Shs15 million, meaning that we need Shs300 million for the whole project,” the district education officer, Mr Lubega Kajura, told Daily Monitor during an interview on Monday. He said last year the district experienced heavy rain, resulting in floods which badly affected the areas mostly along River Kafu and Lake Kyoga - a corridor characterised by poor soils. The flood effects“There are many schools in the area which were affected by floods and consequently the pit-latrines collapsed,” Mr Kajura said. Kyamuyingo and Kyakadoko primary schools, were forced to close before the end of the third term last year.“We have advised the parents to register in neigbouring schools as we are struggling to get funds for pit-latrine construction,” he said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/1306280/-/dfdm8c/-/index.html","content":"Producers stuck with sugar as tax-free imports flood market - Kampala Local sugar manufacturers have said they are stuck with the commodity as a result of tax free imports that the government authorised to enter the country at the height of the sugar crisis early last year. Speaking in an interview last week, Mr Jimmy Kabeho, the chairman of the Uganda Sugarcane Technologists Association, told Daily Monitor the three major local manufacturers – Kinyara Sugar Works, Lugazi Sugar and Kakira Sugar Works - are stuck with stocks of sugar as tax free imports flood the market. He said: “We are stuck with stocks yet a lot of sugar is entering through all borders, especially Tanzanian. This is limiting our sales.” The revelation comes just four months after the government scrapped taxes on imported sugar in an effort to deal with the scarcity of the commodity that sent prices skyrocketing. Early last year sugar prices soared from about Shs2,500 for a kilogramme to Shs6,000 before rising further to Shs10,000 between June and August. However, prices have dropped to between Shs4,000 and Shs4,200, but experts predict it will drop further to about Shs3,500 later in the year. Last year’s scarcityExperts last year blamed the shortage on the temporary closure of Kinyara, the second-biggest sugar processor, as it struggled to secure enough cane to sustain production and a prolonged drought that affected the country in 2010. Sugar shortages added impetus to widespread discontent over a weak local currency and skyrocketing prices of food and fuel which sparked violent anti-government protests in April and May. The scarcity forced supermarkets in Kampala and other major towns to ration the commodity while some traders hoarded stocks, escalating the crisis. Presently, Mr Kibeho says operations of local companies have been limited due to surplus. “With all those billions in stock, we cannot pay workers and farmers (out growers), buy inputs and run other operations,” Mr Kibeho said. He said the association has on several occasions asked for the government’s intervention, but they are yet to get any response. jmiti@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Score/-/689854/1304996/-/motck7/-/index.html","content":"Robert Seguya shadow looming over Heathens - For over a decade, Robert Seguya has defined the good, the bad and the ugly about MTN Heathens and Rugby Cranes. The flanker is that easy a target. When either side won a game, Seguya made a contribution. And defeats often meant reviews which cited an incident in the second minute when he was judged to be selfish. All this would end in one conclusion – Seguya is such an important player and the former boxer’s place among the greatest players in local rugby will never be shaken. As the Nile Special Rugby Premier League kicked off yesterday, his shadow loomed large. Seguya has switched from Heathens’ yellow to Toyota Buffaloes’ red and black. He will still play at Kyadondo grounds since Buffaloes are Heathens’ understudy side but the complexion of the eight-team top division has changed, due to him. How will the season pan out for the contenders and…the pretenders? Heathens Between 1997 and 2001, utl Kobs did something very special by winning four successive league titles. They have now gone three years without a league title. Whereas problems should be found in-house, the brilliance of arch foes Heathens has been impossible to match. Now, Heathens can go and erase Kobs, temporarily, by lifting another crown this season and perhaps another thereafter. The Kyadondo giants are no longer the dominant side of three years ago when their backs made the opposition look pedestrian to complete a season clean sweep. They start the season without wing Jude Keremundu, the reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP), who is nursing an injury sustained in Kenya last year. That means coach Brian Tabaruka must find a reliable kicker until when he recovers in late February or early March. In the interim, Chris Lubanga and Jasper Ochan, both fly-halves, will share the role. Centre Michael Wokorach is yet to find time to train which has provisionally put his partnership with Evan Kingasia in doubt whereas fullback Benon Kiiza laboured through last year. Jonathan Onen needs new lungs. The coin is slowly being tilted from the backs. Despite losing Seguya, the pack is largely better than everyone else even though the knack for tries the blindside flanker has is not seen in the players he leaves behind. Mathias Ochwo will have a new partner in Roland Bahemuka in the back row as Scot Oluoch (now G4S Pirates) is being forgotten, slowly. Arthur Mukama too reverts to eighth man following his stint as a prop. Romano Ogwal is continuously staking his claim beyond Heathens for Uganda. Prop Dennis Murithi Mugambe should be better after appearing in the national team last year. Player to watch: Japser Ochan. This is the year when the former U-19 star must stake a claim for the rather empty Rugby Cranes’ No. 10 jersey. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/1303652/-/8i3l9/-/index.html","content":"What it means to grow up in a slum - I grew up with my mother in a slum. Then, it was only my mother and I and we slept in a one roomed house that was divided into a sitting room and a bedroom by a curtain. That is the way everyone’s house in the neighbourhood was structured. We shared the latrines and bathrooms which sometimes would get so messed up and impossible to use. We used to have some kind of cleaning roster but some people would not clean when their turn came. On those days one couldn’t use either the bathroom or latrine. The situation worsened when it rained as some people would enter with dirty shoes and not clean after themselves. Thankfully, our houses didn’t flood when it rained especially at night, like in other places. We liked playing in the rain even if the water was dirty and before you frown, it was actually fun. For us, fun was all that we cared about. the dirty bit was for the adults to worry about. I can’t even imagine where that water came from, but somehow we never fell sick. I remember that the place used to be littered and there were filthy trenches next to our muzigo. We had a rubbish point that garbage collectors always forgot to clear and some neighbours refused to contribute money to pay the person who was supposed clean the trenches. Then, we had to wait till everyone gave the landlord their contribution. There is no privacy is slums as just by observing, everyone knew what was going on in the neighbour’s house. You would know who spent the night at whose place, what food they eat since we cooked from outside the house and what time one got back home. Most of the children around the place used to wear dirty, torn or stained clothes. My mother bought me a couple of slippers which I only wore after bathing in the evening. It was okay to run around without slippers and no one ridiculed or bothered you about it. It was so much fun to run around the neighbourhood with other children as we chased after tyres or played hide and seek. We rolled in the grass and wailed in delight as we played with each other. Being a child in the slumMy mother never had to buy me toys. Life in the slum was never dull, there were fun activities to do and that did not include watching television. My mother had a small black and white one but we only watched it at night when outdoor activities were not an option. But it is not because the people in our neighbourhood were criminals or dangerous like most people think of slums. They were average normal families who just couldn’t afford to live in a better place. While there, most of us the children went to the same day school so parents took turns to take and pick us from school. Those times it felt like one big family. Most of the people were friendly and looked out for each other’s children. For example my friend’s mother wouldn’t see me cutting my slipper and pass by without scolding me. Our house was next to a market that was so vibrant in the evening. For a treat, my mother would take me and buy all sorts of deep friend snacks and oh boy was it fun. I looked forward to those days. The market would be a little dusty because of a lot of movement and we would keep stopping so my mother would exchange pleasantries with people she knew. It is only when we went to church and found children with better clothes and white shoes that I envied children who lived elsewhere. But that was momentarily. The slum was home and I loved it, I didn’t wish to be anywhere else. Away from the slum Later, this was taken away from me by a man that I later learnt is my father. My father’s home was enclosed in a gate. It was a lot bigger than my mother’s place with a living room, dining room, a telephone, big fridge and I had my own bedroom. There was a video player and DSTV so we were glued on the TV most of the time. It looked like it was from the movies. I found it so cool and exciting but after a few weeks I got bored and missed being under the sun and running about in the open. My father had two cars, one to take us around and another that he used. My half sisters and brothers had never used a taxi before so they did not know many places which I found so bizarre. I remember laughing at them and I bragged that I was sharper than them. I later got used to my new life and within no time I could fit in both worlds just fine. And since the posh places are, according to society better than slums, before long my mother was out of the slum and I spent more time at my father’s. Unlike what a number of people think, I don’t believe that people in the slum have a lesser life compared to those who live elsewhere. They lead a normal life. Despite the neighbourhood and surrounding, the slum is home and it always feels good to be there though they wouldn’t mind having better. bbanura@ug.nationmedia.com Send your experiences to features@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1299204/-/bfhb47z/-/index.html","content":"Mbale Police now arrest excess passengers instead - MBALE The Police in Mbale have started arresting excess passengers in a move they said will help check traffic accidents. The officer in-charge of traffic at Mbale Police Station, Mr Patrick Otika, said the move is intended to make the public join police in fighting accidents that occur due to overloading of passenger vehicles. “We embarked on arresting excess passengers from all vehicles and so far we have committed some to court, cautioned others with a target of making the public join police in fighting accidents caused by overloading but at the same time, we shall sensitise them about their rights as passengers,” said Mr Otika. The move, however, comes on the back of concern over what the police called an upsurge in computerised driving licence forgeries. Statistics at Mbale Central Police Station of seized forged driving permits in the region indicate that eastern region has the highest number of forged computerised driving permits in the country. Forgeries suspect on the runThe Eastern Regional Police spokesperson, Ms Diana Nandawula, said out of more than 132 forged driving permits seized countrywide, 75 per cent are from Sironko, Bulambuli and Kapchorwa districts, where an alleged forger operates from. The police say a key suspect in the forgery is on the run and that he has been exploiting the ignorance of drivers in the region. According to police information, the suspect collects money from them under the pretext that he works with Uganda Revenue Authority. “Our investigations into the cause of the increased number of accidents in eastern region have pointed at human error as reckless driving, speeding, vehicles in poor mechanical conditions and drivers without proper driving skills, majority of whom have fake computerised driving permits flood traffic,” Ms Nandawula said. Records at the traffic section of Mbale Police indicate that despite government stopping renewal of non-computerised driving permits in August 2009, there are fake drivers who have forged stamps and renewed old permits on their own. Ms Nandawula said whereas the maximum renewal period for driving permits is three years, crooks have renewed theirs to a period of 10 years outside the law. Mr Otika said police in Mbale have so far arrested 12 people in connection with forging computerised driving permits and that 10 cases are being handled by Mbale Police, while other cases are being handled at the headquarters in Kampala. dmafabi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1295658/-/bfk04iz/-/index.html","content":"11 more bodies recovered from flood rabbles - At least 11 more bodies were recovered at the weekend from flood rabbles in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to raise the official death count to 34 people even as other victims were raising concern about missing relatives. Among the bodies, seven were received at Muhimbili National Hospital and four at Mwananyamala District Hospital. Yesterday, it had been reported that 23 people had died. According to Jeza Waziri, the Muhumbili National Hospital spokesperson, seven bodies were preserved at the hospital, while two have been identified by relatives. Those at Mwananyamala had not been identified. In his comments, the Mwananyamala health secretary, Mr Edwin Bisakala, said out of four dead bodies three are adults while the other is a three-year-old. More deathsMany people are believed to have been swept out to sea by the torrents, which also turned houses and bridges to mud, toppled trees and overturned vehicles at the weekend. Ms Zakia Mohamed, a resident of Mchikichini, said there were various reports on the missing people in Kigogo and Mchikichini and that the possibility of increasing of death numbers was high. Explaining why so many lives were lost so quickly, Mr Lwambaizi, who was saved by members of TPDF, said: “It happened when most of us were still in bed and many of us were used to such situation, but unexpectedly the rain poured hard while it was high tide and therefore we found ourselves surrounded by water,”. United Nations has relocated some of its operations to temporary offices in Dar es Salaam following the flooding. Relocation plansMeanwhile, the government will immediately relocate 2,800 flood victims to new homes in the outskirts of the city, it has been confirmed. Reports on Sunday indicated that some 200 acres of land have been secured already to settle the families formerly settled in the areas prone to flooding. At least 4,500 people were displaced in Dar es Salaam’s worst flood in recent history."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/1294838/-/11lolhl/-/index.html","content":"Kim Jong-il’s grief was stage managed, eyewitness says - A foreign aid worker in North Korea has given the first eyewitness account describing scenes of mass ‘stage managed’ grief for the country’s late ‘Dear Leader’ Kim Jong-il, who died last weekend. Since his death was announced by an emotional television announcer on Monday, several million North Koreans have gathered in front of portraits of the world’s last true Communist dictator to weep and wail in an outpouring which state media said was “rocking Heaven and Earth.” Some have flailed on the floor, beating the ground. Officials who defected fled to South Korea told The Daily Telegraph earlier this week they had themselves taken part in stage managed shows of support for Kim Jong-il, and helped organise mass mourning for his father, Kim Il-sung, who died in 1994. Much of the grief for respected Kim Il-sung was genuine, but his son and heir, was regarded as a reclusive, feared leader, and former officials say they have no doubt the scenes of chest-beating grief seen on television earlier this week were organised by Communist party cadres. The foreign aid worker, in an interview with the Agence France Presse (AFP) news agency, appears to be the first eyewitness account detailing the extent to which the event is stage managed and controlled, rather than a natural outpouring of genuine grief. “When we visited, it was surreal. Ten thousand North Koreans waiting in queues to pay their respects, coming to the front in groups of 100, bowing down and crying. “All combined with flood lights, strong icy winds and melancholic music and voices from loudspeakers. Everything, meanwhile, being well documented by about 20 photographers and 10 TV camera teams,” he said. But by Friday morning one of the main mourning sites, at a monument to Kim Il-sung, was deserted.He and his colleagues had expected to lay flowers at the monument in Kim Il-sung Square, the focus of the mourning, on behalf of his organisation but when they arrived government officials said his own employees had already laid a giant wreath – identical to many others – bearing the slogan: “The Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong-il will live eternally” which it attributed to the agency. “It was very awkward. Let’s see what our organisation says about that,” he said. His aid workers were then asked to place the wreath in front of an image of the late ‘Dear Leader’ while being photographed by state media.Analysts said some of the grief on display was by state officials who have benefited from Kim’s brutal 17 year regime while others were acting out of fear. The stage management will culminate in the state funeral next week, when few foreigners are expected to attend. One colourful exception could be the Japanese magician ‘Princess Tenko’ who was reported to have performed for the late dictator in 1998 and 2000 and enjoyed several private dinners with him. South Korea’s former first lady Lee Hee-ho, the widow of late President Kim Dae-jung, has been given permission to attend in acknowledgement of the ‘sunshine policy’ of reconciliation her late husband pursued."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1288014/-/bg4kupz/-/index.html","content":"Teso flood victims receive Shs90m health kit - Soroti A civil society organisation has donated health kit to some 5,654 families affected by the recent floods in Teso sub-region. The World Vision kit worth Shs90 million is hoped will help combat diseases outbreak in the area. The kit that included mosquito nets, water guard tablets and blankets were delivered to the victims in Soroti, Serere and Amuria districts, who have been left at risk of contracting waterborne diseases such as malaria, cholera, dysentery and diarrhea. Serere District Vice Chairperson Julius Oluka said the recent floods caused severe water logging in low-lying areas, leaving communities at risk of contracting waterborne diseases. He said the floods affected safe water sources such as springs, wells and boreholes, which has left residents trekking long distances in search of safe water. Mr Oluka said water logging in the region has also turned habitable areas into breeding places for mosquitoes. “The delivery of the health kit is timely because disease outbreak is imminent but there is also an emergency for both shelter and food for the affected families,” Mr Oluka said. World Vision’s eastern regional manager Sam Tukei told beneficiaries that his organisation’s gesture is to ensure that the communities are not vulnerable to disease outbreaks. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1281174/-/bg9f65z/-/index.html","content":"Government to build Teso valley dams - The severe floods that have swept bridges and washed away roads across Teso and Karamoja sub-regions will be curbed with the excavation of valley dams, President Museveni has said. Speaking at the celebrations to mark 50 years of the Anglican Church in Teso on Sunday, the President said the government intends to dig dams to control the excess water that has destroyed crops and exposed the region to severe food shortage.The President said farmers in the region should stop lamenting over the floods but find ways of turning the excess water into productive water reservoirs. “We shall get medicine for the floods. This flood water needs revenge from us. We will place the dams at the edges of the swamps,” Mr Museveni said, adding that farmers can use the water during the dry season to irrigate their crops and feed their animals. “These swamps can also be used for fish farming,” he said, attributing the government’s failure to accomplish certain projects on a weak Constitution that is pro-opposition. Vast effectThe floods have also ravaged various parts of Karamoja and Bugisu, a disaster that has affected the health and social lives of the people. Teso sub-region is prone to flooding due to the trough-like nature of its landscape which traps water drained from the hilltops of Mt. Elgon. Most of the region’s households depend on mainly cassava as a source of income and food but much of the crop that was planted this year, decomposed due to water-logging. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1279726/-/a3n87l/-/index.html","content":"KCCA fix floods problem urgently - An incident in Bwaise, a Kampala suburb, may have gone unnoticed to many Ugandans but it was a replica of recent similar events in many parts of the country where common citizens have taken the law into their own hands and demanded delivery of services to them. Residents of Bwaise and the surrounding areas demonstrated over the horrendous state of their roads. They blocked the road from Mambule Trading Centre to Kalerwe Market and Bwaise causing traffic jam and commotion. It took the intervention of police, as usual, using tear gas to disperse the riotous crowds and clear the road. Bwaise is notorious for flooding during rainy seasons. For years, businesses have suffered, households have lost property and some lives have been lost following torrential rains that more often than not, cause flooding in the area. Bwaise residents have protested before over the same reason, but more revealing though, is that there have been more public shows of dissatisfaction in many parts of the country this year over the poor state of roads or other services the government is supposed to deliver. Kampala City is also known for flooding whenever it rains. In September, a motorcycle rider and his passenger were killed when their motorcycle was swept by floods near Katwe. In 2007, days before the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, floods hit the city and reportedly killed four people. These floods have been with us for some time now and it begs the question why nothing significant has been done about the drainage system of the city. The city’s planning authority has failed to regulate development of infrastructure and consequently, no proper planning has been done to ensure drainage and other measures of safety are taken care of. The World Bank funded the rehabilitation of Nakivubo Channel to help with the drainage process of the city but the project was mismanaged and has nothing to show for the more than $22.38m reportedly spent on it. KCCA should fix the city’s flood problem by providing a better drainage system."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1279768/-/bgp9t4z/-/index.html","content":"Regional parliament wakes up to fight counterfeits - The East African Parliament has demanded that the five partner states implement and operationalise laws against counterfeit products, which have continued to flood the regional markets. Officials also want states to enforce stiffer penalties for offenders and mandatory custodial sentences for repeated counterfeit offences, and impound fake products without a complaint. The demands were made during a debate on the Anti-dumping and Quality Assurance Report that was unanimously passed by the assembly. Ms Lydia Wanyoto, the chairperson of the East African Parliamentary Committee on Communications, Trade and Investment together with her committee members had made recommendations to help the region get rid of counterfeits. The assembly noted that most of the fake products were medicinal, electrical appliances and cosmetic products. “We are already in a single customs territory but the biggest challenge is how to clean the markets of counterfeits and dumping because our borders are porous and all other entry points are misused depending on who is on the border,” Ms Wanyoto said. The regional Parliament also heard that during the committee meetings, a research found that more than 5,000 goods were affected. Dumping means a kind of predatory pricing especially in the context of international trade and it occurs when manufacturers export a product to another country at a price below that charged in the home market or in qualities that cannot be explained through the normal market competition. Major concern“Our main concern should start with health matters because the peasants who buy these drugs aren’t aware that they are counterfeits, and I have seen some people in Uganda who run drug shops aren’t even qualified,” said Mr Eriya Kategaya, Uganda’s Minister of East African Affairs. And to Mr Kategaya, no single country can handle the counterfeits battle single-handedly since the entry of such products is through the borders of other countries. “Maybe we get a regional body to handle the entry of goods, and we put stringent measures and also employ their incorruptible officials,” he said. In the agricultural sector in Uganda, it is estimated that 40 per cent of the inputs on the market are fake. Seeds, fertilisers and agro-chemicals are the most faked products.“But handling the customers of such products remains our problem,” he said, adding, “Partner states must improve the health status delivery in their countries to avoid people buying fake medicines from drug shops.” Counterfeits and dumping have far reaching effects both on manufacturing, technological transformation and commercial developments which effects productivity can lead to loss of revenue, market shares and consumer confidence. Developed countries have in place stringent penalties for such offenders. The European Commission for instance recommended that those who copy goods like software programmes and perfume should receive jail sentences, have their bank accounts frozen and pay much stiffer fines. In the United States, an individual or company found guilty can be forced to pay damages of as much as $150,000. snaturinda@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Theatre---Cinema/Mama-Obama-s-Restaurant--the-play--fails-to-whet-appetite/-/691234/1279002/-/x3napnz/-/index.html","content":"Mama Obama’s Restaurant, the play, fails to whet appetite - Ugandan programmes are, in most cases, what the creators or directors of a production wished it was, not what they eventually present before the audience. If not that, the language is superfluous, as if the producers want to make up for the deficiencies of their work by writing flowery and misleading outlines. The programme distributed for Mama Obama’s Restaurant was notable for meeting both criteria. A few minutes into the play, which showed on November 18 and 19 at the National Theatre, a brochure was distributed through the audience. It said that the play “Has only one aim: to shake the foundations of our logic on who a Ugandan is! The title Mama Obama’s Restaurant draws symbolism from the testimony of Barrack Obama’s mother. She raised Barrack Obama her son into an American president. In a nutshell, her life is the struggling democracy that Uganda is.” Such statements are good for exciting the audience into an expectation, and then, with each minute into the play, cruelly deflating it because, hey, Mama Obama’s Restaurant was nothing like what it claims to be. Nothing! It was disorganised and disoriented, but I will try tying it down. First, like the title says, the setting is a restaurant. It opens with the Manager (Pamela Elizabeth Acaye) singing some pointless song, at least as far as the play is concerned, about her being “just a drop of rain” that “didn’t cause the flood.” This is one other aspect where the play failed to deliver; it was billed as ‘musical theatre’ and, surprise surprise, it was not. The two or three solos that punctuated the play were afterthoughts, so it seemed like, not foundation stones. It’s a bad morning for the manager, one of her workers, Acan (Vivian Awill), is giving her attitude. The usual fares have not been prepared and instead, for a regular customer who has a consistent order, advises her manager to go with something else. After watching the rest of the play, I wondered what the use of that scene was. We are later introduced to Atuhaire (Anne Kansiime), the second waitress. She’s perennially late, sassy and motormouthed and, because she’s the Anne Kansiime of Fun Factory, funny. If this play had anything close to a saviour, she was it. Hers was, however, an overpowering burden. A little bit of her loud scenes would have carried more punch. Yet, it makes sense as to why she was allowed so much time. In a play full of stock characters and stock routines, the funny stock character will always stand out, especially if she has some elementary knowledge of what’s expected of her. Then there was Wilberforce Odong (Otako William), a former LRA rebel who was granted amnesty, and is now hankering for Acan, the girl whose virginity he stole after raping her. It’s that type of play; it rests for the overused, mundane, and non-imaginative. It gets ‘clever’ ideas—the claim of it being a musical, a poem recited halfway through the play—and patches them onto the action, only they are so misplaced that it makes something bad even worse. As if that was not enough, we later learn that Mama Obama, the owner of the restaurant, is a Nigerian lady who has now sold it to investors. Also, at the very end, Atuhaire is revealed to be HIV positive. How lazy! Yet, how Ugandan! Which means that it failed “to shake the foundations of our logic on who a Ugandan is! rmpubani@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/-/688612/1277668/-/8tg4iaz/-/index.html","content":"Fake phones could flood Uganda after Kenya’s ban - Kampala Nokia, a mobile handset manufacturer, has urged the government of Uganda and other players in the mobile communications business to fight counterfeits, which they fear could increase, following a ban in Kenya. The fear follows a notice by Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) to all subscribers urging those using counterfeited phones to replace them before December 31 or risk deactivation of their Sim-cards. “When CCK deactivates all Sim-cards used on counterfeited handsets, there will be no market for them in Kenya. That means that all that traffic that has always been sold in Kenya will come to Uganda where we don’t have deterrent measures,” Ms Catherine Kibunja, the Head of Marketing, Nokia East and Southern Africa said. The move by CCK seeks to stem the use of counterfeit phones in the Kenyan market due to their numerous health and revenue risks. Currently, Uganda is one of the countries in the region with the highest rate of substandard mobile phone devices, a situation that has been attributed to the delay by legislators to enact the anti-counterfeit law. It is said that 30 per cent of all Nokia mobile phones sold in the local market are counterfeits; compared to 10 per cent in Kenya. This therefore means that if CCK implements the deactivation of all Sim-cards used on counterfeit handsets, the rate in Uganda could go to as high as 40 per cent.The mobile phone manufacturer, according to its own data, losses over Shs35.8 billion ($15 million) in revenue monthly in the sale counterfeits in the Ugandan market alone. The anti-counterfeit bill 2010 seeks to outlaw the trade in counterfeit goods on the market and if passed into law, any offenders will serve a penalty of between five and 15 years sentence, payment of damages or both. Ms Kibunja who was speaking at the launch of the Nokia E6 smartphone said there is need to duplicate the measures undertaken by Kenya to all the other East African countries so as to curb the counterfeit cancer in the region. fkulabako@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1275802/-/13udl6yz/-/index.html","content":"Our leaders visit Kigali often, but do they learn anything from it? - The Banyankole have a saying that, “Akaana akatatambula kagira ngu nyina niwe arikukira abandi okuteeka”, literally translated to mean that a child who never moves boasts of its mother being the best cook. Well, last week I travelled to Rwanda for my maiden visit but was instantly amazed at how our neighbours have been able to implement so much that Uganda has failed to do. While I was still in Kisoro Uganda before crossing to Rwanda, a colleague of mine warned that if I had to go to Kigali, I better buy closed shoes as opposed to my sandals. I was like why? He said people in Rwanda are not allowed to wear sandals in town. Such was my first experience about a country so well-groomed according to cherished principles. Since God gave us eyes to see, I managed to see a number of things that I ought to share with those that have never been to Kigali, but also remind those that have been there that we are not being fair to mother Uganda. Lots of things we call impossible, our neighbours are doing; why not us? Boda bodasLike is the case in Uganda, Rwanda also has Boda boda transport business. However, right from the Cyanika border, through Ruhengeri into Kigali, I did not see anyone riding boda boda without a helmet. In fact every boda boda rider carries two helmets, one for the passenger, something that is hard to come by in Uganda. Additionally, I got to learn that boda bodas in Kigali even have computerised number plates with corresponding tracking devices that the police use to identify them in case of involvement in any crime. The MilitaryWhen I entered Ruhengeri town, I saw the usually mean looking men in full military uniform wielding their rifles at different points. I asked a friend why the town was littered with soldiers, and was told that they are simply on their routine duty of ensuring security. Yes, the Rwanda Patriotic Front exhibits this patriotism by guarding their people from within. TransportAt Ruhengeri, I was told that you cannot board a taxi without a ticket. The transport system is so organised that your ticket even indicates the time you are supposed to leave. Medium and long distance buses do not have a conductor; they have automatic doors that the driver controls from his cockpit, and since passengers pay prior to boarding the bus, there’s no exchange of money at any time during the journey. Besides, passengers queue up to board taxis on a first come first serve basis unlike in Kampala where people muscle each other to enter taxis, especially at peak hours. Kigali has clearly demarcated bus stops unlike in Kampala where taxis stop wherever they see a potential passenger. It is common practice in Uganda for people to tell taxi stages according to all sorts of funny things say; a garbage hip, butcher, banana plantation, flower garden, or in some cases someone’s home near the road - and when such things shift at one time, people still say, “Where such and such used to be!” Here we often say Mumaasaawo (there in front). In fact in Kampala it’s very dangerous to drive behind a taxi because you can never predict when it’s going to break to drop or a pick a passenger. Another observation on transport was that there are no traffic officers on the roads in Kigali. There are a number of traffic lights on the streets and unlike those in Kampala, they even indicate the number of seconds one has to wait before moving. This is in sharp contrast with our situation where traffic lights have been replaced with traffic officers who hold vehicles according to error-prone instinct. Street lights When in Kigali at night, it’s hard to differentiate day and night because the flood lights in the city ensure that people are able to go about their business normally with no impediment of darkness. The reflector lights planted in the roads provide additional beauty, making Kigali particularly an enviable city. The cityI admired the green in Kigali. All the streets have well tended flower gardens and palm trees, which all make the city particularly beautiful. Besides, the city is very clean. I was told that it’s a crime to litter the city with rubbish. As I headed to Kigali International Airport for my flight back to Kampala, I was saddened by the fact that I was leaving floodlights and back into the darkness in Kampala. Indeed, right from Entebbe Airport, you would be lucky to find a functional streetlight. It’s really so sad that Uganda and Rwanda are close neighbors and in fact known best friends yet the two are practically worlds apart. What Rwanda can do, Uganda cannot do, but why? I understand a number of our leaders often visit Kigali on sponsored trips, but do they ever take time to see what a difference there’s between the two countries? If they do, then I think our leaders are very unfair to this country, because there’s a lot that we can learn from our neighbours to improve our very own. So next time if you see your children spending more time at the neighbor’s home, wait to beat them-there might not be anything to be patriotic about in your home! tumusiimedeo@hotmail.com."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1273862/-/bgtexuz/-/index.html","content":"Thousands homeless as floods continue to frustrate Serere - Serere Reports from the office of Serere Chief Administrative Officer indicate that more than 4,000 people are homeless following the heavy flood waters that have made homes inhabitable. Owinyai LC1 chairman Adonbesek Okuti said the entire village of about 150 families has been displaced and people are now seeking refuge in schools and trading centres. Mr Okuti said women have fled their homes since their husbands have failed to provide food, adding that even when a family harvests immature potatoes and cassava, it is hard to set a fire to prepare a meal since the ground is always filled with water. He said frustration was building among the residents over the government’s failure to respond to their plight during such hard times. “People are now left with no option but to dry their cassava and potatoes on top of cemented graves,” he said. “It is three months since the floods hit this area but we have not received any single tarpaulin from the government to help us dry our crops,” Mr Okuti said. Mr Charles Peter Okello, the LC1 chairperson of Onyaara Village, said about 250 displaced people in his area have fled to trading centres after their houses collapsed. “The government should rescue us, we need tarpaulins,” Mr Okello begged. Speaking during the survey of the worst affected sub-counties of Kateta, Kyere and Bugondo, on Monday, Serere MP Stephen Ochola blamed the government for the slow response. He said the people are in need of tarpaulins and drugs for purifying water contaminated by sewerage from pit-latrines. Mr Ochola called on the Office of the Prime Minister to act with immediacy, adding that the aftermath of the floods could turn severe since the soils may not be able to allow crop germination in the next season. Meanwhile, Serere DEO Everest Okello confirmed that a pupil of Abulabula Primary School in Bugondo Sub-county was killed by the floods as he crossed a stream on his way to school last week. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/1272550/-/69jxyz/-/index.html","content":"Huts that will stand firm during a flood - With her outstretched arms shaking in gestures of happiness and bewilderment, Annet Akworo stands in her little family compound in Osuguro village, Kakoryo parish, Kapjani sub-county in Katakwi District. The Etogo La inya, the newly constructed traditional hut that is now her house stands tall in the compound as children happily pounce about. Then she says “Ore ne mam bobo isio ingoni, idukukina na joku ebwoi ejoku erengei ebuloni. Yalama e Redcross,” (This is my home, we shall never move again, it is built in a good way, it is strong to fight off floods. Thanks to Red cross). However, the same eyes turn to sadness the moment memories of the 2007 floods that washed away her hut and destroyed all her crops set in. The floods left her homeless, and there were days she went without food in Amaseniko and Obalang internally displaced peoples camps. “When I returned home, our houses had grown bushy, we walked passed them unknowingly, we only counted losses and wasted efforts,” says Akworo. Water line stains on the sides of many huts and gardens in deeply rural Katakwi District, are some of the marks of the 2007 and 2009 floods that hit Teso sub-region, leaving hundreds of people homeless. The major infrastructure including latrines, houses and medical facilities was destroyed and the residents in the affected Districts of Amuria, Katakwi and Soroti also lost about 80 per cent of their crops. Ray of hopeIn a bid to mitigate the after-effects of the floods, Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) embarked on a flood recovery programme in February. This involves constructing houses and sanitation facilities for the victims and improving food security through distribution of seeds and farming tools. ULCS has so far completed 6,684 houses for flood victims in seven sub-counties in Katakwi and Amuria, the worst affected districts. To cope with this natural disaster, URCS has launched a regional campaign to prevent injury and loss of lives and damage to property during floods. The project helps residents build flood-resistant huts, improve safe water coverage, sanitation, agriculture and the environment. Following the 2007 floods, the URCS injected about Shs1.86b into the one-year project to help over 300,000 people who had been left homeless in the north and north-east. “This was the worst hit area by the floods. Millet, potato and cassava (staple food crops) fields became swamps, cattle drowned and huts were washed away, people became homeless. There was nothing to turn to but to put them in camps,” says Catherine Ntabadde, the Red cross communications officer. Charles Obany, a community based disaster risk reduction parish support person and volunteer with URCS, says the huts are built on a raised platform made out of clay soil and polythene material, known as dump proof membrane. It is fixed in the foundation to prevent underground water from entering the hut. “The Red Cross provides most of the building materials used. we the local people provide clay and local building materials. You make a double floor for a foundation, the inside one and the outer raised one to act as a verandah and a flood proof hall, then you raise both up before you continue with one to complete the house. People have known and can build on their own in the near future,” says Obany. The roof’s compositionHe said the floor is made up of two courses of local bricks, one inside and the other outside and two halls inside with two footing courses made of clay, just to prevent water from finding its way inside. “Damp proof course is used for covering the inside wall neatly before placing similar material up on the roof just to prevent the room from getting damp and absorbing water when it rains and once this is done, the roof is placed and the house is complete. damp proof/ flood proof house is suitable for flood prone areas,” said Obany. Because of the damp proof course in this type of house, moisture does not rise above the wall. termites known to be very destructive can’t go to the roof to eat the grass and rain can’t flood the house however it heavy it may be. Ntabadde says with a raised verandah, families don’t need chairs as they can sit around the raised verandah freely. while launching the houses in Amuria, URCS’ secretary general, Richard Nataka, said, the organisation has been handling care and disaster rescue reduction programmes in 21 months in Katakwi and Amuria districts since 2007 and that the completion of the flood proof huts is evidence of their commitment to saving people in flood prone areas. 1 | 2 Next Page»“The 2007 floods taught bitter lessons and that is why as part of the new strategy to save our people we had to focus on disaster rescue reduction projects in this area. This is not the end because our target is 20,000 houses for the flood victims and we have targeted completing 7,023 houses in the first phase of the programme,” said Nataka. He revealed that URCS is also providing building materials like slabs and doors as the community provides labour to construct flood-resistant pit latrines with concrete slabs. Tree planting projectMr Nataka said the Red Cross is embarking on sensitising residents about the dangers of cutting down trees and providing them with seedlings to plant more trees to fight floods. So far, 20,000 homesteads have received the seedlings. “I have planted 50 seedlings for fruits and woodlots. When the trees mature, they will be our source of income in addition to providing us with construction materials, firewood and modifying the climate,” said Ben Omese, a local resident and beneficiary. The organisation also teaches residents how to make dykes and flood banks to prevent floods from destroying their property. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1267388/-/bhdaftz/-/index.html","content":"Heavy rains exhume remains of landslide victims - Heavy rains that have continuously pounded areas of the Mt. Elgon zone have not only destroyed crops, livestock and roads but also exhumed remains of Bulambuli mudslide victims. By Wednesday, residents of Mabono village in Sisiyi Sub-county woke up to find the area littered with human skeletons which they suspect were exhumed from the rubble and washed down the hills by flood waters. Mr Peter Webisa, who was among the residents to discover the remains, said the bones were deposed at the scene of the August 29 mudslides that left over 30 people dead and scores injured. He said the rains that pounded the area between October 29 to November 1, caused heavy floods that washed through the hills and rubbles and exhumed the bones that had been trapped underneath the mud. “This morning, we discovered these bones which we suspect belong to the victims who were buried by the mudslides. Residents here say there are some people they know who are still missing, may be these are their bones,” Mr Webisa said on Thursday. The LCII chairperson of Mabono Parish, Mr Mudasiri Gimei, told Saturday Monitor that residents living around the mudslide scene are terrified and fear that the spirits of the dead might haunt them."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1264948/-/bhf8s5z/-/index.html","content":"\"We are going to remove Museveni,\" say Opposition - The Opposition yesterday began a countdown to what it considers as President Museveni’s last days in office, declaring “a change of government is a clear goal that we are pursuing”. “We have concluded collectively that this is a broad struggle – whether it is teachers, boda bodas, taxi drivers, traders, political parties, students and lecturers – we are all together in this struggle,” Democratic Party President Norbert Mao said, speaking on behalf of four of his counterparts following a 5-hour meeting. The other leaders; Dr Kizza Besigye (FDC), Mr Olara Otunnu (UPC), Mr Asuman Basalirwa (JEEMA) and Mr Mike Mabikke (SDP) met for the second day in a week at Dr Besigye’s residence in Kasangati, Wakiso District, to hammer consensus over prickly matters that polarised them on the eve of this year’s February ballot. Yesterday, they announced formation of a Joint Political Action Committee, comprising the parties’ secretary-generals, as an ad hoc forum to coordinate “non-violent, civil disobedience” activities to take Mr Museveni out of power. Said Mr Mao: “We maintain our position that Uganda is being led by an illegitimate regime that does not care about the ordinary people. The NRM government is unable and unwilling to respond to people’s social, economic and political concerns.” Inflation and depreciation of the Ugandan shilling are the worst in almost two decades and a flood of strikes by teachers, traders and drivers plus the opposition-engineered walk-to-work demonstration combined with intra-NRM fragmentation over corruption allegations - that has saddled Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi and forced three ministers to step aside – have, in an unprecedented way, confronted President Museveni within eight months since his landslide re-election.Mr Mao seized on these unpleasant cocktail of economic and political fissures to point to a weakened President, and a despondent population, that he said they want to liberate. “If you cannot change government policies, then your objective should be to change the government itself. We are not afraid to declare that change of government is a clear goal that we are pursuing.” Information Minister Mary Karooro Okurut last night put the opposition’s ‘Group of Five’ on notice that their declared ambition to change the government other than through constitutional means amounts to treason, and will not succeed.“The Constitution specifies elections, in which these opposition groups participated in February and lost miserably to the NRM that won with a landslide, as the democratic process for leadership renewal,” she said. “The Ugandan government has the mandate and capacity to defend both the Constitution and our citizens against internal and external threats, as it has ably demonstrated over the last 25 years.” Dr Besigye, who announced he will tomorrow walk to work in defiance of police orders, laughed off President Museveni’s latest threats of “going to the bush” if development programmes he initiates are frustrated. “He has no bush to go to. If he went to Luwero [the NRA’s lair during the 1981-86 guerrilla war], he would be captured,” the opposition leader, a former personal physician to Mr Museveni, said. The bush, he said, is not just about tall grasses but support by the masses that he claims the President presently lacks. tbutagira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1257602/-/12q6arpz/-/index.html","content":"Mabira give-away plan is like draining your own blood to zero - It is always said that one should aspire to inspire before they expire. As we mourn the passing on of an environmental icon, Kenyan Prof. Wangari Maathai, let us celebrate her life and activism as we pray that she keeps alive in our minds to keep reminding us that much as there is dire need for economic development and the ‘good things’ that come with it, it is equally important that our forests, wetlands, national parks and other natural resources that conserve the environment should be spared. Nature is a subject of human responsibility by the fact of the irreversibility and cumulative character of man’s impact on the living world. Knowledge, under these circumstances, is a prime duty of man and must be commensurate with the causal scale of human action. It is therefore my wish that your Excellency, the President of Uganda and your advisers on the environment would pick a leaf from Prof. Maathai’s activism and save Mabira and other natural conservation areas to save us. It is important to note that activism to protect the environment at this point in time would be a ‘no talk’ issue if you, our leaders could realise that you are part of this natural gift and remember that you must at one time come to terms with the consequences of its destruction. For long, nature had kept quiet as we were busy degrading it; now nature is talking! Nature has talked in Bududa, in Sembabule, in Kigezi and in Teso. It is talking in Japan, in the Philippines, in America, China ... name it, but we continue to pay a deaf ear. It is like we are waiting for the biblical flood so that we can start crying to God! Let us not just look on as doomsday comes. Prof. Maathai has accomplished her mission and will always be remembered for being not only a Kenyan environmental activist but also a pillar and pivot for other activists both in the environmental and social sectors. May her soul rest in peace. At this point I beg to remind you, your Excellency, that what Prof. Maathai was fighting for was not for Kenya alone but a global cause and what Ugandans are fighting for is not a Ugandan issue but a global concern. We are crying about global warming, desertification, water level reduction, seasonality change, all summed up into one thing; climate change, and here you are passing a death penalty on Mabira Forest to be destroyed and buried under sugar cane never to live again! Your Excellency, the Mabira give-away is like draining your own blood to zero for another patient to survive. Why should you think more of [businessman] Mehta’s business survival at the expense of millions of other human beings and ecosystems, as the give- away will have far-reaching effects, not only for you and me in the present, but also to our great, great grand- children? Let us not plan disaster for the innocent generations to come. Let us protect what our illiterate but visionally forefathers left for us so that we could live in comfort because by destroying Mabira, we are foregoing the inequitable value of many forest products, ecotourism, biodiversity, medicine, carbon storage, carbon sequestration, water flow as a result of evapotranspiration and many others. This is like condemning future generations, if not our own. Singer (1995) asserted: “the greatest good of the greatest number” is the only measure of good or ethical behaviour and that the interests of animals should be considered because of their ability to feel suffering. Mr President, in conserving Mabira, let us see your goodness and ethical behaviour, since most Ugandans want Mabira alive and the animals therein want life. Please, spare it. By giving away Mabira in the name of business, you are altering the natural set up and enlarging the nature of human action, whose magnitude and novelty of its works and their impact on man’s global future you and me may not handle once destroyed. You are exterminating species and contributing to climate change. Do not be counted among the worst enemies to the planet earth. ,I, therefore, beg you to first handle other burning issues like corruption, inflation, unemployment, medical care, infrastructure, election malpractices, salaries, the hidden oil agreements, the bicycle saga, and the unbearable commodity prices, and the put aside the Mabira give-away as it can be the springboard for all these other issues to generate a fire that is hard to put out for your governance.For God and My Country. Mr Tweyeho is a social entrepreneur, educationist and conservationist.anthotweh@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1245982/-/13w86vdz/-/index.html","content":"Anti-capitalism rebellion in progress in US - They are in a rebellious mood against their economic system as it is grinding to a halt. During the past week alone some $4 trillion of paper assets on the global stock exchanges went down the drain, because they were speculative ‘assets’ that had no real material (real economy) base. They were paper assets acting as parasites on the real economy. The meltdown of the bubble economy that begun in 2008 is now in full swing because despite the pumping in by the US government of large amounts of dollars into the economy through ‘stimulus packages’ the recession did not ebb. Instead it worsened into what is now being called a ‘double dip recession.’ The result has been that the US unemployment rate has continued to worsen. It is now standing at 9.1 per cent and as a result it is creating problems for Obama’s second term re-election hopes. Last week the Governor of the Federal Reserve abandoned all efforts of pumping more printed dollars into the economy to help ‘quick start’ the recovery with what the Federal Reserve has recently called “Operation Twist” after it abandoned the “Quantitative Easing” of printing more dollars as the appropriate response. In Europe, the Euro zone is in the grip of the Greek ‘sovereign debt’ crisis due to the worsening of the economic recovery in that zone. Many of these countries adopted stringent budgetary controls as a response to the meltdown, but these strategies have not produced any astounding results. In the case of the UK, these policies have led to serious social tensions that erupted in the city riots that threatened to burn Britain down. The Greek debt crisis has threatened the Euro Zone as a regional monetary system. Countries are pulling back into their national cocoons to run away from supporting Greece. Many members are insisting that the holders of the Greek state bonds should also contribute to solving the crisis. The Italian credit system has recently been downgraded from A+ to A. The other ‘PIGS’ countries (Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain) are on the edge. In the meantime, the increasing inequality in the distribution of wealth all over the world, which is capitalism’s main weakness, has begun to have toll on the billionaire’s confidence. They are increasingly being looked upon as the real problem for the world economy because of their insatiable greed. The mood among the large numbers of unemployed is beginning to turn rowdy and rebellious. The recent British riots were a clear warning to the Western leaders of the upcoming upheavals. Now the anger is beginning to emerge in the US where there have been plans by the youth to occupy Wall Street, the headquarters of American financial capitalism. According to a recent article in the Guardian, the rebellion begun on Saturday September 17, when over 5,000 young Americans descended on to the financial district of lower Manhattan with signs, banners, drums, slogans and proceeded to walk towards what they called the “financial Gomorrah” of the nation as they vowed to “occupy Wall Street” and to “bring justice to the bankers.” Although the New York police thwarted their efforts temporarily, locking down the symbolic street with barricades and checkpoints, the protestors were undeterred. They walked around the area before holding a people’s assembly and setting up a semi-permanent protest encampment in a park on Liberty Street, a stone’s throw from Wall Street and a block from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Three hundred of them spent the night in the streets and several hundred reinforcements arrived the next day to back them up. Using the social network, the protesters sent messages to the world that they were hungry and a nearby pizzeria received $2,800 in orders for delivery in a single hour. Emboldened by an outpouring of international solidarity, the protestors said they’d be there to greet the bankers when the stock market opened the following Monday. The police, according to the Guardian realised they could not stop them. The ABC News reported that even though the demonstrators did not have a permit for the protest they were nevertheless” digging in for a long-term occupation.” According to news reports, the campaign to “Occupy Wall Street” was inspired by the “People’s Assemblies of Spain,” which were in turn inspired by the “Arab Spring.” Although the concept “Occupy Wall Street” was floated in a double-page poster in the 97th issue of Adbusters magazine, it was nevertheless spearheaded, orchestrated and carried out by independent activists. It all started when Adbusters magazine asked its network of culture jammers to flood into lower Manhattan, set up tents, kitchens and peaceful barricades and occupy Wall Street for a few months. The idea caught on immediately on social networks and the unaffiliated activists seized the idea and built an open-source organising site. A few days later, a general assembly was held in New York City and 150 people showed up. These activists became the core organisers of the occupation. The mystique of Anonymous pushed the idea into the mainstream media with a video communiqué endorsing the action. This attracted 100,000 views resulting in a warning from the Department of Homeland Security addressed to the nation’s bankers about what was going on. But the ‘indignation’ was spreading in other cities. When, in August, the ‘indignados’ of Spain sent word that they would be holding a solidarity event in Madrid’s financial district, activists in Milan, Valencia, London, Lisbon, Athens, San Francisco, Madison, Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Israel and beyond vowed to do the same. There is thus a shared feeling on the streets around the world that the global economy is a ‘Ponzi scheme’ run by and for ‘Big Finance,’ meaning the billionaires who do not want to pay taxes. People everywhere are waking up to the realisation that there is something fundamentally wrong with a system in which speculative financial transactions add up, each day, to $1.3 trillion, which is 50 times more than the sum of all the production and commercial transactions. Meanwhile, according to a United Nations report, “in the 35 countries for which data exist, nearly 40 per cent of jobseekers have been without work for more than one year. A jobless Vietnam veteran protestor said the demonstration was “a worthy cause because people on Wall Street are blood-sucking warmongers”. The indignation was an expression of a feeling among the protestors that the standard solutions to the economic crisis proposed by leading politicians and mainstream economists such as stimulus packages, budget cuts, debt management, low interest rates, neo-Keynesian propping up of ‘demand’ though increased consumption were all false approaches that would not work. This is not just a concern of the Western unemployed youth, it is also increasingly becoming an issue among rural folk in Uganda in areas such as Buliisa where people’s lands are being grabbed by the oil speculators and Bugisu where the peasant farmers cooperators are determined to ‘walk naked’ to demand the restoration of their cooperative union. These rural folk have also decided to join hands with the New York and Madrid ‘indignados.’ This mood amongst the world’s poor is bound to reverberate for some time to come and who knows what is likely to come out of the protests - a World Revolution? editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/-/688342/1237618/-/vc6kks/-/index.html","content":"The politics of kaveera and government failure to ban it - KAMPALA According to Plastic Free Times, an online news portal, the decision to ban (kaveera) in Bangladesh was taken after the plastic bags were found to have been the major cause of the 1988 and 1998 floods that submerged two-thirds of the country with knee deep water for nearly two months. The clogging of city drains by polyethylene bags delayed the drainage of flood water out of Dhaka City. Less than a decade later, the ban has successfully cleaned up the streets and drains of the country, while stimulating a re-birth of the jute bag industry that produces alternative carrier bags. But in Uganda, the situation is grimly different even after her neighbours successfully implemented the ban to the bags. On July 11 2009, the then minister for Finance, Ms Syda Bbumba, during her budget speech, imposed a total ban on plastic bags “for conveyance of goods and liquid in order to protect our environment”. Meaning that its importation had now become illegal and its use phased out. An excise duty of 120 per cent was also imposed on other plastic materials and a moratorium of six months was given to the general public as transition period during which persons will make arrangements to find alternative packing materials that are environment friendly. Government argued that the polythene bags were blocking drainage systems as well as degrading the soil. It then announced the ban and prohibited the importation, local manufacture, sale or use of polyethylene and bags. However, three years down the road, the ban has failed to be effected. Where did the rain start drenching us? And why has the implementation failed? The debate on the ban of the use of the kaveera has been mixed with sections of the public opposing the ban while others applauding it. The private and business sectors have expressed concern, saying the ban will push them out of business. Environmental activists on the other hand are strongly supporting the move, arguing it will protect and create a clean environment for the future generations. “There are officials from government who collaborated with the kaveera manufacturing people to fail the implementation of the ban,” says shadow minister for environment John K. Lukyamuzi. “Some of them (government officials] are key players in the kaveera industry and they cannot allow the ban to be implemented.” The parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources in its report to the House last week, said Water and Environment Minister Maria Mutagamba had failed to enforce the ban as required by the financial act. Ms Mutagamba, however, had in 2008, even before the six month grace period had elapsed to effect the ban, come out saying there was need for a clear work plan before the ban is enforced. However, the work plan is yet to be put in place. This, according to environmental activists, shows lack of coordination among government departments and it should be “charged with noncompliance.” National Association of Professional Environmentalists’ Executive Director Frank Muramuzi says that failure by the government to implement the ban, even amid the city floods and blocked water channels due to the plastic bags is a sign of a breakage in the performance of government environment bodies. “There is not much that you should expect to happen. Nema is useless because it is doing nothing as far as protecting the environment is concerned,” he said, adding that unless Ugandans come up to clean their environment at the local level, “the kaveera is still on the loose degrading the farms and blocking water channels”. The blame game and passing the buck In countries where the ban has been successful like Bangladesh and Rwanda, it was NGOs, ministries of environment and line government authorities that led the agitation for the ban to be passed and implemented. In Bangladesh, Cabinet even brought a Bill specifically for the banning of plastic bags. But in Uganda, the case is different; a situation of conflict of interest, blame games and passing the buck. With an egg on their face, the different responsible government bodies have now resorted to blame game, all pointing fingers at the ministry of Environment. “There was a Cabinet committee, headed by Minister Mutagamba which was supposed to deal with that issue but there was a big debate and I do not know the final position that was taken,” says Ambassador Julius Onen, the permanent secretary in the ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, on whether the ministry has put in place measures to curb the trade in the banned item. Nema Spokesperson Naomi Karekaho says the regulatory body passed the garbage regulations “immediately the finance act directive was pronounced” but there are issues that came up at the policy implementation level in the ministry of environment “that made it difficult to enforce the laws that were passed.” 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/-/690266/1237054/-/mq68vt/-/index.html","content":"In defence of Wilkinson - M artin Johnson, the England rugby coach, has no reason be as daring as his players who spent one of their day-offs bungee jumping from a height of 173 feet. One by one, they jumped from a helicopter to cool off the 13-9 win over Argentina. The jitters were bigger than a tiny associate scrum-half taking a hit from a solid test prop. Some dived freely like sliding over the white line. Miles away, British newsrooms want Jonny Wilkinson dropped for Toby Flood. Many of those calling for his head will only point to the fly-half’s missed kicks (5) against the tough Pumas. Since kicking England to their only world cup triumph, Wilkinson has had numerous injuries and any coach will tell you that the strain on the thigh, calf and hamstring muscles. There is no reason to sink a man who is already down. Wilkinson delivers the goods when needed most. An opening game is perhaps not the stage to judge a player with the most world cup points – 154. Besides the frailties of his body, does anyone think about the opponent England was facing? Argentina, semifinalists four years ago, is no pushover. “There will be no easy games in this tournament ,” replacement fly-half Flood wrote in his Daily Telegraph column. Many think Flood will spread the ball better. Now therein lies the problem of Johnson risking not knowing his strength. Argentina never gives space and the England backline is not at the level of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. Wilkinson epitomizes their strength in kicking to get the forwards dominate games. Good that Johnson is not jumping from cliffs and has thrown in several tackles to openly defend Wilkinson, the best kicker of his generation. Sometimes, it’s so tough to beingBritish sportsman, ask tennis world number four Andy Murray. Quote: “Firstly: There was no dwarf throwing - that’s just not cool! Secondly: There was no scandal by any of the English rugby players that we saw! They were great lads, not throwing the midgets, it was all light-hearted good-humoured fun!” Rich Deane, bar manager where England players hang out in New Zealand, said. ikigongo@ug.nationmedia.com Beyond the TMO is a column dedicated to the 2011 Rugby World Cup derived from Television Match Official (TMO), the man with the final say on contentious decisions"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1234740/-/bj9w28z/-/index.html","content":"Floods displace 120 in Moyo - When Mr Ali Murjan and his family retired to bed on Saturday night, he could not find sleep, worried about the heavy rain that had so far lasted five hours. True to his fears, later in the night, neighbours awakened him, alerting him about the plight of three of his children, sleeping in a separate hut. They had been washed away by floods. Neighbours helped him to search for them. “When we retired to sleep, I was worried that the rain would cause havoc, and indeed if it was not because of the neighbours, my children would have died,” Mr Murjan said. After the walls of their hut collapsed, the flood swept the children towards the nearby banks of River Nile. The children were saved from drowning in the river by water hyacinth. They were found wailing for help after a two-hour search. The flood destroyed 60 huts and displaced 120 people. At least 100 hectares of cassava, sim-sim, ground nuts, maize and sweet potatoes were also destroyed. Those affected are taking shelter at a primary school, but there is worry that they will have no where to stay when pupils resume studies today. The flood also destroyed part of Kochi Health Centre III. The Itula Sub-county chairman, Mr Ali Lomure, said the area was likely to face shortage of food since most crops were destroyed by the flood which also cut off Obongi-Moyo Road. Lefori and Itula sub-counties have become the epicentre of floods that have wreaked havoc in the district. At least 80 people, who were recently displaced by floods, still lack shelter and food as aid has not been given to them."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Floods-leave-Kampala-residents-stranded/-/688334/2342090/-/1vhf0z/-/index.html","content":"Floods leave Kampala residents stranded - KAMPALA. Many residents around Kampala city suburbs have been locked in their homes following a heavy morning downpour wreaked heavy floods in Kampala. Drivers around the city streets were also stranded as floods cut off access to the city. Taxi operators were the worst hit as business was frozen by the over stretched morning down pour. In the Central Business District, at some of the black spots like at Clock Tower and Jinja road, vehicles could not move for some minutes, while pedestrians were to wait until the water levels reduced. In some parts of Kampala suburbs, such as Kanyogoga, Kyaliwajala, Kawaala, Bwaise, and parts of Kyambogo and Katwe, many homes were flooded following heavy running waters that burst the drainages."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1237048/-/a15ijm/-/index.html","content":"KCCA, identify flood black spots - Kampala is a city crushed by grief. On Wednesday, a boda boda cyclist and his female passenger, a banker, plunged to their death and were sucked into a flood-filled culvert on Muteesa Road near the Pan-African Square on Entebbe Road. The high noon double death is one of 12 registered in just one month of downpour that has ravaged Kampala. The motorcyclist simply failed to see the road in the sea of floods. Floods in the city have become distressful environmental, security and health risks. The floods have invariably washed away homes, offices, and people’s livelihoods. Whenever it rains, pedestrians and motorists find the city roads impassable, making Kampala an insecure city. Besides, hundreds of residents have their safe spring water sources rendered filthy. We have largely forced the ills that plague the city on ourselves. Kampala roads have, for years on end, been riddled with uncovered deathtraps of multiple manholes, including on key streets such as Acacia Avenue in upscale Kololo, and several others right in front of Game Stores and Shoprite mall on Jinja Road. Kampala Capital City Authority as the city roads mangers must know all about these flood black spots yet it has not endeavoured to install warning signs. Many of Kampala’s deep channels have no steel barricades yet they line the major city roads, which are always flooded at the slightest opening up of the heavens. Lamentably, the few metallic railings have been stripped by unscrupulous city scrap dealers. No less, garbage, especially generated from Kampala’s non-degradable polythene bags, coupled with poor disposal, have also chocked the drainage channels, forcing running water to flood the narrow and poorly maintained city roads. In the midst of all these challenges are callous central government, Kampala Capital City Authority, land and environmental officials, who have grown impervious to and often blink away these tragedies. Kampala demands a raft of measures to stem the floods disasters, including instituting a unit of rapid response Fire Brigade unit to forestall the flood tragedies. Plan to install spacious culverts in food-prone city areas are welcome but must be undertaken quickly."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1236448/-/bj8kr1z/-/index.html","content":"Floods hit Bunyoro region, cut off Kagadi-Kyenjojo road - Residents of Buliisa and Kibaale districts are grappling with food scarcity, restricted movement and lack of shelter after floods hit Bunyoro sub-region, rendering roads impassable and displacing several families whose houses were submerged. Over 30 families have been displaced within a period of two weeks in Buliisa District, while travellers between Fort Portal and Hoima are stuck on both sides of the roads since Tuesday after River Muzizi burst its banks and swept away a bridge. “Our house is full of water. We left it and we are living with my friend. We are more than 20 people in the small house now,” Ms Christine Nyakindwa, a mother of five, said. The most affected area is Piida A Village in Butiaba Sub-county near the shores of Lake Albert. Property worth millions of shillings has been destroyed by floods.The Butiaba Sub-county Chairman, Mr Seremosi Mulimba, said diseases such as cholera and bilharzia could break out since floods have submerged pit-latrines. Many people have resorted to easing themselves in nearby flooded bushes.Mr Mulimba said the excrement that is being disposed of in bushes is carried by floods to homesteads, posing a health risk. Mr Mulimba urged the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness to help flood victims.Transport from Fort Portal to Hoima has been paralysed since Tuesday afternoon after River Muzizi burst its banks and washed away a bridge cutting off Kagadi-Kyenjojo Road. Now motorists travelling from Hoima to Fort Portal have been forced to use the Hoima-Kampala-Fort Portal Road or the Hoima-Kagadi-Karuguuza-Hapuyo-Kyegegwa road. Buses that ply the Kagadi to Kabale route have hiked transport fares from Shs 25,000 to Shs40,000 due to the long distance they have to travel. The bridge, which is near Kangombe Forest Reserve in Kibaale, was under renovation by Spencon Company. “Transport fares have increased due to the long route now being used from Kagadi to Kabale and we ask government to speed up the construction of the bridge,” said Mr Charles Bilakulala, a Kalita bus company conductor. The sector Manager National Forestry Authority in Kibaale, Mr Samuel Masaba, said: “The floods are a natural disaster which we suspect have been caused by the high rate of de-forestation of Kangombe forest reserve by encroachers.” editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/DanielKalinaki/-/878782/1236462/-/sh3rp2z/-/index.html","content":"Nairobi has spaghetti junctions but we have our potato gardens - I’d heard of Dar’s notorious traffic jams but had not suffered the pain until the weekend when the winds blew me down to the coast. Forget those annoying 20 minutes when the traffic policeman at Mukwano Roundabout ignores your lane while letting a million other cars go past; in Dar es Salaam, you would probably spend an hour in the same spot. You can tell a lot about a city by reading its streets and its traffic, no less in East Africa. Dar is a vast city and, like Nairobi, has decent wide roads that appear to have been built several decades ago, as well as a few new roads that are superb. However, take the narrow but paved road that snakes around the city, hugging the scenic beaches of the Indian Ocean and you realise how much unexploited potential the city has. So Dar is EA’s Sleeping Giant. I have not been to Bujumbura (yet) but Kigali, with its clean and orderly streets is obviously EA’s Most Aspirational City with a ruthless build-it-and-they-will-come attitude. On my first visit to Kigali many years ago the streets were clean but empty. Now they have their own traffic jam problems but it is managed chaos. Which brings us to Nairobi and Kampala. A report released last week by IBM says Nairobi has some of the worst traffic jams in the world. I once met at friend at JKIA; I had just arrived from, he was headed to Kampala. It took me less than 20 minutes to clear through immigration and find my driver but by the time I got to my hotel in Nairobi, two hours later, my friend was in Kampala having a cup of tea! Of course we have our own crazy traffic in Kampala and, like in Nairobi, it gets worse when it rains because it either floods, or leads to a mad dash afterwards when everyone hits the road at the same time. The difference is in how we are dealing with it. The Kibaki government has been doing some bold things about the infrastructure in Nairobi. It has demolished structures to expand roads, built a multi-lane highway to Thika, several bypasses and spaghetti junctions – so called because the several roads look like strands of the stuff – to bring method to the madness. So Nairobi is EA’s most Ambitious City. Where does that leave Kampala? The Northern Bypass has helped but it remains incomplete almost five years after it was opened because, I hear, some people “ate” some lanes! Now we are borrowing from the Chinese to build a southern bypass which, apart from being a toll road, is likely to be the most expensive road ever built in the region, assuming that Those Who Eat Road Lanes will allow some to actually be built. To be fair to them, the new team at KCCA, apart from the fight over money and titles, have started with gusto with well-publicised garbage collection runs (look, Mum, the garbage is being collected!), have thrown vendors out of the CBD and promised to deal with boda boda riders. All in a few months. Nevertheless, Kampala, with its narrow streets, potato gardens that look like potholed roads, unplanned neighbourhoods, a sewer system that has not been expanded in decades, street and traffic lights that last blinked in colonial days, and clogged drains that flood every time the sky opens up, is clearly EA’s Most Desolate City. It is pathetic but not hopeless. Kigali has shown that change can happen and the KCCA team has shown an appetite to fight, be it among themselves or against army generals. However, if Kampala’s potato gardens are to ever become anything like Nairobi’s spaghetti junctions, KCCA will have to do much more than deal with a handful of vendors.**********To end on a lighter note, researchers at Oxford University say laughing could really be the best medicine for a good laugh causes the body to release chemicals that act as natural painkillers. Tittering and giggling will not elicit the physiological effect, the researchers found, only a proper laugh from the belly. You are also more likely to get the benefit from watching slapstick comedy such as Mr Bean. Can’t find an episode to lighten you up and take away the pain of rising prices? Watch a debate in our Parliament or ring up your local MP. dkalinaki@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1235826/-/bj9707z/-/index.html","content":"Floods displace 3,000 in Nebbi - NEBBI An estimated 3,000 people in Wadelai Sub-county in Nebbi District are in dire need of emergency support after their homes were submerged by floods following weeks of heavy rain. Several houses have collapsed, crops have been submerged and roads rendered impassable. The heavy rain has caused River Ora to burst its banks sending water gushing into the low-lying areas of Wadelai Sub-county. At least 20 villages with about 150 huts were washed away and 100 hectares of cotton plantations destroyed. The area is experiencing the worst floods since 2006 when at least 500 people were displaced. The floods have rendered Ojigo Road impassable, making residents of Pakwinyo Parish unable to access health centres and schools. Mr Anthony Ogentho, one of those affected, said: “I lost everything. I hope that I can return soon to rebuild what has been destroyed. I do not know how I will pay school fees because I depend on agriculture.” The Wadelai Sub-county Chairman, Mr Robert Okello, urged the government to help, saying those affected lack shelter, clothing and food. “These people need seeds which can yield in a short term in order to solve the problem of hunger because food given will not be enough to the whole population,” Mr Okello said. Ms Jennifer Aciro, a mother of three children, begged the government to supply medicines and establish mobile clinics. “The floods caught us sleeping but thank God we were rescued by neighbours. My child has developed malaria, we are sleeping in the cold. Medicines would help a lot,” Ms Aciro said. Many of those affected are now living with neighbours. The district disaster management team is assessing the gravity of the floods. Helping those affected could be difficult because of the meagre funds allocation in the budget for disaster management. The LC5 chairman, Mr Robert Okumu, said the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness will send food to flood victims."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1232274/-/bjbej3z/-/index.html","content":"Business halted as floods cut Koboko - DR Congo road - A major road linking DR Congo and Koboko District has been rendered impassable by the floods, bringing business to a standstill. Officials fear that this will degenerate into dire humanitarian situation as hundreds of people are homeless after floods washed away their huts. Apa Bridge, located at another porous border between the two countries, was destroyed on Tuesday. The bridge was under construction. The three-hour heavy downpour left residents of Gaagaa Cell, Koboko Town Council in distress. At least five huts were washed away while others remained submerged in water. Victims also say their household items were destroyed. Mr Rajab Baba Koye, who lost two houses, now cannot find shelter for his family. “We were lucky that there was no one in the house at the time of the flood, but my household items were not spared,” he said. The floods also destroyed vegetables, sugarcane fields and rice gardens at the banks of River Apa. The LC I chairman of Gaagaa Cell, Mr Ali Gbutala, advised residents at the river bank to vacate to avoid deaths. But they are not willing to relocate because there is no alternative land. At Apa Bridge, onlookers watched as people and vehicles got stuck in the floods. While others mourned the loss of their crops and household items, for others, it turned out into a money making venture. Strong men carried people across the river at a fee. Adults were charged Shs1,000 and children Shs500. Mawezi Construction Company was contracted to build Apa Bridge in June this year at Shs58 million. wokello@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/1230402/-/8r53ez/-/index.html","content":"LIVING AND LOVING IT: A flood of troubles - “When it rains, it pours.” That is one of my favourite quotes from The Mayor of Casterbridge. Then, I did not understand what exactly it meant after all, when it rains, it does pour. But Ms Songa, our Literature teacher took the time to explain it to us and thereafter I started to over use it in fact. The past few weeks, it feels like it has been pouring quite a bit – not literally of course. The hubby has had to go out of the country every now and then on a project with work. We are not used to him being away for more than a night or two so this has been different and a little strange. Baby girl keeps asking what he is doing there and I keep counting the seconds to when he will be back. You never know how much you depend on a person or how much you will miss them till they go away. What amused me the most though was that many things that could go wrong decided to while he was away. The very first time he was away, I knocked a car on the road. Well, I pretty much just tapped it but the driver threw such a tantrum. It was his fault in the first place, if I may say so. I was a little worried of joining the roundabout so he kept on pointing a finger at me, warning I would knock him and indeed I did. I tried to ask him to allow me to get out of the way so I could park but he refused while he clapped, waved and shouted for the police, who were a distance away to come and do something bad to me. In the end, he told them to let me go because his car was fine. Luckily for me, the policeman was very nice and let me off with a polite warning. The second time hubby has been away has also been crazy. First, it rained so heavily one morning, I could not drive 50 metres past the gate because, there was a small patch that was so muddy! I just could not get past it. After about 30 minutes of trying, calling the hubby and failing to still get past it myself, I just reversed and parked the car home and decided to get to work by taxi. Luckily, a neighbour saw me struggle and offered to drop me at the trading centre. The next day I was able to go through the patch but in the evening, when I got back home, as I parked the car in the garage, baby and I heard a sound that did not herald good things. I had a flat tyre! I had to call the good neighbour in the morning to help me fix it, which he did and I was ever so thankful. When I came back that evening, I walked into my room and was hit with a stench. It felt like four rats had died in the four corners in the room. I knew it was something to do with the bathroom drain but I couldn’t figure what. The maid and I walked around and outside the house and decided to check one of the outlets. Voila, we found the reason behind the stench. Dead white ants that had clogged the drain. Who know dead wet white ants could smell so bad? It’s just been one crazy day after another and I cannot wait for hubby to get back! cbeyanga@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/1230368/-/8r5pdz/-/index.html","content":"Flooding in the east: why the area is prone - Had Harriet Mutonyi known, she would have relocated earlier. Or stayed awake that night so as to at least save her herd of goats. But like people who are not expecting thieves, she and her eight children longingly retired to bed in their thickly thatched mud and wattle hut. Deep in slumber, after a day spent toiling in a nearby paddy, they did not even hear the thunder that occasionally accompanies rain. The thatch just absorbed the sound that rain usually makes on hitting iron roofs, which alerts those inside of its ferocity. “At about five in the morning, we awoke when we felt some weight on us. Rain had reduced our hut to a mound,” says Mutonyi, a peasant farmer in Himutu Sub County, Butaleja District. The roof had caved in on them, which hampered their efforts save eight goats that she kept in a nearby shed. “I thank God for protecting the lives of my children and I,” she says as she looks into the sky and then quickly crosses herself. Year in, year out, this area, just as many others in Butaleja, Bududa, Teso and Karamoja, experiences flooding that results in death and destruction of property. According to Ms Maria Mutagambwa, the Minister for Water and the Environment, about 516 people have died due to landslides in the Mount Elgon area alone between 1993 and 2011. The Executive Director of the National Environment Management Authority (Nema), Dr Tom Okurut, says the main cause of the flooding and the droughts these days is the loss of vegetation. This is driven by an increase of the population which is dependent on land for survival or business, which disrupts the water balance.” According to National Forestry Authority estimates, about 80,000 hectares of Uganda’s forest estate is lost annually to untenable tree cutting and encroachment on forests. Noncompliance to the environmental laws exacerbates the problem,” Dr Okurut told the Daily Monitor on Monday, August 29. In Butaleja District, local people attribute the flooding to the area’s topography. “Our area is generally flat. Once you combine the rain with the rivers flowing from the mountain ranges around, Butaleja acts as a ‘basin,’” says Mr Ahmad Naleba, the Chairperson of the Lwoba Irrigation Farm. The farm, which still has a film of water, has coffee trees, sugarcane, maize, soybeans and beans. He says the area is along River Manafwa’s course, which means that whenever the river breaks its banks, as often happens due to heavy rains, the locals bear the brunt. Ms Mutonyi says she has lost her home, livestock, food crops (beans, maize and potatoes) to the recent floods. “The farm lost food and cash crops worth about Sh5 million, which might not be much to you from the city but it means much to us,” adds Mr Naleba. However, even though they are expecting the worse flooding - according to Mr Naleba – in September and October, Ms Mutonyi says that much as she would want to leave, she has ‘nowhere’ else to go. “You ask me to leave; leave and go where?” she asks. “There are many paddies around here where by simply weeding the rice for the owner, I earn wages with which to buy salt, kerosene, soap and even Panadol, [a painkiller].” Mr Naleba says the solution to flooding in Butaleja would be construction of a dam in the area. Dr Okurut says Nema alone cannot be expected to address the flooding and droughts. “These issues should be responded to by all and should be coordinated by the respective lead agencies,” says Dr Okurut. He says the leadership of the local governments could also mobilise the populace ‘to the desired direction’ - plant more trees. “Public education and economic instruments of the environment is very essential. The general poverty must be addressed,” says Dr Okurut. Mr Naleba concurs. “The leaders should ‘educate’ the people on how to control soil erosion control. People should that tree planting and terracing would greatly help control floods in the various regions,” says Mr Naleba. The topography of the areas could also explain why they flood. “In the east, the water from the highlands could be rushing faster downhill such that that water which cannot be accommodated by the water channel overflows into the low lying areas,” Dr Dob Nakileza, an environmental geographer at Makerere university says. Ms Mutonyi, 32, and her children –aged between one and 10 - now stay with her friend, Ms Yunis Wagabone, whose structure is on raised ground. Her presence is taking its toll on her host because Ms Mutonyi moved with hardly ‘anything’. “We have no hope of soon replenishing our food reserves we have in our granaries because what we would have harvested was submerged and the government is taking forever to respond to our calls for help,” says Ms Wagabone. Unfortunately, she is not the only one. Chronology of deaths March 2010. Authorities confirm that 350 people died due to mudslides in Bududa District.May 2010. Eight people from Kabale, Mbale and Sironko Districts die as a result of mudslides. In June 2010. The former Executive Director say the National Environment Management Authority would recruit 600 armed police personnel to strengthen the implementation of environmental protection laws, policies and regulations.11 August 2010. One person dies in Bududa District following fresh mudslides14 August 2010. Five children die following a landslide in Bududa District.October 2010. The National Forestry Authority plants 50, 000 indigenous trees in Bududa District to mitigate the destruction of forest cover.May 2011. A pupil dies after a sludge crashes his home in Manafwa District.August 2011. Seven people die as a result of mudslides that sweep Kaabong District in north eastern Uganda.29 August, 2011. 28 people die as a result of the landslides in the Bulambuli District, according to the Uganda Red Cross Society."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1230468/-/bjcqmaz/-/index.html","content":"80 endure chilly night as floods wash away homes - Moyo Families in Obongi County, Moyo District, spent Saturday night out in the chilly weather and had to rely on Good Samaritans to shelter their children after heavy downpour left more than 80 people homeless. The rain that caused flooding also destroyed more than 53 huts and 18 pit-latrines in the county. The flooding of the River Nile was triggered by heavy rain that lasted more than three hours. No deaths were reported. Mr Toha Amaku, whose family is now living under a tree, is worried that communicable disease could soon crop in due to poor sanitation. “The level of hygiene has gone down. We have no pit-latrine and this exposes us to cholera. But we urgently need temporary shelter and food,” he said. Did warning register?The area LC1 chairman, Mr Sebbi Idraku, said most of the affected residents are the war victims of the Miji rebellion of 1996. “They have deliberately refused to vacate the river bank, which is prone to frequent flooding, despite our advice. But now most of them lack shelter and even food because theirs were swept away,” he said. The LC3 chairman of Gimara Sub-county, Mr Ibrahim Fadul Rashid, appealed to the district disaster management committee to urgently rescue the affected family members. Moyo is among the districts where the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness has warned of imminent flooding as the rains take its toll. But the warnings seemed not to have reached the vulnerable population in time or they just had no alternative settlement as they claimed. Last week, more than 20 hectares of food crops were destroyed by floods in Lefori Sub-county. Livestock was also washed away in the flood."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1228636/-/bjsoh1z/-/index.html","content":"Govt calls crisis meeting as floods swamp country - The government will tomorrow host a special meeting with humanitarian agencies in Kampala to structure a sustainable response to different disasters ravaging the country, a minister said last night. Separately, the Uganda Red Cross Society reported that mudslides and floods – which killed more than 50 people last month alone – have put the lives of 160,240 Ugandans at risk. Up to 32,048 households across the country lack food and shelter, the humanitarian agency’s spokesperson Catherine Ntabadde said. She added: “The assessments indicate the current disasters include hailstorms, floods, landslides, food shortage, population movement and health related emergencies.” With protected water sources destroyed and flooded pit-latrines spewing human waste into water sources, health workers warned of likely outbreak of epidemics such as cholera and dysentery. Bulambuli District in eastern Uganda where twin mudslides killed at least 31 people on Monday is one of the hardest-hit areas. Bridges connecting farmers to markets, pupils to schools and residents to health workers have been swept away by swollen rivers. The rock and mud sludge which rolled down Mount Elgon during the landslides has blocked roads and cut off several villages, complicating accessibility even for relief deliveries. Now Bulambuli leaders say they lack resources and medical workers as demand for health services piles. The district, which Chief Administrative Officer Grace Watuwa said civil servants avoid due to its rough terrain, has only one doctor who juggles his time between the health centres and as the District Health Officer (administrator). There are no medicines here though. Bulambuli DHO, Dr Mpalya Mwiru Gidale, made a desperate plea for more health workers to be posted there and for a replenishing of dried-up medical supplies to cope with the overwhelming work alongside provision of counselling services for survivors. It has a population of 192,000 and is situated on the steepest edge of Mt. Elgon, roughly 30 kilometres northeast of Mbale town. One in every pair of required health worker in the new district has not been recruited. Ms Watuwa said: “The district has about 47 per cent medical staffing and these are only concentrated in lower parts that are accessible while the upper parts of Bulambuli, where the biggest population is, do not have qualified staff, let alone medicine. “The disaster (mudslide) has exposed us; it has ripped us naked,” she said. In Kampala, State Disaster Preparedness minister Musa Ecweru said the scale of the disaster is challenging and tomorrow’s planned meeting with partners will tackle “humanitarian profiling” to come up with an inventory of what response needs to be undertaken and by whom. “Relief can never be enough. We will do our best to ensure our own people do not die,” he said when asked about specific assistance being determined for most needy populations across the country. Mr Ecweru, who earlier told this newspaper that he would use yesterday’s weekly Cabinet meeting to pitch for emergency funding, would not detail what government agreed to do. Instead, he revealed that the Food and Agricultural Organisation has released “a lot of money” to World Food Programme to stock deliveries for hungry Ugandans. 1 | 2 Next Page»With fears famine might set in as flood waters swamp farmlands, after massive crop failures due to drought, any indecision or delay in official action could exacerbate stress for disaster victims at a time when surging inflation at 21.4 per cent is pushing every citizen a step backwards on the welfare scale. tbutagira@ug.nationmedia.com & dmafabi@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1228162/-/bjssbrz/-/index.html","content":"Famine looms in Gulu - Gulu As heavy rain continue to wreak havoc across the country, many farmers in northern Uganda may face starvation as their gardens, especially those in low-lying areas, have been washed away. In Gulu District, sub-counties of Bungatira, Paicho, Palaro and Awach in Aswa County and Lakwana, Odek and Bobi have been adversely affected by the floods. The district secretary for production and marketing, Ms Christine Arach, said a team was sent to ascertain the level of destruction in the affected areas along the banks of River Aswa. “At least 240 hectares of crops have been destroyed, leaving more than 800 households vulnerable to food shortage in the coming months,” she told Daily Monitor yesterday, adding that with the ongoing rain, more gardens will be submerged. Upcoming conferenceHealth officials recently said several pit-latrines have also collapsed in the district leaving people vulnerable to waterborne diseases, while several livestock and birds such as chicken and ducks have also been killed in the past two months. In Lira Municipality, more than 15 temporary buildings reportedly collapsed last weekend following heavy downpour. The officer in-charge of forecasting in the weather department in Entebbe, Mr Deus Bamanya, however, said current indicators are that the current rains in northern Uganda will continue up to November. “The situation has greatly changed because semi-arid places such as Karamoja sub-region that used not to flood are also now experiencing floods, which is an indication that many surprises will continue,” Mr Bamanya said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1227696/-/bjtdmvz/-/index.html","content":"NRM behind 'fighting' in UPC-Otunnu  - What is happening at Uganda People’s Congress?We are witnessing a situation in which a project has been mounted by President Museveni and his National Resistance Movement (NRM) party which passes under the name of UPC pressure group. It is designed to undermine UPC from within using persons who are UPC members but who have done a deal with Museveni to remain within UPC and use their position within the party to undermine and destroy the party. That’s what UPC pressure group is about. Our evidence shows that the current phase of the project was put in place just before the last campaigns. During the campaigns; a lot of meetings took place, a lot of money exchanged hands; a lot of strategising and plotting took place. Some of our own members then became Museveni’s agents, campaigning for him and de-campaigning UPC candidates while campaigning for NRM candidates and distributing money to ensure Museveni’s intentions were realised. This was brought to a new level after the elections when we saw them surfacing at higher institutions of learning including Makerere University. There was even a petition signed by over 100 students all but only 2 turned out to be UPC members. It is aimed at giving the appearance there is dissention and tension in the UPC. Nothing could be further from the truth. One of the things that I am very proud of is that since becoming president of UPC, the party has become one united family again. Previously there were various factions, long running court cases and in my current Cabinet, people who were in different factions are together. We have reached out to those who had left the party much earlier to try to persuade them to come back. UPC is a party of ideas in which we thrive on debates and discussion. In every party organ meeting, ideas contend in the most direct, lively and sometimes ferocious manner. That’s the intellectual tradition of UPC. It is one thing to have disagreement in the party and we debate. But this isn’t what is happening with UPC pressure group. We had our party conference in Mukono in April and none of the things this group is talking about was raised and discussed. What is the role MP Jimmy Akena, who physically confronted you on August 17, in all these?We have reports which have now been confirmed by Honourable Akena himself of his participation, engagement and support for the so-called UPC pressure group. Contrary to what Jimmy Akena says, his membership in the UPC isn’t in question. Akena remains a member of the UPC in good standing. What is in question is that if he, or any other member, has been engaged in a project mounted by Mr Museveni to undermine UPC; then they have serious explaining to do. One of the remarkable features of this pressure group is it never lacks money. We have specific information of [how] big monies exchanged hands at State House, in hotels in Kampala and Lira and other places. We also know the group has no difficulty in moving anytime, in any size around the country and taking over hotels and at the end of it give participants Shs100,000 as transport refund at a time when political parties have to use whatever monies they have frugally? So that money of the pressure group is not coming from UPC members’ subscription and that money is coming from the state coffers. Does UPC National Mobilisation Secretary David Pulkol have anything to do with this?He was active in NRM and other opposition parties and decided to come back to UPC and we warmly welcomed him. I don’t think we should confuse David Pulkol’s return and his role in UPC with the mission of the so-called pressure group. I think sometimes people jump to conclusion because he was in NRM, he was with Museveni and he was his chief (external) spymaster. Is this a resurrection of old the rivalry between the Langi and Acholi tribes?No. The current situation we are facing has nothing to do with Langi and Acholi. Again, people find it easy to jump to conclusions just because Hon. Jimmy Akena who has taken the position he has taken happens to come from Lango and I from Acholi. These matters were paraded in the press when there was interest in me being President of the party and it was being planted by NRM, including the issue issue of Olara Otunnu overthrowing the [Second Milton] Obote government. At the the March 2010 UPC delegates’ conference at Mandela Stadium Nambole, UPC delegates regarded those allegations as complete utter rubbish, and resoundingly voted for Otunnu. The direct answer to all those allegations being recycled is that the party had opportunity to pronounce itself on it and it already made its verdict. Did you actually participate in overthrowing Milton Obote in 1985?I didn’t. Most certainly, it’s complete utter nonsense. For all this time Mr Museveni and others have been speaking about it have not produced any single evidence to prove [the allegations]. To the contrary, those who should have been in the know – and Milton Obote who wrote extensively about how the coup was hatched and who were behind it - are absolutely clear that I was not even remotely associated with it. Another person you can ask is Mzee Kasendwa Ddumba who was the chief of intelligence, and I think reporting to Chris Rwakasisi [Mr Rwakasisi gave an interview to this newspaper a a fortnight ago and he resurrected allegations Mr Otunnu had a hand in toppling the Second UPC government – Editor]. When I came back from New York and Museveni started spreading the same rumour, Mzee Ddumba – he didn’t know me and I didn’t know him either - wrote to (then UPC party President and Obote’s widow) Miria and he was categorically clear that I was not involved in the coup. [Gen. Tito Okello Lutwa who became President after Obote’s overthrow was Mr Otunnu’s uncle while the latter was Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the UN in New York – Editor] So who was involved?You can ask Mr Chris Opoka (a UPC member). He was chief of military intelligence at the time. If Milton Obote, who should know, says Otunnu had nothing to do with the coup and personally signed and sent my UPC card when he was already exiled in Lusaka, Zambia, that wouldn’t seem Otunnu participated in his overthrow. It comes up because it is an easy thing to cause confusion especially by those who see me and UPC standing in their way. They hope to create confusion between the Langi and Acholi. Comment on the exodus of senior party members to the NRMThe outing of Hajji Badru Wegulo and Henry Mayega only proves my point of Museveni’s involvement. It turns out for many years they had been active in UPC serving Museveni and his NRM. There were rumours that circulated for a long time - and I dismissed them when I was in New York as rumours. It turns out they were well-founded. What we are now seeing is a second-generation project by Museveni to disorganise UPC having outed this group. They aren’t any more useful to him. None of this is to suggest there are no problems internal to UPC. Some of the problems that preceded my takeover of UPC leadership were partly caused and exacerbated by the way they were handled between 2005 and 2010. They could have been better handled. Some of the people who left UPC should not have left UPC at all. There are those who left for reasons of self-interest, flavour of season and survival. We have learnt from that. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1226974/-/bju0niz/-/index.html","content":"Cholera outbreak threatens lives in flood-hit Butaleja - BUTALEJA At least 882 people in flood-hit Kanyenya Parish in Butaleja District urgently need water purifiers to avert an outbreak of cholera, the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) has said. The heavy downpour in the area over the last two weeks has left some pit-latrines overflowing leaving water sources contaminated. “There is a possibility of a cholera outbreak if the government and stakeholders do not respond fast, Mr Stephen Wamukota, the Red Cross regional programme officer, said on Friday while on a field trip to assess the impact of the floods. RelocationMr Wamukota added that if the rains continue, the ‘whole area would be flooded and this would necessitate the relocation of the people’ to higher grounds. Some of the households Daily Monitor spoke to complained of the government’s slow response to the disaster. “The government has not come to help out with aid,” said Mr Stephen Mwima, a Parish Chief in Himutu Sub-county, another area that was hard-hit. “Some people are also complaining of increased mosquito breeding,” added Mr Mwima. He said those with malaria symptoms were ‘too weak’ to trek to the health centres and are poor to afford medicine. Other affected areas in Butaleja include, Mazimasa, Tindi, Namulo, Wangale, Kaiti, Kangelaba, among other sub-counties. Meanwhile, in Bulambuli District, an estimated 13,000 people– according to the URCS - have to contend with starvation due to crop failure as a result of a dry spell. The government has provided them with at least 300 bags of maize and 100 bags of beans, but the URCS said the food has since been exhausted."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1226114/-/10sdi4x/-/index.html","content":"Floods: Map out areas prone to the disaster for effective future control - The rains have started and once again, eastern Uganda is grappling with floods. Burst river banks, destroyed roads and bridges, landslides, looming famine, contaminated water sources and increased risk of water-borne diseases are once more making headlines. Hundreds of households in the region get affected by floods nearly every year. In a region that has experienced floods, including El Nino and droughts in equal measure, it is disheartening to learn that similar reports about the disasters are made every other year. Though floods cannot be prevented, measures to mitigate its effects in the affected areas should be designed. Uganda has a Ministry Disaster Preparedness and Refugees that is mandated to prepare for and manage disasters. However, the ministry’s response whenever a disaster strikes in the country appears to be more reactionary and panic-driven than anything else. In the Daily Monitor of August 24, a story titled, ‘Floods ravage east’ stated that the Agriculture Ministry was coordinating with the Office of the Prime Minister, Uganda Red Cross, and World Food Programme to provide relief assistance to people in the affected areas. But providing relief alone cannot cushion people against food security that results from the disaster. It is the responsibility of government to ensure its citizens are provided with a safe and enabling environment in which they can fend for themselves. My view is that the role of the officials in the Disaster Preparedness Ministry should not only be reactionary when a disaster strikes, but also they should learn so as to be able to manage future disasters. This implies that the ministry should be proactive instead of being reactive. Floods are likely to continue occurring in Uganda given the increasing effects of climate change. It is therefore important that there should be political will to initiate and implement flood management programme and ensure the issue of food security is dealt with. This may require foregoing issues such as sugar production, which our leadership, sadly, seems to be more preoccupied with. Flood management programme has been implemented in India, Egypt and Japan. It involves putting in place mechanisms for flood control, river management, effective drainage systems and creation of reservoirs. In fact, such reservoirs in Egypt are used to alleviate the effects of drought, which often come after floods. If areas prone to flooding or drought are properly mapped out - taking note of rivers, potential underground water reservoirs, etc, we could be in a better position to control the devastating effects floods or drought in future. Nontutuzelo Neumbe Nabudere,Kampala"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1224896/-/bjvf1hz/-/index.html","content":"Scribes freed after 6-day hostage in Tripoli  - An estimated 35 foreign nationals, including former US Congressman Walter Fauntroy, were yesterday released after being held hostage for six days by pro-Gaddafi militia at the Rixos Hotel in Tripoli, even as the whereabouts of the Libyan strongman remained unknown. Among them were 20 British journalists, an Indian parliamentarian and several American journalists, CNN International reported. At the height of the hostage situation, crisis talks were held at the British Foreign Office and at the National Security Council in London as Nato forces in Libya prepared for “a massive operation” when reports of escalated gunfire at the hotel complex trickled in. The five-star hotel is located in a pro-Gaddafi-controlled area of the city several kilometres from Gaddafi’s seized Bab al-Aziziya compound and was home to the foreign journalists for close to five months now. Gaddafi’s son, Saif Al-Islam, made a surprise appearance at the hotel on Monday, hours after reports of his reported capture by rebel forces. It was being speculated that Gaddafi, his family and a handful of loyalists could be hiding in a network of tunnels that emanate from his seized compound to the Rixos Hotel complex. In an audio statement televised by al-Uruba, a pro-Gaddafi TV station, on Tuesday night, Gaddafi vowed to “fight until victory or martyrdom”. “We will remain here and defiant,” Gaddafi said, calling on his supporters to flood the streets to cleanse them of “traitors, infidels and rats”. He said the decision to leave his Bab al-Aziziya compound was a “tactical” move, the BBC reported, adding that: “It did not feel like Tripoli had fallen or someone had marched into it.” Rebel commanders had earlier said it was vital to capture Gaddafi to eliminate any chance he could strike back. They insisted it was only a matter of time before he was found, but conceded they had no indication of where he might have taken refuge. Analysts say Sabha has a significant military and airforce base and, if Gaddafi and his family can reach it, it would provide them the option of easy desert escape routes into Niger or Chad. A rebel spokesman told BBC that negotiations were going on with local leaders in Sabha and Sirte seeking a peaceful end to the conflict. The Libya National Transitional Council yesterday said it was in control of 95 per cent of Tripoli and was pursuing fleeing Gaddafi and remnants of his personal guard. The BBC also quoted Libya’s Foreign Minister Abdul Ati al-Obeidi having told the UK’s Channel 4 News that, “It appeared Gaddafi has exhausted all his options, including fleeing abroad and his reign is over.” The foreign journalists were recently accused of spying on the Gaddafi regime by passing information to Nato forces prior to Tuesday’s assault. By the time the journalists were released, parts of the hotel had no electricity or running water, with food supplies running low. As the Rixos Hotel siege reached a climax, journalist resorted to Facebook, Twitter and other social media networks to report the situation in real time as it unfolded. jnjoroge@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1222522/-/bjwv7iz/-/index.html","content":"Two years later, victims of illegal killings still wait to hear the voice of justice - Kampala. Two years have gone by but 100 families whose relatives were killed under unclear circumstances at the hands of security operatives are still to receive justice. Despite documentation of these incidences, the most recent highlighted in the US State Department’s Human Rights Report on Uganda 2010, has made human rights activists conclude that a culture of impunity is pervading justice in the country. In her April 2011 report on human rights practices in Uganda, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton detailed the killings of up to 100 civilians at the hands of state agents the past two years alone, before noting that there was little evidence to show that perpetrators were punished. The report also documents killings in several parts of the country, where some suspects were either tortured in custody or shot to death by security agencies. In September 2009, at least 40 unarmed protesters and bystanders were killed when security forces used live bullets to disperse people who were protesting government’s refusal to allow the Kabaka travel to Kayunga District for a youth day celebration. No accountabilityNo one has been held accountable for the killings, despite several commitments from the government, a botched attempt by the 8th Parliament to institute an inquiry and a flood of complaints from families of victims. This incident, the most cited evidence activists are using to accuse President Museveni’s administration of human rights violations, is one of several cases showing government’s failure to punish perpetrators. Numerous reports have been issued by watchdog agencies both local and international implicating security operatives of the Uganda Police and the UPDF, in alleged indiscriminately killing of civilians. The US report also profiled the March 14 Kasubi Tombs shooting, when Special Forces Group of Mr Museveni’s advance team, fired into a crowd that had gathered to commiserate over a fire that had gutted the Buganda Kingdom royal tombs a day earlier. Cornelius Kayanja, Haruna Kakumba and an unidentified person were killed during the clashes. A government commission, which probed the cause of the fire, concluded inquiry four months ago and authored a report, although its findings are yet to be made public. But after the shootings, the army said the President’s bodyguards were provoked. More than a year later, no arrests have been made. Mr Med Kaggwa, chairman of Uganda Human Rights Commission, argued that it would be wrong “to take one or two or three cases” of rights violations to conclude that there was a culture of impunity. However, Mr Ssewanyana told this newspaper that the gusto with which the government “dragged” to court protesters of the opposition-led April walk-to-work protests, including FDC leader Kizza Besigye, while no security operative implicated in the Kasubi or Kayunga killings has been charged, was evidence to show “a lack of political will to bring to book perpetrators of abuse.” egyezaho@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1222596/-/13xifqcz/-/index.html","content":"Why NRM MPs must not eat words on Mabira - Today sees a momentous stage in the evolution of Sunday Monitor, Uganda’s most independent newspaper. Readers will notice a number of changes to the paper, not the least of which is its design, which has been given a fresh, modern look. Structurally, the paper also takes on a new package that has seen the re-birth of the Press Gallery — a column formerly running every Monday in the Daily Monitor. With effect from today, this column will run every Sunday as Parliament Watch. This well-thought-out change is in response to our esteemed readers. For our ardent Press Gallery readers we might have inconvenienced in any way, a million apologies. However, there is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction. In fact, it is change that defines everything we do in life. Welcome to the Sunday Parliament Watch. Mabira part IIDear esteemed readers, you should know by now that our President is planning to give away part of Mabira Forest Reserve to the Sugar Corporation of Uganda Ltd (Scoul), a Mehta Group company where government used to own some share. The company wants to clear about 7,100 ha from the 28,000 forest cover for sugarcane plantations as a solution to the current sugar crisis. But readers you should know that this Mabira Forest has been protested as a reserve since 1932. While there is no evidence that giving away part of Mabira Forest Reserve to Mehta would transform the lives of more than 10 million Ugandans who are currently stuck in abject poverty, our President is convinced that our future lies in sugarcane growing. This is what former President Daniel Arap Moi did in Kenya when he gave away Mau Forest Complex in the Rift Valley Province. Mau is the largest indigenous forest in East Africa. But all the same poverty did not go away and long after he left office the ghosts are still haunting Moi for what he did. Every year, whenever the rest of the world marks the Forest Day (March 21), there is always little to celebrate in Uganda. The country’s forests are disappearing at an alarming rate of about 2 per cent annually, the highest in the world. About 6,000 hectares of trees are being cut down every month; 72,000 hectares were cut in 2006 alone. But at this pace, forecast indicates that Uganda’s forests will have exhausted in 50 years, a recipe for an impending disaster. Fortunately, the lawmakers from his party, the NRM, have already given our President their piece of mind on his proposal to deal out Mabira Forest Reserve. At the Caucus meeting on Monday, NRM MPs who have the majority in the 9th Parliament told the President to back off the forest reserve. Others demanded to know why the President is baby-sitting Mehta at the expense of the rest of Ugandans. There were also those who argued that giving away Mabira Forest would be mocking the innocent Ugandans who lost their lives during the 2007 save Mabira protests in Kampala. The good news is that the President cannot single handedly give away Mabira Forest. The due process must be followed as per Article 237 (2) of our Constitution. There must be a resolution of Parliament authorising the government to de-gazette 7,100 hectares of Mabira Forest Reserve for sugarcane growing. This is where our MPs come in. They have already spoken their mind—telling the President to take Mehta “to Rwakitura or elsewhere”. We only hope they don’t change their position, the way they have always done whenever the President meets them over controversial matters in Parliament. The NRM politicsWhether the NRM MPs are serious on blocking Mabira give away or not, time will certainly tell. However, what is apparent is that NRM MPs have never opposed the President’s views on the floor of Parliament even when they are convinced that they are the ones in the right. They either, choose to keep quiet or make noise in the background but when it comes to matters of principle they are spineless. Well, those who want to give away this forest should know that when forests disappear, they take animal populations, crop yields and flood protection with them. Besides there will be loss of hundreds of endangered species, increased erosion, the damage of livelihoods of local people and negative impacts on water balance and regional climate. Forests and trees are a crucial part of life on Earth—from maintaining biodiversity and cleaning the air and water, to providing basic human needs and contributing to culture and recreation. For those who are blinded by the glitter of gold, here is a fact. And beyond the proposed sugarcane business, Mabira adds to the economy. The tourists, herbs etc are a good source of income."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1222604/-/13xif6wz/-/index.html","content":"Why I think we should give away Lake Victoria after Mabira - Mabira is back! Memories of 2007 when a demonstration turned fatal are still fresh in many peoples’ minds and this time the debate is already showing signs of breaking the boundaries of sanity again, at least going by the flood of commentary on various social media platforms. One commentator even suggested directly to President Museveni to carve land out of Rwakitura for Mehta’s sugar ambitions. In 2007, when public sentiments blew the lid off the proposal and led to several deaths, the government decided to back down. Now, however, it is clear that Museveni did not really give up the idea completely. Faced with a riotous public over rising food prices with sugar becoming a dire commodity for many households, Museveni believes giving away “downgraded” sections of Mabira Forest will turn around the trend in sugar production and consequently market price. The demonstrations in 2007 brought out the ugliest of scenes that bordered on xenophobia. The last time such sentiments reared their head was when Idi Amin expelled thousands of Asians from Uganda which was both a curse and a blessing.Museveni’s office is trying hard to avoid the 2007 bloodshed and so a trip was organised for journalists to go and see for themselves the “downgraded” parts that should be given to Mehta Group. Such a place was never to be found, it turns out an embarrassing visit for Minister Flavia Nabugere who led the team to Mabira Forest. The question then is if a “downgraded” chunk of land was never found, why do they still insist on giving away part of the forest? Scoul – the Sugar Corporation of Uganda Ltd – was once a joint venture between the Mehta Group and the government of Uganda. The government was supposed to be receiving dividends annually from the Corporation for the equity it held in the company. What is not known, however, in clear terms, is what role the government played as a shareholder apart from capitalising the venture. To that effect there are lots of theories making rounds why Museveni is hell bent on giving away Mabira even when alternatives are available. The reason is simple; Mehta Group has made the call, like Herod Antipa’s wife asking for John the Baptist’s head on dish, Mehta has ordered for its ‘pound of flesh’ off Mabira. Period! For Mehta, it doesn’t matter whether it is a downgraded or an upgraded section of the rain forest; Museveni must find a way to deliver it. And you can correlate this demand to its timing. The last time it came around was soon after the 2006 presidential election. Again this time the issue has come up when Museveni is just starting a new term of office which obviously should raise a pertinent question. Is it just a coincidence? In February, I wrote in these pages that Uganda’s future after Museveni’s fifth swearing in as President would be characterised by an elaborate payback to the many dogs roaming this country’s streets. The dotted lines between the massive contributions to Museveni’s re-election in 2011 by various private individuals in the country, business entities, friendly countries and other multinationals on one hand and the demand for investment incentives by these groups on the other hand, can begin to take shape in the form of the Mabira debate, as an example. Several of those who contributed and continue to support the establishment financially are laying claim for ‘business incentives’ that will allow them to make a return on their ‘investment’ which makes more business sense and not necessarily a moral one especially where these investors ask for a prize off a national treasure like Mabira Forest. Once Mabira is given away, it would also make sense to give away Lake Victoria. You would need Lake Vic to irrigate the Mabira land once the forest is destroyed. Mr Masiga is the Managing Editor - Weekend fmasiga@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1219630/-/bkej2cz/-/index.html","content":"Floods affect hundreds in Butaleja - Fresh floods have hit Butaleja District in the last four days, displacing more than 100 families and destroying hundreds of acres of farmland. The worst affected areas include Mazimasa and Himutu sub-counties, with affected families now camping in schools after heavy rains burst the banks of River Manafwa. The district is prone to floods because of its low altitude. Residents told Daily Monitor at the weekend that the floods washed away their seedlings. “The rains are back and we already have nowhere to turn to as our crops now stand in the water,” lamented Mr Richard Wangolo, a farmer in Mazimasa. In Mazimasa, which lies along the belt of River Manafwa, several latrines and huts have collapsed, leading to fears of a cholera outbreak. Butaleja LC5 chairperson Joseph Muyonjo, who visited the flood-hit areas over the weekend, said most roads had become impassable. Mr Muyonjo appealed to concerned authorities to rescue them by providing the affected people with relief items because most people are going without a meal. The road from Mbale-Busolwe, which is the main link between the two districts, has also been submerged."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/-/689842/1213518/-/13v7hud/-/index.html","content":"Labour: The torture men experience - She is in labour! In the shadows the man will be pacing up and down in the corridors to make sure everything is in check. Many men will confess that despite putting up a straight face this is one moment that has put their patience on trial and left psychological and physical effect. This is also a financially strenuous period. Roderick Masaba has grown accustomed to the challenges when his wife is about to give birth. He gets ready for any eventuality because he recalls during one of her pregnancies she simply didn’t want him near her and forbade him from wearing anything in blue colour, or using toilet soap. “She didn’t even want to see me in hospital until she delivered. I was psychologically tortured because I wanted the best for her, yet I needed to care for her. What made it worse was this child didn’t make it to it’s first birthday,” Masaba adds. He was left tortured. The next time when she got labour pains it was in the middle of the night, at around midnight, so Masaba tried to contact her sisters to help him out, but unfortunately all their phones were not available. So in a panic, he called his sister who was in Entebbe. He had managed to get her to Mengo Hospital and it took a while before his sister arrived and for a while, strangers were willing to help but mostly with comforting messages. “She failed to deliver and the doctors told us to wait till 7a.m in the morning. But she had already lost her ‘waters’ so this meant the baby was getting tired. I was told she had to go for caesarean delivery. I refused and two doctors sat me down to counsel me that all could be well. I entered to sign so she could go for caesarean but told the doctor that my wife would deliver normally,” Masaba recollects. Besides the flood of thoughts about the possibility of his wife losing her life as well as that of the baby, he was low on money and wasn’t sure where he would get the money from. While sitting in the compound on the grass not sure of what to think about, confused Masaba went back into the hospital sat again on the floor of the hospital corridors. “Meanwhile they began taking her to theatre but as they reached the theatre door she pushed the baby out and delivered normally. One doctor came looking for me and found me disillusioned and asked me what God I prayed to and then broke the news to me,” he further recollects. He had a reason to smile for a moment, but knew he had to think hard about where he would be getting the money to look after his wife and child since he had spent much of his preparatory savings for the delivery. Fear of new born baby Masaba has had a good share of pain in the labour ward. There was a time his wife refused to push the baby and the doctor had to call him into labour ward. He entered the ward but she wasn’t told he was coming. “The doctor told me to stand right in front of her and she was shocked so she called me to give her support. She held my hand firmly and I saw her lose a lot of blood as she struggled to deliver. I was so exhausted for I had waited some good hours and at this point a lot was going through my mind- her pain, our child and our future,” he adds. When she delivered Masaba was given the naked child to hold for a while in fear before she was clothed. She was stitched in his presence. “From that day I respect women because I know what they go through. I was psychologically tortured for the next two months and having sex with my wife was hard,” he concludes. My wife’s healthDavid Twinamatsiko says no amount of preparation is good enough and financially he was always worried. “I had to worry about the health of my wife because if anything went wrong, I would be responsible. Her family was looking at me. We checked in at midnight and I had to be there till 4p.m the next day and throughout this time, she was crying and asking me why I wasn’t helping. But I was already doing that,” Twinamatsiko adds. The mental pressure just kept on piling from the moment she began complaining of pains a week prior to the delivery. “That’s when I began figuring myself as a dad and really becoming responsible.” Fearing conceptionShaban Sserwadda was sure everything would be fine after he saved enough money to take them through the maternity period but he was wrong. When his wife complained of the pain he helped her to his motorcycle and rode her to a nearby clinic where they were told she still had some time. “I could not sleep for two days and the last clinic we went to the doctor arrived late in the night. He helped her deliver normally though it was a complicated birth,” says Sserwadda adding, “I was so tortured that I even fear making her pregnant once again.” 1 | 2 Next Page»Pacing up and down Irene has never forgiven Richard Kalissa for having not cared enough when she was heavy. He had not yet got confirmed as an employee at his place of work and was therefore not yet earning a salary. “So I was trying to do at least three jobs to make ends meet. I would never get the right moment to sit down with her and begin massaging her and feeling the baby kick,” Kalissa explains. Not until Irene was calm. “But when I was sent to the hospital corridors, the moment dawned on me that I was soon becoming a father and man at that,” Kalissa recalls. “I wished I could escape from the moment. I paced up and down in the corridor with the nurses and then all of a sudden I heard her try to push and she became louder. I decided to push the door open and as I entered I saw baby coming out. It has been my worst sight. I saw my wife in a pool of blood, I comforted her but with a mixture of feelings- I was trembling but tried to smile,” he adds. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1213906/-/10rp2ix/-/index.html","content":"Alarm Bells: Traders, vendors better style-up - We all know that the customer is a king. Right? However, aren’t the traders in some parts of Kampala stretching the meaning of this phrase too far? Otherwise, why should vendors and traders, especially in crowded shops, arcades and shopping malls in the city always swarm on a potential customer? Even before the assumed customer utters a word, they flood them with a barrage of questions. Far from encouraging a potential customer to buy their items, some of these traders only succeed in infuriating and forcing them out of their premises. Let our business people style-up.Connie Nakitende,Kampala ------------------------------------------------------ What next for the Park Yard Market? Just for the record - for how long has Park Yard Market been in existence? And why has for all the time the market has been in existence no one, especially police boss Kale Kayihura not made any comment to the effect that the market endangers the nearby Owino Market? Is someone trying to let the cat out of the bag in regard to the mysterious fire outbreak? Brian Etou------------------------------------------------------ What next in relation to the market given that there are many unemployed citizens who also have dependants? Aloysius Kimbowa,Via Facebook"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Religion/-/689744/1209982/-/gffm1k/-/index.html","content":"Man’s inventions and beliefs lead to the bombings - I am writing in response to Mr. Tacca’s article in the Sunday Monitor of July 17, 2011 page 11 entitled “How useful was God at Kyaddondo Rugby Grounds?” I am troubled that a writer with obvious influence and attention of scores of people should ask such a question, knowing full well that he must have researched his topic before writing about it. Allow me to inform Mr Tacca that when God made the earth, he gave it to man to run it, and gave him guidelines to follow in order to live well with the creatures he put on earth. Psalms 115:16 says “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.” (KJV). He gave man the ability to choose between right and wrong, good and evil, life and death as is said in Deuteronomy 30:15 “See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;” [KJV]. However, man has chosen his own ways, as even Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 7:29, yet God made man upright. And Isaiah 24 will open your eyes to the fact that we (mankind) chose the wrong path. In light of the above, Mr Tacca, please realise that if there is anyone to blame for any mess on earth, it is me and you. I will not presume to defend God, since you attacked Him, neither will I presume to defend those who had revelations from the Holy Spirit as they reported, since you attacked their claims and it is them to defend it. I just want you to understand that if God intervenes in the affairs of mankind, it is through His people. It is only when sin has grown to maturity that God judges it and destroys the root of that sin, for example, the flood that Noah escaped, the destruction of the Canaanites (Genesis 15:16), the destruction of Jerusalem among others. God never setup Al-Shabab or Al-Qaeda, he never made those bombs that caused great horror and agony, it was all due to the inventions and beliefs of mankind. Man designed the suicide bombs, man setup terrorist cells, man preaches hatred and extremism in religion. I too was horrified as I saw the images that came out of Kyaddondo and the Ethiopian village, but I never blamed God. Instead, my heart went out to the bereaved families and I prayed for their peace, as there were students from the institution I attend that were among the deceased as well. The weeping mothers move me to this day, and that horrible event left a bitter taste in the mouth of our motherland Uganda. Instead of shaking your fist against the Almighty God and urging people to avoid Him, use your position as a writer and commentator to soothe the bereaved families and preach against terrorism and discourage extremist religions. If someone claims to have had a revelation, do not oppose them without a counter-revelation or useless reasonings. Remember that we all shall die at one point or another and will answer for all our actions and words, especially those in positions of influence such as yourself. I have discovered that the wisest creature on earth is man because of his inventions, and the dumbest are animals because of their simplistic tendencies. I have also discovered that the most foolish creature on earth is man because he forgets that he must die until he is on his death-bed, then starts calling for that old abandoned bible that was gathering dust on the bookshelf and reads it hard, hoping to understand in the last few days of his life, what he should have pursued all the years of his life and attained perfection in."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/1207328/-/11g7pg4/-/index.html","content":"UN flotilla report delayed again: Israel - UN report into Israel's deadly 2010 raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, which was to have been published later this week, has been delayed once again, an Israeli official said on Monday. \"The secretary-general asked to delay the publication of the report,\" foreign ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor told AFP, referring to the UN chief, Ban Ki-moon. But he refused confirm media reports suggesting Israel had requested the delay in a bid to have more time to mend its relations with Ankara, devastated since the flotilla raid in which Israeli forces killed nine Turks. \"The secretary-general has decided to postpone the publication of the report and he decided to consult both sides before taking the decision,\" Palmor said. It was the second time that publication of the long-awaited report had been delayed. It was initially to have been released around July 8 but was postponed in order to give the two sides more time to talk. Turkey says relations between the two can only be restored if Israel apologises for the raid, compensates the families of those killed and the injured, and lifts its blockade on the Gaza Strip. But Israel has consistently refused to apologise, fearing it could expose its troops to a flood of litigation. Behind the scenes, however, both sides say they are keen to restore ties, with ongoing efforts to find a solution to resolve the crisis, despite a number of failed attempts. Last week, a senior Israeli cabinet minister again insisted the Jewish state would not make any official apology or pay direct compensation to the families of the dead and the injured. In response, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday it would be \"unthinkable\" to normalise relations without an apology. He has also recently raised the idea of paying a visit to Gaza -- in a move press reports suggested would take place if Israel continues to refuse to apologise. Visiting the Hamas-run Gaza Strip would most likely further exacerbate tensions with the Jewish state."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/1207330/-/11g7pgr/-/index.html","content":"EU boosts support to Horn of Africa drought victims - The European Union aid commissioner on Saturday vowed to do all that is possible to help 12 million people struggling from extreme drought across the Horn of Africa, boosting aid by 27.8 million euros ($40 million). \"We commit to do as much as we can,\" said EU aid chief Kristalina Georgieva during a visit to Dadaab, the world's largest refugee complex. The funds come on top of almost 70 million euros ($100 million) the bloc has already contributed as assistance in the worst regional drought in decades, affecting parts of Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Djibouti and Uganda. Refugees from neighbouring Somalia fleeing drought, famine and conflict continue to stream daily into the camp in eastern Kenya, a vast and overcrowded complex sheltering some 380,000 people. Kenya's government has said it is overwhelmed by the flood of refugees, including those fleeing two areas in southern Somalia that the United Nations declared on Wednesday were suffering from famine. \"We really appreciate what the Kenyan government and the Kenyan people are doing,\" said Georgieva. \"We have a responsibility to share.\" Kenya recently agreed to open a new extension to ease congestion in the camp, but remains wary of the security threat posed by Somali insurgents and fears that some rebels can find their way into the camps. Government spokesman Alfred Mutua suggested on Thursday that feeding camps be opened inside Somalia. \"The current flow of refugees is not tenable and it may get to a point where the burden will be too great to bear,\" Mutua said. \"A more viable solution that really assists the drought-driven refugees needs to be arrived at.\" The new Dadaab camp, called Ifo II, was built last year to accommodate 40,000 refugees but remains closed. However, Georgieva said she understood the Kenyan government was facing major challenges, with the drought also affecting its own citizens. \"We will discuss this with the Kenyan government,\" Georgieva said, when questioned if she would push for the camp to open. \"Kenya is already pressured by the drought and the refugees coming in.\" Kenya's deputy internal security minister Orwa Ojode has called on the African Union to help relocate refugees to a third country. 1 | 2 Next Page»\"We have asked the AU to assist to relocate the refugees to another country because our camps are becoming too congested,\" Ojode said. Donor countries have ramped up aid pledges to assist the drought-stricken millions, with UN chief Ban Ki-moon calling for $1.6 billion in aid to combat the crisis. But relief efforts inside southern Somalia are hampered by the refusal of the Al Qaeda-inspired insurgents -- who control both areas declared by the UN to be famine-struck -- to lift an aid ban on several foreign aid groups. Georgieva called on aid to be allowed to reach those who need it. \"I hope there is access to humanitarian aid in Somalia,\" she said, calling the Shebab organization a \"dragon with many heads.\" The UN has warned that up to 350,000 people in famine areas risk starvation, with the crisis likely to spread to all eight of southern Somalia's regions if aid is not urgently supplied. The Shebab, designated a terrorist group by the United States, have waged a bloody campaign to overthrow the country's Western-backed government they accuse of being an apostate administration. Somalia's government also condemned the Shebab's aid restrictions, calling the group \"callous terrorists.\" \"The extremists are literally and deliberately starving the people to death,\" said Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, in a statement released late on Friday. The government's authority in the war-ravaged capital Mogadishu is limited to just a few areas where it survives under the protection of a 9,000-strong African Union force. \"It is the insurgency itself that is the root cause of the famine,\" Ali added. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1206294/-/bl38vkz/-/index.html","content":"What the US is ignoring in Uganda - Last year, the Parliament of Uganda debated a law that would make habitual homosexual behavior punishable by death. Americans and Europeans were outraged. This East African nation is one of our closest African allies, and the recipient of some $16 billion in foreign aid during the past two decades. Activists staged demonstrations outside Uganda’s embassies, organised petitions, sent funds to Ugandan gay rights groups, and denounced American fundamentalist Christians who were linked to the Ugandan pastors and politicians behind the bill. Western diplomats threatened to cut off aid to Uganda if the Anti-Homosexuality bill passed, and the bill died in Parliament in May. What I’d like to know is this: where are those activists and diplomats now that the Ugandan government is inflicting even worse abuses against all Ugandans, gay and straight? Since national elections in February, Uganda’s security forces have fired on peaceful demonstrators—killing at least nine people including a toddler—and imprisoned hundreds of others; the opposition leader Kizza Bessigye was shot in the hand and doused with so much tear gas and pepper spray he nearly went blind; soaring inflation, in part due to the looting of the Treasury to finance the ruling party’s election campaigns has caused the number of children hospitalised with malnutrition to triple. Ruthless spending Meanwhile, President Yoweri Museveni just spent $50 million of British development aid on a private Gulf Stream jet, described by its manufacturer as “the world’s most versatile and stylish” on the market. When I was in Uganda last summer, I happened to pass a newsstand selling copies of Bukedde, the main Luganda-language paper. On the cover that day were two images side-by-side: one showed Obama wagging his finger; the other showed Uganda’s President Museveni looking surprised and worried. “Obama Embarks on Uganda!” the headline read. The story concerned a new US State Department report criticising government corruption and urging reform of the Electoral Commission—which was stacked with officials associated with Museveni’s National Resistance Movement (NRM) party. Ugandan journalists wondered whether the Americans would impose sanctions if the elections were deemed unfair. In other words, were Americans now going to take all human rights abuses as seriously as they took abuses against gays? Apparently not. Election related “irregularities” commenced at once. The electoral register was bloated with dubious “voters”: 300 people with the same name and birth date were registered in one village, and over 200 people over 100 years of age were registered in another (Uganda’s average life expectancy is 53 years). When opposition groups complained, American and European embassies purchased millions of dollars worth of electronic equipment for registering voters—but no machine can correct a rotten system. When I toured the country last summer, I saw ruling party candidates passing out Uganda shilling notes hand over fist. Some even used donated medicine to win over voters. Police warning Most of this money came directly from the Treasury and foreign aid programmes, but when journalists and civil society activists launched a “Return Our Money” campaign in protest, the police warned them to stop or they’d be charged with treason. Days before the election, enormous tanks, fighter jets and anti-riot vehicles roared through the countryside, warning voters of what would happen if the elections didn’t go Museveni’s way. On election day itself, soldiers reportedly advised people to vote NRM if they wanted to avoid a war. There were also reports of army involvement in ballot stuffing, multiple voting, and theft of ballot boxes. As expected, Museveni’s party won by a landslide. However, opposition leaders claim that the votes announced at many of the polling stations, in the presence of both opposition and ruling party observers, didn’t match up with those announced by Museveni’s Electoral Commission. The flood of cash into the economy during the elections amplified inflation, and the price of beans and matooke—the savory bananas that are the nation’s staple food—doubled. For the first time in living memory, the people of this fertile, rainy country are facing widespread food insecurity. Even in the days of Idi Amin and Milton Obote, this never happened on such a scale. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1206264/-/10r5g97/-/index.html","content":"Blame yourself for any mess on earth, not Almighty God - I am writing in response to Mr Tacca’s article, How useful was God at Kyaddondo Rugby Grounds? (Sunday Monitor, July 17). I am troubled that a writer with obvious influence and attention of scores of people should ask such a question, knowing fully well that he must have researched his topic before writing about it. Allow me to inform Mr Tacca that when God made the earth, he gave it to man to run it, and gave him guidelines to follow in order to live well with the creatures he put on earth. Psalms 115:16 says: ‘The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.’ He gave man the ability to choose between right and wrong, good and evil, life and death as is said in Deuteronomy 30:15 - ‘See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil.’ However, man has chosen his own ways, as even Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 7:29, yet God made man upright. To sum my research data, Isaiah 24 will open your eyes to the fact that we (mankind) chose the wrong path. In light of the above, Mr Tacca, please realise that if there is anyone to blame for any mess on earth, it is me and you. I will not presume to defend God, since you attacked him, neither will I presume to defend those who had revelations from the Holy Spirit as they reported, since you attacked their claims and it is them to defend it. I just want you to understand that if God intervenes in the affairs of mankind, it is through His people. It is only when sin has grown to maturity that God judges it and destroys the root of that sin, for example, the flood that Noah escaped, the destruction of the Canaanites (Genesis 15:16), the destruction of Jerusalem, etc. God never setup al-Shabaab or al-Qaeda. He never made those bombs that caused great horror and agony, and He never commissioned the July 11 bitter events. It was all due to the inventions and beliefs of mankind. Man designed the suicide bombs, man setup terrorist cells, man preaches hatred and extremism in religion. I too was horrified when I saw the images that came out of Kyaddondo Rugby Club and the Ethiopian Village Restaurant, but I never blamed God. Instead, my heart went out to the bereaved families and I prayed for their peace, as there were students from the institution I attend that were among the deceased as well. The weeping mothers move me to this day, and that horrible event left a bitter taste in the mouth of our motherland, Uganda. Instead of shaking your fist against the Almighty God and urging people to avoid Him, use your position as a writer and commentator to soothe the bereaved families and preach against terrorism and discourage extremist religions. If someone claims to have had a revelation, do not oppose them without a counter-revelation or useless reasoning. Remember that we all shall die at one point or another and will answer for all our actions and words, especially those in positions of influence such as yourself. I have discovered that the wisest creature on earth is man because of his inventions, and the dumbest are animals because of their simplistic tendencies. I have also discovered that the most foolish creature on earth is man because he forgets that he must die until he is on his death-bed, then starts calling for that old abandoned Bible that was gathering dust on the bookshelf and reads it hard, hoping to understand in the last few days of his life, what he should have pursued all the years of his life and attained perfection in. Samuel Mungujakisa,CEO, Bero Computers ceo@berocomputers.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1202222/-/bl61ciz/-/index.html","content":"2011 so far: A year of reckoning - Kampala When the NRM government first came to power in 1986, it faced a lot of resistance from remnants of the defeated national army, the UNLA, as well as various rebel groups that sprung up between 1986 and at various intervals until the mid 1990s. However, most of these rebellions were located in far-flung areas of Uganda, most of them not economically significant. Most of the economic heartland of central Uganda was unaffected and - in fact - saw rapid reconstruction and a certain amount of growth. This is what led to the perception of Uganda recovering from the ashes of war, as well as the complacency in Buganda and western Uganda. Since 2005, with the return of FDC President Kiiza Besigye from exile in South Africa, his arrest followed by demonstrations and the many others that have become part of life in Kampala, the situation has been reversed. The eastern and northern parts of Uganda have quieted down and the resistance to the government is now centred in the economically important areas of Kampala, Masaka and other parts of Buganda and even in western Uganda. Public unrestSo far, 2011 shall be remembered as the year Uganda became marked by an atmosphere of constant public discontent. In the weeks leading up to the February general elections, the army and police had deployed heavily all over the country to prevent possible pre- and post-election violence. The sight of policemen, one virtually every 200 metres in Kampala, was thought to be a sufficient deterrent to would-be rioters and other troublemakers.One of the most important features of 2011 is that taken in general; Ugandans have stopped fearing Museveni, stopped believing him, or at least stopped taking his words at face value, started losing hope. Most analysts had assumed that the sight of so many soldiers and policemen on the streets and walking single file through Kampala’s suburbs would be enough to deter Ugandans. But in the wake of this deployment came the longest-running, most sustained demonstrations in Uganda since Independence in 1962. Just when the walk-to-work and hoot-your-horn protests died down and it seemed that, as usual Ugandans could not sustain demonstrations, new groups of dissenters, unrelated to politics, sprang up: Kampala city traders, taxi drivers and operators, employees of the Multiplex street parking company. That the season of strikes and protests has continued with opposition politicians mostly out of the picture indicates that what the opposition started the walk-to-work protests for was a more long-term problem than they being poor losers of an election. Economic situationSome of the government’s defence of itself in the face of the current economic crisis is valid. Energy prices, from petrol to kerosene and natural gas are on the rise worldwide, as are world sugar prices. Even as the US economy continues to come under pressure from its mounting national debt and a much weaker and much longer period of post-recession economic slowdown, the US dollar continues to be a safe haven in many parts of the world, and so the Shilling falls in value against the dollar. While it might seem at first glance that a weak shilling boosts Uganda’s exports, as recent media reports have stated, Uganda’s exports are not exactly high yield, high-value. Uganda continues to export, principally, agricultural foodstuffs and basic household utensils like plastic basins, mugs, jerrycans and basins. The weakening shilling, on the other hand, is affecting the bulk of domestic economic activity, with consumption down and with that, many small businesses struggling. To add to this insult is the crisis of electricity. What complicates Uganda’s situation in 2011 is that for the first time since 1979, hard economic times in Uganda have come at the same time as economic crisis in Europe, Uganda’s main aid donor. The economic crisis in many Eurozone nations means that it will not be long before the European Union simply cannot afford to give Uganda what has, until now, seemed like unlimited aid and grants. With Uganda reliant on the remittances of earning from its citizens living abroad, particularly those in Britain and the US, these are starting to dwindle as spare cash becomes harder to find that can be sent back home. However, the feeling among most Ugandans is that first, Uganda has been in a wretched state as far as public services and the infrastructure is concerned well before the start of the world financial crisis in September 2008 and second, that even after this crisis got underway, had Uganda been better managed, had there been greater respect for the rule of law and a clampdown on corruption and profligate government (and State House) spending, the world economic downturn would have not affected the country in the way it is.Museveni’s policy. 1 | 2 Next Page»So far, President Museveni’s national policy has now been reduced to two tendencies; blame the free-falling economy on the opposition or where you can’t, deal in futures by promising Ugandans better days tomorrow when oil starts flowing or various dams are completed. Last week while appearing on CBS FM, Mukono MP Betty Nambooze cleverly narrated in detail and with documentary proof, that since 2008, President Museveni has used his State-of-the-Nation addresses in Parliament to promise that “by next year” this dam and that dam would have been completed. Ms Nambooze pointed out that in each subsequent address to Parliament the following years, the same dams that Mr Museveni had promised would be completed “by next year” were still being mentioned as going to be completed “by next year”. Ms Nambooze was able to demonstrate that what is actually happening is that the President’s policy approach now, since he seems to lack concrete plans, has become to live on some kind of futures, in the same way oil and other minerals are traded on world markets. President Museveni now runs Uganda not on the basis of current and ongoing projects but on the promise and pledge of better days ahead for Uganda if we can only give him more time and of course, more terms in office. It has been 10 years now since Mr Museveni started promising Ugandans full electricity at some stage in the future, great prospects for national prosperity have been in the air since oil was first discovered in the Albertine region of Bunyoro in western Uganda, the 2007 Commonwealth summit was pitched as the start of a new era, in which Uganda would now be firmly on the world tourist map and a flood of tourists would henceforth make Uganda a permanent “Mecca” of holiday-making. Trading in futures, in the prospect of magic in the future, in amazing things yet to happen in the future, in things that the government has failed to deliver today and yesterday soon to come to Uganda in the future - this shaping economic policy around a future that has yet to be seen, has now become Mr Museveni’s way. Officials are busybodiesAs all these magical plans for the future are announced regularly by President Museveni, his cabinet ministers, military officers, aides and NRM party spokespeople who echo the leader’s vision in the same erratic way that is a hallmark of his presidency. Since the Ugandan government is these days run essentially from State House and State House is, in many ways, the government, there is little by way of concrete, well-formulated policy running Uganda’s economy. The result of this has been for government ministry technocrats and bureaucrats to fade into the background and be replaced by cabinet ministers as the face of the ministries and chief commentators on policy. Ms Amelia Kyambadde, the new Minister of Trade, was for many years President Museveni’s Private Secretary and later Principal Private Secretary. In those roles, she was little known to and seen by the public, working quietly behind-the-scenes. But as soon as she became the Trade minister this year, she started off her tenure by plunging immediately into and acting in a crisis mode. As it has been for Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, Police Spokesperson Judith Nabakoba, and former Interior minister Kirunda Kivejinja, and others, Ms Kyambadde substituted her lack of concrete policy plans with constant media appearances and comment and a hectic negotiating schedule. Ms Maria Kiwanuka, Finance Minister, Dr Margaret Kigozi, Uganda Investment Authority boss, army spokesman Felix Kulayigye the new Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority, Ms Jennifer Musisi, former Information Minister Kabakumba Matsiko, former Government Chief Whip Daudi Migereko, the CID Director Edward Ochom, and cabinet ministers have all been reduced to a pathetic working method because of the one thing they have in common - they work, often directly, on “orders from above”. Watching the futureThe remaining six months of 2011 will be interesting to watch and analyse. The economy is going to remain in doldrums and the difference this time is that the public is now, unlike before, more and more able to see through and predict President Museveni. The reality of the grinding poverty than an ever larger number of Ugandans are sinking into, and the frustration among the business community of trading in goods and services for which the public has little demand and purchasing power, will continue unstopped. And as usual, Mr Museveni’s answer to this growing sign of Uganda sinking into complete collapse will be the usual one - we have great dams, great oil production, millions of tourists about to inundate Uganda, great new eight-lane highways being planned, great windfalls to be reaped from the new Republic of South Sudan. A great future just ahead - if only we can be patient and give him more time. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/-/689842/1201114/-/13ujh6r/-/index.html","content":"Why open up to a boda cyclist? - It is the trials and tribulations that make any relationship worthwhile. But it seemingly disturbs when a woman finds it easy to bemoan her miseries to a bodaboda cyclists, writes Philip Kyesimire. By virtue of their usefulness to the time – constrained users, bodabodas are here to stay especially the motor cycles. Of course they have contributed to fatalities in quite generous proportions especially in the city. But their utility in some way justifies their staying on. Yet more controversially than not, these same heralded architects of transport reform are beginning to perform the riskiest and trickiest of roles – listening ears to married women! The city has been awash with theatrical situations of late, with drama erupting off even the unappealing. It is therefore understandable when there is conversation between a bodaboda and his passenger. However, when this conversation steers from such to the other and before long marriage problems, the passenger is expected to tell that the “handshake has exceeded the elbow”. It is time to either bow out or change topic. A few seasoned tales - bearers especially of the female race have made a habit of using this “rare opportunity” to have a one – on – one with the counsellors they make of the bodaboda cyclists. In relentless fashion, they bewail the failure of their men to do A, B, C, going on about how frustrated and disappointed they have become. The poor man is left to negotiate traffic with a flood of cries for pity and sympathy, and sometimes dulling his concentration on the jam – hit highways and by – ways of Kampala. Having little regard for what is supposed to be the coziest of relationships by talking to whoever will bend to hear, is at most unbearable for the partner with whom the agreement is made. It is admittedly intimidating when the partner is a man. For starters and also for heaven’s sake, why do you tell the bodaboda cyclist everything there is to know about your husband simply because a situation arose that tempted gossip? It is no secret that women find it very easy to bemoan the misery of their marriage in the most woeful of laments to any ear within the range of her voice at its loudest. It is of the most interesting bitterness when the ear to which lamentation is howled is a bodaboda man! Said with the gloomiest of expressions, what pattern of despicability warrants that marital issues be carried from the cove a bedroom of two is supposed to be, to a street chap on two wheels struggling to make ends meet? Yes, the cyclists are human and some of them out there are good and most probably he has been your regular service provider. But stretching conversational limits to blather out marital incoherencies to a total stranger you meet on the street, makes for a lot of lack of common insight. After all you have told him, are you asking him to hold you in high esteem or does your endless chatter give you better public standing? Realistically marriages have ups and downs which will rock even the most seemingly stable relationship. But it is also worth noting that everyone has a cross to carry. The cyclist you are sharing all your linen is below your man’s current status. Ask their wives!"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/-/688322/1201356/-/4axwfb/-/index.html","content":"Court absolves investors without BoU clearance - Foreign investors who were granted permits and trading licenses without certificate of remittance by the central bank have been exonerated by court. The Commercial Division of the High Court in Kampala last week dismissed a case that sought the cancellation of such work permits and trading licenses issued by both the immigration department and Kampala Capital City Authority. The court argued that the matter raised calls for interpretation by the Constitutional Court rather than declarations. Presiding Judge, Christopher Madrama held: “Much as there is a controversy in the law, it is the duty of the authorities to enforce the laws for the benefit of the country.” “There is no requirement that foreign investors can be issued with permits upon presenting the certificate of remittance,” he added. The clearance resulted from a case in which local business proprietors dragged the Attorney General and KCCA to court accusing them of issuing work permits and licenses to foreign traders who have not deposited $100,000 to BoU as required by the law. Pearl Impex (U) Limited, Mirambi Central Stores and Afristock Company Limited through Muwema and Mugerwa Advocates told court that the foreign traders, mainly Chinese and Indians, have captured the central business hub of Kampala and taken over most of the shopping malls engaging in retail and other petty businesses. This case, comes at a time when many traders are complaining of fake foreign investors who flood the market with petty retail businesses."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/-/689842/1196348/-/13h44qe/-/index.html","content":"Exercise at your desk - In this dot come era, most people especially those that work in office spend most of their time on a computer. They never get time to exercise but only move away from them when they are going out for lunch and during this time, they will use the lift on their way out and in. Others will opt for ordering for the meal and will have it at their desks. However, Josephat Asiimwe, a personal gym and swimming instructor. says that such a life style is very unhealthy. “It’s dangerous for people to sit throughout the day, drive home and go to bed without stretching their body.” For the backAsiimwe says that one’s sitting position and posture is very important if you are the kind who sits at the desk whole day. “Whenever you are seated, ensure that you back is straight. This is will rule out cases of damaging the back bone and thus prevent back aches,” he says He advises that when picking something from the floor, always bend on your knees to pick whatever will have fallen instead of pushing back your seat to pick it. Asiimwe explains that, “Every time you bend the back, pressure is put on the back bone so it is easy to damage it if you bend the back without bending the knees. So, bending both the knees and back not only protects the back bone but also exercises the knees.” The neckHe says that just like the other parts of the body, the neck becomes stiff if it has been in one position for a long time. That is why you need to stretch it. He explicates that while at your desk, you can turn your neck in the form of a no sign 10 times on each side. You then nod your head in the yes sign. You can also rotate it in the 360 degrees position. This head turning process, will release all the tension around the neck. Arms and shoulders Put both arms together in front of your face and take them to the side in a straight line. This type of stretch is referred to as a bird flaps and it helps stretch the arms and shoulders, however, it’s effective if done for at least two minutes. Hands and fingersStretch out your hand in front of you, then bend your fingers towards yourself and use the other free hand to pull them towards you. Hold them in that position for 30 seconds and do the same to the other hand. Back, waist and stomachWhen you go to the bathroom, stretch the back, waist and stomach by bending forward, backwards and sideways for at least five minutes. This will release the tension around those parts of the body. Upper bodyStep forward from your seat. Put your arms backwards and support them on the seat. Then lift and dip you lower body. This exercise is called the dip and if done for five minutes, it will help to strengthen the triceps and make the arms firm. Thus reducing cases of arm sagging. LegsStill in the bathroom, put both legs a feet and a half apart. Put your arms around your waist and squat to a position of 90 degrees. Do this for five minutes and according to the instructor, “it increases flood in joints, flexibility and mobility. It also reduces the development of diseases like oestroposis and enthesitis. However, the instructor says that if these stretches seem like a lot of work to do, “Instead of taking the lift, us the stairs, they can be an alternative for a total workout if you take 10 minutes on the stairs spread through the whole day. You can also make movements at office by moving from your desk to another person’s desk. This will help stretch mostly the legs.” But in general, these stretches are not enough for the body. Asiimwe advises that you make some time over the weekend and go to the gym or go swimming so that you can have a total body workout."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/1193050/-/o3mi7z/-/index.html","content":"Books they read: Princess Ikatekit - Princess Ikatekit will graduate next year with a degree in Actuarial Science from St. John’s University in New York. She has been published in an anthology titled: Butterfly Dreams & Other New Short Stories from Uganda. How did you fall in love with books?I grew up surrounded by books. When we were very small, my mother read to us. When we were slightly older, my father bought us children’s story collections. I couldn’t help falling in love with books, especially when I discovered little girl characters who were like me: Heidi, Anne of Green Gables, Jo from Little Women. They were like me, but they led very different lives. I wanted to get to know their worlds. Which books have you read several times and you still want to read again?The only books I have re-read, at this point, are books from my childhood: Anne of Green Gables, Jane Eyre, the Arabian Nights, some of the Harry Potter books. The books from my ‘adulthood’ are still fresh in my mind—they will have to wait a few more years. Which characters are memorable in the books that you have read? Why?Humbert Humbert from Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita. I believe a more frightening, obscene and fascinating character has yet to be created. Which books are you glad to have read? Why?I would have to say: Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged, Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God, George Orwell’s 1984, Italo Calvino’s If on a winter’s night a traveler. There is also Ian McEwan’s The Comfort of Strangers, Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children, Milan Kundera’s The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s The Thing Around Your Neck…I could go on. Each of these books is representative of a genre of writing I am intrigued with, each of them exhibits a caliber of writing I consider exquisite. I am grateful to each of their authors. Which books have had a great impact in your life? Why?Several books, several authors have left their mark on me. But the one book that I would say marked a turning point in my reading career is Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged. Never before had I encountered a work of fiction that aimed to do more than entertain; Rand presented, with this book, a whole new way of thinking about life. For one thing, she extolled the virtue of selfishness, and demonised the idea that the rich are beholden to the poor: “I swear, by my life and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.” I found myself, for the first time in my life, actively involved in the reading process. Did her assertions hold truth or was she simply out of her mind? What parts of my own life philosophy did I need to re-examine? What did Rand have to teach me? When I finally put Atlas Shrugged down, I found that I had become a different kind of reader. I no longer had any patience for books which did not challenge or engage me either intellectually or aesthetically. Who is your latest best/favorite writer? Why?Pressed to give a single answer, I would say Zora Neale Hurston. I only just finished reading Their Eyes Were Watching God, and I can tell you, I have been kicking myself for not discovering her sooner. She writes paragraphs so beautiful, that it is possible to get lost in them. I would encourage anyone who has not yet read this book, to run to a store and pick it up. What is your favourite quote or phrase from the books that you have read?I am afraid I’m quite fickle when it comes to “favourite quotes.” My favourite quote on any given day depends on whatever book I happen to be reading at that time. My current winner is: “He was like a glance from God.” This is what Janie says to describe Tea Cake in Their Eyes Were Watching God. Which books are you reading? And what do you like about them/it?Four books: Changing My Mind, Occasional Essays by Zadie Smith, The Eternal Husband & Other Stories by Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, and The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood. Dostoevsky’s stories and The Picture of Dorian Gray are wonderfully written—they are stories to linger over. Changing My Mind is an interesting sneak-peek into Zadie Smith’s mind. I have only read the first few pages of The Year of the Flood; it looks promising so far."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1190812/-/byq5ywz/-/index.html","content":"Tuesday Downpour Floods Parts of Kampala  - The Tuesday afternoon downpour that lasted well over half an hour was enough to flood several Kampala roads. Daily Monitor reporter Edgar R. Batte was able to capture photographic moments of the 'flood' that left many cars stuck as kanyamas and boda boda riders made a quick buck rescuing the stranded drivers. At the Shoprite round-about, the road was practically immersed with the rushing water so high that adult pedestrians daring to cross found the water reached knee level. The reporter also made his way through the soggy Kisenyi, to Makerere and Bwaise. It was no better. Bwaise is traditionally known for suffering the after-effects of downpours and after the Tuesday downpour the road that connects Bwaise to Kazo was cut off by floods due to the heavy rains. Locals described the rains as the heaviest in recent times. One local said the floods had never cut the road off but the downpour was too heavy and even the heavy trucks could not cross to the other end of the road. The flooding is largely blamed on a poor and congested drainage system."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1184230/-/c0a29kz/-/index.html","content":"Southern Sudan Accident Death toll rises to 29, 20 Ugandans feared Dead - At least 20 Ugandans were among the 29 people killed in a head-on collision of Ugandan owned buses at at Arapi village, Pageri in Payam, 28 kilometres in Southern Sudan from the Uganda border. By Friday evening (6pm), only 15 bodies had been identified; nine of them of Ugandan nationality, five from Southern Sudan and one Kenyan, Uganda Police spokesperson, Judith Nabakooba said. But some eyewitnesses put the number of dead above 40. Police said the accident left 50 Ugandans, 16 Southern Sudanese, two Kenyans and one Rwandan injured at hospitalized in Nimule hospital. Police spokesperson, Judith Nabakooba couldn’t immediately tell the cause of the accident or the identities of the dead because they were waiting for a formal report from their counterparts from Southern Sudan. “Even if we get the report, we have to inform that relatives of the victims first before passing them to the press,” Ms Nabakooba said yesterday. According to a Ugandan Missionary worker in Nimule, Mr Denis Akena, 40 people died on spot and two died at the hospital. “Actually as we removed the dead bodies from the wreckage, there were several others who were still not in good condition. There are so many broken bones scattered on the road and others trapped in the wreckage,” Mr Akena said. Uganda Bus Drivers chairman, Mr Hannington Kiwanuka yesterday confirmed that two of their members, Godfrey Mukiibi and Nyanzi Kabanda, the drivers of both buses who had died in the collision. “The bodies have been taken to morgue in a hospital in Nimule but we haven’t got more information about other people who have died because of poor telephone network,” Mr Kiwanuka said yesterday. According to Mr Kiwanuka, the incident happened at around 9am when Nyanzi who was driving a bus belonging to Baby Coaches from Kampala to Juba used wrong lane thus colliding head-on with another bus of Bakulu Coaches that was being driven by Mukiibi. Mukiibi was driving to Juba to Kampala. “Our members there are telling us that Nyanzi could have used the left side and in bend which is used by the Uganda traffic yet he was in Sudan where they use the right side,” he said. One driver who was at the scene, Mr Willy Katende said that many passengers died but they have been blocked from accessing the morgue in the hospital. “I found a few bodies at the scene and took some photographs. But I can’t tell the exact number of dead since no one is allowed in the hospital,” Mr Katende said. A good number of Ugandan businesspeople trade in Southern Sudan and use buses as the means of transport. In May more than ten people died after a vehicle they were travelling was swept away by flood after it got stuck in sand on River Kaya in Southern Sudan. And in 2009, at least 20 Ugandan traders were killed in an accident in Southern Sudan. Motor accidents kill at least 3000 people a year in Uganda minus those who die abroad. The number of people who died in road accidents has increased from 2,734 in 2009 to 2,954 in 2010, which represents an eight per cent rise. 1 | 2 Next Page»A total of 14,148 people (75 per cent) were hospitalized after they suffered serious injuries after they were involved in road accidents while 1,742 people suffered minor injuries. Reporting by Andrew Bagala, Okumu Langol, Felix Warom & Cissy Makumbi « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1178766/-/10cf0cc/-/index.html","content":"Budget doesn’t reflect a touch with reality - In the 21st Century, the government in Uganda, my motherland, decided to modernise agriculture by scrapping tax on the hand-hoe! What are the interests of the authors of the 2011/2012 Budget that was on Thursday read in Parliament? What are the interests of our country? Honestly, farmers had not complained about the price of hoes. Rather, they have been complaining about the absence of hoes. In other words, they want to be provided with hoes and not tax cuts on hoes. In any case, a mere tax cut, or hoes themselves, will not help them modernise their farming activities. Improving ‘rural electrification’ by reducing tax on kerosene will usher in a middle class who are suffering from respiratory and eye diseases. This will, no doubt, negate the benefits of the tax cut on kerosene. Besides, by cutting tax on kerosene, we are only helping to unleash tyranny on the environment through the carbon emissions and the inherent effects of global warming. Maybe in future, Uganda will flood with oil, courtesy of 2011/2012 Budget. We lie astride the Equator and a scrapping taxes on and enforcing better standards of solar equipment is better. The government should set up a fund for solar power usage similar to that extended to the failed NAADS programme. Since corruption is to be fought tooth and nail, I believe that this is the way for Uganda to go. Who knows, maybe this government will certainly create a Tadooba-Mbago middle class by 2015.For God and My Country. Paul Lumala,Kampala"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1178412/-/c0srd0z/-/index.html","content":"Can Kasese escape the flood menace? - Ms Hawa Kamalha, a mother of three, has been living in Kilembe quarters village on the footsteps of Mount Rwenzori in Kasese District for a long time. But on a bright day on May 6, night fell without any signs of rain. She went to bed as usual and late in the night, she felt her blanket wet. At first she thought she had wetted her bed. “At about 3am, I felt water on my bed and when I touched the blanket, it was totally soaked. Then I woke up and saw a flooded bedroom.” Ms Kamalha quickly woke up her children and they rushed out before water submerged her house up to the window level. By morning, she was among hundreds of residents displaced by floods that destroyed property worth unspecified millions of shillings. The heavy downpour resulted runoffs from the slopes of the mountain and the surrounding hills to the lower lands. Issued warningThe Executive Director Foundation for Urban and Rural Advancement, Mr Reuben Mbauta, has already warned of more floods and advised people in the prone areas to relocate. “We have advised the residents in the affected areas to vacate because more rains are coming and the problem may worsen,” he said. Nyakasanga, Kikonzo, Kidodo, Kizungu, Railway village and Hima Town Council are some of the other areas that experience heavy floods during rainy seasons. However, environmentalists have always warned authorities in Kasese over poor methods of agriculture on the slopes of the mountain and hills around the district that have affected the natural checks against floods. The Kasese Municipal Engineer, Mr Apollo Bamwine, attributes the problem to political interference in the planning of the town. He says politicians in the area interfere with the process of offering tenders for construction works in the municipality. “People have also been encouraged and supported by politicians to build in areas that are planned to be drainage channels. When you advise them as a technical person they shut you down,” Mr Bamwine said. The Town Clerk, Mr Wilson Musabe, says there is a blocked drainage channel which people forcefully built on. He also says the land regulation is not effective in salvaging the situation. “The problem is the 1998 Land Act, which gives citizens excessive powers over land ownership in the country. This Act has encouraged people to just grab land even areas set aside for government projects,” Mr Musabe said. He says the drainage problem in the town can be stemmed at a cost of over Shs5 billion. Most leaders in the district and the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) attribute the floods to poor urban planning. The new district chairman, Rtd Lt. Col. Mawa Muhindo, said: “The Kasese municipal technical planning team is responsible for the current flooding in the town.” However, the UNRA Kasese station engineer, Mr John Kennedy Kasawuli, says the blocking of the roads by floods was due to poor designing during the road reconstruction four years ago by M/s Solene Bien International. He adds, “There is need to redesign the roads. This will take time since it will be done during the major reconstruction of the highway (Kasese-Fort Portal) which needs a lot of technicalities.” The Infant Brigade Commander, Lt. Col Edison Muhanguzi, who led a team of soldiers that re-opened the roads also blames the municipal council authorities of poor planning. He said: “The allocation of plots to individual developers on water drainage channels has interfered with nature.” But Mr Bahati Binobino, the LC 2 chairman for Kamaiba Ward, Central Division, says the construction of a water reservoir in the area would soak in some water before it seals off the roads and people’s premises. While travelling on Katunguru-Kasese-Fort Portal road, it is evident that the flora on the slopes of mountains and hills on both sides of the road has been severely tampered with, reducing the natural checks to runoff water. Most rivers that emanate from Mount Rwenzori such as River Nyamwamba have been bursting even during dry seasons causing water spills into residential areas. This is due to sand excavation on the river banks and the effects of climate change where the snow deposits atop of the mountain have been melting due to global warming. Floods have not only hit the urban Kasese, but also the rural areas including Katwe-Kabatooro. According to Mr Nicholas Arinaitwe Kagongo, an environmentalist at the Lake Katwe Salt Tourism and Information Centre in Kasese, floods have hit the salty lake since last year and dissolved the salt in more than 8,000 salt pans. “There used to be about 30 streams refreshing Lake Katwe but now only four are left,” Mr Arinaitwe says. He says the lake may become barren just like other salty lakes in the region if the current climate changes are anything to go by. He also attributes the flooding to the degradation caused by overgrazing animals and residents who cutdown the surrounding vegetation. Mr Arinaitwe said: “The grass and other shrubs that control the rain water runoff have reduced gradually.” The western region focal person and public awareness officer for NEMA, Mr Jeconious Musingwiire, said: “Kasese will be hit by floods for sometime because the green cover has faded on the hills, which leads to surface runoffs. River banks have been cultivated so the rivers burst when it rains or when there is an overflow from the snow capped mountain.” Increased infrastructureThe district environmental officer, Mr Augustine Kooli, adds that the hills around the municipality have been built on which also creates more water runoffs. “There are increased developments in the town lately and the hills are being built on like the Late Kazini’s hotel (Kepp Resort Hotel), on Kilembe Road, so water accumulates because of loss of tree cover”. Climate change has already threatened Lake Katwe and the lives of over 8,000 residents who engage in salt extraction for a living. The lake floods since last year forcing people to seek for alternative jobs. Traders around East and Central Africa have for many years flocked Katwe to load about 10 lorries of salt daily but the bee hive activity is no longer existent. 1 | 2 Next Page»Museveni cautionsPresident Museveni while presiding over the 44th coronation anniversary for Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu in Kasese on October 19, 2010, cautioned the people living around Mount Rwenzori of the dangers of degrading the water catchments which he said would cause disaster for the country. “That forest on Mount Rwenzori is very crucial, all these rivers in Kasese and Kabarole are from that forest. So you should understand this and know that the forest is our mother not only for the Rwenzori region but also for other parts of the country. Tampering with the forest cover means people will perish of floods,” he said. Floods have over the years killed several people and displaced hundreds of others, especially in Kilembe and Karusandara sub-counties and Hima Town Council. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1175660/-/c0usm8z/-/index.html","content":"Experts warn of water scarcity as wetland encroachment escalates - Kampala For the last 15 years, Uganda has lost about 4,000 square kilometres of wetlands to degradation, posing a risk of water shortage, experts from Water and Environment Ministry have said. From 13 per cent coverage of wetlands, the area has dropped to 11 per cent coverage within the same period, experts from the Wetlands Department in the ministry reveal. Urban areas and developing towns are the most prone to degradation due to exploding population and unregulated activities on wetlands. The Commissioner for Wetlands, Mr Paul Mafabi, said the situation will get worse if urban planners do not strategise for the increasing population. “We may have an exploding population but if it is not well planned for then people will resort to wetlands as a means of settlement and survival,” he warned. Floods Mr Mafabi and his team have been carrying out a study on the state of wetlands in the country with preliminary results revealing that major wetlands and their biodiversity are dying out with a serious potential water stress and flooding in the next 10-15 years should wetlands be depleted. Wetlands play a major role in withholding water and releasing it in small amounts. Mr Mafabi also warned that important bird species such as the Crested Crane, Uganda’s national symbol, whose only habitat is seasonal swamps, would soon get extinct, if their breeding haven are destroyed. The most common forms of wetland degradation include, Murum filling, poor cultivation, industrial pollution and digging channels. Districts where wetlands are under serious degradation are Kampala, Mbale, Jinja, Wakiso, and Pallisa. While wetlands in northern Uganda are still intact, Mr Mafabi says parts of swamps in Lira are already under attack, saying urban settlers seem to be finding their way into the wetlands. “Gulu has not been so much of a problem but lately as the town is expanding we are beginning to see some effects around Pece, and some areas around the town,” Dr Mafabi said. The western region is also seeing fresh encroachment in Buweju which has affected water supply in Bushenyi District. In Mbarara, the Rwizi system has continued to diminish due to degradation. Dr William Muhaire of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation said encroachment on River Rwizi has greatly reduced the amount of water produced in the district with residents sometimes harvesting only mud from the river. Wetlands are vegetated land areas that are flooded either permanently or seasonally. In Uganda, their most common vegetation is papyrus, but, other wetlands include bogs, flood plains and swamp forests. In addition to the unplanned exploding population, Dr Mafabi says poor agriculture practices that deplete nutrition of highlands have put the lowland wetlands under attack. But this is also met with an elusive government policy on wetlands to permit ‘developers’ on the wetland, eventually destroying it. “If the population is properly planned for and areas of agriculture correctly utilised then we shouldn’t see the problem of encroachment due to rural urban migration, unplanned settlement is big problem,” said Mr Mafabi. However, the Commissioner for Physical Planning at the Ministry of Lands, Mr Vincent Byandaimire, says plans are in place to protect the wetlands but the actual implementation is sometimes difficult as directives may come from different angles and planners over the same wetland or land. “Many times the planners from local government may not sit on the same table to give a similar directive and this incoherence results in one party giving out the wetland,” Dr Byandamire said. Environment analysts say the problem could be potentially solved if the Physical Planning Act which will start working in month time is implemented. Dr Byandaimire said the Act will give an avenue for all planners to sit and lease land jointly. The country also has several laws in place to protect wetlands from degradation. The National Environment Act Cap 153, The National Environment (Wetland, River banks and lakeshore management) regulations 2000 and the Constitution, prohibit reclaiming, erecting or removing structures, drilling or disturbing, depositing substances likely to have effects on the wetland, destroying part of it or introducing any exotic plant or animal in the wetland. The penalty for wetland degradation is a fine of not less than three months in prison or a fine not less than Shs30,000 and not more than Shs3 million. However, wetland protectors often times intervene when degradation has already occurred. 1 | 2 Next Page»For instance, the approval of an Environment Protection Force has not been effected while a draft Regulations Law for wetlands is being formulated and could ensure wetland protection and incorporate penalties and a protection unit. With Uganda’s population estimated to reach 60 million by 2030, analysts say it remains the task of the 9th Parliament to pass the upcoming laws which could see wetlands rest from encroachment but that should also be coupled with implementation. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Religion/-/689744/1174450/-/g0k2y6/-/index.html","content":"The Bible has caused division - Those are common statements in religious debates, most especially when the person on the receiving end is Roman Catholic. We all believe in God and without any reasonable doubt, we have heard of what He has done and some have even seen things happen. So, on the record, I don’t want anybody to misunderstand me. When God started doing His work through Abraham, Moses, etc, he worked directly with them by sending them to deliver his messages and warnings. This was the time before Christ. After Jesus’ life and death, the 12 disciples preached and taught the Word directly and touched a lot of souls as manifested in the big numbers of Christians today. Such things like the Bible didn’t exist and the church was one and not divided. Today we have the Bible that has not only confused Christians but divided the universal church. It’s better to believe in God and the 10 Commandments, being good to others without unnecessarily quoting certain verses that will make some believers feel unworthy. I am one Christian who has for a long time tried to understand the Bible but the more you understand it the more you will distance yourself from God. For starters, it was written by anonymous people who later posed and impersonated different prophets and apostles. They used the events of God and His Son Jesus to put together the modern Bible, and by doing this organised and disorganised the ministry. The inconsistencies of the Bible are too hard to ignore through the different stories. First of all in Genesis they present to us the creation story like they were there. This actually contradicts what the Bible says, that we shouldn’t try hard to understand God. Human knowledge is limited to a lot of things so you don’t really understand why someone had to pen a story of the beginning with so much authority. Who was there to profile these events when they unfolded to an extent that we have them in our modern Bible? Why didn’t they leave us with what we knew, that God is omniscient and without a beginning and an end? Further, in the Old Testament, we have the story of Noah and the flood, which has been highly criticised by non believers, though the real problem here might have been the writer, not the events. First of all, one wonders where the writer was when all this happened; there’s no way one could have seen what happened inside the ark and what happened outside at the same time. According to the Bible, God asked Noah to let in “two of all kinds of animals, male and female” yet basing on studies done by the likes of James Edward, executive director of the Encyclopedia of Life, “Its physically impossible, there are over 50 million species out there.” This means the ark would be small for even half the species on earth then, considering that gigantic creatures like dinosaurs still existed. The authority of the apostles being the writers of their gospels is very much questionable; on many occasions in Matthew’s gospel, he refers to himself as “a man called Matthew”. This is no way to refer to oneself while narrating accounts one is involved in. We expected Matthew and his company to refer to themselves as me or myself; this would have given their gospels some authority other than sound like hearsay or narrations. The dogma nature of Jesus’ birth features in all the gospels. It was written in a way that even the private conversation of Mary and Angel Gabriel, not mentioning Joseph’s dream to marry Mary, are narrated. Much as these stories are important to the scripture, they are too private for some outsider of the Holy Family to write about them with authority, considering the fact that Mary, Joseph and their son Jesus didn’t write any gospel. Even if they had happened in the open, many of Jesus’ apostles, who allegedly wrote the gospels, were either too young or not yet born to witness the events before Jesus’ birth. The fact that some books are missing or were omitted from the Bible (the lost gospels) is also disturbing. Research shows that by the time the Bible was written, many of the witnesses of Jesus were dead or rather too old to remember anything. There are many chances that the Bible research was based on interviews and how do we know that the parties questioned didn’t withhold information by mistake or deliberately? Peter, who is said to be the oldest disciple and must have witnessed almost everything doesn’t own a gospel, yet his would have been firsthand information! According to www9.nationalgeographic.com/lostgospel, it’s said that Jesus had a gospel and that if it had been published, it would have been the shortest gospel with just a simple massage “You can’t confine the Lord in beautiful storied buildings only, slice a piece of wood you will find me there, uncover a stone and I will be there.” It’s written that this text would have caused a rift between the church and the public since no one would have felt the need to go to church since Jesus was everywhere. Thus, the first fathers had to do away with that text so as to have the control of the church. The Bible is well written and documents the life of Jesus and the prophets; we do need it, but some mistakes done by the authors are not only dividing the church but also generating seeds of resistance."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/-/688612/1170602/-/9dnpmpz/-/index.html","content":"What do you do when your gadget falls in water? - On the eve of Good Friday, there was a heavy downpour that left many businesses in and around Industrial Area in a bit of a mess. I cannot even start to talk about Bwaise, as residents there are usual suspects. Question is, what do you do when the good old electronics are submerged in floodwater? Electronic items and water do not go together well, (unless of course they have been designed to be waterproof). More usually, such things as mobile phones, MP3 players, computers, radios, televisions, hard disc drives, digital cameras, etc survive best in dry conditions and will malfunction, sometimes quite spectacularly leading to their demise if immersed in water. You sometimes hear, “My mobile phone fell into the toilet,” or “Flood water has ruined all my electronics,” etc, but surprisingly it is not always a 100 per cent loss. Sometimes, electronics and electrical machines can be saved from water and can recover and become functional again. So, if you have got an electronic gadget and it has gotten wet, do not throw it away. In the more frequent case, where something like a phone or a digital camera has fallen in water, there is still a chance of saving it. Just because it is electrical and it is flooded does not mean it is dead. There are no guarantees, but there are some techniques, which will increase the chance of recovery, and some mistakes to avoid which will reduce the chance of getting it back into shape. The chances of anything electrical surviving being in water are considerably better if switched off at the time. I cannot verify this but I have heard that Umeme or UETCL or Aggreko or ERA or whoever is in charge, turns off the power in flood prone areas during heavy downpours. Quite smart. So, whatever you do, do not switch it on. If it is a battery-powered device, take the battery out. If it is mains-powered, it should not be plugged in. Strange as it may seem, water itself is not what destroys electronics. It is what is in the water that is the problem. Floodwater, as we have all seen it, is a cocktail of all the mud, rubbish, refuse, waste, debris etc, stuff that surely shall not go down well with your electronics. First and foremost, do not panic. Wash the device out thoroughly using clean tap water. I know it sounds odd, washing an electronic device in water, but it makes more sense than it sounds. The machine is not going to get more wet by it, and the important thing is to get rid of the dirty water. Replacing the dirty water with clean water is an improvement. When you are sure that you have got rid of all of the dirty water, and you are now left with a piece of electronic, which is merely wet, then you can start to dry it. Put the electronic in a dry place for a few weeks. You cannot really hurry the drying process. You might be tempted to use a blower or hair dryer. While the logic of its use makes sense, some areas in the tightly packed electronics of say a phone or a camera may not be easy to reach, unless of course you have the whole thing spread out wide open at which point, I am sure, it is at the repair shop. Patience is of essence. The way to think about it is to consider how long a damp sponge would remain damp in those circumstances, clearly not indefinitely, but quite a while. Only after a long time has passed should you switch on the device. It might work, or it might not. But if you have left it a long time it has got a fair chance of working. Although it is instinctively tempting to try too soon, it is best to wait and forget about it and to let it dry out completely. Even if the device still does not work, it may be that the residual damage is minimal and it may be worth getting it to a repair shop who shall charge you considerably less than if taken in its original state. mustafa885@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1170080/-/c0yev2z/-/index.html","content":"Government to replant papyrus in Lubigi wetland - Recent massive encroachment on Lubigi wetland left the water catchment area ineffective, but the government has mooted ideas of restoring it by replanting papyrus in compacted areas. “There are sections which were compacted by soil and other foreign materials. Such sections can’t regenerate naturally,” Mr Paul Mafabi, the commissioner of wetlands in the Ministry of Water and Environment, said yesterday. “We will have to replant papyrus in affected areas before the end of June,” he added.Mr Mafabi said the ministry will in the next financial year demarcate boundaries of wetlands to protect them from future encroachments. “This has delayed because we lacked resources,” he said, adding that government will partner with the Lubaga Division to kick-start the process in July.Mr Mafabi, however, could not estimate the cost of the process, saying the ministry is still conducting assessments. The move comes days after the police and army used force to evict a group of people under their umbrella, Uganda Patriotic Volunteers Association, who invaded the marshland last week. The encroachers had by then cleared over 6 acres of the swamp and put up makeshift market stalls. The wetland, which is about 5 kilometres off Kampala City on the Kampala-Hoima Road, shields northern parts of Kampala from flooding. Eviction completeThe swamp takes water from River Nsooba, whose flood plain at Bwaise has been destroyed after years of reclamation to pave way for settlement. According to Mr Richard Lubwama, one of the group leaders, the organisation had registered over 40,000 occupants by the time they were evicted. Meanwhile, according to some sources, encroachers invaded the swamp on grounds that government had granted part of it to an investor, which government denies. Minister Mutagamba said the ongoing development is a sewage treatment plant to improve sewage handling within the Greater Kampala Master Plan. The facility will ensure proper treatment of sewerage and storm-flow from Kawempe, Mulago, Bwaise, Makerere, Kalerwe and Nansana,” Mutagamba said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/1168518/-/237ji6z/-/index.html","content":"Farmers reject genetically engineered seed - Farmers have strongly rejected the use of genetically modified (GM) seeds in Uganda, saying with their introduction is detrimental to the indigenous seed. At a meeting of farmers’ groups, organised by Pelum Uganda, held at Colline Hotel in Mukono last week, it was noted that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are not the solution to the food challenges in Uganda or in Africa, instead, they pose more problems. They worry because GM crops transfer seed ownership into private hands and because there is great uncertainty surrounding their safety and impacts. However, farmers who comprise 80 per cent of the population face an uphill task to reverse the trend of enacting laws that permit the release of GMOs on the market, because the promoters of GMOs are moneyed companies. “The protection and preservation of indigenous/traditional seed is fundamental in ensuring food security,” read a joint statement from farmers, but the multinational companies pushing GMOs are driven by commercial interests. Mr Robert Tumwesigye, the director of Pro-Biodiversity Conservationists in Uganda, said GMO trials in Uganda were done hurriedly and the absence of the law guiding the technology did not make matters any better. “GMOs have come but they are a false hope to food security,” Mr Tumwesigye argues. “Their introduction is being done hurriedly and haphazardly, for example open field trials started before the legal framework, so there is no protection for any problems that arise.” But GMO proponents say advantages of GM crops include, among others, higher yields, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance and virus resistance. And future traits could include nutritional enhancement, extended shelf life for food products, and better water retention capacities. However, Dr Ricarda Steinbrecher of Econexus, who has done extensive research on GMOs and who represents the Federation of German Scientists at international biosafety negotiations, said the negative impacts of GMOs on health, environment and food security should not be underestimated. She told farmers, representatives of agriculture-based organisations and lobbyists at the meeting, that for the last 15 years, the developers of GMOs, mainly multinational companies, have worked hard to weaken biosafety regulations at the international level. Haidee Swanby, a researcher for the African Centre for Biosafety said that the purpose of multinationals who have acquired rights to produce GMOs is to make profits by controlling the rights of propagation, making the small-scale farmers dependent on the seed producer by not allowing them to replant harvested seeds, as it has been for generations. Ms Swanby accused multinational companies like Monsanto, Syngenta, Bayer and Cargill of introducing GMOs in the guise of development projects. “In the past year, we have seen increased effort by Usaid pushing for regional approach to enacting area-wide bio-safety legislation throughout the common markets in Africa (like) Comesa, SADC and EAC. These bio-safety legislations aim to open the door for the GMOs rather than to ensure protection of environment and human health.” She adds, “Even in countries where legislation has not taken effect, the GMOs are coming in as food aid.” Pointing at the environmental and food security risks of GM crops, Dr. Steinbrecher said, “There is no need for GM in agriculture, as breeding combined with innovative and agricultural practices are better equipped to meet the challenges ahead. Breeding has, for example, already resulted in drought-tolerant maize, vitamin A-rich millet or flood-tolerant rice. And agro-ecological practices like organic practices with multiple cropping have shown that yield can be up to double without using any agrochemical inputs.”Health hazardShe observed that, “There are many uncertainties surrounding genetic engineering and it can lead to many unpredictable side effects, including the production of more or new allergens, toxins and anti-nutrients. Using feeding trials, clear negative health effects have been observed in animals fed on GMOs.” Among others, there is disturbance of liver, pancreas and kidney functions. In many cases, animals that have been fed on GMOs had stomach and gut problems, such as inflammations, ulcerations and excessive growth of stomach and gut lining. She explained further that blood tests have revealed immune reactions and decreased levels of red blood cells, and the animals were found to have altered body weight. “There is a clear need for labelling of GM foods not only as a matter of choice but also to enable monitoring of health effects.” Uganda is so far testing GMOs in areas of Bt cotton in Serere and in Kasese, banana at Kawanda, maize under Wema at Kasese, cassava at Namulonge and plans are under way for trials in rice and sweet potatoes at the Namulonge research institute. The crops on these trials cannot be released on the market after the trials because there is no legal framework in place to regulate their use. But, there is a push for GMO-related bills to be passed in several countries. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Tumwesigye says, “To avoid the impending catastrophe, the government should take caution before introducing GMOs.”Multi-nationals, farmers say, have been sponsoring the passing of weak laws to introduce genetic engineering in various countries. In Africa, for example, Parliaments in Kenya, South Africa, Burkina Faso and Egypt have passed biotechnology bills into law, and the latter three are already growing GM crops commercially. However, there is reasonable belief that Bt cotton has been hazardous to health. In India, according to Dr Steinbrecher, five villages have been surveyed and doctors found that farmers who inhaled or were exposed to Bt cotton developed, among others, skin problems, itching, eye problems and upper respiratory tract symptoms. About GM cotton production in India, Pakistan and China, she revealed that the farmers growing GM cotton over a period of four to five years had encountered serious problems with secondary pests, such as mirids and mealy bugs requiring intensive use of expensive pesticides or even leading to the loss of whole crops. On the other hand, Ms Lee Aruelo, a lawyer from Third World Network, highlighted that there is an international protocol governing GMOs. She said, “The soul of the protocol is a precautionary approach. It recognises that GMOs are fundamentally different to their conventional counterparts and introduce scientific uncertainty.” « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Score/-/689854/1166358/-/lpedap/-/index.html","content":"FANTASY EXPERT: It is now or never in MFFL - You either win now or enter preseason trophy-less, but with better managing ideas for another term. And it’s tight as far as winning some money is concerned. For Olivia FC’s Olivia Namiyonga to wrest the Shs1, 000, 000 for Manager of the Campaign from season-long leader ‘Prince’ Ibrahim Mutebi, she’ll need intervention of marginal proportions. Prince, manager of Again is on 2778 before this week, meaning Namiyonga’s team will have to garner more than 178 points and hope the self styled Prince doesn’t get any points this week. Absolutely inconceivable. So, Namiyonga will have to settle for second place and Shs700, 000. The real battle will be for third place finish which comes with Shs500, 000. St Patrick’s Patrick Muganga and MFFL Pundit Mark Ssali of One Berbatov are shoving for this. Muganga goes into this week with just a two-point lead, meaning this will be the most thrilling spat as any slip would make one of them lose Shs250, 000, prize for fourth to eighth. Victoria Timothy of Tiveez will have to pick up 101 unanswered points to dislodge Jose Luis Magoola of Mulan2fc from 13th positiong, the slot that closes the season money brackets. Managers who will finish from ninth to 13th will walk away with Shs150, 000 each. That, though, doesn’t mean the rest of us have nothing to play for. Top two managers this week will each walk away with Shs100, 000 and Shs50, 000. And if you didn’t fare well in midweek as Manchester City dispatched Stoke, you have 10 fixtures to atone. Weekend tipFlood your midfield and striking departments with players from teams fighting for life on survival Sunday. Wigan, Wolves, Blackpool, Blackburn and Birmingham are the trading centres. Bring in: Scorer of five in last five games Steven Fletcher (Wolves), brace hero last week Charles N’Zogbia (Wigan) and Blackpool’s miracle maker Charlie Adam. Man United’s Dimitar Berbatov is another hot prospect. Injuries and bansArsenal - Fabianski and Fabregas Birmingham - Martins, McFadden, Taylor and Zigic Blackburn –Nelsen Bolton – Davis and Ricketts. Everton - Fellaini and Saha Banned – Bilyaletdinov. Fulham – Duff Banned - Baird Liverpool – Agger and Gerrard, Banned for Man City –K Toure Newcastle - Ben Arfa, Campbell, Williamson, Perch, Nolan, Harper, Best, Guthrie, Stoke - Fuller, Higginbotham and Sidibe, Sunderland - Bramble, Campbell, Gyan, Gordon, Meyler, Welbeck, Richardson and Turner Spurs - Bale, Galas, Hutton and Woodgate"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1165966/-/139nsqoz/-/index.html","content":"This wetland grabbing must stop - Last week, hundreds of people descended on Lubigi wetland and completely obliterated it in three days to establish a market. It was until security personnel moved in on Wednesday to disperse the group that the construction work stopped. Lubigi wetland is a papyrus dominated swamp that stretches from Bwaise Valley through to Mityana Road that eventually drains into Lake Kyoga. The invasion of the wetland started from Bwaise in 1970s and since then it has been a race between government institutions and people. Both groups are looking for cheap and free land for either government projects or accommodation for landless city dwellers. Before we apportion blame here, there have been three major events recently that were unfortunate for Lubigi wetland in particular but for all wetlands in the whole country. First, the Electricity Transmission Company decided that the pylons for the new electricity power line from the new Bujagali Dam to the substation will be constructed along the swamp for avoidance of compensation if the line went through the dry land. The construction of this power line requires destruction of the wetland along its path to allow heavy equipment, wires and construction materials. Note that this path will be maintained along the line and therefore the wetland is permanently destroyed. The second event was the Northern Bypass where the government decided the highway would be constructed along the wetland valley despite the original and earlier studies describing a different route on the main land. This was again for avoidance of compensation costs if the road passed on the dry land. A wire mesh was laid over papyrus and soil filled and the road virtually sits on top of papyrus. If the papyrus underneath rots, the soil will serge and that will be the end of the road and the Shs 120 billion. The third event was the decision by the government to allocate the middle of Lubigi wetland to National Water and Sewage Corporation to construct a sewage treatment plant. Tens of thousands of tones of soil have been dumped into the wetland virtually sealing of the drainage of the city and creating a reservoir of water in Bwaise. How NWSC, assisted by NEMA, could fail to understand a simple fact of drainage is shocking! How donors could provide funding for such a project is baffling! How everyone looked on as government condemned its own people to live under water like fish is a shame! The Environment Act 1995 Section 37 states that it is illegal to reclaim or drain any wetland. The NWSC proposed treatment plant is an ecological disaster, an engineering blunder and human rights violation for people in Bwaise who live under contaminated water. Today, every time there is a drizzle in Kampala, Bwaise floods, and there have been several incidences where people have drowned. This has prompted Bwaise residents to revisit the old saying that ‘water is life’ to “water is life if you do not stay in Bwaise” . The Luganda version is even more emphatic: Amazi bwebulamu nga tosula e Bawise. The three events described above were the most illogical environmental decisions that spelled disaster to wetland conservation in the city and Uganda as a whole. Well, at this point, government had outsmarted the people in the race for wetlands in the city, particularly Lubigi wetland. On May 12, the people descended on the remaining section of the wetland and parcelled it out into over 10,000 plots. By May 15, hundreds of acres had been divided, cleared and construction work started. Had the authorities been serious about wetland conservation, this would not have happened in the first place! Lubigi is a very important and sensitive wetland. In fact, there are only two wetland valleys that drain the whole of Kampala City. Lubigi and associated wetlands that drain into Lake Kyoga and Nakivubo that drains into Lake Victoria. Over 70 per cent of the water from the city catchment is drained through Lubigi and associated valleys and the rest drain through Nakivubo wetland. Lubigi wetland in particular is a slow flowing wetland and that is why it is prone to flooding. It is critical as a flood control valley and pollution control wetland for the water that flows through it. It is also a rich biodiversity wetland with over 200 different species of birds including globally threatened species such as the breeding Grey-crowned cranes (national symbol), Papyrus Gonolek , the Sitatunga (enjobe) and many other species of plants and animals. It is an easy to reach wetland for many visitors of Kampala for a morning nature walk. Therefore, it is not only important for flood control, pollution control, biodiversity conservation, water source for neighbouring communities, marginal vegetable growing but for tourism as well. The unfolding events at Lubigi follow similar trends of institutional breakdown in the country where impunity is the rule not the exception. Impunity was borne, allowed to grow and establish and now it has matured and the spiral of this wave of lawlessness must be stopped sooner rather than later before it becomes a cancer. Howeverm, the invasion of Bwaise need to be put into perspective. People are defiant after seeing the government institutions that are supposed to provide guidance on use of wetlands to be the very groups that are violating the law unabated i.e. do as I say not as I do! Inadvertently, the people joined the frenzy of land/ wetland grabbing. The consequences are dire for the country because this impunity will (or has it?) spread over the whole country. It must not be left to stand; this action will manifest in many other areas in the country affecting all protected natural resources. It is a few months ago when Nema, assisted by security forces, evicted Bemba Musota from the same section of the wetland. Where is Nema and the National Wetlands Department? Mr Byaruhanga is the Executive Director, NatureUgandaachilles.byaruhanga@natureuganda.org"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1160034/-/c1kxvoz/-/index.html","content":"Police arrest Mao as Besigye jets in - Opposition politicians Norbert Mao and Muhammed Kibirige were by press time still under police detention after they were arrested as they tried to access the Constitution Square in Kampala to conduct a rally. The politicians were part of a larger group that attempted to access the square in the heart of the city for a rally even after the police had insisted the area was out of bounds. Also arrested with the politicians, who were protesting the rise in cost of basic commodities, was DP former candidate for the Budiope East parliamentary seat Moses Bigirwa. Although other opposition figures Olara Otunnu (UPC), Salaam Musumba (FDC) and former independent presidential candidate Walter Lubega evaded arrest, they did not escape a flood of police water spray that left them dyed pink. The group that escaped arrest relocated to UPC party headquarters at Uganda House, where they addressed the media and condemned the police action. When contacted at Kira Road Police Station, where he was anticipating to be freed on police bond last night, Mr Mao said, “I am all pink.” Pink townThe DP president said the spray was an irritant, but that not much had gotten on him when the group was targeted by security forces. The Inspector General of Police, Gen. Kale Kayihura, later told journalists at Kampala Central Police Station from where he oversaw the operation that he was happy his men had not used teargas. He added that the same approach will be used to dissuade crowds from jamming Entebbe Road today when FDC president KizzaBesigye returns from seeking specialised medical treatment in Nairobi, saying his entourage “will be treated like a VIP convoy”. Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said the decision to use water cannons over tear gas was a “tactical” one. It is the first time the measure has been used by security to disperse walk-to-work protestors since demonstrations began just over one month ago. Identifier“The colour is basically to identify people who are part of the riots,” she said. “Normally when we use tear gas we find everybody complaining ‘I wasn’t party’ – but this water targets the people who are part of the gathering, and you find that when you want to follow them up it is very easy for identification.” She also said the choice to use the spray was due to the location of the demonstration. “Because they were in central business district, we needed to use a tactic which may not affect other people not party to what was taking place,” she said. Mr Manesh Dada, the proprietor of Dada Photo Studio, claimed that his photo printing machine worth Shs30 million was damaged during the fracas. “In the process of stopping the protestors, police shattered my glass pane as they sprayed this liquid on the passersby,” he said, while mopping up his soaked floor. 1 | 2 Next Page»And Ali Nakibinge, a downtown parking attendant, pointed to the stained cars with broken parts he was tasked with monitoring, as well as the vendors forced to throw away their used books on either side of him. “All this business was affected,” he said, standing on a street corner still running with pink water. “Of course we were scared. I wouldn’t even come to Kampala if we are not looking for something to eat,” said the 23-year-old Kabowa resident. Journalists harassedAt least two photographers were harassed by security forces for taking pictures of the water cannons being deployed.Daily Monitor photographer Isaac Kasamani said when he arrived on the scene, he was greeted by a scene of about 50 anti-riot and military police, some with dogs, and witnessed a colleague being pulled down from where he was perched taking photos. “As I was taking pictures, some police came and chased me away,” he said. “I refused to go away but more police men came and told me to just get off, pushing me away from the scene.” Constitution SquareSecurity forces continued to block all entrances to Constitution Square into the evening. Ms Nabakooba said the square is off-limits for having been the site of demonstrations gone wrong in the past.“People used to have rallies in that ground, but a lot of properties would be destroyed, people’s businesses would be looted,” she said. The police spokesperson suggested the opposition look “in other places that are neutral” to hold their rallies. She could not, however, provide an example of a suitable ground. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/-/690266/1151378/-/m87hfx/-/index.html","content":"We owe Namboole only Shs60m - NRM - Kampala Ruling National Resistance Movement have denied they owe Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, Shs200m for services rendered during the election period last year. Daily Monitor revealed last week NRM had not paid up arrears, which according to the stadium board chairperson, Jim Mugunga, amounted to Shs200m for using the facility. NRM hosted their national delegates’ conference, youth elections, and biometric registration at the stadium last year. But party administrator Dr Hassan Galiwango dismissed Namboole’s Shs200m debt claims as baseless. Conflicting tales“I paid Namboole all the money for five days,” Galiwango said on phone, “We agreed a fee of Shs30m per day and I paid them the total of Shs150m before even the delegates’ conference started in September. “This was the agreed figure for everything. But then, the youth elections were not completed and we got two extra days at Shs30m each. If anything that’s the only money (Shs60m) we owe them.” Mugunga, who last week said NRM had only paid some money for their liaison office but without disclosing the figure, admits receipt of the initial Shs150m but says the two parties agreed Shs50m per day for three days, not Shs30m for five. “Then we agreed three extra days for their youth elections at a discounted fee of Shs30m per day, which becomes Shs90m,” said Mugunga. AcknowledgesOur investigation further revealed that NRM are yet to clear a bill of about Shs22.5m for using flood lights for four days. Another one totaling Shs10m in charges for extra cleaning staff and stadium damage is also still in debt. “The bill was sent to them and they acknowledged,” said Mugunga, “And a reminder was also sent to them on September 13 and ‘a very high ranking NRM official’ acknowledged it. “The other balance (about Shs77m) accrued from their biometric registration when they used the hotel and dormitories, including having breakfast and lunch for over a week.” While Galiwango recognises the debt accruing from the extra days of youth elections, an inside source tells us the booking for the Mandela Hotel for the biometric registration was done by another party member, but also on NRM’s bill. When summed up, the outstanding debt NRM allegedly owe Namboole totals to Shs199.5m. However, Galiwango, who is set to meet the Namboole management this week, insists he is not aware of it. “I have documentation. Anything else I will have to verify first,” he said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Religion/-/689744/1149136/-/fxsuh4/-/index.html","content":"Rejoicing in the resurrection of Christ - “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay,” said the angel to the women Mary Magdalene and the other Mary who had gone to see the sepulcher towards the dawn of the first day of the week (Mathew 28:6). Unlike humans, God didn’t want to lose His relationship with mankind. Even after the fall of the latter, He sent His only begotten son that whosoever believes in him shallnot perish but have everlasting life as expounded in John 3:16. God is merciful and everlasting. He will never abandon His people, even when all hope is gone, He will be right there. Today, the world is full of calamities. Political upheavals, betrayals and divorce have taken root. True friends are hard to find, as is true love. Everyone is left to strive on their own. Hopelessness is propelling people to rise against their governments and even their fellow countrymen. It’s a scary situation of impending doom. It makes one wonder if the world will ever be at peace. But yes, the world will be revived. God cannot simply sit and watch while His people suffer. He will give us a new song. Even when we pretend to be on our own, thinking that we can achieve much more and only remember to call unto Him when things backfire, He still embraces us, being the great comforter He is. Now, His son was supposed to rot in the grave but God couldn’t give his opponents that luxury. As we celebrate Easter today, it’s important to remember that Jesus chose to fall so we could have eternal life. We should therefore let Him live in our hearts. Let’s embrace this day as a God given opportunity for us to be cleansed by His blood. Probably, you have gone through a lot that affected your spiritual life throughout Lent. Choose to celebrate because He has given you an opportunity to live again. The resurrection is an assurance of life after death. Besides, we can as well reclaim whatever the devil stole from us. Is it friends that abandoned you, or did your business get messed up? Have you been pleading in vain? Today, you can walk in victory. God’s blessings will overtake you and your gates will flood with His miracles, once you believe. On resurrection day, graves were opened and many bodies of the saints that slept arose and went into the holy city, appearing unto many (Mathew27:52-53). Brethren, tread all your sorrows, illnesses and whatever has been bothering you, for the Messiah is here."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/1147402/-/24gcfhz/-/index.html","content":"Farmer’s Diary: Are farmers getting used to free tools and supplies? - The story of the farmers who rejected cassava and sweet potato vine cuttings, and spray pumps provided by Naads that appeared in the Daily Monitor on April 6, 2011 should still be fresh in our minds. The items reported to be worth about Shs20m included 15 sacks of cassava cuttings, 10 bags of sweet potato vine cuttings and 10 spray pumps. According to the story, the farmers who numbered about 100 surrounded the Naads officer accusing him of fraud and threatened to beat him up. The cassava cuttings which were meant for planting were reportedly dry and the potato vines rotten. It is possible that there was fraud in the procurement process, of which the abhorrence by the poor farmers was absolutely justified. But one notices a rather disturbing sense of entitlement by the farmers to such free items and services from Naads perhaps resulting from being used to getting free tools, seedlings, and sometimes cash particularly from politicians to boost their farming activities. During his recent nationwide tour of the Naads programme activities, His Excellency the President donated vehicles, tools and animals in form of cash to some lead farmers. Shortly before the last national elections our parliamentarians received some cash reportedly for them to monitor government programmes in their constituencies such as Naads. Politicians have resorted to “developing” agriculture by distributing free items like coffee seedlings, chickens, piglets, water tanks and tools such as hoes and spray pumps to farmers usually as elections approach. However for farming to be really rewarding, the farmer ought to regard it like any private enterprise such as a shop or a bus or a restaurant. Why don’t we so often hear about the same politicians going about donating items like weighing scales, generators, sewing machines, refrigerators, spanners, or welding machines to private business owners? Is farming not a business? Is it not possible for an individual to take up farming and succeed without any dependence on politicians, Naads or Prosperity-for-all (Bonnabagaggawale)? Whoever engages in farming should be driven by the desire to succeed and should clearly know why it is his best choice of economic activity. Like all other entrepreneurs, the farmer should be confident, patient and ready to work hard, and to take some risks. He should plan his activities and avoid money wasting habits like smoking, alcoholism and womanising. He should be disciplined, and trustworthy. He must be careful with his savings, investing them prudently and he should have the ability to solve problems. It is undignified for a farmer to beg or to expect free things from anyone including politicians. This is not to suggest though that a farmer should not accept well intended and deserved gifts from friends or relatives but unless it is extremely unavoidable, like in the case of a disaster such as a severe storm or flood, no self-respecting farmer should accept charity. Farmers must avoid creating a dependency mentality. In its zeal to boost agriculture, the government should encourage financial institutions to lend money to farmers to buy the needed agricultural tools and inputs. The farmers will then be more responsible and careful, aware that they have loans to pay and they will value the items more since they will be the result of their sweat and toil. In neighbouring Kenya a micro-insurance programme, Kilimo Salama, is being rolled out through M-pesa to cushion smallholder farmers against losses due to too little or too much rain. It is such assistance that our farmers actually need, instead of hand-outs. We must also realise that although more than 70 per cent of our population is engaged in agriculture not everyone would have chosen farming as their preferred economic activity if they had a chance to choose. Some people are farmers when they would be musicians, dancers and actors or other callings if they had had the right exposure at the right time. Such people have terrible attitudes to farming and are practicing it merely to live. They are not keen on acquiring new farming skills. They are not innovative and will not take advantage of any available resources including programmes like Naads. For as long as we have square pegs in round holes, prosperity for all will continue to be a mirage. There are yet others who cannot get out of poverty because they are simply too poor. They have small pieces of land and abnormally large families. They live in poor housing conditions risking malnutrition and poor health. Even if they are given seeds by the politicians they have no place to plant them. Some have no ambition to own property and assets anyway and are satisfied with the little they have. If they are told to work hard now and relax later their contention is that they are already relaxing now and satisfied; so why work hard? ssalimichael@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/1146382/-/ei3myw/-/index.html","content":"Journey to a neglected Universal Primary Education school - Butaleja When my rider came to a halt, I was long off the motorcycle and standing by the roadside having had enough of the long bushy journey from Nampologoma via Dokho rice scheme to Namahere in Butaleja district. Two hours of reckless riding along the partly dusty and poorly maintained feeder road, where vehicles hardly passed had long left me impatient for a break. It was a few minutes after 11.00am and I hoped that we had arrived in Namehere, the village where Namahere primary school is located, only to be told that it was another four kilometers deep in the Dokho rice scheme. As we ride through the village bushy paths, I am all tensed up. There is almost no one in sight. The few people that I come across along these bushy paths, look at me suspiciously. Residents are busy in their rice gardens, atleast each of them in the garden with their school age-going children chasing away birds from the rice gardens and a few of them fishing. As we get to the school, the headmaster Mr. Tom Mugugwa welcomes us and ushers at the verandah of one of the classrooms where chairs have been placed, some books for the teachers, register and the headmaster’s bag, this is the office.“We welcome you to Namehere primary school, we hardly receive visitors so when we see you come to the school, it is a great privilege because this place is far deep in Dokho rice scheme where district inspectors hardly visit. We even don’t know whether they know that we exist,” said Mr. Mugugwa. The school started in 1985 as a Catholic founded school before government took over and it is now under government programme of UPE although without classrooms, inadequate desks, no office, no staffroom and with two stanza latrine pit that serves the teachers, pupils and the community,” said Mr. Mugugwa. A new term has began but unlike many pupils who are assured of the comfort in their classrooms, teachers and scholastic materials, the situation in Namehere primary school in Butaleja district is different. Although under the Universal Primary Education Programme (UPE), Namehere Primary School is characterised by a set of unfortunate circumstances that have eluded children from realising the value of education. This probably explains why many a children have deserted school and are busy in rice gardens chasing away birds and some are very busy fishing for a living in river Manafwa that goes through Dokho, one of the biggest rice growing swamps in the country. Mr. Banur Wejinga, a classroom teacher of P.3 at the school says following sensitisation through home to home visits, many children are eager to go to school, but that when it is time for learning, most of them would rather stay home because they have no desks, books, classrooms, latrines and lunch. Mr. Wejinga says Namehere P/S has a population of 677 pupils but that the number keeps fluctuating during rainy seasons because the place floods, displaces families and that the school most times has had to close for some months. “Life is hard for us as teachers. We walk to school through these bushy paths, we have no office even a staffroom, there are no desks for pupils in classes and it is worse when it rains because most of us are teaching under tree. We dismiss pupils and we have to go away ourselves because this place is a swamp incase it floods,” said Mr. Wejinga. In the compound, Mr. Kamba Gawaya attends to the P3 class session with a mixture of some little English he has knowm and Lunyole as the main languages of instruction. At a nearby edge of the compound adjacent to the only two stanza latrine pit under the ‘Mango tree’ classroom, another class, P2 is being attended to by another female teacher and as a I pproach the ‘classroom’ the children stand up “ You are well well sir, this is P2 class at Namehere primary school,” With their weary look, it’s easy to tell that although they are determined to get an education, the conditions at school make it difficult. This scenario characterises the misery faced by thousands of children in Butaleja where majority have been reduced to rice gardens to scare off the birds that come to eat rice. The District Education Officer for Butaleja, Mr. Phillip Kalyebi consented the district is aware of the situation Namehere primary school is in and that because of budgetary problems, they are yet to address the problems of the school.“It is one of the schools that suffers during rainy seasons, we are aware it is a flood hit area, we have visited the school once. We have planned for classrooms at the school, latrine pits but there are schools worse than this one in the district” said Mr.Kalyebi. Mbale federation of communities [Mafoc] supported by International Child Fund programs manager, Ms Juliet Ssebidde says under the mission improving chances for children has given out water containers to children, water guard ans some scholarstic materials to enable them take clean water for hygiene. “But our greatest task is how the children can be settled in this school without classes, desks and latrine pits, it puzzles us so we are calling upon the central and local governments to come to the rescue of this school to enable children have a condusive teaching and leraning environment. Mafoc promotes environment where children live in diginity to achieve their full potentials by addressing the experiences and rot causes of child poverty and adversity of family level while improving chances for a better future. Information at the school indicates that the LCV chairman for Butaleja Mr. Richard Waya and the DEO Mr. Kalyebi visited the school once and promised to write to the government about their situation but they are yet to get any communication from them. Although the district leadership is calling for commitment from the local people to education in bid to reduce the illiteracy levels plaguing the district, many are not ready to enroll their children in schools without classrooms, desks and latrine pits."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/1146338/-/r46pfz/-/index.html","content":"Rain or shine, they walk to work everyday - Politicians might have decided to walk to work to make a statement but for other people, walking to work has been the norm for a long time now. John K. Abimanyi writes about those men and women who trek long distances, braving the heat, rain and so much more, just so they can make ends meet. As heavily armed police officers, dressed in multi-coloured fatigues and dark heavy boots, painted the skies grey with misty tear gas in attempts to crash a walk-to-work protest, one could be tempted to make the wrong assumption that walking to work was suddenly a new phenomenon in Uganda, just having a troubled start. But nothing could be further away from the truth. On every weekday morning, as the luckier workers in the safety of personal cars and passenger carriers make their way to work, another set of workers is also going to work, except, they do not enjoy the comfort, or discomfort, of motor vehicle or even motor cycle let alone bicycle transport. They leave their homes, step onto the roads and throw one foot ahead of the other, walking in what seems like queues along the road until they reach their work places. And in the evening, the process is reversed. One of such people is Deo Gero Tebesigwa, a motor parts broker at Kisekka market in Kampala. He resides in Sungwe village, Bulenga, along Mityana road, about 12 kilometres from Kampala city centre. And he says by the time the opposition called for the walk-to-work protest, it was already a part of his life. “It was my condition that led me to all this,” he says. “I came to discover that I use a lot of money, especially in transporting myself from home to work every day. From Kampala to the stage near my home, the taxis will ask you for Shs1,500. And that is on good days, with no traffic jam or rain. Even if you have the money, when the taxis come you will have to fight to enter. “Sometimes the taxis are not even there so you wait for a long time. I compared that with the money I earn here and I decided to cut the costs by walking instead.” Mr Tebesigwa earns his living by looking for car owners interested in car parts, locating those parts and then making a commission off the general price at which the part is sold. “I earn an average of between Shs5,000 to 10,000 daily,” he says. “With Shs2,500 or 3,000 going into only transport every day, I had to forego transport and allow my family to feed.”Having a job that does not have strictly set times for arrival gives Tebesigwa room for laxity as he moves to work in the morning. “I wake up at 5a.m. as a standard and by 6a.m. I am on my way to work. At times I have breakfast at home if there’s something or I come straight to work and find something to eat here. If I walk fast and in a hurry, I arrive at work at around 8.30a.m. but if I take my time, then I get here after 9a.m.” Tebesigwa says walking to work comes with a host of challenges. “When you are walking along the road, there are boda boda riders and drivers who act like they do not see you on the road. They hoot at you and at times even splash water on you in case it has rained.” “The cars push you off the clear parts of the road. They force you to walk through wet parts while they drive through the dry parts. And in the evenings, if you walk on the right hand side, just like all pedestrians are supposed to do, the cars come with heavy flood flights aimed at you and end up blinding your eyes. When you walk, you strain the shoe and you end up spending on shoes more and you also sweat a lot.” Sometimes the journey takes its toll on him. “There are times when I wake up and feel “I just can’t walk to work today.” So in times like those, I choose to board a taxi but that rarely happens.” Tebesigwa says he has been doing his walk-to-work since last year and he says he will continue trekking all the way to work and back as long as his balance sheet stays uneven. And Tebesigwa is not alone. Ismail Balikudembe, who deals in scrap metal in Kisenyi, says he has been trekking to work from Kikaya, in Wakiso, about 10km away from Kampala, for three months now. “The taxi to Kampala which used to cost Shs1,000 now costs 1,500,” he says. “That Shs500 may look little but that is what you have to give your child everyday to eat at school. Now if you use it up in transport, what will your child feed on?” he asks. Tebesigwa welcomes the opposition’s call for the rest of Ugandans to join him in his routine, although he doubts whether any good will come out of it. “It’s good that they thought of such a thing because truthfully, everything is now very expensive, especially fuel. But in Uganda we don’t have much equality. Most of the people care about themselves alone. For most people, as long as they know that they have parked their car and it has fuel, they will not care about the rest.” The opposition’s call for walk-to-work protests has been caused by high prices for consumer goods, most especially food and fuel. And the figures from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards say it all; inflation has risen to over 11 per cent. To the government, the walk-to-work campaign is a move to overthrow an elected regime. To the opposition, it is a legal complaint against an escalating cost of living. But the walk-to-work protests bring into the fore ground people like Tebesigwa, a section of the public for whom walking to work is not only protest, but a way of actual survival. The roads leading in and out of Kampala and other towns crowd every day, not with cars alone but with workers strolling silently to work. And their story hardly ever gets heard. The walk-to-work offers a sobering perception on the lifestyle that a considerable section of Uganda’s labour force leads."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1136602/-/9h283q/-/index.html","content":"Uganda should explore different energy options - Thanks for the informative article by Mr B. Bwesigye titled, Energy diversification will solve our power crisis, published on March 7. While I agree that there is an urgent need for the Ugandan government to diversify our energy sources to tap into the modern renewables such as geothermal, wind and solar energy, I do not agree with Bwesigye’s recommendation that the government must move away from investing in large hydro-power dams because they are likely to be shut down by climate change-induced water deficits. First, we have to acknowledge that climate change is a global phenomenon whose severity Uganda only marginally contributes towards. Lake Victoria has been going through cycles of high and low water levels for several decades and it is argued that the current decline in the lake level is only returning to its pre-1960s level where it had sharply rose to its current level. For Uganda to effectively tackle the increasing severity and frequency of drought and flood cycles - characteristic of a changing climate - we must participate and decisively engage the European and North American nations (who are largely responsible for this climate change) so that we can secure funding to implement our National Climate Adaptation Plan which has never been implemented since 2007 because of resource and institutional constraints. More importantly, we must make serious national efforts towards charting a low carbon development path. The newly found petroleum reserves in the Albertine Rift could yield between $2 and $5 billion in additional revenues per year (Irish Aid, 2010). On the other hand, the Renewable Energy Policy observes that Uganda rests on a large potential of renewable energy possibilities including large hydro (2000MW), mini-hydro (200MW), solar (200MW), biomass (1650MW) and geothermal (450MW). Note that peat (800MW) is not a renewable resource and is not included here even though it was erroneously considered a renewable energy resource in the Renewable Energy Policy. Much of this potential remains untapped due to policy, institutional and commercial barriers. If handled responsibly, petroleum revenues could provide the much-needed capital for Uganda and coupled with the necessary policy and institutional revisions, this could enable Uganda to maximise her huge renewable energy potential. There is need for smart development of large hydropower power projects in a new climate change determined world. If we think energy security and sustainability, large hydro provides nearly 50 per cent of the solution (2000MW of the maximum 4800MW of renewables available in Uganda). We cannot think energy sustainability and not think large hydro. However, a climate-changed world dictates that we have to adopt smart solutions to large hydropower development. We must link downstream power developments to upstream catchment management. Putting climate change aside, Ugandans today convert 6000ha of forest cover per month into agricultural fields, settlements or bare-lands after fuel wood harvesting (UNDP, 2008). At this rate, it is estimated that 70 per cent of Uganda’s forests will be totally converted to other uses by 2025. Much of this forest degradation is taking place in ecologically important areas to Uganda’s hydropower projects mainly along the Nile and several other important sites for micro and pico-hydropower projects. Enforcement of forestry laws, strengthening of forestry institutions and integration of incentives for responsible catchment management practices where upstream farmers and other land users are paid premiums for responsible land management would go a long way in stabilising downstream water levels and avoiding costly siltation of hydropower projects. WWF Uganda, an independent conservation organisation, has started implementing a project titled “Increasing the provision of clean energy in Uganda” which will go a long way in presenting different energy alternatives available for Uganda to responsibly increase her energy supply in line with economic, social and environmental commitments. Mr Ddamulira is the Oil and Gas project manager, WWF Uganda"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1134772/-/109v2i6/-/index.html","content":"Ugandans deserves fair business environment - I am writing to thank the traders who are suing the government for allowing foreign investors who do not meet certain requirements to suffocate local businesses as reported by the Daily Monitor recently. Small businesses in Uganda need to be given a chance to grow in a fair business environment. I was amused when I read the President’s letter about Libya where he wondered why there are so many foreign workers if local Libyans didn’t have jobs? I compared this to our country where some so-called expatriates run around town blowing out dust from computers. I met one who sells charcoal in Kayunga and several others who are hawkers in town, mainly selling clothes. Many sit in trucks only to write receipts after selling merchandise. Yes, foreign investment is good but people must meet stipulated criteria. Our neighbour Kenya allows less than a year for expatriates to train local manpower and scale them up. You don’t flood the country with unnecessary labourers; you don’t carry top to bottom staff into Kenya. I have been to the United Arab Emirates and for any employee an investor brings into the country, the investor must deposit the equivalent of one month’s salary of that employee with the government, just in case the investor’s business goes bust and government must send that person home. All countries have worked out and followed criteria for foreign businesses and these are not designed to cripple local business initiative but enhance it. I pray orders from above will not kill this initiative to emancipate local small business initiative. Godfrey Wampona, Mukono Seeta"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/-/690266/1129982/-/m6ik1t/-/index.html","content":"Victors rue missed chances - Going into Victors’ first round Confederations Cup game against Motema Pembe, coach George ‘Best’ Nsimbe was wary of conceding at home. “Pembe will be playing for an away goal, it’s a target for any visiting side in continental football and we have to be prepared for that,” Nsimbe said after rain interrupted their last training at Kyambogo ahead of the encounter against the DR Congo side. The story that was rain. It had rained for much of last week and actually proved more of the immediate concern on match day. Even the away goal seemed secondary for a moment. Over 10, 000 fans who had parted with Shs5, 000 for the stands and Shs10, 000 for the pavilion were uncertain with little coming through from the officials. Striker Yuda Mugalu was the first Victors player out on the pitch, his hands open to the heavens as he said his prayers, before both sets of players stormed out of their dressing rooms for warm up. But after about 10 minutes of a drizzle that steadily intensified, they were forced back into the change rooms. The downpour had lasted for close to two hours leaving the already terrible Nakivubo turf even more appalling. The mood of the fans went pessimistic, the weather unapologetically gloomy, and the match officials hopeless. The four officials inspected the pitch and the commissioner, Zeli Mhalangu, from South Africa sanctioned about 45 minutes to allow drainage before any other decision was taken. As it stood, the pitch was unplayable. Fifa rules dictate that if the ball can’t move or bounce, the match cannot start. By now, water was being manually fetched from the pitch using buckets and jerrycans. As it turned out, the stadium drainage system doesn’t function, raising more questions about its management. “Caf had refused to sanction the stadium for the match,” said Nakivubo board member Moses Magogo, “The pitch needs a breather from both sporting and non-sporting activities.” Centre referee Issa Kagabo and his two assistants with the fourth official inspected the pitch for the third time, dropped balls, kicked them – they did move but barely bounced. When one of the assistants looked at the few blinking flood lights, he dropped an amusing laughter. Two hours gone from the official starting time of 4pm, the decision had been taken and the match pushed to Saturday, 2pm. The rain again broke Saturday morning but the match had to go on at 2pm, under sunny conditions. The damage had been done as large patches of the pitch were still muddy, with Victors’ supposedly white kit earning afternoon dye. Both teams were visibly affected by the bumpy and muddy surface but provided a thrilling display, nonetheless. And one of Nsimbe and Victors’ targets were met as early as the 19th minute when talismanic striker Mugalu, who missed the preliminary Kampala leg against Swaziland’s Mbabane Highlanders, capitalized on Pembe’s sloppy defending to put the hosts ahead. Missed opportunitiesBut Mugalu, Hassan Mubiru and Daniel Sserunkuma would soon rue the first half missed opportunities to kill off the Congolese, watched by over 10, 000 fans who came back. “We should have scored more,” said Mugalu “But we can still score away, we did against Mbabane, we shall fight until the final whistle in Congo.” Pembe upped their game after recess, pegging Victors on the back-foot with the hosts making occasional counters. Substitute Kasumbe Mankubina added extra gloss for the crowd every time Pembe had a throw-in, somersaulting, with the ball on the ground providing support, before landing on his feet to launch his throw. Victors keeper Ali Kimera had kept Nsimbe’s side in the game for the most part, making superb save after another. Until the 81st minute when he spilled a tame shot by Bokota Labama for rampaging Ilongo Ngasanya to score the vital away goal, Nsimbe’s earlier worst fear. Kimera said: “I saw the ball coming but mud fell in my eyes and I couldn’t hold it firmly.” Victors captain Isaac Katwere was quick to defend his goalkeeper. “We can’t blame Kimera, before that he kept us in the game, it would have been different,” he said. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1125656/-/13c51p7z/-/index.html","content":"Uganda needs smart solutions to hydro-power - Thanks for the great and informative article from Mr Brian Bwesigye, Energy diversification will solve our power crisis (Daily Monitor March 7). While I agree that there is an urgent need for the Ugandan government to diversify our energy sources to tap into the modern renewables such as geothermal, wind and solar energy, I do not agree with Mr Bwesigye that the government must move away from investing in large hydro-power dams because they are likely to be shut down by climate change induced water deficits. First, we have to acknowledge that climate change is a global phenomenon whose severity Uganda only marginally contributes towards. Lake Victoria has been going through cycles of high and low water levels for several decades and it is argued that the current decline in the lake level is only returning to its pre-1960s level when it sharply rose to its current level. For Uganda to effectively tackle the increasing severity and frequency of drought and flood cycles characteristic of a changing climate, we must participate and decisively engage the European and North American nations (who are largely responsible for this climate change) so that we can secure funding to implement our National Climate Adapation Plan, which has never been implemented since 2007 because of resource and institutional constraints. More importantly we must make serious national efforts towards charting a low carbon development path.The newly found petroleum reserves in the Albertine Rift could yield between US$2 and US$5 billion in additional revenues per year (Irish Aid, 2010) . On the other hand, the Renewable Energy Policy observes that Uganda rests on a large potential of renewable energy possibilities including large hydro (2000MW), mini-hydro (200MW), Solar (200MW), biomass (1650MW), geothermal (450MW). Note that peat (800MW) is not a renewable resource and is not included here even though it was erroneously considered a renewable energy resource in the Renewable Energy Policy. Much of this potential remains untapped due to policy, institutional and commercial barriers. If handled responsibly petroleum revenues could provide the much-needed capital for Uganda and coupled with the necessary policy and institutional revisions. There is need for smart development of large hydropower power projects in a new climate-change-determined world. If we think energy security and sustainability, large hydro provides nearly 50 per cent of the solution (2000MW of the maximum 4800MW of renewables available in Uganda). We cannot think energy sustainability and not think large hydro. However, a climate-changed world dictates that we have to adopt smart solutions to large hydropower development. We must link downstream power developments to upstream catchment management. Putting climate change aside, Ugandans today convert 6000ha (these are equivalent to 6000 football pitches) of forest cover per month into agricultural fields, settlements or bare-lands after fuel wood harvesting (UNDP, 2008). At this rate, it is estimated that 70 per cent of Uganda’s forests will be totally converted to other uses by 2025. Much of this forest degradation is taking place in ecologically important areas to Uganda’s hydropower projects mainly along the Nile and several other important sites for micro and pico-hydropower projects. Enforcement of forestry laws, strengthening of forestry institutions and integration of incentives for responsible catchment management practices would go a long-way in stabilising downstream water levels and avoiding costly siltation of hydropower projects. Mr Ddamulira is Oil and Gas Project Manager, WWF Uganda, Country OfficePlot 2, Sturrock Road, Kololo"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Religion/-/689744/1123090/-/fwgl55/-/index.html","content":"Be in the company of Jesus this Lenten period - A month away from Easter, staunch Roman Catholics and Anglicans are meekly observing the Lent season which began on Ash Wednesday this week. Ash Wednesday is the day the priest draws a sign of the cross on the foreheads of the congregation using sacred ashes to mark the start of the forty days of Lent. The ashes are attained from burned palm branches of the previous Palm Sunday. During the Ash Wednesday mass, as the priest smudges the foreheads of worshippers, he mumbles, “… you are dust, and unto dust you shall return”. It’s a ritual that continues to confuse many Christians. But Fr Joseph Ddungu, the Assistant Chaplain of St. Augustine Chapel Makerere, explains: “When we are receiving ashes, we are reminded that we are dust, which means that we are mortal; we shall die and as our bodies decompose, our souls will go to meet the Creator. So, we have to think about our behaviour now, turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel.” Fr Ddungu traces the use of ashes from an Old Testament practice whereby people would smear themselves with ashes and wear sackcloth to show how repentant they were. “But in the Christian tradition, we don’t wear sackcloth but use ash as a mark to begin the 40-day period of fasting, intensive prayer, giving alms to help the needy and self-denial to show our repentance and to ask for forgiveness from the Lord.” Genesis 7 tells the story of Noah’s ark and how the flood poured for 40 days and nights, whereas in Mark 4: 1-13, Jesus was led by the spirit into the wilderness, where for 40 days he was tempted by the devil and all this time, it is written, he ate nothing. Exodus 24: 18 is about Moses spending 40 days and nights on the mountain before receiving the Ten Commandments, while Elijah in 1 Kings 19: 8 spends 40 days and nights preparing to encounter God. Fr Ddungu makes these biblical allusions and challenges believers to deny themselves, take the Lenten journey in the company of Jesus Christ, “…and when we come out of Lent, hopefully we will be renewed and transformed, and carry on with this transformation.” In the old days, people were expected to fast all the 40 days, starting with Ash Wednesday, but today, says Fr Ddungu, “The practice is you are expected to fast on Ash Wednesday if you are not a minor or old. That means skipping at least one full meal, but the rest of the days are up to the individual; you find people who fast every Friday, or every day of the Lent season.”He however adds, “Apart from fasting on Ash Wednesday and on Good Friday, you are also expected not to eat meat every Friday of Lent because meat is one of the things we like most, so we give up something that we like most as a sacrifice. But some people carry it on by not eating meat every Friday.” He’s not sure why the ash is applied onto the forehead but relates it to Catholics beginning their prayers by making the sign of the cross from foreheads – the most visible part. For those who think it’s a great sin to wash away the ash as soon as you are out of church, and for those who avoid the ash on Ash Wednesday, Fr Ddungu allays your fears thus: “It’s an outward sign that helps us but you commit no sin if you don’t receive ashes or if you wash it away after the service.” As it is, people have mixed reactions about Ash Wednesday. While Stella Nakalanzi, a Makerere University student, celebrates it every year and repents and turns to God completely throughout the Lent season, for born-again Richard Tumukunde, Ash Wednesday and Lent mean nothing. “Every day is supposed to be lived in obedience to God, so I don’t have to wait for Ash Wednesday or the Lent season to repent,” he says. “What matters to me is having an every-day personal relationship with God and running to Him for forgiveness anytime I stray.” “I’ve observed Lent for almost 10 years without going to church to get the ash on my forehead,” says David Gumisiriza. “This season, I’m trying to discover my innermost self – what makes me live life meaningfully. I’ve discovered it’s not the pursuit of money or fame, but working to make things better and contribute to society.” Just so you know, the Church of Uganda celebrates Ash Wednesday to usher in Lent with equal fervour like the Roman Catholics, because, as Rev Hillary Jaffu, the Assistant Missionary Chaplain at St Francis Chapel Makerere says, “There is a very theological significance in putting the blessed ash on the forehead – it shows remorse for our past sins and is a symbol of our repentance.” The Lent period will lead to Palm Sunday – the commemoration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, up to Easter on Sunday, April 24. The question is, are you using this period to have a special time with God?"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Entertainment/-/812796/1114960/-/2rwkr8/-/index.html","content":"Music review: Could as well have been Wayne’s death - Artiste: Lil Wayne Album: RebirthGenre: Rap-Metal RockReviewer: John K. Abimanyi What was Lil Wayne up to here? Seriously! Has he built a career so big that he now thinks he can waste hours of studio time experimenting with genres he was never designed to do? Or is he just singing for the fun of it? All those questions will flood your mind as soon as you listen to the rapper’s attempt at Rock, on an album he released a couple of months back. The album tells you of an artiste that was probably tired of minting the cash out of his Crank hip-hop and decided it was time he tried his skills at head-banging Rock. And that is just where all the trouble is. He walks into the Rock world with all his unsuited hip-hop nature, with its vulgarity, talk of self importance and incompatible rap lines on drum beats designed for non rap verses. And then, when he drops the rap and picks up vocalised verses, he goes into over-kill with an irritating auto tune which when not used leaves him sounding coarse and alien. But there are a few moments of bliss on the CD. In fact, some lovers of Rap-Metal Rock, (especially from bands like Linkin Park) will find many songs on the CD very exhilarating. Paradise and Die for You come closest to an un-abused Rock track and easily pass through your ears without leaving your auditory senses feeling insulted. It’s a show of great creativity for Lil Wayne to pull off an album completely out of the range of his day-to-day docket. But on second thought, maybe it wasn’t worth the effort."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/-/689842/1114856/-/13c5ivn/-/index.html","content":"Min Atek on Parenting: Tired and out - I walked into the house and it felt like the fatigue came rushing in like an angry flood. It was coming to close to two weeks of intense training, one of which required me to be on my feet for entire days on end. Please don’t get me wrong, I was a contented tired person for it’s a good thing to find work. Just the previous day, I had laid my tired self to sleep at about 1a.m. after attending a vigil in a town outside Kampala. Earlier that day is also when my Aunt Karen, as we popularly referred to her, had quietly passed in her sleep. I was still grappling with the news and sadness that such an event brings but I was also deeply concerned for my mother who was not taking the news of her sister’s passing well. This meant that I had to deal with personal grief and also offer comfort on the other hand. So when I entered the house in such a mood, I was not up for listening to tales from the Domestic help (DH). Apparently, the eight-year-old was at it again. It’s like she just chooses to do all the wrong things, ranging from ignoring her homework to refusing to bathe and at some point being abusive to the DH. Just the previous weekend, we had been punished for such unbecoming behaviour but clearly, the punishment had not prevented yet another scene from happening. Listening to the DH’s woes was in itself draining and frustrating. So I quietly nodded as I moved to my room. I craved some peace and quiet and was not in a mood to solve family feuds. I played soft music and closed my eyes just as the little boy loudly made his entrance. He wanted mummy to bathe him although that was the last thing on my mind. It is important to bond with the children but at this point I was so depleted, there was nothing to offer. Grudgingly, he went off although in true kindred spirit, the very next day he came to remind me that it was my turn to bathe him as I had earlier promised; apparently now I was not tired. So I laid back and listened to the politics on the radio and as if on cue, Umeme struck and we were in darkness. What a day! As I said my prayers that night, I wished my Aunt Karen peace and eternal life. — jmabola@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/1114222/-/10woeuj/-/index.html","content":"French doctor says 'submerged' in Libyan wounded - A French anaesthetist just returned from his hospital in the Libyan city of Benghazi told Thursday how he had been submerged in the wounded, calling for the \"bloodthirsty\" Col Muammar Gaddafi to be stopped. \"The flood of bodies started as soon as the other hospitals were overwhelmed. We were submerged,\" said Naceur Benarab, 60, who flew back to Paris on Wednesday but is due to return to Libya to continue treating victims of the uprising. \"The people were mainly suffering from gunshot wounds, or people crushed by militias' cars who drove into crowds,\" he told AFP by telephone from Paris' Orly airport. He said he saw \"trucks filled with people brandishing guns and axes\" roaming the streets of Benghazi, Libya's second city and the epicentre of protests against Gaddafi's rule which started on February 15 and in which hundreds have died. \"In the beginning the wounded had been targeted in the head, the neck or the chest. Then the bullet wounds went down to the lower parts of the body,\" Benarab added, in what he said was an effort to wound rather than kill. \"In a tribal society like Libya... whenever there are deaths, that swells the ranks of demonstrators,\" he said. A head nurse at the same hospital who gave her name only as Nadia described what she called a \"massacre.\" \"In as much as they were killing unarmed people, youths shot by snipers, shot in the head, in the face, disgusting things,\" she told AFP. \"We were afraid that Gaddafi supporters would come and finish his opponents off\" at the hospital,\" she said. The doctor is planning to fly to Tunisia on Thursday and get a boat to Benghazi to continue treating people. \"I'm going but I don't know how I'll get back,\" he said. \"On the humanitarian level, these people need us now, not in a week.\" \"When I was in the plane taking me back to France, Libyan friends called me, begged me to tell the world what's happening. States must do something to stop this bloodthirsty man.\" SOURCE: AFP"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/1111874/-/ai9009/-/index.html","content":"Retailers, farmers get row deal in influx of supermarkets - Growing up, all shopping was done at small retail shops we popularly called ‘grocery’ and ‘duka’ in other communities. Not until recently, these shops have been replaced by supermarkets rendering them credit outfits for the communities they are located in. It is very common for the neighbourhoods to send their children to the shop next door with a list of merchandise promising to pay the bill at a later date. This cannot happen at the supermarkets as you order with cash. “The world is changing and so are the people. Today you find that certain people want to be associated with a particular class and group for prestige purposes and in such a case they opt to buy their products from re-known malls yet the same item is available at a shop near their residential area,” Mr John Mugabe, a retail shop owner says. Also, the trend of shopping in bulk is influencing Ugandans to opt for supermarket shopping as opposed to retail shops. “I prefer shopping at a supermarket rather than in the Duka because I will be able to find all that I want under one roof rather than spending a lot of time moving from one shop to another,” Ms Hilda Musoke, a resident of Kitintale, said. She adds that unlike the supermarkets, the chances of buying sub-standard goods are high in the Dukas. Also, the display of products in supermarkets has to a large extent caused impulsive shopping, something that is not true for the Dukas. Imported goods Ms Sophie Mutesi picks a tin of Lyon’s Maid ice cream manufactured in Kenya from one of the deep freezers in the newly opened Tuskys Supermarket in Ntinda.I become curious about her choice of ice cream because I am used to brands like Fido Dido and Simka which are manufactured in Uganda. “I like Kenyan-made ice cream. It tastes better,” she said, picking a third tin of Lyon’s maid. But as she picks the tins, she is so cautious of the price so she keeps on checking on the price tag glued on the fridge door. Lyon’s Maid costs Shs800 while Simka and Fido Dido go for Shs500 for the smallest tin. As more foreign supermarkets spring up in Uganda, locally manufactured goods are losing market may be because of quality standards as some experts allege. The country is undergoing a wave that has seen goods from China, Dubai, Kenya and other countries flood the city malls at the expense of local products. It has almost become acceptable to buy foodstuffs, textiles and other jewellery or handicrafts made elsewhere yet they are also available locally. A recent survey done in different foreign-owned supermarkets in Kampala indicated that imported commodities over-shadow Ugandan products on the shelves. Fruits like oranges, tomatoes, apples, grapes and dates, some of which can be obtained from Uganda, are being imported from South Africa and Kenya while cooking oil, baking flour, maize flour, biscuits and bottled drinks like quenchers come from Kenya. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Markets/-/688606/1108252/-/s0au5w/-/index.html","content":"China issues  stern warning on fake goods - Dealing in fake products might land Ugandan importers in trouble one of these days. The Chinese Embassy in Uganda has moved to aggressively crack down on people who import counterfeit products from China to Uganda. “Our government is now going to take serious action on counterfeit and substandard products that flood your market,” Counsellor Zou Xiaoming, said last week during a press briefing. “We are going to have serious inspection at our ports and shall also monitor goods from the production end (the source) and also have our enforcers look out for those people doing this kind of thing.” He said those who fail to adhere will have their licenses withdrawn and pay heavy fines. However, to make this initiative work effectively, the People’s Republic of China appealed to the government for help as their laws are specifically designed to deal with their own citizens and not foreigners. During interaction with journalists, it emerged that counterfeits and substandard goods that end up in the market are a result of demands made by unscrupulous importers who are not willing to pay for better quality products. As a manufacturing power, China is well aware that no made-in-China products should be a counterfeit or imitation, it is in this respect that it has been under pressure to deal with such vices. However, not all fake goods come from China, India is also among the countries in Asia known for the vice. Most counterfeit and substandard products end up in Uganda and other African countries because their borders are porous."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Heart-to-Heart/-/691230/1105050/-/mmllu5z/-/index.html","content":"When he is a good father but a bad husband  - Amos Ntamkunzi has been married to his wife for four years now. Recently she suggested a one week holiday to Dubai. He was excited. It was a time for the family to really bond far away from the hustle and bustle of Kampala. Ntamkuzi was wrong about his thoughts. Apparently the wife had other ideas about the holiday. She meant the holiday to be for just two of them. The revelation stunned him. “How can there be a holiday without the children?” he thought. Where is the meaning of family without the children? He wondered. He put up a fight; he asked her why the children wouldn’t be welcome to Dubai. She told him she just wanted him alone. She wanted quality time with her husband. But he insisted on sharing that quality time with the children too. It’s at that point that she said something baffling, “You are being a good father by wanting the children to come along. But you’re being a bad husband by refusing my request of spending this holiday, just the two of us,” she said. Ntamkuzi’s wife had touched on a loaded gun topic; when one is a good father but a bad husband. What does that mean? How can one be good at being a father yet found wanting as a husband? don’t those two aspects, (father and husband) go hand in hand Aren’t their roles similar? What should men do to avoid such a predicament? Men have one huge strain that’s been carried around on them for decades. They are known as cheaters. Not all cheat, but there are a huge number that loves to taste the forbidden truth. If we are to go international, we don’t have to look further than the legendary golfer Tiger Woods. The golfer however embellishes the notion of being a good father but a poor husband. During Woods’ marriages woes that ended with a divorce from his wife Elin Nordegren, no one accused him of being a bad father. He loved his children. He cared for them. Actually, with his latest building project in Jupiter Island that is a 9,700 square foot home sitting on 12 acres, it’s rumoured that the golfer not only wants to be near his children (the ex wife is said to moving to Jupiter Island) but wants them to be indulged to the extreme, hence the huge mansion. But to Nordegren, the golfer is a cheat. He’s someone who broke the trust. He’s someone who broke her heart. So in her eyes, (the children’s presents and holidays regardless), Woods is one bad husband. But is he a good father? Samantha Namiiro, doesn’t think so. She thinks if a man cheats on his wife, but loves the child, that doesn’t make them a good father but a rubbish husband. “He’s rubbish at both, father and husband. By cheating on his wife, the father is setting a bad example to his children. What you don’t know is that children watch your example, more than they listen to you. Just what example is the father setting for the children? What is he going to tell the children about why him and their mother broke up? He will have to lie to them,” says Namiiro. Derrick Mwavu however disagrees. “You can be a good father but a bad husband. Being a father and a husband involves two different relationships with two different people. As long as the father teaches the children right and wrong, then he’s excelling in fatherhood. If he can love them, then he’s being a good dad. If he can involve himself wholeheartedly in their lives then despite whatever drama he has with the mother, the man is being an excellent father,” he says. Another man agrees with Mwavu’s position. “The issues a man has with his wife aren’t the same he’d experience with his children. A father can have unconditional love for his children but not for his wife,” says Sam Lubega a married man with three children. “You need to understand that for a responsible man, parenting is in their blood. He could cheat on his wife or even beat her which I don’t cordon, but will make sure the children are shielded from that. It can be difficult but very feasible. Actually that’s how our fathers raised us. They always had a frosty relationship with their wives but made sure the children were never caught in between,” Lubega says. It’s a dicey situation. On one hand a father can be good at parenting but when he sleeps with different women, brings all kinds of diseases to the mother of their children, which in the end kill her, is that man a good father? I don’t think so. Whereas everyone is entitled to mistakes which include infidelity, the best gift a father can give his children is to love their mother. That’s the ultimate good father. Moreover, if one can be a good parent then what’s the importance of marriage itself one would ask? If one can look after the children and excel in the role as a father, then why even get married then? Doesn’t the notion of being a “good father but a crappy husband” make divorce a more “acceptable” preposition? Those are the flood gates that can be opened with that notion."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/1099450/-/2keywxz/-/index.html","content":"Climate change has not stopped her from making profitable gains - It is a hot afternoon as the scorching sun has grimly hit the ground since dawn. Dust set off by wind storms is rising and the vegetation in Irongo sub-county, Luuka district has withered. But stroll into Ms Lovisa Nabonge’s home at Nakabaala village, and you will wonder if you are in the same location as the rest of the village. The flora looks green and health. “What magic are you using to maintain this garden?” I dared to ask. “There is no peculiar magic I apply here. I only irrigate and mulch this garden to keep my crops healthy,” answered Nabonge with a genially smile. “We last had rains in October last year and if I was not irrigating, I would have been short of vegetables and food by now,” a single mother who was found harvesting tomatoes, added. Like any peasant farmer, Nabonge has gone through all sorts of challenges associated with subsistence farming and at one time she lost hope. Her aspirations, however, were retrieved in 2007, when Send a Cow, a local NGO offered her an in-calf. Since her dream was to practice organic farming which pays relatively well, Nabonge thought receiving a cow was a great chance for her to solve all the unbearable problems related to peasantry farming. Little did she knew that she was adding herself the extra burden of looking for over 70kgs of pasture and 40litres of water to feed her cow under stall-feed grazing system daily. Feeding the cow did not bother her much since it was giving her manure and she expected to get milk in few months. When the animal gave birth, her status slightly changed because she was selling milk. But her happiness was short-lived following a prolonged drought that caused crop failure as well as water and pasture scarcity. More still, the elephant (napier) grass -one of the major forage she feeds her cow- was attacked by the napier disease. 1 | 2 Next Page»“Shortage of feeds and water forced me to start buying forage at Shs500 a bundle and a 20 litre jerrycan of water at Shs200,” she explains. The situation was worsened by her husband’s lengthy sickness. He eventually passed on last year. By that time, the amount of milk she was getting from her cow dropped almost by half because she was not providing it enough feeds. Luckily for her, the National Agriculture Research Organisation (Naro) came to her rescue. Naro in partnership with Send a Cow introduced a project dubbed Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change in Smallholders Crop-Livestock System in the Lake Victoria Crescent Zone that restored her hope. Because of her ability, Nabonge happened to be among the 12 smallholder farmers who were selected from Irongo sub-county for assistance. She was trained on how to mitigate the effect of climate change using low cost technology and she was assisted to plant improved forages that can withstand drought. She was also assisted to dig an underground water harvesting tank and set up an affordable drip irrigation system. “God has always been on my side. With these investments the future is bright,” Nabonge boasted. She added, “I can now make my own farmyard manure, irrigate the farm and sell and drink milk. The amount of milk I get from this cow has increased from six to nine litres daily and I can handle my milk hygienically.” Nabonge is also proud of being part of the “one-stop centre” village for climate change mitigation assessments and interventions for smallholder dairy production that has been formed by the project. “People from all parts of the country visit my home to see how I handle the effects of climate change with intent of replicating the skills at their farms.” Dr Jolly Kabirizi, a forage scientist at the National Livestock Resources Research Institution (Nalirri), who heads the project, says they initiated the scheme after realising that Uganda is experiencing increasing intensities and frequency of drought, heavy rains, floods and outbreaks of disease and pests associated with the extreme events. “This has escalated farmers’ risks and losses and is now a major reason for the disparity between the livestock productivity,” Dr Kabirizi says. Dr Christopher Kyeswa, the Extension staff of Send a Cow, says despite technological advances, such as improved animal breeds and crops and management systems, productivity is still low due to severe reduction in quantity and quality of food and fodder crops and water. “These lead to the death of animals during extreme drought and flood period. Forage quality and quality declines during the dry season and results in a reduction of over 40 percent in milk yield, poor body condition and long calving intervals,” he says. He adds that farmers therefore miss opportunities to benefit from high prices of milk during periods of scarcity. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/-/859108/1098340/-/jnywf4/-/index.html","content":"Who really runs my country? - On December 31, 2010, columnist Timothy Kalyegira wrote an article in The Uganda Record titled ‘How the European Union keeps Uganda intact as a state.’In that article, Kalyegira cited numerous projects, including on-going road construction, schools infrastructure and many health care facilities and services that the European tax payer, through the EU financially supports in Uganda. The article revealed that through the European Development Fund (EDF), the EU has doled out 439 million Euros to Uganda so far in development aid. This is at odds with President Museveni’s persistent claim on the campaign trail that Uganda is rich enough as it collects revenue that can sustain it as a state! External crutchThe EU is just one of the many external donors funding Uganda. According to a ministry of finance official, Uganda incurred a total foreign aid debt levels $989 million fiscal year 2005-06. On top of that, Uganda has benefitted enormously from remittances from its nationals in the Diaspora, raking in $2 billion in 2010 alone, according to World Bank figures. The country receives $100 million in donor aid for the fight against HIV/Aids. Other donations, including those from China and debt relief monies that the country gets should have otherwise, put Uganda on a sound economic path, to signify a responsible government in place. What truly contradicts the false impression given to the public that Uganda is a very rich country with ability to collect substantial amounts of revenue internally is the stark reality that our government has lost control. One argues that all these monies that flood Uganda get directed to servicing the lavish lifestyles of the ruling class and strengthening the institutions of repression such as the military, police and locally armed vigilantes to sustain them in power. Ugandans no longer know who truly runs their country. Any rich country or any country which has internal capacity to financially survive should show evidence in infrastructure development that encompasses building better physical infrastructure - roads, other means of transportation, electricity, communication capability and a clean water supply - needed to operate an effective health care system. What we see in Uganda are impassable roads and weak transportation systems that impede economic activities and growth. Health care is in constant retreat and in a downward spiral. We have all experienced the fact that bad roads block patients, providers and medicines from reaching health facilities or the local person. Electrical outages prevent hospitals from functioning effectively and for vaccines to go unrefrigerated, they are rendered unusable. Without adequate supply or energy and electricity, Uganda cannot modernise or industrialise. The real governors of our country therefore become the many proliferating not-for-profit organisations that help us remain intact as a state. It is the donor agencies from western countries that help a country like Uganda from plunging into an extreme state dysfunction. What is true is that the role of NGOs in the private sector has rendered the Ugandan government useless in as far as meeting its most basic responsibilities are concerned. Ugandans are increasingly relying on NGO intervention to meet some of their basic needs as NGOs are increasingly taking over key state functions, providing for health, welfare and safety of citizens. NGOs are in the centre of influencing policies and shaping the direction of service delivery; in poverty alleviation, girls’ education, negotiation for peace, strengthening of legal and policy frameworks; promotion of democracy and sustenance of cultural as well as traditional institutions. As a consequence, a country run by a government like the present regime in Uganda has continued to fail to develop internal capacity and skills necessary to run the country effectively and often falls back on the global safety net provided by non-state actors to escape accountability. And the foreign governments that previously doled out money to a belligerent regime like that in Uganda have also become wise to avoid tardiness and widespread state inspired corruption. History’s figuresCohen, MA, Kupcu, MC., and Khana, P., in their paper, The New Colonialists observed that in the 70s, seven of every 10 dollars given out to developing countries like Uganda, came from official development assistance (ODA). Today, it has reduced to 15 per cent of such inflows. In 2006, the total flow of development funds from OECD mounted to $325 million, representing only a third of previous inflow. On the flip side, the flow to international humanitarian NGOs has tripled; for instance, spending for CARE, an international relief agency, has jumped 65 per cent since 1999 to $607 million; Save the Children’s budget tripled since 1998; Doctors-Without-Borders’ budget doubled since 2001; and Mercy Corps’ expenditure has risen nearly 700 per cent just in a decade (Cohen, Kupcu and Khana, 2008). Two interesting observations; the shift in aid flow has increasingly by-passed governments and reached NGOs that work directly with the people neglected by governments. Also what is true as evidenced by Uganda’s dismal performance is that it has faced slow but steady erosion in its ability to provide basic social services to Uganda. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Komakech is a Ugandan graduate student in collaborative research MPH in Global Health and MPH in health promotion programmes at the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1097076/-/13quq7dz/-/index.html","content":"The effects of wetland destruction will be too costly - The Global Water Partnership in Eastern Africa states that Uganda annually loses 15 per cent of its GDP due to the destruction of forests, land, and water resources. Wetland destruction cost the country Shs2 billion and contamination of water resources was rated at over Shs38 billion. Wetlands cover about 13 per cent of the entire land area of Uganda. Wetlands include marshes, swamps, peat bogs, river deltas, tundra, mangroves, river flood plains, and lagoons. In the central region, we have wetlands around Kinawataka, Nakivubo Channel, Lubiji, Nyanama, Kyetinda, Nalukolongo, Kyambogo and other areas. Unfortunately, most of these wetlands have been encroached on. Pottery groups, phoenix users, papyrus users, fishers, paddy rice growers are some of the interests communities which live around these wetlands involve themselves in. The benefits of wetlands are numerous. They have essential life support processes, for instance protection of river banks, nutrient and toxin retention, sewage treatment, stabilisation of hydrological cycle and microclimates. The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda provides, among the fundamental rights and freedoms of all people, the right to a clean and healthy environment. It is the mandate of the state to protect important natural resources, including land, water, wetlands, oil, minerals, fauna, and flora on behalf of the people of Uganda. Failure to protect these resources is a failure on the part of the state bearing ramifications of a human rights nature. In fact, the subject of wetland encroachment is more of a human rights problem/abuse. Last year, the Commissioner of wetlands, Mr Paul Mafabi, noted that wetland catchment area around Lake Victoria had shrunk by more than half in a period of less than 20 years from 7,167.6 Sq. Km in 1994 to 3,310 Sq. Km in 2008. He further noted that around Lake Kyoga, the coverage reduced from 15,008.3 Sq. Km in 1994 to 11,028.5 Sq. Km in 2008. The nationwide wetland coverage further considerably reduced from an estimated 37,575 Sq. km in 1994 to 26,308 Sq. Km in 2008 signifying a major loss of not less than 25 per cent of the entire wetland area. Going by the media reports thus far this year, the situation is not improving at all. The underlying causes of this massive degradation rang from a culture of impunity, disregard of the law, rapid urbanisation, increased rice production, limited awareness and poor knowledge base, political interference, fragmented legislation, understaffing at wetland inspection division, inadequate funding, poverty which drives population to derive livelihood from wetlands, to the general importance of wetlands being more associated with the direct consumptive benefits rather that the priceless essential life support processes. Lessons learnt from the wetland community approach, resource user approach, and the ecosystem approach should be enhanced to ensure adequate community involvement in the protection of Uganda’s wetlands. Massive sensitization is urgently needed to make citizenry appreciate the fact that an individual cannot own, purchase or sale a wetland among other vital issues. It is outrageous for us to be destroying wetlands in this era of climate change and global warming when states are spending billions of dollars in cutting emissions and going green to protect the climate. We need to act fast to curtail current evident environmental impacts like desertification, seasonal flooding, land/ mud slides, degradation of catchment areas, adverse local climate modification etc. If we do not act fast to reverse the status quo, the country will face climate change the hard way sooner than later. Mr Masake is a human rights activist mskmas@yahoo.co.uk"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1090150/-/cit24dz/-/index.html","content":"Of slum dwellers and their water fuss tales - ‘‘We don’t have any water at home. Give me way,” six-year-old Joel Karungi’s voice filled the air as the little boy shoved off the rest of the children standing in his path from accessing a spring well in Mbuya-Kinawataka village. “We have been here for many hours. How can you jump the queue when you found us here?” other children protested as they surged forward to draw water. The protests seem to have fallen on deaf ears, as Karungi forced his way to a water pipe fixed in a concrete wall.His action annoyed some children who grabbed him by the neck as others started slapping him, sparking off a fight. The chaotic situation was calmed by women who had also lined up. Such scenes are experienced by hundreds of Kampala city dwellers who brave the scorching sun to queue for water at public wells daily due to irregular water supplys by National water and Sewage Corporation (NWSC). “We have a water supply line at home, but it is not reliable,” Jane Nansasi, an eight-year-old girl from Kalerwe softly says adding that they have resorted to spring wells. Water shortageMost city dwellers residing in hilly areas are faced with the same problem. Mr Charles Mutinye, a resident of Kaggo Zone in Nakawa division, says for over a decade now, all taps in the area dry up from 6am to 12 am daily. “Besides the overwhelming expenditure incurred from buying water from vendors, the air pressure from taps increases the water bills,” he said. He adds that despite individual complaints made on several occasions at Kitintale Water offices, nothing has been done to solve the problem. Instead the residents of Mbuya-Kinawataka, Kaggo and other areas have resorted to stage demonstration this month if Kampala water officers fails to tackle the issue. “Once the problem is not resolved within two weeks, we shall have no option but to stage a peaceful demonstration on January 17, 2011, at Kitintale Water offices. In some parts of the city, residents line up for water till late in the night. Mr Apollo Ondria, a resident of Kinawataka says: “We wake up at 3am and line up for water to avoid long queues at the well.” adding that women normally scuffle in their attempt to get water. Those who avoid queues have to dig deeper in to their pockets to get water. When there is a shortage, vendors selling water around neighhbourhoods take advantage of the crisis by hiking the prices to between Shs300 to Shs1000, from the usual Shs100 per jerrycan. Miriam Kadaga, the NWSC principle spokesperson, admits the irregularities, but says the water body is working tirelessly to meet the concerns of its clients. Growing population“We don’t really intend to frustrate our customers. It is not that we are sitting back, we are working tirelessly to have the problem solved,” says Kadaga. She adds: “our greatest challenge has been the city’s escalating population growth. The population has grown so fast and sometimes the water supply system is overloaded. We need money to work on the system,”. Although protected wells assist many inhabitants, reports suggest that they are prone to contamination due to poor garbage and human waste disposal. According to the National Urban Policy Development Support (NUPDS) report 2010, the water table below the surface is unhigienic due to inappropriate sanitation arrangement such as pit latrines, especially in urban areas where their usage is at 80 percent. The report further adds that water sources are also polluted by direct liquid disposals from petrol stations. Just a week ago, residents of Kyebando, a city suburb, complained about fuel suspected to be leaking into their well from a fuel station nearby. The report recommends consumers to boil the water before consumption. Although the report points out possible risks in water springs, many still believe the water is safe. To Hamza Kajoba who resides in Makerere, prefers spring water because it looks clean. “The water is colourless just like tap water. So I find it safe. We fetch it from the springs because Shs100 is expensive. I need about five jerrycans daily and if I am to buy tap water, I have to use Shs500, which is expensive,” Government interventionThe government has an objective of providing 100 percent water access to all urban citizens as part of its National Poverty Eradication Action Plan. (NPEAP) 1 | 2 Next Page»The NWSC recently launched a “pay-as-you-drink” public water project to increase clean water access to the urban poor.It also introduced a pre-paid water meter and has since installed over 500 in impoverished Ndeeba and Kisyeni slums which serve over 150,000 residents. According to the United Nations Office to Support the International Decade for Action “Water for Life” 2005-2015 (UNO-IDfA), sustainable, efficient and equitable management of water in cities is a prority in today’s world. Many cities cope with severe water disasters, such as floods, droughts and upstream activities on transboundary rivers. Climate change also places rising demands on urban systems and will results in increasing urban migration. Disease outbreakThe most vulnerable are the urban poor, since they often live in hazardous locations, such as flood plains with poor quality housing and infrastructure. A lack of safe drinking water and sanitation results in fecal-oral diseases such as diarrhea, malaria and cholera. Half of the world’s population lives in cities and, within two decades, nearly 60 percent of the population will comprise of urban dwellers. Now policymakers, technical experts and members of international organisations from across the globe met in Zaragoza, Spain, in December last year to discuss sustainable urban water management and practical political engagement and the media’s role in the process. “One out of four urban dwellers does not have access to improved sanitation facilities,” says Ms Josefina Maestu, Director of UNO-IDfA/UNW-DPAC. “Water has definitely not yet received the place it needs to have in the international debates. Good management of water resources, provision of drinking water and sanitation are prerequisites to achieving the Millennium Development Goals,” she adds. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/1085508/-/18qeotz/-/index.html","content":"BOOKS:  Water for Elephants - This book is about an over 90 year old man named Jacob Jankowski as he recalls himself as a young man, tossed by fate onto a rickety train. His memories are those of a world filled with freaks and clowns, with wonder and pain and anger and passion, a world with its own narrow, irrational rules, its own way of life, and its own way of death which is the world of the circus. To Jacob it was both salvation and a living hell. Under The Dome By Stephen KingOn an entirely normal, beautiful fall day in Chester’s Mill, Maine, the town is inexplicably and suddenly sealed off from the rest of the world by an invisible force field. Planes crash into it and fall from the sky in flaming wreckage, a gardener’s hand is severed as “the dome” comes down on it, people running errands in the neighbouring town are divided from their families, and cars explode on impact. No one can fathom what this barrier is, where it came from, and when or if it will go away. U is For Undertow By Sue Grafton. It’s April 1988, Kinsey Millhone is alone in her office catching up on paperwork when a young man arrives unannounced. Michael Sutton is 27, an unemployed college dropout. More than two decades ago, a four-year-old girl disappeared, and a recent newspaper story about her kidnapping has triggered a flood of memories. Sutton now believes he stumbled on her lonely burial and could identify the killers if he saw them again. He wants Kinsey’s help in locating the grave and finding the men. It’s way more than a long shot, but he’s persistent and willing to pay cash up front. Reluctantly, Kinsey agrees to give him one day of her time. Breathless by Dean Koontz. In this book, Koontz delivers a thrilling novel of suspense and adventure, as the lives of strangers converge around a mystery unfolding high in the Colorado mountains and the balance of the world begins to tilt."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1084564/-/cjcpk6z/-/index.html","content":"Butaleja still dread rains - Butaleja The Banyole in Butaleja District have one New Year resolution: the floods of 2010 should never come again. Over 60,000 people were in March displaced when torrential rainfall caused River Manafwa to burst its banks. Doho Rice Scheme was washed out, four primary schools were closed and all the major roads were affected as bridges were washed away. The road link between Mbale was cut-off, forcing all travellers to divert to Nagongera-Tororo route to connect to Mbale. “The situation was bad and we are praying that we do not experience such situations anymore,” Mr Richard Waya, the district LC5 chairperson. The Resident District Commissioner, Mr Richard Gulume, also prays for last year’s situation never to re-occur, adding that it causes instability, poverty and famine as people get displaced and crops destroyed by the floods. Former RDC Edward Wabudi, who was in the district druing the floods, says he was impressed by the response of well-wishers and charity organisations like the Red Cross and the Catholic Relief Services (Caritas) to the disaster. Caritas director in Tororo Archdiocese, Fr. Pius Okumu said the church donated items worth over Shs300 million to the flood victims in the district. The Uganda Red Cross, too, donated relief items worth over Shs121 million to over 12,000 people. Butaleja, the district which is more of a River Manafwa Delta is much prone to the floods. A similar disaster befell the district in 1997 displacing over 40,000 people."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/1080446/-/11xcqlxz/-/index.html","content":"House style: The unique but simple aspect of a modern design - From the high pitched French electric houses to deceptively simple Midcentury Modern glass-and-concrete to experimental, organic seventies designs, modern residences are attracting growing numbers of enthusiasts. In addition to the cachet of owning a piece of architectural history, there is the appeal of thoughtfully designed spaces with modern innovations such as steel-and-concrete structures. Also, there are open floor plans, cantilevered roofs and terraces, and expanses of glass that break down barriers between the interior and exterior. Of course many great modern homes are constructed on prime real estate, in areas where land is scarce today. The origin A house style that begun with a reaction to the structures of the classical past and as a response to contemporary culture and technology, was popularised by the then great architect, Frank Lord Wright with residential building. Starting off in the late 20s, it spread through Chicago, Hollywood and the rest of the world. For a man that never attended architecture school, Mr Wright experimented with obtuse angle and circles changing the way we thought about interior spaces. Modernism in design is not just another style- it presents a new way of thinking. There has been a lively constructive rebellion against the traditional European styles in the visual arts and design, exploration and experimentation has greatly expanded horizons and sensibilities. New goals and values, together with new materials, technologies and different ways of using older ones, have led to designs uniquely expressive of this age. Architects and urban planners have become increasingly aware of the visual arts to the qualities of modern living. Changing trends Structures became more than a shell to protect their contents and became expressions of our search for identity during a period of rapid social change and scientific advancement. This style has attempted to apply scientific and analytical methods to design by emphasising function over ornament. The idea of space as opposed to mass, was used as an inspiration for design and led to innovative choices of materials. The modern style didn’t begin by pre-selecting an architectural style, whether traditional or modern in origin. Rather their design concepts evolve, shaped by site, context and clients’ functional and economic requirements. They are also shaped by zoning and building codes, technology and most importantly, by the designer’s imagination and creative will. If successful, their design will possess its own aesthetic style, for which there may yet be no name. Materials used The most commonly used materials include glass for the siding, steel and timber for exterior support, and concrete for the floors and interior supports. Floor plans are functional and logical. Since the early 80s, many designs have deliberately sought to move away from rectilinear designs and toward more eclectic styles. Many of today’s modern homes tend to take shapes more in harmony with their site, utilising the size, shape and topography of the plot. With their strong horizontal lines H flat or low pitched roofs, with open interiors that have vaulted or beam ceilings, the modern style whose plans are shaped in an H, U, T or L, partially encloses outdoor space. An acknowledgment of the increasing importance of the automobile in suburban life with garages and carports becoming important design element as well as clerestory windows, sliding doors, and skylights to flood the interior with lots of light Its uniquenessWhile most houses have specific details, rules or patterns that define their style, I think the lack of rules is why we love the Modern style. It opens the door to creativity and invention. With modern homes today, it seems that there are two different types (or extremes, some might say). One type would be a very sleek home with a monotone colour (including the trim, if any), an open floor plan, lots of glass and no exposed structure. The other type tries to display the “beauty” of an exposed steel or wood structure and its connections, raw concrete or sheet steel, and an aluminum storefront window system. It takes a skilled professional to pull this off because there is a fine line between a house that looks like an unfinished basement and one that is an architectural masterpiece. 1 | 2 Next Page»josephnuwamany@creationarchitects.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/OtherSport/-/690284/1068306/-/xkgwi4z/-/index.html","content":"Namboole closure is sports driven - Kampala Mandela National Stadium board chairperson Jim Mugunga is defending the closure of Namboole saying it’s for the good of sport. This is contrary to earlier castigations by some in the sporting world that the stadium management was doing little to care for sports after the side pitch was also closed to SC Villa, Police and URA, clubs that use Namboole for home matches, to allow the laying of tartan. Namboole main arena remains closed to business one month on as renovation continues and football is unlikely to be played there, at least for now. Progress, though, can be seen with the scoreboard being replaced and the running track being leveled. Other work“The public should know work is going on well and that this is in the spirit of sports,” said Mugunga. Other work being done includes overhauling high voltage switch system, public address system, flood lights and the street lights. The stadium was messed to despicable levels by the NRM conference nearly two months ago and the immediate music concert that followed didn’t help matters."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/1062314/-/10gn0pn/-/index.html","content":"WikiLeaks unleashes a flood of damaging US cables - Whistleblower website WikiLeaks on Sunday unleashed a flood of US cables detailing shocking diplomatic episodes, from a nuclear standoff with Pakistan to Arab leaders urging a strike on Iran. The leaked memos describe a Chinese government bid to hack into Google, plans to reunite the Korean peninsula after the North's eventual collapse, and quote Saudi Arabia's king as saying the United States should bomb Iran to halt its nuclear drive, telling it to \"cut off the head of the snake.\" The confidential cables, most of which date from 2007 to last February, also reveal how the State Department has ordered diplomats to spy on foreign officials and even to obtain their credit card and frequent flier numbers. The memos recount closed-door remarks that could stoke scandal, including Yemen's president telling a top US general: \"We'll continue saying the bombs are ours, not yours\" when discussing secretive US strikes on Al-Qaeda. A description of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi showed him requiring the near-constant assistance of a \"voluptuous blond\" Ukrainian nurse. The New York Times, Britain's The Guardian, Germany's Der Spiegel, France's Le Monde and Spain's El Pais published the first batch of the documents on Sunday, saying more would follow in the coming days. WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange described the release as a \"diplomatic history of the United States\" that would cover \"every major issue.\" Despite coming under a cyber attack that took down its main website earlier in the day, WikiLeaks started publishing the 251,287 cables -- 15,652 of which are classified \"secret\" -- from 274 US embassies around the world on a sub-website http://cablegate.wikileaks.org. In an introduction, it painted the United States as a hypocritical superpower and attacked \"the contradictions between the US's public persona and what it says behind closed doors. \"The cables show the extent of US spying on its allies and the UN; turning a blind eye to corruption and human rights abuse in 'client states'; backroom deals with supposedly neutral countries; lobbying for US corporations; and the measures US diplomats take to advance those who have access to them.\" The White House hit back, saying the release was a \"reckless and dangerous action\" that put lives in danger. \"To be clear -- such disclosures put at risk our diplomats, intelligence professionals, and people around the world who come to the United States for assistance in promoting democracy and open government,\" White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said in a statement. The Pentagon, which was infuriated by the website's publication of secret Afghanistan and Iraq war logs earlier this year, also condemned the latest, more far-reaching release and unveiled new steps to prevent future leaks. US officials had raced to contain the fallout by warning more than a dozen governments of the impending leaks, but Washington said it refused to negotiate with WikiLeaks, calling its possession of the cables illegal. Assange has denied the planned release placed individuals at risk. 1 | 2 Next Page»\"As far as we are aware, and as far as anyone has ever alleged in any credible manner whatsoever, no single individual has ever come to harm as a result of anything that we have ever published,\" he said Sunday. The New York Times explained its decision to publish the cables by saying they \"serve an important public interest.\" The newspaper said it had \"taken care to exclude... information that would endanger confidential informants or compromise national security.\" It said it had notified White House officials of the cables and asked if other information should be redacted, adding that it \"agreed to some, but not all\" of their suggestions. The Guardian said all five papers had decided \"neither to 'dump' the entire dataset into the public domain, nor to publish names that would endanger innocent individuals.\" None of the countries at the heart of the most explosive revelations had responded publicly to the leaks by late Sunday, but a Saudi government advisor told AFP: \"The whole thing is very negative.\" \"It's not good for confidence-building,\" he said on condition of anonymity. US officials have not confirmed the source of the leaks, but suspicion has fallen on Bradley Manning, a former army intelligence agent arrested after the release of a video showing air strikes that killed reporters in Iraq. WikiLeaks argues that the first two document dumps -- nearly 500,000 US military incident reports from 2004 to 2009 -- shed light on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Sweden recently issued an international warrant for Assange's arrest, saying he is wanted for questioning over allegations of rape and sexual molestation. At least one senior US Republican congressman has called for Assange to be prosecuted and for WikiLeaks to be declared a \"terrorist organization.\" « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/-/859108/1047496/-/jkvjjf/-/index.html","content":"10 problems govt must solve as it takes over city - Before the government pops champagne and toasts to a Kampala run by its departments, here are 10 issues that it has to urgently deal with. Pothole-free-cityA joke is told about a Toyota Vitz - to that you add such small cars like the Toyota Corolla Starlet- that drove into a pothole on Jinja road, sunk in, and completely got submerged, only to resurface on the other side, half a minute later. The government now finds itself having to deal with Kampala’s potholes as an urgent need. Roads need a complete redo to better previous attempts that have left the roads looking like a patched pair of trousers, only for the patches to wear off after a few rain showers. Upgrade road networkKampala’s roads are the very look that defines a bottle neck. An increasing number of cars squeeze past each other, and yet the roads’ size is not increasing. Kampala now finds itself in need of bigger and even better organised roads to handle the massive car population rise. The city of Nairobi in Kenya is currently upgrading its road system to allow for 12 lane roads and a series of fly-over roads to handle the same situation. Ugandan officials were sent over to see how Kenya was managing the feat and could hence duplicate the Kenyan success story here. Organise public transportTaxis have virtually booked the entire stretch of Kampala’s roads as a bus stop. And to that already heated pot of a transport system, you add the ingredients of the buzzing, traffic-rule-defaulting-boda boda cyclists, and the result is an erratic system that the government is now inheriting. Taxis require designated parking slots or they could be locked out of the city until enough space is created. Nairobi has successfully managed to lock boda boda cyclists out of the city centre and majority of its suburbs. HygieneA Kampala resident would have to think long and hard to recall when they used a public toilet that could flush. That is if they were able to make it past the sea of urine trapped on the floor. The picture of Luwum Street in Kampala screams out loud. The noise comes from the multiple posters plastered on walls, and then left to rot away, of the sheer accumulation of rubbish on the street that blocks the flow of water on a rainy day, allowing for the further accumulation of sewerage to ensue and thus create the perfect third-world-sight. Kampala’s sewerage and rubbish disposal needs an overhaul that will include constant cleaning and relaying of sewerage canals, and teaching city residents how to dispose of garbage. Redesign drainage system Whenever it rains, Kampala gets a cold. Houses flood and cars cannot wade through the water on the now submerged roads. Taxi fares then skyrocket through the roof; all because of a nearly non-existent drainage system. Government now has its hands full with the need to establish a worthwhile drainage that will channel water out of human settlements. Reinstall street lightsWhen the sun sets, parts of Kampala become a facsimile of a dingy town with dark sections where street lights are out of use. Kampala’s new administrators could borrow a leaf from CHOGM and reinstate all street lights, this time round, as a regular feat. Get rid of street childrenStreet children, in their tattered clothing, scar Kampala’s face like a sore pimple on the nose. Government thus faces the challenge of rehabilitating the parentless children or return those with parents back home. Relocate vendors Street vendors do not make the scene any better with their merchandise stretching all over the streets. They need to be relocated to markets. Develop marketsKampala’s markets are in great need of a face lift. Save those with stalls built with concrete, most have wooden stands for stalls and to that you add unhygienic conditions. Leisure ParksSave the Constitution Square, the parks near Queen’s Way Clock Tower and above the railway stations, need a facelift so as to offer the soothing function they are designated to do."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1047364/-/clqtqtz/-/index.html","content":"10 problems govt must solve as it takes over city - Before the government pops champagne and toasts to a Kampala run by its departments, here are 10 issues that it has to urgently deal with. Pothole-free-cityA joke is told about a Toyota Vitz - to that you add such small cars like the Toyota Corolla Starlet- that drove into a pothole on Jinja road, sunk in, and completely got submerged, only to resurface on the other side, half a minute later. The government now finds itself having to deal with Kampala’s potholes as an urgent need. Roads need a complete redo to better previous attempts that have left the roads looking like a patched pair of trousers, only for the patches to wear off after a few rain showers. Upgrade road networkKampala’s roads are the very look that defines a bottle neck. An increasing number of cars squeeze past each other, and yet the roads’ size is not increasing. Kampala now finds itself in need of bigger and even better organised roads to handle the massive car population rise. The city of Nairobi in Kenya is currently upgrading its road system to allow for 12 lane roads and a series of fly-over roads to handle the same situation. Ugandan officials were sent over to see how Kenya was managing the feat and could hence duplicate the Kenyan success story here. Organise public transportTaxis have virtually booked the entire stretch of Kampala’s roads as a bus stop. And to that already heated pot of a transport system, you add the ingredients of the buzzing, traffic-rule-defaulting-boda boda cyclists, and the result is an erratic system that the government is now inheriting. Taxis require designated parking slots or they could be locked out of the city until enough space is created. Nairobi has successfully managed to lock boda boda cyclists out of the city centre and majority of its suburbs. HygieneA Kampala resident would have to think long and hard to recall when they used a public toilet that could flush. That is if they were able to make it past the sea of urine trapped on the floor. The picture of Luwum Street in Kampala screams out loud. The noise comes from the multiple posters plastered on walls, and then left to rot away, of the sheer accumulation of rubbish on the street that blocks the flow of water on a rainy day, allowing for the further accumulation of sewerage to ensue and thus create the perfect third-world-sight. Kampala’s sewerage and rubbish disposal needs an overhaul that will include constant cleaning and relaying of sewerage canals, and teaching city residents how to dispose of garbage. Redesign drainage system Whenever it rains, Kampala gets a cold. Houses flood and cars cannot wade through the water on the now submerged roads. Taxi fares then skyrocket through the roof; all because of a nearly non-existent drainage system. Government now has its hands full with the need to establish a worthwhile drainage that will channel water out of human settlements. Reinstall street lightsWhen the sun sets, parts of Kampala become a facsimile of a dingy town with dark sections where street lights are out of use. Kampala’s new administrators could borrow a leaf from CHOGM and reinstate all street lights, this time round, as a regular feat. Get rid of street childrenStreet children, in their tattered clothing, scar Kampala’s face like a sore pimple on the nose. Government thus faces the challenge of rehabilitating the parentless children or return those with parents back home. Relocate vendors Street vendors do not make the scene any better with their merchandise stretching all over the streets. They need to be relocated to markets. Develop marketsKampala’s markets are in great need of a face lift. Save those with stalls built with concrete, most have wooden stands for stalls and to that you add unhygienic conditions. Leisure ParksSave the Constitution Square, the parks near Queen’s Way Clock Tower and above the railway stations, need a facelift so as to offer the soothing function they are designated to do."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1042994/-/yqdin5/-/index.html","content":"Mr Museveni’s ‘song’ is a cultural intellectual property - Following the popularity of his rapping skills, President Museveni is reported to be seeking copyright for ‘his song’, Mp’enkoni. Mr President, this song is cultural intellectual property in Nkore, Karagwe, Mpororo and cousin nations. Thanks to our ‘advancement and modernity’, where children now ‘read’ Harry Porter and spend hours on Superman and Spiderman, this wisdom is slowly getting extinct. Those of us who never went to nursery, read this wisdom in books like Nishoma, Alifu Y’orunyankore, and others, besides delicious and hilarious story-telling by grand parents. Here we learnt similar rhymes and lullabies like Naatema Akati Kaarara, Kanu, Kanu Mwaraara hi?, including proverbs and riddles. Other languages had similar material. No one, therefore, can lay claim to this wisdom as an individual, to copyright it in the western capitalist sense. True, they were composed by individuals at some point, but in our context, they form part of the common good. Orumuri should, therefore, stop attributing ‘copyright’ to the proverbs ‘written’ by Ms Violet Froelich Kajubiri. Even ‘authors’ of vernacular dictionaries today should not label them ‘compiled by’, since they are not ‘creators’ of the words therein. Poems and recitations, though drawing from cultural wisdom, can be copyrighted. And I’m sure President Museveni is good at this genre of wisdom. Mr President, I’m not begrudging your rapping talent, but copyrighting cultural property will open the flood gates to western greed into our heritage. Kenya had to fend off attempts by capitalists to copyright the word Safari and turn it into a brand, building on its potential financial profitability, thanks to its popularity with tourism and leisure in East Africa. The traditional millet basket ( Endiiro, Agaseke) in the interlacustrine states is another target of western greed. From its original usufruct role as domestic utensil, it is now more of a decoration in our ‘modern homes’, thus its potential commercial value as a mere art-craft. Biodiversity, ethnomedicine, and other forms of indigenous knowledge are another endangered genre of our heritage. That is why the patenting of the ‘matooke flour technology’ by Dr Florence Muranga is regarded by many as an infringement on cultural intellectual property. This technology existed for ages here. My grandmothers used it to preserve matooke, at the time matooke was still food, not a commercial commodity. The only difference is that The Presidential Initiative for Banana Industrial Development (PIBID) uses machines where my grandma used solar energy. As Makerere reforms it curriculum, this is a key area that needs immediate attention, in the wake of globalisation and TRIPS at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). It may require an approach different from the current standard teaching of law, with a special course drawing graduate students in specified relevant disciplines to study the legal aspects and implications of TRIPS in those field in world trade. On a lighter note, it was a hilarious scene as President Museveni rapped Mp’enkoni. We need more of this from our elders, especially from those nationalities that have neglected their version of Ekisaakaate, which unfortunately is itself slowly going commercial. Amon Mbekiza,Kampala"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1039500/-/cmbxlbz/-/index.html","content":"Heavy rain brings city to standstill - A downpour yesterday brought Kampala city to a standstill, with one of the causalities being the Fire Brigade. Several areas of Kampala were submerged and some roads were temporarily rendered impassable. The Fire Brigade headquarters at Clock Tower on Entebbe Road was flooded, forcing firefighters to take refuge on the first floor. A fire alarm was heard but no fire truck could drive to the scene because of the flooding. The downpour was accompanied by hailstorm and strong winds that pulled down billboards in some parts of the city centre. At Clock Tower, floods cut off over 150 metres of the road, blocking motorists and pedestrians from accessing Entebbe and Ggaba roads. Some pedestrians had to part with Shs1,000 to hire boda boda cyclists to enable them cross the floods while those who could not afford a boda boda ride had no option but wade in the dirty water.When contacted, Kampala Mayor Nasser Sebaggala said the city floods should be treated as a natural disaster and not city council’s failure. “Even if we widen the channels sometimes we get extra ordinary cases where the rain is too much. We should stop this blame game and accept that nature at time acts beyond our capacity,” Mayor Sebaggala said yesterday. But Kampala Central Chairman Godfrey Nyakana blamed the problem on poor maintenance of channels and dumping of garbage in them.“The channels are narrow but the public is also to blame for dumping in the channels,” Mr Nyakana said. Police officers from the Fire Brigade headquarters warned pedestrians, saying the city has many uncovered manholes which they could sink in. The city suburbs of Bwaise and Kalerwe, which are perennial sufferers from floods, were also affected by the rains. Traders were forced to tie their merchandise to roofs of their shops using ropes to prevent the floods from destroying them. Past rainsIn March, heavy rains were reported in some parts of the country, causing landslides, especially in the eastern district of Bududa, leaving at least 300 people dead and thousands displaced. River Manafwa also burst its banks at several points rendering an estimated 37,000 people homeless. In 2007, heavy rainfall caused flooding, the worst in a decade, across eastern and northern Uganda. The most affected areas were eastern Teso, the north-eastern sub-region, central Elgon region, the lowlands of northern Lango and the Acholi sub-regions. No deaths were reported in Kampala yesterday by press time."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1035150/-/13ulch3z/-/index.html","content":"Science-based solutions could reduce hunger - October 16, was the United Nation’s World Food Day, a day set aside for us to reflect on the fate of the 950 million men, women and children worldwide that, according to UN statistics, go to sleep hungry. The vast majority of the hungry, obviously are the world’s poor. Rarely would anyone with money in their pockets lack food. Unfortunately, majority of the world’s poor and hungry live in Africa. Why has Africa not been able to meet its food needs despite years of investing in the agricultural sector? There are as many reasons as there are answers and solutions. Post harvest loss - the big hole that food meant for the hungry falls into - is top of my list. Farm produce rotting in the fields is a very common scenario in Africa. Due to poor infrastructure, small-holder farmers are unable to get them to the market or in times of abundance, they flood the market, prices drop drastically and discouraged farmers let them rot. The good harvest becomes a curse. Early in the year, we saw farmers in Kenya pouring their milk when the production outweighed the capacity of the industry to absorb it. This must have been a very painful exercise for them – it was literary pouring much-needed money down the drain. Similarly in Tanzania, we are just coming out of the oranges season. If you travel in the orange-growing areas, the fruits are rotting in the farms and in the markets. On the other hand in the supermarkets, a box of orange juice, most probably imported, fetches a tidy sum. Why didn’t the Kenyan farmers make cheese and yoghurt? Why aren’t their Tanzanian counterparts making juices and jams? Is it lack of capital, knowledge, processing equipment, confidence by the farmers or even a pioneer to set an example for the farmers? It is a combination of all these and others. The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is working with small-holder farmers to promote simple technologies of processing crops into valuable and marketable products to avoid such post-harvest losses and improve their income. The institute has had immense success in commercialising cassava by promoting the production of high quality cassava flour and starch. The flour has a wide range of uses at home and in the bakery industries to make cakes, bread, biscuits and other products either on its own or mixed with wheat flour. The starch has diverse uses in the brewery, pharmaceutical, textile, paper, plywood and food industries.The old crop of Africa, hardy performs relatively well in drought and with little inputs such as fertiliser. By using the cassava alternatives, many African countries would save millions of dollars by reducing importation of wheat and starch and, at the same time create income for many in the value chain: farmers, transporters, machine fabricators and small scale processors. It would also create employment in the rural areas reducing rural to urban migration. To fight hunger and its evil twin sister, poverty, efforts to increase Africa’s small-holder farmers production sustainably and in ways that also put money in their pockets must be redoubled. The technologies that enable them to do this must be made available to them with all the necessary support to implement them. Under this year’s theme, United Against Hunger, I salute the men and women working tirelessly to end hunger. Let the struggle continue because it is possible! Ms Njuguna is Corporate Communication officer for eastern and southern Africa IITA-Tanzania. The article reflects the writer’s own views."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Heart-to-Heart/-/691230/1033436/-/n4v1g2z/-/index.html","content":"My husband got me cheating on him - The memories of that pathetic night are still fresh in my mind. My husband is always leaving the country in the name of business trips. For a long time, I felt lonely, abandoned and worse still missing those moments we would share together over a cup of coffee. I felt our relationship was sinking. He didn’t seem interested in me whenever he returned, but expected me to remain seeking for his love. But there’s a time when he got suspicious and dared to ask me whether I was cheating on him. I tried as much as possible to brush it off by re-assuring him that I loved him alone and could not cheat him. At times I would even change the topic just to save myself from the shame and disgrace. All this while, he remained silent and didn’t bother me. It’s possible that he might have kept a spy on me who told him everything that happened while away. So this time, he actually tricked me into believing that he was leaving the country yet he was on a different mission altogether. The moment I learnt of his next trip I fixed an appointment with this supposedly nice man –Lucas. After escorting my husband to the airport on that fateful evening, I proceeded to meet Lucas. While still having a good time together, there was a loud bang on the hotel door. I felt intimidated; wondering who that could be. Shortly after, the door was wide open and it was my husband-Michael. Amidst shock, I felt so embarrassed, I wanted to be disowned. I knew that was the end of our marriage. He politely walked in, requested to talk to Lucas. I thought the feelings of jealousy and insecurity would flood him but that wasn’t the case. His calm reaction instead got me worried more than ever. He held me by hand and we casually walked to his car as if nothing had happened. On returning home I believed he was going to kill me. Incidentally he didn’t say a word. It’s been a week now, I’m really scared. I just don’t know what to do. I feel torn between apologising and just packing my bags to leave him. Won’t he kill me silently in his house for that offence I committed? You definitely know the ego that drives men crazy when they get their wives cheating on them especially in my case now that I was got red handed. You would expect your husband to lash out all sorts of insults in addition to throwing you out of his house. Sometimes, it would be a revenge of some sort but he instead took a calm approach. I’m really stuck and wondering what I can do to save this marriage. I’m so guilty that I don’t even know whether I still love him having committed such an offence. Fiona"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/1032116/-/121e4v7z/-/index.html","content":"CREATIVE LIVING: What you need to know about renovations - If you are planning on doing a renovation of any sort, you need to seek approval from the local approving authority and if you are in Kampala, that will be Kampala City Council. This can be done at a moderate fee and the good thing is that this approval doesn’t really take long as it has to come from the division. I have had a number of clients that would like to transform their homes and are willing to put up with the time, expense and inconvenience of invasive alterations in order to create environments that best express their unique personalities. Negotiation process But you need to understand that all renovations involve negotiation and renegotiation with the past. It’s usually not about putting things like they were in the past, but trying to improve things too, and anything you do that’s different gets noticed, even a simple coat of paint! Ideally, divide the work into priorities. Priorities give you a starting point for your renovation project. A total of five clearly defined priorities are enough for your renovation project. The priority approach is useful and relevant for all kinds of buildings; both external and internal renovations. First priority Begin working on one priority from the list. Work on one priority at a time until it is 100 per cent complete, then move on to the next priority. Do not do half jobs on each priority or else you will forget to complete the job in future.Any changes between one to seven days can be categorised as light renovations from paint changes, lying of tiles or a different floor finish. Anything between seven to 30 days can be categorised as medium renovation and lastly total renovation which includes things like changes in room sizes, adding an additional floor or extensions. This type of renovation would take months to be completed. Materials used As I try to keep abreast with the new trends, materials and products entering the marketplace, one of my favorite materials to incorporate into any of my designs is glass. The reflective features of glass will expand your space, refract light, and blurs the line between your home and its natural environment. On large renovation projects, I love to expand the existing space by adding window-walled rooms. Glass doors, floor to ceiling windows and skylights integrate the interior with the exterior. Flood these spaces with natural light and watch the magic happen. It immediately transforms a space and changes your relationship with the natural world.Kitchens are invariably the most difficult rooms to rework, if you need to see a total change and the budget isn’t a problem, also change cabinetry and counter tops. Additional accessories However much you try to varnish your timber cabinets, the feel you want may not actually come through. Adding famica boards onto the existing timber also needs to be done well as you will need a good craftsman who understands his trade. Of late there are MDF boards or partition boards, if you land on the right quality, it should transform your kitchen. I would prefer to strip the entire kitchen and start afresh. But the material that tops them all for me is glass although marble, granite and ceramic tops may also work. Any changes you make with the help of an architect are bound to add not only beauty and functionality of your home, but also value. It is the little things that make a big difference turning your plain house into something truly special. Where possible, try and stay faithful to that architectural style its important. josephnuwamanya@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/1025100/-/1cfq7rz/-/index.html","content":"Retracking our history through the train - It feels like bonding with history, ferried 100 years back, and living your version of colonial rule. History glares out and reaches for your eyes’ attention in these monumental exhibits of East Africa’s transport history. Antique steam locomotives, only seen on similarly ancient motion pictures stand proud like sergeants of history with their cylindrical engines wearing chubby looking, round baby faces. This is a base for visual tales of this region’s recent past, chronicling our journey across the past century and retelling East African history through railway symbols. Nairobi Railway Museum has a rich collection of railway regalia, vivifying the human toll it took to construct the Uganda railway, and presenting East Africa’s journey through independence in a whole new way. One event that signatures not only the railway line but the region’s history as a whole is the Tsavo lions and their resultant victims. The museum seems to know this just as well. The coach on which an Indian railway superintendent was killed in 1900 by the lions stands under a protective shed, in full view. The torn wire-mesh through which the lion dragged the body is still gaping open; un-repaired. Visions of the lion dragging its way through the carriage flood your mind as you stand amazed, just an arms’ distance away from such heritage.“It is called Coach number 12,” says David, a tour guide at the site. Unlike others, it’s wooden, painted grey on the outside and green in the anterior. It’s simple in outlook; but is well varnished with its wood bearing no signs that it is more than 100 years old. And as if to allay any false teachings about the incident, a poster pasted on the carriage claims to tell the actual tale of the officer’s killing under a headline, The Real Story. It tells that the officer, having opened one end of the coach as a trap for the lions, fell asleep as he waited with his gun by his side. He never got to use his gun though because the beast crept on him as he slumbered and pounced for its kill. And although the Tsavo man eating lions carry heavy significance for the region’s heritage, their only remains to-date are stuck away in an American museum in Chicago. They were sold off by a colonial officer, Lt. Col James Patterson, for $5,000 in 1924 after he’d used their skins as a doormat. That has now become a centre of controversy between the Kenyan government and the US museum as the two debate over who actually owns the remains. The very first train to charge up the East African terrain was missing, a disappointment worsened by the reason that vandalism and a hunger for scrap metal had claimed its life; and with it, that of trains from earlier than 1922. A maroon steam locomotive from the Tanzanian line instead stood as the oldest, according to David, who boasts 40-year knowledge of the railway. Among other locomotives is Karamoja, a train that specially operated along the Kampala – Nairobi route between 1940 and 1970. A mixed dark green, purple and maroon train, specifically brought for the World War II, also makes an appearance. In the internal exhibition, there’s an observation platform that used to be placed at the train’s front and was used by foreign tourists to give them a better view of the African savannah. This very platform was used by former US president, Theodore Roosevelt on a tour through the region in 1909. The seats that were used by Queen Elizabeth II on her visit into East Africa are safely shelved, together with the cutlery that was used to serve her. Transport tickets used in pre independence times, plus photographs of the initial railway workers are part of the show. There is a type writer dating back to the 1890s that is believed to have been used by Sir George Whitehouse to request for assistance from Britain to construct a railway line into Africa. Models of the major train engines that operated on the Uganda railway are assembled in glass cases. To this, you add a number of marine liners built for Lake Victoria voyage. Others were built for Lakes Kyoga and Albert. Even in their minuteness, something about them looked grand. Most of the ships are now grounded at Kisumu port in Kenya. Nairobi railway museum is a show of a desperate fight to retain the artefacts that define a lot of our history. The guide at the site said a lot of the collections at the museum had actually been stolen from railway stations and had to be retrieved after making arrests while others were found simply strewn about on railway yards. However, a look at the museum and the care taken to preserve the collections is the near opposite of what is seen at most railway stations from Mombasa to Kampala as many have been run down, vandalised and left for dead. The artefacts on display here are like milestones along a road, marking key points in our region’s journey. There are many railway symbols reflecting the face of the railway before independence. But as the time scale goes past independence and into self rule, the artefacts reduce drastically. There’s little if any, to show for post-independence East Africa among the railway relics. It seems like the last of our railway heritage went with the colonialists."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/-/688342/1024640/-/u8chbw/-/index.html","content":"City wetlands vanish as government looks on - Ms Justine Nakaye was under siege for more than six hours. Her belongings were in ruins after floods devastated her house in the wee hours of the night. She held onto a floating timber until she was rescued in the morning. As Sunday Monitor Team reports, there are many more people suffering just because most wetlands in Kampala have been grabbed by money-hungry investors:- Although floods are usually considered acts of God, Ms Nakaye, a resident of Kawaala, a Kampala suburb, places blame on fellow humans. Settlers have built houses of all kinds in a nearby swamp, squeezing the marshland to half its original size and forcing water into neighbourhoods that previously were untouched. “It’s unfortunate that people have sloppily encroached on wetlands forcing water to flood into our houses,” Ms Nakaye says. Similar problems have become a familiar feature of life in Kampala, as economic expansion and population growth have set settlers scrambling for cheap land. Mr Paul Mafabi, the commissioner in charge of wetlands at the Ministry of Water and Environment, estimates that the total area of wetlands has dropped by more than half, as developers have filled them with all sorts of waste and murrum to build human settlements, agriculture and industrial parks. Government powerless?In the face of this onslaught, the government seems powerless to act. Indeed, some critics say the government is a big part of the problem. “Degradation of wetlands is by the government itself; it is either [by people who] are working for government, a project supported by government or government officials involved in wetland degradation like construction of factories,” says Frank Muramuzi, the Executive Director of National Association of Professional Environmentalist (NAPE).Whatever the cause, the consequences of wetland degradation are many. Experts say reduced wetlands have much less capacity to store water and filter nutrients and pollutants. As a result, filth has collected where water from Kampala pours into Lake Victoria. The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has been forced to shift its intake points deeper into the lake. Pollution has more than doubled NWSC’s costs for treating water, and greatly contributed to the decline of fish stocks in the lake, he adds. Tourism threatenedCloser to home, more than 62 fish and bird species that used to attract tourists are threatened in Lubigi wetland, which stretches from Kanyanya, Makerere-Mulago, Kalerwe, Bwaise, Kawaala, Nsooba and Nansana before pouring into River Mayanja. Divided by the Northern Bypass, it is one of the largest remaining papyrus wetland, but it is rapidly being converted into car-washing places, gardens of maize and yams as well as mushrooming houses.Mr Patrick Turyatunga, the environment officer at A ROCHA-Uganda, a Christian environment NGO, says the wetland has dropped to 285 hectares from 498 in just five years. “If no quick efforts are stepped up, the wetland will be extinct by 2015,” Mr Turyatunga warns. Other effects may be less dramatic but equally troublesome. As wetlands have lost their potential to serve as “granaries for water,” specialists say water tables have risen, contributing significantly to the poor state of city roads. And, although nobody has tried to measure the impact, flooding seems to take an increasing toll. Back in Kawaala, Mr Charles Nyanzi, a resident, looking out at a heap of red bricks piled at the edge of the swamp, observes: “We normally lose a person whenever it rains.” Even the encroachers have problems, as water frequently invades their homes and damages their property. Ms Norah Namakambo, a principle wetlands officer at the wetlands department, says inhabiting in a wetland is like living in a septic tank. “The problem with people who develop in wetlands think that once they destroy the plantation cover and fill it with soil it’s the end of the wetland, forgetting that they cannot change the ecology,” says the environmentalist.All this might seem surprising, considering that Uganda adopted a wetland policy in July 1994 and established a number of agencies purposely to swamplands. But the simple fact is authorities have failed to enforce rules designed to protect wetlands.When members of the Natural Resources Committee of Parliament recently toured wetlands in Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono districts, a group of residents, NGO officials and environmentalists accused Kampala City Council (KCC) and Uganda Land Commission (ULC) of issuing illegal land titles. They also charged that Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) and National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) have improperly issued operational permits for the wetlands.During the tour, KCC and NEMA officials even accused each other of illegally leasing and issuing permits and land titles for wetlands.The Constitution says the government should hold wetlands and other natural resource in trust for all citizens. But State Minister for Environment Jessica Eriyo says district land boards and ULC frustrate this goal by illegally issuing leases and land titles for wetlands. The minister adds that land boards have deliberately ignored recommendations that they consult environment officers before issuing land titles. “Land Boards are also supposed to have visiting committees, which make feasibility studies. But in most cases members on those committees are local people who don’t understand wetland issues,” Ms Eriyo explains. “And at times they are bribed.”She adds: “It’s unfortunate that many people have continued to take wetlands for granted, and only realise their full extent and importance when calamities such as floods and drought befall them.” Reversing titlesOnce land titles are granted, correcting the problem becomes extremely difficult. “When people are issued with land titles, they abuse the resource and become defiant to laws and guidelines,” Ms Eriyo says.Last year, NEMA introduced a “name and shame” programme to expose environment degraders, but it has not yielded expected fruits. Instead of vacating the marshes, at least some of the named people continue to reclaim more wetlands. Ms Beatrice Anywar, Environment Shadow Minister, accuses NEMA of double standards. She says Nema approves wetlands encroachment of wealthy people and harasses the poor. Dr Aryamanya Mugisha, Nema Executive Director, attributes rapid encroachments to lack of political will and the absence of a strong force that can encounter armed offenders.“People who think they are ‘untouchable’ and seem not to respect any law normally invade the wetlands at night, fence them off and hire armed men to guard the area. Evicting them becomes hard since our inspectors are not armed,” Dr Mugisha explains. The government last year endorsed the establishment of an Environment Police that would backup agencies mandated to protect the environment.However, the force is yet to start because it lacks operational guidelines.The government even has trouble drawing boundaries to show where wetlands are. In many places, people deny officials access to wetland boundaries. And in others, like Nakivubo, where the government managed to plant markers that show wetland borders, people built over them, thwarting plans to install pillars as is commonly done on roads.“Some people have jumped to the conclusion that they will be affected if they let us open the boundaries so they end up stopping us,” says Commissioner Mafabi. NEMA has sought court intervention, but rulings always take ages, according to the commissioner. Simple punishmentEven if the government enforcement became more effective, penalties are too weak to prevent many people from degrading bogs. According to the Environment Act, a person or an organisation found guilty of encroaching on the wetland pays a fine of only Shs3 million. That is less than the price of a city plot. So it is actually cheaper to build on a wetland and pay a fine than to build elsewhere.The government promises to get tougher, however. Minister Eriyo says people should voluntarily leave the marshlands before they are forced out. “Uganda has laws and no one is above them. If people refuse to vacate places they encroached on through dialogue, the law will take its course,” she warns. “The ministry is currently seeking a legal opinion from the Attorney General, Dr Khiddu Makubuya, to cancel all land titles that were obtained irregularly in wetlands after the enactment of the 1995 Constitution,” she adds. In Kampala alone, there are 182 titles to lands in wetland areas.Moreover, Dr Mugisha says soon, the Environment Police will start operations after Parliament passed its budget. “The additional manpower will help us in surveillance and recovering what has been lost. We will start with Kampala’s hotspots,” he says.Meanwhile, Mr Mafabi calls for cooperation between all stakeholders to restore the resources.That will be no small job, though. He estimates the cost of restoring wetlands at $100 billion. And even if encroachment can be halted and reversed, wetlands face other threats. Increased settlement on hill tops has led to the run off of soil that collects in wetlands, curtailing water flow and clogging them.All this leaves long-time Kampala residents with a feeling of hopelessness. Ms Tawuusi Nambogo, a 50-year-old resident of Bwaise III, says 20 years ago, the area was largely a swamp covered by papyrus.“Most of the houses here were semi permanent or mud and wattle. There was little flooding although we used to plant yams. But with this increasing modern construction, well-to-do people – especially those building brick houses – have eaten up the marshland, causing constant flooding,” says Ms Nambogo.“Leaders used to warn us against dangers of developing the wetland,” she recalls. “But due to pressure of development, leaders have since ceased their work.” Reported by Joseph Miti, Zahra Abigaba & Juliet Kigongo ==================================================== NEMA’s list of wetland encroachers Mukalazi David Sylvia AworiSpeke Resort and Country LodgeRosebud LimitedRosebud llVictoria View ApartmentsPlayaza Enterprises Ltd Patrick Mwehire MansionsHwan Sung Resort BeachAbby LutaayaAkright ProjectsYakubu TaganzaSWT LeatherMaan Investments Ug Ltd Henvale Developments LtdNterefune General EnterprisesBbosa NdegeAnne RwaboogoGodfrey NyakanaYusufuPeter ObomaMwekambeJeff Kagonyera Mrs KatongoleMusangeEsther TushabeAlex KazoraRoyal SuitsAmbrosoli International SchoolAkampulira PatriciaJane NabukeeraMr Patrick DunguMs Caroline MugeniTAR Investments LtdKUK InvestmentsKiwawu Enterprises LtdMaersk Uganda LimitedJohn ImaniraguhaShumuk Investments LtdM/s Alam Groups LtdMGS International LtdM/s Bigstar clothing companyProperty Services LtdNtinda ApartmentsSpenkon Kitula Farm HouseGraphics systems LtdUganda Meat IndustryShumuk Investments LtdShumuk InvestmentsNationwide Properties LtdMr Bitature (Simba Telcom)Mukwano Industries LtdIslamic University in UgandaGodfrey NyakanaChristine KyalimpaDavid Daniel MukamaMaliza NakanwagiSarafina NalumansiShree Cutchi LevaMegha IndustriesEurofelx LimitedPSCO Uganda LtdQuality Polybag Uganda LtdBakery NtakeMr Fred Segujja MuwangaKidawalime Bakery LtdKikataKagodoMutimaNguvuAppointed harvest west end churchJesus Worship centreFrancis Matovu NSSF COIN LtdJinesh Kumar Shantilal MajithiaBijing Steel IndustryLonghiIndustry and Commerce ManufacturesHi-Tech Metal Industries LtdSt John’s College School Wakiso Hi-Tech Metal Industries LtdSt John’s Collage School WakisoKawanda Secondary SchoolGeorge Robert OnabaJoseph AkolKalanzi Muhamad Hwan Sung Resort BeachCharles Haba GushumbaKatabazi Geofrey National lake rescue instituteNgege LimitedSkyfat Tannery Company LimitedRain bow International SchoolM/S Josephine Nantaaya Formula feeds Limited MP HarrierUganda clays LimitedMukasa GeofreyPearls Oils Uganda LimitedParamount Dairies LimitedPlayaza Enterprises Limited L. Victoria ShorelinePatrick Mwehire Munyonyo Mansions L. Victoria"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1019068/-/13vqnqdz/-/index.html","content":"Uganda needs a clear flood preparedness plan - As the rain season intensifies, authorities in areas prone to flooding ought to be empowered and supported in devising a flood preparedness plan. This will be an efficient warning system, insurance as well as an educative tool for flood control. While the immediate attention in flood-prone areas in Kampala such as Bwaise, Nateete, Nakivubo and Kisenyi as well as other parts of the country is relief interventions, equal attention must be given to the lingering impact on the environment. The traditional rain season has been extremely harsh in the past years, especially from 2007 resulting in devastating flooding in many parts of the country causing deaths, destroying homes and crops.A few years back, three weeks of extreme flooding caused swamps to become lakes and several areas were submerged. The immediate concerns were, of course, humanitarian in nature as disease increased and infrastructure destroyed by the floods. There was extensive damage to sanitation and sewage plants posing health risks. Such crises grow rapidly, while proper assessment of the full damage is very difficult to compile. Reports published often look at the long-term potential implications caused by the flooding and the ecological damage to the nation. The two biggest concerns being natural water supplies and the impact on agricultural infrastructure thus food supplies. Experts suggest that the worst is yet to come and though the impact could be felt for many generations, gauging the magnitude of floods is difficult for a country that now has a population estimated at 32 million as opposed to just fewer than 27 million in 2000. As a result, the pressure on food and other basics for Uganda now are greater than the last time this country experienced such devastating weather conditions. The primary source for water is the constantly polluted Lake Victoria whose water table decreases yearly. Even before the long drought this year, observers had published reports expressing fears that the burden on food security and infrastructure was already approaching crisis level. Flooding can only worsen our already stretched food management chain. Immediate aid will hopefully bring a level of stability to the displaced and bring urgently-needed help to curtail what is rapidly turning into a major health crisis. It’s the post-flood period that perhaps should raise the most concern. How best do we provide the basics of life, employment and sanitation support as well as ensure that food and water can be transported equitably and efficiently to the affected areas? It will, of course, take great planning to help those affected in the short-term but also to safeguard the food and water distribution within the country. We can only hope that every citizen will do whatever it takes to reduce the impact of the flooding on the environment. Mr Nkonge is an environment activistalnkonge@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1015622/-/cnmrtcz/-/index.html","content":"Researchers look for flood resistant crops - Kampala About 500 scientists from Africa and beyond are meeting in Entebbe to review research initiatives in developing floods and drought- resistant crop varieties. The researchers will also discuss ways of lessening the challenges of food security caused by climatic change. Makerere University is hosting the four-day meeting under the Regional Universities Forum for capacity building in agriculture. Prof. Samuel Kyamaywa of the Makerere University Faculty of Agriculture, said the forum is aimed at finding varieties that can withstand heavy rains or extreme dry conditions. Uganda has recently suffered heavy flooding, especially in the east, West Nile and parts of western Uganda, while parts of the north and central have suffered droughts that have led to severe food shortages. The government recently warned of prolonged and heavy rainfall, especially in the months of September through December. Embark on agricultureMeanwhile, the Global Forum on Agricultural Research boss, Ms Monica Kapiriri, said universities should use agriculture to transform the lives of Africans. Many African countries depend on subsistence agriculture for livelihood and income but Ms Kapiriri said there is need to change negative attitude towards agriculture. “Agriculture was attributed to slavery by our colonial masters and nowadays it’s given as a punishment in schools instead of training people to practice agriculture to fight poverty,” Ms Kapiriri said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1007402/-/co7yp0z/-/index.html","content":"Rains to continue until Dec. - The ongoing rains are expected to continue in many parts of central, western and eastern Uganda up to early December when a dry spell is expected to set in, the weather department has said. Ms Jessica Eriyo, the state minister for environment, while releasing the weather forecast for September to December yesterday in Kampala said there were higher chances of flooding in some parts of the country. “We can’t rule out flooding in some parts of the country given the fact that many areas will receive normal and above normal rains,” she said. September to December normally constitutes the second major rainfall season in Uganda. However, the minister said the north eastern region, where seasonal rains reached peak levels last month; is expected have reduced rains until early October. According to Mr Michael Nkalubo, the acting commissioner for meteorology, the outlook for September and December is based on the expected continuation of La Nina conditions that will influence tropical climate up to December. La Nina is the opposite of El- Nino. Ms Eriyo advised communities living in the flood-prone areas to shift to higher grounds."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1003636/-/ynwyvf/-/index.html","content":"Re-run in elections waste of resources - I refer to “Petitions flood NRM electoral offices” (Daily Monitor September 3, ). Some ministers and MPS who lost in the elections are demanding for a re-run. These losers participated in the malpractices too by bribing voters and rigging but after losing and realising that they have lost their seats, the fear for survival after leaving their offices and shame makes them think that a re-run is the solution. I was a supporter of Minister Dr Nsaba Buturo but we lost and I admit that. He should admit too rather than making a fool of himself going to the radio station to talk about malpractice. Most of these losers have been in office for long and they have done nothing. That is why they have been rejected. Re-run is a waste of resources and there are other important things to do if this country is to develop. They are all members of the ruling party, let them sort themselves out. Time and resources spent on the August 30 elections is more than enough.Jackie Uwera,Kisoro District"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1002718/-/cobdwfz/-/index.html","content":"Petitions flood NRM electoral offices - More than 30 petitions of protest have been sent to the ruling party elections’ secretariat as the National Resistance Movement prepares to hold fresh elections in up to 46 districts tomorrow. By yesterday, several people were flocking the party’s head offices in Kyaddondo, Kampala, to lodge complaints against what they said were fraudulently conducted elections in their respective constituencies. Rising numberMs Lydia Wanyoto, one of the commissioners, told this newspaper, “We are handling petitions as they come and since we are still receiving more I cannot give you a number.” The Minister for Ethics and Integrity, Dr Nsaba Buturo and MP for Bufumbira East in Kisoro, who was defeated by Mr Eddie Kwizera Wa-Gahungu, said yesterday that he had teamed up with other party leaders in the district to demand a re-run. “We are asking for a re-run because it was outright theft. The electoral process was hijacked by individuals and candidates were getting electoral materials from their homes,” he said. The other affected MPs from Kisoro are Bahane Niyibizi (Bufumbira North) and Eudia Kwizera (Woman). Mr David Ndibirize who lost to Rubabo County legislator Ms Paula Turyahikayo and Ms Winfred Matsiko (Rukungiri Woman) who lost to Public Service State Minister Sezi Mbaguta indicated that they are petitioning the party election body for redress. In Gulu, the NRM party offices were awash with election petitions from candidates who feel they were cheated. District party registrar Peter Douglas Okao said his office had received 17 election petitions ranging from LC1 to MP level. He said among the petitioners for MP flag bearer were Dr Fred Oyat who lost to Michael Ochora (Gulu Municipality) and Ms Lucy Larubi Kidega who was beaten by Grace Atim Oleyowiya for the Gulu Woman flag bearer position. Harassed NRM electoral officials in Tororo abandoned their offices to escape angry supporters of various candidates who had camped at the premises since Tuesday calling for declaration of results. One official, Ms Catherine Etoori, is reported to have fled to Eldoret in neighbouring Kenya while her colleague, Mr Joseph Kadoketch, is in hiding. Sorting messTororo RDC Samuel Mpimbaza Hashaka, later announced new election staff would be sent from Kampala to sort out the mess. Five of the six candidates in the race for Tororo County party flag bearer say results presented did not reflect tallies recorded on election day.In Adjumani, registrar Justine Kole said he had received one complaint which he said is pending approval from witnesses. The incumbent woman MP of Lira, Ms Rebecca Otengo who beat her only rival, Ms Christine Ibo Mambo for the same position in the newly-created Alebtong District, is contending with the prospect of a petition after Ms Mambo said she would stand as an independent in next year’s general elections if her petition is not tolerated. In Isingiro by last evening vote tallying was still ongoing for Isingiro North and Bukanga County while in Isingiro South, where voting took place in one sub-county of Ruborogota, the aspirants were rejecting the outcome. Two of the aspirants; Kihika Buruki-Baraka and Jeff Rwakanuma told a press conference yesterday in Mbarara that they had petitioned the party’s electoral body. An estimated two million votes are said to have been leaked just days to the holding of Monday’s NRM parliamentary and local council elections, according to sources at the NRM office in Kampala. The NRM EC chairperson, Ms Felicistas Magomu, on Tuesday had admitted that ballot papers leaked especially in Kampala, Mukono, and Kayunga. She blamed the leakage on what she called “some badly behaved members who wanted to tarnish the image of the party"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/-/690266/1001504/-/ll23m8/-/index.html","content":"Come en masse: Sekagya asks fans to flood stadium - One worry gone, another headache in. That all 24 summoned players are now in camp puts to rest worries of some professionals not coming. But it also opens a can of migraines for coach Bobby Williamson as he looks to trim his side to 18 players and deciding on who plays ahead of who on Saturday. Nonetheless, the Scot considers that headache beautiful, albeit, admitting its own complexities. “Everybody is training hard and wants to play,” said Williamson, “But I have to make a squad of 18 players. It’s difficult but a good selection headache. It gives me better options to choose from.” Late arrivals Hearts’ David Obua and Altay’s Hassan Wasswa had light drills last evening while Tony Mawejje, Mike Sserumaga, Brian Umony and Vincent Kayizzi, who arrived on Tuesday, did all sessions. Geoffrey Massa (Egypt) and skipper Ibrahim Sekagya (Salzburg) also trained after arriving in the wee morning hours of the morning. Sekagya was cheery after the session and preferred to explain the importance of the 12th man at the Saturday Nations Cup qualifier against Angola. “Apart from a little fatigue because of travel, I feel good physically and the mood in the camp is great,” he said, “And with David and Hassan also are coming, and the boys here in high spirits, we shall do our best.“I now only ask all Ugandans to come in big numbers and support us. When we see them around we are motivated to play better.” Umony’s resolve Umony, who passed a medical on Monday at his new loan club Tuks, admitted he still has a lot to do. “I’ve been playing friendlies with them (Tuks). I’m working hard and getting better. I’m ready for the challenge should the coach pick me,” he said. Umony will even play more purposely given that his employers in South Africa will watch him live. “Dstv viewers can tune in for Uganda v Angola on Saturday at 4:00pm live on SS 3/Maximo,” confirmed a statement from Multichoice Uganda PRO Helena Mayanja. Details of the rights deal were not readily available by press time.Meanwhile, Palancas Negras of Angola are expected in later today. Squad: D. Onyango, H. Muwonge, R. Odongkara (GKs), S. Masaba, A. Mwesigwa, Sekagya, J. Owino, G. Walusimbi, D. Walulya, V. Kayizzi, D. Wagaluka, S. Bengo, S. Matovu, M. Mudde, T. Mawejje, P. Ochan, H. Wasswa, O. Kasule, M. Sserumaga, D. Obua, B. Umony, G. Massa, R. Ssentongo, G. Sserunkuma"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/978124/-/xekcl8/-/index.html","content":"Are we ready for climate change? - As Maria Mutagamba, the Minister of Water and Environment reeled out the statistics showing the effects of major natural disasters on parts of the country since 1997, the escalating devastation of these environment-related calamities dawned on delegates at the Parliamentary Symposium on Climate Change in Uganda that took place at the Lake Victoria Serena Resort, Kampala from August 10-12.But it is the sustainability of the current and future generations that pre-occupied Mutagamba during her speech at the opening of the workshop. She noted that climate change is already affecting food security in the country through reduced production of major food crops due to increased occurrence of droughts, floods, and soil erosion through landslides. “Increased water stresses are also leading to declining agricultural activity, a reduction in yields from rain-fed agriculture, and loss of livestock. Conversely, flood events pose immediate danger to livelihoods and property and have the potential to cause unprecedented damage,” she said. Other effects of climate change, like the expected rise in temperatures in Uganda by 1.5°C in 2020 and 4.3°C by the 2080s, are subtle. But, as Mutagamba noted, the consequences on the livelihoods of ordinary people will not be any less obvious.“Temperature increases seem to be influencing the emergence of new crop pests and crop and animal diseases which also endanger food security by affecting yields. Already, climate change is adversely affecting the suitability of some areas to maintain livestock and grow food crops such as beans, cassava and plantain,” added Mutagamba. Yet, while the climate change effects become more visible in Uganda, some experts and activists say the government has not implemented the appropriate policies. But even where some policies exist, according to activists like Tom Kisawuzi, the head of Nature Africa Green Beauty, the government has failed to apply them.“All that has happened (in terms of environmental degradation) is not because of lack of policy or legislation. The policies are there and the institutional frameworks are there, Nema (National Environmental Management Authority) and the NFA (National Forestry Authority) are well facilitated; the constitutional provisions are there. But the government has shied away from their duties. The government has failed to implement and to enforce compliance,” said Kisawuzi, a retired civil servant. The Speaker of Parliament, Edward Ssekandi, agrees. In a speech read for him at the symposium by Minister Mutagamba, Ssekandi said, “We draw up good plans but when it comes to taking action for their implementation, we score low marks.”Experts question the effectiveness of the Uganda’s National Adaptation Plan of Action (Napa). Napa consist plans agreed upon in 2007 at the United Nations climate change conference in Marrakesh, Morocco so that governments can map out ways of responding to their urgent and immediate needs in order to reduce the country’s vulnerability and costs at a later stage. According to Fred Machulu Onduri, the assistant commissioner in charge of policy and planning in the Foreign Affairs Ministry, who also serves as the Chairman of the Least Developed Countries’ Expert Group (LEG) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Uganda’s Napa has not served its intended purpose.“The implementation of the Napa has delayed so the issue of immediacy is misplaced. The Napa also has adaptation proposals that can help minimise the effect of climate change. However, countries are advised that they can review their Napa to include medium term priorities on top of urgent and immediate plans but not delay the implementation at whatever stage it has reached. But we have delayed,” he explained. The acting coordinator of the Climate Change Unit in the Water and Environment Ministry, Paul Isabirye says the most vulnerable categories of Ugandans include those who depend on natural resources, especially subsistence farmers dependant on rain-fed crops; slum/shanty town dwellers living on unsuitable land, often unstable or flood prone and lacking infrastructure, as well as those living in extreme poverty (less than Shs2,000 per day according to the UN). Isabirye said the most visible effects are the reduction yields in some areas by up to 30 per cent, extreme weather conditions that expose people to harsh weather conditions and outbreaks of diseases, and the change in the ecological range of disease vectors due to rising temperatures. Parliament too busy However, environmental activists are skeptical about the May 2011 timeframe within which legislators say they will have passed a new climate change policy as unrealistic. Mr Kisawuzi said there is likely to be little activity in Parliament as the date for the 2011 general elections, set for February, draws nearer and yet there are many pending pieces of legislation that Parliament needs to pass. Mr Kisawuzi says even if the policy is passed, he does not have much hope that it will be implemented effectively. He cited the example of the law banning kaveera (polythene bags), which Parliament passed in June 2009 and was to become effective in December but whose implementation was suspended indefinitely by the water and environment ministry. “Are we saying that miracles will be performed when they pass the consolidated policy?” he asked. “Much of what they will put in that legislation will not be new. We do not need new laws. What we need is a change of mindset. We want immediate action.”Mr Onduri however argued that Uganda, like many countries across the world, is grappling with a fairly new phenomenon. He believes that with time, there will be right administrative, structural and financial mechanisms to combat its effects.“The issue of developing a policy to address it may take some time,” he told Daily Monitor at the end of the symposium. “In the absence of the policy, Uganda is working under a mechanism set up by the UNFCCC Secretariat – just like other countries. We are also using the existing government structure to integrate climate change issues into the national development plan and national budget.” Reversing development “Climate Change threatens to reverse Uganda’s hard-won development gains and jeopardise its economic development and poverty reduction goals; the environmental deterioration and associated losses estimated at 4-12 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP); an average of 800,000 hectares of crops are destroyed annually, making economic losses in excess of Shs120bn, and the effect on coffee by a 2°C rise can jeopardise $268m or 40 per cent of export revenue,” he explained. Isabirye said the priorities in Uganda’s Napa include community tree growing, land degradation management, strengthening meteorological services, community water and sanitation, water production, drought adaptation, vector, pest and disease control, indigenous knowledge and natural resource management, as well as climate change and development planning. Isabirye explained that in order to adapt to climate change, Ugandans should – at household level – concentrate on food security through food storage and value addition, water harvesting from roofs and run off, soil and soil water conservation practices like mulching and agro forestry, and fodder banks for dry seasons. Other activities recommended include diversified livelihood options beyond agriculture, deep and well located pit-latrines, disease preventive measures and hygiene, as well as energy saving technologies and practices. At community level, according to Isabirye, there should be data collection centres for climatic and general development information, structures that offer a level of community organisation, community demonstration centres for adaptation technologies and strategies, landscape use and care for terraces and wetlands use for proper ecosystems management. However, according to some experts, the absence of national climate change policy to galvanise all the localised plans is tantamount to lack of political will to address the problem. Isabirye also recommends a deliberate policy, or at least some guiding principles, to address climate change “at all levels and by all players.” He further calls for incremental financial resources to address climate change, a coordination mechanism, promotion of best practices, as well as awareness campaigns and education of ordinary Ugandans."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/977532/-/iwlnhdz/-/index.html","content":"Getting Ugandans to love own country - On April 25, 2010, Sunday Monitor ran an analysis on why domestic tourism has not taken root in Uganda. About two months after we asked the hard questions, the government and private sector players in the tourism industry, with the support of the United States government, launched a campaign aimed at wooing more ordinary Ugandans to national parks and other tourist sites. But what should Ugandans expect? Benon Herbert Oluka analyses the government’s strategy: - How does Uganda nurture a hitherto non-existent culture of its citizens regularly visiting national parks and related tourist sites as a habitual part of their leisure activities? This is a question that has been at the centre of policy debates on the state of Uganda’s tourism industry. Then in early July, the government and its partners said they had mapped out a formula of turning ordinary Ugandans into local tourists. A team of officials from the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry, the American Embassy in Kampala, and private sector players in the tourism industry headed to Kyambura Game Lodge in the newly created western Ugandan district of Rubirizi for the launch of a campaign to promote domestic tourism. Rubirizi District is home to, among others, Queen Elizabeth National Park; perhaps the most ideal location for the launch of such a campaign since it boasts of the largest number of visits by Ugandans and has, according to officials, been identified as the best destination for domestic tourism due to its accessibility by public transport. During the official launch of the campaign, which took place recently, the Executive Director of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Mr Moses Mapesa, (currently on suspension) noted that domestic tourism numbers have grown considerably. Statistics compiled by UWA show that the numbers of local tourists have risen from 16,766 in 2003 to 29,884 nearly a decade later. However, with the current figures indicating that domestic tourism contributes only an average of 15 per cent of all tourists visiting national parks in an economy where tourism contributes at least 8 per cent to Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product every year, Mr Mapesa adds that they want the numbers to grow even faster going forward. “You can see the trend is upwards,” he said. “With this renewed effort, we should target to see 100,000 Ugandans coming in to Queen Elizabeth in the next five years and up to 200,000 students.” But how will such targets be reached in a country where national park entry charges for local tourists are already as low as at least half of what foreign tourists pay?According to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Mr Julius Onen, the key to realising the domestic tourism dream is in the strategy recently prepared by UWA. It has three major elements. The first, says Mr Onen, is improvement of infrastructure in tourist destinations. Explaining the strategy to Business Power, Mr Onen said Uganda already has some of the basic infrastructure needed to boost local tourism. “With the improved roads, people will be able to drive much more freely. For instance, you can go to Gulu in four hours, watch a cultural festival and come back [to Kampala] in the evening because it is possible,” he asked. Mr Onen, however, acknowledges that other options need to be developed in order to accommodate Ugandans who cannot, for instance, drive themselves to and from the tourist sites. He said the government would support the private sector, which is the major player in the tourism service industry, to enable them develop sufficient capacity to serve locals. “Not all of us can afford to stay in expensive facilities so how can we invest in more affordable, pocket friendly accommodation within the tourism circuit? And how can we engage more in public-private partnership particularly in supporting the private sector in terms of accessing financial resources which can then allow them to make investments in tourism?” he asked. Where the private sector does not have the interest to develop such facilities, according to Mr Onen, the government will step in. Two of those areas are providing low cost transportation and accommodation facilities to local tourists who cannot afford the cheapest offers that private sector players provide. “We need to make tourism affordable. We are thinking if we put a bus [in Kampala] and every Friday it is leaving for Paraa, the return trip to Paraa is Shs25,000, there are four lodges in Pakwach, each one charging Shs30,000 and entry to the park is (minimal).” Mr Onen says they are not going into unchartered waters. He explains that providing such low cost facilities is a model tried and tested at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) in Entebbe – with consistent success. 1 | 2 Next Page»“UWEC in Entebbe runs a shuttle over the weekends. They pack at the Constitutional Square and they are overwhelmed. They run like six shuttles a day,” he said. However, while the strategy seems plausible, its architects know that local tourists will not flood the parks immediately. Mr Mapesa says one of the major obstacles they are likely to face is the ingrained perception that tourism is a reserve for foreigners. “We now have a middle class with disposable income. I don’t want to agree that part of the problem is affordability. I think it is planning and perception,” said Mr Mapesa. Mr Onen says in order to achieve their targets, players in the tourism industry – both public and private – will have to go out of their way to attract Ugandans to the tourist sites. It is another area where he believes lessons from the tested UWEC model are valuable. “UWEC participates in all the trade fairs. They take their pythons to all these fairs and excite people. They have officers for schools. They go visiting all these schools and give them the programmes. They have very cheap accommodation in Entebbe for students. They have very well equipped dormitories and very good food. In their canteen, the lunch is Shs500 for students so all these need to be brought on board,” he said. Mr Onen believes that the sector will also thrive with greater involvement by the local communities where the tourist sites are located. He said: “You can only sustain foreign tourism if the local people themselves first embrace it and add value and improve on the quality of standards.” The US government, through its Usaid-sponsored Sustainable Tourism in the Albertine Rift (STAR) initiative, has already offered $6 million (about Shs12 billion) over the next five years to help improve the competitiveness of Uganda’s tourism industry. “Through Usaid’s STAR project, our efforts will focus specifically on helping Uganda realise its competitive tourism potential in the southern Albertine Rift that has Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks, and the northern Albertine Rift with the Rwenzori Mountains, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Budongo Forest and Murchison Falls National Park,” said the US Ambassador to Uganda, Mr Jerry Lanier. “Our STAR programme helps communities to derive benefits from tourism investments and inflows by enabling them to provide market-driven products and services that increase tourists’ time and expenditure on the local community,” he added. Mr Lanier says they are backing the campaign because: “It is the best way to build a local constituency that will support conservation of tourism resource base, specifically wildlife, for Uganda’s future generations.” The Executive Director of Uganda Tourism Board, Cuthbert Baguma Balinda, says in order to ensure that Uganda does not drop the ball in developing its tourist sector, currently one of the fastest growing at 12 per cent annually, they will tap into the regional potential availed by the recent launch of the East African Common Market. “With the opening of our borders, it means we have a market of over 120 million people – a sizeable number for domestic and regional tourism,” he said. But listening to Mr Onen articulate the government strategy, it is clear that he is looking beyond the present. So it is little wonder when, at one point, he says, “The opportunity for this is really the younger generation, and we are glad that school children and colleges are beginning to pick this one up very well. Most schools now have outing programmes and, believe me, they are Ugandans of the future and they [will] know this country more than most of us.” « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/973536/-/iwofqxz/-/index.html","content":"Exploring health sector health - The greatest legacy is that which benefits the widest number of people for the longest period without limit to value. Touching many lives and restoring hope to an African problem through business is what Mr Emmanuel Katongole, the chief executive officer of Quality Chemicals Limited, has been able to achieve. Mr Katongole is an equal shareholder with five other partners in a $77 million company that produces ARVs and anti-malarial drugs. The plant is situated in Luzira Industrial Park producing over 2 million tablets daily. Mr Katongole believes the whole venture has been built around total determination, rejecting fear of the unknown, proper planning, good partnerships and discipline.Born 48-years ago in Bulera - a remote village in Mityana District – Katongole attended primary school in remote schools but this did not deter him from excelling as he later earned himself a place at Namilyango College. He, however, completed high school from Kampala High School. At the university, the youthful Katongole took a strategic decision and changed courses to Bachelor of Statistics and Economics from Bachelor of Engineering.“This was because I had developed love for economics,” he says. He kicked off his career as a sales assistant in Sembule Group and was later promoted to marketing officer and finally as the assistant general manager for Sembule Electronics, later becoming the full general manager until 1997. “Having worked in this company for over 10 years; I felt I had acquired enough expertise. Motivated by the government’s strategy to encourage young men to start business, I joined five friends with whom we started Quality Chemicals Limited,” he recalls. Initially, the business was dealing in animal health care. In their first year, they had a turnover of over Shs1 billion and by the end of their fifth year, it had grown to Shs7 billion employing about 35 people. The turning point came in 2001 when they diversified into human pharmaceuticals having partnered with Cipla Limited - an Indian leading pharmaceutical company.“This was the time when there was a push for treatment of HIV/Aids and malaria in the country. We found ourselves very strategically fit into the equation because Cipla was the first company to manufacture a Triple Therapy combination medicine for HIV/Aids in the world,” he says. In 2005, Katongole and his partners ventured into the manufacture of ARVs. Because it was a huge capital investment; they partnered with Cipla Limited which provided the technology and the government of Uganda to start although the government eventually sold off its shares and pulled out. The company is into a joint venture with two other private equity firms, a South African Capital Works Investment Corporation and UK-based TLG Capital. “I have been blessed to be at the fore-front and together with my partners have touched lives of many people and this gives us pride,” he says. ChallengesThe company, however, suffers dumping especially from Asian countries like China, India and Thailand who massively subsidise their exports to Uganda by almost 40 per cent exports. “This makes us the local manufacturers irrelevant when it comes to pricing;” he said.Developed multinationals bringing in their products to poor countries in form of corporate social responsibility has presented a huge challenge to the company. “They flood the market with products nearly free of charge and this kills local industries,” he says. This coupled with the cost of doing business in Uganda especially with the high cost of power, which is unreliable and insufficient leaves them uncompetitive. ProgressHowever, with all the hiccups, the company is progressing steadily. Last year, they recorded a Shs60 billion turnover and they expect a double figure this year to Shs120 billion against the plant’s total capacity of Shs150 billion. The company employs over 300 Ugandans working mainly as biologists, industrial chemists, pharmacists and micro-biologists. They intend to employ more when the second phase of the plant takes off to allow them meet the need of greater Sub-Saharan Africa. This stage, which is at an advanced level, will see the company start producing its own Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient - A raw material they have been importing."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/965552/-/xdvsxt/-/index.html","content":"Africa’s ‘green revolution’ takes off - Some 25 years ago, an unlikely telephone call that would eventually salvage Africa’s agriculture and put a smile on its farmers’ faces came through from Tokyo to the United States. Ryoichi Sasakawa, founder of Nippon Foundation, Japan’s largest private grant-making foundation, reached out at the time to Nobel Laureate Dr Norman Borlaug. This followed the 1985 widely televised and heartrending pictures of famine-stricken Ethiopians - many being children so withered they had no energy to lift delicious food to their mouths! The knee-jerk response, as is often the case with such emergencies, was for donors to flood the Horn of Africa country with food aid. They quit just as the harsh currents of the crisis appeared to calm yet food insecurity continued to torment the country in years after. Sasakawa, whose Nippon Foundation as well hurried to drop tonnes of relief food to Addis Ababa, thought rather than just give “fish” to Africa, the continent required the “hook” as well. So in 1985, he sounded Dr Borlaug. But the scientist, posthumously extolled by colleague professionals as “father of the Green Revolution” for initiating unprecedented high cereal yields in Mexico and later Asia, said at 71, he was old enough to retire and not take more demanding assignments. Philanthropist Sasakawa told Dr Borlaug he was 15 years older and the scientist would therefore have no excuse heralding transformation of Africa’s agriculture; a revolution that “should have begun yesterday”. Thus the duo in partnership with former US President Jimmy Carter founded the Sasakawa Africa Association (SG2000) ostensibly to break the cycle of famine and Africa’s endemic food shortage. This, Mr Yohei Sasakawa junior said, would be achieved through introduction of planned agriculture that uses small amounts of chemical fertiliser and high-grade seeds suited to Africa’s soil to enable subsistence farmers produce surplus with help of tailored extension workers. “The farmers who are using traditional methods are producing barely enough food to feed their families,” Yohei said during a July 13-14 symposium in Addis Ababa, organised to honour the work of Dr Borlaug, who passed on last September. He added: “SG2000 is the means for them to increase their yield and free themselves from hunger by their own efforts.” Some 120 top policy makers, academics and agricultural experts gathered at the Ethiopian capital argued that the right dose of investment in smallholder farmers, not the attractive large scale commercial growers, is the key to improving the welfare of millions of ordinary Africans. Most of these frontline agriculturalists are yet to catch the attention of their leaders that signed the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programmes (CAADP) declaration committing to spend at least 10 per cent of their country’s wealth on agriculture. The report card is sort of a hodge-podge; many of the countries are way below target. Yes, there are a handful shiny examples. Mali’s spending on agriculture is marginally higher than agreed threshold while allocations by Ethiopia and Burkina Faso are higher at 17 and 15 per cent, respectively. In Uganda, the situation is different and ironical. Only four per cent of the county’s 2010/2011 budget will be expended on agriculture yet official statistics show this sector, together with forestry and fishing, accounted for 23.7 per cent of the 2008/9 Gross Domestic Product. In comparison, the European Union spends 47 per cent of its budget on supporting farmers yet together with the US, agriculture’s contribution to their GDP is not in double digits. Uganda’s Naads stumbleUganda’s trial run with National Agricultural Advisory Services (Naads) as the vehicle to assist rural smallholder farmers boost production has been fraught with mismanagement, forcing President Museveni to suspend it for the second time. To Mr Museveni, the impediment for agricultural transformation is marketing constraints and wrong ideological framework. Addressing the third African Union summit in 2004, he argued that surplus farm produce is worthless if there’s nobody buying it. “The problem we have is that only 15 per cent of Uganda’s population lives in towns and these are not enough to absorb what is produced by farmers in the countryside,” he said then. With growers in the village producing similar crops - and unable to buy from one another - the excess output goes to waste since access to regional and international markets is impaired by inadequate physical infrastructure and prohibitive standards, the President noted. In western Uganda, dairy farmers in some instances pour milk away to dispose of unwanted stock yet to the country’s northeast, people die of starvation! Thus surplus cannot help where market linkages are broken or non-existent and transportation infrastructure in shambles. Nigeria’s Mohammed Sabo, chairman of Afan farmers association in Kano State, faulted the Addis symposium for not bringing as many farmers to the UN Conference Centre. To him, all that farmers want is good prices for their produce and profitability will push them to increase productivity on their own leading to greater earnings. If inter-state trade barriers are not removed, says Mr Sabo, cross-border businesses between Anglophone and Francophone countries made worse by complicated inter-banking regulations will continue to hamstring regional business and investment. Uganda’s most vocal representatives at the conference, MP Oliver Wonekha, chairperson of Parliament’s Agriculture committee, said retrogressive culture that debars women from owning land should be discarded to increase productivity. “There should be promotion of commercial production of food crops, regularisation of land tenure and delivery of research technology to farmers’ groups,” she said. The experts identified inter-institutional disconnect as disorienting to the farmers’ cause. Do or die Prof. Samuel Kyamanywa, the dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at Makerere University said, what educators at higher institutions of learning do - or fail to do - will determine the rise or fall of the African farmer.“Where universities have got it right, the country and everyone else also gets it right,” he said. The trouble for now is that many university lecturers in agriculture discipline visit no farm and only deliver theoretical knowledge to students; findings by crop and animal researchers gather dust on the shelves while rural farmers do what they do best: scatter the seeds in the gardens and wait for nature to nurture them with good rains. It’s this customary production that SG2000, bankrolled by the Nippon Foundation, wants changed by promoting the use of higher-yielding technologies for maize, wheat, rice, grains and tubers to empower the 300 million people in Africa living on less than a dollar each day.“I pledge to do my best to overcome any difficulties that lie in the way we work to improve the lives of the farmers in Africa,” said Yohei Sasakawa, chairman of the Tokyo-based Foundation. Uganda has been prioritised as one of four focus countries in Africa to benefit the Sasakawa Fund for Agricultural extension (SAFE) and help transform the lives of countless smallholder farmers. The implementers would do the farming lot proud by integrating use of mobile phone technology in disseminating relevant agri-business information and linking growers to nearby agro-processing industries."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Travel/-/691238/964416/-/3i27mz/-/index.html","content":"Delhi’s campus fever - Delhi caught what I will call campus fever with the opening of Delhi University last week. While most universities in other states have also commenced, the colleges affiliated to Delhi University which are numerous, have the flood lights on them in the different parts of Delhi. At this time of the year, being a fresher or Fuchcha as in the local term, is the most popular thing in town. The media can’t get enough of them, milking every aspect of the virgin campus life of these students, right from their dress code on the first day, expectations, parents’ reactions, their main mode of transport and the like. For the whole week, my mornings in the traffic jam have been spent staring at the sweet little things rushing to school, as I am currently in Delhi doing a brief internship before my own study commences in a month. Amusingly, while our worries back home focus on how the campusers are going to be preying on the middle aged hubbies of some unfortunate women, in Delhi it’s far from that. Ragging, best equated to bullying that we faced in boarding school is the big issue. Believe it or not, freshers here are vulnerable to students in the years above commonly referred to as seniors. While freshers in Makerere for example are the must have, cream of the lot, the most benchable on the hill, freshers are the underdog here, with senior students making fun of them in various ways. Some are coerced into singing ridiculous songs, wearing bright weird colours or spotting two pony tails. Fancy being told to give a full introduction of yourself to students in the year above yours at University! Police is deployed in the college surroundings to guard against ragging as it is said to get to extremes in some colleges. Anti-ragging help lines are in all colleges at this time and freshers are advised to move in a group. Last week, some parents took to following their children around on day one or deploying an older family member as a body guard until the fresher is more accustomed to the college. For a moment picture the exhilarating feeling you had on your first day at campus and think about this. I will never forget the attention we got when we walked into the Mitchelex Bazaar the first evening it opened and how strolling around the university felt like entering a whole new world that was waiting for you discover it. It’s so amazing how life around the globe is so different in some aspects yet similar in others."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/963988/-/5sftvc/-/index.html","content":"AU: What has changed since 1975? - The first and most obvious difference between the 1975 and 2010 all-African summits in Kampala is that in 1975, African nations came together under a body called the Organisation of African Unity or OAU. In 2001, this body was replaced largely in name by the African Union or AU, at the behest of Libyan strongman Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. In July 1975, the following African countries and territories had not yet either become independent or come into being: Angola, Namibia, Djibouti, Eritrea, Zimbabwe, and the Seychelles. By 2010, Africa has 53 independent countries as recognised by the United Nations and most international charters and several territories like Western Sahara, Republic of Somaliland and Puntland that pass as a semi-autonomous (even though not internationally recognised) status. Differences seenAnother main difference between the OAU and the AU is in the outside view of the sitting government. In 1975, the military government of President Idi Amin was widely condemned around the world and in many African countries over its human rights record. When it was originally announced in 1970 that the 1975 summit would be held in Kampala, few had anticipated the January 1971 coup that would bring Amin to power.Countries like Tanzania and Zambia even called for a boycott of the summit and were later joined by Botswana in boycotting the event. The 2010 summit could not be any more different. Although President Yoweri Museveni has over the last five years come under review in the public’s mind and with much of the earlier aura of a “new breed” of African leader largely gone, he still enjoys enough diplomatic approval on the continent for the summit to progress without incident. The other main difference, in particular interest to Uganda this week, is the fact that in 1975, the Horn of Africa nation of Somalia was nowhere like what it is today. Somalia was one of Africa’s most stable countries, with a strong government, secure borders and was, ironically, the main African country acting as a mediator in the endless disputes between Amin and Tanzania’s President Julius Nyerere. Today, a Somalia without a government for the better part of 19 years, viewed as a matter of concern to the eastern African region and with a militant and terrorist affiliated group, al Shabaab, accused of being behind the July 11 bomb blasts in Kampala, will dominate the Kampala summit. The Kampala City that hosts the 2010 African summit is a much more populous and busy but also much more dirty and disorganised city than what it was in 1975.Most of the political instability in Africa in 1975 was in the Portuguese colonies or recently-independent former Portuguese colonies in southern Africa as well as coup-prone West Africa. By 2010, the centre of gravity of regional instability had shifted to the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes area of Central Africa. If 2010 is dominated by how to pacify an unstable Somalia, the overwhelming political question cutting across Africa in 1975 was how to secure the independence of the remaining African countries and how to deal with the country that has just hosted the football World Cup: South Africa. Apartheid-rule Apartheid-ruled South Africa was viewed as the greatest political and military threat in Africa, especially to the central and southern nations known as the “frontline states” whose main foreign policy goal was to assist the liberation struggles in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and Southwest Africa (Namibia) and to protect themselves from South African military attacks and attacks by South African-sponsored guerrilla groups.In 1975, most African governments were run by military juntas. In 2010, they are mainly civilian governments. Military Generals Many analysts could argue that, 35 years since the OAU summit in Uganda, the only difference is that today most African governments are run by military generals in plainclothes. The international political order in 1975 was dominated by what was known as a Cold War between the US-led democratic western alliance and a Soviet-led “Eastern Bloc” of communist and Marxist countries. Many civil wars that raged in Africa in the mid 1970s were proxy conflicts between those that leaned East and those that leaned West. Today in 2010, there are no competing ideological blocs, but the world order is dominated by the divide between those nations that are pro-America or viewed by the United States as “anti-American” or supporting terrorism, “rogue” regimes and undemocratic. As it was in 1975, in 2010 African countries are still defined and still define themselves in terms of where they stand with the United States and the rest of the western world. Although most of the discussion at the various annual OAU summits revolved around liberation movements, decolonisation, apartheid in South Africa and their positions in the “non-alignment” debate, there were also many social and economic problems that pre-occupied the continent’s leaders. 1 | 2 Next Page»Africa then, as today, was the world’s poorest continent by far. It was also the most unstable and the most directly dependent on foreign aid. Famine, drought, locusts, malaria, infant mortality (the theme of this summit revolves around infant and maternal health and development) and falling economic production were as recognisable in 1975 as they are today. Major catastrophes that would ravage Africa, like HIV/Aids and Ebola and the genocides in Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (known as Zaire in 1975), were still far into the future. Africans who died in 1975, if they were brought back to life today, would be surprised at how from the blue an Asian country called China which in 1975 did not look too different from most sub-Saharan African states in terms of living standards, is now a roaring, ultra-modern nation and soon to be the world’s second superpower, replacing the Soviet Union they knew in 1975. Chinese goodsBy 2010, there was hardly a town or village in Africa that did not have a flood of Chinese-made goods. In 1975, even Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, was for most Ugandans a distant city, hard to reach. In 2010, the 1990s information revolution had changed so much about daily life. Information was now available in quantities and with ease that even by European standards in 1975 would have been breathtaking.All in all, the 35 years between 1975 and 2010 have brought many changes to Uganda and Africa. However, the one constant fact has been of a continent still heavily dependent for its very existence on what happens in Washington, East Asia and in the political offices of Europe. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/962836/-/9y7s0wz/-/index.html","content":"Weighing Uganda’s options in Somalia - As the proverbial dust settles following the Kampala bombings, many questions are being asked. There is the predictable “why us?” asked by Ugandans who, for one or other reason, had no idea their country had anything to do with Somalia, and for whom the name al Shabaab is a recent discovery. For them the simple connection between the UPDF’s presence in Mogadishu, al Shabaab’s promise to bring the war to Kampala last year and the actual bombing has been anything but obvious. And then there is the question of what the logical response from the Uganda government should be. The central idea here is whether Uganda should not withdraw its troops. Those who pose this one come in two groups: those who believed, right from the time the UPDF first went into Somalia, that it was a terrible mistake which would end in tears, and those who supported the deployment in the possibly naïve belief that our troops would be welcomed by the war-weary Somalis, but who are now angry because they see the bombs as evidence of the Somalis’ ingratitude. Those who believe that violence should be answered with violence are asking why the Uganda government does not flood Somalia with troops to pursue the militants. This seductively hawkish attitude is fed by the questionable belief that Uganda has what it takes in financial, human, and other resources to retaliate meaningfully and ensure we are not bombed again. And then there are the conspiracy theorists. They wonder who actually carried out the bombing and have suggested a whole range of possibilities, many not suitable for debate in this forum. President Museveni’s typically self-assured and belligerent response to the attacks leaves no doubt as to which side of the debate he is on. He has promised to give the militants a dose of their own medicine and to protect Ugandans from any future attempts at bringing the war to Kampala. For the man and woman in the street who had started fearing for the future, such re-assurance, never mind what it really means, did a lot to boost confidence in the government’s ability to offer protection. However, anyone who is more than superficially familiar with the issues involved as well as with Somalia’s history since the collapse of the Siad Barre regime and the implosion of the Somali state in the early 1990s would have taken the President’s brave remarks with more than a pinch of salt. There are several reasons why any decision to unleash the UPDF on the militants in Somalia should be considered carefully. Since the early 1990s Somalia has become the graveyard of several well-meaning humanitarian, peace-keeping and peace-enforcement missions, those spear-heading them having decided to cut and run after the Somalis, including those who had previously been fighting among themselves, ganged up and turned their guns on them. The UN, the Americans, Australians and Pakistanis have all been there, on well-funded missions which, the usual clever assessments aside, ended in failure. For the Americans, it is the memory of the Somali’s tenacity under fire and the fear of taking heavy casualties that accounts for their preference for subcontracting the likes of the Ugandans to go in and do the donkey work. It is doubtful the UPDF will succeed where better-trained, better-resourced, and better-prepared forces with clearer mandates have failed. One may argue that the UPDF is not going to be there alone, given that plans are underway by the African Union to bring in other countries. True. However, if we were to assume that there are many countries prepared to go in, we would have to ask why they have waited for Kampala to be bombed before making up their minds. And now that al Shabaab has proved to the world that it possesses the capacity to operate beyond Somalia’s borders, this in itself will likely give potential contributors to the AU forces more pause for thought. It cannot be for nothing that Somalia’s neighbour, Kenya, which has borne the brunt of hosting Somali refugees and has a substantial Somali population of its own, has judged it wise to keep out. Looking at the internal dynamics within Uganda and the wider geo-politics of the Great Lakes region, still one would wonder about the wisdom of committing large numbers of troops to the crisis in Somalia. The LRA is hardly completely defeated. In recent times there have been rumblings of a possible return to war by the ADF. While the LRA’s relocation to the Central African Republic and the ADF’s retreat into the DRC raise the possibility that they will never return to make war on Ugandan soil, with the UPDF battling al Shabaab in Mogadishu and chasing after cattle rustlers in Karamoja, they may as well try. Add to all this the possibility of renewed war in Sudan after next year’s referendum in the South, and the dangers it will open up for Ugandans in the north and you see why we may be taking on a burden we could not possibly carry. Are these arguments in favour of Uganda’s immediate withdrawal from Somalia? They are not. In addition to amounting to a humiliating climb-down a proud Museveni cannot stomach, a hasty retreat would leave a vacuum the militants would exploit to bring a quick and messy end to the transitional government. While it may lead to a quick imposition of order by the victorious militants, it would almost certainly bring the Islamophobic Ethiopians back in with unpredictable consequences. The Ugandans must stay pending a solution by a much wider circle of participants in the process leading to it than simply IGAD, the AU and the UN. In Afghanistan the once unthinkable option of engaging the Taliban in dialogue is now being pushed by even senior generals to whom it has become clear a shooting war is unwinnable. It is doubtful attempts by foreigners to impose peace on Somalia will succeed. Mr Golooba-Mutebi is a senior research fellow, Makerere Institute of Social Research, Makerere University"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/956026/-/x22p1h/-/index.html","content":"Nema sued over wetlands - Kampala Three citizens have sued the National Environment Management Authority for allowing investors to set up economic activities like houses in wetlands. Mr Yusuf Witness Nthenda, Ms Assumpta Namandi and Mr Richard Omongole, a city lawyer, claim that wetlands at Bugolobi, Nakawa, Nateete, and Banda among others have been degraded. They state that a piece of land where the investor is constructing a patrol station at Ntinda Road junction is a wetland and therefore, protected within the laws of Uganda. Nema is being sued jointly with Kampala City Council at Kampala High Court. The trio, who have sued in public interest contend that there is need to save some of the wetlands in the country and organise their utilisation in a manner that preserves them. The petitioners argue that Nama and KCC have failed to protect and manage wetlands both in Kampala and other parts of Uganda by allowing people and investors to destroy the environment in the guise of development. “The respondents allowed an investor to construct a fuel station on a wetland situated at Nakawa/Ntinda Road Junction on Jinja Road opposite Spear Motors Ltd in Kampala, allowed construction of milling factories at Nateete Wetland and development of residential houses at Bugolobi,” Ms Namandi said. She adds that the entire Nakawa wetland that connects to Banda has been destroyed by people who have constructed industries and inland depots. The petitioners want court to issue a permanent injunction restraining all investors from continuing to destroy the wetlands in and around Kampala. They are also seeking an order directing Nema to restore the wetlands to its original and natural status. In 1994, Uganda had a wetland catchment area of about 37, 575km but it was reduced to 26,208km in 2008. The catchment areas for Lake Victoria has been reduced from 7,167.6km in 1994 to 3.310kms in 2008 while that of Lake Kyoga has reduced from 15,008.3km to 11,028.5km over the same period of time. Troubled future“The reduction of wetlands in Uganda has a direct effect on water bodies like Lake Victoria and Kyoga which are on the verge of drying up because they are full of mud and other waste. Our future generation may not find these precious water bodies,” says Ms Namandi in her affidavit. In their case filed last week, the applicants insist that the wetlands should be protected because they are critical drainage areas for storm and they act as water filter as water goes out of the wetland, it is filtered and most harmful bacteria and substances are cleaned out.They say wetlands improve the quality of water, store flood water, fish and wildlife habitat, esthetic, micro climate regulation and biological productivity. The petitioners aver that apart from Kampala, wetlands in other districts like Ntungamo, Mbarara, Wakiso and Mukono have been encroached upon."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/-/690266/955508/-/14ocg4lz/-/index.html","content":"Six months for stadium revamp completion - Team leader of the Chinese engineers to oversee the renovation of Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, Sun Hua, is optimistic work will be completed in six months. The seal on two containers – a 40ft carrying high voltage cabinet and 20ft holding tools – was broken at the stadium on Friday and Namboole board boss Jim Mugunga officially handed over the first shipment to the Chinese technicians to kick-start the project. “Eight more containers have docked at Mombasa (Kenya) and two are in transit from China. They are about 20 in total,” Hua told Sunday Monitor, “We are now set to start work and we are hoping to be through in about six months.” More engineers Areas to be revamped include the distribution system of flood lights, security lights, replacing the old fashioned scoreboard with a modern one, and laying a new surface on the running track among others. This newspaper disclosed the detailed ills at the stadium last November and Mugunga assured the nation they, together with the Chinese and Ugandan governments, were to refurbish the facility. Hua said the two containers yet to dock at Mombasa contain electricals and the new scoreboard tools. Eleven Chinese technocrats are already in the country and according to Hua, 10 more will arrive anytime to oversee stadium maintenance. Mugunga could not ascertain the exact figure but the total cost of the project is estimated at $1m (about Shs2b)."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/952336/-/x20052/-/index.html","content":"Parliament demands low-cost houses for the poor - Legislators on the Physical Infrastructure of Parliament is pushing for the urgent construction of Low-cost houses by the government in Naguru, Nakawa and Namuwongo. More than 50 families have been pushed away from these areas to pave way for the construction of high-end apartments and business premises.Most of these families are languishing in slums where even the simplest of facilities are not available. According to the MPs, most of these families spend nights standing during rainy seasons whenever their houses flood.Mr Ibrahim Byandala, the committee chairperson said yesterday that the government should buy land in the outskirts of Kampala where land is relatively cheap and build low-cost houses for people being evicted. The programme to construct low-cost houses started in the 1960’s but was hampered by lack of funds. The housing backlog has been worsened by the high urbanisation rates in the city.According to the 2003 Demographic Survey 2003, Uganda suffers from a deficit of 1.6 million housing units. The private sector has had an initiative to have houses constructed but the rent charges are too high for the average income earners to afford. Currently, most developers have targeted the middle class. On average, the house rent charged by private developers on housing units cost about 500,000 shillings per month. The Uganda Bureau of Statistics estimates that by 2025, about 4.8 million people in Kampala will have no houses."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/948066/-/qwmc0pz/-/index.html","content":"NRM resolutions: Time to walk the talk - The National Resistance Movement party has just concluded its national conference where an array of resolutions were adopted mainly in relation with conduct of its election primaries. The major change in the party’s constitution was the move to using the adult suffrage system in the primaries as opposed to the previous electoral colleges. The party—and partially correctly so—argued that the flood of independent candidates that was witnessed in the 2006 elections was as a result of rigging in the primaries. As observed, the electoral colleges were easier to manipulate and bigwigs with little support on the ground only needed to use money and other goodies to take the party slot for the final race. Opening up the space for the primaries to include all registered party members voting, we think goes a long way in addressing problems of rigging. But again, we must stress that this is no insurance against trouble in the party primaries.We need to ask, if people can rig in the electoral colleges system, what will stop them from rigging in the adult suffrage arrangement? It might involve slightly more money and goodies, but rigging they will. That is why we insist that the punitive action against election thieves must be strengthened. For example, just as the Leadership Code demands that public office holders who breach the law in terms of wealth declaration and general accountability be barred from holding those offices for five years, we also think politicians found guilty by competent juries of rigging elections, should not just be stripped of that victory, they should be barred from contesting again. It is for this reason that we think the NRM missed a great opportunity to consolidate this idea when a proposal by the Rukungiri District boss that officials tainted by corruption be barred from running for office, never saw the light of day at the conference. Ours is a young democracy and we must do everything to build it on the right foundation. Should we let malpractices and corruption characterise elections now, we can be sure we shall bequeath a troubled future to our young generation. All political players should at least not let that be their legacy."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/944068/-/xcmwxs/-/index.html","content":"Makerere University to teach watershed management at masters level - EPHRAIM KASOZI Poor management of watersheds is the cause of increased floods, a Makerere University don has said. The term watershed refers to the geographic boundaries of a particular water body, its ecosystem and the land that drains to it. A watershed also includes groundwater aquifers that discharge and receive discharge from streams, wetlands, ponds, and lakes. Prof Moses Makooma Tenywa, the director of Makerere University Agriculture Institute, Kabanyolo (MUARIK) has said the effects of land degradation in the country requires highly trained personnel to wholesomely help communities to avert the effects of environment degradation. “We need to harmonise knowledge for sustainable natural resources management. People cultivating and developing land at the hill tops need to be educated on how to do it without destroying the environment,” the professor says. Prof. Tenywa adds that in response to the challenges, the Soil Department at the Faculty of Agriculture, Makerere University has established a Masters’ Degree Programme in Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) to produce a new breed of graduates with the capacity to combine knowledge from various disciplines in a practical oriented setting. The course aims at achieving sustainable socio-economic and ecological development, Prof. Tenywa says. The professor blames the culture of working alone on the side of land developers as the cause of floods, and suggests that with right personnel, less money is spent and land use is optimum. “Developers compact soil and this prevents infiltration, making the water run quickly to form floods during rains. Areas which used to be covered with vegetation have reduced, compounds are tarmac but if developers can jointly dig ditches, plant grass and trees, this helps infiltration of water hence a sustainable environment,” says Prof. Tenywa. The degree programme comes at a time when government is planning to decentralise watershed management. According to the don, IWM graduates would help in simplifying the environment language and connect with an ordinary common person on the street. The programme that starts late this year seeks to address challenges like lack of sectoral approaches in integrating watershed management, lack of integrated human capacity in government, erratic weather, climate change, water scarcity and high rate of resource degradation due to increased animal and human population. With Uganda’s population growing rapidly and over 70 per cent of it living off agriculture, poor agricultural practices are leading to water and soil degradation. Without efforts to manage lands and waters resources across the board, there are fears that if nothing is done soon - soil degradation is going to be another source of food scarcity in the near future. Although Uganda is endowed with enormous resources like rivers, lakes and wetlands covering about 18 per cent of the total surface, mismanagement of watersheds threatens the sustainability of natural resources.Prof Tenywa says such challenges require interventions in an integrated manner as a best practical solution in conserving water and land resources but there has been lack in personnel to deal with challenges. Altering wetlands and diverting rivers, for example, has exposed catchment areas, endangered fish stocks and destroyed the wildlife habitat. With good soil management practices, experts say, there is flood defense and water quality protection."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/944062/-/xcmwxm/-/index.html","content":"Why Horn of Africa is starving - With the history of food emergencies in Africa, the revelation that 40 per cent of the continent’s population are at the risk of starvation, is a cause of concern. 40 per cent of Africans suffer starvation, and Uganda is one of the countries listed whose population is suffering hunger. Those suffering most from food insecurity are subsistence farmers, pastoralists and agro-pastoralists whose livelihoods largely depend on agriculture and animal production. The interagency Taskforce on the UN Response to Long-Term Food Security, Agricultural Development and Other Related Aspects in Africa that was established by Kofi Anan in 2001 identified natural hazards, conflict and population growth as the main underlying causes of food insecurity.Between 15 to 20 million people in Africa especially the pastoralist communities live mainly in arid and semi-arid low lands. They suffer from droughts where food production is reducing and many risk losing their assets. With limited food and water availability, animals produce less milk, are more prone to diseases and their death incidence rates increases.The UN organisation says others factors contributing to food insecurity are forced displacement, poverty, trans-boundary diseases, poor health, gender inequalities, weak infrastructure, poor economies, as well as inadequate national policies and governance issues, aid failure and weak knowledge and information systems. Current situationAccording to the Food Security, Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) map released in April, food security in Africa is a cause for concern with many areas said to be in acute food shortage especially Southern Sudan, Northern Kenya and North eastern Uganda.The situation is most alarming in Sudan (Darfur) and Somalia (Central) where populations cannot live without humanitarian aid. Natural hazards, drought and floods are the driving forces behind the looming hunger across the continent, especially because they hit they hit the poorest (mostly rural) communities the hardest. Land regimeThe population in Africa has more than doubled since 1974 and is continuing to grow rapidly, putting further pressure on scarce natural resources. There is shortage of arable land as farmers are forced to cultivate intensively and often cannot replenish the soil. Land ownership issues and the increasingly limited access to cultivable land, water and other natural resources are key to rural populations’ livelihoods, yet, they have become a raison d’être for population movements and conflicts. ConflictsThe long history of conflicts both internal and across boundaries has disrupted agricultural and livestock productions and marketing systems, causing mass displacements of already marginalised populations, thereby intensifying hunger and putting vulnerable populations even more at risk of food insecurity. The tensions are the hotbed for the influx of refugees and IDPs putting further pressure on already scare resources accessible to host populations, thereby affecting their food security situation and potentially initiating additional tensions.More than half of the populations in the region survive on less than a dollar (Shs2,000) per day. With little or no savings and lack of skills to diversify their sources of income, the poor people are exposed to more dangers let alone starvation. Poor healthCountries in Africa have some of the lowest health standards in the world. Whilst rural communities in general have limited access to adequate health services, those worst served are the nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoralist communities. Among them, children and women are the most vulnerable with high children undernourishment and mortality rates related to preventable diseases (measles, malaria etc.) and high level of maternal mortality. There are more than four million people living with HIV/Aids in the Horn of Africa alone, according to the 2008 Unaids report. The organisation projected that by 2010, twice as many people in rural areas will be infected compared to those in urban areas.Gender InequitiesIncreasingly, men are migrating to urban areas looking for labour, leaving women with the burden of taking care of the family farms. Although women are in charge of cooking and collecting water for the household, land rights are often passed on through male relatives. Often lacking sufficient education, women have limited options because of food insecurity and poverty. Gender inequities also often translate into gender based violence, affecting food security at household and community level.Weak infrastructuresDue to the poor conditions or nonexistence of roads, populations living in remote rural areas have very limited access to external markets and many farmers and agro-pastoralists are therefore isolated from the national and regional economy. Access to safe drinking water is also insufficient, rural populations in Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia are particularly affected.Poor economiesEconomic growth in Africa has generally been slow and unequal, widening the gap between the poor majority and the wealthy.Pastoralist communities have benefited from the liberalisation of markets in Africa and are generally better off than farmers. However, when there is a natural disaster, they are most vulnerable as they risk losing all their assets. Little has been done to support pastoralists systems and initiatives that have been taken have often deteriorated the situation by increasing livestock numbers and leading to overgrazing rather than regulating the systems. Governance failureUnstable Government institutions in conflict and post-conflict countries, over centralisation, corruption and insufficient political commitment to address food insecurity; are factors to food insecurity but also represent considerable obstacles for donors and the international community to provide effective emergency relief and sustainable basis for economic growth. Financial crisisThe dramatic rise of global food prices in early 2008 rapidly followed by the global financial crisis and economic recession had the most drastic consequences on the global food and nutrition in decades. Their overlap caused socio-economic, environmental and security related issues worldwide. Countries in Africa affected by the 2006 drought had no time to recover before the soaring food prices and a drought crisis that hit them once more in 2009. The most devastating effects of these two crises were felt in the agricultural sector and amongst the urban poor and the food insecure. Poor households saw their coping mechanisms strained to their limits and hunger and undernourishment incidences increased dramatically in the region. Whilst food prices have decreased overall in the region, they are still above the five year average and are likely to remain volatile for some time, putting further pressure on the most vulnerable as remittances are decreasing and both formal and informal economies at local and regional levels are affected. Climate changeClimate change threatens to further exacerbate food insecurity in Africa.Crop yields in dry, tropical and semitropical regions risk to decrease due to global warming. Extreme climate events such as droughts, flooding and heat stress are increasing both in frequency and gravity; which affects food production, stability and availability, especially as their combination and recurrence set the right conditions for human, crop, livestock pests and diseases to spread. Increased incidence of water born diseases in flood-prone areas, and new diseases will increase human health risks. Access to safe drinking water is also likely to become more scarce. The resilience of smallholder and subsistence farmers will be challenged, which may lead to further environmental degradation, further population movements and increasingly to resource-based conflicts. Unless adequate action is taken, it is predicted that the food security and nutrition situation will negatively affected Sub- Saharan Africa."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/-/690266/943978/-/14p0ac8z/-/index.html","content":"Why Ugandans will watch a few games - Polokwane Braving the chill from the much-awaited cold fronts in eager anticipation of the match against Uruguay the conversation at this impromptu get together of Ugandan Polokwane residents this afternoon is not over stories from the home country around dishes of matooke, pilau and peanut sauce. There is serious concern for the performance of the Bafana Bafana. I know of more than 20 Ugandan families in this fast growing city. The demography of the Ugandan population in Limpopo has changed since I relocated to the Northern Province, as it was known 12 years ago. The typical hommie then was a teacher at a rural school or a doctor. The Ugandan community was close- knit. Many of those teachers had taken paths of least resistance as they awaited permanent residence, which would open opportunities in their specialised professions such as law, agriculture, veterinary medicine and economics. A number of long serving doctors left for bigger cities with a less insular outlook on life. Today, the spectrum of Ugandans includes university professors, public relations specialists, Catholic priests and self- employed street traders, tailors and traditional medicine men. The disparity in lifestyles makes it harder to organise all-inclusive activities except for the inevitable parties. Most Ugandans in Polokwane did not purchase tickets to watch the World Cup for a variety of reasons. No accessOur self-employed people do not have access to credit cards and therefore the soccer enthusiasts among us could not book the games they would have loved to watch using Fifa’s online system. When the ticket sales offices opened countrywide, our people in the informal sector did not have the requisite IDs to prove residence in South Africa. Those who had access to the tickets thought they might do better to take advantage of the expected flood of soccer tourists to make a quick buck in an otherwise unprofitable winter. The clinical doctors are employed in the public service, and are required to be on standby for emergencies during the entire soccer season. They cannot therefore take the liberty of attending games in the stadium, or going into the fan parks. To our credit the specialist in charge of the medical disaster preparedness is a Ugandan doctor. The academicians, who are now on holiday, have chosen to take their families to only one game, for the experience. The common practice this World Cup season in Polokwane has been to get together and watch matches together on TV in our homes. Many of us recall past experiences of walking to an overcrowded dimly lit house in Nakulabye, Kawempe and other villages around Kampala, where one could hardly see the TV screen, relying on a volunteer commentator, who hardly knew the players. I remember with amusement someone trying to describe Roger Milla’s celebratory dance to a group of us many world cup seasons ago. Dr Kaleebi is a Ugandan pathologist living in S. Africa"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/OtherSport/-/690284/943900/-/hqhk8yz/-/index.html","content":"Namboole equipment finally here - Kampala The long awaited renovation of Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, should start soon after the first consignment of refurbishment tools arrived in Kampala at the weekend. A 40ft container reached Kampala from the Kenyan port city Mombasa on Saturday and the second and final batch is expected before the close of the week. “We are now in the process of clearing with Uganda Revenue Authority as regards the tax waiver on the equipment,” stadium chairperson Jim Mugunga told Daily Monitor. This newspaper disclosed the detailed ills at the stadium last November and Mugunga assured the nation they, together with the Chinese government, were on course to refurbishing the facility. Some of the areas expected to be worked on or replaced include the distribution system of flood lights, replacing the old fashioned scoreboard, leveling of the running track. “The second container (20ft) is already at Mombasa and should be in Kampala on Thursday,” said Stanley Mugisha, Director/operations Trans Cargo Freighters Ltd, the company responsible for the shipments. The first consignment is already at the Multiple Inland Cargo Deport, Ntinda."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/942170/-/5r6vgr/-/index.html","content":"What will happen in Uganda after polls? - As the build up to the 2011 general election continues, President Yoweri Museveni’s intentions are by now fairly familiar to political analysts and to an increasing number of Ugandans. Several times at public events, quoted by the media and without denial, senior National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders and army officers have made it as explicitly clear as can be made, that they have no intention of leaving the state power they seized in 1986 any time soon or any time ever. Since President Museveni and his top political brass have pronounced themselves clear beyond any ambiguity, attention is now turning to what the Ugandan political opposition can or will do. Will they take matters to the courts of law as they twice did in 2001 and 2006? Will they fade into oblivion? The Opposition is of two minds. The first is that they should continue piling pressure on President Museveni, knowing well that his counter moves can only be acted out in violence and harassment, thus angering even more Ugandans than are already angry.The second is that while President Museveni’s increasingly iron-fisted reaction works against him, the Opposition must present to Ugandans and the outside world the face of reason, restraint, and by this contrast better make their case that they are the most suitable alternative to the NRM. This latter approach was spelled out by the Forum for Democratic Change’s national mobiliser, Maj. Gen. (rtd) Mugisha Muntu, a few weeks to the 2006 elections during a conversation with this writer and the then political editor of Daily Monitor Andrew Mwenda after an Andrew Mwenda show on KFM. Maj. Gen. Muntu said it is not difficult to call upon one million Ugandans to flood the streets of Kampala in protest. However, he said it was important for the Opposition to act in such a way as to contrast President Museveni’s methods and intolerance with their own, more reasonable stance. Demoralised population When the Opposition leader and former presidential candidate, Dr Kizza Besigye, returned from a four-year spell in exile in South Africa in October 2005, a demoralised population suddenly saw a glimmer of hope. There was a surge of crowds queuing up at the Electoral Commission offices in Kampala and elsewhere in the country to register for the 2006 general election. However, media sources as well as sources at the Electoral Commission this week said that the voter registration of 2010 has set a new record, probably in Uganda’s post-independence history, which partly explains the several times the Electoral Commission has had to extend the deadline. All indications are that the 2011 general election could see the highest voter turnout in Ugandan history. Usually, a high voter turnout in an election signifies the expectation of change, a historic moment, or public discontent at national conditions. The record surge in the number of Ugandans registering for the 2011 election even where there seems to be apathy and frustration, unquestionably points to the fact that this is going to be the most fateful election since 1980. The continued harassment of the media, Opposition and the general population and the open threats by top army generals like David Tinyefuza either to “crush” some opposition leaders or, in the case of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima on Tuesday June 15 threat to deal in a “serious way” with Opposition demonstrations, can only help the cause of the Opposition by reinforcing public anger more effectively than any number of campaign rallies would. Ultimately, though, argue many observers, should the situation continue to get out of hand, the momentum will get out of the control of even the Opposition leaders and into the hands of the ordinary people, leading to an atmosphere that few can prepare for. Peter Walubiri of the Uganda Peoples Congress on Thursday told the Sunday Monitor that the Opposition would continue to press for changes at the Electoral Commission, staging protests, taking a case to the courts here and there, exposing the violence being used against them and alerting the international community to the deteriorating situation in Uganda. But, Mr Walubiri added, at the end of the day the matter lies in the hands of ordinary Ugandans: “I can see the Opposition going the Museveni way and the Opposition or elements in the Opposition not restraining the population”. Impending nightmare The meaning was plain: Conditions in the country have deteriorated to the point where there are many people and groups of people who could now contemplate extreme measures to restore people’s power. FDC spokesman Wafula Oguttu on the same Thursday painted a picture of an impending nightmare, saying “What I fear most” is that there could be developing a situation that pits Baganda against Bahima and Balaalo over wealth and land.Omar Kalinge-Nyago of the opposition Justice Forum or JEEMA party and columnist with Daily Monitor, echoed Walubiri’s observations. He noted that the rising tide of deep resentment amongst the public means that the situation could get out of control and ordinary citizens, now hardened against the constant harassment, could decide to take matters into their own hands. “People are going to do their own thing”, Kalinge-Nyago remarked. 1 | 2 Next Page»According to Mr Kalinge-Nyago, the commonly-held view that Ugandans are passive that was once true is no longer applicable. “Not any more”, he said, citing Opposition women activists who last week confronted the police who had confronted them during a demonstration. The single most revealing evidence to this came in the September 2009 riots in many parts of Buganda after Kabaka Ronald Mutebi II was blocked by the government from visiting Kayunga district. Oguttu quoted Maj. Gen. Benon Biraro, in a recent address to the Rotary Club of Ntinda, as saying that intelligence reports indicate that 42 per cent of those who took part in the Buganda riots were not Baganda, suggesting that the 2009 riots were a reflection not of Buganda radicalism but of a wider uprising against the NRM government. The feeling that the 2011 Ugandan election could result in violence similar to what erupted in Kenya in 2007 is now on many minds, both international -- hence the United States’ frantic efforts to pre-empt such an eventuality -- and local, hence the regular statements by President Museveni and his top army and police generals warning that violence will be met with violence. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/-/689842/941574/-/xw4hp6z/-/index.html","content":"‘I miss filing dad’s nails - Anyone can be a father, but it takes something else to be a special daddy. Sunday is Father’s Day and I will take time to reminisce life with my dad. He lost the battle to heart disease on Feb 4th 2010. I don’t know what to exactly say; I feel guilty in some sort of way when I remember the phone call that came through one afternoon from my step sister asking me to visit dad. He had been requesting to see me or any of my siblings but I was extremely busy and broke. I didn’t make it there. While preparing to visit in two weeks, another phone call came through at 2a.m. on a Thursday morning a week after. I normally switch off my phone in the night but on this fateful day; I was so restless around that time that I switched my phone on. Immediately, a call came through; it was my step sister. She was calling to ask whether I had heard the news; dad had passed away. I can’t explain my reaction but the first thing I did was to get on my knees and murmur some words to God. I don’t remember what they were. It wasn’t a time to break down; I had to keep strong for my siblings. It is one of the things dad had asked me to do quite often-keep strong in all life’s stormy seasons. My dad has been gone four months now, but I often think about him and the things he will miss seeing his lovely daughter accomplish. I miss the love, the chats and arguments over nothing, holding his hand without a word, sitting with him on the grass and talking about everything, playing with his (then) grey hair and joking about how he forgot to wash soap out of it. I miss filing his nails and serving him tea. I miss asking about “Kazende boy”. This was his nickname. I miss seeing him read my articles over and over again. It is all endless. I can say I miss everything about him. He was an extraordinary dad. In life dad told me a few key principles. Enjoy the fruit of hard work, respect others and keep the peace. I can’t find a person my dad quarrelled with. If something was bigger than him for example land wrangles, court was a better place to solve such things. He would never fight on his own. I was 20 something and dad had never raised a finger or shouted at me. It is not that I was a perfect girl but he just didn’t believe in shouting. Talking things out was his way of doing things, it really worked with me. Even with my stubborn personality, he was my defence against my raging mother. I’m listening to He Will Take The Pain Away by Kirk Franklin and as I sit up to write this, tears flood my eyes and my heart still aches from the loss. I miss you Dad!"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/OtherSport/-/690284/930610/-/hr69faz/-/index.html","content":"Namboole spare parts reach Kenya - Kampala Over three months since their promised arrival and the new equipment and spare parts for refurbishment of Mandela National Stadium, Namboole haven’t reached Kampala. But the latest from stadium board of governors chairperson Jim Mugunga is that the necessary refurbishment tools have docked at the Kenyan port city of Mombasa. “A container full of the equipment for the face lift and renovation (of Namboole) arrived at Mombasa on May 20 and it should be in Kampala any time after clearing,” Mugunga told Daily Monitor at the weekend. “The chief engineer of the project is already here and others will soon arrive. There have been delays here and there but everything will be fine.” Mugunga told this newspaper earlier that the engineers would be here late January and that work on the stadium would start sometime in February but for protocol it somewhat held up. Some of the areas expected to be worked on or replaced include the distribution system of flood lights and replacing the old fashioned scoreboard."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/927328/-/x08u15/-/index.html","content":"Government looks at Martyrs Day to promote country - Kampala While thousands will be seeking religious purification and soul healing going into the National Martyrs celebration at Namugongo a week from now, the government is plotting ways to tap into what it views as a flood of tourists. Seeking to share the spoils for years left to enterprising private business people who establish temporary stalls, the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) announced plans yesterday to use the annual pilgrimage to market the country. Provides platformAccording to Cuthbert Baguma, UTB’s executive director, this year’s Martyr’s Day will only provide a platform for future exploitation of Namugongo as a tourist destination. “We have come up with what we have called the Martyrs Trail, a brochure giving detailed information about the 22 Uganda martyrs and the places where they were killed. All the interested tourists shall be paying a fee for our guides to take them through,” said Mr Baguma. He explained that the tourists shall encourage others to come if they are guided to some of the exciting places. “People have the money to spend but they do not know where to go and this will help enhance revenue generation,” he said. Uganda annually celebrates the day in commemoration of the persecution and killing of 22 Christian converts who sacrificed their lives because of their religion on the orders of King Mwanga. Mr Baguma said the day attracts international recognition but Uganda as a country has not recognised that. Ms Nakiwala Kiyingi, the Buganda minister for culture, said Uganda must be proud of promoting its beautiful scenery at Namugongo together with religious leaders. The Kampala Archbishop, Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, and Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi of the Anglican church were expected to attend the press conference but were reportedly out of the country. Asked whether they had sought the permission of the church to market the day, Mr Baguma said they reached an understanding with church leaders. “This is not the first place we want to market. We have been marketing Kasubi tombs but it does not mean that they belong to us,” Mr Baguma said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/917078/-/b3gqcq/-/index.html","content":"Water saving solutions for your house - Every home needs a standby water supply in case of shortage, writes Lydia Namono. Water can be termed as the driving force because without it, almost everything comes to a standstill. When you think of bathing, cooking, washing, gardening and other chores, water is the key factor; therefore, there is the need to conserve it. This is why water tanks are necessary in a home, especially when there is an abrupt water shortage. Basic considerationsCapacity: Before you think of purchasing the tank, you should determine the amount of water that will be needed to satisfy various purposes. Space: If you construct a high rise building to maximise space, you might also find that the planned space is inadequate; requiring you to become creative. However, there are specific tanks which can be constructed underground. Design: This might sound like it ought to be determined by the consumer solely. However, one should ensure that the tank has a provision to be connected to different outlets in the home or for commercial purposes. Eng. Peter Bbumba of Jomayi Property Consultants, says the kitchen must be connected to the main water supply at National Water and Sewerage Corporation for hygienic purposes. This is because water in the tanks easily gets contaminated. Leak-proof: When purchasing a water tank, it Is advisable to let the supplier test it to prove that it doesn’t leak. Drainage pipes: The water outlets should also be made in such a way that the pipelines can easily be fitted. Tank typesConcrete tanksThey can be for both underground and above the ground storage. Concrete tanks are suitable, especially if one is looking into maximum utility of space. Eng. Bbumba says, they are made in such a way that the concrete is reinforced into steel and cast into the desired shape after the foundation has been established. Since the final product is concrete, chances of corrosion are minimal. However, the tank’s capacity depends on the strength of the reinforcements. Therefore, if they are well designed, they will hold more water for a long time. These are mostly used for irrigation, gardening and agricultural projects. Mild steel The inside is coated with a layer of bituminous paint specifically, to prevent rusting. Eng. Bbumba explains that it was originally made for heavy duty, but now the exterior is welded to the required size into rectangular forms. In this case, the tank is made of steel plates and joined by bolts and nuts. Galvanised steel This type is coated with a protective metal meant to prevent rusting. It is practically made from iron sheets that are used in roofing. So far, it is mostly used in harvesting rainwater for home consumption. Stainless steelThese have a distinct conical shape that keeps water clean. “The design enables particles to settle at the bottom and these are released through the discharge point unlike rectangular ones where dirt might remain in the corners,” says Mr Singh Rai Kumaz, the plant manager at Steel Tubes and Industries Limited. It is also free from fungal attacks and is heat resistant due to its ability to reflect ultra violet rays. With its breather, the tank keeps water cool. These can be installed either vertically or horizontally depending on one’s taste. Plastic tanksPlastic is a light material, so is the plastic water tank. The material is maintenance free since they do not require painting or any treatment. They are resistant to corrosion and are leak proof; thus, enabling one to minimise costs. These tanks are made in such a way that they are not affected by the sun. “The outer walls are made with the provision of resisting sunrays and chemicals,” Eng. Bbumba says. Since polythene and fire do not match, once there’s a fire outbreak, it’s not advisable to use water from these tanks because they are susceptible to melting. Internal or external?In the past, water tanks would be constructed inside the house for different reasons. Mr Bbumba says, internal tanks may be cost effective but in case the controlling valve fails, one’s house is likely to flood. “If one’s ball valve fails, the ceiling will be affected while the external ones will easily be detected in case of any problem,” he explains. You might be wondering how the water is connected to the rest of the premises in the house, but this is not as complicated as you would think. There is the main water supply system (direct system) and the indirect system. In the direct system, water is drawn from the main water supply system straight to the outlet points such as the bathroom taps and water closets. When water leaves the tap, it is considered to be contaminated and not advisable for sensitive places like the kitchen. Water is drawn from the mains to the overhead tank and later distributed to the rest of the outlets. Since it is distributed by gravity, it hardly gets contaminated. This system is usually connected to the kitchen sink. Maintenance tips* Clean them at least once a month. In case the tank collects rain water, it’s advisable to clean the roofs and gutters to avoid contaminating the water. * Use skilled personnel to connect the pipes to the tank well.* Check regularly for leakages.* Always keep the tank covered. * Use the good quality pipes during installation. So far, plastic pipes are recommended as they are corrosion resistant.* Use a breather to facilitate aeration. The price* This depends on the capacity that the tank will hold. Stainless steel tanks between 250 to 5000 litres range from Shs190,640 to Shs237,600.* Vertical plastic tanks between 100 to 24,000 litres cost between Shs53,820 and Shs6,018,000.* Horizontal plastic tanks between 500 to 1,000 litres range from Shs230,100 to Shs389,400.* Tank stands cost between Shs46,000 and Shs204,000."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/916418/-/xatrwl/-/index.html","content":"Regional scientists, farmers labour to stamp out food insecurity - A participant in the food security forum in Nairobi raised a question - For how long shall we sit back and watch people die of hunger? She suggested that time was ripe to adopt innovative technology to avoid hunger and poverty, writes Joseph Miti It is sad but the truth is that people living in flood and drought prone areas in East Africa; have to struggle each day to find sufficient food just to live on. According to Oxfam, about 23 million people across East Africa are facing critical shortages of food following successive years of failed rains and worsening drought. Though farmers have tried to increase on acreages they till to compensate for the adverse effects of drought, floods, pests and disease, in the face of climate change, productivity remain so small. This has created anxiety among farmers and scientists, forcing them to hunt for crop varieties that can avert the situation.Regional scientists, farmers, policy makers and stakeholders from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania met in Nairobi last week to forge a way forward on increasing food production. Scientists, most of them advocating for biotechnology, argued that it’s time for the region to embrace innovative technologies to gear up production. Prof. Norah Olembo, Executive Director, Africa Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum (Absf), said Africa missed the green revolution that boosted food production in the developed world, but this time round it should not forego the biotechnology era. “For how long should we sit back and watch people die of hunger? We have to adopt innovative technology to avoid hunger and poverty. I am confident this time Africa will not be left because it is in the lead in the application of the technology,” he said. Dr Roy Mugiira, deputy director at National Biosafety Authority of Kenya, said it is time for Africa to take risks other than missing out on the values of the technology.“As Africa, we need to be courageous to take risks,” Dr Mugiira told participants at the Absf/ Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (Kari) Regional Biotechnology inter-regional workshop last week. He added, “They tell us that if we go biotech, we will die. But again when we don’t try the science, we will die of famine.” Dr Ephraim Mukisira, Kari Director, predicted that once the region neglects innovative science, hunger will kill more people than HIV/Aids. Agriculture productivity in the region is facing major challenges of declining farm sizes, drought, low soil fertility, weeds, pests, diseases and costly inputs. Currently, about 1.1 million people in Uganda and 2.5 million people in Kenya depend on food aid. A recent survey on food shortage conducted in Tanzania revealed that about 61 districts are at risk of facing food shortage in 2010. However, though the group advocated for the application of biotechnology, some environmental activists, religious organisations, governments and public interest groups have raised concerns about GM crops, and criticise agribusinesses for pursuing profit without concern for potential hazards. Greenpeace International, the leading anti-GMOs states that while scientific progress on molecular biology has a great potential to increase our understanding of nature and provide new medical tools, it should not be used as justification to turn the environment into a giant genetic experiment for commercial interests. The biodiversity and environmental integrity of the world’s food supply is too important to our survival to be put at risk, it says. However, Arthur Makara, Scifode’s executive director said that theories suggesting that biotechnology would put people’s survival at risk are baseless. “Those opposed to it (biotechnology) have failed to show adequate scientific evidence that prove that the technology has potential hazards to the environment and human health,” Mr Makara added. Dr Mukisira said, for years, researchers in the region have been using conventional plant breeding methods to develop high yielding crop varieties resistance to common diseases and pests that are also suitable in diverse agro-climatic zones. But the approaches have been expensive in terms of resource and time. For instance, it may take more than 15 years to develop new crop varieties. “Therefore there is a great need to increase innovativeness in technological development to complement these traditional methods in an effort to hasten agriculture development in the region,” Dr Mukisira said. He added, “Biotechnology offers an alternative strategy to address constraints, save on time and limited resources.” With biotechnology, it takes three or fewer years to breed a crop variety compared to seven or more years in conversional breeding. Biotechnology refers to the use of microorganisms to modify crops or animals to suit. It involves genetic engineering (GMOs), cell and tissue culture. Moreover, all the three countries have continued to invest heavily in various components of biotechnology, notably in infrastructure development (green house, laboratories and specialisation equipment), human resource development, and establishing effective linkage with development partners. According to Mr Herbert Oluka, Programme for Biosafety Systems (PBS) Programme Officer, Uganda has made some progress in developing the technology especially with tissue culture. 1 | 2 Next Page»On GMs, Mr Oluka says, so far two confined field trials of banana and cotton are already ongoing and field studies for drought tolerant maize are soon commencing.He says four more applications have been submitted to National Biosafety Committee for scrutiny. “Our major constraint is that we don’t have a biosafety law to tap into these innovations that can increase food and farmers income,” Mr Oluka added. However, Mr Gilbert Gumisiriza, Science Officer, UNCST said the Act is before cabinet and there is hope that very soon it will be passed. Prof. Emmarold Mneney, Head of Biotechnology Research Mari, Tanzania says, his country is still lagging behind compared to its counterparts, Kenya and Uganda, but slowly they are making progress. Mneney, however, says since the region is at the edge of opening to free trade, states should harmonise policy frameworks so that all counties move at the same pace. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/911584/-/a2b91nz/-/index.html","content":"The plight of Karamoja calls for urgent intervention - Recently, I had to travel to Karamoja to understand the nexus the cross border conflict between Karimojong and their neighbours as well as the political economy of the conflict. I realised that Karamoja remains one of the most marginalised regions in Uganda today. According to the 2000 Human Development Report, Karamoja lags behind in both district profile and life expectancy. This is partly due to ineffective government development policy and programmes. The general feeling among the Karimojong is that the government has deliberately ignored pastoralism and yet it is not offering any alternative mode of production and means of livelihood for the people. Until recently, there has been no clear government policy on pastoralism, which is the main source of livelihood for the people of Karamoja, to guide the long-term development planning of the region. The Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture under Pillar Three of Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP)which outlines the government’s Rural Development Strategy is, for instance, vague on Karamoja and pastoralism as an agricultural system. The old trend of using coercion rather than negotiation and participatory approaches to deal with the problem in Karamoja is now reflective of the relationship of Karamoja and the government of Uganda. In my view, the transformation of Karamoja from its present state of conflict and underdevelopment to peace, development and coexistence requires a programme aimed at stabilising the local economy, maintaining the disarmament exercise, reintegrating the displaced societies and protecting the rights of the vulnerable groups like children, women, the elderly and persons with disability. This should be done together with institutional structures.The government and other stakeholders need to undertake a sustainable programme that will take into account human rights concern like basic health needs, education, functional adult literacy, measures to eradicate the endemic poverty and widespread inequalities in household incomes. This has to involve a mixture of alternative development strategies like diversification of sustainable agriculture and pastoral production, ensuring food security to mitigate the inextricable links with poverty that translates into violence, the restoration of the rule of law and good governance to deal with the culture of impunity relating to the use and control of the gun and societal reorganization with the view of restoring the broken down social fabric. Currently, Karamoja is experiencing an influx of NGOs, majority of whom are leaving other parts of the country where they have been on emergency intervention. These NGOs should, however, understand the complexity of Karamoja and note that the people of Karamoja need someone to inspire a grassroot social movement that will effectively engage with the private sector and institutions of development to make the people of Karamoja secure about their basic rights and to assume responsibilities in fostering reconciliation and development. All this cannot be done in a vacuum so the ball is in the court of intending political leaders who are gearing up for the 2011 general elections. This is the time to spell compassion in practical terms. Otherwise, street children from the region will continue to flood Kampala. Mr Okidi is a former guild president, Gulu Universitychrisokidi1986@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/KaroliSsemogerere/-/878682/908552/-/c3k3j3/-/index.html","content":"Cost of the presidency an alarming misallocation of resources - The Weekly Observer on Monday published some interesting numbers in the national budgetary framework, a comparison of national priorities: Education (Shs1.1 trillion), Works (Shs919 billion), Health (Shs717 billion), Defence (Shs478 billion) and the presidential household (Shs144 billion) in unclassified expenditure. Uganda’s budgetary provision for the President is about one third of its entire defence spending, needless to add that some of the national assets managed by the Ministry of Defence are for the protection of the nation’s political leadership led by the President. The ICT Ministry, in fast motion from one major problem to another: the laying of the fibre backbone and a sweetheart deal to print National IDs, a weak ICT regulatory structure and a National Information Technology Authority headed by a social scientist- Betty Bigombe, is home and dry with about eight billion shillings. The President has laid claim to all his constitutional powers as head of the executive branch, diluted the better of Parliament and now become an obstruction to political and economic reforms in the country. Given the length of the incumbent’s tenure, it is difficult to imagine a different outcome. At the end of his tenure in 2002, President Daniel arap Moi of Kenya had amassed similar or even more sweeping powers than President Museveni. The only major difference being that Moi resisted the neo-liberal reforms advocated by the IMF and the World Bank and kept Kenya’s public sector intact. Uganda sold hundreds of parastatals only to recreate more than 100 public agencies and quasi-authorities. In terms of head count, the President is nominally right when he says he is overwhelmed with the burden of supervision of Uganda’s massive public apparatus to deserve 15 per cent of the schools budget. The President of the United States, at the helm of the world’s largest economy, appoints 3,000 public officials in a four-year term in all sorts of public offices, cabinet, sub-agencies, diplomatic posts, the judiciary and other offices in the executive branch. President Museveni needs about 400 of this number just at the district level. America’s shared constitutional powers with the Senate’s advice and consent powers sometimes slow down this process, limiting the final percentage of these positions. Some by convention actually go to the party in opposition under conventionally agreed formulas. If the British Prime Minister began resolving village land disputes at No. 10 Downing Street, pandemonium would break out. A junior British civil servant recently got into trouble for publishing outlandish ideas for the pending Papal visit, a task delegated to the minister of Food and Rural Affairs. The President may not see it in the same terms- that his prolonged stay is distorting avenues for innovation, and avenues for sustained longer growth. Chronically corrupt regimes like South Korea long ago agreed on “rigid” term limits having come to an understanding that it is impossible to root corruption as a vice but it is possible to limit its impact by allocating the President a single five-year term. This has done wonders for their economy, limiting the damage borne by crony politics. Even Kenya has been able to show a power-change dividend. Long vilified as the most corrupt, Kenya, where thieves normally make off with multiples of what a public official in Uganda can steal in a lifetime, has shown a vast saving by just having Moi leave power. Mwai Kibaki costs a lot less than his neighbour, Yoweri Museveni. The numbers for Jakaya Kikwete are likely to even be lower. The glacial pace of decision making in malnourished departments is easy to see. Sports Minister Charles Bakkabulindi, years after a commissioner in the Ministry of Labour, Claudius Olweny, has repeated the obvious- that the pace of job creation cannot keep up with the flood of job seekers (8,000 new jobs for 300,000 new entrants on the job market). It would seem important that we would spend more in value areas: green agriculture, hi-tech industry, higher education could all use some of the $50 million Museveni administrative charge on the national budget. All of the presidential contenders including three time- candidate Kizza Besigye could probably do with less. It would be a stretch that candidates Olara Otunnu and Norbert Mao would even need a fraction of the security Besigye needs. And the fresher faces have less IOUs to repay- from the days in the bush. Mr Ssemogerere, an attorney and social entrepreneur, practices law in New York kssemoge@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/908548/-/2f17avz/-/index.html","content":"Alarm Bells: Stop sending us this costly SMS message - I am an ardent subscriber of one of the mobile phone companies in Uganda. I have enjoyed their services for so long that my family members have also joined me to have phones connected to the company’s line. Of recent however, there is unwanted SMS on number 888003 where I am charged Shs220 per message. These SMS ‘eats’ my airtime over these messages which to me are irrelevant. Should I refer the matter to a lawyer? Can the company concerned cancel those unwanted messages coming to the phones of members of my family. Nicholas P. Minga, Kampala pammifa2002@yahoo.com Nema must confront Nakawa wetland ruin I am appealing to Nema authorities to use their powers to stop the destruction of the only remaining wetland near Spear Motors in Nakawa. Currently, a developer is busy ferrying soil to fill the wetland from where they want to establish a petrol station. While building on the wetland may be interpreted as progress, Nema’s concern must be to protect the wetland. Kampala is becoming a flood city due to the draining of swamps in the neighbourhood. This must stop. Christine Nalubega,Nakawa"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/906648/-/wy05bh/-/index.html","content":"Why sub-standard goods flood the market - A new audit report prepared by the Auditor General’s office has laid bare the operational, institutional, financial and logistical challenges that have created loopholes for the relentless avalanche of sub-standard and expired goods on the local market. The value for money audit report, which was released this month and covers the three financial years of 2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08, paints a horrific picture of a largely dysfunctional standards surveillance system, where about 50 per cent of locally manufactured goods enter the market without inspection of factories in which they are manufactured and nearly 30 per cent of imported goods are not inspected. According to the report, which has been submitted to Parliament and the Trade Ministry, these inadequacies are due to the fact that the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), which is mandated to enforce standards to protect consumers, is under-funded and grossly under-staffed. Auditor General John Muwanga says in his report that there is a 60 per cent deficit in technical staff enrolment. He says UNBS currently has a total of 208 staff but needs 457. “This variation, according to the management, was attributed to lack of funds to facilitate the recruitment of additional staff to fill the existing vacancies. This led to an overload on the existing staff to effectively execute its mandate thereby creating a loophole in its inspection activities and an avenue for the entry of substandard goods into the market,” says the report. Within the financial years reviewed, for instance, field visits by Auditors revealed that UNBS was not represented at 141 (92 per cent) of the 154 Internal Container Depots (ICDs) and 19 (79 per cent) of the 26 border entry points, hence insufficient inspections. The staffing challenges also affect enforcement locally. The report says UNBS inspected only half of the local factories it planned to inspect in the two financial years from 2006/07. “Management appears to have placed little emphasis on local factory inspections, yet this is a vital activity in as far as ensuring the quality of locally manufactured goods is concerned,” said the report, which warns that the capacity of UNBS needs to be quickly improved since Uganda’s industrial sector is growing at about 9.1 per cent every year. Inspection proceduresThe audit also revealed that while UNBS inspection procedures require them to keep goods until completion of tests, they are at times violated due to inadequate testing facilities, lack of warehouses at entry points and poor enforcement of standards due to inadequate and obsolete laws. The Auditor General recommends that UNBS ensures all entry points are managed, streamlining of inspection systems to ensure all consignments released to owners’ premises are followed up, amendment of the law, as well as increase in the staff numbers, especially technical staff in food science, chemistry, toxicology, electrical engineering, and laboratory analysis. UNBS Executive Director Terry Kahuma, says he has a detailed response to the queries raised by the Auditor General, which he will avail today."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/900992/-/a2xe3hz/-/index.html","content":"May God help me steal bigger funds to help his suffering people - These days I start the day on my knees, praying fervently to God for smart plans to steal enough money from corrupt politicians so I can help His people. Since the wet Easter weekend, I need so much money to keep Kampala clean and safe, yet I am using up my reserves rather quickly. Cleaning a city is not cheap. If only I had the resources KCC and government have.You know what happens when it rains in our low lying slums and other areas where drainage channels are blocked or never existed in the first place. Floods. Using sms and voice calls, I summoned all the teams to report to work on Easter Monday morning while the rest of the city was still on holiday. I knew this was to make an impact – with less people getting into the way as we worked and yet standing out as the hardworking team that never rests. But it also meant spending heavily. I exhausted my ATM limits, but was glad I already owned a truck and a concrete mixer. I was also lucky that at the sand and stone quarries I found hungry fellows who had been drained by the Easter expenses and I squeezed them down to the cheapest prices and got a huge supply of fine aggregate stones, the so-called quarter inch. And because the traffic was very thin, I had by 11 o’clock delivered loads of high quality gravel in each of the five divisions. Meanwhile the concrete mixer was at work, and working my phone endlessly, I agreed with the engineers which team would have the machine for two hours at what time, because I wanted it seen and heard at work in all the five divisions. I had hired an operator, called an “engineer” from Katwe, and he was set to sweat at it the whole day until late. How I loved the noise it made while mixing the stones, cement and sand! If they ever make silent mixers, I certainly will not buy one. How else do you show the masses that you are serious if your concrete mixer does not make noise to attract all the boys to come and crowd at the site?The engineers had already identified the worst spots affected by the downpour, and the yellow boys were busy digging drainage diversions. I got a bright idea around Bugolobi when one yellow boy wondered if there was a machine that could suck flood water quickly and make drainage easier. I was too smart to show any surprise openly so I told them that the pump I ordered could not be delivered from Davis Shirtlif because it was a public holiday, but maybe we could improvise. I had just dropped off the mixer on its second site when it occurred to me that there are mixer trucks. That is what I should be having although I had no clue what it cost or if any were available on the market. This loading a huge mixer on and off the truck many times a day was already driving me nuts. And now I needed the truck to go look for a pump to further alarm the Kampala masses with my flood control tactics. The pump was available at the Lugogo water centre alright, but it was not for hire – not especially after the operator heard what I wanted to use it for. “Kazambi!” he exclaimed, saying I was crazy to imagine he could use the same pump to drain flood water and then next day to load trucks that carry water for clients. I never let excitable fellows discourage me. Since the guy was not busy, I sat him down, calmly explained to him that we would disinfect the relevant parts of his system and I was ready to permanently buy all the tubing he would use on my work. As he calmed down and started realising that it was possible, I made his decision easier by bribing him with Shs200,000. Soon we were off to a bad site in Kalerwe with extra long piping he had magically extracted from a store somewhere, and he was excitedly assuring me he could handle several such jobs whenever I wanted. It was a grand show, as we magically drained water to rescue many houses whose owners had already fled, emptying it in a temporary channel we had dug that led to the bigger tributary of Nakivubo channel. And even as the loud motor worked away, the yellow boys were busy laying a foundation for a concrete drainage to protect the slum section from flooding in case of more rains. Forcing my way through the cheering crowds of adults and children, I returned to the truck and then dashed back to Bugolobi to pick the mixer and deliver it to Natete, where I discovered that the pump was also needed for quick drainage. I placed a call to the pump attendant to speed up at Kalerwe. The fellow should earn my 200K fully. As I lay exhausted in my bed every night last week, I worked my brain into agony; how do I get a concrete mixer truck and a truck-mounted multipurpose pump if I am to clean up our naturally swampy city? I thought every night until I got a headache. I have to steal more maybe Shs100 million if I am to clean up our city. But I work so hard these days I get so tired I can’t plan a good theft properly. I keep kneeling down and pray late into the night, asking God to bless my plans to steal money from corrupt politicians to help His people succeed. Afande Chama is a die-hard NRM supporter afandechama@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/900436/-/jeuwa6z/-/index.html","content":"BOOKS THEY READ: Prof Arthur Gakwandi - Prof Arthur Gakwandi is a lecturer in the Literature Department, Makerere University and the author of Kosiya Kifefe, a novel on the A' Level English Literature syllabus. What motivates you to read?I found reading for pleasure very rewarding because I studied literature at A' level and university. I read to enlarge my mind, and also writers offer different perspectives of the world – a different nature of society. I am curious to know what great minds have thought about the mystery of life. Which books did you read as a child? As a child, there were no books in the family except the Bible and hymn books. It was until I went to school that I read books prescribed for each subject. At that time, I had no idea about reading for pleasure until I went to Ntare Secondary School. I read books like Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton. I also read simplified English literature including; Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Julius Caesar, Merchant of Venice, and Twelfth Night by Shakespeare. These books were supplementary readers and they created a base for my reading culture. Which books take a large part of your bookshelf?I was a Commonwealth Writers Prize judge for Africa in 2008, so for about two years, I have received about 150 books submitted for consideration for the award. I love Russian classics like Leo Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and French classics including; Madam Bovary by Gustave Flaubert and English classics written by authors George Elliot and Charles Dickens. I buy books that have been recommended by friends or books that have been written by friends or when I attend a conference, I normally look out for them. These shape what I buy and read. What sort of books do you give as presents to people?Depending on someone’s age and intellectual standing, I normally give to my children who are in their late 20s the book Lessons from the Miracle Doctors by John Barron which is about how to live a healthy life including dieting, exercise, sleep and leisure because I want them to learn how to live a healthy life. For my teenage son, I normally give him biographies of people who have achieved so much so that he can get inspiration. Then, to graduate students, when I notice that there is a gap in their knowledge in a certain subject, I lend them books that can deepen their understanding. And for friends, books that can shape their way of viewing of what is happening on the African continent. Which books do you never get enough of?War and Peace by Leo Tostoy had a deep impact on my life. I like his artistic accomplishment and the observation he makes about life. Middlemarch by George Elliot, which for me is the pinnacle of fiction. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe reshaped my thinking of African literature and culture. I also love poetry by John Donne and John Keats – I love the passion with which he speaks. What are your favourite quotes from the books you have read?There is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, lead onto fortune; omitted, all their lives are spent in shallows and misery - Julius Caesar by Shakespeare. What books have you been reading lately?A Pattern of Dust by Prof Timothy Wangusa and The Cultural Landscape of Uganda which give a general outlook of Uganda. By Beatrice Lwamaka"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/900040/-/wxutoh/-/index.html","content":"UN joins struggle to retrieve Bududa bodies - The United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo has delivered equipment that would be used in retrieving bodies of people who were buried by the Bududa landslides last month. About 350 bodies are suspected to be buried almost two months since the tragedy struck. Earlier efforts by the army to retrieve the bodies failed due to lack of equipment. A MONUC helicopter delivered the equipment on Wednesday. According to Brig. Timothy Sabiiti, who led the team of about five UN affiliated MONUC forces, a tractor, a water pump and flood lights are among the equipment that were airlifted to Nametsi village. He said MONUC would deliver graders and loaders before the retrievals start.Brig. Sabiiti revealed that work is expected to start tomorrow. He said a team of UPDF, MONUC and Works ministry personnel would spearhead the mission. He said after the bodies are exhumed, residents would be allowed to identify their loved ones and those that would not be claimed would be buried in a mass grave. He said after the mission, the equipment will be used for the opening of Bukalasi-Nametsi Road, in the remote Bududa District."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/895046/-/fyh91xz/-/index.html","content":"Kiir ‘anxious’ for referendum - Monitor Correspondent South Sudan Observers and election monitors have flooded South Sudan for presidential elections scheduled for April 11-13. Hotels are fully booked as the election day draws closer. Yet, for SPLM, the talk is really about the referendum slated for January 9, 2011 even as people flood the villages to prepare to cast the ballot, many for the first time in life. The SPLM candidate pulled out of the presidential race leaving incumbent Bashir unopposed. “I don’t have faith that they will actually organise the referendum for the people of the south as scheduled by the CPA,” South Sudan leader Salva Kiir said in an interview published on Tuesday in Sudan Tribune newspaper. Eight months from now the southerners will choose between self-rule and living in a united Sudan as the colonial leaders left it in 1956. In the minds of many, the country is, in many respects, still at war. Mr Kiir’s statement casting doubt over the referendum only reinforces that notion. For many, war was fought so they could self govern. In the sense that the people consider the Referendum a do-or-die, Mr Kiir’s reminder of a potential referendum friction helps bring the voters closer behind him as the election enters the final stretch. Opponent Mr Kiir is running for South Sudan presidency against Lam Akol (whom he calls a strange element and ‘not a real SPLM’), from the breakaway SPLM faction, SPLM-Democratic Change, who by now is probably figuring out that it’s tough to run against a sitting president leading a region against what many here consider an ‘external’ enemy. This sense of has largely kept the south together during the last five years of the peace agreement. Politicians, who fell out with the leaders often fell back in line for lack of support from the grassroots, a justified paranoid population that is wary of divide-and-rule. The north has used that trick through several peace agreements, like the 1972 Addis Ababa agreement. As Mr Kiir pivots to the Referendum, it is clear independents are giving the largest ruling bloc in the Government of South Sudan a run for its money. Some candidates rejected by the Party are considered hugely influential in the villages were the voters are. In mid January, the Political Bureau, SPLM’s highest decision making organ met to select the candidates who would be their flag-bearers. Some members were left by the wayside. Many decided an independent bid would be in their interest. As the nominations closed in February, some 340 party loyalists stood as independent candidates. That such a large number of candidates defied the Party to run as independents spoke volumes: It’s appealing to fight one’s country, it’s better to fight for one’s political future. That puts them directly against SPLM.Through the campaign, Mr Kiir has shown a tendency to sidestep some Party candidates in areas where the masses are opposed to them. In Aweil, easily the most self-aware of the regions, Mr Kiir told the people in the presence of the incumbent governor, Malong Awan, to vote the governor out in case they didn’t want him, according to a correspondent. Mr Malong, the ex-deputy spy chief for the Sudan, became SPLM Party flag bearer by a whisker; he received 11 votes against 12, but he was lucky to ride on the chairman’s veto vote. With such divisions it’s not hard to see why the ruling Party would rather this election is over so they can talk referendum."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/-/688342/894134/-/fhjx15/-/index.html","content":"Can government defuse the urban time bomb before it explodes? - In the last of a two-part series on the dire health consequences of the Uganda’s failure to plan its towns, Tabu Butagira explains the effect of the lack of urban planning. At independence in 1962, Kampala was a new, hale-and-hearty city of ‘seven hills.’ Its population was less than 300,000. Today, Uganda’s capital city boasts 1.8 million residents – and a daytime population twice as big – spread over 25 hills stretching into outlying districts. Such rapid urban growth is occurring all over the country. Official statistics show that already some 5.5 million people (18 per cent of the population) live in towns, many having left their villages in search of jobs, better opportunities and more amenities. But once in urban centres, these migrants confront huge problems: improper shelter, polluted air and water, poor sanitation, and traffic congestion. In many cases, their homes cannot even be easily reached by ambulances or fire tenders, in part because they have no displayed plot numbers or adequate roads. All these are symptoms of a common ailment: these neighbourhoods are unplanned. Politicians call this sprawl “development” but physical planners worry that it really adds up to a fast-growing slum they soon may be unable to control. Uganda, they warn, with its lack of a national urban planning policy and haphazard growth of towns in the face of an exploding population, is courting tragedy. Although enforced planning could re-configure the present slums into healthy livable neighbourhoods, there are not sufficient human and financial resources available for meaningful urban planning. Mr Charles Kyamanywa, the acting chief city physical planner, has neither a vehicle nor a motorcycle to transport his team of eight planners and 13 building inspectors to enforce building standards. “Developers are aware but unwilling to follow planning schemes, and we need to routinely monitor development sites to ensure compliance,” he says. “Yet the finances and personnel are too thin to be effective on the ground.” Funding gapsThis newspaper has learnt that Kampala City Council endorsed a Shs194 million budget for its Physical Planning Department, but midway through this financial year, actual releases amounted to just Shs24m – an average disbursement of Shs4m monthly for physical planning to meet needs of more than two million people who flood the city daily. The situation is worse upcountry. A district physical planner in West Nile, who asked not to be named to speak freely, said the office receives just Shs400,000 to run monthly. That is too little to buy printing paper, make field visits to update planning data, and supervise developments. “I think our parent ministry has to do something because the local governments are trying hard, but they are strained financially,” the planner said. Government officials acknowledge there are funding gaps for town planning, but they point a finger of blame back at local government. For instance, Mr Omara Atubo, the minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, accuses some technocrats of being “too lax.” “How can someone put a discotheque in a residential area or allow substandard buildings in a commercial area?” he asks. “Controlling such illegal developments does not necessarily require money but right attitude to work.” Mr Kyamanywa, the Kampala planner, replies that planning, never an easy job, is particularly difficult because government big shots – some with vested interests - interfere. “Plan enforcement is like police work,” he says. “You have to keep going round regularly, but sometimes when we reach certain sites and try to stop illegal developments, we get a directive to leave the developer. This frustrates.” Political meddling happens in part because the public condones it. “It’s an embarrassment the way we live and dispiriting that even educated people who should know better the value of planned environment would be willing to give a bribe to do things the wrong way,” says Mr Vincent Byendaimira, the assistant commissioner for physical planning in the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. Free handWhatever the cause, government’s inability to plan effectively is giving private developers a free hand. Beginning in the 1990s, the government disengaged from providing housing itself, creating a void now being filled by unregulated private real estate developers. These mainly target high and medium-income groups, forcing those who cannot afford better housing to invade low-value or abandoned urban fringes and wetlands to erect unplanned houses.Information from Kampala City Council GIS department indicates that encroachers destroyed 55 per cent of Kampala’s 2,889.9 hectares of wetland between 1994 and 2000. Wetlands are crucial for natural filtration of sullied runoff water pouring into Lake Victoria – the source of the city’s piped water supply. Remarkably, some of this harmful development was formally authorised. The consequences of departing from plans are evident. Slums such as Bwaise, Kisenyi, Katanga and Makerere Kivulu - sitting in the way of natural drainage –get inundated after every heavy downpour, projecting a blot on the landscape. Still, the government says it is working round-the-clock to make planning a national priority. Parliament in February passed the Physical Planning Bill, 2008 which repeals the outdated Town and Country Planning Act and declares the whole country a planning area. If the law is implemented to the letter, no physical activity on land – whether agricultural or housing – will take place without permission by a local planning authority. Under the new legislation, local planning authorities run down to sub-county tier. Skeptics question how well the new planning law will be enforced since the earlier law, which covered only urban areas with fairly clear plots, failed to work. 1 | 2 Next Page»Other attempted solutions also raise questions. The central government, for instance, wants to take over administration of the capital and annex neighbouring districts of Wakiso, Mukono and Mpigi. It says this would enable it to develop the areas in an orderly way under a Metropolitan Physical Planning Authority. But professional physical planners, in a position paper sent to Parliament on March 3, punched holes in the Kampala Capital City Bill, saying it is likely to stir “confusion” in plan implementation and reporting lines for stakeholders. “The provisions in the Bill relating to metropolitan planning are grossly inadequate and do not reflect a proper picture and management of metropolitan planning,” the statement from Uganda Institute of Physical Planners reads in part. “We recommend that the Metropolitan planning and development management be detached from the Kampala City Bill.” Meanwhile, a newly-enacted (2008) Physical Planning law obliges local urban authorities to prepare plans (reviewed every 10 years) that lay ground rules for preferred broad categories of land use such as residential, commercial and industrial. No activity other than that those permitted in the plan would take place in specified areas. And the government is developing a new national policy that will “help synthesise all we need in planning all urban centres,” according to Minister Atubo. Already, the government with a World Bank funding last year prepared structure plans for nearly 100 urban centres countrywide. These blueprints set the broad permissible land uses in particular areas of the town. To implement these plans, urban authorities will have to generate detailed plans that give specific standards for permissible development, plot size and alignment, roads and their hierarchy, utility tracks, public open spaces and conservation features. What is more, all these activities will be coordinated in ways that should produce big benefits. For example, incessant road cuttings by utility providers (a major cause of potholes in towns) would not occur if every road was planned and constructed with a side duct to convey cables and pipes. Will these efforts succeed where earlier ones fail? Only time will tell. But with the country’s population estimated to hit the 50 million-mark by 2025, and nearly half of those people expected to live in urban areas, the need for organised spatial development is becoming acute. “Uganda’s future is in industrialisation and the service sector which are both urban-centred activities,” says Mr Samuel Mabala, the commissioner for urban planning in the Ministry of Urban Development. “We should abandon the rhetoric that we are an agricultural country and spend more on the sector; more money should be directed to urban planning.” If we do not, experts warn that wetlands, open spaces and roads will continue to be taken up as plots and buildings under construction will collapse and kill people on site as developers employ quacks and ignore standards in a misguided attempt to save costs. And our daily quality of life surely will suffer immeasurably. tbutagira@monitor.co.ug « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/892298/-/jsdfqaz/-/index.html","content":"Lush greenery and a force of good old pop music - Artiste: Brandon HeathAlbum: What if WeGenre: Pop/Soft RockReviewer: John K. Abimanyi This music effortlessly wins its place next to Amy Grant, Damien Rice, Michael W. Smith and Mat Kearney on your CD racket. It’s a force of good old pop music, limiting the guitar’s interruption to a mere acoustic guitar. To that, add a highly expressive violin, limited drum work and vocals that flood all your stereo’s nerves without necessarily being loud, and you complete the picture of an album that makes it big on ambience. Heath is mellow, soft and almost laidback. Fight Another Day neighbours on the drowsy without letting you sleep either. It seeks to affect you with bits of inspiration; a theme that runs through the rest of the album. Listen Up creates even more room for the organ and allows him to loosen his vocal box as he sounds like he’s just breathing across the record. Love Never Fails makes a sandwich of his voice and the acoustic guitar, which combination is later upped when the drums come in at the bridge, as he conveys his tribute to the best thing a human soul can ever do – love. “Love is the arm that is holding you...love never fails you...” he sings. The highlights however are Trust You and Give Me Your Eyes. The latter comes with a mellow and calming effect and has had its sample airplay on Christian Radio in Kampala. Trust You is warm and charming, sounding a little like Casting Crown’s East to West. If this CD is to fail on impression, it will be because it was either too soft, especially as it is done by a man and that it is a little conservative with its use of beats and tempo. But should that not prove a hurdle, What If We would do well for any pop fan."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/890452/-/ao6jm7/-/index.html","content":"Protect your home from floods - When planning to construct a house, choose an area with a deep water table so as to safeguard your house from heavy downpour, writes Sandra Natukunda They say rain is a blessing, and it is to those who have fertile soils as well as those whose houses are built on a safer land, where they cannot be easily washed down. When rain is excess, it can turn into floods leading to destruction of property. Bwaise, a Kampala suburb, is one of the areas mostly affected by floods. During the rainy season, the traffic jam along Bombo Road becomes unusual and most residents flee their homes in fear of floods, coming back when the rain drains. The cause Floods leave a number of homes destroyed mainly because most of the houses are built in swampy areas like Bwaise. Other areas like Nateete, Najjanankumbi, Kalerwe and Clock Tower are also affected. According to Mr Ian Senkatuka, an architect with Uganda Society of Architects, heavy rains are a major cause of floods. He says wetlands are a water catchment area and therefore the water table in such areas is shallow. He adds that constructing in these areas is risky because they are prone to flooding during the rainy season. Mr Senkatuka advises one to get professional constructional advice from a constructional engineer, architect or any other professional in construction. Flood effects When one builds in a swampy area without the advice of a professional, they are most likely to face problems. “Floods can damage the foundation of the house, especially if it is not raised or if it does not have high quality waterproofing materials,” he says. Once the foundation is ruined, then the walls too will be ruined together with the paint or any of the building materials that might have been used. He recommends the use of approved waterproofing materials. Besides that, floods will ruin the electrical system of the house, especially if it is connected to the underground system. The wires may rot and this may cause a short circuit thereby doubling the injury. Basic considerations However, Mr Senkatuka recommends that one should make sure the water table in an area is deep enough because if it is shallow, then there is a possibility that one will construct a house on water which would ruin the its foundation. He also says one should consider the possibility of diverting water away from the house so that its foundation is not damaged. “A foundation supports the house. So, if it is affected, then the whole house will also be affected,” Mr Senkatuka says. He adds that the possibility of diverting ground water should not be ignored and that a storm water system should be used. Mr Brian Namara, a practicing engineering officer, says a land survey should be made on the land so as to describe the soil, whether or not it is good for construction or can make a strong foundation. He says before constructing in a flood-prone area, it is important that the construction and structural design in that area is approved by a structural engineer to make sure the construction will be a success.Also, piles should be used to raise the house because of their outstanding strength and durability. Without piles (firm and roughed), your foundation is likely to be affected. Approved waterproofing materials like cemflex and bitumat should be used to separate the water from the building structure in order to reduce the damage. Construction mistakes According to Mr Namara, some builders do not conform to the approved method of construction from the structural engineer and so they miss the basics. He adds that usually, most homes are built without consulting an engineer or architect. The consultation is done when there is a problem yet they are supposed to be there from the start. 1 | 2 Next Page»Structural adviceAccording to Mr Namara, builders should conform to building regulations that have been approved and inspected by the structural engineer. He adds that the structural engineer should design, approve as well as supervise the construction process.He also says supervision should be done by a professional who knows the functions of different materials. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/890284/-/wkc0o5/-/index.html","content":"Bududa donations reach Shs15 billion - The value of donations raised by the government, aid agencies, religious groups, companies and individuals in response to the devastating landslides in Bududa District last month reached around Shs15bn, Daily Monitor calculated yesterday. There is no central figure yet collated for the donations given in both cash and kind, but this is an estimate based on conversations with a variety of stakeholders this week. “I am profoundly impressed by the local, national and international effort,” said Mr Musa Ecweru, Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness. “Even the local poor have offered things like a bowl of sweet potatoes.” By far the largest amount of money has come from the government itself, which made Shs10bn available for the relief efforts for flood and landslide victims in various districts throughout the country. Parliament approved the amount, in response to a Shs27bn Emergency Preparedness and Response Budget request from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). Other big donors include the Red Cross (Shs2.2bn) and the United Nations (Shs2bn). Details on how this money has been spent is currently being collated and will take time to process, said Mr Bigirimana, Permanent Secretary of the OPM. But Mr Martin Owor, Commissioner for Disaster Preparedness, gave Daily Monitor preliminary information collated by the OPM and the Bududa District Disaster Management Committee, which showed that in total 148.3 tonnes of maize flour, 30.2 tonnes of rice and 62.5 tonnes of beans have been distributed, along with 970 tarpaulins, 40 tents, 12,624 blankets, 29,867 bars of soap, 1,733 mosquito nets, and over 400 bags of clothes, amongst other items. An assortment of well wishers contributed to the Red Cross’ Shs2bn fund, including foreign governments, banks, telecommunication companies, food manufacturers, media houses, religious organizations, sports clubs and artistic groups. The money is being distributed across several districts affected by mudslides and flooding. Emergency expenditure has bought essentials such as saucepans, cups, plates, jerry cans, soap, tents, water treatment chemicals, as well as generators, latrines and washing shelters. Catherine Ntabadde, Red Cross Senior Public Relations Officer, said, “The response to this appeal has been overwhelming.” But donations are yet to reach the Shs5bn Red Cross appeal, with a shortfall of Shs2.8bn. The UN agencies including WHO, WFP and UNICEF have together spent around $1m (Shs2bn). Tim Pitt, the Head of OHCHR said, “We believe the disaster response was largely within the capacity of the government and civil society of Uganda,” he said. “This is good news for Uganda.” World Vision gave over Shs40m, which paid for psychosocial services and child protection services. Oxfam gave around £82,000 (Shs250m) of which one third has already been spent. They aim to shift their focus from emergency sanitation provision to long term disaster risk reduction strategies, said Ben Pickering."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/878914/-/5a34gg/-/index.html","content":"Bududa: How effective has govt response been? - The Minister of Information and National Guidance, Ms Kabakumba Masiko, and the Budadiri West MP and chairman of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, Mr Nandala Mafabi, on March 3 featured on the KFM Hot Seat show over government response to the landslide disaster in Bududa District. Ismail Musa Ladu captured the proceedings Could you bring us up to speed on government relief efforts for the people of Bududa? Kabakumba: I would first want to sympathise and send my condolences to those who have lost their dear ones and property. We did not expect this disaster, but it was bound to happen. Last year, we issued warnings to people living in areas that are vulnerable to mudslides and floods to shift to safer places. However, President Museveni has been in Bududa for on-the-spot check and he has guided that another place be found to settle the survivors. Survivors should also be temporary taken care of by the government and a team is already in place doing some work. Development partners have also joined and other private companies have pledged some support. Can you give us an idea of a working figure for immediate disaster relief and the long term plan? Kabakumba: Offhand, it is like Shs200 million to start with, especially for immediate feeding and shelter. But also the survivors must have access clean water and health facilities. When you look at Butaleja, over 5,000 people have been displaced. However, the technical people are working out the figure. Have you had a Cabinet special session to discuss this disaster? Kabakumba: No, I would not say there was a special session, but we had a routine session because today is Wednesday. But we created space on the Cabinet agenda to discuss the disaster. What do we know now after more than 24 hours given that you dispute the numbers the government is giving?Mafabi: The government is responsible for preparing for disaster, but I don’t think this government is disaster prepared. The minister said they warned people about the heavy rains, but what action did they take. First of all, I am hurt. I am the chairman of the Bugisu Cooperative Union (BCU) which consists of all farmers in Bugisu who grow coffee. Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) should have been used by the government to give an accurate estimate of the number of people who have been affected. What is your own estimate? Mafabi: Those who have died are not less than 1,000 because these places are heavily populated. The government is playing with the numbers because they want to make it look so small yet people in Bugisu have died. When we were talking in Parliament (about the disaster), the front bench including this princess (Ms Masiko) was very happy laughing. So far by morning (of Wednesday), 106 dead bodies have been recovered. We need to know the number so that we can plan the resettlement. We recently passed Shs4 billion for disaster; why the government not using the money? Kabakumba (interjects): We are bothering about all lives. Nobody should confuse Ugandans that the government is not bothered; we are bothered more than them and Mr Nandala should not be claiming that he is more concerned than the government. Red Cross is down there and among other things, they have contributed tarpaulins and you don’t expect the government to do that. We have sent 25 metric tons of relief food, Uganda Red Cross Society is also providing blankets, jerrycans, tents, and other basic utensils and a medical team has been has flown in. Mafabi: We give you money to look after our lives. You are not picking it from your pocket. When cows lacked water, we gave them money and when people die, you do nothing.What size of population is the 25 ton of food supposed to help?Kabakumba: As we talk now, we are still looking for bodies for the purpose of having them decently buried and this is not for the purposes of relief, but for the 3,000 who have reported in the camps from the three affected villages. But you cannot have a figure when you are still looking for the dead. Do you think the government has done enough in its response to the disaster? Kabakumba: Yes, we have given the challenges government faces all the time. We are also looking at flood victims in Butaleja and Mbale. We have a commitment to feed the victims for the next three months and then embark on the long term effort. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mafabi: The government has said it is put up Shs200 million. Is this loose change, or their pocket money. You can’t have such a disaster and you say you are carrying Shs200 million. Even the 25,000 metric tons of food for 3,000 people means each person will get 8.5kg. Last night, BCU was on the ground and nobody has seen the 25,000 metric tone and we had to take to them 200 bags of posho. So, why don’t you use the Shs4 billion contingency fund to cater for the people? And as a government, where is your budget?Kabakumba: You are just making political capital out of this, but I will excuse you because you have never been in government. What is your role as local leaders to conserve the area? Mafabi: When this government took power, they said they would take over the management of everything. It broke down the cultural order and the mechanism fof protecting the environment. People resorted to using trees for firewood because they do not have an alternative that this government promised. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/-/689842/877800/-/ye8dnvz/-/index.html","content":"Day care vs Nanny - Most ugandan nannies are people who are often frustrated in life; they are either school dropouts, have failed in their marriages or hardened up in life. Would it be a mistake for a parent to leave their child with such a person? Rachel Kabejja found out. In raising a child, a mother is the best qualified person to do the job. However, today’s career woman may not fully raise her child due to the demanding nature of her job and will need help. Usually, if not at the day care, it is with the nanny or baby sitter. In choosing whether to take the child to day care or hire a nanny, a few things must be considered. It may all however come back to your preference and decision or upbringing; you might have been raised in the day care and you liked the experience or by the nanny that you may wish the same for your children. While the nanny provides your child with a one-on-one attention, a much needed thing especially at the tender age, getting a good nanny does not come easily. She must have love for children, be hygienic and willing to go an extra mile. A nanny may be a good option because she will give your child undivided attention but what happens if she is down with a cold or has to go visit her relatives for two weeks or when she leaves without giving your prior notice? And in today’s situation where child sacrifice is common, thoughts of the nanny taking off with your child may occasionally flood your mind. Well, some parents may argue that having a nanny may not be a good idea since your child is at her mercy and she may extend her frustration to the child, but others also think a day care is a bad idea because your child may not get enough attention since there are many children. There are obviously pro and cons to each. Ms Beatrice Balitenda Kakembo, child psychologist with Inspirations says most Ugandan nannies are people who are often frustrated in life; they are either school dropouts, have failed in their marriages or hardened up in life. “It would be a mistake for a parent to leave their child with such a person. Even if they (nannies) don’t choose the circumstances around them, it is not a good idea for a child to grow up with such a person because the child can easily pick up habits from the nanny’s frustrations.” She adds that most nannies are at times loaded with house work that as they go about other duties, the child is not given full attention. However, although the day care will help improve your child’s socialisation skills, it may also come with its disadvantages. A child in the day care grows up around others and this enhances their learning skills, sharing and life experience. However, a child may also learn a lot of negative things from such a community. It will also require taking the child to the day-care everyday. One needs to look for an ideal day care (Read about what a day care centre should have on the opposite page). With a nanny, you have control over what your child eats at home but may not have the same control at the day care. At times, you will have to provide your child with supplies that may not be available at the day care. Ms Balitenda says; “A modern day care with professional expertise is crucial; these people not only don’t know how to raise the child but also look into the development of the child through different stages and this gives me comfort as a parent,” she says. In a day care, children learn through interaction from each other knowing that the world is full of people they can grow and mix with. The counsellor adds that at the day care, a child meets a different state of authority besides daddy and mummy and this prepares them for the future when they leave home for school. ============================================== What parents say Because there are pros and cons to each, we talked to some career mothers and here is what they think. 1 | 2 Next Page»Angella Kalule, Artiste Right now, all my children (two) are in school; I drop and pick them up at 5p.m. However, over the weekend, I have two nannies (aged between 25-28) looking after them while I’m gone. I chose the nanny because I wanted my children to grow up in a homely environment, interact and play with children within the neighbourhood. The other advantage with a nanny is I can tell her my expectations unlike the day care. Nannies are also the best to take proper care of the child with special needs because of the one-on-one attention. Dora Byamukama, Member of the East African Assembly I choose a nanny because I thought the day care would expose my child to so many things at a tender age. Ddaycare curriculum may be too much for the child’s age. With a nanny, I could at least contain what my child would be exposed to. I was also lucky to have had a nanny who had been with me for 12 years. So by the time my son was born, she was already part of the family. What you need to do is treat the nanny rationally because you are leaving her with the most important gift of your life; try to give her your utmost attention, take care of her health, psychological being and if you have money, give her some besides the monthly payment. She will do a good job. Solome Kimbugwe, Women ActivistDepends on your definition of a nanny whether male or female. From my perspective, childcare is a job allocated to women but it is also an undervalued and underpaid part of invisible labour. To me, a nanny should be an adult, doing the job out of consent, with a basic level of education, can understand information technology (she should be willing to move with the times) and engage my children in meaningful conversation. She should also be able to impact my children with basic skills and values and not wash away what I have already impacted them with like the fact the boys and girls are all equal. Harriet Musoke, Head Human Resources, Standard Chartered BankI choose a nanny because of the undivided attention they provide children with. At the day care, chances of children falling sick are high and because the administrators are human, they easily get tired dealing with several children. To comment on this story, email the editor: fullwoman@monitor.co.ug. You can also send text messages to 7197. Type fwoman, your message and then send to 7197 « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/878002/-/ahk0aqz/-/index.html","content":"INSIDE SOURCE: Me too, I want my fair share of that yummy national cake - What is good for my President is good for me too. Maybe for you as well. Look, Mr Museveni wants the well-maintained murram road from Lyantonde to his country home in Rwakitura tarred. “I have been working on different roads in the country,” President Museveni said, according to Daily Monitor, at the Women’s Day national celebrations in Bushenyi District. “I am now tired of dust and will work on my own small road going home. I want also to share the national cake.” Very well put, especially the choice of the little phrase: national cake. Broadly speaking, there are three sets of Ugandans when it comes to talking about the national cake. The first, and obvious, set has the vast majority of Ugandans. These are the truly poor. These ones do not even pay direct taxes like pay as you earn because they do not qualify. They are so poor that some amongst them are willing to marry off (or even sell) their 12-year-old daughters in return for a few goodies – a scrawny cow here, a bony goat there, and a jerry can of paraffin, plus a few baskets of tomatoes and onions. Within weeks, the tomatoes and salt and cooking oil will be gone. And in a matter of months, the man of the home will have sold off the cow, and then the goat and spent the money on alcohol and/or the woman or two on the village he had been eyeing for a while. Pretty soon the home will be back to where it was before the underage daughter was carted off into a potentially abusive marriage in the neighbouring village. And life, if you call it that, goes on (unless, of course, it is buried by a mudslide or a flush flood). It must if a person’s conscience, especially a parent’s conscience, has been deadened. National cake? What national cake?The second set has those Ugandans who work mostly in the private sector. They do their honest day’s bit and they pay their taxes or just some of the taxes but at least they pay them. As much as they go to bars and pay even more taxes in VAT, they also go to churches and mosques and shrines and other such places for supplication. They are the usual folks. Most of these people live in urban centres like Kampala. Those at the lower end of the tree have to contend with an inefficient and dilapidated public health care system, and UPE schools that do more to kill their children’s creative intellect than anything yet invented. Those high above the ground on our tree choose to fend for themselves, having decided that the state is non-existent (despite the taxes they pay). They hire private trash collectors, private guards, and take their children to private schools and health centres. Because they have no control over the city streets, they contend with driving through potholes as they take in the beautiful scenery of rubbish and refuse. National cake? What national cake?Set three are what we could call the CHOGM mafia. These are Ugandans – they actually are, surprising as it may seem – occupying the very top of the tree. Most are in government but some are in the private sector but are very politically connected. They enjoy an incestuous relationship, sometimes quite literally. These ones play by their own clannish rules. For them any state activity or business involving more than a couple of billion shillings is fair game. It is for looting as they see fit. Some amongst them have oceanfront property in swanky places like Cape Town and Melbourne. We shall not even include flats in the central part of that very expensive city called London. They never lose sleep over ripping the system off. And life goes on happily. Their conscience is deadened. But not for the same reasons as those in the first set, which even has no place on the tree. We could, however, add a fourth set – the presidential set. Now, this one is as exclusive as they get. It has to be if only one person belongs to it for a good twenty-something years with no change in sight as yet. The trappings here are to die for. A sleek jet, armoured limos, grand residences, and lots of power. If a man like that demands his fair share of the hot national cake, so must I. So should you, especially if you live somewhere along Busabala Road in Makindye-Sabagabo in Wakiso District. Mr Tabaire is a media trainer and consultant with the African Centre for Media Excellencebentab@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/KaroliSsemogerere/-/878682/876882/-/bnqsu8/-/index.html","content":"Chogm scandal is reason why how government is run must change - If you missed the memo, the various probes on Chogm have detailed a crime scene. Ministers, led by Vice President Gilbert Bukenya, have a lot of wriggle room afforded them by NRM’s huge parliamentary majority to circumvent being held accountable but little else. In fact, Parliament on the eve of the next general election after exciting the public, may deliver on little else than public statements. Of course Chogm followed a global pattern that surrounds big events. Governments spend millions of dollars bidding for high profile events to “stimulate” moribund economies defined mostly in huge contracts mainly public works and infrastructure that in turn “trickle” down into the local economy. Political cronies of the rulers reap benefits of understanding “arcane bidding procedures” or lack whereof. In the case of Chogm, proximity to the Chogm cabinet sub-committee was enough to win or fail to win a contract. In other cases you had to be a member of the President’s immediate family, a circle that took in one-time savvy businessmen Patrick Quarcoo, a Ghanaian active in the media industry in East Africa. There are a couple of theories to explain why, in spite of the shame and consequences of being “outed” as a thief, corruption and graft still seem to be the most popular path to fame and riches, Uganda is not an exception. Something happened in the 2000s-after decades of administrative reforms, many hitherto poor African governments began getting some things right. Governments now collect many times the revenue they collected 20 years ago. Tax revenue is the fastest growing source of government revenue. The cream of the professional class has migrated to high level forms of begging: working for non-profit with high sounding names, international organisations, or plain manila professionals abroad; the systems in place to manage the flow is left to more modest persona and personalities who rely on good manners and decorum to maintain their positions. They know better than annoy a political functionary who can cause trouble for their career the way Ms Mary Nannono, the Health PS, went on leave by attempting to impose controls on distribution of drugs while a junior accountant in her ministry fought interdiction in the courts. Chogm decorum highlighted the magnitude of these forces. No civil servant worth their salt could frustrate government’s priorities by questioning it’s allocation and expenditures. After all, this money did not have “strings” attached to it; Chogm was self financed from government coffers, beyond the reach of donor controls that manage accounts in the Ministry of Finance. The moneys that characterised the Chogm windfall have had some bad omen attached to them. J&M Airport Hotel in Bwebajja, a mega hotel that never hosted a single Chogm activity and has kept scores of lawyers busy and well paid, lost its owner (former intelligence official Joseph Behakanira). In a scene that panders to worst sensibilities, his last rites were presided over by the ranking and high from Catholic officialdom led by the Archbishop of Kampala. It was an opportunity for more loose-hanging statements to come from Information Minister Kabakumba Matsiko delivering remarks to hushed mourners; that parliamentary inquisitors had caused Behakanira’s death. Behakanira’s operation took in Shs2 billion two days before Chogm; no questions asked. Nearly four years before his construction enterprise which broached the road reserve on the main Kampala-Entebbe highway claimed the lives of several construction workers- an incident that went without any formal sanctions or criminal charges against those culpable, in the engineering and architectural community it was an open secret that many parts of the Airport Hotel did not have proper drawings. Architects who peppered the owners with the need for formal plans were shunted away. On the first day of Chogm a cheeky President announced on radio in an almost hip manner that Chogm moneys had begun “flowing”. Boda boda cyclists with whom he enjoys a love-hate relationship were transporting foreign tourists to various spots in town. It did not matter that many of these boda-boda couriers still occupy slums that flood each time the gods shed tears above the city. None of these has a dividend as big as the J&M Airport Hotel owner’s estate or the other luckies like Sudhir Ruparelia, Karim Hirji who made the select list for official government support. It used to be that reputations mattered; not so anymore. At the Martyr’s Day celebration’s last year, Security Minister Amama Mbabazi, fresh from an NRM-led cleansing after last year’s big story- Temangalo, led the congregation in an imitation of Ekitaguro; he seemed to have a point. At Behakanira’s funeral, a highlight of a long association with the modern church, no one could question whether his close association with the state had sometimes fostered unchristian conduct. Dipping in the till may not necessarily be a bad thing: you achieve this earthly fame in short order and chances are with smart investments you may buy a “deserving” send off the way Joseph did without responsibility to the hapless fellows who lost their lives earning a days’ wage at the Bwebajja construction site. Mr Ssemogerere, an attorney and social entrepreneur, practices law in New York kssemoge@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/874608/-/rex3rpz/-/index.html","content":"Landslides a wake up call for environmental control - Within one week, Uganda has suffered two separate landslides in the eastern district of Bududa and the south western districts of Kisoro and Kabale. Both of these areas are mountainous. Experts say landslides are caused by a catalogue of geological, morphological, physical and human factors. Chief among the human factors that accelerate their occurrence is the loss of vegetation and forest cover. As Daily Monitor reported this week, some of the areas washed down by mudslides in Bududa’s Nametsi village have been at the centre of a long-standing dispute between the area residents and the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). UWA wanted the area cleared for conservation purposes but their otherwise sensible position on the matter was fought on different fronts for various reasons. While this is not a time to apportion blame, we cannot also avoid asking the hard questions and seeking answers for them so that we do not get a repeat of the same in Bududa or any other part of our dear country. The landslides should therefore serve as a wake up call to every Ugandan on the environment, which has already suffered a lot of degradation while most of us look the other way.Often, disasters like these jerk us into action but, quite as often, we do not see through the actions we pledge to take in order to avoid a repeat of the same. Thousands of Ugandans have fallen victim to different disasters that we could otherwise have avoided if only our government, and every other Ugandan for that matter, got their act together. We need to stop managing the country by crisis. We need to move from responding to disasters to actually doing something to prevent them from happening. We need to develop early warning systems, not just for disasters, but for things that can lead to disasters. We don’t have to wait for the skies to open before we scamper around for ways of helping flood victims. We need to move to a situation where we plan for more Ugandans to live in the same geographical space and with the same resources without the risk of their lives being snatched by whatever natural hazard that strikes our country. As for now, let the government avail all the necessary to the victims of the landslide in Bududa whose homes have been completely destroyed and the others crying helplessly at the local health facilities that have remained in sorry state."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/873442/-/wj62bc/-/index.html","content":"Government issues floods warning - Kampala The government on Thursday issued a floods warning indicating that several other areas face imminent danger as more bodies were being pulled out from the mud after Monday’s landslide in Bududa District. Two survivors, pulled out of the mire died of injuries at Mbale Hospital yesterday. The total death toll remains dodgy even though official figures by the government say 92 people have perished. As officials from the meteorology department warned of the looming danger in the other parts of the country, reports from Butaleja District indicated that as many as 37,000 people had been displaced already. West at riskWhile reports from Kabarole District and Kasese in western Uganda showed bridges swept away by the torrential rains that experts say were only bound to increase. “There are high chances that flooding will once again occur in flood-prone areas of central, eastern and western Uganda. The communities are advised to shift to higher grounds to avoid flood-prone low lying areas,” a statement released from the Media Centre warned. The government was also moving to coordinate its work better with Disaster Preparedness Minister Tarsis Kabwegyere, Information Minister Kabakumba Masiko and Northern Uganda Rehabilitation Minister, who is also Member of Parliament representing the affected people, David Wakikona, sending similar warning messages at various points. Looming disasters“Other disasters may arise from possible landslides mostly in the mountainous regions of western, south-western and eastern (Mt. Elgon areas) Uganda with strong gusty winds, hailstorms, lightening among others. He said Appropriate measures should be taken to avoid loss of life and destruction of infrastructure. “In case local communities are displaced by floods, those responsible for relief are advised to prepare for possible flooding in the high-risk region,” he added. Mr Wakikona said an estimated 4,000 people in the affected villages of Nametsi and its environs are to be relocated immediately. He said another 15,000 in danger will also need evacuation until the level of threat subsides. But as the government officials spoke about the rescue efforts in Bududa, concerns for other regions was taking centre stage among leaders shocked by the extent and suddenness of the Monday incident. Officials said flooding in Butaleja District had increased after five days of heavy rains. River Manafwa had burst its banks at several points rendering an estimated 37,000 people homeless. The river which flows through Bududa, Manafwa, Tororo and Mbale districts from Mt Elgon was reported to have swollen three times its size. 1 | 2 Next Page»Butaleja District Chairman Richard Waya says the extent of the flood damage is still unknown because most places are inaccessible. The Resident District Commsioner, Mr Edward Wabudi, says the district has since received negligible amounts of relief. He said only 120 bags of maize flour was sent by the government. Ms Mary Kaweesi, one of the flood victims, says this is insufficient to meet the great demand for food. Prof. Kabwegyere said the worst was not yet over, “I have warned everybody especially people living around hills and mountains that the rains are excessive,” he said. He added: “I have also received information from Kabale that they have experienced landslides. People should always be alert and inform the government in time. Ndorwa West MP David Bahati said landslides were reported in Kamuganguzi Sub-county in his constituency, washing away crops and property. “Animals have been displaced from the grazing grounds; some roads have been washed away as well as a lot of crops in four parishes,” he said. “We appeal to the government to come to our rescue to support the families that have lost their property.” Prof. Kabwegyere singled out the districts of Bundibugyo, Kasese, Hoima and Kapchorwa as landslide-prone areas. But the minister said the government was working without any reserve fund for relief responses. No budget “There is no budget from the government yet,” he admitted. “In a moving situation, you cannot have a budget that can solve the crisis immediately but we are addressing the situation.” Earlier in the day, ruling party lawmakers moved to the rescue of bereaved families in hard-hit areas, and passed a resolution compelling all MPs to contribute Shs100, 000 each to the aid of eastern Uganda. A source that attended the closed sitting of the NRM Caucus said the MPs also agreed that cabinet ministers would make a Shs200,000 contribution each. It is understood that the rehabilitation of the landslide-stricken area will require between Shs30 billion to Shs35 billion. The Prime Minister, Prof Apolo Nsibambi will visit the area today. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/872906/-/wj5gt1/-/index.html","content":"Meteorologists issue flood warning - Kampala Meteorologists have forecast more disaster for people living in eastern Uganda who have already been devastated by landslides that claimed more than 100 lives in Bududa District on Monday night. Mr Stephen Magezi, Commissioner for Meteorology while releasing the weather forecast for March to June on Thursday morning said that there are “high chances that flooding will once again occur in flood-prone areas of central, eastern and western Uganda.” According to the forecast, rains are expected to continue in eastern Uganda with slight relaxation around mid April. March to April constitutes the first major rainfall season in Uganda. Communities living in the flood-prone areas have been advised shift to higher ground. “Other disasters may arise from possible landslides mostly in mountainous regions of western, south-western and eastern (Mt. Elgon areas) Uganda with strong gusty winds, hailstorms, lightening etc. Appropriate measures should be taken to avoid loss of life and destruction of infrastructure,” Mr Magezi, said. He advised the relevant authorities to prepare for any eventualities. State minister for water, Jennifer Namuyangu however said it is one’s  individual responsibility to relocate from the disaster prone areas to safety. “Considering the magnitude of the disaster that has already hit Bududa District it might  be impossible for government to shift people in other areas from one place to another and we ask them to do it themselves for personal safety,” she said while addressing the same media briefing. In 2007, heavy rainfall caused flooding, the worst in a decade across eastern and northern Uganda. The most affected areas were eastern Teso, the north-eastern sub-region, central Elgon region, the lowlands of northern Lango and the Acholi sub-regions. The government later declared a state of emergency which allowed it to divert money allocated for other programmes to the flood-stricken areas. The same regions are currently facing famine partly blamed on the floods that destroyed their crops."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/872878/-/wj5g7t/-/index.html","content":"Butaleja floods leave thousands homeless - Butaleja Floods in Butaleja district have spread after five days of heavy rain caused the banks of River Manafwa to burst its banks, rendering 37,000 people homeless, officials say. River Manafwa which flows through Bududa, Manafwa, Tororo and Mbale districts from Mt Elgon has swelled three times its size after consistent rains that are threatening lives of many in Eastern Uganda.  The rains have caused a landslide in Bududa, killing more than 100 people. The LC5 Chairman of Butaleja, Richard Waya, says the extent of the flood damage is still unknown because most places have been rendered inaccessible by the floods. The Butaleja District Disaster Committee chairman RDC Edward Wabudi, says the district has since received negligible amounts of relief aid for the victims. Wabudi says only 120 bags of maize flour have been sent by the Central Government. Mary Kaweesi, one of the flood victims, says this is insufficient to meet the great demand for food.  She says once the aid was distributed, each family received only 200 grams of flour; an amount she says is too little to feed a family for a day. The Uganda Red Cross Society is already helping the victims and has hired community volunteers to distribute the aid. Ms Dorothy Hyuha, the Butaleja Woman MP, says a camp for the displaced families is to be built at Nampologoma.  She says it will provide shelter and medical services for those in need."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/872706/-/aho0pgz/-/index.html","content":"Mount Elgon landslides a result of climate change - Daily Monitor on Wednesday reported that a massive landslide that swept the slopes of Mount Elgon in eastern Uganda on Monday night killed at least 80 people, with 350 missing and feared dead. The landslide erased three villages of Kubehwo, Namakansa and Nametsi located in Bukalasi sub-county in Bududa District. As earlier predicted, climate change will continue to leave severe damages on communities least prepared to adapt. The cycle of the problem is like this; when thermal electric power generators, motor vehicle engines in USA, Canada or coal power plants in China or Europe are switched on, each has the effect of changing the atmospheric composition hence the global temperature and ocean currents that drive the earth’s planetary climate system. Their effects link to other parts of the world. In Uganda for instance, landslides wipe out families in Bududa, Kapchorwa and Kabarole. Crops in Nakasongola fail due to drought, malaria spreading mosquitoes invade Kigezi highlands, crops in northern Uganda get under flood water, and people die of hunger in Karamoja as stocks die due to thirst. Pests and disease wipe out crop plantations and domestic animals, glaciers on Mt Rwenzori begin to recede; Ankole region becomes food insecure as farmers can no longer predict when it is appropriate to begin planting and Lake Victoria level begins to drop. Polar ice sheets collapse and melt, small island states and coastal towns get permanently submerged by ocean water. Last year, world leaders from about 192 countries met to sign a deal to tackle climate change in Copenhagen. They were supposed to achieve at least two major objectives; agree on deep cuts on the amount of carbon dioxide emissions being pumped into the atmosphere by each country and agree on a package to rescue the world’s poor from sinking and adapt to the hostile climatic and other events over the coming years. To the surprise of many, no comprehensive deal came out, but one may ask why. First and foremost, reducing emissions of carbon dioxide which is necessary to save the world would entail those countries with a big carbon footprint to reduce the amount of thermal electricity produced; this would effectively reduce the capacity of their powerhouse that drive their economies to produce goods and services. This decreased output of the power houses would mean less earning and decreased welfare which would seriously hurt their economic prosperity, which few heads of government would opt for. It is politically dangerous. Secondly, most voters in the industrialised rich world would like to maintain a luxurious carbon intensive lifestyle. A leader who signs a pact that will see them less well off will do it at his own peril. Some of the multinational corporations emitting carbon dioxide may be the ones that had the biggest stake in their political campaigns. Thirdly, the two constituencies of the poor (in which bracket Uganda falls) and future generations that are most vulnerable have got a weak political voice. The rich and industrialised nations have their nationals properly fortified and well cautioned against the impacts of climate change. They have the political will to help their citizens, financial and technical capacity to properly cope with the impacts of climate change. Everything goes back to the question of disaster preparedness. How prepared are we when these disasters strike? What about when our major highways get blocked by landslides or major bridges get swept away. Can Entebbe International Airport singly receive the disaster relief? Have we learned any lesson from the ill prepared Haiti when it was struck by a strong earthquake? Mr Mugyenyi is a member of the Daily Monitor Panel of Experts mbjcyril@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/868646/-/win1kw/-/index.html","content":"Bugiri residents homeless after heavy rains - Bugiri About68 people in Bugiri district have been left homeless by a heavy rainstorm that blew through the district on Wednesday.The storm, which lasted more than three hours, leveled several grass thatched huts in Nabukalu, Iwemba and Buluguyi sub-counties. Falakani Byakika, the LC3 chairperson of Iwemba, says 25 families are now living at the sub-county headquarters. He says most of them escaped with little more than their lives and are in need of food, housing and clothes. In addition to the destruction of the houses, more than 10 acres of banana and cassava plantations were torn down by strong winds. The Bugiri Resident District Commissioner, Margaret Mwanamoiza, says a census is being carried out to ascertain the number of affected people and the extent of the damage. She says government will provide basic aid to the victims, but it needs to partner with humanitarian organizations to ensure that conditions stabilize as soon as possible. On Monday, business was paralysed after hours of rain in Kampala and some other parts of the country. Floods left several people stranded in the flood prone areas of Kawempe, Bwaise, Katwe, Kalerwe and Bugolobi.In Kanungu, a severe hailstorm on Sunday swept through the district, destroying the district administration council hall, following a heavy downpour that lasted almost two hours."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/867038/-/jhb21jz/-/index.html","content":"ON THE BRINK: Uganda can easily  win a global comedy award - If I were to be given the mandate to rank Uganda among the most hilarious states in the world, I would place it right at the top. It is a nation of hyperactive drama. First, I believe it’s only in Uganda where motorcyclists wear reflector jackets meant to protect them against getting crushed by cars at night, during the day! And at night, the cyclists who feel they undergo intense command during the day decide not to wear the lime green jackets as they return to make some extra bucks! Reason? The traffic cops, who demand the jackets, helmets, and bribes among others, have returned to their humble homes to rest. Away from the jua kali money makers, last week we learnt that in Uganda, a graduate of a masters degree in economic policy and management and an A-level ‘leaver’ - qualify for the same managerial job in a public company – at least at Posta Uganda. These two scenarios call for some seriousness on the part of the government, which is entirely responsible for enforcing rules and ensuring fairness, besides making adjustments in the way public corporations are run. Surely, why should someone wear a jacket with reflectors during the day? It is equivalent to telling a motorist to drive with flood lights on during a sunny day – if you live in Uganda; you know how bright it can be and how dim it would be. Secondly, why should an employee with a masters degree spend about 23 years in school, to do the same job as a person who spends only 17 or fewer years and yet, compete for the same job in public service? It obviously doesn’t add up. It is a welcome move by Posta Uganda to restructure its human resource in the quest for the right staff with the ability to deliver today’s courier services efficiently. If the right people are recruited as the Posta Chairman Engineer Ms Proscovia Njuki, suggested - there are high chances that the public institution will turn around for the better. Depending on their qualifications, they would enable the company to compete favourably with other courier companies in the country. Posta as the Parliament heard, is sinking on the back of mismanagement and a collective Shs12 billion debt – cash enough to pay 60,000 Police officers a salary of Shs200, 000 a month. We were unfortunate not have seen the complete list of all Posta employees in the local press. But at a glance, the list of the mentioned workers read like this; Robert Twesigye, Juliet Komuhendo, Mr Duhambaze, Dina Irutu, Sadiki Kabito, Eunice Kansiime, James Arinaitwe… and so on. It reminded me of those days in the 90s when the Ugandan football team was largely represented by a clique of people from one region. For a long time, the team failed to realise the enthusiasm, great performance and team spirit they needed. More often than not, the team lost games against the Amavubi and Harambee stars of Rwanda and Kenya, respectively, among others. In fact, the team had a Juju mentality. Instead of playing real soccer they concentrated on noticing pieces of black polythene bags on the pitch –it was irritating. But with a mix of players from all corners of the country today, see how far the team has gone! Posta ’s focus should also be on recruiting talent from a mix of backgrounds, levels of education, and vast experience for better results. wwafula@monitor.co.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/855774/-/hgnwpk/-/index.html","content":"UNBS only doing its job - There was commotion at the Yamaha Centre Building near the Old Taxi Park as traders struggled to hide merchandise from UNBS inspectors, recently. The inspectors were impounding substandard products as they moved patiently from shop to shop. The products in question were fake extension cables. Traders, oblivious of the dangers posed by the fake extension cables, hurled insults at UNBS inspectors who fortunately were moving in the company of the police. Traders were infuriated. They accused UNBS of unfairly picking on them. Asked why UNBS allows importers to bring fake products into the country through the borders and then come to harass shopkeepers well knowing that the shopkeepers buy from importers! A logical question, isn’t it?UNBS has inspectors at 5 border entry points (Malaba, Mutukula, Busia, Portbell and Entebbe) and Internal Container Depots (ICDs). These inspectors check the quality of certain categories of goods as they are imported into the country to ensure that they conform to quality and safety standards. Through this Imports Inspection Scheme, UNBS has intercepted more than 5,000 consignments of fake and substandard products worth more than $50 million (about Shs97 billion) in the past six years. The impounded products have either been destroyed or re-exported. But fake items keep coming into the country through various illegal means and are threatening to flood the market. During inspections, UNBS mainly targets high risk products, which can adversely affect the health and safety of consumers or are detrimental to the environment. Such categories include food products, building materials, electrical products, chemical products and others. Examining the extension cables confiscated from Yamaha Centre Building near the Old Taxi Park, quickly tells you they are substandard characterised by un-protected socket outlets, which have exposed live terminals so wide that a child’s finger can comfortably go through and touch the live terminals leading to electrocution or death to the child. Others have cables with very thin under sized wires unable to withstand the voltage/current. Such wires heat up and burn the insulators which end up burning property and sometimes a potential cause for house fires Some plugs are labeled “fused” when there is no fuse inside, meaning that they are a potential cause of damage to equipment. Worse still, there are cables with wires made of steel instead of copper. The steel is coated with a thin film of copper to deceive the untrained eye. This is extremely dangerous!"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/854618/-/whxpcb/-/index.html","content":"Government to disarm private security firms - Kampala The government is set to remove guns from security firms following pressure from the Members of Parliament that there are too many guns in the hands of unprofessional and trigger-happy individuals. Parliament yesterday also put the front bench to task to explain why the police have several different uniforms—something they say confuses identification and could be exploited by unscrupulous characters to manipulate or terrosise the public. Responding to a barrage of questions from the seemingly angry MPs regarding the flood of firearms among security firms, the State Minister for Internal Affairs, Mr Matia Kasaija, said the government has already taken a move to ban use of guns by security firms and preparations are underway for that communication to be effected. “We are seriously considering removing guns from private security firms. We are consulting with security firms and very, very soon we are going to pronounce ourselves on that matter once and for all,” Mr Kasaija said. “Other countries do not have guns (armed security guards) and I don’t see why we can’t be like them,” the minister added. Legislators observed that the private firms are not well regulated, giving them leeway to misuse the guns say in robberies or turn them against unarmed civilians at the slightest provocation. “Some of these security firms have automatic guns like AK-47s and others have the old model. Why is it so and how can we be sure that the guns cannot be misused?” asked Makindye West MP Hussein Kyanjo, who is also the shadow internal affairs minister. Last year, about 30 people in Kampala were killed by private security guards, according to police statistics. More than 100 cases involving security guards were still under investigation by the police Rapid Response Unit and their details are due to be released in the Police Annual Crime Report, authorities said yesterday. Twenty-four private security companies in the country were last year closed by police after they failed to comply with security standards and instead their guards engaged in criminal activities. Over 35 private security companies are registered with the police countrywide with an average number of 250 guards each. Meanwhile, Parliament has given the internal affairs minister up to Thursday to explain why there are several different uniforms for police officers. “We are confused and wondering whether some people will not masquerade as police officers because we now see some officers with blue, white, green, black, brown and many other colours. So, which is the official police uniform?” asked the opposition Chief Whip, Mr Kasiano Wadri (Terego – FDC). Mr Kasaija tried to explain but the Speaker, Mr Edward Ssekandi, ruled that a detailed report about the police dress code would be presented in the next two days. Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said last evening that the navy blue colours are for the anti-riot police; khaki is for general duty and operational wear, black for police anti-terrorism unit, white for the traffic cops, light blue for aviation police and camouflage for the Anti-Stock Theft Unit, plus the ceremonial uniform."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/851806/-/aiwr1sz/-/index.html","content":"Suspicion and intrigue as Kenya’s agenda 2012 unfolds - As the clock ticks closer to 2012 (Kenya’s next electoral date), there are visible simmers between politicians in the coalition government. The country is full of tales of characteristic African politics of backstabbing, intrigue and bad mouthing. For example, in the grapevine, there are suspicions that President Kibaki chose Prime Minister Raila Odinga as head of the Mau Forest restoration project just to set up Mr Raila in conflict with the people of the Rift Valley who had overwhelmingly voted him in 2007. This suspicion was given credence when on January 15, on the supposed launch of tree planting in the Mau Forest, President Kibaki conveniently avoided the function and chose to preside over the swearing in of the six independent judges expected to hear the constitutional review disputes. Writing in The Standard newspaper, senior writer Keneth Kwama said that the act was a futile attempt to sabotage Raila. While Otuma Ongalo -editor of The Standard decried the action in his opinion piece thus ‘Kibaki forsaking of Raila in Mau was the unkindest cut of all’. (The Standard, January 16). In other circles, MP Ruto according to reports has also declared intentions to run for presidency in 2012. While assisting flood victims in Mugotio, Mr Ruto is reported to have said that the Kalengin were tired of supporting people who fail to make it to the top. This, perhaps, is the reason many area MPs from the rift Valley (Kalenjins) did not equally show up as Prime Minister Raila launched the Mau drive. Interestingly, some Kenyan’s will not simply mind Kenyan business. They are very suspicious of any seeming intimacy between their politicians with the Ugandan government. Two weeks ago, as soon as I set foot in Nairobi, the first question from my host was ‘why did MP Ruto come to Uganda?’ How could I have known that the Agriculture Minister Mr William Ruto and presidential aspirant had been in Uganda in the first place! Apparently, we Ugandans are so ‘bad mannered’ politically that any association with a presidential hopeful like Ruto is considered suspicious. Former president Daniel arap Moi’s presence at the NRM’s 24 years celebration must be an added ingredient to this political talk. The Kenyans could be right. No one would want to see their own associating with bad company after all. Uganda is now the odd man (person) out with our limitless presidential, a position that has put members of the EALA in an awkward situation as they try to set up unified political positions in the region. How about the reaction to corruption allegation by our ministers? While Kenya is ranked as one of the most corrupt states, during John Githongo’s battles with the ‘Mount Kenya Mafia’ over the Anglo Leasing scandals, some ministers like David Mwiraria –the Finance Minister – and Justice Minister Kiraitu Murungi gave way to allow investigations (Yes, some of the ministers could have bounced back, but that is another story). In Uganda it is the opposite, while Hon. Nandala Mafabi and his group have ‘burnt the midnight candles’ unearthing the squandering of public funds during CHOGM, most of the implicated ministers have neither denied nor issued a public apology. To them, life is the same or even better. Haven’t we seen some of these very persons crowned with medals for their role in ‘liberating’ Uganda? Ms Wokuri is a social criticwokuret@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/845856/-/10yp9fm/-/index.html","content":"Phone messaging makes accessing results easy - Kampala Yesterday, results of some 513, 219 pupils who sat their Primary Leaving Examinations in 2009 were made known to the public. The Ministry of Education and the examinations agency, Uganda National Examinations Board, spoke of a better performance last year than the disastrous post in 2008. Not necessarily the quality of the passes, maybe. Overall, the number of candidates sitting PLE was reported to have tripled over the past dozen years; an enrollment-based feat for the Universal Primary Education programme introduced in 1997. There were distinction, credit and pass scores but comparatively fewer of the former. Now, the PLE graduates variously stand chances to get a slot in secondary schools and technical/vocational institutions, depending on grades scored and financial ability of sponsors. Those in the worst ranking could re-bound or abandon formal education all together. However, this time round, the exciting revolution was in how students effortlessly bypassed bureaucracy to receive results – in their palm.“I got my within 25 seconds,” said Colline Eboku, 12, a first-time user of the system. He sat his papers at Hillside Primary school - Naalya and yesterday he was relishing his efforts after obtaining aggregate 5, just below the best possible ranking. He said: “This [SMS] method, which my friend told me about, is so fast and it saved me the burden of trekking to school and waiting for the results for over 30 minutes.” Such was the rush that Ms Eva Konde, the Uneb publicist, said by 4p.m., some 50, 000 pupils – or one in every 10 of last year’s candidates – had got their results through Short Text Messages. In December last year, the examinations body announced that it had contracted SMS Media Uganda Ltd company to distribute – through a virtual platform - results for PLE, Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UCE), otherwise called O-level, and its successor Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education or A-level. Yesterday was a pioneering, and according to officials, a successful test run. “The response to the initiative has been very good,” Ms Konde said, citing occasional erratic entries by anxious pupils, parents or guardians as only hiccups. Some requests instead of Index numbers, contained candidates’ names, which the system could not recognise. In other instances, digit entries were wrong. In either case, no result was picked by the system, according to administrators. For a first, the IT innovations cleared Uneb headquarters in Ntinda of the perennial jam and chaos accompanying release of results of national examinations as Head teachers scrambled to pick results of their schools. Time too has been saved and efficiency achieve this time round. How SMS tech worksFor students, it’s a great relief. Some, who had school fees balances, particularly in privately-owned school, used the opportunity to get results that would otherwise be withheld by school authorities until full payment. In some instances, pupils volunteered to get results of former school colleagues or friends whose particulars they knew. That way, the innovation appeared to offer an insipid taste to countless school administrators, especially privately-run ones. Why? If the results are so bad, the alumni will just abandon them and try again elsewhere instead of clearing bill for worthless scores. But the downside of the innovation is a minuscule to wreck the overall positives. Mercy Oledo Atyeng, 12, who hails from the northern Lira District, would have waited for anywhere three to four days before picking her result. The traditional system is that once examination results are announced, head teachers of up country schools or their emissaries would request for cash for transport, lodging and allowances and pick a bus ride to the city to collect the results. In accounts offered yesterday, Atyeng who took her PLE exams at Lira Central PS, said it would take a couple of days for results to reach her school and candidates got to know their performance a day or so afterwards. However, yesterday was a dramatic turn of fortunes, according to the girl’s father, Sam Oledo. Moments after Uneb released the results in Kampala; the pair was hugging and pecking. Through an SMS enquiry, they had known Atyeng’s score of aggregate 7, a stellar pass of sorts up country. 1 | 2 Next Page»“This system has really saved us from that burden of endless waiting. I and my daughter are rejoicing,” said Mr Oledo, a teacher at Aromo secondary school said, offering he read about the innovation in Daily Monitor newspaper last December. SMS mediaAt SMS Media Uganda’s head office in Kamokya, a city suburb, it was drone of activity as employees worked the systems to locate flood of requests for results. The system uses Zorilla software, said Mr Stephen Banage, the Company managing director. “What happens is that a student, parent or anyone interested in getting another person’s results sends the SMS request and should ideally receive a reply from our system within a couple of seconds, giving all results of examinations sat by that particular candidate. For this to happen, Uneb provides to SMS Media company access to its data bank, containing the results. When the requests are sent to telephone operators, they get automatically linked to SMS Media’s platform from where the system matches and locates a student’s grades from the huge digital pile. “All we do is to provide [virtual] interface with the network of telephone operators, which in turn provide interface with their customers,” said Mr Banage, who has run this type of business for a decade now. Possible for him, Uneb and the four participating telecom companies – MTN, Zain, Uganda Telecom and Warid - yesterday’s high traffic could have pointed to a possible generous business day. Each of the SMS requests is charged Shs500. Thus with the 50, 000 text messages, the troika of key actors raked in at least Shs25 million – and within three hours. None would discuss each other’s cut. Not all trials, however, turned in instant results. In Mbarara, delayed reply left dozens of residents jittery. Some wasted as much as Shs5, 000 and got no reply or one after more than an hour, Daily Monitor Bureau Chief in western Uganda, Joseph Mazige, said. “The application is inefficient and chaotic here,” he said. In the neighbourhood, Divine Mbaramye, an auntie to Immaculate Mhoro who scored aggregate 5, said she knew nothing of the purpose-built SMS platform. How it worksFor starters, to get the newly released PLE results for 2009, subscribers make SMS request by typing an interspaced word line: PLE (Candidate’s Index Number) and text it to 6600. It emerged yesterday that Orange is due to join the band of the quartet participating networks, offering hope for its subscribers. Mr Banage said: “We are finalizing negotiations with Orange and as soon as the talks are completed, the service should be available to Orange customers”. In the city, anxious head teachers queued at Nakasero PS, where in an unusually relaxed way, began picking results for their schools around 5p.m. Like in previous years, there was jubilation for high achievers and misery for bad performers both in the capital and far flung areas. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/844004/-/jvesdiz/-/index.html","content":"LETTERS FROM INDIA: Blown away by the Taj Mahal - What is the craziest thing you have done for love? Whatever that was, I’m sure like me, it definitely didn’t come close to the enormous, artistic, incredible and breathtaking complex that The Taj Mahal is. Yes, I finally fulfilled one of my heart’s desires by visiting what has for long been considered an epitome of love. It was built in 1632 for over 17 years by a Mughal emperor in memory of his beloved third wife who died during childbirth in 1631. From a distance, as we approached the complex, and the legendary white marble mausoleum became visible, I got a nervous tummy ache. And when I entered the gateway and behold it seemed to stand right in my face, the first thing I thought was; this was definitely crazy. Reading about this symbol of love, looking at pictures and models of it or movies that portray it is one thing, but actually standing in front of the gate and saying to yourself “Wow, finally, I’m here”, is another.The gardens as seen in pictures are beautiful, although the main pools were empty at the time of my visit. Nonetheless, the scene blows you away like the thousands of visitors who flood the place. I have never seen so many people of different heritage in one place at the same time, especially young couples. Kodak moments are something else, as photographers keep urging you to use their services and you are spoilt for choice on which spot to take pictures because everything looks amazing. Of course along the pool, the famous bench and all spots that show the main dome in the background are tops. While the complex looks breathtaking on entry, which by the way is a good distance from the White dome, reaching the dome leaves you awestruck. The white marble seems to sparkle in your face and paint a picture of purity; little wonder visitors are required to where shoe covers or go bare footed. The queue is a curvy snake to reckon with, a million times worse than the one at banks before opening of school terms. The outside is decorated with calligraphy including Koran teachings and architectural designs that I’m still amazed could be the creation of that century – donkey years before the computer. In the interior, the walls are covered with detailed curvings, vegetative motif of flowers and vines and calligraphy and reflective tiles. The grave stones of the Emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz stand in the centre although they were really buried in another room below. Outside, one meets the scenic view of the two complexes made of red sand on each side of the dome which have just as incredible designs and the River Yamura in the back. A tour of the museum, another complex to the front right where portraits on Ivory of the emperor and his wife, jade and porcelain objects, antiques, coins and ancient documents take you through a journey of history. The things we do for love, I kept saying to myself, when we left as I admired my picture, sitting on that famous bench with the white marble dome in the background."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/839586/-/ak0cfcz/-/index.html","content":"A lot needed to fight wetland degradation in this country - In their natural state, they are one of Uganda’s most important ecological and socio-economic resources. They act as ‘stores’ for excess rain/flood water; regulate climatic conditions; control flooding; provide water for industrial and domestic use and contribute over $100,000 annually through cultivation, papyrus harvesting, fish farming and brick making, according to recent estimates. Yet, despite these seemingly obvious benefits, our wetlands continue to be degraded with reckless abandon! Unfortunately, human activities in the form of agriculture, uncontrolled developments, dumping of solid waste, among others are often cited as the leading causes of this degradation. But even more unfortunate is the fact that the agencies charged with the protection of our natural resources have failed to realise that their current approach to resolving the wetland problem is defective: it places too much emphasis on raising awareness amongst the natural resource users, and less on tackling the other very important factors which are sustaining the status quo. Theirs is what is often referred to as the ‘info-intensive’ approach to resource conservation. Proponents of the ‘info-intensive’ approach to natural resource conservation mistakenly believe that holding seminars and workshops with the affected communities; running environment-related messages on radio, television or newspapers or distributing posters and fliers with messages like ‘protect our environment’ is all it takes to stimulate a change in behaviour amongst the resource abusers. Unfortunately, research has shown that such an approach is insufficient in itself to resolve environmental and natural resource problems. In fact, such approaches have little or no impact on people’s long term behaviours and are unsustainable. A study carried out in 2008 around Kampala’s two critical wetlands (Nakivubo and Kinawataka), in which I took part, for instance revealed that while the communities in these two wetlands were aware of the important functions that these resources perform, the need to conserve them and the grave consequences resulting from their destruction; a majority of the respondents who took part in the study confessed that they continued to engage in destructive activities like growing crops in the wetlands, excessive harvesting of clay for brick making and pottery, dumping waste, burning vegetation, constructing houses and car washing bays etc. Why is it then that these wetland communities are aware of the detrimental effects of their current behaviour to the environment and their future livelihoods and yet continue to behave in such destructive ways? It is precisely because the current approach to the wetland problem largely provides information to the resource end-users but pays little attention to the extraneous or environmental factors that could be stumbling blocks to the practice of the desired behaviour or actions. The way forward is crafting a strategy that seeks to address the gaps between knowledge and action, but also takes cognisance of the role that extraneous variables play. For instance, Uganda has a number of laws, guidelines, policies and regulations that could sustainably check the problem of wetland encroachment and degradation but how many of these regulations are actually being fairly and effectively implemented? This laxity in enforcement is one reason wetlands, forests, and other natural resources in this country will continue to be abused since the encroachers know that nobody will hold them to account for their actions. Secondly, have the numerous national agencies and environmental NGOs considered the fact that these wetland encroachers might have little or no alternatives to resort to other than the wetlands resources? What is being done about it? While communities may appreciate the value of their wetlands, they will not stop exploiting them if they have no alternative ways to earn a living or feed their families. This is not something new; it has been done in Kenya where alternative land was offered to forest encroachers to induce them to vacate the forested areas. Finally, what is being done about the conflicting messages regarding wetland use in our country? While agencies like NEMA and other NGOs are telling encroachers to vacate the wetlands, some politicians are quick to assure the encroachers that no one can evict them since they are his/her voters! The forward is a holistic approach that creates awareness, provides incentives, builds coalitions and forges consensus for change at all levels of our society. Mr Okurut is a Ugandan with an interest in Communication for Change (C-Change) okurutjoe@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Theatre---Cinema/-/691234/839578/-/ws7vl2/-/index.html","content":"The making of a movie-star - Abby Mukiibi - He is one of the few Ugandan actors who have made it on the international scene. Despite major appearances in Sometimes in April, Last King of Scotland and Silent Army, he has the humility to say he is not the best actor, but just priviliged, writes Edwin Nuwagaba. I have been waiting for Abby Mukiibi for 10 minutes now, past the time we were meant to meet. Finally, he appears at the entrance of the Coffee Terrace at Grand Imperial Hotel, dressed in a brown un-tucked shirt, a gold plated bracelet on his left arm and his cologne can be smelt from a distance. Clean shaven, his physique is that of a healthy man; still strong and enduring. He tells me that we cannot take long with the interview because he has a busy schedule. He has to do a lot of work at CBS FM where he is the programmes manager in anticipation that President Museveni will allow the radio to re-open. The radio, it was alleged, was fuelling sectarianism before it was shut down. Like many people who are passionate about the arts, Mukiibi’s passion for acting started when he was still a little boy. While growing up, he had the dream to act both in theatre and film. But back then, before he became movie- star-famous, his father Hajji Elias Ssimwogerere was opposed to his career. He wanted him to become an engineer just like him or choose any other conventional profession. And to distract him from his acting ambitions, he had to fly him out of the country to the US where he stayed for a year. But Mukiibi’s mother had always believed in his aspirations, to the extent that when he sneaked back into the country to pursue Music, Dance and Drama at Makerere University, for the first three months it was only her that knew about it. This lack of appreciation for his acting ambitions from his father came to an end before he passed away. “My dad told me that when I was young, there were two things I told him I would do. He said I told him I would build a storied house and I would be a film actor. When my first movie came out, he was happy for me, and it was then for the first time, that he let me be who I wanted to be,” he recalls. Mukiibi’s movie debut was way back in 1997 when he acted in Fires of Hope as Kabaka Mwanga. The movie is about Uganda Martyrs and how they were persecuted by Kabaka Mwanga. Whereas it did not sell locally, it was distributed widely in Europe and other countries across Africa. It was directed by an Irish film director, Fhil Molali. Michael Wayuyo and Charles Mulekwa invited him, Mukiibi recalls. And since then, he has not looked back. Lady luck came knocking at his door when he was offered a role as Colonel Bagosora in Sometimes in April. The movie depicts the Rwanda genocide and while there have been a number of movies about the subject, this one concentrated around how it was like for those trying to survive outside Hotel Des Mille Collines- the people who had no place else to go, hoping to find some sanctuary in churches or places of public refuge. This is the movie where he met professionals. Raoul Peck, the movie director had quite a big impact on his acting skills and it has lasted to date.Raoul is a film maker based in Haiti. He wrote and drirected movies like Lumumba, Death of a Prophet and Man by the Shore. He was also briefly in the 1990s, Haiti’s Minister for Culture. “He was so tactful in making you do so many things,” he says. Mukiibi recalls an incident in one of the scenes when one of the actors refused to respond to him the way he should have, because apparently- this actor did not think Mukiibi was a good actor. “The director whispered some words to me, which I told the other actor, and all of a sudden, he (the actor) came and hit me. That is what the director wanted,” he recalls. When I ask him about The Last King of Scotland, where he acted as Masanga, another big movie that heightened his profile, he is all praises for Forest Whitaker. “Forest was a very big inspiration. First, I felt intimidated by the person I was going to act with, but he was so open. We used to go into his room at Kabira Country Club and we would drive to town. So we spent a lot of time together. He has a very good heart,” Mukiibi enthuses. Whitake always maintained that if they (Ugandan actors) didn’t help him, he would not have been able to do his role neither would they have done theirs had he not helped them. For Mukiibi to come this far, it is a result of hard work, rehearsals and reading but the international directors have been more than helpful. He cites Jean Van De Velde, who directed him in the recent movie Silent Army, as one of those people who have helped shape his career. “He would make you do the things you were not aware you were doing. He would ask you for your own interpretation of a character then he would say, ‘Let’s do it.’ After you have done it, he would say, ‘Can we do it this way?’ On the 10th take, you would realise that you had actually done what he wanted,” he says. When he went to do the role of Oboke, the rebel leader in Silent Army, he interpreted the character of Oboke as an aggressive, tough and uncompromising monster. But Jean told him he wanted him to be very charming, so caring and so deadly a man that actually laughs while he kills. Mukiibi adapted the role perfectly; he doesn’t kill in this movie but he uses the child soldiers to kill. He can laugh and smile but when it is time to kill; he puts on an unfriendly face. It is him and the abducted child, Abu (Andrew Kintu) that the movie is centred on. Today, Mukiibi is one of the few Ugandan actors who have made it on the international scene. And one wonders whether it is not to his disadvantage when he acts in local, half directed and half produced amateur films. He admits it does, though he thinks he is doing a service to the industry. “Many people complain about it, but I feel like I am doing a noble duty to the industry. I believe for this industry to evolve, we need to join hands.” So what is it like acting in the big movies compared to the local ones? “With the big movies, they pamper you and they pay you handsomely because they are going to use you, but here you even have to look for your own costume,” he discloses. But one thing he says he will not compromise on is quality. If the movie lacks the basics of film, he is sorry but he will not act. No wonder, Mukiibi is known as a perfectionist. 1 | 2 Next Page»While securing an agent (Hope Azeda from Kigali who secured him the roles in Sometimes in April and Silent Army) has helped him advance his career, in the eyes of some, it has made him a show-off. This is because when local producers contact him to take up a role in a movie, he sends them to his agent, who charges them highly. This however does not apply to the likes of Mariam Ndagire, John Segawa and Patriko Mujuuka whom he has had to stress to the agent, he is only helping to promote their movies and they don’t even pay him. Most people think that Mukiibi is a better actor in film, than he is on the stage but he thinks he has been able to balance the two. “I believe one role has catapulted me into the other. Stage threw me there, and film has perfected me,” he says. So is he about to quit theatre for film? “I am still trying to balance both. Time will tell because our local audience has always been there for us in bad and good times,” he says.The other person who has been there for him is his wife, Stella Mukiibi. While he is a Muslim, he does not buy so much into the idea of getting his wife to become a Muslim. With her, he has been able to bring into the world four children; three boys and one girl. He fell in love with Stella at first sight, then, as a first year student of Social Works and Social Administration at Makerere University. Mukiibi is the third born in a family of four boys and three girls. He liked History and English and hated Maths. But he was a good footballer and athlete in all the schools he attended: Victoria Nile Primary School, Kako Primary School, Makerere College School and Caltec Academy. He believes that the local industry has got potential to make it, but he wonders why the government does not help. Earlier this year, while at the Cannes Film Festival, he learnt from his Nigerian colleagues that their film industry was thriving because the government was largely involved and supportive. He thinks also that, the other problem this industry faces, are the pretenders who shoot amateur videos and flood them on the market selling them as films. “I think now is the stage where registration and regulation should come in, so we know who is doing what,” he says in rather sad tone. Mukiibi’s dream is to start up a film village just like Disney World- where everything will be about film. Despite the praises he has got, Mukiibi says that he is not the best. “There are many beautiful actors, I don’t think I am the best, I am just privileged,” he says. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Heart-to-Heart/-/691230/830666/-/qu56fs/-/index.html","content":"Insecurity is ruining my marriage - I have been married for 12 years now and I have two children; one eight and the other four. I am a stay-at-home mother and my husband Patrick works in the media industry and there are many beautiful young women frolicking around him day in and day out. I used to be an attractive woman, full of confidence, fun loving but with only my children for company most of the time, this has led me to fall behind times. My beauty was my biggest confidence builder but with two pregnancies behind me and 12 years since my youth, I feel it has significantly diminished.My husband does not have trust in house maids, so when I had my first child, he insisted I stay home to care for our children and he would take care of us as the head of the family and I accepted but I always thought I could get back to work any time. But getting back to work proved to be a challenge and when I could not get a job after a year of job hunting, my husband decided that since he was earning more than enough, I might as well stay home. Being out of work and out of touch with the world of the employed, I started growing quiet and more reserved. I know that my husband is surrounded by beautiful, intelligent women and feel like I cannot keep up. When my husband tries to talk to me about his day and how Susan did this and Janet did that, I just get so jealous and I feel like these women spend more time with my husband than me and instead of enjoying the conversation, I get so jealous and I may pick a fight or just sulk quietly, frustrating his efforts at including me in his day’s activities. When his friends come by, because I do not know much about his work, I feel excluded and when we have a disagreement, I push him away and accuse him of preferring his friends to me and I when I think about it, I hear myself going on and on but I just cannot stop once the inadequacies flood my brain. I fight him for keeping me from work though I know it was not his decision alone. Even more because I feel like when I talk to him, it seems to be mostly about bills and household expenses to which I cannot contribute since I have no job. I hate that I feel like a blood sucking tick always depending on my husband for financial backing.My husband loves buying me nice things and on my last birthday, he bought me a set of jewellery; a necklace with a matching pair of earrings. We were having dinner at home; he had organised everything and everything was going so well until my ugly thoughts set in. I suddenly asked him why he had bothered to buy me such a gift since I spent so much time at home I will never use it. He tried not to indulge my changing mood by blowing off my comment and telling me how beautiful I looked in the jewelry but I could not let it go. I told him that I knew I was unattractive now that I was so fat and ugly. And I just got angrier as he tried to convince me otherwise. We have had many such fights and now I have pushed my husband so far that he barely ever speaks to me and he diverts all his attentions and affection to our children. He does not call me anymore like he used to and I would not be surprised any day now if asked for a separation. I spoke to a friend of mine who recommended a counsellor with a background in psychology; she is helping me work through my insecurities and on getting my marriage back on track. I would hate for my family to break up with me entirely to blame but I only hope that my efforts have not come too late.— Martha"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/824522/-/2wxmkmz/-/index.html","content":"Caution: Watch those electricity wires especially during this rainy season - There have been complaints to our call centres of power cuts, especially after heavy rains due to felled electricity poles or sagging lines among others. Umeme would like to advise that you don’t let down your guard. In the past, we have dealt with a number of fatalities as a result of poor handling of electricity. While some fatalities were as a result of hanging electricity wires, many were due to electricity cable and transformer vandalism as well as tampering with electricity installations. Many Ugandans don’t realise how dangerous it is to temper with electricity. Every year, many fatalities occur due to contact with electrical current. The majority of these fatalities are attributed to contact with overhead power lines. Realistically, electricity is all around us and we just can’t avoid it. We only have to know how best we can protect ourselves from its volatility. That is why it is always vital to be cautious about electricity and more so now that the El Nino season is on. The combination of water and electricity can lead to catastrophic scenarios especially where there are exposed live electricity wires or fallen poles. In order to avoid electrocution, you should know the following safety measures: Stay away from power lines and anything that generates electricity. Call Umeme customer help lines (0414 185185 or 0312 185185 or 0752 185185) or contact the nearest Umeme office in case of any power-related problem. Turn off the electricity from the main switch if your building is flooded. Later, make sure that your electrical appliances are cleaned and dried by an electrician before you use them again because they may shock you or overheat and cause a fire. Limit your movements in flood water as it puts your life at risk of getting into contact with electrical gadgets. People should report to police, local leaders or call Umeme using the customer-help lines anyone tampering with electrical appliances. l Keep away from any structure that is under or near a power line. People should ensure that long conductive materials are not handled near or in the vicinity of power lines. Like we have been saying, electricity kills. However, it only kills when it is not handled correctly. Therefore, during this rainy season, join Umeme efforts aimed at reducing threats posed by loose cables, broken poles and hanging wires among others. Charlotte Kemigyisha, Corporate communication manager, Umeme Subject officers to internal disciplinary mechanisms Much as I appreciate what the Inspector General of Police is doing to discipline the Force’s officers, I detest his demeaning method of doing it. First, it was the President who started it at Natete and I thought other people had realised the blunder and avoid a repeat. But Afande Kale Kayihura made a similar mistake at Kiboga. The Kiboga DPC could have made a mistake by getting bribe, but the way he was handled was equally wrong. The way these allegedly errant officers are handled humiliates and demoralises them and the consequences might not help the Force attain its intended goal. I propose that any officer found doing wrong should first be subjected to internal disciplinary mechanisms instead of harassing them in a trading centres or other public places like it is being done these days.These officers have families, relatives and they need some degree of respect. Herbert N Mugagga,Lugazi town Actions, not mere words will end graft I was not surprised to read; The entire government is corrupt, says IGG (Daily Monitor, December 16) because even a baby can tell the extent of corruption in this government. For example, the 2007 Chogm that was made to appear like it would benefit all Ugandans turned out to be a farce as a few government officials grabbed billions of shilling for their own use. Now that the IGG Raphael Baku says he is aware of the unacceptable level of corruption in government, what is his way forward? It is not enough to merely say the entire government is corrupt. What we require now is action against the vice not the confession that corruption exists. Andrew Gulumaire,Jinja President’s economy flight was a burden to taxpayers The President goes to Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago and USA with a big entourage. And for some reasons, he books economy class to return home. The President’s press secretary Tamale Mirundi tells Ugandans of how they have a down-to-earth President who mixes up with other passengers; and also how this is a signal to government officials who go on official trips in business and first class that their time is up. He also said by travelling economy, the President wanted to find out the difficulties travellers face and why government officials complain about economy. What Mr Murundi did not tell the public though is that the President, has two official jets. He also didn’t say that by his boss and close associates abandoning the presidential jet and jumping on another was more expensive than if he had returned the same way he went because, the jet will still have to be brought back to Uganda. Mr Mirundi is apparently not well informed about the fact the President doesn’t need to travel economy today to acquaint himself with its “difficulties” because he used to travel economy before he became President. Moreover, President Museveni knows that reducing government spending or fighting corruption requires much more than merely flying economy. Hannington Tusubira,New York ---------------------------------------- Alarm Bells 1 | 2 Next Page»Bravo Arua busesAllow me thank the owners of Nile Coach, KK Travellers Coach and Gagaga Coaches that ply from Kampala to Arua because the buses offer passengers some of the best services. The buses are clean and no animal is allowed inside them. The buses’ operators offer passengers mineral water for free. However, I want to appeal to the bus owners to check some of the drivers who speed in order to avoid causing accidents. Patrick Alioni,patrickalioni@yahoo.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/KaroliSsemogerere/-/878682/820600/-/bkjvok/-/index.html","content":"We only ignore the Green Debate at our own peril - The media in Uganda have done a good job highlighting several important flashpoints in the deterioration of the state of Uganda’s environment. Both of the country’s major dailies deserve credit. Sometimes-- and no offense here-- you read the newspapers in certain capitals where thousands are going hungry and the story is one political story after another without end. Three stories capture the reader’s imagination more than others: I will use number of people affected to rank their importance. First is the deterioration of temperate/mild weather belts in Uganda starting from Kigezi to the western fringes of the western rift. In Kigezi, it is official that its prized cool climate that marked its proud past as Uganda’s vegetable market is no more. The Switzerland of Africa resembles something else, intemperate so to speak as tropical diseases raid its slopes. Visiting with a childhood friend of mine in Copenhagen last month, as we reminisced about the cold weather in Kabale on a memorable visit just 15 years ago, my friend told me that those days were long gone. Kigezi for years already has been suffering under population pressure and like most mountainous regions, has a shortage of arable land and has become a net exporter of human labour. The second major story which broke last year was of one sub-county in Kibaale district that had not registered significant precipitation rain in three years. This phenomenon is already in common in desert conditions in major urban areas like Los Angeles which receive too little rain and every year, deal with adverse impact of excessively dry weather in the form of bush fires. The New Vision story further indicated that many districts were receiving marginal rains. It’s hard to miss the barren landscape with minimal agricultural activity in North Buganda or the worsening conditions of rural farms in the greater Masaka District. When the oil wells start firing up and littering the landscape, the country must be prepared for further deterioration in local weather patterns. Nigeria and Angola, black Africa’s biggest oil producers are also now net importers of food. In the United States, rich agricultural states like Florida which have a high oil potential have cast critical votes against drilling on their shores, outsourcing those responsibilities to poorer states like Louisiana. Memories of Katrina and how it exposed third world conditions in the world’s largest economy may fade now but many countries in Africa including Uganda are already experiencing extreme swings from periods of dry weather to heavy rains- the El Nino phenomenon. The island nations and other flood plain countries in Asia are losing territory each year to the seas- caused by rises in global temperatures. Uganda’s high value cash crop locations that produce our famous arabicas- Mt. Elgon, Mt. Rwenzori, Mt. Muhabura and soon the Okoro highlands are facing another dimension of climate change. Dry spells are more intense. Pressure on limited arable land has hastened the demise of wood cover. In Kapchorwa District, families may travel up to 20km away to collect firewood. This year, the cattle belt had some difficulties tagged to water shortages caused by the long dry spell. Many of the nation’s ranchers, to save their herds, began transporting water over long distances to replenish their valley dams. The poorer ones lucked out. Public awareness about environmental issues is likely to increase with time. Whether the urban psyche finally wears out on disastrous habits- use of buveera (polythene) to dispose off all and sundry; exhaustion from the mini-drainage features that emerge from decades of building in wetlands and blocking the Nakivubo channel is another question. But the forces for good seem to have a capacity to self mobilise as they did in the Mabira demonstrations in 2007. For all the industrialisation talk, Uganda is still an agricultural and rural country; preserving the environment is the preservation of our country and our very existence. We don’t have to look far to see how quickly entire communities can become extinct if the national granaries run dry. Teso and Karamoja feature frequently on the nation’s hunger list, but there are many other communities with alarming levels of food insecurity. The security of our villages is the key to stability in the cities as well. Rising demand for foodstuffs means that quality sources of nutrition are less affordable for the working class and urban poor. For a country with a net food surplus like Uganda, people should not be going hungry, nor enjoy marginal nutrition. Mr Ssemogerere, an Attorney and Social Entrepreneur, practices law in New York kssemoge@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/816228/-/wfiuag/-/index.html","content":"90 days for encroachers - Entebbe Entebbe Municipal Council has given people occupying Namiro wetland 90 days to vacate the area or face eviction.The deputy town clerk, Mr Amon Muzoora, said there are several families illegally occupying lower Namiro swamp and are claiming to be legal occupants. Leave immediately“They should leave immediately because they are not supposed to reside in a swamp that is a catchment area for water going to the lake,” Mr Muzoora said.He said he wrote a letter in 2005 ordering the residents to vacate the 550-acre swamp but they turned a deaf ear. “We are going to break those houses because you risk causing disaster to Entebbe if it rains heavily and your homes flood,” he added. Oust chairmanThe ultimatum follows a move by the residents in the area to solicit signatures to remove the area chairperson, Mr Paul Zikuliza, from office. The residents accused him of allegedly conniving with division leaders to sell their land to an unknown investor who had reportedly started surveying the land.However, Mr Zikuliza said people pinning him for refusing to sign agreements are the ones who want to sell plots in the wetland."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/OtherSport/-/690284/814888/-/ice8wmz/-/index.html","content":"Namboole in a lurch - Kampala Mandela National Stadium Limited, Namboole signals decay just 12 years after it was opened. The 45,202 capacity sports complex was built with a $36m (Shs68.4b) Chinese government grant and opened with aplomb in 1997. However, fans are stunned that the ‘ultra-modern’ facility meant to propel Uganda into a new era of sporting glory, is in a lurch. OwnershipThe stadium is a company wholly owned by government under the Public Enterprise Reforms and Divestiture (PERD) Act. It’s listed in schedule 11 of the Act where government is required to retain majority shares. To commence operations at the stadium, the government incorporated Namboole as a limited company in 1999 and set up an interim management committee to oversee its running. Namboole has since been managed by different persons, with Jim Mugunga replacing Henry Balamaze Lwanga as board chairman earlier this year. Public concernsSports fans are unsure whether the scoreboard and electronic timer have outlived their usefulness as they are rarely in use. Granules on the tartan track have also worn out and some public address speakers do not function. The state of the playing turf has also been questioned. Other installations like toilet doors and wiring on the fence around the stadium were apparently run down by the Special Police Constables who camped at Namboole prior and post Commonwealth summit in Kampala two years back. Among other facilities questioned is the service ability of the floodlights. Lighting poles and cables around the entire stadium were destroyed by angry fans after their teams lost, according to board boss Mugunga. “You see all these poles,” he said pointing at one-metre poles with wires glaring, “Those are supposed to provide lighting around the complex but the bulbs were destroyed by disgruntled fans.” But Mugunga says that after 12 years without repair, it is time for renovations. “That doesn’t mean we are sitting back and watching. We’re doing the necessary maintenance but still face a lot of challenges,” he told Saturday Monitor. The veteran journalist adds that lack of appropriate structures and skills to manage such a facility explains the low capacity utilisation and inefficiency seen at Namboole. “You need professional facility maintenance services for you to have quality and timely service. Can we afford it? With the resources at our disposal now, not yet,” he said. Despite being an incorporated company, Namboole has limited assets in its name and some times depends on goodwill from government. Luckily, the Chinese government is to rehabilitate the facility at a cost of $1m (Shs1.8b). Flood lightsOne of the stadium management’s success stories, however, has been ability to host night matches. “It was all over the media that we couldn’t host a game under floodlights. But after the GTV deal went through, we dashed to South Africa and Dubai, got the missing bulbs and when the league kicked off, we hosted the first night match,” said Mugunga. Stadium engineer Kenan Okurut, however, admits that there is a problem. “It’s not true that they (flood lights) aren’t working. The real problem is that the distribution system of the flood lights that we’re using is outdated and affects performance. They can work but not efficiently.” Playing turfThe other issue that has lately raised eyebrows is the quality of the pitch. Namboole is home to Super League champions Uganda Revenue Authority and 16-time kings SC Villa. “Yes, the surface is a bit bad especially now that Cranes have been training from there. “But it still remains the best in the country,” said Villa coach Sula Kato. Cranes coach Bobby Williamson agrees with Kato. “Well, it’s far behind when you compare with those in Europe but it’s better than most here. Yes, some times it’s overused but it is okay with me. No complaints.”Fufa ownershipFufa communications head Rogers Mulindwa, nevertheless, had other ideas. “The genesis of the problem is the management of the stadium. There might be other sports but football is the main thing. I think the stadium would have been managed better by Fufa.” Whether Fufa have the moral authority to run the stadium, going by their recent ethical issues, is a debate on its own. But a trip to the stadium actually didn’t find an appalling state either. Three or four raisings erected by moles and some signs of a turf that hasn’t been given a breather were all. State sports minister Charles Bakkabulindi also believes too many games, including the two-week Cranes training in away have affected the state of the turf. But he is quick to point out the cost of maintaining the complex. “First of all, people should agree that maintaining this stadium is expensive and appreciate the progress so far. I will make a surprise visit there but the board meeting in about a month.” The minister will after all not find any evidence as the green turf will be level by then. “We should start rolling and leveling the ground this weekend. We’ve been delayed by the Cranes training (ahead of Cecafa). It should be flat in a few days,” the Namboole ground’s lady Daphne Alobo told Saturday Monitor.New score boardPhase one of the renovations will see Namboole get a new modern score board replacing the old fashioned one that has served since 1997. The old analogue score board is not only archaic but also so costly to run and fix incase of a technical hitch for the management at Namboole. A guided tour inside the scoreboard box by Mugunga, Chinese technicians Yang Shuqing and Fan Yongxa, and stadium engineer Kenan Okurut proved just that. After negotiating steep metallic steps to the fourth floor where the score board is, what looks like a moderate box relaying scores and time suddenly opened and took us in. Thousands of bulbs, 16, 000 according to Engineer Yang, occupy the entire length and width of the board as seen from the arena and should anything get out of order in this area, scores might as well not appear. “Should just one bulb blow, the scores and time won’t relay rightly on the board,” said Mugunga, adding: “ If you may remember some of those matches where the scores read, say, Uganda 1 Niger 0, but with the zero appearing as a semi circle, now one bulb then had a problem.”Mugunga dismissed reports that the score board no longer functioned saying it works but not efficiently due to some wiring in the bulbs going wrong. But in the upcoming renovations approved by the Chinese and Ugandan governments, the old system will be replaced with a less costly lead score board that won’t necessitate that many bulbs. Lead is an insulated electrical conductor used to connect two points in a circuit, e.g. a cable connecting an appliance to a source of electricity. 1 | 2 Next Page»Now, if you thought six bulbs, a few cooking and ironing here and there cost you a fortune in electricity bills, think about what 16, 000 bulbs would do to you! The new score board system will see the stadium, which runs the current one at 400 kilo watts a game, save three quarters of that in electricity bills.Running trackGranules over the years have gradually worn out at the tartan and water patches in some parts also betray its leveling.But Mugunga says Ugandans will soon see a new coating and layout as this is also in upcoming refurbishment. “Pole Vault, high jump and long jump sections will also be replaced and side lanes swapped for synthetic rubber.“Our next step thereafter will be partnering with Uganda Athletics Federation and Uganda Olympic committees to see how we can use them internationally,” revealed the stadium chief. Mugunga also this week revealed the stadium would ready to host World Cup warm-up matches in January but called for collective support in the venture. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Religion/-/689744/813598/-/6xupcg/-/index.html","content":"FAITH: Some Bible interpreters miss the point - I am responding to the article “The Bible Has Caused Division” which appeared in last Sunday’s Faith column by Andrew Kaggwa. From what Kaggwa said at the beginning of the article, he is probably a Catholic and believes in God. It is not possible to understand everything in the Bible and about God because as Kaggwa correctly put it, “…human knowledge is limited”. “Blessed are those who believe without seeing…” (John 20: 29) The Church teaches us: That before Christ came, God talked to people through the prophets, such as Isaias, Jeremias, etc. That Christ was the last prophet and he came to redeem us and to perfect the Law. Christ himself never wrote a Bible but evangelists were inspired to write. That after Christ, He left his Church which the gates of hell shall not prevail against. God now speaks through the Church. This is where human weaknesses plus gates of hell have played part to divide the Church. Read the Life of St Augustine (bishop) who prayed to God to give him knowledge about the three persons in one God. As he was praying along a lake, he saw a little child making a small hole with a stick in sand. He asked the little child what he was doing and the child told him that he was making the little hole so that the water in the lake could empty into it. The bishop told him, “Are you crazy? How can you expect that whole lake to empty into this hole?” The little child answered that just as you cannot expect that lake to empty into this little hole, so do not expect your little brain to contain knowledge of three persons in one God. After that the little child vanished. Some of the Bible stories were written to address particular situations but people who interpret them miss the point. That is why there should be one central body to interpret – the church. Take the story of Noah. You stated that there was no way 50 species of animals could have fit in the boat. At the time of the flood, the world had only existed for about 3,600 years (from the time of Adam). For a species to give rise to another (especially animal species), it takes years. The most important message in this story is that God was annoyed with the behaviour of people and He decided to punish them. He made a covenant with Noah never to do that again. Finally, blessed are those who believe without seeing (John: 20-29)."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/805504/-/wevodg/-/index.html","content":"Uganda's oil prospects excite experts - Kampala Uganda is in a pole position to become one of the top 50 oil-producing countries in the world in six years, according to experts. Thomas Pearmain, African energy analyst at IHS Global Insight, says the proposed deal for Italian Energy giant, Eni S.p.A, to buy the country’s six oil wells in the Albertine region from Heritage Oil and Gas Company at $1.5 billion (Shs2.8 trillion) is a blessing. He says the acquisition will bring in much-needed financial resources and expertise for development of energy infrastructure – refineries, terminals and pipelines – to fully exploit oil deposits estimated to be in excess of 6 billion barrels. \"Eni has done its homework on Uganda and is very keen,\" he says, \"To develop these resources is going to require multiple billions of dollars in investments, and Eni would not want access to Uganda's oil if the prospects were not good.\" Uganda’s oil wealth was discovered in the 1920s and maiden well sunk in 1938. But World War II and a flood of local political unrests until mid 1980s did scupper efforts to ascertain the quantity of the hydrocarbons underground. A number of foreign firms, among them Heritage and Tullow Oil Company, have now struck substantial oil quantities in the Bunyoro area after years of explorations. These discoveries have encouraged Neptune to pioneer drilling in West Nile region as investors clamour for the country’s remaining two-third potential oil sites. Tim O'Hanlon, Tullow’s vice President for Africa business, says the company's blocks here have the potential for reserves of more than 2 billion barrels of oil. Some analysts, however, belief this is a conservative estimate of total find in the present nine active exploration blocks. \"They have just been scratching the surface so far,\" says Pearmain. He adds: \"Results have been very successful. All but one of 25 wells has found oil or gas -- an amazing strike rate. There is a lot of acreage that has not yet been touched.\" Uganda has already attracted around $500 million in exploration investment but it will take billions more to bring on the oilfields already identified. Eni, which is buying a 50 percent interest in blocks 1 and 3A around Lake Albert from explorer Heritage Oil, is expected to build a pipeline eastwards from the lake, possibly to the Kenyan port of Mombasa, the nearest harbour 1,300 km (813 miles) away and a potential export center for Ugandan oil. The costs will be high. And the pipeline will need to be heated as the oil is waxy."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/805690/-/jl1j6xz/-/index.html","content":"What Peacock can teach you about doing business - KampalaThe television advert of Peacock Paints two decades ago, still lingers, though not clearly, in my mind. It was the only paint that most Ugandans were aware of at the time.The story has, however, changed. The market is saturated with over 10 local paint companies including: Berger Paints (U) Ltd, BPC Chemical Limited, Crown Berger (U) Ltd, Crown Building and Products Ltd, Merico Ltd, Nobel Synthetics Ltd, Ritver Paints Ltd, Sadolin Paints, Rainbow Paints (U) Ltd, Revlon Paints (U) Ltd and Great Lakes Industries Ltd.With the growing competition, the producers of paint can only bank on the strength of their products in terms of quality rather than price. Peacock Paints, an indigenous Ugandan company, is beating odds to remain competitive, currently commanding a market share of about 30 per cent whereas Sadolin enjoys a 55-60 per cent market share.Initially known as ‘Quality Paints,’ under the ownership of Mr Henry Makmot, a businessman, the paint manufacturing company was sold to Mr Kaddu Kiberu in 1988. Mr Kiberu re-branded it to Peacock.With no paint industry background whatsoever, business was quite slow especially for a country, which was slowly recouping from civil instabilities. People were still timid about investment let alone construct their own homes. The economy returned to normal in the early 90’s although most of the paint used in Uganda at the time was imported from Kenya.“Through hard-work and marketing of our products, almost door-to-door, coupled with advertising, we made strides,” Mr Farouk Lwanga, the general manager of the company, said.“We bought more machinery, which was more efficient and using less power for a company producing bigger volumes of paint. This gave us an edge ahead of other players in the industry.” Due to the growing construction industry, the business picked up in the mid 90s motivating management to expand and move away from a small rented premise to a bigger and permanent along 6th Street in Industrial Area.The company employed corporate social responsibility as a marketing strategy, which involved sponsoring sports activities and personalities like the former Rally Driver Sam Ssali. It’s through campaigns like this that Peacock became a brand well-known to Ugandans.“We introduced a variety of paints starting off with Peacock and Muzinge, a low cost paint, to cater for that segment of customers,” Mr Lwanga said. Peacock sources its raw materials from Kenya, Egypt, UAE, South Africa and Europe. The paint manufacturer and distributor with dealers and stockists throughout Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Eastern Congo and Southern Sudan, produces emulsion paints (water paints), gloss paints (oil paints), industrial paints, wood care products, automotive body repair products and thinners and offers a range of over 1400 colours to choose from. Currently, Peacock’s annual production has grown from 100,000 litres to almost a million litres per annum and the company’s annual turnover swell to Shs1.4 billion up from Shs500 million when it started production.Currently, employing over 80 people, the company had spread its wings to Lubumbashi in DR Congo in 1997/8 but as fate could have it, this was the time when instability was at its peak in this area and the plant was blown up. Since then, they have concentrated on producing from home. According Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) records, Peacock is one of the Ugandan companies bearing its quality mark. Peacock was named the best paint in the country by ‘Consumer Verdict’ (Ani Mukozi Awards 2009) and they were ranked 79th among Uganda’s Top 100 fastest SMEs by a survey carried out by KPMG and Monitor Publications Limited last month.Their clientele mainly consists of construction companies, schools, industries among others.With the highly competitive industry, Peacock has to brave the instability of the dollar rate.“In the early 90s, the dollar was stable but after the liberalisation of the market, business became very costly,” Mr Lwanga said. ChallengesCounterfeits have been and are still threatening Peacock out of business. Unscrupulous traders pack substandard paint and use Peacock labels selling it at lower prices. “This distorts customer trust,” Mr Lwanga said. Dumping is the other challenge the company is experiencing especially when they distribute in bulk to some site projects. When the projects are complete, the remaining paint is diluted using other substances like water and dumped on the market at lower prices. Launching of the EAC Common Market, which will flood the market with other brands from the region, is haunting the future of the company."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/805610/-/alwprvz/-/index.html","content":"We must not lose the battle against homosexuality - Unlike the argument advanced by Prof. Madill in the Daily Monitor recently that the Anti-homosexuality Bill, once made law, will put Uganda on a path away from democracy, I strongly argue that this will be a bold statement about how democratic Uganda is. Madill has a wrong notion of democracy that subscribes to the view that a minority who decide to promote un-African and un-Godly sexual expressions should have their rights safeguarded in a democratic country. True democracy is the respect of the age old Ugandan cultural, moral and ethical values and the acknowledgement of the strong religious expression of our population. Given the chance, the Ugandan population would vote with their feet in support of the Anti-homosexuality Bill and that is why Hon Bahati and his colleagues must be commended for drafting the bill despite its limitations. In the western world, the homosexuality issue has not been easy to sell and some Christians in USA have vehemently opposed it and among the religious, their congregations have seceded in droves from the mainstream Episcopal Church. In the Anglican Church of the United Kingdom, there are even some Christians and married clergy who have been threatening to rejoin the Roman Catholic Church if homosexuality is accepted by the Anglican Church. Madill might know that one of the main problems of the western world is the acceptance of the dictatorship of the minority whereby in order to be seen to be politically correct, the majority will eventually give in to any wayward group to save face. In some countries of the western world, it is now a human right to walk naked in some areas and some beaches have been gazetted nudist by naturists. Question is, if you concede ground to homosexuality, aren’t you opening a flood-gate for other aberrations like bestiality? The tendency to compromise on moral issues in the western world is best illustrated by a prominent Lord in the United Kingdom, who was questioned about the reality of the billion dollar prostitution industry in his country and why the law seemed inactive in addressing it; and he said, ‘hypocrisy is the glue that sticks our society together.’ In contrast, Ugandans should determine their destiny as a nation and stand up for what they hold true. Ugandan’s repugnance to homosexuality is not grounded in the proposition by Madill that we are a community blinded by hate and religious dogma.Ugandans have been dubbed some of the most loving human beings on earth by foreigners who come into the country but they hold true to strong cultural and religious values that abhor the sin of homosexuality, much as they love the homosexuals and desire to see them change. As the battle for and against homosexuality rages, there are some Ugandan opportunists who are looking for a chance to masquerade as human rights activists or victims of homosexual persecution in a bid to win green cards to stay in America or visas to go to western countries. The time is now for Parliament to declare whether Uganda should dance to every tune that is played by western countries. If the Anti-homosexuality Bill fails to be passed, as sure as night follows day, I can visualise a plethora of sexual aberrations that will be fronted as human rights issues in Uganda in the not so distant future. Rev. Fred Mwesigwa is a senior lecturer at Uganda Christian University, Mukono fsmwesigwa@educ.ucu.ac.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/806366/-/aiqtpx/-/index.html","content":"Secure your home and property - A home is not only one of the the biggest investments in people’s lives but a source of comfort too. We therefore never want anything bad to happen to our home, that’s why we safe guard it in different ways like fencing our homes, employing security guards and so much more. However, this at times might be enough.Mr James Mugume (not real names) had all the above provisions at his home to safe guard it from all the calamities, he could think of, but he built it in a valley. So whenever it rained, running water would hit his perimeter wall. One day, it rained so heavily that the wall could not stand the strength of the running water and it collapsed. Mugume however had insured his home with Chartis (former AIG) so his perimeter wall was easily replaced. Why insurance?According to Mr Daniel Kayiwa, the personal lines manager at Chartis, insurance is when one pays a monthly or annual premium to a pool of resources to protect themselves from different risks.He says insurance is about risk transfer to someone else. And homes are bound to face a number of risks.“Common calamities include fire, lightening, earth quakes, floods, storms, strong winds, aerial objects like planes, which might land on a house, burst pipes, explosions, impact damage, malicious damage and overflow,” Kayiwa says. Safe measuresHe adds that there are different ways one can handle these risks whereby you use all possible ways of eliminating them in a home like. These include; switching off the radio and television when it’s raining so as to prevent lightening from striking the house.Some people use reduction measures by they employing security guards to protect the house or build an electric fence to limit robbery cases in the house. Other people will decide not to use things like gas cookers so as to limit the number of accidents. For some, the retention measure will be their option whereby they will deal with the risk by themselves.However, others will decide to transfer the risk by insuring their homes. Household insurance categoriesMs Josephine Aguma, the Corporate Manager of National Insurance Company Limited says at NIC, insurance for houses is in two forms; House owners and House holders.“House owners refers to insurance for the house or structure and anything one would leave behind when moving out of the house. Items like the swimming pool, paving, sheds and a green house form part of house owners. On the other hand, house holders refers to the contents in a house that a tenant owns, things that he will move away with when leaving the house,” Aguma says.She adds that house owners can be insured by the owner of the building or the tenant depending on tenancy agreement. House holders are definitely paid for by the tenant or owner of the contents.Kayiwa explains that at Chartis, home insurance is divided into six categories; the building, property in the house, liability or personal cover, domestic staff, personal accidents and the family medical plan cover.“Under home insurance, we insure the building or the structure, the contents of the building like personal property of the insurer and liability cover (in case your property like a tree in your compound falls on some one’s house.) It also entails the domestic staff where your domestic workers like maids and shamba boys are insured,” Kayiwa explains.He adds that the insurance also caters for personal accidents where you fall off the staircase at home or are burnt by something at home plus the family medical cover that caters for your family members when they fall sick while at home.He however says these are the packages that are offered under this insurance policy, but one can choose to select a few that they think are necessary a. Insurance packagesKayiwa however emphasised on the need for the domestic staff, structure and property insurance because these are difficult to replace.“The major packages that I would recommend one to take up are domestic staff, structure and property insurance because it’s hard to replace these within a short time. If you are insured, this can be settled easily and you will have your home as it was before,” Kayiwa says.Insurance benefitsAguma says insurance puts you back on your feet, in the position one was in slightly before the occurance of an accident like fire, flood damage, robbery and earthquakes etc.Kayiwa adds that insurance gives one financial protection since it mainly deals with risks that might cause any kind of financial loss to the individual. It also avails one with peace and stability of mind because they do not have to worry about any problems. “Insurance adds on your possibility of attaining financial assistance from financial institutions because they will be sure of getting back their money even when the individual is faced with bankruptcy,” he explains.Aguma adds that when one insures their property, they are given ideas on how to manage the possible risks that might happen to their homes so this helps in safe guarding them from any kind of unforeseen occurrences.Both parties however said the price of household insurance varies depending on the packges one needs. Insurance sourceOne can get home insurance from companies like Chartis, National Insurance Cooperation, Jubilee Insurance Company and Goldstar Insurance Company limited, among others."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/-/691192/692294/-/frbufuz/-/index.html","content":"Money does grow on their trees - Mr Edson Atwijukye owns several tree nursery beds strategically located along Mbarara-Kabale highway near River Rwizi Bridge. Also in this locality are Ms Annet Kiconco and Mr Twaha Ssekandi. Many private nursery bed operators work along roads on the outskirts of Mbarara town. Nursery beds are strategically placed on road pavements, for easy visibility and accessibility by prospective buyers who may be walking, riding or driving by. Tender tree, fruit, and crop seedlings are wrapped in polythene papers and arranged in neat rows and columns. Casual employees are busy preparing lots more to feed the high demand created by renewed community and government efforts at aforestation and reforestation, geared at protecting the environment, providing wood fuel and commercial timber. What is being sold in these nursery beds are species of eucalyptus, pine, maesopsis (musizi), trmanalia (umbrella), bulveri, calvario, kiapo, oranges, mangoes, avocado, guava and coffee seedlings. The three tree planters have stocked enough seedlings of the most marketable species, notably eucalyptus and pine.   High demand for eucalyptus and pine “Eucalyptus and pine are on high demand which I am struggling to satisfy. Eucalyptus is running out of stock because it is taken every day,â€Â� says Atwijukye. Ms Kiconco, 200 metres away, also says she sells eucalyptus more than any other specie seedlings and in fact doesn’t have any stocked at the moment. The number of her pine seedlings is also dwindling. The high demand has pushed the price from Shs50 to Shs100 per seedling of eucalyptus this rainy season. Pine is sold at Shs300 up from Shs200. She says fencing, shades, cash crops and fruit seedlings go at a slower pace compared to the commercial tree species.   There are two tree planting seasons; February to May and September to December. In the September-December season, Ms Kiconco and Mr Atwijukye sell about 15,000 seedlings-pine and eucalyptus combined. From these sales, each fetches about Shs2.2m, but she has to pay operational costs like wages to labourers, buying polythene papers and council charges. The rejuvenated environmental protection campaign that encourages planting of trees has brought all these fortunes. But one big problem with this trade is that there are no buyers during the dry spells which last nearly four months. “During dry seasons, we invest a lot in watering all these beds yet there are no buyers,â€Â� says Kiconco. Lack of formal training in planting and looking after trees hasn’t been a hindrance to doing this business for the three. Basing on their long stay in the business, they try to avail what people come looking for. Mr Atwijukye says Slagina (eucalyptus variety) has a very high demand because of its fast rate of growth and multiple uses. “It matures in a short time. After about five years, it can be harvested for wood fuel and building. Pine takes 20 before it can be harvested.â€Â� he says. “Salgina is the suitable variety for this region,â€Â� says Denis Oyiro, the National Forest Authority Mbarara Plantation Manager. Private tree nursery operators buy seeds from vendors who collect them from forests in the region. However, Mr Atwijukye and his colleagues are selling pine without knowledge of the suitable variety. Knowledge of the species is lacking Mr Oyiro agrees that most of the private nursery operators don’t know these varieties and can’t differentiate them. While all trees are good depending on the objective of planting, lack of thorough knowledge on them by traders can make clients buy species that can’t grow well in some of the areas. “There are over 500 varieties in the eucalyptus family alone. Pine has more than five varieties and they all can’t grow everywhere because conditions vary,â€Â� he said, adding that eucalyptus varieties of salgina and grandais thrive best in cooler climate and are therefore suitable for the western region. Camadulensis and teriticonis tolerate severe drought and can therefore thrive in the northern and north eastern regions of the country. “It is possible that the private nursery operators can raise these seedlings and sell them to people in an area where they can’t survive or do well,â€Â� says Oyiro. Eurohylla and panaculata varieties of eucalyptus may not grow in Uganda. Mr Oyiro says Pinus carribaea, a pine specie, grows well in most parts of the country apart from Kabale. Pinus Oocarpa tolerates long drought seasons. Pinus Patula, he said, is suitable for the extremely cold district because of its adaptability to the very cool climate, and is therefore suitable for Kabale. While in the northern region, eastern and some parts of central region, trees are planted largely during the March to May season, in the western region, trees are planted in the September to November season mainly because of prolonged rains. “One should know which specie is suited for which area. When you buy from NFA, you are sure of the source of the seedlings and the variety,â€Â� says Oyiro. He says there are all seedling varieties, trees and fruits at NFA offices going for Shs300 (pine), Shs100 (eucalyptus) and between Shs1,000 to Shs2,500 for fruit trees including the improved varieties. While pine takes long to mature, it fetches many returns after close to two decades of waiting. One can harvest between 450 to 600 cubic metres of pine per hectare. Mr Oyiro says a cubic metre is sold at Shs80,000. Assuming 500 cubic metres are harvested from a hectare, one can earn Shs40m. The same cubic metres can be harvested from a hectare of fully grown eucalyptus trees. But the cost of a cubic metre of eucalyptus is at Shs45,000. One can therefore earn Shs22.5m. High rate of deforestation According to forest statistics obtained from NFA, Uganda had 4.93 million hectares of forest cover by the 1990s (21.4 per cent). In 2005, the country was left with 3.55 million hectares (17.4 per cent). This means that Uganda has lost 30 per cent of the forest cover in 15 years at a rate of 92,000 hectares of forest per year or 2.16 per cent annually. The government through the National Community Tree Planting Programme is encouraging communities to plant enough trees given that the enormous demand for construction timber, furniture, poles and fuel wood which cannot be sustained by the existing forest estate.  The programme running from 2009 to 2014 encourages planting of quality trees by government departments, all institutions and the community so that in future, spending of foreign currency on importation of wood products is brought to an end. Reforestation, aforestation and individual tree planting are identified as key measures in combating climate change and its adverse effects which are mostly felt by the poor people and the poor countries. As a sign of climate change in Uganda recently, there have been increased high temperatures, extreme weather in the form of floods and droughts. As a consequence, there have been cases of increased water scarcity, reduced agricultural activity and hunger, increased incidences of fires and floods like the 2007 (flood) incident that left 82,000 homes damaged. Such hazards are partly a result of the high rate of deforestation and therefore call for a will to increase tree-covered areas."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/722194/-/k3xe0qz/-/index.html","content":"Murphy's Law will always be in existence! - I enjoy watching the “Knowledge channel on the satellite network and have recently refreshed my understanding of two major scientific theories of recent times, that of Newton's Gravity and Einstein's Relativity. However, I wait with interest to see whether a programme is dedicated to my favourite albeit non-scientific theory, that of “Murphy's Law\". As a re-cap for non-regular readers, “Murphy's Law is that if something bad can happen, it most assuredly will and at the worst possible time and appears to affect every day people, well' every day. My friend, let us call him Peter, is a distributor of cement but stubbornly refused to consider taking out any insurance under the misguided belief that nothing could ever happen to his stock of cement. He laughed at the suggestion that fire could ravage his warehouse, scoffed at the prospect of contamination, ridiculed the notion of theft and whilst accepting that bags of cement can be as difficult to look after as new born babies remained supremely confident that he would for-see any possible risk and that insurance was just a waste of money. Alas, he had not planned for “Murphy's Law in his risk management equation. The demand for cement has recently outstripped supply so when Peter was able to negotiate a large payment-in-advance consignment of over 1600 bags, he was delighted and in anticipation of Elnino rains that evening, raised the pallets of his new cement stock onto wooden battens, six inches from the floor of his warehouse and settled to a night's entertainment maybe watching the Knowledge channel and perhaps increasing the TV volume so as to deaden the sound of that evening's four-hour thunderstorm. “Murphy's Law struck with vengeance and when he opened his warehouse door the following morning, a torrent of water nearly swept him off his feet. What he saw was not his cement bags in a dry and safe environment but a warehouse many feet deep in water with just the top two tiers of cement bags visible and even these were sodden wet. Now, however good the cement manufacturers try, their bags are not absolutely waterproof and once wet, cement does exactly what it is designed to do, it solidifies and becomes as hard as well, cement. My previous top three useless items prior to Peter's flood would certainly have included an ashtray I saw on the handlebars of a Boda Boda, a GTV satellite dish I recently saw advertised on a postcard at a supermarket and the whistles currently in vogue with Kampala's Traffic Police. However, I now have a new #1 as there is absolutely nothing more useless than 1600 Bags of solidified cement in damp bags. My friend was mortified with grief, had lost all his working capital and to add insult to injury, had to pay someone to take the useless cement blocks away. If Peter had taken out an All Risks Insurance policy, he would absolutely have been covered for the very event he thought he had anticipated, i.e. flood but which “Murphy's Law\" stepped in to ensure his plan not to insure was left high and dry, which was certainly not what happened to his cement.     Insurance is not a luxury, not a tax and certainly not a waste of money. I am sure we all know someone like Peter who could have mitigated a loss if they had just taken out insurance. So please remember that bad things always happen at the worst time and whether scientific or not, “Murphy's Law\" is very real. Mr Corbit is the Managing Director of ICEA Limited."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/-/689856/717758/-/10wqpkvz/-/index.html","content":"The reason to hope - Book: Is Africa Cursed? Author: Tokunboh Adeyemo Reviewer: Edwin Nuwagaba Price: Shs 15,000 Available at: All leading bookstores Many people are asking why most of Africa seems to be stuck deep in a mess. Now, Tokunboh Adeyemo is asking himself whether Africans are cursed or are simply fulfilling a prophecy. Much of the book’s ideologies are based on the Bible, and all the subject matter portrays biblical connotations. For instance, the book says Genesis: 10 gives us what is commonly known as “a table of nationsâ€Â�. According to the writer, given that after the flood the whole earth was populated by Shem, Ham and Japheth (Genesis. 9:19), the Bible divides humankind into three main blocks, the Japhethites (Europeans) the Hamites (Africans); and the Shemites (Asians). So, we read that Ham became the father of Cush, who was the father of Nimrod. Nimrod is known to have been a mighty hunter, a creative pioneer, very spiritual and an empire maker. And so, according to the author, if Nimrod was the forefather of the African people, then Africa and Africans cannot be under-rated. The book points out that Africa’s biggest nightmare is poverty. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is quoted to have said; “One of the biggest weakening factors in Africa is tribalism and other forms of sectarianism.â€Â� There is more insight into Africa’s problems like injustice, dehumanisation, unemployment, disease, rape and corruption. But again, there is room to think that Africa is cursed. The capture of slaves in Africa, it is stated in this book, was done in the name of Christianising slaves with the assumption that they were already cursed anyway. It goes on to say that since Ham was the father of black people and he and his descendants were cursed to be slaves because of his sins then Africans and their descendants are destined to be servants and should accept their status as slaves in fulfillment of biblical prophecy. The author dispels this, saying that when Ham humiliated his father by failing to cover his nakedness, Noah could not curse him even as God had blessed Noah and his sons forehand, which implies that Africa is actually not cursed."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/717184/-/b5cmpxz/-/index.html","content":"Practical solutions to Kampala’s flood menace - Of late, rains have become almost a daily occurrence in the city and much as they might seem a source of relief from the dust, the rains have become a very uncomfortable aspect in many people’s lives especially those in low lying and flood-prone areas. For example, the recent rains are said to have claimed at least four lives. I have, in the past, written articles urging the authorities to do something, but those people living in flood-prone areas like swamps, are equally to blame. It is time to think of more applicable strategies to counter the floods instead of waiting for the government to do something. It’s not only Uganda  that is facing the problem of floods. Countries, especially in Europe, have over time learnt to live with floods as a result of hurricanes by engineering ways to live and survive. This is a strategy Uganda must adopt to cope. We need to think about adopting the technology of floating houses. As much as the idea may sound out of this world, it’s very much possible. For example in Malaysia and Indonesia, people literally live on water. This is done by building strong pillars made of either weather and water resistant wood or concrete. This makes the houses slightly above the ground and if floods occur, the water just passes under the houses. This  way, people will not lose their property like is the case in Kawempe, Bwaise and other low lying areas.   Clock Tower has always experienced floods and this has become a chronic inconvenience which I believe can be improved by a flyover to enable vehicles use the flyover when it’s raining heavily. The flyover can further still help reduce on the traffic congestion which is a menace around this point. In Germany for example, in the states of Saxony and Bavaria, when hurricanes are expected, barriers are built to protect the towns and its residents. And they use simple sandbags which are piled on top of each other. Why not try out this simple technique in Kyebando, Bwaise Nateete. This is a simple but successful technique that does not necessarily need the authorities to inject lots of money; may be only for some insecticides to spray on top of the stagnant water which might come as a result of the barriers. However, the only way to put an end to the flooding of homes is unblocking drainage channels which can be done communally and maintain them open and free to let rain water through. Over the years, the authorities have grown tired of the cat and mouse games with people who are chased from living in swampy areas but come back almost immediately. The only permanent solution is putting a heavy fine or permanently gazzetting off these areas. It’s funny how people who intentionally inhabit wetlands blame the government for doing nothing about the floods. In order to make floods and their consequences history, all those affected directly and indirectly must come together to implement the simple solutions I have suggested. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Nkurunziza is an urban planner 0772949218 « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/712530/-/3hoat7z/-/index.html","content":"Kabwegyere should resign - I am worried about Uganda’s future given our current leaders’ indifference to the famine tragedy in the country. In a meeting with MPs from the famine-hit region on Wednesday, Disaster Preparedness Minister Tarsis Kabwegyere and State Minister for Agriculture Aggrey Bagiire reportedly told the hunger victims that they were suffering because they take a lot of alcohol. But many people especially in Acholi and Lango are just returning home from IDP camps. Still, you may recall that not long ago, Prof. Kabwegyere’s ministry was accused of supplying rotten seeds and fake pangas to people in the north! The truth is that the flood tragedy in Teso last year was followed by a prolonged drought the result of which is poor crop harvest. In any case, can Mr Bagiire also blame the decline of matooke output in Kayunga, Bugisu and Masaka due to the banana wilt disease on laziness or drunkness on Bagisu or Baganda? If Prof. Kabwegyere’s ministry can’t effectively respond to disasters in the country, then let him resign or the President should sack him. People in the famine-hit areas have a right to get help from the government using the taxpayers’ money and not Kabwegyere’s money. Gerald Werikhe Wanzalawerikeg@yahoo.com --------------------------------- I get embarrassed whenever I read in the papers ministers’ response to the famine tragedy in the east and north. How does a country that has a Ministry for Disaster ‘Preparedness’ fail to ‘prepare’ for disasters? Why are disasters in other regions handled swiftly? What has the government learnt and how shall we avoid similar situations? My urge NGOs and the government to find a long term solution to the famine. The government should make sure that people invest in areas like irrigation and research. Denis Oduma Kampala ---------------------------------I would like to appreciate the media for especially highlighting the plight of people hit by famine in Teso. I first felt the gravity of the situation on NTV last week. I am however happy that MPs from the region have explained the gravity of the situation and even opened an account for well wishers to contribute money towards the cause. But given the high level of corruption in the country, how sure are we that our contributions will reach the beneficiaries? Besides, I propose that other places where help can be taken should identified and published.Sarah Janet Nandutu Kampala --------------------------------- I am very touched by the plight of people in Teso sub-region region who are dying of hunger. But what really is the work of the Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness? Do you start preparing after disasters have occurred? Don’t you have stores to keep food for such instances? I think this time the government has done little to help its own citizens. We Ugandans should blame the State because if it can afford to dish out billion of shillings to just an individual like Basajjabalaba, why can’t provide food to the population? The Disaster Ministry must do something otherwise many more people will die of hunger. But if ministry fails to rescue the situation, the concerned minister must resign immediately. We should all - NGOs, companies and well wishers join hands and save lives of people in Teso. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/712672/-/b5g0fgz/-/index.html","content":"Stop bickering; debate how to stop repeat of famine - There is drought in Teso and parts of northern Uganda. But these are not the only areas in Uganda experiencing drought. The entire cattle corridor is experiencing drought. The government has responded to the famine in Teso by providing an additional Shs10 billion for relief food and other necessities. The money should be able to ease the situation in the short term. The NRM government will do whatever it takes to prevent the starvation of people. The President visited Ongino and Malera sub-counties in Teso yesterday.  The bickering should stop. We should instead be debating on how to avoid a repeat of the starvation. A few years ago, Teso experienced floods. Teso is on a lower altitude compared to Karamoja. So when there are heavy rains in Karamoja, especially Katakwi and Amuria districts neighbouring  Karamoja suffer from floods. The problem is not about lack of water but the inability to store water when there are  floods for use during drought season. Teso has other water sources including Lake  Bisinia and Lake Kyoga. Apart from the government handling the current food problem, the bigger picture should be how to assist Teso and other areas that experience drought to store water. If people in Sahara Desert are not starving, why should any Ugandan starve when we have abundant water? The source of River Nile is in Uganda but Egypt uses more of its water for agriculture than Uganda. There is no reason why any district near the Nile or lakes should experience food shortage because  of drought. Last year I saw how people in Florida, USA,  prevent flooding . They build water ponds for storing water.  It’s possible to use ponds and big dams to trap flood waters in  Teso which can later be used for watering crops during drought. Teso falls under the Northern Uganda Rehabilitation Programme which will be funded under Nusaf II and it’s vital to include water retention measures under the programme. The problem is that designers of development programmes miss the point. Instead of putting money into priority areas like  promoting agriculture through provision of water for production - which in the case of Teso would include trapping water flowing from Karamoja – they spend more money on seminars. I had a discussion with the new permanent secretary, Office of the Prime Minister, Mr P. Bigirimana, who assured me that this time Nusaf II will achieve tangible results. I implore Teso MPs to get involved and ensure that government development  programmes in their areas, which starts in this financial year, address critical issues like prevention of hunger. Through Naads, we recently mobilised a group of 30 youth in each of the 63 sub-counties of Teso to plant two acres of oranges and an acre of mangoes. We also gave them 400 layers plus feeds enough to cover the period up to when the chicken will start laying  eggs. I don’t want my efforts to empower the youth in Teso to be frustrated by drought. However, the need for water for production shouldn’t be confined to Teso alone. People in the cattle corridor also complain about lack of water. Currently,  milk production is low because of drought. Besides, the corridor also faces the problem of over grazing. The land is holding more cattle than the recommended number of cattle per acre. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be a problem of lack of pasture during a drought. If one had enough pasture at their farm, it would dry during dry season. That would be standing hay which is good for cattle. In fact, cows should look healthier during the dry season when they are fed on hay because hay is more nutritious and have  higher dry matter content than the green grass. The problem cattle keepers experience is that during the rainy season, pasture doesn’t grow well due to over grazing. Therefore, these are the issues that should be addressed. Mr Byaruhanga is a special presidential assistant on political affairs political@infocom.co.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/-/691192/712162/-/fd6gpsz/-/index.html","content":"Are your crops and animals insured? - ***image1*** Agricultural insurance is something other African countries in the south and west have taken on that Ugandan farmers should consider as well. One could justifiably say “Agriculture is risk and risk is agriculture�. In a trade where the investor can almost never have direct control over the influential factors, the reality of risk and therefore loss is even more likely than profit, at least until after the proceeds are safely in hand. It gets worse for the crop agriculturalists who in place of the predictable climate seasons now have irregular cycles throughout the year, leaving them almost entirely dependent on guess work. Not that the animal husbandry sector is safe either; while one could for instance control the outbreak of infectious diseases among their livestock by say spraying, whether or not their expensive exotic bull unexpectedly falls in a ditch where it grazes and dies is almost totally out of their control. But what if you could insure your crops, livestock, farm and even workers and equipment so that by paying an annual fee, you stand a chance of being compensated in case of unexpected damage or loss? Agricultural insurance is something other African countries in the south and west like Zimbabwe and Botswana have taken on for years now while most farmers in Uganda and most of East Africa hasn’t yet embraced the concept. In Uganda, Michael Mghanga, the Operations Manager at Lion Assurance Company Limited, an insurance company with braches in the western and southern region which also now offers agricultural insurance policies in Uganda, attributes the low development of the policy on the country’s agricultural structural setting. “Zimbabwe is one of the countries I know where this kind of insurance is highly developed especially before the current political instability. I think it is because there are many large scale commercial farmers, especially with livestock farms, and most of them are ‘White’ who understand and appreciate the benefits and intricacies of insurance,� he explains. When Lion Assurance decided to give agricultural insurance a try in Uganda from around 2006, the biggest hindrance was the fact that there were more subsistence than commercial farmers in the country, compared to the other countries and the fact that they lacked organisation. “In insurance, you look at the law of large numbers to ensure that claims don’t exceed clients. It is the only way to ensure you will break even or it is not a worthy business. Also, the absence of farmers’ associations makes it harder because we need it to make projections before venturing into the business,� explains Mghanga. Almost only flower growers were found to be organised enough to warrant the policy and these provided the debut agricultural insurance clients. Through their organisation, Uganda Flower Exporters Association, insurers could easily access information on the farmers’ background and progress, and keep in touch with them. Besides, flower farmers are probably better placed to appreciate the reality of agricultural risk than most other farmers since flowers are among the most expensive and risky agricultural ventures.Pearl Flowers in Ntungamo and Temangalo, and Oasis Nurseries along Entebbe Road are among those insured with Lion Assurance today, Pearl since 2006 when it started and the latter for two of its six years in existence. “I can’t express the importance of insurance in this trade. The flower business is as risky and expensive as it is profitable,� confesses Frank Nyombi, the financial manager, Oasis Nurseries, adding that, “The premium is very expensive, but necessary and worth it.� The most outstanding insurance rescue for Oasis Nurseries has so far been the time their harvest deteriorated in the cold rooms due to power failure and they would have made big losses but for the insurance company that paid back. What can be insured? Lion Assurance, the only company currently known to offer agricultural insurance, offers policies for horticulture, forestry, livestock, bird and fish farming, and crops like sugarcane, cotton, tea and coffee. “We can however tailor a policy for any extensive farmer even if their sector is not included at the moment. The only one of these policies where we have clients for instance is the livestock and horticulture sectors, but the other policies are in place. Mainly, we suspect there are not many farmers aware of the existence of the policy,� says Mghanga. For horticulture, which is the most widely insured at the moment, the insurance policy would cover the green houses, plastic cladding and structures separately from the crops in the green houses. “There are times when the storms will destroy the material, leaving the plants intact, hence the insurance on the greenhouse construction material separate from the crops,� explains Karukubiro. At this stage, the farmers are insured against lightening, fire, burglary, explosions, malicious damage or riot and strike. Additional perils include storms and tempest, hail and snow, flood, aircraft and other aerial devices and bursting or overflowing of water supply systems. “The policy we have also covers any accidents or risks in the cold room and transit trucks against freezing or any other eventualities,� says Tumuhaise, the accountant at Pearl Flowers, adding that, “Our workers are also insured against work hazards, meaning that in case of any accidents, we can claim their medication or compensation fee from the insurance company.� Insurance experience To summarise the policy, Mghanga says agricultural insurance basically insures the clients against any risk that may be beyond their control right until their produce is in the final consumer’s hands. When Lions Assurance first marketed their agricultural policy among the flower farmers, their first bunch of clients totalled seven. “Most of these have dropped off, leaving us with a much smaller number now because the claim experiences became really bad,� confesses Mghanga. Nyombi however says they have had no problems with having their claims honoured. But Pearl Flowers tells a different story. “Insurance companies are tricky; they seem to always come up with excuses not to pay you or just to pay less than you claim,� complains Tumuhaise. Mghanga explains that the misconception stems from the clients’ failure to understand and therefore fulfill their end of the bargain. “They fail to understand that we only cover claims after ascertaining that the risk was beyond their control. In most cases, we for instance found that most farmers didn’t make any effort to prevent the likely accidents or risks by say installing wind breakers, although they know how eminent a risk wind is to flower farming,� says Mghanga. Karukubiro admits that, sometimes the insurer gets away with their excuses, but “only because they will only bring these things up when it is time for compensation. Why can’t they make these clear when they are marketing the policy? That Pearl Flowers still retains its insurance policy however is a clear indication of the necessity of being insured as Tumuhaise affirms. “Even with the possibility of part payments, being insured is so much better than not being insured at all. The dangers in this business are simply too many yet the cost of production is also high.�"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/712000/-/10dpmn6/-/index.html","content":"Museveni stops arrests of rebels - Kampala/Gulu President Museveni has ordered an immediate halt to arrests of suspected rebel collaborators in northern Uganda, the army announced yesterday. Maj. Felix Kulayigye, the defence and military spokesman, said the directive issued on Saturday has already been communicated to all field commanders and detectives involved in the operations against the Uganda Patriotic Front, an alleged new fighting group. “Yes it is true the Commander-in-Chief has directed a stop to the arrests because the nucleus of the emerging rebellion was crushed and those concerned have received the information,â€Â� he said. Separately, the Gulu Resident District Commissioner, Col. Walter Ochora, said during a talk show on Mega FM radio over the weekend that he and some top government officials he did not name, are working with the Executive to secure release of some 17 residents of Gulu and Kitgum Districts incarcerated for alleged involvement in subversive activities. Eleven of the suspects, reportedly found in possession of several SMG rifles, military communication equipment and fatigues, have since been charged with treason, a capital offence that under the 2002 Anti-Terrorism Act attracts the death sentence. It emerged yesterday that President Museveni, upon a detailed briefing by senior security chiefs and leaders in northern Uganda, cautioned that the army should always distinguish between “misleaders and those misledâ€Â� when dealing with intricate security matters. Daily Monitor has learnt that Col. Ochora visited the rebel suspects at Luzira Prisons on Friday. And the inmates gave him a detailed account of the shadowy rebel group, including name, location and interests of the external founders/financers. It is understood identities of their accomplices in Uganda were also revealed. Lobbyists, among then the RDC, intend to use this confidential information to prove that the individuals languishing in jail were just pawns used by some ‘armchair rebels’ in the UK and US, acting to mobilise financing from their sympathisers and foes of the Museveni regime. “We are going to plead with the President to have these people released from Luzira Prison since they have given all the information about plans to start the rebellion,â€Â� said Col. Ochora, adding: “They are no longer a security threat or big deal.â€Â� Mid last week, Gen. David Tinyefuza, the coordinator of national intelligence agencies, threw a spanner in works by dismissing the widely publicised emergence of a new rebel group in northern Uganda as “utter rubbish,â€Â� exciting some politicians initially linked to the criminal scheme. It emerged yesterday that Gulu District chairman, Mr Norbert Mao, named by the military as an “accomplice and adviserâ€Â� of the nascent group had apologised for withholding potentially treasonable information from Col. Ochora, the district security committee chairman. Mr Mao thrust himself into trouble last week after admitting in a newspaper article that he obtained full information about the planned rebellion from a contact in the UK early last year, but considered it “trash of some armchair rebels.â€Â� But the military turned the tide against Mr Mao after obtaining the memory stick containing the rebels’ dossier, which the Gulu chairman forgot at Sheraton Hotel Business Centre in Kampala sometime in April, this year. In a dramatic show of bravery, Mr Mao yesterday demanded the army to apologise for “stealing my computer memory stick.â€Â� “Yes, I have already asked them to return it because the memory stick is my property,â€Â� he said, suggesting that they are mulling sending an ad hoc team of Acholi leaders to explain  to President Museveni the latest goings-on in the sub-region to “put things in context.â€Â� And he added: “I believe these were just organised criminals and not rebels. I don’t understand why any armed suspect found in northern Uganda is always branded a rebel, while those arrested in other parts of the country are called thugs.â€Â� Detectives, it is understood, thwarted plans by the jailed rebel suspects to collude with a Prison warder to orchestrate a major prison break in Pader District, which would enable hard core criminals flood the streets to terrorise residents. The decision by President Museveni is expected to calm northern politicians, restless since news emerged of their probable culpability in a subversive plot. Additional reporting by Sam Lawino & David Okumu"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/711694/-/10dp39t/-/index.html","content":"Sebaggala at half-term; a litany of broken promises - Half way through his term as Kampala City mayor, Nasser Ntege Sebaggala has not fulfilled most of the promises he made during campaigns for the mayoral seat. The city is still grappling with garbage, the roads are in poor condition and he is accused by some market vendors of backing tycoons who wanted to take over markets in the city, write Andrew Bagala and Robert Mwanje If Kampala Mayor Nasser Ntege Sebaggala needed a half-term report on his administration’s performance from the “common manâ€Â�, whose interests he pledged to serve when he took the oath of office on May 15, 2006, city dwellers could not have delivered it in more emphatic fashion than they did on February 26th, 2009. Mr Sebaggala was visiting the victims of the February 25 fire that gutted merchandise at Nakivubo Park Yard near St. Balikuddembe (Owino) Market when angry vendors hurled insults, shoes, stones, and everything else they could land their hands on, at the mayor.***image3***Even in the heat of the rage built up by the market inferno, the fact could not have been lost on Mr Sebaggala and his team that the vendors had picked on their mayor for special rough treatment. In any case, other senior local politicians and leaders like President Museveni, FDC president Kizza Besigye and Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi went to commiserate with the fire victims and received heroes’ welcomes at the market. The unprecedented attack on Mr Sebaggala, a streetwise politician who rose to fame in the late 1990s due to his close links with ordinary city dwellers and was nicknamed Seya (comrade) by his adoring supporters, was in fact the culmination of pent up anger that had been building up during the first three years of the mayor’s second stint at City Hall. “He is not the mayor I campaigned for. He is now money driven and has done nothing to help the poor man improve his income,â€Â� said Ms Florence Nakkonde, a trader in Owino Market and one of several vendors complaining about the Kampala City Council (KCC)-backed moves to sell off city markets to tycoons rather than associations belonging to traders. Ms Nakkonde’s views bear similarity to those of Kampala Central MP Elias Lukwago, who shares the same Democratic Party (DP) political umbilical cord as Mr Sebaggala although the latter is currently estranged from the party. “Sebaggala pledged to front the common man’s interests but his actions don’t show that he is doing anything of that kind. He is feasting on the common man’s interest by selling of their markets to the rich,â€Â� Mr Lukwago told Saturday Monitor. According to Mr Lukwago, Kampala’s problems stem from the fact that Mr Sebaggala promised what he could not deliver. He said: “Sebaggala raised people’s morale beyond his capacity to deliver, which has turned to be a big disappointment. At his level, what he has done so far is what he could probably deliver. Actually if he would do something beyond that, it would be a miracle.â€Â�***image1***At half term, the vendors and Mr Lukwago are not the only ones complaining. With city residents asking why – as per his promises – Mr Sebaggala had not replaced taxis with buses by June 2007 or even today, revamped mobile medical services by June 2007, created cyclist lanes in 50 per cent of the roads by June 2007, or created 15,000 jobs by December 2008, the mayor is a cornered man. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/711312/-/b5gr9bz/-/index.html","content":"Time to tap into the film industry - Mid this month, the head of the Makerere University Literature Department and her film class will launch a feature film titled “A meal to forgetâ€Â�.  Based on a true story of a man who killed his two children after failing to fend for them, the film explores issues of child welfare in the context of the challenging economic situation. For those who have put their energy and resources in the production of this film, its launch would be a time to celebrate. But their toast may be short-lived, not going beyond the launch. The film may join the tens others of locally-made films (Bina-Uganda) that have caught dust on the studio shelves. It may join the hundreds others that will be pirated and sold on the black market. And yet, the movie industry if well-managed would be one of the greatest revenue earners for this country. The recent announcement during the budget reading of a tax-waiver on television, digital and video cameras was a laudable step by the government. But to spur growth in the movie industry calls for more than tax waivers. First, the government and related agencies must take protection of creative work seriously. The copyright law has never really come into effect. A walk downtown will reveal hundreds of shops specialising in pirating movies and music. Unless a major crackdown is launched, people’s creative work will go to waste as others simply create photocopies and flood the market. Whereas the Uganda Federation of the Movie Industry estimates that there are about 1,200 movie distributors in Kampala, it can’t tell exactly how many people are engaged in the industry. This level of poor record keeping says loads about the disorganisation in the industry. Players in the movie industry must therefore work towards efficiency and conglomeration. For example, the desire to negotiate a tax policy on locally-made movies with the Uganda Revenue Authority as a means of ensuring protection can’t be achieved unless the players push for the policy as a team. Importantly though, the makers of the films must understand the interests of the market. Their colleagues in the music sector have mastered this, explaining its tremendous growth. Movies should have local appeal and closer-to-home themes. And this is not impossible. Thirteen years ago, the Nigerian movie industry was staggering like ours. Today, it is the second biggest income earner after oil, with a value of $250 million. All they did was get the basics right."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/FashionBeauty/-/691228/709506/-/7dcui0/-/index.html","content":"Diagnosing the toilets in some of the popular spots - There is nothing as disturbing as having a meal or going for a drink only to retch at the sight or stench of the toilets, writes Lulu Jemimah There is a group on Facebook, ‘I was traumatized by Billy Blues Loos’, that has 29 members and was started in March last year when the once hottest hang out in Kampala was still open. There is nothing as disturbing as having a meal or going for a drink only to retch at the sight or stench of the toilets. Not only are you risking losing your food in a few seconds, stepping in something, having a permanent stench but also getting infected. We decided to snoop around and find out the best and worst places to take a toilet break. Katch the sun (Bugolobi) There are few places (outside exotic over priced hotels) where you can find toilets as clean as this place. Running water, always available rolls of toilet paper, liquid clean and dry floor and they even throw in hand towels. ZONE7 (Mbuya) Over the weekend, Zone 7 can get unbelievably crowded and one would expect flooded, dirty toilets. To the contrary, the bar has maintained high hygiene standards and maybe this could be because unlike other places, they have more than five cubicles. They also always have toilet paper, running water and one or two staff members on hand to clean up every half an hour or so. Equator Bar (Sheraton) It could be because it is located in a four star hotel, but Equator is one of the few bars in Uganda where you can walk in with no fear of catching something. Since the bar gets really crowded especially over the weekends, there is usually human traffic, but staff cleaners always pop in to make sure everything is still clean and usable. Bamboo (Bugolobi) Not to be confused with the bridge (old bamboo to some), new bamboo has picked up over the last month and sometimes gets really crowded, but has still maintained an acceptable standard when it comes to the toilets. With ladies rooms on the first and second floor, it helps with the traffic and they always have toilet paper. Common Wealth Resort Munyonyo Toilets at Munyonyo are enviably clean although things tend to always go down side when there is a large crowd. For both the Goat Races and Indian Festival, they were dirty, muddy, with no tissue and they even flooded at one point. Rugby Clubs (Kampala and Kyadondo) Undeniably these two sports bars probably play the best music in town, but this doesn’t give them extra points for hygiene. In Kampala Rugby, you may fail to find tissue and may wince before taking a leak but they are way better than the ones at Kyadondo. In the latter, the place is usually muddy or dusty and this also extends to the toilets. There is no tissue and even when there is, it isn’t wise to use it because it is usually wet. I haven’t even started on the fact that they rarely flush and that the doors don’t close. 1 | 2 Next Page»Fat Boys and her neighbour Just Kicking (Kisementi)Both bars may be crowd pullers, but they still have a long way to go. FatBoys has only two cubicles for the ladies and the toilet itself is too small and usually has five or more girls jammed in front of the mirror. Many times there is water trickling out of the tap and not in the cistern. Yes, they flood and finding tissue there can be harder than getting a free drink. Just Kicking may have the advantages of more cubicles and space but the fact that one has been out of order for weeks while another is closed, doesn’t make much of a difference. The later it gets the more you have to hitch up your trousers. National Theatre It took all form of bravery to get me into the National Theatre toilets. I considered buying an overall and gumboots. The problem wasn’t even the tissue or the lack of running water, but the fact that I wanted to carry my bag on my head lest it touches any surface. Michel’s Pub and Catalina (Ntinda) I was a regular at Michel’s but only once did I find that the toilets had tissue and maybe on only five occasions did they actually flush. It reached a point where I favoured the men’s toilets because they were cleaner which is still not saying much. Catalina-Rock Catalina remains the bar with the worst state toilets. The squat ones near the upper extension have a permanent stench, no tissue and they are always wet. A better (not by far) option would be the one near the entrance that doubles as both gents and ladies. There you may find tissue and even be able to flush. Cherie, Sai Sai, Las Vegas, Punch Line (Kabalagala)In probably the most alive night life area in Uganda, Cherie may have three cubicles, an abundance of tissue, but not always the best when it comes to the stench. It can also be commended for having a guy cleaning it up every so often. Las Vegas and Punch Line have the cleanest of the toilets compared to the bars located in this region although Punch Line has one cubicle which makes for a lot of lining up. Sai Sai would take the vote for worst smelling toilets. Night clubs It is almost a guarantee to find a clean toilet in any club in Uganda. It’s not an un-common site to enter any club toilet and find a cleaning lady fast asleep. However, compared to most bars, toilets in clubs are surprisingly cleaner. They always have the damage control cleaner, tissue and usually flush. This is not to say that all is squeaky clean; Ange-noir down stairs has very dirty sinks because of makeup. Rouge toilets are clean have an abundance of tissue, but sadly only two cubicles and many girls clamoring to get in. Pa Lui has enough cubicles, tissue and they are clean but this could be thanks to the few attendees. At Club Silk its hard to find a dirty toilet, except for the occasional failure to flash tissue away by patrons. Mateo’s (Parliamentary Avenue) Mateos considering its day and night crowd, is like two different bars. You can have an important business meeting during the day and on a crowded evening, walk around with your hands buried in the pocket because you can get robbed. With the toilets as well, they are bearable during the day but flooded, muddy and with the tissue falling in the water/urine/God knows what in the evening. They are also only two cubicles which means you can pee on yourself in the long queue. Iguana (Kisementi) The toilets may be a whole floor below the bar/drinking area, but they are worth the long walk; many stalls, an abundance of toilet paper and they flush. Once or twice I have been there and there has been a water shortage but nothing threatening. The tap outside the toilet usually only has trickles. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/708682/-/b5xdduz/-/index.html","content":"It is our responsibility to combat climate change - Ask not what your country can do for you -ask what you can do for your country,â€Â� former US president John F. Kennedy told his countrymen on his inaugural address on January 20, 1961. This is a significant statement that remains powerful to date, not just for Americans but you and I, especially at this time when climate change is threatening our livelihoods and development efforts. As we commemorate  World Environment Day, tomorrow (June 5) in Kayunga District, this year’s theme, “Your Country Needs You - Let Us Unite to Combat Climate Changeâ€Â� should leave us thinking of what we can do for our country. Climate change refers to warming or cooling of the earth and how it affects local climate over a short and long –term. The warming and /cooling is brought about by increasing concentration of dangerous human induced gasses, scientifically referred to as Green House Gasses (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide-in the atmosphere.  In it’s most recent assessment, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported that all of Africa is likely to warm during this century. IPCC further reports that annual rainfall is likely to decrease throughout most of the region, with exception of Eastern Africa. IPCC’s report is a confirmation of what is already happening. While some parts of the country are cooling, others warming up.  Glaring evidences of the warming include melting of ice on top Mount Rwenzori, a source of clean water to over one million people in Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, increasing risks of diseases and mass displacement of people due to recurring floods and storms. The impact of climate change will affect us all, so it is imperative that we must all endeavour to be part of the solution and there are simple things we can do to help mitigate climate change. Plant trees: Trees play a significant role in offsetting carbon emissions that cause climate change, in addition to providing vital forest products and services. Ride bicycles more often instead of driving gas-guzzling vehicles: Not all cars are good for the environment as they emit toxic gasses including carbondioxide and carbonmonoxide that are harmful to your health and environment. Walk to work: Many people today, even those who live near their work places prefer to drive instead of walking. Go carbon neutral: This means being responsible for the Green House Gasses you emit every time you take a plane or drive inefficient cars. It’s based on the principle that, since climate change is a global problem, an emission reduction made elsewhere has the same positive effect as one made locally. It works in a way that if you add polluting emissions to the atmosphere, you can effectively subtract them by buying ‘carbon offsets’. Carbon offsets are credits for emission reductions achieved by projects such as tree plantations, wind farms, solar installations, or energy efficiency initiatives. You can purchase these credits and apply them to your own emissions to reduce your net climate impact. You can start by offsetting your wedding (including travel by your guests) while artists on the other hand can offset the emissions associated with their music concerts and album launches. Climate change proofing: Consult climate experts before planting crops, constructing bridges, roads, buildings and carrying out particular aviation activities to minimise risks. Harvest water: During heavy rains, a lot of water gets wasted. Water harvesting, protecting catchment areas, building dams and constructing flood control reservoir should be adopted. We must continue demanding that rich countries deliver adaptation funds and clean technology to enable us adapt to climate change and shift to low-carbon pathways. Rich countries should ensure that no good adaptation plans fail to be implemented for lack of money. The International adaptation finance however must not come out of existing aid commitments made for poverty reduction but must be new and additional finance. Ms  Alweny is the national project assistant, poverty environment initiative, National Environment Management Authority salomealweny@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/708466/-/b5xf0fz/-/index.html","content":"Selling sex in the days of the financial crisis - One late evening last week as I drove to Munyonyo to drop off a friend, my old car once again let me down somewhere in Kansanga; a place reputed for accommodating Uganda’s ‘red lights’ district. The place was drowned in loud music and teeming with all manner of men and women who showed off more flesh than was ordinarily expected in public.   As my friend and I tried to make sense of the problem which happened to be a loose battery terminal, two young girls probably in their mid teens (they claimed to be ‘campus’ girls) approached us. The way they were dressed or (not dressed) dispersed any doubts of what they were out to do on the cold evening. They were ‘man hunting’.   In deeply Kiganda accented-broken- “American Englishâ€Â�, they introduced themselves as Beyonce and Mimi and wanted to know if we needed ‘company.’ I jokingly replied that we needed the company of a mechanic. The girls brought the joke back by claiming they were good ‘mechanics’ who would prove their dexterity in one of the nearby lodges.   We asked them why they thought we wanted to go that route. They expertly replied that ‘office men’ like us were normally shy when it comes to buying sex. They are not known to approach the sex worker directly but prefer parking their vehicles on the road side pretending they had broken down. The girls got bolder and put their offer on the table with lightening speed. And thunderously, it dropped out of their mouths.   For a ‘short time’ -lodge expense on the buyer- it would be  Shs20,000 with a condom and Shs50,000 without! For a ‘long time’ it was double those rates with lodge expenses still on the buyer. For the whole night it was a ‘flat rate’ of Shs200,000 meaning the buyer was granted an indulgence on whether to use a condom or not; “gw’osalawoâ€Â� (the decision is yours.)   The girls then claimed that their rates were a ‘special offer’ since we were Africans. For whites it would be much higher because they are normally more ‘demanding’ and go places where Africans won’t dare -except in cases of sodomy. At this point they went native and added, “omanyi kati beyi yebiintu byoona ye kanamye ate abantu te balina sente naffe te tuyinza ku seera ba kasitoma kubanga embeera tugiraba!â€Â�   Meaning “we can’t overcharge our ‘customers’ as most people are financially constrained because the price of everything is going up!â€Â� When we asked “mwe temutya bulwadde?â€Â� (“aren’t you scared of HIV/Aids?â€Â�) the girls laughed and responded that they were still young and fresh so we did not need to worry before quickly adding that we looked like responsible healthy gentlemen, so they had no fear whatsoever and besides these days there is medicine to cure “that diseaseâ€Â�! By this time the car was rumbling and ready to move minus the girls who had failed to make a sale. They asked us to at least give them some money for a plate of chips since we had ‘wasted’ their time. They got none.   The young girls then became hostile, hurling insults at “time wasting stupid men who have no money and drive cheap old cars that break down.â€Â� They loudly thanked God that the deal had not worked out because we looked the type who would not pay after partaking of the service!   It was visible in one night that the gains made in the so-called fight against Aids are under threat for mainly two reasons namely; blinding poverty that denies people human dignity and motivates them to attach less value to their lives. This makes the sex trader throw all precaution to the wind to maximise her earnings.   Secondly and chiefly, ignorance. For long there has been a belief that young people are disease free and one needs less precaution having sexual intercourse with them. Besides the one about there being a ‘cure;’ which shows how little society knows about antiretroviral treatment and other sexually transmitted diseases.   With poverty and ignorance still being very rife, society is very much at risk. Should one infected man take up the offer without a condom, the chain that partakes of the young girls including their age mates who may have other partners opens the flood gates of new multiple infections. This fight against HIV/Aids is still fearfully  a tough one.   nicholassengoba@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/707928/-/b5y0hsz/-/index.html","content":"Urban poor most affected by Climate Change - For a long time, environmentalists have been accused by development enthusiasts of being anti-development.  It is hard to escape the tension between developers and environmental preservation advocates. Most cities in Africa, Kampala inclusive, are experiencing more heat waves. This has been attributed to the diurnal cycles of absorption and re-radiation of solar energy as well as heat generated from buildings. The increased frequency of heat-stress events in cities has affected the health and leisure among the urban population. According to Ms Anna Tibaijuka, the UN Habitat executive director, urban areas are  key to tackling global warming as they account directly for  50 to 60 per cent of human greenhouse gas emissions. She said in African slums, one in three slum dwellers is considered an environmental refugee. The conventional challenges of urban environmental management have resulted in immense environmental effects such as degradation of green spaces and increased green house gas (GHG) emissions. This is evident from the poor management of waste; emitting methane gas if it is organic or carbon dioxide if it is burnt. Road transport emits more than 70 per cent of GHGs and buildings 30 per cent of GHGs. With such impacts of Climate Change on urban areas, the urban poor are at most risk since they live in the most hazardous environments such as flood plains. For developing countries, adaptation to climate change is already happening. In Kampala City, for instance, households raise beds by adding bricks on the floor to keep their beddings from getting wet incase it floods. Yet in developed cities, people are being protected against risks associated with Climate Change through public investment in infrastructure. During a meeting on Climate Change meeting in Oslo in Norway recently,  Florence Namayanja, deputy Kampala mayor, said investment in drainage infrastructure in the city will be crucial and will require huge amount of money. However, the key to adaptation is having a competent, capable and accountable urban government that understands Climate Change adaptation measures. And for adaptation to yield results, all urban government departments have to be involved. In the case of Kampala, the city authority has to strengthen its environmental management department and co-ordinate well with the Climate Change unit, National Environment Management Authority and civil society organisations. After all, Climate Change is no longer an issue relegated to just one minister, one ministry or a few institutions. It is now a holistic concern. We have policies such as the Forestry Policy (2001) that calls for urban forestry. Why don’t we start implementing such strategies to combat Climate Change? Mr Bakiika is the executive director Environmental Management for Livelihood Improvement"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/-/688322/707488/-/f318y8z/-/index.html","content":"Back to school shopping - Money is scarce but children have to go back to school.  Promotions such as Back to School, have helped solve the puzzle for parents as Dorothy Nakaweesi writes. This is a unique beginning of term because of the economic hardships that are currently pinching the world hard. Money is scarce but parents have to inevitably take their children back to school. The good news is; supermarkets are running back to school promotions. Prices of most items have been reduced. We have increased the range of products and are offering great offers and price cuts ranging between 5-10 per cent to over 100 items, Mr Jeff Nchaga , the Uchumi Supermarket country manager, said.Other back to school promotions Uchumi is offering include; the Trolley Dash, free back to school hampers and the shopping hours have been extended from 7a.m to midnight. Let alone their Capital Reward Card that gives you a bonus whenever you shop, Capital Shoppers Supermarket is giving out a packet of Cornflakes worth Shs8,500 to every student who shops at the Nakawa and Dustur Street-based supermarket. Our suppliers like Picfare, Uniliver, Kiwi among others are also carrying out promotions at the supermarket for example if you buy five packets of Always, you get one packet free, Mr Ponsiano Ngabirano, the managing director of Capital Shoppers, said. Mr Denis Rakewa, the assistant supervisor Payless Supermarket (Kabalagala), said the supermarket is offering a 2 per cent discount on over 100 items in their back to school promotion. Shoprite Checkers - Entebbe Road is no different, it also has a back to school offer which starts on May 25 and ends May 31. We are offering a 10 per cent discount on over 50 school items, Mr Godfrey Bwire, sales manager grocery, said.   While commenting on the Back To School promotions, Mr John Kalege, a cleaner at one of the telecom companies in town, said he does not know how he would have survived through this period. I have three children in boarding school. I had to pay fees and shop for necessities with my meagre savings. Upon reaching here (at Capital Shoppers where Daily Monitor intercepted him) I found the promotions. I was so happy. I was able to buy all the necessities with about Shs100,000, Mr Kalege said. Other stake holders are like Bata and Aristoc Booklex also have some on-going promotions. If you buy two pairs of shoes, you get a 30 per cent discount on the second pair Ms Brenda Aine, a sales assistant at Bata Main Branch, said. She said their promotion will end on May 27. Aristoc Booklex Marketing and Sales Manager, Mr Richard Kibirige said this being the mid-term, they are not offering discount but have high quality items like school bags and calculators to offer. At Kikuubo Lane in down town Kampala, business is booming with many shoppers as prices of all products have been reduced. A dozen of books is ranging between Shs4,800 Shs5,000. However, parents have been warned of unscrupulous traders who flood the market with substandard products. Mr Terry Kahuma, the executive director of Uganda National Bureau of Standard (UNBS) said; Parents should check out for expired products by checking the expiration dates, get a feel of the material to see how durable they are. Mr Kahuma advised parents to go to places they know have quality stuff and are hygienically proven. You don't want to end up paying your hard earned money for school shoes, which will shrink in just a week, Mr Kahuma said. In case of any problem people should take advantage of our toll free line; 0414380502, to report such cases."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/-/691192/705922/-/fdpqhhz/-/index.html","content":"Kampala weighed down by garbage - For many years now, uncollected garbage, broken sewers and dust have remained Kampala City’s biggest mess as well as a concern to environmentalists. With the increasing urbanisation, rising standard of living and rapid development associated with population growth, solid and liquid waste generation by industries and domestic activities has more than doubled. According to records obtained from Kampala City Council, Kampala generates about 1,600 tonnes of garbage a day, of which 900 tonnes rots uncollected.  Unfortunately, half of the trash is polythene bags (buveera) and plastic containers. Statistics from KCC reveal that on average, each household generates 8kg of polythene waste annually. With Kampala’s population at 2.5 million people, assuming an average household size is five people, it translates to 500,000 households. ***image1*** This means that Kampala’s population alone dumps 4,000 metric tonnes to the environment every year. Hazardously, the garbage fuses with sewage, industrial effluent and emissions that run into the Nakivubo Channel, constructed to help drain rain and flood water out of the city to Lake Victoria. \"Kampala’s poor sanitation dates back to the 1980s,â€Â� says Kampala Mayor Hajji Nasser Sebaggala. “For some good years, the city has been underfunded and some of its locally generated sources of revenue (daily market dues) were abolished by President Yoweri Museveni in 2006.  So it became hard for the council to depose all the solid waste generated.â€Â� Like flies, buveera hover in every corner of the city. Being light, on a windy day, the buveera fly up in the air hence littering every place. On a rainy day, the polythene bags are transported by running water or wind from one place to another. They end up blocking the drainage channels, causing floods. Mayor Sebaggala however, also blames the mess on unpleasant human settlements and people’s poor dumping habits. He says despite KCC’s regular warnings over repercussions of constructing over drainage channels and irresponsible waste dumping, residents have continued to live recklessly. According to Kampala District Development Plan 2006/07-2008/09, 80 per cent of the city covering an area of 201 square kilometres, has not developed according to structural plans. This partly explains why slums, which are now home to nearly 40 per cent, are mushrooming, which is disappointing. Since slums are not subjected to appropriate planning, they have the worst sewage network and mountains of garbage that keep piling up. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/-/688614/704484/-/hf5cerz/-/index.html","content":"Use a credible system to secure your company's data - Kampala Your company's secrets can run out of your office on cyberwings. What would you do if your BlackBerrys, iPhones and thumb drives go missing? Mr. Thomas Bbosa, Managing Director of Bitwork Technologies, an IT systems integrator company based in Lugogo - UMA Show Grounds, says that the security of your company's data is a business concern rather than being just a technical issue. For this reason he says that any serious business executive should prioritise this matter. He says however, most organisations have neither trained their staff or introduced safe mechanism to ensure that their organization are not caught pants down in case a catastrophe falls. “Most companies, more so the SMEs, lack procedures and systems in place to protect their documents and data,\" he said, “data is an asset and it should be protected like the company's premises, cars, and any other assets.\" Bbosa says that because humans, are considered as a major weakness in systems security, it is not enough to have a password and think the individual or company's information is safe. He quips that some people write down their passwords on sticky notes or give them out at will, others even use simple password like their spouse's or children's names that can easily be guessed, and also most organisation don't have controls over the usage of removable media like flashdisks, floppy disks etc. Whereas every organisation makes effort to ensure its vehicles, premises, furniture and computer hardware are safe, very few pay the same or even more attention to the lifeline of the organisation data. In today's information age, every company's business processes have some component of automation, thus transactions and business information are kept as soft data, but most management and custodians of this data, do less to ensure their safety. In the wake of a flood, robbery or a deadly virus attack, most organisation may stay put as they may not have any back up to the data they had stored on their systems. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/703782/-/gth3vq/-/index.html","content":"Uganda’s dilemma on counterfeits continues - Kampala The Wednesday closure of Desbro, a chemical importing company, by Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) over alleged sale of expired chemicals, once again casts the spotlight on the presence of counterfeits in Uganda. The UNBS has in the last five years seized counterfeit goods worth an average of Shs55 million. Inspite the government’s move to put a stop on sale of counterfeits, the act seems to be on the rise. Overtime, there has been a proliferation of counterfeit goods mostly personal care products, domestic appliances, electronic goods and general consumer goods. UNBS’s Head of Surveillance Division Martin Imalingat said counterfeits continue to flood Ugandan markets and are on the rise. “The issue of counterfeits is quite a menace and the situation is worsening day by day,â€Â� he said. Mr Imalingat added that most of the products that are being counterfeited are the fast selling products such as juice, biscuits, bread, sweets, sanitary pads, batteries, tooth paste, waragi, computers, spare parts for various products and iron sheets. Initially, UNBS procedure has been, after rejecting these products, they would either destroy or re-export them at the expense of the importer. This was not effective, until recently when the case was presented to President Museveni as one of the hurdles hindering Uganda’s investment competitiveness. Mr Museveni expressed his dismay and tasked authorities to quickly enact the Counterfeit Bill into a punitive measures whose penalties equivalent to capital offences. As it waits for the punitive measures, UNBS has continued to crack down those involved in this act, which has risked health of people, crippled local industries and seen massive revenue loss. Recently, officials from UNBS and Kajjansi Police, following a tip off by informers, stormed the home of a one Matovu in Lweza Zone B in a dramatic attack. Matovu’s residence is surrounded by a long perimeter wall. A huge dark gate covered the front part of the house and, according to some of his neighbours, access to his home has for many years been restricted. Matovu’s family has been thriving on making and selling counterfeit Royco, Vim and Jik. 1 | 2 Next Page»Matovu using a small gate behind the house and eluded capture. Several blue plastic tanks and jerrycans containing white liquid were scattered in the compound. The team discovered raw materials, finished products and empty containers. The garage, which had been turned into a mini-factory, was packed with several sacks of lime, brownish powder suspected to be crushed chicken feeds, curry powder, sachets of filler pest powder and empty containers of Royco. Next to the sacks were broken spades and lime, which was mixed with filler pest powder from the bare floor to form Vim. It was established that Matovu was also mixing chicken feed, curry powder and some starch to make Royco. The ingredients for making Jik and Vim were heaped in the same place with those for Royco, which increased suspicion that Matovu was using the floor and spades to mix the ingredients of his ‘Royco’, ‘Jik’ and ‘Vim’. Matovu was using plates for bar coding, fixing expiry dates and manufacturing date on the finished products. Mr Matovu is just one of the very many people in Uganda who are making money by putting other people’s health at risk. While some concoct the products in their basements, others import them. Like the Indian businessman who was arrested by UNBS on March 27 after he was found with expired imported biscuits and fake energy saving bulbs. Just like the biscuits, these energy savers had their packaging tampered. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/-/691192/697318/-/fr8d9iz/-/index.html","content":"Bwaise, the submerged little town - Tuesday February 3 this year was your typical dry season day. It was a perfect combination of piercing heat and choking dust until the stroke of 2.36 p.m. when the clouds suddenly gathered and sprinkled their contents downward. Within 45 minutes, the clouds were done. It then did not matter that it had been a dry season less than an hour ago. What mattered was that Kalerwe and Bwaise were now sinking, or is it, floating. 45 minutes of modest rainfall (hardly any winds or hail) had beaten the combined effort of 2 metre deep trenches, a multitude of channels, and embankments at household doors to once again flood the homes and businesses of hundreds of people living in Bwaise and Kalerwe. With that set of anti-flood measures falling on the back of a months-long spell of a dry season, fears arise about how the following weeks and months will be for residents in Bwaise as rains start gushing in on a daily basis and for longer periods than a minute 45 minutes. “It is obviously going to get out of control,â€Â� admits Mr Lawrence Mutyaba, Vice Chairperson of Jambula zone in Bwaise. “When the rains start falling on a daily basis, cholera will strike and there will be some deaths,â€Â� he says. This is because, “Bwaise has very few latrines and so many people use polythene bags (to defecate) and throw them into the trenches. So when the rains come, they just push all that dirt into people’s houses. Tell me how you can survive cholera then. Mr Mutyaba notes that none of the measures put up has solved the floods problem in his area. “People have tried so many things to fight the water but all have failed. They built embankments on their doors but water decided to pass under the houses and come up through the floors,â€Â� he said. This reveals a deep sense of resignation and severe hopelessness; a mask that is evidently worn all over the lives of the inhabitants. When approached to talk about their situation, almost all were cold to us on reception and refused to talk; frustrated because they have talked for so long and yet little, if anything has changed about the impoverished standards of their life. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/761940/-/vyfhy6/-/index.html","content":"West Nile ends year of epidemics, murder - West Nile The West Nile districts have been rocked by several events in the region. Daily Monitor unfolds them sequentially. January At the start of January, meningitis, measles and cholera were reported in Arua District causing panic among the residents. In the same month, Arua health department received 14,000 doses of meningitis vaccines to carry out massive vaccination in the affected areas. The vaccination exercise then started on January 22. FebruaryFebruary started with the Maracha District Medical Superintendent, Mr Aldo Pariyo, confirming new cases of meningitis in Maracha County, an area that borders Arua. On February 8, Arua RDC Ibrahim Abiriga blocked FDC President Kizza Besigye from holding rallies because of the meningitis outbreak in the region. “He can come but we shall not allow him to conduct any rally in the region because we have this deadly disease that does not need gatherings,â€Â� Maj. Abiriga said. Dr Besigye was later cleared to hold his rallies. March In March, cholera struck Arua leaving six people dead. On March 12, women from Acholi sub-region meeting West Nile counterparts in Arua criticised the unequal representation in the Juba peace talks between the government and LRA rebels arguing that they faced more trauma and victimisation during the 22 year-old war in Northern Uganda. The project manager, United Nations Security Council Resolution, Ms Lina Zredige, said very little effort had been done to include women to participate in developmental activities in their areas. However, on March 13, the Ministry for Disaster Preparedness released Shs183 million to compensate flood victims in Nebbi District. AprilOn April 7, Arua High Court Judge Augustine Kania sentenced Felix Alworonga to death after being found guilty of the murder of the Nebbi DPC Boniface Zziwa. Justice Kania said this would act as a deterrent to other suspects who are still at large. President Yoweri Museveni pitch-camped in West Nile on April 26 for one week in a Prosperity for All sensitisation drive. He said for the people of West Nile to become rich, they must abandon laziness and increase on production. May On May 2, Dr Besigye toured West Nile and told voters that it would be hard for Mr Museveni to regain the lost glory in a region that is economically crippled. August On August 2, the parliamentary committee on ICT visited the neglected Earth Satellite in Ombaci, Arua. The chairperson, Mr Edward Baliddawa, said it was improper for the government to neglect the resources that could be refurbished and enable easy communication. 1 | 2 Next Page»September The month of September saw a Sudanese national sentenced to death by Arua High Court over defiling a five year-old girl. On September 10, 196 teachers in the districts of Nebbi, Arua and Maracha gathered to discuss how to strengthen teaching science subjects. Nine days later, West Nile districts were put on Avian Influenza alert by the Uganda Health Marketing Group. This followed reports of the disease outbreak in the South Sudan capital, Juba. On September 22, a senior inspector in the Ministry of Education, Mr Joseph Kajumba, directed that primary schools operating without licences in West Nile and recommended ministry standards be closed. October Come October 9, and the Arua Municipality MP Akbar Godi said the open sale of small arms in South Sudan markets were a security threat to the West Nile region. “I was in Juba three months ago and discovered that guns like pistols are sold in open markets in Sudan. If we don’t check this out, our people will fall victim immediately,â€Â� Mr Godi said. On October 21, Arua High Court Registrar Joseph Omodo Nyanga ordered the freezing of the Moyo District account until the Local Government pays Shs40 to Mr Marcelo Leriko, the district engineer, in general and special damages for wrongful interdiction. On October 24, two new cases of suspected Hepatitis E were reported in Yumbe District. At the end of October, Ugandan officials from Nebbi and Arua signed an agreement with their DRC counterparts to handover suspected criminals arrested on either sides. November On November 10, the District Education Officer, Mr Mark Tivu dismissed 40 primary teachers over absconding from duty, late reporting and failure to complete syllabus. DecemberOn December 3-7, over 1000 jobless youth turned up for recruitment into the prison service as warders and wardresses. On December 4, the Energy State Minister, Mr Simon D’Ujanga, announced that Nyagak Power Project in Nebbi would be completed in July 2009. To crown off the pre-Christmas season, residents of Arua woke up on December 6 with sad news of the mysterious death of MP Godi’s wife Rehema Caesar. She was murdered in Lugojja in Mukono district. Mr Godi was charged with Rehema’s murder and he is in Luzira till December 30 when the case will be mentioned. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/761028/-/vyfaui/-/index.html","content":"Poor nations accuse rich of meanness in climate fight - Poznan Developing nations accused the rich of meanness yesterday at the end of U.N. climate talks that launched only a tiny fund to help poor countries cope with droughts, floods and rising seas. They said the size of the Adaptation Fund -- worth just $80 million -- was a bad omen at the halfway mark of two years of negotiations on a new treaty to fight global warming designed to be agreed in Copenhagen at the end of 2009. “We are so sad and so disappointed,â€Â� Colombian Environment Minister Juan Lozano said of the talks, which went on into the early hours of Saturday and have been overshadowed by worries that global economic woes are drying up donor cash. “The human side of climate change is the suffering of our orphans and our victims and that was not considered here. It’s a bad signal on the road to Copenhagen,â€Â� said Lozano. “I must say that this is one of the saddest moments I have witnessed in all these years,â€Â� Indian representative Prodipto Ghosh told delegates at the 189-nation talks, adding he had attended U.N. climate meetings for 12 years. Several other nations including Brazil, Costa Rica and Maldives made similar remarks. Many delegates expressed hopes that U.S. President-elect Barack Obama would adopt more aggressive climate policies.   Environment ministers at the talks in Poland set rules for the Adaptation Fund, which is meant to help poor nations build flood defences, develop drought-resistant crops, or produce storm warnings. Polish Environment Minister Maciej Nowicki, the host, said the launch of the fund was the biggest achievement of Poznan. The fund, which can start paying out cash in 2009, has just $80 million but could rise to $300 million a year, by 2012. U.N. projections are that poor nations will need tens of billions of dollars a year by 2030 to cope with climate change. Poland spent 24 million Euros ($31.84 million) just to host the Dec. 1-12 conference. 1 | 2 Next Page»Developing nations accused the rich of blocking agreement in Poznan on a wider funding mechanism that could raise about $2 billion a year. The issue was delayed until 2009. Yvo de Boer, head of the U.N. Climate Change Secretariat, said the talks achieved all they had set out to do but acknowledged there was “some bitternessâ€Â�. “Half the work (for Copenhagen) hasn’t been done,â€Â� he said. Still, he said Poznan had achieved a main task of reviewing progress towards a sweeping new global climate treaty in Copenhagen in December 2009 to replace the Kyoto Protocol. Environmentalists disagreed. “We are desperately disappointed with the progress here,â€Â� said Stephanie Tunmore of the Greenpeace environmental group. “The stocktaking bit wasn’t difficult: ‘What did we do in 2008? Not much’.â€Â� « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/-/688614/760744/-/hbit2qz/-/index.html","content":"Trading in matooke : The hurdles dealers jump to deliver the good bunches - Kampala It is a business that precceeds almost all forms of businesses that have taken root in Uganda. Although it has been around us since time immemorial, the intricacies of the trade have not been known by many, despite the ever-present lorries carrying bunches of matooke to various destinations and markets. This business has grown from a village-based type, to a global levels, with the demand for matooke in the Diaspora, especially in the United Kingdom, on the rise. But what entails the whole chain of cutting down a bunch of matooke, to selling it, say, at Nakawa Market? What are the bottlenecks, and successes of the matooke business? This writer decided to investigate the trends of this not so noble trade. There are two main sources of matooke in Uganda; that is Mbarara and Masaka. And according to my guide, a matooke trader in Nakawa Market, Mr Yusuf Tayebwa, both destinations offer different “types of matooke\". “The matooke from Masaka are softer\", compared to those from Mbarara, Mr Tayebwa says. All the wholesale buyers of matooke (especially the vendors in markets), insist on the type they want from suppliers, in order to cater for the different tastes and preferences of the buying public. So, before one ventures into the business there are several lessons a prospective matooke traders should learn: Lesson one: Know the type of matooke which is preferred by the wholesale buyer. Smart Money approached various matooke vendors at Nakawa Market promising to supply them matooke.The vendors, demanded the “Masaka type of matooke\", with threats of not buying other types from elsewhere. With such clear orders, I set off with my expert matooke trader (Mr Tayebwa), to Kyazanga, a village known for centuries to be a haven for matooke. The journey (by bus) was done on a Wednesday, so that by Friday; we would be back to Nakawa Market. Lesson two: Time your return journey to coincide with a busy market day, say Friday or Saturday. This enables the supplier to take advantage of the demand from various matooke vendors, who stock as many bunches for the weekend. The vendors will in turn, sell their stock, to the many Saturday shoppers who storm markets to stock enough food for the week. It took over two hours to reach the quiet town of Kyazanga, and having reached in the late of the night, after a rather speedy and uncomfortable ride, the need to book into a lodge was a necessity. Hard work started the next day and sleep was on everyone's agenda at the end of that busy day. Lesson three: One ought to be prepared for a day-long back-breaking work. Kyazanga town is a flood of matooke, and I mean it in the literal sense. Farmers here, for centuries, have planted nothing else for sale apart from the crop. Come Thursday morning, villagers from the far flung areas of Kyazanga trickle down to the main market, with bicycles laden with big bunches of matooke ready to sell to the many Kampala-bound traders. My enthusiasm at purchasing the matooke was cut short by Mr Tayebwa. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Health---Living/-/689846/758836/-/qdkaav/-/index.html","content":"She’s been fighting  Rheumatic heart disease for seven years - It was on her brother’s 50th birthday when a joyful moment of celebration was interrupted by the clucking of tongues from guests. Having been requested by the emcee to introduce his family members, Mr David Baguma, the celebrant insisted on introducing Hilda who is actually his sister, first. He then asked us to guess her age but we couldn’t. “She is going to make 17 years on September 22nd but looks like a 12-year-old-girl,â€Â� echoed his concerned voice through the microphone. Briefly, he told us about her heart condition and how the doctors recommended a heart operation if she is to live beyond December. Hilda Nabaasa is a senior two student at Buloba High School and suffers from Rheumatic   disease. This is a condition where the heart and its membranes or valves are affected leading to their failure to open and close properly. According to www.mamashealth.com, rheumatic disease is caused by a fever which develops from untreated or improperly treated strep throat (a related  infection of tonsillitis). ***image1*** Nabaasa’s valves are short, weak and half closed, making the pumping of blood to the heart hard. She says that the valves close before entrance of blood to the heart is pumped and they open before it comes, making that blood spill out to the body. The last born of a large family of 29 children, Nabaasa says, “I started feeling weak while in primary five. Every time I was working or doing something, I would become tired and dizzy from one side of my body (she points to the left side where the heart lies). I would feel paralysed and one day, I told my parents to take me to a doctor.â€Â� It was then that she was diagnosed with heart failure which was by then in its acutest stage, making an operation impossible. They had to treat it with antibiotics before the operation. “The doctors then told me that nobody should frighten me, I shouldn’t lift heavy things or get annoyed,â€Â� Nabaasa remembers. Close to seven years now, Nabaasa’s life has been dependent on tablets. “When I don’t have drugs, something swells just beneath my left breast; the doctors told me that the swelling is the heart which would have moved from its place to a flood of water. When I take lazix, (it’s one of the tablets she takes daily), it drains the water away and the heart goes back to its position.â€Â� She goes on to say, “I think I’m addicted to drugs now. The moment I don’t have them, I feel very bad but I’m glad daddy (her brother) has managed to get them for me on a daily basis.â€Â� Her brother also confesses spending lots of money on these drugs almost every week. She also suffers from the aftermath of these drugs. Nabaasa sights overeating and urinating especially after taking lazix. Her life is as well characterised by constant medical reviews costing Shs15,000 each. In the September 22nd review, doctors from Malabar Institute of Medical Services (Mims) India recommended an operation to be done by December. These routine reviews have interrupted her school calendar. She is usually away from school either after attacks or for a review at Mulago Hospital and this prompted her to drop the subject she wished to study to become a professional – Accounts. “I wanted to become an accountant but I have missed out on topics often. Other subjects are easier to catch up with but this one is hard. I think I should study Food Science and Nutrition now,â€Â� says the determined student who has put aside her ill condition to concentrate. Her headmaster Mr Simon Kimbowa says that this is one of the strongest students he has met. “Her performance is good despite the challenge she is facing and you can see that determination in her. She takes profound interest in her studies and has a very positive attitude which is really good. She is also an active student in the school’s scripture union club.â€Â� The operation is meant to remove the heart valve and replace it with a plastic one and is to cost $10,000. (Shs19,800,000.) So far, according to Mr Baguma, 30 per cent of the cost has been raised in cash and pledges. This cost also covers the entire medical, travel and accommodation expenses for Nabaasa and her attendant for the 20 days’ medical visit in India, 10 days within the hospital and 10 outside but under medical monitoring before she can return home."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/758392/-/4or6fd/-/index.html","content":"It’s not size of the cloth but how we cut it that matters - Gulu RDC and former Chairman of the district Col. Walter Ochora says it is not the size of cabinet (read public administration expenditure) that should give us sleepless nights but the poverty that rules the country. Mr Ochora said this on Thursday at the Acode-organised public dialogue “on Public Administration Expenditure And Its Impact On Service Deliveryâ€Â�. Mr Ochora said, and rightly so, “any quarrel in this country is about resources.â€Â� “This country needs to chase poverty. People go to Parliament so that they begin driving cars.â€Â� Well put Mr Ochora but does this provide a solution to this country’s chronic poverty? And whose interests do this serve; the country and its people, or the political leaders. Uganda’s challenge is broader and range from the little money collected in taxes, donations and loans to how that so-called little money is utilised. This is also the reason no one should get excited about the anticipated petrol dollar windfall should we begin commercial production next year. Take the example of how the available resources have been exploited. Of the four countries that have the most claim to theRiver Nile, Uganda has utilised this resource the list despite the fact that it has unquestionably the main part of the river. This might sound petty but take a closer look. The country that boasts of having the source of the longest and probably most famous river in the world collects the least tourist benefits from the river compared to Egypt (which gets the most benefit of tourists’ dollars), Ethiopia and Sudan. The example of the Nile resource tells how and why it is not a question of meagre resources but how clear headed the politicians are to exploit what is available. Each year, parts of this country experience famine due to flood waters burying all the crops or because the sun has scorched the soil and burnt the crops. Egypt, where the Nile River empties its waters is reclaiming 3 million hectares of land to grow rice and exports some to Uganda, and even partake more from the forex the rice will raise. Sudan is also pursuing mega irrigation projects, especially in the north and have not have their people starving because of drought or flooding. Closer home is the question of power production. While Uganda and Ethiopia boast of the strongest water falls ideal for power production being at the source where the water is flowing fastest, Uganda has the worst power supply both in terms of reliability and voltage. Ethiopia is talking of projects of 1,000megawatts from their section of the Nile while Uganda is whining that some politicians blocked a 350 megawatt project. Given how well or badly we have treated the resource of the Nile, what magic shall we expect from oil. Mr Ochora is sadly a beneficiary of the large patronage network that defines our politics and leadership not to focus on production and a self determination to drive the country out of poverty. That system serves Mr Museveni and his political machinery and does not reflect a vision to move the country forward. The sooner the Ochoras realise that they do not need a political job to alleviate their own poverty and positively contribute to moving this country forward the better. 1 | 2 Next Page»I know Mr Ochora to be an industrious man who would do well without an RDC’s salary but I would question how much real change his office brings to those returning to their homes after two decades of war? A word for UPC The Uganda People’s Congress closed its two-day delegate’s conference yesterday and some might read this story as they walk out of the conference. It may not be too late to congratulate Ms Miria Obote on her efforts to get that party back to function. But most importantly, I hope UPC has taken time to seriously audit itself and after nearly 25 years in limbo, the party is ready to re-adjust to new realities and re-modify itself for 21st Century challenges not 1960s hopes and promises. A word for DP: A sad loss of a committed leader in Ms Gertrude Kabwasingo Byanyima, a woman who managed a marriage in a stormy political season, never shied away from her responsibilities as a mother, teacher, leader and politician in her illustrious 75 years on earth. A woman who stood out, not behind the shadow of her towering husband and long serving DP National Chairman Boniface Byanyima but held her own in a male-dominated world and above the murky political waters. The sad eulogy of her husband was a lamentation of a sad chapter of this country’s politics of torture, intimidation, death and all that has sadly stayed with us too long. Rest in Peace. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/752826/-/vxtmjy/-/index.html","content":"Floods displace 100 families in Moyo - Moyo Heavy rains that hit Moyo District in the last two weeks have displaced more than 100 families and destroyed hundreds of acres of farmland. The worst affected areas include Itula, Gimara, Aliba, Lefori and Dufile sub-counties. Residents told Daily Monitor at the weekend that they had just started planting when the heavy rains washed away their seedlings. “They (floods) are back and we already have no where to turn to as our crops  now stand in the waters,â€Â� lamented Mr Rashid Otuki, a farmer from Itula. In Aliba, which lies along the belt of the River Nile, several latrines and huts have sunk, leading to fears of a cholera outbreak. One resident said only two latrines remained standing in his village, and many of the residents have now resorted to easing themselves in nearby bushes and the river. The area last suffered a cholera outbreak two years ago which left 24 people dead in just three months. District authorities told Daily Monitor that the area had been experiencing floods for the past two weeks due to heavy rains. Moyo LC5 chairman Peter Iku Dolo, who visited the flood hit areas last week, said most roads, including had become impassable. The road from Obongi to Moyo, which is the main link between the district headquarters and Obongi, has also been temporarily closed. In the last financial year, the works ministry released over Shs500 million for grading the Moyo-Obongi road but the work has been deemed substandard as some of the repaired parts have already been washed away by the torrential rains. “The area is likely to be affected by famine,â€Â� Mr dolo said. He appealed to the Disaster Preparedness Ministry to consider supporting the district with emergency food and shelter."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/749772/-/gw2fd5/-/index.html","content":"Policy against crop failure to boost Kenya farming - Daily Monitor Correspondent Nairobi Farmers who lose their crops to drought and hailstorms will soon be compensated when a new insurance policy that covers weather-related agriculture losses is unveiled. The product comes at the time when weather patterns have become erratic, leading to reduced production of food. Due to global warming, farmers no longer rely on traditional practise of planting when the rains come as drought, floods and disease are daily occurrences in most regions. The product is to be launched by Financial Sector Deepening Kenya, (FSD Kenya) a group, which works to enhance access to financial services to the rural population.\"We are currently in the process of recruiting a full-time project manager to run the programme. Once we have the manager on board we will formally launch it,\" said David Ferrand, the director of the FSD Kenya. The insurance will motivate farmers to take loans to buy input, hence raise crop yields, aware than in case of losses, they will not default on loans. Likewise, lenders are likely to give more money to farmers because the risk of default will be low.   FSD Kenya run a pilot project for the weather indexed crop insurance scheme in 2006 in Kitale and Nakuru, but the results of the  project were “mixed\", according to Mr Ferrand. This is because the areas enjoy stable rainfall and might not need such an insurance cover. But, a study by project partners like Commodity Risk Management Group of at the World Bank and the International Research Institute (IRI) for Climate and Society at Columbia University, shows there is need for such a policy to cover other areas that experience erratic weather patterns. FSD said Kenya is among the countries in sub-Saharan Africa that is best suited for index insurance because the agro-meteorological climate is moderate. Weather data is also available, including historical data, which is essential to the construction of an index. There also exists a large and dynamic set of insurers and delivery channels, such as banks and microfinance institutions, available to distribute the product; and a market that is sufficiently large enough to attract the interest of reinsurers. Data from the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction shows that the Eastern Africa region is highly vulnerable to weather-related disasters. In the period from 1994 to 2003, for instance, the region experienced 101 flood incidents, 36 storms, 65 droughts, six landslides, five earthquakes, 122 geological epidemics and two insect infestations. The project manager is expected to come up with the structure of the product including the cost of the premium. The project will be first of its kind in the country because the existing agriculture insurance products from Blue Shield Insurance Company do not cover against drought. Agriculture experts say while such commercial insurance products are important for the large scale farmers, the cost may be too high for the small holder farmers hence the need for \"simple form of weather indexed insurance products\" that are cost-effective. The weather-indexed compensation plan is seen as advantageous because by measuring changes in the weather relative to the needs of the particular crops, it is possible to estimate losses of farmers near the weather station. FSD Kenya says its second key benefit is timeliness of payouts: almost immediately after a critical weather period, the insurance company can trigger payouts to farmers, because weather data is reported on a real-time basis to the insurer."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/749796/-/vxcxal/-/index.html","content":"Flood-hit Teso turns to tree planting - Kumi In a bid to counter floods that have been wreaking havoc in Teso region, authorities are mobilising communities in affected areas to plant trees. The development comes after fresh floods left about 150 families homeless in Okichira village, Omatenga parish in Kumi District. Kumi District environment officer Simon Peter Acuu said most wetlands and lakes in Teso have silted and can no longer hold water. He said silting is due to deforestation on Mt. Elgon and in the Karamoja region, adding that as a result all the water from those areas end up in the lowlands in Teso because the trees that would have controlled the speed and amount of water are no more. “Research shows that Kumi has the lowest tree coverage in the whole country, this means that when heavy rains come, it finds bare ground with no tree to control the flow of water,â€Â� he said. Addressing Okichira residents last week, he added, “The water will sweep soil into the wetlands, lakes and rivers, which when filled up with sand, begin sending water back to the upland.â€Â� Mr Acuu was part of the district team that had gone to sensitise the community on the need to plant trees. He said the poor farming methods have also contributed to the flooding.   Mr Acuu, however, said it was not too late to reverse the trends adding that government under the programme, Farm Income Enhancement and Forest Conservation, has embarked on a massive tree planting exercise to check the problem. Under the Shs250 million project funded by the African Development Bank and Norwegian donors, about 1,000 hectares of trees will be planted in Kumi."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/749294/-/vxctd9/-/index.html","content":"Revisiting Teso floods as another rain season starts - Soroti A dozen people lost their lives, houses collapsed, bridges broke down and crops in the gardens decomposed. These were part of the problems left behind following last year’s floods that displaced an estimated 300,000 families in Teso. “People (in Teso) are still distressed about the floods. I had never seen such rain  before and thought the world had come to an end,â€Â� Mr Yokolamu Odeng, a 70 year old man said. Over 10,000 villages in the sub-region suffered from the floods that resulted from a prolonged rain spell, the worst in a decade across the eastern and northern Uganda.   In response, the government was compelled to declare a state of emergency to allow it divert money meant for other programmes to the flood-stricken areas and enlisted more support from the international agencies to help in providing relief assistance to the affected communities. A shs40 billion appeal for aid from the international community involving the local Red Cross Society and the United Nations agencies went along to boost government contribution that mainly focused on fixing impassable roads and delivery of food and non food items to the flood victims. “The pattern (of rain) was strange. Teso normally receives first rains in March and end in July but this time the rains went beyond the normal season,â€Â� Mr Sam Oinya, the coordinator Soroti disaster management committee said. He said  as a result of the torrential rains that mostly affected low lying parts of the region, many farmers lost their crops in the waterlogged gardens. “Farmers lost much of what they had grown last year. Crops planted in the aftermath of floods have also failed and it is partly the cause of this year’s looming famine,â€Â� Mr Oinya said. Several bridges in the region including the main one at Awoja swamp in Soroti that links eastern Uganda to the Southern Sudan were submerged making it difficult for relief agencies to deliver assistance to some parts of the affected areas.     “People had to use small canoes to cross from one end of the road to the other. At Alito Bridge (in Amuria) a nine-month pregnant woman drowned as she tried to cross,â€Â� Mr Moses Ariong, a councillor in Amuria said. The damage arising from flooding across Teso was enormous and local leaders in the region put the loss at an estimated Shs12billion. “Apart from loss of crops (in the gardens) there is a lot that districts hit by last year’s floods have to recover from,â€Â� Mr Robert Ekongot, Katakwi district LC5 chairperson said. According to the last dispatches of reports compiled by the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (UN-OCHA) in Katakwi, the educational and health sectors had been affected most. “Safe water levels dropped as a result bacterial infections of boreholes and latrines at most of the primary schools sunk in the soggy soils,â€Â� Mr Ekongot said. Other fundraising drives including a charity walk in which  President Museveni took part, were conducted to raise funds locally for the afflicted homes. “Certainly there were serious damages left behind by the floods that our people have been struggling to recover from. The rains had a big setback on food security in the region and this has been one of government’s main intervention areas,â€Â� Mr Musa Ecweru, the state minister for disaster preparedness, relief and refugees said. In a bid to avert the threatening food crisis, the  government in partnership with the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (Fao) initiated a food security scheme involving supply of fast maturing and drought resistant planting materials to farmers in the region. While on his tour of Teso, President Yoweri Museveni received numerous reminders over the slugging government response to tackle after floods effects in the region. The poor state of roads, damaged schools and the food crisis were particularly brought to attention of the President who had been in Teso for a nine-day on spot check of government programmes in the region. “The roads are still in very bad conditions and we are yet to see (on the ground) what funds mobilised during flood appeals have done for our people,â€Â� Mr Julius Ochen, Amuria district chairperson said.   At one of the meetings with Teso leaders, the President was reminded of a Shs100million pledge he had made during a fundraising walk organised by the Iteso community living in Kampala. Indeed much of the funds mobilisation had merely an indication of figures on paper with little to show for it on faces of the flood victims. Barely a year since the waters rescinded, however, the government has announced that several parts of the country are faced with yet another flooding caused by another spell of heavy rains expected within the next two months. In Kumi District, already areas lying along the Lake Bisina shores have begun experiencing the effects of the excessive rains. “It is not yet serious but in some places the gardens have been submerged. I have asked my people (in Kumi) not to wait for the situation to get out of hand and we are monitoring the situation,â€Â� Mr Ismail Orot, Kumi district LC5 chairperson said. Addressing journalists on August 25, The Minister of Relief and Disaster Preparedness, Mr Tarsis Kabwegyere announced that the epicenter of the heavy rains is expected to be eastern Uganda where some 3.5 million people are still trying to rebuild their lives after last year’s floods. He said it is increasingly becoming burdensome to depend on relief handouts to tackle disasters in the country, adding that the government is now resorting to prevention measures to reduce the effects of such calamities. In Teso such prevention measures are yet to be felt at the grassroots that suffered the hardest brunt of last year’s floods and with another flooding threat around the corner, how much are the authorities prepared."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/749032/-/10fp4n1/-/index.html","content":"Helping inmates’ children drink from the well of hope - Namugongo She sat there, on the dusty veranda, weeping. I waited for the flood of tears to subside, for the spasms of emotional pain to pass so that I could interview her but 12-year-old Betty just kept crying. It was Saturday August 23, and it was the second day of a camp organised by Wells of Hope Ministries at Children Welfare Mission in Namugongo for children whose parents are in jail. The first of its kind, the camp was designed to help children like Betty cope with the emotional trauma of not being with their parents. My interview with Betty, who is in primary four in Nabuyonga Primary School in Mbale, never took off. “She is so emotional the moment you ask her about her father and mother,â€Â� said Ms Pauline Akol, a Wells of Hope Ministries spokeswoman. “She is haunted so much that she was left alone and even does not know where her siblings are.â€Â� The charity’s coordinator, Mr Francis Ssuubi, said Betty’s mother abandoned her after her father was imprisoned at Luzira Upper Prison. Betty’s father, whose name is withheld to protect the identity of the child, was jailed soon after his daughter was born. “The father is in Luzira on death-row and has been there for about 12 years now, the age of her daughter,â€Â� Mr Ssuubi said. “He had seen her when she was a baby and Betty admits to have seen him in photos at her uncle’s home where she stays.â€Â� Mr Ssuubi said Betty has four siblings who are all scattered in Mbale and she does not know exactly where they are. “Her uncle in Mbale whom she stays with says she started schooling at the age of 7. Her performance in class is fair and she is a promising pupil.â€Â� From August 22 to 24 the charity held a camp for 100 children of prisoners as a way to show them love missed from their incarcerated parents. “We are offering the children psycho-social support to include counselling. We will also sensitize these little angels on issues to do with HIV and Aids and a few issues like sexuality, education and hygiene,â€Â� said Mr Ssuubi. The charity worker said children like Betty are particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse, child labour, and other forms of exploitation because they lack parental care and protection. “We will have ample time to pray for them, encourage them, play with them, support them morally and also evaluate and measure the impact of the support they are receiving from the project,â€Â� he said. The children come from different parts of the country including Mbale, Pallisa, Jinja, Mukono, Kampala, Soroti and Iganga. Ms Belinda Asio, a coordinator at the charity says they used information obtained from inmates to track down the children and bring them to the camp. On the last day of the camp, Wells of Hope Ministries organised a trip to Luzira Upper Prison where 20 children, ho had never seen their fathers or mothers who are in custody, had an opportunity to meet them and spend time with them.   Before the visit to Luzira, Betty had only seen her father’s face in photographs. He, on the other hand, could not even recognise her. “We had to take photos of Betty and his to the prison so that the two could easily recognise the other,â€Â� Mr Ssuubi said. “And both father and daughter were happy to have reunited although the period given to interact was limited and Betty and other children had to go back home. It was really an emotional day for both parents and their children.â€Â� Some of the children who made it to camp, like Sarah, a 13-year-old pupil at Namungona Theological Institute, have visited their parents in jail before. “My mother told me that my father has been in Kirinya Prison, Jinja for 10 years now,â€Â� Sarah told Daily Monitor. “I told my mother that I wanted to see my father because I had never seen him before.â€Â� Last February Sarah got her wish when her mother took her and her two brothers, one of whom was born after their father was jailed, to see him. She said they were allowed to speak with their father, who was jailed in 1996, for two hours. It is not only the children who suffer from this separation. Sarah’s mother, who came along to the camp, spoke of her struggle to feed and clothe her children in a single-parent household – and of often having to rely on handouts. “Sometimes I plait women’s hair to get some money to feed my children,â€Â� she said. “But I get very little money like Shs 6,000 in a month so most of the time I have to depend on my brother to provide us with food.â€Â�   Wells of Hope Ministries helps those children under its programme by contributing to their school fees and needs, up to Shs40, 000 per child.   Mr Ssuubi said, “For those in schools with universal primary and universal secondary education, we buy them scholastic materials, clothes and food to create a conducive environment for them to go to school. But those in private schools, we pay money directly to the schools to reduce the burden of the guardians looking after them.â€Â�   Children benefiting from the sponsorship include those of prisoners living with HIV and Aids and prisoners on death row. Back at the camp, despite the emotions and the tears that were never far off, it was a party atmosphere.   “It is a special day for the children of the prisoners,â€Â� Mr Ssuubi said. “Some of these children have never worn shoes or even stepped in a car. So we want to treat them like queens and kings. They will be our special guests.â€Â�  The camp might have lasted only two days but for children like Betty, the memories of finally meeting their parents and spending time with them will last a lifetime and in their young hearts, replenish the emotional wells of hope. NOTE: The names of the children have been changed to protect their identities."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/748414/-/10foiey/-/index.html","content":"Government issues flood warning - Kampala Several parts of the country face flooding caused by heavy rains that are expected within the next two months, government announced yesterday. Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Minister Tarsis Kabwegyere told journalists in Kampala yesterday that the epicentre of the heavy rains is expected to be eastern Uganda, where an estimated 3.5 million people are still trying to rebuild their lives after last year’s floods which destroyed homes and crops. “The public is highly warned of this looming disaster,â€Â� Prof. Kabwegyere said. “We expect unusual rains coupled with hailstones and thunderstorms. We are not aware when it will happen but we are preparing for it. Weather experts told us it could be September or October.â€Â� He added: “We don’t want the public to say we didn’t warn them. If you are in a flood-prone area, stay warned. Fishermen and those staying near water bodies should also be aware that we expect heavy storms and therefore, should also stand warned.â€Â� Accompanied by Ms Rose Bwenvu, the principal disaster manager in the ministry, Prof. Kabwegyere said people staying on mountain slopes in areas like Bundibugyo, Kasese and around Mt Elgon should be prepared for relocation because the government expects landslides in these areas soon. He said the government has set aside Shs6.7 billion to help in disaster management response and that some of the money has already been used to buy food to prepare for the looming disaster. “We are not going to sit and wait for the disaster to hit us and we respond,â€Â� Prof Kabwegyere said. “The recent floods which hit six districts in eastern Uganda taught us a lesson. We are now opening up food centres in every region in Uganda to help in case an emergency response is required.â€Â� 1 | 2 Next Page»In 2007, heavy rainfall caused flooding, the worst in a decade across eastern and northern Uganda. The most affected areas were eastern Teso, the north-eastern sub-region, central Elgon region, the lowlands of northern Lango and the Acholi sub-regions. The government later declared a state of emergency which allowed it to divert money allocated for other programmes to the flood-stricken areas. Prof. Kabwegyere said those areas are now facing a humanitarian crisis because all the crops planted in the aftermath of floods have failed, leaving 3.5 million people in need of food aid. Prof. Kabwegyere’s warning comes after the release of a June 2008 Annual Failed States Index which warned that Uganda lacks the means to prevent or cope with unpleasant shocks, whether natural, social, political or economic. While on his recent tour of eastern region, President Yoweri Museveni received complaints from locals over the government’s slugging response to the crisis. In response, he announced a Shs6.7 billion fund to buy emergency food aid and also gave Teso Diocese Development Association, a local NGO, Shs1 billion to buy and supply fast-growing seeds. Prof. Kabwegyere revealed that a disaster assessment team led by Vice President Gilbert Bukenya, which returned from Karamoja last week, found the situation worse than his ministry had estimated. He said: “We are supposed to provide food to 3.5 million people in eastern Uganda. We are already feeding 80 per cent of the people in Karamoja. We expect more floods. How can you feed people for a day, a week, a month or a year? We are now resorting to prevention measures to reduce the effects of these catastrophes. “The hunger in Karamoja is too bad to the extent that the people have resorted to eating tree leaves,â€Â� Prof. Kabwegyere added. “In fact we should commend the government and the World Food Programme; feeding 80 per cent is not easy; we are feeding the whole region.â€Â� « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/747288/-/10fnrp7/-/index.html","content":"Museveni back to Teso to bolster NRM support - Soroti President Yoweri Museveni was last in Teso on October 7, 2007 at the peak of the floods that destroyed gardens, homes and wiped out the road network in most parts of the region. Over 300,000 people across the region were left homeless or displaced by the floods and largely depended on assistance from humanitarian agencies. Indeed when the President visited the region, the victims’ expectations stretched beyond just a declaration of a state of emergency in the area. “I thought the end of the world had come. Water was everywhere, we lost food, homes and in some areas people drowned but I was shocked when the President merely announced a state of emergency and flew back to his home [in Kampala],â€Â� Mr Jacob Icumar, a resident of Aketa camp in Katakwi said. He said flood victims in the district had lost hope and so the President’s long awaited visit could not have come at a better time for many of them. Back then, a cross section of local leaders in the region were of the view that the President’s visit had not helped matters and blamed the government for its slow response to the disaster. “By the time President Museveni visited Teso, food had not reached the affected people. Over 70 per cent of the affected population was in dire need of food,â€Â� Amuria district LC5 chairperson Julius Ochen said. On his part, Mr Museveni blamed the calamity that devastated an estimated 400,000 acres on encroachment on swamps. “The gardens that I saw submerged in water were in the wetlands. Water is reclaiming its rightful place [in the wetlands],â€Â� Museveni said urging local farmers not cultivate on the swamps. The President, however, went on to announce that government had set aside Shs22billion to tackle the crisis and that if donors were hesitant to give a hand, the government would switch its priorities to accommodate the problem. Ten months later, President Museveni is expected to visit the region again but this time for political reasons. In opposition corridors of Teso, the visit is viewed as an attempt by the ruling party to augment its efforts to recover the lost support that it once enjoyed and not to address the real issues affecting people. “For us in Teso it is no longer politics that counts but service delivery. We expect the President to address pertinent issues affecting our people that have not been attended to by his government,â€Â� Soroti District LC5 chairman Stephen Ochola said. He said a number of government pledges made at the height of the floods last year have not been fulfilled and that residents expected the President also to give an account of other numerous promises he has made over time. For the supporters of the NRM, who have been bickering over supremacy and recognition by the top party leadership, Mr Museveni’s visit will provide an opportunity for the party to clean-up its house. “It is good he has come. He should not leave before he has sorted out some of the confusion that has been contaminating the party in Teso,â€Â� Mr Moses Ariong, the Amuria District NRM chairperson said. State Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Musa Ecweru who is also MP for Amuria said the President is visiting Teso to assess the progress of government programmes in the region. Mr Ecweru said the president would check on National Agricultural Advisory Services [Naads] projects in the villages. “A review has been made of the Naads programmes to accommodate the President’s “prosperity for allâ€Â� vision. In some cases, the programme has not benefited a common man at the grassroots and those are the people he is interested in,â€Â� Mr Ecweru said. T there are still outstanding issues to be addressed by the government including repair of the road network that had been ravaged by the floods and a special recovery fund for the affected districts. For Teso, several demands have been made, including   asking the government  to grant the counties Serere [Soroti] and Ngora [Kumi] district status. If the government is out on a big scheme to recapture Teso, for either party; the rule of the game will be give and take."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/740052/-/4o00ir/-/index.html","content":"Obama Vs McCain; let the games begin - Helena, Montana, U.S.A Residents of this ghostly town, Helena, in Montana, the fourth largest geographic state in the U.S, christened the ‘Big Sky’, woke up Wednesday to a defining moment in the country’s history. Only a day before, the nomination struggle for who would lead the Democratic Party’s surge for the most important office in the world had made its final stand in this locality. Many seemed overwhelmed by the amount of media attention and global interest the two primaries had generated; one here, the other in South Dakota, states whose vote at this stage of the race has traditionally been negligible in determining who is nominated to stand for president. After all, the contest had always been settled even before these countryside American folks step out of their ranches and rocky hill homes to cast their vote. “We usually have no significance whatsoever,â€Â� Rob Chaney, a senior reporter with The Missoulian in Montana, said. “But this time we came very close to being important.â€Â� It was their moment to bask in glory. It also was the final journey to a gripping 16-month contest between Barack Obama, the Illinois Senator whose achievements have opened a new chapter in world politics, and former first lady Hillary Clinton, the New York Senator, whose determination to get back into the White House even when defeat beckoned months ago, pushed this race to the wire. History has been re-written. It is exactly 200 years since the abolition of slave trade in the U.S, and here was the first black man being nominated to run for president, of any major American political party. The presence of a bunch of foreign journalists currently on a reportage tour of the US elections, courtesy of the US Department of State was in some way symbolic of what was at stake.   This sleepy town, whose bars do not open beyond 2 a.m., where everybody, almost, knows everyone [according to a 2000 census, there are 25,780 people who live here] was set alight by the election. Democrats threw a victory party at Miller’s Crossing, on South Park Avenue, treating patrons to free drinks and food, in honour of Mr Obama’s monumental accomplishment. It set the stage for what promises to be a tough battle against Republican nominee John McCain, the ageing Arizona Senator. For struggling democracies like Uganda, Obama’s heroics are an eye opener. Those who fear a shift from the NRM’s two-decade domination and stronghold onto power, chanting ‘No Change’ rhetoric, can look to history and discover that change, despite all odds, can not be defied. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/737796/-/gvehvd/-/index.html","content":"Insurers seek to grow clientele base - Kampala Most Ugandans remain sceptical or uninformed but insurance companies are making strides to prove their relevance by making timely claim payments a move that could encourage more people to take up insurance policies. Goldstar and NICO insurance companies separately paid over Shs1.4 billion to their clients last week. NICO insurance settled a claim worth Shs452 million to Dooba Enterprises - a leading importers of hardware in Kampala. The company had lost goods during a flood last year. Mr Charles Nazebaa DOOBA Enterprise company manager said they incurred a loss of about Shs1 billion but was satisfied with the compensation.\"We are hoping to recover the balance from selling the scrap,\" he said. NICO's Managing Director Ronald Zake said their client was covered under the special perils and fire policy which majority of businesses in the country have ignored.\"This is a very important policy that every business must have but traders shun the service,\" he said adding that the money was higher than that but we arrived at this after evaluating for the salvage value of the goods. Goldstar Insurance paid claims worthy Shs1 billion to Euroflex, a mattress firm and White Showman, a general merchandise company. Mr Stanley Kimbio, assistant general manger at Goldstar insurance said some businesses do not receive full compensation for losses because they under insure there assets. Recently the Uganda Insurance Association (UIA) announced stringent disciplinary measures for insurers who may attempt to dodge or delay claim payments to clients. UIA chairman Solomon Rubondo said in an interview that claim payment records among insurers had significantly improved in the industry over the years.\"The public is gaining confidence in insurance. With stringent diplomacy measures on the table the image of our industry as service providers will improve,\" he said.Mr Rubondo said insurance business was previously taunted as schemes to fleece the public an impression that greatly affected the development of the insurance business.National Insurance Corporation (NIC) still holds a market record having paid of $3 million (over Shs5 billion) to the government of Uganda for the loss of the crashed M1-172 presidential Helicopter in 2006."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/737062/-/k38edqz/-/index.html","content":"Price hikes not an advantage; we did not plan early enough - The scale of the current global food crisis is parallel to the biblical prophecy that hunger will be one the afflictions that will befall humanity as one of the penultimate signs of the “end of the world�. And so, the cry for more food has been buzzing across the globe mimicking the noxious experience of the Israelites in the desert who turned against their political and religious leader – Moses - following a long spell of hunger.Then Moses appealed to God. The flood of human hands raised in desperation and their sunken faces glowing against the desert heat persuaded God to send manna from the skies. And the Israelites lived! Like the Israelites, countries in Asia to Latin America across Africa are haunting their governments to provide food and curb the rising food prices. The United Nations on Friday last week formed a special committee to address the crisis estimated to threaten two billion people. For political institutions, the bigger threat though is fear of social and political apprehension the food crisis is likely to bring to them. Already some governments like Egypt, Venezuela, Haiti, Bangladesh and Bolivia have been shaken by violence related to food shortages. So, listening to President Y.K. Museveni on Labour Day speaking on the high food prices, I believed he was aware of the political catastrophe a food shortage– that primarily affects the poor who are the majority and vote en mass - can cause. It is true that the rising food prices are a blessing to farmers; but what kind of farmers? About 80 per cent of Ugandans live in rural areas preoccupied with mostly subsistence agriculture. Even if, as the president said, farmers can take advantage of these high prices, the quality and quantity of their products will not bring any recognizable benefits to them and the country because most of what is produced is on small scale using rudimentary methods. Uganda’s investment directly in agricultural development – despite the sector being an economic mainstay – is dismal and calls for a complete overhaul. We have had high sounding progammes like the Plan for the Modernisation of Agriculture outlive their usefulness with little to prove for taxpayer’s money they continue to spend. In its policy statement on its website – albeit not updated since 2004 – the ministry of Agriculture says its efforts are focused on raising the bar on production, competitiveness and incomes. This would be achieved by “improving rural livelihoods through agriculture-led economic growth.� The government could be said to have abandoned this agriculture-led economic growth going by what is budgeted for agricultural development. This financial year an estimated Shs85 billion was given to the ministry of Agriculture, Animal husbandry and Fisheries for both recurrent and development expenditure. Compare this to Shs88 billion allocated to the Office of the President and State House both of which are budgeted for separately to spend wages and development. Agriculture is meant to employ 80 per cent of the population and produce food for over 30 million Ugandans. Even with their capacity to vote for a government, Ugandan farmers cannot take full advantage of rising food prices because the policies that are in place have failed to address the permanent infrastructure needed to transform their abilities from subsistence to highly mechanised and commercialised activity. PMA and lately bonna bagaggawale had stillbirths. That is why only a few privileged cattle ranch owners in this country will continue to benefit from such sporadic price advantages otherwise the rest of the population will continue to pay the high price for food given the inflation without reaping the benefits of selling at those prices. fmasiga@monitor.co.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/736358/-/k391d9z/-/index.html","content":"Lack of policy shutters poultry exports to Kenya - Kampala For lack of a national policy on poultry farming in Uganda, dreams of hundreds of farmers to exploit the Kenyan market will remain unfulfilled after the Kenyan government warned it will not allow poultry products from Uganda. In a stern statement, the Kenyan government announcement that unless things are put right as required by international standards, Uganda will not access nor penetrate the Kenyan market. “The legal framework governing operations of hatcheries in Uganda in relation to disease control is wanting,â€Â� Mr Japheth Getugi, the Kenyan High commissioner to Uganda said in a letter dated April 8 to Uganda’s State Minister for Trade Gagawala Wambuzi. The move shatters Uganda poultry farmers’ hopes for lifting of a two-year ban placed after the global outbreak of Bird Flu. Despite receiving orders from Kenyan consumers and dealers, Ugandan poultry farmers can not export to Kenya because of the ban. The Poultry Association of Uganda (PAU) invited Kenyan authorities to carry out a risk assessment to pave way for unhindered access to the Kenyan market. In November 2007, Kenya’s Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development dispatched to Uganda a risk assessment team to analyse the poultry industry in Uganda. The team visited Ugachick Poultry Breeders and Biyinzika firm and compiled a comprehensive report based on OIE Terrestrial code guidelines Article 1.3.2.4 on commodity factors, biological factors and on country factors. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Entertainment/-/812796/807318/-/bs6km8/-/index.html","content":"Hailing a new singing gem, Miranda Bridget - Apart from confirming her as the next Runyakitara singing princess, Miranda Bridget’s album launch at the National Theatre last Friday on Friday offered a ray of hope for Ugandan music. Patrons that loathe performers that lip-sync had a whale of a time. The blot at the concert were curtain raisers singing of pre-recorded playbacks but Able 4, Sam Ibanda, Qute Kaye, WBS TV news anchor Emily Mwebaze and the just-returned-from-London Sarah Zawedde were at worst tolerable. Only two of the opening acts; Susan Kerunen and former Afrigo band dancing queen Sarah Ndagire left lasting impressions thanks mostly to the live Soul Beat Africa band that backed them up. Kerunen took the crowd through unfamiliar but pleasurable territory delving into her Alur songbook and picking out two new groovy tracks Gilaal (they have disappeared) and Langogo, the latter a song that paints the chameleon in a good light. Ndagire’s performance threatened to eclipse Miranda’s and what left the audience in awe was this Muganda singer’s fluency in the languages of Western Uganda. She brought with her repertoire a flood of memories singing songs that people born or brought up in western Uganda often heard being sung off-tune at weddings, by drunks heading home after binging at the tavern or herds boys in the grazing fields. The sultry-voiced Ndagire wiggled her backside and drew hysterical cheers on Okunde Nyowe (love me), which is a tube-fiddle player’s serenade of a married woman. Ndagire sang the song in the jocular way a village vagrant drunk high on local brew would but with the notes right this time. No wonder she brought the house down. The challenge for Miranda the main act of the night was if she would tower above Kerunen and Ndagire’s gigantic though brief performances even after comic emcee Kenneth “Pabloâ€Â� Kimuli’s grand introduction. Her entrance was a little shaky at first punctuated with heavy breathing as she introduced her songs. Luckily for her, she had her acting experience to beat any stage fright. After her opening track, Miranda was aloft using her smooth voice to deliver the six songs off her debut album whose subjects include men’s two-facedness on Abashaija, declarations of love on Mundekye and Nimukunda, God’s salvation on the title track Akankiiza and the perils of being in a love triangle on Onsasire. A change of costume into the signature Mushanana traditional marriage attire for Runyakitara women saw Miranda give off her crowning performance on Muhingire, a song sang when a girl’s parents are giving her away to her fiancé. With four dancers (two male, two female) in tow, Miranda peppered this her last song with impressive dance poise.   The show was memorable- one patrons wished they had paid for to enjoy. Miranda’s launch recipe had worked. Nothing beats a pre-concert cocktail, a humorous emcee (he called himself a VIP- very improved peasant), limited opening acts and the backing up of a competent band to make a first impression. 1 | 2 Next Page»Move over Lady Mariam “Tindatineâ€Â� and all hail Miranda, Uganda’s new folk pop. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/SportsColumnists/MarkSsali/-/805430/803674/-/33dw5sz/-/index.html","content":"English clubs ascend to pinnacle of European soccer - Jorge Valdano tops the list of the hard-to-please, so the English should welcome his endorsement of their imminent domination of the European game. After all, isn’t this the man who only a few seasons ago tore into Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea and Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool as the most robotic and boring outfits in football history? Valdano, the Real Madrid legend who in Spain is called the professor of football, wrote last week that the English had taken over and the Spanish had become children in Europe. Truth be told, Valdano is famed for speaking his mind and making bold assessments, but his opinions can sometimes be as controversial, harsh and wayward as those of his opposite number, Barcelona legend Johan Cryuff. But even if he might be jumping the gun here, there is nothing wayward about Valdano’s quips on English clubs in Europe as the facts speak for themselves. The English are due to send a team to the Champions League final for a fourth straight year. Although this doesn’t translate into dominance yet (they have won only one of the other three finals), there is a momentum building which supports impending dominance because of two reasons, the way I see it. Those reasons are money and history. History The Champions League (European Cup before) has taken very clear trends since its inception in the mid 50s, and for a competition in which history never tires of repeating itself, the writing is on the wall. The 1950s belonged to Real Madrid, and then Benfica took over for two years. The Milan clubs then started a period of dominance in the mid 60s, interrupted by the Brits (Celtic and Man United) at the end of the decade. Then came the period of Total Football during which a Feyernood win was followed by an Ajax ‘hat-trick’, before Franz Becknebauer and Bayern took over in the mid 70s. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/734404/-/k3aecoz/-/index.html","content":"First time investors should be wary of the risks involved with IPO transactions - Kampala The Safaricom IPO’s minimum threshold of 2000 shares valued at Kes10,000 is likely to attract large numbers of small and first time investors. To first time investors, it is useful to get an insight of some of the risks involved in participating in a transaction of this nature so that they are not caught by surprises when reality comes into play. One of the risks is that this IPO is likely to attract a large pool of investors and may result in an oversubscription. In this case one of the concerns should be the number of shares one is likely to get in such a case and how the price will behave post IPO. The post offer price behaviour is partly dependent on the allocation decision that is made by the transaction advisors. The allocation decision is very important in creating an aftermarket post IPO. If retail investors take profits on their small lots, the share price may drop and stabilise latter. There may be price volatility in the first weeks, limiting the price potential for Safaricom. If this happens, investors looking for quick profits could find themselves trapped with a stock that barely move and trade at single digits. The other challenge which will arise due to an oversubscription is that of refunds. The offer will close on the April 23, allocation results will be announced on the May 30 and refunds will be dispatched on or around the June 9, exactly two months after the offer closes. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/-/688612/725362/-/tcorju/-/index.html","content":"Climate money: Target poor women - Tororo Ms Rhoda Akello, 30, is a widow and single mother of three.  She lives near a riverbank in Kidoko village, Tororo District in eastern Uganda Each time the district receives heavy rain, her gardens and house flood. She was among the people who were affected by the heavy rains that devastated  northern and eastern Uganda. When she needed credit, in the absence of social security protection mechanisms, the fact that she has few assets forced her to resort to private money lenders who charged her exorbitant interest rates. But Akello is not the only woman who is already suffering the impact of climate change. At last year's world climate change summit held in Bali, Indonesia, Action Aid issued a report titled: \"We know what we need. South Asian women speak out on climate change adaptation.\" \"Our paddy crop has been completely destroyed. If the water had receded earlier, we could have grown some vegetables, but now the time for that is also gone and our farmland is still underwater. Crop insurance will be taken by the landlord. It will not come to us. All our work has been swept away and the investment and expenses we made to grow the paddy will now not be returned,\" one of the women, Sumitra Devi, was quoted saying in the  report. The report was the result of research carried out in collaboration with the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex, UK, and it points out that women will suffer most of climate change impacts because they are poorer. Another recent report issued by the Intergovernmental Pannel on Climate Change (IPCC) and titled, \"Impacts, adaptation and vulnerability\" predicts particularly worse consequences for especially poorer parts of Africa. It predicts that yields from rain-fed agriculture in sub Saharan Africa could be reduced by as much as 50percent by 2020. It suggests that such a strain on food production will certainly translate into increased hardship for women, who often carry out the majority of farming activities. \"As crop yields decline and resources become scarcer, women's workload will expand, jeopardising their chances to work outside the home or attend school. In times of drought, they will also have to spend more time performing another typical female responsibility - carrying, purifying and supplying the family's water.\" 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/800542/-/hdhp0i/-/index.html","content":"MTN donates Shs200m to Red Cross, flood victims - KAMPALA The MTN Foundation has donated Shs200 million to the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) in support of the people affected by floods in various districts in eastern and northern Uganda.While handing over the cheque in Kampala on Tuesday, MTN Foundation Chairman George Egaddu commended the Uganda Red Cross Society for its work to support victims of disasters and pledged more support in the future. \"I commend URCS for tirelessly working towards improving the lives of the many disadvantaged people in various parts of the country and especially responding quickly to disasters,\" he said.\"MTN will always endeavour to lend a hand wherever possible to alleviate the suffering of the people. This is the mandate of the MTN Foundation.\"The foundation was set up to handle corporate social responsibility programmes.URCS Secretary General Alice Uwase Anukur also commended MTN for being a \"great partner over time.\"  URCS Vice Chairman Robert SSebunya said they made an appeal of $7 million for the flood disaster and so far they had received between about $ 6 million (about Shs10 billion). The organisation has also made an appeal for  Shs790 million to support the fight against the Ebola outbreak in the country, adding that  some 120  volunteers have been trained.  He urged other corporate companies to support the organisation financially."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/800254/-/jl5412z/-/index.html","content":"Govt project raises fears of e-waste - The project is expected to produce 10,000 computers per year KAMPALA THE government's effort to provide cheap and affordable used computers has raised fears from some sections of the Information Technology fraternity that the move could officially open flood gates of electronic waste into the country. \"Some companies will see this as an opportunity to offload their obsolete technology on to us,\" Mr Wire James Lunghabo, an ICT consultant at Linux Solutions, a local IT company, said. \"This presents a risk of increased e-waste and the country.\" However, the Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Dr Ham Mulira, dismissed such fears. \"E-waste is not an immediate problem,\" Dr Mulira said. \"At this stage the effect is so minimal and it should not be the focus of debate; we stand to gain much more from the project.\" The government in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, Microsoft, and the private sector is in advanced stages to set up computer refurbishment centre for used computers. The project expected to produce 10,000 computers per year will provide affordable computers to sections of the community that lack access. Only 9 in 1, 000 people have access to computers, according 2005 World Bank statistics. \"This project will reduce the cost of computers so that more people can have access to affordable computers,\" Dr Mulira said. The cost of computers is expected to reduce to between $100 (Shs170, 000) and $200 (Shs340, 000) depending on specifications, about 70 per cent reduction from the current market prices. Currently the market price of a brand new PC is Shs1.5 million ($882) and Shs800, 000 ($470) depending on the type and durability. However, the project has since raised fears among players in IT sector, saying such a move will increase electronic waste and compromise the environment and the health of its citizens.  \"The recycling process is not 100 per cent efficient; it leaves dangerous chemicals, which are potentially risky to health and the environment,\" Mr Lunghabo, said. \"We need know how the resulting e-waste will be handled.\" Developing countries such as India and Nigeria are already battling with the growing problem. A recent study by Basel Action Network (BAN), the toxic trade watchdog organisation, found out that although developing countries such as Nigeria and India have a thriving repair market, they lack capacity to safely deal with electronic waste, most of which ends up in landfills and informal dumps. Most electronic equipment is loaded with potentially poisonous elements such as Lead, cadmium, and mercury. \"Disposal of electronic equipment releases into the environment dangerous chemicals such as lead that are dangerous to our health,\" Mr Frank Muramuzi, the executive director of National Association of Professional Environmentalists, said.  \"We need to first develop mechanisms of dealing with e-waste before rushing for cheap imports.\" Electronic waste is a growing global health problem. The United Nations Environmental Programme (Unep) estimates that up to 50 million tonnes of waste from discarded electronic goods is generated annually. Recent legislations in the United States demand that manufacturers fund the collection and recycling of electronic items such as computers, monitors and TV sets, and mobile phone, creating fears that the developing world has thus become a dumping ground. It is estimated that 10.2 million computers exported each year from the US to the developing countries. The BAN report revealed that large quantities of obsolete computers, televisions, mobile phones, and other used electronic equipment exported from the developed world to developing countries are dumped and burned near residences in empty lots, roadsides and in swamps creating serious health and environmental contamination. \"Concerned with the growing e-waste mountains that threatens groundwater and the environment, rich developed nations send the old equipment to developing countries that cannot afford brand-new equipment,\" the report reads. According to the study, a minimum of 100,000 computers a month are entering the Nigerian port of Lagos alone. Data on the current imports of used computers into the country is not readily available. While environmentalists and some section of the IT fraternity are concerned with the risk of electronic waste in the environment as a result of the project, shortage of computers in the country remains evident. And according to Dr Mulira, Uganda can only address the problem with used computers. \"One new computer is worth 10 used computers,\" he said.  \"We will definitely not import 10th hand computers but usable computers,\" he said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Entertainment/-/812796/810896/-/bsnden/-/index.html","content":"Why our theatre is struggling - Most people in theatre these days attach little importance to what they do, what they mind about most is popularity. Because of this people have lost trust in theatre If you have been to the theatre in the recent past, you must have realised the mess in Uganda's oldest form of entertainment. As soon as you enter some of our theatres today you are met by the empty staring seats, old curtains and flood lights (instead of stage lights). Luckily however, most theatre practitioners admit to seeing the crisis, although some of them put the blame on the fast growing competition in the entertainment industry. Charles Ssenkubuge says that in the late eighties and the early nineties, theatre was almost the only form of entertainment. \"But with the coming of DSTV, cheap music festivals and TV soaps, theatre's audience has been cut almost half way.\" \"You cannot put a new production when the turn up is poor, it is costly,\" he says. But Ashraf Ssimwogerere dismisses such claims and says that competition could be one of the reasons, but theatre practitioners have fallen short of creativity. ***image1*** \"People are tired of half baked work; they know what exactly they want. Most plays today don't have scripts. Someone simply comes up with a story idea and calls others to improvise. Another thing is that, most groups give less or no time to rehearse, a sure way for low quality plays.\" He adds that in most cases someone can begin advertising a play before putting a single word is put on paper. Ssimwogerere is indeed right. There are many countries where the music industry is thriving, yet theatre is thriving as well. In fact, often times these theatres charge much more money than the music concerts. Because people put up low quality plays, they do not earn enough, which is another problem. It increases the cost of production. Small audiencesSsenkubuge says, \"We have few people coming to theatre these days and with such turn up you cannot expect someone to buy better costumes, make an attractive stage design and pay the actors.\" Alex Mukulu believes that it is lack of commitment and consistence. \"Most people in theatre these days attach little importance to what they do, what they mind about most is popularity. Because of this people have lost trust in theatre because there is no credibility, they would rather stay home and watch more entertaining things,\" he says. He adds however, that, the National Theatre has contributed a lot to the crisis in theatre today. \"Management at the National theatre is incompetent, instead of encouraging quality productions they have turned the theatre into a venue for wedding meetings, it is a pity.\" During the late eighties and in the early and mid nineties no one could stage a production at the National theatre unless his script was examined and found worthy. However these days one simply books the theatre and what they are going to stage remains their concern. The theatre management most of the time is busy with wedding meetings. In addition to the rather old and lengthy plays, Ssimwogerere says that the audience is tired of the same old faces on stage. \"If people are tired of Museveni whom they don't see all the time, then what about us they see almost every day? I came on stage in 1986, the same year Museveni came in power and people must be tired of me as well,\" he says. Changing preferences The audience that used to enjoy the likes of Christopher Mukibi, Benon Kibuka and others no longer come to theatre. The young generation that comes to theatre would perhaps want to see younger people on the stage. The young generation for this reason have resorted to concerts. If you have been to Theatre Factory's comedy night at the National Theatre you might have realised that most of their audience are young people. They come here because the actors appeal to them. Had it been that theatre factory was composed of the aged actors, perhaps it wouldn't have registered as much success as it has. Kenneth Kimuli a writer and actor with KPC drama team and Theatre Factory, says that the reason theatre is losing out is simply because most of today's writers are crisis writers. \"They write when there is an urgent need, but when there is no crisis such writers will have nothing new,\" he says. He sights the postcolonial times and the apartheid as the times when writers wrote most commendable plays. \"You can for example see that Uganda's classic plays like Ndiwulira, 30 years of Bananas and others, were written in the late eighties when the Aids scourge was on rampage, and when also Uganda had just got her independence. But now that the situation is calmer, such writers have nothing new to write about,\" he says. He suggests that these writers should shift from conflict writing to social-issue writing. Ssimwogerere adds that when the rest of the city was tiling up, theatre maintained its old look. The chairs are old and some of these theatres like Bat Valley and Pride theatre before it closed still use pit latrines. Such environments cannot attract the corporate people when there are better facilities like Cineplex, Silk, Angenoir and others. Ssenkubuge says that the reason why Pride Theatre, Cooper Theatre and other theatres could not be sustained is that the rent for these places was too high. \"We were paying a lot of money yet people were not coming, theatre is not like music, whether or not you have a show, you will still have to pay rent,\" he says. Kwezi Kaganda however says that, there is need to cultivate theatre in schools. \"Schools no longer mind about theatre, it is because of this reason that the corporate youth who have money, don't want to come to theatre.\" He also says that people who have got some good education in drama have been taken by radio. Those who are now running theatre, do it because of passion. \"It is one thing to have passion for theatre and another to have the proper skills.\" It is for this reason, he says, that there are no longer any good plays. Now that theatre practitioners have realised the crisis in their industry, there is need to stop blaming the rise of other forms of entertainment, but address the key issues that are evident."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/799086/-/10irt95/-/index.html","content":"MPs want govt to declare state of emergency over Ebola outbreak - PARLIAMENT   MPs yesterday unanimously asked the government to immediately declare a State-of-emergency over the rapidly spreading Ebola epidemic and impose quarantine on already affected areas in western Uganda.  \"We need to take radical measures if we are to save our people from this deadly virus,\" Theodore Ssekikubo, the MP for Rwemiyaga constituency in Ssembabule district, said. In the afternoon plenary session dominated by the Ebola debate, most MPs called on the government not to drag its feet when people are dying in the countryside.  \"Ebola is a serious disease and the government must declare all affected areas a no-go area. This is a national disaster, and if we continue to sit back, this catastrophe will finish our people,\" MP Ssekikubo said to a chorus of support from colleagues. By declaring a state of emergency, the government would be recognising a national tragedy that needs urgent local and international attention. It would also be “trying to unlockâ€Â� every available support to contain the outbreak before it reaches its full magnitude.  Chua MP Livingston Okello-Okello said free movement of people from and to Ebola-hit areas and other parts of the country is expanding the horizon of infections at an alarming rate since it is difficult to detect Ebola symptoms in infected persons during the gestation period.                Ban movement \"The government must ban any human movement and isolate  affected districts in public interest to make the fight against Ebola meaningful,\" Mr Okello-Okello said. Mr Ssekikubo had earlier said: \"People are dying and there is no more time to waste. We must show the rest of the world that we need help because this disease is dangerous.\"  Prime Minister Apollo Nsibambi assured members that the declaration of a state of emergency in the Ebola-hit region is one of the urgent issues to be discussed in the Cabinet meeting scheduled for today.      \"Under the Constitution, we can declare a state of emergency as we did in flood-hit north and eastern Uganda. I am going to chair a Cabinet meeting tomorrow [today] and this issue will be considered. Indeed, this virus is very complicated and difficult.\"                                                                                                  If Cabinet endorses the MPs' request in today's meeting, then President Museveni is expected to issue a proclamation that would later be approved by Parliament under Article 110 (3) of the (amended) Constitution.  Ministry of Health officials say the incurable hemorrhagic fever has  so far killed 22 out of 93 infected people; majority of them in Bundibugyo district. But it will not be until Tuesday next week that Prime Minster Nsibambi returns to the House to brief MPs on Cabinet's decision."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/797346/-/w1e5uk/-/index.html","content":"Kadaga calls for proper sanitation - KAMULI DEPUTY Speaker of Parliament, Ms Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga has called for improved social services, sanitation, hygiene and population control in landing sites. Ms Kadaga said because of need for money, the activities at the landing sites are deplorable and leave residents vulnerable to exploitation and diseases. She made the remarks at Kanyamwaza Landing Site in Bukungu Budiope on Sunday. \"I am moved by the pathetic living conditions of landing sites and take pity on these innocent children whose future is clouded here,\" she said as she reached out to a flood of children clamouring for her handshake. She urged parents to invest in education which she said is more profitable than keeping children away from school to do fishing. Ms Kadaga said the plight of the fishing communities needs urgent attention from leaders beginning with improvement of sanitation or else the population would die of diseases. She donated two sewing machines, 50 mosquito nets and bicycles to the women. Ms Kadaga also unveiled her smoke-free project saying by the end of her term as MP all homes with kitchens will have  them upgraded to fuel saving, smoke free stoves. The deputy speaker told the women to take on Family Planning, safer sex and seek leadership roles in communities. \"My fellow women, let us not become baby making machines, let us get involved in economic liberation,\" she said.  Earlier the MP for Budiope, Mr Henry Balikoowa petitioned the deputy speaker to prevail over civil servants who are doing a disservice by staying away from their duty stations. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Balikoowa said health workers at the Kidera Health Sub-district were notoriously absent forcing locals to seek health services from drug shop owners and local practitioners. The residents appealed for more mosquito nets, boreholes and public latrines. They complained of oppression by the marine police, Fisheries officials and members of the Beach Management Units but she said this will not be the case if they follow right fishing practices like use of  legal fishing nets. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/797420/-/10iqil5/-/index.html","content":"Israel donates drugs to  flood  victims - KAMPALA THE  government of Israel has donated 2.5 tonnes of medicines to the flood victims in North and Eastern Uganda.  The Israel Ambassador, Mr Jacob Keidar, delivered  the consignment to the first lady, Mrs Janet Museveni ,on Monday.  \"Our relationship goes beyond politics and trade because of the special historical connection shared between the two countries \" , Mr Keider said.  Mrs Museveni described this as a humanitarian gesture showing love from the people of Israel.  She said there was need for the Israel government to establish close ties with Uganda in the field of agriculture.  Minister of state for Disaster Preparedness, Musa Ecweru disclosed that in the near future, his ministry would send some officials to be trained from Israel in disaster management. He noted that in addition to existing health challenges, the area faces acute food shortage due to crop failure as a result of foods that require great attention."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/797416/-/10iqikf/-/index.html","content":"URCS to aid flood victims - NATEETE PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has directed the Ministry for Disaster Preparedness to mobilise relief aid for flood victims in Kampala suburbs. When making a field assessment tour in the affected areas in Nateete on Tuesday, Disaster Preparedness State Minister, Musa Ecweru said his ministry had already secured 200 bags of posho for the victims. \"The President is aware about your plight and has directed me to do whatever possible to get you out of this harsh situation,\"  Mr Ecweru said. The minister also handed over non food relief items from Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) for the severely affected households. The first beneficiaries are those in Nateete area who received saucepans, blankets, tarpaulins, soap and jerry cans. In Nateete, an estimated 556 households with a total of  2,780 members in several zones were affected by last weeks floods. The heavy rains that lasted for nearly seven hours also caused unprecedented mayhem in various parts of Kampala. Mr Ecweru said more aid was needed to assist the communities. He promised to contact the Health Ministry and other relief agencies like Unicef to make an early intervention before  water borne related epidemics strike the area. URCS Secretary General , Alice Uwase cautioned city dwellers against settling in wetlands. The flooding in the area is blamed on the narrow Nalukolongo water channel that burst its banks. Rubaga LCIII Chairperson Winnie Makumbi said the World Bank had agreed to release the funds to upgrade the channel but it required Parliament’s approval. \"KCC has already contacted the World Bank to give us money to upgrade Nakulolongo Channel\" Ms Makumbi said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/797244/-/10iqh34/-/index.html","content":"Buganda establishes flood committee - KAMPALA AS torrential    rains continue to batter the central region, the Buganda  Kingdom has set up a ministerial committee to mobilise humanitarian aid for flood victims in the region. The Kingdom Information Minister, Mr Medard Segoona Lubega, told Daily Monitor on Sunday, that the committee comprised Mr David Mpanga (Research), Mr Lutaaya Mukomazi (Agriculture) and Ms Florence Bagungwa Nkalubo (Youth), would solicit relief aid and deliver it to flood victims. \"The floods that have already devastated Teso and Lango regions, have also struck us but the Kabaka has set up a ministerial committee to mobilise relief aid for his subjects,\" he said.  \"We expect all people when approached to support this cause by donating food and clothes among other items,\" he added. Floods, which have for past five months battered Teso, Karamoja and Lango sub-regions, have now extended to the central region with Kampala city suburbs being the most hit areas. The floods caused by a heavy downpour last Friday morning left at least four people dead in Namasuba, Zzana along Kampala -Entebbe highway and consequently interrupted President Yoweri Museveni who was heading to catch a flight to South Africa. Last Month, five people were also reported dead after roads submerged and bridges collapsed in   Mubende District. The affected districts in Buganda are, Mukono, Kayunga, Mubende and Kiboga.  Massive floods killed at least 50 people in Teso, Lango and Karamoja, drowned livestock, destroyed infrastructure and displaced thousands of people. Many bridges in these areas have either been washed away or submerged."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/793170/-/jylwh9z/-/index.html","content":"Ugandan steel targets stiff EA market - The steel industry in Uganda has over the past 10 years seen a big growth fuelled by the galloping construction sector. Business & Finance’s Muhereza Kyamutetera, talked to Mr Naveen Krishnan, Roofings Uganda Ltd General Manager. Roofings is less than 10 years in the industry and yet has risen to become the industry leader with sales of more than $40 million annually. What would you peg this performance to? When we started, we had a concept of quality. Most of what was available in the market when we started in 1996 was of inferior quality. People would for example tell you that they are selling you an iron sheet of a particular gauge and when you would go and measure, you would find it is a different gauge. The population was getting cheated. When we started, we took off with quality and reliable products. We made it a point that what we said we would sell to the customer is what we would sell him. We were also able to analyse especially the supply weaknesses in the market. Uganda being landlocked, we could already see that most of the operators in the market, were always running out of stock, you would find people placing orders which could not be fulfilled because of shortage of supply. We then said that the best way to serve the market was to make sure that at any one time there will always be enough products, a policy we have kept. As of now we have invested $34 million in pursuit of this. We then also put in place suitable management systems. As a result, we have been growing at an average of 15 percent year on year except in 2002 when we grew by 20 percent. How is the competition? Ever since we started, the market is every other day becoming more competitive. It is a good sign though. It shows the country is developing very fast. We have to be very competitive not on quality only but prices as well. Otherwise, the moment your prices go beyond a certain mark, we are now in the East African Customs Union, and you will be out competed. It does not take long for some body to load a product from Kenya and get it to the market here. What regional competitive advantages does Uganda enjoy over other players in the region? Our big advantage is the geographical location. By virtue of our location, we have access to markets in Northern Tanzania, Southern Sudan, Rwanda and Burundi and Easter DRC. There we are competitive, and people in these markets find it attractive to come and buy from here, it is cheaper for them. What has been the impact of high power tariffs and rising fuel prices on the steel industry? Rising power tariffs mean a rising cost of production. Transport costs constitute about 15 percent of our production, so you should expect a big change in our cost of production once the fuel prices go up. Of course being landlocked we had an advantage of cheaper power over the region but this is no longer there. We shall definitely see prices rising. Most of our products have begun going up but we are always on the look out. If there are any significant reductions in the near future, we should also respond accordingly. I should add that power tariffs are not the only issue. We also have a problem of unreliable power, which has cost us dearly. The spikes, which we have in the power supply, are very harmful to most of our electronic machines, which are sensitive to power surges. Last year, we had to spend close to $75,000 in spares parts. This is also a substantial cost of doing business. As manufacturers, has there been any positive impact from the implementation of the East African customs Union? It has not been easy especially with our exports. The anticipated advantages are largely still on paper. There are many other non-trade barriers in place. On the paper they will not tell you this. We find our customers complaining that it took them one week, fifteen days for the goods to clear at the boarders. That is very expensive. There were fears that Kenyan products would flood the market after the liberalisation of the boarders. What is the situation in the market? What we are more worried about is not the competition from Kenyan products; that we can handle. The real worry is the controls in place to check against other products coming into the market disguised as Kenyan. The other worrying thing is that you find that South Africa has a preferential trade agreement with Tanzania under SADC [Southern Africa Development Community]. You can have a product from SA coming into Tanzania at a preferential tariff, and then it gets re-exported to Uganda as if it is made in Tanzania. This is what is worrying. It is already taking place. Hope they will put in place measures; otherwise we will get out competed. We can face competition if it is very fair. We consider ourselves to be very competent as far as our products are concerned."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/793168/-/jylwhwz/-/index.html","content":"Telecom companies in internet battle - AS the bonanza in the telecoms industry continues to grow, competition among the principal players is heating to a boil with the simultaneous launch of the wireless Internet access service. The start of virtual wireless Internet access, which is set to roll out perhaps across all the nation's major towns promises not merely an exciting new watermark in the evolution of Uganda's information technology but also an unprecedented world of limitless communication possibilities. The development has started off a fundamental shift of corporate investment focus by Uganda Telecom, MTN Uganda and Celtel from the basic mobile phone services (voice and short text messaging) to the more innovative but less explored broad area of Internet which taps into the lucrative middleclass taste for value added, top-of-the-range services through broadening access to the internet. While it makes communication cheaper and brings more comfort of choice and convenience to the customer, the Internet's penetration had remained severely limited even among the middle and high-income earners. Uganda Telecom appears to rumble ahead of others in commissioning new wireless access solutions with its Internet hotspots, a service that adds to the company's already rapidly growing portfolio of products and services. Utl’s Marketing Manager, Mr Hans Paulsen, says the new service was developed to enable people-especially businessmen and professionals-to continue working on their laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and several other devices even when they are out of office or other internet access points where connection is via cable like the office. \"We want to change that. If we are meeting for lunch or a chat or for whatever reason in a restaurant, lounge or any other place it should not mean that you cannot continue working on your laptop,\" he said. The service is designed on the model of the more familiar Wi-Fi technology. Hotspot operators usually strike a deal with a landlord or any responsible authority to deploy wireless access points (transmitter hubs) in the facility and then pay the landlord monthly fees or a cut of revenue. Some authorities like hotel or club management might decide to defray the bill hoping to recoup the money in increased revenues from new customers attracted by the free Internet facility. Paulsen said so far only 14 hotspot zones have been established where people can have free access on a test basis -Faze 2, Mateos restaurant Entebbe Airport, Kampala Club, Grand Imperial Hotel, Worker's House, Rwenzori Courts and others. To gain access after the end of the two months testing period, he said, users will have to purchase Voucher Cards that will afford them access for a day or two or even a week depending on the card value. Those cards are yet to be produced though. He explained that the technology would essentially be grafted on its already existing infrastructure backbone, which subsequently cut down the initial installation costs to about $0.5 million. \" When we begin to roll out in earnest we intend to create as many hotspots in the country as possible,\" he said. He was not clear on the possibility of some places paying the bill themselves to offer free Internet so they can cash in on the flood of new customers like is the practice in the West. MTN's response to the Uganda Telecom hotspot zones was to launch a handset-based General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) technology, which essentially strengthens the capacity of the mobile network to handle heavier traffic-pictures, video and audio clips, bigger texts and other internet data-from one handset to another. MTN's CEO Mr Noel Meier said \"the customer's mobile phone experience will change wholly from the current only making calls and other basic functions like SMS to more sophisticated uses,\" Uganda will be the second country in Sub Saharan Africa to have the service, which is accessed by both pre and post paid customers: they will pay only for data sent and not the time spent browsing through the net. A handset’s relatively small data handling capacity will still significantly limit its ability to perform more formal and larger Internet tasks like doing research and downloading or sending several pages of data. That handicap will probably still leave a customer satisfaction void that UTL will be keen to exploit with its hotspots that allow a customer to do virtually everything that he can with internet access on a bigger device like a laptop. The coverage of MTN's GPRS though is potentially vast and could probably rake in profit faster than the elite-targeted hotspot zones. Celtel Uganda through its Internet business division, Infocom-an IPS company)-which it acquired in 2000 has been drawn into the wireless access market maelstrom, starting its own Wi-Fi hotspot zone. The cutthroat competition that has now descended on the wireless Internet market will certainly bring a whole new thrill and mileage to the Ugandan telecom industry but also with it, more bills to pay especially by the obsessive mobile and internet communicators."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Entertainment/-/812796/811592/-/bso0dc/-/index.html","content":"Becoming visible at last - INVISIBLE CHILDREN: The three American youth came to Africa, hoping to  make a film out of the fighting in the Darfur region. They didn’t find  any action and the Northern Uganda crisis which they hadn’t envisaged  provided the material for their movie Invisible Children 20 years after the first pleas for mercy were heard coming out of the  north of Uganda, with the children crying and asking for the meaning of  Kony's war, the message has finally got to the western world in a  unique way. Instead of just reaching the talking heads who sit on the world's  biggest policy organisations and decide who gets help and who does not, the  message fell on the ears of three young Americans who had one thing in  common; resilience. Now, because of their relentless persistence, the  greatest casualties of the war, the children have found their hope. The news that the war in northern Uganda is finally making an impact in  corporate America should bring a sense of triumph to Ugandans. In the  last few weeks, Uganda's 20-year-old war has been on the silver screen  in the US and finally, hopefully, the right questions shall be asked  all around the world. Though we did not have any film featuring at the recently concluded  Oscars and Ugandan film makers might have to wait some time before they  can rub shoulders with the glitterati of Tinsel Town, we did not do so  badly after all. Invisible Children, the one-hour documentary film done in 2003 in  northern Uganda has been raising enough dust in the entire US and there is  no way the rest of the world will continue turning a blind eye to the  tragedy in the north. Invisible Children was born out of chance. By chance, three film school  graduates, Bobby Bailey, Jason Russell and their friend, Laren Poole  made a detour and decided to turn their attention to northern Uganda,  after their primary objective turned out to be a flop. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/789018/-/10i6a6o/-/index.html","content":"Mbale closes 17 hostels - David Mafabi MBALE Mbale Municipal Council Industrial Division has closed 17 student hostels for allegedly breeding thugs and prostitutes. According to the LC3 chairman for Industrial Division Massa Musa some of the hostels have been operating without permits, don’t measure up to the required standards and are in poor hygienic conditions. “Yes, we have closed 17 hostels in town for security and hygienic reasons. This is because a number of them besides being in poor hygienic condition, have become breeding places for thugs and prostitutes,� Mr Massa said. He was speaking to Daily Monitor on Thursday at the Industrial Division offices. Mr Massa said most owners of the hostels are only interested in making money. He attributed the increasing crime rate and prostitution in the town to the mushrooming hostels. He said most criminals and prostitutes arrested in the town, on interrogation claim they stay in some of the hostels in the municipal council. He said because most hostels are not fenced and closed at night, students, especially girls, flood the streets. He said this puts them at risk of being raped. Mr Massa said a tour of the closed hostels revealed that they had poor ventilation, inadequate toilets or no toilets and unhygienic cooking utensils which exposed the students to risks of cholera, dysentery and other related diseases. He called upon hostel owners to get permits from the education office and health offices and also hire security personnel."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/787608/-/w0ro85/-/index.html","content":"Govt aids Teso flood victims - KAMPALA THREE weeks after floods wreaked havoc in Teso sub - region, the government and other relief agencies have started sending food consignments to victims. The aid includes maize flour, beans, cassava stems and potato veins. So far flood victims in the districts of Amuria, Bukedea and Katakwi have receieved the aid. The Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Martin Odwedo however told Sunday Monitor on Thursday that more aid was still needed. \"What we have done so far is like a drop in the ocean,\" he said. He said since not only crops were destroyed the victims are in dire need of shelter and basic domestic utensils like saucepans and plates. Mr Odwedo said international relief agencies like the International Committee of the Red Cross, World Food Programmee (WFP), Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) United Nations Children's Fund had began distributing aid in the devastated areas. He said flood victims in Malela Wera, Abarilera have sub counties have received their relief consignments. The hostile floods that swept bridges and submerged roads made residents to desert villages in Bukedea, Kumi, Soroti, Katakwi and Amuria districts. Sunday Monitor has learnt that President Yoweri Museveni will soon visit the region to assess the impact of the floods on the communities. Mr Tamale Mirundi, the President's Press Secretary on Friday confirmed Mr Museveni's impending visit to Teso. According to an inter-agency assessment last week over 50,000 people were displaced."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/788086/-/10i5l1n/-/index.html","content":"Govt sends food aid to flood-hit Teso region - KAMPALA The government and a host of humanitarian organisations have started sending food consignments to residents of Teso following devastating floods that hit the region roughly three weeks ago. The aid that includes posho, beans, cassava stems and potato veins has started arriving in some districts like Amuria,Bukedea and Katakwi. The Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Mr Martin Odwedo, told Daily Monitor on Thursday more aid was needed to assist the communities. “What we have so far given out is a drop in the ocean because it was not only crops that were destroyed but even other facilities like houses, beddings and roads,� he said. Mr Odwedo said international humanitarian agencies like the Red Cross, World Food Programme, Food and Agricultural Organisation and the United Nations Children’s Fund have already began distributing aid to the affected communities. “As of now, the sub-counties of Malela (Bukedea District) and Wera, Abarilera (Amuria District) have already received their consignments of posho, beans and cassava stems,� he added. However, Mr Odwedo said he was not aware of how much food aid had been delivered since “we are different partners in this intervention�. Thousands of people were recently rendered homeless in various parts of Teso following torrential rains that pounded the region. Most sub-counties in the districts of Bukedea, Kumi, Soroti, Katakwi and Amuria were deserted due to the floods while roads and bridges got damaged making it difficult to reach the affected people. Daily Monitor has reliably learnt that President Yoweri Museveni will soon visit the region to assess the impact of the floods. The State Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Mr Musa Ecweru, who toured the region, told journalists on Thursday that it would require the involvement of all line ministries to avert famine and outbreak of water borne diseases in the region. “The whole infrastructure has broken down something that cannot be handled by my ministry alone,� he said. He said apart from foodstuffs, the government was also looking for funds to purchase tents and household equipment for residents."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/788872/-/10i5rab/-/index.html","content":"Flooded arears under state of emergency - PARLIAMENT CABINET yesterday endorsed a presidential directive declaring a state of emergency in the flood-hit parts of eastern and northern Uganda. After yesterday's early morning cabinet meeting chaired by the President, Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi told MPs that Mr Museveni would issue a proclamation to be approved by Parliament under Article 110 (3) declaring a state of emergency in the northern and eastern parts of the country. \"This is so because of the floods and land slides which have caused loss of life and property and accordingly constitute a natural disaster,\" he told the plenary session yesterday afternoon. By declaring a state of emergency, the government is recognising a national tragedy that needs urgent local and international attention, Deputy Attorney General Freddie Ruhindi said yesterday. In a telephone interview, Mr Ruhindi said the government was \"trying to unlock\" every available support to contain a tragedy yet to reach its full magnitude. Severe floodwaters have for the past weeks, swirled through districts killing 18 people, leaving thousands homeless and hungry and cutting off about a third of the country. Cabinet's decision comes hot on the heels of local and internal pleas urging the government to declare flood-hit districts a disaster area. Local leaders from Teso sub-region, the epicentre of the catastrophe, on Tuesday recommended that the region be declared a disaster area after severe floods caused by torrential rains also washed away roads and bridges. Aid agencies, the World Food Programme and the Uganda Red Cross , also made the same plea citing the dire humanitarian situation in the flood hit areas. On Tuesday the government confirmed a Daily Monitor story that published on Monday which said the worst was yet to come. \"There will be need to deploy adequate resources to the victims of this tragedy but the question is how is this money got?\" Mr Ruhindi wondered. \"It would entail the government to come to Parliament to reallocate funds, possibly cutting from other departments but you cannot do that unless you recognise that this is a national tragedy.\" Tororo MP Geoffrey Ekanya said such a declaration would guarantee \"quick international aid and support to avert the crisis.\" 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/782660/-/w0o7rd/-/index.html","content":"Bad news: El nino rains coming back - KAMPALA THE Meteorology Department has confirmed that El Nino conditions have started developing and are likely to continue into early 2007. A press release issued on Friday said most of the regional and international climate prediction centres had confirmed the phenomenon. \"Already the impacts are being felt in various locations in the world. Here in Uganda, the unsteady rains punctuated by prolonged dry spells in several parts since March is characteristic of a developing El Nino,\" the statement said. \"Peak rains reaching flood levels in some locations are expected late October and early November. The cessation of the season is likely to extend into late January or early February 2007. This means that most areas of the country will continue receiving heavy rains when the average/normal season should be declining or should have ended.\" El Nino is a Spanish term meaning 'Christ child,' because it is usually noticed around Christmas time. The skies can open for days without ending with serious effects on crops and infrastructure. The worst El Nino on record occurred between 1997 and 1998. It killed over 2,000 people and destroyed property worth $33 billion worldwide. In Uganda, the rains washed away bridges, cutting off several parts of the country. An El Nino usually recurs every 3-7 years with varying degrees of intensity. The conditions are usually felt around the world for one year."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/781240/-/k09tb4z/-/index.html","content":"Trade with EU hangs in balance - Failure to sign the agreement means exports from Uganda will be subjected to tax tariffs, making them less competitive on the market KAMPALA UGANDAN exporters risk losing tax-free access to the key European Union market if a new trade deal is not sealed within the next four months. With time running out and a fast-approaching December 31 deadline hanging over talks on Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), the danger of this happening is becoming too real to ignore. Uganda is pressed between a rock and a hard place on whether to agree to the controversial clauses within the EPAs before the looming deadline or risk losing trade with Uganda's leading export destination. According to Uganda Export Promotions Board, Uganda's exports to the EU stands at $312 Million (Shs546 billion), making it one of the leading destinations for the country's exports. Uganda mainly exports coffee, flowers, and fish. However, failure to sign the agreement means exports from Uganda will be subjected to tax tariffs, making them less competitive on the market. Report A report published by the Southern and Eastern African Trade, Information and Negotiations Institute (Seatini), says: \"There are complications in the EPAs that cannot be solved by rushing through badly designed deals under time pressure\".   AT STAKE: Mr Sudhir Ruparelia, the owner of Rosebud Flowers, inspects his flower farm. Flower exports to the EU could suffer if Uganda does not reach a conclusive trade agreement with the EU before December 31. File photo  The new agreements demand reciprocity, where developing countries such as Uganda will be required to open up in a limited way some of their markets to the EU in line with the international rules governing regional trade agreements, raising fears that such an arrangement will flood African markets with cheaper goods from the EU. \"Trade in value-added goods will be hit and dependency on primary exports will rise,\" the report says. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/781298/-/k09t6gz/-/index.html","content":"When a crisis is an opportunity - Is the current mortgage crisis the beginning of the end for the U.S. economy? - Jacques Wullschleger, Jupiter, Fla. Do you mean, is the sky finally falling? We wouldn't blame you for putting your question that way, given the market's volatility over the past few weeks. There's been a spate of high-profile bankruptcies involving U.S. businesses, such as those at New Century and American Home Mortgage, and the recent closure of the respected hedge fund Sowood Capital Management. And that's not to mention the big private-equity deals that are hanging precariously, or, like last week's sale of Home Depot's wholesale supply unit, being sharply renegotiated in the 11th hour. No, we'd only blame you if your question meant you were thinking of running for cover right now, or worse, hunkering down. Because for many individuals and companies, right now happens to be the perfect time to venture out - in fact, even to get aggressive. Forget Chicken Little. Think \"Holy cow!\" Rare deals That's what you'll be saying when you see the once-in-a-lifetime deals that are suddenly popping up all over the place, the strategic acquisitions that never seemed possible before and the warehouses of assets selling at massive discounts. Every economic, industry or business crisis inevitably spawns such extraordinary opportunities. You just have to have the foresight to be looking for them ... and the guts to grab them. Look, we are not saying you shouldn't worry about the current unsettled environment. Two months ago in this column, we ourselves noted that the era of low-cost money was swiftly coming to a close, and that there would certainly be painful consequences for many banks, private equity firms and individual investors. Credit crisis But in our view, this credit crisis is just a financial-sector crunch, not an economic Armageddon. Like all cycles, this one will play itself out in several months or a year - two years at the most. Think of the savings-and-loan debacle in the 1990s, the Mexican peso devaluation in '95, the Asian financial crisis in '97 and the tech-bubble burst in 2000. All of those dislocations came, wrecked havoc and eventually got cleaned up by market forces with some form of government intervention. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/-/688612/775516/-/tfrih1/-/index.html","content":"News behind the scenes - ARUSHA - A Ugandan lobby stopped the signing of the Customs Union, but one man, Mr Amanya Mushega, has taken it on. Mushega, the East African Community secretary general, says that while Ugandans are right to contest some parts of the agreement concerning paper for instance their effort is led by self-seeking businessmen looking to prop up inefficient businesses. Mushega has changed little since he exchanged local Ugandan politics with regional diplomacy, at the Arusha-based secretariat. Sure, he has dropped the brownish gray Kaunda for a proper suit. And he tempers his characteristically abrasive criticisms with apologies and appeals for frankness. Realising he had offended local journalists who had gate-crashed a briefing he called for media executives last week, he quickly complemented their “dedicated\" coverage of the EAC. When he interrupted his experts presentations on the intricate issues around the Customs Union which he did relentlessly he quickly added that he wanted them to explain “more professionally.\" “The agreement will be signed,\" he assured media bosses at the half-day meeting. “Except if there are unavoidable circumstances [like one head of state being sick] and the Ugandan lobby is not one of them.\" But despite his senior position, Mushega was wrong. The Ugandan lobby was much stronger than he estimated, and perhaps the politics much more delicate than he imagined. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/775262/-/gxt5t8/-/index.html","content":"Sugar industry seeks special status - Feb 12, 2004 By KAMPALA - The East African region's sugar industry as well as tour operators in Tanzania are worried of the likely negative impact, should the Customs Union protocol be signed. More than one million people from the sugar industry in the region are likely to lose jobs as a result of the common external tariff, industry players have claimed. This is because imported sugar is likely to flood the market at cheaper prices when the Union comes into effect, with variations in tariffs of between 0 to 15 and 15 to 25 percent, for the first five years. At a recent meeting in Jinja, regional sugar producers and dealers said that the industry is a sensitive one and called on respective governments to accord the sub-sector special status. \"The industry needs a long term special treatment,\" Mr S.C. Khanna, the chief executive of Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited (Scoul), told BusinessWeek. He said that the sugar industry is the largest employer in the region, with more than 70,000 direct employees and about one million being indirectly employed. Despite such a huge employee capacity they get no subsidies from respective governments, they argued. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/770510/-/10hdlbv/-/index.html","content":"milestone - Natasha Karugire, President Yoweri Museveni's daughter launched her design line at Speke Hotel Kampala on November 4. Karugire said that she was very confident of her designs and is trying to look for a place in business. REJECTED Bobby Hatfield died aged 63. He was one half of the vocal duo The Righteous Brothers, best known for the hits You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' and Unchained Melody. As part of the Righteous Brothers, Hatfield was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year. NAMED The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has named several companies that have failed to pass on their workers' contribution to the Fund. NSSF launched a crack down on defaulters recently and the Kampala area manager, Francis Baryahabwa said the company would leave no stone unturned. WON 50 Cent won an award for Best Artiste 2003 at the World Music Awards that was recently held in Monaco. The event was largely criticized for being discriminatory with USA and Europe taking most of the awards. ACCUSED Dorcas Inzikuru Uganda's medal winner at the All Africa Games has been shocked at statements her father Jackson Lulua made. He said during a press conference that he should benefit from his daughter's running and expects something like a house. Inzikuru said after she looked at the reports she felt all her efforts were a waste of time. KILLED A flash flood on the Indonesian island of Sumatra has left about 77 people dead. Torrential rains caused the flood, which hit an area popular with tourists near the capital of the north Sumatra region, Medan. ELECTED Michael Howard has been crowned party leader of the Tories in England. He won a one-horse race to replace Iain Duncan Smith - ousted last week in a confidence vote. The appointment was confirmed by Sir Michael Spicer, chairman of the backbench 1922 committee after no rivals came Howard has appealed to Tories to unite behind him now he has been crowned party leader."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/770252/-/gxpo7h/-/index.html","content":"EAC Union: News behind the scenes - ARUSHA - A Ugandan lobby stopped the signing of the Customs Union, but one man, Mr Amanya Mushega, has taken it on. Mushega, the East African Community secretary general, says that while Ugandans are right to contest some parts of the agreement, concerning paper for instance, their effort is led by self-seeking businessmen looking to prop up inefficient businesses. Mushega has changed little since he exchanged local Ugandan politics with regional diplomacy, at the Arusha-based secretariat. Sure, he has dropped the brownish gray Kaunda for a proper suit. And he tempers his characteristically abrasive criticisms with apologies and appeals for frankness. Realising he had offended local journalists who had gate-crashed a briefing he called for media executives last week, he quickly complemented their “dedicatedâ€Â� coverage of the EAC. When he interrupted his experts' presentations on the intricate issues around the Customs Union which he did relentlessly, he quickly added that he wanted them to explain “more professionally.\" “The agreement will be signed,\" he assured media bosses at the half-day meeting. “Except if there are unavoidable circumstances [like one head of state being sick] and the Ugandan lobby is not one of them.\" But despite his senior position, Mushega was wrong. The Ugandan lobby was much stronger than he estimated, and perhaps the politics much more delicate than he imagined. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/770050/-/k0w42mz/-/index.html","content":"Nile Hotel closes for renovation - KAMPALA - Kampala Serena Hotel, formerly Nile Hotel, has closed down for renovation. The hotel, which was taken over by Serena Hotels on February 15, 2004, was closed on December 18. The Acting General Manager, Mr Dison Ondieki, said when it reopens in November 2005, after a 12-months renovation, it will be a five-star hotel, and its new name of Kampala Serena Hotel, will be official. \"We have officially closed for renovation, we are not receiving any guests,\" Ondieki told The Monitor on Monday. Ondieki said the renovation works would be on schedule by the end of 2005. The hotel brings to 15 the number of Serena Hotels properties in East and Southern Africa - seven in Kenya, six in Tanzania and one in Mozambique. \"We are taking over the hotel, which did not have all the facilities we wanted. So we are actually starting from a blank paper,\" Mr Mahmud Janmohamed, the Serena Group Managing Director for East Africa, based in Nairobi, said. Janmohamed told journalists recently that they plan to spend up to $26.5 million on the hotel including the total cost of buying it from the government. It also includes the initial bid down payment of $1.2 million, concession fees of $64,000 and Shs252.8 million paid to government. It also covers a new Information and Communication Technology system and operating equipment. Works in the complex, which will occupy 17 acres, will include refurbishing the International Conference Center, increasing the number of rooms from 85 to 140, setting up a modern business center, swimming pool and health club, standard rooms, business suites, and a VIP suite. 1 | 2 Next Page»The Serena Hotel Architect and Project Manager, Mr John Cavanagh, said the new design would put emphasis on design works, involving fabrics and colouring for the interior, semi broken walls and traditional curvings. \"It will be a complete internal overhaul of the interior facilities, restaurants, kitchens, to bring in a fresh look for the next 10-15 years or more,\" Cavanagh said. Janmohamed said the new hotel would employ about 300 workers with priority given to former workers of Nile Hotel. \"We are not going to flood the hotel with expatriates. We shall maximise employment opportunities for Ugandans and minimise expatriate input,\" he said.   « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/769140/-/gxaddb/-/index.html","content":"Sugar industry seeks special status - KAMPALA - The East African region's sugar industry as well as tour operators in Tanzania are worried of the likely negative impact, should the Customs Union protocol be signed. More than one million people from the sugar industry in the region are likely to lose jobs as a result of the common external tariff, industry players have claimed. This is because imported sugar is likely to flood the market at cheaper prices when the Union comes into effect, with variations in tariffs of between 0 to 15 and 15 to 25 percent, for the first five years. At a recent meeting in Jinja, regional sugar producers and dealers said that the industry is a sensitive one and called on respective governments to accord the sub-sector special status. \"The industry needs a long term special treatment,\" Mr S.C. Khanna, the chief executive of Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited (Scoul), told BusinessWeek. He said that the sugar industry is the largest employer in the region, with more than 70,000 direct employees and about one million being indirectly employed. Despite such a huge employee capacity they get no subsidies from respective governments, they argued. The variation in the Common External Tariff could mean that each member country may charge a different rate, thus creating avenues for cheap sugar into the region. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/768980/-/gx9ufc/-/index.html","content":"HIV/Aids drug makers fight for poor pockets - A few weeks ago, I interviewed a young woman at Mbuya Reach Out, a clinic in Bugolobi, a Kampala suburb. I don't speak Luganda and her English was fair but due to shyness and inarticulacy, she didn't say much. Afterwards, it struck me how the easiest people to interview are nearly always the middle class, as they are media literate and articulate. This young woman was among those waiting to get free anti-retroviral drugs and it was a shame the interview failed, as I am sure she had plenty to say that middle class Ugandans at The Surgery or a handful of clinics around town don't have. Mbuya Reach Out is busy, with people queuing for the HIV/Aids treatment available to residents of Mbuya parish. Last month, the clinic got nearly $700,000 from the President Bush Aids Fund. This is enough to provide ARV treatment for 500 people for one year and subject to successful roll-out, the clinic should get more cash for the next four years. Taso [The Aids Service Organisation], Mildmay and Mbuya are among those who have benefited from President George Bush's cash, which can be used to buy ARVs approved by America's Food and Drugs Authority. This criterion effectively shuts the door on the cheaper generic treatments, which have been approved by the World Health Organisation but not by America's domestic authority. The difference this makes is huge. One month's brand name ARV treatment costs Shs110,000, compared to Shs47,000 a month for generic treatments. In effect, these organisations could treat twice as many people if they could buy the cheaper drugs. I do have some sympathy for the brand name drug companies. They spend heavily on developing these drugs and don't want to see this investment wasted, as generic drug companies flood the market with cheaper versions. Within brand name drug companies, there is a sense that the generic companies are winning a public relations battle. The public like the companies that sell cheap drugs and don't appreciate the money the brand name companies have spent on research. 1 | 2 Next Page»Battles of image aside, for all these companies, the biggest market for ARVs is in sub-Saharan Africa, making it a development issue, as well as a business issue. The development industry has, in any case, all the hallmarks of big business, including a tendency to protectionism. Money for drugs in Africa often comes from outside donors and if generic drug makers, such as India's Ranbaxy, are not registered in the donor country, they are out of the game, even though they have World Health Organisation approval for their products. This looks and smells like a trade barrier to me. Most trade barriers hit people's pockets and livelihoods, this trade barrier means more people will die from Aids than need to. Issues of trade and development seem a long way from Mbuya. It has 1,000 odd clients, a figure accepted to be just a fraction of those with HIV/Aids in that parish. And people are moving into the parish to avail of treatments. I find it inspiring to talk to people who take ARVs, are healthy and full of hope. For others, it is not clear how they can change or articulate their situation, as they sit in wait, their lives dependent on the small print of a contract signed thousands of miles away. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/768734/-/k1cwy1z/-/index.html","content":"Flood barriers change lives of Kasese farmers - KASESE - Farmers in Rukoki village in Kasese no longer have to fear the rainy season. Seven water stands have been built at the River Sebwe, which used to flood their crops. Now more farmers are growing crops, safe in the knowledge that better irrigation will help them prosper. More than 150 farmers from Rukoki village have been given 91 hectares of land from 516 hectares by Mubuku Settlement Scheme. Already, they are growing hot pepper, okra, passion fruit and chilli. The chairman of the farmers association Mr Frank Twinamasiko said that farmers now earn between Shs 500,000 and Shs 1.5 million each season. \"Since the project started, the income of each farmer has increased. Now the farmers can be able to educate their children,\" said Twinamasiko. The flood barriers were built as part of a Shs50 million scheme, revived by the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO). This scheme forms part of a project called the Horticultural Strategic Intervention. Rukoki has a packing house where farmers take the hot pepper, passion fruits and chilli to prepare them for export. Mr Deo Munyazikwiye, the officer in charge of Mubuku irrigation Settlement Scheme, said that they now export 197 metric tonnes of hot pepper every season to the UK and Holland. \"We have planted a lot and in the next season we hope to increase on the production; at least we want to reach 250 metric tonnes of hot pepper,\" said Munyazi-kwiye. There is still room for the project to grow. Like many horticultural exporters in the country, they lack a refrigerated vehicle, which would enable them to transport goods from their farms. A refrigerated truck costs Shs 60 million. \"We don't have a refrigerated vehicle and the long journey which takes six to seven hours to reach the airport also affects us,\" said Munyazikwiye. Their daily out put of four tonnes could be increased to eight tonnes if they got a refrigerated vehicle. They could also generate the seeds locally as opposed to ordering them from Kawanda Research Station, the co-ordinator Dr J.J Hakiza said. He suggests establishing a mother garden, which would provide disease-free seeds and also be used as a demonstration plot for farmers. Horticultural Strategic Intervention works with Uganda Export Promotions Board to promote horticultural crops in order to increase the production, maintain the quality, and improve the farmers' living standards."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/769884/-/k1c7pyz/-/index.html","content":"Christmas price cuts start - KAMPALA - Traders are planning to cut prices of basic goods to attract shoppers in the run up to Christmas. Already, traders have cut the prices of children and ladies clothes, shoes, ladies' handbags and electrical appliances. \"This festive season at least everyone will be able to afford to buy a new dress, shoes, and other goods because the prices are very low and we expect to cut them further,\" said Ms Brenda Namitala, who sells new ladies' clothes along Luwum Street. Prices range from Shs 5,000 to Shs 50,000 for women's clothes and from Shs 3,500 to Shs 20,000 for children's clothes. Mr Peter Kasule sells men and ladies shoes from the Royal Complex along Dustar Street. \"The prices are likely to go down since most people have started shopping for the festive season,\" said Kasule. Other traders say that stiff competition will force them to cut prices. \"The year is ending, we have to finish off the stock we have and start with a new one next year. Almost all shops and malls in Kampala are dealing in the same commodities. Cutting prices will allow the customers to have something new and we shall also be able to finish the stock,\" said Ms Florence Zawedde, who sells ladies' clothes at Mutaasa Kafeero Plaza. The competition for the same products goes down even in St Balikuddembe market, where new clothes are also being sold to trap the market portion there. \"Many people during the festive season fear entering shops selling new clothes, so they flood Owino [St Balikuddembe] which they know is cheaper,\" said Ms Violet Mukasa. Mukasa adds that because of the competition in the shops, she takes some of her products to Owino where customers can somehow be lured to buy. Those dealing in electrical appliances like television sets, radios, fridges, kettles, and many other products have started the festive sale on their products. \"We know that during this season many people would love to buy at least something new, so we do offer Christmas sale on our products,\" said Mr Paul Kasantamu who deals in reconditioned appliances from Kyengera Refrigeration in Bwaise. Ms Ruth Kizito owns a domestic and kitchen appliances shop on William Street. She plans to offer incentives to customers. \"In a bid to give back to my customers I am already in plans to offer discounts not only to those who buy in bulk but even those who buy in small quantities,\" said Kizito. Kizito intends to give small gifts like calendars, flower vases, table clothes in a bid to attract more customers. 1 | 2 Next Page»Already, traders who sell Christmas decorations, lights and cards are looking for strategic places such as taxi entrances and exits to sell their wares. \"Christmas cards sell for between Shs 500 and Shs 2,000. The decorations range between Shs 500-Shs 10,000. The prices are affordable,\" said Mr Isaac Mugisha.   « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/766740/-/k1ebklz/-/index.html","content":"Business booms as shoppers step out for Christmas - Gift shops in brisk business; Christmas sales galore, Christmas is here! KAMPALA - Christmas shopping has changed. In previous years, hawkers would flood the streets, thrusting their wares in the faces of every pedestrian, and into car windows. This year, their relative absence from the middle of the city has made way for trendy gift shops, and their business is reported to be booming. Our informal survey last week showed that a big number of exclusive gift shops have recently opened up in town, two of them in Garden City, the popular shopping mall in Lugogo. Gifts and more One of these is Gifts & More, which true to its name, is specialising in items preferred as gifts for Christmas or the New Year. The Manager, Mr Shaik Mohammed, says while the market for gifts is seasonal, and is pretty low when there is nothing to celebrate, business has been picking up since the beginning of December, and is expected it to improve in the course of this week as salaried workers get paid and the Christmas fever starts 'catching'. \"We are at the climax of our business cycle. People began coming at the beginning of this month and their numbers are just going up,\" says a jovial Mohamed. Regarding fears that their goods are expensive, Mohamed says their prices are not high compared to the high quality of the goods they sell. Gifts and More sells perfumes ranging between Shs200,000 - 400,000, jewelry at Shs20,000 - 250,000, childrens' toys, baby stalls, Christmas decorations like trees and lights, at Shs22,000, and others. \"I sell all these items at a 10 percent discount and give a guarantee,\" Mohamed says. He says his business has become so popular, he gets about 150 clients a day, 100 of them buying, 50 just checking and promising to return. Buyers are also flocking to shops in large numbers to buy presents for their friends and families. Top of many shopping lists are jewelry, Christmas cards, watches, clothes, necklaces, wall clocks and children's toys. Shoppers are rushing out to make final purchases at mega shops like this one \"I am heading to Uchumi to buy a necklace and watch worth about Shs270,000 to give to my mother for Christmas,\" Grace Mityene, who works in a mobile phone dealership, told The Monitor on Friday. Stephen Namanya, a graphic designer, had a slightly different gist in mind: \"I'm planning to buy a bottle of perfume worth about Shs400,000, sun glasses and a wall clock for my fiancé. My plan this Christmas is to renew my love with her.\" Salaried workers At Aristoc Bookshop, the Sales and Marketing Manager, Mr Richard Kibirige, said the response was still low but he was optimistic it would pick up this week after salaried workers, his most popular customers, got their salaries. Mr Kibirige said most of the people who give Christmas gifts like books, greeting cards, educational toys, and related items, as Christmas or New Year gifts, are salary earners. Indeed one police officer interviewed said he had made no shopping plans yet, because he had not yet received his salary. \"Ask me next week, after I have received my money,\" he said. Aristoc has also stocked photo frames, sunglasses, scarves, etc, at affordable prices. However the company will return to its core business - scholastic materials - after the holidays, to prepare for the re-opening of schools at the end of January. Too expensive For others however, the relative absence of hawkers on the streets has made merchandise very expensive, because most things have to be bought inside shops. Hawkers are said to sell the same items at cheaper rates than formal shops, because they usually don't pay rent, taxes or other overhead costs that shop keepers factor into prices, and can offer generous discounts. However a campaign by city authorities, which makes street hawking illegal, has so far seen them off the streets this holiday season. \"We used to buy cards, necklaces, watches, at cheaper prices on the way home from work,\" said Lawrence Musoke, a policeman. \"I can't afford to buy a wall clock at Shs100,000. If I did, my family would sleep on empty stomachs,\" he said. \"Shops have hijacked the duty of hawkers and made it difficult for us with little money to buy anything,\" complains James Sentongo, a taxi driver. On the other hand some shoppers are happy about the absence of the hawkers, commonly known as batembeeyi. 1 | 2 Next Page»\"Now we can shop freely, without the human jam they cause all over the streets,\" said Nelson Tusiime, an accountant. \"We are rid of the fake junk they sell, which does not last. The shops may be expensive, but at least they sell originals,\" said Patrick Otai, a civil servant. At Mart Shop, along Kampala Road, Mr Robert Mugume, a salesman, praised city authorities for driving away the hawkers, making it possible for people who previously shopped from the verandahs to enter his shop. \"The number of customers entering our shops has increased and we hope at the end of the festive season, we shall have reaped profits,\" he said. Mart's gift prices range between Shs10,000 and Shs500,000. But like Aristoc, it also plans to change focus to books and stationery as soon as the holidays end and customers change their focus to back-to-school-shopping.   « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/765636/-/gx7p07/-/index.html","content":"Expired imports flood market - Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) recently mounted an operation against fake products on the market. “Operation Q followed a public outcry over rampant sale of expired goods.\" Business Week's Edward Ojulu spoke to UNBS Executive Director Dr Terry Kahuma. Either underweight or adulterated cement, underweight bread or expired drinks. What is happening? It is the pursuit for easy money. People want to use underhand methods to make money. Some of them actually make good products but they are not patient enough to develop their own trademark and so they infringe on other people's trademarks. How grave is the problem? It is enormous and growing. It will put the lives of more Ugandans in danger as a lot of expired goods enter the country. It will also undermine investor's confidence in the country as they find it hard to compete with cheap counterfeits. Substandard products are a drain to people's income because they have to be replaced all the time and above all, the health risk is high. Most of today's health complications are as a result of consuming expired products. We have found some of expired products containing a lot of harmful bacteria and yeast. Where is the biggest threat? It is the edible goods. Children, pregnant mothers and sick people are particularly vulnerable. Many times we buy things like biscuits and juices for the sick so that they recover when actually we are giving them poison. But you have the mandate to stop this? 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/WarMemories/-/859092/858466/-/4a7f4az/-/index.html","content":"NRM BUSH WAR MEMORIES: Lt. Col. Mwesigye was a rebel twice over - Lt. Col. Fred Mwesigye is the managing director of the National Enterprise Corporation, a parastatal under the Ministry of Defence. In Part 2 of the Bush War Memories series to mark Heroes Day, Mwesigye, one of the armed 27 who stormed Kabamba on Feb. 6, 1981, recounts his story to Bernard Tabaire: - I had finished secondary school at Makobore High School in 1972 and had worked for about one or two years in Kampala in the treasury department. Contacts were being made [by people we knew]. When we were in school, we used to have frequent visits by people like Ruhakana Rugunda, Amama Mbabazi, Yoweri Museveni himself, Tumusiime Mutebile. These people used to inspire us politically and we used to admire them. [Then] Amin started killing en masse. There was discontent. I personally got disgusted with the system. At one time I was coming out of Sheraton and just at the entrance somebody boxed me. I didn’t know what I had done. This was in the ’70s. I think he was in State Research. A very tall man, black. The man just boxed me. I said for heavens’ sake, what have I committed? In 1977, I sneaked to Kenya and stayed there with Sam Magara, Umoja Araali, and interacted with Dr Crispus Kiyonga. I got a teaching job with a secondary school. About ’78 we managed to go [to Tanzania] and started preparing – especially after Amin had attacked Kagera. We did a bit of training and joined the Western Axis – the Fronasa group – and fought alongside the Tanzanians. When Kampala [fell] some of us had thought there was going to be peace. But there were killings. I thought we had fought to bring unity, love among Ugandans but it hadn’t worked. Some of us were not integrated into the [UNLA] army; we didn’t go for training in Munduli [in Tanzania]. But we also organised other [ways] of training. For example, for me and some other colleagues went to Cuba for training for one year in 1980. We were over 170. We trained in military skills, intelligence, counter-intelligence, VIP protection. But even our coming back was a difficulty. We were looked at as Binaisa’s people because at that time the Military Commission had taken over. We had to make arrangements to talk to Museveni, Kategeya, Otema Allimadi to give assurances that we were going to be accepted in society and integrated into the army. On arrival some of us were [again] not actually integrated into the army. But those who belonged to the UPC faction were immediately integrated. So some of us who were in Fronasa joined the security network of Museveni. We covered our leaders and we kept together. We also started some meetings, and reccing some areas like Masindi, Kiboga, among other things we were doing. We said, look, there is no alternative but if elections are rigged we shall go to the bush and fight. We used to consult people like Bidandi Ssali. So we had that encouragement from our leaders. Of course, elections were rigged. We organised, got [together] a few comrades who were in town. I was staying with about 10 people in my small house in Bugolobi – in the Silver Springs Flats. I was staying with people like Julius Aine, David Ndayondi, Shaban Kashanku, Ngoboka. They had been chased away from Kotido, from the army. They didn’t know what to do. I said let’s stay together you never know. We continued meeting Museveni at his house in Kololo until the D-Day. About February 4, 1981 we started meeting in Makindye in John Wycliffe Kazzora’s house. Then we went to Matthew Rukikaire’s house [also] in Makindye and slept there. On the evening of February 5, about 6 O’clock, we boarded the famous Andrew Lutaya’s lorry – the first part of a trailer. We set off in that lorry closed [with a tarpaulin] as it was. We didn’t know actually which direction we were taking. Some of us who had known that area realised around 3 a.m. we were in a place called Makoore, near Kabamba. We had to wait there for Museveni to come and join us. We waited very desperately because we didn’t know what had happened. He had had problems with his car, something we didn’t know [about]. We didn’t have any communication. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Protecting-crop-varieties-boosts-plant-breeding/-/689860/2819998/-/8kbkiw/-/index.html","content":"Protecting crop varieties boosts plant breeding, benefits farmers - Protection of new varieties of plants is an important aspect of the agriculture sector. Among others, it facilitates access to improved plant varieties, a key input in farming through protection of the breeder to exclusively benefit from commercial exploitation of their improved variety. This motivates the breeder to invest in research for new varieties, which are eventually made accessible to farmers through the system of plant variety protection. Member countries of African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (Aripo), including Uganda, have adopted a protocol on the protection of new varieties of plants. This shall be known as the Arusha Protocol on the Protection of New Plant Varieties (Plant Breeders’ Rights). Impacts on wellbeingThe protocol was adopted by Aripo’s Council of Ministers, which is chaired by Uganda’s Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Kahinda Otafiire. Most of these countries, which are member states of Aripo, rely heavily on the agricultural sector. In Uganda, for example, agriculture employs 72 per cent of the workforce. This, therefore, calls for increased support and focus to the agricultural sector since it impacts on the wellbeing of the entire population. It has been the objective of the government to improve production and productivity in the sector through, among other strategies, increasing access to affordable inputs including seeds as well as attracting investments in the sector. Right and opportunityFor Uganda to realise its potential as a regional food basket, protection of new varieties of plants regionally is key. Through the plant variety protection system, a breeder of a new plant variety once protected, has a right and opportunity to become the exclusive marketer of the plant, or license it to others. To qualify, however, for that exclusive right, the plant variety must be new, distinct, uniform and stable.A variety is new only if it has not been commercialised for more than one year in the country of its protection while it is considered distinct if it differs from all other known varieties. A plant variety is uniform if its characteristics are consistent from plant to plant within the variety while it is considered stable if the plant characteristics are genetically fixed and therefore remain the same from generation to generation, or after a cycle of reproduction in the case of hybrid varieties. Important incentiveIn spite of agriculture being the driver of most economies, Africa has experienced perennial food deficits that have resulted in hunger, malnutrition and diseases. Aripo member states recognise that plant variety protection is an intellectual property tool that can be purposefully utilised to promote agricultural development in Africa. The protocol, therefore, will be an important incentive for breeders to be innovative by developing new and improved varieties of plants in order to promote sustainable agriculture in their respective countries. This, thereby, improves productivity of farmers, and competitiveness of the agricultural industry that will ensure food security and better standards of living for the farmers. Encourage innovationThe protocol is also intended to complement the national plant variety protection systems. It shall come into force after twelve months from the date that four member states have ratified and deposited the instruments of ratification/accession. While officiating at the event, Vice President of Tanzania, Dr Mohammed Gharib Bilal, asked that African economies to encourage innovation in agriculture for agricultural development. 1 | 2 Next Page»“It is essential that African countries develop and diffuse innovative and climate-proof solutions, such as seeds of improved varieties that are more tolerant to rainfall varying patterns, drought and floods, to facilitate the growth of small and large commercial farming enterprises,” he said. The writer is registrar general, Uganda Registration Services Bureau « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Agricultural-insurance-work/-/689860/2800870/-/11pw1vkz/-/index.html","content":"Agricultural insurance: How does it work? - Agriculture is an entire process. At which stage do you offer insurance?Our insurance policies for agriculture cover both production- and revenue-related risks. Production risks include all the risks on the farm. This could be poor weather during germination or breakdown of farming equipment. Revenue related risks include the poor infrastructure. A damaged road or bridge can cause a farmer to lose revenue because of delayed transportation. Also covered are processing risks. In general, agricultural insurance covers the whole value chain. Is increase in agricultural funding, which is needed to improve productivity? From our analysis, 80 per cent of Ugandans are employed in the agricultural sector and yet only 10 per cent of bank lending is geared towards agribusiness. That alone tells you there is a gap that needs to be fixed. If what the reports say, that we need to improve agricultural production by 100 percent to feed the population by 2050, then we are lagging behind. The funding that goes to farming by the government and private sector is not sustainable. By the private sector I mean banks and insurance companies. We carried out a survey and discovered smallholder farmers [operate] on an average of 4.5 hectares. Our focus, as a country, should not be on expanding farmland but on intensifying the productivity of these farmers. How do we intensify productivity?First of all, to have a productive farming community, we need the farmers to buy genuine seeds and farming equipment. For example, when germination fails, it is not easy to tell whether it is due to the fake seeds on the market or because of weather vagaries.If these uninsured risks are not addressed, they lock the rural population in the vicious cycle of poverty they are already entangled in. How are you filling the gap between the banks and the farmers?There is a tendency to think that insurance only benefits large commercial farmers. While we also offer them services, we should understand that it is not the commercial farmers who are feeding the population. The small-scale farmers supply most of the food on the market. If a farmer borrows Shs500,000 from a bank and there happens to be a drought, which causes the farmer to lose an entire crop. What will happen to the farmer, his or her family, and the bank?This is where insurance comes in. There are basic risks that the farmer is not in control of. We have products that buffer the farmer from these risks. Our products also enable the bank to re-lend more money to this farmer because the insurance company will pay off what the farmer owes the banks. This is how the link between agricultural insurance and financing works. It is strengthening because we have to improve our farming. There are misconceptions about compensation. How would you reassure them?It is true that the population has a misunderstanding about benefits of risk management that insurance brings to the table. Insurance protects one’s existing assets.When you put a seed into the ground, it becomes your asset. You have invested money in buying the seeds and in clearing the land. If you lose that, you must get back what you invested. The insurance sector is now regulated by the Insurance Regulatory Authority, which functions just like Bank of Uganda in the banking sector. So, there is no way a farmer can buy insurance and not get compensated for what they deserve, in the event of a disaster. Are farmers in the rural areas aware of your products? There is a perception that insurance is only for the rich.We have realised that most farmers do not access the media where most of our information is. So, we mobilise them through their own groups instead of creating a new platform they may not be able to join. We use mobile platforms, SACCOs, and village associations. Since the farmers also listen to their group leaders, we sensitise the leadership to understand the product we have offer. We help them realise that farming is a business investment. That investment should be backed up with the right input, technology, and management. They need insurance to back up this investment. A product, like Kungula, is simple to understand, relevant and affordable. This product provides both crop and livestock security.Quite a number of policies have been written for individual farmers. On the other hand, a number of partners like The World Bank, IFDC, and UNDP are financing premiums for farmers who cannot afford to apply for insurance individually. Given that the agricultural sector is fraught with many risks, how does your presence assure the banks that they will get their loans back?When banks price the money they are lending to the farmer, they are looking at the risks that come with lending to smallholders. As insurance companies, we make sure that the base risk in lending the farmers is reduced significantly to about 80 per cent of the risk. Banks can reduce the cost of lending by the amount of risk that has been taken away by the insurance company. So, basically, we come in to help farmers to access money at affordable rates. In Kungula, we are coming up with a proposal to show how the government and private sector can partner with us in agricultural insurance. What insurance policies do you offer farmers?We have the Weather Indexed Insurance that covers crops and pasture losses due to drought and excessive rainfall. The crops covered under this policy usually fetch a good price on the market like maize, beans and coffee. Because matooke is a staple food, the market value is low. So, it is not included in the policy.We also insure sorghum; we are in discussions with farmers in Kapchorwa District, and a local bank, to encourage them to buy insurance. We also have the Livestock (ARM) Insurance that covers livestock production losses. An animal is insured within a specified geographic area from death by fire, lightening, floods, windstorm, drought, earthquake, diseases, and surgical operations within the insured period. However, we do not insure theft of animals. The policy covers cattle, chicken and pigs but it does not cover fish farming as yet.The policies also cover balances with the bank, in case of disasters. We will pay the debt to the bank so that the farmer can be able to start again. As a quality control measure, the insurer and the bank insist on who should supply the seeds to the farmer. What are your premium rates? The minimum premium rate for the Kungula product is 2.5 per cent of the sum insured. The rates are not universal for the whole of Uganda. They are determined by the weather patterns in the particular districts. The premium rate for the central region will not be the same as that of the northern region, for instance. As an industry, what challenges do you face?The introduction of Value Addition Tax on the buyers of every insurance policy has been reflected on the farmer. Ironically, it is the farmer we are trying to protect by coming up with various affordable and simple products. We are also challenged by the low level of understanding of insurance in the population. The poor need more insurance than the rich because they can hardly afford to replace their assets once lost; which means they need to protect what they have. The rich, on the other hand, can buy more assets. So, this misconception that insurance is for the rich is unfortunate. Which other insurance providers provide the Kungula product?APA Insurance, National Insurance Corporation, UAP Insurance, FICO and NIKO Insurance Uganda. 1 | 2 Next Page»Farmer’s experienceSarah NalugyaKiboga Farmers Initiative Sacco As a Sacco, we sensitise diary farmers in Kiboga district to become members and save their earnings with us. Once a farmer saves with us, they are eligible to buy shares in the SACCO. In this way, they can apply for loans, including school fees loans, agricultural loans and business loans.In October 2014, we partnered with UAP so they normally come to the district to sensitise people about insuring their assets, including the dairy cows.Last year, we gave out farming implements and cows to farmers and insured them at five per cent equivalent to the amount of the asset the farmer was taking. One of the members received a dairy cow, worth Shs1.8m, which was pregnant. Unfortunately, before it gave birth it was bitten by a snake, and died.When I contacted UAP, they took me through the procedure for compensation. Our veterinary doctor had to write a report on the cause of death, I also wrote a report, and UAP officials came and inspected the farm as well.They then wired Shs 1.62m to the SACCO account. It was less because according to the UAP policy, they compensate 90 percent of the amount, and the farmer pays the remaining 10 percent. Christine KanyesigeKiruhura Epicenter Sacco Ltd In our Sacco, if someone wants to have a dairy cow, we do not give them the money to buy the cow. Instead we send them to a dairy farmer so that they can make their choice among the cows on the farm.So when in November 2014 one of our members picked the cow of his choice, worth Shs 1.5m, we sent a veterinary doctor to check the health of the cow. It was healthy.The cow was insured with UAP for 8.5 percent of its price. 7.5 percent for the animal and 1.5 percent for the farmer.Unfortunately, once on our member’s farm, the cow developed East Coast fever and died. The veterinary doctor inspected the cow and made a report, which I forwarded to the insurance company.The farmer has been compensated with another cow. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Makerere-University-sets-up-climate-centre/-/689860/2801004/-/isa0rv/-/index.html","content":"Makerere University sets up climate centre - In line with the Sustainable Development Goal, which focuses on combating climate change and its impact, different partners in different countries are implementing various projects.There is the school of thought that Africa could utilise the opportunity of combating climate change effects by selling carbon credits, but a number of experts think differently.Although they agree that there are opportunities, but the continent is also under threat, therefore the need to devise ways to combat it. And like other Sub-Saharan Africa countries, Uganda is already affected by climate change. Strengthen capacityWith most of the population and economy largely dependent on natural resources—mainly rainfed agriculture, fisheries, forestry and tourism—climate change will adversely affect Uganda. The situation is compounded by lack of technical capacity.Against this backdrop, Makerere University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) runs projects for students and communities in East Africa as well as outreach programmes.In 2009, when the Rockefeller Foundation called for proposals to strengthen capacity in Eastern Africa to deal with climate change-related challenges, the College submitted a proposal. It is titled “Strengthening East African Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation Capacity through Training, Research and Policy Interventions”. It was approved for funding.Specifically, the project was to enable Makerere University to form an advisory panel on climate change and ensure interdisciplinary research and participation across the university as well as review curricular to include climate sciences. Centre of excellenceSubsequently, a centre—Makerere University Climate Change Research and Innovations (Muccri)—was set up at the College.There is a team leader and team that consults different stakeholders to propose ideas on how best they can implement the programme.Prof Bernard Bashasha, the principal, CAES, in giving overview of this initiative explained that the College has the capacity to tackle climate change issues. It offers courses related to crop and animal production, agribusiness and economics, agricultural engineering, geography and forestry among others. There are also specialised centres such as waste management control at Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (Muarik).“The College is capable of building students’ capacity to reach out to farming communities affected by climate change. Mucrri intends to be the centre of excellence for climate science,” he says. Students studying agriculture-related courses are carrying out case studies concerning effects of drought, landsides in Eastern Uganda (especially in Bududa, Manafwa and Mbale districts), and use of wetlands by farmers growing mainly lowland rice. They have also been documenting the information disseminated to farming communities.Dr Revocatus Twinomuhangi, the interim coordinator, the Centre explains that in handling challenges faced by farmers arising from climate change, scientists must consider sensitising the farming communities about proper use of agricultural and natural resources. Scientists at Makerere University can collaborate with their counterparts in the National Research Organisation (Naro) to test drought-tolerant crops with communities in various regions. Already, some crops are with farmers like the coffee varieties resilient to drought. Under the interim structure, the team has been able to review the curriculum to include climate science subjects. Teaching materials have been developed, including those for early warning systems were collection of information on weather patterns has been packaged in collaboration with the meteorological department, ministry of Agriculture. This information will be disseminated to the farming communities to help them plan when to plant depending on the weather patterns. Joint effortIn his key note address during the launch of the project last year, Paul Isabirye, assistant commissioner, Ministry of Water and Environment, commended the College for being responsive to climate change issues.He pointed out that climate change was already disrupting the Earth’s ecological systems. With this, there are potential serious negative consequences for agricultural production, forests, water supply, health systems and overall human development. But the vulnerable populations are poorly equipped to cope. He added that as temperatures throughout East Africa rise, precipitation is expected to increase, along with frequency and intensity of extreme events such as droughts floods, heatwaves and associated impacts. Isabirye warned that the rate of impact is likely to be more rapid than previously expected with changes in rainfall and temperatures. This will alter the ecological range of plants and animals forcing some species to migrate, disrupting delicate ecosystems and increasing extinctions. This will affect all sectors of the economy but more seriously the socio-economic wellbeing of the population. Therefore, there is the need for a joint effort to address climate change. alominda@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Chinese-ready-Kilembe-for-copper-processing/-/688334/2791602/-/4oyxuy/-/index.html","content":"Chinese ready Kilembe for copper processing - Kasese. Tibet Hima, a Chinese mining company that recently took over the management of Kilembe Mines, is set to start processing copper in October. Company officials said the work will start despite the recurrent floods that have cost the company billions of shillings in rehabilitating the damaged property. The company is currently drilling rocks and replacing old machinery. The mining project manager, Mr Alex Kwatampora, told Daily Monitor recently that the replacement of the old machinery with new ones has so far cost about Shs45 billion.He said Tibet Hima plans to spend about Shs50 billion in mineral exploration. The company is set to start hard rock mining in a fortnight. “We are committed to our cause of starting active processing of copper by October,” Mr Kwatampora said. He added that a feasibility study report that will give a picture on the volume of copper expected is being compiled.Mr Kwatampora also revealed that a feasibility study on Mubuku Hydro-power plant has been finalised and soon they will embark on expanding its capacity from six to 17 megawatts. Although the company workers recently complained of low pay, Mr Kwatampora was optimistic that with active production, the workers’ salaries would be revised."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Heed-the-Pope-s-message-on-environmental-degradation/-/689364/2781758/-/uhw243z/-/index.html","content":"Heed the Pope’s message on environmental degradation - On the Church’s slowness in reacting on vital matters of life, Canadian theologian Bernard Lonergan once said, “The Church often arrives a little breathless and a little late.” On June 18, Pope Francis published an encyclical on the pastoral care of the planet, Laudato Sii: On the Care of our Common Home; in Latin it means “Praised be to you.” These words are taken from the famous ‘Hymn to the Universe: Canticle of the Sun’ written by St Francis of Assisi in 1224. Pope Francis chose the patron of Nature. Days before publishing this document, the Pope said: “I invite you to accompany this event with a renewed attention to the situation of environmental degradation, but also of recovery, in its territories... This encyclical is addressed to all: let us pray so that all may receive its message and grow in the responsibility towards the common home that God has entrusted to all.”Pope Francis’ two predecessors had much to say on the subject. Pope John Paul II spoke in 2001 of humanity’s need for an “ecological conversion”, while Pope Benedict XVI’s regular utterances on the subject were so common that he was dubbed “The Green Pope”. But Pope Francis has dedicated an entire encyclical on nature. By devoting an entire encyclical to humanity’s troubled relationship with God’s creation, Pope Francis is breaking with precedent. Encyclical is a long letter from the Pope circulated among the Catholic faithful for study and reflection. Though circulating encyclical is an ancient practice of the Papacy, in the past 100 years, it is addressed to “All People of Goodwill”. We are all aware of all the environmental degradation done by all people, rich and poor, wealthy nations as well as the poorer ones. Destruction of nature and abuse of environment have detrimental effect on humanity’s life and wellbeing. Now the religious leaders are making the 11th hour appeal through religious motivations to care for the earth. We are polluting the planet, strip-mining its resources, creating mega-landfills, pouring carbon dangerously into the atmosphere, causing the disappearance of thousands of species, creating bad air and bad water, and thinning the ozone layer. This document of the Pope seems to be saying: live more simply, use fewer resources, lessen your carbon footprint, and try to recycle whatever you’ve used as much as you can.In Uganda, we have cut down countless trees, thus creating a desert, filled the wetland with “development” projects, thus creating floods, and polluted the lakes, thus depleting fish and water creatures. It is noted that about 14 per cent of children between the ages of eight and 14 living in Kampala, have bronchial asthma. There is an increase of cancer patients in Uganda, especially those related to lungs. We often tend to pay attention to problems that are visible such as poor roads and lack of infrastructure. But we are least bothered about things that are hidden or that kill our people silently, slowly but steadily. Let us pay attention to the Pope’s message. In addressing the issue of environment he goes beyond our religious beliefs.A few months ago, Pope Francis was quoted as saying: “People occasionally forgive but nature never does”. His time for publishing this encyclical is no coincidence. Pope Francis has publicly stated that he wants the world to take note of its content before the crucial make or break United Nation’s Climate Change Summit in Paris this December. The Church believes that “an assault on nature is sinful and contrary to the teachings of our faith”. The pope’s repeated call for change of heart and change in our lifestyle that will bring a change in climate change, should be taken seriously. It is a call to reduce our appetite for material things, unlimited consumption of resources, abuse of mother nature and over use of technology.In Laudato Sii, Pope Francis says ecological crisis and social crisis are but the same thing. Ecological crisis is essentially a spiritual crisis, which leads people to think of his own individual needs and happiness without thinking of other people, that is one’s personal good is viewed as more important and arbitrary to common good. This leads to a clear understanding on how theology and ecology are related: human life is founded on relationship between man with God, with neighbour and with the earth, the material world.Going against ecology/nature constitutes an ecological sin which is not only against God but also against neighbour. As Christians (and more so as human beings), we are called to nurture in us ecological ascetism, meaning simple life and living within available means. This kind of ascetism leads us beyond ourself and places us in full unity and interdependent amongst ourselves as human beings and creation just as we have a common Creator. Rev Fr Arasu is the director, St Joseph Vocational Training Centre, Kamuli. arasuafrica@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Teso-mourns-the-passing-on-of-son-Charles-Omoding-Okui/-/691232/2779942/-/10kaaee/-/index.html","content":"Teso mourns the passing on of Illustrious son Charles Omoding Okui - When eulogies are made at funerals regarding the life of the deceased, one cannot help but remember the departed with a sense of nostalgia. This was the feeling that came out strongly last week at the funeral service of Charles Omoding Okui.At the funeral service held at St Luke’s Church, Ntinda, the 80-year-old was eulogised as a man who turned to gold whatever he touched.Okui was a former board chairperson for National Social Security Fund. He is remembered for terminating the contract between NSSF and Alcon International, and awarding it to Roko Construction to complete the construction of Workers House. “If whoever is responsible for giving out medals in this country knew, this is a true unsung hero, who on top of a medal, deserves to have the Workers’ House named after him because of how he changed the Kampala skyline,” said Abel Katembwe, former managing director of NSSF. According to Rebecca Amuge Otengo, the State Minister of Northern Uganda, the Iteso are lucky to have people like Okui, who quietly contributed to the development of Uganda in different capacities including as a teacher and civil servant. “I would like to remember the Late Charles Okui, Dr Aporu Okol, Robert Elangot the former Governor Bank of Uganda, the late Stephen Ariko, Ateker Ejalu, the Late Dr Osiya, the late Mzee Epel, Stanislus Okurut, the late Cuthbert Obwangor and Colonel William Omaria,” she enumerated as some of the sons of Teso who have left behind strong legacies. A man of firstsFrancis Ojur, a nephew to the deceased, said Okui was born on September 23, 1935, but fell shy of celebrating his 80th birthday this September. Born an only child to Mzee Nuwa Omoding and Abigail Apolot of Owokumoru, Amenu Parish in Magoro Sub County, he studied in Magoro Primary School from 1947 to 1949. He joined Ngora High School between 1950 and 1952 and later Nabumali High School where he qualified to go to Kyambogo Teacher Training College, which he completed in 1957 and joined Makerere College.He started his teaching career at Amuria Primary School but was transferred as head teacher to start a Junior Secondary School in Kaberamaido in 1960. This was a multi-racial school with mostly Kumam, Asian and Persian pupils.When he went for further training in the United Kingdom, on a British Scholarship in Hull University Yorkshire, he met proactive Ugandans students including Ateker Ejalu, Chango Macho, Okot P’Bitek, Abu Mayanja, Stephen Ariko, Akena Pojok, who were politically advocating for Uganda’s independence. He returned in 1961 and taught at Nabumali High School before being transferred to Lotome Teacher Training College in Karamoja. In 1963, he was the only candidate who sat mature age examinations for a Bachelor of Science degree course but opted for Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He was elected guild vice chairman and he led demonstrations against the USA when American war planes bombed Goli customs post in West Nile. He also chaired the Okui commission of Inquiry on food, which the guild body set up 1964. In 1967, he served as the first black currency officer in Bank of Uganda. During the Idi Amin era, he was arrested and upon release, given ordered to start the Steel Rolling Mills which he did and run ably between 1975 and 1982.Between 1978 and 1982, under Yusuf Lule, he was the general manager Printpak Uganda, a paper packaging company, after which he was elected as one of the additional Members of Parliament to join the 30, who were nominated at Moshi. He chaired the Commerce, Industry and Parliamentary Committee under Uganda National Liberation Front and the National Consultative Council. AchievementsAs minister of Industry during Binaisa’s regime, he promoted Uganda especially in India and as a result, India granted Uganda one-year imports on credit using a revolving fund of one million rupees.In 1980, he signed agreements with the Madhvani and Mehta companies in which government entered joint venture agreements which saw government allocated 49 per cent shares in the companies. After the fall of Binaisa, he revived the Uganda Steel Corporation. Between 1983 and 1987, Okui served as one of the directors of the United Nations Environmental Assembly and the Preferential Trade Area secretariat in Lusaka, Zambia. He was behind the development of the iron and steel processing plant which is hosted by Uganda today. Between 1989 and 2001, he was the executive director of Muljubhai Madhvani and Company comprising of 37 holding companies and 47 properties at the time most industries had closed down. In 1990, he was the director Uganda Manufacturers Association. From 1995 to 2000, he served concurrently as chairman NSSF and Uganda Management Institute. When he retired from active service in 2002, he was named director of KASO, a rural development trust and micro finance institution, in Teso. During retirement, he was identified as a progressive farmer. At the time of his death, the food and agriculture organisation had identified him as a lead goat farmer. His deathOn June 29, as Okui was taking a bath at his home in Katakwi, his family heard a loud groan. When they rushed into the house, he was found seated on the bathroom floor motionless. His nephew, Ojur, rushed him to Katakwi health centre IV. It was there that he breathed his last. The body was taken to Makerere Medical School to ascertain the cause of death. The postmortem revealed that he had suffered an episode of low blood sugar and severe malaria. Although he did not have a history of hypertension, it was also established that he had suffered a massive heart attack. Family lifeHis wife, Erusa Achan, died in 1999. He is survived by five daughters and 13 grandchildren. Pride of TesoHe mobilised politicians from the Teso region to move a motion in Parliament towards the disarmament of the Karamojong, which was done. His role saw an end to cattle rustling, pacification of Teso and resettlement of internally displaced Iteso. Okui was accorded a State funeral on July 4 in Acoite village, Katakwi District. In recognition of his contribution towards Uganda, President Museveni contributed Shs40m towards the burial arrangements. Profile Education, Born on 23rd September, 1935 Charles Okui studied in Magoro Primary School in Katakwi District. He joined Ngora High School and Nabumali High School for secondary education and later Kyambogo Teacher Training College for Tertiary education. He graduated from Makerere College and also studied at Hull University.Achievements, He was instrumental in lobbying Parliament for a motion which Captain Mike Mukula later in house for the disarmament of Karamojong.In 2007, he mobilised Iteso for a charity walk to raise awareness and support for people affected by the floods."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/smartphone-now-weather-station/-/691232/2778414/-/chiukuz/-/index.html","content":"Your smartphone is now a weather station - Smartphones can already do pretty much everything, right? Actually, meteorologists have a few more ideas. They are tapping into the accelerometers, proximity sensors and other environment-aware chips packed into modern phones to help users stay safe and keep ahead of bad weather.This is how far technology has brought us. In Uganda, meteorological centres are to adopt use of smartphones to alert on extreme weather conditions that lead to deaths. Mobile phones will be used to alert communities on the extreme weather conditions such as; extreme precipitation or flash floods, lightning, thunderstorms, gales, sandstorms, tornadoes, micro-bursts, cloudbursts, cyclones or hurricanes and heat waves.“The mobile alerts will be used to compliment early warning systems put in place by the meteorological center. Information will be analysed by the meteorological centre to create alerts that will be delivered to communities,” Richard Tushemereirwe, Presidential advisor Science and Technology, says. How your smartphone could predict the weatherWe are fascinated by the weather. And now, we can check the weather for ourselves with a range of smartphone gadgets that can turn your handset into a weather station. SmarthyJust plug it into the headphone socket in your smartphone and it will tell you the air temperature and humidity. The app is pretty smart too. It displays graphs and previous results, but it will also sound an alarm if the temperature or humidity goes above or below a certain number. It will even stamp your photos with the temperature. So, when you are away in Mombasa all your friends will know how great your holiday is going. VaavudMotorcyclists and whoever else needs to know wind speed can get Vaavud. Slot it into the headphone socket, and as soon as the wind gets hold of it, it will start to turn and give you the wind in real time through the Vaavud app. Infrared thermometers are brilliant because they will give you the temperature of absolutely anything. You can check the temperature of people, animals, objects and more. Just plug the thermometer into the headphone jack, open the app and point. If you ever need to know the temperature of anything, this is it. One of our favourite weather accessories is Weather Hub. It comes in two parts, with the sensor sending information to the hub. Put the sensor anywhere you want, inside or out, and then connect the hub to the internet. Then you’ll get temperature, humidity and more all sent to your phone. What’s really amazing though is that you connect up to 50 weather hubs to your phone, and check them all at the same time with the app. Check the weather at the office, at your holiday home or even your sister’s before popping over to visit!All are available now for iPhone and in October for Android phones. ConnectivityThe International Business Market (IBM), has taken the initiative to make affordable smartphones that will cost Shs160,000 (about $50). “More than half of the boat owners and operators are willing to pay for severe weather alerts,” Tushemereirwe said.The SMS alert system is to be introduced in no-network areas. Currently, fishermen are using mobile SMS which is limited since a few of them access telecommunication services especially when they are out on the lake. But that is going to change. Before the year ends, users will only have to dial 321 to get information. “Anyone with a phone will receive information (updates and warnings) depending on the location,” said Tushemereirwe.This service has been used in other countries like Madagascar. It offers tips on what to do and what will happen depending on the region you are in.However, much as this is a step in the right direction, Muwembe recommended that Uganda acquires an adequate National Lightning detection system that can cover the whole country. ScopeAccording to the Principal Meteorologist, Uganda National Meteorological Authority, Khalid Muwembe, rough weather conditions are common around areas of Lake Victoria. “Lake Victoria has the highest number of days of extreme weather conditions”There are about 270 thunderstorm days annually in Tororo District; 226 days in Bukopa; 222 in Kampala; 211 in Entebbe and 202 in Kisumu. More than 6,000 fishermen have died in the past eight years as a result of storms on Lake Victoria. In a survey conducted by African Centre for Lightning and Electromagnetics (ACLENet) around the shores of Lake Victoria, it was found that 82 percent of individuals use mobile phones. Of these, 15 per cent have smart phones that can receive early warning alerts through Internet connectivity. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Uganda-s-mountain-areas--land-soil-erosion/-/689860/2777892/-/ip1pi3/-/index.html","content":"Uganda’s mountain areas lack proper management of land and soil erosion - Uganda’s hitherto most agriculturally-productive Rwenzori, Elgon and Kigezi highlands suffer high crop losses and food insecurity, and yet register high population growth rates. This projects a gloomy future, if timely corrective measures are not taken. There are seasonal land/mudslides during rains, which result in massive land destruction and soil erosion as well as human, plant and animal losses. Thanks to lack of land/soil management and enforcement of by-laws on good environmental and agricultural practices.The evidence is in Kasese, Bundibugyo and Ntoroko districts, where massive floods hit in 2013 and 2014, leaving a trail of death and destruction of infrastructure, homes, crops and livestock. Hard-hit areasThereza Munyazikwiye, the agricultural and production officer, Kasese District, admits that farmers have abandoned contouring and terracing in the largely mountainous Rwenzori. “Such practices include setting up terraces and contours around the slopes. They are gazetted in the by-laws. But when you teach the new farming generations about terracing, they demand for hired labour and special tools,” she said. In Kasese, Munyazikwiye cites Bwesumbu, Kyabarungira, Kichwamba and Buhuhiru, as mountain areas hardest-hit by soil erosion, yet were big coffee, banana and horticultural crops producing areas. Dr Festus Bagoora, a natural resource management specialist, warns that the situation is dire in highland areas, where population pressure, lack of conservation enforcement and adverse impacts of climate change have acted in concert to render these fragile areas unproductive.“Most of these sensitive places have been highly degraded and are in trouble of becoming unproductive, if swift corrective measures are not taken now,” he says. Carrot vs stick approachBagoora attributed the absence of environment conservation practices to the collapse of the old chiefs administrative (parish, Subcounty and County), which was replaced by a more political Local Council (LC) system, that largely applied what he called the carrot approach for votes. “You cannot expect elected LCs to use the stick approach which chiefs used to apply, when the LCs expect votes at every election round,” he noted. The soil conservation measures as enshrined in the National Agricultural Policy should be enforced, including national regulations and local bylaws, so that high levels of soil-erosion are curbed. In mid-2013 and 2014, Kasese was hit by unprecedented overflow of Mubuku, Nyamwamba and Sebwe rivers, which flooded the lowlands between Mt Rwenzori and Lake George.“This is because there are no contours, stone-embarkments, grass and tree bunds nor dams, to control the rain water-runoff down mountain Rwenzori-slopes,” explains Munyazikwiye. Rich but weak soilsKilembe, on the mountain slopes, and Karusandara Sub-county, on lower plains—are two key areas where most of these rivers cross before ending in Lake George—suffered the biggest impact. In similarly mountaineous Bugisu and the hilly Kigezi in eastern and south-western Uganda respectively, the situation is not any better.Farmers there do not terrace, neither dig contours, nor plant trees and grasses on mountain-slopes, hence the widespread soil erosion. While the fragile mountain regions have rich soils, the soils are very weak in terms of frequent tilling and massive encroachment with buildings, cropping and exploitation of rocks via mining.Bududa, Bulambuli, Sironko, Manafwa, Mbale and Kapchorwa, Kween all suffer mud/landslides annually. The lowland Butaleja District also due to absence of contours, tree and stone-embarkments, neither do they have grass bunds and dams, to control the heavy rainwater-run off from the mountain-slopes. Ignore or pretendPaul Kagweza, a farmer and former Coordinator of Kabale District Farmers’ Association, agrees there is widespread ignorance mixed with reluctance to grow grass and trees and dig terraces on hills-slopes. “Fifty percent of the current farming generation know about these practices and implement them, while the other 50 percent ignore or pretend they don’t know and do not apply them,” he said.Dr Bagoora agrees, with Kagweza, that while older generation of farmers in Kigezi welcomed terracing by colonial administrators in 1950s and 1960s, those in Rwenzori and Elgon resisted. Intervention necessaryBut there is no debate about it, Government should introduce the stick (force) and carrot (sensitization/education) approach to save the mountains. “Central government ministries and agencies should intervene,” counselled Dr Bagoora, who is a former natural resource management specialist at National Environment Management Authority (Nema). Kagweza opines that farmers below 30 years of age are most ignorant in terms of mountain conservation. He recalls that those in above-30s age-bracket benefitted from farmers’ education on grass and tree-growing, terracing and contouring slopes, which the International Centre for Research in Agro-Forestry (ICRAF), used to offer farmers in Kigezi in 1970s and 1980s. He cites Rubaya, Bufundi and Kamuganguzi sub-counties, as the hardest-hit by soil erosion. “Farmers in other sub-counties are just not bothered even when they are taught or sensitised.”He also points out the absence of government agri-extension services in most of the region, save for agri-business and marketing training of mainly horticultural farmers provided by a local NGO. This includes soil management and agro-production and productivity. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Floods-cut-off-Kasese-Fort-Portal-road/-/688334/2772252/-/qtogiyz/-/index.html","content":"Floods cut off Kasese-Fort Portal road - KAMPALA- The Kasese-Fort Portal road has been cut off again after floods hit Kasese District for the third year in a row. Floods overrun the Nyakasanga Bridge rendering several people and traffic stuck on either side of the bridge. Several people who had on Wednesday morning gone to their gardens were still stuck by 3pm because they could not go back home. Police have stationed at Nyakasanga to block vehicles on either side of the bridge. However, by press time, police had begun allowing people and vehicles to cross the bridge after the water volume reduced. However, the water volumes are expected to rise again any time The affected areas include Base camp, Kizungu, Saluti, Kanyangyeya, Kasese airfield and Nyakasanga. The floods came after heavy rains in parts of Bukonjo on Tuesday night. Kasese faced devastating floods on May 1, 2013 and on May 8, 2014 that claimed some lives, displaced hundreds of people and destroyed property, including Kilembe Hospital. Since then, some government interventions have not helped stem the flooding, especially to uphill Kilembe. musisif@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/From-trash-theatre/-/688342/2757896/-/sdjywhz/-/index.html","content":"From trash to the theatre - Cateura,paraguay: While many of the children in Asuncion’s Cateura slum pin their hopes for the future on landing careers as football players or pop stars, Brandon Cobone’s ticket out of the shanty-town was something stranger than a soccer ball and rarer than a microphone. It was a Frankenstein of a double bass, cobbled together from garbage plucked from the nearby landfill that gives Cateura both its name and smell.The 18­-year­-old is a member of the Orquesta de Instrumentos Reciclados de Cateura (the Recycled Instruments Orchestra of Cateura) which uses music to give the children of the slum the skills to build a better future. The orchestra was created almost by accident by environmental engineer Favio Chávez, a music lover who was working with the gancheros, or garbage pickers who comb the vast landfill for recyclables. “It started with a simple comment,” he said, referring to the gancheros’ request, after learning of Chávez’s musical skills, that he give their children lessons. Chávez soon ran into a stumbling block. He didn’t own enough instruments to go around, especially since his students’ zeal sometimes resulted in inadvertently smashed guitars or cracked violins. A concoction of instrumentsAnd so Chávez resolved to take advantage of one resource he had in abundance - trash. He made a violin out of a strainer, a metal dish and metal tubing. “It didn’t sound like much,” he acknowledged, adding that the next few instruments, including a “guitar” cut out of a piece of wood with a couple of strings attached, weren’t much better. “They were didactic.” Chávez teamed up with one of the gancheros, a skilled carpenter named Nicolás Gómez, to make a variety of instruments that looked more or less like the real thing and sounded like it, too. Now the Orquesta has versions of most of the instruments in a conventional orchestra, concocted out of cooking pots, bottle tops, melted keys and the like.The Orquesta became an international phenomenon after a group of filmmakers took interest and posted a teaser for a documentary on the Internet in 2012 (titled “Landfill Harmonic,” it premiered at Austin’s South by Southwest festival this year). Since then it’s been flooded with invitations to play stages from Germany to Japan and even toured South America as an opening act for Metallica. Sandwiched between the landfill and the Paraguay River, the Cateura slum is a collection of low­slung homes, some made from raw brick and others pasted together from corrugated tin and recuperated trash. Sewage runs in muddy streets pocked with giant puddles of standing water and strewn with detritus fallen from the constant comings­-and-goings of fetid garbage trucks. The air is sour with the stench of the landfill, where many of the slum’s 20,000­ plus residents eek out a living as gancheros. And when the river floods, as it did last year, Cateura is submerged. Chávez notes that the Orquesta is less about forging world­class musicians than turning disenfranchised children into full­y fledged citizens. “Are they all going to be professional musicians? I don’t think so,” he said. “What we want is to teach a different way of being, to instill in them different values than those that hold sway in their community.” “There, the role models are the gang leaders, who impose themselves through violence and dominance,” he said. “In the Orquesta, the role models are the hardest workers, those with the most dedication, the most commitment.” The 40­ plus orchestra members are selected not for their innate musicality but for the assiduousness with which they attend Saturday morning lessons. Once chosen, they must also attend weekly rehearsals, where they prepare a repertory that includes classical stand­bys—Beethoven’s “5th Symphony” and Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons”—as well as traditional Paraguayan tunes. Thanks to donations, the musicians now have conventional instruments they use in rehearsals. But they continue to play on the homemade instruments, an integral part of the Orquesta’s identity, for performances. “In Cateura, nothing is formal, nothing is planned and everything happens almost spontaneously,” said the French­born assistant director, Thomas Lecourt, adding that their first international tours were logistical nightmares because many of the children did not have passports or even birth certificates. “The rehearsals, the trips, the responsibility of being in the Orquesta brings structure to their lives.”Inside a narrow lot in the middle of the slum, workers are busy building the Orquesta’s first permanent space. Already a small cadre of teenage girls scratch out basic notes on their violas, apparently deaf to the cacophony of hammering, sawing and drilling all around. Boys making snare drums out of wood and metal scraps, with old X­rays as skins, add to the tumult. “Joining the Orquesta put me on a different track in life,” said Andrés Riveros, 20, a saxophonist in his first year of college. “And lucky for that, because a lot of my friends who did not join are either drug addicts or in prison by now.”Cobone, who has visited some 15 countries with the Orquesta, is also preparing to go to college. He has already packed more experience into his 18 years than he expected to in a lifetime. “From the time I was little I always wanted to travel, but I never imagined it would happen...and especially not because of this,” he said, gesturing to his double bass, a dented steel drum that once contained calcium carbide and castaway wooden beams. Challenging venture“Poor people need to eat today,” Favio Chávez says. “They don’t think about tomorrow’s problems. But learning music means you have to plan. It’s very challenging to explain to a child who lives in adverse conditions that if his dream is to play the piano he needs to sit on a stool for five hours a day.”Many parents also struggle to see the advantages of such an attitude. “Most tell their kids that a violin can’t feed you; that they need to work to eat,” says Jorge Ríos, 35, a recycler whose two daughters play in the orchestra. “But thanks to that violin my kids have seen new countries. They have an opportunity for a better future.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Don-t-copy-EU-mistakes-on-climate-change--Africa-told/-/688334/2757076/-/a2os1q/-/index.html","content":"Don’t copy EU mistakes on climate change, Africa told - Kampala. The European Union has advised African countries to consider the European industrial development that hinged on excess carbon dioxide emission into the atmosphere as “a mistake” and instead adopt renewable energy use which is friendly to the environment. Mr Kristian Schmidt, the European Union Head of Delegation in Uganda, said climate change effects have no frontiers and called on Africa, like the rest of Europe, to act decisively to reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere. “Africa should not repeat our mistakes [of excessive carbon emission] but can learn from our mistakes,” Mr Schmidt said on Wednesday at the second European Embassies Climate Diplomacy Day held in Kampala. The day seeks to promote a shared worldwide understanding of the need to mitigate climate change. Ms Sophie Makame, the French ambassador to Uganda, appealed to all countries to show commitment to mitigating climate change since it is key to tackling poverty. Mr Joachim Duster, the German ambassador to Uganda, said: “Politicians should be ambitious and give clear signals that Uganda is on board to fight climate change.” Mr David Obongo, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Water and Environment, said Uganda is moving in the right direction in combating climate change although much is still needed in areas of sensitisation. “A few years back, we thought scientists were crazy when they talked about climate change. But now ordinary people have started talking about it,” Mr Obongo said. He attributed this to visible effects of climate change joking, “We all know that water is life but not when you live in Bududa [district] Kasese or Bwaise because some people in these areas have died from floods.” THE BACKGROUNDThe European Embassies Climate Diplomacy Day this year centred on encouraging informed debates, in view of securing a fair, ambitious and legally binding international agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at the 2015 Conference of Parties in Paris. ptajuba@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/toolkit-farmers-climate-change/-/689860/2745434/-/eqmf37/-/index.html","content":"Here is a toolkit that tells farmers about climate change - Farmers are set to benefit from a tool kit on how to mitigate effects of—and adapt to—climate change.The aim is to empower planners and farmers in three pilot districts—Mbarara, Wakiso and Lira—in implementing agricultural practices that respond appropriately. Developed by Household Opportunity for Poverty Eradication (HOPE), a non-governmental organisation based in Entebbe, with funding from New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad), the toolkit assists farmers to sustain their agricultural productivity amidst the effects of climate change. “This tool kit is a step in the right direction because it’s targeting the household and common farmer,” said the state minister for environment, Flavia Munaba, at the official launch, held last week.She advised that it is translated into various languages for the benefit of farmers across the country.“Extension workers and agents will access information for planning as well as raising awareness on the link between agriculture and climate change as well as the strategies for coping,” said Alex Muhweezi, a consultant with HOPE, while presenting the application of the kit to farmers, agriculture planners, and extension workers. In Uganda, the most obvious effects of climate change are in temperatures and rainfall. “[It] can simply be described as changes in temperature and rainfall,” Muhweezi noted. The changes in temperatures have resulted into increased warmth in most parts of the country than before. On the other hand, the changes in rainfall are in the patterns, distribution and intensity.This is a consequence of the following factors due to human activity; deforestation plus land and wetland degradation. There is also caused by emission of greenhouse gases from agricultural production, industrialisation, and burning of fossils and biofuels. Current statusAccording to the tool kit, Uganda’s agricultural system is dominated by rural subsistence crop and livestock based agriculture. Farming practices include monoculture, mixed and market-oriented farming.The kit indicates that monoculture focuses on growing a single crop over a wide area mostly for commercial purposes and keeping of single livestock or poultry whereas mixed farming combines both food and cash crops and livestock. “Uganda’s agriculture is rain-fed and utilises low technology in form of mechanisation, fertilisers and agro-chemicals. There is little value addition, processing at farm level and thus most produce is sold or marketed by the farmers in low form,” the tool kit reads in part.It also borrows experiences from Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania, which have similarities in the way climate change has manifested itself. The agricultural responses have targeted both mitigation and adaptation by government, farmers, non-governmental organisations, private sector and academia, research. For farmers, on adaptation, the kit advises use of new technologies in form of new crop varieties or in form of improvements in farming practices.New or improved varieties of crops and livestock that have high-yielding capacity, high resilience to pests or resilience to extreme weather conditions. For example, beans (NABE 15, NABE 16), groundnuts (Serenat1, & Serenat11), maize (Longe 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11). Examples of livestock are Boran and Jersey cattle, Boer goats, among others. Improvements in framing practices include changing cropping patterns and adjusting planting seasons, increased use of agro pesticides, sustainable land practices such as increased use of manure, value addition, formation of co-operatives, and use of irrigation during the long dry conditions experienced in different parts of the country. RecommendationsOn mitigation of climate change, farmers are advised to engage in tree framing or agroforestry which improves land productivity. They are also advised to create a local weather modulation effect, for example, shade for coffee and other crops, or livestock to improve fertility. On another hand, for agriculture planners, the tool kit recommended need for institutional strengthening in the Department of Climate Change and the Ministry of Water and Environment.It also moots for the protection of critical ecosystems such as forests and wetlands, and incentives for tree planting. For stakeholders, like commercial tree farmers, agro-processors, and marketing players, the tool kit recommends increased access to agricultural technologies through microfinance loans.It also recommends value addition to agricultural produce, which improves returns to farmers, and improvement in post-harvest handling. Effects of climate change on agriculture The tool kit breaks down the climate changes effects on agriculture as follows:Low and high water and moisture: Being rain-fed agriculture, too much rain has increased soil moisture or surface water (floods) that affect both crop farming and livestock. Too much moisture affects crop growth and creates an environment suitable for pest and diseases to thrive. Too much moisture and floods displace crops and livestock and renders such land less agriculturally productive. Temperatures: Increase in warmth has provided good environment for pests and diseases to thrive or to extend their courage. Some of the crop and livestock diseases and pests have claimed new territories due to climate change. For example, invasive species like Latana camara, which has increased its coverage due to the ability to stand dry temperate and compete with other crops. Climate Change induced disasters: Inform of floods or extreme dry weather seasons. Both incidences greatly affect agricultural production in form of loses due to crop failure or livestock death or costs in managing these effects. eainebyoona@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Lets-share-information-on-climate-change/-/689364/2743436/-/lkl6m0z/-/index.html","content":"Let’s share information on climate change - On June 2, some parts of Wakiso District where I was at the time, received very intense rainfall for about an hour and half. I stood by the window and took note of some indicators of its intensity. The rain was so heavy that one could hardly walk in it, even with an umbrella. It paralysed all outdoor activities. Secondly, strong winds accompanied it. One wonders whether these are indicators of a season at its peak, or end. Because the rain came faster than the soil could absorb, a lot of runoff at terrific speed, swept away things in its way. Maize, beans and banana gardens were almost flattened as both wind and soil erosion acted on them. Trenches were filled with both soil and garbage deposits. When it stopped raining I looked at the surrounding and I saw deposits of soil settled on the flat parts of the road nearby, including roadsides. Water formed a small pool, covering the lowest part of the road. Electricity was cut off for hours. Open homesteads were filled with soil and rubbish transported by running water, immediately creating jobs. I could only imagine the impact of such rain on other vulnerable areas such as settlements in wetlands and slums. Dr Shuaib Lwasa, a lecturer at Makerere University and an author in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, notes that “Urban poor settlements such as Bwaise, Kinawataka, Nateete, Ndeeba, Katwe are prone to increased flush floods that destroy roads, culverts, drainage systems, houses and water supply. The secondary impacts manifest in the form of disturbance of public transportation, disease outbreaks and decline in economic productivity due to loss of labour time and direct health costs”. Indeed, one van transporting school children was swept off the road into a trench. All survived without any injuries. Well, I quickly checked on the March to May weather forecast that the Ministry of Water and Environment issued at the beginning of March. It warned that in this part of the country (central) and I quote, “Onset of seasonal rain is expected to be accompanied by strong and destructive winds as well as hailstorms and thereafter, rain is expected to intensify with the peak seasonal rain occurring around mid-April. The cessation is expected around early to mid-June 2015”.Intense rainfall is expected to increase in the future. Scientists observing climate change trends warn that as emissions of greenhouse gases continue to rise (and they will continue as long as the global community does not revisit the development and consumption patterns), temperatures will continue to rise. More frequent and intense droughts are expected. I spoke to some coffee farmers in the last dry season, which was prolonged and was particularly extreme. Many coffee plants dried up. The yield for those that survived was very miserable, with small coffee beans that fetch a low price. India recently experienced a heat wave reportedly due to climate change, killing 2,330 people, according to CNN. Authorities urged the people to “have light-colour clothes, take care, be in cool areas, and to stay out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day, from 11am to 4pm” .Such a scenario may happen in Uganda. Uganda’s Vision 2040 proposes to develop “appropriate adaptation and mitigating strategies on climate change in all sectors to increase the country’s resilience to the impacts of climate change. To this effect, knowledge and information sharing with the relevant stakeholders on climate Change and variability will be the starting point,” the report notes. 1 | 2 Next Page»We must all heed this important pronouncement. Ms Nanduddu is interested in the climate change subject. snanduddu@gmail.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Jinja-market-water--power-disconnected/-/688334/2737752/-/s1ythrz/-/index.html","content":"Jinja market water, power disconnected - JINJA. Water and electricity supply to Jinja Central Market has been disconnected over nonpayment of bills. As a result of the power disconnection, the management of the market has suspended operations beyond 6pm. The market has been operating from 7am to 9pm. The market was constructed under Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Programme at a cost of Shs28 billion from African Development Bank. It was commissioned by President Museveni on November 17, 2014, and opened to the vendors in February. “We had no option, but to tell the vendors to start leaving the market when it is still early. It is for their own safety because there is no money to clear power bills now,” Mr Joseph Ssenabulya, the market master, told Daily Monitor on Monday. Sources within the market told Daily Monitor that following various disruptions to business, including leadership wrangles and floods which destroyed vendors’ merchandise, the Mayor of Jinja, Mr Muhammad Baswari Kezaala, waived collection of market dues until the end of June to allow vendors recover from losses. The same sources revealed that the waiver has, however, left the market authorities too broke to clear the utility bills and pay a range of service providers. However, the municipal public relations officer, Mr Rajab Kito, blamed the mess on the vendors who he said failed to cooperate with authorities that had requested each of them to contribute Shs20,000 towards the bills. The debts Mr Ssenabulya said the market owes power distributors Umeme Shs5.7 million, National Water and Sewerage Corporation Shs12 million while security guards and cleaners are demanding a total of about Shs5 million in salaries and wages."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Kaveera-ban-wins-loses-phase-out/-/691232/2730892/-/we2vh6/-/index.html","content":"Kaveera ban: Who wins, who loses in the phase-out? - For the last six years, the ban on manufacture of plastic bags, sale and use generated a lot of debate diving environmentalists on one side and the manufacturers on the other.When the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) announced the implementation of the ban after years of hesitation, manufacturers opposed the move. Many sought political intervention to halt the move.Under their umbrella body, the Uganda Plastics Manufactures and Recyclers Association (UPMRA), they wrote a letter to President Museveni: “……we request for your intervention and rescue in order to save and protect our investments in this country by halting the ban…” the letter reads in part. About the banIn 2009, Syda Bbumba, the then minister for Finance, during her Budget speech, pronounced a ban on polythene bags of less than 30 microns that were used “for conveyance of goods and liquid in order to protect our environment” and an excise duty of 120 per cent was imposed on other plastic materials. A moratorium of six months was given to the public as a transition period as kaveera manufacturers reduced the import and manufacture of the said bags. However, the failure to implement the ban led to more importation and manufacture.Since the appeal to President Museveni was made, the government has instituted a committee comprising representatives of manufacturers, Nema, Trade, Environment and Agriculture ministries to handle the matter. who benefits most from the ban? Statistics from agriculture ministry show that 125,000 square kilometres (30,887,500 acres) of Uganda’s land area is arable. As a result, more than 80 per cent of the population depends on agriculture for income and food.This is despite poor post-harvest handling, climate change; with some regions experiencing prolonged droughts, limited value additions and land fragmentation. Crop export in 2013/2014 fetched Shs85b for the country and provided dietary needs for an estimated 35 millon people. The figures could be much higher since there is a lot of undocumented trade between bordering districts. It is against this background that Okaasai Opolot, the director ,crop resources in the Ministry of Agriculture, says Uganda stands to lose such gains should the ban on polythene bags be lifted.“Buveera block water from entering the soils. How do you expect crops to grow? Some animals eat them and die. For us, we do not want polythene anymore. It affects us more than any other ministry,” Opolot says.He adds that plastics take up to 400 years to decompose in the soil. In spite of all these assertions, UPMRA members, in a letter signed by Uganda Manufacturers Association executive director, Ssebagala Kigozi, want implementation of the ban halted on basis of more than $8.5m (about Shs25.1b) invested over the last 21 years.Also, the group says they have contributed Shs4.5b, in taxes, have employed 2,800 full-time employees and another 6,000 part time workers in production, recollection, transport and reclining.Daily Monitor could not independently verify the capital investments from the group. Efforts to get more information from the affected companies were futile by press time.But Opolot says: “If you say a section of people will lose jobs [2,800], how many will lose jobs if the soils are affected,” and then adds, “Their argument is not substantive and in any case, there are alternatives. We have papyrus and people can make carrier mats that are environmental friendly.Dr Tom Okurut, executive director, Nema says with public acceptance of the kaveera ban, the agency cannot look back despite resistance from the manufacturers.He is quick to add that so far 12 tonnes of plastic bags have been collected and all the big supermarkets have stopped using polythene bags. “The implementation has now gone to local governments and markets,” Dr Okurut says.He insists that employees at polythene manufacturing factories cannot lose jobs because the factories make other products. Widespread problem Across the country, the menace of kaveera is felt. From one street to another, plastics are littered ubiquitously in all forms of bottles, carrier bags, and water or alcohol sachets.Annually, statistics from Nema, indicate about 39,600 tonnes of polythene waste is released into the environment.Most of it accumulates in the soil. Uganda has more than 25 factories manufacturing polythene bags but recycling stands at 0.6 per cent. That notwithstanding, UPMRA accuses Nema of selective application of the law. “While the law has to be ably applied to local manufacturers, the same is not true for i polythene which continues to be imported into and sold in the country almost unchecked,” one of their correspondences with the environment watchdog reads in part.Dr Okurut, however, clarifies, “Uganda Revenue Authority stopped the importation of kaveera unless it enters Uganda through smuggling.’’ Impact on revenue collectionMinistry of Finance spokesperson Jim Mugunga said:“The enforcement of the ban has no revenue implications to the budget because we adequately prepared, provided and projected alternate sources for shortfalls, if any, that would relate to this particular source.”He added: “We associate strongly with measures that are adopted to protect the environment and ensure better living conditions for more than 34 million Ugandans at large.” The proposalBut Sebaggala thinks otherwise. He says: “It is best to put emphasis on anti-littering regulations and bylaws as a global best practice for all nations that use polythene.” He believes there is need for an urgent effort in redrafting, editing and or updating laws and regulation for littering and poor disposal to reduce the costs, inconvenience, time and labour of cleaning cities and communities in Uganda.But Environment minister Flavia Munaba says some investors are just selfish.“Some manufacturers are just selfish. Can they allow buveera to be everywhere [and destroy the environment] if Uganda was their country?”, she asked while wondering why plastics companies have done little to recycle their waste. Plastic bags ban around the world Some countries and cities that have banned kaveera include Rwanda, City of San Francisco, California. Mexico City too adopted the ban while Indian cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Karwar, Tirumala, Vasco, Rajasthan all have a ban on plastic bag usage. 1 | 2 Next Page»Kaveera crisisThe kaveera has been responsible for blockage of drainage channels and sewers, which causes floods and stagnation of water leading to increase in incidence of diseases such as malaria.Once integrated in the soil, it blocks the percolation of water, hence affecting soil fertility. It also kills domestic animals which ingest it while feeding.The win-win situationIn case the ban is sustained, the crafts-making industry stands to benefit.Already, carrier mats, paper bags, nylon manufacturers are currently filling the gap originally ocupied by polythene bags. About the lawParliament passed a law on the total ban on the use of kaveera in 2010 but implementation has not been possible due to cries from manufacturers over claims of massive investments in industrial machinery. Section 3 of the Finance Act, Regulation 4 of SI No. 32, reads in part, “It is prohibited for a person to manufacture, import, sell, use, distribute or otherwise deal in plastics bags except plastic women bags for the packaging and conveyance of goods and plastic bags and other plastics for exceptional uses …” The law, however, allows the manufacturer and use of polythene bags meant for industrial purposes, agricultural use, medical, research and science, sanitation, construction and exports.Moses Talibita, an official from Uganda National Health Users/Consumers Organisation (UNHCO), a non-governmental organisation, urges the government not to backtrack on the ban to save lives“Most restaurants use polythene bags to cover food as they cook, and the chemicals they emit cause diseases like cancer. We support the ban strongly,” Talibita says. There has been an upsurge in the country in the number of people suffering from diseases attributed to lifestyle changes.In 2012, more than 2,800 new cancer cases were registered up from 1,800 in 2011 at the Uganda Cancer Institute.However, manufacturers and traders insist that plastic carrier bags of more than 30 microns were not banned, noting that their campaign now focuses on best disposal practicesThe spokesperson Kampala City Traders Association Issa Ssekitto, says it’s against this background that manufacturers of buveera have invested more than $22m in plastic recycling units. Okurut says the 2009 budget provisions are still in place and bans any use of buveera and as such the crackdown will continue. ptajuba@ug.nationmedia.com.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/African-Union-Agenda-achievable/-/689364/2727230/-/c1wwnuz/-/index.html","content":"Is African Union’s Agenda 2063 relevant and achievable? Part II - Tomorrow, May 25, is African Liberation Day; the day will be celebrated at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and by all member states of the AU. This will be the 52nd anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in May 1963. Africa Oyee!Under Agenda 2063, the 53 member states of the AU have made a solemn commitment to work tirelessly to achieve a number of goals by the first centenary of the union.The goal of the AU’s strategic plan is to accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous and inclusive Africa, at peace with itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and global arena, effectively driven by an accountable, efficient and responsive commission. The strategic plan has eight priorities translated into concrete targets which impact directly on the welfare, lives and livelihoods of Africans. One priority is to expand agricultural production, develop the agro-processing and business sectors; increase market access and achieve Africa’s collective food self-sufficiency and nutrition through smallholder agriculture, sound environment and natural resource management. Africa’s post-2015 agendaThe strategic plan contains a statement on Africa’s post-2015 agenda which identifies some of the gaps in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and proposes priorities for the 2015 agenda. The agenda includes prioritisation of disaster risk reduction and climate change to promote human development.The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) incorporated into the structures of the African Union as the NEPAD planning and coordinating agency is a programme of the African Union that seeks to eradicate poverty, place African countries, individually and collectively, on a path of sustainable growth and development, build the capacity of Africa to participate actively in the world economy and accelerate the empowerment of women. NEPAD was adopted as an integrated social and economic development framework for Africa at the 37th OAU Summit held in Lusaka, Zambia, in July 2001. The AU/NEPAD Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) is one of Africa’s flagship programmes. The overall goal of CAADP is to eliminate hunger and reduce poverty through agriculture and improvement of food security and nutrition and increase incomes in Africa’s largely farming based economies. Under the programme, African countries are committed to increase public investment in agriculture to 10 per cent of their national budgets and increase agricultural productivity annually by 6 per cent. The programme is organised around four key pillars namely, land and water management, market access, food supply and hunger and agricultural research. Pillar three of CAADP Framework for African Food Security endorses the three strategic goals and five priority actions of the Hyogo Framework of Action as strategic resources to challenges related to risk management including emergency management, early warning and prevention of food crisis. Africa climate change strategyAfrica is the most vulnerable continent to climate variability and change. Climate change will lead to changes in extreme weather and climatic conditions such as drought, floods, sea level rise, storm surges, among many other hazards. African countries have and will confront a range of risks such as sea level rise, extreme weather, including intense heat, heavy rains and powerful storm surges. Some countries will continue to face risks of more challenging conditions for food, agriculture, water, health, fisheries, infrastructure and transportation. Africa’s climate strategy seeks to enhance the adaptive capacities and resilience of member states and regional economic communities with a view to minimising their vulnerability, pursue a low carbon growth path dictated by principles of the green economy, sustainable development, and poverty reduction; and orient governance, knowledge systems, planning, and national regional/international structures to treat climate change as a development imperative. Africa’s priorities in adaptation are meant to achieve sustainable development, alleviate poverty and attain the MDGs. Africa water visionThe Africa Water Vision 2025 focuses on equitable and sustainable use of water for social and economic development. The crucial role of water in accomplishing social and economic development goals is widely recognised. Water is clearly a major factor in socio-economic recovery and development in Africa. Water is a precious natural resource, vital for life, development and the environment. It can be a matter of life and death, depending on how it occurs and how it is managed. The Africa Water Vision has been developed as an instrument for social and economic development in Africa and as an integral part of a worldwide initiative to develop a World Water Vision. The AU Social Policy Framework for Africa is one of the few regional frameworks that integrate risk reduction. The framework seeks to promote issues of regional social justice and equity, social solidarity and social integration; these are key disaster risk reduction concepts and tools for addressing social problems. Is Agenda 2063 achievable?Agenda 2063 is a good roadmap for Africa with commendable economic and social objectives, but it must follow the political goal of African unity which is the raison d’etre of both the OAU and its successor the AU. To paraphrase the great pan-Africanist, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Africans must first seek the political kingdom and the rest shall be added thereon and I agree with the great leader. Unfortunately, Africa’s current leaders are the principal obstacles in our heroic struggle for African unity, a concept to which they only pay lip service. In order to translate Agenda 2063 into reality, Africa needs a new breed of leaders who are intelligent, selfless and truly committed to the unity of the peoples of Africa. Africa also needs leaders who are not corrupt; not greedy; who have integrity and who are true servants of the wananchi, not masters of the people. Agenda 2063 is regrettably doomed to fail unless the AU and African countries get their priorities right and their act together. Mr Acemah is a political scientist, consultant and a retired career diplomat. hacemah@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Supermarkets-comply-with-kaveera-ban/-/688334/2721692/-/ifalr7/-/index.html","content":"Supermarkets comply with kaveera ban - Kampala- A mini-survey done by Daily Monitor indicates that big supermarkets and shopping malls across Kampala are adhering to the enforcement of kaveera (polythene bag) ban announced last month by the National Environment Management Authority (Nema). An on spot check on shopping centres Nakumatt, Shoprite, Freedom City and Quality Supermarket, customers’ goods are packed in crafts or cloth bags, nylon and paper bag carriers recommended by the environment watch dog. Quality Supermarket’s Panky Bananuka, said customers now carry bags earlier given to them by supermarkets but urged Nema to intensify awareness campaigns across the country. “People are becoming more responsible. I think with good mobilisation, we can get rid of kaveera,” he said yesterday on phone. When Nema last month announced that it would implement the ban on kaveera, first targeting supermarkets, Mr Bernard Mutua, the country manager Nakumatt Uganda, pledged support to the authority, urging that protecting the environment is everyone’s responsibility. Three weeks ago, Uchumi Supermarket surrendered to Nema one tonne of polythene it had stocked. Although supermarkets are complying, a different scenario is happening in shops and markets. In markets such as Nakasero, Wandegeya, Owino and Kikuubo, polythene bags are still being used. Ms Aisha Ayebare, a fruit vendor in Nakasero, said her kaveera stock is still intact so she will have to finish them before adapting to recommended alternatives. However, Mr Bob Nuwagira, the information and communications officer Nema, warned: “Our first target was supermarkets but we have moved out to shops and markets, first to sensitise them and we are happy that they are not resisting the ban.” Mr Nuwagira said. More than 12 tonnes of kaveera have been collected so far. About 39,600 tonnes of polythene waste is released into the environment and most of it accumulates in the soil each year. More than 80 per cent of Ugandans depend on agriculture, implying that degrading the soils negatively impacts the sector. The kaveera has been responsible for blockage of drainage channels and sewers, causing floods and stagnation of water leading to diseases such as malaria. ptajuba@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Is-African-Union-s-Agenda-2063-relevant-and-achievable--Part-I/-/689364/2718318/-/1lsljhz/-/index.html","content":"Is African Union’s Agenda 2063 relevant and achievable? Part I - On May 25 the African Union (AU) will mark the 52nd anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) which was established in 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Uganda is a founding member of the OAU. For historical, nostalgic and other reasons, I have a soft spot for the OAU and Addis Ababa which was my first duty station outside Uganda as a diplomat. I was posted to the Uganda Embassy at the Ethiopian capital in March 1971; the head of mission was a distinguished career diplomat, Ambassador Matiya Lubega, who was one of my mentors in the diplomatic service. Agenda 2063, a plan for Africa’s structural transformation, was adopted at the African Union’s golden jubilee summit held in May 2013. The 50th anniversary declaration incorporates a pledge to make progress in eight priority areas of the continental agenda which are to be integrated into regional and national development plans. The priority areas are African identity and renaissance; continuation of the struggle against colonialism and the struggle for the right to self-determination; the integration agenda; agenda for social and economic development; peace and security agenda; democratic governance; Africa’s destiny and place in the world. Agenda 2063 is anchored in and driven by the aspirations of the African people that were embedded through a consultative process. The consultative process involved various stakeholders such as, youth, women, civil society organisations, Africans in the diaspora, African think tanks and research institutions, government planners and the private sector. In addition, ideas were received from African ministerial sector meetings and meetings of the regional economic communities (RECs) such as the East African Community (EAC). Agenda 2063 embraces and reinforces the vision of Africa and endorses the 12 continental priorities of the African Union contained in the AU Constitutive Act which form the basis for the development of continental frameworks, such as the Programme for Infrastructure, the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, the African Mining Vision, the African Governance Architecture and the African Water Vision. Among disaster risks and challenges Agenda 2063 identifies are the prevalence and severity of extreme events, such as heat and cold waves, dust storms, severe winds, floods, droughts, and greater rainfall variability and patterns. These are bound to distort traditional crop cycles, diminish production of agricultural and industrial raw materials as well as export earnings and thus affect the safety and wellbeing of Africans. To achieve the goals of high standard of living, quality of life and well-being of all citizens as well as environmentally sustainable and climate resilient economies and communities, Agenda 2063 identifies the following indicative strategies which integrate disaster risk reduction: (a) Elimination of poverty, hunger and malnutrition (b) Climate resilience low carbon production systems in place and significantly minimising vulnerability and natural disasters (c) Mainstream/integrate climate resilience in planning, budgeting and monitoring in development outcomes and processes(d) Conduct climate change research including detection and attribution (e) Promote/support climate-smart agriculture(f) Promote climate resilience practices in integrated coastal and marine ecosystem management systems (g) Promote/support disaster risk reduction, emergency response and climate resilient policies and programmes; and (h) Domesticate the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Agenda 2063 recognises that climate change and natural disasters will continue to adversely impact Africa’s development for many years to come and Africa has limited capacity for disaster preparedness and prevention, resulting in every natural disaster leaving a trail of suffering, deaths and material destruction. Agenda 2063 calls for the mitigation of these challenges which should instead be turned into opportunities through mounting collective strategies and effective public policy responses and actions to counter the most disruptive economic, social and environmental problems facing Africa. Agenda 2063 identifies two strategic dimensions for overcoming risks and addressing fragilities:(a) Drawing on resilience found in African societies, such as the strong capacity demonstrated by farming communities to weather risks and create livelihoods in the most difficult environments through enabling civil society and communities to manage their affairs including settlement of disputes and protection of the vulnerable; and a vital role for African women in efforts to bring peace and rebuild livelihoods. (b) Building interlocking partnerships and institutions at community level among member states, at regional and at continental level to help absorb the disruptive changes and reduce associated community and state fragilities. Building the capacities of RECs to find regional solutions to regional problems. All these priority actions are contained in the African Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction and they provide an integrated framework for addressing climate change and disaster risk reduction. Agenda 2063 integrates disaster risk reduction in its 50-year vision for Africa. Some preliminary observationsAgenda 2063 is a comprehensive and ambitious blueprint for Africa, but the challenge it faces include lack of resources for its implementation and lack of commitment on the part of African leaders who have a knack to agree in public to matters they do not actually believe in or fully support. This reminds me of the Trans-African Highway, a project which the African Group at the United Nations in collaboration with the OAU and the Economic Commission for Africa championed during the 1970s when I was a delegate at the Permanent Mission of Uganda to the United Nations in New York. The ambitious Mombasa to Lagos highway via Uganda, DRC and many other African countries was stillborn and never took off despite all the hype and a pledging conference which was held to raise funds for the project. The Trans-African Highway vanished into thin air like the once famous “10 point programme” which has been replaced by a “No change programme”. How tragic! Much as I welcome the AU’s Agenda 2063, I am sceptical about its implementation. To be continued next Sunday Mr Acemah is a political scientist, consultant and a retired career diplomat. hacemah@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Floods-submerge-Elegu-town/-/688334/2717824/-/aly926/-/index.html","content":"Floods submerge Elegu town - AMURU- Traders in the border town of Elegu in Atiak, Amuru District, are counting their losses after raging floods destroyed merchandise worth millions of shillings. Following the torrential rains in northern Uganda, River Unyama burst its banks and Elegu town at the border with South Sudan submerged in the floods. Ms Vivian Zawede, a businesswoman operating BLD Hardware Shop in Elegu town, told Saturday Monitor on Wednesday that she lost stock worth about Shs10m. “Most of my hardware like paint, steel wires, motor spare parts and electronics were submerged in water. I have been here for three years and the floods have been causing me losses but not like this year’s,” she said. Mr Hassan Alele, a restaurant operator, said his business premises were suddenly submerged by water. He said he used to earn Shs100,000 daily and he had not worked for two days, meaning he had lost Shs200,000 in revenue. The floods are also posing a health risk to the people. Hip Hop Lodge and a number of other buildings were still submerged in water by Thursday evening and a strong stench was emerging from the stagnant waters. Mr Michael Acellam, the lodging manager, on Wednesday said there was fear of an outbreak of water-borne diseases. “Look around, it’s all flooded. It smells real bad and customers have shunned the place. We are calling upon the district authorities for help. We cannot single-handedly handle the situation,” said Mr Acellam. The Atiak Sub-county chairman, Mr John Bosco Ocan, said: “We shall convene together with the district health team in the area to plan how to help our people from contraction of waterborne diseases and also plan for good drainages to prevent recurrence of floods. “But the Office of the Prime Minister should also help us,” Mr Ocan added. The Amuru District health officer, Mr Patrick Odong Olwedo, advised the locals to take up their own preventive health initiatives but added that the district health department would work towards setting up a nearby health centre where the people can seek medication in case of emergency. Last year in August, business in the area was also devastated by floods which also left Elegu Trading Centre in ruins after the same river burst its banks. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/No-Money-for-construction-of-EC-headquarters/-/688334/2712814/-/nxgdkcz/-/index.html","content":"No Money for construction of EC headquarters - Currently, there is no money for the construction of new Electoral Commission headquarters. This has been revealed by Finance Minister Matia Kasaija following concerns from Members of Parliament on the poor state of the commission’s offices.Legislators on the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee have expressed fear that the ware house structures which currently are occupied by the commission headquarters are prone to floods. However Hon.Kasaija says while government is cognizant of that fact, the constrained resource envelop cannot permit them to support construction of the Electoral Commission headquarters.However, the committee has given the minister three weeks to negotiate with the commission and come up with a way forward on the matter.Mr Kasaija is reportedly struggling to raise more than Shs4 trillion needed to close the current Budget deficit."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Panic-as-R--Nyamwamba-bursts-its-banks-again/-/688334/2711460/-/97dhvf/-/index.html","content":"Panic as R. Nyamwamba bursts its banks again - Kasese. Panic struck Kasese District residents on Thursday evening after River Nyamwamba burst its banks following a downpour. The water flooded into houses of residents of Kyanjuki lower village in Bulembia Division in Kasese Municipality. Eight people, including six women and two children, were rescued at around 5pm after their homes were submerged in the raging floods.About 500 people were displaced from their homes in Kyanjuki village. The District Internal Security Officer, Mr Fred Ojuka, told Sunday Monitor that women and children were stuck in the middle of the floods as they tried to cross. Bulembia Division chairperson Pascal Kasoke said nobody died but people’s property, including houses and crops, were destroyed. Kyanjuki Primary School was also partly flooded.River Nyamwamba flows from Mt Rwenzori and meanders through settlements downstream. It burst its banks on May 1, 2013 and again on May 8, 2014. Kasoke said the river course was diverted to its current path by the contractors who built Kilembe Mines. “It is as if it wants to regain its original course and we are suffering the consequences,” Mr Kasoke said. He said local leaders were waiting for the minister of Works to inspect Kyanjuki bridge which is under construction by the government. “I am glad that our bridge has not been affected by these floods though we have lost our road and Kyanjuki Lower is cut off from Kyanjuki Upper. The most affected part is Kyanjuki Lower village that has over 500 people,” he added."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Farmers-vote-farming/-/689860/2706960/-/143j43mz/-/index.html","content":"Farmers should vote wisely - Farming is a vulnerable occupation. Heavy rainstorms and floods may destroy the rainy season’s crops and upset farmer’s expectations. Severe droughts kill the crops and most farmers experience difficulties finding pasture and water for their animals.However, nothing impedes farming as much as civil unrest.This country has gone through civil wars and non-farmers left the country during the troubled times and found work in foreign countries unlike farmers. It was never possible for the farmers to fly out of the country with their land, crops, or animals to start other farms abroad. Appreciating the problemFarms are usually invaded by fighters for free food during times of unrest. The farmers get displaced in their own country and live as destitutes as the civil war rages on.Our history has taught us that civil unrest and political instability are linked to absence of elections or badly conducted elections. Early next year, Uganda will hold elections for all political leadership positions and preparations are ongoing. Farmers, who are the majority in this country, have every reason to take an interest in the electoral process because they want to carry on with their occupation without interruption. What needs to be doneTo take part in the elections, however, requires registration as a voter. As such, every farmer should ensure that his or her name is on the national voters’ register. They should find time to attend political rallies of all the candidates because voting is making a choice from a number of options. The farmers should study carefully the manifestos of all the candidates and find out the nominees’ plan to develop farming. They must refuse to be bribed by candidates since such candidates will condone corruption when they are elected. They should not engage in any form of electoral malpractice because, as we have learnt from our history, badly conducted elections can spark off a civil war. E-mail: ssalimichaelj@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Some-of-the-common-losses-that-farmers-make/-/689860/2700290/-/p1rcuj/-/index.html","content":"Some of the common losses that farmers make - Sometimes, farmers make losses just like all other people who are engaged in various economic activities. Some losses in farming can be avoided if the farmer tries hard but there are losses that are beyond human control. Prolonged rain seasons, storms, floods and long droughts are beyond human control and they often cause devastating losses to farmers. Long dry spells, which result in drying up of water sources, cause losses to many livestock keepers, who must either sell off the emaciated animals at quite low prices or pay dearly for water to be transported to their farms from far off sources. Some losses occur when farmers buy fake inputs such as seeds, pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers, and feeds. They spend a lot of time and money clearing the bush and doing other seed bed preparation activities. To maximise production, they want to purchase improved, high yielding seed. Major causesIf, however, they purchase and plant fake seeds, some of which may not even germinate, the time and money spent on the land preparation will be lost together with the expected income from the entire season. If a poultry farmer buys the wrong feeds, the chickens may not grow at the expected rate or produce any eggs at all. In some cases, the chickens die. Poor storage of harvested crop is one of the major causes of losses to the farmer. According to some estimates, 30 per cent of the total subsistence agricultural production is lost annually in Sub-Saharan African countries due to poor storage. In a bag of maize, the maize grains occupy only about 60 per cent of the space. The rest of the space is occupied by air in which small insects and moisture freely pass between the grains. Insects such as mites, weevils and beetles feed on grain and the mould developing on the grain. Rats, some lizards, and birds also attack the grain. They do not only cause reduction of its volume but they also cause deterioration of the grain by contaminating it with their excretions. Rats also make holes in the grain containers, which leads to further grain loss during transportation to markets. E-mail: ssalimichaelj@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/-ban-kaveera--stand---test--time/-/688342/2694552/-/90x5mmz/-/index.html","content":"Will ban on kaveera stand the test of time? - Kampala- After six years of hesitation, government seems resolved to effect the ban on polythene bags that are responsible for environmental degradation.Government in 2009 announced a ban on kaveera below 30 microns but the implementation fell flat after several groups, especially manufacturers, lobbied for a grace period. However, last Wednesday, the implementing agency, the National Environment Management Authority (Nema), launched the implementation of the ban, raiding major supermarkets in the city centre. Consequently, several shopping centres have resorted to alternative packaging materials. Nema spokesperson Naomi Karekaho said by yesterday, 10 tonnes of the polythene bags had been collected in the operation. She singled out Uchumi Supermarket as one among the many shops and supermarkets that voluntarily surrendered the carrier bags. Last Tuesday, Uchumi surrendered to Nema one tonne of polythene it had stocked. Mixed signalsThe ban was, however, received with mixed signals in Cabinet, with some ministers seemingly harbouring diverse opinions on the ban. When Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda issued a statement, promising to postpone the ban, the latest ban appeared would suffer another still birth. However, the ministry of Environment has since appeared to have been given the discretion to implement the ban. State minister for Environment Flavia Munaaba, in an interview with Daily Monitor on Wednesday, said as long as the law prohibits the use, importation and manufacture of plastics, the implementing agency - Nema - will not retreat in its endeavour to clear the country of the plastic bags. “We have the law (banning the use of polythene). And these companies have been circumventing them and never minded about recycling. So Nema has to do its work,” Ms Munaaba said, adding that nobody will interfere with the environment watchdog’s role. However, Nema has to deal with opposition to the ban from the ministry of Trade, with the latter seemingly more concerned about the jobs and money that could be lost once factories manufacturing the plastics go out of business. In an interview yesterday, State minister for Industry James Mutende said: “This is not a total ban. And this is where I think Nema has not got it right.” The ministry is particularly concerned with the nature of enforcement, saying it is being done indiscriminately yet it shouldn’t be that way. “Plastic is here to stay. What we need to do is to sensitise our people to use them properly and know that it can be recycled. I expect Nema to take the lead in this because it is the enforcement arm,” Mr Mutende said. He also said Nema should be confiscating or imposing a ban on polythene bags that are below 30 microns because that is what is below the requirement and not any other plastic packaging. What the law saysHowever, the 2010 Statute on the ban reads: “It is prohibited for a person to manufacture, import, sell, use, distribute or otherwise deal in plastic bags except plastic woven bags for the packaging and conveyance of goods and plastics and other exceptional uses specified in the schedule.” Uganda Manufactures Association (UMA) records show nearly 80 local factories are involved in the plastic manufacturing business, with each employing more than 20 people. According to Mr Mutende, such investment needs to be protected rather than shut down. According to dictionary.com, a micron is the millionth part of a metre.However, Mr Julius Onen, the ministry of Trade permanent secretary, said Cabinet has since directed that the impasse be sorted out once and for all within one month. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Rain-destroys-Luuka--Iganga-roads/-/688334/2692774/-/14863pp/-/index.html","content":"Rain destroys Luuka, Iganga roads - Iganga. Rain last week destroyed a number of roads in Iganga and Luuka districts.Culverts in Butimbwa village on the major road linking the two districts were washed away last week. The roads in Nakisegere and Kazigo in Irongo Sub-county have been rendered impassable for motorists.However, the rain is good news to able-bodied men in Butimbwa village who are earning a good sum of money from carrying people crossing the flooded spots.“The fees differ. For a single person we charge Shs500 and if he has luggage, bicycle or motorcycle we charge between Shs1,000 and Shs2,000 because we are risking our lives,” said Mr Jowali Kataba. The residents accuse their leaders of not doing anything to address the problem and called on the Central government to intervene.“The pressure of the water is too high and people cannot cross. The problem is with our leaders who do nothing but keep telling President Museveni that things are alright when we are suffering on the ground,” said Mr Samuel Baliraine.Luuka District vice chairperson Esther Namugaya, however, dismissed the accusations that the authorities are not doing anything about the problem, saying the district engineering team had been dispatched to assess the magnitude of the problem and see what can be done. the causeIn March, Luuka District leaders began lobbying the private sector to raise Shs1.2 billion to fix the district’s roads many of which are impassable. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/paying-high-price-water-waste-treatment/-/806314/2691686/-/xh1p9dz/-/index.html","content":"Why are we paying the high price of water, waste treatment? - In 1998, a woman called Lucy Emerton with three Ugandans and support of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature undertook a study of the economic value of Nakivubo wetland. It was then just over five square kilometers in area. Their findings showed that the wetland saved Ugandans about $1.2 million and about $ 2.1 million in waste water treatment and water purification costs per year respectively. Over a decade and half later, the wetland is severely degraded and Ugandan society is paying the cost of waste and water treatment. Some of the people who encroached on the wetland are possibly richer than they were in 1998, but the Murchison Bay is dirtier than it has ever been. This is prompting National Water and Sewerage Cooperation to move further to Mukono District to treat water for the city. There is a cost to this and it will be borne by the NWSC customers. There are numerous other costs that are not known such as health costs to consumers of polluted fish from the bay. Today, Nema is trying to implement a ban of kaveera imposed over five years ago and the manufacturers of these materials are up in arms claiming that they have not been consulted, etc. If government bows to their pressure, it will be yet another case where a few people will benefit at the expense of society. Society will not only pay the cost of degraded soils and floods due to blocked drainage channels but ill health from toxins associated with use of and poor disposal of kaveera. Everyone is concerned about increasing prevalence on non-communicable diseases such as cancer. This may be partly attributable to the increasing pollution of the environment from a variety of sources. Could it be that the pollution from kaveera and other sources may be contributory factors? Why should a few people externalise this cost to the rest of society?Panta Kasoma,panta_kasoma@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Universities-join-efforts-to-combat-climate-change/-/689860/2685584/-/7uqjt8/-/index.html","content":"Universities join efforts to combat climate change in East Africa - Agricultural productivity in East Africa is increasingly threatened by climate change, which is likely to impact negatively on development.Countries in the region face a range of common development challenges. These include natural resource degradation, decreasing agricultural productivity, rapid population growth rate and high poverty level.Due to economic and social inequalities, women are especially affected by the effects of climate change such as floods and drought. Timely initiateLike other Sub-Saharan African countries, Uganda is already affected by and vulnerable to climate change with most of the population and economy largely dependent on rain-fed agriculture. Against this background, a collaborative project was developed to address national and regional challenges posed by climate change. It is managed at Makerere University’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. It involves Norwegian University of Life Sciences and Technology, Addis Ababa University and University of Juba. The coordinator, Prof Samuel Kyamanywa of Makerere University, explained that it is timely to educate students, who will in turn reach out to farmers, who are vulnerable to effects of climate change.He was giving an overview of the project during a recent meeting of Capacity Building for Sustainable Natural Resources Management and Agricultural Productivity under Climate Change (CAPSNAC) The project, which started in 2014 will run for four years. It is funded by the Norwegian government to the tune of $1.7m (Shs 5.06b).It encompasses the element of educating students, mainly from South Sudan at both Master’s and PhD levels. Farmers in the three countries will be sensitised on the need to manage the natural resources sustainably to avoid adverse effects of climate change. Teach and guideAt Makerere Unversity, five South Sudanese students are pursuing Master’s degree courses. Seven more are yet to be enrolled. A total of 10 are doing PhDs; three from Uganda and five from South Sudan. The two from Ethiopia are at University of Addis Ababa.Prof Kyamanywa contends that since study of climate change is relatively a new science, there is need to train the students to understand climate variability in order to guide the farmers.For instance, teaching students the agronomy of managing a banana plantation did not include the climate change component. So, what they are trying to do to make sure that for farmers to produce high-yielding banana under drought, they must be given varieties developed for drought tolerance or resistance . Take cautionDuring surveys, students and their lecturers interact with farmers in different locations mainly Eastern Uganda. This is around River Mpologoma catchment area in Mbale as well as Katakwi, where there is flooding, which leads to loss of crops such as rice grown in this region.This explains the importance of farmers using the available water source such as wetlands for irrigation during dry season especially those farmers growing lowland rice varieties.But caution must also be taken against substances, which interact with water in loose wetlands including bacteria and other pests and diseases, which may end causing destruction to agricultural activity. Students and the scientists are expected to design a resilient farming system by liaising with meteorology personnel to develop early warning methods for farmers. Affect farmingAs seasons will keep changing, farmers are advised to adapt to crops, animals and poultry that are resilient to these changes in seasons.Prof Frank Kansime, who conducted a survey with students in the Lake Kyoga area, explains that there is increasing rainfall with high temperatures on the other hand. This leads to landslides as well as droughts thereby affecting farming activities.Iganga, Manafwa, Namutumba districts are faced with drought conditions during in the December- March period, and thus there is hardly any farming activity. Instead, there are alternate activities such as charcoal burning, brick-making, stone quarrying, collecting firewood which contribute to environmental degradation. The long view Dr Yazidhi Bamutaze, from Department of Geo-Informatics and Climate Science at Makerere University, in explaining dynamics of climate change in Eastern Africa puts the population that depends on the environment and natural resources at more than 70 per cent.Climate change is real as this was witnessed by El Nino phenomenon in 1997 and 1998. With it, countries in Eastern Africa are vulnerable as crops from farmers’ fields are destroyed leading to food shortages. Therefore scientists are expected to address the situation in Uganda, and Africa at large, with innovations that can help farmers cope with the effects of climate change.He projected what greenhouse gas emissions are likely to be cause in eastern Africa. By 2040, the monthly precipitation in Uganda will be worse with areas like Karamoja and Kabale becoming hotter. Temperatures will be increasing as rainfall drops.As seasons keep changing, farmers are advised to adapt to crops, animals and poultry which are resilient. alominda@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/The-mineral-that-boosts-soils-and-crop-yields/-/689860/2685582/-/j2edi8z/-/index.html","content":"The mineral that boosts soils and crop yields - A senior Ugandan geologist has disclosed how vermiculite mineral deposits in Manafwa District, eastern region, can contribute to the transformation of Uganda’s crop output by three to five times the current production levels.Nathan Wolukawu Wanda, chief executive officer, Agro-Minerals Africa Uganda, says vermiculite, a naturally occurring mineral found at Namekhala, Butiru sub-county in Manafwa District, that has ability to improve the soils’ and plants’ capacity to capture large amounts of the essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium,ammonium, calcium and magnesium, for healthy, better and rapid plant-growth. Various uses “Vermiculite has the excellent properties to be essential component for seedling, planting, germination and cutting. When combined with organic material (peat, coco-peat and compost), vermiculite promotes faster root growth and gives quick anchorage to young roots. The mixture helps retain air, plant-food and moisture, releasing them as the plant requires them,” Wolukawu said. Vermiculite has been used in various industries for more than 100 years. It is used in construction and agriculture. Scientific sources indicate that vermiculite is very light in weight, easy to handle and easily mixes with soil, peat, coco-peat, compost, fertilisers and perlite. Its use as a carrier and bulking agent ensures even distribution in mixing operations. Wolukawu, who has invested in constructing a processing plant (kiln), plans to convert vermiculite rock collected from Namekhala, into refined vermiculite for agricultural applications.The processing kiln is under construction at Namakye, Bulusambu Village, Busiu Sub-county in Mbale District from where farmers will access the farm-boosting mineral in the near future. “Vermiculite is a wonder mineral in the many ways it supports agriculture, in particular root-development, leading to high yields. For example, experiments with cotton show that the normal number of pods per plant without vermiculite is about 15-20 but with vermiculite we get up to 120 health pods,” he affirmed. Soil as a big factorWolukawu told Seeds of Gold that one of the limiting factors to higher yields for most farmers are the exhausted soils.Whereas, quality of seed, crop-field management (agronomy) and effect of bad weather (drought or floods) matter, the soil factor is a bigger one as it contributes over 60 per cent to crop failure or success.Wolukawu argues: “This is from a geology point of view. It is in the soil that we sow seed, it is where the seed gets its warmth, moisture and minerals (potassium, zinc, magnesium, iron and copper, to enable germination, leaf, pods and fruit-formation. Therefore, when we avail to the farmers or their crops with a minerals’ intake-enhancement agent (vermiculite), we’d aid better and efficient plant-growth and yields.” Take caution He warns that the notion that Uganda is fertile is too generalised, misused and misleading. When an area is grown with crops for 10-20 years, it will have run out of natural fertility.He asked: “Therefore farmers must be taught on how to step up soil-fertility improvement practices. Either apply fertiliser appropriately or use of crops’ nutrient-intake enhancement agents like vermiculite. But to do nothing about improving soil fertility is futile to our agriculture, when population and demand for food are on the rise?” Wolukawu worked at Kilembe Copper Cobalt Mines, Zambia’s Copper belt, Uganda Cement Industries, Tororo Cement Industry, and Canmin Resources Ltd. He is the founder Chairman of Uganda Chamber of Mines. Today, Wolukawu is a minerals’ consultant, a member of Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum. What is vermiculite Vermiculite consists of shiny flakes, resembling mica. When heated to a high temperature, flakes of vermiculite expand as much as eight to 30 times their original size. The expanded vermiculite is a light-weight, fire-resistant, and odourless material and has been used in numerous products, including insulation for attics and walls.Sizes of vermiculite products range from very fine particles to large (coarse) pieces nearly an inch long.Canmin Resources Ltd, a company that started mining and processes vermiculite for export and for the local market in Uganda, started evaluating vermiculite in Manafwa in the late 1990s. It puts theNamekhala vermiculite as a proven reserve of five million tonnes “of the best vermiculite in the world.The vermiculite has a rare attribute (the only known such vermiculite deposit) of having soil fertility properties.The Organic Materials Review Institute has certified that for crops grown in Uganda its vermiculite is organic without asbestos traces. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/best-interest-conserve-Lake-Victoria-/-/689364/2679678/-/125e2bl/-/index.html","content":"It is in our best interest to conserve Lake Victoria now - “[From] 1960s up to early 80s, our hilltops that you see bare today, were beautifully and intensely covered with trees. We used to cultivate our crops and graze our animals mainly in lowland areas, and not near this river banks as you see now. This has since, however, changed due to population increase. This has [forced] locals to cultivate their crops adjacent to river banks in an attempt to cultivate large areas and produce more food for their growing families. They are also excessively cutting down trees on hills for firewood and building materials, and in doing so, contributing to the loss of vegetation cover. This results into soils being washed downwards into River Kagera, and finally into Lake Victoria, thus contributing to the health hazards for the people who use water from the lake.” These are the sentiments of Mr Frederick Muhumuza, an elderly peasant farmer in Kikagati, Isingiro District, near the Uganda- Tanzania border. According to Muhumuza, “The resumption of tin mining in the area, which had closed down in 1970s, has led to the development of big stone quarries, providing aggregates and hard cores for thriving building projects. This worsens the situation as floods wash away the opened soils from stone quarries to river Kagera.” In Mwanza region, Tanzania, a senior production manager working in a vegetable oil industry that produces cooking oil and hydrogenated fats told me: “Most industries you see here are unplanned and uncontrolled, and most of them don’t have waste management mechanisms such as waste treatment, waste minimisation and water recycling and reuse. As such, they discharge their untreated effluents into Lake Victoria, contributing to industrial pollution of the lake.”If you visit industries located along the shores of Lake Victoria, you will find that many of them discharge their raw effluent into the lake, with the East African governments and environmental organisations not doing much to control the situation. The lake’s ecological, fishery, water and biodiversity resources are also being destroyed by agricultural and mining pollution emanating from poor farming practices and artisanal mining activities in the Lake Basin. Most farmers along the Lake Basin and those living in its catchment areas regularly use organic pesticides and fertilizers to protect their crops and improve soil fertility. However, some use organochlorine pesticides which are toxic not only to fish breeding grounds and some fish species, but also poses health risk to people. Most of the wetlands along major rivers such as Kagera, Nzoia, Mara, and Sondu- Miriu, which are the four major catchment runoff areas that feed water into Lake Victoria, are fast diminishing as people keep encroaching on them for agricultural and settlement purposes. This means they are no longer ably acting as buffering strips, ultimately resulting into water being discharged into the lake with excessive pollutants without being properly filtered. This leads to deteriorating water quality in the lake with catastrophic effect on the fish composition and catch, as well as on household incomes and livelihood standards on fishing communities. This situation is forcing fishermen to engage in fishing immature fish in a desperate move to make ends meet, leading to declining fish catch and possible extinction of some fish species. Despite all this, Lake Victoria continues to be a key resource for riparian countries. But why is that a key resource lake with such ecological, fishery, industrial, agricultural, tourism, recreational, transport, and biodiversity importance, is not being sustainably conserved?The continued pollution of the lake is negatively affecting its aquatic life, thus changing its ecology. This alters the nature, type, fish distribution patterns, and fish production, with some species almost getting extinct. The already declining fish catch is leading to decline of people’s household incomes, with fishermen having no alternative sources of income. This problem is worsened by continued discharge of chemical pollutants into the lake, with a catastrophic effect on fish growth and multiplication. This practice, coupled with changes in the lake’s biological biodiversity, means the future of fish export industry in riparian countries is bleak.As the lake continues being polluted from various sources the water quality from the lake is continuing to deteriorate, becoming unsafe to drink. With time, this will lead to a public health disaster. In sum, besides Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya, which principally share the lake and have a major responsibility of conserving it through their responsible established ministries, its important to note that the lake’s total catchment area also includes Rwanda and Burundi where the River Kagera originates from. There is, therefore, need for these five countries, to come up with a comprehensive ecosystem management mechanisms, and to ably fund environment bodies to conserving the lake. This can be successfully done through developing and implementing programmes such as catchment afforestation, wetlands restoration, conservation, and management, water hyacinth control, municipal and industrial waste management, among others. Mr Hategeka is a governance researcher and public affairs analyst. moseswiseman2000@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-1-3m-get-food-borne-diseases-/-/688334/2678814/-/mmg1fcz/-/index.html","content":"‘1.3m get food-borne diseases’ - Kampala. About 1.3 million Ugandans are diagnosed with food-borne diseases annually, a new survey has revealed. The study released by ministry of Health yesterday in Kampala to mark World Health Day, indicates that 14 per cent of all diseases treated every year are due to food contamination. A food-borne illness is an infection or irritation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract caused by food or beverages that contain harmful bacteria, parasites, viruses, or chemicals. Common symptoms of food-borne illnesses include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, and chills. Food-borne diseases include; cholera, dysentery, acute non-bloody diarrhoea, persistent non-bloody diarrhoea and typhoid. The study dubbed: “The National Burden Food-Borne diseases Pilot Study Report,” attributes the rise in the number of patients diagnosed with the diseases to sanitation failures, consumption of contaminated water, chemical residues and other contaminants in food.According to the report, about 182,370 were diagnosed with typhoid, about 650 with brucellosis, 111,664 with bacillary dysentery, and 5,232 with cholera in 2012. In Kampala, the outbreak of cholera and typhoid has been blamed on floods due to the el nino weather phenomenon and contaminated water sources. In Kasese and Bushenyi districts, the outbreaks of human anthrax that occurred between 2008 and 2009 were due to consumption of meat from infected wild animal carcasses from Queen Elizabeth National Park. While launching the report, the state minister for Primary Healthcare, Ms Sarah Opendi, said the survey will assist in sensitising the public about the challenge and burden of food borne diseases, inform the developing process of a food safety policy, and help in harmonising trade and food safety interventions. Ms Opendi also called upon Kampala Capital City Authority to start screening and testing individuals that vend food around the city. She also said the National World Health Day celebrations will be held on April 9 in Agago District. Dr Ben Manyindo, the executive director of Uganda National Bureau of Standards, urged farmers to observe good farming practices, by not drying their cereals on a bare ground if they are to avoid aflatoxins (mould growth), common in cassava from Eastern Uganda. PREVENTIONTo avoid food-borne diseases, World Health Organisation recommends the following: Keep clean (food safety, observe good sanitation and proper personal hygiene), separate raw food from cooked food, cook thoroughly, use safe water and keep food at low temperatures. The numbers2 millionNumber of people in the country who were diagnosed with acute diarrhoea in 2012, according to the National Burden Food-Borne diseases Pilot Study Report. 10,000Estimated number of typhoid patients treated before the Easter holidays in Kampala, according to the director of Health Services at Kampala Capital City Authority, Dr David Sseruka. eainebyoona@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bad-roads-paralyse-trade-in-Karamoja/-/688334/2678566/-/gbejpfz/-/index.html","content":"Bad roads paralyse trade in Karamoja - Karamoja. Residents of Karamoja have expressed concern over the impassable roads which have disrupted their businesses following the current heavy rains in the sub-region. The region has been receiving heavy rains for the past week which have also caused flooding.Trucks from Moroto to Soroti via Katakwi road got stuck at around Iriiri Trading Centre in Napak District at the weekend, forcing several travellers to spend nights on the road. Other roads on the verge of being cut off by the floods are Moroto-Mbale via Nakapiripirit District, especially in Tabakony Trading Centre.Mr John Olupot, a trader in Moroto District, said transport costs for their commodities from other regions to Karamoja have started shooting up due to the bad roads. “Whenever rains start, traders in Karamoja continue suffering.We do not know when government will come to our rescue to work on these roads so that we can also move freely like other traders in other parts of the country,” Mr Olupot said. Karamoja depends on food from Teso, Bugisu, Lango and Sebei regions. Ms Sarah Nachap, another trader, said the state of the roads was hindering them from doing business and urged President Museveni to address their plight. “Our President always calls residents to invest in wealth creation, but how can we invest in wealth when the roads in Karamoja are muddy like this?” she asked. UNRA responseThe Uganda National Roads Authority station engineer in Moroto, Mr Jonathan Wazimbem, however, said their team was ready to address the situation to ensure that travelling is not disrupted."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Climate-change--What-is-it-and-how-does-it-affect-agriculture-/-/689860/2664286/-/u114nu/-/index.html","content":"Climate change: What is it and how does it affect agriculture? - The world is heating up and there is a noticeable sharp rise in temperature. We are also experiencing extreme weather conditions; long and severe droughts and heavy rains that often result in devastating floods. Sea levels are said to be rising following the melting of the ice at the polar caps, which has increased the water volumes in the oceans. Some small island nations face actual submersion if the water levels continue to rise. According to a Panos publication titled, Just A Lot of Hot Air?, organised scientific observation of climate change began as far back as 1957. But back then, it is only the scientist who knew about this phenomenon. It has been caused by emissions of the so-called global warming gases, mainly carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Carbon dioxide is said to be the most important. During 200 years of industrialisation in Western countries, a lot of carbon-based fossil fuels—coal and petroleum—were burnt giving off large quantities of carbon dioxide in excess of what could be removed from the atmosphere by plants and other natural processes. The gas then got released into the atmosphere where it is said to retain the heat radiated from the earth’s surface thus leading to the rise in global temperature. According to the Panos book, emissions of carbon dioxide will take about 100 years to disappear from the atmosphere. Another gas, methane, said to come from decomposing organic matter, stays in the atmosphere for 12 years. Nitrous oxide—also caused by human activities such as agriculture, fossil fuel combustion, wastewater management and industrial processes—remains in the atmosphere for 120 years. Cutting down trees, which absorb carbon dioxide makes it worse. We are therefore likely to see more extreme weather Farmers might face more difficulties producing crops and finding pasture for livestock. Due to the rise in temperatures and prolonged droughts, rivers and other freshwater bodies may dry up causing fish stocks to drop. Pests and parasites that exist only in warm temperature regions will spread to areas where they were unknown before. E-mail: ssalimichaelj@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Drought-manifests-God-s-anger--says-Water-minister/-/688334/2662394/-/qu0kdfz/-/index.html","content":"Drought manifests God’s anger, says Water minister - RUKUNGIRI The Minister for Water and Environment, Prof Ephraim Kamuntu (pictured), has said drought and diseases which are afflicting the country are due to God’s anger evoked by man’s destruction of His creation. Speaking in Rukungiri District at the International Forest Day celebrations at the weekend, Prof Kamuntu said where there has been huge environmental destruction, there has equally been strong punishments from God.He cited areas such as Bududa, Kasese and Kabale being hit by landslides, floods and diseases. “For me I think it is God’s anger, how else can you explain it. When He is angry, there comes Bududa landslides that bury you alive. Then comes floods; Kasese you heard them. Plants, trees, hills, rivers, houses, bridges all being washed away. God is angry because of what you have eroded,” Prof Kamuntu said. He said while areas such as Kabale and other regions in the country never had disturbing diseases like malaria, they have started to come up because of the anger from God over destruction of the environment by inhabitants.He said human beings being responsible for tragedies must work hard to stop them. He appealed for planting of trees during national functions and doing agro-forestry for income generation and protection of the environment. Prof Kamuntu said the current changes in climate where farmers are failing to predict seasons, is an indicator to the government to change in the way they approach agriculture and turn to irrigation for mass production. Rukungiri District chairperson Charles Byabakama said the district has come up with a by-law requiring all the road contractors to include an element of tree planting on road reserves. editorial@ug.nationationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Africa-should-be-careful-of-the-West-s-orders-on-democracy/-/689844/2653224/-/nipl31z/-/index.html","content":"Africa should be careful of the West’s orders on democracy - Egyptian envoy - What is the status of the Egypt-Uganda bilateral relations?The relations between both countries are excellent and we are working on strengthening them. As usual, Uganda had a distinctive position towards our 2013 revolution by objecting to the decision of the suspension of Egypt in African Union which was described as a double standard decision. Uganda remained supportive to us throughout these difficult times which we went through. Such support was an important cornerstone in conforming our sense of appreciation. Therefore, through our hard financial and economic challenges, Egypt remained committed to its technical assistance programme to Uganda. On the economic front, we are encouraging businessmen to come and invest in Uganda, and soon they will be an important event of Egyptian businessmen within this framework. What are Egypt’s priorities in Uganda?Egypt and Uganda have maintained good relationships throughout the regimes. The understanding between both countries covers many fields. On top is the River Nile where Egypt and Uganda represent its edges. Our interest is that we both make the best use out of the River Nile for the sake of the whole Nile Basin countries. Notwithstanding the scorching financial times back at home, Egypt remains the third largest economy on the continent; do you have any developmental support to Uganda and how much is it? In 2012, we launched an Egyptian initiative for Nile basin countries which had a relative fund to realise projects in the Nile basin countries, including in Uganda. We also have very ambitious and technical programmes which cover water projects, combating water hyacinth, drilling wells, boreholes and building rain water reservoirs in Uganda. We also sent out a technical team to study the floods in Kasese three months ago. This team is from the Egyptian ministry of water resources. They worked and studied with the Uganda team, the factors and damages of these floods and the ideal means to overcome the effects of these floods. This project is worth $1.5 million (about Shs4.4 billion). And how do the Egypt-Africa relations stand following your suspension from the African Union in 2013 and readmission in 2014? In 2014, at the African Union meetings president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi announced a new strategy to boost relations with Africa, and he has been meeting many African officials. He also declared the Egyptian Agency for Development which will serve the African cooperation. Last week, Egypt hosted the meeting of African environment ministers where president el-Sisi mandated the prime minister to deliver his word to the meeting. How are driving forward the sustainable development agenda on the continent?The main challenge for the continent in this field is the issue of climate change and its impact on the African national resource. We need to encourage an African collaboration and cooperation to see a common vision in addressing these challenges. Egypt has for quite long been supporting and injecting a lot of money in water projects in Uganda. How do they stand? The projects are still ongoing. We started the fourth stage of combating the water hyacinth on Lake Victoria and there is a new technology that we are piloting and we will soon be sharing the results. We are finalising the third and fourth stage for wells and boreholes with the aim of reaching 75 wells. We have built about 200 water reservoirs. Soon our minister for water resources will visit Uganda to commission these projects. At one point you were opposed to us building the Karuma Dam and equally threatened to blow up Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam. How have you neutralised these differences?As far as I remember, Egypt has never at any time been opposed to water projects by Uganda or any other Nile basin country except the Renaissance Dam. On this issue, Egypt did not object to the dam but simply asked questions. The right questions and acknowledgment of projects on the River Nile are entitled to all the basin countries. Egypt is one of these countries and has no supremacy on the waters. 1 | 2 Next Page»So what reservation did you have on the Renaissance Dam?There was an understanding to consult all the other members before proceeding with any major projects on the Nile because one individual’s move can threaten/affect others. Egypt also has to seek the consent of other members before undertaking any project. Unfortunately, there were no consultations before declaring the Renaissance Dam. Egypt has expressed its worries but we didn’t receive the proper answer. Now the negotiations are ongoing and hopefully it will lead to scientific and technical replies to our worries.The Nile is the only source of being and it has been for centuries. We are now choosing an international agency which will study the project and present a final assessment that we agree to respect. Egypt, according to the 1929 and 1959 Nile sharing agreements initiated by the British colonial administration, consumes the biggest percentage of 55.5 billion cubic metres, has this been revised?The sharing agreements between Egypt and Sudan have nothing to do with other countries. Egypt uses 55.5 billion cubic metres out of 1600 billion cubic metres which is the whole capacity of the basin. If the Renaissance Dam is to use 76 billion cubic metres, our worries are on what will remain. Does this explain the contention over the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) which you have refused to sign?The issue is we want the NBI to become a model for cooperation and to benefit us within the frame work of international law. The 1997 UN convention talks about the necessity of prior notification before initiating any projects. The aim is that every partner is to ensure his water share and prevent an overwhelming use by one side on the expense of harming others. So it’s important to acknowledge the current usage of water .In the case of Egypt, we are using 55.5 billion cubic metres. This amount is considered to be below the water poverty line. The international standard in this regard indicated the fair share should be 1,000 cubic metres per citizen and Egypt’s population is 90 million citizens. But gladly, there are ongoing consultations in this regard to reach a common understanding and a final agreement. On the political front in North Africa -- from the Arab Spring that swept from Tunisia to Egypt to Libya -- how are you copying?At the start of the Arab Spring, people aimed for a noble cause with clear view of the future. Unfortunately, the Islamic stream succeeded in stealing this revolution with the aim to change the identity of this country and propagate the extremist ideology. So the Egyptians rejected this tendency and resisted it. In 2011, eight to 12 million Egyptians went on the streets fuelled by the Islamic stream to topple the Hosni Mubarak regime. But in 2013, 33 to 40 million people went to streets against this Islamic spring. The army had to abide by the overwhelming request.Those Islamists decided to punish us by preventing our efforts to repair and improve our country through carrying out different terrorist acts in different parts of Egypt. We also note that the activities of the Islamic State have emerged right after the fall of the Muslim Brotherhood regime in Egypt, and their activities were extended to our neighbours in Libya where they initiate a lot of terrorist attacks. So you are trying to say the Muslim Brotherhood is in collaboration with the Islamic State—ISIS?The Muslim Brotherhood is the mother of all terrorist groups –the ISIS, Boko Haram in Nigeria, al-Shabaab in Somalia and Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the DRC who terrorise Uganda. If you ask all groups what they want, they will tell you they want Islam to prevail, to be the law and to have Islamic principles ruling over everyone. Who created such principles? It is the Muslim Brotherhood which is mothered in Egypt. Does this explain why former president Mohamed Morsy remains locked away since he belonged to the Brotherhood?No, Morsy is in jail not because he belongs to them, but for other crimes that he committed while in power. One of them is espionage as he handed some sensitive military reports to some foreign powers that I cannot name here. How worried should Uganda be about the collaboration between the Muslim Brotherhood and the ADF, and how big should we treat this threat?The threat is really big. The brotherhood has bases in more than 75 countries, even in the US. In addition, they have a very strong financial support and deep links and connections. Nobody is safe from terrorism; we felt it in Austria, Denmark and France. The threat is real and has no borders. Egypt is fighting this threat on behalf of everybody, but we need to see more cooperation and collaboration in order to be more effective and brief in this war. But when Egypt caught the Arab Spring cough some people wanted Hosni Mubarak out and then elected Morsy, whose government was in fact hailed as the first democratic setting in Egypt but after a few months in power, when people opposed some of his policies on the streets, the army took over under this cover. What message does this send out to Africa?For your information, people at the start did not want to get rid of Mubarak; they wanted change after his 30 years rule. His government had become loose, his health was bad, he was isolated and his aides kept seizing the opportunity to make more personal gains.After Mubarak, the army was in control where they held the presidential elections which led to Morsy as a supposedly democratically elected president in an election that is being questioned by the court nowdays. After Morsy assumed power, he breached the constitution that he himself helped to create. He started changing identity of Egyptian people, started creating Muslim Brotherhood parallel institutions to the government ones.People revolted against Morsy in massive number so the army had to intervene, led by Gen Sisi as the minister of defence. A civil council handed power to the president of the constitutional court, counsellor Adly Mansour, until new presidential elections were to take place. Gen Sisi had no ambitions to run for presidency but it was the peoples wish through demonstrations, appeals and requests that forced him to do so. And as a proof, he received 96 per cent of the support. The ‘Sisi leaks’ that surfaced recently, exposed a plot by Gen Sisi as defence minister; the chief of staff Gen Kamel; the head of navy Gen Shahin and the police chief Mohamed Ibrahim were heard plotting to oust Morsy…All the leaks related to him were proven fake; even the latest one of him insulting Gulf countries. I’m sorry to say but in Uganda you watch a lot of Al Jazeera TV and you should be careful with the news it brings you. Does it explain why Egypt had locked away the three Al Jazeera journalists and many sentenced in absentia?The journalists were paid by Al Jazeera to falsify news about Egypt.They were working without any licence or approval from the government. In addition, they were arrested during counsellor Mansour’s presidency who directed them to the legal course. When president Sisi was asked about them, he clearly stated that he would have preferred to repatriate them and when he got the chance, he did. Gen Sisi seems to have a lot in common with our own Gen Museveni here; from their military background to their handling of politics. What do you make of these facts?There are two theories; first, power should always have someone new. The second is to keep the leader as long as he is successful. In general, what I personally learn is that as Africans, we should stop importing theories without first understanding our social and cultural particularities and put them into context. We should be careful in applying blind patterns of democratisation because we have been asked to.Western democracy was not applied in China but they boomed because they preserved their identity. In 2006, then as a Brig Gen at the US’ Army War College in Pennsylvania, Sisi penned an essay titled “Democracy in the Middle East” in which he listed three preconditions for democracy to prevail in Egypt—first, that Islam has to be core, the West should not interfere but just look on and third that, people should have more say in the processes. Uganda is not entirely a Muslim country, but the last two seem shared vision of all military leaders. What do you make of this?I’m not aware of such a paper, I haven’t read it. But president Sisi made a courageous move recently when he called for an Islamic revolution calling to modernise the classical Islam, including its speech, its details, because insisting on this traditionally way will keep on generating these entities like Isis.He said it’s not logical that 1.7 billion Moslems around the world should sacrifice the other six billion non-Muslims in order to survive. The issue is not what others want; it’s what we Africans want. It’s what suits us and what does not. The issue of people participation is already happening, but the people should be ready. How do we measure people’s readiness? First, you should have a strong education system, strong vibrant youth actively involved in the systems and thinking of the future. Not the kind thinking of destruction; the kind we had in Egypt which was saying we should demolish all structures and build them again. Social amenities like schools and hospitals should all be in place -- infrastructure, and I have seen your President trying to do that.Against that backdrop, we have elections around the corner and our Opposition has been demanding for a number of reforms in electoral processes to have levelled playing field but most importantly to avoid misfortunes of past elections. What do you make of the discussions?What I can tell you is that what happens in Uganda reflects the needs of the Ugandan people-their desires, wishes and aspirations and as Egypt we are there to help. As a citizen I see there is a lot of effort by everybody to correct things but there is a lot of homework to be done. This country has a lot of capacity, potential and a lot can be done but at the same time, the best advice I can give you is to be careful because nowadays poison is often found inside honey. Yes, there should be change and it is needed always, but you have to be careful. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Just-how-bad-is-wetland-degradation-/-/691232/2650722/-/1093nfhz/-/index.html","content":"Just how bad is wetland degradation? - In Murchison Bay in Muyenga-Bukasa, Kampala District, Lake Victoria and the Luzira wetland seem to have merged, as the lake flows about 500 metres into the swamp. Green vegetation, including yams and sugar canes float on the water, and in some places, a green layer floats on the water. There are also permanent structures in the wetland. With weather experts predicting that the rainy season is upon us, residents are worried about the reverse flow of water in Lake Victoria, and how it will affect them.Edward Abigaba, a boda boda rider, who has lived for more than 15 years in the area, expressed dismay at the state of affairs. “It is unfortunate that people have encroached on the wetland,” he said, adding that “if water has intruded the wetland in a dry season, what will happen when the heavy rains start? I request the concerned authorities to do the needful before floods kill us.” The residents said water began encroaching on the wetland mid last year. They place the blame on people digging terraces to channel water for agriculture activities. The residents also criticise the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) which has failed to implement laws that impede those constructing in wetlands.Residents’ takeManisuli Kalule, whose house is close to NEMA’s border line, believes the flooding of the wetland is a result of a slope that has been created by rubbish from Nakivubo channel.“The papyrus which could have blocked the water from encroaching has been cut for agriculture. So, the collected heaps of rubbish have caused the water to change course. I ask the government to find a place where they can channel off the water that flows from the Nakivubo channel,” he says.Getrude Naluggwa a 73-year-old and a resident of the area since 1974 believes human encroachment on the wetland are to blame. Naluggwa who I met in a potato garden near the wetland puts the blame on the authorities who have not implemented the laws which protect the wetlands.“Even leaders have not protected the environment. I wonder how this man [pointing to a house] constructed in the middle of the wetland and no one blames him,” she says.What has caused itIn 2013, Dr Tom Okurut, the executive director of NEMA, presented a paper on the fate of Lake Victoria. In the paper, he predicted that the lake would dry up due to human activities such as overfishing, pollution, conversion of forests and wetlands into farmland that remove the vegetation cover from soil, resulting in massive silting.Dr Okurut pointed out that Lake Victoria is under intense pollution from the cities of Kampala, Kisumu and Mwanza since it is the critical source of water to the unplanned urbanisation. For instance, Kampala’s more than two million people get water from Murchison Bay, also referred to as the mouth of the lake.Dr Okurut further pointed out that since Nakivubo swamp used to trap impurities like sewage, this is no longer possible since it was degraded. What happens now is that these impurities, make their way into Murchison Bay, polluting it. Another highlight of the paper is the fact that there is no clear regulation of the lake. Whoever is next to the lake regulates it as they see fit. Steven Sande, chairperson Luzira Port Bell Beach Management, concurs that the universal ownership of the lake has led to illegal fishing methods being used.“Whenever we try to implement the laws against illegal fishing, the culprits threaten to harm us. Some of them have friends and relatives in the Marine Force. We have decided to remain silent because politics is killing the fishing industry,” he says.In addition, factors of pollution include; lack of knowledge on managing the environment, poor urban plans, poor compliance culture, poor policies and systems, lack of research and poor coordination among government agencies.What could happen if Lake Victoria water levels drop?In case Lake Victoria’s water levels drop, Uganda’s hydro-electric power will be severely affected. For instance, according to the paper Dr Okurut presented power dams at Nalubaale and Kiira will eventually cease since electricity is produced using water from the lake.Even the potential power production along the Nile, including Kalagala and Murchison Falls, estimated at 3,000MW, will disappear with Lake Victoria. Okurut believes the disease burden on Ugandans is likely to increase if the degradation is not checked. For long, according to Okurut, fish was the cheapest source of proteins, but now prices are increasing as local consumers have to compete with the export markets.Diseases such as cholera, bilharzia and malaria are increasing, especially where the water has become polluted. In addition to this, conflicts over resources such as fishing grounds, wetlands and forests across the country are likely to increase.Wetland policyUganda adopted a wetland policy in July 1994 establishing a number of agencies purposely to safeguard swamps. But the designated authorities seem to have failed to enforce the rules. The Constitution says the government should hold wetlands and other natural resource in trust for all citizens.In 2010, when floods hit most suburbs of Kampala, members of the Natural Resources Committee of Parliament toured wetlands in Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono districts. The group accused then Kampala City Council (currently Kampala Capital City Authority) and Uganda Land Commission (ULC) of issuing illegal land titles.They also charged that Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) and National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) have improperly issued operational permits for the wetlands.Patrick Turyatunga, the environment officer at A ROCHA-Uganda, an NGO that focuses on the environment, said the wetland has dropped to 285 hectares from 498 in just five years. “If no quick solutions are found the wetland would be no more by this year.”Still in 2010, some critics said the government is a part of the problem. For instance, Frank Muramuzi, the executive director of National Association of Professional Environmentalist (NAPE) noted that degradation of wetlands is by the government itself. “It is either [by people who] are working for government, a project supported by government or government officials involved in wetland degradation like construction of factories.”Experts also warn that reduced wetlands have less capacity to store water and filter nutrients and pollutants. As a result, filth has collected where water from Kampala pours into Lake Victoria.Pollution hotspots on the lake include Murchison Bay and Kitubulu in Uganda, Bukoba and Mwanza in Tanzania, Musoma and Kisumu in Kenya.In April 2012, Jackson Kitamirike, a water expert in the Ministry of Water and Environment checked waters of Murchison Bay and realised there is increasing contamination with the filth that flows into the water. “The water is dark and smelly which shows that something has gone amiss.He pointed out factors like dumping human waste, blood and cow dung from slaughterhouse and encroachment on wetland as key contributors to the decline of the lake.In 2004, Kitamirike said the depth of the lake at Murchison Bay was seven metres, but in 2012 it had dropped to only one-and-half metres. This meant the lake is dropping at a rate of one metre every year. He attributed this to uncollected waste and soils washed into the lake during the rainy season. As a result, the waste and soil are piling up and reducing the depth of the lake.Experts takeSamuel Apedel, the spokesperson of National Water and Sewage Corporation (NWSC) said NWSC is concerned about the state of the lake and as a result they are constructing a sewage plant to treat water from Nakivubo channel before it reaches the lake.“Although I am not sure of what is happening at Murchison bay, I suspect the encroachment results from dirt and rubbish which goes to the lake whenever it rains. We know that water is polluted and pushes the cost of treatment and supply of water. The plant will help us to supply 340 million litres of water per day. Besides, it will help us to produce electricity which will be operating the plant.”Engineer Aaron Kabirizi, the director of Water Development at the ministry of Water and Environment says the change in the flow of water usually results from the increase of the amount of water in the water body.“I think the right people to handle this issue are the director of environment or water resources. However, what I know is that water usually diverts to a nearby places when the levels go high,” Mr Kabirizi says.Isaac Banada, environmental analyst of Uganda Environment Protection Forum (UEPF) says, the change of colour is a sign of pollution, which aids growth of aquatic plants such as algae.Banada warns that if the designated water and wetland bodies do not do the necessary in time, water may soon start stinking. “This might lead to the outbreak of epidemics like cholera and typhoid since locals in that place draw from wetlands,” he says.Carol Kizibaziba, an environmentalist with NAPE says, reverse flow of water usually happens due to infilling of wetlands, streams and rivers. “Silting of the rivers, streams, wetland or the lake itself can result into water encroaching on the nearby places,” she adds.Other factors capable of antagonising the flow of water according to Kizibaziba among others include destruction of water catchment such as forests surrounding the lake and drainage channels in forests.Kizibaziba says, it is time the ministry of Water and Environment, and NEMA woke up and implemented penalties outlined in section 68 of the 1995 National Environment Statute (NES) to save wetlands and all other water sources. What NES says Section 68 of the 1995 National Environment Statute states that people should be prevented from taking any action which would or is reasonably likely to do harm to the environment.Compensation should be awarded to people whose environment or livelihood has been harmed by the action of the offender.In addition, the accused should financially facilitate an authorised person or organisation to restore the destroyed environment to its state."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Ian-Khama-s-love-affair-with-the-West/-/688340/2630288/-/kho478z/-/index.html","content":"Ian Khama’s love affair with the West - Gaborone. Over the years, Botswana’s President Ian Khama has cut the figure of a lone ranger when it comes to African issues. On many occasions, the nation has distanced itself from issues affecting its regional and continental allies, especially where interests of its western allies are involved. Late last year after being elected deputy chairman of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), Mr Khama failed to show up for Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe’s chairmanship acceptance speech. Mr Khama did not attend the opening ceremony either. Later, Botswana defended the absence saying the leader left due to other commitments after the summit’s closing session went beyond its alloted time. Months before that, former Foreign Affairs minister Phandu Skelemani had made it clear that Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who was on trial at International Criminal Court (ICC), was not welcome in Botswana. “If he refuses to go (to The Hague) then we have a problem. If he refuses, he won’t set foot here,” Mr Skelemani said then.This was despite Mr Kenyatta’s cooperation with the ICC. Mr Skelemani later apologised for his inopportune avowal and analysts said his apology was only because his comments seemed to pre-judge the Kenya leader.This was at the back of Mr Khama going against the African Union (AU), saying sitting heads of state should be brought before the ICC. The AU had resolved that no sitting African head of state should be taken to ICC. In 2010, Botswana applied the same principle on Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who, despite an international arrest warrant, was welcomed in many African capitals. Botswana strongly declared they would happily detain al-Bashir and hand him over to the ICC, defying pressure from the AU to ignore the arrest warrant. Mr Khama was also caught ‘offside’ when he accused his Zimbabwe counterpart, Mr Mugabe, of rigging elections and dismissed the Zimbabwean leader as “illegitimately elected”. Mr Mugabe hit back and labelled Mr Khama a political novice and an agent of the West. Botswana was one of the first countries to break off relations with the late Libya leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 as it became apparent he was murdering protestors. On the other hand, the AU was making collective efforts to get the international community off Gadaffi’s back. Mr Mothusi Kwape, a politics scholar, is of the view that Botswana has no clear foreign policy. “The leadership has never come out clear on what our position is. I suppose we go with what the President feels at a given time and nobody will ever know what he is thinking,” he says.Mr Takalo Sebolawa, another Politics scholar, calls it “applying a selective stance”. “It would seem there are certain issues given prominence more than others. Khama’s administration has not been consistent and everyone wonders why it is so,” he says. The only time Botswana seemed to take a stand against the US, he says, was when the country recently attacked the US over the US embassy’s disapproval about the Botswana government’s treatment of the media. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/AugustineRuzindana/South-Sudan-needs-help-to-establish-national-institutions/-/887296/2614232/-/11l5f0kz/-/index.html","content":"South Sudan needs help to establish national institutions, not help to fight each other - When the war was still raging in northern Uganda, the rest of unaffected Uganda generally did not internalise or see the suffering and disruption of the lives of the people in the conflict areas as their own problem. It was a remote problem, comparable in its remoteness to that in Syria or Ukraine. Only once in a while when a soldier died and was buried in one’s village did the existence of the war become a reality in that village of western Uganda or Buganda. Thus when 18 prominent northern political leaders were arrested, tortured and imprisoned on the orders of Gen Tinyefuza, aka, David Sejusa, its impact was localised, there was no national outrage. People are swept away by landslides in Bududa or by floods in Kasese and these national tragedies remain local problems. The fact that the President incongruously turned up at Bududa with an automatic rifle ready for battle with the forces of nature became a major discussion point in the media rather than the tragedy itself. Currently, O’Level examination results are top media headlines but the fact that Amudat and many other districts have no first grades will not be discussed within the national context and perhaps not even at district level, it is a personal tragedy of the affected students and families. Therefore, the biggest failure or missed opportunity of the three decade-old regime is failure to create a Ugandan national consciousness. There is no Ugandan anger, outrage or shame. Once in a while, there is fleeting Ugandan happiness when there is success in sports such as football or athletics. This is why attempts to create anger, outrage and revulsion against corruption, plunder and theft of national funds and resources generate minimal reaction and support. Whatever is at a national level is too remote for the personal interest to be clearly discerned. The tragic armed conflict in South Sudan is even more remote and, therefore, the role Uganda is playing there has been relegated to a personal matter of the President in support of his beleaguered colleague. Yet South Sudan is a serious African setback, not only because of the suffering of the people but that people with Western and Arab education have failed to organise themselves in a stable and viable state as their former northern rulers had forecast. Uganda has just signed an agreement extending the UPDF support for four months to the South Sudan president’s faction, but do Ugandans care whether this is helpful to the resolution of the conflict or not? Essentially, the conflict is about how the South Sudan State, particularly the armed forces, should be organised. 1 | 2 Next Page»When the Americans defeated Saddam Hussein in Iraq, they disbanded the “Sadam State”, army, civil service as undesirable collaborators and the effect of this action is largely responsible for the disastrous consequences of the rise of the Islamic State Caliphate. Similarly, in Libya where service in the Gaddafi regime in whatever capacity made one ineligible for service in the new State structures, there is now more than 100 militias contending for management of the State. In South Sudan, during the transition and after independence, those who had served in previous government structures were ejected. Current interventions should be to help establish national institutions, the army, police, civil service, and judiciary to manage the State and also national political organisations. Although ideally it would be better to have completely new State leaders, the restoration of the status quo before the split of SPLM/A may be a realistic start even if not the final solution. It may also help to re-integrate people who had served before the transitional arrangements and independence so that a fresh start becomes inclusive. Mr Ruzindana is a former IGG and former MP. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Ministry-warns-of-reduced-food-production/-/688334/2611162/-/13u4gch/-/index.html","content":"Ministry warns of reduced food production - Kampala. The Ministry of Water and Environment has warned people living within the 20 cattle-corridor districts to brace for hotter weather and reduced food productivity. Addressing farmers in Teso sub-region over the weekend, Mr Bob Kazungu, the climate change advocacy officer at the ministry, said scientists have predicted that global warming will bite harder by 2021. The official said because of the continued increase in greenhouse gas emission into the atmosphere, the amount of carbondioxide will increase.He said this will bring adverse effects on savannah lands in form of excess heat. Mr Kazungu explained that the effects are steadily starting to be felt, as already a number of boreholes across the cattle corridor region manifest signs of water fluctuation. He said the dwindling water table levels is a result of overheating. “Many boreholes are drying up hardly two months after they are constructed. That is the reality we are living with now,” Mr Kazungu observed. Unlike the Savannah lands, the official noted, areas with rainy forests are likely to have more rains by 2021. He said because of such a trend there is a possibility of having an influx of people from the cattle corridor into forests in search of food and pasture. “Unlike in 1990 backwards, farmers could predict when the rains would return and for how long. Today it’s the opposite,” he explained. Mr Kazungu said in such an event, farmers in the districts of Soroti, Katakwi, Amuria, Moroto, Nakapiripirit, Kotido, Nakasongola, Kaberamaido, Ssembabule have to learn how to harvest rain water.Mr Muhamad Semambo, the acting principal officer climate change adaptation, said climate change adaptation is essential and not optional. He told local governments to start mainstreaming climate change. He added that vulnerability assessment plans on effects of climate change must be conducted and analyse how floods affect the health sector, education and farming and public road usage as a matter of urgency. Mr Semambo said during the Cancun Climate Conference held in Mexico in 2010, one of the issues that emerged was how to conserve tropical forests in Africa and Latin America. He said the plan was to force countries such as China and USA to reduce their Carbondioxide emission to that of 1990.He added that there is need to streamline the financing of climate change campaigns if countries burdened by the effects of global warming are to get justice."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/NicholasSengooba/Writing-on-the-wall--join-NRM-or-starve/-/1293432/2603008/-/on08im/-/index.html","content":"Writing on the wall; join NRM or starve - For yesterday’s NRM Liberation Day, I received a cheeky invite from someone who promised to secure me a ringside seat ‘near the President’. The matter would have remained a joke until the one inviting me struggled to name the function. After a few tries he settled for ‘…our founder’s day!’ January 26, to even a casual follower of NRM, should be like December 25 for a Christian. You can’t fail to name Christmas Day even when you are half dead. I was not surprised though. NRM, like many powerful organisations, has a myriad of followers who equally have varied reasons why they subscribe to the party. My friend is from a family that for years supported Milton Obote’s UPC. Every good thing Uganda achieved, he ascribed to Obote’s ‘good governance’. Many times he got carried away and would make allegations like the one that Mulago hospital was built by Obote and so all doctors in Uganda were a product of Obote’s ‘patriotism’. As for the bad things, he blamed mainly Museveni. Museveni found cooperatives and destroyed them; he destroyed schools, Uganda Airlines, Uganda Railways. He blamed the high temperatures on Museveni cutting our forests; the floods on environmental degradation by NRM, etc. Now he has replaced his red shirts plus ties with yellow ones (and dyed the obnoxious ‘toney red’ shoes, black.) What caused the transformation? Our man, a Johnny-come-lately of sorts, along the way took what is becoming a life and death decision for many. You either support, (or pretend) to support the ruling government and make sure you are perceived as a supporter or starve to death. So many have taken to wearing yellow and putting a lapel button with Museveni’s portrait on their suits, having his posters on their walls and vehicles with the ‘sole candidate’ message in bold letters. After 29 years in power, NRM has dominated almost all sectors and filled all the spaces to the level of suffocation. In fact, for most of the government contracts and jobs, academic qualifications plus experience alone do not matter. It is believed that one must go through ‘security vetting’ just to be sure of their political affiliations and allegiances before they can be considered. 1 | 2 Next Page»The happenings in the recent past that have seen a perceived challenge to Museveni from former party secretary general Amama Mbabazi leading to a purge in the ranks, has made matters worse by alienating some NRM members called ‘Mbabazi supporters’. It is a very competitive situation for the eye of NRM and Museveni. You have to fall over each other and break your back in an attempt to be recognised as a faithful servant of the party. It makes it even harder if you had on the onset opposed the party before you converted. You must struggle to erase your past and commit your future to NRM by pulling all the plugs. After all, Museveni has now boldly emphasised that he owns all the money in Uganda and he ‘has the army’. Those who have ideas of climbing the social, economic and political ladder have to take serious note of this pronouncement and its timing. Uganda’s future, if all goes Museveni’s way, will not be determined by pure democratic and legal processes. It is now designed in a way that Museveni will be the fulcrum, the cotter pin, the centre bolt, etc. One has to find a station in this set-up to ease their ascendency. You either join the NRM camp, pretend or avoid being hostile in order not to fall a victim to the machinations of this party. Neither do you want to be seen in the company of those who antagonise Museveni and his government, so you keep away from his opponents and leave them isolated. On Museveni’s recent tour of the Kigezi sub-region, Opposition MPs welcomed him, thanked him for ‘bringing development’ and asked that he (not the government) funds social services. Many hitherto outspoken Opposition supporters like Moses Nuwagaba and Eric Sakwa have found jobs as RDCs. They have been seen in the media carrying out their duties with gusto; which includes blocking Opposition rallies. From NRM’s 29th year on, and as we head towards the 2016 general election, public displays of affection (for convenience) towards NRM are going to increase. It does not matter even if the new converts have no clue about what NRM stands for and invite you to an NRM function they know little or nothing about. Mr Sengoba is a commentator on political and social issues. nicholassengoba@yahoo.comTwitter: @NICHOLASSENGOBA « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/AllanTacca/It-is-Islamic-cultural-evolution-that-will-change-Islam/-/878694/2592918/-/4px56gz/-/index.html","content":"It is Islamic cultural evolution that will change Islam - Although invented and first worshipped in the Middle East in pre-classical times, it is generally agreed that the God described in the Old Testament is the same deity referred to as God by Christians and students of post-Graeco-Roman Western civilisation. He is also the same supreme deity in Islam, which was established over six hundred years after the crucifixion of Jesus. The fluid map of faith in Abrahamic religions largely reflects the shifting patterns of military, political and imperial power when those religions were young. The subjects usually adopted the faith of the conqueror. By the standards of warfare at the time, the 7th and 8th-century advance of Arab armies under the banner of Islam was very rapid, giving them the Near Eastern provinces of Byzantium and the whole of North Africa and Spain. South-western France was under threat. These developments forced the Church in Rome to finally sever its already troubled links with the Orthodox East and to turn to Germanic rulers in the north for protection. Over three centuries of military expeditions by Western powers (the Crusades), the map of that region changed again. The more recent colonisation of sub-Saharan Africa by European powers happened when the Arabs had already been weakened by the Turk, Mongol and European invasions and control, by their own internal struggles and failure at modern state formation. To a people (the Arabs) who linked religious faith with political power even more closely than the Europeans, Christianity was on the march when Islam was at its weakest point in a thousand years.Can Islam (especially Arab Islam) return to the glory of the period under the caliphs who rose to power after the death of Mohammed? Some interpreters explain the current violence and brutality of Islamic extremists as a bold attack on Western civilisation, which they see as an embodiment and exporter of moral and spiritual decadence. The propaganda from the terrorist groups may appear to support that interpretation; but more likely, this method of war is a resort of the incapacitated would-be-warrior. In the brief deadly moment, the brainwashed “hero” floods with a colossal emotional release that masks the humiliation of a civilisation that was once very strong, overseeing the erection of magnificent mosques and mausoleums all the way from Granada and Spain to India. The explosion of every suicide bomber reverberates like a small Hiroshima. His targets are soft; but the old-styled guerrilla also goes for the sleepy soldier guarding a small outpost, although he knows where the artillery pieces guarding the big city are permanently mounted. The enemy then is not Western decay, but Western strength, especially American strength, with its awesome war technologies and cultural dominance raising the benchmark for a new high point for Islam. Yet the biggest threat to Islam is not the West, but Islam itself. The current reluctance of the West to impose solutions on the greater Muslim world has left the region free to develop new tensions (or heighten old ones) within itself. Remember, it was not other civilisations, but internal scepticism and critical thinking, advances in science and philosophy, that liberated the West from (extreme) Christian intolerance and the oppression of wildly irrational beliefs. That is why, among the more enlightened guardians of the traditions of Rome and Canterbury, the emphasis of their mission is in the direction of more social good in our world than the pursuit of an improbable heaven. As Sunnites and Shiites bite each other; as Islamic political parties and the new Islamic State give the region a taste of fascism; as the older conservative Arab states puzzle whether to liberalise (and face the wrath of the Jihadists) or match the terrible charm of the Islamic State by ratcheting up their own harshness, the West can wait, concentrating on protecting its own citizens. 1 | 2 Next Page»It may take generations; but, in time, religious scepticism in the region will gather enough momentum for a new awakening. It will not be to conquer new territories, but to conquer their fear of old untruths; the fundamental untruths that, paradoxically, were largely handed to Islam by Christianity and Judaism. Mr Tacca is a novelist, socio-political commentator altaccaone@gmail.com. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/It-is-Islamic-cultural-evolution-that-will-change-Islam/-/689844/2592632/-/gqhx46/-/index.html","content":"It is Islamic cultural evolution that will change Islam - Although invented and first worshipped in the Middle East in pre-classical times, it is generally agreed that the God described in the Old Testament is the same deity referred to as God by Christians and students of post-Graeco-Roman Western civilisation. He is also the same supreme deity in Islam, which was established over six hundred years after the crucifixion of Jesus. The fluid map of faith in Abrahamic religions largely reflects the shifting patterns of military, political and imperial power when those religions were young. The subjects usually adopted the faith of the conqueror. By the standards of warfare at the time, the 7th and 8th-century advance of Arab armies under the banner of Islam was very rapid, giving them the Near Eastern provinces of Byzantium and the whole of North Africa and Spain. South-western France was under threat. These developments forced the Church in Rome to finally sever its already troubled links with the Orthodox East and to turn to Germanic rulers in the north for protection. Over three centuries of military expeditions by Western powers (the Crusades), the map of that region changed again. The more recent colonisation of sub-Saharan Africa by European powers happened when the Arabs had already been weakened by the Turk, Mongol and European invasions and control, by their own internal struggles and failure at modern state formation. To a people (the Arabs) who linked religious faith with political power even more closely than the Europeans, Christianity was on the march when Islam was at its weakest point in a thousand years.Can Islam (especially Arab Islam) return to the glory of the period under the caliphs who rose to power after the death of Mohammed? Some interpreters explain the current violence and brutality of Islamic extremists as a bold attack on Western civilisation, which they see as an embodiment and exporter of moral and spiritual decadence. The propaganda from the terrorist groups may appear to support that interpretation; but more likely, this method of war is a resort of the incapacitated would-be-warrior. In the brief deadly moment, the brainwashed “hero” floods with a colossal emotional release that masks the humiliation of a civilisation that was once very strong, overseeing the erection of magnificent mosques and mausoleums all the way from Granada and Spain to India. The explosion of every suicide bomber reverberates like a small Hiroshima. His targets are soft; but the old-styled guerrilla also goes for the sleepy soldier guarding a small outpost, although he knows where the artillery pieces guarding the big city are permanently mounted. The enemy then is not Western decay, but Western strength, especially American strength, with its awesome war technologies and cultural dominance raising the benchmark for a new high point for Islam. Yet the biggest threat to Islam is not the West, but Islam itself. The current reluctance of the West to impose solutions on the greater Muslim world has left the region free to develop new tensions (or heighten old ones) within itself. Remember, it was not other civilisations, but internal scepticism and critical thinking, advances in science and philosophy, that liberated the West from (extreme) Christian intolerance and the oppression of wildly irrational beliefs. That is why, among the more enlightened guardians of the traditions of Rome and Canterbury, the emphasis of their mission is in the direction of more social good in our world than the pursuit of an improbable heaven. As Sunnites and Shiites bite each other; as Islamic political parties and the new Islamic State give the region a taste of fascism; as the older conservative Arab states puzzle whether to liberalise (and face the wrath of the Jihadists) or match the terrible charm of the Islamic State by ratcheting up their own harshness, the West can wait, concentrating on protecting its own citizens. 1 | 2 Next Page»It may take generations; but, in time, religious scepticism in the region will gather enough momentum for a new awakening. It will not be to conquer new territories, but to conquer their fear of old untruths; the fundamental untruths that, paradoxically, were largely handed to Islam by Christianity and Judaism. Mr Tacca is a novelist, socio-political commentator altaccaone@gmail.com. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Locals-to-protest-as-Museveni-visits/-/688334/2588266/-/qm5flqz/-/index.html","content":"Locals to protest as Museveni visits - Kabale. Residents and leaders in Kabale Municipality have written to the police notifying them of their intended demonstration over the poor state of a road section in the town should President Museveni confirm his visit to the area tomorrow.The January 10 letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, copied to the Prime Minister, Minister for Presidency, among other officials, was received by the police registry on Monday. The letter is signed by the municipal speaker, Mr Richard Muhanguzi, among other councillors.“…The purpose of this communication is to notify your office as the law on public management compels us to do that on January 15, residents of Kabale Town together with their local leaders shall have a peaceful demonstration as provided by the Constitution,” the letter reads in part. “This is to compel government to explain why the road works on this section in the middle of Kabale Town on Kabale-Kisoro highway has become a menace to road users as it is full of potholes and regularly floods every after heavy downpour,” the letter adds. The road section was built during the Obote I regime and has never had any major rehabilitation since then.Mr Muhanguzi said the council passed a resolution of a peaceful demonstration on December 17, last year because of recurring promises of government to have the road section reconstructed.The Resident District Commissioner, Mr Darius Nandinda, on Tuesday warned that anybody planning to demonstrate on the day when President Museveni is visiting the district would be arrested and charged with intentions of harming him. To launch worksThe RDC, Mr Darius Nandinda, also said Mr Museveni was visiting the district to launch the construction of the road. “There is no cause for demonstrations because launching the construction of this road section is one of the reasons why President Museveni is visiting this place,” he said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/A-desperate-struggle-to-manage-floods/-/691232/2581526/-/66n4v0/-/index.html","content":"A desperate struggle to manage floods - It is 6am. The calendar on the wall reads September 24, 2014. Water quality specialist Jackson Kitamirike awakes in his hotel room on the second floor and takes a stride to the window. He looks down. The ground is wet, typical of this western Uganda town of Fort Portal. Kitamirike has today got to collect water samples from several rivers and streams for routine tests. Besides, just next door, there is a journalist he has to lead into a story – a story of a nation’s struggle to manage water. That story is here in the northern part of the Albertine Rift valley where the Rwenzori Mountains, also known as Mountains of the Moon, stretch their arms. In May last year, floods killed and displaced several people in Bundibugyo, Kasese and Ntoroko districts, just as had happened the previous year and the year before that. Roads, bridges, buildings and farms were destroyed. Those incidents made news. But there is a bigger story unfolding before our eyes. A neat tarmac road meanders into and through slightly misty hills to the west of Fort Portal. It curves in some parts to expose deep gullies and green vegetation below it. Here and there, men emerge from uphill with sacks of charcoal hanging by straps from head to back. They walk sideways, one step up and two steps down, to negotiate the steep slopes. This road is their market place where they sell to travellers. A turn to the right, in less an hour’s drive, takes Kitamirike straight into Kiringa wetland, in Ntoroko District. Here, by the River Semliki, he stands still for a few minutes observing the water flow and things around him – the grass, the cows, the people, and an army of red ants marching near his left foot. “Across the river is the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The vegetation there is intact,” says Kitamirike, gesturing with his right hand. “Now look where I am standing. This is Uganda, highly degraded. Overstocking has contributed to what we are seeing here.” A small tribe, the Batuku, inhabits this area. In this swamp they graze their cattle and from the Semliki their animals have drunk water for generations. The Batuku and their animals have been increasing in number but their territory has not expanded. This partially explains the massive pressure on the river bank. The Semliki looks calm at the moment but it is sly. Beneath its surface are soil particles and other sediments it has carried from as far as Lake Edward on its 140km journey to Lake Albert. Some are from the Rwenzori Mountains, carried down by the rivers Mubuku and Nyamwamba, through Lake George, the Kazinga Channel, Lake Edward and eventually into the Semliki. It deposits them in Lake Albert where they are contributing to the siltation of its southern part. “There is evidence from the 1960 topographic maps, spot image of 1980 and Landsat TM image of 2000 that the delta on the southern shoreline of Lake Albert is expanding into the lake due to siltation from River Semliki. From 1960 to 1980 it expanded 3.5km and from 1980 to 2000 it expanded 2km,” states the Uganda Atlas of Our Changing Environment published by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in 2009. The Mubuku and Nyamwamba have previously been bursting their banks and flooding parts of the Albert catchment. But with extensive and continuous environmental degradation of mountain slopes and in the valleys, driven by the felling of trees for timber and charcoal, clearing of land for cultivation, mining of sand for construction, and encroachment on river banks for crop and animal production, the speed at which these rivers are sweeping things away, both living and nonliving, and becoming polluted with dangerous metals and chemicals, is increasing. At Kilembe mines in Kasese district for example, the Nyamwamba is washing stockpiles of copper into the Mubuku valley and Lake George, releasing the metal into the food chain. In humans excessive exposure to copper is linked with liver damage and kidney disease, among other effects. A concrete mark at the riverside indicates that when the copper waste was dumped there over three decades ago, it was not anticipated that Nyamwamba would ever rise to the level of the stockpiles. Gradually, as the Semliki finds an easy path through Uganda’s degraded soil, it is slicing off parts of Uganda and adding territory to the DRC with the potential to cause future territorial conflicts between the two countries. Over 10 metres wide of the river bank on Uganda’s territory is eroded annually at various points of the Semliki, according to the Uganda Atlas of Our Changing Environment. Moving to correct the wrongsIn 1992, after the Rio Earth Summit and reflecting the new emphasis of Agenda 21, Uganda started to implement a concept called Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Status-of-soils--An-ignored-but-important-resource-in-food/-/689860/2580178/-/m8nepp/-/index.html","content":"Status of soils: An often ignored but important resource in food security - Last year highlighted the importance of family farming in food production and security. In 2015 the focus is on soils, an often ignored but very crucial aspect in agricultural activities.Soils or land is vital in efforts towards achieving food security because without it, soil or land, no food can be grown.It is noteworthy that indeed soil is the required support to most of the food produced in the world. However, soils are a finite natural resource and are non-renewable.But they are the foundation for food, animal feed, fuel, natural fibre, water supply, nutrient cycling and a range of ecosystem functions. Multiple rolesIt is in the same vein, that the International Year of Soils was officially launched on December 5, 2014. The fifth day of December was also designated by the United Nations as World Soil Day. And last year, it was the first time, it was being observed as such by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).In connecting the 2014 and 2015 themes, family farming and soils, as they transition into each other, Jose Graziano da Silva, director general, FAO, said: “Soils, a foundation for family farming. We must preserve them to achieve our food security and nutrition goals and to fight climate change and to ensure overall sustainable development.” He also pointed out that soils, though vital, are often forgotten and the multiple roles of soils often go unnoticed.“The synergies are evident. Family farmers depend on healthy soils as much as soils depend on them. And food production practices rely on both for sustainability,” adds Dr Onesmus Semalulu, a soil scientist at National Agricultural Research Organisation.“We need healthy soils to achieve our food security and nutrition goals but we must fight climate change to ensure sustainable development.” Raise awarenessThe International Year of Soils is expected to raise awareness and promote the sustainability of the availabale limited soil resources.With a goal to have all stakeholders on local, national and international level have a valuable role in communicating vital information, practices and activities on soils. “Our soils are in danger. Look at the expanding cities, deforestation, the unsustainable land use and management practices, overgrazing and climate change,” notes Dr Victoria Sekitoleko, a former agriculture minister. “The current rate of soil degradation threatens the capacity to meet the needs of future generations.”The point on degraded, depleted or undernourished soils is particularly highlighted by The Montpellier Panel in their 2014 report. The Montpellier Panel is a group of African and European experts drawn from the fields of agriculture, trade, ecology and global development.The problem of degradation is no worse than in Sub-Saharan Africa. With 65 per cent of arable land degraded and 180 million people relying depleted soils to grow food, attention to the issue is urgently required.Dr Sekitoleko argues that the government, civil society and other stakeholders should work together to raise awareness on the importance of sustainable soil management.Alhaji M. Jallow, country representative FAO Uganda, agrees, “We need increased awareness among the population about the life-supporting functions of soil if this trend is to be overturned.” Manage soilsIt is estimated that in sub-Saharan Africa, $68b is lost every year due to soil degradation.In an article, Soil isn’t sexy – but it could explain hunger in Africa, published in The Guardian newspaper, Sir Gordon Conway, chair of The Montpellier Panel writes: “Land degradation not only reduces soil fertility and lowers crop yields, but can lead to higher carbon emissions that contribute to climate change due to improper farming practices.” Farmers should, therefore, sustainably manage soils through diversifying crops, mulching, fighting soil erosion, and planting more trees among other methods. Healthy soils are a vital resource We are coming together to, finally, recognise and advance the cause of a vital, yet often forgotten resource: soils.A year ago, the United Nations General Assembly designated December 5 as World Soil Day and declared 2015 as the International Year of Soils. I would like to express my gratitude to the member states of FAO and the United Nations. We speak a lot of the importance of sustainable food systems for healthy lives. Well, it starts with soils. Soils constitute the foundation of vegetation and agriculture. Forests need it to grow. We need it for food, feed, fibre, fuel and much more. Soils also host at least one quarter of the world’s biodiversity. They are key in the carbon cycle. They help us to mitigate and adapt to climate change. They play a role in water management and in improving resilience to floods and droughts. No simple fixAll this should illustrate the importance of soils. And why we should take better care of them. Generally speaking, we are not doing such a great job: one-third of our soils have already degraded. If the current trend continues, the global amount of arable and productive land per person in 2050 will be a quarter of what it was in 1960. The world will have over nine billion people in 2050, two billion more than today. And food production will have to grow by 60 per cent to feed a larger population that will also be eating better.So the there is no doubt the pressure on natural resources is bound to increase. And soils are not something we can simply fix if it breaks: it can take up to one thousand years to form one centimetre of topsoil. That same topsoil can be quickly washed away by erosion. ContinuityI always remember my first soils class in university. The professor said that soils were made up of about one-third water, one-third minerals and one-third organic materials. He took these three elements, mixed it in a pan. He showed it to us and said that that was not soil: soil is a living organism.Considering this, we must manage soils sustainably. There are many ways to do this. Crop diversification that is used by most of the world’s family farmers is one of them. Let me take this opportunity to say that the International Year of Family Farming might be ending, but our work to support family farmers more and better is just beginning.The International Year of Soils will give continuity to our work to support family farmers because this sector is very important to the sustainable use and preservation of soils. Active roleThe multiple roles of soils often go unnoticed. Soils do not have a voice, and few people speak out for them. They are our silent allies in food production. We are highlighting them and ensuring they are recognised by celebrating World Soil Day and the International Year of Soils.The launch of the Global Soil Partnership in late 2012 is also part of this effort. It is improving coordination among different existing initiatives and triggering action at various levels.We now have adequate platforms to raise awareness on the importance of healthy soils and to advocate for sustainable soil management. Let us use them. I invite all of you to take an active role in promoting the cause of soils during 2015 and beyond.We need healthy soils to achieve our food security and nutrition goals, to fight climate change and to ensure overall sustainable development. You can count on FAO’s commitment and active participation in this effort. -This is an edited version of a statement by José Graziano da Silva, FAO Director-General on the first World Soil Day and launch of 2015 as International Year of Soils. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Mukwano-offers-aid-to-war-torn-South-Sudan/-/688334/2574562/-/afkaujz/-/index.html","content":"Mukwano offers aid to war-torn South Sudan - Kampala- Mukwano Group of Companies has contributed 250 jerry cans of cooking oil as part of the relief items that will be delivered to the government of South Sudan early next year. The move is in response to calls by Afri-Aid, a relief aid organisation, that seeks to support the nation plagued by conflict since December 2013. While handing over the items to Afri-Aid at Mukwano industries head office in Kampala on Tuesday, Mr Alykhan Karmali, the company managing director, said the people of South Sudan have been Uganda’s good business partners and need to be supported during the tough times. JustificationPastor Robert Kayanja, the chairman of the aid organisation, challenged members of the business community to contribute to the plight of war victims in the world’s youngest nation. “We have decided to give them cooking oil because they will be receiving other foodstuffs and they also need to eat good tasty food,” Mr Karmali said. Pastor Kayanja said Ugandans have an obligation to support the war-ravaged nation since they are our neighbours with whom we have economic ties. “South Sudan is like a young baby that has been left to cross a busy road by itself. The people there, having nothing to eat, are eating leaves, and that’s why we will not stop at supporting them but also other nations that will experience similar challenges,” Pastor Kayanja said. He lauded Mukwano industries for partnering with them and urged other well-wishers to emulate them. “These people do not even expect to harvest any food because their crops have been destroyed by floods,” he added. Afri-Aid was started by Pastor Robert Kayanja and Gen Salim Saleh, among other businessmen, to help people in vulnerable situations like those in South Sudan. The first truck with food items was recently flagged off to South Sudan by President Museveni. editorial@ug.nationmdia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/When-Rwenzori-became-conflict-hotspot/-/688334/2572524/-/12qkh8wz/-/index.html","content":"When Rwenzori became conflict hotspot - Rwenzori- The year 2014 has turned out to be the busiest year that recorded the most historic events in the Rwenzori sub-region in this decade.The sub-region is comprised of Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa, Kamwenge, Kasese, Ntoroko and Bundibugyo districts. It is endowed with rich culture where cultural institutions like Tooro Kingdom, Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu, Obudhingiya Bwa Bwamba (latest), Busongora Cultural Heritage and the Banyabindi Kingdom. The area is also endowed with rich mineral and tourist attractions such as Kilembe mines, salty Lake Katwe, several lakes and rivers, tea plantations, the snowcapped mount Rwenzori and several national parks.This year had a mixed bag of happenings and issues ranging from armed attacks, tribal clashes, floods and a new kingdom. Jilted lover kills 10The rucks began early on in the year. On April 11, a UPDF soldier shot dead 10 people over a woman in a bar brawl at Karugutu Trading Centre in Ntoroko District. Pte Chris Amanyire, attached to Rhino Battalion at Kanyansi Barracks, also shot himself dead. Those he killed included five soldiers and 25 others were injured. Floods displace thousandsAs the dust was settling on the crime of passion, floods returned to the region on May 8, subsiding after more than 15 lives were lost. Properties worth millions of shillings were destroyed and more than 2,000 people were displaced by the gushing waters descending Mountain Rwenzori, carrying along boulders. Church attackThe region continued to swing from bad to worse. On June 26, about 15 unknown gunmen attacked overnight worshippers in Kyegegwa District. The attackers beheaded a worshiper at the all-night prayer session and planted her head on the altar. In an offensive and hateful manner, the attackers also burnt the church, and killed Assistant Inspector of Police Grace Mwine in the ensuing fight. The then UPDF spokesman for the Rwenzori region, Lt Ninsiima Rwemijuma, claimed long-running hostility between the Muslims and Christians in Kyegegwa. On July 5, the Banyabindi community in Kasese District held a memorial function at Muhokya Sub-county headquarters to commemorate the life of their comrades who perished during the Rwenzururu struggle 50 years ago. The bloody tribal clashesBut hardly had they crowned the day news filtered in of the simultaneous tribal attacks in Kasese, Ntoroko and Bundibugyo districts. When the joint force of the army and police restored normalcy, more than 90 people had been killed and several others injured. Kingdom officials arrestedAs security searched for answers, on July 7, operatives arrested Rwenzururu Kingdom officials who were accused of masterminding the attacks. They included the prime minister, Mr Noah Nzaghale and his deputies; Yeremia Mutoro. On July 8, the army general court martial started trying suspects of the July 5 attacks. It was trying 126 in Bundibugyo and 54 in Kasese on different days. On September 22, a former radio presenter on Arua-based Fm, Mr Manisulu Hamis was killed at Mariana Club, Lodge, Restaurant and Bar and his body has never been recovered to date. Uganda’s first Marburg caseOn September 28, Uganda had the first case of Marburg, which the Health ministry confirmed was of Ibrahim Bwambale, a radiographer who was working with Mengo hospital, and died at the same facility. He was buried at his ancestral home in Kitsutsu village, Munkunyu Sub-county in Kasese District. Later, panic gripped the district for about a month as investigations of more cases continued. On October 12, the Bamba cultural leader, Lt Col Martin Ayongi Kamya, and King Charles Wesley Mumbere of Rwenzururu reconciled and resolved to end the cultural differences among their subjects. The historical meeting was held in Mubende Town. 1 | 2 Next Page»On October 19, the Rwenzururu Kingdom held the 48th Coronation Anniversary, where the occasion was graced by Vice President Edward Ssekandi. The Bamba cultural leader (Omudhingiya), Lt Col Martin Ayongi Kamya also attended as a sign of reconciliation. On October 25, an elephant was burnt after it strayed into Karambi, Bwera sub-counties and Mpondwe –Lhubiriha town council. The 25-year old male mammal was found dead in Mirami village in Karambi Sub-county. It died due to fatigue, stress and hunger. UWA burnt the carcass to prevent locals from eating it. More floods in NtorokoOn November 1, floods wreaked havoc in Ntoroko District, displacing more than 5,000 people after rivers Lamia and Semuliki burst their banks. The floods also disorganised at least 474 Primary Seven candidates who were forced to write their Primary Leaving Examinations in makeshift tents after floods submerged most areas and made access to schools difficult. On November 3, Primary Leaving Exams started around the country, however, in Kasese it was written by several breast feeding mothers and pregnant girls as cases of early marriages are high in the district. On November 12, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) confirmed that they were holding Dr Kizza Besigye’s aide Mr Sam Mugumya. This was after one week of Mr Mugumya’s disappearance. This was revealed by Brig Muhindo Akili, the commander of the North Kivu Province in DRC, during a press briefing at Kasindi on the DRC side of the border. On November 13, Church of Uganda Archbishop Stanley Ntagali visited South Rwenzori Diocese and was hosted to a dinner by Kasese Woman MP Winfred Kiiza and Bukonzo East MP Yokasi Bihande. More than 100 suspects set free On December 8, the Army General Court Martial sitting in Bundibugyo Town set free 126 people accused of participating in the July 5 attacks in Bundibugyo. GLIMMER OF HOPE RUINED BY POLITICS Then came a glimmer of hope. In the same month, Tooro King Oyo Kabamba Iguru was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Vietnam Buddhist University in Hanoi Vietnam. King Oyo was accordingly recognised for his exemplary service to humanity. Perhaps buoyed by the achievement by their king, more than 100 Tooro subjects walked to Parliament a week later, demanding government returns the kingdom assets aka ‘ebyeitu.’ The group of mainly youth had spent four days walking to Parliament from Fort Portal Town to present a petition to the Speaker of Parliament, demanding for the return of the kingdom’s assets held by the central government. As the Batooro were sizing up with government, something was brewing in the neighbourhood. On May 30, President Museveni presided over the crowning of Lt Col Martin Kamya as Omudhingiya wa Bwamba in Bundibugyo. On July 14, the King of Tooro started fasting for a week, protesting what he saw as President Museveni’s decision to create more kingdoms within the greater Tooro monarchy. He fasted also for the return of ‘ebyaitu’ or kingdom properties. The chiefdoms complained of then were the Rwenzururu which constituted Busongora and Bukonjo counties in the old Tooro Kingdom and Bwamba County, which now have independent cultural leaders. The king who was at his palace Karuzika in Fort Portal was joined by the royal family and the subjects in a solidarity move. However, President Museveni down played the fasting issue and said King Oyo would be healthy if he fasted, a statement that triggered demonstrations in Fort Portal Town from Amacumu n’ebitara by’Omukama (Youth of the King of Tooro). editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/CharlesOnyangoObbo/What-do-Kalinaki-s-book--Kalyegira-s-photo-page-have-/-/878504/2566984/-/eb9bkf/-/index.html","content":"What do Kalinaki’s book, Kalyegira’s photo page have in common? - So as the curtains come down on 2014, it would seem it was just another typical year – corruption, dirty politics, maddening traffic jams, floods, a failed health system, brutal police beating down Opposition demonstrators, the usual.But we need to step back, because when you get too focused on studying the rooms, there is no way you will see the building.In late July came news that a genetically modified banana enriched with vitamin A that could dramatically reduce infant mortality and blindness in children in Africa was to undergo its first human trials in the USA.The banana was developed by scientists at the Queensland University of Technology, in Australia.The results of the trials should be about now, and there are plans to have the bananas growing in Uganda by 2020.There is an interesting footnote to this new-age banana story:Five Ugandan PhD students have been working with project leader Prof James Dale on the nine-year project.And that is our subject for today. In 2014, I saw the first sure movement away from the shouting and talking, to more dispassionate scholarship, research, documentation, and tinkering in Uganda. Perhaps the most public element in this story was the Kiira EV SMACK electric vehicle. However, one hopes that soon the Kiira Motors Corporation will pick up on the fact that the race for electric and hybrid cars is not over the cars themselves, but the battery – and focus on that. But, at least, they are in the game. More importantly, the year is ending with the publication of former Daily Monitor editor (now an editor at parent company Nation Media Group in Nairobi) Daniel Kalinaki’s book Kizza Besigye and Uganda’s Unfinished Revolution. I was glad to hear from the publishing grapevine that it is the fastest-selling book by a Ugandan of recent years in the bookshops.Kalinaki is a guinea pig, because how his book plays out could revolutionise publishing in Uganda. First, he is self-publishing. Secondly, it is the first big book on a major political story by a journalist who is not an active participant in the events but a chronicler. But perhaps the best proof of this drift in the year came most from a most controversial figure – Timothy Kalyegira.When I was editor at the Daily Monitor, I worked with Tim on his first major project, “The Uganda Almanac”. Tim was ahead of his time, because the mindset behind “The Uganda Almanac” is what years later when the Internet came of age produced platforms like “Wikipedia”.But Tim, driven as he is, is also a handful to deal with—and a man with perhaps too strongly held views. It was, therefore, heartening to see him returning to the spirit of the engaged but also detached documenter of the “Uganda Almanac” with his photo page “Kampala Express” on Facebook. It could turn out to be something very interesting in the years ahead. You could count in this class comedienne Anne Kansiime, Uganda’s putative filmmakers, and video creators like Eddy Kenzo. Also, the interesting developments in the technology space – I am intrigued that Kamwokya is informally turning into Uganda’s “Silicon Valley”.All these together are what Uganda has been lacking; folks who look at the drama of the society and its politics and innovate solutions to them, document and organise its images, sounds, and the cracking skulls and immortalise and make sense of them for the world without jumping into the fray with the warriors.Finally, it is beginning to come together in an autonomous creative movement. In that sense, it has been a great year.Mr Obbo is editor of Mail & Guardian Africa. Twitter:@cobbo3"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Wishing-you-all-a-Merry-Christmas--Happy-New-Year/-/689844/2564364/-/n9mqm5z/-/index.html","content":"Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year - Enjoy Christmas and be happy this time round because I believe that the events of the next two years are certainly unpredictable and may even turn out to be politically volatile and unpleasant for millions of people. Looming large and dangerously over the coming several years are symptoms of unrest and dissatisfaction caused by corruption, incompetence, abuse of office, political conflicts, frustrations, denials of basic human rights, fundamental freedoms and gross mismanagement of public affairs. These occurrences will not be local or regional but national and international. A glance at world affairs today reveals the phenomena of the Middle and Far East, Europe versus the United Kingdom, the economic corrupt and poor performance of the governments of Africa, the human tragedies in Nigeria, Egypt, Israel and Palestine. It also reveals the ignominious activities of the fanatics and the unprincipled of the world, the natural catastrophes of natural disasters, floods, earthquakes and disease. Today we live in a troubled world with political, economic and social crises generated by the utterances, acts and behaviour of tiny and insignificant minorities who are full of hate and fanaticism capable of causing maximum interruption and misery to most countries in the world. In many parts of the world, it is religion which dominates the direction, the thinking and spiritual wellbeing of most peoples’ decisions, acts and behaviour. It is religion that guides men and women to do good or evil. If anyone has doubts about this truism, one needs to study the makeup of the groups which fanatically oppose or support any side in any political or military confrontations. In any given confrontational situation, each side and every antagonist has his or her own religious or spiritual gurus praying to God, Allah, Jehovah or the gods that their side wins and their opponents go to hell. In the Second World War, an individual was asked why he was not a religious person. His answer was quite simple. He remarked that if Christians believe in the one God of the just, how was it that both Germany and its allies and Britain and hers were all supported by Christian priests and clergy, all praying to one God that their side should win the war and destroy the evil armies of the other. Could it have been the same loving merciful and compassionate God that let millions of British, Germans and their respective allies perish in the battles of Europe and elsewhere, and then eventually let the British-led forces win against the Germans and their allies? Nevertheless, this columnist is a Christian and has his own religious beliefs. Religion is purely a matter of belief and where one believes, there is no need to explain and when one does not believe no explanation is possible. In the political dispute between President Museveni and Mr Amama Mbabazi and their respective fanatical supporters respectively, and the bishops, clergy, Canons and what are commonly called the saved ones or Balokole, they have all been praying to God that one wins and the other goes to jail. Nevertheless, they all go to church service at every opportunity, pray and give gifts to the same God in the presence of fellow Christians who cannot bear the presence of one another outside the holy place of worship. It would not be wrong if we Christians sympathised with non-believers in doubting our sincerity and beliefs as Christians. There can be no doubt that all religious wars and conflicts are anti-God and damnable. Consequently, the Christmas ceremonies and festivities of 2014 are of greater importance than a mere remembrance of the birth of one of the greatest founders of religion of the world. It will be a time to reflect on one’s life in relation to God and own beliefs in political, economic, social affairs and interactions. On this particular Christmas, forget for a day or two the differences and woes of politics and mis-governance. Concentrate on the welfare, happiness and joy of family, self and friends. Perhaps you could spare a minute or two amid your happy moments to read a paragraph or two from my latest publication, the “Blessings and Joy of Being Who you are”. Once again, have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! Prof Kanyeihamba is a retired Supreme Court judge. gwkany@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/Uganda-has-one-of-the-smallest-churches-globally/-/689856/2564390/-/7g3mc1/-/index.html","content":"Uganda has one of the smallest churches globally - Did you know that Uganda has one of the smallest churches in the world? This church is found in Nebbi district in the north west of Uganda. This church is located on Biku hill about 18km drive from the town of Nebbi in the North West of Uganda. This church stands at a width of about 2.5m and a height of 8ft. The tiny worshipping place accommodates three people including the priest.Its history dates back to 1996 when a Korean national Pastor Song in conjunction with the retired Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Henry Luke Orombi established this amazing structure that has in turn picked the interest of many tourists. Around this church are nine prayer points whihc allow people to pray, praise and meditate on the word of God. The first prayer point is on top of the hill and is formed of a big cross. The second point is a Lilliputian building crafted in commemoration of Jesus Christ with 12 windows in the western and eastern sides demonstrating the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ and its where pilgrims pray for the neighboring countries of Congo, Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya for spiritual peace and revival. This point offers the impressive panoramic views of Namrwodho Falls which is a habitat to the rare Shoebill stork that is always on the lists of travellers. The point three is crafted in the map of Africa with two entrances. It features 10 windows symbolizing the Ten Commandments. The point is dedicated for praying for the all African states especially Islamic countries. The points 4, 5 and 6 are positioned with in a spacious calm garden with point four crafted like a heart demonstrating Christ’s love with a cross made of 33 stones signifying the 33 years of Christ Jesus.The point five is in the shape of arrow head signifying the youth speed while prayer point five contains 66 windows that demonstrate 66 books of the bible with 39 windows at the back signifying the books of Old Testament and 27 windows signifying the New Testament. The point has three doors crafted like a standing man demonstrating those who are well equipped with God’s word. The six prayer point is crafted in an alter shape which is a living testimony that church is a living offering to Christ’s mission while the rough stones on the cross justify that Christians are living stones.The point seven is a round structure like the shape of the globe and is located at the back of a towering rock with an open ended cave at its base of which one is obliged to crawl from end to another to have a glimpse of Christ’s suffering where a tourist find this five minute crawl through the cave’s darkness terrifying with a thought that the cave might collapse and bury him/her underneath. At the point eight there comes the world’s smallest church – the Bethel church with 12 windows at its entrance demonstrating the 12 stones on Aaron’s breast plate i.e. the 12 tribes of all the saints. The ceiling contain seven beams demonstrating the seven rainbow colors which demonstrates God’s covenant never to destroy the world with floods again, the eastern window offers sights of cross positioned on the highest peak at point two a view that gives the Christians an opportunity to always look up to Jesus. The midpoint is meant for spiritual healing for persons and church groups where by people who visit the site encounter God in a special way, have vision for their future and become bold soldiers for the gospel. What is amazing about this structure is that regardless of its size, it consumed 79 cement bags and was constructed with intention of lasting at minimum 500 years before the weakening of the foundation. What people say about this amazing church?Bob Wanok, a bus tout at Arua Park in Kampala says he has always heard people saying the church was constructed by a Chinese national with a hidden intention. When asked what the intent could be, Wanok hesitates saying he fears to annoy the staunch believers. “I am 23 years old. I first heard about that church when I was in Primary Five in 2005. I was enticed to go and visit the place. I went there with my friends in 2010. I was amazed by the style it was constructed but I did not see the miracles people say happen when you are there,” Wanok said. Alice Apio, 19, whom I found sitting on her luggage at Arua Park said she has visited the church more than five times. “I am a resident of Nebbi town. I heard about that church in 2000. In 2003, I went there with my sister to pray because she had constant stomachache. We spent there two days and she got healed.” Bernard Oryem says he was born in Nebbi district but he has never bothered to visit the church. However, he says he has always heard people saying there is healing power on that hill. “I cannot deny or confirm whether there is a spiritual power because I have never worshipped from there,” he remarks."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/Sacrificing-for-tomorrow/-/689842/2553988/-/rg0jprz/-/index.html","content":"Sacrificing for tomorrow - The announcement finally came informing us, in the politest way possible, that the children’s school fees would be hiked, effective next term. Not a complete surprise given the way matters have been running in the economy although that doesn’t make it any more pleasant. December is an interesting month. I love the way life starts to wind down as many depart from the city to near and far destinations. I’m amused at the holiday makers from the secondary schools walking the streets donning bright coloured clothes and looking like flowers in the city. I love the jam less drives in the morning as many are not keen on waking early to ferry school goers. I love and get amused by the ‘summers’ working abroad who come home for the holidays complete with fake accents and big hair pieces. It’s entertaining to hear them complain about the dust, the floods and bad roads like they have never lived in Uganda before. December is a month of spending, spending and more spending. I have never come to terms with the way people visit the supermarket and load trolley after trolley like the world is coming to an end. In December, people let go of their hard earned money with such ease you would imagine we don’t toil for it. December is funny because most people get paid early and most of this money is spent successfully by December 31. December makes January a dreadful month which just never seems to end. And yet in January, like in my case, school fees will be due. If you still have the honour/horror of a landlord or landlady. He or she will be looking for rent for the first quarter of the year. Many years ago, I learnt that December can make the celebrated New Year a total and complete nightmare. Entering the New Year indebted is not the best way of letting go of one year and welcoming another. So, I started asking myself then and I still ask myself; must I ruin my tomorrow by being careless with today? Some folks argue that life is short and, therefore, we should live and celebrate life. Absolutely true, we have only one life and we need to live it to the fullest. Living life, however, isn’t about being foolish and short sightedness. Tomorrow will surely come if not for us for the people that love and depend on us. This December I’m going to learn from the previous Decembers. I’m going to pay attention and make sure I plan and budget for all my spending. I will remember the polite letter from the principal at the school about higher school fees. I will remind myself that money once spent is actually gone and the decision is irreversible. I will remind myself that January, which some describe as the 40-day month, is real and it doesn’t have to be stressful simply because I spent money in December like I have been commissioned to do so.jmabola@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/It-is-about-time-we-embraced-urban-farming/-/689860/2542468/-/oyfv51z/-/index.html","content":"It is about time we embraced urban farming - Urban farming, which is the practice of agriculture production in urban areas, is characterised by two main activities; growing crops and rearing animals. It tends to take on two forms. These are intra-urban (on plot or off plot) and peri-urban (fringe). Off plot cultivation usually takes place in open spaces like along railway lines, undeveloped plots, and road sides. It has been viewed by some as a survival strategy for the urban poor and to others as a rural cultural artefact of a recently urbanised population. While it may have taken root in Kampala during the 1970s as an adaptive survival strategy due to the harsh economic times, it is fast becoming a permanent feature of the city’s landscape. What the law saysIn many backyards, one will find chicken, rabbits, goats, cattle, turkeys among others being reared while many idle plots are being used to grow non-perennial crops like cabbage, beans, yams and sweet potatoes. The Kampala City Urban Agriculture Ordinance makes it clear that one is not allowed to carry out agricultural activities in road reserves, wetlands, green belts, parks, places with poisonous chemicals as well as places less than 10ft (3m) away from an open drainage. However, its the norm all over the city today. Urban agriculture in Kampala may have started out on grounds of supplementing family food sources but over time, it has gone commercial with many city dwellers actually using it to supplement their incomes. As the global population races towards 9.5 billion by 2050, the majority of that growth is expected to take place in urban areas of developing countries. Supplement incomeOf these, Sub-Saharan Africa shall constitute a great portion according to UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). This is likely to put more pressure on food sources and agricultural production. That aside however, as a family unit, there are a lot of likely benefits for one to engage in urban farming. You might be privileged enough to be living on a plot of land with a compound (however small). Most people are likely to beautify it with flowers and even spend money maintaining them. While not a bad idea, it is good to know that you could supplement your family diet using that little arable space. As a country, Uganda is gifted by nature, our soils hardly need fertiliser to yield food. Some of the crops that one can plant in the compound are sugarcanes, greens (like Amaranthus – Ddodo), cabbages, carrots, onions, ginger, tomatoes, to mention but a few. Saving spaceKampala Capital City Authority has a demonstration farm in Kyanja (off Gayaza road). A visit to the place is so revealing when it comes to ideas of optimum usage of one’s compound space for farming. From planting in pots on vertical wooden frames, using suspended recycled fruit juice bottles to using sacks (usually meant for carrying produce) filled with soil and punctured in the sides. It is such an experience even to someone with farming experience. One can see creeping plants like the pumpkin being made to grow vertically thereby saving on ground space, strawberries that cost a decent sum in our supermarkets are on show and growing very well. There is also a smell-free pig unit and a chicken section, which is being set up. Right directionUrban farming is a whole different ball game when compared with the common rural/extensive farming practices that we have been largely exposed to.A global study on urban agriculture revealed that with less than 25 per cent of the urban space, Uganda can meet all her vegetable needs for the city or town dwellers. There is definitely a potentially good future for urban farming in Uganda and Africa at large if the urban planning authorities, in consonant with the communities, can provide better planning that embraces it. In 2005, KCCA took a step in the right direction by legalising urban agriculture and hence throwing the ball in our court as city dwellers. 1 | 2 Next Page»why urban farming?• The rapidly growing population and changing patterns of consumption especially in urban areas justify urban farming as a means of reducing the potential food deficit. Twenty years ago in Uganda, eating fruits was a “by the way”. Today, fruits are a much-sought-after item as a means of supplementing diets and maintaining good health. One can hardly believe that the mangoes that would be plucked for free in times gone by are now a cash cow.• It can be a source of household food security especially for the urban poor who do not have the money to achieve the same in the market place. In a number of slum suburbs, it is common to find gardens of yams, sweet potatoes, greens and the like grown often in the swampy sections.• It has the potential to offer nutritional diversification for urban residents, poor or rich. Imagine a home that has an avocado and mango tree, chicken, a patch of amaranthus (ddodo) and garden eggs (entula). The opportunity to feed on any of these at your convenience and in an affordable manner is one that deserves relishing.• Increases the disposable income among urban dwellers. Using the chicken rearing business as an example, many homes have been able to raise enough money to meet needs like school fees, rent, utility payments, among others.This extra income tends to supplement the usually meagre job earnings or even helps those in a transition phase from school to job hunting or in-between jobs. KCCA has been promoting this a lot lately.• It can make a contribution towards employment. Many youths lately who have access to some backyard space at their parents’ homes are rearing chicken, growing cabbages, pineapples and eventually selling the products. These are bonafide jobs and help address the unemployment challenge that we are faced with. The prolification of supermarkets and grocery shops has helped offer outlets for the sale of these products.• Price stabilisation. Growth in urban farming can help stabilise the prices of products on the market. There are always cases where products are out of season or floods cut off key production areas thereby causing a rapid spike in the prices of specific food products. The prevalence of urban farming should be able to mitigate this effect to a certain extent. In Kampala, most of the eggs are actually produced within the city and its environs, this has had a stabilising effect on the price of eggs that were primarily coming from the then inaccessible rural areas. The writer is an agro-entrepreneur and ICT Consultant. Twitter: @wirejames « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/5-000-stranded-as-floods-cut-off-border/-/688334/2539554/-/xpmrtn/-/index.html","content":"5,000 stranded as floods cut off border - AMURU- Businesses have been paralysed at Elegu border point in Amuru District after River Unyama burst its banks and cut off the road, leaving more than 5,000 travellers, traders and residents stranded. Elegu is at the Uganda border with South Sudan. By Thursday, several trucks loaded with merchandise, buses and cars were still stuck at the border and were unable to cross the flooded road. Mr Wilson Musa, a bus driver for Kampala Coach, told Sunday Monitor on Thursday they had been stuck since Wednesday. “We are still waiting for the water levels to reduce. My passengers are already complaining of hunger because people have closed down their businesses at the moment,” he said. The chairperson of Elegu business community, Mr Okot Lacanobilo, said the situation was pathetic and called on the Ministry for Disaster Preparedness to intervene. The Atiak Sub-county chairperson, Mr John Bosco Ocan, said sanitation in the area had deteriorated. “We are calling for the district health team to intervene. We fear an outbreak of cholera as some people’s toilets have been washed away,” he said. The Aswa Regional Police spokesperson, Jimmy Patrick Okema, said they had already deployed on the ground to help the locals deal with the emergency. Mr Okema said the road requires upgrading to contain or mitigate effects of the river flooding. Last year, River Unyama burst its banks several times destroying properties worth millions of shillings and displacing hundreds of residents. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Climate-change-making-its-impact-on-crop-production/-/689860/2534096/-/bhpi27/-/index.html","content":"Climate change making its impact on crop production - For the past decade, John Ndiiwa has been growing rice on a five-acre piece of land in Lumbuye wetland, Kaliro District. For this father of six, the yields were good; up to 10 bags per acre. From the proceeds, he was able to buy more land and pay for his children’s education. But for three years now, Ndiiwa hardly gets five bags from the same size of land, and he plants one season in a year instead of two. “I now plant rice once in a year and leave the field for my cattle to graze,” he says. His maize and banana fields are also experiencing the same decline. Such circumstances have led to other farmers in Kaliro to abandon farming and try their luck in riding boda bodas, seek jobs of cutting sugar cane for nearby factories or move to nearby towns for manual work. Threat to livelihoodsBut the tale of weather changes affecting crop productivity is not limited to Ndiiwa or farmers in Kaliro District. Olivia Muwanga, who owns coffee plantation in Masaka, says some of the coffee trees dried up between March and April due to prolonged drought. At times, disease attacks them resulting into poor yields. A common disease is coffee rust, which causes the trees to become thin and unproductive. Even the few berries that manage to grow do not ripe well. Statistics from Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) indicates that 3.5 million people depend on coffee for income. Any attack on the cash crop threatens livelihoods and consumption. In fact, the 2013 National Water Resources Assessment by ministry of Water and Environment, warns that changing weather, mainly rising temperatures, could reduce, by 85 per cent, the land used for growing Robusta coffee.Put the other way, if temperatures rise by two degress Centigrade, only 15 per cent of the land will be viable for Robusta coffee. This would have serious consequences as coffee is a major export crop. This, coupled with low prices, makes farming unattractive amidst few alternative options. Affect crop yieldsScientists warn that weather changes, if not checked, will continue to hurt the agriculture sector, which employs most Ugandans. Dr Everline Komutunga, a senior researcher at National Agricultural Research Organisation (Naro), says climate change has been visible for a while although not much attention has been given to it.The weather changes manifests in floods, prolonged droughts, temperature increases. When prolonged droughts happen, crops wither. Excessive rainfall may lead to floods which destroys crops. High tenmperatures may give rise pest outbreaks. Dr Komutunga adds that crop production and productivity are declining as a result. Weather variations affects agricultural production through its effects on the rainfall timing, intensity and variability and shifts in temperatures and carbon dioxide concentrations. Moisture deficit during the growing season and increase in temperatures affects the crop flowering or budding. In some instances, this may lead to reduced crop yields, which may lead to food and water shortages. Former Agriculture minister, Dr Victoria Ssekitoleko, attributes the declining crops productivity to “doing same things over the years” and employing unskilled extension workers. “For agriculture to thrive, extension workers should be knowledgeable. They should be able to analyse soil nutrients that are lacking, utilise the zoning of crops, appropriate time for planting and when to apply fertilisers,” says Dr Ssekitoleko, noting that such attributes are lacking among extension workers. “As farmers are looking for qualified extension advisers, the qualified ones are looking for other jobs.” Utilise research outputJulius Mukunda, coordinator of Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG), recently rallied farmers against proposed taxes on farm inputs in the 2014/2015 financial year. He urged the government to encourage farmers to utilise output of research done by Naro. He adds that currently, research output is not being fully utilised.The soils are now unproductive due to over tiling and need to be supported through fertiliser use. Ugandan farmers use an average of one kilogramme of fertilisers per hectare annually. But through the National Fertiliser Sub-Sector Strategy (NFS), the government is advocating for increased use to boost food production.Dr Francis Epetait, the shadow minister for Agriculture, says government’s indecisiveness to act on fake seeds and agricultural chemicals is among other things to blame why agriculture is not flourishing. Uganda, like other countries in the world, is experiencing climate change, meaning most traditional seeds do not grow properly without fertilisers use but most inputs farmers buy are counterfeit. “We should brace for more health spending because of poor feeding and unhealthy food. Even the production we have is by God’s mercy, we would be hungry as a country now,” he says. Epetait urges that without increasing the budget for agriculture and acting tough on counterfeit inputs.Amid changing weather, where there is either droughts or heavy rains that destroy harvests, it will be disastrous as there will a scramble for the few resources available. But Jacob Wangolo, MP Bunyole West in Butaleja District, proposes that government directly support farmers through Saccos and cooperatives with improved seeds and capital. This will help them increase crop productivity rather than an increase in allocation for agriculture in the national budget. This will result into food security and poverty alleviation as most farmers will able to benefit directly. Okasai Opolot, commissioner for crop production in ministry of Agriculture, says although some crops have been affected by climate change, the ministry has devised mitigation means to increase productivity. 1 | 2 Next Page»Despite a small budget of about three per cent of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the ministry has distributed 3,400 metric tonnes of seeds, established 3,000 demonstration plots to train farmers and procured of 2,000 ox-ploughs. The efforts, he explains, have yielded fruits in increasing productivity. Multi-sectoral approachIn addition, the ministry trained and deployed of 280 extension workers and distributed of 424,466 units of pesticides, 375 metric tonnes of fertilisers, among others. “Overall, there have been nine per cent increase in production earning Shs85b in exports in 2013/2014. There are 15 medium- and over 500 small-scale millers in rice producing areas,” Opolot points out. He notes that if government had adhered to the Maputo Declaration that requires African governments to dedicate 10 per cent of the national budget to agriculture, then the country would produce more both for consumption and export. To mitigate the effects of climate change on agriculture, Eng. Richard Cong, commissioner, Water for Production, Ministry of Water and Environment, reveals that there is a multi-sectorial approach as the ministry scales up irrigation. In areas which experience droughts, there are dams like Kakinga and Bwanalaki in Sembabule, Mubuku in Kasese, Doho in Butaleja, and Agolo in Kitgum which are operational. More than 20 others across the country are under feasibility study. “Agriculture starts with water and ends with water. We are constructing all those dams to store water to boost agriculture,” he emphasises. The National Water Resources Assessment report revealed that only 10,000 hectares and another 53,350 hectares are informally irrigated mainly for rice and sugarcane. This means that few areas are currently under irrigation.In recent past, precisely in 1999, 2000, 2004 and 2005, Uganda got a taste of the effects of climate change when there were long droughts which affected crop yields and other live stocks dependent on water like fish, cattle among others. Pushed back to povertyAnnunciata Hakuza, senior economist in ministry of Agriculture quoting a 2012 report on climate change by Office of the Prime Minister, said the climate change started becoming an issue from 1994. More than four million people have been directly affected by climate change either through droughts, mudslides, floods and heavy rainfall or lightning. She adds that more than Shs10b was spent during the Bududa disaster alone, meaning, if other disasters strike, the economy may be constrained. The World Bank has warned that millions of people, mainly in the underdeveloped countries are likely to be pushed back into poverty as a result of climate change. Droughts, floods, rises in sea levels and severe storms are predicted along with increasing global temperatures, will create hardships amongst the poor communities in their quest to access food and clean water. Projections done by UN Development Programme estimates that by 2030, 80 per cent of Ugandans will still be living in rural areas underwriting the need for sustainable agriculture. ptajuba@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/It-is-important-to-promote-natural-disaster-insurance/-/806314/2532500/-/n5rm6kz/-/index.html","content":"It is important to promote natural disaster insurance - Disaster loss and damage are on the rise in Uganda with grave consequences. These disasters also erode Uganda’s hard-won development gains. At hand currently are the floods ravaging different parts of the country. In the recent past, floods also ravaged Kasese and landslides buried villages in the Mt Elgon areas, especially Bududa where many people were displaced. Each time there is a natural disaster, people appeal for help and the relevant government departments make promises but nothing seems to bear fruit. A case in point is the Bududa landslide. I’m a strong proponent for a move from heavy reliance on government assistance to natural disaster insurance cover. However, people have not fully embraced natural disaster insurance. The biggest worry to insurers is that the catastrophe might occur too soon before the insurers collect enough premium to compensate, thereby putting the insurers at the risk of insolvency. A number of insurers argue that disaster losses are not insurable. Such risk is considered bad, unpredictable and beyond the control of anyone/institution. The other reason is uncertainty due to the absence of historical data and the present imperfect scientific knowledge. This notwithstanding, reinsurance should be encouraged and developed to act as a cushion to the insurance companies that offer natural disaster insurance cover. Lou Jarvis Owen,jlou@mmadvocates.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Global-body-calls-for-urgency-in-addressing-climate-change/-/688334/2523364/-/d64641z/-/index.html","content":"Global body calls for urgency in addressing climate change - Kampala-The world is quickly running out of time for making the necessary adjustments to address the adverse effects of climate change, scientists have warned in a new report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). “We have little time before the window of opportunity to stay within 2ºC of warming closes,” a press release by the IPCC quoted Dr Rajendra Pachauri, who chaired the first of the three working groups that produced the report, as saying. The 195 governments that subscribe to the IPCC have in the past committed themselves to staying within a 2ºC cap of warming, failing which the world is projected to suffer more from the extremes of climate. Global negotiations to actualise this, however, have proceeded more slowly than environmental activists would have liked, with countries reluctant to take measures to cut emissions for fear of hurting the levels of industrial production and economic growth. Mr Youba Sokona, co-chair of IPCC Working Group III, according to the release, said: “It is technically feasible to transition to a low-carbon economy ... But what is lacking are appropriate policies and institutions. The longer we wait to take action, the more it will cost to adapt and mitigate climate change.” According to the IPCC synthesis report, the world would suffer a lower cost in terms of economic growth than many may think. The report shows that although the costs of mitigation vary, global economic growth would not be strongly affected. “In business-as-usual scenarios, consumption – a proxy for economic growth – grew by 1.6 to 3 per cent per year over the 21st century,” the press release reads in part, “Ambitious mitigation would reduce this by about 0.06 percentage points.” “Compared to the imminent risk of irreversible climate change impacts, the risks of mitigation are manageable,” said Mr Sokona. Already, according to the report, there are worrying signs as regards climate change. “Our assessment finds that the atmosphere and oceans have warmed, the amount of snow and ice has diminished, sea level has risen and the concentration of carbon dioxide has increased to a level unprecedented in at least the last 800,000 years,” the press release quoted Mr Thomas Stocker, co-chair of Working Group I with Dr Pachauri, as saying. In Uganda, according to Mr Joseph Kasiita, an environmental scientist, “the effects of climate change are most manifest in rainfall variability and season changes which have affected us seriously in recent years.” In 2013, according to the Meteorological Department, Ugandan farmers were affected by “the two extremes of weather – a dry first season and a second season with more rain than usual.” The trend seems to have been repeated this year, with the second season experiencing heavier and prolonged rains since July. Dr Pachauri urged the governments to heed the warning and work towards a new global climate agreement. “To keep a good chance of staying below 2ºC, and at manageable costs, our emissions should drop by 40 to 70 per cent globally between 2010 and 2050, falling to zero or below by 2100. We have that opportunity, and the choice is in our hands,” Dr Pachauri said. Synthesis ReportThe Synthesis Report of the IPCC, released on November 2 in Copenhagen, “distils and integrates” the findings of the organisation’s Fifth Assessment Report produced by hundreds of scientists and released over the past 13 months. In all, 830 lead authors, 1,000 contributing authors and 2,000 expert reviewers, who assessed more than 30,000 scientific papers, combined to produce what the IPCC called “the most comprehensive assessment of climate change ever undertaken.” The IPCC, established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) with the endorsement of the United Nations General Assembly, produces a climate change assessment report every six years or so. The reports are meant to provide policymakers with regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation. 1 | 2 Next Page»They are produced by assessing the scientific papers published on climate change each year with the view to informing policy makers about what is known and is not known about the risks related to climate change, marking out areas of agreement and disagreement among scientists and where further research is needed. CLIMATE CHANGE CAUSING FOOD INSECURITY According to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), “there is strong consensus that climate change will negatively impact food security in Africa.” The report also states that “floods, drought, shifts in the timing and amount of rainfall, and high temperatures associated with climate change could directly affect crop and livestock productivity.” All of these phenomena, when combined, may easily create numerous crises on a continent that is expected to double its population to 2.4 billion by 2050. The State of Food Insecurity in the World report, published this year by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO) and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), estimates that there is around 227 million undernourished people in Africa – a fifth of the continent’s’ population. emukiibi@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Rugunda-lobbies-for-Indian-charity-support/-/688334/2518300/-/wiiaoqz/-/index.html","content":"Rugunda lobbies for Indian charity support - The Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, has asked the Tamil Sangam community in Uganda to create more charitable activities in the country so as to promote cultural ties between Uganda and India.Speaking at a fundraising concert to raise tuition for 20 needy orphans for secondary school education, Dr Rugunda lauded the Tamil Sangam Association for making substantial contribution towards vulnerable communities and worthy cause which support he said has been instrumental in promoting brotherhood, unity, solidarity and cultural ties between Ugandans and the Indian Community. Formed in 2005, the association is a non- profit organization. “I am aware that you have been providing funding to support UWESO, The Mother Tereza charity, Kamwokya and Kansanga Primary schools, orphanages, victims of floods and I salute you for the good work,” Dr Rugunda said.He added that besides charitable activities, events like bringing Indian artistes and sports personalities to perform in Uganda are good avenues to promote the cultural diversity between Uganda and India. “We have a national NGO policy which guides charitable activities in the country and we want a vibrant NGO sector. I urge other communities to emulate the example of Tamil Sangam,” he noted.Last Saturday, the Tamil Sangam Community in Uganda, hosted a renown Indian celebrity Dr. K.S. Chitra for a musical concert to raise tuition for 20 students who completed primary education but cannot afford secondary school education due to lack of fees. According to Mohammad Wahib head of the Tamil Sangam association, they are planning to raise money for students in orphanage schools so that they can continue with secondary school education.“We have realized that giving the students food in orphanages is not enough and primary education in Uganda is free. So, we are now sponsoring their secondary education by collecting money from all the Indian owned businesses in Uganda to support them,” he said.He added that the association also intends to start fundraising for sanitary facilities, scholastics, sports activities and organize sports tournaments to support the vulnerable communities in the country. sotage@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/Tempreture-rise-threatens-coffee-production/-/688616/2517510/-/3p8a8q/-/index.html","content":"Tempreture rise threatens coffee production - A 2013 National Water Resources Assessment report, has warned that the rising temperatures in the country could reduce by 85 per cent of the available land used for growing Robusta coffee. The report notes that if the temperatures rise up to two centigrade, then, only 15 per cent of the land in the Uganda will be able to produce Robusta coffee. “…..a temperature increase of 2 centigrade would lead to significant losses (up to 85 per cent) of the land that could be used to grow Robusta Coffee. This would have serious consequences as coffee is one of the country’s major export crops,” the report reads in part. The Global Circulation Models (GCMs) suggests that the mean temperatures will rise by 0.3 to 0.5 centigrade per decade in Uganda. GCM attempts to represent the climate system by calculating the properties of the Earth’s atmosphere. They also predict an increase in the annual rainfall of 10-20 per cent during the 21 Century and change in rainfall distribution which will increase from December to February and decrease from June to August. Climate change affects agricultural production through its effects on the rainfall timing, intensity, variability and shifts in temperatures and carbon dioxide concentrations. Moisture deficits during the growing season and increase in temperatures results into reduced crop yields leading to food and water shortages. The report recommends that the country finds ways of increasing agriculture production through irrigating crops, conserving wetlands and tree planting that directly affects rainfall formation in the country. In some areas, due to prolonged droughts, coffee trees have dried up in the past. This, together with coffee rust disease in some parts of the country, threatens the livelihoods of hundreds of farmers and millions of coffee drinkers. Coffee rust disease causes coffee tree thin and unproductive and their fruits not to ripe well.The Principal Information Officer at Uganda Coffee Development Authority, Mr Kizito Mayanja, when contacted for a comment said: “Those predictions have been there for the last 10 years. It is not new,” he said declining to comment further saying he had not yet read the report. Early this year, a Uganda Coffee Development Authority for the month of March showed that, coffee exports for the period (April 2013 to March 2014) totaled to 3.77 million bags up from the 3.02 million bags exported in the same period last year. Robusta coffee increased by 12.18 per cent and 1.37 per cent in volume and value respectively while Arabica also posted an increase of 14.44 per cent and 6.59 per cent in volume and value respectively compared to the same period last year 2012/13. Climate change effects •Dr Everline Komutunga, a senior researcher at the National Agricultural Research Organisation (Naro), says climate change has been visible in the country although not munch attentions has been given to it. She says, climate change manifests in floods, prolonged droughts, temperature increases which leads to more pests outbreaks among others which have all been visible in country. •Former Agriculture minister, Dr Victoria Ssekitoleko, says the government should allow scientists at the Naro to rollout crop seeds that have been researched on to help farmers avoid such crop declines that will have negative impact on rural incomes. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Authorities-look-on-as-Kinawataka--disappears-/-/691232/2513334/-/m6g3k8/-/index.html","content":"Authorities look on as Kinawataka ‘disappears’ - On some nights, the residents of Kinawataka, a Kampala suburb, hear the heavy groan of tipper trucks drown out the chorus of the in frogs. Powerful headlights pierce through the darkness as trucks dump red soil into this over 180-hectare vast wetland. The morning after, the residents wake up to find a swath of the reed-covered swamp is gone. What was a wetland is now a flat area covered by red soil.It has been like this—with occasional breaks—for the past three years. The filling happens, stops, then resumes, like it has happened in the past fortnight. It is obvious that those behind this are preparing to turn this wetland into a warehouse. The allure of development on this stretch, however, masks the threat this wetland takeover poses to the environment. THE WETLAND’S IMPORTANCEFrank Muramuzi, the executive director of the National Association of Professional Environmentalists, says Kinawataka wetland filters water that drains from the neighbouring Bugolobi, Mbuya and Kireka areas before it goes to Lake Victoria.“The storm waters come with a lot of filth and silt which is naturally filtered at this swamp,” he says. “Without the swamp, the filth and silt will drain directly into Lake Victoria.”“This wetland also slows down the flow of water by flooding the plain and eventually reducing siltation in the lake. Without it, the lake is open for silting which may in turn result in higher water levels and flooding,” he says.This particular wetland also buffers the inner Murchison Bay, which is a source of drinking water for Kampala city. It also helps retain pollutants which ultimately would have hurt Lake Victoria. Effects of reclamationAs the soil gets dumped into this wetland, the effects are already being felt in the neighbourhood. Just a few kilometres away, in Kyambogo, a slight drizzle sees the main highway flooded.The reclamation of the swamp has also altered the water course affecting a nearby protected water source. For a community that lacks piped water, this spring has been a life saver. However, residents are now worried about contamination since the spring gets flooded whenever it rains heavily.When Daily Monitor visited a week ago, heavy machinery was on site with earthmovers busy levelling the swamp. In the neighbourhood, children played as everyone went about their business normally.It should not be normal. Section 36 of the Environment Act warns against everything that is happening here. It makes it an offence to reclaim or drain a wetland, drill or tunnel in a manner that will adversely affect the wetland, deposit any substance that will have an adverse effect into a wetland or destroy a wetland in a manner likely to have an adverse effect on plant or animal habitat. Dealing with developersThe environment regulator seems to have his hands tied. Dr Tom Okurut, the executive director of the National Environment Management Authority (Nema), says they are having trouble dealing with developers who have land titles for wetlands.“The challenge is that most of these titles for these parcels in wetlands were acquired erroneously. Others have just occupied without any documentations whatsoever, like farther along that channel in the Kasokoso area,” says Dr Okurut.Nema, he explains, is then left with a damage-control role; to ensure that the developments in the wetlands do not adversely affect the drainage of the area.“That is why we have stopped the reclamation severally before,” he says, before showing Daily Monitor copies of correspondence among his agency, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and the reported developer identified as Meera Investments. Despite trying to reach Meera for days, all our calls went unanswered.Part of the correspondence instructs the developer to engage a hydraulic engineer and a surveyor to design a drainage master plan for the area and ensure the upstream drainage is not compromised.The letter also required those developing that parcel of land to ensure the drainage plan and other developments should consider the upstream and downstream communities and that the said master plan should be submitted to KCCA for approval before anything else is done on the said piece of land.It was also noted there was urgent need for the developer to provide equipment to widen and dredge the channel passing through the swamp to improve flow of storm water flow as well as demolish a wall which had blocked a section of the channel.When we contacted KCCA to find out if these guidelines were being adhered to the public health officer referred us to the public relations office which in turn sent us back to NEMA.The worry though, as Dr Okurut points out, is that continued reclamation of wetlands is a ticking time bomb.“There are projections that the city may experience catastrophic flooding in 2020s if we continue at this rate,” he says.If this is the case, who then is responsible for okaying development of wetlands, especially the Kinawataka one? This is a question we put to the chairman of the Uganda Lands Commission, Mr Baguma Isoke. The agency is the caretaker of all public land in the country.“Have you seen it (the title)?” he asks over the telephone.When we meet, he says if the title exists, it could have been acquired outside the commission procedures.“I was the minister of state for environment in 1995 when the environment statute was written. Do you think I could just issue titles? Those are protected areas and we have not issued any titles to those,” says Mr Baguma Isoke.In his view, the titles could be forgeries or issued by the defunct District Land Board. The law on wetlands Section 36 of the Environment Act of 1995 expressly states that No person shall: - a) Reclaim or drain any wetland;(b) Erect, construct, place, alter, extend remove or demolish any structure that is fixed in, on, under or over any wetland;(c) Disturb any wetland by drilling or tunneling in a manner that has or is likely to have an adverse effect on the wetland;(d) Deposit in, on, or under any wetland any substance in a manner that has or is likely to have an adverse effect on the wetland; (e) Destroy, damage or disturb any wetland in a manner that has or is likely to have an adverse effect on any plant or animal or its habitat; WHAT IS ITS FUTURE? So, is it all lost about Kinawataka? Mr Muramuzi thinks something can be done.The wetland, he says, can be restored if the law is enforced. “You just leave it alone and in about two years the wetland will have resumed with most of its flora and fauna,” he says.But for the already built in areas it would require breaking down structures including paving and carting off the debris that is incongruent with the wetland eco system.The reclamation path is fraught with challenges. Earlier this year, Information Minister Rose Namayanja announced that the government was instructing the ministry of lands to cancel all titles in wetlands. It is yet to be enforced as the matter is before cabinet.Meanwhile, in Kinawataka, the trucks continue to dump soil into the wetland. It is fast disappearing. cwanjiru@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Heavy-rains--fewer-papers--empty-stomachs-/-/688334/2509458/-/ek8i0vz/-/index.html","content":"Heavy rains, fewer papers, empty stomachs mar start of PLE - Nationwide- The morning downpour yesterday delayed the start of Primary Leaving Examinations in most parts of the country. In some areas, the roads were impassable for the distributors to deliver the papers on time. A countrywide survey by Daily Monitor showed that majority of the schools started their first Mathematics paper at 11am instead of the planned 9am. For instance, the Gulu district education officer (DEO), the Rev Vincent Ocen Ochieng, cited schools such as Aromowanglobo and Lelabaro primary schools in Odek and Bobi sub-counties respectively as some of the hard-to-reach schools where the question papers reached late. “In some areas, the roads are very slippery due to the heavy rains. Most of these schools have feeder roads that are currently not in good state and accessing schools is difficult,” Rev Ochieng said. In Nwoya District, Mr Richard Irwenyo, the DEO, said the distribution of the question papers was affected by poor roads. In Kisoro District, the education officer, Mr Francis Munyarubanza, said some schools received less examination papers. “We received fewer examination papers at Kaburasazi, Gitovu and Gasave primary schools compared to the registered candidates. The exams may delay as we improvise to save the situation by looking for excess examination papers from other schools,” Mr Munyarubanza said. In Ntoroko, the candidates affected by the floods endured the weather and did their papers under make-shift tents. Most displaced candidates said they were disappointed because they did not be commute from their homes to do their final exams. In Katakwi District, education authorities used motor bikes to deliver papers to schools in sub-counties hit by heavy rains. Mr Patrick Ogwali, the inspector of schools, told Daily Monitor they had to access Magoro and Toroma sub-counties using motorbikes instead of vehicles because the roads are severely damaged by rain. In Luweero, most examination centres didn’t know why they received the papers late. “We have not been briefed on what has caused the delay in the delivery of the exam scripts for some of our schools but we believe the transporters could be the source of delay because we experienced the same problem last year,” Mr Livingstone Kategaya, the Kamira Sub-county chairperson in Luweero District told Daily Monitor. DelaysBut Ms Florence Ssekitoleko Bossa, DEO, attributed the delay to people in charge of the examination stores at different police stations. “The problem was with the people in charge of the stores who delayed to release the papers. We believe the other papers will not be affected because we have talked to those in charge of the stores,” Ms Ssekitoleko said. At Paipir Primary School, Uneb failed to send in an interpreter for their blind candidate. Ms Poline Lanyro, the head teacher, said they sent in their request to Uneb so that an interpreter is sent but didn’t understand why there was none at the school yesterday. But Pader’s special needs officer Margret Lanyero said they were looking for one in the district to address the needs of the pupil. UNEB executive secretary Mathew Bukenya acknowledged that bad roads and rains combined to cause delays. 1 | 2 Next Page»“There were also issues of examination parcels being misrouted and taken to wrong storage stations. For instance, parcels of Namulanda under Lubowa and Tendo Nursery and Primary School under Kawempe had been taken to Kakiri. Similar cases were also reported in Kayunga but this were sorted out quickly,” he said. Referring to a case in which one teacher had been arrested for teaching the candidates after briefing, Mr Bukenya said UNEB regulations prohibit anyone from teaching candidates after briefing. “Mr Haruna Sebuliba at Natete Muslim was arrested because he violated this provision and went ahead to teach candidates after briefing,” he added. Reported by Dan Wandera, Henry Lubulwa, Ruth Katusabe, Felix Basiime, James Cosmas, Okidi, Simon Peter Emwamu, Julius Ocungi, Denis Edema, John Okot, Felix Warom, Robert Muhereza, Moses Okeya, Clement Aluma, Martin Okudi, Scovin Iceta, Patrick Okaba, Yahudu Kitunzi & Patience Ahimbisibwe editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Pupils-sit-exams-on-empty-stomachs/-/688334/2509466/-/twt1sy/-/index.html","content":"Pupils sit exams on empty stomachs - Ntoroko- More than 474 Primary Seven candidates who were displaced by floods in Ntoroko District yesterday wrote their first exam without any meal. The candidates were relocated from Budiba, Kasungu, Kasojo and Kabindiri to do their exams at Butungama Primary School. Ms Juliet Kanyunyuzi, one of the supervisors for Budiba Primary School, told journalists yesterday she was surprised when pupils told her that some of them did not have supper on Sunday night and breakfast before writing their final exams. She said as the candidates entered the examination room, they were not concentrating, adding that she is not sure whether they will do their first paper well. Mr William Kaganda, the head teacher at Kyabukunguru Primary School, which shared with three other schools, including Budiba, said they had not planned for candidates from other schools. Regarding meals, he said United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) brought beans and maize flour late on Sunday evening yet the cooks do not stay at school, adding that there was lack of safe water for cooking. However, Unicef served the pupils after the first paper. He said the examinations delayed for 10 minutes because papers for Kabindiri Primary School were missing. This was communicated to Uneb and it was discovered that the exams had remained at Karugutu where they were picked. Mr Joshua Muhuma, one of the affected candidates from Rwangara Primary School, said they slept on a carpet. “Some of us had no blankets, the coldness and mosquitoes were too much, no light and it was hard for us to revise. It was only those who had small torches that did some revision and the light could not go beyond 10am,” Mr Muhuma said.The head teacher at Kyabukunguru Primary School, Mr Bamutana Kamanyire, said the new and harsh environment might affect the performance of the candidates physiologically. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Emergency-examination-centers-established-in-Ntoroko/-/688334/2508880/-/wfk6o5/-/index.html","content":"Emergency examination centers established in Ntoroko - The Ntoroko district officials together with ministry of Education have created three emergency Primary Leaving Exams (PLE) centers to enable pupils sit for their exams without facing difficulties.This is because most parts of the district are now submerged in water as the area has since last week been soaked in floods after River Semuliki burst its banks displacing over 500 people, destroying houses and property and blocking most of the roads in the area. The Resident district commissioner, Mr Wilson Isingoma said that the district officials were prompted to create three emergency centers to help over 300 pupils from the 15 affected schools in Kanara, Bweramule and Budiba sub counties. “The emergency centers have been established in sub counties of Kibuku, Rwamabale, Butungama and Bweramule which will accommodate over 444 candidates, including the 308 candidates displaced from the 15 schools” said Mr Isingoma.Primary seven candidates across the country started their Primary Leaving Examinations today with Mathematics as their first subject and Social Studies which will be done in the afternoon.The District Education Officer, Mr Masereka Mubaraka said, “Rwamabale Primary school in Kibuku Sub County is to accommodate candidates from Bweramule, totaling to 52 candidates and Kamuhigi Primary School in Rwebisengo Town will sit with New Hope, Rwangara, Umoja, totaling 264 candidates while Butungama Primary will be combined with Budiba, Kasojo and Kasungu among others totaling to 126 candidates,” he said. UNICEF has facilitated the affected schools by providing fuel to police and the district vehicles to ferry candidates from the affected areas to the established centers to write their examinations which end on November 4. “UNCEF provided tents to the centers where candidates are going to sit for exams from which will be accommodating them during the night as they sit for PLE but the only challenge is that there is no mosquito nets and there are many mosquitoes, also there are no mattresses, these pupils will be sleeping in tents” said Mr Masereka.However, Mr Masereka said there is no safe water in the area since most of the bore holes were submerged by the floods and latrines have contaminated the available water. “UNICEF has only promised to provide drinking water to candidates for day and night I don’t know what they will use for cooking and bathing, latrines are also still a challenge at Kamuhigi primary school, there is only one 5 stance latrine going to be shared by over 200 candidates” he added. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Floods-displace-400-as-PLE-starts/-/688334/2508228/-/n04oimz/-/index.html","content":"Floods displace 400 as PLE starts - Kampala/Ntoroko. At least 474 Primary Seven candidates in Ntoroko District will write their Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), that start today nationwide, in makeshift tents after floods submerged most areas and made access to schools difficult. Another 100 candidates in Kasese will miss sitting for the exams because they were married off after registration or are engaged in child labour, education officials have said.They are part of 604,971 pupils who registered with the Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) for this year’s PLE. The candidates will start with Mathematics and Social Studies and Religious Education while Integrated Science and English Language will be done tomorrow.According to United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) communication officer Catherine Ntabadde, the prolonged rainy season has caused rivers Lami and Semliki to merge and burst their banks, spreading over miles of habitable land.She also added that smaller streams from Kabarole District found their way into Ntoroko, which has a much lower altitude than the surrounding Bundibugyo, Kasese and Kabarole districts. The main low lands affected include Rwebisengo, Budiba, Rwangara, Bweramule, Butungama and to a small extent Kibuuku.About 11 schools in these areas have been affected by the floods, forcing the UN agency to relocate the candidates to three schools to enable them do their exams.For instance, Butungama Primary School will host candidates from Budiba, Masojo and Kasungu schools, Kamuhigi Primary School will accommodate Kabindiri, Kyabakunguru, and Rwangara while Kibuku Primary School will have candidates from Rwamabale and Bweramule primary schools.“About 474 primary seven candidates have been affected by floods. We are on the watch out for areas around Lake Albert in Kanara Sub-county. We anticipate that increased rains might cause flooding there too. Many aspects of these communities have been put at risk, including health, sanitation and hygiene, learning, food security and livelihoods,” Ms Ntabadde said in a statement. Uneb actionUnicef will provide them with transport to the exam centres, food and tents for accommodation. Mr Mathew Bukenya, Uneb executive secretary, said at the weekend that the board was aware of floods in Ntoroko district.“We know the situation in Ntoroko District which has been affected by floods. This may necessitate shifting the candidates to safer places. If deemed necessary, Unicef will provide tents to set up temporary shelter for the candidates to do their papers,” Mr Bukenya noted. He added that they are working with close to 1,000 police officers and Internal Security Organisation (ISO) to ensure security of the papers to their respective destinations. About 8,534 scouts have been deployed to monitor the two-day examinations and some will be operating under cover. Another 7,484 supervisors will manage the examinations at their respective centres while 24,257 invigilators have been deployed.At least 1,009 distributors will transport the question papers from the storage stations to the sitting centres. “There shall be an invigilator for every 25 candidates. Scouts holding keys have been instructed to give out question paper envelopes to distributors not before 7.30am. This is meant to reduce the duration between distribution and the start of examination so as to minimize chances of leakage,” Mr Bukenya said at the weekend.Meanwhile, Kasese District Inspector of Schools Ernest Thabugha said their education department conducted a survey which showed that more than 100 pupils who had registered to do PLE this year will not do them because some are already married while others are engaged in child labour.Mr Bukenya promised to withdraw centre numbers for schools which will be involved in malpractice as well punish implicated head teachers. The candidates speak out Bakhita Mwila, Tropical Primary School, Najjeera.“I have been researching for a great part of the time I joined P.7 and I have been revising past papers from other schools.” Nakrani Devanshi, St Barnabas PS, Kisugu.“I pray to God that I pass in first grade so that I go to a good secondary school and I expect between Aggregate Six and Eight.” Malek Steven Garang, Tropical PS, Najjeera.I expect a first grade because I have been preparing for it since the year began and so I expect Aggregate Four. UPEproductsA total of 471, 914 pupils sitting today’s papers are from schools implementing the government’s free education programme. This figure is up from last year’s 457,071. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/One-swamp-s-destruction--a-future-generation-s-problem/-/691232/2502598/-/ggsn68/-/index.html","content":"One swamp’s destruction, a future generation’s problem - Many of them operate like thieves in the night; you will rarely hear or see them come. It is only after you wake up in the morning that you will see their prints. In the case of the thieves, you will notice a broken windowpane or padlock or the missing household items. In the case of wetlands, you will usually see mounds of earth and tyre treads. Individuals and in some cases, the government contribute to the pollution of or the degradation of wetlands with concrete structures oblivious of consequences their actions will have on the future generations. Lubigi wetland is one of the water catchment areas suffering the mindless missteps of developers.The wetlands that stretches from the northern to the western fringes of Kampala benefits nearby communities in more than one way. Were it not for Lubigi, many homes in the surrounding would suffer from floods now and then. Some of the people who live nearby use the water from the wetland to make bricks for sell. The wetland also sieves out some of the pollutants say, plastic materials that have been carried from elsewhere. Despite all the above benefits, the wetland is under destruction. In the last eight years, the government has so far undertaken four major projects on the wetland. First, was the Kampala Northern Bypass Highway whose construction started in 2009.Second, was the high voltage electric cables carrying power (132kV) from the Kawanda electricity sub-station to the Mutundwe sub-station. Third, was the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) water treatment plant, which was built in the middle of the wetland and recently, is the ongoing construction of the Kampala-Entebbe Express Highway. All these projects are of course stressing Lubigi’s eco system. Apart from government projects, individuals have followed the same path and reclaimed the very important water catchment wetland that serves Kampala and the Wakiso districts. In August, this reporter visited the wetland that connects Nakivubo Channel to Lake Victoria, and found trucks pouring soil into the wetland. The soil, which had been collected from elsewhere, was being poured in the wetland so that people could construct houses, and open washing bays and the sand selling points in the reclaimed parts.Some of the people who live nearby told the Daily Monitor that they started seeing the trucks last year. Trucks would pour soil on the section of the wetland on Hoima Road. As the days, weeks and months went by, they started pouring soil deeper into the wetland and this contributed to the receding water level in the wetland. One residents’ claimsJohn Bbossa, a resident of Nabweru Lubigi, claims that before National Water Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) built its treatment plant in the area, the land on which his house sits was not swampy. “Before the construction of the NWSC treatment plant, Nabweru was not a wetland. But now, the water flows into our homes; you may think we reclaimed it,” Bbossa says. He accuses NWSC of diverting the flow of the wetland into their plots. Despite protests from area residents, NWSC has not heeded to pressure to widen the drainage channel to divert water from flooding their homes. Sam Apedel, the NWSC Public Relations Officer, argues that the government approved the treatment plant after an environment impact assessment had been done. “People need to understand the relationship between this plant and the environment. Why should we leave dirty water flowing into Lake Victoria? This is a special plant that even collects faeces from latrines and it has reduced flooding in Bwaise,” he says. In defence of some projectsHowever, Micheal Opige, the programme manager of Nature Uganda, says proper assessment on how to mitigate flooding was not undertaken and voices that pushed for assessment of the impact on surrounding areas were silenced by the State. “We tried to talk to government about the impact of destroying this wetland but they hurriedly approved these projects,” Opige says. Prof Oweyegha Afunaduula, an environmentalist, warns that the current generation may not feel the impact of wetland destruction but the next one will curse those who destroyed the wetlands. “You may fight nature but you cannot win. You cannot build in a wetland and think nature will not punish you. It is just a matter of time,” Prof Afunaduula says. He adds that even though Uganda has many good laws on the environment, government departments and some powerful business people disregard the laws because they know they will not be punished for flouting them. The effectsAfunaduula warns that the continuous ecological destruction will lead to worse forms of soil erosion that deplete the soil of nutrients necessary for plant growth resulting into poor yields and increase flooding. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Ugandans-are-not-lazy-and-mediocre/-/689364/2502896/-/wcirrhz/-/index.html","content":"Ugandans are not lazy and mediocre, they just lack exemplary leadership - I was disappointed by Ms Beti Kamya’s opinion in Daily Monitor of October 23. It was a rebuttal penned to express her disappointment to Daily Monitor editorial of October 6, titled: “MPs should reject tax on paraffin”. In her piece, Kamya dismisses Ugandans as a lazy bunch of mediocre folks that deserve no mercy or welfare from the State at all. The suggestion that people can sell wild mangoes and or throw seeds through their house windows to grow food crops is unfortunate. We need to probe the status quo of the Ugandan rural economy to make sense of poverty that continues to prevail there. The Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development in their Poverty Status Report, May 2012 indicate that 24.5 per cent of Ugandans are living below the poverty line and thus can’t afford to consume 3,000 calories of food a day. Then, 43 per cent Ugandans are not necessarily poor but are “insecure non-poor” or “vulnerable” and thus can easily slide into poverty due to inflation, poor harvests, heavy rains/floods or prolonged drought or high taxes on basic commodities like paraffin, maize flour, etc. Secondly, the background to the national budget 2013/2014 indicates that close to 67 per cent of non-monetary GDP is from the agricultural sector. Considering more than 75 per cent of the Ugandan population is involved in agriculture that accounts for slightly more than 20 per cent of national GDP and 67 per cent of the non-monetary GDP, it is clear that a sizeable number of Ugandans actually engage in economic activities that don’t involve exchange or utilisation of money. They eke their living on the land and rarely interface with money in the economy. They are subsistence farmers par excellence. These are the people Kamya is calling poor because of laziness and mediocrity. This is quite unfortunate coming from one of our leaders.Uganda’s problem is actually not its so-called “lazy and mediocre” people, but lack of leadership. Leadership that is deficient of the populism but is exemplary in all matters economics and production. If the community members see the LC 1 chairman or LC3 councillor taking good care of his banana plantation, diversifying to coffee or fruit trees or engaging in productive commercial farming, they are more likely to learn from this exemplary leadership and thus engage in economic activities that shall not only earn them income to effectively demand for goods and services in the economy e.g. paraffin, clothes, iron sheets, solar lights, but also give them the dignity they deserve as citizens of Uganda. This sad state of affairs has now given rise to the “rental-democracy” where voters clamour for sugar, salt and soap, not issues during elections. With this, Ugandans haven’t gotten the exemplary leadership they deserve. They have either ended up with leaders that dismiss them as “lazy and mediocre” or rent their support using soap, paraffin and salt during election time. The closest we have come to this kind of exemplary and people-centred leadership has been President Museveni’ s paradigm to popularise the 4-acre model of agricultural production that would guarantee many a household a sizeable amount of income every year. The challenge is that this grand strategy has not been customised or well-articulated by his army of advisors and ministers, to suit the local context of millions of households that do not own even two acres of land! This would require a message of efficiency and increased productivity on small land holdings. This is also best explained by former Fiance minister Ezra Suruma in his new book, Advancing the Ugandan Economy, A Personal Account. He posits that the provision of roads, schools, national security, law and order and public health does not necessarily satisfy the basic needs of people. People need stable sources of income such as employment or small business, commercial farming to allow them afford their personal basic needs. In traditional agrarian and peasant economies like ours, we need exemplary leadership both on the farm in rural countryside and within elite circles of government and corporate Uganda to foster economic transformation and help our people get to the promised land. Kamya’s dismissive reference to Ugandans as lazy and mediocre doesn’t fit that bill. Mr Rugaba is a political - social commentator. Twitter: @RugabaAgaba"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Uganda-s-envoy-to-China-accused-of-encroaching-on-wetland-/-/688334/2490922/-/s7ojfz/-/index.html","content":"Uganda's envoy to China accused of encroaching on wetland  - Mbale- The Mbale Municipal Environment officer Rhoda Nyaribi, has accused Uganda’s ambassador to China as one of the wetland encroachers in the district. Ms Nyaribi said a number of wetlands are being destroyed yet they have for years been habitats for various animal species and catchment areas for floods. She said he encroachers are key people in leadership including local investors, religious leaders, businessmen and schools as the worst encroachers. Encroachers Notable among them, she said is Uganda’s ambassador to China, Mr Charles Wagidoso. However, Mr Wagidoso dismissed the claims, saying he rightfully acquired the land and has a title deed. “I acquired a land title from Mbale Municipal Council some time back and it took me long to develop the land. I also consulted National Environment Management Authority before I started the construction,” he said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Be-devoted-to-your-work/-/691232/2486026/-/606yhm/-/index.html","content":"Be devoted to your work - What’s the root word for “devotion”? It’s derived from the Latin word devotus which means to “vow”. To promise. To commit. My challenge to you today is to devote yourself to the work you are doing. My assumption is that whatever work you are doing is legal, moral, ethical and adds value to the people you are serving or the world at large. Why am I inviting you to consider this?One, that’s how you become the best in your field. In his book “Outliers”, Malcolm Gladwell talks about the 10,000 hour investment in your craft to become a master. Such a time frame cannot happen until you devote yourself. And I bet you desire to be the best in your field. That is if you are not already one.Two, once you get on such a long journey of devotion, you’ll find yourself getting lost into your work and eventually you’ll enjoy the process. Enjoyment is payment in itself. How can you devote yourself?Find something that you can commit the rest of your life to. Something you have a passion for. Be in it for the long haul. Not to test out the waters. Life is too short to be put on an endless test. Find a target that you would be proud of looking back to on your death bed with a smile on your face. Ok, I have not seen someone with a smile on their death bed…let’s just say, with a sense of satisfaction.Decide to be among the best of the best. That alone is a lifelong commitment because being the best is an ever evolving journey. Such a goal will push you for the rest of your life because you can’t just say “I am the best” and stand still. You know that competition will eat you for lunch.Look out for resources that will support you along the journey. It could be classes, workshops and any form of knowledge or skillset training that would add value to you. Look at yourself as a channel and resources as ‘feeders’ that power floods of wisdom and knowledge into you.Associate with individuals who are already devoted to your chosen work. People who inspire you. If you can’t meet them in person, hunt for their writing, interviews, books, audios and videos. They can still become remote mentors through their works and thoughts.Most importantly, always know your “why”. Know the reasons for being into such a commitment. Know the purpose. Why are you into what you are doing? When the reasons are clear. When the objectives and the drive behind your engagements is plain, then, your level of motivation will remain high. When you hit obstacles and challenges, it’s the reminder as to why you are doing what you are doing that will keep you going.The world deserves the best version of you and that happens when you are devoted to your work. Thank you for devoting yourself! ethan@success-Africa.comEthan Musolini is the CEO of Success Africa, a motivational speaker, author and HR consultant"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kibaale-s-diminishing-forest-cover-irks-minister/-/688334/2469050/-/r2dyn3/-/index.html","content":"Kibaale’s diminishing forest cover irks minister - Kibaale- The State minister for Environment has expressed concern over the level of environmental degradation in Kibaale District. Ms Flavia Munaaba said she is saddened by the high rate of deforestation and swamp reclamation, warning that failure to halt the practice would be disastrous to the future existence of people in the district. “We are so violent towards trees without knowing that when we destroy them we are destroying ourselves. Let us be friendly with the environment and avoid destroying it,” Ms Munaaba told farmers and district leaders in Nalweeyo Sub-county recently. She was presiding over the launch of the natural regeneration model, which teaches farmers to preserve tree stumps and support them to regenerate and inter crop with trees. The model is supported by World Vision Uganda. The minister was alluding to a report presented by the district chairperson, Mr George Namyaka, indicating that the district loses about 8,000 hectares of forests annually through opening land for cultivation. Ms Munaaba said the trend has negative consequences for the environment that includes reduced rainfall, soil erosion, floods among others. Mr Namyaka said the district has embarked on several measures to curb the trend by planting more than 170,000 tree seedlings of various species annually. fmugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kyankwazi-seeks-help-to-fix-broken-bridges/-/688334/2467950/-/hu5e80z/-/index.html","content":"Kyankwazi seeks help to fix broken bridges - Kyankwanzi Officials in Kyankwanzi District are seeking Shs900 million to repair three bridges that were recently destroyed by floods. Kabindula Bridge on Kabindula-Kitwala road in Ntwetwe Sub-county, Bambala Bridge on Ntwetwe-Muwanji-Nzo-Kyanga road and Kayindiyindi Bridge on Ntwetwe- Bukuya road were flattened by heavy rains that swept the area recently. The district chairperson, Mr Leopold Kinene Ddamulira, said they are in desperate need of the money to repair the damaged infrastructure on River Kitumbi. Transport paralysedMr Ddamulira said the broken bridges have paralysed transport in various parts of the district, with children even failing to attend school in the affected areas.The Ntwetwe-Kitabona Sub-county chairperson, Mr Robinson Kabuye, said they have since deployed canoes on Bambala and Kayindiyindi bridges to help people cross. Residents of Kitwala have also improvised a temporally wooden bridge and they are charging whoever is crossing between Shs500 to Shs5,000. Some traders and farmers who use the routes to transport agricultural produce, especially from Ntwetwe and Gayaza villages, have appealed for quick government intervention. The district chairperson said due to limited funds at its disposal, the district cannot afford to fix even a single bridge. “The district gets only Shs270 million in a full financial year to work on more than 800 km of the district road network and in this situation, we cannot manage to handle such an emergency,” he said. Mr Kinene said he has already met area Members of Parliament who have pledged to help. Kyankwanzi MP Samuel Ssemugaba confirmed that they are engaging the Disaster Preparedness ministry to come to the aid of the people. What residents say Mr Mathias Ssekabembe,a resident, told Daily Monitor that any loaded car seeking to cross the makeshift bridges pays Shs5,000, while Shs500 is charged on a bicycle and Shs1,000 for a motor cycle. He called on the government to repair the bridges to help farmers access markets and for children to be able to access schools. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Fight-climate-change-abroad--and-at-home/-/689360/2465936/-/12l0vadz/-/index.html","content":"Fight climate change abroad, and at home - President Museveni’s hard tone and call-to-action on climate change must apply both abroad and here at home. Mr Museveni told the UN General Assembly on Climate Change Summit 2014 in New York on Tuesday that increased global warming caused by effects of release of greenhouse gasses must be blamed on developed countries as the biggest emitters. So the world must demand strong carbon-cutting policies to be enacted and Europe, North America, and China should abide. It is unacceptable to have the earth’s temperature raised by two degrees Celsius and suffer rising sea levels, extreme droughts, food shortages, and floods.As President Museveni and US secretary of state John Kerry said, the danger of climate change must be seen as grave a threat as terrorism and Ebola. And climate change must be fought in similar fashion. This is why Europe, North America, and China must show the same zeal and deliver on their commitments to reduce carbon emissions as much as they have committed on global war on terrorism. Otherwise, Africans as Mr Museveni asserted, may begin to see the lack of strong action by the biggest carbon emitters as a form of modern-day aggression against Africa. Again as President Museveni said, the shrinking ice caps on East Africa’s highest mountains Kilimanjaro and the Rwenzori are an assault on the work on God and the heritage of the people of East Africa. By 1906, the Rwenzori reportedly had nine ice-capped peaks but today only three of the nine peaks are ice-capped.Indeed as South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, it is a deep injustice for Africans, who emit far less carbon than Europeans, North Americans, and Chinese, to be the most affected and pay the heaviest price. Yet perpetrators with the capacity to arrest the slide remain uncommitted. Similarly, just as Western powers have used forceful statements to condemn perpetrators of human right violations worldwide, they must now use the same harsh words to condemn perpetrators of climate change. As Archbishop Tutu said, the big powers should spearhead boycotts of companies that burn fossil fuels in same way as they firms that conducted business with apartheid South Africa. This call-to-action must be echoed in our tone to restore Uganda’s forest cover and save the environment. Already, Uganda has a red alert that her unrestrained interference with nature will force the country to harvest catastrophe. A 2008 report authored by the National Environmental Authority says Uganda loses 90,000 hectares of forests every year. But the little left of the country’s forests will vanish in barely 30 years, yet forests must absorb greenhouse effects. The issue: Climate change campaign.Our view: As we demand that developed countries abide by strong carbon-cutting policies, we too, need need to fight our encroachment on the environment."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/They-are-making-a-change-with-bees-and-honey-/-/689860/2463774/-/rii35w/-/index.html","content":"They are making a change with bees and honey  - I am Silas Ekudo, 34, a resident of Kauje Village, Bukedea Sub county in Bukedea District. I am also the chairman and a founder member of the Bukedea Honey Producers and Processors Association (Buhopa). When there were unprecedented rains in 2007 most communities in the Teso region had not seen the worst, as this was followed later by the deadly floods in 2010. We were told that the floods were caused by destruction to the environment, which was caused by deforestation and poor farming methods. Then there was a lot of cutting down trees to make charcoal, hence the frequent natural disasters in the region. The floods, though did not affect my sub county directly, on both occasions destroyed crops in nearby sub-counties, flooded latrines in homes and in schools plus contaminating water sources and displacing many people.There was a shortage of food in the area thereafter. However, innovation sometimes results from painful experiences. An eye openerIn 2007, me and 16 other youths in the sub-county decided to join hands and start a farmers’ club. The project started as a youth livelihood empowerment programme to cover Bukedea Sub county. It now covers the entire district. Farmers needed to appreciate trees in a better way; if somebody is able to harvest honey and make money then he or she will appreciate a tree. Because it is that tree that will house a bee hive, provide flowers for the bees to collect nector from, and better still if it is a fruit tree. The idea of beekeeping was hatched around 2008, with guidance from Self help Africa, an organisation which supports Buhopa. I started on a small scale, Self Help Africa was giving two to four modern bee hives to each of our members. I got two Kenya Top Bar (KTB) hives. Like most of the other members in Buhopa, I produced honey but was challenged with the market due to poor packaging. This was an eye opener and we decided to seek ways to address the whole value chain in terms of production, processing and marketing. Opportunity to make moneyThis was followed by a series of workshops and trainings from Self Help Africa to address the above issues in addition to crop production. In other words commercialising beekeeping and ensuring food security. During one of the trainings, I realised climate change challenge is a reality which should be addressed by all people and all stakeholders including small scale farmers. Now I have an opportunity to make money hustle free, increase crop yields through crop pollination, but at the same time limit the effects of climate change. Each of our members was encouraged to make at least four bee hives a month using locally available materials. The group now has 60 members with a total of 827 bee hives producing at least 4,000 Kgs of honey every four months. We sell each kilogramme at Shs15,000 or Shs20,000 depending on the season. And there are two seasons. As a group, we produced 700-1300 kilogrammes of beeswax and about 230 kilogrammes of propolis last season. On my own, I have 136 bee hives with 120 of them colonised. Last season, I harvested 679 kilogrammes and sold each at Shs20,000. During the 2013 National Honey Week exhibition in Kampala, I met a buyer from Kenya who offered a relatively better price for bees ax at Shs10,000 per kilogramme. So, now I am able to sell all the beeswax but we have to save some from which I make candles. The buyer also buys propolis at Shs25,000 per kilogramme. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Here-is-why-farmers-in-Uganda-need-bamboo/-/689860/2457576/-/moa8cuz/-/index.html","content":"Here is why farmers in Uganda need bamboo - For about two centuries, farmers in parts of India have been using bamboo pipes to irrigate their crops. In Malaysia and The Philippines, bamboo is the material of choice for constructing farm structures ranging from livestock shelter to green houses. The farmers prefer bamboo to other material, because it is light yet strong and readily available on their farms where it grows in abundance. In Uganda, farmers mainly utilise bamboo as live fences to protect their land from encroachers. Few are aware of the many roles bamboo can play on their farms, if only they gave it a chance. By incorporating bamboo into their farming systems, farmers can boost their incomes while reducing expenditure on costly inputs such as animal feeds, fertilisers and fuel. Valuable resourcesA well-managed bamboo stand, planted on marginal land where nothing else will grow, can become a reliable and cheap source of food, feed, fibre and fuel. The same bamboo can also shield the farms from destructive winds and help in managing floods and soil erosion. A fast growing hardy crop with multiple uses, bamboo is a valuable resource that is yet to be exploited in Uganda. It does not matter which part of the country your farm is, you need bamboo. Take, for instance, the semi-arid cattle corridor, where livestock farmers have to deal with scarcity of water and pasture during dry season. The rainy season comes with its challenges. The top soils, exposed by overgrazing, get eroded and deposited in rivers, lakes, dams and ponds, leading to silting and flooding. By planting fast-growing bamboo on their land, the farmers can restore lost vegetation cover and check soil erosion. Once established, it becomes a constant source of nutritious feeds for their animals, poles for construction and source of fuel. Just like those in the cattle corridor, farmers in mountainous areas, especially along the slopes of Rwenzori and Elgon mountains, need to plant bamboo urgently to stop landslides that wreck havoc every season. Bamboo used to grow naturally in those regions and the locals would harvest it for various purposes. Sustainable solutionsBamboo shoots, known there as malewa, is a traditional delicacy among the Gishu people, who live on the slopes of Mt Elgon. Ignorant of the soil binding role its fibrous root network played on the steep slopes, they cleared the bamboo and replaced it with food crops like maize and vegetables. Without bamboo to check their momentum, rivers originating from the mountains rush straight into the valleys, causing massive soil erosion and flooding. Planting bamboo along these steep slopes is the only sustainable solution to the problem. It can also be a very good source of income. The demand for bamboo shoots worldwide is growing very fast while supply remains stagnant. China dominates the industry, earning millions of dollars from US, Japan and Thailand. In Uganda, some youth have started packing bamboo shoots under the Makerere University Food Science Incubation programme. For ginger farmers in central region, intercropping with bamboo can lead to a dramatic increase in yields. These farmers are facing reducing fertility and increasing pests and diseases, as a result of growing ginger in the same place for a very long time. Thus the intercrop will help deal with these challenges. In India, bamboo is intercropped with ginger and turmeric, which seem to thrive under the light shade cast by bamboo. Carbonised bamboo, crashed into powder and mixed with compost manure makes a good organic fertiliser. Researchers at Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) have developed high-grade fertiliser out of carbonised bamboo, which are already available on the market. Save money, earn extraFor the horticultural sector, bamboo can serve as a substitute for timber in greenhouse construction, and is perfect for staking vegetables like French and climbing beans, flowers, and passion fruits. The plant nursery and green house sector alone uses a lot of cane bamboo, which is currently harvested from natural forests. In Asia, bamboo is also commonly used to make crates and pallets for carrying horticultural produce from the farm to the market. In Ethiopia, water tanks made out of bamboo are making it possible for poor farmers to harvest rain water for domestic use and for their animals. The bamboo water tank initiative in Ethiopia is being supported by the International Network of Bamboo and Rattan, which promotes propagation and processing of bamboo. Besides saving money they would spend on food, feeds, fuel, fertilisers and construction material, they can also earn extra by making products ranging from crafts to furniture. The crafts are on high demand among tourists, who know about bamboo and its role in protecting the environment. As a matter of fact, China’s bamboo craft industry is dominated by peasant farmers, who work in their small farms during the day and at night make bamboo crafts in their homes. But almost all of bamboo crafts on sale in Uganda are imported from Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya. 1 | 2 Next Page»Unlike Ethiopia, which boasts of one million hectares of bamboo, Uganda has less than five thousand hectares, which is not enough to sustain an industry. That is why we need to plant more bamboo. Well managedAt the same time we need to demystify bamboo. There are several myths, most of them unfounded, which discourage people from planting bamboo on their land. The most common one is that it makes the soils barren or infertile. The truth is that soils will become barren or infertile if cultivated continuously without replacing the nutrients taken up by the planted crops. It does not matter whether you are growing maize, bananas bamboo. You need to feed the soils. The other myth is that bamboo attracts snakes. From my farming experience, an overgrown garden will attract snakes. Banana and coffee farmers are familiar with snakes that hide in overgrown banana groves and unpruned coffee bushes. An overgrown bamboo grove will certainly attract snakes. A well managed one will not. More about bamboo* Bamboo has gained an increasing importance worldwide as a substitution for timber and for a wide range of other innovative products and potentials. * No other plant has such myriad of uses; bamboo can be transformed into hundreds of products, such as shoots for food, poles for agriculture and structures, panels and composite materials for houses and buildings, versatile household products (furniture, kitchen utensils), vehicles for transportation (such as boats, bicycles, skateboards, and even ultra-light airplanes), pulp and paper, fibre for textiles, medicinal and bio-­chemical products (including bio-plastics and bio-fuels), charcoal for cooking and heating, and so much more. * Bamboo serves the needs in the daily life of more than one billion of people. The global revenue from bamboo-­related sales is estimated at $10b (Shs26t). * Bamboo represents a unique group within the grass family with jointed stems. Some of the giant bamboos are the fastest-­growing and most versatile plants on Earth. Shoots develop into stems (called culms) from an underground root system, the rhizome. During the growing season, they emerge and expand within two to three months, reaching their final height in the very same growing season. There is no other plant with such a daily growth rate. * Bamboo is a self-­regenerating raw material with a continuous production of new shoots. It does not die when it is cut down; it replenishes itself. * Ordinary trees have to be cultivated from seedlings, and need to grow for several decades to produce timber. The trees are cut and then new trees have to be planted again as seedlings to create a new forest. Bamboo grows into a forest by reproducing itself and continuously provides timber. * It has been estimated that bamboo’s leafy canopy possibly releases 25 per cent more oxygen than a comparable cluster of hardwood trees. In the renewing process, the bamboo plant grabs carbon dioxide from the air and holds it within its culm (stem) and root system where, in nature, it is not released until the soil in which the plant decomposes is cultivated. Additional information from www.worldbamboo.net editorial@ug.nationemdia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Famine--more-disasters-feared-in-the-east/-/688334/2456380/-/3jpsw/-/index.html","content":"Famine, more disasters feared in the east - Reports from Butaleja and neighbouring districts indicate that the long dry spell in the eastern and north-east has left thousands in need of food aid. This situation has been made worse by the current floods that have ravaged several areas.The torrential rains have in the past few weeks caused havoc after River Manafwa burst its bank causing floods in the low altitude Butaleja District, and leaving people displaced. “The heavy rains are still pounding the prone district of Butaleja and devastating the entire road network-making it impossible to cross to either side of Mbale or Busolwe,” said Butaleja District chairperson Joseph Muyonjo. The most affected sub-counties are Mazimasa and Himutu where several properties and crops have been destroyed. There are other districts in eastern Uganda that have fallen into similar circumstances and these include, Nakapiripirit, Kabong, Bulambuli, Bududa, Tororo, Kwen, Kotido, Pallisa, Teso sub-region and Kapchorwa Mr Muyongo said the two catastrophe floods and famine have severely hit Butaleja District and other districts because litte food was harvested due to the long dry spell coupled with torrential rains that recently destroyed the little acres of crops people had planted. The Uganda Red Cross Society has estimated about 1,400 local families in Bulambuli and 1,294 households in Butaleja are in dire need of support due to the devastation by the floods and failure of the April-May rains. State minister for Disaster Preparedness Musa Echeru said government is doing everything possible to give assistance to the most affected areas as more logistics are being mobilised. He, however, noted that the biggest challenge is that people tend to sell all the produce, leaving nothing for home consumption. Torrential rains and flooding could ultimately affect food security. Looming disaster Experts have warned of a deepening crack on Mt Elgon that runs 40km from River Lwakhakha on the Uganda-Kenya border through Manafwa, Bududa, Mbale, Sironko and Kapchorwa districts putting many lives at risk as torrential rains continue pounding the entire region. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Storm-leaves-Luweero-villages-in-ruins/-/688334/2453734/-/6x1ctaz/-/index.html","content":"Storm leaves Luweero villages in ruins - Luweero. A heavy rainstorm has destroyed more than 12 acres of banana and coffee plantations in Kamira Sub-county, Luweero District.According to the sub-county chairperson, Mr Livingstone Kategaya, the storm, which hit Mazzi and Nabinaka parishes on Sunday afternoon, also left many houses without roofs. Mr Kategaya said several gardens were also destroyed by falling trees.“Some farmers have lost their entire gardens. We are lucky not to have registered any injuries although several homes were de-roofed,”Mr Kategaya told Daily Monitor yesterday.The storm hit areas which are already facing threats of the floods from River Ssezibwa, which according to Mr Kategaya, has burst its banks and affected Mazzi, Kabunyata, Makonkonyigo villages, with many roads currently impassable.The sub-county youth councillor, Mr Musisi Lugemwa, said they have appealed to district authorities to consider the plight of the affected residents.“Some of our farmers are likely to be hit by hunger after losing their gardens to the floods and the storm. We also appeal to the farmers to be on the alert because the rains are likely to affect more areas of the sub-county,” said Mr Musisi, who is also the secretary for works and technical services.The storm comes days as many residents in the region are counting losses after heavy rains pounded their areas. In Nakaseke District, access to Kinoni, Kinyogoga and Ngoma sub-counties became impossible after rains damaged the roads. Some milk dealers said they failed to transport their milk to collection centres due to bad roads. Recent casesPader. Several houses were washed away following the heavy downpour that lasted three days.Sironko. Residents of Sonoli and Buweri trading centres were stuck with their produce after the Namagumba-Buyobo-Budadiri road became impassable.Butaleja. More than 2,000 people in Mazimasa, Kachonga, Himitu, Nampologoma, Namehere, Namulo and Doho sub-counties fled their homes as floods spewed by River Manafwa displaced them recently.Amudat. At least 500 families were displaced and their crops destroyed following torrential rain that hit the area. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Residents-uproot-cassava-in-fear-of-floods/-/688334/2453470/-/f3fyxp/-/index.html","content":"Residents uproot cassava in fear of floods - ALEBTONG. Farmers in Omoro Sub-county, Alebtong District have begun uprooting their cassava, fearing it might rot in gardens. The move follows persistent rains that have caused flooding in the area. Farmers who spoke to Daily Monitor said uprooting the cassava might save them from totally losing out as other crops have been washed away by floods. As a measure, residents are drying their crops on roof tops and others have constructed high raise houses where they can temporarily sleep as they wait for floods to reduce. The rains, which started last month, have pounded 46 villages in the parishes of Alolololo and Ocokober, destroying more than 75 households. Three primary schools of Angicakide, Angem and Okomo, were destroyed and more than 2,000 have failed to return to school. “The situation is pathetic. More than 75 households have nowhere to sleep and what to eat. Government should come to peoples’ rescue,” Mr David Kenney Odongo, the Alebtong District chairman, said. The Alebtong District disaster preparedness committee chairperson, also the chief administrative officer, Mr Richard Alioka, said the district might be hit with food shortage in the long run. Residents are also worried of contracting diseases, especially cholera with several streams and wells being contaminated. Bishop Tom Ibrahim Okello, the president of Uganda Red Cross Society, said people should not to sit back but plant new gardens. Helping victims Relief items. Uganda Red Cross Society has been distributing relief items including blankets, mosquito net, jerricans, cups, bars of soap and tapelines to victims. editiorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Where-are-they--Cry-over-missing-persons/-/688334/2452536/-/cva014/-/index.html","content":"Where are they? Families of missing persons hold onto hope - One day, one week, one month, one year…every day the sun rises and sets, the thread of hope gets thinner and the anguish surges.One can safely say that a family can never experience more agony than that caused when a loved one disappears, without trace or explanation. And the search bears no fruit as the clock ticks away. “I know that she is alive. That girl is not dead. Someday I will meet her, I may not identify her by the face but I can tell her by the legs because my children have similar legs,” Abdullatiff Kigonya emotionally told this reporter recently. The swimming coach at Greenhill Academy Kampala, has not seen his daughter, Aisha Kyazike, for 14 years now. She went missing on March 8, 2001. The family had only celebrated her third birthday. Today, Mr Kigonya has three children, baby Aisha was their first born. Sudden disappearanceOutside extraordinary circumstances such as war and other disasters like landslides and floods, hundreds of families in the country continue to grapple with the sudden and inexplicable disappearance of relatives. James Mafabi from Jinja, for instance, reported the loss of their daughter and a maid in 2009. Several advertisements in the print and broadcast media have yielded no fruit and police seems to have given up on the matter. At the Ministry of Internal Affairs offices in Kampala, the Anti-Human Trafficking desk force is a bee hive of activity with staff, journalists and distressed relatives seeking answers to mysteries. Each time the desk parades returnees from the Middle East and other parts of the world that had been trafficked; the relatives come in sizeable numbers, hoping their relatives could be among. Often times, the hope is nothing but just that - hope! Police not doing enough?Relatives of missing persons this newspaper interviewed shared sharp misgivings about the pace of investigations and interest in following up cases by the police. Our reporter, for instance, could not readily access information on profiles of missing persons or status of their cases in different police stations. Even the police headquarters at Naguru in Nakawa Division, has no estimates of missing persons. The police force, it emerged, has no central database on missing persons let alone mechanisms in its Family Protection Unit to help families. The unit’s head, Ms Christine Alalo, says it mainly deals with lost and found children. “We don’t have cases of missing persons,” Ms Alalo said. Police spokesman Fred Enanga said sometimes cases are recorded and the families don’t return to close the files once they find their missing relatives. “We are in advanced stages of setting up a missing persons’ desk,” Mr Enanga said. The police, however, placed blame for most cases on maids or caretakers, who accidentally abandon and or neglect children placed under their charge. He said some maids disappear from homes they are employed in and some children are kidnapped as a result of family disputes. “I wish I was barren”Ms Daphne Nagawa is a mother in her late 20s but she wishes she had been barren. Ms Nagawa is yet to come to terms with the harsh reality that Calvin Mwanje, her one and only child is still, missing, eight months later.“Sometimes I wish I was barren. Surely why did I produce and lose my child just like that?” she tearfully wondered in an interview. Early this year, she operated a stall from where she sold groceries in Busega, a Kampala suburb. At around 11am, she took her shoes to the cobbler for repair, leaving her one-year-and-three-months-old baby playing with two other children. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Heavy-rains-displace-hundreds/-/688334/2449602/-/124jigv/-/index.html","content":"Heavy rains displace hundreds - Kampala-Several residents, and notably farmers, are counting losses as heavy rains continue to pound the country. In several districts across the country, gardens have been flooded, roads damaged, and houses left water logged. PaderSeveral houses in Pader District have been washed away following the heavy downpour in the last three days. More than 100 homes have been destroyed, leaving the owners to seek shelter in institutions like schools and churches. Several crops have also been destroyed, posing a threat of food insecurity in the area. The most affected parishes are Aringa, Parwech, Laminajiko Apwo, Oret and Ogom. In these areas, locals are now in need of emergency food and turpline for temporary shelter. Pader District chairperson Alfred Akena estimated that about 5,000 gardens have been affected so far and over 100 houses washed away. “We are in fear that with the continuous rains, many people will still be displaced from their homes. We appeal to development partners to come to our rescue in helping the affected persons,” Mr Akena said. NakasekeSeveral roads in Nakaseke District have become impassable with delivery of perishable milk becoming a nightmare. The most affected sub-counties are; Kinoni, Kinyogoga and Ngoma. Kinoni-Rwensidizi- Lugogo road in Kinoni Sub-county is one of the most affected roads with some milk dealers claiming losses after they failed to transport the milk to the collecting centres in Ngoma and Kinyogoga areas. “Milk trucks cannot go through this section of the road which is now flooded. Some of the road culverts have been washed away. Some of the milk dealers just abandon the milk after failing to go through this road section,” Mr Patrick Rwakashaija, the Kinoni Sub-county chairperson told the Daily Monitor on Tuesday. The area LC III chairman Mazimasa Mr Massa Twaha urged the government to assist in their relocation to safer grounds until the floods recede. By Cosmas James Okidi, Dan Wandera and David Mafabi BUTALEJA More than 2,000 people in Mazimasa, Kachonga, Himitu, Nampologoma, Namehere, Namulo and Doho sub-counties in Butaleja District have fled their homes as floods spewed by River Manafwa displaced them. Schools, health centres and gardens were not spared. Learning in many schools has also been disrupted as classrooms at Doho and Namehere primary schools are flooded and others turned into refugee centres. When Daily Monitor visited the place, most homes in Tindi, Mukhuyu, Doho and Namulo villages had been deserted as most of the gardens, homes and latrine pits remained submerged in water, pausing great danger of disease outbreak. 1 | 2 Next Page»editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Egypt-gives-Shs4-billion-to-fight-Kasese-floods/-/688334/2449524/-/111mkni/-/index.html","content":"Egypt gives Shs4 billion to fight Kasese floods - KAMPALA- The Egyptian government has offered $1.5 million (aboutShs4 billion) to facilitate a study that will seek a long term solution to the flooding in Kasese District that causes death and destruction of property every year. Every rainy season, River Nyamwamba on the slopes of Mt Rwenzori bursts its banks, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Dr Yosry Khasagy, the head of Egypt Irrigation Mission in Uganda, told journalists in Kampala recently that the funding is targeting both short term and long term plans. “We have just ended a joint technical meeting of Ugandan and Egyptian officials in the water sector ministries in Cairo. Egypt is funding a study to establish a long term solution to the Kasese floods,” said Dr Khasagy. “For the time being, we are to build three dams, each with a capacity of more than 20,000 cubic metres as a short time remedy,” he added. He said the project is expected to kick off any time. The funding comes after Cabinet recently approved a request by the Disaster ministry to allocate Shs25b for relief to Kasese in the aftermath of the floods. The funding of the Kasese project adds on the long list of projects undertaken by the Egyptian government in Uganda. Recently, Cairo embarked on a programme that will see 75 water wells drilled in 23 districts. The project is estimated to cost about Shs2.5 billion. The first phase of 10 boreholes was commissioned early this year in Mukono District. wouma@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Water-crisis-hits-Kasese-Town/-/688334/2448088/-/dnsyk7/-/index.html","content":"Water crisis hits Kasese Town - KASESE. Water pipes in Kasese Town have been broken or left exposed after more than 16 hours of rain last Friday. These pipes convey pumped water from mountains to lower land.As such, the town dwellers have since last Saturday been living without piped water supplied by National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC). The NWSC manager for Kasese District branch, Mr Stanley Kamugisha, said the destruction caused by floods, left the corporation with no option.“We have failed to rectify the problem given the huge amount of water. We are looking for the excavator to re-channel the river (Nyamwamba) before we fix the problem,” he said.The manager expressed fear that the water crisis would take long if the company does not get the machine to recourse the river.“We apologise to our esteemed customers [and ask them] to bear with us as we look forward to rectifying the problem soon,” Mr Kamugisha added. The manager appealed for help in order to save the community from using contaminated water. Ms Mariam Muhindo, a resident of Kasese Town, said they have resorted to using dirty water from River Nyamwamba for domestic use since they have no alternative.“We are used to taking the contaminated water from River Nyamwamba since NWSC has never been reliable even when floods have not hit,” she said.The water scarcity in town has not spared hotels, restaurants, lodges and bars.However, the crisis has boosted the boda boda business. Mr David Maseraka, a boda boda rider, said: “We are in good business this time since I can fetch as many as 50 jerrycans of 20 litres a day. I can go home with Shs50,000 a day which is unusual. The water is bad but we have to fetch it,” he said. Price upMs Lillian Natukunda, another resident, said she harvests rain water and sells a 20-litter jerrycan of water between Shs500 and Shs1,000.“I have increased the price of water from Shs200 to Shs500 and Shs1,000 per 20-litre jerrycan because I want to reduce the congestion and demand. I fear that if I sell it cheaply, my tank may go dry before it rains again,” Ms Natukunda said.Last month, the district environmental officer, Mr Augustine Kooli, warned of more floods as the rainy season starts. He said de-silting the river now is equal to wasting money since the deposition will be done as rain continues, adding that government needs to focus on the cause and not the symptom. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kumi-schools-fail-to-open-over-heavy-rains/-/688334/2448280/-/8soa3hz/-/index.html","content":"Kumi schools fail to open over heavy rains - Kumi: Several pupils in Ongiino Sub-county, Kumi District have failed to report to school for their third term as rains continue to pound the area causing floods. Several buildings have been flooded with gardens and plantations washed away. Roads and foot paths have also been made impassable thus pupils cannot use them to report to schools. “Many families have moved to neighbouring villages that are considered safe. Those with nowhere to go are sheltering in churches, mosques and schools,” Ongiino Sub-county chairman, Mr Ben Okiria, said.He said the villages of Omunyal and Atirir in Kapolin parish, with an estimated 368 households had been the worst hit by rains that have been pounding the area since last month. Much of the area is dominated by mud and wattle grass-thatched houses and they are likely to have been weakened by flooding. Kapolin Primary School, one of the affected schools failed to open for third term with fears that some buildings and toilets had become unsafe. “One of the latrines has been filled up with water and another side caved in. We feel unsafe so pupils cannot report back,” Mr David Emenyat, the head teacher, said.The school with a population of 967 pupils is currently housing residents who have been affected by the rains. Marion Amoding, a Primary Seven pupil at Aakum Primary School said her home is about 3kms from the school and she is finding it hard to navigate through the flooded roads. The Ongiino Sub-county chairperson, Mr Kizito Adome, said the area had never experienced such rains for more than seven years. The area, according to Adome had experienced a series of dry spells that had resulted into poor yields and food shortage. The area health inspector, Mr Armstrong Odica, said there is fear that pupils might be at the risk of acquiring diseases, including water-borne infections. He said majority of the pupils walk to school bare footed for long distances. Flooding has affected much of the country as rains continue to pound much of Uganda. Last week, the Metrological Department in Entebbe warned the rains might continue up to December. The flooding is threatening to become a serious catastrophe crops, roads and in worst case scenarios houses are washed away. The State minister for Disaster, Mr Musa Ecweru, told Daily Monitor government would intervene and assist areas worst hit. “Government is working on how to help affected villages,” he said. Kumi District chairperson, Ismail Orot, said the district disaster committee would soon decide what to do for pupils and the schools affected. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Rains-affect-harvests-in-Karamoja/-/688334/2447094/-/h25xx6z/-/index.html","content":"Rains affect harvests in Karamoja - Karamoja. Efforts by farmers across Karamoja sub-region to grow crops are being eroded by heavy rains that they say will now affect their expected good harvest. Farmers who spoke to this newspaper in separate interviews said the excessive rain that they have experienced in recent weeks has damaged crops and caused flooding. Ms Sarah Amiti, a model farmer in Karita Sub-county in Amudat District, said she had been managing to pay school fees of her three children in Pokot Secondary School in Amudat by selling crops but now all the crops have been damaged by floods. “I don’t know how I will manage to pay school fees for my children this term since all the crops that I planted with the hope of selling have been damaged by heavy rains,” She said. Mr Tengei Mario, the district production officer of Nakapiripirit, said farmers had banked on cultivating but a lot of sunshine first started affecting crops before the current heavy rains that have worsened the situation. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/300-displaced-by-floods/-/688334/2447086/-/bgs7hs/-/index.html","content":"300 displaced by floods - Butaleja. At least 300 residents in Himutu, Kachonga and Mazimasa sub-counties, Butaleja District have been displaced by floods from River Manafwa. Reports from the ground indicated that about 37 houses (homes) have been submerged, household items such as bedding, clothes, domestic birds, and animals have been washed away by the floods leaving residents in tears. The floods, triggered by heavy rains that have been pounding Mt Elgon sub-region for the last four days, also destroyed gardens of food crops like cassava, potatoes, beans, maize, rice, groundnuts, tomatoes, sorghum and animals. When Daily Monitor visited the area, the victims had taken refuge at their relative’s homes with several of them wandering without shelter, food and clothing after most of their property was carried away by the floods. The water has flooded a stretch of more than 20km in the sub-counties, including Kangaraba and Nabiganda Trading Centre. The disasterThe floods took people unaware barely a month after officials from the Office of the Prime Minister and Uganda Communications Commission installed an early warning system siren at the banks of River Manafwa in Himutu Sub-county to alert residents of possible floods so they can escape before any damage. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Jobs-Career/Ask-your-life--insurance-adviser/-/689848/2441236/-/i28ymi/-/index.html","content":"Ask your life  insurance adviser - As a farmer, what insurance plans are available to protect me from making losses on my crops? Crop farming is fairly lucrative business and provides a livelihood for billions of people however there are pertinent risks involved often considered to be natural disasters beyond the control of the farmer. Examples include; hailstorms, drought, floods, insects etc. but imagine if a farmer borrows five million from an MFI and plants maize only for it all to die due to drought; would this suffice as grounds for exemption to pay the loan? Crop Insurance is available and dates as far back as the 1820s in France and Germany. The two major types are crop yield protection, which protects against unexpected natural calamities and crop revenue protection, which hedges against the losses a farmer may incur due to crop price fluctuations.In Uganda you can get this kind of insurance as a bundled product from VAT exempt life insurance companies and it is offered to banks, Saccos, MFIs and farmers’ groups to help repay their loans and provide replanting capital in case of a catastrophe. This kind of cover protects both the farmer’s life as well as his farming activities to avoid defaulting on his loan. In India it is compulsory for all borrowing farmers and the government subsidizes on the premiums. For more information on insuring your future, please contact; lifeadvisor@uap.co.ug, www.facebook.com/uaplifeadvisor or TYPE UAP (leave space) Message (Send to 6933). The writer is the Corporate Sales Manager for UAP Life Insurance."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Heavy-rains-ravage-Karamoja--displace-500/-/688334/2441316/-/n5u56f/-/index.html","content":"Heavy rains ravage Karamoja, displace 500 - Amudat. At least 500 families in Amudat District have been displaced and their crops destroyed following torrential rain that hit the area on Wednesday. The worst hit areas are the suburbs of Amudat Town Council that include Amudat ward, Kapetawoi and Lotetebe. An estimated 700 hectares of sorghum green gram were destroyed.Ms Betty Cheruto of Kapetawoi village said floods washed away her hut and six hectares of a maize garden. Several household items were damaged and her chicken killed by floods. Mr Charles Lokoroi Lokwi, the town clerk, said the flooding was the first of its kind to hit the district. Mr William Bwatwum, the district chairperson, appealed to the Office of the Prime Minister and humanitarian organisations to come to the rescue of the stranded residents. Most of the displaced people, he said, are sleeping in classrooms.The rainy season has left Moroto-Soroti road in bad shape. Vehicles carrying passengers and goods got stuck at Olim-lim village. Two buses that left Moroto for Kampala and Mbale respectively got stuck. The Napak District Police Commander, Mr Francis Tumwesigye, said the over 140 passengers are stranded with nothing to eat.The persistent rains and surface flooding have destroyed several roads in the sub region in the last one month making movement difficult. Drivers speak outMr Patrick Wabwire, a lorry driver, said the current condition of the roads in Karamoja was greatly affecting business in the region.“For the last three days I have been stuck here in Okudud and all my maize flour has got spoiled and yet the money that I used to run this business I got it from the bank,” he said.Mr Hassan Ssentamu, the UNRA station engineer, blamed the state of the roads on the heavy rains. He said engineers were busy making some repairs on the road to enable traffic flow. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Shs25m-project-to-stop-floods-in-Kasese/-/688334/2441334/-/14k84yb/-/index.html","content":"Shs25m project to stop floods in Kasese - Kabarole. Hima Cement has given Shs25 million to help the local communities in Kasese District to improve the management of water resources and avert natural disasters in the area.The money to be used in a one-year project is aimed at protecting the River Mubuku catchment area in partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature and Kasese District Local Government.Like most rivers in the country, River Mubuku’s banks have suffered massive degradation due to encroachment, deforestation, cultivation, animal grazing and human settlement. There is also increased solid waste disposal into the river. The encroachment has in some river sections obstructed its flow, with unsustainable quarrying and sand mining being singled out as major causes of flooding in the mountainous district. Consequently, the river bursts its banks at the onset of the rainy seasons.Despite the hazards, officials say, river Mobuku has the potential to supply water to residents and sustaining a small scale hydropower development and irrigation plant. This is the intervention that Hima, WWF Uganda, and Kasese District Local Government aim to achieve in the new project. “We aim to increase community awareness and participation in catchment management programmes such as restoration of degraded areas including river banks, forests and wetlands,” Hima community relations officer Joseph Kabaseke said in a recent press release.He explained that this will improve the rural livelihoods through income generation received through payments for eco-system services thereby reducing poverty among the residents. “This partnership will also increase flow reliability even in dry seasons and realize the benefits of good upstream catchment management and community participation in hydro power generation to the communities,” Mr Kabaseke said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Flooded-river-disrupts-transport--destroys-crops/-/688334/2437670/-/4u3im7/-/index.html","content":"Flooded river disrupts transport, destroys crops - Luweero Several farmers have lost their gardens and transport disrupted after River Ssezibwa in Kamira Sub-county, Luweero District burst its banks causing floods. Kamira Sub-county chairperson Livingstone Kategaya said the floods have swept through villages of Matembe, Bukiibi and Katagwe where several gardens have been washed away and making roads impassable. The floods have been a result of rains that have swept through several parts of the country since the beginning of last month. “We cannot control the flooding which has swept through a number of villages”, Mr Kategaya told Daily Monitor on Sunday. Mr Musisi Lugemwa, the Sub-county youth Councillor and secretary for works at Kamira Sub-county said the floods could be disastrous and could bring cause diseases and hunger. The rains could continue throughout September, according to data from the Metrological department in Entebbe. “The farmers have lost much of their maize, which is due for harvest and newly planted crops have been washed away,” Mr Lugemwa added. Other parts affected include Kigegyo village and Kalongo Sub-county in Nakasongola District where foods have destroyed several gardens and have made some roads impassable. In Katagwe and Keera villages, local leaders claim floods could have swept away more than 12 acres of maize gardens belonging to four farmers. More than seven acres of cassava, beans and maize have been destroyed in Bukiibi and Matembe villages, according to Mr Lugemwa, the youth councillor for Kamira Sub-county. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Forestry-staff-warned-against-following--orders-from-above-/-/688334/2432740/-/ebdmtyz/-/index.html","content":"Forestry staff warned against following ‘orders from above’ - Kampala. Environment minister Ephraim Kamuntu has warned National Forest Authority (NFA) staff against obeying people who hide under the pretext of executing ‘orders from above’ to ferry timber from government forest reserves. The minister said encroachers have for long used names of people in key government positions such the as President, army commanders and ministers to dupe NFA staff not to impound illegal timber.“I am the final authority on matters of forests in Uganda. If there is any person claiming to be ‘above,’ refer him to me. Otherwise, I am directing you to arrest all these culprits unless when they produce a letter from a person who assigned them,” Prof Kamuntu said at NFA offices on Tuesday. New board sworn inThe minister made the directive while officiating at the swearing in ceremony of the six-member NFA board.He said forestry, just like oil and gas, agriculture, manufacturing and tourism is ranked among the country’s nucleus economic sectors although it’s facing threats from encroachers. The minister said there are very good regulations regarding forestry issues but have not been well implemented. NFA executive director Michael Mugisa said the board has been appointed at the time they wanted it most to help in guiding implementation of various strategies.“There is a great task lying ahead of us but we need to be strong and work as a team,” he said. Prof Gershom Onyango Onyai, who is the new board chairman, said this is the time to lift NFA from where the former board left it to greater heights.Some of the new board members include; Prof Maggie Kigozi, Mr Dickson C Langoya, Mr Stephen Bagonza Mugumya and Mr David Ebong. OUR FORESTS IN DANGEREach year, the number of trees cut down in the country increases in number. If there is no proper plan to save forests, Uganda will find herself exposed to more drought and floods. In June 2008, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) released a report which showed that Uganda had more than five million hectares of forest cover in 1990. By 2005, only 3.5 million hectares (8.6 million acres) had remained. The report warned that if deforestation continues at that rate, Uganda will have lost all its forested land by 2050. Visits to selected central forest reserves show destruction of large covers of forest area. It is estimated that the forest cover is being lost at a rate of 92,000 hectares per annum. The 2010 Biomass Report, shows that forest cover loss was highest in Kyenjojo District. mssebuyira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Water-transport-can-cut-Kampala-s-travel-costs/-/689364/2428168/-/liaaww/-/index.html","content":"Water transport can cut Kampala’s travel costs - “The $5 million for building just a kilometre can buy a giant ferry connecting Entebbe and Kampala every 15 minutes carrying 100 cars and 10, 000 people and construct two landing stations for it!” When the rain fell last week, the minister’s maid did not pay us any visit. So when she dropped by this week, she was welcomed with wider smiles than usual.“But you girl, how can you chuck us like that?” my maid accused her. “I didn’t want to drown in those floods nyabo!” she answered.“Banange the water was so much I wish we could just put fish to produce and we just pick it from the estates,” said my scatter-brained maid.“I doubt it would survive with all the contamination around us,” said the minister’s maid thoughtfully. “But watching all that water, I felt such a sense of waste,” persisted my maid mournfully. “Then there were those kids moving around sitting in big basins like boats! Can’t we at least start moving around using boats? Wouldn’t it be cheaper than using cars!” “But that would be quite temporary,” answered her friend. “The water accumulates for a while because of the poor drainage but once it sips through the blockages, we are back on land with no water for your basin boats, let alone bigger real ones.”“Then let Jennifer seal the drainage strongly so that the water remains until the next rain and we can always use our small boats,” pleaded my maid as if Jennifer the city boss could hear her. “Forget the mad taxi drivers and boda bodas, just get in your basin and paddle to work, school or church.”“But how many buildings can survive that water for a month without collapsing?” asked the minister’s maid. “Would you even be able to open the door without the water entering the house?” “They can break and make other doors which are a bit higher than the water,” persisted my maid. “And since we would be coming in and going out in floating boat basins…”“Get real,” the minister’s maid interrupted her. “Even if they unblock the blocked drainage, the water would find its way into the lake or sip into the ground within days.”“So you mean we can’t take advantage of all that water?” asked my maid in disappointment. “We can take advantage of our heads and still make better transport plans basing on the observations like what you are making,” responded the minister’s maid. “We already have the water in Lake Victoria. The other night we were at the home of honourble’s friend in Mutungo and it was amazing to see how close Entebbe is to Kampala across the water! So instead of flooding the city, we can still transport people over the lake very cheaply to Entebbe.” “Cheaply!” exclaimed my maid. When they say that express way being built costs $5 million per kilometre because bits of it pass over swamp? What about a road passing over real water?” “I did not talk about a road, silly!” the minister’s maid corrected her friend. “To pass over the lake you use a floating road called a ferry. The $5 million for building just a kilometre can buy a giant ferry connecting Entebbe and Kampala every 15 minutes carrying 100 cars and 10, 000 people and construct two landing stations for it!” I slipped out of the room as they talked on, wondering if there is a way I could introduce this girl to the country’s transport authorities so she becomes their adviser.buwembo@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/One-killed--hundreds-displaced-by-floods-/-/688334/2425594/-/c4leixz/-/index.html","content":"One killed, hundreds displaced by floods  - KASESE. One person died and hundreds displaced after rivers Mubuku and Nyamwamba burst their banks on Tuesday as the rains returned last week in Kasese. Edson Baluku Mubilo, 28, a resident of Mbulamasi, Mahango Sub-county, Kasese District drowned in River Nyamwamba as he was trying to cross from Base camp. His body was taken to the mortuary after it was found yesterday near Rukoki village. Residents in Karusanda Sub-county have been displaced due to flooding and are taking refuge in neighbouring Rukoki village. Mahango Sub-county chairperson, Mr Ezra Turihohabwe said several people have been displaced and some houses and crops washed away. Some of the roads linking Karusandara village to other areas have also been blocked.Access to some health centres and the sub county headquarters has also been blocked.Mr Turihohabwe said, “The only access to Karusandara now is through Hima Town which is a long distance.” Areas that have been gravely affected include Kanamba, Kibuga and Karusandara parishes in Karusandara Sub-county. District councillor Richard Bomera has warned residents not to risk crossing the river. earlier warning The Kasese District environment officer, Mr Augustine Kooli last week warned that the district would be hit by another round of floods this month since it was the beginning of the long rainy season. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Stocking-cassava-for-the-future/-/689860/2417156/-/86e3o6z/-/index.html","content":"Stocking cassava for the future - There are different crop species in Africa and, particularly Uganda, which need to be preserved for future farm use. These include various legumes such as beans, cow pea, groundnuts, cereals like rice and maize, and root crops such as sweet potatoes, cassava, Irish potatoes, as well as fruits and vegetables among others. Plant Genetic Resources Centre (PGRC) in Entebbe is already preserving a number of these crops in laboratories and the botanical garden. In the same vein, National Crop Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) is collecting various cassava varieties to be preserved in Namulonge. Domestic and wildThe initiative is to ensure that crop varieties, which are likely to get extinct, are kept for future regeneration. John Mulumba Wasswa, the in-charge of the gene bank at PGRC, in an earlier interview, said his team is preserving both domestic crops and their wild species. The former would be readily accessible to farmers who want to plant them and the latter made available to scientists contacting trials to improve different crop varieties against diseases and pests, for increased yields and counter climate change challenges like drought and floods. “We keep traditional crop varieties grown country wide as well as wild species such as wild finger millet, coffee, sorghum and the green vegetable commonly known as nakkati,” he explained. “Sometimes we keep the genes of some crops in a refrigerator and in form of seeds, which can last more than 50 years without damage. The wild species contain genes that can be used to improve indigenous crops. It is also a requirement for countries to contribute to an international gene bank based in Colombia. Here, Uganda is represented by finger millet and sorghum. However, scientists at Namulonge are conserving local varieties farmers have been growing including those have sterile seeds and those that do not. Dr Grace Nakabonge heads the team that is collecting cassava varieties mainly from the cassava-growing area in Uganda under Eastern Africa Agricultural Productivity (EAAP) project. The initiative is to boost the breeding process and to rescue varieties being wiped out by pests and disease. Knowledge and methodsThe team relies on farmers’ knowledge about the varieties in the different places they have so far gone to. These include Arua, Koboko and Nebbi districts where varieties such as Basumenge, Kali, Mabulu, Abiria, Jeyo, Nyaraboke, Bali and Nyapamitu, among others, are found. Buliisa and Kiryandogo, where mainly Bukalasa is grown as well as Masindi and Hoima. They intend to go to all districts where cassava is grown on a large scale such as Lira in the north and in the east and west. Dr Nakabonge says her team preserves the cassava germplasm using two methods. One is ex situ conservation where plantlets bred through tissue culture are kept frozen in test tubes via what is known as cyro-preservation technique. The other method is in situ perseveration where they are conserved in a confined field using a method known as Bonsai collection. Here the plantlets are kept in small sizes and grown in restricted places. In both, what is conserved is pest and disease free. Document all varietiesThe team will also create a data base on the characteristics. To achieve its objective, there is need for thermotherapy capacity as well as laboratory consumables to conserve these materials which is apparently a challenge. There has been little record of how many cassava varieties farmers in Uganda are growing apart from the improved varieties, such as the Nase series. This initiative will be the first of its kind to document all cassava species that exists in the country. John Odipio, a cassava breeder at Namulonge, says there are 19 improved varieties that have been released to farmers since 2007. Since that year, 12 varieties namely Nase1 to Nase12 were released. Last year, Nase14 to Nase19 were released with most farmers mainly concentrating in growing Nase14 because of its good qualities. alominda@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Crowds-as-ID-exercise-moves-to-sub-counties/-/688334/2415812/-/17wjiuz/-/index.html","content":"Crowds as ID exercise moves to sub-counties - Countrywide Long queues, congestion and several complaints characterized centres countrywide as the registration for national identity cards moved from parish to sub-county level. In Kampala divisions and stations far-flung in rural districts --- across the country, many people lined up impatiently complaining about what they termed as a slow process and missing forms. Some said the time allocated to the first phase was short. The exercise which commenced on April 13, 2014 seems to have caught millions of citizens off guard as they made a last ditch attempt to register at areas in the proximity of their residences and work places. At centres sampled within Kampala metropolitan like Kisementi in Nakawa division, Rubaga, and East Kololo in central division, eager citizens should in long lines while the fatigued sat, eating snacks they had carried for the long wait. The situation was not much different from what transpired in the 1,378 Sub counties across of the country. Despite the delays, by Sunday, the Internal Affairs ministry coordinating the exercise reported that 14 million people out of the targeted 18 million had been registered. The enumerators are targeting citizens of 16 years and above. Ms Pamela Ankunda, the ministry spokesperson, said this was encouraging since the exercise had encountered many challenges at the onset. She listed inadequate and delayed arrival of kits, natural catastrophes like floods in Kasese, inexperienced staff, cult leaders preaching against the registration and local council leaders who were on-and-off over pay. “The 18 million is still very attainable,” Ms Ankunda commented. The exercise ends February. “We have attained 14 million despite the initial challenges,” Ms Ankunda told Daily Monitor via telephone yesterday. WesternMr Jones Rugumya, the Regional Internal Security Officer Greater Bushenyi said 135,483 people representing 90 percent of the total population of Bushenyi-Ishaka municipality had registered. In Ntungamo district about 20-40 people were stilling lining up for registration at various centers by 4pm mostly students who have been at school. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Encroachers-should-respect-court-order/-/689360/2415466/-/yjq2huz/-/index.html","content":"Encroachers should respect court order - Encroachers in Matiri Central Forest Reserve in Kyenjojo District should heed High Court orders, harvest their crops, and temporarily vacate the reserve by end of August. The ruling to lift a five-year order that had barred National Forestry Authority (NFA) from conducting any activity on the land is well-timed. Already, the forest reserve was nearly depleted as a court order secured by Omuhereza Rwakaboyo and 119 other petitioners stopped NFA’s control of the reserve. This was reinforced by another rival claim by Mr Patrick Kalubanga and 40 others as the forest continued to be exhausted. Sadly, this court battle (since 2005) between the rival communities and NFA had frustrated settlement of the dispute as the destruction of the forest continued. For now, the encroachers should respect the court order and allow NFA to plant more trees, restore the degraded and now fragile state of the forest reserve and restore their ecological functions as the case waits to be disposed of.The ruling should also enforce President Museveni’s directives given early this year that Ugandans should stop degradation of forests. Short of this urgent action, encroachments frustrate the urgency in national tone to restore Uganda’s forest cover and save the environment.Already, Uganda has a red alert that unrestrained interference with nature will be catastrophic for the country. A 2008 report by the National Environmental Agency (Nema), says Uganda loses 90,000 hectares of forests every year. And the little left of the country’s forests will vanish in barely 30 years. The loss also exposes the country to crop pests, drought, floods and mudslides as witnessed in Kasese, Elgon, and Kigezi areas. This is why the destruction of Matiri Central Forest Reserve should be stopped now.This court order is crucial for the survival of the forest reserve. First, it should temporarily allow NFA to open up the boundaries of the forest reserve. Second, this should help the High Court ascertain the boundary of the reserve and come up with foolproof evidence of infringement, or none of it. Third, it should help sort out and satisfy the rival claims of encroachers. In the end, President Museveni’s intervention as requested by the communities should only come when court determines the encroachers were already not compensated, as NFA claims. All government agencies should exercise impartiality and avoid double-speak, which have previously frustrated execution of orders to enforce court and NFA directives. Let environmental enforcement be executed by agencies entrusted by statutes without undue interference from political authorities. The issue: Forest encroachment Our view: Let environmental enforcement be executed by agencies entrusted by statutes without undue interference from political authorities."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/The-state-of-our-youth-s-mental-health/-/691232/2415582/-/812uih/-/index.html","content":"The state of our youth’s mental health - Meeting Isaac for the first time, he comes off as a perfect young and energetic youth. He looks well groomed and his physical health is in perfect shape. But when he sits you down and starts telling you about himself, that is when you realise that his health is not that perfect after all. I met him at the psychiatric clinic at Mulago hospital. He has been there for close to two months. As he walks around - his youngest sister keeps following him - keeping watch so that he doesn’t escape. He has escaped from the clinic twice. He confesses that he doesn’t like “that girl that the doctors ordered to follow him wherever he goes -even to the toilet”. “She is the one who is mad. I’m not mad. Look at me, do I look like a mad person? I don’t know why my parents insist I should stay here. They hate me,” he says. His biggest worry at the time is that he won’t be able to sit his Senior Six exams come November. For this, he blames his parents, the school authorities and the doctors who “mistake” him for a person who has mental problems - something he will not accept even when it’s evident to anyone, including non-medical workers. Isaac is only 19 years. He was, until two months ago, a student at one of the prominent schools in Kampala. He comes from a relatively well to do family. One of the social workers at the facility, Miriam Nalubega, says Isaac suffers hallucinations and memory loss. He also seems depressed. When he speaks, he keeps moving from one subject to another, indicating that his thoughts are not coordinated. His younger sister says the deputy headmaster of the school where Isaac has been told the family that the young man –the first born in the family, was “heavily”abusing drugs. This seems to have been the genesis of his mental problem. And he is not alone. The World Health Organisation estimates that 20 million youth have mental problems. It is no wonder, then, that mental health is the focus of this year’s International Youth Day, with the theme “Youth and Mental Health”. The day is commemorated every August 12, following a United Nations declaration in respect to highlighting issues affecting youth. According to the WHO, 20 per cent of the world’s youth, between 15 and 24, have experienced a mental health condition. WHO further states that youth with mental health conditions often experience stigma and discrimination, which in turn can lead to exclusion or discourage them from seeking help for fear of being negatively “labelled” or called names. Mental health cases in Uganda In Uganda, there are scanty details about the burden of mental illness among the youth. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/A-look-at-Uganda-s-garbage-burden/-/691232/2408178/-/104xerq/-/index.html","content":"A look at Uganda’s garbage burden - Rising above Nelson Mandela Stadium Namboole is a monstrous heap of rubbish that towers over communities near the stadium. A strong stench from the garbage attracts buzzing flies and birds that are seen rolling over polythene bags, plastics, decomposing food items, and other materials. The heap keeps growing every day is a result of Kira Town Council authorities designating it as a new dumping site for over two years. Mr Geoffrey Kato, the Kira town planner said dumping is a problem in the whole of Wakiso District, and it is not unique to Kira Town Council. Town authorities for a long time have struggled to properly dispose of trash from industries and homesteads. Many factories for example, have ended up dumping untreated effluents directly into Lake Victoria. In towns like Jinja and Kampala, environmentalists have accused some industries of polluting the lake, which affects its aquatic animals and humans who consume the water. For example, in 2010, Jinja Town mayor, Mr Baswale Kezaala and the National Water and Sewerage corporation, intervened and closed a leather factory that they accused of pouring untreated effluents into the Lake Victoria. Jinja has a dumping site in Masese near Lake Victoria, Bushenyi with Kabagarame, Mbarara with a site at Kenkombe, Mbale at Industrial area, Gulu at Laroo and Fort Portal at Nyabukara,. However, they are also flooded and the situation is much worse in smaller towns with meager budgets. What’s being doneThis is not to say all authorities are doing nothing to combat littering in cities. In Kampala, KCCA law enforcers have intensified policing. On March 28 last year, a one Ronald Bunjingo appeared before Grade One Magistrate Julius Borore at City Hall Court and pleaded guilty to being a nuisance when he urinated in a public place (traffic lights in Wandegeya). He was arrested by KCCA law enforcers. But that is a drop in the ocean. KCCA spokesperson, Mr Peter Kauju in an interview with Daily Monitor said the Authority currently collects about 3200 tonnes of garbage monthly up from 14,00 tonnes since its inception in 2012. He said there are ongoing negotiations with International Finance Corporation (IFC), to enable the Authority access funds to collect more garbage and make biogas from it. The IFC is an international financial institution that offers investment, advisory, and asset management services to cheer private sector development especially in developing countries. “There are plans to get value out of the garbage. We have arrangements with IFC to enable us collect more garbage and turn them into biogas,” Mr Kauju said. Until then, the onus is on private citizens to dispose of their garbage responsibly. For Ms Pheona Namuyaba, a resident of Kyebando when asked how she disposes of her garbage, she said. “Where I live in Kyebando, it is mandatory for everyone staying on those flats to pay Shs10, 000. The money is used to pay the private company which comes to pick up the garbage every Friday morning,” Namuyaba said. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Guidelines-on-climate-change-good-for-Uganda/-/689364/2392140/-/bhm1a6/-/index.html","content":"Guidelines on climate change good for Uganda - The National Planning Authority and the Ministry of Water and Environment recently issued a set of guidelines that require all districts and sectors to incorporate climate change impact mitigation and adaptation in their plans and budgets, as part of plans to increase effective intervention. The guidelines will also require every government institution to allocate funds for climate change activities in their budgets and programmes. The procedures are meant to operationalise the national policy on climate change and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, to which Uganda is signatory. Uganda is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, as evidenced by extreme weather disasters such as the devastating landslides in Bududa District, floods and hailstorms that have ravaged several districts over the years. The new guidelines, if implemented, will go a long way in addressing the effects of climate change – a term that refers to the significant and lasting change in the global weather conditions over a long period and mainly resulting from human activities, according to the State of the River Nile Basin 2012. It also states that climate change manifests through changes in average temperature and precipitation, which are important drivers of the water cycles. As a recent report by the Uganda National Meteorological Authority indicates, Uganda’s woes with climate change are far from over. Due to continued change in climate, says the report, areas around the Lake Victoria Basin and western Uganda region, which usually experience dry spells between June and August, will receive more rain this time, just like the northern region and parts of eastern Uganda. This climate outlook is based on predictions approved by World Meteorological Organisation and other world forecasting centres. Climate changes pose numerous challenges for Uganda. Many years of development are likely to be reversed by disasters linked to climate change. For instance, repeated disasters in eastern Uganda have led to destruction of infrastructure such as roads and displacement of people. The government should, therefore, ensure that these guidelines are followed by the different institutions so as to mitigate climate change impacts and save people’s lives and property."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/There-is-an-urgent-need-to-establish-an-agricultural-bank/-/689364/2384902/-/2twqxq/-/index.html","content":"There is an urgent need to establish an agricultural bank - For a long time, I have argued and still contend that we urgently need an agricultural bank. The reasons are simple. First, agriculture is the backbone of Uganda’s economy. The sector employs 72 per cent of the population. Secondly, Uganda is a regional food basket. The country produces her own food and has capacity to feed the whole eastern and southern Africa region. There is sufficient production of food with minimum food imports (if any). Thirdly, the country is endowed with favourable climate, water resources and fertile soils, all of which provide high leverage for high performance of the agriculture sector. However, notwithstanding these attributes, the sector remains riddled with rudimentary technology, is based on small holder, low productivity culminating in declining contribution to GDP. There is a cross-section of constraints to the agricultural sector, prominent of which include:Lack of financing: One critical impediment to the agricultural sector has been lack of access to affordable financing. The available sources of finance are traditional commercial banks. The disadvantage with commercial banks is that they charge not only high interest rates but also do not provide the critical consideration for appropriate grace period given the peculiarity of agriculture borrowing. While commercial borrowing comprise receiving of loans and purchasing the capital goods, say a public transport vehicle such as a bus for which the loan has been acquired, agricultural investments take long to generate returns. Yet, commercial banks are not concerned about this phenomenon. They charge interest on agricultural loans as if such loans were for usual commercial activities.This problem can be solved by the establishment of an agricultural bank. Such a bank can raise the asset base through financial deepening focusing on listing the bank on stock exchange. The international best practices we can learn from, is the Agricultural Bank of China (ABC). By 2013, this bank had amassed financial assets amounting to $24 billion - a venture that may beg the question: “How did China pool such hefty asset base?” This was done through listing the bank on stock exchange. Because of the breadth of this effort, the bank was not only able to raise the assets beyond expectations, but bank is also able to set its policies such as interest rates. This is because the people themselves are the share holders. They control the bank and, therefore, they make sure the bank serves their interests. Because of such resource outlay, this bank is able to charge low interest rate and still remain highly profitable. One argument that has been advanced by liberal economists is that de-marketising the interest rate by such an agricultural bank will distort the financial markets. They further contend that favouring agricultural borrowers with low interest rates will attract unscrupulous business persons who will borrow from the agricultural bank purportedly for investing in agricultural enterprises, but eventually misdirect such investments to other lucrative short-term commercial enterprises. I do not agree with this argument because it tantamounts to what is usually called “throwing the child with bath water”. It concurs with the assertion that if someone is involved in stealing, then you chop off the hand. Imagine adopting such an approach in addressing the problem of theft in a community! The bank employs more than 10,000 employees and, therefore, contributes significantly to the Chinese economy. This bank is arguably among the most imposing corporate companies in the world (Broomberg news, 2014).Marketing: It is always fundamental that for the agricultural sector to be viable, there must be a linkage between production and consumption centres. However, farmers encounter tremendous constraints in marketing of agricultural products. There has been great improvement in road infrastracure and this is a step in the right direction. It is hoped that the sustained investment in roads and railway systems will greatly enhance marketing of agricultural products. Once roads are improved, they will cut-off middle men who always want to exploit farmers because of remoteness of their farms. The improved prices will further enhance the incentive for farmers to improve production. Therefore, government should continue and even accelerate investment in infrastructure.Supply side constraints: Weather conditions characterised by failure of rains, long drought spells, lack of irrigation infrastr=ucture and floods cause havoc to agricultural production. The major reason for the pervasive nature of these constraints is because we have up to now left agricultural production to God’s mercy. However, depending on nature will not guarantee expected production levels. Indeed, between 2010 and 2011, there was economic crisis arising from bad weather, which resulted into low food production, and the consequent hyper food inflation estimated at 45 per cent (UBOS 2012).This, coupled with the political crisis in the Middle East led to scarcity of petroleum products, a situation that saw rising oil prices. Because of the centrality of oil in both manufacturing and transport, there was inflation which greatly affected the Uganda’s economy.Other factors: Other factors that have greatly hindered agricultural production include: Lack of access to land, low value addition and lack of agricultural insurance. The latter is critical because farmers who incur losses have no safety net. It would be helpful to have agricultural insurance as an incentive for farmers because this guarantees security to farmers as their farming activities are shielded from unpredictable vagaries of weather. Prof Nuwagaba is a consultant in economic transformation. reevconsult@infocom.co.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Why-farmers-shouldn-t-take-politics-for-granted/-/689860/2384594/-/oqkii3z/-/index.html","content":"Why farmers shouldn’t take politics for granted - A local tabloid published an article last Wednesday that the Electoral Commission had finally granted permission to the National Farmers Party (NFF) to go ahead to collect signatures countrywide in order to register and battle for the 2016 general elections. Your columnist is not out to rally support for the new party or to condemn its formation because Farmers Diary is absolutely non-partisan but it is important to point out that for a long time in this country and perhaps elsewhere in Africa, as far as politics is concerned, the farmers have behaved exactly like the tallest mountain in Africa. Mt Kirimanjaro has stood tall and strong and looked at Europeans and Arabs plunder Africa -taking away its minerals, occupying its land without permission, colonising it, taking its people into slavery, and demeaning its cultural values without saying a word or doing anything to stop the evils. It continues to look on as we suffer from HIV/Aids, droughts, floods, poverty, and famine. Majority farmersFarmers make up about 80 per cent of the country’s labour force as another Kirimanjaro -but where are they in the country’s political leadership? They have allowed lawyers, soldiers, teachers, doctors and the others possessing A-level equivalent of education to decide their fate in an economy that totally depends on the farmers’ sweat. They have agreed to be bribed with small items like salt, sugar, a small piece of soap to vote into power people that will never mind if agriculture gets minimum national budget allocation. They forget that if this country becomes unstable tomorrow, the lawyers, the doctors, and the teachers who are today their political leaders will go to other countries and get well-paid jobs when none of the farmers will be free to go with their coffee or banana gardens abroad. Moving forwardAs the elections approach, the best the farmers can do is to respect the electoral process and avoid participating in all illegal election activities. Let them join or form the parties of their choice but make sure they choose their leaders freely and in peace after very careful consideration. E-mail: ssalimichaelj@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Minister-vows-to-transform-Kampala/-/688334/2376878/-/9osushz/-/index.html","content":"Minister vows to transform Kampala - Kampala The minister for Kampala, Mr Frank Tumwebaze, has said his dream is to transform Kampala City to the status of the likes of US’ Washington DC. To achieve this, he said, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has laid out a number of enabling plans and policies that will guide the transformation process. He called for public support. “My dream is to transform Kampala to a first class city, the likes of Washington DC, London and Tokyo. That is the road we are pursuing through developing flyovers, revamping passenger railway services and other plans in pipeline,” Mr Tumwebaze said. Planned neighbourhoods“We are yet to rollout the neighbourhood planning, which will encompass developing satellite cities such as at lakefront in Luzira,” he said. Mr Tumwebaze who was speaking at a stakeholder’s meeting to discuss development and planning of Kampala yesterday, explained that the neighbourhood planning will involve developing different areas of Kampala for specific category of houses. For instance, he said, if Kololo hill is designed for bungalows, no storeyed buildings will be constructed there. “I would like Kampala to be a city free of flies, floods and spilling sewerages. But KCCA cannot achieve that alone. I want to see compliance from developers and all city dwellers to help KCCA drive Kampala to the status of Washington DC,” he said, when asked where he would want to see Kampala in the next three years. However, developers asked KCCA to check the rate at which buildings are mushrooming within the city, saying constructions of storeyed buildings that lasts only about three months are a risk to people’s lives. KCCA executive director Jennifer Musisi said currently the authority is planning to change the face of all city junctions to ease traffic flow. She said the Jinja road junction, Queensway (at Clock tower) junction, Bukoto-Ntinda junction and many more will be removed. “When we propose introduction of cable cars in Kampala, people think we are crazy. But this concept that has been feasible in other cities and can work here as well. That is why we are carrying out feasibility studies before we fully roll it out,” she said. fmukisa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Amin-was-an-idiot--says-President-Museveni/-/688334/2368690/-/15ddqw0/-/index.html","content":"Amin was an idiot, says President Museveni - MUNYONYO Mr Museveni has described former president, Idi Amin as an idiot for ‘bad rule’ and justified his [Museveni] participation in the war to overthrow him. “Amin was an idiot. If he had kept his idiocy to his family, we would have kept quiet. But he wanted to impose it on all of us,” Mr Museveni told a two-day inter-religious conference in Kampala yesterday. President Museveni participated in the 1979 war that led to the fall of Idi Amin who died in exile in Saudi Arabia in 2003. ‘Swines’The President, who had previously called his predecessors ‘swines’, told religious leaders to avoid intolerance, saying there were justified wars, especially those ‘liberating humanity’. He blamed religious extremism as a factor that fuels wars and sectarian violence in Africa and the Middle East. “When you hate someone because of religion, you are interfering with the handwork of God. And who are you to impose your belief on others? We are all here in our own right. These narrow minded people should go to hell,” he said. President Museveni’s 30-minute speech punctuated with anecdotes of toughness and jokes, also veiled attacks on donors who cut aid to Uganda because of the Anti-Homosexuality Act. “This is good. They have woken you up by telling us who they are. Africa does not need aid. That is why I was not bothered. In fact, it’s unreligious to get aid. It’s kisirani (bad luck). You are already committing a sin, according to the book of Deuteronomy,” he said. The President was responding to the chairman of Inter-Religious Council of Uganda, Bishop Johan Lwanga, who earlier had told the conference that they were facing financial difficulties after donors had cut funding. Laziness President Museveni blamed underdevelopment in Africa on lack of technology and laziness. “The only thing Africans do well is to multiply and fill the earth. The bible says we should have dominion over other earthly things. But floods are killing people, locusts are eating crops, even jiggers are disturbing people. When we don’t have dominion, we are not doing what God ordered us to do,” he said. rkasasira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/Know-your-hood--Nateete-Western-Uganda-s-gateway-to-Kampala/-/689858/2360428/-/6hfero/-/index.html","content":"Know your hood : Nateete, Western Uganda’s gateway to Kampala - As you come from western Uganda, the moment you get to Nateete, you know your journey to Kampala City is about to end. But as you go through this crowded suburb, you cannot believe that it was a slum area in the 1970s and 1980s. Nateete is one of the places that has many connecting routes and these include Wakaliga Road, Kibuye/ Nalukolongo, New Masaka Road which connects to the Northern Bypass; and the Old Masaka Road which connects to Entebbe Road. Transport costsIt takes 20 to 30 minutes boarding from Kampala to Nateete and all you need is Shs1,500 if you are travelling by taxi and Shs2,000 to Shs3,000 if you are travelling by boda boda. HistoryThe name “Nateete” was adopted from Luteete, the bush that was in the area. Nateete land is divided into two; one side is Kabaka’s land and the other is mailo land. There no homesteads and most people are tenants while others run businesses. Location The surburb is eight kilometres from the city. It is located in Rubaga Division. The area is surrounded by Nalukolongo, Busega, Nakawuka, Mutundwe, Rubaga and Wakaliga. DevelopmentsThe LC1 Chairman, Hajj Abassi Mponye, says there has been a great change in the area. He says, initially, Nateete was a deserted place but this has changed with the establishement of different businesses that has also attracted a large population. He explains that Nateete was a shanty town but with time, infrastructure has developed and these include Nateete Mosque, banks, Nateete Market, the taxi park plus primary and secondary schools. From clinics, patients are referred to Rubaga and Mengo/Namirembe hospitals which are nearby. SchoolsSchools located in Nateete include; Nateete Muslim Secondary School, King Fahad Primary School, Makcay Memorial College and Summer Kindergarten Nursery School. Water and electricity The areas has both bore hole and piped water. It has four bore holes. For those that do not have running water in their house and want to buy from nearby taps, they pay Shs200 for a 20-litre jerrican. The area is also well connected with electricity. Although 70 per cent of the people in the area are using the card system to pay for their bills (Yaka), A unit of power costs Shs600. Community setup Hajj Mponye says there are mixed tribes in Nateete. “You find Baganda, Bakiga, Basoga and Banyankole both as tenants and business people.He adds that although Nateete has developed into a business hub, it is a slum area with a poor drainage system whose impact is felt when it rains.The growth of grain milling factories in Nalukolongo and Nateete has contributed a lot to the floods which affect the area during the rainy season. “Water blocks several roads such as Nakawuka and Mutundwe Kanisa which affects transport.”The estimated total population is more than 5,000 people .Nateete is divided into 13 villages of Nateete Central A, B, C, D, Nanfuka, Mirembe, Kivumbi, Factory Zone, Parish Nateete, Musoke Zone, Church, Kigaga and Kitoro which are highly populated. The common businesses there are grain milling, retail shops and boda boda cycling. Security “The crime rate in Nateete is very high but whenever we get cases, we refer them to Nateete Police Station and then to Makindye Police Station then to Nsangi Magistrates’ court.” Hajj Mponye explains. However, if you intend to move to Nateete, you need to know that the area is more suitable for business and not as a residential place because it is highly populated, noisy because of the many factories in the area. Land and HousingHousing. Buying a three bedroomed house costs Shs100m and above while renting a three bedroomed self-contained house costs Shs500,000 per month. Land. Mailo land is more expensive than the Kabaka land. If you are to buy a 50ft by 100ft plot of Mailo land, it will cost you between Shs30m to 50m while a 100ft by 100ft costs between Shs70m to Shs100m being a business Centre, the land is quite expensive. For Kabaka’s land, a 50ft by 100ft plots costs between Shs20m and Shs25m while 100ft by 100ft is about Shs30m. 1 | 2 Next Page»snakirigya@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Weather-forecast--Rains-to-continue-till-August/-/689860/2360478/-/15j0qkiz/-/index.html","content":"Weather forecast: Rains to continue till August - Due to continued change in climate, meteorologists have predicted that areas around the Lake Victoria Basin and western Uganda region, which usually experience dry spells between June and August, will receive more rain this time round like the northern region and parts of eastern Uganda. The period, June to August, is usually a major rainy season for only northern and north-eastern Uganda as others parts of the country experience a dry season. Predictions“Overall, there is an increased likelihood of near normal conditions over the northwestern and some parts of Lake Victoria region, while the rest of the country is expected to experience near normal to below normal rainfall conditions,” reads part of a statement issued by the Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) yesterday. UNMA is the newly rebranded agency on climate matters, replacing Uganda Meteorological Centre, which used to issue regular weather updates and forecasts. This latest climate outlook for June to August released by UNMA is based on predictions approved by World Metrological Organisation and other world forecasting centres.According to this outlook, in the western and central regions, which are currently experiencing intermittent light and declining rain, such conditions will remain through a large part of the month of June. DistributionThen the dry season will set in up to late July or early August. Thereafter, the rain will pick up until the end of the season.In the northern region and parts of the east, which are currently experiencing occasional outbreak of light rainfall and isolated showers, such conditions are expected to continue up to late June or early July. This will give way to a slight relaxation. Thereafter, the rains will pick up and continue through out the season.“Overall, there are high chances of receiving near normal tending to above normal rains over these regions,” adds the statement.They also predicted increased incidences of water-borne diseases during this season mainly in the northern and some districts in northeastern region. However, Karamoja region is predicted to suffer severe dry spells. “ Areas of Karamoja that will be stressed due to inadequate rainfall, wildlife is expected to be mobile and thus there will be conflict between the wildlife who will be in search of fodder and water and people who are protecting their land ,gardens and water sources,” the statement eads in part, adding “Uganda Wildlife Authority is advised to create awareness to the communities on the movement of animals during this season.”. Michael Nkalubo, the acting executive director UNMA, said there were chances of El-Nino conditions over most parts of the country and if confirmed, the Authority will alert the public. El Niño is essentially the opposite of La Niña. The latter exists when cooler than usual ocean temperatures occur on the equator between South America and the Date Line. While El Niño comes with heavy rains that normally result into floods. All these conditions clearly explain the reality of climate change.Uganda has two major rain seasons (March-May) and (September–December) but due to climate change, the onset of rainy seasons delays and falls unexpectedly. A similar situation occurred in June 2012, when rains fell unexpectedly at a time the dry season was expected to start. WHAT IS EL NINO, LA NINA?El Niño is a band of warm ocean water temperatures that periodically develops off the Pacific coast of South America. There is a phase of ‘El Niño– Southern Oscillation’ (ENSO), which refers to variations in the temperature of the surface of the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean and in air surface pressure in the tropical western Pacific. The two variations are coupled: the warm oceanic phase, El Niño, accompanies high air surface pressure in the western Pacific, while the cold phase, La Niña, accompanies low air surface pressure in the western Pacific. Mechanisms that cause the oscillation remain under study.El Niño is defined by prolonged warming in the Pacific Ocean sea surface temperatures when compared with the average value. The accepted definition is a warming of at least 0.5 °C (0.9 °F) averaged over the east-central tropical Pacific Ocean. Typically, this anomaly happens at irregular intervals of two to seven years, and lasts nine months to two years.The average period length is five years. When this warming occurs for only seven to nine months, it is classified as El Niño “conditions”; when it occurs for more than that period, it is classified as El Niño “episodes”. Similarly, La Niña conditions and episodes are defined for cooling. assenkabirwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Works-Ministry-ready-to-desilt-River-Nyamwamba/-/688334/2360124/-/7pcbef/-/index.html","content":"Works Ministry ready to desilt River Nyamwamba - Plans to de-silt River Nyamwamba in Kasese district have been finalized. This has been revealed by the works state minister Eng. John Byabagambi who says they are currently designing an implementation plan.This follows an outcry from the residents of Kasese over recent fresh flash floods that left atleast two schools closed and several roads impassable.River Nyamwamba burst its banks first in May last year and then in April this year displacing hundreds of people.The Assistant Chief Administrative Officer (ACAO), Mr Wilson Asaaba, said another excavator working on Mubuku Irrigation Scheme would be deployed to de-silt and redirect the river.The river has since last year shifted from its original course during floods, consequently destroying public and domestic infrastructure along the river valley.Meanwhile Kasese pupils have been given a ray of hope, following an assurance from the Ministry of Education that the schools will soon be opened.Over 2,000 pupils from Kyanzuki, Bulembia, Katiri and Road Barrier primary schools, were forced to go back home as the water volumes in the river rose and advanced towards the schools.Education Minister, Ms Jessica Alupo says the inter-ministerial committee is urgently handling the matter and will soon come up with a solution.Eight people, including a former Kasese district procurement and disposal officer, Mr Paddy Karusu, were killed during the May 2013 floods that burst the river. One year on, it has been déjà vu, with the forces of nature striking once again in the same spot."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/300-pupils-evacuated-over-floods/-/688334/2357190/-/a97ij6/-/index.html","content":"300 pupils evacuated over floods - Kasese- Bulembia Primary School in Bulembia Division, Kasese Municipality, has been closed indefinitely and more than 300 pupils evacuated to save them from drowning as River Nyamwamba burst its banks on Friday morning. Kasese District Police Commander Michael Sabila Musani ordered the closure of the school on Friday morning after raging waters from the bursting river spread to Kilembe valley and threw the residents in panic. “This school shall remain closed until we confirm that it is safe for the children to continue studying,” Mr Musani said. Police rushed to Bulembia Primary School to evacuate the more than 300 pupils. The river burst its banks following a heavy downpour in the Rwenzori Mountains the previous night. Kilembe lies below the mountains. The floods once again destroyed the temporary bridges that had been constructed by the residents to help them access their gardens and Kilembe Town. Bulembia Primary School is at the spot where River Nyamwamba changes its course towards Tibet-Hima company site. The ministry of Works and Transport had resumed reconstruction of the Kyanzuki Bridge that was washed away by the flooding river in May last year. Speaking in Kilembe late last month, the State minister for Works, Eng John Byabagambi, said the damage caused by the river would need not less than Shs50 billion to repair. Elsewhere, River Nyamugasani also burst its banks on Friday morning, leaving hundreds of people stranded in their homes as water covered a temporary bridge for more than two hours. However, residents say the bridge survived. Police reported no causality at both rivers. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Government-to-increase-teachers--salaries/-/688334/2346192/-/iccfng/-/index.html","content":"Budget: Government to increase teachers’ salaries - The minister of Finance, Dr Maria Kiwanuka has said Government in the next financial year intends to increase teachers’ salaries with specific interest to primary school teachers. Ms Kiwanuka while reading the 2014/15 budget on Thursaday at Serena International Conference Centre said government had allocated Shs1, 699.4 billion to the education sector in the next financial year to enhance the quality of education. “Priorities to be implemented include the enhancement of Teachers’ salaries, with emphasis on Primary School Teachers. Shs215bn has been allocated for this purpose. I have also provided Shs5 billion towards supporting Teachers’ SACCOs, in addition to the Shs2.5 billion provided during this year,” said Ms Kiwanuka. Ms Kiwanuka further noted that Shs68.7 billion had been allocated for the implementation of the Skilling Uganda programme. “Workshops will be constructed at technical schools at Kihanda in Kanugu; Namasale in Amolator; Namisindwa in Manafwa, Bukoli in Bugiri, and St. Joseph Kyalubingo in Kamwenge,” she added. She also noted that Government will operationalize and expand the Student Loan Scheme with emphasis on science and vocational training. The Loan Scheme will be rolled out starting with undergraduate students in both Public and Chartered Private Universities. Roads The minister also said Government has in the next financial increased its funding in the infrastructure development, with emphasis on roads, railways and electricity to foster fast economic growth and development.The Works and Transport sector, according to Ms Kiwanuka has been increased to Shs2, 575bn from Shs2, 510.66bn in this financial year. “Government has targeted the upgrading from gravel to bitumen of 200km of roads, the reconstruction of 178 km of roads, the construction of 10 new bridges, and the rehabilitation of 7 bridges. In addition, 12,875 km of unpaved roads are scheduled for re-grading,” said Ms Kiwanuka. The roads to be worked on according to Ms Kiwanuka include Vura-Arua-Oraba upgrade; Buteraniro - Ntungamo – Rwentobo; Ntungamo-Kabale –Katuna; Hoima–Kaiso–Tonya; Kampala - Mukono – Jinja; Gulu-Atiak-Nimule upgrade; Ishaka-Kagamba; Kampala-Entebbe Expressway; Moroto–Nakapiripirit; Kafu – Kiryandongo; Luuku – Kalangala upgrade and Fort Portal-Kamwenge. Other roads to be worked on include Mbarara Bypass; Mukono-Kyetume-Katosi/Kisoga – Nyenga; Mpigi-Maddu-Ssembabule; Kiryandongo - Kamdini; Kamdini – Gulu; Pakwach – Nebbi; Ntungamo-Mirama Hills; Kampala Northern Bypass upgrade; Masaka – Bukakata; Kigumba – Bulima- Kabwoya; Olwiyo-Gulu-Kitgum - Musingo Road; Villa Maria – Sembabule; Musita-Lumino-Busia/Majanji; Mubende - Kakumiro – Kagadi; and Mukono - Kayunga – Njeru. “I have allocated an additional shs75bn to the Uganda Road Fund to facilitate the maintenance and rehabilitation of approximately 10,000km of national, district, urban (including Kampala City) roads and community access roads across the country. Government will also continue the construction and several strategic bridges including the Mitaano Bridge in Kanungu distict as well as the bridges destroyed by the recent floods in Kasese and other parts of the country,” she added. According to Ms Kiwanuka, Government, in collaboration with other Partner States within the East African region, is scaling up efforts to revitalize the railway transport system. “Government is to upgrade to Standard Gauge Rail of the Tororo - Kasese and Mirama Hills to link with Kigali in Rwanda. During FY 2014/15, the construction of an Inland Container Depot at Mukono, and the redevelopment and upgrading of facilities at Port Bell and Jinja piers will commence,” she said. According to Dr Kiwanuka real GDP growth is projected at 6.1 per cent for the next financial year with cash crops production, manufacturing, mining and quarrying, increased electricity production, and transport and communication being projected to be the major drivers of growth. “Government’s medium term objective is to restore real GDP growth to 7 percent per annum. Government long term objective is to boost domestic savings to provide long term development finance,” she said. 1 | 2 Next Page»Ms Kiwanuka also stressed that total resource inflows are projected to amount to Shs15,44 billion next financial year, with Shs12,299 billion(81.8% of the total budget) being contribution from domestic sources while the others will be from the Uganda Revenue Authority(URA)tax collections amounting to Shs9,577 billion; and Non-Tax Revenues of Shs206billion. “Total external financing of the Budget will amount to Ushs 2,733 billion, equivalent to 18.2 per cent of the total budget resources,” noted Ms Kiwanuka. Ms Kiwanuka further noted that Government is making progress in reforming the retirement benefits sector to improve savings in the economy, protect savings of workers, and restore trust in the retirement benefits system. According to her, the framework for regulating and providing oversight of the sector is now fully operational. “Government has liberalised the pension sector to allow workers have a choice in the pension schemes they contribute to, the form of benefit payments in terms of annuity or lump sum while ensuring maximum safety of their savings,” she said. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/Driving-in-the-rain-safely/-/688614/2337060/-/2n3bhgz/-/index.html","content":"Driving in the rain safely - We are at a time when the skies decide to open up and pour rain like there is no tomorrow. Driving in such weather conditions presents many challenges including washing away roads or worsening the state of unpaved ones. Mustafa Ziraba looks at how to drive in the rain safely. We all hear about the importance of safe and defensive driving during wet road conditions. All drivers are aware of the fact that it takes longer to bring a car to a full stop in rainy conditions than when the road is dry, as water significantly decreases the friction between the tyres and the road and the overall traction of the car. However, what is interesting is that many drivers only fully appreciate how difficult it is to brake on a wet road and how much time and distance they need to stop their car abruptly only after they have to deal with this situation at least once. Wipers and poor visibiltyWe are currently experiencing heavy downpour and as drivers, it is imperative we take caution. Things such as knowledge of the fact that in rainy conditions, it is more strenuous to see other cars, road signs and the road itself. It is critical to make sure you can see and be seen. The deprived windshield wiper is easily forgotten and taken for granted until you really need it. You will actually understand its importance when you drive a car with worn out ones or even none. If they are worn out and cannot keep up with the rain, it is really your own fault because you did not think about it beforehand. Since about 90 per cent of all driving decisions are based on what you can see, it makes sense to have good working wipers so you can see. It startles me how many people cheap out on wipers. They will keep using them till they literally fall apart. Be proactive and change your wipers at least annually. Slow downBack to the rainy conditions. First and foremost, slow down. This should be obvious but it is also very important. People are so used to driving at certain speeds on certain roads that sometimes they forget the need to slow down when inclement weather presents itself. Avoid tailgatingDrive in the tracks of a car ahead of you while watching out for brake lights. Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely (also called tail gatung). The spray created by their large tyres reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well. If you must pass, do so quickly and safely. Hard brakingAvoid hard braking. If possible, take your foot off the accelerator to slow down.Turn your headlights on even in a light rain, or in gloomy or foggy conditions. They will definitely help other drivers see you. Newer cars have daytime running lights, which do the job just as well. Visibilty countsNever drive beyond the limits of visibility. At night, wet roads become especially treacherous. The glare of oncoming lights, amplified by the rain on your windscreen, can cause temporary loss of visibility while substantially increasing driver fatigue. In rainy conditions, pedestrians and boda bodas are extremely hard to spot and even harder to avoid Damaging the engineWhen driving through a puddle of uncertain depth, go slow. If it is deeper than the bottom of your doors, turn around and find another route. Deep water can cause serious damage to a modern car’s electrical system. Finally, it is only courteous and respectful to avoid splashing pedestrians with water. WHAT MECHANICS SAY Most of the modern cars these days are all electronic and have computerized systems fitted in them. Given the varying weather conditions that we experience today, the rain and also coldness all affect the car in one way or another. Frank Kirimanyi a car mechanic based In Makerere says with the increase in technological advances car manufacturers want to simplify driving and make the whole experience pleasurable and less tasking for the driver. He says weather changes are all catered for in the systems of the car. He explains that these cars have a cold start sensor switch which is charged with detecting whether it is cold or raining and this communicates to the computer to start heating the car engine from up. This will allow the car to start almost immediately. “When the car starts, you can notice from the dashboard that the rev counter also starts from up coming downwards,” Kirimanyi adds. However, Suleiman Kizito another mechanic based at Kisekka Market says other cars have an air flow meter sensor which is charged with monitoring the air flow passing the car. It communicates to the engine to heat up or cool down depending on the weather. Kizito argues that some modern cars have VVTi engines with a cover on top and even the coils are covered to shield water from entering the plugs in case of floods. 1 | 2 Next Page»Joseph Okello of Jose Ford garage in Nabisunsa says when driving through a flooded road, the driver needs to, if driving a manual change to gear one and then increase the raves at the same time as this will prevent the water from entering the exhaust pipe. He adds that the drivers should drive through gently to avoid water from entering the engine causing a hydro lock. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Mudslides-bury-200-Sironko-homes/-/688334/2334872/-/ncpuwf/-/index.html","content":"Mudslides bury 200 Sironko homes - SIRONKO- At least 210 families from four villages in Sironko District are homeless after mudslides triggered by heavy rains buried their houses. The Resident District Commissioner, Mr Mubarak Magomu, said rain started on Thursday afternoon and continued till Saturday, creating a large mass of mud that destroyed coffee, beans, bananas, maize and sorghum gardens. Affected are Kyebugunga, Busikyayo, Buwoluba and Nalufumbo villages in Zesui Sub-county.Mr Magomu added that since rain continues to pound the area, they cannot rule out heavy mudslides that could bury more villages. “Huge cracks have been spotted in the mountain (Elgon), meaning our people are living in danger. As government looks for money to relocate them, I call upon those living in areas where the crack has been spotted to vacate to safer areas,” he said. Mr Stephen Wasyeba, the headmaster of Nabweya Primary School, who is also a victim of the disaster, told the Daily Monitor that his family of 22 has nothing to eat and nowhere to sleep. “I have nothing to feed my family. I have lost all my belongings; crops and houses. I fear that my family members may contract water borne diseases such as cholera and dysentery due to lack of safe water,” he said. The Mt Elgon conservation area manager, Dr Adonia Bintora, said his office, with assistance from the Red Cross, have started registering the affected families to devise means of providing them with shelter and food as they plan to relocate them to safer areas. He also blamed the increasing landslides in the Mt Elgon region on poor farming methods that have seen the vegetation cover destroyed, leading to the weakening of the soils. “People in the Mt Elgon area have constructed houses on the slopes of the mountain. They have also destroyed the topography of the area leaving them at risk of being swept in the possible mudslide. We have asked them to vacate this area but they have remained adamant about our call,” Dr Bintora said. Latest disastersKasese- In 2013, floods killed at least 10 people and displaced more than 20,000 after River Nyamwamba burst its banks. Kaboong- In 2011, 11 people were killed and scores injured by mudslides.Bulambuli- In 2011 in Bunambutye Sub-county, the floods displaced 24 families and destroyed Sironko-Bulambuli-Nakapiripirit- Moroto road, cutting off Karamoja sub-region.Bududa. In 2010, a landslide triggered by heavy rain buried more than 100 people. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kaabong--Amudat--Napak-miss-government-varsity-entry/-/688334/2332074/-/kvye6s/-/index.html","content":"Kaabong, Amudat, Napak miss govt varsity entry - Kampala- At least three districts have not sent any student to the five public universities on the government sponsorship scheme, according to a list released by the Public Universities Joint Admissions Board (PUJAB) on Thursday. An analysis by the Saturday Monitor shows that out of 114 districts listed, Kaabong, Amudat and Napak, have no student selected on academic merit from any of their schools. The list further indicates that male candidates continue to dominate admissions, registering 1,565 admissions this year, compared to their female counterparts who had only 906 slots. Although PUJAB admits 3,000 on academic merit, the released list shows that only 2,471 students were admitted. Katakwi Resident District Commissioner Filbert Ocailap yesterday appealed to government to pay special attention to hard-to-reach areas in order to develop them. “Our people are just settling in from the Kony war. We have floods and our infrastructure is poor. If we are going to develop at the same pace with Kampala, we need government to pay special attention to our districts and give us high numbers on scholarships in universities,” Mr Ocailap said. However, the districts which missed the government sponsorship still have a chance when admissions of the affirmative action and district quota based system are considered. The system provides an extra 896 slots to either Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Busitema University, Gulu University, or Mbarara University of Science and Technology. Government sponsors 4,000 students every year in institutions of higher learning. Students register their home districts when filling out PUJAB forms. But Mr Wilber Wanyama, Kyambogo University principal education officer-primary teacher education, is opposed to universities using academic merit system to admit students on government scholarship. He urges that some students in some districts have been disadvantaged throughout the education system as they study on their own. “Admitting students basing on merit has a problem because it doesn’t look at other factors. If you use cutoff points, it means you are not considering districts which are disadvantaged. They have no proper infrastructure and even the teachers are not there. This means the entire district will be condemned to remain behind in development,” Mr Wanyama noted. pahimbisibwe@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Soroti-cattle--sheep--goats-hit-by-liver-flukes/-/689860/2328102/-/10fpx5u/-/index.html","content":"Soroti cattle, sheep, goats hit by liver flukes - Animal farmers around swamps in Soroti and neighbouring districts are counting losses following incidences of liver flukes. Dr Patrick Eyudu, the district veterinary officer, says rising water levels in swamps, as result of the rampant floods, provide a conducive atmosphere for the flukes produced by snails to multiply. The prevalence of the parasites is being witnessed among herds that graze around Lake Bisina and Awoja swamps, where deaths in their hundreds have been registered. About 40 per cent of the animals are affected. “It is easy to identify, if animals are not dewormed or treated for other diseases, they shows no response to injectable drugs and keep showing signs of weight loss,” Eyudu explains. The multiplication rate of flukes stands at thousands of eggs in a single day, and entire grazing grounds are infested. John Opolot, a veterinary doctor in Amuria District, points out that liver flukes have shown resistance to triclabendazol, a drug of choice. He adds that no flukicide has a persistent action to preventing re-infection but there is need to routinely deworm animals in both dry and wet season. Liver flukes are transmitted among cattle, normally characterised by weight loss, dehydration, and anaemia but also prevalent in sheep and goats."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Insurance-premiums-to-remain-stable-despite-rise-in-claims/-/688322/2326174/-/oedldnz/-/index.html","content":"Insurance premiums to remain stable despite rise in claims - KAMPALA. A claim is a formal request to an insurance company asking for a payment based on the terms of the insurance policy while premium refers to the amount of money to be charged for a certain amount of insurance coverage.A market player says this is because the industry is still profitable and the insurers want to remain competitive in this market where the premiums are ‘tariffied’. Further, the East African insurance industry is grappling with how best to increase penetration levels amid the current tight market. Claims paid by insurers have doubled in the last three years. Aon, a leading insurance broker, in partnership with a number of insurers in Uganda paid out Sh10.5 billion in claims in 2013, a significant increase from 2010 when it paid out Sh6 billion. According to the Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda ( IRA) 2013 preliminary figures released late last month, the aggregate net incurred industry claims, in both life and non-life, was estimated at Sh90.7 billion against Sh52.2 billion incurred in 2010, a 73.8% rise in just three years. “Our market is currently not as sophisticated as in more developed economies in that the risk trends are not catastrophic and do not influence the premiums that insurers charge,” says Maurice Amogola, the Chief executive officer of Aon Uganda. In the more developed countries, claims payments for reoccurring natural catastrophes like floods, tsunamis, earthquakes and the like have always sent premiums sky rocketing, not mentioning the limitation of insurance cover. On catastrophic risks, insurers put limits on compensation available which forces customers to take up additional insurance covers and pay more premiums to enable adequacy of cover. For example in southern Africa, unlike East Africa, insurance customers cannot benefit from full riots and strikes insurance cover due to the historical and political nature of the countries thus clients have to top up on their existing primary risk cover. Insurers in southern Africa limit the size of compensation arising from the violence or riots in that the property or factory owners must take up additional specific violence or riots cover. gross premiumCurrently in Uganda, the highest contributor of the markets’ gross premium is the motor vehicle insurance, contributing about 40% of the industry premium. It also takes the biggest share of claims paid by the industry. For instance in 2013, Aon and their partner insurers paid their clients claims up to a total of Shs2.24 billion for motor claims, being over 21% of all its total claims payments."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Lt-Col-Abdu-Kisuule--Uganda-did-not-invade-Tanzania/-/688342/2324550/-/peyt7yz/-/index.html","content":"Lt Col Abdu Kisuule: Uganda did not invade Tanzania, they provoked us - A few months after Gen Idi Amin’s coup in 1971, Ugandan troops under Kisuule, who was then a Lieutenant, entered Tanzania to rescue their colleagues who had sneaked there in search of water. Kisuule, who was later promoted to Lt Col, was to enter Tanzania again seven years later but this time commanding the Ugandan troops into the Kagera Salient for a full scale war between the two countries. Below is the commander’s account. The Uganda-Tanzania relationship was characterised by a number of military skirmishes between 1971 and 1978 when the conflict erupted into a full scale war. After the 1971 military coup, a number of Milton Obote’s men -- both military and civilians -- went to Tanzania and this obviously made it Uganda’s enemy. 1971 incursion into TanzaniaI don’t recall the date and month, but it was a few months after the January coup of 1971, when president Amin went to open the newly constructed Ntungamo-Kabale road. I was commanding A Company of the Marile Mechanised Specialist Recce Regiment. We were ordered to go to Kikagati where we stayed for two days before being told to go to the Mutukula border. This was my first time to go to Mutukula. We instead pitched the company headquarters in Rakai District for a couple of days before orders came that we move closer to the Tanzanian border. Soldiers kidnappedThat very day I moved the company to Kasambya on the road to Minziro, where we reached at night. In the morning I ordered some of my boys to go and fetch water to prepare breakfast. As I waited for the breakfast, I got a report from Officer Kenneth Onzima that four of my men had been kidnapped in Mutukula. That was on August 24, 1971. I had to analyse the situation and to not report to the headquarters in Kampala. I had to do all within my means to rescue my men. I told Onzima to be my reconnaissance officer as I made arrangements with the security people on the Ugandan side of the border at Mutukula. I told them “when you see APCs (Armoured Personnel Carriers) coming, just open the gate”. I mobilised six APCs, arranging them in numbers and putting my senior and most experienced APC driver, Sgt Hussein Doka, in the lead APC where I was myself. The plan was that when the security guards at the Ugandan side see the APCs coming, they just open the border gate and we go through at full speed to force our way into Tanzania. With all the six APCs ready, I entered the lead one and raised the other five on radio: “Hullo all stations moving now.” Each APC was calling its number 2-6, all saying “over” and I said, “Move out now.” That’s was the last order I gave and we moved at full speed towards the border. The security did as we had planned, opening the border entrance long before we reached. We went straight into Tanzania. I was looking through my binoculars when we entered Tanzania. The last thing I recall was seeing a small red light at a distance. The APC was hit and I was badly wounded. My rib cage was blown open, leaving my lungs hanging, with the diaphragm destroyed. Before I lost consciousness, I asked Sgt Doka: “Are you hit?” he said, “No”. I told him to turn left or right and take my body back to Uganda. By the time I regained consciousness, the APC had been stuck in mud inside Tanzania. Sgt Doka and the gunner had run away, leaving me and a few recruits in the APC. Fortunately, the recruits were not hurt. My consciousness was on and off. Whenever I would regain consciousness, I would cover my wound with my hand, breath in heavily and release at once to let the blood out. At one point I signalled to one of the recruits to switch off the APC. The recruits managed to get me out of the APC and put me out on the ground. I gained some consciousness and signalled them to pour some water in my mouth and I was able to speak. They didn’t know where we were. I told them to look east or west and locate Sango Bay. They put me on an improvised stretcher, wrapped me in a sheet and started walking. I was crying like a child, as they walked, the broken bones were piercing into my fresh causing a lot of pain. I have never been through such pain in my life. They reached a point and said they had failed. We returned to where we had left the APC where we spent the night. Recruit Pauline was very caring. She was with me all the time. At one point I asked her for my pistol to shoot myself, but it had been lost. I asked her to shoot me to stop the pain I was going through, but she refused. The next day still being carried on a stretcher, they tried to locate the other five APCs. We went up to a certain hill where they saw them and other soldiers at a distance. One soldier, Gala, later promoted to a Major, drove one APC to our position to pick us. By then it was late afternoon. I had been hit the previous day around 10am. In the APC the pain was worse than the improvised stretcher they had carried me on at first. I was taken to Mutukula Prison where Amin and some of his ministers had arrived in a helicopter after hearing the incident. Amin ordered the helicopter to take the ministers first and come for me later. But Captain Ombia refused and told Amin: “Our person is dying and you want us to take ministers first?” The pilot was ordered to take me to Masaka hospital. At Masaka the medical staff said my case was beyond them and referred me to Mulago hospital where the helicopter reached at around 7pm. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Population-growth-a-threat-to-biodiversity--says-expert-/-/688334/2322688/-/qb0rlh/-/index.html","content":"Rapid Population growth a threat to biodiversity, says expert  - Kampala- As the world marks the International Day of Biological Diversity today, rapid population growth has been cited as a major threat to survival of biodiversity in the country. This year’s theme is dedicated to island biodiversity and mainly focuses on how island states can conserve biodiversity. May 22 was proclaimed international day of biodiversity to increase understanding and awareness on biodiversity. It was first proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in late 1993. “Rapid population growth is a threat to the survival of islands in Uganda because they act as habitats to a large part of the population and if they are not well managed, they pose a threat to the biodiversity,” said Mr Sabino Francis Ogwal, a natural resources management specialist at the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema). Mr Ogwal added that the day does not eliminate Uganda, it not being an island state, because the country has Islands districts like Kalangala with a perimeter of 387km. “If the forests, swamps, island shores are not well managed by the people occupying them, they are at a high risk of adverse impacts of climate change like increase in water levels and floods” said Mr Ogwal said, citing Haiti, Japan and Philippines as countries which have suffered from effects of climate change. According to Mr Ogwal, biodiversity in simpler terms is a variety of livings things, but in scientific form it’s categorised as species diversity, ecosystem diversity and genetic diversity. The spices include animal and plant kingdoms whereas genetics are the inherited materials that account for the differences in living things. “NEMA and other government agencies have embarked on creating awareness on biodiversity and creating capacity to ensure sustainable survival of biodiversity,” said Mr Ogwal. However, he warns that unregulated fishing and other activities in guise of island developers are likely to deplete the islands through land degradation, overfishing and deforestation. eainebyoona@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Employ-a-polar-bear-as-our-economic-planning-adviser/-/689364/2318636/-/rq7e7e/-/index.html","content":"Employ a polar bear as our economic planning adviser - The maids were watching Animal Planet and they marvelled at the way animals that live on the icy arctic plan their life activities during the year. Most eat a lot of fish during summer, storing the food in their bodies as winter comes and then go into hibernation, remaining alive as their inert bodies hardly expend any energy, surviving on the stored nutrients, until the harsh winter passes allowing them to come ‘back to life’ and continue with the hunting and playing. But there was this fluffy, white polar that unlike its black and brown cousins, does not go into hibernation. The polar bear, so the narrator said, has learnt to eat those foods that enhance its ability to use Nitric Oxide to convert energy into heat and keep warm, so it can remain active throughout the year. But it was already news time and I ordered them to switch to a local channel. They grudgingly did so and images of wanton destruction and death occasioned by floodwaters greeted our eyes. “I remember seeing this same news last year and the year before so I don’t know what is new about it,” complained the minister’s maid. “Me too,” my maid joined in. “We saw this thing last year and mzee should let us switch back to the animals!” “In fact there is something to learn from watching the animals but nothing to learn from watching the Ugandans as they die in the annual floods like they have been doing before,” remarked the minister’s maid.“What can you learn from those bears?” I asked angrily.“We learn how to go through the year without our activities being interrupted by changes of weather,” she retorted.“So are you going to start eating the safe raw fish so as to manufacture the Nitric whatever and generate heat?” I asked even as I knew I was being unkind and unreasonable. “Of course we are not bears and nor do we experience sub-zero temperatures so we cannot do exactly what the polar bears are doing,” she answered with obvious restraint in her voice. “But it is the principle that we as Ugandans need to emulate and then adapt it to our situation.” “Well, we need to define our situation first,” I said rhetorically.“Indeed, we need to understand the situation that is facing us and that again is a lesson that we need to get from the polar bears because for them they recognised their situation and started adapting accordingly,” she said in summary. “So instead of those important planners in the Finance ministry going to Washington and wherever to get advice on how to plan our economy, they should bring one polar bear to advise them.” “Okay, we don’t have to bring it to Kampala where it would die from the heat,” agreed the minister’s maid. “But we can set up a skype link between Greenland and the ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. Then our planners can start learning from the comfort of their offices.” “It means we would also save from the cost of air tickets and hotel bills that the other consultants inflict on our budget”, I said.“Exactly,” she agreed also and I was beginning to like it since we were now agreeing a lot. “And even if we don’t pay the polar bear any salary, I don’t think it would sue us.” “No, unless someone sues on its behalf,” I said. “But even if we pay the polar bear to teach our economic planners, the salary does not have to be as high as what we are paying the foreign consultants. So I agree with you that we get the polar bear to be our national economic planning adviser. In fact you can switch back to Animal Planet.”buwembo@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kasese-residents-to-blame-for-floods--says-Museveni/-/688334/2316484/-/vwvw99/-/index.html","content":"Kasese residents to blame for floods, says Museveni - Kasese. President Museveni has blamed the annual flooding on the slopes of Mountain Rwenzori in Kasese District on residents’ settlement patterns.Last week, heavy floods swept the district, killing three people and destroying several properties, including Kilembe hospital.But while touring the district on Wednesday, President Museveni said people’s poor farming methods have led to the floods.“The way you have settled on the hills has contributed much to this disaster. You have removed every vegetation on the hills, leaving it bare like a head without hair,” Mr Museveni told residents. “Kilembe has been attacked by a bomb that is done by our own river (Nyamwamba) that has been mismanaged. You have the rain factory in Rwenzori mountains but you do not know how to manage it,” he added.The President advised the residents to plant commercial trees alongside gardens to stop soil erosion. Mr Museveni was also amazed to see the bare Rwenzori Mountains. “I have just seen the hills are bare and I wonder how you people survive. What has happened to prosperity for all here? I will come back and we see what to do”, he said. The President admitted that it was government’s failure to de-silt and recourse River Nyamwamba in time as Kilembe Mines Ltd used to do in the past. Museveni pledge“I am very sorry for what happened here. We need to build the artificial river bank that was holding the water after it was rechanneled from the left side during mining. Please identify the families of those who lost their people so that they can be helped,” Mr Museveni noted. The area Woman MP, Ms Winfred Kiiza, who was part of the tour, said the problem would have been controlled if government was taking precautions.“Uganda’s problem is fire-fighting but not risk management. I hope the President will cause a change from what we see here,” Ms Kiiza said"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Africa-needs-better-farming--not-GMOs/-/689860/2313580/-/39hhdf/-/index.html","content":"Africa needs better farming, not GMOs - I first visited East Africa in 2001, seeking an answer to a challenge often levelled at organic farming: “It’s all very well for middle-class Westerners, but it will never feed the world”. After a month in Kenya visiting farms, exporters, charities, aid organisations and training institutes, I was close to despair. It seemed that, at best, aid was focused largely on dragging farmers into the world market while, at worst, it fostered dependency. Deforestation was rife with no will to challenge it, and soils were abused with little attention to building fertility or sustainability. Overall, my impression was the large, Western-owned exporters were exploiting resources for short-term gain and leaving no basis for an economy or agricultural development. High outputsCrossing to Uganda, my faith was restored. I found a nucleus of very practical farmers working with the charities, Kulika Trust and Send a Cow. In particular, Timothy Njakasi, who worked at Riverford Organic Farms during his training in UK. By combining livestock husbandry with careful use of manure and composting, multi-cropping involving many perennial crops and water conservation, these farmers were achieving phenomenal levels of output using almost entirely local materials. Few used the ‘O’ word, but for me, this was the ultimate in organic production. The systems required high levels of skill but relatively little physical work compared to the surrounding fields of hand-tilled maize and cassava. Timothy and I added up the output compared to monoculture cropping, and concluded it was more than five times as productive. Since 2001, Riverford has supported Timothy as he turned his farm into a training institute, and more recently the work of Send a Cow in northern Uganda. I spent 10 days visiting them and wrote this while in Budongo forest, central Uganda. We were on our way south through parched landscape, scarred by bush fires and deforestation. It has not rained for three months yet the previous night I had fallen asleep to the sound of rain on the tin roof. Draw parallelsThe forest is green and lush even during the driest time of year. There is such a profusion of leaf litter which, with the canopy, protects the soil, and provides the organic matter to create well-structured permeable soil that can absorb and hold even the most intense rain. Acting as a sponge, the soil provides constant water to the trees above; creating a micro-climate and feeding the rain that fell on my roof while the drought continues in the surrounding land. Farmers and hunters have, to a considerable extent, created the drought by their bush burning and bad farming. I may be thousands of miles from home but I cannot help but draw parallels with British farming as the debate on how we live with the weather we have created goes on. Our farmers did not make the rain but we caused some of the run-off and erosion that contributed to the floods, mainly through poor agricultural practice. While many British farmers treasure their soil, the recent trend towards autumn leaves it exposed to run-off at the wettest time of the year. Meanwhile the general degradation of soil structure that accompanies intensive cultivation of maize (up 24 per cent in 2013, boosted by a relaxation in regulations) and the widespread abandonment of traditional rotations also reduce percolation of rain. Real culpritSo, how do we improve agricultural practice? In Uganda I have more sympathy with the farmers, especially those working with Send a Cow, who, armed only with a mattock and machete, are turning their back on bush burning to plant trees, mulch, control run-off and improve soils through composting and livestock management. The areas are small but the techniques are so evidently successful that neighbours are copying them, no thanks to their government. Back in the UK one could blame the farmers but the real culprit is our government and their ideology of scrapping environmental regulations in the absurd belief that a free market will hold back the waters. 1 | 2 Next Page»Whether through corruption, ideological dogma or an obsession with self-serving headlines rather than finding lasting solutions, both governments fail their people. The author is an organic farmer based in Devon, UK. He owns Riverford Organic Farms. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Disaster-looms-as-new-cracks-are-sighted-in-Mt-Elgon/-/688334/2313154/-/14w5sqaz/-/index.html","content":"Disaster looms as new cracks are sighted in Mt Elgon - New cracks have been sighted in the Mt. Elgon areas of Busiiyi and Nameti in Buduuda district raising fears of another looming disaster. This comes at the time when the country is experiencing consitent rains that hjave also caused the Kasese floods. John Bosco Nambetsye, the Bududa district LC V chairman says the ongoing rains pose a serious threat of another catastrophic landslide in the area. Nambetsye says they have now petitioned government to station equipment like excavators and bulldozers at the district as part of its preparedness. In December last year, it was reported that parts of Mt Elgon had developed fresh cracks and to that effect the MPs, Norwegian ambassador Thor Bjorn and Bududa District leaders who toured one of the villages that were hit by landslides warned of a looming disaster and called for government’s immediate intervention. But According to the district chairperson, Mr John Bosco Nambetsye, a Cabinet sub-committee intervened to settle the people of Bududa and they were given three options, of which they settled for the urbanisation of safe zones within Bududa. About Shs8 billion was apparently earmarked for the project under the Prime Minister’s office but nothing has been implemented. Whereas government had suggested forced relocation, Mr Nambetsye said this would not work unless people were first counselled. The population in Bududa is projected to be at about 200,000. Most of the residents are settled in danger zones.The mountainous areas are prone to landslides. Between 2011 and 2013, about 1,000 people lost their lives as a result of the landslides. Locals, especially in Bulucheke Sub-county, were displaced and others driven into camps and later relocated to Kiryandongo."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Govt-gets-Shs100b-for-Tororo-dam/-/688334/2311836/-/u0uh7s/-/index.html","content":"Govt gets Shs100b for Tororo dam - Tororo. Government has secured $44.7 million (Shs111.3 billion) for the construction of Nyabanja multipurpose dam on River Dumbu, a tributary of River Malaba, in Tororo District. The funding was secured through a water resource development programme from the World Bank cooperation in international waters for Africa and the Swedish International Development Agency. This was announced by the commissioner for production in the Ministry of Water and Environment, Mr Richard Cong, last Friday while visiting the project site. Mr Cong said the irrigation development and watershed management project is intended to alleviate poverty in the area by transforming the existing subsistence farming into large-scale commercial farming.He added that according to the feasibility study undertaken in 2010, the dam will form a storage reservoir to hold 11.8 million cubic metres of water that will be diverted from wet season floods into River Dumbu to irrigate an area of about 5,531 hectares. Mr Cong said besides providing water for irrigation, the government also anticipates tapping 47KW of hydro electric power from the dam, and supplying water for domestic use to 12,000 people. He said actual construction will start in 2016 and that the government has outsourced for a firm to draw a plan for the dam which is expected to be concluded by October. Mr Cong also met area residents as part of government’s commitment to involve them in the implementation of the project. Minister of state for Primary Healthcare Sarah Opendi appealed to the communities to embrace the project for the development of the area. Ms Opendi, who is also the Tororo Woman MP, warned the residents against associating with those who may want to de-campaign the project. about projectBasis. The project is being implemented under the Sio-Malaba-Malakisi river basin management project which was identified by the Nile Equatorial Lakes countries. Anticipated benefits. The project will start an irrigation scheme to serve 5,531 hectares of land. The government also anticipates to tap 47KW of hydro power from the project. A bridge will also be constructed across the dam to link Kirewa and Nabuyoga sub-counties."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Govt-asks-for-Shs30b--to-stop-Kasese-floods/-/688334/2311358/-/1512cruz/-/index.html","content":"Govt asks for Shs30b  to stop Kasese floods - Kampala. The government is asking for Shs30 billion to de-silt River Nyamwamba in Kasese District to stop the bursting of its banks, which has claimed lives and property. De-silting involves removing sand around the river so that water can flow freely. Addressing journalists at the weekend in Kampala, the State Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Mr Musa Ecweru, said the measure would permanently ensure normal water flow. “From the assessment so far made, we have since learnt that during the construction of Kilembe Mines and the hospital, the river flow was changed,” Mr Ecweru said. “During the operation of the Kilembe Mines, there was regular de-silting of the river which stopped. This has come amid high degradation on the top of the mountain whereby each time it rains, it becomes dangerous,” he added. The remarks came days after River Nyamwamba burst its banks, causing floods at Kilembe hospital.Mr Ecweru also said they have partnered with the management of Hima Cement factory to carry out minor de-siltation in some areas, pending acquisition of the money.The minister said the effect of the tragedy was not fatal due to the positive response to early warnings.“An assessment was done to determine early detection of tragedy and sensitisation of locals to leave risky areas before trouble comes,” Mr Ecweru said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Four-killed-as-floods-sweep-Kilembe-Mines-Hospital/-/688334/2310186/-/89v006z/-/index.html","content":"Four killed as floods sweep Kilembe Mines Hospital - Kasese- Four people are said to have died as they were being evacuated at Kilembe Mines Hospital following the flooding of River Nyamwamba. The assistant Kilembe Mines Hospital medical superintendent, Dr Robert Tiondi, confirmed the death of two children and one woman who died in the process of being evacuated from the hospital. He however said 195 patients have been rescued. Dr Tiondi identified the dead as Lucia Bwongereza,77 a resident of Ibanda village in Bugoye Sub-county, a four-days-old baby and an unidentified four-year-old boy. He said Lucia died in a stampede as patients were fleeing from the hospital, while the young ones were in an intensive care. He said the fourth person, died at Kasese municipal health Centre III where they were rushed. The officer in charge of Maliba Police Post, Mr James Kindubukira, said Laurence Mulekya, 35, a resident of Maliba Trading center, died on the way to hospital after he collapsed on receiving news that his wife had drowned in River Kithakena. It, however, turned out that the news was not true.Mr Kindubukira said police had launched an investigation to find out the people who gave the false new to the deceased. The damageKilembe mines offices have been submerged by floods as the continuous flooding of River Nyamwamba ravages lives and properties in Kasese District. The flooding water also destroyed classes at Bulembia Primary School.The manager of Uganda Red cross Kasese branch Mr Joseph Nzukwa estimates that more than 10,000 people have been affected by flooding in Kanyaruboga, Katiri and Kyanjuki cells in Bulembia division. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Disaster-risk-preparedness-key/-/689360/2308986/-/50td6a/-/index.html","content":"Disaster risk preparedness key - Some government departments are sleeping on their jobs. And scores of bridges countrywide have been washed away, exactly a year after 35 Ugandans perished in landslides in Kasese. Leave alone 350 deaths in the Bududa landslides on Mt Elgon in 2012. Sadly, every year, the bureaucrats whip out of office cabinets those expert predictions. So Ugandans hear ‘most parts of Uganda will receive more rain than usual between end of March and end of May’. And the forecast are often up to 70 per cent accurate. It would be beneficial if disaster preparedness officials stopped this singsong. Ugandans must refuse to sing along to their press statements. The officials should not make disaster advisory to Ugandans a pleasurable annual media ritual and watch as deluges kill Ugandans for sport. The Department of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Management is aware the torrents wreak flash floods, landslides and waterborne epidemics. The cases of cholera in West Nile were not unexpected. It is great Uganda has in place the National Emergency Coordination and Operations Centre in Kampala. But knee-jerk reactions and shuttling tarpaulins, mosquito nets, blankets, jerricans, basins and hand hoes to victims, are helpful, but they fall well short of what truly needs to be done for the help to be substantive and meaningful. Commendably, government has trained tens of District Disaster Management Committees on emergency preparedness. But these remain mere functional structures and only assess and report on and not prepare for disasters. At the local levels, awareness remains scant and capacity to respond to disasters almost non-existent as this is left to the ministry. The multi-hazard risk and vulnerability mapping of the Rwenzori, completed in 2012/13, has not paid off. Government should ensure risk reduction policies are adjusted to local context, needs and priorities. Lesson is government must support risk reduction policies at the local level. For instance, DENIVA, an NGO, runs a pilot community level risk reduction project, Views from the Frontline, in Pader, Katakwi Bududa, Kabale, Bundibugyo, and Kampala. Here, local leaders should educate residents on reducing risks of floods, landslides, and epidemics. Districts should set aside contingency funds and step up disaster surveillance. Ugandans demand disaster risk preparedness and enduring results."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kilembe-hospital-closed-over-floods/-/688334/2308708/-/f5et3jz/-/index.html","content":"Kilembe hospital closed over floods - Kasese- Kilembe Mines Hospital in Kasese District has been closed after River Nyamwamba burst its banks, causing flooding at the health facility. The hospital medical superintendent, Dr Edward Wafula, said there were 195 patients admitted in the hospital before the floods occurred at about 9am yesterday. All the patients were evacuated by ambulances, government vehicles and private cars. “The patients and their caretakers started running for their lives, so we decided to help out those who were in critical condition,” Dr Wafula told this newspaper. TransferredMost of the patients, who had just had surgery for different complications, were transferred to St Paul’s Health Centre IV in Kasese Town. An officer from St Johns Ambulance, who was coordinating the evacuation process, Mr John Baluku, said the number of patients had overwhelmed the charity until people with cars were called to assist with the evacuation.The manager of the Uganda Red Cross Society Kasese branch, Mr Everest Habai, said the floods were a recurring disaster. Last May, the river burst its banks, destroying property worth millions of shillings and paralysing transport in Kasese Town.Most families that had returned to some parts of Kilembe valley were by press time relocating to Kasese Town. The flooding comes barely six days after temporary wooden bridges on the river were washed away by the water.River Nyamugasani also burst its banks, washing away the temporally bridge at Kyalhumba-Musasa town board. The bridge is used by residents of Kyalhumba and Mahango sub counties. The acting manager of Kilembe Mines Ltd, Mr Alex Byaruhanga, said their offices were also submerged by water. “We are in a dilemma again. We are scared that some of our bridges to the mines may be washed away,” Mr Byaruhanga said The district police commander, Mr Michael Sabila Musani, said two people were stuck in the floods but police managed to save one but efforts were underway to trace another. “We cannot send him a rope since the water is too much and he is very far from the river banks but we are trying by all means to save his life,” Mr Musani said. He said residents of Kanyaruboga and Katiri cells refused to evacuate the place even when they saw flooding water approaching their homes.Kilembe Mines Hospital was undergoing rehabilitation after it was hit by floods last year. Two patients dieThe Kilembe hospital assistant medical superintendent, Dr Robert Tiondi, said two people died of pressure after they had news that the hospital had been surrounded by water. “It is true that we have lost people patients after this sad news. We suspect that they died of pressure as they saw water flooding at the hospital,” he said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Uganda-second-best-place-in-EA-for-mothers/-/688334/2307340/-/k0knh4z/-/index.html","content":"Uganda second best place in EA for mothers - Kampala- If you are looking for the best place to be a mother in East Africa, go to Rwanda.If you are in Uganda, don’t despair, however, because you are in the second safest country to be a mother in the region. But don’t celebrate yet as the report on the state of world mothers also ranks Uganda as one of the 35 worst places to be a mother on earth. Rwanda is also among the 60 worst countries for mothers. The State of the World’s Mother’s 2014 report released on Tuesday by Save the Children, an international NGO focusing on maternal and child health, considered five indicators; maternal health, children’s well-being, educational status, economic and political status of each country. In East Africa, Rwanda was ranked number one while it takes the 121st position out of 178 countries compared. Uganda stands at 133 globally, making it one of the 35 worst places to be a mother. In East Africa, Uganda is followed by Tanzania (135) in third position, Kenya (143), Burundi (147) and South Sudan (158) in the fourth, fifth and sixth position respectively. According to Mr Patrick Aliganyira, the programme specialist for Save Newborn lives project at the NGO, Uganda provides a relatively safer environment for pregnant mothers and their newborns compared to other East African countries. However, Ms Robina Biteyi, the national coordinator White Ribbon Alliance, an organisation focusing on safe motherhood, said little is being done to reduce maternal and child mortality. DeathsAbout 16 women in the country die daily while giving birth. Ms Biteyi said the same report ranks Uganda number 133 globally and also ranked among the 35 unsafe countries for mothers. “It’s not comforting because we are being ranked with other poorly performing countries. We are not making progress and our maternal mortality is actually going high,” Ms Biteyi said, urging the government to allocate more funds, recruit health workers and make health facilities safe. According to the report, Mauritius which is in the 54th position globally is the best place to be a mother in Africa followed by Libya, Tunisia and Angola.Finland on the other hand, is the safest country for mothers in the world, according to the mothers’ index ranking for 2014. It emerged best performer on all the five indicators of maternal and child health, as well as political, economic and education fronts.Somalia is the worst since it was ranked 178th among the 178 countries surveyed. The report further highlights the plight of mothers and children in humanitarian emergency situations. Mr Aliganyira said the government should make a work plan on how to specifically respond to pregnant women and babies in times of crises such as floods, landslides, and war because they have special needs that if not responded to appropriately, increase maternal and child mortality. aayebazibwe@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/University-suspension-over-pregnancy--/-/691232/2305756/-/fw7sgv/-/index.html","content":"University suspension over pregnancy: punishing sin or girls? - When a Christian university suspended unwed female students because they were pregnant, uproar on social media came in floods. There was camp outrage and protest against discrimination of women and the girl child. Then, there was the other side who insisted the Christian and church founded university has a clear code of conduct that guides student behaviour that all students in the university are well aware of and agreed to abide by before they joined the institution. Among them is that they will not engage in premarital sex. It was not long before those protesting the action surged ahead with a section of the civil society and Parliament throwing their weight behind them. However, the discussion was far from over as Barham University College Kabale, a constituent college of Uganda Christian University said it acted within its rights to suspend students who contravene their code of conduct. John Musisi Senyonyi UCU’s vice chancellor last week wrote an opinion in one of the dailies defending the suspension on moral grounds. According to the university, pregnancy outside wedlock implied they had fornicated which goes against rules in the university’s code of conduct.Background Media reports had earlier stated that 26 girls were expelled, but the university clarified that only three students were suspended towards the end of the semester in April. “They were not even expelled nor were they suspended. They were told to go give birth, nurse the babies and come back when they have finished,” Reuben Twinomujuni, the university’s spokesman said. Speaking via telephone to this newspaper last Friday, Twinomujuni painted the decision as one born of concern for the young mothers.“We treasure women and the unborn children. We realise the struggles of being a mother and they simply could not handle [them] with struggles of exams and books,” he said. He, however, said the university does not support sexual immorality, which is implied when no action is taken against pregnant unwed mothers. Over the years, Twinomujuni said, there have been several other suspensions since it has always been the policy. There are several religious run or sponsored institutions of higher learning in Uganda, each with its own code of conduct. If there is one thing denominations and religions seem to all be in agreement with, it is that pregnant and unwed persons do not go hand in hand with the code of conduct. The Islamic University in Uganda for instance, requires all female students to have a pregnancy test at a university-run clinic at the beginning of each semester, according to Mohammed Mpeeza, the vice Rector, academic department at IUIU, who is also the chairman of the University’s disciplinary committee. Those found pregnant go through a process of explaining their circumstances, Dr Mpeeza says, adding, “We approach each case differently.” For instance, female students who don’t declare their marital status and are found pregnant have to produce proof of marriage, he further explains, adding that they will also be asked to move out of the halls of residence and seek accommodation outside the campus. Those unable to prove any form of formal union will have to go through several other confirmatory tests after which they will have to face the disciplinary process. “It is a long process but if she is found to be really unwed and pregnant then it is a breach of university regulations which she agreed to abide by and she shall surely be dismissed,” adds Dr Mpeeza.What some students have resorted toEach university has its own method of handling pregnancy among unwed students. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kasese-residents-stranded-after-floods-destroy-bridge/-/688334/2305568/-/gy4tnq/-/index.html","content":"Kasese residents stranded after floods destroy bridge - Kasese. Hundreds of people are stranded in Kyanzuki following the collapse of Kyanzuki Bridge after River Nyamwamba burst its banks at the weekend, cutting off the township from the rest of Kasese Municipality. According to the Bulembia Division chairperson, Mr Pascal Kasoke, the collapse of the temporary bridge, which was built after the collapse of the initial bridge on May 1, 2013 following heavy rains, was expected because the volumes of water in the river have been increasing since the onset of the rainy season. “This bridge needed the same attention that was given to Katiri and Mubuku bridges because it is equally important since it serves a number of government institutions,” Mr Kasoke said. Mr Kasoke said Kilembe Secondary School, Kyanzuki and Masule primary schools have been cut off. Call for helpThe head teacher of Kilembe Secondary School, Mr Augustine Muserero, called upon the authorities to repair the bridge before the start of the school term. The wooden bridge, which was constructed by residents using logs and timber, was washed away on Saturday following a downpour that lasted for six hours. Hundreds of people were left stranded on either side of the river.Among them were 310 youths who were attending a one-week Information and Communications Technology training at Kilembe Secondary School. The training was co-sponsored by the ICT ministry and Uganda Communications Commission."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Stop-the-blame-game--protect-our-trees/-/689860/2298722/-/sy6wa5/-/index.html","content":"Stop the blame game, protect our trees - Uganda is probably the only country in the world where land “shrinks”. Take, for instance, the National Tree Seed Centre and Nursery at Kazinga near Namanve. It once covered 100 acres. Then, it started shrinking. Today, it hardly covers 40 acres. At this rate, this major source of tree planting material will soon be on the list of the endangered, along with the trees it is supposed to save from extinction. Are we still surprised that the forest cover is receding at 92,000 hectares a year, a trend that has got the President concerned? While launching a tree planting campaign recently, he lashed out at National Forest Authority (NFA) for not doing enough to stop the ongoing “tree genocide”. Visibly peeved, the President wondered whether it made sense planting new trees when old ones were being felled with impunity. Who is responsible?The comment reminds me of another made by the late Dr Jack Barlow in 1979. It was about the security situation then. On behalf of the medical fraternity, he wondered whether it made sense to save lives, only to lose them at the hands of gunmen. Back to tree planting. Does it make sense planting new trees when the old ones are being cleared at the rate of 92,000 hectares a year? Of course, it does. Like those medics who continued treating gunshot victims, we have to plant new trees, even when old ones are being felled. But we need to ask pertinent questions. Who is cutting down trees and why? The answer will help us to protect these trees. So, who is behind this tree genocide? As a farmer, I feel terrible admitting this. But truth be told, a lot of this deforestation is carried out by farmers with support of political leaders. Behind every axe-wielding farmer, stands a vote-hunting politician. Just look around. Farmers are clearing forests in the name of feeding the nation. Supported by their political leaders, they cut the trees to make charcoal and then use the land to grow crops and graze their herds. Instead of stopping them, the political leaders use their offices, to defend these criminal acts. Most of the trucks that ferry charcoal from rural areas to urban markets are owned by politicians and security. That is why they are always overloaded and in poor mechanical condition. No one can arrest them. This political patronage explains the tree genocide. Pastoralists and their animals are invading central forest reserves, especially those in or bordering the cattle corridor, claiming it is their land. When NFA officials ask them to produce proof of ownership, the pastoralists arrogantly assure them how their titles are in State House. The officials back off, and the tree genocide continues. Strange that State House has not disowned these pastoralists, or got them from the forests. Instead, the President blames NFA for not doing enough. In our society, elders do not err. The trees on private land are not spared either. Again, the farmer and the politician are responsible. In Luweero, Nakaseke and Kayunga districts, farmers are clearing natural forests to grow pineapples and other crops they believe produce more under monoculture farming systems. Sugarcane growing has left several districts in eastern Uganda with zero forest cover. Ironically, it is the same farmers complaining about erratic and destructive rains a direct consequence of deforestation. Bush burning towards the rainy season is a primitive practice that persists because farmers think it makes the land more productive. Of course it does not. Instead, it destroys the soil exposing it to erosion. My appeal to all Ugandans, starting with the President, is to stop blaming each other but acknowledge our individual roles in the genocide and change the situation. Urban dwellers are quick to blame the rural poor for destroying our forests. It would take a ban on charcoal trade, for these smug urbanites to realise their role. While they don’t own an axe, each time they light a charcoal stove, they are in effect cutting a tree. What can we do?More than 90 per cent of Ugandans use wood fuel to cook their food. Chances are, those sumptuous dinners you enjoy in five-star hotels are prepared using charcoal. The sauna you frequent uses firewood. The bread you enjoy is baked in wood-fired ovens. Without charcoal, the “rolex” industry, which employs many youths in urban centres would not survive. 1 | 2 Next Page»The average Ugandan can easily live without electricity but it is almost impossible to survive without charcoal. There are two things we can do. One is to plant more trees. The other is to promote alternative sources of energy. We need to encourage people to plant trees. You do not need to own a huge chunk of land to plant trees. You can indirectly plant trees by donating seedlings to individuals and institutions that have land. Many religious and cultural institutions have idle land, which can be put to better use. You can express your support for these institutions, by donating tree seedlings to plant on their land. The trees will generate income while protecting their land. The other thing we can do is to promote alternative energy sources such as solar and bio gas. It is the duty of every Ugandan to protect our trees. They are nature’s gift to us. We cannot claim to be gifted by nature, when we have failed to look after these gifts. How would you feel, if someone abused a gift you gave them? That is how Mother Nature feels when we cut trees. Now, you know why drought and floods have become more frequent. Mother Nature is upset. The author is a farming journalist and a consultant. E-mail: akndawula@gmail.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Rearing-goats--sheep-on-free-range-at-Kaburary-Island/-/689860/2298712/-/gbb8bpz/-/index.html","content":"Rearing goats, sheep on free range at Kaburary Island - As population pressure limits land, traditional ways of rearing livestock are becoming extinct. Paddocking is now preferred to the free range system as farmers stem the numbers to avoid them wrecking damage on their neighbours’ crops for which they may be held liable. Unwilling to resort to the way of farming that restricts numbers of the herds, and probable penalties, Collins Opio, 45, a resident of Amuurie village in Serere District, braved warthogs and pythons to relocate his herds of livestock to Kaburary Island in Lake Kyoga. He wanted to practise what he knows best--the free range system. AdvantageOn this island, rolling towards the lake shore, measuring about 500 acres of land, he keeps and grazes more than 700 indigenous goats and sheep plus 100 cows. To Opio, the free range system is not restrictive as the demand for goats is big, so it is the way to go once there is an opportunity for a vast land. He says on that a free range system, the herds breed throughout the year, as they mate freely while they browse for leaves and grass in the fields, unlike the paddock system that caters best for the exotic breeds. Here, a farmer has only to use artificial insemination to guarantee a possibility of herd multiplication. Almost leftSo, Opio believes that his was a wise decision to relocate from home, to maintain his source of income. But, along the way, in 2010, attacks from pythons almost sent him packing back home. “I almost sold the remaining herds, until one Burundian businessman told me how pigs can eat pythons, that is why these herds have increased again to this numbers,” he notes. Rearing goats and sheep is something he has admired from childhood. “It was the main source of our family income. So, this is like keeping the legacy of our family going,” he says. According to him, goat rearing needs simple attention; give them soda ash and salt at home to have them lured back to the kraal in the evening hours, after they take water. And also carry out monthly deworming. If this is done, you are well assured of a healthy herd. To date, Opio says all he owns is majorly a result of rearing goats and sheep. The least he earns from selling a goat is Shs90,000 and despite having indigenous breeds, some of them can weigh 30kgs. Challenge“I own a house estimated at Shs20m, and a motorised boat besides being able to pay my children’s fees,” he reveals. The challenge he faces on the island is when there are floods during the rainy seasons. Opio says though the vegetation flourishes well. His herds are limited to grazing only on water-free grounds. There is also a high possibility of foot and water mouth disease, attacks by predators and theft by fisherman. Besides that, he says he enjoys a production rate of about 150 kids from both goats and sheep annually. Natural wayDaniel Ebeiru, an expert in crop and animal husbandry, concurs that because of limited land, people have gone for the other ways of rearing goats and sheep, but free range allows movement and is not confined to small compound spaces. 1 | 2 Next Page»The animals mix with other kinds of animals like cattle as they graze. He adds that their health is good due to a more organic diet and way of living plus the fact that they need less supervision. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Enforce-directive-on-encroachers/-/689360/2295100/-/6yfttfz/-/index.html","content":"Enforce directive on encroachers - For once, there is urgency in our national tone to restore Uganda’s forest cover and save the environment. Environment agencies need to act urgently and enforce President Museveni’s directive to evict encroachers. Already, Uganda has a red alert that her unrestrained interference with nature will force the country to harvest catastrophe. A 2008 report authored by the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema), says Uganda loses 90,000 hectares of forests every year. But the little left of the country’s forests will vanish in barely 30 years. The loss also exposes the country to drought, floods and mudslides. Indeed, the move by government to have the Ministry of Lands cancel all land titles on public land or in wetlands acquired unlawfully, beginning with Kampala, is laudable. And government’s decision to cancel titles and environmental impact assessment certificates issued by Nema and KCCA is bold and long overdue. Section 36 of the National Environment Act, 1995, provides for the protection of wetlands and bars any person from reclaiming, erecting or demolishing any structure that is fixed in, on, under or over any wetland. It’s absolutely necessary that government takes the lead and restores Uganda’s critical ecosystem, especially the 200-metre Lake Victoria lakeshore protection zone. NFA too should move quickly and withdraw or cancel tree planting licences and land granted 20 years ago to some 2,000 individuals and companies who failed to grow more trees across the country as was agreed. Moreover, government effort to reclaim and compensate developers on wetlands leased before 1995 is commendable. This will help recover degraded wetlands and restore their ecological functions and preserve niches for rare indigenous species. The government agencies should exercise impartiality, avoid discrimination and double-speak, which have previously contradicted execution of directives and frustrated efforts to enforce the directives. Nema and NFA could have slipped in executing their duties, but environmental enforcement should be executed by agencies entrusted by statutes. Uganda needs vigilance and requires joint efforts of forest and environment governance agencies and a rapid response force to act on alerts on trespasses. Companies licensed to exploit forest products require strict supervision, and monitoring. Uganda can restore its endangered forest cover and save the environment."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Food--the-agricultural-challenge-of-our-time-/-/689860/2289066/-/m38gu9/-/index.html","content":"Food, the agricultural challenge of our time  - I wish to share with readers of Farmers Diary the ideas that I picked from a presentation of a distinguished plant scientist and professor emeritus at University of Oxford, Dr Chris Leaver, which he gave to a group of agriculture journalists from Africa on April 11 at the University of Cambridge. He began by drawing our attention to the fact that while the world population is 7.2 billion, it will be nine billion by 2050 and that most of the predicted 1.8 billion increase will be in Africa. I quickly remembered that the fertility rate in Uganda for each woman is 6.2 children. It is one of the highest in the world. “In the next 50 years, we will need to produce as much food as has been consumed over our entire human history,” was to me the dominant quote in Prof Leaver’s presentation. The increase in the food prices in Africa should not be hard to understand given the following reasons.n Africa’s agricultural production has generally stagnated for much of the 1960-2010 period, and it has even tended to decline more recently. African governments have not invested as much as they should in agricultural research and translation into the field-education and support for farmers. n Africa’s productive land is diminishing due to population pressure, which has resulted in land fragmentation, deforestation, and depleted soils. Yet the ordinary African farmer lacks the financial means to purchase fertilisers and to carry out irrigation. Harvesting, storage, and transport difficulties continually cause food loss, accounting for about 90 per cent of all the food lost in Africa (FAO report, 22 January 2012). Civil unrest has hampered food production in many countries and climate change with its accompanying extreme events--heat, drought, and floods--is already upon us. n Emerging pests and crop diseases (like Banana Bacterial Wilt, Cassava Brown Streak, among others), are on the rise, threatening to wipe out staple food crops.Prof Leaver believes that one of Africa’s key strategies should be more investment in agricultural biotechnology to come up with improved local crop varieties adapted to our soils, environmental conditions and needs."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/earth-day--aiming-for-a-green-city/-/691232/2288862/-/qv3egk/-/index.html","content":"earth day: aiming for a green city - It is World Earth Day, a reminder of our responsibilities to preserve and conserve the planet. This year, the world is reminded to keep cities green but millions of Ugandans woke up today not mindful of planting a tree, yet before a day ends, thousands of trees will be felled for shipping to the towns as firewood, charcoal or lost on cleared ground to grow food to feed the rising urban population. It is children like Isaac Muhumuza of Nakasero Primary School, however, whose commitment to planting trees might help Uganda achieve this year’s theme of having green, sustainable cities. “I am happy to have planted a tree confident that in the future I am going to have children and I am sure my children will also give birth. If we keep up with this culture of tree planting, Uganda will become a model country for protecting and conserving the environment,” Muhumuza said. He was one of the more than 80,000 pupils under the auspices of Uganda’s Little Hands Go Green organisation whose dream is to plant a million trees mainly in Ugandan towns. What is happening in KampalaPeter Kaujju, Kampala Capital City Authority spokesman, explains that city’s authority share this vision. “That is why we have preserved and are trying to restore places like Centenary Park, Jubilee Park commonly known as the Sheraton Hotel Gardens. We have already embarked on creating green spaces for example along Jinja road,” he said in a telephone interview. Kaujju blames their predecessors who approved projects like high raised areas with little attention to public open areas. He says KCCA is now cautious before approving plans for more constructions in the city. “Moving forward, we are paying attention to provision of public open areas and green places in the city because Kampala was originally a green city,” Kaujju adds. The problemGilbert Kadilo, National Forestry Authority (NFA)’s publicist says Uganda’s forest cover today constitutes about 17.4 per cent of the country’s total land area down from 24 per cent in 1990. He blames urbanisation, and hence the Earth Day theme on cities is quite relevant for Uganda. “Urbanisation has placed forests under immense pressure, especially due to the ever increasing demand for high value forest products such as timber for construction. Also, as urban centres expand, there is demand for new land. For instance, the rapid expansion of Kampala, Mukono and Lugazi conurbation has put the very important Mabira Forest ecosystem under threat,” Kadilo explains. A recent report released by National Environment Management Authority (Nema) warned of rampant deforestation which, if it continues unchecked, will make Uganda prone to drought and floods as a result of loss of its forest cover by 2050. Kadilo says the loss of forest cover could come 10 years earlier. He says, “Uganda loses an average of 92,000 hectares of forests annually. At this rate, we may have no forests left by 2040.” Every year on April 22, the world seeks to take action on Earth Day with focus on unique environmental challenges of our time. This year’s theme is “Green Cities- with smart investments in sustainable technology, forward-thinking public policy, and an educated and active public, we can transform our cities and forge a sustainable future.” SolutionsActivities of individuals and organisations like Masembe’s is one of the solutions to restore the country’s lost forest cover in the face of accelerated repercussions of climate change. The children who have planted more than 80,000 trees is a testimony that if every child plants a fruit tree, then, nothing could be more powerful than the collective action of 18 million children of Uganda. Another is artist Michael Cliff Kibuuka whose exhibition dubbed “Concrete Jungle” premieres this Friday to make a case for a green city. Kibuuka has documented constructions, formal and informal, that are happening around the cities and the suburbs. “This [concrete] has replaced trees and the natural vegetation to form what I call the concrete jungle. The main cause of this is massive rural to urban movement coupled with poor urban planning. Thus anyone can construct anything anywhere, with no proper roads for accessibility, drainage and space,” he explains. 1 | 2 Next Page»Kibuuka says in all this, it is the children who are most affected, because most of them grow up in dirty crowded areas, well as others grow up in flats with just a balcony as their only play area. And Masembe’s Little Hands Go Green seeks to put children at the heart of conservation efforts in the fight against climate change and its adverse effects. “With emphasis on a fruit tree per child, if a 12 year old child plants a tree today in 2014, in 2020 that tree will be six years old and that child ready to vote not just for their political future but on their environmental future. They will never cut that tree because of the ownership and emotional attachment,” the social entrepreneur explains. Martin Kiiza, secretary general of National Council for Children says children constitute the biggest percentage of the population. “They account for 57 per cent of the population, which is about 18 million.” He encourages the private sector and government to support the child participation mechanism so that children are given that platform to make a contribution in protecting the environment as a way of taking charge of their future. While planting trees is important, more needs to be done to conserve wetlands, especially in Kampala, control environmental degradation and pollution in the city, which include solid waste, abattoir waste, sewage, sanitation, drainage, industrial pollution, traffic pollution, atmospheric pollution, urban agriculture, rapid urbanisation and water hyacinth. Kaujju says KCCA has stepped up its efforts in managing waste in and around Kampala. “We collect about 32,000 tonnes of garbage a month. We have placed garbage bins along streets and in markets, where people can deposit waste,” he says. This garbage is sorted and some private individuals recycle it. Looking to the futureOne of Uganda Wildlife Education Centre’s (Uwec) missions is to carry out conservation education to Ugandans with special emphasis on the young generation who are the leaders of tomorrow. Uwec’s executive director, James Musinguzi, calls on Ugandans to step up efforts to conserve the environment by avoiding cutting down of trees and adopt planting of trees at household level. Part of their plan is to work with children to do this. “The children are very good at influencing the old people and change their mind-sets and attitudes towards environmental action so we are going to get them on board in our campaigns,” he added. Artist Kibuuka makes a plea. “I believe the environment should be accorded a lot more respect and care, and the relevant authorities should do a lot more to preserve it not for us but for the future generations,” he advises. “In this, there should be more systematic and controlled construction and people should be taught the importance of planting trees, and maintain a green, clean and organised environment,” he concludes. earth day events in uganda• KAFRED, and UNITE are planning an all-day event for rural communities. The day will include viewing of environmental films, raffles, competitions, football matches and exhibitions by UNITE schools and other partners. The day is essentially designed to bring awareness to the conservation projects being undertaken in the Kibale region.• Clemency Uganda is planning a tree planting activity with a group of orphans in Jinja.• Liberty Conservation and Development plans to create new green sites by organising tree planting events. There will be a specific focus on shade trees near Tororo stadium. In addition they are beginning a campaign to provide agro forestry tree seedlings to farmers who stay around the city to help maintain soil fertility. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Museveni-tells-off-Lukwago-in-city-tour/-/688334/2284166/-/mtmwia/-/index.html","content":"Museveni tells off Lukwago in city tour - KAMPALA. President Museveni has described former FDC president Kizza Besigye and embattled Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago as malicious people ‘who destroy poor people’s property when they demonstrate’. The President was presiding over the climax for Kampala Capital City Authority’s celebration of three years since it replaced the now defunct Kampala City Council at Lugogo in Kampala. “Lukwago and Besigye are not only opposition people but they do dangerous activities.” “If they came to my kraal in Rwakitura to cause chaos and demonstrate, I would strike them with my spear,” the President said.The President said he had rescued the people of Kampala from hanging themselves in every election. “By voting Lukwago, Moses Kasibante, Latif Ssebagala and others whose names I don’t even know, the people of Kampala were hanging themselves but I have cut them off from the ropes. Please don’t do it again.” Kasibante is Rubaga North MP while Ssebagala represents Kawempe North in Parliament. They, like Lukwago, belong to opposition DP. “I was annoyed and had resolved to leave the people of Kampala in floods, dust and garbage but when I reflected, I decided to forgive them as Jesus (forgave mankind),” he said. Using a Luganda proverb, the President likened the Lord Mayor to a dog barking at an elephant. He said he was a fighter who used the Constitution to fix Lukwago. “In the law, we decided to put the Mayor but under the executive director who decides what has to be done. The Lord Mayor is there with robes and padlocks but the power is with Jennifer Musisi,” Museveni said. He thanked the councillors who he said put on better glasses compared to Besigye and Lukwago. “I would like to thank you (the councillors) for chasing away Lukwago. I will meet with you soon,” Mr Museveni said in reference to last year’s contested impeachment of the Lord Mayor. The impeachment case is still in court. The President summed up KCCA’s three years as littered with ‘development and wars’, saying he had brought ‘this girl’ [Musisi] to fix Kampala. Earlier he had toured different projects, including Kafumbe Mukasa Road, an employment service bureau housed in former Mayor Ssebagala’s house and Kisenyi Health Center IV."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/New-Shs36b-MPs--parking-area-floods/-/688334/2255434/-/j3v22m/-/index.html","content":"New Shs36b MPs’ parking area floods - Authorities in Parliament were embarrassed last week after they were forced to temporarily close the new parking lot for two days after the whole area flooded. The facility leaked and the whole area was flooded as the first season rains poured on Kampala. President Museveni on November 8 last year opened the new “state-of the-art” multi-level parking lot at Parliament. The five level parking complex, which cost Shs36 billion, can accommodate 510 cars and is fitted with lifts, fire-fighting equipment and an air extractor. The car park was Phase I of the expansion of the Parliament Chamber project. However, last week’s floods upset legislators and staff who have now questioned the durability of the facility. Parliament cleaners were immediately dispatched to the South Wing to shove water using buckets and rags. In the chaos, the contractor, M/s Seyani and Brothers Limited, was called to come and fix the problem. The parking was re-opened on Tuesday. During the days of closure, very unhappy legislators struggled to find parking space in the vicinity of Parliament."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Every-ugandan-should-play-a-role-in-protecting-our-forests/-/689364/2252666/-/39q0mw/-/index.html","content":"Every ugandan should play a role in protecting our forests - Today is World Forest Day. This year’s theme - Protecting Forests Equals Protecting the World, Wildlife and Climate Change – is a clear call for action. We should heed this call and fight forest destruction, which is widespread in Uganda. When millions of people take small steps, they can transform the world. We should, therefore, avoid living on the planet as if we have another one to go to! In Uganda, many forests have been destroyed by encroachers as they look for land for settlement, agriculture and other socio-economic ventures. Some forests have also been given to investors for commercial agriculture and industrial development. The environmental devastation that would result from the destruction of forests in the guise of ‘economic development’ would be catastrophic, resulting in drought and heavy rainfall leading to floods, among others. Let us take Mabira Forest, for instance. The hydrological and ecological functions of Mabira are real and clear. The forest is located between two lakes - Victoria and Kyoga, and two major rivers - Nile and Sezibwa. Hence it provides a water catchment from which rivers and lakes flow. It is also responsible for the good weather conditions and constant rainfall in the areas around it. Mabira is a safe habitat for fauna and flora, and one of the most active eco-tourism centres we have. It harbours a wealth of biological diversity; for instance, Namibia and Uganda have the largest number of bird species in Africa. (There are more than 1,500 and 1,000 species respectively). This is mainly because of the favourable environment, especially the life-supporting forest cover such as the Banta species (found only in Mabira forest and Kidepo National Park, having migrated from South America due to the highly shifting weather that was detrimental to their survival) and the Fiankolin (now found only in Mabira Forest). Yet, more than 20 per cent of all bird species the world over are found in and around Mabira Forest. If encroachment is not checked in Mabira, trees with high economic value like Mahogany, Conidia Milan, Prunos Africana (Entasesa), Cofea canafola are in danger. These trees are very scarce; they are mostly in Mabira Forest in Uganda, and in larger forests of Indonesia, Gabon, Columbia, Brazil and Congo. It is greed and conflict of interest that greatly haunt our forests. Man’s necessities and perceived enjoyment are the cause of the unwise use of our valuable natural resources and our destructive propensity is still great. Even in a natural forest where the works of the creator are nicely balanced, the greedy man wants to infringe on them with impunity, yet the State holds valuable natural resources like forests, wetlands, wildlife, water catchments, etc., in public trust so they must be protected by the government at whatever cost. With our dream of industrialisation, some critics see doom in every aspect of development projects with concerns and reactions that generate an atmosphere charged with hostility against natural resources, environmental pollution and economic greed/corruption. The quest for sustainable socio-economic development without conserving valuable natural recourses like forests is futile. It is like standing in front of the mirror with our eyes closed to see how we look when we are asleep. This time, all of us should stand up and oppose any plan to destroy our forests. Let us commit ourselves to zero deforestation. Mr Major is the president of Sustainable World Initiative – East Africa."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Forests-in-danger/-/691232/2252014/-/148339w/-/index.html","content":"Forests in danger - In June 2008, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) released a report which showed that Uganda had more than five million hectares of forest cover in 1990. By 2005, only 3.5 million hectares (8.6 million acres) had remained. The report warned that if deforestation continues at that rate, Uganda will have lost all its forested land by 2050. As Uganda joins the rest of the world to mark World Forestry Day today, there is need to reflect on whether there has been any improvement to stop the trend of forest destruction or if the country is still on its way to clear all its forested area within the next 30 years. Visits to selected central forest reserves show destruction of large covers of forest area. At Kitubulu central forest reserve in Entebbe, illegal sand miners are clearing the forest at an alarming rate. Worse still, unscrupulous people are busy getting titles in the forest. The fight to stop some of these activities is not an easy one. On April 10, 2013, the National Forestry Authority lost 13.6 hectares of Kyewaga forest reserve after the Supreme Court threw out its appeal for wrongfully evicting businessman Sam Kiwanuka, the director of Seven Kings Estates Company. The 13.6 hectares of this forest land had been excised from the forest reserve some years back without the then forest body updating its records on the development.In other cases, although the forestry authority is willing to permit people to mine sand, the miners are doing so before getting the licences, a process that is harming the forests. For example, Mr Michael Mugisa, the National Forestry Authority boss, says NFA offered leases to three people in Kyewaga Central Forest Reserve to mine sand but before they could even give them the licences, the people started getting the sand. The problem with this is that the miners do not follow the guidelines in the license that talk about how to mine sand and how to ensure recovery plans are made. As such, they destroy the lakeshore forest.At Kajjansi and Namanve forest reserves, in Wakiso, the situation isn’t any better as people have obtained titles illegally and fenced off plots in these forest reserves for development.The situation is not any better away from the urban forest reserves. Matiri forest sector comprises six central forest reserves, namely Matiri, Ibambaro, Kitechura, Buhungiro, Rwensambya and Nkera in the districts of Kyegegwa and Kyenjonjo. When you take a walk through these forests, it is captivating to see the overhead canopy of knitted tree branches. The air is fresh and the place serene.The people who live near the forests do know that they are crucial. They have an idea that the trees make up 3.4 per cent of the GDP, and provide employment and ecosystem services. Trading centres in forestsBut despite that, it is estimated that the forest cover is being lost at an alarming rate of 92,000 hectares per annum. The 2010 Biomass Report, shows that forest cover loss was highest in Kyenjojo District. Other than Nkera and Kitechura central forest reserves, the rest have been badly encroached on. Kilometres into the forest, you will find acres of plantations that eventually lead to semi-permanent homesteads and later trading centres. The centres have fully furnished shops, maize mills, salons, lodges and bars. You would be hard-pressed to believe you are in the belly of a forest reserve. At Itwara Central Forest Reserve in Bugaaki Sub-county, Kyenjojo District, there is an actual road, well-marked by car treads, that leads into spots of massive encroachment. A forest walk of about half a kilometer via Kisangi village Nyamabuga parish in Bugaaki, shows how many trees have been cut, even though National Forest Authority teams say they always patrol the place to evict encroachers. Logs laid to be cut into timber can be spotted at different points with encroachers camping with all their utensils and power saws ready to clear the tree cover.At Kabego Central Forest Reserve, various encroachers are busy destroying the forest with protection from neighbouring homesteads who alert them whenever they see supervisors or any unknown people entering the forest.Mr Phillip Kyomuhendo, the Mirambi village chairman in Kyenjonjo District, claims they see different forestry people entering the forests, sometimes with cars loaded with timber. His concern is that they, as leaders, are not told about what these people are doing. “They are charged with looking after the forest, but bypass us when entering and yet encroachment has never been brought down,” he says.His remarks are echoed by Bugaaki Sub-county Chairman William Bisanga Mugambwe who says that there is need for collaborative forest management as stipulated in the NFA Act. “Tooro people need to take care of their own forests because they have them at heart, not people who connive with encroachers,” he says.In other cases though, the problems are more complex, with locals being duped and conned into buying acres of the forest. Duped into buying forest landMs Anna Mbabazi, a resident at Kyabanengo trading centre in Matiri forest reserve, says her family sold their land in Kanungu to buy two acres of land from people who said they had land in the reserve at Shs1m. “As we are farmers, we cleared the area and engaged in agriculture which we were successful in,” she says. “But now, we are worried that NFA is going to evict us from the forest and we have nowhere to go.” 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/Splashing-water-isn-t-ok/-/688614/2250368/-/kttqomz/-/index.html","content":"Splashing water isn’t ok - It is once again that season when we have to get used to rainfall and the ills it comes with. One of those ills is when another motorist is splashed with dirty water by a fast moving vehicle. It is worse for pedestrians, what should we do? Jude: We have been complaining about dust and now it seems like we are into the rain or call it wet season. One of the unfortunate things this seasons presents, are pools of water on roads or off road. So pedestrians and other road users such as motor cyclists, bicycle riders are often splashed with dirty water by car drivers. I have heard some people say that it is a crime, is it anyway? Mustafa: Let’s put it this way. Jude, have you ever splashed water on anyone? Jude: No Mustafa: Paul, have you? Paul: Yes, but unconsciously. Jude: Why say unconsciously? Mustafa: Paul, it has to be yes or no. Paul: Yes, but it wasn’t intentional, I was sorry. Mustafa: We all feel sorry for them. Paul: Often it is accidental. I don’t know of any people who go out there and intentionally splash water on others. We have to blame it on potholes. Some of them can be seen, others you cannot see. And because of traffic, sometimes you cannot avoid splashing. However, I am not aware of any law or ban against splashing water. Jude: Some people say when you splash water on someone, they write down your registration number and then report to police. Mustafa: Then in such a situation it is your word against mine. How do you know that it was me driving? I can write down any person’s number and give it to police but where is burden of proof? Anyone can do this, even to mudsling you, it is a tight situation. Paul: It could be retribution, maybe you just wrote another car’s number that passed by and not mine. Jude: Okay, what then do you do when faced with a pool of water ahead of you. Do you slow down? There are situations when you just cannot help it but splash and go right ahead, the way it floods at the Entebbe road clock tower route. And there are times when you cannot know the depth of the pothole, thus creating a huge splash. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mustafa: Personally, I blame the pedestrian. Jude: For being on the “wrong” side of the road? Mustafa: Yes! After it has rained, avoid such roads with muddy water. Jude: But if it is my main route when going home, what do you want me to do? Mustafa: Wait for the car to pass and then go across the puddle. If you just walk haphazardly just because it is your route going home, water will be splashed on you. Don’t think that everyone is courteous enough to slow down, some drivers may even laugh at you because it is funny! Jude: It is not funny at all. Mustafa: It is not funny for the “victim” but I think as a pedestrian, you should be more conscious after it has rained. Steer clear of places with puddles of water. If I see a puddle and there is no car, I will walk first enough past the puddle. Jude: But also think of fellow motorists not just pedestrians. Please exercise some restraint. Mustafa: The exercising of restraint is a double edged sword. Here, it will depend on how deep the pothole is. If someone brakes suddenly, I may ram into them. If I am going slow over a puddle of water, the person behind me may start honking. It is a bit of a grey area and I think it comes back to courtesy. It lies on the pedestrian’s side. Paul: They should look around for oncoming traffic, then walk past the puddle. Jude: Just imagine, if you splashed the water on our officers in white, won’t it be seen as settling some score? Mustafa: Would you do that? Jude: No, but if he is standing where this puddle of water is, anything can happen. Besides I didn’t plant him there. Paul: You slow down, but Jude, I know you may cheekily do it to find out if there is a law against it (laughter). Jude: I first watch and see if there is a motorcycle around for following me up (jokingly). Anyway, let’s be cautious and not hurt pedestrians or even other motorists for the rain season has just started. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Do-our-MPs-know-enough-about-GMOs-/-/689860/2249028/-/n1tgf3z/-/index.html","content":"Do our MPs know enough about GMOs? - Shortly before President Museveni assented to the anti-gays legislation a few weeks ago, he thought it necessary to invite experts to Kyankwanzi where NRM legislators were holding a retreat to provide advice on the matter. The experts gave their views and the President, who at first seemed reluctant, finally agreed to append his signature on the legislation, which is now law. Before long, our parliamentarians will be debating a law to implement the National Biotechnology and Bio-safety Policy which includes the use of GM (Genetically Modified) technologies in agriculture. UnawareThe debate has been going on for several months now with some people opposed to the production of GM crops and others supporting it.A quick search I did has, however, indicated that a number of MPs seem unaware of the causes of the serious agricultural challenges, such as insect and disease epidemics, and unpredictable weather patterns that have resulted in long droughts and devastating floods. The majority seem to believe that such challenges can be overcome by increased fertiliser application, irrigation, better crop prices, and improved agronomic practices. They are opposed to the adoption of GM technologies in farming, which have transformed agriculture in such countries as India, Egypt and South Africa. Research effortsAs you read this, our crops such as bananas, cassava, maize, cotton, coffee, and several others are under disease attack with a real possibility of even being completely wiped out unless a quick solution is found. We also have serious nutritional issues affecting pregnant women and children that can most effectively be addressed by biotechnology. Some of these problems are already under research, incidentally by our own scientists, and some success is already being registered; but if our MPs do not support the enactment of the law, the researchers’ effort and all the money invested in their work will come to naught. Will the Honorable Speaker invite some scientists to address the MPs on GM technology?"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Deforestation-causing-rising-food-prices--activists-say/-/688334/2247882/-/4ogyarz/-/index.html","content":"Deforestation causing rising food prices, activists say - Rampant deforestation is to blame for the reduction in food supply, which causes increase in food prices, activists have said. In a statement issued yesterday, the activists said despite the campaign to promote food security, the planners forget the role of forests. They added that food security requires sustainable energy and ecosystem provided for by forests to increase production. Ms Efrance Nakiyingi, the Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda (ACCU) programme officer, said the country has lost about one quarter of her forests over the last 15 years. She said this has resulted into weather changes leading to delayed and insufficient rains, floods and mudslides. “This situation has culminated into prolonged dry seasons leading to a serious reduction in food supply which has then contributed to the increasing food prices. Subsequently, majority of Ugandans are missing meals because they cannot afford to buy it,” she said in a statement ahead of the World Forest Day commemorations slated for March 21."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/Enthusiastic-about-the-environment/-/689856/2226878/-/dk70ek/-/index.html","content":"Enthusiastic about the environment - He would like to simply call himself a broadcaster but his is a face and voice you will identify with environmental broadcasts. Andrew Mugyema became a public face for his fanatical presentation of environmental issues on Eco Talk, on NTV Uganda. He no longer graces our screens but he has not gone quiet about the environment.Today, he is the Chief Executive Officer of Media Steps, a company he started to keep his tabs on development communication issues. His work involves documenting issues for both public and private business. Environment enthusiastEnvironment is still high on his agenda and he would like to make his contribution in trying to avert the adverse effects of climate change in Uganda where population pressure has ignited human activity of deforestation and clearing of swamps.“The fact that agriculture contributes to more than 80 per cent of our survival in most of the households in Uganda, I discovered that it is dependent on environment, and the well-being of the environment directly impacts people in terms of their production and at a bigger level our economy also largely depends on agriculture,” he argues, explaining part of his inspiration to be an environmentalist. But one of the arguments for conservation was and still is that we are dependent on ‘Mother Nature’ to produce all that we depend on. As a journalist, Mugyema discovered that most of his colleagues were interested in political reporting and when he opened pages in the newspapers or switched on the radio, the media was filled with broadcast of political views and news. “Society forgot that its survival is heavily dependent on environment as the first step of survival in terms of health, the food we eat, the air we breathe and the general survival for the current generation and others to come,” he argues. Climate change and issues of environment were not given attention. So, Mugyema saw an opportunity to stand out of the crowd and contribute to that limited pool of knowledge and awareness. In creating special attention about these issues, he broadened them and people were able to connect their situation and how important the environment can be especially in the face of climate change. Starting outMugyema’s is a journey that started in 2001. As an intern at Wavah Broadcasting Services (WBS), yet to graduate from Makerere University with a journalism honours degree, Mugyema was more interested in investigative journalism. “I was lucky to be nominated by my editor then, Herbert Were, for a World Bank training specifically targeting problems of African states, developing countries and the the factors perpetuating the vicious cycle of poverty. The training revolved around issues to do with money laundering, corruption, bad governance and how you can investigate a story and unearth some of these evils for the general public,” he recalls. Turning pointHis turning point came a year later, in 2002 when he travelled to England for a course in broadcast. He picked lessons in broadcast techniques, TV production, operating different cameras, and how to package different elements of TV like features and mini-documentaries.It was a personal drive, supported by his family with recommendation from WBS. While in the UK, Mugyema was struck by the level of environmental preservation. “There is a lot of industrialisation but government and developers are careful. A few kilometres from London itself are forests that have been protected with wild animals and this is an equivalent of the distance from Kampala to Kajjansi. There are specific measures to safeguard the environment which means there are wetlands, forests, tree planting activities in the city centres,” he explains. So bringing this message very strongly on Ugandan television was timely.He made sure he investigated and read beyond what people know. “Some of the first stories I did when I came back were about the seasonal floods in Bwaise. I went beyond reporting what was featured in the newspapers and on radio, which was about blaming government and drainage channels,” he recounts. Starting Eco TalkThe environment enthusiast looked at how people’s property was destroyed. He investigated and found that it had to do with felling trees on the slopes that overlook Bwaise, encroachment on the wetlands that were supposed to filter and later purify waste water as it goes back to the lake. “When I started doing all those stories the response was good and I started getting feedback from environment sources that were willing to even explain these issues further. That led to the birth of the weekly feature called Eco Talk on NTV. I was its pioneer presenter,” Mugyema explains about the birth of the television programme that earned him respect as a journalist on the environment beat. Finally, he had an opportunity to come up with weekly themes that tackled environment which meant interfacing specialists to get their take on different issues. The results were good and soon the nomination for awards came. Mugyema’s focus was always on having a good story out. “I would walk on the streets and people would stop me to say thank you which also happened even among peers in other media houses. And of course, I would get special mentions in conferences I was attending and most of the stories I was doing were references for people to understand the environment and climate changes,” he elaborates about some of the recognitions his efforts got him. The big storiesOne of the biggest stories he calls to mind is the one which involved big companies where each made accusations at another of contaminating Lake Victoria. “Much of the water was extremely green and I did my investigations and found out that it is as a result of chemicals from some of the companies specifically from Uganda Breweries Limited at Luzira. They were excreting directly and fish was dying,” he discloses. He was again doing more than the average journalist who would report about the lake turning green but not bothering to find out why it was turning so. 1 | 2 Next Page»To do this particular story Mugyema hired a boat and sailed across this part of Lake Victoria with his camera, to get evidence of how the big company was discharging waste water into the lake. He went on to speak to the fishermen who explained to him that they live with the stench of dead fish. “When I took all this on video with interviews with specialists who talked about aquatics, the water science and fish cycles. It brought about a change. The brewery bought a better machine that could manage the waste. They put some specific units to start monitoring similar disposals into the lake,” he recollects. He says, “I would never do a story on the surface but rather go underneath and people really appreciated that.” Mugyema was the journalist behind the story of famine outbreaks in Eastern Uganda after extensive droughts and water bodies drying out. “I camped in Eastern Uganda for eight nights and captured people who were really malnourished and an influx of children in hospitals. The call for me was not about short-term measures but bringing awareness that this is something that had been predicted and explained. This was at the time when the minister had denied that there was hardly any death,” he recalls. Proving the minister wrongHe challenged the minister, Tarsis Kabwegyere, with his images. “Once the images were out, parliament suspended some of the activities and looked at it as a matter of national interest. A lot of attention was put to the issue of hunger in Eastern Uganda,” Mugyema proudly recounts. Many people came in with relief. Mugyema’s images were telling especially those showing stunted children with kwashiorkor, people with sunken eyes with nothing to eat but leaves. It was a picture of people who were breathing their life away. When Mugyema left NTV Uganda, Eco Talk lost steam but thanks to Craig Kadoda who seemed to have resurrected it and gave it another face. However, when he left, it died naturally. Mugyema has been offered a placement at Uganda Broadcasting Service (UBC) as Editor-in-Chief. Even as newsroom chief he made sure his team of journalist brought well-done stories on environment. “I also remained active in the circles of environment awareness and worked with Oxfam as an environment fellow; from there I participated in training with fellow journalists. We have networks online where we give each other tips on what to do,” he says in an ‘I-am-now-retired tone. He is not out yet. He still picks up the phone and calls different radio stations and newspapers about story ideas on the environment. Mugyema’s biggest frustration though is government’s weak policies and enforcement which has let people put up factories in the middle of the wetlands where they discharge.“These people have licences to be there. The law provides that you can have activities in the wetlands like fish farming, put a recreational centre, conserve birds and other things, put a green belt where people can sit and enjoy nature but people are putting murram day in day out,” the environmentalist explains, adding, “The factory owners will show you that they have environment impact assessment reports passed by the very authority- Nema.Mugyema still makes his contribution through Media Steps, a company he started to do development communication. The private manAway from the hustle of uniquely documenting with a creative eye, Mugyema is a family man, married to Lillian Lubale Mugyema. He is a father of three; a girl and two boys. It was his childhood that partly shaped Mugyema into the man he has become. His parents always worked hard to provide him with the necessities. “I grew up listening to lectures from our dad about education and that if I ever failed to study I would eat from a dustbin and that reference was made every time we passed by street children or homeless kids,” he recalls. His dad stressed to him that education is the biggest inheritance he would give him. And when dad and mum were not home Mugyema’s big sister, Lillian Nuwagaba, now married to professor Augustus Nuwagaba, was in charge. He recalls: “She was always in to find out what the report said and if you had a lower mark than the previous term she would do a lot of counselling and you would feel so guilty for the previous mark or a better one. So we were more accountable to her.” « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Halt-wetland-encroachment/-/689360/2210530/-/6p97xbz/-/index.html","content":"Halt wetland encroachment - Environmental degradation is a big issue in Uganda where some so-called investors and other settlers encroach on forest reserves, water bodies and wetlands for various gains. The latest degradation is happening in Kinawataka, a city suburb. The wetland, according to environmental experts, helps filter sewage and other industrial emissions from areas surrounding Nakawa and Kira Town Council before the water pours into Lake Victoria. But certain investors have decided this process of filtering waste is not necessary. They have, therefore, continued ferrying truckloads of murram and heaping it on the wetland to create some level ground for a construction site. Kampala Capital City Authority acknowledged there was no approval for the developments. The authority claimed notices had been issued by different government agencies but nothing has been done to reverse the trend. However, what is clear is there is a section of police in charge of environment. The question is, have these law enforcers been approached or petitioned over the degradation happening at the Kinawataka wetland? What have they done? Shocking statistics reveal that Uganda has lost more than 30 per cent of her wetlands in the last 15 years to rapid urbanisation, settlement and agricultural activities. We cannot let these statistics increase by double digits before we sound the alarm for the sluggish law enforcers to take action. There are claims the degraders are well-connected individuals, sometimes referred to as ‘untouchables’. This is the time to name and shame these individuals. One resident was yesterday quoted by this paper saying: “We have nowhere to report because we are told the wetland is being taken by individuals in high offices. If we try to confront them, police are there to protect them.” The National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) threw the ball back to KCCA, claiming they had not issued any certificate (Environment Impact Assessment) for the wetland. However, as the blame game continues, the land-hungry tycoons continue ferrying more soil and dumping into the wetland. What used to be a flourishing swamp with papyrus and yams is now a large yard of red soil. Apart from the destroyed ecosystem, residents are also worried of the looming floods. Let KCCA, Nema and the police halt this mess before it creates a bigger problem."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Why-Teso-continues-to-post-poor-results-in-education/-/691232/2203910/-/68n5io/-/index.html","content":"Why Teso continues to post poor results in education - Two decades ago, Teso plunged into civil strife that left much of its public infrastructure destroyed and the region has since been struggling to recover from the ruins.Several schools were rundown during the insurgency and much of the region’s education progress was brought to almost a halt, making many of the school going children then, to drop out of the formal education cycle. Despite the remarkable improvement in enrolment since the start of UPE in 1996, Teso region has fielded very poor results at the annual national Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) for a larger part of the last 17 years. The impact of insurgency, cattle rustling, and a wave of natural disasters such as the 2007 floods, have also created long-standing social disruption and deprivation that have combined to entrench people in the region in perpetual distress. “Teso had an outstanding education arrangement. Many of those who passed through the schools received the best instruction and a majority of them were able to join university,” former Constituency Assembly Delegate for Serere district, Christopher Amorut said. Eastern giant, Teso College Aloet once groomed profound leaders, including the governor Bank of Uganda, Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile, but that was years ago. The stardom of Teso schools has continued to fade away. The quality of education in the region is wanting and even the government’s free education scheme for primary and secondary schools has not been of much help. Whereas in the past, government schools that used to perform better than those privately owned, it is now the latter that are ever excelling in the final national examinations. “Political instability is to blame for the misfortunes that have befallen education in Teso. Local leaders are also not committed to engaging communities to generate solutions on how to get better performance from children in the region,” Fr. Lawrence Akepa, Soroti Catholic Diocese education secretary said. He said in a bid to enhance quality education in the region, the Catholic and Anglican dioceses of Soroti have formed a joint advisory board on how to promote education quality in the region’s primary schools. “Stakeholders must join hands and ensure that education standards are improved in the region. There is need for parents to help complement the role of teachers in molding children for better performance,” Fr. Alepa said. According to a UNESCO study of academic achievements in the teaching and learning process across Teso, seven categories of variables identified as affecting pupils’ performance include organisational and management practices, parents and the community, social incentives and socio-economic conditions. “Analyses of the examination results for the Primary Leaving Examinations of the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) in Uganda shows that academic achievement at the end of the seven-year primary education cycle in the Teso region of Uganda is very poor, and consistently so,” the report reads in part. It proposes provision of committed all-round support to teaching and learning activities in schools and continuous professional development for teachers targeting subject knowledge development as well as instructive skills in aspects like cooperative learning, inquiry-based approaches, problem-solving and communication skills.In Teso, an estimated 80 per cent of pupils who sat for the 2013 PLE passed through the universal primary schools that performed poorly too in the just released results. “Parents have neglected their duties in ensuring quality for the children. The Universal Primary Education (UPE) initiated by government to help children from poor families to access primary education has not helped much,” a parent, Maryline Afwono said. But as the region continues to encounter challenges of poor education, there is need to explore the underlying factors underpinning poor performance. HOW PRIVATE SCHOOLS ARE BEATING UPE SCHOOLS In the 2013 Primary Leaving Examinations released end of last month, private schools dominated high ranks of schools that excelled in the examinations, an attribute of the waning education standards for public schools in the region. Soroti District Education Officer (DEO), John Etoyu said the best performing five primary schools in the district are privately owned with best overall in the recent results being Teso Boarding that got 64 pupils in first division out of a total of 92 candidates. 1 | 2 Next Page»The school located in Asuret Sub County of Soroti district beat traditional giants like Madera boys, Madera girls’, Fr Hilder’s and Soroti Demonstration Primary Schools and emerged second best in the region with two candidates scoring aggregate four. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/We-need-long-term-plans-to-address-food-security-challenges/-/689364/2195686/-/4kytlc/-/index.html","content":"We need long-term plans to address food security challenges in East Africa - Food security is a major challenge facing the East African region. Mostly attributed to extreme weather conditions, distribution and availability challenges, the region has continued to suffer from food shortages as a result of crop failures, low purchasing power and low supplies. Leaders as well as policy makers in East Africa need to be more forward looking in their strategies by developing a long-term plan to address this challenge of systemic pressures on agricultural development and food security. According to a report, “What will East Africans Eat in 2040? Who will Produce the Food and How?”, recently released by Consumer Unity & Trust Society International, the greatest challenge for the East African Community (EAC) policy makers is to ensure that the food system continues to supply affordable and nutritious food for its growing population. This is in addition to avoiding the threat of future price volatility in food markets and competition for scarce agricultural resources. Over the last two decades or so, the agriculture sector in the EAC countries have been facing market access challenges for farmers, high input costs, increasing energy costs, difficulties in accessing credit facilities, changing eating habits of consumers and poor extension services, among others. Over the next two decades, climate change will increase the challenges the sector will face. As policy makers at both national and regional level grapple with these challenges, climate change adaptation should be at the centre of all interventions. The report, however, states that it is not clear whether the relevant institutions in East Africa are up to the task of discerning and articulating the choices, navigating and arbitrating between competing interests and resolving conflict by finding common ground on which to enlarge the space for vision and action. We often get reports of either drought or floods in a number of areas vulnerable to extreme weather conditions in East Africa. Governments and other non-State actors usually come in with relief efforts to address the immediate challenge. Much as this is noble, it does not provide a sustainable solution. It is important for us to institute an effective early warning system and support the agricultural sector to cope with such shocks. The ever-increasing energy costs as well as global measures on climate change mitigation have seen the promotion of biofuels. As a result, large portions of land are being set aside for biofuel production, competing with food crops, which are already in short supply. One question we need to ask ourselves is, “Between food and fuel, which is the most basic human right?” Definitely food, so our energy policies should take into consideration the human right to food, which is already being abused as exhibited in the recent Turkana food shortages in Kenya and last year’s severe food shortages in northeastern Uganda. Tanzania on the other hand experienced a rain shortage during the 2012/2013 season that led to production of food grains totalling 1.8 million tonnes, 435,000 tonnes below the expected production of 2.3 million tonnes. Rwanda and Burundi are both faced with similar challenges considering extreme weather conditions and shocks in the other partner states. To ensure food security by 2040, there is urgent need for investment in productivity by enhancing inputs leading to a better exploitation of good seasons, creating mechanism to enhance credit availability, developing regional policies to reduce the need for food aid and handouts, developing policies to emphasise linking the emergency food aid to long-term development, enhancing tailor-made programmes on food security for marginal groups, promoting the use of appropriate technologies/inputs that are adaptive to climate change impacts and finally, optimising the use of water for agricultural production by promoting integrated water resources management in the EAC, including joint water systems. Mr Munu works with the Nairobi-based Consumer Unity & Trust Society -Africa Resource Centre. munumartinl@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Mudslides-destroy-homes-in-Kasese/-/688334/2171818/-/qy9gxi/-/index.html","content":"Mudslides destroy homes in Kasese - SIRONKO Mudslides have hit Kasese District, hardly a year after lives were lost and property destroyed when floods swept the area. The Saturday incident, which occurred in Ibanda Parish, Bugoye Sub-county, swept away homes and left many crops and animals dead. The sub-county chairperson, Mr Apurinali Bwambale, said the disaster was preceded by a heavy down pour accompanied by hailstones that lasted for one-and-a half hours. “We saw a lot of water accompanied by mud flowing down stream to people’s homes and gardens. We have lost a number of homesteads, acres of plantations and animals in,” Mr Bwambale said. The most affected villages are Ruboni, Nyakabuwa, Nyakalengijo and Kihalha in Busongora North County.The sub-county authorities said the livelihood of the people in the parish has been severely destroyed as a result of the breakage of Kilembe Mines Canal that generates power. Mr Allan Buliro, a resident who was affected by the disaster, said he was in the house when the rain started.“I heard a big sound of water entering my house. I was soaked in water since I had nowhere to go. All my property was carried away by water,” Mr Buliro, who struggled to control tears flowing from his eyes, said. Ms Selina Ngope, another resident, said water submerged her house leaving her and her three children stranded.“I have five children but I was with three when the disaster occurred. We could not keep in the house since water was too much. I started carrying one by one outside. As I carried them outside, water was also taking them until I carried for help and people came to my rescue,” Ms Ngope said. The district assistant Chief administrative Officer, MrWilson Asaba Mwigha, said affected families need urgent help. “Our preliminary findings indicate that 13 households have been affected but eight of them have been completely destroyed,” Mr Asaba, who is also the district disaster committee chairperson, said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/Woman-in-mechanics/-/689842/2159140/-/gairx4z/-/index.html","content":"Woman in mechanics - Scovia Nansubuga 38, a mother to nine children, has proved beyond doubt that women, too, can be mechanics. Having relied on her husband for necessities like food, jelly and medication, she decided to take up an opportunity when her husband took her to the garage. Opposite Fuelex petrol station in Kawempe, is where I met her. Clad in a blue overall, and wearing a French cut, Nansubuga, 38, effortlessly opens a generator with a spanner in no time. Oblivious to the oil spilling onto her hands, she opens the calibrator to see what the problem is. She quickly reaches for a screw driver to unscrew the nuts to examine what is precisely failing the generator to start. Like a doctor examining a patient, she inspects the inside of the generator closely before letting the owner know that some wires in there are rotten. She wipes her brow with the back of her hand before delving into the service fee negotiations. BackgroundNansubuga was born to peasant parents, Ssiviri Lutwama and Annet Naku, in a family of nine in Monde, Luweero District. She dropped out of school at Primary Seven at Mwererwe Primary School in Luweero due to lack of school fees. Idle and impoverished, Nansubuga decided to get married hoping it would at least keep her busy. Jobless, she realised even having a family did not solve the problem of idleness. It bothered her that she sat home and waited on her husband to provide everything, so she tried out some business ventures. First, was vending tomatoes and onions, then trying out in an eatery, both of which businesses did not work due to poor returns. Starting out in mechanicsWhen her husband sold her the idea of trying out mechanics, she did not hesitate to buy into it since she was tired of sitting idly at home. This became easy for her since her husband owned and operated a garage in Industrial Area, Bwaise. She could, therefore, get free training, which she started in 2010. Fellow women ridiculed her when they found her with spanners trying to work, but she ignored them. “Soon, those who laughed at me started to admire me; I had started making some money,” she recounts. Together with her husband, they consolidated their savings from the business and moved their garage from Bwaise to Kawempe, to escape the floods whenever it rained and have more space for their clients. They opted for Kawempe o, where Nansubuga soon became famous in the surrounding area. “Most people prefer my services because I work fast and do not postpone work,” she says. In time, her husband has entrusted her with the business more, leaving her in charge while he attends to off-site jobs."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Walking-the-Nile/-/688334/2150818/-/a238nq/-/index.html","content":"Walking the Nile - Kampala- After walking for 46 days following the longest tributary of Lake Victoria, starting from the source in Rwanda, British Adventurer Levison Wood will arrive in Kampala today. Lev is on an expedition to walk the length of the River Nile. The journey will take him at least a year and cover more than 4,250 miles. Lev says: “The Nile is a river like no other. It joins the past to the present, it flows from Africa into the sea that this continent shares with Europe and Asia. It flows through countries that are the future of Africa, and the people of Uganda are right to be proud of their position as it runs through their land.” Starting the journeyHe started his journey on December 3 last year in Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda , following a small stream that eventually becomes the Kagera River, which Rwanda claims to be the source of the Nile. The Kagera is one of the numerous rivers that feed into Lake Victoria from which the Nile flows out at Jinja. Other big rivers that feed into Lake Victoria include River Nzoia, River Sio and River Yala in Kenya, and the Mara river among others in Tanzania. He has travelled more than 800 kilometres through jungles, swamps, mountains and bushland on an exhilarating journey through the heart of Africa across Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. On January 8, he reached the western shoreline of Lake Victoria at the town of Kasensero, Rakai District. For the past 7 days he has been traversing Lake Victoria and on Friday he crossed the Ugandan equator into the Northern Hemisphere, a major milestone on his journey. He was amazed to find that, according to his Global Positioning System device (GPS), the official equator marking is 9 metres further North than it should be. Levison was recently challenged by NTV journalist, Gertrude Tumusiime, as to why he started the journey in Rwanda instead of Jinja, which is generally believed to be the source of Nile. Lev says: “The source of a river is the furthest tributary away from its mouth. I’m following the furthest river that flows into Lake Victoria which then feeds into the Nile in Jinja” Every day on his journey has been adventure. In Rwanda, his bush camp was nearly washed away into the river by floods. In Tanzania, he was attacked by hippos. In Uganda, he tried his hand at fishing in Lake Victoria with the local fishermen from Kasensero.This evening he will reach Kampala. Levison has been growing his beard since journey began and is looking forward to a traditional Indian shave in Kamwokya. Levison says: ‘After 8 weeks on the road walking more than 1000 kilometres, I cannot wait to have a few days to explore Kampala, meet the people and really get a flavour of what makes this metropolis tick. It’s definitely one of Africa’s most exciting cities and a major highlight on the journey for me. I ask the people of Kampala to let me know what’s out there by contacting me on twitter @walkingthenile. You never know I could even be paying you a visit!’ editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Electricity-tariff-reduction-negligible---manufacturers/-/688334/2147598/-/gxiv7w/-/index.html","content":"Electricity tariff reduction negligible - manufacturers - Kampala The 0.8 per cent reduction of power tariffs declared by the industry prefect earlier in the week has been described as “negligible” although the gesture was also fairly applauded as a step in the right direction. According to heavy power consumers and the industry leaders, there is need for steady reduction in prices of power if the country is to compete with Kenya and Egypt in production of industrial materials and manufactured products. “Power tariffs should be reduced up to a point that the manufactures and industrialist are able to compete on the equal footings with neighbouring countries whose goods floods our market,” Mr Moses Ogwal, the Private Sector Foundation (PSFU) policy analyst said in an interview yesterday. He continued: “Our objective is to have power reduced progressively to at least $7 cents per kilowatt.” Kenya, according to Mr Ogwal, has started moving towards achieving that goal. And should it realise that within the next three years as it anticipates then that will be bad news for local manufactures. This is because they will be muscled out of the market as their goods will be much more expensive compared to the Kenyan manufactured products due to expensive power. It also emerged that the Private Sector Foundation, which is the business community mouthpiece, will be tabling similar proposals to the government, hoping that it will adapt the same projections that will see power prices reduce to $7cents per kilowatt in three years or less. Mr Ogwal said the minimal drop in power tariff is a commendable gesture. But some inside sources within the Uganda Manufactures Association are not pleased with the 0.8 per cent reduction which translates to Shs4 (0.8 per cent) from Shs524.5 to Shs520.4 for domestic consumers and Shs487.6 to Shs474.4 for commercial consumers. However, Roofings Group Executive Director Oliver Lalani said yesterday that no matter how small the reduction is, the gesture is positive. Mr Shaban Sserunkuma, a consumer activist said the reduction offers more of a psychological relief than the significant accrued out of the reduction. He said because power consumers were expecting to see the prices go up, most of them are now psychologically satisfied that they will not pay more for power although the reduction is insignificant. iladu@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kasese-launches-greenhouse-project/-/688334/2139192/-/n2euh8/-/index.html","content":"Kasese launches greenhouse project - Kasese- In a bid to increase food productivity in Kasese, the district authorities are promoting a greenhouse project for sustainable agriculture. “We have already injected Shs20 million in the project. Each greenhouse costs Shs10 million. We hope it will increase on the productivity,” Mr Johnson Mwesigye Sabuni, the agricultural officer in charge of the greenhouse project, said during the launch. District leaders are worried of a looming food crisis following devastating floods in May last year and the drought that followed.The project comes barely a week after Defence minister Crispus Kiyonga decried the food shortage that is ravaging some households in the district. Mr Sabuni said the district is implementing the project after evaluating its benefits from several study tours in Bushenyi District and Kenya. “As a district, we need to help our people to use the little piece of land they have effectively and efficiently,” he said. The pilot project is in the two sub-counties of Kisinga and Bugoye before it is rolled out in the entire district. “We are advising our famers to plant high profile crops since the technology is expensive,” Mr Sabuni said. Kasese RDC Milton Odongo who commissioned the project challenged the district leadership and farmers to work hard to increase household incomes. “We are lamenting of poverty simply because we have not modernised our agriculture. People have the money but they cannot use it well for investment. Exploit the existing investment opportunities in the district,” he added. Mr Fidel Nziomeze, one of the beneficiaries in Bugoye Sub-county, is anxious but also worried about the market. “Am about to harvest my crops but I have not yet got market for them,” he said. “I did not want to sell my tomatoes to our local markets given the investment I have put in place. The system is very expensive, time consuming and labour intensive. We need market,” he said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Food-shortage-looms-in-Rwenzori-region/-/688334/2135476/-/s54vb7/-/index.html","content":"Food shortage looms in Rwenzori region - Kasese After devastating floods in May last year, Kasese District is now grappling with a severe drought that has damaged food crops. Leaders of the district at the foot of Rwenzori are now worried about the possibility of food shortage and the resultant hunger. “This is a point of much concern in the district. Food insecurity will cause famine if no serious efforts are taken by you the local leaders. Our people need food but there is nothing to harvest,” Defence Minister Crispus Kiyonga said. The May floods washed much of the crops, livestock and hundreds of homes when River Nyamwamba that flows from Rwenzori burst its banks ravaging property in the Kilembe Valley area.Dr Kiyonga, who is also the MP for Bukonjo County West, last week warned residents at Bwera Primary Teachers’ College in Mpondwe-Lubiriha town council that Kasese sub-region might face food insecurity. Areas including Katholhu, Bukangara, Kabirizi, Kinyabakazi and Kihara that have been hit hard are some of the most productive ones. Indigenous foods likes yams, which have for generations been a major source of livelihood in most families are reducing around the Rwenzori ranges. The minister said in most parts of the district, people are having only one meal a day. According to nutrition experts three meals are recommended per day. However, local leaders also blamed the drought on the banana bacteria wilt which has destroyed banana plantations in most valleys in the district. Dr Kiyonga who is also a farmer, urged all the sub-counties to mobilize farmers to plant more coffee because it still doing well in the district. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Fire-guts-Kilembe-Mines-Hospital/-/688334/2134482/-/43asnhz/-/index.html","content":"Fire guts Kilembe Mines Hospital - KASESE- Barely eight months after Kilembe Mines Hospital was devastated by floods, fire has gutted the facility, destroying medical items worth millions of shillings. Fire gutted the hospital store at around 12.45pm on Friday.The destroyed properties include mattresses, bedsheets, blankets and assorted medical items. The hospital’s assistant medical superintendent, Dr Robert Tiondi, said about 60 per cent of the items that were kept in the stores were damaged by the fire. “Many items which got burnt were part of the donations that the hospital received as resettlement package from floods,” Dr Tiondi said. He said prior to the inferno, the store, which was full to capacity, contained boxes of IV fluids , materials used in theatre, materials for people with disabilities and beddings, among others. “This store had items which were not yet used. We have managed to put out the fire and recover some properties but a good number of them were burnt,” he said. The cause of the fire had by press time not yet been established, although medics suspect that it could have originated from power short circuit or fire from attendants who cook from hospital premises since it has no kitchen. Mr John Kigele, an enrolled nurse attached to the theatre, was part of the team that fought to put out the fire. “We heard patients and attendants shouting fire, fire, fire. We rushed out, only to find smoke coming out of the medical stores,” Mr Kigele said. He added: “On opening the store, it was terrible inside. We used our 10 litre fire extinguisher, sand and water to reduce on the spread.” The Kasese OC/CIID, Mr Godwin Tumugumye, who led a team of detectives to the scene, said investigation on the matter is ongoing. By the time police Fire Brigade reached at the scene about 10kms away, the fire had already been put off by the hospital staff. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Gene-bank-extends-its-services-for-community-seed-systems/-/689860/2130592/-/sgfknhz/-/index.html","content":"Gene bank extends its services for community seed systems - There are fears that as a result of genetic improvement of several plant varieties, the indigenous crops grown by many farmers throughout the country may become endangered or extinct. To allay the fears, the Plant Genetic Resources Centre in Entebbe is preserving all plant species that can be accessed by farmers who would wish to grow a particular variety. In addition, the preserved species can be used by research institutes to improve traits of crops faced with challenges as pests and diseases, and effects of drought and floods, among others. This national gene bank has also extended this practice of preserving indigenous varieties as well as seeds to community gene banks. This is to make them available to farmers who may need to acquire material for immediate planting. TrainingJohn Mulumba Waswa, a plant breeder and head of Plant Generic Resources Centre, says his team is training farmers on how to keep seeds in these community gene banks as well as breed good quality seeds, which they can sell to fellow farmers. “We have so far trained farmers in Nakaseke, Kabwohe, Sheema, Mityana and Kabale districts, among others. What we do is to use planting materials within the communities to establish trial sites to breed the seeds, which farmers can access in form of borrowing,” he explains. When a farmer borrows from the community gene bank; he or she, for instance, will be given a kilogramme of high quality seeds of a bean variety, he or she is expected to return two kilogrammes of seeds at the time of harvest.Much as the farmers are encouraged to preserve seed or varieties in community gene banks, they are also required to do the same at the national gene bank in Entebbe. According to Wasswa, this is done both at the seed bank in the laboratory as well as the botanical garden, where one is able to find plant varieties including wild relatives of these plants. RegenerateThis “store” is benefitting scientists as well. An example is a team from the National Semi Arid Resources Research Institute in Serere working on improvement of millet and sorghum. They are able to access wild relatives of these crops from the gene bank as a useful resource for their research work. Those from National Crops Resources Research Institute in Namulonge have access to the wild rice variety for the research work going on at the institute. Eva Zaake, the in-charge of the gene bank, says they also obtain seeds and other materials of vegetables, legumes and cereals, among others, from farmers as well as breeders at research institutes. Vegetables at the bank include nakati, cabbage, okra, dodo and eggplant, the legumes include beans and groundnuts, while millet, sorghum and rice are some of the cereals.The seeds are packaged and kept in a refrigerator under controlled temperature. They can last up to 50 years but if the seed is losing viability, the gene bank team regenerates it by planting and collecting this particular type of seed afresh. For a seed to stay longer, it should pass a test of viability at 85 per cent and should be dried to have moisture content range of three to four per cent. There are facilities for drying these seeds to attain the desired quality and farmers can access it free of charge as well as plant breeders in the various research institutes. alominda@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/OtherSport/KKR-stick-with-donation-plans-amid-shortfalls/-/690284/2117614/-/3tehgu/-/index.html","content":"KKR stick with donation plans amid shortfalls - Kampala Kampala Kids Run (KKR) are determined with their plans to donate to the children of Kasese despite their fund-raising drive being hampered by a low turn-up last weekend. KKR expected over 1,500 participants in the inaugural children’s charity run held at Kati Kati grounds but only managed to register 600 with each buying a ticket at Shs10,000. The proceeds were meant to be donated to the children of Kasese who were displaced by floods that hit the area in May this year. The collected funds are, however, insufficient according to the race organisers. “We are really glad that the event happened but we shall hold talks with our sponsors to see how we can sort the Kasese issue. Donating to them remains our major concern and challenge but we are happy about the many positives of the day,” KKR director Muslim Kiwanuka told Daily Monitor. “We also facilitated a number of schools and orphanages with free tickets. That, in itself, is a kind of charity,” Kiwanuka added. Suzan Nakamya, 12, of Bweyogerere CU School emerged the day’s biggest winner. After passing her promotion examinations to primary five, her success continued on the road as she sailed to the finish-line in the 3km race in 12 minutes. She won a Shs100,000 shopping voucher from Uchumi Supermarket and a return air ticket to Dar es Salaam courtesy of Air Uganda and Serena Hotel. “I am very happy to win. I can’t wait to go to Tanzania with my parents. I look forward to winning more events and being the next Kiprotich or Inzikuru,” Nakamya said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Jobs-Career/Does-Life-Insurance-offer-all-round-protection-/-/689848/2100590/-/qmobtsz/-/index.html","content":"Does Life Insurance offer all round protection? - Ask Your Life Insurance Adviser: Can life insurance protect my life together with my business from calamities like fire? Yes, to run a successful business anywhere in the world requires a lot of sacrifice, one has to adapt to existing market conditions, battle with the hurdles of management, aim to beat the competition etc. But all these are challenges that can be anticipated and largely dealt with. However the most frightening of challenges in a business are those risks that you as a business owner have absolutely no control over. These can strike at any time, season or location. It is extremely sad and disheartening to see an enthusiastic trader who has built his capital from scratch, worked tirelessly through the ranks from a road side stall to now owning a shop, and then just as he is getting ready to start ripping the proceeds, a fire guts the shop eating away all his hard earned capital. Life Insurance today has been modified to accommodate some of these risks. Modern insurance companies offer group creditor policies through banks to cover a borrower for his life as well as the protection of his business investment. This means that you would walk into your bank or micro finance to borrow money, sign an insurance form that covers you for death, disability and critical illness, this same policy however will pay off your outstanding loan balance in the event you suffer loss of income as a result of your business being destroyed by fire, subterranean floods, storms and other natural calamities. The challenge that people face with insurance sometimes is the multitude of policies out there, it can be disconcerting to have to choose between all of them to find which ones apply to you let alone know what they actually cover. The best policy would be a one stop solution that offers you total all round protection after simply filling in one form. For more information please contact us on, lifeadvisor@uap.co.ug, www.facebook.com/uaplifeadvisor or text 0755353545 The writer is the Corporate Sales Manager for UAP Insurance."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Help-the-north-to-cope-with-disasters/-/806314/2094416/-/yowvjw/-/index.html","content":"Help the north to cope with disasters - The impact of disasters and losses as a result of heavy rains and hailstorms is becoming a regular phenomenon in northern Uganda. Previously it would happen but would be regarded as a one-off event. A few weeks back, in Omot Sub-county, Awonodwee Parish in Agago District, many residents were displaced by floods. They had to seek temporary shelter in schools. Children stopped attending schools while patients and expectant mothers stopped visiting health centres due to flooded streams that cut off roads. At Latinling Parish, seven huts were completely submerged and their owners were given temporary accommodation by relatives. What is important to note here is that reporting mechanism on disasters and losses is still very poor and assistance is rarely sought by residents from these areas. My appeal goes to the disaster preparedness ministry and organisations such as The Uganda Red Cross Society to create more awareness in forming early warning mechanisms and what needs to be done when such calamities occur notwithstanding their direct intervention in form of household kits when people are displaced. Charles Odok,Kampala"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Umeme-s-contract-must-be-revised/-/806314/2088018/-/14h3uog/-/index.html","content":"Umeme’s contract must be revised - Umeme is now holding the nation at ransom to pay more than Shs300 billion if the government succumbs to pressure and terminates the contract agreement slated to end 2024. With Umeme at the helm, our power bills were either inflated or kept constant. Being daily users of ICT equipment which require electricity, our bills always remained constant even during times of regular power cuts when we use generators. This implies that Umeme is zealous about fulfilling its mandate to lower losses in the power sector but never mindful of the toll exerted on users to meet prescribed thresholds. There have been delays in service delivery. A church whose metre was stolen, paid for a replacement nearly four months ago but to-date is still waiting in darkness. Preferential treatment of users whereby some places are attended to in time while others have to wait for longer periods of time. This comes into play when electricity poles collapse or transformers fail. Umeme has a limited number of technical staff to minimise operational costs. When you report to a nearby office you are told those employed to fix your problem have already left for the field. Increased cases of malpractices like theft of metres and exaggeration of gadget faults. Orchestrators of these acts have no qualms since they are working for a foreign company. I, therefore, urge the government to reconsider its contract with Umeme because: The people of Uganda long to see a government that cares about their welfare. Accidents, thefts and violent robberies intensify during times of power cuts.High power tariffs exert a heavy toll on the environment because of heavy use of firewood and charcoal. Many natural disasters like floods and drought have increased as a result. A government agency should take over power generation and supply . The government should take over the responsibility of training technical personnel for the power sector. This will ensure adequate manpower to tackle domestic power problems and provide skilled labour for the regional/global job market. The country will earn more dividends from export of skilled manpower than the amount remitted through odd jobs. Uganda has just celebrated 51 years of independence. For a small firm like Umeme to hold the country at ransom undermines the testimony of our freedom. Charles Okecha, carlsok2@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Jobs-Career/How-can-I-access-loan-protection-insurance-/-/689848/2083688/-/794g3/-/index.html","content":"How can I access loan protection insurance? - Ask your Life Insurance adviser: Q: How can I access loan protection insurance and how is it helpful to my Sacco business? Loan protection is a policy a borrower takes out to protect them against any unforeseen calamities that may cause one to default. Most lenders, such as banks, micro finance institutions, Saccos, money lenders usually take out such insurance on behalf of their borrowers to protect their investment. When a bank lends you money it has essentially made an investment in you to take it, use it wisely, and pay back with interest. The interest is deemed as profit for the bank and its shareholders. You therefore become a very valuable investment to a bank as soon as you borrow. Sadly, we have seen situations sometimes where some lending institutions have gone to harass their valuable investment due to default on loan obligations. It becomes worse in some cases of money lenders who come and simply seize assets or even worse tear down property to salvage any returns. But the fact is as soon as you lend out money, you are exposed to risk of default. Calculation of this likelihood added to your risk appetite is what allows you to lend. Your borrower can fall sick and stop working, get disabled, or lose their life. I once encountered an organisation that was lending farmers, but they insisted on the borrower getting livestock insurance so as not to lose their investment. But imagine if the farmer fell off a motorcycle and could not attend to the livestock, how he would pay back the loan? This is where upon death, the institution would simply come and take all the cows. Loan protection insurance will pay the lender money in the event that the borrower falls critically ill, disabled or dies. Extensions have been added to cover events like loss of job, retrenchment or even catastrophic loss due to unusual circumstances e.g. floods, fires etc. This guarantees your investment so no need to harass borrowers. For more information please contact us on, lifeadvisor@uap.co.ug, www.facebook.com/uaplifeadvisor or text 0755353545 The writer is the Corporate Sales Manager for UAP Insurance."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Deal-with-consequences-of--green-house-emissions-/-/689364/2078272/-/x90bko/-/index.html","content":"Deal with consequences of  green house emissions to mitigate further damage - Representatives from 200 nations are meeting yet again to make decisions to address climate change at the annual conference of Parties to the United Nations climate change convention (UNFCCC) this week in Warsaw, Poland. Having agreed that the world is suffering from impacts of emissions caused by human activities, nations are seeking solutions to the problem. At these global meetings, two main concepts are debated; mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation speaks of dealing with the root cause of the problem; to reduce the flow of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. While adaptation speaks of dealing with the impacts we are already suffering from including droughts, floods, and related effects. A lot of research has been invested in understanding what is involved in mitigation and adaptation. What is needed for countries like Uganda is financing primarily to adapt to the impacts, but also to develop in a manner that will not hurt the future, using climate smart technologies (mitigation). Finance is key in unlocking many of the actions necessary to address climate change in developing countries. In this year’s talks, developing nations want to know how the developed world plans to make good on a pledge to “mobilise” $100 billion by 2020 to help them cope with the effects of climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And everyone wants to know how the nations of the world will draw a road map toward a binding agreement (treaty) for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions beyond 2020. The treaty will be signed in 2015 but come into force in 2020. The talks in Poland take place amid increasingly dire warnings that time is running out to meet the long-term goal of limiting the increase in maximum global average temperature to two degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels, as the parties agreed in Copenhagen in 2009. But shall we wait for the talks to materialise in order to adapt?The poor households, particularly those who depend on rain-fed agriculture in Uganda, suffer the most from impacts of climate change. Take a look at this year alone, the first season was very bad with very low rains that came very late and disappeared early. This impacted heavily on the availability and cost of food. The second season has not been too bad, hopefully. There is increased incidence of disease in animals, humans but also crops. Malaria for instance is now commonplace in Kabale, a phenomenon unheard of 15years ago. The increased flooding and landslides impact negatively on people and their property; but also on public goods such as roads and bridges. While we wait for the global talks to favour developing countries, and for funds to eventually trickle in, we need to arm ourselves with knowledge of not only how to adapt, but also what we can do individually and collectively to limit further emission of gasses. Water is life; We need to harvest water during the rainy season which can be used during scarcity for both home and agricultural purposes. Irrigation can support plant life, invest in it. Invest in quality disease tolerant and drought resistant seed and animal varieties. Take time to learn how to manage the new varieties. Diversify income. Work hard. Grow vegetables in your backyard. Cut back on wasteful living. For instance pay attention to how electricity and water is used in your household to eliminate waste. For water, consider recycling. Invest in energy efficient technologies such as solar, energy saving bulbs, cook stoves, cooking gas among others. Be quick to plant trees, slow to cut them. Trees trap the harmful gases. The bigger the tree, the more gasses it will store. 1 | 2 Next Page»Ms Nanduddu works with the Development Network of Indigenous Voluntary Associations. snanduddu@deniva.or.ug « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Floods-leave-wetland-developers-in-losses/-/688322/2073172/-/tbttl4/-/index.html","content":"Floods leave wetland developers in losses - Kampala- Recent heavy rains have opened a war against wetland developers by flooding factories and warehouses. Whenever there is a heavy down pour in the city, factories and warehouses situated on former wetlands in the industrial areas of Kampala become flooded because most of the drainage channels are silted, while the former natural water channels have been compacted with solid waste. According to Mr Hannington Karuhanga, the managing director, Savannah Commodities, which is located on Lithuli Avenue, flooding has become common. He attributes the floods to land grabbers who have filled up an adjacent wetland with murram forcing the water to look for diversions, which end up in neighbouring factories. Because of the frequency of the flooding, his company together with Uniliver in the neighbourhood, were forced to ask Kampala Capital City Authority to intervene because of the increasing costs of business. Mr Alfred Mwangi, the general manager Savannah Commodities, said: “We buy coffee, beans sorghum, barley, maize from farmers we process, clean and pack them. Recently, we lost of shs.80million when rain soaked our goods. He said at times, they could not access the factory and had to shift offices.Mr Mwangi said flooding has increased the company’s insurance costs in the excess of $50,000 (about Shs126m) because the company handles between 10-15 per cent of Uganda’s coffee exports. According to Unilever country manager George Inholo, they spend between Shs5m to Shs10 million to clean up their premises whenever it floods because of the construction of a shopping mall across. sotage@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Somalia-s-cyclone-hit-state-declared-disaster-zone/-/688340/2071710/-/cew7sf/-/index.html","content":"Somalia’s cyclone-hit state declared disaster zone - Somalia’s government has declared the north-eastern region of Puntland hit by a tropical cyclone at the weekend a disaster area.The number of people killed by the cyclone has risen from about 100 to 300, unconfirmed reports say. Thousands of livestock had also died and hundreds of homes had been destroyed by the cyclone, known as 03A. More floods were expected during the next 48 hours, Somalia’s Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon said. Puntland is a semi-autonomous region within Somalia, where many people are poor. The cyclone had swept through the Eyl, Beyla, Dangorayo and Hafun districts along the eastern coast. Declaring a disaster, Somalia’s Interior Minister Abdikarim Hussein Guled said the central government pledged $1m to help communities devastated by the cyclone. The government “shared the pain” of communities, Mr Shirdon said.Nearly 300 people are feared dead in the cyclone, the pro-Puntland government news site, Garoweonline, reports. On Monday, Puntland’s government said up to 100 people had been killed.Relief efforts have been hampered after roads and air strips were washed away.Trucks loaded with 60 tonnes of food, clean water and blankets headed are stuck in Puntland’s Nugal region because flash floods have made many areas inaccessible.Puntland’s President Abdirahman Farole called on the international community to help."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/2013-among-warmest-years-in-recent-times--says-new-report/-/688334/2071660/-/123ek17z/-/index.html","content":"2013 among warmest years in recent times  says new report - WARSAW, POLAND-The year 2013 is currently on course to be among the top ten warmest years since modern records began in 1850, according to the latest report by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). The first nine months of 2013 ( January to September) tied with 2003 as the seventh warmest such period on record, with a global land and ocean surface temperature of about 0.48 degrees centigrade (0.86°F) above the 1961–1990 average. The findings were released yesterday is in the WMO’s provisional annual statement on the Status of the Global Climate 2013 to inform negotiators at  the 19th Conference of Parties (COP 19) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change of the significance of the conference. Final updates and figures for 2013 will be published in March 2014. According to the statement, January-September 2013 was warmer than the same period in both 2011 and 2012, when La Niña had a cooling influence. Neither La Niña nor El Niño  conditions were present during the first nine months of 2013 and are not  expected to emerge by the end of the year. El Niño/La Niña is a major driver of our climate and the hottest years on record, 2010 and 1998, both had El Niño events. “All of the warmest years have been since 1998 and this year once again continues the underlying, long-term trend. The coldest years now are warmer than the hottest years before 1998,” WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud, said. “Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases reached new highs in 2012, and we expect them to reach unprecedented levels yet again in 2013. This means that we are committed to a warmer future,” Mr Jarraud said. Dr Tom Okurut, the Executive Director National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) says  surface temperatures are only part of the wider picture of the changing climate. He said the impact of warmer temperatures is apparent in Uganda manifested by droughts, floods, melting of icecaps on Mountain Rwenzori as well the rising prevalence of malaria in previously cool places like Kabale District. “The challenge now is to have the developed countries like USA, Japan to reduce their emissions so that climate change can be minimised. We are also looking up to these negotiations to find mechanisms to fund adaption and mitigation mechanisms as well as compensate for loss and damage due to climate change,” Dr Okurut said. He explained that it is developed countries that are emitting most of the greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide and methane which are trapping warmth into the earth and depleting the ozone layer respectively. The meeting in Warsaw is expected to focus on decisions that will make fully operational the new institutional support under the UNFCCC for developing nations in finance, adaptation and technology."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Pallisa-farmers-petition-government-over-low-agriculture-cash/-/689860/2061454/-/gaxd8w/-/index.html","content":"Pallisa farmers petition government over low cash for agriculture - Farmers in Pallisa District have called upon government to re-consider increasing funding to the agriculture sector as the situation has instead worsened by creating food insecurity in the country Presenting their petition on the financing and performance of the agriculture sector, before the Parliamentary Forum for Food Security, Population and Development at Gogonyo Sub-county, they noted that the funding has been declining. “The current food insecurity being experienced in various parts of the country is due to lack of commitment by the government to increase the funding. Millions of Ugandans, more so the people of Pallisa are classified as food insecure or hungry,” said Ms Keddi Apulasi, Secretary for Production, Gogonyo Sub-county. Steady declineShe noted that the national budget analysis conducted by Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) for the financial year 2012/2013 indicates that funding to agriculture is on a continuous declining trend. “This reveals that the country has not prioritised agriculture in her public spending to the extent that the sector receives less than four per cent of the national budget,” she explained. The budget allocation of 4.5 per cent in the financial year 2012/2013 and 3.3 per cent in the financial year 2013/2014 is still contrary to the Maputo Declaration target of at least 10 per cent allocation. The sector performance has also declined steadily from 7.9 per cent in 2000/2001 to 0.9 per cent in 2010/2011 as well as 2 per cent in 2011/2012. The latter figures are also below target of 4.9 per cent set out in the National Development Plan. The Parliamentary Forum, which is chaired by Milton Muwuma (MP, Kigulu-South), paid a field visit to Pallisa District and interfaced with district leaders, farmers and other stakeholders. The aim was to provide a platform for engagement between policy makers and communities on challenges affecting agriculture. Muwuma explained that it was intended to collect community based evidence information to support increased budget allocation to agriculture and also to create an opportunity for collaboration with parliamentary committees for future engagements on agricultural issues. He explained that from the interaction with various stakeholders, it was discovered that agriculture is on a continuous decline. “As a result of this, many districts find it hard to fund their agricultural activities due to smaller and unpredictable releases and also persistent long drought and erratic floods,” he said. Moses Ojakol, one of the farmers, told the MPs that the distribution of Naads support left only 22 per cent to reach the farmer, while the rest goes into administration and salaries. “This small percentage produces very minimal impact in the community and also coupled with frequent and inconsistent changing of guidelines or policies,” he noted. The farmers recommended that the MPs should appropriate and influence debate on budget increase for agriculture, provision of more tractors, promotion of animal traction, infrastructure improvement and also revival of agriculture credit facilities to target the small-scale farmers, in particular, women and the youth. Carol Namagembe, CSBAG programme associate officer, said the initiative is intended to influence government during budget decision for equitable and sustainable development “We want better financing of agriculture extension services across this country,” she said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Traders-stuck-as-river-floods/-/688334/2048302/-/7n3y7oz/-/index.html","content":"Traders stuck as river floods - Amuru- Business has been paralysed in Amuru District after River Unyama burst its banks. At least 700 trucks loaded with merchandise were still stuck at Elegu border by Thursday evening.The river burst its banks early this week, disrupting transport in the district. Traders with perishable products like bananas, tomatoes, vegetable are some of those who are counting losses. Counting losesOne trader, Yosea Kakuru, who sells chicken, said the water had reduced but movement was still hard.He said he had lost more than 50 chicken to the river floods. “I bought each chicken at Shs5,000 and I hoped to sell each at Shs15,000. I have made a loss. You can imagine all the taxes paid in transporting theses goods and they perish just like that,” he lamented. “At times, we get these things on credit after promising our suppliers that we would pay after making sales,” Mr Kakuru added. The locals cried to the government for help and to work on the road.Ms Alice Lalobo who deals in tomatoes, says it would be difficult for some of them who acquired business loans to cope with the situation. “I am sure some of us will go into hiding. How are we going to explain to the loan officers? These are banks, not village saving groups where a member can understand what you have gone through,” she said Security threatRegional police spokesperson Patrick Okema said the road needs upgrading and added that the stranded trucks pose a security threat. Ms Jennifer Aciro, who was travelling to Juba to take care of her husband, says she had lost hope of reaching there. “I was going to pick my sick husband for better services here in Uganda, but now I am stranded,” she said. “Government should come to our rescue and work on the road before the situation gets out of hand,” Mr Jonh Bosco Ocan, the chairperson for Atiak Sub-county, said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Girls--more-likely-to-die-in-disasters-than-boys-/-/688334/2032134/-/o55gyu/-/index.html","content":"Girls ‘more likely to die in disasters than boys’ - Kampala- Girls are more prone to die in disaster situations than boys and men, a new report has revealed. The report comes at the heels of disasters like landslides in the Mt Elgon region, war in the eastern DR Congo that has pushed many Congolese into Uganda and floods in Kasese District that left a couple of people homeless. Released by Plan Uganda, an international NGO and the government to mark the International Girl’s Day at the weekend, the report was based on a scientific survey and research in 76 developing countries, Uganda inclusive. Titled “The State of The World’s Girls 2013; In Double Jeopardy Adolescent Girls and Disasters”, the study states that during disasters, girls may be forced into transactional sex to cope while rape incidences and HIV/Aids infections increase. It adds that access to sexual and reproductive health services decreases. According to the report, more than a quarter of girls worldwide experience sexual abuse and violence while in the developing world, one in every three is married before her 18th birthday. “Disasters have a negative impact no people because it causes death injuries and loss of families. If you are a female and an adolescent disaster puts these girls at greater risk than if you are male,” Mr Fikru Abebe, the Plan Uganda country director, said in response to the report. In general, studies have shown that women and children are 14 times more likely than men and boys to die in a disaster. “Disasters are built on pre-existing discrimination, where girls are already subject to child marriage, gender-based violence, being pulled out of school and confined to the domestic arena, a disaster will make things worse and these negative effects can last for the rest of their lives,” Mr Abebe says. According to the report, when disaster occurs, education is disrupted and girls hardly return to school.“Education should be part of the first phase of emergency response. Its importance should not be underestimated,” reads part of the report. The research observes that there are not enough women in response and assessment teams, adding that immediate protection measures such as better lighting around pit-latrines, protection around water points and working with men are not integrated sufficiently into humanitarian response. The State Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Mr Musa Ecweru, when contacted yesterday about the report findings, said they would study it and work in collaboration with the ministry of Gender to incorporate the recommendations in disaster situations. sbwire@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/Considerations-worth-noting-before-acquiring-property/-/689858/2024370/-/vnc9xh/-/index.html","content":"Considerations worth noting before acquiring property - What are the most essential considerations one should have before buying land, buying a house or building a home? Find out the things one must have at the back of their mindsa s they look around and why they are very important. I have saved some money and I want to buy a plot to build a home,” a friend recently told me. “Where can I buy the best plot?” Like that friend, hundreds of Ugandans are looking for properties but they don’t know what to look for. Plots are every where but they are not all right. Most times, the only questions people ask are, “Is it near the road?” “Is water and electricity in the vicinity?” “Does it have a title or not?” never mind the different titles in Uganda’s complicated land tenure system. Property agents know those concerns and they exploit your fears and ignorance while selling to you at a premium price. Therefore, here are seven things you need to know about property that would change your understanding of what to look out for when buying and developing your plot. It is much better when you even think of reselling, renting or getting a loan on the property. 1 Position Mind your neighbourhood. Everyone wants a home in Kololo – isn’t it? It is prime, posh, near town, clean, safe, name it. So, a house in Kololo will cost more than five times the same size of house in Kibuli – due to the opposite reasons. Remember those locations are around the same distance from the central business district of Kampala city. Fact. What that tells you is – you must think about the location of that place where you plan to buy a plot. Know the distance from the nearest town, the kind of people buying or living around the area. Most Ugandans still buy things from the nearest groceries – so – a plot that gains value faster is nearest to trading centres. The main road in the vicinity is plus. Think about how far clean water is from your site and how many electricity poles you need to light your home. These will help you reduce the ultimate cost of completing your house and maintaining it. 2 Perception or reputation Would you buy a plot in Katanga? Of course not – unless you want to add another shack to the mushrooming slums in Kampala. So, don’t spend your money buying or building your home in a slum simply because it is near town or – there are more people flocking it. One, it is not safe for you. You may look like a king if you build a two or three bedroom house in Banda – but it puts your life and that of your loved ones at risk. While your house may be a source of inspiration for a few neighbours,there are others that will want to rob you, run away with your car’s tyres, or even, murder you (exaggeration intended). Build a home where your children will grow up in a good environment and if you want to return home at 3am, no one will be waiting at your gate to shoot you over just a wallet. More people today thinking about buying or renting houses in safer environments which they can access 24 hours. 3 PlanI am not really talking about the house plan because many of you already know which house you want and whether it will face East to witness the rising sun, or, West to see the red stone setting. I am talking about the interior – do your rooms flow? There are some houses you enter and they look like a cave dug by rebels to confuse their pursuers. Don’t build a cave – build a home where you can easily navigate from one room into another. From the dining room into the kitchen into bedrooms or bathroom . They say simple is genius. Secondly pay attention to town plans. Many Ugandans don’t want to follow plans – you find everyone building another “specie” of a house in the same estate - however – it is always good to crosscheck with town authorities on the kind of residences or commercial buildings planned for particular areas. See whether you can afford it or not. You may realise that where you are planning a home– may be more useful tomorrow if you build with a hotel or hostel in mind. 4 PresentationWho says looks don’t matter. They do. I remember one day taking my friends Henry and Darius to see land down in rural Mukono. It had rained earlier in the day. And we had to park our car a kilometre away from where the land was. Both men were not impressed. We reached the property when it was approaching nightfall – and that brought them ideas of night dancers around the land. For me – the agricultural land was fine. Land was fertile and the price was great for land in the distance of 45km from Kampala city centre. Fact – we could have nailed an acre at Shs3m each. The problem however was the look of the area. You should avoid buying land or houses in areas that bring about bad memories like natural disasters like floods, diseases like cholera, etc. 5 PrivacyWho wants a nosy neighbour? Not me – though I have one. So don’t buy a plot in any area where the moment you park your car, everyone comes out to see who has come. Before you know it – every villager will know the colour of your shorts, night dress, how many times you roast meat, – whether you have a stone fence or not etc. If you want a simple home, you also have no reason buying near storeyed ones because those people up there will be playing Big Brother on you every day and will know whatever takes place in your compound. It is not a good feeling 6 ParkingThe growth of night parking spaces is testimony to this – many people drive cars but don’t have where to park them at night. Of course, many are worried of the security at their homes – but also – some even don’t have parking or they have no road to their homes. So – they leave the car 2km away. And if it rains – they keep indoors – giving similar excuses - “it was raining” – like their colleagues who “walk to work”. Well – when buying a plot or home – ensure there is enough space to get car parking – atleast – for one vehicle. If you don’t have one today , you never know, tomorrow will be your day – or your sister may marry a rich husband who may show off with car keys on her introduction ceremony! Don’t lose hope – just have parking space. 1 | 2 Next Page»7 PriceLastly – the cost. Some people talk themselves down. “I have only Shs7m. Can I get a good plot?” Others – may just have a big sense of value for their money – “I have saved Shs3 million – can I have a plot, with a title, near Buziga, with electricity and water on site!” Well – your money is hard earned – but be realistic. There are many good deals in the property market if you look hard enough and are patient. Always ask for the price of the neighbour’s land or house if they were selling – before you open your wallet. And then, make sure the offer you give the seller is less than what the neighbour is willing to sell. Don’t speculate about the future, you don’t know what it holds. msegawa@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/Her-husband-abandoned-her-after-she-went-blind/-/689856/2020612/-/1578oxvz/-/index.html","content":"Her husband abandoned her after she went blind - Until 2006, Irene Kasubo, 40, was a normal woman loved and cared for by her husband. The mother of four is a resident of Bukwanja Village, in Nabwigulu Sub County, Kamuli District. She met the ‘angel of darkness’ on the morning of Friday in June 2006, when she had gone to carry on with her duties at a local eatery in Kamuli Town. She did not know that that would be the last day she would make use of her eyesight. Instant impairmentOn the fateful morning, Kasubo had woken up, set the home and seen her children off to school before heading to her place of work. She arrived at the local hotel, and straightaway set about preparing breakfast as had been her daily routine. She found a saucepan on the fire, covered and boiling away with what she assumed was tea. As she uncovered the saucepan, steam blew away in her eyes and instantly went blind. Kasubo thought the impairment was temporary, but the eyes kept on itching her, and she could see blurred images. She traced her way back home. Husband fleesHer status as the once beloved wife would begin to change with the husband starting to withdraw from her and the home. The husband is a polygamist with three wives, Kasubo being the first. TreatmentKasubo was advised to see a physician, and she first went to Kamuli main Hospital. The doctor referred her to Jinja Referral Hospital where surgical operation was performed on her eyes. It was one eye at a time. But still after the operation she could not see. The doctors gave it sometime in the hope that she would recover her sight. Still nothing happened, not even the slightest vision. ResignedShe now had to resign to fate of remaining blind all her life. Her husband had by now abandoned her; he did not even raise money for her medical operation. She says the husband, who is a local brew dealer in Nankulyaku Sub County, told her off that he couldn’t continue living with a woman who had gone blind. “To him, being with a blind woman was akin to a curse,” she says sitting by the doorway of a two-roomed old brick house- the only asset the husband left her with. The house floods whenever it rains, thanks to a leaking roof. ResilientKasubo is a smart composed rural woman, who doesn’t despair that she is hassling to maintain the family alone. She lives in this house with her 14-year-old daughter Lydia Nabirye and son, Allan Tenywa, a 20-year-old Senior Three student at Kamuli Progressive School. One of her older girls is married, and another one is in Kampala working as a househelp. The boy is the only child of Kasubo whom the husband pays for school fees. The other boy dropped out of school and sells local brew with the father. The husband is reported not to waste money on educating girls as he sees no value in them. “Even before I went blind, my husband wasn’t paying school fees for Lydia, it was all my effort,” says Kasubo as she reaches for a mug of tea from her daughter. However, when this writer sought out the husband, James Tenywa, he denied ever abandoning his blind wife. “I try as much as I can to provide for my wife and children. That woman is telling lies,” he said. A mother’s pride With the other two older daughters away, and seemingly not interested in the welfare of their mother, Nabirye is now her caretaker. She wakes up at cockcrow to set the home and prepare food for the family. She leaves for school after preparing breakfast for the mother, and then walks a distance of six kilometres to Balawoli Secondary School where she is in Senior Two. She gets to school late, and she is among the last people to leave school as she has to catch up with what she would have missed in class owing to late coming. She says the teachers understand her problem, and so they try to give her support. The daughter's tale:Young Nabirye returns home late almost at nightfall as she has to first do some revision at school, because at home she will not find time to revise owing to domestic obligations. 1 | 2 Next Page»However, for Kasubo, as a blind mother, a big load was lifted off her shoulders last year when a child-centred organisation, Plan Uganda happened to select Nabirye for secondary school sponsorship during a mapping exercise in the sub counties of Kamuli looking for disadvantaged girls to sponsor. Plan pays fees, school uniform, and meets her basic necessities. Much as Nabirye’s education needs seem settled, she cannot run away from the responsibility of catering for her blind mother. Plan Uganda officials have tried on several occasions to talk to the father of Nabirye about his responsibilities, but he has not obliged. “He looks a humble man, we only hope that finally he will see light in what we are telling him about the benefits of educating his daughter,” says Ms Gloria Titi, a Plan Uganda Project facilitator who has been passionate about Nabirye’s welfare and school needs. The only thing Kasubo’s husband left her with is a half-acre piece of land on which they stay and do minor cultivation. The family is also attempting poultry for income generation, though on closer scrutiny this writer saw only three chicken enclosed in mesh. sbwire@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Government-spotlight-over-incoherent-policy-on-climate-change/-/688334/2018924/-/127l0ub/-/index.html","content":"Government under spotlight over incoherent policy on climate change - Kampala A high level regional meeting in Kampala has been concluded with a call on government to step up its efforts in tackling the evident impact of climate change on trade and agriculture before all gets out of hand. Speaking at the conference last week, Ambassador Nathan Irumba, the chief executive officer of the Southern and Eastern African Trade, Information and Negotiations Institute (SEATINI), a civil society engaged in promoting fair trade and development, said government policy on climate change in relation to other economic sector is at best incoherent. According to Mr Irumba, who is also an expert on trade and investment issues, there is no evidence to suggest that the country is concerned about the dangers climate change could pose. “Things are the way they are because there is no policies in place to help government deal with the threats that climate change could inflict—And if at all there is something to that effect then it neither here nor there,” he said. The meeting noted that the impact of climate change, such as prolonged droughts and rampant floods, are already evident to swing regional governments into action. Real problem“Climate change is real. So we must do something both as individual countries and at the regional level to counter climate change dangers,” Ms Jessica Eriyo, the Deputy EAC secretary general said. The State Minister for Environment Flavia Nabugere, told the Saturday Monitor that incoherence approach to climate change is because the phenomenon is relatively new in this part of the world.She said: “We have embarked on climate change policy and we are going to establish an institution just to deal with that issue—climate change really soon.” The meeting was attended by participants from all five East African Community (EAC) countries, including the EAC Geneva negotiators, farmers’ organisations, the EAC Secretariat, private sector and representatives of international organisations, iladu@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/That-phone-text-could-bring-you-desired-change/-/691232/2016594/-/du2hd3z/-/index.html","content":"That phone text could bring you desired change - Can a text message really bring change in a community? Based on the progress report from U-Report, an SMS initiative by Unicef, in conjunction with the Scouts, the Girl Guides, and six other partners, yes it can. U-Report is a social monitoring service which currently links 220,000 Ugandans to health information, government services, and, most importantly, each other. For Jennifer Anena who has been a member of the platform for two years, joining the platform is a great accomplishment. She says, “Way back in 2011, I saw something on one of the television stations that caught my attention. It was a documentary about the U-Report initiative. The issues that were being addressed affected me, so I decided to join the platform.” She adds, “I saw it as a means of airing out the grievances I had about my community, particularly poor service delivery.” Anena, who lives in Gulu District says that her experience with the SMS platform has been great. “Joining U-Report has enabled me share my community’s grievances with other youth across the country. It has enabled me to meet important figures in society, like the German Chancellor. CoverageCarolyn Baredwoha, a U-report consultant, points out that the platform aims at giving a chance to the youth to voice out their issues, and ultimately, get grievances passed onto their leaders. “We have over 220,000 U-reporters, with the smallest district having over 60 U-reporters. This initiative is free to users and we cover all parts of the country,” she says. Asked who they are targeting, she emphasises, “Our focus is the young people, and the issues they are facing. So we send out questions, via sms, on a number of issues, and then we receive feedback from the numerous u-reporters from the various districts,” she says. Baredwoha points out that the major issues that are discussed include education, unemployment, agriculture, service provision, and monitoring. Feedback“Communication is done through polls and questions that are sent out. With this information, we are able to keep statistics on different issues from the different districts. The service also allows it members to send in queries, in case they need clarity. Baredwoha is quick to point out, however, that the questions that are sent in must be based on the pressing needs in the community. “Sometimes people send in questions asking what Beyonce’s latest song is or the scores of the previous day’s football match. We don’t refuse these, but usually these are ignored,” she adds. Benefits She says this information is kept in a database, that organisations and other government agencies can make use of whenver need arises.In case you are wondering why you should become a U-Reporter, the platform voices the pressing issues affecting the youth in different communities. Baredwoha points out, that they have been able to influence change on a number of concerns that were raised by the youth. “For instance, we helped scrap the O- Level requirement that had been placed as a prerequisite for benefitting from the Youth Development Fund. Many of our U-reporters raised the issue and pointed out that it was unfair,” she says. Last financial year, the Government set up a Youth Development Fund with resources contributed by government in partnership with German development agency (KFW) amounting to Shs12.5b. This fund was meant to boost business ventures owned by the youth (aged 18-35 years) and also help create jobs for majority of the country’s unemployed young people. However, to benefit from this scheme, one had to have completed senior four, which prerequisite has since been waived. Other servicesBesides raising concerns, this platform, can also be used as an emergency alert. “For instance, in case a disaster like floods has occurred in an area, then we receive this information from our reporters in the affected area. With this information, we can coordinate with the line ministry to assess the extent of the damage,” she says. She also points out that the feedback gathered can help ministries plan and distribute resources. In order to keep in touch with all the U-reporters across the country, the organisation holds annual conferences, where they meet with them. “August 12 is when we usually have these conferences. We mainly we discuss the challenges they have faced, and what they think can be done to improve the programme,” she says. It is usually in such gatherings that the best U-reporter is chosen. The person is selected on the basis of the response rates. “We base on how often one responds to the questions that are forwarded, and also the type of response and quality of questions they put forward. This initiative also takes part in community based projects. The month of July is dedicated to providing free health services in various areas. Asked how they select the benefiting communities, she says, “We get in touch with our U-reporters and engage them on how these health drives will be conducted, and they then pass on this information to other people in their communities.”Baredwoha is quick to add that the initiative works closely with the government, and is glad to say that all the members of Parliament are signed up U-reporters, with the Yumbe Woman MP, Oleru Huda Abason being the most active. “This way the members of Parliament are able to keep in touch with the youth in their constituents, and through the question and opinion polls sent out, the MPs can be able to know how to appropriately plan for their constituents. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Livestock-farmers-to-benefit-from-Shs10b-climate-project/-/689860/2015440/-/hu3yhl/-/index.html","content":"Livestock farmers to benefit from Shs10b climate project - Livestock farmers in six districts in the cattle corridor are to benefit from a two-year €3m (Shs10.2b) project aimed at enabling them to counter the threats and adapt to the likely effects of climate change. The project, which is funded by Belgium and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), will build the capacities of communities, strengthen their agricultural production systems, and the beneficiaries’ resilience. It will involve the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and Ministry of Water and Environment and cover Sembabule, Nakaseke, Luweero, Nakasangola, Mubende, Kiboga districts. It will also complement the scope, activities and outputs of a European Union-funded €11m (Shs32b) project. At the signing of an agreement, in mid-September, FAO Country Representative, Alhaji M. Jallow, and Belgian Ambassador, Alain Hanssen, both pledged the continued support for adaptation to climate change in Uganda. Climate change in Uganda has been manifested through unpredictable and, at times, extreme weather events such as droughts, floods and landslides. It is estimated that up to 90 per cent of Uganda’s natural disasters are weather- and climate-related. The magnitude, frequency and severity of these hazards, especially drought, have increased. Recent drought and silting of valley dams and tanks have contributed to increased water stress, increasing travel distances to and overgrazing around the few water sources in the districts concerned. features@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Unep-ranks-Africa-lowest-in-clean-energy/-/688334/1990488/-/wgdk0c/-/index.html","content":"Unep ranks Africa lowest in clean energy - Kampala - With an already significant impact of climate change like floods, drought and erratic rainfall, one would expect the Africa to be at the forefront of producing energy efficient and clean energy technologies but the continent is yet to come up with technologies that are climate friendly. According to a May 2013 United nations Environment Programme (Unep) study ‘Patents and clean energy technologies in Africa’ the continent has the least level of technology development with less than one per cent of all patent applications relating to Clean Energy Technologies coming from Africa. South Africa tops the list of Africa’s leading inventor countries with 82.4 per cent of the applications filed in Africa, followed by Egypt with 2.8 per cent. Kenya and Burundi are the only East African countries that feature on the list with 1.2 per cent and 0.9 per cent respectively. In 2011, a team from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development visited several schools and found out that less than 5 per cent of schools have energy efficient stoves while most schools used the traditional three-stone and open fire stoves- which burn twice as much fuel than an improved stove. It was also found that over 90 per cent of the population relies on biomass for their energy sources, plus many solar energy attempts to put up clean energy like solar panels in hospitals and schools were not fruitful. Many were found not to be working. This means that nearly the whole country is using dirty technology that emit Carbon and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, proven to aggravate future impacts of climate change on the continent. Mr James Baanabe, the acting commissioner Energy Resource at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development said that the use of biomass in itself is not bad but the problem is many people are not planting back trees which they cut. Mr Baanabe said people use biomass because it is cheap although the ministry is encouraging people to use efficient technologies like converting refuse or dung into gas for cooking. “The challenge we have now is in creating awareness in the population to use improved cooked stoves and plant back trees after they are cut,” Mr Baanabe said . editorial @ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/200-000-Ugandans-affected-by-disasters-annually/-/688334/1990466/-/orl9o3/-/index.html","content":"200,000 Ugandans affected by disasters annually - World Bank - KAMPALA- At least 200,000 Ugandans are affected by various types of disasters each year, the World Bank has said. According to the World Bank, the high incidence of disasters occurring in Uganda every year has a negative impact on both the economy and people. Presenting a paper on disaster management and climate change at a seminar in Kampala yesterday, a senior environment and disaster management official at the World Bank, Ms Magda Lovei, said disasters negates the gains in poverty reduction and development. She identified drought and floods as the disasters afflicting people most. Ms Lovei told Members Parliament who attended the seminar that households affected by particular disaster type in Uganda every year are as follows: droughts (55 per cent), floods (18 per cent), rain (5 per cent), 4 per cent (hailstorm), famine (4 per cent) landslides (4 per cent), rainstorm (2 per cent), epidemic (2 per cent) and other disasters (2 per cent). With Uganda beginning to face the problem of climatic change, Ms Magda warned that about half of the country’s districts are likely to become drought–prone by 2035.Due to climate change, Uganda is experiencing unreliable and extreme rainfall which results into shorter and irregular heavy rains as well as longer drought episodes. “About half of all districts in Uganda experience annual rainfall deficits. Uganda receives lower than expected rainfall most of the time, thus droughts are frequent and pervasive,” she said. Ms Magda added that natural resources represents significant economic value, pointing out that forestry’s contribution to GDP is 6 per cent, commercial users of forest products provide around 120,000 jobs and that over 99 per cent of Uganda’s rural people use wood or charcoal as fuel. “The sustainable management of these natural resources is critical for Uganda’s long-term development. Yet, natural resources are being degraded and depleted. For instance Uganda’s forest cover declined from 35 per cent to 15 per cent in 100 years, with annual forest cover loss of 88,000 hectare a year,” she said.On the way forward, Ms Magda advised the government to use a more proactive approach on prevention and mitigating of damages from disasters through restoration of degraded lands, reforestation, and sustainable natural resource management. She said government should develop capacity for prediction of changes in precipitation, extreme weather events, and natural disasters through better hydro-meteorological forecasting capacity and system. The Minister for Relief and Disaster Preparedness, Mr Hillary Onek said Uganda needs to have an early warning mechanism (system) to manage natural disasters to curb its impact on people and infrastructures. The legislators called on the government to implement policies aimed at guarding against the destruction of the environment and provide more funds to respond to disasters. moketch@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Residents-benefit-from-floods/-/688342/1985744/-/j5mwh5z/-/index.html","content":"Residents benefit from floods - Much as more than 10,000 people were affected by the flash floods, there are hundreds of people who are earning a living out of the disaster aftermath. Siraji Muhindo, a resident of Railway village in Central Division, Kasese Municipality, abandoned the bakery work to engage in mining sand which was washed from the Rwenzori Mountains as River Nyamwamba burst its banks. “At the bakery I was earning only Shs5,000 (per day) after many hours of work but here, on a good day, I can sell four truckloads of sand which earns me Shs40,000 a day. This is a good opportunity because we spend little and earn quit a lot,” Muhindo said. Locals said a truckload of sand costs between Shs20,000 to Shs40,000. The booming sand mining business has also attracted middle men who earn commissions after linking buyers and sellers. Other residents collect firewood from the tree branches and structures that were razed down by the fast running water. Nyakasanga, a suburb of Kasese town, became a centre of salt trade as residents sold the salt which was brought along with other sediments from the Rwenzori mountain."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Anxiety-returns-to-Kasese-as-skies-open/-/688342/1985732/-/vnn93d/-/index.html","content":"Anxiety returns to Kasese as skies open - Kasese In just a period of four months, the bad memories have returned to haunt residents of Kasese. Going by the May 1 havoc caused by floods in the district, residents are once again living in fear and uncertainty since the start of the September rains. The district has started receiving rains which many farmers are taking advantage of to plant crops for the second season in a year. However, there are also imaginary and real fears about the effects the heavy rains may have on the population here and their properties. The district, located in Rwenzori sub-region in western Uganda was hit by deadly floods when rivers that flow from Mountain Rwenzori downstream burst their banks and devastated the area. The flooding of Nyamwamba and Mubuku rivers left 20 bridges washed away. Schools, hospital, homesteads, roads and crops were destroyed. Domestic birds and animals were also killed. There are renewed fears that the same disaster may re-occur as the rainy season kicks off. The Kasese District chairperson, Lt Col(Rtd) Dura Mawa Muhindo, said the district leadership has advised residents in the disaster prone areas to vacate the places ahead of the heavy rains that are expected this month. “We are telling our people who are currently residing in disaster prone areas to vacate them ahead of heavy rains. We have decided to do this secretly because if we make it public it will attract camps which we no longer want as a district,” Muhindo told this newspaper last week. Gertrude Kyarisiima, a resident of Karusandara village, has no plans of leaving the area prone to flooding due to financial constraints. “We shall stay here since we have nowhere to go. We fear when rains come but nothing has been done to save our lives,” Kyarisiima said. Muhindo admitted that funds were not readily available to mitigate the disaster in the shortest possible time. He said the government has immediate, medium and long term interventions to mitigate the effects of the rainy season. Muhindo said re-coursing the rivers which burst their banks needs a lot of money which the government cannot afford at once but it will keep doing work in phases. “World Wide Fund has been doing an assessment on encroached on river banks,” he added. Part of the restoration of degraded river banks will include planting of trees, environmentalists have advised. Government has supplied seeds to people whose crop fields were destroyed by flooding in Karusandara and other sub-counties in order to combat the food shortage in the district. “As government we managed to respond to immediate needs of the victims of flooding. We are doing rehabilitation on the major bridges of Mubuku and Katiri in Kilembe,” Muhindo said. The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) station engineer, Mr John Kennedy Kasawuli, says rehabilitation on Mubuku and Katiri bridges is ongoing and work is expected to be complete by October and December respectively. Mr Kasawuli said estimated costs of renovating destroyed infrastructure could be about Shs26 billion. Tasks ahead“We still have a big task ahead to rehabilitate Maliba, Ruboni and Nyamugasani bridges which are on the national roads plus Kyanjuki Bridge that leads to Rwenzori national park. This bridge is of national importance,” he said. Kilembe hospital that was closed for over a month after it was ravaged by floods has since resumed operations with medics registering an overwhelming turn up of patients. In a bid to mitigate climate change in Kasese, the Rwenzururu King, Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere Iremangoma, together with World Wide Fund (WWF) have started planting trees on Rwenzori mountain.Save the Children Uganda, a humanitarian NGO has spent quite a fortune in the post floods rehabilitation of the schools that were affected by the May Floods. The Save the Children western region area manager, Mr Sam Tukei Ojulo, revealed this while touring one of the latrines that are being constructed at Kasese primary school that housed over 2,000 people that were displaced by the floods. “We have constructed five stance latrines at six schools in the district that were affected by floods. We have done this in order to improve on sanitary facilities that have been a major problem to pupils,” Ojulo said while distributing marked scholastic materials, clothes, sanitary pads, plastic shoes, water tanks, sports machines and sports uniforms among other items to pupils of Kasese primary school. About KaseseRainfall. Kasese receives an average rainfall ranging between 900-1600mm annually and two rain seasons that come between March to May and August to November. 1 | 2 Next Page»Economic activity.Kasese District is predominantly agricultural, relying on farming for employment and income. The people keep livestock including cattle, goats, sheep and pigs. People living on the slopes of the mountain basically practice poor farming methods thus causing soil erosion and numerous landslides. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Farmers-told-to-plant-as-rains-begin/-/688334/1976138/-/fvryt3z/-/index.html","content":"Farmers told to plant as rains begin - Kampala Farmers have been advised to start planting early while people living in mountainous areas have been advised to take caution as the second rainy season kicks off. Handing over farming equipment and seeds to 20 farmer groups in her constituency at the weekend, Nakasongola Woman MP Margaret Komuhangi said: “This is the time to start planting fast-maturing crops such as beans, potatoes among others. Rain in this cattle corridor is not prolonged as compared to the rest of the country.” Mr Erisa Mbibye, an official from the Heal the World Child Foundation, which contributed to the donation, said their NGO aims at helping communities, orphans and vulnerable children realise better living standards. “Make good use of the seeds. We do not want to hear that you have eaten the maize seeds or that the weather has spoiled your harvest,” he said. Sounding cautionLast week, the commissioner for Meteorology, Mr Micheal Nkalubo, released the September-December rainfall outlook and warned people living in the Rwenzori and Bugisu sub-regions to be wary of mudslides and floods as the second rainy season starts mid next month. About 100 people have been killed by mudslides and floods, and thousands displaced in the two regions in the last three years. During a press conference last week, the Minister for Water and Environment, Prof Ephraim Kamuntu, said: “Disasters have happened and people forget and go back to normal life. Therefore, appropriate measures should be taken to avoid loss of life and destruction of infrastructure and property.” Prof Kamuntu also advised motorists, especially in Kampala to take utmost care whenever floods occur, urging urban authorities to clear and reduce blockages of the drainage systems to avoid water logging on streets. “Increased disease surveillance is needed due to expected upsurges of epidemics related to heavy rains such as malaria, cholera and typhoid. Health authorities are, therefore, expected to be on the lookout and equip hospitals with necessary drugs to deal with such situations.” wouma@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/53-killed-as-more-floods-hit-Sudan/-/688340/1956538/-/a1ifdtz/-/index.html","content":"53 killed as more floods hit Sudan - Khartoum-More flooding is expected in Sudan, the country’s chief weather forecaster has warned, after severe rains have killed 53 people and affected about 200,000. “According to our information there is heavy rain in Ethiopia, and we expect flooding in the coming days,” Abdallah Khiar said. Rains in Ethiopia feed into the Blue Nile river which runs to Khartoum, Sudan’s capital.The city has already been worst-hit by the heavy rains and flash floods which began in Sudan on August 1 and inundated several states, according to the United Nations.More rain is expected in Khartoum, Khiar said. The Blue Nile has already begun to overflow its eastern bank but is about one metre (yard) below the reinforced west bank, an AFP correspondent observed in east Khartoum. Fifty-three people around the country have died and 40,000 families, or about 200,000 people, have been affected, Interior Minister Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamed told the same press conference. Residents of a community east of the Blue Nile camped beside the road because their homes had been destroyed or damaged in the flash flooding. They appealed for more aid but Hamed told reporters “the situation is under control” and there is no need to declare an emergency. “We have stocks of medicine, food and shelter material to support the affected people,” he said. Qatar, Ethiopia and Egypt have already flown in aid."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Farmers-counting-losses-after-long-dry-spell/-/689860/1946762/-/vw405iz/-/index.html","content":"Farmers counting losses after long dry spell - By mid-January, Henry Kiwanuka had cleared his two acres of land to plant groundnuts ahead of the February planting season. But this was not to be. There was no rain until April. Kiwanuka had to wait. This meant he would have to spend again to prepare the field before he could plant anything. But even when rain came, it was heavy and for two weeks. The months that followed have had no rain except for drizzles. “It has now become hard to predict the rain. Those who predict rain told us that it was going to rain but instead it shone hard. As farmers, we have been confused. We no longer know the seasons,” Mr Kiwanuka said. “We used to have two seasons in a year. We now wait for the rain and before it comes, nobody wants to till the land. This is difficult because when it comes, that is when we start preparing the ground and by the time we finish, it’s no longer raining before the seeds are planted.” Different patternAs a result, the man who expected more than 30 bags of 100kgs each from his harvest after planting 48kgs of ground nut seeds now says he will only get about four kilogrammes and of poor quality. “I decided to grow groundnuts on April 15. That is when it started raining. But the real season should have been in February. The crops have been destroyed by too much sunshine. I was expecting more than 30bags but I now expect 2kgs and with poor quality,” Mr Kiwanuka, a father of 10, said. Makerere University’s Prof Elly Sabiiti says climate change started long ago but wasn’t monitored in most developing countries. “It has been a tricky thing with climate change. It is a process that started long ago and wasn’t monitored in developing countries. It built up slowly and now it has reached a climax and everyone is now concerned,” Prof Sabiiti, the crop scientist said. He says the amount of rain that the country used to receive in the 70’s has not changed except for the pattern. He also said that the temperatures have changed.“The amount of rain we used to get has not changed. What has changed is the pattern. It would be well distributed in 30 days. Today, it rains heavily for two weeks and then stops. That is why you hear of floods. This rain is not useful to the farmer because the soil doesn’t have the capacity to retain it once,” he said. “The temperatures have changed. They are going up especially at night. When I first came to Kampala in the 1970s, you could cover yourself with a blanket and bedcover but still feel cold. Today, you can sleep without even a bed sheet.” The 66 year-old Kiwanuka started farming in 1973 after he was laid off as a veterinary scout. He explained that then, the weather was good and they would depend on the two traditional seasons which have since changed. “I would plant 10kgs on an acre and harvest 20 bags of 100kgs each,” he said until he started noticing weather changes in 2002, “which have been intensifying of late”. In the neighbouring village, Stephen Ssempala is also crying foul after he spent Shs420,000 to plant 40kgs of beans on 2.5 acres but is now expecting 10kgs after the sun scorched them. “It stopped raining when the beans had just started flowering. I have made a big loss. I can’t even recover what I planted. If it was in a good season, I would have paid my children’s fees and saved some food to help us in the bad season,” Ssempala said. They are now waiting for the July/August rain which hasn’t started. Their prayer is that when it comes, it should fall regularly to enable the crops sprout. Otherwise, they anticipate hunger next year if the second season is as bad as the first one. “We shall wait for rain and if it doesn’t rain, we won’t plant. I am not ready for more losses. For now, we will depend on bananas. They are the ones which can persevere the drought,” he said. However, the Meteorological Department spokesperson, Mr Khalid Muwembe advised farmers to stop depending on the traditional knowledge on weather but seek for information provided by his department from the agricultural officers at the sub counties. Traditional knowledgeHe added that the rains are not expected in August but beginning of September. “Rains are expected at the beginning of September. People make wild assumptions on weather which no longer work. For a long time, people have been used to the traditional knowledge on weather for planting. But now climate change has come in and disrupted everything,” Mr Muwembe said in an interview.That is why we get droughts and rains when we least expect them. For instance, January is usually dry. But it was wet this year. I am sure the farmers who followed our information didn’t regret. We said June to August was going to be dry. The farmers should listen to our advice.” Prof Sabiiti admits farmers can no longer predict the rains and are not aware of the changes but asserts the institution has reviewed its curriculum to include aspects of climate change to ensure their graduates, for instance, adopt and learn how to become resilient and mitigate its effects. However, he blames the changes on human activities. For example, Prof Sabiiti said people have cut down trees and cleared swamps to occupy these areas. He also points a finger at the growing technology, which produce heat and gas that pollute the environment. He advises government to develop a long term strategic plan warning that if it is not done, the country is likely to face prolonged hunger in the near future. 1 | 2 Next Page»Improved methodsAlthough he encourages farmers to use better methods of farming and grow crops tolerant to drought, he acknowledges there are limited drought resistant crops. “In research, we are jumping down to bleed crops that are drought resistant. The challenge is that we tell farmers to plant crops that are resistant to diseases and drought but where are they? We have few varieties that can tolerate drought,” Prof Sabiiti explained.Some crops believed to be resistant and can survive drought include: Maize, bananas, cassava, rice and millet. However, Prof Sabiiti says the country doesn’t have crops that can stand floods. “We are not well prepared. We need to look beyond today. We want government to concentrate on strategic research and plan. A well fed nation is easy to control,” he said.The Central Archdiocesan Province Caritas Association (CAPCA) has embarked on sensitising rural communities in Mubende, Bukomansimbi, Rakai, Mukono, Mpigi, Butambala, Luweero, Nakaseke and Wakiso districts on improved agricultural practices in order to increase food security and household income. Mr Joseph Bukenya, CAPCA coordinator, said farmers have to change from their old ways of farming to accommodate the weather changes. For instance, he advises that farmers start intercropping with trees which will tap some moisture and cool the environment. They are also encouraged to construct drainage systems around the homesteads and gardens. Other practices CAPCA is promoting include water harvesting especially at household level and irrigation. They advise farmers to create ridges expected to tap rain water when it comes in large amounts for a short time. This will also control soil erosion. pahimbisibwe@ug.natinmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Nebbi-bridge-collapses--three-days-after-it-s-completion/-/688334/1947190/-/yyjl98z/-/index.html","content":"Nebbi bridge collapses, three days after it's completion - Nebbi - Patients and pupils of Pateng Village in Nebbi District have been left stranded after the newly-constructed bridge on River Odyek was on Monday washed away by floods. The incident saw some patients, who needed urgent treatment carried on shoulders to cross the flooded river. The bridge connects Pakwach Sub-county and Panyimur via Akela Village. Mr Stero Ongula, one of the residents, said the bridge was the only link to health centres and schools and the flooding had paralysed business. “It is unfortunate that those going to the market to look for a living have also been cut off. This is a huge impact because we are now not sure whether it will be reconstructed soon,” Mr Ongula said. The residents say it took years for the district to construct the bridge, which connects Alwi Health Centre III, two primary schools and Alwi Sub-county headquarters. Construction of the Shs7m bridge was completed three days ago, with funding from the Peace Recovery Development Plan. The Chief Administrative Officer, Mr Seraphine Alia, said the culverts were swept away as a result of sand mining, which cleared all the supporting grass to the bridge. “People should plant trees and grass and should not encroach on the river banks,” he said. The district engineer, Mr Jimmy Mavenjina, said this is the second time the bridge has been swept away by floods. The first was about five years ago. He blamed it on the poor soil texture, which is easily cracked. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Nature-punishes-residents-for-rape-of-its/-/688334/1944524/-/pja11pz/-/index.html","content":"Nature punishes residents for rape of its virginity in Bududa - BUDUDA- The rains pounded. Vast acreages of food crops lay in ruins. Mounds of un-dissolved hailstones could be spotted on the road and similar patches were visible kilometres away on bare slopes of Mt Elgon, more than 24 hours after hailstorm ravaged four parishes in the eastern Ugandan district of Bududa. This was a hugely destructive lashing by Mother Nature, seemingly determined to punish residents for defiling its virgin vegetation cover by opening it up as gardens.Yesterday, the first full day after Saturday’s mudslide combined with hailstorms, farmers counted unspeakable losses with a frightening stare of famine. Several gardens were either washed downstream or buried under mud slide. The hailstones tore foliage, including banana and cassava leaves, into miserable shreds. Flash floods erode the dirt road into tiny streams of a jagged stretch. Excited young children nevertheless endured the falling rains to pick loads of hailstones home. The loosened top soil slid under the boots and curious residents trekking to the scene of the weekend mudslide fell and rose as rain battered them. It was a bravery test, and our clothes soaked in the generous downpour lasting more than an hour. Rivers furyThe murky waters of River Manafwa, which at the weekend burst its banks with devastating fury and the uphill communities of Shiteka and Nekesa to its east, thundered in the rocky gorge. A eucalyptus tree-deck pedestrian overpass on the valley swayed under the light weight of two children, forcing frightened adults to seek alternative crossing within Bushiyi Sub-county. Sharp-edged pebbles exposed by run-off water scared like dreaded Satan’s fangs and projected as if on emergency call to puncture car and motorcycle tyres or even cut the sole of bare-foot pedestrians. The motorists could only drive up to 3km, and attempting to edge closer to the mudslide scene in a vehicle was akin to skirting with death.This is Bududa, the land of rich soils that seduce ambitious cultivators to their grave with a reward of bountiful yields. In March 2010, a mudslide in Nametsi Parish here buried an estimated 350 people alive.And since then, the avalanche has been regularly drifting down and knocking a few houses, much of the minor tragedies largely unreported. The government’s sweetener of opening up a resettlement camp in the relatively flat Kiryadongo District in Bunyoro sub-region to persuade residents at high risk on Mt Elgon slopes to leave failed spectacularly. Several men and women trucked there in the first batch returned home, citing hardships of land and food shortage that strangled their agricultural enterprise. Oddly, many say they would rather die tilling their fertile soils where their ancestors are buried. Some observers call this sturdy cultural attachment, moreover to the dead, a limitless primitive expression. But the volcanic soils are highly yielding that any seed scattered anywhere on Mt Elgon slopes virtually blooms to plentiful harvest. That is the poisoned chalice: abandon the gardens and live like a pauper on humanitarian hand-out or die digging up for high returns. It is not only the gardens, it seems, gifted with abundance. Fertility rates here are up the ladder as well with the number of children sired by a couple averaging nine. Beatrice Nandutu is a housewife, and at 30, has already given birth to eight children - all of who unfortunately are admitted to Bududa Hospital with injuries sustained when their mud-and-wattle house collapsed on them during the Saturday mudslide. DestructionThe population burst has meant destruction of hillside vegetation, which otherwise would retain the soils in periods of generous rainfall, for farmland. There is the unending fights with environmentalists, with wildlife conservationists complaining of encroachment on Mt Elgon National Park.For now, much of the slopes are bare and money-makers are instead felling trees unrestricted with power saws!It all seems like a rehearsal for mass suicide. editorial@ug.nationmdia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Unra-seeks-Shs26b-for-Kasese-roads/-/688334/1942478/-/kmuhq9/-/index.html","content":"Unra seeks Shs26b for Kasese roads - Kasese Two months after they were devastated by floods, it may take a while before roads and bridges in Kasese District are rehabilitated, with the government currently facing financial constraints. This comes at a time when the Uganda National Roads Authority (Unra) is rehabilitating roads that were severely affected by floods countrywide. “Two projects on Mubuku and Katiri bridges in Kilembe are ongoing and contractors are slightly ahead of schedule. We expect the work to be complete by October and December respectively,” the Unra station engineer, Mr John Kennedy Kasawuli, said, adding that rehabilitation works would depend on the available money. Heavy demandsWorks are estimated to cost an estimated Shs26 billion. “We still have a big task ahead to rehabilitate Maliba, Ruboni and Nyamugasani bridges,” he said. He revealed that whereas Kyanjuki Bridge was not managed by Unra, it may be worked on urgently since it leads to Rwenzori National Park, which is of national importance. The works on Mubuku Bridge are being done by Kasese Nail and Wood whereas that one of Kilembe is done by Terrain Services. He urged various government and humanitarian agencies to support the Works ministry in rehabilitating infrastructure in the district. The engineer warned that if human activities along the water bodies were not checked, more bridges and roads would be destroyed in the near future. editorial@ug.nationmdia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Karamoja-roads-impassable-as-bus-operators-threaten-to-quit/-/688334/1936298/-/dhfce4/-/index.html","content":"Karamoja roads impassable as bus operators threaten to quit - Moroto/Nakapiripirit - Travelling from the central region to Karamoja has again become difficult following the current rains that have cut off all the roads leading to the sub-region.Travellers and motorists are stranded as sudden seasonal heavy rains have caused flooding, rendering roads impassable.Early this year, Karamoja was cut off from the rest of the country after floods destroyed all the bridges. Although the government is currently tarmacking the Moroto-Nakapiripirit road, construction works will only stop at Nakapiripirit Town Council, leaving Nakapiripirit-Bulambuli road.Vehicles that got stuck on Moroto-Soroti road have blocked movements. The Nakapiripirit Resident District Commissioner, Mr Godfrey Aluma, who was part of the travelers on Wednesday, spent the night in Lokudud village on Nakapiripirit-Mbale road after he got stuck. He decried the state of the roads, saying it will slow business.He appealed to the government to repair the road saying the current state of the road was a security threat. “The road is terrible and for the next one week it will become a garden because it is being worsened by heavy trucks that are transporting marble stones from Kosiroi in Moroto District to Tororo for making cement,” he said. Mr Sam Lorot, a trader in Moroto, said the prices of food in Karamoja are most likely to increase because of the challenges that traders could face in transporting food should the rains continues. Mr Hassan Mohammed, a bus conductor, said the road conditions are worsening, adding that during the previous rains their company encountered a lot of issues on Karamoja roads. “We were supposed to pick passengers and continue to various destinations this morning, but it has not been possible due to the muddy roads,” he said.Mr Mohammed said they might suspend business until the rainy season ends if floods continue. The Uganda National Road Authority engineer on Moroto-Nakapiripirit road, Mr Hassan Ssentamu, said the road was is under construction by Chinese.He also advised the bus companies and drivers to use strong tyres. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Weather-forecasts--Stop-misleading-us/-/806314/1934088/-/xmdcu/-/index.html","content":"Weather forecasts: Stop misleading us - Every time I listen to meteorologists giving weather forecasts, I always wonder how many Ugandans are listening and following their advice. They have almost all the time got it wrong. Mid June this year, when it was raining on a daily basis, a spokesman for the meteorology station announced that heavy rains would continue until September, and advised the population to watch out for floods. No sooner had he announced than a dry spell started and the sun burnt the earth mercilessly for almost three months. Just two days ago, the same officer did not even apologise for giving wrong information the previous time, but went on to broadcast a message of doom that the dry spell would go on till October. No sooner had he left the TV station than the rain started pouring; it rained the entire night and the following day, and it’s still raining. More so, every time I fly from Johannesburg to Entebbe, they always warn us of thunderstorms in Entebbe, but on arrival, you are met with the hot sun. I am therefore questioning either the validity and reliability of the equipment or the credibility of the technicians in giving weather forecast. The government should stop these officers from lying to us.Emmanuel Mugisha, emugisha@path.org"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Makerere-to-introduce-compulsory-climate-studies/-/688334/1934572/-/52b8wa/-/index.html","content":"Makerere to introduce compulsory climate studies - All new Makerere University students, regardless of whether they are studying the humanities or sciences, are to study climate change, a university official has said. Professor Elly Sabiiti, the chair of the Curriculum Review Committee, said yesterday that the proposal had been floated before the University Senate and would later be taken to the National Curriculum Development Centre for accreditation. “We are introducing climate change for all first-year undergraduate students. It is going to be compulsory, whether you are studying food science or agriculture…” said Prof. Sabiiti during the launch of the university’s centre for climate change research. Presently, only the arts students have a course unit on the environment. ReasonDr Revocatus Twinomuhangi, a lecturer in the Department of Geography, said this is being done because, so far, climate change is a new phenomenon that many people do not understand. “We have been seeing floods, landslides, droughts and we think that these are normal fluctuations…we are likely to see more of these issues in the future. So we need to get prepared to deal with them…” said Dr Twinomuhangi. The centre will be conducting research, documenting it as well as disseminating it to the policymakers so that they draft polices that would make the country more resilient to climate change. Uganda does not have a policy on climate change. nwesonga@ug.nationmdia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Landing-site-struggles-to-care-for-orphans-with-HIV/-/688342/1930808/-/kfm52cz/-/index.html","content":"Landing site struggles to care for orphans with HIV - Rakai - Twelve-year-old Prossy Nakayi has just completed her day’s lessons. It is 5pm and she returns to her dormitory at God Care Orphanage Primary School at Kasensero Landing Site in Rakai District. She is one of the oldest children out of about 90 pupils sleeping in one large room built with only iron sheets from foundation to roof. They call this room a dormitory and home since they have nowhere else to go.The room is hardly lit, save for the light coming through the door. For lack of space to play, toddlers hang around the doorway or on their beds as they wait for supper. “My parents were fish mongers here in Kasensero, when they died in 2007 we went to live with our uncle. We were not going to school while at our uncle’s place and we used to dig every day,” recalls Nakayi. Nakayi and her sister were brought to this orphanage by the proprietor of the facility, Mike Busulwa. Unfortunately, Nakayi’s younger sister who was then seven years, died while the three were still living with the uncle.“My young sister was born HIV positive. I remember they used to give her drugs but when our parents died, she fell very sick and died,” says Nakayi. Kasensero Landing Site is infamous for its high prevalence of HIV in Uganda. With a population of 25,000, latest statistics from the Uganda Aids Commission show that HIV Prevalence is at 41 per cent, the highest in Uganda. The story has been told of how nearly half the fishermen are HIV positive at this landing site and how many have died of the virus. What about the children they leave behind? Frustrated residentsAccording to Mr Busulwa, there are 504 HIV orphans at God Care Orphanage Primary School alone, 204 of them are total orphans and the remaining 300 have one parent dead and the other positive and battling with the disease. About 26 of the children at the school are HIV positive and Mr Busulwa estimates that there are over 500 children in the community who are positive. “Many people in the 1990s came here and got HIV, died and left the children here. Twelve of my immediate friends died between 1999 and 2000 and the children had nowhere to go so I started this school with my other colleagues to support these children in 2003,” Mr Busulwa says. Many times, according to Mr Busulwa, the parents die when these children are too young to remember their relatives or birth place of their parents.“Every day and night new people come to this landing site some of them come already pregnant. They are frustrated and are only waiting to die. When these children are born and sooner or later the parent dies, the children are left helpless and stuck in the house,” Mr Busulwa says ,adding: “They eventually become orphans of the landing site.” Some good Samaritans like Mr Kayumba John, who is currently living with 10 orphans, take on these children but majority have nowhere to go.God Care Orphanage Primary School is the only school at Kasensero that is taking care of these orphans, providing them shelter and struggling to give an education. The proprietor, in addition to handouts here and there, stages concerts in neigbouring villages with some of the pupils to generate income to run the school and pay teachers. They borrow text books from government schools to use in teaching and the children dig and plant their own food. There are no classrooms, some of the children study under a tree while the others are in an open space with some iron sheets on top. There are about 80 pupils in each classroom. The nearest government school is 18km, away so these children cannot trek there and have to be schooled at the premises. “The classroom and dormitory are congested, we know that but there is nothing we can do. When it rains, the place floods and we will not have classes even for a week as long as the floods are still there,” Mr Busulwa says. When the children grow, many opt to drop out of school because of the tough conditions. They become fishermen or idlers playing cards and ludo in front of the shops. 1 | 2 Next Page»One such child is 19-year-old Godfrey Mubiru. Mubiru was handpicked by Mr Kayumba at seven years after he found him loitering at the landing site.“I dropped out of school on my own will. Prices of fish had dropped and my father (meaning Mr Kayumba) was no longer making any profits so I decided to join fishing and help him,” Mubiru says. He is, however, just among the few who join meaningful work. According to Mr Kayumba, many after dropping out of school start takingdrugs or stealing, which is becoming a challenge at the landing site. Although there has been an increase in health services to the fishermen at the landing site, many complained of few condoms reaching the area which is making many susceptible to catching the infection. flanyero@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Woman-beats-Museveni-s-security-to-demand-pay/-/688334/1921170/-/13plxquz/-/index.html","content":"Woman beats Museveni’s security to demand pay - MUKONO. There was drama at Nama Sub-county headquarters in Mukono District when a woman beat President Museveni’s security, ran and fell by his side, to demand compensation for her late father’s inputs to the Bush War. Twenty-year-old Shamisa Nanyonga on Friday sneaked through the chain of the Presidential Guard Brigade soldiers until she reached the President. The well-trained and elite UPDF unit were taken aback as the young woman sat on the ground next to President Museveni’s chair, who equally looked shocked. Ms Nanyonga said her father Twaha Kayanja fought in the 1981/85 Bush War that brought President Museveni to power and yet his family has never received any of the promised compensation from the government. She said her family lost several properties, including a lorry and animals and yet several reminders for compensation sent to the President’s office have been fruitless. “We want the President to compensate our family and assist me join the army as well,” said Ms Nanyonga, speaking to journalists after the event. The President, who is on a working tour of all former NRA operational zones was addressing veterans of Mwanga Unit on governments’ reinforcement of the poverty eradication campaign among veterans. He handed over documents presented to him by Ms Nanyonga to Brig. Proscovia Nalweyiso, the Special Presidential assistant on military affairs.At the afternoon function, President Museveni unveiled a number of development programmes which he said would benefit the veterans. He also appointed a military officer to head and monitor the programmes. Senior army officers led by Gen Caleb Akandwanaho (a.k.a. Salim Saleh), who is deputised by Brig. Nalweyiso will do the overall monitoring of projects in all former operational zones.In Mwanga Unit in Mukono, the President appointed several zonal leaders, including Lt. Col. David Mpanga, Maj. Kibirige and Maj. Moses Seguja, who will work alongside local leaders to ensure that the projects are implemented. The President urged Ugandans to exploit government infrastructure such as roads and electricity to facilitate personal wealth in their homes. He added that national development may be wealth owned by all Ugandans but cannot improve their incomes if they can’t use it. “When people speak of development and wealth, they mix issues. The leaders can demand for roads, electricity, schools and hospitals but this is not personal wealth. What is the benefit of having a tarmac road when you can’t use it to transform your lives? It may rain and you get a lot of water but if you do not harvest it, you can’t have water in your house, it goes to waste with the floods,” Mr Museveni said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Let-us-conserve-our-environment/-/689844/1921004/-/myon65/-/index.html","content":"Let us conserve our environment - Bunyoro Sub-region is blessed with natural biodiversity such as forests, water sources, endangered plants and animals.However, this could be headed for the worse largely because of environmental degradation. The recent press reports and environmental surveys reveal that deforestation is prevalent in the region as the demand for timber and firewood increases. Forest reserves, both on private and public land, are also reducing due to encroachment and outright destruction. According to the 2009 National Environmental management Authority’s report, in 1990, Uganda had more than five million hectares of forest cover but by 2005 only 3.5 million hectares (8.6 million acres) remained. Nema warned that if deforestation continues at the present rate, Uganda will have lost all its forested land by 2050.Bugoma Forest Reserve, one of the few remaining natural forests in the country, is not being spared in the ongoing onslaught against forests. There has been continued battle between the National Forestry Authority and the army veterans under the TULIPONA association. The veterans, who are disputing boundaries of the forest and claim ownership of areas with thick natural forest, have persistently threatened to re-invade the forest where they were evicted in March 2012. The new wave of encroachment in this region is partly attributed to the migrating Congolese, who are reported to have established makeshifts and have gone ahead to cultivate deep in the reserve. Wetlands have not been spared in the destruction. The perpetrators of environmental destruction have failed to appreciate the fact that these fragile ecosystem once destroyed never forgive. They always revenge through natural calamities that have befallen Ugandans time and again like drought and floods. Besides, the immediate threat to wildlife is habitat loss and predation by man, habitat change and fragmentation. This has been a major challenge to chimpanzees in particular which has made them become rowdy for purposes of self defense as their habitat is continuously encroached on by people who destroy forests. This could greatly explain the recent cases of chimpanzees attacking people, leaving them injured in Hoima and Kibaale districts. The environmental challenges we face today call for environmental stewardship. It involves responsible planning and management of natural resources. Kennedy Mugume, is an environmental trainee for the World Wide fund for nature (WWF) attached to MIRAC."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/Why-we-need-soldier-ministers/-/689856/1920876/-/p8esun/-/index.html","content":"Letter From Kireka: Why we need soldier-ministers - Hongera Afande Aronda Nyakairima. I know these past days have been very hectic for you. The other day, I kept wondering if you were catching any sleep. It must have been very stressing for a General like you to be tossed around by civilians who probably do not even have an idea of what it means to spend a night in the bush, exposed to mosquitoes and enemy fire. But luckily reason prevailed and Parliament saw the need to confirm you. I kept wondering if these chaps who were opposing your confirmation as Internal Affairs minister because you still are a soldier were around when this country was being run by swine. If they were, like me, they should have known how much we dreaded the men in green. Do fellows like Matthias Mpuuga and Nandala Mafabi know that there was a time when we civilians would dissipate into the bushes at the sight of oncoming soldiers? Had it not been for gallant sons and daughters like you to give up all life’s amenities and liberate us, where would we be? It is a pity that people who have benefited from abundant sleep in the last 27 years now do not see the value of soldiers in politics. But like the Swahili say, asante ya punda ni mateke (the gratitude of a horse is a kick). Of course you can only pity these wanainchi MPs. They do not understand the magnitude of the issues at hand. Had Mzee posted you to some ministry like ethics or gender, then perhaps their cry about the need for you to resign from the army would make sense. But look, it is not just any ministry you were sent to—it is the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Who does not know that the bulk of this ministry has to do with the police? And anyway, when did we last have a civilian head the police force? So, if for a decade we have had no problem with generals managing a civilian police force, why should we cry now simply because even the minister will be a soldier?In our bar in Kireka someone joked that the conversation in your ministry boardroom will sound like an address at a military parade. It was Rusaniya, our waitress, who tried to imagine what it would be like. She said you, Afande, would go like: “Habari za leo Afande Kale? Do we have enough ammunition to shoot the national identity card into shape? I want those fake contractors court-martialled.” Gen Kayihura, according to Rusaniya, would respond: “Yes Sir! I have a platoon of evidence which we can present to secure a conviction.” But beyond that Afande, people need to know why we need soldiers in Cabinet. These are very challenging times. Civilians have turned our ministries into play fields. They look at them as some forms of Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) where they pick their pocket change. And what do we see: craters eating up roads, hospitals minus drugs, school teachers going unpaid. These are extra-ordinary times and what better way to respond than use extra-ordinary people? Imagine if we had Gen Salim Saleh as Finance inister, Gen Elly Tumwine as Culture minister, Lt Gen Charles Angina as health minister, Maj Gen Wilson Mbadi as gender minister, Brig Proscovia Nalweyiso as gender minister, Brig Muhoozi Kainerugaba as environment minister, Col Felix Kulayigye as information minister and if rehabilitated Gen David Sejusa could be sent to the ethics ministry. Truth is soldiers have been trained to respect and follow commands. So, all Mzee would do, is send a radio message banning corruption. He would also indicate that any minister found guilty of corruption would face martial law. Trust me that would be a sure way to end this vice. In Kireka, we are of the full view that soldiers must take charge of our events. When we failed to fix the railway, it is the UPDF doing so. When we failed to help the Bududa landslide victims, it is the UPDF that came in. In Kasese during the floods, it is the UPDF that came to our rescue. Why should we only embrace soldiers during trying times and reject them during feasting moments? Afande Nyakairima, we wish you all the best in your new responsibility.Yours,Alfredo,Kireka Bar Chairman dwanyama@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Adjumani-wetlands-under-attack/-/688334/1920290/-/3xx67ez/-/index.html","content":"Adjumani wetlands under attack - Adjumani- Elders have always testified that in the past, encroachment into wetland areas as well as in the numerous forests in Madi sub-region was looked at as a “taboo” by the Madi people. Consequently, natural resources were previously conserved by the locals in the area because of their immense significance to the entire community such as modification of climate. But presently, encroachment on wetlands and forest reserves across Adjumani has evidently become unavoidable as several people no longer attach importance to natural resources. In almost all the villages across the district, encroachment on wetlands by people constructing, making bricks, growing crops and sand mining for commercial purposes, has become common, causing concern among the authorities.Court caseOne of the encroachers Mr John Aliga, a resident of Lajopi ginnery, said he bought the land from one of the landlords in the village and claims the matter is in court. In Adjumani town council, hundreds of people in the villages of Forua, Surumu, Odrueyi, Cesia and Molpowda have constructed permanent and semi-permanent structures in some of the wetland areas. In the sub-counties of Ofua, Pakelle, Arinyapi, Ukusijoni and Iterikwa several farmers are using the wetlands in their areas for crop growing while others have destroyed huge trees near the wetland areas. Mr Charles Giyaya, the senior environment officer of Adjumani District, said illegal human activities are not allowed in wetland areas measuring up to 30 meters from the highest point where flooding has occurred. In May, floods destroyed 80 acres of food crops, washed livestock into River Nile and displaced five households in Maaji parish, Ukusijoni sub-county in Adjumani district.editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/46-dead-as-hunger-pounds-Karamoja--Teso/-/688342/1917310/-/mah9o2z/-/index.html","content":"46 dead as hunger pounds Karamoja, Teso - Karamoja/Teso As the rains began showering Karamoja and Teso sub-regions, it was welcomed as a blessing, since crops were going to grow. But as the rains continued, the joy was turned into uneasiness as the heavy downpour started flooding gardens, washing away crops and roads. What that later meant was that there would not be any crops to harvest this season. That was in the first quarter of this year. Today, the thousands of residents in Karamoja are going for days without food, while others are on the brink of death as a result of starvation. The severe hunger has so far killed 46 people in Karamoja in the last two months, according to local authorities. The worst hit district is Kaabong, where 20 people have been confirmed dead due to starvation. The other affected districts are Napak and Moroto. The severe food shortage has forced more than 5,000 Karimojongs to flee the country into neighbouring Kenya, where the government is supplying food to its citizens. The government, through the Disaster Preparedness ministry, at the weekend launched an emergency food distribution initiative with the aim to rescue hundreds of starving families in the seven districts of Karamoja. Emergency foodWhile launching the initiative in Moroto Municipality on Saturday, the State Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Mr Musa Ecweru, said the government will continue distributing emergency food to the most affected families in the region. Mr Joseph Komol Midi, the Kaabong District LC5 chairperson, said several households had planted crops which they expected would provide them with food, but all the crops were destroyed by the floods. He said the worst hit sub-counties in Kaabong include Kapedo, Loyoro, Kamion, Kalapata and Kaabong Town Council. The Kaabong senior clinical officer, Mr James Lokope, said people have died of hunger, according to post-mortem reports. In Napak District, five people died due to hunger, this is according to the district health director, Dr James Lemukol. He said the food crisis has also increased the level of malnutrition in the district. Effect“Almost every household is affected by malnutrition because of lack of balanced diet,” he said. He, however, could not readily give figures of the people affected my malnutrition. The LC5 chairperson of Napak, Mr Joseph Lomonyang, said the most affected sub-counties in the district are Ngoleriet, Lokopo, Lopei and Lotome. Ms Esther Munyes, one of the Ngoleriet Sub-county officials, said the hunger situation has worsened the health of elderly persons. In Moroto District, the most affected areas are Rupa Sub-county, Nadunget and Moroto Municipality.The LC1 chairperson of Campswhili Jin, Mr Mohamed Akida, said since June 2010 to June, 22 people have been reported dead due to starvation in his area. Meanwhile, more than 10,000 acres of farm gardens in Serere District have dried up, leaving thousands of people on the verge of starvation as the drought continues to scorch the crops in the area. Mr Apollo Ewidu, the LC3 chairperson of Bugondo Sub-county, told the Daily Monitor that the gardens in his area are destroyed, and that about 8,000 people are surviving on a single meal a day. He also warned that the numbers could soon swell since the little grains for last year are running out of stock. “We have had no harvest this season, all the crops have dried up,” Mr Ewidu said. He added that the repeat of the 1994 and 1997 famine could happen gain given the current images of the dried-up crops in the gardens, adding that there is urgent need for assistance from the government. AppealMr Ewidu said there is need for establishment of regional government irrigation schemes to cater for such eventualities, citing Labwor and Odina. He said the government land on the shores of Lake Kyoga should be used.Mr Sylvester Okaje, a resident of Kadugulu Sub-county, said the entire 66 gardens belonging to his clan have virtually perished, and that they are entirely going with only one meal a day. “In case, rains comeback we cannot plant because we don’t have seeds, “he added. Mr James Omangino, a Kadugulu village health team worker, confirmed that certain signs of malnutrition are starting to be seen among the children below the age of 10. “We are getting into the second season, but there is no rain,” he said. In the history of Teso, Serere District has often been a food basket that supplies the region with food in times of scarcity, but with such occurrences, the other districts would have to look elsewhere as they are also severely injured. The drought in Teso 1 | 2 Next Page»Immediately farmers finished the first weeding in March, the dry spell set in and since then, there has been no rain. Residents in Serere District are in a dire need of food and their economic stand is worsened as there is no produce to sell.In Bugondo Sub-county, the gardens are destroyed and about 8,000 people are surviving on a single meal a day, but local authorities say the numbers could soon swell since the little grains for last year are running out of stock. Local leaders are now appealing to the government to avail irrigation technology to reduce on the dependence on rain for farming. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/We-must-work-to-attain-first-world-status/-/806314/1914700/-/pd6e44z/-/index.html","content":"We must work to attain first world status - I have deeply contemplated President’s Museveni’s persistent declaration and dream of Uganda attaining a first-world status. My faith as a practicing evangelical Christian prompts me to categorise these sayings as prophetic utterances. By virtue of his authority and role as Head-of-State, the divine entity is inspiring and using him to pronounce blessings upon Ugandans. This, however, does not ascertain his credibility, whether he is a false or true prophet. According to Jesus’ teachings and thus the Christian canon, a true prophet is judged by the fruit of his doings not by what he declares in God’s name. For centuries the African continent has been erroneously dubbed the ‘dark continent’ and hitherto a third world. This is not true from the viewpoint of God’s creation. Uganda and her geographical neighbourhood still retain the nature, beauty and splendour of the first world that God created.In Congo and other parts of the continent people can live with limited reliance on science and technology. The region is evergreen throughout the year with no harsh winters. Fruits are readily available even without refrigeration or preservatives. Food crops grow naturally and flourish with minimal tendering. This is the initial earth endowed with unexploited resources and profile of the beginning of creation and therefore the first world. It is free from the effects of industrial and environmental pollution. Tourists flock there every year to catch glimpse of wild game, aquatic life and birds. The absence of challenges faced by other regions of the world has however made the inhabitants of this region slothful, lazy and negligent in building infrastructure to improve their livelihoods. In many places, farmers rely solely on rainfall. Owing to afforestation and global warming, rainfall has dwindled, making floods and drought more rampant and adversely affecting crop harvests. Famines, floods, pests, poverty, hunger, disease and starvation has become the portion of the people. Africa must wake up and overcome the hindrances keeping them backward. We must think soberly, tame our wasteful consumption habits and accumulate development capital instead of consumer goods. We should avoid squandering resources by flooding our wardrobes with three-piece suits in these hot and humid conditions, stockpiling cosmetics, make-up, wines, spirits and saloon cars. The transport sector must be prioritised and bolstered with railways, good roads to enhance easy and safe mobility for work and trade. Jamming our streets with reconditioned cars only boosts foreign manufacturing economies and diminishes the development of the middle class who are tempted to devour precious capital wealth on consumption fuel and taxes. The cities we crave to build like Amsterdam now prefer riding bikes to travelling in cars! We must tread the path of technological development and transfer with prudence, lest we mar our heritage with excavations, oils and fuels, smog, automobile fumes, industrial and electronic wastes, and GMOs. The nations provoking and branding us as the remote third world are silently mourning and bearing the brunt of their cravings and recklessness. Charles Okecha, carlsok2@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Create-job-opportunities-for-youths-and-increase-productivity/-/806314/1913828/-/14lgg53/-/index.html","content":"Create job opportunities for youths and increase productivity - Uganda is known to be one of the countries in Africa with the highest population growth rate besides its high fertility rates (TFR=6.2). Although, the big population could be good for the economy in terms of market as well as labour productivity, it has many implications once control measures are not taken by individuals as well as policy makers. According to the Malthusian Theory, if the population continues to grow, it will reach a certain point and then positive checks and negative checks to the population will arise. These include disasters like floods as well as infernos like the Namungoona disaster that saw mostly poverty ravaged Ugandans rush to siphon fuel from a fuel tanker. Despite such theories, it is important to harness the benefits of the 34 million Ugandans by investing in the education sector as well as creation of jobs for the youths who graduate from institutions of higher learning. Encouraging the youths to engage in informal sector through creation of cottage industries is yet another way of having a productive population. The youths venture fund can do a lot in the strengthening of the population bonus in Uganda. What do you think? Gilbert Habaasa, habaasa@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Protect-the-environment-and-avoid-epidemics-and-other-disasters/-/806314/1912648/-/11m4h4kz/-/index.html","content":"Protect the environment and avoid epidemics and other disasters - There is a controversial issue in environmental management especially in the slums around Kasese town. The residents have left waste management in the hands of the municipal authorities. It is common to find dumped waste in slums of Bakoko, Nyakasanga, Saluti, Katadoba and Nyamwamba. This trend of poor waste management could lead to outbreak of epidemics like cholera, dysentery and malaria since the randomly disposed tins act as breeding grounds for flies and mosquitoes. Kasese having been hit by the recent floods is still fragile to other epidemics and serious attention has to be given to environmental protection. The environment, once abused, acts back through disasters and epidemics like the floods. A collective approach, is therefore, of paramount importance if we want to live in a clean and healthy environment as per Article 37 of the Constitution. What does it cost you to dispose of a kavera in a dustbin? If you don’t have a bin, can’t you improvise? Should we keep relying on municipal authorities for management of our own generated waste? In case of a disease outbreak, will it attack municipal workers only? Let us make it a priority to have our environment protected because the cleaner and greener the environment, the cooler it will become. A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. Make your first step in environmental protection.Banaki Yehoyada, byehoyada@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Activists--MPs-call-for-climate-change-policies/-/688334/1912316/-/8941at/-/index.html","content":"Activists, MPs call for climate change policies - Parliament- Members of Parliament and the civil society are calling on the government to expedite the process of bringing to Parliament a national climate change policy. The MPs said the policy would provide guidelines for mitigating climate change and preventing environmental degradation at all levels. The draft policy is at Cabinet level but the legislators who sit on the parliamentary Forum on Climate Change were concerned about its delay. “Already there is a draft policy but the speed at which government is working is low,” Mr Eddie Kwizera, the Forum’s chairperson and MP for Kisoro, said during the workshop to review and evaluate climate change initiatives yesterday. Kalungu West MP Joseph Ssewungu said that in the wake of the oil discovery, a national climate change policy must be brought to Parliament urgently to check environmental hazards resulting from human activities in the exploration and exploitation of oil wells. Uganda is apparently seeing changes in its rainfall patterns as a result of global warming, which is causing average temperatures to increase. According to predictions, it will affect everyone and will have serious impact on the country’s health, environment, food and water supplies. Ms Tracy Mugumya, the coordinator of Africa Climate Change Resilience Alliance, emphasised the need for thorough research by policy makers and the government to enable them make decisions on climate change based on sound science. She noted that the adverse impacts of climate change were already being experienced in Uganda through rising temperatures, melting ice caps, prolonged droughts, shifting rain patterns and prolonged floods. “Policy makers need to understand and get updated on the most significant risks within the country such as sector specific information, data base; climate change trends, impacts, needs for adaptation and mitigation and the need to mobilise research funding,” Ms Mugumya said. mnalugo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Farmers--groups-can-now-insure-their-crops--livestock/-/689860/1909904/-/4rj11z/-/index.html","content":"Farmers’ groups can now insure their crops, livestock - A few years ago, Moses Mugabi, a resident of Kyangwali Sub-county, Hoima District, lost a three-acre garden of maize during a storm. His biggest fear was the famine that was likely to hit the area because the communities rely on farming as a source of income and food. The other was whether his children would go back to school.He had secured a loan to expand his farmland. That, too, was another stress factor. Every year, thousands of acres of gardens are destroyed by floods and storms and thousands of livestock are lost.A 2012 study showed that farmers will have to incur more losses caused by climate-related conditions as there is no insurance scheme for the agricultural sector. Mr John Ariko, a consultant at Friends Consult, which conducted the study, said, “This is partly due to a lack of technical expertise and distribution capacity of insurers to develop and service agricultural insurance.” The study was commissioned by Uganda Co-operative Alliance to explore the feasibility of agricultural insurance with emphasis on weather index insurance. Research indicated that in eastern and northern Uganda, 53 per cent of what farmers may have obtained was lost due to climatic related conditions. But a group of six insurance companies, led by Lion Assurance, have launched an insurance product aimed at farmers. Known as Kungula Agrinsurance, it is will also be offered by the other firms; APA, UAP, FICO, NIKO and NIC.“The policy comes in two packages including Livestock ARM Insurance and Crop Indexed Insurance;” said Mr Newton Jazire, Lion Assurance’s Managing Director. To access the livestock insurance, one is required to pay a non-refundable premium of two per cent to any of the insurance companies while financial institutions’ premiums are included as part of the loan package. Crop Indexed Insurance covers crop and pasture losses due to drought and excessive rainfall.The product however does not cater for individual farmers but farmer groups. Mr Peter Patel Ochiengs, chief manager, financial services development at aBi Trust, an agribusiness development organisation, noted this initiative follows the realisation that the agriculture sector is usually ignored by the insurance industry because of the risks associated with it. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Food-prices-stable-despite-floods-destruction/-/689860/1909892/-/gkcfw0/-/index.html","content":"Food prices stable despite floods destruction - On May 1, Kasese District was hit by floods when a number of rivers, Nyamwamba, Nyamughasani and Mubuku burst their banks, leading to loss of lives, destruction of property and erosion of gardens. The crops that were most affected by the floods are cassava, maize, groundnuts and beans, which are grown for both subsistence and commercial purposes. They are sold in markets within the district, in the neighbouring districts and countries like Rwanda, D. R. Congo and South Sudan. Income affectedIn a rapid assessment report of the floods, John Thawite, the district information officer, indicates that the destruction was an estimated 1,000 acres of land covered by these crops. The most affected sub-counties were Karusandara, Kyondo and Bwesumbu. Though livestock was not spared, it was minimal: 100 chicken, six cows and two goats were killed.Uganda Red Cross Society put the number of the affected at 25,445 persons from 3,965 households as it launched an appeal of Shs1.8b in assistance. An official in the district agricultural office, who declined to be named because she is not the spokesperson, said destruction of farmlands would lead to food insecurity in the district and reduced income earnings for the farmers. “The foodstuffs sold in the local markets are mainly from those areas. So, with no alternative source, there will definitely be a shortage in the market. Also, there are farmers whose crops were completely washed away and their gardens are now covered by silt and rocks. The incomes of such farmers have been affected and it is going to be hard for them to bounce back since they may not be in position—financially—to clear their gardens to resume farming,” she explained. ProjectionsIt was projected that there would be a general increment in the prices of foodstuffs in the markets since the demand is more than what can be supplied. However, analyses of food prices and markets around the country done by FIT Uganda, a business development consulting company, shows the contrary. These reports are published every month. The prices of foodstuffs in April (before the floods), May (when the floods occurred) and June (after the floods had occurred), do not show an upward trend as projected. Retail and wholesale prices of a kilogramme of fresh cassava were Shs2,000 and Shs1,000 in April, remained the same in May, and even dropped to Shs1,000 and Shs500 in June. For cassava flour per kilo, it was Shs1,000 and Shs750 in April, dropped to Shs900 and Shs700 in May and to Shs600 and Shs500 for the retail and wholesale prices. A kilogramme of groundnuts at retail and wholesale, it was Shs4, 100 and Shs3,750 in April, dipped slightly to Shs4, 000 and Shs3,700, then rose to Shs4,500 and Shs4,000 in June.Nambale beans were at Shs2,000 and Shs1,800 per kilogramme in April. These prices remained the same in May. In June, both retail and wholesale prices reduced to Shs1,900 and Shs1,650. A kilogramme of maize grain was Shs1,100 and Shs950 in April, and Shs800 and Shs750 in May. But, in June, the prices increased to Shs1,000 and Shs800 at retail and wholesale respectively. For maize flour, it was a downward trend at retail, Shs 1,900, Shs1,800 and Shs1,600 in April, May and June. At wholesale, it was Shs1,700 per kilo in April then dropped and settled at Shs1,400 for the next two months. Yet to be seenPatricia Kyosimire, who works at FIT Uganda, attributed the price behaviour to the fact that since most affected people were getting relief items from the government, other organisations and individuals, the effects of the floods on food supply have not yet been realised. “The envisioned increase in price will be seen after a sizeable amount of time, when data from the different months has been analysed,” she explained.Fews Net Uganda, which monitors the food security in the country, highlighted this point in its May report. “Temporary displacement camps established in Kasese have been closed and the affected areas are transitioning from emergency to recovery phases.” Not reflectedIt adds: “Destruction of roads, bridges may interrupt flow of food commodities causing temporary shortage in urban areas. The extent of crop area damaged by water logging and potential impacts on food security this season is yet to be assessed.” According to the rapid assessment by Kasese District authorities, 25 bridges were destroyed and seven roads spoilt, blocked or submerged.Kabarole, Ntoroko, Bundibugyo and Kamwenge are the other districts, which experienced floods though Kasese was worst hit. These are producers of agricultural commodities though the extent of availability and impact is yet to be reflected on the market. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Land-use-patterns-in-Uganda-s-drylands/-/688334/1910120/-/14i12xsz/-/index.html","content":"Land use patterns in Uganda’s drylands - Land degradation is widespread and most pronounced in the drylands, which stretch along a southwest-northeast diagonal across the country. This is popularly known as the ‘cattle corridor’, which ranges from the south-western areas of Mbarara, Kiruhura, Isingiro, Ibanda, Lyantonde, Sembabule, Masaka and Rakai districts through the mid-central districts of Soroti, Kumi and Nakasongola, to the north-east, in the Karamoja region. The drylands - covering approximately 84,000 km2 of the country’s land area - account for some 90 per cent of the national cattle herd. Land degradation has led to lowering of economic livelihood options and increased poverty among pastoralists and agro-pastoralists alike. Land use change in this area within the last 5-10 years indicate shifts from low stocking to keeping greater numbers of cattle, retention of bushlands to intensive thinning for pasture, sustenance of native trees to their commercial extraction for wood, and retention of agriculturally marginal lands for livestock keeping, wood production, and collection of non-wood products to their clearing for cultivation. There is evidence that the cattle corridor has experienced large-scale land clearing and conversion over the past several decades and currently, it is estimated that 9 per cent of the land is lost annually to land clearing. The rainfall is irregular and the region experiences periodic drought and increasing frequency of floods."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Religion/FOURTH-DIMENSION---Is-it-nothing-to-you/-/689744/1907106/-/ewiosrz/-/index.html","content":"FOURTH DIMENSION : Is it nothing to you - The fuel fire accident that killed our people along the Northern bypass reminded of these words written in the book of Lamentations 1:12 -13: “Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by.....? Look and see! Is there any pain like mine? The Lord has afflicted me, he has inflicted it on me when he burned with anger.......” These words were the lament of Prophet Jeremiah over the people of Israel for the trouble they were going through and no one seemed to care. They also spoke of the pain Jesus was to go through for the sake of a people who would ignore his work as the Saviour. These words were an appeal for more than sympathy. It was a cry for empathy from all those who had eyes and dared to pass by. I believe we need to raise this cry again to the people of Uganda. Tragedy befalls us and we simply look on with the common words “Kitalo” meaning sorry. We are getting too used to tragedy and simply moving on in life without a flinch. This is not healthy for any nation. We have perfected the song of what is the government doing and incessantly repeated the chorus of see what is happened to this nation. We readily accuse the police of incompetence and systems that are long dead. Like the priest and Levite in the story of the Good Samaritan, we have learned to look elsewhere and explain the reason why things go wrong and nothing is apparently done. We go on with our lives like nothing serious and tragic has happened. Again I say we shouldn’t get used to tragedy. Our hearts should be heavy with sorrow for the landslides that happened, for the floods in Kasese and now the fire incident. These disasters demand that we open the empathy chamber in our hearts. The prophet in Lamentations asks the question we must all answer: ‘ is this nothing to you all that have seen these incidents?’ We cannot excuse our lack of compassionate saying the victims were boda-boda riders. They were wrong in their actions that put their lives at the risk of the fire which eventually enveloped them. But they are our people, Ugandans at that. Moreso, they represent the mindset we have built over time in the name of democracy. We are focused more on security than the need of safety of life. This needs to be changed. Safety must become part of regular and common thinking in everyday living. Boda- boda riders need to be helped to understand that they are part of society that lives under the laws of this land. They should not be given the notion that they belong to their own caste in the nation. They should be treated with dignity and also required to always submit to the law of the land. The disasters we have faced are pointers to more pertinent issues in our land. We cannot afford to simply to on in life as if these occurrences mean nothing."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Why-did-President-Museveni-give-money-to-fuel-fire-victims-/-/806314/1905944/-/5qysiq/-/index.html","content":"Why did President Museveni give money to fuel fire victims? - I appreciate the government and particularly the President for standing with the nation to mourn and support the victims of the fire incident along Northern By-pass recently. Considering that majority of the victims were motorcyclists whose families depended upon for daily survival, their death may have implications on continued access to food, accommodation, healthcare and education for the children left behind. The question, however, is, how special was this event and those affected that it necessitated compensation than the victims who have perished due to neglect by health workers, floods, bad roads and other insurgencies? People lost their dear ones, businesses and homesteads during the days of the ADF rebels, in Kasese, Bundibugyo and the surrounding places; the war in northern Uganda; and the landslides in Bududa, Sironko, Manafwa and Kisoro Districts. Health facilities such as Kibiito, which was destroyed by an earthquake and condemned for many years still lies in the same state without attractingany attention. We have not heard the government pledging to support Kilembe Mines Hospital which was recently flooded and many of its units rendered inaccessible. These facilities are important health service delivery points to thousands whose lives are also at risk of demise. Supporting their rehabilitation will save many lives and save the government of the compensations extended to those affected. We should be looking beyond the compensation and asking ourselves some basic questions. If it is true as reported that the victims of the fire first overran the truck, including assaulting the driver, this act alone in itself is criminal and should be investigated. Motorists, who have been involved in accidents with the motorcycle riders even when, the motorcyclists are on the wrong, have been assaulted. Boda bodas are emerging as a team of unruly persons who should be brought into check. There is wide belief that many riders are employed by well connected individuals who have invested in the motorcycle business. Their masters should have been the ones to compensate the victims not the government. The complexity of this action is why other people who have faced similar situations were not compensated by the government or whether it will now become official policy to compensate disaster victims. Compensation budgets should then be drawn in every ministry so that in the face of disasters, the victims are compensated by the appropriate ministry. Paul Mayende, pmayende@baylor-uganda.org There was a lot of controversy after the fuel fire that claimed lives on the Northern Bypass. But what perturbs me the most is President Museveni’s compensation to victims and their families. I am not sure if the President is aware that he was giving criminals taxpayers’ money. They are criminals because they were stealing fuel. The government should desist from such extravagance in a country where all the major sectors are in financial turmoil. If the President wants to help, he should give money to the youth through the youth fund so they can revamp and boost their businesses. Muhammad Kyagulanyi, muhammadkyagulanyi@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Northern-Bypass-turns-into-death-trap/-/688334/1901408/-/l6m7ucz/-/index.html","content":"Northern Bypass turns into death trap - When the government allocated money for the construction of the Northern Bypass that would ease traffic jam in the city, so many people were happy. Some residents with plots near the bypass anticipated to have a paved road while others foresaw ease of traffic. Indeed, when the first phase of the bypass was completed, residents around the areas were able to reach the city centre in minutes. The bypass reduced the number of heavy trucks driving through the city centre and the time spent in traffic jam. But it was not anticipated that the road would turn into a death trap and bring misery to many. Residents around Namungoona, Kalerwe and Kawaala areas complain that the road, which passed through the wetland, blocked the water flow causing flooding in their areas. In 2007, residents met their then MP, Ms Beti Kamya, to seek compensation from Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) since their houses were affected by the floods, which killed several elderly persons and children who could not escape whenever it rained. Ms Kamya yesterday said the problem was caused by poor design of the road that had poor drainage system leading to flooding. “Up to now the problems still exist. Floods continue sweeping residents some were not compensated by the government while others were given very little money that they couldn’t use to construct houses in other areas,” Ms Kamya said.Now Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is planning to allocate Shs20 billion in redesigning the drainage channels on the Northern Bypass after residents complained of increased flooding. Both KCCA and UNRA are prioritising the redesign to have bigger water drainage channels and an intersection instead of the roundabouts. The sharp corners and narrow roundabouts have been the cause of so many accidents. The problem was so prominent when the road had just been opened until the head of the traffic police ordered the deployment of police in sharp corners to control speed and help truck drivers negotiate the corners. Before Mr John Nasasira left the Works ministry, he said the Northern Bypass design did not provide enough space for cyclists and pedestrians. So, he said, the motorists, pedestrians and cyclists have to compete for space which would later cause fatal accidents among pedestrians and motorcyclists, especially at night. The Kampala Metropolitan Traffic Commander, Mr Lawrence Nuwabiine, often attributed accidents to cases of drunk-driving which prompted him to erect traffic checkpoints with officers armed with breathalyzers. Northern Bypass, was recently constructed, starts from Busega Roundabout and ends at Kireka near Mandela National Stadium. The bypass, sandwiched by gazetted wetlands, is also home to the most notorious criminals who waylay their victims at night. Suspected criminals are taking advantage of the darkness and shortage of security officers on the road to block motorists with cattle that they chase into the middle of the road before attacking them. “When the motorists stop, the thugs run with weapons and order the drivers to move out of their cars. The thugs then rob money and property before taking off,” Mr James Kalanzi, a resident said, adding that female pedestrians are also attacked by muggers and rapists. The Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, attributed the problem to lack of coordination between the police divisions that share the road. “Since it is a major highway, we have given it to the Integrated Highway Patrol Unit to manage it. They have motorcycles and cars. They will also be backed by foot patrols that will operate 24 hours,” Gen Kayihura said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/The-claim-that-taxpayers-will-fund-most-/-/689364/1893822/-/12vdjwkz/-/index.html","content":"The claim that taxpayers will fund most of the Budget is misplaced - Count me out of the euphoria that followed the Finance minister’s pronouncement while presenting the 2013/14 National Budget, that Uganda’s taxpayer will foot 80 per cent of the country’s operating budget. Ugandans will continue to suffer inadequate health care, poor education facilities, grinding poverty, colossal cost of living and inadequate public services, and the reason we are given for these shortcomings is “budget-deficiency” - so how can we brag of budget sufficiency amidst such budget deficiency? As a car, road, house, cloth, hospital, school, phone, fridge and electricity are facilities invented by (wo)man to make her/his life better, so did s(he) invent finance-credit, as a facility to make the acquisition of the above named facilities, easier - but just like the other facilities, the finance-credit facility has to be paid for, serviced and managed diligently, in order to enjoy it. It, therefore, beats understanding when one who does not earn enough money for food, medicine, school fees, clothes and rent, won’t take available credit facility, yet brags about financial self sustainability, when the family are starving and ailing! Uganda’s per capita income is $447 while the sub-Saharan average is $600. 38 per cent of Uganda’s population live on less than a dollar a day, 80 per cent are peasant farmers who contribute just 15 per cent to the GDP, which they eke out of just 11 per cent of the arable land. Uganda is listed among the Highly Indebted Poor Countries and Least Developed Countries. Each year, about 1,000,000 children register to begin formal education at the age of six, but seven years later, only 450,000 of them take the Primary Leaving Examinations, and four years later, just 180,000 of them make it to the “O” Level examinations, the majority having dropped out of school before the age of 15! In the 1960s an average class had 30 pupils, in the 1970s it was 40 pupils, in the 1980s it was 50 pupils, and in the 1990s, it was about 80 pupils. Since Universal Primary Education was introduced in 1998, enrolment of pupils increased sevenfold, without a government plan for proportionate expansion of facilities, due to financial constraints!In Uganda, there are no medical facilities to write home about; Acholi children are still suffering with nodding disease, in Busoga jiggers are part of the body-building-blocks, in Karamoja it’s famine, in Kasese the floods destroyed so much... but the government is bragging about financial independence amidst this deficiency! There is nothing dishonourable about taking credit facilities to solve problems, indeed, credit facility was created for that, that’s why the world carries credit cards around. What is dishonourable is failure to service one’s loan and to dishonour obligations under the credit arrangement. I would have been proud if the Minister of Finance had banned grants and instead pledged to negotiate attractive credit facilities to address the nation’s numerous problems, but more importantly, undertake to service the credit facilities diligently, and showing the country how she will do this, such as through stringent expenditure and accountability measures. Unfortunately, bragging of reduced budget support under Uganda’s current miserable circumstances is like a couple bragging that they would not take loans to take their ailing children to hospital or pay school fees, because they have enough money for the two of them to go out to dinner, fuel their expensive car and pay their domestic staff’s meagre wages! Ms Kamya is the president, Uganda Federal Alliance. ufapresident@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/120-killed-in-India-monsoon-floods---officials/-/688340/1888410/-/qj4920/-/index.html","content":"120 killed in India monsoon floods - officials - DEHRADUN Military helicopters carried out emergency food drops yesterday for thousands of people stranded by flash flooding from early monsoon rains which have killed at least 120 in northern India, officials said. The states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have witnessed torrential rains at least three times as heavy as usual since last week when the annual monsoon broke a fortnight ahead of schedule. Thousands of houses have been swept away in the flash floods and authorities are using helicopters to evacuate people and drop essential food supplies. “At least 110 people have died. The state government and the army are trying to rescue thousands of tourists who are stranded near the submerged valleys and Hindu shrines,” said Jaspal Arya, the disaster relief minister of Uttarakhand. Stranded pilgrimsArya said portions of a Hindu temple were washed away on Tuesday and about 10,000 pilgrims were stranded. “The Kedarnath temple is submerged in mud and slush. We just hope that it does not collapse,” Arya told AFP. Authorities have cancelled pilgrimage trips, fearing further rains and landslides in the state, often referred to as the “Land of the Gods” because of its many Hindu temples and Hindu religious sites. Officials in Uttarakhand, the worst-hit state, said about 200 cars, two earthmoving equipment and even a parked helicopter had been swept away by floods. The torrential rains began lashing the region on Saturday and local officials said 40 relief camps have been set up to provide food and water to locals and tourists."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Teach-application-of-practical-skills/-/806314/1885944/-/t09gqbz/-/index.html","content":"Teach application of practical skills - The Students Loan Scheme like a space shuttle has finally been launched and consolidated in the 2013/14 Budget. Whether it will sustain the stipulated trajectory remains a mystery. However, the million dollar question is: where will the beneficiaries of this scheme find jobs? If their hope is to snatch high paying government jobs, they may have to wait till the first drops of oil are sold. Ugandans must learn to apply the knowledge they have. Let us take an example of the lessons on personal hygiene. Many Universal Primary Education schools were established to eradicate ignorance. If school children were taught to apply hygienic practices like hand-washing, toilet use, bathing, utensil cleaning, shaving, nail cutting and oral health there would by now be no need to spend time and funds sensitising their communities about basic health practices. They should be agents of change in their communities. In geography we learnt about many multi-purpose and irrigation schemes and scored high grades. But have up to date failed to apply an any of that information to tackle floods and droughts in the country. Egypt which receives ‘left-over’ water of the Nile has utilised it and prospered more than Uganda and Ethiopia put together who host the lake reservoirs and sources of the White and Blue Nile. One way of channeling practical skills to students is by breaking the monotony of the abstract-oriented English Grammar laden lecture method and giving gifted local artisans a forum for passing such skills to learners in their vernacular. One donor funded project in eastern Uganda has setup a facility to train youths in skills like vehicle and motor cycle mechanics, baking among others by identifying gifted trainers to pass these skills in simple English and the local languages. The Ministry of Education should adopt such approach to transmit skills to students in institutions. In this era of information technology, many students have enrolled for ICT courses which is very good. However it is important to note that computers and other ICT equipment are just tools. One must have skills in certain application areas such as secretarial studies, accounting, art and design, technical drawing, architecture, mathematics and statistics to effectively utilise them. Without these, users can be cocooned into pointless e-mail, chatting, surfing social websites and viewing pornography. I have met ICT students boosting about hacking, cracking, Visual Basic, programming and PHP yet they can’t fill an A4 page with meaningful text. As much as it is impossible for a Ugandan to design a system or application software that outwits Microsoft Corporation, we can accomplish so much in by making use of the little we have been taught. It is high time we learnt the art of integrating information with practical application. Like the Bible says, head knowledge puffs up (causes one to boast) but love (patriotism) edifies (builds up). Charles Okecha, carlsok2@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/UGANDA-FINANCIAL-YEAR-2013-14-BUDGET/-/688334/1881922/-/b16889z/-/index.html","content":"UGANDA FINANCIAL YEAR 2013/14 BUDGET - I. PREAMBLE Your Excellency the President,Your Excellency the Vice President,The Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament,His Lordship the Chief Justice,The Right Hon. Deputy Speaker of Parliament,The Right Hon. Prime Minister,The Right Hon. Leader of the OppositionHonourable Ministers,Honourable Members of Parliament,Distinguished Guests,Ladies and Gentlemen. II. INTRODUCTION 1. Madam Speaker, in fulfillment of Article 155(1) of the Constitution and in exercise of the powers delegated to me by H.E the President, I beg to move that Parliament resolves itself into a Committee of Supply to consider: i. The Revised Revenue and Expenditure Estimates for the Financial Year 2012/2013; and ii. Proposals for the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the Financial Year 2013/2014 2. Madam Speaker, in March this year, Uganda’s long-term collective development aspirations as embodied in the Vision 2040, was launched by His Excellency the President. Vision 2040 provides a  roadmap to transform Uganda from a low income to a modern middle income country within 30 years. Vision 2040 requires a fundamental change on the way of doing things by Government and the Private Sector, to unlock the binding constraints to Uganda’s progress. 3. Madam Speaker, there are no quick answers to the challenges that face us today. The economic and social challenges we are working to address happened over several years and will take time to resolve. This requires patience and coordination. The Financial Year 2013/14 Budget seeks to continue towards socio-economic transformation, one step at a time. 4. Madam Speaker, consistent with our National Development Plan, the ruling Movement Party Manifesto and in pursuit of the Vision 2040, the theme for next financial year’s budget is “The Journey Continues: Towards Socio-Economic Transformation for Uganda”. The Financial Year 2013/14 Budget, like the one last year, will continue to focus on translating the Government’s strategic priorities into practice over the next year. Scarce resources have must allocated to reflect key Government strategic priorities within existing resource constraints. FINANCIAL YEAR 2012-13 KEY ACHIEVEMENTS 5. Madam Speaker, the interventions that I pronounced last year sought to restore macro-economic stability, accelerate infrastructure development, increase agricultural production and productivity,  improve the business climate, and achieve better service delivery, particularly in education and health. A detailed report of sector performance during the last year is provided in the Financial Year 2013/14 Background to the Budget. I wish to highlight the progress achieved in key areas. 6. Madam Speaker, the economy rebounded significantly growing at 5.1% last year. Inflation subsided and was recorded at 3.6% as at end-May 2013, a marked reduction from double digits at the start of the financial year. The volatility of the Uganda exchange rate subsided and currently averages around U. Shs. 2575. 7. Government registered significant progress in the implementation of budget for financial year now ending. In the works and transport sector, 845 kms of several national roads were fully or substantially completed; or have their construction on schedule. Construction of a further 88 km of national roads will commence shortly having had their contracts signed. In addition, the designs for 723 kms of several national roads has been completed, and procurement for contractors will commence. The rehabilitation of the Marine Vessel Kaawa was completed during the year, and now operates between Port Bell and Mwanza. 8. Madam Speaker, in the Energy Sector, the 250 MW Bujagali Hydropower project was fully commissioned during the financial year. In addition a number of small renewable hydropower projects delivering a total of 68.5 MW to the national grid have been commissioned. A total of total of 2,322 km of transmission lines were laid under several Rural Electrification schemes. 9. Madam Speaker, during the year, over 35,000 farmers directly benefited from provision of improved maize seed, in addition to accessing inputs such as fertilizers, under the commodity approach. Furthermore, a total of 13,486 kg of foundation seed for Arabica coffee, beans, maize and rice, were distributed to seed companies and farmer groups. To enhance irrigation for water for production, the rehabilitation of all the three irrigation scheme of Mubuku, Doho and Agoro is substantially complete. 10. Madam Speaker in order to improve accessibility to tourist sites, road access to several tourist areas is being rehabilitated. In order to enhance hospitality standards, 20 East-African Community - accredited hotel assessors were trained and the inspection of hotels accommodation was completed, to enable hotel grading and classification to be undertaken next financial year. The Hotel Training Institute at Jinja also had 390 students graduated in May 2013. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/How-climate-change-affects-farming-practices/-/689860/1872914/-/lhmawoz/-/index.html","content":"How climate change affects farming practices - There is evidence that the world’s climate is changing and threatening the world’s environmental, social and economic development, including the agricultural sector. In Uganda, climate change and increased weather variability has been observed and is manifested in the increase in frequency and intensity of weather extremes, including high temperatures leading to prolonged drought and erratic rainfall patterns. This changing weather patterns is making it difficult for farmers in the country to plan using the traditional knowledge the two planting seasons which seemed much easier to predict. Adverse effectsThese changing weather patterns have come with challenges such as tropical storms, wildfire, siltation, soil erosion, pests and diseases which are causing devastating loss to farmer’s yields. A report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicates that the earth’s average surface temperature has risen by 0.76 degrees Celsius and will continue to rise and cause adverse effects on the agricultural production of most farmers in the country and elsewhere. A senior meteorologist at the Ministry of Water and Environment, Mr Khalid Muwembe explains changes in climate is a big hazard to the farming community because its effects lead to poor yields which affect farmers’ livelihoods.He said previously the weather pattern indicated two good planting seasons, March to May and September to November which were timely and would enable farmers to follow the traditional trends of planting. Plan wellHowever, this trend has since changed because sometimes there is continued rainfall during the dry seasons and pronged dry spell occurrences during rainy seasons making it difficult for farmers to plan well. “The onset of the rainfall pattern in the olden days were timely and it was easier for farmers to follow the traditional planting trends but the extremes are now frequent with prolonged dry spells and heavy rains resulting into flooding which leads to poor yields and the disease burden is on the increase,” he said. According to him, if farmers carry out planting exercise in times of heavy rains, their crops will be washed and during times of drought the episodes of the pest and disease burden are high. A farmer who depends entirely on proceeds of his or her crop as well as animal husbandry will encounter loss leading to hunger, starvation, limited pasture and low production; farmers are therefore advised to rely on expert advice as to when they could engage in the planting exercise depending on favourable climate conditions. The principal climate change officer at the Ministry of Water and Environment, Mr Lawrence Aribo advises farmers not to plant on farm land with clogged water and for farmers living in mountainous areas, they are advised to practice terracing and lay farrows to reduce run offs from heavy rains. According to him, a good number of farmers living on the slopes of Mountain Elgon in Eastern Uganda and those from Mountain Rwenzori have been sensitised by his team to grow grass on the steeps of the mountain which is a modern practice of stopping run-offs from heavy rains. Forecasting changesAccording to expert opinion lowland ecosystems in most districts in Eastern Uganda are prone to floods and semi-arid areas like in Nakasongola District are prone to drought.This, therefore, means farmers residing in the cattle corridors will suffer in terms of looking for pasture for grazing their animals and those affected with floods will suffer loss of their crops. The climate change team is mandated with forecasting the changes in the weather to guide farmers and last forecast was done for the planting season March to May, the next forecast will be for the months June and July. In case the rains continue, experts will advise farmers on what best to do. However, the climate change experts are advising farmers to grow quick maturing crops such vegetables when there is prediction of prolonged dry spells and they are further advised to grow cereal crops which are tolerant to drought. 1 | 2 Next Page»alominda@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/French-side-Monaco-sign-Atletico-striker-Falcao/-/690266/1869534/-/1a7g4vz/-/index.html","content":"French side Monaco sign Atletico striker Falcao - MONACO The news that one of the world’s most sought-after strikers Radamel Falcao has moved to Monaco, who are not even in European competition next season, will have many fans scratching their heads and asking ‘Why?’. The answer, though, is easy. The Colombia forward, known as ‘The Tiger’, has joined for a transfer fee reported by media to be more than 50 million euros and for a net annual salary of 14 million euros at a Ligue 1 club situated in a special tax status area. That would put his salary above the two players widely regarded as the best in the world, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo. Falcao will also be representing a newly promoted team. The club have a great history but appear in front of an average crowd of 5,000 - something former players such as Thierry Henry have complained about in the past. Falcao leaves an Atletico Madrid side who have just beaten Real Madrid at the Bernabeu to win the King’s Cup final and finished third in La Liga to qualify for the world’s most prestigious club competition, the Champions League. Atletico usually attract 50,000 fans a game at the Calderon and the club the 27-year-old Falcao was expected to join were big-spending Chelsea who have won the Champions League and the Europa League in the last two seasons. After two-year spells at Porto and Atletico, achieving back-to-back top scorer awards as he helped the two clubs win the Europa League in 2011 and 2012, he could probably have had the pick of the continent’s top sides. But the move is not as clear as it seems. Falcao is a modern player in every sense of the word in that he is also part-owned by a third party who helped finance his moves to Porto and Atletico. Falcao, a devout Christian, was in floods of tears as he returned to the pitch after his final home game for Atletico last weekend and it is easy to believe the transfer is not his preferred choice. His agent is Jorge Mendes, one of the most influential in the game, with a stable that includes figures such as Jose Mourinho and Ronaldo and the three players Monaco have already attracted this month. Facts on Falcao Born: 10 February 1986Nationality: ColombianPosition: StrikerClubs: River Plate (2005-2009); Porto (2009-2011) & Atletico Madrid (2011-2013)Atletico stats: 46 league games, 35 goalsDid you know? Falcao became the first player to score a hat-trick in the Uefa Super Cup when he did so against Chelsea last September."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/The-river-god-and-twilight-tales-from-Kasese-District/-/689364/1869398/-/irmasb/-/index.html","content":"The river god and twilight tales from Kasese District - With five major rivers, Kasese District has the best drainage system in Uganda. There are five major rivers namely Lhume (Rwimi), Mubuku, Nyamwamba, Nyamughasani and Lhubiriha. The classification of ‘major river’ is based on the fact that they drain directly into Lake George (for Nyamwamba, Mubuku and Lhume) and Lake Edward (River Nyamughasani ad Lhubiriha). Otherwise a river like Nyamughasani has major tributaries worth mentioning: Dunguluha, Kanyambara, Rwembya, Muruseghe while Lhubiriha has Tako and Kabiira. And Nyamwamba has River Rukoki. Draining into the lake as the final destination of the rivers has been immortalised into common usage idioms. A man (or woman) who insists on getting to the end of a challenge may be tagged as ‘…one who reaches his destination like River Nyamughasani’. However, even before the floods shocked the nation, the rate of crop failure in such a water-endowed district was already a scandal bordering on disaster. But that is for another day.The floodsForget the playwright John Rugamba’s work of drama of the same name; these were real floods that left destruction in their wake. River Nyamwamba burst its banks and flooded Kasese Municipality, the housing facilities of Kilembe Mines Limited and farmlands in Karusandara Sub-county. Ditto for River Nyamughasani whose flooding eroded farmlands in the sub-counties of Kyalhumba, Kyondo and Kisiinga. River Mubuku too flooded and almost washing away a bridge and destroyed farmlands down river.Whereas the national media concentrated their coverage of the floods on the desperation in Kasese Town and Kilembe, the disaster in Kyalhumba, Kyondo and Kisiinga was great too.River mythologyThe Bakonzo are the ‘curators’ of the sanctity of the antiquated Mountains of the Moon; brought to you in the geography books as the Rwenzori Mountains. The Bakonzo, seeing the range of mountains as one entity, call it Ekitwe Kesya Nzururu (Mountain of Snow). They have a special relationship with the snow which offers water to the rivers. But we can still tell this story in a more prestine form: the rivers suckle from the breasts of the snow and then pass the milk (after digesting it into water, I guess) to nourish the fecund soils of farmlands. The remainder of the milk that the farmlands cannot take is later sent to the lakes. From the lakes, the milk is handed down to the famous Kalemba (River Semuliki) which takes it to the gods in a distantly misty land. In your geography books, River Semuliki drains into Lake Albert from where it joins the mighty River Nile on its way to Egypt (the land of the gods?). All this is known to any ‘well-brought up’ Mukonzo child.A man well-grounded in Bakonzo mythology (and sane enough to know the consequence) will not say the word Kalemba (the river of the gods) before eating anything. With all that water and drainage narrative, it is no wonder that the most important of the Bakonzo gods is the River God: Endyoka. Now, you just don’t mention Endyoka anyhow (and I hope writing it is exempted).No man (don’t mention women) may wish you death at the hands of Endyoka. The easiest escape is Ngakuha Ngwe (death at the hand of a leopard). My mother never swore the leopard because her father’s grandfather was killed by a leopard during a hunt that has remained in the family folklore. Neither did she swear Ngakuha Kasinini (death at the hands of dysentery) because her grandfather died of dysentery. She always referred to Endyoka as “The One”.Even as recent as we were growing up in the early 1970s, all the five major rivers had their oracular custodians. The custodian of River Nyamwamba was Mbura Musenyi, the father of the late Jerome Mbura-Muhindo (former NRC member and CA delegate for Busongora North). The oracular custodian of River Lhubiriha was Nyamambisi (raw meat) whose son Paul Byakatonda was an airman in President Idi Amin’s air force (and later served as President Museveni’s RDC).Mountains of the MoonAlthough the Bakonzo are not known for any academic pursuit in the study of stars, they have a special relationship with the moon. There is an adage that goes like: ‘…the mood is full when the moon is full’.On a full-moon night, particularly in the harvest period, star or sky gazing is a game. Young girls (and boys) watch the far-reaches of the beautiful skyline as the marauding clouds and the moon struggle in a non-fatal fight for supremacy of the ether-sphere. Yours truly still remembers with glee one day in 1972 when he joined the star-gazing game. The clouds’ evil attempt to smother the moon and the far-reaches of the sky played out as if they were real battles for survival. The intermittent wave after wave of cloud invasion were, as always, acts in futility; for the moon later re-appeared unscathed. The victorious moon was even more beautiful and rewarding to our cheers. The Bakonzo, ever the poetic, call a full moon ekighoma (drum) because of its resemblance to the drum top; Africa’s primal percussion instrument. The ekighoma (full moon) comes with deeper meaning: female fertility and the Bakonzo’s concept of the completeness of life. As the old truth goes, “…a full moon begets a full mood.”On a full-moon night preceding a big event like a wedding and suchlike, not even the devil would sap the graces and energies of humanity. That was the mood in Janet Biira’s home the night before the floods devastated her family and her day. She was supposed to marry her beau the next day; the day the river god chose to exact its retribution or vengeance. The wedding didn’t (couldn’t) take place because Janet Biira’s fiancée’s family lost two members and their house in Kilembe was destroyed. Damn the river god. Asuman Bisiika is the Executive Editor of the East African Flagpost"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/How-world-media-covered-Monitor-siege/-/688334/1868286/-/2sw7gt/-/index.html","content":"How world media covered Monitor siege - Kampala For so long a time, it has become increasingly hard for Uganda to appear in the international media for the good cause. Corruption, infringement on human rights, the hunt for Lord’s Resistance Army warlord Joseph Kony, floods in Kasese and landslides in the east, among others, have been the reasons for Uganda to appear in international media, save for last year when the country took headlines for celebration of the golden jubilee. On May 20, when police and other security agencies raided officers of two newspapers, Red Pepper and Daily Monitor, the latter which also houses radios KFM and Dembe FM, in search for a letter authored by Gen David Sejusa. The letter claims that there is a plan to assassinate senior military and government officials opposed to a secret plan to have the first son Brig Muhoozi Kainerugaba as the next leader after his father President Museveni. Since then, the international media has been awash with news from Uganda in regard to the closed media houses. US-based newspaper, the New York Times, for instance carried a story highlighting how the attack on the two media houses put President Museveni’s legacy of being one of the continents best leaders on the line. How the world reacted The following are edited extracts: The Times South Africa (May 16) Uganda plot blackoutSensitivities have been heightened by recent allegations that President Yoweri Museveni is grooming his son for power. Speculation is growing that Museveni, in office since 1986, is lining up his son, Kainerugaba Muhoozi, to succeed him - a move that would test loyalties in the ruling elite. Last week the Daily Monitor published a letter written by General David Sejusa in which he called for an investigation of claims of a plot “to assassinate people who disagree with this so-called family project of holding onto power in perpetuity”. Voice of AmericaPolice in Uganda’s capital have closed down the offices of the Daily Monitor. Earlier this month, the Daily Monitor published a series of stories about Uganda’s coordinator of intelligence services, General David Sejusa. Daily Monitor reporter Tabu Butagira told VOA about the police takeover of the newspaper’s offices. Miami Herald, USAUganda police raid newspaper over general’s letterUgandan police disabled an independent newspaper’s printing press after forcibly entering its premises to look for evidence against an army general who recently questioned the president’s alleged plan to have his son succeed him, witnesses said Monday.Alex Asiimwe, the Daily Monitor’s managing director, said in a statement that the company was “horrified by this act,” and the paper’s top editors later issued a joint statement saying press freedom is “under threat” in the East African country. A meeting Monday of the International Press Institute in Amman, Jordan demanded an end to the siege of the newspaper’s premises. The Daily Nation, KenyaUganda police shut down MonitorThe Uganda Police have closed down the Daily Monitor and its two sister radio stations, KFM and Dembe FM, declaring the newspaper’s premises a “scene of crime”.Security sources said the government is cracking the whip over media reports on the frenzy surrounding the prospects of President Museveni’s son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for the presidency, dubbed by the coordinator of Intelligence Services, Gen Sejusa as the “Muhoozi Project”.Monitor Publications managing director Alex Asiimwe described the situation as “very surprising and unfortunate”. Irish IndependentUgandan police shut down newspaper after anti-President letter Police have raided a leading Ugandan newspaper and disabled its printing press and website today after it published a letter about a purported plot to stifle allegations President Yoweri Museveni is grooming his son for power, a senior editor said.Uganda’s media regulator warned it would “penalise” excessive coverage about the Sejusa letter and a court ordered the Daily Monitor to hand over the document, a decision the newspaper has appealed. Guardian, LondonUgandan newspaper raided over Museveni plot claimPolice in Uganda have closed down a Kampala-based newspaper majority owned by Kenyan blue-chip Nation Media Group over its reports that high-level critics claim the president intends to hand over power to his son.Ugandan officials said they were looking for evidence that signature from senior military figures had been doctored to produce dissenting letters, according to the Daily Monitor. 1 | 2 Next Page»Independent UgandaUS criticises Uganda media attackThe US on May 21 criticised the raid of two newspapers and closure of two other radio stations saying the disruptions, no matter the justifications offered, risk having a chilling effect on the freedoms of expression and speech enshrined in the Ugandan Constitution. The Observer, Uganda Monitor, Red Pepper talks with govt deadlockedWhen a government minister outlined the stringent terms for the reopening of Daily Monitor, many thought the shutdown of the publication and its two radios—Dembe and Kfm - and the Red Pepper was about to be lifted.But reliable sources say the light at the end of the tunnel has begun to dim. BBC, Focus on Africa.The Ugandan government is being accused of interfering with press freedom after police raids on the offices of two of the country’s most popular newspapers.Last week, newspapers reported claims allegedly made by an army general that those opposed to President Yoweri Museveni’s son succeeding him risk being killed. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Parents-panick-as-Monitor-remains-shut-by-police/-/688334/1859728/-/5dpb0d/-/index.html","content":"Parents panick as Monitor remains shut by police - The closure of Monitor Publications by police on Monday has caused uncertainty to 80 students who have been benefiting from the company’s scholarship programme. The programme that benefits bright but needy students has been running since 2011.  Parents and guardians of the affected students are worried that they have not received school fees from Monitor publications Limited yet the second school term begins on May 27.  Mr Obedi Mugarura, the father of Miria Natweta, a pupil of Masheruka Girls in Bushenyi District, on Tuesday morning called the Monitor offices, expressing distress about the future of her daughter’s education.  “I don’t have money to pay school fees for this girl. She is bright please get for her other sponsors. We have just lost our relatives in Kasese floods and now Monitor is closed,” Mr Mugarura said.  Mr Emmanuel Sentamu, a parent of Arthur Ngobi Sentamu, said his son who is in Senior Two is likely to drop out of school if Monitor Publications does not give him school fees this term.  Similar concerns were echoed by Charity Kiganda, an orphan but a Monitor Publications scholarship recipient, who said her parent failed to access Monitor Publications offices on Tuesday because police had surrounded them. Ms Jackie Tahakanizibwa, the officer in charge of the scholarship programme, said parents and students should remain calm.  “We pray that Monitor resumes operations soon,” Ms Tahakanizibwa said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/This-Muhoozi-thing--is-it-a-project-or-projection-/-/689844/1856230/-/5yd6foz/-/index.html","content":"This Muhoozi thing, is it a project or projection? - In Kinshasa, we call it Radio Trottoir; in Kampala we call it Radio Katwe). In common English usage, this can be rendered as ‘the rumour mill’. Although the rumour that President Museveni could be grooming his son Brig. Muhoozi Keinerugaba to succeed him as head of state has been with us for some time, it remained just that: a rumour. It lacks the institutional sanction and sourcing. Enter Gen. David Sejusa. He ordered the Director General of Internal Security Organisation (ISO) to investigate the ‘rumour’ that there was a group of political and military actors planning to eliminate senior government officials ‘perceived’ to be opposed to the ‘Project Muhoozi’. And by that purely administrative action, Gen. David Ssejusa wittingly or unwittingly lent institutional credence to the rumour. The solidity (of course not the veracity) of the rumour is that it has now been mainstreamed for institutional adoption, review and response. For latest arrivals from Planet Mars, ‘Project Muhoozi’ is a cynical reference to President Museveni’s ‘rumoured’ desire to be succeeded by his son Brig. Muhoozi Kenerugaba. Project or projectionBut we need to look at this Muhoozi thing critically: is it a project or projection? Please accept our definition of ‘project’ as a work plan in the course of implementation. A ‘projection’ is an informed wish or expectation. I am not surprised that President Museveni would wish his son aims and shoots higher for the presidency. It is all natural that a father would support his son or daughter’s ambition. Show me a father who would not support his son’s ambition (project or projection) and I will show you a cruel father. But we have been with President Museveni long enough to know him better. The nearest Brig. Muhoozi Keinerugaba can make a short at the presidency of the republic will be in 2021.Even those accused of blindly supporting his phantom candidature know that President Museveni is likely to seek re-election in 2016. And as the head of the civil intelligence community, one would expect Gen. David Ssejusa to know or at least to appreciate this tangible reality. Because of the foregoing, Gen. Sejusa’s order for investigation did not derive or originate from actionable intelligence. He was merely politicking and creating a causa belli for his ‘political war’ with President Museveni. All in all, the controversy caused by Gen. Sejusa has multiple vortices: the Projection Sejusa and the Project Muhoozi. The overall objective of the Projection Sejusa is to challenging President Museveni and not the Project Muhoozi. Political oppositionSo, will Gen. Ssejusa join opposition politics? Whereas it is true that Gen. Sejus’a’s fall-out with the establishment is a negative score for President Museveni, he (Sejusa) does not bring any structural formation to the opposition save for his fire-stoking abrasive character. What Gen. Sejusa brings is that acknowledgement there is high level of unanimity across the political divide in the call for change. However, what is in issue is how and who offers the leadership in the management of that ‘change’. The NRM (or actually President Museveni), perhaps because of vested interests like regime survival, seems to have abdicated its historical role of managing the transition. The only thing Museveni seems to be offering is the rumour of Project Muhoozi. So-called ‘Project Muhoozi’ represents what President Paul Kagame of Rwanda called ‘Change in Continuity’. I must confess that I find the idea of ‘Change in Continuity’ tempting for the Ugandan situation. But it needs good management not coercion. After a lengthy presidency of over 30 years, the country will need some kind of breather in a weak presidency (whether it comes from the opposition or government side). And the immediate future stability of the polity will depend on how we, as a country, manage this ephemeral period. Which brings in the political opposition. There has been a strong feeling that the opposition should unite and filed a single presidential candidate. And that this would (could) give them some kind of psychological leverage over the population. 1 | 2 Next Page»The challenge is: how does the political opposition take advantage of the open disagreements or fall-outs in the NRM or army? Almost all the 1986 Class that are still with the regime have either made mistakes by omission or commission. I personally don’t see the person and character of David Sejusa fitting in such grand arrangement of a united opposition poised to take over power. I know that there are places in Uganda where the population would feel uncomfortable with Gen. Sejusa as President. AnecdoteI must confess that I have a personal problem with Gen. Sejusa; and here…The relief programme for the people displaced by floods in Kasese was going very well with all the right ingredients in place. Hon. Musa Echweru, the Cabinet minister co-ordinating the relief efforts is conversant with the area, having worked there as RDC. He is also married to a home girl who grew up in the shadow of River Nyamwamba. If you don’t mind, may add that Musa Echweru’s wife and I share a grandfather: Ibrahim Kyabihire from whom I take my first name Ibrahim. Now, when the nation was concentrating on the challenges of our people in Kasese, in comes Gen. David Sejusa tempting the hounds (media) off Kasese. Courtesy of Gen. Sejusa, the Kasese story is now off the front pages. And you think I should not get angry with Gen. Sejusa? Asuman Bisiika is the Executive Editor of the East African Flagpost « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/Namanve-and-Ssonde-become-more-attractive/-/689858/1852476/-/61f870z/-/index.html","content":"Namanve and Ssonde become more attractive as population shoots up - The population of Uganda as per at least 2012 was 33.5 million with 1.5 million living in Kampala the capital city. With the growth rate estimated at 3.3 percent, this means that the population can only go higher. A higher population inevitably puts pressure on a county’s resources and the housing sector has not been spared. As the population grows, the opportunities for quality, available housing may become an issue. More people crowded into less space is not a good combination in any locality. The areas in inner Kampala and the surrounding areas ; Bugolobi, Nakasero, Kololo, Kireka, Banda, Nalya, Namugongo have been filled up and land prices have gone up over the years. Its only inevitable that the population keeps spreading out to some hitherto ignored areas. Namanve and Sonde may not have been choice areas of residence a few years back but are becoming very viable in this light. Sonde is found on the undulating plains of Misindye Ward in Gomba division, Mukono district. However, for the highly geographical mind, the area is situated in Mukono, Uganda with geographical co-ordinates of 0° 24ˈ 0ˈˈ North, 32° 42ˈ 0ˈˈ East. The area is closely neighbored by Namugongo to the West and Mukono town to its East. Sonde, is located next to Namugongo, a place which, a few decades back was just a pilgrimage site but which has now become a booming surburb. Sonde is divided into four different zones which are; Sonde central, Kasirize Sonde, Sonde Ngoda and finally Kikulu Sonde. The area is only about sixteen kilometers from Kampala City Centre. Named after killer riverYawe Abubaker, who has for the last twenty years been a resident of Sonde and also currently doubles as the L.C1 chairman of the place says that the history of how the area came to be referred to as Sonde has never been told by anybody or even to anyone.“I have lived here for now twenty years, but not even my father has told me of the origins of Sonde as a name,” he notes, “And even Mzeyi Wasswa who came here a few years before I did has no clue on how the name came to be.” However, another resident of seemingly much ancient age who only identified herself as Hajati Kimberembere says that except for the fact that back in the day there was a very long river that flowed through the area and was always known to kill at least ten people every December and it had the name Sonde, nothing of certain can be told as to how the name came of mention. Why the area could be the next big surburb“You would hardly believe if I told you that five years ago, all this area, even where we are sitting now was previously a bush and as well covered with many swamps,” says Mr. Yawe, “But now, the story is different. A good number of both commercial and residential structures have come up which is a great indicator of development.”He adds that ten years ago, there was no trace of a school within the area, however, at the moment, residents are even complaining that the many schools in the area are taking over well positioned land which is suitable for setting up residential homes. Schools like St.Micheal International School, Faith High school, St. Catherine Primary school are among the many schools that stand out in the area. Sonde which is home to over 7,000 people is a major center for the bricklaying business which is mainly carried out by the youth in the area. This explains why real estate development in the place is at tortoise-pace growth, but at least steady. The area also boosts of sufficient water availability in the form of swamps, and so agriculture is a major employment tool in Sonde. The area security is also relatively stable. One of the police officers at Sonde police post noted with concern that in as much as for the past good number of years, the area has experienced undisputed stability and maximum security. Martin Ssewampamba, a resident in the area says that no one around his neighborhood has complained about theft before, let alone murder, thanks to the People’s Security Committee (PSC) which idea was started by the L.C.1 chairperson of the place.“Chairman and his people have tried so hard to make sure that through this committee, they ably deal with any security issues at hand and we cannot thank them enough,” the 22-year-old bodaboda man says. ChallengesSajjabi Noah, a resident says that the main problem affecting the area especially during the wet season is the over flooding Nakiyanja River which when it rains, makes it impossible for vehicles to cross over the road from Namugongo to Sonde. Some residents say that during this period, they experience the cousin to a tsunami.“Actually, if the problem of the flooding Nakiyanja river is dealt with and also the weather bound road, tarmacked, Sonde will become the next most sought for place in Mukono municipality,” says Mr. Yawe. NamanveNamanve on the other hand, is a swamp site which is mostly sparsely populated; most of it lies in Kiira Town Council in Wakiso district, but portions of it lies in Mukono District. According to residents of the place, Namanve was a thick and large forest where people we massacred at day or night time not until today when people began cutting down trees to create space for production and building of houses. A long time- resident, 71 year old Ketty Zalwango, the name ‘Namanve’ was derived from a swamp that was called Namanve, so when the railway line station was constructed passing through the Swamp, people would be heard saying, ‘am going to Namanve station’ thus the name caught on sparking off the whole forest place to be named Namanve until today. She also adds that the place has only three big zones which are Kazinga, Nantabulirwa, and Kireku which they share with Bweyogerere. LocationNamanve is located in Bweyogerere ward, in southeastern Kiira Municipality in Wakiso district, Central Uganda. About NamanveAccording to Gladys Semakula the wife to the LC1 chairman of Kazinga zone, “Namanve is divided into two grounds, one for the people living in the area and the other for the industrial park, but companies are forcefully pushing away the people around the area. In the early days when colonialism was at its peak, it was a forest reserve where trees were planted to avert floods and also provide fuel for running steam engines. At the time of civil conflicts and political confusion in the 1970s during Idi Amin’s era it was a dumping ground for dead bodies”. She adds that, “in the 1990s, it was then partly gazzeted for industrialization. 1 | 2 Next Page»But in more recent years, it has become a battle ground between land grabbers and the powers of environmental institutions getting eroded”. Then someone wonders why the government has blindly failed to tell-off the owners of the companies that build in the city centre, rather then killing people with sound and air pollution yet there is free land for them. Accesible to city centreJoshua Opedun a resident says, “Transport is shs2000-shs2500 to go to town by taxi and the same when coming back. He says it fairly cost one shs1500 in the afternoon to and from town”. Crime and developmentThe LC1 Chairman Edward Semakula says “development has been realised in the past seven years. Most people staying in Namanve have built self-contained houses unlike a few areas where the place was slummy”, Semakula predicts that with time , “the whole place will be covered by various companies which are already showing interest in buying off all the owners of the land”. Booming business parkThe place has got companies like, Tororo cement factory. Azam Company, Namanve Railway Station, Coca-Cola Bottling Plant, Rwenzori Mineral Water Bottling Company, Red Pepper Publishing Company, Kampala industrial and Business Park, crested tanks, Darling hair and Cosmetics Company, B.AT, steel and tube industries, Hima cement and Roofings among many others. This has made many workers shift to these areas because jobs are available. Some employees who have been working around these companies for years have bought land around the area. However Semakula says, “iron-bar hit men have greatly increased, people are killed and injured almost every time”, when I asked him of his counter parts the police, he told me the criminals are far many than the policemen who have barely taken a year in the area and he says the criminals know how the police and his team operate, thus out-smarting them in everything. He says the place is very dangerous from 9pm onwards and also early in the morning from 5am to 6am one can barely walk to the main road without being attached”, he also disappointingly adds that, even as early as 7pm a robber can snatch away your bag. But this has not dettered people from settling in the area. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/He-earns-Shs120m-from-fish-a-year/-/689860/1852170/-/jg6xo4z/-/index.html","content":"He earns Shs120m from fish a year - I am Mitusera Bainomugisha from Iryango village in Kabuyanda Sub county in Isingiro District. I started fish farming in 1983 with three ponds after realising that that there was scarcity of fish in the area. So, I bought tilapia fingerings from Kajjansi fish centre in Kampala.My intention was to have enough fish for my family and sell the surplus to my neighbours. As time went on I realised that demand was very high and I could not satisfy the market and then decided to venture into commercial fish farming. Setting upI started adding on ponds up to the current 30 and I diversified from tilapia to others like milacap and catfish locally known as emale. My venture has since grown into a multi-million business. A pond stocked with 10,000 catfish yields Shs100m per harvest. Each fish goes for Shs10,000 to Shs150,000 depending on the size. The size of the farm is currently sitting on three hectares with the capacity to expand to about 100 ponds from 30. About six years ago, I was advised by Dr Justus Rutaitsire from Kajjansi fish centre to merge the small ponds and turn them into commercial ponds, which can accommodate about 10,000 fish fingerings. My investment plan is estimated at about Shs3b and is able to create about 500 jobs both for technical and casual labourers. The plan includes a hatchery, fish feeds factory and cold storage stores.Currently, I employ 12 permanent workers and 50 casual labourers, especially during the harvest time. I still have a small labour force because out of 30 ponds only 12 are in use, others are not in use because of floods that have rendered them undrainable. The well-planned farm has just received power from the national grid but still needs an excavator to dig new ponds. ResearchI carry out research at Nyamitanga in Mbarara and the results have been positive. I have found out that the local feeds. I make from fish bones, banana peels, green vegetables and maize bran produce better fish fillet than the floating feeds. I have also found out that Nile tilapia can eat green leaves of cabbage, dodo and other green leaves. Fish also takes eight months to mature with average feeding thus it is not possible to harvesting twice in a year for an ordinary farmer. EarningsFrom the 12 functional ponds, I am able to earn about Shs120m per annum.Tilapia takes eight to 10 months to mature and each goes for Shs5,000 while catfish takes six months.I normally sell catfish between Shs 10,000 to Shs20,000. I harvest the mature fish when I get an order from my potential customers, who are mainly locals from the area and depending on the number of fish they want. I also sell the fish on market days in Kabuyanda, to different individual clients and in Mbarara central market. While my intention is to even export to neighbouring countries in the East African region, I currently sell in Mbarara and Isingiro districts while some of sales are done at home. I also earn from selling fingerlings, which I supply to individual farmers in Kabale, Bushenyi and Rukungiri.Each tilapia fingerling goes for Shs200 while for catfish, it is Shs300. ConstraintsThe biggest complaint I have is that the road drainage system in place has blocked the free flow of the water in the wetland forcing water back into the ponds. This has led to flooding of the ponds thus mixing the different fish in different ponds. I have fish in the 18 ponds downstream, which cannot be harvested due to the floods. They have made it impossible to drain the ponds using the pipes because the water level in the ponds is at the same level like that of the stream. It is also high for using the nets. I have not bought a boat to use because it would be very costly. The land is relatively flat with a small angle of inclination downstream. This needs an expert to design it in such a way that culverts are not clogged. I have not able to harvest 18 ponds for the last one year yet they are full of fish. There has been a mix up of cat fish, milacap with tilapia and about 20 million fish fingerings, which I was to supply to government as per the order I had received. This is making me lose a lot of money. Expert take: Some facts about fish farming In Uganda, North African catfish is the most preferred specie that farmers prefer because of its ability to feed on anything organic at household level, grows fast and is favoured in the regional market. It also does well in all waters especially in swamps. It has overtaken Nile tilapia and is estimated to account for 60 per cent of aquaculture production in the country. The second best rated fish for subsistence farmers is tilapia, which also has good market for the local population. High potentialFigures from the Department of Fisheries shows these are two key species cultured in Uganda contributing over 90 per cent of the total aquaculture production. Output for catfish has overtaken tilapia with an annual production of over 3,8500 tonnes. However, with the government setting up conditions for export to premium markets and the investors’ interest in tapping this market, tilapia, currently at 1,632.5 tonnes, will overtake catfish in a few years, given its international market position.Uganda has high potential for commercial fish farming given the vast water bodies and rivers and especially in areas, which have wetlands. Ponds, dams and small lakes are able to produce fish once well tapped. Suit the needsCases in point are Lubirizi and Kabarole districts, which have many crater lakes. Various fish species can be reared there to suit the needs of the communities that live near them while also focusing on the commercial aspect. 1 | 2 Next Page»Farmers at the subsistence level have been building ponds measuring from 50 to 100 square metres. However with rising market prices for fish and government intervention, there is a quest for profitable production. And, with the stagnating supply from capture fisheries, farmers are beginning to build more and larger ponds of 1,000 square metres or more. They are also using higher stocking densities especially for catfish. These developments are driven by commercial interests of farmers with access to land and reasonably large families, which provide labour or who have the ability to harness labour. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kasese-floods--Rebuilding-of-hospital--bridges-begin/-/688334/1851334/-/ks3uyfz/-/index.html","content":"Kasese floods: Rebuilding of hospital, bridges begin - KASESE The government has started rehabilitating major infrastructure that were damaged by floods that hit the Rwenzori sub-region two weeks ago. The repairs started last week on Kilembe Mines Hospital, and Katiri and Mubuku bridges.The floods that hit mainly Kasese District displaced about 19,000 people and destroyed property, including Kilembe Mines Hospital that was forced to close. The coordinator for emergencies in the Office of the Prime Minister, Maj Gen. J.F Oketta, told this newspaper on Saturday that works started to rebuild the devastated infrastructures. “We have started work on the hospital which we want to open soon. We are working on Katiri bridge in order to re-divert water from entering the hospital and more work is being done on Mubuku River to open the highway that has been closed, ” said Maj. Gen. Oketta, adding that they hope to complete the work in the coming few weeks since the rains have reduced. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kasese-floods-separate-boy-from-family/-/688334/1848564/-/cvlihv/-/index.html","content":"Kasese floods separate boy from family - Kasese Ten-year-old Regan Mumbere was living happily with his family, enjoying the company of his brothers and sisters and comfort of their home until a fortnight ago when floods hit Kasese Town. The unexpected flooding of River Nyamwamba, which flows from Mt Rwenzori downstream through Kilembe Sub-county where Mumbere and his family lived, forced him and other residents to flee the area. He was lucky to survive the water that swept hundreds of homes and left at least six people dead. The floods forced his family to flee in disarray. Their house, which was located in Kanyaruboga Cell, was swept away and what remains of the former permanent house, is rubble. Not only have the floods left him homeless but he is also not sure of the direction the rest of the family took and he is uncertain whether his parents and siblings are alive. Mumbere, a son of Mr Zimonia Mbusa and Ms Betty Biira, is in a desperate search for his relatives but for the past one week, he has not registered any success. “I only remember my mother telling us to run when the water started coming. I saw her running with the other children but I do not know where they went,” he says. The Primary One pupil at Kyanzuki Primary School, said his father, a farmer, was away from home by the time floods hit the area. He recalls that the floods hit his home as lunch was being served.But their neighbours, a total of four households, were swept away and have all been confirmed dead.“I do not know where they might be. May be they climbed the hills of Kyambogho,” he said. Boda boda man rescues MumbereHe crossed Katiri Bridge to access Kasese Town and was picked by a boda boda motorcyclist who saw him wandering around town. “We saw the boy around Kilembe Stage, he looked terrified because it was already dark and we stopped him. He told us he was looking for his family members,” Mr Bakoko, a boda boda cyclist, said. Mr Bakoko helped Mumbere to move around the three local FM radio stations in Kasese to find out whether any of his parents came to announce the disappearance of their son. Unfortunately, his efforts have not yielded any fruits. The Kasese Municipality Mayor, Mr Godfrey Kabbyanga, said there is no family that has contacted the authorities searching for Mumbere. He advised the boy to join the camp at Kasese Primary School that has been set up by the government and humanitarian agencies to accommodate the thousands of families that were displaced by floods. “We need to get the boy in the camp and use that chance to look for the whereabouts of his family,” Mr Kabbyanga said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Lira-residents-fail-to-access-health-centre/-/688334/1847602/-/1c93h6/-/index.html","content":"Lira residents fail to access health centre - Mr Patrick Atepo, a resident of Abongorwot Village, in Agali Sub-county, Lira District lives in fear that his wife could develop complications during child birth due to failure to access antenatal services. Since the collapse of Aminojuka Bridge, residents of the sub-county have been finding difficulty in accessing Agali Health Centre III.“My wife cannot access Agali Health Centre III for services because of the bridge that has cut off the residents from accessing the centre,” Mr Atepo says. The bridge, which was washed away in 2011 by floods following a downpour, has never been repaired. Residents are now forced to trek 12kms to the health centre using an alternative route, instead of the previous four kilometres. Mr Atepo says he took his wife to the health centre for the first two antenatal services on a borrowed bicycle, but the bicycle owner is now not willing to lend it to him. Residents also say the failure to rebuilt the bridge is hindering agriculture in Agali Sub-county. Agriculture hinderedAmbrose Okuta, a National Agricultural Advisory Services officer, says farmers cannot access advisory services at the sub-county.He adds: “The situation has worsened and the farmers can no longer access market for their agricultural produce.” Agali Sub-county officials have allocated Shs5.9 million for the reconstruction of the bridge, according to the LCIII cairperson, Mr Denis Opio Agen. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kabarole-needs-over-Shs750m-for-bridges/-/688334/1847594/-/3njygpz/-/index.html","content":"Kabarole needs over Shs750m for bridges - Following the heavy rains that have pounded Kabarole District since last week, authorities say they need more than Shs750 million to repair the eight bridges that were washed away. The district chairperson, Mr Richard Rwabuhinga, told journalists on Tuesday that the rains had paralysed transport and communication. Most rivers in the district burst their banks, disconnecting access to Kateebwa, Kisomoro, Kabonero and Buhesi sub-counties. “People living in Kateebwa are in isolation and local leaders cannot go to the sub-county headquarters, people cannot access health services, expectant mothers have resorted to traditional birth attendants and business is on a standstill,” Mr Rwabuhinga said.In Kibito Sub-county, 55 homesteads were displaced after River Yerya burst its banks, with residents finding refuge at Nsagasa Church of Uganda. The chairperson feared for a possible outbreak of cholera since latrines were washed away. In Kasese District, Mubuku Irrigation Scheme, which cost the government some Shs19 billion, has been chocked by heavy rocks and silt. River Ssebwe, where the dam was constructed burst its banks, depositing heavy stones and silt.Kasese Woman MP Winnie Kiiza said: “We still have a lot to do to guide our people, especially those living on the mountain slopes. They need to adopt better methods of farming because one of the reasons causing these floods is poor methods of cultivation.” editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kasese-floods--pose--danger--to-tourism/-/688334/1846546/-/e6boafz/-/index.html","content":"Kasese floods pose danger to tourism - KASESE The week-long floods in Kasese District might have destroyed property and taken life, but they also could have taken with them another income generating activity. That the floods have destroyed roads, bridges, and vegetation, largely paints a grim picture in the tourism sector. The bridge to Nyakalengijo in Bugoye Sub-county, which is the entry point to Rwenzori Mountains National Park and the Kyanjuki bridge in Kilembe, were washed away, rendering transport difficult. But the manager Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area, Mr Nelson Guma, said: “We are in a low season [rainy] whereby there are no mountaineering services; we only receive mountain trekkers during the dry season”. Mr Guma said floods had a big impact on wildlife, especially where water collects itself, although he indicated they were yet to carry out an assessment of how the floods could have affected aquatic animals like fish. But the district fisheries officer, Mr Julius Baluku, said: “Floods have no problem on the lakes unless the water is polluted.” He neither confirmed nor denied reports that water from Kilembe mines and Kilembe hospital could be contaminated. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Floods-seal-off-Rakai-residents/-/688334/1846540/-/mdpq6f/-/index.html","content":"Floods seal off Rakai residents - Rakai More than 20 tourists were forced to cancel their adventure after transport from Kasensero Landing Site to Kakuuto Sub-county and Kyebe Sub-county, in Rakai District was paralysed following the bursting of the Katonga River. The Scottish team were on their way to Lukunyu Island, where they were to visit homes of the first HIV/Aids victims. The councillor, Mr Charles Njuba, said the bridge had been weak for the past six months. Meanwhile, about 1,500 residents living around the landing site have been displaced following the heavy floods caused by rising water levels of Lake Victoria. The LC1 chairperson, Mr Peter Mugerwa, said the intensity of the rains had caused the water levels to rise. “Many fishermen sleep in make-shift wooden houses, which were destroyed by the floods,” Mr Mugerwa said, appealing to the district authorities to come to their rescue. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kasese-floods-paralyse-tourism/-/688334/1846100/-/in8scez/-/index.html","content":"Kasese floods paralyse tourism - Rains that have pounded Rwenzori region for close to a week, causing devastating floods in parts like Kasese District, have dealt a blow to the tourism industry in the area. The region is home to national parks, crater lakes, hot springs among other attractions.  Last week, River Nyamwamba in Kasese district burst its banks and triggered floods killing 8 people and displacing about 3,000 residents. As a result, a sizeable number of tourists have cancelled their planned trips to various tourism sites in the region because they fear being trapped by the floods. Mr Nelson Guma, the Queen Elizabeth Conservation area manager, who is in charge of Queen Elizabeth and Rwenzori Mountain national parks, says the floods have cut off the popular route at Kilembe which tourists use on their way to climb Rwenzori Mountains.  Mr Guma says several small bridges that lead tourists to the mountains have also been washed away by the floods. Mr Edward Asilu, the Kibaale conservation area manager, says roads to Semuliki and Kibaale national parks which are popular chimpanzee tracking sites are soggy and impassable.  Last week, students of Seeta High School, Nalya Secondary School and Kings College Budo who were in Kasese on a study tour were trapped by the floods at Kilembe Mines."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Equip-regional-disaster-officers/-/689360/1845272/-/x7ph37/-/index.html","content":"Equip regional disaster officers - It is uplifting to know that the government has deployed regional disaster officers in all disaster-prone areas in the country to handle victims of floods that are currently ravaging different parts of the country. Media reports early this week reported state minister for refugees and disaster preparedness Musa Ecweru declaring that the government had deployed these officers in what appears to be an improved response to incidents of disaster. Floods have so far killed four people in Kasese, displaced thousands of people and destroyed property. The minister also said the government is setting up disaster risk reduction centres in all the 112 districts. Speaking at the opening of the disaster international workshop on Learning from Mega Disasters-the Great East Japan Earthquake and implementing lessons learnt in Uganda, the minister called for the training of district leaders in disaster issues.While training of district leaders is crucial, it is not adequate. The training can only be effective if the district leaders and officers are equipped with the necessary tools to exercise their duties. By now, it should be obvious that Uganda is prone to a multitude of natural and human-induced disasters that set back social development and impact on human lives by causing death, destruction of infrastructure and property. The World Bank disaster risk management specialist, Francis Muraya, was right to reiterate the urgent need for a paradigm shift in the country’s response to climate extremes from emergency response to drought and floods to enhancing resilience of vulnerable communities. As a newspaper, we have severally called for similar responses from the government. It is good to see that some steps are being taken but we must point out that it is disastrous for the government to go about disaster preparedness in a sluggish manner. Still, the chairperson of the Disaster Parliamentary Platform, MP Alex Byarugaba, was right to ask the government to install early warning systems given that Uganda’s early warning system is currently so poor that we sometimes have to depend on Nairobi. It is good to that the government has taken some measures but a lot remains to be done to avert and or reduce the devastating impact of disasters on Ugandans."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kasese-floods--Red-Cross-appeals-for-Shs1-8-billion/-/688334/1845460/-/11h4o0e/-/index.html","content":"Kasese floods: Red Cross appeals for Shs1.8 billion - Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) yesterday launched an appeal for Shs1.8 billion to help more than 18,000 people affected by the floods in Kasese District. At least 3,000 households have been affected. Many of them are currently accommodated at Kasese Primary School. Mr Micheal Richard Nataka, the secretary general of URCS, said the emergency funds would be used to facilitate both material and psychosocial needs of the affected people. “The funds will cater for provision of shelter like tarpaulins and construction kits, essential household items including cups, plates, jerry cans, mosquito nets, laundry soap, blankets, saucepans, and buckets, reviving livelihoods through provision of seeds and tool kits,” Mr Nataka said. He added that the funds would also help in the provision of psychosocial support to the affected families and purchase water purification tablets. Working with OPMURCS is working with the Office of the Prime Minister and district authorities to ensure that the victims of the floods are resettled. By Monday evening, at least 3,108 people from Bulembia and Nyamwamba divisions had been registered.Various teams are carrying out assessment to ascertain the total number of affected people with the URCS figures adding up to 19,161. The areas affected include Kilembe, Bulembya, Karusandara , Kitswamba, Kabarugira, Bugoye, Maliba and Kyalumba sub-counties. Fresh floods hit Kasese District at the weekend after River Nyamwamba burst its banks again, forcing more than 18,000 people out of their homes. The river, which flows from Mt. Rwenzori downstream through Kilembe Sub-county, had caused the displacement of thousands of people on Wednesday last week following a downpourThe dead are now said to be 10. River Nyamwamba is said to be prone to banks’s bursts, but the magnitude of the damage had not been seen in a long time. Places worst affected by the floods include Nyamwamba and Bulembia Divisions, and Kilembe Valley, Acholi Quarters, Kizungu, Nyakasanga, Base Camp, Kanyangeya and Kamuliquizi"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Two-more-dead-in-fresh-Kasese-floods/-/688334/1844362/-/12umlptz/-/index.html","content":"Two more dead in fresh Kasese floods - KASESE/KAMPALA The skies continue to open up, wreaking havoc in Kasese District, with the latest victims of the floods being two people who were trying to fix a bridge that was washed away last week. Yesterday’s deaths brought the total toll to eight since rains began pounding the western district last week and causing river banks to burst, unleashing raging floods on the previously calm town. The worst hit area yesterday was Maliba Sub-county, where sections of the village were submerged by floods from River Mubuku whose banks burst. According to Mr Abraham Kihoro, a resident, two brothers; Erias Bwambale and Kighoma Masereka, were washed away as they tried to fix timber on a broken bridge that connects Kasese and Kabarole districts. “The whole village had gathered at Kyoho Bridge and wanted to replace it with a temporary foot bridge so that people transact business easily. But while we were at it, big volumes of water came gushing and swept off the two brothers,” said Mr Kihoro. The area chairperson, Mr Constant Komu, said the bodies had been recovered, and that over 300 households were destroyed. Kakindo and Izinga villages are most affected. By press time, most of the people stranded in their submerged homes were still awaiting police and military rescue that had been promised. Defence Minister Crispus Kiyonga, who visited the flooded areas, called for more evacuation teams.Meanwhile, the Coordinator of Disaster in the Office of the Prime Minister, Maj. Gen. J.F Oketta, has said River Sebwe that supplies water to Mubuku Irrigation Scheme has also flooded and destroyed over 600 acres of crops. By yesterday, the government had brought excavators and efforts were underway to divert the water. Business hitTransport between Kasese and Fort Portal town was hampered after the floods cut off the road linking the two centres. Ms Jessica Amooti, who transports sweet potatoes to Kasese from Fort Portal, said their businesses were grounded. Traders in Kassindi, the busiest market in Kasese, said they were registering losses. Mr Joromo Kathungu, a clothes’ dealer, said he had received only two customers yesterday, compared to the average of 10 he received daily before the floods happened. Retired meteorologists returnThe government has announced that it will re-engage retired meteorologists starting July 1, as it moves to establish the Uganda National Meteorology Authority. The authority which was formed by an Act of Parliament comes into force in the coming financial year in response to the increasing frequency of natural disasters like floods, droughts lightning and landslides. Mr David Obong, the permanent secretary Ministry of Water, told journalists last evening that the growing impact of weather extremes worldwide cannot be ignored anymore because of the grave human and economic losses it causes. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/What-triggers-off-Kasese-river-banks-to-burst-/-/688334/1841358/-/qyi9x9z/-/index.html","content":"What triggers off Kasese river banks to burst? - Kasese River Nyamwamba is becoming a hazard to residents of Kasese Town after it burst its banks again leading to loss of lives and property. On Wednesday, floods left four people dead and more than 1,000 households homeless. The river, which originates from the glaciers of Rwenzori Mountains, flows through Kilembe Mines and is at least 15 kilometres downstream from the mines. Its main branch, River Rukoki, flows into a wide belt of wetlands bordering the north shore of Lake George. Human settlement in the area has been blamed for the degradation of the Nyamwamba river valley which affects the natural checks against floods. However, research by scientists from Makerere University and the Technical University at Braunschweig in Germany say mining has caused the greatest damage to the environment. Research findings published in 2005 indicate that for the past 20 years, heavy rains in Kasese have washed copper pyrites down slope into River Nyamwamba and Lake George where high concentration of iron, copper, zinc and cadmium have accumulated in water, plants and soil. There are fears that activities such as fishing and tourism are being endangered. The council has not revealed any plans to stop degradation from the mines but has attempted to evict squatters from the river valley. EvictionsRecently, the district announced plans to evict squatters from the Kahokya Wetland in Lake Katwe Sub-county but the exercise faced resistance from locals who demanded compensation before leaving. Research says 48 per cent of the wetlands in the district have been encroached on due to land scarcity. State Minister for Disaster Preparedness Musa Ecweru with a team from the Office of Prime Minister, Uganda Red Cross and district authorities visited the affected area yesterday. Relief trucks carrying items such as tarpaulins, sauce pans, blankets and mosquito nets, arrived on Thursday night. Also delivered were 100 bags of maize flour and 30 bags of beans targeting 400 families. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Floods--Kilembe-hospital-closes/-/688334/1840258/-/n8fk/-/index.html","content":"Floods: Kilembe hospital closes - At least 190 patients were yesterday evacuated from Kilembe Mines Hospital following floods that ravaged Kasese District on Wednesday. The floods destroyed most of the hospital’s vital units, forcing authorities with no option but to close it. “195 patients have been evacuated, 50 staff units washed away, medical stores, kitchen, mortuary, paediatric ward, private wing and other equipment, including the recently acquired X- ray machine were all destroyed,” said the medical superintendent, Dr Edward Wafula. Dr Wafula added that there was no power and water at the hospital, and that the facility will be reopened when the situation returns to normal. The floods claimed four lives, left many residents missing and property worth billions of shillings destroyed. But Dr Wafula, said no deaths or injuries were recorded at the hospital as ambulances from all corners of the district were seen ferrying patients to different destinations. Three bodies have been retrieved from River Nyamwamba after they were swept away by heavy floods. Mr Joseph Zukwa, the Red Cross Society Kasese branch chairperson, identified the bodies as those of Paddy Kalusu, a former district procurement officer, Kibusu, a primary school teacher and Kabugho. They were all residents of Kanyaruboga village in Kilembe Sub-county. Mr Gad Baluku, a Kilembe Mines Ltd worker, is still missing. UnknownMany of the missing people whose number is not yet known come from Karusandara Sub-county. Drivers plying the Fort Portal-Kasese road yesterday morning said they could not reach Kasese Town due to the debris deposited on the road by floods at Nyakasanga. Four bridges at Katiri, Mburakasaka, Kyanzuki and Bulembia in Kilembe were all washed away. Mr Zukwa said more than 800 people displaced from their homes have temporarily taken refuge at Kicementi near the hospital awaiting relocation to other places. Among the stranded people are 280 students of Seeta High School, Naalya, and Kings College Budo, who were in Kasese on a study tour. Their vehicles were blocked at Kilembe after two bridges connecting the area to Kilembe Town were washed away. After rescuing them from floods, the students were advised to walk from Kilembe to Kasese Town, about 10 kilometres away. The acting general manager of Kilembe Mines reported that their power house, electric poles, transformers and water supply system were affected. He called for road equipment to open up some access roads to enable immediate repairs to be carried out. 1 | 2 Next Page»Other affected areas included Maliba, Bugoye, Karusandara, Kyondo, Nyamwamba and Bulembia divisions and Bwesumbu. 1,000 affectedKasese RDC Milton Odongo said more than 1,000 households have been affected by the disaster. He said the district is in urgent need of relief items since nobody managed to leave their homes with any property. Some leaders, however, blamed the disaster on human activities that have tampered with the Nyamwamba River banks, environmental degradation and poor planning of Kasese Town, among others. By press time, the district leadership and other stakeholders, were locked up in a crisis meeting to forge a way forward and put a stop to the problem that hits the area every year. In May 2011, Kasese was hit by heavy floods. Mr Jeconious Musingwiire, the National Environment Management Authority western region focal person, said the problem would continue. “Kasese will be hit by floods for some time because the green cover has faded on the hills which lead to surface run-offs,” Mr Musingwiire said. “River banks have been cultivated so the rivers burst when it rains or when there is an overflow from the snow-capped mountain.” Mr Augustine Kooli, the district environmental officer, said the hills around the municipality have been built on which also creates more water run-offs. “There are increased developments in the town and the hills are being built on like the Kepp Resort Hotel, on Kilembe Road, so water accumulates because of loss of tree cover,” Mr Kooli said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Floods--Kilembe-Mines-Hospital-closes/-/688334/1799498/-/89f50b/-/index.html","content":"Kasese Floods: Kilembe Mines Hospital closes - Floods that hit Kasese Municipality Wednesday, killing at least four people and destroying property worth billions of shillings have caused the closure of Kilembe Mines Hospital. The floods were triggered by a heavy downpour that caused River Nyamwamba to burst its banks. “We have had a big problem at Kilembe Mines hospital and 195 patients have been evacuated to other hospitals.  Fifty staff units were washed away. We have temporarily closed the hospital until we rectify the problem,” Dr Edward Wafula, the superintendent of the medical facility said. He said the kitchen, the mortuary, the private wing and equipment, including the recently-acquired X- ray machine were destroyed.  “We have no power and water at the hospital,” he said. Dr Wafula, however, said no deaths or injuries were recorded at the hospital since patients and workers were rescued in time. Meanwhile, the chairperson of Uganda Red Cross Kasese Branch, Mr Joseph Zukwa said three bodies of people who died in the floods have been recovered. Those who died are Paddy Kalusu, a former District Procurement Officer, a one Kibusu, a primary school teacher and one Kabugho, a mentally-sick woman.   Mr Gad Baluku, an employee of Kilembe Mines Limited is still missing. The floods displaced about 800 people, according to Mr Zukwa."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Four-dead-as-flooding-hits-Kasese-town/-/688334/1766862/-/gc8w5wz/-/index.html","content":"Four dead as flooding hits Kasese town - Hundreds of people in Kasese Municipality have been displaced following a down pour that burst River Nyamwamba banks on Wednesday. The Mayor, Godfrey Kabyanga confirmed the death of four and several injured in the process. “Four people have died as a result of the floods. Kilembe Mines Hospital which was also affected, has started shifting patients to the Municipal Health Centre IV for safety” The four according to the Mayor, died in a house that had collapsed as they tried to rescue their properties in the Kanyaruboga area. River Nyamwamba, according to residents is prone to bursting its banks, however, the magnitude of the damage has not been recorded in a long time. Places most affected include Nyamwamba and Bulembia Divisions, and Kilembe Valley, Acholi Quarters, Kizungu, Nyakasanga, Base Camp, Kanyangeya and Kamuliquizi. Traffic has also been affected along the Kasese-Fort Portal Road with no vehicles entering into Kasese Town from Fort Portal and vice versa after the floods cut off the road at Nyakasanga,about 200 meters from the Kasese airfield. Hundreds of people are stranded on either side of the road including Kasese woman MP Ms Winfred Kiiza who was returning to the constituency from Kampala. The afternoon down pour also disrupted the Kasese District Labour Day celebrations in Hima Town Council. In Kilembe, two bridges that connect nearby villages to Kilembe Town have been washed away while the bridge that connects Kyalhumba to Kisinga Sub-County was also swept away. The floods have also forced Umeme to cut off electricity in the whole of Kasese Town to avoid further dangers of fire outbreak outs. One of the people, whose houses have collapsed, Mr Geofrey Kamalha of Saluti B village in Kasese Town, said he could not save anything from the building because everything had been washed away by water. “I was not there when the house collapsed and there was noone else to save anything. This is a big loss because I cannot even think of renovating as everything down.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kenya-floods-kill-63-people/-/688334/1753718/-/8fram0/-/index.html","content":"Kenya floods kill 63 people - At least 63 people have been killed and tens of thousands more displaced by floods following heavy rains in Kenya, Deputy President William Ruto said on Thursday. Mr Ruto ordered the military to participate in evacuating affected persons. “It is unfortunate that we have lost 63 people as of today (Thursday) due to floods and about 35,000 have been displaced across the country,” he said. “The government is fully in-charge and we have asked citizens in areas prone to floods to move to higher ground. All government officials have also been mobilised to ensure that citizens are given information in good time,” said Mr Ruto at a military airbase in Nairobi as he watched five tonnes of food and other essential items being prepared to be flown to affected areas. AidDozens of people die every year during Kenya’s rainy season, which usually lasts from March to May. Kenya’s army said it had flown aid deliveries to the central town of Isiolo and despatched helicopters to drop food in northeastern areas where the flooding has made roads impassable. Areas across Kenya have been affected as the heavy rains have damaged roads and property. Parts of Kenya suffered from extreme drought in 2011 — like the wider Horn of Africa region, including parts of war-torn southern Somalia where famine was declared — and farmers are welcoming the heavy rains.However, traders are also struggling because of the impassable roads.Parts of southern Somalia have also been affected, with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warning that floods have hampered aid deliveries. Several thousand people have been forced from their homes in areas along southern Somalia’s Shabelle river, with five children reportedly killed in recent weeks, the United Nations added. However, the heavy rains could also “bode well for the harvest”, OCHA noted."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Heavy-rains-in-Tororo--Kaboong-displace-450/-/688334/1745710/-/fxa75y/-/index.html","content":"Heavy rains in Tororo, Kaboong displace 450 - About 450 families in Tororo and Kaboong districts are living under trees after their houses were destroyed by heavy rains. In Tororo, the LC 1 chairperson of Abwanget village in Osukuru Sub-county, Mr Dominic Odungu Emodo, said about 200 families are either sleeping under trees or sheltering in classrooms of a nearby school. The rains accompanied by heavy winds and floods also destroyed food crops and submerged several homes. No death was registered. “The magnitude of the problem may lead to famine and disease outbreak. We appeal to the government to come to the aid of the affected,” Mr Emodo said. Several roads in the district have also been blocked after the floods swept away bridges. They are Nambogo, Lubongi and Fungwe roads.In Kaabong District, at least 250 families are homeless following the heavy rains that swept away houses in Kaabong Town Council. Mr Gabriel Loike, the Kaabong Town council mayor, told the Daily Monitor on Wednesday that the rains caused floods and destroyed houses and stocked food. The district chairperson, Mr Joseph Komolo, said although people had been wishing for rain in order to start planting, it had started in a dangerous way. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/The-slum-dogs--life-in-bwaise/-/691232/1742006/-/act51u/-/index.html","content":"The slum dogs’ life in bwaise - SaturdayI had never been in Bwaise for a night. So while getting out of my bed before 6am and boarding a taxi at the Naalya Northern Bypass stage to Bwaise sounded daunting, there was an element of excitement in being able to see the area where the adage “water is life” does not apply. It was at my new abode for the next seven days where I came across a group of marijuana smokers, leaning by the rugged walls of this one-roomed house with rusty corrugated iron sheets. Being the good neighbour I was, I decided to make myself known to them, introducing myself as a student doing research work for Daily Monitor. With suspicious looks, they finally opened up to me, and after a few greetings, the friendship was cemented. Just as everything seemed to be progressing well, one of them noticed my African craft sandals with leather straps. When he asked to have a look, I stood there frozen thinking I was being robbed in broad-day light. He talked of how he could make better sandals and then, when he returned them, my still motionless body came back to life. They beckoned me to follow them to their living quarters. The four red-eyed youths were actually my neighbours. I was offered a seat, and they went on to orient me in the ways about life in Bwaise, refuting some of the allegations I had. Allegations, that everyone smoking marijuana is a criminal, murderers and fore-runners of kabadiya implementers. Akabadiya is a strangulation method where a robber flicks his arm by your throat as his partner goes ahead to empty your pockets of all your belongings. They told about their youth projects that are cash-strapped of start-up capital. Kimombasa—where sex is sold 24-7Ziiwa, one of my new friends took me on a tour of Kimombasa. First, we began off with the section of emaciated sex workers. They used and still use all the vulgar words at their disposal and not even the presence of their children deters them. These emaciated ones, I understand, make up the faction of HIV positive sex workers. Devoid of hope, they offer sex at any amount, at any hour with or without protection. Some of their teenage children have already been initiated into the practice. At night, I was taken on a tour of the older prostitutes. These ones offer their services in a “professional” way. Most are between 35-40 years, some with wrinkled faces. Unlike their younger counterparts, these ones don’t rob their clients. They offer longer hours for shorter pay and aim at the client’s satisfaction. Kimombasa is also home to Uganda’s remaining juke boxes. These are found in make-shift mud houses that act as lodges during the day, bars in the evening and rental sleeping facilities in the night. It is here that I find, Master Blaster, once famous for his lewd song – Emboko. He is said to have ran crazy due to over indulgence in drugs. He is a shadow of his former self. Night tour of Bwaise slumsJust below the Northern Bypass in Zone 2 of Bwaise, lies the most feared slum at night. But it also floods the most to the extent that most of the houses here have been abandoned. I am still with Ziiwa and he talks of how it pays to befriend these vampires of the night – the gangs that ply by Bugalaabi – a place called “Mu Buganda e Bwaise.” They are all busy masticating away on mairungi leaves, while others are smoking marijuana. After touring, I retreat to my one-roomed house. Lying on my mattress on the floor, I can’t believe I am in Bwaise. I keep thinking about the mayumba kumi robbers who break into houses in the wee hours of the morning. Surprisingly, since it is already 11pm, sleep quickly takes over and when I next wake up, it is to the sounds of crowing cockerels and the humming of the early morning birds. SundayThe only time Bwaise wakes up late is Sunday. At 6am, I am already up. I do a quick survey of my belongings, check my phone, and check my mattress (yes who knows I may have been overpowered by virtue of being a passive smoker to marijuana). I pick up my rags, get my water bottle and wash my face. It is a mineral water bottle because I have no basin, no jerry can and I don’t contemplate using the bathroom anytime soon. In Bwaise, the churches are not so enthusiastic about the Sunday. Perhaps because we are in Kawempe, most residents here are Muslim and others are “atheists” of sorts. But after the sunlight begins to hover around the area, Bwaise gets in motion with the same vigour that makes its mornings. Bwaise is home to grid-locked traffic jams. Though I don’t want to convince myself that I hate Bwaise I hate the living conditions. It is a triad of nerve-wrecking poverty, dirty and dusty streets and open air drug abuse. It is home to soggy corridors, fly infested lavatories and the trenches are blocked with litter, and flying toilets. I am hoping I will not need the toilet but there is nothing I can do when nature calls. I am not looking forward to this experience. As I anticipate the place is filthy, stinking and wet. There are latrines - hole in the ground type, and look like they have not been cleaned for years. I hold my breath and proceed to use it as painlessly as possible. For the rest of my stay, I resolve to use the pay-as-you use toilet service in Bwaise. I had already used it to take my baths. At least, they are cleaned first thing in the morning, so programming my nature calls for the morning worked just better. It costs nothing to part with Shs300 for the call of nature and another Shs500 for a shower. I head to the bibanda (mini video halls), watch a few movies before winding off at Eden Pub to watch some soccer matches. But even Eden Pub is home to prostitutes in disguise. You can identify them by making eye contact; they will approach you, smile clownishly or roll their eyes daring you to make a move. In fact, all over Bwaise, there are prostitutes termed as “tour ladies”. Monday Monday is a busy day. Men, some in patched attires, women in their ragged blouses and dresses all walk through the narrow corridors. Some head to the market, some to the city centre. The boda boda cyclists are already at the workplace. I prepare myself to keep rejecting their request to offer me transport. By now, I have realised, the best rejection for them is to turn a deaf ear. By the dirty lanes which are termed Ku Bala in Bwaise, people are packed in tightly like spectators. I squeeze my way through, sometimes being missed by sacks of matooke being offloaded from the lorries. Backs are straight, trousers and sleeves rolled up, exposing mottled yet able limbs. The slumdogs crash discarded wrappers of quick-fry breakfasts under their feet, corn and oil dripping from mouths. Banana, maize skins and cobs are ground to dust by thousands of feet. Most of the homes here are buried half way into the ground where many awake in the morning as they go scavenging for opportunities that present themselves in the day. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bad-roads-force-traders-to-pour-milk/-/688334/1739672/-/316864z/-/index.html","content":"Bad roads force traders to pour milk - Milk dealers in Ngoma Sub-county, Nakaseke District are counting losses every day, with some of them forced to abandon thousands of litres of their milk on the road. Their frustration, they say, stems from the terrible state of the road linking Ngoma Town and Kijumba Parish. “When the pick-up trucks fail to manoeuvre through the road, we are left with no option. Sometimes we are forced to pour the milk on the ground,” Mr Reuben Kaheru said. According to the area councillor, Mr Enock Nyongole, the 19km road was taken over by the district authorities for upgrading but the exercise has delayed due to insufficient funds. “Kijumba Parish plays a big role in the livestock industry here and we are sorry that our farmers are frustrated,” Mr Nyongole said. The district chairperson, Mr Ignatius Kiwanuka Koomu, said the road’s bad state is partly blamed on the current heavy rains that have halted road works. “We intervened in the road’s upgrading because thousands of litres of milk and cattle are sold in this area,” Mr Koomu said. Meanwhile, several families in Kasangombe Sub-county, as well as a police post and a Chinese farm, have been cut off from the main land by floods, with gardens and some homes partially submerged due to the heavy rains and flooding of the Lugogo River. The most affected villages include Nakaseeta, Lukabala, Kanyogoga and Kasangombe, where a number of gardens were destroyed and houses submerged. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/The-magic-of-bamboo/-/689860/1737328/-/shtxqu/-/index.html","content":"The magic of bamboo - Farmers used to look forward to the rainy season. Now they dread it. Instead of welcoming the rains, farmers anxiously scan for early warning signs of the approaching danger. When the heavens finally release their deadly load, it is like a well coordinated terrorist attack. Homes and plantations are razed to the ground while crop fields are swamped by flash floods. Rivers burst their banks, lightning strikes pick their victims, and landslides destroy everything in their path. Instead of preparing their fields, farmers prepare for disaster. There are reports of communities devastated by storms each rain season. The frequency and intensity of these storms is worrying. Trees on farmExperts point to climatic change and warn that unless the reckless clearing of forests and wetlands is checked, the situation will get worse. With no trees to act as windbreakers, or wetlands to absorb excess water, the rains will become more destructive. It will take the collective effort of all citizens of the earth, to change the situation. Farmers can do a few things to slow down the rate of deforestation. One of them is to plant trees on our farms. This is called agroforestry. It is amazing; the number and variety that can be planted on a small piece of land. An acre can have several hundred Ficus (Mutuba or barkcloth) trees planted along boundaries. Within three years, these trees will be giving the farmer poles for constructing different farm structures, stakes for supporting bananas and other plants, forage for livestock, fuelwood, shade for crops like coffee and protection from winds. Fruit and nut trees, medicinal, spice, forage, and soil-enriching trees (nitrogen-fixing leguminous trees such as Calliandra and Lucerne) can be planted on marginal land, such as steep slopes and rocky ground where no other agricultural activity can take place. A small woodlot can earn a farmer extra income through selling different tree products, and at the same time save money that would have been spent on buying the same products for use on the farm. As natural forests get depleted, farms will become the main source of timber and other tree products. Besides moderating the effects of climatic change, trees can also serve as a form of insurance against financial disaster. Farming is a highly risky business. Rains fail. Prices drop. Diseases strike. Instead of mortgaging the farm to a bank or a money lender, a farmer can sell off a few high value trees to raise money to settle their debts, send the children to school, or acquire a strategic farm asset such as a water pump or a truck. If you do not want to plant trees, at least, plant bamboo. Plant bambooBamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world, and can be a big asset on the farm. It belongs to the grass family and grows faster than a tree. On the average, a tree takes 10-30 years to mature while bamboo takes three to five years. As expected of a fast growing plant, it also consumes more carbon dioxide and generates more oxygen than a tree. But, most important, it is a good substitute for timber. You do not need to cut down precious trees for timber. It can serve as wind breaker, a living fence, construction material, and fuel for cooking, firing bricks, pottery, and charcoal making. Its web-like root system offers a cheap and effective solution to soil erosion and landslides, its ever green canopy offers quality forage for livestock; the bamboo plant is an all rounder. Farmers who are into greenhouses can save a lot of money by using bamboo instead of eucalyptus as construction material. Bamboo is lighter yet stronger and more water- and termite-resistant than eucalyptus. In Malaysia and other Asian countries, it is commonly used in construction of greenhouse construction. In Ethiopia, bamboo is promoted as a substitute to timber. This has helped take pressure from the forests, which were being depleted at an alarming rate. With almost a million hectares of bamboo, about 60 per cent of Africa’s bamboo resource, Ethiopia is developing a multimillion dollar industry using bamboo as raw material. Ugandans are yet to realise that bamboo can help them cope with the challenges of climatic change. And you cannot blame them. Many of them are still traumatised by their first encounter with a bamboo cane back in school. But besides helping them to cope with the destructive rains, bamboo can help Ugandan farmers diversify their incomes. The author is a farming journalist and a consultant . akndawula@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Extreme-weather-will-go-on-and-on--scientists-say/-/689364/1734610/-/7753kn/-/index.html","content":"Extreme weather will go on and on, scientists say - The British are notorious for boring on about the weather, but this year at least we might be forgiven. Spring has arrived – that’s official -- yet March has been colder than the peak of winter in December and January.One family, trapped by snow in their remote Welsh farmhouse, broke up and burned old furniture to keep warm; a young man froze to death in a Lancashire field having lost his way after a night out with friends; and a house collapsed in Cornwall after heavy rain, killing the elderly woman inside. Day after day, news bulletins have began, “Thousands of homes are without power and many roads impassable as severe weather affects much of the United Kingdom.” Or, “Bitterly cold winds from frozen Europe will persist all this week.” Or, “Scores of motorists slept in their cars after being trapped in blinding snowstorms.” The National Farmers’ Union warned that hundreds of farmers across Britain are facing ruin as livestock struggle to survive and crops rot in waterlogged fields. Blizzards have been claiming the lives of new-born lambs and forcing farmers to work all hours to keep stranded animals alive. The freezing early months of 2013 represent a double disaster for many farmers who have not yet recovered from the sodden summer of 2012. Debate is endless about new weather patterns, the effects of climate change, melting ice caps and floods. For while Britain right now is suffering from extreme cold, not long ago the problem was drought and in some countries, famine. January of 1963 was the coldest month of the 1900s in Britain, with an average temperature of minus 2.1C. I can testify to that because it was part of my first leave from my job in Kenya. Throughout my holiday, I never saw ground without snow, not a single professional football match was played and my mother piled so many blankets on the bed of her shivering boy from Africa, I could hardly turn over. That couldn’t have been climate change, could it? Fifty years ago, nobody was sending loads of CO2 into the atmosphere to wreak havoc on our weather. But I’m not a sceptic. Listen to the experts and the case for climate change is overwhelming. The government’s chief scientist, Professor Sir John Beddington, said just last week that there is already enough CO2 heating up the atmosphere to ensure extreme weather for the next 25 years. “The evidence that climate change is happening is unequivocal,” he said. “The current variation in temperatures and rainfall is double the average. This suggests we will have more droughts, more floods, more sea surges and more storms in quite a short timescale. There is a need for urgency in tackling this problem.”A drawback, the professor said, was that the build-up -- and the reduction – of CO2 is so slow that efforts to cut back now will not affect the situation for years. * * * * *Coincidence stories make fascinating reading and the strangest I ever came across concerned a man who went to open a bank account. “This is your account number,” the clerk said and the customer stared in shock. He then pulled up his sleeve and revealed a six-digit number tattooed on his arm. It was the ID number he received in a Nazi concentration camp. The numbers were identical. Something of a coincidence happened to me recently, though a lesser one. I greeted an African guy at church. He said he was studying for a Master’s at one of our universities, that he was from Uganda and his name was Leonard. A few weeks later, another black guy appeared. He told me he was studying for a Master’s at the university, that he was from Uganda and his name was Leonard. Once I had established that I was not the victim of some elaborate joke, the two Leonards told me they had never met before but when they did, they also discovered that they came from the same area of Uganda. And by the way, Leonard, they say, is not a common name back home. * * * * *Thank God for church bulletins, from which the following items were taken verbatim:-- Miss Charlene Mason sang, “I will not pass this way again,” to the obvious pleasure of the congregation.-- The Low Self-Esteem Support Group will meet on Thursday. Please use the back door.-- Weight Watchers will meet at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use the large double door.-- Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.-- At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be, “What is Hell?” Come early and hear our choir practise.-- A bean supper will be held on Tuesday in the church hall. Music will follow. Mr Loughran is a UK-based correspondent.gerryo69@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/More-on-bikers--car-loans-and-insurance-at-the-auto-show/-/688614/1725684/-/kq8x5ez/-/index.html","content":"More on bikers, car loans and insurance at the auto show - Is your vehicle insured? If so, what kind of insurance is it? Are you satisfied with it? When knocked, do you know that you can sue? These are the type of questions that Lion Assurance will be answering at the UG Autoshow. According to Donato Laboke, the marketing manager, they have some new products that they shall be showcasing at the show. “We also hope to educate showgoers about third party insurance and motor comprehensive insurance. Most products in the market only cover up to damages, ours, that we shall unveil, will also give you legal representation,” he explains. Among other products to be showcased, will be the tour operators’ liability. “We target all vehicles used or new. We also cover boda bodas for third party insurance and comprehensive insurance. We have already insured some bodas. We insure motorcycles in general,” says Laboke. He says their main role is to provide you with security against potential risks which you may encounter in the use of your vehicle, be it a motorcycle, a car or a lorry. About the motor comprehensive cover, Laboke says they cover for loss of, or damage to the vehicle or its accessories and spare parts. “If replacement parts are not available or are out of stock from the manufacturer’s representative or agents, in East Africa, we will have to pay the extra cost of transporting them from elsewhere,” he explains. In case the vehicle is under a hire-purchase or leasing agreement, Lion Assurance may pay the legal owner for any loss or damage to the vehicle. They also cover vehicles against damage arising out of riots, strikes and civil commotion, malicious damage as well as storms, floods, earthquakes and volcanic eruption. For major extensions on covers, Lion Assurance includes loss of keys. “In the event of car keys or lock transmitter of the vehicle being lost or stolen, we pay the cost for their replacement,” says Laboke. As for medical expenses, the company pays the medical expenses incurred following bodily injury to the insured or his/her driver as a result of an accident to the insured vehicle. Unlike with some companies, Lion Assurance does cover the windscreen. “We shall pay the cost of replacing damaged or broken glass in the windscreen, windows or glass in sunroofs of the vehicle on replacement basis at no extra cost on your part,” Laboke asserts. Another extension is for assistance in an emergency. “If you cannot drive the vehicle as a result of an accident covered by the policy, we will arrange and pay for costs incurred in protecting the vehicle as well as those for towing the vehicle to the nearest competent repairer or to a garage of your choice, whichever is closer, Laboke argues. Also innovative among some covers is the authority to repair. “In case the car gets an accident and it is really hard to inform us (i.e. the accident occurrs in a place where we have no regional offices) you have the right to authorise repairs up to a specified amount,” the marketing manager explains. As for fire involving the insured vehicle, they re-imburse all the expenses and costs incurred in an attempt to extinguish the fire up to a specified limit. However, do not be so excited. Damage to tyres as a result of braking, punctures, cuts or bursts is not covered. Depreciation arising out of wear and tear, as well as mechanical or electrical breakages, is not paid for. Riding for fun and charity Although primarily a car event, motorcycles have sometimes gone hand-in-hand with cars when it comes to auto shows as they too wow motoring fans. This year’s UG Auto Show will be graced by the presence of the Uganda Bikers (UB), an organisation that was founded in 2003 to promote the enjoyment of owning and riding motorcycles. Through having fun, UB’s uniqueness vis a vis other organisations is to raise funds for local grassroots charity providing services such as healthcare and education to orphans affeccted by HIV/Aids. “We promote road safety awareness while exploring the many scenic roads of Uganda and of other African destinations,” says Pietro Averono, the organisation’s press officer. At the UG Auto show, Gianfranco Masetto, the current UB Chairman, said that besides raising awareness for their charities, they will also showcase the riders’ dressing and the peculiarity of their bikes having engines ranging from 400cc and 1200cc. UB membership is made up of a unique blend of foreigners and Ugandans, both males and females who share the passion for riding and the love of motorcycles. An avid traveller and fan, Averono says they do have one trip a year to Kenya in order to participate in the Concurs D’ Elegance, a prestigious international event. “Four times a year, we travel 350km-500km a day to places such as Arua, Gulu, Fort Portal, Kabale. By the way, Kabale-Kisoro is the most challenging and attractive scenic road in Uganda. It is a piece of art located in a wonderful display of lakes and volcano, a site to be promoted to the world of tourism,” he stresses. Masetto says that they also ride short distances over the weekends. “We do weekly and monthly trips. We go to Mbarara, Jinja, Mbale, and Hoima among other places, we depart in the morning and we come back in the evening.” Sounds like fun. So how does one join, you may ask. Each Ugandan member pays Shs100,000 annually, foreigners pay Shs200,000. Entry fees are Shs200,000 for Ugandans and Shs400,000 for foreigners. Currently, there are 30 members. Can Boda boda riders join? No, they say. Averono says these motorcycles do not meet the organisation’s safety measures. “Bodas are not safely structured for off-road purposes and for long distances,” he explains. There are rules and regulations which when not met, you are disqualified. You have to have boots, gloves, helmets, jackets, reflectors and be disciplined. “We have rules about movement on the road. We don’t carry passengers,” Masetto spells out the rules. Apart from Kenya, this year, they may do Rwanda and Burundi by the end of April. “We encourage females to join us,” Masetto says. With road accidents claiming the lives of thousands of innocent victims and injuring many more, UB will have to share a thing or two about road safety with guests at the UG Auto show. 1 | 2 Next Page»Banking solutions At the car show dubbed, UG Auto show, it won’t be all about cars without knowing how you can buy them easily. In that regard, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Uganda Limited will be showcasing its Asset Finance products including car loan schemes, finance leases, operating leases and insurance premium finance. The head, Asset-Based Finance, Ronald Ssonko says they are partnering with the organisers to showcase their asset finance products to prospective buyers of brand new vehicles and accessories. “We want to appeal to this group. Someone will come to the show and want a car, but may not have cash on them. We engage them and structure a deal for them,” Ssonko explains. This structure involves the buyer making a minimum deposit of 10 per cent of the total cost of the car. “We finance up to a maximum, 90 per cent of the total cost of the vehicle. A formal credit evaluation and terms and conditions will apply. We are only dealing with franchise dealers for this show, for maintenance of a standard that is offered by the franchise dealers” Ssonko further explains. He adds, “As a bank, we also cater for all other forms movable assets for businesses and individuals.” According to KCB, the 90 per cent is payable within a maximum period of five years. The rate of interest is for all deals closed at the prevailing prime lending rate on either Uganda shillings or United States Dollar deals. Ssonko says it is possible to make early settlements without any penalties. Promising very competitive rates and class service, Ssonko urges the showgoers to come in big numbers. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/A-village-caught-in-the-thick-of-a-sewage-problem/-/691232/1725790/-/14bfg55/-/index.html","content":"A village caught in the thick of a sewage problem - It is no secret that Gulu, the epicentre of the two and half decade insurgency has become the political and economic power house of the Acholi people, now with a population of more than 400,000 as infrastructure and business flourish. The town that sits on a slope overlooks a range of buildings, from ramshackle houses to modern stylist premises of hotels, shops and residential buildings. One of those areas is the slum of Limo, and Forest Ward in Laroo Division, Gulu Municipality, which is cramped like an internal displaced persons’ camp. The settlers in this area faced with the problem of sewage flow in the running water, that comes through Laroo stream. The sewage comes in two ways: along with the flowing running rain water and through the burst underground sewage pipes in the town that lead to the 21-year-old lagoon. Harmful effects of the sewageNow the residents who live along the stream are worried of the pollution of the air and the effect on crops and how it will affect them, especially during wet seasons. “It has an unbearable smell. During the rain season, people cross over to the next village because they cannot stand it,” Ms Proscovia Lagen 24, a resident in the area says. She adds that many of her neighbours have resorted to growing perishable crops which have shown an abnormality, raising fears of possible harm to consumers. “We feel uncertain about the onions and lettuce, because they taste abnormal,” Lagen says. Mr Odora Lacwiya who grows sugarcane in the wetland near lagoon has not realised the benefits he thought he would get from the plant as the stems have lost their sweetness. “You chew once and just spit the juice because of a bitter stem,” he says. Even worse, Odora says, two of his children were recently diagnosed with Hepatitis E, body swelling and rashes at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital in December last year as result of being in contact with the waste water. He says the concerned authorities have failed to sensitise the public on the risk associated with the waste water on agriculture and human beings. Equally, Florence Adong 39, a mother of six children claims she and her children suffered typhoid and intestinal worms associated with the waste water. In September last year, officials from the National Environmental Management Authorities (Nema) and the National Water and Sewage Corporation (NWSC) visited the Lagoon but Adong says none returned to give them feedback. When asked about the matter, Gulu District National Environment Officer Francesca Atto says she is hardly aware of the problem because nobody reported the complaint to her office. Part of the problem is the rising population. Gulu Municipality has a population of over 100,000 people which has overwhelmed the current sewage system. It has 600 households connected to it and releases 40,000 litres of waste water into the lagoon each day. Mr John Luwa, Gulu District Population Officer says the June 2012 survey by the Planning office of Gulu District, shows that the total number of people using latrines as 217, 442. 1 | 2 Next Page»“The lagoon was planned for fewer people and the pipes cannot hold the growing population pressure on the sewage system,” Luwa says. He adds that poor management of sewage has hampered poverty fights and economic development of the affected population. Even with this problem, Laroo Division records good sanitation figures. The survey report finds it to have the highest sanitation with safe water at 79.4 pe rcent. Layibi Division follows with 66.5 per cent, Bardege 43.7 per cent and Pece Divisions with 40.27 per cent. Still, the sewage is a major problem. The epidemiologist and Head of Surgery at the Faculty of Medicine of Gulu University Dr James Kitara Lagoro says a spillover of sewage during the wet season is a risk to public health in the area. He says there is a need to adjust the leaking pipes, and build walls to protect runoff waste from the lagoon when it floods and children should be protected from entry into the risky facilities. “It’s even worse when food crops grown and harvested directly from waste manure and are consumed raw,” Lagoro says, “chemicals tend to interfere with food chain and can cause health problems.” A ray of light?There is hope however. According to the NWSC area Manager Gulu, Mr Paul Rachkara, Shs40b has been secured from the African Development Bank (ADB) to rehabilitate the water and sewage system and the work is scheduled to start by October 2013. He says once procurement process is complete, in addition to other rehabilitations, four new sewage treatment plants will be built in the four Divisions of Gulu. “It’s a big project where underground lines will be upgraded with production facilities,” Rachkara says. He adds that the corporation will create a waste stabilisation pond with some form of bacteria to consume the germs to save the communities around from the horrid sewage smell. In the meantime though, the residents will still suffer the horrid smell, diseases and other consequences if nothing is done soon enough editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Locals-petition-government-over-power-project/-/688334/1717290/-/14mvsqqz/-/index.html","content":"Locals petition government over power project - Residents of Izimba Sub-county in Kamuli District have petitioned the government over what they termed as unfair compensation and lack of consultation ahead of the commencement of a power project. The subject of the petition, which was issued through the district leadership, is 200-megawatt power project that is to be constructed in the sub-county. While meeting the district leaders led by the chairperson, Ms Salaamu Musumba, on Friday, the residents called on the government to carry out comprehensive consultations with all stakeholders and put in place mechanisms for mitigating effects of floods and displacement of communities which are likely to occur once the project commences. “We are willing to leave our livelihood for the sake of development but with a cost that must be clearly availed and implemented,” said the sub-county chairperson, Mr Sam Kyonda, who read the petition on behalf of the residents. Mr Kyonda voiced community concerns about compensation and relocation, accusing the government of lack of clarity. He said the government has mostly been talking in abstract terms. “What is the length of the affected area and the dam we are talking about? And who are these evaluators who don’t even report to the local authorities?” Mr Kyonda said. “So we ask that no one comes to our village without clearance from the district leadership.” He called on the government to be more respectful to local leaders and also help the community to “beat off masqueraders”. Ms Musumba called for calm, urging them not to politicise the issue. She promised to engaged the government on the matter. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Consider-a-more-suitable-location-than-Bukasa-for-an-inland-port/-/806314/1714606/-/12111mo/-/index.html","content":"Consider a more suitable location than Bukasa for an inland port - I was left questioning the effort that goes into the planning of big projects in Kampala, especially those that end up affecting the livelihood of city residents and users. The choice of Bukasa as an inland port is just one of the many developments that are ongoing, in and around Kampala that make you ask, why there? The requirement to compensate residents of Bukasa and destroy a vital wetland simply implies that there will be many restrictions and limitations in the planning of the port. But for a project of this nature and magnitude, for a developing country like ours, does not need such restrictions. I think the demographics, infrastructural developments and economic activity of Kampala and the country, 40-years-ago, that could have influenced a decision to earmark Bukasa as a potential site for an inland port are far different from those of today. Kampala has changed a great deal over the years, and Bukasa may not be the best place for this project taking into consideration the numerous challenges Kampala faces today. These include congestion due to a growing population, poor and dilapidated road networks that cause traffic problems, environmental concerns and a poor drainage system. There is land outside the city, inland or around Lake Victoria, should proximity to the lake be a requirement, which is not occupied or surrounded by residences, or even require destruction of a wetland that helps the city breath. Land outside the city boundaries would cost far less and require minimal compensation, if any, leading to big savings. Secondly, this would avoid the discomfort and inconvenience caused to people that would be moved. Thirdly, it would avoid the presence of a busy port in a largely residential area, which would affect people’s privacy and peace, and negatively impact on the value of their properties. This would also eliminate attraction of increased commercial activity and traffic in an area that is largely residential. Overall, a location of the port outside the city would complement efforts to de-congest the city and keep it more livable and manageable. In addition, the new site would bring development to the area where this port would be located. A project of that magnitude would normally go through the formalities of approval on paper, in consistency with the city or other government planning authority requirements. Since this project is going to affect essentially the whole city and its dwellers, it would also need public debate and acceptance to go ahead. Kampala as a city is strained and under a lot of distress in many ways. This has been mainly due to uncoordinated planning that is not consistent with its population and infrastructural growth. We should not allow this dangerous oversight to continue. Otherwise, our traffic woes will just get worse, the city will continue to suffer from floods due to a drainage system that can’t support its population and developments. Likewise, diseases and air pollution will increase, leading to an unlivable city. Ssozi Kimanje,kimanje@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/He-changed-from-a-cattle-keeper-to-a-crop-farmer/-/689860/1712506/-/dkgf21/-/index.html","content":"He changed from a cattle keeper to a crop farmer - I had kept Ankole long-horned cattle since my childhood but I had not gained much because it needs a lot of land and constant attention. In 2000, I felt I had had enough and wanted to change to tilling the land.I sold most of the animals and went into growing banana, sugarcane and fruits because they bring in better returns. Fellow cattle-keepers, thinking that I had run mad, laughed at me and called me all sorts of names. In 2002, I thought of diversifying my agricultural activities after realising that the animals were not bringing in enough money. Making the changeI was only realising Shs300,000 per month from the sale of milk yet the animals were occupying a huge part of the land. I sold off most of the 200 animals I had and remained with about 20, which I keep on a smaller piece of land. I used the proceeds to start a banana plantation by hiring labour and acquiring plantlets. I also started fruit growing, sugarcane and tree planting. Land use Now, I have about 40,000 pine trees. From banana growing, I realised the input was less than the outcome since bananas do not need a lot of care once the plantation has been properly established. Because banana trees need a lot of manure for better results. I use compost manure and cow dung from the remaining cattle in the banana and fruit gardens and the results are encouraging. Bananas are a perennial crop that will last a lifetime with good management. I started with five acres and now have 20 acres. To maximise the use of my land, I experimented with intercropping sugarcanes and bananas and they have blended very well. I also used the information from the Community Development Officer to enhance my farming skills. Because the animals had degraded part of my land from overgrazing, I planted pine trees on that land. The total area occupied by pine trees is about 40 acres. In addition, I have planted 8,000 assorted fruit trees—mangoes, oranges, guavas and tangerines. Since my land is hilly I have used sugarcane plants to rehabilitate the galleys. The sugarcane leaves are used as mulch in the banana plantation and the fruit trees are used to control soil erosion. AchievementsI have 16 acres of sugarcane and intend to partner with other farmers in the area to expand sugarcane growing and put up a small-size factory to process the cane to make cattle feeds and jaggery (brown sugar). I earn Shs3m from matooke per month and Shs 700,000 from sugarcanes per week. The fruits are yet to earn me some money but the prospects are very promising. I hope to reap big from mangoes and oranges, which are on high demand in this region. In two years’ time, when the fruit trees have matured I expect to get about Shs5m from the fruits. The constraints include long dry seasons and disease. Sanga Sub-county, which is part of Nyabushozi county, is prone to prolonged dry seasons and thus becomes very dry from about May to around September. ConstraintsThis threatens agricultural production. During this time of the year, the sugarcanes and matooke tend to do poorly as some get stunted. If we could get irrigation equipment, the production would remain high. 1 | 2 Next Page»Banana Wilt Disease is prevalent in this area and also affects matooke production, however, we are managing it through measures the experts have given us like uprooting the affected plants and either burning or burying them. During the wet season, the lowlands get flooded as the area has both hills and very flat lands that are prone to floods. The rainwater runoff from the hills sweeps away most of the mulch in the matooke plantations thus making them vulnerable to soil erosion and leaching. The area lacks agriculture extension services and this has largely affected the quality of farming as many farmers are left to fend for themselves. So, when we make mistakes, we may not know what it is or how to deal with it. This could one of the reasons as to why there is still low production and lack of enthusiasm for farming in the area. I am however grateful to the sub-county Community Development Officer, who has been instrumental in offering services that would otherwise have been provided by an agriculture extension worker. We are also experiencing shortage of labour and this has raised demand as the few workers that are available ask for higher pay because the area is sparsely populated. Future plansMy future plans are about value addition and expansion. I want to expand sugarcane growing and encourage other farmers to adopt sugarcane growing because it pays very well at the same time, it has other uses. The factory I plan to set up will have products for both human and animal consumption. If this venture bears fruit, my projections are that I will be earning Shs10m a month. The change of heart from cattle farming to crop growing has made me known beyond Sanga as my home has been turned into a “centre of excellence” by local people and those from beyond. Now, people who were laughing at me have made it a habit to visit me not only for advice but also to adopt my methods and learn from my success stories. Today, I no longer use kerosene lamp to light my house because I have been able to install solar power. I am also able to watch satellite TV in my house. All these I was able to accomplish with the proceeds from my banana plantation and sugarcanes. features@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1704596/-/8upvhrz/-/index.html","content":"Abnormal rains to last until May - experts - KAMPALA Climate experts say they predict an above normal rainfall across Uganda between the months of March and May. A statement from the just-ended 33rd Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum held in the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, says Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, the lower parts of South Sudan, south western and central Ethiopia, western and central Kenya, as well as western half of Tanzania, would experience near normal to above normal rains. It added that the same areas could also experience dry spells due to random weather events and cyclones that might evolve suddenly during the months of March and April.The statement said scientists at the forum that lasted from February 18 to 20 considered sea surface temperature anomalies over the tropical global oceans with special reference to the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, monsoonal wind systems and tropical cyclone activities over Indian Ocean sub region, among other factors. The Forum also reviewed the state of the evolving global climate system and implications for Greater Horn of Africa climatic conditions. These included the influence of emerging cooler than average sea surface temperatures over much of the western Indian Ocean and prevailing low and medium level atmospheric circulation and monsoonal wind systems in the whole region over the period from March – May 2013. Climate changes are expected to cause a range of impact on sectors such as agriculture, health, water, food security and disaster risk management in the mentioned regions.Ms Eveline Komutunga, an Agro meteorologist at the National Agricultural Research Organisation, said the frequency of droughts and floods have increased climate variability and vulnerability. She also said there is limited information on onset and duration of rainfall among farmers, adding that the idea to translate the information in local languages is yet to be implemented. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/get-rid-of-ethnic-tension-to-achieve-balanced-growth-in-politics/-/806314/1698888/-/man2fp/-/index.html","content":"We need to get rid of ethnic tension to achieve balanced growth in politics - A few weeks back, by-elections were held in Butaleja District for the seat of Woman MP. Though held in a predominantly Banyole locality, there was tension and heavy police deployment to guard the electorate lest violence erupts. Even blood relationship is not a sufficient bond to keep people in harmony, respect each other’s views and exercise individual freedom in elections! Parts of this district were devastated by floods in the previous year. Many families lost crops and property, and suffered from illnesses like typhoid and dysentery. There was no enthusiasm in soliciting help for the affected families and villages during that time. A few months later, we witnessed pomp of vigorous activity as political parties locked horns . I wish Ugandans were that vigorous in matters regarding development and social welfare of fellow citizens. Uncertainty looms in Kenya, with the entire world pondering the outcome of the forthcoming elections. Apart from the 1982 foiled coup attempt, Kenya was a safe haven and exit point for a turbulent Uganda right from independence. Why all of a sudden has the issue of ethnicity turned so viral yet Daniel arap Moi, a Kalenjin, was peacefully ordained as president at the demise of Jomo Kenyatta, a Kikuyu? In volatile Mali, it took French military intervention to evict the Islamic militants. Africans are inviting back neo-colonialism. The African Union and all its leaders were not willing to lend a hand to Mali, a member country. Quick at condemning the International Criminal Court instead of repressive leaders, they were dumb about either manpower or financial aid while the Islamist militants overran government positions. However, the real issue in Mali is not Islam or Al Qaeda, but tension among ethnic groups. The Arabs and Tuaregs have embraced militancy and Al Qaeda not out of reverence, zeal and love for Allah but as a source of armament against the domination of the southern tribes. Ghana which had assumed the position of a role model invited questions in the manner in which the recent presidential polls were held. DR Congo is in turmoil but none of her neighbours is ‘pure’ enough to reconcile the warring parties. Africans have failed to live in harmony and no ideology can succeed in uniting them. In our country it took heavy police deployment to quell election violence amongst a single community. What does this say about our future? Let us only pray for Kenyans but never point a finger to condemn them. Charles Okecha,carlsok2@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/After-20-years--school-shifts-from-tree-shade-to-classroom/-/688334/1698124/-/v74lo9/-/index.html","content":"After 20 years, school shifts from tree shade to classroom - For 20 years, those who passed through Aginia Primary School in Arua District sat on logs or stones under tree shades, which was their classroom. Whenever it rained, pupils ran to the nearby homes for shelter while others failed to come to school during rainy seasons.The head teacher, Mr Ronald Angaza, said: “When rains start, children abandon lessons to rush home because when they delay, the river floods and blocks the road.” The school was an initiative of parents who wanted to help their children stop the nine kilometre trek to the nearest school. However, the school is on a new path to change after it received a Shs163 million classroom block from the World Vision, an NGO and pit-latrines for both boys and girls. During the hand-over ceremony of the classroom blocks recently, the school management committee chairperson, Mr Robert Adelia, accused the government of failing to intervene despite taking over the school in 2000.“Why has it taken all these years for a government to intervene? What crime did we commit to deserve this? We don’t have any health centre in the area, our children and residents die of water-borne diseases because they drink unsafe water,” he said. The World Vision area coordinator, Mr Stephen Ssevume, expressed concern about the high dropout rates and pupil absenteeism. “Last year, we had about 10 girls dropping out, others got pregnant while others were forced into marriage by their parents as boys go hunting,” he said. Although school administrators still do not have offices, with the head teacher conducting business under a tree, Mr Angaza said they hope to provide better education services. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/Agriculture-insurance-is-a-national-necessity/-/688616/1684368/-/l8jhviz/-/index.html","content":"Agriculture insurance is a national necessity - Ms Obel, a resident of Tororo was very excited about the prolonged rains late last year that she planted an additional five acres of the maize crop hoping to cash in on this good fortune. This was before, Striga, a common parasitic plant laid waste to her entire plantation. With this misfortune went the over Shs5 million she had invested in the venture. In Magoro Sub County, Teso, a similar and equally devastating story was playing out. Mr. Atim, an aspiring cattle rancher, lost his fledging herd to a rare livestock disease. His dreams of reaping big from the Naads provision faded away much like his cattle. Agriculture provides a significant economic base for the country employing about 80 per cent of the population either directly and indirectly, while contributing about 22.5 per cent to GDP. The government and donor driven programmes that provide more disease resistant crop and animal breeds, as well as grants and advisory support, to farmers across the country have been largely welcomed. However, despite efforts made and the overwhelming contribution of this sector to the country, agriculturists especially small scale farmers who dominate it, remain severely constrained. This is particularly so in areas involving risk.All this lays the argument for access to a type of insurance tailored to the needs of the local farmer. This would serve to compliment, and surely improve on efforts made thus far by the government, the donor community and individuals. Agricultural insurance provides a relatively simple and yet affordable risk management option for even small scale farmers. It provides payment to policyholders in the event of loss or destruction due to disease, pests, drought, floods and other forces of nature. Compensation is at market prices for the loss incurred in the case of crops; especially well cost of veterinary treatment for sick animals and monetary value of the animal at the time of purchasing insurance in the case of total loss. For a country endowed with fertile soils and favourable climate, agriculture provides the potential for economic muscle globally if appropriately harnessed. Much has been said about what needs to be done to transform this sector from one of subsistence and hobby farming, to a well planned and adequately resourced venture. Insurance is a major stakeholder, and together with existing strategies must form part of the framework into achieving this transformation. The author is a Chartered Insurer and works for the Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda , fmpagi@ira.go.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Wetland-preservation-must-be-given-priority/-/806314/1684648/-/8cdknh/-/index.html","content":"Wetland preservation must be given priority - I commend the Ministry of Water and Environment for honouring the World Wetlands Day. February 2 is a day set apart by a number of countries who realised the importance of wetlands for the survival of humankind and the environment 42 years ago. The commemoration of this day by Uganda was long overdue given the poor state of our environment. Most of Uganda’s wetland is being lost to farmers, industrialist’s brick layers and real estate developers. This is the major cause of floods in the country, yet the convention on wetlands provides a framework for national action and international cooperation for conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. Kampala suburbs of Luzira, Kireka, Kirombe and Ggaba suffer widespread encroachment of swamps. This situation could be averted if the law is tightly enforced to, for instance, preserve the Crested Crane as their habitat is being taken over by so-called developers. Why do the farmers set fire in such areas, thereby killing birds, and industrialists dumping their waste in wetlands? This is dangerous to the flora and fauna. The earlier we deal with this the better for Ugandans. Irene Ayikoru,Kampala"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Mubende--strange-disease--linked-to-malaria/-/688334/1680072/-/dqay9pz/-/index.html","content":"Mubende ‘strange disease’ linked to malaria - The Ministry of Health has linked the strange disease that broke out in Mubende District to malaria. Epidemiologists from the ministry were recently sent to the district to investigate the cause of the disease reported mainly in Kiryandongo Parish in Kisanda Village. In an interview yesterday, the permanent secretary, Dr Asuman Lukwago, said the team led by the head of the epidemiological unit, Dr Issa Makumbi, had investigated most of the cases and chances of the Ebola haemorrhagic fever, and the Marburg virus had been ruled out. “We discovered that the people are suffering from a complicated form of malaria. This was confirmed from the three people that have been tested so far. The biggest challenge was that people thought that the disease was as a result of witchcraft. So they would seek the services of traditional healers and in the process they were delayed. By the time they went to hospital, their condition was already worse,” Dr Lukwago said. “The malaria outbreak was as a result of the heavy rains that were experienced in Mubende. These led to floods thus causing mosquito breeding. But the situation is under control because our team is doing surveillance.” The disease, that broke out at the beginning of the month, has so far killed five people and more than 30 others are admitted.The disease is said to cause heat around the chest and itching in the neck, and after a few hours, vomiting, bleeding through the nose and the mouth. stumwebaze@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Ntoroko--where-rain-and-sunshine-are-not-welcome/-/691232/1679946/-/14q5r3iz/-/index.html","content":"Ntoroko, where rain and sunshine are not welcome - To say life in Budiba village in Butungama Sub county in the new district of Ntoroko is harsh, is an understatement. When you live there, you do not want to ask God for rain or sunshine because both can be a curse. Budiba is one of the villages still battling the floods from the December rains. The rains make River Semliki explode now and then, flooding three sub counties of the district which was recently curved out of Bundibugyo, in western Uganda. In the last one year, the river has burst twice; in August and December, taking two lives and displacing 17,000 people in Bweramure, Butungama and Rwebisengo the sub counties. Their homes were swept downstream, and few others submerged in the floods that also destroyed gardens, and domestic equipment, and of course pasture for the animals. This is not the first time it is happening. Floods happen every other year in the rainy season, but, the kind of floods that came in 2012, are only comparable to the ones of 1911, 1962, 1988, according to elders in the area. World Vision assessment puts 895 households as severely affected. Mr Moses Muhigi of Budiba village, Butungama Sub County, who we found sitting under a tree shade with his family, looking at their makeshift shelter, is not one of those assessed as severely affected. But he has 11 children and two wives. The whole time we were there, his younger wife looked at us without saying a word but breastfeeding her baby of about five months. Muhigi’s first wife was preparing lunch of cassava leaves, which she says, would be eaten with rice that she buys at the shop in Budiba at Shs4,500 a kilogramme. Their home was washed away by floods, and only a handful of property including a goat with three young ones, chicken, a dog, and a cat were saved. Their lives hang on a thread because they cannot feed themselves – let alone their animals. The river, on which Muhigi depends on as fisherman, flows out of eastern Congo, which is located on a higher altitude than Ntoroko, which is largely a plain at the foot of the imposing Rwenzori Mountain ranges. When it rains in Congo and Bundibugyo, Ntoroko suffers. The waters in Semliki River rise, like it happened in the months between July and December last year, and fishing goes on recess. Ntoroko is a district without permanent offices of its own and still uses a school administration block at Kibuku Primary School, in Kibuku Town Council as headquarters. When the district council meets, they sit under a tree, for there is no where else to meet. Mr Emmanuel Were, Bundibugyo World Vision’s acting programmes manager says, they are trying to look out for long term solutions to the problems affecting these people. “Flooding has increasingly become a recurrent problem in the areas around the Semliki,” Mr Were, who has overseen the disaster response to over 580 households, said. World Vision has offered to develop capacity for Ntoroko District to respond to disasters, on top of giving out tarpaulins, plates, cups, saucepans, soap, blankets and water purifying tablets. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/EAC-bloc-to-start-climate-change-fund/-/688334/1674578/-/1rlf3i/-/index.html","content":"EAC bloc to start climate change fund - Members of the East African Community (EAC) have endorsed key resolutions that seek to put in place a climate change fund. The resolutions, emerging from the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee report of EAC, also recommends the formation of a standalone committee that will adequately address climate change issues. “The Assembly has debated and adopted a crucial report of the agriculture and natural resources committee on climate change,” read a statement from the EALA secretariat. Danger“In the deliberations, the East African Legislation Assembly notes that climate change is hampering agriculture, affecting natural resources and largely degrading the environment and advocates for a multi-disciplinary approach towards mitigating on the adverse environmental impacts.” The initiative comes at a crucial time when the Green Climate Fund that receives countries’ contributions to mitigate climate change, has no money. Bleak developmentsAt the Climate Change talks in Durban, South Africa in 2011, countries pledged to raise $100 billion by 2020. However, even after the last climate talks in Qatar last year, no country had brought the cash. The EAC Secretary General, Ambassador Richard Sezibera said the bloc was concerned about the effects of climate change on the region. Studies show that Least Developed Countries especially in Africa will be most hit by the effects of climate change even though they contribute least to emission of greenhouse gases. These effects include floods, drought, and disease outbreak among others. So far, the EAC has come up with a number of policies to mitigate the effects of climate change in the nearby future. flanyero@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Leaders-criticise-KCCA-s-waste-collection-method/-/688334/1668858/-/a2oom/-/index.html","content":"Leaders criticise KCCA’s waste collection method - Kampala Capital City Authority’s (KCCA) method of garbage collection has come under criticism by sections of the population. Trucks move all over the divisions picking rubbish from the different parishes. However, experts insist that the method has increased dumping of garbage in sewer line systems and on the outskirts of many valleys. According to Mr Paul Tabingwa, the project manager of the Nabugabo Updeal Venture, though the old system was expensive in purchasing garbage skips for all divisions, it had helped people identify places for garbage disposal. “It would be better for KCCA to concurrently use the garbage collecting trucks with garbage kits. But depending on trucks to collect garbage allover Kampala, may not solve a problem that is worsening all day,” Mr Tabingwa says. “For instance, Nsambya valley, Kalerwe sewer lines and Namuwongo slums, have suffered increasing floods and unpleasant stenches as a result of poor garbage disposal,” he adds. Mr Mubarak Munyagwa, the Kawempe mayor, says people in his division are dumping garbage everywhere because “ the trucks are periodic and garbage is generated daily.” However, KCCA says bin distribution in the city centre has helped combat garbage littering and it would be rolled out in the outskirts. Mr Peter Kaujju, the KCCA spokesperson, says the authority has registered improvement in collecting garbage. “Garbage collection in Kampala has improved during our term in office from 3,000 tonnes to 30,000 tonnes in two years,” he said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Leaders-criticise-KCCA-s-waste-collection-method/-/688334/1668856/-/a2ook/-/index.html","content":"Leaders criticise KCCA’s waste collection method - Kampala Capital City Authority’s (KCCA) method of garbage collection has come under criticism by sections of the population. Trucks move all over the divisions picking rubbish from the different parishes. However, experts insist that the method has increased dumping of garbage in sewer line systems and on the outskirts of many valleys. According to Mr Paul Tabingwa, the project manager of the Nabugabo Updeal Venture, though the old system was expensive in purchasing garbage skips for all divisions, it had helped people identify places for garbage disposal. “It would be better for KCCA to concurrently use the garbage collecting trucks with garbage kits. But depending on trucks to collect garbage allover Kampala, may not solve a problem that is worsening all day,” Mr Tabingwa says. “For instance, Nsambya valley, Kalerwe sewer lines and Namuwongo slums, have suffered increasing floods and unpleasant stenches as a result of poor garbage disposal,” he adds. Mr Mubarak Munyagwa, the Kawempe mayor, says people in his division are dumping garbage everywhere because “ the trucks are periodic and garbage is generated daily.” However, KCCA says bin distribution in the city centre has helped combat garbage littering and it would be rolled out in the outskirts. Mr Peter Kaujju, the KCCA spokesperson, says the authority has registered improvement in collecting garbage. “Garbage collection in Kampala has improved during our term in office from 3,000 tonnes to 30,000 tonnes in two years,” he said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/We-need-more-forests--Mabira-inclusive/-/806314/1667122/-/ti05lo/-/index.html","content":"We need more forests, Mabira inclusive - As the discussion on Mabira Forest goes on, I would like to implore MPs to read the NRM manifesto 2011/15, particularly the clause on environment. This clause talks about intensive tree planting to protect the environment. Since it may be difficult for MPs to have a consultative meeting with the public before hammering the last nail on the Mabira case, I would like them to consider the following; • Nile Plywood transports wood from Nakasongola and Zombo districts to Jinja. SCOUL should also be able to grow sugarcane in other parts of the country and transport it to Lugazi. This way the factory can remain operational and Mabira forest remains untouched. • The economic value of replacing Mabira forest with sugar cane plantation may be tangible but it will be short lived. Once the water cycle is distorted, crops and livestock production will be affected not only around Mabira Forest but for as far as Mubende and Luweero.• Environmental disasters such as floods, landslides, drought, hailstorm, water scarcity among other that the country has been going through are aftereffects of uncontrolled deforestation. How then do you destroy the little that is remaining? • Some people argue that the part of Mabira in question is already degraded, but in a situation where the country is heading to environmental turmoil due deforestation, degraded forests should simply be restored by carrying out enrichment planting rather than transforming them into agricultural lands. • It is cheaper to import sugar than wood.• Before we dwell on irrigation as a source of water for agriculture, we should first be sure of the source of water for irrigation after rivers and valley dams have dried up due to deforestation. We will have to increase the budget for disaster preparedness to cater for environmental refugees and internally displaced persons as a result conflict between cultivators and animal keepers will arise as they fight for the scarce water. The clause in the manifesto on tree planting should be analysed critically because there is no way natural forests can be protected and deforestation controlled without establishment of plantation forests to supply the much needed wood products. Increasing electricity generation alone is not enough without considering distribution and to do that, transmission poles are needed. If power coverage is to reach 85per cent, how many poles will be required and what will be the source of those poles? It is said that vocational training should b emphasised to reduce on the number of unemployed youth. Surprisingly, about 90per cent of the training is in wood utilisation and consumption. Where will the wood come from? Mabira should not be given away, instead, more plantation forests should be planted.Gastone Niyonzima, gastonenfa@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Floods-displace-500-people/-/688334/1658894/-/11f3yh0z/-/index.html","content":"Floods displace 500 people - At least 500 residents in Rwenshama Fishing Village in Bwambara Sub-county, Rukungiri District have been displaced by floods from Lake Edward. More than 200 families have been displaced since December and water movement triggered by violent waves on the lake were still forcing more to relocate by last week, according to local authorities. The residents said stormy winds push the water into their residences, leaving houses, roads and plantations flooded. Fishing, the major economic activity at the landing site, has since been stopped. “We do not know how long this will last. More people are being displaced. They have nothing to eat and nowhere to live. All this area is susceptible to flooding because it is flat,” the area parish chairperson, Mr John Karabarema, said recently. The water has flooded a stretch of more than two kilometres from the lake, including Rwenshama Trading Centre. Most of the affected families are living at Rwenshama Primary School and Rwenshama Health Centre. No suppliesMr Kabarema said food and other items that the Office of the Prime Minister had earlier donated to the victims had been used up. The Rujumbura MP, Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi, who visited the area during the festive season, promised to solicit aid for the displaced families. The Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Ms Harriet Nakamya, said the government would provide three acres of land for the erection of temporary structures to the affected families.editorial@ug.nationmeida.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/UNRA--No-cash-for-600km-of-roads/-/689844/1657992/-/wbjghi/-/index.html","content":"UNRA: No cash for 600km of roads - New roads in new year? The During the short rainy season that started in September, a number of roads and bridges in eastern and western Uganda have been washed away by floods. Farmers in western Uganda are trying to raise money and repair small bridges because of the slow response from the government. The murram roads are in a worse state. Risdel Kasasira spoke to the head of corporate communications at the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), Mr Dan Alinange, on what they are doing to salvage the situation. 1. What is the current state of roads in the country?Those who travel upcountry regularly have seen that the road network has improved a lot compared to what it was three years ago. We have better roads. Where we have bad roads such as the Tororo-Mbale-Soroti or Jinja-Kamuli roads, construction is ongoing. We have a challenge of murram roads. This is mainly because of a limited budget. What people do not know when they hear that the sector has been given Shs1 trillion, is that only Shs150 billion of that money goes to road maintenance. That means patching up potholes and working on murram roads. We still have a challenge because the road fund has not been allowed to operate the way it was planned. If the fund was to bring in Shs800 billion every year, the UNRA would have enough money to work on the murram roads. But to give a general view, we have a better road network compared to previous years. We have completed a number of new roads like Kampala-Mityana, Masaka-Mbarara, Kampala-Gayaza-Zirobwe, Matuga-Semuto, Kabale-Kisoro and 50 per cent of the Kampala-Masaka road. We have also finished 50 per cent of Kampala-Kafu road. So, we are moving in the right direction. 2. What exactly do you mean when you say there is an improvement? When the UNRA started operations, it wasn’t only about constructing new roads, but we inherited a network, which was in bad condition. Driving from Kampala to Mbarara was a nightmare. But that journey, which used to take almost six to seven hours, now takes four hours. Over the past three years, we have increased the kilometres of tarmac by over 1,000km, and as I speak now, we are also upgrading another 1,000km. When we came in, we had 3,000km of tarmac, we now have 4,000km and are looking at having 5,000km in the next three years. For the network under the UNRA, we have 21,000km and only 3,000km of it was tarmac when we started operations. In the next five years we hope to have 7,000km of tarmac in the country. 3. There are millions of people who have never seen a tarmac or cannot transport their agricultural produce in the rainy season because of poor roads and bridges that have been washed away? Why have you failed to the fix bridges?We have not failed to fix the bridges. The UNRA inherited a network, which had broken down. All these bridges have exceeded their lifespans. They were built 50 years ago, during the colonial days. They were supposed to be replaced 10 years ago. This was precisely because of stretched funding. The funding to build infrastructure increased only three years ago, after the war in northern Uganda ended. The traffic has also increased. Like in Kanungu, many trucks are transporting goods such as cement to Congo. But the roads were not built to handle such heavy trucks. We are replacing them. We are also going to build the new main bridge at Jinja bridge. We have got $120 million for this new bridge from the Japanese Government. We are currently procuring the contractor. Come April, we shall start the construction of the new bridge. Of course, there are people in Karamoja, who have never seen tarmac. But this year, we are going to work on the first tarmac road in Karamoja. This is the Moroto-Nakapiripiriti road. China Road and Bridge Company will start work on it in February. 4. Three years ago, the government promised there would be no potholes on the roads under the central government because of increased funding. How come potholes still exist?You now have to look for the potholes. Before then, they were everywhere. Where we have bad roads, you still find there is a contractor working and it’s just a matter of time. But, like I mentioned earlier, we still have a challenge of road maintenance. Filling potholes is part road maintenance and the money for maintenance is still little compared to what is given for construction. Our plan as the UNRA was to have road gangs. These people would do the maintenance. For example, there would be a pickup truck with bitumen driving along a road that is in bad shape, filling potholes, but this is not possible because we don’t have the money. The roads that are in bad shape like the Jinja-Kamuli road will be completed this year. In the past, there were complaints that road accidents were caused by potholes, but the accidents are now being caused by speeding because of improved roads. That’s why we are now moving into road safety. There are a lot of traffic jams. It takes two hours to reach Entebbe from Kampala, yet it is supposed to be 40 minutes. We are building a new highway. We are also finalising plans to start the constructing the Kampala-Mpigi and Kampala-Jinja highways. People will pay to use these roads. You can pay Sh2,000 and be in Jinja in one hour. If you don’t want to pay, you will end paying more in terms of fuel because you will spend more time in heavy traffic. That’s the phase we are moving into. 5. Does it make sense to construct new roads that are not maintained and within a short period are depleted?Setting up the road fund was a good idea. But it’s still being affected by bureaucracies in the Ministry of Finance and Parliament. The law has to be amended so that the fuel levy goes direct to the fund. When the money goes to the Consolidated Fund, it ends up going to other sectors such as health and education. If the road fund was left to operate the way it had been planned, we would have enough funds for maintenance. The toll fee that will be paid on the highways will not only be used for maintenance, but also to repay the loan.It’s useless to put the lights on the road, when you cannot pay electricity bills to Umeme. It’s going to be 51km and we will be able to pay bills for the lights. We don’t want to suffer as we have suffered with the Northern Bypass. The lights are there, but Umeme usually switches off power because we have no money to pay the bills. It’s an embarrassment that we cannot light up the whole of Entebbe Road. In Ghana or Kenya the fuel levy goes directly to the road fund. 6. How can you compare Uganda and Ghana when we have heard of roads that were constructed by Kwame Nkrumah many years ago that are still okay. Uganda roads develop potholes within two years?I think we need to educate our people. There is no road in Uganda that is constructed to last 15 years and develops potholes in two years. Some of those roads that people mention are those contractors do maintenance on, especially here in the city. They just put a layer on top. But it’s like putting a plaster on a wound. You have to build a road from down. You put a base, sub-base and the top layer. For example, the Chogm roads, were just about maintenance. When you see potholes, you know it was maintenance.But even if the road is built to last 20 years, it has to be maintained. That’s why the government needs to be careful because we are building a lot of roads but we are not putting aside money for maintenance. As the UNRA, we have 4,000km of tarmac, but 600km are due for reconstruction. But we don’t have that money. For us to do some good maintenance we need Shs600 billion. 7. Hasn’t corruption in awarding tenders created problems for the sector? There is corruption everywhere. But even His Excellency, the President, cannot promise you a road through the UNRA. You have to go through the process. We are dealing with international contractors who know their rights. If a person is technically qualified and is the lowest bidder, you will give him the job. During this process, the World Bank, the European Development Bank, the African Development Bank, and the IGG are all watching. We are proud of the procurement process. It’s fair and open. That’s why the cost per unit is going down. It is because we have sealed the loopholes and allowed competition. We used to have the most expensive per unit cost in the region. We used to have $1.5 million, but we now spend $700,000."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Markets/Transport-posts-few-milestones/-/688606/1656056/-/7og9nvz/-/index.html","content":"Transport posts few milestones - Kampala. The hope of Ugandans having good infrastructure has continued diminishing with little implemented so far. In the year 2012, the sector registered little physical progress. Potholes, dust, mud-filled roads whenever it rains, floods, poor drainage systems, poor rail, limited water transport equipment and a small airport still characterise the sector. The roads sub-sector which has taken a huge portion of the budget over the last four years is flawed by many problems that have seen road carnage increase.In the 2012/13 budget, the Works and Transport sector being the second most funded sector took a whopping Shs1.6 trillion out of the Shs11.1 trillion 2012/13 resource envelope. RoadsThe highlight of road transport in 2012 was the inauguration of the construction of the $476 million (Shs1.19 trillion) Entebbe-Kampala highway that will link the town of Entebbe in Wakiso district to Kampala. Funded by the governments of Uganda and China, it will be completed in 2017.Other on-going rehabilitation activities for road transport include constructions on Kabale-Kisoro highway, Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara road, northern corridor highway, Malaba-Bugiri-Jinja Kamuli, Nyakairiti Kazo and Kamwenge road, Arua-Vura-Koboko road. Also Gulu-Atyak-Nimule road, Kagumba-Ishaka road and rehabilitation and reconstructions of two major projects- Kagamba-Ishaka and Moroto Nakapiripiriti roads are underway. All these projects have remained incomplete even though the ministry of works planned to have many of them ready before the end of the year. Mr Dan Alinange, the public relations manager of Uganda National Road Authority (UNRA), said the delays were caused by a combination of slow construction, weather effects and late funding. RailwayManaged by the Rift Valley Railways (RVR), Uganda’s railway transport underperformed. While, RVR embarked on several projects to rehabilitate the current dilapidated Uganda-Kenya line in 2012, much is still needed. Projects undertaken last year include: repairing wagons, replacing spoilt culverts and renovating the Tororo-Pakwach line. Recently, Mr Brown Ondego, the RVR Group chief executive officer, now vice chairman, said they planned to reduce trains transitional time between Mombasa and Kampala from 21 days to seven days. He said: “We are in advanced stages of renovating the railway network. We expect to finish all the work and installations by the end of November [2012].”He added: “After this, we shall be able to run bigger train locomotives all the way from Mombasa to Jinja.” But this promise is still pending. The government’s plans to construct another railway from Tanzania are still on paper. While neighbouring countries such as Kenya and Tanzania invested in train services for public transport to fight traffic, Uganda did nothing. Eng Abraham Byandala, the minister of works and transport, told this newspaper that the government has no plans for commuter train services. He said: “Our thinking is not on commuter trains but ‘rapid bus systems.’ We will invest in trains for cargo transportation not passengers.” Water TransportWhile water transport equally underperformed due to limited investments, a few positives were registered. MV Kaawa returned to work after four years, Kalangala finally got a new ferry-MV Pearl while government put aside Shs10 billion to repair MV Pamba. On completion, Pamba will complement MV Kaawa and Kabalega. Several private players also launched ferries to ply different routes. Air Transport2012 was a bad year for air transport globally. Reports by International Airlines Transporters Association (IATA) have tagged the declining air traffic worldwide to growing fuel prices; thus, higher tickets fares versus declining disposable incomes. Uganda recorded the same trend of decline in airline activities. Unlike 2011, when about four airlines launched operations at Entebbe airport, in 2012, only one NasAir, an Eritrea based carrier, launched.Works to expand Entebbe airport that were planned to kick off late last year were pushed to this year as the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) looks for more land and funds to implement this project. The plans to revive the national airline (Uganda Airline) which Eng Byandala announced last year are underway. The airline became defunct due to lack of enough capitalisation. Information from the ministry of works reveals that a paper on reviving the airline Has already been presented to Parliament and will be debated this year. 1 | 2 Next Page»But Eng John Byabagambi, the state minister for works says that even after passing through, the airline will need constant revenue for maintenance or else it may not live longer. “Our plan is to have a yearly budget specifically for the national airline as has been done by other countries to ensure later profitability and sustainability,” he said. Mr Zephania Balidawa, the CAA board chairman, said air transport sector’s major achievement in 2012 was Uganda being named among the safest destinations in the world.Mr Balidawa said that this explains the slight improvement in the passenger numbers, and the increasing interest among players to fly to Entebbe.Despite this sluggish performance, the ministry of works and transport insisted that 2012 was a result oriented year. Eng Byabagambi, said his ministry registered good results in terms of improving road and water transport sectors though struggled in the rail and air sections. 2013 results for this sector will only depend on the availability of funds and how government will use them. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Disasters-in-Bunyoro/-/688334/1654510/-/evdnp/-/index.html","content":"Disasters in Bunyoro - Disease outbreaks and natural disasters tortured Bunyoro in 2012 with several lives and property destroyed as a result. Ebola In Kibaale District, 20 people were killed following an outbreak of Ebola. The hemorrhagic fever, first reported in Nyanswiga Village, Nyamarunda Sub-county, spread to other sub-counties and sent residents fleeing from the affected areas. One of the patients, Hope Nazziwa, fled from the isolation ward at Kagadi Hospital but was traced by the Ebola task-force team and returned to the ward. A nurse at Kagadi Hospital, Claire Muhumuza and her four-months-old baby, Milka Ninsiima, were among those who died of Ebola. Medical officials also followed up more than 600 people who got into contact with Ebola patients. The government declared the district Ebola- free on October 4, a decision taken 42 days after discharging the last ebola-positive patient from the hospital. Cholera A few days after containing the deadly Ebola epidemic, cholera broke out in Kibaale District at the landing sites in Ndaiga Sub-county, killing two people and leaving 14 others hospitalised at Kyaterekera Health Centre. The disease had earlier broken out in April and left more than 100 affected. Cholera also affected various fishing communities in Kibaale, Hoima and Buliisa districts, with more than 1,000 people infected. In Hoima, 708 cases of cholera were reported on June 8 and 16 people died of the disease. In Buliisa District, the disease forced authorities to postpone the opening of the second term by a week to lay strategies for curbing the prevalence of the epidemic. Six deaths and 760 cases were registered. FloodsBunyoro sub-region also received heavy downpour in October and November, resulting into flooding in several low-lying areas. River Nkusi burst its banks on November 6 and paralysed transport along the Kagadi-Hoima road. Uganda National Roads Authority engineers confirmed that floods had washed away culverts at one of the tributaries of River Wambabya and cut off Bugambe-Katasiha road in Hoima District. Nkusi River also flooded along the Kikwaya-Bugwara-Isunga road in Kibaale District. More than 500 families were affected by the floods which killed two people - Patrick Mugenyi, 57, and his daughter, Kayesu of Rwebigaga village in Kibaale District. The floods caused delays in delivery of the 2012 Primary Leaving Examinations as key roads were cut off. In Hoima, P.7 candidates in at least five schools started their exams 30 minutes late since roads to schools were cut off. As the sub-region welcomes 2013, authorities have been urged to learn from the previous incidents and look for ways of averting such disasters and disease outbreaks."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Another-difficult-year-for-Bududa-landslide-victims/-/688334/1653302/-/77g41l/-/index.html","content":"Another difficult year for Bududa landslide victims - MBALE The year 2012, just like 2011 and 2010, has been another tough year for the people living around Mt Elgon in Bududa District. The residents have struggled with problems ranging from constant fights with Uganda Wildlife Authority over land in the park, a health crisis, a barrage of floods and the June 26 mudslide that left 21 people buried in Bumwalukani and Bunamulembwa villages in Bulucheke Sub-county. After the mudslide, people living on the mountain slopes were evacuated after threats of El-nino rains were detected by the government’s disaster management team. The government estimated that 400,000 people could be displaced by landslides in the rainy season. The Uganda Red Cross launched a Shs2 billion appeal fund for victims in Bumwalukani and Bunamulembwa villages to be temporarily resettled in host families as government looked for a permanent solution. With good will and money pouring in from donors, the government was determined to use the disaster as a catalyst for transforming not only the poor Bududa residents, but also to end the mudslides. But a review by the Daily Monitor showed that the post-disaster plans were frustrated by bureaucracies in the government, the failure to properly utilise the aid and the difficulty of the enormous task of urbanising the area. President Museveni in June suggested that the survivors and those living in high-risk areas be relocated, saying they could be absorbed in urban centres if no fertile agricultural land was found for them. Resettlement plansHe said the government would find out the number of the affected and those at risk as responsible ministries explored the possibilities of urbanising Bududa Town Council, Nakatsi, Bushika, Kuushu and Bubiita town boards for permanent resettlement. A ministerial sub-committee comprising the ministries of Works, Lands, Internal Affairs, Trade and Industry, Local Government and OPM, chaired by 3rd deputy Prime Minister Moses Ali, visited the area to carry out a risk assessment. They agreed to table the idea of urbanisation in Parliament and the Cabinet. But six months down the road, there is nothing on the ground. The district chairperson, Mr John Baptist Nambeshe, says the government has failed to prioritise one site for immediate urbanisation to resettle about 12,713 people to save them from the suffering they are undergoing in host homes. Thousands remain in wretched camps, some are living in ramshackled houses amongst host families, while many others have been evicted from host families. The role of researchersMakerere University scientists, researchers in partnership with other universities also promised to launch a comprehensive scientific study of Mt Elgon soils, trees, rocks to ascertain causes of mudslides in the area but to date, nothing has so far taken place. They were to determine the depth of a 40-kilometre crack on the mountain and to provide solutions that would end the mudslides. But to date, nothing is on ground. Experts from the National Environment Management Authority and the Uganda Wildlife Authority said environmental education is the only way to save Mt. Elgon National Park from further encroachment and check massive landslides. dmafabi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Red-Cross-registers-66-injury-cases/-/688334/1653290/-/epkxafz/-/index.html","content":"Red Cross registers 66 injury cases - Kampala The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) attended to 66 people who sustained injuries from various incidents between December 23 and 26 during this festive season. Seven deaths were recorded according to a URCS emergency response report as of Thursday. These included one person, who died in a car accident in Myanzi-Mityana; two people died on Tirinyi Road in an accident involving a bus and saloon car; one died when a car overturned in Lira District, one died in a domestic violence case in Pader District; one in a fire outbreak in Pabbo and one death was recorded during a fire outbreak in Nabweru. URCS set up a countrywide standby team in all its 51 branches to be on alert during Christmas and New Year festive seasons. All the 66 received first aid services from the Red Cross Action teams. Of these, Red Cross teams and ambulances referred 53 seriously injured people to various health centres in Mulago, Doctor’s Clinic-Kampala, Mityana, Mbale, Nabingo, Namutumba, Kikabwe, Nkozi, Natete General Clinic-Kampala, Dokolo and Babo-Gulu. Some 47 incidents were motorcycle (boda-boda) and car accidents in Kampala, Myanzi, Nabingo, Tirinyi Road, Nakatoke-Mpigi, Bubulo-Manafwa, Entebbe Road, Dokolo, Nakawuka-Kabojja. Uganda Red Cross has already conducted an assessment and verification ahead of relief distribution yesterday. There was also a fire outbreak in Nabweru which injured four people including three children. In Kishenyi Village, Bushenyi District, 200 people were displaced by floods. The URCS is conducting an assessment in the affected areas. For all the responses, the URCS worked with community members, police and the Office of Prime Minister. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Water-shy-tourists-told-to-get-on-the-road-boat/-/688334/1650662/-/wkn7tdz/-/index.html","content":"Water-shy tourists told to get on the road boat - Entebbe Ever enjoyed a boat ride before? Well, your dreams could be drawing nearer, for a chance that will not cost you much. Only this time, that ride will be on land. This is after the Noah’s Ark was unveiled at the Uganda Wildlife Educational Centre (UWEC), in a bid to have tourists enjoy their visits even more. According to the UWEC, the Noah’s Ark will provide an enriching experience for people who are afraid of water. “Like the biblical story of people and animals saved in the Noah’s Ark during the floods, this Noah’s Ark signifies how the public contributes food and medicine to rescued animals through the fee they pay to use the ark,” Mr James Musinguzi, the executive director of UWEC, said. The commissioning of the ark at the weekend coincided with the launch of the Christmas Zoo fest geared to providing special packages for this festive season at the centre. Mr Musinguzi said the ark, which is open to the public, will also provide families and other tourists extra convenience and entertainment while on their tour. “The key targets are people large family groups with children, senior citizens and people who have difficulty walking,” he said. The UWEC education officer, Mr Isaac Mujaasi, said the boat was made from fabricated steel panels and could carry up to 1,100 kilogrammes (about 13 to 14 people). Mr Mujaasi said the idea was conceived from different zoos in Yokohama city in Japan and they hired a mechanic in Katwe to fabricate the boat. “The original idea was to have the facility towed by donkeys but later, we changed it to an engine so that we could save wearing down the donkeys,” Mr Mujaasi said. The board chairperson of UWEC, who doubles as the commissioner of the Wetland Inspection Division, Mr Paul Mafabi, said the new innovation would help resurrect the centre to offer some new marketing techniques. mssebuyiral@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Using-art-to-halt-climate-change/-/691232/1649376/-/10samokz/-/index.html","content":"Using art to halt climate change - With climate becoming a big phenomenal problem world over, mitigations to curb it by all means have come up. The latest in Kabarole District is the use of art work to communicate the messages to the communities. During the Fort Portal Annual Street Art exhibition organised by Kabarole Research and Resource Center (KRC) in Fort Portal Town on December 13, art exhibitors had pictures and photos showing the effects of climate change. One of the artists, Sadat Kiwanuka of Jabulani Arts Fort Portal, says the art pieces were an attempt to find a lasting solution to climate change. “It is easy to communicate something visually because people can easily interpret pictures. So I think with art pieces on climate change, we can drive the messages and people to change,” explains Kiwanuka. He says as artists they have to put this message out using the means they can because they are also affected by climate change in their work and daily life. We are all in this together“Climate change affects our work so much. For example, we have to travel to Kyenjojo and Kasese, long disances away, to get clay, yet we used to get it from here. We are humans and the effects are on us. So we have to communicate to the people using these means to save the environment for us all to live well,” Kiwanuka said He adds: “Everything we use is from the environment, if we don’t have it, art will not be there” He says the main piece was portraying bush burning and how it leads to drying of water sources and finally misery to the people. The main piece was about a child who was crying due hunger after a long drought caused by climate change. “Pictures tell a lot, I think people who look at them will not act the same when they go back home after the exhibition,” Kiwanuka said Kiwanuka realised his art talent in 2006 during his Senior Six vacations and has not looked back. In 2008 together with Samuel Bamya and Sowedi Kiwanuka they formed Jabulani where he works as Creative Designer. The director KRC, Mr Julius Mwanga, noted that climate change can be reversed if the community heed messages about protecting the environment. “We can reverse climate change if we take heed to calls of conservation, this exhibition is aimed at informing everyone about climate change since people like pictures which could help raise awareness,” Mwanga said Godfrey Ruyonga, the Kabarole District Environment Officer urged the masses to protect the environment for the benefit of their grandchildren. 1 | 2 Next Page»“By destroying the environment we are digging our own grave which has to stop. Floods will continue killing us, drought, hunger and all the negative effects will affect us. Let’s keep the environment for our grandchildren to live well” Ruyonga said The artist encouraged Ugandans to identify what they can do as individuals to curb climate change than to wait for government of NGO’s. He called for planting of more trees despite the small pieces of land. According to Kiwanuka, the art pieces are priced depending on the theme and size but normally are sold for between Shs100, 000 and Shs200,000 and the turn up increased on the second day. “The turn up is not bad, we have made contacts and being the first time I think we have made a big step” Kiwanuka said. The theme was “ Using art to communicate on climate change in the community.” editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Plans-for-wetland-boundaries-finalised/-/688334/1642718/-/128ib83z/-/index.html","content":"Plans for wetland boundaries finalised - Plans to restore and manage wetlands in Kampala have been finalised by the government to determine the wetland boundary line and current threats to the wetlands in the country. A team of wetland officers from the Ministry of Water and Environment, Kampala Capital City Authority and Buganda Kingdom have started a process to assess the level of degradation of low lying areas currently stressed due to the conversions that hinder the ability of wetlands to regulate floods. They carried out a comprehensive inspection and assessment of the activities within the wetlands and in the wetland buffer zones of Kyetinda and Kansanga in Makindye Division. Sensitisation Mr Paul Mafabi, the commissioner Wetlands Management Department, said an inventory of the various structures and stakeholders is being conducted through an exercise to mobilise community members and guide the team on the administrative zones within the wetlands. “Our purpose is to define boundaries for developers to know where to stop because there is a policy and the law governing wetland utilisation. But developers should also know that even if they are destroyed, wetlands still find their way,” he added. According to Mr Mafabi, following the assessment of the wetlands, the boundary marking exercise will continue, followed by the wetland management planning process under which the management options for Kyetinda and Kansanga will be agreed upon among the stakeholders and communities. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/115-killed-in-Philippines-typhoon/-/688340/1636962/-/8n26ty/-/index.html","content":"115 killed in Philippines typhoon - The death toll from a powerful typhoon that ravaged the southern Philippines rose to 115 Wednesday, officials said, as rescuers battled to reach areas cut off by flash floods and mudslides. Typhoon Bopha barrelled across the island of Mindanao Tuesday, toppling trees and blowing away homes with 210-kilometre (130-mile) per hour gusts before weakening overnight as it headed towards the South China Sea. Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman and other officials described scenes of utter devastation with houses and other structures in some towns and villages ripped apart by the most powerful storm to hit the country this year. \"There are very few structures left standing in the town of Cateel,\" she told AFP, referring to a coastal town where 16 residents were killed. \"We need to rush to these areas body bags, medicines, dry clothes and most importantly tents, because survivors are living out in the open after the typhoon blew away homes and rooftops.\" The situation was just as dire in New Bataan town, where the military said at least 44 people were killed in flash floods and mudslides. \"The bodies are left lying on the ground in the open in New Bataan and we don't want to risk the spread of disease,\" Soliman said. Two provinces on Mindanao's east coast accounted for 100 of the dead, while 12 others were killed elsewhere on the island. Three people were also killed in the central Visayas region, regional civil defence and military officials told AFP. The New Bataan dead included a soldier taking part in rescue operations, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said. Six other army men from the same unit were missing and three were injured. \"It is quite sad and tragic. They were actually there to be ready to help our countrymen who may be in trouble,\" Roxas said. The military was scrambling helicopters and heavy equipment Wednesday to the mountain town, where rainwater had gushed down from nearby slopes, creating a deadly swirl of water, logs and rocks that crushed everything in its path. Logs and boulders blocked the narrow mountain pass leading to the town, said Major General Ariel Bernardo, commander of an army division in the area. Parts of Mindanao remained without power and telephone services, with food and clean water in limited supply. Cateel and two other towns on Mindanao's east coast remained cut off due to a collapsed bridge and fallen trees and debris blocking roads, said Corazon Malanyaon, governor of Davao Oriental province where Bopha made landfall. 1 | 2 Next Page»She said rescuers were using everything from heavy equipment to their bare hands and chainsaws to clear the roads. \"It's like we're running an obstacle course,\" Malanyaon said on local radio. \"About 95 percent of the town centre's structures including hospitals, private homes, private buildings had their roofs blown away,\" she said. Bernardo said about 200 soldiers were dispatched to help them, while emphasising that the military was also \"a victim of the storm\" after an army patrol base and a rescue truck were washed away in New Bataan. \"In one of our headquarters, no bunkers were left standing and all our communication equipment has been destroyed,\" he said. Bopha struck Mindanao early Tuesday, bringing driving rain and strong winds that forced 87,000 people to seek refuge in emergency shelters, according to an updated civil defence office tally. It was the 16th storm this year to ravage the Philippines, which is hit with about 20 cyclones annually. In December last year Mindanao was pummelled by tropical storm Washi, which killed more than 1,200 people and left hundreds of thousands homeless. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/-/688322/1636418/-/6j7yc2/-/index.html","content":"Minister raps firms over insurance - Ugandans who often take up the biggest percentage of employees contracted by foreign companies usually miss out on the compulsory insurance workers cover, state minister for Works has said. Mr John Byabagambi said such companies risk the lives of employees as well as exploiting Ugandans. The law requires contractors to undertake group personal accident insurance cover for qualified manpower and workman’s compensation for casual labourers. Mr Byabagambi, was speaking at the handover of a claim worth Shs947.3 million by the Insurance Company of East Africa to the Chinese Construction Company. The claim followed flash floods and heavy rains that washed away works on the Mbarara-Kikagati-Murongo road last year. The Floods were reportedly caused by expanding seasonal rivers in Isingiro District which burst the banks in May hence destroying construction works.fnalubega@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Activists-want-contractors-blacklisted-over-bad-work/-/688334/1635126/-/155n3g6/-/index.html","content":"Activists want contractors blacklisted over bad work - HOIMA The Midwestern Regional Anti-Corruption Coalition (MIRAC) members, in Bunyoro sub-region want the government to blacklist contractors suspected of doing shoddy work in the area. The MIRAC programme officer, Mr Martin Zinira, at the weekend said shoddy work has left various classrooms, roads and health facilities in a sorry state. He said in 2008, MIRAC received 12 shoddy work complaints in the region, which were forwarded to police and the Inspector General of Government for investigation. In 2009, the activists reportedly received 22 complaints from the community accusing public officials of bribery and extortion. Mr Zinira also claimed that the office received 39 cases of theft and fraud in 2010, 16 cases of shoddy work and 57 complaints of abuse of office. Pictures The coalition’s Gender Officer, Mr Herbert Monday, showed journalists photographs of a bridge constructed in May 2012 on River Wambabya in Bugambe Sub-County, but which was later swept away by floods. The bridge has remained a pain in the neck for people who travel to Nyakabaale Market and Muhwiju Health Centre. Mr Monday also showed photos of a four-classroom block at Kigorobya COU Primary School that was de-roofed by a storm in 2010 and has never been repaired. “We can no longer stay silent, fearful and indifferent amidst such injustices. Let us stand together with individuals who are actively fighting theft and looting and we add our voices to theirs,” Zinira told journalists. On corruptionThe activists also want public officials implicated in corruption scandals prosecuted and efforts made to recover public resources that they may have mismanaged. The Midwestern Regional Criminal Investigations officer, Mr Sulaiman Kabuye, said he had not yet received an official communication from the activists. fmugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/Know-Your-Hood---Namasuba-gets-flooded-in-the-rainy-season/-/689858/1630184/-/6s7nnaz/-/index.html","content":"Know Your Hood : Namasuba gets flooded in the rainy season - Before the arrival of a new born baby in a family, parents do all sorts of preparations in order to ensure that everything is in place when their little one arrives into this world. According to Michael Kagenyi, the general secretary of Nankinga Zone LC1 and Vice Chairman of Bunamwaya Parish, part of Namasuba is in Bunamwaya Parish and the other is in Masajja Parish, all under Makindye Sabagabo or Kyadondo South Constituency. Some of the villages that comprise Namasuba are Namasuba Central Zone, Kalina Zone, Para Zone, Kikajjo Zone and Ndikutamadda Zone, all LC1 areas. OriginsAccording to Sam Malinga, a broker and managing director of IBC Tours and Travel Ltd., who moved to the area in 1996, the area is named after Mzee Sekambo, the Kabaka’s parish chief in the area. ‘Namasuba’ was Mzee Sekambo’s nickname. Nobody knows how the nickname came about, although they think it has something to do with mangoes. The area was famous for having a lot of mangoes. Eventually, the area assumed the Mzee’s nickname. The security situationSecurity is not that bad. We have several security organisations trying to maintain it, although we still have some cases of insecurity. Because the number of youth is big, we expect it,’ he says. The Police are one of the organisations that maintain security in the area. There are three Police posts – one at Zana-Kikombi, one at Kirimaga and another near the Namasuba stage. There is a Police Patrol arrangement in place. Many schools, churches and factoriesWhite Angels schools are good private primary and secondary schools in the area. There are Bright Light School, Green Light Secondary School and the Omega Primary and Secondary schools, as well as the Turkish Light Academy. The churches in the area include Life Church, Omega Healing centre, led by Pastor Michael Kyazze and Gospel Life Church International, led by Pastor Umar Mulinde. Omega Healing Centre owns the Omega schools. The factories in the area are the African Industries Ltd., which makes nails and barbed wire and Movit Industries, a cosmetics factory. There are about three fuel stations in the area. ChallengesDuring the rainy season, life becomes a bit difficult. The place is always flooded. You find people’s property destroyed, roads become impassable, like during Chogm. Some two or three years ago, even the Red Cross had to come in, to rescue the situation. People were given blankets, jerry cans and saucepans. Their houses had collapsed,” says Kagenyi.“Hygiene is not all that good. Whenever you experience an increase in numbers, those are the challenges you face. Because homes are congested, toilets are not well maintained. People take long to work on the ones that are almost full.” Land pricesAccording to Malinga, the whole of Namasuba is on Kabaka’s land. Some people have land titles, while some don’t. A 50ft x 100ft plot in Namasuba can go for between Shs30M and Shs50m. A 100ft x 100ft plot can go for about Shs100m if it is in a normal area. If it is water-logged, it can go for about Shs70m and Shs80m.About twenty metres from major roads, a 50ft x 100ft plot can go for between Shs20m to Shs25m; while a 100ft x 100ft plot can go for Shs30m to Shs35m, off the roads. In normal areas, an acre can go for about Shs2b. If it is in a water-logged area, it can go for about Shs1b. RentA one room bedsit (toilet and bathroom without), can go for about Shs80,000 in rent. A two roomed apartment (toilet and bathroom without), can go for about Shs150,000 to Shs160,000.A self-contained house (one room) can go for between Shs200,000 to Shs300,000 in rent. A two bed roomed house can be between Shs250,000 and Shs300,000, depending on the quality of the house and the area. A three bed roomed house can go for between Shs500,000 and Shs600,000. In the low-lying areas, it can go for about Shs400,000; while on the hills, it can be about Shs500,000. Transport chargesTransport to town by taxi is about Shs1000, although this is negotiable and can go down to Shs700. From the taxi park it is Shs1000 and can shoot to Shs1500 at peak hours. However, if you board a taxi around the Queen’s way roundabout, the fare can go down to as low as Shs500. The fare to and from town by bus is Shs500. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/34-000-affected-by-floods-as-Teso-leaders-speak-on-Awoja/-/688334/1626288/-/kkqp5pz/-/index.html","content":"34,000 affected by floods as Teso leaders speak on Awoja - About 34,000 people have recently been affected by floods, the Uganda Red Cross Society said yesterday. Releasing the November Disaster Response Report, the Red Cross said Uganda had experienced heavy rain, triggering fatal floods and landslides in several areas, with the worst affected being the Mt. Elgon region, where about 50 people were killed and hundreds displaced by landslides. Soroti, Amuria, Katakwi, Nakapiripirit, Kween, Tororo, Kapchorwa, Ntoroko, Moroto, Nebbi, Kibale and Kotido were listed as the most affected districts. According to a statement from the Red Cross, in all the districts, they attended to 17,390 people. Mr Michael Nataka, the secretary general of the Red Cross, says the report has been sent to the Office of the Prime Minister, relevant UN agencies, the Red Cross and the Red Crescent. Meanwhile, leaders in Teso Sub-region have called upon the government to review the contract for the construction of the new Awoja Bridge, which was washed away by heavy flooding in 2007. During a meeting in Soroti last week, the leaders observed that the work was dragging yet it needed to be complete by 2014, according to the contract. “We hope the construction is not being used as a conduit for diversion of funds,” Former Amuria LC5 Chairperson Julius Ochen said. An official from the Uganda National Road Authority in Soroti, who asked not to be named because he is not permitted to comment on the matter, said the project was faced with a number of challenges such as the recent heavy rains, which forced a temporary suspension of work. editoriall@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Uneb-should-have-provisions-for-students-involved/-/806314/1621140/-/gvb775/-/index.html","content":"Uneb should have provisions for students involved in catastrophes - National Council for Children has confirmed that two Primary Seven pupils of Nakaseta Islamic Primary School, Busiindi sub-county in Mityana District failed to sit for their PLE exams because they were discharged from Mityana hospital after exams had started. These two, Scovia Bangi, and Florence Namiyingo, were among the 10 pupils who were struck by lightning on November 4, 2012. Eight out of the ten children who got medical treatment at Mityana hospital managed to sit for exams, the following day. According to the head teacher, Authman Wasswa, Namiyingo was discharged on November 10, while Bangi, left hospital on November 12, hence missing this year’s exams. It is unfortunate that Uneb does not allow a special sitting for such cases. Other calamities that should be given thought is the recent floods that damaged bridges in Kibaale District where several candidates missed PLE due to impassable roads. Uneb should improvise ways to cater for such genuine cases whenever they occur. Martin Kiiza,mkkiiza@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Kenya-scientist-indigeneous-knowledge-predict-weather/-/688340/1618890/-/lkwoq/-/index.html","content":"Kenyan scientist calls for adoption of indigenous knowledge to predict weather - Kenyan scientist wants the government to adopt policies that will allow the integration of indigenous knowledge on climate as part of weather prediction patterns to reduce effect of climate change. The scientist under Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) said integrating traditional weather knowledge is key to reducing effect of climate change and boost food security as the pattern have been confirmed to be accurate.Professor Gilbert Ouma, Project Coordinator said a six season survey on the use of indigenous knowledge on climate prediction has proved that local climate knowledge is working towards food security, climate change and risk reduction. The deliberation were made at a workshop in Kisumu in Western Kenya this week to disseminate findings of the study on impact of indigenous knowledge(IK),on food security, risk reduction and community resilience to adverse weather effects such as drought and floods.Key meteorological department officials across the region, fisheries, agriculture and environmental officers attended the recent meeting.During the conference, government officials drawn from line ministries said they will push up the adoption of the IK into a policy so that it can be used as part of modern weather predicting patterns. Ouma, the lead researcher in the 2-year project carried among the rainmaking Nganyi community in Western Kenya said there is urgent need to integrate IK into scientific climate forecasts at the local level, where it can be used to enhance the resilience of communities vulnerable to climate change.\"Traditionally, African farmers have used IK to understand weather and climate patterns and make decisions about crop and irrigation cycles. However, increased variability has reduced their confidence in traditional knowledge,\" said Ouma. He said scientific weather forecasts have not helped much since it is formulated on larger scale and are presented in a manner unfamiliar to farmers.\"This creates a dilemma for those who recognize the limitations of traditional climate forecasts but are unable to use scientific ones,\" said Ouma who is from the University of Nairobi. To address this problem, he said, the government should integrate indigenous knowledge into scientific climate forecasts at the local level, where it can be used to enhance the resilience of communities vulnerable to climate change. \"Integrating traditional knowledge with science-based forecasts will help farmers make better decisions on what to plant where to plant and when to plant and harvest, other department will also advise locals accordingly on the expected weather for coping mechanism,\" he added. The scientist said such decisions will help change people's lives while slip on them can lead to hunger, poverty and suffering. Although farmers receive forecasts, many do not rely on them as they are generalised. Weather prediction is one of the difficulty facing African farmers, the continent has only one eighth of the minimum number of weather monitoring stations recommended by the World Meteorological Association. The researcher said food insecurity in parts of Africa is as a result of artificial weather forecast that does not conform to local needs. If adopted the scientist said the system will help in mitigating adverse climatic effect as well as reduce poverty as the entire line ministry will be involved. \"We are thinking of a system where ministry of environment will warn on the type of trees to be planted, ministry of public health on the nature of rains to be expected and advice digging of trenches where applicable, agriculture on the amount of rainfall using local examples,\" Ouma said. Currently, the Kenya Meteorological Department (MET) forecast dwells on a larger scale sometimes regionalising rainfall and the public don't know where it will rain.\"We are tired of the current system, every village has its own climate, using local examples and working with traditionalist to forecast will be a sure way of mitigating climate change and boost agricultural productivity that suffers with floods,\" Ouma said.Farmers have been coping with weather patterns consistent with the expected effects of climate change such as higher temperatures, more intense rainfall, stronger winds and longer dry periods. The researchers said forecast for the area using the indigenous methods was that it was 'likely to convey accurate patterns.Apart from the adoption of the traditional climate knowledge into a policy, the scientist also wants it to be incorporated into school curriculum for sustainability.Dr. Maria Onyango also a researcher in the six season study said incorporating the indigenous climate knowledge will enhance its sustainability and acceptance among the young generation. Already the researchers are working with three universities in developing indigenous climate knowledge curriculum to be adopted by other universities in Kenya. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Transport-paralysed-as-floods-block-ferry/-/688334/1618454/-/llk4p0/-/index.html","content":"Transport paralysed as floods block ferry - Moyo Transport at Obongi Landing Site on River Nile has been paralysed after the ferry connecting Obongi to Sinyanya Landing Site to Adjumani District was grounded following flooding of the river. The landing site at Sinyanya, which has been flooded for about five days, cannot allow any ferry to land. The ferry at Obongi, which started operations two weeks ago but was officially launched on Sunday by Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga, cannot move due to high water levels that have submerged the pier where it is supposed to take off . As a result, many passengers have resorted to canoes and boats which take longer time and are risky. The passengers also have to fork out Shs2,000 to cross to either Adjumani or Obongi. However, this has turned into a blessing for the boat owners like Mr Yasiin Saidi, who told the Daily Monitor that they now have an opportunity to earn money. “We charge Shs2,000 together with the luggage and we are still earning money because people prefer to use the ferry which is now not functioning,” he said. The ferry is used at no cost. It takes about five minutes for the ferry to cross while using the boats takes about 15 minutes. The ferry is preferred to the boats taking into account the hippopotamuses, which sometimes attack the boats, leading to loss of lives. Ms Helen Auru, a passenger who crossed using a motorboat, said the the transportation of goods had been hampered. “The boats cannot carry huge luggage. Vehicles cannot cross until the ferry has started the journey,” she said. The recent torrential rains have made the river burst its banks, leaving the concrete, where the ferry lands, deeply submerged in water. Obongi County MP Hassan Fungaroo said some residents had opted to use the Lefori Landing Site which is costly. He appealed to government to upgrade the landing site. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Lightning--tear-gas--rains-disrupt-PLE-37-year-old-man-turns-up/-/688334/1612514/-/lw51go/-/index.html","content":"Lightning, tear gas, rains disrupt PLE as 37-year-old man turns up - Nationwide A myriad of disruptions, some natural, others man-made, conspired to disrupt the first day of Primary Leaving Examinations around the country yesterday. In Mityana District, five candidates missed their examinations after being struck by lightning that hit the school on Sunday as they held a preparatory parade. The incident at Nakaseeta Primary School affected 10 children, five of whom were candidates. They missed the Mathematics and Social Studies exams. In Katakwi, officials said exams were delivered late as flooded roads made movement difficult. District chairperson Robert Ekongot said they had to hire boats after road transport became impossible. A number of schools received the examination material at around 11:00am long after the official 9:00am starting time. A demonstration in Kibaale about the poor state of roads in the district and a tree that fell across the main highway to Kyenjojo sparked off a demonstration by drivers in the main town of Kagadi and paralysed transport that also affected delivery of the examination papers and movement of both candidates and supervisors. The demonstration later turned chaotic after heavily armed Anti-riot Police fired tear gas and gun shots to remove barricades that had been erected by the rioters on the roads. Riot affects 40 schoolsThe acting district education officer, Mr John Kyaboona, said about 40 schools in Buyaga West Constituency were affected by the riot, adding that exams in the affected areas commenced between 9.30 am and 10am instead of 9am. In Lamin-Anoo in Gulu, examination officials received examination papers as late as 11:30am, forcing candidates to start examinations about two hours late. The District Inspector of Schools, Mr Robinson Oboth, said some of the schools could not start exams on time because their roads were impassable due to heavy rains. “In Gulu, the papers all reached but others received late because we had to use higher vehicles to transport the papers since some smaller vehicles got stuck,” Mr Oboth said. Although a truck carrying PLE materials to Masaka and Rakai districts overturned on Sunday, there were no incidences reported during the examination except for the three officials on it, who were seriously injured. Mr Chrysostom Kibeti, the UNEB deputy secretary in charge of primary education, said a rescue team had been dispatched but denied allegations that the papers had leaked. “...we sent the rescue team and the papers were guarded. Am not aware that they were stolen at the scene of the accident but we are waiting for a report from Police,” Mr Kibeti told Daily Monitor. In Kabarole, apart from disruptions caused by bad roads to schools in rural areas, attention was focused on Charles Kajubu, a 37-year-old pupil who turned up in a clean, well pressed uniform to sit the exams for his first academic paper at Mpumbu Primary School about eight kilometers from Fort Portal town on Kijura Road. Kajumbu said he was happy to be sitting his PLE 25 years later after he missed his first trial in 1987 when he fell sick. “I was about to sit for exams at Kitumba Primary School in 1987 and I got measles two days to exams and I couldn’t do them. I missed that year and I never got any other chance of going back to school until this year,” he told Daily Monitor. In Soroti Municipality, two girls, who were registered to sit at Fr. Hilders Primary School failed to show up for the exams. One of the inspectors in the area, Mr Samuel Oyaba said another pupil at Pamba Primary School had also sat for exams with a two-weeks-old baby. In Ngora District, 34 pupils could not sit for examinations because they had either been found to be pregnant or married off by their parents. 1 | 2 Next Page»Floods wreck havocIn Katakwi, where several schools in the villages have been affected by floods, the exams had to be delivered under serious hardship. “The road to Magoro has been cut off and we had to hire a boat to deliver the papers,” the district chairperson, Mr Robert Ekongot, said. General delays were reported in Hoima due to late delivery of materials on account of bad roads Mr Charles Kinimi, the inspector of schools, said most examination distributors started their work from rural schools where roads are impassable and were struggling to make it on time in town. Pupils sitting for PLE in Kamuli Town were forced to walk under the heavy rains to their various schools. The Kamuli district Inspector of Schools Mr Ibrahim Kanakuli said although there was a delay in delivery of the exams due to wrong packaging, all schools were able to do the exam. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Resident-invade-MP-Werikhe-s-home-over-power-dam/-/688334/1607054/-/ebxvbsz/-/index.html","content":"Residents invade MP Werikhe’s home over power dam - Residents of Bulusambu village in Busoba Sub-county in Mbale District have stormed the home of Mr Michael Werikhe, the Bungokho South MP demanding to know his position regarding the proposed construction of a Shs50 billion dam in their area. The proposed Bulusambu Dam Project is jointly funded by Sweden, Norway and the World Bank under the Nile Basin Initiative. The dam is expected to serve Busiu, Bukiende, Lukhonge and Busoba sub counties in Mbale District and some parts of Manafwa District. The group trekked from Bulusambu village about 7 kilometers to Mr Werikhe’s home at Nangasi village in Bunghoko Sub-county on Monday. Mr Werikhe is suspected by some residents of sponsoring people who are opposed to the construction of the dam. Mr Werikhe was not available for a comment but in earlier statements, the MP who chairs the Natural Resources Committee of Parliament has denied opposing the dam.Recently, a group of Busiu Sub-county in Mbale District dragged government to court over land earmarked for the construction of the dam. Through Ajungule and Company Advocates in Kampala, the residents argue that they are threatened by artificial flooding which would come as a result of the dam.They contend that the construction of a 15-meter perimeter wall around the dam would interfere with the natural flow of water and lead to floods, which would force them off their land. The residents vowed not to leave Mr Werikhe’s until he meets them. Mr Werihke was not at home by the time it was invaded. It took the intervention of Mr Jacob Opolot, the Eastern Regional Police Commander to convince the group to leave. Mr Opolot assured the group that he had communicated to Mr Werikhe who promised to meet them on Saturday. The construction of the dam has stimulated tension in the area forcing some people to attack those believed to support the project. Mr Isaac Masaba, the Lumubugu Parish LC 3 councillor who is believed to support the project was on Sunday attacked and beaten by a group that is opposed to the dam.Mr Opolot says two people have since been arrested in connection to the Sunday attack. (source: URN)"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Mbale-residents-oppose-Sh50-billion-dam/-/688334/1539102/-/d3nokn/-/index.html","content":"Mbale residents oppose Sh50 billion dam - Residents of Busiu Sub-county in Mbale District have dragged the government to court over land earmarked for the construction of the Shs50 billion dam. The proposed Bulusambu Dam Project is jointly funded by Sweden, Norway and the World Bank. It is expected to serve Busiu, Bukiende, Lukhonge and Busoba sub counties in Mbale District and some parts of Manafwa District. Ms Betty Bigombe, the state Minister for Water and Environment explained that the dam would among other benefits mprove agricultural production through irrigation, improve water supply for commercial and industrial use in the districts. However, about 300 residents have petitioned Mbale High court to block the project. Through Ajungule and Company Advocates in Kampala, the residents argue that they are threatened by artificial flooding which would come as a result of the dam. They argue that the construction of a 15-meter perimeter wall around the dam would interfere with the natural flow of water and lead to floods, which would force them off their land. They also accuse the government of using excessive force through its agents and security operatives to kick them off their land. In their petition, the residents say the decision to implement the project is oppressive, arbitrary and rightly illegal. Mr Nathan Wolukawu Wanda, one of the petitioners accused the government of trying to impose the project on them. High court is yet to set a date for hearing the case."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/So-what-if-a-75-year-old-seeks-out-love/-/689842/1536990/-/sceftn/-/index.html","content":"So what if a 75-year-old seeks out love - I had not watched Bukedde TV in a while until there was this talk of an old woman searching for love. I was having supper when this conversation came up and one of the “discussants”, a female, was appalled by the idea, while the gentleman seconded it. I, on the other hand, thought it was her life and she could do with it as she wanted. And who are we to judge her anyway? Yet, there have been many discussions about her. In fact, Mary Nalule (Meere), has become a household name and a search over the internet reveals her image. This 75-year-old lady was quite clear on what she wanted; a white male with whom she would see the world, an Italian perhaps. She said she has been with black men and was tired of them. In a television interview, Nalule said she had mothered a child with a Kenyan and then another with a Ugandan and both were poor providers. She did speak English during the interview, so, communication will not be a problem. In some online publications she is featured being guarded by police because of a rampant crowd that wanted to ravage her on one of Kampala’s streets. Really? Don’t people have better things to worry about like improving their lives, global warming and so forth? I heard the floods are coming, consequent to the heavy rains. Now this is something to be worried about as opposed to hunting down a poor woman who speaks her heart. The poor woman also has people describing her as a prostitute who, during her youth, must have dated white men iand wants to do the same in her old age, one who is negatively portraying the females in society. Would it have mattered if she had not particularly sought a white man? What if it had been a man searching?These people argue that women are revered in society, they hold the moral torch and for this reason alone, they should act with utmost respect. So, are we saying that it would be acceptable if it were a man in her shoes? What makes the difference between these two hearts, the female and the male? Of course, most people of this age are grandparents who many of us associate with nurturing and love. In this traditional society of ours, what she did is described as ‘taboo”. Some say she was born in the wrong generation and should accept age’s limitation, including the search for a companion, and be condemned to a life of loneliness. Really? According to Uganda picks, Nalule has received over 500 calls from black men, but she is adamant. So, if it is illegal for her to look for love, then why all the many phone calls? A couple of people have argued that it is our African hypocrisy that has us scorning her. Some people settle for second wives to older men while others have secretly taken on the role of Sugar Mummy. I believe she is a much better person for coming out and speaking her heart’s desire. Let the old woman beA friend said when we are young; women are all about being shy and coy. So, basically 20-year-olds have no business telling this woman off when they have hardly lived their lives. However, my friend argues that at Nalule’s age, she probably realises she is living on borrowed time and does not care what anyone thinks, but rather focuses more on the little while she has to do whatever it is she always wanted to do, and why not? If there is a man out there for her, let him find her. Cheers to all those who have joined the campaign to get her a man, I’m no liberal but I’m definitely up for this. fullwoman@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Fewer-students-to-sit-Monday-s-Senior-4-exams/-/688334/1533106/-/34okquz/-/index.html","content":"Fewer students to sit Monday’s Senior 4 exams - The Uganda National Examinations Board has registered a sharp decline in the number of candidates sitting this year’s Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations which start this Monday morning.This is by a margin of 4,580 students compared to last year. A total of 268,522 students were registered for this year’s examinations in 2,788 centres compared to 273,363 last year. The Uneb Secretary, Mr Mathew Bukenya, noted that the body had launched an investigation into the matter, which amounts to a ‘crisis’ since the number of candidates registering for national exams have been steadily rising every year. The body will also conduct exams for 1,226 candidates in about 20 centres in South Sudan. Candidates are starting with Geography Paper 1 in the morning, followed by Geography Paper 2 in the afternoon. However, there is fear that heavy rains that are being experienced in many districts in the countryside could affect the effective transportation and distribution of examination materials to the various centres spread across the country. Bridges in some districts have already been washed away by floods while most rural roads become impassable. “There is no doubt that the bad roads in our area will affect the distributions of exam materials and some schools will start examinations late,” said Ms Judith Imamut, of Paminya Primary School in Nebbi district. Mr Bukenya said the examinations body had dispatched a team of 8,839 scouts to ensure malpractices do not come up in the entire examination period. Primary candidates will have their briefing on November 2 and sit exams on November 5 and 6, followed by Senior Six candidates who will be briefed on November 9 and start writing their exams on November 12 and end on November 30. =================================FIGURESTher examinations body has sent a team of 8,839 scouts to ensure security in the entire examination period.A total of 111,495 candidates are expected to sit this year’s Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education exams in 1,483 centres."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/Fixing-the-missing-links-in-agricultural-crop-insurance-/-/688616/1528752/-/157fyjiz/-/index.html","content":"Fixing the missing links in agricultural crop insurance  - While attending a course that was sponsored by USAID/COMPETE in Agricultural (crop) Insurance in May 2012 I reflected on the potential that agriculture can impact on the economy of Uganda; despite the low insurance penetration in Uganda, at least banks and financial institutions have tried to offer financial packages and loans to farmers but due to their lack of adequate knowledge (in underwriting, assessment and loss adjustment) the trickle down effect has been slow for the 70 percent Ugandan population employed by the agricultural sector. The missing link in this jigsaw (in my view) is the Government of Uganda (GoU) which if its role is well played would stimulate growth of agricultural production to meet domestic demand and for export. The Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda recently circulated the preliminary insurance performance figures for 2011 showing that insurance companies earned gross premiums amounting to about UShs. 296 billion from both life and non-life sectors. In order to increase food security and current agricultural production (with respect to the above premium amount), GoU has the capacity to avail the insurance industry a similar amount of money that the insurance industry earned in 2011 to cater for premiums in agricultural (crop) insurance; this is the basis for the subsidized federal crop insurance program used in the US and Canada which our government can also use to make Uganda the food basket of the Great Lakes area and reduce unemployment. Once GoU avails premiums to the tune of UShs. 300 billion, financial institutions and banks will easily be brought on board to offer agricultural production loans as insurance companies would confirm their ability to provide loan protection insurance to agricultural loan portfolios; loan recipients; and their immediate family members. With such arrangements by GoU, both institutions (Bankers and Insurers) would, therefore, have a financial arrangement to cover the loans disbursed to farmers for agricultural purposes and any related business (dealing in crops and livestock).Therefore in addition to improving access to credit (by lowering the risk of default for financial institutions) agricultural insurance can increase investment in food production, improve the income of farmers (who are vulnerable to climate variability) and reduce food insecurity. Also in addition to covering insured perils such as drought, excessive rainfall, hail damage, uncontrollable pest and diseases, GoU will reap additional benefits (in compensation after availing the premiums) even in situations where the farmers are unable to repay (the agricultural loans) due to death of livestock and/or damage to their crops arising from any catastrophe (such as storm, landslides, floods, fires, drought, epidemics, etc) unless if specifically excluded from their insurance polices. In essence once farmers’ losses are compensated (by Insurers) they would always be in a better financial position to continue farming thus increasing the overall agricultural production and food security.Since premium rates for agricultural (crop) insurance range from 5 per cent to 6.5 per cent and if financial institutions and banks were to lend the insured farmers using the premiums issued by GoU that Insurers would use to offer loan protection, the economy and especially agri-business stands to be stimulated by over UShs 2 trillion. To overcome the problems programs such as NAADS have gone through, the premiums allocated by GoU can effectively be monitored by either the Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda (using premium certificates issued by the Insurers/Brokers Associations) and/or an association formed by the insured farmers which would directly pay the premiums to the financial institutions, banks and Insurers. Finally, it is my humble belief that it will be the insurance industry (and especially the regulator) to convince GoU that they are ready for the challenge and/or to begin with at last 10% of it; i.e., UShs 30 billion premium allocation from GoU annually; the financial institutions and banks would on the other hand need the services of assessors, loss adjusters and agronomists to determine the amounts of loan protection to offer the farmers. In conclusion GoU would, therefore, have increased the budget allocation to the agricultural sector that is accountable directly to the farmers unlike other programs seen by them as political rewards. dafalakhalil@yahoo.co.uk"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Red-Cross-to-manage-camp/-/688334/1528428/-/4oopjjz/-/index.html","content":"Red Cross to manage camp - KAMPALA The government has assigned the responsibility to manage Matanda Refugee Transit camp in Kanungu District to Uganda Red Cross Society. About 3,276 Congolese refugees are being hosted at the camp. This is an additional responsibility to the body that is already helping government in other parts of the country. For instance, there are 1,931 people affected by floods in Serere, Amuria and Katkwi districts that the body has given tarpaulins, mosquito nets, soap and jerrycans as well as 1, 404 people affected in Apac by floods. They have also come to a rescue of 135 households in Lyantonde District where a heavy hailstorm destroyed houses and food crops while an assessment is being done in Iganga and Kiruhura districts where hailstorms also destroyed crops and houses. “The Prime Minister’s Office and UNHCR have assigned Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) the responsibility to manage Matanda refugee transit camp in Kanungu,” a statement from Red Cross press release yesterday reads in part. Emergency planThe URCS Secretary General, Mr Michael Richard Nataka, said they have drawn an emergency plan to respond to any disaster that may occur due to weather changes and continues to be in contact with OPM for any disaster response that may be required. The agency has deployed 19 volunteers and staff who are supporting the OPM and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to register new arrivals, construction of tents, building latrines, setting up mobilets, distribution of food and firewood. The volunteers will also sensitise refugees on proper sanitation and hygiene and on how to store food and essential household items. pahimbisibwe@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Telling-the-story-of-a-nation-through-books/-/691232/1526228/-/97y3uvz/-/index.html","content":"Telling the story of a nation through books - Over My Dead Body [Violet Barungi] This play was was inspired by Barungi’s deep concern for girls who are lured into early marriages to rich men before they finish their education. For this play, she won the British Council International New Playwriting for Africa and the Middle East Region prize in 1997. Cassandra [Violet Barungi]Cassandra is a story of an independent-minded, self confident and ambitious girl, who is determined to reach the top without using men’s influence to do so. This story will keep you awake beyond your bed time. The Blue Marble [Jackee Budesta Batanda] This children’s story was short listed for the 2004 Macmillan Writers Prize for Africa, which recognizes unpublished African fiction for children and young people. The story revolves around three young sisters’ struggle to get an education. A Woman’s Voice [Edited by Mary Karooro Okurut]This is Uganda’s first an anthology of short stories by twelve Ugandan women. The stories illuminate the courage and endurance of Ugandan women in the face of hardships and social injustice. A Season of Mirth [Regina Amollo]Amollo highlights social vices like domestic violence, male chauvinism, backward and degenerate superstitions. She emphasizes the essence educating the girl child, as the only way of empowering her and pulling her out of the cultural norms that enslave her. The People’s Bachelor [Austin Bukenya]Bukenya, satirically and in an honest tone attacks the pretentiousness of African campus life and as he compares it with the harsh African realities. The Bride [Austin Bukenya]The play is a criticism of outdated and myopic African traditions that have rendered Africa immobile to the progressive change of Western Education. Reading this play is like watching a movie. Shadows of Time [Victor Byabamazima]Tells one woman’s story of her various experiences as she attempts to get her first job. This is an easy to read and follow story. For The Fairess [Ulysses Chuka II]This novel won the national award for best fiction 1993 and was reviewed on the BBC. Chuka describes himself as a writer who is hanging in there. He wrote this story in 1980 and it got published in 1991. Kosiya Kifefe [Prof Arthur Gakwandi]Gakwandi is concerned about human vanity, the impact of social change on individual lives and damnation through the exercise of power. Silent Patient [Jane Kaberuka]The novel is a denunciation of social injustice. Kaberuka says she writes “to educate, to give hope to those who suffer and to make sense of social justice”. Bury Me in a Simple Grave [Godfrey Kalimugogo]This is a heartbreaking tale that manages to provide some good teachings on Christianity and life in general. Going Solo [Hope Keshubi]This is a story about how Doreen uncovers the exploitation and corruption of two headmasters, and meets many complications, though never loses her energy and humour. The African Saga [Dr Susan Kiguli]Kiguli is one of the most famous Ugandan poets. She has performed her poetry in Uganda and other countries. She is interested in protest poetry and she describes herself as an “observer poet that responds to events that happen around me and in the world.” First Daughter [Goretti Kyomuhendo]This novel is used in many schools as a supplementary reader. The story is based on the life of a young girl growing up in a rural community during the post colonial era. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/I-m-stressed-by-men-from-Parliament--says-Alengot/-/688334/1526168/-/efq15dz/-/index.html","content":"I’m stressed by men from Parliament, says Alengot - Kampala Unlike most university students in Uganda, Proscovia Oromait Alengot is extremely busy. She wakes up at 5:30 every morning to finish her assignments and sits in lectures from 8:30am to 11:30am before heading off to work. Many university students take part-time jobs to help pay tuition, but Ms Alengot’s occupation is different. Fresh out of secondary school at the age of 19, she represents the people of Usuk in Parliament, making her Africa’s youngest MP and the second youngest ever to be elected to a national assembly. There has only been one younger MP in the world—Anton Abele, who was elected to the Swedish Parliament in 2010 at the age of 18. Ms Alengot, a member of the ruling NRM, was elected a month ago to fill the seat of her father, Michael Oromait, who passed away in July. She claims that her father told her that he eventually wanted her to succeed him. “One of my daughters will go back and become a politician,” Oromait allegedly told her. “It’s you that I want, since you are talkative and educated. Since you debated at Mchoka and won, I want you to go and become a politician,” Ms Alengot quotes her late father. Juggling with studiesAs an accomplished debater in high school, Ms Alengot is comfortable with public speaking and she is in her first semester at Uganda Christian University (UCU) in Mukono, where she studies Mass Communication. “Lectures are there everyday and the discussion is on Saturday and Sunday. I do not waste any time…I just go and discuss and my friends explain to me what I have read.” When asked how she will balance her studies, the responsibilities of being an MP, and her social life, Ms Alengot responded, “Because I am a Christian, I do not booze (take alcohol). My free time is for the Bible and reading my novels…that is how my life is.” Her confidence level is high for a 19-year-old and Ms Alengot feels prepared for the challenges ahead. Not everyone agrees with Ms Alengot’s assessment and some MPs have been critical of the teenage lawmaker’s quick rise to power. Mr Michael Mukula, MP for Soroti Municipality, also the deputy chairperson of the NRM, told Daily Monitor in September that he is concerned because of her lack of experience and lack of exposure. Mr Barnabas Tinkasiimire, another member of NRM, was more critical in an interview with the Associated Press. “When you analyse that baby, what kind of knowledge and experience does she have? This is unbelievable.” Ms Alengot said this kind of criticism, even from members of her own party, does not bother her. “There are those opposition leaders…who really intimidate me,” Ms Alengot admitted. “But I told myself, I will stand. As Obama(US President) said, ‘yes we can’. I said, ‘Proscovia, I can.’ “I am nervous of nothing,” she said, adding that there are several MPs whom she considers mentors and friends. Ms Alengot’s political ambitions grew at an early age as she watched her father meet with political advisers and constituents. “I used to say way back that I want to become the President of Uganda,” Ms Alengot said. “I always told my dad that next time you will see me as an MP, as a minister, and as president, because I like to see MPs debating on UBC [Uganda Broadcasting Corporation] TV.”“So it is from that time that my dad passed on, I was given that task to go and… complete his manifesto,” Ms Alengot said. “No one can complete my dad’s manifesto but me, because he never handed it to anyone. I have his documents and I believe I can make it.” Ms Alengot said her father’s greatest contribution as an MP was education and she plans to continue her father’s initiatives, especially in the areas of health and education. “The biggest need of my district is health centres.” She also hopes to address issues facing women and young people. Ms Alengot proposed that the government should give money to groups of women in the villages, “so that at least when their husbands go to work and there is no money, they can go get money from their groups to buy salt, sugar, and treatment for the children.” The 19-year-old legislator also said “first and foremost, the President should provide jobs for the youth, because the youth are now suffering. When someone finishes school, he or she begins roaming the street, looking for a job, but there are no jobs for them. At least they should give them tractors for agriculture which will enable them to earn a living.” Although Ms Alengot benefitted from her father’s political legacy and the support of some leaders in the NRM, her electoral victory came as a surprise to many, including herself.“When I won the (party) primaries, I did not feel all that excited, but I was happy to be the flag bearer of the NRM, and I kept on praying to God and said, ‘God, make me win the final battle.” 1 | 2 Next Page»Although she now balances her time between UCU in Mukono and Parliament in Kampala, Ms Alengot hopes to return to Usuk as much as possible. “I will always go back to Usuk and my constituency,” she said, “because I am fighting for the people. I am a customer to them—they sent me and I will fight for them.” =================================================== What the House looks like to 19-year-old Alengot How was your first and second day in Parliament?There are those opposition leaders, some of them who really intimidate me. But I tell myself that I will stand—as Obama (US President) said, “Yes I can. I tell myself, ‘Proscovia, I can, Yes.’ You joined Parliament at a time when they were debating the National budget. What is your view on the debate and did you contribute?All I know is that the budget has not yet been passed, (Interview was done before. Budget was passed, Friday). They should not pass it. I do not want it to be passed, because I need the money for the health centres. For the time you have been in Parliament, what are the challenges you have faced?There are many challenges. Stress. Not stress from my constituency but from people talking a lot about me. Also Men, mostly from Parliament; but I will handle it. How will you overcome the stress, especially from men in Parliament?I will overcome it. How is your relationship with other MPs? Do you know many of them now?Right now, I have two male MPs who I consider my fathers. That is Odonga Otto (FDC) and Mr Moses Balyeku (NRM). Then my Godmothers, my mentors, Ms Jessica Alupo (NRM), Susan Amero (NRM) and the Minister of Teso, Ms Christine Amongin Aporu. What committee of Parliament would you want to belong to?I am not a comedian. When I go to Parliament, I mean business. I would love to belong to the Committee of Finance, where my dad was assigned. Because the company that he opened was all about finance and agriculture for his people. What are the biggest needs of your district?The biggest need of my district is quality healthcare services. We have only one health centre and many people move a long distance to get treatment. Also poor roads and shortage of water. The floods caused by excessive rains have also destroyed people’s crops and property. This calls for more planning in the dry season. Did you ever dream of becoming a politician? I used to say way back that I want to become the President of Uganda. I always told my father that next time you will see me as President, as a minister, and as an MP. I liked to watch MPs debating on UBC TV. At 9 years of age, I told my dad, I would become an MP. Then in 2010, he told me to go and register. In 2011, I voted for the first time. Then he told me that in 2016, he would contest again and in 2021, one of my daughters will become a politician. And he told me—“It’s you that I want, since you’re talkative and educated. So when my dad passed on, I was given that task to go and contest…to complete his manifesto. How do you feel about being the youngest Member of Parliament?I feel happy. This is an example to the youth. I would like to advise everyone out there, most especially my agemates, that old people in Parliament have already educated us—what do they want in parliament? Let the youth go and serve the people of their districts and constituencies in Parliament. What type of books do you like reading?I read adventures. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Floods-cut-off-Apac-roads/-/688334/1519598/-/xob1smz/-/index.html","content":"Floods cut off Apac roads - Floods triggered by torrential rains have washed away several roads in Apac cutting off the district from other parts of the country.The worst affected roads are: Apac- Lira, Apac-Masindi Port and Apac-Oyam, where vehicles have not been able to pass through since last week. Patients are stuck in villages without health care, school are inaccessible and there is fear among residents that commodity prices could double because traders cannot easily access other districts to purchase goods. Several streams have also burst their banks, making it difficult for school children to cross them to attend classes. The Apac District Works and Technical Services chairperson, Ms Caroline Jobal, on Tuesday said: “We cannot access our neighbouring districts because all the central government roads have been washed away while others are completely submerged by the floods.” Lira District Vice-chairman, Mr Andrew Ogwang Oyang, said: “The road from Lira to Apac, former President Milton Obote’s home area, is very much in a sorry state and it does not qualify the respect that we are supposed to give to the author of Uganda’s independence.” Lira-Masindi Port Road via Apac Town was last rehabilitated in October 2005 during the burial of Obote. The Lira District Chairperson for Works and Technical Services, Mr George Rashid Opio, said residents of the two districts should hold protests against the poor road network. Shortage of fundsThe authorities in Apac said they were struggling to work on the district roads in a bid to locally provide solution to the problem but added that resources needed to do the work were inadequate. “We are trying to work on Apac- Bala Road so that our people can access Lira Town, but we don’t have enough resources to help us do the work,” the Apac District Speaker, Mr Felix Yine, said. Weather experts recently predicted that the current heavy rains in the region could continue up to November."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Japanese-engineers-wonder-why-Uganda-can-t-build-good-roads/-/806314/1515962/-/1494v2wz/-/index.html","content":"Japanese engineers wonder why Uganda can’t build good roads - I met four Japanese engineers who were in the country recently. They asked me why Uganda cannot construct good roads. I said I didn’t know. I have never seen a Japanese laugh so hard and openly. Indeed in their culture, they do not laugh in public, but upon hearing my answer, they could hold back their laughters. They also asked me why Uganda cannot address the problem of floods. I said it is because we do not have hydrologist and maps. They looked surprised. Japan is an earthquake prone country hence their interest in construction of wide roads. Consider the Wandegeya, Jinja Road, and Natete junctions which they built. I recently visited Kasana Health Centre in Luweero District and I was shocked by the dilapidation of the facility. A theatre at the facility is rotting. The Nakawa-Naguru estate should have been designed the National Housing Construction Company (NHCC) Limited? If the problem is lack of capital, then listing NHCC on the Stock Exchange would generate the money needed for kick-start nationwide construction programmes. This would save the country from relying on schools, hospitals, administrative blocks donated by China. Which country in the world has no construction company of its own apart from Uganda? And we claim Obote was an idiot! Something has gone wrong in this country.Bwanika Nakyesawa, Luweero"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/BernardTabaire/UG-50--Kampala-went-to-the-sewers--and-Uganda-followed/-/878688/1507800/-/2r4ixbz/-/index.html","content":"UG@50: Kampala went to the sewers, and Uganda followed - By all counts, there was order in Uganda in the 1960s, even the 1970s. I do not mean political order, but rather civic order. Kampala, for example, was a pleasant place to live and work.Today, the city, even as it contributes about 60 per cent of Gross Domestic Product, is a maddening mess. I can almost excuse the lack of planning under Idi Amin through Obote II. Those were governments led by “swine”. So when the enlightened, non-swine-led government of Yoweri Museveni came to power in 1986, we expected better. Nothing happened. Kampala did rot on. The city today is extremely hostile, to borrow a phrase used on a recent visit by a friend’s father who has lived in London for two decades. The uncollected garbage. The potholes. The gaping manholes. The burst sewer lines. The nose-constricting stench. The floods. The dust. The mud. The cholera. The unlit streets. The nameless streets. The cracked pavements. The houses on road reserves. The cacophony of billboards. The stupid politics. The vested interests. There is all that. And then there is bodaboda. The taxis (minibuses) still drive on the left, for starters. Not so the boda boda. I can stand just about every bit of nonsense in Kampala, but the boda boda. Those cyclists have loosed anarchy on the city. They ride their motorcycle taxis any which way they please: On the left of the road, on the right of the road, in the middle of the road, on the cracked pavements. Traffic lights are an inconvenience. The deaths and broken skulls and limbs that occur everyday from this mayhem have not persuaded leaders or citizens of Kampala to “do something”. Kampala is a metaphor for a society that has progressively – over 50 years – lost the capacity and will to manage itself at the most basic of levels. Remember those jiggers? We cannot get the basics right, so it is no surprise that we trip up repeatedly when it comes to the big things. The news today is about how much a mess we are making of getting a firm to build a dam at Karuma. It would appear Bujagali, the Kampala Northern Bypass, CHOGM, national ID project have not taught anyone anything. The national pastime called bumbling proceeds apace. No sector of Ugandan society has been spared this utter senselessness. Our health and education systems are anaemic. How can they not be with sky-high absenteeism rates, drug thefts and full-to-the-rafters classrooms? Things are so bad Uganda is on the brink of falling behind every country within the EAC, a regional bloc President Museveni has championed more than any other East African in the last 15 years. Okay Kenya and Tanzania have been ahead, having not suffered state collapse. Now, though, Rwanda is outpacing us on a number of fronts, and Burundi is bearing down. Look, Uganda is listed one of the most corrupt countries in the world, and one of the least competitive too. Even where the world had stopped to pay attention admiringly – on HIV/Aids – we have blown our lead. Thing is, countries have leaders, maybe rulers. There is a set of people, mostly elected in the case of Uganda, who swear to do good on our behalf. We must ask now, though, whether we are getting value for our vote. To thrive as a society for the next 50 years and beyond, we will have to reassess how we govern ourselves. A return to presidential term limits is essential. We are stuck with a President who ran out of steam at least a decade ago. If we had term limits, we would likely have new energy and new ideas in State House. Besides, a presidential term should be limited to one term of eight years. This will take away the need for silly but populist policies such as removal of graduated tax or incessant creation of unviable districts all in the chase for votes. At another level, Ms Jennifer Musisi is finding trouble getting Kampala into some order because politicians in the city council are being populist, looking at their chances for re-election. These elected fellows would rather live in filth as long as they are assured of the next vote. You cannot lead a country effectively when you are so lacking in courage. Also, those the courts find guilty of stealing votes should be barred from running for office in the subsequent general election. Impunity is contributing greatly to our failing performance as a country. How about holding quarterly demonstrations against corruption and poor service delivery? This, surely, we the people can do easily. Even police chief Kale Kayihura would be remiss to stop such a noble thing. If he did, he would be a man not of the next 50 years, but of the past. We should make that an uncomfortable place for him and his boss to be. Mr Tabaire is a media consultant with the African Centre for Media Excellence. bentab@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/How-the-NRM-party-won-Usuk-by-election/-/688334/1507444/-/lp11lk/-/index.html","content":"How the NRM party won Usuk by-election - KAMPALA. Nineteen-year-old Proscovia Alengot has thrust herself into the foggy political waters. She is the new MP for the far- flung Usuk County in Katakwi District. Her victory against tested politicians in the area has provoked energised talk. At 19, she sets a happy record of being Uganda’s youngest legislator ever. In Teso, she also dethrones Dr Olico Okui’s record. Dr Olico was the youngest politician from Teso to grace Parliament through adult suffrage in 1980. At 29, Dr Olico caused political waves in Teso for defeating seasoned UPC die-hard Silvanus Isiagi in 1980 general elections. The then young man thrust himself into UPC politics only after a few years of Medical practice. He was able to outmuscle Mzee Isiagi, an accomplished orator who commands mastery of English language to date, to become MP for South Kumi constituency which then combined Bukedea and Kumi counties. The fact that Mzee Isiagi had been a member of Legco, made Dr Olico’s victory even sweeter. At the time, the young man from a humble beginning had proverbially washed his hands to be able to join, on the table, the old politicians like: Steven Ariko [Attorney General], Chris Opio [UPC head office], the late Irene Emulu [UPC national treasurer] and the late Cuthbert Obwangor among others.Thirty two years later, Ms Alengot breaks Dr Olico’s record in Teso. Some argue she is too young to comprehend not just the issues of legislation but the complexities of politics. While Dr Olico moved on after politics to Makerere University medical school where he is reputed to have done a tremendous teaching job, sometimes drawing strategic plans for hospitals and the country’s healthcare delivery system, Ms Alengot’s doubters worry that it might be harder for her to forge life after the capricious game of politics. They accuse NRM party of politically defiling the young girl thus rupturing her innocence. In fact, some voices in Teso even think the girl could be much younger but the ruling party came up with 19 years for convenience. How it all happened The ever growing rift among the politicians in Teso is largely faulted. And the declining quality of politics practiced these days is in the mix.The Teso squabbles has seen Education minister Jessica Alupo, Defence state minister Jeje Odongo and Amuria District Woman MP Susan Amero on a front against other NRM seniors like Mike Mukula and Musa Ecweru. Apparently, other NRM leaders, including district chairpersons, have joined Mukula and Ecweru’s front which also boasts of sympathy from other MPs including members of Opposition. FDC’s Alice Alaso, State Minister for Tourism Agnes Akiror, Ngora Woman MP Jacqueline Amongin and Bukedea Woman MP Rose Akol are some of the leaders whose political guns are facing Ms Alupo. The rift within NRM has been linked to a clandestine contest on who is closer to President Museveni thus making the leaders relate with suspicion. Jeje Odongo is seen to want to capture Mr Museveni’s attention so that he could carve a political constituency. The Amuria seat has been dominated by Ecweru. Ms Alupo who narrowly survived defeat in Katakwi District woman seat by UPC’s Cecilia Anyakoit, is seen as plotting to ring fence the Usuk County seat. Therefore, her support to Ms Alengot is her first victory. The Odongo-Alupo axis, reasons that their detractors were merely unhappy of their rising stars and shift of political power in Teso region.And while NRM cadres were angry that the holding of NRM primaries in Usuk was stage-managed to endorse Alupo’s choice of Ms Alengot against NRM chairman Charles Oleny, the results appear to vindicate Alupo. NRM has lost out in nearly all by-elections where primaries were not held in spite of the colossal sums of money pumped into these elections. In Usuk, Ms Alupo pressed out value for the money openly dished out to whoever cared to vote Ms Alengot. The victory had to be achieved because senior NRM leaders in Kampala had bought into the Alupo’s Usuk project. NRM nomination for primaries was done on a Friday and elections for the flag bearer conducted the next day. Sensing, fishy developments, Mr Oleny opted out. The mood for this by-election was already set. It had to be vigorous and violent. At one point, Ms Alupo’s agent was arrested with a gun in the compound of Mr Oleny’s campaign manager. The matter was reported to police and the gun was traced to the minister. That matter ended there. Ms Alupo was severally reported to campaign at night in military attire. NRM youth leader Dan Mulalu who campaigned for Mr Oleny was roughed up. Throughout the campaigns, Ms Alupo vowed to apply both military and political science for NRM flag bearer to win Usuk County seat. This coveted seat is in a constituency that boasts of 16 per cent HIV/Aids infection. It has only one trained medical doctor and just recently acquired one A-Level school. It has no electricity and no solar power. It is also home to the largest floods in Teso whenever the heavens open up. 1 | 2 Next Page»Ongongoja Sub-county, which was closed for nearly six hours on voting day as politicians wrestled, hosted 88 internally displaced people’s camps and worst poverty levels; a mark of government’s poor performance. It is this same sub-county which hosted the highest incidents of violence as politicians struggled to grab its nearly 7,000 registered voters out of 38,000 in the six sub- counties of Usuk. Reports indicate that plain-clothed soldiers attached to the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) swung into action. At least 11 vehicles belonging to opposition activists were vandalised; a senior MP from Teso Amuriat Oboi was whipped and several agents were left nursing beatings. Momentarily, the poverty-stricken Usuk turned into a battlefield. DivisionHowever, this victory could have laid a firm ground for more division within the NRM party in Teso. Usuk is the climax of the political differences in Teso. MPs from Teso have combined to fight Ms Alupo whom they now accuse of using her closeness to President Museveni and Premier Amama Mbabazi to undermine them. When Oromait passed on, 103 MPs attended his burial. But there was no NRM MP other than Alupo and Amero on the campaign trail with his daughter. The MPs were disturbed by Ms Alupo’s decision to undermine Mr Oleny, therefore putting her interests above the overall good of NRM in Teso sub-region. During the campaigns, at least Shs4 million was mobilised by NRM MPs in Kampala to support Mr Oleny’s campaigns. Clearly, the anger is not against Ms Alengot who is now being referred to in Ateso language as ibuluny [the young mud fish not yet ready for eating]. It’s the political machinations of the Education minister that seems to have rattled feathers. Her detractors have been quick to remind Ms Alupo that she might have overzealously bought into President Museveni’s divide and rule approach, a move now seen to have undermined her chances of remaining a rising star in Teso politics.The violence against residents of Usuk might linger on until 2016. In Alupo’s case, Peter Ogwang, the Youth MP comes from Usuk and is nursing interests in taking over the seat. Seeing that Alupo has the presidential favour, Mr Ogwang has also thrust himself into the mix by spearheading Museveni’s fifth term campaign. Should this campaign gain momentum, Ogwang intends to give Museveni headache on whom between him and Alupo to support for Usuk in 2016. Ogwang’s calculation is that by 2016, Alupo will have made political mistakes that will make her unwanted in Usuk. But while NRM can bask in this victory, the under currents suggest that by allowing individuals in Teso to merge their personal differences with party operations, then the Usuk by-election has negated the positive strides the ruling party had made in clawing support in a sub-region that has historically been hostile to Museveni’s administration. Ms Alengot, a political virgin, has handed NRM cause to celebrate having been losing by-elections but she also leaves the ruling party with a mountainous task in Teso. cobore@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Floods-cut-off-Karamoja-region/-/688334/1505614/-/ve0fb2/-/index.html","content":"Floods cut off Karamoja region - Kampala Thousands of people in Karamoja sub-region have been cut off from the rest of the country by floods triggered by torrential rains that have left patients stuck in hospitals, schools closed and roads washed away, local authorities have said. Leaders of districts in Karamoja, area MPs and residents have appealed for urgent government intervention to save the people. “The situation in Karamoja is dire and our people are dying because they lack blood and drugs,” said Ms Rose Iriama, the Nakapiripirit Woman MP. “We have been completely cut off from the rest of the country. To access our constituencies we have to go through Kenya.” Ms Molly Kutan, a senior official at Tokora Health Centre IV, the biggest medical facility in Nakapiripirit, confirmed shortage of blood and other medical supplies. “We don’t have blood in hospitals yet we have patients who need blood transfusion services,” she said. “Our hands are tied, we have patients who are critically ill and need to be referred to other health facilities but they are stuck because the roads are cut off. The available drugs are about to go bad because we lack oxygen cylinders and freezers for storing them,” Mr Kutan said. The frustrations are shared by leaders led by the Nakapiripirit LC5 Chairperson, Mr John Lorot, who told Daily Monitor yesterday: “The situation is pathetic and sad, most of the schools in Karamoja are closed and the public service system is down,” Mr Lorot said. “The roads have been washed away because we don’t have any tarmac road in the whole of Karamoja sub-region,” he said. For the last three months, all major roads in Karamoja have been in a deplorable condition, making it extremely difficult for people in the semi-arid region to get foodstuff and other merchandise from neighbouring districts like Mbale, Soroti, Lira and Pader. Commodity prices have risen due to high transportation costs the sub-region. For instance, a kilogramme of sugar costs between Shs5,000 to Shs6000, a litre of petrol is at Shs4,000 and diesel at Shs6,000. Some of the affected roads include Soroti-Moroto Road connecting to Sironko – Moroto via Nakapiripirit Road. The 90-kilometre Moroto-Nakapiripiriti Road, which is now impassable, is used to transport marble from Karamoja to Tororo and also connects the sub-region to neighbouring districts. The same road is used by tourists to Kidepo Valley Nation Park. Napak Woman MP Stella Nyomera told Daily Monitor: “The situation is getting worse each day. We were expecting good harvest but all the crops have been washed away and the government is silent as if nothing is happening. Why is government ignoring us? Is it because we are the minority? Our people should not be treated like foreigners. We are also Ugandans.” According to the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) shortage of funds, heavy rain and insecurity in the sub-region is hindering efforts to repair the roads. Mr Dan Alinange, the UNRA spokesperson, said a roads engineer, Mr Benson Ekak, was recently shot by cattle rustlers in Napak as he was inspecting roads in the district. He was airlifted to Mulago Hospital for medical attention. “We are doing everything possible to fix the roads in Karamoja,” Mr Alinage said. “We have committed 40 per cent of our budget to Karamoja roads and we are diverting money from other areas to Karamoja because we don’t have budget for emergency.” He said equipment is being moved from western Uganda to Karamoja. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/To-buy-or-not-to-buy-property-insurance-/-/688616/1503772/-/acjn37z/-/index.html","content":"To buy or not to buy property insurance? - After working for several years, some people use their savings to either buy a commercial building in town, invest in real estates in the outskirts of the city centre or build a house. A few lucky ones with more property and a regular income have made a lifelong investment to be enjoyed till retirement. But whoever thinks of a disaster wiping out one’s entire savings and valuables? Likewise, there is nothing like the excitement you get when moving into your own home. If you also own a home, chances are it is the largest investment made in life. There are also a few places in this world where you can feel as secure as you do while at home at least going by the famous phrase ‘East or west, home is best.’ But to make this feeling satisfactory, there is a lot you need to do, among them, insuring your home and property like you are purchasing one. Property insurance protects your family from any financial losses that would destroy your budget or even your way of life. This insurance cover helps you to recover what you have saved for many years with your hard-earned money. However, home and property owners hardly think that insuring their property is important. Yet property insurance protects ones’ space and property against losses caused due to natural disasters, fire outbreaks, theft and many other possible causes of damage. For many years, there has been lack of trust and confidence in insurance justifying why many people have a negative outlook towards the whole insurance business. But the truth is that insurance actually saves you from the pain of losing something that comes with great hard-work. The benefitsYou might be aware that fire, a common tragedy in recent time, burglary and even floods can actually destroy the objects in and around you. So purchasing an insurance cover is one way you can provide security to your property’s structure, office premises and or the valuables in the house. Insuring is not as complex as it sounds. It simply depends on what your structure is being used for and the contents therein. For example, an office block or home worth Shs100 million would be insured at a minimum rate of 0.125 per cent. This means that the owner will pay Shs125, 000 as premium annually. This amount usually covers the property and its valuables against damage caused by fire, storm, floods and lightning. Trying to replace the damaged or stolen items many times comes as a financial breaker, that is why it is vital to protect your investment as much as possible. When taking up a home or property insurance cover, always get as much information as you may want from your insurer, agent or broker. You are entitled to all the necessary information. The promise of security that your insurer gives while advertising or selling a policy is part of the contract you pay for. The writer is the communications officer of Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda.E-mail: mnalunkuuma@ira.go.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Floods-wash-away-Shs10b-road-repairs/-/688334/1495584/-/15h84s6z/-/index.html","content":"Floods wash away Shs10b road repairs - Soroti Barely three years since an estimated Shs10 billion worth of repairs were done on Awoja Road, a section of Soroti-Mbale highway after floods destroyed the road, it has again been submerged. Authorities in the region closed the road on Sunday to all traffic that has been diverted to the old Mbale road that passes through Serere and Ngora trading centres. Water levels at the three-kilometre stretch on Awoja Swamp had gradually been surging since the return of rains this year and have washed away about 1 kilometre of the road. The regional police spokesperson, Mr Juma Hassan Nyene, confirmed the closure of the road, saying heavy trucks have been stopped from moving through the bridge- the shortest and cheaper alternative route for the trucks heading to South Sudan from Mombasa Sea Port. “People should stop using this bridge. It is now very dangerous to big trucks and if rains continue, it will not be safer for pedestrians also,” Mr Nyene said. In 2007 when floods submerged the road, government promised that the highway would be repaired and upgraded as soon as floods rescinded to enable it withstand any such flooding in the future.Kumi MP Patrick Amuriat said: “I do not think the work was done well. This is a very serious case of shoddy work and should be thoroughly investigated.” State Minister for Disaster Preparedness Musa Ecweru said more than Shs30 billion had been earmarked by government for repairs on damaged roads in Teso caused by the floods. “I am not convinced by the quality of work delivered on this road (Awoja). The President had directed that several culverts be put along the road to create more passage for the water but this was ignored. Somebody should explain,” Mr Ecweru said. He said the gradient of the road was to be raised as the floods are expected to continue for some time and the repairs should be long term. An engineer with Uganda National Roads Authority based in Soroti District, who preferred anonymity because he is not supposed to speak to the press, said the road requires more culverts to allow passage of water crossing with ease. Additional reporting by Steven Ariong editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Markets/No-equipment-to-screen-radioactive-cars---UNBS/-/688606/1493104/-/wma17fz/-/index.html","content":"No equipment to screen radioactive cars - UNBS - The government has up-to-date failed to provide funds for the standards body to acquire equipment which can be used to stop radiation affected cars from entering Uganda, according to Dr Ben Mayindo, the Uganda National Bureau of Standards acting executive director. In an interview with Daily Monitor, Dr Mayindo said while UNBS was aware of the possibility of cars with radioactive elements entering the country, there is little the agency can do due to the absence of recommended testing equipment and government’s failure to avail funds. “Importers tell us their cars were inspected. But we can’t confirm this independently because we do not have testing equipment,” he said.He added: “After the Japanese Tsunami, many of the cars that got in contact with radioactive elements were dismantled into spare parts. Such parts have found way onto our market.” “We need to have testing equipment at every border point and here at the head office. Each machine goes for about Shs35 million. This is little money for government to protect its citizens,” Dr Manyindo said. The 2011 floods in Japan led to an explosion of a nuclear plant, emitting radiation rays which affected lives and properties in at least a radius of 50 kilometers within the plant’s range. Cars in this range were affected by radioactive elements a substance that increase one’s probability of suffering from cancer. Dr Mayindo’s revelation comes a few days after this newspaper reported that car dealers were selling vehicles contaminated by radioactive elements following the Japanese earthquake and Tsunami last year. Last week Mr Ryo Tokunaga, the head of economic cooperation at the Japanese Embassy, told this newspaper that the Ugandan government had a responsibility to screen all radioactive cars. “In Japan, the government put in place tight regulations on cars from the region where the explosions occurred. Thus it remains the responsibility of the Ugandan government to screen all cars coming into the country,” he said. nkalungi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Making-the-Ugandan-film/-/691232/1492358/-/tiowmc/-/index.html","content":"Making the Ugandan film - On Saturday, April 12, 2008 a crowd gathered at Speke Resort Munyonyo. From about 5pm smartly clad guests began trickling in and the glamour was not lost. They stopped, posed and smiled for the cameras before continuing on the red carpet. It was the premiere of Kiwani The Movie, a film by Henry Ssali, a journalist turned filmmaker. Two hours later guests had taken sits in the 1000-seater Victoria Ballroom. They giggled as the plot took shape. For the keen viewer though the thought was on what went into making the movie, something that the averagely movie lover will not take time to think about. A lot goes into making a movie as any filmmaker will confess. While shooting Kiwani: The Movie, Ssali says they experienced drama right from day one. “On location in Nakasero, it seemed set to be a beautiful day - the weather was perfect and everyone was excited and giving their all to ensure the success of the movie. The actors were going through a final rehearsal of their lines, the crew was setting up the equipment while the make-up artiste was making sure the actors look their best,” he explains. He adds, “And...action. Immediately the cameras started rolling, a sea of people arrived on the set from nowhere, all their eyes glued onto the actors and actresses, making them tense and interfering with our footage.” And the technical bit calls for expertise as Matt Bish, one of Uganda’s respected filmmakers notes, highlighting the stages of making a film. “There is preproduction, which involves writing, casting, auditioning, site scouting, wardrobe design, production design, and so on,” he says He adds that he needs a good producer to do a great job, in addition to efforts by both writer and director. Then there is the production stage. “The actual shooting takes place here. For a good production to happen, an effective preproduction must have happened. If preproduction is under cooked, then brace for disaster,” Matt Bish warns. Bashir Kazibwe Mbaziira, who makes movies, says for any film to qualify to be good, the makers need a well thought-out plot and proper selection of actors to suit a particular character or role. Not a walk in the park“The production crew should work with the director to develop the story with the desired picture, sound, lighting and other required visual effects,” Kazibwe adds. He notes it really depends on the nature of the plot under production and of course the actors sought to take up various roles. “As opposed to what most people think that films are made on the day of shooting, there is more to it than standing before a camera. It’s a long hectic process. It starts with piecing up together various ideas into a single story or composing then writing, looking for the right actors, making rehearsals, designing costumes and make up, scouting for locations, designing the set where the film is to be shot, directing,” Kazibwe elaborates. He adds: “Then there is the actual work of shooting the movie, editing and the process goes on and on till the movie gets to the cinema or stores. Of course all this is ruled by two disciplines - creativity and finance.” 1 | 2 Next Page»Matt Bish has invested heavily, particularly for his latest release of State Research Bureau (SRB). He says there are two things to look at here He says he looks at the unpaid-for services and the paid for services. “The unpaid for services include post-production like editing, sound reproduction, subtitling, score production etc. Here I would say it cost approximately $12,000 (about Shs30 million) for the duration of three months in post-production,” he discloses. He adds: “Paid-for services are actors and crew’s wages, production and pre-production. This cost a whopping $17,000 (about Shs42.5 million).” He has done A Good Catholic Girl in which he invested $10,000 (about Shs25 million) and Battle of the Soul whose budget he is not ready to disclose since it was an experimental work. “Back in 2006 I managed to release a movie with a budget of Shs3m, but costs of the different items have gone up,” he says. Kazibwe says his first movie Floods of Tears in 2006 cost him only Shs3m, Kampala is Burning Shs5 million and then Guyiika which he produced last year cost him Shs8m. But film making for Matt Bish is more of a passion, at least for now, since he confesses he has never made any profits with any of his films. And he says he expected it. “My concern here is to prove a point. The point that there are potential filmmakers here in Uganda and the government should help them,” he explains. Running on passionKazibwe shares the same sentiments. “I have not made any tangible profits in film, actually not even a half of the production cost has been realised. Until the copy right law is enforced, it will be hard and almost impossible for any filmmaker to happily smile over the returns,” he appeals. But that’s besides the challenges on set as Ssali shares: “In came the hall’s warden shouting at the top of her voice. ‘Please stop shooting, this is a big project, you must pay for this.’ She had granted permission to shoot in the hall but when she saw our equipment - boom microphones, cameras, lights and monitors, she said she had thought that we would come with a small camera like TV stations do, but with this equipment we had to pay her Shs600, 000 because it was a ‘big project.’ To add insult to injury, she told us we couldn’t continue shooting that day and that we could return another day.” Ssali adds, “After a series of meetings with her and bargaining to cut down the amount, we failed to reach a compromise and decided to build a campus set at another location.” rbatte@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Who-is-to-blame-for-continuous-environment-degradation-/-/688342/1491626/-/pq6t06z/-/index.html","content":"Who is to blame for continuous environment degradation? - Cigarette smokers do it in public, leaving passive smokers exposed to the effects of the vice. Old vehicles and factories emit gases into the atmosphere despite policies to protect the environment. Encroachers invade wetlands and before the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) gets to know of it, they have already put up structures. Others evade Nema by building on weekends and at night. Others hire private security guards to oversee the wetland destruction. Everyday that passes by, Uganda’s environment has been sacrificed for development, especially in Kampala and Wakiso. It poses questions as to what the Environment ministry and government agencies like Nema and the Wetlands Inspection Division are doing to stop the continuous degradation or fix the situation. Ever since Nema was set up in 1995 to monitor compliance, issue permits and supervise works done by sister agencies like the Wetland Inspection Division to monitor and enforce laws against wetland degradation, and National Forestry Authority to protect central forest reserves, it claims it has stood firm against encroachment on some wetlands and lake shores, although the results show otherwise. More wetlands are continuously being degraded and lake shores are being taken by developers to set up beaches without wetland or lake shore permits or Environment Impact Assessments. Beaches closedNema, for instance, closed 14 illegal beaches in Entebbe for denying residents access and polluting the lake by having toilets that drain their wastes directly into the lake early this year. But the closure was ‘verbal’. No officer followed up the matter and beaches continue to operate up to date. The degradation and air pollution in addition to other environment degradation is regardless of the fact that the Inspector General of Police, Kale Kayihura, this year passed out 150 Environment Protection Unit police officers and continues to channel out more environment law enforcers. Several other facilities like Kyewaga Forest Reserve, where illegal mining takes place, have continued to operate despite Nema stopping them. Encroachers in wetlands like Bugolobi wetland, Murchison Bay wetland, Kyanvubu wetland, Kalidubi wetland in Wakiso and Lutembe Ramsar site, have also continued to be degraded despite Nema coming out to stop encroachers. Blame gameWith the 12 inspectors and Shs6.2 billion the authority gets per year, officials leave the work to the Wetland Inspection Division who also accuse Nema for approving permits for wetland encroachers. “How can you expect us to monitor compliance when government has not released our operation funds for the last six months,” a source in Nema, who refused to be named to protect their job, said. The Wetland Inspection Division, however, says they find problems in enforcing laws in wetlands because majority of degraders have permits approved by Nema. “They hurry to issue permits that make it hard for us to get encroachers,” Mr Paul Mafabi, the Wetland Inspection Division commissioner, says. He adds that they tried to create awareness among communities and this brought informers on board. Dr Tom Davis Okurut, the Nema executive director, however, during a press conference recently said many people forge wetland permits and others hoodwink the Authority to have genuine projects accepted in protected areas and on getting them, they turn around to abuse the permit by contravening their regulations. “Although we have only 12 inspectors to monitor all wetlands in the country, there are many forgeries we want members of the public to help us curb,” he says.Crest Foam mattress factory was for instance in August found to be reclaiming a swamp on Ntinda-Stretcher Road at night, under the watchful eye of a private security guard. Nema had earlier stopped the industry owners from reclaiming the wetland in January. Locals helpedLocal Authorities have also not helped because they approve land titles in wetlands, yet title cancellation can only be done by court that takes some time and resources.Nema officials have on several occasions accused Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) of endorsing construction plans in wetlands, yet KCCA itself has a wetland protection division. Some of the wetland plots that KCCA leased out are in Nakawa, Luzira and Bugolobi. The most notable wetlands that Kampala has lost include; Wandegeya Children’s Park, Kyambogo wetland (car depots), Centenary Park, Bwaise, Luzira, Kinnawataka, Bugolobi, Garden city, KCC playgrounds in Lugogo, Clock Tower and Nakivubo.KCCA vehemently denies these claims by Nema, saying it is only using the authority as a scapegoat. 1 | 2 Next Page»Well as they accuse KCCA and other local governments, Nema approves reclaiming of several wetlands. For instance, the encroachment on wetlands where Garden City, Shoprite Lugogo and Nakumatt shopping malls are located, were approved by government.  Others were Busambaga wetland where an estate is being erected. These were hitherto serving a number of environmental purposes to the city, such as preventing floods by acting as water catchment areas, filtering effluents from industries before the water gets into Lake Victoria and being habitats for aquatic creatures. Aquatic creatures play an important role in the eco-system. In such circumstances, however, it has to be proved that the advantages accruing from the investment outweigh the existence of the wetland. Besides, an EIA has to be carried out by Nema before construction starts. While Government sometimes gives out wetlands to developers through the right procedures, they are in some instances grabbed. In some areas, the developers politicise the wetland encroachment thereby arm-twisting Nema beyond its limits.A case in point was the Wandegeya Children’s Park in Kawempe Division, where part of the wetland was grabbed by people with disabilities under their umbrella organisation, The Salvation Army, in early 2006. In July the same year, UPDF veterans also grabbed the remaining piece of the wetland. Efforts by both Nema and KCCA to evict the veterans were futile as they literally resisted and chased away KCCA law enforcement officers, who had gone to demolish their structures. They were armed with sticks and reportedly, guns.Away from Kampala, environment officers at districts are sometimes reportedly compromised by District Chairpersons who block the officers from “interfering with their voters.” Insufficient fundingFunding from the districts is also insufficient. Mpigi’s District Environment Officer for instance gets Shs500,000 for monitoring 599 square kilometers of wetland per year and Masaka’s District Environment Officer gets Shs9.8m for monitoring the whole district, having six different administrative units per year. Environment officers believe that without Nema boosting their budgets, monitoring and compliance of the environment would just remain on shelves. Nema’s board recently undertook inspection visits to different districts in Central region and were shocked with the rate of degradation. It prompted them to close a tannery in Masaka for releasing chemicals that had burnt about five acres of Namajuzi wetland in Masaka town. Rakai District Vice Chairperson Charles Lubega Ziriddamu had no kind words for Nema’s board. He said they have failed to carry on their work diligently. “All wetlands in Kampala have gone and you are here to accuse us of not doing enough to protect our wetlands,” he said. He noted that trees from forest reserves are cut and encroachers are issued with movement permits yet communities leaving near them are not allowed to cut a single tree. Nema Board Acting Chairperson, Dr Wilson Kasolo, says Nema cannot be everywhere to protect the country’s environment. That requires all stakeholders to play their roles.“NFA should come on board, wetland inspection division and district authorities to support each other to ensure proper environment protection,” he notes. He says they want to harmonise sister environment agencies to have tangible results from the activities they carry on. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Fake-car-engine-oil-floods-the-market/-/688334/1491608/-/edn2tk/-/index.html","content":"Fake car engine oil floods the market - A variety of fake car engine oil is being sold in shops and garages across the country, according to investigation done by oil companies.The most affected products are Lubia Oil 6200 manufactured by Total, and lubricants from Shell Uganda and Kobil. According to investigators, the fake oil is produced from waste lubricants and machine oil, which are bought cheaply from various fuel stations in Kampala and it is recycled and repackaged for sale as clean lubricants. Early this week, the Police and Uganda National Bureau of Standards officials impounded fake motor engine oil worth millions of shillings from shops in Kampala and Bulenga in Wakiso District. According to Total Uganda’s Lawyer Robert Mugerwa, Total approached the firm after a public outcry over the heavy vehicle engine Lubia Oil 6200. It was alleged that the oil was not performing as expected hence loss of finances and consumers. “They are really producing on an extensive scale. They supply the entire country and even export it,” said Mr Robert Kagoro, a lawyer working on behalf of Total. “It is upon this that we launched the operation under our intellectual property division, along with Police. The oil was first discovered in shops on Nabugabo Road in the city and in Ndeeba, a suburb. These operators then led us to the manufacturing plant in Bulenga, a few kilometres outside Kampala, where the alleged counterfeit oil is packaged,” he added. The Shell Uganda Country Manager, Mr Ivan Kyayonka, confirmed that the industry has been heavily affected. “Counterfeit oil is obviously affecting our genuine products, although for now we can not equate by how much we have lost out.” He said motor engine oil being the most highly purchased product, is more prone to being faked. Total Uganda Managing Director Ada Eze said the most affected products are Total lubricants, particularly Total Lubia Oil 6200 for which the packaging has been copied and used by fake manufacturers. The facility where the oils are faked is located inside a building in Bulenga and is owned by a one Shafik Lukyamuzi, who is on the run. The company buys used oil from petrol stations in large quantities, sieves it and then adds chemicals and sells it as fresh motor engine oil. There are three distiller machines at the facility and hundreds of drums scattered around the ground. The recycled oil is a condensed, black liquid. However, some are mixed with some unknown chemicals to turn the colour to match those that they are faking. It is these fake products that have been circulated across the country and even exported to DR Congo and South Sudan according to Mr Kagoro. The suspects, Lukyamuzi, his sister and a one Delouse, the major alleged supplier of these substandard products in Ndeeba, were arrested but given police bond and will be produced in Court on Monday. According to the Uganda National Bureau of Statistics (UNBS) officials, since machine oil is cheap, traders opt for it, repackage it as motor engine oil, and put it on the market at a high price. “Such machine oil comes in drums and is so cheap compared to engine oil. It is unfortunate that this is what is majorly put on the market and repackaged as motor engine oil.” Mr Deus Mubanginzi, the UNBS manager of testing laboratory, said the first major step in faking oil is implanting fake labels. Quality oil usually is certified by the American Petroleum Institute (AIP) and comes with the AIP label. “This AIP classification is a pointer to quality diesel and petrol engine oil. However, such labels that have proper specifications are implanted on the fake oil.”The label is often inclusive of details of the make of oil. For petrol engine oil, its label is letter E, combined with any other alphabet number. While for diesel engine oil, it is represented by C followed by any alphabet, Mr Mubanginzi said. He explains that motor engine oil is made depending on classifications of engines. In Uganda diesel CA, CB, CC are outdated and not acceptable on the market for they are dubbed substandard. Those acceptable on the market are CD and CE” 1 | 2 Next Page»And for petrol, the versions acceptable on the market are EE, EF, EG while those below EE are considered counterfeits. “Some of the types of oil are outdated for it was designed for old engines. We do not accept it on the market because it may affect the modern engines,” he said. Victim narrates ordealMr Peterson Kayongo, who owns a heavy duty truck, said: “I bought this oil from Kisekka Market which I hardly cared to cross check because I was sure it was Total Lubia Oil. But unfortunately, I later discovered that it was oil for industry machines, not motor vehicle engine.” He spent more than Shs3 million to replace the engine of his truck. He also owns a Lexus that was also affected by the fake engine oil. Mr Kayongo was caught unware, and represents a bigger fraction of Ugandans who have been caught up in the mix of counterfeited motor engine oil. fnalubega@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Markets/Second-hand-car-sales-drop-on-low-incomes--high-taxes/-/688606/1490890/-/119eqy5z/-/index.html","content":"Second hand car sales drop on low incomes, high taxes - A combination of high taxes, dwindling incomes and market ignorance are frustrating sales of second hand cars, according to dealers. The drop comes at a time when the country is registering an improvement in economic indicators highlighted by a reduction in headline inflation, which has slowed 27 per cent at the end of 2011 to 14.3 per cent as of July 31, 2012. According to information from Coin - a second hand car bond in Kampala, sales have fallen by about 40 per cent, with records showing that average sales have dropped from 10 to six cars for every month. “We thought sales would improve in the second half of 2012, however, this has not happened. Sales continue to go down. URA is levying high taxes on second hand cars, which makes the final price much higher than the expected,” Mr Steven Wokulira, a dealer at Coin, told Daily Monitor. In a separate interview, Mr Daniel Busuulwa, a car dealer on Lumumba Avenue, said: “People are not buying. We have asked to meet URA officials to work out a fair tax rate because this is the only way we can revive our sales.” Recently, Mr Nelson Tugume, the chairman of Uganda Motor Vehicles Importers Association told this newspaper that car sales were yet to recover from the 2011 economic shock that drained a number of household incomes and savings. “Cars are not a life necessity so consumers can postpone buying them to cater for basic needs. As long as the economy continues to struggle then car sales will be low.” Recent reports saying that some second cars from Japan have severe effects of radiation from a 2011 nuclear plant burst will also affect car sales, according to dealers. Commenting on this, Mr Wokulira said: “Some clients have stated talking about Japanese second hand cars having radioactive elements. They read this from the internet and local media. Even if much of this is not true, it will impact our sales.” Mr Ryo Tokunaga, the head of economic cooperation at the Japanese Embassy said the Japanese government had put in place guidelines to ensure that cars affected by radioactive emissions are not sold anywhere. The 2011 floods in Japan led to an explosion of a nuclear plant, emitting radiation rays which affected lives and properties in at least a radius of 50 kilometres with the plant’s rang. However, Mr Tokunaga said some private car exporters have not been compliant to the guidelines thus putting radiation effected cars on the market. He added a team from UNBS had been trained on how to detect these radiations affected cars so as to ensure that they dont enter he country. Information from URA shows that between 4,000 to 5,000 vehicles enter the country, with a big percentage coming from Japan. nkalungi@ug.nationmedia.com ======================================= Effect of radiation Radiation affected cars. There are reports that radiation affected cars from Japan are on the Ugandan market, a factor that puts the health of many users in danger. This is likely to affect second hand car sales according to dealers. 1 | 2 Next Page»What comes from Japan. Information from URA shows that between 4,000 to 5,000 vehicles enter the country, with a big percentage coming from Japan. Preventing entry of affected cars. However, through training officials from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, the Japanese government is putting measures through which it can prevent the entry of radiation affected cars. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1488926/-/11l5fvuz/-/index.html","content":"Let’s differ on other things, but not  on issue of clean and safe environment - The magnitude of environmental problems is now greatly felt by all communities on the globe. Facts and figures show that the world is facing an environmental crisis. Around the world today, temperatures are rising and floods are rampant as a result of environmental degradation. Changing weather patterns due to global warming and climate change are threatening water resources, ecological and biological diversity, food security and people’s livelihoods. Widespread recognition of the problem of climate change (shifting weather patterns) due to the deterioration of environmental quality has come, only belatedly, after many years of steadily accumulating pollutants in form of green house gases, cutting down forests, encroaching on wetlands and water catchments, and other forms of environmental degradation. This may be because the colonialists left us with no effective land use and natural resources management policy! In Uganda, we are cutting down forests at a rate of 70 million hectares every year. On recognising this, our 21st Century promise should aim at doing away with the ‘Fire-brigade approach’ of tackling the challenges ahead. We need a well-thought-out, relevant, goal-directed and reality-oriented institutional policy framework backed by adequate legislation and capacity enhancement by all stakeholders - government institutions, the private sector, civil society and grass root communities to handle ethical challenges seriously. It is very encouraging that most of the bottlenecks that have come with environmental degradation in the last 50 years are related to poverty. Poor communities face the wrath of natural calamities and other disasters that come with the environmental degradation like floods, famine, drought, poor crop yields, pests and diseases, land degradation and shifting weather patterns (climate change). We can differ on many other things but on sustainable conservation of a clean and safe environment, we should be one. The assault on poverty and environmental degradation must get stronger, more intense, not less frequent. We should also be aware of the current situation which has reduced environmental conservation to a moral issue that is poorly ranked on the scale of national priorities and development preferences – as greed, corruption and conflict of interest among capitalists and politicians - have prevailed over sustainable development pillars that are believed to benefit all generations. It is this that has disgraced many only to uplift a few - those with a high propensity to exploit through corruption and political maneuvering. It is now clear that our relief from such injustice should come with a lot of pressure on the government, policy makers and responsible institutions to act with effectiveness and efficacy. The government should provide a clear sense of purpose and direction – a supporting action and policy framework for all those involved in natural resources management and conservation. The media and civil society organisations, should always be encouraged to offer support in capacity–building and knowledge enhancement through large-scale awareness campaigns on “wise-use” and sustainable management of natural resources. The farther forward we can look, the farther forward we can see in the next 50 years as we search for sustainable development of the pearl of Africa. The demand for genuine conservation and sustainable management of national resources like the biological diversity of forests and wetland ecosystems has not yet broken through the political, economic and moral consciousness of our leaders as well as the general public. Politicians who prefer to favour conservation yet mix agitation with politics are like humans, who want crops without ploughing the land. They only want rain without thunder. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. What we need is emancipation of the Ugandan communities, including the poor, to join the struggle. The discussion on environmental issues must be reopened to the public. And without a clear foresight, there is no meaningful progress on the conservation front. Dr Majwala is the CEO, Sustainable World Initiative-East Africa majormeaudmajwala@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Famine-looms-as-heavy-rain-devastates-farms/-/688334/1487720/-/uik9pgz/-/index.html","content":"Famine looms as heavy rain devastates farms - More than 600 people have so far been displaced after their houses were washed away by floods caused by the recent torrential rain in West Nile. The rain, feared to be El-nino, has also washed away bridges and destroyed several hectares of crops, leaving residents in fear of looming famine. In Dzaipi Sub-county in Adjumani District, families are most likely to face severe famine in the next coming months as heavy rain coupled with hailstorms destroyed several acres of gardens in the area. The three most affected villages include Mokolo-yoro, Mbili and Pagirinya, where hundreds of acres of food crops such as simsim, cassava, sweet potatoes, maize and pumpkins have been destroyed and submerged by flowing water. The LC3 chairperson, Mr Clay Derimu, said apart from the misery caused by hailstorm, the farmers were also frustrated by about 50 elephants from Nimule National Park in South Sudan, which invaded the gardens and shattered the remaining crops. Mr Derimu blamed the Uganda Wildlife Authority for regarding the life of animals more than that of human beings.In Nebbi, about six bridges were washed away, cutting off transport to markets and churches, where some displaced people could have run for refuge. He urged the district authority to come to the aid of the farmers because some of them have been supported under the National Agriculture Advisory Services programme, which is aimed at eradicating poverty at household level. The hailstorm has destroyed 35 acres of food crops belonging to 25 farmers in the two villages of Mokolo-yoro and Mbili while the stray elephants have destroyed 16 acres of food crops in Pagirinya village. In Wadelai Sub-county in Nebbi District, about 200 families are displaced, while In Moyo, staff houses for the prison wardens were destroyed with about 20 hectares of crops destroyed.Similar rains have been reported in Eastern Uganda, with more than 12,000 residents facing relocation from the Bududa section of Mt. Elgon due to mudslide threats. Reported by Martin Okudi, Patrick Okaba and Scovin Iceta"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Radioactive-Japanese-cars-on-the-market/-/688334/1487016/-/iq4u02z/-/index.html","content":"Radioactive Japanese cars on the market - Kampala. Car dealers in the country are selling vehicles that were contaminated by radiation following the Japanese earthquake and tsunami that resulted in a series of meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. Sunday Monitor can reveal that a large number of second hand radioactive vehicles that originated from Japan exclusion zone that surrounds the Fukushima prefecture’s power plant have made their way into the used car market in the country. However, what is more worrying is the fact that government is sitting on a report warning that the effects could be fatal. The report was made to it in January 2012. Most of the radioactive material is said to settle on the body of the car, windows and the seats.And while neighbouring Kenya and Tanzania have since blocked the importation of such cars into their markets, Uganda, despite sending a taxpayers’ funded delegation to Japan last year, has not taken action on the findings of this delegation. There is, however, no data to show how many of such contaminated vehicles have entered the country. URA revealed on KFM on Wednesday that between 4,000 to 5,000 vehicles minus motorcycles enter the country monthly from various countries. MP Stephen Kasaija Kagwera, who heads the House committee on trade, led the five member team that included officials from Uganda National Bureau of Standards. “The most critical issue that calls for immediate action established during the visit is contamination of motor vehicles bound for Uganda by ionizing radiation,” reads the report. “During the visit, it was established, through random scientific tests as well as motor vehicle inspection records, that many used motor vehicles destined for export markets from Japan, are contaminated with significantly high levels of ionizing radiation, way above recommended levels.” Trade minister Amelia Kyambadde told Sunday Monitor that she had not seen the report but “they could have submitted it and some people stifled it. I am going to ask my PS; sometimes they don’t tell me.” However, this newspaper understands that government feared to act on the report for fear that it could have economic repercussions but some officials say there is need to prioritise the health of car users. Ms Kyambadde, however, revealed that recently a section of Ugandan car importers complained to her that Kenyan authorities had destroyed their cars at Mombasa. “But the Kenyans told me the cars were destroyed because they had nuclear radiation,” she revealed. Kenyan government has hired Japanese firms to test the cars destined to their market before they are shipped. Sources have told this newspaper that despite reminders by the Japanese Embassy in Kampala to government of the need to check the cars before they leave Japan, there has been inaction since September last year when the matter was brought to government’s attention. “It is a well-known scientific fact that exposure to ionizing radiation, even at low levels, carries the risk and increases the probability of the victim suffering from cancer, cataracts and adverse hereditary effects. Children and women (mainly pregnant) are more vulnerable to ionizing radiation,” reads the report. In March 2011, an earthquake and tsunami hit Fukushima in Japan, severely damaging the Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant leading to release of radioactive substances in the atmosphere and contamination. The report says preliminary reports indicated that a big array of goods was contaminated by radiation, including motor vehicles located tens of kilometres away as radioactive material was carried by rain and on vehicle wheels. “Also, there were reports that some deceitful gangs were involved in disguising motor vehicles sourced near the epicenter of the nuclear disaster and exporting them to unsuspecting countries.”The findings show that gamma radiation contamination cannot be cleaned off the affected surface and it has high penetrative strength, for instance, the ability to penetrate through any material, say a layer of concrete three metres thick. “The foregoing, when compared to motor vehicles that are made of metal sheeting only a few millimetres of thickness, illustrates the grim threat to automobile users in Uganda,” reads the report, adding: “Spare parts from contaminated vehicles are most likely going to find their way on the local market. Added to this are parts from washed vehicles that were sub-merged in the floods after the Tsunami struck Japan.” The Ugandan delegation found that further tests at an inspection facility operated by East Africa Automobiles Services Company Limited at Yokohama was to reveal startling results, including a vehicle quarantine section with over six cars that had failed radiation tests, with some logging up to five times the recommended levels. 1 | 2 Next Page»Unsurprisingly, one of the contaminated vehicles was destined to Uganda. The affected vehicles are varied from the top of the range SUVs and ordinary ones affordable to many Ugandan cars owners. cobore@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/About-home-drainage-systems/-/689858/1484094/-/9q2kuiz/-/index.html","content":"About home drainage systems - Most people may not realise how a home drainage system works, they assume that when they release water from the sink or flush a toilet, the water just goes away. Although this is partially true, a little more is involved in the process of removing waste water from the home. Each fixture has its own drain line; each of the drain lines ties into a larger main line, which takes the water out of the house. There are two drainage systems that are required in a home: The foul water drainage and the rainwater drainage systems. The foul water is what comes out of your sinks in kitchen and bathroom and the rain water is those that fall off from the roof of the house into the gutters and off into hoppers. There are places in Kampala that are synonymous with poor drainage, probably because the home drainage system is poorly designed or it is the area’s drainage system that is wanting. Continuous, heavy rains may cause the water to rise floods Halima Nabatanzi is one of those residents of Bwaise who already find themselves in the predicament of a poor drainage system. Bwaise’s drainage system is terrible because “My biggest fear whenever it rains is the flooding,” she explains. Yet the drainage in her home itself cannot help the already sorry situation. With blocked trenches, cut offby plastic bottles and polythene bags, clogged with surface run off, there is simply nowhere that excess water from the rain and from the bathrooms runs off. Many Ugandans find themselves in one of the two scenarios of Nabatanzi. The relevance of a proper drainage system According to Vincent Mukasa, a project manager at STM Civil engineering services Limited, a proper drainage system is advantageous in many ways. “It increases stability of the ground, alleviates dampness in basements and reduces humidity in the immediate vicinity of the building,” he explains. Construction and Maintenance of a Drainage SystemCharles Olak a self employed chartered quantity surveyor advises; “In order to construct a and maintain a good and proper system you need to engage an engineer or architect to design a suitable system and a quantity surveyor to advise you on the right system that suits your budget.” According to Olak, there is no clear estimate of how much it may take to construct a drainage system for a home. The average three bed-roomed house sitting on a 50 by 100 feet plot of land would require around 5 two inch and 12 four inch pipes, 20 tee joints, bends and plugs. This goes hand in hand with around ten bags of solvent cement and three gulley tracks. “A 2 inch pipe costs Shs20,000, tee joints, bends and plugs go for Shs5, 000 each,” says Olak. On top of controlling silting through provisions of a catch pit, Vincent Mukasa recommends that one should cover exposed ends with wire gratings to control access by vermin. “You should also construct the system clear of buildings or protect the drain with lintel or arch to avoid damage due to settlement,” he further explains. For those who have trees in their compounds, socketed joints are used to avoid displacement by tree roots. Managing the Septic TanksWith the advent of urbanization, most people usually have their waste water drain into a sewer system. “Septic tanks generally need to be pumped out every 10 years or so to prevent backup, which can cause problems with the home’s drainage system,” says Edison Tuhimbise a civil engineer at Bradley constructors Company Limited. “The most important component of a drain, which most people take for granted, is the trap. They’re called traps because they do just that: trap water inside, preventing sewer gases from coming back into the house.” Another thing to consider is pitch. “Pitch simply means the angle in which water will flow easily and gradually with the help of gravity. Every drainpipe, whether underground or in a wall, must have some type of pitch and be sloped properly to allow wastewater leaving the home to drain out,” points out Tuhimbise. To ensure water will drain properly and won’t back up in the line, a good rule of thumb to follow when installing pipe is a drop of 1/4 inch per foot. So you are in an area with Poor Drainage?Supposing you built in a wetland or perhaps the area in which your house lies is characterized by poor drainage, there are a couple of actions that can be taken. If the drainage problem covers a big radius, and involves uncooperative neighbors, it becomes difficult for a low earner. Abuabaker Zziwa a civil engineer and site manager attached to Trust Builders and Engineers Uganda Limited recommends the various steps and solutions: One should raise the house ground floorsRaise compound/natural ground around house with murram /hardcoreCreate French drains around plot/house-these are trenches filled with hardcore, covered by soils on top, all surface water/underground water is directed into these drainsThe only restraining factor that may make the implementation of the above steps difficult is the absence of where to direct the diverted water. “The major challenge is that a person must have where to direct the water that he/she has diverted thus if one is locked up, with no nearby lower-land or swamp then the only option would be to shift to a place with better drainage plans,” advises Zziwa. It is just a plain and simple public understanding that those found residential houses built along the usual water passages blocking the waters from smoothly running are one of the major discovered links to why most parts of the Kampala suburbs get easily flooded from just heavy rains which supposedly shouldn’t happen for the standard city level which should be above the danger height standards from the rivers."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Mbale-locals-protest-land-giveaway/-/688334/1483156/-/4e0wwhz/-/index.html","content":"Mbale locals protest land giveaway - Mbale Business in Namakye Village in Busiu Sub-county in Mbale District on Saturday morning was brought to a standstill after the army and police fired bullets and tear gas to disperse residents protesting the takeover of their land by government. Residents, armed with spears, arrows, machetes and stones engaged police for close to two hours forcing the latter to flee for safety towards the border with Butaleja District after running out of tear gas. At least 3,000 residents of Bushiende, Busoba and Busiu sub-counties claim ownership of the land in Namakye on River Manafwa which government has earmarked for the construction of a Shs50b water dam project. The dam will be used for irrigation, reduce floods in Butaleja District and enable farmers produce food for sell throughout the year. However, locals led by their area councillor, Mr Alfred Namasa, claim they are not beneficiaries to the project funded by World Bank and have vowed not to give their land to central government. “This place is very dry and it is on only the banks of this river where we grow maize throughout the season, how do we give it away to a project meant to benefit another district? How are we going to survive?” Mr William Mushikoma, a resident, asked. The army and police had been deployed in the area to maintain calm after a meeting organised by Mbale Resident District Commissioner Paul Nangoli last Friday failed to resolve the matter when more than 500 residents blocked him from addressing the gathering. Residents hulled insults at Mr Nangoli, the district police commander, Mr Micheal Ongica, and LC5 councillors. Although Mr Nangoli said government would use police and army to force them to accept the project, the residents said they would also use force to frustrate the project. Mr Namasa said government should take the project somewhere else because it does not benefit them. dmafabi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/National-water-board-ranks-Gisagara-best-for-MD-s-job/-/688334/1477126/-/2ew9osz/-/index.html","content":"National water board ranks Gisagara best for MD’s job - Kampala After months of searching for the right person to steer the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), three names have been shortlisted with Eng Alex Gisagara, the current acting managing director seemingly having a slight edge over the two other finalists. The post fell vacant after Mr William Muheire resigned from the post in 2011, where he had served for 10 years and opted not to apply for contract renewal. A resolution reached at a special meeting of the board of directors of NWSC early this month, ranks Eng. Gisagara on top of the other two finalists with a score of 69.3 per cent, narrowly beating his closest challenger, Eng. Silver Mugisha, who scored 69.1 per cent while the third finalist, Mr Patrick Byabakama Kaberenge, got 62 per cent. The board’s resolution did not indicate the pass mark for the lucrative position, however, it is understood that Eng. Gisagara could be given the job that he has been serving in acting capacity for nearly a year, given that he was the highly ranked among the other two finalists. NWSC spokesperson Vivian Newumbe said although she is aware that the interviews were concluded, she did not have any communication suggesting that the top position has been substantively filled. “I cannot comment any further than that; not until I get official communication,” said Ms Newumbe when contacted yesterday. Sunday Monitor could not establish when the official pronouncement endorsing a new boss will be made, although an inside source said in the next two weeks the water corporation will have a substantive managing director after months of temporary leadership. Whoever the board will appoint will have to face the task of dealing with illegal water connections, costing the corporation about Shs2 billion - a challenge that the new boss will have to deal with as well. And coupled with clogged sewages around the city, partly contributing to the rampant floods each time it rains in Kampala, and the poor sanitation,it looks like the new boss already will have enough to keep him busy. Eng. Gisagara has served at NWSC in different capacities for the past several years. Troubled pastEarly this year, this paper reported that NWSC, once touted as an example of a good performing state enterprise was rolling on huge debts curtailing its ability to connect water to new users. As at January 9, NWSC had only Shs2.7 billion as cash at hand yet its debts for only six months to the same date stood at Shs8.9 billion. The Corporation’s financial statements showed that NWSC was expected to have paid creditors, including staff allowances, to the tune of Shs6 billion by January 15 but it had failed instead it had been drowning in ‘wasteful’ expenditure according to board minutes obtained then. Although the corporation had Shs10 billion in fixed accounts, this money accrued from the sale of its houses, other fixed assets and foreign loans and was not available for daily running of the entity. iladu@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/Local-poultry-suppliers-resort-to-cheaper-chicken-imports/-/688616/1472464/-/xeiltw/-/index.html","content":"Local poultry suppliers resort to cheaper chicken imports - Pastor Moses Solomon Male is mostly known for his pastoral work at Arising for Christ Church but besides that, the outspoken preacher has a lot of interest in poultry farming. For the last 20 years, he has been a poultry farmer, dealing in both broilers and layers. But in recent times, the business has not been as exciting. Since the start of the year, he has hardly sold the volumes he sold some years ago. “Many loss-making farmers, just like me, are downsizing their birds while others have quit poultry farming altogether because they are breeding birds that can hardly compete on the market.” Pastor Male, who also doubles as the Secretary of Uganda Poultry Farmers Network (UPOFAN), represents a big section of Uganda’s poultry farmers who have lost the market to foreign imports. Today, birds from Brazil, Belgium, South Africa, Denmark and Europe among other importing countries are increasingly visible on Uganda’s supermarket shelves. Reports show that local farmers are counting losses as dressed chicken dealers opt for what they describe as cheap and better quality imported chicken. The findings in a report to President Museveni indicate that about 45 per cent of dressed chicken sold on the Uganda market is imported. The report indicates that between 2011 to date, about 728,000 kilogrammes of dressed chicken were imported into Uganda. Statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture indicate that Uganda produces more than 40,000 kilogrammes of poultry meat weekly. And with consumption of 30,000 kilogrammes, local poultry farmers are left no market as imported chicken floods the local market. These imports have further found their way into other markets that would have otherwise been enjoyed by Ugandan poultry farmers, among them; South Sudan, Rwanda and Burundi. This move not only drew the attention of producers and dealers, but also the president. During his state of the nation address in June this year, he warned against importing poultry meat. “I have been told, for instance, that somebody licensed the import of poultry meat. Yet, I have been promoting chicken production in the country. What is the interest of such an official?” President Museveni questioned. But that warning hardly helped. To date, reports indicate that chicken imports are still saturating the local market. For long, local poultry breeders have enjoyed the monopoly in the industry with a ready market for the broilers and layers. The market for the locally produced chicken grew bigger in the year 2005/2006 when imports of all meat products were banned. This was meant to guard against the risk of the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) that occurred in many countries in Asia, Europe and Africa since 2003. But it did not take long for foreign producers took over the market. Industrial players, allegedly attribute the twist in market trends to the poor quality of birds bred by the local farmers against the imports that are fairly cheap. Pastor Male says the poor quality birds arise out of the poor quality feeds that the birds are fed on. “Feed millers deliberately manufacture poor quality, adulterated, degraded feeds and with high moisture content on which they never indicate nutritional contents and expiry dates because no one holds them accountable,” he said. He says that feeds raw material dealers allegedly contaminate their stocks with sand, soil, stones and water (in fish, shells, cotton and sunflower) while in maize bran, they add sawdust, sand, white mica and other materials. “It is no secret that an 80 Kilogramme bag of mukene must have at least 30 Kilogrammes of contaminated materials.” Apparently, if poultry and animals are fed on such feeds, they suffer stunted growth and keep consuming more feed than they should have even when they mature. This makes it difficult to get sizeable birds on the market as opposed to small, light bird-like broilers on the market that fetches a good price for farmers above their costs of production. Poultry keeping in Uganda is proving to be a costly venture. Local farmers insist that besides feeds, labour, water and space fees are equally expensive which incidentally affects the overall market price. At the end of the value chain, this pushes the price of each kilogramme of dressed chicken between Shs8,500 and Shs9,000, which is Shs1,500 more than the imported chicken.However, other farmers argue that the locally bred birds are equally healthy and of good quality but have been overtaken by imported birds. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/NicholasSengooba/Uganda-s-tragedy--the-disrespect-of-public-property/-/1293432/1472790/-/lavg5nz/-/index.html","content":"Uganda’s tragedy; the disrespect of public property by ordinary citizens - This was the last time I was caned on the buttocks -and on my back. Many years ago as a student at Kings College Budo, Robert Ojok and I sat in the front row of a class waiting for the late Rev. Laban Bombo’s mathematics lesson. The man of God was an old fashioned parent and teacher who firmly believed that if you spared the rod you would have no child to talk about. That day he burst into the room with a stick in hand, mumbling to himself about bringing up children who lacked responsibility. It dawned of the two of us, that this was not going to be an ordinary lesson as he approached, seething with rage. We still had not yet got what it was all about when he commanded “mugalamire mangu” (lie down quickly.) We slowly got off our ill fated backsides which angered him into speeding up the process by sending a few cuts of the cane into our backs. As he lashed us he wondered aloud why we had left chairs overnight at the football field after watching a match. He quarrelled that parents spent a lot of money in school fees which was wasted on buying chairs only for irresponsible students to leave them out in the rain. Now that the case against us was clear, we put in what we thought was a good defence when we argued that since we had not been at the football game we did not commit the crime of taking chairs to the field and therefore…The man of God cut us short by asking whether we would sleep in our beds if we found stones in them simply because we had not put the stones there in the first place. “You must learn to take care of school property because it is your property,” were his last words as we took off to join the rest of the class who by now had cleared the grounds of the chairs and to our annoyance were giggling at what had befallen us. Many years later, I can now understand where that man of God was coming from. The greatest part of the history of Uganda in the last 50 years is that of utter contempt and disrespect for public property and concerns. Public property and public affairs are the concern of everybody. A citizen who does not care about public property is not likely to care about his fellow citizens -and in any case citizens are the property of the State. If you do not care about what belongs to them, you do not care about whether they live or die. That is why almost everything in Uganda that can move has gone to the dogs. We have rightly condemned the government week in week out. What we have not done clearly is to show the part that the individual has played in the failure of Uganda. A failed State is a collection of failed citizens. A failed citizen is the one who does not take the responsibility to maintain and protect public property and promote overall societal interests. It is one very unfortunate thing to be a citizen of a failed State. It is another tragic one to be an unbothered failed citizen of a failed State; actively taking part in failing society and frustrating its endeavours. Unfortunately, that is what most Ugandans are wont to do. Just walk into the toilets of our shopping centres and many offices, you will find taps of water running endlessly. The toilet paper, switches and even cisterns are stolen by Ugandans. The lights are left on in the office. It is not rare to find someone photocopying an entire text book misusing the office photocopier or making endless personal calls on the office phone. The same fellow will cry foul when in a cost cutting measure his employer renders them redundant. We drive on the pavements and destroy them and litter the streets plus damp garbage in the drainage system. Then the floods come and destroy our property and we say the government does not care about us. “Government vehicles” are overloaded with charcoal and bricks all over the place by ordinary Ugandans because ironically we think these things do not belong to us. Street lights and manhole covers are stolen by Ugandans who use them on their private properties. A lot of money not stolen by public officials goes back into re-doing things that have been done before because the citizen has either stolen or misused them. Those who want to help Uganda should now focus more on the actions of ordinary Ugandan citizens beyond public officials and politicians and how they have contributed to the downfall of this great nation 50 years after Independence. Sengoba is a commentator on political and social issues. nicholassengoba@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/Ebola-exposed-our-lack-of-readiness/-/689360/1470132/-/108fmjm/-/index.html","content":"Ebola exposed our lack of readiness - The outbreak of the Ebola haemorrhage more than two weeks ago in parts of western Uganda has underlined some deep-cutting weaknesses in our capacity to handle emergencies let alone epidemic-related ones. It is not the first time that Uganda suffers an outbreak of Ebola and the possibility of recurrence has always been there given the history of the epidemic and the environment we are exposed to. Uganda has had a fair share of unpredictable emergency situations but we never seem to have the capacity to manage them be they road accidents, fires, landslides, collapsed buildings, floods, etc. In the case of Ebola, President Museveni announced caution and warned against physical contacts. While the announcement was a welcome to prevent further infections, it also caused panic. The management of information has been the most haphazard, and consequently, the picture painted about the prevalence of the epidemic is rather alarmist both within the country and outside. The report of a ‘strange’ disease in Kibaale District came out more than three weeks ago, but State response in profiling the disease and finding out what exactly it was is itself a subject of criminal investigation. As a country, we should have standard procedures laid out and known by all concerned stakeholders on what to do should there be an emergency of this kind. Society leaders, including religious leaders, are always laid-back and do not take steps until the catastrophe has claimed lives. Our institutions are recipients of ‘orders from above’ rather than providing foresight advise to the government and communities where they exist. We should empower these institutions to grow a culture of independence where innovation and creativity allows them to be relevant to those who expect services from them. If the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness has any salt to offer to Ugandans, it must have some level of readiness to deal with emergency cases rather than simply serving as a platform for political jobs."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/United-we-profit--the-motto-guiding-vegetable-farmers/-/689860/1467758/-/mx8jr6z/-/index.html","content":"United we profit: the motto guiding vegetable farmers - It is 6am in the morning and the 23-year-old David Mukalazi in the company of his sister Sylvia Nayiga, both residents of Buso Village in Namulonge, are heading to their vegetable garden before the student can think of catching up with his lectures at Makerere University. Mukalazi who is pursuing a degree in development Studies is passionate about growing various types of vegetables ranging from local varieties such as nakatti, sukuma wiki, Okra (ladies’ fingers), eggplants and the Asian type of vegetables like, cucumber, Brocoeli, spinach, Asian egg plant, chili, lettuce and straw berry. However, for the team to capture both internal and external market for their produce, they managed to mobilise over 200 farmers in Buso village to join them in the venture and in 2007 they formed a farmers’ Association called Namulonge Horticulture Farmers Association (NHFA). According to Nayiga, the association Coordinator, her team grows these vegetables on their various family land and once it is harvested, they collect the produce jointly for marketing in the local markets in and around Kampala. The group is able to market some of the produce at international markets most especially United Kingdom and USA. The farmers according to Nayiga, produce half a tonne of various local vegetable varieties per week which is taken mostly to Kalerwe and Nakasero markets in Kampala. The vegetables, the team produces for export, are mainly red pepper, chili and Okra and the team is capable of producing two tonness per month. “Our association comprises over 200 farmers with most members being women and the youth and each farmer produces his or her vegetables on their family land but we market the produce collectively. Out of the export produce we are able to earn Shs20m per month which we share equally among the members,” Ms Nagayi said. The team sells its export produce to National Organic Agricultural Movement in Uganda based in Kasanga, Suruma Foods and Fruits of the Nile based in Jinja who purchase their items for export. “Since vegetables take three to four weeks to mature, our members usually harvest them and leave them to grow again for the next harvest. This mostly applies to chilli and straw berry which can be harvested for one full year. This kind of farming activity therefore boosts our members to invest more input in vegetable growing and they are able to gain more income because the harvesting period is extended,” Ms Nagayi said. The team is capable of sending their children to school out of the proceeds obtained from the vegetable sells and many of the youth are pursuing diploma and degree courses as private students in various institutions in and around Kampala, paying their tuition fees out of vegetable business. The team, according to Nagayi, produces more Brocoeli which is mostly sold in the local market at Shs40,000 per tonne and farmers are able to purchase 10-gram packs of its seeds at Shs70,000 which can be planted in an hectare of land. Some farmers are capable of producing their own seeds from vegetables such as sukuma wiki, chill, nakatti, okra and eggplant but the rest are purchased from the local markets. Apart from enjoying good earnings from vegetable growing, the team is faced with challenges such as pests and diseases that keep attacking their crops, drought as well as floods but they usually seek advice from scientists at the National Crops Resources Research Institute Namulonge who are close to their farm. These scientists usually encourage the team to use organic fertiliser in case of pest and disease infestation. during times of drought, they are advised to irrigate their crops. However, according to Mukalazi, most farmers in the association grow vegetables throughout the year because most of their land is close to a wetland but during times of drought, they switch to irrigation. 1 | 2 Next Page»The young man is optimistic that once he finishes his university education, he will be able to sensitise farmers about the importance of vegetable growing which is a major source for food security and income. alominda@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Karamoja--forgotten-but-still-beautiful-and-captivating/-/691232/1462342/-/hlxvbdz/-/index.html","content":"Karamoja may be forgotten, but it's still beautiful and captivating - We set off from Kampala for Karamoja on a Thursday at about 11am and by 6pm, we should have reached Nakapiripirit. But instead we spent that night in a car in Pian Upe game reserve and we reached Nakapiripirit at 3pm the following day because the road was barely passable. That ended up being the highlight of my trip to Karamoja. Is it not absurd the phrase “we shall not wait for Karamoja to develop” though said half jokingly may actually true. It looks like people in this region are left behind. The area could pass for another country altogether. But it is from the bad roads that it all begun - there is a way but barely a road. Shortly after leaving Kampala, it is amazing how good the roads upcountry are as you just sail through. The scenery is amazing—there are many plants and trees it is so green and the air is so fresh. You would want to put your head out of the car to breathe in all the fresh air. When we reached Kween District, the ride turned bumpy, we had to fasten our belts and hold tight on the handles on top of the car door. But even that did not stop us from bumping around in our seats as we travelled. Getting thereThe first 30km or so of the murram road after Mbale were fairly passable. It is after we went past Chepsikunya that our troubles begun. There were gutters so deep that the car tyres sunk into them yet it was a fairly big car. At one point, the driver almost failed to control the car as it kept on sliding in the mud. Somehow we managed to get out of it. Then we got stuck at another point and after one hour, the only taxi that operates between Mbale and Karamoja passed by and helped pull us out. As we moved on, the car slid and we knocked a truck that was stuck in the mud. A window got shattered but thankfully no one was hurt. Later, we were pulled out of that ditch too only to get stuck in another. Then, the four wheel drive system got faulty, we could neither reverse nor move forward. It was 7pm and we were close to Amuru but those coming from there told us there were more such ditches ahead. We decided not to move any further. It was a scary idea, we were in a game reserve. Thankfully, we had company; there were 20 trucks and about 10 smaller cars. A night in the coldOne of the trucks belonged to a trader dealing in merchandise. When it dawned on him that he would have to spend the night there. He decided to turn his truck into a kiosk. Before long, there were drinks, both hard and soft, on sale as well as snacks. Being close to Mountain Napak, it was so chilly in the night. As we headed to the car to sleep, one of the traders advised us to be careful if we decided to make use of the bush to ease ourselves. He said leopards usually came out of the bush at night. I remembered an earlier conversation where some of the traders mentioned that they sometimes spend a week on the road because of the bad roads. They knew the place better than us. We had to believe them. They also said when it rains, it floods. As we slept, our only prayer was that it would shine bright at dawn. And it did. We woke up to see the sun rising behind the mountain. In a way, that sight made sleeping in the car worthwhile. At 1pm, we managed to leave the game reserve and we were in Nakapiripirit two hours later. Nonetheless, Karamoja is a beautiful place especially because of the landscape and the people. The females are mostly tall, slender and shapely. Apart from the Pokot who are majorly of a light skin complex, the rest are dark skinned. They have longish small faces with precise facial features. 1 | 2 Next Page»But the Karimajong are not at the centre of life in the region’s towns; instead it is the Bagisu, who are fluent in Luganda. In Amuro, Nakapiripirit and Amudat towns that I visited, most of the business people were Bagisu. So, even the few income-generating activities that the Karimajong would engage in have been occupied. A few of the women trade in vegetables at a small scale. Karamoja relies heavily on Mbale for most of the commodities they use. There was no fuel at a petrol station in Nakapiripirit because the truck transporting it from Mbale was stuck in the same area we had been. In one restaurant, our tea could not be served with ginger because it had not arrived from Mbale. Those in Amudat district get their commodities from Kenya as they are closer to the border between Kenya and Uganda. Public transport is poor. Boda bodas are few and there is only one taxi that travels from Karamoja to Mbale and back. The number of routes made depend on how bad the roads are. The night the driver helped us, one of the passengers said bus companies that used to travel there stopped because they spend a lot on transport. She said everyone has abandoned them and even take from them the only treasure they seem to have – stones that are ferried to Tororo as raw material for cement. Bright coloursThe telecommunications network coverage is very poor and was inaccessible for two days. Newspapers are delivered two or three days late, in rainy seasons they are delivered after a week. But the security is better now though there is still the fear of travelling after it is dark. The women dress in brightly coloured clothes especially skirts with pleats. Perhaps, it is these brightly coloured clothes that bring life to the area that is generally poverty stricken. The people living in towns and trading centres are more friendly than those in the villages who are also not as friendly. But the towns are still graced by huts mainly built in the manyatta style. As we travelled back, we were told the route through Moroto at Iriri was flooded so we decided to use the Mbale route. I could not help contemplating how the Minister for Karamoja accesses the area. My assumption is that she uses air transport like some locals said. We could be wrong. But just in case that is true, should something be done about the roads if it was the only transport option? bbanura@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/Elegu--A-booming-town-clamouring-for-services/-/689856/1459980/-/97q2sc/-/index.html","content":"Elegu: A booming town clamouring for services - If there is anything that represents a 24-hour operation in Elegu, a small town in the northern region at the Uganda-South Sudan border, it is the borehole. From sunrise to sunset, the only borehole never ceases to be swung to fill long queues of jerry cans. The borehole, owned by the Uganda Police Force, is the only source of clean water that the town, with an estimated 5,000 people, depends on. “When the borehole breaks down, the life of the town is paralysed. Water is the biggest problem we are faced with. Each jerry can is now going for Shs2,000,” Alice Twesigye, who runs a restaurant in the town, says. Elegu Town is the last trading centre to the South Sudan border. The densely populated town was a marsh that fed River Onyama just three to four months ago. When the border point was shifted from Bibia Town to Elegu Town, so did the business and the people. Despite the town’s growing population and booming business, it is short of major social services. The only signs of authority visible in the area are Uganda People Defence Force, immigration and tax officials, whose duties are pretty obvious . Twesigye, like many other restaurant owners, shifts the costs to her clients. No wonder, a plate of matooke and beans goes for Shs6,000 – the same amount we spend on a plate with matooke and chicken in reasonable restaurants in Kampala. With a shortage of water in a dry spell, the residents turn to supplies of Muzamiru Mawejje, who fetches water from River Onyama which wanders near the town. The water “don”Mawejje, who hails from Kangulumira in Kayunga District, sells a jerry can at Shs1000. He brags; “on a normal day, I can make 15 to 20 trips and make Shs90,000 a day”. He says the demand is so high that it is only his energy that limits him. “There is no sleeping in this town. If you have energy, you can fetch water all day and the clients will still be waiting,” he says. By any income standards in Uganda, Shs90,000 a day for a service is good daily income, but in Elegu people that earn that amount a day are not considered to be among the top classes. Mawejje says his income can better be explained by the houses and income generating projects he has established in his home area in Kayunga District. Although River Onyama wanders through natural vegetations, its waters look polluted. River Onyama’s water is clayish and empty plastic bottles of mineral water and other beverages float on top. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Lightning-kills-2-pupils/-/688334/1451502/-/oohshq/-/index.html","content":"Lightning kills 2 pupils - NEBBI Lightning has killed two pupils of Agwrok Primary School in Nyaravur Sub-county in Nebbi District after a downpour. The affected pupils met the wrath of nature as they took shelter at a nearby church form the heavy rain on their way back home on Tuesday evening. The church is about 50 metres from the school. The afternoon downpour was characterised by hailstones, storms and lightning. The dead were identified as P3 pupils, Victor Wabedkudu and Cliff Uyirwoth. While the injured included Tholith (P3), Joel Oyungi (P2), Daroius Ogenrwoth (P3), Omar Bashir (P2). Collins Okwaimungu (P4) and Richard Odongo (P4) were the other pupils who sustained burns from the tragedy. The two died on their way to Angal Hospital, about seven kilometres away from the school. The sorry state of the road to the hospital reportedly delayed the emergency treatment. Sombre moodThe school was yesterday in a sombre mood as parents and pupils gathered to mourn the dead children. A teacher at the school, who declined to be named, said: “This is a great tragedy to us because we have lost children who still had a bright future.” Last year, there were several calls by government to install lightning conductors at education, health and religious institutions. But some of the institutions have failed to install reportedly on grounds of the financial constraints while others have forgotten the importance of the conductors. The officer-in-charge Nebbi Police Station, Mr Gimton Aguta, said parents should provide their children with footwear to avoid direct contact with lightning. “Schools should install lightning arrestors so that it can prevent such scenarios and people should avoid taking refuge under big trees,” he said. Many children attend schools bare foot as some of the parents cannot afford to buy them shoes. Last year, lightning killed at least 40 people and injured several others in a spate of strikes across the country. Lightning struck a Runyanya Primary School in Kiryandongo District killing 20 pupils and injuring almost 100 others. With climate change increasingly altering the region’s weather patterns, meteorologists, then, warned that extreme weather conditions – from floods and droughts to lightning strikes – could become the norm in Uganda. Experts this year also warned of the same. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/I-will-push-for-unity-at-KCCA--says-newly-sworn-in-Mayor/-/689844/1447464/-/b737t6z/-/index.html","content":"SEVEN QUESTIONS: I will push for unity at KCCA, says newly sworn-in deputy Lord Mayor - Unifying factor? After months of pushing and pulling between Kampala Capital City Authority councillors and the central government over the appointment of Suleiman Kindadala as Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago’s deputy, the former was last month officially ushered into office to end the impasse that had also drawn in City Executive Jennifer Musisi. Sunday Monitor’s Robert Mwanje caught up with the Deputy Lord Mayor who has promised to push for unity between his boss and Ms Musisi. 1. You are entering a versatile working environment with a lot of rope-pulling between the Lord Mayor and city Executive Director, how do you intend to execute your duties?Friendship is a natural phenomenon while working together is mandatory under the law. I will try to push for both avenues. I believe the two offices can smoothly work together because we have common targets of satisfying the public who pay their taxes. I will push for unity. 2. There are several decisions that were taken and have been viewed by the man on the street (taxi driver, vendor) as efforts by KCCA to throw them out of the city. How do you plan to convince that person on the street that KCCA is there to work for the betterment of the city? The administration, leadership, laws, policies, ordinances, etc in the city are changing. This means a lot will change in the city including behaviour, settlement, movement etc. However, I call upon every one more so the implementers of policies and decisions to keep within the law.Our people will always welcome changes if we involve them and give them a chance to participate. A good policy should be pro-people. We should also learn to communicate through their leaders because they know how best they can handle their people.Once we employ divisions, parish and village leaders, our work will be very simple because its the very people we intend to transform who elected these leaders. 3. It is alleged that some division mayors are spending more time in politics than delivering what their people voted them to do. Tell us how you will spend much of your time?But division mayors, including myself, are politicians and we were elected as so. You can’t divorce politics from leadership. We shall serve our people as politicians and not as technocrats. Ours is to set policies, demand for services and efficiency.I feel I have been given an opportunity to serve beyond my constituency and to prove my ability to serve the public. The friction between the technical and political wings has instead helped us to identify our mistakes and correct them. We are now united and ready to serve the people. 4. How do you want Kampala city to look like before the end of your tenure? There are rituals that were routinely performed by the previous regimes may be out of budgetary constraints of only addressing street lighting, fixing potholes, and collecting garbage. These regimes hardly went beyond Shs50 billion for a whole annual budget. Thus they could only do maintenance work. But currently with more than Shs140 billion, the question would be can we change this city right from a renewed comprehensive master plan with the population size of close to four million people, thousands of cars etc? We must show a difference.We want to see an organised city at the end of the day with better roads, clear channels and a floods-free city. At this stage I will ask every person to be part of this deal because we can only achieve it once we work collectively.Each party has a role to play in this campaign of transforming Kampala. While the public expects us / leaders to provide things like garbage skips, dust bins, work on the roads etc, we also expect them to own them and use them properly. We should own the city first to improve it.Kampala is naturally beautiful, it only needs maintenance and fixing modern public utilities like roads and other services. 5. A section of councillors did not want you to deputise Mr Lukwago, how are you going to work with them? Its not that they did not want me but they were working outside the rules. It was simple just requesting them to play by the rules. I can assure you, every councillor is my personal friend and we shall move on together. I have served with them in different political offices since my university day up to now. I was also the DP party administrator before I was elected the party deputy organising secretary in the latest party elections. That was politics of the day. 6. The bigger section of the youth is unemployed in Kampala and this has resulted in a rise in crime rate. Do you have a special plan for these people who pose a big threat to stability in the city?We are trying to create a number of avenues to address this through the community driven development, job stimulus package, and establishing employment bureaus to link job seekers to potential employers among others. As KCCA, we are also intending to engage youth groups in different parishes to the routine work of maintenance of drainage channels and roads. We believe that this does not create jobs opportunities alone but also build a sense of ownership among community members. It would be useless to hire people from Makindye or a company to desalt Nsooba channel in Bwaise of Kalerwe. We encourage the youth to create and formally register community based companies for easy bidding process. 7. Finally, what is your take on the proposed law to scrap Kampala District Land Board and put all the land in Kampala under the management of KCCA? The land board is created by the supreme law of the land and the Constitution. How to address this is also provided for in the same constitution. According to the constitution, district land boards are mandated to hold and allocate land in the district which is not owned by any person or authority, facilitate the registration and transfer of interests in land and to deal with all other matters connected to land in their jurisdiction.The constitution also dictates that while performing its functions, a district land board shall be independent of the Uganda Land Commission and shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority but shall take into account national and district policy on land."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Where-is-your-meat-coming-from-/-/691232/1443712/-/8nsdd5z/-/index.html","content":"Where is your meat coming from? - Health experts from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) recently sounded a warning to the public about the safety of meat they take. Emphasis was put on pork which was confirmed to be contaminated. Dr Emilio Ahimbisibwe, the KCCA senior veterinary officer, said the pork sold in the city is increasingly becoming risky for human consumption, citing the unhygienic nature in which animals are slaughtered, and how the meat is transported and prepared. He said, “A big percentage of pigs slaughtered in Kampala are not cleared for human consumption.” But the management at the main pig slaughter house in Nalukolongo- Wambizi claim they produce good meat. “They are not yet up to the standard we want them but they are trying their best,” Dr Ahimbisibwe said in a separate interview, a message the abattoir veterinary doctor, Jane Lwanira, re-echoes. The process is still irregular at the slaughterhouse and the vet doctor says that there is urgent need for the management to put up permanent structures as approved by KCCA. “We have tried to adhere to the minimum standards set for us by KCCA. We ask for animal permits immediately the pigs are delivered here. The vets then check their health status before they are slaughtered,” Thomas Kasule and Fred Kibuuka, managers at the four-decade old slaughterhouse, explain. A few improvements have been made to the slaughterhouse in the last four years. A new slaughterhouse has been put in place, fitted with terrazzo at the wash points. But that is not yet enough. And it is not just pork that the public should be concerned about. The larger section of the public enjoy others meats – beef, goat and chicken whose production is also filled with challenges. John Lule Kutyamukama, KCCA Chief Health Inspector, explains that the abattoirs authorised by KCCA to supply meat in Kampala and its suburbs are Wambizi Abattoir, in Nalukolongo for pork, Kampala City Abattoir, Nsoba Abattoir and Kishita Young Farmers Slaughterhouse, in Kalerwe for other meats. “The Kampala City Abattoir and The Meat Industry, on Old Port Bell road are the two standard abattoirs. Then there are other abattoirs in Kalerwe and in Wankulukuku that are not yet up to standard,” he adds. A visit to Nsoba and Kishita abattoirs shows there is some construction of extension wings taking place. However, the place was muddy on the outside, compromising the hygiene inside the abattoirs. They are located within a wetland and when it rains heavily, Kishita slaughterhouse floods, which comes with a run-off of garbage from the Nsoba channel, thereby rendering the slaughter area unusable. Standards not met“The standards are still wanting and the managers need to be more committed to the directives of KCCA,” Dr Henry Mugerwa, the abattoir inspector of Nsoba and Kishita, explains. A letter dated October 25, 2011, addressed to Hajji Ahmed Kezaala, Kishita’s Managing Director notifying him of the suspension of activities at his abbatoir, states that KCCA public officials inspected his slaughterhouse on September, 22, 2011 and found his premises unsuitable for handling meat due to a number of reasons. “There is no running water in the slaughterhouse. There is a poor effluent disposal system due to poor drainage as the slaughterhouse is below the level of the surrounding area that allows the highly contaminated Nsoba channel to flow inside the slaughterhouse,” the letter reads in part. It is signed by Dr Makanga LKM, the then acting Director Health Services at KCCA. Kezaala tries to explain why: “When it rains the water floods our slaughterhouse but we are constructing another building which we are building in conformity with the KCCA standard. We shall have terrazzo on the floor and a running water system, and fitted metallic rails.” But, he says that they are going slow on the construction given its heavy budget, a similar explanation shared by Captain Denis Aubrey Saazi, the Managing Director of Nsoba, who said he is yet to put up another modern slaughterhouse. Lule emphasises that all slaughterhouses do not meet all the standards. “The two main ones try, 70 per cent. It is not a guarantee the meat is 100 per cent safe, because it is inspected but not properly transported. Meat should be transported in refrigerated vehicles. In Uganda there are only two and they do not work properly,” Lule states. Dr. John Musisi, the meat inspector, Kampala City Abattoir adds that the abattoir was built in 1937 according to the standards of the time. He says health standards are compromised because slaughtering takes place on the ground, which contaminates the meat with germs. The City Abattoir however, is close to being a model abattoir where unlike the manual slaughtering at the Kampala City Abattoir, animals are slaughtered by a machine and then the meat is moved on rails and not simply carried on people’s backs like it is done at other abattoirs. The fridges required by law at Kampala City Abattoir as Lule states are inadequate. “There is one working fridge which cannot take 700 kilogrammes yet we handle about two and half tones of meat per day,” Dr Musisi explains. For now, the meat at the abattoir is transported in boxes which Dr Deborah Namugenyi, another veterinary doctor at the Kampala City Abattoir, says are inspected for cleanliness. However there are many cases of meat being transported on people’s backs and on boda bodas as well as private vehicles, which she says is unacceptable. “The vehicles transporting the meat should be approved by KCCA, and then they should be covered,” Dr Namugenyi says. Nsoba and Kishita have been faulted on some of these minimum standards. They are now heeding to pressure from KCCA, which has shut them down on several occasions as well as taken them to court only to be frustrated by “godfathers” in high political offices, Dr Ahimbisibwe says. 1 | 2 Next Page»“People think that we are sleeping but there are factors beyond us like political influence. I’ll close a place for not meeting minimum standards and a political head will tell me to open it, so my hands are tied,” he says. He adds that it is hard for these abattoirs to try and improve on their facilities while they continue operating. Naturally, he argues, this will end up contaminating the meat. Lule discloses that on top of the hygiene standards, none of the abattoirs in Uganda has a machine which makes animals unconscious before they are slaughtered. “Therefore slaughtering of the animals is through fighting them,” he adds. This, he says compromises the quality of the meat as it gets bruised. “We are fighting a war in Kampala to improve hygiene. We have closed many places,” Lule asserts. And even at the City Abattoir which grapples with hygiene, Dr. Musisi says that the meat there is 90 per cent safe. “We use a lot of water to try and clean the place and rid it of blood and other waste from the animals,” he adds. Lule explains that butcheries, which are the basic points at which meat is sold to the public, need to meet certain standards. “The meat must be transported in a hygienic way to the butchery. We expect the butchers to be clean and so should their places of operation. The butchery must have tiles on the floor and walls must be tiled and there must be water. We expect them to have glass so that flies and dust cannot get onto the meat and they must have hand-washing material. Butchers must be medically examined,” he explains. On average, you will find this in town and few in the suburb. There are, however, many butchers in places like Kalerwe and Wankulukuku, whose butcheries are in a poor state, put together with a little wood to serve as the cutting area. Flies are always buzzing around, on and off the meat. The flies come from the semi-permanent houses from where a strong stench comes. Residents say the channels get blocked and then the rubbish takes a while to get dry enough for burning, giving off a bad stench. What is worse is that some locals ease themselves in the channels and the flies fly off the waste and onto the meat in the butcheries. Dr Namugenyi emphasises, “We make surprise visits to butcheries and have closed several of them.”But many of those operating still do not meet the standards. rbatte@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/Davidsseppuuya/Nature-will-always-win-over-man-s-foolishness/-/1268850/1442342/-/mm71nj/-/index.html","content":"Nature will always win over man’s foolishness - The consequences of the recent floods in different parts of Uganda are as unfortunate as there were unnecessary. Unnecessary because they are largely avoidable had we done many common sense things in better ecological. The consequences – buildings wrecked, lives endangered, roads damaged, paths washing away – would be mitigated were we to implement wise approaches. Many will have sung that Sunday school song, which lauds the wise man who built his house on the rock, and was able to withstand the floods. By contrast, the foolish man suffered greatly when the floods, inevitably, came:“The foolish man built his house upon the sand (x3) And the rain came tumbling down;The rain came down and the floods went up (x3)And the house on the sand fell down”.There is a sense in which the house that is Kampala, mainly, and most of our municipal areas are looking environmentally precarious and could, indeed, come crashing down because of poor urban planning and a near total disdain for environmentally-friendly waste management. Consider that:l Less than 15 per cent of Kampala City’s population (living in pre-independence neighbourhoods such as Kololo, Nakasero, Makerere, Bukoto, Mulago, Rubaga, Mengo, Nsambya and Bugolobi) are connected to the public sewer system. The rest of the city (from Kansanga to Kyengera, Kireka to Kawempe, Lubowa to Mpererwe) relies on individual home soak pits, while the slum areas of Kisenyi, Bwaise, and Kinawataka make do with ‘flying toilets’ (plastic bags) and open-channel dumping for human waste disposal. This city literally rests on an unmitigated sewer muddle for its foundation. Incredible! Thus when the floods come, as they did last week, the mess is, well, messy - made all the worse by the indiscriminate exploitation of wetlands. l Uganda has lost 30 per cent of its wetlands in the last 15 years. Alarming!l The quality of water has declined due to direct waste disposal in Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga basins (wetlands should offer natural filtration before waters reach the lakes). Consequently, the cost of treatment at Ggaba Water Works has increased four times in 10 years. Not good! Those slum settlements – Bwaise, Kalerwe, Kisenyi, Kinawataka – are, of course, built in wetlands. Those are the poor areas, which normally are the principle sores of rapid unplanned urban expansion, with its consequent environmental abuse. But even more affluent developments such as the swanky Garden City, Centenary Park, Lugogo Mall, Oasis Mall, and many factories, and even fuel dumps, have been set up in wetlands. It gets worse when even supposedly more discerning churches construct in swamps and wetlands, disrupting what they should view as God’s divine arrangement of nature and His creation, and therefore steward accordingly. So sad! Yet it is not for the lack of laws and regulations that wetlands are being abused, with the wider population suffering the consequences. The Constitution itself clearly spells out that the government shall hold in trust for the people, and protect wetlands and other natural resources. The Land Act says the government or local governments shall ‘alienate’ (curve off) wetlands for protection, and yet officials are many times complicit. The Commissioner for Wetland Management at the Ministry of Water and Environment has started a campaign to demarcate wetlands, an exercise that will hopefully receive the support it needs. Better late than never! Uganda can hardly plead population pressure for managing its natural resources poorly. At 169 people per square kilometre, it compares much better than Rwanda’s 430 per km square, yet Rwanda has a focused ecological management programme (and political will) to see its otherwise dense population enjoy the environment it has. A few possible solutions, for now, would be: l Reduce/ban kaveera (plastic bags) that clog drainages.l Construct network of underground pipes to drain into Nakivubo Channel in a drain master plan.l Sort waste to create manure/compost for farmingl Expel, without fear or favour, wetland encroachers.l Use wetlands for fish-farming and eco-tourism as they continue the quiet but vital role of water filtration.l Empower local communities for the above l Simply enforce all the laws and regulations already on the books. Failure to invoke the above will not just be inconsequential. The strange thing about nature is that we ignore it at our own peril – fail to obey its laws and it strikes back, mostly with a vengeance. The area that Kampala covers has been hills and valleys, channels and rivers, wetlands and highlands for millions of years. The water, for those millions of years, has flowed down these channels, settled into those wetlands, drained into the lakes. It would be foolish of us to think that in a few short years, with our short memories and failure to project into the future, we can thoughtlessly change what has been for millennia. If we continue building on sand, we’ll just pay the price. dsseppuuya@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Establish-disaster-preparedness-commission-to-curb-loss-of-lives/-/806314/1437454/-/olipg0z/-/index.html","content":"Establish disaster preparedness commission to curb loss of lives - In response to a report in the Daily Monitor of June 26 that landslides have again killed people in Bududa barely two years after the previous one, I believe there is need for the government to immediately establish a disaster preparedness and management commission as stated in Article 249(1) of the Constitution thus: ‘There shall be a Disaster Preparedness and Management Commission for Uganda to deal with both natural and man-made disasters.’ We shall continue to witness similar tragedies not only in Bududa but also in other parts of the country if a commission is not instituted to take charge of both potential and actual disasters in the country. In the case of Kampala, it is clear that whenever it rains, floods will soak the city and its suburbs, sometimes killing people in the process. We should not wait for floods or landslides to kill people before take action. The Ministry of Disaster Preparedness should be adequately funded to enable it do a good job. The ministry should establish a permanent team that should work with other actors that have expertise in handling disasters like civil society orgainsations, and the Red Cross, among others. Besides, the government has to invest early warning System, especially on Mt. Elgon and the surrounding areas to facilitate detecting weather changes. Support from development partners directed towards this venture to avoid losing more lives in future. Establishing a disaster preparedness and management commission will greatly contribute towards reducing landslides in Bududa and other parts of the country. The commission should emphasise tree planting, sensitising people against cultivating or settling on mountain slopes, and setting up a fund for compensating families that suffer losses arising from disasters. Relocating residents alone can’t solve the problem. Kiapi K, Frederick,Kampala After a deadly landslides in Bududa in 2010, the government reportedly formed district disaster preparedness committees in especially all the landslide-prone districts in the country. However, to date, we have heard nothing from these committees! The question is, are the committees still place or were they disbanded? If at all they still exist, then has the government starved them of the requisite funds? No wonder the government has not come up with any coherent response or report on the latest landslide tragedy in Bududa and no one has so far give a fairly accurate number of casualties resulting from the tragedy. If the committees were in place, they would have responded to the recent landslide with a well planned post-tragedy plan of action. Tom Emmanuel Ojuka,eojuka@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/109-missing-as-hopes-for-survivors-diminish/-/688334/1436646/-/w41tkv/-/index.html","content":"Uganda landslide:109 missing as hopes for survivors diminish - A government minister last evening placed the number of people missing from Monday’s landslide catastrophe on the slopes of Mt. Elgon at 109 although no official figure of the dead was given as hopes of finding anyone alive all but faded. Speaking at the scene of the devastation, junior Minister for Disaster Preparedness Musa Ecweru, rounded off the possible number of the dead to 109, but gave no basis for his estimation, calling it the “official figure of those missing”. By press time, the frantic but futile rescue operation appeared to be switching mode to a painstaking recovery process in the affected Bunakasala, Namaaga and Bunamulembwa villages of Bulucheke Sub-county, Bududa District. The Uganda Red Cross Society put the number of survivors at 112 but could not say whether any bodies had been retrieved, 30 hours after the tragedy. Society volunteers, joined by residents, with rudimentary tools, were now concentrating efforts on hacking into the three-metre thick water-logged debris as the difficult task of tracing bodies got underway. One survivor, Ms Zipola Namono, was rescued Tuesday morning from the rubble and rushed to Bududa district referral hospital in critical condition.But fatalities could have been possibly avoided, or at least minimised, according to local accounts. It emerged yesterday that village residents had detected fresh cracks and noticed heavy earth movements on Sunday, hours before disaster struck.But for fear of being forced to move, no one reported this to the authorities. Contradicting figuresEarlier reports had indicated anywhere between 18 and 54 residents of Bulucheke sub-county perished when their homes in Bunakasala, Namaaga and Bunamulembwa were flattened.But without proper village records, the exact toll of Monday’s landslide remains unclear. Mr Eldard Wamukota, the regional coordinator for the Red Cross, initially said 18 people from 16 families died. But in separate interviews with Daily Monitor, some residents placed the toll at 54. This number has also been called into question by Bududa District chairman, Mr John-Bosco Nambeshe, who estimated the fatalities at 150. The different figures, based on guesswork, underline the hazard of the inadequate official population statistics. In Kampala, Mr Ecweru’s superior, Dr Stephen Mallinga, issued a statement at the government Media Centre, announcing that “it is feared that landslides and floods buried about 29 homes with about 30 people”. “We cannot, as of now, establish the exact number of homes and people buried, he said, “Assessments are ongoing to establish the exact numbers. Ten people have been rescued and admitted (to) Bududa hospital.” Two days after nature again unleashed its wrath on Bududa, government had by last evening neither delivered promised relief assistance nor provided earth-moving equipment to help rescuers clear the debris to enable faster access to those likely trapped underneath. Unlike in the March 2010 tragedy when the army led search-and-rescue efforts when mudslides again buried an estimated 350 people in the same district, this time round soldiers slinging AK-47 rifles as well as police deployed to the affected villages, only stood by. The Constitution obliges the army to help in emergency situations. 1 | 2 Next Page»Yesterday, Mr Ecweru said the government will “immediately” provide graders, wheel loaders and excavators to help dig up trapped victims. Vehicles ferrying relief food and other items for the survivors were by last evening on the way to Bududa district, he said. According to Mr Ecweru, the government will this time not establish Internally-displaced People’s camps (IDPs) for the mudslide victims to avoid complications of hygiene and food supply experienced in 2010 when survivors of the Nametsi mudslides were huddled at a camp in Bulucheke Sub-county. Instead, the minister said, survivors will be hosted by neighbours and close relatives and relief portions will be supplied directly to the host families.The Red Cross said yesterday it plans to begin handing out tarpaulins for temporary shelter as well as utensils. The humanitarian organisation estimates that 447 families are at risk, and require immediate relocation. On Tuesday morning, National Environment Management Authority’s Information Systems Specialist, Dr Mary Gorreti Kitutu, told Daily Monitor that about 80 per cent of the eastern part of Bududa District is “highly” perilous for human settlement A downpour and hailstorms hit the lashed affected area from Friday through Sunday, triggering the landslides on Monday. From a distance, Namaaga, Bunamulembwa and Bunakasala, now look like a freshly tilled garden ready for planting. The stench of decomposing domestic animals and human flesh had started to fill the air yesterday as the search for the dead and dying continued. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/CharlesOnyangoObbo/Bududa-killer-floods-are-just-a-mirror-of-Uganda-s-politics/-/878504/1436100/-/axb5nwz/-/index.html","content":"The Bududa killer floods are just a mirror of Uganda’s politics - The Uganda media feast on the power and succession struggles inside the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) was briefly interrupted at the start of the week with news that at least 15 people were killed and about 450 missing following a landslide in Bududa District, in the Bugisu region.A landslide in the same district on March 1, 2010, killed over 100 people and displaced thousands. That landslide produced one of the most discussed Uganda photos of recent years. President Museveni visited the area at that time with an AK47 strapped across his chest. The photo attracted a lot of derision on the Internet, with discussions ranging from whether he had carried it to shoot the landslide but found that it had passed, to other suggestions that we shall not mention because State House will consider them terribly seditious. To his credit, Museveni was quite frank with the Bududa people, telling them they were partly to blame for the ravages of the floods because they had cut away nearly all the tree cover. Which brings us back to the Museveni succession jockeying, and his visit to Bududa in 2010. One of the striking things about the Museveni/NRM succession story, is how much the future of Uganda as a country is missing in it. This reflects just how personalised politics is in Uganda, and how to many people, discussing anything without putting the President at the centre doesn’t make sense.However, what is happening in Bududa cannot be fixed by a president, however powerful. It cannot be bribed away. It cannot be suppressed. It needs a more depersonalised and meritocratic government than Uganda has. It requires effective professional national and local institutions of government, which Uganda doesn’t have. Government, both national and local, do not represent the “face of Uganda” in its diversity. Most of the guys who might know how best to deal with the environmental decay that leads to the killer Bududa floods will not be NRM cadres. However, they will not get influential jobs in government. At the local government levels, because of how polarised our elections are, in areas where the opposition is strong, the NRMs will have little to no say. Yet, in these opposition strongholds, quite a few of the smart people who might have solutions are NRM chaps. I will give an example from Rwanda. President Paul Kagame is as strong-willed, if not more so, than Museveni. His critics accuse his Rwanda Patriotic Front of dominating politics in his country the way NRM does in Uganda. The one thing that is most definitely different between Kagame’s Rwanda and Museveni’s Uganda is that Rwanda has done more at institution building and in the districts a lot happens without the government in Kigali calling all the shots. We are doing a project on how East Africa’s “small people” innovate to overcome poverty and environmental problems. I was in Burera in Rwanda about two years ago, and visited the “hanging lakes” (Burera and Ruhondo), to see the impressive environmental recovery work done in the area.The Burera environmental rebirth led to the revival of a hydroelectric dam there whose production had all but died out because of environmental degradation. My colleague, a Tanzanian, disagreed. Bugesera District, which experienced severe droughts in 1999, 2006, and November 2008, he argued, was a more interesting story because the success of the projects to achieve food security there would tell us more about local innovation. The district, he said, has nine lakes. Two, Lake Cyohoha North and South could dry out. I have been to Rwanda, my colleague hasn’t. I looked at him, impressed that he found out so much detail he had assembled. He figured what was on my mind, and said: “I found the information on the Burera and Bugesera district websites,” he said. “Each Rwanda district has a website. They give a lot of data on their programmes, budgets, and local actions. I think the Bugesera website paints a more interesting challenge than Burera.” I looked at the two websites, and decided we shall do Bugesera as he suggested. I could hardly find a Ugandan district website to speak of. Indeed, I didn’t find a single Uganda ministry that was as up to date a website as the Rwanda district sites. Apart from the usual story of incompetence and so on, I think the reason for this is that, most Ugandan ministries have been denuded of power and are just ceremonial. Also beyond district leaders being election champions for either the NRM or the opposition parties, they exist largely in name only. Nearly all the critical action in Uganda is at State House. Small wonder we talk of little else in our politics. 1 | 2 Next Page»cobbo@ke.nationmedia.com & twitter@cobbo3. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Afternoon-downpour-soaks-city--suburbs/-/688334/1435678/-/n5kbq5z/-/index.html","content":"Afternoon downpour soaks city, suburbs - KAMPALA Several businesses in Kampala yesterday were brought to a standstill after access to several roads and buildings were cutoff after the afternoon downpour. The rains that started at around 2pm stretched until 4pm, making it hard for several people to report to their work places. Jinja Road was one of the most affected places yesterday with most of the Jinja Road roundabout covered by floods. Seventh Street, Industrial Area also received heavy floods. Most motorists were forced to abandon their cars after they were soaked by the floods. At Grand Imperial Hotel, the commission set up to investigate alleged mismanagement of free education scheme funds was forced into a break after the hotel started leaking. The same situation occurred at Hotel Africana where people holding a workshop in one of the conference halls took refuge in other halls due to leaking roofs. Weather experts earlier this month warned a swing in the climatic patterns of the Central and Western regions, indicating that they will receive heavy rains instead of the usual dry conditions around this time. They attributed the condition to the unusual inflow of moist air from the Atlantic Ocean and Congo air mass. Police deputy spokesperson Judith Nabakooba confirmed that there were no people injured or killed.This is not the first time the incident has occurred, early this year several people around the country were killed after a morning downpour. akiyaga@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Starting-life-after-the-war/-/691232/1432760/-/14b4totz/-/index.html","content":"Starting life after the war - Tears of joy drenched their cheeks. The old women ululated, mothers wept and men jumped high, celebrating the homecoming of a daughter they thought had long gone to the world of the dead. In the early afternoon hours of a bright and hot day, two vehicles snaked through the shrubs of Angaro village, Gweri Sub County in Soroti district tracing relatives of Tabisa Apio, one of the girls LRA rebels had abducted in 2003. Her parents, Hannington Ocige and Keturah Acam did not think they would ever see their daughter who has since lost proper inflection of Ateso.“I asked God to help me get back to my parents. Those people (who abducted me) they have all died. I have been staying with different ones. They are many,” narrates Apio, the 10th born of eleven. But the sweet homecoming for Apio just a few days to June 15, the day LRA invaded Teso in 2003, would not have held much significance if she had not found her parents alive. “I am happy I have got (both) my parents alive. I just escaped from the rebels and walked for many days. I reached a road where I suddenly met soldiers. They took me to a place called Naduru,” said Apio.Mr. Ocige exclaimed; “I can’t believe my daughter is back alive. It is a miracle and we are very happy.” Apio along was one of the several children who were abducted by LRA rebels from various parts of Teso sub region between 2003 and 2005. About 3,000 children were reported to have been captured by the rebels who forced the boys into rebels and turned the girls into their wives. “Between 1,500 and 2,000 have not been accounted for. Some were killed and others are still held in captivity,” said Mr. Robert Adiama, former commander of the Arrow Boys, a militia group formed in Teso then to fight off the LRA. He said most of the abducted children were from the districts of Amuria and Kaberamaido which are still staggering from the effects of the LRA incursion.A group of the rebels raided Lwala Girls’ Secondary School in Kaberamaido and took with them over 150 students. “Many these girls have been rescued but about 50 drowned in river Moroto (of Otuke district) as they were crossing. The rebels forced them to walk through the river to check the depth of the water,” Mr. Adiama said. State Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Mr. Musa Ecweru said the rebels are stilling holding a big number of the children. “What the people of Teso want is to have their children back in whatever form. Some of them have been maimed and others have got children with the rebels. That is what the LRA should consider in their negotiations with government,” Mr. Ecweru said. How the invasion startedThe abduction of the children all began with rumours of a planned incursion by the rebels said to have got into the region three months before the June 15 attack.“Residents had reported seeing some strangers in the bushes. The talk was not taken seriously until the rebels attacked Obalanga trading centre at dawn that day,” former Amuria district LC5 chairperson, Mr Julius Ochen says. Ochen says that Obalanga at that time had only 30 personnel of the Anti Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) and six policemen who tried to defend the trading centre but were overpowered by the rebels. “The rebels were many. They overran the trading centre and two policemen were killed. Over 115 grass thatched were burnt and they also destroyed 15 shops,” Mr. Ochen says. The conflict spread out fast to other parts of the sub region with splinter groups of the rebels wreaking havoc, abducting and killing civilians. The days that followed saw more brutal attacks by the rebels on civilians and this spread out to parts of Kaberamaido and Soroti like a bush fire. At least 10,000 volunteers took up arms under the Arrow Boys outfit to fight alongside the UPDF but many of these lost their lives too. A 68-year-old woman, Cecilia Amayo a resident of Okude village, Orungo Sub County in Amuria district said she was returning from the garden when she found herself among a group of the rebels who took her captive. 1 | 2 Next Page»“They hit me with big sticks. They broke both my arms. It was later discovered at hospital that the torture had inflicted damage on my uterus,” Amayo narrates adding that rebels smashed her husband’s head while she looked on helplessly until he breathed his last. “I now feel serious pain in the lower abdomen. I have sought treatment but can’t afford it,” said Amayo. Another victim, Angella Akello 67 from Ojukut in Morungatuny Sub County, Amuria district was burnt with petrol and lost her husband too to the rebels. “I have scars all over my back. The rebels chopped off my co-wife’s hands and she has problems helping herself. She needs some artificial limbs,” said Akello.The LC3 chairperson Obalanga, Mr. Tom Okello said the mass grave near Obalanga health centre contains 364 remains of people killed by the rebels and has continued to evoke haunting memories of the LRA attacks. “It will take sometime for Obalanga people to recover from what happened. It was a double tragedy. Karimojong disturbed us but what the rebels have done is worse,” said Mr Okello. Looking forwardApart from the psychological wounds the people have, there are also issues concerning the land. In Soroti town, over 100 acres of land that the municipality had earmarked for development cannot be put to use as some households of the internally displaced people (IDPs) are still living there. Recovering from effects of the war has not been easy for most of the people who were displaced by the LRA rebels. The rebel activities affected the food production process. While a big number of those who were displaced could have returned to their homes and settled safely, the food situation was worsened by the 2007 floods that ravaged the entire Teso sub region. “Our homes were burnt and it has been difficult to put them back up. Government promised it would give us iron sheets but only a few people got the iron sheets,” James Okello a returnee at Obalanga in Amuria said. Roads leading to the villages that for over three years had not been attended to because of the insecurity has continued to be another stumbling block to effects geared at helping the returnees to rebuild their lives. Much of what the government promised it would provide, including construction of a vocational school to assist the children of victims of the LRA incursions in Teso, is yet to be delivered. President Museveni in his last campaign pledges had re-echoed the promises would be delivered but with the accountability process for atrocities committed by the rebels still being pursued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), thousands of those afflicted by their destruction may not get much help until modalities for provision of the reparations are properly spelt out. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1429572/-/11vl5u1/-/index.html","content":"Community health insurance can save rural households from poverty trap - The Ministry of Finance recently released the Poverty Status Report 2012 which shows a nationally positive trend in poverty reduction in the last two decades. The proportion of the population that is absolutely poor has reduced from 56.4 per cent to 24.5 per cent—which surpasses the targets for the 2015 1st Millennium Development Goal (the target goal is 28 per cent).Most of the people who have graduated from absolute poverty have either moved to “insecure non-poor segment” or to the middle class. Indeed, the proportion of the insecure non-poor class has increased from 33.4 per cent to 42.9 per cent in the same period while the middle class has increased three-fold. Majority of the population classified as insecure and not poor dwell in rural areas with highly volatile incomes—56 per cent of them depend on subsistence farming as a primary source of income and have large household sizes. They are highly vulnerable to falling back into absolute poverty. A variety of external and household-level shocks threaten the income stability of the insecure non-poor population segment, and these include ill-health, death of a family member, changes in weather patterns—such as drought or floods, and price fluctuations—such as the recent inflationary food prices.The average rural household expenditure on health care is 6 per cent but this could climb to as high as 40 per cent if a family member, particularly the household head has a chronic illness. These illnesses involve catastrophic household expenditure with the sale of land and other property, which are not recoverable or replaceable in the longer term. Community Health Insurance schemes in regions where they have existed aim to protect households from catastrophic expenditures, thereby saving many rural households from vulnerability to poverty.The rising number of insecure non-poor population segments should take advantage of community health insurance schemes to effectively protect themselves from falling back into poverty. A small portion of the household expenditure on healthcare would be saved by the payment of annual premiums to cater for seasonal changes of the rural incomes. The schemes then cover treatment costs of the members at the contracted health service providers. The Uganda National Household Survey 2009/10 reported that one on five persons (23 per cent) will not seek medical attention because of the costly healthcare services. This delay poses risks and complications to the person, and will subsequently triple the costs of care which could result in the sale of land or other property. However, studies in wouth western Uganda where community health insurance schemes exist have shown that scheme members tend to seek early treatment for illnesses. The government, through its relevant sectors like Ministry of Health and the ministry responsible for social protection should support and strengthen Community Health Insurance schemes. This could as well as to facilitate those below the poverty line recover from cyclic poverty. Dr Ronald M. Kasyaba, Medical Superintendent, Nyakibale Hospital- Rukungiri"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/153-000-affected-by-disasters--Red-Cross/-/688334/1427084/-/sd7xt3/-/index.html","content":"153,000 affected by disasters, Red Cross - KAMPALA About 153,000 people have so far been affected by various disasters, according to Uganda Red Cross Society Disaster Response mid-year Report 2012. The recorded disasters include movement of refugees, fire outbreaks, bush fires, hailstorms, floods, landslides, cholera, the nodding disease syndrome, plague, tribal and border conflicts, mob action, land clashes and electoral campaigns. Landslides are recorded to have affected the biggest population of 95,991, while the refugees from DRC were 20,299. 1,823 refugees from South Sudan were registered. The report indicates that 15, 575 people were affected by hailstorms. Fires and bush fire affected 5,890, floods (4,290) and cholera(3,548). Nodding disease affected 3,526 while tribal and border conflicts, mob justice and land clashes affected 2,183. The URCS report indicates that 269 deaths have been recorded since the year began. However, among all the people that have been affected, the Red Cross have only been able to support 74,142. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Hoe-basin-farming--appropriate-method-for-soil-conservation/-/689860/1425912/-/xkhyuuz/-/index.html","content":"Hoe-basin farming: appropriate method for soil conservation - Although Uganda is a predominantly agricultural economy, farmers use methods that expose their land to degradation. While most are mainly subsistence farmers, they practice agriculture in the conventional way that requires extra labour and agricultural inputs to prepare land which they do not entirely use. However, Maratina Obira, 60, a farmer in Atek village, Lira District, is using the hoe-basin system, a practice under conservation agriculture to sustain her soil fertility for better yields. She explains that the hoe-basin system has helped her to reduce on the labour and resources used on her garden for the last one year. “I was trained and told that upon opening up the land, I don’t need to plough the usual two times before planting. I no longer have to burn the crop residues because they are useful for maintaining soil fertility,” says Obira. She adds that she has since stopped incurring expenses for weeding. “On my garden, I only have to dig the holes of about 35cm wide by 30cm deep and that is my basin where I plant leaving other parts intact. This helps the crops to grow easily and immediately I plant, I mulch the untouched areas using the crop residues to maintain soil moisture and fertility,” she explains. Obira is using the basin for a second season for soya bean and groundnuts on her three-acre farm. She says the mulching has helped her to do away with weeding and also reduced the soil erosion. “I started this system on a rocky ground and it used to have poor crop yields but I harvested five bags of soya bean last season from one acre. That is why I decided to expand to three acres because of the less labour required,” says Obira, one of the farmers trained by Rural Enterprise Development Services (REDS)Limited, a local consulting firm implementing the Conservation Agriculture Regional Programme (CARP) activities countrywide. Charles Ogwang, a resident of Ating II village, says the technology has reduced weed pressure in his gardens which makes him save on the would-be expenses. “Sometimes, I cannot afford fertilisers but with the basin and mulching, I spend less but I get better results. I plant three seeds in every basin but the plants grow well compared to the conventional system where the yields were less,” says Ogwang. He adds that the technology properly applied can help a farmer to get better yields even from a small portion of land. George Kaweesi, the Field Operations Manager of REDS –CARP, explains that hoe-basins are applicable where a farmer cannot use draft animal or a tractor. “But the basin system is important to keep soil fertility and there is no need to plough.” He says, “People plough using a hoe but usually the hoe does not go beyond 20cm. so there is a pan created and when it rains, the water simply floods on top due to low absorption capacity and the rain destroys the useful organisms due to erosion.” Kaweesi says that the basin minimises loss of soil minerals through evaporation and that the plant residues allows soil particles to develop. “Even when climate change brings a dry spell or floods, a farmer should continue producing because the soil is uninterrupted and we are integrating agro-forestry to allow farmers grow some plants specifically for animals,” he says. According to Kaweesi, conservation agriculture using the basin system reduces risk, improves production practices, and facilitates trade. Conservation agriculture is when a farmer uses a basin, leave crop residues on the farm and also rotate crops, says Kaweesi. 1 | 2 Next Page»ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Don-warns-of-more-natural-disasters-in-eastern-region/-/688334/1422202/-/4pyweb/-/index.html","content":"Don warns of more natural disasters in eastern region - Tororo Eastern Uganda is likely to face more natural disasters if conservation of natural ecosystems are not enforced, the dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Busitema University in Tororo District has warned. Eng. Wilfred Odogola said the 2007 African Initiative on Climate Change identified Uganda among the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change impacts. He made the remarks during a representation on initiatives and proposed activities of the Eastern Uganda Greater Regional Centre of Expertise (GEURCE) on Tuesday. The one-day seminar under the theme: Building stakeholders partnerships for sustainable development in Eastern Uganda, which also marked the official launching of the GEURCE drew participants from different institutions of learning, the private sector and local governments across the region. Eng. Odogola said the east had three main ecosystems that are most vulnerable, including dry lands, water basins and mountainous ranges like Mount Elgon. Land and mudslides have for instance, in the past three years claimed several lives in Bududa and Bulambuli districts resulting in the relocation of some of the households to Kiryandongo in Masindi district in 2010. “Any negative climate change impacts will have a lot of effect on livelihoods, especially vulnerable rural communities as witnessed in the floods and droughts that usually affect Teso sub-region and the land and mudslides that affect the mountainous areas of Bugisu,” Eng. Odogola said. The don further cited the rapid degradation of land resources which affect agricultural productivity and livelihoods. The east faces poor exploitation of natural resources affecting biodiversity and ecological systems. Eng. Odogola also highlighted poor disposal of urban waste.Uganda has 75 urban centres, housing 12 per cent of the country’s population and growing at 3.8 per cent per annum. “Poor waste disposal causes pollution resulting in diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery,” he said. The vice-chancellor of Busitema, Prof. Mary Jossy Okwakol, hailed the National Environment Management Authority for spearheading the initiation of the GEURCE to address environmental issues.Prof. Okwakol said the university was committed to meeting the environmental challenges. “Busitema University is embarking on building partnership and collaboration within eastern Uganda through the establishment of the GEURCE,” she said.She added: “As host university, we are committed to support and promote the initiative to avert some of the expected disasters. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Botswana-state-house-renovated-for-US-2-5m/-/688340/1421896/-/2lhpio/-/index.html","content":"Botswana state house renovated for US$2.5m - Botswana president Ian Khama’s official residence is safe and sound after US$2. 5 million renovations and maintenance in the last nine years. The State House will require an earth quake, floods or other form of natural disaster, at least according to the Permanent Secretary in the Presidency, Newman Kahiya, for it to merit another refurbishment in the next 10 to 15 years. Mr Kahiya last week told the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Gaborone: “This is a cultural heritage and we had to keep on refurbishing to keep its original form,” Kahiya said. Kahiya’s said the renovations were necessary as the president’s residence is a cultural heritage site that cannot be abandoned for a new site. Since 2003 nearly US$2.5 million has been spent on various stages of the State Houses’ renovations. The renovations were done in phases, with the first involving the refurbishment of the ornamental pool in 2003. The second phase comprised the construction of new toilets, the refurbishment of old toilets, the construction of two gate houses, the gate keepers’ day room, the installation of CCTV cameras and a car park. The phase commenced in July 2006 and was completed in October 2007. Phase three comprised the refurbishment of the main house, cottage and landscaping of the main garden. Recently, the Office of the President advertised a works contract for some proposed renovations. The Botswana Defence Force (BDF) sentry was to be converted into a staff office block which, together with associated external works at the residency, will cost the taxpayer an extra US$318,749. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Travel/Face-to-face-with-the-world-s-biggest-hydro-power-dam/-/691238/1421096/-/yq4as7z/-/index.html","content":"Face to face with the world’s biggest hydro-power dam - Yichang, a “small” town in China’s western Hubei province is supposed to be your typical rural setting. The two-hour road trip from Sichuan airport to this village is a journey through well-kept corn gardens and a display of brick storeyed houses perched delicately between rocks. It is a relaxing journey after spending two days in the hustle and bustle of China’s political capital, Beijing. I even dream of writing a poem appreciating the scenery. When we get to the local town, I am surprised to see skyscrapers dotting its skyline. “What village is this that has buildings taller than Workers House?” I wonder aloud. Beyond the skyscrapers, this town holds something special. Something that compels over one million tourists to descend on it every year and marvel at the work of creativity and ingenuity. Yichang is home to the Three Gorges Dam, the biggest hydro-power dam in the world. When we check in the Three Gorges Hotel on a sunny Tuesday afternoon, I am shocked to see that what our guides term as a “simple” hotel meant mainly for company activities and not commercial purposes is over 20 floors high—making our own Sheraton Hotel look like a kafunda. The hotel is part of the property of Three Gorges Group, the Chinese state-owned corporation formed to help light up China by building dams on one of the country’s longest rivers, Yangtze River, which runs for over 6,000km through the Chinese hinterland. After a hearty dinner where we are served snails and snake as part of the menu, we are directed to a theatre for a performance about the dam. History of the dam“Drama about a dam?” I ask again, wondering what to expect. The next one hour is a breath-taking one. The theatre is packed to capacity with about 1,000 guests who are treated to a dramatic, acrobatic-filled story about how The Three Gorges Dam came to be. With superb aesthetics, sound and light effects, the story of how Yangtze River had turned into a curse for the millions of natives who lived on its banks is told on stage. Floods had become the order of the day, killing thousands and destroying property. The natives believed the gods were unhappy and kept sacrificing young girls to try and appease the deities. Nothing, however, changed as disaster followed disaster. When the decision was finally made in 1993 to construct the dam to generate electricity but also serve as a water reservoir, over 200 floods had occurred, making life miserable for many a peasant. The play then goes on to explain the rationale of building the dam and the three major phases of construction. When I finally get to bed that night, I have two things on my mind: if only our National Theatre in Kampala could have half the props this “village” theatre has! I also can’t wait to finally set foot on this wonder of Chinese creation. The following morning at breakfast as I eat chilled pig ears and drink hot, boiling orange juice, I picture Owen Falls Dam back home and keep wondering how different the dam I am about to see is. When we finally drive to the dam, what I see is far from what I could fathom. First of all, the near two-kilometre journey from the hotel to the dam is an experience of its own. We drive through well paved mountainsides and sprawling lawns. The place looks more like a park for lovers than a home to a hydro-power dam. Such scenic features become a common sight as I visit other dams later during my trip. The work of art and science blending into one is very inconspicuous. Touring the areaWhen our van finally negotiates the bend to the dam, Yangtze River lies ahead of us. It is a misty morning and all one sees is a sea of water, with the mist hovering above it, giving a pleasant sight although it makes photography a nightmare. At the gate, the late night shift set of soldiers is handing over to a new shift. It is a mini-parade. A new soldier moves to the post, salutes and stands at attention as the one handing over places a pistol in his jacket. They then both salute before the tired bunch jumps onto a waiting van. We are able to see all this because apparently, the main power house that we should be viewing is full of tourists and we have to wait a little longer as the pack inside is cleared. Eng. Du Guilin, one of our guides, tells us: “A nationwide survey was conducted recently where young Chinese were asked if they were willing to lay down their lives in case the country was invaded. Ninety-nine per cent said yes.” The feeling of nationalism in China is visible all over. The Communist Party flag hangs everywhere and the Chinese speak fondly of their country and the economic strides it has made over the past 30 years. This banter is finally interrupted when Mr Wang Yinghua, the director of the power house, walks to us. He asks us to follow him and we are ushered into the left section of the Three Gorges Dam. What we see is amazing. The section stretches for about 600 metres and it has 14 turbines each producing 700 megawatts of power. In brief, just this one section of the dam produces 9,800MW, and with the right wing and the underground power station, the entire dam produces 22,500MW of power, making it the largest in the world. Here I was face-to-face with history. I briefly closed my eyes and made a mental calculation. The new Bujagali Hydro-power Dam will produce 250MW powered by five turbines each producing 50MW. For the yet-to-be constructed Karuma Dam, it is expected to produce 600MW from six turbines each with a capacity of 100MW. In brief, of the 14 turbines I was looking at, just two were enough to combine Bujagali and Karuma and still produce extra electricity! “We have 450 staff on duty today,” says Mr Wang. “We usually have three shifts and the operations department alone has 190 staff on duty today. Because the water levels are low during this season, we are producing a total of 14,000MW from both our wings but we hit the peak of 22,500MW during the rainy season of June to September.” 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Child-killed--crops-destroyed-as-hailstorm-strikes-Adjumani/-/688334/1420772/-/er9ysgz/-/index.html","content":"Child killed, crops destroyed as hailstorm strikes Adjumani - Adjumani A hailstorm in Adjumani District has destroyed several acres of crops leaving farmers in the district worried over a possible food shortage. A farmer in Kerelu Village, Pakelle Sub-county, Mr Adiga Druku, said he predicts a possible outbreak of hunger since the crops destroyed were planted during the first season. “Normally we start harvesting crops like maize in July but with all this destruction, hunger is likely to crop in and this is dangerous. Government should assist us with some new seedlings,” he said. The affected villages of Kerelu, Ataboo A and B, Mayola, and Marinyo are low lying areas and the sandy nature of the soil, does not hold water. DamageMaize, green vegetables, sweet potatoes and cassava were destroyed during the over two-hour downpour. Several roads were left impasable and families whose houses were destroyed, slept in the cold. During the weekend downpour, lightning struck dead four-year-old Ronald Korani of Bacere Village in Ofua Sub-county. Korani’s father said his son was struck dead as he took shelter from the rain in the kitchen with his two siblings. Mr Ben Chandiga said his daughter was also struck by lightning on the left arm which got paralysed. She is receiving treatment at Ofua Health Centre III. Last year, several farmers were affected by floods which swept away their crops. Adjumani District experiences a tropical climate with a bi-modal rainfall pattern. The rainy seasons run from April to June and August to November, with the average annual rainfall varying between 750mm and 1,500mm. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/K-jong-warriors-cross-to-Kenya-for-relief-food/-/688334/1419588/-/i4ysrl/-/index.html","content":"Karimojong warriors cross to Kenya for relief food - The current distribution of relief food to Turkana pastoralists by the Kenyan government has attracted the attention of Karimojong pastoralists in Kaabong District, who are crossing the border to Kenya with the hope that they will be able to fluke the relief items. The Kaabong LC5 chairperson, Mr Joseph Komol, confirmed that so far about 1,000 people in Kamion, Timu, and Lokwakaramoi parishes in Kamion Sub-county have already crossed to Kenya.Mr Komol said most of them have successfully registered and received the food while others are doing domestic work in homes of Kenyan officials, where they are given food in return for their services. Mr Komol said the Karimojong pastoralists who have camped at Oropoi Division in north Turkana, were forced to cross due to the biting famine that is currently affecting many households in Kaabong Town Council and Kamion Sub-county. “If food distribution continues in Kenya, more people will cross because we are currently experiencing food shortage and the crops that the communities planted have not yet matured,” Mr Komol said. Kaabong Mayor Gabriel Loiki Paak said seven people within the town council have already died in a period of two weeks due to famine. “I have already written a report and submitted it to the office of Disaster and Preparedness ministry for help,” Mr Paak said. The Resident District Commissioner, Mr Okoth Nyalulu, said families who crossed to Kenya are those that felt they could not wait for the national arrangement. Mr Nyalulu said although the food shortage is driving the Karimojong away, it is also an advantage because these people will now learn how to share and stop conflicting. Early this year, the State Minister for Disaster and Preparedness, Mr Musa Ecweru, warned that Karamoja is most likely to experience another strong famine due to last year’s floods. cap: Karimojong line up to receive food aid. Hundreds of Karimojong are grappling with famine area, which has forced many to cross to neighbouring Kenya to benefit from the relief food distribution. Photo by Steven Ariong"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Govt-sorry-for-collapsed-bridges/-/688334/1411262/-/ug816c/-/index.html","content":"Govt sorry for collapsed bridges - Government has apologised to Ugandans over the recent collapse of bridges, especially in Karamoja, Tororo, Ntugamo and Kanungu districts which it attributed to loaded trailers. The Minister for Works, Eng. Abraham Byandala, said the design load capacity of bridges was built in 1950s which is lower than the current laden weight of trailers. Eng. Byandala said some parts of the bridges are vandalised by scrap dealers and failure by government to detect deterioration of structural elements through regular bridge inspection, escalated the problem. “I regret the protracted response at times afforded by limited capacity available to address emergencies,” Mr Byandala said during a press conference in Kampala yesterday. FloodsThe minister said recent changes in environmental actions propagated by frequent floods and change in river courses has weakened road embankments, making them more susceptible to submersion by floods. “Of the 378 bridges existing on our national road network, 120 bridges are reported to be in a poor condition which need major rehabilitation within the next 10 years,” Eng. Byandala said. He also said the Works ministry needs a sustained annual allocation of $10 million (Shs25b) over the next 10 years to eliminate the backlog although the road budget has been slashed to Shs4 billion from the Shs5 billion. The minister said government would continue gradual replacement and strengthening of all weak and deteriorated bridges designed between 1940 and 1960 to ensure that they carry permissible loads according to prevailing axle loading regulations. Eng. Byandala said the move would strengthen the sector’s capacity to respond to emergency rendered by the collapse of bridges and cutoffs by natural disasters. Faster responseThe director of operations at Uganda National Roads Authority, Eng. Ssebugga Kimeze, said they want to procure and adopt more advanced emergency bridge replacement solutions that could enable them reopen a road in less than eight hours. mssebuyira@ug.nationmedai.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Floods-cut-patients-off-Aids-drugs/-/688334/1409264/-/oftf07/-/index.html","content":"Floods cut patients off Aids drugs - Persistent rains that have washed away roads in Napak District are hindering HIV/Aids patients from easily accessing medical services and drugs located 50km away. Transport from Iriiri Sub-county to Matany Hospital has become a nightmare due to bad roads and patients are forced to walk the distance for medical services. Ms Rose Nagit, a resident of Iriiri Trading Centre, knows the dangers associated with failing to follow her treatment schedule. She has already spent three weeks without taking her drugs and fears for the worst. “Every month we have been enduring to walk and sometimes if we have money we board [a vehicle] to Matany for drugs but it’s now two months and we have failed to access drugs because of the flooded roads. Vehicle owners have also suspended trips to the hospital,” she said. More than 300 people living with HIV/Aids in the sub-county and have openly declared their status, are struggling to get drugs in order to cope with life. Ms Nagit said although they are experiencing a challenge of lack of food and safe drinking water, the lack of drugs is complicating their condition. On Friday, several HIV/Aids patients received sleeping kits at the Iriiri Health Centre donated to them by Karamoja Integrated Development Programme, an NGO dealing with people living with HIV/Aids in Napak District.“You know if you’re on ARVs treatment and you miss taking a drug just for one day, it will make the virus get a chance of weakening the white blood cells very fast,” Ms Lucy Putan, the councillor at Iriiri Health Centre, said.Dr Peter Kaunya, the in-charge of Iriiri, said the team from Matany Hospital had failed to deliver drugs as a result of the bad roads. “We cannot give these drugs to the patients because the policy does not allow a health centre III to give out these drugs to the patients until it is upgraded to the status of health centre IV,” he said. The rainy season is not about to end, locals said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1407886/-/b2gjpb/-/index.html","content":"End Elgon park encroachment - Reports indicate that encroachers who were told to leave the Mount Elgon National Park have continued cultivating farmlands in the park. According to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the encroachers have taken to digging, planting and weeding their crops at night and these actions, the wildlife body says, have led to the worst encroachment on the park in many years. Given the history of landslides around the Mt. Elgon area, it is unfortunate that residents are engaging in activities that further destroy the environment- weaken the soils and expose the population to landslides. The people who have settled in the park are carrying out widespread cutting of trees to clear land for farmland. That encroachers have also settled on the steep slopes without terracing of proper dimensions, exposes the farmed parts of the slopes to potential mudslides in case of heavy rains. It is deplorable that some leaders, instead of educating the people and finding viable solutions to the problem, are encouraging the encroachment. According to UWA, some politicians--during the last general election campaigns-- told the local people to carry out farming in some of the areas that are now worst affected, spreading across the districts of Manafwa, Bukwo, Kween, Sironko and Bulambuli. The environment is not something that can be traded for political popularity contests. Destroying it has huge implications on the climate, ultimately affecting the country’s food security, disasters such floods, drought and landslides notwithstanding. The State of Environmental Report 2002 estimated that soil erosion was responsible for 80 per cent of the land degradation and the most affected areas are the steep slopes of Mt. Elgon. Given the current trend, the problem could be much worse, especially because the Elgon area, according to UWA, is witnessing the worst encroachment where people are demanding for about 1,240 hectares of the park land as their traditional land. 3,200 hectares have already been invaded. Local leaders, UWA officials and the government should come up with practical options to save this park. Ways of settling the encroachers should be immediately explored and implemented and evictions, if carried out, must be done in a proper manner to avoid loss of lives and property. We must sustain our forest cover and conserve the environment for the good of this country."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/New-term-blurred-as-rain-washes-away-school-path/-/688334/1405878/-/gv41jlz/-/index.html","content":"New term blurred as rain washes away school path - Amuria More than 730 pupils in Amuria District may not report back to school in time for the new term, which opened yesterday, after heavy rain washed away Alacamuk Bridge, which connects to Ogutoi Primary School. By Sunday, all roads to Asilang, Agule and Alacamuk villages had been blocked by running water. Mr Moses Acila, the deputy speaker of Abarillela Sub-county, said the district council has anticipated that the bridge could be washed off because it was partially destroyed during the previous floods and since then, no repairs have been done. He confirmed that the destroyed bridge is the only channel that majority of the pupils of Ogutoi use to access their school, and now that it has been swept away, they will have to wait until the bridge is reconstructed. “The state in which these roads and the bridge were left after last year’s floods, is how they are up to date,” Mr Acila said. He added that it would be important for the government to focus on improving the state of the roads since they are the most affected whenever the rainy season hits the region. Mr Richard Opule, a father of three, said he will not risk having his children going to school unless provisions of a canoe are put in place, while the district tries to work on reinstating the bridge. “We have experiences of children who have drowned while crossing the water during the previous floods. And we are not willing for such tragedies to be repeated,” Mr Opule said. Bitter experienceLast year, floods seriously ravaged Abarillela, an experience likely to happen again, with a possibility of a famine outbreak due to heavy destruction of crops. After a long spell of drought, a return of the rainy season in eastern Uganda threatens to mostly disorganise education in the region’s district. With many schools made of makeshift shelters and other children studying under trees, a huge number of school-going children are likely to shun school. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Civil-society-groups-want-government-to-enact-fresh-land-laws/-/688334/1403618/-/l65dtx/-/index.html","content":"Civil society groups want government to enact fresh land laws - Civil Society Organisations under the Private Sector Foundation Uganda want government to enact a new land law to address how compensation of land owners should be done. According to Mr Peter Walubiri, a consultant with the foundation, the existing land law was amended before the 1995 Constitution was out and only 36 districts were in place. During the presentation of the review of the legal frame work for land administration in Kampala on Monday, Mr Walubiri said the law needs to be amended because it has so many disparities when it comes to dealing with government projects on private land which has led to disputes across the country. Land disputes“For the construction of government projects like roads, schools and health centres, there are many land disputes because land owners tend to ask for compensation from the government even when they are in road reserves as was the case in the Kara-Katona on Mbarara road,” Mr Walubiri said. “During its construction, the land owner demanded compensation and the case is still in high court,” he added.Ms Clara Ochaya, a representative from Uganda National Roads Authority, said: “The Act must indicate who should receive the compensation because Uganda National Roads Authority has faced many problems and has even had to slow down its work because compensation is the order of the day.” She said: “Like the construction of the Northern By-pass, some people were affected by floods when it rained because it was not planned before and they were asking for compensation.” RecommendationIn their recommendations, the foundation stated that the Land Act should comply with the Constitution and also asked for the removal of compulsory acquisition of land from the Act provisions. “Instead, incorporate the power for compulsory acquisition of land or property in a single legislation, namely the Land Acquisition Act,” the review read in part. The Land Acquisition Act provides for the compensation of persons having interest in land compulsorily acquired by the government and the consultants agree that customary ownership of lawful and bonafide occupants constitute interest in land and are capable of compensation. snakirigya@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Nyabihoko--The-lake-with-an-intriguing-history/-/691232/1403308/-/n8wcbhz/-/index.html","content":"Nyabihoko: The lake with an intriguing history - Deep inside Ntungamo District, 372 kilometres south of Kampala, lies a mass of water called Lake Nyabihoko from which the sub county where it is located; Nyabihoko, got its name. The six-square-kilometre lake cuts into the three sub counties of Bwongyera, Nyabihoko and Rubaare, which are largely inhabited by a cattle keeping (Bahima) community. Getting thereTo get there, one branches off at Katinda town on Ntungamo-Kabale road and travels 15 kilometres further. The alternative route is Ntungamo-Rukungiri road, branching off at Rwashamaire trading centre and travel 26 kilometers ahead. There are no taxis moving on the routes to the lake on a daily basis, so for those without personal vehicles the place can be accessed by travelling on boda bodas or special hired vehicles. The lake is surrounded by gentle slopping hills. In its centre, there is an island, where Mr Dan Kaguta, the Resident District Commissioner of Wakiso, has established a place for leisure called Mutuumo Island Resort. It is not by accident that the name Mutuumo became the choice of the resort proprietor. It is a name associated with the legend about the formation of the lake on which this island sits. Legend behind the lakePopular legend in Ankole has it that the lake swallowed a family of a cattle keeper called Mutuumo centuries ago. There are two popular and intriguing accounts of how and why the family of the legendary cattle keepers’ family “drowned”. “Our father told us stories he heard about how this place became a lake. It was a grazing land. The lake came and swallowed Mutuumo’s family that lived here,” Mr Gideon Bitahwire 79, who is also the chairperson of the fishing community at the lake, says. Mutuumo was a muhororo cattle keeper. But he was also a merchant who left his family behind for weeks to trade in cattle products like ghee to Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Buganda on foot, a life that would later contribute to his family’s peril. Different accountsMutuumo was not at home when the lake swallowed his family. According to the legend, his youngest daughter, Keitetsi, used to hear soil dropping from where she always sat, while making ghee. Keitesi would tell her family about hearing soil beneath the calves’ house, and how it sounds like its dropping into deep water. Her repeated claim would often be dismissed by the family as a sign of laziness on her part. But while Mutuumo was away in Rwanda, the homestead and family members got submerged by the forming lake. Another version about the formation of Lake Nyabihoko is the myth about Mutuumo’s family members eating a forbidden cow. Mutuumo, a herdsman, kept many cows but in his kraal was born a forbidden cow locally called Ente Ngobe (the cow is born with multiple colours and is up to now never eaten by the Bagahe clan in Kigezi and Ankole) which he was told by his gods that he should never eat even when it dies. When he was away on his trade errands, the cow died and his family feasted on it. This triggered heavy rains that fell for 28 days non-stop, causing floods in the area until the water swallowed the family, and the area turned into a lake.The number of children Mutuumo had is not known, but it is believed that he had not produced any boy and he used Bairu (cultivators) as herdsmen of his hundreds of cattle. 1 | 2 Next Page»It is said the servants liked meat a lot and are believed to have requested Mutuumo’s wife to slaughter the Ngobe for them and not let other family members eat it, if it was forbidden. But since Mutuumo had fathered one of his children from a servant (Mwiru woman) and his official wife never knew about it, the consequence to the whole family was inevitable... a child of his had eaten the forbidden meat. Even more accountsJames Tumusiime, the proprietor of Igongo Cultural Centre in Biharwe Mbarara, says books like Abakozire Ebyokutangaza Omuri Nkore (Those who did amazing things in Nkore) written by Kesi Nganwa, say Mutuumo had lost almost all his cattle in the floods but one of the few remaining ones named Kajeru, produced and its off springs produced more and Mutuumo’s herd increased again. “It is said that the cow told him that, ‘when I die never eat me’. But the time came when the cow died. Mutuumo was away and his wife, not bothered about this ‘covenant’, ordered for the skinning of the cow and the family ate it. The family was swallowed by water and it became a lake,” Tumusiime quotes from the book. Some accounts have it that when Mutuumo returned from Rwanda and saw the lake, he knew that all his cattle, his wife, children and servants had perished. Out of sorrow, he drowned himself in the water. However, another account says Mutuumo went to a place called Kakyera in Mburara (present Mbarara) where he became a servant in the farm of a Mwiru (cultivator). While there, he got into a quarrel with other servants and distressed, he drowned himself in Lake Kakyera (presently in Rakai). Kaguta says they have found evidence that Mutuumo or other people lived in the area. “A strong herdsman must have lived here. Parts of pots people used, a smoking pipe and many other things, which are hundreds of years old have been found. These attest to the existence of human life here. But what we can’t verify is the whole story about Mutuumo and how it ended,” he says. Business sideNotwithstanding the unfortunate mythical incident, people like Kaguta and Mwesigwa Rukutana are doing lucrative business at this historical site. Lake Nyabihoko is a tourism destination for local and foreign tourists, as well as holiday makers. There are services and activities like birds watching, camping, bars and restaurants, lodging, and games like pool and Volley ball. There is a lot of fishing, with over 40 fishing boats moving on the lake. Mutuumo Island Resort can be reached by boat from the bay. A visitor rings a bell from the fish landing site across and the boat dashes to pick him or her.Susan Kobusingye, manager at the resort says there are always more foreign tourists between the months of May and July, with at least two people checking in daily. Kobusingye, who first visited the lake as a student, says students visit in June and July during the second school term for educational trips. The resort also receives holiday and honeymoon couples, especially in November and December, who stay there for at least a week or two. On the eastern side of the lake, is Pelican Resort Beach owned by Rukutana. The hotel also offers bar and restaurant services, lodging, and other facilities like sauna and steam bath. The resort is a party centre, with at least three parties held there monthly. History still has a placeBut the neigbours of the lake, mainly Bahima, do not enjoy fish. They only draw water for using in househoold chores and for feeding livestock. Majority do not eat fish because of the myth that a lake swallowed one of their own and they cannot marry Bairu because a Mwiru woman led to the death of their own. No matter how it came to be, Lake Nyabihoko is a sight for nature lovers and anyone interested in a little bit of Uganda’s rich culture. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1396462/-/avgllsz/-/index.html","content":"Rainy season to end before May - Kampala The ongoing rain being experienced in many parts of the country will be short-lived than earlier predicted, the Meteorology Department has warned. According to a statement showing the review for January and March 2012 and an outlook for April and June, except places around Mt. Elgon area which are expected to receive above normal rain throughout May, the rest of the country will get near normal rain, which will be poorly distributed. “In general, the occurrence of the poor rainfall performance is likely to have implications on various socio-economic activities,” reads part of the statement issued by the Meteorology Department last week. The negative potential impacts of the forecast poor rainfall distribution for May include poor crop performance, reduced pasture and water for animals and shortage of poor food production and supply in some areas. “Hailstorms are also expected to be severe in some areas,” the statement adds. Consequently, the situation was not better in the last couple of months since most parts of the country also received poor rainfall performance -something the metrological department attributes to effects of La Nina and the development of tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean. La Nina is essentially the opposite of El- Nino. The former exists when cooler than usual ocean temperatures occur on the equator between South America and the Date Line while El-Nino comes with heavy rain that normally result in floods. However, all these conditions clearly explain the reality of climate change. Uganda has two major rainy seasons (March-May) and (September–December) but due to climate change, the rainfall nowadays falls unexpectedly. According to the statement, the latest forecast was 70 per cent accurate since it contains the input of other regional and global meteorologists. Recently, government doubted the meteorological department’s ability to predict weather patterns, saying it needed to be strengthened. assenkabirwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1395080/-/avhe13z/-/index.html","content":"Famine looms as floods ruin gardens - Agricultural officials in Karamoja region have warned of food shortage due to unpredictable rain patterns and flooding that has affected several villages. Officials say the heavy rains have come late and it is already flooding in gardens. Mr John Teko, a farmer in Nakapiripirit District, said his garden in Lolachat Sub-county is already flooded. “We are happy that the rains have returned but we are now worried that it might affect our crops like last year,” Mr Teko said. Mr Mario Tengei, the Nakapiripirit District agricultural officer, confirmed that some gardens in the district had already been flooded. “The rains that give Karimojong a hope of harvesting normally begin in March but we are now receiving them towards the end of April, yet farmers would be weeding,” Mr Tengei said. He also said the most affected gardens are in Namalu and Lolachat sub-counties. “If the heavy rains continue it will cause another food shortage in the region next year,” the district official said. Road erodedMeanwhile, the Kaabong-Kitgum road, which connects Kaabong Town to Kidepo National Game Park and Karenga Sub-county, has been washed away. The Kaabong District boss, Mr Joseph Komol, said if heavy rains continue, more rocks will roll down from the hills to houses like last year where seven people were killed. “We are telling people staying on the slopes of the hills to move away from the flat areas but others are refusing. We shall use force to relocate them because the soil is now loose,” he said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/1394908/-/e2p7d/-/index.html","content":"MY PICK: Jane Eyre- Charlotte Bronte - This is one book I can read over and over without tiring. Its descriptive nature is what has made me love it. All the Bronte sisters have a way of using description but for me Charlotte beats them all. She does it with such ease that you may think it’s the easiest style and anyone can do it. The Beautyful Ones are Not Yet Born- Ayi Kwei ArmahI love this book for its symbols and imagery. It’s the language he uses in the conversation with his characters and then the places that these characters go to that Armah uses to describe how filthy society is. And unless filthy is cleaned from the root, things won’t get better as the title suggests. Going Down River Road- Meja MwangiThis book explains better the gap between the rich and the poor. This book often reminds me of a saying that sitting in a garage doesn’t make one a car. It’s true! No matter how many houses of the rich the characters in this book built, they never got rich. The gap instead sharply got wide. The Floods- John RugandaThis is the book that makes me believe what one of my secondary school teachers always told us “literature is a living subject” and a saying, “History repeats its self”. It’s a book that was meant to describe one of the political regimes but everything there in still lives us and still happens even today. I Will Marry When I Want- Ngugi Wa Thiong’oEven after we fought to gain our independence, this book brings out the reality that we don’t want to let go. We instead worship and live in the ways of the same colonial masters that we detested. And unless we discard that thought and appreciate us, tour society will never be better. Ngugi reminds us of the betrayal against those who fought for the freedom of all. Sharon M. Omurungi,somurungi@ug.nationmedia.come-mail your top recommendations to arts@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1391536/-/124ql3fz/-/index.html","content":"Restoring our environment is the responsibility of every Ugandan - The World Bank launched a report a few weeks ago which was critical of the environment sector in Uganda as being in a crisis due to wetlands degradation and forests encroachment. To begin with, one of the reasons we see rampant degradation of the environment and how it is managed in Uganda is because of ignorance of the sector and its importance to sustainable economic development. Let me therefore attempt to demystify the term environment. Environment refers to the inter-relationships within nature and the interactions between human kind and nature. Environment has three aspects: physical environment, human actions which sum up to socio-economic development and actions of nature like floods, storms, lightning, landslides, vectors/ diseases and droughts that are triggered within nature. Environment management, therefore, is the systematic and effective regulation of human actions and interactions and their impacts on their surrounding. Environment management focuses on links between human, social, cultural and economic systems, and the environment. Environment management is usually designed to ensure environmental sustainability and human survival/livelihood. The environment situation in Uganda, like in many other countries, has been challenged by the equation of development to economic growth and specifically where development is understood as capacity to ‘conquer, control and subject nature/environment’! Failure to see the mutually beneficial relationship between environment and socio-economic development as integral components of sustainable development becomes a major undoing of all sectors, where environment is seen as an obstacle instead of an engine of development. In some official sectors, financing the environment programmes has been questioned on the basis “what economic contribution in “real terms” does environment make on national growth and development! This is the crux of the matter, because we do not see this contribution, the financial support due to the sector is not always accorded.This is regardless of the fact the lucrative sectors like tourism, agriculture, water, animal industry, fisheries and minerals are just but sub-components of the environment sector. Whereas Nema is responsible for overall oversight over environment management in Uganda, the Local Government Act 143 decentralises environment and natural resources management and it has been the responsibility of the districts since 1996. This was intended to increase local ownership of the process so that local authorities and communities would not only be seen as conduits for implementation of national regulations but as partners in the whole process. However, funding has been and continues to be a challenge at the district level, hence affecting their performance. This being the case, is Uganda’s environment sector in a crisis? The answer is no! There are challenges that Nema and other related government agencies are continuously facing and responding to as appropriate. Moreover, the World Bank based their report on wetlands and forests. The wetland situation is wanting, mostly because of population growth pressures and industrialisation which are tied to land acquisition; never mind the intricacy of the land tenure system in Uganda which leaves wetlands most susceptible to occupation for these purposes. Coupled with the fact that Nema regulates for sustainability and not strict conservation, the wetlands remain at high risk of being degraded by less careful permitted users. However, with the commissioning of the Environment Protection Force (EPF), the boundary of the Lutembe wetland system has been successfully demarcated; Namatala wetland system, which separates Mbale and Budaka where a life was lost, has since been taken over by the force; the Bunambuti wetland that separates the Sabiny and Bagisu is overseen by EPF. The same force is patrolling Bugoma, Mabira, Namanve and Bukasa forest reserves. Further, strategies are also being developed through partnerships with the lead agencies, development partners, civil society, the private sector and the community to manage natural resources such as wetlands and forests as tourist centres to promote environmental conservation and socio-economic development. The challenging situation of the environment management in Uganda would be restored if all nationals became responsible users of the environment and not spectators. There are sufficient structures in place to manage the environment which is our heritage, but this can only be achieved through a general attitude change of Ugandans towards the environment. Ms Karehako works with Nema. nkarekaho@nemaug.org"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/1388760/-/xsxjxz/-/index.html","content":"Scientists venture into drought-tolerant coffee - Coffee farmers, whose yields have been affected by effects of climate change especially the lengthy dry spells that have hit sub Saharan Africa including Uganda, will soon have the option of growing the drought-tolerant coffee variety which scientists are currently working upon. Crop scientists at the National Crop Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), in Kituuza, Mukono, have been breeding improved coffee varieties, which include those resistant against the coffee wilt disease. They are currently venturing into breeding drought-tolerant varieties in a bid to save farmers who are harvesting poor yields as a result of the effects of climate change. Survive drought stressThe head of the Coffee Research Institute (COREC) at Kituuza, Dr Africano Kangire, said his team has already began the research work on the drought-tolerant coffee variety using the conventional method, where they pick coffee plantlets at random and grow them under drought conditions. Those varieties that survive the drought stress are selected for further multiplication and given out to farmers. However, the team now wants to venture into breeding varieties that are in the wild especially those from Kibaale forest, in western Uganda, and those from Zoka forest, south of Amuru district in northern Uganda, because they have genes which are resistant to drought. Dr Kangire was addressing stake holders in a recent consultative public dialogue at Makerere University School of Agricultural Sciences on the topic Threats posed by climate change on Uganda’s coffee and the mitigating factors. “We have asked the National Forest Authority to protect these two forests from encroachers because we know both wild and indigenous coffee species that have resistance to drought are growing there. These are species we shall develop and multiply to give to farmers who are currently harvesting low yields as a result of effects of the changing climatic conditions”, he said. Given to farmersThe team is set to start the research process later this year. They are going to harvest the coffee plantlets from the two forests, take them to the green house in Kituuza and subject them to hot weather conditions to ascertain its resistance to drought. Those varieties which will be seen growing well under this condition will be multiplied and given to farmers. He said with the increase of temperatures to two degrees Celsius, most areas in Uganda where farmers used to grow coffee will become extinct because farmers are now faced with more frequent drought, floods, pests and diseases and soil erosion as a result of climate change. According to Dr Kangire, due to the increasing demand of Uganda’s Robusta coffee in the world market, his team apart from developing varieties which are resistant to these climate change effects is also sensitising farmers to intercrop coffee trees with banana plantlets. This practice enriches the soil nutrient meaning both plants will resist pests and disease infection. Farmers have also been advised to use fertilisers as means of curbing some of these climate change effects. This, he said, is management practice which will help improve farmers yields. Most farmers in eastern and central Uganda have resorted to this practice and are realising better yields. The entrepreneurship manager of Uganda Coffee Farmers Organisation in Uganda, Mr Deus Nuwagaba said by the year 2050, there will be no trading in coffee if climate change effects affecting the plant are not addressed. Variations in incomeThis he said is because these effects will cause reduced suitable production of the plant incapable of competing in the global market as well as poor returns of investment in the coffee sector by smallholder farmers leading to variations in their income. 1 | 2 Next Page»The 2011 statistics from Uganda Coffee Development Authority indicates that in the year 2008/2009, Uganda exported 2, 062,607 kilos of Robusta coffee compared to 533,018 bags of Arabica. For the year 2010/11 the country exported 1,662,986 bags of Robust against 618,973 bags of Arabica meaning as the year goes by there is a decrease in the quantity of export leading to low returns. alominda@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1388468/-/aw1qulz/-/index.html","content":"Businesses, schools close as Ntungamo bridge collapses - Hundreds of residents in Mitooma and Ntungamo districts are stranded after floods submerged the bridge on River Kabukyera, halting all travels. Mitoom-Mitara-Ntungamo Road on which the bridge is built has been the most convenient connection between the two districts. The floods came after heavy rains at the weekend. On Monday, when Daily Monitor visited the place, residents from either side of the districts were still stranded. Ms Dinanensi Korutaro, a resident, said people have always drowned in the river whenever it floods, though she could not give the exact figure of the lives lost. “We have our gardens across in Ntungamo, if the floods do not stop, we shall lose our crops. People have always drowned whenever they attempt to cross the flooded river,” Ms Korutaro said. Mitooma Chairperson Benon Karyeija said the collapse of the bridge is going to affect people’s economic survival and the districts’ revenue. He added that studies in four primary schools have in the meantime been suspended following the incident. “Pupils have been crossing from either sides of the two districts to attend classes in these schools but following the washaway, there is no way they can cross now,” Mr Karyeija said. He added that a boda boda rider is feared to have drowned in the river. “Though his body has not been found, the residents recovered only his helmet on top of water,” he said.But Mr Karyeija was quick to blame the floods on residents’ continued environmental degradation. “There are many people who have encroached on wetlands and most of our hills are bare, this is the cause of the heavy flooding we are experiencing,” he said. The LC5 boss said the district will evict all the people in wetlands and encourage tree planting on all the bare hills to avert future calamities. The Mitooma district engineer, Mr Asaph Arinaitwe, said reconstruction of the new bridge will require over Shs200 million. But Mr Karyeija said the district has no such funds and will instead appeal to the central government to intervene. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/1385696/-/dgshr/-/index.html","content":"Ruganda’s influence on literature still strong - December 9, 2011, marked the fourth anniversary of the death of Uganda’s best-known playwright and one of East and Central Africa’s leading dramatists, John Ruganda - to the deadly cancer of the throat. In the early 1970s, Ruganda featured prominently on the East African theater scene not only as a playwright but also as a stage director, actor, and teacher of drama and theater arts at various institutions of learning. He published many plays, poems and short stories. Among his published plays, The Burdens (1972) and The Floods (1980) have been used regularly as required texts in the ordinary and advanced level syllabi of the Literature in English courses in Kenya and Uganda. Virtually all of his plays are studied in universities and other institutions of higher learning in East and Central Africa. His other literary works were Black Mamba (1972), Covenant of Death’ (1973), Echoes of Silence (1985), Music Without Tears (1981) and Igereka and Other African Narratives (2002). Ruganda’s television screenplays were: The Secret of the Season, (Voice of Kenya, March 1973), The Floods, (Voice of Kenya, April 1973), and The Illegitimate, (Voice of Kenya, August 1982). In much of his work, Ruganda came across as the voice of the voiceless. His plays satirised the oppressive and greedy tendencies of the political regimes against the common man. His plays “reflect the reality of the East African sociopolitical situation after independence.” Shaping East African literature He was considered a shaping force of East African Theater with his works winning critical acclaim. Retaining a fine line between humour and hard-hitting sarcasm, he scoffed at corruption, selfishness and manipulation of the powers that be. As to Ruganda’s legacy, the folklorist and playwright, Dr Mercy Mirembe Ntangaare says, “John Ruganda was dedicated to theatre – as literary art but also as an expressive/performing art. He didn’t go or stay in theatre for money but his genuine love of art. I respect him for this.” “I never met Ruganda physically as an artist – except briefly as he visited Uganda in the 1990s when I did my MA research and towards the end of his life, around 2005/2006. In other words, we never knew each other on personal terms. Even then he was keen to listen to me to find out what I had to say/write about him when I appraised some of his plays on my MA (Literature) course. That demonstrated his humility and a mark of scholarship that is very rare in artists who gain world fame,” Ntangaare, the deputy dean of the faculty of arts at Makerere University, adds. “When he fled Uganda in the late 1970s and went to Kenya, he took with him his love for theatre in the form of popularising the Traveling Theatre. The traveling theatre is not your form of commercial theatre or even easy to organise. One goes into it for the purpose of “taking theatre” or education through theatre to the people. Indeed, his stock of writing leaves us with great points of reference for Uganda’s history and culture. Many of Ruganda’s writings/plays are of international standards, an indicative of the extent Uganda theatre has grown and of its potential,” Ntangaare observes. “I have not come across playwrights whom you would say are emulating Ruganda’s writing style. His books are outstanding and are still on the school syllabus in Uganda, “The Burdens” and “Black Mamba” for ‘O’ Level and “The Floods” for ‘A’ Level,” Dan Kisense, a lecturer at the Makerere University department of performing arts and film, says. Conscience of a peopleAs to Ruganda’s contribution as a playwright producing powerful plays in the difficult times in the history of Uganda, Ntangaare observes: “One could say he was simply the conscience of his own people, for instance, the Ugandans. He had a nationalist approach to issues in his plays – not forgetting his cultural origins/background but not being fanatic about it. The themes in his plays are easily universal. The experiences of his characters are easily appreciated because they touch the nerve of life.” As to Ruganda’s outstanding literary work, Ntangaare says, “I find The Burdens truly intriguing and very communicative across genders, age and at different levels as well. It’s eternally relevant as it deals with tragedy (tragedies) that is (are) human and common to all. All of us have at one time or another found ourselves in situations of Wamala, Tinka, Kaija or Nyakake. In the play, Ruganda also explores the family as the one single unit in society where one finds meaning and challenge all at once. Even when we have succeeded or failed elsewhere we always come back to our families where we may, ironically, meet our end!” Uniques short stories“Igereka and Other African Narratives,” is a unique rendition of the short story, combining the classical and the African way of story-telling. In this work, Ruganda fuses drama, narrative and poetry to present a tale of despotic futility in overcoming divine will. Using three epic stories – ‘Igereka,’ ‘The Invincible Hunter’ and ‘That Business about the Lambs’ – he takes the reader on a journey through a world that mirrors the realities of life. Contributing the Afterward, Teresa Chisanga sumarises the book as a collection of three short stories dealing with a unique blend of human relations among men and women, masters and servants and covers a range of emotions from love to hatred to greed and selfishness. “Although some of the aspects covered border on beliefs and the supernatural, the underlying message in all the stories is human and close enough to reality…,” she writes. 1 | 2 Next Page»Writing in the Postface of this anthology, Ruganda notes that: “If there is a unifying motif around which “Igereka and Other African Narratives” has been rehashed, it is the motif of women striving to define and articulate their role in an ever-changing environment that constantly denies them voice and presence.” “The successful attempts by the female characters in this anthology to define themselves by invading what was traditionally male space and be prerogative, should not taken for granted, nor should it surprise anyone at all…,” Ruganda argues. According to Ruganda, this anthology explores other concerns as well; concerns such as the arbitrary intrusion of fate in man’s life, as in Akomunyana; the ever enticing temptation to misuse power especially against one’s adversaries and the resultant tragic consequences that pursue the wielder and the victim of power alike, as in the invincible hunter, among others. Ruganda refashioned and transliterated these narratives from his mother’s oral performance. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/1385374/-/dka9td/-/index.html","content":"Uganda’s fish exports to profit from global market shortage - Uganda is likely to earn big from Nile Perch exports as its closest competitor- Pangasius a fish species from Asia dwindles at the global market. According to a report from Globefish-a unit in the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Fisheries Department, there are serious supply constraints from Vietnam the lead supplier of the Pagasius specie after the country suffered floods in 2011. The report says floods have forced nearly 70 per cent of all Pangasius catfish processing plants in the Mekong Delta to shut down, which is likely to prolong supply shortages up to the later part of 2012. However, fisheries experts in Uganda have advised exporters to work towards producing quality fish for the market than look out for bigger supplies so as to cash in on the premium price.“Exporters should focus more on product development in terms of quality and not the volumes in order to keep in business when competition sets in again,’ Mr Jackson Wandanya, acting Fisheries Commissioner told Daily Monitor yesterday.Mr Philip Borel, the managing director of Green Fields Uganda, a fish exporter, said: “The Pangasius shortage will affect our sales margin positively but this does not mean that we should compromise quality.” A 2011 report conducted by South African Institute of International Affairs highlighted bad governance as a key challenge to the countries fisheries suggesting for the government to come out with a Bill to a recovery of the sector especially the Nile perch species. “Nile perch is a resilient and productive species and responds well to improved management,” the report said. Uganda exported 15,500 tonnes of fish in 2011, earning the country about Shs212 billion, out of which the bigger percentage was from the Nile perch species. The EU accounts for 75 per cent of the fish exports from Uganda sold through Amsterdam and Brussels to other European destinations. The EU imports about 32,300 tonnes of Nile Perch fillets, showing only small decreases in volumes compared with the same period of 2010. Tanzania is leading in supplies to European countries with 12,300 tonnes, followed by Uganda and Kenya. Statistics showed that in the first quarter of last year, the EU remained the main market for Nile Perch with 8,200 tonnes of fillets coming from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. dnakaweesi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/1385172/-/1256c9d/-/index.html","content":"Zambia's solid waste management system obsolete, says group - LUSAKA Zambia needs to come up with a holistic and sustainable solid waste management system that will result in the efficient disposal of garbage, an environmental lobby group has said. The Zambia Institute of Environmental Management (ZIEM) said the current system has failed to provide a clear roadmap on the management of solid waste as evidenced by piles of garbage lying uncollected in many major cities. \"While we appreciate that the law governing solid waste management was changed last year, the system has not changed and this is still posing challenges in the implementation process. For instance, local authorities which are supposed to implement the law on solid waste management have not been empowered to do so through training,\" the organization's chief executive officer Moses Katati told Xinhua on Thursday. He said the local authorities have no capacity to deal with solid waste management since the liberalization embarked on in the early 1990s in which the central government stopped funding the local authorities fully. While acknowledging that it is not possible to find national figures on the amount of garbage produced each month, the official said Lusaka, the Zambian capital, generates about 400, 000 tons per month and only manages to collect about 75 percent of the waste. \"This means that we have 25 percent which is left uncollected each month and this continues piling. The Zambia Environmental Authority (environment regulator) which is managing the policy on solid waste management has delegated the enforcement of the law to local authorities but they (local authorities) have not expertise. In some districts, there are no solid waste management units,\" he added. The organization has since called on the environment regulator to involve all stakeholders in order to find lasting solutions to the problem of solid waste management, saying solid waste is one of the ways local authorities can boost their revenue because it can be exported to other countries for recycling if properly managed. Zambia has been experiencing the problem of proper management of solid waste, a situation that has resulted in drainages being clogged by the wastes, creating floods during the rainy season and water-borne disease such as cholera and typhoid."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/1383958/-/dfh4b/-/index.html","content":"Know Uganda: Wajjinja the rocky hill with ‘healing’ powers - Even if Uganda is the country where about one hundred years ago a group of young men were killed for not denouncing their Christian faith and later declared saints by the Christian Churches, there are still very many Ugandans that have stuck to their traditional religious beliefs and are determined never to abandon them. Take an example of Iseri Nabayunga, the self-styled priestess who lives close to Wajjinja, the hill of stone in Ndagwe Sub-county, Lwengo District. According to her, all the harsh climatic changes that we are witnessing these days-the floods, the extreme humidity, and the prolonged droughts are upon us because we have annoyed the spirits of our ancestors by abandoning our traditional ways of worship and accepted those from foreign lands. She also claims all the incurable diseases like HIV/Aids are killing us because we have annoyed our ancestors by desecrating “holy” Places like Wajjinja, which she claims has been allocated to her by the ancestors to guard and sustain. “They come from all over the country and misbehave on the hill,” she says. “They drink European beer and other types of European alcoholic drinks. They smoke cigarettes and many of them even make love up there. They don’t understand that we have rules governing the holy place. But what is so unfair is that the ancestors come to me and beat me up in the night blaming me for not stopping those evil people from desecrating the holy place.” She says nobody must go up the hill without her knowledge or permission and everybody going there must walk on barefoot because the place is holy. Everybody should pay a tithe of some sort to her depending on their financial status but the “rich people from Kampala” must not pay anything less than Shs20,000. This last requirement made things a little difficult for me because she seemed to believe that everybody employed by Daily Monitor is from Kampala. I had to remove my shoes in obedience, but I had not walked barefoot in the bush for decades and I was not particularly comfortable when as we walked through the preliminary grass that surrounds the huge rock. A few black snakes kept on crossing our path from time to time. To my surprise, she and her guard, Majidu Kasenja, merely pleaded with them referring to them as our ancestors and telling them not to worry about the visitor from newspapers that was visiting them to make them well known in the whole world. Soon after we got to the rock itself, I noticed small calabashes and clay pots in what looked like a cave. This was the seat of Kagolo ka Kyomya, where it is said you may go to pray and make offerings if you want to become rich or get rid of misfortunes in trade. She said a few prayers to the spirits of the cave and we moved on. Not far from the cave, are small holes curved out on the huge black rock. The Baganda and some other African tribes use such holes to play a game of patience called mweso (board game). Not far from where the mweso game holes are, is a flat piece of rock that looks like a bed. “Here is where the ancestors used to lie and relax after playing mweso,” Nabayunga told me. Our next destination was the seat of the goddess Nabiryo. If you belong to the Lugave clan and you have problems like barrenness or sickness or, it is claimed that this place can be the remedy. It is between two gigantic rocks shaped like the buttocks of a woman. Underneath the rocks is a fire place and calabashes. Here too, Nabayunga recites implorations. Someone had defecated not far from the stones and she asked the goddess Nabiryo to proclaim justice upon whoever had done such an abomination in the holy place. It is well known that some non-believers throng the place to marvel at the wonders of nature found there but there are also some others that go to steal the sacrifices, like money, beer left in calabashes, and any other valuables donated to the spirits and abandoned in the shrines. 1 | 2 Next Page»No woman in her periods is allowed to ascend the holy stone and no love acts are allowed there. Nabayunga showed me a rock inside which a young man and a girl had been locked by the ancestors never to get out because they had disobeyed the law and made love on the hill. There are several other shrines in the many caves of the hill, including those of Ndawula and Kawesi. At a certain point, one can see human footprints believed to have been made there when a man stepped on the rock when it was perhaps still soft and wet. “This is exactly why nobody must come here wearing shoes,” Nabayunga explained. “Those foot marks there are of the first king, Kintu himself. He used to come here and this was his seat.” She then points at a rock that has the shape of a chair. “The other seat opposite which is smaller was the seat of Nambi, his wife.” As she talked a huge snake ( the colour of the rock) ,emerged from under Kintu’s seat and went down the slope too fast to be successfully photographed. It was probably a python, but it is one of the ancestors who reign over the massive rock of Wajjinja, according to Nabayunga. She apologised to the monstrous snake for taking a visitor to the holy place without prior warning. Kintu’s pianoNot far from Kintu’s seat, is a set of stones that make a different sound like the keys of a piano whenever struck. Nabayunga explains that these were used by Kintu’s musicians whenever he sat in court at Wajjinja. At her age, (about 75), she is at this stage too tired to walk down the slope again to show me one of the nine water wells which we had forgotten to visit before coming this far. So Kasenja offered to take me to the well which is said to be one of the nine others that are described as inaccessible due to the thicket hiding them. It is possible they are not even there but nobody is expected to express any doubt. According to Kasenja, water in this well (Nalongo) is medicinal and holy. The slope to the next destination where the footprints of goats are said to be was so steep that I feared I would slide and fall, perhaps losing or damaging my camera and laptop. We finally wound up at ancestor Kiwanuka’s shrine where Nabayunga actually burst into tears because there were some beer bottle tops and pineapple peelings littered in the place. Only traditional beer is supposed to be drunk there but someone had drunk beer in what she calls a holy place. She was later to report the crime to the ancestors in her personal shrine when we returned to her home down the slope. Wajjinja derives its name from Jinja which means stone in Luganda. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1380458/-/aw7bfuz/-/index.html","content":"85% unaware of energy conservation techniques - Kampala Eighty five per cent of Ugandans are not yet aware of energy conservation techniques and use of clean energy with a majority still relying on biomass, including forest and wetlands as a source of fuel, experts from the Ministry of Energy have said. The experts say the practice will escalate climate change effects associated with increased temperatures, drought and floods as most of the forests, shrubs and wetlands are depleted for fuel. Energy conservationAlready, there has been significant adoption of clean energy like solar energy techniques for lighting, heating or charging but these have not yet been enthusiastically taken up in addition to limited hydropower outreach. “Ninety per cent of Uganda’s population relies on biomass for fuel. Only about 15 per cent use clean energy,”said the Acting Commissioner Energy Resources Department at the Ministry of Energy, Mr James Banaabe, during the commemoration of Earth Hour Day in Kampala on Saturday. “To us this is not sustainable. Government has embarked on aggressive efforts like rural electrification and supporting grants to those purchasing clean energy. We hope in the next four to five years a bigger population will have adopted energy conservation,” Mr Banaabe said. UN directiveThe United Nations has given up to 2030 for all its member nations to ensure universal access to modern energy services. Mr Banaabe said they are also working on creating awareness for clean energy among the population. The Executive Director Nature Uganda, Mr Achilles Byaruhanga, said it is important for government to participate in making energy conservation a way of life among the population. “Energy conservation is a concept that needs to be adopted and taken as a way of life. Awareness needs to be created. It is everyone’s business to conserve nature for the future generation and today we are showcasing that there are technologies that conserve energy and they are not difficult to adopt by all citizens including schoolgoing children,” Mr Byaruhanga said. flanyero@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1365198/-/axbyvgz/-/index.html","content":"Climate change threatens birds - KAMPALA Climate change, in combination with deforestation, could send between 100 and 2,500 tropical birds into extinction before the end of the century, according to new research published in Biological Conservation, an online journal. Uganda has more than 1,047 bird species and at least 40 per cent of them face the risk of extinction by 2100 if the current trend of global warming is not checked. According to Nature Uganda Executive Director Achilles Byaruhanga, Uganda’s position at the centre of the Equator exposes it to the consequences of extreme climatic conditions. “Because of Uganda’s fast growing population, there is undue pressure on natural habitats such as forests and wetlands. These activities have not only impacted on the environment in terms of climate change, but have also pushed away some of the natural inhabitants such as animals and birds,” he said. Mr Byaruhanga cited an example of the grey ground crane commonly known as the Uganda Crested Crane, whose population was 100,000 in 1975 but has since reduced by nearly 90 per cent. The country now has only 10,000 birds mainly because these birds breed in swamps during rainy season but have been pushed away due to destruction of the habitats. “Long droughts will most likely hurt birds’ ability to find food during breeding season,” he added. Bird species in Uganda, which have put the country among the top tourist centres but face extinction as a result of climate change, include Hamerkop, Vieillot’s black weavers, Grey headed gull, swamp flycatcher, black headed herons, Verreaux’s Eagle owls and pied Kingfishers. Grey kestrel, Angola swallow, Hadada ibis, Broad-billed roller and Grey ground Crane. Mr Cagan Hakki Sekercioglu and colleagues, who conducted the research released last week, scoured 200 scientific studies related to tropical birds and climate change to develop their estimate, which is in line with previous estimates of bird declines linked to a warming planet. Global warmingCurrently, the global climate has warmed up by about 0.8 degrees Celsius since the Industrial Revolution. The scientists note that a single added degree of warming could push an additional 100 to 500 tropical birds extinct. “If we fail to achieve important societal change to reduce consumption, to control the emissions of greenhouse gases and to stop climate change,” the authors write. “ We face the prospect of an out-of-control climate that will not only lead to enormous human suffering, but will also trigger the extinction of countless organisms, among which birds will be but a fraction of the total.” Whereas tropical birds in open habitats such as savanna, grasslands, scrub and desert face shifting and shrinkage of their habitats, rising sea levels are said to threaten aquatic birds such as waders, ducks and geese. Mr Byaruhanga said for Uganda to maintain the number of birds, “we have to adapt to these changes and restore the habitats that have been destroyed.” aayebazibwe@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/1364836/-/boj8sc/-/index.html","content":"Grow bio-tech crops to earn more - scientists - Ugandan farmers should grow improved crop varieties if they are to reap from their produce and meet the growing demand on the local and international markets. Currently, most farmers are growing the conventional traditional varieties of maize, banana, beans, cassava and rice among others which are prone to climate change effects such as drought, floods, and pest and diseases. This, scientists say, contributes to farmers harvesting low yields, creating shortage in the supply of food to meet the overwhelming demand. Statistics from Peer Review Survey of 2010 on the positive impact of genetically modified crops indicate that only 12 per cent of rural household farmers in Uganda are significant food sellers in both the national and regional markets compared to the 66 per cent buyers. In other words, the number of food sellers in Uganda has been rated low compared to the buyers because most Ugandan farmers are growing traditional varieties for home consumption rather than for commercial purposes. A senior crop science researcher at the National Crop Resources Research Institute Namulonge, Yona Baguma, advises Ugandan farmers to venture into using improved high breed seeds for more profits. Crops scientists have been working on improved varieties for cassava, maize, rice, beans, ground nuts and bananas among others which according to Dr Baguma, should be adopted by farmers if they want to commercialise agriculture. Executive Director of Uganda Export Promotion, Florence Kata equally expresses the growing demand for Uganda’s produce although it brings in less food. “There is very high demand for Uganda’s food produce but farmers are using old traditional seeds which end up producing low yields,” Ms Kata says adding that this leads to excess demand for food with low supply. “There is great opportunity for farmers to adapt improved seeds, practice good farm management and better post harvest methods if they want to obtain high yields to capture both regional and national market,” she said Since there is a global problem of food shortage, Ugandan farmers should embrace new technologies to avoid lagging behind. Globally, since 1996 to 2009, the economic and environment value of biotech crops has been rated as contributing to sustainability and climate change by increasing crop production to the tune of $65 billion. According to Dr Baguma, if farmers in Uganda ventured into growing improved variety crops, this will create jobs to the people through industrial development in the agricultural sector as well as improve nutrition. Statistics from the same source indicate that agriculture accounts for 40 per cent Gross Domestic Product, and generates 85 per cent export earnings. “Over 85 per cent of Ugandans live in rural areas meaning all their engagement is all about agriculture. This therefore calls for improved methods of cultivation as well as use of improved crop varieties to meet required labour market and demand for the agricultural products in the growing market,” Dr Baguma said. The projection in the population growth indicates that by 2050, the population of Uganda will be 105 million from the current 31 million and 30 per cent of the current population are children below the age of 15 who will need employment in the next five years. Dr Baguma says that the average caloric intake by the people of Uganda is 1,900kcal (Kilo calorie) below the recommended 2,300 kcal by World Health Organisation. The statistics further show that 35 per cent of Ugandan children are stunted and another 30 per cent of women are iron deficient. Furthermore, 28 per cent of the children and 52 per cent of women are Vitamin A deficient. This, he said, calls for adaptation of improved varieties where scientists are working on nutritional food contents such as Iron and Vitamin rich banana. The global value of biotech seeds for the year 2010 has been valued at $11.2 billion with commercial biotech maize, soya beans, grain and cotton valued at $150 billion per year. 1 | 2 Next Page»But for Uganda, future prospects that are being encouraged for the next five years is adaptation of drought tolerant maize, golden rice and BT cotton that is set to benefit 1 billion rural farmers. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/1364832/-/boj8s8/-/index.html","content":"To serve the local or external market first? - Manufacturers and producers have been caught between the rock and the hard place. It appears they are undecided over which market should be their priority. On paper, it seems as if their main concern is satisfying the domestic demands, but practically, majority are rushing for the lucrative regional market. Analysts say that business decisions are not always rational but money based, largely explaining shortages in the domestic market of major commodities as the neighbouring market floods with products that should have been internally consumed. However, sector players seem unsure of which market to concretise leading to shortages of both processed manufactured goods and fresh produce right from the farms. Sources within the sugar industry say the recent sugar shortages were among others brought about by excessive export to South Sudan, DRC, Burundi and Rwanda, leaving the country in shortages. Lately, hundreds of acres of cassava, maize, beans, fruits and vegetable have been bought straight from the farm for consumption across the borders, normally in South Sudan, Burundi, DR Congo and Kenya. Because of the money involved, manufacturers have since followed suit. They export the most refined products because they get good returns while the domestic market is fed on left overs. “That happens, but it is totally wrong,” Uganda Manufactures Association Chairman (UMA), Mr Kaddu Kiberu told Prosper in an interview last week. The no nonsense Chairman, believes that any manufacturer worth his/her name must first satisfy the local demand before looking elsewhere. “I think all this could be greediness,” he said adding: “Our policy is to take care of domestic market before looking at other markets.” Although the Private sector Foundation (PSFU) Executive Director Gideon Badagawa does not fundamentally disagree with the UMA chairman, he says that the low purchasing power of Ugandans partially explains why industrialists and farmers prioritise export as opposed to quenching the domestic demands. Mr Badagawa says the ideal situation is to first take care of the local market but because of the high cost of production, manufactures are forced to rely on export to recoup their investment and remain in business. The problem, however, is that even the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) first think of exporting before establishing themselves as a brand within. “It should be noted that it is not bad to export. In fact we want all our manufactures and producers to do that—but first they should satisfy the local demand,” Mr Badagawa told Prosper in an interview. Mr Badagawa who is also an economist believes that at the moment exporting, should be left to a few companies like the Mukwano’s of this world and Roofings Uganda Ltd. Commenting on whether emphasis on export derails the logic behind the proudly Ugandan campaign, Mr Badagawa said: “We are looking at changing the perception of the buyer, however as we promote it we can also encourage the need for external market.” 1 | 2 Next Page»This, he said, will challenge the producers and manufactures into raising the standards and quality of their outputs. It is also against global trade rule to restrict exports.With inter-dependency—restriction of export is universally prohibited, although many other countries cleverly protect their economies from export to help their industries grow. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1363174/-/am04jm/-/index.html","content":"Let’s be disaster prepared now - Shockwaves swept across the country following the announcement by the Minister of Water and Environment that heavy rain laden with floods thunderstorms, lightning and landslides would pound most districts in the country. Considering the devastation caused by mudslides in mountainous areas of Bugisu and Kigezi; floods in Teso and lightning in parts of Uganda in the past, the Meteorology Department predictions could only itch the healing wounds of the victims. Already, some Ugandans have started feeling the pinch of floods, with roofs of their houses being blown off and gardens being destroyed as a result. Some families are going without food while others are sleeping in the open. Their only hope is in the government, which as history proves, responds at snail-pace, if at all it does. Lack of funds is given as an excuse, yet departments like State House are often quick to ask for supplementary budgets. But with a full Ministry of Disaster Preparedness in place, citizens expect ready answers to the alarm bell weather specialists are ringing. The Ministry should do everything possible to avert the looming calamities. While Environment State Minister’s appeal to people living in wetlands and mountainous areas to vacate their homes is welcome, it is not enough. The government should find land to relocate potential victims of the forecasted vagaries of weather. Residents in the areas expected to be affected should be flexible and stop the “we were born here and shall die here” mentality. It is important to note that the environment ministry has banned timber harvesting. This is a timely and commendable move considering that trees help break strong winds and minimise soil erosion. Besides, the ministries for Environment, Disaster Preparedness, and Health should share data on areas likely to be worst affected by the weather predictions to enable them assess the likely impacts. We should be able to prevent another ‘Bududa tragedy’ from occurring in the country."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1361644/-/axendez/-/index.html","content":"Heavy rain predicted from March to May - Kampala The Ministry of Water and Environment has warned of heavy rain from March to May, likely to be characterised by flooding, thunderstorms, lightning and landslides. As the country enters its major rainfall season, the eastern region, where heavy rain has been forecasted, is likely to experience floods, while mountainous areas such as Rwenzori, Bulambuli and Bududa have high chances of experiencing landslides. The forecast follows conclusions from the 30th Climate Outlook Forum for the Greater Horn of Africa, which took place in Rwanda in February.During the forum, scientists from different countries reviewed the state of the global climate system and their implications on the climate of the region. The State Minister for Environment, Ms Flavia Nabugere, announced in Kampala yesterday that the country may have near normal rainfall for most regions. Karamoja region, which is currently experiencing dry conditions, is likely to receive deficient rain, while the southwestern region is expected to receive normal rain but with disruption, which might affect agricultural production. The potential negative impacts include poor crop performance, reduced pasture in pastoral areas and shortage of food supply. “We encourage regions experiencing near normal rain to use the chance to improve on their agricultural practices, improve land use management for more yields, practice rain water harvesting, timely cultivation and surveillance of diseases,” Ms Nabugere said. She urged all people living in wetlands to vacate them and encouraged drip water irrigation, zero grazing, use of pasture seeds and drip irrigation measures for farmers. “The predicted rain require action in sufficient time and in an appropriate manner so as to reduce loss of life and damage to property,” she said. The commissioner of the Meteorology Department, Mr Michael Nkalubo, said particular districts may, however, experience a few changes in the forecast since different districts get onsets in different days. He also said people should re-install their lightning conductors to avoid strikes, since most of those that the department installed were destroyed. In previous years, the population has been a victim of weather changes which get people off guard, killing people and destroying lives. flanyero@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1361664/-/axenbmz/-/index.html","content":"Musisi, councillors shun KCCA meeting - Kampala A Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) meeting which was scheduled for yesterday flopped after the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who doubles as KCCA Speaker, failed to realise the required quorum. Mr Lukwago, who had called a special meeting to discuss the pressing city concerns, including the contentious commuter taxi charges, Pioneer Easy Bus, among other priority areas as demanded by the councillors, was surprised to see only six councillors out of the expected 30 members. On February 24, at least 20 councillors petitioned the Lord Mayor, ordering him to convene a special meeting within 14 days. They alleged that the mayor was not bothered to address pressing issues such as floods, transport and market wrangles. “I’m surprised because the very people who asked me to convene a meeting, are the very people who did not appear,” Mr Lukwago told journalists yesterday.Earlier, Ms Musisi is said to have advised the Lord Mayor not to convene yesterday’s meeting, saying it was illegal as per the KCCA Act rules of procedure. In her letter to the mayor and councillors, Ms Musisi for the second time said the meeting lacked the required legal basis. Mr Lukwago, however, wondered which rules of interpretation was being invoked by the Ms Musisi. “Ms Musisi wrote to me advising me against the meeting but my legal interpretation was different and I issued letters to the councillors on February 28th.” This is the fourth meeting to flop in a period of nine months since the commencement of the KCCA operations. rmwanje@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/1355018/-/bm1w2/-/index.html","content":"Does foreign media intend to portray Uganda in bad light? - Why oh why do sections of international media seem to be itching with unease, all too eager to jump onto the next flight of bad news from Africa in general, and Uganda in particular? If all the news you consumed about Uganda was provided by international news media in the past 12 months, you would be forgiven for thinking that Uganda is some vile homosexual-massacre-machine, with tear-gas and pepper-spray raining on each and every little tiny street like a hailstorm, and with armies of poisoning thugs on the prowl, waiting to pounce on the next white-skinned foreigner they can land their hands on. You would never have learned for instance that our engineering students assembled an electric car last year. Consider the case of Jeff Rice, a producer for reality TV show, Amazing Race, who was found dead in a hotel room last week. The police’s autopsy, as was reported by leading Ugandan newspapers, said the producer died of a cocaine overdose. But no, not for UK-based two-million-copy-circulating-tabloid, Daily Mail, plus the right-wing-leaning Fox News Channel in the US. The two reported instead that thugs (of course Ugandan thugs) poisoned Mr Rice. The thugs, the reports added, poisoned the producer after he refused to surrender his belongings to them. It was mediocre journalism to say the least, even on the scale of Ugandan standards. The stories bore no official comments from the police, not even the American Embassy in Uganda, just in case Uganda’s police would pass as incompetent. Although, the paper reported Uganda police’s findings (five days later), the effects of the falsehood on Uganda’s image, in as much grandeur as any tarnishing can bring, had already flowed their course like water that has long passed under a bridge. “This is why I would never go to ANY Third World country! They are so dam poor, they will kill you for a few pounds or dollars,” commented a one Onsloww1066, on the Daily Mail website. Another commented, “Well, don’t mess with those thugs…‘When in Rome’…hey, it’s better to be alive than right…” How then about Scott Mills, a DJ at one of the many BBC radio stations in the UK? He came down to Uganda sometime last year, of course buoyed by the killing of gay rights activist David Kato. He shot a documentary about the state of homosexuality in Uganda.Now, we all know most Ugandans disapprove of homosexuality. But saying that “gay hatred is everywhere in Uganda”, like he did, is a misdeed against the institution of fact. There may be extremes, even cases of harassment, especially now that some politicians seek to punish the act most ferociously. But many Ugandans, even those that are not homosexual, hold nothing against homosexuality, or at least, are indifferent to it. But the damage was done. And when Lonely Planet listed Uganda as the leading tourist destination for 2012, it raised so much uproar, especially as pertains the safety of homosexuals in Uganda, that the site was forced to add a travel advisory to the very country it said was a leading travel destination. It is a failure to understand African settings, to come to expect only bad news from Africa, to a point that if news from Africa is not bad, then maybe it is not news at all. On May 13, 2000, the much revered and highly respected weekly news magazine, The Economist, a jewel of journalism excellence, had on its cover, a map of Africa, sharply contrasted against pitch-black darkness, with an image of a grenade-launcher-wielding-guerrilla inside the map. Sitting right on top of the map, in an illuminated yellow, were the words, “The hopeless continent”. Inside the magazine, lay a damning read of the Africa situation. The words war, disease, corruption, poverty, brutality, rape, failure, despair, scarred, floods, famine, among others, lined up as ground troops in the army of pronouns, adjectives, adverbs and nouns that described Africa. And to ground the sense of hopelessness, it farther reported a view it said was held by some that Africa had an inherent flaw in its character, a flaw that kept it backward and incapable of development. But of course, Africa was not entirely hopeless. Maybe there was a war here, corruption there and a disease outbreak somewhere. But it surely did not add up to a state of inability to succeed or improve. And it is no surprise that a decade later, in December 2011, the magazine all but retracted its “hopeless” tag of Africa, publishing a story that told of the promise that Africa’s economies now bore. The co-chairperson of the association of foreign correspondents in Uganda, Joshua Mmali, says, “There are still issues not understood by certain media houses. For the story of the Amazing Race producer, someone never came here but just sat somewhere in America and wrote the story. The portrayal then was that Africa is a place where thugs poison foreigners, which would seem to be a negative portrayal.” Part of the problem is news agencies that do not have field staff working on the ground in Africa. “Foreign correspondents who have lived in and experienced Africa, report differently from those who visit Africa or those who just sit in an office somewhere. It varies from one media house to another. It’s a case of ignorance and a lack of understanding of pertinent issues of Africa,” Mr Mmali, who is also BBC’s Uganda correspondent, says. 1 | 2 Next Page»He adds that over the years, Africa’s coverage by foreign media has improved, citing examples of BBC shows, which take specific interest in successful business stories from Africa for instance. This however, does not mean they will overlook bad stories that happen. “The events that happen must be reported. If there is an opposition rally and people are killed, you are going to report that. That is a negative story, but you have got to report it.” Image mattersThe world’s perception of Uganda matters so much. If you need evidence of this, just ask yourself why the country spent billions on the “Uganda Gifted by nature” campaign and on others like “Friend a Gorilla”. Yet with a continued negative portrayal in foreign media like was the case last week, all such campaigns could end up achieving naught. According to data from Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), the number of foreign visitors to Uganda rose from 539,000 in 2006 to 642,000 in 2007, and to 844,000 in 2008. It’s therefore no surprise therefore that in 2009, the year of the well-reported September Buganda riots, saw a three year climb in tourism numbers melt away, registering 806,000 foreign visitors. In the same year too, the number of visitors entering through Entebbe International Airport fell from 358,000 to 271,000. Mr Mmali says, “Africa is changing. If it’s changing, that means that the attitude towards news in Africa will change. There is growth and journalists will be compelled to move with the times and report the issues the way they are.” True, one day, Africa will march forward into the realms of the developed world. It will be interesting to see what foreign media will still report of us then. jabimanyi@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1332112/-/11d00h9/-/index.html","content":"KCCA must ensure drainages are clear - The long awaited rain has at last come. We were indeed fade up with the dry season. However, it is sad that while the rain has just started, it is already causing havoc, with several people reportedly killed by ravaging floods. Such deaths would have been avoided if we had good drainage channels and proper road infrastructure in Uganda. Whenever it rains today, the resultant floods choke the drainage and wash away roads. This curtails the movement of pedestrians as well as vehicles. The Daily Monitor of Monday reported that eight people were killed and nine others injured in three different accidents due to heavy rain and bad roads. What is KCCA planning for the city given the reports that more heavy rain is anticipated? KCCA should ensure all the roads and drainages across the city are re-constructed and kept to the required standard. Moureen Birikya,birikyam@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1331796/-/b0995ez/-/index.html","content":"Floods coming, experts warn - KAMPALA The Meteorology Department has said more downpours should be expected towards the end of this month, peaking in April as the rains return. Also, farmers who have started their first season of planting should beware of floods, hail and thunderstorms during this time. This is because the rain in the region is of the tropical nature, said Ms Margaret Nankya, the training, research and public relations specialist at the weather forecasting centre. Teso region to suffer“Flat areas like Teso region are likely to experience floods caused by runoff from Mt. Elgon and Lake Kyoga. We have already started seeing the hail storms,” Ms Nankya said yesterday, adding that the floods could occur with little or a lot of rain. The rain, currently around the Lake Victoria Basin and Western Highlands, is expected to spread across the country by the beginning of next month and a more detailed regional forecast will be released then. The rain, which has returned two weeks earlier than expected, is as a result of upward movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone, bringing with it moist wind responsible for rain formation. Like last year’s rain that was characterised by lightning that struck several parts of the country, killing and injuring several people and destroying property, locals should also expect the same, Ms Nankya says. After last year’s floods in Eastern Uganda, several roads were left impassable, cutting off parts of the area. The Minister of State for Works, Eng. John Byabagambi, said so far only 50 percent of the roads have been worked on due to limited funding and yet the rain cannot allow them to operate effectively. “We presented a paper to Cabinet last year requesting for an additional Shs60 billion to repair the remaining road but it has not been approved, most of the roads are motorised but we need the money as soon as possible so that we are not disrupted by rain,” Mr Byabagambi said. At least eight people were killed and nine others injured in three different incidents in Kampala and surrounding areas and Lira following heavy weekend rain. flanyero@ug.natonmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1331160/-/b09dwyz/-/index.html","content":"Eight dead as rain pounds Kampala - At least eight people were killed and nine others injured in three different incidents in Kampala Metropolitan and Lira this weekend following heavy rains. Five people died on the spot and nine sustained serious injuries in a motor accident at Mbalala Trading Centre on the Jinja-Kampala highway in Mukono on Saturday night—an incident the police and survivors largely blamed on poor visibility during a stormy downpour. According to police, a commuter taxi heading to Kampala had a head-on collision with a truck, killing three people on the spot while two others died on the way to P. 5 Mulago Referral Hospital. The dead were identified as Charles Lwanga, the conductor, Mike Wasswa, Ibra Wambuzi, Godfrey Deyawo and Harriet Kirunda. Their bodies were taken to Mulago and Kawolo hospitals for post-mortem while the injured were admitted to Mukono Hospital. Mukono District Traffic officer Annet Nakibuuka said it was too early to tell what caused the accident although early indicators point to fatigue on the taxi driver’s side. Mr Collins Mayende, one of the survivors, said “I just realised when the driver left his lane and I saw the taxi collide with the truck.” Meanwhile, in Makindye Division, Kampala District, three members of a family were killed when strong winds brought down one of the house’s walls in Nabisaalu zone. The dead have been identified as Harriet Nanguubi, 24, and her children Timothy Semakula, 3, and Trevor Luyima. The owner of the house Bashir Magala survived with serious injuries and has been admitted to Mulago Referral Hospital. Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Ibin Ssenkumbi said the wall was weak. The trio are among the first victims of heavy rain that has now poured for two days in the city. Previously, such heavy rain has submerged houses in suburbs like Bwaise, killing some people and leaving scores stranded. The Meteorological Department’s spokesperson, Ms Margaret Nankya, yesterday said: “The rain we are seeing now is around Lake Victoria and the Western highlands and we should expect heavier rain by the end of this month and it will spread to other parts of the country by the end of March.” Weather Focus Highest temperatures between January and February reached 39 degrees but data from the Meteorological department indicates that this is not the highest the country has stretched and the country has potential of reaching even much higher temperatures than 40 degrees, like it was in 1980. 1 | 2 Next Page»Kabale District, for instance, had its temperatures rise to 30 degrees in 2005 from its usual 26.3 degrees, the district’s temperature is, however, now at 29 degrees. Kitgum, another district prone to high temperatures, had her temperatures reach 40 degrees in 2005, the highest ever recorded after 1980. Currently the district’s temperature is at about 39 degrees while areas like Kampala have also had highs of up to 32 degrees. High day time temperatures (30 - 40°C), may give rise to heat waves which is a potential health risk. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1327696/-/b0qmw5z/-/index.html","content":"Red Cross warns of prolonged drought in East - Although officials from the weather department have predicted rainy days beginning March, the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) has instead warned of a prolonged drought in areas of eastern Uganda. The warning came as the organisation launched an emergency appeal for more aid for families recovering from floods and mudslides in Bulambuli, Sironko and Kween districts. Red Cross Secretary Patrick Nataka said poor harvests caused by drought and floods compounded by rising prices, have reduced the availability of food for many families, especially those that were displaced by floods and landslides and are sheltering in people’s homes. He revealed that although research showed the number of people facing shortage of food increased from 2,000 to 4,000 families, the organisation predicts the figure could reach 6,000 by March, unless action is taken. “The crisis is already there and we must act now before it deteriorates like we saw in Somalia. Our people need help because the drought is on and might go on until late March,” Mr Nataka said. The head of communications, Ms Catherine Ntabadde, said the communities receiving aid are those that did not receive support in 2011 when calamity befell their areas due to limited resources. She said URCS supported 10,741 households, with each receiving a tarpaulin, jerrycans, saucepans, plates, cups, mosquito nets, blankets and sachets of aqua tablets to purify the water for drinking.editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/1327446/-/10enwjez/-/index.html","content":"When it’s prudent to insure your home - It took her almost a quarter century to put together resources for her new home. But before she embarked on construction that took her about two years, Sophia Ali had to shrug off several temptations that would have seen her divert her hard-earned savings to other things, among them—a fanciful car, a collection of jewelry, and an enhanced wardrobe with designer outfits. Although she insists that she has sacrificed so much more towards her “major project” after saving for nearly 25 years she did not elaborate on more sacrifices she made, although her broad smiles tells a tale of a woman who is happy with what she has achieved in life thus far. However, should the unexpected strike, reducing her biggest investment into a desolate heap—her smile would be no more, for it is evident that she has no “Plan B” just in case that building comes down tumbling, for whatever reason. On the other hand, Mr Brian Tinkasimiire, after working for 20-years, managed to save some money over the years. He made up his mind to borrow from the bank to add to his savings, before approaching real estate dealers for “a fairly priced apartment.” But little did he know that he had to take personal initiative to insure his house, for most real estate dealers only insure the risks that could befall their investments, and expect you to do likewise—although they never tell you that, for fear that it could increase your cost, in essence scaring you from the entire deal. Although analysts are divided on this matter—specifically over the cost of the cover, the general consensus is that it is good practice to insure your mortgage. This is because owning a home could probably be the most expensive item in your budget. A lifetime investmentAnd chances could be that it is one of the largest investments you could have ever made in your entire life. But strangely, in this part of the world, as demonstrated already by Sophia and Brian—even after spending all that millions of shillings, it never occurred to any of them that investments of such nature ought to be insured against unexpected risks. Protection from financial lossExperts base their claim on the fact that property insurance is meant to protect you and your family from financial losses that would destroy your budget or your way of life.“As a bank we insure ourselves and our mortgages (loans), and it is up to the customers to make sure that they hedge their mortgage against risks,” Mr A.R Kalan, the managing director of Crane Bank said last week in an interview. He argued that it is the responsibility of the person taking the mortgage to insure it so that should anything happen the insurance will take care of the compensation. Insurance expensiveHowever, with the tough economic terrain, costs for insurance have kind of increased along with other costs. Your challenge as a consumer is to keep your insurance costs down without sacrificing the protection you need. The solution is to examine your needs closely and to shop around for the best buy, although, again, for our case in Uganda, the options are not that much. Home insurance optional but necessary Ms Josephine Aguma, the corporate communications manager of National Insurance Corporation (NIC), told the Homes magazine that unlike auto insurance, it is optional for a home owner to insure his or her house. However, she said when banks give out mortgage loans; insurers advise home owners that you also hedge your investment against unexpected risks. “We can insure your house against fire, theft, or any catastrophes save for any political risks,” Ms Aguma said. Going forward, insurance companies only hope that home owners will be compelled to insure their houses against the aforementioned risks, for it protects your home, its contents, and indirectly, your other assets in the event of fires, theft, accidents except disasters such as one related with political risk or other disasters. For the case of floods or earthquakes—those events are specifically not covered by a standard policy and require additional coverage. Players in the insurance industry are now proposing a move that would require a client to take a cover for his/her house before obtaining a loan for owning the house. Worth noting is that the capacity of the insurance industry is limited by several factors—among them are negative public perception, little public awareness, inadequate funding, lack of innovative products and inadequate professionals to run the industry.Besides being among the economic sectors that struggled in the previous year, insurance penetration in Uganda is about 0.6 per cent, the lowest in the region, compared to Kenya’s 2.6 per cent, and Tanzania and Rwanda’s 1 per cent respectively. iladu@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1326992/-/b0r9v2z/-/index.html","content":"Arua pupils lament over rights abuse - Arua Pupils from 10 schools in Arua District at the weekend made heartrending revelations about abuse of their rights. The 40 pupils revealed that some of them have had to defy their parents’ orders to shun school and carry out domestic chores. Some disclosed that they are mistreated by their guardians, especially step-mothers and are sexually harassed. The children, who were speaking during a dialogue organised by African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN), listed challenges hindering their education as inadequate infrastructure, insufficient scholastic materials in schools and poor perception of education by some parents. A pupil from Bondo Army School said the school does not have adequate pit-latrines especially for girls, a situation which has seen some of them abscond. “Imagine if teachers want to ease themselves, they first run home and leave pupils in class, and if that teacher gets food ready at home, he/she will first eat as pupils wait in class,” the pupil said. No infrastructureA pupil from Arivu Primary School, said government should renovate the bridge that links their homes to the school before the rainy season sets in. “During wet season, it is difficult for some of us to cross to the school when the river floods. So we kindly request that government help us construct the bridge, provide better classrooms and equip the libraries,” the pupil said, referring to the broken bridge on River Osu. The District Inspector of Schools, Mr Robert Endreaku, said the responsibility of teachers and parents should be geared towards guiding children to study and become responsible citizens. “Surely these are genuine cries by the pupils and we shall need to link up and budget for classrooms, get bridges built and bring on board parents who still have laxity in sending their children to school,” he said. The Assistant Programme Officer ANPCANN, Mr Geoffrey Dramani, said the dialogue was aimed at making education stakeholders accountable in their responsibilities. “We want children to talk about their own problems so that leaders can listen to their plight directly. External factors like failure to equip schools, poor classrooms and child abuse by parents hinders education,” he said.wokello@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/1325528/-/9rj6a/-/index.html","content":"Inconvenience in places of convenience - You are somewhere in the middle of Kampala town’s thick body and motor traffic. Suddenly, your body escalates into alarm mode; you are pressed with an urgent call of nature that threatens to crash all other body systems to a complete standstill. Where will you turn to answer the call? Will you strut about, just round the corner to the nearest public toilet? Or will you throw caution to the wind and try to race against time, to retrace your steps back to the office, which is possibly a mile away? Your answer, whatever it might be, will say a lot about your view on the state of public sanitation facilities in our capital city. And as World Toilet Day passed by two weeks ago, it found and left a city that may have a number of public toilets on its major streets and key public points to serve pedestrians and residents, but which fell short in the quality of those facilities. Poor serviceIf you chose to use any of the toilets at Constitutional Square, you would pay Shs200, and receive an approximately 20cm-long piece of thin green or blue toilet paper. If you are not satisfied with the length, you will asked to fork out an extra Shs200 for an extra 20cm of toilet paper. It may hard to estimate a standard measure of toilet paper that one might require. But there is no doubt that 20cm of toilet paper is not going to ensure a lot of hygiene.You are then handed a yellow three-litre jerrycan filled with water as you walk into the toilet cubicle. You will find the floor slightly moist, freshly mopped by the attendant after the previous visitor. The toilet bowl is fixed in the floor, with its supposed white colour turning somewhere towards cream. After your act, you notice that it is a dysfunctional toilet, because it does not flush. You use the three litres in the jerrycan to try and flush, with little to no effect. If you happen to run into the toilet at toilet-rush-hour, you will find a queue. Apart from the delays causing you further discomfort, you will likely find the floor dirty as the attendant will not have had the time to wipe it in between visitors. The toilet bowl will have suffered a similar fate. Because visitors won’t have flushed the bowl’s contents fully, the waiting line will have kept the janitor away from cleaning the bowl entirely. To add injury to insult, part of the reason why toilets do not flush is that they are vandalised. The over-head water-dispensers in toilet cubicles are dented with gaping cavities, and flush handles are often missing. Toilets in public buildingsBut not all of the estimated four million Kampala day-time dwellers are stuck with these roadside toilets. Arcades are the work place address for most trade in the city. And for this reason, they attract the massive combination of traders and customers. Here too, the quality, and at times quantity of toilet facilities, falls short. At a toilet on Mutaasa Kafeero plaza’s first floor, a strong scent of Indian incense – ‘audi’- greets you a few meters away from the toilet, leading you directly to where it is. Its entrance is crammed with yellow jerrycans and old boxes on the floor. Just next to the door, is a brown wooden stool, on which Mzee Issa, the janitor, sits. A 2011 election poster of Dr Abed Bwanika is pasted on the wall above. A line of nails runs next to it, carrying a faded blue jean, a green camouflage hat, shirts, an assortment of cotton trousers and a black polythene bag with a red torch peeking from it. A chain of keys hangs lazily on top of the kavera. The right hand side of the small room has a half broken wall mirror and just below it is a used-to-be white stained ceramic sink with a broken tap. On the sink is a plastic one-litre jerrycan, which people use to wash their hands. There is no soap in sight. Under the sink, are more white and yellow one-litre jerry cans used to store water. A man walks in, hands money to the janitor, and enters one of the toilets, clearly labelled “Ladies.” He then leaves the door a-jar as he does his business. Asked whether the toilet is unisex, the janitor replies, “One is for men and the other for women but people use them as they find.” The toilet does not have flowing water and it turns out this is deliberate. “When I arrive in the morning, I fetch water in the 20-litre jerrycans because the water is locked at around 10am in order to cut costs. I use 20 jerry cans a day for flushing and cleaning,” he says. The cost of using the toilet is Shs200, which comes with a 6cm piece of toilet tissue. The plaza has five floors with two toilets on each floor, for a total of 10 toilets. But tenants and visitors at Mid City Arcade for instance, say they have toilet facilities on only two floors, for a more than five-floor building. A tenant in the arcade says that they have to pay Shs500 at the toilet every time they use it, on top of rental charges. This arcade is right in the middle of the down-town trading district that is extremely crowded. “There are so many people here. At times there are long lines at the toilet because people from other arcades, which have bad toilets, come here,” says the tenant. 1 | 2 Next Page»An ideal ladies’ toilet should have a proper flushing system, a trash can, sanitary dispenser, a mirror, a sink with flowing water and a soap dispenser or bar soap. At Pioneer Mall toilets, the ladies’ toilets have two buckets: one used for flushing in case the toilet bowl is empty and another is used as a dust bin for used sanitary towels. Not good enoughMany public toilet users are quick to assert that they only use the facilities as a last resort, for lack of a better option. Though some say there is a slight improvement in the service, others are not satisfied. “They could clean them better, user more detergent and soap so that they don’t smell bad,” says Rachael Nakibuuka, a trader who was found outside the Old Taxi park toilets.Hassan Wanyama, a businessman, found at the railway grounds toilet, said, “I think there is an effort to keep them clean. But why aren’t the toilets flushing? How did they get spoiled? Why aren’t they being repaired?” A trader with a stall adjacent to the Old Taxi park toilet says, “The cleaners have tried. You now find that the place does not smell so much and even the people who work around here do not complain a lot. During the rain seasons, the place floods and the smell can become terrible, but now it is not so bad.” Toilets out of the city centreAlthough there are complaints about toilets in the city centre, it is a worse state of affairs out of the city, and in satellite towns. Ggaba town for instance has a four cubicle pit-latrine for a public toilet. It is nearly filled and costs Shs200 to use. Some of the town’s residents who find the price high for each visit, choose to instead urinate in the lake. In Kireka for instance, the only public toilets that a passerby will locate (if they look hard) are in markets for instance, or other shopping complexes. Museveni promises 300 toiletsWhile campaigning in 2010, President Yoweri Museveni promised to construct 300 toilets in Kampala where people would go for free. They are nowhere in the city yet.The Minister for Kampala, Muruli Mukasa however said, the item was mentioned in the on-going budgeting process and said, he was also taking up the presidential promises in next year’s budget. “There is a need for extra toilets in the city due to the growing population,” he said in a telephone interview. KCCA silentThe Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) oversee the running of public toilets in the city. Most have been leased out to private hands that run the toilets for a profit. KCCA spokesperson Peter Kaujju, did not respond to repeated phone calls and email, to comment on the issue. But the janitors at the toilet doors collect anywhere between Shs200 and Shs500 for every visitor at an average rate of 12 visitors every 10 minutes, (which could be higher in rain seasons). They make at least Shs14,000 per hour collected, raising questions over why the city’s public toilets are not repaired, while they are generating revenue. Some janitors complained of being cheated by their employers. “They want us to give them all the money we make and yet they don’t even want to buy things we need like detergents. For instance, they may demand Shs100,000 from you, and yet they pay you less than Shs5,000 per day,” one said. In the end, although Kampala’s public toilets are generating revenue, they are being left dilapidated, and leaving the end-user with a dirty deal. jabimanyi@ug.nationmedia.com & editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1323126/-/b0tjabz/-/index.html","content":"Butambala, Otuke shine in exams - Kampala The new districts of Butambala and Otuke topped performance in district ranking by percentage scores in last year’s Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examination results released yesterday. But traditional heavyweights, Wakiso, Kampala and Mukono maintained the highest numbers of Division One scores on account of the number of students who sat for the exams. An analysis of the results by Daily Monitor indicated that whereas Butambala and Otuke districts had fewer students compared to those of Mukono, Wakiso and Bushenyi, they had an overall higher percentage passing in Division One. Butambala District had 394 students who passed in Division One out of an overall total of 2,081 students hence scoring the highest number of candidates in Grade One- representing 18.9 percent while Otuke District had 53 students who passed in Division One of the 298 students who sat the exams–representing 17.8 per cent. In the 2010 UCE results, Kampala, Mukono, Bushenyi, Mbarara and Wakiso districts topped the overall rankings by districts. Also the consequent years of 2008 and 2009 showed similar trends. For instance, in the 2009 UCE results, Bushenyi, Kampala, Mukono, Mbarara, Wakiso and Mpigi topped the list of best performing districts countrywide. In the 2008 results, Kampala came top of the list while the giants in the districts of Mukono, Bushenyi, Masaka, Mpigi were among the top performers. But whereas Wakiso, Bushenyi, Kampala and Mukono are among the top 10 performing districts, they declined slightly with Mukono assuming the third position (17.6 per cent) and Wakiso in the fourth position (17 per cent). Bushenyi and Mbarara took to the fifth and sixth positions respectively. Kampala declined to the seventh position followed by Kalungu which assumed the eighth position. Moroto and Napak districts took the ninth and tenth positions respectively. The least performing district was Nakapiripirit which was followed by Amudat, Bulambuli, Lamwo and Katakwi districts where the Education Minister, Ms Jessica Alupo, hails from. Equipping schoolsMs Alupo said the government is putting more emphasis on equipping schools in new districts and rural areas with the necessary equipment to compete favourably with urban one. “We have so far constructed school laboratories and libraries for schools in the new districts and we hope to transfer serious teachers there. Those unserious one that absent themselves from duty will be sacked,” she warned. The Uganda National Examination Board yesterday released the 2011 UCE results showing that overall performance improved at all levels, and failure rate dropped from 6.5 percent in 2010 to 4.2 percent in 2011. Like the trend has been, urban schools performed better than rural ones. Schools in new districts, apart from Otuke performed poorly since they are created with little infrastructure like proper schools, science laboratories and limited number of teachers. Some of the schools that performed poorly are in regions that have recently suffered armed conflict, floods and famine. mnalugo@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/1322524/-/12mei7z/-/index.html","content":"Farmer’s Diary: Co-operatives is the way to go - When people are engaged in the same economic activity, they have a strong reason to be friends and to unite in order to safeguard and promote their intersts for their common benefit. It is no use wishing that your neighbour’s cows produce less milk so that you remain the major supplier in your trading centre. The truth is, if more people in the area produce milk and you all come together and form a milk collection centre, you are more likely to attract more buyers and better prices. On your own, for example, you might not be in position to afford a milk storage facility, but when you join your colleagues and form a group of 30 or so farmers, you can put together your savings and purchase it. Then you will not be forced to sell your milk cheaply because of the fear that it might go bad. As a group, you can also agree to raise the price of milk because all the milk will be sold by your group at the designated selling joints in the town. You may all agree to invest your earnings in a lorry to transport any excess milk to a bigger town where you could set up branches and make more money. It is this idea of getting together in groups as producers to promote and market your products jointly that forms the basis of co-operative societies. The United Nations has declared 2012 the International Year of Cooperatives, according to a recent Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) press release. FAO Director-General Jose Graziano da Silva has been quoted saying cooperatives and producer organisations will be increasingly important in efforts to eliminate hunger and reduce poverty around the world. When farmers join together, it is an opportunity for them to get to know one another and to become friends. They will have to meet more often to find solutions to their common problems, crop or animal diseases, high cost of inputs, transport costs, common calamities like floods or long droughts, falling prices of their products. As a large group, they can easily be trusted by financial institutions which may lend them money to buy expensive machines like tractors. They may hire these in turns at their own charge rates. They can also purchase water pumps and other irrigation equipment. There is a co-operative officer in every district whose main responsibility is to offer training and guidance to all farmers’ groups that would like to form cooperatives. There are a few legal requirements to be fulfilled and the cooperative officer normally undertakes to monitor the farmers’ co-operative society’s activities to ensure their books are well audited and that all the rules are followed. Cooperatives reduce costs and they also spread risks. Normally, when the members sell their product in a cooperative arrangement, they are paid the money in lump sums usually after a period of about one month and it is paid into the farmer’s bank account. The farmer gradually gets into the habit of saving and since the money comes in a lump sum, she is in a better position to meet her needs such as buying building materials for a bigger house or paying her son’s college tuition. Other advantages include the cooperative society buying such inputs as quality seeds, farm equipment like spades, barbed wire, wheel barrows, fertilisers or pesticides in bulk and selling them cheaply to the members. There is also the chance of some farmers getting such items on credit and paying later when they get paid for their products. “Experience has shown that when empowered by membership in a larger group, small holder farmers and other producers can negotiate better terms in contracts and lower prices for agricultural inputs like seeds, fertiliser and fishing gear,” says Fao. They can reduce risks and gain enough influence to secure land rights and better market opportunities.” If they are fruit growers, they can more easily invest in value addition ventures such as procuring equipment for drying fruits, packaging and marketing them. For cooperatives to work, there must be a high degree of transparency in their leadership. Democracy must be exercised in the election of the cooperative’s management committee and members have to be updated on its activities and progress in regular meetings and assemblies. Membership regulations should be clear and strictly observed and everyone should have a sense of ownership of the cooperative. 1 | 2 Next Page»ssalimichaelj@gmail.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1319008/-/b1bx3rz/-/index.html","content":"Aronda wants army health units elevated - Kabarole The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, has urged the Ministry of Health to evaluate health facilities in all army divisions with a view of uplifting them. “Health is a priority in UPDF. All divisions have health units so we want the ministry to elevate them to hospital status. Our health facilities offer services to many wanainchi so they are public,” Gen. Aronda said.The army chief, who was officiating at the launch of Army Week at Fort Portal Hospital, Kabarole District, on Tuesday joked that the UPDF have a nightmare keeping peace in the war-ravaged Somalia and battling Karimojong warriors. “I have come here late because we are busy. Sorting out Somalia is a nightmare; even keeping your borders safe is big work and we are not yet done with the Karimojong,” he said, adding that Uganda is relatively stable, except for some areas in Karamoja. “We shall be getting those guns slowly from them. You should not think we are relaxed; we are always working for your safety here and abroad,” he said. This is the 31st Tarehe Sita (February 6th). The week is marked annually in remembrance of the first armed attack when Yoweri Museveni and his NRA launched a guerrilla war on February 6, 1981. Mr Museveni led the five-year armed struggle and captured power on January 26, 1986. The week-long activities will climax with the Tarehe Sita celebrations on February 6 in Kasese. Gen. Aronda said Rwenzori was chosen to host the fete because of its contribution to the struggle, which was born in the region. The director-general of health services, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, commended the work done by UPDF on improving health of Ugandans, especially during outbreaks of epidemics such as Ebola in Bundibugyo, Bombo and Gulu, the Bududa landslides and the floods in eastern Uganda. The activities of the week will include HIV-testing and counselling, free male circumcision, immunisation, fumigation of health centres, film shows on HIV/Aids and de-worming, among others. editoral@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1318428/-/b1cj8cz/-/index.html","content":"Government starts wetland demarcation - Kampala The government has embarked on boundary demarcation and gazetting of wetlands countrywide in a move aimed at conserving the marshlands, which are fast disappearing due to encroachment. The Water and Environment minister, Ms Maria Mutagamba, said the demarcation exercise has started with wetlands in Kampala and other municipalities where the wetlands are at highest risk of extinction. “Demarcation has started to protect our natural resources and we beg the population to collaborate with all those carrying out the exercise,” Ms Mutagamba said during a press conference on the World Wetlands Day at the Media Centre in Kampala on Monday. “It is important to know that protecting these most valuable ecosystems the country has is a responsibility of all citizens,” she added. The day, which will be celebrated under the theme: “Wetlands-supporting tourism for our survival. Make it or break it,” will be held at Nambabi Market, Kakuuto County in Rakai District today. However, the boundary demarcation exercise comes at a time when Uganda’s wetlands are facing the highest degree of degradation due to increasing population and urbanisation. Today, large chunks of wetlands countrywide, especially in east, central and western Uganda ,have been converted into agricultural land and people have constructed houses on them. Wetland degradation has greatly devastated their potential of storing water and filtering pollutants. This has caused natural calamities such as floods that affect some parts of the country, pollution of most water bodies for example Lake Victoria and declining fish stocks. Ms Mutagamba said this year’s Wetlands Day will focus on raising awareness about important roles swamplands play in survival of humankind. “We will also access how best we can sustainably use the wetlands without destroying the resource base,” she added. jmiti@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/1315998/-/120uqbr/-/index.html","content":"3,000 displaced as cyclone hits Madagascar - Tropical cyclone, Funso presently in the Mozambique Channel has hit the south-western Madagascar forcing about 3,000 people in the district of Morombe to move out their residency zone. A preliminary report of the National Office for Disaster of National Preparedness (BNGRC) said the affected people have been lived without proper shelter while nearby schools and churches haven’t been unusable to host them. Heavy rains and strong wind have destroyed over 100 houses within seven communes badly touched. Many have been declared uninhabitable for being filled with water. Officials said floods have claimed two lives and one of the victims was eaten by crocodile. The animals are abundant in the western part of the island-nation.Many attacks were reported there, especially during rainy seasons (November-April) causing frequent inundations. Residents in the disaster-prone areas were demanded to be very careful with the risky rivers. They were also warned about eventual outbreak of diseases like diarrhoea and malaria. Price of foods is expected to skyrocket soon as floodwater has destroyed almost the harvests and crops. The BNGRC’s team has been prompted in the stricken areas to cope with the urgent need of food, blankets and medicine."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1314602/-/b1fa02z/-/index.html","content":"Environmentalists push for climate policy - Environmentalists have asked government to fast track formulation of a climate change policy to guide in implementation of mitigation and adaptation measures. The group, under their umbrella body, Climate Action Network Uganda (CAN-Uganda), said the absence of the policy has minimised efforts to combat harsh weather changes. During an advocacy stakeholders workshop in Kampala on Tuesday, Ms Christine Nantongo, a senior consultant at NaNa Development Consultants, said lack of a policy direction had forced government and civil society organisations to carry out ineffective polices. “Existing policies don’t reflect human activities in causing climate change and some of the adaptation practices applied are not suitable for ecological areas where they are being used,” Ms Nantongo said. Experts say the country’s climate is getting worse daily due to incessant degradation of the environment. It has been predicted that the country will experience a pronounced impact of global climate variability and will be among the countries hardest hit by its immediate impact. Of recent, the country has lost lives due catastrophes such as landslides and floods, attributed to climate change. Mr Isaac Kabongo, the Ecological Christian Organisation executive director, said government to should prioritise the fight against causes of weather changes to reduce recurring calamities triggered by extreme weather condition. However, Mr Paul Isabirye, Uganda’s climate change coordinator at Uganda Climate Change Unit, said the process towards drafting a climate change policy was on. Mr Isabirye said the process has been divided into two modes of consultancy and an inception meeting will be called for multi-stakeholders soon. jmiti@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1304844/-/b21r7uz/-/index.html","content":"Water scarcity hits Teso as dry season sets in - Water scarcity has hit Teso sub-region leaving many residents sharing water sources with animals. Between July and November last year, heavy rains pounded the region causing floods that destroyed most of the water sources, especially, boreholes, springs and wells. Since then, no effort has been made to fix the crisis. The worst hit areas are Amuria, Katakwi, Soroti, Ngora and Serere districts. Local leaders say residents trek long distances or sometimes ride bicycles in search of water. They have to wait for long hours as water fills up the spring wells so that they can fetch water in turns. The chairperson of Ngora District, Mr Ben Ewumu, said a number of streams, where residents had opted to fetch water, are also drying up. Mr Ewumu said the only alternative is to use stagnant water which they have to share with animals. “A number of wells silted up during the heavy rains. Springs and bore holes were swept away by floods. As the dry spell sets in, a number of streams are also drying up. Using stagnant water and sharing it with animals is a health risk. If we do not intervene now, we shall soon be in disaster,” he said. Speaking at a roads consultative meeting in Bukedea District last week, State Minister for Teso Affairs Amongin Aporu said the floods also paralysed the transport system in the region, making roads impassable. Ms Aporu said it was urgent to fix the affected infrastructure like water sources and bridges.She added that there was need to rectify the silted water sources to ensure that there is clean water for the affected communities. “My ministry will work with the local government, disaster, transport and district councils to see to it that infrastructure destroyed is fixed to avoid further disaster. We are aware that as the dry season sets in, water scarcity will be a big problem for our communities and we need to collectively intervene to save them,” Ms Aporu said. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1303214/-/b22lbfz/-/index.html","content":"Kasese moves to curb floods - Kasese Municipal Council has directed all households to install rain harvesters in their homes, a move aimed at reducing floods. The council also instructed town planners and engineers not to approve any building plan without the provision of a water harvesting system and force all owners of old buildings to do the same. Mr Jonson Kasaija Bwaka, the central division chairman, said the order should take immediate effect as the area suffers terribly especially during rainy the season. Unfavourable moveThe landlords in the area, however, said the move is meant to inconvenience them. “This order puts at risk landlords who may not have the capacity to modernise their buildings,” a landlord, only identified as Baluku said. “Council is passing instructions without considering the financial status of the residents. They should have expert engineers who can divert the water into channels since they are the ones who sold the water channels.” The move follows an incident in May and November last year, where several houses in the area were destroyed after a downpour, rendering some locals homeless. The district environmental officer, Mr Augustine Kooli, said the continuous water run-offs have been caused by the encroachment of hills. “There are increased developments in the town of late and hills,” he said. But the western region focal person and public awareness officer for NEMA, Mr Jeconious Musingwiire, said water harvesting can reduce the problem but is not a last solution. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1299762/-/bfh71nz/-/index.html","content":"A year of revolutions, elections, controversies and fall of the mighty - January, 2011Tunisia’s Ben Ali oustedHe was the first president to be ousted in the Arab Spring. He held onto power for months but a series of protests and pressure from the international community, forced Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to step aside and later flee to Saudi Arabian city, Jeddah. He was sentenced to 35 years in jail together with wife Leila for embezzlement and misusing public funds. Ben Ali was also separately sentenced to 15 years in jail for possessing illegal drugs and weapons. Both sentences were done in absentia, as Saudi refuses to extradite the former president for trial. Deadly floods hit AustraliaWhen biggest floods since 1974 hit Australia, 22 towns were cut off and 200,000 thousand people were affected. However, the worst part of the situation came when snakes of up to two meters long, and crocodiles invaded the area, sending residents fleeing further for safety. The floods caused a catastrophic damage to infrastructure in Queensland and affected an area the size of Germany and France. 70 killed in Iran plane crashAt least 70 people were killed and 35 injured when an Iranian Boeing 727 passenger plane crashed in bad weather in northwestern Iran. Some 106 people, 12 crew members and 94 passengers, were on board the Iran Air plane when it crashed. Algerian burns self to deathAfter failing to secure a job and a house from the town mayor, an Algerian set himself ablaze at a government building. Mohsen Bouterfif died of burns after setting himself on fire in front of the town hall in Boukhadra, east of Tebessa. The act sparked off protests by about 100 men and the mayor was subsequently saced by the provincial governor. At least four people attempted public suicides in Algeria that same week. Tsvangirai denies snatching womanZimbabwe’s Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai was on the spot for allegedly snatching the wife of Mr Jacob Mandeya. Ms Aquilina Pamberi filed for divorce from Mr Jacob Mandeya, her husband of 12 years, so she could continue an affair with Mr Tsvangirai. However, Mr Tsvangirai’s spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka, said the allegations were highly defamatory and were calculated to “besmirch the person and office of the Prime Minister”. FebruaryMubarak steps aside as PresidentAfter three decades in power and 18 days of protests against his government, Hosni Mubarak finally stepped aside on February 11 as President of Egypt, attracting wild celebrations by thousands of demonstrators in Cairo’s Tahrir Square - the heart of the demonstrations. During his 30-year-rule, Mr Mubarak is accused of suppressing dissent and protests, and jailing opponents. He was charged with corruption and ordering the killing of protestors, charges he denied. Bodyguard kills Sudan Minister over payShock gripped South Sudan when a guard shot dead a minister over pay. Jimmy Lemi Milla, minister of Cooperatives and Rural Development, lived long enough to cast a ballot in the referendum, but not too long to enjoy the fruits that come with the birth of South Sudan. Girl lashed to death in BangladeshThere was international condemnation when a 14-year-old girl was publicly lashed to death in Bangladesh over alleged adultery. Hena Begum’s family members said a village court consisting of elders and clerics passed the sentence, which included 80 lashes and a $700 fine. Mugabe clocks 87, says he is here to stayEven when his opponents say he is too old to lead Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe, while celebrating his 87th birthday, said he still has political ideas of a young man. Speaking in Harare, Mr Mugabe said: “87 is only 8 plus 7. I want to remain with you. My body may get spent but I wish my mind will always be with you.” Zimbabwe police arrest 46 over EgyptFor attending a lecture and holding discussions on the mass uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, police in Zimbabwe arrested 46 people. The lecture, organised by the Zimbabwe branch of the militant International Socialist Organisation, showed videos and an agenda item which allegedly asked: “What lessons can be learnt by the working class in Zimbabwe and Africa?” MarchEarthquake and Tsunami devastates JapanA ferocious tsunami hatched by one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded, hit Japan, killing thousands and sweeping away homes, boats and cars, while widespread fires burned out of control. The magnitude-8.9 offshore quake unleashed a seven-meter tsunami and was followed by more than 50 aftershocks. More than 1,000 people are believed to have died in the devastating earthquake and Tsunami. Pakistan Minister assassinated Gunmen shot and killed Pakistan’s government minister Shahbaz Bhatti for religious minorities, a key advocate for reforms against harsh blasphemy laws that impose the death penalty for insulting Islam. The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the killing, saying the minister had been “punished” for being a blasphemer. AprilIvorian President capturedAfter months of resistance, Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo is captured by forces of his UN-recognised successor, Alassane Ouattara at his residence in the capital Abidjan. News about his capture attracted wild celebrations across the country. Gbagbo, 66, refused to concede defeat in the November 2010 polls in which the UN recognised Ouattara as winner. The UN says more than 3,000 people were killed and at least 100,000 fled the unrest in the country. UN plane crashes in DRC killing dozensA United Nations plane crashed at Kinshasa airport in DR Congo, killing 32 of 33 people on board. The CRJ-100 jet broke in two and burst into flames as it attempted to land in heavy rain. Twenty UN workers were listed as being on the plane, which had a Georgian crew and both Congolese and foreign nationals aboard. Storm kills 128 in USWhen a devastating storm ripped through Alabama State in the US, at least 128 people were killed, buildings, homes were destroyed, while traffic and power were disrupted. Thirty-two were also killed in Mississippi and eleven in Georgia. A week earlier, another storm hit the South and killed at least 22 in North Carolina. The natural disasters knocked out several nuclear reactors, raising fears of radiation leaks.MayOsama killedThe most wanted man by the US government, Osama Bin Laden, breathes his last after US forces shot him at a compound near Islamabad, Pakistan.The killing of the al-Qaeda leader, follows a ground operation based on US intelligence, the first lead for which emerged last August. US forces took possession of Osama’s body after a fire fight, and was buried at sea after a Muslim funeral on board an aircraft carrier. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1299412/-/bfh9igz/-/index.html","content":"Bad roads force government to airlift Amb. Sakajja’s body to Bukwo - KAMPALA The government yesterday apologised for the bad roads in the country as it airlifted the body of former deputy ambassador to Russia Sam Sakajja to his ancestral home in Bukwo District. Speaking during a requiem mass at Bugolobi Church of Uganda yesterday, Works Minister Abraham Byandala promised service delivery. “Before I read President Museveni’s condolence message, I would like to apologise for the poor state of road network in Bukwo and other parts of the country. It is our office tasked with that and we are waiting for funds. Hopefully this or the coming financial year we shall work on that road,” Mr Byandala said. But Rev. Christine Shimanya, during her sermon, could not hide her dismay over the state of roads in the country, arguing that the nation is endowed with resources which are not utilised. “It is unfortunate that we have all the resources but our roads are still very bad. God has given us everything but the people who are entrusted with the resources are not doing their job,” she said. President Museveni praised Dr Sakajja for his dedication, saying the deceased died while serving and has left an inspirational legacy for the young generation. Dr Sakajja, a UPC stalwart-turned-NRM supporter, died on December 17 of liver complications. His body delayed in Moscow due to logistical constraints to transport it, which government later cleared. The head of the Ugandan mission in Russia, Mr Moses Ebuk, yesterday said government met all the medical expenses of the ex-ambassador when he was admitted, including Shs70m for his transportation. Dr Sakajja will be laid to rest at his ancestral home in Senendet Sub-county in present-day Bukwo. achekwech@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Religion/-/689744/1297688/-/gkx13u/-/index.html","content":"FOURTH DIMENSION: Goodwill towards all men - It must have been a wise man who decided to put the end of year a few days after Christmas. I suppose the idea was to end the year on a high note. While some people talk of the New Year’s blues; the government issues the state of the nation statement. This statement and the response it generates can be easily predicted. Some things can never change until the people are changed from within. Until the state of the nationals’ changes, the state of the nation statement will have little impact. The desired change lies in the people embracing the proclamation of the angels to the shepherds as recorded in the Christmas story: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” The angels indicate the standard for which all men must live. We must live for the glory of God and not the glory of the political parties or structures. Not even for democracy. None of these institutions can bring about the desired peace that we all long for. We may have security but we are lacking in safety and peace of mind. Uganda’s safety standards are below par in many ways. When men and women set their hearts on bringing glory to God, then the peace of God floods the nations. The Angels also pronounce goodwill toward all men. When God is set as the priority of the citizens, there will be good will towards all men. Good will is that state of heart and mind that seeks to make life better for others. Some people call this nationalism. But whatever we call it, we need to practice it from the state of our hearts and not state house. I remember the 60 days when the late former president of Uganda Professor Lule was in the hot seat. Though the nation was in dire need and coming out of war, the conditions for growth and development were great. The people were on fire to show love and passion for their nation. There was no hoarding of the goods and there was no idle time among the people. Every man did his best to pull the nation out of its chaos. The greater and modern nation was not the vision of one man or party, it was the will of everyone. But the politicians intervened to create a state of chaos that benefits them other than the nation. The goodwill of the people was lost in the process. Democracy was introduced as an indicator of the will of the people, but the heart to bless the nation had been quashed. These bruised hearts must be healed if we are to have a better state of the nation. The healing is in the message declared by the angels to the lowly shepherds. Happy New Year."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1298210/-/bfi0elz/-/index.html","content":"West Nile’s promising year ends fruitless - West Nile It all seemed a promising year, the hope of having prominent politicians elected to critical positions, the hope of having Nyagak hydropower dam switch on and roads tarmac to connect the region to the big markets in South Sudan and DR Congo but all this has remained a promise. The electionsTo begin with, the February political sphere witnessed chaos in some constituencies, where the hottest was in Terego County, where opposition FDC candidate Kassanio Wadri won with a difference of one vote, then the Maracha, where Alex Ozima won as an independent. Arua woman MP seat was not a walk in the forest for incumbent Christine Abia. The Municipality seat went to NRM as the incumbent (Akabar Godi -FDC) is now serving a death sentence in Luzira Maximum Prison for murdering his wife. The year saw the oldest and tough talking politicians like former district LC5 chairperson of Moyo Peter Ikudolo (NRM) lose the seat to Jimmy Vukoni Okudi. Almost all winners were dragged to court by their opponents, who, however, lost the cases but some are still battling it at the Court of Appeal. The region, seen as a strong-hold of opposition, gave their votes-over 50 per cent to incumbent President Museveni in the February election. As the year progressed, tragedies rocked several parts of the Sub-region. The tragediesThe skies rioted and saw people losing their lives to lightning and floods that also swept away animals and household property. In May, the region witnessed a dark day as 17 traders died in an accident at Nyaravur Trading Centre as they returned from the market. Economically, several families have remained largely poor especially with the rising cost of living where some families cut the number of meals from three to one a day to cope with the situation. Border clashesThe protracted war between the communities living along the border with South Sudan went on throughout the year, with those in Lefori village engaging in the most number of fights with their Sudanese neighbuors. This led to a meeting between President Yoweri Museveni and his counterpart Salva Kiir, which resolved to remark the border areas. The re-surveying is yet to start. Then the biggest failure came in - the failed commissioning of the 3.5 MW Nyagak power dam- the region’s only hope for conisistent power supply. Pains of the damThe cries of the people here continued to echo throughout the year as government is yet to connect it to the national grid. On December 12, the region witnessed the crash of a plane carrying UPDF soldiers in a remote village of Okuleamvuku in Ayivuni Sub-county, Arua. It was reportedly heading to a UPDF base in Nzara.The year could not have escaped without giving something to smile about. The construction of the long awaited Muni University took off amid other difficulties. Locals offered land in Arua, Pakwach and Yumbe districts for setting up structures. Well-wishers from South Korea donated $30 million (about Shs75b) towards its construction. The completion date is still unknown. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1297706/-/bfikt7z/-/index.html","content":"Here is what dominated western news - Floods, lightning, heated oil debates and land wrangles that left several people dead, scores injured and thousands displaced in western region this year dominated the region’s news.Events in the oil-rich Bunyoro sub-region attracted the biggest national parliamentary debate in recent times.This year, Bunyoro Kingdom continued to demand for a share of oil proceeds, this time placing a figure of 10 per cent of the oil revenues in addition to improved road infrastructure and social services. Oil revenuesThe government on the other hand maintained its stand that the oil-sharing agreements is secret but assured the sub-region that the proceeds would be in their best interest. It also began surveying a piece of land in Kabaale Parish in Buseruka Sub-county, Hoima District, where an oil refinery will be built. At least 10 pressure groups were also formed to advance Bunyoro’s demands on oil, among them is the Bunyoro Local Oil and Gas Advocacy Group. Over 30,000 residents of Buliisa District, where huge oil deposits were discovered, counted benefits and losses as Tullow Oil workers destroyed several acres of their gardens during the search for oil between February and March. They were compensated but insisted that the rates were peanuts. The kingdom is also waiting for Shs200 million reportedly promised by the President to the kingdom in 2010 to build a perimeter wall around the palace. Bunyoro MPs under their Bunyoro parliamentary caucus continue to lobby government to operationalise the proposed Bunyoro University which locals hope will offer them skills relevant in Uganda’s budding oil industry. Several leaders in Bunyoro opposed an idea by government to offer part of Isimba Prison land to Kinyara Sugar Works Ltd. Bunyoro wants the land to be offered to unemployed youth who will grow and sale sugarcane to the factory. The juicy dealsIn Kibaale District, government created more administrative units in an effort to widen political space between the emigrant Bakiga and the native Banyoro who have had a long-standing history of clashing with each ethnic group demanding for political power. Over 10 sub-counties were created and Buyaga and Bugangaizi counties were each split into two.The President picked ministers from Bunyoro including, Henry Muganwa Kajura (Second deputy premier and public service), Prof. Nyira Mijumbi (Agriculture) and Matia Kasaija (Planning) in the May Cabinet lists and Kabakumba Masiko for the Presidency. He did not stop there, the President created the Bunyoro Affairs Ministry in a bid to create affirmative action for the region, although the minister is yet to take charge, since the parliamentary vetting committee rejected Mr Saleh Kamba. Kabakumba issueThe region, however, crowned the year with the Bujenje County MP, Princess Kabakumba resigning as minister for the Presidency and Kampala on December 14 following allegations of using a UBC mast illegally. In Fort Portal, King Oyo Nyimba of Tooro made a painful move by agreeing with the critical faction on all grounds in a bid to end conflicts in his kingdom. He was criticised for this by a section of the royals for what they described as bending too low to his subjects. King Oyo was in 2010 sued by some of his subjects for alleged “unconstitutional decisions” and this triggered a series of conflicts in his kingdom, including several resignations by kingdom officials. 1 | 2 Next Page»A salary rift in Fort Portal urban authority also between July and October threatened service delivery after mayor Asaba Ruyonga and his deputy, Ms Margaret Kihika, dragged their council to court accusing it of reducing their emoluments. This was after the councillors in a June 27 session reasoned that the allowances received by the two officials were higher compared to other municipalities, yet service delivery was still poor. The disastersThere was virtually no dry season in the western region and people paid for this dearly when in June, lightning stuck Runyanya Primary School in Kiryandongo District killing 19 pupils and injuring 50 others. The unusual rains during June and August were attributed to climate change by weather experts and did not stop at lightning, but floods washed away bridges in Buliisa, Kibaale, Kasese and Kyankwanzi districts and blocked several major roads in the region stifling service delivery. Kagadi-Kyenjojo Road was blocked cutting off Bunyoro from Tooro for about three months after River Muzizi burst its banks and carried away the bridge. The fight against illegal fishing on major lakes (Albert, Edward and George) in the region were stepped up by the Fisheries ministry as there were several arrests of suspects and burning of several tonnes of fishing gears. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/-/688612/1297128/-/8s85qhz/-/index.html","content":"Potholes, accidents still rule roads - Ugandans have to wait longer than they had expected before bidding farewell to potholes as industry players battle challenges to beat their targets. The roads sub-sector which has bagged a large chunk of the national purse over the last three years is marred by a trail of problems that have among others seen road carnage increase. The roads, so rough and potholed make driving a tiring experience but the poor road network adds to the maddening traffic; especially within and around the Kampala city area. Funded by donors and the national road fund, the roads sub-sector, amassed Shs1.219 billion in 2011/2012 and needs another Shs5.5 billion to fix pot-holes. By estimate, road accidents in Uganda cost 2.7 per cent (approximately Shs885bn) of Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product in terms of lives and property lost. Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) Spokesperson Dan Alinange says that over a half of the total kilometres of roads-designated for construction and repair-are complete or on-going. “64 per cent of the 20,000Km of roads are under-way or complete while the 36 per cent accounts for those affected by floods needing repair.” But lawmakers on the watchdog Public Accounts Committee (Pac) rated the roads sub-sector as ‘worst performing’ this year. Mr Karuhanga Kafureeka Gerald, a member of the Pac committee said: “The roads and transport sector is poorly managed...the transport ministry is the worst performing ministry in Uganda. They are always given billions of money to work on roads but unfortunately Uganda has the worst roads in the entire East Africa.” Mr Kafureeka adds that Pac will thoroughly audit the sector next year to derive the tax payer’s value for money. But Mr Alinange refuted this, claiming the sector sets high targets which other sectors hardly do. “This sector (roads) usually sets high standards to improve every year yet other sectors set low ones that they can easily achieve so they are judged as meeting targets.” Mr Alinange who declined to name any sector urges government to fix the system saying: “Urgent measures need to be taken by the executive arm of government to save the country from incompetent and inefficient managers.” In 2008/2009, government funded UNRA, the body that oversees works on roads, to the tune of Sh1.1 trillion. Development partners – European Union and African Development Bank are now on board. So far, 1000Km of roads have been constructed in the past three years, with some old ones getting a facelift. Problems A myriad of challenges stand in the way. High cost of construction materials, some of which are imported, inadequate physical planning leading to high compensation costs for displaced people, complex designs, delayed project implementation as well as lengthy and costly procurement systems.Some roads damaged by heavy downpours, slashing Shs45 billion – an amount that is not part of the funds given for road repairs. This not only stagnated business but also left travellers stranded on the Kotido-Moroto road that was submerged at Lopeyi swamp. Kampala City roadsEngineer Andrew Kitaka, the Director engineering and technical Services at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), is optimistic to turn around Kampala. “What I can tell you is that we have inherited a lot of problems from the past authorities. We are now working on ending them,” Mr Kitaka said. A total of Shs7.8 billion has been allocated towards rehabilitatng Nakivubo drainage channel, said KCCA Executive Director. KCCA has contracted Omega Construction and Prime contractors to handle major rehabilitation at Shs5.5 billion while Bison (U) Ltd will help with routine maintenance at Shs2.3 billion. City roads projects underwayBy mid-2012, KCCA’s focus will be on Roads Maintenance, Drainage systems and Lights. So far, new lights have replaced the old since some were stolen and wiring systems destroyed, cutting short Mr Kitaka’s projection of having the city fully lit at night by end of this year. “By January 31st 2012, streets should be well lit,” he said. Upgrading Kampala’s drainage system is another project. Top on the agenda is de-silting the eight drainage channels in the city that gets clogged with waste and eroded soil. Eng. Kitaka says that placing culverts in channels directs water to appropriate waste disposal places, controling floods that ravage slums and wetlands of Kawempe and Bwaise. For three months starting December, KCC in agreement with Bisons Constructions Limited is repairing Nakivubo channel that claimed Brenda Omuntu, a Barclays employee and a boda boda cyclist in September 2011. 1 | 2 Next Page»Maintaining Nakasero, Buganda road and Lumumba Avenue is on-going and should be ready by June 2012. But Ugandans will have to wait much longer because of limited funds, despite these plans. “When I entered office, we had been allocated Shs45 billion for roads in Kampala. This included 15 billion from the roads fund and 30 billion from government. This is very little money compared to what people expect from us,” Mr Kasita who took office on November 1st 2011 points out. He adds: “Of the 30 billion from Central government, 17 billion had already been used and only 13 billion remained. Of the Shs13billion, Shs5.5 billion is allocated to drainage black spots leaving only Shs7.5 billion which is now channeled to road maintenance. “What people should know is that all this money allocated is for roads maintenance and not rehabilitation,” Mr Kasita points out, assuring that: “We are going to work with what is available to ensure that we give Kampala a better look.”The losers are people who will have to be relocated as UNRA curves out access roads to these routes. Constructing the second bridge on River Nile at Jinja - estimated to cost US$ 102 million - is yet to begin next financial year. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1297490/-/a4tu6j/-/index.html","content":"New Year should   bring us joy, hope - Today, the last day of 2011, could just be another day but this has been a year of mixed fortunes for Ugandans. At the end of 2010, Ugandans were still grieving over more than 70 people killed in twin bombings in Kampala. So, 2011 was supposed to have been a year of healing and hope, especially with parliamentary and presidential elections underway in the first quarter of the year. It was not to be. Elections brought along national acrimony characterised by demonstrations over high fuel and food prices, and high transport fares. Several people, in the process, died or got injured. Mother Nature added to our misery. A couple of landslides in Bugisu killed tens of Ugandans and displaced thousands. Then floods played havoc countrywide - from Rakai to Apac and from Hoima to Karamoja - destroying crops, animals and homesteads in their wake. With heavy rains came an ominous spate of lightning strikes. Twenty school children were killed in one incident and more than 100 were injured in Masindi District. In all, more than 40 school children died from lightning strikes countrywide. Many Ugandans would have lived with that, but the economy has not been the best of friends. External and domestic shocks led to a spiraling Shilling against most foreign currencies, inflation hit a record high in October at over 30 per cent and the exchange rate against the US dollar hit a new record at almost Shs2,950 to the dollar. Fuel pump prices have stayed up as have most consumer commodity prices and school fees. In government circles, the story has been unforgiving. The leadership is struggling to keep a face up against a tide of corruption accusations. Three ministers stepped aside to allow investigations, one minister resigned over allegations of theft, two others are still embroiled in a fight to keep their political offices over allegations of taking bribes in an oil deal. Ugandans though are a resilient people. None of these catastrophes have dampened their resolve to live on. We should look to that spirit of resilience to survive through 2012. Given what they went through in 2011 Ugandans will still survive 2012."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Markets/-/688606/1297750/-/sovujj/-/index.html","content":"Potholes, accidents still rule roads - Ugandans will have to wait longer before bidding farewell to potholes as industry players battle challenges to beat their targets. The roads sub-sector which has bagged a large chunk of the national purse over the last three years is marred by a trail of problems that have among others seen road carnage increase. Uganda's potholed roads make driving a tiring experience, and contribute to the poor flow of traffic especially within, and around, the Kampala city area. The roads sub-sector, funded by donors and the national road fund, amassed Shs1.219 billion in 2011/2012 and needs another Shs5.5 billion to fix pot-holes according to the transport ministry. By estimate, road accidents in Uganda cost 2.7 per cent (approximately Shs885bn) of Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product in terms of lives and property lost. Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) Spokesperson Dan Alinange says that over a half of the total kilometres of roads-designated for construction and repair-are complete or on-going. “64 per cent of the 20,000Km of roads are under-way or complete while the 36 per cent accounts for those affected by floods needing repair.” But lawmakers on the watchdog Public Accounts Committee (Pac) rated the roads sub-sector as ‘worst performing’ this year. Mr Karuhanga Kafureeka Gerald, a member of the Pac committee said: “The roads and transport sector is poorly managed...the transport ministry is the worst performing ministry in Uganda. They are always given billions of money to work on roads but unfortunately Uganda has the worst roads in the entire East Africa.” Mr Kafureeka adds that Pac will thoroughly audit the sector next year to derive the tax payer’s value for money. But Mr Alinange refuted this, claiming the sector sets high targets which other sectors hardly do. “This sector (roads) usually sets high standards to improve every year yet other sectors set low ones that they can easily achieve so they are judged as meeting targets.” Mr Alinange who declined to name any sector urges government to fix the system saying: “Urgent measures need to be taken by the executive arm of government to save the country from incompetent and inefficient managers.” In 2008/2009, government funded UNRA, the body that oversees works on roads, to the tune of Sh1.1 trillion. Development partners – European Union and African Development Bank are now on board. So far, 1000Km of roads have been constructed in the past three years, with some old ones getting a facelift. Problems A myriad of challenges stand in the way. High cost of construction materials, some of which are imported, inadequate physical planning leading to high compensation costs for displaced people, complex designs, delayed project implementation as well as lengthy and costly procurement systems. Some roads damaged by heavy downpours, slashing Shs45 billion – an amount that is not part of the funds given for road repairs. This not only stagnated business but also left travellers stranded on the Kotido-Moroto road that was submerged at Lopeyi swamp. Kampala City roadsEngineer Andrew Kitaka, the Director engineering and technical Services at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), is optimistic to turn around Kampala. “What I can tell you is that we have inherited a lot of problems from the past authorities. We are now working on ending them,” Mr Kitaka said. A total of Shs7.8 billion has been allocated towards rehabilitatng Nakivubo drainage channel, said KCCA Executive Director. KCCA has contracted Omega Construction and Prime contractors to handle major rehabilitation at Shs5.5 billion while Bison (U) Ltd will help with routine maintenance at Shs2.3 billion. City roads projects underwayBy mid-2012, KCCA’s focus will be on Roads Maintenance, Drainage systems and Lights. So far, new lights have replaced the old since some were stolen and wiring systems destroyed, cutting short Mr Kitaka’s projection of having the city fully lit at night by end of this year. “By January 31st 2012, streets should be well lit,” he said. Upgrading Kampala’s drainage system is another project. Top on the agenda is de-silting the eight drainage channels in the city that gets clogged with waste and eroded soil. Eng. Kitaka says that placing culverts in channels directs water to appropriate waste disposal places, controling floods that ravage slums and wetlands of Kawempe and Bwaise. For three months starting December, KCC in agreement with Bisons Constructions Limited is repairing Nakivubo channel that claimed Brenda Omuntu, a Barclays employee and a boda boda cyclist in September 2011. 1 | 2 Next Page»Maintaining Nakasero, Buganda road and Lumumba Avenue is on-going and should be ready by June 2012. But Ugandans will have to wait much longer because of limited funds, despite these plans. “When I entered office, we had been allocated Shs45 billion for roads in Kampala. This included 15 billion from the roads fund and 30 billion from government. This is very little money compared to what people expect from us,” Mr Kasita who took office on November 1st 2011 points out. He adds: “Of the 30 billion from Central government, 17 billion had already been used and only 13 billion remained. Of the Shs13billion, Shs5.5 billion is allocated to drainage black spots leaving only Shs7.5 billion which is now channeled to road maintenance. “What people should know is that all this money allocated is for roads maintenance and not rehabilitation,” Mr Kasita points out, assuring that: “We are going to work with what is available to ensure that we give Kampala a better look.” The losers are people who will have to be relocated as UNRA curves out access roads to these routes. Constructing the second bridge on River Nile at Jinja - estimated to cost US$ 102 million - is yet to begin next financial year. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1295534/-/12nqjjjz/-/index.html","content":"Is littering not a crime in this dirty country? - In Maryland, USA, I stopped my car in a forest park and started cleaning it with a wet cloth. Minutes later a police officer came by and politely asked me to go and do the cleaning at a car washing bay. Forest Parks were reserved for amusement and relaxation, he explained. In many developed countries the world over, anyone who throws litter around is, if caught in the act, fined on the spot or arrested and prosecuted by the authorities. Yet here in Uganda, passengers freely throw plastic water bottles, polythene bags and all kinds of litter through car windows onto the roads even in the presence of traffic police. Human waste wrapped in polythene bags is a common sight among slum dwellers and people who live near the highways. Local Council officials and other responsible citizens merely look away when such waste is being thrown about. Just below the railway line at Nalukolongo behind Sembule Steel Mills runs a water channel which is so filthy that I feel like throwing up whenever I drive past it. Yet, I am told Mr Ken Lukyamuzi, MP for Rubaga South, leader of the Conservative Party and Shadow Minister for Environment, lives near that area. In any case, the stream is in his constituency. Flowing from Ndeeba, the stream has become a repository for garbage, polythene bags, plastic bottles, cardboards, rotting vegetables, household and industrial waste, all of which combine to form a pungent aroma that, aided by the winds, permeates the villages in the area. The situation is aggravated by the floods that are now a common feature throughout Kampala. Some cleaning of the stream was done towards the last elections, and the potholes that are a hallmark of all roads in Rubaga were filled with superficial murram to give the impression that serious renovation work was at hand. During his short-lived chairmanship of LC 3 in the same area, Pastor Peter Ssematimba had on his part created the same impression. He opened his campaign by moving heavy construction machinery into the area and convincing President Museveni to accompany him to confirm to the voters that bigger things were to come if he was elected. Yet nothing happened. The last election saw the second coming of ‘environmentalist’ Lukyamuzi as MP for the area. Despite his many portfolios, Lukyamuzi too has not yet brought any visible development to the area, and since the seat was previously held by his daughter, the voters are regretting why they allowed a family that delivers ‘air’ to continue representing them. The chief executive of Sembule Steel Mills is not a resident. He lives in Kampala’s posh residential area of Kololo from where he drives to Nalukolongo. He might therefore not be aware of the filth that floats behind his factory which, I must admit, is internally pretty clean. Elsewhere, the drainage along the so-called ‘Nasaasira’ stretch between Namasuba and Zana’s on Entebbe Road is among the most abused in the area. Plastic bottles, polythene bags and all types of litter block the drainage on both sides of the road in this swampy area, yet nobody seems to care. And just beyond Zana’s towards Entebbe stands an imposing multi-storey building known as ‘Muguluma’s Empire’. I am not sure whether the ‘empire’ is made up of only the building, but between that building and the turning to Lubowa Estate, a small valley rapidly develops into a little lake whenever it rains. Vehicles to and from Entebbe have often been held up for hours at the spot by the cascading rainwater from Bunamwaya and the surrounding hills, but the responsible authorities seem not to be concerned. Since the ruling party manages by crisis rather than vice-versa, they are probably waiting until the presidential convoy and other vehicles are washed away to take action. If we are to improve our environment and the health of our people, it is high time we started punishing people for littering by introducing on the spot fines or arresting and prosecuting them. The measure should be enforced in both urban and rural areas. Mr Kiwanuka is a journalist and retired Foreign Service Officer. jkiwanuka700@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/-/688612/1295744/-/8s9emfz/-/index.html","content":"BIG NEWS AND INNOVATIONS - Social media and InternetThe increasingly mobile and socially networked world of technology became more intertwined than ever with politics and the law. History books will record 2011 as the year social media mobilised grass root efforts around the world particularly the Middle East to challenge the status quo and take to the streets in protest. The power of social media to organise and influence probably is the top tech story of the year. Nonetheless read on to see some of the biggest 2011 stories in technology. TabletsOn March 2, the late Steve Jobs unveiled the newest version of the company’s iPad tablet, the iPad 2. He had personally unveiled the iPad in January 2010, calling it a “magical and revolutionary product.” “The iPad 2 moves the bar far ahead of the competition and will likely cause them to go back to the drawing boards yet again,” Jobs said in a statement. The iPad has cumulatively sold roughly over 25 million pieces to date. In the same breath 2011 saw many other companies coming out with their own tablet models. Canada based RIM unveiled the first version of its BlackBerry PlayBook in September though they haven’t lived up to expected sales. After seeing the iPad 2, Samsung had to retool their Galaxy Tab 10.1 aesthetically to compete favourably. Tech courtroom battlesApple’s lawsuit against Samsung, launched in the US in April and eventually involving courtroom battles in Germany, France, Australia and elsewhere, focused on a patent for list-scrolling software and three smartphone and tablet design patents. The real threat to Apple, however, is not only Samsung but Google’s Android. While Samsung, which sells Android devices, became the world’s biggest Smartphone vendor in 2011, Android’s market share surpassed 50 per cent, comprising 60 million devices from multiple manufacturers making it a target. Microsoft, also gunning for Android, signed a deal with Samsung in September that grants it royalties from Samsung’s Android-based smart phones and tablets. Meanwhile, Google hopes to strengthen its patent arsenal by acquiring Motorola’s mobile division. With smart phones and tablet sales skyrocketing, the stakes are enormous and Android related legal battles will likely be fought for years to come. Nature’s wrath on techThe March 11 earthquake in Japan, the biggest in its history, took its toll on the country’s electronics industry. The earthquake constrained the supply of raw materials and components such as Nand flash memory, microcontrollers and LCD parts. Prices soared after the earthquake and subsequent tsunami, which damaged facilities belonging to Sony, Fujitsu, Texas Instruments and other companies. Floods in Thailand in the second half of the year made it a one-two punch for the PC and component markets. Steve Jobs’ deathThough it’s too soon for history to judge the role Jobs played in shaping technology, the outpouring of tributes around the world when the late 56-year-old Apple co-founder died on October 5 was a testament to his iconic status. When at Apple, he led the company to redefine the music industry with the iPod and iTunes, the phone market with the iPhone, and the personal computer market yet again with the iPad. Jobs’ triumphant return was capped in August when Apple overtook, at least for some time, Exxon Mobil as the most valuable company on the planet in terms of market capitalisation. Though a difficult and even dictatorial leader by many accounts, no one denied Jobs’ passion and singular position at the crossroads of technology and culture. Mobile MoneyBack home, in 2011 we saw a dramatic growth in use of mobile money and payment products. Several key players particularly the Telecoms (excluding Orange) and service/utility providers already provide or are rolling out mobile payments and interest among consumers in utilising mobile payments is growing, in line with all the stakeholders’ readiness to deploy them. The few speed bumps MTN mobile money has been experiencing in the last few months has not dissuaded many users of the system. A number of people with a mobile phone now have a mobile money account where they can send and receive money through an authorised mobile money agent which means you can transfer money from one user to another and can pay bills such as power, water, DSTV etc. Many people are also using this as a preferred way to make and receive payments for things like tickets to a show. Value addition services like Yo! Payments, a platform that allows you to pay for stuff online using your mobile money account are also cropping up, a demonstration of the system’s practicality and enormous potential. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1294140/-/bfkse3z/-/index.html","content":"KCCA allocates Shs8 billion to rebuild, desilt Nakivubo channel - Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has allocated at least Shs7.8 billion towards the rehabilitation of Nakivubo drainage channel, the executive director announced yesterday. Addressing a press conference, Ms Jennifer Musisi said the authority has identified three competitive companies to rehabilitate, widen the drainage black spots and de-silt the nine-kilometre long channel. “Our intention here is to avoid excessive flooding as it has been in the past rainy season. Each contractor has been assigned a duty including fencing of the channel and widening drainage junctions where storm water normally floods,” Ms Musisi said. She said KCCA has contracted Omega Construction and Prime contractors to handle the major rehabilitation at Shs5.5 billion while Bison (U) Ltd will help with routine maintenance at Shs2.3 billion. The contracts will be signed next week and work will commence next month. According to KCCA, Nakivubo Channel Rehabilitation Project, which includes deepening and widening parts of the main storm water drainage channel will help to accommodate enough storm flow. The head of KCCA engineers, Mr Andrew Kitaka, said to minimise flooding during channel construction, the contract documents will include restrictions on construction during the rainy season and the use of diversionary works. The water flow has tremendously reduced due to constant garbage dumping into the channel. Unfortunately, Bugolobi wetland in Makindye Division is part of the large water catchment area that filters Nakivubo channel to connect Lake Victoria at Luzira but has been sold off irregularly. The Nakivubo channel cuts right across the city and empties into a level terminal wetland. The project, for the reconstruction of the channel, was carried out amid protests from environmentalists. They complained that it would instead lead to the pollution of Lake Victoria. They reasoned that the channel would transport waste straight into the lake. CHANNEL TIT-BITS The Nakivubo Channel is a major open drainage channel that runs through the centre of Kampala, in a general north-south direction. The channel, with an overall length of about 9km, drains approximately 95 per cent of the water from the developed central area of the city into the swamps at the entrance to Lake Victoria. 1 | 2 Next Page»Specifics: The channel is trapezoidal in cross section and its widest point has a bottom width of 4 metres, with a maximum depth of 3 metres. The auxiliary drains are close to the Nakivubo Channel or its tributaries. Financing: The project was financed by a $22.38m equivalent credit from the International Development Association, the World Bank’s lending arm for the poorest countries., in 1999. The then KCC co-financed the project with $2.54m.rmwanje@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1291988/-/bfmoy6z/-/index.html","content":"Government warned of more disasters - Ugandans will continue facing disasters if government fails to significantly invest in an early warning weather system which can forecast grim weather patterns for quick preparations, Norwegian Foreign Affairs minister Ingrid Fiskaa has warned. Ms Fiskaa said early warning systems are vital in disaster risk management since they enable line ministries to urgently prepare for the forecast natural calamities. “It’s also vital to integrate planning for natural disasters in all ministries so that risks are managed,” Ms Fiskaa told Dr Stephen Mallinga, the minister for Disaster Preparedness, at the weekend in Kampala. Public educationShe also asked the government to educate the public on different weather patterns and related disasters to reduce adverse effects normally caused by calamities such as floods, landslides and famine. Ms Fiskaa and a team of Norwegian government officials are in the country to study how fishermen in Kalangala Island are coping with weather changes. In their Kalangala visit, she said they will meet four fishing communities to test a new SMS technology designed as an equally warning system to forecast when it is safe to fish and when fishermen should avoid the activity . In the meeting, Dr Mallinga admitted that his ministry does not plan for disasters in time due to lack of updated information from the weather department. “The ministry greatly depends on the meteorology department, which plays a very big role in forecasting rains, drought and other natural calamities. But unfortunately, the department is not strong enough to give us accurate information,” said Dr Mallinga, adding that the department needs to be strengthened. According to him, the ministry would be capable of minimising risks if it was getting timely and accurate information.At least each year, Uganda experiences mishaps which normally lead to loss of lives and property as a result of abrupt weather changes. jmiti@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/1291634/-/11lmgy2/-/index.html","content":"Philippines ups typhoon rescue - Tropical Storm Washi blew away yesterday after devastating a wide swath of the southern Philippines with flash floods that killed at least 652 people as they slept and turned two coastal cities into a muddy wasteland filled with overturned cars and uprooted trees. With more than 800 people missing, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and top military officials were to fly to the worst-hit city of Cagayan de Oro to help oversee search-and-rescue efforts and deal with thousands of displaced villagers, as the weather began to clear and floodwaters receded. Among the items urgently needed are coffins and body bags, said Benito Ramos, who heads the State disaster-response agency.“It’s overwhelming. We didn’t expect these many dead,” Ramos said. Edmund Rubio, a 44-year-old engineer, said he, his wife and two children scrambled to the second floor of their house in Iligan city as raging floodwaters engulfed the first floor, destroying his TV set and other appliances and washing away his car and motorcycle. Amid the panic, he heard a loud pounding on his door as his neighbors living in nearby one-story houses pleaded with him to allow them into one of his second-floor rooms. He said he brought 30 of his neighbours into the safety of the second floor of his house, which later shook when a huge, floating log slammed into it. “It’s the most important thing, that all of us will still be together this Christmas,” Rubio told The Associated Press. “There was a nearby shantytown that was smashed by water. I’m afraid many people there may not have been as lucky as us.” Army officers reported unidentified bodies piled up in morgues in Cagayan de Oro, where electricity was restored in some areas, although the city of more than 500,000 people remained without tap water. Rising death tollPhilippine Red Cross Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang told the AP that at least 521 people had died in the floods, mostly children and women, and that 458 others were reported missing [not latest figure-ED].The death toll will most likely rise because many villages remain isolated and unreached by overwhelmed disaster-response personnel. The worst-hit cities were Cagayan de Oro, where at least 239 people died, and nearby Iligan, where Red Cross aid workers reported 195 dead, Pang said. “Our fear is there may have been whole families that perished so there’s nobody to report what happened,” Pang said. “Many areas remain isolated and strewn with debris and unreached by rescue teams.”Tropical Storm Washi started to blow away toward the South China Sea yesterday after slamming into the western province of Palawan, allowing the weather to clear and disaster-response contingents to intensify search-and-rescue work. Both Iligan, a bustling industrial centre about 780 kilometre southeast of Manila, and Cagayan de Oro were filled with scenes of destruction and desperation. The region is unaccustomed to the typhoons that are common in north Philippine archipelago. Television footage showed muddy water rushing in the streets, sweeping away all sorts of debris. Thick layers of mud coated the streets. One car was thrown over a concrete fence and others were crushed and piled atop each other in a flooded canal."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/1288854/-/1hvnj0z/-/index.html","content":"FARMER'S DIARY: Commitment needed for climate change - I have received over 60 e-mails from a number of persons that attended the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (CoP 17), which ended on Friday, December 9, 2011, in Durban, South Africa. If I do not share the content of some e-mails, their commendable efforts will have been in vain. This important meeting discussed an issue that is bound to affect Africa the most but about which its citizens can do little on their own to offset. Yet not even is Africa to be held accountable for its cause! According to a publication from Panos, Just a Lot of Hot Air?, climate change, or global warming, was caused by the industrialised countries’ massive combustion of fossil fuels—coal, oil and gas—in their industries, which emitted enormous quantities of greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide—into the atmosphere. The concentrations of these gases have risen much faster than natural processes can remove them. (One such natural process is that plants take in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen. But now there is far more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than the available plants can take in.) “Carbon dioxide is critical for maintaining the temperature in which life flourishes,” the book says. “Released into the atmosphere, carbon dioxide remains there for around 100 years, causing the atmosphere to retain more of the infrared heat radiated from the earth’s surface, thus leading to a gradual rise in temperature.” Methane and nitrous oxide are smaller in volume but they are even more potent. Make agriculture difficultAll this has resulted in the world heating up faster—temperatures are rising more quickly now and are feared to rise by two degrees Celsius soon if emission of greenhouse gases is not checked. In some parts of the world, like in Africa, the rise in temperature and reduced water supplies will make agriculture difficult. The ice in the Arctic zone is said to be gradually melting and sending more water into the oceans thus threatening many island states with submersion and extinction. It is also feared that low-lying countries like Egypt are at risk. We are bound to experience abnormal weather patterns like severe droughts and floods—these are no catalysts for successful farming. So, most of the deliberations in Durban were about persuading the industrialised countries to reduce their use of fossil fuels, and to provide funding for efforts to mitigate climate change in the disadvantaged countries. Trouble is that most of the industrialised countries fear that reducing the use of fossil fuels in their industries will cripple their economies. Some scientists in these countries have disputed the existence of climate change and have called it a great hoax. There is also the argument that the developing countries themselves are oil producers or importers and are emitting the same greenhouse gases into the atmosphere as well as destroying forests that would serve to absorb the gases. Bishop Geoff Davies, representing Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute, told the Durban conference that the rich countries’ behaviour is comparable with apartheid. “Here, we are on South African soil where apartheid was defeated. Yet we are seeing global apartheid. Rich countries are keeping wealth and power for themselves. It is immoral for nations to say they will go on emitting dangerous gases. Scientists say that African temperatures will increase twice the global average. We worship a creator God and we are in the process of destroying that creation.” Speaking on behalf of all African countries, Mr Tosi Mpanu Mpanu of DR Congo told the conference, “We are talking to the developed countries about how they can meet their historical responsibilities to deliver a fair and just climate deal for the world.” Lack of commitmentKofi Annan, former UN Secretary General, called for developed countries to deliver on their commitment to mobilise US$100 billion by 2020 for the Green Climate Fund and clarify where the money will be sourced and how it will be accessed. It is too early to believe that anything substantial will come out of that Durban conference because we have seen so many such conferences before about climate change whose commitments have not been respected. The first World Climate Change Conference took place in 1979. Then there was the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Rio de Janeiro, in I992. There were others including the Kyoto Protocol and, more recently, the Cancun or Copenhagen Climate Change Conferences. It is still the same story: a lack of commitment on the part of rich nations towards the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. ssalimichaelj@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1286500/-/bg5ulrz/-/index.html","content":"Mutagamba asks Climate Change meet to check deforestation - Durban, South Africa The Minister for Water and Environment, Ms Maria Mutagamba, has called on member states at the United Nations Climate Change talks to design an agreement that can stop deforestation and degradation contrary to the current agreement which only calls for reduction of emissions through carbon trading. Minister’s takeMs Mutagamba said the solutions to deforestation should also look at the drivers of deforestation which include poverty, population explosion and lack of alternative livelihoods for affected communities. “While efforts are being made towards the implementation of Reduction in Emissions through Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) an agreement should be designed to stop deforestation and degradation not simply reduce or defer emissions,” Ms Mutagamba told the delegates in a six-minute speech presented yesterday at the high-level segment of the UN meeting which commenced last week. She also highlighted floods, crop failure and health vulnerability as some of the major effects of climate change on the Ugandan population, calling for faster action on capacity building for Climate Change mitigation and adaptation and operationalisation of the Green Climate Fund. flanyero@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1284844/-/bg76s3z/-/index.html","content":"Slow action on climate change threatens health  - Any delays to mitigate climate change will have adverse effects on human health, reversing global and national gains made in health, experts have warned. A World Health Organisation health in the green economy series to be launched today at the COP 17 aims at finding synergies between climate change and health and urge the parties to come to mitigation agreements as soon as possible. It also found that non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, strokes, injuries, asthma and other respiratory diseases can be reduced through mitigation measures by limiting exposure to extreme heat and cold conditions. Although the president of the conference of parties, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, said the Durban Climate Change talks have made good progress, a concrete policy on climate change mitigation and adaptation has not been reached with issues of finance still at a deadlock. Some major green housegas emitters such as Japan, Russia and Canada openly rejected a second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol. Health experts led by the World Federation of the Public Health Association, warn that with increases in temperatures, changes in precipitation and sea levels, extreme weather events will lead to substantially increased death and disease with Africa hit hardest if parties do not act now. Third world most hit“Without bold action by governments, climate change will magnify existing health crises, deepening and broadening the global burden of disease. The greatest burden will fall on those living in poor countries,” Mr Peter Orris, the environment chairperson at the World Federation of Public Health Associations, said. The commissioner for health, Ms Julian Kyomuhangi, said health does not exist in any mitigation or adaptation climate change negotiations. “I want to see health in adaptation and mitigation, put as a central justification for shared vision because the impact of health cuts across all issues, we have floods, landslides, rising temperatures and all these cannot be separated from health,” Ms Kyomuhangi told the Ugandan delegation. Already many areas are facing diseases such as malaria in Kasese district. The Minister for Water and Environment, Ms Maria Mutagamba, who arrived at the talks at the weekend, urged at least 90 members of the delegation to champion issues raised at the COP and also come up with second plans in case negotiations do not go as planned. “Before climate change issues were only lefty to members of the Ministry of Water and Environment, this time we have members from all sectors, we want more people who understand climate change and champion all aspects and also come up with plan B,” Ms Mutagamba said. flanyero@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1279632/-/10viej1/-/index.html","content":"Health ministry should consider solar power rather than generators - It was reported in the press this week that the government plans to use diesel generators to supply electricity to hospitals as a solution to the current electricity shortage in the country. However, this is not sustainable because fuel prices fluctuate, fuel is insufficient, and it pollutes the environment. With every hospital expected to spend Shs21m, the government should consider using solar power as a cheaper option. This requires solar panels, inverter systems, batteries and control systems for converting solar irradiation to electricity and these are readily available in the country. In fact, Shs21m per month could translate into over Shs252m annually for each hospital. This amount could be used to purchase a solar system of 15KW depending on the requirements. Solar energy could be used to power emergency departments of hospitals should initial capital costs of the solar systems be high. Some of the power would be used for pumping water, meaning solar panels may be used without batteries which cost about 30 per cent of the entire system. Solar pumps are available in the market at competitive prices and could be considered for this specific application. In addition, the water could be pumped during the day when solar is abundant (which is over five hours a day in the case of Uganda). Besides, the carbon emission could be sold as carbon credits and the funds realised used for maintaining the system, or buying drugs. Using diesel generators is the main reason we are experiencing darkness today. The government should desist from focusing on hydropower and consider diversifying power sources. Unlike hydropower, which is affected by either floods or drought, solar energy is abundant in Uganda. Use of solar energy could guarantee energy security and ensure independence of our hospitals. It would also relieve Umeme from pressure arising from increasing electricity demand. The governments of Kenya and Rwanda have already embarked on diversifying their energy generation mix. They are now focusing on renewable energy sources such as geothermal, wind and solar to curb fossil fuel use. Therefore, given the high cost, it is evident that using diesel generators is not the way forward for Uganda. Richard Okou, Lecturer, Makerere University richoko@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1279648/-/bgpancz/-/index.html","content":"Floods wash away crops, leave 300 families homeless in Nakapiripirit - At least 300 families in Namalu Sub-county in Nakapiripirit District have been displaced and crops destroyed following torrential rainfall that left the area flooded on Thursday. The worst hit areas are Nakiloro village in Lokatapan Parish and Kokuwam and loperot parishes in Namalu Sub-county. An estimated 50 hectares of cassava gardens, green grams, potatoes and peas in Namalu Sub-county were totally destroyed by floods.Ms Lucy Nakut of Morugajore village said seven hectares of her cassava gardens in Okudud village were totally destroyed and her hut and chicken were washed away by water torrents. Ms Nakut has relocated with her three children to Namalu Trading Centre. Mr Mark Logiroi, another victim, said he has always had plenty of food and never been a beggar but the floods, he said, will force him to begin begging. “What I had harvested and stored in my granary and what I was expecting to harvest have been destroyed and I don’t know where to start from,” he said. Mr Simon Lemukol, the LC3 chairperson of Namalu Sub-county, described the aftermath of the floods in the area as a total loss to the families of Namalu. He said residents of Namalu have never experience such floods. “We used to have heavy rains and floods but not of this kind, which hits for a single day and displaces a big number of people like this,” Mr Lemukol said. He appealed to government for relief material to the affected families, and urged that the families should be supported to embark on fresh farming if they are to cope with the Thursday loss. Former Nakapiripirit chairperson John Nangiro appealed to government to provide food and planting materials to help the affected families to cope. He said transport in the area has also been affected by the floods since calvats have been washed away. Two months ago, torrential rains that battered eastern Uganda for days left Bulambuli, Kween, Kapchorwa, Butaleja, Bukedea and Amuria districts submerged, with the residents counting the cost and relying on relief. The floods also ravaged road network linking Sironko, Bulambuli, Nakapiripirit, Moroto, Kotido districts. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1278688/-/bgpyuyz/-/index.html","content":"Floods displace residents - Disaster officials in Ngenge Sub-county in Sebei Sub-region have called for emergency relief to the area following the heavy floods that have displaced thousands of residents. According to a survey carried out by district authorities in Kween District, about 5,000 residents living in the Ngenge plains, southwest of Sebei region, have been displaced by water-logging and floods since the beginning of this year. Kween RDC John Kabarole said most of the community roads in the area have also been rendered impassable, which has hampered delivery of relief aid, adding that there is urgency for relocation of the affected people."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1278612/-/12owin1z/-/index.html","content":"Without healthy farms, Africa’s forecast is hunger - A wise man once said, a hungry man is an angry man. The same goes for the farmer who cannot feed herself. If African countries don’t want to see this proverb become reality, they must honour their commitments to invest more in the future of agriculture—to make farms more productive and sustainable, and protecting farmers from the risks of climate change and extreme weather. Farming is the life’s blood of more than half a billion people on the African continent, and climate change will have significant impact on African agriculture. Rising temperatures and an increase in droughts and floods could dramatically alter growing seasons and wreak havoc on harvests. The rate of crop failure—already one-in-four in much of eastern Africa—will increase in all areas except Central Africa, according to research by the Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research (CGIAR). Because of climate change, rain-fed crops could fail every other year in much of southern Africa. In the past, African farmers have shown a remarkable capacity to adapt to changes in climate. But the temperature increases of four degrees or more predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) could push millions of farmers beyond their ability to adapt. And it is unlikely that negotiations at the global climate talks opening in Durban on November 28 will produce an agreement to limit global warming to two degrees or lower. As such, Africans must realise that we cannot expect the world to create a climate solution for us. We must embark on our own path towards climate security. And that starts with ensuring our own food security. Many options that are already available that could help farmers adapt to warming, but they require us to build our institutions and the infrastructure that can improve our crops and protect our farmers. Farm transformation programmes in countries like Rwanda, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Malawi, which are boosting yields that were once some of the lowest in the world, are the first line of defence for African farmers in the fight against climate change. While a drought-induced food crisis affects millions in the Horn of Africa, there are some rays of hope in that region. Innovative crop and livestock insurance programmes have begun issuing payouts to farmers who purchased micro-insurance to protect their livestock and crops against drought. These programmes use solar-powered weather stations and satellite data to monitor conditions and issue payouts automatically when crops and grazing lands have deteriorated beyond a certain point. These climate-risk insurance schemes are an example of market-based innovations that could gain much wider currency in Africa. In southern Africa, hundreds of thousands of farmers are practicing conservation agriculture that will help them adapt to climate change. Since the approach involves reduced or no tillage, farmers are able to keep more moisture, fertility and organic content in the soil. This climate-smart approach also lowers greenhouse gas emissions through reduced use of machinery and chemical fertilizers and by storing more carbon in the soil. In the Sahel, scientists have become increasingly adept at predicting conditions such as higher-than-average temperatures or prolonged drought during a growing season. But African governments need to improve agricultural extension services so that forecasts and other valuable, timely information reaches farmers in time to help them make better decisions in the field. In Zimbabwe, for example, a study found that crop yields increased by 19 per cent for farmers who used seasonal forecasts to guide growing decisions. A recent survey by the CGIAR research programme for Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) found that climate variability and unpredictability--such as earlier rains, less overall rainfall and more frequent drought and flooding, had led 80 per cent of the households in one region of Kenya to report changes in their farming practices. Farmers are eager for solutions, and are willing and able to put them to work. African governments, the donor community and other development partners need to support farmers as they endeavour to boost their own resilience in the face of the growing climate threat. Investments in productivity should be complemented with approaches that reduce climate risk, cut emissions from farming and deforestation, and increase farmers’ access to climate information. Without healthy farms, the forecast is for hunger, and that is gloomy news indeed. Mr Campbell is the director of the CGIAR Research Programme on Climate Change, Agriculture, and Food Security"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/Davidsseppuuya/-/1268850/1276956/-/hf41mrz/-/index.html","content":"Subsidise small traders, not uncompetitive big business - The people are hurting. Across the geographical, economic, political, ethnic, and class divides, the people are hurting. Last week when business people on Kampala’s Nasser and Nkrumah roads vigorously protested the frequent power outages that have plagued the country, their grievances, if not their methods, were representative of the frustrations of tens of thousands of other Ugandans. In West Nile, a hub for cross-border business with key trade partners South Sudan and eastern Congo, the region has not had electricity for over three weeks. In Mbarara, local leaders formed a lobby, Electricity Drive Pressure Group, to get the authorities to supply energy more consistently. Darkness is said to have exacerbated crime in Masaka, while Entebbe Hospital turned away patients as its equipment could not function without power. The people are hurting. There is despair in offices, shops, hospitals, homes and factories as consumers brave load-shedding cycles that, in places, run for even an incredible 24 hours a day. There are basically two options available – use generators or shut down.For the small trader, like the one on Nasser and Nkrumah, that is a lose-lose situation. Shutting shop obviously means loss of business, while generators increase the costs so disproportionately that it, at the very least, wipes out profits or, at worst, engenders bankruptcy and closure of business. This is where the government needs to be sensitive and come in to assist its citizens. We do not know whether there is a slush fund for this kind of thing, but given that the government has in the past given billions of shillings to businesses like Tri Star, failed Chogm hotels, cement subsidies for the construction of a university, which then was sold on the open market (and URA sued for trying to recover some taxes thereof), and tax waivers to other jokers, the money must be there somewhere. There is a case for the government to be responsive to its people, and subsidise honest businesses that are struggling not for any fault of theirs, but because public service delivery is poor. There is, also, a case for saying subsidies should not be given to poorly managed big businesses – these should be left to die, and only viable ones supported. After all, in economies like ours, it is the small businesses that actually employ the most people and continually create jobs. Small businesses, being low capital operations, are especially vulnerable to inflationary tendencies and infrastructure breakdowns like blocked roads, fuel shortages, social chaos like riots, floods, broken bridges, power outages, and even rain. Some are one-man/woman businesses, while most will employ three, seven or 15 people, and so 1,000 of these bu-small enterprises will provide 10,000 jobs, much more than the 600 a steel factory will employ.Figures at the Uganda Bureau of Statistics show that of 13 million Ugandans in employment, eight million are in agriculture. Of the remaining five million, only 15 per cent are in the formal sector, with the other 85 per cent in the informal. Most of the aforesaid small businesses are in the informal sector (the one that does not keep books of accounts, pay taxes, make NSSF remittances, or follow labour statutes). Global economists estimate that the hidden economy could be up to 70 per cent of GDP in a developing country like Uganda.You may argue that why help ‘illegal’ economic activity. Well, the figures and sheer involvement of millions of citizens speaks for itself, while subsidies could also be used as a carrot to bring them into formal economy – after all the sticks often fail. Back to electricity supplies, well-placed, well-informed sources say the energy crisis need never have been, had the Saleh Report been adopted. That Report shows that the unit cost of power could be much lower than it is today. It is high because of over-invoicing. Electricity is subsidised for all. But why subsidise for even big capital businesses who, by virtue of size and financial turn-over, could (should) afford to pay a market-rate price for power? Why offer subsidies across the board? A sliding rule, or selective, subsidy in which, say, the big rich enterprises would pay the market fee, and the smaller, low capital businesses selectively given subsidies on their electricity consumption would be more economically manageable and socially palatable at the best of times when supply is constant. Now that we are at the worst of times, helping that Nasser Road printer, that Arua restaurant, that Mbarara clinic - with a fuel subsidy to run a generator would buoy the economy and keep a few thousand people happy. But only if the money is there. Subsidies are, of course, anti-competition in their generality and in a country like ours, it is very easy to slide down the slippery slope of patronage. But, heck, things are tight. The people need to be relieved of their hurt. dsseppuuya@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1276950/-/12oxttiz/-/index.html","content":"Makerere engineering students set to propel Uganda to industrialisation - Recently, Makerere University publicised the Kiira EV, a car made by students and researchers from the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT). The media has been awash with commentaries, some appreciating the good work while others are unappreciative. The college appreciates all the comments and would like to respond to some of the questions that have been raised by various commentators. It is true that the government of Uganda is supporting research at the university with Shs25 billion over a period of five years. This money is boosting technological education and innovation that will spur Uganda’s industrialisation. Makerere University greatly appreciates the government’s support to enable it transform the university into a research-based institution. World over, universities are homes of research, innovation and excellence and research benefits cannot be calculated like trade profits. So, to answer the question of whether the Kiira EV is what this country needs, I say yes. For any development to take place, there has to be a starting point and Makerere University is fostering industrialisation in this country. All the developed countries are where they are today because of industrialisation. China is rivalling America because of industrialisation. In the early 18th Century, British industries were generally small scale and relatively unsophisticated. Most textile production, for example, was centred on small workshops or in the homes of spinners, weavers and dyers: a literal ‘cottage industry’ that involved thousands of individual manufacturers. They, however, did not give up. This is how Germany, America and Japan started. Uganda may not capture the world motor market today, but we at Makerere University believe that this can be done tomorrow. The university is looking at starting a Centre of Excellence in Transportation technologies. We do believe that this country can and will develop with industrialisation. But this is something that Ugandans must support and promote. So, we cannot downplay its impact. The Kiira EV might not immediately improve the lives of Ugandans, but how about if Uganda starts mass production? The company would employ hundreds of Ugandans and the economy would grow and foreign exchange earnings will also increase. Besides striving for industrialisation in the country, the world is in a desperate search for clean energy solutions. It is this cause that Makerere University is contributing to. Anything to reduce fossil fuels must be promoted. Anything to take motorists away from petrol increases the chances of survival for humanity. The effect of pollution has been the increase in world temperatures, which has resulted in floods, landslides, heat waves and drought. East and western Uganda districts are losing people due to landslides. If the university can help reduce carbon-dioxide in the atmosphere, then we will stop at nothing to ensure that we save humanity.The College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology is engaged in research aimed at improving the value of our agricultural products. We support various clusters, including the Pineapple Cluster, Katwe Salt Cluster, Katwe Metal Fabrication Cluster and the Basketry Cluster. Some of these clusters export their products thereby increasing household incomes. The college has also made low-cost irrigation pump, which is cheap and user-friendly. This pump is being tested in Kabale and Soroti districts. All our research aim at boosting technology in the various sectors of the economy. The School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bio-Engineering has an incubation centre that produces cookies, biscuits, bottled water, simsim bites, and juices from various fruits. Makerere University will continue to partner with various organisations and government departments to enhance development in Uganda in accordance with our motto: ‘We Build For the Future’. Ms Kyakuwa is the communication officer, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology, Makerere University kbeti18@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1276542/-/bgreehz/-/index.html","content":"Rustling, climate change cause misery in Karamoja region - The hope of restoring food security in the semi-arid Karamoja sub-region still remains elusive in the face of renewed inter-tribal conflicts and the biting effect of climate change, more than eight years after government launched a forceful disarmament process in the area. The development now leaves government’s disarmament programme, which was expected to check the proliferation of small arms in Karamoja and usher in peace and stability, in a balance. Karamoja residents also say the disarmament process was not handled in a proper manner, adding that some communities were disarmed while others were not.They say those who were disarmed are now vulnerable to cattle rustling by the armed ones. However, the army dismisses the claims, saying the disarmament exercise was conducted in all Karimojong communities. Over two days ago, the Dodoth in Kaabong District reportedly raided Orengen village, stealing several cattle, chicken and destroying crops of the Jie people in Kotido District. This, the Jie say has become the norm after the government took away their weapons during the disarmament programme. The Jie say since the government took their weapons, they have become vulnerable to cattle rustling by the Dodoth whom they claim were not disarmed. But the 3rd Division spokesperson, Capt. Deo Akiki, says no community was exempted from the exercise. He said following the disarmament, some Dodoth have resorted to making local guns which they use to rustle cattle. He said cattle rustling has reduced in the sub-region, adding that in the few cases where cattle are rustled, the army has successfully recovered the stolen livestock and returned it to their owners. Many residents, whose livestock were rustled have resorted to farming. The government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs)have encouraged farming in the region, providing planting material and farm implements. However, farming in the region has been hindered by prolonged dry spells. When the rains came, it was heavy and caused floods that destroyed crops. “I had 100 head of cattle but now I have none, the Dodoth came and raided them. Now I do farming but the weather has not been favorable at all,” says Paul Loyo, a 70-year-old man. “Life has become very difficult and the weather is difficult to predict. We do not know when a season will end or start and when the rains come, they are very heavy and they destroy the crops. We have no guns. We cannot protect ourselves, government should disarm all communities,” Mr Loyo adds. MiseryMs Betty Pedo, a 40-year-old mother of 10 children, whose cattle were taken by rustlers, says: “We have been forced to change to farming because all the cows have been taken. They (NGOs) gave us beans, maize and onions to grow but the rains in the last season destroyed everything.” What is now worrying climate change experts is how the people can best be helped to adapt to the rising temperatures noting that the best practice in this arid region is pastoralism. Oxfam, a non government organisation working in Karamoja region to promote pastoralism says the copying mechanism in Kotido in particular has been undermined. Oxfam Resilience Manager Marten Mylius notes that land demarcation and introduction of the land tenure system is undermining the native pastoralism practice. “Our argument for the entire arid area is for pastoralism as the best copying mechanism for climate change. Livestock livelihoods is unique even if rainfall is erratic in this region compared to crops, ” Mr Mylius said, adding that people’s livelihood could be better if pastoralism were supported. Indeed, opinion leaders and elders argued that pastoralism is the main source of wealth in the region and supporting it would go a long away in improving the livelihood of the people.There are no government ventures in improving the health of cattle, transport systems, investing in laboratories for early livestock disease warning. A 2011 report by the Africa Climate Resilience Alliance (ACCRA) indicates that Kotido District has had a significant increase in minimum temperatures, decreasing trend in cool days and decreasing trend in total annual precipitation, (the quantity of water falling to earth at a specific place within a specified period of time). Since 1992 when the world first got alarmed by rising temperatures, the Uganda government has hardly streamlined the process of climate change mitigation and adaptation in its system and people continue to use rudimentary means like guesswork to cope with the changing climate. 1 | 2 Next Page»In the 2005 Conference of Parties, countries were urged to form National Adaptation Programmes on Climate Change, Uganda formed hers in 2007 but has never rolled it out for implementation due to lack of funds. With no articulate commitment so far by developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, Less developed countries have been advised to come up with adaptation mechanisms in terms of technology and best practices to mitigate effects of global warning. The Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Water Environment, Mr David Obong, says climate change requires a lot of resources for mitigation and adaptation and the ministry is facing shortage of funds although last month the government received a $40m Danish Government aid which will be used to pilot lessons for adaptation and mitigation in four districts. “Success of the pilot districts in climate change mitigation and adaptation will be very important to inform a policy on climate change which will be rolled out to the rest of the 108 districts,” Mr Obong said. This policy will mitigate impacts of drought, vectors and pests, land degradation as well as incorporate adaptations like community tree planting, water harvesting and sanitation. ACCRA now projects that the mean annual temperature for the country will increase by between 1.0 and 3.1 degrees by the 2060s and between 1.4 and 4.9 by the 2090s and a decrease in frequency of days and nights that are considered cold under current climatic conditions. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1275952/-/bgs0jxz/-/index.html","content":"Red Cross warns on weather changes - Kampala The International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) has cautioned governments to prepare their populations extreme weather events caused by climate change. The Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), an organisation established by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) to provide an update of knowledge on the scientific, technical and socio-economic aspects of climate change, on Friday released a report warning the world of increasing extreme weather, which could have a devastating impact on vulnerable communities. Alert efforts positive in Uganda“If we look at Thailand, which is currently battling devastating flooding, or the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu which is in the midst of a drought, there can be no doubt that governments need to better adapt and prepare for extreme weather,” said Bekele Geleta, secretary-general of IFRC in a statement. “The IPCC report is a stark reminder about the urgency of making communities more resilient to climate-related disasters,” added Geleta. The statement shows that years of investment in disaster risk reduction by the Uganda Red Cross have helped communities to be better prepared for the impacts of floods and landslides in 2011. mssebuyira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/BernardTabaire/-/878688/1275838/-/nehpij/-/index.html","content":"When unwashed masses come marching in, it won’t be pretty - In lashing out at corruption, directly or not, Ugandans are saying that the government has done much, no doubt, but that it is incapable of doing anything more that is meaningful. In believing the worst about Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi and ministers Sam Kutesa and Hilary Onek, Ugandans are showing dissatisfaction with their government and their lives today. Lest we forget, Ben Ali, Gaddafi, Mubarak were thrown out not because they had failed to fix roads in their capital cities and the countryside, but because they did all of that and yet the people wanted more: increased efficiency, ready jobs, virtually zero corruption, freedom. Ugandans would rather the government delivered on roads and schools and hospitals and security while at the same time continuing to secure rights and freedoms. This seems to be a point that the handful of Ugandan “useful idiots” who idolise Kagame’s Rwanda in the regional media miss. People ultimately want to feel they are treated with respect – that they can think for themselves – by their leaders and not lectured to all the time. Which is why my “bestest” African country is not Rwanda but Ghana although I think it is intellectually lazy to sing Accra’s praises week in week out. At least not after those floods I saw recently in Accra or the wasteland that is the Tarkwa-Prestea area of the western region thanks to gold mining. See, even Ghana has a dark side. Apparently not so, Rwanda. Only if Kigali demonstrates it can hand over power peacefully from the party in power to the opposition and vice versa while at the same time continuing on the path of freedom and development with almost no corruption will I join the band of praise-singers. Digression aside. Uganda is a country of half measures – a bit of this and a bit of that. Idi Amin was not a man of half measures. When Mr Museveni went to the bush, that was not an exercise in half measures. It was an exercise in ultimate sacrifice. He could have lost his life. Many indeed were shot dead on the battlefront. Survivors went on to capture power. Once in government they did many good things at the start. Then slowly they lost their way. Their living in denial does not change the fact. They brought peace, although it took 20 years before it could be savoured countrywide. They got the economy moving again, only that now they are stymied by the ongoing uncertainties. They battled HIV/Aids and posted impressive results, only that they have gotten complacent. Uganda is even no longer mentioned as a trendsetter in fighting the virus. If mentioned at all, it is in the past tense. It is the sort of complacency that now pervades the entire government, with the exceptions being too few to be meaningful. And, at long last, Ugandans are paying attention. It has taken time, but to many the connection between corruption and appalling service delivery, between fat cats living luxuriously and generalised poverty, between autocracy and restricted freedoms is becoming clearer. Some surveys have shown that Ugandans are generally blasé about so many ills in our society, corruption being one. The argument goes that if a poor Ugandan got a chance, he or she would steal public money as well. That may be correct. Thing is, the vast majority of us are slowly learning to our chagrin that we will wait all our lives without ever getting the chance to steal from Gavi or Chogm or Global Fund. The government is just not changing fast enough, or at all. Better then that we demand improved service. If better service came, we would get something out of that arrangement even as we keep hope alive for the day we get to peddle influence to scam the state. It is this jarring reality that has this year, thanks also to the acute economic hardships, forced many Ugandans to shed their fear and demand better. It is also a realisation that politicians are not to be trusted. They voted them in only in February and immediately after that life became worse with the rising cost of living. They noticed that the government has long become unimaginative and uninspired. They took to the streets – teachers, lecturers, traders, wananchi. It is not time for those in government to run and hide (and that would not be a bad thing), but it is definitely time to sit up and listen. The unwashed of Uganda are coming. Mr Tabaire is a media consultant with the African Centre for Media Excellence. bentab@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1274370/-/12p0d4tz/-/index.html","content":"Kampala City should emulate Nairobi’s orderly development - Last month, my wife and I spent a week in Nairobi visiting family members, taking in the beauty of the city, plus ‘medical tourism’. Nairobi is a city of my youth, I went to university there from 1967 -70. It was and still is the most cosmopolitan city in East Africa. I used to joke with my friends in Makerere and Dar-es-Salaam that while some of us were studying in a real city, they were stuck in small towns. Since I left university, I have gone back to Nairobi countless times. The city has continued to grow in an orderly and planned manner, almost non-stop. A break of a couple of years from going there will surprise you; as old sleepy neighbourhoods you knew are turned into new suburbs complete with skyscrapers, highways, shopping centres, schools, hospitals, etc., all laid out neatly with trees and plants lining the streets. This is in direct contrast to Kampala which has haphazardly expanded in size without actually developing. Kampala City, if you can call it a city, is nothing more than a collection of ‘slum’ dwellings, with a very poor infrastructure dating back to the 1920s – 30s when the city had a population of less than 300,000 (compared to 3m – 4m today). Although it has expanded in size from seven hills to over 22 hills, the city infrastructure has lagged behind by decades. Less than 10 per cent of Kampala is covered by the central sewerage system. There are hardly any good roads to talk about and a large number of residents of Kampala have no running water. Besides the infrastructure, the city authority has abdicated its planning responsibility and its engineers, health inspectors, market supervisors and what have you, only exist in name. Unplanned buildings have collapsed in the middle of the city killing and injuring people and hardly anyone has been prosecuted. There are cases of well-connected people blocking off public roads and converting them into private roads. Others have actually built in road reserves, well knowing that they are blocking other people’s access. Plots of land are sub-divided into ridiculously tiny sizes and huge ugly structures are crammed into them. The few roads that exist are unlit, except when the Chogms of this world come to town. The bulbs are thereafter stolen. A small downpour floods the city because Nakivubo Channel and other outlets have become garbage dumps. Incidentally, less than 60 per cent of the garbage generated everyday is ever collected, part of it by companies privately engaged and paid for by residents. The city authority remains backward, inefficient and corrupt. Going back to Nairobi, the city is unrecognisable from what it was in 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and even in 2000! It has developed in an orderly fashion with fully integrated satellite towns; all built according to the city plans and by-laws, which specify in detail the type of developments allowed, down to the sizes of plot in which they are constructed. In the city, boda bodas and matatus are banned in the central business district which is serviced by private cars, buses and special hire taxis. Plans are underway to build a commuter train service that will make transport more affordable to the local people commuting into the city. Upscale suburbs like Riverside, Milimani, Kilimani, Lavington, Mathaiga, Karen, Lower Kabete, etc., are comparable to upscale neighbourhoods in a developed country. The number of foreigners (including Ugandans) investing in real estate in Nairobi, is on the rise. For Kampala to remotely resemble Nairobi the following must happen:• All illegal structures must be demolished regardless of who owns them.• A new master plan for Kampala should be drawn up in consultation with all stakeholders.• The law that established the Kampala Capital City Authority must be reviewed in order to clearly define the functions / roles of the Lord Mayor and those of the Executive Director of the Kampala Capital City Authority. The present situation of deliberate ambiguity in their roles is untenable and will only lead to the total collapse of order in the city.• Government should inject massive resources for modernisation of the city and act as a guarantor of borrowed funds, without interfering in the running of the city.• All professional staff should be recruited on the basis of meritocracy and not political affiliation.• The people must be sensitised on all new plans for Kampala and made partners in its development. Mr Naggaga is an economist, administrator and retired ambassador"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1274424/-/bgssv0z/-/index.html","content":"City traders angry over poor roads - City traders have raised a red flag on the deteriorating state of roads in Kampala, saying the roads have jeopardised their operations. The traders accuse Kampala Capital City Authority of failing to make regular road maintenance, which has made roads impassable, especially when it rains. “All roads have gone to the dogs and it appears like no one cares. If they (KCCA) do not have funds to fix them, let them close the roads until they get the money,” Mr Moses Ssekiranda, said at the weekend after floods blocked an entrance to his shop downtown. Similar concerns were echoed by other traders on Channel and Ben Kiwanuka streets, Kafumbe-Mukasa Road and in old and new taxi parks. “They are simply collecting revenue from us but they are doing nothing to deliver the services we need,” Mr Ephraim Mugisha, a shop attendant at Mukwano Arcade, said. Mr Jaffer Mukasa, who operates a store on Kafumbe-Mukasa Road, said they are preparing to petition the authority and if it fails to address their concerns within a month, the traders will close the road. “We are going to write to them and if they fail to respond to our cries, we shall mobilise people to close the road,” he said. In 2009, KCCA acquired a multi-billion road construction equipment but they are rarely seen doing the work. Recently, City Executive Director Jennifer Musisi said the authority has only Shs43b for roads in the budget which is too little to tarmac all city roads and a bigger portion will patch potholes. assenkabirwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1273312/-/bgtj0kz/-/index.html","content":"Rain delays UACE exams - A morning downpour yesterday was a glitch in an otherwise incident-less start of the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations. The downpour affected the schedule of Economics paper in at least two districts in eastern Uganda for more than two hours. The eastern region has borne the brunt of torrential rain that has led to severe flooding in many areas. Surveys by the Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) and Daily Monitor across the country indicate that candidates waded through the floods to make it for the first paper at this level of national examination. Uneb confirmed disruptions in Manafwa and Bududa districts, but insisted no major incidents were recorded elsewhere. Head teacher faults UnebSome of the affected schools Daily Monitor visited included Bulucheke Secondary School, Bubulo Secondary School and Bubulo Girls’ High School. “There was heavy rainfall in the morning which delayed the start of examinations for close to two hours,” Mr Willy Manyali, the director of studies at Bubulo SS, said yesterday. He faulted Uneb for failing to deliver examination papers at the centres yet students paid for its transportation.“Students pay for transportation of exam materials to their centres but Uneb keeps the exams at police stations, which sometimes are far from schools,” Mr Manyali said. Elsewhere, the exams went on uninterrupted even when Uneb’s Executive Secretary Mathew Bukenya reported having deployed fewer invigilators compared to the previous years. At least 103,608 candidates are sitting their national examinations from 1,239 centres across the country."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1272672/-/bgu5t2z/-/index.html","content":"Floods devastate Kasese homes - Kasese Barely a day after weather experts predicted that the country will again be blanketed in fresh floods as bad as those of 2007, Kasese District was on Saturday soaked in floods again after six months. Weather experts, according to Sunday Monitor yesterday, have warned that flooding similar to that of 2007, which displaced hundreds of thousands in eastern Uganda, will re-emerge in several parts of the country. Demolishing buildingsSeveral houses in the western district of Kasese were on Saturday drenched in floods and others destroyed after a downpour. In Kihungu Parish, Kyalhumba Sub-county, eight houses collapsed with unspecified number of domestic birds killed, according to Robert Kyana, the area councillor. In Mahango Sub-county, Buhandiro Church of Uganda was unroofed. The church coordinator, Mr Alex Mukababirwa, said they need more than Shs3 million to put back the roof. Also affected is Mr Donia Thembo the LCI Chairman of Kinyamathe village, Luhiri Parish in Mahango Sub-county, whose family spent the night in the cold after the main house and kitchen collapsed. Other areas affected include, Kinyateke village in Lake Katwe Sub-county where at least four houses have been confirmed to have collapsed. Ten others were brought down at Kitabu Trading Centre in Kyallhumba Sub-county, costing traders property worth millions of shillings. In Railway Ward, Kasese Town and Kilembe Quarters in the Central Division, over 300 houses were drenched in floods. Ms Alice Biira, who stays at Kilembe Quarters, said they had nowhere to stay for the night because the whole place was flooded limiting movements. “We were helped by neighbours who gave us where to sleep because our house was flooded. We are very hungry now that we did not cook supper. I am tired of this problem, my uncle bought this house in a dry season, we did not know that such a situation would come” Ms Biira said. In Kasese town, there was a traffic jam for more than two hours in Kiteso, few metres from the Kasese Cobalt Company Ltd. as the Kasese-Mbarara road was blocked by the floods for some time. The LCI Vice Chairman for Railway village, Mr Julius Monday, attributed the problem of persistent floods in the area every rainy season to the poor drainage system in Kasese Town, calling upon the relevant authorities to address the situation."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1271962/-/bgursqz/-/index.html","content":"Flooding could be as bad as 2007’s - govt - Persisting heavy rains in the country has forced weather experts into their laboratories, emerging with a fresh alert of flooding similar to that of 2007, which displaced hundred of thousands in eastern Uganda.Dr Stephen Mallinga, the minister for disaster preparedness, said the situation is getting out of hand in some districts as heavy rainfall, which started in March, triggers water-logging and flooding. “While the flooding in the Karamoja has subsided, the situation is worsening in Teso, Mt. Elgon, parts of Lango and Bukedia sub-regions,” he told the press at the Media Centre on Friday. Dr Mallinga said the floods have also destroyed crops and road infrastructure in many areas in Central, Western, Northern and West Nile sub-region. Mr Musa Ecweru, Dr Mallinga’s deputy, said if the rain continues, the floods will be similar to that of 2007 that affected approximately 60,000 households, or 400,000 people – 80 per cent of them children and women. Currently, according to the Uganda Red Cross Society report, up to 32,048 households across the country lack food and shelter. Mudslides and floods have since killed more than 50 people this year and left the lives of 160,240 people at risk. Mr Ecweru raised fresh fears that more thousands of families are likely to go without meals after crops rotted and some districts in eastern Uganda have started experiencing outbreaks of epidemic. He said in Katakwi and Amuria many huts have started collapsing, leaving many people homeless and children exposed to pneumonia and waterborne diseases. However, weather forecasts indicate that the current rains are likely to persist up to December. Meanwhile, Dr Mallinga said an inter-ministerial technical team has been sent to Teso sub-region to assess the situation and a detailed report will be shared out soon. “Families whose houses have collapsed are called upon to take up shelter with relatives and friends,” said Dr Mallinga, adding: “We would like to discourage formation of camps and taking shelter at schools because it will disrupt school programmes.” He said government is arranging relief supplies in form of tarpaulins, blankets and mosquito nets for the affected. jmiti@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/1271456/-/6aa2fz/-/index.html","content":"Books they read with Rogers Atukunda - What do you like about books?Books are the immobile airplanes that take you to different parts of the globe .They solve riddles about life and human nature. They teach new philosophies, give hope and inspire through entertainment, amusement and education. As an artist, what have you benefited from reading books?To write better, argue, criticise and inspire. These, I learnt from the life of Hellen Keller, writings of D.H Lawrence, George Orwell’s Animal Farm and Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal. Art is the fulcrum of life since it duplicates human nature and mirrors society. What kind of stories appeal to you? Comic because life is dull without laughter; optimistic because I disassociate with tragic events; inspirational because I need a reason to live; and critical because they provoke thought. A thoughtless, uncritical and unreflective life to me is no life at all. Which novels would you read if you were stuck on an island?Mine Boy by Peter Abrahams and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Abrahams presents the plea of the Africans and the dehumanising impact of a fascist apartheid regime in South Africa. Bronte is different in approach, she merges the gap between the powerful and the insignificant. Which character do you admire?Ibrahim Bakayoko in Sembene Ousmane’s revolutionary novel God’s Bits of Wood. Bakayoko is not mythical or divine. He is a man-flesh and blood- who does things for the good of humanity and practically becomes the change he wants to see in the world. He patriotically unites four towns of Thies, Dakar, Bamako and St. Louis to rebel against colonial exploitation in French occupied Senegal. He reminds me of Nelson Mandela, Mirabeau, Martin Luther, Gandhi or Obama. Which Ugandan books have you read? The Prodigal Chairman by Godfrey Kalimugogo. The Invasion by Atwooki Rwagweri which tackles Aids and its devastating effect. Equally piteous, is The Invisible Weevil by Mary Karoro Okurut. I read the History of Uganda in Kosiya Kifefe by Arthur Gakwandi. Together with The Burdens and The Floods by John Ruganda. I found the diverse Ugandan cultures; people’s philosophies, lifestyle and their relationships in Upon This Mountain by Timothy Wangusa, Song of Lawino by Okot PBitek and The Bride by Austin Bukenya. Which are the most memorable books have you read? When Rain Clouds Gather by Bessie Head. The tale of Makhaya Maseko who escapes from South Africa where ‘Africans are called boys or dogs’ to Botswana. Since my inception, I have been ‘an impossible child’ because I seek for freedom at every stage of my life. I twice ran away from home in search for self-independence. Which books are you reading? I am reading a critical book titled People Power, Battle the Mighty General by Vincent Nzaramba. It gives hints on how to topple totalitarian regimes using non-violence; the way Gandhi defeated the British in India."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1266918/-/bhdu8gz/-/index.html","content":"Leaders attack govt over Gulu-Adjumani road - Adjumani Leaders in West Nile sub-region have accused the government of neglect after floods cut off the Adjumani-Gulu road. The tarmacking of the Gulu- Atiak - Adjumani road as well as Moyo Road is supposed to be done this financial year, but both have become impassable. Constant downpour in the region has worsened the condition of most of the roads, leaving a two-kilometre queue of trucks and trailers stuck on the muddy Gulu Road for a week as they head to South Sudan. Travelers now have to pass through Nwoya District before connecting to Adjumani and Moyo. Adjumani District chairperson Nixon Owole said although the people in the region voted massively for the ruling party, their demand for electricity and good roads have not been fulfilled. The attack on government was made during the funeral of the wife of Third Deputy Prime Minister Moses Ali on Wednesday in Adjumani. The funeral turned political with a war of words between the opposition MPs and their counterparts from NRM over service delivery. Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness Musa Ecweru said although plans are underway to address the two challenges, there is urgent need to quicken the tarmacking process. “We do not want the road to be fixed by the opposition which will take more than 30 years, we shall discuss this in Parliament urgently,” he said. The Obongi Constituency MP, Mr Hassan Kaps Fungaroo, said the construction of the roads and addressing power problems are just included in government budget to ‘cool people’s tempers’. “It is not true that government takes the plea of the local people in the region as a priority. We should just ignore the empty promises.” Chief mourner Khiddu Makubuya, who represented the government, said the road and power problem will be addressed by 2016. Uganda will hold its next general elections in 2016. While travelling to the funeral, several mourners spent nights in the cold after their vehicles failed to pass through the flooded roads and a broken Seri Bridge. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com & wokello@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/BernardTabaire/-/878688/1263934/-/ndtsr8/-/index.html","content":"What seven billion people mean for Accra floods, Kampala neglect - There are seven billion of us human beings. If only that were cash, preferably in dollars or pounds! But even in Shillings, it would still be quite a bundle on any Ugandan’s bank account. On the current path, however, not many Ugandans will possess anything close in cash or overall wealth in their lifetime. As one of the billions, where do I fit in the big picture? The BBC news website had some little exercise where you enter your date of birth, country and gender and get a report about your place. The report told me that I was the 3,835,591,969th person alive on Earth the day I was born nearly 40 years ago. That Uganda’s population is 33,424,683 and that as a Ugandan man, I should expect to live to 51.7 years or thereabouts. The rest of the ‘personalised’ report said “the global population will continue to increase during your lifetime and beyond, reaching 10 billion by 2083. However, the rate of growth is expected to slow. Most of the current growth is happening within the developing world. “Birth and death rates are declining within your group of countries. This means working-age people like you will be supporting increasing numbers of older people. By 2050, there will be 10.2 people of working age for every person aged 65 or over in your area – a decrease of 41 per cent from 2000. “It is estimated that the richest group of countries consumes double the resources used by other areas of the world – including yours. Your country is one of low consumption and in the poorest group of nations. More than half the people are living in extreme poverty on less than $1.25 a day.” Extreme poverty, with its emasculating and humiliating effect, is a big issue as our numbers grow and grow and grow in places such as Uganda. We have about eight million people living in abject poverty in this country. Who are they? Where are they? Do we know? Should we know? Experts say a rocketing population is not bad as long as its structure and quality are right. Things are shaky in Uganda. The potential demands on health, education and the environment are enormous. Yet it appears we are not doing enough fast enough to steer things in a beneficial direction. Rhetoric still prevails. Take Ghana, my home for the last two weeks. By many measures, Ghana is going places. Gold, cocoa and oil dollars are propelling the country. Accra is thriving. Swanky office and residential blocks are rising from the ground. Well-lit roads are getting wider and smoother. Yet we awoke Wednesday morning to find the skies had dumped massive floods in large sections of the city. We are not talking about the floods we are seeing in Thailand occasioned by unusually heavy rains over a period. In Accra it was a one-night affair. And the floodwater killed nine people, “destroyed homes, cut off electricity and forced the closure of schools and shops”. Watching Ghanaian television, it all made sense. Talking heads and common people all blamed it on inadequate enforcement of zoning and construction regulations. This allowed people to build in areas meant for soaking up rainwater or facilitating its smooth flow to safety. In Kampala, our story is many more times worse. As always, the most affected people are the urban poor. They are the ones who settle anywhere, including wetlands, in shanties that can easily get flooded and even washed away. Ask the government what the policy on rural-urban migration is and you are likely to go away with gibberish. At a high growth rate of 3.2 per cent, people can only continue flooding Kampala, the centre of “life” in Uganda. That is why Kampala’s population is growing at nearly 4 per cent, higher than the national average. In ignoring to fix Kampala for an eternity, the government has set up a good basis for bad things to continue happening to the city’s residents. It would be nice if Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago (especially) and Executive Director Jennifer Musisi stopped bickering and worked harder than they ever have in their lives. If Accra, fairly well managed for decades, can still get flooded, how about hilly Kampala so criminally neglected since January 25, 1971? Contrary to advice from knowledgeable people at the Population Secretariat, President Museveni has continued to encourage Ugandans to make babies. They have listened and heeded his appeal – now making a decent 1.2 million babies a year, which is a lot more than the vast majority of countries in terms of percentage. The same President has delivered lousy service (see Kampala) to the teeming masses. Should he not apologise? Just asking. Mr Tabaire is a media consultant with the African Centre for Media Excellence. bentab@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1262666/-/bhgoq5z/-/index.html","content":"Four perish in Mbarara, Ntungamo accident - Two separate accidents in Mbarara and Ntungamo districts yesterday left four people dead and 20 others critically injured. Regional police spokesperson Polly Namaye said the first accident happened at Karegyeya, three kilometres on Ntungamo-Rukungiri road around 3am when two buses had ahead on collision. Ms Namaye said a Kalita bus from Kasese heading to Kabale had a head on collision with a Perfect bus from Rukungiri going to Kampala leaving two people dead. The dead were identified as Baheka Twesigye, 35, of Mamba Village in Kasoba Sub-county in Kisoro District and Jokam Bwongyerwa, 44, of Ruhega, Kayonza Sub-county in Ntungamo District. The 20 people, who sustained serious injuries, were admitted to Itojo Hospital in Ntungamo. Ms Namaye attributed the accident to reckless driving by the driver of the Kalita bus, whom she said, is on run. In another accident, two students of Makenke Army SS were knocked dead by a pick-up truck as they rode on their bicycles while crossing the road. The incident took place on Mbarara-Masaka road. The deceased are: 17- year-olds, Ambrose Muhwezi and Timothy Tayebwa all residents Surveyor cell, Kakoba Division in Mbarara. Ms Namaye also attributed the accident to reckless driving. The suspect has been arrested and detained at Mbarara Police Station. The police spokesperson said the victims of the bus accident had earlier been ambushed by robbers reportedly armed with an AK 47 rifles and pangas at Kitagata-Kagamba road at 2am. It is reported that they were robbed of unspecified amount of money."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1262660/-/bhgoqbz/-/index.html","content":"Amuria residents survive on porridge, wild plants - Amuria District is facing a shortage of food due to the recent floods which washed away crops and destroyed several roads in Teso sub-region. Several families in the district are reportedly surviving on porridge and wild vegetables commonly called ‘ecomai’.The LC1 chairperson of Katine Parish in Abarillela Sub-county, Mr Alfred Ationet, said several hectares of crops were washed away by the floods. “The young are starting to get malnourished because of the poor diet,” Mr Ationet said on Wednesday. Speaking during the distribution of relief items to residents of Abarillela Sub-county on Wednesday, Mr Micheal Elasu, the sub-county chairperson, said for children to keep going to school, there is need for regular distribution of food. The State Minister for Relief and Disaster Preparedness, Mr Musa Ecweru, who presided over the hand over of the relief items which included blankets, mosquito nets, hoes and saucepans, said the government is doing all it can to help people in areas affected by floods and landslides. Landslide victimsHe added that preparations by government to relocate more than 2,000 people affected by recent landslides in Sisiye and Buluganya sub-counties in Bulambuli District to Bunambutye are underway. “We do not want to risk (lives of) our people and those in such areas should accept to vacate regardless of the fertility of the land,” Mr Ecweru said. At least 300 people died in Bududa District in March 2010 after heavy rain caused a series of landslides."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1262320/-/bhgr78z/-/index.html","content":"20 families homeless after heavy rain - Namayingo Twenty families in Namayingo District are homeless after a downpour destroyed their houses. The Tuesday night downpour caused the collapse of rooftops which injured seven family members, currently receiving treatment at Buyinja Health Centre IV. The victims were identified as Hellen Nakaziba, 10, Perusi Nakilanda, 30, Christine Badebye, 5, Jude maganda, 6, Jenifer Nabirye, 35, Miria Sandra, 8 and Abbey Ngobi, 15. The chairperson of Namayingo East village, Mr Asakasa Kirunda, said the four-hour downpour destroyed maize, cassava and ground-nut gardens, and other property worth Shs30 million. Other areas affected by the downpour are Bulamba Village and Namayingo Central. Mr Kirunda called upon the ministry of disaster preparedness to aid the affected families with relief items. The Uganda Red Cross Society in a recent country assessment singled out floods and hailstorms as the most prevalent disasters in south eastern region. The far-eastern region of Mt. Elgon are prone to landslides due to destructive human activity on the Mountain slopes."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/1262284/-/11jsgkv/-/index.html","content":"Heavy rain displace thousands - Monitor CorrespondentAccra Several people have been rendered homeless and property worth thousands of dollars destroyed following five hours of heavy rain that swept through southern Ghana on Tuesday night. Some civil engineers have attributed the destruction to the poor drainage system which makes the flow of rainwater difficult. Mr Leonard Gyewu, one of the engineers said: “Even though some drains have been built around the capital, some property owners have also been allowed to build in the surroundings of water bodies making it difficult for water to flow smoothly.” President John Mills who was devastated by the effects of the rains, traversed parts of Accra, visiting some of the affected areas in order to find out how to provide assistance to people who have lost their homes. He told people affected by the floods to remain calm because the government would work with the emergency services to provide the necessary assistance. City officials in Accra said the flooding resulting from the rains is one of the worst experienced this year. The national coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation, Mr Kofi Portuphy, said they have an emergency on their hands and that one death had been reported although they have received several calls from people who have been trapped on their roof-tops because of the floods. Minister of education, Mrs Betty Mould-Iddrissu issued a statement closing down schools in the capital to prevent possible harm to children. She said the decision is to allow directors of education to go round and ensure that the school infrastructure is safe before allowing the children to get back to school."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1258196/-/bhy6k2z/-/index.html","content":"Schools hire men to carry S.4 exams across flooded roads - Roads leading to two secondary schools in Apac District have been cut off by heavy rains, forcing authorities to hire men to carry national exam papers on their heads across flooded roads. Senior Four students countrywide are sitting for the exams organised by Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb).The affected schools are Chegere and Apac secondary schools that are surrounded by swamps. Bridges and culverts linking the schools to the rest of the district have been washed away by downpours. Uneb scouts and education officials have since Monday, been paying between Shs2,000 and Shs2,500 per trip to residents to carry exam papers to the schools. The two schools have at least 300 candidates sitting for exams. Residents have formed a group to ferry the exam papers. The group chairman, Mr Atim Etime, said parents are worried that the rising water levels in the swamps may drown students as they cross every morning. Meanwhile, Apac residents have criticised what they call the central government’s total neglect of roads that connect the district to other parts of the country. The residents have vowed to block the roads which have become impassable, affecting transport and business. Mr John Ocen, a businessman in Apac Town Council, said: “We cannot continue to see our roads wasting away. We are equally Ugandans who deserve better services, if they cannot repair them, then we shall start blocking them.” He said many business people, especially those dealing in perishable items such as fresh fish, have been losing their money as they take several hours to access markets due to the bad roads. Mr Richmond Eguny, the Akokoro LC3 chairman, said motorists have also increased fares as a result of the bad state of the roads. Transport from Apac to Lira was Shs7,000 three months ago but is now Shs10,000, while Apac to Kiryadongo is now Shs15,000, up from from Shs8,000. Ms Lucy Ajok, the area MP said her efforts to lobby for the road repairs from Uganda National Roads Authority have been fruitless. However, UNRA regional engineer Sam Muhoozi yesterday said they will soon start working on the roads. “We are ready but the roads are bad because Apac lies on lower altitude, we fear losing our materials on site,” said Mr Muhoozi. He said UNRA is waiting for the floods to recede before they can start road and bridge repairs in a district that has about half of its surface covered with swamps. District chairman Bob Okae blamed UNRA for failing to repair the roads. “The situation is so miserable because the law does not permit the district to reconstruct roads after UNRA taking over their management,” he said. 1 | 2 Next Page»The RDC, Mr Dauda Yasin Kasibanti, said it’s important that central government rebuilds the roads urgently. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/1253890/-/11j7qq9/-/index.html","content":"Famine looms in South Sudan - Monitor Correspondentjuba. South Sudan is experiencing a widening food gap of 300,000 to 400,000 metric tonnes, with the authorities warning that the deficit could escalate into a devastating crisis similar to that in the Horn of Africa. “The climatic changes have affected South Sudan, causing both floods and droughts. The rainfall that was supposed to have started early this year was delayed,” Humanitarian Affairs minister Joseph Lual Achuil said, calling on donors to intervene in pre-empting a looming crisis. Call for help“A positive intervention is urgently needed to stop it from deteriorating into a famine situation similar to that in the Horn of Africa,” Mr Lual added. In some parts of the country, rainfall started in April and was punctuated by a dry spell in June, which implies that this year’s harvest is completely unreliable in a country where only small-scale farming is practiced. According to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Centre for Climate Information, heavy rains that started in September could continue to December this year, Mr. Lual said. “This will most likely affect crops and subsequently result into floods as has been witnessed in Torit in Eastern Equatoria State where recent floods washed away crops and homes,” Mr Lual said, referring to a recent torrential rainfall that destroyed crops and homes. Jonglei, a vast populous state ruined by deadly ethnic cattle raiding and fighting among militias; Unity state, where rebels have been wreaking havoc even before independence; Upper Nile, which has a big number of returnees and internally displaced people; Warrap, where more than 350 returnees reportedly starved to death between July and August; Northern Bahr el Ghazal; parts of Western Equatoria; and parts of Eastern Equatoria are the most affected states."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1253444/-/bi2kx1z/-/index.html","content":"Minister faults Internal Affairs for pollution - Water and Environment Minister Maria Mutagamba yesterday faulted Ministry of Internal Affairs for delaying to deploy 600 policemen approved by Parliament to fight environmental pollution. Ms Mutagamba said her ministry has the money to fund the squad but nothing has been done because of the Internal Affairs Ministry. “We cannot enforce discipline because we do not have the capacity to arrest people. We seriously need the police deployment,” she told journalists in Kampala yesterday. Ms Mutagamba’s briefing was in preparation for today’s launch of environment and water review in Kampala, which will assess the performance of the sector. She said many swamps have been reclaimed by private developers and that if the squad is deployed, encroachers of the swamps and factories that poorly dispose of waste will be “dealt with”.rkasasira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1253434/-/bi2kxwz/-/index.html","content":"Five perish in Kasese landslide - Saturday evening was like any other normal day in Kasese District when Mr Mulemba Bwambale and his family took supper together before retiring to bed. Little did they know that disaster would befall them in the wee hours of Sunday when five members of the family perished following a landslide that hit their house. Mr Bwambale, who is also the vice chairman of Mahango village, in Kasese, said he heard something hit the upper wall of his house. Three of his six children died instantly after they were buried five feet under the debris. Among the dead were also his sister and his wife’s relative who had visited. Mr Bwambale told Daily Monitor on Sunday that it was not easy to retrieve anyone from the rubbles. “My family is almost finished because three children are gone. I heard the powerful force hitting my house at 2am. When I awoke to check on my children, they were no more,” said Mr Bwambale who could not control tears. The dead children are Ednus Mumbere, 15, Edwin Bwambale, 8, and Phebryn Kabugho, 2, who were sleeping in one room, and Yoneki Nziabake, 17, and Brian Masereka. Nziabake was a Senior Two student at Mahango Secondary School where she has been the assistant head girl while Ednus Mumbere was the time keeper at Mahango Primary School. There were nine people in the house at the time of the disaster with only four escaping unhurt, since they were sleeping in a different room. Mr Erikana Kisembo, a neighbour who rushed to the scene shortly after hearing an alarm, told this paper that it was not easy to save any of the people trapped in the rubbles because they were buried nearly five feet and that the search and rescue mission took 30 minutes. “We could not save these children because the whole place was covered with muddy soil to the extent that it took more than 10 men to dig out the bodies. This is a disaster,” Mr Kisembo said. Environmental factorThe dead were taken to Mahango Church of Uganda for a funeral service on Sunday before they were buried yesterday. The district environment officer, Mr Augustine Koli, said more likely disasters in the area because the ground has been left bare due to poor methods of farming. The country has recently fatal landslides in Bulambuli and Kaabong Districts and last year in Bududa District."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1252916/-/bi36eiz/-/index.html","content":"Museveni praises city boss Musisi - Kampala President Museveni is considering writing a media commentary to thank the executive director of KCCA, Ms Jennifer Musisi, for her achievements, especially opening up drainage channels on Entebbe Road, in the short time she has been in office. Mr Museveni, who has also been a victim of the floods along the road, said since the Ms Musisi appointment, he passes through the road with ease. “Kampala was disorganised and was a centre of dirt and theft but she has cleaned the drainages already,” Mr Museveni said, while addressing the thirteenth National Prayer Breakfast at the weekend in Parliament. In his statement, Mr Museveni named a few appointees he has made upon the Godly conviction that they are not thieves and would serve to his expectations. He mentioned Health Minister Christine Ondoa, URA boss Allen Kagina, Ms Musisi and former EC boss Stephen Akabway, whom he said was a good tax collector. “The problem we have in Uganda is integrity. The Godliness in people is lacking,” Mr Museveni said. “In fact the Judiciary also needs some christianity.” The President said he wanted Ms Musisi as a judge but she declined because she has a private business which she would not do alongside judicial work. She later accepted to be a ‘garbage collector in KCC.’ Ms Musisi was appointed KCCA director in April and in her first six months, she has filled up potholes in the city, cleaned up drainages and evicted street vendors. snaturinda@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1251320/-/12qaj0ez/-/index.html","content":"Time to help farmers earn decent incomes - Must history always repeat itself? We are on the verge of what could turn out to be another major food crisis. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Food Price Index at the end of 2010 returned to its highest level. Drought in Russia and the export restrictions adopted by the government, together with lower crop harvests than expected, first in the United States and Europe, then in Australia and Argentina, have triggered a process of soaring agricultural commodity prices in international markets. Admittedly, the present situation is different from that of 2007-2008, although recent climatic events may significantly reduce agricultural production next season. The hike in prices concerns sugar and oilseeds in particular, more than grains which account for 46 per cent of calorie intake globally. Cereal stocks amounted to 428 million tonnes in 2007/08 but stand currently at 525 million tonnes. However, they are being seriously drawn down in order to meet demand. On another front, oil prices are at around $90 a barrel, instead of $140. No doubt, higher prices and volatility will continue in the next years if we fail to tackle the structural causes of imbalances in the international agricultural system. The underlying problems were identified in 1996 and 2002 at the FAO World Food Summits. On both occasions, the attention of the highest authorities of the world was drawn to the failure to deliver on commitments. If current trends persist, the goals set by the world leaders of reducing by half the number of hungry people on the planet by 2015 would only be achieved in 2150. There has been no decisive change in policy since 1996, despite the warnings by the Global Information and Early Warning System of FAO. Yet, today there are still close to one billion people who are hungry. We must therefore forcefully remind everyone of the conditions needed for an adequate supply of food for a population that is constantly growing and that, in the next 40 years, will require a 70 per cent increase in agricultural production worldwide and a 100 per cent increase in the developing countries. First is the issue of investment: the share of agriculture in Official Development Assistance (ODA) dropped from 19 per cent in 1980 to 3 per cent in 2006, and now stands at around 5 per cent -- it should amount to $44 billion per year. The budgetary expenditure of low-income food-deficit countries on agriculture represents about 5 per cent, when this should be at least 10 per cent. Finally, domestic and foreign private investments of around $140 billion per year should amount to $200 billion. These figures are to be compared to global military expenditure of $1,500 billion per year. Then there is the issue of international trade in agricultural commodities, which is neither free nor fair. Finally, there is the subject of speculation that is exacerbated by the measures of liberalisation of agricultural futures markets in a context of economic and financial crisis. The solution to the problem of hunger and food insecurity therefore requires an effective coordination of decisions on investment, international agricultural trade and financial markets. In an uncertain climatic context marked by floods and droughts, we need to be in a position to finance small water control works, local storage facilities and rural roads, as well as fishing ports, slaughterhouses, etc. Only then will it be possible to secure food production and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of small farmers, thus lowering consumer prices and increasing the income of rural populations who make up 70 per cent of the world’s poor. We must also reach a consensus on the very lengthy negotiations of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and put an end to the market distortions and restrictive trade practices that are aggravating the imbalances between supply and demand. Finally, there is a pressing need for new measures of transparency and regulation to deal with speculation on agricultural commodity futures markets. Implementation of such policies at the global level requires the respect of the commitments made by the developed countries. Developing countries, for their part, must increase their national budget allocations to agriculture. And private foreign direct investment needs to be made in conditions that will ensure an equitable sharing of benefits among the different stakeholders. Without long-term structural decisions and the necessary political will and financial resources for their implementation, food insecurity will persist with a succession of crises affecting most seriously the poorest populations. This will generate political instability and threaten world peace. The promises made at major international meetings, if not acted upon, would only fuel a growing sense of frustration and revolt. The time has come to adopt and implement policies that will enable farmers to earn a decent income through mechanisms that do not create market distortions. They must be allowed to exercise their profession under conditions of dignity so we can feed a planet that will grow from 6.9 billion inhabitants at present to 9.1 billion in 2050.Mr Diouf is the Director-General of FAO."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1248750/-/bikkucz/-/index.html","content":"School forced to close as floods return to Bunyoro - Floods have again ravaged Bunyoro sub-region to torment the residents after three weeks when they ripped bridges and cut off most roads. This week floods submerged Kiduuma Church of Uganda Primary School in Hoima District paralysing studies at the government- aided school. The school authorities have relocated the students to a nearby school, which has offered them dilapidated structures to temporarily accommodate them. The deputy head teacher, Ms Beatrice Aijukabake, said the 340 pupils at her school have squeezed themselves into the limited structures at a neighbouring school which has offered them space. When Daily Monitor visited the affected school on Tuesday, it had been abandoned and submerged. Terrified parents had gathered at the school to see the extent of the damage. The school, which is located in a low-lying area, reportedly has a history of flooding. The water level at the school has reportedly been increasing steadily for the past two weeks until Monday when it submerged the school. “Much as we have shifted, we left our library at the school. We brought a few text books,” Ms Aijukabake said. One resident said the school started experiencing floods as early as 1957. Kiduuma BCS Primary School, where pupils are being accommodated has limited facilities. Primary two and three pupils are sharing one hall. It is only the candidate class that has a spacious class and teaching is going on smoothly. “The pupils have to move a longer distance (1km) from their (flooded) school to this new site,” Fenecance Tindyebwa, a Primary Seven pupil, said. The Hoima Municipal Education Officer, Mr Ibrahim Bigabwa, said officials who visited the affected school on Monday approved the relocation. Across the countryLast year, rains disrupted studies at 16 UPE schools in Namutumba District. According to the inspector of schools, Mr Mubarak Genga, the pupils resorted to studying from under trees. A similar case was reported early this year when heavy rains paralysed classes at Mpumu Church of Uganda Primary School in Mukono because the pupils were studying under tree shades. In 2008, a heavy storm blew off the roof top of three classroom blocks at the same school."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1248178/-/bikpi3z/-/index.html","content":"Uganda challenges AU to focus on climate change - Uganda’s representatives to the Pan African Parliament (Pap) yesterday challenged the leadership of the African Union to immediately develop a workable strategy on ways to mitigate the devastating impact of climatic change being experienced across the continent. The members, through their head of delegation, Ms Cecilia Ogwal (Dokolo), were responding to the State of the African Union address, sent by Mr Jean Ping, the chairperson of the African Union Commission, for plenary discussion by the Pap’s fifth ordinary session held in Midrand, South Africa. “I am concerned that the impact of climatic change has not been raised. We have all seen on our screens the devastating scenes and images of our brothers and sisters suffering in many parts of Africa, as a result of floods, drought and famine. What are the mitigating factors Africa has packaged as a cohesive response to the affects of climatic change?” Ms Ogwal asked. The observation, which attracted applause and ignited intense debate, came barely a day after the Ugandan delegation was sworn in as new Pap members at a colourful ceremony in South Africa on Monday. Other MPs include NRM legislator Beatrice Rusaniya (Woman MP Kiruhura), Budaka woman MP Sarah Kataike Ndoboli (NRM ), Kibanda County MP Sam Otada (independent) and NRM legislator Onyango Kakoba (Buikwe County North - Mukono District).Pap is the legislative arm of the AU, constituted by elected Members of Parliament from across Africa. Mr Ping, who sent a written statement, had, however, raised among other challenges the issues of security, service delivery, good governance and the rule of law which he urged Pap to address. A total of 38 new legislators drawn from the continent were sworn-in to the Parliament which is currently in its seventh year of existence. The Parliament, however still suffers legislative limitations limiting it merely to an advisory organ. Pap is seeking to redefine its role at a time when AU’s credibility and image has suffered severely over its perceived indecisiveness in the handling of the recent political standoff in Ivory Coast and Libya, among others. The AU continues to face many challenges including health issues such as combating malaria and the HIV/Aids epidemic, undemocratic regimes and mediating in the many civil wars like Somalia and improving the standard of living."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1248194/-/bikpgfz/-/index.html","content":"Teachers flee Kaabong over high cost of living - Several teachers in Kaabong District have abandoned their duties over the high costs of living in the district and migrated to other districts, the Kaabong Inspector of Schools has said. Ms Santian Sagar last week said the absence of the teachers is frustrating education in Kaabong. She made the remarks at Kaabong Hospital during the awarding of midwifery scholarships to 80 girls from different schools in the district, who excelled in academics. “We visited many schools but teachers are complaining of high living cost and others have already gone saying it is better to be near their homes because they can spend less,” she said. She added that most of the teachers in Kaabong are not from Karamoja sub-region. Ms Sagar added that other teachers in schools she visited across the district complained of the high food prices and unfavorable living conditions and threatened to leave. The district inspector of schools said all the science teachers in Kaabong Secondary School have left, adding that the school currently has only one English teacher who tutors students from Senior One to Senior Six. Ms Sagar said the English teacher has also threatened to leave. Ms Sagar said the district authorities are seeking means to retain teachers and recruit more since the current number of teachers is not enough. Food prices in Karamoja sub-region have skyrocketed as a result of high inflation in the country and the poor state of roads which were damaged by floods. The floods cut off several roads, hindering the transportation of food and other essential commodities to the sub-region. Consequently, traders increased the price of commodities. The Lopei Bridge on the Moroto to Kotido road, which was destroyed by floods, has not yet been repaired. Karimojong are mainly nomadic pastoralist who mainly depend on their livestock for livelihood, however, following encouragement from government and NGOs, some have started planting crops."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1247156/-/12qrxgrz/-/index.html","content":"Climate change mitigation in our cities: Don’t ignore the urban poor - The urban poor in developing countries will be hardest hit by the impacts of climate change, says a new report by UN-Habitat on cities and climate change. This is not because the urban-poor are most responsible for high greenhouse emissions; in fact, it is quite the opposite. The report shows there is an inverse relationship between those most responsible for greenhouse emissions and those who suffer most from its impacts. In Uganda, the lack of basic services and infrastructure in the country’s slums compound these impacts. Severe flooding and landslides caused by heavy rain have long plagued the urban-poor, whose affordability constraints force them to settle on vulnerable land. In the coming years, heavy precipitation events are very likely to occur more frequently and with greater severity according to the report. Residents of Uganda’s slums are not strangers to this phenomenon, which disrupts and destroys business, makes roads impassable, decimates homes, overwhelms sanitation systems and spur outbreaks of cholera, malaria, dysentery, and diarrhea. During heavy downpours, many of Kampala’s slums look as though they have been hit by a Tsunami. Roads turn into raging rivers and cars, people, loose structures and property are washed away. In many, pit latrines are swept away by flash floods, spreading disease throughout the settlements. Throughout the country’s slums, homes and businesses are severely damaged during rainy periods, necessitating partial rebuilding multiple times per year. The asset stripping this presents for the urban-poor is crippling. This World Habitat Day, Ugandans should not ignore the vital role of the urban-poor, who constitute 60 per cent of the nation’s urban population. When the urban-poor are organised and sensitised about climate change, they can play a central role in mitigating its impact upon their environment. Indeed, about 38,000 Ugandan slum dwellers in six urban centers – Kampala, Arua, Jinja, Mbale, Mbarara, and Kabale – are doing just that through small but scalable slum upgrading activities. These responsible citizens are members of a growing social movement known as the Uganda Slum Dwellers Federation – a network of 343 community groups that save daily, work in partnership with local authorities, and mobilise their members to improve living conditions in slums. Among the committees found in each community group is a Health and Hygiene Committee. Throughout the country, these committees mobilise members, and even the wider community, to dispose of waste thoughtfully and work with local authorities on municipal-wide initiatives. The impact of community-led initiatives such as Keep Mbale Clean, make a visible difference in some of the largest slums, and greatly mitigate the risk of flooding by clearing drainages and encouraging residents to keep them litter-free. Environmental conservation is also enhanced when groups such as the Federation train communities in solid waste management skills. Among the best practices instituted by the Federation are community projects that make briquettes from organic waste, that recycle plastic waste, and reuse discarded materials to make crafts. In Jinja, the Federation is using innovative soil compressed interlocking brick technology to construct quality and weather resistant houses for members. The technology being employed eliminates the need for massive quantities of scarce timber for brick-firing. It is the Federation members themselves who do the construction, acquiring marketable skills in eco-friendly building technology. In addition, the Federation collects invaluable information during citywide enumerations (community-run censuses) about waste management practices and sanitation services in each of its cities of operation. Once processed, the Federation works with local authorities to see that this data informs interventions in their settlements. Such information means the Federation can assist local authorities to generate targeted and efficient strategies for climate change mitigation that can be jointly implemented with local communities. Sustainable and scalable mitigation strategies are possible in Uganda if the urban majority is organised and respected as a legitimate partner in this most urgent endeavor. Ms Dobson is a research and documentation office, Shack/Slum Dwellers International. skye@sdinet.org"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1243676/-/bio36pz/-/index.html","content":"Doho rice scheme in Shs17b refurbishment - The Shs17 billion refurbishment of Doho Rice Scheme in Butaleja District has kicked off. The revamp of the rice scheme is hoped will help reduce floods that have been wreaking havoc in the district over the last three years. While handing over the site to Smile Engineering and Construction Company, the company contracted to carry out the refurbishment, the district chairperson, Mr Joseph Muyonjo, last week said the project has been long overdue. Mr Muyonjo cautioned the public against stealing project items such as cement and iron bars, saying this will slow down the project and deny the people the benefits that accrue. He said the project will employ locals. Food basket for easternHe urged the contractor to work hard to meet the deadline, warning that failure to do so would lead to termination of contract. The refurbishment is expected to be completed within one year. “More than 2,000 locals, especially youths, are expected to be employed as casual labourers. This will help to raise household incomes of our people,” the chairman said. Butaleja Resident District Commissioner Richard Gulume urged locals to report any thefts of property from the project. Mr Gulume said upon completion, the district intends to produce 20,000 metric tonnes of rice per season. Six roads leading to the rice scheme are to be reconstructed to allow easy access and transportation of produce. Butaleja has been a food basket for a big part of eastern Uganda, especially in rice production. However, floods have always left rice crops rotting in the marsh, leaving farmers in despair."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1242832/-/bioq1mz/-/index.html","content":"Thousands to benefit from relief items - In a move to help communities affected by disaster, 59,090 people in four regions will receive relief items, officials have said. The distribution of relief items is an idea of Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) with support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Mr Michael Nataka, the secretary general URCS, said at the weekend that the organisation is working with the Office of the Prime Minister, respective district leaders and other humanitarian agencies. “The relief items will consist of essential household items like blankets, tarpaulin, saucepans, jerrycans, basins, soap, cups, plates, mosquito nets and food provided by government through the Office of the Prime Minister,” Mr Nakata said in a statement.Mr Nakata also said the relief items will be distributed to the disaster affected communities in eastern, central, western and West Nile regions. The disaster assessment report from URCS revealed that between August and September, 72,254 people have been affected by disasters ranging from landslides, floods, hailstorms to fire outbreaks, causing lack of basic amenities. bndagire@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1241698/-/bipgr8z/-/index.html","content":"Recent tragedies expose EA’s frail disaster defence systems - The tragedies that have occurred in the East African region this year — a slum fire in Kenya, Uganda mudslides and a ferry accident in Tanzania — caught Nairobi, Kampala and Dar es Salaam off guard and exposed the bloc’s frail disaster management mechanisms. More than 90 people died and some 120 were severely burnt after a fire caused by an exploding oil leak from a fuel depot owned by the Kenya Pipeline Company swept through the densely populated Sinai slum in Nairobi’s industrial area.In Zanzibar, more than 200 people died after a ferry sank last weekend off the coast of Nungwi village, leaving Tanzania battling its worst maritime disaster in 15 years. Despite repeated assurances by the EAC governments that their countries are well equipped to deal with disasters, rescuers laboured to get people to safety, treating casualties, preventing further damage and managing panic — the key elements of disaster management. East Africa now faces a huge relief and reconstruction effort, especially since the two tragedies come at a time the region is reeling from the effects of its worst drought in 60 years. While EAC governments have not estimated the cost of the damage nor indicated how much they will have to spend on reconstruction and compensation to families, economists estimate the bill will run into millions of dollars. In its 2010 report, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies says it spent at least $1.8 million (Shs5b) in disaster management across the five EAC countries. Disaster responseThe two tragedies last week also brought into the spotlight the inadequate disaster response capacity in the region.“No single state has the capacity to individually deal with all disasters as they arise. The five countries need to devote more financial and human resources to disaster management,” said Odhiambo Makoloo, the director of the Institute for Law and Environmental Governance. Experts warned the bloc is sitting on several disasters, as authorities have faltered in enforcing regulations such as building codes, public transport rules and settlement by-laws. EAC member states lack a coherent response to tragedies, often turning to developed countries such as the US, Israel and UK as well as neighbouring countries for assistance. Tanzania, for example, had to seek the help of South Africa to assist in the search and rescue operations. While the ferry was estimated to have been carrying at least 1,000 people, only 197 bodies had been found by Friday. At least 600 passengers were rescued, government figures showed. The failure by the EAC to put in place a comprehensive disaster preparedness policy means its response to high-risk events such as bombings, cave-ins, droughts, floods, epidemics and major accidents tends to be slow, poorly co-ordinated and unnecessarily expensive. This gap was evident during the Sinai fire when fire-fighters arrived late and the disaster zone remained largely accessible to the general public, creating confusion as crowds milled around and prolonging the time and effort needed to reach those affected. Rescuers across the EAC lack essentials such as thermal-imaging and audio equipment that can help locate trapped people. Landslides in Uganda“Highly inflammable materials are still largely transported by road here, and spills are bound to occur,” said Uganda’s Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness Musa Ecweru. “What is worse, a fatal combination of poverty and ignorance makes our people particularly vulnerable to such disasters.”Experts said some companies continue to thrive by ignoring safety standards while politicians who often double up as slumlords block the enforcement of safety rules such as eviction of households living in disaster-prone areas such as under electricity lines. In April last year, 245 people died when landslides covered them overnight in Bududa on the slopes of Mt. Elgon in Uganda. Last month, landslides again buried 41 in seven villages in Bulambuli District.The above, among other disasters, evidently show how disaster management is wanting.Reported By Mwaura Kimani, Kennedy Senelwa and Michael Wakabi"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1241440/-/10ti6qm/-/index.html","content":"Disaster Preparedness Ministry should do more to prove relevance - Uganda has had the Ministry for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees for some time now. In my view, while it was necessary to create the ministry - to ideally forecast, deal with and mitigate effects of disasters, among others – that none of these seems to be realised on the ground makes the ministry appear irrelevant. The ministry has not performed to our expectations, especially in the face of the several disasters that have befallen this country in recent times. Fresh in our minds are the Bududa landslides and Bulambuli mudslides that killed many people, the floods in Teso sub-region and Butaleja District that washed away roads, bridges, gardens, and entire settlements. In all this, the affected people often complained that the ministry’s response to their plight left a lot to be desired. They said the ministry’s response was disgraceful. Also where fire guts markets, schools and other valuable property across the country, the Disaster Preparedness Ministry seems not to have the capacity to investigate and ascertain the cause of such disasters. They also seem to have no means to mitigate the effects help victims of disasters. Where investigations are done, either they are not concluded or the reports are swept under the carpet. The ministry can’t even follow up the investigations. It is possible they too remain ignorant about investigations or their reports. The question is, for how long will the country be burdened sustaining such a ministry? What will the people of Uganda do given that in spite of the existence of Disaster Preparedness Ministry, they still remain largely vulnerable to all forms of disasters? Ugandans want a Disaster Preparedness Ministry that is proactive and capable of forecasting, as well as forewarning them of potential dangers. Today, the ministry is basically reactive and uses a fire-brigade approach to dealing with disasters. The ministry should acquire equipment, including ambulances, fire extinguishers, buses, lorries and tents, among others, that can be used for emergency responses. It should also establish an emergency unit for quick response to disasters. Brian Kisomose,Makerere University brian brian@owenmurangira.co.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1238644/-/bj75jvz/-/index.html","content":"Angry Karamoja MPs turn heat on govt over bad roads - Infuriated lawmakers from Karamoja have accused the government of neglecting the roads in their region, which they say have been washed away by floods while others rot away due to lack of funds for routine maintenance works. The MPs also rejected government plans to reschedule the planned construction of Moroto-Nakapiripiriti Road to next financial year due to lack of funds. Speaking to Daily Monitor at Parliament on Friday, Ms Rose Eriama (Nakapiripirit Woman), challenged First Lady Janet Museveni, who is also the Minister for Karamoja Affairs, to speak about the poor state of Karamoja roads. The lawmaker also accused the government of neglecting the people of Karamoja in its infrastructural development agenda. “We have reliable information that the Moroto-Nakapiripiriti road will not be worked on this financial year yet the road is in a very poor condition. Even last month the First Lady got stuck but government has postponed the planned construction. The First Lady is a witness to what we are talking about. Let her tell the world how bad roads are in Karamoja sub-region.” Moroto Municipality MP Simon Peter Aleper accused the government of using the people of Karamoja for elections purposes and ignoring their needs afterawards. “It is disappointing to hear that there is no money for a road so critical to the development of our region,” he said. Mr Aleper added: “The President assured us that money is available, that we don’t need to rely on donors. Now they are telling us there is no money. Government is not sincere to the people of Karamoja. They have suspended this project three times and we can’t wait any longer. We need to develop like other areas.” The MPs said the 90-kilometre Moroto-Nakapiripiriti road is used to transport marble from Karamoja to Tororo and also connects the sub-region to other neighbouring areas. The same road is used by tourists to Kidepo Valley Nation Park. UNRA cites lack of fundsThe Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) spokesperson Dan Alinange said the available funds were not enough to commence the procurement process. He said UNRA was still in negotiations with State House and the Ministry of Finance on how to raise the funds. “We have not suspended the construction of Moroto-Nakapiripiriti road; we are still looking for the money. We need Shs200 billion for this road but we have only Shs10 billion,” Mr Alinange said. He added: “We need at least 15 per cent of the funds, which is about Shs30 billion, to start. This is not the only road where we have some financial problems; there are others such as Mukono-Katosi and Ishaka-Kagamba. The MPs should be patient as soon as we get the money, the construction will commence.” Ms Eriama said the ongoing torrential rain has washed away key access roads and bridges, preventing people from accessing or leaving the region. “The business people are spending between three to five days on this road to reach Mbale or Namalu and the situation is getting worse each day. Is government ignoring us because we are the minority? Our people voted for Museveni with high hopes and should not be treated like foreigners.” Daily Monitor reported last week that bad roads in the area have effected the business community, which has been stuck with merchandise for several days, worsening the already dire economic situation being felt across the country. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/1237524/-/8m90wz/-/index.html","content":"A frank diagnosis of the food crisis - This year more than any other, the prices for food have been volatile and have kept rising beyond the point at which a number of experts had predicted that they would cool off. This unprecedented trend has raised fears for the future in rich, middle-income and poor countries, and in many of them, sparking off riots and protests against the high costs of living. Against this backdrop, Bill Heid, an entrepreneur in what is known as the preparedness and survival industry, and Brian Brawdy, an ex-police investigator and military weapons specialist who now educates people on self-reliance and survival, teamed to write this publication. Using an unassuming and concise style, they trace the causes of the current food crisis, present a frank diagnosis of the situation and offer back-to-basics kind of solutions. The authors present three major reasons why prices have kept going up. Reference is made to the protests in Tunisia and Egypt that were initially fuelled by discontent over prices of staple foodstuffs. These are some of the varied cases, ranging from Russia, China, Mexico to UK and US, that are used to illustrate their point that though prices will continue their upward trend, the attempts by governments to curb them will remain inadequate. This is backed by figures from several organisations such as Oxfam, the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the World Bank and US Department of Agriculture. In the second reason advanced, Heid and Brawdy observe that the bad weather such as unprecedented droughts and floods in Australia, US, Russia, India and China will continue to play a significant role in the current situation. “We are just one drought or one heavy rain away from a major worldwide catastrophe…” Also, it noted that these phenomena “have demonstrated just how dependent our food supply is on the weather. For now, the effects have just been an increase in price.” The situation of food shortages is compounded by the growing use of food crops such as soya beans and maize in the manufacture of biodiesel—as an alternative to petroleum. Offering practical solutions The third reason revolves around the move to increase agricultural productivity through the use of biotechnology and genetic engineering. “Breeding crops to increase the size and yield has had an unintended effect; it also decreases the nutrient value of the produce.” The use of chemicals to counter the menace of pests, diseases and weeds also features prominently here. Probably, this is one of the few publications on this theme that offers practical, do-it-yourslef solutions to the ordinary people who are most affected by soaring food prices. Heid and Brawdy say the way to cope will be having food security in their hands: Through utilising the land available to them such as backyard gardens to grow their own food. Though their advice is primarily targetted at an American public, their take on the situation, the causes and probable solutions are also relevant to developing countries whose populations tend to wait on government intervention in a crisis and where biotechnology is being fronted as a way to realise higher crop yields. In the same breath, it serves as a warning to other countries that are contemplating on following that path, of the potential pitfalls and what is touted as “the solution” may not be that. Instead, it is up to the people to take initiative and the onus is on them to play a part in dealing with the current crises."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1237470/-/10t0su0/-/index.html","content":"Disaster Preparedness Ministry should do more to prove relevance - Uganda has had the Ministry for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees for some time now. In my view, while it was necessary to create the ministry - to ideally forecast, deal with and mitigate effects of disasters, among others – that none of these seems to be realised on the ground makes the ministry appear irrelevant. The ministry has not performed to the expectation of the citizens, especially in the face of the several disasters that have befallen this country in recent times. Fresh in our minds are the Bududa landslides and Bulambuli mudslides that killed many people, the floods in Teso sub-region and Butaleja District that washed away roads, bridges, gardens, and entire settlements. In all this, the affected people often complained that the ministry’s response to their plight left a lot to be desired. They said the ministry’s response was disgraceful. Also where fire guts markets, schools and other valuable property across the country, the Disaster Preparedness Ministry seems not to have the capacity to investigate and ascertain the cause of such disasters. They also seem to have no means to mitigate the effects help victims of disasters. Where investigations are done, either they are not concluded or the reports are swept under the carpet. The ministry can’t even follow up the investigations. It is possible they too remain ignorant about investigations or their reports. The question is, for how long will the country be burdened sustaining such a ministry? What will the people of Uganda do given that in spite of the existence of Disaster Preparedness Ministry, they still remain largely vulnerable to all forms of disasters? Ugandans want a Disaster Preparedness Ministry that is proactive and capable of forecasting as well as forewarning them of potential dangers. Today, the ministry is basically reactive and uses a fire-brigade approach to dealing with disasters. The ministry should acquire equipment, including ambulances, fire extinguishers, buses, lorries and tents, among others, that can be used for emergency responses. It should also establish an emergency unit for quick response to disasters. Brian Kisomose,Makerere University brian brian@owenmurangira.co.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1237558/-/bj7umiz/-/index.html","content":"Karimojong women find more gems in mines than gardens  - Moroto On the steep hillsides in Rata Village, a modest settlement in Rupa Sub-county, Moroto District, lays units of wide caved-out walls hanging precariously over their creators. From the bottom of these formidable burrows, echoes of crashing rocks are abound, while just adjacent to the dens, there are heaps of white glittering stones (marble). Although the scene is of more of death trap, hundreds of Karamajong, majority women, are accompanied by their children who easily descend into the pits to crash the mineral -marble- they mine artisanal to earn a living. Dozens of women burrow deep in the caves while young girls hurl rocks out into the open as others wait to haul them to form piles. This will be collected by agents of African Minerals and Harambe Africa (U) Ltd, the two leading marble buyers in the area. In one of the deep pits, Ms Margaret Napokol, 46, is unrelentingly hitting at the marble rock using a small iron bar and a hammer as her four children of school going age clear the ground and haul stones for piling. Although they enrolled under Universal Primary Education, they eventually dropped out to support their mother when their father was bedridden after sustaining serious injuries from flying stone fragments. “We are always here by 6am and we only return home at night to prepare supper,” Napokol says, “We are here seven days a week. We don’t have Sundays or holidays,” she adds. Asked why her children were not attending school, she hastens to say it is a means of increasing the amount of money they make as a household. “What do you expect us to eat when they all go to school?” she asks. On average, the family needs at least five days to collect a seven-tonne truckload, which is commonly referred to here as a trip. It goes for Shs40, 000. Although mining is their only means of survival, Napokol says the physically grueling work is too heavy for them. She says they suffer from chest and back pains and they can’t dig in their gardens to grow food. The mood at these hills is somber because none of them has made any sale in the last two weeks due to impassable roads that were cut off by floods. “No one comes to buy. We only stock what we have mined hopefully that when it stops raining, business will resume,” 26-year-old Anna Alongole, says. Like many in this web of hills, Ms Alongole is a single mother of five children. In the neighbouring villages, Lotonyiri and Lamariyo, where gold is mined, it’s a beehive of activities. Here, rain is a blessing. During rainy seasons, miners get more gold -more than double the amount they normally get in dry season. More people dump all other activities for the beckoning hills.At the site, gold goes for Shs55, 000 to Shs70, 000 per gramme. But this is slightly lower than the Shs68, 000 and Shs75, 000 sold in Bushenyi per gramme. According to a new report; The Mining and Mineral Sector in Karamoja region: Development Opportunities and Constraints, compiled by Ecological Christian Organisation with support from Irish Aid, 90 per cent of the miners are women. But, interestingly, the report says women seem to be yielding far fewer benefits from artisanal and small scale mining than men. Ms Jennfer Hinton, a small scale mining consultant, says threats to this traditional livelihood has attracted thousands of Karimojong to formal, artisanal mining as a means of survival. It is estimated that 18,000 people in Karamoja are engaged in artisanal and small scale mining. The report says adds that when production is small, based on seasonal variations in production, each miner is estimated to earn between Shs2,000 to Shs6,000 per day during dry season but can earn up to Shs6,000 to Shs70,000 (or much more) per day in rainy season. Although some miners say they are yet to realise any impact from mining, Ms Hinton claims that some artisans can earn up to Shs600, 000 to Shs1m. “Despite comparative high incomes, the culture of savings by miners seems to be pervasively poor,” says the consultant. She explains that majority, including women, spend their money on buying alcohol sold at sites. “Consuming alcohol at some sites is a significant concern. It also puts some people at ‘high risk’ of getting HIV/Aids,” Ms Hinton adds. Ms Rosan Chemasuet, a miner in Acherer mining area, argues that it’s not people’s will to take excessive alcohol, but they lack food. Ms Chemasuet says majority of families in the region can only afford one meal a day. While findings suggest that both ASM and large scale mining have provided an alternative livelihood that has contributed to peace and security, issues related to land tenure and mining rights -if not addressed –suggests potential for increased conflicts risks. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Isaac Kabongo, ECO executive director, says within the unique cultural and geo-climatic environment of Karamoja, transforming the minerals sector as a platform for development is far from simple. “If critical issues related to land tenure and mining rights, particularly for those most marginalised (artsanal miners), protection of environmental integrity and promotion of good governance among others are not worked upon, developing the sector in the region will be difficult,” Mr Kabongo says. He adds that many women are barred from fully utilising the region’s resources because they don’t have licences and they don’t know how to get them. Karamoja is endowed with enormous natural wealth. It hosts occurrence of over 50 different economic minerals, including gold, silver, copper, iron, gemstones and limestone and marble among others. Despite hosting all those minerals, over 1.1 million people endue significant hardship due to factors ranging from extreme climate change variations and food security to environmental degradation and insecurity to deficits in social service and infrastructure, among others. As a consequence, a significant proportion of Karamojong have been unable to effectively engage in their traditional agro-pastoral livelihood. Ms Hinton says although the region has 50 minerals, people only know about gold, limestone and marble. She says people don’t know that they need to acquire different operational licenses like exploration, large scale mining, small-scale mining and artsanal licenses. jmiti@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Heart-to-Heart/-/691230/1237320/-/m1msiez/-/index.html","content":"Deathtraps that open manholes are - Brenda Omuntu, an employee of Barclays Bank, boarded a boda boda motorcycle from Katwe Town shortly after a heavy downpour at 1pm on Wednesday. She wanted to get to the city centre before the rainwater cut off the Clock Tower junction.She never reached her intended destination nor did the boda boda rider. They both plunged into an unfenced drainage channel, as the rider tried to find a shallow area to pass, and drowned.This tragic death isn’t the first of its nature. In July, 2005, at the entrance of Kikuubo Lane, a renowned business hub in the middle of the city centre, one Robert Kizito, a boda boda cyclist, fell into an uncovered manhole before he was carried away by rain water. The prolonged search for the body along Nakivubo Channel and Lake Victoria yielded nothing, sparking a steamy debate in Parliament on the state of city infrastructure. Five years later, it is the same story, same promises and same cautionary measure being given. But the numbers of people dying in open manholes (that are supposed to be covered) and unfenced deep water drainages are not decreasing. Kawempe is the most affected division in the capital city. Zones of Bokasa, St. Francis, Mayinja and Kibe have become like seasonal rivers. Worse still, the area has drainage channels, like Nsooba and Lubigi, as deep as three metres, that overflow during the rainy season. Last month, a 16-year-old girl and three other people drowned in unrelated incidents in the same area. Areas such as Namasuba, Ndejje and Lufuka, which are found on the outskirts of Makindye Division, have also become death traps whenever it rains. The area was mostly a wetland but when people started constructing there, they built small drainages. However, the construction was not well coordinated. This causes the water to flow in a zig zag motion and not straight, causing some blockage. When it floods therefore, the drainages are covered and become dangerous. In the Central Division, most manhole covers and fences have been stolen by scrap dealers. The Chief Fire Officer, Mr Simon Musoke said the increase in deaths and injuries of city dwellers in such incidents has a direct bearing with the increase in rains. Mr Musoke said they have responded to 23 cases of people drowning in places like drainages, from January, 1 to June 30 this year. “This doesn’t include the cases in July, August and September when there has been a heavy downpour,” Mr Musoke said yesterday. This means if the rains continue this year, deaths by drowning may go beyond the 41 registered last year (these cases of drowning exclude those reported on major lakes and rivers). Mr Ssebuliba Mutumba, Kawempe South Member of Parliament, says the situation is very bad in his area and people are drowning in unfenced drainages. But because they are poor, he says, “those deaths are considered by government as unessential statistics.” “It is disaster now. I have talked to the Minister of Disaster, Mr Musa Ecweru and we are going to the area next week. Many people have abandoned the areas because of the increase in cases of drowning,” he said. Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) which is responsible for the fencing and making sure that manholes aren’t in dangerous conditions, says that meagre resources can’t allow them to execute their duties. KCCA spokesperson, Mr Simon Muhumuza, said there is a plan to fence off all the drainages and also cover the manholes, but they have no resources to implement the plan. Also, many drainages have a lot of silt as well as plastic from garbage thrown there. This causes a blockage when the area floods. “They are very many things to work on yet we have no resources. Now, it is raining but you can see how we are struggling to de-silt the drainages,” Mr Muhumuza said. Kawempe Division residents attribute the origin of the problem to the Northern Bypass, which they say acts as a dyke. They say rainwater from Makerere and Kiwunya can’t cross to Lubigi wetland. Thus it floods in Kawaala and Kazo areas. When the area floods, even the small ditches in the house backyards become death traps. However, Mr Musoke says many of the deaths and injuries can be avoided if people take preventive measures. “People shouldn’t walk or ride in rainwater because you may not know the strength, depth and speed of water. If a person is caught up by floods, he should also not leave a safe area unless he or she is accompanied by a person who knows the geography of the area,” Mr Musoke said. 1 | 2 Next Page»Police statistics show that most people who drown are children and most of them drown either when they were walking back home after the downpour or playing near drainages. abagala@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1236360/-/bj8lhxz/-/index.html","content":"Woman, boda boda rider drown in Kampala floods - The Wednesday downpour that paralysed much of central business district of Kampala has claimed two lives, according to Deputy Police Spokesperson Vincent Ssekate. A boda boda cyclist with his female passenger drowned in an open water channel as they tried to navigate their way on the flooded Entebbe road. The incident occurred near a boda boda stage popularly known as Kalitunsi near Clock Tower in Kampala. The accident happened shortly before 2pm. The boda boda rider, whose body has been recovered, is yet to be positively identified. The female passenger has been identified as the late Brenda Omuntu, a Barclays Bank Katwe branch cashier. Mr Ssekate said the two were travelling on a boda boda when they failed to locate the road running into the over flowing channel. Rescue teams were hampered from helping the victims earlier as the fast flowing water made it impossible to gain access to the drainage channel. Efforts are still on-going to retrieve the body of the female passenger."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Editorial/-/689360/1235096/-/a1451n/-/index.html","content":"Weather warning is out, let’s act - The Department of Meteorology has passed a warning: the second rainy season has come early. Importantly, the rainy season from September to December will have above normal rainfall in some parts of the country, lightning, strong and gusty winds and episodic flash floods. The experts also warn that lives of both humans and livestock will be at risk. We would encourage other government departments involved in the preparation for disasters, especially the Prime Minister’s office, to treat this as more than just a ceremonial report. The report, for example warns that mudslides will possibly occur in mountainous areas. We all know the tragedies of Bududa and lately Bulambuli districts. We have laboured here on the need to relocate populations in these danger zones before disaster strikes. It was done partially in Bududa but like Bulambuli indicated, the work is not complete. For the local governments, it is important to use this alert to sensitise their local populace on disaster preparation. One of the key issues in this alert is the revelation that areas in southern, Lake Victoria basin and eastern Uganda will receive above-normal rain. How much preparation has been done in terms of preparing for water harvesting ahead of the obvious drought that will follow the heavy rainfall? Of course the bigger debate should be on our abuse of natural habitat like wetlands that should serve as sponges for these heavy downpours and later release the water into the lakes during scarcity. Are we willing to restore these resources or let them get raped and like we are seeing with load-shedding and reduced water levels in Lake Victoria, continue paying the painful price? The rains will affect crops in the fields. Like it has happened in Bulambuli and other places already experiencing floods, food scarcity is biting. In the absence of national silos, what is government doing to stock food? Or have we alerted our development partners in time to help us? The bottom line though is that when disaster strikes, we should not act in panic, like we never knew it was bound to happen. These early warnings must be taken seriously."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1235236/-/bj9bo2z/-/index.html","content":"Water shortage hits Hoima - Hoima Despite the ongoing heavy rains that have caused floods and severe destruction in several parts of the country, communities in Hoima District still have difficulty accessing safe water for drinking and other domestic use. People living along the Albertine Rift Valley have been hit hardest, including residents of Kigorobya and parts of Hoima Municipality. The district gets an average of 1,000 mm of rainfall, with two heavy rain seasons running between March-May and August-November, but many families are still crying of water scarcity. “Many people have not appreciated rain water harvesting,” the district water engineer, Mr Ibrahim Luswata, said. Residents need water for domestic use while farmers want it for irrigation and feeding their livestock. It is, therefore, common to see long queues for water at some water sources, shortly after a heavy downpour. Mr Samuel Katabaro, a farmer in Buseruka Sub-county, says life is becoming difficult as he has to move over 10 kilometres to Lake Albert daily. District authorities say Buseruka, Kabwooya and Kyangwali sub-counties near the Albertine rift valley are the most affected. Mr Luswata adds that some water sources along the Lake Albert shores are salty, which explains why some residents opt to fetch water from the lake and other sources, in search for fresh water. However, the Red Cross Society, under the water and sanitation project, has started constructing water sources in the affected sub-counties since residents have been seen fetching water from contaminated sources. Hoima mayor Grace Mary Mugasa says the municipality has embarked on rehabilitating disused protected water sources and constructing new ones. Although there are seven-man water source committees to oversee protection of wells, springs and boreholes, some residents have not cared to maintain the sources. “Some sources are poorly maintained. It is now a government policy that water sources are communally maintained,” he said.Environmentalists have, however, blamed the problem on adverse weather, which has affected water levels."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1234722/-/bj9w3xz/-/index.html","content":"September to have heaviest rainfall, experts sound alarm - The second rainy season started unusually early, but more than else, experts have warned of disasters as the seasonal rainfall outlook for September to December predicts above normal rains in some parts of the country. The weather outlook, released by the Department of Meteorology last week, shows that lightning, strong and gusty winds as well as episodic flash floods might be experienced in some areas, putting lives of both humans and livestock at risk. Mr Michael Nkalubo, the acting commissioner for meteorology, said other disasters may arise from possible landslides mostly in mountainous areas of western, south-western and eastern Uganda. “Therefore, appropriate measures should be taken to avoid loss of life and destruction of infrastructure and property,” Mr Nkalubo said in the statement. He said the findings were made during the 29th Climate Outlook Forum (COF29) for the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA) in Entebbe on September 1 to 3. Based on the trends of the ongoing weather patterns, it was observed that there will be an increased likelihood of above-normal rain in southern, central, Lake Victoria basin, and eastern Uganda. The new forecast, however, comes at a time when floods triggered off by heavy rains have destroyed several homesteads, food crops and infrastructure in many parts of the country. Late last month, at least 30 people were killed in a mudslides in Bulambuli District. Government recently warned that hundreds of families in eastern region risk starvation in the next four months after crops rotted following floods that left soils water-logged. September to December is the second major rainfall season in Uganda.During the same period, Mr Nkalubo said some parts of the country will receive relatively low rainfall, which will not enable people to wipe out the drought impacts that have persisted in few isolated areas for several months. Transport sector is also likely to be affected as roads would be cut off by intense rainfall and water-borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid may emerge across the country. Scientists say the rains are expected to improve agricultural activities and enhance food securuty. They advised farmers to make use of the season to optimise crop yield through appropriate land-use management. Meteorologists also predicated the coming rains to enhance the levels of water in the rivers and lakes hence rising levels of water in dams for more energy generation. jmiti@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1233810/-/10sx4jt/-/index.html","content":"Disasters will shape migration and settlement patterns in the country - Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme natural hazards, especially floods, storms and droughts. Nine out of every 10 disasters worldwide are now climate-related. In Uganda, the recent climatic changes triggered landslides in eastern and western regions as well as floods in Kampala suburbs, including Bwaise, that saw people lose their lives. Such a phenomenon is critical in the long-term, given that it will shape future migration and settlement patterns in the country. These disasters have exacerbated humanitarian needs in Uganda because it has aggravated existing human vulnerability and environmental degradation, which in turn is threatening to intensify the struggle for access to and control of scarce resources hence potentially increasing the likelihood of migration and settlement in other areas, which in some instances, have or will trigger land conflicts. As a result, victims of Bududa landslides were resettled in Kiryandongo District in western Uganda. Migrations that involve resettlement, if not well managed, may lead to social tensions and sporadic violence, especially in the receiving areas. Long-term changes such as desertification may lead to a decline in living standards that increase the cost of staying versus leaving. Further, if certain ethnic groups are concentrated in particular regions adversely affected by climate change, they may demand compensation or redress to counter growing inequalities. Eventually, the scarcity of resources such as water, farmland and timber may spark off the Malthusian theory-relate conflict where people compete for limited supply of goods. However, it is important to note that while the number of recorded disasters has increased significantly, so has disaster resilience. When communities are prepared, they are less likely to be permanently displaced in spite of hazards. Well-planned initiatives for environmental protection, land-use planning, natural resource management and settlement development can substantially reduce disaster risks and indeed migration patterns. A Disaster Preparedness Plan for Uganda, which has been enacted, will help offer guidance on how to meet the challenge of being prepared to respond as set out in priority five of the Hyogo Framework for Action for the United Nations. Gilbert Habasa, Kampala habaasa@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1233962/-/bjajqnz/-/index.html","content":"District leaders decry indiscriminate tree cutting, wetland encroachment - Massive tree cutting and poor farming practices are worrying Budaka district leaders who now attribute the prolonged drought, floods and poor crop to the practise. “The persistent drought that is being experienced in the district and neighbouring areas is attributed to various factors including deforestation and poor farming practices, causing climatic change” the Budaka LC5 chairman, Mr Arthur Mboizi, said. He added: “Most swamps have been cleared for rice growing without minding about the future. This now remains the biggest threat to the district. We have decided to come up with a policy which should encourage households to plant more trees to avert more dangers.” He urged councillors to formulate ordinances that will propel people to embrace the programme of tree-planting. He urged government to enforce the policy to evict all wetland encroachers. He observed that the current drought is due to cutting of trees without re-planting any."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1232828/-/12rhsjcz/-/index.html","content":"Don’t ridicule the disaster ministry; play your role! - Allow me respond to an article by Mr Mohamed Matovu in the Daily Monitor of Monday, September 5, criticising the response of the Department of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Management in the Office of the Prime Minister in reference to the Bulambuli Landslides tragedy. If Mr Matovu had seen television footages of a similar landslide that buried 25 people and washed away at least 50 in Japan just a few days ago-- Sunday, September 4-- after a similar ‘natural’ disaster killed 15,760 people with 4,282 still missing and 5,927 injured after the March 11 Tohoku earthquake and Tsunami in Japan, he would have developed a very different perspective of how disasters occur and how they are managed. Matovu should have also checked out the outcomes of Hurricane Irene in New Jersey, USA to get a broader understanding of what ‘natural’ disasters are. I have referred Mr Matovu to two countries with some of the most sophisticated technologies and expertise to predict, warn and respond to disasters; yet they equally struggle when nature decides to act in a certain way. Matovu also failed to appreciate that a football match is won by focusing on the team other than one of the players. For a disaster to occur, there are at least three categories of actors; those who cause the problem; those who manifest the problem and then those who salvage the problem. There are many actors in each of the categories. Many ‘natural’ disasters we see happening, today including the Bulambuli landslides are a result of many factors- national, regional and global, which include several years of environmental degradation such as massive tree cutting, clearing of vegetation and wetlands, poor agricultural practices, settlement on steep slopes, fast population growth, climate change, etc. While not everybody is to blame for the gradual destruction of the environment which now manifests in form of landslides, windstorms, floods, etc; when it comes to restoration of the environment, we all have responsibility and it cannot be done overnight. Knowing that landslides are a sudden-on-set disaster which does not allow the at-risk-population to escape, the Nema Act requires one to get a written permit and guidance from the District Environment Officer in order to carry out any activity or settlement on the mountainous slopes of 15 degrees and beyond. Almost all people living on the slopes of Mt. Elgon do not have the permits.Good environmental practices are the ultimate solution to the escalating landslides. If people practiced good terracing, maintained tree cover and if people avoided clearing vegetation near steep cliffs, they can sustainably live safely on some parts of the mountains. Matovu is criticising the disaster department and wondering why the whole population living on the Mt. Elgon slopes who number over 500,000 have not been relocated to another part of the country without recognising the impact of such massive exodus on the many stakeholders, the economy, cultures and traditions to be affected. Worldwide, the countries and organisations, including the United Nations are now emphasising disaster risk reduction which in simple terms means know-the-threat and learn to live with the risk or keep away from it as opposed to swift response to the disaster impact. With bridges washed away, roads blocked and rivers emerging from every cliff and crops destroyed, Matovu should have realised that the response actions required is not the responsibility of only one institution of government. We are doing our best to salvage the effects of many years of environmental degradation. I strongly believe that humanitarian response is more than just a job, it is a calling and demands from us a lot of compassion and that is what we try to do wiping out tears from our people in distress. However, many “commentators” (analysts) choose to ridicule us, but we will continue to diligently serve our people. God is our witness!Mr Ecweru is the Minister of State for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Management"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1232278/-/bjbeiyz/-/index.html","content":"Rains cut off eastern roads - Torrential rains have destroyed roads in most parts of eastern and northern regions, cutting off Kotido District road network from the rest of the country. Roads in Teso, Sebei, Karamoja and Bugisu sub-regions have also been greatly affected, the Ministry of Works and Transport said yesterday. The Ministry of Works spokesperson, Ms Susan Kataike, said 15 main roads in the eastern region have become impassable due to floods that have either washed away or submerged bridges. The cost of damage in the entire region is not known because the assessment has not been done, but the damage in Kotido District is above Shs11 billion. Kotido cut off“All the three roads connecting Kotido District to other parts of Uganda are currently cut off. The rains are increasingly causing more damage on the road network,” Ms Kataike said. Officials of the Works Ministry said they have the funds to rehabilitate damaged roads but they are waiting for the rains to stop. The Kotido road network situation mirrors what is happening in other districts in the region. The damaged roads have an adverse effect on the distribution of food aid to Karamoja sub-region whose population is dependent on aid. All the food aid to Karamoja is transported by road. According to a Daily Monitor correspondent in the region, the situation is much worse on the roads managed by local governments. Karamoja sub-region, with a population of one million people and with a size bigger than Rwanda, has only half a kilometre of tarmac road. In Moroto District, vehicles can not cross Lorengedwat Bridge, 18kms on Lokapel-Chosan, Road because of the high water levels. Teso sub-region is equally in the same situation with 163 kilometres of roads managed by the central government damaged. The Ministry of Works and Transport says when the rains stop, they will have to raise the level of the road above the swamps by one to two metres to avoid another wash-away. “As urgent works, there is need to reinstate the scoured road section by gravelling,” Ms Kataike said.“However, for long-term intervention, additional culverts are required to quickly dispose of the storm water and the road section should be raised,” she added. Landslides in Sironko, Bulambuli, Kapchorwa and Mbale districts have also rendered several roads impassable. 1 | 2 Next Page»abagala@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Markets/-/688606/1232198/-/sl40yt/-/index.html","content":"Floods worsen food prices  in Karamoja region  - Food prices in Karamoja are skyrocketing as a result of the poor state of the roads connecting the region to other parts of the country. The heavy rains and floods have rendered the roads impassable making transport especially of food commodities impossible. The roads that were repaired by Uganda National Road Authority in Karamoja recently have once again been run down. The road that connects Moroto to Kotido has been closed again following the breakdown of Lopei Bridge. Also, the road that connects Moroto to Mbale via Nakapiripirit is impassable after Lorengedwat Bridge broke donw two weeks ago. The few traders who have managed to navigate their way to trading centres are taking advantage of the situation to hike prices especially of nonperishable or fresh foods. A kilogramme of sugar currently costs Shs8,000 in Moroto District compared to the Shs3,200 price in Kampala. A kilogramme of maize floor, by Friday last week, cost Shs1800. The price has, however, gone up to Shs3,000 this week. The price of rice also went up to Shs4,000 a kilogramme. Mr Godfry Oumo, trader, said price hiking is meant to help traders make some profits. “Transport costs are now high because we now use more fuel in the process of navigating the roads,” he said."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1231662/-/bjc0qdz/-/index.html","content":"Bulambuli survivors finally receive food aid - Bulambuli Survivors of last week’s landslides in Bulambuli District have finally started receiving food rations through the Uganda Red Cross Society. Each of the 884 households received at least six kilogrammes of posho and two kilogrammes of beans from the government. The district, which could not receive relief items because of impenetrable roads, was the worst hit by the recent floods that have swept through the country, resulting in death, displacement, and destruction of crops – a disaster that created fear that it could result into starvation. Many survivors in Sisiyi and Buluganya sub-counties had earlier received medicine, clothes, blankets, water purifiers, mosquito nets, jerrycans and saucepans. However, the victims said the items did not address their immediate need, which is food, since most of their crops had been buried by sludge. Uganda Red Cross Assistant Director of Communications Catherine Ntabadde in a press statement on Monday said more food is needed to cater for at least 50,000 people. The organisation’s secretary general, Mr Michael Richard Nataka, said about 10,000 kits of essential household items and 6,000 water purification tablets are urgently needed. According to the organisation’s assessment, Bulambuli, Butalejja and Kween districts are at higher risk of cholera outbreak since most of the pit-latrines were flooded."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1231060/-/bjc5g6z/-/index.html","content":"Floods isolate Ntoroko as 20,000 residents starve - Kabarole Following the heavy floods that hit the Ntoroko District last week leaving most areas cut off, over 20,000 people are now reported to be struggling to get even a single meal in a day. The communities living on the shores of Lake Albert have now petitioned the government to rescue them before they starve to death. “We can still stand, talk and move, but don’t get surprised to hear that all fishing communities along Lake Albert have perished due to starvation,” said Mr Samuel Magoola, the councillor Kanara Sub-county. The local leaders were over the weekend meeting the Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Mr Musa Ecweru, at Ntoroko landing site, where he had gone to assess the situation after the floods. Domestic troublesMr Magoola said the problem has also led to family conflicts since many women have run away from their husbands and abandoned their children in the face of the adversity. He said the problem has been worsened by a recent ban on fishing on Lake Albert by the Ministry of Fisheries after it discovered fishermen using illegal gear that was depleting fish stock. Kanara Sub-county vice chairperson Muhamad Isufu Byaruhanga said the fishing gear sold at Shs500,000 is too expensive for the residents. “Since fishing was halted, so many people have been sleeping hungry and others eating one meal per day.” Minister Ecweru and his team found that some areas like Bweramule Sub-county have been cut off from the rest of the district by floods and there is no way government can take relief there. “The situation is appalling and in the shortest time possible I will make sure that something is done to save lives,” Mr Ecweru said, before donating about 9,400 kilogrammes of posho and beans for emergency. The area woman MP, Jennifer Mujungu asked local leaders to always report such catastrophes in time so that the government can look for a quick remedy."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1230486/-/bjcqkkz/-/index.html","content":"Vet government officials, says Prof. Kagonyera - Government officials who have failed to curb the runaway inflation and to mitigate floods ravaging parts of the country should be vetted, Prof. Mondo Kagonyera has said. The former general duties minister and the current chancellor of Makerere University while launching the Pan African Agri-Business Network, the Uganda Chapter of the Pan African Agribusiness and agroindustry consortium at the Management Training and Advisory Centre (MTAC) in Nakawa at the weekend, said it is unacceptable that Uganda, which is endowed with fertile arable land and good weather for agricultural production, is the same crying of a double digit inflation caused by increased food prices and a collapsing agricultural system, yet agriculture forms the backbone of her economy. “Most times there is misconception about government’s ability to deliver services. Ask why some of the people in government are in their jobs. Is it to wait for the pay cheques at the end of the month, do they know what they are doing?” he said. Prof. Kagonyera said democracy is about demanding for what the citizens want. So people should exercise their rights. He asked government to set agricultural experimental stations to guide citizens on what to do to avoid the food shortages and inflation. Mr Kagonyera also said water should be provided to aid production of crops. The launched network currently hosted by MTAC is supposed to offer advisory services on job creation."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1230460/-/bjcqmiz/-/index.html","content":"Floods ‘kill’ trade in Karamoja - Bulambuli Business in Karamoja sub-region has suffered another blow as the main road through Sironko has been blocked by heavy floods that have hit the low-lying sections of Bulambuli District. Trucks of food stuff and an assortment of merchandise destined for Karamoja, and trucks ferrying limestone from Nakapiripirit to Tororo are all been stuck at Atar road junction. The floods have also destroyed several homesteads displacing about 413 people now camped at a local Pentecostal Church at Bunambale Parish in Atar Sub-county. Gardens of maize, cassava, cotton, sunflower, rice and beans have all been submerged. The LCI chairman for Bunambale Village, Mr Issa Mafanane, said about 109 people are staying at the local church while the rest had taken shelter in the neighbouring Bunambutye Sub-county. “The floods have devastated us, they have destroyed our houses, crops and blocked the road to Karamoja, our appeal is government should come to our rescue because we have nothing to lean on,” Mr Mafanane said. A local businessman, Mr John Suruta, said all his perishables like tomatoes, cabbage and yellow bananas got spoilt along the way as they had to stay at Bunambale for about two weeks. “I have lost everything, my capital is also gone, I have no where to start. We were told this road was going to be worked on but we have waited and not seen any sign. We do big businesses in Amudat, Nakapiripirit, Moroto, Kaabong, Napak and Abim, government should help us get this road done to enable us do businesses because we are tax payers,” said Mr Suruta. Ms Redemuta Nafuna, a local farmer, apparently staying in church with her family, said they were not prepared for the disaster and that with such huge destruction famine is around the corner. “With our houses destroyed, crops rotting in gardens, all villages are bound to face severe hunger because crops were swept away,” she said. The Red Cross secretary general, Mr Richard Nataka, who visited the area to assess the effect caused by the floods, estimated that the damage to be “in billions of shillings and might eat deep into the national coffers”. The Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Mr Musa Ecweru, said the government is planning to ensure that the farmers are helped to cope with the situation as they prepare for another season. “Government is aware of this and we are trying to seek remedy to this,” said Mr Ecweru. editoria @ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1230436/-/12rjaaoz/-/index.html","content":"Disaster ministry making a disaster of its disaster response - Landslides, floods, famine, drought, have one thing in common; they are all disasters. You may add, we have little control over them. Although there is debate about the ‘naturalness’ of natural disasters. For purposes of avoiding argument, let us go with the (un)informed view that natural disasters are actually natural i.e. they are not the product of human activity and that we have little control how or when they strike. You still realise that even with such admission, there are questions that pop up. One such is: Can we solve much by how we respond to these ‘natural’ disasters? I develop chicken skin every time news filters through of yet another disaster because my heart goes out to those less lucky people who, on top of the surprise, shock and awe that disrupts their routine life, have to face up with the humiliation that has come to characterise all disaster responses. It is almost always after a disaster has struck that your amiable Musa Ecweru will come out to explain the delay to deliver relief or planned relocation or evacuations “because government has no money for the purpose”. It’s also around the same time that you will hear statements like: “We did not anticipate this (mudslide); in fact we do not have money. The good thing is that Cabinet is flexible and we are working our way around to get some money.” We then, after the disaster, are lectured on how the Disaster Preparedness ministry is supposed to be allocated “one per cent of the national budget” but “Finance has never allocated it that cash, forcing line officials to scratch from other votes”. It is here that I think government needs to begin taking citizens seriously. You can use all manner of words to explain a disaster: unprecedented, massive scale, severe, crisis, but all that amounts to nothing if the government continues to appear insensitive to the plight of those suffering. You can’t get insensitivity in a better dose than this: In the midst of suffering, chaos and nervous breakdown, government reportedly sends an officer, Maj. Gen. Julius Oketta, the emergency coordinator in the Office of the Prime Minister, who on arrival begins his address with what government will not do; “to establish ad hoc camps for displaced persons – as it did last year following the March 1 Bududa mudslides” and goes ahead to advise “families to immediately take refuge with friends or relatives” and directs Bulambuli local government leaders to register all affected families and “help them find relatives to stay with them as we provide food for them until a lasting solution is sought by government”. This, in short, is the response plan at the moment as we wait for the ‘flexible’ Cabinet to sit and ‘approve money’ which the disaster ministry technocrats ‘are still calculating’! What impudence!One reason I fell for Sharon, the Ugandan representative in the Big Brother House was her razor honesty. Asked about her plan to make off with the bounty or to make the final list, she replied with naive honesty that she didn’t have a plan.So maybe we are sometimes made to believe that the ministry has plans when there are none in the first place. Nobody would expect the disaster ministry to pull movie-like evacuation stunts complete with choppers and Red Cross jacket- laden first aiders, although Uganda owns and can afford that ‘luxury’, what is important though is demonstrating sensitivity and care to those in dire need. If disaster management is a function of four steps: risk reduction, preparing resources to respond, actual response and limiting further damage and a recognition that all four depend on each other, what do you make of a disaster ministry that always finds solace in reminding you how ‘they didn’t predict/anticipate the disaster’? So, they want to be called a disaster ministry of ‘predictable’ disasters?Until risk reduction becomes a priority, the disaster ministry will continue to make a disaster of itself. Mr Matovu is a social commentator.meddieme@yahoo.co.uk"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1230042/-/13wxej7z/-/index.html","content":"Bare Knuckles: We might as well get down to rat dishes at this rate of inflation - So much is being said about Uganda’s run-away inflation – others claim it is only walking - that last month hit the 21.4 per cent double digit. Most analysts seem to concur that the situation is unlikely to improve given the trend of affairs over the last couple of months. Uganda lacks a strong export base that would have otherwise mitigated the inflationary impact of its huge imports. Also, we have been through months of food scarcity but the current floods, predictably, will cause more food shortages, more famine and further higher prices prolonging the gloom. For months now, the exchange rate has defied the central bank’s attempts to sweep the market of excess Shillings underscoring the insatiable demand for the US dollar especially by companies that are cushioning their own outlook, and hundreds of importers who want forex to buy goods from abroad. During the February presidential and parliamentary elections, billions of the local unit were also literally poured into the economy to entice voters to back President Museveni’s regime no-change. Since then, however, local prices for food, fuel, transport, utilities and services have spiraled uncontrollably. But wait, on the streets of Kampala, there is no semblance of the biting prices. Ugandans are generally a lavish type of people who like to consume ostentatious goods even if it means borrowing from a bank to pay for that consumption. They will still fill up bars and night clubs, go to beaches, drive fuel guzzlers and like yesterday, go to goat races just to show off their pseudo opulence. So, for those who seek to defend a position that Ugandans are doing well, this apparent life style fits in well. Unfortunately, this kind of life style is not sustainable where pecuniary incomes are not an actual reflection of peoples’ attitudes, albeit a small section. More than 31 per cent or about 10 million Ugandans survive on Shs2,800 a day. Quite literally, they pay rent, buy food, medical, clothing and transport for that amount. It is this section of Ugandans who really represent what Uganda’s backyard is, a backyard of junk not just economically, but also the national psyche. Last week, Dr Fred Muhumuza, an eminent economist, observed in his contribution to this newspaper that the distortions in our economy have been built overtime arising from decisions made by politicians and technocrats every year on policy issues of economic growth. It will also take some length of time before these distortions are rectified. Over the years, the government has implemented various policies as part of the much hyped structural transformation drive believed to be the key to usher Uganda into a middle income country. Unfortunately, its budgetary allocations over the years do not support the claim of the determination to move the country into a middle income country. The government has reneged on the more practical role of boosting agriculture, tourism, energy, trade, industry, and water and environment. It has left these sectors to the depravities of the private sector. These are sectors of primary production which would support the growth of upward linkages of economic growth. Naturally, these sectors employ more handymen, more unskilled and semi-skilled populations, and offer the preconditions necessary for the growth and development of industry and tertiary sectors. President Museveni’s obsession of creating a “middle class”, perhaps before he leaves the reins of power, has influenced policy formulations aimed at growing a tertiary labour force in an economy that is largely agricultural. Consequently, fewer jobs have been created, income disparities between the rich and the poor have widened, while corruption by politicians, public officials and a batch of corporates has become sophisticated as these try to live off more than their monthly wages. The craze of the discovery of oil is likely to complicate matters. Once the oil is exhausted, Uganda could find itself suffering from the Dutch disease because of the possible neglect of other non-oil sectors of the economy. For the last couple of years, there has been marked investment in the service sector with the likes of MTN, Umeme, several financial institutions and others all of which are private capital. These companies employ only a minute number of Ugandans mostly the highly skilled. Despite wheeling growth in recent years, the tertiary sector, in the case of Uganda, cannot unsustainably support economic growth for prolonged periods without the push from a ‘land-based’ sector such as commercialised agriculture, tourism, trade, water and environment. A highly developed tertiary sector, which does not have the support of these sectors has the potential to cause a serious tilt of incomes and social status in favour of the minority and changing attitudes geared towards consumption of luxury and not the production of basic goods like food. What Uganda really needs, first, is ‘a working class’, as opposed to ‘middle class’, school of labour that wakes up every morning and goes out purposefully to produce goods and services that the economy needs and not one that goes out to consume what the economy doesn’t produce. Mr Masiga is the Managing Editor - Weekend fmasiga@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1229654/-/12ryiotz/-/index.html","content":"Balance investment with nature for holistic devt    - The headlines of some stories in the Wednesday Daily Monitor August 31 all say one thing. “Kigezi in panic as rain shows no signs of ending”, “Famine looms in Gulu”, “Crops washed away as heavy rain pounds West Nile”. The ever present threat of global warming has to be tackled and we have always had the knowledge on how to do it. The councillor from Bufundi Sub-county, Ndorwa , Kigezi said: “The people need to be enlightened on how to deal with floods and landslides.” I found his statement quite interesting given the fact that this knowledge was always with the people of Ndorwa. When did they lose the knowledge that they had learned under the governance system in the 17th Century? In this century, Ndorwa as well as greater Kigezi were conquered by Ruganzu Ndori, according to history. He set up a complex land management system that kept at bay the threats of flooding, drought, famine and war. These four factors are always tied together historically. There were three kinds of people inhabiting that whole area. The hunter-gatherers who lived off the forest, the cultivators and the pastoralists. When there was disequilibrium among these groups, it would lead to war, which would lead to famine; or flooding, which would lead to drought which would lead to war. The pastoralists could not maintain more than 30 cows as it would mean they graze on the cultivators’ land. The cultivators in turn would not cut down trees as it would lead to a direct attack from the hunter-gatherers who feared for their livelihood. An attack would cause destruction of property and crops, and lead to famine or destruction of animals. Everyone had to live in equilibrium. How relevant is this piece of history, you must be asking? It appears that with colonisation, we seem to have lost touch with the good elements of our culture that taught us these simple lessons; that an imbalance in any sector would lead to disaster. You cut down trees and nature rewards you with floods. There is no two ways about that. You compromise and allow the environment to remain and you will not be able to create sufficient industry/infrastructure to remove people from land enabling the few who remain to optimise the land usage. Balancing environmental needs and development requires we make choices. For example, tarmacking of 20,000 kilometres of road would lead to loss of about 20,000 hectares of forest/vegetation and cause great heat. If there is no attempt to re-gazette areas for tree cover, equivalent to what has been lost for infrastructure, you will create an effect on the environment, which will in turn make your investment in road infrastructure not worth it at all. In Kigezi, by cutting the forest cover for charcoal and not replacing it immediately with new forest, they have created what in the 17th Century would not have happened. Yet, this knowledge on how to prevent flooding has been passed on through folklore and history books. The earnings from charcoal are no doubt marginal compared to the possible nutritional loss caused by the floods. With modern commerce, the principle of finding balance still applies. The inevitable truth is that failure to balance nature with perceived gains in investment will lead to floods, famine and ultimately war. It is a cycle that never changes, no matter who applies it. With global warming becoming a real threat for most parts of Uganda, efficiency of land usage, new farming technology, restoration of forest cover, and a reminder of what we always knew culturally about our environment, should really become everyone’s priority. Ms Mbabazi is a social critic. lenina2007@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1229170/-/bjs3yrz/-/index.html","content":"Broken roads block aid to mudslide victims - Before they could recover and settle after the disaster that left more than 31 people dead on Monday, another mudslide struck Bulambuli District yesterday - but luckily no one died. On the same day, it emerged that relief items for the victims could not be distributed due to bad roads. Uganda Red Cross Society, the agency mandated to spearhead the aid, instead rang an alarm bell that storm water had washed away bridges, cutting off 10 roads connecting to several villages. “We failed to distribute anything. This place is hilly and impassable, especially upper Bulambuli,” Ms Kevin Nabutuwa, the humanitarian agency’s assistant director for disaster management, said yesterday. “Most of the roads have been cut off by floods,” the official said amid reports of unrelenting rain. The district’s disaster management committee has since the Monday mudslides met on three different days, and reconvenes today, to explore how to surmount the physical handicaps to enable relief packages reach the needy in remote areas. Less progressEven when graders were dispatched on site to clear rocks and soil mounds off blocked road sections, little progress has been made because of the soggy ground. “This is the challenge we are facing on the ground. The slow pace at which roads are being opened is affecting relief distribution,” said Maj. Gen. Julius Oketta, the coordinator of disaster management in the Office of the Prime Minister. Mr Oketta was sent by government to oversee emergency response in Bulambuli and in a telephone interview last night, he admitted that they had stopped the search and rescue operations for victims after retrieving 26 bodies. “We believe thirty people died, nine of them children, but we can physically only account for 26.”Officials say they are planning to identify children orphaned by the disaster and families that lost homes and require relocation. The district council will have to find alternative land to resettle the displaced persons and incase it fails, the matter will be channeled for cabinet consideration through the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). Government and humanitarian partners have, as a short time remedy, agreed to integrate survivors into families of relatives/friends willing to accommodate them with a promise that each host will be offered food and basic items enough to cater for two families. When district leaders, OPM staff and development partners reconvene at Bulambuli headquarters today, they will thrash out details of a technical report from an ad hoc team led by National Environment Management Authority Information Systems Specialist, Dr Mary Gorretti Kitutu. Dr Kitutu’s team made a rapid assessment of the risk of mudslides recurring in the Mt. Elgon region and are expected to report today that up to 50,000 people live in danger zones while seven out of the district’s 12 sub-counties have fault lines.I tbutagira@ug.nationmedia.com & dmafabi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1228734/-/bjsnomz/-/index.html","content":"Floods destroy Eastern Uganda districts - Residents of Bulambuli, Sironko, Pallisa, Budaka, Butaleja are still stranded after floods, destroyed their homes, crops and killed some animals. The floods have ravaged most low-lying areas near Mt. Elgon. Not only have homes been damaged, but more than 60 per cent of gardens containing rice, maize, cassava, cotton, sunflower and beans plantations have been destroyed and submerged by floods, officials say. Several animals have been killed and hundreds of residents displaced, as fear of food shortage and hunger looms. The minister of state for disaster preparedness, Mr Musa Echweru said the government estimates that the damage to crops, roads and schools is in billions of shillings. “A number of districts are facing serious problems due to the above normal rains that have washed away bridges, roads and flooded gardens which resulted in food crops rotting,” Mr Ecweru said. “The affected districts are likely to experience severe food shortage, followed by long dry spell,” he added. Mr Ecweru’s warning comes hardly two months since the government cautioned on torrential rains associated an Elnino, an unusual rainfall pattern accompanied by hailstorm. Section of the community roads that links farmers to various markets within rural Sironko have become impassable after heavy rains hit the district on Wednesday. When Daily Monitor visited the lower parts of Sironko, farmers stood by their flooded gardens in shock and silence as they watched their submerged food crops."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/CharlesOnyangoObbo/-/878504/1227964/-/hoiv3u/-/index.html","content":"Find a cow, talk to it about last 40 years of Uganda’s green life - The landslides in eastern Uganda, and the dispute over President Museveni’s push to hive off and give part of Mabira Forest to the Mehta clan to grow sugarcane, has again focused attention on the environment in Uganda. Uganda is now the East African Community’s Enemy Number One of the environment, destroying the most and replanting the least forest. Now, in the last two years I have been reading up a lot on the Uganda environment, and whenever I travel to any part of the country I study it more closely than most travellers do. It is very interesting what you can see. If you went to secondary school 30 years ago, you will have studied that Eastern Uganda was the most densely populated part of Uganda. The pressure of that large number of people pushing lands beyond their carrying weight, partly explains the landslides in Bugisu today. These pressures have made livelihoods very difficult. Combined with the ravages of landslides and extreme floods, they have forced people to flee. People in the east have been fleeing to the wetlands of Busoga, Buganda regions, and the northern regions where they have become internal environmental refugees. And from the far western part of Uganda, places like Kabale, they been fleeing to Bunyoro and Mpigi. After you drive through Busoga and get to Tororo, for example, if you are observant you will notice that suddenly there are fewer homes along the main highway—and increasingly vast near-savannah grasslands are actually more beautiful today than they were 15 years ago! This was not supposed to have happened. The abused lands, you would expect, would turn into semi-arid bleakness, good only for postcard pictures. It hasn’t happened exactly that way, and it’s fascinating to see how the land has “healed” itself, and the new landscapes that are evolving. The most dramatic phase of this happened mostly in the last five years. If you have taken photographs regularly of any of the expanses along the highway anywhere from about Busitema up to beyond Soroti over the last five years, put them against each and study them closely.You will notice that the vegetation in the more recent ones is greener, even when taken during the dry season. My own suspicion had been that there was some small-scale environment recovery plans at the community levels, but after researching that possibility for a while, last week I established conclusively that there were none. So what happened? Part of the recovery happened when people moved away from these areas to Busoga because they could not support themselves or their cows on the tired land, and the top water sources had dried. Bushes and trees started growing back, naturally. However, the same kind of trees and grass are also growing in parts of these regions where there are still quite a few homes.Not too long ago I took the trouble to make several stops along the road and check out the new trees and grasses. Later I checked them against photographs of vegetation from the 1960s and 1970s from these areas, and the differences are startling. While I will not claim to have done anything close to a scientific study, I noticed for example that most mangoes along the highway today have either no fruit or have miserable ones. It would seem that in order to survive, the mango trees have evolved not to bear fruit! But the most remarkable thing, and I get the same sense when I compare the photos of trees taken along Masaka Road to those from the 1970s, is that today’s trees are actually shorter! I think that is why they are surviving and increasing in number. They are too short to make good timber, so they are not cut down- and their branches are not long enough either to make good fuelwood. The same thing has happened with the grass. It seems to be growing shorter than it used to. This means it is unsuitable for thatching houses. If cows could speak, I would ask them how the new grass tastes. I suspect they would tell me it is sour, not sweet like that which their great great-great-great grandparents used to eat. I therefore think that over time many parts of Uganda that have been stripped of trees and high grass will grow back again and possibly even be greener than they used to be, but that new vegetation will not be able to support human existence as we know it. Which brings us back to Mabira Forest. The experience I have described suggests that if Museveni and the Methas want the ecosystem around Mabira to support sugarcane growing in the long-term, they should leave the forest alone. In fact, they should grow more trees. cobbo@ke.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1228158/-/bjsschz/-/index.html","content":"Crops washed away as heavy rain pounds West Nile - West Nile It has been a destructive two months for West Nile sub-region in terms of farming. In Moyo, floods have destroyed 40 hectares of maize, cassava and banana plaintains. But no human deaths were reported, though animals such as sheep and chicken were swept away mainly in Koboko Town Council. In Laropi Sub-county in Moyo, some 30 families, mainly subsistence farmers, in Pakoma, Logubu North and Idijo were affected. Mr Wilson Maiku, said they were not prepared for the disaster and with such huge destruction, famine is around the corner. “My family and the entire village are bound to face severe hunger because crops were swept away,” he said. The district production co-ordinator, Mr Alabi Ajavu, warned the farmers not to cultivate in streams or water ways. He said flooding has become very frequent in the area as a result of massive destruction of water banks. In Koboko, people in four sub-counties are still recovering from the July hailstones and floods that destroyed about 400 hectares of crops. The heavy rains normally get farmers here unawares because they are not briefed on weather changes. The farmers have called for intervention from government in form of provision of short-term crops and seedlings. Mr Kasim Ayile, a farmer in Paladru village in Lobule Sub-county, says the weather left his one-acre farm of beans, cassava and rice destroyed. “Survival is now between life and death, especially for my children. Food from gardens help a lot in cutting budget,” he said. Acting Koboko Production Officer, Mr Samuel Abiyo, said opportunities for help are being sought already. “We have submitted the findings to the Ministry of Agriculture and that of disaster preparedness for aid. But no help has yet come,” Mr Abiyo said. In Adjumani, some 20 hectares of crops were destroyed in Bakere village, Ofua Sub-county."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/YasiinMugerwa/-/878670/1226374/-/4ib123/-/index.html","content":"Economy is sick: Time to stop pampering MPs - The battles for Libya and Mabira Forest seem to have distracted us from what is really fundamental - the urgent need to salvage an economy that has developed gaping holes. As we focus on the dramatic end of the longest-serving self-styled ‘Brother Leader’ or ‘King of Kings’, Col. Muammar Gadaffi and President Museveni’s hallucination that part of Mabira Forest is going to Mehta Group for sugarcane growing, we forget that the economy remains in bad shape and things are getting worse. From the double-digit inflation to declining of the Shilling, from worsening unemployment in the country to boiling poverty in the countryside, from disgruntled civil servants to professionals fleeing the country, the government has its work cut out. In the very same breath, the “thieves” occupying public offices, the President talked about last month when he visited Rwanda, have also entrenched poverty in the population and impeded growth and service delivery—adding insult to injury.By focusing on Gadaffi’s antics and Mabira Forest, even when it is evident that for any government to succeed in giving it away, a skinny baby elephant will have to first pass through the eye of the needle, we ignore that prices of consumer goods are still unbearable for many Ugandans, the floods currently ravaging eastern parts of the country and unemployment is even biting harder. Unemployment crisisOf the 200,000 graduates every year, the government is only creating about 18,000 jobs per annum. This means that for every single job we create, there 10 fresh graduates applying for it. Patronage and discrimination notwithstanding, other figures put the number of jobless Ugandans chasing for a single job to about 50, a symbolism of a deepening crisis. Similarly, one in five Ugandans, who finished tertiary education, about 21.6 per cent, leave for greener pastures every year, not because of globalisation that has made the world a global village, but lack of jobs and meager salaries - depriving the country of the much-needed resources for national development. Sadly, even with such challenges facing the economy, in Parliament there is another problem: Like a distraught ghost chasing its tormenters, some greedy lawmakers are busy lobbying to have Shs200 million vehicles, yet others are working hard to ensure that the Constituency Development Fund is reinstated. But how long are we going to keep pampering MPs who are already a burden to the taxpayer? Well, the Parliamentary Commission chaired by Speaker Rebecca Kadaga must be applauded for scrapping CDF and equally; the proposed car purchase scheme should be scrapped in public interest. What is truly disturbing though is the damage being inflicted on the public’s faith in the entire political process. Since May 19, when these MPs took office, they have been coming to Parliament without free vehicles. They have private cars and they are given enough fuel every month. For the 375 directly elected MPs in Parliament, at a cost of about Shs200 million for each vehicle, taxpayers would forfeit a whooping Shs75 billion at a time when the economy is on intravenous therapy. Parliament should lead by example, cut wastage and put money in productive sectors of the economy. In any case, even if the saving is not given to agriculture, one of the neglected but critical sectors, the Shs75 billion is sufficient to increase salaries for the discontented teachers, security officers and medical workers who are struggling to live within their means. The highest levels of non-accountability of CDF by the lawmakers remains one of the sad stories of the 8th parliament. Ugandans have always shouldered the burden of MPs even when there is no value for money. For far too long, the President has pampered these MPs for reasons known to him. As I have always argued here, the opposition in Parliament has not been spared either. On various occasions, opposition lawmakers have also been caught offside and in a case of familiarity breeding contempt. For instance, in its 2009-2010 Parliamentary Scorecard report, the African Leadership Institute (AFLI), a local think-tank, indicates that up to 279 or 85 per cent of members of the 8th Parliament failed to account for money they received under the constituency development arrangement. Other lawmakers, whose details were not given, diverted money meant for poverty reduction and service delivery to funnels and wedding ceremonies. What a shame! This CDF project is President Museveni’s “animal”, an annual fund of Shs10 million that each MP receives to facilitate development projects in their respective constituencies. It was initiated in 2005 to relieve pressure from MPs. However, in trying to cut on the cost of gruesome public expenditure, the Parliamentary Commission, in its wisdom, has scrapped this scheme—infuriating greedy legislators in the process. However, this radical measure is expected to save at least Shs3.7 billion annually. Vehicles and CDF combined; the total savings will be about Shs78.7 billion. For the five years, we would have saved about Shs100 billion. Technically, the lifetime cost for treating a person with HIV/Aids, including drugs, tests and medical salaries, is about Shs23 million. This means that more than 3,400 Ugandans who need ARVs but cannot afford them will be started on ART every year using the Shs78.7 billion saved from MPs vehicles and CDF. In five years, the Shs100 billion would treat about 5,000 people living with HIV/Aids. It will be uncouth for government to keep pampering MPs who are already swimming in opulence, when in some clinics and hospitals, new HIV/Aids patients go on a waiting list. A slot opens only when a patient dies. To improve the effectiveness of government in order to deliver quality services, there is need to re-focus public service efforts for delivery of quality outputs. This can be achieved by cutting fat from institutions like Parliament. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1225694/-/bjuraaz/-/index.html","content":"My client forced me to wash a corpse, says ex-sex worker - Kampala “One night, I went with a client to his home along Jinja Road expecting to offer him the services (commercial sex) we usually give. We reached his home but I was surprised when he told me that he had another job he wanted me to do,” Ms Hajara Mukyaala, reformed sex worker, narrates. Ms Mukyaala, 27, and mother of three, says at that moment she was scared to the extent that she thought her client could kill her. “He went to a drawer, pulled out a big case and ordered me to open it. I was shocked to see a body with a bullet wound,” she narrated her ordeal. “Do not be scared, this is a body of my wife and I want you to wash it and dress it properly,” she quotes her ruthless client. Ms Mukyaala says she did not hesitate and asked her client to provide her with gloves. But there was none. “I diligently did the work with my bare hands. He paid me Shs20,000 and left me to go back home. But during the trying moment of the 30-minute job, my mind was home - thinking about my children I had locked in my two-roomed house.” Ms Mukyaala, now living positively with HIV/Aids, says she left home aged 12 where she lived with her mother after the death of her father, and, by the time of this interview, she had spent close to 15 years in the red district business. “When my dad died, life was difficult as my mother had other younger children to look after. I would spend day time watching films in video halls and at night sleep on verandahs,” Ms Mukyaala says. Entry pointShe says she was driven into the business by hunger.“A vendor bought for me a chapatti, juice and some other stuff worth Shs1,500 and later slept with me. This is when I realised that I could survive by engaging in prostitution,” she recalls. Ms Florence Masuly, the Programme Coordinator Tusitukire Wamu an HIV/Aids community-based organisation in Bwaise, a Kampala suburb, says prostitution in this particular slum is on the increase. So far there are about 300 women involved in the illegal trade. “This is a big challenge and is growing day-after-day. The slum has one of the highest HIV/Aids prevalence at 10 per cent compared to the national average of 6.7 per cent,” she said. In a study of Kampala last year carried out by Action Aid International Uganda and its partners, Home Based Care Initiative, HIV/Aids incidence among slum dwellers has doubled in general due to the rising trends of urbanisation, gender inequality and unemployment. Consequently, the number of orphans and widows in Kampala has also risen. Ms Mukyaala, now a community development volunteer, says she interacts with sex workers and they confess that police are still part of their problem. She said they fear to report to police because they are the very people who abuse their human rights. “How can you go to report to the very police men who rape you? They can come and finish you (shoot) at night. We still need our life”. Commercial sex workers claim that police officers on night patrol at times order them to have intercourse without condoms, exposing them to sexually transmitted diseases. “Not once or twice, I have been raped by police men on patrol. If you refuse they arrest you and detain you until you pay them some money. This has happened to my colleagues and it is still happening,” Ms Mukyaala said. When contacted on phone, Police deputy spokesperson Vincent Sekate could neither deny nor confirm the accusation. “I encourage victims of such circumstances, if they can identify those who committed crimes, to report to police so that the cases can be investigated. They can go and report to Police Standards Unit if they fear the ordinary reporting mechanism. If they (police) are found guilty, they will be dealt with according to the law,” he said. According to Uganda law, rape is a capital offence that attracts a maximum death sentence. But since the night she was forced to wash a corpse, Ms Mukyaala vowed never to engage in prostitution again. Mr Robert Kanwagi, the coordinator of the Breaking the Ice Project, which is being implemented by the group Reproductive Health Uganda in Kampala, said a recent survey found that HIV/Aids prevalence among sex workers in the city was as high as 47.2 per cent, compared to the national prevalence of 6.7 per cent. But one family has joined other NGOs in lighting up the future of 60 children and orphans of commercial sex workers living with HIV/Aids. The Hemi Bhatt family, which was expelled from Uganda by Idi Amin in 1972, is planning to invest Shs132 million in providing free education to the vulnerable children. Hanging onSt. James Primary School is one of the only publicly funded schools in Bwaise and was frequently flooded with raw sewerage during heavy rains. But Dr Bhatt recently renovated the school to stop the floods from entering the classrooms. “As a family, we are paying school fees for orphans at St. James Primary School. We also buy uniforms, food and ARVs for the children and their parents. We have a project running up to 2016,” he said. 1 | 2 Next Page»According to Mr David Kisakye, the headmaster of the school, neighbours empty their pit-latrines into water channels that overflow into the school compound whenever it rains. Mr Kisakye says Kampala Capital City Authority officials visited the school last year and promised Shs1.5m to improve its environment but the money has not come up to today. swandera@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1225310/-/10scudk/-/index.html","content":"We can live without sugar but not rain - For God’s sake, even a new-born baby can see that clearing part of Mabira forest is dangerous given the floods, landslides and poor harvests in this country. We can live without sugar but we cannot live without the rain, fresh air, and good soils. Let us save our future by making wise plans instead of clearing forests. With the trend of destruction of nature we are taking, our future is doomed. Whatever has gone wrong with President Museveni, nobody seems to know. Otherwise, how can an educated person want to destroy Mabira forest that provides rain to the Lake Victoria region and beyond considering the benefits associted with the forest.Concerned citizen"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/1224502/-/1lnqnfz/-/index.html","content":"Farmer’s Diary-Why destroy our natural resources? - Who has forgotten the weeping and wailing of the traders who lost all their property when a cruel fire destroyed Owino Market some weeks ago? To this day, most of them are still traumatised by the great loss, unsure how they will continue with life after losing their source of income. The good thing is that no loss of human life was reported. The fire broke out in the night and by day break, Owino Market as we knew it, was no more. Another good thing is that the traders still had what they all called home where they returned to mourn their loss. Our politicians were quick to promise emergency financial assistance albeit in form of loans for the poor traders to pick up the pieces and forge ahead. How many of us have compared such suffering to that of animals, different species of birds, and vegetation when square miles of natural forest were destroyed in Kalangala District about five years ago to grow palm trees? Animals and birds may not speak any language that we understand but they also feel pain, just as we do, when a catastrophe befalls them. They too are disturbed when their nests or ordinary places of abode are destroyed. They are saddened when they lose their offspring. For them, it is the disruption of their entire living system. The forest is their home and the trees and the eco-system their source of food. Some feed on fruits that we regard as unpalatable and even perhaps useless. Their droppings form the natural manure on which trees and grasses thrive. When harvested at the right time, trees provide us with timber for furniture and housing construction. Some of the grasses, which should be harvested under the recommended guidelines, provide us with material for handcraft, mulching our crop fields, or even thatching our houses. Some of the plants in the natural forests are medical. The animals and insects in the forests are all God’s creatures and have a right just as we do, to occupy space on this planet. The forests are important for rain formation. They produce oxygen that keeps us alive. They purify the atmosphere and are the beauty of our country. When we destroy a natural forest, we cause immigration problems for wild life similar to the people of Somalia who are fleeing their country due to the drought in the area. Wild animals and insects suddenly find they have nowhere to go and for the poor creatures, there is even no emergency humanitarian aid to go their way. It would be against the objectives of this column to state that it is wrong to grow palm trees to manufacture cooking oil, soap, and plastics. Nor would it be correct to state here that we should not grow sugarcane for sugar production. The only question to be asked is, must we destroy forests to grow these crops? Is there no alternative land on which to grow the crops? We are an agricultural country whose farming activities are fully dependent on rain. So, we should be at the forefront in all the efforts to prevent desertification. All our agricultural programmes, including the much-glorified National Agricultural Advisory Development Services (Naads), will come to nothing unless we protect our natural environment. When God created the earth, it was perfect. He put in place everything needed to make it perfect and in the right proportions - mountains, valleys, swamps, forests, etc. You remove anything from it and you spoil it. For example, if ‘evil things’ like death or illness, or disappointments are removed from the world, it would lose its drama and stop to be the wonderful, puzzling world that it was intended to be. If you tamper too much with it, you could even make it inhabitable. It is such a big shame that today we are even debating a proposal to destroy yet another forest (Mabira Forest) when 2011 is singled out by the UN as the International Year of Forests. Speaking on March 22, 2011, the assistant director general of the FAO Forestry Department, Edwardo Rojas-Briales said, “Forests are part of the natural infrastructure of any country and are essential to the water cycle. They reduce the effects of floods, prevent soil erosion, regulate the water table and assure high quality water supply for people, industry and agriculture.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/-/689856/1222126/-/bnghds/-/index.html","content":"Lillian’s story and Juliet Katongole’s story - My father passed away in 1997 while I was in school and my mom died in 2000. I dropped out of school in senior two due to financial constraints. By the time my mother passed away, I was pregnant and staying with my siblings at Nabweru. In 2001, my aunt came to pick me to go and stay with her at Kawempe. My aunt verbally abused me and sometimes beat me. She regularly locked me out of the house saying I was burden. I got in prostitution out of choice after giving birth in December 2001 and I had no means to look after my baby. A friend decided to share a house with me but I had bills to pay. However, the trade is challenging. Some of the clients do not pay after the services, sometimes you reach the room and find 10 men, all of them demand free sex if not, they end up raping you. Most clients pretend to have put on a condom, only for you to discover you are pregnant and don’t even know the father. I have been in several abortions which have caused me lots of pain. The place where we operate is a slum area with a poor drainage system, so most of the time when it rains, the place floods, it forces us to move by the road side and that’s where the police arrest us under idleness and disorderly charge. When we do not have the money they demand to sleep with us. At times when it is heavily flooded, I can’t go to work and I end up sleeping hungry. I came to Kampala in early 2002, a few months after dropping out of school. My parents could not afford to take care of all my siblings, sometimes we could go to bed hungry. I suffered a lot from the village. In Mid-March 2002, I travelled to Bwaise, in search for a job to help my family. I was living with one of my relatives who used to mistreat me a lot; she could give me many chores and sometimes make me go to bed hungry. In August 2002, I moved into a friend’s house who introduced me into the prostitution business with an assurance of getting my own house in a month’s time. She told me the place is called Ki-Mombasa and that it was the only place that could earn me a living, I was so scared. On my first night to Ki-Mombasa, I did not want anyone to see me because people used to talk ill about the place. My friend advised on what I was supposed to do since she was a pro in the business. I was so excited with the money I made on my first night, (around Shs 10,000), I had never made such amount in my life. I started going to the slum on a daily basis since I could afford to pay all my bills without failure, I even rented a house. However, I met a lot of challenges that has ruined my life. My world came crushing down within a month of the business, when my trusted client infected me with HIV/Aids. I later got married to him. In February 2005, I gave birth to baby girl and I was forced to pull out of the business. But in 2006, he passed away and life became very difficult since he used to provide everything. Eventually, I decided to rejoin the business because I needed money to sustain my child, buy my medicine, and cater for other bills. Apart from HIV, I have also contracted other sexually transmitted infections and when I visit the hospitals, the nurses hesitate, giving me medication claiming prostitutes do not deserve sympathy. Prostitution is not a job to be proud of and even introduce someone into; we face a lot of rejection. Rejection is my greatest fear; I want the best for my daughter, Priscilla. Some of my neighbours who are aware of what I do, keep away from me. I am scared of how my daughter will be treated at school by both her friends and teachers once they know I am a sex worker. Sometimes I cry because I cannot come out and say “I’m a prostitute’, no one will appreciate you. I wouldn’t mind starting up a healthy business, it’s just that I lack enough capital to start one.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1217360/-/12smik3z/-/index.html","content":"We must effect positive change - Already, 2011 has proved an extraordinary year in international affairs. Governments across the world have needed to act quickly and responsibly to encourage positive change and foster stability in the face of global security challenges. They have had to work ever harder to secure a sustainable economic recovery from the worst financial crisis in a generation. The upheavals across the Arab world have rightly captured attention. We welcome reforms in Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco, which are encouraging. We will do our utmost to support those who are moving towards freer societies that meet the legitimate aspirations of their peoples. But these changes are fragile: both our countries are determined that the European Union can, and must, make a crucial contribution through a further opening of its markets to add economic dynamism and growth to political reform. Repressive and authoritarian regimes that seek to defy the winds of change and try to stamp out the sparks of freedom using brutal methods are on the wrong side of history. President Assad’s oppressive treatment of his own people has left him discredited and isolated, and brought new EU sanctions on the regime and overdue scrutiny by the United Nations Security Council. He must reform or step aside. Col. Muammar Gadaffi’s appalling abuses against his own people shocked the world. He must leave power. As members of the Contact Group, we both deal with the Transitional National Council as the legitimate governing authority. We are committed to seeing a better future for all Libyans. With all the changes that are taking place in the region, one issue in particular stands in stark contrast to the potentially positive developments: the deadlock in the Middle East Peace Process. Only a genuine negotiating process and a comprehensive agreement can put this right. Britain and Germany are pushing hard for the parties to return to talks on the basis of clear parameters: The aim is clear: a negotiated two-state-solution, with a State of Israel and a sovereign, independent, democratic, contiguous and viable state of Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security. The Arab Spring should make Israelis and Palestinians redouble their efforts for peace. Further afield, we see steady progress in Afghanistan. On December 5, Afghans and the international community will return to Bonn to mark the 10th anniversary of the 2001 conference. As Afghans increasingly take responsibility for their own security, the 2011 Bonn Conference will allow decisive steps forward in two areas: the international community’s long term commitment to Afghanistan and the process towards a sustainable political settlement. We will not leave Afghanistan to its own devices. The Bonn Conference will signal the international community’s strong commitment to Afghanistan even after our combat forces have withdrawn. As part of this, the EU will develop a formal, long term partnership agreement with Afghanistan, outlining its commitment to Afghanistan’s development beyond 2014. On the political process, Bonn will be an opportunity for the Afghan Government and international partners to set out a clear vision of an inclusive political process. Too often, we find ourselves reacting to crises after they happen. We need to be doing more, consistently, to tackle the underlying causes of instability and thus prevent it. Both our countries are investing more in upstream conflict prevention: tackling the potential threats to our security before they become real, at which point they are 10 times harder to address. One of the ways we can do this is by taking decisive, lasting action to tackle climate change. This is one of the key security issues of our era. Last year’s Russian wheat crop failure; floods in Pakistan and the terrible drought in East Africa are graphic reminders of the very real, human impact of climate change. Climate security is an imperative for prosperity; for food, water and energy security; for the open global economy; and for cross-border cooperation and the rule of law. Climate security is central to the values the EU stands for and the goals that we, as foreign ministers, have set ourselves. In July this year, at our initiative, we secured agreement at Foreign Affairs Council on the need for EU action on climate diplomacy. In the same week, under Germany’s presidency, the UN Security Council discussed climate security, the first time in four years acknowledging that climate change may affect peace and security. It is important we build on this momentum in the run-up to the conference on climate change in Durban in November, as we push for a legally binding global deal committing countries around the world to take action on climate change. 1 | 2 Next Page»The dramatic upheavals to Europe’s south should not hide the sad fact that our continent is not immune from the threat of conflict. Most of our citizens assume that today there is lasting peace and stability in Europe. This cannot be taken for granted. Two weeks ago, a Kosovo policeman was killed near the border with Serbia. Nearly 17 years since the end of the conflicts which marked the break-up of the former Yugoslavia, the countries of the Western Balkans have made good progress towards democracy and good neighbourly relations. War crimes suspects have been delivered to face international justice, and the invitation to Croatia to join the EU shows what the region can accomplish. But recent events in Kosovo underline that the achievements of recent years remain vulnerable to the politics of ethnic division. Serbia and Kosovo must find a diplomatic solution to their differences, in a way which respects Kosovo’s borders, improves the lives of all citizens and moves both Serbia and Kosovo securely towards EU membership. If they do not, they will be throwing away a crucial opportunity for progress, at the expense of their citizens’ interests. We emphatically support the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. This Autumn, the EU will review Serbia’s and Kosovo’s relationship with the EU. Britain and Germany are pulling in the same direction on all these issues. Together we want to help realise the hopes and opportunities which people throughout the world associate with the desire for change. William Hague is the UK Foreign Secretary. Guido Westerwelle, the German Foreign Minister, contributed to this article « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/1203974/-/1mwfg5z/-/index.html","content":"Farmer’s Diary: How safe are we from famine? - As you read this, whole communities in Somalia are faced with what has been described by some observers as the worst humanitarian tragedy in decades. A Christian Aid press release dated July 13, 2011, quoted Antonio Guterres, head of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, as having called the drought now affecting more than 11million people in Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia, “the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today, which is turning into a human tragedy of unimaginable proportions.” On average, 1,400 people are said to be leaving Somalia daily due to lack of food and water and fleeing to neighbouring Kenya. Dadaab, known to be the world’s biggest refugee camp and designed to shelter 90,000 people, now has 380,000, with more still arriving. Another refugee camp, Ifo 11, has been opened to receive more victims. Most of them were subsistence farmers. “Many only make the very difficult and arduous journey to Dabaab when their last animals have died and have no other choice,” the press release noted. Due to the worsening drought in this part of Africa, many countries, including Uganda, are confronted with the threat of increased food insecurity and malnutrition. A joint statement made by World Food Programme (WFP), Oxfam, and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (Fao) dated July 8, 2011, read, “The number of those requiring emergency assistance has grown from 6.3 million in early 2011 to 10 million today – a 40 per cent increase – in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda (Karamoja region).” The worry is not only about food to eat; we must also think about the declining nutritional value of the little there is. We are already experiencing severe weather due to changed climatic conditions. The droughts tend to be longer and severer while the rains come with floods, tragic landslides, and killer thunderstorms. (Several people and an unspecified number of livestock have recently been killed by lightning in Uganda!) Climatic changes have coincided with new crop diseases whose prevention has proved a big challenge to scientists and researchers. As if prolonged droughts are not enough to impede animal husbandry, there are new fodder grass diseases (like Napier Stunt Disease) that are spreading across the region, killing off nutritious fodder grass. Dr Gerald Kirembe of Afrid (Agency for Integrated Rural Development) has warned that Uganda is headed for a serious shortage of fish and other alternative sources of animal protein. Meat and milk have become too expensive even for our middle class, he said. He further revealed that he had seen a lot of farmers under his guidance recently selling off their layer hens cheaply because they could no longer afford feeds. He also said, “Many companies and individuals operating hatcheries are closing down because farmers can no longer keep commercial layer birds due to the high cost of feeds.” Ms Saidat Ssenteza, a poultry farmer in Masaka District, said she is giving up poultry keeping for now. She said, “Maize bran is a major component of chicken feed. It used to cost between Shs300 and Shs400 a kilo some years back. Today a kilo is at Shs1,000. Our farmers export maize to neighbouring countries and we now buy the maize bran from those countries. Cotton seed used to cost Shs900, but today it is at Shs1,800 a kilo. Mukene fish used to cost Shs1200 but now it costs Shs2,000 a kilo. Yet, despite the rising cost of the feeds, consumers are not ready to pay more than the usual Shs5,500 for a tray of eggs.” It is not only poultry farmers that have to buy the cereal based feeds; pig and fish farmers are having it rough too. Ms Ssenteza said that due to rising costs of animal feed ingredients, some traders mix sawdust, maize comb powder and other inedible substances with the maize bran and sell it to farmers. After paying dearly for it, the farmer ends up not getting the desired number of eggs, or body weight of the animals and the birds, and paying bigger veterinary doctor’s bills since the birds and the animals are fed on contaminated food. To build a food secure destiny and to prevent the acceleration of the ongoing hunger and malnutrition, perhaps our planners should focus more on climate change adaptation through research, helping farmers to access irrigation equipment, allocating more money to the agriculture sector, and food storage mechanisms among others. ssalimichael@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1199082/-/137qlsiz/-/index.html","content":"Three cheers for Mama Janet Kataaha Museveni - My Life’s Journey by Janet Kataaha Museveni, made me think about two intriguing aspects concerning African societies. First, when someone dies even at the ripe age of 90, it is common to hear that the deceased was planning to do this and the other but the cruel hand of death has now rendered all those plans to waste. Because most times the plans are unwritten, it is difficult to prove. Second, it is said everywhere that the cardinal source of the backwardness and sorry state of affairs in Africa is the lack of a savings culture. That the idea of using the present to plan and prepare for a safe and comfortable future -with or without the saver- is practically alien in most of our societies. This problem radiates from our past as is with most things. Africans have a hunter and gatherer mentality. As our forefathers went into the forest to hunt for prey and relentlessly cut down trees to cook their meat, there was never a thought to conserve and replenish these natural resources because it was taken for granted that they were inexhaustible. The result is environmental degradation. What this has bequeathed us is our lack of a culture to keep things for the future. This includes recording and preserving knowledge and information, especially in the written form; that may be used as a reference point by generations to come. We have instead insisted on the oral version of keeping information. Several African languages, like rare animal species that are unique to the continent, will be nonexistent within a few decades because of the lack of the culture of conservation in an appropriate form. My Life’s Journey is not the first time a Ugandan in high places has written a book about themselves. There is The Desecration of My Kingdom by Sir Edward Mutesa and many other books of international acclaim like Song Of Lawino by Okot P’Bitek. Neither is Janet Museveni’s effort one that will be placed high up on the shelves with The Floods by John Rugunda or those in the league of the Caine Prize like Beatrice Lamwaka and Monica Arac de Nyeko or the many other titles from FEMRITE. The commendation for Janet Museveni’s My Life’s Journey for which she receives three cheers is for a Ugandan in the higher echelons of power to find it important to record their story, whatever shortcomings may be found therein. Let’s face it; Uganda has had many first ladies with resources to even hire ghost writers to put their stories on paper. Hannah Lule passed on recently with an untold life story. Even more disturbing is that all the deceased first citizens of Uganda, from Benedicto Kiwanuka to the two doses of Apollo Milton Obote to Idi Amin, Yusuf Kironde Lule, Godfrey Binaisa, Paulo Muwanga and Tito Okello Lutwa, none made an effort to write their story. Not that they would have told the saintly truth, but to provide a foundation and contribution to the stock of knowledge on which others would build. It is sad that a lot of objective and anecdotal information on pre and post independent Uganda was buried with the likes of Otema Allimadi, Abu Mayanja, Cardinal Emmanuel Nsubuga, etc. A lot lies with Mzee FDR Gureme, Ssezi Mugerera, Jenkins Kiwanuka, Elder Kavuma Kaggwa, the Rev Amos Kasibante, researcher Fred Guweddeko, etc. Even outside of politics and history, the great names in the field of Law and Jurisprudence like Henry Kayondo (RIP), P.J Nkambo Mugerwa and Protazio Ayigihugu have nothing written about them. Then the surgeons, Profs. John Ssali, Mugerwa, Namboze, Kyalwazi, etc. Then the musicians. Ssegamwenge, Jimmy Katumba, Philly Lutaya and the journalist James Kiryankusa Namakajjo, Paul Waibale Snr, etc. And the teachers, sportsmen, farmers, great cooks like Nalongo Kezia of Katwe. A society and a civilisation cannot endure without having its concerns safely recorded. Mr Nicholas Sengoba is a commentator on political and social issues nicholassengoba@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1194364/-/137u13pz/-/index.html","content":"Kabaka, Omukamas, Rwot can mitigate environment deaths - Their deaths may have come in a flash, literally. But they have also been in the making a long time, for the conditions had been set over the years as we looked on indifferently. The 33 recent fatalities from electrocution by lightning are as sad as they are annoying; sad, because any death must be mourned; annoying, because these were wholly avoidable. Lightning is freak, but we have the ability to mitigate it, though only if we summon the will. Thus far, as the deaths of little school children and the relentless deforestation show, we just have refused to summon the will. We, Ugandans, have an annoying tendency to attribute disasters to God’s Will. It is terrible escapism. We fail to do our part, and then blame God. Surely Christians know, or ought to, that God’s Will is that we have “life abundantly/to the full”. So it is laying the blame in the wrong place when we suffer the consequences of our own failures. You hear others say “Insha Allah”. Lightning hits the tallest object on the ground. Lone trees and isolated buildings, which are closer to the clouds, attract it. Our rural schools are on hilltops whose trees have generally been cut. The simple way to beat lightning is to insulate buildings with conductors, and to populate the countryside with trees. But?! Construction engineers know that buildings should have lightning protection, but why is it that most don’t? Aren’t there any laws? Where is enforcement by the building standards board? Environmentalists know that deforestation leads to multiple disaster – where is enforcement by Nema, the National Environment Management Authority, or NFA, the National Forestry Authority? The Disaster Preparedness ministry seems to only ever react, never anticipating disaster. Indeed, where is policy setting and enforcement at Government or legislative levels? But also, as we are wont to do, Ugandans are now blaming Government alone. All ordinary Ugandans, even us with a half-decent education should, surely, know the potential disaster that lies in the wanton destruction of the environment. After all, it is the ordinary man and woman who builds in wetlands, and when the floods come, we wring our hands. It is us – you and me – who throw kaveera that blocks drainages. It is your brother and your sister who uses firewood and charcoal without ever planting a tree. Uganda is losing 80,000 hectares of forest cover every year and, according to NFA, planting just 10,000ha. Mabira Forest is 70,000ha, and so we are losing the equivalent of a Mabira every year. Spread out across 40 years, it means that we have lost the equivalent of the Teso and Ankole land areas between Amin’s rule and Museveni’s administration. The countdown is really on. Uganda, of course, transcends Amin, Museveni or any one of us. That really is the key to environmental conservation: seeing beyond yourself; looking beyond today. It requires sacrifices, and when we fail, nature has a vicious way of hitting back; the price in the long run may be too steep. Sacrifices can be made. I am involved in a small conservation effort. TEFO, the Tropical Environment Foundation (www.tefoug.com) is a local project that responded to a community’s persistent cries of poverty and lack of rain and water, with a nature conservation drive. It has at its core a 32-acre natural forest with great biodiversity – birds, mammals, reptiles, and many different plant species. Ten years ago, our parish had five natural forests. Now there is just one left, the others perishing to farmland and wood chopping, the principle source of fuel. In my early post-graduate days, I hived off a piece the size of a football pitch, planted cabbage, took the harvest to Nakasero Market where I was promptly short-changed, as happens to primary producers. Discouraged, I gave up before reverting to conservation. In running TEFO, we’re responding to the biblical injunction, for those who believe in a Creator God, requiring man to look after the plants, fish, birds, animals, for his good as spelt out in Genesis 1:11-30. It is stewardship, though the temptation does come to cut a cluster of trees to sell for a couple of million shillings, before sense prevails that we live for more than just shillings. Herbert Byaruhanga, a birding expert, thinks many of the birds displaced from the heavily denuded Kampala-Entebbe conurbation, which we are ‘developing’ as we expand the city, now take refuge in that little forest. We can all contribute to the conservation of nature, and consequent prevention of disaster. Our traditional rulers – the Kabaka, the Omukamas, the Rwot, the Kyabazinga, the Omusinga, the Emorimor – all desire influence. With the individual and collective weight they carry, tree-planting can be truly powerful and lasting, more than fleeting politics. One of the most famous men in eastern Uganda is General Semei Kakungulu, principally because he planted trees, all of 100 years ago. But today’s careless and shameless generation has cut his trees down, leaving bare patches of land as a sardonic backdrop to the shadows of sacks of charcoal. And when lightning strikes? dsseppuuya@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1193038/-/14d9sy9z/-/index.html","content":"Bare Knuckles: Kiryadongo is the story of our health service - As lightning was causing havoc across the country, it became momentarily clear that everyone was concerned and probably scared, not knowing what other tidings nature was ready to unleash. In Kampala, it has become frightful to move around buildings or take shelter whenever it rains because of the obvious failure in the construction industry to provide for such possible calamities as lightning. More than two dozen people have been killed in less than a fortnight and tens hospitalised with injuries and shock. Pupils in a classroom in a Kiryadongo District primary school and their student teacher were fatally electrocuted. But as nature’s most ruthless firepower was doing rounds of disaster countrywide, a common storyline was being retold under the glare of cameras and bystanders - even as high ranking government officials looked on. In Kiryadongo Hospital where some of the injured victims were being treated, the children lay or sat on the floor of the hospital ward. In some cases, four of them shared a bed with drips inserted into their veins. No blanketsIt is said hospital administrators didn’t have some of the most basic sundries and had to buy them from a trading centre across town. The LC5 chairman of Kiryadongo District, Mr Ben Moro, in his own words, said: “There is no running water, blankets, bed sheets, drugs, beds and mattresses in the hospital”. Well, what is a hospital for if it doesn’t have drugs? Then, the nurses had to improvise blankets by pulling down old curtains from windows and using protective plastic sheets brought in for Ebola.Dr Bernard Opar from the Ministry of Health attended a meeting at the hospital on the wake of the disaster and accused the staff of indiscipline, absenteeism and mismanagement. The case of Kiryadongo Hospital is also the case of the entire health service in Uganda, which is also a reflection of the nature of our institutions as a whole. And it doesn’t matter what you want to speak about because a similar experience keep popping-up. Sometimes, it takes the wrath of a cold-blooded force of nature such as floods in Teso two years ago, or the landslides in Bugisu last year, to expose how unprepared this country is for whatever disaster we could face. When famine hit parts of eastern Uganda three years ago, I recall the then Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere, gloating over how the government had done a “commendable job” of feeding more than 80 per cent of the hunger victims. The undertone of Prof. Kabwegyere’s applause was that the government’s preparedness to manage disasters was clearly non-existent and relies on a kneejerk reaction. The case of Kiryadongo is a reality check to the superficiality and fallacious ideology of transformation that we have witnessed in this country over the last two decades. When you have five patients sharing a bed in a district hospital, it becomes needless to ask what the rest of the patients far from a district hospital are lying on, or if they have a nurse to attend to their health concerns. It also answers the question as to why the traditional medicine/witch doctor industry is thriving in Uganda. Many Ugandans find immediate help – real or imaginary – from witch doctors. It is an indictment on the country’s health services, the level of literacy and the level of domestic incomes that would allow one to afford better services from a clinic, an educational institution, etc. It is not even wise to accuse civil servants, and I am referring to those in the various Kiryadongos around the country, of indiscipline or absenteeism because they too have been dehumanised by the appalling conditions they find themselves. With a measly pay and lack of equipment, they do more than sacrifice for this country. 1 | 2 Next Page»fmasiga@ug.nationmedia. com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-/691232/1171480/-/pd0poz/-/index.html","content":"Wetland under siege - Whenever it rains, and majority of Ugandan farmers elsewhere take turns thanking God, residents of Bwaise, and a few nearby sites like Kalerwe, would rather send curses instead. Every time it rains, even for brief five-minute squirts of a downpour, Bwaise catches a cold. Houses are immediately flooded and at that time, water, the source of life for many, becomes the very route of its destruction for others. The leading cause for all this misery is Lubigi wetland, the depreciating greenbelt that was set to emaciate even further and give way to a market. Some called themselves army veterans, while others said they were simply impoverished folk, just seeking a viable business venture. But as they decided to ferry thousands of tree poles into a vast section of the wetland, they could easily have missed the point that their very action was yet another nail in the coffin for Bwaise, where most of them stay.The recent move to reclaim a section of Lubigi into a market comes at the end of a long chain of wetland abuse that has seen large chunks of Lubigi reclaimed in the past, constricting it in the process, and, making the lives of Bwaise residents a living hell in the end. Troubled wetlandThe first step into the troubles of Lubigi, and Bwaise as well, was the reclamation of the land for human settlement. This was twofold, with settlements on the slopes leading into the wetland and in the valley itself. The senior wetlands officer at Ministry of Water, Vincent Barugahare, says construction on the slopes rid them of the vegetation cover that would help trap or even check the speed of running water as it drains into the valley. And then an upsurge of migration into Kampala, especially towards the 1990s, saw many mainly poor migrants resort to the valley after the Makerere and Mulago hills. Where papyrus used to stand in water, houses took over, and Lubigi wetland then started mutating into a bottleneck. Thanks to the settlements that increased by the day, waste management soon grew into the devil that would plague the wetland. The secretary for Namungoona Zone, Sam Kayongo, says the mismanagement of non-biodegradable waste, especially plastics, has clogged and choked the wetland’s water channels. Many sections of the wetland are now typified by sights of used mineral-water bottles and polythene bags floating about. Mr Barugahare says waste in the wetland has blocked the water’s channel, which in times of rain, leaves the increased levels of water with no passage, forcing them into a back flow and then retreating into the Bwaise settlements, or, over the channel’s banks. Construction of the Northern-by-pass also ate into the wetland’s pie. Mr Barugahare says the construction of the road, which included digging deep and piling lots of soil lowered the water table and soon rendered the boreholes constructed near the road useless. A number of these boreholes, fenced in red metallic cages, have been running dry for over six months, residents said. The wetlands officer says the road has ended up acting like a dam, preventing water from the hills running down into Lubigi, and hence causing floods to form by its side. He added that the presence of culverts had not made any difference as many of them were blocked by silt and waste. And then, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), with the blessing of National Environmental Authority (Nema), set aside a chunk of the wetland for construction of a sewage treatment site. Mr Barugahare says Nema went against advice to endorse construction of the plant on the wetland’s edges but opted for right in the middle, east of the Namungoona roundabout, which further constricts the wetland and causes more flooding. Nema publicist, Naomi Karekeho, however said the parts where the plant would not be standing would be restored back into the wetland. “There are activities that are allowed inside a wetland and sewage treatment is one of them. Too bad they have to use concrete and soil,” she said. Grave national concernIn many ways, the story of Lubigi offers great symbolism for the state of affairs in Uganda as a whole. The presence of settlements in Bwaise and other evidently low lying wetlands is an indictment on planning authorities, who have allowed such developments to go ahead right under their watch. Kampala is an extremely hilly area, meaning it has just as many valleys. But nearly all such low lying lands have been motored into business districts causing a drainage disaster in the end. The belt around Nakivubo channel, stretching from Makerere through downtown Kampala near the New Taxi Park and Owino, plus the Nakawa and Ntinda’s Industrial area, which leaves the main Jinja highway flooded for hours on end after a downpour, are just a few examples to exemplify this. The long hand of land grabbing that has plagued this country in the recent past is also too large to go unnoticed in the Lubigi saga. Although constructors of the stalls in the market say it is they who funded the project, it is hard to fathom how impoverished residents who have even failed to pay for vending licenses in the city centre could afford to buy truckfuls of tree poles, hammers and nails, and construct the stalls by themselves. Now, hundreds of armed soldiers crawl the vicinity of the planned market at the wetland like a war zone. In the shadows of the houses nearby, residents who constructed the stalls peep from a safe distance. Many did not even realise the environmental importance of the wetland. “If they could allow a sewage treatment plant here, why not a market?” one asked – a damning piece of insight into our attitude towards the environment as a country."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/1168528/-/237jhaz/-/index.html","content":"Farmer’s Diary: It’s time to talk insurance for farmers as well - For long, financial institutions were slow to do business with small-scale farmers. It is only recently that microfinance institutions opened up in rural areas with small holder farmers as their key beneficiaries. With hardly anything to offer as security, many such farmers took loans and generally proved to be good payers. High interest rates and short loan recovery periods remain thorny issues but at least, farmers have some cash points within reach when in urgent need. We may also recall the long queues that characterised the early days of the Centenary Rural Development Bank branches. It took a while for some of us to understand why. The bank had opened its doors to poor people, accepting as little as Shs10,000 for opening a savings account, a minimum account balance of just Shs5,000 and granting small loans of as little as Shs100,000. Chapatti makers, food vendors, female farmer groups, and the like, lined up to open savings accounts and to take loans. The bank granted us our first loan as a family in 1997, amounting to Shs500,000, which we used to buy extra cow dung to fertilise our then young coffee plantation. Choosing to do business with poor people is to invite long queues because we are the majority. It is about time insurance companies also began taking the smallholder farmers into consideration. Farming has its risks. We purchase high quality animal breeds, which suddenly die. We often plant seeds only to end up failing to get sufficient rainfall and harvesting nothing. In some cases it is such disasters as hailstorms or floods that destroy our crops. In other cases, it is the unexpected drop in prices that may lead to our losses. When a farmer plants all the seeds they have, a long drought kills the crops in the fields and often, such farmers become destitute and can only be saved by charitable neighbours. Some farmers appeal to the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness for help. But, begging for help is a form of dependence, which farmers should avoid. Both our leaders and the insurance companies could take the initiative to educate farmers about benefits of insurance. The beginning could perhaps see a small premium charged on complying farmers in a given crop season against a guarantee to pay fairly large claims if need arises. The truth is that not all farmers across the entire country will suffer misfortunes and so the insurance companies should be able to make a reasonable profit while at the same time, protecting farmers against destitution caused by natural calamities.In 2009 in neighbouring Kenya, a few farmers, fearing massive weather related losses, accepted an insurance programme initiated by UAP Insurance, Syngenta Foundation, and a mobile phone operator Safaricom. The insurance programme, known as Kilimo Salama, is a micro-insurance programme, which gives farmers a new way to manage risks. The phrase Kilimo salama is a Kiswahili term for safe farming. The insurance policy compensates farmers for investments in seeds, fertilisers, and other inputs that are lost due to either insufficient or excessive rains. It is available to farmers in Southern Nyanza, Oyugis, Homa Bay, Busia, Northern Rift Valley, Kitale, Eldoret, Embu and Nanyuki. “We have seen 12,000 farmers in Kenya take advantage of the original Kilimo Salama and we should be able to reach 50,000 farmers this year and provide far more insurance options,” said Marco Ferroni, Executive Director of the Syngeta Foundation, on February 25, 2011, during the launch of the insurance policy’s second phase, Kilimo Salama Plus. “We have quickly seen this initiative grow from a small pilot programme in 2009 to become the largest agricultural insurance programme in Africa and the first to use mobile phone technology to speed up access and payouts to rural farmers.” On the same occasion, Mr Wilson Songa from the Ministry of Agriculture said, “Agricultural insurance is particularly important in Kenya and everywhere in Africa today as the extreme weather patterns generated by climate change are introducing greater volatility to food production and food prices.” If we are to take up farming as a business in Uganda, we cannot afford to ignore insurance. ssalimichael@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1151300/-/13ad9rwz/-/index.html","content":"Civil society must find new energy to engage the State - On April 21, 50 NGO directors from across Uganda came together to reflect on the role of civil society in the post-election era under the theme; Democracy Under Test: Reflections on the 2011 General Elections and possible scenarios for 2011. Below are my reflection based on remarks I made at the beginning of the meeting based on a reading of the complexity of the context in which civil society both global and locally works. Early definitions of democracy suggested that democracy is about citizens having an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. This definition went far and wide as an important objective in state building of the post-colonial era with revolutionary leaders of the independence period seeing this is a vision to achieve across Africa. Indeed, leaders like Nkrumah who was seen as being ‘ahead of his time’ saw this time vividly when Africa could be ‘inhabited by people who are happy, cheerful and resilient’. But decades have come and gone and still the ‘happy-cheerful-African’ is still a mirage in many African states. The decades towards the turn of this millennium were largely characterised by state repression, big men in power and squandering of Africa’s resources. Indeed democracy is becoming not only something that is hard to define but also hard to see as it continues to exist as a moving target in a world where several African leaders are failing to shoot the target. Indeed, as the democracy target moves, citizens across the world are looking closely at their leaders and organising themselves in forms that are closing the gap between the world we have and the world we want.It is no longer possible to speak about a country-specific context without thinking about the regional and global context which influences all of us. The ‘flat world’ in which we live is now offering several possibilities and perspectives. Citizens are taking back their territories in ways that were never thought possible before. Leaderless revolutions are now a possibility and web-based social networking is making it possible for millions of citizens to acquire voice and take action in ways that were seen as theoretical and a façade of the elite a few years ago. But with new possibilities also comes new realities. Global economic meltdowns, and environmental disasters do not only shock us into remembering our mortal nature as humans but also make us remember that we have stewardship responsibilities in the world that if not taken seriously we have to account for heavily in the name of ocean oil spills, nuclear leaks, floods and earthquakes which make us quake to the bone marrow. Indeed as citizens rise against dictators, nature rises against the dictatorship by humans. Environmental degradation brought environmental disasters just as democratic degradation is bringing democratic disasters. Like penguins get stuck in slippery oil spills, so do citizens in vulnerable communities get stuck in slippery democratic spills represented by hostile militias. Indeed, electoral politics in Africa are located in such a context. When we look at what ballots have delivered, they have delivered different things to different people across Africa – in Sudan, the ballot delivered a new nation, in Kenya - unprecedented violence and two big men, in Zimbabwe probably two presidents and in Uganda a contested landslide electoral victory. We therefore need to remember that elections as a moment is one that exists in a spectrum of governance regimes - with vote buying, vote selling, empty promises and intoxicated voters, kilos of salt, sugar, meat and litres of malwa all becoming important repertories of our contemporary state and ‘democratic’ functioning. All this can feel more like a sore throat than a breath of fresh air. As NGO leaders, these are the times in which we live. They are times that require deep reflection on what role we play as citizen’s organisation and what purpose we exist for. As citizens find new forms of energy to resist oppression, those of us who speak for and with citizens should find new forms of energy to engage the state. Clearly, the nature of embers that fire state-building are no longer a preserve of the boardroom but a preserve of the street corner. As one friend described the situation for me in an SMS after the first day of walk-to-work; The situation in Uganda today is explained by interplay of three phenomena; unconscious incompetence, impotent rage and Antoinette comfort. Mr Ssewakiryanga is the Executive Director, Uganda National NGO Forumr.ssewakiryanga@ngoforum.or.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1093956/-/13qxbgpz/-/index.html","content":"Mr Speaker, does today’s Uganda need this kind of Parliament? - At the beginning of a new Parliament in Uganda since the National Resistance Movement came into power, I have been privileged to address honourable members on the status, functions, rights, powers, privileges and immunities of Parliament. In one of those meetings, Hon. Kaparo, the then speaker of parliament of Kenya, was the chief guest. I recited the well-known golden rule of all speakers and leaders of independent, free and patriotic legislatures of the world. It originated in one parliament whose authority was threatened by a mighty king who claimed to rule by divine right and who asked the speaker to name members of parliament who had allegedly criticised his government. The speaker adamantly refused to do so with the immortal words that “Sire, I have neither the eyes to see nor ears to hear what is said in this house except as directed by its members of whom I am servant.” I was applauded. In previous Uganda Constitutions, the Executive was always placed first in the text. In the 1995, the Constituent Assembly deliberately placed Parliament first as the most important organ of State and endowed it with the ultimate authority of government in Uganda. Nothing of importance could be done or acted upon without the consent and approval of Parliament. Initially, most Ugandans were happy about the constitutional arrangements and felt that at long last the mighty executive could also be forced to act constitutionally. Unfortunately, however, over the years, the Executive has, through threats, financial bribes and political promises, managed to capture the powers and authority of Parliament and exercise them with MPs sheepishly, cowardly and shamelessly complying, concurring or looking the other way as the usurpation and stealing of Parliamentary powers steadily came to be a reality. Recent attitudes and decisions of speakers of the Uganda Parliament have equally tended to undermine the authority of Parliament. Some of the rulings, tolerance and reversals of resolutions of that office of the Speaker apparently at the behest of members of the Executive, have been incredulous and indefensible and much against the solemn Oaths of Speakers of Parliament. At the bidding of the Executive, the personnel in the office of the Speaker have participated in violations of the Rules of law, and of Parliament in order to comply, advance and please the wishes of the government of the day even when they knew that in doing so, they were infringing the provisions of the Constitution, rules of the House and ignoring the wishes of millions of Ugandans. Some MPs have begged, been persuaded or bribed to abandon the interests of the nation in order to support the Executive even when it was perceived by many to be advancing sectarian or personal interests or disobeying the authority of Parliament. Never in the history of parliaments, has a Parliament been summoned in a Recess or after dissolution pending general elections to consider and pass a law dealing with an issue that concerns differences between individual citizens however eminently placed in the state. Ugandans who know the manner and style in which, the country is presently governed believe that we do not need a Parliament. They feel that it would be more cost-effective if Uganda did not have a Parliament at all. May be the government and the President could be subject only to the supervisory powers of Non-governmental Organisations or the Army Council or even Foreign Embassies. The Speaker of Parliament was ordered to swallow his pride and reverse his decision to recess Parliament and that the Prime Minister was seen in distress, crying for succour after being directed to ensure that a certain previously rejected Bill by Parliament should be returned there and be passed into law. The Prime Minister is to ensure that the Bill becomes law before the general elections which are due to be held within less than a month. The Prime Minister was absolutely right to weep because such an order is constitutionally and procedurally unheard of except during natural catastrophes such as earthquakes, floods or wars. Under these strange circumstances, Rt. Honourable Speaker and Rt. Hon. Prime Minister do you seriously believe that Uganda really needs you? Is a Parliament which behaves in the timid way necessary at all in the present political system of governance? Justice Kanyeihamba is a retired Supreme Court Judge"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/CharlesOnyangoObbo/-/878504/1080060/-/gowkot/-/index.html","content":"Uganda’s corrupt and poor are caught in a deadly death dance - I just spent a couple of days in the village. And I feel I was fortunate to get away from the big city and visit the countryside in the heat of the presidential campaign for the February 2011 Uganda general election. I have been reading the campaign manifestos of the various candidates, and asking myself which one of them best speaks to the big issues facing the country. I got my answer on an extended trek I made on foot through the various villages on Christmas Day. The experience told me that most of the candidates’ traditional approach to politics no longer offers meaningful answers to the urgent problems the poor of the country face. As a radical young man travelling through some of these villages many, many years ago, I remember two things. First, there were more homes. Secondly, the gardens were more diverse--people had bananas, beans, potatoes, and every compound had a few goats tethered at the edge of the garden. Also, they used to have a lot of (now long-disappeared) sheep. You see the same emasculated countryside life in the Buganda region, chunks of western Uganda, and vast expanses of northern Uganda. The primary explanation for this desolateness is that most of these lands can no longer support large populations, because they are tired and not productive. The main culprit is environmental abuse that has resulted in loss of tree cover, extensive soil erosion and, most punitively, the disappearance. Today, swathes of wetlands have been invaded by farmers desperate to improve their lives, by diversifying into things like rice farming. If you want to see a very extreme version of this invasion of the wetlands for rice farming go to parts of Busoga but, most dramatically, Pallisa District. The result is that water is disappearing, so even in areas that were not affected by war and livestock theft as in the north-east and north of Uganda, it is becoming impossible to support cattle. And, worse, humans. So people are selling and moving off. That is how you now come to have growing expanses of abandoned barren land in places that were heavily settled just 25 years ago. If you had to sum this up in a few words, it is that Uganda’s countryside is being killed by a crisis of water. I encountered one possible solution in a remote area where a new bridge is being built over a largely dried swamp. To create the right elevation for the bridge to ensure it isn’t submerged in future floods, the engineers dug up a lot of the soil and mud that long ago clogged the river to ease the passage of water in future. The accidental result is that around the 5 metres stretch they dug up, there is now tap clear water, the type that villagers in the area have not seen, one elder told me, in over 40 years! I think these efforts at reclaiming lost rivers and water sources can be done in this way village by village. But it requires that we revive our stressed small communities; establish cooperative life, one village at a time. It is a project that is probably too micro to be led by government policy from Kampala. But it is also an approach that requires a sophistication that local governments lack. It’s the awareness of innovative ways to rebuild the social and economic viability of small communities that I find almost totally absent in all candidates’ manifestos. But there is something else. The one change I found is that in the remotest of villages where I went, everyone says, “corruption is our biggest problem”. This awareness of the pervasiveness of corruption is impressive. I wondered though, how aware these good folks were aware of how that corruption affects their ability to survive as sovereign citizens beyond the reality that it results in the many non-functioning medical centres up-country, or the shambolic government schools. It is worse. My sense is that the biggest (and fairly respectable) money laundering project in Uganda is land. As the small people flee their barren lands, the corrupt are buying them up in record amounts. The incentive for the peasants to sell is that many of them are being offered very good money for their land. In many ways, the peasants and small producers are indirect beneficiaries of corruption, because it allows them to be paid above-market values for their abused lands. With this money, a lot of these peasants are moving to the Busoga region, and deeper into Mukono and buying new land. They are likely going to kill their new land in a similar way in another 10 to 15 years, because micro environment is the trade-off that macro-corrupt national politicians make with peasants. So they are not solving a problem by moving and buying fertile land elsewhere. They are only exporting the problem of environmental destruction and water stress to Busoga, Buganda, and the Lango regions, and fast-tracking the wider national ecological crisis. Next week, we look at the small ways in which we might stop this environmental death race. 1 | 2 Next Page»cobbo@ke.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/1079796/-/2ln09hz/-/index.html","content":" Farmers should prepare for extreme weather next year - Farmers engaged in growing various types of crops throughout the country this year had the opportunity of reaping big since the weather conditions in terms of rainfall were good compared to last year. According to relevant information from the meteorology department, an assessment of rainfall for all the seasons this year indicated that almost all parts in the country received normal rainfall although others parts received above the normal percentage.In an interview with the Head of Seasons Forecast at the Meteorological Department, Mr Deus Bamanya, he said this year farmers had the benefit of obtaining bumper, harvests because the climatic conditions throughout the year were favourable for all crops. He said in the year 2009, the rainfall performance was not even because many parts of the country received below average rainfall.The experts forecast the weather in relation to the different seasons which include the first season from March to May for other parts of the country but for northern Uganda, the first season is rated from April to June. The second season is rated from June to August and the third season runs from September to November. All these seasons according to the meteorologist, favour famers because they are good seasons for planting and harvesting. According to Mr Bamanya, in the year 2009, the months of January and February were generally dry and the months of March to August had very poor rainfall performance in several parts of the country. There was less onset of rains for the first season and the rainfall ended very early. Mr Bamanya adds that the second season running from June to August was drier than usual thereby making dry proportions of several parts of the country. This he said was especially reflected in the eastern part of the country with farmers from the districts of Jinja, Soroti and Kumi being affected most. However, some parts in western Uganda like Kyenjojo received abnormal rainfall causing floods in the area and wiping some homesteads of four families. Mr Bamanya said in the third season, there was development of El nino that persisted up to the early months of the year 2010.“In the third season of the year 2009, between the month of September to December, there was a development of El nino with many parts of the country receiving above normal rains, the onset for the season was established in many parts of the country where heavy rains with strong wind were experienced causing loss of lives and properties in some parts of the county especially in eastern and western regions,” Mr Bamanya said.There were landslides experienced in the district of Kabale where three families were wiped out and most areas in Kyenjojo were hit by hailstone. The El nino impacts continued until March 2010 with places like Bududa and Butaleja experiencing dangerous floods and caused landslides that destroyed lives and property. Mr Bamanya adds that 2009 weather patterns were disastrous to farmers because the rainy season did not occur at the expected time for farmers to plant their crops since the rain season started late and during the time of dry spell when most farmers would be expected to harvest their crops, there was El nino. When rating the year 2009, those farmers who planted crops in the first season lost their crops since there was less rain however those farmers who followed the advice given to them by the meteorological experts about when to plant their crops and at what time they obtained good harvests. The weather fluctuation pattern did not affect the northern part of the country so much meaning farmers hailing from this region had quite good harvest. But farmers who planted in the third season reaped big because the rainfall pattern stretched from September until May 2010. As for the year 2010, Mr Bamanya says all seasons were good for farming because most parts of the country received rainfall till November. 1 | 2 Next Page»A weather forecast summary for the period September 2009 to October 2010 indicated that there was increased likelihood of enhanced rainfall over most parts of the country and this forecast to a large extend is in agreement with that of the international meteorological authorities. The overall performance of rainfall for this year indicates that many areas in western, south western and northern regions received normal rainfall however many parts at the lake Victoria basin, central and eastern Uganda received less rain. The northern region especially parts of Kitgum recorded 176ml of rainfall with Lira obtaining 308ml and Gulu recorded 152ml.However, Mr Bamanya said, “we have now entered the dry spell which is expected to be prolonged because we are going to experience la nina.” La nina occurs when the sea surface temperature in the East and Central Equatorial Pacific Ocean are cooler than the normal thereby causing prolonged dry spells in East Africa although some countries like India and South Africa will be experiencing heavy rains. According to the meteorologist, the month of January and February 2011 will experience prolonged drought with minimum rainfall therefore farmers are advised not to sell all the food in stock. Farmers are also advised to grow crops that take a short time to mature and those that can stand the dry spell such as pineapple and the Nerica upland rice, among others.Those farmers dealing in livestock farming are advised to harvest water and keep for their animals because there are going to be water shortages within this period.Mr Bamanya adds that if the La nina period is prolonged, there might be famine in case farmers fail to store enough food in stock. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/1079786/-/2ln0adz/-/index.html","content":"Hold on to your food, meteorologists advise - The meteorology department sound out a strong warning of an impeding drought that could cause famine if farmers don’t take necessary precautions, writes Joseph Miti The weather in 2011 could be grim as the moderate La Niña conditions, which have been evolving since July 2010, are now well established, according to the El Niño/La Niña Update issued by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).The update suggests that La Niña conditions are likely to continue at least until the first quarter of the year. The term La Niña is opposite of El Niño. La Niña is used to describe the periodic building up of unusually cold waters in the eastern and central equatorial Pacific Ocean. On the other hand, El Niño, (Spanish word for “the Christ-child”), refers to the periodic building up of a large pool of unusually warm waters in the same region of the ocean basin. Thus, La Niña and El Niño are phenomena that periodically occur (on average every two to five years) in the equatorial Pacific Ocean region. It has been observed that during El Niño and La Niña events, world-wide weather and climate extremes such as droughts, floods, cold/hot spells, tropical cyclones, among others are common, even in some regions that are very far away from the Pacific Ocean basin. Such weather and climate extremes are often associated with far reaching socio-economic impacts including loss of life and property, mass migration of people and animals, lack of water, energy, food and other basic needs of human kind. Major La Niña events recorded since 1950 are: 1950, 1954, 1955/56, 1962, 1964, 1967, 1970/71, 1973/74, 1984/85, 1988/89, 1995/96, 1999/2000, 2007. According to Mr Michael Nkalubo of the Department of Meteorology, Ministry of Water and Environment, Uganda should expect potential impacts of the prevailing La Niña event on the climate. Mr Nkalubo says the normally dry season of January to February is expected to be longer and drier than normal.It is expected that sunny and dry conditions characterised by higher than normal daytime temperatures will occur over the entire country during the period December-January-February 2010. “The rainfall during the first rainy season of March to May 2011 is expected to be suppressed (below normal). The areas which are likely to be more affected are cattle corridor areas running from Mbarara up to Karamoja region,” Mr Nkalubo says. Impacts He says, in general, the occurrence of this moderate to strong La Niña is likely to have some implications on various socio-economic activities in the country and the region at large. According to him, the negative potential impacts will include: failure of crops, low water levels in dams and lakes which can lead to severe power rationing and the associated large economic losses and rural-urban water shortages for both domestic and industrial use. Others are lack of pasture and water for animals that may lead to severe conflicts between pastoral communities; lack of food leading to famine and the associated health problems and fire outbreaks in forests, grasslands and settlements. The weather outlook shows that La Niña event is likely to increase the level of vulnerability of many people in disaster areas far beyond their coping capacities if this prediction is not integrated into agriculture and food security, and other disaster management programmes of the most vulnerable sectors in the country. It may be recalled that the 2007 La Niña-related drought had severe impacts on both human and animal lives and many social-economic activities particularly in the eastern region. What next? Mr Nkalubo advises that there is need for action in sufficient time and in an appropriate manner so as to reduce the possibility of personal injury, loss of life and damage to property. 1 | 2 Next Page»“Appropriate coping mechanisms should therefore be put in place to see the country through this difficult period until normal conditions are realised,” he says. The pastoral communities living in the cattle corridor areas should use the prevailing rains to harvest more water that can cater for expected drought. It also recommends the rehabilitation of the existing boreholes and construction of temporary dams in semi and arid areas as temporary solutions to the water scarcity problem. The ministry also advises concerned authorities to assist the pastoral communities in de-stocking of the animals to avoid further loss in their main source of livelihood. Mr Nkalubo advises the public to keep enough food that can cater for the expected drought and farmers should make use of fast maturing and drought resistant varieties of crops. “In view of this, agricultural officers should be in position to advise farmers accordingly,” he says. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1057592/-/cl5980z/-/index.html","content":"Somalia’s wars swell a camp in Kenya - When Abdullahi Salat came here as a young boy in 1991, fleeing civil war in his homeland, Somalia, little more than shrubs and a few tents dotted the landscape. The woman working for the United Nations who greeted him at this safe haven, then nearly empty, showed him to his own tent and sprinkled a handful of seeds into his palm. “Plant them,” Mr Salat, now 29, remembered the aid worker telling him. “It’s hot here.” He told her no that day; Dadaab was not his home, and he believed that he would be moving on shortly. “Now the trees are very huge,” he said. Over the years since Mr Salat arrived here, an arid patch of Kenya roughly 50 miles from the Somali border, the refugee population at Dadaab has swelled to nearly 300,000, virtually all Somali, making it the largest refugee complex in the world, United Nations officials here say, and one of Kenya’s largest cities, dusty and spread out. Next year, Dadaab will celebrate its 20th birthday. But as Somalia’s conflicts rage on, Kenyan attitudes toward them have grown icy, and this collection of refugee camps has become a nettlesome political problem and, some contend, a source of insecurity itself. Intense fighting Intense fighting in Somalia in recent months has sent new floods of refugees across the border, which Kenya officially closed in 2007. Last week, the United Nations accused Kenyan soldiers of forcing thousands of Somalis who had fled to Kenya back across the border. In Dadaab itself, a stalemate over what to do with the growing refugee population has led to a critical shortage of schools, health centres and water stations and has raised fears that the refugees are being recruited by the warring parties of the very conflict they fled. The situation has caught the attention of the United Nations, which recently sent a special envoy on children and armed conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy, to Somalia and Kenya. The use of child soldiers has become a major aspect of Somalia’s seemingly inextricable conflict, and the country’s transitional government, which is supported by the United States, has a history of using children in combat. So do the Shabaab, the fearsome insurgents who control much of Somalia. And so do Somalia’s notorious piracy networks. “It has become widespread; children are commodities,” Ms. Coomaraswamy said. “They are fascinated by notions of heroic death and the mythology of war.” In 2009, the Kenyan government was accused of supporting recruitment drives among refugees from the camps to fight in Somalia’s army. Kenyan officials and Somali expatriates “came to the marketplaces, during the middle of the day,” Mr. Salat said. “It was very official.” Human Rights Watch documented the recruitment, in which it said young men and boys were lured with false promises of “exorbitant pay” and claims of United Nations support for the effort. The report said the Shabab also tried to recruit among Somali refugees. Still, few of the refugees here return to Somalia, United Nations officials say, and the complex’s infrastructure seems to attest to that. Dadaab is replete with grocery stores, cinemas, hotels and international bus offices. Mr. Salat, who was given seeds to plant as a boy, is now a husband and father, and he is still here, working for the camps and assisting the next generation of arrivals. One statistic may be most telling: The United Nations says Dadaab has 6,000 third-generation refugees, grandchildren of the original arrivals. But Dadaab is also a settlement cut off from the national grid. The complex relies on a series of boreholes for its water, and most of its residents lack transit papers to travel into the rest of Kenya. Bad tendency“There is a tendency to see refugee camps as warehouses for storing unused people; we need to treat them as normal people,” said Richard Acland, a senior coordinator for the United Nations in Dadaab. “There are children living here whose parents have never seen Somalia. Can we really say these people are foreigners?” Indeed, Dadaab poses a critical question for the international community: How does it treat a humanitarian emergency that does not go away?"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/1049926/-/2nhkjpz/-/index.html","content":"FARMER'S DIARY: Agriculture needs to be climate-smart - Despite the ongoing debate among scientists about climate change; with some saying it is a real threat and others saying it lacks absolute scientific proof, there is enough evidence for us as ordinary farmers to believe that there is something wrong with the weather patterns these days. We don’t seem to get enough rain anymore and, often, where it rains we have devastating storms and floods. The current climateThe ongoing rain season has turned out to be a big disappointment to most farmers in the central region and in some other parts of the country. The crops planted about a month ago have withered and died in the fields due to insufficient rain. This portends doom as most homesteads are set to experience food shortages in the next few months with the accompanying high food prices. But naturally it makes sense to be cautious if there is any big risk of something bad occurring. There ought to be a change in the way we carry out our economic activities to prevent matters from getting worse just in case what the majority of the scientists are saying about climate change is true. The risk is simply too big for us to do nothing. How to become climate smartSome of the ideas presented in the following paragraphs have been picked from a recent Food and Agriculture Organisation (Fao) report released on October 28, entitled Agriculture needs to become climate-smart and I think they deserve our careful attention. The report says that climate change is expected to reduce agricultural productivity, stability and incomes in many areas of the world that already experience high levels of food insecurity yet world agricultural production will need to increase by 70 per cent over the coming four decades in order to meet the food requirements of a growing world population. “Increasing agricultural production, reducing post harvest losses, and improving food distribution channels in the developing world have always been major challenges,” said Fao assistant director-general for agriculture, Alexander Mueller. “Climate change raises the bar significantly and a major transformation of agriculture is needed. We must not forget that many effective climate-smart practices already exist and could be widely implemented in developing countries as this report points out,” he added. Farming, the report says, must become more resilient to disruptive events like floods and droughts. We must improve agriculture’s management and use of natural resources like water, land and forests and soil nutrients. Governments must base their planning and expenditure on such farming practices as irrigation other than merely basing themselves on rainfall patterns. African governments must emphasise environment protection, planting more trees, soil protection and increase reliance on organic fertilisers. The governments must provide quick growing and disease and drought tolerant seeds as well as teaching the farming communities practices that promote water retention in the soil. Governments must be prepared to invest more money in agriculture, no matter what it takes to get the money. We are headed for an emergency. l There is need too for a serious effort to decrease population to levels of affordable self sufficiency so that farmers can produce enough food for their own local communities. We must produce more food, waste less of it, and make transport of farmers’ produce to consumers easier. This will call for food preservation and processing skills which must be taught now. Speaking in Hague at the Global Conference on Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change on November 4, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said, poor management of land and water resources along with weak national and regional economic and infrastructure links has also held back agricultural development. And the continent also faces the greatest threat from climate change. Therefore food, water supplies, our health, security, stability and prosperity are all at risk.” During the World Bank’s Conference on Agriculture in Botswana on October 19, Mr Adesina Akinwumi, vice-president of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (Agra) said, “I am convinced democracy in Africa matters, but what matters for the poor is democracy of the stomach. As stomachs rumble, so will our political landscape.” Hungry people become angry and it is going to be difficult for any government to control people without enough to eat. They will take bribes and embezzle public funds and even steal to feed themselves. As our politician campaigns ahead of the general elections next year, let’s look out for what they are saying about the effect of climate change on agriculture."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/1041012/-/2nnc77z/-/index.html","content":"Who is to blame for climate change? - Our farmers hear so much about climate change these days. It is not something to take lightly because it is related to the geographical future of the earth which is our home. A serious disruption of the world’s climatic conditions could result in the demise of the entire human race. We are witnessing big changes in rainfall patterns, we tend to see more floods and landslides, and our temperatures have generally become warmer. These are real concerns particularly to the farmer who must continue producing food despite the changing agricultural conditions. Rising temperatures are already said to be behind the eruption of microorganisms that have caused new crop diseases. Water levels for many of our rivers and lakes are falling. Research is turning to developing drought resistant crops although we hardly hear about development of less water dependent animal and bird species. The ice in the polar caps is said to be melting, giving rise to ocean water levels which threatens island state populations with actual submersion if the oceans gain more water. The threat posed by climate change is so real that on October 15, 2009 there was a meeting in the UK of the Foundation for International Law and Development (Field) in which it was highlighted that there was need for a law to protect some 200 million people expected to become refugees due to climate change by 2050. Field Director, Joy Hyvarinen said, “International law focuses on those who are persecuted for political, racial, or religious reasons. It was not designed for those who are left homeless by environment pressures.” Organised scientific observation of climate change began as far back as 1957 according to a little book, Just a lot of hot air? published by Panos. By then it was an issue for scientists and intellectuals, hidden away in academic journals. Today however, it is on everybody’s lips and is discussed periodically in international conferences, in different capitals of the world. But what could have caused it? Do all people agree that it exists and that it is an issue to really worry about? Most scientists believe that climate change or global warming was caused by the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The so-called greenhouse gases are mainly carbondioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Carbondioxide is said to have formed the biggest part of the industrialised world’s greenhouse gas emissions. It is produced by the burning of coal, oil and gas, also known as carbon-based fossil fuels. For over two centuries of industrialisation in the west, these fuels have been burnt and have produced more carbondioxide than the forests and other natural processes could absorb and so a big layer of carbondioxide has been formed in the atmosphere causing the earth’s temperatures to rise. The scientists also estimate that such a layer of carbondioxide could remain in the atmosphere for around 100 years. Developing countries like Uganda cannot be blamed for having caused the problem since we had no industries. But we will be hit hardest because we are poor. For example, our agriculture is rain fed and extreme droughts will mean real trouble. So at most international conferences, the rich countries are asked to provide money to help poor countries cope with the perceived growing effects of climate change. The rich countries are further urged to reduce activities that cause greenhouse gases emissions. Poor countries are advised to expand and protect their forest and grasslands coverage in order to absorb more carbondioxide produced by their young industries. The dilemma however is over the reduction of the use of fossil fuels like oil. Many developing countries have themselves discovered oil within their boundaries and it is their major hope of overcoming poverty. In the western world, it is feared that reduced use of fossil fuels will cause economic and political problems. Evidence is also emerging that, with continued development, third world countries will soon be catching up with the western world in greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover not all scientists agree that climate change is the big threat it is portrayed to be. Many of them argue that the extreme weather events being witnessed are due to other geographical factors, not likely to last long, and that they are normal occurrences in the long story of the world. Some even say that the whole thing is a hoax, created by politics and the media with a view to take money from the rich nations to the poor ones in form of aid. The Internet is awash with literature to support this view (such as nfawars.com/climate-change-hoax-of-the-century). They even say the term climate change is a redundancy because climate has always changed since the beginning of time. Either way, the fact that these people will be gravely affected by these changes means that countries ought to start doing something about it. ssalimichael@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/-/688342/1033972/-/u8xec5/-/index.html","content":"Uganda is a place where about 20,000 Indians call home - In 1972, Idi Amin expelled all Indians. They left only to return two decades later to a place where most of them feel they belong, writes Sunday Monitor’s Benon Herbert Oluka: - If Sanjiv Patel ever had any doubts about where his young family should call home, he received a debate-settling answer around 1998 from his then 10-year-old son. Although Mr Patel’s grandfather first came to Uganda in the 1920s and settled in the present-day eastern District of Sironko, from where he started a string of successful businesses, the third generation Ugandan-of-Indian origin wanted his son not to lose touch with his ancestry. Consequently, in 1998, Mr Patel took his son to the deeply cultural Asian country “thinking that he should get some Indian Education.” But a year later, Mr Patel’s plan unravelled and his son called back with a peculiar request. “He called and said, ‘I want to come back home. I love India. It is nice but I want to come back home. This is not my home,’” revealed Mr Patel, adding, “He couldn’t gel there because he has a lot of friends over here. This is home for him. He just turned around and said, ‘I want to come home.’” His son’s resolute decision was an eye-opener for Mr Patel whose cosmopolitan upbringing, which included being born in USA, studying in India, getting married and living in USA for three years, returning to work in Kenya initially and eventually resettling in Uganda in 1991, could not have been more different. For a man who had traversed the world for nearly all his life, and holds an American passport, it took his son’s earnest plea to remind Mr Patel that home is indeed where the heart is and he quickly organised for his son to be returned home – to Uganda. Not that Mr Patel had forgotten it. He had, after all, returned to resettle in Uganda on his own accord. But his son’s decision re-awakened the family to the realisation that the umbilical cord that connected and tied them to India had dried up and their collective soul now receives sufficient nourishment from an altogether different source. Little wonder that during our conversation, which took place at his office in Kampala, Mr Patel quite regularly and almost intuitively refers to Sironko – where his father was born – as “my village.” “That is where I come from,” says the father of two. “That is my village. That is where my grandfather flourished from. We still have our houses made of mabati [corrugated iron sheets] there.” Mr Patel, who is the Director of Tomil Agricultural Limited and runs a string of other family businesses, says whenever he travels out of Uganda on a business trip, he tells friends and business associates while returning to the country that “I am going back home.” Call to dutyAs the ongoing Commonwealth Games in India approached, they provided Mr Patel with the one of the most strenuous litmus tests of his patriotism. But, once again, Uganda carried the day and Mr Patel was one of the few individuals invited by the Uganda Olympic Committee to accompany Team Uganda to the Games in New Delhi. The invitation was not by accident. Mr Patel had led an Indian Association of Uganda-inspired fundraising drive to raise money and provide logistical support for Uganda’s team to prepare for the Commonwealth Games and settle in New Delhi. The drive raised Shs60 million out of the Shs250 million that Team Uganda needed to cover all expenses. “The idea was to make our Ugandan athletes and officials comfortable,” he said. Then, in a statement that revealed a deep-rooted patriotic urge, he added, “I am a sports fanatic and it has always been a dream that I would like to represent a country in such a sporting event, and if possible even walk the track in the opening ceremony.” Mr Patel is just but a microcosm of the numerous members of the Indian Association of Uganda who contributed to Team Uganda’s trip to the country of their birth. In the words of Mr Patel, those contributions were their way of “spreading the word within Uganda that Muyindis (local parlance meaning Indians) are not here only to make money.” “We are here to live together; to build this nation,” he said, quite persuasively. “Many of us have made this our home. It was unfortunate that we were thrown out [during the early 1970s when the then President Idi Amin ordered all Asians to leave Uganda within 90 days].” Homeless in the ‘70sThat home was snatched away in September 1972 when Amin expelled nearly all of Uganda’s 80,000 Asians and seized their property. That decision, which was condemned worldwide at the time, still sparks off mixed feelings from some members of the Indian Community. To some Ugandans, the expulsion of Indians was justified because they had booted Ugandans out of business. According to Mr Patel, while the expulsion was unfair, a section of the Indian Community should take some of the blame for helping to set the stage for their expulsion and lack of backing from ordinary Ugandans. Mr Patel believes the Indian Community should have identified Uganda as home then and worked on creating a good relationship with ordinary Ugandans, as well as contributing to efforts to help turn the country around during the politically tumultuous years. “After going out, we should have thought how to regain the country back, not only for Indians but for Ugandans together,” he said. “What happened is that Indians went and started their own businesses and flourished. There should be a time in our lives when we should call somewhere our home, like I call this my home.” They did not and, as a result, spent more than two decades out of the country. But at the invitation of President Museveni’s government, there was an influx of returnees and fresh arrivals from India to Uganda. Today, according to the Indian High Commissioner to Uganda, Mr Srivastava Niraj, there are nearly 20,000 Indians in Uganda – although only about 2,000 of the estimated 55,000 that were forced to leave the country in 1972 have reportedly chosen to return. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1033588/-/cmg4b1z/-/index.html","content":"Nine million Ugandans face hunger - As Uganda joins the word to mark World Food Day today, Isaac Khisa looks at Uganda’s strides in ensuring that every citizen has at least a meal a day Uganda today joins the rest of the world in celebrating World Food Day but with millions of its population still malnourished. According to United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisations, nine million Ugandans are still facing hunger with many affording only one meal a day. Uganda population is now estimated at 31 million, meaning that about 30 per cent of Ugandans can hardly find something to eat. The Food and Agricultural Organisation(FAO) Communication Officer, Ms Rachel Nandelenga, says, 15 per cent of the population is malnourished and 40 per cent of the child death recorded in the country are due to malnutrition. This year’s world celebrations will be held in New York, USA, under the theme “United against Hunger”. Uganda’s national celebrations will be held in Mukono at Mukono Zonal Agriculture Research Institute (Zardi) where President Museveni will be the chief guest. In his message to mark the day, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said although the number of hungry people has fallen from last year’s one billion, there are still 925 million hungry people in the world, representing a real threat to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of ending abject poverty by 2015. “We are continually reminded that the world’s food systems are not working in ways that ensure food security for the most vulnerable members of our societies,” Mr Ki-moon said. “This year alone, millions have been thrown into life-threatening hunger by the earthquake in Haiti, drought in the Sahel and floods in Pakistan. The food and financial crisis continue to affect the world’s most vulnerable. Food prices remain volatile and recently hit a two-year high.” The continued inadequacy of food has led to an emergency of a campaign dubbed “1 billion hungry project” spearheaded by FAO, targeting at least one million signatures on a petition urging national and international leaders to move hunger to the top of political agenda during today’s celebrations. In Uganda, the anti-hunger campaign targeted at least 5,000 signatures, according to Mr Percy Misika, the FAO country representative. Mr Ki-moon has urged everyone to work towards a comprehensive approach, so that countries can build on the progress in reducing the numbers of hungry people. “Let us unite against hunger and ensure food and nutrition security for all,” he said. This year’s celebrations, however, reflects a welcome development since a growing number of governments, intergovernmental organisations, regional and sub-regional bodies, businesses and civil society groups have formed partnerships and implemented joint solution to fight hunger. According to ActionAid, an international anti-poverty agency working in over 40 countries, global warming and biofuels expansion is likely to worsen the situation of hunger in developing countries, in addition to harsher, frequent draughts and shorter growing seasons that will reduce crops yields. “Although some regions may benefit from warmer weather, crop yields are likely to fall by 10 to 20 per cent in developing countries in the next two decades and by up to 50 per cent in some African countries,” ActionAid, Hunger Free Scored report says. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that climate change could put 50 million extra people at risk of hunger by 2020, rising to an additional 266 million people by 2080. The most compelling argument for taking urgent action to reduce hunger, however, is very high cost of doing nothing, which ActonAid estimates at over $450 billion per year, or more than 10 times the UN estimate of sums needed to halve hunger by 2015. 1 | 2 Next Page»Globally, hunger is the underlying cause of roughly half of 8.8 million deaths that take place every year but beyond this, it is responsible for a total loss of 91 million years of healthy, productive life. The State Minister for Agriculture, Mr Henry Bagiire, however, concedes that hunger has become a global issue that has been accelerated by global warming, increase in population, credit crunch and biofuels. “The other problem is pests and diseases that have come up because of global warming,” says Mr Bagiire. “There’s long dry spell, terrestrial rains but also reclaiming more land for agriculture.” He says Uganda’s population has increased over years from 10 million in 1960’s to over 31 million people who all depend on agriculture. Experts say the population growth rate that stands at 3.2 per cent and is predicted to be the third highest in the world, will grow to 91 million by 2050, increasing the number of Ugandans lacking food. The world population currently stands at 6.5 billion, but projected to increase to nine billion by 2050. ActionAid’s Acting Country Director Specioza Kiwanuka says there is need for national plans to focus on supporting poor farmers, particularly women, in order to maximise poverty and hunger reduction impacts as well as expand social protection programmes that households do not experiance hunger when prices rise or harvests fail. The Democratic Party president, Mr Norbert Mao, said the government should educate farmers about modernising agriculture and increase the agricultural budget. “We can’t be self sufficient if we rely on only natural rain. We need to carryout irrigation to supplement on the rain , support small scale farmers, stop displacement of peasant farmers by the rich and increase the national budget on agriculture to at least 10 per cent,” Mr Mao said adding that majority of food in the supermarkets is imported. The Deputy National Resistance Movement Spokesperson, Ms Karoro Okurut, said the government will introduce a policy to ensure that all farmers set up granaries in their homes.She says in 1960’s, farmers were forced to set up three granaries in their homes. “There should be a law that compels farmers to have granaries in their homes such that they can store the excess surplus during bumper harvest to be used during the period of scarcity,” Ms Okurut said. She added that it is unfair for some regions like Karamoja to cry of food shortage when other regions are throwing away food.Mr Wafula Oguttu, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Spokesperson, agreed with Ms Okurut’s argument but added that the budget has to be increased or else the hunger problem will escalate. However, the government has insisted that it is has been increasing the budget on agriculture over the years. During the Financial Year2010/2011, Agricultural sector was allocated only 5.4 per cent of the total budget. “We have been embarked on the construction of roads for easy transportation of agricultural products on the markets,” Mr Bagiire said adding that the country is unable to carry out mechanization of agriculture due to land fragmentation. According to the health experts, hunger leads to high infant-mortality rates and malnourished women are more likely to be sick, have smaller babies, and die earlier. And where infant and child mortality is high, birth rates are also high, locking these communities in a vicious cycle of malnutrition and death. It also exacerbates chronic and acute diseases and speed the onset of degenerative diseases among the elderly.World Food Day is celebrated every year around the world on 16 October in honor of the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations in 1945. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Health---Living/-/689846/1020544/-/m5uixvz/-/index.html","content":"Caught between a rock and a hard place - They have been trapped underground for 57 days now. Although plans are underway to rescue them, there is no doubt their stay at 2,300ft underground has had physical and mental health implications. Sharon M. Omurungi writes about how the 33 miners’ health has been compromised. Two months after he and his family survived a devastating earthquake, Mr Raul Bustos found himself trapped in a Chilean mine that collapsed on August 5. On hearing the news, his wife, Carola Narvaez, left their two children with her mother and camped around the mine and has since been there waiting for her husband to be rescued. Bustos is one of the 33 Chilean miners who were trapped underground at an estimated 700m (2,300ft) when a rock collapsed above them while at work at the San Jose mine, a copper mine in Chile. It’s now 57 days since the men were trapped underground, having been found 17 days after the mine had collapsed. Rescue effortsThe rescue team, that is, the Chilean government and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from the USA, started their work on August 6. The first of three rescue capsules, named Phoenix, arrived at the mine on Saturday, September 25. The 420kg capsule, painted in the colours of the Chilean flag, is 21 inches wide and contains tanks of air, a microphone for communications, and equipment to monitor the miner’s heart rate and breathing as they are raised to the surface. Healthy stayIn the meantime, in order to keep the trapped miners as comfortable as possible, doctors have ensured that the men get their medication, oxygen, food and drinks through a pipe while psychiatrists and psychologists are giving them emotional support.Their families are given a chance to speak to and see their loved ones via a fibre optic video line that goes down to where the men are trapped. Although the trapped men knew that it would take long for them to finally get out, the rescue team didn’t want them to know how long it would take (about three to four months) But they were finally told on August 25.According to the Chilean health minister, Dr Jaime Manalich, the miners must be 35 inches (90cm) around the waist to squeeze through the escape tunnel. The escape tunnel will be about 26 inches (66cm) wide – the diameter of a typical bike tyre - and stretch for more than 2,200ft (688m) through solid rock.Despite the hope and relief that the men are alive and have been able to continue living a normal life under the circumstances, there is no doubt that they stand a risk of getting health problems. Diseases likely to be sufferedDr Henry Bukenya, who works with Trinity Medical Centre speculates that these men are liable to suffer a number of respiratory diseases. Because they are 700m below the surface where the temperature and humidity is high, the doctor says they are inhaling compounds that can cause respiratory tract infection (RTI) diseases including; sinusitis, pneumonia bronchial and rhinitis which affects the area from the throat to the nose. “These diseases suppress the lungs; however, if they get sick, the victims will first present with normal infections and later start to show these long term ones.” Also, if the family of one of the trapped men has a history of hypertension (high blood pressure), it might be heightened when diagnosed later. “The blood pressure is likely to increase because they are not sure that they will be rescued. This causes depression and stress because of uncertainty about their survival.” Where there are many people in limited space, communicable diseases are likely to come up and spread fast. Because of the poor hygiene, Dr Bukenya says that. “They may also develop allergic reactions that are long term that could kill them in a week if not rescued as soon as possible.” Because they are in a confined place, they have no way of disposing of their waste properly. This, Dr Bukenya says can lead to them getting abdominal infections including typhoid “because the hygiene is compromised.” In some cases, what has been used to help might turn out to be potentially dangerous. Take the pipes used to pass food and drink. While it is a good initiative by the Chilean government, the doctor says that if the pipes become contaminated, the miners could catch bilharzia. If these miners spend more than six months in the same conditions, they are prone to parasitic infection especially malaria (plasmodium falciparum). “The darkness and opening of the pipe, that is if a pipe bursts somewhere, will help mosquitoes breed and then they will feed on their flesh.” There is no news yet about whether the men are bathing or not, but if they are not, chances of getting lice are high. “If there is a parasite surviving on them, then chances of their survival are limited. A parasite is a dangerous thing.” Because their hygiene is in question, especially washing of hands before eating and possibly the food itself, Dr Bukenya says they can easily get a helminithic infection (worms). “This is the first thing that will be looked for when they come out. This includes checking their stool, urine and blood.” He says that other infections or health problems that they may get include fractures and spinal injuries. And in case one of them has a wound, it could easily rot away. “They will face post traumatic infections for those who were on medication for one disease or the other. The infection will be caused because they are no longer taking their medication.” He concludes, “In a week, after they are out, they will show more signs of other diseases than when they are first diagnosed.” Psychological threatsThe miners’ frame of mind too is an issue of concern. According to Mr Paul Nyende, a lecturer at Makerere University at the Faculty of Psychology with the department of mental health,this situation is similar to other catastrophes like earthquakes, floods, accidents and abduction.“The trauma experience is more or less the same. The severe symptoms come later when they stay there for long or after they are rescued. They will experience flashbacks and nightmares, strong memories and will be very fearful and anxious.” He argues that communication between the men and their loved ones is vital and critical because it reassures them that the rescue mission is still ongoing and they will be out very soon. “Communication gives them hope that they will be out.” He adds that in order to keep them hopeful, the rescuers need to pay attention to their fears and needs. When they are finally out of there, they will need to be counselled. “They need crisis and follow up intervention because the situation could badly affect them psychologically,” Nyende says. One of the likely psychological effects that they are likely to face when they are rescued according to Mr Nyende is post-traumatic stress disorder. “They will leave in tremendous fear of dark closed places because they have been trapped in a dark place for a long time.” They will develop anxiety, tension and feel disoriented; they will feel trapped in every situation which will cause them to be desperate. Bad dreams and nightmares will be a part of them for a long time. As the English saying goes, “an idle mind is a devil’s workshop”, as long as these men are trapped underground and have nothing to do, they will start thinking and worrying about whether they shall make it. And this is why Mr Nyende says they need a psychiatrist and a clinical psychologist to engage them in discussions to share their experiences. 1 | 2 Next Page»As a way to keep them busy, the rescue team is creating an entertainment programme that includes singing, games of movement, playing cards, recording song and making videos for the families to see. The miners are being given all they can to help them survive well, from medicines to food rations and even videos to watch on occasion. Their courage has impressed many the world over and it is hoped that they will each come out alive and well. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/1005356/-/2q1n1qz/-/index.html","content":"The causes of coffee production decline - It is not by design that our topic for discussion today, like that of last week, is centred on a reader’s response to what I wrote before in this column. Last week Mr Joseph Nkandu, an agriculturist, a specialist in policy analysis, Advocacy and Citizen Engagement, and Executive Director of the National Union of Coffee Agribusinesses and Farm Enterprises (Nucafe) emailed his response to what we have shared together before on this page about our country’s declining coffee production. As farmers, there is a lot we can learn from such men as Mr Nkandu and I found it fitting to highlight his views about a crop that is so important to our national economy. According to a survey (Tracing the Coffee Value Chain) he has made, our national production dropped from 3,401,000 bags (60kgs each) in 2001/2 to an all time low of 2,159,000 in 2005/6 and an estimated 2.8m bags in 2010. Figures from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) indicate that some of that coffee (6.2 per cent unprocessed and one per cent processed) comes into Uganda from the neighbouring countries through the informal cross border trade. Of the entire world’s major coffee growing countries which include Brazil, Indonesia, Columbia, Ethiopia, India, Mexico, and Vietnam, only Uganda seems to have dwindling production. The other countries have either sustained their level of production over the years or extended their output to astounding levels. For example, Brazil produced 31,310,000 bags in 2001/2 and today its production is estimated to be 36,070,000 bags while Vietnam’s production rose from 14,940,000 bags in 2001/2 to 17,500,000. Mr Nkandu refuses to attribute the decline to bad weather or even climate change as some people are often quick to point out. He rather puts the blame on what he refers to as the current unfair coffee trade system and the unsatisfactory manner the coffee sector is generally governed in this country. He even refuses to attribute the decline on such crop diseases as CWD (Coffee Wilt Disease). UBOS however enlists the major causes of crop damage as follows: rain shortage-46 per cent, crop disease-23 per cent, insect damage-11 per cent, animal damage-8 per cent, floods-2 per cent, and other-11 per cent. With regard to coffee, UBOS makes particular reference to CWD as a big danger. But crop damage is only one of the many other major factors leading to production decline. As Mr Nkandu points out, lack of motivation among farmers, low financial returns from the crop, failure to apply proper crop husbandry practices like fertiliser application and timely weeding, bad harvesting and post-harvest-handling methods, and an over liberalised coffee trade system, have gone a long way to cause the country’s pathetic coffee production decline. “If weather were a factor to be considered, what about other countries like Brazil which indeed experiences severe weather patterns sometimes, but have continued to increase production?” Mr Nkandu asks. “And what have we done anyway to mitigate weather problems such as rain shortage? We have to adapt to the changing weather patterns or we perish. When our policy makers send out coffee seedlings to the farmers they don’t accompany them with tree seedlings. Yet trees provide shade to the coffee in the garden and also attract rain. We are in the same belt as India and Vietnam; why is their production not going down?” He also argues that if the government allocated enough money to research, CWD would by now already be lying on the rubbish heap of our history. Mr. Nkandu further argues that coffee, which he says is globally the most traded commodity after oil, is generally still regarded by our policy makers here the same way colonialists used to regard it nearly 50 years ago. The black man grew the crop to satisfy the needs of the white man in the industrialised world. The big profits from the valuable crop were to be enjoyed by the merchants and multinational companies overseas while the poor Ugandan coffee farmer survived on the crumbs. This must change and Nkandu is concerned that there are too many middle men in the coffee value chain, all of them scrambling for a share of the profit. He is concerned too that up to now Uganda has no coffee policy to govern the crop’s production and trade while our competitors like Brazil have had the policy for more than 50 years. He says low profits leave little room for the farmer to plough back money into his farm by way of fertilisers, fighting soil erosion, timely weeding, irrigation, or even purchasing harvesting equipment like tarpaulins. They dry the coffee on the bare ground thus spoiling the crop’s quality which leads to low prices. Poverty forces them to pick and sell unripe and insufficiently dried coffee. The youths consequently lack the motivation to grow coffee. ssalimichael@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/-/689858/980164/-/b7mo57/-/index.html","content":"The benefits and setbacks of having a housemate - Getting a house to live in can be a hassle, but finding tranquility in that house thereafter will make one forget about what they went through. People who have not yet built their own homes prefer to stay in different places. House sharing is a common practice among students and people who have just got jobs or low income earners. Some opt for apartments, while others, especially the youth settle for micro or studio houses. Whether one lives in an apartment or studio, one may consider having company or sharing costs with a housemate. But in case of a disagreement, it can sometimes turn into a bad experience. Why share? Ms Veronica Mukyala, a student of Makerere University, who shares a room with her friend Susan, says house sharing is worth it, especially when one is not in position to afford to rent by themselves. She explains that some people choose to live with others because they want to kill boredom and loneliness. Sharing a house enables a person to have someone to talk to. It also cuts the expenses because one shares accommodation and utility costs with another person. Mr Geoffrey Mukisa, a teacher at Vine Yard Christian School in Kampala, who once shared a house with a friend, says house sharing has both advantages and disadvantages. The pros House sharing decreases on the cost of living through sharing rental bills, household chores and other utility bills such water, gas or electricity. For instance, if a housemate buys food, his or her partner can come with bread, milk and margarine. In the African society, sharing a house has been attributed to bonding. Some people start as housemates, but end up becoming mutual friends or even couples. A housemate can also be referred to as an emergency response unit officer since he or she is the first person to respond to a mate in case of sickness. Your roommate can help you to reach the hospital as you wait for family members. Also, house sharing promotes culture and understanding, for instance, if you are sharing a room with someone who is not of your tribe, you may end up adopting their culture. Future developmentsIt foists development. Since costs are shared, there is a possibility that you can save some money, which you can use to either start up a small business or to buy house properties. House sharing may lead to division of labour as some tasks like cooking, fetching water, cleaning the house, toilet and bathrooms are shared. It enables a person to learn new skills. Through living together, you can learn to socialise with others, handle conflicts and share what you have with others. Anticipated challenges House sharing limits privacy since you have to share almost everything with a housemate/roommate. It may promote dependency as some people are like parasites, they do not want to share bills. They leave the burden of paying rent and other bills to one person. Also, house sharing may lead to conflicts due to disrespect. Some people have no respect for others in that he or she can pick the other person’s property without permission which may result into conflicts. It may also cause insecurity in case the person you are sharing with has bad company. They can come to your house on pretext that they have come to see their other friend yet they have come to rob. House sharing may limit saving if all expenses are met by one person hence leading to underdevelopment. Choosing a housemate Ms Prossy Nalule, a resident of Kireka, says before you start sharing a house with someone, you must agree on how to go about the bills. The agreement can be either oral or written. The roommate must have the ability and willingness to share the bills. You should also have to take into account the behaviours of the person whom you want to share with because some people are too complicated to stay with. Religious beliefs Religion is also another issue to look out for when choosing someone to share with. It is better to share a house with a person whose religion is the same as yours. This reduces conflicts. Also, consider the background of your roommate. Some people come from families where they do not want visitors yet the other person may be social and is willing to host visitors at any time. Their behaviour Attitude also matters. Different people have different attitudes towards certain things like praying on top of your voice, sharing clothes and playing loud music. So you have to discover the likes and dislikes of your housemate. You may like to consume alcohol yet it doesn’t go well with him or her. You should also consider culture and norms when choosing someone to share a house with. This is because different cultures value different things. In Buganda kneeling while greeting is seen as a sign of respect yet in other cultures it is different. Flexibility is another factor to think of when choosing a housemate. Some people are so rigid to the extent that they do not want to change even if it is for the better. Hygiene matters 1 | 2 Next Page»When choosing a housemate, you should ensure that he or she is tidy and has the ability to keep the house in order. Also, they should be willing to share responsibilities like preparing food, washing utensils after meals and cleaning washrooms. House size Ms Florence Nakazzi, a third year student of Kyambogo University, explains that when choosing the right house to be shared, one has to consider the following. The size of the house should be big enough to accommodate the two persons. Also, the availability of water, electricity, market, medical services school and church matters. Additionally, the house should be situated in the area where there is security and near to the university/school in case you are both students. The accessibility Accessibility of the area where the house is located should also be considered. A good house must be situated in an area which can easily be accessed either at night or during the day. The house to be shared should not be in the wetland because when it rains the area floods resulting into loss of property and even life destruction. How to cope Ms Betty Nalubwama, a shop attendant along Luwum Street, says one of the ways to cope with your housemate is to respect the other person’s property. You should also know the likes and dislikes of your housemate and abide by them. Effective communication is also important Through clear communication, many problems are resolved. Once you get misunderstandings, it is better to open up to the other person than keeping quiet. It is also wise to always be a good listener. Give your roommate a chance to express him or herself before taking a decision. Sharing expensesMs Nalubwama says you first identify the needs, sit down and make a budget and then agree on, who should foot what. Mr Benjamin Waluube, a property broker in Kireka, says getting a cost- friendly house depends on the place where the house is located and facilities within that house. A house in an urban centre is a bit expensive compared to a house in rural or remote areas. It can also depend on the quality of the house. A one roomed house is less expensive than a self contained house. A house with facilities like water, electricity, ceiling, washrooms and toilets inside is more costly. Building a retirement house Building a house in Uganda has not been easy for the 48-year-old Godfrey Okello Akanga. Mr Akanga is a lawyer who works as a local government employee in the municipality of Orebro in Sweden. He has lived in Sweden for the last 15 years, having re-located from the United Kingdom, where he had lived for some time. He is married, with three children.“Every human being has a need to have a roof over his head, to have a house for his family,” he says of his house at Bira village near Pajwenda Trading Centre in Tororo District. It is Mr Akanga’s first house, an undertaking he financed from his personal savings. However, it has not been smooth-sailing building the house. The challenges “I had problems with the workmanship. The workforce comprised people who were not genuine, so I kept changing the workforce and the contractors. They were buying fake materials, telling me the wrong prices and giving me wrong feedback,” he says. Quite a number of problems kept cropping up. The prices of the building materials kept going up. He would order for something and they would tell him that was little and that he had to buy more. He adds that sometimes the contractors did not follow instructions. If he asked them to buy some material or some design, they would buy a different kind of material or design. “For instance, I wanted water and oil paint, but they bought white-wash instead,” he says. Future benefits However, Mr Akanga is a happy man despite the challenges of supervising the building project in Uganda from Sweden. The house is habitable and his family is happy with it.“They do not mind its being located in the village because they know this is where they are going to rest. It is their retirement home. This house has helped me to gain the respect of my people, friends and children,” he explains. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/978128/-/xekclc/-/index.html","content":"Climate change worries smallscale farmers- report - Mzee James Bwete, 70, stood in the doorway of his house at dawn wondering why his village was experiencing a dry spell in August, a month previously characterised by fine rains that are interspersed by sunshine.“We used to have competition between the sun and rain in this month, a reason why it (month) was named Muwakanya (competition) on Buganda calendar,” Mr Bwete, a resident of Mazzi in Wakiso District, recalls. “However, these days one of the two, sunshine or rain, is dominant. Sunshine and rain occurrences are no longer well balanced as used to be,” he adds. Bwete, is not the only aged person seeing seasonal changes in recent years. People who have lived for over 50 years testify that there is a shift in the weather pattern, making it difficult to predict when the rainy season starts and ends. A new report, Towards Enhancing Small-Scale Farmers’ Livelihood and Food Security through Indigenous Climate Change adoption, launced at Imperial Royale Hotel last week by Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Uganda, predict that climate change and variability is likely to worsen in the near future, causing short rainy seasons and food insecurity. Basing on the current situation, the report says there will likely be more erratic rainfall in the March to June rainy season, bringing drought and reductions in crop yields as well as plant varieties. And rainfall, especially that rains late towards the end of the year (October to December), will be coming in more intense and destructive, resulting in floods, landslides and soil erosion. Currently, rainfall is already becoming more intense in the eastern region causing yield failure as crops rot in fields. They have also caused waterborne diseases. Mr Ben Twinomugisha, the report lead canvasser, says impacts of climate change are greater on small scale farmers, especially women, frustrating their efforts to overcome poverty. “Imagine the impacts of climate change we are experiencing today are happening when global average temperatures have not even exceeded a one degree centigrade rise above pre-industrial levels. As temperatures rise further, risks will be magnified,” Mr Twinomugisha says. He adds, “For example, a two per cent centigrade temperature rise would probably wipe out most of Uganda’s coffee production, upon which five million people rely directly or indirectly and which earns the country several hundred million dollars a year.” Ms Grace Lutalo, PELUM Country Coordinator, says though weather variability is frustrating small-scale farmers, policies linked to adaptation are likely to be ineffective because they were not designed to address climate change issues. She says in many ways, climate change impacts are down played and are only thought of in the face of disaster. “The government must refocus on improving mitigation and adaptation technologies and farmers knowledge of climate change science, economics and responses,” Ms Lutalo says. Christine Nakibuule, a farmer from Nakasongola who attended the report launch said, “We no longer wait for the seasons because the climate has changed - we just prepare our gardens and plant when it rains.”The study, however, comes months after the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) released a report that placed Uganda among African counties vulnerable to climate change. According to WMO, the historical climate record for Africa shows warming of approximately 0.7°C over most of the continent during the 20th century, with a decrease in rainfall over large portions of the Sahel, and an increase in rainfall in east central Africa. The frequency and magnitude of natural hazards, including droughts and floods, are increasing and affecting millions across the globe. The PELUM study, carried out in Mubende and Nakasongola districts, also mentions limited affordability of inputs and technologies for production among barriers to small scale farmers’ efforts to ensure food security. The report says farmers cannot afford introduced technologies and varieties since they find them expensive. “This hinders farmers’ efforts to up scale their production to a level that can ensure food security and income improvement amidst climate change impacts,” it reads in parts. Agnes Kirabo, PELUM Country Board Chairperson said farmers’ lack of access to information is deterring farmers to increase their productions. Inadequate knowledge and skills in post harvest handling makes farmers incur heavy post harvest losses, she says. The report also cited land tenure problems and limited access to credit facilities among key challenges to small farmers. Like Patrick Kimanya, another farmer in attendance pleaded - “We want the government to take care of three things,” he said, “Give us dams insteads of boreholes, redistribute land and create a seed bank in every district where farmers can find reliable seeds.” Study respondents in both Mubende and Nakasongola repeatedly mentioned that land fragmentation has led to small pieces of land of less than an acre which is not economically viable. It says for instance to produce commercial maize and cotton, to generate income and agriculture profitability one needs at least an acre of land yet there are many farmers with less than an acre. In Mubende, it was reported that there is a population influx and the average family size is about seven people per household living on a piece of land measuring less than an acre, which is used as a source of livelihood. Mr Twinomugisha, however, recommended that government increases the funds it allocates to the department of meteorology to accelerate its functioning."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/-/689856/975954/-/ypxct2z/-/index.html","content":"Where faith clashes with reason - Pointing to mysteries in no way justifies that there is a ‘God’, writes James Onen I feel honoured to have had no less than a theologian take an interest in my interview with Sunday Monitor regarding my freethought and atheism on July 18. Rev Fr Hillary Munyaneza wrote a response explaining how he believes faith and reason can be reconciled. I found his response wanting, particularly his attack on atheism, which I wish to address. “In life, there are so many experiences where we go beyond reason and as such they can’t be subjected to reason alone. How does one explain realities of love, or suffering, basing on reason?” Munyaneza asked. Why does he think reason cannot explain these things? My contention is that it is because of religious thinking. Religions have, since time immemorial, thrived on mysteries and mystifying things that are otherwise well understood. History has shown us that many things for which supernatural explanations were invoked in the past, now have good natural explanations for their occurrence. Many of the things that could not be understood thousands of years ago such as rain, sunshine, life, death, sickness, floods, tectonic and volcanic activity were formerly attributed to gods - but now we know better. We know how and why these things occur naturally without any divine intervention. Therefore, pointing to mysteries in no way justifies a belief in a “God”. To do so is nothing more than an admission of one’s unwillingness to think outside the box. If Munyaneza honestly thinks reason is compatible with faith, he has to stop surrendering reason when he encounters mysteries. Let him roll up his sleeves and investigate. That is how mankind has progressed over the past several thousand years - by investigating, not throwing our hands up in defeat each time we encounter a difficult problem, or by mystifying things already well understood. Concepts like love and suffering do not lie outside the scope of reason to investigate and therefore do not require any mystification. His next target was atheism. “To deny the existence of God is to deny one’s own existence simply because God is the ground of being and existence – philosophically, He is the only necessary Being. Once one denies the foundation of one’s existence, which is God, that person has denied their own existence,” he wrote. With regard to “God” existing, the contention of the non-believer is simple – it is that the burden of proof required to justify a belief in the existence of a necessary ‘God’ has not been met. Reading through Munyaneza’s response, besides making unsupported assertions, he offered nothing remotely resembling evidence – or even good reasons – to justify a belief in “God”. The same applies to the belief in the existence of any spiritual realm. Several logically and mathematically plausible explanations are on offer today from astrophysicists regarding the origins of the universe. Even as these plausible models await empirical verification, what this tells us is that, in principle, the answer to the question “where did everything come from” does not necessarily have to be anything resembling what some people call a “God”. Faith urges many to postulate the existence of “God” to explain the mysteries. Reason urges others to investigate and try to unravel the mysteries in order to broaden our understanding of reality. If all the innovators through the ages had chosen the former option, we would most probably still be living in caves today. Luckily for mankind, believers throughout the ages have, for obvious practical reasons, opted to strike a delicate balance between the two domains. What cannot be denied, however, is that whenever reason comes into conflict with their cherished faith, believers are quick to default on the commitment to the application of reason. In Uganda, for example, the attitude of the majority of believers towards witchcraft - which they believe works (allegedly the work of “demons”) yet there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest it does - says it all. Indeed, when you point out the fact that their belief in the existence of demons or the efficacy of witchcraft runs contrary to reason, their answer is… “We have faith.” 1 | 2 Next Page»Religious faith encourages people to apply reason selectively, or suspend it whenever convenient, in favour of mystification – and that is its main problem. jamesonen@gmail.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Health---Living/-/689846/949810/-/rg4w5a/-/index.html","content":"War survivors in need of maternal health care - Due to poor handling of expectant mothers by midwives, women prefer delivering at the hands of traditional birth attendants, writes Risdel Kasasira A new report by the coalition of women organisations shows that women’s maternal and reproductive health needs have been disregarded by the on-going northern Ugandan reconstruction programmes. The survey carried out in Acholi, Lango, Teso, Karamoja, West Nile and Elgon region in October 2009 found that women were more affected by the war than men.The report says Peace Recovery and Development Programme concentrates on building infrastructure like roads but has not helped recovery of human beings especially women who face maternal and reproductive health problems. “During the participatory gender equality and women’s needs assessment in Northern Uganda, women complained about the fallen standards of health service delivery in health clinics, health centres and hospitals. Public hospitals and health centres have shortage of drugs including essential drugs for HIV/Aids patients,” the report reads in part. “The major problem appears to be theft of drugs in health centres and hospitals. Women reiterated that functional health service centres are inadequate and average distance to health facilities range between five to seven kilometres,” he said. Ms Elisabeth Rehn, the chairperson of the Trust Fund for Victims with the International Criminal Court, launched the report recently in Kampala.She said women war survivors in northern Uganda need affirmative action in reproductive health and property ownership. Due to poor handling of expectant mothers by midwives and health personnel, women prefer delivering at the hands of traditional birth attendants, the report says.The study says quite a number of health workers migrated out of the region during the conflict, and there are no attraction mechanisms of health personal to get to hard-to-reach areas of Northern Uganda. Ms Ruth Ojiambo Ochieng, the executive director Isis-WICCE whose organisation was lead researcher said they would they would give the findings to implementers of PRDP. “Women do not attain health and well-being because of persistence of gender biases in policies, programmes and practice,” she said. She said there is no specific indication that gender- based sensitive assessment was carried out before the development of the PRDP framework. “This is disappointing since the PRDP is supposed to respond to the specific context, which compromises different social groups with unique needs,” she said.Isis-WICCE, the organisation that helps women in the post conflict areas is currently doing in-depth studies on women experiences of in situations of armed conflicts and post conflict in Nepal, Central African Republic, northern and east Uganda and DR Congo. Ms Rehn is working with 30 NGOs in northern Uganda to help reconstruct the northern Uganda war- victims. Ms Ochieng says gender-based violence as a result of war trauma has affected women and girls and exposed them to risks of HIV/Aids in the absence of essential support and care in health facilities and at home. “The natural disasters such as drought, floods, famine, and poor health infrastructure all compound maternal mortality, morbidity, malnutrition including mental break down,” she says. According to the survey, maternal health is poorly accessed in the greater north. By sub-region, Acholi (31.6 per cent), 55.3 per cent for Lango, 43.2 per cent for Teso, 28 per cent for Karamoja and 40.9 per cent for West Nile. The same trend appears to emerge for access to maternal and reproductive health services, access to child health service and access to HIV/Aids services. The health sector in Northern Uganda was greatly constrained during the 20 years of armed conflict when many facilities were vandalised. However, the intensified effort to rehabilitate and equip most of the health centres in the region by the government together with humanitarian agencies, has enhanced access to health care. However, the health centres in the region are inadequate and the average distance to a health facility range between 5kms to 6.9kms."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/-/859108/948400/-/aqndpaz/-/index.html","content":"A crowded field in fight for Bubulo - This week, David Mafabi looks at Bubulo West in Manafwa District, where Fred Gyabi Bukeni faces his neighbour and friend, Bududa RDC Wanjusi Wasieba and several others in a battle for the parliamentary seat. Constiuency to watch: Bubulo West, Manafwa DistrictCurrent MP: Fred Gyabi Bukeni Main contenders: Wanjusi Wasieba, Tonny Kipoyi The 2006 parliamentary elections in Bubulo West in Manafwa District brought to the political limelight the then Mbale town clerk, Mr Fred Gyabi Bukeni. At the time, Mr Bukeni was embroiled in wrangles at the municipal council that saw him sacked by the Ministry of Local Government over financial impropriety. His dismissal annoyed some Bagisu, particularly those from Manafwa, who decided to field him as a National Resistance Movement parliamentary candidate against the late Edward Wesonga Kamana. The little-known Mr Bukeni pulled off one of biggest upsets in the political history of the sub-region by beating Wesonga by about 6,000 votes. This was a blow both for the development-oriented man, who would later die in a motor accident, and the ruling party. Mr Bukeni polled 16,426 votes, Wesonga polled 10,624 votes, Mr Francis Wangolo got 1,584 votes, Sam Kibukuna (RIP) secured 1,515 votes, Mr Joseph Wasibi Magira got 1,196 while Mr Nambafu Walyaula got 489 votes from the 163, 807 registered voters in the constituency. In the House, Mr Bukeni would move to become chairman of Bugisu Parliamentary Group whose primary focus was to lobby for development in the sub-region. But five years down the road, even when Mr Bukeni insists that he has done a lot for his constituency, many a voter believe that he did not meet his side of the bargain ‘save for attending burials in villages’. “Bukeni had been dismissed over allegations made by the mayor and executive committee of the municipality. But we wanted him to go to Parliament to help us and supervise over the council that had dismissed him. This was our target but unfortunately, we are disappointed,” said Mr Ezekiel Wangolo, a voter in Bubulo West. During his tenure, Mr Bukeni has distributed chicks to women groups, attended burial ceremonies in almost every village, and encouraged the youth and elderly to join SACCOs to fight poverty. These efforts, however, were not enough according to some critics. Lately, Mr Bukeni has been moving around the constituency to canvass support. The odds are stacked against him. In 2006, he had faced the opposition Forum for Democratic Change party, NRM independents and Uganda Peoples Congress candidates as main challengers in the race. This time round the biggest battle for Mr Bukeni will be to go through the NRM primaries, due next month. He faces a crowded field including the Manafwa RDC, Mr Wanjusi Wasieba, a former MP for the constituency and Minister of State for Works in the 6th Parliament, a South Africa-based scholar Tonny Kipoyi; Mr Paul Butita, a consultant in public relations based in Namibia and Mr Rex Wangolo, former bursar of Bubulo Girls’ High School. Others are Mr Wakabala Wesonga, a son to late Edward Kamana Wesonga; Mr Ronard Walukhu, a lawyer based in Kampala; Mr Hosea Kigai, a clinical officer at Bududa Hospital. All these are NRM members. Mr Joseph Wasibi Magira is the lone Conservative Party candidate to declare intent so far. With this race attracting eight NRM candidates, every indication is that we could be seeing a proliferation of independents. The candidates are already scouring villages, making friends and courting them to support their respective bids. Wasieba factorOf all prospects, Mr Wasieba who is considered by many in the constituency to have delivered when he was in Parliament (1996 to 2001), presents the biggest challenge.“Nobody has beaten his track record as a minister. He built bridges, lobbied for development projects in the constituency like building of schools, boreholes, supply of agricultural in-puts,” says Mr Stephen Wataka of Mahefe village in Butiru sub-county. “Many people appreciate this and since he knows the President, a number of ministers and administrators in various government departments, this is the best choice for us.” Mr Wasieba was eliminated from the 2001 parliamentary election on the basis of having no academic qualification. The law states that an aspiring MP should have attained a minimum of A-level or its equivalent. He says after the debacle of 2001, the President asked him to go back to school which saw him enrolled at Kampala University for a pre-university programme before studying for a year to get a diploma and later a degree in political science. “I now hold a degree in political science with a diploma and it is upon these ‘papers’ that the President appointed me minister. I am sure that once I go through, the President will make me a minister again to help my people,” Mr Wasieba said recently.Like many other politicians, Mr Wasieba has promised to set up income-generating projects and create employment for the youth by enrolling them into technical schools. He also says he will continue with the programmes he left unfinished. Unlike Mr Bukeni who has something to start from, and Mr Wasieba who is trading on his past record, many of the other contenders are presenting promises contained in their campaign manifestos. “My focus is going to be to re-unite the people of this constituency, construct the bridges that have been washed away by floods and rehabilitate the village road network that has gone to the dogs,” said Mr Kipoyi. 1 | 2 Next Page»Mr Butita says he is using his position to push for the establishment of more safe water sources in the constituency, increased access to medical services, strengthening rural micro-finance institutions and Naads programmes as a platform for fighting poverty. Looking for support“I am not just joining politics. I belong to NRM historically; my father Mr John Katenya, is one of the people who raised the Uganda flag in 1962 and pulled down the Queen [of England’s] flag, I am development oriented and I stand for the people of Bubulo,” said Mr Butita. The aspiring candidates have dipped into their purses to try to sway the voters to their favour ahead of NRM party primaries next month. Mr Munyanda, Mr Kipoyi, Mr Butita, Mr Wangolo and Mr Wesonga have contributed immensely to the construction of mosques, schools and have barely missed funerals here. Although this was formerly a UPC constituency, it went to the NRM during the Constituent Assembly elections in the mid-90s when Mr Wasieba beat Mr Wesonga Kamana, and beat him again in 1996. And so it was that in 2001, Mr Wesonga realised how difficult it was to convince people to vote for him under the UPC party. He decided to switch to the NRM and thus managed to register victory against Mr Wasieba. A teething issue likely to come up during the campaign is the question of the deteriorating quality of education offered by the constituency’s schools. Good secondary schools like Bubulo Girls’, Bubulo SS, Bugobero High and various primary schools under the universal primary education initiative are not what they used to be. Mr Munyanda says, “My target is to improve standards of education by launching a standards policy to ensure that the entire district political leadership and technical wing join hands in implementing measures aimed at improving academic standards in the area”. A laudable cause but whether this will be enough to get him ahead in this most crowded of races remains to be seen. Manafwa at a glance Manafwa District is located in the Eastern Region of Uganda. Like most Ugandan districts, it is named after its ‘chief town’, Manafwa. The district was created in 1999 and was part of Mbale District, together with Sironko District, before 1999. In 2006, the northern part of Manafwa District was carved off to form Bududa District. Manafwa is bordered by Tororo District to the south, Mbale District to the west, Bududa District to the north and by the Republic of Kenya to the east. The district headquarters at Manafwa are located approximately 26 kilometres, southeast of Mbale, the largest city of in the sub-region. The national census of 2002 estimated the population of the district at about 264,000 inhabitants. In 2006, Bududa District was peeled off to form a separate district, taking an estimated 146,000 inhabitants with it. In 2010 the estimated population of Manafwa District is approximately 153,000. Agriculture is the backbone of the economy of the district. The fertile volcanic soils and the abundant rainfall (average 1,500mm/year), ensure ample yields of both cash and food crops. The farm produce finds market within the district as well as in the city of Mbale, about 80 kilometres (50 mi) to the west of the district, on the western slopes of Mt. Elgon. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/-/688342/941772/-/fxi151/-/index.html","content":"When a dying lake hurts the living - Climate change is threatening Lake Katwe and the lives of over 8,000 residents who engage in salt extraction for a living. The lake has flooded forcing people to seek alternative jobs. Felix Basiime explores the causes of the flooding and how residents are dealing with the problem... It was a bright sunny day when I arrived at Lake Katwe deep inside Queen Elizabeth National park. The sight of a woman sweating profusely drew my attention. Ms Aidah Mbambu, 40, was busy drawing water out of a salt well which had flooded. “I have been trying to empty this well for the last three weeks but it fills up quickly,” she starts her story. Ms Mwambu has been extracting salt from the lake for over 15 years. And from this business, she has supported her six children. She is not alone. More than 8,000 people own small wells (salt plots) on the shallow lake. Their lives depend on extracting salt.Plots on the shores of the lake are demarcated and owned by individuals or families. The ownership is hereditary. A plot means a pond of at least 10 or 12 feet wide and between three to five feet deep. At the center of the lake, only licenced individuals are allowed to extract the salt leaving the locals to own plots at the shores. Out of mining salt, Ms Mbambu says she earns between Shs20,000 to Shs40,000 daily. But her livelihood is now threatened. “There is no salt now, water has flooded our salt pans,” says Ms Mwambu, “I have grown up in Katwe and have never seen such a situation.” The reduction in the amount of salt extracted has exposed the locals to economic hard times. Ms Mbambu says she has, for the first time, failed to send her three children to school this term. “I am afraid of taking a loan, so my children are still at home,” she said. FloodingThe salty Lake Katwe flooded in May, a few days ahead of the peak season for extracting salt. Business usually booms during the dry seasons, (from January- March and June-September) when the water in the shallow lake evaporates exposing the salty rocks underneath. The flooding has also left more than 3,000 porters jobless. According to Mr Nicholas Arinaitwe Kagongo, an environmentalist at the Lake Katwe Salt Tourism and Information Centre, the floods that hit the area recently, dissolved the salt in more than 8,000 salt pans. “There used to be over 30 streams refreshing lake Katwe but now only 4 are left,” Mr Arinaitwe says. He says lake Katwe may become barren just like other salt lakes in the district if the current climate changes are anything to go by. “There were four salty lakes in Kasese District but now two are left, and others got ‘barren’ due to similar environmental factors that Lake Katwe is facing now,” he adds. The salty lakes are in the areas of Katwe, Nyamunuka, Bunyampaka and Munyanyange. Today, only Katwe and Bunyampaka have salt. Mr Arinaitwe says high extraction following the high demand for salt in Uganda and the neighbouring countries, has also affected the salt quantity in the lake. Other factors include the degradation by animals and residents who cut the vegetation surrounding the lake. The grass and other shrubs control the rain water runoff. “The problem is that we have been using the grass from the slopes around the lake and on the lake banks to create our salt wells which caused the rain water runoff, but we had stopped this and had started using sand in sacks,” Ms Mbambu says. Experts blame it on mishandling of environment. “There is an unchecked run off of rain water from the hills due to poor vegetation caused by bush burning,” said Mr Jeconious Musingwiire. Mr Musingwiire, the western region focal person and public awareness officer for NEMA, said there was need to properly manage the water catchment area around the lake. And Mr Paul Isabirye, the Coordinator of the Climate Change Unit under the Ministry of Water and Environment says “there must be an investigation into why the streams are drying. Trees must be planted around the lake. They will safe guard the banks”. Traders around East and central Africa have for many years flocked Lake Katwe to load about eight to 10 lorries of salt daily. The lake produces three types of salt- Crude salt for animal leak, edible salt (sodium chloride) and unwashed salt. The women scrap the bottom of the garden to scoop the salt. They use their feet to crash the salt to form small/fine crystals and then wash the crystals forming edible salt (washed salt/ sodium chloride). Kasese local government earns about Shs240 million annually in taxes from the salty lake. Lake Katwe remains the main source of income among the inhabitants of Katwe-Kabatoro town council in Busongora south. People still practice rudimentary mining of salt to earn a living. There are health complications in this job however, notes one of the guides in the area. \"For the women when the female reproductive organs get in contact with this salty water more often, they develop uterus complications,\" says Nicholas. \"The men on the other hand are also affected. When the male organs get in contact with this salty water, they itch. This makes them scratch their male organs causing wounds.\" To minimize these effects, the women are advised to wear a pad before they enter the water. This helps to reduce on the amount of “salt water” entering their reproductive organs. The men on the other hand use condoms, Nicholas says. 1 | 2 Next Page»About the lakeLake Katwe has a salt rock that lies on a contour line that connects lakes: Katwe , Munyanyange, Nyamunuka and Kasenyi (Bunyampaka). In the middle of the lake are vents or holes which go from the main salt rock to the outside. They are scattered in different parts of the lake. Water from the streams goes through the vents and dissolves the main rock to become a salt solution which quickly turns into salt. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/939636/-/xc50ad/-/index.html","content":"Problems affecting food production - It is mentioned in a document labelled MAAIF Development Strategy and Investment Plan (DSIP), that the number of people in Uganda facing food insecurity rose from 12 million in 1992 to 17.7 million in 2007. The 149-page-long document was drafted a little more than two years ago with a view to revolutionise agriculture and was prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries (MAAIF) in conjunction with organisations such as Naads and Naro.One of the main challenges we face is recurrent food insecurity and a general decline in agricultural production. But what do we really mean by food insecurity and what are its warning signals? What may be done to minimise chances of food insecurity? In their jointly authored book, Food and Nutrition in Uganda; A. Namutebi, J. H. Muyonga and A. G. Tumuhimbise describe food insecurity as a situation when people lack adequate food to meet their nutritional needs for a healthy and productive life. The Food and Agriculture Organisation also describes food insecurity in almost the same words. It is about general food shortage and households resorting to food rationing and turning to foodstuffs not commonly eaten. Food insecurity also comes along with financial constraints in the home since usually the food prices tend to rise as a direct result of food scarcity. During times of food scarcity in rural, peasant, communities the village courts tend to have more cases of farm theft. People sneak into others farms to harvest where they did not saw. There are more instances of farmers cheaply selling off livestock and household valuables just to buy food. Food scarcity is also often associated with lack of pasture and water for animals and people tend to migrate with their livestock giving rise to negative reactions among the communities where they migrate to. As the lack of commodities to sell intensifies some people attack the environment and may engage in such activities as cutting down trees to make charcoal for sale in towns. There is more prostitution and marital infidelity as some women run out of the means to feed their children. Thanks partly to climate change, we are likely to face periodic food shortages in the coming years. Climate change has coincided with the eruption of new crop diseases presenting new challenges to scientists, researchers and planners. Not all scientists attribute the new crop diseases to climate change, but the last few years have presented new diseases such as the banana bacterial wilt disease, cassava brown streak disease and fodder grasses like the elephant grass are under attack by the Napier Stunt Disease. Subsequently, there is a decline in the production of cassava and bananas and should the Napier Grass Disease escalate, milk production is bound to decline. Continued rise in temperatures could make the growing of many of our food crops difficult. Recent projections indicate an expected temperature rise of 1.5 centigrade in the next 20 years, rising to 4.3 centigrade by 2080. Other climate change-related causes of food insecurity are the frequent floods and prolonged droughts experienced in various parts of the country. It has become increasingly hard for farmers to determine the right time to plant crops, yet most of our farming is still based on rainfall patterns. However, some of the environment problems affecting our agricultural production are of our own making. Uganda, once known for its fertile soil has undergone serious degradation of its land resource. According to records from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, our soils are becoming poorer, with an estimated top soil loss of five tons per hectare per annum, thanks to soil erosion. We have cut down forests and we keep burning pasture in bush fires. A recent UNDP report (2004) indicated that Uganda loses an estimated forest cover of between 700 and 2,000 square kilometres per year. Forests are important for rain formation. Our farming activities, especially on steep slopes often don’t reflect any sensitivity to the danger of soil erosion. We have failed to effectively manage the disposal of polythene and plastic waste material further worsening our soil degradation problem. Poor soils mean more food production hardships. Already we are experiencing a decline in a number of food crops such as sweet potatoes, beans, ground nuts, millet among others. The New Vision of September 8, 2009 reported that 3,000 tonnes of plastic bags go into Ugandan soils annually. “Plastic bags are non-biodegradable,” the article revealed. “They take between 15 and 1000 years to break down in the environment.” It quoted Mr Onesmus Muhwezi of NEMA saying that 60 per cent of stray cattle die after eating polythene material and that the greater risk is to the soils and the crops. ssalimichael@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/934796/-/xc1jma/-/index.html","content":"How climate change has affected us so far - A disastrous disease known as banana wilt has hit the district of Mbarara so badly that farmers there are contemplating migrating. In Hoima district, army worms have attacked gardens and defoliated sweet potatoes on a large scale. Just recently, the icecap on Rwenzori Mountain started melting, and water is now gushing down – making the lives of many of the villagers miserable. With landslides dominating newspaper headlines, climate change is no longer a threat far away in the future, but a clear and observable fact. In the past for instance, experts note that we used to have two cut out rainfall seasons which were well known. Areas below the 2° North latitude were experiencing two rainfall seasons, the first being March to May, and the second being August to October. Meanwhile areas above the 2° North latitude had one prolonged season of rainfall from April to October. These seasons have however changed radically and these are having an effect on crops. Fighting over resourcesIt is also predicted that peace and security will be at stake because of these changes. “People are going to fight for natural resources, and you cannot stop immigration,” says Isabirye. There will be a situation whereby people are concentrating on their natural resources, and other people will want to share it with them, and that is how fights will ensue. “The evidence of this is the fights of the people in Teso and Karamoja. They are fighting over natural resources,” Paul Isabirye, a programme officer at the department of Meteology comments. Semliki River which was taken as a natural boundary between Uganda and Congo has started silting and the real course of the lake according to Isabirye has started changing. So, the person at the silted side of the boundary will be at a great advantage. Change in vegetationVegetation is yet another area where climate change is going to do a lot of damage. “As the climate changes, we are not certain of which kind of vegetation we shall have. Some of the vegetation we have is going to disappear, and we shall start seeing shrubs coming up,” Isabirye says. The problem with the species which are yet to come is that, some might eat up the vegetation we already have. The other way to see just how much, climate change has affected us, Isabirye points out, is to look at the boreholes, most of which have run short of the ability to pump water. Boreholes get their water from underground aquifers (water tablets). But now the prevailing situation is that all the water runs to the water bodies- and the aquifers are left empty. It is only when the water bodies are somewhat full that we get water in the water tables and that is only when water can be available in the boreholes. Health problemsMore so, the effects of climate change will slowly catch up with our own health system, as Isabirye explains that any biological system is sensitive to its environment. “For instance when temperatures increase you will even start feeling pain in your ears. People will get dehydrated. Asthmatic people will even have more health problems because of the extremities in the weather.” As Isabirye points out, more than just the weather is at stake. It ought to be understood, that the effects of climate change will impact on our nutrition, economy, recreation and many other areas. Drop in water sourcesWe have also started seeing climate change affect our water bodies. According to a climate expert who has been following the trends of our water bodies at the Directorate of Water, who prefers anonymity said, the worst effects we have seen on water bodies are due to the floods which have previously occurred in Lake Bisinia (Kumi District) (2007) and rivers like Manafwa (2007, 2010), Malaba (2007), Namtala (flush floods- 2007, 2009), Asea (2007, 2009), Awoja (2007) and Akokorio (2007). The bridges on these rivers feeding into L. Kyoga were submerged. And because of climate change Lake Wamala has shrunk significantly. Some seasonal rivers have dried completely like River Wamboli in Luwero/Nakasongola. But because climate is very unpredictable, the climate expert cannot estimate how much impact there will be on our water bodies. Even when water levels drastically drop, they later rise, but usually not as significantly as the previous drop. And whereas water quality is already an issue, climate change makes it worse during the droughts like in Murchison bay where water has turned dark green. This happens because evaporation increases and leaves the available water of less quantity and much worse quality. Climate change is a reality, the effects of it are gradual and there are high chances that we are yet to face the worst. It is time for the government as well as individuals to start thinking very fast; how climate change is going to affect us, our community, property and economic prospects and embark on adaptation measures."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/934802/-/xc1k6n/-/index.html","content":"Agriculture fortunes to change with climate - It is expected that more floods to come will destroy more crops, displace people and cut off the roads which is a major threat to food security, writes Edwin Nuwagaba. The effects of climate change are even worse on agriculture. This is something that needs to be considered seriously because many people in the country depend on agriculture for a livelihood. One of the changes is increasing temperatures, and this creates favourable conditions for pests and diseases to multiply. Ms Anunciata Hakuza, an agricultural expert at the Planning Department at the Ministry of Agriculture says they have already started seeing these effects. “We started with coffee wilts which have been sustained, then cassava mosaic followed. Now we have cassava streak and banana bacteria wilt,” she says. The seasons which are changing are also having an effect. Paul Isabirye the Programme officer at the department of Meteorology/Climate Change Unit in Bugolobi says, “People planned their activities around these seasons but now we no longer have these seasons which are clear cut.” The onset and cessation of these seasons has now become so dynamic that rainfall seasons either come too early or much later than normal. As a result people cannot plan easily for their crops. “When rains come too early, people may not consider them as the seasonal rainfall and so they don’t go to sow the seeds. By the time they realise that they must start, they have already lost about three weeks,” Mr Isabirye says. And because crops are subjected to shorter rainfall seasons – they are unable to go through the normal growth process. On the other hand, according to Isabirye, these days there are many farmers who rush to plant their crops following a wrong onset. By the time the real rains pour, people have already wasted their seeds. Climate change has also largely affected the distribution of rain across the entire season. “In two weeks it may come so strongly and for the following 10 days you have no rain at all. This also disturbs the growing phase of the crop,” Isabirye says. It has been found that more often than not, we receive rain with the intensity of a month long rainfall. This is dangerous and contributes to soil erosion. In Bundibugyo district, Hakuza says that farmers are worried because of the pests that have invaded their sweet potatoes. But what is even more alarming according to Alex Bambona another agricultural expert at this ministry, are pest outbreaks like the variegated grasshoppers which cut crops. Meanwhile in Hoima district, army worms which defoliate crops especially the sweet potatoes have attacked on a massive scale. “The problem with these armyworms is that when they grow, they develop wings and fly to other areas. In Mbarara people are almost immigrating because of banana wilt.” Moreover, it is expected that more floods to come will destroy more crops, displace people and cut off the roads which is a major threat to food security. “These floods will increase disease, and in fact as we talk, climate change is the greatest cause of food insecurity in Uganda,” Bambona says. Hakuza says that the ministry is already underway trying to initiate drought resistant crops which farmers can at least rely on. Some of the crops which can survive harsh weather conditions like heavy rainfall include tea, coffee, bananas, sorghum and other plantation and cereal crops. Bambona is however optimistic that Uganda will not be pushed to the extreme end of food insecurity. “When one area, is affected another area may be having high production. When conditions are worse in this area in other areas it is not the same,” he says. However, whereas Uganda has enough food at the national level, the problem of distribution is still a thorn in the flesh. The good news, according to Hakuza, is that the government has come up with a range of intervention mechanisms in the five year development strategy and development plan which is meant to address the issue of climate change in agriculture. Some of these include introducing irrigation schemes where necessary. Even then, there is no doubt that something needs to be done and fast."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/927584/-/x08vq9/-/index.html","content":"Crocodiles turn Mayuge fishermen into food - Fishing has become a lucrative economic activity at the shores of lake victoria, in Mayuge District. But beneath that booming business lie the man-eating crocodiles which have turned humans into their food, writes Saturday Monitor’s Alfred Nyongesa Wandera A loud silence is what welcomes you when you visit Nakalanga landing site on the shores of Lake Victoria. Grass thatched huts sit idly in this part of Mayuge District, with an indication of no habitation by humans. Residents in this village are fishermen, explaining why most homesteads are abandoned most parts of the day. “People leave their houses very early in the morning looking for jobs to earn a living. Most of them go fishing in the lake whereas some go to gardens to tend their crops,” Sgt Ahmed Higenyi, Officer in Charge of Nakalanga Police Post, explains. Heavy deforestationSome residents have left the area following a government directive. This follows heavy deforestation that has eaten away the once thick vegetative cover of Bunya forest, a habitat for crocodiles.The fishing community here is a mixture of people who hail from Teso Sub-region, central region, Busia, Bugiri and Jinja districts. Although residents used to engage in agriculture activities, climate change which has resulted in unpredictable weather patterns has driven most farmers into the lake to catch fish. “Climate change has made cultivation and growing of crops difficult for most farmers who depend on agriculture. As a result they have moved to the lake to practice fishing to earn a living,” Mr Thomas Aram, the District Environment Officer, explains. Unfriendly reptileBut beneath the busy economic life of fish catching and selling, lie one unfriendly animal that has made the life of fishermen and other residents a nightmare. Crocodiles! These man-eaters have turned residents who ply the lake shores, into their delicacy. “There used to be plenty of fish in the lake before vagaries of weather came into force. Back then, crocodiles had enough food and never hunted for human beings,” Mr Aram says. “People have now disturbed the ecosystem arousing the wrath of crocodiles. The reptiles have turned hostile to people making regular attacks to those who go fishing,” he adds. Mr Aram says in the past, crocodile attacks were associated with bad omen but now people have come to believe that crocodiles have turned into man-eaters. In the past month alone, crocodiles attacked 15 people, three of whom were killed, and the rest escaped with serious injuries. In the last six years, 100 people were attacked by the man-eaters, 50 of whom were killed, a district report on the animals, reveals.Crocodile attacks are common at Nakalanga Peninsular that expands to Bukaleba Forest Reserve, the landing sites of Ntinkalu, Musoli, Busuyi, Igulibi, Bukagabo, Bwondha, Bubinge, Nduwa, Walugyo and Kabando. The most gruesome attack by crocodiles was recently witnessed at Nakalanga landing site. A resident, identified only as Obera, 30, was reportedly eaten by the animal, and only his thigh born was later recovered. Another resident, John Wamala,50, was eaten by a crocodile on March 9, 2009, leaving behind a wife and five children who are now struggling to make ends meet. Three days after the incident, body parts of Wamala were discovered near the habitat of the man-eaters. In anger, residents killed one crocodile, which was lying near the lake. Isaka Nasiko, 20, was also attacked by a crocodile on April 17 at Kifu, Bugoto landing site. As Mr Leo Jazza, the district Vermin Control Officer explains, the body parts of Nasiko were recovered near the lake and buried.“We captured the crocodile and took it to Murchison Falls,” Mr Jazza said. 1 | 2 Next Page»On May 3, at the same place, a 17-year-old boy was eaten up by a crocodile. Since most people who go in the lake are men, Mr Jazza says crocodile attacks have increased the number of orphans and widows in the area. The attacks are even more frequent during rainy season when the crocodiles abandon the lake for upland areas where the water is shallow. Residents, who go to shallow parts of the lake to fetch water or catch fish, become easy prey for the man-eaters. Guarding infantsMr Jazza explains that the reptiles also become hostile during rainy season- a period when they give birth. They jealously guard their young and anybody who comes near their habitat is considered an enemy. This often leads to fierce attacks of fishermen and other residents. The dry season is not an exceptional period either. Because massive fishing takes place during this season, the fish population decreases, forcing the crocodiles to look for alternative food.Mr Jazza says most fishermen who use illegal fishing gears and later hide in the forest to escape from authorities, have been eaten by crocodiles which reside in the forests. Mr Aram says efforts should be made by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to capture and relocate the man-eaters to Murchison Falls so as to reduce the attack on incidents. He said people should be trained in handling crocodiles, saying currently there is only one expert but based in Kampala. Crocodiles begin eating humans when they are 30 years old. At that age, most of them weigh up to 300 kilogrammes and they can live up to 80 years. ************************************* How to avoid crocodile attacks The man-eating crocodiles have made life difficult for fishermen and residents in Mayuge district. The district Environment Officer, Mr Thomas Aram told Saturday Monitor's Alfred Nyongesa Wandera how to avoid crocodile attacks. Avoid going near crocodile habitats especially in thick forests and papyrus areas. Avoid water suds (moving papyrus islands) when fishing because they inhabit crocodiles. Going near a crocodile habitat, arouses their anger because they perceive humans as intruders, thus attacking in self defence.Avoid primitive ways of fishing that involve standing in water. “A crocodile will easily attack you when you stand in water. It may be on its hunt for fish and when it collides with you. You will immediately be a substitute for its food,” Mr Aram says. Some residents of Nakalanga landing site said a crocodile can sense the presence of a human being in water through the body reflections in water and will start tracking you. It is therefore safer to avoid standing in water.Avoid using small boats on the lake. Most fishermen use canoes to catch fish. These, Mr Aram argues are too small and can easily capsize when there is a storm. If the canoe capsizes, a fisher man will be exposed to crocodile attacks. He says a crocodile can easily grab someone from canoes. Fishermen should also avoid spending a lot of time on the lake shores because that is where crocodiles roam in search of food. Most residents who live near the lake are fond of bathing, washing cloths and even utensils in the lake making them susceptible to crocodile attacks. There should be a deliberate effort by all towards the conservation of the environment because poor environmental management has resulted into climatic change which has impacted negatively on the living conditions of both human beings and animals. “Climate change has caused unpredictable heavy rainfalls that lead to floods. Floods destruct habitats for crocodiles since they live in shallow waters,” Mr Aram says. Crocodiles often migrate from flooded lakes to upland areas where they easily meet people and attack them. Mr Aram says one should avoid rushing to rescue a colleague that has been attacked by a crocodile, because you may be overpowered by the reptile. Get expert and enough support as soon as possible before you can save a person attacked by a crocodile. **************************************About Crocodiles (Adopted from national Geographic) The Nile crocodile has a somewhat deserved reputation as a vicious man-eater. The proximity of much of its habitat to people means run-ins are frequent. And its virtually indiscriminate diet means a villager washing clothes by a riverbank might look just as tasty as a migrating wildebeest. Firm numbers are sketchy, but estimates are that up to 200 people may die each year in the jaws of a Nile croc. Africa's largest crocodilian, these primordial brutes reach a maximum size of about 20 feet (6 meters) and can weigh up to 1,650 pounds (730 kilograms). Average sizes, though, are more in the range of 16 feet (5 meters) and 500 pounds (225 kilograms). They live throughout sub-Saharan Africa, the Nile Basin, and Madagascar in rivers, freshwater marshes, and mangrove swamps. The diet of the Nile crocodile is mainly fish, but it will attack almost anything unfortunate enough to cross its path, including zebras, small hippos, porcupines, birds, and other crocodiles. It will also scavenge carrion, and can eat up to half its body weight at a feeding. One unusual characteristic of this fearsome predator is its caring nature as a parent. Where most reptiles lay their eggs and move on, mother and father Nile crocs ferociously guard their nests until the eggs hatch, and they will often roll the eggs gently in their mouths to help hatching babies emerge. Hunted close to extinction in the 1940s through the 1960s, local and international protections have helped them rebound in most areas. In some regions, though, pollution, hunting, and habitat loss have severely depleted their numbers. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/908660/-/wy1j0d/-/index.html","content":"Why Kampala is choking with garbage - A new report by the Auditor General blames transport shortage, the failure by Kampala City Council to regulate private garbage collectors among other shortcomings, for the uncollected tonnes of rubbish in Kampala City, as Benon Herbert Oluka writes.Kampala continues to choke with uncollected garbage due to an inadequate number of vehicles to dispose refuse, poor law enforcement by city authorities and lack of awareness by the public, the Auditor General says in a new report released this month.The report, titled ‘Solid Waste Management in Kampala,’ notes that out of the 1,200–1,500 tonnes of garbage estimated to be generated in Kampala per day, only 400–500 tonnes were collected yet KCC spends about Shs2.08 billion annually on solid wastage management.“This implies that 60 per cent of the garbage generated daily is not collected and disposed, which has resulted into a public nuisance,” says the report. “The presence of uncollected garbage all over the city puts the lives of dwellers to the risk of environmental and human health related problems such as diseases and air pollution in form of offensive smell.” Vehicle nighmareThe report, which has been submitted to Parliament and Kampala City Council, says among the major problems is failure by KCC to acquire the required number of vehicles needed to dispose off garbage due to poor performance. It adds that during the five financial years that were reviewed (2002/03–2007/08), KCC lacked a vehicle replacement policy.“KCC and the divisions required on average 86-five tonnage lorries, disregarding the private sector contribution, to be able to collect and transport garbage from the city to achieve 100 per cent performance – on the assumption that each vehicle makes three trips per day. However, we noted that KCC and the divisions operated on average 35-five tonnage lorries, which was 40 per cent of the fleet required to enable prompt waste collections and disposal in the city,” says the report. Consultant needed“In the absence of the required number of vehicles to transport garbage, KCC and the divisions could not attain the 80 per cent required garbage collection performance level.”The report adds that while a good fleet management system is supposed to keep vehicles in good condition to facilitate daily collection and transportation of refuse, constant breakdown of the vehicles has led to accumulation of uncollected garbage – with the worst hit areas being the market places in Nakawa, Kalerwe, Ntinda, Makindye and Kikuubo.In their response to the queries raised by the Auditor General’s report, KCC management explained that the council is seeking the services of a consultant who would come up with a fleet management system that addresses aspects like replacement, handling and tracking of vehicles. They also explained that each division has acquired five new specialised rubbish trucks which compress and compact refuse for proper disposal. The Auditor General also noted that there was poor enforcement of solid waste management by-laws by KCC. “Under the Solid Waste Management Ordinance, 2000, it is illegal and punishable to dump garbage in places where it may be or become a public health nuisance. These places include water bodies, public streets and the roadside. The responsibility to enforce these rules and regulations rests with KCC and the divisions,” the report further reads. It says: “Cases of illegal dumping of garbage were noted at market places and despite the existence of a fully fledged enforcement department, KCC and the divisions were not enforcing the laws. This has caused unnecessary suffering to the neighborhood through air pollution and blockage of the drainage system leading to floods.” The IGG’s report says while it is an offence to collect, transport, or dispose off garbage for a fee without a valid permit from KCC, a number of private garbage collectors are operating without permits. Educate the massesIt says KCC needs to establish a proper mechanism for regulating the operations of private garbage collectors since some of those currently operating illegally have no capacity to collect and transport refuse to the landfill. Other activities that the Auditor General says should be addressed include proper planning and budgeting for waste management, education of the public on modern waste management, improving the working conditions of personnel in garbage collection, and ensuring adequate supervision, monitoring and control mechanisms."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/905832/-/a2txfez/-/index.html","content":"Reshuffle rumour mill earns me Shs44om to buy equipment - As I told you last time, we have had no rest since Easter Sunday. The heavy rains wrecked havoc all over Kampala and it became obvious the simple tools my yellow boys are using are no up to the task of cleaning up the city and clearing drainages to mitigate floods. I vowed to get at least a concrete mixer truck that can reach any part of the city where my yellow teams are working and a tanker with a powerful pump to temporarily drain flooded homesteads. If I got these, it would free my truck for delivering sand, stones and cement, unlike now when all it seems to do is carry the Katwe made concrete mixer around. There seems to be a general cash squeeze around the country so I needed divine intervention to get about Shs400 million very quickly. I prayed and prayed. When I was about to give up, thinking God has forsaken me, I got a brainwave. God had shown it to me earlier but I was busy agonizing that I had not noticed it. As I sat brooding, my mood worsening as I was watching late Sunday news round up, I stared hard at the FDC men celebrating after their delegates’ conference. Of course, here was the opportunity. High spirits in the opposition camp meant warning bells in ours. And which better opportunity for me than now! Quickly, I activated my networks and planted the rumour. I sent it out as a complaint that I was too busy cleaning up the city, and now as if that was not exhausting enough, I had to vet the new team that Mzee needed to go with through the gruelling campaigns for the coming elections. Many guys had become baggage and he is now looking for new blood not only to bring non-committed voters firmly back to vote for no change, but also very importantly, to recapture Buganda where the chilly relations with Mengo are bound to cost us plenty of votes. What is more, Bushenyi now made of five districts is getting more tricky, the south west is full of angry former comrades and unreliable colleagues while the north for once has opposition vote magnates which need some new blood to counter them. The east has several homogeneous voting blocks and some unreliable constituencies, requiring some dazzling new kids for the block. The word went around quickly that Afande Chama is the last person to vet the proposed names, and that all the previous advisers and assistants no longer matter, because Mzee is now using very unconventional means to take all our opponents by surprise. Soon my plants had managed to get the word into the vulnerable ears, those who had been ‘tipped’ that they were being considered for cabinet. I started getting very distinguished people, most MPs, dropping by at the work sites to compliment me and the yellow boys for the great work we are doing to unblock drainages and building new ones. Most applicants would approach the subject cautiously, how they had heard that I was the one looking at a certain list which is soon going to Mzee’s desk. Others were quite blunt. For me it didn’t matter how politely or cockily the candidates for ministerial jobs approached me. I just told them that the great work we were doing badly needed a small boost. And the boost was just Shs10 million or more.They agreed and went away. Indeed they came back, but the mean bastards all just brought exactly Shs10 million each, not a penny more. To insulate myself against cries of foul, I whispered to each ministerial aspirant a name of a key rival to watch carefully because he had “dropped by and tried to undermine you …” . So if there is a reshuffle, they will know whom to blame, not me. But my strong belief is that there will be no reshuffle, so there will be nobody to blame.After all, how can small me, not anywhere near State House, know about reshuffles? In all, 44 dreamers came looking for cabinet jobs. So Shs440 million I got by the close of this week. I had already done my shopping on the internet and went to my Pakistani vehicle supplier and showed him what I wanted shipped straight away: A powerful truck mounted mixer and a used tanker together with a powerful pump. After adding his profit, the Pakistani dealer claimed it would all cost Shs400 million registered. I just slapped the money on his table and told him the State needed everything delivered inside two weeks. He gasped and said he could manage in three weeks, with an extra Shs10 million “to clear a few obstacles”. I gave him the cash, told him the State could not afford any delays turned on my heel and left. The guy must by now be thinking I carry government treasury in my pocket. One day I might need something urgently from him and only the financial credibility I am building now will serve me... 1 | 2 Next Page»Afande Chama is a die-hard NRM supporter afandechama@gmail.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/895956/-/agds9yz/-/index.html","content":"Where is this government’s sense of responsibility? - I do not have any relative(s) buried at Kasubi and do not expect anyone from Aruu to be buried there. But on March 27, I was among the Bulungi Bwansi group seated at the military facility on Jarvis Street and Queen Street East to contribute towards the reconstruction of the ravaged tomb, here in Toronto. Among the distinguished guests were Dr Muniini Mulera and Prof. Galabuzi in the company of their spouses. The reason I responded to this fundraising event was to lend credence to the causes of the people of Uganda. It was the right thing to do for the economic importance of Kasubi Tombs is not exclusive of other Ugandans. Further, the woes of Buganda are the woes of Uganda; therefore, this fundraising was a call to national duty. I have seen that our country needs a change of heart and mindset. We have the NRM that has ruled the country for the last 25 years and clearly they have run the country down. These people treat Uganda primarily as a cash cow. It is because of such malicious contempt that we live in dangerous environment and die from all sorts of avoidable circumstances. But who really cares about ordinary Ugandans dying in the cross fires of security forces or in the fires that frequently burn public places? How long will the tax payers complain of potholes and floods and poor drainage systems? How long will the government emerge out of their indifference to conceptualise that there is potential for natural resources to strike our helpless peasants due to environmental instability created by their sordid exploitation of the environment? If complaints alone could elicit responses from the regime, we could have built in capacity to adequately respond to disasters. We could have responded effectively to the calamity that struck Bududa and devised means to stop the road carnages that continue to claim lives. But those contract workers and mercenaries - who run our country - do pay deaf ears to the plight of the ordinary citizen and show us that what matters the most is the sustenance of the privileges of the rulers. Here we are running a country where Fire Brigade always arrives late to put out fires. Even when they arrive, they do not have enough water to do the job. We have no plans in place to effectively put out fire and yet it is our reality that fires have become a threat to personal and property safety. Where is our sense of responsibility and priorities? The fundamental question that we need to ask is whether we have any threshold to act in ways that can enhance public safety. Ugandans of all walks of life are susceptible to many avoidable deaths and injuries. The danger is made worse by the inability of the people in authority to take responsible actions or to empower the communities to take action to eliminate those conditions that expose them to injuries and death. Very often, the White man is better than us because they tend to treat their fellow citizens with respect, honesty, equity, dignity with great sense of accountability. When a fire guts a place like Kasubi Tombs or Namugongo, investigations would be mounted to find the cause of the fire. The cause of the fire then leads the investigators to either suspected persons responsible for the inferno or if it is systems failures, such as electrical short circuit, competent recommendations would be made to avoid a repeat of such. Such recommendations would also be used by quality assurance teams elsewhere to ensure that they inspect their own buildings to remove such dangers before it strikes. In the Ugandan sense, that is not the case. Every investigation in Uganda becomes stale as the leads are bogus, thus no recommendation. This is why we are unable to stop the rampant fires, cover the potholes, build proper drainage systems and put water in our pipes. Our country is run by a regime that has run out of ideas!Mr Komakech is a social critic and political analystmordust_26@yahoo.ca"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Insight/-/688338/891642/-/7gdk84/-/index.html","content":"INTERVIEW: Facing the looming safe water shortage - Mr Jamal Saghir, the World Bank director for energy, transport and water was a panelist during the five-day 15th Africa Water Association Congress that took place at the Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo on March 15. Saturday Monitor’s Alfred Nyongesa Wandera caught up with him and picked his brains before he flew out of the country. Excerpts:- What was the conference about?This was an international conference on water supply and sanitation that International Water Association decided to organise in Kampala. It focused on access to energy and water supply and sanitation. The conference also looked at water shortage, supply, the link between water and climate change and issues of energy since it is relevant in water supply, especially pumping. Energy accounts for 20 to 30 per cent of water costs and utility.The conference was an international gathering of more than 700 people, 60 countries and many international organisations including World Bank, African Development Bank, African Union and many other organisations. How much money has the World Bank put in the development of water resources in Africa?It is about $1billion (Shs2 trillion). It is a concessional funding that depends on how much we have. But it is constrained by the percentage we are allocated and how much concessional funding we have. What challenges are facing the water sector in Africa?The major challenges are water quality, water quantity and its management. Around 50 per cent of African people don’t have access to safe water and while the Millennium Development Goal on water could be reached in some countries, in most countries the sanitation targets are about 50 per cent. So the challenge is how to reach those that don’t have access to water sanitation.The quality of water is not always the best and the management of utilities has water losses standing in excess of over 40 per cent. For example there are losses related to physical infrastructure like most ageing pipes are not replaced; or technical and administrative losses where people take water without paying for it. Do you have any specific interest in Uganda in relation to water issues?Uganda’s national water utility sector is one of the success stories. But what we are concerned with now is that some of the investments in water supply in the past cannot persist into the future. I believe that the priority of water supply by the government is important in terms of agriculture development, food, fish for export and national policies.I also believe that water supply and sanitation should have the same emphasis it used to have in the past because still there are many people in Uganda who don’t have access to safe water and sanitation is still very low. A [comparatively] small percentage of the budget is going to water supply; I think less than 2 per cent and this is so low as it used to be more than 40 per cent three years ago. What are you doing to address the issue?The international community is looking at all the water issues to see how we can help. We have been discussing with ministers to see how to work together. The World Bank and the rest of the donor community have been major players and we shall continue contributing to water sector development in Africa. What factor (s) is fuelling water shortage in Africa?Africa is dry by nature and in some places there is abundant water whereas others have scarcity. So there is a lot of inequality. But what I can foresee in future is that because of climate change, some places will have drought and floods will be coming more often than it used to be, other floods will be violent as we have seen recently in Uganda. But scarcity is one element and population growth is another issue. Uganda has a population growth rate of three per cent and Kampala has over three million people and at this level of population growth rate, in five or ten years, population will double and water supply will be constrained.It is expensive to go for ground water but human beings have always adapted to water changes and it is all about how we adapt to the new challenge of climate change. Which countries are most affected by water shortages if Africa?Sub-Saharan Africa in general is affected. I would say Mali, Benin, and Togo are severely affected. Zambia on the other hand has water sources underground but in various parts and therefore [extraction] cannot easily be optimised. What can you say about Uganda’s water resource development?Uganda has been doing a lot of things in its water sector but it is important that sustainable reforms continue and there is advancement in water supply on a regular basis.I think the country has been doing good things when compared to other countries on the continent but we should not take it for granted and the donor community should help and we are doing it. It is very important to consolidate the water reforms initiated three years ago. Does the World Bank have anything to say about the Nile River dispute between Egypt and other Nile Basin countries?The World Bank has always been a friend of the Nile [Basin] Initiative for many years working behind the scenes with all ministers of water to ensure that there is open dialogue. We believe that dialogue is an important aspect to resolution of this dispute.For the last 10 years, our team has been working very hard to keep discussions alive and the exchange of knowledge on the Nile Initiative. Uganda is a very important player in the matter. World Bank will continue playing the water diplomacy with the Nile River stakeholders.The World Bank has been providing capacity building and technical assistance and a lot of funds we get from donors. Discussions will continue to be open and investment will be the engine for development of the initiative. We hope to see quick results on the ground."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/BernardTabaire/-/878688/891700/-/f8gq1b/-/index.html","content":"Easter: Sometimes we must keep faith in worldly things - The long weekend is in. It is Easter time for Christian Uganda. Easter “is the most important annual religious feast in the Christian liturgical year”. I know of a family of serious Christians, so serious the patriarch is a well-known reverend. This family, unlike many Christian families in Uganda, feels nothing for Christmas. Easter is the big religious deal. Looks like death, or is it resurrection, is more important than birth. Someone keen has observed though that you never get to know about your death, and certainly not about your birth either. Maybe you are in better luck regarding your resurrection. But what the heck! Somewhere between birth and death, possibly even between death and birth, life happens. The interesting, the weird, the bone-headed, and the evil will occur between Easter Weekend 2010 and Easter Weekend 2011 in this our little country. Preachers will preach and their congregants will listen faithfully, or pretend to, and yell out their hallelujahs and amens on cue. Some may even get possessed by the Holy Spirit, or some other spirit(s) altogether. No matter, as long as the congregants sow and tithe and ask no questions. Ugandan musicians will sing, or at the very least yell mindlessly into the mic, yeah man say what. Yoo. Some of the male ones will fight in the hope they can become the pre-eminent stars. Telecom companies, on top of selling air with their frequently dropped calls, will fly in a global act or two. Our trashy Kampala and its meek residents could do with some real night-time excitement. Speaking of which, potholes, rubbish, gaping manholes, rotting dogs, dust, mud, floods, dark streets, dead traffic lights – all these will be here this time next year. That is why Kampala is interesting: it is very predictable. No hassle figuring it out. Same with our politicians. You know they will promise this and that and you know they will do very little to honour their promises. Or you know they will do nothing at all and still hold their heads high. Remember that a certain Nasser Ntege Sebaggala is forever proud to be addressed as “Your Worship”! Irony means nothing to him and those who address him with the honorific title. The most annoying thing about Kampala is that even when you are mighty pissed off with it, you have nowhere else to go in this country. All the other towns are as much a mess as Kampala, even if on a smaller scale. So you get stuck in Kampala, pay your taxes grudgingly, and hope that the long urban nightmare will end through the hard work of some political leader worth the name. Else, you flee the country. But that smells of defeatism. Gotta stay and fight, and possibly win. That means you must keep faith in people. By Easter Weekend 2011, we will have elected a President, MPs, and councillors. More precisely, we will have “re-elected” His Excellency Yoweri K. Museveni, and then the rest. See, like Kampala, in its numbing stability and predictability, we have a President who is going nowhere. Still, Ugandans could make the vote count. Surprising results may emerge. And Kampala, the other little excuses of towns, and a lot else beside could be sorted out. Other bad things will happen again as well. Crazies will ritually kill children, thieves will steal, men (and women) will cheat on their partners, and gay bashers led by a certain “Honourable” David Bahati will not quite relent. This Saturday a year ago, this column opened this way: “It is Holy Saturday, today, the final day of Holy Week and of Lent – ‘a period of spiritual preparation for Easter which typically involves fasting, penance and prayer’. Besides fasting, penance and prayer, the Lent period in Uganda this year has been characterised by something else: virulent gay-bashing. This is a project that has been, and is still being, championed by “serious” Christians such as Mr Stephen “Heterosexual” Langa of the Family Life Network and Pastor Martin “Heterosexual” Ssempa of Makerere Community Church. And yet we are all, in our ‘sinning’ difference, God’s children! What happened to tolerance and understanding as cherished values in Christ’s church and civilised society in general?” Hey, people, I have no intentions of ruining things for you. Lots of good stuff will happen between now and Easter 2011. Ugandans will still have babies, intended or unintended; they will graduate; they will get jobs; they will build houses; they will buy fancy cars. In the meantime, the beautiful game is a mere nine weeks away. With South Africa just an hour behind Uganda, we shall watch the games in good time, mostly after hours. Why not cast your burdens aside and enjoy that, even just for a month. It is worth it.Happy Paskha. Mr Tabaire is a media trainer and consultant with the African Centre for Media Excellencebentab@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/891786/-/wkcswn/-/index.html","content":"Bududa donations top Shs16 billion - Kampala The value of donations raised by the government, aid agencies, religious groups, companies and individuals in response to the devastating landslides in Bududa District last month has exceeded Shs16 billion, Saturday Monitor can reveal. There is no central figure yet collated for the donations given in both cash and kind, but this is an estimate based on conversations with a variety of stakeholders this week. “I am profoundly impressed by the local, national and international effort,” said Mr Musa Ecweru, minister of state for disaster Preparedness. “Even the local poor have offered things like a bowl of sweet potatoes.” By far the largest amount of money has come from the government itself, which made Shs10.965 billion available for “emergency relief food and basic needs for landslide victims and people affected by the floods in East and Western parts of Uganda,” as part of the Supplementary Expenditure Schedule for 2009/10.Saturday Monitor was not permitted by the Ministry of Finance or the Office of the Prime Minister, which requested the funds, to scrutinise the detail of the budget line. But Mr Pius Bigirimana, the permanent secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, explained that his office was assigned around Shs2.9b for food items; Shs2.8b for non-food items such as tents, blankets and coffins; and Shs500 million for information dissemination. The allocationsThe Ministry of Education and Sports was allocated roughly Shs1 billion for scholastic materials and emergency learning centres; the Ministry of Water and Environment was approved Shs500m for efforts such as emergency water treatment, sanitation and toilets; the Ministry of Health was alloted Shs1.4b for medical supplies such as essential drugs, the training of community medical teams, and the temporary transfer of medical staff to Bududa; and Shs1.6 billion was allocated to the Ministry of Works and Transport for projects such as creating access roads and repairing bridges. Mr Bigirimana told Saturday Monitor that the emergency relief money has not yet been released from the Ministry of Finance and each Ministry is currently reallocating funds from their existing budgets to cater for the emergency. Further funds will be required for the long term resettlement of people at risk of future flooding and landslides, which Minister for Disaster Preparedness Tarsis Kawegyere announced could reach one million people last month. He did not put a figure on how much that would cost. CatastrophicAt least Shs2.95 billion worth of damage and losses directly caused by the Bududa mudslides of March 1, was reported by Mr Vitalis Oswan, the chief administrative officer, Bududa District. This included the total destruction of 136 houses, and losses worth Shs632 million in agriculture; Shs153.3 million in livestock; Shs304 million to the water and sanitation sector; Shs484.3 million to the health sector and Shs300 million worth of roads. Other big donors responding to the Bududa landslides include the Red Cross (Shs2.2 billion) and the United Nations (Shs2 billion). Details on how this money has been spent is currently being collated and will take time to process, said Mr Bigirimana. But Mr Martin Owor, commissioner for disaster preparedness, gave Saturday Monitor preliminary information collated by the OPM and the Bududa District Disaster Management Committee, which showed that in total 148.3 tonnes of maize flour, 30.2 tonnes of rice and 62.5 tonnes of beans have been distributed, along with 970 tarpaulins, 40 tents, 12,624 blankets, 29,867 bars of soap, 1,733 mosquito nets, and over 400 bags of clothes, amongst other items. An assortment of well wishers contributed to the Red Cross’ Shs2 billion fund, including foreign governments, banks, telecommunication companies, food manufacturers, media houses, religious organisations, sports clubs and artistic groups. The money is being distributed across several districts affected by mudslides and flooding. Emergency expenditure has bought essentials such as saucepans, cups, plates, jerry cans, soap, tents, water treatment chemicals, as well as generators, latrines and washing shelters. 1 | 2 Next Page»Ms Catherine Ntabadde, the Red Cross spokesperson, said, “The response to this appeal has been overwhelming.” But donations are yet to reach the Shs5 billion Red Cross appeal, with a shortfall of Shs2.8 billion. UN helpThe UN agencies including WHO, WFP and UNICEF have together spent around $1 million (Shs2 billion). Tim Pitt, the head of Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said, “We believe the disaster response was largely within the capacity of the government and civil society of Uganda,” he said. “This is good news for Uganda because the country has demonstrated it does not always have to rely on international aid.” But Mark Choonoo, Unicef’s Uganda emergency co-ordinator said the agency’s stocks needed replenishing: “Resources are still required to support preparedness and response for further foreseen emergencies caused by the delayed El Nino Effects,” he said, referring to the destructive weather phenomenon that contributed to the landslides. Oxfam gave around £82,000 (Shs250 million) of which one third has already been spent. They aim to shift their focus from emergency sanitation provision to long term disaster risk reduction strategies, said Ben Pickering, the aid agency’s humanitarian programme coordinator. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/889882/-/wv50pf/-/index.html","content":"How food secure is your household? - “According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (Fao), food security is a situation of having access to safe and nutritious food for a healthy and productive life, at all times. A home should have sufficient food varieties that make up a balanced diet at any given time to qualify as food secure. Some homes buy all their food from shops and markets. But in farming households, most of the food is produced right there. In situations where all food is bought from the shops or markets, food security depends on the income of the head of the household and on his or her priorities. A cash shortfall in such homes renders them vulnerable to health issues that come with hunger and malnutrition, and could lead to more poverty and misery. Typically, such homes resort to fewer meals a day and strict food rationing. In the event of natural calamities such as droughts, hail storms, or floods, the shop dependant, cash trapped homesteads find it harder to cope with the resulting increased food prices. But farming households too often suffer from food insecurity. Some farmers sell off all harvested food items to get cash, perhaps to engage in sometimes futile investments such as starting a retail shop or buying a boda boda. A farmer is certainly encouraged to sell his farm produce to earn cash but there must be a reasonable balance between how much to sell and how much to reserve for home consumption. It is no use producing a lot of fruits and vegetables and selling all of them off only to end up with vitamin deficient, malnourished children. Family should come firstFarmers’ children should be the best fed and the healthiest. Good feeding for children leads to good brain development and good grades at school. Well fed children are less susceptible to disease, which means less hospital bills and more savings for the family. The farmer must reserve first and foremost enough food for his family before supplying any for sale. Some farmers have found themselves seeking to buy even at higher prices the very foodstuffs they sold soon after harvest. Livestock, poultry, and crops diseases often cause food insecurity. We have such incurable diseases as the Cassava Brown Streak Disease, the Cassava Mosaic, the Banana Bacterial Wilt, and poultry and animal diseases like New Castle and Foot and Mouth Disease. When poultry and animal diseases strike, the few farmers that depend on animal manure to fertilise their crops produce less food. Our rapidly growing population puts more strain on the dwindling food stocks. More land is taken up for settlement, never mind even if it is officially reserved wetland or forest land, resulting in negative impact on rainfall patterns. Irrigation could be keyWe generally do no irrigation despite our rich natural water resource base in form of swamps and rivers. We lack the technology and financial means to harvest large amounts of rainwater for commercial farming irrigation. Nearly all our farming activities depend on rain. The Ugandan farmer goes to plant uncertain whether he will have a good harvest. He cannot talk with much confidence to his buyers how much he will supply to them. There are some months of the year when nothing comes out of his farm because the rainfall pattern does not favour production during that period. In most cases however, it is lack of determination on the part of the farmers to harvest water for even small scale irrigation. Along with lack of irrigation skills is our negligible use of fertilisers where the soils have proven poor. Many households complain that their small pieces of land are exhausted and can no longer produce enough food. But the solution, actually, could lie in irrigation and use of fertilisers. Rural poverty too is to blame. It is difficult to talk to a poor household about purchasing even the basic inputs such as quality seeds, pesticides, simple irrigation equipment like watering cans or artificial fertilisers from a farmers’ shop. Poor people don’t keep animals to provide organic manure. Theirs is a vicious cycle. It is not uncommon to hear them say, “We are poor and hungry because we are poor and hungry.” Other factors have to do with civil unrest. As we approach national general elections, scheduled for early next year, some people hardly know that they have a direct bearing on food security. If we support fraudulent electoral practices, and the elections go wrong, we could plunge ourselves into civil unrest as has been witnessed in the Luwero Triangle and in Northern Uganda, none of which situations was ever conducive to food production. ssalimichael@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/889008/-/jg1ko8z/-/index.html","content":"MONEY MARKETS: Determining forex rates for different currencies - The foreign exchange market exists for buying and selling a quantity of one currency in exchange for another currency at a specified rate of exchange. On a daily basis, we have buyers and sellers of foreign exchange, which we shall refer to as forex. A question I am always asked by every new member of my team and almost every visitor to the dealing room is; “how do you determine the rate of exchange for the different currencies. I always teasingly answer “it depends on where the currency traded yesterday?” Simply put, the forces of supply and demand play a major role in determining where the dollar will trade against the Uganda shilling and this in turn affects every other currency pair, which is a subject for another day. Exchange rates vary from moment to moment because supply and demand is always changing. Broadly speaking, the people who sell forex in Uganda are traders/companies dealing in commodities that Uganda exports i.e. coffee, tea, fish, tobacco, flowers and more recently anyone selling goods or services to Southern Sudan and to a limited extent Eastern Congo. Another significant source of forex is from people who have relatives doing kyeyo abroad who tend to have a steady stream of Euros, Pounds and US dollars sent every three months or so for school fees and upkeep. Occasionally people who are more “fortunate” get sent forex to purchase land and property. By far, the biggest supplier of forex in this country is donor funds. Uganda being a destination for a sizeable amount of donor aid means that these Aid and Development organisations from time to time will need to convert their forex to meet any shilling obligations. For example when we had floods in 2008 in eastern Uganda, many of these NGOs provided relief to the victims of the floods and this saw an influx of forex and subsequent currency conversions to Uganda shillings. Haiti is currently the focus of many aid initiatives to help out the earthquake victims and a significant amount of forex is being channeled to that market. In the recent years we have seen another source of forex from offshore investors who bring in funds that they convert to Uganda shillings to buy shares on the Uganda securities exchange and government securities i.e. Treasury Bills and Bonds. So if the amount of dollars or forex being sold in the forex market increases while demand for forex stays constant or goes down, then the rate of exchange will go down. Meaning anyone buying foreign exchange will be smiling while the sellers will be unhappy. The people who buy dollars are traders/companies who import goods whether finished products; both brand new and used e.g. cars, clothes, electrical appliances, house hold goods, toys, raw materials for manufacturing plastics, building materials, soap, cooking oil ,petroleum products among others. We also have offshore investors who sell off their shares and government securities and buy back the dollars they converted when they came in which is what caused the sharp increase in rates in the last quarter of 2008. In the case of Uganda, demand for forex usually outstrips supply hence the general upward trend in the dollar Uganda shilling rate. When the buyers of forex reduce the amounts they are buying, then you see the rates coming down. When we have sellers of dollars sell big amounts of forex e.g. when dealers in coffee are converting their dollar proceeds to shillings to purchase coffee from the farmers, the rate is likely to go down albeit temporarily. If the two happen at the same time i.e. demand goes down and supply goes up, you have a bigger movement down. The reverse is also true. , if demand for dollars goes up and supply goes down, then we have bigger movements up. Ms Grace Makoko works with Standard Chartered Bank. GraceTibihikirra.Makoko@sc.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/883892/-/ah1qhnz/-/index.html","content":"Forest conservation is our shield against disaster - As Uganda grapples with the killer landslides in Bududa (on the slopes on Mt. Elgon), consensus is that deforestation heightened the tragedy. Mountainous areas are getting more vulnerable to mudslides as trees that hold water and soil get depleted. In this particular sub-region, encroaching residents have been at loggerheads with conservation agencies over the years. Further to the vital emergency supplies, the tragedy should galvanise conservation and tree-planting interventions. The National Forestry Authority (NFA) is drawing renewed inspiration from the government. With support from the Ministry of Water and Environment, some ecologically sensitive Central Forest Reserves (CFRs) like Namwasa and Luwunga (in Mubende and Kiboga respectively) are encroachment-free. Illegal settlers have complied with a December 2009 requirement from the government to evacuate by March 1, 2010. This evacuation provides insights into Uganda’s encroachment challenge. An earlier mapping exercise by NFA in Namwasa and Luwunga CFRs unmasked deep-rooted cynicism portraying land in Protected Areas (PAs) as ‘free’. ‘Historical’ encroachers settled in these CFRs, prior to 1992 but the bulk of the 12,000 illegal settlers came in after 2005. Indeed, most evacuating encroachers conceded to have migrated from their ancestral lands to settle in the ‘free land’. The presence of up to 300,000 encroachers in CFRs countrywide can therefore be largely attributed to this fallacy. Uganda therefore loses an annual forest cover of 7,000 hectares PAs to human settlement and illicit extraction of forest produce. Deforestation in cattle-corridor areas where Luwunga and Namwasa CFRs are located threatens water sources, farming and livelihoods. Elsewhere, Butaleja District (Eastern Uganda) which looks like an extended soccer pitch (due to deforestation) is grappling with floods. In business terms, encroachment frustrates the establishment of commercial plantations. In Namwasa and Luwunga CFRs, 8,000 hectares allocated to the New Forests Company for plantation expansion has been all but crop gardens and households. This is sabotage of a multi-billion investment creating jobs, paying taxes and extending vital infrastructure to communities. Individual medium-scale tree farmers with subsidies from the Saw Log Production Grant Scheme (SPGS) are also constrained by encroachment. NFA has a growing number of corporate bodies supporting restoration of natural forests with indigenous trees. However, some of NFA’s partner corporate entities like MTN-Uganda, the British Council, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and Posta Uganda are concerned about encroachment. Uganda’s encroached CFRs have ‘no-go’ areas inhabited by criminals cultivating and consuming marijuana. Some have been implicated in violent crime i.e. rape and attacking forest rangers. In Mayuge District, a ‘forest-ownership’ brawl between encroachers claimed three lives. Other CFRs, are also hosting suspected unregistered aliens masquerading as encroachers. Addressing encroachment in a phased (orderly) manner, therefore, resolves deforestation and other complex challenges. A December 2009 multi-stakeholder meeting on Luwunga and Namwasa CFRs resolved that encroachers return to their ancestral land. The few who settled in by 1992 were recommended for compensation. Local leaders have worked with NFA and the police for peaceful evacuation. Activities to re-plant trees in the two CFRs are under-way. Initial mass tree-planting by NFA and the New Forests Company takes place between March and May 2010. The restoration action-plan provides for full ‘re-greening’ of the CFRs by close of 2011. The government’s decisive intervention in Namwasa and Luwunga CFRs is highly commendable. However, Uganda has other encroached PAs of colossal economic and ecological value where we can explore this approach. The armageddon in Bududa is a grotesque reminder of how deforestation for short-term ‘benefit’ can brew extreme human tragedy. Mr Watasa is the public relations manager National Forestry Authoritymosesw@nfa.org.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/883406/-/ah1tucz/-/index.html","content":"Plotting a secret, parallel government for Kampala - Why do people plot dangerous coup d’etats, set up rebel movements or waste time and money campaigning for power which in most cases they won’t get? They should just go ahead and start leading. It is a theory I often tried to promote in staff discussions at school of political education but I never managed to get it onto the syllabus. My chance for trying it out has finally come.After collecting my Shs500 million from the bus operators who thought they were contributing the money for next year’s general election, I decided to invest half of it in setting up my secret, parallel government to lead Kampala city out of its mess. Henceforth, I shall follow this 50 per cent formula of resource mobilisation. For every Shs1 million I collect from people who think they are contributing to the campaigns, point five shall go into my account and the other half to good works for public benefit. I shall be banking my ‘managerial fees’ in small bits in order not to arouse any suspicion in the bank. The good thing is that when the bus operators see the great works I am about to unleash, they will know the money went to the promised purpose of cleaning the city where DP politicians failed. After casually taking the bag containing the Shs500 million to my muzigo (bed-sitter) in Bukoto, I sat down and drew the strategic plan to take over Kampala. By the afternoon of Friday my plan was complete and I whistled happily as I walked to the stage, with Shs30 million. As the taxi headed to Nakawa, I went through the calculations in my head again.My plan is to set up a revolutionary maintenance unit in each of the city’s five divisions, headed by a retired civil engineer supervising 10 young masons to work at clearing blocked drainages and building new ones. I will spend a mere Shs2 million a week on each divisional unit, which works up to Shs250 million in six months. Exactly 50 per cent of the bus owners’ contribution! By that time, everyone would have seen my boys in yellow T-shirts and gumboots, working tirelessly, making Kampala’s floods, cholera and stench part of history. Ten yellow boys in each division will earn 10k per day each for six days and they will get a lunch of beef, beans and posho – that is 2kg of each item a day. Add cement and sand of Shs300,000 and the cost comes to Shs1 million a week. The taxi reached Nakawa, interrupting my thoughts as I had to alight before they headed to the city. I marched to a nearby car depot and majestically entered the manager’s office. He was a Pakistani who got alarmed when I introduced myself authoritatively: “I am Leonard Kyamateka but everybody in government calls me Afande Chama.” I told him I was here to immediately buy a 4WD van, preferably Super Custom, for my mobilisation work. Falling over himself to serve me, he showed me several units. The one I settled for was going for Shs25 million. I told him I was paying Shs20 million and the balance would be his contribution to the work of the party. Before he could counter bargain, I put four crisp bundles in his hand and asked him if I could pick the fully registered van on Monday. He said Tuesday was more likely and I told him to give me a car to use while I waited for the Super Custom to get registered. He gave me the key to an Ipsum and I drove off. The past two days have been hectic but being a seasoned mobiliser who knows every local leader in the district has helped. I pinned down the five engineers, all of them either Movement supporters or nonpolitical and offered them Shs1 million each per week to plan and supervise the “party’s crash programme” to clean up the city once and for all. I swore them to secrecy not to mention the money, but tell whoever they talked to that they were volunteers doing “kazi ya chama”. To set the mood high, I paid them upfront. I have been calling each of them and they have assured me they have lined up the work force and tomorrow we are set for business at 6a.m. in each division, starting with the filthiest spots. I will carry all the spades, hoes, wheel barrows and cement in the Ipsum, until the Pakistani registers my Super Custom.Later that night, I called the RDC and vaguely told him about the crash ‘volunteers’ programme I have organised. He thanked me and said I should keep briefing him on the progress. But the more important part is yet to come. Over the next one year, I shall have to talk with each and every LC1 chairman, over a thousand of them and key executive members to ensure more resources flow into the programme from the people themselves. A million residents willingly contributing Shs10,000 each will raise far more than the 50 bus owners for me. If anyone doesn’t like my volunteer work, the worst they can do is stop me, for I shall commit no crime. No more slapping corrupt ministers or hiring presidential voices. But first, the programme must be seen to work. Afande Chama is a die-hard NRM supporter afandechama@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/877356/-/ahkm50z/-/index.html","content":"Solution for Busoga’s trachoma and Masindi epilepsy - The Bududa tragedy left everybody speechless, not least because it can happen to anybody. My heart goes out to people who lost loved ones and property. I felt the same way of the Teso floods three year ago, as the country went through the same emotions of shock, mourning, emergency-relief-efforts, blame-apportioning, and of course, the two-page (font 14), “Ministerial Statement” and 30-minutes’ general debate in Parliament. The cause and full effects of the tragedies will probably never be known because nobody will allocate enough commitment to the catastrophes, the effects of which are astronomic, but which nobody pays attention to, because by the time they make it to the “National Agenda” in Parliament, they have been reduced to “regional issues” of no serious consequence – and examples are abound. Sometime back, in Parliament, while discussing a “Ministerial Statement” on the country-wide, poor performance of students in Primary Leaving Examinations, an MP from Busoga suggested that trachoma, an eye disease that has afflicted Busoga region for ages, undermines the students’ ability to read what is written on the blackboard, never mind their parents’ inability to afford reading glasses. There was prolonged laughter in the House, after which, an MP from Masindi reported that the cause of poor performance of students in Masindi could be epilepsy, which, according to the MP, is prevalent in about a quarter of the Masindi population. This shocking revelation almost passed unnoticed but Hon Kasiano Wadri expressed shock for about three minutes, then, we moved on to another MP, from Teso, who reported that the poor performance of Teso pupils was because of the floods and famine. Not to be outdone, an MP from Acholi took the floor and reported the poor performance as being due to the Kony war, and by that time, all MPs had stood up to be allowed to make a case for their individual constituencies. Such important matters, that would not only affect the lives of children but also shape the destiny of this country, were each given three minutes in the National Parliament, because there were other businesses on the day’s agenda, such as borrowing millions of dollars, which we were never going to use, anyway, for poor absorption capacity! Don’t blame anybody but the over-centralised unitary system of governance in Uganda, which empowers only the central government in Kampala, to make all decisions and take care of everything! In a federal system of governance, where there are strong, autonomous regional governments, the governments of Busoga, Bunyoro, Teso and Acholi would have debated their various challenges thoroughly, proposed solutions and got their regional parliaments to allocate adequate resources to manage their problems. Busoga, for instance, could have discussed the causes, effects and management of trachoma for a week, set up a “Trachoma Committee”, which would likely recommend a research budget, scholarships for opticians to specialise in trachoma, building the capacity of local opticians. As far back as I can remember, Basoga have come to be identified with trachoma, almost as a genetic feature! Why? Because decisions on management of eye diseases in Busoga have always been made in Kampala, not in Busoga. Similarly, strong regional governments of Bunyoro, Teso and Acholi would have paid adequate attention to epilepsy, famine, and Kony, respectively (for what reason would Kony be fighting, anyway?). Each regional government would have home-grown solutions, prioritised their needs and backed them with adequate budget allocations, from their own regional treasury. In our Parliament, there are over 300 MPs, each competing for their five minutes on the floor of Parliament. Important regional issues, such as the Busoga eyes and Masindi epilepsy will remain unattended to, as long as the whole country must look to the centre for solutions to local issues. Let’s go federal; that’s where equity lies. Ms Kamya is leader of Uganda Federal Alliance"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/875934/-/wufp7i/-/index.html","content":"Banking on simsim - Small scale farmers in Acholi sub-region who are now attempting to resettle in their former homes are sticking to simsim, as the crop’s prices have left many farmers smiling. Mr Thomas Raymond Opira, a resident of Pakuma Village in Pabbo Sub-county in Amuru District grows simsim on three hectares of land and harvests eight to 12 sacks each year. “If floods, weeds and sunshine do not disrupt our work, the harvest always leaves me happy,” he says. In 2009, Mr Opira harvested seven sacks of simsim, two sacks less than what he harvested in 2008. Despite the hurdles, the price for simsim continues to rise and in 2008, a kilogramme sold at Shs450 but shot up to Shs4,000 last year. “From this, I received Shs800,000 due to the increased demand especially during the July planting season when farmers reserve their stock for planting,” he said. Mr Opira sells his simsim in Kampala through middle men who offer a good bargain. He however says growing simsim requires one to be close to the farm because wild animals, pests and diseases, weeds and inadequate farm implements are major hindrances to greater output. “The cost of hiring women to weed the gardens and tractors to plough the fields makes growing simsim a little difficult though it is more profitable than rice,” he adds. In Gulu Town, there are retail traders who resell produce above the farm price. Ms Nancy Akello, who owns her business, Adaa Lit Dok Ric Store, started buying produce in 2000 with only two sacks of simsim. She is a widow and recalls the challenges when starting the business, especially after the rebels killed her husband in 2003. Akello, who takes care of seven orphans continued to grow her business where simsim at that time was sold at Shs300 a kilo, but now, she sells it at Shs2,300 a kilo (wholesale) and Shs2,500 for retail. She says that in 2008, the price of simsim rose because Mukwano Group of Companies through middle men went to the villages and got it at a very high price. Ms Akello chooses to sell her produce in Gulu, fearing she may make losses due to costs needed to transport the goods to other markets. “I do everything possible to avoid risk and losses that a trader can incur from transport and accommodation costs,” she adds. She recalls that in 2008, a kilo of simsim sold at Shs3,000 in the village markets while in retail markets, it went for Shs4,000. But in 2009, the prices went down to Shs1,900 in village markets and Shs2,500 for retail around Gulu Town. Gulu District secretary for production and marketing, Michael Onencan, is optimistic that this year’s yield will be high. “Unless bad weather prevails, the crop yield is expected to be high because of the fertile soils after years of not being used,” Mr Onencan says, referring to the decades spent by the population in camps while farm fields lay idle. He assures farmers of ready market and advises them to grow more Acholi staple food crops which are on demand in south Sudan. “We hope security in south Sudan returns to normal to give our farmers a route to markets and also to the central region,” he adds. Meanwhile, Gulu District agricultural officer, Donasiano Lakor, says production is increasing due to the return process, and land accessibility by families. “On average, a household produces one hectare of simsim each year, and the district can collect up to 18,000 tonnes,” Mr Lakor said. Last year, Gulu District produced 16,000 tonnes of simsim and this is expected to increase if the return is 100 per cent this year. He says farmer incentives to grow simsim include availability of land, Naads projects, and tractor hire schemes now in the villages. The market is available within Uganda, south Sudan where the food crop is a traditional staple for the Siluk, Nuer and Acholi living there, and India and Britain who need it for their confectionary industries. However farmers continue to suffer from low yields due to post land tenure system. People are engaged in other activities and may not be dedicated fully to changing from simsim farming to commercial based farming. They also lack access to the improved sesame variety. Lakor says Gulu has 1,500 groups of farmers growing simsim and they are being encouraged to embrace group marketing and exposure to prices through phones. One simsim transporter, Mr Patrick Otuku of Minakulu Trading Centre in Apac District, says it costs a trader Shs4,000 a bag from Gulu to Kampala and per trip, about 1,600 to 2,000 bags are transported depending on the vehicle. “We charge that price because of the high cost of fuel.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/874524/-/5a092t/-/index.html","content":"If you live in a swamp, floods will sweep you - Following the tragic landslide this week that left more than 80 people dead hundredof others unaccounted for in Bududa District, some MPs have criticised the government, saying it was doing too little to help the survivors. Risdel Kasasira interviewed the Minister of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere, on the country’s disaster preparedness level. The excerpts: Why is the government being blamed for the landslide that devastated villages in Buduuda District?What happened in Buduuda were landslides which buried almost three villages of Nametis, Kubewo and Nankobe. This was a result of torrential rains which have affected a big area and in this particular case, we ended up with a disaster. As we talk now, 82 bodies have been recovered. But they might be more than that. This happened at night at 630 p.m. Even those who could have escaped couldn’t do so at night. It was difficult to run away from the disaster. Those who blame us do not know disaster management. And certainly our response has been one of the best. We have over 1,000 soldiers doing great work there. Red Cross is there, our government is on the ground and we are doing our best. Those who blame us, do not know how disasters are managed. Some people accuse you of being incompetent. How do you react to that?Do you expect me to answer that? Do you want me to say yes or no? I cannot answer that. Opposition politicians including Budadiri West MP have criticised you and even called you a disaster. Mr Nandala [Mafabi] has never given a credit however excellently I will do the job and I’m not bothered. If he thinks he is an achiever, I have no reason to envy his achievements, nor should he be worried about my failures. We can continue living on parallel lines until we meet at infinity. Why are these politicians criticising you?Like I have said, many people do not know disaster preparedness and management. How can you be prepared that in a particular village, in a certain sub-county of a district, there will be a landslide at a certain hour? That precision in terms of technology is not expected of anybody here. But we predicted the rains; we communicated this as early as October 2009. But there was no precision that the area would experience landslides. Why didn’t people move? We warned them to move. Even in countries like US, you can predict winds, but you may not be precise on the magnitude. If that precision was there, why didn’t Americans control Hurricane Katrina? It’s not about the character of Kabwegyere, but lack of capacity which is not by choice, but historical. What we can tell you is that valleys will fill up when torrential rains fall. But, the precision to know that a certain village on Mt. Elgon will suffer landslides at a certain hour is not with Uganda. Precision on the volume of such disasters is a probability, but we can predict their occurrence. They have happened in Indonesia, Haiti, Japan, Chile, America and China. Natural hazards are hazards. Their magnitude is related to the extent of vulnerability. If you are living in a swamp, know that floods will sweep you and if you are on a mountain where trees have been cut and the soil surface left bare, you will be wrecked by landslides. There are certain areas which should not be inhabited by humans so as to avoid such incidents. What are some of the disasters Uganda is prone to?One is flooding. Fortunately, when we had floods, we intervened and did not lose people like other countries. We did better than Ghana, Ivory Coast and many other African countries that have experienced floods. Think of fires and accidents on the roads. If you are losing 2,000 people on roads in a year, it is a disaster. And we are asking fuel station owners, schools and owners of tall buildings whether they have corresponding fire fighting equipment. But we know that the synchrony is built over time. Is there any achievement in terms of disaster prevention and management your ministry is proud of? Ugandans today are more aware of hazards than ever before. But they are not fully aware of how to handle them. For example, during last Christmas, when we talked about black spots on the roads, there were fewer road accidents on those roads. More information on disasters is flowing than we used to have. For example, we expect lower cases of school fire than before because we issued circulars to schools on fire-drills, especially on how to escape. Knowledge is the greatest thing one can ever have. Like I have said, limitation of capacity in Africa is not by choice, but historical and it is built over time. What do you have in your government kit to deal with disasters?We have been telling owners of fuel stations and tall buildings to have fire fighting equipment. But these are private facilities over which the government has no control. As government, what do you have?You see the government is there to supervise. If a person does not maintain hygiene at home, there will be cholera. If a driver is careless and plunges into people, it is a disaster. The responsibility starts with individuals and the government’s duty is to supervise. Why don’t you supervise and make sure that people follow the laws?You can put in place laws, but it is hard to make sure that everybody follows them. The law is there to punish a few individuals who do wrong and they will always be there in society."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/873950/-/ahn9p4z/-/index.html","content":"INSIDE SOURCE: When disaster in form of water, mud, and rock comes rushing in - Most of Uganda’s mountains and hills are green and enchanting. Until they turn ugly and bring death, destruction, displacement, and disease. Nature gives life; nature takes life. The people of Bududa have something to say about this subject. But that will be after they have mourned their dead and began to put their lives back together. Early on Monday night, nature got fiery. The continuing heavy rains eventually unleashed a flow of mud, water, and rock that thundered down Mt Elgon burying people, animals, houses, plants, and everything else in its path. About 300 residents will have lost their lives across three villages when the final count is done. To its credit, the government’s response to the Bududa mudslide was an improvement from the way it has acted before, say to the recent Teso floods. By Tuesday morning, ministers and soldiers were on the ground – hoes and shovels in hand – with military helicopters buzzing about in the rainy skies ready to save lives. There appeared to be some co-ordination in the response. With Uganda, however, there is always the other side of the story. Natural disasters will always strike whether in Haiti or Chile. Or Uganda. They, however, need not be that deadly. Accumulated human experience has made sure that to a great extent, the damage can be contained. What is striking about the Bududa tragedy is that it came as no surprise to the government. We know that from the comments made by public officials. And also because this part of Bugisu is no stranger to soils and rocks gone mad – although at a lesser magnitude until this week. “…we have always told the government that there is a serious problem there,” said Mr Fred Bukeni, the MP for Bubulo, a constituency also found in Bugisu. “We have told the government before to buy land and relocate these people especially those who live in the national parks who cut down trees which are used to hold the soils.” While touring the affected areas, President Museveni (oddly clad in military uniform with an AK 47 assault rifle resting across his chest) blamed the people for living on, and cultivating, the slopes of Mt Elgon. The farming activities left the slopes without adequate vegetation cover that would have slowed down the speed of the mudslide and prevented widespread damage. It is probable that things could have been far worse if the Uganda Wildlife Authority had not doggedly replanted the Mt Elgon National Park over the years. If the government knew of the danger swirling about in the dark clouds, why did it not act to prevent the loss of life and property on the scale we are seeing now? Answer: failure of leadership. Institutions such as Uganda Wildlife Authority, National Forestry Authority, and National Environment Management Authority get their powers undercut all the time by self-serving politicians. We have seen the President stop the NFA from evicting people who have encroached on forest reserves even when proper procedures such as issuing appropriate notices, sometimes even throwing in compensation, have been followed. That is a bad example self-seeking local politicians, happy to pander and not to lead (with MP Bukeni possibly excepted), have happily followed. To them, leadership means standing by the voters even when voters’ long term interests and livelihoods could be better served if, for example, they moved from areas such as mountain slopes that may eventually bring loss and tears. In the case of Bududa and other mudslide-prone areas such as Kapchorwa, Bundibugyo, and parts of greater Kigezi, if the people cannot move because they must live forever close to the graves of their grandfathers and grandmothers as Mbale District Chairman Bernard Mujasi would say, what stops the authorities from seriously supporting and enforcing safer settlement and agricultural practices? What stops them demanding that people must plant trees, that they must use terraces, that they must build houses using materials better-suited to resisting mudslides? Without dealing with these issues, we will keep having Ugandans getting buried without ceremony 8-12 feet under instead of the standard 6. We will also continue having MPs engaging in gimmickry by passing resolutions to contribute Shs100,000 to help survivors. Whatever happened to the so-called Contingency Fund? If MPs, like the rest of us, must contribute money to help fellow Ugandans, it should be a matter of personal conscience and ubuntu. There should be no formal attempt to subsidise the government for its repeated display of egregious incompetence. Mr Tabaire is a media trainer and consultant with the African Centre for Media Excellencebentab@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/873814/-/wj65dk/-/index.html","content":"Country on high alert for cholera outbreak - BududaThe landslide affected area of Bududa District is on high alert for a cholera outbreak, as the infection has already been confirmed in the neighbouring district of Manafwa, with further suspected infections in Butaleja. “Several cases of cholera have been confirmed in Manafwa,” said Ministry of Health spokesman Paul Kagwa. “The Ministry of Health has sent a team to assess the situation and determine an effective response.” Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by contaminated food and drinking water which can cause diarrhea, severe dehydration and death if treatment is not promptly given. 300 unaccounted forOver 300 people , now presumed dead, remain buried, along with hundreds of livestock. As they decompose, bacteria will leak into the surrounding rivers, used by thousands of people across Eastern Uganda, it could cause an array of water borne infections and diseases in an area that already reported cholera cases in previous months. Mr John Bosco Isunju, a lecturer at the School of Public Health, Makerere University, said the concentration of displaced people in nearby villages and relief camps would increase the risk of cholera. “Effort needs to be put on providing clean and treated water for people to drink.”Mr Kagwa said all of the districts through which the Manafwa River flows are at risk, including Bududa, Manafwa, Butalega, Sironko and Tororo. “The problem with cholera is that it is very mobile,” said Mr Kagwa. Manafwa District Health Officer Josen Kiggundu told Saturday Monitor that 79 cases of cholera have been reported in his district, but said this was as a result of heavy rains in the previous month. However, the United Nations International Children and Emergency Fund (Unicef) said the landslides presented a new danger for surrounding area. Unicef representative in Bududa Mark Choenoo said, “The control of cholera will be our priority.” He said they will concentrate their efforts on community sensitisation; educating local people on the importance of good hygiene and sanitation. Unicef will soon be erecting education tents for such work. The health response effort is being coordinated by the Ministry of Health through the District Disaster Management Team, which is operating out of two health centres in Bulucheke and Bukalasi. The Red Cross has provided the area with medical supplies that can treat 1,000 patients suffering from cholera. “For the time being the situation is ok, but we are ready if there is an outbreak,” said Uganda’s Country Director Michael Nataka. 1 | 2 Next Page»But he warned that the contaminated water could also cause widespread diarrhea and confirmed yesterday that 20 children have already been admitted with the intestinal problems. On Thursday, the Red Cross distributed 900 emergency kits to families displaced in Bududa. Each package included 100 water purification tablets, which can clean 2,000 litres of water. Kabale floodsMeanwhile floods continue to cause havoc with torrential rains reported across the country with Butaleja and Kabale districts pressing the panic button for urgent help. In Butaleja, the floods have left the Mbale- Busolwa Road impassable. Three primary schools; Doho, Namehere and Wangale have been closed. “Fortunately, we haven’t lost any life but all gardens have been destroyed together with peoples’ homes,” area MP Emmanuel Dombo told this newspaper by phone from the area. In Kabale, a road connecting Katuna and Rubaya has been washed away.“Over 1,000 people are now homeless. The government is trying to run to our rescue,” area MP David Bahati told Saturday Monitor. The affected villages are; Mayengo, Kamuganguzi and Kyasano, all in Ndorwa County.The government is currently registering the number of villagers who are being forced to leave the mountain area but Mr Kagwa has estimated that the health centres may have to cater for as many as 5,000 displaced people. Additional reporting by Sheila Naturinda in Kampala, Robert Muhereza & Uwera Runyambo in Kabale « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/873306/-/ahnej4z/-/index.html","content":"Bududa disaster: There is need to invest in conservation practices - Remotely, the cost of loss and recovery from environmental disasters; damage caused by floods and draughts, and landslides in mountainous areas, among others, in the last few years favourably compares with the cost of fighting the recently concluded war in northern Uganda. Of the many environmental disasters reported in the last few years, I will highlight a few most recent and prominent ones. In September 2007, the El-Nino rains caused severe floods that killed at least 18 people, cut off many districts and destroyed invaluable property especially in Teso region. The government anticipated the worst. Last year, the meteorology department forecast indicated, “the El-Nino is expected between October to December and may spread to the usually dry months of January and February 2010. After the El-Nino, there will be the reverse conditions referred to as La-Nina, characterised by drought”. Later, in August 2009, five people perished in Buhozi Parish, Busanza Sub-county, Kisoro District, in landslide. In October 2009, a family and several others in Kyokyezo-Bwindi Parish, Kabale District, were swallowed by the floods. Barely six months after the incident, several dozens (if not hundreds) were killed and hundreds left homeless after a landslide swept away three villages around Mount Elgon. Could this situation be part of the forecast? Incidentally, while mountainous districts of Kabale, Kisoro, Kasese, Bundibugyo, Kabalore and Mbale are vulnerable to environmental disasters they are, at the same time, fertile, densely populated and are home to biodiversity hotspots. Uganda’s tourism industry largely depends on natural resources and their conservation in these districts. Having been constantly reminded that climate change will lead to more frequent and more damaging extreme events, there is need, therefore, not only to invest in land and water conservation practices but also high quality climate data and information, problem-focused approaches as well as and implementable policy framework. Accurate and timely collection of climate data and information will improve climate forecasts and prevent such disasters. Climate data should include historical data that provide climate statistics and helps to clearly show trends. Current climate, and soil water observations and maps should also be availed and interpreted to aid short-term predictions of the consequences of specific weather events such as heavy rainfall leading to landslides or flooding. According to a report by the International Research Institute for Climate and Society on Climate Risk Management in Africa, advances in climate science are improving the availability and quality climate data through data rescue techniques, satellite remote sensing and climate modelling with the development of new technologies. Raising awareness when specific issues arise, spelling out risks and recommending responses should be highly prioritised in close collaboration with the media. For example, in this case, instead of landslides arousing media attention as it was, warnings ahead of catastrophe should have made the news. This can be successfully done when meteorologists, hydrologists and other scientists involve communication professional in their work. Mount Elgon is shared between Uganda and Kenya. Wider cooperation would facilitate the development of a shared data base of disaster related information between the two countries and even throughout the region. Within the East African Community, cooperation would promote a consistent approach to disaster management policies and techniques, leading to better disaster management practices. Moreover, this information should be able to promote a better and more efficient allocation of resources to disaster management both within individual countries and across the region. Finally, learning to better manage environment disasters will go along way to protecting and preventing society against future and even more extreme events. Mr Bakamwesiga is Secretary, Ecological Society for Eastern Africa (ESEA)hbakamwesiga@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/-/689856/865472/-/10amqboz/-/index.html","content":"The other side of 2010’s star performers - Representing your school as one of the country’s best candidates not only gives your schoolmates bragging rights but gives you star status. Emmanuel Makeri spoke to some of this year’s best UCE candidates Old Kampala SS’s bestKawesi Henry: 11 in 8 - ‘I used to walk back home everyday’ How has your UCE performance affected your family life?It has definitely inspired my siblings; my seven-year-old brother keeps asking whether he will be able to top his class like I did if he reads hard. I think I am a good example to them. What challenges did you find on your way to this academic excellence?During my S.1 and S.2, I had school fees problems and at one point I thought I wouldn’t make it through O’ level. But, an NGO came to my aid and has been paying my fees since then. It was also very tiresome walking from school (Old Kampala) to home (Bwaise) every evening. It took me about an hour to get home and when it rained, the floods made it even more difficult. How do you spend your free time?I watch movies and series; so far, Prison Break stands out. I am also good at football. Which is the most active club in Old Kampala?Scripture Union almost has everyone interested whenever they have a funk and its members are the most devoted compared to other clubs. I am a member because it offers useful guidance to youths. Which subjects did you most enjoy writing in the UCE exams?Chemistry is my favourite subject; I just couldn’t stop writing when I reached the electrolysis number, which happened to be my favourite topic. I also like equations. I enjoyed solving the sets number in mathematics - I like the provision of being able to prove your answers when it comes to sets. It enables one answer the other questions confidently. Tell us about any memorable experience?I got 10 in my P7 and that kind of lowered my confidence so when I got to S.1, some of my classmates had got 4 and 5. I felt intimidated and took them for gods but at the end of the term, I beat them all. Since then, I have been leading my class until the UCE finals in S.4. What was your reading style?I read for at least two hours every day though house chores disrupted my time table sometimes. I also felt a responsibility to represent my school in the UCE finals because I was their best student; this made me read even harder. Are you a bookworm?I think so, but I don’t like to admit it because guys blow a lot for bookworms. In fact, they used to call me a philosopher, which is Old Kampala slang for a guy who comes first in class. Which rule did you find very hard to adhere to?We all have to do house chores in the evening after school, which is fine, but most times I would get back home very tired because of the demanding class work and the walking for an hour. At times, I got home and there were clothes to wash and other chores yet I also had homework and revision to do. If you were the education minister, what would you improve first in the education ministry?I would improve the standard of rural schools especially for science subjects. Those guys don’t have enough laboratory equipment and that affects their performance. ‘I enjoy playing with children’ Mengo SS’s best - Maurice Bukenya: 8 in 8 1 | 2 Next Page»Tell us any embarrassing classroom momentI was holding a book during a lesson and the teacher thought I was reading it; she chopped wires. She asked whether I thought I was the brightest and or brighter than her, then said that I would fail because I don’t listen to advice…the unfairness made me cry.What can’t your life do without? I like playing with children; I just can’t imagine a world without them. My buddies think it’s weird but that’s me.What do you read apart from class notes?Lots of novels, because they improve my English and broaden my knowledge about different aspects of life. Rich Dad, Poor Dad is my favourite book so far.Are you a bookworm?I must admit I am but I rarely admit it because people have a mentality that bookworms only excel at class work. Sometimes when we engage in arguments, say about celebrities, they shut me up with the claim that that isn’t my area of expertise. According to you, when is it okay to have sex?I think 18 and above, because at that age one is mentally mature and they can make decisions and have safe sex.What was your favourite topic in biology?Whenever I opened my bios notes, I always had to fight the urge to spend time on the blood circulation topic; I guess my teacher was very interesting.Tell us a common slang in Mengo S.S.Guys with smelly mouths are called moving toilets.What is life like at Mengo S.S?There is always something new to jazz about. I think if we were a newspaper we would be selling mob. Students engage in social events with zeal and academic stars are respected by almost the entire school. ‘I am a devoted Chelsea supporter’ Makerere College School’s - Emmanuel Kayaabula: 8 in 8 Which subject did you find most challenging in the UCE exams?English has always given me a hard time, in fact the D2 I got kind of came as a surprise but I guess it was because I put in a lot of effort during the actual exam. The summary writing was the trickiest for me; I spent a lot of time debating which words were most relevant.Were you the best since S.1?No, though I was among the best 10. Before, I really wanted to go to Smack but got 5 in my P.7 and they wouldn’t take me. I guess I spent the first term imagining what would have been had I been at Smack but I got over it. With time, I realised that I could excel from anywhere as long as I worked hard. Which premiership football team do you support?I am a devoted Chelsea supporter though my reason is a bit weird. From my childhood, I have always liked the colour blue and Chelsea happens to have just that.How do you relax?I play lots of volleyball and at times my passion for the game scares me; I am sure fanatic football fans know how it feels.Ever had a crush?Oh yeah; there was this hot shawty in my class who always caught my attention but I was too shy to approach her. One day she came for consultation on some maths number and that got us talking. I now think that’s the best way of dealing with a crush. How did your parents react to your success?My mum was really excited; she took me out for dinner and we had a nice time. I was glad I had met her expectations.Have you ever been bullied?Yes, in my S.1 at the hostel. Some S.3s were playing football and their ball soiled a uniform I had just washed. When I approached them, they were not remorseful and arrogant. I got angry andf felt small and powerless. Which exam did you most enjoy doing?Math is my favourite subject and matrixes my best topic. When I opened the question paper and saw a matrix number, I counted those marks even before I read through because I was almost becoming a professor in matrixes. What is life like in Makerere College?It is simple and basic; each student tries to make good out of it. The students are a bit outgoing and don’t isolate themselves in cliques according to class. It’s common to find an S.2 student getting along with an A’ level student. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/849932/-/wsnus7/-/index.html","content":"FARMER'S DIARY: Why farmers should join 2011 elections fray - There is a rather negative story often told about Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain; “Men from foreign lands came to Africa and took away our brothers and sisters against their will to work as slaves across the oceans, and it said nothing. Foreigners came to our continent and killed us in our thousands before occupying our land but it said not a word. Others colonised us and imposed their culture upon us but Kilimanjaro watched in silence. “There have been wars and natural calamities, such as floods, devastating droughts, earthquakes and epidemics that have claimed millions of lives but the mountain only watched. It did and said nothing even about apartheid in South Africa. From the beginning of time our continent has been subjected to all forms of political harassment, social degradation, economic deprivation and exploitation, but Kilimanjaro has only remained the highest mountain, doing nothing to avert the ills visiting us.” More than 70 per cent of our households are engaged in farming, and farmers make up the tallest bar on the national graph. But bad politicians have come about and caused such evils as civil wars, military coups, and dictatorships, but the farmers who, by the way, received the worst blows have mostly only watched like Mt. Kilimanjaro. They have allowed other people from the shorter bars of the graph to rule and make decisions for them. Yet, if farmers make the majority of the adult population, they should have the upper hand in the governance of the economy. And when we speak about farmers we especially mean women because they are the main force behind our agricultural production. Getting off the fenceCan farmers then continue to be mere spectators as 2011 approaches? Badly managed elections are notorious for triggering off civil wars and farmers are always among the first victims of civil unrest. When a civil war breaks out, the lawyers, the medical doctors, and other professionals will quickly pack their certificates in briefcases and fly to foreign countries, where they will continue to be happily employed. But the farmers will not so easily carry away their coffee and banana plantations or their cattle and goats. Every farmer therefore has a good reason to be concerned about politics and the election of the country’s leaders. Let every farmer pass on this message to another! This year, many politicians will spend their time traversing the countryside courting farmers. Be warned that electoral malpractices such as voters’ bribery begin long before voting day. The politicians will be more generous and more persuasive than ever before. Watch their intentions as you accept their gifts. Get registered and ensure that your voter’s card is securely kept because only registered voters will be allowed to vote. Join a political party of your choice, but you are at liberty not to join any party even if you are a registered voter. You are even free to vote or not. But, as we said earlier, farmers cannot afford to be like Kilimanjaro. It will be an opportunity for the farmers to elect the leaders that will decide how much the government should invest in agriculture and food production. Various political parties are currently in the process of electing office bearers at all levels. Ensure that whoever is elected to hold any post in your party is a farmer or someone with proven evidence that he or she cares for farmers’ interests. Elect farmers to all local councils. Take the trouble to study the manifestos of the various political parties and find out what they promise farmers. When the time comes for political rallies, attend them and judge which parties have the best programmes for farmers. What do they say about water provision for agriculture? What do they say about environment protection? What do they say about research on crop diseases and improved seed varieties or better animal breeds? This is the time for farmers to arm-twist the political leadership and ensure it tows the line. Pay attention to all voter education programmes. Acquaint yourself with the electoral laws. Be the guardians of your elections. Take the trouble to check the voters’ register when it is displayed in your home village and see if there are no suspicious names or faces that could be ghosts. Report all anomalies to the Electoral Commission or any other authorities. On voting day, be on the lookout for such malpractices as multiple voting or ballot box stuffing. Be there when ballot boxes are being opened at your polling station in the morning and keep watching the entire process up to the counting of the votes in the evening. If your party loses or wins, remain friendly to the members of other parties. Farmers need peaceful co-existence and cannot easily relocate in times of political chaos. ssalimichael@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Religion/-/689744/848316/-/70squ7/-/index.html","content":"So where exactly is God in all this? - If God’s love for us is unconditional, why does He allow tears to roll down our cheeks? This could be the greatest paradox of God yet, writes Robert Kalumba. These are the numbers flying around after the Haiti massive earthquake; the Haitian government estimates more than 100,000 people could have lost their lives during the devastating earthquake that hit Port-Au-Prince two weeks ago. The Red Cross estimates that three million people require emergency help and thousands are still trapped under the rubble, possibly dead. It’s the sheer destruction in Haiti that has commandeered the world’s attention with international agencies, news outlets like CNN and world leaders falling over themselves in a bid to ease the suffering that the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, called the “worst disaster in decades.” With all that destruction and horror, many have consciously or subconsciously asked themselves; where was God when all this happened? If you put into consideration that among the dead are thousands of children, some as young as four months, how does one reconcile the gospel that goes, “God is merciful and all powerful” with what happened in Haiti?According to Rev Pat Robertson of the famed 700 Club, the hand of God is evident in this human tragedy. According to him, Haitians are being punished for a “pact their ancestors made with the devil two hundred years ago” and have been cursed ever since. He says the devastating earthquake was God’s revenge for their controversial pact with the devil. The pact, which actually is present in Haitian folklore, goes that on August 14 1791, a group of houngans (voodoo priests) led by a slave named Boukman made a pact with the devil in a place called Bois-Caiman. In a ritual that involved sacrificing a black pig and drinking its blood, Boukman asked Satan for his help in liberating Haiti from the French and in return the voodoo priests not only swore to serve Satan, but offered to give Haiti to him for 200 years. On January 1 1804, the nation of Haiti was liberated, making it the only country in the world that gained freedom via a slave-rebellion. According to folklore, it also marked the beginning of a demonic tyranny. However cuckoo and self-righteous Robertson’s damnations of Haiti might sound, looking at the country’s history could tempt one into believing that maybe...just maybe, Haiti could be a “cursed nation.” It’s the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with half of its population living on less than a dollar a day. Its infant-mortality rate is worse than that of many African countries and with 98 per cent of its forests felled for firewood, hurricanes and storms are normal occurances. In 2008 alone, four deadly storms hit the nation, leaving millions homeless. This litany doesn’t even include their well documented tumultuous political history. But why would God “punish” a nation for their ancestors’ mistakes? Besides, if God is forgiving, then sparing Haitians from any further “punishment” would not only embody his character but would be a huge advertisement for him and his works, no? For how does one, including religious scholars, explain his methods in the ruins that are Haiti?Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of Why Bad Things Happen to Good People, believes natural disasters are somehow outside the purview of a loving God. “The will of God is not to send us disaster but to send us the disaster to overcome,” he writes, adding that like Job in the Bible, “There is a resolution to be found in the depth of a pious life lived before a mysterious God whose mind is hard to read.” Pastor Martin Ssempa concurs with that view. “God doesn’t bring earthquakes. No! If you read the Bible, it tells you that the devil steals, plunders and destroys. Do you think God causes earthquakes to kill his own people?” Ssempa argues that God doesn’t wish suffering on his people and that we invited sin to this world hence the floods and earthquakes that are the devil’s makings. “Do not forget that God is not the only source of causation in the world. There are many players in the world both human and supernatural; however, God is the most important and powerful one. In other words, there are things that happen in this world that are not His fault but the devil’s and in some cases, even human beings,” Sempa adds. But blaming Haiti’s earthquake on the devil poses a tricky question; is God powerless or indifferent to allow such a catastrophe on his people? Why aren’t suffering and misery imposed on those that deserve it than, say, helpless children that normally are the tragic victims? Should we then conclude that God is all-powerful but not compassionate, or that perhaps He is compassionate but not all that powerful? According to God Would Read, an online atheist bookstore, diseases and natural disasters are further evidence that God actually doesn’t exist. They argue that if God, like the Bible says, is omnipotent and omnipresent, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end and created humans in His own image, then how can He allow His face to be disfigured in the suffering of his people by diseases, tsunamis and earthquakes? Where is his compassion and mightiness? Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, during an interview on BBC’s Today programme that quizzed him on God’s endless love vis a vis the endless suffering, with Haiti being the main reference, said he had nothing to say that made sense of the horror that befell Haiti; however, he argued that natural disasters can both be beneficial and destructive. He instanced water to illustrate this; essential for life but destructive if there is too much of it. This analogy however baffled the interviewer, John Humphrys, who couldn’t see how earthquakes can be beneficial! Sentamu however represents many Christians who struggle to justify the irony that is an almighty and caring God allowing misery on His people. Many would blame the devil, beefing their arguments up with justifying Bible verses; others will blame curses that are embedded in historical tales and even the Bible, whereas others will admit that they will go to their graves never understanding the whole issue."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/BernardTabaire/-/878688/847920/-/f5i93g/-/index.html","content":"Next, the mamas will strip thus taking our politics to new levels - The women are out. If they can withstand the arrests, harassment and humiliation, we shall see more of them massing on the streets and the big girls may well deliver change of some kind in the political process. First, though, a small disagreement. Yes, when talking elections it is right and fitting to focus on the Electoral Commission (EC) - the way it is constituted and its ability to deliver a clean process and result. It is not politically useful, however, to demand, as the Opposition-leaning women did in the Monday demonstration, that electoral commissioners resign because President Museveni reappointed them without consulting the Opposition and other interested actors. Even if the reason were that these same commissioners have been less-than competent in conducting previous elections, a much more serious matter about which even the courts have damned them, demanding resignation is not it. It amounts merely to appealing to their non-existent sense of morality. No one resigns for documented incompetence in our little country. Accidents kill hundreds in a year, school fires kill tens of pupils, floods and droughts kill and ravage entire sub-regions and those officials that taxpayers pay to prevent or mitigate such occurrences bungle up all the time and still hold down their jobs. With the EC, therefore, the focus should be on changing the laws under which commissioners are presently appointed. That is primarily the business of ministers and MPs, not electoral commissioners. The laws, as the Opposition has sensibly suggested, should be amended to allow for broad consultation in order to have an EC that is not only competent but is also acceptable to various political players. It is because the President reappointed the present “unrepresentative” team that Opposition women and other concerned women marched to the EC headquarters to demand that chairman Badru Kiggundu and his team quit. The police violently arrested nearly three-dozen women charging them with participating in an illegal assembly. If the women continue to demonstrate, as they sure must, more of them will be arrested whether in the process their bra straps snap to expose their breasts or whether their skirts fly about to expose their other bits both big and itsy-bitsy. A politics of broadbasedness has over the last 15 years given way to a politics of division, intolerance, rancour, exclusion, and even humiliation. That is a politics that seems to be flowering under multipartyism. The NRM government, especially, does not appear to see much sense in negotiation and compromise - the stuff of politics. There is an impatience with that because the rulers are busy ruling and lining their pockets. They somehow forget that ruling, or more charitably governing, is a political act that must respect the rules of common sense politics, even if occasionally. The NRM government is not about to change its approach because of its increased reliance on coercion to settle questions of politics. It finds it easier to arrest and harass opponents and other dissenters than to engage them, to negotiate with them, and reach resolution. What, one may ask, is so disagreeable about having an EC that all political actors, at least those parties represented in Parliament, are happy with? If that is a vexing question, the NRM will not scratch its head to find an answer. It will sweep it aside by unleashing the security services. This is an exercise in delusion. Political questions do not disappear just because a few women had their inner garments exposed in public by the police. They stay, they simmer. Some day, they explode in the faces of those who had the chance but declined to address them. Now that the women are out, they may want to keep there and help to quicken the arrival of better politics. They should now move their struggle a gear higher. It is a given that they will be roughed up the next time they step out. At that point, they may well consider something dramatic. Strip! In March 1992, mothers of political prisoners in Kenya gathered in Nairobi to demand the release of their sons. When President Daniel arap Moi did nothing, the mamas exposed their nakedness. I do not believe Mr Moi’s government was cursed that March day. But I believe the regime was properly rattled. The combined Opposition would go on to perform better than Mr Moi’s Kanu in elections later that year and in 1997. Because of lack of unity, however, the Opposition could not take power until 2002. Uganda is no Kenya, but it will be a titillating as well as a horrifying spectacle when our own mamas do it. A new moment in Ugandan politics will have been reached. I hope it will be for the better. Mr Tabaire is a media trainer and consultant with the African Centre for Media Excellencebentab@hotmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/832756/-/wrwf5n/-/index.html","content":"2010 could be more challenging for farmers - World over, climate change has been a burning issue. Scientists and environmentalists have scratched their heads, and as a result, we saw the Copenhagen summit take place, which unfortunately did not yield much as negotiators didn’t reach a deal. Amidst this climate change panic, environmentalists say that if the world does not act, we might witness worse conditions. Uganda has not been an exception. We suffered droughts, floods and famine. Climate change is a reality which should be taken seriously by everyone, right from the top decision makers to the common man. Paul Isabirye is the Programme Officer at the department of Meteorology/Climate Change Unit. He warns that the repercussions of climate change might get worse next year. “Climate change is worsening because we are going through the extremes. We are now experiencing El Nino which is associated with a lot of rainfall because of the abnormal warming in the Pacific Ocean,” he says. He however says that this time, El Nino which started in April is not going to be as bad as that of 1977-1978. But to be on a safe side, Isabirye advises that in such periods, people need to make sure that their drainage systems are cleared. He is glad that the government this time was quick to react to the warnings climate change experts gave, and that is why we weren’t badly hit. “For instance, the Ministry of Health stepped up their malaria campaign because of the earlier warnings we sent out,” he says. El Nino will last until February next year, and it is not known how bad it might get. Experts have warned people living in the mountains of potential landslides, meaning they may have to relocate. But because people living in these areas have nowhere else to go, they have not heeded these warnings. while there are serious concerns about climate change, Isabirye says that the Meteorology Department is not well-equipped. For instance, there are not enough rain gauges, and as a result, the metrological department cannot give proper weather forecasts. “This means that the data we get as an input into the forecasts will be limited for us to give specific and accurate information to the different parts of the country,” he says. The good news however, is that more rain gauges have been installed under the Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture. Impact of climate change2009 was a terrible year for farmers due to inaccurate weather forecasts. A farmer needs accurate forecasts so he can know whether he needs to spray or not. If he sprays and it rains soon after, the chemicals will be washed away. Another environment expert and communication specialist on the environment and natural resources, Gaster Kiyingi, warns that if there are no mitigations measures put in place, we might even face a tougher 2010. “We got very dry seasons, and floods hit us bad, and if the current trends continue, it might get worse next year,” he says. One can realise the reality of climate change by taking a trip to Nakasongola, Kayunga and Kiboga districts where open and bare grounds have been increasingly seen. “Lake Kwania in Teso is gradually reducing in size while in Lake Kyoga, the levels of siltation are so high,” Kiyingi reveals. Among the other effects of climate change this year, is the reduction of water levels in Lake Victoria, which led to the reduction of hydro power. “This affected investment because large scale industrial producers had to scale down and some small scale industries had to close down,” he says. And while the water levels went down, the changes of land use around Lake Victoria were extremely dangerous. “Wetlands which are supposed to act as reservoirs and maintain the balance of water have been encroached on – and the government cannot sit back and say that there is nothing they can do,” he says. While town dwellers may not realise this, amongst the most hit sectors by climate change was agriculture.The agriculture patterns this year have changed greatly which affected crop yield. “That is why currently, we are not able to supply maize to countries like Sudan and Kenya which in the past were dependant on Ugandan produce,” Kiyingi says. He adds that there have been many changes in pastoral lives, due to the scarcity of grass and water, all of which are blamed on climate change. He says there was a reduction in bio diversity and a number of species could have died because of the unfavourable conditions. But there have been a few interventions to be thankful for. Some people have planted trees on hilltops, which might have been for economical purposes but in the end, the environment benefited as well. The conservation efforts by Uganda Wildlife Authority are also something to be happy about as this directly protects the environment. It should be remembered that the government this year stepped out to ban reconditioned refrigerators but the problem with Uganda, Kiyingi says, is that rules and laws are put in place but never implemented. He blames this on political intervention from time to time, and blames the failure to evict wetland encroachers on politicians who don’t want to hurt the feelings of their constituents. Reconditioned refrigerators are dangerous in that they produce carbon chrolofluorides which contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer that protects us from the sun’s rays. One second-hand refrigerator may not be harmful but if they are several, the effects cannot be measured. To further show the extent to which climate change has affected us, Gaster says; “The number of malaria cases has slightly increased. In Kigezi, people never used to catch malaria but more people are now succumbing to the disease, which is alarming.”"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/831726/-/ak5uk4z/-/index.html","content":"Ban on buveera just second to viable waste management options - At the 2009/2010 budget, the use and importation of polythene bags (buveera) that are 30 microns and below was banned to protect the environment. Nema and individuals who appreciate the environmental dangers posed by buveera must have rejoiced. Buveera is no doubt the most dangerous component of garbage because while other garbage rots, it does not. Moreover, if poorly disposed, buveera clog waterways and channels causing floods and breeding sites for disease vectors. Fumes emanating from burning buveera are dangerous to humans and the environment too. This notwithstanding, the manufacturers and business fraternity have kept arguing that the ban would cause industries to close down and jobs could be lost. In the latest twist of events, while the MPs on trade and industry committee, Water and Environment minister inclusive, are calling for the regulation on the use and disposal of buveera, minister Aggrey Awori, maintains ‘…environmental impact of buveera … far outweighs the economic cost of banning them. Country comes first and other interests later. The ban is on’. (Daily Monitor, September 1). This article introduces an economist perspective to the debate. Particularly, we show that whereas the ban on buveera is on, it is by no means the best policy instrument. We then propose some waste management policy options. We acknowledge the fact that the ban on buveera use is cost effective, dependable and enforceable save for the technicalities involved. The basic being the inability to state with certainty the amount of waste that is injected to the environment daily. This is because, the level of research and development on waste is wanting; recycling levels is not felt while equipments for use and human resources in waste management are inadequate. Financially, the waste management is given low priority yet it has a potential to generate a lot of revenue based on double dividend hypothesis. However, the ban on buveera is a second not first best instrument as it does not have long-term effects. Its influence exponentially decays over time because industrialists are known to have a very powerful lobbying approach. Moreover, the corruption among the policy makers at all levels in Uganda cannot allow the ban to have the long run effects. Economically, the ban does not have dynamic effects as it does not create continual incentives to improve products and production process in polluting reducing ways; it has equity problems and efficiency losses are too high.People are bound to lose jobs and inevitably revenue. For these reasons, it is better we seek practical solutions that have long run effects that give manufacturers a chance to internalise their externality while providing income. We borrow and argue that any environmental policy should have both the abatement and the output effect; the current buveera ban has only the latter creating high efficiency costs which are socially undesirable. In this regard, we propose policies that allow flexibility and make sense to the industrialists and the community provided they internalise the negative externality that is posed by their production and use. The regulation on buveera use and disposal should involve encouraging firms to have recycling technology such that those without, need not be licensed. Buveera must be separated from other garbage and firms need to provide segregated dustbins for particular wastes with well guided rules. Also, Uganda needs a policy that encourages re-use of buveera whatever the type is. For example, why can’t people earn bonus shopping points for every buveera they re-use in supermarkets? Even better, how about supermarkets charging a fee for the buveera they give their clients, which then can be forwarded to responsible authority as in case of VAT for use to boost waste management. Communities need to be educated on waste management and the local councils at all levels of decentralised units should be equipped on waste management. Local leaders have a duty to manage garbage in their localities. Possibly, they should only contract garbage collectors who can separate buveera from other garbage. Collective action among community members should be strengthened and should be part of policies. We also need to have strict command and control policies to reprimand and remunerate waste collection and dumping behaviour of Ugandans. Mr Bwire is an economist, a lecturer in MUBS and a member of the Daily Monitor Panel of Experts.tbwire@mubs.ac.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/-/688340/827938/-/g3qfmiz/-/index.html","content":"UN climate talks end with bare minimum agreement - COPENHAGEN U.N. climate talks ended with a bare-minimum agreement on Saturday when delegates \"noted\" an accord struck by the United States, China and other emerging powers that falls far short of the conference's original goals. \"Finally we sealed a deal,\" U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said. \"The 'Copenhagen Accord' may not be everything everyone had hoped for, but this ... is an important beginning.\" A long road lies ahead. The accord -- weaker than a legally binding treaty and weaker even than the 'political' deal many had foreseen -- left much to the imagination. It set a target of limiting global warming to a maximum 2 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial times -- seen as a threshold for dangerous changes such as more floods, droughts, mudslides, sandstorms and rising seas. But it failed to say how this would be achieved. It held out the prospect of $100 billion in annual aid from 2020 for developing nations but did not specify precisely where this money would come from. And it pushed decisions on core issues such as emissions cuts into the future. \"This basically is a letter of intent ... the ingredients of an architecture that can respond to the long-term challenge of climate change, but not in precise legal terms. That means we have a lot of work to do on the long road to Mexico,\" said Yvo de Boer, head of the U.N. Climate Change Secretariat. Another round of climate talks is scheduled for November 2010 in Mexico. Negotiators are hoping to nail down then what they failed to achieve in Copenhagen -- a new treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol. But there are no guarantees. NON-BINDING ACCORD A plenary session of the marathon 193-nation talks in the Danish capital merely \"took note\" of the new accord, a non-binding deal for combating global warming finalised by U.S. President Barack Obama, China, India, Brazil and South Africa. Work on the pact had begun in a meeting of 28 leaders, ministers and officials, including EU countries and small island nations most vulnerable to climate change. The European Union, which has set itself ambitious emissions cuts targets and encouraged others to follow suit, only reluctantly accepted the weak deal that finally emerged. \"The decision has been very difficult for me. We have done one step, we have hoped for several more,\" said German Chancellor Angela Merkel. In the final hours of the talks, which began on December 7 and ended early on Saturday afternoon, delegates agreed to set a deadline to conclude a U.N. treaty by the end of 2010. At stake was a deal to fight global warming and promote a cleaner world economy less dependent on fossil fuels. 1 | 2 Next Page»The accord explicitly recognised a \"scientific view\" that the world should limit warming to no more than 2 degrees Celsius -- although the promised emissions cuts were far short of the amount needed to reach that goal. \"We have a big job ahead to avoid climate change through effective emissions reduction targets, and this was not done here,\" said Brazil's climate change ambassador, Sergio Serra. A final breakthrough came after U.S. President Barack Obama brokered a final deal with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and leaders of India, South Africa and Brazil that they stand behind their commitments to curb growth in greenhouse gases. Obama said the \"extremely difficult and complex\" talks laid the foundation for international action in the years to come. \"For the first time in history, all of the world's major economies have come together to accept their responsibility to take action on the threat of climate change,\" Obama said at the White House on Saturday after returning from Copenhagen. The outcome underscored shortcomings in the chaotic U.N. process and may pass the initiative in forming world climate policy to the United States and China, the world's top two emitters of greenhouse gases. STORMY In a stormy overnight session, the talks came to the brink of collapse after Sudan, Nicaragua, Cuba, Venezuela and Bolivia lined up to denounce the U.S. and China-led plan, after heads of state and government had flown home. Sources close to the talks told Reuters the Danish hosts and U.N. lawyers had not obtained formal backing from the conference for a smaller group of leaders and ministers to agree a final text, leading to chaos when this was finally presented to a plenary meeting of all 193 countries. U.N. talks are meant to be concluded by unanimity. Under a compromise to avoid collapse, the deal listed the countries that were in favour of the deal and those against. An all-night plenary session, chaired by Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, hit a low point when a Sudanese delegate said the plan in Africa would be like the Holocaust. The document \"is a solution based on the same very values, in our opinion, that channelled six million people in Europe into furnaces,\" said Sudan's Lumumba Stanislaus Di-aping. \"The reference to the Holocaust is, in this context, absolutely despicable,\" said Anders Turesson, chief negotiator of Sweden. The conference finally merely \"took note\" of the new accord. This gives it the same legal status as if it had been accepted, senior United Nations official Robert Orr said. But it is far from a full endorsement, and it was also condemned by many environmental groups as showing a failure of leadership. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/824596/-/akpcvmz/-/index.html","content":"Smallholder farming in Africa: climate casualty or pioneer? - For hundreds of millions of people in Africa, climate change is not about lowering smoke stack emissions or turning off electric lights. It is about whether or not they will have enough to eat. Agriculture is Africa’s main connection to climate change. This fact must inform the global climate change pact now being hammered out in Copenhagen, if that pact is to address the needs and realise the potential of the world’s second-most populous continent. More than 70 per cent of Africans gain their livelihood through farming, and almost all are smallholder farmers who rely on erratic rains and risky agricultural systems. It is predicted that climate change will put up to 250 million people in the semi-arid Sahel at increased risk of droughts. Flooding in southern Africa is expected to increase floods, bringing to mind those of 2000 which wiped out one-third of Mozambique’s crops, killed many and displaced entire populations. Africa’s smallholder farmers are in the eye of the climate change storm. So, while Africa contributes less than three per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, compared to 40 per cent from the G-8 countries, it stands to bear the brunt of the economic, human and social consequences of climate change.In some countries, crop yield may be cut in half. This would be devastating, given that even now yield is just one-quarter the global average. Such low yield is the result of low-input, low-output agriculture which mines the soil of nutrients, and fuels both hunger and deforestation. International and African policy makers and scientists must therefore move urgently to help Africa’s smallholder farmers increase their productivity while also adapting to and helping to mitigate climate change. Adaptation should occur in scores of ways, across the agricultural system: through farmer production practices, market approaches, technological and policy innovations. New crop varieties are needed that can better withstand drought, water-logging, increased crop diseases and pests. Yet, we cannot breed our way out of the climate change calamity. We must look across the agricultural value chain to put in place an integrated set of changes, from improved access to finance and weather-indexed crop insurance, to better crop storage and access to local and regional markets. Mitigation is also a complex challenge, but solutions are at hand in the fields of farmers. Today, most smallholders farm the land continuously, without the benefit of fertilizers, organic or manufactured. Thus, three-quarters of Africa’s farmlands are depleted. But given appropriate tools and support, smallholder farmers could farm carbon along with their crops. By employing agricultural practices that boost productivity while rebuilding the soil and incorporating agro-forestry, Africa’s farmers will turn their fields into giant carbon reservoirs, so-called carbon sinks. This will help mitigate climate change. Global and African policy makers should provide incentives for farmers to avoid deforestation through intensified production on existing land, implemented through environmentally sound land use practices that also sequester carbon and protect crop diversity. Intensification and conservation is a challenge—it need not be a contradiction. It is a challenge we must meet if African carbon is to count in the global carbon market. At the COP15 meeting taking place now in Copenhagen, we must insist on a global carbon market which fully accounts for the environmental benefits of sound agricultural practices of smallholder farmers. REDD, a critical financial mechanism for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, is under debate and appears on track to being passed. It should include payments for ecosystem services provided by smallholder farmers. We cannot let the global inequality which distorts the world’s agricultural markets replicate itself in the global carbon market. To do so would be counter-productive and inexcusable. African farmers are embarking on a sustainable, uniquely African green revolution. Theirs is perhaps the greatest race against time in human history. They need access to the technologies that will enable them to grow more food and do so sustainably. Global and national policies should offer incentives and compensation for environmentally friendly intensification of farming and avoided deforestation. It is in Africa’s own interests to develop its agriculture as a diverse, high-productivity, low-carbon system that benefits our farmers, our economies and our environment. The result will be a food secure and prosperous Africa, leading in the creation of a more stable global climate and food secure world. Dr Adesina is the vice president of Policy and Partnerships- Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/824382/-/wrc6te/-/index.html","content":"World temperatures continue to rise - This year is likely to rank among the top 10 warmest on record since the beginning of instrumental climate records in 1850, according to data sources compiled by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). The global combined sea surface and land surface air temperature for 2009 from January to October is currently estimated at 0.44°C+/-0.11°C, above the 1961–1990 annual average of 14.00°C/57.2°F. Climate change is a term used to describe a gradual shift in one or more climatic elements from a long-term norm. The last few years have manifested the change where seasons, for example the rain season, no longer follow the traditional pattern. Uganda’s change in climatic conditions can be visibly explained by among other things, continued deforestation due to pressure on land by an expanding population that demands land for settlement and agricultural practices.But Uganda’s could be a smaller face that represents a problem that’s slowly eating into the once enviable green and “conducive” climate Africa used to boast of. The Uganda National Water Development Report of 2005 qualifies this, adding that the African continent warmed up by 0.5 degrees in the past century where the five warmest years in Africa’s recorded history all occurred after 1988. “These changes are attributed to global warming. One impact of temperature rise has been the melting of ice and glaciers on mountaintops. The Rwenzoris are one of the few ice-capped mountains in Africa. Recent studies have shown that the glaciers and ice fields on this mountain have decreased markedly in number,” the report explains. The current nominal ranking of 2009, which does not account for uncertainties in the annual averages, places it as the fifth-warmest year. The decade of the 2000s (2000–2009) was warmer than the decade spanning the 1990s (1990–1999), which in turn was warmer than the 1980s (1980–1989). ImpactAnd according to the Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer of the World Meteorological Organisation, Ms Carine Richard-Van Maele, complete data for the remainder of the year 2009 will be analysed at the beginning of 2010 to update the current assessment. She adds that in East Africa, the drought, one of the excesses of climatic change, has led to massive food shortages. In Kenya, the drought was responsible for severe damage to livestock and a 40 per cent decline in the maize harvest. Carine further told gatherings at the on-going United Nations Climate Change Conference Copenhagen 2009, that this year, above-normal temperatures were recorded in most parts of the continents. Only North America (United States and Canada) experienced conditions that were cooler than average. Given the current figures, large parts of southern Asia and central Africa are likely to have the warmest year on record. Climate extremes, including devastating floods, severe droughts, snowstorms, heat waves and cold waves, were recorded in many parts of the world. Uganda is seriously looking at trying to ward off any further adverse effects like famine that hit Eastern Uganda. A dossier presented by the Minister of Water and Environment, Ms Maria Mutagamba, says, “Uganda is aware of the fact that the convention notes that the largest share of historical and current emissions originates in developed countries. The first basic principle is that these countries should take the lead in combating climate change and its adverse impacts by supporting climate change activities in developing countries through the provision of financial support above and beyond any financial assistance they already provide to these countries.” The Climate Change Conference began last Monday and is scheduled to conclude this Friday, in Copenhagen, Denmark. Ms Mutagamba notes that developing countries and more so the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) like Uganda are to continue with no emission targets for purposes of their economic growth especially through industrialisation. “However, Uganda is willing to undertake nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs), provided they are supported by the developed countries. This support must be measurable, reportable and verifiable,” she added. Uganda’s 60-member delegation to the conference is one of the biggest, in terms of numbers, diversity of skills and affiliations. Today, Uganda boasts of an estimated 66 km3 of total annual renewable water resources and an annual average of 2,800 m3 of water available per capita, according to a report titled “Assessing the impact of climate change in Uganda”. However, according to the report, authored under United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), this is the face of rapid population growth, increased urbanisation and industrialisation, uncontrolled environmental degradation and pollution, which are placing increasing pressure on the utilisation of freshwater resources."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/819918/-/wfl3pa/-/index.html","content":"Uganda makes case at climate meet - KampalaUganda is pushing participants at the ongoing UN climate change conference in Copenhagen to accept payment of reparation by developed countries to poor nations as a win-win deal for all countries, Daily Monitor can reveal. Officials said a delegation of 45 technocrats and policy-makers led by Mr David Obong, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Water and Environment, wants action, not verbal promises, to save poor nations choking, environmentally and economically, amid rising global industrial pollution. In a 30-page blue-print, titled; Uganda Road Map to Cop15, the bureaucrats who began negotiations on Monday, will argue at various sessions that strict intellectual property rights in the West and financing hurdles impair transfer of appropriate technology, necessary for poor countries to cope with harsh effects of climate change. “Inadequate actions by developed countries to implement (international) commitments, particularly those relating to facilitating access to clean technologies and financing (has) contributed to the growing of greenhouse emissions,” they will say. Daily Monitor has learnt that Environment Minister Maria Mutagamba and her junior Jessica Eriyo will fly to Copenhagen at the weekend to give a final executive push for Uganda’s position. And next week, President Museveni, who is one of the 10 African Heads of State representing the continent at the summit, will put to his peers Uganda’s agenda for an urgent global pact to replace the expiring 1997 Kyoto protocol. “Uganda’s economy and her people’s livelihoods depend almost entirely on exploitation of its natural resources, including the climate,” Ms Eriyo said yesterday, warning a no-deal would have ruinous consequences at home. The country has had a terrible brush with volatile environmental changes in the past two decades. In 1997, El Nino rains caused massive landslides and devastating floods in various parts of Uganda and a couple of years ago, Teso was virtually cut off as torrential rains buried homes and swept away bridges, causing epidemic-related deaths, economic ruin and misery. Tough yearThis year, prolonged drought caused widespread crop failures and as a result famine prevalence soared to dangerous levels; forcing an unprepared government (that mobilised only Shs10 billion from its coffers) to beg donors for relief food to feed thousands of starving citizens. “The events of the last few years; increasing frequency and severity of drought, floods and heavy stormy rainfalls clearly demonstrate our vulnerability,” Minister Eriyo said. According to scientists, high emission into the atmosphere of gases lead to floods, melting of ice caps such as on Mountain Rwenzori, disappearance of fancied animal and tree species, dried up rivers plus surging water levels that adversely affect agriculture, the mainstay of Ugandans. There are myriad international instruments, requiring emission caps, but many partner states dither to implement the commitments largely due to domestic opposition from manufacturers who pay the highest tax and employ more than governments.In its fourth assessment review report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says due to inaction, global emission of greenhouse gases rose by 70 per cent between 1970 and 2004 compared to 24 per cent in 14 months to 2004, ironically after the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. It is these statistics that the Ugandan team, like other activists, intends to employ at Copenhagen to press reluctant leaders of industrialised nations to own up their mistakes, pay up and work together to reverse the worrying trend. Uganda’s climate-talk position Parties sign to reduce greenhouse gas emission by 45 per cent below 1990 level over the next 11 years and by 85 per cent by 2050 in line with the 1997 Kyoto ProtocolDeveloped countries offer quantifiable and time-specific cut in green house gas emission through a compliance mechanism that conforms to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Independently verifiable commitments on mitigation by both developing and developed countries through Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (Namas).Supports ‘learning by doing’ approach on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) based on country-contrived and driven capacity building.Carbon credit under REDDs be appropriately priced for complianceRemove financial additionality clause under the Clean Development Mechanism and simply implementation methodology for developing countriesDeveloped nations pay reparations to developing countries for industrial pollution and establish ad hoc financing, separate from the development assistance allocationPrioritise development and implementation of self-selected medium to long-term national adaptation plans in developing countries.Developed countries provide adequate and sustainable specific public funding to developing countries for adaptation, complemented with private sector funding.Adequate financing for research, development and transfer of appropriate technologyEstablishment of new, transparent and multi-windowed financial climate change mechanism, equitably representative of regional and specific group interests.Roll out climate change adaptation technology with enthusiasm as was ICT, noting intellectual property rights in the West adversely affecting developing countries."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/818834/-/al92b9z/-/index.html","content":"UN climate change talks; high stakes for Ugandans - In about two weeks, Ugandan delegation will join the rest of the world at UN Conference of Parties 15th session in Copenhagen - Denmark in an effort to establish climate change global policy. It is widely recognised that climate change is already having a profound effect on people worldwide. Uganda has so far experienced an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather such as shorter heavy rains and long term droughts with adverse impacts on socio-economic wellbeing of the people. Future predictions on climate indicate exacerbated adverse impacts, the 2007 report released by the International Penal on Climate Change (IPCC) forecasted that just a 2ºC rise in temperatures above pre-industrial era levels would result in extinction of between 20 and 30 per cent of animal and plant species. Convinced of how urgent the world needs a guiding policy regime beyond the current universal climate change rhetoric, failure at Copenhagen is not a choice for vulnerable communities in Uganda. Uganda needs to join the rest of the poor countries calling for an ambitious and forward looking global agreement. However, there is need to first fundamentally address the sound principals of participatory policy and practice which calls for fronting citizens’ concerns and views while making decisions that directly affect them. The Ugandan negotiating team must take up leadership and impress upon the international community on the urgency to set an ambitious limit to the release of exhaust gases in order to protect threatened planet and safeguard the welfare of poor and vulnerable citizens. Rich and industrialised countries should cut their emissions first, fastest and furthest so that global emissions peak by 2015 and fall at least 80 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050. Recognising that climate change, arising from the historical cumulative green house gas emissions of developed countries, poses a serious threat to Uganda’s social and economic development and constitutes an additional burden on poverty reduction and frustrates attainment of the Millennium Development Goals. Uganda’s negotiators need to demand for special climate change fund and push rich countries to provide the money and technology needed, independent of existing aid commitments, to help vulnerable people mitigate and adapt to changing climate. The floods and drought induced hunger in the Teso and Karamoja regions is a telling experience of how Uganda urgently needs capacity building, technology and support to National Adaptation Programmes of Action. Global justice must prevail at Copenhagen in the context of rich countries accepting historical responsibility and paying for their contributions to the global warming. The current climate change global projects such as the Clean Development Mechanisms have perpetuated North capitalism tendencies as they fail to benefit Ugandans. Uganda’s positions at the negotiations should reflect obvious failures, undelivered expectations and what works for citizens in post-Copenhagen era. As part of national action, the government of Uganda must improve coordination between and among various stakeholders; country-based response and action should work out increased citizen’s participation. Although the government has established Climate Change Coordination Unit under the Ministry of Water and Environment, there is still a wide gap towards enhancing public-private sector partnerships for an effective national response. Civil Society fraternity such as the NGOs, media, religious entities and academia among others need to be provided with participation spaces within government’s arrangements. We must make a solid move from rhetoric to reality by appreciating that climate change requires concerted interventions, political will and commitment. Mr Twinomugisha works with East Africa Support Partner Worldwide Views on Global Warming twinoben@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Insight/-/688338/818620/-/7bl48y/-/index.html","content":"Climate talks amid Africa’s central role - Over the past year the countries of Africa have intensified their efforts to build a coalition on climate change. Across the continent, governments and communities have been working to ensure that their concerns and expectations are heard at the Copenhagen climate negotiations this month. Africa is highly vulnerable to climate change. In our lifetimes, climate shifts will likely inflict severe damage to human welfare in a continent already battling with entrenched poverty, degraded ecosystems and civil strife. More than 40 per cent of the continent’s population lives in extreme poverty and 70 per cent of that number are located in rural areas, depending largely on agriculture for their livelihoods. Climate change will affect farmers from the Sahel to the highlands of Lesotho. Epidemics expectedRising temperatures could lead to new epidemics of mosquito-borne diseases in countries like Kenya and Uganda. Storms and floods are likely to intensify, wiping out vital infrastructure and housing in Madagascar, Mozambique and many other coastal areas. Any concerted effort to tackle climate change in Africa must focus primarily on poverty reduction and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the internationally agreed effort to halve extreme poverty and hunger and reduce major diseases by 2015. Any attempt to seal the deal at Copenhagen – as United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has put it – must therefore also be a development deal for African nations and other developing regions. However, finalising such a deal is not just about responding to Africa’s vulnerabilities. It also means that we must assess how African countries can contribute to the solution. Africa’s contributionFirst, climate change is not a problem of Africa’s making: according to estimates, the continent has contributed only 3.8 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Further, Africa’s potential to help tackle climate change is both largely unrecognised and unrealised. For instance, thanks to the forest cover and rich topsoil found in many African countries, the region represents a major carbon storehouse. African forests take in 20 per cent of the carbon that is absorbed by trees across the world. Its soil stores at least as great a share of the planet’s carbon produced by agriculture. Key solutionsIt is now widely recognised that global temperatures should not increase more than two degrees Celsius as compared with pre-industrial levels. The world will not be able to achieve that goal without reducing emissions from land use and leveraging the untapped capacity of ecosystems to store carbon. Africa has a central role to play in that process. The climate deal that replaces the Kyoto Protocol in 2012 could result in important additional funds for developing countries. Climate change management thus offers a number of “win-win” opportunities for African countries both to reduce the adverse effects of climate change and address some of their deep-rooted development concerns such as access to energy, food security and the prevention of crises and conflicts. Africa will require urgent support for the formulation of climate change strategies as well as upfront financing to take effective measures for adaptation and mitigation. Because of the sheer impact and magnitude of climate change on the continent, African leaders must not only coordinate their responses to its effects but also ensure that they are in line with existing development plans. With more than 70 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions influenced by local behaviours and investment choices, sub-national authorities, which are often responsible for making key decisions on the ground, will be essential actors in this process. 1 | 2 Next Page»African policymakers are aware of the need to coordinate climate strategies, as exemplified by a recent declaration, signed by 30 African ministers, which speaks of “a consolidated framework to ensure coordination and coherence … of climate change initiatives and sustainable development plans in Africa at all levels.” An immediate priority will be the creation of a fund to build the capacities of developing countries in preparing low carbon and climate resilient strategies. Adapted from www. Afronline.org Mr Gettu is director of the UNDP (Africa bureau). « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/816358/-/wqr1hx/-/index.html","content":"What is clogging Lake Victoria and the consequences that follow - Pollution is defined as the introduction of contaminants into an environment that cause instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem. Ecosystem is a complex of living organisms, their physical environment, and all their interrelationships in a particular unit of space. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy such as noise, heat or light and even living organisms. Water pollution on the other hand is the contamination of water bodies such as lakes, rivers, oceans and groundwater. All forms of water pollution affect organisms and plants that live in the water bodies, which often causes damaging effects to individual species and populations but also to the natural biological communities. In Uganda, looking at the brown waters of the Nakivubo stream, one gets a clear picture of what pollution is. There are polythene bags and mineral water bottles spread everywhere. This wouldn’t be a big deal if the water did not flow into Lake Victoria, but it does. And among fishing populations, people take the liberty to bathe, wash and even dispose of their waste into the water bodies. There is apparently a belief that the fish need these kinds of “nutrients” to survive. According to Mr Isaac Ntujju, an environmental inspector with the National Environment Management Authority (Nema), pollutants can be classified as biological, chemical and physical. “So many things compromise the quality of water,” he says and these pollutants are used as parameters to determine the quality of water. Biological pollutants “Human faeces, urine and sewage are termed biological pollutants, “Mr Ntujju says. He explains that because of their high concentration of nitrogen and increase in available organic matter in water therefore, there is a tendency of other organisms to thrive. Mr Everest Mugambwa Kizito, the Public Relations Officer, says that human waste acts as fertilisers, enabling plants like algae to grow, termed as algae bloom. “They are not supposed to grow there so when they do, they cut off some sunlight which is therefore not accessed by aquatic life. Since algae also need oxygen, there is competition for this gas and inevitably, a diminished oxygen supply. Farm fertilisers, which normally get to water bodies as run off from farms, are on the border line between biologic and chemical pollutants, Mr Ntujju adds. They are rich in nitrogen, phosphates, and potassium, nutrients needed by plants. Like human waste and animal carcasses that decompose to nitrates also composed of nitrogen, fertilisers lead to eutrophication. Eutrophication is defined as excessive nutrients in aquatic ecosystems resulting in algae blooms and anoxia (absence of oxygen). This in turn leads to death of fish and loss of biodiversity, and renders water unfit for drinking and other industrial uses. Chemical pollutantsOil, heavy metals like mercury, lead and tin are chemical pollutants. “The metals may be essential in small quantities but in excess, they are pollutants,” says Mr Ntujju. And for those who think, it ends with the aquatic life, Mr Ntujju explains that on the contrary, the quantity of these metals increases i.e. bioaccumulation up the food chain. “By the time it gets to man, there is an estimated increase from a one part per million (ppm) to 10 ppm.” When consumed, some of these are said to alter one’s DNA and are associated with the occurrence of some cancers. “These chemicals can make the water acidic such that only certain organisms or plants are able to survive and since this water is also used for irrigation, the food yields are compromised,” he adds. The normal pH of water is between 6.5 to 8.0. Some of the chemicals make it lower, hence the acidity. “At times, in extreme cases, they can change the taste of water but it is difficult to use organoleptic (body senses) tests,” he says. Industrial oils or oils from cars and other forms are said to cut off the oxygen supply of water. Mr Mugambwa explains that in general, air is supposed to go into water. “Aquatic life uses up all oxygen under water and carbon dioxide is given off as a waste product.” This carbon dioxide will accumulate and because it is not a life supporting gas, the fish are likely to die. And yet it does not stop here, he adds, “when they die, they rot, which leads to even more fertility; this will in turn support life of higher plants like algae which is even worse for the remaining aquatic life.” Physical pollutantsMineral water bottles, suspended materials, polythene bags (which cut off oxygen supply) are some of the physical pollutants. These impede water flow and according to Mr Kizito, any mass suspended into water not only occupies space but also causes the water levels to rise and contributes to flooding. “The waste deposited in water channels block the water way and lead to floods,” he says, adding, “Floods cause loss of property, lives, soil erosion and outbreak of water –related diseases.” Soap, when broken down into its constituents like sodium, and if in excess, might be a pollutant, according to Mr Ntujju. And in addition to that, when washing, we see that the dirt forms an oily layer, which floats. This will occur when people wash in these water bodies and the oily film will cut off oxygen supply. Despite all this, nature has ways of trying to overcome pollution as the environmental inspector clarifies. He explains that wetlands naturally clean water before it gets into the water bodies. Papyrus found in these swamps, is a robust plant capable of thriving in all these conditions, acidic or not and in a way serves to clean the water. But as is quite clear, many people are doing away with wetlands, so in Kampala, if the water does not go through the National Water and Sewerage Corporation treatment, then it finds its way directly into Lake Victoria, with or without pollutants."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/692162/-/kipck0z/-/index.html","content":"Facing the challenge of food scarcity, high prices - Kampala The shilling is appreciating against the US dollar but food is scarce and food prices continue to soar abnormally overturning the belief that Uganda is the food basket for the region. In Eastern Uganda, 80-year old Gideon Bwapale in Amuria District spent two weeks without a solid meal in early September and he wasn’t sure he could make it through another week. “I have only been drinking water. That’s what has kept me alive but I don’t know if I will survive more days,â€Â� he said at the time. Business Power could not establish if he made it through his ordeal. Consumer spending power is the thin line between those who can afford to feed themselves and others like Bwapale who barely have anything to eat. Since March 2008, Uganda’s inflation rate has been in double digits ranging between 11.7 and 14.5 per cent a trend set mainly by serious food shortfalls that have spewed up prices.  ***image1*** Mr Mathias Ssewanyana, the director of macro-economics at Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) says food prices have been rising and now average a high of 26.5 per cent since the first quarter of 2008. Souring prices In most Kampala city markets, staple foods such as dried vegetables like beans, fruits and sugar continue to register increase in prices. A bunch of matooke costs Shs20,000, Shs5,000 for a kilogramme of beef, tomatoes at Shs4,500, onions for Shs1,500, sugar costs Shs2,500, milk for Shs2,000 per litre and maize flour at a minimum of Shs1,500 per kilogramme. Uganda Bureau of Statistics’ annual food crops inflation rate for the year ending September 2009 rose to 49.5 per cent from 31.9 per cent in August. UBOS blamed the increase, then, on reduced supply and high demand for Uganda’s food stuffs by her neighbouring countries.     Although blessed with a good distribution of food centres, Uganda, according to a “Hunger Free Scorecardâ€Â� released last month by Action Aid Uganda, an international aid agency has about eight million people on the verge of hunger after scoring less than 50 per cent on food production performance. Uganda’s own food situation hangs on a bare thread weighed down by the ‘responsibility’ of being the food basket of the region. Most of the food produced locally is exported – mainly informally – to hunger-stricken Kenya and the lucrative markets of Southern Sudan and DR Congo. State Minister for Agriculture Henry Bagiire told Business Power that the increase in prices was as a result of increased food demand by neighbouring countries. “Uganda has the best agricultural soils in the region and we don’t want to close our borders to stop food exportation to bring down prices,â€Â� Mr Bagiire said adding: “It’s not good to see our neighbours suffering yet we have fertile soils to produce the food.â€Â� The spokesperson of the Uganda Farmers’ Federation, Mr Morrison Rwakakamba, attributed the rising food prices to increased food demand coupled with low productivity levels. The country has suffered low crop yields as a result of climatic change, declining soil nutrients, over-dependence on nature for agricultural production and limited access to quality seeds. “Forces of demand and supply are still driving the market. Demand for food is high but there is low productivity and supply,â€Â� he said. He identified lack of advisory services to farmers, inadequate fertilisers and counterfeit fertilisers on the market as major hindrances to food productivity.   “There are so many fake fertilisers and seeds on market. And these inputs are highly priced above the affordability of an ordinary farmer,â€Â� he said. Less than 14 per cent of farmers have access to agricultural advisory services, yet Uganda depends 99 per cent on agriculture.    He, however, said the federation had embarked on agricultural knowledge dissemination through parish chiefs, farmers’ shows and seminars to improve agriculture in the country. He said the federation is also pushing for a food and nutrition bill that will recognise, promote and protect the right to food as a fundamental human right and ensure that food is treated as a national strategic resource. The country has suffered low crop yields as a result of climatic change, declining soil nutrients, over dependence on nature for agricultural production and limited access quality seeds. Since the onset of the global economic recession, food prices globally have been rising as speculators resorted to hoarding resulting into a high swing on inflation in agro-based economies like Uganda. Uganda’s annual headline inflation rate for the year ending September 2009 went up sharply to 14.5 per cent from the 12 .6 per cent registered in August 2009. Uganda’s annual inflation rate slowed to 13.3 per cent in October from 14.5 per cent in January. High inflation acts as a disincentive to production especially for agricultural commodities. Computed figures show that the annual food crop inflation rate for the year ending September went up to 49.5 per cent from 31.9 per cent registered in August the highest surge in 15 years. The post election violence in Kenya and unfavourable climatic changes punctuated by sporadic droughts and floods have also been responsible for the acute food situation. Interestingly, annual core inflation rate, which excludes food crops fuel, electricity and metered water from Consumer Price Index basket dropped to 9.7 per cent for the year ending September 2009 from 9.9 per cent for the year ended August 2009. Uganda does not have national granaries to store food but Mr Bagiire said the government is working on a law to compel farmers to have granaries in their homes to store food. Apart from exporting food to neighbouring countries, some crops, which would have been used for food like cassava, maize, millet and sorghum are instead being used to produce alcohol. Mr Bagiire said the current heavy rains are expected to hike food prices further as they make roads to the food producing areas inaccessible. Mr Rwakakamba said the government should modernise agriculture, improve access roads to food producing areas, promote agro-processing and control birthrates if food production in the country is to stabilise. “The population is growing so fast but productivity has been dwindling,â€Â� said Mr Rwakakamba adding that transport costs and middlemen are a major contributor to high food prices in the country. “Middlemen exploit farmers by buying food cheaply and then sell highly because of high demand and on top of shortages, they now give an excuse of high transportation costs,â€Â� he said. ***image2*** Global oil prices have clocked above $80 per barrel and is likely to continue rising. A litre of petrol in Uganda costs Shs2,300, diesel Shs1,930 and paraffin Shs1,750. While addressing the Presidential Investors’ Round Table meeting in Kampala last month, President Y.K. Museveni said the government was determined to revolutionalise agriculture through introduction of mega irrigation schemes in mountainous areas and large scale micro-irrigation schemes in flat areas. “We want to boost agricultural production through transforming Uganda’s peasant economy into a commercially diversified economy,â€Â� said Mr Museveni. Micro-irrigation schemes use solar pumps to send locally tapped water into gardens.    NAADS As the country suffers from acute food shortages due to low productivity, a Joint Task Force investigating the National Agricultural and Advisory Services [NAADS] revealed that over Shs80 billion meant to boost agricultural productivity had been misappropriated. NAADS funds were meant to uplift farmers from abject poverty through increased access to information, knowledge, improved seeds and use of technology for profitable agricultural production. The Action Aid “Hunger Free Scorecardâ€Â� report says that some countries with lesser natural resources than Uganda have been able to produce enough food for their population. China, for instance, with an arable land of 9 per cent can feed its 1.3 billion people and provide food for about 20 per cent for the rest of the world.  Ã¢â‚¬Å“Hunger begins with inequality between men and women, and between rich and poor. It grows because of perverse policies that treat food purely as a commodity, not a right. It is because of these policies that most developing countries no longer grow enough food to feed themselves and that their farmers are amongst the hungriest and poorest in the world while the rich world fights growing obesity,â€Â� the report reads. China has cut its number of people considered hungry through adopting polices like relative distribution of land, government support to smallholder farmers, investment in rural infrastructure, and building grain reserves. This has also been the case in Ghana and Malawi that ranked 3rd and 5th respectively.   The secret behind Ghana’s better performance was its making of food security a national priority backing it with consistent support to smallholder farmers and democratic stable governance. As a low income country, Ghana has made tremendous strides in reducing hunger. The countries that posted better performance were found to have rejected the conventional market era, retained or reclaimed a central role of the state in agriculture by developing and supporting poor farmers through credit, research and extension, technology, price supports, and input subsidies targeting smallholders. They have invested in commercial agriculture for export, maintained specific policies to ensure sustained production of staple food, had a relatively equitable distribution of land or introduced land reforms, and all had introduced basic social protection measures. For 80-year old Gideon Bwapale, may be he didn’t survive the hunger, but for millions others who continue to wade through acute shortages of food, good government policies on agricultural production are key to their long term survival."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/-/691192/718738/-/fd266iz/-/index.html","content":"Why farmers should plant trees - The importance of good soils and farmer-friendly environment hardly needs to be emphasised to the farmer. Crops flourish with fertile soils under suitable climatic conditions. Today’s climate is however undergoing change. We tend to experience severe heat, long spells of dry weather, violent rainstorms and floods, all impacting negatively on the farmer’s work. Long droughts cause crop failure and make it hard for farmers to keep animals, since many rivers dry up as the grass on which the animals feed dwindles. Rampant lighting bush fires, a common practice among our people, only helps to compound the pasture problem. We do not yet have the skills to harvest large amounts of rain water to sustain our farming activities throughout the long dry seasons nor are we all skilled yet in making hay or silage to turn to in times of pasture scarcity. The issue of losing animals due to lack of grass during the ongoing drought actually dominated President Yoweri Museveni’s speech last week at Kawanda Church of Uganda Secondary School in Ssembabule District, as was reported in the Daily Monitor of September 9, 2009. Mr Museveni was quoted as saying that he lost some of his favourite Ankore cows due to lack of grass this dry season. As we prepare to continue with farming in the changing climatic conditions, every farmer must be part of the struggle to preserve the environment, protect forests and natural water sources, prevent soil erosion, and ensure that our soils have the capacity to sustain high crop yields, including fodder for our animals. The farmer must be an active participant in all campaigns and debates that aim at preventing environment degradation. No farmer for example could ignore such news as was reported in the New Vision of Tuesday, September 8, that 3,000 tonnes of plastic bags go into Ugandan soils annually. The article revealed, “Plastic bags are non-biodegradable. They take between 15 and 1,000 years to break down in the environment.â€Â� It quoted Mr Onesmus Muhwezi of Nema as saying that 60 per cent of stray cattle die after eating polythene material and that the greater risk is to the soils and the crops. Muhwezi was further quoted as saying, “Polythene material is poisonous when burnt, and releases toxic gases such as dioxins and furans which have lethal effects on human health and the environment.â€Â� Today’s farmer has an obligation to be more active in tree planting campaigns, by planting as many trees as he can and he must also be at the forefront in the fight against deforestation. When President Museveni talked to farmers  in Ssembabule about loss of animals due to the ongoing drought, one wished that the president had initiated an unprecedented, massive, tree planting campaign as well. According to a recent UNDP report (2004), Uganda loses an estimated forest cover of between 700 to 2000 square kilometres per year. Trees are important for rain formation, environmental protection, construction, fuel and medicine. Mindless removal of vegetative cover leads to soil erosion. We cannot be agonising about drying rivers and lakes when at the same time we do nothing to people who clear forests and swamps for settlement, cultivation, or other futile economic activities. The farmers in every village should be there to report such people to environment protection organisations. According to recent research findings, climatic change effects are already upon us with an expected temperature rise of 1.5 centigrade in the next 20 years, rising to 4.3 centigrade by 2080. Unless drastic measures are taken immediately, the changes will impact negatively on agriculture, food security, human health, and they may halt or even reverse our economic plans as a farming country.   Overgrazing of animals in one place makes the ground bare and exposes it to soil erosion. According to the recently released Development Strategy and Investment Plan from the Ministry of Agriculture (May 2009), Uganda has so far lost an estimated five tonnes of its top soil per hectare due to bad farming practices. But soil erosion does not only lead to loss of fertile soil. In some cases, it leaves crop roots bare and exposed to sunshine while in other cases, whole gardens are buried by erosion soil deposits. The farmer must ensure he or she adapts to such soil-friendly farming practices as mulching and terracing. Mulching is good for water retention and as the mulch rots, it becomes manure and enriches the soil. Trenches made in the plantation help to trap run-off water and preserve it under the soil for long periods."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/717730/-/4maeie/-/index.html","content":"Political flash spots for the 2011 elections - Kampala In Bunyoro on Thursday, leaders of both Banyoro and mainly Bakiga immigrants were burning the midnight candle as they prepared memoranda after President Museveni summoned them for the first joint meeting since his controversial letter on “ring fencingâ€Â�. In Kasese, Mr Museveni first endured two defeats - in 2001 and 2006 - before finally succumbing to the demands to recognise the Rwenzururu cultural institution known as Obusinga. On October 17, Mr Museveni is expected to be chief guest at what the Bamba and Bakonjo say will be the 43rd coronation anniversary of Charles Wesley Mumbere Iremangoma (king - even if they continue to address him as prince). Mr Mumbere is a brother to Mr Christopher Kibanzanga, an FDC kingpin. ***image1*** The third area of major focus is Busoga region. UPC’s Olara Otunnu used the eastern route on his first tour of the country after ending 23 years of exile; making stop overs in Jinja, that he says has turned into a ghost town after “Museveni killed the former bustling industrial hub his main nemesis Milton Obote had built.â€Â� At the same time, as if to grab a piece of the action (though he never quite got the attention he was seeking) Kampala Mayor Nasser Ntege Ssebagala sought to use the east and notably Busoga and Teso to launch his campaign for the DP presidency - a ticket he hopes will take him to a second bid at the presidency, which he missed in both 2001 and 2006. FDC’s Dr Kizza Besigye has also been camped in Busoga, an area he missed narrowly in 2006 but feels has gone through a thorough test of poverty and extreme need that he hopes will deliver the turnaround in 2011. Mr Kalinge Nyago, a social commentator, says Busoga is going to be key and “will be very hotâ€Â� in 2011. He says the FDC has made critical inroads to swing it. Mr Kalinge’s list of hotspots also includes Teso which the NRM is trying to capture. He introduces an interesting twist to the debate, saying the Muslim vote, especially in Buganda, will be critical. The battle between Sheikh Mubajje and Sheikh Kayongo when it feeds into existing Mengo central government disagreements, could turn into a poisonous keg for the ruling government. Mr Nyago, a member of the Justice Forum party (Jeema), whose top leadership is predominantly Muslim, says Kasese, another critical area, cannot be called until the last vote is in. “The NRM cannot say they will capture Kasese; you cannot call it a swing area until the votes are in. â€Â� he says. He also says Bunyoro has been rightfully thrown into the centre of national debate especially after FDC dug in. 1 | 2 Next Page»FDC head of research, Mr Augustine Ruzindana, says the areas of Kasese, Bunyoro and Busoga are “very critical but the challenges are different: For Kasese, it is maintaining support and indeed the new Obusinga thing causes challenges.â€Â� The position on the Businga did not give us any advantage in Bundibugyo and in Kabarole that have a considerable number of Bakonjo,â€Â� say Mr Ruzindana, who adds that FDC will still leverage off its consistent support to Obusinga as a factor that has forced Mr Museveni and former anti-Obusinga activits, Dr Crispus Kiyonga, to cave in. While the Otunnu factor might hurt FDC’s vote, observers say it will help ensure that Mr Museveni and the NRM don’t make inroads they had hoped for after the return of peace in the north. “Otunnu will close that window completely which will be an advantage to the Opposition.â€Â� The NRM vice chairman for eastern Uganda, Capt. Mike Mukula, believes the inroads made into Teso after the FDC swept the votes in 2006 are significant to for his party. But a conspiracy of floods and drought that has caused famine ravaging the area is likely to sweep away any gains. Mr Ruzindana believes Bunyoro will remain critical but that the President’s letter on ring fencing key political positions in Bunyoro will have an obvious ripple effect among all Bakiga-dominated areas across western Uganda. Unlike the last two elections where governance and human rights issues dominated the debate, the Opposition intends to focus on Mr Museveni government’s performance on the critical bread and butter issues, notably poverty, quality of health and education and other infrastructure as a central message. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/-/688614/713712/-/hejfniz/-/index.html","content":"Staying the course against the odds - Kampala The shop is well stocked, organised and neat. A glimpse at the youthful man inside may lead one to think the person has run the shop, perhaps, for decades. Far from running the business for a long time, Ronald Yiga and his family opened an electronic and utensils shop only five years ago. The idea to open it came after three years of consistent struggle which did not bear much fruit. The family had first opened a graphics business at Mengo in Kampala. But even before a year passed, the business collapsed. “There were no customers,\" Yiga said. “After consulting some people, they told me the location of the business was not conducive to business. They told us to relocate the business to town. But by then we were not sure if it would succeed given the losses we had already suffered. The memories of that failure were still fresh in our minds.\" He says the family stayed out of business for four months before they settled for going into grain milling. \"The business started well and generated the expected profits until 2004 when Kampala City Council (KCC) officials confiscated the milling machine for non-compliance in license renewal.\" The loss of the machine was a blow to the business which was on the road to success. It was a setback to a family that had began seeing success just around the corner.“At some point, some of the children who depended on us dropped out of school,\" he said. “There was no money to pay school fees, even sustaining the general running of the family became difficult.\" Asked if the family made attempts to clear KCC dues and repossess the milling machine, Yiga said the family resolved to abandon the business and concentrated on crafting a different investment strategy in case it succeeded acquiring funds. Even a return by KCC officials demanding the family clears the arrears was not enough to make them look back. In February 2005, the family sought to open an electronic and utensils shop along Mityana Road in Kampala. It took intense surveys to establish whether the location of the business was appropriate. The family did not want to open yet another business only to be disappointed just like they were in the earlier ones where their investments sunk into a bottomless pit In June, four months later, Tendo and Sons shop was opened. The shop is what the family relies on to make a living and generate income to educate its younger members. The business returns have already helped two of the member's complete secondary school and are currently pursuing higher education. Although memories of the first two failures still linger in their minds, the family is still thinking of reopening the graphics business, albeit not in the location where they suffered the first failure. The current investment boasts of stocks worth about Shs100 million. But despite the success, Yiga says the business faces numerous challenges including insecurity in the area. “We registered a loss last year after the shop was broken into and some products stolen,\" he said. “But what surprised us was that after investigations, we learnt that some police officers were involved in the burglary.\" “They connived with people around and stole some things in the shop. You know at times when you want to move forward, you just forget some of these petty issues and carry on with your work.\" He estimated the loss the business suffered at about Shs15 million.  Yiga says with growth in the business, the family will soon open new shops at Kansanga and Ntinda, some of Kampala's fastest growing suburbs and business hubs. The family has also acquired land at Bombo off the Kampala-Gulu Road and plans to start a piggery, poultry and goat farm. The idea to go into livestock farming is prompted by the current boom in the sector because of the ready market in  the Southern Sudanese capital, Juba. “Farming is good,\" Yiga said. “We are starting a farm at Bombo and in a few years we should be able to export to Juba. Juba is a big market that we have to exploit,\" he said. Besides, he dreams of engaging in estates development given the inadequate housing facilities in Kampala and its environs. Mr Yiga has set 2011 as the year to start the project with the first focus being Kalerwe, a suburb where floods have consistently driven away people. He intends to erect high-foundation structures to counter the flooding. Yiga's advice to people intending to get into business is to always stay focused and never allow failures to detract them from their dreams. PROGRESSIVE: Ronald Yiga at the family shop. PHOTO BY EMOJONG OSERE"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/712228/-/b5g3ojz/-/index.html","content":"Send Rugasira to feed the starving folks - Andrew Rugasira is on the verge of doing something no one else in Africa has done; roast, pack and export coffee to markets in Europe and elsewhere. Rugasira’s story, to be told later in a forum that allows more space, will be a culmination of a long-running battle by African entrepreneurs to be treated like equals in the world of global trade, rather than poor people who need to be given aid just to get by. Rugasira has spent many years trying to crack this coffee thing and has travelled the world trying to talk his way into the minds of coffee buyers and onto the shelves of European supermarkets. But he has also worked hard in the background to tie up the deals and the logistics that will make this happen. I was reminded of Rugasira by the appeal for aid by leaders from northern Uganda where three million people are said to be on the brink of starvation after a prolonged drought and erratic rains killed their crop this year. Some 35 have already starved to death, according to reports from local leaders from the region, as desperate people turn to wild fruits. The World Food Programme is feeding those that it can while the Disaster Ministry, often a disaster waiting to happen, is busy sticking its foot in its mouth whenever it gets the chance. How can it be that almost 50 years after independence, we find ourselves in a situation whereby one in three Ugandans does not have enough food to eat? The State Minister for Agriculture Henry Bagiire earlier this week blamed the famine on climate change which, he said, made it hard to know when to plant and what crops to plant. While it is true that changing weather patterns have brought misery and unpredictability to farmers, it is simplistic, as the minister does, to blame nature. Human development, over the centuries, has resolved around man taming nature; the inventions and discoveries of fire, stone and iron tools, etc were all meant to help us survive and thrive against the elements. Nature might cause floods or drought, but it does not cause famine; only poor politics and bad governance can explain why we feast on steak and wine in Kampala while people forage through the forests of Amuria, a few hours’ drive away, for wild berries like our ancestors did several years ago. The government has, for many years, promised an agricultural revolution to ensure that people have access to irrigation, improved seed and crop varieties, fertiliser and the equipment to help them produce more food from less land. We have walked down valleys to dig dams (some of which can actually be seen by non-sinners) and climbed to the uplands to plant rice; but we still can’t feed our people. We have preached about adding value to our agricultural produce and scoured villages looking for Agoa girls but we still ship out raw produce and get paid peanuts for it. A few metres away from Rugasira’s setup on Fifth Street are the ruins of the Coffee Marketing Board which have been the laboratory for some of the most expensive and ill-fated national experiments over the last two decades. It was here that a previous journey to export coffee to Denmark started (remember?) before it ended somewhere in oblivion, together with bags of our money. It was also here that billions of our money was sunk in the name of producing garments for export to the United States under the Africa Growth and Opportunities Act. We have neither a penny nor a pant to show for it. The budding coffee enterprises on Fifth Street show that people need opportunities to exploit, not the kind of handouts that were given to Tri-Star or which will inevitably go to the starving people in the north. Give the starving people fish now to keep them alive – but teach them how to fish and help them get tools next time so that they can take care of themselves. After all, our ancestors did it all many years ago. dkalinaki@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/-/691192/711436/-/fd73r5z/-/index.html","content":"We may not be ready for Genetically Modified crops - The adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops to off-set the current food crisis and increase the volume of agricultural exports in the country should be a last resort, agricultural experts have said. The country currently has the potential to produce food for consumption for the more than 30 million people and have surplus for exportation to the regional and international markets, they insisted. And as long as the government continues not to fund the agricultural sector, containing the food insecurity problem faced in most parts of the country and attaining a progressive volume in agricultural export returns will never be realised. In her recent budget speech, Finance Minister Syda Bbumba allocated 4.4 per cent to the sector, which she ranked tenth in priority. According to Makerere University Faculty of Science Lecturer and crop science expert, Prof Patrick Rubaihayo, Uganda is not yet ready to consume and export genetically modified plants, given its natural soil fertility. “We should not even be talking of introducing GM foods in the country,â€Â� he said in an interview during a workshop organised by Uganda National Academy of Sciences and Uganda National Council for Science and Technology in Kampala. “The soils in this country are fertile enough to produce adequate food for the population and have surplus for export to neighbouring countries.â€Â� He said the current budgetary allocation for the agricultural sector is insufficient to support a sector deemed the “back-bone of the economy.â€Â� Ms Bbumba said in the budget speech, that government funding was increased by 18.5 per cent – from Shs6.16 trillion to Shs7.3 trillion. An extra Shs36bn was added to the agricultural sector, raising its financing to Shs278.84bn. This was a 25 per cent budgetary increase from the 2008/2009 fiscal year. She said agriculture had grown at a 2.6 per cent rate compared to 2007/2008 financial year’s 1.3 per cent, growth she attributed to improved performance of food crops. The Finance Minister’s speech was however countered with criticism with analysts saying it didn’t favour agriculture. A day after the budget was presented, the leader of the opposition in Parliament, Prof Morris Ogenga Latigo, agricultural experts and a section of the public, said the estimates had failed to capture the sectors driving the economy. The Ministry of Works and Transport took the largest percentage of funding with Shs1.2 trillion, while Defence, which is considered a consuming ministry was allocated Shs477.24bn. Prof Rubainhayo said the funding was inadequate for agricultural mechanisation and exploitation of the country’s expansive idle land. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Uganda is still a predominantly subsistence economy with production patterns indicating that 70 per cent of the area under cultivation is used for subsistence production. 1 | 2 Next Page»The ministry’s data shows agricultural produce has consistently, apart from 2007, generated foreign exchange more than any other sector, despite challenges including floods, which affected crop yields in eastern Uganda, limited financing and persistent pest and disease attacks. Prof Rubaihayo was responding to a presentation by Gregory Jaffe, a Biotechnology Director at the Centre for Science in the Public Interest in Washington DC, who said Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) should be adopted to increase agricultural productivity. Gregory said GM crops would provide a platform for revamping the agricultural segment of the economy as they do not require weeding, spraying against pests and have high yielding capacity. Prof William Banage, a Zoology lecturer at Makerere University, said agricultural mechanisation is a medium through which the sector could be refurbished to increase exports, hard currency earnings and employment creation. “We have the potential to produce and export (agricultural produce) more than any other country in Africa even without GM crops,â€Â� he said. “It is just that there is no will (from the government) to transform the sector.â€Â� There is currently a Bio-safety and Bio-security bill at the Attorney General’s Chambers that seeks to legalise and regulate the importation and use of GMOs. In the East African region, Kenya is the only country with a law regulating the use of GMOs. The US is currently the largest single producer of GM crops globally. But even with their introduction to Uganda, it is not clear whether the country will reap from their exportation, given the strict legal framework against the use of such crop products in global economies. GMs are associated with health complications. During his State of the Nation address, President Yoweri Museveni said the government will strive to increase agricultural export volumes, particularly to markets outside Eastern Africa. This is because the region’s capacity to import Uganda’s agricultural produce is hampered by the current instability particularly from Southern Sudan, DR Congo and Kenya, where most people have embarked on production for self sustenance. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/710588/-/b5het7z/-/index.html","content":"Implement buveera ban to protect our environment - The production and recycling of polythene bags in Uganda stands at about 1400 tonnes annually; this accounts for only 20-37 per cent of local consumption. Some sources put the level of importation to 60,000 tonnes annually. The difficulties in disposal of buveera and plastic containers have raised serious environmental concerns, like their impact on aesthetics, the blockage of drainage, suffocation of children and animals and soil degradation. It is laudable that some money was borrowed by Parliament recently to help build capacity around environmental control programmes, key among which was waste management control. However, this money is not adequate to cater for a comprehensive coverage throughout the country. A lot more needs to be done. The environment ministry has continued to be underfunded. Often times, budget speeches only explain why Uganda did not achieve her targets due to severe drought or floods. The fact that unless we can factor out this environmental and climate change information in the budget process as a priority, is often ignored and the problem is never solved. Citing environmental concerns, polythene bags of less than 30 microns were banned two years ago. However, the implementation was hampered by confusion over which buveera were below or above 30 microns.  At least Finance minister Syda Bbumba, in her recent Budget speech, put a total ban on plastic bags. This is a positive move in an effort to protect our environment and dealers have only six months to clear their stocks. The minister also banned importation of old computers and fridges due to environmental pollution and dealers have only three months to clear their stocks. The biggest challenge with this new move is whether enforcing the ban will be possible and economically viable. An excise duty of 120 per cent has been imposed on polythene bags and plastic containers in June 2009/10. This tax, however, is likely to increase smuggling of  buveera into the country and this will have a double damaging impact of loss of revenue and increased environmental degradation. Despite the tax imposed, the common practice of giving free buveera to customers by traders is still rampant. This greatly contributes to the proliferation of indiscriminate use of the non-biodegradable plastic containers. A comprehensive policy to address public waste management problems in Uganda has been long overdue. We must all get involved in the programmes designed to tackle pollution and health hazards caused by plastics and buveera. A massive awareness drive should be undertaken to educate and sensitise people about the negative effects of polythene such as: releasing toxic fumes into the soil and water when they are decomposed; when burnt they release fumes that are known to degrade the ozone layer and cause cancer to human beings; recycling them is often too expensive to be feasible as collecting and cleaning used and disposed bags is often impractical; when dumped in the soil they take hundreds of years to decompose. This has also been a contributing factor to climate change. Environment bodies like Nema should intensify awareness campaigns, urging individuals not to use plastic shopping bags in an effort to protect the environment. Also, a comprehensive legislation should be enacted for policy ban on importation, manufacture and use of polythene bags. Critically, there is need to appoint a committee chaired by Nema officials to look into various issues surrounding plastic waste. Again, factories and shops suspected of manufacturing and supplying plastic bags should be strictly monitored. Discipline should be inculcated in every Ugandan to respect the environment by appreciating values such as: avoidance of irresponsible behaviour like careless disposal of plastic materials. It is vital that these values are taught to every child by parents even before they start school. Charity, they say, begins at home and responsible behaviour beginning from the smallest unit of society must be upheld if our environment is to be protected. Success in addressing the problem of plastics requires a strong political backing. The  media, too,  should play its role  in educating the public  on environmental conservation. Ms  Akello is the Woman MP, Pader District. Medard Twinobuhungiro, Cliff Okello, Eric Bugingo Mark Epelu and MA Economic Policy Management students of Makerere University contributed to this article."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/709762/-/b5wnc0z/-/index.html","content":"Budget gives opportunity for modernising agriculture - Escalating food prices have brought into sharp focus a much more crucial global food crisis, which according to Oxfam International, affects about a billion people. The international development perspective is that long-lasting solutions to the food crisis is adequate investment in agriculture, fairer trade, equitable redistribution of resources, and action on climate change. Of course hunger-stricken people cannot be fed on the hope of long-term solutions. The general view is that governments, supported by aid agencies and donors, should intervene to provide systematic emergency assistance platforms as well as longer-term measures to those in need, and to better protect people in chronic poverty against shocks such as drought, floods, and now the global financial crisis. According to data from the Office of the Prime Minister, 2 million people in eastern, northern, and north-eastern parts of the country are currently experiencing food insecurity arising from three main factors. First, the three consecutive seasons of poor agricultural performance, especially in Karamoja sub-region, that has resulted into reduced agricultural output to 30 per cent of normal levels and rendering 1 million  people out of a total of 1. 2 million people food insecure. Secondly, the aftermath of the decades-long displacement of persons in Acholi sub-region deterred large-scale farming and opening of new land due to the insecurity until recently. Third, Teso sub-region, especially Amuria and Katakwi districts have experienced relatively low levels of food security arising from the ravages of the 2007 floods. A glance at the June 11 Budget, in many respects, attempts to deal with these challenges head-on through introduction of measures that deal with structural bottlenecks surrounding sectoral growth as well as moving labour out of agriculture to services and industry. Minister Bbumba’s Budget titled ‘Enhancing Strategic Interventions to improve Business Climate and Revitalise Production for Prosperity for All’, presents an opportunity to tackle the long-standing constraints in agriculture that were articulated in the Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture way back in 2000. The minister’s announcement reflects a clear departure from previous ones in that this time round, the Budget prioritises agricultural production and value addition, developing transport and energy infrastructure for haulage and agro-processing. There is also emphasis on provision of high-yielding seed varieties, promoting modern methods of farming, increasing availability of water for agricultural production as well as vaccination against diseases. Supporting good news is that the government will establish an agricultural credit facility to finance the acquisition of agricultural processing and agro-machinery. This, the minister argued, will be operational through the Shs50 billion Fund that will match loans provided by financial institutions to borrowers of agricultural loans at interest rates not exceeding 10 per cent. At community level, small-holders farmers will enjoy greater power in markets access and income through bulking in form of grain banks on the arrangement promoted via the warehouse receipt system.  The beauty with the warehouse receipt system is that it allows the small-holder farmer to sell crops to a warehouse at harvest time and then obtain the additional revenue so generated when the stored food is sold a few months later, when prices are normally higher. Unlike imported food aid which undermines agriculture, domestic procurement of food reserves can greatly benefit local farmers. The challenge of poor management and corruption in participating institutions remain real but could be tackled through greater accountability and increased participation by stakeholders such as the Producer Organisations, SACCOs, and district farmers’ sssociations. Dr  Odoch is a Member of Daily Monitor Panel of Experts; gstarinternational@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/-/688614/697478/-/hsm55xz/-/index.html","content":"Is investing in commodities feasible regardless of the financial crisis? - Kampala There are so many novice investors who are curious about investing in commodities because they probably hate the idea of losing money or they simply do not know what it is all about to invest in commodities, which unfortunately I must say makes them bad candidates for rolling the dice with the pros speculating in the future price of oil or pork bellies. There are plenty of good reasons to bet on commodities, but if you're new to investing that's probably a better way to think of it: as a bet. Since you'll be betting against experts who do this for a living, your odds probably won't be much better than playing the slots in Kampala Casino. Commodity speculation is one of those investment portfolios that are medium risk as the experts term it. It's really in a different category than investing. Commodity exchanges are really supercharged betting parlours made-up of a series of hyperactive markets where you can bet on the price movements of a variety of products. The list includes precious metals, raw materials, grains and meat, oil and gas even financial products like Treasury bills. Though they carry a relatively big risk for individual investors, commodity markets were originally set up to help spread the risk of price changes among a large pool of players. Using futures contracts, for example, a farmer can sell a crop before it's planted, even though he might get a better price in the future (which is where the name comes from.) If a boom in demand drives up prices by harvest time, the buyer of the futures contract wins. But if a bumper crop floods the market and prices plunge, our speculator could lose everything. No matter what happens, the farmer has enough money in the bank to buy seeds for next year's crop. This risk-shifting helps big consumers of commodities, too. Airlines can look at the price of jet fuel now and try to insulate themselves from a potential spike in prices next year. So when you step into the middle of these transactions, and buy one of these contracts, you're the one stuck with all the risk. And because commodity contracts typically let you control large amounts of gold, oil or soybeans with relatively little money, small price moves have a much bigger impact on your holdings. Those price moves can be extremely rapid and unpredictable even for the pros. Importantly, commodities can be an important hedge against inflation even if you have a relatively modest portfolio. The continuing strong growth in the global economy has created strong demand for a variety of raw materials from oil to metals to lumber. That demand, in turn, puts upward pressure on the prices of those commodities. Since inflation can hurt other investments like stocks and bonds, some investment advisors recommend putting a small piece of your holdings in commodities. Think of it as your own hedge fund. One alternative for individual investors is to buy shares in a commodities mutual fund or an Exchange Traded Fund that tracks individual indices or a basket of several commodities. Besides hedging your bets, ETFs can also lower the costs of diversifying into commodities. As painful as all those rising prices can be for consumers, the bull market in raw materials has proved to be an awesome investment opportunity. Over the past five years the S&P 500 has had a total return of 59 per cent. 1 | 2 Next Page»But over the same period, the diversified Dow Jones-AIG Commodity index has risen some 110 per cent, and the S&P GSCI Commodity index, another broad measure, has jumped 141%. The price of gold has more than doubled, and crude oil and copper have soared more than fourfold. If you were prescient enough to go long on rice on New Years Day, you've already seen a return of 33 per cent this year. It is very important to diversify in investments and put some of your eggs in commodity funds and now is ideally the opportune time. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/-/688614/761406/-/hbi77fz/-/index.html","content":"The 2008 food high prices crisis that left Ugandans cursing - KampalaThis year will go down in history as the year food prices soared causing riots in many countries. It is not necessarily because there is shortage but because of many driving factors both locally and internationally. On the local market, a number of factors were responsible for these inflated prices.The 2008 floodsMuch of the north, eastern and parts of the central region were devastated by floods in 2008. As such, food crops were destroyed and during the rainy season, peasants could not cultivate yet they need food daily.The Sudan marketA huge market in south Sudan where farming hardly takes place is largely to blame for price escalation in Uganda and particularly the northern region. Whereas this is a great opportunity for the country, especially the farmers to cash in, the demand was not matched by concerted efforts to mobilise farmers to grow more food for themselves and for sale. As such, the little that is grown often using primitive traditional subsistence methods has to be split between domestic consumption and revenue earning for the family. This therefore created food shortage and with the forces of supply and demand dictating, the price had to go high. Peace in the north This year had been peaceful in northern Uganda with almost no rebel incursions being reported since peace talks started last year. However, internally displaced people were being fed by the government and the World Food Programme. The police this year shifted to resettlement and so both the government and the WFP essentially stopped supplying the camps to force IDPs to return home. But the people were returning to bushes and still needed food. So the only way out was to share what is available from the vicinity and from other parts of the country. Compounded by the huge market in neighbouring Sudan, and eastern DR Congo, the northern is the transit route for all goods and so would be the first victim of escalating food prices.The Kenya elections factorThis has had a lot of impact on food prices. First is a huge demand for food by Kenya which increased with post election violence. Then there is the impact of oil prices which shot up to an unthinkable $150 per barrel. Yet transport dictates almost all spheres of life. When the cost of transportation increases, the price of the product goes up. Food was not spared in this cycle.The international sceneUganda imports little food compared to many countries around us because of the rich natural soils, good climate and the large variety of crops that can be grown locally. One hand is the tropical, equatorial, the high altitude climate such as is found in Europe and Asia and the semi desert climate type typical of Karamoja region. But some food is imported especially rice. The demand for food increased worldwide due to failure of crops in Brazil, which is the largest supplier of cereals in the world. This meant that countries, which rely on Brazil, had to look elsewhere to get stocks for their populations. Hence other suppliers like in Asia found themselves with a huge demand and so could only sell to the highest bidder. This perhaps explains why the price of rice increased from around Shs1, 000 in 2007 to 2,300 per kilogramme of Vietnam or Pakistan rice. Bio fuelApart from the huge demand for food, there is also the innovation of turning to bio fuels as an alternative source of energy other than depending on fossil fuels. Many countries have converted traditional food crops or products (maize, milk, sugar and others). Now when food is turned into fuel and no deliberate efforts are made to replenish stocks, then a huge gap is created. This is why many people around the world blame high food prices on bio fuels. International trends High food prices can also be blamed on the effect of global trends on agriculture and distribution methods. The global prices of commodities, machinery and implements have increased due to many factors. Some are due to high costs of production and transport. Obviously, these have not spared agriculture. When the cost of implements rises there are basically two options; one is to keep buying and increase the price of the crop harvested or to cut back on the amount one can cultivate. While the former appears the suitable option for a big commercial farmer, the majority in Uganda seem to have taken to the latter since peasants basically grow all the food in this country, yet the number of mouths to feed is increasing. This is when families choose to have poor quality meals or have one meal a day or at worst have one poor quality meal a day.Meat and fish shortage Apart from the huge demand for crop food is added the demand for meat and fish. The huge Sudanese market has raised the price of meat and fish.  The fisheries sector seems to be the hardest hit since the natural water reservoirs are running dry although this could , if exploited, be a good opportunity to increase fish farming in the country. The only problem seems to be the cost of implements like fish food which in most cases have to be imported. Otherwise Uganda has a huge potential to sustain the fishing industry through fish farming.Animal diseasesAnimal diseases have had a huge impact on the supply of meat and animal products and hence heavily impacting on the price. Almost all districts have suffered an animal disease this year with some stretching for more that six months. In such situations, a quarantine is placed on sale and movement of mostly cattle and their products meaning that there is competition for the little that is available. The commonest diseases this year were the recurrent foot-and-mouth, contagious bovine pleuro pneumonia (CBPP) and swine fever in pigs. Added to this was the cost of poultry feeds which went out of proportions since these are obtained from by-products of cereals like maize, soya, wheat and fish. When prices of these food crops go up it is inevitable that the cost of keeping poultry goes up. Thus many people abandoned the business further creating shortage forcing the price of poultry products to shoot up. OutlookThe high food prices are likely to continue perhaps beyond next year as long as the factors feeding these trends remain. More so, many people may choose to embrace farming as a business to benefit from the huge demand. This may temporarily create a surplus but because of the huge expenses incurred, the government is likely to encourage stiff competition so that the agriculture industry does not become a victim of a thriving business opportunity.In case Uganda manages to get surplus crop harvest, chances are that the government will encourage investors wishing to turn food into fuel so as to keep the industry booming. This may be a huge opportunity for especially the rural lot, who if mobilized and facilitated, can utilize this opportunity to come out of the poverty cycle. The wrong way to manage it is to impose price controls because this will discourage farmers and cause a severe drop in food supply.jmukasa@monitor.co.ug"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/-/688324/760054/-/bnxv0e/-/index.html","content":"Ethnic rifts worry Ghana, but Kenya repeat unlikely - Accra Ethnic splits between Ghana’s main regions are raising tensions around Sunday’s polls but are unlikely to trigger a repeat of the kind of electoral violence that ravaged Kenya a year ago or part of Nigeria last week. Inter-ethnic violence killed more than 1,300 people after East African powerhouse Kenya’s elections in December 2007. Hundreds of people were killed last week in ethnic fighting triggered by a local poll dispute in Jos, central Nigeria. “What happened in Kenya has focused attention on these elections,� said Mr Alex Vines, head of the Africa programme at London think-tank Chatham House, of Ghana’s December 7 presidential and parliamentary polls. “Because this election is so strategic and is so close, the emotions are going to be very high. That’s why the international observers went in early,� he said. Ghana’s President John Kufuor is stepping down after the maximum two terms in office during which his administration has revived the fortunes of one of West Africa’s major economies. The discovery of crude oil, due onstream in late 2010, has added to hopes for the country of 23 million, which has attracted significant foreign investor interest. The European Union deployed election monitors across Ghana a month ahead of polling day as one of a handful of international observation missions. Many say the polls are too close to call and recent months have seen sporadic violence in some areas. “Election violence is not entirely new in Ghana, but it seems to me to be more than this country has experienced in the past,� Emmanuel Gyimah-Boadi, executive director of the independent Ghana Centre for Democratic Development. Ghana’s fortunes have certainly looked up since independence leader Kwame Nkrumah’s Pan-Africanist ideals of half a century ago collapsed in a welter of coups and factional score-settling. But anti-corruption campaigners and political opponents say Kufuor has concentrated too much power in his own hands and those of his Ashanti kinsmen. Opposition activists accuse the courts and police of bias towards Kufuor’s ruling party. Some joke bitterly that anyone who’s anyone in Ghana these days has a double-barrelled surname - a common trait among the Ashanti and the wider Akan group of which they are part. The Akan make up almost half of Ghana’s people and their regions around the central second city of Kumasi in Ghana’s gold- and cocoa-producing belt, have voted overwhelmingly for Kufuor’s ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). It is fielding another Akan, Nana Akufo-Addo, to succeed him. Meanwhile the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has dominated the eastern Volta region and the north. NORTHERN TENSIONS Several people have been killed in election-related violence since voter registration began in mid-2008. Most incidents have been in the less developed and generally pro-opposition northern part of Ghana, where political rivalries are often tied up with local land disputes, ethnic unrest and power struggles over influential traditional chieftaincies. Local media have reported deadly arson attacks and politicians have said some people are stockpiling arms. Both main candidates have picked northern running mates. “I don’t think Ghana has ever been caught up in such fear towards elections,� said Mr Dayo Olaide, the economic programme officer for the Open Society Initiative for West Africa. Still, the scale of the violence pales by comparison with that seen in some other African countries, and even with that seen in northern Ghana itself in the mid-1990s, when well over 1,000 people were killed in a series of disputes. “Even with its imperfections here and there we’ve not seen anything like in Zimbabwe or Kenya,� Mr Olaide said. Some say floods of refugees from wars in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast in the past 20 years have had a sobering effect on those tempted to use violence for political ends. In that time, former coup leader Jerry Rawlings, whose early years after seizing power in 1981 were stained with the blood of executed opponents, brought democracy, first as president and, since Kufuor’s 2000 election, as his most outspoken critic. Mr Rawlings and his NDC, whose candidate, Mr John Atta Mills, is standing for president for the third time, draws much support from the Ewe ethnic group of the eastern Volta region, but have built a base in non-Akan areas, particularly the north. “You could say the political landscape in Ghana and most of Africa tends to be ethnically oriented, that ethnic cleavage is always there,� said Mr Yao Gede, a lecturer at the University of Ghana’s Legon Centre for International Affairs. “With Rawlings, the money came from the Ewe’s part; but other parts of the country have come to associate themselves with the NDC as well, so it is not so clear cut,� Gede said. Mr Gyimah-Boadi, of the Centre for Democratic Development, takes heart that politicians and even a hip-hop singer have joined a campaign to discourage violence. “In some ways the threat of physical violence ahead of the these elections probably peaked about a month ago,� he said. “Most Ghanaians recognise that in this republic we are trending upwards gradually and incrementally, and I cannot imagine the country giving this up for anything else,� he said. Reuters"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/754332/-/b2xinrz/-/index.html","content":"China’s ascendance or fall of America means a lot to Africa - Closely following the turmoil in the (Western) world’s economies, Africa is thrust in the midst of a raging debate. The one about, the anticipated rise of China to the vanguard of global leadership, in place of faltering USA. China like many other economies in the Eastern part of the globe with phenomenal growth including, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, India etc presents Africa with serious challenges and lessons. These nations were at the same level of development with most of Africa 50 years ago. Now they are in the neighbourhood of first world USA, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom. While Asian countries attach importance to the utilisation of indigenous languages and the preservation of their culture, Africa values the significance of its colonial roots. Languages such as English, French and Portuguese take precedence over mother tongues in Anglophone, Francophone, Lusophone countries- former British, French and Portuguese colonies respectively. Yet Africa’s progress since the attainment of independence five decades ago has been minimal with retrogression in many spheres of life being very visible. Secondly is the issue of prudent utilization of resources and the respect of public property. Africa is more endowed with natural resources than most Eastern economies, but lags behind because most of our bequest vanishes to unbridled corruption and profligacy.  A report by James Boyce and Léonce Ndikumana of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, estimates that between 1970 and 2004, capital flight from 40 sub-Saharan African countries stood at $607 billion yet the external debt owed by those countries is ‘just’ $ 227 billion! In China the punishment for corruption (however disagreeable) is summary execution. But in Africa the corrupt are glorified as a new breed of clever and good men who steal from the public purse to “invest here and create employment opportunities for fellow citizens.â€Â�   Subsequently, too many citizens are of poor health, education and general well being with low productivity; insignificant for national progress. Yet for China to rise, it has invested in its people; a significant number of whom are out of poverty. China’s numbers give it a vast effective domestic market. Its low cost skilled labour floods world markets with cheap consumer goods of poor and good quality.  Unemployment in Africa will be a definite consequence of China’s rise as industries and businesses fail to compete with cheap Chinese products. An increased supply of idle minds and bodies on a continent prone to political instability is another matter to worry about altogether. Besides China’s heating economy has increased the demand for resources like oil whose price on the world market has markedly increased, leaving most African economies vulnerable to inflation.  On the front of governance, China’s rise and (USA’s fall) has the potential of significantly changing the way African leadership governs the continent. China is not very ‘picky’ with human rights issues both at home and abroad, unlike the (pretentious and selective) Western world. Should China take over global leadership it will be music to the ears of African dictators. It may open the door to a source of economic aid without strings of good governance attached. In exchange for resources to satisfy the hunger of its heating economy, China could act as the insurance policy to shield Africa’s tyrants from the ever threatening indictments of the ICC as is the case of Sudan and its mischief in Darfur.   Africa’s dictators will definitely have a freer reign to imprison their opponents, steal elections and gag the press with the effrontery that big brother China will come in handy should the West attempt to interfere and play big bully. For the USA and the West in general to retain relevance in Africa, they may have to climb down the high horse and lower the requirements for good governance in order to be at par with ‘popular’ China.   There is already evidence to that effect. The European Union-Africa Summit scheduled for 2003 aborted because African leaders stood in solidarity with Zimbabwe’s octogenarian autocrat, Robert Mugabe who was barred from attending. When China’s Hu Jin Tao hosted Africa’s Presidents in the Great Hall of China in early 2007, the EU relented. Fast on the heels of the Sino-Africa Summit in 2007 the EU-African summit proceeded despite the boycott of Gordon Brown, the UK’s lugubrious looking Premier. Mugabe attended with other African leaders in Lisbon, Portugal and received a rousing welcome!   On that occasion EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso commented that Mr Mugabe was a price worth paying in exchange for the EU losing ground in Africa to China. For his part EU’s Development Commissioner Louis Michel said that Europeans must understand that Africa is “no longer Europe’s private hunting ground.â€Â�  The organisers then proceeded to watering down a commitment to human rights by African countries besides pledging to increase aid to 40 billion annually!   Apart from positively increased market access, cheaper manufactured goods, better prices of our primary commodities, increased investment inflows etc. China’s huge strides in the face of a turbulent USA and the entire Western world is a matter Africans may ignore at our own risk and peril.   nicholassengoba@yahoo.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Entertainment/-/812796/808414/-/bs7apq/-/index.html","content":"Wear the old coat and buy the new book - With increased enrolment in schools and universities, coupled with a fast growing and literate population, Ugandan writers seem to be striking gold, though not yet, writes Dennis D. Muhumuza The overall display at the different stands under the big tent at the National Theatre parking yard during the 16th edition of the National Book Week Festival was colourful with books on nearly everything for all reading ages and in as many languages. After years of enduring a bogus dirge on the inexistence of reading material in Uganda (and by Ugandans), it was breathtaking to see all these beautiful titles smiling and seemingly beckoning the book lover: “Come and take me home and be with me all night long!â€Â� But alas, the tent looked like the most unloved woman! Not many were seen buying books even at subsidised prices. So where was the crowd that thronged Makerere University’s Main Hall when Africa’s storyteller Ngugi wa Thiong’o was here in 2006? How about they that scrambled for the expensive books of V.S. Naipaul when he visited early this year? And the God-fearing that were seen at Hotel Africana paying for the books of American evangelist Andrew Wommack when he was here a few months back?  Where was Mary Karooro Okurut so she could sign my copy of Child of a Delegate? A few metres away in the City Children’s Reading Tent, children were yawning wildly, the lucky ones licking ice cream from tiny cones and only one or two seemed engrossed in their books. It was a sharp contrast from the concentration at the same event in 2006 when Natasha Museveni Karugire read her children’s book Nzima and Njunju; A Story of Two Friends to children at Garden City. A children’s affair At the National Theatre was a tell-it-all sign that even though books were now readily available and cheap, they were still not being read as much.   “We all know that people don’t read unless there is an examination, and that’s disastrous,â€Â� decried Loy Tumusiime, the chairperson of the Reading Association of Uganda (Rau). “If you visit another country at this time of the book fair, you have nowhere to pass because the human traffic is too much but here, very few people attend.â€Â�   She traced this lukewarm interest in books and reading to the illiterate backgrounds in which many are born where no book or newspaper can be found. Not forgetting school-goers that associate reading and learning with reading text books.   It’s why Rau has covered close to 40 districts erecting reading tents to sensitise people about the importance of reading and exposing them to the available reading material. The association has also held literary workshops for teachers to instil in pupils and students the hunger for books. But this cannot salvage the situation unless books indisputably relevant to contemporary Uganda are written. Abass Hassan Ibrahim Amin said: “I’m a hustler but my story as a rapper has not been told.  I’ve moved in bookshops trying to get a book that talks about hip-hop but it’s not there. I last saw that book in Nairobi; so I’m like what’s up with Uganda’s book fair; don’t we have someone who can write a book about our hustle? Why can’t they write a story about police brutality and the hard life we are facing on the streets? We are not seeing that and that’s what we want to read. Let them write our own stories and we will read the books but if they are not writing our own stories, then there’s a problem.â€Â� Some of Hassan’s points were faintly echoed by a P.7 pupil of Kitante Primary School while presenting a paper on the importance of reading during the official opening of the City Children’s Reading Tent. Adrian Ahereza berated writers and newspapers for chasing the quick buck by concentrating on silly subjects instead of quality substance that boosts the wisdom of individuals and helps transform society.   “Provide us with adequate, interesting and relevant reading materials,â€Â� he challenged. “Please inspire us; just see in the reading tents, there are only children; what about the adults?â€Â� His Highness Moses Stephen Owor, the Tieng Adhola of Padhola who presided over the occasion, continued from where young Ahereza had stopped. It was an honourable task to fight illiteracy and its inherent ills, he said, by publishing and marketing great works that tempt people into a good reading culture. Because long gone are days of fireside stories and in their place should be books with strong African themes and valuable information to help all to contribute “to the common good of society.â€Â� No readers A day before, while launching eight new book  titles on science and Agriculture Minister Hillary Onek urged all to utilise the knowledge in books by integrating them in their social-economic routines since it has been established that the higher the number of books read by each person in a country, the higher the per capita income. At that point, you would agree with the theme of the event, “Publishing for lifelong Learningâ€Â�, intended to popularise the pleasure and gains of reading beyond the curriculum, was befitting.  As children of Railway Primary School recited a poem: One who reads is truly like gold. Although Isaac Ssettuba, a Makerere University Literature lecturer, stirred many with his poem, Why Should I Write when “None has time nor will to read…when handwritings mean nothing…â€Â� One can rightly argue that the country’s book industry has come a long way and the time is ripe to write more than never before.   Consider this: In 1962 Prof. Taban lo Liong declared Uganda a “literary desertâ€Â� but withdrew the unpleasant proclamation 40 years later when he was hosted by the Uganda women writers’ association (Femrite) at their second edition of the annual week of literary activities when he found out that many Ugandan authors were writing avidly. Monica Arac de Nyeko, Moses Isegawa and Doreen Baingana have since won international literary awards and made Okot p’Bitek who was perceived to be the only accomplished writer to emerge out of Uganda seem insignificant.   Literary associations like National Book Trust of Uganda, Uganda Literature Fraternity, Uganda Children Writers and Illustrators Association, The National Library of Uganda, Femrite, Uganda Publishers Association, East African Book Development Association and African Publishers Network and others have indestructibly worked to preserve the country’s literary heritage by producing quality books, promoting them and the reading culture.   They have also organised literary awards like the one by the National Book Trust of Uganda (Nabotu) during the book week to honour the contribution of local authors and encourage them to write more and better and to inspire others to take up the noble and edifying challenge of writing. Incentives for writers During the 2008 Femrite’s week of literary activities, the government was urged to reduce sales and duty taxes on materials for producing books like ink and printing plates to pave way for affordable books and more production. Femrite also proposed to the big players in the education system to recognise Ugandan literature as an expression of our identity and to have it on the teaching syllabus and set examinations on it. Except for Okot p Bitek’s Song of Lawino and John Ruganda’s The Burdens which were on the O-Level Literature syllabus of 1990/91, there were hardly any other set books by Ugandan authors. This unfortunate trend however began to change in 1996. Today Julius Ocwinyo’s Fate of the Banished (novel), Austin Bukenya’s The Bride (play) and John Ruganda’s The Floods (play) are on the A-Level literature syllabus 2009-2013 while Prof. Timothy Wangusa’s Upon This Mountain (novel) and John Ruganda’s The Black Mamba (play) are on for O-Level (2006-2010). Even then, people like William Shakespeare, Thomas Hardy, the Bronte sisters and Chinua Achebe still dominate our literature syllabuses – which begs the question why, when we have our own accomplished authors. With increased enrolment in schools, thanks to the universal primary and secondary education, and the tremendous population growth and with about 30 universities, it’s timely for Ugandan writers to redouble their efforts. New frontiers Without doubt, schools are reliable market places for Ugandan works and authors should take the chance to produce relevant and quality work. It’s reassuring that this year’s National Book Week had 31 public and community libraries exhibit their works in different areas countrywide. That the Ugandan blogging community enthusiastically embraced the African Reading Challenge 2008, promising to read six African (Ugandan if you like) books and reviewing them on their blogs, shows reading is picking momentum.   We have no more reason to bemoan our poor reading culture. As author Austin Phelps once advised, “Wear the old coat and buy the new book!â€Â�"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/739746/-/3gbb7ez/-/index.html","content":"Who can save Karamoja? - It appears some people in this country consider Karamoja as hell and as though its inhabitants are second class citizens. The problem of famine in Karamoja is not caused by laziness. Karimojong are hard working people, but where is the rain? Can there be milk without grass? If cows cannot get grass, can children have milk? And without milk can they be healthy yet it is even the main food?   If Karamoja were to develop, it would have in the last 22 years of Gen. Museveni’s uninterrupted rule. Although some problems can be solved by the Karimojong themselves together with their leaders, I have no hesitation to blame the government for the suffering of the Karimojong and their hostile acts against their neighbouring communities.   One wonders why Karamoja which supports President Museveni so much is not as developed as other parts of the country which have been opposing him. While in Karamoja you can’t dare talk against Museveni. All politicians from LCI to LC5 and MPs are NRM. In 2001, opposition candidate Dr Kizza Besigye almost took Karamoja votes when he promised to extend electricity, tarmac roads and other social services to the area. But shortly after, Movement MPs told the people that Besigye was planning to grab all the cattle and return them where they had been rustled. This made the people abandon Besigye. They started chanting: kiboiye Museveni, (long live Museveni’s reign). During a Karamoja students meeting at Morulinga in 2001, the President made many promises but none has ever been fulfilled. Considering Karamoja’s support for Museveni  the Karimojong deserve attention from the government. Karamoja has no electricity and yet electricity would radically alleviate poverty there. Valley dams can stop cattle rustling but are they in Karamoja?   Even the greatest government buildings in Karamoja were built by the late president Milton Obote. Karamoja MPs were recently asking the minister for Karamoja Aston Kajara (left) to resign. But to me, that ministry should even be scrapped. Since its creation, it has never made any tangible impact on the ground. Karimojong should not be taken for granted for they are not as primitive as many people think. Peter Cromwell Okello Kyambogo University Govt; sharpen the sword more I commend the work being done by the inspection team together with the Education Standards Agency to ensure only schools that meet basic standards are allowed to operate. This will restore public trust and sanity in Uganda’s education system. However, the question is; who has been licensing these schools? Is it enough to pay for an operating licence and start operating? It is surprising that allowing schools to operate without these basic requirements is not checked by the relevant bodies. The Education Standards Agency should close more of such schools. More so, there is need to arrest owners and managers of these schools and also find out who, in the Ministry of Education, has been licensing such schools. Kule Julius Warren Kampala NSSF health move is brilliant Two weeks ago, I was delighted to read an article by Mr David Jamwa, MD of NSSF of their plan to offer health insurance to its members. This is one single move that completely pulled off the rug from under the feet of the crumbling Ministry of Health that has been pushing for the unrealistic and unnecessary taxation of the working class in Uganda to pay additional 4% tax for national health insurance. Should Jamwa succeed in delivering this insurance to its 250,000 paying members, then, for once we surely would have produced one hero out of the current era. By recognising that NSSF should be able to use 3% of the current 15% workers’ contributions to finance their health insurance, NSSF is offering social security to workers and their families. Members will also benefit from their sweat while they are still alive instead of the current regime where benefits can only be accessed by less than 10% of contributors due to the unrealistic conditions imposed on the NSSF for contributors to be able to access their savings. In essence you can only access your NSSF when you are dead, which is useless. I applaud NSSF efforts to move in this direction. It is the best thing NSSF could ever do towards the benefit of those who contribute to the NSSF fund.   Although Jamwa’s intentions are noble, I am afraid he will not realise his noble dream because:  Uganda’s health and medical practice is either non-existent or performs at near-criminal levels. Over 50% of young doctors have abandoned medical practice for other fields. The rest still toiling do so under conditions reminiscent of slavery. A few who seemingly have successful medical practices are ideal candidates for imprisonment because of either actual or near- malpractice. Patrick Okello Former medical practitioner ======================== All passports are suspect I recently arrived in UK for a two-week business trip. I hold an ordinary Ugandan passport. On my way past the immigration at Heathrow Airport, I was stopped and had my bags ransacked while scores of other travellers, including black people like myself, were allowed to go undisturbed. For a while I thought Ugandan passport holders are in a lot of trouble.  The recent  fraudulent activities of some Ugandan diplomatic passport holders are very unfortunate. But it is not true that they are the only victims. It seems being black is now associated with wickedness and drugs. I’m sure lots of crooks will take advantage of this lapse and exchange bags (while going past security checks) with the other members of the ‘fair’ race.   Kathrin Namutebi Herts, England Facts about road works Refer to the public notice by Ministry of Works and Transport (Saturday Vision,  April 26), highlighting achievements of the road sub-sector since 1986. Mbale-Nkokonjeru Road was listed among the tarmac roads that have been rehabilitated. Since then some people have complained, through Mbale local government, to the ministry about the works done on the road. I clarify that the public notice simply stated the roads and their total lengths but did not necessarily go into details of the actual sections of roads that received the stated interventions. For Mbale–Nkokonjeru Road, the first 5.5kms were upgraded to bitumen standard in 2004. The remaining section of the road was graded and regravelled, with drainage improvement. Arrangements are underway to apply a second seal on the tarmacked section and to also tarmac the rest of the road. The works are being considered for  implementation as part of our road maintenance programme 2008/09. Kataike Susan PRO,  Ministry of Works and Transport ======================== Alarm Bells New Aswa bridge The floods that hit eastern and northern regions last year destroyed a lot of road infrastructure,  cutting off roads and sweeping away bridges in some areas. Aswa bridge along Gulu-Kitugm highway is one of those affected. Out of the entire budget for emergency works for the east and north, the ministry received Shs10b in the first phase. Funds for emergency works on the bridge were planned for in the second phase. However, the ministry never received second phase funding from prime minister’s office. We are planning works on the bridge and drainage works on the approaches. The ministry is now doing some repairs while we wait for funding for major bridge works. As a long term measure, a new bridge will replace the current one and the designs are already done. Kataike Susan PRO, Ministry of Works and Transport Bus conmen The public should beware of cheats in Endigyito bus Reg. No. UAE 898U which plies the Kampala-Kamwenge route. Its route tag reads: “Kampala to Kamwenge via Mbarara, Ibanda.â€Â� But the bus stops in Ibanda. The conductor or their agents issue receipts for fares of up to Kamwenge but on the receipt they cunningly write “Ibdâ€Â� for Ibanda. Many passengers don’t realise this discrepancy. The bus reaches Ibanda late in the night and leaves the Kamwenge passengers stranded. It happened to me on Friday, May 30. I paid for the Kamwenge fare but upon reaching Ibanda, the bus parked. When we complained, the conductor asked us to read our receipts, which of course had “Ibdâ€Â� as the destination. He said they never booked any passenger for Kamwenge and so we had no case. We were left stranded and had to look for accommodation for the night. The concerned authorities should protect the public from these cheats. Patrick M. 0772431939 ======================== Should govt repair the collapsing Owen Falls bridge or build a new one? Owing to constant demand for power for both industrial and domestic consumption which coincides with the expiry of Owen Falls Dam, we deserve a new dam. Armstrong Senyonjo, Kawempe Let the government build another bridge. They should not pretend on important issues yet they good at sparing time to talk about presidential jet. Anonymous Fellow Ugandans we are the government but wonder I why we are hurt by thoughts about the future generations. A whole new Owen Falls bridge of high quality is what we need. Katwesigye Abraham Repairing an already broken bridge is like giving HIV/Aids patients anti-retrovirals. True it prolongs life but it’s not the cure. New bridge and oil pipeline. Anonymous If the lifespan has expired there is need to build a new one because repairing it would mean a temporary solution and this dam/bridge issue means a lot to the country’s economy. It shouldn’t be politicised at all. Mushabe Stewart, Kabale. Since it would require, multimillions of dollars for their construction. It’s better to first do the repair work, as fundraisings is organised for the major offensive. Ssesanga Eddie, Kiboga. REACTIONS ON FOOD PRICES: Now that we are in a crisis, government should ‘d offer more solutions than explanations. I can help in this regard: Revive cooperative societies, set up irrigation facilities in areas with unreliable rainfall, subsidize farmers to acquire farm tools, assure farmers of ready market, keep politics off agric issues, motivate the un/ under employed to go and do some agric and lastly set up social amenities in the rural areas to minimize rural- urban migration. Put those solutions in practice and you will see a positive change. Anonymous. Now that we are in a crisis, government  should offer more solutions than explanations. I can help in this regard; revive coop societies, set up irrigation facilities in areas with unreliable rainfall, subsidise farmers to acquire farm tools, assure farmers of ready market and keep politics off agriculture issues. Anonymous Yes, our government is always with the peasants let the situation continue to benefit them (peasants) so that come 2011 they shower NRM with votes. Anonymous President Museveni and his government are running out of ideas. A hike in food prises can never be a blessing.  Anonymous"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/737970/-/3gcn7cz/-/index.html","content":"Term limits kill chance to retain good leaders - I have been following the debate on removal of presidential term limits in Uganda and later on Cameroon among other African countries. This is only part of the broader discussion of Col. Gadaffi‘s reflections on leadership in his statement during the recent Afro-Arab conference in Kampala. When Uganda opened the term limits, there was a lot of grappling within the ranks of the opposition, many terming it as life presidency leading to rather myopic riots such as the defunct ``Popular Resistance against Life Presidency`` (PRLP). But the overriding principle was and still is that if Article (1) of our constitution gives people power to choose the leader of their choice, then they should not be limited on how many times they choose that leader. With the entry of multiparty political system into the polity of Uganda, it was relegated to the political party to determine whether their candidate can lead them into power again or not. The argument within NRM, unlike in the opposition, was that nobody dictates on a political party to disallow its winning candidate from being nominated as the party flag bearer and in effect as presidential candidate, even if he has been around as president before. This situation was likened to the football teams which continuously present their good scorers whether young or aged, whether new or old players. In UK a party is free to field any candidate as Prime Minister as many times as they wish, as long as they think that candidate is electable. This is why Mr Tony Blair was able to stand for three consecutive terms as British Prime Minister but his party requested him to make way for Mr Gordon Brown instead of going for a fourth term. Here it was the party not the state that limited Blair to three terms. The opposite case is the USA where a president can serve a maximum of two four-year terms. Analysts will agree with me that if Mr Bill Clinton had stood for re-election in 2000, he would have swept the polls given his popularity at that time and even today. This in effect implies that the exit of Mr Clinton cost the democrats the presidency. The recent amendment of the constitution of Cameroon to remove term limits just like it is in the UK and other European countries is a rekindle of isolated voices to strengthen what is now popularly known as people’s power. If the opposition will produce the popular candidates why the reservations about the term limits, if they believe in democratic means of changing government. Agaba Abbas, NRM National Youth League Chairman Arresting cops won’t stop bribes The recent parading of traffic police constables for taking bribes from motorists raises more questions than answers. True, they were caught, but it is an open secret that every constable on the road has a ‘quota’ to deliver everyday to his/her bosses. There are those seniors (normally corporals and sergeants) who ply the higways on motorbikes and the Subaru sedans. And this was the case on May 3. Aboard a Swift Safaris bus to Mbarara, we met the Subaru cops shortly after Nsangi outside Kampala. They stopped the bus. The conductor rushed to meet the cops, who immediately whisked him away. The driver made us wait for over 30 minutes, confident that the conductor would return. Indeed he returned. The charge was excess passengers and instead of punishing the conductor, they ‘released’ him on ‘agreement’ that excess passengers get off the bus. Corruption can only be cured right from the top leadership. Sandra Birungi, Kampala Umeme will solve it We refer to a complaint in Daily Monitor of May 9: “What’s up Umeme?� by Dr Waiswa about dim power supply at Bujjowali zone near Njeru in Jinja. Umeme is aware of the above power supply problem near Njeru. The customer demand for the electricity in the area has rapidly exceeded the distribution network infrastructure supply. Umeme is scheduled to upgrade the network in this area under the ongoing countrywide system refurbishment project. This however has been hampered by issues with owners of land where the power lines pass. Such issues can only be resolved between the landowners and the customers before Umeme can carry out this job. On the billing query, we have checked in our billing system but cannot reconcile with the figures mentioned in his letter. We therefore request Dr Waiswa to get in touch with us on our contacts below with his account name and number to enable us help him. 0414 185185/0312 185185/0752 185185 or umeme@umeme.co.ug Robert Kisubi, Umeme PRO Otto, go for more bribe takers I was amused to hear on radio that President Museveni is setting up a commission of inquiry to look into MP Odonga Otto’s allegation that some MPs were compromised by receiving millions of shillings to pass the CHOGM budget. Everybody knows that the NRM causus met before CHOGM to lay stategies to ensure that the supplementry budget, which some MPs were opposing, was passed. It is also common knowledge that some corrupt NRM sharks saw in this Commonwealth summit a fat opportunity to make a fortune. I understand why the President is setting up this inquiry whose findings are obvious, if you know the NRM game plan. It will be ruled that Otto should apologise before Parliament’s Disciplinary Committe for tarnishing the image of the ‘Honourable’ NRM Members of Parliament with wild allegations. Then the whole truth will have been swept under the carpet for ever. MP Rose Akol (Bukedea) assertion that MP Nankabirwa was right to describe Odonga as childish is ridiculous. For me those who are childish are those who lack any moral principles; and are easily bribed (as was the case of the 5 million shillings to MPs) as an inducement to amend the constitution and remove presidential term limits in order to retain a fallible individual in power. Honourable Otto, go for all the spineless and greedy fellows in the August House! You have our support as voters and taxpayers of this country. Jim Magara, jim@magara@yahoo.com Otaara telling lies I wish to comment on Hon. Otaara’s statement on his alleged beating of a nurse at Mulago Hospital (Sunday Monitor, May 11). His press statement on Tuesday leaves more questions than answers. Did the minister find patient Okumu lying alone outside the ward or there were others who were not admitted but deserved so? Is it the responsibility of the nurse to admit patients into wards or it’s the doctor in charge? The nurse was rude to you even after identfying yourself as a minister? Come on minister. No mafia is targeting you. It’s your character. Just fight for the general improvement in the health sector and good living conditions of your staff. Hon. Otaara, lead by example. Bosco Namanya, Kampala =========================================== Alarm Bells Nema must save Nakivubo channel I wish to bring this saddening situation to the attention of environment lovers. I go to town very early in the morning. I have been driving via Namuwongo road and 8th Street, Industrial Area and I have witnessed some sinister situation. I have been meeting a horde of tipper lorries ferrying soil around 4:30 am (I don’t know from where) and dumping it in what I have now discovered is the Nakivubo Wetland area just below Namuwongo! I have a few questions to ask: Are there no traffic regulations regarding movement of such trucks at night? Isn’t National Environment Management Authority (Nema) aware of this criminal act that has been going on for quite sometime? How is the public expected to help when Nema does not even have a hotline for reporting such cases? 4. For heaven’s sake, are there no environmental inspectors in this country? How can we just sit by and watch as a few selfish individuals destroy our environment? We shall surely pay heavily. Or we have already paying? Look at the floods, rising cost of water, strange colour of the Lake Victoria water, increasing incidences of allergic health conditions, etc). Kaka John, kaka.john@yahoo.co.uk Onzima should quit The current saga between Maracha county MP Alex Onzima and FDC is quite an eye opener. The way FDC has handled the whole issue shows how party organs in a political party should work. The FDC still repects Onzima as their Vice Chairman for Northern Uganda which is good. I think Onzima expects to be roughed up and expelled from the party but it has been the other way round. Onzima, be a man of your word, resign from FDC and go to NRM. Stop the double standards. George Murungi Nyakaana, Kampala ========================================== Is govt giving satisfactory explanations on the rising food prices? Government did not give a good explanation on rising food prices. People need to know the truth and plan adequately. I am not happy. Uncle Dave President Museveni and his government are running out of ideas. A hike in food prices can never be a blessing because Zimbabwe would be the most rich given its current prices. Anonymous If today farmers don’t have access to markets, with even poor transport means, without forgetting the factor of malnutrition in the country, really can they get rich? Anonymous It should be noted that the rise in food prices is global and largely because of high oil prices and growth of biofuel crops. Leave the government alone. Mark Government is not giving satisfactory explanations. They need to convince the public especially like some of us from Moyo because even a peasant who brings food from the village to town does not gain much. Anonymous I think the government, should first lay strategies and means of containing the situation rather than looking at one side of the coin. Anonymous REACTIONS ON BUDO FIRE TRAGEDY: I would like to throw blame onto all the stakeholders who could have made sure the safety of these little children is guaranteed. Ozimati, Yumbe Al those who knew about the mismanagement of Budo and kept quiet for selfish ends have the little girls’ blood on their hands. This will haunt them forever. Anonymous The blame goes to the government for not implementing policies as put in place. J. Imalingat, Kumi That the dormitory was overcrowded. Okay. But was it not this very government that urged head-teachers to absorb all children under UPE? Anonymous The whole management of Budo Junior School should be held liable for acts of negligence. How can infants be left unattended supervised? Tragic. Bandi The management of Budo Junior should be blamed. If it was strong, the matron would never spend a night out for fear of the repercussions. Anonymous Budo Junior fire tragedy is to be blamed entirely on the weaknesses of the head-teacher, because he is the First Inspector/supervisor of the school. So if that fire tragedy happened without his awareness, then he stands to be blamed. Laasi Humphrey"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/725988/-/guqlvs/-/index.html","content":"Why fuel crises hit Uganda hard - Odd things often come in many shades and forms. That nameless starving Karimojong boy you have once watched on television: squatting near an empty kraal after failed rains, with dusty bottoms staring from behind his loincloth, it turned out over the last few days, may not be alone in a state of crisis. And, for now, might not be the last.  Within the last fortnight, drama and tears rolled around the country as a fuel shortage, blamed on social unrest in Kenya, triggered the wildest petrol prices in recent times. Since fuel is a central factor in transport, the shocks provoked some goods and service providers, in turn, to pass on their spiralling costs to consumers. The crisis had an element of surprise that could only be equated to the devastating Tsunami earthquake that hit the Asia-pacific region three years ago.  You could have watched that company executive, apparently on the brink of tears, his white sweat-drenched shirt firmly plastered to his pot-belly, and clutching an empty jerry-can in one hand, suddenly swearing loudly when told: \"No fuel,\" by a filling station attendant. With the attendant's statement, his journey had come to an unhappy end. He could have been on his way to a hospital, to a funeral, or even to cajole his mistress after she spent a lonely festive season. There have been many Karimojong boys and company executives or people stranded by events beyond their control - local consumers in a state of crisis triggered by man-made and natural disasters. It is even broader. Ordinarily, it would be hard to see the common factor that binds victims of floods, famine, earthquakes, hailstorms and the fuel crisis that ushered the East Africa region into 2008.But it's now laid flat-out for all to see: we neither have functional systems and mechanisms to meaningfully anticipate disasters and risks, nor insurance against the same. Fuel reserves The whole thing about the so-called fuel crisis has simply boiled down to debate about national fuel reserves. That's perfectly right. But it's the tip of the iceberg.The problem is festering and huge. The last time I heard about action in the direction of drawing a framework for tackling the country's disasters, sorry to say, policymakers were stuck in an academic debate - spending years deliberating the conceptual issues of how to deal with \"eventualities that don't give advance notice.\"Events over the last few days must have served to expose the authorities to their underclothing. The fuel crisis also exposed the failures of unbridled liberalisation and privatisation; the dark side when the state withdraws completely from markets, even from strategic sectors like energy. We now have anecdotal evidence that the private sector is principally profit-minded. The prevailing fuel quagmire is a perfect case study of this theory: the companies (mainly those with small market share) and their outlets have been hoarding and, some of them, hiking pump prices, up to a shameful five times!This is scarcely surprising. Our economy has been built on the foundation that largely sent the authorities on holiday, leaving the floor to the private sector. When famine hit the country a few years ago, debate about food reserves came to a head. It triggered the most useful debate about disaster preparedness. The debate fed into the policy formulation process for the country's food policy, particularly food security. It was at this time that the conceptual debate killed off the need for leadership and pragmatism. Some said it was \"backward\" to maintain grain silos preferring keeping cash at bank. Others said since there is often a shortage of culturally sensitive food (read beans and maize) in the immediate region, it would be better to keep our reserves in the silos. Apparently, the keep-the-cash camp had their way.But they have since been proved wrong. Shortages of foodstuffs on the local and regional markets mean that sometimes, we scamper all over for food aid. Negative impacts The beef over this state of affairs is that \"food aid\" has implications on food security, consumer choice and trade. However, the more grim consequence is that the long lead-time associated with searching for food could mean death, starvation and its adverse effects as well as upset the economy.Could it be within the same conceptual framework that the bureaucrats at the energy and finance ministries decided that it would be better to empty, and later, lease the national fuel reserve facilities at Jinja and elsewhere in the country? Whatever the answer to the question, events of the last two weeks provided enough evidence upon which to draw the conclusion that the country faces a clear and present danger - we are naked. To cover our shamed backside, we need to identify strategic sectors and adequately plan for them, including \"Plan B\" (evidently absent last week) and to secure and insure access to the Indian Ocean and, therefore, the routes to our trading partners and consumers. The writer is a consumer activist based in Kampala."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/724632/-/b4s30cz/-/index.html","content":"Fuel crisis: Uganda’s hand-to-mouth planning - First it was the floods in Teso, then the Ebola attack and now the fuel crisis. On all counts, the Uganda Government has fared badly, with staggering costs - loss of life, property and severe disruption of the economy. The fuel crisis is possibly the worst of them all, in the sense that everyone has suffered in some way. If the Ugandan economy must convulse each time the Kenyans catch a cold, then it is evidence we are enjoying a fragile candle-in-the-wind existence. If a country is brought, not to its knees but to its belly just because the neighbour has a small domestic fracas, then it is clear that Ugandans have perfected their hand-to-mouth existence into hand-to-mouth planning, where every need is an emergency that needs to be sorted out yesterday. For all we know, rioting must have been invented in Kenya, because that is their understanding of law and order. Kenya is unsafe enough without any electoral dispute, so an upcoming election with all evidence that violence was on the cards should have set any decent government planning for a rainy day. As matter of fact, Ugandan intelligence read the signs of the times well, predicted violence and advised their government to stock fuel not only for emergencies during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) in November, but also after. They also advised that Uganda develop the southern route via Tanzania to ensure a Plan B, if Kenya became untenable. Government stocked the reserves fine, but didn't bother with the second piece of advice. Intelligence reports show that after Chogm, some people in high places sold off more than half of the fuel reserves so that when crisis arrived, the country suffered immediately. Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and Eastern Congo were also hit by the riots in Kenya, but they were far wiser than Uganda and had developed contingency plans long before. In fact, when Uganda hurried around to charter ships to bring oil through alternate routes it turned out that our above neighbours, especially the Rwandese had outsmarted us and chartered the same ships, leaving us stuck. The situation was complicated by the fact that when Uganda thought of the Tanzania route, its ships on Lake Victoria were not up to scratch. One sunk three or four years ago and we made a total loss because we had been wise enough not to insure it. The remaining two were examined and declared unworthy and the insurance gurus advised Government to buy new ships. The thought of having the Kenyan army escort fuel trucks to Uganda was complicated by one small thing. Apparently, Ugandan opposition chaps in Kenya had whispered to the Raila Odinga camp that Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni had engineered the alleged rigging of the election, inter alia, because Raila was deemed unfriendly to the East African Federation. And they spread the rumour that disputed election winner Mwai Kibaki was actually in Kampala cooling off the heat. 1 | 2 Next Page»Immediately an anti-Uganda stance was developed in the Raila camp and his vigilantes announced that fuel convoys to Uganda would be attacked, especially since any military escort would be confirmation of their suspicion. And there was the fear that with opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye back from the US, he could use the fuel crisis to spark off riots in Kampala. In short, Uganda was literally caught pants down, with no excuse or decent explanation, and worse still, no way out. The macro-economic implications are staggering and this buttresses Uganda's credentials as an attractive destination, not for foreign direct investment and tourism, but for foreign aid. Investor confidence dips freely when it becomes clear an economy is being run on a hand-to-mouth strategy. Serious investors cannot invest their hard-earned money in fragile economies. That means the only investors we shall attract are those we have had before - chaps in white skins without a penny to their name, who expect to come here, talk nicely to the President, get our money from the Treasury and loans guaranteed by Government and set up factories or plants that will collapse shortly like Tri-Star Apparels, better known as AGOA. Lastly, we need bigger fuel reserves. What we have now, experts say, are so small that the thermal generators alone could use them up in seven days. Big joke. Clearly, Uganda's economy is still far from getting a clean bill of health. The writer is a media consultant. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/-/689856/800730/-/10efe1nz/-/index.html","content":"Prof. Ruganda passes on - An eminent Ugandan literary candle burned out this month. Renowned Ugandan don Professor John Ruganda passed on after succumbing to throat cancer. A group of young Makerere University undergraduate drama students helped mourners reminisce Ruganda’s literary prowess by staging excerpts from two of the departed don’s seminal works Black Mamba and The Floods during a tribute session at the National Theatre last Saturday. Ruganda was a revered playwright, poet, actor and theatre director and his peers were on hand to help those whose only acquaintance with the literary luminary had been his works that continue to feature prominently on high school and university literature syllabi. Makerere University’s Professor Austin Bukenya spoke about turbulent years he and Ruganda spent in exile in Kenya where the duo struggled to hold the flag of revolutionary drama high in a foreign country. Bukenya reminisced Ruganda’s professionalism, confidence and frankness, including especially when the deceased said, “we may be poor, we may be exiles, but we are professionals. And these people need us,â€Â� after someone attempted to frustrate their work. To Bukenya, Ruganda was arguably Uganda’s best cultural export to Kenya, Canada and South Africa. He is said to have viewed theatre as the most pro-social form of art, a genre into which he was provoked by Africa’s madness way back in his days at Makerere University when he wrote End of the Endless and Black Mamba in the ‘60s. Professor Timothy Wangusa, Ruganda’s university classmate from 1964-6 remembers his contemporary for his friendliness and infectious humour. He narrated an episode where Ruganda went for a conference abroad during their university third year and picked up the word companheiro (Portuguese for ‘companion’). “When he came back, he started referring to all his friends by that word. At the time, we weren’t even sure what it meant,â€Â� the jocular Wangusa revealed.  As a lecturer at the University of Nairobi, Ruganda is remembered as “The Greek Manâ€Â�, a nickname he was given owing to his love for Greek classics like Medea as his former student Augustine Omare Okurut, now working as Secretary General for Uganda National Commission for UNESCO recalled. Ruganda was one to ruffle feathers. One particular incident was when he led Ugandan undergraduate students to paint the Kenya National Theatre, a thing that almost earned the students an expulsion. He said, “Everyone who cares about freedom and black identity, come with me’,â€Â� Okurut recollects. Apart from The Burdens (1972), Black Mamba (1973) and The Floods (1980), Rugunda’s other notable works include Covenant with Death (1973), Music Without Tears (1982), Echoes of Silence (1986), Telling the Truth Laughingly (1993) Igereka and other African Narratives (2002) and Barricades of Paper Houses (featured in the Poems from East Africa anthology). 1 | 2 Next Page»Ruganda was born May 30, 1941 in the village of Kabarole, near Fort Portal. He attended St. Leo’s College in Fort Portal before joining Makerere University in Kampala, where he took a B.A. degree with honours in English. He graduated in 1967 and was soon employed by Oxford University Press of Eastern Africa, rising to become their editorial and sales representative in Uganda between 1968 and 1972. From 1972 to 1973 he held a Creative Writing Senior Fellowship in the Department of Literature at Makerere University, a prestigious award offered to authors to enable them to complete ongoing creative projects. Before Ruganda, the fellowship had been held by famous authors such as V. S. Naipaul, Robert Serumaga, and Ngugi wa Thiong’o. In 1973, because of the volatile political situation in Uganda, Ruganda travelled to Kenya, where he eventually joined the Literature Department of the University of Nairobi after working briefly for Oxford University Press in that city.  He worked in this department until 1982, teaching, writing, and directing both stage and television performances of plays. During his career at the University of Nairobi, he worked with such well-known authors as David Rubadiri, Taban lo Liyong, Okot p’Bitek, and Joe de Graft. He also had contact with Chris Wanjala, David Mulwa, Kivutha Kibwana, and Francis Imbuga, authors who were then just starting on their now-established literary careers. In 1983, Ruganda left Kenya for Canada, where he enrolled in a Master of Arts programme at the University of New Brunswick, majoring in English. Barely a year after graduating in 1984, Ruganda entered the Ph.D. programme and earned his doctorate from New Brunswick in 1989. His dissertation was “Alienation and Leadership Figures in the Plays of Francis Imbuga.â€Â� At the time of his death, Ruganda was teaching at South Africa’s University of North. He is survived by a widow, Flavia Murumba and eight children; Elizabeth Natasha Ngonzi, Christie Kembubi, Ruhuma Ruganda, Samson Rucigirwa, Ruhundwa Ruganda, Kempuga Ruganda, Ruhinda Ruganda and Rugaju Rugunda. Professor Bukenya had one appeal as the casket was wheeled out into a waiting hearse - “As the curtain descends on John Ruganda’s life, I hope there will be a curtain rising on any of his plays for years and years to come,â€Â� the don called out to lovers of drama. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/800554/-/2y9hk8z/-/index.html","content":"Merry X-mas Mr President - Your Excellence, Christmas has come early for you; your new jet has been ordered. You must be grinning with pride– Santa has delivered exactly what you asked for. He must have the impression you were a good boy this year.    Now Mr President, think about the rest of your people. When will Christmas come for them? Perhaps not this year. My mother tells me that it does not seem like Christmas is coming this year.  She says prices of commodities have shot up.   Many of our people cannot even afford the most basic needs; how can they think of Christmas?  Mr President, think about all the people suffering from the epidemics that struck parts of the country early this month.    Think about the victims of the recent floods.  Do you think these people will celebrate Christmas this year?  How can a government justify spending over $42m to buy a G5 version presidential jet when its people are dying of preventable diseases for lack of basic health care? How can we afford a G5 for the president, when we cannot afford to stock our hospitals with surgical gloves and medicines?    Minister Amama Mbabazi exuded this naivety when he revealed the government’s clandestine ways of passing laws when he said all  important issues are discussed in the NRM caucus and agreed upon before they get to parliament. What a pity for a leader to brag about such an achievement! How low can you get Mr Minister?   For an educated man, I bet you have sleepless nights thinking of all the incomprehensible statements you have to tell the masses.   Back to you Mr President, where is the democracy you were telling the Queen about, if all important issues are approved in the NRM party caucus before any debate takes place in Parliament?   Mr President, are you really a man of the people like you led our Chogm guests to believe? Are you still the Museveni of 1986 who scorned African presidents who travel in expensive jets when their people can’t afford salt? Cry, Pearl of Africa! Kabubu Kakayi Make agriculture remunerative for rural folk While our country has progressed rapidly on many fronts, there are still many areas especially upcountry which have not tasted such development. Our population is one of the fastest grwoing in the world. It’s important that we increase our food production to meet this growing demand and we can only do so by increasing agricultural productivity.  The overnment must make national policies for realising rapid growth and through optimum utilisation of  land, water etc. It needs to double the investment in agriculture in order to uplift the about 40% of our population from chronic poverty. There is need to extend banking services to rural areas for farmers to access credit. The government should revive cooperative societies with a view of producing processed foods for export.  The cooperatives can also promote mechanised agriculture which provides substantial yields. In this 21 century we can’t continue using a hoe as the main tool for agricultural production. Henry Mugisha Rodney Latigo, Okumu, restore calm in your house I refer to the article “Prof. Latigo and MP Okumu clash againâ€Â� (Daily Monitor, December 4). According to honourable Okumu, Prof. Latigo is chasing his own shadow. It’s no longer funny (even in NRM) for MPs to continue to clash without any self restraint. You may not have to restrain yourselves as such, but at least  refrain from clashing in public so that  some of us don’t have to know whose house is on fire or who is chasing his shadow. There is a saying “I don’t like advice, not because it is advice but because few people know how to give it.â€Â� Let me offer some advice to you honourables; get another forum on which you can advise each other on what to do. The  press  will  soon  blow  you  up. Avoid this by practising silence. Must you respond to all comments made by someone? Hon. Okumu, is that how a potential national president I thought you were responds to every issue said about him? Where would President Museveni be by now if he responded in public to all your criticisms?  So please, whether it’s Okumu’s house on fire or Latigo’s, the solution does not lie in running to the press. Okello Eugene Pacelli 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/799470/-/jyho7uz/-/index.html","content":"Company News: EABL to increase production - KAMPALA   East African Breweries Limited has completed the installation of a new packaging line new brew house that will boost production by 50 per cent. \"With this we shall broaden our market share in the region to consolidate our stake as leading manufacturer,\" Ms Marion Muyobo, the EABL head of Corporate Affairs. The development comes on the heels of the recently concluded East Africa's most respected company awards where the company scooped the coveted award in the manufacturing category for the third time in a row. Ms Muyobo said the awards confirm that in a region of 100 million people,  the EABL team has demonstrated dramatic and consistent improvement over the years as employer of choice and an iconic East African Company leading in branded alcohol beverage business with an outstanding collection of beer and spirits brands.   ***image1*** \"Time in succession EABL has won this award, which is a tribute to the consistent improvement in quality, innovation and shareholder value over the years,\" Ms Muyobo said. The company won most respected company in East Africa from the year of inception (2000 to 2005) as most respected company overall but bowed out to Kenya Airways and Safaricom respectively in a survey conducted by PriceWaterCoopers (PWC) and Nation Media Group.  EABL has won this coveted title because of its \"distinctive brands, strong leadership internally and at the market place, a long-term track record of growth, financial performance and delivery of shareholder value.\" Other key factors considered were a solid regional presence and a strong corporate social responsibility agenda. EABL has also been accredited with strong corporate governance values and integrity, and is recognised by its peers as being leaders in the areas. EABL has an annual turnover of Shs750 billion and has the largest share of the beer industry in the region. The group employs more than 1000 people across East Africa.  The increase in turn over, she said, has been a result of is recognition by people who are behind the great portfolio of brands and the standards they have set to make them leaders in the manufacturing sector which has been boosted by the SAP system, a world-class leader in business software which optimises operational efficiencies across the business.  Ms Muyobo said it is commendable that such awards are organised as it enables the company to know how its peers perceive it and sets the bar for respect and recognition in the business community.  \"This award inevitably translates into sales, credibility for our brands and ultimately we shall be the investment of choice for a share holders,\" she said. On the Ugandan market the company has seen continuing success this year, gaining 4 percent share points driven by high sales on all its products indicating a strong top-line and bottom-line performance with an overall 4 year cumulative average growth rate of  than 15percent. The company is heavily investing in empowering farmers to benefit from the company. So far more than 3000 farmers in Kapchorwa are involved in growing Barley to supply EABL for manufacturing cheaper beer to mitigate the social and health impacts of local brews as well as creating taxpayers who have in the past evaded through non-payment. This further creates a win-win situation for both the business and the Government. The company also plans to run an equally robust CSR programme to provide clean water for about 300,000 people in the region, scholarships for bright but needy students and environmental management through a tree-planting project. These programmes will fall under the EABL Foundation, which also provides disaster relief in the region.  Recently in Uganda, the Company joined DFCU and Nation Media Group to launch the \"Save A Life' Project to assist victims affected by floods in parts of the country.  EABL officials say the company will focus on people, innovation, geographic expansion, portfolio, supply chain management, corporate social responsibility, stakeholder relationships and business environment."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/797970/-/4r7rcd/-/index.html","content":"Kampala: The side of Chogm you did not see - Congratulations! Chogm has been successfully held in Kampala and President Museveni has had his moment of greatness which he graciously took in good stride. Inspite of the successes however, there were  major gaffes that were ignored in the name of ‘patriotism’. First were the floods that turned  Zana into a no go area and also cleaned some sections of the newly refurbished roads in the city, throwing the tar meters a way. Sadly, the media, in many ways than one,  conveniently ignored linking the flooding and Chogm. Did you also know that for the entire duration of Chogm, the traffic lights at Wandegeya revolted like an envious co-wife after priority was given to the newly installed lights at former Kitgum House roundabout on Jinja Road? To many in Wandegeya, that part of town was in the leeward side of Chogm as was Kawempe and Ntinda areas. Inside Politics can reliably reveal that because all national efforts were concentrated on the city central business district, Entebbe Airport and Munyonyo, the decision by Prince Charles to visit Kawempe and Kalerwe caused the organisers considerable discomfort. Efforts were reportedly made to dissuade him but he insisted on seeing the real Kampala that Chogm officials were keen to hide. But being the royal that he is, he had his way. The officials were embarrassed that neither  Kawempe nor Kalerwe reflected the about Shs233b Chogm expenditure.   In one of the briefest speeches the President has ever delivered, at Parliament in the presence of the Queen, Mr Museveni conveniently avoided mention of army representation in Parliament as he savoured the pride of how democratic Uganda is today. This was despite the fact that the 10 army representatives were all decked out in their uniforms in the chambers. But following murmurs from mainly the opposition, the President reluctantly added the army MPs on the list of the special interest group represented. The Uganda Broadcasting Corporation which calls itself ‘Uganda’s Preferred Network’ fell well below expectations. During the Queen’s three minute address to MPs, pictures disappeared for about a minute. The National Broadcaster, which was expected to provide a live feed to the media centre at the Imperial Royale suffered rather too frequent epileptic seizures. At one time, it would be the sound to disappear and at another, the pictures; and then all would go blank and the producers would have to turn to a recording of Nabweru Parents School pupils with their Chogm song and an advert featuring Sam Kutesa and James Mulwana, among others.  At the Media Centre was another story many Ugandans have not been told. At one corner, the sound of plopping water, reportedly dripping from the swing pool located on the grand structure’s first floor, was dripping into the room where several journalists gathered to beam Chogm and Uganda to the world. There was another drama at the opening of the Business Forum at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel. The opening ceremony was delayed by about an hour because the tents had not been fixed. As delegates were arriving, organisers were just fixing tents, the public address system and seats. At the Grand Imperial Hotel where the Royal Commonwealth Society held a public talk on the situation in Zimbabwe with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai as main speaker, there was drama as well. Pro-Mugabe supporters were there, if not in numbers good enough, the noise they made was something to reckon with. Midway the presentation, the group led by Lusaka Anglican Archbishop, Nolbert Kunonga, seen by pro-Tsvangirai Zimbabweans as a Mugabe loyalist, led a walk out of the hall. In the corridors, they shouted to attract the press, with some youths shouting “Mugabe Ooyeâ€Â� and managed to get some of the attendees turning their heads and obviously the organisers evidently uncomfortable.  Then Bunyoro. Of all the kingdoms, Bunyoro made the biggest fuss of  Chogm right from the time Uganda first applied to host Chogm in Abuja in 2003. And just days to the summit, Bunyoro kingdom officials announced that King Solomon Iguru would snub an invite to dine with the Queen. But  what a shock when he showed up decked in a white jacket and bow-tie accompanied by wife, Queen Karunga and spent several minutes smiling widely with the Duke of Edinburgh. Don MacKinnon, who performed his last responsibilities as Commonwealth Secretary General at the Kampala Chogm aptly picked some of the behind the scenes gaffes that the media was largely not privy too. He said during the crucial Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, “There was good humour throughout. Without a microphone, we began by not hearing… When two microphones did eventually arrive, one soon expired, so the other had to be passed repeatedly across the table.â€Â� Then at the pre-Chogm Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting, there was to be more gaffes as Mckinnon noted: “When there was a power cut half-way, the microphones still worked, and we carried on talking in the dark…â€Â� Need we mention that that the publicity Ugandans so much sought out of Chogm delivered what in the media is largely known as “negativeâ€Â� publicity with the Queen shaking hands of a person living with HIV/Aids  as a major story on BBC and Sky News for almost two days as one of the biggest reports from Kampala. Need we mention that sections of the Ugandan media, especially television, were under considerable strain not to show footage of the police brutalising members of the opposition both in Kisenyi where DP held a protest rally and at Kololo where the FDC battled the police?"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/African-governments-cautioned-against-bleeding-the-continent/-/688322/2769034/-/i5lcuj/-/index.html","content":"African governments cautioned against bleeding the continent through criminal activities   - Nairobi. A crusade to end illicit financial flows (IFFs) has been launched with the warning to the Ugandan and other African governments to end the criminal activities that is bleeding the continent to death. The campaign dubbed “stop the bleeding” is a continent wide initiative to stop IFFs from Africa. Uganda is one of the African countries that is hurting from the illicit trade which manifest itself in several forms including; overpricing, transfer pricing, tax evasion, money laundering, corruption and false declarations, all denying the country the much needed revenues that could unshackle it from donor dependency. Illicit financial flows refer to money illegally earned, transferred or used. It is also known as the flow of money that has broken laws. These activities are propagated by intricate network that crosses multiple jurisdictions. Such activities drains foreign exchange reserves, reduce tax collection, cancel out investment inflows and contribute to worsening poverty. Currently, Africa is estimated to be losing more than $50 billion (about 162trillion) a year in Illicit Financial Flows, an amount of money the member of the Pan African MPs network on IFFs and tax, Ms Kanyisile Litchfiled Tshabalala, said can transform health facilities across the continent. Civil societies in Uganda, among them the Southern and Eastern African Trade, Information and Negotiations Institute (SEATINI), Action Aid and Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) estimated that Uganda alone loses an average of $509million (more than Shs1.5trillion) in illicit outflows every year. This amount is an equivalent of 60 years budget for the National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), a government institution mandated to among others get rid of substandard and potentially life-threatening counterfeit products flooding the country. The African Union/Economic Commission for Africa High Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa report, chaired by former South African president Thabo Mbeki, established that illicit trade is being propelled mainly by multinational companies.And this is further perpetrated by corruption including at the government level. Speaking at the launch of Stop the Bleeding campaign last week in Nairobi, Ms Tshabalala, said African leaders need to stand up to forces that drain Africa its resources for that will be a step towards stopping IFFs from Africa.She said that lack of accountability explains why IFFs is rampant in Africa, largely explaining why African countries, among them Uganda, is not transforming as fast as it should be compared to the Asian tigers—the high-growth economies of Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea. Representing US-Africa network, Ms Reggy Anyango said, IFFs if not stopped has the potential to support terrorism activities which is a global problem now. Speaking on behalf of the International Trade Union Confederation-Africa, Mr Joel Akhator Odigie, said government must not allow the multinationals companies to continue transacting business without paying their fair share of taxes. This is because multinationals have both moral and legal obligation to do so—adequate payment of taxes. Speaking in an interview in Nairobi, Ms Nelly Busingye, the programme officer SEATINI-Uganda, said the task is now to have the entire population appreciate the dangers that IFFs poses directly to their livelihood. If this is done, she said the needed changes to deal with the criminal activities propagated by big companies and aided by corrupt government officials, will buckle under the pressure of voices of reason demanding in unison the necessary changes. Utility The main goal of the campaign is to stop IFFs from Africa. The aim of the launch is to implement one Africa Campaign on IFFs that is led and driven by African civil society organisations with support from other partners including international non-governmental organisations (INGOs). Stop the bleeding campaign is mainly is spearheaded by the Interim Working Group (IWG) of the African IFF Campaign Platform comprising six Pan-African organisations namely Tax Justice Network-Africa (TJN-A), Third World Network-Africa (TWN-Af), Africa Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD), the African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET), the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) and Trust Africa supported and joined by the Global Alliance for Tax Justice (GATJ. 1 | 2 Next Page»iladu@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Saving-environment-banana-paper/-/688342/2757868/-/gidtuwz/-/index.html","content":"Saving the environment with banana paper - Kampala, Uganda. You don’t have to walk a very long distance anywhere in Uganda to see them; sticking out of the ground or lying on the surface. Black, green or stained clear, they could easily make for part of the environs. Except for one thing, they are polythene bags, a top enemy of the environment. This non-biodegradable waste takes up to 400 years to decompose and thus chokes the soils, blocks the smooth water filtration and percolation into the soil, putting soil fertility in jeopardy. And that is not all. The polythene bags, or kaveera as they are commonly known, also clog water channels and have often led to flooding or created breeding ditches for mosquitoes. With over 39,600 tons of polythene waste released into the environment each year, the sight of polythene is something Ugandans have come to contend with. Not everyone though, at least not a then 23-year-old university student of Wood Science and Technology at Makerere University. What if a more environmentally‐friendly packaging material could be tailored to replace polythene bags? This is a possibility Godfrey Atuheire pondered for a while, until he found the opportunity to bring his brilliant thought to life, and he seized it! The year was 2006 and he was doing research for his prospective school project at the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI). Banana paper would be his solution, he realised. He would make his paper in the most environmentally friendly way, using banana fibre given that the banana plant is abundant in Uganda. An internship at the institute after graduation fed his hunger for knowledge on making paper bags. It is then that he started making the paper bags out of banana stems at his home in Kinawataka, a Kampala suburb before relocating to his current operating premises in Kireka. “I usually collect the banana stems free of charge from market places where they are readily available and always disposed of as waste. It is always better to use stems that are free of disease,” says Atuheire, now aged 33. He chose to use banana stems to make the paper bags because the stems have the desired fibre length, high lignin and cellulose content compared to other alternatives like sisal, water hyacinth and papyrus. These are what counts in making a strong yet easy to fold paper. From banana to paperFibre is extracted from the banana stems by removing the soft part, as the inner fiber is what is used for making paper. Atuheire uses a machine called the extractor for this purpose. He acquired it at Shs3m (US$1,000) from UIRI. The extracted fiber is thereafter washed, cut into small pieces and cooked for three hours in pots and later cooled. It is this cooked material that is mixed with water and put into the pulping machine that beats and crushes the solution into pulp, a porridge like mixture. Starch is usually added to create a paper product that will not be prone to water penetration and in case the desired paper is to be coloured, the intended colour is added at this stage.“We then scoop the porridge‐like pulp using a casting net and put it under the sun to dry. The dried material is the paper. Usually it is rough, so we pass it through a smoothening machine to give it a smooth surface. We can then model and design the bags,” Atuheire explains. Perfect shopping bagThe resultant bags have hard material that cannot easily be ripped apart, thus they are a solid packaging material. And they are colourful too. They can be customised with particular slogans and designs for the respective clients, something that has gotten a number of users intrigued. Shamim Ndikwani, 25, and a resident of Namasuba, a Kampala suburb, commends the introduction of paper bags, partly for their environmental friendliness but mostly for the colour they have brought to her shopping experience. “From what I have heard the bags are good for the environment. But what I like most about them is that they are presentable given the colour and designs I have seen around. Also, compared with the ones we receive from supermarkets, I have realised the bags are stronger than kavera and definitely easier to carry. How I wish they were cheaper,” Ndikwani shares her experience with paper bags. But there is more to paper bags than just their appealing look, as Atuheire notes; “Paper bags are everything polythene bags aren’t. They are completely organic and hence rot very easily after disposal, making them very environmentally friendly.” Frank Muramuzi, executive director of the National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE), says the making of paper bags addresses the long nursed woes of Uganda’s environment. Money and jobsUntil recently, Atuheire had six employees and used to produce between 150 and 200 paper bags daily. However, following a ban by Uganda’s National Environmental Management Association on the use of polythene bags of 30 microns and below on April 15, 2015, Atuheire’s production has shot through the roof in a bid to catch up with the overwhelming demand for paper bags.“Today I employ 28 people and on a daily basis I produce over 3,800 paper bags, selling them for a price ranging between Shs 200 (20 US cents) and Shs 3,000 (US$1) depending on size and design. Atuheire plans to double this production in the foreseeable future. Initially, even with minimal levels of production, he used to sell almost half of the total produce to neighbouring Rwanda where there is a total ban on polythene bag usage. The situation has, however, changed as there is nothing left for export. He believes that this industry could be an answer to youth unemployment and is playing his part by training youth groups on the craft."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/KaroliSsemogerere/need-legislation-clean-air-clean-water/-/878682/2747162/-/rbu6xp/-/index.html","content":"We urgently need legislation on clean air and clean water - Sitting atop any of Kampala’s 19 hills every morning, one cannot help but read the state of planning chaos rising from the ground to the sky. The contrast is even more apparent if you travel overnight to any of Uganda’s southwestern towns such as Masaka or Mbarara; or the post-card beauty of the hills of Kabale. Kampala has a growing pollution problem. Rising numbers of cars on the roads and lack of clear inspection guidelines to regulate emissions are part of the problem. Uganda’s lawmakers have preferred to deal with the emission problem in a unique way - raising taxes for the Treasury while permitting importation of cars, which no longer meet modern emission standards in many countries. The rising number of solids in the air is also caused by dust particles, a function of the city’s creaky feeder road network. Cars are very good at digging up dust and carrying it at the base of their wheels as they move along. A new construction regimen that has put most of the city in walls has drastically reduced the total open surface areas that can soak runoff. Neither the city nor the physical planning authority have developed a regimen to inspect and approve concrete wall enclosures, especially in high impact areas where the slope gradient is remarkable. Run-off is not an abstract issue in Kampala as the city records more than 160 days of rain yearly. Most land in Kampala is privately owned. Common development schemes are rare and even when they exist, they are mostly for subdivision of land with maximum profit to the vendors of the sub-divided land. A good illustration of the limits of sub-division is in Nsangi Sub-county on Masaka road where an entire hilltop has been scarred into plots. Most of the new estates are not required to plant green areas with trees to capture pollutants and dust. Quality of water is a growing problem. Late last year, National Water and Sewerage Corporation had to answer an avalanche of questions when faecal matter content in city water exceeded acceptable levels. A KCCA operation stumbled on part of the problem. Many city buildings have underground springs and to manage water rates, building owners had connected to the springs rather than water mains. Two weeks ago, flooding in the city revealed the price of planning laxity in the years gone by. City developments sitting on sewers revealed how bad the situation is. A number of malls could not explain why their ground floor tenants were flooded. People who regularly sail on Lake Victoria already know the obvious. The colour of the lake has changed from sky blue to green in areas surrounding Entebbe and Kampala. All sorts of rubbish float as far away as the islands of Kalangala. Unfortunately, this debris is washing up in pristine areas reserved for tourism. The deadly water algae that gives this colour is known in Luganda as Mubiru. Mubiru is deadly, it chokes other forms of life in the lake, especially micro-organisms that clean up water and recycle life. Kampala is not very different from other growing African cities. Some cities are in a worse situation. Many West African cities are still devising mechanisms to treat human waste, which is the most dangerous water pollutant. The public thinks National Water is responsible for all water and sewerage supply. That is not the case. In the mushrooming sub-divisions, the physical space is not enough for adequate facilities to manage sewer lines. In the past two decades, we have, through legislation, created numerous structures and authorities such as Nema, KCCA, etc but these may be limited in achieving an important objective like clean air and water. For what we fail to do today, disaster lies ahead - chronic illnesses, including diseases of the respiratory system and the digestive tract. Mr Ssemogerere is an Attorney-at-Law and an Advocate. kssemoge@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/President-cited-few-solutions---experts/-/688334/2740776/-/f4tohrz/-/index.html","content":"President cited few solutions – experts - FULL STATEMENT In the State-of-the-Nation address yesterday, President Museveni gave a background on what the government has achieved in the last five years. These, he said, will transform Uganda into a middle income country within a few years and an upper income country by 2040. In the Agriculture sector, the President pointed to the availability of markets for agricultural products, especially coffee, fish and the emergence of agro-based industries like the sugar factory in Atiak. Nonetheless, value addition initiatives are still limited. There is need for government to play catalytic role in ensuring that value addition initiatives are rolled out to the countryside so that Uganda can stop relying on exportation of raw materials. The government should also put in measures to prohibit imports of raw agricultural products such as mangoes, oranges and others which are flooding our markets. This, the President referred to, as ending the slavery of exporting raw materials. A carefully designed strategy aimed at promotion of production and marketing cooperatives and extension of farmer friendly credit can go a long way to promote value addition at the grass roots level. This was what was lacking in the State-of- the-Nation address. While we appreciate government efforts in ensuring sustained increases in numbers of animals as evidenced by a rise from 3 million in 1986 head of cattle to the current 13 million cattle. Potential areasAnimal husbandry has potential to expand value addition opportunities in milk and beef products. Lately foot and mouth disease prevalence in cattle keeping regions as well as Tsetse flies infestation in Karamoja region threaten to reverse the gain so far made.In FY 2015/16, the ministry of Agriculture has reported huge funding gaps to deal with these serious epidemics. The ministry requires an additional Shs9 billion to combat foot and mouth disease while surveillance and control activities against Tsetse flies require additional Shs3.2 billion that has not been provided for in FY 2015/16 approved estimates. The President did not talk about the ailing National Agricultural Advisory Services (Naads) programme. Government needs to address comprehensively the issue of extension services, especially after the closure of Naads. Only 389 positions are filled at the sub-county level out of the 3,236 required for implementation of single spine extension system. The story is not any different at the district level as out of the 672 officers, 77 positions are currently filled. Thus, there is a staffing gap of 595 positions. This means that if the required Shs39 billion cannot be found, extension services will keep limping. The President prioritised development of infrastructure, improved security in the country and enhancement of Science and Technology and cited the boost in the budget of the ministry of Works and transport from Shs.374m in FY 2005/6 to Shs.3328b in FY 2015/16. He said this was achieved by prioritising the sector. He also spoke highly of the extension of the electricity transmission lines from 1,427km in 2006 to its current 1,627km, investment of $338mn from the energy for the construction of Karuma and Insimba hydro-power projects, generation of Shs170b in Science and Innovation fund as well as funding Uganda Industrial Research Institute which has transformed Uganda. 1 | 2 Next Page»The statement, however, did not expound on the progress being made by government on the standard gauge railway. We also appreciate that Uganda is increasingly becoming a world’s tourist destination but we lack adequate aviation facilities. Government should look at putting in place regional airport and runways especially in areas that have a high tourism potential. We also support the Presidents effort in fighting corruption in the sector and pray that a judicial commission of inquiry mentioned shall be appointed immediately and that it will do its work independently and expeditiously. Energy sector has grown tremendously over the years. The President in his speech noted that Uganda will be generating 1974 megawatts compared to 1986 where our electricity generation was 60 megawatts. We hope that the new developments being undertaken in the sector especially Karuma dam will reduce the cost of power which is currently prohibitive to both ordinary consumers and industrial production. In the previous State-of-the Nation address, the President informed Ugandans about the developments in the oil industry. It appears that government has since toned down expectations from oil exploration in Uganda. Ugandans need to know what is currently going on. The writer is the coordinator of Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Agricultural--Scientists----tackle--communication/-/689860/2698562/-/tgi6jsz/-/index.html","content":"Agricultural Scientists   tackle communication challenges in East Africa - It is close to two decades that numerous organisations and institutions have been involved in generating knowledge to enable consumers of such information make informed choices on agricultural issues. However, scientists and other stakeholders acknowledge that agricultural biotechnology and biosafety communication is complex and varies from country to country and region to region. Consequently, the challenges faced by someone communicating information about agricultural science in the US might be different from the person in Kenya or Uganda or any other African country as well as Asia and Europe.This, therefore, calls for persons communicating this technology to employ approaches suitable to their scenario. In addressing queries such as what messages to be given to different stakeholders including farmers regarding biotechnology, commonalities and areas of cooperation among others, the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) in collaboration with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) based in Nairobi and other organizations engaged in supporting plant breeding using biotechnology, organized the Agri- biotechnology and Biosafety meeting in Nairobi recently bringing various Biotech communications stakeholders globally to take stock of the subject matter. The key note speaker Professor Paul Teng who is the Board Chair person of ISAAA delivering a presentation on the theme: “Appropriate Agri- biotech Communications to meet evolving Agri -food landscape; explained that with the changes in climate, there is going to be a decline in food production to feed the growing population in the world and therefore the need for scientists to produce food using appropriate innovative technologies. Prof. Teng contends if food production using conventional methods is going to decline as a result of changing climatic conditions, then other challenges such as changes in the food supply chain, demand for food nutrient products, estimated water quantity for food production, stress factors such as drought and flooding among others will be on the increase. The solutions to address the challenges should therefore be focused on the farmer who is engaged in the farming activities and such solutions could be what kind of light is required in a greenhouse and what kind of entrepreneurship skills can be utilized by farmers. He explained that with climate change effects that is going to impact on some crops grown by farmers in the world by the year 2050, the yield of rice will be estimated at 14%-26%, wheat will be 32% - 44%, Maize will indicate 2%-5% while soy bean will be 9% -5% which he says will be at a declining rate. Amidst all these threats, science in the modern era is advancing so fast with scientists breaking through the science of genetics, molecular biology, plant physiology, biochemistry, and nanotechnology and soil biology. Scientists are already using gene banks for enormous technological approaches and remote sensing as well as advanced data use for modelling and scaling up of agricultural products. Dr Willson Songe, the principal secretary ministry of Industrialization and Enterprise in Kenya explained by citing what is going on in South Africa as far as commercialization of Biotech crops are concerned. He cited how farmers in South Africa have benefited by growing BT cotton and BT Maize and comparing them to their counterparts in East Africa who are still growing for substance and wondered how they would compete in world markets. He noted that when scientists are breeding different varieties of crops using Biotechnology, they must be mindful in addressing issues related to agro processing and marketing of the products for farmer benefits. “We usually travel to South Africa for different activities and we are able to consume BT maize there but when we come back to Kenya, we say we do not want to touch it” he said. To him the ban in GMO food by Kenya government is not justifiable because it is affecting research work already done by scientists in addressing issues of food security. 1 | 2 Next Page»Development partners from China and India are ready to work with farmers in case BT cotton that has been tested by scientists in the research Institute is released but urged the scientists to stop being too academic when conducting their research in the Laboratories. The director of ISAAA Africa Centre, Dr Margret Karembu explained that scientific communication on any product being developed has to be beyond the product. It encompasses the process when the product is being developed, its benefits, issues of biosafety, is it equivalent to the true product one is trying to develop using modern tools and availability of its markets. It is important to let the farmer know if the product can be easily marketed or not and whether it can be exported. Dr Barbra Zawedde, the in charge of Uganda Biotechnology Information Center at Naro explained that when scientists are communicating issues related to tools used for developing agricultural produce, one thing to note is which scientist qualifies in communicating a specific area of science. When communicating to a farmer, a legislator, a media practitioner and any other stakeholder, the language used must be appropriate to the required audience. The battle for the Biotechnology technology in Kenya is now the lifting of the ban on the use of modern biotechnology especially importation of GM food into the country while other countries such as Uganda are battling with passing of the law to regulate the technology.alominda@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/With-Cabinet-of-grannies-and-kids--where-is-UPC-/-/689364/2653608/-/gbsu14z/-/index.html","content":"A letter to Dr Obote: With Cabinet of grannies and kids, where is UPC? - Dear Sir, It is now more than five years since I last ‘wrote’ to you. The reason is, although a lot has been happening, on the basis of what we used to call ‘updates’, most have been un-eventful hence, a waste of your restful time. But as I was clearing my desk to prepare for last week’s 55th anniversary of the UPC as it is known today (1960) - (founded as Uganda National Congress in 1952), I bumped on draft minutes of one of the earliest meetings we had in London. Dated 29th of some April month, one of the subjects of discussion indicated fear to dare register the name of our ‘campaign’ organisation, just in case the British government then, a close ally of the Kampala dictatorship, found justification to send us – refugees – packing back into the hands of the hungry NRA. We settled for ‘UPC Discussion Group-UK’, just an assembly of like-minded peoples. In the same pile I found a copy of a letter I had written – on your instructions – to the British Foreign Office and attaching NRA’s founding document. It was spectacular, entitled “Aims of the Revolution”, the objectives were: 1.1 Removal of UPC/Obote’s dictatorship by force of arms. 1.2 The establishment, by force, if necessary, of a one party ‘popular democracy’ in Uganda under NRM. Organs 2.1 NRM – Political wing of the ‘revolution’. 2.2 NRA – military wing of the ‘revolution’. Sir, under ‘Ideology of the revolution’ at 3.1 Democracy – was to be defined at all times solely by the National Resistance Movement and the High Command of the National Resistance Army. Apparently, there is a boy called Richard Todwong who recently said any civil servant who does not follow ‘NRA ideology’ will be sacked from their jobs. On these terms, Museveni would not have had a job in your administration.3.2 Social policy: regarding such matters as human rights, social, political, religious etc, etc, will be determined and formulated solely by the NRM and the High Command of the NRA. Such policies will ultimately be passed by the NRA (read NRM caucus) and enforced by NRA! Now I understand why the national agricultural ‘revolution’ with something called ‘Naads’ is being led and managed by soldiers. 3.3 Political parties and/or movements: Only NRM is allowed to operate in the country such that the other political parties i.e. UPC, DP, CP and NLP will cease to exist as required by the revolution. Then I found at 4. Propagation of the ‘revolution and its ideology’ even more intriguing. 4.1 Schools of political education (there is one in Kyankwanzi, where those guys used to practice shooting). 4.2 Government mass media – print, radio, television and others (which might include a few million dollars spent on CNN and other networks). 4.3 Other organs of the ‘revolution’ is listed as RCs (LCs), NRC (legislators), NRA, cadres, etc. Yes, there are cadres, even some judges and journalists. Looking back sir, I now understand why NRA legislators go for their ‘caucus retreats’ in Kyankwanzi, don military uniforms and play with guns. It was there that one ‘girl cadre’ knelt down to ask Museveni to behave like Gaddafi’s revolutionary, become the sole and permanent head of the ‘revolution’ never to ‘retire’. She is now a junior minister. Imagine that for a governing UPC parliamentary caucus! Mr President, while I completely appreciate that the British, Israelis, South Africans and Americans always had their interest in Uganda and would vigorously pursue them by any means necessary (their ideal agents are dictators anyway), I still cannot comprehend why a bishop, a Cardinal, a law professor or medical doctor of the calibre of my other friend could opt to serve such agents. Humiliated, I must report though, that even in UPC, there is something extra-ordinary, your former minister Philemon Mateke, relatively advanced in age now, is a minister for NRA. Your boy Rugunda is Prime Minister. Incidentally, most of your kids may sell off their souls, be called all sorts of names but they are generally likeable, I think because you brought them up well. And yes, Amama Mbabazi is no longer in the Cabinet nor is David Sejusa, whom you knew as Tinyefuza anywhere at the front row. He has been in exile and back. Mr President, while time moves rather slowly in some areas like completing sky scrapers in Luweero and flooding Karamoja with Janet, it swiftly did recently; Museveni has made up with old friend Bazilio Olara Okello (his angry remains are back home) and there is a Janani Luwum day. It is possible Luweero victims’ day; a Mukura day, a northern Uganda concentration-camps’ day perhaps even a Congo day shall be next in the ‘queue’!Sadly, the 55th anniversary was marked with the UPC constitution breached. While the annual delegates’ conference was changed to “at least twice in five years”, none has occurred since your other prodigal son Olara Otunnu, became ‘leader’ of one of Africa’s top 10 independence political parties. Likewise, the national council met only once in 2011. Anyhow, having added another paragraph onto his ‘impressive’ CV he is moving on to other things - perhaps more eventful. Mr President, I continue to follow social, economic and political events around the world, on African continent and of course in Uganda, closely. Yet I shudder when I re-read these original objects of the emergence, application and operations of NRM/NRA and I miss sight of enough rooted citizens, awake enough to challenge or offer alternatives outside of UPC. Is it because they spectacularly failed to listen to you and Ignatius Musaazi, our founding leaders? The pace at which recycling of people like the tainted Jim Muhwezi, the dependence on your kids and comrades as ‘advisers’ simply confirm the stale base on which NRA came and why UPC must ensure that its next set of leaders are driven, not by ‘emotions’ or self-interest but rather, a hunger to salvage our national independence, our cherished legacy, the re-establishment of genuine democracy in the party and country so that once again Ugandans, north, south, west and east can live, work and think together in order to complete a genuine national democratic liberation for which has been a long walk.I am convinced that if after all these years, the options – on terms – are only Muhwezi versus Atine then, UPC is still Uganda’s political party of tomorrow, today. 1 | 2 Next Page»The writer is commentator on African affairs and formerly chairperson UPC External Bureau –UK, leadership candidate and an aide to the late president.Jop3upc@yahoo.co.ukTwitter: @Ochieno « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/With-Cabinet-of-grannies-and-kids--where-is-UPC-/-/689844/2653238/-/b5i0tn/-/index.html","content":"A letter to Dr Obote: With Cabinet of grannies and kids, where is UPC? - Dear Sir, It is now more than five years since I last ‘wrote’ to you. The reason is, although a lot has been happening, on the basis of what we used to call ‘updates’, most have been un-eventful hence, a waste of your restful time. But as I was clearing my desk to prepare for last week’s 55th anniversary of the UPC as it is known today (1960) - (founded as Uganda National Congress in 1952), I bumped on draft minutes of one of the earliest meetings we had in London. Dated 29th of some April month, one of the subjects of discussion indicated fear to dare register the name of our ‘campaign’ organisation, just in case the British government then, a close ally of the Kampala dictatorship, found justification to send us – refugees – packing back into the hands of the hungry NRA. We settled for ‘UPC Discussion Group-UK’, just an assembly of like-minded peoples. In the same pile I found a copy of a letter I had written – on your instructions – to the British Foreign Office and attaching NRA’s founding document. It was spectacular, entitled “Aims of the Revolution”, the objectives were: 1.1 Removal of UPC/Obote’s dictatorship by force of arms. 1.2 The establishment, by force, if necessary, of a one party ‘popular democracy’ in Uganda under NRM. Organs 2.1 NRM – Political wing of the ‘revolution’. 2.2 NRA – military wing of the ‘revolution’. Sir, under ‘Ideology of the revolution’ at 3.1 Democracy – was to be defined at all times solely by the National Resistance Movement and the High Command of the National Resistance Army. Apparently, there is a boy called Richard Todwong who recently said any civil servant who does not follow ‘NRA ideology’ will be sacked from their jobs. On these terms, Museveni would not have had a job in your administration.3.2 Social policy: regarding such matters as human rights, social, political, religious etc, etc, will be determined and formulated solely by the NRM and the High Command of the NRA. Such policies will ultimately be passed by the NRA (read NRM caucus) and enforced by NRA! Now I understand why the national agricultural ‘revolution’ with something called ‘Naads’ is being led and managed by soldiers. 3.3 Political parties and/or movements: Only NRM is allowed to operate in the country such that the other political parties i.e. UPC, DP, CP and NLP will cease to exist as required by the revolution. Then I found at 4. Propagation of the ‘revolution and its ideology’ even more intriguing. 4.1 Schools of political education (there is one in Kyankwanzi, where those guys used to practice shooting). 4.2 Government mass media – print, radio, television and others (which might include a few million dollars spent on CNN and other networks). 4.3 Other organs of the ‘revolution’ is listed as RCs (LCs), NRC (legislators), NRA, cadres, etc. Yes, there are cadres, even some judges and journalists. Looking back sir, I now understand why NRA legislators go for their ‘caucus retreats’ in Kyankwanzi, don military uniforms and play with guns. It was there that one ‘girl cadre’ knelt down to ask Museveni to behave like Gaddafi’s revolutionary, become the sole and permanent head of the ‘revolution’ never to ‘retire’. She is now a junior minister. Imagine that for a governing UPC parliamentary caucus! Mr President, while I completely appreciate that the British, Israelis, South Africans and Americans always had their interest in Uganda and would vigorously pursue them by any means necessary (their ideal agents are dictators anyway), I still cannot comprehend why a bishop, a Cardinal, a law professor or medical doctor of the calibre of my other friend could opt to serve such agents. Humiliated, I must report though, that even in UPC, there is something extra-ordinary, your former minister Philemon Mateke, relatively advanced in age now, is a minister for NRA. Your boy Rugunda is Prime Minister. Incidentally, most of your kids may sell off their souls, be called all sorts of names but they are generally likeable, I think because you brought them up well. And yes, Amama Mbabazi is no longer in the Cabinet nor is David Sejusa, whom you knew as Tinyefuza anywhere at the front row. He has been in exile and back. Mr President, while time moves rather slowly in some areas like completing sky scrapers in Luweero and flooding Karamoja with Janet, it swiftly did recently; Museveni has made up with old friend Bazilio Olara Okello (his angry remains are back home) and there is a Janani Luwum day. It is possible Luweero victims’ day; a Mukura day, a northern Uganda concentration-camps’ day perhaps even a Congo day shall be next in the ‘queue’!Sadly, the 55th anniversary was marked with the UPC constitution breached. While the annual delegates’ conference was changed to “at least twice in five years”, none has occurred since your other prodigal son Olara Otunnu, became ‘leader’ of one of Africa’s top 10 independence political parties. Likewise, the national council met only once in 2011. Anyhow, having added another paragraph onto his ‘impressive’ CV he is moving on to other things - perhaps more eventful. Mr President, I continue to follow social, economic and political events around the world, on African continent and of course in Uganda, closely. Yet I shudder when I re-read these original objects of the emergence, application and operations of NRM/NRA and I miss sight of enough rooted citizens, awake enough to challenge or offer alternatives outside of UPC. Is it because they spectacularly failed to listen to you and Ignatius Musaazi, our founding leaders? The pace at which recycling of people like the tainted Jim Muhwezi, the dependence on your kids and comrades as ‘advisers’ simply confirm the stale base on which NRA came and why UPC must ensure that its next set of leaders are driven, not by ‘emotions’ or self-interest but rather, a hunger to salvage our national independence, our cherished legacy, the re-establishment of genuine democracy in the party and country so that once again Ugandans, north, south, west and east can live, work and think together in order to complete a genuine national democratic liberation for which has been a long walk.I am convinced that if after all these years, the options – on terms – are only Muhwezi versus Atine then, UPC is still Uganda’s political party of tomorrow, today. 1 | 2 Next Page»The writer is commentator on African affairs and formerly chairperson UPC External Bureau –UK, leadership candidate and an aide to the late president.Jop3upc@yahoo.co.ukTwitter: @Ochieno « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/MPs-reject-Museveni-directive-cancellation-wetland-titles/-/688334/2634354/-/gqy5frz/-/index.html","content":"MPs reject Museveni directive on cancellation of wetland titles - PARLIAMENT. Lawmakers yesterday rejected President Museveni’s orders on the reclamation of wetlands, citing “politics” in the planned cancellation of more than 17,000 title deeds issued to investors and organisations in major urban areas across the country.The new government position on wetlands ran into trouble after Water and Environment minister Ephraim Kamuntu presented a cadastral map, showing some 17,450 wetland titles in Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono districts which are up for cancellation. “These titles in wetlands were issued by the government. There is no law to regulate the wetlands and the minister is just talking politics,” said Mr Eddie Kwizera, the chairperson Parliamentary Forum on Climate Change. “We want to protect the environment but Cabinet must work within the law. The President was ill-advised on the matter of wetlands; the problem is selective application of the decisions and any attempts to cancel the title deeds which were legally issued will be ridiculous,” Mr Kwizera, who is also the Bufumbira County East MP, added. ‘Stick to the law’“The government must gazette wetlands, including those without titles, and the planned reclamation must follow the law.”The new directive comes at a time when wetlands around Kampala have been heavily encroached on by developers, some of whom are believed to enjoy connections with powerful officials in government. The minister, who faced a torrid time in the committee, maintained that “all actions are within the context of the law” and that the Attorney General had cleared the planned cancellation. He explained that the President’s directive will only affect people with titles in wetlands on public land and that the affected parties will be compensated. “Where is the evidence of holding the land in trust if you cannot even justify why you issued land titles in wetlands?” asked Mr Jacob Oboth Oboth (West Budama South). However, the minister said slow implementation of the law cannot be interpreted as a lack of commitment to protect wetlands in the country.Parliament has been debating this matter for the last four years without a solution. The lawmakers warned that any attempts to cancel the titles will end up in the courts of law. The two sector ministers (Prof Kamuntu and Ms Flavia Munaaba), in a joint statement, said the cancellation of wetland titles is being coordinated by the Inter-Ministerial Policy Committee on Environment. No time frame has been given within which the action is scheduled.Although the minister promised action against those who issued the titles in wetlands, officials from the ministry, National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) and National Forestry Authority (NFA) did not say who issued the titles. Preliminary indications are that approximately 7,500 land titles in Kampala, 9,000 in Wakiso and about 950 in Mukono will be affected. However, the minister explained that before cancellation, the committee will cautiously evaluate all the affected titles on a case by case basis, taking into account economic considerations, character, ecological functions and tourism potential. Titles on mailo land will not be cancelled but the use will be regulated. Prof Kamuntu said: “We are focusing on only wetlands on public land and compensation will be critically analysed by the technical committee.” He said the costs involved will be drawn after sorting out the title deeds.The lawmakers were yesterday meeting ministry, Nema and NFA officials to discuss the proposed cancellation of the titles. WHAT’S AT STAKELikely danger. Experts have warned that if degradation of wetlands is not checked, the country is headed for an ecological disaster that may lead to shortages of clean water and an increase in flooding. Impact. Wetlands accounted for 13 per cent of Uganda’s total land area but with encroachment and degradation, it could now be 11 per cent.Govt plan. Preliminary indications are that approximately 7,500 land titles in Kampala, 9,000 in Wakiso District and about 950 in Mukono will be cancelled. ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/-need-invest-today-children/-/691232/2634296/-/nd7y7d/-/index.html","content":"why we need to invest in today’s children - Are today’s children better off than young people who were raised say 20 years ago? The answer, most likely, will be a “Yes” regardless of who you ask.Some of the answers this newspaper gathered around included, so many children are going to school today; the number of children parks have increased; many children are exposed to the internet; children rights NGOs have also trebled, and actually that most children today are more enlightened than yesterday.In fact, when you come to Kampala for a day, the outlook is generally positive. In the mornings and evenings almost all children can be seen clad in fitting uniforms pacing to schools. Others, being dropped off to and from the schools by parents in all makes of sports utility vehicles.But not for every childStick around for a few days, and you will see something else. A good number of children are actually not going to school, street children and the likes, others actively engaged in business-vending scrap and plastic or even selling merchandise, to mention but a few.Last year’s census results put children numbers at 56 per cent (about 20 million) from the 34.9 million total population.But according to the United Nations Children Emergency Fund (Unicef), eight million children are living in undesirable situations — with no access to education, health care, right to participation and are generally marginalisedPoverty, a “disease”, as it is frequently referred to, has further weakened their protective environment, led to more abuses and exploitation, says Unicef which means poverty carried forward into their future if the status quo remains.The situation is worse in the Karamoja and West Nile regions of Uganda according to the organisation’s surveys. But in Kampala, the capital, and its numerous shantytowns alike, the situation isn’t any better.It is a completely different world in Soweto zone, a slum in Namuwongo, a stone’s throw away from the city centre. The place defines the poverty spectacle, even when most of its inhabitants are actually engaged in production, especially in the informal sector.But Soweto too has classes. There is the Industrial view, for the rich poor and the Go-down (for the very poor).Soweto Go-down is the worst news possible for any human life; punctuated by extremely poor sanitation, garbage disposal, drainage, and a strong stench that welcomes you to every corner you turn to.One girl’s storyFourteen-year-old Mwajuma Asali lives here. She dropped out of a Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) funded School last year, just in Primary Two after her mother lost her waitress job, when KCCA authorities razed a restaurant where she worked in the ongoing gleam of uplifting the city’s look.Her mother, 32-year-old Fatuma Sana, did not have other options either. She has six other children-all girls- to fend for. Mwajuma’s eldest sister at 17 just got “married” off last month because there were no alternatives—no money to keep her in school or relatives or organisations to turn to for support.Sana says, “It was painful thing to agree to, But she was too old anyway that we couldn’t live together under one roof.” The nuclear family—seven children, mother and father--puts up in a single decrepit room barely 100 metres from the Nakivubo Channel. Close by is a big mound of rubbish that is carried from the rest of Kampala when it rains heavily.We drop by in the morning after the previous overnight heavy downpour to see for ourselves —the flooding, squalor, stink, garbage, which contains both human and animal waste-flowing in and out of their “house”.Whilst this is common sight, one cannot help to imagine what it is like for a child growing up here?As Mwajuma’s mother cleans a place for us to sit on the neighbour’s raised veranda while my photojournalist colleague clicks away the shutter-release button on his camera for the moments. Some brazen neighbour, in his mid-twenties I guessed, is crouching in the drainage channel answering a nature’s call.Words disappear from all of us. But while I and my colleague find this strange, the prying children tell us “to stop overlooking because this is common here.” In fact they pay more attention to my pen and notebook than the guy posting letters in the open.Mwajuma’s mother says this is a place her daughters will always call home—in case KCCA doesn’t ever unload terror here, razing down the slum. Her other daughters of school going age do not go to school either after all they cannot even afford two meals every day. Lunch/Supper is eaten at once—5pm-as a standard practice to balance digestion between the 24 hours.So what is the future like for Sana’s children? I could only imagine the odds. Re-imagining the children’s futureAnd “It’s easy if you try” like John Lennon put it in his October 1971 best-selling classic single Imagine, a song that Unicef chose for an ongoing campaign to draw attention to the plight of children living in such macabre tableau.The UN body says if you do not invest in the children’s present, the future is bleak.The campaign—the global sing-along to Lennon’s Imagine, a song acclaimed world-over as an anthem for peace and hope, was launched last year in November to raise money and create awareness, about pretty much what everyone knows; that children have a right to education, play, participation, health, basic needs, especially in the world as it becomes hot and cold.“Imagine all the people. Living life in peace. Imagine no possessions. No need for greed or hunger. A brotherhood of man,” the song goes in the various lines.But whilst it presupposes a perfect world, not even in the science fiction of Gotham City, Unicef, says the song’s lyrics rhyme with everyone in the world and wants everyone to imagine the environment they would want to see children grow.Officials in Kampala say the status of children’s rights has steadily improved but a lot more efforts are still required for the eight million children.The campaign running until November commenced started last year in the days leading to the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Convention of Rights of the Child by the UN General Assembly in New York. The Children rights convention was adopted by the UN in 1989.And a number of Unicef’s goodwill ambassadors, from sports stars, music icons, actors and likes from several countries were have participated in the campaign. Names like Angelique Kidjo, Adam Levine, David Beckham, Jackie Chan, Kat Perry, Craig David, the list is long.All one is required to do is record their own version of the song using the #IMAGINE” app which can be downloaded via any android phone. All the recordings of the song by the celebrities and public alike will then be mixed by the French superstar disc jockey, David Guetta, for a final collaboration dubbed the “Million voices song.”Unicef’s chief of communication, Jaya Murthy, says the song is simply a reminder that despite the notable progresses made, many children are still facing huge challenges. “What we know is that there are still many children out there whose fundamental rights are yet to be realised. Why Imagine?It was not easy picking a song, he added, that resonates well with the world. “But we felt Imagine is an iconic song that represents peace and hope.”The song was written by Lennon, formerly part of the iconic music group The Beatles and was co-produced by his wife Yoko Ono. It became an instant hit upon its release. However, it gained renewed attention after Lennon was murdered on December 8, 1980.The campaign, Murthy explained, is also in line with the ongoing UN agenda of transition from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which centrally focuses on vulnerable groups and those living in hard-to-reach areas.In July last year Unicef launched a campaign #InvestinrealUgchildren which rhymes with the #Imagine campaign, and to which Murthy said: “Our message is, if you don’t invest in today’s children the vision 2040 will be compromised. So the idea is to stimulate emotion and call for action.”Lennon’s widow, Ono, gave the UN rights to use the song in the campaign that looks at the next 25 years. The campaign in UgandaIn Uganda, Unicef assembled local artistes that include Navio, Benon Mugumbya, Lilian Mbabazi, Irene Ntale and Mun G to record a version of the song in a bid to give the campaign a local touch under #RelimagineUg.Murthy, further, admitted that Unicef is cognizant of the urban-rural digital divide, which makes awareness of the campaign difficult but said “those are structural challenges we have no control over.”But, nonetheless, he noted, “The SDGs are all about reaching out to people like this-with no access to technology nor a clue about rights.” The campaign also seeks to highlight the plight of vulnerable groups like mothers, who contribute extensively to the cognitive and social development of a child.The million voices song will feature all recording of the song but with different versions at every click and will be available for digital download.Besides the global sing-alongs, Unicef says participants are also donating and proceeds will be used for their programmes on healthcare, clean water, sanitation, education and emergency relief.So will the campaign change anything for Mwanjuma in Soweto and other places alike? To quote the song, “You may say I’m a dreamer. But I’m not the only one”As we concluded our conversation with her mother, maybe it was just a coincidence or even not because of the campaign; but a Good Samaritan, Evas Arije from the Children at Risk Network (CRANE), a Baptist church based organisation bent on training school dropout girls below the age of seventeen in practical skills like catering, was already waiting to pick her up.But while she was lucky to find a helping hand, her siblings will remain seated at home basking in despair. musisif@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Maize-farming-seeds/-/689860/2619496/-/cvogimz/-/index.html","content":"Maize varieties: Telling them apart - Maize farmers require varieties appropriate to their anticipated level of investment in inputs and with high probability of producing good grain yield.The yield may not necessarily be determined by the various varieties but farmers may need to consider biotic factors like pests and diseases and abiotic factors such as drought, flooding and soil erosion.It is, therefore, pertinent for the farmer to carefully select varieties that he or she would wish to grow depending on these factors that may affect the yield. There are open pollinated and hybrid maize varieties that farmers can choose to grow. Costs and yieldsAgricultural experts usually encourage farmers to grow hybrid varieties because they are high yielding. But this comes with a cost of purchasing seed each planting season.Likewise planting open pollinated varieties (OPVs), which are the traditional varieties, also comes with a cost. A farmer expecting to harvest better yield will not achieve his or her dream because the yields will be lower.Dr Geoffrey Asea, who heads cereals programme at National Crop Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) Namulonge, explained the characteristics and methods of breeding hybrids during a recent Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (Ofab) held in Kampala.He pointed out that hybrid varieties existed since 1926 in US. In Africa, it is since the 1960s.The first varieties were bred in Uganda in the late 1960s by British scientists who after leaving the country did not reserve these maize varieties for future use. Keep the traitsHybrid maize varieties resurfaced in 1972 bred by Patrick Rubaihayo, professor emeritus at Makerere University, which were not preserved. In 1980s, there was foundation seed available for hybrid maize. Since then, scientists have been releasing various varieties mainly for disease and pest resistance, drought tolerance and high yield vigour. Hybrid plant varieties are a result of crossing parental traits of two individual plants using conventional means. One can cross a single parent to another single parent but somebody may prefer to cross two or more parents. Single parent crossing gives more yields compared to double and triple parent crossing but hybrid maize variety obtained from single crossing like Longe 2H is expensive. This is because the seeds are much smaller compared to the rest meaning more seeds would be required to weigh 1 kg.It is advisable to make the crossing once because the traits will disintegrate when you keep crossing to obtain the same variety.Single crossed varieties also grow uniformly with same height and cob size. Usually, the seed multipliers are advised to choose pure lines with same seed size to obtain the best hybrid variety. But farmers are advised to purchase varieties that yield well in the different geographical locations.Details given by Dr Asea indicate: In the eastern region where the rains are short, Longe 10 H variety gives good yields. In Masindi, farmers are advised to grow Longe 7H, 8H and 9H. For areas lying between highlands like Fort Portal and Bulambuli, hybrid varieties like UH6303, FH6150 and Longe10H do best.For farmers in Kapchorwa District where the weather enables maize to grow in a period of five months or more covering one season only, varieties bred from Kenya such as H614 and H628 are advisable. Simultaneous releaseThe statistical explanation is that a farmer growing OPVs will harvest 5 tonnes per hectare compared to 10 tonnes per hectare from one with a hybrid variety. OPVs are left to pollinate naturally either through wind blowing the pollens or transfer by insects like bees.A farmer who recycles hybrid maize seed in his farm will experience a 30 per cent yield loss because of the disintegration in the parental make up.Farmers and seed companies growing hybrid maize varieties for business are required to cut off tussles of the plants meant to be female to enable pollination to occur. For the maize plants that are meant to be male, the flowers from the shooting maize cob should be removed.It is important to ensure that the male and female parts of the plant shoot at the same time. This can be done through nicking, which means simultaneous pollen release from the male and female parts. Value and vigourCrossing of hybrids applies to all plants such as soybean, passion fruit, green vegetables, rice, coffee, sorghum, and millet.There is a difference between hybrids and genetically modified (GM) crops. For the latter, a particular gene is picked from a plant and transferred to another plant to solve a specific challenge like pest and disease infection. This is done in the laboratory. For hybrids, the crossing is done conventionally with all the traits of the plants where crossing is exercised.In case of maize, most GM maize varieties tested are hybrids. This, according to Dr Asea, is to maintain the high yielding vigour.If a researcher combines high value hybrid to a high value trait, the result will be obtaining a plant with high yield vigour but not all hybrids are GMOs. Put in one basketDr Thereza Ssengoba, from Programme for Biosafety Systems, noted that 35 per cent of maize seed in Uganda are hybrids with the rest being OPV.Scientists are breeding crops, animals and poultry using various technologies. These methods include conventional breeding, traditional biotechnology, molecular marker, tissue culture and modern biotechnology.Globally, scientists are putting these products in one basket and it is upon the farmer to choose what he or she prefers.In breeding GM crops, research has to start from the laboratory and taken through the green house and eventually confined field trial, which is not case where other technologies are applied.In the case of Uganda, for GM maize, the frequency for purchase will arise from hybrids which will not be recycled by farmers. For the vegetatively propagated GM cassava and GM banana, farmers will recycle it just like how they have been doing with the conventional varieties. This is because seedlings will be generated from already planted cassava stock and banana suckers. alominda@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/World/Seeking-God-by-hashtag--Pope-sparks-Filipino-social-media-frenzy/-/688340/2589922/-/2g6l66/-/index.html","content":"Seeking God by hashtag: Pope sparks Filipino social media frenzy - Millions of Filipinos are planning to endure crushing crowds, security threats and stormy weather to get close to Pope Francis, but many others feel they have a better way -- via social media. The pontiff may be 78 but he is one of the world's most cyber-savvy leaders, and he has ignited a social media frenzy in the majority Catholic Philippines ahead of his five-day visit beginning Thursday. Thousands of Filipinos have sent tweets to his official @Pontifex Twitter account and used a wide range of other online forums to send prayer requests and to welcome him to the country. \"It feels like I am talking to him directly, even if I know it's run by an administrator,\" Angelique Mina-Rualo, a bank officer who credits surviving cancer to her Catholic faith, told AFP after she sent a tweet to the pope's @Pontifex account. \"Talking straight to the pope is like talking straight to God.\"Francis has close to 17 million followers on Twitter accounts in nine different languages, second only to US President Barack Obama, according to Twiplomacy, which monitors statistics on the microblogging site. But his messages have the most reach, with his posts retweeted an average 10,000 times, nearly 10 times more than Obama, according to Twiplomacy. His initial Twitter message before his two-nation Asia trip that began in Sri Lanka, in which he asked people to pray for him, was retweeted more than 23,000 times. #ShowThePope The Philippines' conservative bishops have also proved tech-savvy, creating a website and free smartphone application where the faithful can send prayer requests to the pontiff, share photos and listen to music. The app, available on both Apple's iOS and Google's Android, has had thousands of downloads, according to the mobile platforms' websites. On the app's \"prayer wall\", Filipinos seek Francis's help to heal the sick, bear children and find work. \"Pope Francis, please pray for my mom's health. She's having a stroke right now for the second time,\" Fleur Escobar Dy posted. While many social media users have asked for the Pope's intercession, others have cheered him for expressing more modern views than local Church leaders on divisive issues such as homosexuality and corruption. \"Thank you for treating all equal,\" Rome Cabaning Jnr said on Twitter using the hashtag #PopeTYSM, a play on the Filipino translation of the visit's \"mercy and compassion\" theme.Using the hashtag #ShowThePope, Joven Santiago said on Twitter that he hoped Francis would see in the Philippines \"mahjong tables of priests, the unwed mothers they berated and the homosexuals they judged\". Mahjong, a game of tiles that originated in China, is popular among gamblers in the Philippines. 1 | 2 Next Page»Trending now: selfie pope posters Thousands of \"selfies\" taken by Filipinos with life-sized cardboard posters of the pope are also flooding social media. Local church groups and governments in far-flung places of the Philippines have set up selfie pope posters to give people a chance to feel close to him. The phenomenon has also taken off in Manila. One group of college students, called #BFF2015 or Best Friends for Francis, set up selfie booths in Manila schools as part of their marketing communications course project to promote the papal visit. \"We are bringing the youth closer to the pope at almost zero cost,\" Jeano Rustico, 20, a co-convenor of #BFF2015, told AFP. \"Since we didn't have enough money to spread the word, we had to go organic. (Social media) is the most cost-effective way to promote our cause.\" Each of the 700 selfies taken so far have included at least three people and been posted or shared many times on social media platforms such as Facebook, according to Rustico. On the #BFF2015 Facebook page, colourful animation and graphics are used to encourage young people to go the pope's events. It has had nearly 2,000 likes. The nation's biggest telecommunications company, PLDT, an official sponsor of the pope's tour, is also promoting the #DearPopeFrancis hashtag on Twitter and Facebook.While it remains to be seen if the pope will take a selfie with fans in the Philippines, he will leave the country with a reminder of how he lit up cyberspace, according to PLDT spokesman Ramon Isberto. Working with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, PLDT plans to compile all the #DearPopeFrancis posts and give them to him in a storage device shaped like a figure of the pontiff. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/KaroliSsemogerere/President-serves-big-turkey-on-the-eve-of-Christmas/-/878682/2568194/-/mt36vh/-/index.html","content":"President serves big turkey on the eve of Christmas - On Monday, the President made important changes in the ruling National Resistance Movement party. After the delegates conference sent home its principal officers, the Secretary General, his deputy, the Treasurer and her deputy he took immediate action to replace them. His choices; Justine Lumumba Kasule, the Chief Whip, Richard Todwong, the Minister without Portfolio, Rose Namayanja Nsereko, the Minister for Information and National Guidance and Kenneth Omona the Kaberamaido MP cheered liberals and froze historicals and post 1986 functionaries in place. The events of the last three months have “used” these two groups relentlessly to get rid of Amama Mbabazi and his group. The historicals, including army officers hated Amama Mbabazi because he “was not one” of them. He was part of the struggle but did not fire a single shot handling the delicate docket of intelligence gathering and fundraising. The party functionaries did not miss him much; his work methods delivered with mechanical efficiency purges, palace coups and all sorts of personal embarrassments on his personal enemies. As far as intelligence goes during the last two months where Ugandans have been entertained nonstop it now turns out that Amama was probably not the only one in the family doing intelligence work on behalf of President Museveni.In making the appointments, the President also sent a strong signal that he did not intend the revamped party to become a source of headache in the future. He has put a clear distance between himself and his appointed officials. No one as yet has been handed the fly-whisk to start mobilising the people. Even though the fact that none of the majors has been involved in any major scandal may also be a bait. The President has asked a political scientist and a medical doctor to raise money for his party. This can only be a recipe for disaster. Neither of the two are trained in financial matters; and this financial expertise has been a problem for persons holding this role right from the days of Eriya Kategaya whose name was invoked a few times in Namboole. Kategaya in 1996 had to resort to Danze Enterprises to raise money for the campaign. James Wapakhabulo did not last long enough to campaign in a general election. In 2001 and 2006 the task fell to intelligence agencies to do most of the ruling party’s bidding collecting thank yous from businesses, political appointees and persons seeking favors. The intelligence machinery then also did a good job of weeding out competent people it perceived as unfriendly or neutral to the regime.By 2011, the era of big money had arrived. Immediate former SG himself not a lawyer played the institutional game. Big money and politics have been bedfellows for a while. It is a major problem for the principal, the agents and the masses. Both the President and the Governor of the Central Bank have been “talking” up the local unit which has lost 10 per cent of its value this year. Both have been talking about money flooding the country during election time. Both have very much sounded like half- hearted missionaries sent to preach the Word of Christ deep in the African jungles where they encounter snakes, vermin and other forms of wildlife rather than supplicants ready to receive the word. In 2016, big money will continue to play its customary role. Ahead of 2016, the President’s last pre-election reshuffle will return a few historicals with proven fundraising prowess to cabinet to “take care of themselves” and the party. A number of portfolios are now open for the President’s bidding; Information, Chief Whip (the one who managed the MP financial bailout), Health, East African Affairs and Water. Retirements and natural attrition may also take care of a few other portfolios. On the campaign field it will be curious whether one last element will be visible, tear-gas and tanks that have minted billions for another group of people who are always ready on the go. Mr Ssemogerere is an Attorney-at-Law and an Advocate. kssemoge@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Bio-gas--A-school-is-using-a-latrine-to-cut-its-energy-bill/-/691232/2511926/-/jj9a3x/-/index.html","content":"Bio gas: A school is using a latrine to cut its energy bill - A school in Kansanga, a suburb in Kampala, has found a way of minimising the bills they pay for energy while reducing their carbon footprint, all with the help of a latrine. Kansanga Primary School has a bio-latrine, which if widely developed, has the potential of turning organic wastes into sources of clean energy that can save the country’s forest cover and also minimise on air and water pollution. The bio-latrine, which the pupils use, also supplies cooking energy to the school. The school uses human waste and cow dung to generate biogas – gas produced from decomposing material. This is opposed to common sources of biogas, cow and pig dung known to many. According to Musa Busa Mwima, the school head teacher, the administration has managed to cut down on the amount of fire wood consumed while preparing food for the more than 900 pupils. The benefits“Economically, it [the bio-latrine] produces biogas which we use to cook food and porridge. It has reduced the expenditure from Sh2.8m normally used to purchase four lorries of fire wood to Shs1.3m, for one-and-half lorries,” says MwimaWith biogas, the headteacher says it takes about 30 minutes to cook dry beans as opposed to one hour when firewood, which has lots of smoke, is used. He adds that the technology is very effective in cutting down hydro-power bills if developed to power lighting,and mitigating carbondioxide emission. Meanwhile, the school is considering using bio gas to power the security lights in the near future.“When there is shortage of human waste, we buy a lorry of cow dung from the city abattoirs and animal farms at Shs300, 000. This can help generate gas for a four-month term,” Mwima says. Mwima says the school has been challenged by lack of stoves due their high costs, one used to prepare food for about 1000 people costs around shs1.5million. “The school has just purchased one stove to complement the small stove currently used to cook for about 450 pupils,” says Mwima, adding that the gas generation depends on the number of people using the bio-latrine.Edna Nyamwaka, a biogas chief engineer based at Heifer International, a nonprofit organisation that promotes the technology among dairy and piggery farmers says for each biogas digester constructed, two hectares of forest cover are saved and about 20 tonnes of carbondioxide are avoided. Biogas use does not only provide a clean cooking environment free from smoke, it also reduces on in-house pollution in form of charcoal or fire wood smoke. The kitchen at the school is not any different from an ordinary one. Its tiles look sparkling white and the wall paint has remained unstained making, a testament to the no-smoke advantage of bio gas. According to Nyamwaka, an urban household with access to animal and organic can afford a unit of biogas, considering that digesters are made in different sizes. A four-cubic-metre digester can use one-and-half basins of dung to generate energy enough for up to two hours of cooking and lighting. Beyond this schoolCurrently, through Uganda Domestic Biogas programme, Heifer international has supported the constructions of digesters in more than 6,079 households in Uganda. Nyamwaka says a bio-latrine at Kansanga Primary School costs between Shs35m and Shs40m, with the smallest biogas unit of four cubic metres costing about Shs1.5m.“To dairy farmers, biogas is cheaper and accessible since it’s generated from raw materials that are freely available to them,” says Nyamwaka. “The process of generating the gas produces a by-product known as bio-slurry which is an excellent organic fertiliser for all types of crops. The slurry can be applied to farmer’s gardens to boost crop yields and also develop animal feeds for pigs, goats and chicken,” adds Nyamwaka. Why it is important A recent report by the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) cited unprecedented increase in the global warming rate caused by human activities. The main activities causing climate have been identified as greenhouse gas emissions, burning of fossil fuels, extraction of minerals, deforestation and mushrooming urban settlements in Africa among others. The report highlighted that the first decade of this century [2001-2010) was the warmest since 1850 and for Uganda, it indicated that rain patterns in Uganda have become increasingly unpredictable.According to George Mugerwa, the programmes manager at Uganda Domestic Biogas project, the use of biogas and other clean energy like solar can help in addressing deforestation and land degradation caused by the quest of the rural population in accessing charcoal and firewood. Uganda has hand its share of climate change, evident through the landslides in Bududa, the bursting of river Nyamwamba banks in Western Uganda, the melting of snow at the highest peaks of the Rwenzori ranges, the flooding of roads in Kampala city, change in rainfall seasons in across the country.Environment activists have been demanding that industrialised economies which are the largest contributors of greenhouse emissions should fund clean energy projects in Africa as a way of migrating climate change. Proper policy neededSpeaking at one of the Climate Change dialogues organised by the France Embassy in Uganda, the deputy director of the Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment Onesmus Mugyenyi, noted that there should be policy formulation, institutional reforms and programmes that provide developing countries with financial incentives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Recently, President Yoweri Museveni also said climate change is a new modern aggression against the always wronged African continent and its people. He, however, warned that such life threatening aggression against humanity should stop.“The global threat by the North American, European and some of the Asian countries is through the release of carbon-dioxide into the atmosphere as well as the release of other gases that erode the ozone layer,” the President said while addressing 69th United Nations General Assembly during the Climate Change Summit held this year in New York. When you factor in all the above, there is no denying that any effort no matter how small it seems, as is the case with the school in Kansanga, is important in the fight against climate change. How the bio latrine works Constructed by the support of the German International Cooperation (GIZ), the bio-latrine latrine differs from common pit latrines in terms of its usage and hygiene. “It does not smell and doesn’t attract flies thus has worked for us in improving the pupils’ hygiene on top of being easy to use,” says Mwima. The bio-latrine at a glance looks like a ventilated improved latrine (VIP) but operates like a modern flushing toilet. It requires little amounts of water to push the waste into a 30-cubic-metre digester, where decomposition takes place. The digester made out of concrete acts as the pit but also produces gas which is dispatched trough a plastic tube to the school kitchen where it’s connected to a biogas stove. At this stage the tube can be connected to as many as four stoves ready for heating any food. eainebyoona@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Travel/Nile--a-river-of-mysteries/-/691238/2473676/-/12emh17z/-/index.html","content":"Nile: a river of mysteries - They say all great mysteries begin at the end and end at the very beginning; River Nile is a perfect picture to accompany that phrase.We all know where it ends, pouring northward through the sudans, where it meets its biggest tributary, the Blue Nile before heading to Egypt and finally into the Mediterranean Sea. But locating, let alone, agreeing on the origins of this magnificent river, has befuddled the world since time immemorial. The Bible and the Quran both hint on this mystery and both ancient and present day voyagers have waded in with their own suggestions.John Hannington Speke has been principally credited as the man who discovered the source of the Nile which he pinned down at the Ripon Falls on Lake Victoria in Jinja centuries ago.But almost every year, a new person claims to have found the “true” source of the world’s longest river and the debate goes on and on.Last month, one of the world’s largest scientific and educational establishments; National Geographic, joined the fray as they premiered a television series titled Wild Nile on their NatGeo Wild platform (DStv Channel 182).The series opens with an establishment shot of the sky-hugging Mountains of the Moon; then the camera rises from a tropical forest through alpine valleys to the glaciers that crown the various mountain ranges. Close-ups of the snow-capped peaks of Rwenzori is a sight to behold. The legendary three-horned chameleon and the shimmering Ruwenzori Turaco – both endemic to this region – make an early appearance on this naturally-embellished stage of geographic wonder. Rwenzori is dotted with many small rivers but it is River Mobuku – notoriously famous for flooding and swallowing human lives – that gets a good feature here.Then the narrator elaborates that White Nile – which is the Nile’s headwaters – starts with the melting snow of Rwenzori and the rains of mountains of Rwanda and Burundi all which send their waters downwards into Lakes Edward and Albert before feeding Lake Victoria which eventually spouts the Nile out northwards.Well, another rather other sources of the Nile. But the clearest of all things throughout this argument has always been that River Nile flows out of Lake Victoria at Jinja making it the only place where one can see something tangible to call a source. Jinja is the ‘official’ source of the Nile and it was recently declared one of the seven wonders of Africa by the Seven Wonders of Africa Project. About The documentaryThe three-part documentary series looks critically at the different possible sources of the Nile before taking viewers on a truly spectacular journey along the Nile, revealing the secret lives of its inhabitants. The first part Wild Nile. Paradise Found explores the different sources of the Nile while the second part Wild Nile: Heart Of Darkness continues the story from when the river leaves Lake Victoria to progress peacefully through Murchison Falls National Park until the third part Wild Nile: River Of Kings is introduced as the river reaches Sudan. The last part looks at the Blue Nile tributary which originates from Ethiopia. In Wild Nile: Paradise Found, which premiered on September 9, National Geographic claims that the “Nile’s source can be pinned down to the area of the Rwenzori mountain ranges in Uganda.” Rwenzori, a possible source Hippos in River Nile Photo by Kasirye Faiswal But some experts have argued that a source of a river has to be a melting glacier at a higher altitude and it cannot be a lake because something else has to feed the lake first hence Rwenzori Mountain and other water bodies around the great lakes region coming into the picture here.Gladly, National Geographic doesn’t allow the bigger story of the significance of the Nile to the people and wildlife living on its banks it to get lost into the argument of the source.The series confirms just how, for instance, in Uganda alone – the Nile has a herculean effect on the people and wildlife creating and supporting some of the country’s best tourism products.Straight from the source at Jinja, the Nile turns Uganda into the best adventure destination in the region thanks to a range of activities, including the best white-water rafting in the world, bungee jumping, quad biking and camping. Move to Murchison Falls and the Nile presents a spectacle of a waterfall squeezing through a 6-metre rocky gorge to fall 43 metres which is the hardest water drop in the whole world.This is no ordinary river and this definitely is not an ordinary storyline of source to sea; Wild Nile series explores the countless waterways, islands and lakes that support the entire river system and looks at some of the river’s most fascinating inhabitants using state-of-the-art cameras to slow down and capture fast moving animals in all their glory. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Unless-we-act-now--climate-change-may-derail-Africa/-/689364/2462924/-/f07jgxz/-/index.html","content":"Unless we act now, climate change may derail Africa’s impressive growth - No nation is immune to the impact of climate change but it is the world’s poorest that will be hit the hardest. A fair and inclusive global agreement to combat climate change is a moral imperative. Time is of the essence for Africa.This week, world leaders gather in New York for the Climate Summit in an attempt to breathe new life into climate talks, which are now approaching their 21st round. With the Kyoto Protocol deadline fast approaching, it remains to be seen how much international support Africa can leverage to advance its agenda.We all know that enlightened leadership is essential. Politicians must think beyond their tenure. Countries must look beyond their borders. We need a radical rethink of how the world makes and uses energy. But with China and India – which together account for almost a third of global emissions – deciding not to attend, it will be a challenge for the Summit to fulfil its potential.In China and India’s absence, small, developing nations must unite. It is they that bear the greatest burden of climate change. We can no longer wait for the world’s dominant powers to act benevolently for the benefit of all humanity. All countries, regardless of their level of development, must look to reduce their own CO2 emissions. We must prevent further warming and reverse the trend. We must act to mitigate the effects of climate change that are already being felt throughout the world. There is no doubt that climate change threatens to derail Africa’s impressive recent growth and compromise the socio-economic gains made over the last decade. Africa’s development relies heavily on climate-sensitive sectors, including agriculture, fishing and tourism. Agriculture alone accounts for 30 per cent of Africa’s GDP and 50 per cent of the continent’s total exports. Even if the present pledges to limit emissions by 2020 are fulfilled, global temperature is still predicted to increase by 3.5 to 4 degrees Celsius by 2100. This would lead to a 30 per cent reduction in rainfall in sub-Saharan Africa, which would be disastrous on a continent in which 96 per cent of agriculture is rain fed.Persistent drought and flooding are already exacerbating food and water insecurity, threatening livelihoods and health. Severe droughts in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel between 2011 and 2012 saw crops fail and livestock die, leaving 13 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.The effectiveness with which Africa addresses the link between food production, water and energy will determine how many millions are pulled out of poverty in the coming decades. No less than a climate-smart agricultural revolution is needed to guarantee food security. Water management strategies must be developed to protect and rehabilitate groundwater sources and river basins. The energy sector should be geared towards the promotion and adoption of clean and renewable sources of power. And African governments and business leaders must make significant investments in science and technology to support mitigation and adaptation efforts. While international assistance is vital, effective and sustainable solutions must be developed locally. Developing nations have the opportunity to ‘do it right’. Partnerships must be created to share technology and best practice. We must end the spectre of national self-interest in a world where climate change knows no boundaries.If emerging economies focus on growth at all costs, we risk handing future generations a terrible legacy. There is a wealth of evidence to show that the impact of climate change will be more expensive than the changes needed to halt it.But what is clear is that for the first time Africa is not on the back foot. The continent is beginning to adopt a proactive approach to tackling climate change, empowering its people and strengthening its institutions. The continent’s impressive economic growth, buoyed by an export boom, improved governance and increased foreign investment has fuelled the ‘Africa Rising’ narrative. By 2050, a quarter of the global population will be African, and 60 per cent of Africans will live in cities. The continent is on the cusp of a transformation. Policy makers are developing ambitious plans to create clean and green economies across Africa. Partnerships are being forged between government, the private sector and civil society for the swift implementation of national climate action plans.In the absence of global leadership from those countries which contribute most to climate change, small, developing nations must do what they can to ensure that their interests are represented before it’s too late.Ahead of next year’s crucial UN Climate Change Conference in Paris, which will set a new agenda to replace the Kyoto Protocol, it is essential that African countries not only make their voices heard, but they make them count. Dr Lopes is the executive secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. This article was first published by CNN.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Efforts-to-breed-quality-cereal-seeds/-/689860/2463788/-/8pd5ls/-/index.html","content":"Efforts to breed quality cereal seeds - Several farmers in Uganda, and East Africa, are venturing into growing cereal crops which they view as commercially viable. Most grow hybrid maize, like those in Masindi and Kasese, and some grow rice, wheat and barley, especially in eastern Uganda, in Kapchorwa, Bukwo and Mbale districts. Statistics by the ministry of Agriculture show that currently demand for seed is ranges from 30,000 to 35,000 metric tonnes per season but the target is to produce 14,000 to 16,000 metric tonnes for assorted crops. Contract seed growersThis poses the question; are seed companies producing enough quality seed to fulfill the demand from such commercially oriented farmers? Farm Inputs Care Centre (Fica) Ltd, with production fields in Masindi, Kigumba and Kasese, is one such seed company majoring in the multiplication of seed.Fica is in position to produce 132 metric tonnes of seed per season, which they supply in Uganda and other countries in East Africa. How the seed company achieves this tonnage is because it engages contract seed growers, who are predominantly medium- to large-scale farmers. These contract farmers have land ranging from 40 to 150 acres depending on the kind of farming they are engaged in. Assured of seedNarcis Tumushabe, managing director, Fica, was explaining the company activities to a group of stakeholders who visited under the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (Agra), “Seed production is a capital-intensive venture, considering the multitude of inputs required up to harvest time and through contract growers, the Company is assured of seed to purchase at the harvest season,” he said.“Each contract farmer is responsible for the inputs until when the seed is harvested for sale to the company.” Working in groupsIn Masindi, the farmers have traditionally produced certified seed under the Uganda Seed Project. There are lots of opportunities to contract growers to grow seed for the market. There are two types of farmer groups. One group operates on the Kigumba farm as a block with 126 members. The second group has 75 members who have their own land where they grow seed on contract and farmers. In Kisindi village, there are medium- to large-scale commercial farmers contracted to Fica. They are 25 farmers in total, each with capacity to produce seed on land ranging 50 to 150 acres. They grow maize, both hybrid and open pollinated varieties (OPVs). Those in Kasese belong to Bassajja Kweyamba Cooperative Union. These farmers own farming plots in Mubuku irrigation scheme. They grow seed on contract and number to 167 members growing seed every season since they have access to water through the irrigation scheme. Other cropsTumushabe points out that the company is developing six maize varieties, both hybrid and open pollinated. These are obtained from National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) Namulonge. They include Longe6H with potential yield of nine to ten metric tonnes per hectare and matures in 110 -120 days. Others are Longe9H, FH5106, FH6150 and UH6303, OPV Longe 4, 5 and 1, which are fast maturing in 90-105 days with yield of four to six metric tonnes per hectare and are tolerant to drought. Apart from maize, Fica produces seed of other crops such as beans, sorghum, rice, sunflower, cotton and groundnut on limited scale. ChallengesJohn Muyenzi, the processing manager, noted that an important aspect is to observe the temperature at 40 per cent during the drying process. “We conduct artificial drying, which takes 36 hours for 30 tonnes of maize. Later, we continue processing the same seed in continuous drier. This is taken to a cleaner for pre- and final cleaning before packaging,” he said. But as Dr JoeDeVries, the director, Agra’s Programme for Seed Systems, observed that due to the fake seed, which is being circulated in open markets, seed companies need to adopt the finger printing technology, which can be used to test the DNA of a particular type of seed variety at the laboratory level. “Scientists in South Africa are already using this technology and the Naro laboratories in Uganda have the capacity to do the same. It is a simple technology where scientists use enzymes and other chemicals that are in position to digest the DNA of a particular seed variety and be able to tell if it is quality seed or not,” he said. 1 | 2 Next Page»Apart from faking of seed, which is a major challenge, seed companies are faced with challenges such as pest and disease burden and climatic conditions like prolonged drought and flooding that end up destroying the crops. alominda@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/African-farmers-advised-to-maintain-soil-health-for/-/689860/2440184/-/l0tv2dz/-/index.html","content":"African farmers advised to maintain soil health for improved productivity - Adis Ababa- Farmers in Africa are faced with the challenge of a number of factors that lead to infertile soils leading to less productivity farm inputs. Some of the challenges arise as a result of problems like soil erosion due to flooding, soil silting, lack of crop rotation to keep soils fertile, prolonged droughts and lack of fertilisers and organic farming among others. However,  a number of stakeholders both public and private sector are putting their hands together in a bid to sensitise farmers on to how they can keep their soils fertile for improved agricultural production. One such a stakeholder is the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) that has a programme particularly on soil health with the main objective of creating physical and financial access to appropriate soil nutrients and fertiliser use by small holder farmers in an equitable manner. The Agra soil health programme management is aiming at reaching 4.1 million small holder farmers in the thirteen different countries where the programme is being implemented. The countries include Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Burkina Faso. The programme implementation is already on going and the team is works jointly in collaboration with public institutions like research institutes, private sector, policy makers who are directly involved in ensuring soil quality is maintained in a bid for farmers to realise better yields. The team tries to ensure that there is knowledge-sharing with farmers on how to maintain their soil health, agronomic practices and technology packages in an efficient, equitable and sustainable manner. The director for the programme Dr Bashir Jama while presenting an overview about the soil health initiative at the 2014 African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF),  said the project  is aimed at increasing income, improve food security and reduce household poverty by promoting the use and adoption of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) practices among smallholder farmers and creating an enabling environment for farmers to adopt the practices in an efficient, equitable and sustainable manner across sub-Saharan Africa. Farmers are encouraged to use quality germplasm developed by scientists in research institutes coupled with fertiliser use and organic manure for better adaption on their local farms. Giving examples from farmers in Malawi,  Dr Jama explained that farmers whose soils have less nutrients, they should use local organic manure which they can generate from animal dung as well as fertiliser use. Citing the example from Uganda, he said farmers in this country have been in position to carry out intercropping as means of improving their soil nutrients as well as use of legume crops that have been inoculated with Rhizobia for nitrogen fixation. ‘’Improving soil fertility is fundamental to enhancing the productivity of small holder agriculture in Africa and it is the starting point. Without it, investments in other yield enhancing technologies are not likely to bear much fruit. Technically there is agreement among the experts in soil and agronomy that the best approach is one that integrates organic and inorganic sources of nutrients and this is the reason why AGRA started this program in the year 2008,’’ he explained. What the team does in every country is to create awareness of possible technologies by setting up demonstration gardens in different farmer locations where one farm is embedded with nutrients such as fertilisers while another has the component of use of legume crops for nitrogen fixation while the other is purely with not any technology application. However,  although this theory seemed to be working, the team wanted to take the approach of going beyond demonstration gardens  by involving scientific skills and so leading to training 170 soil scientists in the different countries of operation. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/What-you-didn-t-know-about--Baha-i/-/689856/2421216/-/15tyt/-/index.html","content":"What you didn’t know about  Baha’i - Seated atop Kikaaya Hill, the Baha’i Temple can be seen from all corners of Kampala. From its gardens, your eyes are fed on the different shades of Kampala from far and wide. The affluent residential areas to the slums, from the city’s high rise to the flooding valleys. This is home to the 63- year-old mother Temple of the Baha’i in Africa. It is one of the only nine such places of worship in the world and the only one of its kind on the African continent. The Baha’i faith is said to be the latest of God’s divine revelations brought by Baha’u’llah whose teachings are the oneness of God, religion and mankind. George Olinga, the director of External Affairs of the Baha’i community in Uganda says Baha’u’llah, the founder of the faith says “throughout the ages God has constantly guided humanity through universal educators” we call the manifestations (messengers) of God. Origin Portrait of Shoghi Effendi, the founder of Baha’i faith. photo by Rachel Mabala. The Baha’i faith started in 1844 in Persia, present day Iran, by a manifestation of God called Baha’u’llah. Other manifestations (messengers) include Jesus, Moses,Abraham, Krishna (Hindu), Zoroaster (Zoroastrian), Buddha (Buddhist), Mohammed and The Bab and Baha’u’llah, the twin manifestation from Iran. In Uganda, the faith was brought by people from the British Isles on August 1, 1951. These were Musa Banani and his wife Samiyyih, Ali Nakkhjahvani and his wife Violet and daughter Bahiyyih and another English man Philip H. They started the Baha’i community in Uganda with main concentration in eastern Uganda. Less than a year after their arrival, they established the first Local Spiritual Assembly in 1952. After conversion, two Ugandans; Maxi Kanyerezi and Enock Olinga, (George Olinga’s father) with his wife went to Congo Brazaville and British Cameroon respectively to spread the faith. According to George Olinga, “The guardian of the faith at the time, Shoghi Effendi, was so pleased with the way the faith was received in Uganda and decided to have the East and Central Africa assembly in Kampala in 1956. He chose Uganda to be the host of the mother Temple of Africa and ordered for the purchase of land for the construction of the continental house of worship.” Other places with Baha’i temples in the world include Germany, New Delhi, Australia, Samoa, Chicago, Panama and one under construction in Chile. Becoming a Baha’i Unlike other religions where new converts have to be baptised or perform religious rituals, a Baha’i convert does not go through any of such. Olinga says, “To become a Baha’i, one has to understand and embrace the principles of Baha’u’llah which include independent investigation of faith, equality of men and women, harmony of science and religion. This is because science without religion leads to materialism and the reverse leads to superstition. Other principles are universal education, and world peace where there is one auxiliary language on top of a mother tongue.” If one embraces these principles, he adds, “One qualifies to be called a Baha’i and that is crowned with the signing of a card for the National Assembly to know how many Baha’is are in the country, but it’s not a sign of baptism.” Laws and obligationsLike any religion, the Baha’i faith has got laws and obligations governing it. Olinga says one of the cardinal laws is prayer and fasting. There are three categories of prayers in the faith— obligatory, special, and daily prayers. Also, there are three types of daily prayers— short, medium and long prayer. Each Baha’i should say at least one of the three every day. On Sundays, Baha’is congregate at the temple for prayers. The scripture reading and the preaching lasts for one and a half hours. Besides the Sunday prayer there is the 19-day feast. On every 19th day of the Baha’i month, the faithful meet for consultation, devotion, administration and socialising. The feast is hosted by different members of the community with approval of the Local Spiritual Assembly. Besides prayers, the Baha’i also fast. “We fast for the first 19 days of the Baha’i year which starts March 2 to March 20,” says Olinga. Other laws are against drugs, alcohol, backbiting, and others. Baha’i faithful are forbidden from involvement in partisan politics. The Baha’is also practise holy marriages and there are laws governing marriage in the faith. The wedding is conducted by the Local Spiritual Assembly upon the presentation of a letter of consent from the woman’s parents. 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/-I-m-HIV-positive-but-have-negative-daughters-/-/688342/2393926/-/15gm71iz/-/index.html","content":"‘I’m HIV positive but have negative daughters’ - Four-year-old Julie* threw the curtain open and ran into her house with a beaming smile. Her eyes immediately darted to where her mum, Angel Ntege, sat with her baby sister Debbie* in her arms. She jumped on Ntege’s lap and kissed Debbie hello. “Mummy, guess what I learned today?” she said with excitement. Julie popped up and turned to them with the expression of a performer. “Mummy, can I teach you? Legs, hands, head, stomach,” she said, pointing to each part. She flew back over to the couch to show her mum her homework for the night. Prioritising her childrenA single mother, Ntege carries many burdens on her back, but her children come first in her life. Although Ntege is struggling to pay back some debts, she puts her daughter’s school fees at top priority. Julie is in school and leaves for class every morning at around 6:30 am. But not before she physically sees her mother take her medicine. “She keeps me going. [I] find myself forgetting I have HIV,” Ntege said. Four years ago, Ntege was about to go to university when she found out, at 21 years old, that she was pregnant. Despite pleas from her boyfriend and her friends to abort the baby, she refused. She then went to a clinic thinking she would go through a simple antenatal visit and perhaps get some medicine. However, all women are required to test for HIV when they go in for antenatal care. “If someone is found positive, they can make sure they can protect the child you’re carrying,” the doctors told the group of mothers-to-be. HIV never crossed Ntege’s mind. 30 minutes later, the doctors called her into a separate room. She was the youngest in the group that had been tested. “Why are they taking me in here?” she wondered. “Maybe they’ll tell me about giving birth. Maybe everyone else has already gone through this process,” she thought to herself. The doctors began telling her about HIV, what would happen if the results were positive. They encouraged her. Ntege nodded along. “We have your results, but they’re not good,” they said. The bad news was delivered. It was too much for her. Ntege fainted. The doctors then called the first name on her phone. When she regained consciousness, her cousin, also named Angel, was there to take her home. “Take heart. Be strong,” Angel told her. But a million thoughts flooded her mind. “I’m pregnant, there is no support, the money’s not there, now I’m positive. What will I do with this child? Is my child going to be positive? Why should I give birth anyway? I’m going to die. Why would I leave my baby suffering?” All these and many other thoughts flooded her mind. Ntege grew up knowing loss. Her father passed on when she was three years old, followed by her mother when she was seven. Years later, the label of HIV brought another kind of betrayal into her life. Ntege’s ex-boyfriend and Julie’s father knew his status, but Ntege had no idea. When she refused to abort the baby, he fled to Boston and was out of contact for three years. It was the test results that made Ntege discover why he left – and wonder whether the transmission was intentional. “I was very young, no relatives, no nothing,” Ntege said. “Julie’s dad had sponsored me, he took me to school for high school, but whether he had the intention to infect me, I don’t know.”Although her cousins, Maureen and Bridget were a major source of comfort and support, much of Ntege’s family left her to fend for herself. Amidst the turmoil of thoughts and emotions flooding her head after she received the news of her status, one question racked Ntege’s brain. “Is my child going to be positive?” “No, she can’t,” the doctor responded. “That baby will be free.” Ntege didn’t know anything about HIV – she thought she was going to die the next day. She didn’t know about the ARV treatment that could save her baby. She didn’t know that she could live with HIV. She started going for counselling at the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI). “How do you feel about the baby?” a counsellor asked her the first time. “It’s okay,” Ntege responded, “I’m leaving everything to God.” The counsellors became her friends. She also watched other women overcome the stigma and realised that having HIV didn’t define her life or the life of her baby. She heard the stories of HIV-positive mothers and drew strength from their mentorship. The feeling that she wasn’t alone motivated Ntege to be bold about her status and to take positive mothers under her wing. “I have to show them the picture that living with HIV does not mean the end of your life,” she said.Julie was born on July 7, 2009. When she was tested and Ntege found out she was negative, she cried tears of joy. “God saved my baby,” she said. Sometime later, Ntege wrote an article about her story. Having considered her long gone by then, Julie’s father found the article on the Internet and got in touch with her from Boston, asking about the baby and its status. But Ntege doesn’t carry a grudge towards him for infecting her. A few years later, she met another man and conceived. She gave birth to her second daughter, Debbie, who is HIV negative too. But stigma caused the end of Ntege’s relationship with Debbie’s father. She was so bold about her status from the first time she met him at the IDI. But he never believed her. “Up to now, he doesn’t believe I am positive,” Ntege said. The two are no longer together. But throughout the stigma, the hardships of being a single mother, and the added stress of treatment and financial issues, Ntege has found women who understand her and finds encouragement in the women that she mentors. “I find a lot of challenges in life and sometimes if you don’t have someone to talk to, it becomes so hard,” she said. “I make myself very open so that they can approach me.” 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Bamboo-is-the-answer-to-poverty-in-Luweero-Triangle/-/689860/2328178/-/xp884m/-/index.html","content":"Bamboo is the answer to poverty in Luweero Triangle - It took the people of Luweero Triangle five years to get rid of an unpopular government. But they have failed to kick poverty out of their lives. For 27 years, government has been trying too, with little success. Chronic poverty is one of the reasons why people voted the way they did in the recent by elections for Woman Member of Parliament. The district is the centre of the Luweero Triangle, where President Museveni waged the guerilla war that brought his government into power. Nakaseke, Kiboga, Mubende, Mityana, Wakiso, Mpigi and Mukono districts are part of this Triangle, which has since been expanded to include the Rwenzori region. Most of the people are farmers, growing a variety of crops and keeping cattle. Since my farm is in Nakaseke District, I have been closely monitoring government’s efforts to “get us out of poverty”. Getting the ideaThere have been several government programmes to help farmers increase their production. Naads has also been giving technical and material support to farmers. But poverty persists. Most of the farmers are so poor; they are forced to sell off their immature mangoes and coffee cheaply to brokers, in order to survive. Perhaps, we should try bamboo. As a bamboo farmer, I know that bamboo can be the answer to poverty. I have seen bamboo transform the economic landscape of many regions in different parts of the world, which were in the same or worse situation. Since Uganda imports many bamboo products from China, from tooth picks to furniture, we might as well “import” some ideas from the Chinese on how to set up a bamboo industry. Anji and Linan counties, found in Zhejiang province can be described as epicentre of the bamboo industry, which employs millions of people and earns the country billions of dollars every year. I have had the opportunity to visit this region. What I saw there can easily be replicated in Luwero Triangle. Most of the people in Anji and Linan are small-scale farmers, operating on one to two hectares (two and a half to five acres), where they grow bamboo and food crops, mainly vegetables. Bamboo production accounts for more than 30 per cent of the farmers’ incomes in Anji. Every year, they harvest poles and shoots, which they sell to industries in the area to process into various products. The farmers are involved in the entire bamboo value chain, not just the primary production stage. Almost every home processes bamboo into different products. During the day, they work in their farms, thinning, pruning and mulching just like you would look after bananas. In the evening, they turn to making a range of crafts and household items; some make it to our supermarket shelves. Some work in the factories during the week and tend to their farms over the weekend. In fact, most of the farmers’ income from bamboo comes from non-agricultural activities. Of the 50,000 households involved in the industry in Anji and Linen counties, for instance, 35,000–40,000 are in processing while 3,000–5,000 are involved in marketing. In addition, the sector employs more than 10,000 workers from outside the regionWe need to transform Luweero Triangle into a “Bamboo Triangle” similar to Anji and Linen in China. The starting point is to establish a resource base that can sustain an industry. We have to plant bamboo on a major scale. Currently, our main source of bamboo is the 3,000-hectare Echuya forest in western Uganda, which is shrinking very fast due to harassment from the surrounding communities. Ethiopia has 1,000,000 hectares of bamboo and is planting more; they are already earning a lot of money from exporting processed products to Europe. Different usesEvery home in Luweero Triangle should have at least a bamboo plant as entandikwa. It is a versatile plant that can thrive on marginal land such as rocky ground, steep slopes, sand and rock quarries, and on top of hills. It is advisable to grow bamboo on the marginal areas on your land, and use the prime areas to grow food crops. It also makes a very good boundary mark, which can protect the land from encroachers. 1 | 2 Next Page»For the people in Rwenzori mountain ranges, bamboo can bind the soils and stop them from being eroded away by heavy rains and stem the mudslides that are common in the area. There used to be bamboo on those mountain slopes, but it was cleared to create gardens, which explains the periodic flooding and mudslides in Kasese and Bundibugyo areas. Also, while waiting for the resource base to get established (since it takes bamboo three to five years to mature), we can embark on the second stage, which is to build a skill base. It is useless to have a resource when you lack the skill to exploit it. One of the reasons why farmers in Luweero Triangle are being paid little for their tomatoes, coffee, pineapples and other produce, is because they sell them in their raw form, without adding any value. We should not make the same mistake with bamboo. There are thousands of products that can be made with bamboo, even at the farm level, using simple carpentry tools. Bamboo can be used to make different farm structures and tools, which can save and, in the long run, earn the farmer money. Where to start fromEducational institutions should lead the campaign to impart the propagation and processing skills to the population in the area. Every school should have a bamboo stand to provide raw material for training. Students can use it to construct classrooms, make furniture and make a whole range of crafts that they can sell. One pole can generate material to make up to 20 pairs of beautiful ear rings, which sell at Shs3,000 each. That is Shs60,000 from one pole. As the resource base gets established, industries that process bamboo into high value products such as floor tiles will set up shop. The people will then have the option of either growing bamboo to feed industries or to seek employment there. Meanwhile, farmers will have a constant source of feed for their livestock, which is a big problem in Luweero Triangle’s cattle corridor, as bamboo makes quality forage for ruminants. For charcoal burners, bamboo makes high quality charcoal. It also makes very good fertilisers. Uganda Industrial Research Institute is about to start producing these bamboo fertilisers on a commercial scale. Therefore, instead of waiting for government to get them out of poverty, the people of Luwero should consider transforming the region into a bamboo triangle. They can use bamboo to “cane” poverty and get it out of their lives. The author is a farming journalist and a consultant. E-mail: akndawula@gmail.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Why-the-NRM-party-is-here-for-the-long-haul/-/689364/2324408/-/rfkam1/-/index.html","content":"Why the NRM party is here for the long haul - The National Resistance Movement (NRM) is a mass liberation movement which is deeply engraved in the spirit and soul of the wanachi; right from the time the National Resistance Army (NRA) and other Ugandans of goodwill launched a fierce struggle against bloody dictatorships.It’s not easy to dislodge a mass liberation movement formed and supported by the masses. In Africa, mass liberation movements like the ANC, ZANU-PF, MPLA, FRELIMO, CCM, etc, have proved difficult to uproot because they bear the true conscience of the people and are founded on sacred principles of brotherhood. The latest talk is about the goings-on in NRM, with speculators suggesting that there is a “power struggle in the NRM that is threatening to tear the party apart”. On the contrary, there is no such thing as “power struggle” in the party. In any case, the party is only growing stronger given that we are reworking our structures at all levels, carrying out aggressive mobilisation with a view of winning more supporters and members, and streamlining the operational mechanisms in line with the NRM revolutionary ideology. What is going on is a rediscovery process in the NRM aimed at bolstering the party and entrenching it deeper in the country’s soul and skin. From the time that the party national chairman, together with the party leadership, appointed me to head the mobilisation function of the party, we have witnessed unprecedented engagement from the grassroots party leaders and community members flooding the NRM party offices at Plot 10 Kyadondo Road in Kampala to offer advice and solutions on the direction and strengthening of NRM. People come from as far as Kiryandongo, Kisoro, Gulu, Luweero and other far-flung areas to contribute ideas.The NRM will continue to dominate the country’s leadership because of the trust and confidence that the masses have in the revolutionary Movement, and because of the stellar performance that the NRM government has scored in the last 28 years under the strong and visionary leadership of our dear party chairman, Gen Yoweri Museveni. I am also happy to note and report that some regions, which were formerly hostile to the NRM such as the north and parts of the east, owing to insurgency, have now embraced the NRM since the ideologically bankrupt rebel elements were defeated and flushed out by the mighty UPDF. The northern region is fully recovered from war, with people back in their homes to plough the black fertile soils. Business is booming, with skyscrapers mushrooming in every corner of Gulu and Lira towns. Little wonder the Acholi and Langi have overwhelmingly chosen to reject the Opposition, but support the NRM and our leader, President Museveni, in the forthcoming 2016 general elections. Those jubilating that the NRM is nearing its end are in for terrible disappointment. The potency and vitality of the NRM is evidenced in its intimating numbers at the various levels of leadership; we command over 300 members of Parliament out of a possible 386; and over 90 per cent of the district local governments (district, sub-county and parish chairpersons and council representatives). A weak party can’t enjoy such huge numbers. To add to this, we have swept in most of the by-elections, and it’s just a matter of time before we win over the Luweero Woman seat. True to NRM principles, whereas the Opposition have kept their campaigns among the urban elite, the NRM has kept closer to the true owners of the revolution- the peasants. That’s where we derive our strength. The people will keep on supporting and electing the NRM because we have something to offer to them and something to validate our existence as a mass liberation movement. NRM has brought peace, stability and security; huge investments in infrastructure; universal access to education and health services; deliberate plans to massively create jobs through solid partnerships with the private sector and support to private investments; and the current drive towards socio-economic transformation by emphasising wealth creation and elimination of household poverty. Mr Todwong is minister without Portfolio in Charge of Political Mobilisation and MP for Nwoya."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Let-s-be-patriotic-through-farming/-/689860/2249000/-/waus0b/-/index.html","content":"Let’s be patriotic through farming - There is a new law in the offing, requiring Ugandans to love their country for better or worse. What a joke! While patriotism is a good thing, you cannot coerce someone to be patriotic. You can only appeal to their sense of patriotism. That is what US, UK, Canada and Germany did during the two World Wars, when they were faced with the challenge of feeding their populations. With most of the able-bodied citizens away fighting, there was a shortage of labour to produce food. Depending on imported food was risky as the enemy could easily block the supply route. The governments encouraged their citizens to support the war effort by growing more food in their gardens. This would help reduce their dependency on imported food. Use existing lawsAnd to show their patriotism, people dug up their lawns and flower gardens to grow vegetables and other food crops, which they generously shared with neighbours. The media joined in, giving tips on how to produce more food on less space and how to preserve the surplus to avoid wastage.Besides boosting food production, the “Victory Gardens” were taken as an opportunity for those who could not join the army, to defend their country. Almost 70 years later, people in these countries still talk about “Victory Gardens” with nostalgia. That is patriotism. Instead of waiting for the law to be made, which may take years, Ugandans should make use of the already existing laws to show how much we love our country. Take the environment law, for instance. We know it is illegal to cultivate or construct in a wetland. We are also aware of the consequences of encroachment. Conserving them should be the duty and responsibility of every Ugandan but instead this has been left to foreign NGOs and government agencies. Where is our patriotism? We need to demonstrate it. We need to show these politicians that, it is not necessary to take people to school to learn how to be patriotic. There are some simple things we can do on our farms and the neighbouring communities, to demonstrate our love for the Pearl of Africa which, according to several accounts, is one of the most beautiful spots on earth. That beauty should be reflected on our farms. It should be the duty of every farmer, for instance, to set aside a part of their land, however small, as a nature reserve or a sanctuary for wild life. It can be a rocky area where no farming activity can take place or a wetland that is prone to flooding. With time, that part will become a centre of attraction at the farm, an oasis frequented by people who appreciate nature. Preserve nature, improve communityIn some countries, citizens express their patriotism by flying the national flags in front of their homes or on their cars. In Uganda, you can easily get misunderstood. However, no one will stop you from attracting the Crested Crane, the national bird, to the nature reserve on your farm. If farmers are keeping rhinos, crocodiles, ostriches, or even snakes on their farms, why not the Crested Crane? There are many people willing to pay money to see a living Crested Crane. The increasingly rare bird thrives in wetlands. By preserving the wetland on your farm, you are offering a home to the national bird, which beats displaying the national flag on your office desk. Farmers can also use resources on their farms to demonstrate patriotism and, at the same time, improve communities. For instance, many operate small plant nurseries where they propagate different seedlings to sell or to plant on their farm. 1 | 2 Next Page»Instead of focusing on a few commercial species such as coffee, pine and eucalyptus, farmers should include species, which are good for the local environment, have medicinal properties or help lessen pressure on high value trees such as mangoes and jackfruit.You can donate these seedlings to individuals and institutions such as schools and churches or mosques, which have idle land. Paying the costFarming activities, especially modern farming, inflict a lot of damage on nature. If you calculated the amount of dangerous chemicals an average farmer in Uganda uses in a year and their effect on the environment around the farm, you would be shocked. If the farmers care for the country and the land from which they derive their livelihoods, then they should look beyond the cost and efficiency of the chemicals they use on the farm. Instead, they should consider the amount of damage these chemicals inflict on the environment.There are less harmful alternatives. They may cost a bit more, but we should be willing to pay the cost, for the sake of our country, What Uganda needs are more patriotic farmers to feed the nation, not more redundant laws that cannot be implemented. The author is a farming journalist and a consultant. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/You-win-with-farming-than-sports-betting/-/689860/2239812/-/43keywz/-/index.html","content":"You win with farming than sports betting - The rate at which the youth are getting connected to internet via mobile phone is encouraging. That is until you find out what information they seek from internet; sports updates. It is amazing how much the average youth in Uganda knows about English Premier League. They can name all the teams, the star players, when and how much each of them was bought or sold, and who is on form and who is not. But they cannot name the minister of agriculture or relate the fighting in South Sudan to drastic drops in prices of pineapples and water melon in their village. Rechannel resourcesAt the risk of being labelled a social bore, I readily confess to being sports illiterate. True, my first port of call in journalism was sports writing, and before that I was a national athlete.However, I claim to be sports illiterate, to avoid senseless arguments. Just look around you; whenever there are two or three youths arguing, chances are it is about the Premier League. If time, money and brains and other resources spent on monitoring foreign sports action were to be rechannelled into agriculture, the sector would be performing much better. But, to the Premier League-obsessed youth, arguing about soccer the whole day is not wasting time. On the contrary, it is considered a strategic investment; acquiring vital information on which teams to bet on. Just like revision of class notes before exams, they consult their “data” before placing a bet.This obsession with foreign sports is an early symptom of a deadly addiction that is rapidly spreading among Ugandans, especially the youth. Resources are being diverted from farming and channelled into gambling, with dire consequences to the agriculture sector. The evil in gamblingEvery village has a story to share about a farmer who sold livestock or crops or even farm implements to invest in betting, or a youth who made a fortune in the harvest season, only to lose it all to the slot machine. As farmers prepare the fields for planting, they are faced with a serious problem of labour shortage. Where have all the youth gone? They are in the urban centres playing Ludo, pool, cards or placing bets. Almost every town now has video hall, a pool table and a betting stall. It is strange that while government is keen to protect its “innocent” citizens from harmful “foreign” cultures like homosexuality and pornography, it has done little to warn them about the evil in gambling. On earning some money, for instance, after selling coffee or maize, the first item most youth buy is a touch-screen mobile phone with an internet connection. Money in farmingIn my village, they call the touch screen--kibanja, probably because of its size and the amount of money it costs. To many proud owners, having one is like carrying a piece of land (ekibanja) in your pocket.How do we get the youth away from the gambling dens back to the farm? First, we need to find out what attracts them to gambling. It is the prize money. It is every gambler’s dream to win big. Though, there are more losers than winners, they keep hoping to be among the winners. Is there prize money in farming? There is “big money” in farming, if you know where to look. To demonstrate how easy it is to become a millionaire, the late Fred Semaganda, then Kampala mayor, used to give an example of a banana leaf seller who harvests one million leaves and sells them at a shilling each and voila, becomes an instant millionaire. Of course, it is not that easy. Where are the opportunities to make big money in farming? Just like it is with betting, to identify the opportunities in farming, you need information. That information is all around. Let us start with that kibanja phone you are using to monitor the English Premier League. The internet is a gold mine that is waiting to be tapped. It is a resource that can transform your life for the better. You do not need to go back to school to study agriculture, if you have access to the internet. It is a virtual classroom. With an internet-enabled mobile phone, you have the entire farming world in your palm. Information is vitalTen years ago, I was spending a lot of money every year buying past issues of Farmers Weekly magazines from UK and South Africa. I could not afford current issues. Today, I read them free online. All I have to invest in is an internet connection. While you use your kibanja phone to receive sports updates, I use mine to get farming updates. What an opportunity. With a phone, you can make good use of the time you waste in traffic jams or arguing about the Premier League. Radio is another source of information. The radio has always been an important source of information in Uganda; where low literacy levels are only rivalled by low purchasing power. The liberalisation of the airwaves followed by the flooding of the local market with cheap radio sets has seen almost everyone, including children, acquire a radio set. Better gambleSports and political talk shows attract the biggest audiences. A radio station which has sports programmes is easily one of the most popular. Some sports and political commentators and analysts are treated like deities by their adoring fans. 1 | 2 Next Page»The same radio stations also air development programmes, including farming, which are dismissively referred to as “stuff for old people”.The same applies to TV. Are you really getting your money’s worth by restricting yourself to only the sports channels? True, some people are already addicted to gambling. My advice is you are better off gambling with farming. It is more predictable than the Premier League, especially if you put to proper use the resources around you. The author is a farming journalist and a consultant. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Why-Museveni-stood-up-to-Obama-on-homosexuality/-/689844/2226870/-/rtxrh6z/-/index.html","content":"Why Museveni stood up to Obama on homosexuality - In the run up to the 2013 Kenyan elections, former US assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson, warned that “choices have consequences”. His caution was perceived as an instruction to Kenyans not to choose Uhuru Kenyatta and his running mate William Ruto because, as International Criminal Court suspects, America would not work with them smoothly. It was a wild gamble. Instead of alienating voters, the belligerent Washington tone instead galvanised support for the indictees, casting promising Raila Odinga as a sell-out to foreigners even when he may not have been. He lost the vote he and loyalists considered his ‘turn to be president”. And so the narrative of unintended consequences of official proclamations on foreign policy matters continues to baffle, more intriguingly in Uganda.Days after president Barack Obama warned that US-Uganda “valued relationship” would be “complicated” if the Anti-Homosexuality Bill became law, President Museveni appended his signature, converting the Act of Parliament to an enforceable legislation. Fearless manIf Museveni’s defiance was odd, his unprecedented decision to have the signing ceremony televised was dramatic and more telling. First, the posture coupled with his curt comments cast him as a man who does not fear the mighty US or West unlike other subservient characters. “We reject the notion that somebody can be homosexual by choice; that a man can choose to love a fellow man; that sexual orientation is a matter of choice,” said Mr Museveni, invoking “we” instead of “I” to show it was Uganda, not his personal, future at stake. The tough rhetoric and actual signing at 1:52pm drew wild cheers among lunch-time worshippers at Pentecostal churches, schools, bars and other such crowds arranged for the occasion by anti-gay activists. What then are the options for Uganda’s erstwhile Western allies, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, in the wake of this enactment? They could cut aid, as the Norwegian, Danish and Dutch governments have done, and in effect punish ordinary Ugandans and not President Museveni with whom they are angry. That move has costs, even when convenient for donors’ domestic politicking. It reflects their intolerance to dissenting views or actions which they preach outside as basis for others to be accommodating of gays. Also by withdrawing assistance, development partners deprive themselves of a means to leverage on recipient countries. Since Monday, the day of assent to the impugned law, Ugandan voices praising Museveni drown those contesting his decision. That in itself is not surprising considering the local popularity of the legislation first introduced in 2009 by Ndorwa West MP David Bahati. ComplimentsHis spat with the West has coalesced citizens around him, with compliments for him flooding the social media and other local publics, including the religious and conformist. Thus a tactical Museveni has reinvented himself, even in the eyes of traditional opponents, and can now choose to ignore the West and their value systems of good governance, democracy and respect of human rights so as to rule as an absolute dictator. The one man former US president Bill Clinton called a “new breed” African leader would have morphed into an irony of early admirers. And it seems president Obama saw the hazard of a verbal contest with the Ugandan leader, in power for 28 years. Museveni in 2011 said longevity in office had helped him know how to deal with the West. By letting White House spokesperson Jay Carney and Secretary of State John Kerry, and not himself, speak after Museveni’s defiant signature on the controversial legislation, Obama who is not used to such open public challenge, worse from an African leader, saw the possibility of an embarrassing end to such tiff. “Now that this law has been enacted, we are beginning an internal review of our relationship with the government of Uganda to ensure that all dimensions of our engagement, including assistance programmes, uphold our anti-discrimination policies and principles and reflect our values,” said Mr Kerry. The US cannot act swiftly like the Norwegians; say to cut aid, because the “valued relationship” between Washington and Kampala has been cemented by security dealings. Thousands of UPDF soldiers are in Somalia, hunting the al Shabaab fighters in the countryside, after flushing them out of the capital, Mogadishu, where the militants had a stranglehold. The US government, which has boots of about 100 of its Special Forces on the ground alongside regional militaries on counter-LRA offensive, picks most bills of the Somalia operation, which is where American troops failed 22 years ago. UPDF deployment in a flash to save South Sudan president Salva Kiir’s government from collapse, with troop commanders priding themselves in stemming genocide there. Yes, the US wants them out but cannot find an immediate replacement. By playing the West’s stooge, Mr Museveni made friends abroad including powerful Washington and London lobbyists, and earned a free ticket to almost misbehave at home as he wanted. Donors looked at Uganda’s rosy economic figures to justify arguments to their taxpayers that aid was working. 1 | 2 Next Page»Credible alternativeWith a powerful military ready to deploy within snap approval by their commander-in-chief, Uganda’s relations with the US morphed into “valuable”. And Museveni became an invaluable asset with it. Western diplomats in Kampala have every election season quietly spoken of there being no credible alternative to President Museveni, especially among the current crop of opposition politicians. And Museveni seems to have heard their conversations. He can afford to deploy soldiers and police to kill and brutalise civilians on the streets, secure that western governments will do nothing to shake his grip on power other than casual condemnations. Now with the anti-gay law, he has majority citizens on his side, and donors on the other. If donors choose to tackle Museveni as long wished by his opponents, he will argue that an unforgiving West has gone after him over their gay agenda, scoring domestic points and rallying the population or region on his side. That would be a sweetener for a dictator. Neither will donors look good whether they imposed targeted sanctions or withdrew aid as Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe situation has shown. Why? Because defiance is attractive to humankind. Unlike other regional militaries, Museveni founded the UPDF and leverages on it as if it was, in the words of his critics, his “personal army”. Kenya Defence Forces deployed in Somalia because of direct terrorist attacks on the country, and are unlikely, for instance, to deploy in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tanzanians are indifferent to random foreign military adventures. Central African Republic is burning and DRC’s Joseph Kabila has lurched from one conflict to another, particularly in the east of the country, the last powerful M23 rebel group being talked out and later defeated under Museveni mediation. Already, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame is in bad books with some western powers, including the US which recently froze its military assistance. And America cannot risk a security vacuum in the restive central Africa by getting rid of Museveni unless they get a credible alternative to take care of their security and other interests in the Great Lakes. That gives the Ugandan leader another lease of political life. There is limited evidence, contrary to what many commentators embrace, that Museveni pandered to the domestic constituency and signed the law to appease a conservative voting bloc ahead of 2016 vote. Previous ballots, two of which he won but which the Supreme Court ruled were marred with irregularities, showed that the army can be drafted or voters bribed or votes stuffed to secure electoral victory. “Since my original thesis that there may be people who are born homosexual has been disproved by science, then the homosexuals have lost the argument in Uganda,” the President declared. He can be condemned, as he has been variously criticised, but fate could not have played in his favour more than when CNN reported that Arizona’s legislature passed a bill allowing “business owners, as long as they assert their religious beliefs, to deny service to gay and lesbian customers”. Without any planned penalty or harsh words for Arizona, bombarding an African country would cast the White House as hypocritical and imperial, which is what Museveni meant with his remark against the West imposing its values on “us”. To be derided or punished for doing one of rare things in the interest of majority Ugandans enables Museveni to trap both unsuspecting citizens and donors. The President said he had calculated costs of aid withdrawal, and worked out a means to pad the gap by re-assigning allocations in the 2013/14 budget. Russia and China, his new friends, were unmistakably on his mind for fortifying his power as he the week before praised them as partners that do not interfere in internal affairs of other countries. Reports that Museveni’s former legal aide, Fox Odoi, now an MP, is heading to challenge the new law in the Constitutional Court, when read together with the president’s view that the anti-gay law can be changed if scientific evidence emerges to prove genetic predisposition to homosexuality, leave the net wide open. It is one law where the drama and tempo of conversation will remain in the higher clouds. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Can-wetlands--agriculture-co-exist--/-/689860/2192882/-/q3br80z/-/index.html","content":"Can wetlands, agriculture co-exist?  - Initially, human settlements primarily occurred in fertile areas along rivers and from the early beginning of agricultural activities, riverine wetlands have been recognised as valuable land areas for food and fodder production, because they have fertile soils. However, increase in human population and extensive farming over time has changed the situation as wetlands, forests and other natural habitats become stressed.In line with the UN’s designation of 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming, the Ramsar Convention chose Wetlands and Agriculture as the theme for 2014. Although wetland protection is officially a priority for the 168 nations (as of 2013) under this convention, wetlands continue to be under threat of being drained and reclaimed. Main pillarsIn East Africa, the theme triggers varied discussions and standpoints in line with the current situation of wetlands. This is because wetlands have remained to be seen as reclaimable land for growing crops even in the dry spells, can be a source of water for irrigation and watering animals, but also as a moderator of climate, crop and animal diseases as well as a source of medicine for both humans and domestic animals. This is in light of the Ramsar Convention’s main pillars of wise use, designating and managing more wetlands of international importance (Ramsar Sites), and international cooperation to which all the five East African countries (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda) are signatory. Wetlands and agriculture link? Agriculture has been carried out in several types of (former) wetlands, with crop fields on river floodplain soils and rice fields as major examples. However, intensive agricultural use of drained/reclaimed peat lands has been shown to lead to major problems. This does not only lead to severe carbon dioxide emissions, but also results in low-lying land, which needs to be protected against flooding. Extensive use of wetlands without drastic reclamation measures and without fertiliser and pesticides might result in combinations of food production with other wetland services, with biodiversity remaining more or less intact. But there is a need for research by agronomists and environmental scientists to optimise such solutions. Wetlands coverage and challengesThere are serious threats to wetlands in East Africa arising from the need to meet the growing water, food, energy and other livelihood needs. In Uganda, wetlands cover has now been reduced to 26,308 square kilometres, or 11 per cent of the total land area. Wetlands in Uganda have come under considerable pressure and most them are on the brink of total degradation due to the uneven nature of activities there. Ahead of the World Wetlands Day in February 2013, Minister of State for Water, Betty Bigombe, highlighted a number of challenges that Uganda is facing in wetland management including enforcement of the wetland policy and related legislation. The downward spiral in wetlands loss is appalling. A Nema State of Environment Report estimated that Jinja District has lost over 80 per cent of its original wetland area. On one hand, communities that access these wetlands and use them for agriculture and extraction of various raw materials and fishing have greatly contributed to their degradation. The limited wetland areas are under considerable pressure from a growing population and industrial development. Poor natural resource management, coupled with poorly planned or executed development activities have, and are continuing to deplete the limited renewable natural resource base of the country. On the other hand, mega projects have greatly contributed to the decimation of wetlands. For instance in Kampala, an increased number of Industrial establishments that have encroached on the wetlands have affected the ecological functions of Kinawataka and Nakivubo swamps. Similarly, increased private agricultural interests in the stressed wetlands are threatening their existence. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Weather-outlook-for-January-February/-/689860/2163726/-/creusmz/-/index.html","content":"Weather outlook for January-February - The forecast for the first two months of 2014 has been released by Department of Meteorology. A review of the weather in December 2013 shows most parts of Lake Victoria basin received near-normal with a slight tendency to above-normal rainfall. For the rest, there was near-normal to below-normal rainfall apart from isolated parts of Kabale, Kisoro, Rukungiri and Kanungu, which experienced near-normal rainfall. Kampala weather station recorded the highest monthly total of 118.7mm followed by Entebbe with 108.6mm and Kabale with 80.2mm. The lowest was in Arua with 14.7mm. Overall, the forecast for January and February shows that most parts of the country are expected to remain sunny and dry over. However, a few areas around Lake Victoria basin and south-western districts of Kabale, Kisoro and Kanungu are expected to experience occasional light to moderate rainfall. The breakdown of the forecast for each region is given as follows: NORTHERN REGIONNorthern Parts: (Gulu, Apac, Lira, Kitgum, Pader, Amuru, Lamwo, Nwoya, Oyam, Kole, Dokolo and Kiryandongo districts)The region is likely to experience generally dry conditions for most of the months of January and February. WESTERN REGIONSouth Western: (Kisoro, Kabale, Rukungiri, Kanungu, Ntungamo, Mbarara, Kiruhura, Isingiro, Ibanda, Bushenyi, Buhweju, Mitooma, Sheema, Rubirizi and Kasese) districtsThe region is likely to experience generally dry conditions for most of the months of January and February. Occasional light to moderate rains are however likely to be experienced over isolated places of Kabale, Kisoro and Kanungu. Western Central: (Bundibugyo, Ntoroko, Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa, Kamwenge, Masindi, Buliisa, Hoima and Kibaale) districtsThe region is likely to experience generally dry conditions for most of the months of January and February. Occasional light to moderate rains are however likely to be experienced over isolated places especially closer to the Mt. Rwenzori. North Western: (Moyo, Yumbe, Adjumani, Arua, Terego, Zombo, Nebbi, Koboko) districtsThe region is likely to experience generally dry conditions for most of the months of January and February. LAKE VICTORIA BASIN AND CENTRAL AREASCentral and Western Lake Victoria Basin: (Kalangala, Kampala, Wakiso, eastern Masaka, Lwengo, Mpigi, Butambala, Kalungu, Bukomansimbi, Gomba, and Mityana districts)The region is likely to experience generally dry conditions for most of the months of January and February. Occasional light to moderate rains are however likely to be experienced over isolated places of Kampala, Kalangala and Wakiso. Western Parts of Central: (Nakasongola, Luwero, Kyankwanzi, Nakaseke Kiboga, Mubende, Sembabule, Western Masaka, Lwengo, Lyantonde, and Rakai) districtsThe region is likely to experience generally dry conditions for most of the months of January and February. Eastern parts of Central: (Mukono, Buikwe, Kayunga, Buvuma) districtsThe region is likely to experience generally dry conditions for most of the months of January and February. Occasional light to moderate rains are however likely to be experienced over isolated places. Potential impacts of the January and February weather outlookThe sunny and dry conditions expected over most areas of the country will have the following impacts; • In pastoral areas especially in cattle corridor areas will lead to further reduction in foliage and pasture for livestock • Water resource availability is likely to decline especially in Karamoja as well as southern cattle corridor • High temperatures especially during the day may give rise to heat waves, which is a potential health risk 1 | 2 Next Page»• There is an increased likelihood of problems associated with dust and dust storms in some areas especially Karamoja region as a result of dry conditions • In some areas irrigation can be used for short maturing crops like vegetables• The dry spell can be used for proper drying of produce like cereals • Land preparation is encouraged in order to utilise the long rains of March to May 2014 EASTERN REGIONEastern Lake Victoria and South Eastern: (Jinja, Kamuli, Iganga, Bugiri, Luuka, Namutumba, Buyende, Kaliro, Busia and Tororo districts)The region is likely to experience generally dry conditions for most of January and February. Occasional light to moderate rains are however likely to be experienced over isolated places. Eastern Central: (Pallisa, Budaka, Mbale, Sironko, Manafwa, Bududa, Kapchorwa, Kumi, Kaberamaido, Soroti, Serere, Amolatar, Butaleja, Bulambuli, Kween, Bukedea, and Ngora districts)The region is likely to experience generally dry conditions for most of January and February. Occasional light rains are, however, likely to be experienced over isolated places. North Eastern region: (Katakwi, Otuke, Moroto, Kotido, Nakapiripirit, Abim, Napak, Amudat, Amuria, and Kaabong districts) The region is likely to experience generally dry conditions for most of January and February. Expert take > Factors influencing the weather and the impact During December 2013, slightly warmer than average Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs) were observed over western equatorial Indian Ocean along the East African coast while in the eastern equatorial Indian Ocean, adjacent to Australia, very warm SSTs were observed. Significant weakening of the East African ridge was observed which resulted into the rain-bearing Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) over the southern parts of the country. This led to suppressed rainfall over most of the northern parts. Experienced impactsThe reported rainfall experienced impacted both positively and negatively on various sectors:• In agricultural sector, most farming communities continued to observe good crop performance• In pastoral areas, pastures continued to improve due to the relative rains experienced across the country and replenishment of water reservoirs• But in some areas, heavy rainfall resulted into serious flooding making roads impassable and destruction of property. There were violent storms, hailstones and lightning also reported. Expected weather systems during January and FebruaryThe slightly warmer than average SSTs over the western equatorial Indian Ocean along the East African coast will continue. The southern hemisphere high pressure systems are expected to relax while the northern hemisphere systems are expected to intensify. The Arabian ridge is expected to intensify significantly while the rain-bearing ITCZ is expected to move further extreme southwards. Source: Min of Water & Environment, Dept of Meteorology « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Score/Switch-just-right--and-a-Mata-of-time-before-United-hit-back/-/689854/2159178/-/9bsdhvz/-/index.html","content":"Switch just right, and a Mata of time before United hit back - Floundering Manchester United could not have timed their move for Juan Mata any more perfectly; never have a team so mired in mediocrity on the pitch needed a boost to go way beyond, well, the pitch. It is noticeably too late to turn United into title contenders (the actual signing hadn’t even happened by the time I keyed this in, and transfer history is littered with colossal collapses), and too late for any other silverware following some horror shows in the domestic Cups. In that sense the signing is not quite of Mesut Ozil proportions, at least not in the short term, but to an extent United can expect similar ripples around Old Trafford this winter to those felt at the Emirates last summer, not least because both clubs had to smash their transfer records to avert outright catastrophe. With millions in the club’s stock value being wiped away, with the once wealthiest club in the world sliding down the rich list, and with Arab and Russian money flooding the industry and ushering in a new order, it will do United a world of good to announce that there is some bite in this old dog yet. More intrinsically worthy however will be that much touted feel good factor the significance of the little Spaniard’s signing will bring to the terraces, the training ground, the dressing room and the pitch. The team might be scandalously short on technical ability, but even the few of true star quality had begun to be dragged down with the chaff, the self-doubt in the likes of Robin Van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Shinji Kagawa, Michael Carrick and the full backs Patrice Evra and Rafael more than peeping through, and also threatening to creep into the game of the previously unruffled teen prodigy Adnan Januzaj. Mata will reignite that starlight in those ones, the reinvigoration rubbing off on the run-of-the-mill majority who in the past have tended to overachieve in environs oozing with positive energy. And the scenes of distraught fans leaving minutes before the final whistle where they used to stick around in anticipation of the kind of last gasp winner or leveller Chicarito conjured up on Wednesday night? Mata’s arrival (initially, crucially) will put an end to those, the same way the boos that had started to ring out at the Emirates in recent years have dried out. To David Moyes’ certain relief too, that a player of Mata’s undoubted class (not short on takers) has not had to be coerced but came across as too eager or even desperate to move to Old Trafford, restores lost attractability. Publicly snubbed by Cesc Fabregas and Thiago Alcantara as well as quietly by a whole host of others, United’s ‘football nectar’ had gone stale thanks to Moyes’ poor pedigree, the club’s dreary displays and appalling results, and derogatory statements as the one attributed to Daniel de Rossi who seemed to suggest that he would have gone suicidal if he had joined in. Quicker than you can say Mata, that perception will have changed and it is not far fetched to see a Herrera, Muniain, Marchisio, Pjanic, Hernanes, Moura or Pastore following suit in the next few days, and then a really big one like Arturo Vidal or Ilkay Gundogan arriving in July. And then there is of course the small matter of what Mata will actually bring to the pitch and the team, which in short is goals, assists, improving of the team’s passing, possession, territorial dominance, creativity, pressure on the opposition and away from United’s defensive midfield and back four, all if he is allowed to link up with Januzaj, Rooney and Van Persie in forward-thrusting tandem. It is not too hard to set up if Moyes can back away from outdated duo wing-play (one is enough) and predictable 4-4-2 like all the teams above him in the Premiership table and everywhere else in Europe have done, and instead shore up that potential fearsome four with two sitting midfielders as either Marounne Fellaini (he will undoubtedly come good in the new environment) or the already impressive Darren Fletcher joins mainstay Michael Carrick. Those that have wondered how Moyes will pull this off if he hasn’t been able to do so with Kagawa should rest assured that the club hasn’t broken the bank to see Mata sit and will demand that Moyes finds a way of playing him and the other stars together. Once he does, it should all fall in place more naturally than many want to believe. ssalimark@gmail.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/Manchester-City-to-defeat-Arsenal/-/690266/2110248/-/ombouv/-/index.html","content":"Manchester City to defeat Arsenal - Chelsea vs Crystal PalaceHaving conceded six goals in their last two league games, Chelsea’s natural reaction has been to shut up shop as indeed they did against Steaua in winning 1-0 in midweek. But Jose Mourinho has also publicly criticized his strikers for not scoring enough, and so they too have to respond as indeed Demba Ba did against the same Steaua. Crystal Palace could contribute too to this ‘Over’. Manchester City vs ArsenalCurrently, Arsenal are the only team in the Premiership with both the confidence and overall quality to end Man City’s winning streak at home. Chelsea have the quality but not the confidence, Liverpool have the confidence but not overall quality, while Everton and Man United have already been beaten at the Etihad. The Gunners will put up a better show, but are likely to suffer a similar fate. Home win Aston Villa vs Man United United had started looking good when Rooney and Van Persie played together, the two exchanging assists in the rout of Fulham and then one crossing for the other as they combined for the winner against Arsenal. Then injury and suspension broke the partnership and United have not won in the league since. Looks like they are back together for this one. Away win Tottenham vs LiverpoolThey couldn’t score from open play until recently, but now the goals have started to trickle in for Spurs. They are not yet flooding in however, and Thursday nights remain a distraction. On Liverpool’s side, you wouldn’t tell seeing him on song against Norwich and West Ham, but against the organisation of Hull Luis Suarez missed Daniel Sturridge. He will again. Draw SCOTLAND Celtic vs HibernianIt is never pretty when you get the kind of hiding Celtic got from Barcelona, but it helps if you can always go home and take it out on someone else. ‘Over’ SERIE AJuventus vs SassuoloThe Serie A is traditionally not a league for goals galore, and Juventus don’t usually go on scoring sprees despite the amount of firepower and overall quality they have possessed in their ranks over the years. But their Champions League exit must have hurt, and a backlash is on the cards. ‘Over’ Napoli vs InterHere is Champions League ejection even more painful considering the number of points Napoli accumulated in the group of death. They got into the Champions League thanks to the coaching of Walter Mazzari, but now under Rafa Benitez the team from Naples will not be rolling out the red carpet for the man who left them for Inter. Home win AC Milan vs RomaAs far as football twists go, the least likely of the Serie A teams (on form) is the one that survived the Champions League axe (perhaps thanks to their superior European pedigree). Their inconsistency is such that it is hard to call this one, but there should be goals from either side. ‘Over’ BUNDESLIGA Bayern vs HamburgBecause of the scoring form of Arjen Robben, Thomas Muller, Mario Gotze as well as Frank Ribery, and because Mario Mandzukic will always be a goal threat (starter or substitute), it is hard to see a Bundesliga game involving Bayern not amassing three goals or more, even when the other side don’t score. Yet Hamburg have the ability to. ‘Over’ Hoffenhiem vs DortmundThe Bundesliga’s most gang-ho team, Hoffenheim score many and let in many. And that is when they are not playing against a team which has as many potent weapons as Dortmund, one which has struggled with injuries and form recently but is beginning to recover on both fronts. ‘Over’ Bayer Leverkusen vs FrankfurtThe third of the four Bundesliga sides to make it through to the Champions League knock out rounds this week, Leverkusen have been in the mood this season. The goals are mainly coming from a big German and an elusive South Korean, but many more within the ranks can find the net. Home win SPANISH LA LIGAOsasuna vs Real MadridReal Madrid’s other stars seemed to be unshackled by the absence of their superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, but now he is back and as hungry as always. He finds Bale, Benzema, Di Maria, Isco and co in the mood, and together they will be irresistible. Away win Barcelona vs VillarrealCeltic was a welcome change in the tide after a listless Barca had lost to Ajax and Bilbao in the games before, appearing to miss Leo Messi so desperately. Against the Scottish side Neymar finally took centre stage, but for the visit of the much better Villarreal to the Camp Nou they will need more than the Brazilian to get it done. Home win Malaga vs GetafeDraw 1 | 2 | 3 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/MARGARET-NDEKERA-THE-LADY-WHO-GAVE-US-THE-PAPER-BEAD/-/691232/2109428/-/13ugq56/-/index.html","content":"MARGARET NDEKERA:THE LADY WHO GAVE US THE PAPER BEAD - Remarkably, Margret Ndekera is not that hung up about her most well-known innovation, the paper bead. It is bee-keeping that she sounds most passionate about, what she introduces to me as her main activity of her company API-PRODEX, on Bukoto Street. “We make everything a bee keeper requires, from hive tools, honey extractors, bee brushes, protective gear, hives,” she says motioning around her.Her office is a shrine to beekeeping, dry honeycombs on one side, a lump of bees wax as a paper weight on her desk and a honey extractor in the corner half finished. She says some bees have taken residence in some parts of the building.You wouldn’t know it though when you first walk into that gate. The compound is quiet, heavy machinery is what you encounter at the verandah, atop of it, a paper model of the Gadaffi mosque, so precise you cannot help but look again, gathering dust. “Those are our woodworking machines. We just moved them from industrial area and are yet to install them. That model was made by a young man I mentor. He was meant to show it to Gadaffi but opportunities kept passing till Gadaffi passed on,” she explained. It is here in this storeyed house that serves as office workshop and home that this trim, youthful looking, 56-year-old with a dark complexion and easy laugh says she invented the paper bead. “I was just bored upstairs and the children had gone to school, so I started rolling strips of paper. I was just playing,” she says a tad too casually. Her penchant for making things with her hands dates back to when she was a little girl growing up in Mengo, as the firstborn daughter of a doctor and a nurse. “My mother had retired from nursing and had started a tailoring shop and I learnt how to sew dresses,” she says. But even before that, Ndekera says she was a creative child who was forever making small things with her hands. When Ndekera finished her S6 at Tororo Girls in 1976 she only wanted one thing and that was to go to Kyambogo. Her father was less than pleased that his firstborn daughter was settling for anything less than medicine but after she stuck to her guns he capitulated. Margret joined Kyambogo Uganda Polytechnic Kyambogo in 1977 for a laboratory science and technology course, securing her place in history as one of the pioneer women to take science technology in Kyambogo. “We were 18 women in the same class with 1,000 men,” she says with a chuckle. She recalls how she and the other girls were like tourist attractions when they went for woodwork or metal work classes. “Men would come running to the windows when we went for technology class to see if we could cut the wood like them. But of course we could, we had the same teachers, and sometimes we could even finish our work before the men,” she says. What she still remembers as a challenge is mealtimes, when the ladies had to wade through a sea of men in the dining hall to get to their seat. “It was difficult if you came late,” she reminisces. By 1979, Margret had finished her course and was poised to start a job at Nytil in the quality control department when she lost both her parents. “They were murdered at our home in Mengo. Around that time, several doctors were murdered,” she says solemnly then continues her narration.“As first born I was now head of the family, I had to shelve my dreams and start finding a way to fend for my siblings so I put my dreams on hold.”Ndekera never took up the Nytil job, instead she headed back home to her mother’s tailoring shop where she put her sewing skills to use. Making lives betterIt was not long before she got interested in improving the welfare of the small scale manufacturer. She later met with about 30 other small scale producers to form Uganda Small Scale Industry Association (USSIA). And that was another start for her, the journey towards the recognition of small scale industry, juacali if you like. This path saw her rise to the helm of the East African juacali movement. “In 1994, we formed the East African Confederation of Informal Sector Organisation (Eaciso) and began the groundwork. “That movement and collaboration between artisans in the first EAC member states is what brought us the craft exhibitions we have now got used to. “We founded the Christmas and Easter Bazaars,” she says. According to her, it is the tireless work of members Eaciso that popularised the consumption of homemade textiles like tie and dye fabric for instance. Her work has been driven by the urge to put the small scale producers, the artisans on the map. Not just the Ugandan map but the export market too. “A lot of poor quality products are flooding the market from China while local artisans who produce very good products can hardly find market,” she says.Ndekera’s story is dizzying, so much to keep up with, but she has the patience to share each detail. She started bee keeping in 1989, going for an eight month training in apiculture in South Africa and Zimbabwe. When she came back she had learnt that bee -keeping was an active occupation and was a lot different from the version she had been used to in Uganda of placing a hive on a tree and leaving it to nature. “When I returned to Uganda, I dispatched the first large export consignment of honey from Uganda, seven tonnes exported to Britain in 1994. That was quite a feat considering large scale beekeeping in Uganda was in its early stages,” she says. At about the same time she worked with street children making the man on bike toy (that contraption of metal and fabric) for export. Over the years, she has done several consultancies, one with Centenary Bank on a project which sought to make lending manuals for the unsecured in 1994. “I am not a banker but I learnt economics on the street,” she says her face breaking into a grin. This adeptness in “streetconomics” afforded her several other consulting opportunities with a slew of NGOs. When she was recruited by International Trade Centre for an eight month consultancy on artisanal products supply potential, she marked another first. “I was the first African and first woman to get that job,” she said. 1 | 2 Next Page»When the paper bead business startedThe 90s were a busy time for Ndekera, and it is towards the end of that decade that she made the paper bead. At first I made earrings from the paper bead but progressed to necklaces. That paper bead funded my plane ticket to the World Expo in Lisbon Portugal, accommodation in a hotel for six months, and I would even send some money home to my children,” she narrates. As she demonstrates how to roll the bead she explains how she had to improvise for the first beads. Colourless nail polish stood in for lacquer to give the beads a glossy finish. She also used only old magazines at first. “There have been improvements along the way, nowadays some women use a needle to roll, and coloured lacquers are available now and they make a lot more products including beads,” says Ndekera. If she knew it was a big thing she was onto with the paper bead, she did not act like it then. Rather than keep cashing in herself she came back and taught some women who carried it on till it became what it is today. “I demystified it,” she says modestly. For her that was just one idea executed and she had moved on to another innovation, the raffia and cloth tablemat, again another runaway success. “That one I saw in Asia and when I came back, I taught some women in Mukono who taught it to other people,” she says. According to her, the idea snowballed when the mats started being exported and it changed the lives of those who were making it. Rather than lament that people are making money off her innovations, she feels a sense of fulfilment. For her it is a case of work done. “I have seen people become rich with my innovations. I am happy that my contribution has put Uganda on the map. I am happy that women have been able to turn around their fortunes,” she says. She also feels not everything is about making money. “Doing things with the sole goal of making money is the reason Africa has so many white elephants,” she says. Besides she never patented any of the innovations. Asked why, she says, “It is the same problem facing artisans and innovators in greater East Africa, no one to advise you on how to go about a patent. It did not occur to me when I was doing these things.” She is bubbling with ideas of the projects that will see more “Made in Uganda” products on the shelves within and without the country and simultaneously uplift the small scale manufacturers. In the works is furniture finished with banana fibre. From the sample she brings, it is labour intensive work but undeniably a thing of beauty. The often discarded fibre is intricately woven over the wood and she assures us of durability saying the sample table is already six years old. Also in the labs are tinctures of bee products that Ugandans are currently paying an arm and a leg for, propolis and aloes mixes for instance, as well as a solution that soothes bee stings. And the ideas keep coming. She talks of making locally foraged propolis into capsule to compete with the market of imported propolis. She also believes glass beads could be the next big thing, given the international demand for jewellery and trinket material, the tonnes of broken and wasted glass around, the little equipment required and a large population of jobless people in the country. And she is already implementing one where artisans are making shoes with recycled tyre and old leather jackets. She does not think she spreads herself too thin from beekeeping to craftwork, to innovations “Facilitating craftsmen and artisans to market their products is my passion, but I have never given up on innovation which is what I keep doing, it is my life’s work,” she says. Beekeeping is what she learnt and learnt well. Considering that two of her innovations have made people a tidy sum of money, Ndekera’s circumstances seem pretty modest. She says it is now that she wants to focus on a few projects and follow them to when they explode as opposed to when she would just pass on the baton.“But I am satisfied with my life. I am a busy innovator, making things, useful things out of simple things,” she says her face the picture of perfect contentment. When asked, she takes a long time to decide which has been her favourite innovation, or idea so far. Eventually she says “I have not found the best yet. I am still innovating,” she says. I say that’s the spirit of a winner, did I hear someone say aye? cwanjala@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Northern-Uganda-to-bear-brunt-of-climate-change/-/689860/2097458/-/qyirub/-/index.html","content":"Northern Uganda to bear brunt of climate change - Northern Uganda has the highest proportion of households most vulnerable to climate change as more than 80 per cent of them rely heavily on low-productivity subsistence crops, particularly beans, seasame, sorghum, millet and groundnut. Also, in general, Ugandan farmers will continue to face significant challenges, including a deteriorating natural resource base and ecosystem, reduced access to land due to a rising population in addition to threats of conflict and economic crisis. These are the findings of an assessment of Uganda’s vulnerability to climate change. While addressing Gulu District officials at the launch of the research report, Ms Rita Laker Ojok, a consultant on the project, disclosed that field research focused on Gulu, Lira, Luweero, Mbale, Isingiro and Kasese districts. Supported by the US Agency for International Development (Usaid), it was conducted as part of the African and Latin American Resilience to Climate Change (ARCC) project. AssessmentThe districts covered include an important cropping system, represent differences in agro-ecological zones, and are near weather stations that have collected consistent rainfall and temperature data. “The study involved a climate analysis based on 60 years of data and projections for 2030 plus a review of eight key crops and how climate change affects their growth cycle,” Ms Ojok explained. To understand how climate change affects the value chain and growth cycle of each crop, there was a livelihood survey of 800 households, 80 focus group discussions, key informant interviews with representatives at district and national levels, and a desktop assessment of water use for agriculture. FindingsAlong with the results, this report includes recommendations enriched with input provided by key stakeholders from the government, donor agencies, research organisations and civil society, as well as farmers. The crops considered in this assessment are those most widely grown in Uganda, and many are vulnerable to the projected rising temperatures and increasingly long dry seasons with less rainfall. There is a potential for the frequency of extreme events like heavy rainstorms, which lead to flooding and landslides. There were a number of key findings. One of them was that high temperatures and more variable rainy seasons, in terms of onset and duration, threaten to reduce the productivity of beans and maize. Households in Gulu will most likely continue to grow small grains (sorghum and millet) on a subsistence basis in comparison to the other districts studied. AdaptThe other districts will allow agriculture to expand, however, off-farm activities will continue to be attractive. Overall, a large percentage of farms will be highly sensitive to climate pressures with little capacity to adapt built into the livelihood system. As noted by the project’s lead consultant, the focus for change in Gulu was strong. Higher temperatures will reduce the suitability of the area for coffee. “Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall increase the risk of disease and pest infestation in coffee,” she notes. On the other hand, cassava is likely to be less affected relative to other crops. But this will depend on the availability of virus-free disease-resistance varieties. Along with sweet potato, both crops grow well at temperatures much higher than current ones but are also vulnerable to pests and diseases. While Arabica coffee is the most vulnerable and cassava is the least, overall from the most to least sensitive, millet is one of the crops that can withstand climate change. But, it should be noted that coffee can easily grow in northern Uganda with inter cropping to provide shade for the crop. ImpactsFor rice, two major disease (blast and bacteria leaf blight) affect the yields and are significantly aggravated by weather conditions such as higher temperature and air humidity, or soil moisture. In maize, aflatoxin contamination represents a serious threat to the marketing of maize and will likely worsen as Kenya and Tanzania shun Uganda’s maize because of its poor quality The East African banana (matooke) is less vulnerable to increasing temperatures than coffee, but the potential impact of pests and diseases on the crop is significant. Beans are vulnerable to fungal and viral diseases when there is excessive rainfall during the critical growth period. 1 | 2 Next Page»SupportErratic rain could increase post-harvest storage losses of crops typically dried in the sun, that is, maize, groundnut, beans, rice, coffee due to increased pests and rotting. For sorghum, the irregular precipitation and higher temperatures could result in the proliferation of Striga, a parasitic weed prevalent in areas with degraded soils. However, as a fairly drought resistant crop with a growing demand from the breweries, sweet sorghum has potential for significant expansion. Therefore, the overall capacity support for the National Climate Change Policy and Implementation Strategy, lays emphasis on adaptation to climate change and around priority commodity value chains. In this, the relevant district technical staff is helped to implement priorities for climate change adaptation, increase their knowledge and awareness of climate change risk reduction and resilience to the impacts, and their capacity to interpret and use meteorological data for the agricultural sector. Other factorsThe entry point is to build on the USAID-supported study carried out in the six districts: Luweero, Gulu, Lira, Mbale, Kasese and Isingiro. Bernard Ogwang, Gulu’s chief administrative officer, says it will address cross-cutting themes developed to enable farmers make informed choices to meet specific local challenges related to climate change. For Gulu, Ogwang argues that distribution of rainfall during the rainy season is the biggest current challenge for crop production. “Crops are quickly water-stressed after a short period without rain, and yields are greatly affected, especially maize. On the other hand, if the season is too wet, beans face a pest and disease problem,” he says. Other factors include seasonal flooding which has caused extensive damage to rural feeder roads and bridges, making many areas inaccessible as farmers are cut off from markets and access to social services. Also, the absence of a reliable dry season between the first and second rainy seasons causes significant problem for farmers as regards drying their crops, resulting in poor quality from discolouration, aflatoxin contamination, and high post-harvest losses from spoilage. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Why-You-need-to-Back-Up-Your-Data/-/691232/2088230/-/pxime5z/-/index.html","content":"Why You need to Back Up Your Data - Time and again, people tell me that they have bought an external hard drive to back up their pictures, music, and documents. Sadly though, people think that once this is done, they should get rid of the files on the primary computer. This should not be the case. There is one simple rule about backups, one needs to fully understand, files should exist in at least two places, or it is no longer a backup and your data is at risk. Too often, people delete the files from their primary computer or device, assuming they are backed up. The most important thing to remember when storing your data on an external hard drive; is not to delete it from your main system once the data has been backed up. If you delete, you have left yourself with only a single copy of your important files, on an external drive that has just as much chance of dying as your internal PC hard drive. If you think it cannot happen to you then think again. As much as we try not to lose our data, it happens. Many of us are so busy with our daily lives that we forget about the importance of data backup until it is too late. There are a number of reasons as to why data backup should be a priority, and below are some of them. Failed hard drives happenMany of us believe that just because we are not dragging our hard drive around with us from place to place, we do not need to back up our data. The truth is that there is always a possibility that hard drives will fail and stop working, and this is when we wish we had data backup storage. In some cases, your drive will fail bit-by-bit, in other instances, your entire drive can crash with all that is stored on it. Mistakes happenWe are human, and we make mistakes. Have you ever accidentally permanently deleted something off your computer only to realise that it was your only copy? As silly as this might sound, it does happen that is when we wish we had backed it up. Data corruption happens Viruses and worms are nasty things. They creep up on you and before you know it, you have lost everything on your computer and are sitting with no data due to the fact that you postponed backing up. Viruses can delete all of your data, so to avoid these rude surprises, you should protect yourself by backing up all data regularly. Disasters occurThis can be anything from flooding to fire to a power surge, causing your computer to fail and ultimately you losing your data. These disasters mean that you have no access to the data stored on your computer. Unless you have performed a daily secure back-up procedure, retrieving your data will be highly complicated and in some instances impossible. Life happensPeople drop their hard drives. Their laptops get stolen, because that is life. These instances are highly unfair and most of us will curse when it happens, but in the case that any of these instances do occur, data backup will save the day. Of course, a proper IT department with expected standards shall have policies and procedures to back up user data such as email, and shared drives. But you at home what can you do? Well, Windows has inbuilt features just for this purpose. Windows can back up files on whatever schedules you choose. Just set it and forget it. You can back up files to another drive, or a DVD. You could also regularly copy your important files including documents and pictures on a flash disk or portable hard drive. What you can use for back-up Dropbox. This is great because it can syncs up all the files on different computers. You can set sync preferences and even choose which folders to sync. You can also share folders with anyone else—including clients, suppliers and employees—so as files are updated, it is done so on all users’ computers. It also has a mobile application, where you can access any file in your Dropbox as long as you have an internet connection.Carbonite. This is a really simple online back service which has many of the features of Dropbox, but it isn’t shareable.External drive. Once a month make a “hard” copy of your entire business drive onto a 1.5 Terabyte external drive, just in case the Internet crashes one day.openforum.com 1 | 2 Next Page»editorial@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Health---Living/Why-do-I-urinate-a-lot-after-taking-a-glass-of-water-/-/689846/1984228/-/36gemq/-/index.html","content":"Why do I urinate a lot after taking a glass of water? - Dear doctor, they say that drinking water is good for our health. But the more water I drink, the more I urinate. When I take one glass of water, I can urinate two times. Is this normal? Odur Dear Odur, It is perfectly normal to pass urine frequently when we drink a lot of water. Water beyond the body’s requirement may dilute the internal fluid environment, including blood, and this may have health implications.When there is excess water in the body, the brain usually produces less of a hormone called anti diuretic, which in turn causes the kidneys to produce a lot of dilute urine, until this excess water is removed. Many people today take a lot of fluids, some to levels which make the kidney fail to match the pace of the water intake, leading to disturbance of the internal salt environment. This may have consequences, including swelling of the body, over flooding of the lungs resulting in breathing difficulties, and the heart failing to efficiently pump the overloaded blood vessels. The eventual swelling of the brain may also lead to convulsions. Every time a well hydrated person takes in excess water, the kidneys will efficiently throw that water out by forming more urine than usual, and this may happen even with just one glass of water. Taking too much water may be too much of a good thing. It is important to take water, but not beyond eight glasses, and well distributed throughout the day. Dear doctor, I did an electroencephalogram (EEG) test that showed that I am not epileptic. But every time I watch live television football, I get partial convulsions, and at times I find myself on the ground. Even at night when I am asleep, my wife tells me that I get these flashes. I have consulted several doctors but this has not helped me. These days, I also develop terrible headache and feel that the right hand side of my head is weak. I also feel pain in the head. What can I do? Eria Bbosa Dear Eria, the brain has electrical activity which happens all the time. A sudden burst of intense electrical activity may cause a temporary disruption in the way the brain works, with the brain’s messages getting mixed up, and resulting in an epileptic seizure. When a person experiences two or more unprovoked seizures, they are said to have epilepsy. Seizures can also be caused by several factors such as alcohol withdrawal, heart problems, or having low blood sugar levels. The seizures may also be hereditary, a result of brain injury, or a brain tumour. But in most cases, they may be no found cause. When there is brain injury or a brain tumour, headache and weakness on one side of the body may happen. Migralepsy is a rare condition in which a migraine is followed, within an hour period, by an epileptic seizure. Flashing lights including those while watching television can trigger both migraine and epilepsy. There is no single test that can prove that one has or does not have epilepsy. Tests such as the EEG test, which record brainwave patterns, can offer useful information.A diagnosis of epilepsy should be made by a doctor from, history, examination and information after different tests. The EEG test can only show your brainwave patterns at the time the test is carried out and therefore, such a test done at a particular time may miss abnormal patterns that may be used to diagnose epilepsy. A normal or standard EEG test then does not rule out the possibility that you have epileptic activity in your brain at other times. Some EEG tests that can be done for longer or when one is asleep (if one gets fits while asleep), may show electric activity that cannot be shown by standard EEGs tests that are usually done in Uganda. People with particular types of epilepsy have unusual electrical activity in their brain all the time, even when they are not having a seizure. Though an EEG test can show certain brainwave patterns that doctors use to diagnose epilepsy, some people inherit unusual brainwave patterns from their parents, even though they do not have epilepsy. Therefore, an EEG test that shows unusual brainwave patterns in some cases does not necessarily mean that one is epileptic. You may require a test that takes you through a longer time such as ambulatory EEG, brain scans that may diagnose and monitor your condition. Before you get the proper medication, you have to avoid watching television for long periods of time. Dear doctor, whenever I am in my periods, I start craving for some particular foods, and sometimes I get flu just by smelling my husband’s perfume. Is this normal?ONGOM Dear Ongom, women, especially those in the 20 to 30 age group, normally suffer from various symptoms, including mood swings, pain in the breasts, food cravings, fatigue, irritability and depression.This is called pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS).These symptoms start about two weeks before the periods, and in some cases once the period starts.In a few cases, it can go on up to four days after the periods have begun. Unfortunately, the symptoms on their own may be mistaken for pregnancy. A period is not mere bleeding; it involves the body’s chemical messengers called hormones. When a woman does not get pregnant after shedding an egg, the fall in female sexual hormones leads to periods. As the hormones fall, the stress hormone (cortisol) increases, triggering increased appetite. When the hormones do not balance properly, it will also make your sense of smell overly sensitive, creating a running or stuffy nose. A brain hormone, serotonin suddenly drops before periods begin, triggering a need for increased feeding on foods such as carbohydrates since serotonin production depends on carbohydrates.Low blood sugar towards periods also triggers appetite and enhances cravings Ugandans are always low on vitamins especially because of poor choice of foods to balance their diet.Taking lots of fluids, and eating whole grains may help in premenstrual syndrome, and therefore in the craving. A balanced diet, rather than too much fat or carbohydrates is also important. If the craving does not stop, you may have other food deficiencies requiring the help of your doctor to correct the condition. Dear doctor, I am a 24-year old mother of twins. I do not want to give birth again soon. But whenever my boyfriend and I use a condom, I get irritation and itching around my private parts. My boyfriend has changed and used different brands of condom but this has not helped. Could it be that I have an allergy to condoms. Is there such a thing as allergy to condoms or is it just hearsay? Beatricce Nalongo Dear Beatrice, it may be true that you have a reaction to the latex rubber in the condoms, the spermicide and lubricant in the condom. 1 | 2 Next Page»Condoms on the Ugandan market are made of latex, which many people may have been exposed to handling medical gloves, balloons or rubber bands (or even condoms themselves). Some people will develop allergic reactions on using condoms even for the first time. Otherwise those not exposed to rubber may develop the reactions with time and the symptoms may get worse the more a person is exposed to condoms.Allergy to condoms may manifest in the man, woman or both, mostly as a minor effect such as itching of the private parts, or as severe as sneezing, coughing, and breathing complications. Using a less effective polyurethane condom will stop the allergy, only if it is not as a result of spermicide or lubricant on the condom. Changing from one condom brand to another cannot help because they are all latex condoms. Spermicides on the condom are said to increase affectivity if used for family planning. But it is said that it can also increase susceptibility to urinary tract infections and HIV/Aids in women. And these days, condoms with spermicides are no longer promoted by the World Health Organisation. Send your questions to: features@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/1396668/-/bqf7mf/-/index.html","content":"Focus on priority areas needed to solve jobs crisis - The country’s ability to create jobs that equal the burgeoning labour force has remained limited due to a mixture of internal and external bottlenecks, top among them being the continued dependence on foreign resources for investments in job creation. Today, if foreign investors decided to pull out their resources, Uganda would end up embroiled in a situation that could significantly hurt the fortunes of its economy. Uganda’s planners and leadership already have their work of expanding the economy’s job creation capacity cut out in both the short and long run. Most recent statistics from the ministry of Labour show that Uganda has a labour force of slightly above 13 million people, with 6 million fully employed while 7 million are either underemployed or unemployed. Among the employed, only 300,000 work in public service and about 5.7 million are employed in the private sector. In a telephone interview, Ms Rosemary Ssenabulya, the executive director of Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE) told Prosper that the economy’s limited ability to create jobs is partly explained by the high costs of doing business. Action plan“The economy has a very restricted ability to employ its labour force, which is why majority of the people are unemployed. It is a very big problem that needs to be combated collectively. Most important, we need to expand our private sector through reducing the costs of doing business, expand our markets and impart adequate practical and relevant skills,” Ms Ssenabulya said. She added: “These are things that will motivate investors to bring in more resources in this economy. For us to have more jobs, we need more investments. For investments to come, the business climate must be good. Our ranks in doing business ratings have to improve.” Mr Arinaitwe Rwakajara, the General Secretary of Uganda Government and Allied Workers Union (UGAWU) echoed similar statements, noting that creating an environment that enables local investors to do business is the best way of tackling the present Jobs crisis. “Our economy can only employ 15 per cent of the new labour force that comes on the market every year. This is a bigger problem that is not given enough attention. The presence of such a small absorption potential is brought about by different factors,” Mr Arinaitwe said, adding: “Our investment base is very small and no jobs can come without investment. We need to support indigenous entrepreneurs so that they grow and employ other people. Let us create an enabling environment so that anyone can have the ability to start and run an investment.” He however dismissed suggestions that ‘even the quality of many Ugandans with specialised training is poor and thus cannot dig into the market for available opportunities’ as earlier raised by the former (Mrs Ssenabulya). “The quality of our graduates and workers is good. That is regional politics. I hear one Kenyan can do jobs for three Ugandans, how can that be? Such wrong findings even discourage our people while giving Kenyans confidence. Let us encourage our people not to despise jobs and work. That is how we will handle unemployment.” Sectors performancesTraditionally, Uganda is an agro-based economy and thus agriculture was the biggest contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employer of majority of Uganda’s labour force with more than 75 per cent of the all labour force involved agriculture for many years. But this has since had several changes. While agriculture remains the biggest occupation, it has continued to become less productive contributing lesser percentages to the country’s annual GDP. As agriculture continues to slow down, other sectors have emerged as better GDP contributors but not biggest employers. The booming sectors today are Service, Construction and Manufacturing sectors in that sequence. While they continue to contribute billions to the country’s GDP, they employ a limited number of the workforce. As of December 2011, these three sectors employed less than 10 percent of the country’s labour force. Growing labour force driven by youth factor 1 | 2 Next Page»Statistics from Uganda National Bureau of Statistics (Ubos) indicate that of the over 400,000 Ugandans that enter the job market annually, only 113,000 are absorbed into the formal sector, leaving the rest searching for jobs in the informal sector. The national unemployment rate stands at 3.5 per cent, unemployment among the youths stands at 32.2 per cent while unemployment among degree holders is at 36 per cent. With the country’s population growing at 3.5 (the third highest growth rate in the world), the number of the unemployed is expected to continue rising higher unless practical interventions are undertaken. Speaking to Prosper, Dr Lawrence Bategeka, a senior research fellow at Makerere University’s based Economic Policy Research Centre said that the problem of low job creation is rooted in the structural set up of the economy, an issue that needs to be addressed sooner than later in order to avert the consequences of growing frustrations among the unemployed labour force. “Uganda’s ability to create jobs is constrained by local and international factors. Locally our growth is not well rooted in productivity, not driven by local resource; human or natural capital is not the driving factor. The economy is characterized by consumerism not production,” Bategeka said, adding; “The service sector is the biggest contributor to our economic growth. But then, the service sector is controlled by foreigners. For example; 80 percent of telecoms and banks are owned by international companies. This is dangerous. What if they pulled out their resources what happens? It shows that our growth has been as a result of either foreign aid or foreign private capital.” The Makerere Economist elaborated;“The economy has been growing in the past years driven by service, retail trade and construction sector. Other sectors have not been doing well. For example agriculture grew by less than 1 percent per annum a few years back; manufacturing has too been slow.” “The booming sectors (service and construction) employ about 7 percent of the whole labour force. 75 percent of the labour force is in rural areas and should be involved in agriculture but agriculture is non performing, leaving many unoccupied.” Far still, speaking on behalf of the ministry of Gender Labour and social development, Mr Sulaiman Madada in another interview said that: “Apparently, the economy has no capacity to employ the available labour force. Public Service has only 300,000 jobs while the private sector is hampered by low investment. It is because of this that we are partnering with the private sector to ensure a good business climate that can enable massive investments and more jobs creation,” Madada said, adding; “It is not true that agriculture is being ignored. That sector can only create more jobs through value addition chains, not mere growing and exporting of raw materials like coffee to China and Britain. It is only after [developing] a value addition chain for agriculture that you will create more jobs. We are working on achieving this.” However, Mr David Lambert Tumwesigye, a consultant on labour economics thinks otherwise. While speaking to this magazine, he said that the economy has the potential to employ its labour force but the people are neglecting the potential sectors, while paying attention to active but small sectors. “Yes the economy has the ability to create jobs for the available labour force but people are not interested in the opportunities available. If majority of the labour force were interested in the agriculture sector, then they would be employed. Our agriculture sector alone can employ about 10 million of the labour force but people despise agriculture,” Mr Tumwesigye said, explaining further; “They prefer urban jobs. That is why many youths are flooding the towns to participate in informal jobs such as riding boda bodas, driving taxis and gambling. Such [engagements] pay but then these people would be doing better if they had engaged in more productive sectors such as agriculture.” As way of intervention to tame the crisis at hand, there is need to channel more resources to sectors where the country has natural advantage, making them more attractive to the labour force, plus improving infrastructure and the business climate. Unless this is done, the jobs crisis may expand beyond tolerable limits. nkalungi@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/-/688616/1369262/-/bomkr0/-/index.html","content":"Foreign retailers flooding Uganda market - The battle for control of Uganda’s retail market is set to intensify as foreign megastores roll out expansion plans. With foreign direct investments increasing, competition is bound to surge, forcing foreign chains to seek to out do each other in search of profits to remain in business. These foreign megastores are said to be repatriating a big percentage of their profits back to their home country. And as expanding supermarkets jostle for the pie, some are bothered by the repatriated profits. Their increased presence has seen many more consumers opting to shop from these stores, regrdless of the size of their money purses. But the squeeze on consumers stands in stark contrast to the growth of retail businesses. The bonus is that these projects employ Ugandans and put money back into the government’s coffers through taxes. The influx has taken advantage of the spate of ease with doing business in Uganda although its position dropped in the latest global report commissioned by World Bank. In the 2012 World Bank ease of doing business report, Uganda’s ranking fell to 123 out of 183 economies surveyed globally—a four-point drop from 119 in 2011. Supermarkets in Uganda are dominated by South African and Kenyan chains while Kenya’s presence is also felt in Rwanda, and Nakumatt (originally from Kenya) is preparing its entry into Burundi in 2012. A 2011 report commissioned by World Bank dubbed: “Beyond the Nakumatt Generation: Distribution Services in East Africa shows that annual retail sales in Uganda hit 13 per cent while in Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania, they hit seven, 15, and 12 per cent, respectively. Better environment?Uganda National Chamber of Commerce analyst Allan Katwere explains why foreign megastores are growing faster than the local ones. First, the interest rates charged on foreigners’ loans are lower than those for the locals. “Financial institutions and government avail low interest rates to them compared to local counterparts,” Mr Katwere explains. The other reason is derived out of the urge to increase foreign investments by the investment authorities yet the personal financial circumstances for a large number of people in the country are extremely limited. “Tax holidays and rebates are availed to these foreign investors through UIA’s [Uganda Investment Authority] investment initiatives to promote foreign investment,” says Mr Katwere. These foreigners also get leased land at a low cost because they have the capacity to make it profitable. “Because land is a function of expansion, which local supermarket owners do not have access to, foreigners take the lead in developing it. With their expertise in this particular trade from the managerial aspect down to the last wire of the supermarket business, they are international franchises and thus have a larger playing field to expand,” explains Mr Katwere. These foreigners’ products also boast of international certification which the local ones lack, coupled with being imported duty free—something that may make them cheaper than local ones. In economically stressed times as these, many Ugandans, even those with jobs, fear that this expansion spree could lead to a fight for sales, ultimately taking a toll on supermarket profits.Consumer’s spending power has been and is still squeezed, spelling tougher days to come, as long as salaries remain the same. Averagely, customers are revisiting their shopping lists – putting at least an item less into their shopping trollies when shopping weekly. Such consumers would opt for purchases during mid-week to top up as a way of eliminating wastage. The shift away from bulk shopping to top-up shopping could continue for the next months if disposable income remains under pressure and food prices continue rising. With a stark divide between the wealth of businesses and people where companies are flourishing and households reeling from economic stress, this expansion only leaves a set of questions. Yet again, one wonders: are Ugandans adept at expanding businesses compared to their counterparts in the region? Upper handEnterprise Uganda Director George Oumo said that foreign supermarkets have an upper hand in this market because they are easily trusted compared to locals who have not yet established themselves. “The success factor of foreign supermarkets lies in the fact that they are given credit and have also made a name for themselves over the years.” This, he attributes to the amount of working capital they make from the supplies obtained on credit yet most Ugandan businessmen will look to the banks that do what their jobs demand-lend with interest. Unfortunately, that source of capital is not exactly a gift to those who struggle to raise money to keep operating their businesses. In short, Ugandan businessmen have failed to attract low cost capital when nurturing their businesses, something that has kept them in the back seat as their counter parts take over the growing market. The other reason is shelled in the fact that the foreign chains do not sell goods on credit but benefit from a 90-day period in which to complete their fees on the supplies obtained on credit. But one must also remember that the same megastores reap profits from their working capital and not banks like most Ugandans do, which allows them to consider expanding without fear. 1 | 2 Next Page»Asked about supplying goods on credit and getting a 90-day period to repay for them, Nakumatt Marketing Co-ordinator, Renson Matundura, argued: “We have internal mechanisms on the payment of suppliers. Those who supply under consignment are paid immediately after the end of every month. Those under normal supply (LPO) are paid depending on the signed agreement by both parties.” Kenyan supermarkets started increasing within the East African Community (EAC) since 2002 and have since kept pace in penetrating the regional market. The three largest Kenyan supermarkets: Nakumatt (3), Tuskys and Uchumi have a combined total of seven branches in Uganda. Uchumi and Nakumatt supermarkets for example still have expansion plans this year in what they call a ‘brimming resourceful’ Uganda. They are also expanding into the outskirts of Kampala where there is more room for growth in order to reduce on congestion in the city. Uchumi plans to pitch camp at Freedom City, Entebbe road in a month’s time and in Nateete before May this year. Nakumatt—the fastest growing retail chain in East and Central Africa—targeting middle and upper income earners plans to open two supermarkets this year. The first should be open in Mbarara by June and other in Entebbe before the end of this year. Driving forceThe major driving force of expansion here is Kampala’s shifting retail landscape. Nakumatt and Uchumi argue that much of their expansion is driven by the convenience in the stores. Uchumi Supermarket Country Manager Jeff Nchaga says that the change in Uganda’s consumption trends and growing business has propelled them to move that way. “There is a considerable change in Ugandans’ consumption trends and we are reacting to this growing demand in form of more stores.” “Ugandans have learnt about one-stop shopping points and most now want to access everything at the same place,” Mr Matundura said. These supermarkets have managed to stave off double-digit inflation, weakening currencies and rising interest rates by concentrating on products that people can hardly do without. “What has kept us in business is concentrating on fast moving items because in difficult times like these, people only focus on the basics that leave the shelf very fast,” Mr Matundura said.Their survival strategy just in case they expand and consumers reduce Mr Wiseman Mwaniki, the Deputy Manager at Nakumatt says that the business intends to spread the purchases between stores. But the problem here is one. “This might weaken returns,” says Mr Oumo. Foreign businessHowever much these investors are contributing substantially to this country’s growth, the local business community is dissatisfied, saying that the country will soon be run by foreigners. Nakumatt for instance, has more expatriates than Ugandans as employees. “Out of the 350 employees, 32 are Ugandans and the remaining 318 expatriates,” said Mr Matundura. With stiff competition, retailers are looking for the best spots outside Kampala to get the best out of consumers’ spending. But woe unto them should they fail to do well because they will have to pay their landlords. So how is the competition being handled? “We have managed to acquire and retain our target clientele ‘Class A, B, C1’ by making sure we are always ahead of our competitors. There are so many elephants in the field, only one leads,” Mr Matundura argued. The target clientele constitutes the people who are not really hard hit by inflation, Mr Matundura added. The issue of foreign supermarkets expanding faster than the local ones may question the business acumen of Ugandans. But the truth lies in the reasons that make these megastores score better in terms of doing business in this country. lnamono@ug.nationmedia.com « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1195204/-/bymt4mz/-/index.html","content":"Mafabi responds to Uganda's State of the Nation Address  - THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDAOFFICE OF THE LEADER OF OPPOSITION RESPONSE TO THE STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS DELIVERED TO THE 9TH PARLIAMENT ON 6TH JUNE 2011 BYNATHAN NANDALA MAFABI, MPLEADER OF OPPOSTIONRt. Hon Speaker,Honourable Members of Parliament 1.It is with great honour that I present the Opposition’s response to the State of the Nation address to this August House this afternoon. Let me first convey my personal congratulations and best wishes to you, Madam Speaker and your Deputy for your election to this high office. By all measures, this office requires the occupants to exhibit integrity, transparency and to promote methods of work that will restore faith in this August House. So far, I have no doubt in my mind that the two of you have the requisite qualities and you can therefore rest assured of my support in this regard.2.May I sincerely congratulate all the Members of the 9th Parliament, upon the confidence, entrusted to them by their electorate, more especially those who won their election genuinely. In a special way, I extend tribute to my predecessor, the Hon Professor Morris Ogenga-Latigo, for steering the Opposition in the 8th Parliament. I wish him the best in his next assignments.3.Madam Speaker and Honourable Members, the essence of the State of the Nation Address is that it presents a significant opportunity for the President to speak to the nation and the world, transcending the political party divides, highlighting challenges facing the nation and proposing policy initiatives to tackle such challenges. It also gives the President chance to give accountability of what has been done in the previous year with the resources approved by Parliament.4.The State of the Nation Address should therefore not just be a Government report card on its achievements. Rather, it should present an assessment of the progress, challenges and opportunities, along with a blueprint of how Government, working with the people, intends to move forward. This is the approach that would inspire and arouse people’s interest in governance and naturally get them mobilized for the political and development goals of Government.5.Madam Speaker, we expected the President to move away, for a while, from the usual rhetoric and put forward a comprehensive roadmap to revamp critical processes. We expected to see proposals for:•the reform of budget processes, •how to reduce opportunities for corruption, •reversing the trend of electoral contests being turned into bidding wars with expensive and violent campaigns, •increasing public vigilance to deter and detect commission of graft, •improving meritocracy in the public service, target selected departments and agencies of Government for cleansing, •increasing the speed and efficiency in prosecuting and punishing the corrupt, and stiffening sanctions against corruption, •how to arrest the current depreciation of the Uganda Shilling, and •clearly indicating what the major driver of our economy is, whether it is agriculture, industry or the service sector, and how resource allocation has been informed by that fact. 6.Madam Speaker, and Honourable Members, as you are aware, this is the first year of this term of Government, led by the same President. You are also well aware that the same President failed to deliver and account on his Manifesto pledges in the last term. We enumerated these in detail in our responses last year. Yes, I can hear the cynics say, he delivered, and that is why he was re-elected. How he was re-elected is completely a different chapter that cannot be dealt with in this short address. The fact remains, that many promises will never see the light, having served the purposes for which they were made. 7.Madam Speaker, this is why we were not given a comprehensive report on these important undertakings, even as the President emphasizes that the promises in his election Manifesto form a binding contract between Government and the people. Only last year, for example, the President promised to deal with the corrupt public officials who frustrate investors by asking for bribes or shares, and he promised to enhance seed multiplication through a partnership between MAAIF and Uganda Prisons. He further promised to investigate the shoddy work on the dams in Karamoja. It is not a surprise that no mention is made on such important undertakings. 8.Madam Speaker, this list of unfulfilled commitments simply adds on to the already long list which included, among others:•A promise to stand for the second and last term in 2001;•Practicing zero tolerance on corruption;•Transforming rural households from subsistence agriculture to commercialized farming;•Prosperity for All, where each family would earn Shs. 20 million per year;•Promoting the culture of constitutionalism and rule of law;•Fully equipping at least one hospital or HCIV with a doctor, theatre, ambulance and maternity ward in each constituency;•Setting up a National Social Health Insurance Scheme;•Putting a reliable UBC and TV signal in every part of Uganda;•Afforestation of all the bare hills in Uganda; and•Implementing the Greater Kampala Transport Master Plan.9.Madam Speaker, Franklin Roosevelt once argued that: “Repetition does not translate a lie into truth”. The several unfulfilled promises made by the NRM Government to Ugandans were not delivered. Good and responsible leadership demands that we don’t just churn out promises for purposes of votes, and abandon them soon after elections. We should at all times be truthful in our commitment to Ugandans if we mean good for this country. Fortunately, Ugandans have since noticed this. Unfortunately, however, they have been kept disempowered from speaking out and taking appropriate action.The Political Scene10.Madam Speaker and colleagues, the Opposition is concerned about the continued criminalization of political party activities by the NRM Government. This clearly indicates a failure by this Government to nourish and nurture the young multiparty political dispensation, and is greatly impeding the opposition’s efforts to reach out and mobilize the masses. Instead of engaging the Opposition in public debate, the NRM has resorted to manipulation of the law to persecute the Opposition. They continue to use underhand methods to coarse voters to vote the NRM party. They also continue to give Ugandans the false impression that voting the NRM party is the only way development will reach their areas. It is shameful, and we must condemn those underhand actions here and now, if we are to have a peaceful country.11.Madam Speaker, the media is regarded as the fourth arm of state, due to its role as guardians of public interest, and as a watchdog on the activities of Government. However, the NRM Government has of recent become less tolerant to the media as is common with most Governments that do not want to leave power. In fact, President Museveni has openly come out to label some media houses, both local and foreign, as enemies of Uganda’s recovery, castigating them for giving platform to the Opposition to overthrow Government.12.Madam Speaker, the 9th Parliament opens at a critical time when the media is under immense pressure from Government over what it calls biased reporting, simply because it covers Opposition activities. The NRM views the articulation of popular interests and critical analysis or reporting by the media as support for the Opposition. Reports and images in the media which contradict President Museveni’s claim that Uganda is a democracy, where the will of the people is respected, have not been received well by his Government.13.Madam Speaker, as the NRM leaders try to hide behind their power to entrench themselves into power, they have illegally accumulated wealth and perpetuated all kinds of human rights abuses. Journalists face police harassment, threats of torture and intimidation of media houses facing threats of closure. Government has resorted to using the media and obsolete penal laws to prosecute journalists, restrict their liberty to work, and to revoke broadcasting licenses of media houses, without due process. 14.Madam Speaker, Government is employing sweeping measures and making broad assertions to crack down on critical media. Uganda Communications Commission, which is legally mandated to supervise media houses, is used as a prohibitive arm of state to curtail free expression. While some media houses have tried to stand up to the pressure, others have caved in and censored themselves, because they don’t want to get in trouble with Government. They fear to be closed down and their licenses suspended, and so, some of the independent journalists have been silenced.15.Madam Speaker, the Opposition condemns the culture of impunity and escalation of violence during campaign period. Specifically, we condemn the intimidation, harassment and muzzling of opposition candidates, bribery and denying them space on radios to conduct their political campaigns. We further condemn Police harassment of the media and attempts by Government to stifle the freedom of the press. This trend, if not arrested, will derail our cherished democracy, and make Ugandans get leaders who have distinguished themselves by their long proven ability to be party warlords and distributors of patronage, rather than by their ability to serve the public interest.16.It is unfortunate that leaders in Government only look at democracy in terms of elections. Democracy is not only about free and fair elections, which are still deluding us, but encompasses freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, clear rule of law, independent institutions and checks and balances on all the elected officials. 17.Madam Speaker, there are a number of characteristics of democracy, among which are, the holding of periodic free and fair elections and term limits. However, most of the sit-tight leaders who pretend that their countries are democracies manipulate their countries’ constitutions to extend their term limits and then conduct sham elections that return them to power as often as they stand for elections. We therefore call upon all Ugandans to stand firm, rise up and send a strong signal to NRM leaders that they have suffered enough of its abuse of state resources funded by tax payers to serve its own partisan interests. 18.Madam Speaker, we have no doubt in our mind that the military had earned people’s trust as they spearheaded the liberation struggle. However, the continued involvement of some senior army officers in the electoral process is eroding this trust. In addition, the Police, which are supposed to protect Ugandans, have instead been diverted to protecting the NRM political leaders. Some of the Internal Security officers and RDCs in the districts have become campaign agents of the NRM, thus affecting the quality of this multiparty democracy. 19.We therefore call upon our National Army, Police and other security agencies to refrain from engaging in partisan operations, but abide by their constitutional mandate of protecting the lives of all citizens and their property. We further recommend that the pay of the rank–and-file in the forces be revisited to match the rising cost of living.Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law20.Madam Speaker, in recent years, Parliaments everywhere have come under intense criticism and many times, attracted cynicism and indifference. Our Parliament has not escaped this either. Indeed, the public image of our Parliament has plummeted in the recent past owing to our failure to effectively hold Government accountable, and make sure that individuals caught red-handed in the wastage of public resources, face the wrath of the law. 21.Madam Speaker, Parliamentary democracy demands many virtues. It demands not only the ability and devotion to work, but also and more importantly, cooperation, self-discipline and restraint. Parliament needs people with passion, commitment and the vision to debate, bring about ideas and reforms that will have a positive impact on the people we represent. This is the only way we can promote Constitutionalism in our country.22.Madam Speaker and colleagues, Aristotle once argued that any form of Government is good, as long as the leader who exercises power ultimately seeks the good of all, rather than his own personal interests. As political leaders, therefore, we ought to know that we are answerable to the 33 million Ugandans, and must be committed at all times to national interest first, and our self-interest last. This should be emulated by all those in leadership.23.Those of us in the Opposition know well that the electorate will not accept individuals or parties who put their own interests before that of their electorate. That is why Ugandans are increasingly demanding for a Parliament that is action-oriented rather than just a talking shop. The performance of this 9th Parliament will ultimately not be measured by the number of motions or resolutions we pass, but by the relevance of these motions and resolutions to the lives of voters – how they get translated into people’s welfare, and how we hold the executive answerable for failure to deliver that welfare.24.Madam Speaker, it is therefore not by accident that this Parliament features many new breeds and a new generation of Parliamentarians. To the extent that their elections were genuine, it shows that Ugandans are saying “we want new people with fresh ideas and a different approach”. They want change in their lives. They want ideas, solutions, productivity, initiative and greater representation irrespective of which side you sit in the House. I therefore urge you, Hon Members, not to let them down in whatever capacity you were called to serve. I also call upon H.E. the President, not to cajole you away from that enormous undertaking.25.Madam Speaker, my colleagues and I have a huge responsibility of presenting a credible opposition to this Government. You are aware we are small in numerical strength, but I must assure you that we are rich in spirit, enthusiasm and hope. We will continue to push Government to follow the right path, and to stop misusing state resources to entrench its hold onto power. We shall continuously warn them on the dangers of undermining state institutions. We will also remind them, that presidential term limits are good for nurturing democracy, and must be reinstated.26.Madam Speaker, we shall be proud to serve in this Parliament, only if it becomes a dynamic forum to articulate people’s views; if it derives its strength from discussion of every point of view before arriving at a consensus; and if it believes in diversity as a source of strength. This diversity will only be built if we exhibit tolerance for divergent views. This is the only way we can deliver our mandate in the public interest. 27.Madam Speaker, the greatest enemy we have as a nation, which we must overcome, is inside us. The enemy to beat, is within us. When we put ourselves above the country and when we put profit above fairness, when we spread division instead of unity, when we think of our political opponents as enemies and when we substitute politics for patriotism at the hour of need - that is the enemy within ourselves.28.Madam Speaker and colleagues, we on this side of the House, hereby pledge our total support for good decisions that will be made transparently, and for initiatives towards building consensus around issues aimed at addressing the needs of the citizenry for positive development. In the same vein, however, we pledge to oppose any decision that is not in the best interest of the welfare of Ugandans. 29.We will take debate seriously; we will trust everyone at face value; but we will not allow anyone to undermine our judgment, and push our good faith to the limits. Our walk-out during the State of the Nation address was just a natural response to such a situation. We promise you today, that we will live by those two important commitments for the good of the citizens. That is, to support good, and to oppose bad, with all our energies.30.Madam Speaker, Article 85 (1) of our Constitution provides that Parliament will determine its own emoluments. This was made in good faith as it was intended to stop the executive from stifling Parliament in the performance of its duties. However, political party patronage has already weakened this well meant check-point. Our electorates are already accusing this Parliament of being insensitive to the plight and welfare of other public and political servants.31.Madam Speaker and colleagues, in order to stop this unending mistrust, we propose and support the idea that an Independent Commission for Remuneration of all Public Officers be set up. This was done in South Africa and it works well. In other countries, such as Kenya and Zimbabwe, Salaries and Remuneration Commissions have been incorporated in their National Constitutions. We are confident that if such a Commission is carefully instituted, such an independent benefit-setting agency will go a long way to protect the independence and sanctity of Parliament. However, a careful study should be undertaken as to how this can be done in order not to undermine the spirit of the Constitution.The State of our Nation32.Madam Speaker, the Address by President Museveni was a desperate attempt to persuade Ugandans that all is well, whereas facts indicate otherwise. He could not explain why a country so blessed with natural resources, a favourable climate and such immense talent should not have done better than we did. He cited statistics that appeared impressive when in reality, Ugandans in general are worse off today than they were in the previous year.33.Madam Speaker, the President avoided realities about the increasing trend on:•The debt huddle, which may lead our country into another debt trap;•Public spending without equitable distribution, increasing the gap and disparity between the rich and the poor;• The increase in accumulated deficit on the Consolidated Fund from Shs. 3,784 billion in 2008/9 to Shs. 5,165 billion today, which raises Government's borrowing costs, diverts resources from social services like health, affecting the standards of living;•Ratio of health workers to patients, and quality of healthcare;•Child Malnutrition;•Maternal mortality;• School drop-outs;•Disparity between population growth rate of 3.2% per annum and the growth in agricultural output of 0.9% per annum, which is increasing the number of food-insecure people;•Torture victims and illegal arrests; and•Outright graft among the political classMonetary Sector34.Madam Speaker, the President lamented about the increase in lending rates and interest on treasury bills and feigned ignorance of the real problem causing this. He also says the Bank of Uganda (BOU) had to fight in the money market, to “stem excess liquidity”. The major cause, however, was the excessive unbudgeted expenditure on elections and the military, which the Governor of the BOU has since linked to erratic policies and financial indiscipline. This is what forced the BOU to fork out Shs. 419 billion to service interest on treasury bills in order to remove the excess liquidity in the economy, to dampen the inflationary pressures. However, on his part, the Governor owes Ugandans an explanation on why he closed his eyes when these things were happening, yet he is empowered by the Constitution to put his foot down.GDP Statistics35.Madam Speaker and colleagues, the ordinary person in Uganda is neither interested in high GDP nor statistics of poverty reduction. They are concerned about their children having breakfast before going to school, or having lunch at school, or access to treatment in the current expensive private clinics, because most Government health centres neither have drugs nor qualified health workers. Similarly, expectant mothers are concerned about where to find Midwives to handle them well during delivery, while the peasant farmers are concerned about a good price for their produce, given the impassable community and feeder roads today.36.Madam Speaker, if the above elements are absent, then any talk of statistics on poverty reduction will be meaningless. People do not eat statistics, they eat food. Impressive GDP statistics do not treat people. Treatment is given by qualified health workers in well equipped health centres using appropriate drugs. Statistics on GDP are only meaningful when reflected in the welfare of citizens.37.Madam Speaker, whereas taxpayers are obliged to pay taxes, they have a right to better services from those taxes and proper accountability thereof. However, many times, the priorities of the NRM government are simply not in sync with the needs of citizens. You will remember when in this Parliament, Government struggled without success, to justify allocation of money for construction of a modern market in a foreign country, when local markets are catching fires! The money was passed, but the market has never been built. We are not sure whether this is the much talked about patriotism.38.The politicians who control Government resources, most times, allocate resources based on ‘political gains’ rather than economic rationale. They think they have every right to do as they please irrespective of people’s aspirations. The result is simple – wasteful public spending which does not translate into public welfare. This is why citizens dread paying taxes, for they see no reason for doing so.Inflation39.Madam Speaker, the 9th Parliament opens at a time when the public has come to believe that our oversight function is in abeyance due to executive dominance. It opens when there is a huge divide between the rich and the poor, with a small part of the population swimming in abundance as the majority are wallowing in misery. It also opens at a time when inflation is double digit, affecting public servants and wage earners, who earn fixed income. 40.The high inflation consolidates the widening wealth gap, as low-income earners feel the pinch more than the rich. It also curtails investments due to low returns on investment, and affects business planning and strategic investment decisions. The high cost of living for fixed salary and wage earners is further affected by high taxes which increase dependence on one’s gross pay, and further reducing consumer expenditure.41.Madam Speaker, the President finally admitted that the main driver of inflation was food prices, and that it was manageable. He agrees that it is the role of Government to manage it. Whoever castigated the walk-to-work, claiming that inflation was beyond Government’s control was proved wrong by the President that day. The protest was against Government’s inaction on rising food prices, a matter that is indeed within its control. For once, we thank the President for clearing the air, and request him unconditionally to release all those being persecuted for speaking out on Government’s inaction, and deal with the supply chain bottlenecks.42.Madam Speaker and colleagues, whereas the economy continues to register rising commodity prices, H.E. the President just mentions in passing that Government is conscious about concerns of low wages paid to public servants, and promises to come up with a pay reform policy. Nothing is mentioned about revising the pay cheques of the public servants to match the pace of current inflation. These are the same public servants who suffer the Pay as You Earn (PAYE) tax.43.Madam Speaker, Uganda’s PAYE threshold remains the lowest in the region, at Shs. 130,000. It was fixed in 1997 when the value of the Uganda shilling and cost of living were low. It no longer reflects the economic reality of prices and the value of the shilling. Over the years, and in good faith, there has been strong agitation for increase of the PAYE thresholds. However, this has been resisted by Government, on the pretext that budget pressures are high, with no room for action. Instead, employees were further subjected to the Local Service Tax (LST) on the same income. 44.Madam Speaker, PAYE is levied on salaried people who have nowhere to hide away from the taxman. It is easy to collect, and the tax payers in this category are a vulnerable lot. The low PAYE threshold means that low income earners, majority of who are teachers and nurses, are easily brought into the tax net yet they are the lowest paid. This stifles their capacity to save, invest and consume. This means the income-redistributive capacity, as expected of any good tax, is lacking in PAYE in the current form. The poor end up financing the survival of the rich.45.Madam Speaker and colleagues, the failure by the NRM Government to make the necessary PAYE reforms depicts its insensitivity to low income earners’ needs and the ‘short-termist’ approach that only focuses on revenue maximization at the expense of other wider objects of taxation, such as wealth redistribution. 46.Madam Speaker, there is no doubt that the Public Service of Uganda has been loyal and committed to duty even in difficult times. But it is now clear that inflation and stagnant salaries have tremendously eroded the purchasing power of these public employees. Time and again, Government tells them there is no money to increase their salaries yet it continues to spend money on non - priority areas, such as military spending on jets, and cabinet expansion and creation of more districts , rather than reward these patriotic Ugandans with the long awaited and deserved salary increments. We are also aware that Government has even failed to come up with the minimum wage policy for workers.47.Madam Speaker, the country’s minimum wage of Shs. 6,000 per month was last set in 1984 under Obote II regime and currently, different employers pay their workers as they please. The Minimum wage recommendation of Shs. 53,000 proposed way back by the Minimum Wage Advisory Board has been under consideration by the President’s Office since 2000. It has never seen the light of the day and this minimum wage is already overtaken by the rising costs.48.Madam Speaker and colleagues, let us remember that when Government fails to keep the pace of salaries and wages with inflation, it has far reaching repercussions, as it increases the incidence of corruption. However, it seems our Government is doing this to deliberately hoodwink the citizens that it is committed to their cause and it is the public servants who are failing them. Economic Growth49.Madam Speaker, economic growth is meant to contribute to general prosperity of the people by increasing their quality of life. However, while they are always told that the economy is growing at a higher rate, the majority of the citizens are excluded from the benefits of that growth, and inequality is on the increase. It is also true that Uganda’s growth path has created opportunities deliberately skewed in favour of urban areas of central and western regions, leaving behind rural areas and northern and eastern Uganda, where poverty levels are now simply unbearable.50.Madam Speaker, it seems that as long as 20% of the population are benefiting from growth, the President is comfortable. He doesn’t care whether that growth trickles down to the common person in form of health, education, roads and clean water. That is why he says that he was surprised that many people do not see the 9% growth, as if “they seem not to be seeing construction going on in Kampala and Entebbe areas in central Uganda”. 51.Madam Speaker and colleagues, we suspect the President was wrongly advised that economic growth and economic development is one and the same thing, and that once you have growth, the economy automatically becomes a developed and modern one. He believes that once you have buildings, even if they replace all the wetlands, such as the one being extinguished at the Spear junction, in Nakawa, despite protests from the public and Parliament, it means the country is developing.52.Instead of restoring the fundamentals of economic growth, this Government is engaged in stimulus spending. The President and his party are busy expanding Cabinet from the Constitutional Limit to over 80, and endlessly creating districts, thereby increasing public expenditure, while Local Governments are facing increasing financial pressure and unable to meet their expanded and diversified roles because they do not have any direct revenue raising opportunities. As a result, the country is on the verge of being the object of universal disapprobation, which will force us to hang our heads in national shame, because the welfare of our rural and urban poor citizens cannot be improved.53.Madam Speaker, empowering people means more than just having elections every five years. It means extending their contact with Government beyond elections, to its daily workings, and this enables them to inform Government policies by their insight. A high economic growth rate amidst exclusion is not sustainable, for it embodies discrimination, which catalyses resentment and conflict. We must come out boldly and tell our leaders that waste is bad and wrong; that theft is immoral; that gluttony is an abomination. It is a trespass on the tax payers’ purse. This is undemocratic and unacceptable, and it must end immediately. 54.Madam Speaker, in our view, the removal of excise duty on kerosene, which we have been advocating for, and remitting of the import duty on hoes was a gimmick only intended to hoodwink the rural and urban poor that the NRM Government cares about them. Giving a free hoe to each family, rather than remitting taxes on hoes, as we have been advocating, is the only immediate intervention to boost agricultural production and ensure food security, as we prepare for mechanization. In any case, remittance of taxes on hoes is no guarantee that the price of a hoe will come down given the current economic dynamics.55.Madam Speaker, we believe the problem with the taxes in Uganda, is not the amount paid but the ad valorem tax regime used. The use of the ad valorem tax regime means that the tax is imposed at the time of transaction. As a result, the tax that was imposed on the budget day has since changed because the dollar rate has since moved from Shs. 2380 to over Shs. 2700. This equally affects the fuel products. The net effect therefore is that removal of excise duty on kerosene has not changed the price of a litre of kerosene to the rural and urban poor.56.Further, there is no sense in removing tax on kerosene, and keeping tax on petrol and diesel, which is used in transporting the kerosene to the villages. That is the bigger tax, which keeps the price of kerosene up and rising. That is why the whole proposal was simply a face-saving gimmick, which some of the East African Presidents seem to have jointly agreed to deploy to appease their populations, cool down protests, and remove their eyes from the bigger picture. 57.Madam Speaker, the Opposition believes in a strong society where we owe obligations to each other, and where the sum of our actions always adds up to the kind of society we all want to live in. We owe our people a better choice and a different vision, and will always support the direction of resources to the disadvantaged in society. 58.We therefore promise to be conscious stewards with the limited resources of our state. This obligation will be outlined in our forthcoming budget response, where we will show you how we intend to do things differently by cutting down spending, help create more jobs and prosperity, reform Government programs and act responsibly in the use of state resources. 59.Madam Speaker and colleagues, we propose that there is need to:•Gain control over the domestic economy, by supporting the private sector as the engine of economic growth; •Have a general consensus on the National Development Plan;•Make agriculture our main line of defense against poverty and food security, through increased funding to the sector;•Create industries which are viable in the long term and do not require constant subsidies to survive, such as is the case with Phoenix Logistics, in order to create jobs;•Have a public transportation and infrastructure plan;•Fund rural empowerment to provide employment of the 40,000 students who graduate from our tertiary institutions every year. This would enable them be productive in their areas of origin;•Hasten the Public Private Partnership Legislation;•Improve the predictability, reliability and efficiency of our business environment for those who want to invest;•Annual revision of the PAYE threshold and the Minimum Wage to march the changes in the value of the Uganda Shilling. The salary increment should be over and above the current double-digit inflation and PAYE threshold to at least Shs. 350,000;•Review the entire remuneration structure through an independent Commission;•Implement the pay and pension reforms, and downsize Government, to reduce Public Administration expenditure;•Urgently put in place Petroleum legislation on resource and revenue management, to stream line how oil revenues will be injected into the economy without causing distortions; •Reduce the number of the Ministers to what is provided for in the Constitution;•Reduce other political appointments and rationalize public employees•Address the shortcomings in our electoral system to make democracy meaningful to the citizens; •Rationalize the creation of districts; and•Change the tax regime on essential commodities and petroleum productsAgriculture60.Madam Speaker, agriculture is the core of the livelihood of most households in Uganda. It is the engine for overall economic growth and the single most important pathway out of rural poverty. With nearly ¾ of the Uganda Households dependant on agriculture, the sector should be made central to Uganda Government’s strategy for meeting its twin challenge of reducing poverty and fostering broader economic growth. The worsening poverty and food insecurity today is due to the poor performance in the sector.61.Madam Speaker, in a country like Uganda which is still in the early stages of development and economic transformation, agriculture growth has powerful leverage on the economy, because it still accounts for a large share of national income, employment and foreign trade. Compared to growth in other sectors, agricultural growth has been shown to be more effective at reducing poverty, especially in countries with large agricultural sectors and a large concentration of agricultural households among the poor, than any other sectors.62. Madam Speaker, despite the importance of agriculture, the NRM Government has not handled it well. It is an irony that, while the President accepts in his address that “agriculture is the backbone of our economy”, the sector has suffered the greatest decline in its contribution to GDP, from 51% in 1990 to 13.9 % currently, during his tenure as President. While total GDP has increased over the years, real annual growth in agriculture has been on the decline, to the current 0.9%, with the crop sector registering a -15.8% growth rate. This rate is insufficient to meet the needs of the rapidly growing population now standing at 3.4%. As a result, most citizens are food insecure.63.Madam Speaker, the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda pledged to ensure food and nutrition security in Uganda. This was adopted in the 2003 Uganda Food and Nutrition Policy (UFNP) which expressly recognized the human right for adequate food security for all. However, in the State of Uganda’s Population Report, 2010, it was estimated that 1.9 million people in Uganda are food insecure while 6 million are at the risk of becoming insecure. Out of the children who are under age five, 22% are stunted, 7% are wasted, 10% are underweight, and 33% are anaemic. This was further compounded by the recent Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report which reveals that nine million Ugandans are currently facing an acute food shortage. 64.Madam Speaker and colleagues, the proportion of the population who are food insecure over the years disproves the purported general downward poverty trends in Uganda. Indeed, experts from the Uganda National Programs of Action (NAPA) recently observed that Uganda may be unable to feed its people in the coming years because the population growth is not being matched by an increase in cultivated land. Surely, a country which cannot feed its people cannot be a proud one. It is a country that has misery. This is unfortunate, because in the 1960’s, Uganda was well known as the food basket of Africa due to its good soils, dependable rainfall, and relatively high agricultural production and supportive policies.65.Madam Speaker, for over a decade, the NRM leaders continue to blame low crop yield on weather, yet we have large expanses of water reservoirs, and most of the rain water is wasted away because of poor water harvesting mechanisms. For lack of a better description, we can call this “part time” thinking, because the problem of agriculture in Uganda is not drought, but rather lack of planning, management and monitoring as evidence has shown.66.Madam Speaker, in his 2010 State of Nation address, President Museveni attributed inadequate growth in the agriculture sector to Government’s continuous reliance on weather and insufficient linkages to value addition and market opportunities, and promised to handle the problem. This year, H.E. the President, as he usually does, blamed the poor performance of agriculture, in particular, low food production, on poor rainfall and drought. Instead of informing Ugandans how far his Government has gone to address the problem, he still outlines plans that will still not be implemented.67.Madam Speaker, the President reported that the NRM Government’s goal has been to fundamentally transform the three million Ugandan households in subsistence agriculture to commercialized agriculture. He further said this transformation entailed moving away from rain-fed agriculture to irrigation, from the hand-hoe to mechanized agriculture; and from production for household consumption to production for the market through agro-processing. 68.Madam Speaker, this commitment has not been translated into monetary terms. Instead of subsidizing and deploying tractors in sub-counties to commercialize agriculture, our leaders in Government think removing taxes on hand hoes will do wonders. They have failed to update Parliament as to what happened to the 500 walking tractors that were to be distributed to farmers in 500 parishes in September 2008 to begin the drive towards increased agricultural production, yet money was appropriated for this purpose.69.Madam Speaker, the President talked about a plan to build storage capacity to improve post - harvest handling. In 2007/08, the same President promised to refurbish storage facilities at primary society level, and moneys were appropriated. To date, we have not been given the progress on this. Sometime back, Government constructed silos in Kyazanga. We are not told as to who is using the silos, how much is paid and to whom. Can Government inform Parliament whether it is true that the said silos are about or have been leased for 99 years to a company trading in produce, in which the first daughter has shares? 70.Madam Speaker, in his 2009 State of Nation address, the President informed the Nation that in order to achieve better market access for farmers to sell their produce at premium prices, the Warehouse Receipt Scheme has been started and was to be progressively rolled out. Ugandans would be interested in knowing the progress, as the intention of the project was to enable rural households earn at least, Shs. 20 million per annum, to enable them meet basic necessities. 71.Madam Speaker, last year we made a number of proposals which would improve agriculture productivity, but the NRM Government leaders did not buy the proposals. We specifically advised Government to fund a comprehensive agriculture census that would form a basis for national planning. We advised Government to increase the sector funding of agriculture, where our country has competitive advantage, from the then 4.9% to 10%. In reaction to our proposal, and as if the proposal had annoyed them, the sectoral allocation has instead been slashed down to 4%.72.Madam Speaker and colleagues, the current Government is like a business that increases its price in response to cost pressures. This might work for a while but eventually, customers may refuse to buy. The problems facing agriculture cannot be appropriately addressed without a comprehensive census, because they are founded on lack of comprehensive, reliable and consistent statistical data. In our view, if you cannot measure something, you cannot manage it. The lack of the sector’s statistics causes inadequate funding allocation and consequently, poor output.73.The last Comprehensive Agriculture Census was carried out in 1963/5. This was followed by the 1990/91 National census of Agriculture and Livestock. Since then, our planning has been based on annual sample surveys that are not regular due to lack of funding. The institutions that are mandated to carry out the exercise, such as MAAIF and UBOS, have never put in place statistical systems to collect important data on agriculture on an annual basis. 74.We need data on crop area, yield, production, an inventory of livestock and animal products, and the characteristics of farming enterprises, whether commercial or subsistence. But we do not have such an agriculture data bank to help in planning, resulting into steep decline in agricultural performance.75.Madam Speaker and colleagues, this lack of informed planning excludes the majority of the rural people engaged in subsistence farming from participating in the benefits of the country’s economic growth. These smallholder farmers do not have access to the vehicles and roads needed for transporting produce to markets. Market linkages are weak or non-existent. 76.The farmers lack inputs and technologies to help them increase production and reduce pests and diseases. In addition, the smallholder farmers lack access to financial services that would enable them to raise their incomes by improving and expanding their production and establishing small enterprises. This low productivity, coupled with the limited value addition, and lack of commercialization, is what has led to the declining GDP share of the agriculture sector in Uganda, and this must be addressed.77.Madam Speaker, in our budget response last financial year, we reported that we had conducted a study on the need to address the limited access to finance for agriculture production. We recommended, based on the findings of the study, creation of an Agriculture Development Bank. The draft bill to this effect is ready for consideration by this August House. 78.We wish to re-affirm that the sector Shadow Minister will seek leave of this Parliament to table a Private Members Bill for creation of an Agricultural Development Bank. We request Hon Members to support the bill for creation of an Agriculture Development Bank that will address financial constraints faced by the majority of our voters.79.Madam Speaker, the much sought after modernization of agriculture will remain a travesty as long as Government does not wake up to the realization of the need to invest massively in agriculture as a necessary precondition for industrial development, monetization of the economy and food security. Improving agricultural productivity is the only way through which the poor rural households can meet their food security needs and increase their income. 80. Madam Speaker, Uganda has enormous potential to increase agricultural production to overcome food insecurity and malnutrition, as well as take advantage of increasing food demand in the region. The only powerful tool that can overcome this is use of fertilizers and high yielding seeds. However, recent studies show that while Uganda has the highest soil nutrient depletion in the world, it also has the lowest fertilizer application, at 1.8 kg per hectare. This is mainly because of the limited knowledge about benefits and costs of fertilizer application.81.Madam Speaker, the President raised public hope when he mentioned that Government will soon address the pertinent issue of actualizing phosphate fertilizer production at Sukulu Hills in Tororo. However, information obtained indicates that the hills belong to the Madhavani Group of Companies. We request Government to inform Ugandans as to who will be carrying out the project and whether this would in turn reduce the price of fertilizers to the small holder farmer.82.Madam Speaker and colleagues, as a country, we have not come up with a National Fertilizer Policy that would consider subsidies on fertilizers as a priority. Rwanda, on their part, recently carried out a fertilizer profitability analysis and use. Based on the study, fertilizer trials have been established across the country. A National Fertilizer Policy should be enacted to subsidize fertilizers in line with the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement that allows developing countries subsidies of up to 10 percent of agricultural inputs.83.Madam Speaker, to address the problems in the agriculture sector, we have to fix the problems along the entire value chain. These range from research and development for seeds and inputs, to irrigation, fertilizers, agricultural extension, credit, rural infrastructure, storage and marketing. We therefore propose the following:• Make the agriculture sector the main line of defense against poverty and food insecurity by increasing its funding to over 10% of the overall national budget. • Expedite the enactment of the National Fertilizer Policy which should consider subsidies on fertilizers and other agriculture inputs as a priority to increase agriculture productivity.•Establish an effective extension system to sensitize farmers to embrace use of fertilizers, so as to sustainably increase agricultural productivity in Uganda;•Provide water for production, and disease control;•Improve access to affordable, predictable and reliable financial services;•Reduce the cost of production by putting emphasis on mechanization, and enhanced research for the introduction of high-yielding varieties of staple crops;•Provide for grain terminals/silos, refrigeration facilities, post -harvest facilities to handle bumper harvests and maintain the standard requirements of the produce;•Invest in the Warehouse receipt systems in major grain producing districts and regions, to keep farm products safe and ready for market;•Support availability of adequate storage facilities at sub - counties, and mainstream functional warehouses to avoid post- harvest losses, as well as improve commodity pricing;•Expeditiously activate the existing national irrigation infrastructure, including establishing new irrigation programs;•Allocate funds to establish micro-irrigation schemes on all major rivers and lakes in the country;•Strengthen the Private Public Partnership (PPP) approach in the construction and maintenance of irrigation schemes;•Revitalize cooperatives and re-establish the stabilization Fund in Bank of Uganda; and •Provide a conducive policy environment that would attract private investment in agricultureEnvironment84.Madam Speaker and colleagues, the state of the environment in Uganda leaves a lot to be desired, with Kampala being one of the dirtiest cities in the world. Plastic bags are in every corner of the country and Government is reluctant to enforce the ban on these plastic bags. The citizens are left to stay near choking heaps of garbage. Such pollution exposes Ugandans to diseases, and contributes to the high health budget requirement in the country.85.Madam Speaker, in the last 15 years, Uganda has lost 4,000 square kilometers of wetlands posing a risk of water shortage. The wetland coverage has reduced from 13% to 11% over the period. Preliminary results from the study launched by the Ministry of Water and Environment reveal that the major wetlands and their biodiversity are dying out, with a serious potential of water stress and flooding in the next 10-15 years. This poses a danger because our growing population will always need fresh air and clean water to live.86.Madam Speaker, Uganda loses 15% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually, due to the destruction of forests, land and water resources. The politicians, and those who think they have money, are amongst the greatest abusers of the environment. We have destroyed the wetlands around Banda, encroached on Namanve forest, and environmental degradation continues unchecked. The 2006 NRM Manifesto which promised to cover all the bare hills with forests did not see the light of the day, only to resurface in the 2010 Manifesto.87.Madam Speaker and colleagues, the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda states that “it is the duty of Parliament to protect and preserve the environment from abuse, pollution, degradation and also to provide for measures intended to manage the environment for sustainable development and promotion of environmental awareness”. The challenge at hand is as to whether we have used this provision to enforce environmental discipline, or we have left the work to the citizens and civil society organizations.88.Madam Speaker, in order to enhance our environmental protection, we propose:•That Parliament should take a keen interest in environmental legislation and discipline in Uganda including garbage management;•A ban on plastic bags is enforced;•National tree planting campaigns, using primary school pupils, are immediately started throughout the whole country;•Start a community cleaning exercise in Kampala, to get rid of the plastics in the city and outside Municipalities and Towns; and•Wetland restoration and planned urban housing and waste management, to stop the spread of filthy and disease-ridden slums:•Prepare early for environmental impact of oil in the Albertine region.Labour and Employment89.Madam Speaker and colleagues, we strongly believe that good Government policy should not only be able to spur economic growth, but also strengthen the private sector’s ability to create jobs. In our view, the private sector is a catalyst for economic growth. It is the sector that can create meaningful jobs because they put up agro-based industries that are viable in the long term. This can only be done when we create a good environment that would attract investors to put up these industries.90.Madam Speaker, Ugandans can be patient, but they have low tolerance for sustained lies. In 2008/9, Government promised to turn Uganda into a leading competitive destination for private investment in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to them, this was the only way new jobs would be created to absorb the majority of unemployed youth. However, the Global Competitiveness report published in March 2011 makes shocking revelations. Globally, our competitiveness dropped down from the 108th position last year to the 118th this year. In Africa, we are currently in the 20th position compared to Rwanda’s 7th, Kenya’s 14th, Tanzania’s 16th and Burundi’s 32nd position. 91.This means that in terms of investment opportunities in the East African Region, we only compete with Burundi. How does the NRM Government intend to create more jobs and provide employment when our competitiveness in attracting investment is seriously worsening as a result of corruption, lack of sound infrastructure and Government’s inefficiency?92.Madam Speaker and colleagues, the tourism sector which has the potential of improving our employment potential has also not been doing well due to meager funding, poor infrastructure, unfavourable policy environment for the development of the sector and the inadequate protection of property rights. For example, the sector has only been allocated Shs. 8.2 billion in the 2011/12 budget which is not enough to market our tourism potential.93.Madam Speaker, the 2011 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report revealed that the Uganda’s ranking in the tourism sector fell from the 111th to the 115th position. In the region, Uganda is in the 13th position, Rwanda in the 7th, Kenya in the 8th and Tanzania in the 11th position. This is because Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania have invested heavily in intensive marketing of their country’s tourism attractiveness. They have also invested in the development of innovative tourism and infrastructure. 94.Madam Speaker, while statistics indicate that tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors and the second foreign exchange earner in Uganda, the Report reveals that we do not invest in marketing. Kenya, for example, spends US$ 10 million in marketing and promotional activities annually. Tanzania spends US$ 8 million and Rwanda spends US$5million, while Uganda spends only US$ 350,000, as in the table below;CountryInvestment in Tourism Promotion(US$)Ranking in Competitiveness in the RegionRwanda5 million7thKenya10 million8thTanzania8 million11thUganda350,00013thTable 1 Source: World Economic Forum, March 201195.Madam Speaker and colleagues, how did Government expect to be top of the range in a sector where it never invested? How then does Government intend to absorb the 40,000 graduates produced annually by our tertiary institutions when we are not investing in sectors that have potential to create employment opportunities?96.Madam Speaker, since majority of our population is in agriculture, the sector has great potential of absorbing the 40,000 youth in the rural areas in agro-processing and effective extension services, rather than the NAADS-type conspiracies. We therefore propose the following measures to create employment opportunities:•Rural empowerment to absorb the majority of the youth in their areas to increase agricultural productivity through agro-processing and extension services; •Increment of the funding to the tourism sector;•Institute measures to fight corruption; and•Strengthen Government institutions to ease the cost of doing business.Corruption97.Madam Speaker and colleagues, the single most important thing that Ugandans seem to agree on is that the NRM Government is chronically corrupt. It would appear that our friends in Government have since changed our National Motto to “Come, let us eat, drink and make merry, for tomorrow we shall go”. This is what has led to the kind of recklessness that is becoming common at all levels of Government.98.Uganda’s experience demonstrates that whereas anti-corruption laws, regulations and institutions are important, they are no substitute for action. The most important pre-condition for success in the fight against corruption is the commitment of the political leadership to fight corruption at the highest level. This is what we lack because our leaders have failed to walk the talk in the war against the corrupt.99.Madam Speaker, in Uganda, corruption has become widespread resulting in endemic poverty and frustration, rivalries between the regimes leading personalities, and the rupture of the political contract between leaders and the citizenry. Corruption takes away medicine from our hospitals, and books and furniture from schools. It has also eaten up our roads which have caused senseless deaths due to accidents, killed our industries, destroyed agriculture productivity, rigged elections, destroyed our police and acquitted the guilty. 100.In summary, corruption has robbed, looted and plundered our public resources, killed and dehumanized our people and sown seeds of greed, selfishness and lust for power and ill - gotten wealth. It has created some leaders with questionable integrity because the corrupt, in spite of their rhetoric and grandiose posturing, do not love this country, for, if they did, they would not rob it of the scarce resources much needed for development and improvement of the citizen’s welfare.101.Madam Speaker, in terms of political life, personal and group patronage has become linked to the provision of services. Elections have become less about having a credible choice of who governs, but more of an exercise in political patronage, featuring the buying and selling of votes. Politicians from the ruling party no longer make a distinction between Government property and that of a party. This is why political party functions take place in State House at the expense of the tax payer who foots, among others the food, electricity, water and entertainment bills. 102.With the naked eye, you can see that there is no genuine war against corruption as the NRM Government has only beaten about tiny weeds, ignoring the vast plantations in plain view. It has also been selective, and many times, only taken action on those who fall out with them, rather than dealing with the vice in a non-partisan manner. Placing political interest above the rule of law and checks and balances, is therefore the major stumbling block in the fight against corruption.103.Madam Speaker, allow me to use this chance to inform H.E. President Museveni that accountability and the fight against corruption is not a choice, but a constitutional requirement. And so, when the Head of State presides over corruption at the centre, he will lose moral ground to enforce discipline at the Local Governments. He cannot simply do away with it, because he wants to protect his cadres who remain loyal to him and the ruling NRM party, and therefore no concrete action can be taken against them.104.Madam Speaker, fighting corruption requires action and not speeches. In fact, it can be eradicated by acting in silence. What it requires is the will to do so. The continued failure by H.E. the President to remove corrupt people from his Government has undermined public confidence in his purported commitment to fighting corruption. 105.Madam Speaker, sometime back, the President announced that he had trained a new army of professionals ready to fight the corruption scourge and that he would use a new dangerous approach to net corrupt officials and punish them. You can see for yourselves, the suggested approach has not come to fruition. The latest is that he is now going to set up a committee to investigate political leaders and senior public officers implicated in corruption scandals. Why would someone spend time and money chasing for thieves, yet he promotes and rewards those who have already been caught? Those are diversionary tactics employed in war, when surrounded by an enemy. H.E. the President knows this science quite well.106.Madam Speaker, in the 16th century, when Sir Thomas More was asked to go against his conscience and deny his trust, he answered as follows: “Public trust is held like sand in our hands. If we open our fingers only a bit, to be only a bit corrupt, the sand of trust flows out quickly and is completely lost”. The war against corruption cannot be won by rhetorical speeches and the rotation of Ministers and public servants who have nothing more to offer. Political will transcends good speeches and incorporates leadership by example and taking swift action where corruption is detected.107.Madam Speaker, there is enough empirical evidence to suggest that Governments which act in total disregard of the good of their population and dissipate their resources through various means, including corruption, cannot be considered under any reasonable standard to be practicing good governance. As representatives of the people, we should stand firm and hold responsible any political leader or public servant that misuses public resources that are meant for service delivery to our voters. It is the welfare of our voters that will make us relevant in our constituencies, and not our parties.108.Madam Speaker, the victory against corruption needs courageous individuals to stand up, speak out, take risks, and alert the wider society that something wrong is taking place. This may take a toll on our lives, and political survival, but it is worth taking. This Parliament must advocate for penalties that are beyond a mere slap-on-wrist. The penalties must be tough enough to deter anyone bent on corruption or harbouring such motives. 109.Madam Speaker, we have to decisively address increasing petty corruption, the perceived growing culture of impunity for grand corruption and pervasive “quiet corruption” - the failure of public servants to deliver goods or services paid for by Governments - such as unchecked absenteeism by teachers and health workers.110.Madam Speaker and colleagues, we therefore propose the following measures for adoption by this Parliament:•Any politician or public official who abuses his/her position for personal gain should be dismissed. We have no right to put public interest at risk by retaining those who treat public office as a tool for enrichment;•Unlawfully acquired personal assets must be confiscated and auctioned publicly, to recover the funds;•Heavier fines and/or sentences should be imposed for corruption;•Speed-up pre-trial investigations and judicial proceedings by adequately funding anti-corruption agencies;•Parliament and its Appointments Committee should not pass any politician and/or public official involved in any corruption scandal to occupy any political or public office unless he/she has been cleared by a competent Court of Law; and•Parliament should as a matter of urgency consider and enact the long awaited Anti-Money Laundering Legislation.The Social Sector111.Madam Speaker and colleagues, education and health are key components of both economic and human development. It is a common agreement worldwide that for any community to develop, its members must be educated. It is also widely accepted that for human beings to be economically productive, they must be mentally and physically healthy. Provision of quality education and health systems facilitates and promotes people’s participation in, and enjoyment of the benefits accruing from the economic activity. 112.Madam Speaker, the crucial role education and health play in the overall development of a nation cannot be overemphasized. While education is widely accepted as a leading instrument for promoting economic growth, a healthy population is an engine for economic growth. Education leads to good health which is a prerequisite to the development of any household, community or country as it translates into increased enrolment and better performance in school and high labour productivity. Despite its importance, health and education have in the last decade taken a heavy beating from the Executive in terms of budgetary allocations. Whereas the number of hospitals, health centers, schools and universities has increased, the quality has sharply declined.Health113.Madam Speaker, the importance of good health is summarized in a popular saying, “the wealth of a nation is the health of its people”. Indeed, everyone knows that the state of one’s health is at the very core of one’s existence, whether it involves an individual or nation. However, our health care system at present remains characterized by under investment, insufficient numbers of trained health workers, poor pay, insufficient drugs, very poor and inadequate health infrastructure and ill equipped health facilities. 114.Madam Speaker, for the last 10 years, the Government of Uganda’s budgetary allocation to the health sector has stagnated over time as a percentage of Government’s total discretionary expenditure. As a result, the Uganda public health system continues to suffer from shortage of medicines, lack of health equipment and supplies, shortage and poor remuneration of health workers, and services that are not affordable to many poor persons.115.Madam Speaker and colleagues, most of the facilities available in most public hospitals are in a sorry state with indicators such as the number of medical workers in health centres and availability of essential medicine wanting. The few able patients flown out of the country for medical procedures sometimes end up in the hands of Ugandan doctors who have gone abroad for greener pastures due to low pay at home. This means that the scarce foreign exchange which is a direct cost to the tax payer is spent abroad on a few patients most of whom are the well placed politicians and the civil servants paid for by Government. 116.Madam Speaker, the quality of health services in Uganda is wanting and a lot needs to be done. Indicators related to maternal mortality such as antenatal care coverage, delivery in health facilities, and medical assistance at delivery have progressed only marginally, with maternal mortality in Uganda remaining among the highest in the world, due to the high fertility and poor pre- and post-natal care.117.Madam Speaker, the Health sector continues to experience workforce challenges arising from numbers, skill shortages and motivational deficiency factors. Medical workers remain grossly underpaid with a Graduate Medical Officer in a public health facility in Rwanda and Kenya earning about 4 times more than his/her Ugandan counterparts. This is what has led to a higher doctor-patient ratio. 118.Madam Speaker, free heath care in Uganda only exists in principle but not in practice. In most hospitals and health centres, there are frequent drug stock outs, health personnel are sometimes unavailable and lack of basic equipment and services are inadequate and unavailable. The initial gains in the HIV/AIDS control have since been reversed because ARV outages are very common, raising a very big threat of drug resistance. This, coupled with inadequate infrastructure, staff shortage, low remuneration and general mismanagement leaves free health service only a wish. As a result, most Ugandans are sick, yet the country boasts of many health centers.119.Madam Speaker and colleagues, in most rural areas, low staff morale, absenteeism, staff attrition due to poor salary and poor support and supervision of health workers have remained critical constraints. For example, most health centres are run by nursing aides who also do not work on certain days, especially weekends. In most cases, the patients are only given prescriptions and told to go and buy drugs elsewhere. This is what has particularly contributed to high levels on maternal mortality because most mothers (61%) do not deliver in these facilities and end up with traditional methods of delivery in the villages, with the attendant risks.120.Madam Speaker, last year, the President reported cases of district health officials having ‘ghost’ health centres which receive drugs and directed the Inspector General of Police to investigate and prosecute all these. This scare ended up with the address, and that was it. In the same vein, this address also has nothing new to offer in terms of health care. The Committee set up to investigate the health sector has only been heard of in the press but Ugandans have not seen the fruits.121.The only way to revamp the health sector is to increase the funding to meet the minimum health care package. We propose: •Increase in the health expenditure to the threshold of 15% as agreed upon by the African Leaders in the Abuja Declaration of 2001;•Funding of the health sector should be the priority and duty of Government whose constitutional responsibility is to provide health to its citizens and should not be left to the Donors.•Review of the salaries and wages of health workers to make them competitive with their counterparts in the region; •Training and recruiting more health workers to be deployed in the various health centers; and•Procurement of adequate equipment to the Health Centers which have become white elephants.Education122.Madam Speaker, education is not only seen as a key to poverty reduction and a vehicle for promoting equity, fairness and social justice but also helps to supply the essential human or social capital which is a necessary condition for sustained economic growth. However, it remains under-funded at higher levels leaving a burden to the majority poor. In addition, the curriculum has not been adequately addressed and as a result, our tertiary institutions end up producing functionally illiterate graduates who are only job seekers and not job makers. This has to be addressed to make education more meaningful.123.Madam Speaker, while it is a fact that the introduction of Universal Primary Education (UPE) resulted in a huge increase in enrolment, completion rates remain worrying. The trend of completion rates reported by the Ministry of Education and Sports revealed a rate below 50% in the academic years 2006, 2007 and 2008 and 52% and 54% in 2009 and 2010 respectively. 124.Madam Speaker, analysis of the Primary Leaving Examination performance reveals that from 2006 to 2010, the number of pupils who failed to get a PLE certificate is more than those who passed in Division 1, and on average, 24,000 pupils do not sit exams, yet Government pays examination fees for them.125.Madam Speaker and colleagues, we believe this miserable performance is caused by the unrealistic funding of the UPE program and poor planning which leads to delayed release of funds. It is surprising that Government continues to budget and release on Shs. 450 per pupil per month, implying that each pupil gets Shs. 1,350 per term. This amount is not even enough to buy half a kilogram of sugar. Even then, release of this amount to primary schools is delayed disrupting the timely implementation of school activities.126.Hon Speaker, like the health sector, education is also hit by low staff morale, absenteeism and staff attrition due to poor salary and poor inspection in schools. While we support the President’s target of improving the pupil teacher ratio of 56:1 in all Government schools, we believe this will remain a dream as long as teacher’s morale remains unattended to. This was recently put to test when immediately after the President’s Speech, the Primary Teachers Colleges (PTCs) and National Teachers Colleges (NTCs) closed due to limited funding. 127.Madam Speaker, the implementation of the Universal Secondary Education (USE) is also facing a dilemma due to limited funding. The Secondary Schools currently implementing the USE program are hard up due to limited funding to meet the rising costs of food prices in the country. As a result, most private schools such as those founded by religious bodies are threatening to pull out of the program, and this may affect its implementation.128.Madam Speaker, we therefore propose that:•20% of our National Budget be dedicated to education, as opposed to the current 4.4%•Government provides teachers houses and increase the number of classrooms;•The salaries of teachers in both Primary and Secondary Schools should be reviewed to match the rising cost of living;•There should be constant monitoring and supervision of the UPE and USE programs by both the Center and Districts to improve on the quality of the graduates;•The Student Loans Scheme be immediately introduced to assist students from poor families attain higher education; and•The Curriculum is immediately revised to create functionally literate graduates. The Petroleum Sector129.Madam Speaker and colleagues, last year, the President reported that Government had put in place a National Oil and Gas Policy to provide the guiding principles in the petroleum value chain and institutional framework for prudent management of resources and the revenues accruing from production. He further reported that two Petroleum legislations namely; the Resource Management and Revenue Management were being prepared to operationalize the policy. In our response, then, we criticized the way Government had connived with oil companies to keep the Production Sharing Agreements secret and how it came up with a National Oil and Gas Policy without adequate consultation with all stakeholders.130.Madam Speaker, while the President reported about the progress in the oil exploration, he avoided to report on the progress about the legislations. In the budget speech, the Minister of Finance said Government was still finalizing the appropriate legal and institutional framework for resource and revenue management for presentation to Parliament. Our concern is that Government continues to award contracts without the relevant laws and manage the oil sector as if it is personal. Indeed, the oil resource may turn into a curse due to poor production management, inefficient exploration, corruption and the likelihood of becoming a single sector economy. 131.Madam Speaker, the President laboured to demonstrate that fuel prices in Uganda were comparable with those of Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Sudan. However, he avoided giving the Nation a comparison of the salaries and standards of living of the people in these countries. For example, a medical doctor in Kenya and Rwanda earns 4 times than a doctor in Uganda. A primary school teacher in Rwanda is better paid than ours in Uganda. These are therefore more able to pay the high fuel prices. Rwanda even went further and reduced taxes on all petroleum products. Therefore to compare the fuel prices with those in our neighbouring countries without regard to salary levels and standards of living would be grossly misleading.132.Madam Speaker, in order to properly manage both the oil resource and revenue, we therefore propose that:•Resource Management and Revenue Management Legislations are tabled in Parliament as a matter of urgency;•Reduction of tariffs on petroleum products;•The Production Sharing Agreements are made Public, debated and lessons drawn from other countries; and•Use of a multi-sectoral approach involving all stakeholders such as Parliament, the Civil Society and the Media, to ensure transparency in oil management. 133.Madam Speaker and colleagues, in his address of June 2010, the President said most of the talk about our storage tanks in Jinja was speculative and not based on facts and that Government had never lost interest in the storage tanks, whose capacity of 30 million litres exists to hold national strategic reserves. He further said the facility was only temporarily closed to enable its refurbishment. This year, the same President says the tanks, which act as the national strategic fuel reserves, are being refurbished and will be restocked under a Public-Private Partnership initiative. 134.Madam Speaker, George Orwell once wrote that; “In an age of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act”. Based on this contradictory information, we would like to know how temporary these reserves will be closed, whether Government still has interest in the reserves and whether it is true that the reserves were sold. The information should be comprehensive to include all the reserves constructed by President Amin such as those in Nakasongola. We would also like to know the whereabouts of the stock of fuel that was in the reserve tanks that has since disappeared.Infrastructure135.Madam Speaker, Government efforts to improve and maintain the road network as primary for development is commendable. However, the poor quality of works, value – for - money, delay in completion of contracts, poor absorption capacity of the funds allocated to the sector and poor management of traffic remains a problem. The other serious problem is the poor management of the contracts by the technical arm of Government.136.Madam Speaker and colleagues, up to 30 per cent of the urban roads in Kampala and major municipalities can be categorized in poor state, while the entire additional 10,000km of district roads upgraded to national status in July 2009 are beyond any meaningful maintenance, requiring substantial injection of funds. It is the condition of our infrastructure that has tremendously contributed to the low level of our competitiveness in the region.137.Madam Speaker, in our response last year, we pointed out that Government had failed to implement the pledges made yet funds were appropriated. These include among others the purchase of the district road equipments, the construction of the Ntungamo aerodrome and rehabilitation of Kasese airfield. We further pointed out the need for rehabilitating our rail and water transport system to reduce the cost of transportation which is exorbitant on the roads. The only thing Government is doing is to continue to promise and undertake studies about the rail sector. In our view, Government is just buying time and will never fulfill the pledges. These same pledges have again been made this year and we should expect more next year.138.Madam Speaker, we propose the following:•The Traffic Management Plan of Kampala be quickly availed and revisited;•All the access roads and walk ways be worked on;•Revamp the railway lines Kampala – Tororo - Pakwach and Kampala - Kasese;•Road maintenance equipment be procured immediately; and•Report on the review of the concession of Rift Valley Railways(RVR)Regional and International Matters139.Madam Speaker, in his address, President Museveni concentrated on the East African Community and avoided other areas of serious concern yet our country was attacked by the Al Shabaab terrorists last year. Our support for the parliamentary resolution to send our troops to Somalia was based on the understanding that other African Nations would contribute forces. However, it is now apparent that the burden has been left to Uganda and Burundi. There are no regular and transparent reports on the state of our missions.140.Madam Speaker, we have noticed that there is deliberate over emphasis on the political federation of East Africa, sometimes over shadowing economic integration objectives, which were the main intent of Member States. We believe this may attract resistance from other partners and derail us from the core objective. Further, a political federation is only possible where cooperating States see the need to harmonize matters of political principle enshrined in their Constitutions. For example, while other members have Presidential term limits, Uganda has open ended terms. How can we have a political federation when we have divergent political principles?141.Madam Speaker, many developments have taken place in North Africa and the Middle East but the President evaded commenting on these. In addition, this Government does not have a policy on the repatriation of Ugandans who are caught up in war zones and other unforeseen catastrophes, like the earthquake, which triggered off Tsunami which damaged the nuclear reactor in Japan. 142.Madam Speaker, we would like to know our foreign policy on the Middle East and what Government thinks about the Developments in North Africa. We also want to know the fate of Ugandan nationals in North Africa and Japan as other responsible Governments repatriated their nationals out of these danger zones leaving Ugandans to fend for themselves. These people play a great role in bringing in the country the much needed Foreign Exchange and therefore Government should reciprocate as a gesture for the contribution to our economy by these “Nkuba Kyeyos” and as a sense of national responsibility.143.Madam Speaker, the Southern Sudan is getting her independence next week, but the situation therein is potentially explosive. However, our foreign policy concerning the situation in Southern Sudan appears to have been kept secret and personalized. There is also a lot of speculation about Saleh’s presence in West Nile. We want a clear national policy regarding the situation in Southern Sudan. 144.Madam Speaker, today, Ugandans holding the red passports don’t enjoy the respect these passports carry because many wrong doers who are involved in drug trafficking and international money laundering carry red passports. This is what has at least been found out with those arrested in London and Kenya. As a result, many countries no longer respect some of our dignitaries and Government has not come out to address this problem.145.Madam Speaker, the state of our Missions abroad leaves a lot to be desired. Most of the buildings constructed under President Amin’s Government are in a deplorable state and many cities around the World have called on Uganda to address the problem but this Government has done nothing at all. In addition, most of our Missions abroad have become a dumping place for political failures. This has not only affected the performance of our Missions but has also demoralized career diplomats in these Missions.146.Madam Speaker, we propose the following:•Parliament is urgently briefed about the situation in Somalia and the contributions of other African states to enable us review our position.•Uganda should insist on a wider AU participation, preferably from Islamic countries.•Government informs Parliament on the steps being taken to rescue Ugandans caught in the war zone and areas affected by other catastrophes.•Government should urgently refurbish our Missions abroad to rescue the tarnished image of our country.•Slow down agitation for a political federation until we get economic integration right and until we harmonize the political principles in our Constitutions to fast track the political federation; and•At least 50% of the positions of head of Missions should be occupied by career diplomats to improve on the performance.Financing of Local Governments147.Madam Speaker, for the last five years, the Opposition has been questioning the rationale of the 20% budgetary allocation to Local Governments where the majority of our citizens live. These Local Governments are already facing increasing financial pressure and are unable to meet their expanded and diversified roles because they do not have any direct revenue raising opportunities. To perform well, Local Governments should be allowed to form their own Regional Governments, and left to manage their own resources, leaving the Central Government with core functions of defense, security, immigration and foreign affairs.148.Madam Speaker, Local Governments do not have a good revenue base yet Government is behaving as a donor to them. In FY 2011/12, the Local Governments have only been allocated 19% which is not enough to improve service delivery. In addition, the number of conflicts in the Local Governments between the Chairpersons, RDCs and CAOs and the civil society are on the increase and stifling service delivery. All these have to be addressed if we are to improve the welfare of the citizens. We propose that:•The allocation to Local Governments is increased to at least 40% of the National Budget;•Increase the revenue base of the Local Governments by delegating some of the taxes to them; and•Harmonize the Local Government Act to solve the conflicts in the Local Governments;•Formation of Regional Governments which should be empowered to manage their own resources.Justice, Law and Order149.Madam Speaker, the President says Government is committed to the Rule of Law, and praises himself for establishment of specialized Police units and a few cases in Court which have been disposed off. However, the Rule of Law is more about guaranteeing people’s freedoms as enshrined in the Constitution rather than just establishment and equipping of terror units. 150.We expected H.E. the President to update the Nation on last year’s promise of improving the welfare of security personnel and their families, to commit that Courts of Law will be allowed to operate independently, that the IGG and DPP will be allowed to operate uninfluenced, and that the Prisons service would be supported, rather than attacked in various ways, such as land grabbing by Government and its agents. No one values and cares about prisoners anymore, and this attitude must stop. Land151.Madam Speaker, matters of land in Uganda have never been resolved mainly because of lack of a comprehensive policy and greed. We had hoped that, upon promulgation of the Constitution, Government would immediately carry out adequate consultations that would result in formulation of the National Land Policy and consequent laws to operationalize the policy. That is how things are done in organized Governments. Instead, our Government moved in haste and in reverse order to enact laws before a land policy. The consequence is that the Land Act and its subsequent amendments cannot be implemented because there was no foundation in form of a policy, for the Law. We therefore propose that:•Adequate Consultations are made to come up with a harmonized National Land Policy; •Halt the rampant Land give –away until the Policy is in place to guide on land use; and•Revision of the Land Act to conform and operationalize the National land Policy. Conclusion152.Madam Speaker, throughout my term as a Leader of Opposition, we intend to seek out, consult, listen and understand before we engage on issues. I hope our colleagues in Government will not simply stifle valid criticism, scrutiny or examination but will listen to our reason. 153.We hope they will positively view our legitimate way of looking at issues because we are partners. We pledge to focus engagement around issues aimed at addressing the needs of the citizenry for positive development.154.Madam Speaker, this country is ours and we should not allow it to sink. It should be anchored on our good intentions and actions because we shall all be answerable individually and collectively. We shall continue knocking at the door of the Leader of Government Business for an update on promise made in this address and the Budget. 155.The Committee of Government Assurances will follow up on all the promises made and will periodically be reporting to this House. We request Hon Members to always give these reports the most deserved attention for the good and welfare of our citizens.I thank you for your kind attention."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1133494/-/c3debyz/-/index.html","content":"I will be the chairman Electoral Commission come 2016, says Kiggundu - Uganda has just completed an election season for all political electoral positions right upto the grassroot. Sunday Monitor’s Sheila Naturinda talked to the Electoral Commission Chiarman Badru Kiggundu about the election process, challenges, opportunities and the future. Excerpts; What was your ideal day like during the elections? Every day has its own uniqueness and I may not go through the whole story but surely as you get closer to the D-day, you can’t refrain from being apprehensive and asking yourself questions whether you have done everything as planned. Will there be some hiccups and what do I do if there are there and what type would they be? You can’t be too sure about anything in life until the actual hour arrives. With elections, until like midday at least you can take some breather but it’s always part of success. If you want to succeed you must be nervous. Any specific challenges that troubled you?The delivery of materials in Kampala to be a few hours late shocked me because we had done well in terms of planning but how it ended up that materials would reach Kampala as late as 10am I am still shocked by it. Any one to blame?I don’t blame anybody because this is a multi-faceted task. You have trucks leaving at the same time but the one at the front is the one that reaches late. That has its own backflow effect and there are so many variables. So I can’t put it on one person because the task of elections isn’t a single-handed responsibility. You could reach a polling station and the officials aren’t there. You planned for the best but the practical reality turns out to be the worst. But I appreciate the voters because they were very anxious to vote and those who mattered waited. You are the first in Uganda’s history to lead the EC over two elections. What makes you a darling of the appointing authority?If you believe in what the Baganda say “buli mulembe ne bya gwo” (every generation cycle has its own characteristics) maybe …well, it’s a challenge for me to make that assessment about the darlingness in me. I can, however, say I have a sense of commitment to the task and I do read quite a bit and try to understand although I am not saying my predecessors didn’t. But I am fully committed to my job. I work long hours and I try as much as possible to understand everybody I work with and even those from outside the commission because everybody has a different perception. I try not to make issues personal. I am grateful that the government in its various branches trusted and re-appointed us as a commission. It is an achievement because no other commission has had it and we shall try to fulfill our obligations. What is your general assessment of the just concluded elections?I want to claim that this poll has been better than the 2006 poll. I usually hesitate to say it has been free and fair but I can add my voice that it was free and fair. That this election was more peaceful, had more enhanced cooperation from various stakeholders, the security environment was good and I want to salute my colleagues in security who have thoroughly worked with us to ensure the environment meets the prescription of the law. Opposition politicians think your ears are chocked to the ruling party only. Are you guilty of that accusation?No, because what they call me isn’t what I am. You can describe me as you see me but deep in my heart I am doing my obligation and as long as I meet those obligations, calls can continue flooding in but I will continue until the appointing authority says stop. Ever received phone calls threatening you?Well of course, I have got calls and even what I read in the media is too much but those are all calls from people who actually don’t know who Kiggundu is and may never understand him probably. The President has also accused some of your commissioners for being agents of the opposition. Do you feel some of your colleagues are compromised?I don’t know any of them; maybe they could have been years ago but remember we have all come from the movement into multi parties. It would be wrong for me to say such because I haven’t seen those colours in them since we have worked coherently and we continue to do so. If they belonged to such parties in history then it’s okay but now they aren’t. It is only me who has never belonged to any political dispensation. Do you belong somewhere now?No. On the Kampala mayoral elections; what went wrong? I remember hearing stories because I was in Sironko and that about four polling stations were ballot stuffing. Certainly, when it became so obvious that there were foreign or advance ballot papers real or unreal, the most logical decision was to call off the elections. We have been thanked by many for taking such a position because the havoc could have been more serious. Unfortunately, it cost the taxpayer a lot more money but it is better to spend but come out peacefully like we did on the March 14 when we finally got a mayor. Do you think some of your technical officers could have played a role in defeating the spirit of free and fair elections?Nothing like that has ever been brought to my attention. I meet my staff so often and remind them of the necessity to remain impartial much as they have political animals in them. I don’t have any record of measurable shortfalls from within my staff but I know outsiders always have suspicions. But you fired 20 staff; was that an indication that things were messed from within the commission?The moral part I took here was to find out which staff was responsible. We blacklisted all of them and we can never re-engage them immediately or in the future. Secondly, they lost the opportunity to be paid. The third one was to re-train all the officials that stayed as well as their supervisors to equip them with tools to makes use of for the upcoming event. I and surely enough we managed to achieve that. The firing wasn’t an indication of a mess at the commission. It was what we can call an emergency which may occur like in Japan, they have trained scientists but the tsunami hit them. Having gone through the presidential, parliamentary and LC5 elections, nobody expected what happened. There are challenges which I talked about earlier because you can’t anticipate the true worthiness of a politician. Most times we train our people and politicians do countertraining on the same people. We never train anybody how to ballot stuff. I hear people get ballots stuck under their sleeves. I have never caught one but I have always wanted to get one and slap them then take them to prison. These are adulterations which aren’t in the predictable framework of the commission. 1 | 2 Next Page»How much money did you spend in all the elections and was it enough?We haven’t totaled up but it might be around Shs300 billion because we still have more residuals of elections. The total will come later when we finish all the remaining residuals. Questions have also been raised about how tendering for supply of services was conducted. What was the credibility of the chosen printing firms?The process was thorough because we advertised internationally and both local and international companies applied but those that met the stringent requirements were selected and we awarded them contracts. We had two international companies - Smith& Ouzman and Calamazu. We have the most complicated political systems and I told observers that if rolled out correctly we have more than one million elective offices, no other country matches that figure. When you look at our Parliament, we have two lots, LC5 where have five, and the local ones, those are many more. Ours is the most entrenched democracy and it’s quite a volume. Why did you remain obstinate about cleaning up the voters register even though many thought it was clearly inflated?There is no perfect election in the world. Our register may have some holes. Once we sealed off and announced that we have finished the cleaning people didn’t stop dying and by the time we went to the polling day there could have been some dead ones on the register. We didn’t have the machinery to remove them because the display had closed. So that could be one of the holes or a blemish on the register. And certainly the duplication process that we so deeply engaged in to remove repetitions couldn’t have given us 100 per cent removal and some stayed. You can’t believe what we saw in duplication removal because some people tried dressing differently and registered in different villages, some had different combinations of the same name and it wasn’t easy. Remember we have come from very far but I can assure you that we have a very good register and we shall have a much better register come 2016 because we are improving technology. What happened in Amolatar, for example, was a clear act of electoral fraud. The RDC hijacked the EC list of trained staff and replaced them with his own security operatives. Why did you turn a blind eye to that?I didn’t realise that. It is news to me because if I had known prior, I would have been able to avert because I don’t speak to any RDCs on such process. I have talked to all RDCs who have been implicated and I have told them to get out of my work. They are civil servants and their obligations don’t lie with the EC. I wish everybody takes their responsible positions seriously and not transgress areas which don’t fit in their mandate and as long as I am still here, no RDC will mess my polls. I don’t joke with elections and the least I expect is an RDC doing so. Do you think our EC has the best composition in a multi-party system?On an academic side, if the recruitment is done the way some opinion leaders are saying; they are forgetting that you will be creating a mini parliament where decisions are met by debate and yet here we arrive at our decisions by consensus. Bringing in people who have got triple of double allegiance in any commission would be futile. It is better to select these people with integrity whether they are doctors or whatever profession because when you come here, you must lose your other allegiance. There are two countries Kenya and Mozambique but you saw the problem which arose in Kenya. In the Mozambique elections, we were present there but I tell you some of their commissioners told us they pray for a time when their commission will not be comprised of party agents. When you have to make a decision, people move out to make telephone calls to consult their parties. If you ask the Ghana EC boss, he calls such ‘crap’ and he is the most senior and most respected EC boss on the continent. He will tell you not to meddle the electoral administration with political players; but if the law makers in Uganda want to make such moves, I am not here to obstruct them. You are serving your final term. When is it ending and where next will you go?My term ends November 17, 2016. And God willing, yes by virtue of mandate I will still be here to conduct the third elections. After that election, I will be in Uganda because I have limitless opportunities in the country and outside. I can assure you I will not fail to find something to do. As per current legal establishment, yes, I will be the chairman EC come 2016. You will be amazed if I tell you how many people have called me and said this was fabulous work I did and the calls are both from within and outside Uganda. By the time of the 2016 polls, some of my haters will have become converted and will like me. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Insight/-/688338/1119480/-/r3de3a/-/index.html","content":"Politicians killing Nema regulations, says boss - Ugandan politicians are the greatest impediments to environmental conservation in the country. Sunday Monitor’s Isaac Khisa and Nelson Wesonga spoke to the outgoing NEMA Executive Director, Dr Henry Aryamanya-Mugisha, on the country’s future environment concerns:- It is coming to 16 years since NEMA was formed in 1995 by Act of Parliament. What do you think have been the greatest achievements?The first achievement really was the drafting or preparation of the regulations and through that process, the regulations on impact assessment, which provide a detailed legal framework on how impact assessments are done in Uganda; plus the guidelines on impact assessments were put in place in 1997. That was a big achievement.Then there were regulations on wetlands, management of hilltops, management of riverbanks and lakeshores and on waste management. The second part is the institutional framework. Remember we started at a time when Uganda had moved from 39 districts to 49 to 56 and so forth. At that time, no district had an environment officer. So we had to work very hard with our colleagues at the district level to make sure that each district, each urban centre recruited an environment officer. So we started from zero to a point where now we have over a hundred. And these belong to the districts following the decentralisation process. Our role with them is to ensure that we help them build capacity. We understand there are laws that govern environmental conservation, especially wetlands. Why are these laws not implemented?Actually I am not happy about the way Ugandans respect or respond towards respecting laws. When you look at the environmental law, although a number of citizens are respecting it, there are those who think that they are above the law.And unfortunately when Nema was created, we thought that we would take the sensitisation approach and we thought that the armed wing of Nema was not necessary. But with time, we find that Nema needs an armed wing so that those who use private security guards in the degradation of the environment can be adequately handled. And it is that end that the government approved the establishment of an environmental protection force last year. But unfortunately, operationalisation was supposed to be this time but it was constrained by funds.But also, I can say it now as I am not a young person, that degradation of wetlands – particularly in Kampala – is being exacerbated by some foreigners. If you go to the Northern Bypass now, there is a private company that has poured murram in a wetland and they are trying to construct a road.If you go to Luzira, there is a company that brought security guards and threatened to harm our staff. These firms belong to Indians. This trend is increasing and it is becoming a serious matter.We are discussing it at higher levels to see what can be done. We like investment but we do not want those who are coming to destroy our natural resources. Investment must be done in conformity with the law. So what efforts are you putting in place to ensure that the laws are followed?We want to operationalise the environmental protection force. We were already working very well with the police. The structure has already been finalised and it has already been agreed that we should initially start with 40 for Kampala alone. All together, they are supposed to be 600 with 150 for National Forestry Authority and 450 for Nema. Why has NEMA failed to regulate noise and air pollution?It is supposed to take care of all aspects of the environment. But as a priority, we are going to look at wetlands.By the way, we are demarcating wetlands and gazetting them, starting with the ones in Kampala. So wetlands are a priority. Then secondly because of these churches and bars, noise can easily be contained. But the essence is to ensure that we have a 24-hour watch over the environment. How have the oil exploration firms in western Uganda fulfilled the requirements of protecting the environment as they kick off their drills?One, we have not allowed these companies, Tullow, Heritage (before it left), Deptim and Luminium, to discharge any waste at all. We are not yet at the problem of air, which will come with the refinery.We have asked these companies to construct pits. Now this is how these pits are constructed. The pits are constructed in approved places. And then these pits initially are laid with sand, after sand they put a polymeric material – strong plastic, impermeable – then after that they put blocks, and these blocks are sealed. So if you are not there during the construction, you will not know that there was construction, you will not know whether there is sand, plastic material and that the blocks have been put.After we have been satisfied with the way it has been constructed, then they bring in these wastes. Solid and liquid wastes are put separately. So this is temporary storage, until we have found a permanent solution for this disposal. And we are not waiting.So we got young scientists from Water Resources Management that is a water quality expert, a petroleum expert, an environmental expert and a soils expert. We sent them to training facilities last November to Louisiana State University in the US for a six-weeks tailor-made course on waste management - wastes that are generated from oil and gas. From there, they went to an international laboratory to see how these wastes are analysed to find out what they contain.Then they were attached to a company that is involved in the drilling and refining of oil to see how in the process of drilling and refining, these wastes are generated, how they are handled and how they are removed.From there, we attached them to a company that is in the business of receiving the waste generated by this other company, and managing it – treating it.What we have decided is that if you are a company involved in oil production, you should not manage your waste. That is a policy decision. But you should pay for the management of your waste.So, we are identifying land where we are going to have central processing facilities for waste. We think that there are going to be three central waste processing facilities.I have already informed the oil companies and they know this. And we think before Uganda starts refining its oil, these will have been completed. These wastes, which will have been temporarily stored in the various areas mentioned, will also be removed and taken for treatment.And we are very serious about this because you see the area we are talking about is a biologically rich area.Comment on reports that NEMA is a toothless dog. You know when a dog bites, what happens?I think we are talking about a dog ensuring security, and it is how you do it because if you are simply biting, biting, you will not get far.I mentioned that we started with sensitisation. Coming in and locking you up without telling you the problem you have created is not useful.So by sensitising you, I expect you to know what problems you are creating and taking corrective measures.It is only after you have defied that I come in. May be we are not moving as fast as we should. But for us our approach had been bringing the people on board and use force and the courts of law as the last resort. What have been the greatest impediments in preserving wetlands?It has become a culture again, where some politicians think that they are also technical people, not listening to technical advice.You go there, you mobilise the population, and the local politician goes back and reverses it. That is a very big challenge and it should be addressed. Ten years from now, where do you see Uganda in terms of dealing with environment matters?If you destroy the wetlands, you get terrible flooding. But, apart from that, you are going to get dirt from the urban areas, from the industries and the soils going directly into lakes. And you know when I see people crying that the Lake (Victoria) smells, it is because if you pump untreated waste, which waste should have been removed by this wetland into the lake, you are increasing the nutrients. When you do that, there is so much demand for oxygen to the extent that that part where you have this loading is depleted of oxygen. Once it is depleted of oxygen and you have living organisms there, they die. When they die, they rot and then smell.So the destruction of wetlands, not only does it increase flooding, but also it leads to these being carried to the lake, and at the end of the day, National Water and Sewerage Corporation will spend a lot of money to treat the water and such costs will be passed onto you and me.But also when the wetlands are destroyed, then these water tables will not receive water and the wells will dry. Comment on reports that some NEMA officials approve wetland encroachment in return for bribes?I have always said let me get the names. Initially I was told that there was a certain Lubega. We followed this Lubega using the police and intelligence people. That Lubega is now in Luzira. That was a Christmas gift. This was a young man who we originally thought was a Makerere University student but we later found out that he was a Senior Six dropout. Very smart, you would find him putting on very expensively, going around forging certificates. At the time we netted him, he had got Sh30 million from a certain Indian.\\Any regrets at Nema?That revolution of the late 80s and 90s in environment seems to be changing. I wish it had been kept. That is my only regret."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Auto/-/688614/1072816/-/cfgr4w/-/index.html","content":"Getting yourself the right mortgage - There is a real-estate bubble in Uganda and it is not likely to experience a crash in the near future because of the steady rise in population and the sustained economic growth. Getting on the property ladder not only provides you with a roof over your head but also with ownership of an asset that increases in value over time. Buying a house is likely to be the most expensive purchase you ever make and some people need to borrow to realise the transaction. It makes sense to borrow for two reasons; if you don’t own a house but rent your accommodation, all the money paid in rent is a sunk cost (dead money). You would rather pay that money towards a loan (mortgage) and have the property in your names. Secondly, because of the population growth and its attraction to the city for employment opportunities, the demand for houses is rising faster than the supply resulting in house price inflation. This is bound to make your investment in the property more efficient. Despite the advantages stated above, one has got to plan and research meticulously before making any decision. The process should address three questions;* Given your income, what size of mortgage can you afford? To answer this question you have to calculate the monthly repayment amounts you can comfortably afford without affecting your standard of living. This is done by highlighting the difference between your total income and all your monthly outgoings. Remember if you have been renting and are now going to be a landlord you will be liable to other costs like maintenance and house insurance. By being astute in your calculations you will be able to see how much you can afford, therefore commit yourself in the assurance that the mortgage will not be burdensome. It is however important to note that the higher the deposit you are able to pay in the mortgage transaction the less your repayments will be. Also the longer the mortgage term the lower the monthly repayment amounts but this ends up costing you more in interest paid. * What type of mortgage should you opt for? There are two types of mortgages, the interest only mortgage and the capital repayment mortgage. The interest only mortgage is where you only pay the interest amount for the entire loan period and settle the capital amount at the end. You can sell the house to settle the loan and hopefully also make a good profit or more prudently, from the start, set up a separate savings fund to accumulate a sum that you use to pay off the loan. But note that if your investment is in stock market assets, the market can be experiencing a downturn at the time when you have to cash-in and settle the mortgage, which can greatly undermine your strategy. With the repayment mortgage (common on the Ugandan market) the monthly payments are higher because they pay off the interest as well as the capital. The interest only mortgage appears to be more affordable but remember that the monthly payments do not address the debt and in case you do not have a fixed interest mortgage (paying the same amount every month - read below) it becomes expensive if interest rates rise in the future. The repayment mortgage payments on the other hand will not be impacted as much because the capital amount is reduced every year thus reducing the exposure to interest hikes.* Do you get a fixed rate mortgage or a variable interest rate (standard variable) mortgage? With the fixed rate mortgage your monthly payments are fixed for the whole of the mortgage term. This is helpful in planning your finances and you are not affected by future interest rate increases. Because the interest rate is going to be locked in for a long period, the rate is likely to be higher than the variable rate because the lender has to hedge against future interest and inflation increases. It is however the lowest risk strategy because you know exactly what your mortgage payments will be thus managing your budget better. This is usually the type of mortgage offered on the Ugandan market. The variable rate on the other hand changes with the change in interest rates. This means that your repayments are not fixed over the mortgage period but keep changing. Although it is harder to plan your finances, you will benefit especially when interest rates are very low by paying less in interest. The latest trend in developed economies is the current account mortgages where your loan becomes a big overdraft. Your salary is paid in the account and after your expenses the balance from your salary off-sets the mortgage. The advantage with this is that although you would have earned interest on your spare money that you would have saved, the interest charged on your debt is most likely higher making it more efficient to reduce your mortgage than to save and will result in paying off the mortgage much earlier. Lenders decide how much to lend you based on income multiples. The general criterion over the years has been three to five times your annual income but because of spiralling house prices and increased competition or the lack of it in Uganda’s case, banks will lend more over longer terms. It is important to be realistic of what you can afford given your income because the higher the multiple you borrow the more burdensome the mortgage will be. This will naturally affect your disposable income thus restricting your standard of living. 1 | 2 Next Page»It is also important to ensure that your earnings rise in line with inflation so that your monthly outgoings/expenses are in proportion with your income in the years ahead. This will put you in a better position to cope with your mortgage payments because the debt is either fixed or a reducing sum. There is a real-estate bubble in Uganda and it is not likely to experience a crash in the near future because of the steady rise in population and the sustained economic growth. It is however important to note that there is a major lack of mortgage financing due to the few players in the market resulting in expensive mortgages and a limitation in variety. One has got to thoroughly analyse their intended investment in a particular property especially in terms of location, size and stated value. If possible the return on the investment should exceed the cost of the mortgage and at the moment property inflation is higher than interest rates. This reduces the cost of borrowing and boosts the value of the investment. Never the less there is a very small chance of negative equity and one can protect himself/herself by putting down a larger rather than smaller deposit when buying the property. You end up borrowing less and are therefore less exposed. However, remember that negative equity would only materialise if you decided to sell when prices are depressed. When you finally put pen to paper and buy a house, you should act to reduce any risk in the investment. Insurance cover is one of the tools you should consider though it is important to shop around for the best price and coverage. Mortgage Protection Insurance: pays off your mortgage in the event that you die during the mortgage term. This cover is worthy having especially if you have dependants who would otherwise have to find the money to pay off the mortgage or face the prospect of losing the house. Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance: If you lose your job or fall ill for a prolonged period, you may fail to keep up with your payments and could end up losing your home. With this cover the insurance company maintains the payments thus securing your agreement. House Insurance: This cover insures you against damage to your property including fire, flooding, earthquakes etc. If you already have a mortgage, remember that you are not locked in for the rest of the mortgage term. With more lenders coming to the market and offering better terms and conditions, you can consider the option of remortgaging and hopefully end up paying less for your property. Whether you have just finished university and have secured your first job or have a young family or even soon to retire, the type of mortgage you get will depend on your personal circumstances and your future goals. Whatever your circumstances, the goal for every hard working person must be to own the roof over their head. Kenneth Atugonza MBA, MSc Finance « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Insight/-/688338/1070666/-/qmsod7/-/index.html","content":"‘Uganda faces more environmental challenges than climate change’ - Ms Almas Jiwani is the President of the Canadian National Committee for the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM Canada). Sunday Monitor’s Isaac Khisa spoke to her on issues surrounding climate change and women. We bring you excerpts:- According to UN report that was released a few weeks ago, many countries did not achieve the pledges made in Copenhagen of reducing carbon emission. Now with the Cancun conference, do we expect a reverse trend? The United Nations report found that the pledges made under the non-binding agreements in Copenhagen last year would provide only 60 per cent of the emissions cuts necessary to ensure that the fore-casted global temperatures do not increase over 2 degrees Celsius. We have to remember that climate change is a long-term phenomenon and we have to keep working on it with world leaders to achieve optimal greenhouse reduction targets that may vary based on geographical, economic and political factors. The UN report highlights the importance of global cooperation and I believe that the Cancun conference will provide a platform to solidify the agreements made in Copenhagen and make progress in discussions of funding for developing and developed nations towards mitigating climate change. For example, draft decisions on continued, strengthened support to developing countries efforts in climate change adaptation and mitigation will be presented in a couple of days, which demonstrates the cooperative work is happening now. What is the ClimDev-Africa Initiative? The lack of appropriate information on climate change is a major obstacle to addressing the challenges of global warming in Africa. In order to address this problem, the Climate for Development in Africa Initiative (ClimDev-Africa) was created by the African Development Bank, the Commission of the African Union, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. It involves three components; to build the capacity of African climate institutions to create and distribute useful climate information to policy-makers, policy support organizations, and the general African population. To increase the capacity of policy-makers to mainstream climate change into development plans. To implement adaptation programs and projects in order to learn lessons and define good climate change adaptation practices. The ClimDev Africa Special Fund will specifically finance ClimDev-Africa activities, which will benefit rural communities with climate sensitive livelihoods, food insecure communities, communities vulnerable to malaria and other climate sensitive diseases, communities dependent on uncertain water and other natural resources, communities at risk of disasters, and communities with poor energy access. What is your role in countering these challenges posed by climate change and what is the importance of conferences such as the one in Cancun?Our role is best prompted through initiating education, public debate and participating in the international discourse on global warming. I would like to quote His Highness, The Aga Khan IV who once stated that “we live today in what has been called the knowledge society. But even as our knowledge advances at lightning speed, we also become more vulnerable to gaps in that knowledge.” Thus, as a humanitarian, I would submit that we should strive to fill this “vulnerable gap “ by educating ourselves, stakeholders, academics, entrepreneurs, political leaders, and civilians to convince them that global warming is a significant challenge for our survival as human beings and for our future. Humanity’s role in the environment, sustainability and climate change discourse is to provide a sounding board for ideas, to be a facilitator for innovative solutions to climate change and, most importantly, to act as a bridge that attempts to unite and to bring together all players from civil society, government, and the corporate sectors to address the gaps in our knowledge and current approach to climate change. How is Climate Change impacting East Africa and Uganda, specifically? The East African Community has identified several adverse impacts of climate change that can already be observed. These include coastal infrastructure destruction, the submergence of some small islands in the Indian ocean, the intrusion of sea water into fresh water wells, and beach erosion, all caused by rising sea levels. It is further anticipated that East Africa will experience changes in temperature and precipitation patterns. Uganda’s State of the Environment report notes that the majority of the country’s farmers who practice rain-fed agriculture will find it difficult to grow crops due to declining, unreliable rainfall. While more rain could lead to enhanced crop yields, with increased rain also comes the potential for flooding which will be detrimental to crops. Due to East Africa’s heavy dependence on rain-fed agriculture, the region will be highly vulnerable to these shifting precipitation patterns. Beyond climate change, however, Uganda also faces other environmental challenges, including declining soil fertility, deforestation, pasture degradation, decreasing fish stocks, and water pollution caused by the discharge from industries and domestic waste as revealed by a United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) report on Climate Change and Uganda. What action is being taken right now to try and mitigate these effects of changing weather patterns in East Africa?Actually, there is much exciting activity occurring in East Africa. The heads of state of the five East African Community countries held a summit earlier this month to discuss food security and climate change, where they presented on the current national situations on food security and climate change and their impacts. 1 | 2 Next Page»Many leaders of East African countries have already been preparing and implementing projects and programs to deal with climate change that focus on adaptation and mitigation activities. Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda have created the National Adaptation Programme of Actions (NAPAs) which identify urgent and priority projects that will enhance adaptation capacities of these countries to climate change. All of these East African states are engaged in identifying potential mitigation options that attempt to spur economic growth while also helping to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. The fruits of these actions are culminating in innovative green projects including clean power generation and methane recovery from waste management to prevent damage from changing weather systems. What is happening specifically in Uganda right now to help adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation? In 2008, the government of Uganda formed the Parliamentary Forum on Climate Change and by 2009 this forum established a timeline of priorities and expected outcomes to be adopted by its members in order to respond to the environmental, social, and economic aspects of climate change. Its goals are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to organise a national awareness campaign, to promote regional and international cooperation on climate change, and to ensure that Uganda has a strong voice and presence at international climate change forums. At the same time, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is currently trying to work with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in order to develop adaptation measures that complement the priorities identified in Uganda’s NAPA. The UNDP and GEF are also supporting the government on Climate Change Enabling Activities, which involve identifying technology transfer barriers and greenhouse gas inventory data gaps, and raising the level of awareness on climate change issues in Uganda. Finally, a partnership between the UNDP and the United Nations Environment Programme is also assisting Uganda to mainstream environment into national planning strategies. These are just some of the activities currently happening in Uganda to assist in mitigating and adapting to climate change. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/-/689844/1043484/-/150f5wfz/-/index.html","content":"What to make of 2011 candidates - Kampala Kizza Besigye (Forum for Democratic Change/Inter-party Cooperation)If there is a politician in the last 10 to 12 years who came close to being Uganda’s symbol of much hoped-for change and relief from oppression and abuse of power, it surely is Besigye. He will go down in history as being the man who encapsulated this tidal wave against the excesses of the Museveni regime. However, since his unsuccessful presidential bid of 2006, his standing as the liberator fresh from exile has steadily declined and he has started to appear more like a career opposition leader and perennial runner-up. In his outlook, Besigye is very much a conventional politician and person and once much of the myth and halo around him in 2005 faded, and one can’t help feel that he is yesterday’s man, not the man that will solve the existential crisis that Uganda faces today. Jaberi Bidandi-Ssali (PPP)Bidandi Ssali appearing on WBS TV’s Issues at Hand on Tuesday night, hosted by Peter Kibazo, explained certain events that took place ahead of the 1996 general election that shed new light on Museveni. According to Bidandi-Ssali, as the interparty candidate Paulo Kawanga Ssemogerere visited most parts of Uganda, the mammoth crowds that greeted him east, west, north and central, alarmed the army. A High Command meeting was called and it was resolved that if someone other than Museveni was declared the winner, the army would move in and take over. If true -- and Bidandi-Ssali said Museveni himself confirmed this at a public rally in Semuto -- this presents a new angle to who really won the 1996 election, as well as revealing the myth behind the apparently large crowds that seem to greet Museveni during his tours. It also might explain why Ugandans seem to vote for Museveni in 1996, 2001 and 2006, but the reward for that loyalty seems to be an ever more accelerating breakdown in the country’s infrastructure and their resources being embezzled not so much in greedy fashion, but almost as an act of vengeance. Bidandi-Ssali’s appeal to voters is to be given a chance to achieve reconciliation between the future and the past, and so pave way for a smooth transition of power from Museveni. In this benevolent political stance, Bidandi-Ssali sounds like a Godfrey Binaisa and the information he himself disclosed on WBS TV go against the faith he appears to have in Museveni willingly standing down. Abed Bwanika (People’s Development Party)Dr Abed Bwanika falls in the category of the minor party presidential candidates such as Mohammed Kibirige Mayanja in 1996 -- sober, quiet men of integrity, without trace of public or personal scandal or lingering question marks, technocrat men who mean business, point out a lot that has gone wrong in Uganda since 1986, and a lot that can be done to turn Uganda into a prosperous nation. If the cliché about a people getting the leaders they deserve is one to go by, then it says something about Ugandans that they consistently seem to ignore candidates like Bwanika and Kibirige Mayanja and fervently support candidates who invariably disappoint them. Beti O. Kamya (Uganda Federal Alliance)Of all the eight presidential candidates, Beti Kamya has the most far-reaching campaign pledge and plan for Uganda’s future. Perhaps because of this rational view of Uganda’s problem being foundational, set in its very structure, and partly because of her own calm, unflappable personality, Kamya also comes across as the most logical of all the 2011 presidential candidates. Some other candidates offer federo to Buganda in return for votes. Others propose federalism, one gets the impression, as a way of appealing to the electorate in all parts of Uganda. Kamya, by contrast, argues and has for several months now maintained, that the root cause of Uganda’s endemic political crisis since 1962 is not in the personalities of the occupants of State House or the viciousness of the army or the dishonesty of the political parties, but the very character of the State that is called Uganda today. Whether she can win or not or whether she can implement her federalism plans for Uganda, is another matter. Sam Lubega (Independent)Lubega, who has been based in the UK for several years, comes into the 2011 general election race as a member of a faction of the Democratic Party (DP), a party that is split down the middle, which is how he ended up contesting as an independent candidate. Lubega appeared on the state-owned Star FM radio station the morning after Norbert Mao was elected DP presidential candidate in Mbale. Apart from disputing Mao’s election, Lubega also discussed the rot that now pervades practically all of Uganda. He spoke like a DP of the old school type, the moral voice in a sea of decadence in the fashion of the now defunct DP newspapers like the Citizen, Ngabo, and Munansi and DP activists like the late Anthony Ssekweyama. If elected leader, Lubega would most likely follow a conventional, Westminster-type political system, maintain the traditional social and political structure, only with the greater sense of the public good in his mind. Norbert Mao (Democratic Party)Mao, the youngest of the presidential candidates, is the flag bearer of the oldest continually-existent political party in Uganda. If Mao were to claim that he is the candidate of the future, it would be hard to argue against that. He is the candidate most familiar with the 21st Century revolution called the Internet and the digital age. He is a frequent user of Facebook and has a personal Twitter account. However, he does not seem to realise that this social media side to him is a major asset and during his campaigns and media appearances, stresses basic political arguments about reconciliation, accountability and reviving Uganda’s agricultural cooperatives. Mao also has the image problem of sometimes appearing like a comic, mainly because of his constant laughing and his urge to utter humorous quips and quotes. Even when he is at his most solemn, he does not seem serious about what he is saying. Yoweri Museveni (National Resistance Movement)Museveni is the only one of the eight presidential candidates about whom to fully write a detailed description, especially of his history and background, attracts political, legal, law-enforcement, personal and business risks. That alone explains who Museveni the candidate is. Hours after his nomination on Monday, Museveni addressed a crowd at Kololo Airstrip and among his pledges if elected, was that he would build 300 new toilets in Kampala. That a man who has been in power for 24 years, whose government and nation have received over $21b in total in foreign aid, grants, loans, and foreign direct investment since 1986, can still have, as a campaign promise in 2010, the building of toilets, not in the remote villages, but in the capital Kampala, alone sums up the 24 years of his rule of Uganda. Museveni is the most experienced of all the 2011 candidates at the art and craft (and craftiness) of statecraft. He also has the broadest strategic grasp of a nation-state, the role of military power, foreign policy and intelligence-gathering. His failure, with all that experience, to achieve simple things like sort out the flooding in Kampala and keep drugs in government hospitals, raises questions of how far this is incompetence and how far this is something else. 1 | 2 Next Page»Olara Otunnu (Uganda People’s Congress)As far as Olara Otunnu is concerned, he knows the reason that Museveni acts the way he does. Otunnu describes the NRM-led by Museveni as an “evil” regime. Where Besigye, Bidandi-Ssali, Norbert Mao, Maj. Gen. Mugisha-Muntu, Besigye’s sister Olive Kobusingye in her much-fussed-over book, and many others regard Museveni as the man who liberated Uganda but because he over-stayed in power, this power corrupted him, Otunnu and the UPC (and a growing number of Ugandans) believe that what Uganda got in 1986 was evil and this evil must be expunged from Uganda’s history books. In this sense, Otunnu, like Beti Kamya, points the finger to the bedrock, the core of what is wrong and he, like Kamya, make the most convincing case for their candidacies because of this understanding of what is fundamentally wrong in Uganda. The person that Besigye was (or was perceived to be) in 2001, 2005 and 2006 is what to a large extent, Olara Otunnu is today. Otunnu seems to be the angry candidate and rightly so. He is the man who defies police CID summons and who defies Museveni today. If Beti Kamya’s view that the Ugandan State must be comprehensively overhauled in order to treat, once and for all, this chronic political problem, Otunnu is the candidate who has come closest to describing and insisting on pointing out the fundamental problem that Uganda faces, and has so, since 1986. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1043428/-/cltlchz/-/index.html","content":"Amazing race to save depleting rhinoceros population - Uganda’s rhino population has over the years been depleted through poaching. But as Sunday Monitor’s Benon Herbert Oluka writes, the race is on to try and conserve the remaining nine, or even get some more: - In a different setting, what transpired at the start of the Rhino Fund water rafting race along the Nile on Saturday would have been hilarious. However, even the journalists present were expected to keep straight faces in the midst of all the drama because, well, we were part of a competition. First, three members of our team – which comprised journalists who cover the tourism sector and was named Star Journos – pulled out of the race at the last minute due to in some cases to fear of rafting. Nevertheless, we scrambled around for replacements and finally chanced upon two other media colleagues who had come to watch the race rather than compete. Although they agreed to join us, Star Journos was still short of a full team by one person. So even before the race began, there was an incomplete team of unfit participants that even we could not bet on to finish the race – let alone compete. When race officials eventually counted down to zero to mark the start of our race, the first of three boats in the second heat – which was occupied by a team from the Peace Corps, a US organisation – burst out of the blocks somewhere in front of the Owen Falls Dam to clearly show their competitive edge and will to win. The fact that they had competed in a previous edition of this event, and had been training in preparation for the race we participated in, was clearly evident as they moved in unison and covered more ground than the other two teams. Limited all the wayThe chasing pack behind them on the other hand was in sixes and sevens. With many members of the other two teams holding paddles for the very first time, their boats quickly veered off course as soon as we set off from the starting point and, as a result, they wasted a lot of time merely trying to steer the boats back to the right course. The media team was the first of the chasing pack to get their act together, turn the boat to the right course and try to catch up with Peace Corps. But in a competition spanning four kilometres, fatigue is sure to set in for the unprepared. And it soon set in for the media team, resulting in the Dasani team from the Coca Cola Company overtaking us a short distance into the race. Before the race started, Edward Ojede from Dasani had teased Star Journos that we would need to tie a rope connecting our boats to enable them drag us along when the going got tough. We should perhaps have taken up their offer. With every paddle, the distance between our boat and that of Dasani grew longer – until, at one turn, even they were out of sight. “We thought we came to raft and not to [row] the boat,” complained one member of our team, who had presumably expected to just sit in the boat as the fast waters swept the boat to the finishing line. Our guide, Peter, explained that because we were amateurs, we had been limited to competing at levels one and two while the professionals compete at the more volatile levels 3-5 waters. As we shifted seats three times, and Peter twice asked us to stop rowing and catch our breaths, we thanked the heavens for small mercies. We could have found ourselves in rougher waters. Sound of reliefBut that consolation was not sufficient for a team that was so far behind that it was no longer logical to compete. When we heard the sound of a motor boat Peter, who said it was the first time a team he had guided on a rafting expedition had come last, joked, “Can we wait for that boat [to pull ours to the shore]?” We would have none of Peter’s suggestion. We may have lost the race, but we were not going to lose our dignity so we paddled on at a leisurely pace. As we approached the finish line, in about twice the 25 minutes that the winners of our heat had taken, some members of Star Journos sought solace in the consolation that the only good thing out of coming last was we were not going to raft the four kilometres all over again in the finals. The other reason to be upbeat was that we had competed, along with 20 other teams, in a race whose ultimate aim was to raise funds for conserving rhinoceros, whose population has over the years been depleted through poaching. The Executive Director of Rhino Fund Uganda, Ms Angie Genade, said Uganda currently has nine rhinos at the sanctuary in Nakasongola District, along with the two used for educational purposes at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre in Entebbe. She said the nine are ready to be released to national parks for tourism purposes, thereby giving them room to conserve more if they raise sufficient funds. “Our income is so low that we can do nothing and need to have a huge amount of money each year. Unfortunately, we need more funding to bring in more rhinos and each costs $25,000 (Shs50 million),” she said, adding that the annual budget for maintaining the sanctuary, including buying uniforms and paying salaries for the guards, is $360,000 (Shs720 million). According to the organisers, this year’s competition raised Shs20 million, which would be injected into the effort to raise and protect rhinos in their sanctuary in Nakasongola. 1 | 2 Next Page»Last year, according to one of the organisers, Kelly MacTavish-Mungar, they raised another Shs20 million from the 24 teams that participated in the competition. “The event to raise funds for the rhino fund was not targeted at expatriates specifically,” she said. “It was targeted at companies that could pay one million shillings for a raft of six people with a pledge from the organisers that the money that was raised would all go back to conservation. What we encourage everybody to do is to give it a try.” Ms MacTavish-Mungar, who is the executive director of Pearl of Africa Tours and Travel, said their plan is to have 30-60 rhinos in Uganda within the next 20 years. Currently, she said, people can visit the rhinos in the sanctuary. Foreign non-residents pay Shs50,000 ($25), foreign residents (Shs25,000) and Ugandan residents Shs10,000. Around the same time next year, there will be a similar race of what has now become an annual event. Ms MacTavish-Mungar is optimistic that the race will grow each year. She said when the race began in 2004 under the Rhino Trust Fund, it did not immediately garner the number of teams that now participate and they had to shelve it until 2008. As we waited for the final race, the Managing Director of Nile River Explorers, Jon Dale, who was perhaps mindful of our woeful performance during the race, extolled the joys of rafting. “I think the best thing about the Nile is that it is considered one of the great fav rafting points in the world. When I say great fav, it is the maximum you can do with amateurs. So rafting on the Nile has become one of the biggest tourist attractions for Uganda because of how good this river is. It is world class. It is one of the top three best destinations to raft in the world. One of the reasons is that it is constant all year round. It is not like some rivers where water is only flowing for some months of the year and sometimes it is flooding. The other is that the water is warm at 24 degrees centigrade and the water is very deep. Those are big draw cards,” he said. Mr Dale said there are very few accidents, with no people drowning and only one broken bone suffered in the 15 years that their company has been involved with rafting in the Nile. He added that all staff involved with rafting are trained regularly by instructors from the Africa Puddling Association and the International River Federation to ensure that there are few accidents, while the competitors are always equipped with helmets and life jackets. “Each rafting trip is accompanied by a safety boat which takes a fully-stocked medical kit and safety crew on board so if anyone falls off and bumps themselves, we have a safety boat to pick them up. We take them out and bring them to the shore where we have a vehicle to take them to hospital,” he said. “But it is nice to say that we very seldom use those procedures.” Mr Dale added that because of a good safety record, children as young as four years can enjoy the rafting experience on “a family float trip” on levels one and two. Foreign adults pay $30 (Shs60,000), children $20 (Shs40,000) while Ugandan adults pay Shs30,000 and children Shs20,000. A full-day grade five rafting costs $125 (Shs250,000) for foreign adults, which includes transport from Kampala, three meals a day and one night of free accommodation, while Ugandans pay Shs125,000 and received the similar service. According to Mr Dale, Uganda does not have professional rafters so it is largely a fun event. “What we generally offer here is a day’s fun. You can be a totally unknown [individual] who knows nothing about rafting but you will have a fantastic day out on the Nile,” he said. At the end of the Saturday event, Team Wrangler, which belongs to tyre maker Goodyear, emerged winner. They were followed by Two Friends Bar and Restaurant from Jinja, while All About Uganda emerged third. For the Star Journos team, which fell out in the first round, we were reduced to spectators for the remainder of the day. But as the finalists completed their race that evening, it was experience that some team members promised to enjoy again soon. « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/-/688324/793288/-/bpumaj/-/index.html","content":"Dr Byamugisha defends Museveni remarks on Col. Kizza Besigye - VERBATIM FROM 28/03/06 IT’S day six on Tuesday at the Supreme Court for the hearing of the election petition by former presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye seeking nullification of President Yoweri Museveni's election for alleged rigging. The Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki leads the seven Justices Arthur Oder, John William Tsekooko, Alfred N. Karokora, Joseph Mulenga, George William Kanyeihamba and Bart Katureebe. Besigye is the petitioner, the Electoral Commission and Museveni are first and second respondents respectively. Mr Wandera Ogalo leads Besigye's legal team, Solicitor General Lucien Tibaruha leads the Electoral Commission’s team while Dr Joseph Byamugisha heads Museveni's defence. Judges enter court at 9:22 am and the hearing starts). SIRAJE K. LUBWAMA, EMMANUEL MULONDO, LYDIA MUKISA, SOLOMON MUYITA & HUSSEIN BOGERE recorded the proceedings. Tibaruha: My lords, the list of the counsel remain the same. We are ready to proceed. Ogalo: My lords, before we commence, we have some matter of concern to raise to your lordships arising from a press release by the NRM Petition Management Team. The press release is signed by Hon. Hope Mwesigye, a lawyer by profession and a Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. You did request the parties in the petition, the media and the general public to desist from making statements capable of prejudicing the trial of this case. In the press release she stated that NRM won round one... I can read part of the statement: “The NRM won round one when the petitioners’ attempt to remove the heartbeat of their case from the Supreme Court to the Constitutional Court was rejected by the Supreme Court. This was a major victory for the people of Uganda�; two, “the petitioners have started abandoning their own evidence which they had presented in court, a clear indication of the weaknesses of their case�. Four, I am omitting three, “the petitioners presented affidavits of what they alleged were disenfranchised voters when in fact some of the voters were actually on the voters' register\" and lastly; “ it is coming to light that some of the affidavits presented by the petitioners are not genuine but have been forged, others are defective while others are contradictory\". We pray that you order the parties again to desist from statements which are prejudicial. Odoki: What elements are prejudicial? Ogalo: To say that the evidence we have presented is forged; to take over the role of the court and say affidavits are contradictory; to say that our case is weak (laughter) This is all prejudicial. Odoki: What are your prayers? Ogalo: Prevail upon the parties to desist from further comments of this nature. I did present it to the attention of my learned friend (Byamugisha) before this morning. Odoki: Yes who is replying? Byamugisha: I will. Just before we started, my learned friend (Ogalo) came with a photocopy of the alleged press release. Ogalo: It is a signed original copy (passes a copy to Byamugisha). Byamugisha: I didn't know whether this is a signature. I said let me take it to her (Mwesigye). I needed to talk to her first and confirm whether she actually issued the alleged release because she is also my relative (laughter). I wanted to talk to her and prove whether she wrote it to tell her to stop it. Odoki: Has it been published anywhere? Ogalo: Yes, in The Red Pepper. Odoki: Oh! Red Pepper? Ogalo: Even in the Daily Monitor (waves copies of the two dailies). Byamugisha: The date of the press statement is 27th March. I am yet to authenticate with the said author. I want to promise that if it is true she did it, we shall undertake to stop it even if what is stated is true because some of the statements in the release are true (laughter). Tsekooko: They have been issuing statements. Byamugisha: Even the petitioners have been doing so. I had even the petitioner was on TV last night (laughter). Our team and our side will stop this. Odoki: What about Ogalo? Ogalo: We have not received any complaint but we are going to issue an order. We undertake to stop it. Odoki: We again warn all sides, the press and the general public to desist from making these statements. Don't undermine the integrity of this court because you are the losers if you do it. We still have two more weeks to complete this trial. Byamugisha: Thank you. I will submit on issue No. 4 as presented. Issue No. 4 arises from paragraph 11 of the amended petition, which was filed after the application of amendment was allowed. On 24th March, we filed the second respondent's answer to the amended petition and the amendment in paragraph 11 was also denied by the second respondent. The charges of malpractices…. They concern making statements and the petition puts them as follows: (reads paragraph 11 of the affidavit where Besigye complains that Museveni used malicious, defamatory and mudslinging words against him. The paragraph further states that Museveni said the FDC members frustrated the government efforts to construct another hydro-power dam and that Besigye was an opportunist and a deserter). I wish to submit that the affidavit does not set out facts on which the petitioner relies. I want to start with paragraph 10 of the affidavit in support of the petition (the affidavit says Museveni referred to Besigye as a night dancer). These are not particulars of a charge. When you are framing a charge like the police does it, you say: Statement of offence, then you go to particulars of the offence. He does not say these statements are false. He (petitioner) says in his affidavit, \"he called me a false prophet\". He would have answered, \"I am not \". Mulenga: If I say you called me a thief, I am I not stating the gist? Byamugisha: I admit but this one does not say that they are false in fact. He does not try to put them in the pigeon hole of the offence. Kanyeihamba: Article 104 states that the Supreme Court shall inquire into and determine the petition expeditiously. What are we determining? Byamugisha: To determine whether the act was done. Kanyeihamba: We determine whether the elections were free and fair? Byamugisha: My learned friend submitted to you that these are offences of strict liability. He cites no authority. Then on the issue of making malicious statements, one can't be malicious without an intention. One cannot abuse someone without intending. Kanyeihamba: To state that a petitioner is night dancer, is this common knowledge? Byamugisha: On pleading, one should say so that he made this statement absolutely intentionally. Nowhere does he mention the ingredients as provided for under Section 24 of the Presidential Elections Act (PEA). I am attacking the ingredients that they are defective and don’t disclose the cause of action. Karokora: In other words, you are saying when he says “you're a false prophet,� there is no cause of action? Byamugisha: He should state that it was abusive and was false. For example if you say he abused me, the facts of abuse must be stated. Mulenga: If I say he abused me, must I say that that was abusive? Byamugisha: Yes and add that it was false. If someone is stupid and is called stupid, that is not an abuse. Mulenga: The law does not allow a candidate to abuse even if it is true. Byamugisha: I am submitting that if one is called stupid, and he is stupid, then stupid is not an abuse. While in the United States of America, we (black people) are called Nigger, but to call a white man black, is an abuse (cites an authority). My submission is that in all allegations from paragraph 10 to 20 of the affidavit in support of the petition, this rule is breached. It is not complied with because the affidavit does not disclose the cause of action. Kanyeihamba: It discloses no cause of action? Byamugisha: None, in respect of these offences. Before I go to prove the question of proof, let me deal with an aspect of framing the charges (reads Section 24(5) of the Presidential Elections Ac t). Again these particulars of the affidavit should state the second respondent committed the offence while campaigning. Failure to state this, renders the charge defective. For example paragraphs 10, 11, 12, 13 specifically say the second respondent said the (abusive) words while campaigning but paragraph 14 says that while speaking on Mega radio…. Paragraph 16 talks of an article in The New Vision. These would not pass because the affidavit does not say he committed the offence while campaigning. Paragraphs 14, 16 and 17 disclose no cause of action. I go to proof. There is no affidavit sworn giving evidence… apart from this bare assertion. There is no single affidavit save that of the petitioner, which says that the petitioner was called a false prophet and was referred to as a night dancer. At least some affidavits were presented on bribery allegations. On paragraph 10, no evidence was laid to show that on 14th January while campaigning at Kansangati, the second respondent referred to DP and UPC as failures and FDC as non-starters. The petitioner says \"I was referred to as a false prophet\". The second respondent says \"I did not\" - that is square. Somebody would come and say that is an abuse. At least let the petitioner say this statement referring to me as a night dancer is false, let his agents who are many say so. We got many affidavits on disenfranchisement. If one makes an allegation and it is denied by a respondent without no further evidence, he can't succeed. Kanyeihamba: You mean the respondent denied he called him a night dancer? Byamugisha: Of course there was no way he could accept it (laughter). I will show that what he said was okay. Kanyeihamba: Words which say you're a false prophet and non-starter, are they not abusive? Byamugisha: I would think so [that someone is a non-starter or false prophet] if somebody has failed (laughter). Again in respect of these paragraphs 10 to 20, proof was lacking with exception of Hon. Musumba’s affidavit. There is no proof these offences were committed. If it was in a criminal court, these charges would be thrown out on duplicity. But here, they are defective and they give no chance to the respondent to reply to them in any sensible manner. I invite the court to be mindful of Section 23(2) of the Presidential Elections Act. It says subject to the Constitution and any other law, every candidate shall enjoy unlimited freedom of expression. Mulenga: Can you also look at Section 24? Byamugisha: This must be read with Section 23 (2) in mind (cites the authority of a Constitutional Appeal judgement of 2000 between Charles Onyango-Obbo and Andrew Mwenda versus the Attorney General). Kanyeihamba: I am amazed. My brother, in this judgement, said this right (of expression) is not absolute and that the law may catch those who go to the excess. Byamugisha: I am reading this case in relation to Section 32 (2). Karokora: Does this reconcile Section 24? Byamugisha: Whether it reconciles or not, a candidate campaigning should not make false statements. (Court adjourns at 11:02am for a break. It resumes at 11:36pm) Byamugisha: If the offences I have been submitting on are to be preserved, then they should conform to freedom of expression in the constitution. Every candidate has a right to enjoy complete and unhindered expression to campaign. Words spoken by the second respondent should be taken in whole context not to withdraw one or two or three words and capitalise on that. The affidavit of the second respondent in answer to the petition says that during the campaign, he read from newspapers and heard from his supporters that the petitioner was basing his campaign on \"Agende\" slogan meaning he should leave power. So the second respondent had to counter all these falsehoods and misleading statements during the campaign. What was stated by the second respondent was not even exaggeration, it was correct and honest in a political campaign for the high office of the president of Uganda. In answer to allegations put up in the petition, the second respondent says that all these statements are not true apart from the denial. What he actually said in Jinja while talking about the feeder roads in the area is a statement, which is justified. The petitioner says that he (Museveni) referred to him as a false prophet and opposition leaders as night dancers. The second respondent only told people not to accept false prophets who came to tell them this lie and that lie. The statement does not mention the petitioner. He was not called a false prophet and the opposition were not called night dancers. There is nothing false to refer to DP, UPC as failures and FDC as non-starters. This is what exactly they are. DP and UPC are failures and indeed FDC. This is both colourful language and true. The allegations concerning high electricity power tariffs in paragraph 12 (reads Besigye’s allegation that Museveni said the power problem was created by FDC when it was still in Parliament). This is denied. The second respondent had a plan to construct two dams at Bujagali and Karuma or Kalagala but these people who are now in FDC frustrated the building of the dams. What the second respondent said was that the high power tariffs were created by FDC. The MPs who are now in FDC paralysed the building of new dams. This is a true statement. I have seen Salaamu Musumba's affidavit, she is an MP, and Vice President of FDC. Daudi Migereko, Minister of Tourism and Industry who also served as minister of energy in his affidavit in support to the answer to the petition says that in 2001 he got information that Parliament opposed the construction of new dams. And among the MPs who opposed were Salaamu Musumba, Geoffrey Ekanya, Nandala Mafabi, and Frank Nabwiso. These are all FDC members. Kanyeihamba: In 2001 was FDC existing? Byamugisha: Those people are now in FDC. They wrote to the World Bank directly asking them not fund the project. Kanyeihamba: Is FDC being accused as a party? Now we know many people were in UPC party and now in the Movement. Can we continue accusing them of what they did in UPC? Byamugisha: These people (MPs) were candidates and were accusing the second respondent of causing high power tariffs. The second respondent was not attacking the party but those MPs who sabotaged the project. He said if it were not for them we would now be having enough power. Paragraph 13 is not true (in the paragraph Besigye accuses Museveni of saying opposition politicians were liars and mentally sick). The second respondent specifically denies. He says that he stated that there are liars who come here and tell lies. They say he is the one who caused the death of Wapakhabulo, Ayume and Gad Toko. How could he cause their death? These were driving cars. Like Francis Ayume was a close friend of his, why kill him and not kill the bad ones? He was not referring to the petitioner. If he (Besigye) says he went there and made those lies then this one applies to him. The statement refers only to liars. (reads paragraph 14 of the petition which says that on February 2 when Museveni was on Mega FM in Gulu, he said Besigye was liable for the suffering of the people in northern Uganda because he was linked to the LRA rebels. It also says Museveni wondered why the opposition were not talking against Joseph Kony’s LRA rebels and Sudan but were always attacking NRM. It also quotes Museveni as saying this means that the opposition sympathise with the LRA). This statement does not say that the petitioner is liable for the suffering nor does it say he is linked to LRA. His pleading is therefore not justified. Paragraph 15 of the petition says that in Hoima, while addressing people in Runyankore/Runyoro, the second respondent said that the petitioner was a liar and FDC was in alliance with LRA, a terrorist group. This ground is again denied. The second respondent said that while addressing people in Runyankore, he said that what took FDC out of the Movement was because they failed to work. So they did not have anything significant they were going to do in government. This is correct. If the second respondent did not use these words, then what kind of word would he use? In this statement the second respondent does not say that the petitioner was a liar and had no political programme for this country. Mulenga: One of your learned friends said that candidates should stick to their manifestos while campaigning. Byamugisha: That one is inexperienced in politics. (reads a paragraph that says Museveni wrote an article in The Red Pepper saying Besigye had no Plan B. The tabloid had earlier published an article saying Besigye had Plan B, a reference to waging a rebellion against the government if he lost the elections). The second respondent was just responding to what The Red Pepper had attributed to the petitioner. He was not campaigning. He was President and was writing as the President. I do not see how he (petitioner) had to complain about the article. The petitioner alleges that he called him a traitor, an opportunist and rebel. (Byamugisha says he had read the article) I have not seen any word referring to him as a rebel or a traitor. But what I have seen is an opportunist, which the second respondent justified. In paragraph 17 of the petition which states that the second respondent said that the petitioner was one of the members of the Constituent Assembly that weakened the president in the 1995 constitution; this is a fact. It is not an abuse. There is nothing wrong with this statement. Paragraph 18 says that the second respondent said, while campaigning in Apac, that \"the petitioner was here telling lies that he would remove IDP camps; how do you remove them without removing Kony?� This was a fair comment about the opposition in an election campaign. Byamugisha: I want to conclude on the supplementary affidavit of the petitioner. He lays new ground for nullification of election results. The affidavit is filed after the time of filing the petition has expired. It was filed on March 18th, 2006. All the allegations contained in this affidavit are new grounds filed after the expiry of the time for filing the petition. Kanyeihamba: So it should not be admitted as evidence? Doesn't the petitioner have a right to adduce evidence? Byamugisha: He has a right to give evidence but not to bring new grounds. Finally, there's the allegation that the second respondent called the petitioner a deserter. The second respondent says \"I did not at any one time refer to the petitioner as a deserter from the army.\" He instead says \"He deserted us and went to South Africa.\"... This is answered by the second respondent. He says in his affidavit in reply, \"His (Besigye's) performance was below my expectations. I tried him in different positions but everywhere he did not prove successful.\" These (Besigye's and Museveni's) are both opinions. An opinion generally held can be said to be mistaken but cannot be an offence. I now move to bribery. The petitioner contends that the second respondent committed acts of bribery. I think that ground was abandoned by the petitioner. It is denied in the respondent's affidavit in reply but was not canvassed by the petitioner's counsel. So there's no evidence of interfering with the franchise of the voters. Bribery - the affidavit in support of the petition has no facts to support allegations of bribery. So it discloses no cause of action. For completeness, I will deal with the affidavit of Salaamu Musumba. At page 32 she says, she makes allegations of how NRM was disbursing money and concludes that this was bribery. She does not give the source of her knowledge. She was not a member of the NRM to know how money was disbursed to NRM structures. She is a member of the FDC. (laughter). The respondent answers this fully in his affidavit. \"There was no such irregular distribution of money... All the funds spent by the NRM were disbursed completely for facilitating elections. Tsekooko: What is the definition of facilitation? Facilitation in which terms? Byamugisha: I will get to that my lord. Section 64 (3) of the Presidential Elections Act talks about bribery (reads the section which excludes refreshments and food at planning and campaign meetings as bribes). So is money that is meant for arranging campaign venues, planning meetings and transport. Kanyeihamba: On that issue you will agree that the line between facilitation and bribery is very thin. Does he (Museveni) explain what the money was meant for especially when this money is distributed two or three days to the election day? Byamugisha: Three days to the election day is when a candidate has to facilitate his agents. They need things like lunch, transport, pens, exercise books... Kanyeihamba: My view is that nobody admits bribery. Court has to infer from the circumstances. If there were all these unexplained payments, how do you explain that? Karokora: In this affidavit of Musumba, she says, \"Shs528 million ... does the second respondent deny having given out this money? Byamugisha: The respondent says in his affidavit in reply, \"These figures are not true. Since this is a party dispensation, the money is sent to party functionaries and not to candidates' agents. The money stated by Musumba is said to be a bribe and the second respondent says it was not. (defines bribery from the view of the Presidential Elections Act) So for it to be bribery, the money should be meant to influence another person to vote for you. So the money should be given to a voter. I have indicated there's no allegation in the petitioner's affidavit where he says that voters were bribed. There's no single voter named as having received money to influence him to vote for the second respondent. (reads the affidavit of Umar Bashir, an FDC activist who was taken to State House with a group and Museveni gave them Shs100,000 each.) \"He (Museveni) advised us that the condition to get this money was for us to cross over to NRM and start campaigning for me\". So he does say, \"and vote for me\". Kanyeihamba: So it is actually facilitation? (laughter) Byamugisha: The more important thing is that this man has not said anywhere that he was a voter. The law requires that one (being bribed) has to be a voter. Tsekooko: It is difficult to imagine that Umar crosses over to NRM and does not vote for it. Byamugisha: But that is the law. (refers again to Museveni's affidavit) He (Museveni) does not say he gave them money to vote for him but advised them to form associations to access money for entandikwa. (reverts to Henry Lukwaya's affidavit where the witness says he got Shs100,000 from the President and that Museveni said it was a Christmas gift). Even if it came out that it was a bribe for voting, it must come out clearly that this man (Lukwaya) was a voter. Kanyeihamba: (refers to one of the defence affidavits where the witness says he witnessed an incident where FDC supporters with a \"huge amount of money\" and suspected of bribing voters in Kabale were arrested on the eve of elections and later released on February 24th, 2006 after polling.) But when they are NRM, it is facilitation. We see a very disturbing pattern here. Byamugisha: They (FDC) have not complained, my lord. Kanyeihamba: This is one way of disenfranchisement. You arrest people and then release them after polling? Byamugisha: The petitioner has not proved that any voter was bribed. Katureebe: What about those affidavits saying, \"We were bribed with Shs100, Shs500 to vote for Museveni? Byamugisha: I thought those were very miserable people I did not have to respond to. Can you imagine somebody selling his vote for Shs100? It is impossible. I have read all those affidavits of persons alleging bribery. Those persons do not exceed 50. If we are to allude to section 59 (6)a, then it was not substantial. If the money given out to LCs was bribery, telling people to vote for the second respondent, then you would have had affidavits from all over Uganda saying, \"We were bribed.\" And more to that the persons who swore these affidavits do not say the second respondent bribed them. The law of agency does not apply here. It is not this man (Museveni) who is dishing out money. (reads Museveni's letter appointing polling agents and telling them to abide by the law) Tsekooko: Are you saying he (Museveni) would be so reckless to say, \"You go and break the law\"? Byamugisha: Even without bribing he would win anyway. But certainly somebody can't win an election without spending money. Some of you know this (Justices Katureebe and Kanyeihamba have been in elective politics before) Kanyeihamba: But we were not caught. (laughter) Byamugisha: The allegation of corruption must be specific. Kanyeihamba: I think you have argued very strongly for the second respondent on this issue. Can't bribery determine whether an election is not free and fair? Byamugisha: The voter must come out and say I received money, but to say I saw others receiving money. Kanyeihamba: The offence of corruption may at times only be proved by circumstantial evidence. Byamugisha: So I submit that issue Number 4 has not been proved by the petitioner and must be answered in the negative. It was not even pleaded, it just came in after the expiry of the time for filing the petition. It just sprang on us as we were preparing our affidavits. Ogalo: We will tomorrow morning argue on the report of the statistician and my learned friend on the other side will respond to it and then we shall respond generally. Odoki: So you are finishing tomorrow? Ogalo: Yes my lord. Kanyeihamba: (to Tibaruha) Did I hear you say yesterday you would say something today? Tibaruha: My learned friend Mr Nkurunziza ... Nkurunziza: My lords, I promised to avail you with a checklist on the affidavits of the petitioner and ours in reply for your ease of reference. Here are the copies of the checklist. Odoki: Hearing of this petition is adjourned until tomorrow morning (today)."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/-/688342/1130506/-/urxxsg/-/index.html","content":"Museveni criticises Gaddafi’s rule - President Museveni has written an article analysing his former ally Muammar Gaddafi’s rule. The President tells of what Gaddafi’s has done right and wrong during his 42-year rule as well as his take on the unrest in Libya. We bring you an abridged version of the article. By the time Muammar Gaddaffi came to power in 1969, I was a third year university student at Dar-es-Salaam. We welcomed him because he was in the tradition of Col. Gamal Abdul Nasser of Egypt who had a nationalist and pan-Arabist position. Soon, however, problems cropped up with Col. Gaddafi as far as Uganda and Black Africa were concerned:1.Idi Amin came to power with the support of Britain and Israel because they thought he was uneducated enough to be used by them. Amin, however, turned against his sponsors when they refused to sell him guns to fight Tanzania. Unfortunately, Col. Muammar Gaddafi, without getting enough information about Uganda, jumped in to support Idi Amin. This was because Amin was a ‘Moslem’ and Uganda was a ‘Moslem country’ where Moslems were being ‘oppressed’ by Christians. Amin killed a lot of people extra-judicially and Gaddafi was identified with these mistakes. In 1972 and 1979, Gaddafi sent Libyan troops to defend Idi Amin when we attacked him. I remember a Libyan Tupolev 22 bomber trying to bomb us in Mbarara in 1979. The bomb ended up in Nyarubanga because the pilots were scared. They could not come close to bomb properly. We had already shot-down many Amin MIGs using surface-to-air missiles. The Tanzanian brothers and sisters were doing much of this fighting. Many Libyan militias were captured and repatriated to Libya by Tanzania. This was a big mistake by Gaddafi and a direct aggression against the people of Uganda and East Africa. 2.The second big mistake by Gaddafi was his position vis-à-vis the African Union (AU) Continental Government “now”. Since 1999, he has been pushing this position. Black people are always polite. They, normally, do not want to offend other people. This is called: ‘obufura’ in Runyankore, mwolo in Luo – handling, especially strangers, with care and respect. It seems some of the non-African cultures do not have ‘obufura’. You can witness a person talking to a mature person as if he/she is talking to a kindergarten child. “You should do this; you should do that; etc.” We tried to politely point out to Col. Gaddafi that this was difficult in the short and medium term. We should, instead, aim at the Economic Community of Africa and, where possible, also aim at Regional Federations. Col. Gaddafi would not relent. He would not respect the rules of the AU. Something that has been covered by previous meetings would be resurrected by Gaddafi. He would ‘overrule’ a decision taken by all other African Heads of State. Some of us were forced to come out and oppose his wrong position and, working with others, we repeatedly defeated his illogical position. 3.The third mistake has been the tendency by Col. Gaddafi to interfere in the internal affairs of many African countries using the little money Libya has compared to those countries. One blatant example was his involvement with cultural leaders of Black Africa – kings, chiefs, etc. Since the political leaders of Africa had refused to back his project of an African Government, Gaddafi, incredibly, thought that he could by-pass them and work with these kings to implement his wishes. I warned Gaddafi in Addis Ababa that action would be taken against any Ugandan king that involved himself in politics because it was against our Constitution. I moved a motion in Addis Ababa to expunge from the records of the AU all references to kings (cultural leaders) who had made speeches in our forum because they had been invited there illegally by Col. Gaddafi. 4.The fourth big mistake was by most of the Arab leaders, including Gaddafi to some extent. This was in connection with the long suffering people of Southern Sudan. Many of the Arab leaders either supported or ignored the suffering of the Black people in that country. This unfairness always created tension and friction between us and the Arabs, including Gaddafi to some extent. However, I must salute H.E. Gaddafi and H.E. Hosni Mubarak for travelling to Khartoum just before the Referendum in Sudan and advised H.E. Bashir to respect the results of that exercise. 5.Sometimes Gaddafi and other Middle Eastern radicals do not distance themselves sufficiently from terrorism even when they are fighting for a just cause. Terrorism is the use of indiscriminate violence – not distinguishing between military and non-military targets. The Middle Eastern radicals, quite different from the revolutionaries of Black Africa, seem to say that any means is acceptable as long as you are fighting the enemy. That is why they hijack planes, use assassinations, plant bombs in bars, etc. Why bomb bars? People who go to bars are normally merry-makers, not politically minded people. We were together with the Arabs in the anti-colonial struggle. The Black African liberation movements, however, developed differently from the Arab ones. Where we used arms, we fought soldiers or sabotaged infrastructure but never targeted non-combatants. These indiscriminate methods tend to isolate the struggles of the Middle East and the Arab world. It would be good if the radicals in these areas could streamline their work methods in this area of using violence indiscriminately. These five points above are some of the negative points in connection to Col. Gaddafi as far as Uganda’s patriots have been concerned over the years. These positions of Col. Gaddafi have been unfortunate and unnecessary. Nevertheless, Gaddafi has also had many positive points objectively speaking. These positive points have been in favour of Africa, Libya and the Third World. I will deal with them point by point: 1.Col. Gaddafi has been having an independent foreign policy and, of course, also independent internal policies. I am not able to understand the position of Western countries which appear to resent independent-minded leaders and seem to prefer puppets. Puppets are not good for any country. Most of the countries that have transitioned from Third World to First World status since 1945 have had independent-minded leaders: South Korea (Park Chung-hee), Singapore (Lee Kuan Yew), China People’s Republic (Mao Tse Tung, Chou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping, Marshal Yang Shangkun, Li Peng, Jiang Zemin, Hu Jing Tao, etc), Malaysia (Dr. Mahthir Mohamad), Brazil (Lula Da Silva), Iran (the Ayatollahs), etc. Between the First World War and the Second World War, the Soviet Union transitioned into an Industrial country propelled by the dictatorial but independent-minded Joseph Stalin. In Africa we have benefited from a number of independent-minded leaders: Col. Nasser of Egypt, Mwalimu Nyerere of Tanzania, Samora Machel of Mozambique, etc. That is how Southern Africa was liberated. That is how we got rid of Idi Amin. The stopping of genocide in Rwanda and the overthrow of Mobutu, etc., were as a result of efforts of independent-minded African leaders. Muammar Gaddafi, whatever his faults, is a true nationalist. I prefer nationalists to puppets of foreign interests. Where have the puppets caused the transformation of countries? I need some assistance with information on this from those who are familiar with puppetry. Therefore, the independent-minded Gaddafi had some positive contribution to Libya, I believe, as well as Africa and the Third World. I will take one little example. At the time we were fighting the criminal dictatorships here in Uganda, we had a problem arising of a complication caused by our failure to capture enough guns at Kabamba on the 6th of February, 1981. Gaddafi gave us a small consignment of 96 rifles, 100 anti-tank mines, etc., that was very useful. He did not consult Washington or Moscow before he did this. This was good for Libya, for Africa and for the Middle East. We should also remember as part of that independent-mindedness he expelled British and American military bases from Libya, etc. 2.Before Gaddafi came to power in 1969, a barrel of oil was 40 American cents. He launched a campaign to withhold Arab oil unless the West paid more for it. I think the price went up to US$ 20 per barrel. When the Arab-Israel war of 1973 broke out, the barrel of oil went to US$ 40. I am, therefore, surprised to hear that many oil producers in the world, including the Gulf countries, do not appreciate the historical role played by Gaddafi on this issue. The huge wealth many of these oil producers are enjoying was, at least in part, due to Gaddafi’s efforts. The Western countries have continued to develop in spite of paying more for oil. It, therefore, means that the pre-Gaddafi oil situation was characterized by super exploitation in favour of the Western countries. 3.I have never taken time to investigate socio-economic conditions within Libya. When I was last there, I could see good roads even from the air. From the TV pictures, you can even see the rebels zooming up and down in pick-up vehicles on very good roads accompanied by Western journalists. Who built these good roads? Who built the oil refineries in Brega and those other places where the fighting has been taking place recently? Were these facilities built during the time of the king and his American as well as British allies or were they built by Gaddafi? In Tunisia and Egypt, some youths immolated (burnt) themselves because they had failed to get jobs. Are the Libyans without jobs also? If so, why, then, are there hundreds of thousands of foreign workers? Is Libya’s policy of providing so many jobs to Third World workers bad? Are all the children going to school in Libya? Was that the case in the past – before Gaddafi? Is the conflict in Libya economic or purely political? Possibly Libya could have transitioned more if they encouraged the private sector more. However, this is something the Libyans are better placed to judge. As it is, Libya is a middle income country with GDP standing at US$ 89.03 billion. This is about the same as the GDP of South Africa at the time Mandela took over leadership in 1994 and it about 155 times the current size of GDP of Spain. 4.Gaddafi is one of the few secular leaders in the Arab world. He does not believe in Islamic fundamentalism that is why women have been able to go to school, to join the Army, etc. This is a positive point on Gaddafi’s side. Coming to the present crisis, therefore, we need to point out some issues: 1.The first issue is to distinguish between demonstrations and insurrections. Peaceful demonstrations should not be fired on with live bullets. Of course, even peaceful demonstrations should coordinate with the Police to ensure that they do not interfere with the rights of other citizens. When rioters are, however, attacking Police stations and Army barracks with the aim of taking power, then, they are no longer demonstrators; they are insurrectionists. They will have to be treated as such. A responsible Government would have to use reasonable force to neutralize them. Of course, the ideal responsible Government should also be an elected one by the people at periodic intervals. If there is a doubt about the legitimacy of a Government and the people decide to launch an insurrection, that should be the decision of the internal forces. It should not be for external forces to arrogate themselves that role, often, they do not have enough knowledge to decide rightly. Excessive external involvement always brings terrible distortions. Why should external forces involve themselves? That is a vote of no confidence in the people themselves. A legitimate internal insurrection, if that is the strategy chosen by the leaders of that effort, can succeed. The Shah of Iran was defeated by an internal insurrection; the Russian Revolution in 1917 was an internal insurrection; the Revolution in Zanzibar in 1964 was an internal insurrection; the changes in Ukraine, Georgia, etc., all were internal insurrections. It should be for the leaders of the Resistance in that country to decide their strategy, not for foreigners to sponsor insurrection groups in sovereign countries. I am totally allergic to foreign, political and military involvement in sovereign countries, especially the African countries. If foreign intervention is good, then, African countries should be the most prosperous countries in the world because we have had the greatest dosages of that: slave trade, colonialism, neo-colonialism, imperialism, etc. All those foreign imposed phenomena have, however, been disastrous. It is only recently that Africa is beginning to come up partly because of rejecting external meddling. External meddling and the acquiescence by Africans into that meddling have been responsible for the stagnation in Africa. The wrong definition of priorities in many of the African countries is, in many cases, imposed by external groups. Failure to prioritize infrastructure, for instance, especially energy, is, in part, due to some of these pressures. Instead, consumption is promoted. I have witnessed this wrong definition of priorities even here in Uganda. External interests linked up, for instance, with internal bogus groups to oppose energy projects for false reasons. How will an economy develop without energy? Quislings and their external backers do not care about all this. 1 | 2 Next Page»2.If you promote foreign backed insurrections in small countries like Libya, what will you do with the big ones like China which has got a different system from the Western systems? Are you going to impose a no-fly-zone over China in case of some internal insurrections as happened in Tiananmen Square, in Tibet or in Urumqi? 3.The Western countries always use double standards. In Libya, they are very eager to impose a no-fly-zone. In Bahrain and other areas where there are pro-Western regimes, they turn a blind eye to the very same conditions or even worse conditions. We have been appealing to the UN to impose a no-fly-zone over Somalia so as to impede the free movement of terrorists, linked to Al-Qaeda, that killed Americans on September 11th, killed Ugandans last July and have caused so much damage to the Somalis, without success. Why? Are there no human beings in Somalia similar to the ones in Benghazi? Or is it because Somalia does not have oil which is not fully controlled by the western oil companies on account of Gaddafi’s nationalist posture? 4.The Western countries are always very prompt in commenting on every problem in the Third World – Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, etc. Yet, some of these very countries were the ones impeding growth in those countries. There was a military coup d'état that slowly became a Revolution in backward Egypt in 1952. The new leader, Nasser, had ambition to cause transformation in Egypt. He wanted to build a dam not only to generate electricity but also to help with the ancient irrigation system of Egypt. He was denied money by the West because they did not believe that Egyptians needed electricity. Nasser decided to raise that money by nationalizing the Suez Canal. He was attacked by Israel, France and Britain. To be fair to the USA, President Eisenhower opposed that aggression that time. Of course, there was also the firm stand of the Soviet Union at that time. How much electricity was this dam supposed to produce? Just 2000 mgws for a country like Egypt!! What moral right, then, do such people have to comment on the affairs of these countries? 5.Another negative point is going to arise out of the by now habit of the Western countries over-using their superiority in technology to impose war on less developed societies without impeachable logic. This will be the igniting of an arms race in the world. The actions of the Western countries in Iraq and now Libya are emphasizing that might is “right.” I am quite sure that many countries that are able will scale up their military research and in a few decades we may have a more armed world. This weapons science is not magic. A small country like Israel is now a super power in terms of military technology. Yet 60 years ago, Israel had to buy second-hand fouga magister planes from France. There are many countries that can become small Israels if this trend of overusing military means by the Western countries continues. 6.All this notwithstanding, Col. Gaddafi should be ready to sit down with the opposition, through the mediation of the AU, with the opposition cluster of groups which now includes individuals well known to us – Ambassador Abdalla, Dr. Zubeda, etc. I know Gaddafi has his system of elected committees that end up in a National People’s Conference. Actually Gaddafi thinks this is superior to our multi-party systems. Of course, I have never had time to know how truly competitive this system is. Anyway, even if it is competitive, there is now, apparently, a significant number of Libyans that think that there is a problem in Libya in terms of governance. Since there has not been internationally observed elections in Libya, not even by the AU, we cannot know what is correct and what is wrong. Therefore, a dialogue is the correct way forward. 7.The AU mission could not get to Libya because the Western countries started bombing Libya the day before they were supposed to arrive. However, the mission will continue. My opinion is that, in addition, to what the AU mission is doing, it may be important to call an extra-ordinary Summit of the AU in Addis Ababa to discuss this grave situation. 8.Regarding the Libyan opposition, I would feel embarrassed to be backed by Western war planes because quislings of foreign interests have never helped Africa. We have had a copious supply of them in the last 50 years – Mobutu, Houphouet Boigny, Kamuzu Banda, etc. The West made a lot of mistakes in Africa and in the Middle East in the past. Apart from the slave trade and colonialism, they participated in the killing of Lumumba, until recently, the only elected leader of Congo, the killing of Felix Moummie of Cameroon, Bartholomew Boganda of Central African Republic, the support for UNITA in Angola, the support for Idi Amin at the beginning of his regime, the counter-revolution in Iran in 1953, etc. Recently, there has been some improvement in the arrogant attitudes of some of these Western countries. Certainly, with Black Africa and, particularly, Uganda, the relations are good following their fair stand on the Black people of Southern Sudan. With the democratization of South Africa and the freedom of the Black people in Southern Sudan, the difference between the patriots of Uganda and the Western Governments had disappeared. Unfortunately, these rush actions on Libya are beginning to raise new problems. They should be resolved quickly. Therefore, if the Libyan opposition groups are patriots, they should fight their war by themselves and conduct their affairs by themselves. After all, they easily captured so much equipment from the Libyan Army, why do they need foreign military support? I only had 27 rifles. To be puppets is not good. 9.The African members of the Security Council voted for this Resolution of the Security Council. This was contrary to what the Africa Peace and Security Council had decided in Addis Ababa recently. This is something that only the extra-ordinary summit can resolve. 10.It was good that certain big countries in the Security Council abstained on this Resolution. These were: Russia, China, Brazil, India, etc. This shows that there are balanced forces in the world that will, with more consultations, evolve more correct positions. 11.Being members of the UN, we are bound by the Resolution that was passed, however rush the process. Nevertheless, there is a mechanism for review. The Western countries, which are most active in these rush actions, should look at that route. It may be one way of extricating all of us from possible nasty complications. What if the Libyans loyal to Gaddafi decide to fight on? Using tanks and planes that are easily targeted by Mr. Sarkozy’s planes is not the only way of fighting. Who will be responsible for such a protracted war? It is high time we did more careful thinking. Yoweri K. MuseveniPRESIDENT20th March 2011 « Previous Page 1 | 2"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/-/688324/793296/-/bpumbd/-/index.html","content":"Col. Besigye petition ends, Supreme Court to give judgement on April 6 - VERBATIM FROM 30/03/06 IT'S Thursday at the Supreme Court and the final day of the hearing of submissions of the election petition by former presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye seeking nullification of President Yoweri Museveni's election for alleged rigging. The Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki leads the seven Justices Arthur Oder, John William Tsekooko, Alfred N. Karokora, Joseph Mulenga, George William Kanyeihamba and Bart Katureebe. Besigye, the petitioner, is in court. The Electoral Commission and Museveni are first and second respondents respectively. Mr Wandera Ogalo leads Besigye's legal team; Solicitor General Lucien Tibaruha leads the Electoral Commission's team while Dr Joseph Byamugisha heads Museveni's defence. The courtroom is filled to capacity. It's 9:46am, the judges enter and the clerk calls the file. The hearing starts. SIRAJE K. LUBWAMA, EMMANUEL MULONDO, LYDIA MUKISA, SOLOMON MUYITA & HUSSEIN BOGERE recorded the proceedings. Byamugisha: The representation is as before except for the Solicitor General who has travelled on government business. Odoki: To John Matovu ( one of Besigye's lawyers): How much time do you need to make the final submissions? Matovu: By 11:00am I will be through with issue No. 4 and my learned friend Ogalo will begin from there. Mulenga: The proposal was that both of you will have finished by noon. Matovu: The contention by the first respondent was that there was no proof on the allegations that the petitioner made against the second respondent. It is also contended that the offence under section 24(5) of the Presidential Elections Act are not offences of strict liability. Under the rules that govern the presentations of issues in the election rules under Rule 4 - this is statutory instrument 13 of 2001, the format of the petition is indicated. It is our submission that looking at the presentation, the rule does not say you stipulate charges as it is done in ordinary proceedings. Section 24(5), apart from subsection (a), (b), talks about malicious statements, (d) talks of exaggerations. What is required is to show that the second defendant made the statement. Once, you have made a statement, and it is contrary to section 24 (b) and (g), you can't justify it, you can't say \"I am replying\", you can only deny. It is my humble submission that you find that except section 24 (a), the rest of the subsection have strict liability and find that the second respondent made the statements. I now turn to proof. My learned friend submitted that the petitioner did not bring any evidence apart from the affidavit of Salaamu Musumba to prove the allegations. Our submission is that first; there is enough proof on record. The affidavit of the petitioner is itself evidence. Secondly, this affidavit is corroborated. Under section 24 (5) of the Act the petitioner must prove that the second respondent made these statements while campaigning. And second, that these statements were contrary to section 24 (5). My submission is that the fact that the statements were made during the campaign is admitted by the second respondent. The first example is paragraph 15 in which he says that: \"What I said while campaigning in Koboko was: 'There are liars who come here and tell you lies. They tell you that Museveni is the one who caused the death of Wapakhabulo, Ayume, Gad Toko. How can I cause these deaths? These were driving in their own cars, not even cars under my control. And why? Like Francis Ayume was a very close supporter of mine. So that shows you that these people are sick. They are sick literally and metaphorically...'\" The statement complained of is admitted, that is \"mentally sick\". Kanyeihamba: What the second respondent said is that he was talking about liars and not the petitioner. I thought you should clarify this. Matovu: The point was about mental sickness. Mulenga: The point is about liars. Kanyeihamba: The second respondent denies that he ever meant the petitioner and this case is about the petitioner. Matovu: It is not about a candidate. The section says making malicious, abusive and insulting statements. Kanyeihamba: So anybody can petition? Matovu: It is only the candidate. Odoki: Your point is that when you refer to the whole world, it doesn't matter? Matovu: No, no, it is against the candidate. It could even be Abed (Bwanika) - the other candidate who swore an affidavit in favour of the second respondent. Mulenga: Are you saying any candidate would petition? When it is abusive, it does not matter who is abused by a campaigning candidate? Is it only mudslinging, which is exception? Matovu: Actually you can abuse as long as you don't win the elections (laughter). For this, these are facts, which have been admitted. And again, it has not been stated that the evidence of the petitioner has been challenged. So that evidence is valid, it is not contradicted. Further, I want to talk about proof. Odoki: I thought you're on proof. Matovu: Yah, the final part of proof. It has been stated that you should apply strict interpretation under section 24 (5)... My humble submission is that this is a civil matter, you're not going to convict anybody and therefore that rule dos not apply. It was presented by my learned friend that provocative language is a reply in similar terms. (cites authority from the 2001 presidential elections petition judgement of Besigye versus Museveni). You decided that provocation is not justification. It is in the judgement of the CJ (Chief Justice) on page 177. You said justification is no defence. Odoki: Where is that? Matovu: You wrote it (laughter). Our reply is one; that section 24 (5) of the Presidential Elections Act, makes exaggerations specifically prohibited in campaigns. So the English authority of Hibbs he (Byamugisha) was citing has no application. I quickly see it was useless for this court. Kanyeihamba: Because he cited it you could say it is useless without reading it? Katureebe: Did you read it yourself? Matovu: I didn't doubt his quotation. Under the Presidential Elections Act, exaggerations are specifically prohibited. You can't argue that \"I was provoked\". Finally on that point it was contended that the petitioner was putting up a new case. Our submission is that we're not putting up a new case; we're only confirming our case. Tsekooko: Where is the new case? Matovu: His contention was that we could not rely on the affidavit of the second respondent. We had to prove certain elements of the offences. Our argument is that the second respondent was admitting material acts made by his agents. Then he contended that the only affidavit, which had substance in terms of evidence, was of Musumba. And he said that from the affidavit of (Daudi) Migereko, it was clear that Musumba and other people blocked the second respondent from establishing another (hydro-power) dam. And relying on a document, which he claimed was e-mail, we contest the authenticity of the document and its admissibility. Odoki: You're contesting it in reply, not before? Matovu: We didn't want to look disorganised. This document was neither copied to Migereko, nor was it written to him. Secondly, several people were indicated as authors and it is being e-mailed - there is a problem of proof. Tsekooko: Some of the authors who were in Parliament at that time are still alive. Some are in court (Museveni and Besigye lawyers at the back benches look at Ken Lukyamuzi former MP for Lubaga South who is in court). Matovu: It is them (respondents) to prove. Tsekooko: Even when you have a probability of disproving it? Matovu: Authors could prove it. We pray that this document be expunged because we had also concluded our submission (by the time it was produced in court). Odoki: Expunged from the evidence? Matovu: Yes, however, should you find it admissible, in the alternative, it does not prove that members of FDC (Forum for Democratic Change) in Parliament blocked the construction of the dam and that was the issue. Two, as you can see, it is the authors, about seven of them Hon. Ken. Lukyamuzi inclusive (laughter). It (the document) names very serious national issues. They are talking about Busoga and cultural interests, which are not FDC interests. They are talking about corruption, this is a national interest. I am contending that should you find it admissible, it does not prove FDC blocked the construction of the dam. Mulenga: You agree that the authors of the document were trying to block the dam? Matovu: No, they were trying to have the deal streamlined especially when you look at Salaamu Musumba's affidavit, Isaac Musumba (minister) chaired this committee. The people who sent that message were not FDC. They were not blocking the construction of the dam and they wanted to streamline the deal. I have pointed out the cultural interests like those of Bujagali, which started way back in 1999 when FDC was not there. I want to talk about the question of bribery. Like you observed, my learned friend stated when he was confronted by evidence with evidence of people who took Shs500 (to vote Museveni), he stated that these were miserable people. I took it that he admitted. Byamugisha: I did not, my lords. Matovu: (cites an affidavit where Museveni admits giving money to youths at State House but defends himself that he was assisting the youth) Like you stated, bribery is an offence of circumstantial evidence. Nobody would come with a receipt that \"I received a bribe\". That discussion does not talk of mobilisation but welfare of the youth. Kanyeihamba: I had a problem with many affidavits alleging bribery, affidavits in which some people alleged to be caught, arrested and I think some of them are in jail. Many affidavits simply made general allegations but no single person was brought forward to say I did receive money. The second respondent says this was facilitation. Matovu: Some people directly received money. Here I have a voter's card of Bashir... Odoki: You're bringing new evidence. Matovu: You're not supposed to hear but to also inquire and investigate. This is an inquiry. Odoki: Who is the judge in this case? When we say no more evidence that is it. Mulenga: If you say this is an inquiry, in Umar Bashir's case you say there was no indication that he was a voter. Are you applying to give fresh evidence? Matovu: Strict rules of procedure do not apply, you inquire. Mulenga: You may have a fresh application, otherwise the rule does not allow you to present new evidence. Matovu: Let me say this, I have done my job, I have presented Umar's voter's card and you have rejected it. Odoki: You can just talk about it. Matovu: I can only say that Bashir is a voter. Byamugisha: That is evidence from the bar. We have the signatures of the petitioner, they differ from the evidence, and we're suspicious of their documents. Matovu: I just want to say that a voter is someone who is registered in a gazetted national register. It is my humble submission that since court takes judicial notice of the gazette from Lubaga Division; you should take judicial notice that Umar is a voter within the meaning of Sections 64 of the Presidential Elections Act. And that the money received on 24th December 2005 was a bribe - it was Shs100,000 and that it was to induce him to vote for the second respondent. Kanyeihamba: Not for FDC but for the second respondent? Mulenga: Does the law say accepting the money is also a crime? Matovu: Well, that is another matter. And looking at the second respondent's affidavit sworn on 21st March, where he annexes a voucher of the money he is alleged to have sent to the districts for mobilisation. I want you to note that my learned friend alleged that those funds were for facilitation and therefore were not bribes. He said it was lunch and transport for polling agents. I want you to note that from that voucher, there is a specific sum of money which was approved and sent for that purpose on 17th February. A sum of Shs12,600,000 was sent for that purpose long before the election. That money was for bribes. Because it was sent much earlier. The voucher was signed on 17th February 2006. Our submission is that since this money was distributed a day before polling day, it was meant to bribe voters. Odoki: And you have evidence? Mulenga: Assuming it was approved on 17th February, six days to polling day, How long does it take to be approved? Matovu: A maximum of four days. Katureebe: It should be two days before the Election Day? Odoki: I wish it were your document you're proving. Matovu: Well, it is proved because it is annexed. It raises suspicion. Mulenga: And what do you say, suspicion and proof? Matovu: It is my submission that that you answer issue No.4 in the affirmative. I so pray my lords. Odoki: You have done very well and within time. I hope Mr Ogalo will do the same. (court breaks at 10:55am and resumes about 30 minutes after). Ogalo: I wanted to begin my submission by dealing with the submission of Didas Nkurunziza on the affidavits. He did classify all affidavits into four categories. I will deal with categories 2,3 and 4 when dealing with the issues. I will for now deal with only category 1. These are affidavits which my learned friend said were tendered in in contravention of the law and that you ignore them on grounds that they should not have been received. These are the affidavits endorsed with a firm of Mwene Kahima. The (defence) submission raises the legal issues but also raises serious ethical issues. They (affidavits) have been referred to as forgeries and therefore bring the conduct of counsel for the petitioner into issue. I will first address the legal issues. It is a mandatory provision that instruments prepared for purposes of court must bear a name and firm of the person who drew it. …(reads the law). On the face of it they (affidavits) complied with the law. Since they complied with the law, my lords I am entitled to rely on them. I will invite my lords to do so. On the second issue we did recognise the seriousness of the accusation and yet the affidavit evidence had already been closed. We invited Mr Mulumba who prepared these documents. Mr Mulumba works with Mwene Kahima & Co. Advocates. Odoki: Works with or works in the chambers of Mwene Kahima? Ogalo: Mwene Kahima has a branch in Kabale and … Mulenga: Does Kahima know that he has a branch in Kabale? Ogalo: He knows, my lord. They have even of recent handled three cases together. Nkurunziza: That is new evidence. Ogalo: This is a matter of ethics and that is why… Odoki: This is not a court of ethics. If it is ethics, the matter can be referred to the Law Council. Ogalo: But my lord if it is sent to the Law Council it will remain on record that I submitted forgeries. Kanyeihamba: It is a matter we shall take into account and decide whether to dismiss Mr Kahima's affidavits. Ogalo: Now I turn to the submission of my learned friend Matsiko. He talks about voters who were transferred without knowledge and those who were deleted from the register and that this was insufficient to overturn the result. I refer to Rule 4 (7) of the Presidential Elections Petition Rules which provides that \"The petition shall be based on ….and documents on which the petitioner intends to rely.\" This we have done. Matters of how many voters were affected … are matters of evidence addressed in other affidavits. So the attack on the petitioner's affidavit has no basis in law and you should dismiss it. I go to the affidavit of Major Ruranga which Mr Matsiko says was sworn in a sloven fashion. … and that the credibility of this witness is very low. Any failure to provide annexures does not go to the credibility of the witness. …. Defective parts of the affidavit can be severed from the rest of the affidavit. So, this affidavit of Maj. Rubaramira Ruranga is as good as any other. The same affidavit was attacked on the ground that it was based on information. I refer to the decision of my lord the Chief Justice which my learned friend cited. The paragraph cited by my learned friend does appear in the judgement but was not in the ratio decidendi (reasons for a judicial decision). He (CJ) was simply reviewing evidence (reads) Tsekooko: Actually there was one single judgement but you keep referring to the reasoning of individual judges. Ogalo: I submit that the affidavit of Rubaramira can be relied on. It was submitted that Rubaramira only mentions two centres in respect of disenfranchisement (of voters) and that this was not a nationwide phenomenon. The petitioner adduced evidence from Arua, Nebbi, Mbale, Busia, Iganga, Kampala and Bushenyi and this proves nationwide disenfranchisement, my lord. Karokora: You mean what was contained in these affidavits represents a nationwide…? Ogalo: I will come to that my lord. My learned friend submitted that the report of the observers was hearsay and could not be relied on. My learned friend did annex an interim report of the Commonwealth observer group and relies on it. We submit that having done that, counsel cannot turn around and say we cannot use those reports ourselves. Tsekooko: Are those two wrongs or two rights? Ogalo: Two rights my lord. I am saying that he (EC) is the one who accredited them (Commonwealth observers) to observe and monitor the election. What the monitors observe during the elections is very important. And they are usually not biased because they are not connected to any party. (annexures on Rubaramira's affidavit and DEM Group report indicate that 150,000 people were erased from the register while that of the Commonwealth observer team put the estimate at 200,000) Karokora: And the first respondent conceded 150,000. Ogalo: 153,000, my lord. It was also submitted that one can be removed from the register and if one does not complain he has himself to blame. I refer to Article 59(2) and (3) of the Constitution (reads) … The duty is on the State to ensure that a registered voter remains on the register and casts his vote. The first respondent (EC) relied heavily on the affidavit of Nsimbi to rebut the evidence of disenfranchisement. This can be categorised into: 1.There is a voter who was on the register but was turned away. I submit that that was disenfranchisement in itself. 2. There are those voters who registered at one polling station but their names appeared at different polling stations. In this case I humbly submit that this was also disenfranchisement because the voter is entitled to vote where he registered, not to walk from one polling station to another looking for his name. 3.There are those voters who were advised by the presiding officers to check at the nearby polling stations. That shows that even the presiding officers were aware of this problem and confirms this disenfranchisement. 4. The last category Nsimbi refers to are those voters removed from the register on the recommendation of the parish tribunals. … He provides a sample as an annexure. (reads a sample of the tribunal reports where the two people, instead of the required five, sat and recommended, and actually went on to delete names of 220 voters). It means in the first place that the tribunal was not properly constituted. Odoki: Why? Ogalo: Because you cannot be making recommendations and at the same time you are the one deleting. It should be a different body to delete. Kanyeihamba: I am assuming that even if the tribunal was properly constituted, is it right that one should be deleted and he is not informed about the decision to delete him? Ogalo: That in itself, my lords, is disenfranchisement. The voter should be given a hearing before his name is deleted. So two people sat somewhere and made a decision to delete 220 people from the register! Katureebe: I thought those are part of the 200,000 or so who were admitted by the second respondent? Ogalo: You can't know my lord. There was no transparency in the whole system. Two people just sit somewhere, decide and 220 people are erased? (reads section 25(7) of the Presidential Elections Act, which gives guidelines on the matter.) Katureebe: Start with section 25(1) (Ogalo reads it). Mulenga: Where is the provision for the grounds for appeal? Ogalo: Subsection 8 (complaint against the tribunal to be made to the EC). Karokora: What would be the reasons for removing somebody from the register without his knowledge? Ogalo: It is because of the system. The first respondent failed to manage. Mulenga: The problem here is that someone is removed and is not informed of the decision of the tribunal. This is the lacuna we are facing. Ogalo: It is just that the first respondent has bungled up the whole process. Odoki: I am a judge in Kampala. I migrate to Mbale and the EC does not know where to find me. What happens? Ogalo: The commission is a well funded body. It has registrars in all the districts. They can trace you. I go to multiple voting and ballot stuffing. You were invited to disbelieve the evidence of Pte. Barigye. I submit that the evidence of Barigye is corroborated by the affidavit of Ruranga. (reads where polling agents of other candidates other than Museveni's plus poll monitors were denied access to polling stations and ballot stuffing is reported to have taken place. Cites where Daily Monitor questioned the practice and the regional police commander was called and he threatened the newspaper reporter with jail if he did not keep quiet.) We submit that you hold that there was multiple voting. On sending results by phone, we hold that there was no transparency. There were also reports of bribery (refers to DEM Group report, which says \"rampant bribery on polling day). Odoki: Is it general bribery of voters? Ogalo: My submission is that it is voters. It was also submitted that this was a free and fair election because one Abed Bwanika (former presidential candidate whose affidavit says he had agents countrywide and that the elections were free and fair) I would like to refer you to the results declaration forms to show that Bwanika did not have agents. They are not signed by his agents. I submit that he (Bwanika) did not have polling agents. I now go to my learned friend the Solicitor General. He argued on the issue of \"substantial effect on the results and heavily relied on the Presidential Elections Act. I submit that section 59 which he relied on is narrower that Article 104 (1) of the Constitution. I submit that court should declare the inconsistency between the two. Mulenga: The Constitution does not say you can nullify results of an election on any ground. Kabatsi: We did not agree on the issue of the constitutionality of those provisions. Ogalo: My learned friend the Solicitor General did argue on the issue of substantial effect. Katureebe: Are you saying that Parliament exceeded its powers by enacting the Presidential Elections Act? Odoki: We shall deal with that. Ogalo: I submit my lords and I invite you to find that the petitioner has adduced sufficient evidence to show that the winning majority of the second respondent has been so reduced as to cast the results in doubt. The evidence I am basing myself on is the affidavit of Ruranga. He annexed reports which put the number of people who were disenfranchised at 200,000 and another at 150,000. The concession from the bar puts the figure at 153,000. Katureebe: Do the reports say the people who were disenfranchised would have voted for the petitioner? Ogalo: I will come to that. We have, my lords, addressed 94 affidavits of voters spread all over the country, who say they were disenfranchised and the majority of them say they would have voted for Kizza Besigye (petitioner). (judges task him to give the exact figures lost or gained due to the malpractices). Let me argue the dangers of relying on the exact numbers. The petitioner has 10 days to get the numbers from 20,000 polling stations. It would be practically impossible to get numbers from all the polling stations within that period. Odoki: Give us numbers. Ogalo: I invite you my lords to use the figures given by Dr Odwee (analyst who interpreted the EC presidential election figures against Uganda's demographic figures). If the law is such that the petitioner must prove exact numbers but the time allocated to him is insufficient to do that, then a would be petitioner will simply say, \"Let me let it pass.\"(Besigye murmurs, \"Go to the bush\") Finally I go to the submission of Peter Kabatsi. The ground which my learned friend relied on to ask you to dismiss Dr Odwee’s evidence was one of methodology. I submit that Dr Odwee was required to make an analysis of the documents that were availed to him. He made an analysis based on those documents. Therefore the requirements required of one making a survey are not applicable here. Mulenga: Mine is; why use figures of the 2002 population census to make an analysis of the register of voters of 2006? Ogalo: My submission is that it does not do any harm if you take into account the growth over those four years. Kanyeihamba: How did he come to the figure of 1 million (which Odwee alleges Besigye lost in the malpractices)? Ogalo: An expert is entitled to use methods convenient to him in the circumstances of his brief. I invite you to rely on the evidence of Dr Odwee to hold that none of the candidates obtained 51%. I pray that my lords be pleased to allow the petition and grant costs to the petitioner. Tsekooko: Why do you want costs? Ogalo: I leave that to court, my lords (ends his submissions). Odoki: We have less than one week to consider all your evidence. (commends the lawyers for their contributions in the proceedings and the press for fair reporting). We shall announce our decision on April 6th this year."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Catholic-priest-rebukes-Museveni--Mbabazi/-/688334/1630546/-/s2sn4fz/-/index.html","content":"Catholic priest rebukes Museveni, Mbabazi - KAMPALA Outspoken Catholic Priest Fr. Gaetano Batanyenda has issued a stinging criticism of President Museveni and Premier Amama Mbabazi, depicting them as ‘dishonest leaders” who lack the willingness” to fight corruption. In his November 16 letter, Fr. Gaetano blames the two for shielding Mr Pius Bigirimana, the permanent secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, whom he says should take responsibility for the mess in which officials have been accused of siphoning funds. “Mr President and Rt. Hon Amama Mbabazi. Why can’t Bigirimana be interdicted? How about the former PS of Health Ms Mary Nannono? PS of Local Government Kashaka and PS Ministry of Public Service Lwamafa. Are these less Ugandan and less PS? By the way what happened to PS Kagoda of the IDs? Is he protecting and shielding some people?” he added. Fr. Gaetano, for long a close ally of Mr Museveni, also dismissed Mr Museveni’s suggestion that Mr Bigirimana was a ‘whistle-blower” who should be protected as a State witness. President Museveni’s spokesperson Tamale Mirundi said, unless Fr Gaetano’s opinions are subjected to a national referendum, they remain his own. Mr Mirundi asked Fr Gaetano to understand the difficulties of governing a democracy.“In 1980 we did not have the institution of the IGG and PAC. Today, these institutions have helped bring sanity but not with some shortfalls,” Mr Mirundi said. jnjoroge@ug.nationmedia.com =========================== FULL LETTER BELOW: ALL MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT-KAMPALA-UGANDAALL CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS-UGANDAALL RELIGIOUS LEADERS –UGANDA. RE: DISHONESTY AMONG LEADERS: A STUMBLING BLOCKTO SOLVE UGANDA’S PERENNIAL POLITICAL PROBLEMSIn the Gospel of St. Mathew, without fear or favour to the powers  that were existing at that time ,Jesus warned  the crowds and his disciples against the hypocrisy and vanity of the scribes ( politicians and public civil servants )and the Pharisees (religious leaders) in the words :“The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore observe what they tell you, but do not be guided by what they do since they do not practice what they preach (say).”Fellow leaders , Jesus was castigating  the leaders that: It is not enough to recall principles ,laws, write manifestos, state intentions, programmes and policies, make heavenly promises, point to crying injustices and falsehoods and utter prophetic denunciations; these words will lack real weight unless they are accompanied for each individual by effective  patriotic action. We must walk the talk. Often times some of us leaders, either out of negative and primitive fear or being compromised, we have not walked the talk or our silence, indifferentism or fear is slowly but surely mortgaging our country. Whenever some of us gather courage and speak, we soon or later contradict ourselves either because of sycophancy, intimidation; bribe, patronage and dishonesty .We must courageously overcome these sins if we have to save our pearl of Africa (Uganda).Fellow leaders. On the eve of Uganda’s Independence Golden Jubilee Anniversary Celebrations, President Museveni, during the prayer service at Namboole Stadium, publicly repented for his sins and sins of other leaders both past and present. I do not know whether God listened to his prayers and if he did, whether he forgave him because things are becoming unbearable day after day. During the prayer  service , he religiously  cited a litany of sins but forgot others , which are more mortal than those he enumerated, and these are: Greed for power, breach of contract, bribery ,expropriation ,primitive arrogance , impunity ,deception  duplicity ,intimidation ,theft , inconsistency  ,land grabbing, sycophancy , balkanization of Uganda into tribal districts, blackmail, bad governance, bad leadership, possessiveness ,fear to do good, indifferentism, divide and rule, institutionalizing   an individual and individualizing an institution, inconsiderate, favouritism, insensibility ,double standards, patronage,insincerity,kleptomania,dishonesty,manipulation,nepotism,supresssion,torture,beackery,aggrandizement, pride, intolerance, extravagance , bigotry, abusive language,  despotism and others.All the sins cited above, plus those cited by the President, are morally, politically, socially and spiritually deleterious and lethal to humanity and they are being committed in our presence just before our eyes. What have we done to counteract them? All these sins are manufactured by the devil and we are supposed to fight the devil and his agents. So by keeping quiet are we not conniving with the devil in destroying Uganda? Are we not the devil’s agents? Are we not colluding with the devil in oppressing the oppressed? Here I salute those MPS ,  Religious Leaders and CSOs  who have courageously and patriotically refused and rejected all forms of intimidation, blackmail, and bribery and stood up steadfastly with the suffering and downtrodden.These are the honest few who still have the courage and the spirit of patriotism, to tell the emperor that he is naked. These people are not the enemies of Uganda, NRM and indeed President Museveni as some powers are trying to portray them. I honestly believe that the worst enemies of Uganda, NRM and Museveni are those MPs ,Ministers ,Advisors and lamentably and egregiously some Religious Leaders ,who know the truth and see things going amiss, almost in all sectors of life,  but fear to speak out because of either opportunitism, sycophancy, sectarianism  or egomaniacs .These are the enemies of Uganda  and humanity. They neither love Uganda nor believe in Uganda!Among the sins cited above, I have chosen to comment on DISHONESTY because of the nasty and horrendous saga, in the office of the Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, surrounding the PS Mr Pius Bigirimana. According to Concise Oxford Thesaurus Dictionary, other words for DISHONESTY are: fraudulence, corruption, cheating, chicanery, double dealing, deception, duplicity, falsity, craft, trickery, artifice, underhandedness, subterfuge, skulduggery and criminality. If any leader degenerates to the level of being DISHONESTY, it means that his /her moral character and integrity are seriously questionable and doubtful.On 1st November, 2012, Members of Parliament, under the good and able stewardship of Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, overwhelmingly voted to have Bigirimana kicked out over the scam that has since seen the country suffer aid cuts. It is my hope and prayer that  this time our Mps will remain united and resolute in resisting all forms of intimidation, partisan and bribery ,be it at State House , Rwakitura or anywhere else, as it has been happening with some selfish and greedy MPs from the ruling Party. Other leaders like Religious and Civil Society Organizations must come out in the open cohesively and be counted to give encouragement and support to our MPs, and where necessary, criticize and lambaste them for the good of our Country.On the scandal in the OPM, nobody should be deceived that the unethical behaviour in OPM is with PS Mr Pius Bigirimana only. There are many and more powerful and influential Bigirimanas and these are the real problem of Uganda not only Bigirimana the PS. These powerful Bigirimanas are his god-father who are determined to defend him come what may and at any cost. In shielding Bigirimana, they are shielding themselvesIn a similar manner we should be prepared, as leaders, to tenaciously stand together as compatriots and patriots to defend our poor and vulnerable people of Uganda especially those from the great North whose money was indecorously swindled. Our political leaders and their cohorts are very insensitive and callous .Mr. President and Rt. Hon Amama Mbabazi. Why can’t Bigirimana be interdicted? How about the former PS of Health Ms Mary Nannono? PS of Local Government Mr Kashaka and PS Ministry of Public Service Mr Lwanafa. Are these less Ugandan and less PS? By the way what happened to PS Kagodo of the IDs? Is he protecting and shielding some people?President Museveni is reported to have said that he cannot interdict Bigirimana because he is                  a whistle-blower and therefore a state witness. Who, among his advisors advised him that if Bigirimana is interdicted he ceases to be a state witness? If he was a whistle-blower, as President Museveni wants us to believe, why did Bigirimana try to control attempts, therefore to interfere, by CID to interrogate him and other officers? Bigiriman’s stay in office is a well calculated move of hiding and concealing some vital information! Then for the Prime Minister, Amama Mbabazi, he is quoted to have stated that Bigirimana cannot be interdicted because there is nothing in the Auditor General’s report that incriminates him. May be the PM has not  read the AG’S report ;and if he read it then he was preoccupied  with many things that he did not understand it;  and if he understood it then he is a liar to say that in AG’s report there is nothing incriminating Bigirimana. I am happy to reproduce the experts of the AG report where Bigirimana is implicated and therefore has a case to answer.“Among other findings, the Auditor General report graphically demonstrates that Bigirimana is directly and personally responsible for the following offences.· Without seeking clearance from the Ministry of Finance, and without any approved work plans, he personally approved payment of Sh 15.5b out of the 20.1b which had been deposited on the Crisis Management Account. This was in contravention of his responsibility under section 14 of the Public Finance and Accountability Act (PFAA) (section 6.3.2page 22 of the Auditors report.)· Vide his internal memo of May, 21, 2012 to the Principle Accountant; he authorized payment of advances totalling Sh 34.6 b on private Accounts of OPM staff in contravention of sections 227,228 and 229 of Treasury Accounting Instruction. This includes amounts which should have been paid to beneficiaries like suppliers and service providers. The whole amount was still unaccounted for by the time of the audit. (Section 6.3.6 page 27 of the Audit Report.)· He explicitly approved withdrawal of Sh 1.4b in cash, of which 787m was withdrawn on Friday as if all the activities were meant to take place on weekends. The auditors found no cash book to show how the money was utilized. There was not even a single record accounting for the money and believe me, all this money is lost. (Section 6.3.3 page 23-24 of the Audit Report)· He authorized transfer/diversion of Sh 3b purportedly to refund monies earlier borrowed to procure  cattle boluses ,but there is no evidence to prove  that such  a borrowing ever took place (section 6.6.6 Page 25 of the Audit Report)· He approved the following dubious withdrawals (i.e. with no work plans, no cash books, and no accountability) from the sh11.1b which was irregularly diverted from the Norwegian Support to PRDP Account for the PRDP North Account.· Sh 8.1b for which auditors found no single accountability document.· Sh 1.3b paid Farm Engineers ltd for no specified purpose and no records were found at the time of audit.· Sh 776m to personal accounts (section 6.3.4.Page 25 of the Audit Report)· He diverted sh6.5b from the Norwegian support to PRDP account, to drafting of Disaster   Management Policy on June 27, 2011.How can drafting a policy cost billions? No consultant would take even Sh 1b.and there is even no break down detailing how the money was utilized(Section6.3.5 .page 25-26 of the Audit Report)· He approved payments of advances amounting to sh2.9b into the personal accounts of the two cashiers yet by the virtue of their roles Cashiers are not mandated to carry out field activities. And the money remains un accounted for ,mostly likely stolen (Section6.3.6.1,Page 27 of the Audit Report)· He authorized payment of Sh 6.8b to Caltex Ntinda but this firm was not procured in accordance with procurement regulations. No background check or evaluation was done .Records with the registrar of companies show that it is just a registered business name. Its location is unknown (a ghost probably).There is no record to show how money deposited was consumed.· He approved another payment of sh576m ostensibly for fuel for only four days to the same firm on February 6.2012 without  details to show which vehicles  took how much fuel and for which activity .This is enough to fuel 48 trailers on a return journey to and from Karamonja. It translates into sh144m worth of fuel per day .But in any case no food was issued from the stores for transportation to any destination. · The other Officers with whom he performed this transaction i.e. principal accountant, the commissioner for disaster management and a resettlement officer are all on interdiction  and facing trial, but PS is still scot free despite being the principle actor as an accounting officer. The auditors confirmed that OPM staff always withdrew such monies in a lump sum as soon as it was deposited (retrieval by sender) which is outright theft. (Section 6.3.10. Page 31-32 of the Audit Report).· He approved payments to ghost suppliers and for supply of air. Unregistered firms whose addresses are  unknown were paid as if  they supplied relief, while some firms which supplied were over paid to the tune of Sh 8.6(Section 6.3.11,Page33 of the Audit Report)· He authorized payment of sh13.7b to Farm Engineering Ltd. As the auditors observe, some payments to this firm were duplicated as evidenced by several transactions with the same voucher narrations. There is no documentation to support the payments: no work progress reports. No contract register, no contract implementation plan, no project/contract manager was ever appointed as required by procurement regulations, no call off orders were ever issued yet the firm was engaged on a framework contract, and, there were no memoranda of Understanding between OPM and the districts. The firm was always paid without the districts certifying the work done. Much of the money was paid for no work.(Section 6.3.12,Page34_37 of the Audit report)· He miserably failed in performing his statutory duty of ensuring that the ministry’s financial and accounting records were kept up to date and securely at all times as required under Section 420 of the Treasury Accounting Instructions. The former principal accountant took advantage of this failure to perpetuate his other fraudulent transactions. This would not have happened if the PS had played his roles competently. (Section 6.3.6, Page29 of the Audit Report).”(see New Vision of Tuesday, November 6,2012 by Derrick Odokorach)Secondly, PM Amama Mbabazi is quoted to have stated in a press statement, because of the pressure from the donors and MPs that the Government has decided to refund stolen funds to the Peace, Recovery and Development Project (PRDP) donor account. The money to be refunded is about 50 billion.Fellow leaders, I think every one of us knows how social services in our Villages, Parishes, Dioceses and Constituencies are in a very sorry state! I also believe that every one of us is sympathetic with the teachers, doctors and nurses, police officers and many others whose services are not appreciated. The response from the government to their misery is usually very repulsive and repudiatory. They are treated with primitive arrogance and impunity From which account does the government hope to get money to pay for the thieves, if it has failed to get money to pay teachers and medical workers, to provide better living conditions for our police officers and to provide social services to Ugandans? In any case why should the government use the tax payers’ money to pay for the thieves when they are at large with their loot?Hon. Members of Parliament, your integrity and independence are at risk. This year you resolved to have the ministers mentioned in the oil scandal to step aside and your resolution was not honoured. Again you made another resolution to have PS Kagoda interdicted over IDS cards but nothing has happened. Now there is this saga of Bigirimana .We are watching and yet to see how far you can go to defend your integrity. On all resolutions, you start well but it seems on the way some of you are injected with “kintu kidogo”- you know better. The executive has studied you and it knows that when you are hard up financially, you make noise and you are invited for the caucus meetings. What follows, you are silenced. This time let your No be No and your Yes be Yes.Lastly, the anti-corruption court acquitted the three Ministers namely Kuteesa, Nasasira and Rukutana of Chogm funds. Now what next? Where is the money? Who stole the money? The onus is on the government to tell Ugandans who stole their money since; the fact is that the money was stolen!UNITED WE STAND AND DIVIDED WE FALL and UNITY IS STRENGTHFOR GOD AND MY COUNTRYFr Gaetano Batanyenda.batanyenda@gmail.com.0703212388"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/753460/-/vxu8to/-/index.html","content":"What the NSSF probe found - Below is an abridged version of the draft report of the investigations into the Temangalo land saga BACKGROUND In the wake of the NSSF- Nsimbe Estates botched transaction, on the 6th of September 2004, control of the NSSF was transferred from the Ministry of Gender and Social Development to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The above transaction led to a loss of billions of workers deposits and consequently dismissal of some of the top managers of the NSSF and the Board of Directors. This matter is still fresh in the minds of the workers and has not yet been resolved as there is an on- going court case and some of the culprits are on the run. The aim of shifting the Fund to the Ministry of Finance was meant, among other reasons, to prevent occurrences like the above-mentioned and to ensure the safety of workers’ funds. The NSSF is by far the largest financial institution in Uganda today with well over Shs1.3 trillion in workers deposits. The Fund has a monthly cash inflow of Shs12.5 billion and pays off benefits of Sh2 billion per month. NSSF also has an asset base of Shs800 billion out of which 75% of the investments are low earning local fixed income items and its overall average return on investments is 11.4%. The Temangalo land transaction came at a time when the workers had become optimistic about the Fund considering the promised increase of interest on their deposits from 7% to 14%. Thus there is an urgent need to restore their trust and streamline the operations of the Fund. Terms of reference The committee defined the Terms of Reference for this investigation as follows; Whether there was conflict of interest by the parties involved; whether there was influence peddling in the transaction; whether there was value for money attained by NSSF in the purchase of the land; whether the procurement process as provided for by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets (PPDA) Act 2002 was followed Background to the sale; 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 Next Page»"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1237906/-/12reb7uz/-/index.html","content":"Climate change and Commonwealth: building global resilience - With less than 50 days to go before the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, Australia, I was pleased to be asked to speak at the Royal Commonwealth Society in London this week about the threat of climate change, and what this means for the Commonwealth. Climate change is one of the greatest common challenges facing the modern world. As the Minister for Africa and the Overseas Territories at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, I have seen first hand the people and places that are being put in danger by the world’s inability to tackle this grave threat. I believe that world which is failing to respond to climate change is one in which the values embodied in the Commonwealth will not be met. Since taking office 16 months ago I have travelled to 23 countries within my portfolio and there is not one country among them where ordinary people are not threatened by global warming. Although the poorest people will be worst affected by climate change, the extreme weather and floods that it can bring will affect the developed world also. We know that climate change threatens global security. In July the UN Security Council issued a Presidential Statement recognising the role of climate change as a ‘risk multiplier’, exacerbating threats in places like Sudan where drought and desertification brought on by climate change played a role in the conflict in Darfur.We know also that our prosperity depends on our access to food, water and energy. Climate change threatens all of these. The Commonwealth is a network that represents the spectrum of countries affected by climate change, in every continent on the planet, and it is a group of countries that are anchored by shared set of values and a commitment to promoting global peace and stability. It is my firm belief that the Commonwealth has both a role to play in tackling climate change at a global level, and a chance to seize the opportunities of low carbon growth in trade, investment and new industries.From business level waste and energy management techniques, through to large scale energy efficient infrastructure planning, creative entrepreneurs are leading change, and businesses as diverse as Fosters and Vodafone have adopted voluntary emissions targets. Strong intra-Commonwealth business groupings look to promote action, with the UK-India business leaders group on climate change providing an example of how this can work. We can show that climate compatible development is possible for a whole range of economies: from smart metering in the UK to solar projects in Nigeria. On the global stage the Commonwealth network carries weight when it speaks together. The UN climate conference in Durban at the end of this year matters. The global politics of climate change are currently at a low ebb - political leaders are understandably distracted by the immediacy of economic crisis. But we are coming to the end of the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol and need to build an ambitious, global, legally-binding regime involving all major emitters. Only a legally binding approach will give business and investors confidence to move rapidly to low carbon to keep global temperature rise within 2 degrees. The official theme for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2011, “Building National Resilience, Building Global Resilience” aptly captures both the challenge of climate change and the strengths of the Commonwealth that make us equipped to meet that challenge. At CHOGM, we need to set a shared vision of what we need at Durban and beyond: progress this year on issues that really matter to Commonwealth countries, such as delivering climate finance for developing countries; and progress towards a legally binding deal. Mr Bellingham is the Minister for Africa and the Overseas Territories at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Heavy-rains-destroy-Apac-roads/-/688334/2490066/-/b2muqf/-/index.html","content":"Heavy rains destroy Apac roads - APAC The heavy rains in Apac District have rendered several roads impassable. A number of streams have burst their banks, making it difficult for school children and residents to cross them. The most affected roads are Apac- Lira, Apac-Masindi Port and Apac-Oyam, Kole-Oyam, Kole –Apac. The Chegere Sub-county councillor, Mr Alex Oryang Chono, said the poor state of the roads has resulted into high transport costs to the neighbouring districts. “We cannot access our neighbouring districts, all the access roads have been washed away, while others have been completely submerged by the floods,” Mr Oryang said. The district chairperson, Mr Bob Okae, said they were trying their best to improve the roads, but were being hindered by resources. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/KCCA-to-demolish-12-buildings/-/688334/1516354/-/lrarje/-/index.html","content":"KCCA to demolish 12 buildings - Kampala Capital City Authority will five days time demolish 12 “illegal structures” from Centenary Park in a bid to restore its status as a public open space. The structures include restaurants, boutiques, bars, a beauty parlour, a kids’ shopping mall, among others. The authority on June 28 issued a 90-day ultimatum to Nalongo Estates Limited, a private firm that was charged with the development of the area since 2006, to break down the structures. KCCA cited breach of contract by the firm when it erected several structures in the park without the authority’s permission and restricted access to the area by the public. The authority also noted that the park management has failed to maintain the green belt as agreed in the contract. The contract, seen by this newspaper, stipulates that Nalongo Estates was to develop the area in exchange of creating a bridal garden and a walkway.“The affected businesses are advised to get alternative premises elsewhere in the city for their operations,” the KCCA Executive Director, Ms Jennifer Musisi, said yesterday. ‘Absurd’While speaking on a radio talk show at the weekend, one of the directors at Nalongo Estates, Ms Sarah Kizito, said it was absurd for the governing authority to terminate the contract because of “minor” changes. “I do not see a reason why KCCA terminated our contract because of the minor changes that we made out of the contract,” Ms Kizito said. The termination arose from three breaches, which include commencement of works on the property without prior approval of the council, erection of structures on the park without the express permission of the council. In addition, the contractor failed to keep the park free from obstruction at all times, maintain a green and open public space and lacked an occupation permit. Additional reporting by Dear Jeanne."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Jobs-Career/From-Child-labourers-to-self-sustaining-workers/-/689848/1662586/-/po2c20/-/index.html","content":"From Child labourers to self-sustaining workers - On dropping out of school, many children and their parents lose hope in the future reasoning that an uneducated child will be unproductive.While vulnerability in communities remains a major cause of the high rates of school dropout, it has led to exploitation of youngsters through employment of children in homes and other small business areas.Two years ago, Edward Yiga was a porter after he dropped out of school upon completion of primary level due to lack of school fees. “After completing P.7, I started working as a porter at peoples’ gardens and construction sites to raise school fees but in vain. So I continued working but the work was hard for me that I could fall sick every month,” recalls Yiga, 19, a resident Lusaka Zone in Makindye.Currently working with four of his friends, Yiga narrates that he was recruited and supported for a vocational course after counseling by Platform for Labor Action (PLA), a move he says opened flood gates in his life. “After training, I started working under someone’s guidance at a rate of Shs5000 per day including lunch until I accumulated some money and I then joined my friends to start our own workshop,” says Yiga whose working capital has since multiplied from Shs50,000 to Shs150,000. Heavy porter workAccording to Yiga, unlike the heavy work of being a porter from which he earned him less than Shs30,000 a week; his shoe making business earns him a minimum of Shs120,000 depending on the demand. “I am now able to pay rent for my workplace and house as well as survival means as a result of the profits I make every day,” he boasts.Nicholas Kambale, 17, a P.5 dropout seats next to Yiga with whom they are working earns up to Shs50,000 a week from his Shs80,000 of working capital. “I failed getting school fees and started fetching water for people and I would save shs1000 per day until I was taken for training but now I have ready customers who pick my products (shoes) directly from the workshop for hawking and others for selling at their respective areas,” says Kambale.A recent study shows that 24.5 per cent of Ugandans, most of whom are children, are living below the poverty line. The 2010/11 household survey by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) estimated that 2.75 million children in Uganda are engaged in child labour, 51 per cent (1.4m) of whom are involved in hazardous work. Labour rights activists says that unsafe working conditions, inadequate access the healthcare, the aftermath of war, HIV/AIDS pandemic and lack of adequate social security coverage for all persons continue to worsen the plight of these already vulnerable workers. Human rightsThe youngsters are part of the hundreds who were liberated from exploitation through the arrangement of promotion of human rights of vulnerable, marginalized and undocumented workers in the country majority of who are women, youth and children in both the formal and informal sectors.Ms Lilian Keene Mugerwa, the Executive Director of Platform for Labour Action (PLA) explains that the organization rescues, rehabilitates and places children in primary, secondary and vocational schools upon an assessment basing on age and their best interests of a child. “We provide free legal aid to the children and other vulnerable and marginalized workers, in case their rights are abused. Our interventions are contributing not only to the National Development Plan and also to millennium development goals. This helps the children to develop and get better lives and hence contributes to the development of the country,” says Ms Mugerwa. According to Ms Mugerwa, PLA helps children basing on age and the level of vulnerability of a child involved in child labour or at risk of joining the exploitative activities. ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1236614/-/bj8j9vz/-/index.html","content":"Boda boda, banker perish in city floods - A boda boda cyclist and a female passenger yesterday afternoon fell in a drainage channel on Muteesa I Road near the Pan African Square in Kampala and drowned. The police identified the passenger as Brenda Omuntu, an employee of Barclays Bank, but did not have details of the cyclist by press time. The accident happened after a downpour that saw several city roads cut off by floods. Deputy Police spokesperson Vicent Ssekate said the two were travelling from Katwe, a Kampala suburb, to the city centre when they lost track since the road was flooded. “The lady was working as a cashier at Barclays Katwe branch. The bodies have been taken to the City Mortuary for a post mortem,” Mr Ssekate said. By press time, the motorcycle that had been washed away by floods had not yet been recovered. According to police statistics, at least a dozen people have died in city flood-related incidents since the rains started last month in the low-lying areas of Kampala. No barricadesYesterday’s incident mirrors a problem Kampala Capital City Authority faces. Many deep water channels in the city have no barricades yet they are near major roads which often flood during rainy seasons. Scrap dealers have stripped the few that had metallic barricades. Ministry of Works spokesperson, Susan Kataike, attributed the flooding to garbage that blocks drainage channels. “People throw garbage in the channels. So when this garbage is washed down, it blocks the drainage near the road and thus the overflow. We have nothing much we can do because all the roads in Kampala were handed over to KCCA for management,” Ms Kataike said. She, however, said there is a plan to install spacious culverts, especially in areas affected by floods like Namasuba on Entebbe Road. swandera@ug.nationmedia.com & abagala@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Residents-flee-landslide-prone-areas/-/688334/2453480/-/4dynt5/-/index.html","content":"Residents flee landslide-prone areas - KITGUM. Residents in Loliya and Katutwo parishes in Orom Sub-county, Kitgum District, have started leaving their homes fearing they would be caught unaware by landslides. The areas, including Rukuk, Lakwang and Lapene villages, lie at the bottom of Orom Hill.Mr Quirino Olum, the Orom, Subcounty chairperson, said the current continuos rains have increased the movement of water flowing from the hills, which might force rocks and mud to move downhill. “Some residents are already seeking for shelter from their relatives to vacate low lands of Wang Kenya and Cam-Gweng Primary School,” he said. Mr Ocaya Muto Oywee, the Loliya parish secretary, said more than 28 households have fled the area.“We are appealing to people to relocate to avoid any possible eventualities,” he said. Heavy rains have pounded much of Uganda, which has resulted into floods in most parts of the country. The rains, according to the Metrological department in Entebbe, are expected to go on in different parts of the country up to December. Residents are also counting losses after floods washed away simsim, millet, cassava, cotton, sweet potatoes, and sorghum gardens.Mr James Olweny, a farmer in Toboi village Lolwa parish, said apart from destroying crops, the rains have also killed animals. heavy rains Past destructions. Landslides and mud slides have previously hit several parts of Uganda with the most recent being in Bududa District in 2009. This, has raised concern for a number of people whose homes lies around hills or mountainous areas. Weak soils. Rains that have pounded much of Uganda since last month have resulted into flooding in a number of up-country areas. This has made the soils to loosen up and might start to move downwards, especially in raised areas. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/River-banks-burst-as-floods-sweep-homes-and-paralyse-businesses/-/688334/1610756/-/qymt5/-/index.html","content":"River banks burst as floods sweep homes and paralyse businesses - Business has been paralysed and some properties destroyed in and around Fort Portal town following a heavy downpour that burst several river banks. The road connecting Kalita Bus Park to the town centre in Fort Portal town was on Friday cut off after floods overrun the River Mugunu Bridge. The rain started at around 2 a.m. until around 8 a.m. The water from other tributaries connecting to River Mpanga collected to form a wide and fast running mass of water that over-ran bridges, sweeping into homes and markets and paralysing business. Kamengo SS closed on Friday after students could not connect to the school as roads were flooded in and around the town. Dealers of tree seedlings along River Mpanga could not work either as they found their stocks swept away by the floods."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/Watch-out-for-ravaging-floods/-/806314/2534850/-/mi7me5/-/index.html","content":"Watch out for ravaging floods - The current devastating down-pour in most parts of the country calls for urgent protective measures to safeguard lives and property. The uncontrollable floods have claimed innocent lives. A woman in Kyengera – Wakiso District recently met her death as she tried to walk on a narrow path giving way to boda bodas. She slid, fell in a trench and was swept away by the floods only to be found dead at the far end of the trench.Another woman died instantly when she slipped and drowned in a flooded trench in Bwaise along Northern By-pass. In Kyebando, a Kampala suburb, in Kawempe Division, a 15-year-old boy died after a building collapsed following heavy rains. Do not let children move or play in the rain; ensure maximum monitoring of your children lest the floods rob you of them.National Council for Children"}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/622681-bududa-camp-registers-80-mothers.html","content":" - By Paul Watala A TOTAL of 80 pregnant mothers displaced by landslides in Namashate parish and neighbouring villages in Bududa district have been registered for care in Bulucheke camp. Kevin Nabutuwa, the regional Red Cross Society coordinator, explained that the move is aimed at establishing the number of expectant mothers and children aged below five years in the camp so that they are given special attention. “We have registered 80 expectant mothers and four of them have given birth,” Nabutuwa said. She called for more tents, mosquito nets, mattresses and bedsheets for the victims. “We expect more cases of malaria because some of their children don’t sleep under mosquito nets. So we are appealing to those giving help to focus on such items,” Nabutuwa said. She hailed the UPDF medical team and the Indian community for providing health services to the victims."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/626469-upc-reinstates-four-suspended-officials.html","content":" - By Jude Kafuuma THE Uganda People’s Congress party (UPC) has lifted the suspension of four senior party members. In October 2009, the party suspended the four members for breaching the party constitution. They were accused of attempting to usurp the executive powers of the party to undermine it’s leaders. “In the interest of the party, I hereby lift your suspension and reinstate you as a member of UPC with full rights, privileges and obligations of a member of the party,” read the letter addressed to Chua MP John Livingstone Okello-Okello. A letter of January 21, signed by party president Miria Obote, said the reinstatement was immediate. The suspended members were Okello-Okello, former secretary general Peter Walubiri, former national chairman Patrick Rubaihayo and former vice-chairman Chris Opio. The party die-hards were accused of attending a secret meeting in Lugogo, Kampala on October 3, 2009 where they discussed party matters. Addressing journalists at the party headquarters on Tuesday, UPC’s Secretary General, Chris Opoka, said once the case filed by the suspended members against the party is withdrawn, all activities in preparation for the national delegates’ conference ahead of the 2011 elections.will proceed “We have lagged behind because of the court case that had derailed the party’s progress,” Opoka said. Okello-Okello confirmed he had received the letter and was looking forward to meeting party leaders. “We will resolve the issues at that meeting before deciding to go back to court or not,” he said. However, Walubiri said the manner in which the letter was written presumed wrongdoing, which he said was incorrect. “The leaders have not resolved the problem. If they do not, we shall go back to court next week,” Walubiri said."}
{"url":"http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/595698-basoga-case.html","content":" - KAMPALA – Advocates representing the late Basoga Nsadhu in a case of breach of contract have instructions to continue appearing for him despite his death. Transsahara International (U) Ltd, that used to run a car depot at Nakawa, sued Basoga and his three companies, seeking declarations that his company was the one entitled to run the business."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Commodities/-/688610/1125640/-/cdfm9l/-/index.html","content":"Uganda wants Kenya to adopt single quality mark - Kampala The Ugandan Business Community wants Kenya to adopt one quality mark for its certified products to avoid confusion that might increase the flow of counterfeits in regional markets. Speaking in Kampala last week, Mr Ssebagala Kigozi, the executive director of Uganda Manufacturers Association, said the standards bodies of partner states met in Arusha, Tanzania and agreed that each country presents a standardisation mark for all its certified products. However, Kenya, the biggest economy in the region, presented two marks-‘D’ and ‘R’ where the D-mark stands for excellence while ‘R’ is for standard. Mr Ssebagala added that Kenya drop one of the marks or use both of them concurrently on all certified products the two marks differently will confuse the public and give way for counterfeits to flood regional markets.“Using both marks differently means that there is a hidden meaning for one of the mark. May be a certain mark means that the product is not of good quality,” Mr Ssebagala said at an SME exhibition in Lugogo. Uganda’s mark for all locally manufactured certified products is ‘S’. Incorporating marks All firms within the region are required to incorporate their countries’ marks into their product packaging after being certified by their respective standards bodies. The adoption of standardisation marks across the region seeks to curb the growing trade in counterfeit goods in the region, following the opening up of regional borders after the operationalisation of the East Africa Common Market Protocol. This protocol has now made it possible for the free movement of products both genuine and counterfeit, necessitating that all countries in the region have standardisation marks such that vigilance is strong enough to curtail the illegal trade."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/866952/-/wilpbp/-/index.html","content":"Floods paralyse business - KampalaOn Monday, business was paralysed after hours of rain in Kampala and some other parts of the country. The rains that started at around 4am stretched up 5pm, making it hard for city dwellers to report to work on time and hundreds of students were left stranded. Floods left several people stranded in the flood prone areas of Kawempe, Bwaise, Katwe, Kalerwe and Bugolobi. Most schools in Bukasa and Kamalimali zones of Kalerwe registered a low turn up, partly because the children could not wade through the flooded roads. Many areas in Salaama- Munyonyo were flooded too.Most shops remained closed and in the usually busy down-town Kampala businesses remained closed the whole day. In Kanungu, a severe hailstorm on Sunday swept through the district, destroying the district administration council hall, following a heavy downpour that lasted almost two hours. Ms Josephine Kasya, the Kanungu LC5 chairperson said more than seven tonnes of chicken mash supplied to the district by the National Agricultural Advisory Services programme were destroyed. In Jinja, rain paralysed business and in Gulu, it drizzled from morning till 4pm. According to the Department of Meteorology, rains are expected to continue up to May ‘‘but they will not be disastrous.’’“The ongoing rains are expected to continue up to May and we shall give a detailed forecast about the rains next week that will reflect other regions of the country,” said Mr Jackson Rwakishaija, the senior communications officer at the Meteorology Department. According to the weather forecast for January and February released by the department last month parts of Lake Victoria Basin, Central, South Eastern, and South Western regions were expected to continue receiving rainfall (normal to above normal rains) as the ongoing El-Nino continues into the first quarter of 2010."}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Tennis/-/690280/1892642/-/ljc80i/-/index.html","content":"Murray poised to end GB’s 77 years pain - LONDON Andy Murray will begin his campaign to end Britain’s 77 years of Wimbledon hurt, buoyed by his tearful defeat in last year’s final and shrugging off a minefield of a draw. Fred Perry won Britain’s most recent Wimbledon men’s title in 1936, the year the Spanish Civil War started and Jesse Owens spectacularly defied Hitler and the Nazis at the Berlin Olympics. Twelve months ago, Murray was defeated by Roger Federer in the final, a loss which ended with the Scot in floods of tears on Centre Court. Murray is the same half with Nadal and Federer. Champions since 2003hampions since 20032012: Roger Federer (Switzeland)2011: Novak Djokovic (Serbia)2010: Rafael Nadal (Spain)2009: Federer (Switzeland)2008: Nadal (Spain)2007: Federer (Switzeland)2006: Federer (Switzeland)2005: Federer (Switzeland)2004: Federer (Switzeland)2003: Federer (Switzeland)"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Government-launches-plan-to-save-Mabira/-/688334/1854828/-/ny4v7cz/-/index.html","content":"Government launches plan to save Mabira - The government has launched a campaign to restore parts of the degraded Mabira Forest Reserve that has been lost through degradation by neighbouring communities. The government has been in the spotlight over plans to give part of natural forest reserve to the Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited (Scoul), a Lugazi-based company owned by Mehta Group of Companies, to grow sugarcanes. But speaking at the launch of the campaign last week, State Minister for Environment Flavia Munaaba said the government would partner with environmental groups to restore the forest to serve its ecological purpose. “Giving away Mabira is being fueled by the media, that is why I had to abandon them in the forest when they compelled me to show them the degraded part the government had wanted to give Mehta. The forest is still there and we are determined to conserve it,” Ms Munaaba said. The minister added that with natural disasters such as landslides, drought and floods afflicting different parts of the country, saving Mabira and other forests is the government’s priority. Ms Munaaba said the government is concerned with the high rate at which forests are disappearing, with estimates of lost forest land at 100,000 hectares per year. She said the high population growth rate and proximity to urban centres are factors threatening Mabira that calls for vigilance among various stakeholders. During the campaign in which they partnered with Libya Oil Uganda Ltd to plant four hectares of degraded forest land, Mr Michael Mugisa, the executive director National Forest Authority, said they had set aside Shs400 million in the next financial year to restore forests around the country. “Tree planting is a Presidential initiative that we continuously roll out to save our environment,” Mr Mugisa noted. mssebuyira@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Ssese-Islands-get-new-engine-boat-donation/-/688334/1648588/-/qmt8p0/-/index.html","content":"Ssese Islands get new engine boat donation - As part of its disaster preparedness, the Uganda Red Cross Society has acquired a new engine-powered boat to enhance its emergency rescue services on Ssese Island. In a statement yesterday, the Red Cross said the 40 horse-power engine boat would serve all the 84 islands on Ssese, 64 of which are occupied by people. According to the humanitarian organisation, in a month, seven people drown in Kalangala District, an island on Lake Victoria, due to over loading, drunkenness and bad weather. Tourism boostThe development is likely to increase the number of visitors to the island as the festive season draws closer. “Pregnant women tend to experience transport challenges on the lake. The boat will, therefore, be used to undertake all humanitarian needs on the islands,” the statement reads. Meanwhile, the Red Cross secretary general, Mr Michael Richard Nataka, said a countrywide stand-by team had been set up to attend to any emergencies during the festive season. He added that the standby team would work alongside a group from the Office of the Prime Minister. The statement also says: “Throughout 2012, the Red Cross has supported 603,750 people affected by a wide range of emergencies and disasters in the country. The total number of people affected by disasters in 2012 is 194,009.” According to the Red Cross Disaster Response Report 2012, some 321 people have died due to landslides, floods, land conflicts, fires and diseases like ebola, nodding disease and Marburg. The organisation also puts the number of Congolese refugees since January at 50,996. These and other disaster victims were presented with essential household items while for emergency health outbreaks, communities were reached through awareness sessions and hygiene promotion messages.editorial@ug.nationmedia.com"}
{"url":"http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/1227988/-/10sedw3/-/index.html","content":"Sensitise the masses on disasters - It is true that floods and mudslides are acts of God. We have been struggling to heal from the days when lightning killed many people and left others injured. The government should sensitise the masses about first aid and safety measures because the many people who are affected by these disasters are ignorant of first aid and safety precautions. In the previous landslide in Bududa District, the government reportedly warned residents to avoid mudslide-prone areas. However, beyond the warning, no substantial senitisation was done. Therefore, let us learn from the past. The Ministry of Disaster Preparedness should sensitise people about the hazards of residing on hilly areas like Bulambuli and Bududa that are prone to landslides to avoid loss of precious lives as well as properties. Michael Aboneka Jr,Mukono"}